Updates

Sorry it's been awhile since we last posted. Here is our update:
Jonah has been growing fast. He's getting into vehicles (like his brother) and balls. He likes to pass balls back and forth. He's babbling a lot, saying dada, baba, etc. Really loves joking and laughing with Niko. Close to crawling- can scoot backwards and do 360s.
Niko has been great with potty training. Probably because we waited so long (advice we were given). We just didn't want to overwhelm him with all the other transitions of a baby brother and Sam being in LA all the time. When he's not testing our patience, he's saying sweet things like "Mommy, I Lova You".
Sam is home this week and it's been amazing for all of us. Finally we have decided to move Jonah to his own room. He's sleeping through the night and it's been so easy. We didn't try earlier because we anticipated it would be difficult and he really only woke to feed very quietly. But he's so mellow and never even had to cry it out. So now, after almost 8 months, we can read in our room with the light on before sleeping. Hallelujah.
We also just went to Arizona for my wonderful Aunt Dede's funeral. She had been battling a disease for almost 2 years, so it was a release from suffering for her, but she will be greatly missed. Even though traveling with kids to Arizona IN JULY sounds agonizing, it was really good for us to go. Sam hadn't met all of my cousins down there and now he knows everyone. Niko fell in love with some of my cousin's children. The kids cheered up the whole family.
We also have had two visitors. An old coworker of Sam's from Novell, J.S., stopped by for dinner and met the kids. And Sam's best man, Chris, came by and met the kids. Even brought them presents. And he saw our house for the first time.
We also celebrated my mom's birthday and my birthday. Niko keeps asking for it to be his birthday. He's an expert now on birthday cake and even asked to be a cupcake for Halloween.
Other than that- we've been barbequing. Looking forward to my aunts' visit this weekend.