Mini Fall Photoshoot

I attempted an autumn photo shoot with the kids. It was kind of a joke. E kept running off and then finally fell and got a bump on his forehead. E is at the worst photographing age. He is so cute, but won't sit still long enough or smile for a picture. The side profile pictures, running pictures and blurry pictures begin again! J, on the other hand, was really helpful following E around, as well as posing so cutely! 

E finally sat down...only to pick up his shoe

My favorite one of J from the shoot

The only smiling one...and it's blurry! 

This pout happens way too often

Lately

Mark has a Fall break this weekend and it has been heavenly! We love having him home! As long as J is awake, he has not left Mark's side! E has also been enjoying the boy bonding time, he wants to be included in everything the guys do! We went to the park so J could practice riding his bike and E could play on the playground. It turned into J, while on his bike, chasing Mark and E chasing J!

We love it here! We love living in the city! It's a relief that the hospital is just down the street, and that Mark isn't stuck in traffic for an hour anytime he needs to get anywhere. We have an awesome park a couple of blocks away, the river is right next to us, and the library, trader joes, and pretty much everything else is within walking distance! Not to mention that the temple, which is within walking distance, will be opening next year! We like the buzz of having people around! I have a little bit of crowd anxiety (maybe more than a little) so I'm trying to get used to the extra busy places (i.e. Trader Joes anytime after noon....never again!), but I like not feeling alone.

Mark works a lot which is to be expected, but it's manageable. I think it's harder for him on the days that he doesn't get to see the kids than it is for me. C.H.O.P. has been great. I was worried about the horror stories I had heard of crazy attendings and other residents being mean to those lower on the totem pole, but the people are great! The hours and case loads are hard enough as it is, I can't imagine having to worry about coworkers! When Mark isn't working, he is either playing with the boys or doing some home improvement stuff. He is very handy!

J is such a big boy these days! He's reading now! I think he loves the freedom of being able to figure words out on his own! The other night at dinner, he randomly bursted out "100 flavor and 0 fat!" I guess he was reading the dressing bottle. He loves numbers! He is always asking me questions like "what is the number when there are 2 ones and 3 zeros?" 11000. We bought some Math workbooks for him and he loves doing them! It's not even a chore! It's easy for me because he can read the directions on his own and then does the worksheet. I just need to monitor and answer questions. He even figured out how to draw stars, so I don't even do that for him (by his request. I would still love to give him stars...he just wants to do it). He is obsessed with Star Wars, despite never watching the movies. He loves playing video games with Daddy and talks to me about them all day long! And he is seriously talking all day long. He asks me questions and will follow up my answer with another question without skipping a beat. I wish I was a little more patient when is comes to answering questions. He loves his little brother! He doesn't like sharing with E, but he likes to tell other people about E and loves to teach E new things. He takes pride in E's achievements which is so cute!

E is 16 months now! He is slowly gaining more words. Mostly incomprehensible except for Mama (And today Maaaaaahhhhhmmmm!), and Dada. He understands a lot, and he surprises me with what he knows everyday. He loves to read, especially if it's a Lightning McQueen book or "The Little Engine That Could." I'll be doing dishes/cleaning/cooking etc and he'll waddle over to me with a book and say "eeeease" holding the book up to me. I can't help but stop what I'm doing! He loves J! He wants to be with J all of the time! He wants to do what J is doing all of the time too! He is obsessed with airplanes and helicopters. He likes to spot them in the sky. I spent the whole hour of Relief Society with E watching airplanes outside of the window, the airport is close so E was screaming with joy every 3 minutes! He dances to any hint of music. He likes to growl and roar. And he likes to say bye.