Wave Hello and Don't Be a Noggish

Selah has started waving! She was doing it sporadically for the last week, but Wednesday at church it was really obvious. It is too cute, she just grins from ear to ear and waves like crazy when you say "Hi!" to her. (Right hand only, by the way!) She also has gotten up her hands and knees, but instead of rocking she just flops her legs out and screams. I'm not sure what about it is making her so angry! She much prefers just sitting up, so she doesn't get much practice with crawling/scooting. She howls when I put her on her tummy, so for the most part I don't fight her. She'll crawl when she's good and ready.

Elianna's new fave phrases are, "I don't font to!" (I don't want to) and "I cahn't do it." ("I can't do it," complete with a British accent.) And if these don't work, if you ask her to do something that she doesn't want to do, she sits down with this exasperated look and says, "I'm just takin' a bwake." (A "break," to the lay person.) This "bwake" will last until she thinks you've forgotten what you asked her to do, which I unfortunately have a tendency to do. She has an amazing vocabulary for her age - which can be both good or bad! One of my favorites was once when Chad was teasing me one day. (Yes, I know it's hard to imagine Chad being annoying.) I was yelling at him to stop and leave me alone, and Elianna puts her hands on her hips and says, "Daddy, top bein' a noggish!" We about died laughing when we figured out she was saying, "Daddy, stop being obnoxious!" (Yes, I'm a mean mom, I use that word a lot.)

Busy Busy Busy

Wow, what a week this has been!!!! We have been running NON-STOP. Here's a quick run-down:

Monday: My parents had a BBQ, and we also had Chad's parents over. The guys played horseshoes, which I briefly attempted. When I realized the neighbors property and pets were in danger, I decided to end my horseshoe tossing career. Chad's family introduced us to croquet, though, which I did like! I felt like a snooty Englishwoman and managed to NOT lose almost every game. (It was close - Eric and I battled fiercely for last place.) My dad made these yummy teriyaki pork burgers with apples, onions, and a grilled pineapple. Dee-lish.

Tuesday: I took Elianna to a park with a structure designed for her age. She completely ignored it and played the entire time on the other structure, which was for 5-12 year-olds. We ran into an old friend/co-worker of mine, and set up a date to meet at a splash park not too far away. Sounds like fun - we can't wait to check it out. (Especially as HOT as it's been - yick.)

Wednesday: We got out early (for us) and visited a friend, Cherie, (and her family) whom I hadn't seen in a year and a half!! Elianna was terrified of their dog at first, but once she warmed up to them all she had a blast. I may start teaching piano again - Chad and I are still mulling this one over... If so, two of Cherie's kids will be taking them from me again. I also have had a few other inquiries, so we shall see...

Thursday: Our weekly playdate with Jen and the munchkins! We all tried to cram into Elianna's infant pool, and I have had to come to the conclusion that she has officially outgrown it! The kids were so crowded they could only stand in it. We've decided that Water Fun Day will be at Jen's house next week. (And I'll have to spring for a bigger kiddie pool.) Oh, and there is nothing more miserable than nursing when it is that blasted hot out. Jen and I were both ready to starve our poor babies - we were dying!

Soooo, needless to say, I am beat!!! And now, I have to prepare for our trip up north to visit G-ma and G-pa!! At least I'll get to relax up there for a bit... maybe. (Depends how awful my kids behave!)

Memorial Day

Our pastor served two tours in Vietnam, but he rarely talks about it. He may mention a story here or there, but for the most part you can tell it is something he does not enjoy reliving. Maybe that is why it made this story so much more poignant.

Why didn't I die in Vietnam? He asked that question, and there was just silence. I served in the Marine Corps. We did our duty, all of us, but some got blown up, some got killed or maimed for life. Why didn't I die in Vietnam? Why did God let me live, while I watched the guy on my right get his arm blown off and the guy on my left's head blew up. We were all doing what we were supposed to be doing, but some never returned, or returned scarred. I asked myself over and over why God chose to let me live, and why he took the next guy. When they were airlifting me out, bullets were whizzing at the helicopter. Some guys were even shot as they were leaving, and I wondered if God had preserved me this long only to die in the helicopter on my way out. I survived the flight, and was so excited to be going home. My son had been born the day after I shipped out, and he was 15 months old before I ever saw him in person. I stepped onto American soil, and there were crowds waiting to meet me. Crowd carrying signs and chanting "Baby Killers!" It took me three days to get a flight home, since they were bumping anyone in uniform first. I refused to take off my uniform. I chose to wait. All I tried to do was my duty, and people treated me like a criminal, a murderer. Let's make sure that doesn't happen again.

That was all he said. By this point in the story, we were all teary-eyed. I'm so glad we have come a long way as a country since the Vietnam War as far as not punishing the military when we disagree with the government. No matter what your viewpoint is on the war or politics in general, let's support the men and women in uniform who are doing their duty. They've sacrificed so much, let's honor them and let them know HOW MUCH we appreciate them!

Creation Museum

This looks really cool - I have read a few of Ken Ham's books and have really enjoyed his work. I also get a laugh out of the opposition (and condescending tone of the journalism) toward the Creationist Scientists. It cracks me up how, even though evolution is the more widely taught and supported, they just can't handle anyone putting forth an alternate opinion. Really, if you're that strong in what you believe, why should you care if someone else makes a museum of what they believe? There was also a video link on the left side, see if you can find it. It was really interesting. I'd love to see this museum!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070526/us_nm/usa_museum_dc

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070520/ts_alt_afp/uspoliticsreligion;_ylt=AiAFa4bFZLcu4K0MAoqA57YXIr0F

EDITED TO ADD: I can't find the video link anymore - Sorry! If I find it, I'll add that link as well.

Family Day Out!!

We had grand ambitions of all the yard work we were going to get done today... but it started drizzling this morning and hadn't let up by 11:00. (It ended up raining all day!!) So, Daddy gets a great idea: "Let's go to the museum!" It was spur of the moment, but we clearly weren't going to get anything done outside at home. So, we got ready, loaded up the car, and took off.
On a funny note, we took a wrong turn on the way there. I'm sure it was coincidence, but when we turned, Elianna (who has only been to this museum once before) started yelling from the back seat, "Toon awound! (Turn around) Toon awound - go back to See-yum! (museum)" A few blocks later, we realized she was right - we had turned the wrong way!! Too funny... and kind of scary if she really knew we were going the wrong way.

Both girls loved the water - we stayed here the longest

Selah really enjoyed the Infant Play Area

EEEWWW - Germs!! (Like she cares.)

Elianna cooking up grub in the kitchen

Time for a snack
Hmmm, if Daddy can do it, so can I!

Anybody there?
Elianna loves making MOO-sit (Music)

A little quiet time looking out the window, pondering the cosmos

Matching Dresses

... while they'll still let me! Aunt Sarah bough them these dresses while I was still preggers, and they looked so cute in them when we went to visit Grandma & Grandpa Smith. (They were also wearing them when we ran to the grocery store, and this little girl in line behind us goes, "Look, Mommy, they're twins!" I had to laugh, since they don't look anything alike other than the dresses!)

Hawaiian (Colombian) Princess

We went shopping for a bathing suit, and initially I had the great idea of letting Elianna pick out her own this year. We walked up to the rack, and I said, "Which one do you like?" She walked around, surveyed her options, then picked up a baby onesie and says, "Awwwww, baby jammies!" Yeah, adorable, but can we focus here? "Let me rephrase the question... which bathing suit do you like?"
Elianna: "La-la no like it. Suits lucky." (lucky = yucky)

Mommy: "They are not yucky. What about this one?" I held up a really cute retro looking bikini, my personal favorite.

Elianna: "It lucky. Awwww, teeny baby jammies!" She pulls off another onesie. (They were on the same rack, just around the corner.)

Mommy: "What about this one with Dora?"

Elianna: "Do-do lucky."

Mommy: "What about Nemo?"

Elianna, "No Nemo. No like suits, it lucky."

Mommy (getting annoyed): "Pick a suit, or we are going home!!"

So, she runs over and picks, literally, the ugliest suit there. It's this cheap, nerdy nautical looking one with loud stripes, polka dots, and this big anchor. She tosses it at me, then runs over and continues pointing out (and carrying around) all the cute baby clothes. I was torn - should I get the hideous one and ruin our pictures for the summer, or interevene and not let her make the decision. I intervened, partly because I couldn't handle that ridiculous thing and partly because she clearly couldn't care less anyway. Then, I noticed the grass skirts. I held that one up and asked her, "What about this one with a grass skirt?" That got her attention. It was big, bright and rustled loudly. "La-la like it!!!" Music to my ears. (I then realized that this was just a TINY taste of what shopping for clothes with two picky girls will be like. I am really in for it!!!) At least this time it ended peacefully, and although neither of us got our first choice we were able to settle on a compromise. We got home, got her lathered up with sunscreen and had our first "water fun day" outside!

I've Got The Scoop!!!

I had to wait to get permission from the concerned parties, but now that I do...

We just got the good news - Sarah and Eric are engaged! Well, to get Dad's official blessing he has stipulated that Eric finish school... but that is a big priority to them. (I guess Eric's mom said the same thing - finish school and get marriage counseling! Those were her main stipulations!) Sarah got her ring back, and now it actually fits. (It was so big at first, it slid right off... not good!)

Anyone who has seen them together knows that they are soul mates - they are so much alike it is scary. (But different enough to get along without killing each other!) I just can't believe all they are in store for, but we are so happy for them. You just wish there was a magic wand you could wave to make it easier for them, but they will have to hit all the bumps and potholes along the way just like everyone else... Let's keep them in our prayers and we wish them all the best!!!

P.S. They are both unhappy with the dorky picture, but it's the only one I have. I'll change it when I get a better one!!

Birth Order Facts

I know we've all heard these, but they are just too funny to pass up. Sadly, I was doing a lot of the "child #3" things already with my first!!!

First Child: You begin wearing your maternity clothes as soon as your doctor confirms the pregnancy.
Second Child: You put off wearing maternity clothes and try to stay in your regular clothes as long as possible.
Third Child: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

Preparing for the birth

First Child: You practice your breathing exercises religiously.
Second Child: You don't bother with the breathing exercises, since they didn't help last time.
Third Child: You request your epidural be administered in your eighth month.

Baby's Layette

First Child: You pre-wash everything in baby detergent, then color-coordinate, fold and organize it all neatly in baby's dresser.
Second Child: You're pretty sure the clothes are clean, and you discard the ones with the really dark stains.
Third Child: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries

First Child: You pick up your child at the first sign of distress, whether a frown or a whimper
Second Child: You pick up your child when the wails might wake up the first child.
Third Child: You teach the older children how to re-start the swing.

Pacifier

First Child: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you pack it away till you can get home and boil it.
Second Child: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with the baby's bottle.
Third Child: If the pacifier falls on the floor, the child will have to wrestle the dog to get it back. To clean it, you wipe it on a clean part of your shirt, if you can find one.

Diapers

First Child: You change the diaper every hour, no matter what.
Second Child: You check the diaper every couple hours and change as needed.
Third Child: You change the diaper when it sags to their knees or people complain about the smell.

Activities

First Child: You take your baby to Infant Gymnastics, Infant Play Group, and Infant Story Time
Second Child: You take your baby to an occasional Playgroup
Third Child: You only take your infant with you out of the house when you absolutely have to.

Time Away

First Child: The first time you leave the baby, you call to check on them at least five times.
Second Child: You remember to jot down your cell number on your way out the door.
Third Child: Your instructions are explicit - Call only if there is blood.

At Home With Baby

First Child: You spend a good part of your day playing with, and gazing lovingly at, your baby.
Second Child: You spend a good part of your day making sure the older child doesn't pinch, poke, hit or in some way terrify the younger child.
Third Child: You spend at least a small part of your day hiding from your children.

When Your Child Swallows Coins

First Child: You take them to the ER and demand X-rays.
Second Child: You carefully watch for the coins to pass.
Third Child: You deduct it from their allowance

Singing Cups and Noosing Babies

Daddy and Elianna were playing when she was overcome with thirst. She grabbed her sippy and started chugging. She drank so long and hard, the pressure didn't have time to equalize. So when she set the cup down, it made this whistling sound. She looked at the cup, looked at Chad and laughed her "old man" laugh that sounds like, "huh-huh, huh-huh" and said, "La-la's cup is singing!" She's such a goof!

Later when she and Selah were playing on the floor, Selah was getting kind of whimpery and whiny. I sat down next to Selah and asked, "What's wrong, Sweetie? Why are you sad?" Elianna looked at me with a sigh and said, "Mommy, Sissy just wanna noose!" (Noose=Nurse) Her expression said it all, like, "Duh, Mom what else does she ever want!"