Friends at the park

I love taking my kids to the park. It is something that they love and doesn't take a lot of effort on my part. We also usually go with friends so I get a little social interaction too. This is Tanner and his friend Nate. They were walking all over holding hands. Aren't they cute together?

Outing to Monterrey

MJ was out of town this week for a few days and luckily the weather was good again and I was able to take the kids on a few outings to stay sane. Tanner was his usual non-sleeping self all week and then decided to take a 4 hour nap and sleep through the night last night. I hope it lasts, and at least I got 1 night of sleep for a change. Of course Jessi came in at 12:30 so I still was interrupted but not as bad as usual. They even both slept in until 6:30!
Anyway, we went to the aquarium down in Monterrey on Monday afternoon and had a blast! I decided not to take the stroller in since I would need both my hands to hold onto them and I put a backpack leash on Tanner. They were amazing! They didn't ask to be held once(which for those of you who have been around Jessi at all in her life, was a major feat). They even walked to and from the car without incident.
They loved exploring everything and touching things in the touch pools. We even were able to see both octopus up against the glass, even one of them we could see it's eye. Also we saw some eels that were all stretched out and looking for a new place to hide. Over all it was a great day and we all had a great time. Here are some pictures of the adventure. (WARNING! THERE ARE A LOT OF PICTURES.)

There is a little pool with these gun type things that Jessi loved. Tanner wasn't into it very much.

Tanner didn't stay with the little fish pond either.

Tanner did like to put these really big blocks into the right holes though. Jessi helped a little too.

They have a big bubble of water for the little ones to play on. It is really like a water bed. Tanner liked to try to jump on it. Jessi was too big but I told her she could lay down on it.

There is another hands on exploring area for little ones. I love how he followed her around. Then they both decided to climb.

I tried to get a decent picture of both of them but I had to use two pictures. This is a giant clam shell.

Jessi loves to dress up like "Nemo". She also likes to get stamps at all the little stations along the way.

Tanner loved the slide but I couldn't get him to slide on his bottom so sorry, no face.

This is my attempt to get both of them on the slide together. Tanner wouldn't cooperate.

I think the favorite part of the day was watching the otters. Jessi loved that they swam right up to the glass in front of her.

Tanner also enjoyed it. He didn't move the whole time. I love that you can see their expressions in the glass.

There is a huge tank with really big fish and sharks in it. I couldn't get a good picture but you get the idea.

Jessi really liked this wave room. The wave comes right over you and then behind you.

They also loved to touch crabs and starfish in the touch pool. Tanner wasn't so sure at first.

It took Tanner a while but I finally got him to touch this starfish. But I was holding him up at the time so I couldn't see his face.

This is Jessi touching a crab she named "Crabby". You can see how big he is in the picture that she isn't touching him.

Last weekend

Last weekend we had a nice time at home. Friday we popped some popcorn and watched a movie with the kids. Tanner helped with the popcorn.

Then on Saturday, while MJ was working on a drawing for work, the kids worked on their own art work. This was the result.

Ouch!

On Sunday the kids were both wanting something at the same time and MJ was actually getting to listen to the speaker during Sacrament meeting and I was trying to hurry before one or both of them started screaming. This is what happens when you bend over to get the church bag too fast!

Tanner: 18 months

Tanner is now 18 months and keeping us busy as usual. We went to the doctor a few weeks ago and he is now 21 3/4lbs and only the 6th percentile for weight. The doctor isn't really worried about it since he is always in motion and has his Daddy's metabolism. We are supplementing with Pediasure once a day and hopefully he will be gaining a little more by his 2 year appointment. I just can't get him to sit still long enough to eat very much. He is now also 32 1/4 inches tall, 80th percentile for height! Imagine that, my kids tall.
He is finally starting to talk a little and also knows some sign language, which has helped a lot too. He says a lot of different sounds for animals, elephants are his favorite right now, and if he doesn't know the sound an animal makes it is "woof, woof". He says mom(ma), dad(da), Jessi(e.e.), eat(ee), hot, light(hot), binky(ee), Oso(oooo), spoon(ooo), truck/car(vroom, vroom), duck(uck), and probably a few more but I can't think of them right now. He can definitely get his point across with out so many words though. He signs: please, thank you, more, and milk. He has my independence and stubbornness, and MJ's temper and patience. I think that says it all. I have to say though, when he is happy, he is the most loving, happy kid around.

Anyway, he is busy as usual and I look forward to his naps every day so I can get a little break. He hasn't been sleeping for about a month. He will be up 2-5 times a night. But the last few days he has only been up 1-2 again so I'm hoping that it will be back to sleeping all night again soon. So if I've been a little slow on posting some events lately, sorry. A nap is a little more top priority if I can fit it in while I get Jessi involved in something for about 30 minutes. Hopefully I will be posting a little more regularly again soon. If not, we will post again in February after our trip to Disneyland!

Jessi's Birthday: Part 2

On Sunday after Jessi's birthday, we had all of MJ's family over for dinner to celebrate. It was a full house, but always fun. We had Hawaiian hay stacks, then opened gifts. She got a bunch of stuff. MJ's cousin even made her some dress up clothes! She loved it all and is still playing with it. Here are some pictures of the event.

Auntie Rain and Uncle Victor got these for Jessi. She loves them.

And Tanner loved the bag.

Mike, Shauna, and Sammy got this for Jessi. Do you think she liked it?

Jenny and Greg got all of this for Jessi. Jenny made all the dress up clothes for Jessi. She does such a great job.

Even though Tia and Tio weren't there they sent these for Jessi.

Gaga and Daddo got this puppet theater and puppets for the kids. They got playing with it instantly

And here is the cake and her blowing out the candles. Finally! Happy Birthday Jessi!

Jessi's Birthday: Part 1

Jessi is finally 4! I can't believe how fast time has gone. I still remember her being so tiny in my arms, and growing so fast as a baby. She has grown from a 7lb 15oz baby to a 36lbs, 41 inches tall little girl over night it seems. She always keeps us smiling with her little antics and schemes to try to get, or get away with, something. She loves to play pretend and is starting to try to write the alphabet a little more. She is a bit of a perfectionist, so we try to help her know that mistakes are okay so that she will keep trying new things. She has finally started to come out of the picky eating stage and is now clearing her plate almost every meal. If you ask her what her favorite food is, she would probably say casadilla. But she also loves tofu!
For her birthday, I decided that I would actually do her hair, but my first attempt wasn't met with raving reviews so the second take is in the pictures below.

After German hotcakes for breakfast and a bubble bath we went to Gaga's work and went to lunch. Then we decorated her cupcakes for her party that night. We took her to Chuck E Cheese with a few little girls from our ward. She said she didn't want any boys to come. Which is kind of strange because she has lots of friends that are boys. Anyway, they had a great time and so did we!

Jessi and her friends loved riding this giant horse ride!


Tanner enjoyed some rides too.


Here are the kids that came. It ended up being two families.




I love that Jessi
was so meticulous
eating her cupcakes.
And all she did was
eat the frosting.















Here is Jessi opening presents. I love her expressions!

Then we had everyone over on Sunday for a family party. I'll continue that in another post.