SNOW much fun!!!

Maren:

This last weekend we had a great adventure! We went up to Hyatt Lake and rented a cabin with the Trautz family. I have been looking forward to this weekend for a really long time! Mommy was a bit afraid that we wouldn't have snow because it has been really warm on the valley floor... But, we got a huge winter storm the day before we went up and it resulted in a good 12+ inches of fresh powder!!  We had a really great time! We played in the snow, went sledding, and Jace and I got to have a slumber party in the loft of the cabin! You can't believe my excitement, Jace's too, and we had a hard time falling asleep!  We tried to build a snowman but the snow was a bit dry.  We did get to build a snow fort, daddy dug a hole in the deep snow for us, but we were pretty worn out and cold so we didn't stay in it for very long.  One of my favorite things this whole weekend was riding in Marc's truck. The snow was so deep on the way to the sledding hill that mommy's car couldn't quite make it.  As a result, we all had to pile into Marc's truck. Jace and I sat in back (without seat belts because Maddox and Bella were in the car seats) and bounced around like crazy! We giggled and laughed like crazy! I thought it was so funny that we weren't wearing seat belts! 

Maddox:

My teeth are still pushing their way through and as a result I am still having a bit of a rough time.  I am not sleeping the best, am pretty cranky, and am often running a fever. I got sent home from school one day because of it.  I got sent home the day before we were heading out of town for a weekend in the snow. Mommy was feeling pretty bad for me but she brought me home, tucked me in and it gave her a lot of extra time to pack.

I did pretty well over the weekend though I couldn't participate much. The cold was hard, mommy had me really bundled up, but my fingers and toes still had a hard time staying warm. Sleep time was a bit difficult too because of the cold, mommy bundled me extra, which then was a frustration because I couldn't move! Because I didn't sleep really well at night I sacked out on the sledding hill both days. Mommy and daddy tucked me in to a sled, mommy played soft music on her phone, and I got some pretty descent naps. 

Little Love Bugs!

Maren:

We have had a pretty rough week around our house. Last week I had a simple head cold, nothing big, but it turned into a nightmare.  Thursday afternoon mommy picked me up from school and my teacher reported that I had been limping all day. Mommy thought it was related to my bruised toe (I ran over my big toe with a door the other day and bruised it pretty bad. Mommy says my toe nail will probably fall off) but she quickly found out different. As the night progressed at home I complained about my knee hurting. Mommy thought I was being a bit dramatic but the next morning it was clear that I was not.  I could barely walk on my left leg and would scream in pain when mommy would flex or extend my knee. Luckily baby brother had his one year check up exam that morning so mommy took me with her. Doctor said it was a case of "synovitis" which is common after a general cold and that it should go away in a few days. It did take me a few days but I seemed to get a bit better every day. Weirdly enough, a week later my right leg started hurting the same way. My pain was so severe that daddy stayed home from work with me. Mommy started to get really worried at that point because it just didn't seem normal but once again, after about a week, I was back to my normal self. 

Valentines Day fell during the middle of all the scuffle and mommy made me yummy heart shaped waffles with strawberries, blueberries, and cream!  That made all of my aches and pains better! 
 

Maddox:

The last week or so has been rough for me too which means that mommy's life has been equally rough. While sissy was dealing with her knee issue I was dealing with some big teeth. All four of my one year molars have been pushing their way through at the same time and I have not been happy about it. My general crankiness started the day of my birthday party and has continued. I am not sleeping well, I am salivating continuously, I am running a fever... I guess one thing is good, at least I will get all of this over instead of having to get them all in separately.  My upper R molar is being incredibly difficult... It just won't pop through. The gums around it are blue and really tender. My upper left officially appeared on Feb 6, lower right on Feb 10, and lower left on Feb 13. 

Despite my teething issues I am still a sweet boy at heart. Mommy is over the moon happy that I am a snuggle bug like my sissy was. She was a bit afraid that because I was a boy that I wouldn't like to be held. But, not true! The other day she picked me up from school, I crawled right into her arms, and gave her a big, big kiss. Then I laid my head on her shoulder while she held me. 

I am continuing to learn more signs, though I still get a lot of them confused! I really understand "more" and "eat" when it comes down to meal times but need a bit more practice on the others. I am working on my colors and have orange down pretty good (which makes my sissy super happy!) and red too. I also know how to say "momma" both with my hands and words, which you can imagine makes my mommy pretty pleased! I just don't seem to like to use the word "please"! I find that screaming gets me what I want just as fast... Though mommy says she is going to put a stop to that. 

A little cake, a lot of fun... Our little monster has turned one!

Maren: 

I LOVE it when someone has a birthday because that means I get cake!! Mommy makes yummy cake!  My brothers birthday was super fun and he got some really fun toys. He got a really cool activity cube that we love playing with, a great water table that I love splashing with him in, he got a remote controlled car (ok, that was really daddy's toy), some puzzles and blocks... And more! 

Unfortunately the day before his big party I developed some really deep pain in my left knee. So bad that I scream and cry whenever my mommy moves it. She was a bit alarmed by my reaction and took me with her to Maddox's one year baby check up. The doctor said it was probably a case of "synovitis" where the lining of a joint gets inflamed after a recent cold and it can be very painful.  Days later and I am still having a rough time, especially by the end of the day, but it keeps getting a bit better every day. 

Maddox: 

I am ONE!! Where did the year go?? I am developing so quickly  and learning so many things... Mommy can barely keep up! 

Here's what's new with me: now that I have mastered the stairs, I want to climb everything!! Whenever mommy turns around she finds me climbing up on something! The other day she found me standing on the handle bars of my ride on car trying to reach something on the table... Well, the car slid out from under me and I fell flat on my belly!! 

Mommy likes to play a little game with us called "This is the way the lady rides" and now I like to ride everything like a horsie! Whenever anyone lies down on the floor, even my sissy, I jump on and start riding!!
A big milestone for me is waving good-bye (Feb 6). I get a big smile on my face and wave, and wave, and wave... Sometimes with both hands!! 

My birthday was super fun and we had two celebrations. The first was just a small family gathering and I got to have my very first cupcake! It was so yummy! I grabbed it with both hand and stuffed it in my mouth!! Yumm! 

Mommy and daddy threw me a big party the weekend after my birthday and we had a house full of people. It was a monster party and mommy made me a monster cake. Unfortunately I am getting a four of my one year molars at the very same time and was not interested in eating it at all.  Later that night everything went bad... I developed a fever and barely slept a wink.  I had multiple days like that in a row and if I dont have Advil on board I am pretty darn cranky.  Hopefully the will break through soon so I can finally get some relief (and mommy can get some sleep)!