Zina is one!!!

I am late on this post! I could not get the internet and blogger to participate and let me blog for the last few days, so this is my first opportunity to blog since she turned one. Her birthday was Sunday, but we had a party Friday with Steve's parents and Tina, and a party Saturday morning with my parents, Grandma Sanders, my siblings, Jess and Crew, and we had another party at our house on Sunday. We just spread out the birthday celebration. And added in my birthday and Zach's.

Zina loved her cakes! The first one, Tina taught her what to do with it. The second, she didn't figure out for a while. Then she discovered it was chocolate and went to town on it! Since then she has had a piece of cake, which she destroyed. Her Grandma and Grandpa Robinson and aunt and uncles gave her a new outfit and two little soft ponies. She LOVES the ponies! Tina taught her to make noises for them, and she has been doing so ever since. She doesn't care about clothes so much yet, but I think she looks absolutely adorable in her birthday outfit. From her Grandma and Grandpa Jackman and Kolton, she got a pair of overalls, two shirts, a red winter hat, a pair of sunglasses her Grandpa thought she would like, and a duck rattle/teething toy. She doesn't really notice most of the things her grandparents gave her. She shakes the rattle, and I love how she looks in overalls. Her Uncle R.Jay, Aunt Jess and Crew gave her a toy cellphone and pink soft teddy bear. She likes to push the buttons on the cellphone and hug her bear. We gave her a puppy toy that barks when you push a button. She has the button down, and Zach pushes it whenever she is not. I am glad it has a switch. If only Zach didn't know how to turn it on!

Sweetheart Tag

Here are 10 questions to answer about you and your sweetheart:

1. Where did you first meet your sweet heart? Well, I first met Steve through a letter while Steve was serving a mission. Steve's friend Joe told me to "write him and [I] can marry him when he comes home". In person meeting was in the parking lot of the Pine Ridge Mall because I convinced him to come to a wedding that he didn't know either person involved just so I could see him in person. That was May 2003.

2. What do you remember about him/her the most? He was driving an old truck, hadn't shaved in a while so he was scruffy, and was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

3. Who asked who out first? I did. But he never agreed they were dates, we were just hanging out as friends when everyone else was coupled up.

4. What did you do on your first date? I would say it was dinner and a halloween dance, but Steve said it wasn't a date and I had an extra date! Steve says it was Forgotten Carols a month later, even though we went dutch. That is when Steve decided we were dating (even though I thought we had been for a month or more).

5. What was your favorite thing to do together when you were dating? We talked a lot on the phone. He was in Rexburg and I was in Pocatello. We also went for drives a lot, getting us back and forth for our dates.

6. When was your first kiss with your sweetheart? Well, Steve would tell you a couple dates. He kissed my cheek, which was a big deal, on President's Day 2004 after we pretended to be engaged. We kissed, like the real on the lips kind of kiss, after he proposed, I said yes to the proposal, I was wearing the ring and he asked if he could kiss me. It was his first ever kiss. I tell him I just needed to know what to teach him. That was April 17, 2004.

7. When did you first realize you loved him/her? I don't know when exactly I realized I loved him. Probably around Christmas, maybe a bit earlier. We hadn't dated long, I know that. It could have been before we even started dating.

8 Who said it (I love you) first? He says I did, but the exact timing I am not sure on. Probably during a phone call.

9. How did s/he propose? He asked if I wanted to go for a walk to the gardens on campus because neither of us had really been there. It was muddy and not as pretty as other times. I had given him about thirty easter eggs full of candy and he was eating one so I asked him for some. He said I couldn't have that one, but I could have one he handed me. I was okay with that because it was one I had filled with chocolate kisses. I opened it and found the ring. I was so excited I hugged him and probably answered him before he asked. I had known it was coming, but still did not expect it then.

10. What are two things you remember most about your wedding? I remember feeling beautiful and spoiled in my pretty dress. I also remember Steve forgetting his temple recommend in his locker in the temple and my dad having to get it.

Now Tag at least three people: Chalice, because I would love to hear your story from you; Kelly, because I don't know if I have ever heard your story; and Phil and Heather, because I would love to get to know you guys better. I would also tag any one else that wants to tell their story, but I don't know if any one really reads this. Have fun.

High School Flashback Tag

(Picture has nothing to do with the post, but look close for the pony tail. It is the first one.)

Kari(Steve's cousin) tagged me with this, so I thought I better answer. You answer these questions about high school and then tagged a few people. It has been a while since I was in high school. I hope I can answer all the questions. lol

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes, I dated a couple guys from high school. Very short lived romances, though.

2. What kind of car did you drive? For my sophomore and junior years I drove a 1978 Chevy Impala Station Wagon. It impressed the guys. It died my senior year and I then drove a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

3. Did you pass your drivers test on your first try? Yes.

4. Were you a party animal? Not really. I did hang out with friends, but it was pretty mild.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Yes, and I did not know it till my junior year.

6. Were you in band, orchestra or choir? Yes, all three for a semester. I did choir all three years, orchestra from eighth or ninth grade on and band my senior year. They needed more bodies for marching band and my friends were all in band, so I learned percussion. Just to fill in the other areas, I played violin and sang second soprano.

7. Were you a nerd? Definetely considered a nerd.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? No sports in high school for me.

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? Nope.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? If I thought real hard, probably.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mr. Bowman for choir and Mrs. Kinney for orchestra.

12. Where did you sit for lunch? With my friends.

13. What is your schools full name? Pocatello Senior High School

14. What is your school’s mascot and colors? Indians, Blue, red and white.

15. Did you go to homecoming and with who? I didn't go to homecoming in high school, but I went to ISU's homecoming when I was not going to school at all.

16. If you could go back and do it again would you? Maybe the music program, but not much more.

17. What did you remember most about graduation? Not much. It was hot, a lot of people can fit in the Holt Arena, focusing on not tripping.

18. Where did you go for senior skip day? No where. I think I worked the lunch rush at my job.

19. Were you in any clubs? I was in National Honor Society, but didn't participate much.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? Yes, having two kids less than two years apart doesn't give much time to lose. Was already up a few pounds by then.

21. Who was your prom date? Derek Hadley junior year, and Trevor Hill my senior year.

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? If there is one I am open to it.

23. Did you have a job in high school? Yes, I worked at Subway for two years and babysat before that.

I think I will tag Tina, Chalice and Kelly.

WWWAT-Spontaneous and Unexpected

Zina's words and things

Zina has a few words, besides her versions of mommy and daddy. And they come with great stories, too. At least I think so.

*Zina says "Hi". I noticed this when she stole my cell phone and kept saying hi to it. The funniest thing she says hi to is Tina's stapler that she keeps on her bag. Zina just tries and tries to get it off and talk to it!

*Zina says "Bye". It usually doesn't coordinate with actually going anywhere, but she likes to say it.

*Zina says "Up". It usually means, "Take off my clothes!" She says it over and over while trying to take her shirt or dress off. I guess I told her to put her arms up when I change her clothes. Up also means she wants out of her high chair or sometimes her carseat.

Silly Sayings, by Zachary

Zach has gotten pretty silly lately. I am horrible about writing these down, so I decided I would blog on them. At least I will be able to reference it again later when I have time to scrapbook!

*When Zach wants into a conversation, or most anytime he talks, he says, "Oh, are we?", "Oh, did we?" and "Oh, can we?"

*If Zach does not want to do what I ask, he has two replies, "I'm just happy right now." or "I'm busy right now."

*He retells EVERYTHING we do.

*He wakes up in the night and tells us, "But I'm scared of something." I have no idea what the something is.

*If he sees anything on his carpet, he runs to me and says, "Mommy, there's a bug on my floor!"

*Today he went to school with Steven and I and insisted he was hungry and needed pretzels. We have never had pretzels at the school. Then, when we were eating the pretzels, he takes a bite and says, "Mommy, now it's a button!" Then he changed to saying it was a pumpkin. What an imagination!

*He is constantly "cooking" for me. It used to be just, "Alicious", now it is eggies, cookies and yummy. And if I don't pretend to eat it it offends him.

That is about all I can think of right now. But, then, he is asleep! Just wait till later. I am sure there will be more to add to it!

Couple Pictures of my boy (from a few weeks ago)

Pictures of my babies

Just thought I would post a couple pictures. The first is Zina at just about 10 months old. And the second is of Zachary at about the same age. They are about the same size for age now and it is fun to put their pictures side by side.

A great day at Grandma's house

A few weeks ago we went to my parent's house. I had an appointment and needed a sitter. Of course, a grandma always likes to have her grandbabies. And my mom got it good, she had all three of her grandbabies at one time. I tried hard, and got a great picture of the three of them playing nice together. Zina, Zach and Crew. Together they are so BUSY! I have had all three for a little bit here and there, and it makes me so very thankful I did not have a baby between my two. Crew fits almost exactly between my two. I love it, but am glad I don't have all three busy ones at a time all the time!
And in a bit we are heading out to the Grandma's again. Well, we are seeing both sides, so not going there right now. But it will be great! My babies and my nephew get to play again. And it is a birthday party, too. Yes, Crew will be two! More for that later.

A letter from a citizen

I couldn't word it better than Ana at Sunrise on the Water. Go here to read a well written letter.

Halloween pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Halloween. Enjoy!!!!

VOTE today!

The picture has nothing to do with the post, technically. But I thought it would be good, with the caption, "Duh!!", on a post about voting. He's got the idea!

Please, please vote today! It is a right and priveledge to vote. We are able to choose our political leaders and representatives, and not all have this opportunity. Vote for who you believe will be the better leader, or just vote for the lesser of two evils. Either way, you have a say in our government. And if that does not convince you, just think, if you vote you have the right to complain. That is how I have thought of it in the past. At least I will have a right to complain!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

(I carved this, can you believe it! Well, Steve
did help a tiny bit with the eyes.)

Zina, the wild woman

Steve was watching Zina while I was reading some homework. Apparently I was really into the book because it took a moment for me to realize what he did. We untied her, just as soon as we took a couple pictures.

I am wondering who reads my blog. Leave me a comment and let me know.

Touching Story

Geese in Island Park May 2007.

I have been following a story I saw on the Today Show for a while now, and today I read something about it that just touched me so deeply. I had to share with you my thoughts. In August, a couple were in a plane crash and were badly burned. The wife wrote a blog, the NieNie Dialogues, talking about the positive parts of motherhood and being a wife. Her sister writes a blog, c jane enjoy it, that now gives updates on her sister and husband. I encourage whoever reads my blog to check these two blogs out. See how positive they are and how wonderful it feels to read of uplifting things even through EXTREMELY tough times. Read the article c jane links to. Get the kleenex and be prepared to bawl. It is amazing to me. I want to be as positive as these two women are. I want to find the best in life and enjoy every minute of it. I want to find outfits to wear to impress my husband, even if we are just staying home. I want to find the words to write love letters to my husband, and the courage to post them for the world to see. I want to be able to give hope and laughter to those who stumble upon my blog. I want to cherish every moment with my babies. I hope you leave feeling this way, too.

Sick at our house

Old picture of Zach sick. April 2007.

So, it is an old picture of my Zachary, but no other picture looked right for my post today. We are sick. Zach started it, not eating much for a couple days and then tummy sick all night last night. It seems Zina is following, but definetely milder. And I am feeling pretty yuck as well. It better go away soon! We need to have fun and play, especially outside before the snow comes!

The Piano

Ignore the mess on the top of the piano. It seems if we have a piece of furniture that is not sat upon regularly it becomes a resting place for anything and everything. Hopefully we will figure out how to stop that problem!

I was so excited to get this piano because I like to play once in a while, not that I am good at it or anything. Well, I get to play maybe five minutes a month by myself, but my boy sure loves it! Doesn't he look so proud of himself!

Zina "Cooking"

I think the pictures speak for themselves. She loved it. I can tell you she will be in the kitchen with me, sneaking bites, as soon as she can. She tries all the time as it is. She is SO curious. I love that about her, even though it drives me crazy at times. I don't think I had to redirect Zach half as much as I do Zina. She is VERY stubborn. She loves her Daddy, and whenever he is leaving, and sometimes when she wants to be left alone, she says, "Yah Yah" and waves. It is so cute, and it is only for her Daddy. She says mommy, but Daddy is an all time favorite. She will follow him anywhere, and often needs to be redirected at those times. She would go anywhere with her Daddy. Everything she does she does with gusto, from crying to smiling, sleeping to smiling. She loves food, of any kind. She really likes apples. She can hold her own with almost every meal I make. We have to give her the same as her brother or she will yell until she gets it or her brother has no more. I know it will be a short time till she is walking and chasing her brother. She already crawls after him everywhere. I love her so very much. She is such a blessing to me. I am so glad I am her Mommy.

My Zachary

Zachary swinging.

Zach smiling and sliding. He asked me, "Can I

smile Mommy?"

Sorry to cut off his head, but I love the look on

his face.

Zach wanted in the washer. So his Daddy put

him there. He was so happy!

I realize I post WAY more pictures of Zina, and I take more too. Part of the reason is that Zach runs from the camera or turns away before the picture takes. I need a better, faster camera! I took tons of pictures of him when he was a baby. So many that were him sleeping. Steve says I have a fascination with sleeping babies, and maybe I do.

I love my Zachary. I have always wanted to be a mom, and he made me a mommy. I never knew I could love someone so much so quickly! He is my perfect boy. He is such a nearly three year old, and most days I love it. He drives me crazy one minute and then loves on me the next. His favorite book is Llama Llama Mad at Mama. He begs me to read it over and over again. It is the first book he insists I read over and over again. He loves to say his prayers, and family prayers, and blessing the food. And sometimes he even says prayers before nap so he can sleep good. When he is bored or tired, he tells me, "But Mommy, I'm hungry!" He is learning to potty in the potty, and uses that for more time awake, too. He has to potty when he wakes up and before nap and if any one else is on the potty! He hardly goes in it yet, but he sure gives it his best effort.

I just thought I should post about my little guy. I know sometimes he feels left out, and I should be better about documenting him, too.

P.S. Zina now has 4 teeth: two on top, two on bottom. Her crib is recalled and she is sleeping in the living room in the pack and play. Wish I had the money to buy a new one instead of wait for the replacement part!

Fun at the Park

Zina playing in the tunnel for the first time. She
was so excited to try it out! That picture captures
her so well!

Zach caught in the moment, just before he put

his feet down. He loved it. And I was taking pictures

while swinging! Not too bad, huh!

We had so much fun! Zina is getting where we can let her play, and she loves to swing. I will post some pictures of her swinging another day. It takes a long time to upload pictures, and sometimes they just won't load. Zach loves to swing, and slide, and just be outside in general. We have a swingset in our backyard hear, but a park is nice on such a beautiful day! I guess it will be one of the last days we can get away with a park outing before winter comes. Then it will be too cold and snowy for MONTHS! We better enjoy it while it lasts!

Pumpkins!!!

Here is what we did on Saturday. A carmel apple and two pumpkins later, they were so happy.Zach and his REAL smile, at least for the cameras! This is what happens when you ask a nearly three year old to smile.

Zina liked holding a pumpkin. Zach wanted it, too. So, we had to make up for it.

Here are my babies with their pumpkins. Zach did get the one he is holding, and since Zina wouldn't care which one we got, we let Zach pick another one. He chose a green one. Guess he likes green.

Christmas and family

Okay, strange subject for October, but somehow I do not have ANY pictures from past Halloweens. So, I was looking at pictures and found this one from last Christmas. Zachary is in the middle, and he is next to (in front of, maybe?) his aunt, Tina(Steve's sister). Also in the picture, and identifiable is Greg, Steve's brother. It just made me think of the relationship my children have with Tina.

Tina is here going to school like we are, and we have become quite close. She lived with Steve and I for two weeks just two weeks after our wedding. It was nice to have someone around then because Steve was working REALLY long hours, and I was not working and we did not have children yet (obviously). She did require chocolate, and ate my chocolate chips. Then, the next year when I was pregnant with Zachary, Tina lived with us for about a month, give or take a bit. I was ready this time with many varieties of chocolate. She left for a mission just a couple months after that, before Zach was born. Whenever she would call from her mission, Zach would yell and try to talk to her. We wrote letters (not often enough) and sent a few pictures. When she returned, Zach was about 18 months old, and we were expecting Zina. She again asked to stay with us for a while. She stayed about 3 months, and was such a blessing to us. I had some bleeding in the middle of the night, and she was there to stay with Zach while we made a late night run to the emergency room. She visited with me and played with Zach. Now, she is just living across town, and comes over sometimes. Zina will go to Tina, even when Zina is in a mood for only Momma. We are going to miss her when she is done with school and moves away!

Serious

I tried to post this picture a while ago, but it refused. This is Zach eating oatmeal. He likes it, really, but it was early.

Sleeping Boy

I am not very creative, obvious by the titile of my post. But I was quite creative in taking this picture. I was driving. Steve had given Zach his hat so he would be good for the drive, so Zach was wearing his Daddy's hat and his hat is there on the seat. I was between Rigby and Idaho Falls when I noticed he was OUT just like this and knew he would not stay asleep once we stopped. So I pulled out the camera and turned it and pushed the button. Not bad for not looking.

I have a collection of photos of him asleep. Too bad that he will not sleep tonight. He is over tired and upset. His Daddy is comforting him. For all the pictures I have taken of him sleeping, you would think that is all he does. But sometimes it is hard to get him to sleep.

And, just a little note on this little cutie! Zina got tooth number three today! Now she has two on the bottom and one on top!

And on the picture, this is Zina with my Grandma. Grandma wanted a picture with Zina, so we could have the oldest and youngest in the picture. Zina is holding a disposable camera and had just hit Grandma in the head with it. Luckily, Grandma could smile about it as much as Zina did. It makes a great picture.

Zachary and His Thoughts

Friends of ours recently brought their little girl home and posted on their blog about it. They included beautiful pictures of their little one at home with Mom and Dad. I showed it to Zach asking him who was in the picture, like I always do. He knows them well enough to know who it is. He knew our friend right away but said that the baby was himself. I asked him again, and he again said it was him.

Then it hit me. There was a similarity to a picture I have of this friend holding Zach. Here it is to the left. Scott holding Zachary. In both pictures he is holding the baby similarly and wearing a similar (or the same) shirt. We look at the pictures on our computer often. Makes sense why he would think it was him. Besides the baby wearing PINK!

Video of Zina (Long)

Zach Running May 2007

Zach and His Daddy Singing

Zina Crawling

Some older pictures

This is an older picture of Zina. It was taken a few months ago. She had just discovered that the bottles have water in them. This is her TRYING to get a drink out of an empty bottle. For a while she thought ice water was better than anything in the world. And she still chooses water over juice.


This is Zach asleep in the car. Yes, he is unbuckled. I thought Steve had buckled him in, and Steve thought he had asked me to buckle him. We made it far enough down the road for Zach to fall asleep(he was really tired). I looked back and he was undone. We stopped IMMEDIATELY to buckle him in, but we took a picture first. I am amazed he didn't get out and try to drive the car.

I will add some more recent pictures soon. I still need to get them on the computer!

All the Girls

The picture really has nothing to do with this post. I just have not gotten the pictures from this weekend uploaded to use. And I have learned that I am not good at getting the SD card out of the camera. Other than that, I can do it all. And this picture is a great one of my babies! I love the look on my little girl's face!

Anyway. The weekend was great. We left Thursday morning for Park City and spent until Sunday morning there visiting, eating and shopping. LOTS of shopping. And LOTS of food. We assign the meals to the different families and only plan breakfast and dinner. Each dinner planner brought a dessert. And we were actually low on junk food this year compared with some past years. But there was definetely plenty of food.
The Retreat is called Bernice's Retreat, and it is a time for all the girls in the family over 18 to get together. We are all related to Bernice, either her sisters, nieces, daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters and so on. She is my great grandma who passed away when I was very young. I named my daughter after her. Her name was Zina Bernice Bybee. I want my children to know of her.

Going to be gone

Here is a picture of my little boy last year on his birthday!

I am going to be away from the internet till Sunday sometime. I want to post everyday, but a day or two off will have to happen. So, I leave you with the above picture, and a promise to tell you all about it when I get back!

Wordless Wednesday

I am up too late, and I REALLY want to participate in this. I have been reading and looking at everyone else doing it for so long that I really want to do it now that I have a blog! Let's see if I can get it to work.


The theme this month is Beginnings and Endings, and here are my best ideas. I am sure they will be better next time. Here goes.






This is the beginning of our life as parents. It is one of the earliest pictures I have of Zachary on my computer. From before we discovered digital cameras.




And here is the end of my pregnancy with Zina. Comfort comes first the day of delivery. My water had broke. I guess this is also the beginning of labor!




The beginning of another life. Zina just moments after birth. I didn't really have pictures of Zach this early, so I cherish this one.



This is my Great-Great Aunt Mabel holding Zina. Mabel was sure that she would never see me have children, or get married first of all. She was at my reception and has held both of my babies. In the last few months she has had a stroke and is showing her age more than ever. She is the closest thing I have to an end.

Enjoy! And for more WWWAT, head over to Rachel's blog at American Mum.