Ander's First Pool!

Dawson and Ander had a blast playing in Ander's new pool on Saturday, i am so happy that i bought it!

The Ander Language & 22 1/2 month Update (Warning: Long Post)

I thought i would write down some of the cute words that Ander has been saying. He can pretty much say anything i ask him to, but these are words that he says alot.

dudududu = binky (his addiction)

bobble = cup of milk

bubbles =bubbles

bear = his favorite comforting toy

Boo = Grandma and Grandpa Barkley's dog

Dochhh = Dog

Dino = Dino Nuggets (which he says whenever i ask him if he is hungry)

Daw = Dawson

fackoom= vacuum (his obsession)

wah-oo = water or water fountain

knock knock = he says while knocking on doors or walls

Mahma = Grandma

Bahl = Ball

Papa = Daddy or Grandpa

Mee-mo= Nemo

Memo = Elmo

mow mow = lawnmower

Doos = Zeus (Robyn's dog)

Andow = Ander

pees = please

uh-meh= amen

of course, da-da and ma-ma

Ander also knows all of his body parts and loves books. He is such a good little helper, he helps me put away the dishes, by handing them to me from the dishwasher. He puts away his books/coloring books without me asking him to and also gets them out when i ask him. He throws things in the garbage when i ask him to or if he knows that it should go in there. He wipes his hands, the floor, and tables if they are dirty. He helps me vacuum. He pours his own cereal from the box every morning and throws his empty cups into the sink. If he finds something on the floor that he does not know what it is, he will pick it up and give it to me. He will also let me know when he has a poopy diaper, but i am not going to be starting potty training any time soon. Ander is such a good napper and sleeper. He usually will sleep 10-11 hours a night and will take 2 naps a day sometimes for 2-3 1/2 hours. He loves helping his daddy out in the yard and digging in the dirt. He will also yell "daddy" in church every Sunday, while Chuck is passing the sacrament, he is obsessed with him!! He loves going to the daycare at my gym, but he absolutely hates going to nursery in church (weird). He is so tender-hearted, he will never take a toy away from another kid, he will just give it to them if they reach for it. He is such a good snuggler and is so sweet! He does like to growl and scratch daddy and i, just to get a reaction, whether he is mad or being silly, but we always just laugh at him. He has to follow me everywhere i go in our house and if he cannot see me, he will run screaming scared until he finds me. He has the best facial expressions and the girls that watch him at the gym love him! He really is such an amazing presence in our home and could not imagine what my life would be like without him. I cannot believe that he is almost 2 years old and that he is becoming a little person that i get to hang out with every day. Motherhood is truly the greatest blessing! It has taught me so much! Even though i really do struggle alot and i am not sure when i will feel ready for another one, i know that it is sooo worth it and being a parent is one of the greatest purpose's of living on this earth.

I know that i am not a very good writer, but i felt like i needed to write down some things that i will want to remember in the future.

Trista's B-Day Dinner!

We went to Zupa's lastnight for Trista's b-day dinner. I am always entertained by my funny friends, but i ate way too much! Good times!

Daddy's Little Helper!

Ander loves to help Daddy mow the lawn! Every time he sees daddy or the lawnmower in our garage, he says, "mow mow". He's a little daddy's boy, very cute!

Giving "Loves"....

Ander is usually pretty nervous and reluctant to be around Dawson, but last Friday he would not stop giving him "loves", it was too cute and funny! If you can't tell, i am really into putting videos on here lately, mostly so my parents can see their little grandkids in action. Please try to block out my cheesy voice. :)

Happy 30th Birthday Trista!!

Trista is one of my closest friends. She is such a great person, amazing mother, and supportive friend. I am so thankful to have been friends with her for now over 16 years (i think). We have been through so much together and i hope she knows how much i love and appreciate her! Have a wonderful day Trist, hope this next year brings you more happiness!!

Gateway Water Fountains!

Today we met Jenn, Trista, Katie, and all their kids at the Gateway to play in the water spouts. I died with laughter from the look on Ander and all of the kid's faces as the water spouted up around them, it was the best!! Ander desperately wanted to climb the stairs that were nearby the entire time, so i had to run after him constantly, but it was still alot of fun and good to chat with the girls. We will definitely need to do that again.

Finally time for some swimming!

I love the pool at the gym i go to, it is the best!! Ander and i went swimming there today, since it was finally warm enough to go and we had a blast! I could only take a pic of him sitting on the chair with his towel since i had to watch and hold him the whole time he was in the water. He was not very happy when i took him out of the water when we had to leave, which makes me excited that he actually likes playing in the water more than i thought he would. Here is also a pic of Ander on the way home from swimming, he was so tuckered out, he fell asleep in his car seat. Fun times at the pool, cannot wait for more!

The Zoo!

On Friday, Ander and i met grandma Barkley, Kirstin, and Brielle at the zoo. It was a fun time and nice to be able to enjoy the warm weather. Ander loved riding on the carousel too, he cried when he had to get off. It is just such a busy place, it was hard to see all of the animals, but we still had a great time.

Happy Father's Day!!

I have the greatest father, father-in-law, and husband who is the father of my child! I hope they know how thankful i am for them and how much they mean to me. Happy Father's Day!

Tagged by Jenn & Becky...

Favorite person (outside family) My friends!
Favorite food? Pizza, ice cream, choco chip cookies, Zone Bars, chocolate souflee, Indian & Thai, and many others, i love food!
Quirks: Obsessive picking and many other things
How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words. ?
Any regrets in life? many, mostly about guys i have dated/married (not Chuck, of course) and not feeling like i could go to college.
Favorite Charity/Cause? I am with Jenn, Primary Children's too.
Favorite Blog recently? All of the ones I have listed.
Something you can’t get enough of? yummy food, good books or movies, and kisses from my hubby and baby.
Worst job you’ve ever had? North Shore Health System in NY by far!! My boss was the most verbally abusive, evil person i have ever met and she fired me for sticking up for myself. i have never been so miserable in my whole life than at that time.
What job would you pay NOT to have? cashier at Walmart
If you could be a fly on the wall, where? The oval office or President Monsen's office
Favorite Bible verse right now? i know what it is, but i can't remember the exact location.
Guilty Pleasure? reality tv, diet coke, & eating to many sweets!
Got any confessions? None that i want to share.
If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Put it towards a plane ticket to Europe.
Favorite thing about your house? fire place and couches.
Least favorite thing about your house? too small garage, kitchen, and deck.
One thing you are bad at? sewing
One thing you’re good at? being on time and remembering things.
If you could change something about your circumstances, what? bigger house closer to family and more money would be nice, but i know i am very blessed.
Who would you like to meet someday? Jesus and my grandpa's.
What makes you feel sexy? When my husband tells me i am.
Who is your real life hero? my parents and Chuck's mom
When are you most relaxed? When I'm on vacation by the beach or reading in bed
What stresses you out? I stress over everything! you are amazing Jenn!
What can you not live without? The gospel, FAMILY, friends, food, good books and movies.
Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? (same anser as Jenn) We all blog for different reasons. I blog because I think it will be great for my family to read one day. It's the only journal I've ever been good at keeping.

I have given in...

ok, so i have taken my blog off private for those of you who hate to enter a password every time you look at my blog. i better not have any psycho's looking at my blog now, not that i have anything worth looking at anyway. Hopefully, this will make all of you lazy people happier. :)
Love ya!

This is for my parents....

Here is a video clip of Ander wearing my headband that he loves and trying to tell me about the vacuum, which he is scared of, but loves to say constantly. Funny child, i tell ya. Note, i am not the best videographer.