After getting Rhode dressed for the morning (off white baby gap onesie, the ones with the little teddy bear insignia and the collar, seriously adorable) I let Rhode and Scarlet engage their minds, expand their vocabulary and experience new sensory imagery and sound this morning (let them watch massive amounts of PBS).

I set him down boppy-style in front of the tube next to his big sis. They vegged while I indulged in some educational literature and updated my knowledge of the world and its most vital information (checked my email forwards and blogged while reading the MSN entertainment section). Scarlet immediately requested sustenance (mommy I'n hungee) which I appeased with a banana.

Back to my serious research (commenting on blogs and checking out YouTube ) I realized Rhode had been watching the television quietly for quite a while, which is not usually his style, when I heard his signature "Scarlet got me, mom!" scream.

I sauntered over to find him flat on his back, but the really strange part was his spotless, freshly applied onesie now looked like it had been the victim of backyard dirt warfare. I was confused... then mystified... then I saw the half masticated banana peel on the ground in front of him. Scarlet had shared the less appetizing part of her breakfast with her very eager younger brother and he had proceeded to somehow chew a good part of it and rub it all over himself simultaneously. Of course, Jon had to go and take the camera with him to California all week. Woe to all the precious moments like this one that won't be captured. I miss my camera... oh yeah, and my husband.

Everyone to your beds!

A momentous occasion in the Nielsen household, everyone slept in their own bedroom last night for the first time! I love everyone being in their rightful place. Since Rhode was born, we have kept his clothes in the baby room closet where Scarlet still slept while he slept in our closet. Scarlet's clothes were in the guest room closet while we worked on her room. Then we moved Rhode out of sleeping in our closet to sleeping in Scarlet's room in the pack n' play while Scarlet still slept in the crib and our clothes were in the guest room while we finished our closet. That about drove me crazy. Luckily, all chaos has been restored to its correct order and the world can continue on its usual course.

We finished Scarlet's room in time for her birthday complete with her own toddler bed but I made the unfortunate mistake of buying an IKEA bed and not buying the sheets with it. IKEA and their crazy sizes... Anyway, after a little creative sewing and velcro-ing, Scarlet's bed now had sheets so we decided to give it a go last night. I would say it was overall a successful venture. She went to bed without any hassle and didn't come out of her room. Jon left for work about 6:45 this morning and at about 7:15 I heard Blues Clues on downstairs. I peeked down the staircase and there was Scarlet sitting her usual two inches from the tv screen. I assumed Jon had turned them on for her before he left for work but he claims he didn't. So Scarlet somehow got the TV on and turned on the DVD player and pressed play. And she didn't seem to care in the slightest that she had not seen a single person in her family yet, as long as Blue was there to take care of her.

With Scarlet out of the crib, Rhode finally got to have a turn. For being such a good baby, he really is a terrible sleeper. He has slept through the night once in his entire six months of existence. Once! So we have moved on to 'cry it out' phase. Wow is he stubborn. It has been a week now and he still gets up every 3-4 hours and screams like a banshee for a half an hour or more before finally crying himself to pure exhaustion sleep. I'm getting tired just thinking about it. I am up for suggestions if anyone has some! I am also willing to loan out a very cute and cuddly 6 month old from the hours of 8 p.m. - 7 a.m. every night. Anyone? Anyone?

My little man

I am pretty proud of myself at the moment, I actually got pictures of my little guy on the day he hit a baby milestone. Rare accomplishment for me. I am usually saying, yay my baby is 3 months old! Hope you enjoy these pictures of him from a month ago because that is the last time I picked up my camera. But this little shoot right here is the day my little guy turned six months old.

I had to get a few shots of him in the buff, it is hard to appreciate his many rolls otherwise. And really, if I had to pick two words to describe Rhode at this age it would be fat and happy.

He has most recently discovered his tongue, and it it is constantly dancing outside his mouth. Scarlet was tongue tied at his age so she never did this. It cracks me up all day long.

Rhode has also discovered the joys of finding things and sticking them in his mouth. For example, this flower.

But instead of embracing the world of baby food as his sister did, he usually reacts like this to new things in his mouth.

Still not interested in rolling over, in fact this picture is the closest I have seen to him even trying.

But he is starting to be a solid sitter. I love it when they can sit up by themselves. They are so much more entertained! At last check, he was up to 19 1/2 lbs. and is in the 85th percentile for height, weight and head. What a great six months it has been.

It's my happy day!

It took me the whole week leading up to her birthday to get Scarlet to say how old she is. Now when you ask, her face lights up and she screams, 'I'n TWO!' while holding up one finger. Close enough right? The best part is every time Jon would overhear us practicing, he would get a nervous look on his face and say, 'wait, is she already two?'

I got a few of Scarlet's friends together for a morning at the park and lunch at McDonalds. When I asked her that week what she wanted to eat on her birthday, she took a few seconds to ponder, then turned to me and said, 'cake.' Not because she has any idea you usually eat cake on her birthday, girl just likes cake. I was kinda looking for more of a food item so I asked again, and she came back with, 'fries.' I'm raising her well, can't you tell?

Sam brought down her almost two year olds, Kate and Owen and Ashley brought her boys, Blaze and Bennett. They proceeded to run amok at the park for the next hour. It is kind of a widely spaced park which means you can't just keep track of them from a nice, quiet distance. Not great planning on my part. The kids had a blast, but I would have much rather chatted with the moms than have to ask every two seconds, 'anyone seen Scarlet?'

They all loved the slide

and the swings.

Bennett even attempted the spin seat.

Then we took our crew across the street to McDonalds. We let Blaze, Bennett and Scarlet hold each other's hand on the way to the car. It was just so cute. I especially love how you can tell one of them is being reprimanded.

We all piled into a booth with a large order of chicken nuggets and fries and let the kids gorge.

Then, I pulled out Scarlet's cupcakes. I was in an experimental mood, so I tried making the cupcakes with a strawberry and cream cheese filling. Delicious, but unstable. The cupcakes were hard to keep together in an adult hand. I'll let you imagine the state of that poor bench once the group was done mauling their cupcakes. I haven't been back, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a picture of us on a 'not allowed to eat here again' board.

Tuesday is a busy day at our house. The kids and I head to the dance class I teach in the afternoon and then Jon leaves for mutual right when we get home. So Scarlet, Rhode and I had to wrap up our celebrations without dad. She's two, I am thinking she probably didn't notice.

We finished her room for her birthday (pictures to come) and we also got her a rolling suitcase luggage set. I know, every two year olds dream right? Actually, it was!

Kate and Owen got her a coloring and sticker book. It was her only present that was wrapped (I know, pathetic) and she tore through the paper as fast as she could, her eyes got really wide and she held it up and said, 'whoa!' It was so dang cute.

Of course, Grandma Peggy had to go and trump my present (I realize trumping luggage is pretty dang easy). She got Scarlet a roller coaster.

We just got it set up today and she was giddy through the whole process. I set the car on top and sent her soaring and she absolutely loved it! We ran to the top once again, sent her flying down, but this time she came to a final halt in the bushes. She didn't love that so much.

So the rest of the morning she ditched the car part and did this.

She would say, 'Look mommy, wheeeee' like she was speeding down a slide when actually she slowly scooted herself down the length of the track.

I can't believe she is two! She talks all day long and I actually understand some of the things she says! My favorite thing she does right now is she sings. She loves to sing Dora the Explorer songs, Sesame Street songs, old macdonald, and her nursery songs. She could also live in front of the television if I would let her, and occasionally bring her snacks. She begs me to go to a different friend's house every day. She shouts, 'AMEN!' at the top of her lungs at the end of every prayer in sacrament meeting, especially after the Sacrament prayer because then she gets bread. I just love this girl of mine. Happy Birthday Scarlet!

You know you are short a few brains cells when...

1 - you walk out of you daughter's room after putting her to bed for the night only to find out two hours later (while she is still awake) that you never turned off the lights in her room.

2 - your daughter asks you to help her put on your jacket on over her diaper first thing in the morning and you almost walk out the door twice with her wearing just that.

3 - you come out to the Costco parking lot after grabbing a few needed items and dinner only to find your keys aren't in your diaper bag. Thankfully, the car is unlocked but you don't see the keys on any of the seats you tend to leave them either. Then you notice they are in the ignition.... and the car is still running.

All hypothetical examples of course. If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek professional help immediately.

It's my horn, and I'll toot it if I want to

If our roles as mother and homemaker were run a little bit more like the girl scout program, I would have definitely earned a badge last night. Actually, I think last night was worth two badges. The first badge (and this would be a really big, fancy one) would be the "Baby Shower Hostess" award for my first successfully thrown baby shower. The second badge would be for excellence in decor, ambiance, cuisine, and overall result of said shower. Of course I might lose a few beads for taking all the credit for the shower when, had it just been left up to me, it would have probably been a sad and sorry affair. So Ashley, you can have all of the above badges plus the "Grace" award for keeping your cool while working with a pure ameteur who insists on stealing all your glory. (Applause)

Luckily I captured the night on film so all can bask in our adorableness.

This was our clothesline with little onesies for our new mom, also featured in the picture.

Cynthia (above, niece of Sharon McConkie for all who might care to know) wasn't due to have her little girl until the middle of March. But at 33 weeks, the doctors found fluid in her lungs so little Eliza Jane had to come out the next day. She is still in the NICU but all is looking well and she should be coming home in the next few weeks.

Eliza totally ruined our first shower date by her untimely arrival (you would think newborns would be more cooperative) but we forgave her and had the party a little later. We had a table with pictures of the new tiny little bundle and this book for guests to write their best baby advice.

The opposite wall was adorned with this amazing creation.

And then, there was the food.

'Is that a fruit and cheese platter' you say? Yes, yes it is. There were also fruit topped cheesecake tarts and crackers added to the display later. And the lovely decantur at the end of the table was filled with what turned into a surprisingly good batch of strawberry lemonade made with actual strawberry puree.

After some lovely chatting and the round of ooh's and aah's as Cynthia opened her gifts, the guests were then invited create their own thank you bag from our candy bar.

So dang cute right? All of the truly adorable creations (ie. the book, banner, etc.) were all completely the work of Ashley. The only crafty thing I can claim is the heart blanket and all I did was pay a woman to add the name, but it turned out so well I am claiming full credit anyway.

My bragging time is officially finished. Now you may praise me.

:)

FHE Reminiscings and other stuff

Jon and I have been trying a little harder to have some decent family home evenings since Scarlet is a little less worthless (as Jon lovingly refers to her) and able to participate. It usually consists of a few prayers, songs, a lesson from our 'beginner's bible', a very brief activity, and dessert. At first, our activity was the hokey pokey, a David Earl family classic. We even got to add in my dad's favorite addition, "you put your BUM in, you put your BUM out." That one was always a hit.

I decided to mix it up last week and pull out another classic, the noodle to your nose into a jar activity. I remember playing this game as a child vividly. The purpose of the game or why we actually enjoyed it so much still kind of eludes me...

Scarlet kinda had a hard time grasping the concept herself. The game is played by putting a jar on the ground. Holding a dry noodle to the top of your nose, you then try to drop it into a jar. As we got older we usually had to stand on a chair or stool to increase the difficulty.

Instead of following by those rules, Scarlet decided to balance the noodle on her nose...

Stick the noodle up her nose...

And then, eat the noodle.

We might need to practice that activity a few more times.

And as you can see in the background of that last shot, Scarlet has a new toy courtesy of her dad. We bought some furniture from Costco for Rhode's room and it came in a big old box. Jon walked up to it with a knife and, five seconds later, it was a playhouse for Scarlet.

She has spent the last week in there poking her head out the window and through the hole on the roof. We have even decorated the inside with her markers.

Why do we ever actually purchase toys?

And my final story of the evening. We were out with friends the other day and I had Rhode laying by me on a chair. Scarlet came up to him and leaned over to give him a kiss on the forehead. Moments later, he was screaming. I pulled Scarlet off of him and looked down to find clear impressions of her top and bottom teeth embedded into his forehead. She bit his head! Who does that?!