February Faves

Alice Perched on Her New Throne 

 The backyard was frozen over for much of January with unusually cold subfreezing temperatures for Grand Junction, but as the sun came out, Alice has had no problems claiming the new land as her territory. She loves the elevated backyard, and as you can see finds places high above ground level to rest her head and guard her new yard. She is comfortably relaxing here about 4 feet off the ground. You'd think with her weight she'd be a little more cautious about standing on things.

 Marina's Snowshoeing Field Trip

 Marina and her 1st grade buddy on their snowshoeing field trip on the Mesa. She was the first one to enjoy the perks of our new home. Danny took the day off to go with her class. You can see that they had lots of fun trying out something new.

2 New Smiles in our Home

 Isn't this the cutest boy ever? Oslin is definitely our earliest smiler. He is also already trying to sit up, and roll over. He is going to have to be fast; that older brother Esaias is a hard one to keep up with, or get away from.

  Isaac without braces. Who gets that lucky to have all that major work done, before going into high school? He doesn't get it yet, but he will when he sees how many of his friends still have to do braces over the next few years. Wow! Doesn't he look older, and handsome? Shhhh, we won't tell him. 

 Valentine's Day & Anniversary No. 15

Marina still in elementary school was given the assignment to create her own Valentine box...this was our creation. She just loves art projects. And anytime we get to Valentine's Day that means Danny and I have crossed another year together. We are happy to say it's been 15 years since we first eloped downtown. Crazy how much can change. We were all by ourselves that day. Now we can rarely find a minute by ourselves. That's okay, we just keeping adding to the love!

Esaias Meets Diego & Angry Bird Underroos

 Yes, it's official our 2 year old is a BIG BOY! We are going to the potty! Yes, I intentionally write we, as in Esaias and Mom (and only Mom- he won't let anyone else help him). We can do it at home, or on the go.  And he is staying dry all night and at nap time. I am so glad to only be changing one little man! Esaias loves his underroos: Angry Birds and Diego. He tells me, "Angry Birds dry, Mom." And the best one is, "No poop on Diego." I answer, "Good, we don't want to poop on Diego. That wouldn't be nice."

Noteworthy: Oslin at 3 months tastes Cheetos for the 1st time, thanks to big brother Esaias.
Oslin can also scratch himself better than Isaac. I actually had someone ask me, when Isaac was a baby, if the cat scratched his face. I was in shock....like I'd let my cat jump up on my baby and scratch him?!?!? Isaac would mostly get his forehead, but Oslin has the talent of scratching himself all over, even the sides of his head. He draws blood, and sometimes without shedding a tear or making a peep. Yikes! And he hates when I try to file or cut his fingernails.

First Trip Back to Denver

 Faster than we were ready for, we had to return to Denver for a visit. Isaac is on the last leg of his braces and we have already paid for them in full, so we have to go back to Aurora to finish. Hence the trip to Denver, exactly one month after the move.

Isaac was thrilled to visit, just seeing the neighborhood was enough for him. Little did he know, when he requested to go by his old school, Horizon, that his Uncle Marcus just got stationed at Fire Station 10, the station in the same parking lot as his school. After all the years in Aurora, Marcus ends up right in our neck of the woods, and now we are gone. Go figure! Anyway, Marcus was on shift and I had arranged for a surprise visit. The kids haven't had the chance to see Marcus at a station yet. So, Marcus gave us the tour. The kids loved it, and loved seeing their Uncle Marcus!

 Thanks Uncle Marcus! When we said goodbye, the kids climbed in the car, and had a lot to say. Marina first stated plainly, "I want to be a firefighter when I grow up." Esaias and Isaac echoed, "Me too." And Isaac couldn't help but continue saying, "If we lived here still, I would go hang out with Uncle Marcus after school," despite the adult responses, "Even if we lived here Isaac, you would not be going to the fire station after school everyday." I guess a kid can dream can't he?

 After the fire house we met Heidi, and Jen and Chad for lunch at the China Cafe 2 in Aurora. Esaias had to sit with his friend Heidi. I think he has a secret crush on her. It's the cutest thing to hear him say, "Hi, Heidi." Usually repeated several times. He pronounces Jen, as Gen with a hard g sound. So, when he says, Heidi and Jen, it sounds like he saying, "Heidi again." Poor Jen. Good thing the baby has no preference. And Isaac and Marina would be happy to live with Chad and Jen for awhile. A joke that gets brought up every time we see Chad. He'd better be careful, it might come true.

It was great to see my good friends. I miss them a lot. Isaac's teeth gives me a good excuse to return to Aurora and see friends. It was such a short trip, that of course we can't even scratch the surface of seeing old friends. But we'll take what we can get!

Hanging Out With My Boys

 It's been an interesting transition, staying home with the boys, instead of working. I've been a little stressed about not having a set schedule or routine, and deciding what the long-term plan is. Until I thought about how crazy life would be if I was trying to find a new daycare, and start a new job on top of all this other "new" stuff. So, when I finally thought that through, I took a deep sigh of relief and began to enjoy my time home more. I also remembered that Oslin was only 2 months old. That in itself should remind me to slow down. I just think that after doing the move and Christmas and all the other stuff that came with it, I forgot that I just had a new baby. The doctor reminded me that postpartum  lasts 3-4 months after delivery. I think I should cut myself a little slack. This simple change in thinking has helped make me a happier person. I am grateful to spend simple moments with the boys, and to be here for the older two when they get home from school.

 Esaias often asks to hold Oslin. Most of the time it's not good timing. He wants to hold him, when he's crying or sleeping. I know when is a good time then? That's what Oslin does...cry and sleep. When he's crying he is not consoled by his 2 year old brothers arms. And when he's sleeping, well who wants to disturb that? And by the time you get them situated together, Esaias says, "All done" and pushes his little brother off of his lap. But we try to make it work from time to time. So, I captured a few of these moments of camera.

 Esaias likes to say "two boys." He usually says it, when I'm feeding Oslin and he (Esaias) wants to be held or snuggled too. So, he crawls up on my lap, with Oslin, and says, "two boys."

Why pictures of donuts? My brother Eric lives here in Grand Junction, and usually keeps to himself most of the time. So, I didn't have any expectations with moving here, about how often I might see him. But, I lucked out! He had a couple days vacation this week, and his son, Davis, who is 3 years old, has taken a liking to his cousins and playing at our house....so, Eric brought donuts, and Davis to play this week. I enjoyed visiting with my brother, and Esaias and Davis played well together. I should have snapped some pictures of them. But I guess you see my priorities....donuts. I've never seen a donuts with cereal on it. Have you? I had to show this chocolate cake donut, with chocolate frosting, with Coco Puffs, and more chocolate icing drizzled on top. What's the calorie count on that one? I didn't eat that one, but I did enjoy donuts and the company.

My mom was here for the week too. Yeah, I know, bad Vycci...no pictures. My mom took some pictures so I didn't think or realize that I hadn't taken any with my own camera. Oh well. Esaias really enjoyed having Grandma Layne to play with all week. And he enjoyed the trip over to the airport also.