Playdate PDX

This last week the kids and I spent the week in Portland with my sister and got to see my Dad for a couple days. It was a good week to head down since Kevin was very busy with work and wasn't home too much.

The kids did great and seemed to enjoy our little break in routine and had fun with their Auntie and Grandpa. Of course it seems the more kids you have the less pictures there are. This seems to be the case as of lately, I need to do better about pulling the camera out. Poor Zac will have far less pics than the twins.

Anyway, my sis and I took the kids to this great place called Portland PDX. They got to run, jump, play and slide. They had a blast and I actually got some smiles for pictures.













I decided the Pacific Northwest needs lots of places like this, since it rains so much and our kids can't burn energy outside.

Zac's blessing

Happy May Day! Does this mean no more winter and summer is on its way? Today is the most beautiful day in Washington. The perfect day for a baby blessing.

I love baby blessings...especially for my own babies. I feel so grateful to have a wonderful, worthy husband who honors his priesthood and is able to give our children blessings.

We made it to church on time, 5 minutes early even. Miracles do happen! The twins were even super quiet during his blessing.

I of course started crying the moment Kevin began speaking and couldn't tell you all that was said. But I do know the spirit was strong and it was beautiful. Zac also did amazing, didn't make a peep.

We were so happy to have Kevin's dad here for the weekend and my sister as well. That's all the family that came. But we love our adopted Washington family and we were happy to have them come. Thank you!















We love you Zac Christopher!

28!

So our conversation went something like this:

A couple weeks before my birthday...

Steph: I just want to go down to Portland for a weekend, do some shopping and get my hair done for my birthday.

Kev: So I don't need to do anything?

Steph: Nope.

The night before my birthday...

Steph:Do you know what so and so got for their birthday? And what her husband did for her on her birthday? :)

Kev: I thought you wanted to go down to Portland and pick out your own gifts?

Steph: I do. I am just saying I like surprises too.

Kev: I think you may be disappointed tomorrow.

Birthday...



Not at all disappointed! It was a wonderful day. I love my Kevin.

Zac Zac

Our little Z is such a sweetie! We just love him so much. He really is such a great baby. A cuddle boy too, loves to sleep on your chest.

He really has been through alot already in his short two months. We visit the doctors office weekly for weight checks. The ENT wants to monitor his growth closely because babies with severe floppy epiglottis' will often choose breathing over eating. Luckily that hasn't been the case for Zac yet. The ENT says he can't believe how well he eats for how awful he sounds.

This last week has been hard though because he caught the twins' cold and has a cough. So breathing problems plus congestion from a cold makes life even harder for the boy. He will eat and then cough so hard that he throws it all up. Not fun! We are hoping the cough will soon leave.

When I go places I get lots of looks of concern when they hear Zac. The nurse at my OB office said "Oh he is singing!" Lots of people will say, "How cute he is snoring".

But it breaks my heart to know he is working so hard to breathe. We really hope he doesn't have to do the procedure and that he can grow out of it. 85 percent of babies do.

He has started smiling and cooing and we just think he is the cutest.

Best Friends

I am so glad that Ty and Gracie have each other. With the demands of a newborn and not being able to go outside due to the rainy weather it is so nice they have each other to play with. And of course fight with too :)

They are my little mess makers, every room of the house is constantly being "re-decorated" by my little tots. Kevin says they take advantage of the fact that I am not going to run after them when I am feeding Zac. Oh the naughtiness! Time-out has been used often.

They turned two and I feel like instantly they started acting two. Where did my sweet babies go? To toddlerhood that is where. They get very upset when something doesn't go their way or the other one has what they want. And they know how to push each other's buttons too. But they also love each other more than anyone else. And they know how to comfort each other when the other one is sad.

A couple weeks ago when they were sitting on the floor watching their favorite Toy Story Ty put is arm around Gracie and they sat just like that, side to side with his arm around her. The sweetest thing! I was feeding Zac of course and the camera was not within reach.

Their nursery leaders always tell me how neat it is to watch them in nursery because they are so connected. They look out for each other and are truly best friends.





















I love my twinners!

"I'm Two"!

A few days before their birthday I got Ty and Gracie to say "I'm two"! That they are! We had a blast celebrating their special day.

With a new baby in the house I decided not to do a big party. But the Friday before, we were lucky to have our friends the Kays and Halversons over for a birthday dinner. They spoiled them with lots of gifts and attention! It was a great way to kick off their birthday.

Kev took their birthday off and we had a fun family day together.
We started the day with their two year doctor appt. I know not exactly the way most would like to spend their birthdays maybe that's why they looked like this when we got them up....


I think they knew we were headed for the doctors office.


After their check-up we went to this great place called Jump where there are tons for the kids to do. They enjoyed this little section with toys to play with.


Had to slip in a picture of cute little Zac!


Ty enjoyed all the room to run and throw balls the most!


Gracie has no fear, her favorite was going down the enormous slide.


The year of the tricycle! Ty got a Cars trike.


And Gracie got a Tinkerbell trike. They are a little short for them but I think will be perfect for them in the summer.


Watch out! Here comes Bad to the Bone Biker Ty! Of course not without his paci!


Present time! They have been way into Toy Story lately and were so excited to get their own Jesse and Woody action figures.


Ty loves his Woody, if only his hat would stay on.


Gracie loves her pajamas and especially loved getting new ones from Grandma F.


Clothes! Yay for Grandma getting them adorable new clothes.


It is especially what Ty needed! Thank you so much!


We had a yummy ice cream cake when we did their birthday dinner. So today was all cupcakes! Which is just perfect for them.


Ty was so excited to blow out his candles.


We had to sing to him a couple times.


Gracie's turn! She was an expert at blowing out her candles.

See we ended the day with big smiles! Happy Birthday to my Gracie and Ty!

Thank you to all our friends and family who sent cards and birthday wishes, you helped make their second birthday very memorable!

Zac at one month

How can it be? One month old already! It has gone even faster than I could imagine, I knew it would. It was quite the first month for my little guy.

He had his one month check this morning and did very well. He was alert and didn't seem to mind the doctor poking around. However, he didn't like the PKU blood draw. It always makes me sad when they have to squeeze his foot.

Weight 8 lbs. 3 oz.
Still seems little, but remember he started at 5.14 so this is a HUGE weight gain for one month. He is a great eater.

Length 21 inches
He is my long and lean baby, similar to how I was. Not to mention he has my hands and feet. Kev keeps saying he is my little boy.

Our little Z has spent the month catching some z's as Kevin likes to say and eating of course. He likes to eat at least every 3 hours and usually cluster feeds right before bed. And of course he wakes me up throughout the night to eat as well. He doesn't seem to mind his baths, but likes to be clothed otherwise. He doesn't care to take the pacifier yet, but didn't seem to mind the bottle when Kev fed it to him.
Ty and Gracie adore him and continually say "baby Zac". Ty likes to take off his socks and touch his face. And Gracie is mommy's helper. Zac seems to like them as well.

We love Zac so much and are so happy to have him in our family. We feel so blessed. It has been a roller coaster of a month, but really are so grateful.