Writing on the Wall

When we became parents, I knew there would come a day when we would find crayon drawings on the wall. It's just inevitable. I guess that thought had escaped my mind until a few days ago.... I set Drew up with some toys so I could get lunch ready for us and when I came downstairs to get him, this is what I found!!

My initial reaction was shock! And then I saw Drew's proud face look up at me and say with those big brown eyes, "Look what I did mom!!" He was so darn cute! I called my wonderful neighbor because she is a mom who has "been there" and gives me lots of good advice. I always turn to her for mommy questions. She promptly gave me a "Magic Eraser," a sponge that can pretty much get anything off the wall (probably invented by a mom!). When Matt got home from work, I showed him Drew's artwork and we both just looked at Drew, then at each other and laughed! Because what else is there to do? You knew it was bound to happen someday, you can't change what happened, and your son is so stinkin' cute, so why not laugh?! I haven't brought myself to wipe it off yet, because when I look at the three walls he drew on, it just makes me laugh. Believe me, I'm not always this relaxed about messes, but I've just realized Drew is growing up and someday I'm going to look back and miss these times. I need to enjoy them while they're here.

Here are a few other recent memories:
After we set up the Christmas tree (thanks to Matt's engineering degree!) Drew discovered that he could lay under the tree and look up at all of the lights. It was so cute to see the wonder in his eyes. He is starting to pick up on the whole Christmas idea a little more. We have a wooden nativity set and Drew will hold the baby Jesus, and say either, "baby," or "Jesus." He can also say, "Santa," whenever he sees one. His favorite word lately is, "Nee" which tranlates to snow or snowman. I don't know where he came up with that one! Words are pouring out of him lately. He pretty much picks up a new word every day. It's so fun to see him learn and get excited.

Aunt Christie and Uncle Sammy gave Drew a play set that we had outside for the summer. Now that it's cold, we cleaned it up and brought it inside so we can play and not get such cabin fever in the winter. Matt and Drew love to put a blanket on top of the play set and make a fort. It gives me such joy as a mother to hear Drew giggling and playing with his Daddy. (Notice Drew's staticky hair).

We bought a potty for Drew a few months ago just to have it out so he could get used to seeing it. One night when we were getting him undressed for a bath we asked if he wanted to go potty and he said yes. So he sat down and made a grunting noise (he he) and went pee!! We couldn't believe it! We were so excited. We aren't going to pressure him to use the potty, but hey, if he has an interest, we will entertain it! He did that one other time, but hasn't been interested since. We do ask him every once in a while if he wants to use the potty, but he justs says no. We are just going with the flow...no pun intended!

Drew loves to do anything his Daddy does. So we couldn't resist when we saw a miniature snow shovel at the store.

18 month pictures!!

I know I am COMPLETELY biased, but this is the cutest boy in the whole world!! These pictures turned out so cute. Ever since Drew was born, we've either gone to JCPenney or Target to get his pictures done (because of their awesome coupons). It just goes to show, you don't have to pay a ton of money to get cute pictures, you just need a cute boy!!

He was pretty shy and nervous at the beginning (that is my leg you see in the picture!), but luckily dad was there to make him warm up and laugh. Thank goodness for dads!

Halloween

Happy Halloween Grandma!! We went down to Alpine for the day to visit Grandma and Grandpa Paiser. We love being with them and just talking and enjoying each other's company.

A few weeks prior to Halloween, we bought a few different costumes to see if Drew would wear them. One of them was an awesome cape that I found at the D.I. It has a superman symbol on one side and a batman symbol on the other. Drew wore it a couple of times and would run around the house while I cheered, "Super Drew!!" The other was a really cool horse costume that my mom found at a garage sale. Drew would have nothing to do with it! I even left it out for a few weeks thinking he would warm up to it to no avail. Anyway, we woke up on Halloween thinking Drew would wear one of the 2 costumes, however, Drew is strong-willed like his mother and had something else in mind. He pulled out his Thomas the Train hat, put it on and wouldn't take it off all day!! Wahoo for adaptability!!

Mom, Moseley, and Drew

Me as a 50's girl, Moseley as a ladybug (he had a gender crisis!!), Drew as an engineer, and Matt as an army guy.

Poor Moseley!!

Catching up...Birthday and Anniversary

We celebrated my 25th birthday and our anniversary last month, so I wanted to catch up on all of the fun. My birthday was so great. It was so simple, but exactly what I wanted. You know when someone asks you what you would do if you had one day left to live? Well, we did what I would do. Matt surprised me and took the day off from work. Wahoo! We woke up, leisurely made breakfast as a family in our pajamas and then got ready for the day. Matt and Drew gave me a cute collage of pictures of "my boys." Just the kind of thoughtful gift I love. After Drew's nap, we drove down to IKEA just to look around. We ended up getting Christmas presents for Drew (a train set and a rug to set it up on). It was so fun just to be together as a family, cooking and eating meals together, and doing ordinary things together. We got Chinese takeout (because that's what I wanted to eat) and after dinner, Matt made me the best chocolate cake in the world. It's a recipe from a Senior Missionary when I was in Nauvoo. YUM!!! All in all, a great day!!



The next day was our 5th anniversary. I can't believe we've been married 5 years already!! Anyway, my wonderful mom came down to spend the night with Drew (sniff sniff...my first night away from Drew), so Matt and I could go to Salt Lake to the cutest bed and breakfast called The Inn on the Hill. It is only a few blocks from Temple Square. That night we walked to dinner at the Gateway, a scrumptous Thai restaurant called Thaifoon. Mmm... so good. We were so stuffed after dinner that we walked around downtown SLC. It was so nice to walk around and not have a care in the world. We felt like newlyweds again! The B&B makes an awesome gourmet breakfast. We left that morning feeling so refreshed and ready for the next 5 years!! It was absolutely wonderful and much needed.

Here's looking back!!

I am completely and totally aware how lucky I am to have the husband that I do. Heavenly Father's timing is perfect, even though it seems crazy at the time. Matt is exactly the man I needed. He is so kind, patient, and gentle. Marrying Matt has been the best decision I've ever made. He balances me so well. He is the best dad in the whole world. I love watching Drew's whole face light up when I tell him "Daddy's home!" and we run to the door. Matt is a proactive Dad. He's always right there playing with Drew and discovering new things. I love seeing the adoration that Drew has for Matt. Sometimes I wonder, How did I get so lucky...

Words

Drew is jabbering up a storm these days. It is so cute to hear him have a complete conversation with someone or even himself!! Here's a list of words he can say that only we as his parents can interpret!!

mama
dada
grandma
grandpa
up
down
ball
baseball
juice
cheese
shoes
no
go
bye-bye
please
Drew
cookie
more
ok
uh-oh!
all done!
stinky
boo

P.S. We got a dog about 2 weeks ago. He is so cute and such a good dog. His name is Moseley and he is 7 months old. He is a Schnauzer/Shih-tzu mix, but he mostly looks like a Schnauzer. He is potty trained and neutered and sleeps through the night in his crate. What a good dog! The lady that had him before us, wasn't able to take him where she was moving and my mom caught word of it, so we jumped at the opportunity. He is so good with Drew and Drew loves having another playmate. Drew is learning how to "pet nicely." It's fun having a dog in our home. It adds a whole new dimension to our family. We are a family of four now and I am outnumbered -- 2 boys and 1 boy-dog to 1 girl! I will post pictures later.

Michigan!!

Sorry for the monster post!! But we went to Michigan last month and I still haven't put up the pictures. So... here they are!!!

We went to Michigan to visit family (Christie and Sammy, Aunt Betty and Uncle Jim, Jen and Greg and their kids, Ava and Grant). I also got to see a good friend that I grew up with (Megan and her husband Josh). We had such a great time at my aunt and uncle's house on Lake Columbia. We went out on the boat everyday, played in the lake (for the 2 days that the weather was nice! hee hee!) and just plain enjoyed Matt not having to work and being with family.

Christie and Sammy were so hospitable. We felt so relaxed and comfortable, and of course with Christie, were very well fed! Thanks to Ruth's Chris (a fancy schmancy restaurant), no steak will ever taste the same!! It gave true meaning to the phrase, "melt in your mouth!" They also took us to the Metro City Casino in Detroit for all you can eat crab. Yummo! I think Matt even came home with his pants fitting a little tighter around the waist!! And that's saying something! We even caught a Detroit Tiger's game which was a first for our little family, but hopefully not a last! The atmosphere was so fun. The stadium was beautiful with an open view so you can see the skyscrapers of Detroit. Drew got a certificate for his first game and a free baseball mit, and...his first ballpark frank! A baseball game wouldn't be the same without a ballpark!

Part of the purpose of our trip was to meet with Christie and Sammy's fertility doctor and psychologist to pursue being a surrogate for them. We will know more in the next few months if and when it will happen.

Being on the boat was so relaxing. The smell of the water and feel of the fresh breeze on your face is like heaven!!

Sammy, Christie, Aunt Betty, and Uncle Jim

Nikki Johnson became Drew's best friend for life! Christie has babysat Nikki ever since she was 6 weeks old and now she is 8 and the cutest girl! She was soooooo sweet to Drew. She was like a little babysitter, playing with him and helping with getting him in and out of his carseat. Drew absolutely idolized her. This picture (above) was an everyday occurence in the car. Drew would rest his hand on Nikki's knee just as a comfort. She was like his blankie or binki. It was the sweetest sight to behold.

At the Jackson Dairy!! Holy cow, their portions are ginormous!!

Drew loves his Aunt Christie and Uncle Sammy

Sammy blowing bubbles with Ava (Jen's little girl).

Aunt Betty had such fun toys for Drew to play with while we were at their lake house.

Sammy fishing

Matt taught Drew how to fish! I think Matt found a new hobby while we were on the lake. He would go out fishing every day and loved it.

Drew hamming it up with Ava and Nikki

The boys

The girls...and Drew too!

He's so cute I can't hardly stand it!

We went go-carting in Irish Hills. Get Christie behind the wheel and she's a crazy woman!!

The speedster

Nikki

Drew playing B-ball with mom and dad

Nikki was a pro at ski ball

Drew got in on the action too!

With my friend Megan. We've lived apart for 12 years but have still kept in touch every so often. She is such a good person. Josh, you are a lucky man!! Hee hee!

Matt taught Nikki and I how to fish too.

Drew with his best buddy!

Save me! Save me!!

Drew with his "kitty cousin," Beauty. Drew kept petting her tail and she would hiss at him so he finally hissed back!!

The Tiger's game. What a beautiful stadium!!

Awwww!

One of the entrances to the stadium

7th inning stretch