Thursday, February 26, 2009

Some house pictures

Here are some pictures for all those dying to get a glimpse of our new place.
I know you'll all be excited about the upstairs bathroom.

Here is a view of Vance's room when you walk in. Someday-sooner than later we'll be getting him a real bed...Here is another angle of Vanc'es room.


Here is a look into the kitchen from the living room (and yes, I still have Valentine's Decor. up) You can see my piano on the left. The dining room was the only spot for it. Don't you love how the oven sticks up? I'm working on figuring out a way to try and hide it, but still keep it open for the vents.
Here is the kitchen from the downstairs bathroom becase it is off of the kitchen...

And that's it for now folks. I'll get around to getting some more at a later date. Hopefully they'll be a little more interesting...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Eating

Tanner is a much pickier eater than Vance was at the same age. He LOVES to snack, in fact he'd snack all day if I let him, but when it comes to meals I have a hard time finding different things he will eat. Each night at dinner I offer him some of what I made and he refuses to eat it so I have to figure out what else to feed him. Unfortunately, at this point there's only a handful of things he likes- Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, Yogurt, Applesauce, Oatmeal... I think that's it. Even things he used to eat like bananas and peas he now refuses. I guess I was spoiled with Vance because he would eat anything I gave him until he was about 2 1/2. Tanner would rather graze on different kinds of crackers and other snack food instead of eat a meal. Sorry kid... it is pretty sad to have those big blue eyes look up at me and say, "snack?" and I have to say "No." "Please?" Still "No." And then the tears...

Monday, February 23, 2009

View Vance

Everyone wants to be independent, right? Lately, for Vance this means a number of things. One in particular is dressing and undressing himself. This includes picking out what he wants to wear. Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for church he came in wearing this outfit. I told him to go back and put on his Sunday clothes, but of course this is what he put on when we got home. The shirt is a size too big (I got in on clearance somewhere), the pants (made my Grandma Jeppson) are now too short for him. You can clearly see the outfit doesn't match, but who really cares? Now when we go out I make sure he doesn't have anything on that would embarrass me, otherwise I don't mind. Vance loves to help me sweep, dust, vacuum, clean the toilets, but he really hates to pick up his toys! Yesterday when Stephen was giving his talk in church Vance sat as still as I've ever seen the kid (at least awake) and stared at his dad. He had to have been like that for 10 minutes or so before he snapped out of it. I couldn't believe it!! Vance loves going outside. He is always telling me that he wants to go for a "walk" which means he wants to walk down the street and look at the llamas near our place. He is a very strong-willed child. I hope he sets his mind to do wonderful things because he'll probably do whatever he decides to do.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Tanner Time

Tanner is 17 months old. He gets more entertaining the older he gets with all the different things he comes up with and imitating things that we- especially Vance do. I just noticed that you can see my reflection in our picture of Christ...well, I will be cropping that, but there it is for you all to enjoy because I don't have the time to fix it up now. Ha... oh and while I'm off the subject (sort of...) Tanner decided to crash his head into the road or sidewalk (it was while my parents were babysitting so I am not sure) and that is the result on the right side of his head. He didn't even cry over it. I probably would.
Anyway back to the cute story about Tanner that I started this post for. This morning Tanner was sitting on the floor eating some crackers that were in a bowl and Vance came over and pushed the bowl over knocking all the crackers out all over the floor. Before I could react Tanner had his finger out pointing at Vance saying, "No, no, no." Do you think he's seen us do that before or what? Ah, he makes me laugh. He is going to keep us in line because he is quite the watcher and will imitate everything we do. His speech is coming along great to which makes me very happy!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Randmon Ramblings

(I guess I just needed to write a little. You don't have to read it if you don't want to. This was one of those posts that was mainly for my benefit. I'm posting it so you can see the silly picture.)


Here are the three of us. We miss Stephen when he is at work, but we're sure glad he has a job. Between the long hours Stephen has to work and the half hour commute each way it leaves the three of us home alone 11-12 hours a day, five days a week, plus every other Saturday for 8-9 hours. I am glad we live where we do, but since we only have one vehicle and Stephen has to drive so far to work each day that leaves me with no car. Hopefully that will change sometime sooner than later. By the way, I really think that people should get paid on how hard they work, don't you? We'd be rich then... oh well. We are rich in other ways.
Does anyone else ever have this problem? I've got like 50 great ideas (at least I think they are great) and then another list of things I want to accomplish or get in a routine of doing, but I find myself not trying out any ideas or accomplishing anything new in the day. Take this example: The end of September I decided it was time to get myself healthy, eating right and exercising so I did. I decided and boom I did it. Three months later and fifteen pounds lighter I had exercised 5 days a week and not eaten anything unhealthy. It was wonderful, well then Christmas hit and I didn't do too bad, but everything went downhill from there. Mainly, I blame it on the stress of not having a job and little money, then getting a job but no where to live, then moving, then getting a place to live (yes, in that order), then moving into a new place, then getting ourselves settled. Now here I am trying to get back into that routine I'd built myself and stuck with for three months and I just can't get into it. I'll exercise a couple of times a week and start the day eating healthy, but by dinner time that has gone out the window. There's one example for you, whether you wanted it or not. :) I've got lots of ideas to do with the boys- tons in fact, hobbies I want to pick back up, not to mention working on keeping myself spiritually fed.
One thing I have been working on is keeping our house cleaner. I made myself a schedule for five days of the week I have a cleaning list that I take care of in the morning. That way, although my house is never clean at the same time (ha) at least each room has been cleaned sometime during the week instead having to take a day to clean the entire place...at least this is my hope. I've also made myself put on make up and do my hair every single day for about two weeks now. Baby steps... that must be the answer... baby steps...

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

iheartfaces- Wonder

I found this fun blog and thought I would participate this week. The theme is wonder. This picture of Tanner popped in my head as soon as I saw the theme. I only wish Vance hadn't stepped into the shot right as I took the picture. Someday I'll work on fixing that... Anyway, check out the site (www.iheartfaces.com) and enjoy my picture.



Monday, February 16, 2009

Frosting Face

Last Friday the boys and I decorated some graham crackers with conversation hearts. Tanner was making Vance and I laugh. The guilt-trip I laid on my readers must have worked. Thank you for commenting... please keep it up. :)




Sunday, February 15, 2009

A little of this and that

This post is just a little of this and a little of that... Did I lose all of my readers? I realize I have never had a ton of people visit my blog, but did my neglectful month of January lose the few I had? Seriously people, there has been a shortage of comments left on my posts and I'm not feeling very loved so please stop in and say hi and leave a comment. I like to feel the love and know someone is looking at this thing. Also if you are a Facebook friend of my you can follow my blog and Mommy's Little Helper now through them. Be sure to become a fan of my blogs on Facebook as well. If you need some direction check out my right sidebar. Oh, and here are some Valentine's Day pictures... Tanner is wearing a hand-me-down from Vance. I taped some hearts on Vance's shirt and you can guess how long that lasted...
Oh yeah, I guess we're not in Mormonville anymore. We were already asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting next Sunday. In the past we've escaped that for a few months. Oh well. :)

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm a few hours early, but I want to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day. Perhaps if you are lucky two adorable little boys will cooperate for a Valentine's Day picture. If so, then I will post it... More about what I LOVE...
HIM

AND HIM

AND HIM

Them, for sure

All of themHer Too

These three

Can't forget them

And of course...

YOU!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Some Things I Love...

With Valentine's Day coming up I thought I would share just a few things that I love. By the way, I enjoy Valentine's Day. I know people like to call it "Single Awareness Day", but you can celebrate the day without having a significant other. Think of all the people in your life you love. :) I'd much rather celebrate love than...wait, what does Halloween celebrate again??

I LOVE...

Listening or playing good music.



When Vance and Tanner show affection for each other.Good Books.


Vance's bust-a-gut laughter.
Tanner's gorgeous blue eyes.
Crawling in bed at the end of the day and snuggling with Stephen as we fall asleep.

Spending time with my family.
Hugs, especially from my three men.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Video

The boys discovered that if I flip the screen on our camera they can see themselves and if I record it they can play around and then watch it. Boy, is that too much fun or what? Somewhere along the way people stop liking watching themselves on video and hide so I have to take advantage while I can.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Cake

We had cake for dessert the other night. All I can say is that Stephen passed on his cake-obsession to my boys.Anyone remember how Tanner acted at his first birthday party with cake? He barely was touching it. That is the case no more!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Overdue

The boys were well overdue for haircuts. Here are some before and after pictures of them. I don't know if it does justic to how hairy they were looking.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Trains

Vance has gotten to play with the train sets he got for Christmas a little here and there, but today was really the first chance that he's had to play with it for a good length of time. We are just getting around to playing with the boys' Christmas presents now. Both boys love trains. Here are some pictures of them playing. I love how they will parallel play a lot and nicely, too at times. Sometimes they interact too. Generally, at some point I have to intervene, but I love sitting back and letting them play. Ah, so nice...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Okay and Not Okay

Dear Vance,

I love you dearly, but I feel I need to make some things clear. Somethings are okay, other things are just not okay.


1. Playing in empty boxes- OKAY
Peeing in boxes- NOT OKAY


2. Asking me if you can play with my hair and then playing with it nicely while we watch a movie- OKAY
Coming behind me and pulling my hair or climbing all over me- NOT OKAY



3. Giving your brother hugs and kisses- OKAY
Giving your brother bruises and tears- NOT OKAY


4. Asking for a toy and then playing quietly with it- OKAY
Asking for a toy and destroying it- NOT OKAY


5. Mistaking me for Jane from Tarzan, Rosalina from Mario Galaxy, Anita from 101 Dalmatians, or any Disney Princess- OKAY


Mistaking me for Lena Gogan from Pete's Dragon, Mama Bear from Berenstain Bear's, Perdita from 101 Dalmatians, or any other animal- NOT OKAY

6. Asking me if I'm okay and giving me a hug when I am hurt-OKAY
Being the one to hurt me- NOT OKAY

7. Smiling at me and giving me a hug for no reason- OKAY
Telling me I need to take a shower- NOT OKAY



8. Sharing your food with me- OKAY
Stealing food from me- NOT OKAY

9. Running races with me- OKAY
Running away from me outside in your bare feet- NOT OKAY

10. Eating all the food I've made you for dinner and wanting more- OKAY
Refusing to eat a single bit of what I've slaved to make for dinner- NOT OKAY

I am well aware that you don't care how many gray hairs you give me, but since I am the one who feeds you, please work on these items. Once we have these things worked out you can work on ten new ones.

Love Dearly,

Your Mother

Monday, February 2, 2009

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The boys are so cute doing Itsy, Bitsy Spider. They'll sing and do that actions. Of course, when I made Stephen film it Tanner wasn't doing the actions and I don't think either of them sang. Oh well. Hope you enjoy the video anyway.