11 Months

Darby, you are almost 1 year old. Its hard to believe that this time last year you hadn't yet arrived.
This past month you have taken off like gangbusters in the mobility department. You can now crawl and you are pretty fast. You discovered that you could now go anywhere in the house and the need to babyproof the kitchen has officially come. Yay for a trash can with locking lid. You also try to stand and have pulled yourself up a couple of times and cruised along the coffee table once. Its only a matter of (a short) time before you take off on your own, I think.

You adore having a bath and don't get even get upset when I pour water over your head. Your hair is very curly in the back and is long enough now that I have to give you a hairstyle to keep it our of your eyes. Too bad you take all the clips out and try to eat them.

As far as your personality goes, you are still a mommy's girl but exploring is your number one love right now. I am seeing a little bit of sassiness coming out too. You shake your head "no" and clap and even point your finger at me. You are beginning to hold your own with your siblings and you bit Brendan once. That's naughty!

You are a great eater and I have yet to find anything that you will not eat. Dad and I weren't paying attention at a restaurant one time and we later noticed you contentedly eating a lemon slice. Crazy girl! You now have 4 teeth and more on the way, judging by your drool and crankiness. A nasty cold came this month and you got it big time. Goopy eyes and runny nose for two weeks. Poor thing. You usually wake up once a night (teething and cold disrupted your sleeping) and I have stopped going in to get you. You usually settle back down.

And so, Darby Noodle, there you have it. You are my precious little cutie. I love the time we get to spend together. You are a joy to your daddy and me. Brother loves you and sister does as well (a little too much at times).

Don't grow up too fast, okay?

Too smart for his own good...

Jason here. So Brendan is on a huge Lego Star Wars kick as of late. Santa brought him a small set of Legos that builds into one of those At-At walkers (terminology is important in this case, Brendan knows all the names). He likes it when I "play" with him. What that really means is that I hand him the pieces that he needs to put on next. I am NOT allowed to put any of the pieces together in preparation because he will undo them and put them together himself. My only salvation is when we finish and I am let off the hook.

This afternoon I helped him put together the said At-At walker. The last step is to put in the little Lego Clone Troopers. I looked at the directions and put in the driver guy. "NO, NO Dad, you are doing it wrong," and out comes the guy.

At this point I have had it. "Yes son, that guy is the driver and he goes there. See, look," I say as I show him the directions:


Without missing a beat he opens the directions to the front page and shows me (mind you, he got this yesterday):



"Right you are." So, thwarted, dejected, defeated Dad gets up and walks out of Brendan's room.

A white Christmas a little late

I can't decide whether to be happy or sad. A blizzard came to the East Coast last night and we now have between 6 and 10 inches of snow. Now, if you live in a colder place, that might not seem like much to you but for a place that is ill-equipped for it (like Fayetteville), it is a lot. Things shut down. In fact, church was canceled today.
Brendan woke up at 6:30 and and came into our room to let us know that, "Its SNOWING!!" He was so excited. This is outside our window at that time.

When the girls awoke and it was a little bit lighter outside, I bundled the kids up and we all went outside to play in the snow.

It was so much fun!! Eva kept saying, "Its weely no-wing!"

Snow angels,

snowballs,

making a snowman (don't ask),

catching snowflakes on your tongue,

general cold, frosty play.

They loved it. Even Darby seemed to enjoy it for a bit.

Now for the sad part. This snow has ruined our plans for the trip to Washington DC next week. We were going to go for 4 days and I have been looking forward to it almost more than Christmas. It is expected to snow all day today and possibly tomorrow. Sigh. We need to find some new fun things to do. Daddy leaves way too soon.

Christmas 2010

Here are the highlights:
1. Jason - Santa completed his Nibley collection. Isn't Santa so smart as to know what he really wants? In his stocking he got a Kershaw folding knife which he played with all day. Consequently, a Curious George band-aid now graces each thumb.

2. Christine - Daddy Jason got her a hot cocoa maker which was inaugurated with a batch of Mexican hot chocolate to go along with the pancake, eggs and hash browns for breakfast (most of which she did not have to make or clean up - yay!). She also made all of Christmas dinner on her own FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER and it wasn't too bad. She might be a little more adventurous in her cuisine next year. No pictures since she is the camera-person.
3. Brendan - The bike was a hit . . .

but Star Wars stole the show. He went upstairs to put together the Lego at-at walker and snow speeder, followed by some play in his new rocket ship tent. Later, his Jedi robe made an appearance as he fought against the dark side (otherwise known as Daddy).

He and Jason went out riding for almost an hour too. He thinks he's hot stuff.

4. Eva - The show stealer for her was a superhero cloak made by Grandma Caren. She wore that thing almost all day. She ran around the house shouting "To the rescue!" and that she was "On the case". In fact, Super Eva calls her cape "my rescue".

Two new stuffed animals were also introduced to the Eva toy clan and they now sleep with her on her bed.

5. Darby - Darbs could just as easily have played with the wrapping paper than any of her gifts. She had no idea what was going on.

In fact, her favorite thing wasn't a gift of hers at all. She showed an affinity for her sister's new pretend food set. Oh well, maybe she'll come to love the Wheely Bug in time. Isn't she cute on it?

Merry Christmas!

Rite of passage

It is past due time for Brendan to have a big boy bike. So that's what he had coming for Christmas. I ordered it online and had it shipped to the store. It had been hiding in a big box, un-assembled, in the garage for over a month. After the kids went to bed, we did what I think all parents have to do at least once in their lives, put together a large toy on Christmas Eve.



After it was complete, we slapped a big red bow on it. It was quite easy actually and, oddly enough, made it feel a bit more Christmas-y under the tree.

I was pretty excited to see Brendan's face in the morning when he saw it.

Christmas Eve traditions

We decided that this year we wanted to start some Christmas traditions. Up until now, we have spend the Christmas season with extended family so we haven't really done anything for just us. This Christmas Eve we made and frosted (and ate) sugar cookies as a family.


In the evening we gathered in the front room, dimmed the lights and turned on the Christmas tree. Jason read from Luke and we sang Christmas songs whenever they seemed appropriate throughout the verses. When the kids are a bit older we want to have a nativity play. With such young ones, the night's festivities was a bit short and interspersed with "Sit down" and "Stop that!" but it is something we hope to continue throughout the years. Then it was bathtime, Christmas pajamas and off to bed. What's your favorite Christmas tradition?

Relatives

Jason's parents came to visit us during Christmas Break. The kids, especially, had a grand time. Jerry played pirates and puzzles with Brendan and Nancy is the perfect Star Wars conversationalist. Eva got extra cuddles and snuggles. Darby got sick so she really only wanted me. Darn.


However, Jason and I managed to go out on THREE dates while they were here. Yay!! We all went to see a movie on Saturday and that was great. It was wonderful to reconnect and have important conversations with family as well. Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa! We will miss you!

Grandma and the girls

Grandpa and the guys

All I want for Christmas

Look who has 2 front teeth? And we are all smiling about it.

Explanation

Sorry folks but I can't give too many details online in such a public place. Military operation security and all that. I can let you know more in an email or phone call if you want more info. I can say he is leaving next month and he is going to Afghanistan for a year, or so they tell us. He will be the dental officer for a very important group of soldiers and he also may be working on the local population.
Jason actually posted about this a few weeks ago but I think most people missed that because I posted right after him. Oops.
Anyway, he is pretty excited about the mission. We are all doing our best to be supportive. I'll keep you updated.
P.S. Thank you friends and family for all your support. Kara, I will be taking you up on the venting emails bit, I think. :)

Breaking the news

So we hadn't told the kids about Daddy deploying yet. We wanted to wait until it was a little closer to that departure date. Tonight at family scripture study, Jason was telling the story of the army of Helaman and how they were fighting on behalf of others. He told the kids that sometimes we have to go to fight to help protect others. That seems like a good segue into telling them that he would be leaving. He told them that Daddy was going to be going somewhere far away for a long time to help soldiers fight the bad guys. Brendan asked where he was going so we pulled out a map and showed him. I told him that Daddy would send us letters and pictures and that we'd post them on the special board I put up in the book room so we could see them all the time.

Then Brendan asked, "Daddy, why are there bad guys in the world?" How do you answer that question to a five year old? Well, Jason told him that people have choices and some people choose to do bad things. Then Bubbs took a deep breath, thought for a bit and said, "Well, we just need to make sure you don't get dead."
"Okay Buddy. I'll work on that," Jason told him. Then Brendan told his dad that he'd join him with his light saber when he was older.

I am not sure how real it is at this point but its a beginning. Now we can talk about it and the kids can ask questions. We'll see how it goes.

A peek into my car this morning

Brendan: Eva, do you see that truck?
Eva: No.
Brendan: Do you like trucks?
Eva: No.
Brendan: I see a bus. Do you see that bus?
Eva (bothered by his rapid fire questions): No.
Brendan: Do you hear this song?
Eva (almost yelling): No. I don't!
Brendan (annoyed and trying something new): Eva, do you think about anything?
Eva (catching on to his trick): Um, yes.

Brendan pauses, realizing his plan has failed.
Then he turns his attention to me.

Brendan: Mom, what do you like?
Mom: Quiet.

Later during the drive (all happening simultaneously)
Brendan singing the same lyrics over and over again.
Eva blowing raspberries repeatedly.
Darby experimenting with the sound made by covering and uncovering your mouth while saying "baaaaah baaaaah".

Do you see why I like quiet?

Vogue

Just had to share this picture. It makes me smile because it looks like a junior version of a fashion magazine. Not that she's super fashionable or anything - just the pose, the mismatched colors and the crazy, windblown hair. I hope I don't have a future diva on my hands.
This one is more like her. Say cheese, Eva.

Bedtime with Daddy

Since Brendan was little, Jason has been in charge of bedtime. He sees it as his special time with the kids. The bedtime routine usually follows a timeline of pajamas and teeth brushing, a book or two, a song, prayer and then a goodnight tuck-in with kiss. I love to peek in sometimes and see how things are going. These are the best times.

P.S. Brendan's bedtime is later than the girls and lately has included a bit of Star Wars role playing. Jason does a great Emperor Palpatine.

Bigger and bigger

I can't believe my baby is 10 months old. I wish I could freeze time sometimes.

She still won't crawl. She's just too chicken. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks but then drops to her belly and rolls where she wants to go. She will army crawl sometimes but only a very short distance. Its actually kind of nice. I haven't babyproofed anything yet. However, she is starting to pull herself up on things to stand. That means trouble in a different way.

She is working on those 2 upper front teeth and they look to be big'uns. Sorry Darbs. You inherited my teeth.
She is starting to hold her own with her sister but Eva still scares her with her rough play.

Sleeping has become a bit of a trial but we are working on keeping a regular schedule even if she doesn't seem to want to go down. She usually gives up the fight pretty quick. I think she doesn't want to nap because she is working on so many milestones right now. Also, she is finally healthy after a bout with a cold and the stomach flu.

She is working on talking and babbles quite a bit. I swear she says "mama" and "dada". Its funny to hear her "talk" to herself while she's eating or when she's playing.

Though she is a Mommy's girl, she is finally developing a relationship with her dad. I think that those 2 hours of one-on-one time on Sundays while I teach Primary has begun a bond. Now she will lean in to go to her dad from my arms. Its nice to see.

She's still a big girl (about 31 inches and 20.5 lbs) but weight gain has leveled off. I am not sure why. She eats all. the. time. Not nursing so much but solid foods. I cannot believe her appetite.
And I still think she is the prettiest little thing EVER. I may be biased but I don't care.

Victorian Holiday

I have no pictures of Thanksgiving. Sorry. But I do have plenty of the day after. We got out all the Christmas decorations and set up the tree. I immediately saw how much time I will spend putting ornaments back on the tree after the girls take them off daily. Sigh. But it was fun to have a whole house to decorate this year. Oh the possibilities!

And forget Black Friday (my holiday shopping was done two weeks ago anyway). We went downtown for the Dickens Holiday. Downtown Fayetteville was decorated like a Victorian era village, complete with people in costume everywhere, carolers, an olde time band, horse drawn carriages and hot cider and gingerbread.


Of all the costumed people, Brendan wanted his picture taken with the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come. Silly boy.
The local children's museum was open for reduced admission and had ornaments for the kids to make. Jason had a special affinity for the dental exhibit. :)


There was also a gingerbread house competition and a place where you could decorate your own cookie.



The night ended with a candlelight procession to the Christmas tree lighting in town square and then FIREWORKS!


It was a grand time. I really felt like the Christmas season had begun.