Everything is Green!

We had a good time in Portland. Shopping, eating, visiting, Jon-- it's all I need in life. Okay, I couldn't live without my kiddos but I definitely can enjoy a good weekend with just me and the husband (and Steve and Jill 'cause they are invited on all our trips. We like them so much we even invited them on our honeymoon).

Green-ness

This one is for Jill!

Dean is 5

It's a month late (we had internet issues), but Happy Birthday Dean!!

5 Huge reasons to love Deanerd

1) We have conversations like this:

Jon: "Dean, you are something else." (Said after laughing at something Dean said).
Dean: "You mean something not me, something not human?"

I love how literal kids are at this age.

2) He know what he likes and what he doesn't like; and what he doesn't like at the moment is wearing shirts. The other day he came home from school, took off his shirt and loudly announced "I'm never wearing a shirt again!!". This proclamation was fulfilled until about the next day when he put on shirt to go to school. If you ever happen upon him whilst he is sleeping you will find him shirtless.

3) He loves Henry. He loves everyone in his family, but especially his baby brother. The other day we went to lunch with Christian Demke and he was trying to strike a deal with Dean. The deal was bartering Henry for Sheldon. When asked if he was down for the deal, Dean took one look at Henry and burst into tears. It was really sweet/sad/cute.

He also likes to brag about Henry. The other day I told Dean that Henry was born knowing Chinese ( reinforced by the fact that Henry was babbling cute little baby sounds) and Dean had no problem believing this. The next day he very confidently told people in the elevator that his baby brother knows how to speak Chinese. He later told us that he used to know how to speak Chinese when he was a baby too, he just forgot how to speak it now.

4) I still love his one-toothed smile. I will be sad when he has a matching set of two front teeth-- especially because they will be those awkward too-big-for-your-face secondary teeth.

5) He is no respecter of persons; he genuinely likes everyone. Except monsters. And shadows. And bad guys. Everyone else he likes.

I had the saddest dream last night. I dreamt that I was in the hospital because Alta had some sort of accident. It wasn't clear what had happened, but the result was that she was in a coma. She awoke and the doctors were trying to asses the damage to her fragile mind and body. They ran many tests to figure things out and for days all she could do was lay there paralyzed and cry. Finally they told us that there was good news and bad news. The good news was that she had stopped crying and the bad news was that she was permanently paralyzed. I was devastated. What kind of life was that to live, I thought. Her brain function was already compromised and now her body was useless to her. I wondered if she would still manage to eke joy out of her life being so disabled. I awoke from my dream shortly after and was really distraught. After thinking about it for awhile I began to have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I felt gratitude for the fact that Alta does enjoy the freedom of movement and that she is able to use her mind--albeit differently than most of us--to navigate the world around her.

There was a time when I would focus on all the things Alta couldn't do. I'm not saying that I don't have days where I wish/pray/hope/obsess about her being potty-trained; her being able to brush her own teeth; or being able to dress herself (correctly), but through this experience I have really been able to appreciate every iota of progress and every talent/skill that she does have. Had she been a "typically" developing child, I would have never been excited about proper trunk control, or the use of alternate feet when climbing stairs, or the ability to pronounce hard consonants-- those amazing feats would have gone unnoticed. I know I have said it before, but we are so blessed to have Alta--she has made such a profound impact on our lives. My perspective on life--especially my eternal perspective--has been forever changed.

Now if I could only find a market for her home-made confetti (made of toilet paper, wet wipes and book fragments), then I'd be rich. Extremely rich. Want some?

Yo Gabba Gabba birthday

This little guy turned one!!

He had a blast at his Yo Gabba Gabba party!!
He ate all of his Brobee cupcake...

He took a few swings at his boombox pinata....

He admired the best home-made DJ Lance costume ever!!

He passed out goodies in these little Brobee and Foofa bags that his mommy painstakingly made....

And loved all the cardboard replicas of his favorite characters!!!

-----------------------------------------

My little H turned one on Nov. 20th and I am sad that a year has flown by so quickly. It is such a delight having him in our family and I can't imagine life without him. I tried to start a tradition of stating the reasons--numbering according to age-- why I love my kiddos. One reason just didn't seem to suffice for Henry so I thought I was going to put 12 reasons-- one for each month. After some thought, I decided that one reason was the perfect amount because it is the best reason to love Mr. H.

The number one reason to love Henry: he exudes happiness!!

Before I had children I had all these ideals about what I wanted them to look/be like. Now, after having three precious souls in my care and having a daughter with special needs, I realize that the most important thing to me is that they are happy (and healthy) little souls. We are so lucky to have three of the happiest little kids to raise. And since Henry isn't a naughty little imp (toddler) yet, I especially love soaking up his lust for life. He has a smile that melts, he is always flirting with strangers and he just loves loving his family. Happy One Year Henry!! Don't grow up too fast!

Halloween fun

Trick-or-treating with the Flakes.

Jon was a low-budget/ low-maintenance Plex and Henry was an adorable Yoda.

This is Jango Fett and a braying (is that what they do?) zebra.

Jengo Fett trying to take out Yoda.

A very belated post

Henry thoroughly enjoyed his first trip to the pumpkin patch.

He also enjoyed sampling the gourds (it reminded him of something).

Alta lives for horsies-- she gets so excited she pinches them!!

We love watching Dean drive his big sissy around. She loves it too.

Yo Gabba days

Look who's turning one in a few weeks!! He can't wait for his Yo Gabba Gabba party!!

Shortly after the above photo was taken, I found Henry in his bath (that I neglected to empty); he likes to be naughty.

This is Dean after filming his episode of YGG. I don't think we are allowed to post any pictures from the set until after the show airs. He stars in episode 301 (the school episode) which will air sometime next fall (hopefully); look for the nerdy-yet-cute teacher clad in a bow tie and glasses.

The wrap party for season 3 was kid heaven. Too bad you can't make out the kids' costumes 'cause they were cute! Alta was a zebra; she couldn't help caressing herself in her unitard/blanket/pajama outfit-- it truly was a costume fit for Alta. Dean was Jango Fett (all he knows about him is that he is on Star Wars and he really liked the gun that went along with the costume). And last, but certainly not least, Henry was Yoda. This picture had to be taken fast before Alta ditched us (or pinched DJ Lance), but it makes me happy because I think it's the first family photo since our new little guy arrived.

Dean Speak
-------------------

Dean: "When I go in to see Jill's baby I want to hold him."
Jon: "Dean, you have to wait in the car, kids aren't allowed to go in the hospital to visit the baby."
Dean: (cue major waterworks) "I want to see the baby!! That's not fair!!"
Jon: "When mommy goes to see the baby, she will take a picture and bring it back to show you."
Dean: "Okay. Mom, I want you to take a picture of Jill too, I need to see how the baby comes out of her body."

oh boy!

One more week!!

I can't wait for school to start so I can spend more one-on-one time with this chunky monkey:

.... and for other reasons such as this:

Two polliwogs

Dean finished swim lessons last week and he had a blast.  I thought we were in for a similar fate as the first week of preschool, but much to my surprise Dean jumped in feet first--literally-- and all smiles the first day of lessons.  I really think it was all about the peer pressure; there was no way Dean was going to be outdone by those he knows and loves best.  He didn't quite pass the polliwog class, but I sure am proud of him-- he even jumped off the diving board without a second of hesitation!

Beach Bums

I may be biased, but I think my friends--including those not present at the beach this day-- make the most beautiful children.  They are even cuter when childhood bliss is written all over their beaming smiles.  Overall it was a great day with old -- old as in I've been friends with them for 14 years, not old in age or appearance--friends.  I wished I could've visited more with my "old" friends, but a certain 7 year old wished to ravage camp and lay in the surf so that the salty sea water could filter into her tube-filled ears (I'm a bad mom-- I forgot the Mack's ear plugs).  Nonetheless, it was a fabulous day and my kids had the time of their lives.  The older I get, the more I realize that fun isn't defined by how things/events/people please me, but rather it is defined by how these things affect and please my children.  When my children have fun, I am pleased.

(Dean copying Porter)

(Henry and North)

(Alta doing what she does best)

(I think this might be one of Alta's favorite days ever)

(Dean trying to hang with the boys-- Jonas and Porter)

(Henry after a fistful of sand)

(baby meadow)

(Janie girl)

(Darling Zinnia)

(Blue)

(Lyd and North--the most smiley baby ever!)

Happy Birthday Alta!

(She always gives the horsies a good man-handling)

(gorgeous as ever)

(she mostly liked this ride because of the cool draft of air it blows in your face)

(she is stunned/obsessed/frightened by fire)

Our darling Alta Bear turned 7 today.  Here are 7 reasons to love her:

1.  Her smile: not only is it a gorgeous sight to behold-- with those perfectly-plump, envy-evoking, rosy-red lips-- but it also signifies a genuine regard for the beholder.  She hasn't learned to fake it or manipulate egos for her gain, so it truly is a heart-felt action.

2.  Her sense of wonder and amusement.  For instance, most of us like to look at magazines or books for visual and intellectual stimulation; Alta not only enjoys them for these purposes, but she also loves the sound of crinkling the pages; she loves the feel of the book/magazine on her fingertips; and she even enjoys an occasional smell/taste of the product.  Sometimes I think Alta is just on a higher plane than the rest of us and has mastered the art of the sensory experience.  What a joy it would be to see and experience the world through Alta's eyes; I think that is going to be my special treat when I pass on to the next life.   

3. Her quirks and idiosyncrasies.  Finding amusement in situations where it would be so easy to indulge in frustration really helps when living with Alta.  It's pretty funny to see her touch strangers on the arm as they walk by, and then blatantly smell her hand to detect their scent (maybe she's part vampire).  I also love when she walks in the room with a pant leg wrapped around her arm, a pair of underwear over her shorts and a sock covering her hand like a glove.  There are many more, but I'll stop here since this post is already a short novel.  

4.  Her sweet little spirit.  Since birth all those around her have been able to detect the angelic  eminence that radiates from Alta-- it's basically impossible to be impervious to it.  

5.  I love the language of Alta.  I love her intonation, her cute and dainty voice, that she has the need to finish sentences, and that she says "please, otay (okay)" after every expressed want.  I love that she can and does talk.

6.  I love her cuddles.  She was our little cuddle baby.  Cuddles from Alta are even more meaningful now because they are only permitted when she is the seeker of them.  Jon is the beneficiary of many more cuddles than I am; I love their special bond.

7.  Her glee.  Those that know her best appreciate the sheer enjoyment and the squeals of delight when she rides on a carousel, eats pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's, goes to disneyland, sees animals (in person, or in books), or plays in water.  It is a joy to watch her joy. 

Thank you Heavenly Father for sending Alta to live with us seven years ago.  I know she was sent here to refine us as parents rather than the other way around.  We are blessed.

We love you Bear!

 

Firsts

As soon as I sat down with the scrumptious bowl of rice cereal, this is the reaction I got from Henry:

It was as if he was thinking: Finally I get the good stuff (he didn't know that rice cereal tastes like cardboard yet.)  I think he was just happy to not be on an all-liquid diet. 

After giving him about 3 bites, Henry swiftly grabbed the spoon from me and took matters into his own hands.
He got a little overzealous; apparently his gag reflex works fine.
All done.
Hankster is already trying to crawl-- he has a quiet determination (as opposed to Dean's vocal ways.)  I don't want my baby to grow up!!