14 months old

Easton is 14 months old today. It is so crazy how much time flys. Nathan just the other day told me that he has been telling everyone that Easton is 12 months old. It probably doesn't help that Easton was 12 months old the last time Nathan saw him. I feel so bad for Nathan because he has missed so many new and exciting things Easton has learned. He only gets to hear about it over the phone, but at least we can talk over the phone every day though, right? It makes me feel so sad but appreciate those soliders who are willing to serve over in Iraq for our country. How hard it would be to have a spouse or family member over there for 12-15 months at a time. They miss so many special moments in their families' lives. Only two more weeks until we get to see Nathan!

Last week Easton and I went with Gpa and Gma Whiting to Quincy, WA to visit my Gma and Gpa Flynn and a lot more family that lives in or was visiting the area. It was great to see more family and Easton had a lot of fun with all of my cousin's kids. Mostly we visited and played card games while the kids played outside. We also had a BBQ over at my Aunt Gayla's house. Easton just loved the water fountain. It was almost impossible to get him away from that thing. He attempted and succeeded several times in getting into the fountain and drinking from it as if he was a puppy. The things kids do to make you proud.

Easton on the car ride home reading his silly monkey book.

On Saturday we went to Timothy Lake (Mt Hood area) with my Dad and Sharon and Sharon's family. It was wonderful to get away and just relax by the water all day. My Dad and I took Easton out on the kayak. He really seemed to enjoy it a lot and had to wave to everyone he saw. Easton also loved to try and follow everyone that walked their dog by us so he could hopefully get close enough to pet their dog. He loves animals (dogs) so much more these days. In fact, he now signs dog and tries to woof when he sees one (well that aplies to all animals these days. He apparently thinks all animals are dogs). It is of course really cute to me. On our way back Easton was getting hungry (kept signing eat) so we grabbed some french fries for him to eat. For some strange reason he wouldn't eat a fry unless he touched it to or put it between his toes. Kids can be so gross sometimes.

Easton picking up rocks and sticking them in his mouth.

Mom and Easton at Timothy Lake.

"More fries"

Easton touching fries to his toes before eating them.

Last night we roasted marshmallows and had smores. Easton seemed more interested in the fire than the smores which was okay with me because that meant more for me. I was a little scared about the fire but after not having much success with playing with the fire Easton became interested in the baby pool. In fact, when I turned my back he crawled right into the pool (shoes, socks, and clothes). I didn't get a picture of it because I didn't have my camera with me at the time. My dad ended up pouring all the water out to avoid further temptation and then Easton, of course, went right over and stomped and splashed in the big puddle left behind. Afterwards Easton thought it would be fun to go and play in the dirt which let me tell you mixes really well with wet clothes and shoes. He was so muddy that I had to take all his clothes off when we finally decided to go inside. Then I had to go and pick my mom up from work with a kid in only a diaper and a rain jacket on. Can we say tacky? I just love my little boy. He makes my life so much fun and very exciting.

Easton dunking the basketball with help of Gpa and Gma Whiting.

4th of July and new updates

EASTON

On the fourth of July weekend a bunch of family came in town. It was nice to see about half of my siblings. On the fourth we went to a local park and played on the toys and then went out to eat and embarrassed my Dad for his birthday (he had no clue we told the restaurant it was his birthday). They came out and sang a song to him and made him wear a hat and balloons around his ears. I believe through the entire song he was glaring at one of us kids informing us that he was not very happy. Afterwords, we went back to my dad's and just let off fireworks outside his house. I can't remember the last time we let off fireworks at our house. It was a lot of fun and Easton and Kadyn were just amazed and very excited with all the bangs and color in the sky.

Uncle Brandyn, Cousin Kadyn, Easton, Uncle Wade

Uncle Wade pushing Easton in the toy car at Grandma's.

On the fifth we had a BBQ at my Dad's house. Easton had two whole hot dogs, tons of chips, and about one scope of ice cream. I can't believe how much this little boy eats. He probably eats twice as much as I do and I have no idea where he puts all that food (he definitely takes after his dad). He still practically weighs nothing.

My sister in law Mykle, my nephew Caleb, and my sister Kim

My sister and her kids decided to stay about two weeks longer. I think Easton had a lot of fun to have a playmate around even though he was constantly getting beat up. Easton and Kadyn had fun fighting over the same toys, dancing, swimming in the baby pool, going to the library for story time, hanging out at the pet store, and playing on the toys at the mall.

We kept finding Easton and Kadyn sitting right next to Ashlyn as she slept. I guess they were just being protective and making sure she was okay.

Easton and Kadyn dancing

Easton singing and dancing

Easton has learned a lot of new things recently. My absolute favorite is him giving kisses. It is the cutest little thing and something I have been waiting for for the longest time. I'm pretty sure he learned it from Kadyn and it is the one thing I approve of that he learned from him (he has learned a couple more things that don't make me very happy). Easton has also learned two more signs (eat and milk). He knows more, help (sort of), and all done (sort of). We still need work on help and all done. Just yesterday, Easton finally learned how to go down the stairs correctly by himself. This makes me really happy because now I don't have to worry so much when he goes close to the stairs. Both my mom's and dad's house have stairs and no gates. Easton is definitely going to take after his dad when it comes to climbing. Easton is now constantly trying to climb up and on anything and everything (tables, chairs, couches, toy cars, ovens, etc.) His favorite is probably coffee tables with the toy car as a close 2nd. He likes to climb on the coffee table and stand and dance in the middle. How do you tell a kid to stop doing something you know is wrong and rude, when you also can't help but think it is cute and can't stop laughing? His least favorite is by far the oven door. He attempted to climb up the door and ended up flat on his back crying with the oven door on top of him. You would think that one time would be enough, but I think he didn't want to be defeated. Luckily for him I turned around just in time to save him from what would have been defeat number two. Easton loves books now! It is so cute. He picks up a book (usually Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?), walks around the house to find me so I can read it to him, climbs up in my lap and just sits there while I read it to him. When I am finished he grabs the book, turns around half way so he can see me, and then hands it to me so that I can read it to him again. I just love this age. Easton is so much fun.

Easton's new Pajamas. Front view. Back view in picture above.

Toy car that Easton likes to stand on. Also Easton is very protective of this car. He will do anything to keep Kadyn from getting on it. If Kadyn is on it he will literally sit on his lap so that he is the one driving.

Apparently Easton thinks this is his new T.V. watching seat. It is just right.

Easton climbed under the chair and then couldn't figure out how to get out of jail.

Before hair cut. After hair cut.

Nathan is having a pretty good time with Pediatrics in Texas. I don't think it will be his first choice, but I think he is still enjoying the fact that he is finally in the hospital and not doing book work. I believe Nathan is starting to think he will enjoy surgery more than medicine, but I guess only time will tell. He finally got his score back for the USMLE step one (first test of three for his license) and he did great! I am so proud of him. He worked so hard and he definitely deserved the score he got. Easton and I miss Nathan so much. Only three more weeks until we get to see him. We can't wait! We love you!

Visiting family

I'm about 2 weeks behind. I got really busy visiting with family and I just haven't had much time to sit down and write. Here is an update of what we have been up to.

We went to Idaho for a few days to visit a lot more of Nathan's family. It was way too short of a trip but we still had lots of fun visiting and hanging out with the fam. We played games and ate tons of ice cream at G&G Uehling's; had a family BBQ at Great G&G Stockton's; went to the Rexburg temple with G&G Stockton while Easton had a date with Grandma Uehling; had a pizza and Wii party with the cousins (Prestwich's) and played at the park; and we also briefly visited Great Grandpa Vic (Kelsey) and Uncle Lance and Aunt Stacy. It was really nice to see everyone and we wish we could have stayed longer.

Easton with Aunt Kaity and Aunt Bethanie

Easton on the car ride from Idaho to Utah. He stole the milkshake and wouldn't give it back.

When we got back from Idaho, Easton got to meet his cousins, Braeden and Ella, for the first time. We had a BBQ on Wednesday (6/25), hung out on Friday, and took pictures on Saturday right before Easton and I took off to go to Washington. Pictures are almost impossible with three little ones who don't want to sit still at the same time. The pictures did turn out pretty cute though. Thanks Grandma Sue that was a great idea.

Grandma Sue with the grandkids in their Hawaiian outfits.

Nathan took off Thursday (6/26) for Maryland to get ready for his first rotation in Texas (Peds). I hope he enjoys himself even though he won't see us for 6 whole weeks. Easton and I already miss him and it has only been a week.

My friend Paige came down from Springville to visit me at G&G Kelsey's house. It was so good to see her again. It had been way too long. I also got to see her little boy, Thomas, for the first time. He's a cute little boy. We got milkshakes and went to the park. It was great to talk and catch up.

Easton and Thomas playing on the swings.

Easton and I took off on the 28th for Washington state. Easton was an absolute angel on the plane which made me incredibly happy. It was only 1 1/2 hours long but I was really nervous that he would cry the entire time. Luckily for me the flight wasn't full so Easton got his own seat. I think that saved me. I hope he gets his own seat on our flight home back to Maryland.

My mom picked us up from the airport and of course she just loved Easton. We took off the next day to see my sister and her family in Eastern Washington but made a quick stop along the way to see my grandpa (he hadn't met Easton yet). We spent about three days with my sister and her family which Easton almost didn't make it out of there alive. His cousin, Kadyn, who is 20 days older is basically a little monster to put it lightly. He likes to push, pinch, hit, and bite Easton. Easton is pretty sensitive and didn't know what to think so he was crying and running away from Kadyn a lot. I think they are starting to get used to each other now after almost a week together. I got to meet my cute little niece for the first time. She is now 6 weeks but just as big as Easton was when he was born. It is crazy to think that he was ever that small.

Easton playing in the pool with cousin Kadyn and mom. Cousin Ashlyn watching.

Cute little cousin Ashlyn.

Easton, Mom, and Kadyn.

Video of Easton playing in the puddle.

On the car ride back to my mom's Easton got a fever I think from teething. He has 8 teeth for sure and more I believe on the way. Poor guy. He has been sick with a fever for about 2 days now and has been extremely cranky and fussy. Everything has been making him really upset and the only person he will go to is me. He is such a mommy's boy.