April Showers

It's been more rainy here lately. We've enjoyed the rain and all the green and flowers by spending a lot of time jumping in puddles. Thomas thoroughly soaked his shoes and feet the first time. Since then we make sure to have his boots on.

I've been trying to prepare for conference this week by listening to an old conference talk every morning when Thomas and I go for our walks. He sits extremely content in his stroller and it's made my exercise attempts much easier and more enjoyable. These two have been my favorites this week. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come?lang=eng#watch=video

Jeffery R Holland 

As things with JTs job could be changing very soon and we are once again looking at the possibility of moving and a new job, after only three short months, this talk gave me comfort that I can't put into words. The story he tells near the end of his young family had me extremely emotional-and maybe crying a little on our walk. I probably looked a little crazy. 

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world

Gordon B Hinkley will always be a favorite prophet of mine. This talk is SO wonderful and touching for any woman to listen to. It's pretty long but worth the time! This was one of my favorite quotes: "It is the home which produces the nursery stock of new generations. I hope that you mothers will realize that when all is said and done, you have no more compelling responsibility, nor any laden with greater rewards, than the nurture you give your children in an environment of security, peace, companionship, love, and motivation to grow and do well." 

It's easy to forget how important the role of motherhood is. Days are repetitive, your whole life is run by tiny people with big attitudes, and finding time to shower and do anything for yourself is hard. Being away from our family and friends has made it even harder. I've learned more about being unselfish in the past year and a half then ever before in my life.   But there is nothing better than being a mom, getting hugs and kisses out of the blue, cuddles, tiny hands and feet, being with them for every first thing they do, and watching them learn and grow and soak in all the things you teach them. I am responsible for teaching my kids literally everything.  It's a daunting task. But nothing could compare to, or prepare me for, all of the big feelings I feel on a daily basis as a mom. 

These guys live at the end of our street. They are so stinky and kind of gross-but Thomas carries those carrots and runs to them as soon as we say lets go feed the cows. I had no idea their tongues were so long. 

Rainy day activities (thanks Amanda for the Pom Pom one!) also this train from my parents is quickly becoming his favorite toy!

No longer can I feed him or prevent the mess of his own utensil using. He is Mr. Independent all the way. See his booster there on our kitchen chair? Not long after he finished his yogurt, he decided to push back on the table with his feet and fall. All the way backwards. I've never seen a bigger scared face on him before. I wish I had a picture but taking one would have been mean. It was so sad, and very dramatic. The only thing that made it okay was some chocolate milk. Also-I'm pretty positive he is a lefty. Red hair and left handed, who would have thought. 

Finally some sunshine-and getting wiggles out at the park. He will be 18 months on Easter, next Sunday he will go to nursery, and in July he will be a big brother. I love my Thomas. 

Just another Thomas post

I'm not in the mood to write a ton so I'll just put up a bunch of pictures from the past few days! Sunday afternoon we went down to the Columbia River to a trail there, it was kind of drizzling and wet out but Thomas loved it. 

Until he face dived into the water. I didn't see it happen but JT said his head was totally under water. And it was so cold! Surprisingly he didn't cry, just made a really sad face. He was just shocked I think. And extremely soaking wet. 

Of course we had no extra clothes so it cut our exploring short. We went to this trail again though and it's gorgeous! I love that it's so close. 

Valentine's surprise package from my mom. She's the best, and we miss her so much!

We made valentine cupcakes and Thomas demolished his. He loved it all. A lot more then his first birthday cake. 

Playing at Dizzy Castle on a rainy day. 

These condos are along our favorite trail. They are sooo pretty, I would love to have that view everyday!

Walks are our favorite. 

Today it was like 65 degrees and so sunny and gorgeous out. We went to the park by JTs work today and got lunch with daddy. A pair of missionaries walked in to eat at the little pizza place we went too. I have always wanted to secretly pay for their meals somewhere but it was so common in Utah we never did! I got really  excited to do it today, so we didn't say anything to them and just added their check to ours when we paid. It left me feeling so happy, I wish I could have seen their faces. JT said it was rare to have that happen on your mission, especially places where members aren't as common. I hope we made their day a little bit better and brighter. It definitely made my day. 

Today.

I can't believe that it's February already. Time seems to flying by this pregnancy, I will be 16 weeks tomorrow! Days seem long but looking back its gone by so fast. It scares me and makes me excited all at once. Having kids 21 months apart will definitely keep my hands full!

Today we went up to the Adidas employee store. Thomas has needed some new shoes and they had such awesome cute ones there for way cheap. We got two pairs for $30! One for now and one in a bigger size. I really love them. Nothing is cuter then little baby shoes. 

 JT bought a golf glove and I didn't get anything, I have a hard time buying clothes when I know I will be huge very soon.

Behind these monster shoes a bunch of people were playing soccer. Thomas wanted in on that game and would have gone right on the field if I hadn't dragged him away. 

Afterwards we went to Beaverton to a place called Papas Pizza Parlor, or something like that. It had a huge kids play area so we let Thomas get some energy out. It was packed with like a million birthday parties so he was a little hesitant, but it wore him out! A lot of parties were huge family groups, and JT and I talked about how alone we really are out here. Seeing all the families made us both realize that. It made us a little homesick! We've both always lived by all of our families, it's hard but we are slowly getting used to it. 

Thomas also ate SO much pizza. Like almost three pieces. 

We all came home and took long long naps, it rained most of the day, we went to Target for some random things, and we are for the most part finally over all the sickness in our house! 

JT can't resist putting any hat he sees in a store on Thomas. 

And some random pictures from our week:

His favorite tickle spots. Bottom of his legs and his face. He goes completely still and just lays there. It's hilarious 

Helping clean the floor is a new favorite thing. 

We bought this on sale at toys r us. He LOVES it. 

Rainy walk before bed 

Also. This is my proud moment of the week. All of this from Carter's for less then $50! We've reached the point of no more hand me downs sadly so I've been searching for good deals. He's just about in 2T shirts because he is so tall!

This is so fitting (literally) for my life right now. It's been one hundred million times harder moving here then I ever expected. The constant rain and getting dark at 4:00 makes me lazy and grumpy, and it's especially hard trying to adjust to life knowing you have to make all new friends. I'm so grateful we moved to a great area with a wonderful ward. I know it will take time to feel comfortable, but for now I just need to remember all of the good things we have been blessed with. 

Rain

This is what my phone says for the next ten days here: 

Granted, when it does rain it really is just a light drizzle and it doesn't last all day, but still. This is so different from utah! Even in the winter the sun typically shines every day. I can see why the depression rates are so high here. And why people drink so much coffee. I don't know if it's the weather or just being pregnant with a one year old, but I constantly feel tired and lazy. 

It rained most of today, surprising right? But when thomas woke up from his nap it decided to give us a break and stop for awhile. We went to a cute park right in downtown Vancouver that happens to be right by JTs office. He walked over to hang out with us for a little bit, and Thomas had so much fun. He still has a little cough and cold but after days of being cooped up we needed some fresh air! It also is right by the portland airport so planes fly over literally every minute or two. Whenever he would hear one, he would point up in the sky and search and search for it until he found it. No matter what he was doing he would stop and watch until it disappeared. I love how aware he is at this age. It makes life so fun. 

Everything was super wet and initially I tried to keep Thomas dry, but I gave that up quickly. Too much work. He got soaked from the knees down and didn't mind one bit. 

Plane watching 

I found this coat at Costco the other day. The smallest size was a 2T and it came with pants and a shirt, but it was cheap and we needed something that would be water resistant! He looked a little ghetto with the coat and his Jordan's but whatever. Still cute. He is officially in size 6 shoes and these are his only pair, that JT bought when he was super little thinking they would fit-I need to find him some more! 

He also decided to drag his blanket around as walked around the trail. It was so cute. His blanket is one thing that always earns a smile and a fast run to get it whenever he sees it.