Christmas!!

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas together as a family. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

My beautiful Diamonds! Lance's World Series Champions Sweatshirt (the one gift he had no idea about!) Minnie Clips and Mickey earrings! Enjoying some gifts from his stocking. He loves his recliner! Their chairs from Santa Claus. In mommy and daddys bed, waiting to go see what Sants brought them! Santa's Cookies. This is my favorite Picture!!

My kids

Peyton has a new favorite toy. It is whatever Parker has in his hands. And for some reason, my sweet little laid back baby boy just laughs and laughs when she takes away whatever it was that he was playing with. Today, it was a plastic bowl. She had no reason to take it from him, but she did. And when I told her to please give it back, she went and found another toy, any other toy, and gave it to him. I have to threaten to take her one prized possesion away from her...Bear...dun dun dun!!! Works everytime! (hey, it would work for you too if you had a semi-romantic relationship with your stuffed animal!).
As for Parker, he gets his revenge by pinning her every once in awhile. He looks so triumphant as he climbs on top of her petite little body and gets a big smile, all the while his sister is under him, screaming bloody murder. It is gonna be a GREAT next 18 years!! I love my kids!

I promise

Last week we took the kids to Disneyland. There are more pictures to follow! But for now you only get this one!

Wimple's Pumpkin Patch

When I was growing up we would go to a place called Apple Hill during the fall, usually on Conference Weekend, to take pictures and just have fun as a family. Seeing as Apple Hill is about 4+ hours away from where our little family lives, we decided to take the kids to Wimple's Pumpkin Patch, which is about 25 minutes away instead! It is nothing like Apple Hill, but was fun nonetheless for my little kids! They had all the things that our kids were interested in. Hay rides, tractors to play on, animals to look at (Peyton wasn't too interested in this part), pumkins to find, a small haymaze for toddlers and a small play structure for the kids to play with after lunch (and an AWESOME shop for the mom!- with GREAT prices!). We went with some family friends (Dodges, Autenriebs, and Wedemeyers). Lance had to work that morning, but we took tons of pictures for him to be a part of our trip!

Riding in her wagon on the way out to get some pumpkins (that is her friend Jack in the background)

"I found a good one mommy!"

Peyton holding her pumpkin that she picked

Her wagon is full!

Parker riding his John Deere tractor

Holding his baby Pumpkin (that is Caitlyn holding him...so glad she was there to help me with the kids that day! She was a lifesaver)

Me and my friends (clockwise from top left: Reagan, Julie, Me, Jaquelle)

Scootchin around

The day has come! Actually, it came last Friday. Parker is now mobile. He isn't quite on all 4s yet, but he is going, going, going! And fast too! I turn away for 3 seconds and I am pulling him out from underneath the kitchen table. Or out from under the coffee table, which has a 3 inch shelf that he crawls onto and pushes the magazines off of. It was so fun and exciting for the first little while, but now it is just something that distracts me from doing things that I should be doing (washing dishes, folding laundry, scrubbing toilets, blogging, playing on the computer) ;) But he is oh so fun! He is about to get his little teeth in on the bottom, and he smiles constantly. Even when he is crying, he is smiling, and sometimes he can't figure out if he wants to cry or laugh. He is completely in love with his big sister (who would have nothing to do with him if it was her choice). He would follow her to the ends of the earth and loves to watch her all day long.
Peyton is also growing and changing on a daily basis. She has started to make up laugh by the things that she comes up with to say to us. The other day, her nana and papa were here to visit us here in Susanville and she was playing with Peyton and her shape blocks. She held up one of the blocks and asked me "Ashley, what shape is this?" to which Peyton promptly replied "Nana, it's a quadrilateral!" We all just cracked up. Sometimes the things that she has in that little head of hers far exceed any of the expectations I have for my 2 year old!
Here are some of the things that she is doing now:
*Counting 1-50 with ease
*Counting 1-10 in spanish
*Knows all her ABCs and numbers by sight
*Knows all her colors and shapes (including a quadrilateral, penta-, hexa-, and octagon)
*Loves to have picnics out in the front yard with Mommy and Parker
*Sings 5 little monkeys with hand motions by herself
*Can open, start and find her games on my phone (I have had to put a passcode on it to keep her from getting on all the time)
*Hopping on one foot
*Knows the 1st article of Faith
*Knows 5 or 6 Primary songs that she sings by herself
*Knows most of her Body Parts in English and in Spanish
*Helps mommy get things around the house, or pick things up
*Joyfully proclaims "There's Bubs!" when I get Parker out of bed
*Knows her daily routine, and HATES to diviate from it in any way shape or form
*Knows, by heart, word for word, at least 30 different Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows (I know this puts me in the bad mother category, but sometimes a mom needs a break, and no kidding, she can go MONTHS without seeing a specific one and she still knows it WORD for WORD)

Sorry if it sounds like I am boasting about my kids...but I AM! They are great. They make me happy. They are my reason for getting up every morning. Literally. I just wanted to be able to remember some of the things they were doing at this time, and to share them with all of you! And of course you wanted to know, or why else would you still be reading this? ;)

Stuff

I figured it was time to update you all on our doings and going ons this last month. In the middle of the month Lance took 2 weeks off of work and we went down to Sacramento to see my family cause my brother came home from his mission. He looked so good and so happy! It was great to see how he has changed, yet stayed the same in many ways. He is such a great guy and I am so happy for the choices he has made in his life. It was the first time ever that we were able to have all of us together, with all of our sposes and children at one time, EVER! It was really awesome to have all of for a couple of days. After we spent about 10 days with them we drove to see Lance's parent for a couple of days and had some fun on the boat (well, most of us did, Peyton, not so much).

We got home and have kind of been unwinding ever since (I know, it has been a week and a half~). Last week I taught Peyton how to say the first Article of Faith. We repeated it over and over for awhile until finally, 4 days later, I overheard her saying it by herself. It was such a feeling of pride to know that my daughter, though merely repeating what I taught her, knew the basis of what we believe. It amazes me everyday how close to the spirit our children are, even when they may seem closer to the devil at times!!
We also have been going to the park a lot. It is so fun to have Parker sit in the kids swing and just chill while I play with Peyton. He is happy to just watch her frolic and have her own fun. He really is the best baby ever. For the most part...he has been having a hard time going to sleep for his afternoon nap. He goes down fine at night, and fine for his morning nap, but he fights and fights me when it is time for his afternoon nap. I am glad he does it then though. Peyton used to do the same thing at this age (rolling over and becoming more mobile). But the princess did it in the middle of the night. I will take it this way over that anyday!
All in all the Lively's are doing well. We are aware of all the blessings we have in our lives. Lance has been blessed to have his schedule switched to have Saturday and Sundays off and the coveted 6-2 shift. People who work in the same field try for 20 YEARS to get that job and he was asked to do it! It is only temporary, but if he works hard, people will notice. I am glad to have such a dedicated hard working husband to take care of our family.
*My computer is being slow...and won't let me upload my pictures so I will have to wait and try again tomorrow. *

Football!!

'Tis the season!! For football that is! This is my husbands favorite time of year. Baseball postseason is coming up, golf is at its peak (well lets face it...when is it not?) and Football is about to start! Can it get any better than this? To him it can't! I am just excited cause I found this cute background to go with it! And the blue is for my favorite team...The Indianapolis Colts!! Enjoy!

Parker 4 months

I know I just posted about Parker and how fast he is growing, with all of his stats too, but I have gone back to look for Peyton's stuff and it is nowhere to be found, so I am posting again for my records only. We took Parker to the Dr. on Wednesday for his 4 month check up. He is getting SOOO big! He weighed in at 15 lbs 7 oz (60th %) and heightwise was 27 inces long!!! (over 95th percentile). We have a big boy on our hands! It was also found out that he has an ear infection in his left ear, poor little guy! He took his shots like a champ. He seems to do a lot better than Peyton did afterwards. Our neighbor came over to chat last night and mentioned how happy he seemed after just having shots in both legs. He came home and slept for 3 1/2 hours and then was back to normal. He stood on his legs, laughed, allowed me to touch him...couldn't ask for a better baby. I am so blessed with the little guy that I have! He is such a sweet baby and so easy to read. He is getting close to rolling over and loves to reach up and grab at things. I took him into the pool when we were in Tahoe, and he just laughed and loved it! We consider ourselves to blessed to have him and are enjoying him more and more everyday. We have also started to try and feed him solids. He had some rice cereal with breastmilk the other day and actually did very well with it. He got most of it down and none of it came up after! I can't believe how fast he is growing up! Attempt at solids He tries to fit his whole fist in his mouth! He likes the lights in his bounceroo!

Lake Tahoe

This past week Lance and I decided to pack up and head to Lake Tahoe. We went so Lance could go to the celebrity Golf Tournament. We left Tuesday morning after we woke up and sstayed until Thursday afternoon. It was a great little getaway for our little family. We stayed at the Montbleu Hotel, which is within walking distance to The Edgewood Golf Course where the Tournament was, so Lance was able to walk as were we to go SHOPPING at the Heavenly Shopping Center. The hotel we stayed at has an awesome pool. The first day that we were there we took Peyton down to look at it and didn't think she would be too impressed. But she wanted to get in with her dress on! We took her dress off, left her bloomers on and set her on the first step. She had the time of her life! She was sitting on the step (big improvement from last time we went to a pool) splashing, kicking, and even venturingdown to the second step where the water came up to her waist. We had to go to eat dinner, but we took her again after dinner and she was hesitant again, she got in, but didn't really want to splash or venture out very far. The next day however was a different story! She was literally JUMPING to the next step and at one point went completely under the water. Lets just say it was a good thing I was standing right there! I freaked out, not cause she went under, but because I was afraid this would deter her from ever wanting to experience swimming again! She popped right back up and asked to go "swim with mommy". SHOCKER! I took her in my arms and showed her that she would be fine if mommy was holding her. She had a great time! She kicked and held her breath to go under the water and cried when it was time to get out! I wish we had a pool here in Susanvill so I could get her swimming lessons! All in all it was a fun-filled relaxing trip. So nice to get away even for just a couple days!


Sorry these aren't the best pictures! We had to take them on Lance's phone cause our battery ran out on the camera!

Its my potty and I'll cry if I want to

The weather here in Susanville has finally changed to Summer. It was late coming this year, but it finally came. This week has been especially warm, with temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Nothing like back home, but still, I'm not a big fan. What I am a big fan of is that I get to spend time outside with my family. Peyton would play outside ALL DAY LONG if I let her. She is so happy when she gets to ride her bike or even just play in the dirt.
We have been able to go to the lake a lot lately (at least once a week) and she loves it. For some reason, it takes her a little while to warm up to the idea that we are there and not going anywhere. After the long drive (it is about 45 minutes away) the first thing she has to do is go to the bathroom. Because she is just learning and getting the whole potty thing down she won't let me put a diaper on her, nor will she just "pop a squat" (such a priss!). She also will not go in the lake. Because there is no bathroom at the lake I had to come up with a plan, or she would have probably held it until she exploded. Or cried until my head exploded. Either scenario; no bueno. So...my brilliant mind came up with the idea of giving her her $1 bucket from walmart to go tinkle in. At first, she was very against this idea as well, but I calmly told her she would be fine and then coaxed her into going. SUCCESS!! She went and now everytime we go to the lake, the first thing she says is "I go potty in the bucket?" Such a crackup.
I think that her funniest time of day (most days) is right when she wakes up from her nap. She has the best demeanor and is just happy happy happy. Here is a picture of her right after she woke up from her nap (you can tell by her hair) and she was wearing daddy's shoes and shuffling around talking to me.

Tadaaaaaa!!

I am finally blogging again! Hooray! Now, I know you are all concerned as to why I have been away for so long and I am here to tell you. We have our desktop computer in Peyton's room. Strange, I know, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. So...the only time I am able to get on the computer for more than 5 minutes at a time is when both my kiddos are sleeping. Not happenening when the computer is in her room. So my DH went and bought a new laptop for the living room. Nothing too fancy cause I want an iPad next year when the 2nd version comes out so we are saving our pennies. But it does allow me to keep better at updating my blog.

On to the updates. Peyton is so much fun. She is just growing into her own little person. She is constantly on the go. In fact, yesterday, Lance and I just sat there and watched as she literally RAN back and forth from the kitchen, to the living room down the hall and back OVER AND OVER AND OVER!! Then, when she got bored of that, she stood in front of us and ran IN CIRCLES (yes like a dog chasing its tail) repeatedly. We were cracking up. I love to have little conversations with her. She is getting so good at talking now that we can carry on a whole conversation for the most part. An example of a conversation between her and I today (I was outside pulling weeds):

me:"whatcha doin' babe?"
P: "I pullin' the weeds mom, what you doin?"
me: "I'm pulling the weeds too"
P: "oh, how nice!"

She just cracks me up with some of the things that come out of her mouth! Another thing she has been doing is some "trick" she makes up (like jumping off the stone lining our flowerbed in the front) and throwing her hands out to the side and yell "tadaaaaa!". Some of her favorite things to do lately are; go to the park (she loves the slide and swing), go to the lake, go to the library (there is a little preschool mom and me read-a-long on Wednesdays), water the plants with daddy, ride her bike, play with Parker, go to lunch with mommy and daddy when daddy is home, help mommy with cooking and taking a bath. Here she is eating some pizza while out on the town with mommy and daddy.



Parker is just growing right before our eyes! He is starting to reach up and grab things (he loves his black and white whale that his Aunt Amber got for him that hangs on his carseat handle) and he loves to stand up and use his little chunky legs! When he is lying down he kicks like a mad-man and is constantly on the go (too bad he can't go far yet!). The other day I walked into his room and his little head was straight up and looking around like a little turtle. He is the happiest baby, constantly smiling and laughing and always "talking" to me. He goes to anyone and is content to just sit in his swing when mommy needs her hands to cook or clean. It is amazing to me how different my two children are and they are only 2 and 3 months! The two of them make Lance and I so happy, it is hard to explain!
Here is our "turtle":



Lance has been blessed to have his schedule changed so that we get to see him more often. He now works 2nd watch (6 am-2 pm) which allows us to have a lot more time with daddy. He is home at night and Peyton loves to spend this time with her dad. She loves that when she wakes up from her nap daddy is there! Sometimes she acts so suprised to see him there! Lance has been working so hard to try and make our lives more comfortable. He has done the maximum amount of overtimes every month for the past couple months allowing us to be very financially blessed. Our yard looks great thanks to his dedication and pride in our home. When he isn't at work, he is home doing some project to better our house.

I love that my husband works hard so that I can stay home and raise my children. I never thought that it would be so rewarding to spend time with a 2 year old and a baby, day after day. It is definately the best thing in the world. I can honestly say there are rough days, but I can't really complain and feel good about myself. I have it so easy compared to a lot of people. My children are both mild tempered and happy, as long as they stay on schedule. I have a wonderful husband who makes me happy and a beautiful home that I am able to make better everyday. I am so blessed with all the things the Lord has given to me in my life right now. Just when I think it can't get any better...it does!

2 (3) month check up

Parker turned 2 months on May 17th, but because of insurance stuff I couldn't get him in for his 2 month check up until this week. So at his almost 3 month check up, he weighed in at 13 lbs 14 oz! Which put him at the 70th percentile for weight. And Height-wise he was 26 inches putting him at the 90th percentile! What a beast of a baby I have. But he sure is fun. He has started to "talk" back to me when I chat with him, and he coos and giggles all the time! He is just the happiest little guy! With such a little personality! His favorite time of day is bath time, and he sleepys soundly through the night until around 7 every morning. Man, did I get lucky! I love you, my little man!

Bath time! His Favorite

Playing with Peyton

Watching MMC with Peyton

Swinging at the park

Potty Time

Last Monday I started to potty train P1. She has shown signs for awhile now that she is ready. I got all geared up, pulled out all the little panties that I had for her, and even purchased an online book that was on sale that a friend recommended (thanks Morgan). The first 2 1/2 days were a disaster. I am talking, not even once did she make it to the toilet. Not even once. It was so stressful for me! I just kept wanting to give up! But the book said to keep on truckin' so that's what I did. But honestly, how much easier would it be to just put a diaper back on her. And if I had to say "you tell mommy if you have to go potty!" one more time...
On Wednesday afternoon, she came running to me exclaiming "I go potty mommy! I go potty!" So I ran with her to the bathroom acting excited (trust me - big time acting) and sure enough, she looked up at me proud as can be, and she was going. I don't think I have ever been so excited about pee in my life! But our real problems were only beginning.
Later that evening, she told me she had to go potty, and I knew it wasn't pee. She had not gone #2 for 3 days and I was starting to get nervous. Now everytime I put her on the potty she would cry and ask me to hold her. After about 2 hours of on and off the potty, she started to walk funny. I was at a friends house and she asked if I wanted a supository cause it was obvious she needed to go, she just wasn't doing it. I gave her the supository, and she finally went later that night (after crying for 3 hours). It was so much relief for her that it physically made ME feel better.
The next morning however, was no different. I guess she just didn't get all of it out. She cried and cried and I sent Lance to get some baby laxatives. I also filled her up on the juices. Unfortunately this meant that I needed to put her back in diapers, because who knew how or when that stuff was going to come?! I didn't want a huge mess to clean up. Call me crazy.
It now looks like we are back in the clear. Starting last night, she came and asked if she could go peepee and put on her big girl panties again. I said sure, not thinking it would actually pan out the way I was hoping, but alas...it did. Since last night she has gone in the potty everytime except for one accident last night before bed where she immediately freaked out. I know that more accidents are going to happen, but the past couple of days have given me some hope that my child will not be going to kindergarten with a diaper on!

This picture is from last year, but she was so excited to go on the potty and I love her little face and hands!

Livelys Lately

So... I don't know how all of you moms of 2+ kids find the time to sit down and blog...I must admit that I completely and utterly admire you and the time that you miraculously seem to find! And I also want to thank you for making my life so much more enjoyable when I sit down at the computer and get to read your blogs! Here I am, 3 weeks from the last time I blogged, sitting here trying to find the time to do it. We will see how many times I have to stop and save and come back to this one post!
Well, the babies and I go home to Susanville on Thursday. I don't think I have been this excited to go home ever. I miss my husband desperately, and I can't wait to see him and be with him on a daily basis. And sorry if this is TMI (don't read on if it is), but it has also been 6 weeks since I had a baby...and we all know what that means folks! Yes! I can hardly wait! Maybe it is because this baby that I had was a boy, and we all know that boys (most anyway) are very sexual, but I just feel so much more ready this time than after P1. I still do not feel sexy by any means, but I have been trying desperately to feel better about what I look like as opposed to what the world TELLs me what I am SUPPOSED to look like. I am making small progress and I know that I will just continue to feel better about myself after I keep excercising.
I also miss all my friends at home. I thought it would be great and relaxing to be away this long, but I miss all the times we get together and spend time having dinner and playing games as families. Thank you to all my great friends up there who make us feel like we are loved!
P1 is slowly becoming accustomed to having P2 around. She has random meltdowns, but I can pretty much time them and attribute them to her being tired. (not all the time, please don't think I am delusional and think my child is just tired all the time. I know that she is 2 and having temper tantrums). MOST of the time I can settle her down by putting her down for her nap (which she takes everyday for 3-4 hours...be jealous) or at night, down for bed. There are times however when she wants me all to herself. You can see the bits of jealousy coming out when I am holding P2 and playing with him, or heaven forbid, feeding him! I hold her and play with her, and talk her through it and she usually calms down quickly. She is at such a fun age and I love to have actual conversations with her knowing that she understands and will respond to me with her words as well. I love to watch her grow and learnd new things on a daily basis. Her new favorite thing is Play Dough. She always wants me to play with her, which I hate. I have never liked the feel of it and it takes a lot for me to pick it up and touch it! But I do it for her, cause it makes her happy! And what am I on this earth for but to make her happy!
P2 is growing faster than I ever thought possible! He was 10 lbs 6 oz and 23 inches long at his last checkup at 4 weeks!! That is the same size that P1 was at 4 months! It is so weird to have such a big baby when I had such a small one the first time! He sleeps so well during the night! I put him down around 9:30 or 10 and he sleeps until between 4:45 and 6! Then He will wake up, eat, and USUALLY go right back to sleep until around 11 or so. Pretty sweet! But then there are those nights...Yeah.
He loves to smile at you and LOVES movement. He would be happy with someone walking around rocking him all day long! And he is such a cuddle-bug! I love to just sit and hold him and smell his baby head and kiss his baby face. I love the way that he still curls his long body into the fetal position to sleep and curls up next to me. He is so much fun and I just love every minute with him!
This is all that has been happening in my life recently. New baby, new life. I love it. And for all of your enjoyment...here are some recent picures. (It only took 3 times to stop and start writing this whole thing!

Easter Pictures

I know it is a little late, but we finally went and had their Easter Pictures take professionally. Peyton, who is usally a nightmare while taking pictures (she cried until she made herself throwup the last time) was an absolute angel this time...which can only mean one thing. Parker was not. Isn't that how it always works? Either way, we got some pretty good shots. And I promise, Peyton's hair was cute before we left the house!

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny even found us at Nana and Papa's house! Peyton woke up a little crabby this morning because she couldn't go according to her usual schedule, so I took her downstairs to show her that the Easter Bunny came to visit. It took her some convincing to actually LOOK for the eggs, but once she got going, she was so excited! I never knew it would bring me such joy to watch my child be so happy. One of the talks during conference this morning said something about how our Heavenly Father and Jesus love our children even more than we do. I find such comfort in knowing this, and wonder how it is possible, but do not doubt its truth.
I am grateful this Easter Morning for the knowledge I have, that our Savior lives and loves me and my family more than I could ever imagine. I am so grateful for Him and the atonement to allow me to live forever with my family, to repent of any wrong I have done, or will do, and be with those whom I love forever. It is this that is the true meaning of Easter, but I am also grateful for the happiness I get to share with my children in the fun little things such as the Easter Bunny. She may be young, but I know she knows who Jesus is when we walk through church and she points to His pictures. And when she drops to her knees at night so we can say prayers. It is these little things in life that comfort me in thinking that I am doing some things right as a parent.

Easter Eggs!

Today we got into the big soaker tub and colored some Easter eggs! She had a couple of hesitations when she had to stick her dainty little hands into the weird colored water, and would keep asking "mommy do it" but she liked the overall outcome! She took her little dyed fingers and would make a claw hand and say "rahhh!" like a monster. I love spending time with my little P1 and being able to watch and see her grow. After she goes to bed tonight I get to fill her easter basket from the Easter Bunny and watch her in the morning as she hunts around the house for all her easter eggs! It is making me remember my mom, Tammy, as she would always color eggs with us and hide our baskets for us to find in the morning. It is little things like this that make me so happy to be a mommy!

Parker's First Bath

For some reason, it took almost 2 weeks for Parker's belly button to fall off. I am not sure why, but that thing wanted to hang on forever! Because of that, I was not able to give him a bath this whole time! (sponge baths don't count). He was starting to get a raunchy baby barf/baby poop/baby sweat smell that was getting out of control! I was starting to go crazy! Well this afternoon it finally came off and we got to give him his first bath! At first he was a little upset at the situation, but once he calmed down, he realized that this may in fact be a good thing! I mean, who doesn't like a nice warm bath?!

Easter is Early!

Here are my two kiddos on the week before Easter Sunday (cause next week is Conference) in their cute outfits! I think this is my new favorite outfit for Peyton. She was so stinkin cute!