Because you deserve it...

Last Thursday was a long day.  In fact, there wasn't a person I talked to that had a spectacular Thursday.  We did have a play date with a favorite friend that morning, but that was the highlight of the day.  It was just a blah day.  No one thing really stands out as being awful... well except when Alec pushed Lyssa off the folding chair onto the hard wood floor and the chair fell on top of her... yikes.  It was kind of cold, kind of gloomy, and my kids were cranky/bordering on toxic midget status.  

By the end of the day I felt grouchy at my crabby kids, and grouchy at myself as my patience grew thinner and thinner.  Nick, my eternal optimist, came home chipper as ever and let me pour out most of my frustrations (those pertaining to myself, my lack of parenting skills, as well as the kiddos).  I knew what I needed to do.  I knew the next day would be better, but as I turned off the lights and curled up under the covers I truly was in a glum state.  

The next day, Friday (Oh, my beloved Friday... how I look forward to your weekly arrival!), Nick came home from work with these for me.......pastries for snacking while vegetating to the latest episode of LOST, and a sweet smelling rose "just because you deserve it".  I must admit that a good night sleep and a nice workout at the gym made the world seem a lot brighter Friday morning, but this was the icing on the cake that was my day. 

Sometimes it's nice just to have someone acknowledge that what you do everyday (day in and day out) matters and can be extremely challenging and emotionally taxing. 

Sometimes it's nice to get flowers and a treat because "you deserve it."   

Music Night

That's right. For Family Night we had a music night.  I would love to tell you that we do this every week, or every month, but that would be a lie.  Instead I'll just tell you about how much fun we had and maybe that will prompt us to do this again someday soon. 

Alec and I jammed on the piano.  I love it when  I sit down to try and plunk out hymns made easy or some random primary song, only to have a bambino climb on up with me.  We rock out together, and honestly sometimes I think I sound better with a little munchkin help.  Hopefully my kids will surpass their parents piano skills in the coming years.  We'll see.
Then Nick was kindly prompted to pull out the old saxophone.  This brought many an inquisitive eye.  In the words of Alec "Wow!  What's that Daddy?  Can I hold it?"Side note: Isn't it fun to have your kids think you're SOOOO cool?!  I don't look forward to that downer day when they change their minds and decided that we're just weird.  

Lyssa jammed out, dancing and rocking around to the music.  What a cutie, no?  She kind of reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in "Funny Face" when she decided to "express herself" with modern dance all over the cafe.  Side Note: Didn't they use the "express myself" scene in a Gap ad a few years back?  Oh, I do enjoy that movie, Funny Face.... we'll I enjoyed everything except the musical number with Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson at the professors house.  That one I can miss to go pop more popcorn, but the rest leaves me saying things like "Nick, don't you wish we lived in a musical where we could just break out in song and dance in the street and strangers would join in instead of looking at us like we're crazy?"  He laughed at me and didn't say anything.  Just the thought of it reminded me of the Leaping Boy at BYU (remember Alli?).  Oh that Leaping Boy.  I wonder where he is now... oh dear, I'm so sorry... back to music night...
After multiple requests Nick let Alec have a go at the Saxophone.  I love this picture because he looks like a miniature Einstein trying to conquer an instrument that is way beyond normal 2 year old ability and almost his same weight and size.  
Alec tried and tried to get the saxophone to make noise, but he just wasn't having any luck.  Then I showed him how to breath in really deep and breath out really fast.  It took a lot of air (and as you can see concentration), but that little boy made some music!  
What good times we had together.  I think we should do this more often.  Maybe we will.  Maybe we won't.  Maybe Nick will start serenading me with the saxophone again... or maybe those days are gone.  Either way I'll always smile when I hear "Moon River".  

Crafty Chrissy and A Few of My Favorite Things...

Look what I made!  Cute matching hooded towels for my babes.  Oh, they are so loved.  And I had fun feeling crafty... and they were under half the price of the hooded towels at Target.  :-)

Part of my money saving beauty is found in the fact that the ribbons on Lyssa's yellow towel were things I already had at home.  In fact they were ribbons from wedding and baby gifts.  Way to recycle, no?  I stumbled upon Alec's ribbon at Wal-mart (yes, I sold my soul at Wal-mart, but you can't beat their prices) and was so excited about the "matching factor."  I couldn't resist.  So yes, I got crafty and had fun making a match.

And now on to a few of my NEW FAVORITE THINGS....  

Two words for you.... Dried Mango.  I didn't think I liked dried fruit.  Then I was introduced to dried mango.  In the words of Tiffany "Dried Mango this is Chrissy.  Chrissy this is Dried Mango."  Since then we haven't been apart for more than a few hours (except for sleeping of course).  I love it.  I can't get enough of it.  It makes the cloudy gloomy -4 degree days a little bit sunny... and yummy.

And then there is my love affair with flavored popcorn, specifically Lime and Salt, Salt and Cracked Pepper, and Garden Herb and Olive Oil popcorn.  In a 100 calorie pack, I eat this stuff almost every day.  The Lime and Salt adds a little fruiting yumminess that still fits with popcorn. Nick said it reminds him of Trixs cereal.  I still like it anyway.  The Salt and Pepper, well that one "had me at hello."  The Garden Herb and Olive Oil?  Think Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread. Almost tastes like the same thing but has a lot less calories.  

Oh, and this little one is another one of my favorite things.  Who couldn't love those eyes, that smile.  I sure do.

The World Needs...

... less talk about the failing economy, unemployment rates, and international warfare....

and more sharing jokes...

hugs...

belly laughs...

high fives...

and good friends to brighten your day.

(Robyn I have more to send your way soon!)

Stats and such...

My babies are growing up... fast.  Every day they become a little bit more toddler and less and less baby.  In fact, they both just had birthdays, along with the obligatory well-baby check up at the doctors office.  There they were measured, weighed, poked, prodded, and given shots.  Yuck.  Today I thought I would do a  classic mommy blogger post, doing a little run down examining their changes over the last year.

Alec at Age 2

Height: 34 1/2 inches (50%)

Weight: 27 lbs 14.5 oz (50%)

Head Cir.: They stop measuring this at age 2 because it supposed to slows down significantly... The little man wears 3T/4T hats.

Elyssa at Age 1

Height: 29 inches (50%)

Weight: 20 lbs. 3 oz. (35%)

Head Cir.: 17 1/2 (35%) 

For posterity's sake, I'm going to go off on a tangent about all things Alec and Lyssa.  Feel free to sign out any time...

Things about Alec:

• He's becoming very inquisitive.  Every night he asks me "Where did the sun go?  Is it sleeping?  Where is the moon?"
• He still loves to read books, and will now pretend to read books out loud to himself or to Lyssa.  Everything is "by Dr. Seuss" or "by P.D. Eastman."  
• Alec still loves to cuddle up with his mommy in a chair, and loves it when we sing to him.
• Though Alec will never sing in nursery or for a big audience, he sings all the songs from nursery (plus the ones I sing at home) all the time when he thinks no one is listening.
• Alec can make little jumps when not holding on to anything, though he still prefers to just jump in his crib while holding on to the rails.  
• Alec can climb into his crib, but not out of his crib.  We aren't planning on teaching him that skill any time soon.
• Alec LOVES vehicles of any kind, and knows all about four wheelers, motorcycles, tractors,cars, trucks, bikes, airplanes, boats, etc.  In fact, he can identify a dump truck, or a cement mixer, or a front loader, or a combine, or an 18 wheeler, etc.  
• Alec LOVES Lightening McQueen and pretty much anything Cars themed...
• Alec loves his mini-cooper car and calls it "maggie". 
• Alec can't go to bed at night without saying good night to his baby sister, Lyssa, and giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek. 
• He loves to brush his teeth, and loves to read scripture stories... in fact, he asks for them every night, reminding me that we need to read.
• Alec remembers people and will frequently inquires on their whereabouts (even when we're half way around the world).  "Mommy, where is Gavin?"  "Mommy where is Nora?"  "Mommy, where is Carter?  Remember when I played games with Carter?"  Funny kid.
• Alec still loves his Daddy and wants to be just like him.
• Alec has a best friend that he is always excited to see and who makes him laugh like no one else... Good ole' Harrison.
• Alec refuses to eat bread of any kind or meat that he can see.  He still eats all beans and most vegetables without trouble, and loves fruit of almost any kind.
• When Alec feels the need to throw a fit sometimes we put him in his room and tell him not to come out until he's done.  He'll scream and cry, calm down and then come out of his room and say "I'm all done now."  
• Sometimes when Alec is crying he'll go put himself in his room and stay their until he's ready to be done.
• Currently Alec is suffering from the worst bout of separation anxiety he's ever had, and will run at the baby gate at the YMCA full force trying to get to me.  He has run full force at the door during Brighter Beginnings as well.  We're hoping he grows out of this behavior soon.
• Often as soon as I come back Alec says "Mommy, I need to hold you!" and then will proceed to tell me "I was crying.  I was crying at the nursery because I was mad and very sad."  At least he can tell me, right?
• Alec is very good at using his words with friends and will say "No!  Don't do that" or "No! I want that."  Unfortunately with his sister he has no qualms about using brute force.
• Alec sleeps 12 to 13 hours almost every night, and usually takes a 2 hour nap every afternoon.  I LOVE that I have a good sleeper. 
• Alec loves all hats, cool hair, and super hero capes and theme songs. 

Things about Lyssa:

• She loves her Daddy more than anything.  She smiles at him and melts into his chest when she hugs him.
• Lyssa crawls all over the place and pulls herself up on almost everything. 
• Lyssa will walk along furniture or with support.
• In some ways Lyssa has no fear, and will try to nose dive off the slides, stairs, or couch.  This is one of the many reasons we spend a lot of time at the padded mall play areas.  
• This little girl may not have been read to constantly as a baby, but she LOVES books and practically demands that you read her a few board books before bed every night.  
• We frequently find Lyssa pulling all the books off the shelves only to sit down and look at each of them for an hour or two.
• Lyssa loves her brother (most of the time) and wants to do everything he does, and play with everything he touches.  
• Lyssa loves her monkey and can now make a monkey noise almost as well as she bleats like a sheep.
• Lyssa makes a better car engine sounds than she makes any animal sound.  
• This little lady loves be told she's pretty.
• Lyssa finally has enough hair to put up in a little clip, and though she doesn't care of the process, she doesn't mess with her clip once it's in place.  She will not wear hats or headbands for anything.
• A few of Lyssa's words are "Mammmmma" (usually when she's crying) "Daddeeey!" (when she's happy or smiling), and "I gaaiit!" (translation I got it, used when she's excited about getting something), and "awdun" (rarely used, but occasionally accompanies the sign for finished).
• Lyssa can throw a class act fit, bending in half touching her nose to the ground to add dramatic effect.  She's very drama drama these days.
• Lyssa too has horrible separation anxiety right now and often cries if Nick or I am not in arms length. There is only one person that she will consistently let hold and comfort her, my dear friend Robyn.  
• Lyssa sleeps 12-13 hours a night, and will nap 3 to 4 hours a day.  Hallelujah for good sleepers, eh?
• Little Lyssa Lou babbles and talks to herself all the time.  Sometimes we have great conversation about nothing.
• My sweet baby girl does not like to be cuddled much anymore, and will push her way to freedom if necessary.
• She loves to turn light switches off and on.  
• Lyssa smiles and lights up for the camera almost every time she sees it.
• Lyssa has two tiny little teeth and is currently working on pushing through a few more... ouch. 
• Despite the fact that Alec beats her up, pushes her, and steals her toys right out of her hand, Lyssa loves her brother more than anything.

I love my miracle babies.

Putting 40 Degree Weather to Good Use

Thursday it was a balmy 40 degrees outside so we decided to bundle up and head for the outdoors.  Even though Nick had class that day, he came home from work an hour early to play with kiddos outside before heading off to school. 

4 o'clock lighting outside is beautiful!  Lyssa didn't mind the snow so much at first.  She was so happy to be outside that she didn't mind the cold.

Alec knows all about the wet and cold, but still enjoys being outside, making big snowballs, running across the yard, and climbing up the snow covered slide. 

Nick and Alec made a snow man together.  Lyssa thought it was so cool to be the snowman's head... yes, that is Nick crouched down holding on to her from behind. 

Alec thought sitting on the snowman looked pretty cool too!  No one held on to him from behind.  What a big boy he's becoming.

Lyssa finally decided it was too cold, and the snow man was too tall....

Alec, on the other hand, was in awe of his first handmade (Daddy did most of the work) Frosty the Snowman.  Frosty smiled down on Alec, and Alec smiled right back. 

Happy Winter!

"When you go back to school you can get a Mac"

These were the words I uttered over and over and over every time Nick would talk about buying a new computer... more importantly a Mac computer.  

Nick comes from a Mac lovin', Ford driving family.  It's not that my family was necessarily anti-Mac or anti-Ford, but those were not the choices we made.  We were more of the HP, Dell, Honda, Toyota type people.  We were just different.  

So when I married Nick I must admit I was overwhelmed by my encounter with those with a fervent passion towards Ford vehicles and Mac computers.  I dare say I may have even resisted, simply by default... I guess that's my innate rebellion coming out of the wood works.  I blame that on my mother entirely, but that another story for another day.

Anyway, over time my rebellion worn off.  Yes, I have an Ipod shuffle, and even inherited Nick's old Ipod when he received and Ipod touch for Christmas. (P.S. sometimes I think my parents love Nick more than they love me... but that too is another story for another day.)  Macs continue to advance in their technology and have strong stock in the markets.  I do think Mac merchandise is over prices, but alas... everyone is trying to make a buck these days.  All of Nick's siblings have slowly acquired Mac computers over the last few years, and Nick has been quick to point out that we were the only family without one.  Once again my one liner came up....

Well, last Fall Nick decided it was time to do what it takes to get his MacBook.  :-)  Actually, he decided that it was time to go back to school and get that MBA.  We talked about getting a laptop of some variety, and though Nick showed me a couple MacBooks it was clear he wasn't expecting anything of the sort. 

 At the same time I couldn't help think of all the other promises I've made and broken... like when Nick would drool over family members trucks and I would say "When your Pontiac dies we'll get you a truck."  Well, the Pontiac died and we got ourselves a Mini-van.  (At least Nick gets to drive the FORD Escape now, right?  Remember!  For the love of Ford?!)  Or, how about this one, "Save your pennies and you can get a Wii!" Where did those pennies go (along with all of last years birthday money from my mother... again, he is so loved)?  Oh, that's right... toward the new Nikon Camera I've been crushing on for the last 8 months. (He claims he really wanted the camera too, but honestly who uses it?  Oh, that's right.  Me.)

 

So I gave Nick the ultimate surprise when I said "I think we should get a MacBook Pro."  After he picked his jaw up off the ground, he was smiling from ear to ear. 

As Nick was starting school this week, we went and picked it all up from the Mac Store.  It was quite the event, and I was sad that I forgot to bring the camera to take pictures.  Seriously, they would have been awesome pictures.  Our Mac Geek Associate looked and talked almost exactly like Betty Suarez from one of my favorite TV shows, "Ugly Betty".  

We came home with the MacBook, free HP printer/scanner/copier machine (we all know HP isn't really in the printer business... it's all about the ink), Mighty Mouse, and Aperture2, only to put them away upstairs for safe keeping.  We had five cute little kids coming over for Date Night babysitting, and didn't have an eye (or index finger) to spare.  In fact we didn't pull out this fine piece of machinery until the next evening.  Between bishopric meetings, church, bambino style meltdowns, and dinner we plain and simple just didn't have the time.  

So now I sit here on the couch, typing on my (I mean Nick's... I mean our... so confusing) ultra light, ultra slim laptop, and wonder how long it will take for me to learn how to use this photo editing software.  I also can't help but wonder how long before something new and cooler comes out that Nick will desperately want to own.  :-)  Hopefully for now we can all kick back and be content.   

Lyssa Lou Who Was No More Than Two... or At Least One!

That's right!  My sweet little Lyssa Lou turned one yesterday.  I know it sounds horribly cliche, but I can't believe my baby girl is growing up so fasts! Despite not feeling the best the day before (meaning she got to skip out on church) she seemed to have a great day, and by the time we had her family part that evening she was 100% back to her happy little self.  Alec was happy as pie that Lyssa was having a birthday.  In fact, I didn't have to stage this photo at all!  All day long he was singing happy birthday to her and giving her birthday hugs.  (This little man is already starting to catch on to the benefits of backwards birthdays and was excited to open the presents Lyssa was giving him.)
Everyone wanted to pose with Lyssa yesterday.  No really, this shot is just another great example of how much Lyssa adores her Daddy, and he loves her right back!  From the moment she woke up yesterday she was asking for her daddy.  She's no cheese girl.  Daddy is the word I ask her to say if I want her to smile.  :-)
Alec and Lyssa both had lots of fun helping me make Lyssa's birthday cupcakes.  We made Grandma Rowley's chocolate cake, and Alec loved helping to pour stuff in and taste test the batter.
Lyssa too had a great time helping out in the kitchen, and thought that frosting wasn't so bad!  She also thought Alec was extremely funny.  He can make her laugh like no one else.
Here are the completed projects, Grandma Rowley's Chocolate cup cakes with pink butter cream frosting, and blue sprinkles.  My little Lyssa may love her pink, but she's all blue too.
Lyssa actually really liked her fluffy birthday crown.  She just wanted to hold it instead of wear it.  Alec was a great help blowing out that single candle.
Lyssa didn't quite know how to respond to having a cupcake set on her tray, available to squash and crumble to pieces.
Alec had patiently waited all day long for this moment, and was VERY excited.
With Alec's great example it didn't take long for Lyssa to catch on to the cupcake eating.  Grandma Shannon and Grandpa Steve even got to tune in for the event via Skype on the laptop.  Man, I love technology!
Lyssa got to open her presents from Grandma Shannon and Grandpa Steve.  She was excited to get lots of yummy food to cook and share with her brother.  
Little Lyssa Lou was also kind enough to give her big brother a "Miss Sally" car to go along with his Lightening McQueen and a little plastic doctors kit.  She ever so wisely decided to give her parents new winter coats for these subzero temperatures.  Yes, she had help selecting these gifts.

So for those of you still wondering about our backwards birthdays, with two kids birthdays within days of Christmas it doesn't make sense giving them more presents when they're still excited about what they already received!  This way we spread out the fun gifts for the kiddos throughout the year. It also gets the kids excited about celebrating each others birthdays, knowing they'll be getting gifts.  

Backwards birthdays are also a great way for a birthday person to think about all the people that make each year of their lives so special.  Did you know that in some countries you're supposed to give your mother flowers on your birthday to thank her for giving you life and raising you?  I love that idea.  In Romania you give other people presents and serve all of your friends and family at your party, to honor those who make your life special.  

Doing backwards birthdays also gives the kids one on one time with parents around their birthday.  Mommy takes child on a one on one date to pick out gifts for Daddy and other siblings.  Then Daddy takes child out one on one to pick out gift for Mommy.  

So yes, these are reasons we do backwards birthdays.  I am in no way saying you should do this with your family.  It's just what we decided to do in ours.  You may think it's weird, but we like it.  

So back to Lyssa, who this was supposed to be all about... She's one year old! Wow!  Welcome to World, baby girl!  You've only just begun to live, and we can't imagine life without you!

Amazing Articulate Alec is Two

Since Alec just had a birthday (and I still had some free shots with my Smilesavers membership at Picture People) I took Alec in last weekend to get some pictures done.  To be honest, I wasn't expecting much.  Alec isn't much of a performer, and won't smile on demand for some random camera person.  They may have nice quality lighting, but most of the time I feel like I get better shots of my kids at home, where their personalities really shine through.  I was pleasantly surprised that he was willing to cooperate for the most part, and most of the shots turned out great so I thought I would share (please excuse the watermarks... it's the only way to show off all the pictures.  :-)

This is the one I picked for the wall.  I thought the photographer did a good job capturing what I was looking for as far as a wall portrait was concerned.

 Here is our standard two year old photo.  He really does stand around with his hands in his pockets most of the time.  The photographer thought that was pretty funny.

So be honest, I didn't love this one... it just didn't look like Alec to me.

I thought this one was cute, but again, not my favorite, and not a position I would see Alec putting himself in.

I love that you can see my chapstick in Alec's hand.  That boy wouldn't give it back to me, so we told him to keep it in his pocket.  He must have slipped it out for this one, that sneaky boy.

This one looked like Alec, but  I wasn't a fan of the black background.

Though Alec looks cute, I thought it was a little funny that it appears he's going bald with no hair on the top of his head.  Some of us, me included, jut have big foreheads so you need to see to top to know where it ends.

This was a hard picture to get.  The photographer kept trying to get Alec to do "silly faces" but Alec would have nothing of it.  It's just not really his personality, but I still think the picture is cute so I got a small one for Nick's work desk. 

This is the beginning of the Alec personality shots.  I always like to do some more formal shots, and then some that really show off their personality.  Some little kids are princes, or princesses, or cowboys, but my little man dreams of being a motorcycle riding super hero.  (I'm hoping he grows out of the motorcycle bit).  Here he is singing the Superman Movie Theme song.  

Here Alec is flying around, showing off his lovingly handmade superhero cape.

The photographer kept trying to get down hunched like this for what seemed like 5 minutes and Alec was fighting it, but I think the picture turned out pretty well.  In fact, it kind of looks like he just landed from flying around the room.

Showing off his Super Alec cape.... You can totally tell he was saying "cheese".

I LOVE this picture.  In fact, this is the other shot that I bought to put up in his room.  This is the one to show off his adventurous, creative  two year old personality.

This one is cute, but it kind of looks like he's sitting on a pin... awkward...

And this is the last one to show for the day.  Cute, but not enough to buy.  It was crazy trying to get that little boy to cross his feet like that.  Just not exactly natural Alec.  

So there you have it, Alec's 2 year old photos... This post was supposed to be all about Alec, but  it's been more about my thoughts and ideas about photographing my child.  Alas, we'll have another post soon celebrating Alec's booking read, 5 to 6 word sentence speaking, climbing, flying, inquisitive behavior another day.  Until then, over and out.