The Sharps got a pet!!!

No. We didn’t get a dog or anything, although I’m sure Jacob would be ecstatic if I would consent. But for now, we’re just sticking with fish.

Not being a pet lover, I can get on board with fish. They swim around. You have to feed them and clean their tank. But, they aren’t scary looking. They are quiet. They don’t shed. They won’t jump up on me and scare me. All good points.

After Alexia spent a weekend at her cousin’s house, we saw how much she loved watching their Beta fish. So, we thought we could get some fish. GOLDfish. I know, the goldfish are the bottom-feeders of the fish world, but we were just starting out. If they die, it’s only 38 cents lost…We got a big 10-gallon tank, and decorations, and rocks, and plants, and three little goldfish. Didn’t name them yet. Then, they all died, and we got three more. Then they slowly died. Three more. Died. See a pattern yet?

The first time a fish died, I was worried about how Lexi would handle it. Would it crush her? Would she understand? I was pleasantly surprised at her reaction. She actually got to the point where she was EXCITED when a fish would die, because then she could help flush it down the toilet! I thank “Finding Nemo” for this. After all, she learned from that show that “all drains lead to the ocean.” I think she figures she’s doing these fish a favor! After 9 goldfish deaths, we found out that we were getting feeder fish – you know, fish bred and raised for the sole purpose of ending up as food for bigger fish. Feeder fish are not well cared for and have a high mortality rate. We decided to get another type of fish and settled on three little Tetras, and we have had no more deaths. Amazing! They did so well we got three more Tetras and then a few weeks later we got 3 Guppies. All are doing well.

Sidenote: As we were looking at which fish to get, Jacob pointed out the water-crabs to me, and thought someday we’d get one of those. He even pointed out to me how cool it is to watch them eat – watch them grab their food with their long, thin legs, and feed themselves with them. Hello!!! Have you MET me yet? Anything that even remotely resembles a spider – not on my list of fish to get. On the way home from Walmart, Jacob starts talking about other fish. Basically, any fish that Jacob thinks is “cool” is going to be one I’m afraid of. Fish that crawl on the bottom of the tank – not an option. Too much like a spider. Fish with big black googly eyes – not happening. Eels – uh…no.

Then, Jacob says “Someday, we’ll graduate to getting rats. They’re great pets.” Um…why on earth would we want a RAT?!? We had hamsters and gerbils in the house when we grew up, and I just remember what a pain they are to clean and take care of. (I don’t think I did any of the cleaning up…but it SEEMED like a pain.) So, Jacob says that Rats are so much better as pets than gerbils or hamsters. They’re cleaner, they don’t run around much, and they’ll even spend time just sitting on your shoulder! Why on EARTH would I want a RAT to sit on my shoulder?!? That’s fun…WHY?

Sounds like I have a long way to go before I’ll be comfortable with Jacob-type animals. Goldfish, I can get on board with. Tetras – okay. Heck, I could even go for a frog (water) or a turtle someday. But, for now…that might be all I can handle.

Baby steps…

Growing up

Well, our little ones are getting older. Time is passing, and since I see my kids every day, I’m not noticing. But, I realize I haven’t updated this blog in months, and should probably update some pictures. After all, Cameron is going to be 1 this week, and Alexia will be 3 next month. So crazy.

Alexia is such a great big sister. She likes helping her brother do things. She likes feeding him, and loves to give him hugs and kisses morning and night. She LOVES to play with friends, especially her cousins. She really likes to be outside – especially when slides, swings or WATER are involved. She is keeping Jacob and me on our toes for sure. She’s getting past her two-year-old tantrum stage, slowly. She definitely still throws tantrums, and she whines with the best of them, but she’s getting better for sure. She does cute things every day that just make me smile. I love to see the way her little mind works, and watch the wheels spinning in her head, trying to understand the world around her. She is great at singing the ABC’s and Twinkle all the time. And she also loves singing Teach Me To Walk In the Light. She’ll love Primary in January, I’m sure!

Cameron is doing great! He’s not walking just yet, but seems close. He’s been cruising furniture for months! He is very social. He loves people. He is a lot less shy than his sister, and he loves smiling at strangers, and playing peek-a-boo with people. He loves to be tickled and teased. He’s doing well with sleeping through the night finally. It only took about 11 months. But he’s doing great now. Sleeps almost 12 hours at night, and still has two naps. So, I’m counting my blessings.

Here are some of Cameron and Lexi’s cutest pictures of the last few months. I’ll put more of the last four months of pictures, as well as their birthdays after they happen. Thanks everyone for being interested, and for reminding me to update this blog!

Halloween

**Pre-warning: This is the last of 6 CURRENT POSTS. So, if you haven’t been on for a few days, make sure and scroll down so you can see all the current pictures we have posted!!!**

For Halloween this year, we decided to do the Wizard of Oz. We wanted to find something that we could do all in the same theme. I had NO IDEA how common of a theme this is!!! (I swear!!!)

We dressed up for Jacob’s work party at Squire, and actually won the grand prize for the contest! We got a $50 gift card for it! That made it worth all the headache of making the costumes and wearing them that day.

Poor Jacob couldn’t even sit down anywhere. Couldn’t really help with a screaming baby, or a tantrum-throwing Lexi. And, his back was killing him that evening from having to be so stiff. But, it sure looked awesome!!!

And I wish Lexi would have co-operated with the photo-taking. She was supposed to be holding her basket with her little dog in it, but I ended up holding it while she scowled at the camera. Never underestimate the power of a good nap (which she missed that day!)

I love this shot of Tin Man and Dorothy in the dark. So cute!

- Rebecca

Cameron's Blessing

We blessed Cameron on September 5th. Both of our families came, and it was wonderful to have them all here!


My friend/neighbor Melanie made Cameron’s blessing outfit. She’s such an amazing seamstress! She made the button down shirt, and the cute vest, bowtie, and pleated pants. Amazing! He looked so great that day!



We got a half-smile out of him, at least!



After the blessing, our families came over for a luncheon. It was wonderful to have everyone here! Thank you family for coming!!!

Other Photos

I realize that between last year’s Halloween post and now, Alexia has grown quite a bit. From one year old to two years old! So, before I post pictures about her birthday party, I thought I’d post a few extra pictures, just so you can see her growing up!



Lexi loves her bath time. She’d play in there for hours if I’d let her!



Lexi LOVES eating popcorn, especially on her daddy’s lap!













Lexi decided to color black permanent marker on her cheeks the night before Cameron’s blessing. Thank goodness it came off!



Any time Lexi wants to pose for a picture now, she squints her eyes. That’s common, right?

Gotta love that smile!

I sure do love my two little ones!


- Rebecca

Lexi is 2!

Right after Cameron was born, I had to figure out how to plan a birthday party for Lexi! She turned two at the beginning of August!

We had a water party with my family. It was a joint birthday party with her cousin, Ariana, and Lexi LOVED it! She’s such a water girl! Then, on her actual birthday, we had Jacob’s family over for a small party and cake. Pictures follow:
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Lexi played in the pool for such a long time – just kept going down the slide over and over and over.
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The real hit of the day was the water slides. Jacob slid Lexi down the water slide over and over, and she just giggled and giggled. It was adorable! Her diaper was sagging down to her knees afterwards (we forgot to bring a swim diaper…oops!)
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Present time! These were her favorites – books with colors, opposites, numbers, etc. She LOVES them! (Thanks, Joe and Shauntell!!!)
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My mom gave Lexi this cute pink shirt for her birthday. Isn’t my two-year-old cute?
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Jacob’s mom made this awesome Elmo cake for Lexi. She was so excited!
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Jacob and I splurged and gave Lexi this Jump-o-lene for her birthday. We blew it up for her (took a lot of hot air!) and she played in it, laughing for a long time! Great idea for a present!

Now that Lexi is two, we just have to figure out how to deal with her tantrums, and typical two-year-old behavior. Gotta love it!

Cameron Album

It’s been a while since I updated, and I know many of you have been asking me to post pictures of Cameron on here. I’m way behind on Lexi pictures too, so in the next few days, we’ll try to get some updates on here, and best of all – PICTURES!!!

Cameron is now 3 ½ months old, and doing great! He’s a great eater, and sleeps okay. Still wakes up twice a night, but for the most part, he’s a good baby. We’re so enjoying having him around. Lexi is a great big sister (most of the time!)

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Here we are at the hospital – now a family of four!!!

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Here’s Cameron shortly after he was born.
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1 month old
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2 months old
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3 months old – wasn’t in the mood to smile that day.

Isn’t he such a cutie, though? One of my friends told me yesterday that I make cute babies, and I just have to agree with her. What a handsome kid!