Happy 1st Birthday Lane

Lane was all party animal during all of the birthday events yesterday. He was really into all of it--as if he knew all of the hullabaloo was for him. The twins seemed lethargic on their first birthday compared to him. He was all smiles, posed for the camera, went after every gift, and dug right into his cake. We bought a small cake and ice cream and still had most of it leftover. It interesting all of the silly traditions we have to celebrate birthdays. The kids loved it. I am glad we only have to do it twice a year. Thank goodness the twins share a birthday.

Moon Sand with Grandma

I don't know how Rhonda does it, but she has so much energy. She is so busy every day, yet she takes time out to spend with Porter, Madison, and Lane. She has a cool moon sand set that makes shapes. The kids had a lot of fun playing with it. Afterwards, Grandma engaged them in a water fight with the hose. They were all three soaked. Grandma also reads to them almost every day. They love to go and ask her to read a book. I don't think she ever says no.

Lane and Isabella

Lane is playing with Isabella. He has so much fun with her. He is full of giggles and laughing all of the time. Everything is funny to him. Isabella is a straight-faced girl. Lane kept pulling on her ear and laughing.

I see your hiny...all white and shiny....

This story starts out with my father-in-law telling me, "So I was in the shower this morning..." It's not something you want to visual first thing in the morning. However, there's more.
He continues: I had just finished up and was using the squeege to clean the sides of the shower. (What a great husband.) My behind was facing the shower door as I bent down to finish the lower part of the walls. When I stood up, I turned around and saw two smiling faces staring at me. How long they had been there, I do not know!
Madison and Porter had snuck into his room. They are always so excited to see Grandpa. They were patiently waiting for him to finish. Nothing like an audience.

So about Lane...

He is turning one tomorrow, so I am a little early. I just wanted to write some things about him. He has turned into quite the character. He has figured out how to take his diaper off. He thinks he's very clever when I am trying to change him and he can "un-velcro" both tabs at the same time. In the picture above, he took off his diaper after I had put him down for a nap.

He can say two words. His first word was "hot." I've never heard of a kid having "hot" as his first word. He actually knows what it means. He says hot when we walk by the stove, oven, or dishwasher. He can almost sign hot. Actually he can't, but I know what he is doing when he does it. His second word is "Da-da." But he doesn't quite know what it means. He is starting to put it with Brant, but not all the way.

He loves to unplug everything. If something is plugged in--he takes it out. Maybe he is worried about conserving energy.

I started weaning him two days ago. He only breastfeeds in the morning. He has not really even resisted. Although yesterday, he started grabbing at my shirt and signing "eat." Usually, if he does that I get him something to eat and he forgets about nursing. He never really took to the bottle or pacifier. I guess that is good. I did try. But at least now I don't have to worry about getting him off of those things. Dona gave me an idea to just try sippy-cups. He has not minded that. He also likes cold milk--not warm. He still only has his four top and four bottom teeth.

He loves girl babies more than boys. I don't know how he can tell the difference. He loves his cousin Isabella so much. He will love on her, play next to her, and just want to be around her.

He has been walking for awhile now and is starting to try to run. It is very cute. He is also a big climber. He actually figured out how to climb up on the kitchen counter. It was amazing. He took a little step stool and pushed it over to the bar stool. He climbed on that and then got on the barstool. Then, he climbed up on the counter. I couldn't believe it.

He still takes two naps a day. One at 8:30 a.m. and one at 2 p.m. He sleeps for a couple of hours on both naps. He goes to bed at 8 p.m.

He also has a massive temper. It's funny, because his usual disposition is happy, likes to tease, and be funny. But, when he gets mad, he'll let you know.

Of course everyone says this, but I can't believe how fast the last year has gone by. It doesn't seem that long ago I was taking him home from the hospital. I am glad for the milestones we have reached, but sad that his first year of life has already passed.

Back in Vegas

We finally made it back to Vegas. We'll probably be here for about a week before I get back to Utah. I am trying to sell excess junk on Craigslist. It's nice because I can do two things: Get rid of junk and make some money to pay for all of the gas I have been using! The kids had so much fun seeing their Dad. They were really excited.

Here's a comparision photo link:

http://lizlanehibbard.blogspot.com/2008/10/yeah-for-saturday.html

Sleeping angels

They are such angels when they are asleep. The amazing thing is that this picture was taken in a pitch dark room. As you can see, Madi is still hanging on to that old favorite blanket. She has a new one, but she still likes this one.

Cousins...the Framptons

The kids had fun following Emy, Averi, and Bri around. I don't think Porter realized he was the only boy. Madi has been on a dance kick lately.
She will even "show" me her moves. I think it is from the dances Emy and Averi showed her.

Horses in the backyard

The kids love the horses. They are so friendly they can pet them all of the time. Porter and Madison starting pulling grass and feeding it to them.

The Framptons visit Mt. Pleasant

Bobbi came down to visit with her kids for a couple of days. It was really fun to get to visit with her. I haven't been able to see much of anyone since we moved to Vegas a year and a half ago. We took pictures of Kai. He has beautiful blond hair and is so sweet.

Aaahh...it feels so good to have my blogging updated.

Madi and Porter

Madison is my little animal lover. Porter is not as interested. He does, however, spend more time with the horses than Madison. He likes to pull grass and feed it to them. Madison loves Shiner (the Australian Shepherd). This is the same puppy that Mom had when the twins were just crawling. Madison and Shiner would play together then. Porter likes all of the sticks, rocks, trucks, tractors, and sheds around here.

This is Lane

He is going to be one year old on May 21st. I can't believe how fast time goes by. He still only has his 4 top teeth and 4 bottom. I was hoping his teeth would come in faster so he could eat. I am not looking forward to weaning. It was so easy with the twins. He has learned to wave "hi" and "goodbye." He loves to talk on my cell phone. He is very happy. But, he also has a temper. It will kick at random times. If he doesn't like something he brushes both of his hands together like he is trying to get something off of them.

Early Mother's Day Flowers

Brant bought me a huge bouquet of flowers the week before Mother's Day because he knew I was going to be away from him for MD. The bouquet was so big I had to use two vases to put the flowers out. I am very lucky--Brant frequently buys me flowers. However, somehow Madison got the idea that the flowers he always brings home are for her. She was ecstatic that he brought home pink flowers this time. That's how she just knew these flowers were hers. I don't mind letting her think that. Brant gets to make both of his girls happy with just one bouquet.

My pictures are here

I feel like I have been waiting to get my pictures back from the photo place. I am so glad those days are over. Digital is awesome. However, it took me awhile to find a cord to hook up to the computer. I know I've already said the kids are having tons of fun playing around here--now I have the pictures to show what they have been doing. They have so much fun! Ashley gave the kids a ride on the lawn mower. Lane loves to follow the twins around.

Ramblings in the country

I've had so many pictures I want to put up--but I need to find my camera cord. I guess I can catch up on my writing.
The kids have enjoyed the outdoors here. They have so much land to roam around on. They do get very dirty by the end of the day. I think I am going to take Bobbi's suggestion and put them in swimsuits all summer. Then, I can spray them down before they come in.
Mom "gave" Madison her cat. She has decided to call it Kittyhawk--"Kitty" for short. When Mom mentioned it to her, she wanted to go straight Mom's house and get the cat right then and there. I told her she had to wait until morning and we would pick up the cat, litter box, and food in the morning. Sure enough, first thing in the morning, that's what she wanted to do.
She has been so excited about the cat. She has kept her fed. Madison was a little upset when the cat accidently scratched her. She wasn't sure she wanted to keep her. I tried explaining that cats and dogs were different. When grandma needed the cat back to catch a mouse, Madison was very curious. Grandma made the comment, "That cat is a great mouser!" Madi was very proud of her cat and told everyone, "My cat is a mouser!" She couldn't wait to tell her Dad on the phone about her mouser.
Uncle Corey was driving the backhoe and moving horse manure for fertilizer. The kids got to ride on the tractor. They were very excited about it.
Their Frampton cousins came down for a couple of days. They had so much fun playing with them. Porter was the only boy with four girls. He didn't seem to notice or mind.