Thankful

I'm jumping on the bandwagon here and doing a Thankful Thanksgiving post. :)

Ben and I had a long and interesting conversation after watching Harry Potter a few nights ago about things that we've grown up with and take for granted.  Who could've imagined that something like Harry Potter would be such a big deal to so many people?  That was how the conversation started. 

We got talking about our parents' and grandparents' generations and how it was, I'm sure, just unfathomable to think of a portable phone.  Even a cordless phone that connected to a landline.  I'm sure the idea of a cellular telephone that fit in your pocket so you could dial anyone at any time with push-buttons instead of a rotary wheel just didn't seem possible.  Not only impossible, but no way could it even be affordable.  Now, even elementary school children carry phones in their pockets. 

Now we laugh at a pocket-sized phone that could merely call someone.

The newest technology in the medical world that Ben was telling me about is an app that lets you do an ultrasound with your iTouch.  (WHAT!?!?)  My mind was absolutely blown.  You hold an almost paper-thin device on someone's abdomen and you can see inside of them.  You can connect a little strip of paper through a USB port to your paper-thin amazing pocket-sized supercomputer and test yourself for an STD.  (Granted, I won't be needing this technology, but cool nonetheless.)

My Grandpa Johnson was a computer programmer back in the 70's.  I jokingly told Ben that they probably carved computer code out of stone using a hammer and chisel.  I wonder what he would think of technology now-a-days.

We were laughing about the fact that when we got in the car to move out to Ohio that we didn't even have a map.  We were completely paralyzed without our GPS.  And the fact that we were moving to some place far, far away from home didn't mean we would never see our families again.  We can call them anytime we want.  We can SEE them via Skype.  We can e-mail.  They can read our blog.  We can chat, live, through Facebook.  Heck, we could even write them a letter.  That's the way earlier generations could talk to each other.  They couldn't even call very often because it was so expensive to call long distance.  It was a big deal.  I don't know what I would do if I couldn't call my mom every day.

And then there's the Internet.  I remember the first time I had to use it.  I was terrified.  I was probably in 3rd or 4th grade and I was at the library needing to do research for a project.  My teacher had said that we could only use one Internet source because the information was so unreliable.  I was so scared to type in a search option and had no idea how I would ever find my way back.  The discovery of the "Home" button made me feel so much better.  Do you remember how carefully you had to phrase your search options?  Now you can type in a whole muddled sentence and the computer gives you suggestions on what you are probably looking for.  You can connect to the Internet from practically anywhere.  And we are so quick to get impatient when we can't instantly find what we're looking for.  Heaven forbid we patiently read something in its entirety instead of scanning for a bulleted list of quick, abbreviated snippets of information that will get us by.

There's so much more I could mention, and I hate to sound like Kip on Napoleon Dynamite ("But I still love technology...") but this YouTube video is part of what sparked my train of thought.

There Were Ten in the Bed...

This is what our Saturday mornings look like.  We have a bed full o' kids.  Cute, jammy-wearing, cozy kids.  I love it.

And this is what our Saturday nights look like.  Nights where Ben is gone either to the hospital (or, in this case, Menrichment), we have to think up fun things like Choo-choo laundry basket rides.

See if you can see the progression of sneaky big brother carrying out his brilliant idea.

Sideways smile with truck in hand.  Never a good thing for a little sister.

Driving said truck gently on sister's head while guiltily looking at Mom to see what will happen.

Throwing caution to the wind and full on driving it wherever because consequences don't matter with something this brilliant.  And besides, sister can't fight back yet.  But she will.  Oh, she will.

'Struction Job

 A long while back Ben was way excited to have a little boy, so he bought him these construction toys on clearance at Target.  Me, being an elementary teacher (and mom), and therefore an expert on child development, insisted that the toys be kept in storage until he got older and the toys became more age-appropriate.  I could picture the nightmare of shrieking and frustration that would ensue.  And Emerson probably would've been rather perplexed with the workings of the remote-control crane as well.

So on Veteran's Day, Ben was cleaning out the garage and found these little beauties.  I was inside caring for Girl when I peeked out and saw Ben sitting on the sidewalk leading to our garage with E, surrounded by these trucks.  He shortly came inside exclaiming, "Mommy!  Look at my 'struction job!"  I loved watching Ben watch E play with these.  He told me it warmed his little heart to see E playing in the dirt with his trucks.  Perhaps a happy memory from his own childhood?  I think so. :)

It's provided a little variation around here since we're all about trains all the time.  Luckily it hasn't replaced trains though, because I think I would actually cry if that happened.  I'm serious.  Trains are just a part of my little boy's identity.  He wouldn't be Emerson if he didn't love trains.

It is awfully cute to hear him ask "You pay 'struction job Mommy, pease?"

This boy loves examining the wheels

This is an action shot of him doing what he calls "hoouh-ing" the guys.  That's the sound he makes as he pummels them with the little plastic log.  Hilarious to a 2-year-old.

He even let Sammi play.  I had to take this away eventually though because she kept smacking herself in the forehead as she tried to suck on her hands.  I was worried she was going to poke her eye out.  At least it wasn't a fork, because we don't have any corks around.  (Name that movie.)

Sibs

 I love the few seconds every day that Emerson acknowledges Sammi and exclaims something along the lines of, "Oh! Bebe Sisser so cute!  Ook at her!"  Can you feel the love?

Can't blame him for mauling her.  I love to do it too.

Girl

Maybe we're weird, but we tend to call Sammi "Girl" a lot.  We do it in a singsong voice though, with loving stares and lots of kisses.  So don't think of it as being impersonal and/or generic.  She's doing so well holding up that noggin with her little toothpick neck that I thought I should document it.  That, and the big round baby blues.

 Did I mention she loves to suck on her hands?  No binky for this one.  Just like her brother.

If I had mad photography skills and/or a better camera, I might not have this bleached-out too close shot.  But I kind of like the wet-piggy-nose-threatening-to-touch-the-camera shot.

She's a little unsure.  

(P.S. Does anyone else get freaked out by the similarities in pictures of their children?  I feel like I have constant deja vu of pictures I've taken of Emerson.)

Why?

Why do spaghettios smell like vomit?

Why do I always worry I've offended someone?

Why am I not better about exercising?

Why do I have such a sweet tooth?

Why do I love kissing the cheeks off of Sammi?

Why do I laugh at most everything that Emerson says?

Why can I not shower until 1:00 p.m. on the days that I DO exercise?

Why am I sometimes crabby for no good reason?

Why do we always buy too much crap at Sam's Club?

Why don't we play soccer more often?

Why am I not a better wife and mother?

Why do I stay up so late?

Why can't I ever get all the laundry done and folded on the same day?

Why can't we live closer to family?

Why am I not a better listener?

Why can't the weather stay this perfect all year round?

Why do the kids and me have to be sick?

Why can't I give people the benefit of the doubt?

Why are people so weird?

Why do people assume I've just been blessed with good sleepers when I've taught them to be that way?

Why is it wrong to take credit for that?

Why can't people tell their kids no sometimes?

Why do I take so many things for granted?

Why does Ben put up with me?

Just a few thoughts rolling around in my head this second.

My Little Sillies

Even when we have hard days, these kids make me laugh.

Oh Emerson, how I love you and the silly things you say.  I love that you:

-Get so excited for "spaghios" for lunch when we occasionally have them
-Think everything has a crust, which you refuse to eat.  This goes for apples, string cheese, sandwiches, and crackers.
-Use your imagination so much.  The other morning you told me there was a giant robot outside the door.  There wasn't though. :) 
 -Also think every noise in the house is a ghost. Not sure where you got that from.
-Are very concerned for others' feelings.  When I was feeling sick the other day you were so sympathetic and sat by me and asked where I was hurting.
-Yell "MOMMY!  IT'S CHUGGINGTON!" everytime your favorite show comes on, and you won't stop until I acknowledge that it is, indeed, Chuggington.
-Laugh and laugh when "Bebe sisser" smiles at you.
-Love to hold "Bebe sisser's" hand while I'm getting you dressed in the morning and think you're so funny when you shake her hand and say "Nice to meet you bebe sisser!"
-Say "Goodnight Mommy, tomorrow do something fun?  See tractors, and bulldozers, and cars, and TRUCKS!"  every night as we're putting you to bed.  Then, right as I'm about the close the door, you say "No getting up, no getting out" in a singsong voice.
-Sing "Popa-ar" for me.  Or any other song.
-Will randomly say "Mommy, I ove you."
-Still can't say your Ls, and it's cute.
-Get so excited for friends to come over and ask where they are when you wake up.
-Ask to show Grandma and Grandpa J your shiny teeth after you've brushed them.
-Tidy up your bath toys at the end of your bath without being asked.
-Always ask to be held by saying "Hold you, Mommy."  Usually stroking of Beah's nose and thumb-sucking ensues either while you're asking to be held to directly thereafter.
-Have "What's Wrong, Little Pookie?" memorized, and must have it read to you every night.
-Get so nervous about new pieces in your wardrobe.  We went shopping for a coat a few days ago and you saw it at our house later and said "No Mommy, don't want the red coat anymore!  I won't wear it." Ha, that's what you said about your sleepers and now you're inseparable!  Just you wait.
-Greet me with a hearty "Good morning Mommy!" when I come and get you from your room in the morning.
-Call peas "soccer balls" and broccoli "ittle trees" and eat them when we call you a dinosaur.
-Can make a train track out of anything; including stubby, rounded woodchips at the playground.  Just stack them crosswise and you're good to go.
-Can't not smile when I say "Don't smile!  Don't smile!"  Grandma J used to do that to me and I hated it when I was trying so hard to remain crabby.  But it works.
-Brighten my day even when you act like a little stinker.  But that's no excuse for acting like a stinker.

And Sammi, my sweet little girl.  I love that you:

-Are already Mommy's accomplice in teasing your older brother.
-Are such a good sleeper
-Greet me with face-splitting smiles in the morning
-Smell so good
-Refrain from blowing out too often
-Are so content most of the time
-Let me kiss and kiss those cheeks, hands, and feet
-Are working so hard to grow your eyelashes and hair
-Are trying to not grow the rest of you too fast since I want you to stay little pretty much forever.
-Like to suck on the crook of your arm or lick your blanket when you go down for a nap or bedtime.

 -Don't complain when I force you to be my little fashionista.

-Have jeans with an inseam of like 4 inches
-Have the cutest laugh ever
-Are just such an all-around sweetheart

I love these two kids to pieces!  The glimpses I get of them being buddies now makes me excited for when they're past the bickering stage and can be good friends to each other.

Spooky Dinner...A Look Back

This year we did our spooky Halloween dinner again with the Richards and the Wrights.  It's amazing how the group has expanded with everyone's childbearing. :)

2008

Rocky, Joni, Ben, Candice (Taylee in highchair behind Candice), and Mike, (Emerson upstairs asleep)

 2009

Taylee, Mike, Candice, Mathis (3 months old)

 Joni, (James in utero), and Rocky

 Ben and E, (Sammi not even a thought yet)

2010

Mathis (15 mos.), James (7 mos.), Taylee, (3 yrs.), Sammi (3 mos.), Emerson (2 yrs.), Candice, Mike, Ben, Rocky, Joni

And we've gotten a little more festive with the table decorations along the way. Yay.

Trick-or-Treat

This little sweetie is a bit picky about what kinds of treats she likes.  Milk, or...milk.  But she's all dressed up to support her brother from the comfort of her stroller anyway.

 We went around with the Richards and the Despains (not pictured...sorry guys!)

Mathis (Peter Pan), Taylee (Tinkerbell), E (Thomas), Sammi (OSU cheerleader)

 It was pretty chilly, but at least it didn't snow or rain like I heard it did in Utah.

 E was pro at saying "Trick or treat!" this year.  And he always ended with a "Thank you!  Happy-happy Halloween!"

 So proud of his treats :)

 One house went all out and decorated their front yard.  Guess who was nervous? (I'll give you a hint...it wasn't Ben.)

 Happy-happy Halloween from all of us!

First Prayer

Tonight E said his first complete prayer all on his own.  It was adorable.

'"Fadder, s'day, 'ank you blessings, 'ank you mommy and daddy, cry, amen."

Translation:  Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, thank you for our blessings, thank you for mommy and daddy, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

More Halloween Festivities

I found some cute ideas for silly Halloween-type dishes that I wanted to try, so we had a somewhat festive dinner the other night.  I made some cute little mashed-potato ghosts with black beans for eyes and pumpkins which are sun-dried tomato tortillas with some cream cheese spread on them and rolled up with a sprig of parsley stuck on top.  We also had little pizza pockets that were supposed to have little Halloween shapes painted on top with egg white, but I was too lazy to actually paint the shapes.

I wasn't sure what E would think, but I didn't really consider the reaction that occurred.  He just stared in horror at his mashed-potato ghost and started weeping and saying he was nervous.  He then requested that I "t-round the ghost" (turn around the ghost).  I showed him it was just pretend and that we could smash him and eat him, but he would not rest until I removed the eyes.

 I'm a bad mom.  I should've not been taking pictures but it was kind of funny.

 Then he really didn't like when there was a whole pizza pan full of ghosts staring at him so he said "Mommy, pease t-round the ghosts, oh pease."  So I did, but then periodically through dinner I would swivel the plate around...just to see if he would notice.  And he did.  Like I said, bad mom.  I like to torment my children.

 Later festivities included pumpkin carving.  E wanted a knife with all his young boy heart, but I wouldn't allow it.  He got a blunt-edged scooper instead.  I guess I'm not a completely terrible mother.

 We asked him to hold on really tight to baby Sammi for the picture, and this is what he did: 

"Look ma, no hands!"  (He didn't say that, but his expression is screaming it.)

 Then he decided to cooperate and be a nice big brother.

Boo at the Zoo

We had fond memories from last year's "Boo at the Zoo" and were excited to go again this year.  The difference this year was the CROWDS!  I remember it being really cold last year so I guess that explains why no one but us was there.  I'm sure we were crazy for going out last year, but the weather was just too nice this year.  We had to get in a practice round with this little guy and his costume that makes him "kinda nervous".  We did a practice trick-or-treat with him at home with one, yes one piece of candy and he was sold.  Thrilled to wear the costume.

His face looks a lot like Thomas, doesn't it?

 Here are the kiddos in the double-wide ready for fun.  Sammi is an OSU cheerleader.

 Um....Ben?  You're not supposed to feed the animals

 I guess this little fella needed a pick-me-up to keep his energy going

E was oblivious to the fact that when all the little kids were screaming "Thomas!  It's Thomas!" that they were talking about him.  But he spotted other kids in their costume and talked about them and was excited to see another kid dressed as Thomas.  I guess the dress-up-and-assume-a-role stage of development doesn't come until later for boys?  Whenever we call him Thomas or another affectionate name like "pookie" (from one of his favorite books) he says "No Mommy! e-MER-son."  I guess he just knows who he is.

Big Boy Bed

It happened.  The stinker learned how to climb out of his crib.  The first time happened probably 3 months ago.  I heard an unusual rustling and thumping but thought it was probably just E dropping his trains out of his crib.  I was surprised to find a boy behind the door as I opened it.  I told him he couldn't climb out of his crib, and it kept him there until about a week before our trip to Utah.  Then it happened twice more and we decided to switch him to a big boy bed when we returned home. 

How is it going?  Well, we've have a few rough rounds, but he's slowly learning that he isn't supposed to get out of his bed.  I was breathing a sigh of relief that he didn't know how to open his bedroom door...until it happened the third night he was in his big boy bed.  Sigh...I almost cried.  But after a stern talking to, he no longer opens his door.  We had to laugh just a little the first and second time it happened as he guiltily slinked into our bedroom in the morning.  But it's not funny when it's happening during what is supposed to be kid-free evening time.  Sacred time. 

The first two nights I think he was too nervous to even entertain the idea that he could get out.  He told me "Mommy, I'm kinda nervous in my bed.  Hold you."  So I held him for a few minutes and then he was okay as long as "Pooh Beah" was clutched tightly under his arm.  The first morning when I went to get him, I found 3 books hidden under his sheets.  One of them was the People Who Love Me book that my mom gave him with all of their pictures in it.  I don't know why, but I thought that was adorable.  Especially knowing that he was a little nervous about being in a big bed.  So maybe he did quietly sneak out of bed, but maybe he carefully reached over to the bookshelf without getting out.  I turned a blind eye to the fact that he was reading books when he was supposed to be sleeping, but when I could hear him rustling around until 3 or 4 hours after his bedtime, I decided I couldn't ignore it any longer.  So I took a tip from my mom and Supernanny, and when I heard him the first time I went in and said "No Emerson, it's bedtime.  You need to stay in your bed and go to sleep."  And every time I heard him after that I went in, and without saying anything, put him back in his bed.  And you know what?  It worked!  When I put him to bed tonight I said "Goodnight Emerson.  Be a good boy and go to sleep."  And he said "And stay in my bed" in a singsong voice. :)

The thing I was really worried about was naps, but fortunately they've been going well.  I hope I didn't just jinx myself.  My kids are both good nappers, and it is going to stay that way, dang it.

Of course my camera battery was dead, so I had to charge it and take a picture the morning AFTER the first big night in bed.  And don't worry, that girly bedspread isn't staying...it's just the one that was on the guest bed that is now Emerson's bed.  He's so pleased with himself.

 And the fact that E moved into a big boy bed means that Sammi gets a big girl crib!  No more pack 'n' play for her!  (Except for naps.  I separate them for naps so they don't wake each other up, even though their naps do overlap.)

 Such a happy girl in the morning!

 He was so zonked for his nap the first day, maybe because he stayed up reading!?  I finally had to go wake him up so bedtime wouldn't get screwed up.

Next animal to tackle...POTTY TRAINING.  Not scheduled until January when we're done traveling for awhile.