Four year shenanigans

Oh, Bo. You are such a clown. I love being around you and having you make me laugh. Everything can be turned into a giggle. That might be my favorite thing about you. I will be disciplining you, or talking seriously and if I look into your eyes too long, you'll start to crack a smile and it will turn into a full blown belly laugh. You make me and so many other people happy. That is a gift you have. I hope you use it for good in this life. You are 4 and have so many great stories to tell and magic tricks to show. My favorite is when you make your food at the table disappear into your mouth. I'm good at that one, too! haha. You love your cousins. Presley and Sadie are two of your favorites right now. You will do anything they say. There are so many times that I find you playing house with Sadie. You being the Daddy, of course. You two are hilarious together. Once, while on a family vacation in Idaho, You and Sadie were playing together and I heard Sadie ask you if you could go on a date with her. You got serious and said, "I don't think my Mom will let me." Then, you quickly ran over to me - very seriously whispered, "Can I go on a pretend date with Sadie??" I said yes and you ran off so excited to go on your first "Date". You are the cutest and I hope you don't have a real DATE for many, many years!! I love you like crazy, kid! I can't wait to see how much you learn in your second year of Preschool. xoxo

hugs & kisses,
"mommy'

BoBo... Booo boooo... BO BO!!!

This is the way your sweet little Sister addresses you multiple times a day. You have proven to be an excellent Brother to Tessa. She LOVES you. She follows you around, talks to you in her own language and I often find you two snuggled together, sitting on the heat vent exchanging innocent kisses. You have the softest heart and are always concerned about others. You also do not like to disappoint me or Daddy. You are usually quick to apologize and quick to forgive others. You are so great in Primary and you remember everything. You give sweet prayers and there was even an instance in Primary when one of the leaders was trying to help you give a prayer. She prompted you to say "amen" and you kept going and going... You are lucky to get to go to church with your cousin, Manu. You two share a brotherly love after living together, you are pretty close. You two were Baymax and Hiro for Halloween from "Big Hero 6." You also love cousin, Sadie and get so giggly with her. We were together not long ago and all the adults could listen to you two playing and we paused when you told her, "let me go ask my Mom." After which, you came over and quietly asked me if you could go on a date with Sadie. I told you, "Of course, just pretend!" and you got so excited. She taught you to play "house" and you guys write each other letters in the mail quite frequently.

You are loving Pre-School and are doing so well. You love writing letters and count everything. There was one day that your hair wasn't spiked the way you wanted it to be and you WOULD NOT GO INTO SCHOOL. You cried in the car for several minutes. I had to walk you into your class and leave you there. When you finally went in, the kids said - "COOL HAIR, BO!" Which made you smile, bashfully. (After all that screaming!) Your little buddy at school is Ashton. Your Birthdays are very close, his Mom and I were pregnant together and I remember us trying to beat each other to the finish line to see who would be born first. You also play with Madison at school. You still, however call me your Girlfriend. :) Your Dad is your best friend and you LOVE playing with Lucas and Tess. You played soccer this past year and it was hilarious! You are adorable.

Thanks for still being so sweet, still cuddling me and being so affectionate. I can't be in the room without you ending up on my lap, or shoulders or chummed right up under my armpit. I am so proud to be your Momma.

hugs & kisses,
"momma"

An update on my little Bo Bo

Boden, you continue to brighten our days. You always wake up with a nice big snuggle for me, but don't want to talk to anyone else. :) I love your hugs and continued kisses. I'm not sure how much longer they'll last. I hope you never stop loving your Momma. We have had a lovely stretch of 90 degree weather - which you're not a huge fan of. It seems like every time summer rolls around, you get sick. You have had a fever for the last few days and it's so pathetic. It breaks my heart to see you in pain and discomfort. You had better recover quick, you are going to be a ring bearer in Ashli's wedding! You and Lucas get to strut down the isle together. I can't wait to see you. (We may need to bribe you with candy.)

Here are some of my favorite words you say: (your vocabulary has been awesome even at a young age - but I have to try and document the cuteness)

Momma
Yucas (when you try to pronounce your L's, you say LA LA LA YUcas!)
poppi pop - lollipop (you get these regularly from Lita next door)
Ba-ma (grandma)
Wanna Westle me? (With a SUPER mean scowl on your face)

We visited Grandma Miller's ward a few Sundays ago. Halfway through the meeting, you looked over and noticed that all our family was there too. You said, "WHAT? How'd Undcle Pete get here?!"

You love nursery and call our church building "Sister Moore's house".

You LOVE to sing and be sung to. Every night, you request multiple songs before we go to sleep. You know all the words to most songs that we sing. It is very sweet to hear you sing your songs all day long as you play.

You have a little sister coming next month! You love to snuggle my big belly and talk to her all the time. You want to name her "Elsa" like the princess from the movie "Frozen". (Which you also know all the songs to)

You are a joy to be around and really put smiles on everyone's faces. Thank you for lifting me up daily and for loving me back. I hope you always know how much you mean to us.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Happy Birthday, BO!

Oh my sweet, sweet Boden. I can't believe you're one! You light up my life and bring peace and comfort to me daily. Your sweet demeanor is just what I need! There is something about you that is so out of this world. I'm amazed by your calm personality. It is a constant reminder to me of what life is all about. There is no reason for contention, the need to rush through life or for irreverence. Those are just a few things that your peace teaches me.

Thank you for balancing out our family so well. You melt my heart. 

Here are a few of your latest accomplishments:

You walk! 

You are eating everything we eat.

You LOVE to snuggle with Lucas.

You also love to play chase with him around the house - but you're not so fond of him picking you up.

You weighed in at 25lbs, 8oz

height: 2'5.5"
You have 8 1/2 teeth.

You love bath time and RUSH to the bathroom at the sound of running water.

You LOVE LOVE LOVE music and dancing.

You love watching airplanes and being outside.

Your favorite thing to do is put things on your head. Hats, blankets, shirts, cups... anything and everything goes on your head.

You say Momma, Dadda, when looking for something, you hum to my tune, "Passie, where are you?" You blow and say "tah" for Hot.

You love to point to my nose and eyes.

Every day you learn new things and it is so fun to watch.

I love you, handsome boy.

Happy Birthday!

hugs&kisses,

"mommy"

10 Months

Oh sweet baby Bo, you are getting to be SO fun and SUPER active! You just weighed in at 24.5 lbs - but the funny thing is, I think you look like you're slimming down! You crawl everywhere and FAST with the most perfect form, might I add. You pull up onto all things vertical. Walls, chairs, you name it. Today I found you in the dish washer. You are keeping me on my toes, That's for sure. I love it when you follow us from room to room. You love chasing Lucas around and look like you're just begging for him to play with you. He loves it too. He says you're like a puppy. (He's always wanted one!) You're better than a puppy. You will someday grow to be Lucas' buddy and will be able to run and play with him.

You are learning and doing so much. You clap and say "Ga Ga Ga" Which to me sounds like "Clap, Clap, Clap!" You just learned to dance and showed off your skills during the sacrament hymn today. You say Mama and have for a while. That was your first word. If all that doesn't impress you, listen to THIS: You know how to WHISTLE! You are constantly pursing up your lips and blowing which makes the cutest little whistle. I have yet to get it on camera.

What melts my heart most is your sensitivity. You are such a softie. If you hear a loud noise, you look to me to make sure it's ok. You startle so easily. When you are getting into something you shouldn't, I say "Boden, please don't do that." in a soft voice, and what do you do? You look at me, wrinkle up your face and sob. It's like you already know what punishment is. I have to apologize to you every time I ask you not to do something. It's pretty pathetic/adorable. 

This summer has been action packed with trips, camping, family in town and reunions. You don't like when you're not in your crib and with all the new environments, you have been very clingy to Momma.  I am 100% okay with that. You are also teething and I can tell you're just uncomfortable. You love Ice and I often freeze bananas for you to chew on.

You will be walking very soon - I can feel it. (and I am scared) Please go easy on me.

hugs & kisses,

"mommy"

Oh my goodness. Mr. Boden, you are half way to your YEAR mark! 

You are sitting up, jabbering tons, you love to eat Momma's face and love every second Lucas is in the room. :)

You weighed in at 20lbs 4oz and are 2' 2.5" long. 

You  love solids and right now your favorite foods are sweet potatoes and yogurt. You smile in-between bites and wait in anticipation for the next. You have let me know more than once that green beans are not on the preferred list by blowing them right back at me. They're my favorite, so I'm determined to change your mind. :)

Here are some of your latest photos as well as a couple from your 6 month shoot.

First Time in Grass:

 "Beach BUM"

We love you, Bo Bo! Happy 6 months!

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Family Home Evening at the Seattle Temple.

Dear Boden, 

I hope that you can learn the teachings of the gospel and have a good understanding of where you are from and where you are going. As members of the church, we have such assuring blessings of clarity. Heavenly Father sent us here knowing that we would have a hard time. He knew there would be people around us making bad choices and he also knows that we will make bad choices at times. That's why he sent us the scriptures to teach us about Christ and his atoning sacrifice. He wants us to return to him and misses us more than we can comprehend. He is proud of you, just like your Daddy and I are. I know that he has a special love for you. Please remember this. Also remember that the closest place to heaven on earth is the temple. Please make it a goal to get there. Your Dad and I worked hard to get there so that we could start an eternal family. We have seen great blessings by staying temple worthy. I have also had many, many answers from Heavenly Father in the temple. I hope that you can build a relationship with God and make and KEEP sacred covenants with him. You will be blessed as I have in my life. 

I love you, sweet Boden. I want the best for you and this is why we teach you these things. The BEST that life has to offer can be found when we work hard to remain worthy of the temple's blessings. 

hugs & kisses,

"mommy"