Functional Kitchen

This post is mostly so my mom can see our countertops and freshly completed backsplash. In our new house we got new carpet and paint everywhere but the kitchen was our huge project. We basically gutted it and started over...it took a long time but we're really happy with how things have turned out. I love feeling settled but I guess now I'll have to start trying (trying is the key word) to decorate.

Cousins

Jamie and Kalli looking like they just stepped out of some magazine ad- advertising some magic pill that makes you a great mom, skinny, genuinely nice, easy to be around, a cool cousin,  and tan. I NEED THAT PILL!!!

Alanna and Mackenzie during a rare moment where the word "mine" was not involved.

Mackenzie and Alanna 2 years ago...About the age both our little ones (Brooklyn and Kalli) are now.

7 month comparison

Mackenzie at 7 months old.

Brooklyn at 7 months old. (I think you can definitely tell they came from the same parents. I'm glad we don't have those questions :)

The first 7 months of Brookie's life have flown by. She's been such a happy smiley easy baby for us. We'll see if she turns into the "intense" toddler (that's what the pediatrician calls it) that her sister is. Robert and I adore her and most of the time Mackenzie does too. She rolls all over the place, sits up, and has 2 bottom teeth. I have heard these words many, many times: "What a cute baby...I love chubby babies."  

Sweet

Sometimes they're sweet!!

1:28:05

I did it- without puking or even walking (except at water stations)...the Provo River 10 mile race. Thank goodness it was all downhill! There is satisfaction in setting this goal and actually accomplishing it. It's rewarding to know that I started out jogging 5 minutes at a time after having Brooklyn and now I can apparently go 10 miles. (I guess that's one good thing about being really out of shape). I had forgotten how much I like the Provo River Trail.

We spent the night in Provo so I could feed Brookie as close to the run as possible. She's appalled by bottles. Robert is such a good dad and always willing to help with the girls. I'm always surprised how well he does without me. I guess I need to get over myself :) He got them all ready and brought them to the finish line and it was so fun to see them cheer me on. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! Afterwards we got a quick visit with McOmber cousins and finished off our time in Provo with a trip to J-Dogs :) -a great hot dog stand near BYU. What a great day.

The Art of Distraction

I haven't mastered it yet but I have come to see the incredible value of "the art of distraction," as I call it.

You just can't reason with a two year old. It's pointless and frustrating. So what do you do instead of explaining things like if you don't change your poopy diaper your bum will hurt or if you don't wash your hands you get the house all sticky? Well, you talk about anything in the world that may happen to catch some interest and distract them long enough...how many butterflies are on your shirt, where did your tongue go, etc, etc. Sometimes I forget that you can't force or explain (at least without screaming or tears) and the art of distraction doesn't come naturally to me but I try.

Exhausting I tell you!