Makai's Birthday

Baby Kai turned 2 August 14th! (Or "shoe" if you ask him). 

First of all, daddy had one day off this week and it happened to be on Makai's birthday! That made the day extra special.

We started off with our tradition of waking up to balloons.

We had to actually wake him up (which isn't normal) so he was a little out of it while we threw balloons at him and sang to him.

 Then we met with our ward Primary at the visitor's center of the DC Temple. 

 Then we went to Ikea and had lunch since kids eat free on Tuesday's and I needed a few things there anyways. Well, and because the boys love playing there. This was all about Makai, right?

Check out that cute little girls hair! Gotta love bedhead.

 Then we came home to have a little party.

This is what happens when I run out of wrapping paper. It made me wonder why I ever wasted so much paper wrapping the entire present in the first place.

"Hey Ezra, why don't you let Makai open his presents?"

"C'mon Makai. Just rip it!"

He had no problem blowing those two little candles out all by himself. 

Happy Birthday Makai! We sure do love you!

Makai is 2

Here's a little update on our newest 2 year old:
He's adorable.

He's got big dimples.
He has an awesome overbite that results in the cutest little serious face I ever did see.
He calls Ezra "Za-Za"
He's quick to say sorry.
He's just as quick to forgive.
He repeats everything we say and has some adorable words for certain things.
He's still in love with his binky and sneaks into his bed often to get it.
He calls every ball he sees a "b-ball".

He knows the general animal sounds.
He's learning his colors, but usually starts by calling everything yellow.
He started asking "why?" for everything in January and hasn't really stopped since.
He loves to draw on everything he sees including the floor and himself.
His favorite thing to do is play with cars and trains.
He also loves playing in his water table outside.
He has a fascination with shoes and especially his rain boots.

he insisted on wearing his boots to church one day and I just couldn't say "no" to that wittle face.

He's a great eater. He tries just about everything and usually likes it.
He has a huge sweet tooth. My fault. He throws big fits if he sees something sweet and doesn't get it and goes insane if he actually gets something sweet.
He gets instantly sad and starts to cry if I show him my "mad face".
I can get him to do anything if I just pretend to be sad. (horrible manipulation trick, but I can't say I never do it.)
He loves "shongs" (songs) and really likes to dance.

He is a daddy's boy by far. He can't stop clinging to daddy and climbing his legs when he's here. He even gets mad at me if I try to comfort him before daddy.
He talks all the time and tells fairly long stories, but only 1/4 to 1/2 of it is understandable (to me. I love when people turn to me and say, "What did he say?" and I LOVE being able to translate when I can.)
He adds a "ch" sound or a "sh" sound to many of his common phrases. Example: "March, set, go!" and "want shum (some)."
He is starting to dislike wearing "dippers" (diapers). I'm considering digging through storage to try to find our potty for him. Though probably not.
He loves wearing "dammies" (jammies) and gets excited picking out his own.

He is such a boy. 

He loves to play rough, get dirty, laugh at stinky or gross things, and run wild all day long. 

He makes every day interesting. 

Sometimes I just watch him being little Mak and I am amazed by him.

We are so thankful to have this bundle of craziness in our family.

New Blog Layout

Like the new layout??

So I have this friend. She is really talented and really nice to me and those two things come together into really sweet favors like redoing my blog for me. I have no idea how to do anything but type a post really, so I greatly appreciate her help.

My blog design for the past two years was also done by Caley as a gift right after we had Makai. This time she knew I was feeling sad and she decided to help cheer me up in a way that she could from across the whole country and with her great talents. She really is fabulous. Check out more of her blog design and other design work HERE.

I'm loving it. You can click on our 'Meet the Tressler's' picture and it links to individual pictures which then link to little posts about each of us. It's so great. Way cooler than anything I could've done. Now if only I could get her to come decorate me house (when we actually get one).

Thank you Caley.

Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy

About a month before James and I found out we were pregnant I found out I had Hypothyroidism. Still not sure how that happened. It may be genetic, but the only member of my family with a thyroid issue was diagnosed with the opposite problem (hyperthyroidism). The main symptoms I have experienced with it are fatigue, depression and hair loss. Not fun. As if being pregnant doesn't make me tired and hormonal enough, right?

I've been on medication since before I got pregnant and I get retested each month. I just found out that my levels are "out of whack" as my midwife put it. They raised my dose and will monitor more closely. Though the good news about that is: I have been feeling really depressed for the past week, but after about 4 or 5 days with the higher dose I am feeling quite a bit better, so at least it does seem to help.

I didn't realize what this meant in relation to my pregnancy and I kind of wish I didn't ask. Our baby is at a risk of mental disability. Now I'm paranoid and can't seem to think of anything else. I take my medicine and try to take care of my body hoping that our baby with have all the nutrients he needs, but it seems genetics or something else is fighting against me.

I also have a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrands. That is genetic. It basically means my blood has a hard time clotting which could result in a severe amount of blood loss leading to possible death. However, I haven't shown symptoms (and sometimes even show opposite symptoms), nor have I had a problem after either of my kids, so it isn't a real concern to me, but the doctors are a different story. I want to birth at the birthing center, but they are debating whether or not I'm a candidate. I'll be greatly disappointed if they tell me I can't.

No matter what, my greatest concern is for our baby. I just want him to be healthy and normal. It's just scary facing the unknown and hearing the word "risk" swarm around my head.

Moments With the Tressler Boys

I always intend to be really good at recording the adorable things my kids say, but I have come up short. At least I did pretty well for the month of July :)

Jan. 5: Ezra overheard me saying, "We just don't have the money for this." He said, "mommy, don't cry. (and pointing to his piggy bank said,) I have monies. You stay here and I'll go to da store wiff daddy and buy you fings."

Ezra used to like to pretend pray a lot. (March) 

This is how it went: Dear a Fawder, fank you fank you, bless us in da name of Jesus Christ, Belly Button! (Followed by excessive laughter)

April 5:"When you see something nice, you need to say, "Holy Cow" because that's nice to say. HOLY COW!"

June 22: My kids are determined to embarrass me every chance they get. Today Makai ran away from me and right into the men's bathroom. Awesome. Then I showed Ezra a pair of overalls and asked if he liked them. He said, "What?! That's silly, mom. That's a bra." Then we're sitting on a bench surrounded by people and Ezra says, "Oh man! I stink. Do you smell that, mom? I tooted!" Congrats boys. You win.

July 1: I love listening to the boys play and hearing little things like, "This is going to be so great! My heart feels so happy. I'm so excited." Followed by dual squeals and excessive joyful leg kicks.

July 13: "Makai, I really want you to be safe because you're my best brother."

"Mommy, did you see that? Makai just gave me his trash. That was so nice."

July 15: Today Ezra put his arm up to sneeze into it and turned his head the opposite direction; he turned to me giggling and said, "Oops, wrong arm" :)

July 19: Today Ezra told me that he's glad I watch them while they play outside because someone with muddy shoes could come get them and take them away and make them muddy too. I think we need to have a talk about the real reason to stay away from strangers.. lol.

July 25: Ezra told ME a bedtime story tonight. Here's what I recorded: "Once upon a time there was a little boy named Ezra. He was walking and then the Avenger's came down and said, "Hi-ya! You want to fight?" so I got my sword and then they were dead. Then I kept walking through the forest and they were all alive again and we were friends. The end" 

July 26: We're letting Ezra sleep on the floor in our room tonight. I told him this was a special thing and we weren't going to do it every night. He asked why and I told him he needs to sleep in his own bed. He responded, "Well, maybe we can throw my bed away so I can just sleep on your floor." Too cute.

July 30: I love how kids can go from hysterically crying to uncontrollably laughing in an instant. And I especially love how Makai wouldn't let go of Ezra during their 'goodnight hug'. He just kept saying, "bee (big) hug" then they fell over laughing. Those boys are trouble, but too cute to be mad at.

August 3rd: I asked Makai what he wanted to name his baby brother. He said, "little". There's an idea. Then Ezra filled in, "let's name him 'little booger'"

They sure do make life fun! I'm going to try to be better about recording these because I love looking back and reading how cute they are. 

Like Brother, Like Brother

These boys sure do love each other. They can't help but do everything the other does. They love to wear matching clothes and play with identical toys. Whatever one has the other wants and wherever one goes, the other follows. They are frustrating at times, but so adorable. I love watching these brothers being brothers and I am so thankful that they have each other.

Some days there is no better sound than the laughter of these two boys hiding and playing behind closed doors. Like they have a secret just between the two of them. And it is beautiful.

Gooey Bath

One of the things my mom brought the boys during her layover in Baltimore was bath goo. You sprinkle the powder in water and within 5 to 10 minutes it turns to goo. Then you sprinkle a different powder in when you're done and in another 5 to 10 minutes it turns back to water. It's awesome stuff. (She found it at Wal-mart)

The boys had so much fun. It's like bathing in jell-o ;)

Makai is a little to young for this still. He kept getting it in his mouth so he'd use his hand to wipe it off and get more in his mouth.

Ezra thought this was the coolest thing ever.

just to show you it really was goo. The toys would just stick straight up.

I couldn't resist. I had to get my feet in there. It felt so good and relaxing.

Next I want to try to fill up their pool outside with it. It's a great sensory activity. 

Thanks Nana!

Nana's Layover in Baltimore

The best part of living in Maryland is that when my parents fly somewhere, they usually stop in at the BWI Airport. We have had the chance to meet my dad and now my mom during their layovers. (Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the quick visit with my dad, but it was great to see him and we even had time to go to dinner.)

 The boys were so excited to see Nana. She brought an entire carryon FULL of surprises for the kids:

Ezra loves dress-up. Nana brought him this alligator costume and a spider costume. He went crazy.

Anytime he puts a costume on he becomes that character instantly. Everyone around us agreed it was fascinating and adorable to watch.

They sure do love their Nana and she sure does love these boys.

It's always sad to say good-bye, but they did have dinosaurs, cars, costumes, etc to remind them of this quick visit with Nana :) She kind of spoils her grandkids if you couldn't tell. She can't help herself.

It was so nice to see you Nana!

To: The Tressler Family

From: God

Do Not Open Until Christmas!

That's right; we're having ANOTHER boy!! Ahhh!

When I told Ezra he was going to have another brother he said, "Wait, but you mean a sister." I said, "No baby, it's a boy. You're going to have another baby brother." He then responded, "No, but I wanted it to be a girl!"

Well, that makes a lot of us kiddo, but I have said for awhile now that if I could have my family here with me now that I would want 5 boys and then 2 girls at the end. However, now being on our 3rd boy it does make me wonder if we will ever get our baby girl.

James and I both guessed girl, so shows how much we know. At least we have everything and (as James puts it) we won't be broke because of my impulses when it comes to cute girly clothes.

 I am 19 weeks now and feeling pretty good. I wasn't nearly as sick this pregnancy as I was with Ezra and Makai, but the nausea does seem to linger still. I started feeling movement at about 15 weeks and it has only become consistent and stronger in the last week or so. I love that. I think that is by far the best part of pregnancy.

My due date is December 28th. 

We had a girl name picked out, but we haven't even thought about a boy name. Obviously with Ezra and Makai we like slightly different names... any suggestions?

Time with Daddy

James is suppose to have 4 days of work and then 3 days off, but that has never happened since he got the job. In fact, there have been many weeks where he has 1 or no days off. However, last week he was able to actually have 3 full days off and it was HEAVENLY.

We had so much fun with daddy. We went to the ocean where Ezra and Makai rode a boogie board for the first time and Makai had his first experience going under a wave with daddy (totally an accident, but he handled it so well). I thought he'd come out screaming, but he just came out spitting water because of the salty taste.

We also looked for cars, went shopping, saw a movie and had sooo much play/wrestle time. 

Sunday night we went for a bike ride and to a local park. It was so wonderful. 

It was so sad to send him off to work again after those beautiful 3 days. Everything is so much better when daddy is with us. He sure is a good one and we are so blessed for all of his hard work to provide for our family. Love you daddy. 

Can't wait for your next day off; these boys keeps tackling me and trying to sword fight and I'm just not nearly as fun as you are :)

Babysitting

We have had the opportunity to babysit a little bit this summer. We watched a little boy named Zachary one day a week the month of July and the boys had a blast together. He's a sweet boy. 

Ezra and Zachary. He loved playing outside and especially in the water. 

We were also able to see Miss Jillie again and I couldn't get enough. It was too short, so I'm hoping her nanny mysteriously gets chicken pox or something. (I'm kidding. I don't wish illness on anyone, but I wouldn't mind if she decides to take a couple week vacation so we can play with Jillie more :)

Look at her gorgeous blue eyes. I love that they are holding hands!

She's so adorable.

It's funny to see Makai near a baby because I always think of  Makai as a little baby, but he looks so big here. Though Miss Jillie is growing so fast too. I can't believe she's standing and so close to walking in such a short time.

It's funny because I always loved babysitting when I was in high school and even though I now have children of my own, I still really love other peoples kids and watching them explore the world.