The new house plant.

We've been cutting down some trees in our front yard, and Tate has loved playing with all the branches. So when he called for me the other day to see what he had, I didn't expect half of the tree to be in my house. But I couldn't even be mad because I was laughing so hard, and he was so proud. He kept calling it his trophy. I eventually talked him into taking his trophy back outside, but I'm a little worried to see what else he finds around the yard to bring in...

My own milestone.

So I always document the kids big milestones, and I thought I would put down one of my own....the other day I got my first stitches ever! Or should I say stitch (ya, just one). And it was by the hands of my 3 year old. The other day he threw his flashlight and it hit me right in the face and split my nose. To say I was mad is an understatement. I went to Instacare and it needed a few stitches but the Doctor didn't want it to scar any worse, so he got away with putting just one right in the middle of the cut. I look ridiculous. And subsequently, Tate no longer has that flashlight.

Mars

Miss Mar and her crazy hair

I feel liked I've slacked on Marley updates, I used to be so good with Tate posting height and weight, and things he did. I need to get better so I don't look back on these and see her age from 4 months to a year old and not remember any details in between! So here we go:
-at her 6 month appointment (which was also a few weeks late, oops) she weighed 14.6 lbs (20%) and 26 inches long (70%)...where I get these tall children I have no idea
-she has a few nicknames, some of which are bizarre but have somehow stuck: Mar-Mar, Mars, Marles (per aunt Meg) and Marley-Moo
-she's been sitting up by herself for about a month now
-she's getting so much hair I can put little clips in it, I love it!
-she is so happy and giggles a lot, but Tate is the one who can get her to really laugh
-she sleeps just ok at night, but is a horrible cat napper (just like her brother was)
-she loves to grab your face with both hands and give big wet open mouth kisses (the ones only a mother can love:)
-loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
-already a spoiled mamas girl! Cries when I leave the room, and cries when other people try to hold her if she can't see me nearby.

Pictures

Usually I hate getting pictures done; it gives me so much anxiety worrying about what to have the kids wear, where to do them, when to do them so I can avoid meltdowns...the usual. But this time for Marley's 6 month and Tate's 3 year pictures it went great! They both actually cooperated and smiled, and I love how they turned out:

Fan Fest

Jord got to take Tate to the Utes Fan Fest this year for the first time--I don't know who was more excited, Jordan or Tate. It really is pretty cool, they get to go down on the football field, meet the players, kick field goals, and all sorts of other games. I'm not a sports person so me and Marley stayed home and went shopping...this could be a fun tradition for us. Jordan and Tate go do all their sports stuff, and us girls go shop!The whole Love gang with Coach Boylen

Tate and Jordan catching a punt!

Tate, Banks and Kaige on the 50-yard line

The boys with Swoop the mascot doing the "Go Utes" sign!

Tonsils

before the surgery, poor kid...he had no idea

Tate got his tonsils out last week and it definitely hasn't been the funnest time of our lives. He did great at the hospital and was cracking us up when they gave him the sedative before going in, he was so tipsy and out of it! And those first three days he seemed to be doing ok....then day four came. He has been so miserable! The doctor said days four through seven or so tend to be the worst, and they have been. I feel so bad because he just cries and grabs his throat, and he hasn't eaten in days. Today was a tiny bit better, I hope that means things are starting to look up.in the waiting room before they came to get him

I never thought I'd be so excited

One of the things that I've realized since becoming a mom is that it's funny (sad possibly?) how excited you get over things you never would have thought twice about before. Such as exhibit A:Having the 3 year old fully potty trained is comparable to winning the lottery. And I probably save as much money too not having to buy diapers. I haven't pushed him at all because he's had no interest, then one day he decided he was ready--it's been awesome! I take no credit though, it was nothing that I did. And exhibit B: Having her hair barely long enough to put in a little clip. So exciting for me!