Day 28: Just another lazy Monday

Unlike many people, I look forward to Mondays.  They tend to be the most relaxing of my week days as I rarely have any schedule or commitments.  Plus, being the start of a new week, I tend to feel more energized and productive.  Last Monday was particularly low key, as Chloe was still not feeling well and Ryan and I were hard at work potty training.  At one point I noticed the kids playing quietly in the front room.  The sun was shining through the window and it just seemed like the perfect moment to grab the camera.  So I did.

Whew, I made it through all 28 days!  Sure, I fell behind near the end.  But I caught up and finished, and it feels good.  I met my goals of increasing my blogging activity and picking up my camera to snap more of the little things.  It was a great experience and one I hope I can find the time to do again.

Day 27: Sick

Last Sunday morning Chloe woke up with a sudden cough and runny nose.  Luckily she did not have a fever, and other than seeming a little more tired than usual, she was her normal happy self.  I debated about whether to keep her home from church.  I was scheduled to teach young womens and hated to have to make any calls, plus Chloe didn't act as miserable as she sounded, which indicated to me that it wasn't so serious. 

In the end we took it easy and stayed home. 

Here's our girl eating her favorite, chicken noodle soup.  Notice the garland "crown" and the blanket wrapped around her.  Only when we're sick do we allow blankets at the kitchen table.  

Poor girl.  I never dreamed it would drag on for a week, but unfortunately it did.  And, in the process, Chloe was kind enough to share with her brother and two of her little friends.  Here's to hoping for fast recoveries!

Day 26: Well good morning to you!

Here's what I came downstairs to find Saturday morning before last.

 

Cookies and vitamins!  What could be a better way to start off day 26?

Day 24: "I doot!"

"I doot!"  Easily Ryan's most frequently said phrase these days.  Translation?  "I do it!"  Whether it be putting his socks on, walking down the stairs and counting as he goes, applying the gob of toothpaste onto his crusted toothbrush (since he demanded to rinse it out himself the last time he brushed), placing his blankets and toys and pillow and Woody doll and trains and whatever other toy(s) he just can't sleep without onto his bed, screwing the sippy cup lid onto the sippy cup, or selecting his dinner fork, Ryan is becoming ridiculously independent.  Sometimes it's cute.  Sometimes it's not.  Sometimes, as I watch him throw himself onto the floor in a dramatic rage because, heaven forbid, I picked his baseball shirt when he wanted his football shirt, I just want to say, "Get over yourself, kid!  It does not matter!"  But then I remind myself he's 2.

In honor of Ryan's independence, here's my Day 24 capture.

I suppose you could say this picture represents a tired mom who's resorted to diapers after an unsuccessful (and stinky) day of accidents and dirty undies; or, simply, a stubborn boy who demands to do everything himself right down to fastening his diaper.  Either description works. 

On a side note, I'm sorry I sorta disappeared from the blogging world after Day 23.  Neil went out of town last weekend, Chloe got sick, and I've been feeling low.  Yep, that about sums it up.  I did finish out the month, though, and will post day's 25-28 shortly.

Day 23: The blessed pajamas

Ryan is becoming strongly opinionated about things these days.  Particularly, the clothes he wears.  I thought having a boy would relieve me of this challenge, but alas, it has not.  On Wednesday, after 30 minutes of battling nap time, Ryan came downstairs, and with a sheepish grin, held up his favorite pair of jammies, requesting to put them on.  Given the fact that they're his favorite, he's naturally worn them a horrendous number of times.  Now couple that with the fact that he outgrew them 4 months ago, and you can imagine their current state!  If I were smart, I would have hid these away in a tupperware container weeks ago where he couldn't find them.  Although I suppose he would have just found another excuse to prolong the nap process. 

Normally I would have sent Ryan right back up to his room, but by this point I was so desperate for him to sleep that I didn't care to fight it.  "Fine!", I said.  "Put on a pair of pajamas at 2:00 in the afternoon if that's what it's gonna take!"  And so, off came his shirt and jeans and on went the jammies.  And guess what?  That was all it took!  He marched right back to his room, and without another peep, fell fast asleep!

Near the end of his nap time, I headed outside to vacuum my car.  Chloe stayed in until Ryan woke up, and then they both joined me outside, Ryan still sporting the jammies, of course.  I had to giggle, especially at his toes, which hung out of the holes they'd both created in the feet of his jammies.  As I vacuumed, the kids played on the sidewalk with some neighborhood friends, and across the street, 2 neighborhood moms gabbed to one another.  As I'd every so often glance in Ryan's direction to make sure he was being watched by the older kids, it suddenly dawned on me that the 2 moms had probably seen Ryan, had probably noticed he was wearing jammies at 4:30 in the afternoon, that his jammies had holes in the toes, and that the toes were painted with red nail polish.  For a moment a sense of embarrassment came over me.  "How does the sight of my son reflect the kind of mother I am?", I thought.  But just as quickly as the embarrassment fell upon me, it left me, and I realized I didn't care.  At all.  If those moms wanted to assume he'd been in his jammies all day long because I was too lazy to put him in clothes, so be it!  Goodness knows it wouldn't have been the first time that's happened!  And if they wanted to think I was a freak for allowing my son to have painted toe nails, well, they could do that too!  The important thing in all of this is that it really doesn't matter what others think.  I know I take care of my son, and I fulfill his needs.  And sometimes fulfilling his needs means giving him some control.  I hope those moms saw Ryan and chuckled because they could relate.  But if they didn't, that's okay. 

I will have you know that I put those blessed pajamas away today, never to be seen again, unless Ryan has a brother someday. 

Day 21: Feet

They say a photo is worth a thousand words.  Well, if this photo could talk, it would probably mutter a few remarks about a sticky floor beneath the table these two darlings sit at, where a few hours earlier they each enjoyed a popsicle; a whining child who will only eat his hot dog if he can cut it up himself, and who prefers coating his entire hand with salad dressing so he can lick it off only to then whine some more because his hand is now sticky! Meanwhile another whining child "can't" eat all of her hot dog because she just sneezed on it and now, "it has germs."  And let's not forget the feet.  Yes, the feet.  One's got his on the table as he finally gives in and eats his hot dog, while the other's got hers in midair as she stubbornly lays on the chair, refusing to eat the hot dog she just sneezed on.
     

THIS, my friends, represents dinner at our house! 

If Grandpa Butterfield had been our guest, these stinkers would have had butter on their toes long before they finished their dinner, giving them just one more thing to whine about!

Day 20: Pretty purple flowers

I didn't do much with my camera Sunday.  Busy day, as most Sundays are.  When we got home from church and before our friends came over for dinner, I snuck out to the front yard to snap this shot for Day 20's picture.  Looking at it now, the center of the photo is entirely void of flowers.  Oh well.  It works.  

 

It is so bizarre to see flowers in my front yard in February!  I'm used to snow drifts and freezing winds, not blossoms and t-shirt weather!  I do miss Colorado, still, but I will have to say I'm really enjoying the warmth.  I can't wait to play with my camera in the blossoming orchards.  They are looking gorgeous, and I can only imagine what another month will do.

Day 16 (5 days later): Zumba Goddess

My friend, Pam, whom I work with in Young Women and whose family Neil home teaches, recently became certified to instruct Zumba.  In the process she started teaching one class each week at the church so she could "practice" on some of her friends.  I had been wanting to try Zumba for several months so when I learned she was doing this I was overjoyed.  It really is so fun, and she's a natural at it.

Pam recently approached me about doing some pictures for her profile page on Zumba Fitness' site, so last Wednesday we got together for a mini session.

I have really enjoyed getting to know Pam.  She is a warm and giving person, always looking out for others.  It was fun photographing her, and I can't wait to get my Zumba on again soon!

Day 19: Up close and personal

In the midst of playing their newly made up game of "train" (involving the dining room chairs and a little imagination), "helping" me sweep the kitchen floor, eating corn dogs and grapes, and painting toe nails (yes, that includes Ryan's), the kids paused for a few seconds to let me grab this shot.  Sure do love 'em.

Day 18: A bowl of memories

This bowl, while silly, simple and nothing special to look at, holds great value to me.  This bowl, and 3 other bowls like it once resided in my Grandpa and Grandma Halliday's dining room cabinet in their Palo Alto home. 

As far back as I can remember, they had these and I'd eat my breakfast out of one each time I visited.  It's funny how one simple object can bring back a flood of childhood memories, isn't it?  I'm glad I have this bowl to make me smile each morning, and to remind me of the wonderful grandparents I have.

{Day 16 is in the works.  I'll post it tomorrow.}

Day 17: Sportin' Mom's iPod

Chloe thinks she's pretty hot stuff when I let her listen to my iPod shuffle.  Neil even gave her an old pair of headphones, which she wears with pride as she hums through the house blasting my tunes in her ears.  Some of her current faves include: Milkshake's 'ABCs of Me', Jenny Oaks Baker's 'A Child's Prayer', Alanis Morissette's 'Everything' (Radio edit, of course), Priscilla Ahn's 'Dream', Coldplay's 'Life in Technicolor', and Linkin Park's 'Waiting on the End'. 

It's moments like these where my little girl knows and enjoys some of our favorite artists that I realize she's growing up way too fast! 

Day 15: Rough Life

Here's how Mr. Cool occupies himself while sister's at preschool.

Rough life.

Day 14: In a nutshell

Valentine's Day 2011 in a nutshell: 

Got up way too early (6:24am to be exact - thank you, C & R).  Made breakfast: heart shaped pancakes with sliced strawberries and bananas, boysenberry syrup, powdered sugar and whipped cream.

Took the kids to Jo-Ann's to let them pick out fabric for their "Valentine's surprise".  In other words, waited too long to go to Jo-Ann's by myself to pick out their fabric so that it actually would be a surprise.  So to cover up my procrastination, made it appear as though their choosing their own fabric was part of the plan all along.  They didn't know the difference and thought it was great.  Ryan chose trains.  Big surprise.

Came home.  Made lunch: heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup.

Hung these.

Ate some of these.

Kissed Neil.  A lot.  Didn't get a picture of that, sorry.

Fought Ryan on a nap for 1 hour and 45 minutes before finally defeating the stubborn kid.  Sent Chloe outside to play and [hurriedly] sewed the kids' gifts: rice bags.  They are constantly taking mine, and, inevitably fighting over it, which is what gave me the brilliant idea to make them each one of their own.  Now we can all have warm toesies!

Called Chloe in and got Ryan up from his nap. 

Ate our Papa Murphy's heart-shaped pizza for dinner as a family (and forgot to take a picture of it).

Presented the kids' Valentine's gifts to them and smiled watching the pure delight in their eyes.

Had planned on chocolate fondue for dessert but was way too tired (as were the kids) and decided to postpone until tomorrow.  Put happy kids to bed (each wearing their new sunglasses), watched Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother with my honey, wrote this blog post, did not edit any pictures because I was too tired, and will most likely post this tomorrow when I have the energy to get back to said pictures.  Goodnight!

Day 13: {Sweetsmelling} Treats

This is what I gave my young women today at church.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.   ~ Ephesians 5:2

May we remember tomorrow, as we celebrate LOVE, who was and is the greatest example of it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Day 12: Fire truck the ladybug

Neil and Chloe found a ladybug in the backyard today.  Chloe immediately asked if she could keep it and raced into the house to find a mason jar.  When I came downstairs she proudly displayed her new "pet" and announced that his name (since her last "pet" was a girl) would be Fire truck!  That's right.  Fire truck. 

We put some grass in the jar and Fire truck now resides on her dresser.  Highlight of Chloe's day, for sure! 

Day 10: My little Valentine

Today was Chloe's Valentine's party at preschool. 

I went to observe/help/take pictures, and had so much fun watching her interact with her teachers and classmates.  She is such a precocious little thing, and her teachers always have a story to share with me about the latest thing she said or questioned.  Each child had a turn passing out the Valentines they brought for their classmates.  Out of 17 children, Chloe was last in line to get to pass hers out.  A few times, especially near the end, she got pouty and wondered why her turn hadn't rolled around yet.  But just as quickly as she'd frown when yet another name was called, she'd smile when I winked at her from across the room.  And she did get her turn!  I think she enjoyed passing out Valentines more than she enjoyed receiving them!  It's no wonder really.  She's always had a giving heart.  I sure do love my little Valentine girl.

I have more pictures to share from the party, which I'm hoping to post tomorrow.  Goodnight, all!

Day 9: Year 9

Here's what 9 years together looks like.

{photos courtesy of Chloe}

And here are the two best things 9 years together have produced.
{taken this evening just before our first family bike ride in Ripon}

Thank you. 

Day 8: I spy...

I spy with my little eye, 2 mini apple pies topped with freshly whipped cream leftover from FHE.

I spy with my little eye, a certain little boy who got to lick the beaters.

I spy with my little eye, Thomas the Train undies, worn by the same "certain little boy", who got to lick the beaters AND, might I add, who peed in the toilet today for the very first time (as well as on the toilet, on the shower door and on the floor). Triumphant!

I spy with my little eye, 2 laundry baskets...
...containing that same "certain little boy" who got to lick the beaters, who peed in the potty, and who thought it would be fun to hide under said laundry baskets with his sister, who agreed it would be fun and who giggled as I snapped these shots.

Just another glimpse into another day at our house...

Day 7: I think he's ready

Ryan has been showing genuine interest in the toilet for a few weeks now.  Today, on more than one occasion, I found him in the bathroom with no bottoms on.  Upon discovering him the first time, he had just submerged a quarter roll of toilet paper into the toilet and was getting ready to flush.  He warned us before his second trip, yelling, "I potty!  I potty!"  A minute or so after he'd made his run for it, I walked in and found him sitting contently on the seat clenching a wad of toilet paper in his left hand while another decent pile of it graced the floor below him.

Well, I had to get my camera. 

Neil and I are noticing a trend.  Ryan goes in his diaper and then instantly rushes to the bathroom.  He's getting the concept, we're just trying to help him understand the correct order or things: get to the bathroom before you go in your diaper, not after!

After Ryan finished up, we headed to Target to let him pick out some big boy underwear.  He was pretty stoked to see Cars and Toy Story 3 undies, but it was all over once he spotted Thomas the Train.  Hopefully his enthusiasm continues and we start making some progress!  I'll be honest.  The thought of diapers no longer playing a role in my every day life brings me great pleasure. 

Day 6: Ryan Grant and Ryan Grant

I think this photo is appropriate for today's picture post seeing that it's Superbowl Sunday and the Packers were crowned champions!

  

Now I'm no Packers fan.  But here's kind of a fun story, which has given me a soft spot for these guys.  Ryan was born November 9, 2008.  We named him Ryan Grant after Neil's dad, Grant, who passed away when Neil was 6.  Ever since Neil and I were dating, we knew if we ever had a son, Grant would be incorporated into his name.  About 4 hours after Ryan came into this world, another Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers' running back, during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, scored a touchdown.  I still remember calling my brother, David to announce he had a nephew whom we'd named Ryan Grant.  He was watching that very game during our conversation and proceeded to share the coincidence about the NFL player.  As a result of this small coincidence, David got Neil this jersey the following month for Ryan's first Christmas.

So I found it fitting to take this picture today of Neil wearing Ryan Grant's jersey while holding Ryan Grant.

Good game, Packers!  It was a well deserved win!