Shawn's Schedule

So we have lived here 3 months now and have just this past week figured out a schedule that functionally works for our family. Since Shawn has to work evenings, when customers are home, my days were long. He would go into work at sometimes 10 in the morning and not get home till 9 or 9:30at night. I was losing steam and he was not having very much family time. Recently, we organized ourselves and his schedule to work better for us. Shawn now works from 12:30pm-9pm. Instead of having family time in the evenings like a traditional family, we have our mornings together. We get to have breakfast and lunch together and Shawn helps gets kids put down for naps before he leaves (that makes bedtime easier for me). We miss having dinner together as a family, but I will take lunch! We seem so much happier now that we are figuring out a routine! Along with that, just this week too, we figured out that Maverick won't sleep while Lanie is awake because she is so noisy that he can't stay asleep. So we have them nap at the same time. This is going well and gives me a nice break in the day. Mav still gets up in the night, so breaking that will be our next hurdle to jump over. Shawn is a wonderful daddy and husband and gets up with Mav most nights. I know....I'm spoiled! Thanks Honey!

Family Home Evening

We are just learning how to hold family night with Lanie. We are trying to get into a habit of having it consistently. Last week for Family Home Evening we learned about the Prophet. I showed Lanie pictures of the prophet and asked her over and over who it was. She said, "Pwopet!" Shawn joked and asked, "Puppet?" We had fun and sang, "Follow the Prophet." Lanie seemed to enjoy it and we try to reinforce the lesson throughout the week. Tonight I think we will learn about missionaries (since we had them over for dinner last Saturday). I am going to pull out my mission tag and let Lanie try it on. Then we will write Tavan letters and sing "Called to Serve." Hopefully it goes well. :)

Our Busy Busy Busy July

4th of July

We spent the 4th having breakfast at church, had a BBQ at our house with Gayle, Tom, and my mom. We had our traditional flag sheet cookie. My mom played with the kids and gave Lanie change for her piggy bank. Good Old Maverick threw up all over Shawn. We stayed home and watched New York City's fireworks (Boston's were postponed because of weather).

July 8th - I spoke in church on Patriotism.

After my mom went back to Utah, we started potty training. I did a 3-day method which was ruthless, but has paid off. Lanie has spent the month of July learning to use the potty. She gets M&Ms for going #1 and money for her Piggy bank for going #2. She has loved the rewards and is doing so well.

Saturday, July 14th, Shawn took the day off of work and we went to the Southwick Zoo. Lanie liked the turtles and deer the most. We got to walk with and feed the deer. Lanie called each one of them "Doo-Rolph" which is Rudolph to her. It is so cute! We were disappointed they did not have an elephant, but overall it was a great zoo. We stopped at a local diner on the way home for shakes and fed the missionaries that evening. Fun day!

July 15th - Shawn spoke in church on Inspiration and we had Sunday dinner at the Pitcavage's. Lanie had multiple potty accidents there. It was awful. The next day I asked Lanie if she was ready to go back into diapers. She quickly responded with, "NO! Diapers are for babies...Underwear dry!!!" The diaper threat worked pretty well because she has made great improvements.

July 17th, we went with some ward friends to the Assabet Park splash pad. Lanie did not like the splash pad but she absolutely loved the playground. She played in the sandbox with dump trucks, made fake food out of wood chips at the picnic table, and climbed the slide. Her cheeks got so rosy and sweaty cause it was a very hot, humid day.

July 18th, we went to the Ecotarium in Worcester. During story time, Lanie sat right in front in the yellow dress. She liked playing Jenga and the Pig game. The outside bubbles were fun too. This place is similar to the Treehouse Museum in Utah.

July 19th, we went to the Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough. I wanted to check out their movie theater and play area for kids. Lanie loved it! The piano was very cool. We went to the food court at the end and got some fries. Lanie loves fries, especially ones that are giant like these ones.

Saturday, July 21st, we had plans to go spend the day at the Children's Museum in downtown Boston. Lanie was all excited and then when we went to start the car it wouldn't start. All the car shops were closed, so we weren't able get it checked till Monday. Needless to say, we did not go to Boston (which was disappointing) and we spent the day at home. Bummer! Come Monday, we found out that we had a bad battery and the car was fixed very easily. Hooray!

      

A day in the life of Maverick!!!!

Typical Sunday for Bug...Morning curlers and yogurt, hair done and in the car for 9 o'clock church, and a nap on the way to church. That's our girl!

Typical car ride for Mav...#1 Worry, #2 High Pitched Dinosaur Screaming, #3 Calm, #4 Happy and Smiley

A day in the life of Lanie!!!

Our two little lovelies. Lanie has started to interact with Maverick more and it has been so fun to watch. We woke up one morning to her reading stories to him in our room (this was at 6:30 am). She kisses him, holds his hand, plays on the floor with him, and often time rough houses by kicking and slapping his tummy (so it's not all sweet). And recently, when Maverick cries in the car, Lanie will say, "Baby, stop crying or go to your room." I giggle knowing she learned that from me trying to discipline her.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

July 24th: Pioneer Day

Shawn and his co-worker, Bill, had some appointments on Martha's Vineyard. It is about 2 hours from our house. I decided to take the kids on the adventure and hang out while the boys worked. It was a lovely day!

Ferry ride out to Martha's Vineyard. About 45 minutes. We loaded the car on the boat and shipped it over to the Island. So fun! Maverick is playing with his boat toy as he takes his first boat ride. Lanie hated the wind that day and freaked out a bit.

Bill hit it off with Lanie which is hard for most people to do. And Lanie was very sweet having Mav sitting right next to her. She demanded that they hold hands.

The views on the Island were breathtaking. I felt like I was mixing Seattle, Hawaii, and Park city. Our favorite was that mansion with the red roof, it was amazing!

When Shawn and Bill finished up at their appointments, we went to dinner and the beach. Look at all the gear it takes to spend time at the beach. Lanie loves playing in the water and in the sand with her daddy. We were there all of 10 minutes, when a torrential storm came in. We quickly packed up as we saw the ocean turn from blue to a dark green almost black. It was eerie. As we got to the car, it started to rain and then a downpour hit. Luckily our Ferry ride back was not canceled. 

The rain cleared up and left us with a very enjoyable boat ride back. There were hardly any people on the Ferry. Lanie had her own special view from this little window meant for the anchor ropes. It was the perfect height for her to look out and see the water. She had a ball.

The sunset on the ride back was to die for!!! We look forward to making this trip again...maybe next time to Nantucket.

Grandma Judy flew in the day after we went to Martha's Vineyard. We ended July just as busy as we started it. Felt like a month full of vacations. Pictures of her trip are up next....

Our Mass Rental House

Many of you have been asking, slightly begging, for us to give you a tour of our house. Here it is! We love it and hope you enjoy it too!

Hampton Beach with Nana Jo Jo

June 28th-30th,we went to Hampton Beach while my mom was here. Auntie Pam and Angela came too. It was the beach they went to as kids. We stayed at the Pelham Hotel right across from the beach. It was awesome!

Above: Walking the boardwalk and lunch at Sabo's. Yummy wraps!

Lanie loved the beach, the ocean water, time with daddy,
and the Superbrella (thank you Geoff and Sevana).

Nana Jo Jo time!!!

Hanging out at the hotel napping, watching Dora on the Kindle, relaxing on the deck, playing games, eating fry bread, and more Nana and Auntie Pam time.

Playing in the waves with Daddy.

This huge playground was across from our hotel on the beach.
Lanie loved it and went Sunday morning in her pajamas.

Anthony, Ashley, and Lily met up with us on Sunday. Lanie and Lily played on the beach and we all went to the FUNARAMA Arcade and played Ski Ball, Connect Four, and Dance Dance Revolution (which I'm terrible at).  For dinner (and to close our fast for Barbi) ,we went to Mama Leone's.

On Monday, June 30th, we left the beach and went to Petey's Restaurant in Rye, NH. It was a gorgeous drive on the coast. At Petey's, we met up with Gayle, Connie Allard, Connie's mom, and Chelsea. After lunch, we drove an hour to Hooksett, NH to see Aunt "Mickey," That was such a fun visit. We spent the afternoon with Mickey and it felt like we were with my nana. Lanie and Mickey played with letters on the fridge. While we chatted with Mickey and had dinner, Lanie sat on a bean bag in the TV room watching Spout TV. It was so fun spending time with Mickey and we will definitely be back to visit her soon.

Our Man Mav

Maverick is becoming so active and social. It is very fun to watch. He recently discovered his hands and spends lots of time learning how they work and putting them in his mouth. He has a most-contagious smile!!!

The Ecotarium

On June 27th, I took the kids to the Ecotarium in Worcester with some friends. We went with Hannah and Valerie's families. Lanie rode in the backseat with Rebecca and Spencer. At the Ecotarium they had story time about a Screech Owl, they got to meet a real Screech Owl, and then they did a craft where they made owl masks. It was so delightful to go out with friends!

Our Anniversary

For our 4th Aniversary, my parents sent us some books, since books are the traditional 4-year-gift. Shawn gave me 4 roses, one for every year we've been married. Both were very sweet. I gave Shawn a flower chipboard scrapbook with pictures and a poem of our 4th year together. I think he liked it.

The Differences

So I have been thinking a lot about the similarities and differences between my 2 kids. It's amazing how their personalities show so early on. When I was pregnant with Lanie, I picked up every cold and bug that was out there. I had swine flu, bronchitis (4 times), and all the other little illnesses that were in the air. Interestingly enough, Lanie carried that trait into her little life and she picks up any bug or germ that she's around. The little princess was on an antibiotic nearly every month of her first 6 months of life. She seemed to have a runny nose and cold ALL THE TIME. Lanie was also a noodle baby. Hardly moved (didn't walk until she was 17.5 months old) and was content to just lay there and entertain herself. To this day, she likes to play alone. Lanie took a binky and at 4 months could put it in her own mouth in her sleep (the pediatrician even commented on how remarkable that was). With Maverick's pregnancy, I don't think I was ever sick with a cold. I was around sick people often, and never picked up their illness.  On the other hand, I threw up my entire pregnancy. I felt like I had the flu for 9 months but it was never viral or bacterial, it was all pregnancy sick. Mav has been such a healthy baby thusfar (just like I was pregnant), he has not had a single cold or bug (knock on wood).  But, this little boy pukes ALL THE TIME, just like I did when I was pregnant with him. Is there a relationship here? I think so, but I don't know the facts. Maverick never stops moving. At 5 weeks old he squirmed himself off of the couch. He is stiff and strong. I anticipate an early walker. Mav is VERY social and loves playtime. He does not like to be left out or left alone. He can't suck a binky on his own for the life of him. We have to hold it and in all honesty, he really doesn't need it. It's been so fun to notice these differences between the two and to have a whole new experience with Maverick.

Wheel of Fortune

What am I doing right now? I'm sipping my Diet Pepsi and watching Wheel of Fortune with my lovely husband. We record Wheel and watch it every night when Shawn gets home from work. One day we will be on that show!

Potty Training

So, we decided that it was time to potty train Lanie this week. I dedicated my whole week from Tuesday-Friday to doing this. I read a book called the 3 Day Potty Training Method by Lora Jensen. It is a really good program but has taken us longer than 3 days. On the 3rd day, Lanie finally knew to tell me "Potty." Well, today is day 5 and Lanie's successes are very sporatic. It has been an exciting, frustrating, and exhausting week to say the least.  She just had an accident and as Shawn put her on the toilet, she said, "Oh suck...oh suck...oh suck..." repeatedly. It was funny and alarming at the same time. Shawn and I looked at each other in shock. I think we know who to blame for her learning that!

Busy Week...I love weeks like this!!!

Chauncy Lake

Saturday, June 16th, we went to Chauncy Lake.  It is about 2 blocks from our house so we could just walk over there. It was one of the first Saturdays that hasn't been rainy here. Mav did not enjoy it as much as Lanie. She loved everything about it: the lake, the slide on the playground, the swings, the teeter-totter, and stealing the sand toys from random people by us.

Boston Commons

On Monday, June 18th, for Family Night, we went into downtown Boston. Boston Commons is what we call the "Central Park" of Boston. It is quaint and beautiful. It's a very fun and relaxing place to people watch (which I love doing). There is a playground there where Lanie of course enjoyed playing. We had dinner at P.F. Changs. We wanted to go somewhere authentic but didn't know where exactly to go. Good thing though, because Lanie absolutely LOVED the fried rice at P.F.'s and had a ball patio dining. Also, we hunted down my favorite bridge which is right by the stadium where the Celtics play (for those of you that may not know...I love bridges). The detour drive to get home after was long with 2 exhausted children, but we'll deem it worth it. 

So, many of you ask how Lanie is adjusting to the move and if she is happy here and settling in okay....I thought these pictures explained it all.  Look at that smile! I think she is doing just fine. Mav on the other hand might need some more encouragement. :)

Lanie has a special relationship with her "Pops." This all stems from M&Ms.  She begs for "Pops Candy" everyday. Lanie got this letter in the mail from her Grandpa Kerry (Pops). Simply a bag of M&Ms to remind her of him. She was so excited!

Hats, Hats, and more Hats!!! Lanie has been loving hats lately (Mav not so much). And as you can tell, even if they're not hats, she puts them on her head.

Cape Cod

On Wednesday, June 20th, Shawn and I celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary. Shawn took the day off and we took the 1 1/2 hour drive to "The Cape." It was 95 degrees here plus humidity that day; It was beautiful. We had a good time at the beach and in the ocean. I think we'll both say, though, it was a lot of work to do with 2 kiddos.

Double Rainbow

Yesterday, June 23rd, I went out shopping with Lanie. When we left it was humid and hot. While we were out, it started pouring (which is quite common here). As we walked in the store, we saw this double rainbow. Lanie just stood there and stared saying, "Meemo (raindbow)."

This has been such a great week.  Feels like we've been on vacation. I love spending time as a family and I love, love, love recognizing and being amongst the beauties that surround us.

Prayer

There's nothing like hearing an investigator on the mission pray for the first time, and there's NOTHING like hearing your child pray for the first time!!!! The other day we sat down for a meal together, as we folded our arms to pray, Shawn looked at Lanie and asked if she wanted to offer the prayer. No sooner had he asked her and she had her head bowed and was ripping through her first pray. It was simple, she thanked Heavenly Father for the day, the food, and for Mommy and Daddy. But she did it all by herself without help and it sent chills down our bodies. It was so sweet and I think Shawn and I can admit that we were very surprised and proud of our sweet little girl. She teaches us so much!!!

The Baker in Town

So guess who proved to be a great baker this week....? Shawn! He decided that he wanted cookies, and since I have proven in the past 4 years to successfully ruin any baking project, he attempted them himself. Impressive! They turned out to be incredibly delicious. So at the end of the week he decided to go for brownies.....Also very yummy! Yay....I don't have to try to bake anymore!!!!!!!

2 things....

Okay...two things....#1: Maverick is changing....FINALLY! We are transitioning into 0-3 month clothes from his newborn clothes and he's almost 3 months. Shawn and I both looked at him today and said, "Mav's changing, isn't he?" #2: If Lanie knew how to change her own diaper and open the fridge to feed herself, she'd easily be able to take care of herself. If she could make a bottle and, again, change a diaper, she'd easily be able to take care of Maverick. She is such an independent little girl who loves to play by herself reading, singing, dancing, swimming, coloring, learning, riding her bike, running around, eating, drinking yogurt, drinking "KauKau" milk (chocolate milk) and so many other things. We often feel like she does not need our help with much.  Sometimes we forget that she is only 2. I guess that's what happens with the oldest child.