2 1/2

My T turns 2 1/2 today. He's getting so big! Since this has basically become my journal, here are some things I want to record about what he is doing now:

• Talks up a storm. We've been having conversations in full sentences for months. The other day, I stopped to count and he was saying 12-word sentences. He picks up on things so quickly and it's so fun to see him absorb and learn.
• Loves Spanish. He's always saying "What's ______ in Spanish?" And then he remembers it and will start calling the object/animal/number, etc in both English and Spanish.
• He has been going through a MAJOR temper tantrum stage. If he doesn't get what he wants at the second he wants it .... TANTRUM! However, I am please to report (knock on wood) that the tantrums do seem to be decreasing in number as of late. When I say that, he still has them daily, but it seems like it's only a few times a day instead of ALL DAY LONG!
• Still naps for about 2 hours every day from ~12:30 -2:30 (Thank heavens!)
• He loves his sister, Lacey. They play together every day.
• Loves trucks, airplanes, and trains
• Wakes up in the middle of the night almost every night and wants to sleep in our bed with us or have us go in his bed and sleep with him (looking forward to this habit breaking at some point!)
• Wakes up for good between 6-6:30am most mornings and the first words out of his mouth are "I want a show."
• His favorite shows: Dora and Diego
• Favorite drink: Apple juice (which I heavily dilute)
• Still addicted to his binkies (which he refers to as babies). We now only allow him to have them at bed time, so now whenever we go down for nap or bed time, we say "Books and Babies" and he happily marches up to bed, excited to get his babies.

Tanner, you are my high-energy, non-stop, all-boy little guy. You thoroughly exhaust me, but I LOVE YOU. Just thinking about you brings a big smile to my face. I love your blue eyes, I love it when you put your hands on my cheeks. I love it when you say, "I love my mama!" I love just standing back and watching you play with your toys or with Lacey and listening to what you have to say. I love hearing you sing your "Big rig 18-wheeler coming down the road a ee" song. It's really "... coming down the road at me" but it sounds like "a ee", so that is what you say and it makes me laugh. I love you a hundred billion 2 1/2 year old!

Riley's Photo Shoot

Well, before I get to the "photo shoot" pictures, I wanted to document a picture of Riley on her 1 month birthday, which was two days ago. I can't believe it's already been a month! I just want time to freeze and for her to stay tiny, but I fear she is getting bigger every day!

I have no idea what I did to make this (and the following picture) so small, but I'm not sure how to fix it, so oh well! Anyway, my dear friend Brittany came over to our house a week or so ago and did a newborn photo shoot with our little Riley Jane. This was one of my very favorites.

I wanted this pose because I have the exact same pose with Tanner when he was a baby.

Riley with Mom and Dad

Brittany thought of this, putting our wedding rings on her toes. I thought it turned out really cute.

We couldn't get her binky out without her crying, but I still love this picture even with the binky!

I'm so happy Lacey has a sister! And (so far), so is she!

Thank you, Brittany for taking so many pictures and being so patient with us!

D.C. Temple Lights

Every year, the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple are beautifully decorated. Along with the grounds being decorated with lights and a Nativity, the Visitors Center is open with an exhibit of nativities from around the world and nightly Christmas concerts. We've made it a tradition to go every year.

This was the first time seeing the lights for both Tanner (who we left at home the last 2 years) and Riley. And we also brought our niece, Becky.

Lacey making herself a part of the Nativity.

And my little Mr. T.

And the other man in my life :)

The Christmas Season, now feels official!