38 Months - August 2010

Your letter snuck up on me this month because we've probably just finished the busiest week of an already busy summer. The worst thing about this letter though is going to be the lack of pictures. Both my camera and your dad's camera have one foot in the grave which basically leaves us at the mercy of the cameras in our phones and anyone else who might be nearby taking pictures. Whether we have picture proof or not, we did have a fun, busy month since your last letter.

The last two weekends in July you put some hours in on your fishing pole. First we went to the Hatch reunion and we went to Tropic Reservoir with Quade and "fished." I think the first night we went I spent more time trying to untangle the two of you than anything else, but it was fun to see you two casting your bubbles out about 3 feet in front of you and reel them back in. Your dad caught a fish the second night and instead of being afraid of it you actually held it and when dad told you to throw it back you did just that and hucked it back into the lake. The poor thing was stunned for a second but eventually did swim away. Next time we'll have to tell you to put it back nicely and see how that goes.

The weekend of the 24th we went to the Panguitch Lake cabin with Grandma and Grandpa H. and Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa. We went fishing for a little bit again up there but didn't have as much luck. You had a good time throwing your Buzz Lightyear off the deck on the back of the cabin and watching movies. I love when we get to hang out with Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa because Uncle Joe knows just how to tease you and drive you crazy. In fact, he's pretty good at doing that to me and grandma too.

This last week we went to Hurricane to stay overnight so I could go to some appointments the next day. We went and visited with Kasidee and Bentlee and you gave us a pretty good laugh when you asked Bentlee for a hug and immediately after letting her go said, "Now a kiss?" Bentlee was shy at first but eventually did give in.

Later that night we went to the County Fair and Aunt Lisa came with us and Gma & Gpa. These are the only pictures I have from this month because Aunt Lisa was around to take them! The first ride we went on was the merry-go-'round. We were the first ones in line so we had to wait a while after getting on for it to start. You did okay until about the last few minutes when you started getting nervous and begged me to let you off. I wouldn't let you and tried to distract you until finally it got going. It jerked when it started and you just looked at me like I was the worst mother on earth but by the time we had gone around once you were loving it.

You did the same thing on the big slide with Aunt Lisa. You had both climbed the stairs until you were up too high and there were too many people behind you to turn around before you started freaking out. By that point the only way down was the slide so she stuck it out with you and by the time you made it to the bottom you were asking to go again.

We also went to the petting zoo and you rode on the train and even went on the ride with the trucks and motorcycles all by yourself twice. I was pretty impressed!

I was laughing at myself because I was trying so hard to find rides that you could and would go on by yourself and was so excited when you finally did, until I was standing on the outside with the other parents waving at my kid riding by himself. What a big kid! In my limited experience of being a parent I think watching you be brave and become more independent and learning new things has been the best part. Keep it up kiddo!

Love you bud,

Mom

14 Months - August 2010

Well you went from crawling to full on walking/running/climbing nonstop in a hurry. You are definitely more of a climber than we can remember Logan ever being. Just today I was in my room with Logan and I heard his spring horse that we got him for his Christmas a couple years ago, and when I went to see what you were doing I found you sitting on it just perfect! When Logan got that horse he was 18 months old and couldn't quite climb up on it by himself for at least a few months after that. Just tonight your dad came out of our room and informed me you had gotten up on our bed and were pestering Logan. He didn't put you up there so that means you somehow made your way up - and that bed goes almost all the way up to my hip! Of course Grandma and Grandpa H. just laugh at this - apparently I was a climber and they are enjoying watching me get a little taste of Karma.



We have kept up going to the pool, and you haven't stopped enjoying it. Now that you can walk pretty steadily your new favorite thing to do is to walk in the water until you have to walk on your tip-toes. I scoot along next to you looking like a dork with my hands out ready to catch you when you lose your balance and go under the water. You don't cry, just laugh and push my hands away before you've even gotten your balance and do it all over again.

Throwing rocks in Navajo Lake on our picnic.

As for the teeth situation - your fever and fussiness from the end of last month was totally justified. You got two teeth that week instead of the one I saw (one front tooth and one bottom tooth) and are currently working on five more. Yep, FIVE! I thought it was just the other two in front and a molar, but somehow I got you laughing and saw two more molars! That's seven teeth in one month. Not bad, kid. I guess you figured you had better start catching up.


This was a grumpy morning while working on getting some teeth.

We got to spend two weekends with family in July and you were sweet as can be. I think you pretty much enjoy just being anywhere but in this house because no one ever believes me that you can be a monster. We went tent camping at Tropic Reservoir for the Hatch reunion the weekend before the 24th and you had a pretty good time riding around the campground in the bike trailer with Logan and Quade and just hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Veater. That is, until we tried to put you to bed in the tent. We're pretty sure you were terrified of it because the first two nights we spent there you screamed yourself to sleep. I'm so glad you were walking by this time because a crawling baby + camping is not exactly a good mix.

The weekend of the 24th we went to the cabin at Panguitch Lake with Grandma and Grandpa H. and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joe. It was SO nice to not only be out of the house but out of the HEAT! I don't think anybody took any pictures while we were there, but we pretty much just enjoyed being able to be outside without melting. The second night we were there you refused to go to sleep. Finally Grandma gave up and went to bed and you kept going back into her room and climbing up in bed with her and almost falling asleep before you'd get mad, wake yourself up, and come walking back down the hall dragging your blankie. You had us laughing because by the time we all decided to go to bed around 11:30 you looked like you were sleepwalking.

Playing t-ball!

I have spent a lot of time getting on Logan's case in the last year making sure he is nice to you. Well as you've gotten more mobile and more independent that way you've also started to show more and more of that mean streak you have. I sent your dad a text the other day that said, "I have a bad feeling that Logan's got nothing on Tess." As I watched you throw a royal fit over something Logan had that you wanted I had this feeling of dread. I hope you use that stubborn/mean streak that is in you in the right way (which means against boys and not your parents and Logan).

Oh we'll clash all right, no one that knows me or your dad would expect any less from our child, but I hope you learn to choose your battles early in life.

And just remember, I'm pretty much always right.

Love ya,
Mom

P.S. I just noticed you are wearing the same shirt in 3 of the 5 pictures in this letter. I promise you do have more clothes than that.

We took you and Logan to see Toy Story 3. It was the first movie in the "Theodore" (as Logan calls it) for both of you. Unfortunately you and I spent most of the movie here, in the lobby.