Friday, September 24, 2010

Is it possible...have 2 years already passed?

Yep...our baby is 2 whole years! It's hard to believe.

Stats:

Length - 36" - 95%
Weight - 28 lb. - 78%
Head - 19 - 72%

A few fun facts:
  • Reese now sleeps in a big girl bed. The transition was much easier that I thought it would be. She doesn't even get out of bed in the morning until I come and get her. We're just hoping it stays that way.
  • She talks non-stop and surprises us daily with new words and sentences. Sometimes I'm the only one that can understand what she's saying...but she seems to be getting more clear with each passing day! Some favorite phrases:
"My turn daddy" (While holding the remote...daddy's her biggest competition when it comes to the TV.

"No time out mommy" (After she's done something she shouldn't and she knows what's coming.)

"I do it myself" (For pretty much anything she's attempting to do and we're trying to help her. She a stubborn independent little thing! I wonder where she gets that from? :)

  • Reese knows her numbers 1 through 10, she also knows her 8 basic colors, all her shapes and about half her letters. She really catches on to things quickly. All I have to do is work with her for a couple days on something and she picks is right up.
  • Lately Reese seems to be more aware of emotions, especially the emotions of those around her. It really bothers her if one of her friends is sad or mad. She wants to know why and what happened. She will persist with her concern until she knows they are ok.
  • Reese loves to play doctor. She's been to all my doctor appointments with this baby, and now thinks she's a little doctor. Every day she makes me lay on the floor or couch, pulls up my shirt and uses her doctor kit to check the baby.
  • Reese loves to play outside and can now pedal a bike. It's fun to see her take off on her little bike to cruise the neighborhood. She's also pretty good on her scooter, and loves to play with her friends plasma cars. She's a little dare devil and seems to have no fear. Even after a few rough spills, she jumps right back on and takes off. If you could see her face as she's speeding down the sidewalk, head thrown back, hair blowing in the wind, and a smile from ear to ear...pure bliss.
  • Reese is going through a bit of an aggressive biting stage. My sweet little baby has become a "no nonsense don't mess with me or I'll bite you" kid. We've tried just about everything to discourage and stop the biting, but she doesn't seem to get it. Her doctor assures us she'll just grow out of it and there's not a whole lot we can do other than a lot of "time outs" and relentless talks about "no biting". In the mean time we try to watch her like a hawk and all her friends are staying current on their rabies shots.
  • Reese loves to try on clothes, especially anything from mommy or daddy's closet. She's close to mastering my high heels, but no where near close to fitting into daddy's clothes...as you can see...


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Time for an update...

Life has been a little rough the last few weeks. I've been so sick and spending a lot of time in bed, on the couch and hunched over a toilet (sorry if's that's TMI). So I wanted to do something to freshen up the bedroom that has become my sanctuary. I never really liked our old bedroom decor. It was so dark and coupled with our dark furniture, the room was becoming really depressing. So my goal was to lighten it up...and I think I accomplished my goal.

My other goal was to keep the "re-do" under or around $100; also accomplished thanks to my good friends Target and Ikea!

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Friday, September 17, 2010

My greatest examples...

A few weeks ago I was asked to do a guest post on a popular Woman's Blog, Or So She Say's. I was totally honored and I did a post about my grandma's Homemade Donuts. The ladies at Or So She Say's really liked it and asked me if I would be willing to do another post. This time they gave me some topics and asked if I thought I could write about any of them. The one topic that jumped out at me was Marriage.

I had been thinking a lot about marriage recently. I think I have a really good marriage, but I've only been married 3 years...it should still be good...right?? I love my husband; he's my best friend. I can't image my life with out him. He makes me feel like I'm the most important person in the world and spoils me rotten. I hope I do the same for him. So the big question running through my mind; how do I make sure I feel the same way in 30, 40, or 50+ years?

I've had several experiences in my life with married couples who've been together so long, they seem to merely tolerate each other. Like they're still together because they have no other option. They seem to snap at each other constantly, with no reprise of love or tenderness. Like they're just a habit, a bad habit waiting out time. I'm determined not to let my marriage turn into a bad habit. I'm lucky though, I have a very good example in my life of a successful happy marriage. My parents!

So when I started to write about marriage I decided to use my parents as a resource; pondering and recognizing what they've done to build a strong, healthy and happy marriage. This article is dedicated to them. It will appear on Or So She Say's sometime in the next month. But I wanted to post it on my personal blog so It would be a part of my family journal.


When I was in college studying Early Childhood Development, I had a professor whose mantra was, “The greatest gift parents can give their children is to love each other”. I knew that was true then, because I was lucky enough to grow up in a home where my parents were very much in love with each other, and although they were far from perfect, the foundation of their love created a strong foundation for my life.

As I have grown, I have come to realize that having two parents that love each other can be just as beneficial in my adult hood as it was in my childhood. Now that I am married myself and working to create a strong marriage of my own, I often look to my parent’s example for guidance and direction.

I have to preface this with the fact that I am not a family counselor, a physiologist, or even a very experienced married person. But I have spent my whole life watching two parents who not only love each other, but have been through ups and downs, good time and bad and have always come out loving each other more than when they started. And not just saying they love each other; showing their love for each other in pretty much every aspect of their lives. So I thought I would share a few things I’ve learned from what has been my greatest example of a long and happy marriage.

Marriage is work!

My mom once told me, “When you’re married you have to wake up every day and decide, do I love my husband today? Most days that’s the easiest decision in the world to make…others, not so much! But yet still, you make the decision and work through what ever emotions, anger, or frustrations you’re feeling until the decision is easy again.”

I grew up hearing this and believing it, but it wasn’t until I was married myself and we had our first “big” fight, that I realized how true it was. So often we like to run from conflict, especially if it requires us to step outside our comfort zone and/or actually take a long hard look at ourselves. Admitting we may need to change or a willingness to help someone else change, can be one of the most difficult things we ever do, and it definitely takes a lot of work.

(I love this picture of my parents. It was a candid shot taken on my sisters front porch a few years ago. I love seeing my parents laughing and enjoying each other.)


Show your love…yes I mean PDA!

I don’t remember a night my dad didn’t come home from work, walk into the kitchen where my mom was making dinner, wrap his arms around her, give her a big kiss, and tell her that he loved her. It didn’t matter who was around or what my mom happened to be doing at the moment. I witnessed this pretty much ever day of my childhood.

My parents still hold hands, they kiss, they snuggle, and I know that after 40 years of marriage there’s still a spark…and that gives me hope! It has also taught me that public displays of affection are vital in marriage. Not the sloppy, disgusting type, but the sweet, tender unspoken declarations of love. Kids need to see it, even if they say, “eeww mom and dad”. They unconsciously love it and bask in it…even adult kids. But more important, your partner needs to see it, feel it and know…you’re still in love.

(This is another favorite shot. It was taken on a family trip to China. I told you, after 40 years of marriage, they still hold hands when ever they can.)


Adversity can make or break you!

My parents have had their share of adversity in marriage and in parenthood. But they have always pulled together instead of tearing apart. Weither it’s a troubled child, a sick family member, financial struggles etc…my parents rally together as a team and tackle each obstacle working together, not apart.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen my parents argue. I’ve seen them disagree and even get very frustrated with each other. But I’ve never heard them threaten divorce, I’ve never heard them scream, hit, or be physically or emotionally cruel to each other in any capacity.

Change is a good opportunity to reconnect!

I’ve watched my parents go through two major changes in their marriage. The fist one was when my dad retired from the military after 25 years. He then changed careers and my parents settled down in Rexburg, Idaho. I know this time in their marriage was a little difficult, as my dad struggled to redefine himself in the civilian world. The second was when they became “empty nesters” and they were once again sitting across the dinner table, staring at just each other.

In each of these scenario’s I have watched my parents come together, and redefine who they are a couple. The first year after all their children had “left the nest”; they decided to take a vacation together alone; no kids, no grand kids. They retraced their honeymoon, driving up the California Coast into Oregon. They decided then that ever couple years they would take a trip alone as a couple, just for fun! This year they are headed to Hawaii and although I’m a little jealous, I couldn’t be more happy knowing my parents still love to be together, by themselves, every once in a while.

(Having fun in Hawaii a few years ago...my parents love Hawaii! What's not to love!)


Sacrifice is key!

My mom is terrified of water. She has never been much of an outdoor’s person, a huge risk taker, or adventure seeker. But she married an Air Force pilot, who loves to hunt, fish, camp, raft, swim, and travel. In other words, my parents are very different. But that has never slowed them down or come between them. I have watched them support each other in their hobbies and interests and sacrifice their own desires in order to make the other happy. Over the years they have come to not only to accept, but love several of each other’s interests.

(One of their favorite shared interests...time with their grand kids! On top of being wonderful parents they are the most fun grandparents in the whole world.)


These are just a few of the many things I’ve learned from watching my parent’s marriage. The older I get and the longer I’m married, I realize just how valuable their example is to me, and those around them. I hope to emulate their path and teach my children, by example, the secrets to a long and happy marriage.

~ Mindi

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Let the party begin...

Reese was so excited for her party. We had been talking about it for a couple weeks, and every night before she went to bed we would practice holding up 2 fingers and singing happy birthday. By the time the big day arrived, we could hardly contain her excitement!

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Through out the party, Reese was the master candy thief. I don't even want to know how many Reese's Peanut Butter Cups she consumed within a 2 hour period.

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Playing Elmo's Alphabet Game with Brighton and Braydn.

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Cute little Cohen Vohs. Cohen and Reese were Nursery buddies in the hospital. They were born just 2 days apart.

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Reese and Rowan Tate...two little best friends...when their not fighting over a toy!

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Play Oscar's Trash game with all her friends!

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Reese was so excited to eat her cupcakes!

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And she enjoyed every bit of hers!

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Sweet little Harper Tate! I couldn't resist taking a picture of this cute face!

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Of course Reese's favorite part of the entire party had to be the presents! And she was spoiled rotten. She made out with quite the loot!

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Since the party Reese has spent countless hours playing with all her toy's. She is one lucky girl!

Thanks to all that came and helped make Reese's birthday a very special day!

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The party details...

When it came to choosing a birthday party theme for Reese big "2", there really wasn't much of a choice. Reese has been in love with Sesame street since about 6 months old. So Sesame street it was...and despite every effort (3 party stores and a million online searches) to track down Sesame Street party supplies, no luck. However, I was determined, or crazy! This meant that all party supplies had to be home-made, by the best mommy in the world! (Title self given...wink, wink.)

The cupcakes! Elmo and Cookie Monster of course! They didn't turn out as beautiful as I had hoped, but I think the kids still loved them. I know Reese did!

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Reese was such a great help with everything from the cupcakes, to making all the characters, to blowing up the balloons, setting everything up...and of course eating all the candy!

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And the birthday celebration begins...

Reese's birthday celebration started right at the crack of dawn...ok so maybe it was more like 8:15 a.m.

Arnold was lucky to have the day off so we decided to make the entire day a special "Reese Day"!

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The night before, after Reese was sound asleep, we filled her room with balloons with a trail of balloons leading down to the stairs.

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Where she would find all her presents from Mom & Dad...and Grandma & Grandpa N.

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Sitting there watching my little baby patiently wait to open her presents, made me realize that she's really no longer a baby! These two years have gone way too fast!

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Reese did not disappoint when it came to opening her presents. She was full of lots of gasps, ooohh's and aww's. She gave us lots of expression and drama and she loved everything she got.

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After opening presents, we had a yummy breakfast. We had planned to go to the park, but Reese just wanted to play with all her new stuff. So that's what we did. After a fun lunch and a good afternoon nap, Reese was ready for her big party....

Stay tuned for Party pics!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

My kitchen helper...

Tomorrow is Reese's birthday...I can hardly believe my baby will be 2! She is growing up so fast and is full of personality, opinions, curiosity, mischief...need I go on? Well I plan to do a whole post about her birthday and her birthday party, but today she was helping me decorate the Cookie Monster and Elmo cupcakes for her party. I use the word "help" loosely. The help mostly included licking as much frosting as possible and devouring the marshmallows and candies when I wasn't looking. But seriously...I wouldn't have it any other way!

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Random

So I've said it before and I'll probably say it a million more times...we live in the best neighborhood ever!

One reason...spontaneous summer night barbeque's! This will probably be the last one of the year, as the weather is quickly turning cold. What will we do all winter??

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Reese and Lucy thought it was the coolest thing ever...sharing a grown-up chair!

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And these three little friends were pretty excited about staying up past their bed time...and sharing a grown-up chair!

(Reese, Clair Nuttall & Rowan Tate)

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End of summer tradition...

An end of summer water fight seems to be the tradition here at Tanglewood. But for the record...next year it's someone else's turn to blow up the water balloons.

500 water balloons and many many eager kids...equals one good time.

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Reese took her time picking the best balloons :)

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...and unlike last year...she had a pretty good throw!

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Check out that arm!

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Little Lucy had more fun watching from the side lines.

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After the balloons were gone there was some relaxing in the pool. If you can call that a pool. I'm still shocked by the number of kids they squeezed in.

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Cute little Brea wasn't quite sure what to think.

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