Update!

Guess it is time to do a little update on what we've been up to lately. Mostly we've been getting ready for our move; packing, packing and more packing. Only more 2 weeks till we get the keys to our new apartment. It will be here before we know it. My goal today is to start packing up James' room.

This week has been a rough one for me. I have been sick just about everyday. Though I try not to complain because it is a great reminder that we have a little one on the way after months of trying. My morning sickness is definitely worse this time around than it was with James. I did discover a temporary cure or at least something that makes me feel a little better. Oreo shakes from Carl's Jr., but I just can't afford to buy one everyday. Sigh.

This has become a common occurrence at our house. Me hanging out on the couch with James near by playing with his rocking horse or cars. A lot of time I get talked into playing cars too. Our couch has become a nice road.

Love James' accessory.

One of my better days last week, I took James swimming. He was a little sad it was time to go inside.

We've had a day of great napping, last week too.

And a make your own mini pizza night:

 One must always eat the topping too.

 Saturday we enjoyed some delicious strawberries from the farmer's market.

Tuesday, we went to the beach. James and Tracy had a blast. I had as much fun as one could when they are feeling miserable. :)

Wednesday afternoon we got hit with a great rain storm. Rain storms don't happen very often where we live, so it is always a treat when one does happen. James was very happy and played in the rain the whole time. 

Yesterday Tracy and I went to the temple. It would be the last time going to the Redlands Temple before moving. I may have been close to crying a few times. I'll probably become more emotional as our moving day gets closer. I will miss Riverside. Any way, James had a blast at the babysitters. He painted this masterpiece.

James is 4 1/2

I can't believe that 6 month have past since James turned 4. He amazes me a lot by the things he says and or does. I love watching him learn and grow, just sometimes I wish it wasn't so fast.

One the train to the beach.

Last week I measured his height. He's now at 3' 5" which means he has about an inch left before he'll out grow his car seat. Someone will be graduated to a booster soon! Last month while we were at grandma's house I had him stand on the scale. He weighs about 32 lbs. He's a skinny boy. 

Playing at our apartment playground.
He stopped himself there and told me he was stuck.

James loves to help me around the house. He does a great job at cleaning floors, picking up his toys (he hates it when his toys make too big of a mess), and helping me cook. He recently has started actually asking to go potty, so maybe he'll FINALLY get potty trained. He's also been asking for a bike, so that would be awesome to have him riding a bike. I'll encourage anything that has to do with gross motor skills. There are still a lot of things I wish he could do that other kids his age can, but I just have to encourage and teach what I can and hope he'll get it. 

Having a snack downtown after visiting the Farmer's Market.

I'm really enjoying this age of saying whatever is one his mind. James comes up with some great things to say.

• One morning last week, he told me that daddy had asked him for help and he replied by saying, "Ummmmm... Nope, I don't want to." Not sure why he thought to tell me, but it gave me a good laugh.
• I think it was that same day that he told me during lunch that my food after I swallowed was going down and hitting the baby on the head. The baby is saying, "Ouch."
• A lot of the time when you ask James if he needs a drink or a snack and he doesn't want one, he'll reply by saying, "I'm just OK." 
• He is constantly telling us what the cats say when they meow. Lightning said, "Leave me alone." Eowyn said, "I'm hungry." 
• James constantly says, "Ah, not again." Usually when you do something he doesn't want you to do or you are repeating an action like getting a drink or going to the bathroom. (Mostly it is because he doesn't want me to do it.)
• As I was getting ready to go to a doctor's appointment, he said,"The doctor is going to reach into your mouth and pull the baby out." We've told him the baby still needs to grow bigger before it can come out. He's still convinced it will come out of my mouth. (Have I mentioned he really wants a sister?)
• Listening to him play is one of my favorite times of the day. Wish I could record him 24/7.

This morning James followed me into the bathroom as I was feeling like I was loosing my breakfast. He then stood there rubbing my back. It was sweet. I love that even among all his craziness and sometimes crankiness he has a very sweet loving side. Hope it is something he'll never loose.

The Anniversary Post to End All Anniversary Posts

O.K., the title is a sham. Just trying to get you to read my blog. I guess that means I lost some of you. Those of you still here, Welcome to my 8th Anniversary post.

Today, we celebrated our 8th Anniversary. It seems like such a short time, but a long time all the same.

From our honeymoon.

The best part of our Anniversary this year is that we're actually spending it together, unlike last year. Since it has fallen on a Sunday, Tracy decided to make us dinner to celebrate. It was delicious.

I didn't get a picture of us yet. Maybe I'll capture one tomorrow. But I do have this cute picture of James from our last beach trip.

I'm very blessed to have such a great man as my husband. I look forward to all our exciting new adventures we'll have this next year: moving, new school, new home, baby in March (yes, you did read James' shirt correctly) and all the adventures we'll have in many more years to come.

Happy 8 years to us!