Happy Birthday Kate!

Some Kate Funnies:

(While in the car)

Kate: Mom, I have the toots. That's why it doesn't smell very good in here.

(Another time in the car)

Kate: I'm not very good at right and left, but I'm really good at straight!

(A line of Kate's prayer tonight)

Kate: "And please bless mommy to not say any more bad words."

Kate LOVES babies. She wants a little sister (or brother so bad). I just tell her for now, she'll have to get her fix with other babies!

For her birthday, she got breakfast in bed. She was so excited about it!

Kate loving Grandma Lewis

Kate had a little birthday party with her brothers and some cousins and a Bounce Place. They had a great time!

Kate loving Grandpa Lewis

Kate is constantly getting "tiger rides" from daddy

This is a few days after the birthday, but this is Kate for her dance pictures. My sister Melissa did her hair. This picture really doesn't do it justice!!

I loved this one!

We love our little Katie Girl so much. She brings us so much happiness. Kate is so much like Jeff it makes me laugh all the time. She is very meticulous in the funniest things. These days Kate also loves wearing little stick on earrings. She also likes dressing up, but doesn't have to be wearing a princess dress all the time. She loves running around outside. She LOVES playing babies and is always trying to rope in Austin or Scott to play with her (although Scott is usually the one that does). Kate LOVES to sing and also make up her own songs to sing. Here is a sample:

Don't hit or you'll go in time out, Don't bite or you'll be in trouble, (I can't remember the rest)

Happy Birthday Kate, I love you and I'm so happy I have you!

The Kiddos

The other day, Kate was SO grumpy, she wouldn't touch her food (she's usually a pretty good eater) and just kept on whining. Jeff and I were getting Austin and Scott dished up and when we looked back at Kate, she was asleep!

I had a birthday and had such a fun day! Jeff and I were also able to get away for Valentines Day. We even got to go skiing! We had such a great time. Thanks Melissa!

Kate got the ring on her right hand for Christmas, and has been slowly adding to her collection since. The only time she takes these rings off is bath time. I honestly can't believe she hasn't lost the ring. I remember, even as a teenager, I went through rings so fast. She's good!

Kate and I planted some seeds--broccoli, spinach, and kale and are hoping to get them in the ground in the next couple of weeks! Since this picture, 8 boxes have sprouts. I need to take an updated picture.
Scott had been quiet for too long, I went in the kitchen and he was helping himself to the delicious chocolate cake in there. He was just taking fist-fulls and shoving them in.
We have been loving spending time outside. The kids love cruising around in their cars, bikes, scooters, and trike. This is Scott.

Austin

Jeff just went to Denver this weekend and it was not stressful to have the kids all by myself for a few days. It's so nice when they get to these more independent stages!

Recent Reads

I have been in a reading mode lately (Jeff has encouraged me to continue since March Madness is coming :) ) I have got some good ones. Every time I finish a really good book, I have this sad feeling that I won't be able to find a book as good, but it's amazing how many great books there are.

A Little Princess

I watched this movie when I was younger and loved it, but had never read the book. I loved it so much! Sara Crewe has great character. I love reading about characters in books that I want to be like. (although I don't know if anyone can beat Anne)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I have heard about this book for a long time, but was so intimidated by it for some reason. It is a great book though, it kind of reminds me of The Glass Castle just because it is the story of Francie's young life with all the ups and downs. The family was such a tough and hard working family. Makes me want to get motivated!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

I really enjoyed the Kiterunner, but I think I liked this even more. This was written about women in the Middle East from about 1970-2006. It is so crazy to read about stuff going on that recently--in my lifetime! I HIGHLY recommend this book. There are some really sad things, it's got heavy topics, but the writer tried to keep it light and full of hope.

Mansfield Park

This is not my favorite Jane Austen book, but is still entertaining and still one I wanted to own. The main character is different from some of the other main characters. I would suggest it, but not to be the first Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion are much better.

Now for the movies. This was not the best. I think it got 2nd place out of the 3. I liked it just because the people were more attractive (what can I say, it just makes it more enjoyable to watch). The Fannie was kind of obnoxious, but she was okay. I loved the Edmond, and the Crawfords were also good. It's worth a watch if you have some spare time.
I loved this version. They took some liberties with Fannie, but I thought it was an improved Fannie. I loved her little narrations throughout the movie. The other characters were good. This would be an enjoyable movie whether or not you are a Jane Austen fan (kind of like Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow).
This version was very true to the book, but was a little bit painful. Part of this for me is that I think the story is boring at parts . I was really tired when I watched it too. I wouldn't recommend this movie unless you are an avid fan. To tell you the truth, I fast-forwarded through a lot of it. It is about 5 hours in all of it's glory and I watched about a 2 1/2 hour version.

To document:

I should preface this by saying I don't mean this as a complaint post. I actually think all of this combined together is pretty funny and I especially think the kids will enjoy reading this when they are older. So...enjoy a little flavor of the last couple weeks of young motherhood in the Lewis house:

I am sure I will forget some of these endearing things:

Lately, Scott and Austin have been known to

• play on the computer, when they see me coming they click as many buttons as fast as they can. Lovely.
• Pull all the ziploc bags out of the box and hand them to me or spread them throughout the house.
• Along with that, they love to pull out Saran Wrap
• The second either Austin or Scott hear the bathroom door open, they come running and play in the sink
• climb on the stools and fall off. If they make it to adulthood intact, I will feel successful.
• push the stool around the kitchen and get: gum (and try to eat as much as they can before I pull them down), spices, anything that looks interesting (especially off limits) on the counter
• drag cords all over the house; this includes cords attached (space heater), cell phone cords, the cord for the dust devil
• And the Grand Finale: Playing in the toilet. Yesterday, I found both boys sharing a cup and drinking from the toilet. Special. (Yes it had been flushed)

Yesterday, we were watching a show on tv where a sister was being mean to her 2 little brothers. I mentioned to Kate that the sister was not a nice sister and that we shouldn't act like her. I told Kate she needed to go teach her how to be nice.

Kate sat there for a minute thinking, then said, "But how am I going to get in the tv?"

Kate and Scott play together quite a bit right now and Austin and I kind of pal around. It changes every once in a while, and I find it so interesting.

There has been sickness in our house for two weeks solid. So far we have had 4 cases of Influenza A (with very high temperatures, the peak was 105.1), 3 cases of croup, and 3 ear infections, and one sinus infection. Luckily, no one was left out and we're still going strong. Here's to 3 weeks in a row!

New Pictures!

My talented sister in law took these and I just love them. They turned out so cute (especially considering the morning my kids were having).

Scott is standing up

Scott left Austin right

Austin

Scott

Austin

Scott

Scott

Scott left Austin right

Austin

Austin

Happy Birthday Austin! Happy Birthday Scott!

As Kate has been saying for the last two weeks, "I can't believe the boys are two!" We had a fun birthday with them. I always love birthdays. It's a chance to reflect on how grateful I am to have Austin and Scott as a part of our family. They are my little miracle babies and I love each of them so much.

This is a face we see a lot with Austin lately (who we always call Auzzy). He loves to cheese it.

Scott enjoyed his birthday cupcake (made by cousin Ashley!) He really loved smashing it and wiping it all over, including down his neck. Nice.
Scott (left) Austin (right) Grandma and Grandpa Lewis got these for Austin and Scott.
These cute shirts were birthday presents too from a good friend in the neighborhood. I love them!!

Austin (left) Scott (right) with cake and cupcakes made by Ashley.

Austin loving his cupcake.

Scott loving his cupcake.

I gotta say, I rocked their birthday presents. They LOVED every single one and went crazy for them. There will be some videos to follow. This was a little tent they got. (Thank you IKEA)
I made these chairs for the boys and it made me SO happy to see how much they loved them.

Scott lately loves legos. Actually we all do.

I always see this as I'm getting ready in the morning (or afternoon)

Birthday balloons thanks to Grandma Packer (Scott)

We went up to Idaho during the week and saw a lot of my siblings. They are so great! (scott)

Austin

Austin loved his new hat

Austin

• Is talking SO much!! He says I want _______ and fill in the blank with about any word. He can even say his L's (we just got that a few months ago with Kate). Pretty much everything he says are three to four words (or just whines). Last night in the bath tub for example, "I'm not done yet." I can't even begin to list, he is just a talker!
• Has been sick for a few days now and it has been a doozy. He's still miserable, but at least he wasn't sick on his birthday!
• Is pretty animated, jumps, screams and shows a lot emotion.
• loves to wear hats.
• LOVES to play outside, doesn't matter if is freezing
• loves to go new places
• loves the bath tub and anything to do with water
• Pushes a stool all over the kitchen to get into everything

Scott

• Still loves his bubba (binky) Along with that, he LOVES to go to bed. It is actually really nice. He just loves to get his blanket, bunny and bubba and he is SO content. It's really sweet!
• Is talking quite a bit too. He is a little bit quieter and thinking more--kind of like Kate was. Scott has reminded me a lot of Kate's personality as he grows up. He's very good to say please and thank you.
• Is a good little eater. I don't know if I still think of these boys as babies or what, but everything they do makes me think they are geniuses, then I realize that is where they are supposed to be. However, I have been really impressed with their dexterity in eating. They stay pretty clean and all the food (or most) makes it into their mouths.
• loves walking on bikes, trikes, and still loves those little cars (those have been played with hard for a few years now!!)
• loves pushing his stool all over the kitchen and gets into everything.
• loves cups with water in them and pouring them back and forth and making a big mess
• has also been really sick for a few days now. He seems to be doing better today
• loves playing with Kate and Austin Sometimes I will find him and Kate playing babies downstairs. Scott really loves babies (or any cuddle objects)
• loves containers and putting stuff in and out of them
• is always up for a cuddle
• LOVES to play outside, even if it's cold

Austin and Scott are so much fun, SO busy, but so much fun. They add such great flavor to our lives. I can't imagine how Kate was entertained all day before we had them. We love you Austin and Scott!