Oh Boy!

March 1, 2011

Mila asked Jaxon if he wanted some Girl Scout cookies. He said "No! I don't want Girl Scout cookies...I want Boy Scout cookies!" Such a funny little man! :)

Monkey Bars

I know what you're thinking...3 posts in 1 week! Crazy, I know!

Anyways, Mila has been working hard at mastering the monkey bars. So hard that the poor thing got a blister on her hand...it was very dramatic and she was bummed that she would have to take a break from her monkey bars practice. She was determined to make it across the monkey bars and today was the big day! She did it at recess at school and had to show me at the park when she got home (even though it was freezing outside). We stayed just long enough to catch a video of her newest accomplishment.

Oh and Jaxon has told me this before, but informed me again today that he would like to be a "pizza guy" when he grows up. Silly boy!

Maylee is ONE!!!

Can you believe it?!? The past year FLEW by and my baby girl is now 1 year old!!! We had a big celebration this past weekend with about 20 friends and family members. Our parents flew in for the weekend and we had a blast! Maylee didn't demolish her cake like Mila and Jaxon did on their first birthdays, but she was still as cute as ever! Thanks to everyone who came to help us celebrate our beautiful little girl! Maylee is the sweetest and most loving baby ever (at least to her mama)...she is slow to warm up to new people, but once she does she gives the biggest hugs! I love the little pat she gives your back as she's hugging too. She started walking really well about a week before her birthday (which was new for me since Mila and Jax started walking at about 9 months). It's been fun to see her explore more new things and to try to keep up with her big brother and sister.

She had her 1 year appointment and weighed in at 19 lbs 4 oz and 29 inches. We have to wait a few weeks before we can turn her car seat around because she didn't hit the 20 lb mark. She is doing everything she is supposed to be doing; pointing, responding to no, waving, walking, she shakes her head yes and no, says mama and dada, it also sounds like she says "I did it!" when she does something she is happy about. She also says hi and a few other words. Oh and she loves to "talk" on the phone...typical girl! :) She has 5 teeth now and is working on many more, which means that we have had a lot of sleepless and painful nights lately. Mila and Jaxon got teeth early, but Maylee's came in later and all at once so it hasn't been much fun. :( But, overall she's growing great and is a healthy and beautiful girl!



She wasn't too sure about the cake...looks like she's thinking "Do I have to eat it all?"



She had fun opening her presents!


She got this awesome ball pit from our friends Linzie, David, and Emily and it's been a big hit!

The things kids say...

So, I've decided that I need to start documenting the funny things the kids say because some day I won't remember it.

Feb 2011
Mila got in trouble for being bossy so she said: "I hate being a kid. I can't wait to be an adult so I can boss people around without getting in trouble!"(Age 6)

Jaxon was playing with a boy that I've been watching and I heard him crying in the next room. I went in and asked him what's wrong. He said, very very upset: "Dylan said I'm not a teenager!" (Age 3)

I'm not the best at updating my blog so I figured this would be a good place for me to at least post the funny things my kiddos say...let's see if I can keep it up!

I am the mother of a Kindergartener!!!

Yes, sad but true...Mila is in Kindergarten---ALREADY! I can't believe how quickly she has grown. She has been so excited to start school and so have we, but today it hit me hard just how fast she has grown up. No longer will I know what she is doing all day everyday like I used to...and no longer will I get to spend all my time with her. That makes me sad, but I'm happy that she looks forward to going to school and trying new things. I was talking to Mila about how I'm sad that my little girl is growing up and she said to me, "Mom, it happens." Apparently I'm taking this harder than she is! I guess its time for me to let go a little and let my baby girl grow up.

She had a great first day. We decided to have her ride the bus because it just makes more sense than me loading 3 kids in the car everyday to get her to and from school. She was so excited about this. Jake and I sent her off on the bus and then proceeded to follow it to school to make sure that she made it to her class ok, and so that I could take pictures of her at her desk on the first day. She gave me a quick kiss goodbye and away I went. Then I sat for the next 3+ hrs anxiously waiting for her to come home. I was so happy to see her smiling face as she hopped off the bus! She loved the bus ride to school, but complained about how the bus is "overly crowded" on the ride home (since the big kids are on at that time too). She likes her teacher and said she even made a friend! So happy that she is doing well, but I didn't doubt that she would. I'm looking forward to seeing what she learns over the next year, and I'm excited to volunteer in her class when I get the chance!



On to the other 2 kiddos...Jaxon is doing great! He is FINALLY figuring the whole potty thing out, for the most part. He pees in the toilet every time, but we are having difficulties with the other part. Hoping he figures that out soon. I would love to have just 1 in diapers! He continues to make us laugh with the things he does and what he says. Love that little guy!


Maylee is growing like crazy! She is such an awesome baby and I feel so blessed that I was given 3 easy babies. Maybe that means that I'm really in for it when they are older, but I appreciate what I have now. We had Maylee's 6 month check up a week before she was 7 months old. She is now 17 lbs 2 oz and is right on track with everything. She is in the 50th percentile for weight and length, but you'd never know it by looking at her chunky monkey thighs! She is eating baby food now and likes most of it, except for the green veggies (I don't blame her). She LOVES her big sister. Her face lights up as soon as Mila enters the room and I love it! She would love to crawl and keep up with Mila and Jax, but isn't quite there yet...soon enough. After realizing how fast kids grow I don't mind her staying little and not doing those "big kid" things.


All in all, things here are good. I'm just loving keeping up with my little critters and watching them learn and grow each day!

Time flies!!!

It seems like so much has gone on lately...and my kids are all growing up too fast! Where do I even begin?

Maylee is just over 2 months old now and is getting so big! She loves her big sister and big brother and if she's awake she wants to be sitting up so she can see what they are doing. On Tuesday she rolled over for the first time! At first I thought it was a fluke so I put her back on her tummy and what do ya know...she did it again! She coos and loves to be talked to and has been an amazing baby. I am so blessed!

Jaxon is just good 'ol Jaxon. He cracks me up constantly with his facial expressions and his "Jaxonese", as we call it. Now if we could just get him to use the potty. He will sit on it occasionally and has a potty prize box for if he goes, but that has yet to happen. I don't want to push it too much, but I also don't want to keep changing his diaper!!! I'm sure he'll come around someday---I'm just hoping it happens before he starts kindergarten!!!

Mila is so grown up! I can't argue with her because she is too good at it and always wins. She's too smart for her own good! We registered her for Kindergarten on Monday...I can't believe my girl will be starting school! She is so ready for it, and I'm ready for her to have something to keep her busy everyday. I'm looking forward to this new adventure!

As for Jake and I, we are good. We just started "Stacy's Biggest Loser" (that's my sis-in-law). There are about 14 of us who are split into teams and are competing to lose the most weight. It's been a great thing because now I'm actually motivated to work out and eat healthy because if I don't then I will let my team down. Jake and I are on board with it all and are looking forward to the results!

She is here!

Maylee Miren has arrived and she surprised us all! The majority of people who took a guess as to if we were having a boy or girl guessed boy, including Jake and myself. So, when she was born we were all happily surprised to find out that she was a girl. She was born Monday, February 15, 2010 at 4:26 pm. She was 8 lbs 7 oz and 19 inches...absolutely perfect! I wasn't in labor very long and only pushed for about 5 minutes. Mila was thrilled to get the news that she got a baby sister...just what she wanted and she loves her to death! Jaxon loves his little sister as well, but isn't as interested in her as Mila is. I'm sure that will change once Maylee does more than eat, sleep, and poop! Life is amazing, our family is complete, and there is nothing better!

Meeting Maylee


Maylee Miren



1 week old

2 more weeks...2 more weeks!

We are on the 2 week countdown to baby time! Hopefully it will be less than 2 weeks, but more than likely will be longer. :( My kids seem to be pretty comfy on the inside and like to be forced out! We are anxiously and not so patiently waiting. I went to the doctor this week and he didn't really have any news for me...just said that things are going well and that he will see me next week. At that time he will check for progress...I'm hoping that something starts happening by then! Mila is so excited to have a new brother or sister (she votes girl) and I think Jaxon is just ready for my belly to be gone so he can comfortably cuddle on my lap again!

Nesting has been happening a lot around here! I think Jake came home the other night and didn't know it was his house he was in...I rearranged just about every room! Baby clothes are washed, the hospital bag is packed, and we are ready to go whenever this baby is! We have taken a poll amongst our family and friends to guess the gender, weight, and length of baby #3...only 2 people have guessed girl so we will see in a couple of weeks what it is!

My brother Nate and his wife Stacy gave birth to a beautiful baby girl a week ago today named Finley Elizabeth. She was a week early and is doing really well. I can't wait to meet her, but that won't happen until they come to Idaho in June for Amy's wedding...that time can't come soon enough! Today is the 1 year anniversary of the birth of Nate and Stacy's son Baby David Gabriel...he is greatly missed, but I'm sure he is having a wonderful celebration in heaven for his birthday!

I guess that is all that is going on in our world...still pregnant! Hopefully the next time I post I will be holding my baby girl or boy in my arms! :)

Because Kristi says I'm a slacker....

I know it's been FOREVER since I posted last...I love reading everyone's blogs, but have troubles sitting down and writing my own. There is a lot going on in our lives and its easier to post a quick status update on Facebook rather than putting a post on here. But, since Kristi told me that I'm terrible at blogging I decided I'd take the time and write one...happy now? :)

So, what's been going on? Well, I am now 35 weeks pregnant and we still don't know what we are having. I am so excited to have this baby and to love it and hold it! The kids are getting excited too! Mila can't wait to be a big sister again and her mind changes daily as to whether she is getting a baby brother or a baby sister. Jaxon knows there is a baby in my belly, but then again he thinks that everyone has a baby in their belly, including himself! And I must be getting bigger because I went to give Jaxon a kiss one night and he said "Mommy BIG!" Luckily Mila responded with "Mommy's supposed to be big, there's a baby in her belly!" That made me feel a little better! We are so excited that we've been blessed with another child and are ready for the chaos and adjustments that will come with it!

Mila is still loving preschool and is learning a lot! It is amazing the amount of stuff that she remembers and retains! I swear she's the smartest 5 year old I know! She is in dance class as well and has her first recital next weekend...I can't wait! She's also been talking about wanting to do gymnastics so we'll see if we end up doing that too.

Mila at Red Robin celebrating her 5th birthday!

Jaxon is an amazing little boy...and he is all boy! It's crazy how quickly he changed from my little baby to being a wild little boy! I can't believe he is 2 already! His vocabulary expands daily and its funny to listen to him. Now that he can talk and he knows that people understand him, he doesn't shut up! And he definitely has the arguing with his sister down!

Jaxon is 2 now!

On another note, we had a wonderful Christmas! Mila turned 5 the week before and we had fun celebrating with her first "friends" bday party. We went to Build-A-Bear and had a great time! We also had a family and friends birthday party that doubled as an ugly Christmas sweater party....that is always a blast! Last year people had just semi-ugly sweaters, but this year people showed up with entire outfits! It was a hoot! Then Christmas came and we were so ready! Jake finally had a day off! The kids were very into the Santa Clause stuff this year and were so eager to go to sleep! As they are every year, the kids were super spoiled with gifts! However, when Jaxon came down the stairs on Christmas morning and saw the train set that Santa left, he didn't care about the other presents....we had to pull him away and force him to open them! The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing with the kids....and ended with our 4th annual Chinese take out Christmas dinner. We miss our family at the holidays, but its kind of nice to have a day with just our family creating our own traditions.

The kiddos in front of the tree on Christmas Eve

Mila with her new roller skates from Santa.
Jaxon and the train set that Santa left!

2009 flew by! It was a year full of many ups and downs and I am really looking forward to seeing the great things that 2010 will bring! I know that for sure I will be getting a niece, Finley Elizabeth, I will be having our 3rd child, and my sister Amy will be getting married so I'm sure the year will be fantastic! I hope yours will be too!

Well, I think that just about does it for the updates on our family. I'm sure there is something that I've left out, but pregnancy brain causes me to forget a lot. I hope this blog makes Kristi happy, since she's probably the only one who reads the darn thing! :) Happy 2010!!!

(For some reason when I went to preview and post it underlined everything and I can't fix it...oh well!)

Back to School!

Mila had her 1st day of preschool today! It's her second year since she misses the age cutoff for kindergarten by a few months. She was so excited to go and we were all SO ready for her to go back! I love having her home, but was running out of ideas and ways to keep her busy! She said she had a great day and that she "Got used to Miss Pam." Miss Pam is her new teacher this year...she loved Miss Meredith and Miss Charlene last year, but is going to have a great year with her new teacher. She is in the "Chipmunks" class. She will also be starting her dance class next week and is really excited about that. I can't wait for her dance recitals...she does a great job and the routines are so cute! I can't believe that she is almost 5 years old! She has grown up WAY too fast! And to think that Jaxon is going to be 2 years old in less than a month! Where has the time gone?



Mila at school with her backpack, and of course Jaxon had to have his backpack too...just like his big sis!

Ewww....GROSS!

I know it's been way too long since I blogged last so here goes....

So I gave the kids a bath this morning...nothing unusual about that, right? Jaxon wanted out before Mila so I took him out, wrapped him in a towel and was going to put a diaper on him. Mila wanted bubbles in the tub so I set Jax down (still naked) and didn't think much of it since I was only going to be busy for a minute. I helped Mila, grabbed a diaper and headed into the playroom to get Jax. As I glanced down at the carpet I noticed a green blob...I then realized that it was poop! I was seriously gone for a minute and in that time Jaxon pooped on the carpet! And not just in one spot...he moved to a couple different spots. Then to top it off, he stepped in it; smearing it into the carpet and on some toys! It was so GROSS!!! I'm surprised that I didn't gag while cleaning it up. When I called to tell Jake what happened he just laughed and laughed. I didn't think it was funny at the time, but it is quite amusing now so I thought I'd share. The joys of motherhood, right? I learned my lesson though...I will put a diaper on Jaxon IMMEDIATELY after getting him out of the bath from now on!

March 27, 2009

Happy (should have been) birthday Baby David! We love you!

I know it's long overdue...

I haven't blogged in a long long time! We have been so busy with the holidays and now getting back into the routine of things that I haven't sat down to write for awhile.

I ask that your thoughts and prayers be with my brother Nathan and his wife Stacy. They were expecting a baby boy in March, but sadly lost him in the 7th month of pregnancy. Everyone is absolutely heartbroken and wondering why things like this happen. Hopefully God will give us the answer someday. There is a reason for everything even if we don't know what that reason is yet. Stacy delivered David Gabriel VanWassenhove yesterday evening...just before my parents got to the hospital. He weighed 2 lbs 12 oz and was perfect. My parents said that now they truly know what an angel looks like because he is one. They all got to hold him, pray for him, and kiss him goodbye. Please pray that Nate and Stacy will be able to stay strong and keep the faith they have to get them through these times. I have the most amazing brother. Nathan was comforting me over the phone as I was crying; telling me that I was going to be ok and that he was going to be ok. I am amazed at his strength. I know that God never gives us more than we can handle...Nate and Stacy are super strong because I don't know that I could ever do what they are having to do right now.

For Baby David:
Now I lay you down to sleep,
I pray the Lord your soul to keep;
Within his arms he'll hold you tight,
My Heavenly Angel, My Guiding Light.

I love you baby boy! Always in my heart...can't wait to meet you in heaven someday!

To Nate and Stacy:
May there be angels to uplift you, prayers to empower you and love to turn your fears to faith.

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

I am amazed at most things that come out of Mila's mouth...as is Jake. She is a very intelligent little girl who always keeps us on our toes and thinking. The other day he called me while he and Mila were out running errands and said that she had said "It's so hot out here that I really need a sweet, cold drink!" That may not be so impressive or shocking to most of you, but I bet this is:

I made Mila some chicken noodle soup for lunch today and gave her some saltines with it to either put in the soup or eat with it. She took several bites of soup before realizing that she forgot to put her crackers in it. She looked at me and said "Oh Shoot!"...followed by "Mommy, you thought I was going to say sh** but I said shoot!" It caught me so off guard I almost didn't know what to do! Holding back laughter I had a talk with her about how that is a naughty word that we shouldn't say. I then asked her where she heard it and she replied "Daddy says it." I immediately called Jake to tell him how once again his daughter left me speechless with something she had said! I guess it's good that she knows the difference between what she should and shouldn't say...I just found it hilarious that she even said such a thing! What will she say next?!? I will definitely let you know!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

It's been awhile since I've blogged last. The reason: not much has been going on here. The only thing that has been happening is rain nearly every day! It is awful! I can't take the kids out to play, the dogs go out and track mud all over the floors, and it's dark all the time! I guess I have to get used to it because I hear that it is like this a majority of the year. :( I hate the fact that it gets dark here around 4 pm and on top of it the rain and clouds make it dark and dreary most of the day. I hope I adjust to it soon!! Just thought I'd try to bring you guys down with me! :) I hope you are getting more sun than we are!

Halloween!!!

Yesterday was Halloween and it was Mila's first time officially "trick or treating". We attempted to take her trick or treating last year, but no one in our neighborhood had their lights on so we ended up taking her to the mall to trick or treat the stores...kind of lame. We were really excited last night when our doorbell was ringing nonstop and there were actually people out and about going door to door. Jake began handing out handfuls of candy, but there were so many kids that we started running out of candy and had to cut back to only a few pieces per trick or treater.

Mila was a princess (which should be no surprise to anyone) and Jaxon was a skeleton. Mila had quite the following while she was trick or treating...there were 6 adults, her little brother, and 4 dogs all with her...I think she felt pretty special (as she should)! Here are a few pics from the night!


Mila all dressed and ready to go!


Mila and Jax waiting...


Jaxon was the cutest little skeleton!


Mila while "Trick or Treating"


I was so proud of her hair so I had to take a picture and post it...(Kristi, you should be very proud!)


I hope you all had as great a Halloween as we did!!!

Pumpkin Patch!!!

We went to the pumpkin patch a couple days ago and had a blast! The weather was perfect and the activities were great. Along with the pumpkin patch they had a petting zoo, straw bale maze and pyramid, hayrides, and a corn kernel "sand" box. Mila spent a good amount of time searching for the perfect pumpkin and when she found it she carried it up the hill all by herself! We can't wait to carve them in the next few days. Enjoy! Happy Halloween!

Jaxon also had fun picking pumpkins, however it was quite the task for me to carry him on one hip and a pumpkin on the other! :)


Mila with her pumpkin...


The kids on the straw bale pyramid


Hey you! :)


She made it all the way to the top!


I should have more pictures up next week after Mila's Harvest party at school...stay tuned! :)

Megan

More pictures from Jaxon's Birthday...

Jaxon's cake after he got a hold of it!


Daddy and his kids :)


Jaxon playing in his new tunnel


"Look at what I got!"


Bath time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAXON!!!

Jaxon is turning 1!!!

In 2 days, Jaxon Cash will be turning 1 and I can't believe how quickly the past year flew by. We had a birthday party for him over the weekend and had a blast! My mom and sister were able to make the trip, as well as Jake's parents. It was nice to have the family in town. We were also joined by several friends. Jaxon got a lot of "Boy toys" so he doesn't have to play with Mila's Barbie cars and baby dolls anymore. :) He also LOVED his cake...as the pictures show. The weekend was full of laughter, ping pong, lots of food, a ton of fun, and a bit of rain. I can't wait to do it again in a couple of months for Mila's 4th birthday! (I can't believe that she is going to be 4 already) I hope everyone has an amazing week! Take care!

Benny the Rock N Roll Beagle

Boy oh boy! Where do I even start??? We have had Benny the Beagle for a couple years now and he's been a pain to say the least! He is overly hyper, doesn't listen, and well...he's a boy! Boys will be boys I guess whether they are human or not. We can't get rid of him because he's Mila's dog, buddy, pal, companion, etc. She would be heartbroken if something happened to him.

A little recap: Benny got hit by a car a few weeks ago and broke his leg, therefore, he has to wear a splint for 6-8 weeks. We have to go in weekly-biweekly to get it changed. He was trying to chew on it so he also has to wear the e-collar cone on his head. We just took him in yesterday and he got a nice, new, clean bandage on the splint.

So, this morning I wake up to Mila yelling from her room "Mommy! Mommy! You have got to come see what Benny did!" My first thought is "Oh S***!" I run into her room and there is Benny shaking and cowering because he knows he's done something wrong. I look down and see his splint, still in tact, but not on his leg! He somehow reached out the end of his e collar and pulled the darn thing off! So, back to the vet we went this morning to get it re-wrapped. Then the vet calls me to tell me that they want to do x-rays to see if he even needs the dang splint...so frustrating! Why didn't they do that yesterday when he was there? Hopefully he won't need it and we will be done with this whole ordeal. This dog has cost us a lot more than I ever thought he would. It seems like these kind of things always happen to me...we call it "getting Storked"....will it ever end???

Anyone want a free beagle??? :)

When I can figure out how to get the pictures off of my phone and onto the computer, I'll put some up. I hope everyone else's day started off better than mine! Take care!