Two Year Old Tate

What can I say about this kid.  A LOT. I just love him so so so so so much and cannot get enough of him!  He is SILLY, FUNNY, SHY, SMART, ADORABLE, HILARIOUS and So SO SO much more.

Let me tell you a few things about my little Tater Tot. Yes we do call him that. We also call him Tater Bug, Bugs, just Tater.  

So here is a day in the life of being Tate's mom, it's the best.  First he wakes up and gets out of his crib by himself (we've had to put a baby lock on the inside of the door).  Usually one of the kids lets him out and he comes running in wanting a drink of water. You've never met a thirstier kid then Tate.  He is always wanting a "dink of water".  After he gets his drink he comes and snuggles in bed with me and then says, "I want breakfast, mom".  Yes everything he says ends in Mom or Dad.  Like this morning we were saying family prayer and he said, "Amen, Dad."  He's funny I tell you.

After breakfast he usually takes a shower with me or a bath with Rylee and then he gets dressed which usually means I have to tackle and hold him down to get his clothes on him.   Then it's go time. We either go run errands or clean the house and he is usually running around with Rylee playing in forts she makes him or building a train.

Noon means lunch with is either a quesadilla, mac and cheese or dino chicken and then it's nap time!  He goes down easily and sleeps from 2 to 3 hours.  Ah love a good napper. I've been blessed with them.

Then he wakes up and runs around some more.  He begs me for candy or a sucker and I usually give in. He's got a sweet tooth like his mommy and loves junk food.  He's usually running around with two different shoes on. A cleat on one foot and a church shoes of Ammon's on the other.  Every time we go to anyone's house he's got someone's shoes on.  He's got a fetish for shoes.  Oh and balls too. He knows the difference between a football, soccer ball, and a baseball.  He is obsessed with them.  

When I ask him where the kids are he says, "Ammon at school." Where is daddy Tate? 

"Daddy at work" His little voice is so cute and he is such a good little talker already.

He goes to bed so easily around 7 or 7:30.  Jody puts him in bed and every night reminds Jody to brush his teeth.  Gives everyone kisses and is out!

Life with Tate is perfect. He is perfect. Even today when he was screaming at me in Safeway I had to laugh because he never does that. It was so out of character that I just laughed.  

He loves to make silly faces.  Play with his siblings.  He loves to play outside and is always asking me to take him on a walk.  He gives me kisses upon kisses and loves to snuggle and hug me.  I love the way he puts his arm inside mine when I'm carrying him. I love that I can devote myself to him because I don't have a newborn right now (which I normally did with my other kids).

Two year olds are suppose to be hard but I love Tate being Two. So innocent, fun and full of life. It's the best and if I could freeze him I would!

I'm Back!

I feel like I've said this a few times over the last year. But hopefully I'm back for good this time.  This last year has been a whirlwind.  Lots of good some bad.  From about November to May I was pretty sick.  We still aren't sure what I had but about once a week I would get violently ill.  Throw up,  in the bathroom all night. Nasty stuff. I had a colonoscopy and lots of blood work but we never found anything.  Looking back now I wonder if it was something in the home we were renting.  Jody and the kids all didn't feel very well also.  The kids had diarrhea all winter on and off.  Then we moved into our new house and it all went away.  Left me wondering and praying that it's over!

Last February I also started working for the Krazy Coupon Lady. Every, Single, Night..... I did it as long as I could because the money is good.  But about a month ago I gave up two nights a week to my mom and I feel like a new person!

Also my photography business took off this summer. I had lots of Senior portraits which were so fun and way less stressful than families and kids.  I'm still learning and growing in the photo world but I think I'm improving.

We moved into our new house!!!! I love it.  Is it my dream home. I feel ungrateful saying no but it isn't.  I love it none the less.  It's the perfect space for us. So fun to have fresh walls.  Unlimited possibilities. The kids run all over in our little culdesac and we are really feeling like Colorado is home for us.

The kids go to a great school.  We loved our ward. Lots of young families and we've made some great new friends.

I've got lots to update. So let the updating begin!

No more tonsils!

(pictures courtesy of my phone)

No more strep throat!  Ammon got his tonsils taken out two weeks ago.  I'm so proud of him because he handled it so well.  We had it scheduled for a few months so he was well prepared. The night before the surgery I took him to Safeway where he loaded up on all the ice cream, popsicles and soft foods he could think of.  When we took him in he seemed almost excited. I think the anticipation of it all had gotten to him.  He took his wolf Silver with him and they let Ammon take the wolf back into surgery with him.  I also went back with him when they put him under and then about thirty minutes later they came and got us. He was in a lot of pain which is so hard to see when it's one of your kids.  But they gave him pain medicine and he calmed down and fell asleep for an hour.  We stayed two hours and then we were sent home. He threw up when we got home and then spent the rest of the day just sleeping and eating popsicles. For the next two days he didn't eat much and slept a lot. The funniest thing was that he wouldn't talk so he would write me notes, mouth things or whisper what he wanted. Finally he started talking and eating more but even a few days ago his voice was kind of crazy. Really nasally and hard to understand.

We got his tonsils out because he was having strep throat 5 and 6 times a year and his tonsils were humongous.  Cohen was his little servant the whole time. Getting him popsicles or drinks when he needed them. It was pretty cute.  I'm just so glad it's over and that he won't have to deal with them ever again!

Random

So these are just some random pictures of the kids. Poor Ammon was inside after having his tonsils out. But the other two are on their new trampoline a lot of the day.  We are heading into birthday season around here and my parents got them a trampoline for their birthdays.  Best idea.

I just love this picture of Tate. So him.  He is always stealing everyone's shoes, putting on random helmets and hats and sneaking outside. Such a funny little kid.

Last day of School! :(

Ammon and Mrs. Rhoades

Cohen and Mrs. Hunt

I can't believe that the school year is already over. Ammon was in Mrs. Rhoades 2nd grade class at Bear Creek Elementary. He had another great year at school.  It was weird for me this year because I felt so out of the loop. In Windsor I was able to volunteer every week because they had childcare for the kids.  So I felt like I knew the teachers and office so well and the kids in the class.  But Ammon LOVED his teacher and he was her star student. She always told us how amazing he was.  He made some new friends and loved that he has music and art class.  He played soccer at recess every day. One day he got a concusion at school and we had to take him to the ER. He was so sick and had a huge headache.  But he was fine.

Cohen was in half day kindergarten every afternoon. His teacher was Mrs. Hunt. He started off the year not knowing very much but by February he was reading and everything just seemed to click!  It was so fun to see him suddenly start getting it.  He enjoyed going to Kindergarten and was so different then Ammon. With Ammon I felt so sad and scared for him starting a new school because he was too. But Cohen was so excited and confident. I didn't worry a bit about him.

We are considering holding both of the boys back this next year but are so unsure.  We really go back and forth. Ammon does great in school but is so small for his age and he had kids in his class who were already 9 and he hasn't even turned 8 yet! The cut off here for school is in September and so many people hold their spring birthday kids back. Cohen just barely makes the cut off and started just getting it in school.

So we are on the fence. They are both great kids. So fun and easy.  Either way I'm sure they will be fine!

Wow.

Yes it's been almost two months since I've blogged. I hate that. I feel guilty and every week I tell myself I'm going to blog. But obviously I don't! The whole reason I want to blog is to keep up on our life. Most importantly my kids lives. I want to remember the details and since I know I won't without writing them down I blog. Actually I DON'T blog!  With working every night and editing lots of pictures I hate getting on the computer for anything else. But I've got to get back to blogging.

So I'm going to try and play catch-up for a while.

Here goes.....

So I'm going back to Easter.  Although I think (know) I could go back farther but those pictures are on my old computer.  So I'm in Hawaii and catching up back from Easter.

The weather for Easter was more what we would have liked to have around Christmas time!  I was a rockstar mom and took my kids to TWO Easter egg hunts in one day. Back to back. Both were at church's other than ours. One was a small one and the kids got tons of eggs that they then traded in for twenty or so small toys. It was great because they loved the toys and didn't get a bunch of candy. Then we went to a huge egg hunt at a bigger church where they had food, hot chocolate and thousands of easter eggs. The kids got tons and tons of candy. It was freezing and snowing on us.  Poor Rylee was bawling right after she got her eggs because her hands were so cold.

For Easter the kids each got their own baskets filled with yes, more candy and toys and movies.  Then later that afternoon they had yet another Easter egg hunt.  Tate even got into it! He was so cute running around with a basket as big as him.

Grandparents come to visit

Cindy and Larry came to visit last week!  We love it when they come. Some how I didn't take a single picture while they were here. Isn't that sad? I have a hard time taking pictures during the winter for some reason.  We didn't do anything to particularly exciting but we still had a great time! They always spoil the kids and give them lots of attention.  We went to Target and Walmart a lot!  Ate good food and just enjoyed each others company. Ammon said that he loves when they come to visit because he feels like a King!  Rylee hung all over her Grandad and smothered him with kisses. Cohen loved coloring and reading with his Grandmom and Tate just loved having them here.  Cindy took the kids to see Hop one day and Larry took the kids swimming at the hotel pool.  We also went and checked on the progress of our house everyday. It was fun having people to share in the excitement with us!

My kids are so lucky to have 2 sets of Grandparents who love them like crazy!  Before they got here Cindy made the kids these blankets. They were so excited opening them up. It felt like Christmas! Tate got one too but I don't have a picture of it.  The kids LOVE these blankets. They are their priced possessions. Sleeping with them every night or curled up watching movies on the couch with them.

We can't wait until they come to visit us again!

3 more weeks!

Our house is moving along quicker than we anticipated! The cabinets are in, flooring down in the kitchen and bathrooms, walls painted, concrete for sidewalks and driveway being poured today. The stucco is up and they will paint next week! I get so giddy about finally having our own place to call home!

I really really really wanted white cabinets but the price was ridiculous! So my second choice are these darker maple cabinets.They are really pretty and with the light granite and stainless steel appliances will look nice. In the right corner is a walk in pantry and next to it a few more cabinets and spot for the fridge (I had my 50 mm lens and couldn't get it all in).  We have four bedrooms upstairs, each room has a walk-in closet and the laundry room is upstairs too.  Then we have a very large closet that could be used an an office space that can be closed up and there is also a little loft area up there that I think I will make a homework/craft area.

The basement is unfinished. It has a large rec area, bathroom and enough space for two more bedrooms.  Until we finish it we will use it as a toy/play area and food storage.  Our house is in a nice culdesac with amazing views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains. Plus we have an acre of yard! I'm so excited for my kids to have some space. But I'm also a little overwhelmed at the cost of fencing and yard plus deciding on how to make it all flow!

Anyway just wanted to share an update!

Babe Ruth!

How cute is he? Last month Ammon had to write a speech for his second grade class. Then on the speech day he had to bring in a poster and give his speech. He was so cute. I just love how into these things he gets. He memorized his speech on the bus coming home from school one day. And was very serious about it. He's such a good little student. Always trying his best, never wanting to disappoint and a reminding me when things are due or needs something for school. I hope all of my kids are like this!

Denver Zoo

Our Spring break was last week. I wanted to jump in the car and go on vacation badly but we stayed home and went to a few parks, to the Denver Zoo and just hung out. 

Kasey and Jessie (Kasey's friend from dental school days in Iowa) met us at the zoo. Ammon held Ethan's hand or held him and took care of him the whole day while Sienna and Cohen (BFF's) checked out all the animals together. Tate sat perfectly in his stroller and Rylee pushed the stroller (into people, sorry Jessie), followed the kids around and checked out the animals. Kasey, Jessie and I just chatted and tried to keep track of everyone.  I just love that I live close enough to meet Kasey and friends for the day in Denver and still make it home in time for dinner. We ate lunch at Cafe Rio. Yum. I don't know what it is but the Cafe Rio in Denver tastes better than any other I've ever been too!

The Latest and Greatest

Why am I so bad at blogging? Probably because I feel like my life is CRAZY right now!  I'm trying to get a photography website up and running so I can do a little work on the side. I'm also working for a couponing blog right now. So I work about 2 hours every night and posts the best deals I can find and I get payed a nice little paycheck every month. Then we are building a house (really doesn't take my time besides driving up to check it out every day) and I really need to start thinking about how I'm going to decorate it..... Then of course there are the five children to tend to, Jody, Ammon, Cohen, Tate and Rylee.  Keeping the house together, laundry (it's currently all clean but I've got a MOUNTAIN of clothes to fold right now), cooking, grocery shopping(couponing), homework, school events, snow days, church, and trying to find time for myself? Hah!

Life has been a whirlwind lately.  My mom came the middle of February and I loved having here! I miss not having someone to run little errands or cook with.  I just want her to move right in with us! We ate, shopped, went to the boys basketball games, and just spent some nice quality time together. We drove up to Kasey's house and stayed the night and watched the Bachelor together.  I felt like it took forever for her to get here and then once she did it went by in a blink of an eye!  The kids go nuts when she is here and totally made her feel like a celebrity. Fighting over her got to sleep by every night. Ammon told her she was his second favorite girl. Me being his first because I'm his mom and I have to be his first.  Rylee told her she didn't want her to get back on the "hairplane" because she would cry and be sad.

The boys are playing basketball every Saturday morning at the YMCA.  They are doing great and having so much fun. I just die laughing watching Cohen play.  He is very into it which is great and he understands that in order to get the ball he needs to stand next to the hoop and wait for the rebound.  Whenever he gets the ball he dribbles straight for the hoop and throws it up.  The funniest thing is watching him play defense. For one he plays defense on offense too. We are trying to teach him that you don't actually want to be around the defender on offense.  On defense he is intense!  He in on his man like white on rice.

Ammon is an amazing defender and very quick.  My mom bribed the boys when she was here. She would pay them money for every shot they made. Well that was all it took. Now they are scoring points every game! 

Rylee is still a little devil. One minute she's a little angel hugging and kissing you and telling you you're cute and the next running off, screaming, or throwing herself on the ground.  I think she might be bipolar!

Tate is adorable and sweet as ever. I could have ten of him!  We all just go nuts over him. And to think how much I cried when I found out I was pregnant with him? I would have missed out on so much pure joy. 

I'm feeling the need for a vacation right now. If we didn't have this house being built and all over our money going towards it I'd be tempted to book a trip right now.  But Jody keeps reminding me about my Hawaii trip in June with my moms and sisters. I can't wait and need it so badly. 

Things are good. Life is good and we are so blessed to have all that we do!