Bye Bye Baby Food

Who really wants to watch another video of my cute baby? Maybe no one. Well, my sisters, and my mom better watch, or else... I just had to put this one on. He is getting so darn cute, and I can't help but squeeze him, and kiss him all day long. Since he started moving around, crawling, pulling himself up, and cruising around furniture, he is (knock on wood, many many times) getting to be a much happier baby. Although I have always loved my baby, with all my heart. . . since he's been easier, it makes me like him more. I get excited when he is waking up, so, I can play with him. I used to cringe at the sound of a waking baby. He still doesn't sleep at night, but, let's take it one step at a time, okay?

Just to prove to you I do take pictures of my other kids once in awhile, here's Tay. She was brushing her teeth, and posing in the mirror. This girl LOVES to look at herself. Don't you wish we all had the confidence of a 5 year old?

Look Who's Growin'!

Tristan is growing and changing every day. He is getting to be such a big boy, and I feel like if I don't document these things, they will be gone, and forgotten. He is moving around like crazy, and always leaves a wave of destruction in his wake. He yearns for the day when he will be able to play with his older siblings, and follows them around everywhere. Sometimes, much to their dismay.
He loves to watch the kids play outside. He stands up to the window, and bangs on it, and laughs at them. I let him go out there a couple times, but, the grass and rocks kept making their way into his mouth!

We went to the Crossroads Mall for a fun, family night. It's hard to believe that Tristan is old enough to be riding the toys with his big brother. He loved being included.

This video consists of his favorite activities. Crawling, Climbing, and Screaming. I am constantly pulling him off the stairs. We found our gate, and started closing off the stairs. Boy, does he throw a tantrum when he gets to that gate!! I guess I better start teaching him how to go down! He babbles a lot, but, mainly just screams when he is happy (and sad). This can be a problem in Sacrament Meeting, when it's totally silent, except for my child, who I can't get to be quiet. And, at Red Robin with the whole Klein clan last weekend, he made a blind man VERY mad! Enjoy a little glimpse into the Tristan world!

Mommy Daughter Date

The BYU Theater Ballet came and did a concert in Burien last week. It was a great excuse to get together with the girls, and watch some dancing. We have always wanted to take Tay to the "Nutcracker," but, have never had the courage to fork over the big bucks. These tickets were significantly cheaper, and, she's still so young, I wanted to see how she'd like it. All the girls dressed up in their fancy dresses, and were so excited to see real ballerinas. In the picture above, the girls are with "Cinderella," which was their favorite Ballet.

Before the show, we stopped and got cupcakes and smoothies. Yummy!

Here's the girls before the show started. It was general seating, so, we went kind of early. But, we ended up with great seats, and everyone could see really well.

It was such a fun night. Let's make it a point to do this more often!

Weekend Fun

This past weekend, we headed up to Lopez Island with some friends, for a little R&R. It was such a good break, and so much fun! We celebrated Birthdays, spent some time outside, chatted, and plahyed lots of games. There were 11 kids, including Mr. Fussy Pants, so the children were well entertained by each other. We Did Not want to come home!

The girls having a birthday lunch. This place had the Yummiest quiche ever, and I can't stop thinking about that "pot au chocolate." If you haven't had one, you MUST!
The boys, minus Rohnie, who unfortunately, had to be in Time-Out for playing a little too rough with the little ones. He was so excited to be with the Big Boys. He followed them around everywhere, and they were so nice to include him.

3 beautiful girlies watching Saturday morning cartoons.

We took a hike to "Shark Reef." Just beautiful. The kids climbed on the rocks, searching for crabs, snails, and seashells. There were seals sunbathing on a distant island, and the weather was wonderful!

Rohne did this pose in every picture. Not sure why.

Tay and R. bonded over playing Chess. 5 year old Chess is probably much more exciting than the real thing.

The group enjoying the rocks.

Jake was nice enough to carry Tristan in the carrier the whole time. They both loved it! I made a mental note to "spend more time outdoors."

Leading the way back to the vans.

Sweet, sweet D. and Taylee enjoying the view from the Ferry. We fell in love with this little guy. I mean, really, how could you not? You should hear him talk! He celebrated his 3rd Birthay while we were there, and I know his mother is relishing every minute of him.

2 pretty ladies relaxing on the ride home to the "mainland."

And, my favorite picture of the bunch. Pure deliciousness. S. was so good with Tristan. I think Mr. Fussy enjoyed all the attention he got from the other kids.

Getting some "Sunshine in our Lives"

This past week, Rohne got the stomach flu, so we have been pretty confined to the house. No preschool, outings, or anything. My boys tend to get a little stir-crazy, so we saw a glimpse of sunshine, and headed outside this morning. I couldn't talk Tay into coming with us, though. My poor children, growing up in no-sun Washington, get a little sensitive when it comes to bright sunshine. Whenever I open up the shades in the morning, they complain that it's too bright. I inform them that we need some "sunshine in our lives." It's good for them. I had to snap some pictures, since I haven't for a couple weeks.

Tristan loves to go down the slide with his big brother. And, Rohnie takes such good care of him.

Rohnie with his Spiderman bike he got from Santa. I think this summer, we need to get those training wheels off. He's gettin' good!

Sweet, angel face

My Mouth Hurts!

So, for those of you who still have your wisdom teeth. . . . I really hope you don't have to remove them, because it is sooo not fun getting them out!! I think that it is far worse than having a baby. At least when you go through childbirth, you have something beautiful to show for it, right? I am hurting all the time, and I have nothing to show but big, gaping holes for food to get stuck in. Most people told me that it actually wasn't that bad. But, those people were usually A LOT younger than me, and, if you haven't already noticed, I am not a good healer. It takes me a long time to recover from things.

It was good having my mom here for a week to help. But, she ended up catching a bad cold, from my kids, and was worse off than me. We were quite a pair, I tell ya. I was dizzy, and a little high, from all the painkillers, and my mom could hardly stand up, and breathe. To top it off, I ended up getting "dry socket." If you don't know what that is, I'm not gonna tell you. But, it hurts a lot, and makes your mouth very gross. My trusty Vicodin became my best friend after that, and, I actually understand now, why people could get addicted. I wish I didn't have to take it, but, it's the only way I can manage right now.

We stuck my mom on a plane last Friday, and I was actually ready for her to go home, for her sake. She wouldn't rest, because she kept wanting to take care of me, and the kids. And, I just wanted her to get better. She's had a rough winter. Anyways, for now, I'm living on Vicodin (happy me!) and Ibuprofen. The kids caught the stomach flu, and I am up to my ears with tummy troubles. Tristan is as crazy as ever. I still can't get him to crawl normally, but, he is pulling himself up on things now. Growing up, right before our eyes, the little stinker.

I can't believe it's March already. The year of 2010 has already been an adventure for our little family, and I know it's "only just begun" (Name that tune). The Lord is on our side, though, and He will help me leap through these new windows of change. No matter how uncomfortable it is for me to do so.

This is how I found our little guy after his morning nap. So proud of himself. Time to put the crib side up! Now, if I could just get him to sleep. . .