Zoo Time

Hogle Zoo is starting to come alive this spring! They've started up their bird show, one of my favorite attractions. I find myself giggling at the bird's antics like a little kid. After the show, you can drop a dollar in the donation box, with the help of a smart cockatoo. Both boys bravely donated. I can't wait to get birds once we move to the country!

A hug

I was dropping Remi off at preschool today, just like I do every Thursday.
We find his hook, hang up his coat and backpack, say hi to the other kids waiting for the door to open, run to the bathroom.
Today was no different.
I had a sleeping Marshall in my arms so movement was kinda limited. We were about to walk into the classroom to get signed in when Remi stopped in his tracks jerking my hand back and whispered something very urgently. At first I though he had seen something or someone that made him nervous. His tone was very serious. When I leaned in closer to him to ask him what he had said, he answered in the same urgent tone.
"Mom, give me a hug!"
So sleeping Marsh and all, I got down on my knees and hugged that little boy. He returned with the most earnest hug he has given me in a long time.
I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I'll give him all of the hugs he wants, while he's young enough to want them!

Love my boys!

Day of Words

Remi is talking, folks! He's saying two and three word sentences independently with little or no prompting. This means that he has met some of his education plan goals almost 9 months early. Wow! When I originally received his goals from his teachers I wanted to cry and now that he has reached these goals I want to cry even more for very different reasons. I've been his proud little translator for so long. My heart swells knowing that he is finding his way in speech!
The list goes on! His vocabulary has grown exponentially over the last two weeks. His attempts of all different words are more common, which is a huge step. Here are some of the words and phrases he gets better at each day:

train track
stop sign
happy face
sad face
she she's house
no, me!
help me, mom
hold me, mom
my turn
dentist
park
thomas (still unclear)
word world (unclear)
thirteen
work
beach
show
snack
toast
bagel
pizza
juice
milk
chocolate
more please
vitamin
I want...
numbers 1-12

We attended a Memorial Day service at a cemetery on Sunday where the boy scouts were serving hot dogs and Remi said "hot dog" over and over broken-record style for a good chunk of the evening. Today we drove past a different cemetery decorated with flowers from Sunday. He quickly noticed and said, "Mom! Hot dog!"

And most importantly, for the first time ever, Remi looked at me and said, "Love you, Mom." Then looked at Marshall and said, "Love you, baby."

Melted. my. heart.

The Great Bothwell Experiment

It's official! We are now the proud owners of 5 acres in farm country! Together, with a lot of gentle prodding from Keith, we have formulated a tentative plan to build on and cultivate this little slice of heaven. The area is breathtakingly beautiful, quiet, and charming. We can't wait to see what the future holds!
View to the west.
View to the east.

Remi seems to approve.
Marshall is still undecided.
Watch out, here we come!

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival

Never mind the pricey admission, Thanksgiving Point knows what they are doing when it comes to tulips! We spontaneously joined my parents and siblings for an afternoon of soaking in the stunning beauty of the seemingly millions of tulips. To Remington and Marsh, it probably just seemed like another day at the park. They enjoyed running along the trails, playing with the kids and splashing in the water. For me, it was one of those days I wanted to kick myself for not bringing my fancy new camera. I think I only captured a small glimpse into how gorgeous this place really is in the springtime.

Fascinating

or is it? He can't decide.

A Blanket is Best

Who needs umbrellas?

My Little Remi

Thoughts and reflections about my little boy have been running through my mind today. I don't want to forget them

He is surprisingly obedient, except when it comes to not harassing little brother.
He never runs off in public, always asking in his way if he can venture a bit further.
He is cautious and follows directions incredibly well in parking lots and crowded places.
He gets embarrassed easily and doesn't usually want to be the center of attention.
He is observant, noticing when I miss a turn while driving and responding with a "Whips!" (Whoops!), noticing when something is out of place, noticing when I close the garage when I had previously promised that he could do it.
He has never thrown a tantrum in the store over a toy or candy.
He has an amazing sense of direction. Wherever we happen to be he can point to home and Mama She-she's house.
The things that delight him make me laugh. He squeals with a delighted "ma MA!" every time we pass the bowling alley, Taco Time, McDonald's, or any two or more story building that might have an elevator.
Yes, elevators. DING!
He has taken to playing pretend elevator in any enclosed space, making others play pretend elevator, watching youtube videos of people filming themselves riding on elevators, guessing which buildings we drive past might have elevators by repeating "Ding, Ding, DING!" until someone acknowledges him, hoarding toys that have elevators (we have at least 7 or 8) and he LOVES riding on an elevator. He gasps and shrieks with glee as each level is met with a chime or bong. He even knows proper elevator etiquette.
He loves counting and the alphabet.
He hates being hot. I catch him turning over his pillow to get the cool side and kicking off his blankets and sheets when he's in bed.
I let him have a say in what clothes we buy for him. I think he appreciates that I respect his opinion.
I see him maturing before my eyes, even though his language is so limited. He and I have a perfect understanding between the two of us that it makes it difficult to see outside our little world. I'm never quite sure if I'm helping or hindering his progress, but for now I love the special bond that we share. His new words as of the last few weeks are: home, big, in, me, you, Dan-dan (Danielle,) walk, car, sit,
His first independent sentence: "I want you in." Trying to get me to move so he could shut a door and the same day saying "I want Dee-dee," when we pulled up to Mama She-she's house and he wanted to go inside.

I love this little boy so much. I love to see him grow.

The garbage truck cometh

Our garbage is picked up twice a week, which means two weekly opportunities to wave to the garbage truck. Since Remi got his Waste Management truck in December, he has been dying to show the garbage men his toy. We caught them just in time on Friday. It was a dream come true! He was so proud!

It's just this cold...

At least he can see.

Mini Bowling

We have bowling on the Wii, a foam bowling set, a mini bowling set AND we go "real" bowling. There isn't a form of bowling out there that this kid hasn't tried!
It takes careful planning...
To get it just right...Ready! Set! Go! Just imagine the sound of pins knocking together...One more to go...

Ouch...

Can you imagine having to wear flip-flops this way? It's the way Remi likes to wear Dada's shoes!

Yippee!

We agreed to go to Museum District Day and brave the crowds (CROWDS!) with friends to have some free kiddo fun. I avoid crowds like the plague, a trait given to me by my darling husband. We don't go shopping on the weekends, or to parks or pools. We enjoy attractions during the week when no one else is around. So going to a children's museum on not only the weekend but a free weekend seemed like complete madness to me, which it was. Scores of people lined up halfway around the block in the blazing sun. But what do you know, Remi had a blast! He has gotten a taste of independence and he loves it! Besides being a bit tired and having the tiniest breakdown when saw toys floating in the Flow Works water, we had a great time. He got to ride the elevator, play in a grocery store, play in the outdoor water feature, and play with an awesome train. Marshall was a dream and loved pushing buttons and especially watching brother Remi play. The only thing that could have made it betteris if Dada could have joined us!

Lately

My sis Gigi (aka the worst blogger in the world) dared to comment that I haven't posted in a while!

Well, here's how our week has shaped up. Keith has been home for only three days, Remi's pediatrician got mad at us because he doesn't speak 50 words yet, I have a cold that could knock a horse off it's feet, Remi discovered he is agile enough to fling himself out of his crib, our front window was shot out with a BB gun, my doc said I can't go shopping or go out alone anymore, and I am one big 38.5 weeks pregnant mess!

ARGH!

Sorry. Keith has been gone a TON and I have had no one to listen to me whine...It kinda builds up and then explodes all over anyone who dares come near.

Luckily for Remington, being home a lot means lots of exploring in the backyard and inside. His favorite activities lately are...
Hiding behind the antique sewing machine and turning the wheel:
Wreaking havoc outside:
Scattering birdseed for the birds and squirrels:

So you don't like pickles?

Nap Time Straight Jacket

Due to previously unforeseen circumstances, this is how we have to dress Remi up for his nap time. In order: Remi, onesie, t-shirt, pants, onesie. Even with this get-up he routinely wriggles free of his diaper constraints and leaves me with a weeks-worth of sheets to wash in one day.
But how can you be mad at that face???

Bathtime Woes

How is this range of emotions possible in such a short amount of time? No more than 20 seconds!

Loungin'

One of Utah's finer qualities? You can lay in the grass...
Can you tell who was the unwillingly participant?

Newsletter: Month 13

Dear Remi,

Today you turn 13 months old.

You've been all over town. You visited the Johnson Space Center (where you fell asleep,) the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (where you fell asleep,) the Bluebell ice cream factory (you fell asleep to and from,)
and Galveston (twice...and guess what? You fell asleep!) Grandma Sano came for a week-long visit and Uncle Roger made a brief stop in Houston, too.
Grandma gave you your first haircut:
And you took your first train ride. Well, tram ride:
You had your first bite of ice cream:
You had your first wagon ride:
And had your first glimpse of a tarantula!
First roll around in the woodchips at the park:
After a month of many firsts, you also are going through your first sickness. You won't eat, you barely drink, and you have gone through about 20 diapers today. Somehow, you still manage a sweet smile here and there. Get well soon!
Love you to bits!!!
Love,
Mama