Batteries

Sometimes as a parent I am astonished to learn that my children didn't learn something or at least something didn't register that I thought was very clear.

For example, Nate came downstairs a few days ago holding a matchbox bus labeled "Nathan's bus" - very cool. He was distraught and confused, turning the mini bus over and then over again as if inspecting it. "It's broken. There is no button. It doesn't make noise." He appeared to be almost as shocked to discover that not all toys come with batteries as I was to discover that he didn't already know that. I somehow missed lesson number 223 of all the things us moms are supposed to teach our young ones by the age of three. There is such a thing as making car noises with your mouth. I demonstrated to my son and he is now a pro.

Then there is Emma. I thought she clearly understood adoption until about a week ago when she started a conversation with "mom, do you love me?" "Why, of course, I do sweetheart." "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "Did you steal me when I was a baby?" Regardless of whether the appropriate reaction should have been laughter or tears, I was rendered entirely speechless.

The Blogging Police Called.

"At least post a picture," they said.
Christopher - Age 7 weeks

December's List

Open our Christmas jammies on December 1st. Drink hot chocolate and read Christmas stories every day until Christmas day. Check.

Get out our Christmas dishes and use them daily. Check.

Go on a hayride. Check.
















Decorate Gingerbread house. Check. This one suddenly catapulted to the top of Emma's favorite tradition list when Dave suggested we scrap it altogether. I guess it will see another December.

Play in the snow. Check.

Whisper what we want for Christmas to Santa. Check.

Make lots of Christmas candy. Check.
Adorn the tree with lovely decorations. Yes, that is Nathan's baseball bat. Check.

Read lots of Christmas stories. Check.

Play in the snow. Check.

Attend the greatest Live Nativity around. Bring Grandpa. Check.

Attend the Best Christmas Pageant Ever play. Check.

Go to THE concert on Temple Square. Check.
Go ice skating for the ward Christmas Party. Check.

Cry because we can't' open our presents yet. Check.

Ready for Church

Regression

They say children sometimes regress...
Hmmm, is that what you call it? On the bright side, when Nathan walked down the stairs one morning when Christopher was about 3 days old and announced that he (Nathan) was never going to wear big boy underwear again, it spurred this momma into action. By golly, I wasn't going to let all those months of potty training go to waste.

Nathan is now completely and successfully potty trained.

4 AM

I hear squirming. Wiggles. Whimpering. Small cries. I don't even have to look at the clock to know the time. It is 4 AM. I trudge downstairs to make a bottle and then wake myself up as I climb back upstairs to lift a little bundle out of his bassinet. I know we will be awake for at least an hour.

This has become "our hour." We cuddle up in the rocking chair. He settles in with eyes closed to down 3 ounces. I snuggle him up to my shoulder and wait for the burp. Then it happens. His eyes pop open and he is ready to play. I am fully aware that wiser parents than myself would not talk to him, but I can't help looking at those big eyes and carrying on a conversation. I am amazed at how much I love this little guy. I know that by 2 PM the next day I will be feeling this hour and desperately want a nap, but it does not matter. I have decided this is one of my favorite times of the day and will enjoy it while it lasts.

He's Here!

And we are excited.Baby Christopher Carl came into the world yesterday at 4:00 AM. It was beautiful. Today was placement. It was emotional, but also beautiful. We arrived home this evening.