CJ's BIRTHDAY

We went to Bryce's parents' for the weekend to celebrate CJ's birthday this year. CJ got to do lots of his favorite things for his birthday:

He woke up to a dozen balloons in his room

He had waffles and fruit for breakfast

He played in the pool

He blew bubbles

He played with the big boys

He ate hot dogs, cheese, fruits, and veggies

He played some more in the water (after he was in his dry clothes :)

He blew out his birthday candles

He ate cake, lots of frosting, and ice cream

He took a bath

He opened gifts

He played

He stayed up late

He went to bed with his favorite blanket

When we got back home, he had another gift in the mail from his Aunt Melanie

And he tried out his potty...sort of

Looks like you had a great birthday, CJ!

CJ IS TWO YEARS OLD

Our little man turned TWO on July 26! It seems like just yesterday we were holding our baby boy for the first time on that hot, Thursday morning. A lot has changed since CJ was born: Bryce graduated from BYU, Paige stopped working, we've moved 3 times, the first of which was to a new state, Bryce started law school and now only has one year left, and we had another baby...but most of all, CJ has changed like crazy! He's growing up so fast - here's a list of the some of the evidence of that:

Height: 33 in (16th percentile)

Weight: 26.4 lbs (27th percentile)

Head: 19 1/4 in (53th percentile)

- CJ LOVES to sing! He sings songs about everyone and everything - usually to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or This Old Man
- CJ also loves to dance. He'll start movin' and groovin' to any music (and we mean ANY music...even hymns :), and to any beat too
- CJ is picking up words left and right - he repeats everything - and is in a monkey-see-monkey-do phase. For example, sometimes Bryce will say "wat, wat" when something is kind of lame, and CJ has started saying "wah-wah" all the time, even though he doesn't quite get what it means. But he does get what "yeah-ah" means, which Bryce also taught him to say, and he says it all the time as well :). Mommy and Daddy have to be extra careful what they say and do...
- CJ has become much more affectionate. He loves to give kisses - especially to Mattie - and he'll randomly give hugs too. It's great!
- CJ is super friendly. Whenever we take him anywhere, he says "Hi" to everyone we pass...multiple times, until they respond :)
- CJ loves Sesame Street and Spongebob Squarepants. He can name a lot of the Sesame Street characters - Elmo, Cookie, Ernie, Abby - and gets so excited when Elmo's World comes on (he claps and bounces up and down). When Spongebob comes on, CJ starts to sing the beginning of the theme song: "Oooooooohhhhhh..." And it's great to see him laugh at the jokes and silly parts - he really gets what's going on!
- CJ is obsessed with baths! He'd take 5 baths a day, if it was up him. And he has recently learned how to turn the water on all by himself, so he'll often take toys from his bedroom and throw them in the tub for a bath of their own :)
- CJ has also recently learned how to open doors - bedroom, closet, and even car doors - so we have to keep a close eye on him

- CJ learned his age and so he can now count to two
- CJ is very good with his little sister. Though he is still learning how to be soft enough, he is very aware of her needs and if she is crying, he will give her her binkie, her bottle, blankets and stuffed animals, and even try and share his milk with her. He always smiles at her, holds her hand, and gives her kisses (and Mattie just ADORES him! She could watch him and smile all day)
- CJ loves vegetables, fruit, and milk (and loves to drink the milk out of his cereal bowl :); he isn't a big fan of pasta or meat (unless it's chicken nuggets, hot dogs, or bacon); and even though he likes sweets, he's not obsessed with them...sometimes he won't even finish a packet of fruit snacks
- CJ has been obsessed with his stuffed doggy, Mattie's pink bear and bunny, and two rubber duckies lately. He HAS to have them when he goes to sleep and he likes to carry them around the house, especially when he first wakes up - sometimes he won't even leave the room until he has them with him
- CJ's favortie meal is probably breakfast. He doesn't eat very much for dinner, so he usually wakes up starving, ready to eat!
- CJ gets frustrated easily when he's trying to do something on his own - everything is "guck" (which means "stuck"), but he does very well with just a tiny bit of encouragement and loves to be praised
- CJ just barely started saying "no" and "mine." He especially says "no" when he wants to do something on his own, like eat. We recognize that he's just trying to exercise his independence, and count ourselves blessed that CJ's just now starting to say those words
- CJ has such a mellow personality. He's always been that way, and we're glad that it's grown into some great qualities. For instance, when CJ plays with other kids, he is never the bully. He never pushes or hits, even when it's being done to him, and he never really cries, either, when he's shoved or has toys taken away. We're very proud of him!
- CJ doesn't really throw tantrums. He can have his moments of crying when he's tired or doesn't get what he wants, but he never screams, stomps, throws, kicks, etc. We consider ourselves pretty blessed...knock on wood :)
- CJ loves to point out every object he knows, especially in books, and will repeat it until we acknowledge it
- CJ has no concept of a whisper...especially during Sacrament meeting :)
- CJ loves nursery and playing with other kids
- CJ loves to be chased and tickled...but only likes being tickled for a short time
- CJ loves cars. Whenever we go anywhere he runs to the front door of the car, and if it's unlocked, he opens it, climbs into the seat, and starts playing with the steering wheel. Then when we move him back to his car seat he cries :(
- CJ loves going outside! He will point out windows or stand at the door and say, "side?"
- CJ loves to point out water ("wah-wah"), and if it's shallow enough, he likes to play in it too
- CJ loves to look at pictures and watch home movies...especially if they're of him :)
- CJ has some favorite phrases:

"I see you"

"g'nite"

"hi daddy"

"hey baby"

"go, go, go"

"all done/all gone"

"help me" (kinda sounds like "owpee" :)

We love you, CJ! Thank you for making our lives full of fun and adventure!!

PIONEER DAY WEEKEND

We headed over to Seattle for Pioneer Day weekend and for CJ's birthday. While we were there...

...we went to a Mariners game with Jen and Paul Fahey

...Mattie put everything in her mouth

...CJ swam in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard

...Grandpa gave out souvenirs from his trip to Spain

...CJ dressed up JJ

...Bryce singed the hair off his hand at the stake Pioneer Day celebration

...and CJ turned TWO years old!

SOME FIRSTS

Last Saturday we headed out to a cute little pool out in Quincy, which is about half an hour from Wenatchee. It seemed dinky compared to the new family aquatics center by our house in Spokane, but CJ actually liked it more...probably because it was a little more low key. It had two slides, which CJ LOVED, and a zero depth pool with a water mushroom. That was about it. But because it was so mellow, we were able to put Mattie in her floaty for the first time. Technically, this was Mattie's second time at the pool - we went the Saturday before, when we were in Spokane, but forgot our camera - but this was her first time just loungin'. She liked it, but she preferred to snuggle with Mommy or Daddy instead.

Mattie had rice cereal for the first time a few days ago. We made about 2 1/2 ounces and, besides what landed on her bib, she ate ALL of it! It's pretty safe to say that she likes to eat :)

ROLEY POLEY

Mattie LOVES her toes! She's always grabbing and playing with them, which results in her being curled into a ball most of the time. Kinda puts a damper on learning to sit up...but she's so adorable that we're ok with that :)

CAMP-IN

Ever since we walked into our apartment in Wenatchee and saw this...

we knew that we needed to do this...

So we ate some of this...

and had a few of these...

We did a little of this...

and had a lot of this...

Sure. We can go camping anytime.

MATTIE - 4 MONTHS OLD

Our smiley girl is 4 months old! Oh, how time flies! Here's what Mattie has been up to:

- Growing like crazy:
Weight - 14 lbs 8 oz (71st percentile)

Length - 25 3/4 inches (94th percentile)

Head - 16 3/4 inches (88th percentile)

- Cooing and babbling.
- Smiling. She smiles all the time and at everyone. It is so easy to get her to smile.
- Sucking on her hands. She loves to stare at them, clasp them together, and of course, stick them in her mouth.
- Eating. She pretty much wants to eat all the time, every two hours, on the dot, when she's awake. We've even started supplementing a few ounces of formula a day. She'd eat all day every day if she could.
- Playing. She loves to lie on her play mat, grab the hanging toys, and suck on them.

- Rolling. Eighty percent of the time, if you put Mattie on her back, she immediately rolls to her side. And then half the time she rolls all the way over onto her belly. And then sometimes rolls right back onto her back. She's definitely our roley poley :)
- Kicking. She loves to kick her feet.
- Eating her lip. She's recently started to suck on her bottom lip. CJ used to do the same thing.


- Tooting. Sorry Mom, but we had to let it be known that our little princess gets the toots everyday :)
- Becoming ticklish. Her sides, belly, and under her arms get her every time. Unfortunately, she doesn't enjoy it every time...
- Cruising. We recently got a new carrier that is SO comfortable and easy to use (it's called a Sleepy Wrap), and Mattie LOVES to be carried forward-facing. She kicks the whole time.
- Practicing patience with her older brother. She loves to smile at him and just watch him and she hardly ever cries when he bugs her.


- Hating tummy time, still. But when she is on her belly, she can hold her head up really well.
- Crying. With all her smiles come cries too. And she still has a cry that turns into a high-pitched little scream when it escalates...still kinda cute. It's funny, too, how she still turns red when she cries (which makes her hair on top look totally white).
- Getting blue eyes.
- Developing distinct features. Mattie has tiny little ears that stick out a tad - just enough to make it endearing - and she has recently had a birthmark show-up on her left arm by her wrist (a little mole).
- Sitting up. She can almost stay up without any assistance.

- Losing her hair. Mattie has lost all her brown hair, which has been replaced by blond, except for a ring of brown that's lingering around the base of her head.
- Sweating. Mattie takes after her daddy and runs hot, so she sweats when she eats, cries, plays, and even when she sleeps sometimes. We try to keep her cool :)
- Holding her feet together.

WE LOVE YOU, MATTIE GAYLE!

DO I LOOK THAT SILLY?

So I'm still trying to get my pre-baby body back. Yes, I know it's been four months, but it's been a tough road, ok. These last 10 pounds are hangin' on like the plague and in order to not shoot myself, I've told myself that it's because I'm still nursing.

Now some might say that I'm just being vain, that I look good (Bryce always seems to think so, though I don't know why. I'm definitely thicker than the woman he married), or that I should just accept my new body because I'll never be a size 4 again. But besides really, really wanting to look great (yes, I know that's my vanity speaking again) - like, we're talking I've-never-had-a-baby-or-even-needed-to-work-out-and-I-can-eat-whatever-I-want-and-still-look-good kind of great. Besides that, it's a fiscal thing too.

You see, in these hard, economic times...oh, who am I kidding. Since Bryce is a full-time student, and I'm a full-time Mom, our income consists of student loans, whatever the government will give us (bless this fine liberal state of WA that has given us lots! but don't worry, we've paid taxes since we were 16 and will be paying loads more all over again starting in just a year or two, so we've gotten over feeling sheepish and prideful about using what the state has to offer our little student family), and the generosity of family (namely, parents), so we haven't really been affected by the economy...yet.

However, as I said, we are poor students trying to raise two kids on no income and limited school loans, and we simply don't have the money for me to "just accept my new body" because that would mean "accepting" a new wardrobe as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about new clothes, but if it's because I'm a fatty...not so much.

So if ever there were motivation, I've got it (as I sit here eating my Safeway chocolate chewie. Hey, it's made with egg whites, ok)! Even if my toddler walked in on me today doing some crunches on an exercise ball and burst into hysterics. And even if his impersonation of me was just lying limply on the ball. And even if my 4 month old has decided she wants to eat ALL the time allowing her mommy no sleep, making it virtually impossible to get up to go running (and I have to run in the morning because it's just too darn hot and I'm too darn tired any other time). Despite those things, and others I won't mention, I won't be thwarted!

So ten pounds - it's on!

Or really, I'm hoping it's off!

I want it to go down in our family history books that Paige Forsgren Mackay had some domestic skills. As proof, I've posted pictures of two things I've sewn recently that are not only functional, but actually look pretty good too:

This is the nursing cover that I made for myself (with the help of my friend Becca) back in March.

After learning from the mistakes I made on my cover, I made this nursing cover for my sister-in-law, Katie, last week. I like this one more and was tempted to keep it :)

I hope my 8th grade sewing teacher sees these and rests well knowing that I'm capable of more than sewing a shotty tee-shirt that has seams down the sides and middle...

FAMILY REUNION 2009

It almost didn't happen, but thanks to flexible family members who were willing to sacrifice, we were able to have our second Forsgren Sibling Family Reunion and it seemed to be a success! Here's a rundown of our week in Utah:

Friday June 26th - We flew into SLC, arriving at almost midnight, and Bryce's brother, Tyler, picked us up and dropped us off at Paige's parents' house.

Saturday June 27th - Paige's brother, Chris, and his family (minus their oldest son, Josh) surprised Paige's mom and dad, and that kicked the reunion off. The day was spent BBQing, playing water games, and just hanging out.

Grandpa Forsgren with his two newest grand kids, Mattie and Samantha

Alex was the hit with all the little cousins, especially his little buddies, Abram and CJ

Sunday June 28th - After church, we had a family dinner (or lunch), and Paige's Mom gave the grand kids a great lesson on honesty. Then everyone played the surprise Father's Day game Paige put together. After the game, we all headed to Paige's brother, Nathan's house for his little baby Samantha's blessing. That night the siblings (minus Courtney, who had already gone home) played Paige's Dad's favorite game, Hearts. Then we all said our goodbyes. Hopefully we'll see each other before the next reunion in two years!

CJ loved hanging out with his Uncle Chris and cousin Layton, on Uncle Nathan's scooter

Forsgren family game of Hearts (it took Paige over 20 yrs, but she finally gets how to play :) From top around clockwise: Dad, Nathan, Paige and Brcye (holding Mattie), Chris, Brent, and Melanie. We're just missing Courtney and Mom :(

Monday June 29th - Bryce went golfing at Hobble Creek in the morning with his brother, Tyler, and his cousin, Tyson, while Paige met her girlfriends for lunch and a playdate. After lunch, Paige and the kids went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house with her parents, her brother Brent and his kids, and her brother Nathan and his kids. Afterwards, we all went to dinner at Paige's parents' favorite Mexican restaurant in Orem, Mama Chus.

Tuesday June 30th - Bryce and Paige got haircuts and then Paige's mom babysat so that we could go to lunch with some of Paige's siblings (Nathan and Katie, and Brent). Later that night we had microwave s'mores and played Monopoly the card game with Brent and Nathan and Katie.

California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. L-R: Katie (holding Samantha) and Nathan, Brent, Paige and Bryce

Wednesday July 1st - We got up early and headed to Hogle Zoo with Paige's brother, Brent, and his kids. That evening, Paige made her sister-in-law, Katie, a nursing cover.

Paige, CJ, and Mattie hangin' with the monkeys (it was unintentional that we all ended up wearing green)

Yes, there is glass between CJ and Bryce and that tiger

All the wild animals were out for lunch...like this cheetah behind Bryce (holding Mattie)

CJ with his cousins: Peter, Cathy, and Ellen, who's keeping CJ on the rhino :)

Thursday July 2nd - We ran some errands and did a little shopping in the morning. Then Paige had a Girls' night (which included dinner at Mimi's Cafe, doing hair while watching Ever After, and having a Forsgren classic dessert: hot pudding over ice cream) with her mom, sister-in-law, Katie, and her nieces Cathy and Ellen (and the baby girls, Mattie and Samantha too :), while Bryce played basketball with his brother, Tyler, and some friends.

Mattie and her cousin, Ellen (with Grandma in the background), at Mimi's Cafe for Girls' Night Out

Here are the little twin cousins, Samantha Forsgren and Mattie Mackay, only 10 weeks apart in age

Friday July 3rd - In the morning, we said goodbye to Paige's brother, Brent, and his kids, and then saw a hot air balloon land almost directly in front of Paige's parents' house. Paige and Bryce took a drive around Provo to see what has changed since they moved, and then Paige did some quick shopping with her mom. For dinner, we went with Paige's parents to a new burger joint - Five Guys Burgers and Fries - and spent a relaxing night in.

This hot air balloon landed right in front of Paige's parents' house (that's her mom's car's bumper on the right)

Saturday July 4th - We got up early to run the Provo Freedom Run (Bryce ran the 5K with his brother, Tyler, and Paige ran the 10K in just under 9 minutes per mile). After the run, we went and picked up CJ and Mattie and headed back to Provo to go to the parade with Bryce's brother and sister-in-law, Tyler and Gaby, after which we all went to lunch at one of our favorite's, Costa Vida. That afternoon, Paige's mom once again watched the kids while we went and got ice cream with Paige's brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Katie. Then we picked up the kids and headed down to a BBQ and fireworks at Bryce's Uncle Bart and Aunt LuAnn's in Mapleton.

Bryce and Paige after the race. Those water bottles were our finishers' "medals"

click on the grid to enlarge the pics

Mommy helping CJ with his first sparkler


Ahhh, brotherly love. CJ giving Mattie 4th-of-July kisses. So cute!

Sunday July 5th - We said goodbye to Paige's parents and flew out of SLC around noon. Bryce's dad picked us up in Seattle and we hung out for few hours at Bryce's parents' house. Then we drove back to Wenatchee (you should have seen Bryce changing CJ's diaper on the side of the road in the rain!).

Goodbye Utah family and friends! We miss you already!!

FOOOORE!!!

We've only been golfing together twice (and Paige has only been three times, ever), so it was nice to get out on the green a few weeks ago for Bryce's law firm's party at the Wenatchee Country Club. Bryce's wonderful mom, Sheila, came over from Seattle for the day to watch Mattie and CJ so that we could enjoy some time together, and get to know the attorney's and their wives better as well. Kevin Bromiley, an associate at JDSA, and Anne Sonn, one of the partner's wives, were in our group. Anne was a great coach for Paige, and everyone was very patient with her lack of golf skills. Paige actually did better than she thought she would and even got a couple of bogey's on the back nine :) After 18 holes, all the attorney's and their wives had a great dinner at the country club. It was a fantastic day!