the barfs

Poor Olivia woke up last night around 1 AM throwing up. I quickly changed out her sheets, put her in new pajamas, got her a bowl and put her back to bed. Bob got up with her the next 2 times around 4 and 6. When I got up with her around 9 I told her that she needed to try and throw up in the bowl so it wouldn't be so messy. She looked at me in pure exhaustion and said, "No way Jose!" Bob and I both died laughing. She is such a parrot and it's so funny when she decides to use the new phrases that she hears.

She spent the rest of the day on the couch watching movie after movie, with a few naps in-between, taking baths, and throwing up almost every 2 hours.

In all seriousness, how do you get a 2 year old to embrace the bowl? 

art city balloon festival

Andrea works for Clyde Company and every year she helps put together the Balloon Festival. We woke the kids up early and drove to the school where it took place. We grabbed some juice and donuts before we went looking for my parents who were going to take a ride in the balloon. It was fun to see them help get the balloon ready, and then take off. We sat and watched some of the other balloons take off and kept looking in the sky for Mama Sue and Papa Blaine.

Before we left, the kids played on the playground together. Mostly Jensen and Olivia hogged the slide.

Olivia 2.5

Olivia wakes up around 8 and promptly asks for breakfast and a show. We make her go potty and then she is off to play until breakfast is ready. She likes cereal, strawberry yogurt, pancakes, Mickey Mouse Waffles or cinnamon sugar toast - not toasted. "I want cinnamon sugar bread mom, don't put it in the toaster." She currently drinks a cup of 2% milk and water throughout the day.

Her morning ritual includes watching a show or two on the Disney channel. Her favorites are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sophia the 1st. She'll watch Doc McStuffins but doesn't care for Jake and the Pirates.

She is on a puzzle kick and can't get enough of them. She has a book of Frozen puzzles, her ABC puzzle and a Mickey Mouse puzzle that she does numerous times a day. While in Hawaii we stopped at Savers to grab some books and activities and found a life size Doc McStuffins puzzle for her. She also is back in a baby phase. She has been carrying her baby around the last few days taking care of her. mostly mimicking me taking care of Ruby.

Lately with Ruby now sitting up and playing with her toys, I will find Olivia playing next to her. Olivia will talk to her, and always tries to make her happy when she starts crying. When Ruby is in the jumperoo, Olivia will stand in front of Ruby and play with her. She is getting better at sharing her toys and her princesses with Ruby.

If the weather is nice we try to get out of the house and go to the park. Olivia loves to climb, go down the slides, and swing. She is getting more adventurous every time we go. It has been rainy on and off everyday this month. Olivia will say, "Mom, can we go to the park tomorrow?" I'll reply - if it's not raining. "Ooo K Mom. If it's not raining we will go to the park." Her little OK is seriously the cutest thing ever.

She still naps everyday, although it has been a little trickier lately. She goes down around 1:00-2:00 and sleeps anywhere from 1-3 hours. Since she can open her door and she is potty trained, she uses it to her advantage. I'll put her in her bed, "Mom can you read me a little book?" and after a story I shut the door and minutes later I'll see her door opening. Usually with the excuse that she needs to go to the bathroom. And she says, "Just a pee Mom, not a poop."

Her current favorite movies are The Aristocats and The Princess and the Frog (which she calles Tiana and the Frog).

She has a Rapuzel dress and Elsa pajama dress that she wants to wear all of the time. When I can't stand it on her anymore I put it in the wash. Until I am ready to see it again I tell her it's getting washed. She would live in them if I let her.

She had a month where she cried overtime we took her to nursery. Bob and I had to stay with her for the first 5-10 minutes and then we could leave her. We bribed her with some Frozen puzzles and since then, she has done great and goes in without crying. (It's crazy for me to think that in 6 months she will be going to primary!)

When we go to my parents house she wants to spend all of her time jumping on the tramp. It is one of her favorite things to do.

"Oh no Mom, what's gonna happen?" Said while watching TV or a movie that she has already seen.

"Get it big Mom" She doesn't like her sandwiches to be cut in half or her cup to be filled halfway.

"Oh, that's not bad" Said when something is bad. Still a little confused on this saying.

"Let's go to Hawi." I love how she said Hawaii, and she asks to go back like it's just down the street.

"No!" Said way to much.

"Thank you Momma" "Thank you Dada" Have been said a lot more lately. Melts me every time.

"I need a snack from the pantry." Said all day everyday.

"Put some in my hand." When I am cooking she wants to eat some of the ingredients, usually cheese.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault."

"I won't do it ever ever again."

Oatmeal = Oatmilk
Rootbeer = Rootbeard
Exercise = Nexercise

porch sitting

Lately when we have been going downstairs to visit, we will find Grandpa outside on the patio. The last time we went down, Grandma was outside too so we joined them. I love my grandparents backyard. Last year Grandpa got a fan set up that the hose can be hooked up to and it turns it into a mister. It is one of his favorite things and makes sitting outside in the heat, enjoyable.

pincher fingers

This last week Ruby has been working hard at using her fingers to grab her snacks. She has pretty much mastered it and has been loving feeding herself puffs and yogurt bites.

Hales Family Reunion

Our reunion this year, was held in Herriman, Utah. My Dad was in charge and after many family meetings we planned out a bunch of fun things to do here in Utah. Bob was able to come up and spend a day and night before he had to go back to work.

Some of the highlights included:

- 50 family members staying in the same house
- Watching videos made by each family
- Making Pepsi runs for Grandpa
- Lunch in the park and bocce ball competitions
- Talent show
- Baby picture contest
- Temple Square & Meet the Mormons
- Boondocks (toe injury)
- Matching family shirts & family numbers
- Playing games and catching up

People always say, "Oh you're going to a family reunion" like it's a bad thing. Our family reunions are always the highlight of my summer and I'm so glad we got to spend a few days together. For the shirts, we ironed on the number that that person came into the family on the sleeve of each shirt. I was #18 and Ruby was #56. My two cousins are having babies this summer and they will be #58 and #59. It's so fun to see our family grow.

Olivia playing during family pictures.

All in white for pictures.

I really wanted a picture of Bob eating his birthday cake. (I was nursing during the song and candle blow out.) This was all he would give me. 

Olivia loved playing with her cousins Addy and Noelle.

The boys were watching one of the NBA finals games.

Trying to figure out sleeping arrangements was pretty funny. 

Sleeping in bed with this cutie and she doesn't wake up. Why is that??

Jense was awake bright and early.

Sleeping during lunch at the park.

Olivia was VERY timid at the splash pad.

Red face after playing basketball. Bob & Brent vs. Jaxon & Nathaniel.

Gotta keep a close eye on the grandparents. (They are always in between naps.)

Playing games with Mom's cousins. 

My Dad brought his popcorn machine for movie night.

Happy girl at Temple Square.

Exploring with Grandma Sue.

Scared and crying at the top of the play place at Boondocks.

A little happier now that Mom is with her. 

Picture of the November 14th birthday girls. Grandma Vonne, Mia, & Olivia

just another weight check

I feel like we are always going to weight checks - and they are always telling me the same thing. But I go back so I can make sure she is continuing to gain. I usually leave a little deflated and feeling like a failure but I usually remember that I am doing the best I can, and Ruby is just a skinny mini.

She instantly started crying when I laid her down to be weighed.

But was much happier when we made it back to our room.

This appointment, we finally saw the line move up and it made me so happy!