Joshua-Isms

I was thinking the other day of all the cute things that Joshua does and how much I have enjoyed our "one-on-one time together over the last 16 months! These are some of the things that make me smile!

1. Joshua loves to use the word "hot" he places his hand over anything we give him whether it's a plate of mac and cheese or a bowl of ice cream.

2. He LOVES fruit- he will try any kind and loves any kind he's tried.

3. He shakes his head violently when we offer him vegetables. We've gotten him to try them a few times when we all eat them at the table and exclaim "yum-yum" however this does not work if it is anything green.

4. He walks around singing at random times!

5. When he is getting in trouble for something he wraps his arms around my neck and says " I yuv you" (This is probably my favorite right now) He already knows how to butter me up!

I love being this sweet little boy's mom!

My Quirks

So- I received my first tag- I think?! Thanks Danica! Here are some of the quirky things about me.... I hope you still want to be my friends!

1. I rub my feet together to fall asleep (weird- I know)
2. I am a Celine Dion fanatic. I know the words to every song and have almost every cd- she just came out with a new one I'm itching to buy.
3. I'm also a Mary Higgins Clark fanatic- I've read every book- and I never figure out who it is until the end- I guess I'm a little slow:P
4. I can't eat cake and ice cream together- I like to enjoy them separately at separate times!
5. I like to go fishing- but I don't like to touch the worm or the fish after I've caught it!
6. I sleep with one eye open. This has freaked Mike out on many occasions! I had surgery on my eyelid when I was 4 and the muscles were cut in my lid. So- the lid doesn't stay shut after I've fallen asleep- it just kind of "pops" open!

I tag Lindsay, Meagan, Miken, and Jenn

My Little Bump

This is a picture of my little bump- which feels much bigger than it actually looks in the picture! I am in my 18th week. We will find out what the baby is on Dec. 23rd! We're really anxious to know! I am feeling a lot better, and have been feeling little baby kicks here and there! They feel like "dainty" kicks- but we'll see!

Bad Hair Day

Joshua was waking up way too many mornings looking like this! So- I decided it was finally time for a haircut! (Mind you this is his 3rd one!) The new style is so much easier to deal with! Joshua did well getting it cut as he munched on smarties the whole time!

Thank You Mary Jane!!!!

My good friend, Mary Jane knitted Joshua this beautiful sweater vest. It's so perfect no one can believe that it is handmade. It's gorgeous! We will get lots of use out of it during the cold Chicago winter. Mary Jane was like a second mother to me while we lived in Monterey! We miss her! Thanks Mary Jane- you're the best!

Roommate Reunion

One of my best friends from BYU- Julie- and her husband, Brian came to visit this weekend. They were at the temple in Chicago on Saturday and drove down to Morris to spend the evening with us! Julie and I were roommates in Liberty Square in 2000!! We haven't seen each other in 5 years- it was so wonderful to catch up. Hopefully we will get together a few more times while we're here in Chicago. A special shout-out to Brian for enduring the "girl talk" for the evening! I love ya Jules!

Trick or Treat

Joshua is the cutest lion ever! We had our Halloween Trunk or Treat at church on Saturday and Joshua LOVED it! He waved at the members after they gave him candy and then carried his candy-filled pumpkin around the church the rest of the evening! We are looking forward to when he can actually say "trick or treat!" He is so much fun!

We Love When Daddy Visits!

Mike was able to come see us in Chicago for a few days over Columbus Day weekend. It was so great to have him even just for a short time! We spent the day in Chicago, ate famous deep dish pizza and went to a city park. On Saturday night, Mike and I had our first night away from Joshua since he was born! (15 months ago!) My parents volunteered to watch Joshua and we went and stayed in a really nice jacuzzi suite for the evening! I even had a midnight craving for an egg sandwich- (we saw one while watching the movie Spanglish) and Mike was sweet enough to run to IHOP for me. He had to leave early on Monday- but we love him so much and can't wait to see him again at Thanksgiving.

Another Cutie on the Way

We're excited to announce we are expecting baby # 2 on April 19. We will be living in Hawaii at the time- so lots of changes! I am 14 weeks along. We should be having another ultrasound in about 6 weeks so we can find out the sex of the baby! Any guesses? The ultrasound tech said she might have been able to tell today- but the baby was in a funny position- sitting like he/she is in a chair! We are so excited to meet our next little one!

So this brings us to now....

The major events are up- I think. I may have forgotten something and will have to add it later. But- as of now, Joshua and I are living in Illinois with my parents while Mike finishes up some training. In January we will be moving to Hawaii for 3 years! We are so excited for our new adventure! We will continue to post pics of Josh as he gets cuter and cuter!

The Last Picture- for a few weeks!

This is the last picture from our roadtrip to Texas. This is The Meteor Crater somewhere in Arizona- I think? I started to lose track of where we were. We accidentally left our camera in the giftshop there- luckily we remembered and were able to call and have them send it- but it arrived a few days after Joshua and I did in Illinois.

Goodbye to Monterey!!!

Mike passed his Chinese proficiency test in August and we were told we would be moving a few weeks later! It happened a lot faster than expected! We were sad to leave all of our friends in Monterey- though not sad to leave the cold weather! We decided to have one last hurrah with our good friends the Tolman's. We went to Disneyland and San Diego the weekend we took off for Texas! It was such a fun trip. We rode several of the rides and saw the most amazing fireworks show! We were worried about Joshua being scared in the Haunted Mansion- but he fell asleep!!! He was so good the whole day and finally passed out in Mike's arms while we waited for the Peter Pan ride. We had such a great time and will miss the Tolman's very much!!!!

Joshua's 1st Birthday- July 10, 2007

Joshua's first year flew by! We had such a fun time on his birthday! Mom made him blueberry pancakes for breakfast. For dinner, we had pizza and cake and ice cream. We gave him a pretty big piece of cake thinking he could just pick at it, but he ate the whole thing! After dinner we opened presents and went to bed a little late. It was so much fun celebrating!

Ryan's Wedding

In August, Joshua and I traveled back to NC for Ryan and Meagan's wedding! It was beautiful! We are so happy for them! It was so fun to be together as a family again- I can't believe all of us siblings are so growed up!

Catchin up!

We are finally catching up! The last post we put up was in May- so we aren't going to be able to cover everything- but here are some major events from the last few months!

Busy Bee

And So Are the Days of Our Lives...

This is a common sight these days as Joshua has been teething again for the past month. He went from sleeping all night to waking again sometime between 2 and 3 and he won't go back to sleep on his own. As much as we love to cuddle- we are hoping this stage ends soon!

Messy Boy!

Big Sur

We took a family hike in Big Sur last weekend. These pictures are classic.

Oscar got a little tired.

Beautiful Boy

Cruisin! What?

Frustrations

I tried to put up a few videos tonight and it seems there is something wrong with the blogger site- has anyone else found this to be the case? Or is there just some user error going on?!

Oh Deer!

I looked out our side window and a huge deer was staring in! This is a common occurrence here in Monterey (to see deer everywhere). I thought it was particularly funny that this one chose our yard and then proceeded to walk down the center of the street!

Sweet Josh!

Joshua is 9 months old today! He went in for his well baby check and unfortunately hasn't been very well this week! He has had some kind of virus that has affected everything! I have changed so many poopy diapers this week- I feel like we are back in the newborn days! The doc okayed Benadryl so we will see if that helps clear up his cough. He also has 4 new teeth coming through on the top! Poor little guy! He has been a pretty good sport despite all his ailments! We have been a little worried about his growth these past few months. All the other babies have passed him up (even the younger ones!) The doc said he is fine he's just "petite." His height is in the 25th percentile at 27.5 inches and he weighs in at just 16.5 lbs- 10th percentile. I relayed these growth statistics to Mike over lunch who very seriously asked, "He's not a midget or anything though, right?!" (classic) Anyway- we are so glad that he is a part of our family! I will put more pics up when he's feeling better!

Happy Birthday Mike!

Mike's birthday was yesterday! We celebrated with sushi and potstickers and a motorcycle cake! I was pretty proud of that cake! We finished the night off by watching Top Gun- one of Mike's all time favorite movies!

A Man and His Motorcycle

So after many heated arguments/discussions I finally agreed to Mike purchasing a motorcycle. I guess it was seeing him looking at the motorcycles. He was like a kid in a candy store. He has been working so hard for our family, and I knew this would make his year! He has promised to only use it as transportation for work and for driving a little around town. No highway driving! I have a car every day now, and the motorcycle gets 50 miles to the gallon- so hopefully that will help with the rising CA gas prices! Here is the video of Mike showing off his bike that I PROMISED I would put up tonight!

Belated April Fools Day to the Barnums!

Mike and I have had the worst day ever as far as Murphy's Law things go. We thought we needed to journal this, because it is just unbelievable what has gone on today- and thankfully we are starting to laugh about it. I wonder if we prayed for patience last night and just didn't remember:P Here is a catalog of our day:

8:30 Mike went to the DMV a half-hour early to beat the crowd.
9:00 Mike returns home because they won't accept his credit card they only take debit cards ( he doesn't have one because we just switched banks).
9:30 Mike is back at the DMV and is just getting ready to hand the cashier Chrissy's debit card when Chrissy calls him on his phone and asks him why the debit card is still sitting on the table.
12:00 Mike fails the Motorcycle Drivers License test (reason he is there)
12:30 Mike finally leaves the DMV license in hand. (thankfully he was able to retake the test)
1:00 Chrissy and Mike are getting ready to go and run errands and after looking at their online bank account realize that their car payment was taken out twice for the month!
1:30 Refund check won't be out until it is time to pay the car pymt again.
2:00 Trip to Walmart for diapers (they're cheapest there)- They are COMPLETELY out of Joshua's size.
3:00 Trip to Police Dept for Mike to get his base stickers to ride his motorcycle on -post. They won't accept his temporary registration and tell him he will have to wait 90 days or get a visitors pass (which of course we opted for)
3:30 Stop at Blockbuster for free rental (we got this the other night when we got home with a movie and there was no disk). When Mike got to the counter they said we had missunderstood- they just didn't charge US for the new disk they put in when we went back to exchange it that same night.
3:31 Chrissy laid the smack down in BLockbuster and they supposedly have credited our account for a free rental. (we'll find out next time:P)
5:00 Mike opens up the motorcycle cover we purchased at Walmart and instead of a motorcycle cover inside the box there is a dirty/hole-filled beach towel.

Well it is 5:14. The day isn't over- thankfully these are not major things- but they are enough of an annoyance that we have decided to call it a day. We are thinking pajamas and a movie and bed early. Thankfully we get to start again anew tomorrow! Hope everyone else's days were better!

More Videos on the Way

We've had several requests for more videos- we promise they are coming! We just need to free up a few memory sticks and we'll get them up soon! Thanks for everyone's love and support for our family!

Priorities?

Take a close look at the chair and you will notice that the seat is missing. This happened one day while surfing the net. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew- I was on the floor! And I wonder why the laundry piles up......

Stylin in My Tux!

Beach Baby

Happy Easter!

We had a special visitor for Easter this year! Mike's mom came into town for a few days. We enjoyed Easter dinner with her and showed her around Monterey. Josh had some good one on one time with grandma!

Birthday Fun

Mike treated me really well this weekend for my birthday! He brought home Red's Donuts and juice (these donuts are the best we've ever had!) and a huge bouquet of beautiful spring flowers. He spent an afternoon clothes shopping with me and didn't even complain! That afternoon he made my favorite cake (and spent an hour frosting it!)- long story! That night we went out for pizza while some good friends babysat- came home had cake and watched a movie! He wouldn't let me do any work the whole day- It was a great day! Thanks Mike for being such a sweet husband! Thanks everyone for all the calls, emails, cards, and packages! You made my day really special! Especially since this birthday is the last one I will ever have! (# 29)

Video 101

We thought we'd post the videos mostly for grandparent enjoyment! My narrations on them are pretty dumb- but Josh is so cute- he makes up for my lack of creativity! For those who may be technology challenged- (mom) click on the play symbol and make sure your volume is turned up! We love you!

Josh Crash-Driving

Cute Videos (mostly for the grandparents!)

Loot from Grandma and Grandpa Briggs

Grandma and Grandpa Briggs spoiled us with an Easter package. They sent an Easter outfit for Josh, bath toys, a cup and bowl from the Disney store, a book, Easter decorations, placemats, sugar cookie mix.... it was so fun to open and know that someone was thinking of us! We love you Grandma and Grandpa!

A full 8 Hours!!!!! (For ME!!!)

Joshua is finally sleeping through the night!!! Now that I write this I hope I don't jinx it! He has slept the past 8 nights from 7:30 until 6/6:30- and often goes back to sleep after eating until about 7:30. It's awesome! I feel like a new woman!

Uh Oh.....Cheerios!

Mike babysat one night so that I could drive the missionaries to an appointment. He fed Josh some Cheerios while doing the dishes and looked up to see one on his nose! I'm so glad he took pictures!

Daddy's Boy

Josh looks so cute in daddy's hat!

Beach Day!!!!!!

Today it was about 65 degrees and sunny! We don't get many days like this here! (which was a shock to us when we moved here!) We thought California- beach- nice weather all the time! Oh well- we soak the days up when they come! My friend Danica and I took Josh to the beach in Pacific Grove and watched Josh play in (and eat) the sand! He had a blast! He was so focused on what he was doing- we couldn't get that cute face to look at the camera! After viewing these pictures I think I have the whitest legs in Monterey- we'll have to work on that!