breaking bad habits

 Maybe I'm a nerd (okay, I know I'm a nerd) but this kind of stuff really interests me. I hope to get a copy of this new book in my hands soon.

our little pianist

Actually, this title is a little deceiving because Christian is quite the pianist (and musician in general) but here you can tell Pierce enjoys it as well. I wish I'd started filming sooner, before he decided he was more interested in the cord. Still, a cute, after-work scene to capture on film.

father's day 2012

Father's Day was not quite as I'd pictured it. Due to a way-too-late return from a way-too-long road trip the day before, no one was in the best mood after sitting through three hours of church Sunday morning.

To top it off, I couldn't find the gift Christian had picked out for Shane anywhere -- and we had just bought it Friday afternoon!

So, being the loving, magnanimous wife that I am, I did what I had to do -- I went digging though the garbage. Only the garbage was already in the dumpster outside our apartment building. Gross, gross, gross! And when I didn't find it there I was half-relieved, half-annoyed.

But, it turned up with another trip down to the car. At which point I was half-relieved, half-annoyed again. Of course, Christian was just excited to wrap the gift he'd picked out and hand it to his dad. Which made all the digging worth it.

I had this image of us all sitting around the table enjoying a lovely summer meal before we proceeded to the shower Shane with gifts. That quickly faded when Christian hilt meltdown mode while dinner was still cooking. Instead, we fed him a microwaved quesadilla, had a quick, gift-giving ceremony (during which Christian said, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"), made a few calls to grandpas and sent him to bed before enjoying a quiet meal to ourselves.

Let's just say it was a timely reminder of what our own fathers have gone through over the years.

Thanks, Dads Sellers and Larsen, for putting up with us, especially at those time when we didn't deserve it!

christian's 1st scooter ride

Shane and I finally got Christian the right gift at the right age. In years past we've gifted him things he wasn't really ready for -- such as a tricycle that he was way too small for (a year later, he can finally pedal it happily).

 As you can see, from day one Christian was more than ready -- and able -- to ride his new scooter.

It didn't take long for him to make it down the entire sidewalk in one run.

This kid is more coordinated than Shane and I combined. Good thing, because he's a daredevil, too, but thanks to his skills he doesn't get hurt nearly as often as he should.

christian turned three

 Even though it's been two months since this kid turned three, I couldn't help but post these pictures we took on his special day. He loves balloons so we surprised him with three big ones when he woke up that morning.

He just melts my heart, the little stinker. I love everything about him. Except maybe the tantrums. And even then -- at times -- I find myself holding back a snicker because even during those he can be hilarious.

Christian is a very energetic kid -- full of life and love. He volunteers an "I love you" to Shane and I on a daily basis. He also has taken to saying: "You break my heart!" if things don't go his way. (Again, one of those times you are trying not to snicker. One night he even unzipped his pjs to show me his broken heart!)

Christian could play outside all day, every day. He is truly a nature boy. His favorite toys are dirt, rocks, sticks and water. Seriously. I can't tell you how many times we've had to stop because he's found a rock or stick he wants to bring home.

He'd probably never admit this but I think he had fun posing for me. It was a big day -- Easter Sunday and his birthday all squeezed into one -- and he really made the most of it. I wouldn't be surprised if he's confused next year when we celebrate Easter and not his birthday or vice-versa.

We sang to him at the Wittwers' home following our Easter feast. You could tell he enjoyed the spotlight although he was a little shy about it. He had requested a chocolate cake. I spotted this one on Pinterest and happily obliged. It was scrumptious, if I do say so myself. We'll definitely be making it again someday soon.

(A few weeks after his big day we hosted a joint fiesta with his pal Milo to celebrate turning three with their friends. I didn't snap as many pics as I should have but thankfully Milo's mom, Miranda, did. You can check them out here.)

i'm glad they called me on a mission

Hard to believe it but nine years ago today I entered the Missionary Training Center, met one of my very dearest friends, and began a life-changing adventure. During my 18 months as a missionary serving the people of the Canary Islands, I learned more about the love God has for his children and came to understand better the purpose of this life on earth -- and the importance of our Savior's role -- better than I ever could have otherwise. I was blessed to come in contact with some of the most amazing people I will ever know. I will forever be grateful for the lessons I learned from them and from my time in the islands.

If anyone out there is considering serving a mission, do it. You will never regret it. I can't wait to go again someday with Shane as my companion. ;)

summer of '10

At work doing the usual Friday catch-up before the weekend and I had to empty my blackberry media storage because it was filled to the brim. Came across this awesome picture taken at the National Zoo the summer of 2010.

Christian was just over a year old, fabulously chubby, and drenched with a combo of sweat and sprinkler mist. His sheepish look cracks me up -- he was a little upset at being flagged down for running away from me, back into the sprinklers AGAIN when we were trying to head out.

So glad summer is back again!

big week for pierce (& his mom)

This little guy started his first week with an official babysitter on Monday. Her name is Soumya but all the kids call her Titi, including Christian. Up till now we've been fortunate enough to have friends and family watch Pierce for us, which has been a real blessing (there's something so different about being able to have him watched at or near our home). At the same time, we're excited for the boys to finally be together all day, every day. Christian has been over-the-moon at the prospect of having Pierce with him and I hope his enthusiasm continues now that his wish came true.

Even though it's the same babysitter that I've dropped Christian off with for nearly two years I still got emotional that first day (and today, too, if I'm being honest). I handed him off and went back to get all the bags (it's ridiculous how many bags we leave the house with every morning -- my purse, my pumping bag, Christian's lunch bag and extra bag with books and clothing, and now Pierce's bottle bag) and when I returned he was sitting on the floor laughing with Christian so as much as I wanted to linger I just sucked it up and waved good-bye, fighting back the tears as I hurried to the car. I hate to think of all the precious moments I'll miss out on, just as I did with Christian.

What a blessing it is for mothers to get to stay home with their kids! Although I'm sure there are some days you'd rather drop them off, you really don't know how lucky you are.

just another day in paradise

It's been one of those days you want to remember.

So I'm jotting a few details down.

Nothing out of the ordinary, but that's in part why I want to remember it.

Shane's got the car for the day, so the boys and I have been "stuck" at home.

We slept in, all snuggled together in our big bed. We watched some cartoons ("Phineas & Ferb"), made some breakfast (sourdough french toast), and played trains.

We opened all the windows because the weather is PERFECT. 72 degrees with a breeze and little noticeable humidity. We won't see many more days like these. They are so rare in the summertime here in Virginia.

We used our new double stroller to go on a walk with some of our favorite friends. We made time to stop at a neighborhood park and let the kids play until they were all tuckered out. There were no fights, no accidents, no tantrums -- just good old fashioned fun and laughter. Then we made our way home, with Pierce enjoying the best kind of nap -- the one with a light blanket and a nice breeze.

Back at home we made tacos with fresh avocado. They were finger-lickin' good. Then we fed Pierce his first, well, I guess this was his second round of rice cereal (his first took place too late last night when he was too tired to appreciate it). He enjoyed the attention and the chance to tap his new teeth on the spoon. He even seemed to enjoy the new texture, when he was able to keep it in his mouth. ;)

We played some more with trains and Pierce showed off his fancy leg work. All he wants to do is stand these days. He seems to be forgetting that he needs to learn to crawl before walking.

We then watched "How to Train Your Dragon" while I nursed Pierce and he and I both fell asleep on the couch. Don't worry, Christian only let us sleep so long. But man it was nice. Again, the breeze in and out of our apartment today is just heavenly. The perfect kind for an afternoon nap.

The next thing I knew Christian was on the balcony with a huge strand of toilet paper. "It's my yope!" he declared, meaning his "rope." He's still not great with his "r"s (an imperfection I secretly hope he doesn't correct anytime soon).

I coax him over and we gather up the T.P. and inspect the bathroom, which is covered in more T.P. and wet underpants. Lovely. We clean up and get his shorts on correctly (he's managed to get two legs in one whole, so it looks like he's wearing a mini skirt with a tail attached). Then we draw with chalk on our balcony. He wants me to write all of our names, and then he wants to show me that he knows which one is which. He does.

Next up: reading books in the breeze, over and over again. Christian's favorites this week are ones we grabbed at the library. They include Dora the Explorer, "Gorilla! Gorilla!" and "Pirate Bob." Pierce gets excited just being part of things, and keeps reaching for the books, eager to taste the pages.

It's now time for a snack. Christian needs a straw for his water, of course, and because we're eating on the balcony he declares this "a picnic." I agree.

I just finished nursing Pierce again. I love when his starting-to-get-chubbier little legs peek out and twist around my arm with his toes while his head and hands are covered in a light blanket (this is more for his sake than mine -- he's at the age where everything is a distraction and if Christian makes a peep Pierce quickly detaches to see what's going on).

Now I've got Christian tugging on my arm so it's time to stop typing and start playing pirates. He's already built us a ship, throwing all the couch cushions on the floor and bringing all his "treasure" of toys from his room to join our expedition. His new line these days? "Ay ay, Captain!"

I hope to have more of these kind of days soon, when I'm no longer working full time. I just hope that when I do I can recognize them for what they are and remember that this is the paradise I've been waiting for. Even when they do include floods in the bathroom and toilet paper trails.