So in case you've all (5 of you) have been wondering: no, I haven't forgotten about a post for Logan and Jared's wedding. It's just that we took very few pictures and the ones we do have aren't great. So I've been trying to pull in some shots from the family, but it's been slow work.
In other news...
Molly is still chatting a lot, but besides the occasionally distinguishable "daddy", no real words that we know yet. She has started repeating tones, though. For example, we call out "Bath Time!" at the time of day and she repeats the tone and cadence, if not the actual words.
Jonas has taken to talking about things he did "when [he] was two" or "when [he] was a baby." For example, "We used to read this book when I was two!" And lately, taking his lead from Molly, has been talking about what he did when he was a baby like Molly.
"When I was a baby like Molly, I used to say "bath time!" like Molly."
Chris had to inform him that that was not, in fact the case. And just today after saving Molly's milk cup from dripping down her front as she stopped drinking and started playing with it: "When I was a baby, you used to take the bottle from me and I would get mad, too, when I was a baby."
Both of the kids have been busting out in musical talent. Or something like it. Molly has begun to dance to music. This usually consists of her grinning like crazy as she spins around, pivoting on one foot. All the songs Jonas hears over and over, he's finally begun singing. For example, we found out about 2 months ago that he can sing much of O Canada, having learned it at the playcare on Wednesday mornings when I'm at a bible study at our church. Snippets of other songs filter to the surface, usually unconsciously as he plays. And since we've busted out the Christmas music, he's quickly taken to The Drummer Boy. But really, who doesn't love a little rup-a-pum-pum?
Molly's hair is getting quite long, though I haven't trimmed it in front of her face. We did say good-bye to the mullet and had Becky trim it before the wedding. Molly's not keen on barrettes, yet, but she will tolerate a pony atop her head. A friend refers to it as her 'palm tree.' My dad would say she looks like a Dr. Seuss character... or at least that's what he told me growing up. ;)
She's taken to having tantrums - or the beginnings of them. In her case, it takes the form of quick mini-steps of her feet, usually backwards and/or throwing herself on the floor, usually in her tummy. Fortunately they don't every last long at all and she's usually quite happy to just sit in mom's arms, even if she was her nemesis 15 seconds before. Really, it's because she's still attached to my hair. I keep hoping one day she'll switch, but I'm not holding my breath. Jonas lost interest in my hair when he was about 13 months. That's when he switchted to his blanket and was also around the same time he started daycare. I think that may have percipitated things, though I could be wrong. Molly, however, has no daycare to go to. Maybe I'll have to shave my head.
Enough fun stuff for now, folks. Cheers!
This afternoon has felt a little on the long side. However, I decided we'd stick around instead of striking out to see what adventure awaited us out of doors. While I've spent my time re-organizing things in my office (not that you can tell), repairing board books, and distracting myself on the computer, the kids have been entertaining themselves quite nicely. I've had to intervene very little.
Right now, they're taking things out of the 'garbage can.' Jonas designated a large box (that a new car seat came in, it's taller than him) for such a purpose and has been inserting things into it all afternoon. Now they're taking things out. Molly has been dragging around a mesh bag and two plastic baby spoons as she moves from task to task. Jonas has also been singing songs and humming. There's snippets here and there: Baby beluga the deep blue sea... if God is for us, who can be against us... O Canada, we stand on guard for thee... and many variations thereof.
Molly had her 15th monthery on Monday. For words, we think she's working on 'milk', but that could also just be wishful thinking. We moved Molly out of her infant car seat about a month ago, but since she's still pretty small, kept her in the rear facing position. However, I've been having a hard time feeling like I'm securing her properly, angles and all, so we switched her around. At first, she wasn't quite sure what was up, but as soon as she realized we could turn around and look at her, a huge grin came across her face. I've noticed that in the last couple of days that she's not nearly as likely to be fussed about being put in her car seat, and that's been nice.
She likes necklaces - is very fond of the mardi gras beads we had around. And as I've been typing, I haven't stopped her from her discovery of a small nest of yarn. She's now entertaining herself by draping the different pieces around her neck.
I should go while the quiet still exists... dinner beckons soon anyway. I had planned on swedish meatballs, but I think we'll go with something more simple - pasta and sauce it is!
What are you having for dinner?
This year for Thanksgiving we headed south to Tsawwassen again. Since my sister's wedding was the following weekend, also in the lower mainland, we just stuck around for a lovely and relaxing week there.
A highlight included a trip to the Vancouver Aquarium. We figured it would be a hit after Jonas enjoyed the zoo in Calgary so much this summer. And he did! From belugas to frogs to jellyfish. Great fun.
What have we been up to?
Sick again! The last 2 weeks have seen the kids have various cold symptoms, usually cough and runny nose, just bad enough to feel like we can't go places where other kids congregate. They have also had a slight fever occasionally; this actually prevented us from heading out to get a flu shot over a week ago. Molly is also working on pushing through some molars, so that explains some of her general malaise.
As well as being plagued with colds, I lost my voice for a couple of days this week. This is a very frustrating occurrence when much of one's parenting skills counts upon verbal communication. I felt like an very ineffective parent.
Other news: We think we may have heard our first word from Molly: bath! But it's hard to tell. She chats a lot, but most of her communication happens when she points to what she wants. Oh, and she shrieks. She likes carrying toys around, hanging around her brother, riding in the stroller and cuddling with mom, mostly because mom has the lovely hair.
Jonas loves his cars and trucks, playing with his stickers and glue stick, gymnastics, macaroni and cheese, and hoarding his toys. He does not like sharing with his little sister. He's learning to do it anyway.
All for now!
One unanticipated but welcome outcome of his new wheels is that he moves along so much more quickly and efficiently than with his trike. Of course it can move faster, but he is also far more likely to stay in a straight line and not get as distracted or tired out. Trips to our neighbourhood "red park" are done in half the time and we usually can't keep up our walking pace to his biking.
Just last week we began biking longer distances - in this case, the few blocks to our local library. It wasn't my idea, but Jonas asked if he could bike when I proposed an outing there and I thought we'd give it a try. I figured at worse, it would be a loooong trip back, or I'd even have to lock it up at some random spot on our way home and get it for him later if he was too worn out. I'd forgotten about the effeciency factor; the return trip was nothing for him. However, the challenge is now teaching him to keep to the sidewalk, watch out for pedestrians and be very, very careful crossing streets (including very busy ones!) with mom. We've done the trip a couple of times now and it's going well. He's thrilled at being able to lock up his bike at a bike rack, the real life equivalent to what he's been playing with all summer with his trike. (He came up with an elaborate way to 'lock up' his bike that included a rusted metal stem and flower garden decoration placed through a tiny hole in the back of the trike and then hooked carefully under the bike bell. He would cry if he couldn't get it to fit 'right'.)
Molly, on the other hand, is still keeping to her cart, which suits her (and me) quite well!
I realize I haven't updated any of my summer, and now, fall, reads. And I've just discovered that the amazon search for books is gone nutty. Anyone else notice this? Did I miss the memo?
So instead of pictures, there's titles to be had! In some cases, I have something to say. In others, not so much.
- Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives by Wendy Horder Alsup.
A quick and easy read. In my opinion, she stuck to the 'majors' of theology and left, in my opinion, most of the grey areas alone, left to be each person's grey area. The book was clear and basically laid out in this fashion: If you believe x about God, then your behaviour should reflect that, usually looking like y.
The thing is, this stuff isn't limited as being only 'for women.' She explains in the prologue that she's encountered an attitude out there in Evangelical Christendom (at least the North American version) that theology, or the 'deep stuff,' is more for seminary scholars and the men and most women just prefer to find straightforward application through the Scriptures. This book is to help women realize that theology can actually be very applicable to one's life. Thus the subtitle. However, I couldn't help but feel that by addressing this subject with her title, she was almost reinforcing the attitude that there are some books for men and some for women when it comes to theology. If she were to change some of the pronouns and minor references, this book would be equally as applicable to men. Would they not benefit from such a book?
- The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
A quick read, dealing with a lot of heavy stuff, but not in a heavy way. Does that make any sense? As I was reading, I was thinking about how this could work really well in a classroom - say for Grade 10s. I haven't seen the movie; would anyone recommend it?
- The Vertias Conflict - by Shaunti Feldham
A re-read for me about fictionalized spiritual warfare at Harvard. Engaging.
- The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough
It's twenty years after the closing of Pride and Prejudice and Mary suddenly finds herself with freedom when her mother dies in the opening paragraphs of the novel. She decides to research and write a novel about the poor of England. Of course we learn what has become of the Darcys, Bingleys, Wichkhams and Kitty and their offspring and friends. There is child slavery, mystery, murder, hidden identities, and intrigue to be had. When it comes to fan lit, I liked it as much, if not more, than The Darcys and The Bingleys, though each takes the story at a different angle with one being more comic and the other more serious.
- One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Thought I'd see what the fuss was about; after all, she's on to number 14, or is it 15 now? It was darker than I had thought, and wondered why the reviews raved about the comic element to the tale; it was lost on me. However, a friend has let me know that the others aren't quite as heavy as this one, so maybe one day I'll give number 2 a go.
- Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith
Another installment of the serial McCall Smith writes and publishes regualrly in the Scotsman about a circle of individuals either living at, connected with the flats at number 44 Scotland Street. MC-S is as witty as ever with plenty of insights into human nature and the world we live in.
Oh, and I got through the last couple of Harry Potters novels in thos 2 months, too.
August and Autumn to come.
This is a delayed post. I wrote it a month ago into my day planner, just having to get it off my chest one day, but unable to get to computer.
Dear CBC,
Please do not prop-up the electorates poor understanding of the workings of parliamentary democracy by using the term "prop-up" to describe opposition parties support, or lack thereof, of the current minority government. You know the power of words, sharing them over the air as you do every day, and know full well that my connotation (if not even denotation) you are lending an air of illegitimacy to the government it does not deserve. The goal of the government is to gain the confidence of the House, and, if an opposition party opts to support it, fine. That is good and proper. By alluding to parties as simply unthinkingly holding up a government that can't hold its own, which is what you imply when using the misleading term, you do the public a disservice by spreading misinformation. In my mind, it is as bad as those who wrongly called last fall's coalition of opposing parties "illegal." That term did a great deal of harm to many of the public's already limited knowledge of parliamentary democracy.
If the government gains the support of the House - fine. If they fail to do so - fine. Either way, each party is legitimately pursuing the governance of this country, the task we have elected them to do.
Sincerely,
Tryphaena, a faithful CBC listener
except for the afternoons, because I don't like the new programming. Oh, and I don't blame you; I know the Conservatives slashed you budget, so I can even understand why you'd want to have a go at them when you can, but still. Take the high road.
Thumbs Down:
- When kids who need their beauty rest, don't sleep.
- Bill 13 passed second reading at the B.C. Leg. today. It's Part 9 that I have bones about. Sure, the municipalities have always had these powers to a degree, but the content that is being targeted (anti-Olympic material) sounds a lot like some civil rights are being squashed - even if it's only for 2 1/2 weeks.
- I'm really, really, tired. All that family time meant little sleep.
- A messy house and an unmotivated cleaner. (Blogging is great for procrastinating.)
But all that stuff really ain't so bad, now that it lines up with all my other "Things"...
Thumbs Up:
- Lots and lots and lots of great family time this last week: family from all over the province, Alberta, California and even Newfoundland!
- I have a new brother-in-law!
- I heard a heartbeat today. Going about 156 beats/minute. It came from inside of me, but wasn't mine. :)
A couple of weeks ago, Chris's sister, April, and his mom, Dawn, were able to make a quick Saturday trip up from Vancouver to visit and we all got some good visiting time in with them.
Molly had great fun playing with the packaging from the birthday presents she and Jonas received from their aunt and uncle. She'd walk around mushing her face against it and making funny 'argh!' noises. She still does that with some things around the house now, come to think of it.
And then there was the fun of playing at the sink - some thing that only happens when Grandma comes over for these little ones. There mother generally doesn't have the patience when doing dishes!
We'll see you soon for Thanksgiving!
Hello!
Yes, I am still alive and ticking. I knew it had been a bit, but was surprised to see almost 3 weeks have passed. I can claim some excuse: Gus came down with a fever, that backed right on to pink eye. Halfway through the fever, I ended up with the flu and pink eye to boot. Ick. Throw in a short road trip and a visit from the in-laws and I've been a busy girl.
Some observations from the past weeks:
- I really do write a lot of blog posts in my head and it makes me sad that I never put them to computer or paper. I really, really need to start setting time up to journal. But more on that later.
- The flu. Oh - my - goodness. I haven't had it before - or at least not in my adult memory - and I'm still kind of reeling by how much it sucks out of you. Even a week after I fully recovered, I went for a run at the gym and barely made it through 30 mins. Just before I got sick, I was knocking back 45 min and then some runs like nothing!
- I'm now seriously considering getting the H1N1 vaccine. Again, more on that later.
- I'm very glad my husband has a job that allows him to take a day off of work when I'm sick.
- I'm glad my doctor humours me when we show up twice in a week, including without an appointment.
- When fall comes, I realize how much more I had invested in our garden. We get a decent return, but still.
- I need to finish the knitting projects I started.
- Breastfeeding in public is kind of like a act of social justice; and it's encouraging to know, and actually see that there really are lots of other women out there who do it. Even for their toddlers. (Nope, still haven't weaned Peaches and so far, she's really not interested in being cut off yet!)
