Whaa you say?

Hey friends, we've hemmed and hawed over it and decided to switch to a blog using pseudonyms.
So, of course, we need a new URL. :)

We still want you to keep up on the happenings of our little cuties but to post the new URL here would defeat it's purpose.

Just Email me and we'll happily share the new URL. 

She knows exactly what she's doing...

On Sunday we had Stake Conference (ie multiple congregations make up a "Stake"; referencing symbolism introduced in Isaiah--the gospel as a tent of protection and the stakes hold it in place.)  Anyway, hundreds of people quietly listening and, in the middle of it, Olivia had a huge tantrum.  Kicking, clawing, arching her back, her face was beet red and the veins in her neck were protruding as Dustinn was carrying her out.  Just as they reached the door she leans over his shoulder and with the sweetest little voice calls out "bu-bye, bu-bye" while giving her beauty queen wave.*
The girl knows exactly what she's doing.

*it took a lot of self-discipline (and my hand cupped tightly over my mouth) to stifle the laughter.

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

Bradshaw crawled into our bed early this morning.  He gently lifted the strands of hair draped over my ear and put his little mouth right against my ear to whisper, "Mama... Mama... did you know walruses use deir long whiskers to search the sand for shells?  And the shells are clams.  And walruses eat the clams."  He scrunched up his shoulder and held his hand over his mouth as he giggled; gently bouncing the mattress.

Our plans for the day included going with a group of friends to the Butterfly Greenhouse--which happens to be right by the zoo.  I told Bradshaw and Olivia that if we got ready reeeeally quickly we could see the elephants before meeting up with our friends.

As we walked through the different zoo exhibits, Bradshaw wanted to know what was written on each and every placard (chalk it up to yet another way he is like Uncle Buddy--my brother's mind is like a steel trap...but he can take a loong time in museums because he wants to experience every single detail. Love ya Nels.) 

We even ended up going back to the zoo after the butterflies; the kids could not get enough!  The animals were phenomenal today.  We saw Rhinos charging each other and running in circles.  The female lion was roaring at the male lion.  Then the Tiger chimed in defending the poor guy.  In the ape house, B&O had their faces pressed up against the glass when the gorilla turned and pressed his face against the glass.  Olivia burst into tears.  Then the gorillas proceeded to groom each other (and pick each other's noses, which Bradshaw pointed out, "is not polite.")

"Self, great day."

Scriptures with Bradshaw

A few conversations with Bradshaw today (looks like he's listening during scripture study):


Bradshaw: "look Dada, the liahona!" "it tells us where to go! come on dada, let's build a ship with Nephi!"
[the liahona is now one of Bradshaw's favorite toys, which he put together from toys Aunt Katy sent him]


Bradshaw: "dada, I'll help, I have big muscles!"
Dada: "woah! where'd you get those big muscles?"
Bradshaw: "from Jesus!"
Dada: "that's cool Bradshaw"
Bradshaw: "yeah, like that man in the scriptures. Jesus gave him big muscles so he helps watch the sheep and chase bad guys!"
Dada: "you're right, like Ammon"
Bradshaw: "yeah, Jesus gave him big muscles, and Jesus gives me big muscles"


[the phone rings]
Bradshaw: "Dada, it's King Noah calling! He wants to take our money and food and beds!"

Daddy's Little Girl

Wanna hear a sweet thought?

Bradshaw is a pretty sensitive little guy (that's not to say he doesn't have kicking, screaming tantrums or quarrel with other kids.)  For example, he runs away frightened by most Disney movies (and begs to have them turned off because "it's too 'cary") as well as every time Swiper the Fox appears on Dora.  lol.

A few days (weeks?) I was singing the song Oh Lord My Redeemer while doing dishes.  Gist of the song: it's from the perspective of a man who happens upon the procession of Christ is carrying His cross to Galilee.  This man asks the people around him who Christ is and then goes on to witness Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.)  Bradshaw was coloring at the table and I hear him behind me and look over to discover his face is all red and scrunched up--he's crying.  Thinking he was frustrated with his artwork I dropped my dish brush, "what's wrong Bradshaw?"
Full of emotion, "da people hurt Jesus?  Why Mama?  Why dey so mean?"
I told him that Christ was killed but then explained about His resurrection.  While I'm pretty sure he's heard it many times before, it fascinated him.  He's talked about it all week.

This morning we were at playgroup at the church, Bradshaw's little friend was intrigued with a painting of Christ in the Americas in the lobby.  I overhear Bradshaw telling his friend (who is Hindu) "after three days he live again!"

It continues...
There is a children's song that Bradshaw likes that speculates about what it will be like when Jesus comes again (the song is called I Wonder When He Comes Again).  Bradshaw has his own speculations.  Bradshaw said all the birds in the whole wide world will gather in the sky behind Him (because "da birds know He's very 'portant") and sing together for Him.

Chinese Lunar New Year

Snowmageddon II?

Naaaah.

While I think it's been a disaster for the road service crew, from our perspective, it's just been a bunch of snow.  Our apartment is toasty.  We've never lost the internet, phone or tv.  Our fridge and pantry are stuffed.  (Not at all like last February in Virginia when we went days without heat or a means of communication. And the city was not equipped for snow removal whatsoever.)  Since we travel by foot regardless we were not cut-off from the grocery store or even play dates.  And school/mid-terms/interviews for Dustinn never slowed to catch a breath.  

The saddest part of the storm was that hundreds of commuters on Lake Shore Drive got caught in the blizzard and had to abandon their cars and get to safety (see video).
There were also whiteout conditions (lack of visibility; losing orientation in storm) and 18-foot waves.  (We did walk to the beach last night and saw something very cool--waves frozen mid-cusp.)

And, yes, we must carry a snow curse.  Virginia's storm was the worst in snowstorm in 90 years.  Then we move to Chicago and this storm ranked #3 of all time.  Our location just happened to coincide with the nucleus of both blizzards.
And neither blizzard compares to danger and panic caused by an earthquake when I was a little girl in San Francisco...and, well (totally switching gears) it has made us grateful that there is a prophet of God on earth, who speaks with God and gives divine guidance such as having our houses in order and food storage but also warnings to safeguard our families spiritually.

Thank you thoughtful friends (Brant, Julie, EC, Amber) that have warned us and checked in on us.

Today, Mrs. R shared an article called Nobody Gets Married Anymore, Mister.

Update: 16 Months

We love our little Liva-bug so much.

• She's still climbing and can climb into her highchair (a feat considering this is her highchair)and loves to stand on the windowsills. 
• She can open any door in our apartment, including the front door (suggestions? The frame of our door is metal so the typical chain lock/high locks failed even with a drill.  The adhesive locks didn't hold.)  
• Her favorite location in our home is splashing in the bathroom sink.
• She can say "book" and "ba-tu" (bathroom) and "tan-nu" (thank you) and "nigh-nigh Mama" and some others but her most versatile word is "more."  For example, we were sitting down to eat dinner, she jabs a finger toward Dustinn's fork and says "more" indicating that she would also like utensils.  (Sidenote: she is very good with a fork or spoon and can scape a bowl of yogurt/soup clean with minimal drips.)
• Her favorite book is My Little People Busy Town
• Bradshaw's a cuddler. When we are walking around in our building he wants to be holding Olivia's hand.  Sometimes she acquiesces other times she yanks her hand away and shakes an angry finger in his face. lol.  
• She loves to color.

(we used to ask her where her eyes were 

but too many injuries were incurred.)

Livy Update

Classic prayer from Bradshaw:

(We give him the first few words, and he fills in the blanks)

dear... "Heavenly Faw-der"
we thank thee... "For Hi-yah's!"
we thank thee... "For Got You's!"
please bless... "Bad Guys!"
please bless... "Bad Guy Lindy on her Motorcycle on her Mission!"
in the name... "of Jesus Christ Amen...  Hi-Yah!"

We're not sure why, but he's sure his Aunt Lindy rides a Bad Guy Motorcycle on her Mission in Montreal.

Bradshaw always wants to know where his friends live

Thanks for the map Nelson!
(We could only fit one name per city)

bradshaw-isms

When we first began asking Bradshaw if he'd say family prayer he angrily replied no.  Now, it's Bradshaw's personality that if we try to cajole him into doing anything when he's already said no, he will only become more adamantly opposed.  But knowing he was completely capable and that he would be proud of himself afterwards, I said, "I can't think of what to say...will you help me to say the prayer?"
Now almost every night he asks to help and feeds me all the lines. Sometimes the content is comical sometimes it's surprising observant.  It's always fun to hear what's on his mind.  Last night, he whispered to me "we thank thee for Jack" (his cousin) and I repeated.  Then he squints at me with a big grin and whispers, "you're doing a great job Mom."

Me: Uh-oh Bradshaw, I can't park here or we'll get a ticket.
B:  Yay!  Then we can fly on an airplane.

When we first moved to our building, I often reminded Bradshaw as we stepped on the elevator to watch that his fingers don't get pinched in the elevator door.  It was a calm reminder but somehow it has become his phobia that Olivia will get her fingers pinched in the elevator and he gives her regular pep talks.
"Liva it's coming!!  It's coming.  'Member to watch yer fingers and no touch da door.  When you grow up to be a big lady I want you to have all 8 fingers."

And an Olivia-ism:

After I change her diaper she typically hops up, grabs the diaper like a football, runs it to the trash, closes the lid, and looks at me for praise.  Well the other day, she had a really saturated diaper, and fearing it would goosh all over her, I put it in the trash.
She looks dumbfounded at me, looks at the trash can, looks back at me and throws herself on the floor in a puddle of tears.

National Sick Day?

The holiday should include permission to wear pajamas all day long

and freedom to eat whatever brings you comfort

They look fine and dandy in these pictures but as the day progressed, so did their misery. Olivia was burning hot when she woke up from her nap.  Her cheeks looked like they'd been painted and her hands shook as she reached for her cup. :(  All she wanted to do was be held and all I wanted to do was hold.

You're my reason for laughing, for crying, For living and for dying

Today a nurse in the emergency room (everyone's fine) was telling me about her grandkids and said in a confiding whisper, "grandkids are the reward you get for sticking with your husband for 50 years."
I'm sure my facial response looked like I was trying to smile while swallowing a quarter.

While I hope she was speaking at least partially in jest, I still left thinking "I want to do whatever it takes so I never forget how much I love Dustinn."

I've heard people say, around the time you get married, you should write a letter to your spouse telling him all the specific reasons you love him and are eager to spend the rest of your lives together.  Instead of giving it to him, store it, and re-read later down the road.

My sister-in-law Elisse wrote a great post stating the secret to happiness in married life is couple prayer.

My cousin (i.l.) Amy wrote a post called I am my husband's girlfriend

Dad as he's getting ready to leave: "Where's my phone?"
Bradshaw giggling from the other room: "hee hee hee, Gone forever!!"

Luckily he couldn't help but run to make sure it was still in his favorite hiding spot

Luau in the middle of winter?

Yes.  We sang, danced, limbo'd, learned about Hawaii, made leis, and ate pupu (Hawaiian for snacks).  Something about the sound of the ukelele just makes me feel warm and happy. 

I looked over and Bradshaw was taking this video.  Like mother, like son, like grandpa I guess.

 

Some days you just want to curl up with a good book...

Tuesday

We've had some unseasonably warm weather (imagine this: we watched fireworks on New Year's Eve from Navy Pier--a dock extended out over Lake Michigan--and were perfectly comfortable in light coats because it was in the high 50's) which meant ALL of the snow melted away.  We even had rain instead of snow.

On Tuesday, we woke up to thick snow falling...and it continued all day long...and we had nowhere to be.  It was lovely.

Snow makes everything look so beautiful.  I am very grateful to live in a place where we get to experience all four seasons.

Then (2/2010)

Now (1/2011)


What a difference a year makes!  They both look gigantic to me.

So the precious thing is, she's not learning letters from me (B.& I "play school" during her nap--she's not there to overhear) she's learning from Bradshaw!!

Books to Read:
It Takes a Mother to Raise a Village (Parenting) (n/a library)
The Five Love Languages of Children (Parenting)
Five Signs of a Loving Family
The Five Languages of Apology
It Takes a Parent: How the Culture of Push-Over Parenting is Hurting Our Kids
Atlas Shrugged
Mountains Beyond Mountains
For Whom the Bell Tolls
For Instruction in Righteousness: Pam Forster (n/a library) 
Creative Correction: Lisa Whelchel (n/a library)
The Post-Adoption Blues: Overcoming the Unforeseen Challenges of Adoption (AT library)
Poppie Children's Book
I am a Big Brother Children's Book
The Connected Child
Raising Adopted Children
Coraline
Infertility Books
Well-behaved women seldom make history
The Power of Positive Parenting


Books Read:
Never Let Me Go
Mocking Jay
Charlie St. Cloud

Christmas Day

Bah, my original post seemed superficial.  Suffice it to say, we had a wonderful time watching our children so happy & excited. 

from Olivia's birth parents :)

We also got to share the day with friends, talk on the phone to my missionary sister, and skype with family.

Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag

My little sister Genny introduced us to this song and my kids have been dancing around to it all morning. :)

Christmas Eve Festivities

For over a year, we'd planned on spending this Christmas on the east coast with Dustinn's side of our family.  Not long before the holidays, we realized how difficult it would be for our family this year.  We were definitely caught between a rock and a hard place, fretting endlessly about disappointing/saddening Grandparents while wanting to do the right thing for our family.
Of course, everyone was very understanding but we MISS being able to see how baby Amelia has grown, acting out the nativity, and being able to spend quality time with everyone.  Most of all, we miss the opportunity for our kids to develop their relationships with their aunts, uncles; grandparents.

Thus, this is the first year we've celebrated Christmas as just our little family.  It was a sweet and tender experience for us.

In mid-December, Dustinn and I sat down and talked about the many wonderful Christmases we've shared with our families and realized, "this year it's up to us to make it magical. What should we do?"  We decided this year was a wonderful opportunity to gear all activities towards our little children.

On Christmas Eve, the kids watched the 1970's Santa Claus is Comin' to Town while Dustinn and I got the festivities ready.  Then:

• We had a Back-to-Bethlehem dinner and ate fish, grapes, olives and we were going to do unleavened bread but I made butter-flake rolls instead because we like them.
• We read and talked through the story of Christ's birth then the children acted it out.  

• Then we opened a package from my mom containing the traditional first gift of Christmas--matching pajamas! (Well, all the adults match.  Even Lindy in Montreal.)

 

(apparently, thats how Dustinn thinks I pose
for pictures.  lol)

• We sang The Friendly Beasts with paper bag puppets.  The kids were very animated with the puppets and requested encore after encore.  (Success!)  

Chubby fists began rubbing tired eyes and in record time both kids were fast asleep.

Questions

Bradshaw is at the age of questions.  We hear sweet "why?"s all day long.
The other day we were talking about Jesus and Heavenly Father and how they are related.

B:     So Heavly Fadur is Jesus' Dada. Hmm, who is him Granfadur?
Me:  I don't know who His grandfather is.
B:     Jesus dudn't had a Granfadur!  Oh poor Jesus.  Dats so sad.

*Bradshaw adores my Grandfather (his Great Grandfather).  I don't remember precisely when it began but "Granfadur" is a regular character in our daily conversations.  I think the affinity began when we lived with my Grandmother and Grandfather in 2009 while waiting for ICPC clearance (ie legal permission to travel with Olivia from her birth state to our home state.)  One evening, Bradshaw snuggled up with Grandfather in the La-Z-Boy for an old b&w western and they became lifetime comrades.  Last Christmas, my Grandfather spent hours lying on the floor with Bradshaw working on a toy train.  Needless to say, when I told Bradshaw he'd be seeing Grandfather over Thanksgiving he clenched his fists in giddiness and squealed "Me so lucky!"

Pulling out the big guns

Tonight the kids were sitting at the table and I was explaining what everyone needed to do to get ready for bed.

Bradshaw was playing with a couple of people from the Fisher Price Nativity.  He held the baby Jesus toward me and speaking for him said, "I tink Bwadshaw should stay up!"

He lowers the figurine and with a very grave expression said, "hmmm, dats what baby Jesus tink, what you tink Mama?"

Baby it's cold outside

Believe it or not, yesterday was my first time driving in snow.

(I didn't have a car at BYU and everything'd shut down when there was snow in Virginia.)
And Dustinn's out of town, or he'd likely drive.

Church is at 9 and the snow was coming down heavily.  They hadn't plowed or salted yet.  It was so icy that I was sliding all over the place even though I was going ~10 mph.  I was choking back the tears when I arrived at church and suddenly I became aware that no one else was even flinching at the snow!  I was the only one frozen in terror while everyone else was busily carrying on as usual!

Our prayers for safety were answered twofold.  A friend's husband kindly offered to drive us home. And by the time church was over plows with salt had come through and was I able to easily and safely drive home.

Today's forecast: Staying in!  Christmas music, hot chocolate, long bubble bath for the kids and dance party on Mama's bed.  

Miss Clever - 14.5 months

If we say we are "getting ready to go" or even if I start packing a diaper bag, Olivia will run to the shoe closet, grab her shoes, and plop on my lap to have them put on (and sometimes she tries to put them on by herself.) Then she fetches Bradshaw's shoes for him.    

She loves going out.  Anywhere.

She also loves getting dressed.  Sitting up very straight, with a lil' miss diva face of contentment, she'll stick out one leg at a time and point her toes for us to put on leggings.
Once she's dressed, she'll turn around once or twice for us to see then become bashful.

She's learning animal noises and names of the facial features.

Bradshaw and Olivia both like to push the elevator button and compete to push it first.  He runs faster so unless he's distracted he pushes it first.  Anyway, as soon as I step outside our apartment, Olivia fully extends her arm with one little finger pointing (in other words, she's elevator-button-pushing ready) even though we're still several turns and long hallway away from the elevator.  

Take my word for it, it's insanely competitive and funny for a 1-yr-old.

the asking-for-a-bite-of-whatever-you-have face

Bradshaw-isms

Today we got home from church and there was a little spider smushed on floor in our kitchen.  Bradshaw sees it and begins to moan, "it died!  it died. poor widdle guy.  You didn't a-surve (deserve) it.  We never play a-gether again."  [Little cry sounds]

Last night he was sitting on my lap while I was reading to him.
Me: "I am holding something very precious on my lap.  What is it?"
Bradshaw, without guile: "my bottom"

Whenever he means to say, "it's my fault" he says "it's my fart." He's been saying this for months but it still makes us laugh all the time.  In public:
"oops, that's my fart"
"sorry, my fart"

Tonight he sat at the table after dinner, blowing against his hand and moving his hand progressively further from his face.  When he determined the furthest distance his breath could be felt, he showed me, "Mama, my air is this big."

In the car: "Mama do you drive more with your hands or your feet?  Which more?

When Bradshaw's giving kisses, he'll say "now on you eyes" and kiss each eye, "and now you nose" and kiss my nose, and "on you little holes" (nostrils; yes, he wants to kiss my nostrils...), "and on you falishes (eyelashes, he insists on his made-up name for them).

To Olivia, while giving each other repeated hugs on the couch, "you best ever, Baby!"
 (He addresses her by the nickname "Baby" most of the time.)

Rummaging through the fridge, looking for strawberry yogurt, "another peach, and another peach, another peach....errrr!  Me angry and fwustwated!"
He expresses himself, then he's over it, and skips off to play.  Does this reflect toddler emotions or male emotions? lol

(This was on my sister's blog.)  Isn't that cool that her friend is Santa's helper?!

At first Bradshaw gasped and said, "Santa know me!"
Then he was exasperatedly trying to get Santa to hear him "Santa...Santa...I a nice boy!"

(Background: Bradshaw saw a remote control car at Walgreens several weeks ago and has been asking for it since. Back in August, Dustinn's MBA program handed out the exact same remote control car to students with young kids.  We put it in the closet and forgot about it until the day Bradshaw fell in love with one at Walgreens and that sneaky smile of "knowingness" passed between D & I.  Fortuitous.)

PS  Olivia loves to say "Ho ho ho"

Turkey Time

*Note Olivia's reflection*
Olivia's petrified of animals (in fact, she panics when we past the
fish tank in Walmart.)  Olivia warmed up nicely--as long as there
was glass between them.

Mexican restaurant on the river where Katy gave an awesome rendition of Guacamole

Everyone indulged Bradshaw by playing Loopin Louie again
& again & again.

Hiking with Grandfather.  The picture doesn't convey it but we
were standing on the edge of an insanely high cliff.

BYU vs. Utah game.
My Grandmother was quite boastful afterwards.

Fog every morning, sometimes so thick it felt like the house
was perched in a cloud.

  We also had almost nightly expeditions to the church to play basketball.  (I love that even though we're all at varying skill levels it's so fun to play together.)  And we spent a lot of time playing eights, Gin with a Tail, Golf, and Bang.  Then hot-tubbing at night.  Thanks Mom & Dad!

Playing Chicken

pretty adorable siblings, imho

the face of concentration

Thanksgiving break was...

waaaay too short!

the taste testers

More pictures to come.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Today, in honor of December 1st, Livy & I painted our toenails glittery red.
Tonight, we're going to our friend's place to celebrate with them the first candle of Hanukkah.
Then we're coming home to listen to listen to Christmas music and put up the tree!
AND delicate little snowflakes have been twirling in the air all day (first of the season).

I love this time of year.

Musika

 This evening my sister Katy was gracing the household with beautiful piano music.  It's no surprise to Dustinn and I that Olivia loves music and quickly found her way to Katy at the piano.  Katy pulled out my mom's box of musical instruments and almost immediately they drew a crowd that jammed together for the next hour. 

Good times.

 

 

 P.S. Bradshaw was displaying the recorder's shrillest notes at the dinner table, when my Grandfather with a grin said, "Maybe we should give him a hammer and ask if he knows what's inside that whistle."  lol.

P.P.S. This man deserves some sort of award:

Yes, my 1-yr-old is busy texting her friends