Never Say Never

Just last night Nate and I were talking about how Jansen is pretty good about not getting into things he shouldn't. Don't get me wrong, he definitely has his 2 year old moments, but we feel like we've been spared many disasters that others have experienced. He never draws on the walls with crayons or markers, never throws things in the toilet, etc.

This is what I found today when I came downstairs after putting Natalie down for her nap. Eyeshadow everywhere. I really cannot be too upset because I naively left my makeup just sitting on the couch. He was just digging his nails into it and having a gay old time.

Does anyone know the best way to clean this stuff up? How in world am I going to get this off our precious Wal-Mart couch covers?!

Be Gone, Gate!

This very well may be the most boring photo I ever post.

But I had to have a picture with this story. Jansen was in his room having quiet time and I had set up the gate (which he has never really cared about) so that he could not just leave whenever he wanted to. I'm trying to teach him to play on his own more. I heard some banging and pounding coming from his room---somewhat typical noises for a 2 year old playing. When I came upstairs to check on him I found this:

Somehow he had removed the gate from his doorway. Then he propped it up against the wall. Returned to his room. Shut the door. Apparently he's too grown up for "baby" gates.

Don't Feel Like Coming Up With a Title

• In an attempt to keep Jansen entertained during these long winter days, I put some rice in a Rubbermaid thingy. I let Jansen drive his trains in it, and I hid buttons and had him find them in there, etc. He loved it, but I'm sure many of you know where this is going. Despite my repeated attempts to teach him to keep it contained, many messes were being created.
  

Here he is cleaning one of them up. The picture doesn't do it justice. There is A LOT of rice on that floor. Yesterday I was trying to get our little "indoor sandbox" down from a cabinet so I could banish it from our home and I dropped it...rice explosion all over. So we're done playing with rice for the season.

• This morning I was toting Natalie around on my hip and trying to coax Jansen to come downstairs. I said to him,"Come on, let's go find some breakfast." So he runs into the hall and says, "Breakfast! Where are you? Where are you, breakfast?"
  

• Note to all those considering putting your 5 month old in the laundry basket: this is only effective if you don't mind having snot on your freshly washed jeans.
  

Sweet Tooth

The other night we went and got sundaes. Jansen thoroughly enjoyed his, as was expected...I still need to basically wash his whole carseat. And as you will see, little Natalie was quite fond of them as well. Apparently you can have a sweet tooth before you even have any teeth. We have started giving her rice cereal and she's had some carrots too, but Nate broke all the rules and was offering her ice cream. You have to see this video of her!

This picture is just rice cereal. But she's licking her spoon clean...she must like it. She has no idea what wonderful tastes are still to come in her lifetime.

A Talented Pacifierist

I've been doing a lot of one handed blogging...thus the lack of text in many of my recent posts. This is Natalie's pacifier trick...I don't even know how to describe it. Just look at the pictures. After assuming this position with the pacifier, she usually launches it out of her mouth.

Why Every Boy Needs a Little Sister Part 2

Yes, this one ended in a crash. Everyone's okay. It was actually really funny.

Why Every Boy Needs a Little Sister

To drive a train on her head of course!

Sundry Things

At the end of what is often a long day of taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, etc. it's so nice to do something different. Lately that has been playing basketball. I'm playing on a rec league with girls from our ward and a neighboring ward. Sometimes the games don't start till like 9:15 and when your kids wake up at 6 and there are some feedings in the night, 9:15 feels real late. But it's always so worth it---I have a blast and it's great exercise. I seem to be on the floor a lot though and have acquired some lovely bruised knees and elbows. Very ladylike.

And back on the subject of doing something I enjoy after the kids go to sleep...I really like to make things. It seems that I only finish one project every other month or so, but it's just nice to be working on something. Here is a little "bouquet" I made for Natalie's room.

She likes it.

Guess What We're Working On!

I know, I know. You're thinking: 1. A little inappropriate 2. We don't need to know about every minuscule detail of your life 3. Jansen is going to kill you someday. Well, I sort of apologize for the inappropriateness, and yes you do need to know every bit that is going on in the Nye household, and I'll deal with the Jansen part later. Any advice seasoned parents???

Mr. and Miss Behavin'

I had no choice. It had just been one of those days and I had to put Natalie in her shackles and Jansen in his cage.

Actually this is Jansen having "quiet time" in his crib (nap replacement) which he is really quite enjoying. I could overhear him in there today "reading" one of his books and he said, "One little lady bug basking in the sun," minus one or two words probably, but I loved it! Basking? Did he just say basking? (That is a real line in the book...or at least very similar to one) He remembers so much of what we read to him...it amazes me. Hooray for books! And hooray for days to come of basking in the sun!

Where'd Everybody Go?

Mr. and Miss Behavin'

I had no choice. It had just been one of those days and I had to put Natalie in her shackles and Jansen in his cage.

Actually this is Jansen having "quiet time" in his crib (nap replacement) which he is really quite enjoying. I could overhear him in there today "reading" one of his books and he said, "One little lady bug basking in the sun," minus one or two words probably, but I loved it! Basking? Did he just say basking? (That is a real line in the book...or at least very similar to one) He remembers so much of what we read to him...it amazes me. Hooray for books! And hooray for days to come of basking in the sun!

A Delightful Girl

Cameron's Great

Nate's brother Cameron recently returned from his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was in Taiwan! I know his big smile and strong testimony of Jesus Christ was refreshing for many people there. He stopped to visit us for the weekend before heading out to Seattle. And here he is showing Jansen the finer points of ice cream eating.

This is what I love about Cameron. Several times while he was here he would say, "Can I hold Natalie?" Now, I don't know about you, but it has been my experience that not many guys his age would do that. And I think he actually enjoyed it! Jansen just loved playing with him, and our favorite quote from Jansen is, "Daddy's crazy. Cameron's great."

A few good men!

Natalie Gets Her Roll On

Must...reach...developmental...milestones....

Frustration!

I did it!

Big brother showing her the ropes...

Starting to get the hang of it!

Breakin' Out the Exersaucer

I've been wanting to put Natalie in the Exersaucer for a few weeks now, but fears of her getting tired of it quickly and not liking it in a few months have stopped me. Silly, I know. But when your first child had to be CONSTANTLY entertained until he could walk, you think of these things. She seems to really enjoy it. I've included some pictures of Jansen in it (he is a month older than her in these pictures). Do you think they look alike?

Reasons I May Always Have the Postpartum Tummy Leftovers

1. I stand and eat Gardettos the whole time I am emptying the dishwasher.
2. I just signed up to get free Cold Stone on my birthday and will sign up both of my children and we all know who will be eating their birthday ice cream. Yes, Mr. Cold Stone Worker, my 4 month does eat ice cream. Now please give it to me.
3. I have eaten more of Nate's Christmas candy than he has...candy I put in his stocking.
4. I think I am 2 for 10 on the New Year's goal of sit ups everyday. Come on people, who has an extra 3 minutes a day? (Me!)
5. I started this whole thing off wrong when I ate a piece of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory the night before I had Natalie. 80 grams of fat in about 20 minutes...that was very naughty. And dumb.
6. I have a hard time with portion control...I can't tell when I'm full...especially if it tastes so
good...
7. Some of my friends (thank you Kiki) like to bake and make things and then drop them off at my house because they know I'll eat them.
8. Apparently my servings of ice cream are unusually large. I have been informed of this on several occasions.
9. I have to keep buying new bags of chocolate chips for baking because every bag's fate so far has been to be my faithful chocolate source.
On a more encouraging note, look how far I've come since...

Blankity Blank Blank Brochiolitis

Poor Natalie doesn't look too hot in this picture but I guess that's the reason I took it...her icky cold has just been hanging around. Yesterday evening she cried and cried for hours and would fall asleep for 15 minutes or so and then wake up and start again. I felt so sorry for her - and Nate and I were exhausted from trying to calm her and soothe her back to sleep. I decided to take her to the doctor today...she has bronchiolitis which is basically something we just have to wait out and watch to make sure her symptoms don't worsen. The doc said her cough could last a month which just devastated me because that is what keeps waking her up. Aaaahhh. Bless her little bronchiolitisness. Her entrance into this world meant the end to sleep as I knew it. I'll tell you what...as soon as the night comes that I get to lay down in a bed (not a recliner) and go to sleep and not wake till morning...I am going to have a party. Jansen is feeling so much better from his sicknesses and he has that happy look in his eyes again that we have been missing. Guess you have to experience the bad to really appreciate the good eh?

The Curse of the Wind

The weather here has really been flip flopping lately. We've had some real cold and snowy days...here's Jansen contemplating whether or not to brave the winter weather. He finally went outside with Nate for a little bit. It was probably for only 10 minutes or so because Jansen was hating the wind.

Now for the flip flop! Today's high was 68. Of course we headed to the park. As we pulled up Jansen was so excited saying, "The park! Look at the brown slide!" But as soon as I opened the car door to get him out and he felt the wind (it was really windy, but it was warm) he refused to get out of the car and started grabbing at his head...his defense against the wind. So Jansen spent the next 45 minutes sitting in the car eating fruit snacks and Cheerios and playing with his car seat buckle while Natalie and I enjoyed the weather and the company of friends. He was totally happy in there...he only got mad when I would come open the door and check on him and some wind would blow in. This behavior has Nate worried that he won't have a camping and birding companion...but there's still hope for Natalie! (And Jansen of course.)

Doing the Dirt

I guess if his mom's not going to do it, he will. Actually, Jansen stole the broom from me and went to work on the floor. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was "doing the dirt." I think he's got great form for a 2 year old.

Natalie has a terrible cold. Once we put her down at night she wakes up every half hour or so...we've had to just hold her and sleep with her in the recliner the past few nights so that we could help her fall asleep again quickly. Her little nose is so runny and congested (always an interesting combo don't you think?) and I had to stand in the bathroom with a hot shower on a couple of times in the middle of the night so she could breathe some steam. She looks miserable. But she is being such a trooper and still smiles at us with her watery eyes and red, runny nose.

100, yes, 100 Things About Me

I have seen this on several blogs and have decided to attempt it myself. No one has tagged me or challenged me or asked me. I just thought it would interesting to write and dare I say perhaps to read. Don't worry if you get bored at number 8, I understand, and I will never know! Lest any of you think I have no priorities or too much time on my hands, I did this over a period of several days. Here goes!



1. I am constantly "writing" blogs in my head that I never post. Another blogger admitted to this and gave me the guts to confess as well.

2. I have a screw in my left foot.

3. I have never dyed my hair.

4. I've had braces twice.

5. I've taken piano lessons twice. I still stink.

6. I have lived in California, Utah, and Ohio.

7. But I have moved probably 14 times.

8. I love and frequently feel sorry for the elderly.

9. I am a major snacker...I do my best work at night after dinner. I need to stop this.

10. I threw the javelin in high school and actually went to State once. Which was humiliating.

11. I can't stand Circus Peanuts, pink jelly beans, or Peeps.

12. I had Lasik surgery in November of 2006.

13. I have terrible handwriting. Especially when my hands are cold.

14. I am a clock watcher.

15. I won the school spelling bee in 5th and 6th grade. Nerd...N-E-R-D...Nerd.

16. I love making/creating things.

17. I HATE scary movies and will not watch them.

18. I love funny people.

19. I taught 2nd grade for a year...but I never want to teach again. It gives me anxiety.

20. I am pretty much obsessed with Christmas and think it's the greatest holiday ever.

21. Much of my family calls me or used to call me "Jessi Cola." This is not related to my love for Coke Slurpees.

22. My other popular nickname is "Rabbit." Have no idea where this one came from.

23. I could not be more happily married.

24. I used to LOVE John Stockton and Garfield. Yikes.

25. I am scared of spiders.

26. I can't drive a stick shift.

27. I have never seen any of the Lord of the Rings movies.

28. I love parenting magazines.

29. I love to eat pebble ice or as I call it, rabbit poop ice.

30. I love laughing really, really hard. This only happens occasionally.

31. I have hated salad until only recently. I forced myself to eat it for years knowing that I needed to like it...I finally can say that I honestly enjoy it.

32. I hate fruit pies.

33. I love it when people comment on my blog.

34. I once wrote to Bob Barker and got an autographed picture of him in return.

35. I used to always shower with flip flops on...even at home or in my apartment.

36. I love smoothies.

37. I love sweatshirts.

38. I wear my hair in a ponytail most of the time.

39. I love shopping.

40. I love going out to eat.

41. I love the smell of wet cement.

42. I have no idea how to use an ipod.

43. I cheated in keyboarding class in elementary so I type pretty slow now.

44. I worked at Kid's Foot Locker for a little while.

45. I used to park in the faculty parking lot in high school...one of my basketball coach's got me a faculty permit!

46. I had tubes in my ears when I was younger

47. I love Olive Garden's breadsticks

48. I slept with a stuffed unicorn for many, many years. Her name was Bonnie.

49. I was a Viking in elementary school.

50. I was a Leopard in junior high.

51. I was a Bruin in high school.

52. I am grateful for Thomas the Tank Engine and the joy he brings my son.

53. I love taking pictures.

54. I got a sewing machine for Christmas.

55. I do not know how to sew.

56. I am the oldest of 3 children.

57. I hate being late.

58. I love Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips

59. I'm not a real good swimmer.

60. I love sitting on heater vents with a blanket over my legs.

61. I don't like camping.

62. I have never been out of the country.

63. One of my New Year's goals is to do sit ups every night. I really don't feel like doing them tonight.

64. My middle name is Robin.

65. I can be a little too sarcastic.

66. I pretty much don't eat seafood.

67. I love my bed.

68. I could shop at Target everyday.

69. My husband is in the Air Force.

70. I used to practice writing with my left hand so that I could be ambidextrous.

71. I love my family to pieces.

72. I make a really good chicken noise.

73. I wish I could relax about everything more.

74. I passed the AP French test in high school.

75. My hands are always cold in the winter.

76. I don't like roller coasters. I know they are going to break.

77. I love breads.

78. I like having a reason to get dressed up. (A little dressed up that is.)

79. I can't sing.

80. I can wiggle my ears.

81. I've never been water skiing.

82. I usually dress for comfort.

83. I have a weakness for dollar bins/aisles.

84. I love books and always have.

85. I can't understand why anyone would want to smoke.

86. I hated, I repeat, hated school dances. Everyone looked so silly dancing.

87. I graduated from UVSC in Elementary Education.

88. I love reading other people's blogs, even strangers.

89. I eat a burrito and a yogurt for lunch a lot.

90. I am reading "Our Search for Happiness" and really enjoying it.

91. I hate it when people are upset with me.

92. I have always wanted to speak Spanish.

93. I am playing on a basketball team this winter...the Hilliard Hoopsters!

94. I think I am developing Seasonal Affective Disorder. Winter is blah!

95. My children test me and teach me every day.

96. I like watching football.

97. I grind my teeth and clench my jaw.

98. I have not slept through the night in a long time.

99. I love kind people.

100. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Natalie's New Game

I wanted this post to be something fun and exciting about this past year or the upcoming year. And I even uploaded a bunch of pictures of the "Highlights o f 2007." But I got impatient and something went wrong and they all got erased. Oh well. Let's just say 2007 was a wonderful year...especially because this little one joined the family! She has a new little game she loves to play. Not long after I have put her pacifier in her mouth...

She yanks it out...

And then she examines it for awhile...

And finally, she tries to figure out how to get it back in her mouth.