This is Mike and Kim's Blog! We love to hike, read, spend time together as a family, and otherwise enjoy the great outdoors. We have 3 kids. Bradley, Noah, and Rinna.
Well, it has been awhile, and a ton has happened since I last REALLY blogged (although Mike has been good to fill in for me), like, having a baby and moving. Okay, that doesn't sound like a lot when I write it, but trust me, it is. So, here's a quick synopsis of what has been going on!
Noah in his blessing outfit
First, we blessed Noah on April 22 (five days before we moved). It was a great day with lots of support from our family and friends! Interesting note, I forgot utensils, plates, cups, napkins, you know, all those things that people need in order to eat. Oops! Luckily, my Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Gary were willing to run to Walmart (yes, on a Sunday) to get needed supplies!
A week later, we moved back to Albuquerque. I love where we live. There is much more green here on the east side than there was on the west side. Two days after we got here, Bradley got sick with a lingering cold that is just now finally starting to go away. about 4 days later, Noah got sick. Scary stuff. We finally had to put him on a nebulizer to help him breathe. He hated it, and I hated it, except that it made it so he could breathe. That part I liked.
THEN, we decided that it was time for Noah to have his own room (after his sickness went away). Minor problem, we only have a 2 bedroom apartment. SO, moving time again as we completely flipped our house upside down. Now Bradley is in the Master suite, Noah is in the 2nd bedroom, and Mike and I are in the living room. We are so getting a 3 bedroom place when we go back to Logan.
Our bedroom when it was still our bedroom
Bradley's new suite, complete with couch and TV
Our new bedroom in the living room
The kitchen, which has not changed. :)
Needless to say, we are FINALLY getting settled, and things seem to finally be calming down.
I also had a GREAT Mother's Day. My boys all spoiled me good, and I got to talk to Kirk! It was wonderful to talk to him. He sounds so good and I can't wait to see him in just a month now! That will be awesome. Here are some pics from Mother's Day.
My two boys waking me up to give me my presents.
Yes, I know I look tired, but the boys look completely adorable!
My Mother's Day shirt from my boys
Mike was awesome at taking care of the boys all day and giving me a much needed break.
(Now I think he needs a break!)
Also, for Mother's Day, we sent all the Grandma's a video from Bradley and Noah. Now that they have all seen it, I can post it here.
In other news, I took Bradley to story time at the library on Wednesday. BEST THING EVER. For a half hour, I didn't have to think about what to do to entertain him, or keep track of him, or anything. I just got to sit there while they sang songs, read stories, and otherwise had a ball. (Luckily, Noah was asleep in his car seat the whole time) A movie does that as well, but this way I felt like a cool mom. It was awesome. He was a bit shy at first but got into it a little more towards the end. I think as we go regularly (and we will be going weekly) he will like it more and more. He also checked out his first library book! They had the self serve check out places and stools so he got to scan it and everything. I'm sure I was way more excited about it than he was, but it was great.
Bradley with his first library book, "Good Night, Pillow Fight"
(He picked it out himself)
And, last but not least, here are a few random pictures of us just being us.
Noah sleeping where Noah sleeps best: in Mom and Dad's bed
Oops, I lied. Noah sleeps best when Mom is sleeping with him in Mom and Dad's bed
(which, for the record, is only after 6 am, but man is it tempting...)
Bradley wanted to hold his basketball while he drank his bottle, so we let him.
He held it the whole time.
Suppose you find an incredible toy that your child loves and loves to spend a lot of time on their own playing with so you can get stuff done every now and then. Now try to imagine what this toy looks like. You might be thinking of something flashy, bright, that makes noise, or sings songs. You might be thinking of something that makes realistic truck or tractor noises, makes all the animals sounds even the ones you've never heard of like an egret. Now that you've thought of whatever toy you think accomplishes this goal the best, please look below.
What they don't teach you in Parenting 101, but perhaps should is that among all the toys that your child will love, nothing quite compares to the cardboard box.
Tuesday, March 13, 5:30 pm. At 2:30 we had a doctor's appointment, and the doctor said that we needed to schedule a day to get induced if the baby didn't come and the options were right now or Thursday. We originally decided on Thursday, but as we were driving home, changed our minds and called the doctor and he said come on in, so rushed and got our stuff together with some timely help from Uncle Jeremy, dropped Bradley off with Preston and Amanda and drove to the hospital.
And about 5 and a half hours later, Noah Chris was born weighing 7 lb 15 oz, 20 in long, who was generally unhappy with the immediate attention of the doctor and nurses and let them know promptly. Not too long later though he calmed down for a little snooze.
We had many visitors at the hospital, the first of which was Kim's mom, arriving 15 min before the baby was born.
Next was Aunt Megan, who watched Brad while we were at the hospital. Thanks again Megan!
Bradley came the next day and here we have our first family picture including little Noah.
Just barely born and already getting a head rub from his brother.
My family also came up to visit (we missed you Daniel), Grandpa and Grandpa, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Jeremy, and Aunt Mary.
While at the hospital, Noah got a little monkey to get wheeled around with just like Bradley's. It also served as a good way to keep track of Noah in the Nursery. Many nurses smiled as Noah and his monkey went around.
Uncle Ty and Aunt Ashley also came by.
And on Thursday, March 15, Noah takes his first venture out into the big wide world.
I almost think I should get paid for posting this, because Jif may never get a better cover picture for their advertisements than this. Besides, as a father and son duo, we may be Jif's best customers.
From the above images, one can see just how much an 18 month old can ransack a home in less than 15 min. As you can see, he started in his own room and moved steadily and determinedly through the house hitting all of his favorite spots along the way, reorganizing his toys and books, reorganizing the shoe holder, reorganizing the dvd's and finally reorganizing the kitchen drawers. As you can see, Titan helped a little.
Before making too harsh a judgement however, this is the same said child assisting his father in doing the dishes, and with a sweet face like that, you've probably already forgotten, as his parents have the damage created above, because such a cute little guy could never have done that. Hence the blame all falls on the cat. Sorry Titan :)
