Kelsey is TWO

And she knows how to tell you.

But she's still working on being able to hold her two fingers up (like a peace sign). I told her just to do it the European way and hold up her thumb and pointer finger (like a gun). She thinks it's funny. Here's a quick trip down memory lane and then some tidbits about Kelsey.

Birth

6 Months

12 Months

18 Months

24 Months

Stats.

Weight: 12.2 kilos or 27 pounds

Height: 84 centimeters or 33 inches (2.75 feet)

Laughs. She loves to laugh and will laugh when she thinks something is funny or if someone else is laughing.

Letters. She loves her letters and even points them out on signs and books. One morning Tal made pancakes and made a special one for Kelsey. K=Kelsey

Piggies. Always pink. And she'll always point them out and tell you about them.

Yawn. She sleeps through the night and still takes one nap a day (@ 2 hours). However just recently, she's been fighting going down some nights. Tal and I have said a few times - just when our life got easy, we went ahead and had another kid ;).

Yelling/Screaming. We're learning the difference between indoor voices and outdoor voices. She seems to use the outdoor one no matter where we are.

Clasping. She's still at it. If she's sitting down and gets bored, she'll clasp her hands together like she's praying and push her hands together so hard and holds her breath. It's a bit concerning, but her pediatrician doesn't seem worried. She also has Opa Price's teeth (says Tally).

Jumper. Our downstairs neighbor is witness to that. Curb or no curb, this little hopper doesn't stop.

Shapes. Letting your child play with their food is okay as long as it is educational, right? She dug out this circle all on her own. Pretty symmetrical, don't you think?

Reverting? Let's hope not. She still loves her babies though.

DORA. What would I do without her? I think Dora is her best friend (sad). She talks to "Dora" when she plays with her dolls and runs around outside. Since then, I've started acting out Dora episodes with her - adapting them to our surroundings of course. She gets a kick out of it.

Singing. ABCs is her favorite song. She also loves Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Popcorn Popping, Once there was a Snowman, the Schnekli song, Ring around the Rosie, If you're happy and you know it...and many more. I love when she sings off key and loud - so cute. Poor thing, I hope she doesn't have to inherit her musical talents to be musically talented.

Dear Kelsey,

We want you to know a few things about you at this age. You are so sweet and compassionate. You always get concerned if mommy gets hurt or sad or if Aiden cries. I hope you use this gift of compassion to serve others throughout you life - to mourn with those that mourn - etc. You are one smart cookie. You already understand too much and I'm amazed at what you repeat back to me. You love to answer questions and usually get them right. You are street smart and are so good about staying on the sidewalk, staying close to mommy, and coming when mommy tells you to (except for one time with jay and one time today). I hope that you use your mind for good, and seek things that are uplifting and inspiring. You are strong-willed, yet teachable. I love this about you. You are always wanting to learn more, and apply it. You are very appreciative and constantly tell me "dank du mami." You are helpful to mommy and are quick to bring me my cell phone if it rings or grab a burp cloth or Aiden's binky.

Daddy wants to add that he loves you like crazy! He still goes in every night and moves your books and puts your blanket on you. Sometimes he even moves you to a more comfortable position (you sleep like a log).

Daddy and I see so much potential in you and pray that you might become a virtuous, kind and faithful woman someday. Happy Birthday Princess, keep on dancin'.

P.S. She stays up late and reads her books (she likes to have at least 20 in her crib, sometimes asks for more). She used to ask for the light off (but that meant on) and has recently started saying on. Her hair is also straightening out quite a bit! It makes me sad. As it gets longer, it is straighter on top and the wringlets are looser. I never want to cut them off!

Knitting

This New Years, I made a goal to learn to knit. My friend, Jessi Berg, taught me the basic stitch while on our cruise in Greece. It became a swatch, and then a baby beanie.

Then Jessi gave me some yarn and a pattern for a dishcloth for practice.

Check.

Then I bought a pattern off of etsy for a baby cocoon. At first I thought it was a lofty goal but after talking to my friend Tanya Deans, I was convinced I could do it. She drew me a picture and everything. Once I got past the struggle of finding the right yarn and getting the HUGE needles (thanks mom), I found it to be quite easy. However, it still took me at least 6 hours, especially since I had to undo at least 10 rows and start over. Whoops. I learned.

These are the pics I took with Aiden in it only minutes after completing it (of course he was asleep when I finished, that's how I was able to finish!).

Notice how his little toes are sticking out

I'm so happy with it (despite the hole Aiden helped me find - glad it's not too noticeable) and so glad I have it for many shoots to come! A BIG thanks to Jessi & Tanya for helping me complete my goal...what next?

Weltklasse Zurich 2009

Letzigrund Stadium

photo courtesy of myswitzerland.com

On Friday night, my boss invited me to the Weltklasse Zurich track and field event at Letzigrund Stadium (and my angelic wife was kind enough to let me go). It was amazing to see Ussain Bolt run in person (he's like a man among boys - but those 'boys' are world class sprinters) and I also witnessed a new world record in pole vault broken by Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva.

Fast as a lightning BOLT

photo courtesy of swissinfo.ch

The thrill of knowing you're number ONE

photos courtesy of swissinfo.ch & google images

I had never been to a professional track and field event before and I was shocked by how much the athletes interacted with and fed off of the crowd. The US athletes represented well and I got to be a bit obnoxious every time they won an event, but Ussain stole the show in the final leg of the 4x100 meter relay when he caught the Americans from behind and just turned his head and laughed as he flew past him just before the finish line. On a side note, the Swiss relay team placed 6th in that race while setting a new Swiss record, I've never seen a group of athletes and fans so excited for a 6th place visit - but when your a small country, I guess that's a great feat.

The Swiss relay team

photo courtesy of swissinfo.ch

The Swiss regard this as the best track and field event in the world, and although I'm not sure I would go that far, the atmosphere was electric. For more info on the event, click here.

Photoshoot Weekend

It's 12:09am (as in midnight) as I start writing this. I want to post more frequently since mega posts are so time consuming and get old. So, in my attempt to do this, I need to post TONIGHT.

My six weeks is up and I am back to hired shoots. It's a bittersweet because I love taking photographs but I hate having the idea of more photos to edit and two kids vying for my attention while attempting to edit.

On Saturday, I shot twin, 3 month old girls while Tal took the kids to the branch "Mini MTC" day. The shoot took 3.5 hours and I was exhausted afterwards (darling girls, by the way). After a nice nap, we drove over to Rachel and Tony Mascaros to go to their town fair.

The path to the fair grounds had several small "spielplatz" or playgrounds on the way that were all made out of natural resources and were designed like bugs. This one looks like a preying mantis eating a worm! Switzerland has some of the coolest playgrounds I've ever seen. And the most dangerously fun.

We ate yummy curry for dinner and banana/nutella crepes for dessert. YUM! Kelsey ran around with a few Swiss kids and I couldn't believe how outgoing she was with them.

We went on the ferris wheel with the Mascaros at sunset. Kelsey liked it, but got tired and cold after a few rotations.

Thank you guys for a fun night!

On Sunday, we took pictures of the Aeschbacher family and Tal brought the kids so we could have our temple recommend interviews after. Here is the view of Lake Zug from the hill behind their house. Isn't it gorgeous!? This doesn't even do it justice.

At their house, Kelsey picked some apples. Here she is debating which one to pick (after getting Heidi's permission first of course!).

OUCH! Kelsey got this shiner Thursday night from tripping on the rug when running into the living room to tell us something and falling on her chin on the corner of the coffee table. Both Tally and I saw it happen and thought we would be in the ER for sure. We got lucky this time. Poor baby! After nursery today she had a black left eye. Shoulda seen the other guy.

It was fun, but now I'm tired. Aiden is doing great, growing lots, and sleeping fairly well. He's also good natured and will sit quietly for long periods, several times a day. Knock on wood. It's 12:56am and I just got told to come to bed from Tal. Nighty night!

Aiden's First Month

The first month has flown by.

At his first doctors appointment, he weighed just under 5 kilos which is almost 11 pounds. That's two additional pounds in only one month. He is 54 cm or 21.25 inches. He has broken out with acne on his face, but it comes and goes.

The Carter's NB (newborn) onesies are officially too small. I couldn't get one over his head today. I love those things! He had so many cute ones. Now we're working on 0-3's. I guess he's no longer a newborn!

He's a breastfed baby and we're still getting the hang of the nightly routine. During the day, I've got him eating every 2.5-3 hours but at night, we'll often both fall asleep mid-feed so he doesn't get a full meal and wakes up again 2 hours later. When I'm conscious enough, I'll get up with him, sit on the couch, and make sure he gets a full meal. But that hasn't been the case lately. I love how sweet he looks when he's sleeping.

He is smiling! It's not always on cue but he's done it with all three of us now. It doesn't accompany gas and it makes my heart melt! Especially when it's so big that both cheek dimples show.

All is good on the home front. There are definitely more trying/frustrating times with two, but I'm working on what to let go and what to put my foot down on. Kelsey is doing good with all the changes, but she's not even two yet. I can't blame her too much for being curious and poking his eye or screaming to wake him up. He's a pretty good sport about letting her hold him and such.

But should he be? Here's the biggest, baddest bite of (2 of 3). I heard a pain-filled shriek from him and ran over to see what had happened. It wasn't too hard to tell. Kelsey got time-out on this one. Aiden gave me a huge smile when I came over and only cried when I put him down on the couch to take this pic. Guess he wasn't too hurt.

Sometimes when it gets quiet and I don't see Kelsey, I get suspicious

This is where I've found her a few times now: hiding under the food drawer eating chocolate. It's hard to get mad when she's so clever and cute. I guess that's what happens when mom is busy with brother. {Terrible indoor lighting, needed my flash}

He can sleep anywhere, in about any position

Kelsey loves to color and I will often have her do that while I nurse or something. She likes to eat the crayons and break the pencils too.

Poke. Poke.

Waking up is hard to do

My little helper, putting the binky back in when he cries

She loves when I put him in her crib. He likes it too. Too bad I didn't get the focus right. I love his happy disposition.

'I love that frog and toucan! Waz up, guys?'

Our friends Jasmine and Loic came over for a visit. Jasmine loved holding the baby.

Loic liked it too, but only for a few seconds. He was so sweet to him, which is good since he's going to be a big brother again soon!

Tuckered out from having visitors

Aiden had this really bad rash on his arms, chest, and thighs for at least two weeks. I think it was at least partially due to heat. It's been pretty hot and we both fall asleep snuggling at night. Poor summer baby!

I love how he always manages to sneak those little toes out of the swaddle

Our Little Sports Star

My friend Tanya let me borrow her baseball, mitt & football for these pics. If he grows up to be like his dad, he'll be a huge sports fan (esp. BYU Football), and love to play these games. I just need to get him with a soccer ball and basketball and we'll have our "bases" covered. Lee, (Tal's dad) I hope you notice that it's a catcher's mitt, since you used to play. Maybe your grandson will be a catcher too oneday.

I hope he does grows up to be like his dad, whose name he shares. Tal is a great, adoring daddy. I treasure this sweet picture.

The great thing about being a photographer is that you can take pictures of your own kids. The bad thing is you can go overboard, which I DEFINITELY did this month. My poor baby kept getting woken up in the middle of his naps by a beanie being put on his head or his face suddenly being placed on a tough catcher's mitt. I guess it will make up for the amount of pictures I wont be taking of him compared to Kelsey at his age.

I need your opinion (just comment or send me an email). Which picture(s) is/are your favorite that would be best for his announcement? I have three different drafts of his announcement and I can't decide. Thanks in advance!