The Benefits Of Daycare

So one thing I do love about Dallin having to be in daycare, other than way less poopy diapers for me to change, is he learns all sorts of things from being around other kids all day. It is so weird when he uses words or statements I know he didn't get at home. I remember the first time he say "boat." I know we didn't teach him that.

He remembers things and can repeat what he learns. I picked him at Jessie's house and my cousin's little one was laying there. I said "Look Dallin, the baby." He proceeded to inform me she was "baby Elle"

The other day Russ turned off the light in the room Dallin was in. He came running out and cried. "It scared me! It scared me!"

The other day he was upset because he couldn't do what he wanted. He answers with "I mad mommy!"

Then there is the fun of "I hiding," which is an excuse to play in any closet/cupboard he knows he shouldn't be in.

Lastly, we were at the grocery store yesterday. He got mad because he couldn't run around. I picked him up and he proceeded to yell "stupid! stupid! stupid!" That one was new to me. :)

It is fun to hear all the new things he learns from Megan and her kids. (I'm assuming stupid isn't one he learned from Megan exactly. :) It is just so funny. I can never wait to see what he will say next. I'm sure it is psychologically damaging to laugh at him as much as I do. :)

Thanks for humoring me. This is one of those posts that I think is so fun because he is my child. Always cuter when it is your own child, right?

Are You My Mother?

I think Dallin is a little confused about who mommy is. Here are a couple of examples

A few weeks ago I was driving home from my mom's house and Dallin was talking to me.

Dallin: Where mommy?
Me: I'm your mommy.
Dallin: NO, where mommy? (and for those of you who have been around Dallin know that the NO was yelled.)
Me: What mommy?
Dallin: Daddy.

Two days ago a similar converstaion took place while I was loading him in the car when leaving my mom's house

Dallin: Where mommy?
Me: Right here.
Dallin: No, where mommy?
Me: What mommy?
Dallin: Where Megan Mommy? (Megan watches Dallin when I am at work.)
Me: Megan is at her house.
Dallin: Megan Mommy?
Me: Yes. Megan is at her house with Abby, Luke, and Carley.
Dallin: K

At least he keeps us laughing, even if I am replaced so easily. :)

Should I Worry?

So we noticed a few months ago that Dallin would make a face at us when he was being silly or was mad at us. He tilts his chin downwards and looks up at us, either with a smile or a scowl depending on his mood. The thing is that his eyes always go crazy. One looks in another direction from the one looking straight on. It only happens when he is looking up. Anyone know what could be wrong? Should I bring a copy of this picture to his 2 year check-up? Just wanted to know your thoughts. Either way, he sure knows it makes up laugh.

Why Do We Bother?

Sometimes I wonder why mothers bother to try and do fun things with their kids. Case in point: I've been trying to do fun, non-TV activities with Dallin after I get home from work and before I need to start dinner. I thought we would make cookies since he loves to help me cook. It went rather well, but then it came time to bake them. I think this video pretty much explains how the next 10 minutes went.

The little time he wasn't crying, he was sadly staring at the cookies through the window. He just couldn't understand why I needed to bake them, especially since they tasted so good raw.

I finally gave in and turned on the TV to distract him. We was very content once he got a cookie too. The cookies didn't turn out too well. They were flat and crunchy. All I can think of is my baking soda isn't good anymore. That isn't a surprise for those of you who know me very well. I don't bake very often, and if I do it usually isn't sweets like cookies. I should probably buy some new soda. I better go get Dallin ready for bed. Time for another fight. :) No, he does go to bed pretty well and he's a GREAT sleeper.

Russ Is The Favorite

So the verdict is in. Russ is the favorite uncle. This is how the stories goes. (Ash, feel free to correct me if I get this wrong.)

Sky: Mom, who are you texting?
Ashley: Nicole
Sky: I don't like Nicole
Ashley: You don't like Nicole?
Sky: No. I like Russ.

Later that day Ashley was driving to my work to pick something up and was talking to me on the phone

Sky: Who are you talking to?
Ashley: Nicole
Sky: I like Nicole.
Ashley: I thought you didn't like Nicole
Sky: Russ is at school today.

Good to know he would choose me second. :)


So, we went on our annual Richins' Labor Day hike. I think this might be the last year Dallin will be small enough to carry in. Russ was tough and carried him the whole way. Dallin did really well too. Every time we stopped to take a break, Dallin would say "I did it!" Russ then responded with, " Good Job! Let me know when you are tired and we can switch places."


Most of the way up Dallin slept. It looked so uncomfortable. His little head would just flop all around. We all made it to the top, but there were times when Rebecca and I would wonder why we agree to do this every year.
This is the first year that we got a picture at the top with everyone in the picture. I figured out how to us the timer on my camera.


And Dallin was happy the whole way down too. It was a little chilly that day, and got chillier on the way down so Jared let Dallin wrap up in this hoodie. He was our little Jedi.

Here id a quick pitcure form the top. It was very hazy that day, so it isn't very good quality. One a good day we could see the windmills in Wyoming with the field glassed.

Sick Kid

As I was loading Dallin into the car on Friday morning, he started to make a gagging noise, like something was stick in his throat. Next thing I know, he is throwing up into my hands. Lucky for me, it wasn't much (hadn't eaten yet that morning) so none of it got on the car seat. Russ, being the great dad he is, said he would stay home with Dallin so I could go to work. I got a call about 2:00 letting me know that Russ has had a fun day of changing diarrhea diapers and scrubbing vomit off the couch, clothes, Dallin, and himself. Numerous times Russ started to question his kindness of offering to stay home. By the next day Dallin was feeling fine, but my couch stills has a faint smell of throw-up when you sit on it. Any ideas how to get the smell to go away?


By the way... does anyone know how to get crayon off a couch? Thanks!

Why Is It...?

Why is it that no matter how much your scrub a toddler's knees, they still look filthy? Does anyone have an answer for that? I would just like to know the answer, because I sure have no idea how to make Dallin look clean. He looks dirty even after getting out of the bath. At least he smells better then. :)