Weekend Highlights

1. The temperature here on Saturday was in the mid-60s so we actually got to enjoy a little sunshine. Aaron and I worked outdoors--After another visit to our favorite home improvement store, Aaron stained the fence while I powerwashed our driveway. What could be more fun than yard maintenance on a sunny day? (I'm being half sarcastic and half serious, here).

2. We made our monthly grocery trip to Wally World and are continually amazed at how much it costs to feed three people. Bystanders point and stare as we haul 2 brimming-to-the-top shopping carts out to the parking lot. I told Aaron, some people buy fancy cars, we buy food. I love to just marvel at my pantry after its been freshly stocked. It makes me feel rich to see all my food lined up in rows.

3. Hank visited a gastrointerologist at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital to get an evaluation for his eating issues. We determined that he does NOT have digestive, speech, motor, reflux, or allergy problems. My suspicions were confirmed--he has a texture aversion. We were referred to an occupational therapest for help. I'm crossing my fingers that in a couple sessions with the occupational therapest he'll be eating hot dogs and spaghetti-o's like other almost-2-year-olds.

4. Hank successfully protested nursery....again. He loves the toys and he loves the other kiddos, but he doesn't like it when mom and dad leave. At all. Mom and dad are getting frustrated with spending their classtime in nursery week after week.

5. Hank discovered that the perfect time to yell at the top of his lungs for optimal attention-getting is in the middle of the sacrament prayers.

6. Aaron may not appreciate me sharing this, but Aaron is dropping weight like crazy on Weight Watchers. I am super proud of him for making the commitment to shed the pounds and live healthier. What a Big Loser!

7. Aaron got to feel 'Baby' kick for the first time. This baby is a squirmer but not a kicker so Aaron hasn't been able to experience feeling the kicking until the other day.

8. Hank's new trick: unlocking and opening the sliding glass door by himself. Next weekend's project: installing child locks on the sliding glass door.

Ok, so it wasn't a super exciting weekend. But, we loved the sunshine and we honestly were happy to just have the time to spend with each other. We live for the weekends. Too bad they're so short.

Amnesia

On Saturday we took a quick trip to the mall to return a few items and purchase a few necessities. Lately, Hank has become a very unhappy shopper. He refuses to be carried, he throws a fit in his stroller, and he is adamant about not holding hands. Reasoning with him is not an option. I pointed out to Hank that all the other small children were holding their mommies' hands but to no avail. He wants nothing but unfettered freedom to cruise the mall solo. Obviously this poses a dilemma as we cannot allow him to run loose in a crowded mall and he can't abide by any form of restrictions on his freedom. The result was that we enjoyed a not-so-pleasant experience making a total spectical of ourselves--literally dragging Hank kicking and screaming around the entire mall. As we finally finished our shopping and headed home from the draining excursion, I vowed to myself never to take Hank shopping again. I turn on the radio to try to decompress my strained nerves. Looking over my shoulder I see Hank bobbing his head in tune to the music. Aaron's heart melts like a popcicle on a hot summer day. Not three minutes earlier we were tag-team wrestling with Hank to get him to cooperate, and suddenly I hear Aaron muttering something about Hank being "the joy of our lives." ??? I asked Aaron if he has blocked the traumatic mall episode from his memory and he replied that if people didn't have short memories they would never have kids. Isn't that the truth? I guess Elder Ballard got it right in his talk this conference when he said that the joy of motherhood comes in moments.

Oh Joy!

IT'S A BOY!!! Hooray! Hank is going to have a little brother to play with, teach, and terrorize. Aaron was completely convinced that we were having a girl and since he guessed right with Hank, I was trying to get used to the idea of having a girl too. All day I've been trying to muster up some enthusiasm for having a girl by brainstorm positive things about girls: we could polish our toes together, we could bake cookies together, she would smell nice, etc. Secretly, I really wanted a boy but I was too afraid to get my hopes up. Don't get me wrong. Girls are great and I love my neices, but I seem to relate better to boys. Now I'll get to have two little boys! Twice the noise, twice the dirt, and twice the fun!

After our ultrasound appointment, Aaron and I went to the mall to celebrate by buying the new baby some clothes. The best part is, we already own everything we need! We've got boxes of barely worn clothes and tons of toys all waiting to be put to use.

Now that we know what we're having, the real difficulty begins: picking a name. So far, we've got nothing. Grandpa Zollinger suggested Frank (Hank and Frank, cute huh?) and Grandpa Grover suggested Gus. So, I guess we'll keep looking:) Any ideas? We like masculine, preppy names that coordinate with 'Harrison' but don't end in "-er".

Thanks for taking part in our scientific poll. Nine people were right and 15 people were wrong-o. Either way, we appreciate the support! Now we just have to hold tight and wait until the big day to meet the little guy:)

Boy Genius

As his mother, I'm sure I'm biased, but I have always suspected that Hank was a smarty-pants. Now I have proof! He says the ABC's! When I send Hank to play with 'nana' and 'papa' while I work on Mondays and Tuesday, he usually comes home having acquired some new trick. Hank has learned to eat peanut butter and fruit snacks, learned all the actions that coordinate with his favorite primary songs, and added several words to his vocabulary at grandma and grandpa' house. Today, Hank's trick was saying the alphabet! Granted, he more like mimics the alphabet, repeating each letter after you say it, but its still impressive nonetheless. I will definately have to capture the newest accomplishment on video for all to enjoy, but I couldn't help bragging about my little genius in the meantime.

Glorious Weekend

After months and months of endless rain and an occasional freak snow storm, Saturday's 80 degree temperature was a welcome reprieve from a long, gloomy winter. I think the only reason that people put up with the winter in the Northwest is because, when its sunny, its the most beautiful place on earth. Saturday morning we headed to the 75th annual Daffofil parade in Tacoma. We got curbside seats and watched marching bands, floats, and officials parade by. Hank loved being outdoors and being among so many other kids and community members. When the bands played, Hank would march in step to the beat like a little soldier. He loved the police officers on motorcycles and was especially impressed with the cowgirls on horses. After the parade ended, we had lunch, put Hank down for a much-needed nap, and then the fun really began. Who knew "yardwork" and "fun" could be combined in the same sentence? Aaron dug holes and set posts for our fence gates, mowed the lawn, and fertilized while I worked on my tan and weeded the front flower beds. It felt like one big, happy block party because every neighbor on our street was outside washing cars, mowing lawns, or barbequing dinner.

I hate to even mention a complaint about such a fantastic day, but I have to admit that I am still suffering from a painful sunburn on my legs. This certainly wasn't my first sunburn, but I think because my poor pasty skin hasn't seen the sun in so long, the burn was especially severe. My poor feet were so burnt that my ankles swelled up like balloons.....at least I'm hoping the "kankles" are the result of the sun, and not a pregnancy symptom that I have to live with for five more months!

Opening Day!

On Monday we went to the Mariner's opening day! We all showed our team spirit by sporting our best Mariner's gear. Once Hank saw that Dad wore his Mariner's hat, he insisted on wearing his, too. I felt like we were true die-hard fans considering we watched the whole game despite the freezing (snowing!) weather and having four babies amongst us!

Cousins

This week we had a mini Grover reunion with Andy, Britney, and Baylee, Tim, Maria, and Katelyn, and Robyn and Macie all visiting us. It was fun to spend time with everyone and get to know our neices better. Although in this picture the kids are all exhausted from church, hungry, and ready for naps, Hank did have a lot of fun playing with his cousins: Kate, Baylee, and Macie. It was a feat just to get them all to sit still long enough to shoot a picture--most of the time they were running wild!