The Tenth

Our girl is in the double digits.  On the one hand I can't believe she's already almost a year old but on the other hand I can't believe she was born only last year.  She's just such a part of our family now it's hard to imagine it without her (luckily, since she's not going anywhere).

She had a really fun first Christmas and seemed to quite enjoy everything about it (especially the bottom third of the tree), though she's still getting used to the idea of snow, of which we had a blessed abundance this year.  As predicted, she was pretty interested in wrapping paper, though she also really enjoyed her new toys and books.  She has a hearty appetite these days, when it's something she's interested in, though she sometimes prefers to be held while eating.  She's super active and loves to follow people around and discover them when they've gone to another part of the room or behind a door.  She seems to like it when I sing to her (more than I remember her brother liking it), and she can often be heard giggling heartily or sighing wistfully, which are both completely charming in their own way.  The other day we left her with Mom and Dad while we went to Star Wars and dinner and she was perfectly fine the whole time.  Yay!  It's just nice to know she's okay with being left places for a few hours (though we were quite glad to squish her again when we came back) (thanks as always, by the way, Mom and Dad).

As ever, The Wife's update is here, but here are a few Insta/phonepictures:

Sometimes I just want to stare at them and remember every single little thing.

Fun li'l Santa pile.

Yes, maybe these presents were more for our amusement, but they liked them too.

Just being happy with her new octopus

New fleecy hoodie from Grandma!  I think she likes it.

Baby, what are you doing to me?!?

I guess she wasn't really interested in sitting up any more.

She's such a smooch I can hardly stand it, and even though she's been having an issue or two with sleeping (most of the brunt of which falls on The Wife since it's mostly to do with naps... sorry, Wife), and she is starting to act a little more independent and willful (the dramatic dodges at mealtimes), she is usually pretty easygoing and sweet and funny, and she and The Boy love to talk and play and giggle together.  Sometimes I'm blown away by how beautiful and clever and sweet this girl of ours is.

As a preview for month 11, just last night she kept me up to the wee-ish hours, when she was mostly happy in her second wind but not really interested in sleep, and making it known whenever I tried to put her down, but I was eventually able to sort of trick her into nodding off and then crawled ever so slowly and quietly out of the room before she could protest, but really (though I was tired and a little frustrated at the time) I think she might have been saying "Da!" in that sweet little voice of hers, and she was quite snuggly, and I don't always get these opportunities since most of the time she prefers Mommy, so I guess I better step back and be grateful for it all.  All too soon she'll be where her brother is and we'll be wondering where our baby girl went.

P.S. Again I feel like The Wife needs some props.  It's hard these frigid days to be inside for most of the time, and the cabin fever can start to affect all parties involved, so I'm amazed as always at what she can do, even when it's challenging. :*

We Wish You a Merry... and a Happy... (2015-2016)

Just a quick post with more details about Christmas before I forget them all...

What a wonderful Christmastime was this last!  It was busy and crazy but fun and snowy and all the things that Christmas should be.

:D

We thought this tree looked like a Weasley.  Pigwidgeon it is.  (I will also say that I felt really bad throwing our tree out a couple weeks ago... It stood tall and strong and beautiful without being watered for days on the back patio and even after I put it on the curb.  Well done, Costco.)

Let's make a little list:

I was... recruited to sing with a fun community choir, which ended up being a lot more of a commitment than I expected, but also really enjoyable.  We had a handful of concerts in various venues (Temple Square was fun but a drive, and the AF library atrium is interesting for a chance, and a high school auditorium always brings back memories, though the Alpine Tabernacle is probably the best overall), and it gave me a chance to wear a sparkly bow-tie and cummerbund, so there is that.

 Our family Christmas portraits turned out beautifully and arrived just in time to put on display:

Thanks, Kami!

At work we had a white elephant exchange party, and in true white elephant fashion I found whatever I had on hand (not that I forgot until I arrived at work or anything...), and it turned out my gift was pretty popular and was traded around a few times.

If you think that I just found something in my car and put it in a gift bag... well, you're right, but I also embellished with a couple of wintertime accoutrements.

I didn't end up with this remarkable piece, but it was enough for me to know that it even exists (it's a musical box that plays The Entertainer).

We also had a team building activity building "gingerbread" houses. Mine is a miserable failure, but hey, I went out on a limb and tried to tie it to HP.

Sorry, Hagrid.

Then of course Star Wars was a thing going on, so we went to that eventually (we didn't plan on seeing it right away, but the threat of spoilers grew too great).  This was a Sunday morning art activity, which ended up featuring a certain young Jedi.

Wife, Rey and Baby Jesus.

 For Primary we had our 2nd annual Primary Christmas Concert, where each class takes a turn singing one song in front of the rest of the group and it turned out to be really great.  Some classes went above and beyond in preparing visual aids or learning sign language.

While I was at my Temple Square concert I took a few minutes to walk around and look at the lights in the rain.

 Then it was Christmas Eve and the kids were in bed and Santa was on the way and we realized that we haven't watched this in a while:

And then it was Christmas morning!  It's been interesting with two kids, one getting older and realizing what Christmas morning means, and trying to find a good balance of gift giving, and I really felt great about what we gave and how much.  It's hard because there are soooo many fun things and I feel like I said, "oh, he/she would totally love that" like a hundred times, but in the end they would love quite a lot of things, but that doesn't mean they NEED all the things.  As it is it's been almost a month and he's still not tired on that train or those tools.

We love Santa!  (But we love Jesus more.)

As for us, we treated each other to fun and great things, from literary adaptations (Jonathan Strange!  Far From the Madding Crowd!) to books (art and HP music and AG!) and some great supplies for my cubicle, and some unique touches as well.  That Hogwarts sweater quite becomes our favorite Gryffindor.

I'm kind of thinking he doesn't quite grasp the concept of stockings?  Or maybe he does and we're the ones who don't.

And then I decided I better take an extra day off work to spend the day with these three beloveds:

(The inclusion of the train was a coincidence in the first two, but totally planned in the third.)

We spent plenty of time with family and having the usual fun and foods (fondue) (pullaparrrrts...) (little buffet at home), and webcamming with our family in the Midwest and generally having a nice time, enjoying being home together, and watching the snow fall off and on.

as

My top Instaposts of the year.  Is it surprising that every single one features Poopsie?

New Year's Eve was fun with family goings-on and then, well, watching the ball drop on YouTube at around 10:37 and calling it a night.  Then of course it was time for the annual shave-and-a-haircut, which this year evidently meant going full-on buzzer without even the shortest attachment.  Brr.

Don't be deceived by her puzzled expression, she knew her daddy.

This middle step we like to call the 24601.

This was a really interesting year, from a lot of highs (a certain arrival in mid-March, lots of family visits, actual road trips) to a few lows (lost job, insane societal issues, new sleeping schedules), but we're the four of us standing tall.

I really think it was the merriest Christmas yet, at least for me, and there were many times when I just sat and observed and it was like Christmastime was all brand new again for me, whether sitting back watching my little ones just doing their thing on Christmas morning or learning some new Christmas songs or snuggling with my darling girl.  It's always sad when it's over, but hey, we're already 2/3 through January, right?

Bring it, 2016.

Christmas 2015

It was our merriest yet.  I hope yours was too.

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2015

Every time I told The Boy today that tomorrow is Christmas it's just blown my mind that it's already here.  But here it is, and it feels marvelous.  I'm so glad to have snow on the ground and kids asleep in bed (at last -- their sleeping habits have taken a turn lately, but they were tired enough that they eventually crashed) and to be sitting with The Wife enjoying these deliciouses:

The overtired children are reluctantly nestled all snug in their beds, which means it's time for this. Ah, Jack. It's been too long.

I feel like Christmas has really sneaked up on me this year, even more than it usually does.  It seems like we've been really busy the last few weeks but we've managed to get it all done and have been trying to keep the focus on the reason for the season, especially for our little ones (though of course he somehow has grasped the concept of Santa Claus quickly and handily).  There have been a lot of things lately that have made it even more important to keep Christ in our hearts and minds, and I'm always grateful for a special occasion to bring Him back to the forefront where He belongs.

I took a second (almost literally) after a concert at Temple Square to stop and smell the Christmas.

Last night I finished reading A Christmas Carol and Other Stories (which included The Chimes and The Cricket On the Hearth), and as always it was a great reminder to do the right things for the right reasons.  I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

And now... as soon as this movie is over I'm totally going to take a leaf out of the kiddos' book and crash in my delicious bed.  Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Nine Is Fine

Baby!  She's 3/4 of a year old.  She is getting bigger and smoochier and funnier and showing more personality every day.  It's amazing to be able to see her thinking and processing and learning and making decisions.  (Yes, I remember when this happened with The Boy too, but it seems all fresh and new all over again this time around.)  She's currently a little picky with what she likes (accompanied by very amusing facial expressions), she sleeps great through the night (not so well during naps), and she is definitely up on her hands and knees for crawling purposes (getting more and more independent, which makes me especially glad I finally put that baby gate up).  She's starting to get over stranger danger, at least with aunts and uncles and definitely Nana and Papa, and she seems particularly snuggly lately, especially when she's a bit sleepy.  (This is something I don't seem to recall being the case with The Boy.)  The Wife wrote her update here, and so without further ado here are some Instapictures:

This seems to be more a showcase for BB, but LS looks super cute too, and it seems fairly timely.  Insert joke prompt about Yoda and a Tiger walking into an H&M here.

*melts*

What happened to our tiny helpless baby??

Just practicing her flexibility one morning.

Hanging out with Daddy while Mommy and BB sleep in a little.

Mommy's really liking the dress-over-jeans look these days.

Epic bedhead.  Gorgeous face.

We like our variation of Elf On the Shelf best of all.

We're looking forward to spoiling her on Christmas morning later this week!  (And by spoiling her I mean giving her just a few age-appropriate presents, because let's face it, she'll be much more interested in the wrapping paper than what's inside of it.)  This smoochface!  I can hardly stand it.

Day of Giving Thanks 2015

Something I have noticed lately is that holidays and time off mean a lot more when you actually have to leave your house to go to work, and this year Thanksgiving break was just the thing.  It was so nice to (sleep in and) spend more time with my peeps and eat together and be thankful for each other.

There were various festivities this year.  First, of course we had the T-Gives treatment in Thanksgiving, which was a big hit.  I try to pick songs the kids might not know that well (or at all) totally on purpose, because there are so many songs we just don't get to ever sing.  Not on my watch!

We said if the feathers were all plucked he would get eaten.  Lucky thing, we ran out of time both times.

Next was a fun potluck lunch at work, which was a big success.  Everyone signed up for things and some went above and beyond to make the real deal (I will say that my gravy was worth the wait).  It's fun to work in an office so I can finally participate in these sorts of things that I heretofore had only heard about afterward.  We all ate too much (of course), but we were glad it was two full days before actual Thanksgiving so we wouldn't be burned out, as if.

It was amazing!  A full Thanksgiving spread.

Don't forget the pie!  I can personally attest that at least 2/3 of this was delicious.

Maybe I collected this plate of seconds just to take this picture, and then again, maybe I didn't.

Then came the actual day!  It was bright and clear and cold and very nice.  In years past my sister has organized a Turkey Trot event, but as time has gone by things have been busier or we've opted for other happenings, so when I asked and found out there wasn't anything planned this year, I decided to plan my own!  I like a T-Gives morning run, so even if it ended up being a couple of people or even just myself it would be fun.  Despite the cold, a great group of family (including out-of-towner visitors Emily and the trips!) met at the trailhead and took more or less my usual run along the trail and back.  It ended up being just about 3.5 miles, and Katy (who insists she's not much of a runner) pulled ahead in the end to beat me and Little Miss.  Some walked, some ran, some biked, some went the whole length and some turned around whenever they felt like it, and there were treats and overall I think it was really fun for all.  (Not to mention FREE.)  New tradish?!?  I'll bring the Costco pumpkin streusel muffins again...

Baby's first 5K!

Not a bad turnout!  Thanks for coming, everyone!  Same time, next year?

She's thrilled as you can see.
(And yes, I did just write that on the path with sidewalk chalk, along with the mile markers as I went along.)

Then of course dinner!  I actually took a few pictures this year, amazingly.  Everything tasted delicious and I tried to remember to take a minute to be especially grateful for my kith and kin and foodstuffs.

Interesting groupings!  The Boy loves seeing his cousins, but he especially loves Uncle Matt.

This one is so cute it deserves to be posted all on its own. 

This is just about all The Boy was interested in during Thanksgiving dinner (and of course in a different cup every time).  He will learn.  I put my foot down when it came to the Sprite Zero.

And then we had a quick photoshoot with Cami!

WHAT MY BABIES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND YOU TOO WIFE.

Then to round things out with a churchish bookend, I did a musical number of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and decided to callback to Appleton and rock this nice touch of bling, gifted from some of my dear elder buddies as I was heading home some seven (!!!) years ago.

And that's about it.  It's a very nice season, the one in between Halloween and Christmas.

There's so much to be thankful for.

Two-and-a-Half

Our boy is halfway to another year, and what a half-year it's been!  He's learning so much and speaking in amazing full sentences (sometimes with conjugation or tense!) and counts to ten pretty easily.  He's not too picky about eating, though he always wants to eat some of Baby's puffs.  He does great at Nursery, though the late church schedule is none to his liking, and he always likes to see and meet and play with little people his age (whether he knows them or not).  We introduced him to the Big Boy Bed a few weeks ago, maybe a bit abruptly, but after a few napless days and rough nights he started to figure it out.  The potty hasn't been quite as successful, but we're really not pushing it yet, so as to not force too many big adjustments all at once.  (Don't let's look forward to the day when we have to wean him of the binky...)  But he'll at least sit on it without much fuss, so that's improvement!  He's a bit contrary sometimes, and he can make himself heard quite forcefully (even if he's not actually using words or speaking fluent Whinese), and we've made use the naughty spot on occasion, but overall he's sweet and funny and loves life.  He's getting more and more independent and making his desires known -- what book to read, what shirt(s) to wear, what he wants to do and when he wants to do it.  He loves jumping on the trampoline, which is a story worth telling all its own, and he still loves anything with wheels, he loves being thrown up in the air, in any of its many varieties.  I'm always glad to see his enthusiastic face when I come home at the end of a long day.

Taken on his second birthday.  We love so much how he loves books.

The Wife's first Instapost.  Cool shades.

He loves mowing the lawn with Daddy.

At the now (at present?) playground at the mall while the girls take a shopping break. 

He loves commissioning sidewalk art. And he's a fairly reasonable client.

Who doesn't love a good splash pad?? 

He's really liking the water, and he always loves cousin Jack.

This shot is magical.  Nice one, Wife.

What did I say about that lawnmower??

Sometimes around mid-morning he decides to go night-night in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

He liked the carnival all right, but he was just barely too short to ride the train.  There is something so heartbreaking about this.  He was a good sport about it though.

We participated in a local activity!  There were lots of fun things to do there, including visit these lizards.

  And this hike!  He hiked most of the way all by himself.

You never know what you're going to find in the raingutters of a previously-owned house.  In this case, it was this train car that was an instant favorite (and which, apparently, is worth some amount of money).

Picnic!  It lasted all of maybe ten minutes.  But the important thing is that we had it.

The Bumbo might have been meant for Baby, buuuut...

New stroller!  It's feels a bit like pushing a limousine.

Father's Day surprise!  Doesn't that just say good morning?

These two sillies at bedtime.

Soooo we need to get one of these pronto.

Such a good napper on our way home from Moab.

It took him a few minutes to brave the tunnel but then it was all I could do to get him away when it was time to go home.  I love seeing this boy overcome his fears.

He looks spr srs, but he was really excited to get his face painted at the ward party and talked about it all the next day even as it hung on for dear life.

Hiking with Nana and Papa and the new balance bike!  It's taking a while but he's getting used to it, and he r.  At this rate he'll definitely be riding a real bike at an earlier age than his dear old dad.

When I was little I took a bite out of a cookie and called it a rocking chair.  With this kid it's French toast dinosaurs.

... and occasionally trains made out of any and every food.

Such a good helper for Mommy!  Missing things like this is one thing that makes working away from home that much harder.

Getting some perspective.  He loves to see or drive by the temple and always mentions Angel Moroni.

IIII don't think that's the best way to eat muffin batter.

Squish Mommy!!!

Always a good time at the park, and on this day the lucky kid had the run of the place.

He really was much more into picking blackberries than this picture might seem to suggest.  We also had to go back once we realized he had dropped that car at some point during his picking.

Hey bro.  Cool hat bro.

Hanging out at Daddy's old Timberline stomping grounds during a ward activity.  We should go up the canyon more often, it's just so close.

He really loves the produce from the garden.  Like, meaning they're his friends.

He likes reading to Little Sister.  Look how she loves him!

The best day of his life?!?  (Also our 6th anniversary.)

I didn't intend on giving him my old Pound Puppy quite yet, but once he discovered it he loved it so much I couldn't part him from it.

He really loves riding the pony.  He really does not love getting off the pony.

Finally hanging out at the cooool aquarium.

Future Goonie.

This is what can happen between spring and fall, but the important thing is, do you spy a secret Little Mister?

Again with the helping...

These two buds.

Drinking on the job.

He really likes to act out the actions and expressions from his books.

Why so serious?

Such a nice fat pile of crinkly leaves!

Thank you, H&M, for providing this furry Yoda hat moment.

This is happening, and after just a few days' adjustment, it's happening pretty well!  The toilet is taking a little longer, but at least he doesn't burst into tears when he sits on it anymore.

Those actions!  This is also a faaaavorite book.

Um.

I taught him the ways of the duct tape while working on a project, and eventually the piece I gave him ended up on his chest like a badge of honor.

He doesn't get babysat a lot, but when he does he insists on a bedtime story.  Dad's English accent was a thing of wonder.

This was a long and arduous process, but The Boy finally has his trampoline back (just in time for winter) (which, if it's anything like last winter, will mean plenty of jumping weather).

And on his very 2.5 day, I took him to his first real movie, to see my favorite role and his name twin on the big screen, and we both loved every second.  He laughed and gasped and sat still almost the entire time.  It's so fun to have little outings just the two of us. (Though we missed our girls terribly.)

Well, that was a lot of pictures.  But it has been half a year, and I do tend to like to overpost when it comes to the Insta-pour.

This sweet boy is learning and growing so much.  Sometimes we look over at him and can't believe how tall and big and strong and grown-up he looks.  There are also those times when we have to remember that he's definitely still in many ways our little baby, but he's on his way, and we're loving watching it happen.  I get sad a little bit when I think what kind of world he's growing up in, but we'll do our best and he finds so much joy in simple things that I am grateful for the perspective he provides.  These days he still occasionally happily says it's Halloweentime, but he's looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas too.

See you in six!

P.S.  Blogger, this template is still so awful, especially for uploading/rearranging pictures.  Has this seriously not been updated in ten years??  Just putting it out there.