big mid birthday

Today Wyatt is 18 months old! Hard to believe it's been a year and a half since he was born and our lives changed forever. Anyways I got out the camera today and took some pictures of him in hopes that it will help him practice for the professional ones he's getting done Thursday. It's so neat that I can give him directions i.e. 'sit on the chair' etc. and he understands and can comply. What a great age :) We had a fun morning at swim class. He really seems to be enjoying the water and likes to act out swimming at home on the floor. After class we went grocery shopping and he got to drive the cart in one of those car/carts. I had never used one and was hesitant at first but he loved it and didn't make a peep the whole time.

I'm still working out most days and eating a low salt diet. It feels good to loose some weight and get into shape. My sweet sister even has us signing up for a 3.5 mile charity walk in Portland this March.

I'm getting excited to visit everyone in CA soon. Not looking forward for the drive down of course. We've been shopping for a DVD player for the car to help make it less painful on Wyatt, but so far haven't found anything that we think will work/fit.

Well we've enjoyed having my mom live here thus far. Will and I were able to go shopping by ourselves this weekend. What a treat!

Is it Spring yet?

It rained a lot this last week, but we're supposed to have a couple days break now. Yeah! On Monday Wy and I started our Water Babies class. It went really well and he seemed to enjoy it a lot. On Wednesday- not so much. He was really clingy and whiny. The only difference was we got there earlier on the first day so he was able to get acclimated before the class. Anyways on Wednesday afternoon Wyatt and I had a play date at the Toy Factory and then Thursday night I had a night out with girlfriends. We went to the Big River restaurant and I had wine and desert. ON Friday Wy and I drove out to Audra's house and celebrated her birthday with her and she touched up my highlights. Wyatt and Mikey played well and were worn out after.

So Wyatt is saying more words all the time and is generally a pretty happy kid these days, but he is starting to do a lot more whining which can drive a parent nuts. We're at the frustrating stage where he just can't find the right word for what he wants and we don't comprehend the gibberish. Anyways we're looking forward to more English and less gibberish! I've been amazed at what a good 'time outter' he is. He will actually stay on his time out and seems to understand consequences a bit. I'm so proud :) He also just started nurturing his stuffed animals this last week by rocking them and covering them up with blankets. Too cute!

I have been keeping up my daily exercise and low salt diet. I'm slowly getting my tolerance up and feeling good. Eating out isn't that plausible these days because the typical restaurant meal has about 12,000mg of sodium and I am trying to stay under 2,000 mg a day (the recommended amount is 2,400 mg but most people eat about 6,000 mg a day). Anyways I've learned a lot lately about all the bad things salt does i.e. contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, pregnancy issues and various diseases. I've also learned how Diuretics which are used to treat the multiple diseases listed above, can lead to kidney failure. So its not a good situation all the way around.

Heres to an even better year

Kinda a strange year ol 2009 was. Lots of highs but also a few lows... We moved- again. Finances could be better, health could be better, our property could have sold this year, we could be settled in a permanent home instead of renting, but all in all life is still pretty great. We have our little man- healthy and cute as can be, and we have each other, still loving and laughing at (I mean with) each other- and just celebrated 5 years since starting to date (12/17/04). We got to spend about 2 weeks with family around over the holidays which came at a good time since I spent some time sick. We had lots of free time while the grandparents played with Wyatt. We all got wonderful presents (especially Wyatt) and really appreciate every one's thoughtfulness.

I started hitting the treadmill 1 week ago and so far have worked out 5/7 days this week on top of cutting back on salt. (figuring out how to maneuver the no salt part is rough), but the lbs are dropping rather quickly which keeps me motivated and hopeful that I can stick with it.

We'll be going to CA later on in January to visit with family and friends. The weird part is that my parents will already be 'moved' up to Oregon by then and won't be there.

Wyatt and I are going to be doing a Water Babies class starting this week. I'm hoping to stay away from the classrooms this quarter to cut back on germ exposure.

Well Wyatt just woke up from his nap so I better run. Hopefully I can keep on top of my blogging again.

Loving this holiday season..

Sooo with all that crazy 10 degree weather last week you'd think we got lots of snow right? Well we didn't get any.. but lots of sun so I suppose that really made it easier on us. Wyatt and I were able to get out and do lots of errands without too much hassle.

Well this weekend as I already emailed to most, we all went to a Winery just south of McMinville called Brooks Winery and got a couple bottles of Reisling wine that the White House ordered for the State dinner in November. I also got to do an extensive tasting while Will chased Wyatt around. Then we drove around the area, exploring as we like to do (especially when the little one is conked out).

Today Wyatt and I went to Albany and hit Costco and Kmart, trying to finish up our Xmas shopping. Luckily for us it didn't start raining until a few minutes after we got home. Nice.. So the rest of the week will be spent getting the house cleaned and ready for our company. Will and I are so excited that we'll get to see 2 sets of parents this holiday season and 2 sets of aunts and cousins :) Also, best of all is we're doing zero traveling and all the hosting. Fun!

So as for Wyatt, he is at a great age and constantly has us cracking up. He apparently loves the word 'UH OH' and says it context but often just for the heck of it. He is also starting to be more friendly to random strangers and occassionally will say HI to them. He is starting to say "yeah!" and 'OK' here and there.. too funny. He thinks all of his trucks say "choo choo" and is playing independently for longer times (I even got a shower while he was awake today (without him even realizing I was gone!)

So the best part about today was that our landlord came and took a bunch of his junk off of the property! Yeahhhh we look just a little less PWT now haha Oh we also got a couple of Christmas gifts in the mail along with more Christmas cards!! I've still got to get the post office myself (and think I have a plan on how to get everything mailed (with Toddler in tow)... I'm going to use the stroller! duh..

cold cold cold!

It's been about 20 ish degrees here in the day all week and around 9 degrees at night. It's been nice and sunny so getting out hasn't been too painful. Apparently it's going to get ugly tomorrow- maybe rain, maybe snow.. but hopefully snow!

Wyatt met Santa today.. It didn't go well. I will post the picture so everyone who didn't already see it can...

So my parents are heading up for Xmas in one week.. yeah!! And then moving up in a month- Life couldn't get too much better. Well selling our land would be nice ;)

I've got about 1/2 my Xmas shopping done I think, maybe more. I have about 5 packages that need to go to the post office.. Can't quite figure out how to manage them and a toddler all in one shot hmmmm

Well I'm off to bed- it's late and it's my morning to get up with the little guy tomorrow.

We found "the one!"

Here are some pictures of our day out at the Christmas tree farm! It was so much fun, but oh so cold...

This week in Oregon...

Will and I spent the earlier part of this week fighting off colds... Wyatt finally kicked his cold and cough (it took almost 2 whole weeks!) Sometimes I feel like bunkering down and not leaving the house until summer- but I know that's not possible and I would go crazy anyways. Wyatt did finally get his H1N1 shot on Wednesday and so far has done fine. Wyatt and I have been working on some Xmas crafts so have made a couple trips to the craft store.. We also enjoyed some shopping trips to Albany. We rather enjoy our little shopping trips because 9/10 times he is a peach while we're out.

Wyatt has been exerting his power in some 'fun' ways.. When he doesn't get constant attention or is told not to do something he will often throw himself down on the ground, intentionally hit his head or hit us. It's slightly amusing because the whole time he is watching us to see if we are watching him. We are trying hard to ignore the naughty stuff and/or redirect him to a new activity. He has also started getting some time outs in his crib when all else fails.

Today we drove out to Monroe to visit Audra and Mikey. Audra highlighted my hair and Wyatt and Mikey got to play a bit before nap time. It was so cute when we pulled up, Wyatt and Mikey both started squealing with excitement when they realized the other was there. So sweet how much they love each other.

Tomorrow we are going to the tree farm and then I am getting my hair cut at a new place in town. Wish me luck!

Turkey day 2009

Ahh Turkey day.. this one was so much better than even last year.. This year Wyatt actually played with the other two boys and let mama eat! So much fun to see him and Mikey and Cole (Mikey's cousin) play hard and nicely. We had T-day at Audra's house and she cooked a fabulous dinner. I'm hungry just thinking about it..

The rest of the weekend was great too- we put up some Xmas decorations (Will put up lights), tried out an awesome Taqueria, went to the bookstore looking for sheet music for Will to play us some Christmas music- didn't find any, however Wyatt loved playing in the children's area. I was just amazed at how many awesome children's books there are (duh), but I could sure spend some $$$ on books if I let myself. We went to the craft and material stores and I bought some material to sew Wyatt a pillow.. also got some crafts to make some Xmas presents (yeah I can be crafty once in awhile ha). Will took the dogs on a hike Saturday and we played outside a lot since it was nice and sunny 1/2 the time (although cold).

Wyatt started showing an 'over attachment' for mommy this weekend. He started throwing some lovely tantrums when I wasn't at his beck and call.. I think daddy's feelings are hurt :( He (Wyatt) did start saying some pretty cute things though.. i.e. UH OH, Choo Choo, clearer Bye Bye and HI's... I suppose each stage has its ups and downs eh?

All in all, I am SOOO grateful for a healthy family. Hope you all had a great weekend as well...

catchin up

Hi everyone! I'm trying to think back over this last week to fill you all in on what we've been up to... Most interestingly Wyatt's grandpa Dave and gramma Krissen came up to visit. We had a great time with them! On Saturday we took them to the Corvallis farmer's market, explored downtown Corvallis and then hung out at the Toy Factory for awhile. Wyatt was completely engrossed in the train set they have out. I was amazed at how long it kept his attention. Sunday, Wyatt decided that he didn't want to miss out on any time with his grandparents so he woke up at 5am! Ugh after him sleeping in until 8 a.m.-ish most mornings, I was exhausted but ended up getting to go back to bed for a while. Later in the day we went for a walk near our house and found a cool area where the dogs could be off leash. We walked all the way to the end where there were 2 big ponds. Wyatt actually walked most of the way. It was fun getting out and finding such a cool place so near to our house. On Monday Wyatt and I went and met new friends at a scheduled play date. It was nice catching up with people we know and meeting people we didn't! Today we are going to the grocery store when Wyatt wakes from his nap and tomorrow I have a 'meeting' regarding a future job opportunity teaching for the local junior college. Should be interesting. On Thursday, I am watching Mikey for a bit and then Audra, kids and I are going to Albany to do some shopping. On Friday we have our regular library storytime date. I'm not sure what we're doing this weekend, but may try and get up to Salem and check out some family friendly activities I've heard about..

We still haven't heard of a date that my mom will be transferred up to Oregon, but its in negotiation now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's before Xmas though!! I miss my mommmy!! (ok, dad too) haha.

I hear Wyatt waking up from his (rather short) nap. So better go and get us ready for the grocery store... But on the menu for the next few days is Leek and potato soup, Butternut squash ravioli, blue cheese-bacon wrapped chicken YUM .. just need to get some yummy bread to go with.. Fall is definitely my favorite season to cook.

Good news, good week...

Right now I'm enjoying the rain (heavy downpour), drinking tea and just waking up from a nap. Wyatt is still sleeping after a fun morning at Wacky Indoor Bounce where we went to a birthday party. He was a little hesitant at first, but he really got into running around flirting with the ladies.

We've had a busy but exciting week... Most importantly we found out that my mom's job transfer has been approved, and its just a matter of when within the next 30 days she will be released from her current position to come to Corvallis! Audra and I are SO excited as one could imagine.

Wyatt had his 15 month well baby check up and immunizations/flu shot yesterday and I stood in line for 3 hours (by myself) for the H1N1 shot. Audra watch Wyatt the whole time and I was SO grateful not to have him with me in the cold and rain. I don't think I will ever go to a flu clinic again, but at least it was free! Well if I did go again I would make sure and take a jacket, water and a chair. Luckily I did have the sense to pick up a coffee on the way and take an umbrella. Anyways, Wyatt is still at 50% for weight, WAY off the charts for his height, and about 50% for head circumference. The pediatrician said he is a perfect little boy (but we knew that right!?) ha

We are still loving our new house and glad (now that we're done moving) that we live here. It's a great piece of land and a cute house. It really is nice to have such quick trips into town. We're very happy- just have to find some room for that Xmas tree...