Brother and Sister

Having two babies is hard, especially because they are close enough to be practically twins, but different enough that they each present me with different challenges. But what makes it all worth it is how much these two kids love each other.

When we were still in Rexburg, Netty started to take interest in Atticus, and it mostly started when we decided to bathe them together.

 Just a few nights ago Netty threw a fit and I couldn't realize what she wanted. She was trying to pull Atticus off of my lap, and I thought that meant she wanted me. Finally, after enduring a few slaps to the face, I realized that she didn't want me--she wanted Atticus. I set her in my rocking chair and put Atticus on her lap.

It was exactly what she wanted, and Atticus was happy too.

I hope they always have this kind of bond.

When my days get difficult, sometimes the only thing that holds me together is seeing these two kiddos together.

This is how a typical day at our house goes:

Don't Eat Pete!*

*Old pictures

For Family Home Evening one night we decided to play "Don't Eat Pete."

Netty was very good at the game. She shoveled the M&M's in her mouth as fast as she could.

"Mmmmm!"

Diaper Genie-ing*

*Old pictures

Since I was pregnant with Netty I had been debating whether or not to buy a Diaper Genie. I had heard both good and bad things about them. After Atticus was born, our kitchen garbage can was always overflowing with diapers every day and the entire apartment started stinking. All I said to Jon was, "What do you think about this?", and the next thing I knew, we were at Walmart pricing out the Playtex brand versus the Arm and Hammer brand. The new routine of emptying the Diaper Genie was exciting to Netty.

Queen of the Diaper Genie - The empty refill container made a great crown.

Helping - Taking out the final bag was serious business and hard work.

... Hard work that is better left for Daddy.

Just for Laughs*

*Older pictures and videos

What I love most about kids is how funny they are. Over the last several months Netty has become quite a character, and I love her more for it.

Trying on the Snugli

Foot-in-mouth Baby

Going over the Shopping List

Dressing herself

The Hamper

Nursing the Baby Like Mommy

Big*

*Older pictures and videos

 Netty went through much growth over the summer and fall.

We turned her car seat to face forward. Now, I know this picture, with the straps all loose and her arm hanging out makes me look like a negligent parent, but in my defense, we put her in the car seat for the sole purpose of taking the picture, and I wasn't too concerned about her being secured in properly.

She's always liked strands of pearls from the time she was a tiny baby, but she finally discovered what they were for.

She started sitting long enough for me to do her hair without squirming too much--it actually takes longer than you'd think because of how many times I have to wrap the rubber band around her tiny bit of hair!

She thought she was big enough for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Nice try. Maybe in four more years.

Reading

"Thank You"

Doing Daddy's Word Search

Good and Not-So-Good Food*

*Older pictures and videos

As I've already stated, Netty is a very good little eater. She eats just about anything I put in front of her.

This is one of Netty's favorite meals - Chicken, broccoli, and quinoa. This is what I make when I'm in one of those I'm-going-to-eat-healthy moods. 

Of course we don't eat like this all the time. We eat more processed food than we should.

Mac and Cheese - Learning to feed herself

There are times when Netty throws fits and won't eat anything I put in front of her. On those days, I use any method I can for her to eat.

Here's a few pics from a summer trip to McDonald's.

Ketchup Face

I-C-E-C-R-E-A.....

....Mmmmm!

Christmas in the Northwest

Our first Christmas in Washington was a little different from the last few that we've had in Utah. We tried to keep it simple. On Christmas Eve we went to my aunt and uncle's house for a small, low-key party. Before leaving for home, the kids opened their Christmas pajamas from Grandma Yukish.

Atticus was festive in his Santa hat.

He was a pro at unwrapping presents.

Netty was a tired crab, but she stopped throwing a fit just long enough to unwrap her jammies.

Stephie also got new pajamas. This was the first year in a long time that Steph and I don't have a Christmas pajama picture together, but at least we got one with her and the kids.

Santa Claus brought goodies for the five of us, including Grandma Yukish. We took a picture of the loot before getting the kids up.

Visions of sugar plums...

...danced in their heads.

We thought Netty would be crabby after having a restless night, but she was actually quite happy.

Santa brought lots of candy!

And Netty didn't waste any time eating it!

Atticus didn't get candy, but he did get some baby food! He was just as excited!

Santa unintentionally wrapped the presents in paper that matched Atticus' jammies!

Atticus and Hyrum got matching outfits. My cousins confused the two all afternoon.

Pretty sure these two will be trouble-makers someday.

Meeting Santa in Person

For those who don't know, my parents are Santa and Mrs. Claus. They have a business called Simply Santa & Mrs. Claus, and over the holiday season they attend Christmas parties, assemblies, and the like. Over the last month or so, we have had the opportunity to FaceTime with Santa a few times, and Netty learned to say "ho ho ho." Finally, on the Sunday before Christmas, after a full day of church and dinner at my aunt and uncle's house, Netty and Atticus were able to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in person. Netty was not so keen on the idea, whether it was because she was tired or a little overwhelmed by the bright red suit and white fur.

Daddy and Atticus in their matching ties

HoneyGram holding Netty and Netty holding Atticus -- Maybe not the most reverent of Sacrament Meetings...

Netty catching a nap at dinner before going to Grammy's house to meet the Man with the Bag

"Hey, Netty, where's my candy cane?"

"Don't worry, Atticus, Santa will hook you up."

Atticus took to Santa pretty much right away.

Two of my three most favorite men in the world

"Is Santa nice?"

"Yes, he is."

Claus Sandwich

Snow Day

Snow days in Washington are even more rare than sunny days (if you can believe that anything is more rare in Washington than a sunny day). We are lucky to have one day a year of snow. Less than a week before Christmas we had one of those rare days. Many schools in the area were two hours late.

I bundled her up in several layers.

We built a baby snowman

She loved seeing her footprints. Here's our footprints side by side.

 Her "Randy Moment" - Walking through the snow was not easy, probably from the combination of the 3T snow pants that I rolled under, the boots that are a size too big, the scarf the stuck out too far for her to see the ground where she was walking, and all of the added weight of the layers that threw off her balance.

Her favorite thing outside, even with the snow, is the swing.

Christmas Card