Dean - 8 months

Dean is the golden child - you couldn't ask for an easier baby.
- Dean is happy all of the time, unless he is hungry, tired, or a few other fun quirks that we'll get to in a sec
- Dean loves to give the air zerberts - out of no where he will start and laughs at himself or others when they do it.
- Dean loves his mobile - its like is Am Ex, we don't go anywhere without it.
- Dean loves his puppies - unfortunately Suki doesn't return the favor. He is dog repellent to Suk. Apparently there must have been some ear pulling, because Suki used to love him, now she runs in the other direction if he gets within reach. Moo is a little more tolerent.
- Dean is a toy hog! Nothing makes Dean more frustrated than when he has every toy in the house, except one. And Sydney has that one... He doesn't really want it, he just doesn't want her to have it.
- Dean loves to roll. And he's quick. Leave the room and come back and almost guaranteed he's in a different location. He found out yeterday that the tile floor is not a fun place to roll.
- Dean is a do-it yourselfer. He loves to feed himself his bottle. Often he will refuse it, if you try to feed him. But, lay him on his back, hand him his bottle and he's good to go.
- He is a handsome baby - frequently we get compliments to our face and behind our back about little Dean. Already a ladies man!
- Sydney is his favorite. Again - like the puppies, its not always a 2 way street. She loves him from out of reach, but he gets a little too up close and personal for her.
-Dean decided on round 2 this weekend - that rice cereal might be ok. Of course, he had to have his own spoon and pretend to be in control. But, its progress. A few week's ago as soon as it touch his mouth - he screamed out like we were killing him. He totally wasn't into it.

Sydney - 8 months

Sydney at 8 Months - is my real wild child.

This post is long overdue. Hopefully I will get to her brother soon.

Sydney at 8 months:
- is tiny and mighty
- Sydney just passed up the 1% in weight and is "thriving" her way up to the 5% level.
- Whatever she lacks in size, she makes up for vocally. She can babble all day long, when in the mood. She has not yet discovered how nice it is to use her "inside voice". She definitely prefers the neighbors across the street to also hear what she has to say.
- She has become fearful of one thing - Deanie attacks. When little Dean is near, the yelling is not far off.
- She loves to fly - in daddy's arms, getting her own air in the jumper or activity center. The bigger the better - she is on the road to following in her dare-devil dad's footsteps.
- Until yesterday she had no need for tummy time - until Dean got praised for making small gains in crawling. Not to be left behind, she lunged off my lap, tummy to the floor and wanted to push off my hand to try to crawl. Then, also for the first time of her choice, practiced rolling over by grabbing a large toy from her back and pulling herself to her tummy. Who knew competition could begin this early. Syd finally decided it was time to step it up!
- Loves her Sophie the giraffe, paci, walks, sitting in the swing looking out into the front yard.
- Dislikes personal hygiene (baths, fingernail clippings, lotion). Definitely need to change this.
- This girl is as nosey as they come. She has to be involved and know what's going on at all times. This includes being a night owl, loving to mad-dog anyone in public, twirl around in the jumper to view where the action is.

-Syd has a natural mohawk. It just seems wrong to try to tame anything about her at this point, including her hair. If you try to rub it down, it just pops right back up. It just seems to be the right bow on top of this little package.

Making me happy today

Getting pictures like this from home, while I'm at work

Finding Vegan, Gluten-free and Dairy-free cupcakes to bring home to the new "adult" at home as a day late birthday surprise from here.

The Birthday Girl

You can call her M'am - now that she's 18.

Spring Break 2010

A much needed trip together is just a week away. Its Park City or Bust! I hope I make it - I get super motion sickness having two hitch-hickers tagging along in my body.

In typical DuRocher Style - we are cramming in as much fun as we can.

Day 1 - Lunch at Sundance - 2 hour Snow Mobile Ride in Park City.

Day 2 - Visit University of Utah and Westminister - things you do, when you have kids in high school. Visit Temple Square.

Day 3 - Snowboarding for the 3 of the crew - then I still need to figure out something for Rebecca and me. I couldn't interest her in a day at the spa - but I'm sure we will find something fun. Any suggestions - we are staying in Park City. Alpine Coaster for everyone but me :(

Day 4 - Cabella's, Park City Main Street - hit the road to Moab

Day 5 - Day in Moab

Day 6 - Day in Cedar City where Brian spent time growing up with his dad

Day 7 - Visit South Utah University - and go home

If you have any must dos - eats- shops - let me know!

Meet Moo

She comes home Saturday for Rebecca's Birthday. Suki is going to be stoked!

14 YEAR TREND ENDING

So it's official. We are moving. We get the keys tomorrow. I am sooo excited! I la-la-love our new house, the neighborhood, the city-lights view, the bike ride to the club, the cute shopping center to do my grocery shopping, the trees, the plants, the peacfulness of it all. I can't wait. All I need is a Vespa, WWII safety goggles and helmet so me and my guy can cruise around sans-car. Anyone who knows me, knows driving solo on a scooter is nothing short of life-threating Dangerous, that's right a capital D.

Even more exciting - borrowing no catrastrophies and my life has been prone to them of late- this will be my first time living in one place for more than 2 years for the past 14 years (and that was only 1 spot - the beloved Rose House in P-town). I can't wait not to move again for at least 5 years!

Don't Stop Believing

The "Cost" of a Dog

I was really hoping to post some pictures of some of our latest adventures - mainly taking the jet boat out for Suki's first trip. However, Suki is a chewer. If caught in the act, items of her affection generally are saved. But, I keep discovering the hidden cost of a puppy - destroyed personal belongings unable to escape her death grip. The latest casualty, the cord for the camera to be able to download pictures. So I sit and wait, while the replacement cord spends some time with the UPS crew and hope Suki's jaws of death leave my stuff alone.

The Super Suker

Meet Suki. She is just super cute but super trouble. She just graduated top of her class from Puppy School at PetCo. It's easy to be #1 when you are the only one in class. Rebecca and I adore her. Brian well.... let's just say he really loves ME (enough to let me get her).

All about Suki:

- She thinks she's a celebrity and stalks people until they pet her.

- People quickly learn, when petting her to keep a distance because she will inevitably PEE on them.

- She would chase flies and bugs all day if she could. She catches flies in mid-air and eats the - gross!

- She comes to my rescue all of the time for spiders - my hero eats them.

- She la-la-la-loves to cuddle in the morning.

- The rest of the day she want to be close but not touching.

- Suki is NOT a swimmer. She does not doggie paddle, but does slow power strokes and sinks.

- Suki is a proud owner of a doggie life jacket for kyacking and boating.

- Suki's got moves. She dances/jumps around on her back legs like crazy when I get home.

- Suki has a second home in P.V. when Brian has had enough. Thanks Mom!

Briana had a birthday!

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Birthday Girl!

Briana just had a birthday! We braved the snow and took a few of her friends to Big Bear for the weekend. There was a larger than life pin the tail on Briana's bottom, a homemade, nearly indestructible pinata (made for big kids), cupcake decorating, shopping, visiting the local arcade straight of the 1980s, and who knows what else these girls got up to without us ;). Good Times!

Hoping to post the pin-the-tail poster soon - it was SWEET!

Pinata Construction

The Finished Product

Friends and Presents, what more can you want?

Pure Entertainment

The Rest of the Crew

Meet the Little One

Reasons we adore her:
1. She Bops around all of the time. The girl has serious rhythmn.
2. She is 99.9% of the time happy. Who doesn't love that!
3. She's a game playing fool. She'll give anyone a run for their money at Sorry, Boggle, you name it, she wins.

Meet the Resident Rock Star

Why we adore her:

1. She is always up for any adventure.

2. She is very creative and reflects it in her writing and outfits. She totally owns her own style.

3. She is a huge helper and never lets us down.

This is the Coo Foo

Why we adore him:

1. The guy loves to learn. He rocks at school and takes it super seriously.

2. He constantly tries to show up his dad - getting bigger air on the snowboard, bike, you name it he tries to do it better.

3. He is full of energy. We never know what to expect when his door opens in the morning.