Baby #2's Name (Changed)

I think we've finally decided FOR SURE what we're going to name baby #2. (No promises). We once said it was going to be Jonathan Taylor, a name I spent a while convincing Pastor of, but this all changed last Saturday when we were on our way home from having fun at a volleyball party. Duane was strapped in his seat, Pastor and I were sitting up front just talking. I don't even remember what we were talking about, but it wasn't baby #2. I was probably saying something about how silly I felt while playing volleyball. As we were driving, Duane popped his bottle out of his little mouth and said "avan, avan!" I'm still not sure what he was really trying to say, but Pastor and I looked at each other and I said, "that would be a cute name." I actually really liked it, but didn't want to admit that to Pastor after the stink I'd put up about Jonathan Taylor. Pastor's face lit up and he agreed! About ten minutes later we decided to change baby #2's name.

So there it is, Avan Jonathan. I've never heard the name Avan before, but I'm sure someone out there has it. I like that Duane had something to do with naming his brother as well.

And since none of my posts should go without a picture ;), here is Duane on Sunday in his Sunday best. It was right after church and he was cranky, but he's still adorable.

My Baby

Duane woke up from his nap a little grumpy today. Who can blame him when he had such a soggy diaper? After I changed his little bum, he refused to be put down. I thought he'd want to go play because his nap had lasted almost three hours. Instead, he wanted to be held. I rocked him and he fell asleep. I haven't rocked my baby to sleep in ages! He prefers the time to himself lately. I tried to take some good photos, but I'm not very talented at taking pics while aiming the camera at myself.

Duane's First Big Boy Shoes

Hot Diggity

Pastor had never roasted a hot dog before he went to a Nerdin family gathering this summer. Does that mean he's completely Americanized now?

Random Images

Here are some random shots of us! I can't resist uploading a single one! :D

A Monkey in Our Bed!

Orangutan & Hound Dog Instant Bond

Advice Welcome!! In Fact, Desperately Needed!

So . . .

This froggie potty mocks me. I have no idea what I'm doing. My little guy is young, but it's feasible, right?




Any tips would be appreciated.

El Chalan Peruvian Dining

Random

This was an update on FB. "Mental note: Don't ask babies if the food they've just eaten has gone to their tummy while it's still in their mouths. They will show you it hasn't."

It makes me smile and I thought it'd be nice to remember after it's gone from FB.

Bathtime

Fifteen

Copy and paste this into a new note on your profile and change the answers for yourself.

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what books my friends choose (as well as pick up suggestions for my reading list). To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, paste rules in a new note, cast your 15 picks, and tag people in the note - upper right hand side). I will not be offended if you don't play, but please include me in the people you tag, if you do).

I also tag anyone else who loves to read!

1. The Book of Mormon :)
2. The Christ Commission by Og Madino
3. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
4. Return From Tomorrow by George G. Ritchie
5. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
6. Carry On Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
7. The Twelfth Angel by Og Mandino
8. Vulpes the Red Fox by Jean Craighead George
9. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
10. King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
11. Black Beauty by Ann Sewell
12. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
13. The Lord of the Rings by JR Tolkien
14. Ann of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
15. Crispin by Avi

My Favorite Celebrity

Gordon Ramsay is by far my favorite celebrity. It might seem an odd pick, but once you're hooked on Ramsay, you can't stop!!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Pastor and I rented this for the first time a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. It's not very common to find a nice solid story without yuck in it. Benjamin Button was clean besides a cuss word and the story was exceptional!

I Could See My Breath!!

Duane and I went for our walk as we usually do on Monday, only we had to wait for it to stop raining. We left right after a pretty heavy downfall, but the sun was peeking through and I thought it seemed pretty safe. Because we left later than usual, we came home when the sun had gone down. Duane was all bundled up because I could see my breath!

The weather is changing and I don't like it. I love the elements of winter that let someone go sledding and tubing and snowmobiling, the fun part where you have snow ball fights and build snowmen and snow forts. These I look forward to, but my fear of driving on ice (especially with the thought of others driving on ice while texting) greatly outweighs my joy of winter games. I'm glad the harsher part of winter doesn't usually last more than two months here in Utah. I can hide indoors that long!



Here is Duane, perhaps the blanket was overkill, I didn't even need a jacket, but I didn't want my precious baby getting sick! It's obvious by the pic that we did get a little rained on.

Duane Coloring

Word

Two days ago Duane said truck. He's been calling trucks bus for a couple of weeks now, but has never actually called a truck by it's name. He was standing on the porch after we waved bye to daddy and a semi drove by. Duane said, "bus!" I said "yes! Can you say truck?" Without hesitating he said "tuck!" but then seemed to think better of it and finished by stating "bus!" one more time.

This morning Duane said bird. There is quite a little flock that is forming day after day in our parking lot. They chirp and fly from the trees and sit on the chain-link fence where Duane can watch from the window or the porch. Today he was standing in the doorway while I was trying to coax him inside. He looked across the parking lot and said "bir!" pointing at the little brown sparrows.

It's official, my little man is growing too fast.



This is a picture of Duane being a pillow thief. He pushes me up in the morning and steals my pillow to pretend sleep on. I think he just wants me to bring him breakfast in bed! :D

Green Goblins

These are so cute!! I can't wait until I have kids old enough to do these kinds of things with! I took this from the blog Gourmet Mom on-the-Go.

Od Magic

This is another one that I would say is a must read! I loved it!

What? Edible Crayons??

This is so cute and easy! Go here to see instructions and more pics.

Letter From My Brother

Dear Alexandria & Canayo Family 8*30*2009

Hey! Training's going well, I just qualified marksman on my rifle on Wednesday and threw my grenades yesterday. I actually don't remember Uncle Matt, but seems pretty nice to let you swim in his lake though. Anyone who gets you out of that filthy Salt Lake and into some clean water seems okay by me! About the question about where I go after training . . . I finish basic training on Sept. 25, from there I go to Fort Sam Houston where I train to be a combat medic (it's in San Antonio, TX). From there I will graduate late February/early March, at which time I will come home and be stationed at Camp Williams with a medical unit. Whenever and wherever that unit gets deployed, I go with. Deployments are usually 12 months and then home from 18 months up to many years. I hope that answers your question. About good Spanish names, there is a kid in my platoon. His name is Quintana, he's a stud and the name seemed original and a good name for a boy. Just thought I'd throw that in there for you to consider. Wow! Pastor is graduating this semester! I hope graduation is when I am home. I would really like to go to it. What is he getting his degree in? The church that prints the emails is the LDS Church lol, and I will tell them thanks for you. It's like the same thing as the same-day missionary email. This week has been the toughest week so far, and the drill sergeant says that it gets easier from here on out. The only huge event left is the 15k road march!! That's on the 14th, but after that week we will be all done and turning equipment in the remainder of the time. The toughest thing here at basic hasn't been really anything physical, it has been the lack of sleep. You know you are tired when you can lean against a blast wall and fall asleep standing while grenades are going off only 30 meters away. Before joining I never thought I could do that! All in all though, basic isn't that bad. The human body is stronger than you think it is until you push where you thought the limits were and go past. I've been actually having a lot of fun, but at the same time can't wait to leave. Living with the same 60 guys for a month and a half, some of them can really get on your nerves. But that's just human nature I guess. Well I guess I better get ready for bed, we have more PT first thing in the morning (on LABOR DAY!!). Tell Pastor I wish him the best on his last semester and that he better get all A's or I'm kicking his butt, j/k. Send my best wishes to both sides of the family. Love ya lil' sis. Miss all you guys!

Love,
Paul

The Bell at Sealey Head

I loved this book, it was a very enchanting story with a few love stories thrown into the mix.

So Cool

Aww, So Funny

This Cat Actually Belongs to the Neighbors

Duane just thinks its his.

Places to See Near SLC, UT

Places we'd like to visit near home, if only to name a few:

Ogden Nature Center

Dinosaur Park

Bountiful Farmer's Market

The Balloon Launch

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Utah Museum of Natural History

Heritage Park

Lagoon!

Timpanogos Storytelling Festival

The Living Planet Aquarium

Wheeler Historic Farm

Taffy Town (Even though they don't offer tours anymore).

Kennecott Copper Mines

Red Butte Garden

These are just some of the things that I've heard of lately that I don't think we're going to have time to see this summer. Hopefully I'll remember this list for next summer!