Big Boy Hyrum!Hyrum is 3 years old today! I love this little guy. Just in the past few weeks he seems to have been out growing the terrible two stage and has become my sweet boy again (for the most part)

This is Hyrum sometime within the first month or so after he was born

After his first birthday cake

Turning 2

This year we went up to the Detroit Auto Show, and we decided we would do it for Hyrum's birthday because he is very much into playing with cars at the moment. He loved the first 30 minutes but then wanted to go home! He was still a trooper and enjoyed sitting in the driver's seat of as many cars as we would let him sit in.

Doesn't Jeremy look at home in this orange Viper?

Per Hyrum's request, this is my very sad attempt at a happy spider cake...with only 6 short legs

He has yet to actually taste the cake part but he has definitely had his fill of the "chlocklate" frosting-that's my boy!

According to tradition we went out to eat at Red Robin for a free meal, icecream sundae, balloon and Happy Birthday serenade by the employees. I think Hyrum was a bit embarrassed by the attention.

I love how he always wants to give his brother a hug and a kiss and is always asking 'Where is that little baby Mommy?' if he can't see Hunter or if he thinks Hunter is being funny 'What's that little baby doing?!'

I love how he is always telling me 'Good job Mommy' for all sorts of things

I love his curiosity and questions about everything

I love how he thinks it's so funny when he rhymes words, for instance he calls Hunter 'Hunter-Bunter Boy' and he is 'Hyrum Byrum'

I love how we will hear him giggling in his room before he falls asleep and I've never been able to figure out why

I love that he loves to tell us jokes and stories (sometimes they are very long ones)

I love how fun it is to tickle him and I adore his laugh

We love you Hyrum! Happy Birthday!

happy dayAfter about 12 days of one, a combination, or all of us being sick, we are all feeling much better. The boys are eating good again and everyone slept straight through the night...Hallelujah!

There was a lot of this the last couple of weeks (weirded me out)

Hyrum's new obsession is 'Home on the Range' and watched it like 10 times in the last two weeks

There was a lot of game playing as well, the favorites being Go Fish, Battleship and Hungry, Hungry Hippos

And one beautiful sunrise! (the picture doesn't do it justice of course)

this just in....Last night Hyrum went poopy in his potty chair! Woohoo! No, not because he wanted to but because his mean mother forced him to. Poor kid, it took half an hour but he went alright. I asked him if he wanted to go again tomorrow in his potty and his response "probably not, maybe another day Mommy." Hyrum is the kind of child that will not be coerced into doing anything he is not ready and wanting to do. I have been learning that in the last (almost) 3 years. And I really don't think he is ready for this. But I think Jeremy is ready for this. So, I think we will try it within the next month or so.

So, the purpose of this post is for some much-needed, very much solicited for advice on how-to-potty-train your stubborn child. PLEASE! Tell me the secrets. Even if you've never potty-trained one yourself, I'm sure you've heard stories before so please share your wisdom. (or email us if you have our email address)

On a happier note, Hunterbug said the word 'ball' today over and over again while holding his much beloved nerf football. He has been saying 'ba' for ball for a bit but decided to attach the L's at the end.

The Bug turns ONE!

(today)

(1 week old)

His first smile on camera (1 month & 1 week old)

Enjoying his package of books and a piano from Nana

Enjoying his chocolate cake and chocolate frosting (although he never got too messy or crazy)

Of course we all know Hyrum enjoyed the chocolate-ness

I know everyone says how fast the time goes with kids and I must say it's too true. It really does seem like yesterday to me that I was pregnant with Hunter and here he is having his first birthday. I can't imagine our home without our Bug.

I love how he loves to dance when music is on

I love how he will tackle Hyrum on occasion

It cracks me up how much he loves feet and gets excited when he sees them

I love how he makes flying or driving noises with any object that he holds above his head

I love how he poses for pictures by scrunching up his eyes and giving us the goofiest grin

Happy Birthday Baby!

Our friend Ann-Marie took our family pictures back in October and I have been meaning to post them on our blog. She is an amazing photographer and I am still baffled as to how she got Hyrum to smile so well! These are our favorite pictures. The top one was our Christmas card picture this year. (Check her out if you're in the area!)

Pittsburgh Christmas

My parents flight finally came in the day after Christmas and we drove down to Pittsburgh. We were so relieved they were able to make it! My whole family was there and my Grammy (Mom's Mom) was able to spend the week as well with us. We had a blast! And I have forgotten how much fun it is to play games with a big group of people...thanks Zac & J0y for hosting.

We enjoyed unusual above freezing temperatures. One day it was actually 70 degrees! We went to the park 3 times in the four days we were there. I can't wait for spring!

We spent New Years at Brigg and Hava's place in Erie. They took us to icy Lake Erie and I don't think I have ever been so cold in my life! But it was beautiful with all the frozen water and mud everywhere. Hyrum also really liked his bed there, which was under their desk.