Father's Day

We had a fun Father's Day. Matt had the chance to do what he loves, play his game. Matt helped to organize a baseball game between some younger guys in the church and Pastor Jim's senior league team. Josh was recruited as well so we got to spend the day with the Schneiders too. Didn't get to see my dad, it was their 34th Anniversary so they were off celebrating. Happy Father's Day Matty!

Songs to reflect upon

Trace Atkins, You're Gonna Miss This

She was staring out that window, of that SUV
Complaining, saying I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said I was just like you

-Chorus-
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These Are Some Good Times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her It's a nice place
She says It'll do for now
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says Baby, just slow down

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keeps apologizin'
He says They don't bother me.
I've got 2 babies of my own.
One's 36, one's 23.
Huh, it's hard to believe, but ...


Darius Rucker, It Won't Be Like This For Long

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin’ there in bed listenin’
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK

It won’t be like this for long
One day we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
‘Cause it won't be like this for long

Four years later ‘bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two

It won’t be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won’t even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won’t be like this for long

Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin’
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her
‘Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin’ her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows

It won’t be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin’ to hold on

‘Cause it won’t be like this for long

updates

Little Miss Whitney:
Well, I have to report that my previous post about potty training going so well was only wishful thinking. She has lost interest for the most part. If I bribe her a lot, we can get some potty out but will only try pooping for a really big bribe (eg. sparkly shoes) and then I worry she'll get hemorrhoids. She's a goofy girl, still copying everything Nathan does of course. We are going to sign her up for dance class in the fall. She love wearing her leotards, especially at Art Sports (the jumping place) open gym. She still is obsessed with shoes and it's getting harder and harder to pick out her outfit for her. She can almost count to 29, skipping only a few numbers. She loves to sing and is starting to enjoy audio CD's. What a big girl she is quickly becoming.

Sir Nato Meister:
Star Soccer at church starts tomorrow. He is really excited. T-ball at the YMCA in mid June and maybe a basketball clinic. He is loving sports and one of his favorite things right now is blocking mommy's shots. We got him a few hermit crabs last week (Diego, Dora and Swiper) and he is loving that responsibility. They have one in his preschool class, they're pretty easy which is good. He is reading now, pretty well actually. He blows me away, very impressive!

Dentist yesterday, both kids look great. He warns us to start saving for orthodontics now...for both of them. Oh boy!

Nathan's first year to ski

Feb 13th.
We went up to Loveland today along 3 other families. Matt and I took turns skiing while the other one watched Whitney. Nathan took his first lesson and LOVED it. He did just a half day since we were late (traffic!!!) but it was a perfect first experience. When it was over, he asked his instructor if he could buy his skis. He had a great time. If asked his least favorite thing, he responded that it was hard to make his way over to the magic carpet and that sometimes he slid back while riding up it. But if asked his favorite thing, "going fast down the mountain". I think he'll be beating us down the hill in a couple years.
Whitney had fun hanging out and being pulled on the sled. It snowed all day but the cold didn't seem to bother the kids.
Oh,and one of the best parts, Matt was able to get all the passes and lesson for FREE!!

March 29th.
We had an amazing opportunity to take a little vaca to Durango. Matt had a connection who hooked us up with an amazing ski in/ski out condo. It was really nice, we enjoyed the game room, hot tub, outdoor heated pool and just some R&R. Nathan had one full day lesson and thought it was great fun. A long drive, but it was nice to be in that area, for our first time ever!

April 10th.
One last ski trip. We went up to Monarch for the day. We took Zak while Sam watched Whitney for us. Nathan and Zak both got 2&1/2 hour private lessons!!! Matt and I had a great time skiing together on some super fast demo skis. The snow wasn't great but always fun to ski somewhere you've never skied before. Nathan went on the lift to the bunny slope for the first time at the end of his lesson. Then we were able to take him up several times and help him down. He's doing really well; too bad we have a huge break now until he goes again. It's really awesome watching him learn a new skill and especially to see his excitement! (and Whitney loved her day playing with Vanden)

Whitney turns 2

I can't believe my little girl is two already. She is so grown up and ready to take on the world. Grammy, Poppy and Granny Lu came for a visit the weekend before her birthday so we had her party on the 31st. I think she felt pretty special and got some really wonderful things to wear and play with. She was excited about her pink purse cake and is still talking about it. (I made the cake Saturday and it fell over later that night so I had to redo it on Sunday; practice was not intended) On her actual birthday, I had to work, but Matt and Nathan took her to Chick-Fil-A and she enjoyed the afternoon playing with her girlfriend Jaclyn since Jess was babysitting that day. I brought home cupcakes and we sang Happy Birthday multiple times. Finally she can have nuts and we can stop buying whole milk. The binky is gone and potty training is going pretty well ('potty only'). So overall my girl isn't a baby anymore but she is still so darn cute. I'm looking forward to her 3rd year of life!

update: Whitney's 2 year check up on 2/17/10 - 26.7 lbs (50%) and 35" (>75%)

Seattle Trip

Steph and Zak have always said we should come for a visit. Last fall a great deal from Southwest came across my inbox and we picked a weekend in January to go. I am so glad we did. What a fun time we had, great people and a great city. Beach, Pike Market, seafood, family (saw the Alaska Rose's too), girl's spa night, boy's beer night, coffee, the locks, and more. Nathan thought we were going to 'Attle'- we were going to 'see Attle' right? We stayed with the Taylor's, they were such great hosts. Whitney slept pretty awful so we were all tired since we slept in the same room as her but she never got too grouchy. The kids had a wonderful time with Grace and Isaac. Nathan wonders when we get to go back and see the movie 'Dumbo' (only Grace has it, right?) Just today, Whitney was saying "OK, easy there". Nathan had to translate, they said Gracie taught them that, too funny.

Whitney's Potty Training Miracle

Whitney has show a lot of interest in potty training over the last 2 weeks. She is doing so well. Mom got her some big girl underwear last Thursday and she loves them. She has very few accidents, we even went to a playdate today without a pull-up and no problems. She says "I wanna go potty" when she's ready. (#2 once on potty last week but typically goes before getting up in morning or at nap time so it may take a while for that) She actually woke up this a.m really early at 6:15 wanting to go potty. I thought it was a scam to get up but to my amazement, her diaper was completely dry and she pottied a ton. Wow! I guess girls are easier than boys. Sure will save us some bucks on diapers!