Funny things kids say and do

I have been a horrible blogger lately but I want to make a quick post about what Jacoby and Kimber are up to. Jacoby talks perfectly and is now saying such funny phrases. When I scooped him up the other day to brush his teeth, I said "I'm scooping you up!" He said, "Mom, I'm not dirt!" It made me laugh pretty hard.

For the next one, here is the backstory. A year ago, when we were planning on driving to Kansas to meet Kimber's birth mom for the first time, I bought a bottle of melatonin spray to help Jacoby sleep while we were traveling. He gets pretty wound up at nights so I actually use it a lot, maybe once a week or so. I know it's natural and not supposed to be addictive but I really do try to use it just when I really need it. Anyway, I must use it too much, because the other night when Jacoby came to find me after he was put to bed 30 minutes before, I took him back to his bedroom and tucked him in again. He said, "mom, I'm missing something. It's in my drawer. It's called ...um... melatony." Once I realized when he said I laughed and, of course, gave him a squirt! He went right to sleep. Tonight he asked for it again.  He said, "I want the melatonin in my drawer." I told him, "No, not tonight it's for only when you're really hyper." Jacoby said, "But I'm hyper right now!" What?! He is so funny! I did not give in and tried to distract him with hugs and tickling. Luckily he went to sleep pretty quick after that.

And speaking of him sleeping, the last few months I have found him in the funniest places when I go to check on him before I go to bed.

I love this kid!

Kimber is almost 10 months old and finally starting to move. She can get up on her knees but just rocks back and forth. She still gets mad when she falls to her stomach because she has not figured out scooting forward. She has started to roll, though, so I am finding her further away from where I put her. She has been close to crawling for several weeks, so I'm thinking, "just get on with it!" I know I might regret it when she finally does because she will be into so much more, but at least she will be happier. She likes to be held all the time, and I really wish I could just hold her all day. Unfortunately because I'm the mom and have to get a lot done in a day, I can't! It is nice to be so loved, though. She has started to say, "mamama" and "dadada" which is so cute. She also mimics sounds we make and tries to blow bubbles/raspberries with her tongue all the time. She also just started clapping and will clap between bites of baby food and during our family meals when we look at her. She is a darling and we love her. 

Big Trip Part 2

So after leaving the Redwoods, we stayed in Port Orford, Oregon at a KOA for one night, looking at a couple of light houses during the day. I did not know much about them, but the tours explained a lot of history and I did not know they are still used today. They are not as necessary now because of new technology on ships but are quite a novelty.
Then we headed to Bandon, OR, our FAVORITE place in Oregon. We went there in 2012 when Jacoby was 8 months old and had a blast. We stayed in the Oregon Beach motel one night just like our previous stay, which is right on the coast. Gorgeous! It was windy and chilly there and we didn't bring enough warm clothes but it was a nice change from 90 degree heat in Idaho. Cameron and the Hollingsworth gang went crabbing in a boat while in Bandon, and Christina, the kids, and I hit the shops and the farmer's market. After spending the day in Bandon, we went to the Waldport KOA, still further north, where we had a seafood feast at camp and spent time at more sights, including more lighthouses and the wharf in Newport. We bought fresh tuna and salmon there and walked around the shops. We headed home the next day, going further north to Portland to get on the freeway. We saw an amazing waterfall called Multnomah Falls in the Columbian River gorge.We totaled over 40 hours in the car, and our kids did amazing. It was definitely a little stressful at times but we were pretty blessed. Sorry for the travel log, but I probably won't remember what we did on this trip otherwise. Enjoy the pictures!

 Our hotel room. Best view ever!

Big family trip 2014 part 1

We recently went on a big trip to the Redwoods in Northern California and then up the Oregon coast. We have been there before and loved it so this time we invited some friends. The Hollingsworths and Christina, Jacoby's birth mother, came with us. There were ten of us all together. We were gone the 1st of August until the 9th. It was so fun, memorable, and exhausting. Notice I call it a trip, and not a vacation. When we travel, we do not waste time. We are all about seeing everything there is to see and not spending much time at camp. Yes, I said camp. We camped in tents every night except one. It was definitely hard with two young kids and took A LOT of equipment but really a lot of fun. We stayed at the Jedidiah Smith Redwoods campground the first 4 nights and went on three really neat hikes. Then we headed north and stopped at an a really neat lighthouse in Southern Oregon. The redwoods are mysterious and amazing. I was waiting for Edward and the other Cullens to pop out at any moment. :) Kimber did great being packed around in my Ergo carrier, which is the greatest invention ever, in case someone wants to know. I have a bad back and I can carry her for hours in that thing before needing a break. Jacoby walked some and also got to ride in the backpack. Cameron and I felt like pack mules but loved the convenience of carrying them around. Stay tuned for part 2...

Being a mom

I have been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am to be a mom to two beautiful, healthy kids. It's been my dream for a long time and now that they are here, I tend to take it for granted a midst the craziness of everyday life. Sure I get tired of changing diapers all day and sometimes feel trapped at home, but it is truly an answer to many prayers to be in this position.

I am so grateful it is now summer and we have been able to get out of the house a little more. We have gone to the community pool once already and have been to the park to play a lot. Jacoby is so fast now so I have to watch him like a hawk. I complained last summer because he couldn't even walk, so I guess this is what I get. Kimber is a happy, content baby now and is so much fun! She has two teeth already, which is crazy and gnaws on her fingers constantly. At her 4 month check-up, she was 27 inches and 16.5 lbs, which is off the charts for ht and 95th for wt. That's how big Jacoby was at that age too. I have big, healthy babies!  She spends a lot of time in her jumper and is getting really good at jumping. She is really ticklish and smiley and I love making her laugh. She loves to watch Jacoby and he is interacting with her more. He runs over to her and tells her "it's okay, Kimber" when she cries. He has found her bottle and stuck it in her mouth a few times. Oakley loves licking her head, so I have to be careful where I lay her down when he is inside. I remember he did the same thing to Jacoby. Oakley lets Jacoby cover him with blankets and tease him with his toys and he gets him back by trying to steal Jacoby's stuffed monkey from him every morning. We take Oakley out for walks or runs almost every day, so I get to use my stroller A LOT.

I have been trying to exercise most days and have been able to run two 10K races so far this summer. I have placed in both of them and felt really good. I love running and I hope I can set a good example to my kids to be active. Cameron's been busy working the last few weeks so I get to take care of the garden, and Jacoby and I have enjoyed picking and eating strawberries the last week. Every one I hand him gets eaten and soon I look over to see him with strawberry juice all over his face and shirt. I am just glad he likes fruit!
We are looking forward to enjoying the rest of our summer.

 These two pictures were some of the ones I added to a photo book I made for Cameron for Father's Day. I mailed it to him in North Dakota and he loved it. Jacoby and Cameron are best buds and Cameron is the best dad.