The Train & Meeting Mickey

A couple weekends ago, Scott got up on Sunday morning and announced we were going to go to Disneyland after church. A little surprised, but ready for anything, I got the boys all ready to go. Brendan has been really interested in trains lately, so Scott wanted to take him to ride the train around the park. With that being our only goal of the day, it was a pretty laid back day.

Waiting at the Train Station for the train to come.

Waiting is not easy for a 2 year old, we had just missed the previous train,

which mean he saw it roll away without us.

But he managed, it was worth the wait!

When we got off the train we saw Mickey, so we decided to wait in line.

Brendan watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse all the time,

so getting to meet Mickey was VERY exciting!

...that was until it was time to actually go up to this giant mouse...

"A bump? Okay, I can give Mickey a bump...but I'm not getting any closer!"

"Shake? I guess I can shake his hand...but that's it..."

"You want me to stand next to this thing? No way am I looking at this camera, I'm not taking my eyes off of you, who knows what you are going to do if I turn my back."

We did end up with a pretty decent family picture with Mickey. It was fun to watch Brendan's expression. Caleb had no idea what was even going on.

Next Daddy treated to Ice Cream. Brendan's favorite.

We rode a couple of rides, including It's a Small World. Then headed home.

That's the nice thing about having a pass, you only spend as long as you want,

because you know, you'll be back!

Picture That! Unka Jon!

Brendan has a great time with all of his relatives. But out of everyone, his favorite is my littlest brother, "Unka Jon!" Whenever my brother comes to town, Brendan gets so excited.

"Jon? Jon?" is all I hear. I love seeing my brother and my son bond.

No question about who the favorite is!

October Beginnings

October 1st!
I have been looking forward to October for a while. I am not sure exactly why, but it just feels like a new beginning. Perhaps it is due to the stress at work at the beginning of the school year that I feel “If I can just make it through September…” Either way, I feel refreshed and excited! It is a fresh start!
Here are the reasons I am ready for October:

1. As stated before, October is just less stressful at work after we get through the push of September. There are fewer deadlines, for October.
2. Along with that, I have two weeks off from work this month. 2 more weeks of “Family Bonding” that I desperately need.
3. My MIL comes to visit this month, although she is mostly coming to see my SIL, it will be nice for her to spend some time with my boys. Unfortunately, we do not get to see her as often as we like, so anytime we can is much appreciated.
4. October brings my new nephew! My SIL is due October 12th. Talk about new beginnings!
5. And speaking of more family bonging, this month I am taking my boys to Sacramento along with my sister and new niece. We will get to spend a week with my parents, see my grandparents and both my brothers! As well as catch up with a couple friends that I do not see too often.
6. On our trip to Sacramento, we will take Brendan back to the train museum and hopefully get to ride the train. He has really been on this train kick lately!
7. A friend of mine just received 2 precious children for adoption this week. I am so excited for her and her family. What a fresh start for her and these children! We are also having an adoption shower for her this month; I know she defiantly needs it!
8. October brings the start of Christmas shopping for our family! Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to shop, especially for presents for others!
9. Scott turns another year older this month, which means a cause for celebration, and for 6 more months he is older than I am!
10. Brendan will *finally* get his 2 year picture taken this month, as long as we can keep him, bump and bruise and black-eye free for at least one weekend to have pictures taken…
11. And speaking of pictures, I want/hope to have a family portrait of us taken this month to be ready before the holidays are upon us. Anyone want to volunteer to snap a few photos of our family? Could be fun…(or a lot of work to get two kids halfway decent…)
12. My sister and I are throwing my best friend a baby shower this month, we love throwing parties, and I love my best friend! Exciting new beginnings…
13. This month our church will finally (hopefully) be able to move into our new building. An actual church building for the first time.
14. October brings “Fall” (Southern California style) with pumpkin patches, the outdoors, caramel apples, new Disneyland decorations, and experiencing new things that go along with the season with a toddler.
15. And OF COURSE October brings Halloween! While I was never a huge fan of the holiday, I get to dress the boys up cute, and Scott just loves Halloween! Especially when he gets to take his son out trick-or-treating.

What an exciting month! God is defiantly blessing us and those close to us. We are going to be busy but have oh so much fun! Wont you join us as we experience this journey? What a month!

Fitness Challenge

I have reached the point in my post-pardum cycle in which I have decided it is time to lose the baby fat. I am in full acknowledgment that it is not all due to the baby. Unfortunately, I have a sweet tooth. I almost always have candy in my desk drawer at work (in fact, as I type this I have a Hershey's bar staring at me, sending subliminal messages "EAT ME").

When Scott went back to work, he decided that he was going to get into a routine, eat healthier, and go to the gym before work. I began to feel slightly guilty for my bowl of ice cream sitting in front of me. but working out or going to the gym is difficult for a mother of two. With Brendan, I always used the excuse that I had no one to watch the baby while I went to the gym.

Along came the CBU Fitness Challenge. What it really provides is an opportunity for a Kinesiology student to gain internship credit by leading a fitness course to Staff on campus. However, it also provides an opportunity for staff to join a fitness course in their place of work and get back in shape. The class meets twice a week for 1 hour each day. At the end of the semester we will be tested to see how much we have improved.

I had no excuses for this one. My Childcare provider offered to watch the boys for the additional time with no extra charge while I do the class. Scott agreed to join me so I have some accountability and company. This is our second week of the course and already I feel sore. But I know that it is healthy for me. It is also a reminder to eat better. Of course I still eat my sweets, but I focus more on water instead of soda, I pack my lunch in the morning instead of buying fried food from the On Campus cafe, and I don't eat nearly as much dessert as before.

My goal: First, to gain my ab muscles back (which my husband does not believe me when I say I was unable to use my ab muscles while pregnant, he doesn't understand why I have no strength in my abs anymore and just says "wow you're really out of shape aren't you" Thanks hunny). Second, to lose 5-10 more pounds. And Third, to just feel better about myself.

We will see how I feel in December when the course is over!

Brendan and the Puppies

Remember these cute little puppies my sister got a couple years ago for Christmas?

They were so cute! They loved to sit in your lap, and they were so playful...

Now...they aren't so little...

But still like to sit on your lap, very lovable and still love to play!

You know who else likes to play?

Brendan.

Especially with the puppies.

It doesn't matter that they are the same height as he is, he runs back and forth across the back yard chases them, being chased by them. He loves the puppies.

The other day we were at Aunt Bekah & Uncle Kevin's house and I see Brendan "helping" the boys with their water bowl.

There was Brendan standing there holding the boys water bowl up so they could drink out of it. And they were! They wouldn't touch the stale water just sitting the ground by itself, but as soon as Brendan held it in his hands, they were happy to slurp it up!

Brendan also likes to hand feed them their dog food when it is out, and they are more than pleased to be hand fed!

THAT mom

I am now THAT mom. The one with the "double wide" stroller that walks around talking to herself.

Okay, maybe not doublewide, but double long....

I know that when having two children close in age, it is expected to have a double stroller. And believe me, I defiantly did my homework when looking at double strollers.

***Looking back 5 months***

There I stood in the middle of Babies R us very much pregnant. By myself with a toddler just staring at the wide variety of double stroller options. I had registered for a stroller, but did I really want that one? Was there I better option. I took each one off the shelf, and while 9 months pregnant folded each one up, picked it up to feel the weight, strapped Brendan in and out of each one, took a car seat similar to mine at home, and buckled it in and out. Then stood and contemplated each one.

"This one is smaller" "But this one is prettier" did I want a side-by-side? Front-to-back? Sit-n-stand? Umbrella style? Jogging stroller? So many options! So many decisions! Finally, I ended with the double stroller I had originally registered for. It was veritable, plain, light (relatively speaking) easy to fold/move, and converted to a sit-n-stand as my children get older.

******************

I am very happy with my purchase, we use it all the time! It is quite convenient as it holds Caleb's seat and has a nice seat for Brendan to see where we are going. I use it for shopping the mall, taking a walk to the park, our family vacations, even a quick trip into Target. And yes, I am the crazy mom that talks to herself. But luckily, I can disguise it as talking to my children! There defiantly are some perks to parenting!

Picture That! Sunglasses

Just me and the boy. Goin' places in style!