Friday, September 12, 2008

Favorite Photo Friday

I love every part of this photo: the sibling love, the fun faces they are both making, Jeep's dirty summer feet and the random flashlight!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Two Inches of Independence

Jeeper and I had a quick date yesterday afternoon -- right before his dad and I went on a date for our ninth wedding anniversary. My special time with Jeep was simply a run to our local Fred Meyer for a step stool for our bathroom. We already have a step stool in the bathroom, but one of those little white IKEA ones. When Jeeper stands on it, if he stretches really hard, he can sometimes turn on the hot water. Which means, many times a day, he needs a grown up to help him wash his hands. So after what feels like a million trips to the bathroom, I finally got the brilliant idea to look for a slightly taller step stool.

At the store, Jeep chose a red, folding, "as-seen-on-tv" step stool and he proudly carried it most of the way to the checkout. And I will tell you, those extra two inches have bought us both a whole new world of independence. Now Jeep is able and free to turn on the hot and cold water as well as turn it off. All by himself. So I am free and able not to be there. I love you, sweet independence! At least for today.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Favorite Photo Friday

Happy Ninth Wedding Anniversary today, honey! Thank you for the beautiful flowers. I still can't believe you found the same kind of roses we had in our wedding. You amaze me!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Favorite Photo Friday

"Crazy Hair Day" at Jeeper's preschool. Rock on, my little bub!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Favorite Photo Friday


My dear friend, Bea, had a baby boy just a few weeks after CeCe was born! Here is a shot from their first playdate.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Piggy Bank

For the most part, Jeeper is good at recognizing boundaries. Sure, he negotiates daily and he pushes hard for what he wants when he wants it, but he isn't one of those kids who snatches the decorative items off your mother-in-law's coffee table and he knows to ask for a grown-up's hand before stepping into a parking lot. So he caught me off guard a few months back when he put coins into the CD-player in my car stereo.

He was "playing car" in my car in the garage -- sitting in the parked car (no keys anywhere near for those of you who are questioning my parenting skills) and pretending to drive it. We had gone over the rules a number of times before: no turning on the headlights, honking the horn or playing with the CD-player. Other than that, he could turn the radio dials, flip the windshield wiper lever up and down, push on the hazard light button and imagine he was speeding down the road all he wanted.

As you can imagine, the coins in the CD drive have rendered that part of the stereo inoperable. And neither my husband nor the dealer can get the coins out. Which means that I'll have to replace the stereo system if I want to play CDs ever again. And although I've thought about tapping some of the funds in JP's "Savings" or "Taxes" accounts, for now, I'm opting to rely on the radio. And I must admit I'm enjoying the one small perk of JP's coin adventure -- no children's music! Since all of his music was on CDs, when he demands "kid music" I can calmly remind him that the CD player doesn't work. And when I ask him why, he remorsefully replies, "Because I put money in it." Well, son, how about some good old rock and roll instead?!

Friday, August 01, 2008

Lovesick

Loathers of mush, beware! Excessive adoration below:

I am crazy, madly, punch drunk, head over heels, wildly in love with my kids! Sure, I've got postpartum hormones contributing to the teary-eyed, lump-in-my-throat, shout-from-the-rooftops profession of adoration, but the love is real.


CeCe melts my heart with her little baby sweetness. Her tiny perfect fingers and toes, her fragrant head and soft hair, and how overall she is delicate, soft and warm. I love holding her, cuddling her, changing her, nursing her, rocking her, and just looking at her.

Jeep is my amazing toddler. I am in awe of how he changes daily and delighted with the way he communicates, negotiates and reasons. I think he is undeniably handsome and loads of fun and he is still my cuddle-bug and a perfect combo of ornery and angel.

I'll probably need to come back and read this post after a future power-struggle, tantrum or sassy defiance. But even in the face of parenting's challenges, while the mushy thoughts may fade for a moment, loving these two is the easiest thing I've ever done.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Welcome

Welcome... to any reader who stumbles onto this long-dark blog.

Welcome back... to myself and to writing.

But mostly, welcome to the sweet baby girl born to our family last week!



Here in this "Seattle Sun" space you will be called CeCe - a nickname I chose for you when you were wiggling inside. You are loved and adored by your Daddy, your Mama, your big brother Jeep, and many, many other family members and friends.