D.A.D.D.Y take 2

We were able to share a couple of days with Daddy this past weekend. Mark called Thursday morning at about 10 am on his way to CO from AZ. He asked what I thought about driving with the boys to Moab for a family rendezvous. I was all for it. He asked me to check things out and he'd get back to me in a few hours to confirm that he would definitely be able to sneak away for a couple of days. So, after several hours of researching, google-mapping and releasing my inner-travel agent I decided a visit to Salt Lake would make more sense. The drive would be shorter for and the boys and I and Mark could fly instead of wasting precious time in the car. A couple of sky miles and hotel points later we were all on our way. I scrambled and packed and the boys and I were soon in the car like Thelma and Louise (and Louise).

But never mind the travel logistics of the trip....let's focus on the fact that we were able to spend time together after almost a month a part!! I waited to tell Cooper the plan until Mark's ticket was booked and I knew for sure it was happening. Once I let the cat out of the bag, he went crazy. "I get to see Daddy and I'm going to give him a big hug.....now let's go to Salt Lake City!". Then I got to hear "are we there yet....I think I see the airport" for nearly 5 hours. Cruz was excited too. So much so that he screamed for almost an hour. I've learned though that if he's clean, fed and still breathing that it's okay to keep on keepin' on. Cooper and I just talked back and forth about how we wish Cruz would stop crying, turned up the tunes a notch and sang a little louder. Eventually Cruz got the message a fell back asleep.

We had a great time together playing at the Gateway water fountain, visiting great friends and hanging out with Aunt Jenny and cousins Pete and Charlie. We introduced the boys to some of our favorite eateries and went to the zoo. We packed in quite a bit in less than 48hrs and before you knew it it was time to drop Daddy off at the airport. Cooper wasn't happy about that at all. Luckily we had our hotel (mainly the hotel elevator) to help soften to blow. We explained that Daddy had to go back to a fire but we could go back to our hotel and he could be in charge of the elevator some more. Coop is quite a fan of elevators these days. He thinks luggage carts are pretty cool too.

After the boys and I said our goodbyes to Mark, we grabbed some dinner and headed back to our hotel for some elevator rides before bed. That's how we roll on a Saturday night in the City of Salt. Sunday morning, we woke up, sadly said goodbye to Cooper's elevator and took one farewell drive on the luggage cart. Then we spent a few hours at Pete and Charlie's house before we were back on the road.

The drive home went well and was thankfully, uneventful. We had a great weekend and most importantly, a fabulous time with Daddy. Our time a part is getting harder and harder but we're making the best of it and cherishing any time together we can get. I didn't manage to take many pictures (shocker, I know) but I assure you fun was had by all. Poor little C didn't even get any documentation of his first trip to the zoo! Oh, the life of the younger sibling. Poor kiddo. Somehow I don't think he'll care that his first sighting of an elephant pooping wasn't documented. Sorry buddy.

Fun for all

I'm loving the fact that lately when I've been taking the boys to the park, they can both get in on some of the action. Cruz is able to participate more and more (which I love).

I'm sure there will be a time as I'm chasing the boys and trying to convince BOTH of them that it's time to go home, that I'll miss being able to keep one contained while I wrestle and run after the other. I must add that I'm well aware of the fact that the previous sentence is a serious run-on but it's late and a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to hurry an update her blog (with yet another run on sentence).


I think I'll just stick with some pictures....You get the idea. I should have just typed, Cruz digs the park.

Fireman Coop

Yesterday afternoon Cooper ran into the house from the backyard asking where his boots were. I helped him find them, watched him put them on and then went about my business. This is what I discovered when I went to check on him.............................

He needed his fire boots, fire hat and fire hose so that he could "climb the moutain and fight the fire just like daddy"............

CRUZ'in

You know it was only a matter of time before I used the cruising reference with Little C's name. Cooper has recently discovered how fun it is to go cruisin' with Cruz. Before you get all worried about our precious baby's thigh muscles and delicate little legs carrying the extra weight of Coop...DON'T. He is ruthless in his walker and shows no mercy on anyone or anything in his path. He flies at Mach speed on my parent's hardwood floors and wouldn't hesitate to take you out if you were to get in his way.

We have all had to master the quick step in order to save our toes from Cruz's Speedway. Imagine the old video game, Frogger if you will. But with a scheming little baby boy instead of a frog. Even the dogs know to steer clear when Cruz steps behind the wheel.

Cooper is a smart kiddo. He decided all on his own that the safest spot is to ride with Cruz. They both love it and Cruz giggles like crazy as soon as Coop hops on.

Month #10

Little C is 10 months old! He has exploded in the movin' and shakin' department in the past month! Wow, the kids gets around and can cover some serious mileage in the crawling department. We are now in full baby proofing mode. He loves to put EVERYTHING in his mouth....especially food.

He has 5 teeth (almost 6). The past four teeth have been brutal for everyone involved. The last tooth is a lingerer and wants to make it's appearance when it's good and ready. I can speak on Cruz's behalf that he is definitely ready for it to make it's mark. Our happy-go-lucky-baby boy is almost back to his jolly ole self.

Cruz loves his big brother and all of his big brother's toys. Cooper is pretty good about sharing but often finds a love for a toy that he hasn't paid attention to in weeks once his brother shows interest. I can tell that the sharing gig is going to be a work in progress.

One thing they have no problem sharing is a mutual love for the pool..............

Wow!

Ladies and Gents, the last couple of weeks have been rough. Between little C's teething and Big C being three years old, I'm kind of going nuts. I had no idea 3yr olds were so hard. Terrible 2's really weren't that bad (comparatively speaking). Terrifying 3's on the other hand are just that....TERRIFYING.

Luckily, I have my parents to help out and I am beyond grateful for that. The last couple of days have been better as I think the 4 teeth that have been bothering poor Cruz (all at once) are finally making their appearance. Right now, my life is filled with keeping Cooper occupied so that he doesn't turn into Chuckie (which happens very quickly if we don't keep him amused).

Cruz is learning how to occupy himself all on his own. We now have to watch him like a hawk..............YIKES! Now I have 2 kids that can empty a toy box faster than green grass through a goose.



Don't get me wrong, Coop isn't always a jerk. This too shall pass. In the meantime, we're working on finding a common denominator so that we can live in harmony. Poor kid, it's hard being 3.

D.A.D.D.Y

Daddy surprised us with a quick visit this past weekend. Mark decided that this might be his last chance to sneak away for awhile before his crew goes on the boards and he has to be "fire ready". So Friday morning he decided to book a ticket for that evening and return back Sunday night. A very quick visit but we'll take what we can get. What a treat it was. Cooper was beyond excited and LOVED waking up to the sight of his Daddy.

Saturday was packed full of fun. First up, a morning walk in the stroller to a neighborhood pet festival. We saw miniature ponies, cows, tons of dogs, a doggy fashion show and some kitties. Then we had a picnic lunch at the park and played in the fountains and water. Later on we bbq'd and topped the evening off with a sunset cruise in the golf cart.

Sunday wasn't quite as fun (for Mark). The poor guy caught some type of flu bug/stomach thing. It was horrible that he was sooooooooo sick during his visit but we were glad that he was with us so that we could take care of him. Better to be sick with your loved ones then to be sick in the dorms (where he's currently living while in Colorado). Mark spent most of the day in bed while Cooper read him stories and quietly set up his train tracks by his Daddy's bedside. Mark tried to be a trooper but it was obvious just how sick he was. There was no way he could have hidden it.

Although we hated the fact that Mark was so sick, we still treasured our time together and can't wait for his next visit. The goal is to try and get at least 2 (maybe even 3) more visits in throughout the busy fire season.

We sure do appreciate our Daddy time!!

Sunday wasn't really a photo op kind of day but I did manage to take a picture of Coop's first face painting. He got a simple little paw print on his cheek at the pet festival. He was very proud of it and kept peeking at himself in the mirror throughout the day. Imagine the look of a guy that looks in the mirror and does the imaginary point to himself while saying "how you doin'?". Cooper didn't exactly do that but he had the same expression. Pretty cute.

Proud of his paw.