ode to kyle

He's in Boston for an ESL conference and a little sightseeing on the side, although I don't know if the side trip he has planned to swing up to Maine for can be counted as a "little sightseeing." I am so jealous. Ever since that movie with Steve Carell as that widower who goes on a family vacation to Maine, I have my sights set on that place. But good for Kyle. He'll take pictures for me so that will be enough for now.
We miss him like crazy. Yesterday Noah said: "I lost my friend! I miss Daddy!"
I have resorted to desperate measures for entertaining myself in his absense. On Tuesday night I called American Idol for two hours. So embarrassing I know. I finally got through at 10:55 and voted 10 times. You'll have to guess who my favorite is.
Other confessions: since there is noone to impress with my superb homemaking skills, I don't use them. I haven't cleaned in the past few days (it's a disaster zone) And as for the cooking, well, poor Noah. I just went to grocery store finally and he got excited because he could have milk with his cereal again. So I haven't spent much time in the kitchen. Unless you count the cookies that I put in the oven last night from frozen premade dough, after I put the boys to bed. They say every man needs a good woman in his life. But apparently it works the other way too. I don't know how well I (or my boys) would survive without Kyle around. So, husband, if you take the time out of your New England adventures to read this, we are kind of a mess here without you, so come home soon!

About me, for once

When you first start to have kids, you start to realize that people don't really care about you anymore. More often than not, people don't want to hear what's happening to you--they only want to know about your life in relation to the baby. People want to hold that little baby and talk about what milestones he is reaching, and you are only mentioned in passing during the conversation if that person thinks the baby looks like you instead of the father. I am not being critical. I don't really mind it when it's happening. I happen to think that it is nice that people you don't know enough to normally carry on a conversation with suddenly become friendly and interested. Babies are definitely good ways to bring people together. But, now that my babies are past that newborn/people magnet stage, I'm starting to refind myself a little. A few months ago, while I was still in that all-consuming task of learning to mother a newborn and a toddler simultaneously, my sweet brother asked me, "how are YOU doing, Kate? I don't want to hear about what and how you are doing as mother, how are you doing as person?" I still remember the kind of awkwardness I felt trying to fumble through an answer. Because at that moment, I didn't feel like a person, I just felt like a mother. My point is this: even if I didn't have an answer, it was really nice to be asked.
That's kind of why I love my first family, my family of origin. They knew me wayyyy before I was a mother, and so they see me differently. It feels refreshing. They came to visit last weekend, and we had a great time. It was nice to be around people who know a different side of me (that old naggy, bossy Big Sister isn't necessarily the best side of me, but oh well!).

Thanks Christian, Lauren, Andrew, and Kenton and anyone else who knows me as Kate, in addition to Noah and Jake's Mom.
But maybe I am talking to myself, after all, this post has no pictures of Noah or Jake. I'm just joking around. Please don't stop asking about my children. But if you do, don't worry, I'm sure I will run out of things to say pretty quickly, and then I will give you a full report on my boys, whether you like it or not, because after all, I'm not just a person, I am a mom.

big j

A few weeks ago Jake took his first steps. And he's been working on his walk fearlessly. Face plants don't phase the little guy. He is on his way to becoming a little toddler!

I guess since Jake is growing up so fast, it's about time to have another baby. Just kidding ;)

we hike

We have gone on a few hikes lately. Our dedicated hometeacher (who happens to be hiker of the century) took us out for our first hike of the year, and we went back with Grandma and Chief when they were in town visiting last week (come back grandma and Chief! We miss you!). The pictures are all at Snow Canyon State Park, which is practically in our backyard. I think it is absolutely beautiful. So if anyone wants to come and visit, we will take you there too.
Here are a few pictures.

the boys
noah called brother hanks a cowboy that day.
the four of us

jake the mountain climber (in socks!)

with grandma

jake learning what a cave feels like

noah hiding in a cave like a "kinkajou" (that's what Diego taught him)

noah and his buddy chief


our little hiking addict
Noah keeps demanding we go back. Everytime we drive anywhere and he notices the mountains, he tells us he wants us to climb them. We might have to become a hiking hippie family.

silly noah

Noah: "I have a good idea!" [proclaimed as he stood perilously on the edge of the couch]
Me: "What's that, Noah?"
Noah: "I jump on the costume" [costume=cushion, as in the couch cushion strategically placed on the floor below him]
Me: "I think that looks like a dangerous idea."
"No, mommy it's a beautiful idea."
[and then he jumped]

Noah's new favorite thing

Noah has gotten quite attached to an old oversized storage bin that Grammy gave us. The first night he laid eyes on it, he jumped right in and he and the bin have been inseparable ever since then. He drags it around the house, pretending it is a boat and using it as a sort of steamroller to push Jake out of his path. And at night and during naps, he sleeps in it. I thought he was kind of crazy, until yesterday I sat in it for a minute and was surprised at how cozy his little bed was. It's been almost a week, and we are still waiting for the novelty to wear off. We are thinking of getting rid of the big queen sized bed taking up space in that room and replacing it permanently with the storage bin. Maybe we'll get a smaller one for Jake and then we can have matching furniture.

The new bed is very convenient, I found out this morning. We had an early start to our day (4:00 to be exact, thank you Jake), so I was exhausted/desperate by the time 8:00 rolled around. I put Jake down for a nap and I pulled the bin into my bedroom, along with our little tv. Then I turned on Happy Feet, and Noah jumped in his bed and was happy as can be. I laid down in my own bed, hoping to get a couple minutes of sleep. I dozed off for about 5 minutes until the bedroom door opened and Noah called to me: "I'm going to get a snack mom". I said "ok, bring it back in here and eat it in front of the tv" (childhood obesity, here we come). And then I fell asleep immediately and the next thing I know, Noah said: "mommy I'm all done," and he was standing next to his bed, holding 2 empty bags, of Golfish and Pretzels. I should mention that they were not snack sized bags and they were at least half full (nice optimism wouldn't you say). I don't know how many of them he actually ate, because of this:

I shook out his sleeping bags into the bin and then dumped all the food in the trash.
It turns out storage bins are very easy to clean. And did I mention that if you wanted one of your own, you could walk out of target with a brand new bed for under $10? So for cost, convenience, comfort, style, and all around fun, I recommend the storage bin beds to anyone.

the happy customer

Jake's turn for the Spotlight

To commemmorate his 9 month milestone, here's a tribute to Jake. I can't believe he is 3/4 of a year, already! That went fast! And he's moving fast too! I am surprised his knees aren't calloused and rugburned from racing across the carpet. Usually Jake breaks out the speed crawl when I am across the room and he needs to be in my arms. He is going through a mama's boy stage.

Lately when Jake wakes up during the night, if I'm not there to greet him, he is inconsolable. During the day, he loves being held, and if not then I better at least be sitting on the floor next to him. As draining it can be, it is nice being loved! He isn't a big talker, but every so often he does some "mamamammamama" babbles, so I'm happy.
When Jake gets excited, he waves and claps his hands. If there is good music on, he adds some body bouncing and head nodding, and it's quite the dance routine.

Sometimes Noah will make one of his toys play music and then they will both dance, and then when the music stops, Noah will start it again. It's cute. Noah has also started saying: "I want to play with Jake and be nice to him!" Jake does light up when Noah is around, as long as he isn't being pummeled in some way.

Jake has started standing up to big brother. When Noah tries to take away a toy Jake is playing with, instead of giving it up without a fight, he has started "grrrrrr"ing and engaging his little death grip, which is very funny to watch. If you tend to root for the underdog, you would be proud.
Jake has a mouthful of teeth, which I could add, makes nursing a litle scary every time. He had 2 teeth at 3 months, and then nothing new, until this month, he's adding four additional little choppers to his set.

Speaking of his mouth, it is a magnet for everything. Well except for spoonfuls of babyfood. He now has a clear preference for table scraps and big people food. Which means meal times take a little more thought and preparation. His favorite is bread pieces, nice and soggy with a spread of veggie babyfood puree.
He's a keeper.