Big Boy Seth

Wow, Seth is getting so big! I went to transfer a sleeping Seth from his bouncy chair into his toddler bed last night and thought, "You are getting so heavy, Seth! Where did my little baby go?" He is almost 19 months old now! He has definitely graduated from "baby" to "toddler." I don't even call him "Baby Seth" anymore, though it still slips out sometimes, particularly when he falls asleep next to me.

This age is so fun (not that is doesn't have its challenges!). It is so easy to make him laugh and to entertain him. We play outside A LOT now that the weather is warm. I love it! I am grateful our backyard is fenced in so he can't escape. :) Right now, he is playing in his Cozy Coupe from my mom (thanks, Mom--Seth LOVES it!) out on the patio while I am typing this. He is a boy through and through: his favorite things are lawn mowers, tractors, cars, trucks, and bugs! When we go on walks (which is quite often), we often end up sitting on the curb watching a neighbor mow their lawn. I hope he is this enthusiastic about lawn mowing when he gets older! :)

Enough writing; here are a few pictures:

Geran got new tires for his four-wheeler. Seth had his fun until Dad got them on.

Seth loves playing with kitchen things. He always wants to help me cook.

Chocolate face! Yum!

Seth has a blast on this little slide. Now it is in the little kiddie pool. He also is holding the beloved pooper scooper... Kinda gross. He loves that thing.

The favorite passtime: playing with Dad's iPad! He's got that thing figured out.

This is his "I want to play with that camera you're holding!" face. I don't think so!

What a handsome kid!

This is his very serious driving face. :)

Well, that's what's going on around here! Geran is taking a class this summer, so he is busy with homework and studying. He was just called to be an Assistant Scout Master for the Deacons, so he will get to go on campouts and everything that goes along with that! That will be fun for him. I am enjoying playing with Seth, and am so glad to be done with school! No doctorate for me--Master's is quite enough! We are looking forward to the rest of this summer! It always goes by too fast, but we are making the most of it!

Winter Fun

Living in Pocatello, one must learn to love snow, or all 5-6 months of wintertime will be pretty miserable! I've tried more than once to introduce Seth to the fun times to be had in the snow, but he is still a little young for snowmen and such, but he did like to be pulled in a sled. I didn't get any pictures of that though, because I was too busy pulling him up and down the sidewalk. Here are a few pictures of our recent happenings.

 This is Seth and our neighbor Cameron playing in the snow. It was one of those perfect play-in-the-snow-days: not too cold, no wind, and beautiful fresh snow!

Seth is getting a little tired at this point.... Cameron was doing great!

Yes, Seth is a climber. :) He almost always has a bruise or scratch on his head...

Seth is modeling one of the hats I made for our friend for Christmas.

What cute smile, huh!

Yes, Seth loves chocolate as much as I do; he also has been playing telephone anything that resembles the shape of a cell phone. I don't know if this is evidence of his love for chocolate, or evidence of how much his mother talks on the phone....

Bubbles! Seth loves bubbles. :)

And on a different note, these are the tomatoes Geran is growing hydroponically at the ISU. Some of them are 6 feet tall when you pull them up to their full height! One of them is FINALLY starting to bud. Geran can't wait to have fresh tomatoes during the winter! Good thing winter lasts a while 'round here...

Well, that's what we have been up to. Geran has been especially busy mentor the FIRST Robotics High School 4H club. Their task was to build a robot that throws Frisbee's into big slots and retrieves them. The robot is done, and the regional competition is later this month down in Salt Lake. It's been a good experience for him to help.

I have been busy trying to finish up the Health Education Master's program this semester. I can't wait to be done. It's really hard to find time to do homework and work on my project when Seth wants to help me type on the computer.... Thank goodness for nap times, though, even if they are only 45 minutes naps.

And of course, Seth is always busy. He loves to explore, and is quite the dare devil. He likes to stand at the top of the stairs, get my attention, lean over like he's about the jump down, then, as soon as I get close enough to catch him, he actually does jump! (Well, kind of jumps, he hasn't quite mastered the jumping thing yet.) His is making more and more sounds, so I think he might start saying actual words soon. So far, he only says a few things. What he lacks in speaking skills, though, he more than makes up for in problem solving and motor skills--he is definitely like Geran that way. I love to watch him figure things out. Some parts of being mother to Seth have been challenging: not taking a bottle, he has yet to sleep through the night, he will not hold still for anything, rarely naps longer than an hour, but I just love him so much that I don't need to get caught up in those things! After all, he'll only be a baby for so long, and all those things he'll grow out of. He's already entering the exciting world of toddlerhood, and I don't want to miss anything!

Birthday Boy

Happy 1st birthday to Seth! The big "0-1!" His birthday fell just three days before Thanksgiving this year, so we got to celebrate with family! We traveled to Seattle for Thanksgiving--Seth actually spent most of his birthday in the car! My amazing in-laws hosted a birthday party for Seth on Wednesday of that week. (Pictures below). We had a great week in Washington. Seth fit right in with his cousins, and they all played with him well. I love watching him play with other kids! We are looking forward to seeing more cousins at Christmas time.

Here are some fun pictures from the last few weeks:

The snack table at Seth's birthday party. (Contruction-themed, if you couldn't tell!)

Fun balloons for decoration!

This is after the ballons came down.... Seth LOVED playing with them!

He wasn't sure what do to with the smash cake! At least I didn't have to clean him up!

My amazing sister-in-law made both cakes! They looked (and tasted) great!

One of Seth's presents! Thank you, Nina!

This was Seth's Halloween costume our friend loaned to us. He didn't like the hat thing, but was still cute without it!

Finally he left the hat on long enough to take a picture!

Well, that's it! As you can see, Seth is doing wonderfully! Just growing up too fast! Geran and I are doing well, too, just plugging along at work and at home, absolutely loving being parents of a one-year-old! It's amazing how much they grow in one year! I love seeing Seth learn and develop, and can't wait to see what his 2nd year has in store.

Oh, Seth

"Oh, Seth, oh, Seth, oh, Seth!" (That's a lot of commas in one sentence--was that the proper use??!!) I have found myself repeating "oh Seth" when he's about pull the table cloth down, get into the fridge, smear his food all over, or the like. But it's said with love--there is just no way I can get frustrated or angry with such a sweet little boy. I get satisfaction from cleaning up his messes knowing he had a good time making them!

Since the last post, Seth has grown so much! This little 10-month-old is walking all over the place and loving it. He learned how to crawl down the stairs a couple of months ago, so he can pretty much go anywhere he wants now! Sometimes he gets frustrated because he's not tall enough to get up on the couch, chairs, or bed, but he's getting close to be able to climb on to them. He loves to explore and get into EVERYTHING. As long as whatever he wants can't hurt him and won't stain him or the carpet, he's playing with it. I genuinely have blast watching him play and playing with him. This age is so much fun.

On another note, I can't believe it's October already! It seems like school just started, but the students I work with are already doing mid-terms! Wo. Fortunately, my graduate classes don't have midterms. :) Just lots of readings and on-line forum discussions....not sure which I would prefer, though. Geran's teaching is going really well, even with his extra classes he's teaching this semester. Each semester has been progressively easier and less time-consuming, but always presents new challenges with a new group of students. But he is still really enjoying his job.

Nothing too blog-worthy has happened lately; we are just rolling along in life, enjoying (mostly) every minute of it! We are super excited to have another niece or nephew coming along in March, courtesy of Tressia and Hiram! And we're just weeks away of adding the 7th grandson (no granddaughters yet on my side of the family)--my brother and his amazing wife will be having their 3rd boy later this month! Yay! We are looking forward to the Holidays so we can meet this little boy and see the rest of our families! And of course, here are some cute pictures of Seth.

I think that medicine dropper on the right is in mid-air, and I don't know how it got that way.... I didn't think Seth could really throw things that well yet....

Walking in action part 1!

Walking in action part 2!

Pretty blue eyes, huh!

A few of my favorite things

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens.... Bright colored kettles and warm woolen mittens.... Don't you love the Sound of Music? I could write whole new lyrics to represent Seth's favorites: Bright colored rattles and sucking shoe laces.... Laughing at mommy while making cute faces....
Seth is sure a fun little baby! He is a busy-body and loves to explore everything around him. I can't believe he is already 7 months old! Here are a few more of his favorite things:
-trying to drink juice from a sippy cup (Somewhat successfully...He has never taken a bottle, so I'm trying to teach him the sippy cup thing.)
-Mom playing "pat-a-cake" with his feet
-standing on the OUTSIDE of the exersaucer (Though my life would be easier if he spent more time in IN it. I don't know what the big difference is....)
-splashing Mom while he's taking a bath
-playing with kitchen utensils
-ripping up and sucking on paper (except phone book paper; apparently, it doesn't taste very good.)
-watching Dad mow the lawn
-trying to get to the multiplicity of cords around the house
-stealing Mom or Dad's phone
-the ipad. Oh the ipad. Seth LOOOVES that thing. He is so sad we don't let him play with it.... What a tough life, right?
-sucking on watermelon rinds, we discovered tonight at the Patriotic Celebration in our neighborhood! He sure went to town on that thing....

He recently starting crawling, though he doesn't seem too fond of it. He uses his right knee and left leg to get around on his hands! I think he just wants to walk! When I try to sit him down on his bum, he locks his knees so he can stand up instead. He hangs out for a while standing up at the coffee table, which is a perfect height for him to stand. When he crawls around, he usually heads towards either furniture or stairs so he can pull himself up. If we're in the kitchen, he pulls out the bottom 2 drawers so he can pull himself up and get into the drawer. Mobility really is a big change! Keeps me a little busier.... But I love to watch him progress. I just love taking care of him. We are so blessed to have such a sweet little boy. Here are a few pictures:

Trying to climb the stairs. He hasn't been successful yet though, and I can tell he is frustrated by that!

I was surprised to find him standing in his crib when I went to get him after his nap.

Just hangin' out! The clothes basket was a little tricky for him to support himself with because it kept sliding across the floor! He used the wall to steady himself once he stood up!

What a fun baby, huh! We just love him to death. Geran has enjoyed spending more time with him this summer since he is only teaching one summer class and is able to be at home more. He watches him a lot while I'm working. Seth loves his Daddy, and it's so cute to watch them play together. I can't believe the summer is half way over already! Life just never slows down. But we love it!

A Day in the Life Of....

First, happy Mother's Day, everyone! This is my first Mother's Day as a mom! Seth gave me an early Mother's Day present on Friday night when he slept for 5 straight hours! This is a big deal; Seth has had a little trouble falling asleep and staying asleep in the last 2 months, and I've been used to him waking every 2-3 hrs, with an occasional 4 hour stretch. So how he went from 3 hrs straight to 5 hrs, I don't know, but he did it again last night, so I'm hoping it's more than a fluke. Geran's present to me is letting me take a good nap this afternoon!

Like I said, this is my first Mother's Day, but it's my mom's 27th Mother's Day! (I think...) I echo the words of Abraham Lincoln: "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." I love you, Mom!

As all mothers know, our lives are pretty much consumed with our children! And so is mine! Of course Geran is included in that too. :) Seth is such a happy little boy. I can't believe he is ours! Thought I'd share what our days our like with some pictures:

Seth LOOVES his exersaucer and has mastered the ability to spin all the way around to play with ALL the toys. He's always loved to stand up, so this toy is perfect for him! He spends time in it at least a few times day.

Since he doesn't really take a bottle, we started solid foods around 4 1/2 months. He's getting so good at it, and I think he likes to sit at the table to eat like Mom and Dad do. Just recently, he's started to try and take the spoon from me to try and feed himself, which is not successful yet!

My good friend gave me this jogging stroller, so I've started running a little bit again. Fortunately, Seth is a pretty big fan of riding in the stroller, and usually ends up falling asleep!

And then there are naptimes.... Sometimes he only sleeps for 45min-1 hr at a time, so on a good day he takes at least 3 naps. And unless he's in the car or stroller, the only way he falls asleep is by crying to sleep in his crib (which, by the way, makes Church a little difficult). He must be a pretty active crier because sometimes when I go check on him he's lying perpendicular-ly, or has completely turned 180 degrees!

I love happy nappy's! They make everyone happy, especially Mom!

Well, there you have it. This is what I get to do almost every day! I'm grateful I am able to work just part time, so I can spend so much time with Baby Seth. And, since the semester ended for Geran, he is home quite a bit, too! He is teaching an 8-week summer course, but it's only 2 hrs a day twice a week, plus all the prep work or course, but we are lucky to have Daddy home a lot for the summer. We are looking forward to a fun summer with Diana's wedding less than 2 week away and our annual camping trip in Coeur d'Alene with the Call's in July!

Laughter is the Best Medicine!

For those of you who don't know, my best friend Samantha has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a congenital lung disease. It affects her every day and she will have to have treatments throughout her life. Sam's sister, Sara, also was born with CF, and hers is even more advanced than Sam's. It's come to the point where she needs to undergo a double lung transplant. Though there have been many research efforts, there is still no cure, but the lung transplant will allow her to live longer and be healthier for years to come. To raise money for the operation, Sam and Sara have put together a team through Great Strides to walk on June 2 in Boise. Here is a link to Samantha's page and here is a link to Sara's page to either donate or join their team. Anything you can do would be helpful! Here is also a link to Sara's Blog to see pictures and hear more about her story. If all you can do is offer a prayer, it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!