Bird watching

It was a good bird watching day, overcast with a little rain. As I sat at the window with Max and whispered in his ear, "We have to be quite while we watch the birds so they don't fly away." I was so happy to be a mom. Otherwise, I wouldn't have just sat and enjoyed the birds outside. It's so fun to discover things again with your child. Bird watching has become a fun thing for Max and I to do.

When I see the birds outside or in the trees by the window, I make sure to bring Max over. While Max enjoys watching the flight and movements of the birds, I get to enjoy the birds and the wonder of my child.

Jell-o painting

First, make some Jell-o instant pudding

Add food coloring to make different colors

Then I scooped the colors onto Max's high chair. I only did green, red, blue, and yellow. You could get more creative and mix more colors.

Let the finger painting (and eating) begin!

Taste testing each color.

Now, Let's have some real fun and get messy!

I added some more scoops of each color and gave him some spoons to play with too.

It then ends up mixing into a gross looking gray color, it still taste good though. I had to join in the fun too, I added some hearts.

defiantly a fun time for Max! I also, recommend doing this right before bath time. They will need a bath afterwards. :)

I got this great idea from a book I checked out at the library. I LOVE the library! I really enjoy books on child development. Especially, the brain. This idea, came from a book I really enjoyed called, "Smart from the start" from birth to 3 years old.

I'm going to buy a copy. It's a great book to have on hand. It has a lot of great information and ideas for brain development for children from birth to 3 years old.

Belly time

18 weeks

24 weeks

I've been slacking on my belly time. I was supposed to do 22 weeks. Oh well, the baby is growing! He's also been moving a lot! I love that feeling. My pregnancy has been going pretty good. Just the usual pregnancy woes. I'll try not to complain too much yet, as there will be a lot more uncomfortableness to come. ;)

We do have a name for my little guy, his name will be Easton Kent Maher.

We really love the name Easton and his middle name is Kent, after my dad.

I feel so much love for my little Easton already! I love that we have a name for him, it makes it nice to refer to our little guy by name.

Shaun and I already refer to Max and Easton as "our boys". So fun to say that.

Mommy loves you Easton! AND daddy is really fond of you too! ;)

You've got a friend in me

No, Boston should not be on the couch. But when you have a sick boy, who is watching a movie, and Boston jumps up next to him and they snuggle into each other. It's ADORABLE! AND they were watching Toy Story 3, which is fitting, because Max defiantly has a friend in Boston. :)

Christmas in UTAH

DAY 1- Thursday Dec. 23

Drove 8 hours to Cedar City. Stay at Shaun's sister's house for the night. Had a GREAT drive. The roads were clear and we were smooth sailing. I was DREADING the drive being pregnant and having a little Max in the back seat. It went REALLY well. Max did awesome!

DAY 2- Friday Dec. 24th CHRISTMAS EVE!

Drove 2 and 1/2 hours to parents house. Roads were clear and smooth. Hung out with parents for a while, then off to stay at my sister Taunya's house were we would stay for our trip.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Here's me and Max after he got to open ONE present. His adorable Christmas pajamas.

We had a nice Christmas Eve. We re-in acted the story of Christ birth. I got to be Mary. I may not be GREAT with child just yet, but I'm with child. :)

DAY 3- Saturday Dec. 25th

CHRISTMAS!!

There was snow, even if it wasn't fresh snow. :)

Max with his cousins Christmas morning.

A present for Max

Max was loving the presents Santa left for his cousins. ;)

CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON AT MY PARENTS

DAD

My niece Brittany made me a cute necklace.

Me and my niece Talia

Present from grandma and grandpa

Love this picture! My niece Ava licking away at the pie!! hahaha!

We had a great day with everyone. My whole family was together for Christmas this year. We even got a family photo. I don't have it yet. I'll share when I do.

DAY 4 Sunday Dec. 26

We had a nice relaxing day. Just lounged around. Then went to my parents at night for games. It was hilarious!

DAY 5 Monday Dec. 27

Spent the day in Salt Lake City. I adore this city! It was fun to drive up and down the streets while Max was sleeping in the back seat. I love you SLC! It is the city of my birth. AND I love those UT mountains. BEAUTIFUL! I wish I would have taken pictures all over the city, but Max was sleeping in the back. *sigh* I love that city.

We went here to Discovery Gateway on the corner. What a FUN place for a kid!

So much to explore and do!

Here's a few pictures of the Gateway mall, where we were at the Discovery place.

Then we went to visit my brother and his family. Max always has fun with his cousins.

DAY 6- Tuesday Dec. 28th

Bean Museum in Provo

I love these pictures of Max checking out the nativity.

He loved the Lions. He would roar and say, "Lion"

I love how they made this nativity with all the surrounding animals

We even got to enter a contest to name the elephant.

This butterfly is so pretty. It's made of all different types and colors of individual butterflies.

We had to stop at the creamery afterwards for some yummy ice cream.

We had a great time with family while we were there. It was so nice to go be with everyone. hang out and play games, go to movies, do a little shopping, talk. It was a great vacation.

DAY 7 Wednesday- Dec. 29th

Drove the whole way home in terrible weather. Snow and rain 90% of the way home. It was exhausting! It didn't go as well as the drive to Utah. We finally made it home.

FAMILY PICS

Me and my man

Love this CLASSIC picture. Max crying, Shaun looking like he's over this, and me trying to smile through it all. haha!

A whole lot of Max being Max.

Oh, that smile, makes me happy!