Princess Savannah is 3 today!

Is it sad that I consider September the start of our holiday season? The second of our September birthdays was today. My (sometimes) sweet Savannah turned 3 today. I can't believe how fast the time is going by! I thought the time with her brother was fast, but the past 3 years have flown by. I remember like it was yesterday checking into the hospital 2 times while in labor to only be sent home, a Dr visit and then finally the ok to stay in the hospital. In room 6 at Timpanogos regional I had 2 interesting epidurals, watched some Wonder Years, made my nurse laugh because of the strange things I talked about in a drugged up condition, yelled at Noah for stinky pizza breath, almost made my friend Amy throw up because I threw up and then after 80 minutes of pushing and turning Savannah the right way, the Dr made it just in time to catch her head. We were in love from the minute we met her. Those first 48 hours in room 115 were life changing. Through some tears invoked by a crazy nurse, I soon realized motherhood was not easy and everyone has their own opinions on how to do things. I have learned a lot from this beautiful girl and have loved most every minute. She really is a fun, smart and beautiful little girl.

Last night I baked her cake and decorated a bit. Savannah was so happy to see a sign and some fun princess birthday decor around. I finished her cake this morning and after we all got ready we headed off to Build-A-Bear. Savannah picked out her bear and said goodbye to her binky as she put one inside. I put in the other two and after her bear was sewn up she washed it and picked out some clothes. She named is "Girl," but we were pretty sure that would change, so on it's birth certificate is reads Binky Bear. After a trip to Toys R Us and a Happy meal it was nap time and then we had her open presents, play a little and then we had cake. I decided to make this cake yesterday so it's not the most planned out and the colors aren't perfect, but Savannah requested a Sleeping Beauty cake, so I tried.

We watched Toy Story 2 while the kids ate some dinner and then it was time for bed. It was a busy day with some phone calls from family too! You are one loved little girl Savannah and I hope you know your Mommy loves you SO much! Here's to hoping for less tantrums, no fights about your binky and you starting to listen a little more (wishful thinking).

Here are some stats about our Savannah

She loves costco pizza

She loves Barbies, Ponies, Littlest pets, Disney princesses, and pretty much anything else she can play with

Savannah loves to sing, especially to her stuffed animals and her brother when he goes down for a nap.

Her favorite movies are currently Nightmare before Christmas, anything with Veggie Tales, Pixar movies, Tinkerbell and ANYTHING that has to do with Christmas

Happy meals REALLY make her happy

90% potty trained with some issues getting there in time for #2

She talks all the time in her loud, high-pitched voice

As of today is binky free

She loves to put on make up

Savannah loves holidays and is very excited for Halloween and Christmas
Still super independent and free spirited

She knows most of her shapes including hexagons, octagons, crescent, etc

Still has never had a single hair trimmed on her head

I love you Savannah Addison Bongard! You always know how to make me smile.

Jaxon's 1st birthday!!!

Warning... Long post!

Today is the day my baby boy turned 1 year old. I can't tell you how much I love this guy. He can always make me smile and is such a great baby. I have always heard there is a special bond between a mother and son and I did not believe it until I met this little guy a year ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember checking in for my induction into room 1, lots of talking with nurses and Noah, my horrible epidural, my water being broken, then sudden progression and less than ten minutes of pushing before I got to hold him for just a minute, then they took him away. It was almost 4 hours before his breathing was regulated enough to join me in our room 120. I remember holding him almost the entire time we were in the hospital, him meeting friends and family, the first time Savannah met him and she cried, then she came back after a nap and loved him. Between him going to the hospital at 7 weeks, first smiles, rolling, sitting up, trips to Santa Rosa, San Diego, Disneyland, crawling, walking, ear infections, first words, and so much more... I have loved every minute with my little boy. I love that he plays peek a boo, binky swaps, dances up and down, makes this choking sound when he is excited, eats everything in sight, walks with his arms up in the air, hunts down the toilet brush, and so much more! It's been a wonderful year little Jaxon!We spent the day together as a family and after some time out, we got Chinese take out, opened presents and let him attack his cake before he took a bath and very quickly passed out. Noah suggested red velvet cake and today I decided it should be a turtle. I didn't realize that red cake for an animal cake can look kind of weird until it was too late. It reminded me a bit of the armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias.

Some facts about my little boy right now:

He loves almost everything he can eat

Favorite toys are tools, cars and drumsticks

Favorite non toys are spoons, toothbrushes and hairbrushes

Says Mama, Dadda and Nanna (Savannah)very clear, but not much else

Walks very fast and isn't crawling much any more

Hates the sound of the vacuum

Explores wherever he can

Favorite tv shows are Blue's Clues, Go Diego Go and Yo Gabba Gabba

Loves strawberries SO MUCH

Is a morning person (unlike his mommy)

I Love You Jaxon!!

Birthday Parties

Before we left Pleasant Grove we had a couple little parties to celebrate my kid's birthdays with friends and family. I know it was a bit early (as their birthdays are over the next few days), but on the 21st we had a party for Savannah and on the 29th there was a family gathering for both Savannah and Jaxon. Savannah wanted 3 people at her Toy Story party; her cousin Eli and her friends Reed and Maddy. She made the requests, so I planned accordingly and invited them. Savannah's cousin Kaden was my helper and between pizza, a couple games, presents and cupcakes I think every adult helped at some point. I knew we were missing all of our guests birthdays and that kids love opening presents, so we played a little present game where each kid opened a present. They were all wrapped 6 times with different paper, so they were a little confused, but it was very fun to watch. I am really going to miss all of Savannah's friends, so more than anything I wanted to have the party so they could all play together one last time. Savannah had a major melt down when I handed out party favors. It reminded me of last year at the little gym. Here are some pictures from the parties.

My awesome nephew Kaden

Savannah's buddies: Eli, Reed and Maddy

A few party pictures

Jaxon got a few presents too. He loves his dishes, books and his Perry the platypus. He sleeps with his Perry every night.

Alien cupcakes

The very happy birthday girl. This reminded me a little of her party last year at the Little Gym. She did not want to give party favors to her friends and between that and nap time, she was not happy. She did pass out 3 minutes after my sister left. She was on the couch and fell asleep sitting straight up. When she woke up she was SO happy and first thing she put on a party hat and wanted a cupcake My dad put together the party on the 29th. I love my dad! He got "stick the tail on the donkey," some party decor and a really yummy cake. Jaxon was a big fan of the cupcakes around the cake. I let him have 2. Sugar high

Savannah loved her presents from my parents. She got 2 pairs of Jesse pajamas from my parents and Jaxon got a Cars play mat with 3 toy cars. We all have fun with the cars. All in all we had a fun time celebrating our kids a little early. Savannah now thinks she is turning 10 from all the candles she has blown out, but I dont mind because I love celebrating my kids with the people I love.

Zoo Boise

On Friday we took a little trip downtown to the zoo. It was an interesting day to go because there was a huge "Art in the Park" thing going on which made parking horrible, but the zoo was practically empty. I had read reviews that it was small, but I thought it was a perfect size. We saw every animal and were there a little over three hours. It was sad to see quite a few animals alone in the exhibit, but there was a decent variety to look at and we loved that the eating area was surrounded with animals. The petting zoo part was really fun. I made Savannah feed a goat. Jaxon did not like the goats very much. I think he thought they were biting us (pictured above).
Note: I almost had a panic attack when we walked into an exhibit that looked like it had a carnival theme and the door shut behind us, leaving us in a dark room with large bats behind a thin and very close sheet of glass... brought back some memories from my trip to Chicago.
Here are a few pictures and my favorite videos.

Savannah and the pheasant

Pretending to be a bird in the fake nest

Found the Tiger

The Elephant

Savannah loved the Giraffes and was very interested in their living arrangements

Jaxon and the bobcat

We moved!

So I know most everyone that reads this knows we moved, but I thought I should post it anyways. On the 28th of last month we got the truck and started loading, Sunday I worked and Monday we turned in our keys and headed to Boise. We actually live in Nampa, which is about 25 minutes to BSU in downtown Boise. It has been some adjusting. Our place is too small for the half of our things we brought out here and we are already repacking boxes and trying to find places for them. We live in a nice, but small apartment. I am enjoying the garden tub and newer appliances, but it doesn't make up for the friends we left behind. I really, really miss my friends. Savannah finally stopped asking if we could go home a few days ago, but still asks to see her grandparents and her friends. This is the longest I have gone without being employed since we have been married and it is weird. Noah's schedule changes from week to week so there is no way for me to get a job. I am enjoying sleeping in my bed every night, but I feel like a drain without bringing in money. Its going to take some adjusting too. Our kids are happy and are getting used to sharing a room. They are nice to each other most of the time. Here are a few pictures. More will come when everything we brought has a place and it doesn't look like a bomb went off. Savannah insisted on holding her sleeping brother while I held her baby doll