Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day started off in Casa Grande with my parents where Boone and I had stayed the night before. We woke up to a BEAUTIFUL rainy day that stayed until about noon. Boone got to go outside with an umbrella and play in the rain. I just love calm, slow rainy days.

"This is how you use it, right!?"

When we got home that afternoon Mason had left me hersey kisses and flowers. He knows the way to my heart!

My Grandma made Boone a Valentine at her group home and I thought it was sweet.

It says, "Happy Valentine's Day...

My Darling Great Grandson!

From, Great Grandmother!

I love you Boonie

I had to laugh because the house keeper who cares for her is hispanic and so that would explain the double exclaimation marks around the sentences. Cute!

That night we made a delicious dinner of steak, mushrooms, mashed potatoes, asparagus, rolls and sparkling lemonade to celebrate instead of braving the crowds this year. It actually was kinda of nice to just stay in yet fancy it up a bit.

The Phoenix Zoo!

Saturday we went to the Phoenix Zoo. We decided to get a year pass being it didn't cost much more than it would have for the both of us to get in. Plus we figured it would be something fun Boone and I could do together to get out of the house. My mom got one and Stacey/Darci did too.

Boone was able to see and focus on most of the animals if they were awake and moving. His all time favorite of the day were the prairie dogs. They were barking at each other which sounded more like a squeak and he was laughing hysterically! He was laughing so hard at them that it made the people around us laugh. Funny little boy.

Baboons!

The orangutan was sitting right up next to the glass looking at all the people. Some of the kids around us were afraid to even stand by him and take a picture. Boonie went right up to him and gave him a kiss on the nose. It was so cute!! We got him to do it again once I got the camera out, but of course the one I actually get on film he slaps the orangutan first, but then he gives him a kiss to make up for it. Boys.

The stinky petting zoo.

We love the zoo!!

Ridin' the Waves!!

I didn't want to leave the last post up too long because it was kind of a downer. I'm just riding the awesome waves of hormones that are being thrown my way.

I've had a fabulous couple of days with Boonie and have been feeling much better about him. I think I'll keep him afterall. ;) We went to the park yesterday with Stacey and Darci and then last night I went to a Relief Society enrichment dinner that had a wonderful speaker on personal revelation. So I got a boost from my earlier in the week funk.

Bear with me through these next couple weeks (Mason). I'm so sorry!!

Time Out.

I think I have decided that 16 1/2 months is the hardest age thus far. I've been able to handle and love every age, but this one.... There are some things I love... but you get my point. I guess every person is different because I've had friends tell me, "Oh, the newborn stage is the hardest," - nope that one was easy. I think it has to do with the fact that this little guy has so much he wants to say and do, but he doesn't know how to really communicate it all yet. This past week has been REALLY hard. REALLY REALLY hard. I try and set aside special play time for him, but as soon as that time is over he gets mad and fusses the entire time I'm not playing with him. But even when I am playing with him he complains sometimes too. I feel bad. I just want him to be happy and for us to have happy days. He needs 100 percent of my attention at all times.

Perhaps it has something to do with the pregnancy hormones and exhaustion. I hope you all know i am just venting. I love this kid more than life itself and my life would be meaningless without him. It's just been a tough mommy week. I have been praying for patience every single prayer. I sometimes think this must be how heavenly father feels when he watches us. He just wants us to be happy yet we are the ones who need to figure out what it is that will make us happy. He is the ultimate example of patience and I try harder and harder each day to follow his example. Imagine how hard it would be to watch all your children making mistakes and throwing fits when you know so well what they need to do to be happy.

Anyway... I know that this too shall pass. And it's not all bad... I think it's just a combo of wild, crazy, insano little boy and a tired mommy who doesn't want to pick up that unloaded drawer one more time.

Now for some cute pictures to lighten the mood. The other day when Boonie was in time out he threw all his animals and diapers over the gate. You can tell he feels bad about it. Look at his guilty little face in the picture.

Here he is saying, "Uh-oh" about his mistake.

And then these we took on my birthday. Mason was outside watering the grass and somehow it turned into this. Good thing we live in AZ where it's semi warm in the middle of winter!

Turnin' 29...

Turning 29 feels pretty much the same as 28 - thank goodness. I had a hard time turning 28. Come to think of it i had a hard time turning 25, 26, 27... you catch my drift. But for some reason this year it didn't even phase me. We'll see it that lasts for 30... I doubt it.

On my birthday my whole family took me out to Kabuki, a delicious sushi restaurant! It was so yummy!! Boone's face in the picture below just cracks me up. He is such a camera ham. I had no idea he was even looking at the camera.

Proof that Kyle was there:

Afterwards we went and watched the fountains at the outdoor mall. The boys were all daring each other to run through. Mason led the way and little Boonie went running after. It wasn't the water shooting up out of the ground that got him, it was the water plopping back down on his head. His expression was SO funny, but he just kept on truckin' after his daddy. He's such a tough kid!

Then we all went back to our house for cake and ice cream. My mom made me a darling pink cake!!

The after party:

I still remember the days when 30 seemed old. This is the last year in my 20s! I need to do something amazing!! Hmm....

Boone has something to tell you...

That's right. Baby Lefler #2 is due September 13th and we couldn't be more excited!!