Back in Business!

We've been here almost 3 weeks now and are still working to really get settled in but we have nearly everything unpacked and are moving on to other exciting adventures. Here's what we've been up to...

Connor:
Connor has agreed to tackle potty training. I thought Connor was ready well before we moved but with a new baby on the way, a serious lack of energy, and an impending move I opted to wait. Now that Connor and Tyler are both settling into some semblance of a "normal routine" we've pulled out the Spidermans (Connor's preferred choice in undy's) and loaded up on "juice" (watered-down koolaid). It's sometimes a toss-up as to whether there are more accidents or successes but Connor is doing remarkably well. We're keeping fingers crossed we get this down in a matter of a few weeks rather than months. And we are currently taking any and all recommendations from you experienced moms out there...especially as we're approaching Sunday which means a torturous 2 hours of nursery for our little guy.


He's also getting a big kick out of all the new "toys" he's inherited during the unpacking process.

Tyler:
Tyler is adorable as ever. He's maintained his low profile and mellow personality. At his 2 month checkup he was a rocking 11 lbs, 15 oz. and 24.75 inches long which puts him in the 35th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. In doctor language that means Tyler's a bit of a lightweight and the length of an average 4 month old. Checking in at 3 months now we've had to move him up to 6 month clothes because when he stretches out nothing fits.

He's also discovered his tummy. He rolls over like crazy! The book "What to Expect the First Year" says that at about 6 months some children develop a preference and a proficiency for turning over and sleeping on their stomachs. Tyler's only 3 months but keeping him on his back requires constant attention and something in his way. Most often we find him sleeping like this:
I must say, if he's going to keep up this 10-11 hours of sleep per night, he can sleep however he likes. We're still working on snatching a picture of his dimple, so far this is as close as it gets. The photos (like most children under 3) just don't do him justice, he's one of the happiest babies I've ever seen!

Carl:

Carl hasn't started school yet (this coming Tuesday) but he's been logging the hours studying. For those of you who don't know, he's beginning a master's program in Nuclear Engineering. He read me a page from the first chapter in one of his textbooks and I can vouch for the difficulty of his chosen field. I am so impressed with his self-discipline. He's been enjoying being home but it certainly hasn't taken away his focus for why we are here. I know he's going to absolutely excel in his program.

Kristen:

I've been shocked to learn that probably 4 out of every 5 people I meet in our ward moved into the ward only within the last 2 months. I've made it a priority to befriend the parents of children in nursery so that Connor (ok, ok, me too) can have some friends and I can set up some playdates for him. I've hit gold in this ward of course because so far everyone seems really nice and interested in getting together occasionally. We're hoping to get a play group going in the next few weeks. And I'm crossing my fingers for a calling soon!

I'm also mapping out all the fabulous projects I hope to actually accomplish now that the kids will both be in bed at a decent hour and Carl will be preoccupied with studying. Sewing, food storage, creative organization, menu planning & budgeting, scrapbooking, getting in shape, and catching up on some reading. I can't say I'll feel this way during his entire program but I feel excited about the forced time to myself for a while and am chalking it up to golden opportunity for myself.

I've given up on finding my camera and sucked it up and bought a replacement. As a result, I feel like I'm finally back in the blogging business.