Milestones

Tyler is 9 months now. At his check up he was 28" (just over 50th%) and 19 lbs 4 oz (25th% - I know, it confused me too!) These are some of the things he's doing now:

• sitting up
• scooting EVERYWHERE
• "cleaning" the floor
• trying to pull himself to stand up
• drinking from a sippy cup
• loving food - especially the kind he can feed himself
• cuddling more often
• has enough hair to spike up (BIG difference from Marissa!)
• sleeping through the night
• and, as of this morning, he has his first tooth!
  

He is so easy-going and mellow. He is perfectly content to sit there and watch what's going on around him. If he's crying it's usually because he needs to be changed or is super tired. He goes to sleep on his own (just put something over his face like a parrot), and he LOVES his big sister.

Marissa is growing up too fast. I had her stand on the scale at Tyler's check-up and she has now passed 30 lbs.... FINALLY! She loves to take care of Tyler (and "her kids" too) She has a great imagination! She is learning to read and does a great job when she's not being stubborn. She loves to pick out her own clothes and dress herself (and matches most of the time!) She likes to help around the house. Her favorite chores are laundry, sweeping the floors, scrubbing the bathtub, and making dinner.... I wonder how long those will last! She has decided that she likes posing for the camera and has her "Sonny with a Chance" pose that she does. It cracks me up!

I love my family so much, and am enjoying these stages in their lives!!

Favorite Pictures...

Sorry for the ton of pictures, but these are some of my favorites from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter in general.

Yep, he's pretty much always this happy!

Before Jake got out of the Air Force, my parents went to visit again and traveled around New York, Boston, and more.... Marissa wanted to make them a sign for them to come home to. I spelled "Welcome Home" and she did "Love, Marissa" Then she traced her "I love you's" and drew herself. Not too bad huh?

Marissa went to the dentist on her birthday this year, and because she didn't have any cavities she got to choose a prize out of the treasure chest.... this was the one she chose!

Daddy's Princess.... so true!

The Princess and the Frog

My mom and I like to take the kids to walk around Temple Square in their Halloween costumes... it gives them a chance to show off! Marissa LOVED watching the brides and wanted to pose like them.

We went to Gardner Village and had Marissa's nails done for Wee Witches Weekend.

Thanksgiving!

Tyler LOVED looking at/playing with the ads. He had them for several weeks before he started tearing them up!

Playing in the snow

After decorating Grandma and Grandpa's tree

Helping Daddy make dinner

Christmas Jammies

Looking for more presents

We got Tyler a picture of Christ for his room. After he unwrapped it he scooted over to it, layed on top of it, and started giving Him kisses... any doubts he remembers??

These are the remains from the present my brother, Jake, gave me.... boxes inside of boxes inside of boxes (each COVERED in duct tape and wrapped in paper bags) What was the present inside of that HUGE box???? An Itunes gift card.... What a brat! :)

He mostly tried to eat the paper, but here he's actually ripping it

Jeremy was put on the high council recently, and at the party they had this is the White Elephant gift he got. We have never seen Twilight or read the books, but apparantly we are now on team Jacob? He wore this to work for a few minutes just for the Twilight fans on his team! What a good sport!!

My little TV addicts

On New Year's Eve I had my gall bladder removed after ending up in the ER once having several more attacks . It didn't make for a fun New Year's Eve (my parents took Marissa for a sleepover, we put Tyler to bed, and fell asleep around 10) but at least I don't have any more pain! When my parents brought Marissa back, we played the longest game of pinnochle I've ever played. I was on some pain pills and made some dumb mistakes that made Jake and I lose, but it was still fun.

Me and my kiddos

Tyler scooted his way back to see the music box, and Marissa wanted to see what he was doing. They layed there watching the dancers for quite a while!

I love reading other people's blogs, and hearing about peoples' lives. I guess I'll follow the crowd. I am horrible at keeping a journal, so this is it! I'm not a great writer and I don't have a super interesting life, but I do have a fantastic husband and two dang cute kids.