this is the place

Y Un Rat

2014-02-11T15:15:00.001-08:00

We hear this song all day. It's French. Asher says it's Spanish.

I Swear I Didn't Teach Her to Dance Like That

2014-02-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

This girl makes me laugh like no other

The Most Fun Non-Skiing Skiing I've Ever Done

2014-02-11T14:48:00.000-08:00

Earlier this winter a neighbor sold us a bunch of used toddler ski equipment for dirt cheap. We were debating whether or not to take Asher skiing this year and wouldn't have done it if we had to buy new stuff (just not worth the risk that he wouldn't like it!), but when our neighbor listed everything we'd need for next to nothing on the neighborhood website I jumped at it and we were the new owners of a bunch of beat up toddler ski gear! We took Asher to REI and got it all adjusted to fit him and were so excited to take him up to the mountain to try it out. All we needed was some fresh powder and so we waited...

And waited...

And waited...

Until FINALLY there was snow. We got Grandma Jane to baby-sit Sienna and packed up all of the gear (ugh, so much more work when you add a two year old into the mix) and drove up to the mountain. We were about five minutes away when I mentioned something about needing to buy some sunscreen when we got there. I made an off hand comment about not bringing my wallet and Jeremy's eyes got huge with the worst realization- he had forgotten his money clip! UGH. He never forgets it. Never. The one time he does, we are about a million miles from home with an almost three year old who is beyond excited to go skiing for the first time. All we could do was laugh and then try not to cry. Jeremy made some comment about wishing he could use PayPal or something and then it dawned on me! Jeremy's brother would save the day- we called him and he called Guest Services and next thing we knew there was a loaded gift card waiting for us. Joel is always the hero- it's just his personality. He comes through in the clutch- it's practically his middle name. I'm very grateful for Jeremy's baby brother.

So then the fun part- which wouldn't be the part where we got Asher all dressed up and ready to go and he cried until Jeremy carried him and his own skis while I carried Asher's and my skis for the miles we had to walk from the car to the mountain. It was at this point that I thought there is a reason people don't start skiing with their kids until they are at least 5 years old, if not 7! But anyway, the fun part- we finally got our lift tickets or more accurately our "Magic Carpet" tickets (nothing magic about it- you could walk faster up the "hill" than this thing takes you) and we were off. Asher loved it. It was freezing up there- a 20 degree day, but he was not dissuaded- he was a skier and boy was he proud! Jeremy and I never got to put our skis on. Not even once. I'll admit to some disappointment there, but never before have I ever so much fun not skiing.

Happy on the "Magic Carpet"

So cute on the "Magic Carpet"

"NO MORE SELFIES" Not even kidding- that's what he said.

Should I be concerned...

2013-12-12T13:32:00.001-08:00

...that she ran over her baby doll with a huge smile on her face?

This really happened...

2013-12-12T13:29:00.002-08:00

Seriously, what would I do without these guys? They let me dress them up in Christmas pajamas and then go for a drive around to look at Christmas lights. Asher was more excited for the promise of ice cream afterward than the actual lights. I think he figures "seen one set of lights, seen them all." Sienna was just irritated with her outfit period. Ah, the stuff of memories.

Sienna's face pretty much sums up her feelings on red polka dots

My hero, the man who is willing to wear santa pajamas for his wife's happiness

Sienna is One!

2013-11-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Sienna,

Our sweet baby girl is growing up too quickly. How did the past year fly by so fast? It feels like yesterday that we were waiting impatiently for you to make your arrival. You were born on a gorgeous sunny day (well, it was night by the time you decided to get the show on the road), and you picked a beautiful week to make your entrance.

The past year with you in our lives has been far beyond anything we could have hoped, dreamed, or imagined for. You have brought us so much joy, laughter, and love. We never in a million years could have expected how perfect you would make our world.

You amaze us with your sense of humor, your determination, your desire to talk and say the right words for things. You and your brother are truly best friends and witnessing that friendship develop has been one of the most exciting parts of the past year. You love to wrestle with him and one of your favorite games is to take his Baby Beluga stuffed animal (you call it Guga!) and give it a big hug and then hand it back to him. You two repeat this game over and over and it's so fun to watch.

You are so determined to dress yourself- anytime you come across an item of clothing you will sit for minutes with it and try and try to put it on yourself. You love to put hats on yourself and others. You also love being in the water. You put your face in the water unprompted a lot and you can't get enough of splashing.

One of your favorite activities and one of our favorites to watch is dancing. You dance dance dance and it's truly so adorable. Your daddy and I just laugh and smile at you when you shake it to music!

Sienna, being your mother is such a privilege and a gift to me. I take my role so seriously and I want to do everything I can to ensure you grow up knowing how loved you are for being you and that you always feel encouraged and built up by our words and actions towards you.

I love you, sweet Cece. God bless you now and always!
Love,
Mommy

Halloween2013: The farmer and his piglet

2013-11-21T15:00:00.002-08:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE to dress up kids in costumes. I think it's hilarious to see a baby dressed up as an animal or as a lobster in a pot- you name it, I think it's all so cute and funny! I've always had more than one costume for my kids every Halloween- I have a problem. My name is Katie and I'm a kids' costume-aholic.

This year, for their main costumes, Asher was a farmer and Sienna was a piglet. Some people who will not be named on this blog (MOTHER) thought that dressing Sienna as a pig was mean! Excuse me for thinking a little squishy baby dressed as a pig is one of the cutest things on God's green earth. Who doesn't love a baby pig? It's un-American if you don't.

We went to Daddy's office for their Halloween luncheon and then after dinner put the costumes on yet again and went trick or treating to my aunt and uncle's house and our good family friends the Daste's house as has become tradition. Then it was home and to bed. Thankfully we only get like three groups of trick or treaters so Jeremy and I didn't have to share any of our candy.

Nothing cuter than a two year old saying "twick or tweat," except equally cute maybe is a baby dressed up as a piglet...

Happy Birthday to my guy!

2013-09-13T16:32:00.001-07:00

Happy birthday to the L of my L, my best friend, my ying to my yang, my guy, my most incredible man- Jeremy. This day will always be special to me. I'm forever grateful for September 13th and for you! You are the most incredible husband, father, and best friend. I love spending time with you working, playing, and most of all laughing.

I'm praying this year is truly your best yet. I love you always!

Overheard

2013-09-13T16:21:00.001-07:00

I was trying to get the kids out the door and Asher started whining and fussing about doing a puzzle.

Me: Asher, it hurts my heart when you don't listen to me the first time I ask you to do something.

Asher: (looks up at me without a hint of remorse) Well you better go to the doctor. Get your heart fixed. (Goes back to playing with the puzzle.)

Late Summer Happenings

2013-09-12T14:50:00.002-07:00

We've been having lots of fun as of late just goofing off around the house and at local spots. Things are just getting more and more fun as Sienna gets more and more mobile and interactive with Asher. Sienna is so determined and I am constantly amazed at how quickly she learns things. This week I realized I hadn't really shown her how to wave. I showed her a few times and watched her study me. Within two days she was actively waving at people we come across. It's the sweetest thing to see- my little peanut sure likes to greet people with a wave. I am especially loving how into pretend Asher is now. He'll come to me and say, "Mommy, I want to play birthday party with you" or "Mommy, I want to play train conductor with you." For a former kid who loved to pretend play, this is like the ultimate dream and is total music to my ears.

Dressing up like Daddy

Loving this kitty sippy cup

Trying out a new biscuit- a huge breakthrough for Sienna!

Uh-oh, standing in her crib!

Playing fire fighter- "I put out fire and save kitty cat."

Practicing her wave!

Cuddling in the morning

All aboard!

Noah's Ark day- we read, reenacted, and watched Noah's Ark

Pulling herself up and cruising around

Firsts: Asher Goes to Preschool

2013-09-12T14:38:00.002-07:00

Asher's first week of preschool has come and go. I know it's only preschool and even more so it's only two days a week for two and a half hours, but my word was it ever a challenge to leave him there. After the first day I wanted to give up and never go back. Don't tell my precious son this, but his crying really works. It makes me want to give in to his tears and pick him up and run out of the school and promise him I'll never make him try anything new and scary again. Instead I put a smile on my face and tell him I love him so much and that he is going to have so much fun playing with his friends and that I'll pick him up after snack time. I hug him and hand him to his teacher and then I walk away and do my best not to turn back and rip him out of his teacher's arms where I hear him crying "I want my mommy." And then I duck into the bathroom with Sienna on my hip and go into a stall, wipe some tears out of my eyes, take a deep breath and walk out into the world waiting for 11:45am so I can go and pick him up. Preschool drop off is going to give me PTSD I swear it.

Today when I went to pick him and saw him smiling and chatting away with his teacher and his friends I knew that preschool this year was the right decision for him. When we were walking to the car and he told me three times in a five minute span "I have fun at my preschool" I felt myself relax and get excited for next week. Later when I asked him what his friends' names were and he told me "Becca. Her beautiful" I started to panic again. I love this little boy so much and I'm excited for many more "firsts" to come.

Determined and Persistent

2013-09-06T14:58:00.003-07:00

Sienna has zero interest in baby toys. ZERO. We don't even bother trying to get her to play with them anymore. She has exactly one baby toy she enjoys, but even with that toy I sometimes feel like she's playing with it to placate me.

Sienna is all about her brother's toys. She will push large obstacles out of the way to get to her brother's toys. I've seen her pick up toys blocking her way and throw them aside so that she can grab something of Asher's that she sets her sights on. This girl is determined.

Yesterday I watched her get incensed when Asher was playing with a mixer truck that she felt should be hers. He was trying to share, but that wasn't enough. She wanted it all to herself. It's so fun to watch her develop into her own person. I love how determined and persistent she is (although I know these qualities will also give me gray hair).

Hey, I want to play with that

She tries to push him out of the way with her shoulder

Pure determination

Park City - Summer 2013

2013-08-19T15:09:00.002-07:00

I know, I know. I'm terrible at updating this blog...

Our entire family went on a week long cruise to Alaska and we were left behind. The reservation was so quiet without the rest of the tribe, so we decided to leave town and head to Park City, Utah to visit our old home and friends there for a few days.

We had a wonderful time there and it was so much fun to be able to see Asher enjoy the beautiful mountain towns along the Wasatch and in the Uintas. Sienna seemed to enjoy it all as well and she did such an excellent time keeping up with the family as we were on the go the entire time we were there.

Before we left for Utah we had talked to Asher about how we would go on a hike, go swimming, and go in the hot tub (his favorite old man activity) while in Utah. He was really excited and in the days leading up to the trip he kept talking about "taking a hike like Oscar the Grouch" (this kid was definitely in need of some time in the real outdoors!) and going in the hot tub. After we landed in Salt Lake we drove up to Park City and our first stop was at the grocery store to pick up some food and diapers. As I put Asher into the shopping cart in the entry to the store, he looked around and started to declare "I want to go to other Utah." He said this a few times and looked extremely unimpressed- I mean the kid was told there would be hot tubs in Utah and this just looked like the grocery store back home! As he was whining about the "other Utah," two old men walked into the store and heard Asher's complaints. They started chuckling and one of them walked over to Asher and said "buddy, this is a pretty good Utah, I don't think you'll like the "other Utah. It doesn't get much better than Park City." We agreed and laughed.

We had such a great time and I especially loved seeing our friends, the Lossers. They are such special people and we always have so much fun talking and laughing when we see them.

Reading on the flight down

Sienna tired and ready to sleep on the plane

Sienna and Asher sitting calmly with Daddy

Sienna and Asher sitting semi-calmly with Mommy

Sienna and Asher sitting not so calmly with Mommy

Riding the Red Pine Gondola up the Canyons

Siblings love on the gondola

Daddy and Sienna have a chat on the gondola

Mommy and Asher sweaty and caked in dirt after our "hike"

Asher and Daddy in the Uintas

Asher and his walking stick in the Uintas

Asher and Daddy at Lake Fehr

Sienna happy to not be hiking anymore

Our dear friends' kids Berkley and Preston with Asher

Asher and Preston

Asher reading on the flight home

The gorgeous Uinta National Forest

Lake Fehr in the Uintas

Sienna: Five Months

2013-04-29T11:54:00.002-07:00

Dear Sienna,

Time is flying so quickly and five months has come and nearly gone with you. You are the happiest little girl with such bright curious eyes. Your big blue eyes sparkle and dance when we are exploring the world and they are usually the first thing about you that strangers comment on. You are so interested in the world, Sienna.

Eating: 3.5/3 hour schedule during the day. You dropped the dream feed at four and a half months. We were shocked when you slept through until 7am after we dropped it cold turkey. To be honest I miss that quiet feeding time with you, but we still go in your room most nights to watch you sleep. You started eating solids this month and after a week of seeming ready, but not quite getting the hang of them you really took to eating real food and haven't looked back. You can't get enough of sweet potatoes, sweet peas, and oatmeal with prunes. I'm amazed at how much you have enjoyed everything you have tried. You look like a little baby bird asking for food when you eat and we just love watching you enjoy your food!

Sleeping: Doing great overall. 7pm-7am with three long naps.

Playtime: You want to be anywhere your brother is and your eyes are on him at all times when it comes to playing!

We love you so much, Sienna!

Family Dinner in Scottsdale

Loving the sunshine!

World's cutest baby in the world's cutest swim cap!

Big blue eyes

Your "twin"

Your first flight

First trip to Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch

Loving the water, in your brother's frog suit

Sibling love

Happy Two Years, Asher!

2013-04-24T11:46:00.002-07:00

This post is so overdue. Blogging isn't a priority right now, but I don't want to let this special event pass by without a mention here.

For Asher's 2nd birthday we had a small birthday celebration with grandparents and a few aunts and uncles at our house. It was a very low key celebration, but I did have a lot of fun bringing out every Elmo and Sesame Street related item we had for the occasion. I even got Jeremy, Sienna, and me Sesame related clothing to surprise Asher with after he woke up from his nap before his party. He still talks about when Daddy wore his Cookie Monster shirt, Mommy wore her Oscar the Grouch shirt, and Sienna wore her Elmo dress to his birthday party.

At two, Asher, you are such a joy to our family. You bring so much enthusiasm and excitement to everyday activities. Family dinner, bath time, working in the yard- everything that includes you is sure to be filled with laughs and fun! You and Sienna are growing closer everyday. You love to get her up from her last nap and feel it's important to remind me to feed her! You love to bring her toys and show her what you are reading or playing with. I can't wait for you two to play together soon.

Your favorite people are your immediate family and both sets of grandparents. You love to talk about what you think they are doing when they aren't with us. According to you, both sets of grandparents take a lot of naps and fly on a lot of airplanes when they aren't with us.

You love to go to play with Coralie twice a week and you know the schedule enough to tell me when it's a day at "Ah's house." I love hearing about what you did at her house and you are getting so good at recounting much of the activities you do there.

As you enter into 2 years old you are using less and less of your Asher-isms and I'm sad to see them go! You still use "wa-wa" for airplane even though you have no problem saying airplane. You also prefer to call Coralie "Ah" even though you can say Coralie fine.

Some of my favorite Asher-ism's we seen come and go are:
'ain = train
"I o you" = I love you
God book song = when you request I play "Father Abraham" in the car
Jesus see you song = when you request I play "Jesus Loves You" in the car
"Ina" = food (we have no idea where this came from)
nore = more
guck = book
"Asher, Elmo, Baby Ua, Nap" = when you requested a nap with your Elmo and Baby Beluga stuffed animals
"Baby 'Ua" = Raffi's Baby Beluga song
"Baby Cece" = Sienna
'ienna = Sienna
"I go Grandma, Papa, Meow House"

My Heart

2013-04-24T11:22:00.002-07:00

Today Asher's teacher Miss Caroline sent me this picture of my sweetheart holding a bunch of flowers. I opened it up on my computer screen and saw my precious first born's sweet, tender, and hopeful eyes looking back at me. My heart did a fast forward to my son grown or nearly grown and someday giving flowers to someone with that same sweet, tender, and hopeful look on his face. And then of course my crazy post partum hormonal self did what many a crazy post partum hormonal self does- I thought about the fact that this little boy is my heart and one day someone will probably hurt his heart, because let's face it- being hurt and rejected are parts of life. Thankfully we are resilient creatures, but that doesn't mean we can or even should avoid being hurt or rejected at different points in our lives. A life without any hurt or rejection is a very isolated life and not without its own form of pain and I don't wish that isolation on my son. But My God, that doesn't mean that my heart can't break a little as I think of that future hopeful, tender, and sweet grown man who experiences hurt and rejection down the road. It also doesn't mean that I can't quickly daydream of destroying the person that hurts and rejects him too, because I certainly couldn't qualify as crazy post partum hormonal without a bit of totally ridiculous anger towards an unknown person could I? :)

I love you, sweetheart and I am so grateful for the hope and kindness you bring to our family. May you always be quick to share that hope and kindness with others.

Love my hood!

2013-04-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

I let Asher feed them- let's hope they don't take up residence in my front yard.

Hard at work

2013-03-19T12:04:00.001-07:00

Before and After Mama brought out Asher's mower

Precious

2013-03-19T11:59:00.001-07:00

I left the room for a second and came back to this scene.

Sienna: Four Months

2013-03-18T15:37:00.001-07:00

Dear Sienna,

Sweet Girl, you are a masterpiece! I tell you that every day when I change your diaper. Your diaper is not a masterpiece, but changing you gives me the perfect opportunity to tell you how much I love you and what a blessing you are. Changing you also provides an opportunity for laughter as lately you crack up with giggles when I change your clothes. Love that so much!

Eating: 3.5/3 hour schedule during the day and still doing the dreamfeed at 10pm. You weigh 13lbs. 8.25 oz. to be exact about it. You are 24.25 in. long. You are 50th percentile across the height/weight/noggin board.

Sleeping: Doing great overall. 7pm-7am with three long naps and an evening catnap that you threatened to drop a few weeks ago. Thankfully you decided to stop resisting it as you weren't quite ready to make it from your third nap until bedtime yet without a lot of fussing!

Playtime: You got a jumper and you seem to love it for the most part. Your brother Asher has tried to help you jump a few times and that just about scared your love for the jumper right out of you. Thankfully you kept at it, that's my girl!

We love you so much, Sienna!

Sleeping in the ergo.

Playing "restaurant" with Asher. You and I were tough customers.

Playing with Mommy after mealtime.

Sienna: Three Months

2013-03-11T15:29:00.002-07:00

Dear Sienna,

You are quickly becoming the smiliest member of our family. It is such a rare occurrence for you to be anything but smiling. You fill our hearts with such joy! Your brother adores you, your daddy and mommy adore you, and your grandparents adore you! It's tough not to with your big smile and sparkling eyes. And then to make things even more incredible you are such a giggler! Your laugh is so wonderful to hear that we all spend time everyday doing things we think might make you laugh. Your absolute favorite was discovered by your Great Uncle Bob. He figured out that you couldn't get enough of "jumping." You love to be raised into the air and then lowered and you would do it all day if there was someone with the endurance to keep lifting and lowering you over and over!

Eating: You are still on a wonderful 3 hour schedule, but have moved to a 3.5/3 hour schedule as the month has progressed. You weigh 12.5lbs!

Sleeping: You take great naps in your crib. Three naps a day and one short cat nap in the evening. Bedtime is 7-7:15 and I have to wake you at 7am to eat. You seem to love your crib and wake up in the morning so happy and ready to play! You haven't been in your swing since 2.5 months old. I haven't had the courage to move it out of your room yet, but I think it's probably safe to do so.

Playtime: You love to play with your Sophie the Giraffe toy, but your absolute favorite thing to do is stand in your exersaucer. You love that thing! Your brother will come and help you play music in it and you get the biggest grin on your face. Another favorite playtime activity is rolling over. You have been rolling over since 12 weeks to the day. You roll from tummy to back and it is amazing to watch you. You just quickly flip yourself over and get a huge grin on your face. After a few minutes you start to get a bit crabby about it. Thankfully you realized that rolling over in your crib was a bad idea and you have stopped interrupting your sleep with a roll over!

We love you so much, Sienna!

Sitting up with Mama's help!

At the store with Mama

Sleeping!

Watching something you shouldn't be watching with brother!

Playing in your exercauser

Happy Girl!

January: Winter Fun

2013-01-22T21:35:00.002-08:00

Just a random sample of some of the fun we've had this month!

Sienna at her one month and two month doctor appointments

Asher and Coralie play together

Gigi and Cece have a fun discussion

Sienna shops at Whole Foods with mommy and stays awake the entire time!

Sienna and her favorite babysitter and friend, Nicole enjoy some mirror time

Asher poses in front of his portrait

Sienna enjoys a good book

Asher helps mommy blow the candle out on her birthday cupcake

Asher and Grandma bake

Asher and Daddy do some bedtime reading

Sienna: Two Months!

2013-01-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Sienna,

Time is flying so fast! I can't believe you are two months already. You are such a delight to us all. You are such a happy and mellow baby. You love to talk and sing to us. You will even talk and coo to the puppies if they are in your line of sight, you love talking that much. We just love hearing you talk so much, it's music to our ears. Your brother adores you and spends time looking at books with you and your mommy and daddy. This month your mommy, daddy, and brother all had colds and thank God you managed to avoid one and stayed healthy and happy.

Eating: You are still on a wonderful 3 hour schedule.

Sleeping: You take great naps in your crib. Three naps a day and one short cat nap in the evening. Bedtime is 7-7:15 and you wake sometime between 4-6am. You wonderfully go back to sleep with the pacifier and I have to wake you at 7am to eat. You seem to love your crib and wake up in the morning so happy and ready to play!

Playtime: You are starting to grab toys and hold onto them. It's so fun to see the look of surprise on your face. The first time you batted at toys on your activity gym you seemed so shocked I thought you would start crying. You love books so much. We spend a lot of your playtime reading to you and looking at picture books with you.

Thank you so much sweet girl for joining our family. We love you so much, Sienna!

One Day You'll Make Me Take This Post Down

2013-01-02T21:33:00.001-08:00

Best Friends Always

2013-01-02T21:30:00.001-08:00

Asher is such a sweet big brother to Sienna. Last night he asked to hold her before they went to bed. He couldn't get enough of her grabbing at his face. He thought it was hilarious. It's such a joy to see them together and I can't wait for more interaction between these two little best friends.