Can't touch this Easter Party!

Easton and I went to the Easter party that is held every year at Nathan’s school. Easton was really into the egg hunt and collecting as many eggs as he possibly could (a big improvement from last year when he didn’t even want to touch the grass).

Easton and I made a fort in the living room using the box that his and Blair’s new bedroom set came in. I will show pictures of their room once I finish it (hopefully within the next couple of weeks).

Nathan is still receiving birthday gifts from family and just yesterday he got a package from his Dad and Sue. Easton absolutely loves the card they picked out for Nathan. Check out Easton’s dance moves.

Easton is trying to communicate more and more each day. These are some of the latest things he has said:

“A ow o boo!” translation: A cow goes moo! For some reason he has recently started saying boo instead of moo.

“Ow a way!” translation: “Out of the way!” He has a toy car that says that anytime you honk the horn. He says this a lot in the car these days.

Recently when Easton comes into the kitchen whining or crying I will ask him what he needs/wants. I’m trying to get him to tell me what he wants without me prompting him. It hasn’t been working out all that well.

Me: “Easton, what do you need?”

Easton: “ummm…mease” translation: ummm…please. I still have no idea what he wants but at least he’s polite right?

We have a bus stop just outside our apartment so we constantly have buses that drive by. Anytime Easton sees one while he is looking out the window he will do at least two if not three different hand signs and sounds from the song “The Wheels on the Bus.” His favorites are the wheels, horn, baby, and mommy.

April Fools!

For most people this is a day to play tricks on other people but for me it is a special day. Five years ago today is when my handsome husband proposed to me. Yes, I must admit I was a little worried that it was an April fool’s joke. You can’t blame me though because all of Nathan’s co-workers weeks before were coming up with different ideas of how to make it seem like Nathan was going to propose to me as a joke (i.e. They told Nathan to say that he had something really important to ask me and then get down on one knee and tie his shoe while asking me something else other than if I would marry him). A little funny but definitely mean.

At 3:30 in the morning on April 1, 2004 my roommate/best friend woke me up and in a kind of annoyed voice said, “Here’s a rose from Nathan.” Apparently Nathan dropped off a rose at our back door, called Shannah and asked her to put the rose in my hand so that it would be there when I woke up. Shannah tried, but I guess I wouldn’t let go of the covers for her to put it in my hand so she woke me up instead. I jumped out of bed and went to the back door to meet my prince charming but he wasn’t there. It took a while of Shannah repeating the story over and over again before I finally figured out that Nathan was at his apartment not outside mine. I was so confused.

Later that morning after my martial arts class I came back to my apartment to find Nathan standing there with two more roses. In the evening Nathan came over for our daily run with three more roses. Generally Nathan and I would run for 15 minutes up towards the temple and then run back. This time however Nathan said that if I ran all the way up to rock canyon that he would sing me a song. It was a goal of ours to make it all the way up to rock canyon so I figured that he really wanted to accomplish this goal and knew I needed some form of motivation. It is a really steep hill and it was really hard to make it up there (especially with all the wind blowing against me) but I did it! Nathan gave me a hug and then pulled out a tie from his pocket and blind folded me. He led me up to his car where he changed into nice clothes (thanks Nathan. You looked all nice and I was all in my sweaty workout clothes) and then came back with six more roses and a coat to keep me warm. Nathan then took me by the arm and led me up some stairs to some benches that overlooked the valley. After running into a couple of benches and slipping through the space between the table and seat of the bench we sat on, I finally got situated and then Nathan pulled out his guitar and started to sing, “You Are My Sunshine.” He then took off my blind fold and as he was about to get down on one knee I asked him, “This isn’t a joke is it?” I know I kind of ruined the moment but how was I supposed to know for sure? Nathan just ignored the question, got down on one knee, and proposed to me. I just remember how lucky and excited I was to marry the man of my dreams for time and all eternity. I of course said, “YES!” and Nathan put the ring on my finger. I love you Handsome! I hope the last five years have been as wonderful for you as it has for me. You are an amazing husband and father!

Back in Maryland

We are finally back in Maryland. It is definitely nice to be home but I’m really starting to miss the sun and warm weather back in Florida. Our car ride home was of course long and seemed even longer since both Easton and I came down with some sort of bug (the second day) and were sick for about half of the ride. Our plan was to drive through the night and possibly stop for a few hours to sleep at a rest area if necessary but once we stopped at around midnight Easton woke up and was full of energy. He was not going to let us sleep for anything. We decided to find a motel and sleep until we woke up and then drive the rest of the way home. Nathan and Easton fell asleep almost instantly but for me my night just began. My stomach started hurting really bad and within a half hour of trying to fall asleep I found myself making several trips to the bathroom to throw up. It was a continuous cycle for about 9 hours straight. In the morning when Easton woke up he started to throw up. At first I was thinking he was just copying me because he had done it in the past when I was really sick with morning sickness. I decided to play it on the safe side and just give him crackers for breakfast just in case and sure enough he threw that up all over himself, blanket, and new car seat. We pulled over and cleaned everything up and luckily that was the last time Easton threw up. My stomach also started to settle by then but I was still a little nauseous on and off the rest of the way home.

We are all healthy and happy now. Nathan just started his surgery rotation yesterday so I will basically be a single parent for the next several weeks. Let’s just hope that Blair doesn’t decide to make an early appearance. From what I heard Nathan (most weeks) will be working six days a week starting at 4:30am and finishing around 5:00pm. He will also have a 30 hour shift once a week. This doesn’t include his 45-60 minute commute each way. Poor Nathan. He is going to be so tired.

This picture is for Uncle Wade! Easton's new favorite thing to eat is chocolate pudding.

Video of Easton climbing. Nathan's got to be excited about this. In no time Nathan will have a new rock climbing buddy.

Week 4 - Pensacola

Last week we drove around and found this really cool local park. Too bad it took us this late in our vacation to find it. Easton and I checked it out this week and he absolutely loved it. We even went two days in a row (and twice in one day) because he and I liked it so much. It reminds me of the park we went to last summer when we were visiting Nathan’s family in Utah. I have heard that there is a cool park back in Maryland with a pirate ship so my goal when we get back is to find out where it is before summer comes.

Easton playing on the swing.

Easton making music.

This week our beach trip consisted of Nathan trying to find sand dollars, shark teeth, and cool shells (spiral kind). He wasn’t all that successful. He found about three quarter pieces of sand dollars so he claims that found 75 cents of a sand dollar. He didn’t find any shark teeth or any whole spiral shells. The shells he did manage to find, Easton decided to return them to the ocean. Nathan would get about a hand full of shells and place them in a pile on the sand and Easton would come right behind him, grab a shell and throw it back into the ocean. It was pretty entertaining to watch.

We also went to the beach on base and Nathan found four hermit crabs. We figured out why we can’t find any spiral shells. It’s because all the hermit crabs are hogging them. We sifted in the sand for them for about an hour before Nathan saw a big one walking along underwater. He grabbed it and noticed it left some tracks. Nathan is now a master crab-tracker. He found three crabs in the next fifteen minutes! 75 cents worth of sand dollars, 4 spiral shells (complete with hermit crabs) but no shark teeth.

Looking at one of the crabs.

I don’t know if Easton is coming down with something or what but this last week has been full of whines and tears. One day he just wouldn’t fall asleep by himself for his nap. He was so upset and tired and he just couldn’t seem to calm himself down. I eventually picked him up and rocked him in my arms briefly before he fell asleep. This is not like Easton at all. He generally falls asleep without a fuss rather quickly by himself and if I ever try to hold him like a baby he puts up a huge fight. He hates it. I was so surprised and in heaven when he let me rock him to sleep. It brought back memories of when he was a little baby and I realized how much I missed it (I guess I’m lucky that I only have to wait a couple more months before I get to cuddle and rock a new baby). I just held Easton in my arms until they got tired because I knew this would probably be one of the last times (if not the last time) my little boy would let me do this. I admit I shed several tears as I realized how fast my baby boy is growing up. The other night Easton woke up in the middle of the night and wouldn’t stop crying. We tried to calm him down but because we are currently staying in a hotel with paper thin walls and neighbors who complain about other crying babies on the floor, I decided to take Easton for a car ride to hopefully knock him out again. After about a half hour of driving around in circles, Easton was still awake (not crying or whining). I decided to give up. I was so exhausted and tired. Luckily for me Easton returned to his normal self. We walked into the room, I laid him down in his pack and play, and he eventually fell asleep on his own without crying.

Nathan had Monday off so we decided to go to the Naval Aviation Museum. Yesterday we went to a really big flea market that actually was pretty good. Nathan and I enjoyed a fried snickers bar (lucky for Nathan I don’t have any weird cravings because I’m sure a fried pickle would seem compelling to other crazy craving pregnant women). We also attended a free car show at the local fairgrounds. There was a pretty cool Bronco that was made almost entirely out of wood.

Gross, funny, and cute stories of Easton this week:

You know when you are pregnant and every once in a while your baby takes some body part and pushes it out as far as they can while sliding it across your belly? Well, Blair has mastered this and is constantly doing it. Anyways, the other day she was doing this while I was lying down so I called Nathan over so he could enjoy his talented little girl causing me pain. Easton decided to follow so Nathan and I pointed out Blair’s movements for him. After about the second or third time she moved for Easton, he looked wide eyed at my stomach and said, “Whoa dude!” Nathan and I couldn’t stop laughing. I think this is funniest thing he has said so far. I definitely look forward to more funny and crazy things this little boy will come up with in the future.

Easton the other day decided to not only clean his teeth using his toothbrush but he also decided to clean the toilet with his toothbrush at the same time. Easton definitely didn’t get any kisses that day.

Yesterday while I was switching over laundry and Nathan was trying to take a nap, Easton figured out how to take his diaper off and was parading around the room with only his shirt on. Nathan was definitely caught off guard when he opened his eyes to Easton jumping on top of him half naked.

Easton is now interested in praying again. We had a rough several weeks where he absolutely refused to fold his arms and sit still for a prayer. He would say no, cry, and try to run away. We now have a saying/song we sing before we pray that gets him all excited. Easton is now copying/trying to say the last word of each sentence during family prayer. Today at church Easton had to make sure that Nathan and I were folding our hands in our laps just like he does during prayers. He poked Nathan (still hands folded) until Nathan copied him just right and he was trying to get my attention to do the same.

Nathan here… Ashley wants me to write about getting peed on this week. Well, I got peed on this week! Now the boy can aim and giggle. Easton shot me, laughed and shot again. Not cute...

Middle name?

As I said before I think we have decided on the name Blair but we are still not sure about her middle name. We currently like Brianne and Marie but we are open to suggestions. What do you think? Vote on the left for Brianne, Marie, or other. If you choose other you must come up with a new middle name and write it in the comments. Thanks!

Week 3 - Pensacola

Week 3 – Pensacola

First off I am currently 28 weeks along. Here's a pictures of the lovely belly. Later this week I will need to go to the hospital and get the rhogam shot (lucky me). Baby girl Kelsey is still extremely active. She is constantly waking me up during the night kicking, stretching, and doing all kinds of summersaults. I think Easton is starting to understand that there is a baby growing inside mommy’s tummy. Just the last two days he has come up and started to rub my tummy and say, “baby”. Today he learned the word, “sister”. We have also been trying to teach him to say, “Blair” so I guess if he actually figures that one out then we might not have much of a choice but to call our little girl by that name. That is currently our top pick so unless something better comes along that will probably be her name.

One of the best things here in Pensacola is the sunsets. I could get used to walking on the beach and watching the sun go down daily.

We went to a little beach on base and Easton absolutely loved it. At this beach there is sand and water but no waves. Easton prefers calmer water over waves at the ocean. He enjoyed going into the water with Nathan and he even went in waist deep getting his clothes drenched. Easton also enjoyed watching and dumping sand on the crabs we were able to find.

Watching one of the crabs.

We decided to take Easton bowling for the first time. He seemed excited and interested in it for the first game but not so much the second game. By the second game we figured out how to set the ramp up and use a heavier ball for Easton so that he could knock down more pins. At one point in the game I thought Easton was going to beat me. We were tied for a while and then he pulled ahead of me, but in the end I came through and beat him. I almost lost to a 1 year old. Nathan killed us. He got his first turkey ever and ended the game with five strikes.

Nathan and Easton were nice enough to take me shopping yesterday. I got to finally shop with some peace and quiet as Nathan kept Easton entertained. We also took Easton to a park where we had a picnic and he got to play for a while. We then took Easton to Petsmart to look at all the animals. Hopefully that made up for all the suffering I put him though shopping. We also watched the moive mall cop.

Proof of Nathan's turkey and Easton pulling ahead of me.

Easton's first attempt.

Easton's second attempt.

The week wouldn’t have been complete without a trip to the beach. Easton actually enjoyed going into the water with the waves this time. We will now definitely have to keep a better eye on him now that he isn’t so scared of the waves.

Easton playing in the waves.

Easton licking the sand off his hands and eating it.

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Upside-down Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1 pre-made graham cracker crest
1 box cheese cake jello pudding
1 sneaky toddler

Follow directions indicated on jello pudding box. Pour jello pudding into graham cracker crest and refrigerate for a few hours. Next, have toddler open refrigerator without anyone noticing, grab cheese cake, and drop it upside down on the floor. Note: make sure lid is on top of cheese cake to avoid any serious messes. And there you have it! A masterpiece!

Yesterday was Nathan’s birthday and unfortunately that was his birthday cake. Made with love by me and destroyed with love by Easton. Where we are staying there is no oven so it was impossible to bake a cake or cheesecake (which I normally do) so we had to be creative or not very creative and make an instant cheesecake. Unfortunately the cheesecake tasted about the way it ended up looking. I think once you make the real thing (cheesecake) there is no going back to the instant stuff. It’s the thought that counts though right? I think Nathan had a pretty good day though. He opened a few gifts from Easton and I (with Easton’s help) and then we went to Outback Steakhouse to celebrate. Nathan thought he was going to get out of them singing to him but at the last minute I informed our waitress that it was Nathan’s birthday. So he got sung to and they even brought him an ice cream sundae. Hope you had a wonderful birthday Handsome! We love you!

Nathan opening his gifts.