Please...

Why can't this happen during sacrament meeting rather than 4 minutes after....

Bees Game

A couple of weeks ago we went with uncle Wil to a Bees game. Noah was so excited, I was a little worried. Baseball games are so long and I was positive he wouldn't make it through. But that little guy loved every minute! Sure he didn't spend much time watching the game, if we're being honest I didn't either, but baseball has such a fun atmosphere. It wasn't a very crowded game, so we kept moving seats to get a different view, that's probably what made it possible.
He was obsessed with the Mascot bee guy though. He'd spot him walking around the stadium and was always wanting to go over and find him. Finally I took him over to see the giant Bee. I was positive that he'd see how huge that sucker really was and run for his life. Much to my surprise he walked right up to him (he was sitting in a chair signing hats and stuff for a bunch of adoring children) and gave that bee and huge hug and a kiss. The Bee had no idea Noah was even there, he obviously couldn't feel him. In fact we sat right next to him for probably five minutes and I'm not sure he ever caught on to our presence. But Noah ate it up. He thought that huge Bee was probably the coolest thing he's ever seen. Guess it's time for a trip to Disney Land....

Uncle Wil took these awesome pictures with his iphone. Aren't they amazing! Sure love having that guy around, along with his gadgets and artistic eye:) Thanks Wil!

So, when did I get old?

So I haven't been to Lagoon since our 9th grade 'Lagoon Day.' Count 'em up and thats 8 years my friends. I haven't been on any ride for that matter since I was 17, 6 years ago. For years and years I have been dying to get back on a rollercoaster, or anything that moves really.
We have our 4th anniversary coming up (actually next Tuesday) and decided that we really needed to get out and do something besides dinner, toddler free. We wanted to celebrate before school started so this past Tuesday we decided to head out of town, all the way to Bountiful. Exotic, I know, but it really was just what the doctor ordered. Noah was safe and happy with Grandma and Grandpa, and we found a sweet little deal at an Inn in Bountiful. It was SO wonderful to just get away for a night, do our own thing free from responsibility and free from people who know us:)
The next morning we headed to Lagoon. It's no DisneyLand, but it's a step in the right direction, and a bit more in our budget. We were both SO excited to have an ENTIRE DAY just to ourselves to do whatever we wanted. We were giddy.
We ran right over to the rocket and started the day with Blast Off. I was in heaven. Next we went on Re-entry. I was still in heaven and Rich loved finding out just how loud I was capable of screeming.
Next we went on the Samuri. This ride was brand new the last time I was at Lagoon and I remember it being my very favorite and I rode it like a dozen times. Needless to say I didn't feel the same about it this time. I had to sit down for a minute and let me stomach re-orient itself, but I convinced myself I was okay, just needed to the next ride to be a little less spinny and loopy.
We went on that dinky little rollercoaster next to the sky coaster, called 'the jet star'? I think?
I will never ride that one again, thats for sure.
It was everything I could do to not lose my breakfast through that entire ride, start to finish. I sat there with my eyes closed and my hands over my mouth, just praying that I wouldn't puke. As soon as our car stopped I was running down the ramp to the nearest garbage can (which was very near, thank heavens) and up-chucking over the side. I looked up to see Rich just staring at me with the most bewildered expression, not knowing what to think. He couldn't decide if it was funny or sad, but it was most definately unexpected.
I had expressed my concerns about motion sickness to him before we got there, wondering if my post-baby self would be able to do the same rides. He obviously didn't take me very seriously, and honestly I was almost positive that I would be fine. I just know that my parents can't do spinny rides anymore, so I knew eventually old age would probably limit my abilities. I just didn't think 23 was old.
Throwing up in a garbage can became hilarious to me as soon as I had finished. I couldn't believe that I was 'that girl.' So we had a good laugh and went to fetch the dramamine that I had thrown in our bag as a precaution (thank goodness!!!). I got some sprite and we walked around, wanting to be sure I had settled before riding anything else. As a way to kill time we hopped on that little choo-choo train that takes you around to see all the animals (who knew Lagoon had tigers and lions? I had no idea). It was when that little train made me sick that I knew I need a serious break from motion. So we headed to Lagoona beach for a few hours, soaked up some sun and had a great time. By the time we were dressed and fed, I was feeling 100%.
The rest of the day was spent spinning, looping, screeming, and laughing. We watched some shows, indulged in our favorite amusement park treats, played some games and won a couple of stuffed animals for Noah. We finished the day off with a ride on the Ferris wheel (where Rich may or may not have stuck his tounge in my mouth) and enjoyed the beautiful nighttime view of the park.
All in all it was a perfect day, mostly because it was us.
Now I know that dramamine is a necessity when going to an amusement park. But I blame the motion sickness on the baby messing with my insides and switching them all up. I am most definately not OLD.

I just have to say...

A Tribute to My Man-Cub

Two years has FLOWN by! I can't even believe it. I spent the better part of this evening looking through "old" pictures and video and mourning a little bit over my once-was baby. He really isn't a baby anymore. I've loved every single second of the past two years, and I'm excited for more to come, but WHY does it have to go so fast?

I clearly remember lying on the bed with my newborn, marveling and applauding as he learned how to reach out and grab my finger, soaking up any sound that he made. Now he learns new words everyday, and is constantly pushing his limits and trying new things. Tomorrow I'll be helping him with algebra and encouraging him to get his piano practicing done. That's the way it works, and I get that. But don't you sometimes just wish you could freeze moments and save them for later? Not through a camera or a video, but an actual memory with smells, emotions and feelings? I suppose if that was possible then eventually everyone would take it for granted just like we do now with photos and videos...but still. I'm just feeling like everything is happening so fast! And then the other half of me is far too excited for the future to desire any slowing. So I suppose things are just fine the way they are, guess God knows what he's doin':)

Anyway, I LOVE my little tike. It amazes me how he still gets cuter every single day he is alive. How is that possible? Rich and I can't begin to figure that one out, but there you have it, he does. I love him with everything that I have, and I love that being his mommy is making me into a far better person that I was before him. Heavenly Father knew how much we needed him in our lives, his timing is impeccable.

Here is a short scan over his little life, more for my sake than yours, but it's my blog so...

a few seconds old

a few minutes old1 week old

2 months old

3 months old

6 months old

8 months old

almost 1 year old

14 months old

16 months old

18 months old

21 months old

23 months old

Family Pics!

If anyone is looking for an awesome and very reasonably priced photographer, they should hire my cousin Tracy Layne. Check out her photography blog here. She did these pictures for us a couple of weeks ago with instruction from me that I wanted a location that was colorful and fun, and look what we got! She found these awesome buildings somewhere random in Salt Lake and we had such a great time and couldn't be happier with the pics!
Surprisingly, Noah was a gem almost to the very end. Of course we had to bribe him with anything he has ever wanted, but in the end he was plenty happy to devour the whirly pop we brought for a prop. Those things are actually delicious:)

Thanks Tracy!

It's Coming..

I'm beginning to fathom why they call them the 'terrible twos.' I still think that a two year old is probably more terrific than terrible, but I'm developing a healthy understanding of the terrible part.
Noah turns two in a month (which by the way, is just plain crazy), and he is the best, cutest, sweetest, yummiest, smartest little boy I know. But with that smartness that I so love, comes a great deal of curiosity, which in turn leads to mischief.

In one day he...

• Leaned up against a wet wall of paint, managing somehow to get it all over me too
• Climbed onto our counter, grabbed a glass from our clean dishes and chucked it at the floor, shattering it into a million tiny pieces. Climbed down from the counter, walked in the shattered glass, cut his toe and left little bloody toe prints on the carpet. (All while I took an innocent and necessary trip to the loo.)
• Drew all over our computer screen with pen.
• Shoved his toothbrush down the drain in our bathroom sink, giving it a good clog.

Not an average day, but a day nonetheless. It's very unusual that we have a day when we don't have to go somewhere. We rarely have a day when we don't leave the house. This was one of those rare days, and a dreary wet one at that. Guess I should've anticipated him to go a little stir crazy. He's typically a pretty mild child, so I count my blessings:)

Bring it on TWO!

Melts my heart.

So Noah and I were browsing Deseret Book this morning because I've been meaning to get a picture of Christ to put on our wall. I was having a hard time deciding which one I liked best. Then Noah finished his snacks and looked up to see this one. Shouting in his adorable melt-my-heart voice he said...
"Jesus! an' Noah! playin'...cute!" Needless to say this is the one I bought.

Proud of this Guy

That's my Brother. Adam Ruben, proud US Marine. Soon to leave for the Naga Phillipines mission! Yay!

A Day at Provo River

A couple of weekends ago, back when it was pretending to be spring, we were able to go down to Provo to celebrate Rich's dad's B-day. Yay! After a fun game of bowling with all the cousins (which Noah still hasn't stopped talking about), we headed to the Provo river for some kayaking. It was a PERFECT day. Still, beautiful, perfect temperature, perfect lighting, just plain perfect. We had a good time and got some cute picks. Thought blog world would like to see how the little guy has grown since December:)

Notice Wil's bum in the background. Nice.

Thanks for the fun times guys! Happy Birthday pops!

Crazy but true, Noah's had his first flu...

Noah woke up way too early this morning. So I was cuddling with him on the couch and he was being crazy cute. As soon as I sat up he reached to give me a big hug and ****(insert sound that throw-up makes)! Throw up all down my back and covering the couch cushion behind me. Yay. Poor little tike:) It's okay, atleast it was my back, not my face, could have been worse. And it was a pretty quick little flue, might have even just been something he ate.
I've been pretty fortunate up until now not to have delt with throwup (not spitup) at all. Can't complain.
Well, I'm off to the store to buy some Febreeze. I need to get rid of this stench....

Best New Years Ever!

I've always had plans on new years. There is always some party to go to or friends that want to hang out.
This year? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. New years eve kind of snuck up on us actually, and though we fully intended to make big plans, it just didn't happen. All three of us have been fighting major colds all week so we've been totally lazy (so nice). Then my brother and his family have been in town so we've been hanging out with them every night and watching movies till all hours (so fun). And really, we've enjoyed ourselves so much that by new years eve we just wanted more! So although Eric and Andrea had previous engagements, we continued the movie tradition and just laid low eating popcorn. At about 12:20 we realized that we were so involved in our movie that we totally missed the new year, so we kissed and had a few seconds of celebration from our comfy position on the couch, and continued on.
So low key, but I totally enjoyed myself! I guess what I mean is that this has been the best week ever:) And I'm fully aware that it's almost over, and thats fine. It wouldn't be enjoyable forever. But this break has been just what the doctor ordered (despite the fact that we are all sickies), and after this, I can deal with school and work and real life. Bring it on.