two pretty cute bums

These boys are getting so big. Thatcher has started to pick up everything we say and use our expressions which is a little eye-opening. He has started to say, "dang it" (thanks to Ty), "oh goodness" and "oh shute" (thanks to me), and other funny things like calling James a 'fatty' or explaining to me that Skyler was 'scared', or baby James was 'sad', or Thatcher was 'tired'. When I held my newborn Thatcher in my arms I never imagined a little boy who would be able to talk to me in full sentences and express himself. It is so much fun to know what this kid is thinking.

Tonight while bathing the boys...the two cutest naked boys in the world...I had a moment of deja vu. James was being super funny and trying to get me to laugh and I was transported back to a similar moment with Thatcher. I feel like time is going by so fast and I am so focused on Thatcher right now (which is a good thing) that I forget what he was like just a year and a half ago. It seemed surreal to me tonight as I realized that I wasn't just bathing my sweet 10 month old Thatcher (which seems about right if it were my way), but I was bathing my sweet 10 month old James and my almost 2 1/2 year old Thatcher. I can't believe that my baby is a little boy who talks to me and has an imagination and a sense of humor and a personality all his own. He jumps and dances and runs and carries his little chair everywhere to get to anything he wants. He is wonderful in every way, but it is upsetting to me that he hasn't stayed my little baby. I don't think I have thought about it that much until now that James has entered his funnest and funniest stage yet, and one that I remember very well with Thatcher. At least I have my James. Maybe my luck will be better this time around and I can keep him as my baby for forever. I still call him baby James the majority of the time...I wonder how long I will keep that up.

Evidence that it is impossible to get a picture of these two boys smiling at the camera...


This is a pretty good shot of both boys in the same picture.

look alikes

Grandpa Kleinman and baby James look so much alike and it makes me happy. I love the way their ears turn out just a little bit at the top. I think Thatcher and James look a lot alike in these two pictures too so that is why I included Thatcher. It is nice to know there is at least a little bit of me in my boys.

...two and a half hours later

We have been putting off pumpkin carving all week and tonight it finally happened. Ty came home early and even printed off a picture to copy in preparation for the big event. Thatcher was very excited at the beginning...he loves pumpkins and loved that Elmo was involved somehow...but soon lost interest. Thatcher, James and I made dinner, ate dinner, played, got ready for bed, roasted pumpkin seeds, and read stories while Ty was intently focused on the pumpkin. And...here is the end result. I was worried Thatcher's reaction wouldn't make Ty's hard work worth it, but we were not disappointed. Thatcher was so excited about his Elmo pumpkin and the fire inside it. I love this age and that Thatcher motivates us to properly celebrate holidays...he is so much fun!

family pics

We had these taken over Labor Day by Katie Dudley. She is an amazing photographer.

Our first costume party

Thatcher (and James) got invited to their first costume party. It was Lexi's 2nd brithday, and Lexi is Thatcher's favorite girlfriend. They painted pumpkins, made ghosts, spider cookies, did a bean bag toss, opened presents, and ate cupcakes. Thatcher left with all those things plus a blue pumpkin flashlight and a goody bag full of fun treats. Thatcher was so excited to go and I am pretty sure it exceeded all his expectations. We had a blast.

This is what James was supposed to be. I made this costume before James was crawling...and before his head grew bigger than any baby's head should be. It still is pretty cute on him, but oh well. I guess my shark and fish duo wasn't meant to be (the shark costume isn't really fitting Thatcher that well either).


Here is the lineup of all the cute kiddos in their costumes.

Painting pumpkins.

The bean bag toss.

Checking out the cool pumpkin flashlights.

A new problem...

Since the turning point when Thatcher decided that he hated the crib and wanted to sleep in the big boy bed, we have been able to use the crib as a threat, or form of compromise (that makes it sound a little nicer). If he ever would get out of his big boy bed when it was night-time, he would have to go in the baby crib, and that was not a desired option. He would get so upset about that option that Ty and I would usually give in after a few minutes of hysterical crying and screaming (and sometimes throwing up) and let him sleep in the big boy bed after all. One night after this whole drama played out, Thatcher got out of his bed again and Ty and I decided the baby crib would be where Thatcher would need to stay all night to learn his lesson. After a few minutes of the usual screaming we heard nothing, then a tear stained Thatcher made his way into our room. He had climbed out of the crib. We were shocked! I know kids do this at a super young age sometime, but it seems like so far to come down and he had never even attempted that before. So...that bargaining chip is now gone, but we are dealing with it.

However, a few nights ago we decided it was time to bite the bullet (again) and have both boys in the same room. It has been pretty funny seeing the two boys laugh at each other hysterically and keep each other up. Thatcher likes to push toys and stuffed animals to James in between the slats and a couple nights ago, when James was crying Ty heard Thatcher tiptoe across the room and say, "baby ok?". Having James in there has made Thatcher a little more obedient in regards to staying in his bed, or at least his room. Last night, long after putting the boys down we heard Thatcher calling for dad. When Ty went in there he found Thatcher in the crib with James. Even though we explained that we shouldn't get in the baby crib when it is dark, at 2:00am the same thing happened and Ty found Thatcher in the crib with James. It cracks me up that we went from Thatcher never climbing in and out of the crib...ever, and from the crib being the ultimate form of punishment, to Thatcher wanting to be in there to be with his brother and actually having the ability to do it.

Even though it is cute and funny and makes me love Thatcher for loving his brother so much, I hope getting stuck in the crib at 2:00am doesn't become a habit, especially one that wakes up baby James.

girls getaway

A couple weeks ago, the women in my mom's side of the family got together for a few fun-filled days. We all gathered in Salt Lake at my mom's house without our kids and ate out...a ton, shopped at the Park City outlets, went to Gardner Village, got pedicures, stayed up late playing fun games (and laughing harder than I have in a very long time), and had such a good time. I love my aunts, cousins, and sister-in-law so much and hope this becomes a yearly event. And lets not forget my mom who was an incredible hostess. She gave us all awesome hostess gifts before we left...even though I always thought it was the hostess who was supposed to receive a thank you gift.







My wonderful sister-in-law Mel and I ran the Layton Half Marathon and had a great time. We ran the entire distance, talked almost the entire time, and despite some sore joints and a little discomfort...we finished with a time we were really happy about! Then we came home and quickly caught up on the chocolate-covered-raisin and gummy bear eating we had missed out on that morning.