Uncle Will Comes to Visit

We were so lucky to have my brother come see us for a few days. Joe hasn't seen him since Christmas, but warmed up to him really quickly.

Thanks Uncle Will for coming to see us! We had so much fun!

Happy Day

I know I recently posted a video of Will and Joe laughing, but really, there is not much that is better than listening to a laughing baby.

Have a happy day.

Sleep Stories

Joe has not been going to sleep very well lately, for naps or at bedtime. Last night I went in the boys room to feed William and Joe finally stayed in bed long enough to fall asleep with me in the room. After about an hour and a half of trying other ways, I finally rocked him to sleep at nap time today. And tonight I lay next to his bed until he fell asleep. All three times I noticed he does something his dad does while falling asleep. They both twitch.

When Zach and I first got married this twitching definitely caught me off guard. It happens after their eyes have closed, their breathing is deep and even, and it seems like they are completely relaxed, then - twitch, and they resume their normal sleeping. Really, twitch might not be the word. Spasm, maybe? Whatever you want to call it, Joe seems to have inherited it from his daddy.

I never wanted our kids to come sleep with us at night. I love to cuddle, but I didn't want it to ever become a habit, and I wanted to get good sleep. Well, the last couple of weeks it has become a habit with Joe. I'm can't pinpoint the exact occasion, but I think it was just one night when he was scared or something and both Zach and I were too tired to put him back in bed, so we just had him crawl in with us. On second thought, I remember the specific occasion, because I remember bringing Will in the bed too, at his early morning feeding (5am ish). I really quite enjoyed that one morning, all cozy in our queen bed with my three boys. Not so much now. I would like to get some better rest, and not wake to Joe's voice, or bony appendages poking me in the middle of the night.

Last night was our first real attempt to break the habit. Zach took him back to bed first, and stayed with him for a little while. I think he even sang him a song, I was not awake enough to notice, but I think he mentioned it this morning. Then Joe got up again and I put him back in bed and stayed with him for a little while. I got back in bed only to hear Joe at our doorway again. "Get back in bed Joe." I was too lazy to get out of bed again. A while later Will wakes and I go to feed him. On the way I trip over Joe in our doorway, asleep. Poor guy. I guess we made progress?

Staycation - Picnics, Popsicles, and Pals

Joe had so much fun playing with his cousins and aunts and uncles while we were in Utah. He was re-introduced to ice cream, which he just calls "eem," and was asking for popsicles every morning when he first woke up (although we never gave them to him until later in the day, no worries.) My parents have a side by side fridge/freezer, so he did try to help himself on several occasions.

Part of the "staycation" included dining out for most meals. We went to a mexican restaurant, Pastorero. It was tasty. If you want some yummy, authentic tacos, you should check it out. After we ate there Zach decided to treat Joe to a paleta. Joe loved it. As evidenced by the drippings all over his shirt, legs, hands, and face.

Technically, the front yard picnic wasn't a part of the staycation. But, it was a lot of fun. We hung out with some of my family on what was the day before when we thought we were leaving, but then we couldn't resist staying just one more day.

Isn't she the cutest little munchkin?

Grandma Jean and Grandpa Ivan

I don't think Joe would ever get sick of being on Grandpa's shoulders.

And I'm pretty sure my dad loves is just as much and the grandkids.

Bonding with the Tidwell cousins. Sarah is just five months older than Joe, and Lily is just one week older than Will. So fun!

Staycation - Provo Canyon

Our Saturday morning activity was a bike ride up Provo canyon. We used to go often on Friday or Saturday mornings growing up. I haven't been biking in years. It was so much fun. Joe loved it too, up until the last five minutes before reaching our destination.

Grandpa, pulling the kiddos.

Joe and Sarah, looking so cute.

I have so many pictures of Joe picking his nose.

Joe and his Tidwell uncles (minus Will). He loves them so much. James came with us to the zoo too, and chased Joe around for me. I think James liked it just as much as Joe did.