Sibling Rivalry

I love these little pictures and just had to share them. Berlin was being fed rice cereal and Finn (for whatever reason) was trying to get it with his cereal spoon, and they were kinda wrestling (and laughing). So I grabbed the camera for a quick shot of her pushing Finn out of her eating space. I guess I won't have to worry about Berlin being able to hold her own in this family. :)

Thank Heavens for ...

1. Infant Motrin & Tylenol: Berlin cut her first tooth on Friday and without these 2 items I wouldn't have survived the last couple days. Here she is the day after we noticed the bottom tooth was coming in. I should have known as she's rarely seen without her hand or a toy in her mouth these days.

2. Harry Potter 7: Yes, I've read the book and it's awesome. I read it in 3 nights (15 hrs) once I got the kids down to bed. Now if they'd just get the last 2 movies done. 2a: Diet Coke - without which I could not have stayed up reading until 3 am each night!

3. Manners: Finley has gotten really good at saying "please" and "thank-you" when he wants & gets something. It gives me warm fuzzies when I hear him say it out of the blue and with others. It's just so cute.

4. Lysol Wipes, Swiffer Wet Mop, and Laminate floors: Finley is working on getting potty trained and after trying methods that just didn't work, I've taken to just putting him in big boy underwear and nothing else. He's starting to realize that wet underwear is no fun and is starting to try and get to the potty. Needless to say we have had a few accidents on the kitchen floor.

5. Valerie: without which Ryan and I would not have been able to have TWO dates (yes - 2!) this month. Thanks to her we were able to see the new Harry Potter 5 movie as well as Eagle vs. Shark - both excellent date movies. I love you chica.

6. My Children: though we have our days, I have loved seeing Finley take a very active role in playing with Berlin. Now that she can sit up he loves to hug and kiss her, show her how to use the toys, and read her books. Again, warm fuzzies engulf me when I see him reading his books to her.

These are just a few of the little things that have made my life easier the last couple weeks.

Our sweet baby girl

Berlin turned 5 months old last week and I feel like I've been on an emotional roller-coaster lately. I love that she is almost sitting up on her own, endures tummy time without freaking out, and treats me to smiles and giggles and silly chitter-chatter all day long. She is so alert and loves to sit up and watch not only her big brother, but anyone who happens to be in the room. But there are times when I miss having her tiny little body snuggle up on my chest, her newborn baby smell, her tiny, wrinkled little self always ready & willing to sleep. Sometimes I feel like I wished the newborn stage away and now that it's passed I am sad.

But this is what life is all about, growing & changing and I do so love each stage of discovery - the thumbsucking, the singing, rolling over & sitting up, and the soon to be eating stage as we start her on a little rice cereal this week. Thanks heavens for modern day technology that allows us to snap and record these special moments. I know when I'm 60 and the kids are all grown up and out on their own that I'll reflect on them often and remember these special times. Ok - enough of this sentimental talk. It's not like they're moving out of the house tomorrow?

I don't know what it is about our kids and tummy time (as Finley was the same way), but whenever I lay them on their tummy they think it's naptime. (They must take after me -- I love to sleep on my stomach). In the above picture I put Berlin on her tummy and not 2 minutes later she was sound asleep. Even the sound (chaos) of Finley playing nearby wouldn't wake her up.


She loves to grab anything and everything within her reach - especially my hair (ouch!). Finley likes to pull out the tupperware & kitchen utensils and pretend to cook. He thought he'd let Berlin help out by giving/sharing the lids with her. Apparently they were pizzas & pancakes (his words) and by the amount of saliva on her chin, Finley must have done a good job.

She's a joy & delight - we feel so blessed that she chose to come to our family.

Water Baby

Today was another hot day. After going to Costco to pick up some yummy grapes, I decided to pull out the turtle sprinkler for Finley (honestly, I was just too lazy to fill up the pool). I wasn't sure how he would react to it as he normally doesn't like water in his face, but after a few runs through the sprinkler holding my hand he was hooked.

Family, Friends & Freedom

I am so grateful for the freedom that we have in this country. For our founding fathers who came before us and paved the way, and for those who continue to serve, honor, and protect the freedoms that we have - I thank thee. I love this country.

Our family celebrated the 4th of July week with family and friends. My parents came up from California to bring my youngest sibling (Emily) to BYU and to attend my mom's family reunion. Luckily we were able to meet up with them at the Bear Lake cabin afterwards.

On Saturday morning (before the troops arrived) we went on the boat with Ryan's cousins. We had a blast riding the tube. Even Finley liked it for about 2 seconds until he realized what was going on. After that he was all screams - not "having a blast" screams either. He was a trooper for trying it out.

Later that day we took my parents, Emily, and Julie (and her little family) on the Limber Pine Trail. As we pulled up, the sky was clouding over and thunderclaps sounded but we continued on. Sure enough the minute we finised the hike and stepped onto the parking lot the heavens opened up and pelted us with rain and let loose the lightening strikes. We were very lucky (blessed). We even lost power at the cabin for a couple hours (along with the whole town).

Sunday was gorgeous and we headed down to the beach for a day of sand and sun. Then we headed back to clean up and go home. Though short, it was a great weekend with my family.