my baby turns one

My little mama's boy turned ONE last month!!! 

I was reading in Parent's magazine that for your baby's first birthday you should make the theme something they really love. Cars, trains, animals, Mickey Mouse....that got me thinking...what IS Logan's favorite thing? It didn't take long for me to realize, it was ME! Really, he doesn't watch shows or play with toys, he crawls around from room to room wherever I may be. (That is...if he's down from my hip!) 

Anyway, I teased that I would make myself the theme and do a banner with MY face but, after more thought, though it would be funny, it seemed a little over the top. 

So, the theme was Logan. My favorite thing!!!

Some of the party guests.

Libby was such a good little helper with decorations and present opening. She had been excited for Logan's party for WEEKS!

Cake time!

Jared woke up at 4 a.m. to Skype with his birthday boy. We sang "Happy Birthday" together and Dad was able to watch Logan dig into his smash-cake! 

 Mmmmm.

He was having so much fun!

Giggling and shoveling blue cake into his mouth

until....

Mama took the cake away! So mean!

Besides the cake devastation, this little guy's party was so great! It was nice to have all the people we love (except daddy of course) come to celebrate Logan, who brings us so much joy! He's been the best little companion while his dad's been away. Always so pleasant and just happy to be along for the ride.

Love you little peanut! Thanks for such an amazing first year!

life lately

I thought I'd keep up my blog more once Jared had left and I became a stay-at-home Mom but, that just hasn't been the case. It's probably a combination of a few things; double the kids/half the parents, Instagram and Facebook are much easier and we get to Skype with Jared nearly every day, which is WAY better then a blog post. Yet still, sometimes I'm sad my little bliggity-blog has dwindled. Instead of doing a ridiculous catch up post, I just wanted to post some pictures of our life lately...

Just me and the kids for a few more weeks! Eek! 

On rainy or extra windy days we like to kill time at the mall. They have an indoor dinosaur park that Libby's crazy about and we never leave without throwing a penny in the fountain outside Macey's. Her "wishes" usually go something like this, "Bless my Daddy. Bless I could see Isabel. And I love Grandpa." 

We like to keep it cool while hanging with the neighborhood kiddos.

SWINGS! Our lives would be nothing without swings!!!

And Chick-fil-a. Swings and Chick-fil-a. Keepin' it real over here. 

Sooo looking forward to summer so we can fill our extra time with swimming and watermelon! 

Stay tuned for Logan's first birthday party! I've got to get all the picture's from my professional photographer first. Also known as Mom. ;) 

Snow Day

Little Libby was so excited to see fresh snow falling out her window yesterday morning. It kept falling clear until the sun went down. Around 2, when Logan was napping and kids were walking home from the school bus, we bundled up, Libby and I, and walked to the park. 

I walked, she rode the saucer. I pulled her in circles and she sled town teeny hills.

She swung on deserted swings, and slid down the wet slide.

And never in my life have I known someone to eat so much snow. Every time we're outside Libby eats a handful of snow. I have to watch her closely because most of the time it's old, yucky snow but, she doesn't care.

Today while I waiting in the line of cars to pick her up from Pre-School I watched her eat handfuls of snow. One right after the other, after the other! None of the other kids were eating snow. When she got in the car she said, "My teacher told me not to eat snow because animals poop on it but, everyday I eat snow because everyday I am hungry for snow!" 

It's true, she's always hungry!!! 

Fresh, powdery snow made a fun little outing for the two of us.

before i forget....

Just some tid-bits about my Libby this week. She's cracking me up, which is her saving grace because she simultaneously drives me nutty!

We went to the mall on Monday to make a return and we noticed there was no line to see Santa. Libby said she wanted to go. I didn't think she'd actually follow through with it however, after just a little hesitation, she went over slowly and sat NEXT to him. There would be no lap sitting for her. (This time.) He asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said really quiet, "Santa. I want a real puppy." Santa glanced at my face and quickly read into my wide eyes and clenched teeth. He said, "Oh shoot. Puppies can't ride on Santa's sleigh because it's just too cold. Puppies are something you get from your parents."

Thanks for nothin' Santa.

She then just sat there. Looking at him. For what seemed like forever and then said, "Santa. My Mom has you on her phone." HUH? Santa looked at me and I was just as confused. I think she must have heard somewhere that Mom's can call Santa to say if you're being naughty or nice. I am definitely using this tactic until the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve.

Then she got a teeny candy cane, and we left.

.................................

A few days ago my nephew was over and I set up the pack-and-play so he could have a place to sleep as he would be over pretty late. He never used it. I also, never took it down. Libby slept in it one night, and played with it the next. Then today I saw that she had tipped it over and was piling all the clothes from my drawers into the pack-and-play. Now, I thought.....we're done. While she was distracted, I put it away. Minutes later she put her hands on her hips and said, "MOM! Where's that cribby??" Trying to lighten the mood a little I waved my hands and replied, "Well, I made it magically disappeeeeeeear." She marched out of my room and into her own grabbing her sparkly wand. When she returned, she handed me her wand and said very sternly, "MOM! You make it magically appear again! Right now!"

Oh man. I laughed so hard. And then I really wished I was magic. Because wouldn't that be neat?

Also, she gives herself "long hair" at least 6 times a day. And then stares in the mirror with a big grin.

a pink sparkly tree story

Libby has already broken multiple Christmas decorations this year. I cannot seem to get her to leave my stuff alone. I figured the best option was to get her her own tree that she could take apart whenever she wanted. We talked about it for a couple of days and she was SO excited. Before going to the store to pick one out we stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-a and I could hear her telling the kids, "I'm getting my own Christmas tree today!!!"

We then went to pick one out and of course, she wanted the pink sparkly one. Which was fine. It was pre-lit with pink lights and only $17.00. PERFECT! Of course, she needed ornaments. I tried and tried to get her to choose the Disney Princess set, or the Dora set, or even Minnie Mouse but, her heart was set on Barbie.

She was so excited she wanted to carry her new tree up the stairs all by herself. 

Look at that face!!!

Once we were in the house I told her we would not set up the tree until her room was all clean. 

"Why, Mama?"

"Because there is nowhere for the tree to go with all your stuff on the floor." I explained.

Then, so matter of fact, she pointed to the only clear spot and announced, 

"It can just go HERE!"

Right in the middle of the room? 

We cleaned.

And once her room was clean, she set up that pink sparkly tree all by herself.

I had really high hopes that this would fix our decoration breaking dilemma however, it has not. She never thinks she has enough ornaments so keeps sneaking them from the big tree and putting them on her own. Then she wants to look at her tree so instead of going into her room, she brings the tree out to whatever room she is currently in. Leaving ornaments and pink tree parts scattered all around the house.

Despite her somewhat destructive and disobedient side, she is very sweet. This morning I heard her talking to Logan on the monitor and when I went in to check on them, she had moved her tree into his room, plugged in the lights and told me she didn't want her baby to be scared of the dark so, he is borrowing her tree. He, of course, loves the pink sparkly tree too!

Libby with 12 b's

Libby absolutely ADORES going to Preschool. I'm so glad I decided to put her in 3 days a week instead of 2 because on the off days, all she talks about, is Preschool. She goes to Rainbows Preschool and her teacher's name is Kim. Whom she also talks about on a daily basis!

I never thought I'd be someone to hold onto every. single. item. ever brought home from school buuuuut, I just can't throw away this cute stuff. It's all the same. Coloring the #7 and the 7 items on the paper. (They're always pink.) Coloring the letter C and all the pictures that begin with C. (Pink as well.) I finally had to get rid of the ever-growing pile on my counter top. We're only 2 months in her first year for Heaven's sake!!! I do know the whole trick of scanning them to the computer and tossing the originals but, it's just not the same. 

When I picked up Libby today and we looked through her backpack she was so excited to show me her pumpkin she colored and cut out all on her own. I hadn't even seen the front before I got the BIGGEST Mom grin on my face. On the back, she had written her name, by herself! She still seems too little to write words but, there it was, Libby with 12 little b's. Melting heart. You can see where Kim went back after the 2nd 'b' and added a 'y'. Surely for learning purposes however, I really like the never ending 'b' line. 

This one, I might actually hang onto. 

logan is 2 months

Wow. That went fast. My little guy has turned 2 months in no time at all. I guess I shouldn't call him "little". He's packed on the pounds and has the stats to prove it!

Weight - 12.7 lbs. - 75%

Height - 23.5 in. - 73%

Head - 15.5 in. - 36%

The nurse asked if he was there for his 4 month wellness check-up.

Really? He's got some rolls and a major double chin but, 4 months? Puh-lease.

He'll get there soon enough, I'm sure of it.

unexpected fun

Please excuse the phone photos...I didn't realize I'd be needing a camera today.

Yesterday we went to the Beehive Bazaar to see my Aunt Courtney's booth. (She's so talented!) It was at Riverwoods in Provo which I haven't been to in years. Really, if I remember right, I was pregnant with Libby. A lot has changed to that little outdoor mall. Right next to the Bazaar was a toy store I was dying to step into. We didn't have time yesterday so, my littles and I went back today.

Blickenstaff's is also a toy store for parents, since they have only classic and (new) vintage toys. The kind that take you right back to your growing up years. They have a classic candy wall too. All the gummy candy you ate as a kid but, won't touch now. I tried one of Libby's "Gummy Fried Eggs"....ick! But, fun none the less.

We spent quite some time in that cute little toy store. The staff is happy to let the kids play with the train track, the doll house, and the bike's laying around for test rides. I thought this would be our only stop until I overhead a Grandma ask the kids she was toting if they wanted to ride the carousel. Libby loves carousel's more than just about anything so, we followed.

I'm so glad we did. The carousel was in Provo Beach Resort....it was awesome. They give you a card to fill with any amount of money when you walk in and then the fun begins....

 You just swipe your card to ride the carousel (obviously), get food, treats, arcade games, gift shop, rope course, toddler center, rent a bike cruiser, 

and THIS! The wave place. I actually don't know what it's called but, you can surf, in Utah, all year round.

It was decorated like a beach resort. The floors where painted like water with wood docks. The walls were painted like a pier, and there were palm trees everwhere. There was even a large stage...not sure what goes on there....though I did read a sign that they have free story time on Thursdays.

Libby catching a wave.

Oh yes. Logan was there too. He just did what he does best....sleep. My good little bebe.



how cute is this....

Libby got her hands on an opened, empty envelope.

I'll never throw it out now.

(Front)

(Back)

Every inch covered...and she was soooo excited to show me her masterpeice.

Love my little princess!



hogle zoo

Jared's only here another week so we're squeezing in as many family activities as we can.

First stop....The Hogle Zoo.

As soon as we got there Libby started asking to see the Snakes. Huh? Snakes? Every stop she'd say, "Not the Elephants, Mama. Snakes!!!" I never knew she liked Snakes.

The tall Giraffe doors crack me up.

Here Libby was saying, "Snakes! Snakes! Where are you??" Silly girl.

WE FOUND THEM!

The Reptile section was by far her favorite. So strange.