Ashton dances to mickey mouse song

Ashton's 3rd birthday

We had a weekend of celebrations! With one large party, we celebrated Ashton's 3rd birthday, Matt's Welcome Home Party, and a Welcome Baby Timothy party! We had probably close to 40 people squeezed into our house which spilled into our backyard. Whoo... it was one busy day! But I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I know Ashton and Matt did!

Ashton in his Buzz Lightyear costume with his new Astro Blaster gun from Uncle Tino!

Ashton with Great-Grandma Tomate and Uncle Tino! They enjoyed some pre-party time with the kids since Tino had to leave early!

Ashton climbing the tree with a neighborhood friend!

Ashton's happy birthday cake! Thank you Costco for affordable cakes that can feed 40 people for less than $20! And it tasted good too!

Ashton anxiously awaiting to blow out his candles! It was so cute because he was singing "Happy Birthday" to himself!

Violet enjoyed the party too!

Baby Timothy with his "GG" Great-Grandma Renfer!

Timothy's 2 month appointment

He weighs in at a hefty 12 pounds, 9 ounces and is 23 inches! He is definitely my big baby! I just looked back to see where Ashton was at 2 months and he was only 10 pounds!

Developmental skills

Ashton - 3 years old
We may very well be potty trained. We can pretty much rely on him to tell us when he has to go to the bathroom himself now and rarely has accidents. I have yet to take away the pull-up at night time, but I have decided we are on his last box of diapers! After that, I may have to do the sheets every night! Ugh! He is quite the talker and it's amazing how complete his sentences are. He thinks faster than he can talk and laughs at himself when he can't get it out. He is now realizing there are words we say and don't say. We are now going to monitor his movie selections and are going to wean out his more violent movies (ie Ironman, Transformers, etc.) So only G and PG rated movies Nana! He still runs everywhere and rarely walks. He loves to help around the house. He loves to vacuum, rake outside, and helps cut the bushes. He still likes to color and play with stickers but not as much. He is such a smart little boy and understands a lot of concepts I wouldn't think 3 year old could understand. He loves to learn and I hope he will be back in preschool soon!

Violet - 17 months old
She is learning to talk so much. I think she has too many words to list - Mommy, Daddy, "Ashty," baby, mine, no, up, doggy, Parker, water, cup, eat, book, stuck, nigh night, hi, bye, "pease" (please), tantu (thank you), thereago (there you go) outside, inside, clothes, nose, ear, toes, yucky, dirty, ... I will need to think of more. I'm not sure what her interests are yet. She just follows along with Ashton. She plays with his cars and trains. I think I will get a doll for Christmas. She says "oooh" when we pass them in Costco, so that will be easy! She walks well and is starting to run, which means she walks really fast. It's really cute! I should try to catch it on video one day. She still doesn't watch much TV but maybe soon. She loves to click buckles together like the buckle on the carseats and baby swing. She comes to get me and says "skuck" (ie stuck) when they are clicked together. Cute! And she loves to dance! And she has told me a few times that she went poop. Once she told me before she went but refused to sit on the baby toilet when I tried to sit her there. Instead she went in the tub. Great! But at least she told me before she went. Really? That is so young to start potty training!

Timothy - 2 months old
He is starting to track with his eyes and is staying up for longer periods of time. He loves to watch Ashton and Violet run around. He doesn't really enjoy tummy time but it's hard to give him good tummy time with his brother and sister running around. He smiles, squeals, and coos quite a bit. I'm just waiting for him to laugh out loud now! He loves to eat and is giving me 4-5 hour breaks at night! Keep it up Timothy!

Post-Disneyland Relaxing Day

It's Day 2 since we've been back from Disneyland and a trip to my parents house. So life is slowly getting back to normal. The kids seemed to be extra tired today and the "big kids" went down for naps before noon. But they were all in pretty good moods.

2 happy kids smooshing Timothy in the middle on HIS playmat!

Timothy showing he's not super happy about this!

He was happy as a clam later in the day! Matt took the kids to the nearby park and Timothy and Mommy got some good one-on-one time!

Livin' large!

Big sister and brother showing Timothy some love!

Watch Timothy Grow

Timothy will be 2 months old tomorrow! He has his 2 month visit which also includes a lot of shots, so I took his picture a day early. He is starting to interact more and loves to watch Ashton and Violet. He is growing like a weed and eats all the time. Thankfully, he has given me a stretch of 4-5 hours of sleep the last 2 nights! I'm sure I just jinxed it now but I'm hoping he sleeps through the night earlier than Ashton and Violet. Ashton was 7 1/2 months old and Violet was 8 1/2 months old. Here's hoping for 6 months and this Mommy will get some rest!

Disneyland!

As a family treat, I planned a trip to Disneyland! It was nice to bond as a family while the kids enjoyed "The Happiest Place on Earth!" Matt and I had fun too!

Ashton's 1st trip through Astro Blasters! After a little mishap, he jumped off the ride and it had to be emergently stopped! We went on this 3 times!

Dad, Violet and Ashton on their 1st ride on Dumbo! One of Violet's favorites!

Family pic in Dumbo! Poor Timothy is hidden!

Riding Dumbo way up high! Ashton is obviously controlling the lever!

Violet gets a ride from Dad!

Making wishes in the wishing well!