Fantastic Stroller!

The whole pregnancy as I thought of what baby stuff I would need the biggest thing I thought of was a double stroller. Up to now we have survived with only an umbrella stroller for Miriam. I really wanted a nicer stroller in particular because we spend so much time taking walks to put Miriam to sleep and because she enjoys being outside. I also wanted a travel system type one so Aaron could ride with us early, but was getting discouraged not seeing any like that. I found one in a catalog and as Eric and I were checking them out while we were in the hospital after Aaron was born Eric went googling and found this one: Contour tandem stroller. It is awesome! I suggested donations towards it when asked what I need ed. So thanks to everyone who helped us get this, we almost didn't need to add any money to it! Whats so cool about the stroller is it has 2 seats that can come off and be in face either forward or backward besides the car seat holder that we're using now. So both can face forward or backward or they can face each other. It has a nice storage place below and awesome wheels that are highly maneuverable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a tandem stroller.

Our first trip out the beginning of September ( I know that was a looong time ago, maybe by the end of the year I'll catch up on posts ).

Miriam's First Haircut

Miriam's hair has gotten fluffy. I always thought she had an ok amount of hair but when I look back to pictures 6 months or so ago she practically looks bald! She has had a little bang cutting job previous when they got in her eyes and were making them red but this was a little more all around job. I asked my mom to cut her hair when she started looking like the 60's band The Monkeys. I couldn't believe what just a little trim did for her though! It totally change the look of her face making her look more like my sister Jennifer at that age.

She overall held pretty still for Grandma. This was September 5 and then she got it done again before pictures the end of October. Her hair sure grows fast. Thanks Grandma!

Grover Funerals

They say things come in threes, well hopefully that is true because my mom's side of the family has had 3 funerals since Aaron was born. I already mentioned my cousin Angie in August that was very sudden and unexpected. the next one was my Grandpa Grover's older sister Lucille who was 95 years old. It was on September 10 in Brigham City. These pictures are actually from that funeral. That was the farthest Aaron had driven up to that point. Then a couple of weeks later Aunt Lucille's only daughter Moana died from cancer complications. It was also in Brigham City on October 19. Actually from there mom took us home with her for the week but more about that later. I find the life sketches the most interesting part as I wasn't close to any of them and that made me feel closer to them.

Have you ever noticed that mostly the same family members attend everything and are generally supportive? Many of the people in this picture were at all 3 funerals. I told mom the extended family is sure keeping up with Aaron's growth as they've seen him so much more than usual. I hope we get a break from the funerals though. I pray comfort to the surviving family that have to get used to living without them for a time. Miriam was pretty good at the funerals thank goodness. She's here with her cousin Summer. She's protecting her dolly and Summer is protecting the rolls she found. They don't always get along unfortunately though when we went to Summer's house recently they did much better.

Delta Visits

As with Miriam, Aaron's first overnight visit away from home was to go see Grandma and Grandpa Delta. Somehow we always forget to take very many pictures there. Here is one proving we were there- Miriam always so helpful changing diapers etc. We went on September 11-13 and again on Oct 17. We go and just enjoy hanging out though there is usually some of the other cousins visiting too. Just recently Grandma & Grandpa Johnson moved down there too. So we get to see both of them there now! We went to see their new apt. It will be really nice to see them more often! It was only Miriam's second time to see them yet warmed up to them pretty quick. Grandma was tickled to get big smiles from both Miriam and Aaron.It's fun to go to Grandma's because they have lots of fun movies and things to play with. Miriam enjoyed having a tea party with one of Aunt Nicole's old dolls. Grandma also spoils Miriam rotten- she came home the first time with a baby doll feeding set and the second time with a new baby doll and umbrella stroller for her.

Of course the very best things is being held by Grandma and Grandpa! They are always so excited to see us as we are to see them. It looks like we'll be going down a little more often as Eric is going to help his dad make headgates to get a little extra money for bills and such. Looking forward to it!

Miriam...all grown up?

Sometimes it seems like she looks extra grown up.

Like when we took her year pictures or here with her cute pink strawberries and mommies high heels. I can't believe she could actually walk in them!

Or taking off in Grandma Nicee's flip flops and water bottle. "I'm all ready to go!!"

She is definitely a technology girl- we have lots of pictures of her on the phone (and everything is a phone, remotes.....) and on both of our computers. Any day now she will start playing games on them by herself or maybe e-mail Grandma! We noticed she even curves her fingers properly.

She is being trained well in the art of entertainment- books and games! She loves playing with dice and I taught her to say "shake shake drop" to figure out what to do with them. I'm amazed she remembered it 2 months later when she came across dice again. Can't get any cuter than that!

First Time at Nursery!

Okay, this happened September 6. We took Miriam to Nursery just before she was 18 months, and I stayed with her the whole time-- to get her adjusted to nursery quicker so we could manage with our calling and she wouldn't upset the whole time. I brought her in as everyone is playing with toys. I put her forward and told her to go play. For a little while she just stood and watched, and then she slowly got into it by picking up a truck and driving it around and then playing on a piano keyboard, and then broadening her toys. She did have a little trouble with the 'I can't play with this because he/she is already playing with it'. All but two of the kids were not at all social; she would try to play/interact with the other kids, but they just weren't that interested. There was one child who was in a body cast (poor little guy) and Miriam would keep going over to him and-- well it seemed to me-- cheer him up. eventually she found a little baby doll. Now until this time, she hasn't ever really played with her dolls, but she picked up the doll, brought it to me, then went and grabbed another for herself, and was practically inseparable from it the rest of the time. Ever since then, she has been playing with dolls.
She was good for the entire nursery. She wasn't ever concerned about where I was (If she ever looked for me, it was to play), but She got a little distracted during the lesson. So the transition into nursery was short and easy for her!

Starring Aaron

I figure Miriam has had a lot of posts lately, that is was time for Aaron to have one. Here are some of Aaron's admirers also from August. First Grandma Nicee then the one and only picture I have from Dad's first visit, then Grandma and Grandpa Delta (second visit since we forgot to take pictures when they first came to him), and finally my Uncle Bruce and Aunt Hazel.

Some pictures from August in some of my favorite outfits.