Monday, February 25, 2013

All About Scott at 2 Years


2 Years?! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday I was taking pictures of Scott with his elephant for the monthly updates I did about him during his 1st year. Oh how the time flies when you become a parent. I can honestly say that every age is fun when it's your baby. Of course every age definitely has it's challenges too! But watching Scott grow and learn new things is so exciting and fun. I love being a Mom. Not to be too cheesy, but I honestly feel so fulfilled by it! Like any path in life, it has it's challenges and some days you just have to do your best. But to raise a little soul that loves you is wonderful. There is nothing I would rather be doing with my life. Scott brings so much joy to Nate and I's life everyday!
Scott definitely has that little personality he has always had. He is silly, happy, social, curious, very busy, and at sometimes stubborn. He loves to try and make people laugh which is cute. He can also get very intense and focused about things. He likes figuring out how things work and taking things apart/putting them back together. Nate's parents said he loved doing that same thing when he was little! Maybe Scott got a little of the engineer in Nate. He got his love of stuffed animals from me ;)
This is what saying "cheese" looks like this. It is impossible to get a good picture of him these days....
Scott also loves music and can sing so many songs! It is so funny to hear his little voice and I am so amazed that remembers all the words. My favorite song he sings is the Sunbeam song because he jumps and laughs at each of the "-beams" in the song. Scott's other favorite songs include the ABC's, No More Monkies Jumping on the Bed, Happy Birthday, I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas, and many more. We listen to the Baby Einstein Pandora Station a lot and I swear he knows all the songs on that station.
 Scott has a lot to say as a 2-year-old. I can't believe the things he remembers now! Just yesterday we were reading "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" (part of the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series which he is obsessed with - like won't let me read him anything else right now obsessed) and he noticed the wood in a picture where they were building a tree house. He told me "Wood! Fire at Grandma's!' Then he started asking me about Santa and his cousin Alice. That all happened 2 months ago! I was shocked. A few weeks ago we went to Wade's intramural basketball game. Last week Nate came home and ate a snack then went to play church basketball. Scott asked me "Where did Dada go?" and I told him he went to play basketball. Then Scott said "Go Wade!" and told me about the BEEP from the scoreboard and asked about Uncle Mike (who came to the game with us) and the stairs. He even told me about "number 2 on chair?" because the chair he was sitting in had the number 22 on it. WHAT?! Maybe this is normal. But I can't help but think he is such a smart little boy! He already knows most of his numbers and letters.
Funny things that Scott says these days are "Come Mama!" or Dada, Mike, Wade, etc. when he comes and grabs my hand to have me look at something. He also has started waking up in the morning and yelling "Mommy where ARE you?!" from his crib until I come get him. Scott still doesn't like to snuggle with us unless he is sick or tired. He gives great hugs where he runs and hugs you legs though. I guess we'll have to take what we can get ;)



In-N-Out with Dada. He freaks out whenever we drive past it asking for "french fies?!"

He loves all kinds of food. Favorites include, berries of all kinds, beans, meat (for some reason I think it's hilarious when he asks for "meat!" such a boy...) french fries, bananas, chips and salsa, "trees" - broccoli, "white trees" - cauliflower, asparagus, fruit snacks (duh), sweet potatoes, and many more! He also drinks a green smoothie with me everyday. He really likes things that have flavor and doesn't mind spicy food which is fun. We have always just given him what we eat and I think that has helped expand his palate. Partly, because I can't have a lot of the typical toddler snacks like goldfish and chicken nuggets in the house because they have gluten!
 Eating Almond Flour sugar cookies on Valentine's Day. He has a sweet tooth like his Mama ;)
 I had to post this one.
Scott is still HUGE for his age. He is off the charts for height, in the 99.8th percentile, and is bigger than all the 3-year-olds in nursery at church. The problem with having a huge kid is that people have high expectations for their abilities. People at the store or cashiers at the grocery store will ask him elaborate questions sometimes - probably because they think he is a 4-year-old. He is right on track for a 2-year-old, but would be a very slow 4-year-old ;)
If Scott could pick something to do for a whole day it would be to go to IKEA. It is seriously the happiest place on earth to him. Here he is playing with the only computer he is allowed to touch.
We love this little guy so much! Happy 2nd Birthday Scott! 
Life with you really is the greatest adventure of all :)




Monday, February 18, 2013

Boston

I was a very lucky girl last month and got to visit my best friend Jessica in Boston! Jessica came all the way to San Diego to see me when I had Scott. And I knew I wanted to do the same when she had her baby! Nate's parents came in town that week to help Emily with wedding things and to attend a wood-working conference. They were SO nice and helped watch Scotty while Nate was at work. It was great to know that Scott was having fun with his Grandparents while I was away.

Going on a trip by myself was such a treat! I will never take for granted being able to actually read a book or sleep on an airplane. I have flown a lot with Scott since he was born, and even though I've never had a bad experience flying with him, those trips are still laden with anxiety and 3 giant carry-ons worth of stuff.

Jess and I had the best time! We made and went out for delicious food, went shopping, watched girly movies and made treats, and did a little site seeing around Boston. Most importantly I got to meet Jessica's new little chunk! Clara is honestly a dream. She is SO good and easy! And gorgeous like her Mom :) I couldn't believe how easy it was to do as much as we did with her. She would just peacefully go to sleep in the car or stroller every time. She is also such a happy girl and loves to try and "talk". Too cute. I love her!

All these photos are courtesy of Jessica. I will always be grateful for a friend like Jessica.
We never run out of things to talk about and always understand each other. I am lucky to have made such great friends my freshman year of college! 

Thanks for a great trip Marcums! We sure love you guys and are excited we get to see you again soon!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Catching Up... Christmas in San Diego!

I have definitely taken a break from this blog lately! Mostly because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my personal blog. Does anyone else feel like family blogs are dying? I think I've come to the conclusion that blogging about big events periodically really does help me keep my pictures organized and remember big events in our lives. Every year since Nate and I have been married,  I've made a shutterfly book with all the pictures and events from our whole year. I am always happy I can go back and refer to my blog so I'm not missing anything. And I know my Mom and mother-in-law love when I post pictures of Scotty! I am kind of a perfectionist about things like this sometimes. I feel like I should either be all in or all out with blogging. But something is definitely better than nothing. So for family history and Grandma purposes I am going to keep posting periodically! Without further adieu here is my first catch-up post about Christmas in San Diego!

We had a great time in San Diego for Christmas this year! 5 of Nate's 6 siblings and their families were there and it was great to see everyone (missed you Macphersons). With Nate's family I always love the "big family" feeling when there are lots of people and things going on at the holidays. Here are some of the things we did while we were down there...

Scott read books with "Papa".
Toddler Chirstmas crafts! I'm so excited Scott is getting big enough to appreciate things like this now.
Scott loved all the attention he got from his cousin Alice. One night she dressed Scott up in all the jewelery from the Pretty Pretty Princess game. He was a very willing participant and obediently sat down and kept things on when she told him too ;) so cute!
Scott also got his first haircut while we were there. He loved it! In true Scott fashion he wasn't afraid at all and laughed the whole time. 
 Collecting winter citrus from Grandma and Grandpa's trees! 
 Cousin love :)
Like father, like son. Nate cannot wait for the day when Scott will go off-roading with him.
 Riding bikes along Mission Bay Boardwalk!
Winter Beach days are the best.
We celebrated Helen's birthday one night at a restaurant in La Jolla. La Jolla will always be a special place to Nate and I. It is were we got engaged (on La Jolla Shores Beach), married (San Diego Temple in La Jolla), and had Scott (Scripps Memorial in La Jolla).
Nate and his cute Mom on her birthday!
 Decorating the Christmas tree!
Swimming in the middle of December will always be amazing to me!

Christmas morning! Uncle John and Aunt Nessa were so sweet and got Scott a stuffed Mickey Mouse. He has to sleep with it every night now! On Christmas day amongst other things we went and saw Les Miserables. I loved it and cried my eyes out!
 Riding the toddler train in Balboa Park!
 While we were down there these two got engaged! We couldn't be happier for them! Emily truly is one of my best friends. And it just so happens her fiance is best friends with one of my best friend's (Caroline) husband. If you can follow that... We have been getting together for a lot of game nights with us 3 couples as of late. It's awesome to have those 2 worlds merged!
 One day we took the kids to the Children's section of the San Diego Botanical Gardens which was awesome!
Happy New Year!
For some reason New Year's had a really big impact on Scott... He STILL goes around saying "Love you Mama. Happy New Year!" 


Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Collins

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Meeting Santa! (Round 2)

Last year we took Scott to meet Santa and it was a huge success. Scott is a very friendly boy by nature, but last year the unknowing happy trust of an 11-month old made meeting Santa the greatest!

This year we went to the Riverwoods in Provo (the most Christmas-y place on earth, seriously amazing!) to enjoy the holiday lights and have Scott meet Santa as a more discerning 21-month old.  
The Christmas Boy!
 Scott's working understand about Christmas at this point in his life is that Santa says ho-ho-ho, something about Jesus, and "LIGHTS!!" on houses as we drive by.
I had to post this. Let's be honest. This is what trying to force a toddler to take a picture looks like 75% of the time.
 Round 2 trying to get Scott in a picture resulted in lots of semi-awkward pictures of me on a bench.
 Checking out Blickenstaff's while Nate waited in line for Santa! 
Note: Scott is the best dressed member of our family. 
Fact: Scott can locate all lions in any toy store every time.
 Scotty loves stuffed animals! Here he is saying "hi" to each one he picked up.
 Meeting Santa! He loved him! He was slightly more cautious than last year, but no tears here!
"Santa Mail" - too cute! Happy December to everyone!
It was so great Thanksgiving was early this year, so we've had extra time to get into the holiday spirit!


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Lately...

Here are just a few pictures from my phone as of late! 
We had a little family outing to Chipotle (gluten-free paradise!) and the new Scheels store up in Sandy. Future golf buddies right here!
Scotty loves to wear hats. He asks to put them on every time he sees one.
We had the first real snow a few weeks ago! We bundled this little guy up and took him sledding.
It was so funny to see his reaction to the snow. He loved it!
That same snowy day Nate and I went to the BYU football game with Emily and Richard.
I used a total of 8 of those "little hottie" hand warmers. It was freezing but so fun!
A Sunday tickle war ;)
We made a grateful leave banner for Thanksgiving!
This is how Scott eats a cupcake. Well done Scotty!
It's definitely chilly enough for winter pajamas! Scott kept saying "hi!" to the polar bear feet on these jammies.
He even pulled them out of the dirty clothes hamper the next day to give them more hugs. So funny to me...
Sometimes Scott and I go play at the Provo Beach Resort when it's too cold for the park. 
He doesn't even notice if he is actually playing the games for real or not...
Here is shot of our playgroup from last week. 2 of our friends are moving and we are so sad!
I got Scott to sit on the couch this time by putting him in the bumbo. 10 little boys and 1 girl. So crazy and fun every week!
Emily and I went to the Breaking Dawn premier at midnight! We've seen all the other ones at midnight and knew we must carry the tradition (surrounded by 13-year-olds) to the end. I liked this movie best of them all!