To Nap or Not To Nap....That is the Question.

Love me, love me not...remember that game? We've been playing it the past couple months with a little variation...to nap or not to nap. Ryan definitely needs a nap, but then bedtime is a nightmare. Some nights he'd be up until 11. We tried waking him up after an hour nap, but then he's grumpy. So we decided last week to skip the nap and see how it goes. It was one of the hardest decisions for me to make. I NEED nap time to catch my breath....or so I thought. The week has been great. Ryan has been listening better, he's stopped negotiating (for the most part), and he's fast asleep around 8pm! Life is much more peaceful, and it turns out I don't need to catch my breath when the days run so much smoother.

Where's Daddy?

Since David works nights, I am usually the one who is up when Ryan wakes up in the morning. And even if the kid has made me want to pull my hair out the night before, I am always happy to see that cute face in the morning. And every morning he stands in the door way of the kitchen, looks at me and says "Where's Daddy". Even after I say Good Morning to him, it's "Where's Daddy". I try to get him to say Good Morning to me, or even Hi Mommy, but it never works. It's always, "Where's Daddy". I try not to let it bother me, but obviously it does...

The Diaper Chronicles - Part II

Potty training began on Thursday. After prepping Ryan for about a month, the journey finally began! We told him that we couldn't get any more diapers at the store for him, so he was going to have to wear big boy undies. He was pretty receptive to this, but did tell his Dad at one point that he could just go to Costco to get more diapers. This was the tipping point for me. Any 3 year old who is smart enough to say that, can definitely pee on the potty.

He's been doing awesome! I keep reminding him and coaxing him to go, and he seems to be getting annoyed with me. I realized yesterday that that is because he goes when he needs to. He usually stops what he is doing, makes an announcement that he has to pee and just goes! We've only had one accident so far (I am very impressed!). He still refuses to poop, but we'll get there. One step at a time...

Super (Bowl) Weekend

We just returned (only hours ago) from a wonderful weekend at the beach house in Long Beach. Karen, Bill, Michael and Jenn joined us for the extended weekend. It's such a great place to be. It is so relaxing, and we were blessed with the best February weather we could have asked for. It was mild, sunny and - most importantly - not windy! How lucky can we get!!

The boys went crabbing everyday - which was so fun for Ryan. And Kendall got to see the ocean for the first time! What a lucky girl. I told her that many grown people don't see the ocean in their lifetime. Hopefully one day she'll understand how lucky she is!

What a great time! I feel ready to face the week, now - and how great that it will be a short one!!

Kendall @ 4 months

Kendall's first meal of cereal. She gagged 3 times!
Can't imagine what she'll do with peas and carrots!

Our strong little girl.

Kendall's first stroller ride at the zoo. 1.22.10

The time keeps flying by. Kendall is almost 4 1/2 months old already. She had her check up on Friday, and is perfect...of course! She weighed in at 13 pounds, 14 ounces, once again to my surprise. I really thought she was over 15 pounds. Her thighs and her cheeks are so chubby now. She grew 2 inches in height - now 24 3/4 inches - in two months. It's crazy, and makes me a little sad that she is growing so fast.

We had a rough few weeks with illness, and she's finally coming back to her old sweet self. I jumped for joy the other morning when she woke up at 6am! How spoiled were we those first few months when she was sleeping through the night? Very spoiled, I must say now.

Now that she is feeling better she is full of smiles again, too. Boy did we miss that! She is also starting to giggle at us! There really is nothing better. She still adores Big Brother Ryan. She watches his every move, even though he ignores every one of hers! He is engaging her a little more, though. It was so very cute the other day when he was showing her how to hold her rattle, "now, hold it like I showed you". Where's the video camera when you need it?

Her big milestone over the last week is that she rolled over! She is so strong, and determined. We had so much fun watching her fight to get that arm out from underneath her. Even Ryan joined in on the cheers! Yeah, Kendall!!

Kendall's other big thing is talking. She loves to babble...and it is LOUD! It really is adorable, but after about 10 minutes I'm done! She just goes on and on with so much to say. I can't imagine what it will be like when she's 13!

I thank God everyday that we were blessed with such a precious daughter. She really is the sweetest thing.

Where's Kendall?

After two weeks of feeling lousy, our sweet peanut is finally back! She's still not 100%, but she's definitely getting back to her old self...content and smiley. She is still crying more than usual (and it is VERY loud) and isn't sleeping as well yet, but we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!

Ryan isn't feeling so great again. He's running a low grade temp. I'm not sure if it is because he's not feeling so good, or if he is actually beginning to like his sister! David and I almost fainted when he wanted to snuggle with her yesterday. It was very sweet seeing them snuggle up in the "soft" blanket on the couch!

Kendall adores her brother and always has a huge smile for him. Most of the time he could care less, but he's beginning to have a little fun interacting with her! Hopefully that continues...

A Perfect 10!

I always think how lucky my parents are to have 10 "perfect" grandchildren. That's pretty amazing! And I'm pretty lucky, too, to have 4 "perfect" nieces, and 4 "perfect" nephews...and 2 "perfect" children! What fun (and crazy) it is to get them all together! I love seeing all those very different personalities mix, and how much fun they have together. We had a blast at Tulaby Lake last weekend.

Jack McNamee. Age 7. (back center above). Jack is the oldest of the bunch. Jack loves sports and playing cards. It's always fun to see what he is up to...so I know what I have to look forward to with Ryan!

Gunnar Gunderson. Age 6. (with Ryan above) Gunnar is the talker. He is such an animated story teller at Age 6...I can't wait to see what he has to say in 10 years!

Luke McNamee. Age 5. (middle) Lukey has a one track mind...hunting (& fishing). It really is the funniest thing. Luke is the most caring little boy with the biggest brown eyes that still melt my heart!

Emma Gunderson. Age 4. (above in red w/blond hair). Emma Sue is such a girly, girly (much to her mother's dismay). I love it! She is totally into clothes, dolls, princesses and art. It's a toss up between her and Grace who is the bossiest! (just like their mothers!!)

Grace McNamee. Age 3. (above in the pink princess p.j's). Gracie, AKA Bossy Boots, has definitely learned how to hold her own with 2 older brothers. Her and Emma have the best time playing together. The deep voice coming from such a little peanut always makes me smile!

Ryan Boehm. Age 3. Oh, Ryan! The only red-head of the bunch with the temperment to go with it! He's never quite himself around all those cousins...way too much excitement. Boy, does he have fun!

Jillian Baumann. Age 22 1/2 months. Jilli is the spitting image of her Daddy, but her mom shines through when she smiles. Jillian doesn't say much, but definitely can get her point across without using words. Adorable!

Evelyn Gunderson. Age 1. (standing). Is there anything sweeter than Evie? I think not. Her fun, happy personality makes me want to have 3rd child....if I could guarantee it would be just like her.

Kendall Boehm. Age 4 months. (on right). Sweet Baby Kendall. You hardly know she's around. She is so easy going and has a smile for everyone!

Gabriel Baumann. Age 3 months. (on left). Gabe is the baby of the bunch. He's going to be a mover...and has to to keep up with all those older cousins. His soft cry and deep voice is so precious!

And that is a Perfect 10!