Kirsten and Mark

So, for a while Mark’s been wanting a new portrait lens for his camera. Since we take so many pictures of Brit, we figured we might as well get him one. Especially since he hasn’t gotten his Christmas present yet…complications.

Saturday we went down to Long Beach near the Aquarium and took a bunch. Here are some of our favorites:

We also had a fun time at the Aquarium. He really likes the fish.

These are two lorikeets who were fighting in a circle.

Brit’s saying bye bye now more frequently and without as much prompting. Most of the time it’s more of a buh buh, but he’ll get there. He loves it when Mark tosses him in the air, and claps the bottom of his shoes together! He laughs his head off.

We’re all finally better, so that’s been great!

Wow, it’s Thursday already and I haven’t really thought about posting because nothing really interesting at all has happened this past week. I guess here are some highlights:

It’s been super dry–like 8% humidity one day–so, we’ve been having a hard time breathing. Being sick hasn’t helped. Tuesday I actually went and bought a humidifier. I’ve never used one in my life.

Mark is having a hard time getting his immune system back up and running. He got mine and Brit’s cold a couple of days ago. Poor guy, he’s been sick most of the past 2 months!

Brit turned 10 months old Sunday. He’s such a funny, curious, sweet little angel. He definitely knows what he wants–and doesn’t. He now completely refuses to eat until he’s had enough of his drink first. Then, he’ll take bites until he wants a drink again, then refuse and lift his hands out like he’s reaching for it until he gets it, then he’s fine again. Silly baby. He’s also learning to clap. Mark was helping him with the “if you’re happy and you know it” song on his train.

After struggling for a while trying to decide whether or not to cut Brit’s hair, it came time that it just needed to be done. He had a couple of strands in the back that were an inch longer than the rest, and he had a serious V in the front. So, Kristie came over and helped us out.
At first I think he thought it would be ok:

But then it quickly turned into this:

It’s too  bad, because it would’ve been pretty fast and painless, but he was struggling. I guess that’s what you get when you have a sick kid who doesn’t want anyone but Mom. He’s been fine before when we’ve trimmed the sides.

Oh well…

On Saturday we took some pictures of Brit. He’s fun to photograph because he has so many different expressions.

He also enjoyed watching the Inaguration of President Obama on Tuesday morning. He sat with wrapt attention focused on the tv. Especially when Aretha Franklin was singing. It was a great site to see.

Poor little Brit. I thought he was sick last week…but apparently not. Now he really is sick with a cough, congestion and a slight fever at night that came on suddenly Tuesday. He hasn’t been able to sleep very well and just wants to be held. He’s such a sweetheart and I feel so badly for him that I haven’t really minded being up 6-7 times at night like I usually would. I’m hoping he gets better soon because as everyone who’s been sick before knows, it’s no fun!

Last night he was so tired he fell asleep at the table while eating his dinner. I ran to get the camera, but he woke up before I could take a picture…bummer! Also this week he’s made as slight step toward walking. He doesn’t insist on holding both of our hands before he’ll walk around, he simply prefers it. As of Sunday it was 2 hands or nothing. He’d actually sit down if we attempted to make him walk holding just one. Then came Monday morning and it was ok to have just one, but sometimes it’s still scary, so be there just in case. Silly baby. He really is pretty cautious about some things. Others–he’ll go right for it.

This morning he said bye bye. I think we might count it as his first word. Mama has been said for a while, and he knows it’s me, but I’m not convinced all the time. But, today Mark was leaving and waved as he said “bye bye” and Brit looked at him, gave his arm wave and said “ba ba.” We looked at each other in amazement, and then Mark said it again to test him. Again, Brit said “ba, by.” Cool! Now we just have to wait and see if he’ll ever say it again.

And, those of you who read Mark’s comments on Facebook or Twitter will know this already, but I’m super excited to announce….we have a dishwasher!

We used money given to us for Christmas and bought a countertop model. It’s not as convenient or cool as a normal one would be, but so far we’re loving the face that we don’t have to wash silverware, bowls and glasses anymore! It came in a really big box, so Mark and Brit had fun with it.

We also have a little musician He loves Guitar Hero drums, Mark’s keyboard and the guitars. Dancing to any music is now one of his favorite activities.

On another note,  Sprout Shell is in the Leading Moms in Business competition, and we need your help! Just click on the “Vote Now” below to vote for us, and then you can share the button on your blogs or emails or whatever too…that way we can get lots of votes, and lots of publicity and lots of sales! I know you all love them–or since you follow our blog, you must like us, so either way, voting is good.

Wow, I really am behind. I still haven’t posted about New Years! Well…to get that going, we had a great time with our friends at Ashley and Jason’s. It was a combination New Year’s/Going Away Party, and though we’re really sad for the latter, it was fun to get together, eat yummy food and play some Guitar Hero World Tour. We rang in the new year in style with noise makers, hats, clackers and masks. Unfortunately, we didn’t take our camera, so I have to wait till I get some photos before I can post. Suffice it to say–we had fun, and we’ll miss them a lot! All is not lost, however. We fully expect to see them at least a few times a year when they come back to visit…and there’s email…and blogs…and texting etc. They won’t get lost that easily.

We’ve also had to say goodbye–or see ya later–to our other friends, Chris, Nanette and Elle Harvey. They’ve moved on to greener pastures (Seattle–see, really greener). There was a going away party for them on Sunday and again, we had a lovely time with lots of people and amazing food. Krisha and Cam Deaver make the most amazing desserts. I really hope they get their business going soon, because I want to be able to have them whenever I want. I will also post pics of this event when I have access. We’ll miss you guys! Mark’s losing all his techno/computer guy friends. This isn’t good.

I finally got new tires on my car. They were in bad shape, and after analysis by the tire guy 3 were in need of replacement…the only “good” one, was in fact the one that kept leaking air, so we got 4. That was fun. But, I do feel safer on my new tires, so that’s good.

We’ve also been busy being sick with colds for a week. Poor Brit was having a hard time sleeping at night and kept waking up. But, we’re pretty much on the mend and hope to be back to normal soon.

Below is a mish-mash of pics from Utah till now that don’t really have a category to go into, they’re just kind of fun. Enjoy!

Trying to figure out what that stream is. He really tried to grasp it, but alas, his hands just went right through.

Reading his A-Z word book. He’s going to know lots of stuff!

His super cute Christmas outfit. I love the little vest and black pants (they’re hidden…)

Hugs from G-Grandpa John. He happened to be in town and picked us up from the airport. It was great to see him and visit for a while!

His hat matches his pjs! Thanks Cass.

Brit loves Baby Einstein music videos. If I need to make dinner and he won’t stay out of the kitchen, this is  sure to work every time. He looks like he practically wants to climb into the tv. He does this with his interactive toy as well. He forgets to push the buttons to make it work because  he’s so intent on getting as close as possible.

yes, he just climbed through the chair rungs to get to the other side.

This is his new high chair. It’s supposed to grow with him and become a normal chair one day, so we figured we’d get a lot of out of it. I hope to change the color sometime. He seems to like it and can actually reach the table now. He’s also getting really good with his sippy cup and if it’s pretty full he can drink out of it himself.

During our entire trip to Utah, Brit woke up at least 3 times in the night, and never slept later than 8:30, usually it was 8. But, on Christmas morning he only woke up once, then slept until 9! The one day we think it’s ok for him to wake up, and he slept in. Silly baby. I guess that was his Christmas present to us. He did that on my brithday too, so maybe it’s true.

Per tradition, we all grouped together for a photo before entering the “Christmas Room.”

Of course, Brit wasn’t too excited about anything at first. He did have a big pile of presents and his big toy was laid out, unwrapped, but he needed a little prodding. Once he found out his VTech VSmile Baby toy made sounds when he pushed the different shapes, he was sold and didn’t really care about opening anything else.

It works by itself, or with the tv.

He also loved his bath toy–fishies, froggies and stars

Well, at least he’s doing something with them. Maybe one day he’ll open them up.

Look at all that loot!  His new scrunchie face says it all!

All the girls…and Brit

Playing his VSmile with Daddy. It hooks up to the tv, so when he pushes the shapes, he can learn about shapes, animals, weather, sign language, colors etc.

He also loved chasing Aunt Shaela’s doggies, Kiwi and Ella.

After Breakfast we got food ready for later and celebrated the day with the Whittaker family. We had good food, good company and good “sack” Christmas games. Everyone got cute socks, and a great book, and photos of family moments.It was fun seeing everyone and sharing what we appreciate about each other.

Another tradition is seeing a movie on Christmas day. We saw Marley and Me. It was good, but a lot different that what I was expecting. Very sweet.

We are very thankful for our families, Jesus Christ–His birth, life, death and resurrection–and all that we have as a result. We are very blessed. Merry Christmas everyone!