Zach updates

Frank the Tank is growing!  Zach is definitely on the high end of his growth chart and we advice Abi that Zach will catch up to her size if she doesn't eat more. He often out eats her and is only 5-6 lbs lighter.  While in Minnesota, Z started crawling. He now motors everywhere, bear crawls, stands next to anything and just this week stood up on his own in the middle of the room. Zach is still an incredibly happy baby. And at this point, we are already marveling at the difference between the kids. Zach puts everything in his mouth, pushes on everything to see if it opens or moves, is noisy in general and seems to be "all boy". 

Abi updates

Oh dear. If I had to give a single word update it would be "personality". Abi has always had it, but she just keeps getting more. She is proud of her new big bed (the twin captain bed I had growing up) and is into dressing herself. She prefers to be barefoot in the yard and if there's music, she's usually dancing! Abigail is still loving being at day school three days a week. Lately she has been telling us about monsters; they've been in her bedroom, all over our house and even in the carts at the grocery store. So far, they are all friendly and usually leave if you ask them to go home or notify them it is bedtime and they should leave.

Minnesota

Steven was asked to be water rescue for the Wild Canyon Games this year. Our boat was used last year for the event, but this year he went to the Young Life ranch and participated. He really enjoyed the scenery and seemed to have had a great time. Since he was going there for 4 days and working, the kids and I flew home. Yep, found my big girl panties and took a flight with a 32 month old and an 8 month old. It went so incredibly well! Lessons learned: car seats purchased for the great crash test ratings do NOT fit into FAA seats. It was such a great great trip!!! Malcolm, Christine, Michaela and Danielle were able to be with us at Mom & Dad's the whole week which was just awesome because the kids are now old enough that they just play play play. It was wonderful for the girls to be building such great relationships. While we were home, Zach learned to crawl. And has not stopped since! (Another post to follow on him). The trip included lots more biking than we'd done in a long time thanks to tag-alongs and Mom & Dad having the double stroller/bike trailer, a trip to Itasca and the girls swimming in the head waters as well as lots of time with aunties, uncles, cousins and all the grandparents.

I realize how blessed I am to know all of my grandparents and how lucky that my kids are to be getting to know them as well. I'm also grateful that we arrive in Minnesota with a bag of clothes and all the kid gear we need is there! Makes traveling so much easier. Check out Malcolm & Christine's post on the visit. In my focus to prep everything for a smooth trip for the kids... I forgot my camera. (Seriously?!?!) My few shots were taken with my phone which actually did ok, but it wasn't the same.

Inspired

I realized it had been 3 months since I had posted any updates when we were in Minnesota. Christine and I had a great conversation about how really when you get to the heart of blogs, they're for the benefit of your close loved ones and the subjects themselves. I often find blogging therapeutic to reflect on our lives but I always want to capture my children's lives for them. Thus, a major catch up.

Its passing in a flash...

Where does the time fly? The kids are growing up so fast. We've started potty training with Abi. She very much gets the concept and is doing well. This morning started with Abi running out of her room to tell Zach about how she pee'd in her Buzz Lightyear panties Monday but not her Woody panties. Yes, Abi tends to prefer Cars, Toystory characters and such over any princess stuff. We have a couple movies with princess' but she hasn't seemed to really take to them. So, she wears little boy undies! Abi is doing great at her day school and absolutely loves it.

Zach has been rolling onto his tummy frequently though he doesn't seem to remember that he had in the past rolled back onto his tummy. He does great with neck strength and will spend quite a bit of time on his tummy checking things out. We've been trying some cereal, but he doesn't seem to be too big of a fan. Zach continues to be one of the most mellow and relaxed babies we have ever met! He's just one happy dude and laughs and smiles at just about anybody that will pay him attention. And if you're really lucky, he'll give you a big ol' slobbery kiss too!

Romp to Stomp 2012

Despite a few feet of new snow on both Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor, my friend Alicia and I braved the mountain passes to participate in Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series Oregon.  Alicia and I headed over Friday night and enjoyed a quiet night at Sunriver Resort before driving up Bachelor this morning. The strong wind added to the new snow and created some awesome white out conditions on the roads but once we got on the snowshoe trail and dropped into the trees, it was absolutely gorgeous. And although I drove on the way over to central Oregon and up and down Bachelor, Alicia took the helm and drove her own 4WD vehicle back over Mt. Hood. For someone who isn't confident in snowy conditions, she did great and I was excited to be able to support her in that adventure.

Thank you to everybody who supported this awesome event! I raised $475 dollar this year! The plan is to have an entire team participate next year! Can't wait!

2012 Already!!

Where has the last month gone?!?! It's not just 2012, but we're full swing into 2012. We spent a wonderful Christmas both at home and in Eugene this year. Abi's preschool class at Mt. View Community Church sang with the children's choir.  It was our first Christmas of me helping the children's program and Steven running the video and snapping photos while Zach sat in his car seat near by. One of those milestones both for us as parents and for Abi as well! And while I half expected her to freeze on stage in front of the congregation, she sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus beautifully with the other adorable 2-5 year old kids in her class. Christmas in Eugene was particularly wonderful since Annie's sister Evi was able to join us from New York City. Of course we're all back into the swing of everyday life. I'm working 24 hr/wk which consists of a half day Monday and then seven hour days Tues-Thurs. Steven is on his normal 24 on/ 48 off and of course taking overtime as family commitments allow. Abi and Zach spend Mondays with our good friend Nick when Steven isn't home and head to Bright Minds Christian Day School Tues-Thur. We're so very blessed with a great day school that the kids are doing so well at! We're slowly approaching potty training with Abigail. Our daughter has a decisive assurance of herself so we decided not to go to battle until necessary.  We are definitely making advances though and so hopefully we're diaper free with Abi well before her 3rd birthday. Zach is gaining weight at a very steady rate. What a mellow happy little man he is! He's tippin' the scale at 16 lb, grabbing things within reach, standing on his legs, rolling from tummy to back and very much likes his rice cereal in the evening. And the best part...He's decided it's ok for him NOT to eat at 2:30am now! (Thank heavens!) Apart from runny noses, the kids have remained healthy this winter although I was knocked on my butt by a very nasty virus.  It was the first time in our marriage Steven has had to stay home on account of taking care of the kids/household/myself.  Thankfully that is behind us and we're looking forward to all that God has in store for the new year!