Over It

This is an exercise in close observation. After hysterical screaming and taking her underclothes off I put the fleece lion costume back on in 90* humid weather and we all got in the car. 

Here she may seem to have fallen back into a comfortable slumber. But if you look closely (and know a little of her personality) you'll notice she is actually expressing a variety of emotions. Sort of an "I love you, but it's complicated ... don't touch my lion costume again - please". 

And then she's over it. Kind of. 

Where Do Babies Come From and Other Oliver Questions

Oliver: . . . but where do babies come from Mom?

Me: Well you'll find a girl one day, get married, and find out. 

Oliver: Hmm, you make 'em out of playdough and then bake 'em in the oven. 

Me: Who told you that?!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Because it would be annoying to make everything my kids say into a Facebook status I figured it would be best to write their thought provoking comments here on my blog to relieve this urge I have to share every last minute detail of my children's lives with the world.

Yesterday while driving Cecily said the following in descriptive surprise, "Bubble-fart! Bubble-fart!" I stopped mid-conversation with John to turn around to find out if she meant what she said. But of course she did! With wide eyes she was pointing downward. It's always fun to see the excitement of your child's first experience with a bubble-fart.

Then while sitting here at the dinning table Oliver lay deeply asleep on the couch. Cecily had since woken up from her nap and was squealing and poking him in the face, and occasionally placing a witch hat on his messy bed head.  He didn't even flinch. Not until it was silent did he within an instant roll off the couch onto his feet, walked steadily over to me and said without hesitation, "I want some pizza". Somehow I feel that this is an omen, or foreshadowing of what is to come.

Ne-Ner Ne-Ner Ne-Ner

So I just looked at my list of past posts and saw that no one had even viewed my blog/page. And it made me so relieved! And then I really wanted to post that it made me happy to know that no one else was reading my posts. And how silly is that?! But guess what - I'm doing it and I have a big smile on my face about it. It's stressful to think other people might be reading my blog, and then again I realize I should just make this thing private or not publish my posts that I don't want people to read. But there's some irrational part of me that believes hundreds of years from now, or maybe next year I'll loose my password and the only way to access these posts will be to go to the URL or maybe when we're all riding in floating cars and wearing tight jumpsuits without zippers some family historian studying her ancestry will only be able to retrieve the published posts of her great-great grandmother. I suppose there must be some way of backing up these posts into something other than a cloud or on my computer. Hopefully I'll do it soon - but probably not, so this will have to do for now.

Another Assortment of Thoughts

I've only started this entry with the thought that I've been impressed to record our lives and my thoughts more thoroughly. As John and I discussed our need to journal more frequently I admitted that I disliked rereading old entries and feeling (so thoroughly) embarrassed - for a multitude of reasons. From imperfect logic to over-emotional reactions to any other possible human failure of personality, logic, or grammar - I could find in one of my journal/blogging entries. I realize some mistakes could be managed with re-reading my entries and fixing logical or grammatical errors, but I really don't have the time and definitely don't care to devote my patience to double-checking my journal entries. Isn't there a quote, anecdotal story, or extra reserve of maturity somewhere that I could use to encourage me into consistent and decent journaling habits?

Irregardless, I do like the idea of having a record and I also have enjoyed reading some older entries - especially of memories and experiences forgotten. Hopefully I will discern the better memories to record.

At the moment there are two things that take up quite a bit of head space. The first is that I'm pregnant - so (my brain's) working capacity is currently at 35% and additional repairs and time are required to bring her into working order to reach warp speed. The rest is divided between family, the future, callings, how to clean when I don't want to clean, and whether or not to buy our current home. So all are good things, but can also be very stressful things.

I suppose writing about our motivations to buy our current home isn't the most modest topic to write on. But it does concern me and I probably won't calm down about it until we've come to a decision. Our main motivation is to save money, in building equity and in our monthly payment. However this home, although it works well now, will not fit our growing family comfortably into the future. I realize that many buy a starter home and then sell and purchase again.  And yet, there are two things that weigh on my mind, and I'm sure they are unnecessary. The first is that if we continue to rent and save money over the course of the next few years we may have enough to buy the type of home we could grow old in - without the burden of another mortgage or a place to sell. My second thought has been that we may be in this home the rest of our lives. Which truly would not be a horrible thing - it just isn't ideal. And I feel horrible for thinking that. I feel as if wanting more is saying I'm not grateful for what we have been given. I suppose I should reassess to see if these desires for more overwhelm my feelings of gratitude for the place that we may come to have. Another concern of mine is how close (and loud) the freeway is to our home. Well, in reality I have a whole list of what I don't like about our place and I have concerns that the investment of remodeling will exceed the market value of the home (I wouldn't care about the cost of remodeling if it were to be our permanent house). And some things, like the freeway, just can't be fixed with remodeling. If there are that many things I don't like about it, is it worth buying just to save money for another home?

Aside from all those disagreeable thoughts are the thoughts of another lovely baby coming to join our home and family. I felt slightly inclined to hope for a boy as it would be nice to have another boy closer in age to Oliver and for somewhat practical reasons like using the boy clothing before I don't like it because it's out of fashion (yes, I realize this is silly and superficial). And yet when I saw a baby girl the other day I couldn't help but remember how much I love having a girl too and how much fun it would be to have another. So as for now I guess I don't have any inclinations towards one gender for this baby. And believe it or not, in one month this pregnancy will be half over! Sometimes it's unbelievable how fast time goes. Of course, we've been preoccupied with many things, from being sick for about a month, John's new calling as a second counselor in the YSA branch, and my fixation on how much I hate winter in Illinois and how I truly didn't believe Spring would ever come! And honestly, I still am in disbelief. Whenever I walk outside and feel a slight chill on the air I'm convinced it'll turn into a -30 windchill by morning. It makes me laugh to realize that deep down inside there is a feeling of resentment towards Illinois for being so ugly and uninviting during the Winter - and especially for it lasting much much much too long. I really tried to look for things to appreciate, but had a really hard time about it. I suppose I'll have to try harder next season. And then I think of Gradma Allen's famous complaint about being taken (and left) in that ugly, dry, red dirt. And the more she said it the more I realized the beauty of the Uintah basin. I truly hope I can come to love the Illinois landscape just as I have the Uintah red dirt. I just hope it doesn't require me to live a lifetime here.

Kiddo Update

Kiddo Update

I really should do these more often as right now I'm so overwhelmed with thoughts that I'm having difficulty picking just a few out to record.

OLIVER

-  Let's see. Oliver talks A. LOT. But that's okay because we love him. He'll fill two hours easily with questions and very difficult follow-up questions.

- has made a stride in confidence and bravery. The other day we took his pedal-less bike to the chapel for him to practice riding. In other instances he has refused to even pick up the bike. However this time he not only picked up the bike he sat and walked the bike while standing, very slowly of course. And in true Oliver style he was only willing to make an attempt when I allowed him personal space and stopped my encouragement (unfortunately somewhat exasperated at some points). We were both very excited and proud of his improvement and courage.

- now understands the concept of placing sounds together to read. Unfortunately we haven't been as consistent in our reading as we used to be, but luckily it is something he still really enjoys!

- is fascinated with the ocean, sharks, fish, penguins, polar bears, . . . if it's anywhere near the water he'll find an interest in it. He enjoys watching a show called Octonauts that highlight specific creatures of the sea.

- dislikes wearing gloves. It's pretty emotional for him. And conflicting as he really likes to throw snowballs.

- still loves superheros and has many questions about bad guys and good guys. We have made progress and now understand that people are people and each can make either good decisions or bad decisions. Superheros are now more than just "boomers" and kickers. They are stoppers of bad choices and helpers of good. 

- fascinated with kisses. Breakdown of daily kisses goes as follows: 40% sweet innocent little boy lovin'; 20% given in conjunction with an apology; 20% done to spite his sister (occasionally 40%); 10% response to Mommy, Daddy, and Sister kisses; 10% practicing for his future prince charming roll (no more Sleeping Beauty for you sir!). 

- looks forward to his dance class and has figured out a good spin. At home he'll spend time working out his head stands, jumps, and a combination of spins and crawls around on the floor. Hopefully Chambana has a good break class 'cause this kids is a natural! Seriously.


CECILY

- Cecily is speaking well and is making short phrases. Today's new phrase was "want french fry". And who doesn't like Arby's curly fries? Don't answer that, it'd only be really sad.

- enjoys watching her brother take his dance class and just today attempted her first retiré. She has some pretty good moves of her own. Her signature move is the one shoulder isolation moving up and down. Which is done very specifically with her head and body turned just slightly to the side. Watch out world, this girl has some style!

- has a favorite hello kitty night light, that if it shuts off will tell us first thing . . . morning or night.

- after a late night out we found that Cecily is a giddy girl when tired. But boy does she love bedtime; cross your fingers for me that it never changes.

- enjoys "row, row, row your boat".

- loves to color and glue things.

- is still my little lap girl/cuddle bug. But she's starting to branch out and is enjoying the attention of others, in small doses. 

- while driving I turned around to see her with lips puckered, nose cinched, and head bobbing to the music. Pretty sure she didn't learn heavy metal head banging from us, but boy was it the cutest thing ever!

- has such a fun little personality emerging. John is convinced she'll be our little daredevil. Hopefully her innate desire for sleep will temper such inclinations, slightly anyways.

Kiddo Update and Merry Christmas!

Oliver just had his 3rd birthday, celebrating in style with some friends and cake. He has grown out of his toddler phase and appears to be turning into a real life little boy.  Taking in the world of superheros, construction trucks, knights and dragons, soldiers, and especially fishing (in pretend so far) are occupying tasks for Oliver. Time spent daydreaming has increased to an all time high as well as his interest in having friends.

Outgoing and rarely shy, Oliver appears to be taking a different and very loud social approach compared to that of his parents. In his spare time he has perfected a look for future reference entitled "bad guy" (reference photo 1), reminiscent of Zoolander's Magnum. And spends his other spare time as a jack-in-the-box ready to surprise any and all at any turn.

Unfortunately he has developed a condition found often in young children, diagnosed as "ignoring" by his astutely observant attending parents. There have been complications of "forgetfulness" and experts have had difficulty agreeing on one treatment plan for such an intricate diagnosis. Although there is no one antidote, we are hopeful that with time and patience he will be cured.

Oliver now hones his temperament for imagination and musical timing in a creative dance class. We do have hope that these lessons in coordination will reverse the effects of clumsiness that he has inherited from his Mother which has been confirmed on multiple occasions when seen falling from a static and standing position without any aid, except for all of gravity of course.

So many memorable moments are forgotten and so I sigh at my short updates of the kiddos. Although some is better than none, I hope I look back and find it sufficient.

If Oliver is our jabberbox, then Cecily is his parrot.  However, her skills have extended past mimicry into the land of insight. Dad has now become synonymous with "fruit snack" (pronounced with a long "a" found most common on Staten Island).  Her new words are so frequent, from 1-3 a day that it's difficult to recall all that she has learned in one short post.  She enjoys yelling "surprise" along with Oliver, will "Ooooo" and "Ahhhh" over the "lights" decorated on homes for Christmas, and will repeat "Merry Christmas" along with the family. 

She still loves bedtime and will do her best to communicate when she is ready. From undressing herself to pointing to the stairs to saying "bath-time". As she falls asleep she has enjoys playing with her eyelashes.  Stroking them with either her thumb or pointer finger as she dozes off to sleep.  Occasionally I will also receive an eyelash brush, akin to that of an eye poke.

Just this weekend her walking has become more frequent. Although she has been walking for a while and has the coordination necessary, it is just recently that she has felt confident to continue without support.  With much praise given by all, especially Oliver, we have found her walking more regularly by the end of the weekend. Clutching her fists tightly up in the air, and with elbows lifted she stiffly shifts her weight from one foot to the other - awaiting a fall but being pleasantly surprised by her inborn abilities. We love to see her take excitement in her own progression.

Although she is very much still a Mamma's girl we have found that to obtain her decent graces (good would be taking a little far) one must acquire and present a multitude of fruit snacks and candy canes.  Which she will then swallow in large quantities and then take possession of your electronic device, most commonly a smart phone.  Although this method has only been confirmed in one case for the space of one hour and a half, we highly suspect that our efforts to repeat this scenario will be met with success - hopefully . . . very hopefully. Especially since date nights only occur three nights a year given our little one's temperament.

Although she is typically undesirous of outside affection we are happy to be the center of her affection. Cause does this girl love to cuddle or what! Sooo many cuddles does this little bug love that this little bug can never love enough (please excuse my sad and sappy attempt at rhyming).  She'll lay her head right under your chin and the span of her outstretched arms just so happens to fit perfectly the width of Mommy. So really, she was made to cuddle. Of course John and I know that our hugging time is limited with Oliver and Cecily before it becomes somewhat embarrassing (reference photo 2).

We are loving the family life! It is wonderfully simple and peaceful - in the best way possible. We are grateful for the family and friends that we have and often contemplate their generosity and love. And we especially hope that we can pay forward a portion of all the many blessings we have received. As the Christmas season allows for a time to reflect on these people, it also reminds me most obviously of my Savior.  Of His comfort, His peace, and of His desire to give us all that He hath. I love my Savior! I often marvel at the impact He has had on so many and wonder how it is so. And I know that the good that occurs happens because of those that choose to follow His example. I see it so often that I cannot deny it. Even more so - I feel it, in my interactions with others. And I most definitely feel it in my interaction with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He truly is the gift and I hope for all to one day feel of His peace.

Photo 1

Oliver's "Bad Guy" face

 

Photo 2

Nascent Embarrassment, series 1 . . . of many more to come.

Photo 3

Missy snuggles was unfortunately sick.

 

Photo 4

"Nascent Sassy-pants", hopefully to not be continued.