The Spray Bottle

After wearing out our bubbles on the front porch, and in an attempt to stay near the steps and not walk to far, I introduced Tate to the spray bottle. My momentum towards the end of each day is waning, and I still have 11 more weeks... Anyway who knew something as useful and functional as a spray bottle could hold so much magic for a child.  It was love at first successful spray. This is a two handed job for Tate so it took some serious brain work to figure it out and realize there are aiming capabilities. I was thinking we could clean off our sidewalk chalk covered front steps to make room for drawing tomorrow, but once Tate successfully sprayed me he knew what real fun was. I did steal it for a couple retaliation squirts. I'm thinking we need to get a couple for the tub. Then bath time would raise to a whole new level of fun, especially if I introduce them. For some reason daddy always has the brilliance and gets the laughs in the tub. Where do men come up with the things they do?

The pure joy that comes from spraying mom.

Serious work. I even caught the jet stream on camera!

Lemons

When life gives you lemons, supposedly you are supposed to make lemonade. But lemonade has too much sugar for my little guy; there is so much sugar in everything! I have been feeling like a delinquent parent in the feeding my child category after watching a friends little boy eat a plate full of vegetables. I would have a hard time stomaching all the vegetables this little boy devoured happily. Where did I go wrong... Anyway the other day Tate sweetly asked me to "open peas" the refrigerator door and came out with string cheese in one hand and a lemon in the other. I think he might as well try everything once and was surprised when he ended up sucking on the lemon for the next half hour, each time making the same pucker face.

Tate's new trick of the week occurs every time he sits in his chair to eat. He knows he won't get the food until he sits down, so he sits down, waits for the food, immediately stacks all of it into his arms and declares himself all done while showing me his empty tray. It's quite adorable.

Christmas in July

Today was a WONDERFUL day. At approximately 12:06 p.m. while eating lunch with my little munchkin, my double stroller arrived. The nice FedEX man even set it inside for me upon seeing my belly. If you ever want to make mine and Tate's day, send us a box. We love them. My child's whole countenance lights up as he begs to open it up and find what's inside. His dreams were momentarily crushed when I informed him we were going to wait for Daddy to open our new toy. After pouting for a minute he easily distracted himself with cheerful cars greeting each other. His favorite salutations are Hewo (hello) and mineg (morning). His cars do a lot of greeting. After waking Elsie, finally taking a nap, and watching a Thomas, Tate finally got to help open the box. The wheels were the highlight in his eyes. He rolled them around his car table. When I attached them all he decided to find a comfy seat in the stroller and we played a game of peek-a-boo through the parent peeking window. Elsie woke up during the festivities and of course we put them both in. Tested amazing attribute of stroller #1: kids can't reach each other! Anyway Tate was traumatized when Elsie's mom came to get her a few minutes later and he didn't get to go on a stroll. Every time he saw the stroller the rest of the evening he asked for Elsie. Oh the adventures that will come in our stroller.

My Funny Duckling

I consider myself a blessed mother because up until today, Tate didn't care what he was wearing. he just knew in order to do fun things, usually go outside, he had to get dressed. Well today, after I had gotten him dressed, he decided his wardrobe was not yet complete and visited the bottom drawer of his dresser to find just the right addition. First thing you need to know is that I don't remember the last time I went through the bottom drawer of his dresser. It holds non essential items like jackets, vests, sweaters, slippers, etc. Things that are fun occasionally, but we don't normally need. Anyway Tate's drawer searching ended with a 6-12 month sweater and was adamant he got to wear it. Who am I to tell him no. So on a day like today with the temperature over 100 degrees my child ran around in a cute little sweater with unhooked snaps down the back. Not only a sweater but his favorite bucket hat too. I finally took the sweater off causing major complaints on the verge of tears around 5 o'clock this evening when his head was drenched in sweat and I determined it had to go. He did take a 3 hour nap this afternoon wearing it though so I think he may be on to something good.

For some reason his tip toes were awesome. He decided it was more fun to spin in circles and work his calves at the same time!

Another break through of his life that happened today is that he asked to sit on the potty. He didn't want to get off. We bribed him off with the chance to flush the toilet. I have good vibes for the future! I just hope it is sooner rather than later...

Back to Life and New Adventures

The month of June was a glorious one! Full of family, friends, fun, and delicious food. Utah was wonderful... It was hard coming back to life but I guess it's a good thing. Now my blog will no longer be neglected. I think it gets some of the attention that family gets when I am elsewhere. My family are probably the only people who really read my blog so I guess I am still spending my time where it matters most.

 Sunday Josh and I embarked on our newest adventure as members of a branch. The numbers are few but the church is true so it will be exciting to see how the work goes. We broke out Tate's new church clothes for the special occasion and man did he look good. I think we will let them go back in the closet for a couple months though because in the heat they tend to cook him. He was soaked upon arrival home. When Josh tried to take Tate's tie off for the car ride home, Tate immediately attempted to reattach it. It ended up hooking his collar right under his ear; A + effort if you ask me. He also has a little more growing to do. I had to roll the top of his pants three times so I opted not to tuck his shirt. Blue is definitely his color.

Oh Rainy Days

My Laundry Helper

Talking with some people the other day the topic came up of thorns and roses. A family in our ward goes around the table before dinner and before they can eat, each person shares their rose (best part of the day) and their thorn (the not so best part). In thinking about mine last week my thorn would have to be the rainy weather. We are going on about 5 days of rain and while I love the cool weather that first accompanied it, it has since turned muggy,  my little man and I are going stir crazy! I always forget how hard it is to spend the whole day indoors when we are used to spending at least 2 or three hours outside. When we do go outside it results in extra laundry, a bath, and drying shoes. It's a good thing Tate's fan runs all night long so it can dry his shoes each day too. Every time I try to talk myself out of the mess Tate will be making outside I remember the mormonad by President Ucthdorf, Moments that Matter Most. Definitely one of my favorites. Anyway here are the moments captured by Josh's phone camera. So much fun!

Love the footprints

First ice cream on a stick.

The "Shoes" Face

So for the last couple weeks Tate has been making the best face every time he says shoes. I have been trying to catch it for weeks and finally succeeded. He is going to be so grateful someday when we have these pictures for his wedding video!

Tonight he was such a little character. I took his shirt off so he could play in a water bucket. When I let him out of his chair he started rolling on the linoleum like a little worm. Then Josh got out his table and Tate though the arm handles were the perfect steps to climb on to allow for standing on the table. He is so funny! I love it when he eats all of his food. It makes him so silly.

Another precious Tate moment I don't want to forget. Yesterday Tate had his 18 month apartment. While at the doctors he decided to peruse in my purse as I tried to fill out all the pile of paper work they had for me. I don't understand how they expect you to keep a curious kid out of unlocked cabinets while filling out papers. Anyway the doctor came in and Tate promptly opened my wallet, took out some money, and gave it to the doctor. Then he headed to the door to leave. She told me that had never happened before... My child already tries to pay off the doctor. After that he was such a good boy for the visit and didn't even cry for his shots. What a funny little man I have.