California in February*

Happy late Valentines Day! We spent Valentines Day in warm beautiful California. It sure gave us all spring fever for sure. Isn't Blake's outfit cute? His aunt Jenni gave it to him just in time for Valentines!

We were able to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which was amazing! I loved it! Jack was loving it at first until we got to the otter aquarium.. he was admiring the fish when all of a sudden an otter shot across in front of him and about gave him a heart attack. lol. After that he wanted to be held when we were close to fish, and he still leaned away every time a fish swam near him! They had great things for kids to do. Jack was able to touch the star fish. He was having a great time with that. He actually grabbed one and tried to pull it out of the water!! haha, I think the worker there about died, but no worries, no star fish were harmed!!

Haha doesn't Jack look excited about getting his picture taken?

This was out at Morro Bay. It was beautiful, and fun to walk around that town. There were many beaches we were able to play at. Jack loved to pick up rocks and put them in the bucket we were keeping for sea shells... we had to keep dumping alot of them out when he wasn't looking or else the bucket would've overflowed!!

Jack was having a great time at the beach until the tide came in and startled him! He then sat right down in the water and started crying!! Poor little guy! After that he always had his eye on the ocean like it was going to get him! He made sure all of us didn't get too close either! What a funny little guy!

Jack and his grandma are best friends

Oh and in case your wondering, the plane ride went better than we thought it would. Still had to deal with a wound up toddler and a colicky baby, but we made it!! - and we're still alive! :) We sure love those boys!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jack!!

Jack and the Birthday cake grandma made him! He wanted the toys on the cake more than cake! Grandpa had to stop the drool from getting on the cake - haha

Today Jack turns 2 years old!! Crazy how time flies when your having fun! Things Jack is doing at 2 years old...

~ puts words together, such as "big ball", "more please", "orange juice", "bye bye ball".. but he still only says words he wants too.. he never has been a repeater

~ he jumps about 3 inches off the floor with both feet

~ dances in circles, and just started his own version of break dancing - lol

~ sleeps 10-12 hours at night, with one 2-3 hour nap during the middle of the day

~ gives lots of hugs and slobbery kisses

~ can shoot a ball into a basketball hoop just above his head with one hand

~ always has to have 2 glasses of milk in the morning

~ always makes sure baby brother Blake has a blanket

~ will sit in the rocking chair with his blanket, his sippy cup, and a book and will pretend to read to himself

~ loves to play fetch with his dog Buddy

He is constantly growing, and we know he is going to be a tall boy! We love him so much and are truly blessed he is a member of our family! Happy second birthday Jack!!

Love my boys!

It's been crazy and fun having two little boys! Jack is continuely growing, learning, running and talking away - and Blake is such a sweet newborn. And you sure get way less sleep with two, that's for sure! I honestly have no idea how I am still functioning!! But I love every minute of it! Blake has had colic these last few weeks, so it has been extra hard. But he is so cute, even when he cries that it makes it all worth it- especially when he smiles and laughs! Jack is really good with Blake, he always brings him his blanket if he doesn't have it - or sets toys on his belly to share with him. He is really cautious around him when he is on the ground or doing tummy time. He always wants to sit right next to him, but not touch him. Which I think is a good compromise! Jack and Blake go in for their 2 year and 2 month appointment together at the end of the month ~ it will be interesting to see their stats! I don't think Blake will be as tall as Jack. Also next week we are all flying to California to see my parents, which will be so much fun. Hopefully the airplane ride will go ok with a toddler and a colicky baby! Wish us luck!!

I thought I would add some thoughts about living with a colicky baby. Please add some if you'd like if you've ever delt with a colicky baby!

Things I've learned from living with a colicky baby ~

1. Hiding different treats and snacks in random places around the house keeps your toddler busy when he needs something to eat while you are trying to calm your newborn.

2. Bouncing the baby on an exercise ball can lead to many different ways to work out your legs, back, and arms while also trying to calm your newborn.

3. Everyone under the sun will give you advice on what you need to stop eating while nursing your fussy newborn ~ such as dairy, strawberries, nuts, chocolate... maybe I should just stop eating all together to cover my bases!

4. You want to hurt all the people who come up to you and say, "Awww, newborns are so great because they just sleep all the time!"

5. Sleep becomes a luxury

6. No, driving doesn't help... it just makes me feel worse because he is strapped in the back crying and I can't comfort him.

7. It is really hard to give Gripe Water to a baby who is crying.

8. He still looks cute when he is mad, and it breaks my heart I can't always fix whatever it is that hurts his little tummy!