Number Two is Number One

Logan Bear is one. I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old. I never thought I would say that, but it's true. We had a fun birthday bash for my little one. I took him in for his one-year-old check-up, and he's so TINY! (Well, tiny compared to Ethan.) He's 23 lbs 8 oz (60th %) and 32 1/4 in (97th %). I'm used to chuggers Ethan, who weighed a whole pound more than this at NINE months. It's nice for my arms to have a break, I must say. He's such a fun boy. He's a walkin' boy now, too, since just over 11 months--though he refuses to wear shoes. He won't even TRY walking in them. He loves being outside, even if it's 118 degrees. Dirt and rocks are a few of his favorites. He hates most food, except crackers, yogurt, and sweets (which he now loves, since his party:). He's had a temper since 4-months old, but he'll love me and cuddle like the snuggly bear he is. He has a smile that kills. He craves being the center of attention, and he usually is. I'm so thankful for my sweet, Baby Logan.

Some Like It Hot

There are advantages to living in an extremely sunny state. One of them: being able to go swimming much earlier than those in other states. We got a great deal on this pool at Walmart-- 15 bucks-- and it's 15 bucks well-spent. Joe takes the boys out swimming sometimes twice a day, and we had fun playing in the pool tonight while Joe barbecued (another fun past-time when the weather's nice). I do love Arizona. I do love that we live here, once again. Joe just got hired on to SRP's help desk, and he'll be earning a nice salary. We've been waiting almost a year for this break! It has come, and I'm glad it's here. I do hope we stay a long, long time....

Alphabet Soup

I walked by Logan's high chair yesterday, and this is what I found....

My Big, Little Baby

This kid's funny. Thinks he's a stud. Maybe 'cause he is. Love him!

Garbage Bags

To me, this is a beautiful sight. To me, this is love. The love of a mother. MY mother.

Upon returning from a trip to the temple on Saturday, we found all of these lovely bags in our yard. Why, you may ask, is this a GOOD thing? For weeks, now, we've been trying to put our yard in order. Joe not only works LONG hours, but he has extreme allergies and is out for a day from doing the smallest amount of yardwork. And me-- well, lets say I have two needy kids, two and under. Enough said. My older brother has come and helped with a lot of the yardwork, which we have SO appreciated. All that was left was piles and piles of leaves, branches, and weeds. They'd been in nice, little piles for a couple of weeks. I was really tired of looking at them! After getting home from the temple Saturday, we found that all of our piles were missing, and in their places were these lovely bags, filled to the brim. We thought my older brother had come over and done it. I even called him and left a message on his phone, thanking him profusely. It wasn't until yesterday, after my mom felt guilty for leading us to believe my brother had done it (she had wanted to remain anonymous, but at the same time, she didn't like being deceitful) that we found out it was HER. My 50-something-year-old mom had spent an hour or so finishing up our yardwork, wanting nothing in return. Oh, and she also babysat our two kids (along with my brother and dad) while we were at the temple. Is this love? I think "yes." Thanks, Mom.

Dishwashing Delight

Logan loves "helping" me unload the dishwasher. If there isn't already some water on the bottom, I pour some in, and he splashes and plays. This time, he decided to drink the water and blow bubbles in it-- so funny! He just turned 10-months old yesterday. We love him more and more each day. He's clapping, waving bye-bye, giving high-fives, and will dance on command. He loves making monkey and dinosaur sounds, and Ethan is always entertaining to him, no matter what he's doing. He is completely enthralled with Ethan's baby/toddler movies, and he will sit and watch them longer that Ethan ever has! This little guy is a crack-up. He thinks he's big and is trying to stand, though I think he might have a ways yet 'til he walks. We will see. I'm not as anxious for that to happen as I was with Ethan, because I know what comes with the walking-- getting into more things!

Mountain Man

Before
After (please ignore the red eyes-- he's not Satan, just highly allergic)

Joe's sported a (handsome!) beard for the last several months. Last night, he decided to shave it off. This act has thoroughly confused my youngest. He keeps grabbing Joe's face, like "who are you, and what have you done with my dad?" It's quite amusing, actually. I kind of liked the beard. He was rugged. Ruggedly handsome. My little mountain man. He actually almost looked his age (almost 32!) not like an 18-year-old. Now, I look like I'm robbing the cradle (though I've been told I look young, too-- maybe I should grow a beard?). Maybe I liked it because my mother is so utterly appalled by his facial hair. Does this make me like it more? Oh, bearded man. Where hast thou gone? I want you back.