Utah Vacation Part 2

On Monday we went to Trolley Square for lunch and shopping.

 

Grandma spoiled us with a little shopping spree for Charlie and Joey.  We left with a big bag full of things like Curious George sheets & animal hooded towels-- the necessities :)

Charlie had a thing for Grandma too.  In fact, I'm pretty sure if we lived close by Charlie would never want to be home.  Grandma and grandpa are way more fun than boring mom and dad! 

Tuesday we went to the Children's Museum and had such a fun time (even though Trent's face doesn't show it :))

We need one of these near our home!  Charlie was in heaven and I have to admit that I had a great time too.  Children's museums are awesome!

 Building Charlie a tunnel

 Aunt Hailey

Charlie loved the helicopter outside!  My mom told me that when he saw it he said, "whoa..." and started running towards it.

Aunt Chloe

That night our family went to the park and played outside.  I think that was one of my favorite nights there--just hanging out together.  It was our last night so I'm glad we were all able to be together.

The next morning was rough saying goodbye to everyone as they left for school.  Grandma & grandpa took us to the airport and Charlie started crying when I had to take him from grandpa so we could go through security.  It definitely didn't make leaving easy!  

Now we're home.  Our little family of three.  Our first night back we couldn't help but notice how eerily quiet our house is compared to my parents home.  We need more kids to fill it up!  Good thing we have another one of the way :)

Thank you mom and dad for a wonderful trip!
xoxo

Utah Vacation Part 1

We just got home from a week of visiting family in Utah.  We had such a great time!

We had a morning flight so we stayed in a hotel, close to the airport, the night before.  We went out to dinner and afterward Charlie and daddy swam in the hotel pool.  It was a great way to start our vacation!

I started to get a little panicky for the flight as bedtime rolled around. We could not get Charlie to understand that it was time for bed!  He wanted to stay up and explore the room. 

He eventually ended up in bed with us. After many kicks to the face and side, he finally settled down and went to sleep.  Tony and I were exhausted when we woke up!  Luckily that night didn't get us off to a bad start on the planes the next morning.  Charlie was an angel and quietly played on our laps or slept.  We were pleasantly surprised!

Grandpa, Grandma & Uncle Brian were there to meet us at the airport.

Grandpa & Charlie

Uncle Brian

Charlie was a little unsure but quickly warmed up to everyone.

Grandpa & Aunt Chloe

Uncle Trent

We spent the first few days at home visiting with family.  Tony's parents were able to come up for an afternoon, I had lunch with my best friend and we had a big family dinner on Sunday.  It was great seeing everyone! 
My brother, Brian, is getting married in May so I got to visit with my new (future) sister-in-law.

She's darling and I can't wait to have her be part of our family.  We are very excited for Brian and Laura!

The one thing I wanted to do while we were there (besides eat at Cafe Rio of course) was visit the Salt Lake Temple. We were married there and hadn't been back since.  We were able to attend a session and do sealings together.  It was wonderful. After the temple, we went to Tucanos for lunch and I'm pretty sure I'm still full from that meal!

Out of everyone, Charlie definitely warmed up to grandpa the most.  Charlie followed him around everywhere either wanting to be held or chased around the house.

It was fun seeing them together!

Eating My Words

Tony got off late tonight so I fed Charlie dinner by myself.  I was taking little pieces of his roll and wrapping them around peas.  A desperate attempt to have him eat any vegetable.  I got a few bites of green in but not much.  Once he realizes there's a vegetable in his mouth, his tongue sticks out and he gets this face that makes you wonder if he just ate a lemon.  This child will not eat vegetables!  (maybe I should try that Jessica Seinfeld cookbook?)

I remember reading lots of articles, while pregnant, about "how to make your child eat a variety of food" etc.  I would tell Tony that we were doing xyz about everything I read because MY child was going to be a good eater, not one of those picky eater kids.

I'm seeing now that anything said aloud going along the lines of "my kid will never do this" instantly means your kid is going to do exactly that.  You'll be feeling pretty silly when you can hear yourself, in memory, ranting off expectations about that very thing.  I'm learning this lesson early, over little things like eating vegetables and fits in the grocery store.  Hopefully that will keep me from eating my words over things that really matter :) 

Being a Boy

Charlie's play is entertaining to watch. 

Everything is a wrestling match.  Sometimes it is a close call but he is always the winner.

 I can see the wheels turning in his head as he tackles pillows & stuffed animals. To him there's a real match going on and everything is fighting back.  He's falling over, breathing heavy and gets a worried look on his face that almost says, "I might not make it mom." 
 

 It's a good thing he always does make it.  I can't imagine my life without him!

Family Night Out in Pictures

We went bowling tonight as a family and Charlie loved it!  

 His favorite part was watching the balls pop out of the ball return.  He would clap and laugh as if it was the best thing he had ever seen.

 An attempt at a picture of us looking at the camera, but the bowling alley had too many things to explore to stop and smile for the camera! 

 Isn't he a cute bowler? :)

 

We had a great time! 

Big Boy Bed

We made our first step in getting Charlie ready for Joey and turned the crib into a toddler bed.  I was thinking we'd be up multiple times during the night to put him back in bed but so far that hasn't happened.  He can easily climb in and out but I don't think he's realizes he can break his routine and get out if he wanted.  He'll figure it out soon enough, I'm sure!

This bed is his new jungle gym.  He climbs in and out over and over while we're playing in his room. 

  He loves it!