Adjusting to life with 2

We have been blessed with another good sleeper. As long as Joshua stays of the top of Nathan and out of his face he sleeps through all of Joshua's noise (which is a lot). He wakes up and eats and is up for about 1.5-2 hours. Then he wants to be bundled up and left alone for another 2-3 hour nap. Nathan goes down for the night between 9:30 and 10:00. It isn't until after 5 that he needs to eat again. Then he is back to sleep at least until 7, sometimes 9.

Everyday he is getting more and more aware of what is going on around him. He follows us around the room and last week he started giving us real smiles. I think he gets excited when I come in the room, as long as he isn't already screaming his head off hungry. There is little warning when he is hungry, when he decides it is time to eat he wants it NOW!

For the most part Joshua is a good big brother. I am still working on the juggling act of getting our house back in order, making good meals, or dinner at all for that matter, before 8:00 pm, taking care of Nathan, and keeping Joshua entertained. If Joshua gets board that is when he starts wondering "what will happen if I do this to Nathan." Usually, it isn't good.

Getting out of the house is always good, but when it takes so much work to get Joshua out the door AND cooperating, why do I want to go fight with him in public?

Joshua loves giving "hugs and soft kisses." He calls them soft kisses, but they aren't always soft.

Richmond, VA

Late Friday night we decided to drive down to Richmond Saturday morning to support our friend running in the Marathon who didn't have anyone to cheer him on. Congratulations Chris for running a marathon.

We are glad we decided to go. Watching runners finish the marathon brought a lot of emotion back to Brant from when he ran the Deseret Morning News Marathon last year.

We didn't have extra time to do sight seeing, had to get back home- things to do, a tire to fix, and people to see. But we did walk past the VA State Capitol on our way back to the car. That is the main attraction in Richmond anyway, isn't it.

Brant and Joshua

Joshua, Helen and yes Nathan too.

Joshua walking up the stairs. "I do it."

Washington on his horse, Joshua running, Brant chasing Joshua

We also got to see some nice neighborhoods while driving from mile 16, to mile 21, to the finish line of the marathon. Brant and I have been to Richmond twice now and both times it has mostly just been a driving tour. Maybe next time we will do more.

Cabela's and Flying Home

One of the days we were hanging out with the Lintons we made a trip to Cabela's. Joshua loved watching the big fish, but WAS NOT a fan of me lifting him up to stand on the ledge. I wanted him to see the fish that was sticking his tongue in and out. It was scary for Joshua to see the fish swim right up to his face.

We saw lions, an elephant, an alligator, deer, a moose, a rino, etc. It is like going to the zoo except the animals are dead and stuffed.:)

Joshua would let me take a picture with Cynthia, Travis and Bergen, but he would let Cynthia take a picture of him with Mommy and Nathan. Stinker!

Our time in TX is finally over. We will miss being so close to the Lintons but are so glad to get home!!!! Brant drove home. The boys and I got to fly. Joshua loves air planes and was SOOO good for me as we flew home. Cynthia was able to go to the gate with us. I am glad she did because it made the juggling act of getting through security so much easier. We had two stops but just one plane change. As we started to take off for the third time Joshua started crying and saying "stop plane!" I reassured him we were going home. After a few minutes of playing with his cars I told him he could lay on me. I think his eyes were closed and he was out before he leaned over and rested his head on my arm. He slept the whole flight from Chicago to Dulles. I had to wake him up when we landed.

Nathan's first plane ride and he pretty much slept through it.:)

It is so nice to be home again! Joshua recognized where we were as soon as we got out of the car. He had to play with all his toys we left at home and kept saying "Josh's home", "Josh's room", "Josh's toys"...

Attempt to take their picture together

Cynthia and I wanted to take advantage of the three boys being together and get a cousins picture. This proved to be more difficult than we thought. Joshua has become very opinionated on when he does and doesn't want his picture taken.

We even tried bribing him with Smarties. He is ready for another one.

We found lots of good poses for the three boys, just didn't get that WINNER picture we wanted. This is the best one we got.

Makes us smile

Nathan was a beaver for Halloween.

So precious!

Nathan and Bergen in their matching car seats. Bergen is 4 1/2 months older than Nathan.

I don't know where Joshua got his piano playing style from but I think it is great!

Wrapping up in San Angelo, TX

Brant finished up his training course. In addition to his certificate of completion, he was 1 of 3, in his class of 36, awarded as "Distinguished Graduate." We are so proud of Brant/Daddy.

The day after Brant's graduation we packed the car with everything we could find a spot for and drove up to the Linton's in Dallas. Good thing we were only driving 4 hours and not the 26 hours back to VA!!! I got in the car and packed around and on and when we had to get the boys in and out of the car it was through the window. No joke, if we opened the boys' doors things would have fall out.

Brant even had to wear Joshua's helmet for the drive.:)

Joshua was such a trouper with so much stuff crowding him. Fortunately, for all of us, he took a nap for part of the time.

We made it!!!