Another Haircut

Lex's hair was getting long again, so I took him in for another sleeping haircut. This time, the girl took off way more than I asked, but I like what we ended up with!

Here are a few befores:

This is at an Easter event at my Mom's church on Saturday. Lex's hair is sticking up from the static.

Orlando Weekend

We went to Orlando for a few days this weekend. We were trying to decide between going to Orlando or going to Miami to attend "Day out with Thomas". We chose Orlando since we figured some of Lex's other idols would be at Disney World for him to see. We saw Little Einsteins at Hollywood Studios and we were looking forward to the new Playhouse Disney Live! show that now included them and Mickey Mouse. It was sort of our whole reason for going to Disney.

We were in the front row and the show started. Lex was absolutely delighted to see Mickey Mouse and hear his favorite songs from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then, right before the Little Einsteins were going to come out, they had technical difficulties and cancelled the show. We came back for the next two shows, but they cancelled those two as well. Poor Lex! At least he loved what he did see.

Verti-Binky

Jer coined this new term for Lex's new binky preference. For a while he was into having two in at a time, and now he loves for the binky to be vertical. He discovered this last Thursday and has been doing it ever since. Oh, and we were getting the carpets cleaned, so that is why all the furniture is in the kitchen/breakfast area. We don't normally live that way.

On a related note, we were pretty successful at taking the binky away from him a few weeks ago. He was doing okay. Then he discovered his fingers. The pediatrician said to give him that binky back since we can't eventually take his fingers away! So, the binky obsession lives on . . .

Park and Sand

I felt badly on the train day that things went so badly, so we went to the park that evening to play tennis (Lex was our ball boy) and then let Lex run around at the playground. While we were playing tennis, Jer noticed that there was a dolphin swimming in the harbor very close to where we were. We weren't able to capture it on camera, but it was cool to be so close to a dolphin in the wild like that.

Unfortunately, after we all went off the tennis courts and over to the water, Lex decided that Jer and I had enough fun tennis time, and it was his chance to play. He ran over to the playground. It ended up being good he did that since we didn't realize how quickly the sun would go down.

Sleeping Boys

I thought this picture was really sweet, and just had to post it! This was taken early one morning this month. I realized that I've taken photos like this many times in Lex's young life. For some reason, I just love these sleeping photos!

Train Mishaps

A nearby park has the coolest miniature train you can ride on. I decided to take Lex there last Monday and let him ride it since he loves trains so much. We'd been on this train once before, with my nephews at Christmas. This was going to be our first time riding it since Lex's obsession really began, though.

We got to the park just as the train was going to take off on a 25 minute ride. As you can see from the photo, the train is really tiny, and you are really close to the ground as you are riding it. The train went off the track three times right in front of where we were sitting. Then the conductor, who was in his 70's, fell on his back while trying to fix the train. He was able to get up, but he really hurt his back. I felt horrible for him, but I wasn't sure if he wanted a bunch of ladies with preschoolers hovering over him and embarassing him.

Anyway, our train day was over. We'll try again another day.

Happy Belated Birthday, Alan!

Jer and Al on the beach in Virginia several years ago

Last Saturday I didn't get on here to post about Jer's brother's birthday. Sorry Al! I've found that I am not sure what people are comfortable with me posting about them, so I think this will be my last birthday wish on the blog just to be safe. I am pretty sure the adults don't mind since I don't use their last names, but I didn't know what I was going to do when all our sibling's kids had birthdays.

So, here is one last hoorah for Alan! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Erin!

Today is my friend Erin's birthday! We met when she moved in next door to us when I was eight (or was it seven, Erin). Over the years, we did some really lame things together, so she is the keeper of many of my secrets! We lip-synced to oldies, dressed up in matching outfits and hair for the first day of fourth grade, made up secret codes for the boys we liked (Erin how do you feel about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 today?), camped out in the backyard, played "Excuse me, Rollover!", and all sorts of other silly things.

I hope you have a fantastic birthday, Erin! You're card is in the mail!

A Whole Year!

This week marks one year since we moved into our house! That is weird to us since we tend to be nomads. This year went by so quickly, it is crazy to think we are finally settled. We are really happy here in Florida. We love the weather, the fun things to do, and the palm trees. We've been so lucky to have so much company come and visit us -- it really makes it feel like home to know that so much of our family has been here.

Below is a recreation of a photo I took when we first looked at the house. It shows you some of the changes we've made. It also shows all our electronics clutter! Oh well.

I am finding that I have an impulse to start looking for real estate right now. I am just so used to moving each year --- the longest we've ever lived at one address was our first apartment in Provo. We were there for two years. Since then, our stays at other addresses (in order) were 13 months, 7 months, 13 months, 13 months, 7 months (our first time buying a home), and 1 month (our temporary housing when we first moved to Florida). We seem to love that thirteen and seven month span! I love looking for new places to live and imagining how we will fit in each house, but there is something to be said for stability.

Happy Birthday, Tian!

Tian had a birthday yesterday! We LOVE Tian! He is so good to Sara and the kids, and he never fails to make us laugh!

Jilly Billy's Birthday

My mom's birthday is today. Recently, I was so impressed by my friend Crystal's sweet tributes to her friends and family on their birthdays, including photos of family members through the years. I looked through all my photos on this computer and didn't have one of my dear mother. How awful!

Since I didn't have any embarassing or incriminating photos to show of her, I took some horrible photos of Lex this evening and thought I'd share him in all his dirty-faced glory.

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you!

Shake things up!

Okay, so I was talking to Sara this week and I mentioned I updated this blog. She said that she'd noticed it, but my post about books was so boring she just skipped it! Thanks, Sis! So, I'll try to be more interesting!

Our big news this month is that Lex finally stopped nursing. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, for one month, I was nursing a two-year-old. But he is done now! Lex is taking it surprisingly well and is doing good (though the adjustment period took its toll on our sleep for several nights). I am happy that we are done with this stage, too.

It is news to many people that Lex was an "extended" nurser. It was news to us, too! It all started when his pediatrician recommended at his one-year visit that we extend three months because Lex had an immature digestive system from all his reflux as an infant. Then we were in the middle of a move. Then we went on vacation. Then he was sick, and so on, and so on . . .

At Lex's second birthday, we'd had enough. First we stopped all day feedings, then the night. Lex hasn't nursed for ten days now! Whoopee!

So, now you know what we have been calling our "dirty little secret" for the past year. After his first birthday, we hesitated to tell people he still nursed and I NEVER nursed Lex in front of anyone but Jeremy. In the end, I'm not sorry he nursed so long. It is what he needed, and I don't think it is gross or disgusting -- nursing until this age is common in many cultures, just not this one. But when I have another kid, you'd better believe that I am going to do my best to get that child weaned as close to the socially acceptable 12 months as possible!

Long time, no post!

So, I've been neglecting this blog lately. Sorry! I took some time this past week to read a couple books, and once I start reading, it is difficult for me to do much else (just ask Jer). The first book I read was "The-Know-It-All" by AJ Jacobs. My dad and aunt DeeAnn recommended this author to me and I really enjoyed it. He describes his year of reading the encyclopedia from A-Z, and shares how it affected his life. There were several times I laughed out loud while reading it.

The other book I read was "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory. Paula had read it and we decided that with the movie based on this book coming out on Friday, I should hurry and read this book so we can go to the movie together. Although this tale of Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary's affairs with Henry VIII is much different than a biography of a man reading the encyclopedia in modern-day New York, I really enjoyed this book as well!

So, now you know what I've been up to. Sorry for the delay in posting anything on here! Oh, and unfortunately, neither of these books are appropriate for my church book club. The first book has a lot of cursing and the second can be racy at times. Darn! The search goes on for a book to recommend . . .

Valentine's Tag

Tammi tagged all of her blog readers to complete this questionnaire. I did my best, although I think my memory is lacking in some areas (sometimes conveniently).

You and your spouse:

How long have you been together? Our first date was in November of 1999

How long did you date? We dated 2 months and had a 5 month engagement.

How old is he? Jer is 30

Who eats more? Hmmm . . . I don't really keep track, but I would say Jer.

Who said "I love you" first? I honestly don't remember. I think it was him, but I might just be flattering myself!

Who is taller? Jer

Who sings better? Hmmmm . . . we are both completely awful. Perhaps Jer is a teensy bit less awful than I am.

Who is smarter? We each have our smart moments!

Who does the laundry? The past several months, Jer does it more than I do. We sort of help out where needed. Just this week, I managed to make our beige sheets polka dotted (pink and purple). We wonder if some Lucky Charms got in the wash? Oh, and I also dyed some white hand towels brown. All in a day's work!

Who does the dishes? I do this more than Jer, but we both pick up where needed.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jer, though we've considered switching since I used to always have the right side.

Who pays the bills? Me

Who mows the lawn? Jer

Who cooks dinner? Lately, me. Jer also helps out as needed. I am good with the slow cooker, he is good with the grill.

Who is more stubborn? I am. I HATE being told what to do. Jer accepts this and finds ways around it.

Who kissed who first? I don't know why this question embarasses me so much -- I am generally not a shy person! I think it was mutual.

Who asked who out? Jer asked me if I wanted to go along with him to see a client. So I guess it is him.

Who proposed? Jer

Who is more sensitive? That would be me. Jer is very laid back.

Who has more friends? I think we are equal.

Who has more siblings? Jeremy has one more sibling than I do.

Since Crystal is one of my favorite Valentines (and she'll get the reference, no one else will), I tag her to complete this about wonderful TJ.

Book Club

Tuesday night was our ward's book club night. We are a small book club, but we had a good showing (seven people) on Tuesday. Our book this month was "The Kite Runner" (we skipped last month because there wasn't enough people, so we've been working on this book for a long time).

Next month is "Unless". I am excited to read that one since even Books a Million didn't have it! They have a million books, yet don't carry this one? It has to be good, right?

My month is coming up in April, and I need to choose the book ASAP since they want two month's notice now. I've been reading "Eat, Pray, Love" while Lex plays with the trains at the bookstore, and two of my cousins highly recommend it. Only thing is, I haven't finished it and need to know if it is a good book for a church book club. The book doesn't need to be squeeky clean, just not raunchy. Anyone know for sure, or will I have to race through it before Sunday comes along?