He's 2

Another year has come and gone and Korban has turned 2. I know I'm a little, well pretty late, with this blog but it is still post worthy! I can't believe he went from this...To this in a matter of 2 years.

Doesn't he look like such a typical little boy in the picture? He's chewing gum (what was I thinking putting those in a 2 year old party bag?), wearing his hat backwards, holding a car in one hand and a harmonica in the other....sigh...a happy sigh:)

And he is beginning to say silly things that I need to now make a list of lest I forget them down the road, or tomorrow for that matter.

And now he is going to be a big brother any day now really. We finally had some family pregnancy photos done which will be posted soon but this is just a sneak peak at my growing belly....sigh, a tired sigh mixed mostly with happy.

7 years

Josh and I recently celebrated our 7th anniversary. We thought we would make it a grand one and decided whats more grand than the Grand Canyon? Actually neither of us had ever been there before and thought it would be a fun mini couples trip before the new baby's arrival. We took the "scenic" route which had a bit of an un-scenic stretch to it but it ended beautifully. It boggels my mind the most random places people live. I wish I had taken a picture of one of the little houses planted smack dab in the middle of nowheres-ville so you could see what I mean. What kind of people live out there?

After about 8 hours of driving we arrived in Williams Arizona where we would be staying for the next three nights. We did not know that it was literally built on route 66! Just like Radiator Springs in Korbans all time favorite movie Cars, Williams was the last little town to be bipassed by the new highway. But because they are one of the closest towns to the grand canyon, they survived and are a big tourist trap. We had so much fun in this little town. It was patriotic and full of friendly shop owners and resteraunts.

The Grand Canyon had a dizzying effect on us both but it was marvelous and interesting to look at. I had so much fun with my husband and am so glad we took this time together. I know 7 years is nothing compared to most but I'm looking forward to so many more anniversary's and adventures with him:)

St. Louieeee!

May has been an eventful month. I think I mentioned in the last post that we were going to St. Louis Missouri for a wedding. Korban and I had only been home for about a weak when we were all off again! Normally I would not plan so much in one month but it was the only way things worked out this time around. We were hoping and praying that we would get three seats all the way. The first flight we did and Korban was so excited to be sitting by the window during take off. My Sister in law Jessica gave me the nifty idea to get a special little something just for the plane trip to keep the little one occupied....It worked! He loved his "airpane" and held on to it the majority of the time making all the cool sounds and zooming it through the air.

The Gateway Arch. What St. Luis is mostly known for having and attracting lots of people. It is really quite something to see in person and you practically fall over while trying to look up at it and walk at the same time.

My GQ little man just before the wedding. Isn't he just so cute?! He danced his socks of that night as the wedding went on late into the evening. If he could have fallen asleep dancing I think he would have.

Ah yes, this was pretty neat for my Hubby. There was going to be a big MMA fight in St Louis the weekend we were there and our Hotel was swimming with these guys from all over the world who were professional fighters. We, ahem... I mean he likes to watch MMA/UFC fighting. We, I mean he, got into it a few summers ago in Hawaii and began to have our friends over for "fight nights" to watch it all together. It is pretty exciting actually, and I do enjoy watching it with him. It is not your cheesy WWF chair smashing stuff, it is real actual skill in mixed martial arts and kick boxing. Now I don't keep up with the names of all the guys in the fights but Josh recognized this one from something called the "Strike Force" in the MMA. Jacare Souza happened to be on our elevator one morning and we struck up a conversation with him on our way to the lobby. So not what you would think one of these hard core looking fighters would be. He has a wife and son at home, Korbans age and another on the way due about the same time ours is due. He was from Brazil so the english was a little strained but he was very nice and even let us have this picture with him. Needless to say, he won his fight the night before hence the sun glasses, he was not trying to look cool he just had a really good size gash under his left eye.

St. Louis science center. Just a funny picture I had to include because he would put the magnifying glass up to his mouth making his mouth and nose much larger than normal...he must know what he's doing:)

The dizzying view from inside the arch all the way at the top. Korban's response to it all..."Awesome!"

The day we were leaving was kind of funny. Josh did not realize it but when he booked our flight home, he booked it on his Birthday.

We were so blessed to be able to go and have a little family time away with all three and a half of us before the baby arrives. Korban was a trooper and hardly complained about a thing. Praise God his two year old molars were not coming in yet like they are now because I'm sure this would end differently.

Utah

O.K. I must explain this one...Don't worry, Korban is not really smoking a pipe...he just wants to look like Papa. And he totally did shirt and all! Our visit to Utah was much different this time than it was last year. Last year was warm and sunny which made for many fun days outside. Not so this time, but we had many fun days inside! It snowed on several occasions and was pretty darn cold and windy. But it made the tulips even that much more beautiful!

My dad got out the old 70 Chevy and let Korban pretend to drive, and he was so stoked to be behind the wheel that when I took him inside he was so sad that we just had to let him drive a little more...and he was satisfied! I love this truck and have so many memories of camping trips with this thing. It used to have a camper shell on the back with a bench seat inside and an intercom so that my brothers could communicate with my parents for bathroom breaks or beg for mercy because the other one was annoying them....ah those were the days. I'm sure my mom and dad have some stories.

One of our slight chances to go outside and play before the wind became too much!

This is a little boy after my own, and Grammies heart. He loves to help in the kitchen when allowed. Not his best picture but the boy had a mouth full of cookie dough, wouldn't you? But I loved this one of my mom so it wins:) He loved helping with pouring in the flour and scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula....and of course tasting along the way.

And perhaps one of my favorite pictures...a not so happy Korban in the snow. Mean mommy plopped him in the middle of the yard and forced a picture upon him. I think its the dimples in his chin from fighting back tears and what he really would like to say to me at that moment that makes me like this picture.

All in all we had a very relaxing time, and I was kind of forced to since we stayed inside so much. Lets just say I made quite a few styling baby beanies for next winter and read Two really good books. My mom also managed to make me a beautiful maternity dress for a wedding we will be attending next weekend but you will have to wait for those pictures when I get back from Missouri! I know I know! Do the Steinbergs ever slow down? Everything just happended to fall into this month which is making the pregnancy fly by that much faster. I am almost at 7 months people! I can't blieve it and even more I am not ready (house wise)! But who ever is right? But I am so looking forward to see just who it is that has been tumbling around so much lately:)

Fun Stuff

It has been a fun and eventful month thus far. The butterfly exhibit was open at the Wild Animal park for a short time and we have never seen it before. Korban and I met up with some lady's and their little ones to beat the crowd, (the line was expected to be a two hour wait to see these pretty little creations) so we arrived as soon as the park opened and thankfully won the race. Eat my Stroller dust you bus loads of children! Ahem , I mean uh... sorry you had to wait for the rest of your school to show up before you could get in line? This was about as close as Korban would willingly get to a butterfly. The rest of the time he was at their mercy of them fluttering over his head and brushing against his cheeks, butterfly kisses in our book, which made him laugh and smile. By the time we left the exhibit, there was indeed a very loooooong line of children and teachers waiting to go inside. It was worth getting there early!

This is one of our best couple friends, Tony and Tara. They are getting married in Missouri, (we get to go!) and wanted some photos done for the guests to sign as they come onto the boat. Yes a boat. It will be on the Becky Thatcher boat cruising up and down the Mississippi! We can't wait and neither can they to see all of their friends and family. They are such an awesome couple and lots of fun to hang out with.

About a week ago Tuesday, these little sweeties were born. Ella and Eva (pronounced A-va) are identical twins to another one of our best friends Steve and Tera. My poor friend is feeling the pains of a c-section but is so blessed to finally hold her two little ones. Don't ask me which one was which because I honestly cannot remember! They look so much alike and very much like their older sister Lilly. They were just the sweetest little things. Korban was only allowed to peek at them through the door and his face lit up as he said "Bebe's cute". But he did get to meet one of his nurses that took care of us while we had our hospital stay. It was a strange experience walking down the hall to the elevator where I remember having the worst contractions ever that finally yielded me to a wheel chair. And then walking through the nurses station where I did so many laps to gain my strength back after the c-section. It's not too often you can honestly say to someone" I know how you feel" but Tera and I were able to share each others recovery stories and know exactly what the other was talking about.

And finally my little man with all his little animal cars in a row. We counted them many times over and I think he was trying to show me in this picture how many he had. Counting, letters and cars, especially Mater and McQueen are his biggest favorites right now. I'm amazed at his willingness to learn and the fun he has doing it. So worth the c-section!

Next Months blog....Utah, Missouri and the "Baby Moon" ( like a honey moon but with more sleep;) to the grand Canyon!

More Easter Photos

Never too late...here are some pictures from Easter Sunday. We all had so much fun and probably ate way too much. I loved all the excitement that the little ones bring to the party.
Here is Makenna and Korban tickling the ivory's and singing their loudest. My Aunt Donna found the secret egg...

All of the grown ups trying to figure out the clues to find the secret egg...

I would like to think that Lucy is contemplating "If I had ten jelly beans and I ate three, how many do I have left to enjoy? Hmmm..."

Makenna pausing for a picture...

All the eager hunters waiting ever so patiently to run outside...

Josh and Becky counting all the eggs to make sure they ALL get found this time...

Rylee and I under the beautiful blossoms...

Aunt Becky and Josh...

It was such a fun day and we were so blessed to have even more family join us for the festivities.

Growing

You know when it is spring time because many little things begin to grow, sprouting up from a tiny seedling to something bright and beautiful. I love seeing the flowers grow and trees blossom but lately for me, the focus has been more on how much our little man is growing! You know the phrase growing like a weed? Well he is...but the good kind of weed of course. Here he is at Easter very happy about his findings. Doesn't he look so grown up? It kills me. But at the same time I am so excited for him to be a big brother and let him pass on the baby torch to the new little Steinberg on the way, which by the way is also growing...and kicking...and bringing so much joy already.

Even harder to believe is how Korban went from this......

To this!

He was very much posing for me by the way. I guess he was in the mood for pictures because he made the same pose for several of these photos. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised because when you water things with love and attention they are bound to grow, and it is pretty hard to ignore this guy.