Spin Around

This was from about 2 weeks ago.  Calvin started spontaneously spinning and we took a few videos because he was being so cute.

Playing Outside

Warmer weather is finally here.  I think that this winter has been the snowiest one since I moved to Logan in 2008.  It is so nice to finally be able to walk down the sidewalk without big piles of ice on either side of me.  We are blessed to have a somewhat secluded backyard.  It is nice to have a place that is close that Calvin can just go have fun without too many rules (..don't play in the garden and stay out of the canal.. also don't touch dog poop).  I am trying to get outside with Calvin more.  Our backyard does need to be cleaned up.  We didn't rake in the fall, so there was a blanket of leaves to be moved.  Also, our neighbors had two huge dogs that were disgusting and pooped everywhere.  So, when I go out, I'm trying to work on the leaves and the dog poop.  I'm hoping to make our yard enjoyable so we can go use it whenever we want.  I also think it might be nice to have a luncheon here after we bless our baby in August or September.  Calvin loves to get the tools and help. These pictures are from a week and a half ago.

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That huge branch fell during a snowstorm.  Mark had to move it, because it was so big,

Bianca enjoys being outside too.

Calvin loves throwing snow/ice at the house.

Pez

We got a fish.  He is a Betta.  He lives in the bookcase in our living room.  He is light blue with a touch of purple-ish pink at the end of his fins.  Calvin loves to turn on his light and show him his toys.  We named him Pez because that is Spanish for 'fish' and his colors remind me of candy.  When we were buying him and his gear, Calvin chose a big pagoda.  He kept calling it a temple.  I was a little annoyed at the time, because it is too big for his container and it cost more than I really wanted to spend.  But Pez sleeps in it and sometimes hides underneath it.  I hope Pez will be with us for a long time. 

Mark Gets a Small Wish Granted

I think that ever since Mark and I found out Calvin was a boy, he wanted to have matching clothes.  I made Mark some homemade bow ties when Calvin was 3 months old or so.  I made a crappy one for Calvin out of the scrap fabric.  I think he wore it twice.  When we found out a month ago that we will be blessed with another boy in June, I knew I wanted them all to have matching ties.  We scoured the local JoAnn's fabric store for something appropriate with which to make the ties.  I found NOTHING!!  We seriously spent 2 hours looking.  Ugh.  Why can't they have what I am picturing in my head?  That shouldn't be so hard to ask.  Finally, Mark came up with a solution.  He found some navy blue duck cloth and suggested I cross stitch the Aggie "A" on them.  I was wanting to have the ties done by the next day so we could announce baby's gender on Valentine's Day with the matching ties.  Mark thought I could finish them in one day, and I said no way.  I agreed to make them, but I wanted something that I could do quickly for the announcement day.  After getting so frustrated at the lack of a perfect fabric, we went home.  I gave up on my dream of announcing on the holiday.  We had announced that we were pregnant at Christmas, so I wanted to follow the holiday thing (his due date is also on Flag Day, but no big deal).  I finished the ties the next Saturday.  I finished one each day.  Calvin and Mark have already worn their ties to church a few times.  Calvin's always comes back dirty after nursery.  We had to be creative and rotate the pattern 45 degrees so we could sew the ties on the bias.  I think they turned out great, and I can't wait for our little one to get here so he can wear the first of many things I hope to make for him.  

Bedtime Transition

With a new little brother on the way, Calvin needs to vacate the crib.  My mom has offered us a set of bunk beds and we are thrilled to accept them.  Calvin slept in our room for about 18 months of his life.  He has always been more fond of sleeping right in the middle of our bed than in his crib anyway.  Last weekend, Mark decided to take the front off Calvin's crib.  We are hoping this will make the transition to the bunk bed a little easier.  We think he really enjoys not being incarcerated in the crib. When he wakes up in the middle of the night, he just comes and climbs into his spot in our bed, then falls right to sleep again.  Since he comes into our bed every night, this makes it easier on us because we don't have to go get him out of his crib.  I know I'm breaking all the 'sleep rules' from the experts by doing this, but he won't sleep with us forever. 

Calvin's 2nd Birthday

I know it's been two months, but Calvin turned 2!  My mommy made him a really cool road cake with a ton of Matchbox cars on it.  Calvin got a Thomas the Train rider thing.  It plays music and is small enough to use inside.  It's a good thing, because this winter has been very snowy.  I can't believe how fast the time has flown.  It seems like he was just barely placed in my arms.  I have been very lax about taking pictures for a while, so I didn't take many pictures of his parties.  I will try to be better so I can share things on here. 

Sleepy Memory

I wanted to write this memory down, but Facebook seemed too public.  So I am writing it here.  The other night, Calvin woke up in his crib and was crying for me.  I went and got him and he wanted a drink.  So we went and got a nice drink of water and then I put him in bed next to Mark.  Then I went and used the restroom.  Usually if Calvin is awake in the middle of the night and I try to use the restroom, he follows me.  I was surprised when he didn't.  When I got back in bed, I asked him if he was already asleep.  He whispered, "Yes."  It was just so cute.  I love my little monkey and I can't believe he is almost two years old.