Water, Water, Water…

Easton can’t seem to get enough of water these days. I bet if he knew that summer was coming to an end and swimming along with that, he would be extremely sad. For some reason though he can always find where the water is and of course he is splashing away in it. A couple of days ago, I went into the bathroom to wash Easton up after dinner and he somehow figured out how the plug works in the sink. As the water began to raise so did the urge to jump right in and play. One second I’m washing his face with his little toes dangling in the water and the next second he is completely sitting in the sink (clothes and all- I’ve never seen a diaper so full in my life). And then of course he finds the hand soap and thinks it would be fun to wipe his soapy hands all over the perfectly clean mirror.

Today I was filling up a bucket full of water to clean the fish tank (which happens to be a couple of weeks overdue-sorry fish) and of course Easton can’t help but stick his hands in and splash around. I didn’t think the fish would appreciate Easton’s hands going in and out of their water, but knowing that Easton would get upset if I took all his fun away, I decided to get him his own bowl full of water and some left over rubber duckies from his birthday party to play with. He was having a lot of fun until….(it was destined to happen) he dumped all the water out onto the floor. This time though he was having an even better time. Not only was he able to splash in the water with his hands but now he could splash with his feet. He was in heaven. I, on the other hand, was frantically trying to pick up the water and praying it wouldn’t somehow find its way to the down stairs neighbors (I still haven’t heard anything so hopefully we are okay). He was of course upset with me for taking away his fun but he was also upset that he couldn’t stand up without slipping on the wet surface and falling back on his bottom. A little sad, yet a little funny. I guess to keep us both happy, in the future, we will definitely need to make this an outside activity.

Did I mention that he now knows how to lift up the toilet seat and I’m sure you guessed it. He splashes around in the toilet. The doors will forever stay closed until I somehow remember to pick up some toilet seat locks. The joys of having a 1 year old.

Baby.....

No, I'm not pregnant (I know what you were all thinking)....but Nathan and I bought a new car yesterday! So, here she is. Here is my new baby! Its a 2005 Ford Freestyle. We absolutely love it. It has three rows and six seats (leather). It also has a DVD player with two wireless head sets for my two kids (Easton and Nathan). I think this is what Nathan likes best. In fact I'm a little worried that I will have to be the one driving on long road trips just so Nathan can sit back with Easton to "help out". It has a sun/moon roof (I don't really understand why people care to have these but whatever). We were thinking of getting one with a bench seat for the middle row (total of 7 seats) but we figured it would be easier to get kids in and out with just pilot seats. The back two seats fold down to have extra storage.

Anniversary aquarium pics

Nathan just emailed me the aquarium pictures but there were only two pictures that turned out decent. The others were either too dark or too blurry.

Dolphin show. We couldn't clap or cheer because one of the dolphins just recently gave birth and they didn't want the extra noise for the momma and baby. We all really enjoyed the whole day.

Dad and Easton at Cheesecake Factory. Yes, Easton joined us for our anniversary date but I figure it is okay because it is a celebration for the day our family began and Easton is now part of our family. Plus, we both thought that he would really enjoy the aquarium (which he did). He was really good so there was definitely no regrets for bringing him. I doubt that it will be a tradition to bring our kids with us on our anniversary date in the future so, Easton you better feel special!

We're Back!

Okay so we have been back in Maryland for a little over a week now but things have been just a little crazy trying to unpack and adjust that I haven’t had much time to think let alone sit down and write. Easton and I had a great time visiting family but we are glad to be back home with Dad (Nathan) after 6 ½ weeks. Nathan picked us up from the airport with flowers in hand for me (isn’t he so sweet?). I love this guy! Also this last week we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe that we have been married for this long. It went by so fast. (I couldn't find the CD with our wedding pics on it so I had to take a pic of a pic-thats why it doesn't look so good.) Nathan woke me up before he had to leave at 6 and gave me a huge bag of Hershey kisses and the 4th book in the Twilight series (okay so maybe that is where all my extra time went to : ) You can’t blame me. These books are just addicting). On Saturday we also celebrated our anniversary by going to the national aquarium (it was really neat-loved the dolphin show) and went to my absolutely favorite restaurant in the whole world Cheesecake Factory. I don’t know why but I just love this place (Thai chicken pasta and cheesecake…doesn’t get any better than that). Thanks Nathan, I had a wonderful day! We forgot our camera of course but we had our camera phones. We took most of them on Nathan's phone and because he is not home right now, I will have to post those pics later (that is if any turned out okay).


Easton and I have been trying to keep ourselves busy while Nathan is at the hospital doing his Psych rotation. We don’t have a car so we sometimes have to be creative. So far we have gone to the park, played in the pool, built a fort, played with sidewalk chalk, gone on walks, went to the mall to shop and play on the toys (I got some really great deals on summer clothes for Easton next year. 2 shirts and 2 shorts for under $13), danced, and read tons of books! He never gets tired of books.

First time at our apartment pool.

New favorites for Easton: Everything flat and rectangular has become a phone for Easton. Let me tell you Easton really knows how to talk and he is not shy to tell you want is on his mind (I have no clue what he is saying but I can tell he means business).

He loves to try and play peak a boo. He moves he head back and forth as if he is hiding and then showing himself while saying ba, ba, ba,… (translation boo, boo, boo,…) (Someone really needs to inform this kid that he really isn’t hiding and that I can see him the entire time. Oh well, it is still cute).

Today while I was on the computer checking my email I heard a crinkling noise. I was a little curious what Easton had gotten into because everything should have been out of reach and before the crinkling noise it was a little too quiet, and as all moms know quiet, especially at this age, generally means trouble. I got up quickly and found that Easton had climbed up on my suit cases (which haven’t been put away in the storage closet yet…I was hoping that Nathan would take care of it for me…think it will happen?) Anyways, back to my story. Easton had climbed on top of my suit cases, which was just enough of a boost to reach his arm over the dinning room table and get the fishy crackers that I had left out from an earlier snack. I guess when he is determined enough to get something he will definitely find away to get it.

A few last pictures from our trip to Washington State. Gma and Grandpa and Grandma Whiting, thanks for letting Easton and I stay with you all for a long time. We had a lot of fun. We miss you guys already.

Two cool dudes! (like grandpa, like grandson)

Riding the toad.

Easton was sitting on the floor reading his monkey book when I left the room briefly. When I returned this is what I found. Apparently Easton figured it would be a lot more comfortable if he grabed a pillow from off grandma's couch to put his head on. What a smart kid!

Easton and Gma. I swear he loves his Gma. It just took me a very long time to take the picture and Easton didn't want to hold still any longer (changing batteries will do it to you every time).

Zoo and family

Yesterday Easton and I went to the zoo with my mom. It was nice to finally get out and spend the day with my mom. I have been in Washington for 5 weeks now and this was the first day my mom had off that was just her and me (well and Easton too!) It has been nice to have lots of family in town but I have to admit that I love my one on one mommy time. My grandpa got diagnosed with Alzheimer's the week I arrived here so things have been really crazy trying to figure out what the best thing would be for my grandpa. He finally moved into a home here in Vancouver so my mom is close enough to go and visit him almost daily. I think this will be good for both of them. We had a lot of fun at the zoo. I can't say that Easton had a favorite because he was so interested in everything. He would wave to the elephants and giraffes, point to the fish and turtles, talk to the polar bears and cougars, watch the monkeys and hippos, and just laugh at the bats. I'm glad that Easton likes the zoo because I absolutely love going to the zoo myself. It is one of my favorite things to do.

Gma Whiting and Easton

Easton on the horse.

Mom and Easton on the tractor.

Easton didn't really care much for the petting zoo. He would get really excited to get a better look at the animals, but then he would only go so close before he would chicken out and walk away. While we were petting the sheep I kept feeling someone tugging on my shirt. It was a little annoying but I just thought it was Easton getting scared and wanting me to hold him. Eventually I looked down to pick him up and instead of my cute little boy looking up at me with his innocent blue eyes, it was a black eyed beast (sheep) nibbling away at my shirt and camera case. No wonder Easton was a little timid to get near such a thing. I wouldn't want to get eaten alive either. After walking around the zoo for a couple of hours in the blistering heat we decided to head home. On the way we stopped in to visit my grandpa. He seems to really enjoy his new home which is really good to hear.

My brother and sister in law came in town this weekend to visit before they head back to Kansas where my brother is going to law school. We celebrated my mom's birthday (even though it is not for another week), went shopping, and just hung out. It was a quick weekend but still lots of fun. I almost felt childless this last weekend because Easton was getting so much attention from everyone else (mostly his uncle). I only really saw him when he needed his diaper changed (thanks Wade).

Easton loves to play outside.

Grandma Sharon pushing Easton in a wheel barrow.

Sharon and Easton playing in the fish pond (for some reason Easton tries to drink like a dog from the fish pond. He hasn't succeed yet but is constantly trying).