Starting Small

Changes

2011-08-16T23:01:00.003-04:00

So...as you probably know, we are moving/have moved from our wonderful, homey, cozy, much much too small condo into a rental that our friend just bought. We will close on our condo sell on Friday. The plan is to find a single family here in this town we love so much but for now we are just waiting for our dream house (and a couple thousand dollars to make up for the tiny bit of a low price we accepted). I'll have some pictures of our cute little apartment to show later but for now I have three cute kid stories.

1 - One of the days that Aaron took off to help pack I had a short meeting to run to while the girls ate breakfast. With my ponytail, jean skirt and cardigan I was ready to head out the door when Meggie says "Mom! You BARBIE!" And yes, I floated around all day because of that comment.

2 - Same day I was feeling bad for upheaving the girl's lives (although they've been nothing but excited to move) and apologized to Tessa that the house was such a mess. She looked around, bewildered, "Mom, its not messy...all the stuff is in BOXES."

All in one day, a daughter who thinks I look like Barbie and one who thinks I'm a decent housekeeper. Bliss.

3 - The story in which we anthropomorphize our house. Meg has struggled a little bit with all the change around here, but not as much as I thought she would based on the fact that "House" has been a character in her chatter for quite some time. In her prayers she thanks Heavenly Father, not for our house, but simply for "House." And the other day I listened to this conversation.

Tessa: You can be on a team with Momma and I'll be on a team with Daddy and Quincy.

Meg: Momma and House.

Tessa: No, just Momma.

Meg: No! Momma and House.

Tessa: No silly Meg, you can't have House on your team, a house doesn't have arms and you have to be able to HUG to be on a TEAM.

Meg: O-kay.

Blog Mooch

2011-07-14T08:06:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty sure she hates it when I do this but her pictures are vastly better (and there are more of them) and, well, she posts on her blog occaisionally. So really I have no choice but to link you to my sister Laura's blog for info about our 4th of July holiday.

As Tessa says - Happy America Day.

Ballet.

2011-07-13T19:49:00.002-04:00

The girls started Ballet today.

Sorry, no pictures.

It was a pretty last minute thing and I wouldn't really think of myself as someone who puts a TWO year old into a CLASS. But the girls are basically always doing their own version of Ballet, inspired by the one Angelina Ballerina video we borrowed from the library four months ago.

This is how I know it was a good move. Meg put herself to bed at 6:30 and the last thing Tessa said to me before I put her to bed was "There are no doors into the ballet room, you just walk in and you are there...That. Is. So. COOL!"

They were so happy that MY head nearly burst with happiness.

(Also, imagine the little body that did the running in the post below this one, doing ballet. Serious cuteness.)

Run Meggie Run

2011-06-13T23:12:00.000-04:00

10 Years

2011-05-23T09:26:00.000-04:00

Happy Anniversary to US.

Or, if you are four or younger, Happy 10 Birthday to our Family.

We all made wishes before we blew out the candles.

We'll let you know when they come true.

Meggie Baby

2011-05-04T23:22:00.000-04:00

Meg turned Two.

She really is so stinkin' cute I don't even know what to do.

She and I went to her library group and on the way I asked if she wanted me to tell people it was her birthday. She carefully nodded her head yes (she just learned how to do that) but acted shy whenever I did and the other person, appropriately, made a big fuss.

She loved being the center of attention.

Self Worth

2011-05-04T23:01:00.001-04:00

Today Tessa was in a good mood.*

Today whilst I was doing some work at the coffee table Tessa plopped down on the couch next to me and put her feet on my lap in a very "pay attention to me" sort of way. It wasn't helpful.

But you know what...it is nice that she feels like she is so super special that I should pay attention to her. I wish I felt that way about myself more often.

Oh look...Aaron is doing some work at the coffee table right now...

*this is important, otherwise she would have just been being bratty.

When your kitchen looks like this...

2011-04-03T22:01:00.000-04:00

At 5:00pm on a Saturday - then you know its a pizza night.


This...also a pizza night.

The pictures above are from the past two Saturdays. Sadly, in terms of organization and to-do lists, I feel less prepared to sell after two weeks of hard work than I did when we started.

I thought of trying this (prepping to sell) last October but Meg wasn't walking yet and it just wouldn't have worked. Nowadays the girls entertain each other for minutes on end. Its HEAVEN. They spent yesterday afternoon chillin in their new camp chairs (note to self, do not go to Christmas Tree Shops when trying to de-clutter your house!). Meg especcially was really into enjoying the good life.

Rollerskating

2011-03-13T21:25:00.000-04:00

Punk Rockers and other such things

2011-02-27T13:56:00.000-05:00

Snow Bunnies

Little Punk Rocker Sheena Boom

And band member Lux Ivy

Diva WWF wrestler Princess Frost takes down Spunky Doe

Yoga gurus Crack of Dawn and Rainbow lead their class in the down dog.

Every Birthday Needs Balloons!

2011-02-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

When the girls found out it was Grandma C******'s Birthday today there was only one appropriate question.

"Does she have balloons?"

Just in case she doesn't...

8:35

2011-02-13T20:35:00.001-05:00

I once told a friend who's son turned four that "four year olds are just kids, not even little kids anymore." And the pictures below really prove that point. But still, a few nights ago, Tessa stood as tall as she could and said "Look how big I am!" I was overcome by how small, sweet, and innocent she is.

Four years - whoa.

For those of you who knew that Tessa was insisting that she'd be turning FIVE - nine days ago, completely on her own accord, she asked me shyly "Mom, when will I turn four?" and I tentatively responded "in nine days...?" and she smiled.

3-5 year olds are ADORABLE!

"Are you ready for the movie star?"

And just because I can't help it

Tessa - 9 weeks old.

Two things I never want Tessa to say In Real Life

2011-01-29T22:59:00.000-05:00

Some things are appropriate for a three year old to say "for 'tends" - but if I am really hoping not to hear either of these phrases used later on in her life.

1 - I called Tessa to the lunch table multiple times, finally she dashes to the kitchen breathlessly "Sorry teacher, I was late because my baby was sick."*

2 - "I had a friend in college named Uma Zuma" (No kid of mine will be spending her time with someone who has a name like that when she should be studying!)

*Only acceptable if she uses this when pursuing an advanced degree at any respected institute of higher learning, in which case it would be "Sorry professor...".

Because its been so long...

2011-01-08T22:38:00.000-05:00

And in case you missed it you can read about our Thanksgiving right....HERE (Lets hope blogging hiatus ends soon or I might just have to post about Christmas on. my. OWN.)

Saturday in Boston

2010-11-07T20:44:00.000-05:00

I have been avidly following the news on Jon Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity" and because the concept behind it perfectly fits my political viewpoint I felt inclined to participate in the Boston "Reasonable picnic to Restore Sanity" satellite rally. Of course, true to the concept Aaron couldn't come because he had stuff to do (paint the house...pictures will be coming eventually) and since he had to be in Cambridge later that day (and we only have one car) I decided that the girls and I would make a day of it. We took the bus into the city, a dream come true for Tessa...for the first 15 minutes. After that she developed the glazed commuter look and started to wonder what was the big deal about the bus. I started to get motion sick because of the driving of our rather angry bus driver. We transfered to the subway, which Tessa liked and eventually ended up at the Boston Common. The plan in my mind was a picnic in the park- but it was COLD and so rather than drag the kids to Burger King, then back to the rally location we just ate in the store and showed up at the rally 45 minutes late. Once again, things to do.

Honestly, there wasn't much going on. No live feed from DC or any speakers or anything. Mainly just people with funny signs. I borrowed one (too busy to make my own) and this picture is priceless!

Those kiddos kill me with their cuteness. At one point the group of about 200 people decided to march to the State House...well sort of. Someone suggested it "Lets march to the State House" and others shouted "We are still eating" Response - "Okay then, in 10 minutes." Tessa and Meg really got into the march - chanting and singing to their own drummer whilst the rest of us walked along in a reasonable manner. Then we left the group and hit the really awesome playground in the Common.

Fall in New England is such a blessing!

Tired baby. Hours past her nap.

Then...

DUCK!

Tessa walked the whole day, all around the Common then down Charles Street to the subway stop. She wanted to walk across the bridge over the Charles River but had a tiny little meltdown out of shear exhaustion. Some Dunkin' Donuts helped perk her up and she didn't even fall asleep in the car on the way home. She is really not a baby at all anymore. Sigh.

More from October

2010-11-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Although Aaron was painting the house over Columbus Day weekend we still managed to squeeze in some time at the Topsfield Fair.

We keep trying to force Meg to love carosels...she played along for 20 seconds the off into Mommy's arms. Tessa though, is a regular cowgirl!

This is ride Tessa hesitated to do last year (grown-ups aren't allowed to ride) and then when she got up the nerve she missed her chance by 30 seconds because it started raining. I don't know if she remembers that, but this time she just climbed aboard and had a great time.

This picture embodies one of the sweetest things about Tessa. I can't even explain it, but look at that shy yet completely thrilled little wave she's doing. Kill me now it is so cute.

Meg and Momma rode the CRAZY BUS together (it goes up and down...oooooooo) She was very eager to go on a ride to, after watching Tessa do a few.

But when it came down to it, she didn't quite get what the thrill was.

Unrelated to the fair is this cake. The candy corn just make it a Fall cake, instead of a "Mommy wants sugar, what do we have in the house" cake.

Pumpkin parade.

The squirrel that was living in our floorboards...Aaron dropped it off at a local park with a bag of nuts to replace the ones he'd been storing at our house all winter. Good deed done. Then when he got home our neighbor informed Aaron that squirrels mate for life...so now the pressure is on to catch the 2nd squirrel and re-unite them before squirrel #1 decides to shack up with a park floozy.

The one thing we were unable to do at the Fair was ride the Ferris Wheel, even though that is the main thing Tessa requested. Luckily for her there is a carnival that comes to Salem during Halloween (probably the same group from the Fair) so she and Daddy took a special trip downtown just so she could ride the Ferris Wheel. She loved it. Aaron isn't much for heights so his stomach started to get a bit woozy, but Tessa was unafraid. Love her!

** (Ahhh....I might pass out, I just figured out how to add a whole bunch of photos at once in blogger AND move them around so much easier - maybe, just maybe I'll post more often)

The Halloween post posted on Halloween!!

2010-10-31T21:43:00.005-04:00

We've gone trick or treating three times in the past 9 days, each with varying costume combinations based on my preparedness or the kids cooperation.

Our first ToT-ing was at Pickering Wharf in Salem...

(They are bears by the way)

This is from tonight...I made better bear ears for the girls (barretts) but mine look like mouse ears, oh well. It has that homemade "je ne sais quoi"

(And yes I posted this pic even though Meg's face is hidden because it makes my hair look great)

I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be a "bear face" that is coming across as a grumpy face, or maybe I'm just delusional. Oh, and Tessa did her own make up...not necessarily according to my plan...

2010-10-30T20:59:00.005-04:00

I talked with my mom last night and she urged me to post more often on the blog. Perhaps I'll make her a deal, I'll post everytime she calls me on the phone... eh? ;)

Sadly for her I'm posting something I've already shared with her.

I wanted to make a cake for the ward halloween party (the fact that there was no scary cake contest this year, unlike the previous six years did not make it through to my consciousness- honestly people, stop messing with tradition) and stumbled across a cute idea from Martha Stewart.

I was worried that the frosting wouldn't be super white and would therefore clash with the marshmellows so I, because I'd read a blurb about it on google, decided to add one drop of blue (?!) food coloring to the frosting. The second I started mixing it together I knew I'd made an ENORMOUS mistake that I could never recover from and started moaning about the kitchen and berating myself for my stupidity.

In the midst of this drama-fest Tessa calmly says "Mom, it will look fine, lets just keep going, don't give up." Me: "Do you really think so...?" Tessa: "Yes, now come back over here and lets make the cake."

In the end it was a disaster, but a cute, rather oozy looking disaster (thats a good thing) - and since no one else showed up with a cake for the ward trunk-or-treat party - I declared myself the winner of the 2010 Scary Cake Contest!

And now for comparison's sake (and a good laugh)

Martha's Cake - -

My cake - -

Conference Weekend

2010-10-10T21:26:00.003-04:00

I love me a good family tradition and since this is the 3rd General Conference in a row that we've gone to the sea shore between sessions it looks like I have a new one to add to the list. (I say sea shore because that sounds so much more reverent and Sunday-worthy that "gone to the beach")

This year we went to downtown Marblehead and to the park there (name escapes me).

My little dare devils...

Of course its not as steep as it looks in the photo but Tessa did climb the whole thing by herself.

Meg finally decided to become a walker. This was her first outing with her new skill.

{There was a family photo here,
that a nice woman volunteered to take, but I look like an ogre so...
...no.}

We got home from the shore just in time to eat our soup and sandwiches in front of our big screen.

I hate to be picky but..

2010-10-05T13:01:00.001-04:00

...no one commented on this post from a few months ago and I wouldn't mention it except it has a great video of Tessa "reading" on it that I think you'll like.

Just a reminder (to myself)...

2010-10-04T08:53:00.000-04:00

...that I am in no way in control of my life.

After a great Conference weekend I woke up motivated and with big plans. I got up early to so yoga (original plan was running but it is raining out) and Meg woke up 10 minutes later. I did manage to do about half the video but "King Dancer" position is hard enough without a toddler hanging onto your thigh.

Next agenda item - an early trip to the grocery store. However, we've got ten minutes before 9:00 and Tessa is still sleeping soundly. By the time she wakes up, eats breakfast and gets dressed it'll be Meg's naptime and justify as I might, 2:00pm does not count as "early."

Good thing my motivation only extended far enough to plan two things for my day.

That said - it has been a nice morning reading and coloring with Meg. Oh, I've got to go, she's prepared a delicious meal of plastic Pringles for me.

Julaugber

2010-10-03T14:14:00.006-04:00

"Doh!"

Summertime has been fun and fun and fun around here.

No time for blogging, obviously.

But on occaision I did take pictures so here are July, August and September for your viewing pleasure.

(Winter was the season of grumpy photo faces - Summer is the season of silly photo faces)

Our solution to a small house. Take that housing market!

Family Day during Salem's Heritage Days.

Family Fun Day featured 5 bounce houses - Tessa was a big fan.

Taken on a weekend morning - the one day I got to sleep in because Daddy cornered the girlies on their room with fruit loops to distract them.

Boston greenway merry-go-round. Meg lasted abou 30 seconds before she needed to dismount, Tessa, though, is a regular ol' cowgirl.

I had a fantasy that I'd take some pictures near the waterfront and enter them into a contest for a local organization. No one cooperated, this was my best shot. :P

Wake up Daddy!

An 85 degree day in the 3rd week of September meant we were the only people on the beach.

We had fun, though.

Three days later we brought daddy along when we hit one of the "nice" beaches that generally has a high parking fee.

Meg was ready.

This picture is for those of our friends in the west who are going on bear hunts. Aaron "caught" this bear and Meg posed with it.

Tessa is channeling her inner mother warrior.

Sleepover on the bedroom floor.

Are you sick of the beach photos?

I'm pretty sure the "summer" weather is over...

But you never know.

What's going on?

2010-09-19T21:54:00.002-04:00

Many people lately have asked "So, what's going on with the U**s lately?" and I just can't think of anything out of the ordinary. The answer is that we are just living our lives. Aaron and I are both pretty busy and the kids are growing and starting to play together.

Other questions you might have, based on the fact that these are what most people ask

"Did Tessa just start pre-school?" No, we are going to wait until next year to put her in pre-k...but we did just start a once a week swap with another family from our church and Tessa LOVED it.

"Is Meg walking yet?" Nope, and that is totally by (her own) choice. I try to convince her that she is missing out but she insists that crawling is better, and safer.

"Does Meg have any words?" Bird is her favorite. Followed by bread, grapes, milk, wa-wa (said in the tone of a babbling brook). She just reached the stage where she understands nearly everything we say. Especcially if we ask "do you want breakfast?" Her response is always a resounding YA!

And now, for your viewing pleasure...

Guess who said it.

2010-09-01T22:59:00.003-04:00

"Oh great! I can cross two things off my list tonight ... (describes a single list item)... it was on there twice."

"I don't like that wedding dress at all. It just looks like a white tank top with a skirt attached."

"What am I three? Why are you writing down the things I say?"

June

2010-08-17T21:25:00.003-04:00

According to my photos June appears to have been arts and crafts month...

(What? Putting stickers on your sister is definitely a craft, and forgetting about the stickers and taking your daughter to CVS like this is motherhood as art)

Oh, and June was also naked month ...

Photo Catch-up - May

2010-08-15T22:11:00.003-04:00

It is August and not a rain cloud in sight. However, back in May...

We donned our rain jackets and headed into Boston to meet our friend Maria H and Audrey. Not that I have any pictures of Maria and I together... oops :(

Before we met our friends the girls and I snuck down to the public garden to visit the "Make way for the duckling" sculpture.

Daddy caught up to us just a bit later. He dropped us off then went to find a parking spot.*
This is the only picture I have of the friends we met...just the kiddos.

I guess in this case the lack of pictures indicates I was just too busy having fun.

*Aaron is a Westerner at heart and HATES paying to park. So, even though he had to leave in the middle of dinner to go move the car he counted this day as an immense success because it only cost $1.86 to park in Boston for 6 hours. Boo-YAH!

Intake of breath

2010-07-26T22:45:00.002-04:00

I had a moment tonight.

We spent Family ~~Home~~ Evening at the Common where we luxuriated in the amazing weather. Tessa has been surprising me, pleasantly, by finding three-year-olds to chase around the park with. I looked up when I heard her laughing and screaming to see her run full speed around the slide with a curly haired girl in hot pursuit. It only took me a second to realize that this little girl (who I'd seen around the past few years with her mother) was at the NEMC NICU at the same time Tessa was.

Two happy beautiful girls playing together.

When I introduced myself to her father he said "Thank goodness for that place." I agreed.

Summer

2010-06-28T21:01:00.004-04:00

This summer is shaping up to be one of my favorite seasons ever.

(I took this picture in between digging out the garden bed and spreading grub killer.)

Back yard kiddie pool.

Vegetable and flower gardening + only having to water once a week because it rains over night.

Getting to know the neighbors.

Tessa learning to dig in the dirt and run through the sprinklers.

A standing tea party date with me, the girls and our next door neighbor. Tessa calls her "our pink friend" because she wears pink (well) 90% of the time.

The beach. The beach. The beach. (And two kids who love it)

FREE swimming lessons offered by the city + season passes at the city pool for $6.00 a person.

I'll let you know when I think of more.

No Fear

2010-06-27T21:01:00.005-04:00

We met some friends at the Y for Friday family night...Suddenly two of my family members were missing and this is where I found them.

Cute isn't it...

...but she would never dare climb, would she?

Well, the thing about Tessa is that for all her timidity (which is lessening as she gets older) she will try anything as long and we have never once hinted that it is hard/scary etc.

And so...

No end to the stories...

2010-06-22T22:48:00.002-04:00

I have at least five hilarious stories, courtesy of a certain three year old...

However, they may be controversial in that they have to do with...ahem, nipples. But in a totally (nursing) family friendly way.

So if you want to hear them, read on.

1 - Around the beginning of the year Tessa started checking periodically to see if her little niplets were "still there". Then, while we were visiting Auntie Laura she started asking me who all had nipples. Daddy? Meg? Quincy? She? (this refers to Auntie Laura and Uncle Connel, whom Tessa called "she" and "he" until the last day we were visiting when she started calling them "the other daddy" and "the other mommy") I giggled at this last question and told her she should ask Auntie...

Later that morning at breakfast Tessa started asking again. "Do I have them?" Yes. "Mommy, do you have them?" This line of questioning sent Uncle Connel scurrying into the other room in a hurry. Yes, I responded. Then Tessa turned the tables on my little game by asking excitedly "Lets SEE!" At which point Connel passed out.

2 - Not only is Tessa interested in nipples, so is Meggie. The girls where in the bathtub and Meg giggled and grabbed for Tessa's chest. She kept pinching and pinching and Tessa giggled and tried to squirm away. Finally, she really protested, with very clear logic. "Meg, STOP. You has yours own!" (An argument many of us could use at one point or another)

3 - Now a days Tessa covers her little chest every time we change her shirt and squeals. "Hurry, these are going to get cold!" (Which she has pointed out would make it hard to feed her baby.)

4 - And the other day I gave Aaron a hair cut. He sat in the kitchen bare chested, with a towel and a plastic drape on. It was chilly in the house. After I finished giving him one of the best hair cuts ever (hair cuts by wives are always amazing...right?) he was brushing the hair off and cleaning up. Tessa was very concerned. "Daddy, are those gonna get cold?" "You better cover them!"

5 - I'm sure there are more to come. And if you are really upset that I exaggerated and only have 4 stories you can see a 5th story here...

Bath

2010-06-18T21:14:00.000-04:00

Meg. Loves. Bathtime.

Especially because she is in the tub with TESSA!

Tessa is fond of bath time as well. I mean, how could you not love the bath when you have feet that look like this?

And how could you not love Bath Time in a bathroom that looks like this...

BEFORE

AFTER.

Photo Catch-up Meg's Birthday

2010-06-06T17:35:00.005-04:00

Someone just (as in 6 weeks ago) turned ONE.

Meg shares her birthday with a little boy in our ward. When his mom and I talked about doing a joint "party" I warned her I had an idea for a theme but it might be a bit girlie (as in, not trucks). She gave me carte blanche so I went ahead with my idea.

Last year the kids were born on a 90 degree day in April and all the trees blossomed at once. So the theme was "Popcorn popping on the apricot tree" and I spent a good deal of my day making this...

Which as you can see had three cupcakes at the top that could be pulled off to make 2 birthday "cakes" and a ~~pity~~ "don't feel left out" cake for Tessa.

Which she enjoyed

Photo Catch-up - Easter

2010-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

I rocked Easter. I feel upside down most days but I pulled it together for the holiday and, essentially, became my mother for the day.

I mean look at this - bunny shaped pancakes.

Plus rice kripsy treats in the shape of bird's nest and dinner on the table and the house clean in time before our dinner guests arrived. Cute little monograms for the girls baskets. A necessity so that Tessa wouldn't claim it all for herself.

It was conference weekend so no church, just home in jammies listening to inspired words on the internet. The past few years we have walked along the beach between sessions - the past few years it has been in the 50-60s and drizzly, so it seemed Sunday appropriate. When it is 75 and GORGEOUS, it seems a little less so. But that didn't stop us from enjoying the beautiful day on the beach with the new Easter Bunny kite and bubble gun. (No pictures because I made the decision to enjoy the trip, not photo-document it).

Aaron got to fulfill a childhood fantasy of drinking milk from the inside of a hollow chocolate bunny. And by fulfill a fantasy I mean, live vicariously through his daughter, like any good parent should.

Icing on the cake was Tessa's first potty training success - I told her I would let her buy a prize if she "went" (remember 3 weeks to even sit on the potty...) so of course it was on a Sunday. Luckily I had a stash of fun things in the closet, including super fun window crayons. WE. LOVE. THEM.

Photo Catch-up - March

2010-05-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

March began our ORDEAL of potty training. It began with the simple task of getting Tessa to sit on the potty. That took three weeks to get her to do it willingly without tears. Then came actually going...we are still working on that- SIX. WEEKS. LATER. I know that many of you have suffered through listening to me talk about it.

And I feel bad about that.

But I've suffered through actually doing it! I overheard a mom at library story time saying that her son pretty much potty trained in 2 days and I wanted to either cry or strangle her.

Anyway - maybe I'll talk more about this later (you are on the edge of your seat, I know) because I need serious advice but for now I'll show you a sliver lining of potty training...seeing this cute bum...

I love reading to the girls and it was one of the big things I looked forward to with kids...but Daddy, oh Daddy - he is such a good story reader.

Poor Tessa hears "I just need to send one email" or "Daddy/Mommy can't play right now, I just need to finish some work" much, much too often (she'd hear it less if she still napped - unfortunately some work just needs to be done during business hours). As any good three year old should, she turns the table by using one of those phrases as an excuse for why she can't come when I call.

Then there are other times when Tessa is the influence on Daddy...

Just for you - some Meggie smiles...

The bag of yarn was laying on the floor; the aftermath of an attempt to clean out Closet A. Tessa worked quietly on the project and when I came to see what she was doing she told me "Mom, I just trying to make a sweater."

Click here to read about our surprise trip to Cleveland...

This was taken whilst Aaron and Tessa were playing in a deserted lobby of the Cleveland Art Museum. As one of Aaron's co-workers observed - Tessa was truly experiencing the architecture of the space.

My blogging fog feels like it is beginning to lift...I have some thoughts beginning to percolate in my head. So, if I can get through April and May I may actually start elucidating. I'm sure you can't wait.

Photo Catch-up - February

2010-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Still no eloquence...bring on the photos...

Making due when it is too cold to do sidewalk chalk outdoors.

Photo Catch-up - January

2010-05-16T21:29:00.003-04:00

I lack any eloquence. In lieu of thoughtful commentary I'm just going to post cute pictures from my last few months of bloglessness.

In no particular order...

Tessa is reading a Thomas the Tank Engine "book" (brochure from the toy packaging) to her Thomas, Percy and Emily trains.

Perfect eyes. Perfect hair. Perfect skin. Red velvet cake mix.

Meg's Baby

2010-05-14T21:48:00.003-04:00

If you are wondering if age one is too young for a baby to appreciate getting a baby doll this video will erase all doubt.

Tessa's Birthday

2010-04-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Having a child old enough to anticipate her birthday is so much fun. Tessa was excited for friends to come, for them to wear birthday hats (I had to go out the night before the party to find them), for cupcakes, and of course, for presents.

I let Tessa pick her theme and it was "Pink and Purple." Gotta love simplicity!

The theme is evident in the pictures.

Sweet as can be.

Banana Phone

2010-04-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

We have 2 old cell phones, 3 play phones, and approximately 213 other items that will do in a pinch.

Contraband

2010-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Some of my kids need their morning upper*

And others need some help getting to sleep at night

*Cup o' Pretzels - Thanks Josie!

Meg's Tricks

2010-04-04T21:37:00.003-04:00

(Plus you get to hear me sing!)

I have no idea where she learned how to roll her hands but man, it is CUTE!

Its not me, its you...

2010-03-28T21:54:00.004-04:00

Yes, I did in fact turn thirty this January. And with little emotional fanfare as I tend to look forward to my birthdays (although I did freak out a bit when I was turning 27 and had no idea how to take care of my soon to arrive 1st born). I attribute my ability to ease gently into my thirties to the fact that I am in just the perfect spot in life. Not too many kids, not to few, good guy at my side, a cozy little house in a great cit - and - unless you look really closely in the ~~right~~ wrong light, no gray hair.

However.

What is really wigging me out is that all of YOU are turning thirty. I can turn thirty. But when my entire peer group, in a single years time is blogging, facebooking and txt msging about the big 3-0 I suddenly realize - I am friends with old people.

So, I'll continue to age gracefully, thank you very much. But if the rest of you could stop, that'd be great.

Happy Birthday to me, from my my raisons d'etre.

Christmas? Do you still want to hear about Christmas?

2010-03-12T23:11:00.007-05:00

A few months ago a lot of my friends celebrated a holiday called Christmas. We decided to join in on the festivities.

The week before Christmas our friend Maria let us invite ourselves to join her cookie baking extravaganza. Here is Tessa (who actually smiled after about 15 non-smiling shots) hard at work sifting flour and powdered sugar.

And her feet...

(As a side note - while preparing this post I got to feeling very excited for Christmas, only 9 more months. I also feel very embarrassed that I am posting about this in March - get it together Emily.)

Behold - The Christmas Tree

Christmas Morning

7:30 am

8:15 am - Discovering Meg's short attention span and playing with Santa toys.

9:00am (after breakfast)

11:00am (after Meg's first nap)

1:45 pm (after Meg's second nap) - looking for creative ways to open MORE presents.

Finally we finished opening most of the presents at 3:00pm.
(Tessa still had two gifts that, by that time, she refused to open so we put away for her Birthday.)

Thanks for hanging in there with me on this slow posting...

December Visitors

2010-03-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

In late November Aaron was asked to be a Stake High Councilor so his Mom and Dad flew out here the first weekend in December so that Grandpa U could ordain Aaron. Because our plan was to stay in MA for the holidays it was especially nice for us to have some family visit during the season. Their trip also coincided with the Christmas in Salem Holiday House Tour that I the non-profit that I work for hosts each year (this year was the 30th annual tour) so they got to see some of the really cool historic homes in Salem.

A hottie keeping my cutie warm.

Does it look cold? Oddly enough two days before this picture we all went to the park and enjoyed 70 degree weather (yes, in December).

What a pretty dress! Tessa was going through a "not looking at the camera" phase.

Cute pic headed into the Aquarium

A-DOR-ABLE candid shot. I turned around and she was sitting patting this penguin.

Okay - and now, some of you may not like this but I'm going to post a bunch more pictures of the trip on facebook - see you there.

Where to begin? (November)

2010-03-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

It has been at least two months...no, more...since I really, really REALLY updated. Am I even capable of catching up at this point? I guess I'll only know if I try.

November

Quick trip to New Hampshire with some friends and some outdoor activities (I love "unseasonably warm" and "November" in the same sentence).

Playing like she is an angel.

When in fact these two screamed the entire way up.
Can you say "I'm not kidding - I'm going to turn this car around."

Poor Meggie - I forgot to pack her a coat.

Tessa is multi-tasking on a Nap/Hike.

Oh yes, and Thanksgiving - the last we'll have with our "family" Dusty, Crystal and Avery. We've eaten every Thanksgiving and Easter dinner with them for at least 4 years. Sniff.

What is a post about Fall in New England without the requisite foliage picture?

Doh!

2010-02-28T09:00:00.002-05:00

Aaron at times is incredibly thoughtful. He says just the right thing at just the right time.

But hey, no one is perfect...

Raise your hand if you've ever had a question that is sort of blunt, but you craft your words in a way to make it sound benign and innocent (ie - Did you get a face lift!? vs. Wow, you are really looking good, do you have any tips?)

This is not what Aaron did.

A former member of our congregation was visiting from Utah, and Aaron's question was meant to ask if our friend's new ward had much diversity - But he cut straight to the chase with this:

"So, are all the people in your ward rich like you?"

Happy Love Day

2010-02-14T22:27:00.003-05:00

Mwwwwaaaah!!

Paging Dr. Tessa

2010-02-14T21:50:00.002-05:00

I have a friend (I'm not going to name names) who is nearing the end of her pregnancy, but is not there yet. There being full-term.

I won't go into details (this blog has talked enough about cervii that I am not going to introduce anyone else's into the conversation) but she should probably be on some level of bedrest...and she would - but her doctor hasn't officially recommended it so she doesn't feel "entitled" to the help that she'd need.

So - just for her - I've called in a specialist.

"M****, In my professional opinion I think you need to be on modified bedrest."

There, that should do it.

XO XO XO

Mommy and Daddy time

2010-01-28T15:56:00.003-05:00

While it is undeniable that Tessa and Meg adore each other there is still something wonderful about getting your Mommy and Daddy's full, undivided attention. Generally this happens when one kiddo is asleep and the other awake (ie, Meg gets the early morning attention and Tessa gets the night attention). They both glow when they are nestled between us reading stories in bed.

And speaking of that, Meg did get to go on a fun "date" with Mommy and Daddy in October (yes, 3 months ago...I'm behind) that I must brag about.

Because our stake lacks a stake center we have had all sorts of arrangements for stake conference. Its a good thing our stake center will be finished soon because it would be hard to top this last stake conference. With Elder Ballard slated to attend the crowd was expected to be huge - so - the adult session (held Friday night, to avoid Halloween) was held in...

...Trinity Church.

I can't tell you how cool that was! When I found out the location my first thought was "I hope Aaron enjoys his time with girls while I attend stake conference." Okay - truthfully it was :

I'M GOING, I'M GOING, I'M GOING.

Since Aaron's thoughts were pretty much the same we instead got a babysitter for Tessa and toted little Meg along with us.

(Complete with Halloween jammies)

Do I even need to tell you how great it was? The space was beautiful and historic. And acoustically - vastly superior to the gymnasium.

Oh yes, and the message. I'd like to think that I would have made it such a priority to attend if the only draw was Elder Ballard. Yes - I think I would have. But I'll never really know because I was so pumped about having a service in such an amazing space. That said, I did really enjoy his message and the personal level at which he spoke to us. He said many things - but what has impacted my life the most since then is advice he gave that is applicable to anyone.

"Take time out daily for quiet moments of reflection."

Animal Transport

2010-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

I couldn't decide if this photo should be labeled.

"Tessa's Ark"

or

"Noah's Stroller"

A note on resolutions (how original)

2010-01-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

I haven't been really inspired by resolution setting this year. Some years I have tons and tons of ideas that I want to do, but this year I got hit with the bettering myself motivation a few months ago and so I am already trying to do most of the things I would generally resolve to do. Not that you could tell...sadly, the whole "start slow and taper off" sort of thing is my general modus operandi.

And thats the thing - I have the best of intentions but the results are less than stellar (does that sound familiar because I refuse to believe I am the only one who deals with this!). As a result my plans for betterment begin to sound ridiculous as they are repeated over and over. But trust me (Aaron - I'm talking to you!) I mean it every time I say it.

And then there was this blog post I read that contained this sentence:

"That same girl who was never organized for class, is the same woman who who still struggles with cluttered areas throughout her house, yet embraces hospitality by opening her home (even when boxes are stacked in the corner)."

And so you see - I am often embarrassed at the condition that so many have seen my house in. The type of embarrassed that I laugh at outwardly -

"Oh, its messy - you know me"

But inside I'm deep, down truly mortified by it.

I mean seriously - I held book club at my house with bare roof rafters over our heads! I once had my in-laws stay in a tent in our study. And now anyone who walks up our front stairs is essentially standing in our master bedroom; aka, the kitchen; aka the place we pile all our clothes, books, blankets, toys, and tools for world domination.

But you are still welcome to come over.

Happy New Year.

Hannah

2010-01-03T12:23:00.007-05:00

I'm skipping over all Christmas good times for the moment to post pictures of Baby Hannah's visit to MA.

Laura and Connel are crazy. They took at 10+ hour drive with a newborn. Laura asked (via txt) if they could come for New Years only 5 days before them came. I thought about it for about .217 seconds. YES!

This kiddo grew up over the weekend while we had a baby in the house.

Tessa got older as well - holding, talking to and helping Baby Hannah.

She even helped her find some friends.

Auntie brought these matching shirts.

As you can see, Tessa made good friends with Uncle Connel.

A nice family snapshot taken at the JFK Library/Museum.

This is after we told Tessa to look at the camera.

Classic self timed photo with camera perched on the stroller...everybody squeeze in!

Thanks for coming...I hope the drive home wasn't too bad. (See that stormy weather behind them? That is what they are driving home in as I type.)

8 Months

2009-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

This snuggly wiggleworm and with a super soft belly and amazing pooping abilities is eight months old!?

Excuses excuses

2009-12-29T17:00:00.001-05:00

If you are interested in what took a big chunk of my free time in November, check out this article.

A magical Christmas-tical tour: Homes, historic sites open for holiday visits - Salem, MA - Salem Gazette

I'll be honest, all I did was layout the tour guide book. Then, once that was done I got to enjoy the tour with Aaron's parents. This is the major fundraiser for the non-profit historic preservation advocacy group I work for, so its success is pretty important to me!

Then once that was done I had to get ready for Christmas itself. Maybe someday I'll post about that!

Posted using ShareThis

Goodnight

2009-12-28T21:06:00.003-05:00

In addition to making a frowny face whenever we try to take a picture Tessa, who can be quite a stinker, refuses to give good night kisses. Generally I settle for blowing her a kiss. Tonight Aaron told her to blow me a kiss, and with complete sincerity and full of excitement she said "I'll give her a bubble". She then walked up to me and blew a tiny little spit bubble. Awwww.....

Magic

2009-12-13T17:01:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile.

We've been busy around here.

Mainly we've been spending our time turning each other into bacon.

----

For those who may not catch the reference see below at 0:03:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nT9P8MMpsE

Prediction

2009-11-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

I predict that in within two years people will want to know if these two girlies are twins.

You see it too, don't you?

Interior Decorating

2009-11-18T16:35:00.003-05:00

Years ago Aaron bought me a wonderful bird cage - purely decorative, of course. It has wandered around our house, hiding in nooks and crannies until I finally had a place in the house that was going to exist only to be beautiful. Enter resident two-year old.

Not the look I was going for.

Tessa Says - Update

2009-11-10T18:28:00.005-05:00

(Laura, you may not want to read this one.)

Every parent is embarrassed on occasion by something their child mimics. Curse words top the list. Things that sound like one thing but mean something else entirely. The daughter of a friend of mine called her dad - "sexy." You all know what I'm talking about.

Well, I don't curse and only call Aaron "sexy" in private. So this is what I get - and it tells you way too much about me.

Tessa just came in and said "Mom, I saw it* on your blog."

*I'm not sure what "it" was in this case...but apparently it was worth blogging about.

Tessa Says

2009-11-10T00:27:00.004-05:00

Oh Tessa.

Every morning I wonder what she'll say that day, and whether it'll make me want to kiss her or send her to her bed. Frankly, its usually kiss her. She gets sent to her bed when she is wordless, but not silent.

Funny (and/or adorable) things as of late -

Aaron: Tessa, lets talk about...

Tessa: Jesus.

-----

"Mommy. Tell me sumsing about... ... ... CHRISTMAS TREES!"

-----

She's started calling Aaron...well, Aaron. I think it is Hi. Lar. Ious. Him, not so much.

------

Tessa loves Thomas the Tank Engine, but her first love was the engine named Emily. I'll be honest, I was a little jealous that she loved Emily so much and didn't know that I was Emily. Aaron was trying to "get back at me" for calling him by his NAME, which is how Tessa learned it, by calling me by my name.

She is so not convinced.

Yesterday Aaron asked "Hey Emily, can you get us a glass of water." Tessa followed with "Hey choo choo Momma, you bring me some water?"

-------

And now for a taste of wordlessness -
this one is addressed specifically to future background checkers...

(I only post this because she was doing that on purpose!
She better learn early the power of blogger revenge!)

New Baby

2009-11-04T19:34:00.001-05:00

I have a new little family member.

Laura's baby girl, Hannah Mae, was born today.

I love her.

Halloween

2009-11-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm just going to forgo internet anonymity and brag about living in the town that is the 3rd best place in the U.S. to celebrate Halloween (behind San Fransisco and city I've forgotten). You see, while other people (100,000 - I'm serious) are schlepping around in polyester costumes, looking for parking, wondering where to eat, etc. I LIVE HERE. I have a place to park, I have a legitimate right to trick-or-treating on a street with significant architectural history (i.e. the MANSIONS of federal era ship captains!), and I know that hands down "Passage to India" is THE place to eat.

But enough about how cool I am. I know that the real reason you are here is to see pictures of the girls.

Halloween in my town starts off with a Halloween parade on the first Thursday of the month. Tessa's costume was a work in progress the whole month. For the parade she had her fairy skirt to wear.

Meg's costume, a craigslist special, was much easier and oh so snuggly.

AUGH! Slap me. This kid is so cute!

Daddy is a butterfly (and fairy) hunter. He bagged a big one Saturday night.

When it came down to the ACTUAL trick or treat night (as opposed to the downtown retailers trick or treating, or the ward trunk or treating) Tessa was ready and Boo-yah! Look at that load of candy she collected.

Topsfield Fair Rides

2009-11-01T15:54:00.003-05:00

Does this make you dizzy? (Or bizzy, as Tessa says.)

Lunchtime.

Crazy times on the crazy bus.

The all time winner, "pink horses".

October 9, 2008

2009-10-22T22:59:00.007-04:00

Tonight I stumbled across something I wrote a year ago.

Here it is.*

------

October 9, 2008

This time I am crying more. And I think it is because I know what I’m getting into. Not that this is about the dreary life of a new mother with the late night feedings and the diaper changes, although I am less fanciful about what it will mean to have a baby than I was the first time.

But the first time, I didn’t cry.

I cry now because I know how much I can love. I cried when I got the call that said “it worked.” I cried when I saw the little flickering heartbeat for the first time, and again two weeks later when I saw my olive sized baby wiggly around. The first time, if I cried – it was as much from relief as joy. Relief that I wasn’t infertile anymore. This time, as I watched that little gummy bear kick and wave on the ultrasound screen, I already loved her. Because of the first time, I know what it feels like to love her.

The first time, I looked forward to loving my child;, but it took awhile to move from loving the idea of a child to loving that child. This time I instantly love this specific child. My baby. Our baby.

Meg.

-------

*I did some editing - I had to. I had written "him" in a lot of places. So much for mothers intuition. And of course, I added the last word.

Free Cookie

2009-10-18T22:41:00.003-04:00

Tessa thanks the Elderly Lady at the Grocery Store as well.

Hey Mister

2009-10-16T20:11:00.005-04:00

Hey Mr. Garbage Man:

I saw you take that "Boxtop for Education" off the cereal box in my recycling bin. And it made me decide to try and get my kids into the same school that the garbage man's kids go to.

Hey Mr. Foods Purchaser:

Am I the only one who sees the problem with these organic bananas?

Hey Elderly Lady at the Grocery Store:

Thank you for commenting on my daughters singing, and telling me about the free cookie that the bakery gives kids. Thank you for telling me that you are about to go crazy shopping with your husband - that he takes so long, that you would have been out of there 30 minutes ago. Thank you for telling me that even if you can't grocery shop with your sweetheart without an argument, that you can still be married for 62 years.

Brewster Beach

2009-09-26T12:00:00.003-04:00

Day two of our annual Cape trip (2008, 2007)we decided to check out the beach on the inside of the Cape. We've always gone to the National Seashore which has great waves that crash into the beach. Its fun, but not exactly kid-friendly.

Truth be told, Tessa doesn't like the beach. It might be the waves, Daddy swimming in the waves, the hard-to-walk-on sand, or the bright sun. I say that because this none of those things were at this beach and she had a blast. At low tide the wet, firm sand stretched out as far as the eye could see, which wasn't far with the cloud cover.

Second truth be told, people as white as we are shouldn't be seen in full sunlight. Go ahead and agree, we aren't offended. (Unless the fear of seeing one of us in a bikini is the real reason our friends all decided not to join us on our camping weekend...hum?)

(Its a good thing I have Aaron around to do the really tough things, like ask the locals tending their oyster beds to take our picture - locals love that)

The video below makes me laugh so much. But you really may have needed to be there. Daddy and Momma had great plans for the architectural wonder they were going to construct. Tessa had a great time smashing any attempt (just like a little planning and zoning board). Aaron challenged me to stack the small bucket on top of the large bucket. At 0:10 seconds notice my attempt to distract Godzilla/Tessa.

Rain Shmain. Sharks - Bah!

2009-09-25T15:00:00.000-04:00

For a few years now, we've gone to the Cape just after Labor Day and have had great luck with the weather, the beaches and the (lack of) traffic and crowds. Last year we considered camping but I was early pregnant and in no mood for it. However the hotel we got was damp, dingy, and had a bug in the bed. Regardless of the low price we got, it was a rip off.

So this year we decided to take advantage of the low low rates of the DCR camp sites at Nickerson State Park. I'm giving it 5 stars. You know what? No. I'm giving it the 5 billion stars we would have been able to see if it hadn't been so cloudy and off-and-on rainy.

And there were sharks. Not at Nickerson State Park so much, but at some of our favorite beaches.

But because we are so hearty - we had a great time.

The trip started with the biggest miracle of the month. I MANAGED TO PACK THE CAR BY MYSELF (with a three foot tall helper). If you had any idea how my days usually go (a handful of half finished tasks littered about the house) you'd know this was aMAZing!

Actually - I think that anyone can appreciate this - the girls and I rolled out of the driveway 4 minutes after my target "leave time." This NEVER happens - tell me, does it happen for you? Because I don't believe it! I'm still on a bit giddy from the experience? (Of course, the high diminished bit by bit everytime we discovered that we didn't have x, y, or z. Luckily this is is Massachusetts, not the Yukon, so we just stopped at the store as needed. True adventurers.)

The camp site was great. Right on the pond, very near the toilets - what more could you ask for?

I'll tell you what you can ask for. Smores for your 10 am snack. The good life.

The first day we went to the beach was not too cold, but uncomfortably windy. We went to Race Point (far far away from the sharks) and sat on the beach a bit. Just as we got back in the car the sky opened up. Just as we got back to camp, it stopped. Another camping miracle.

Tessa at Race Point

Meg at Race Point -
can you tell she would strongly disagree with my statement that it wasn't "too cold."

Who packed galoshes for this kid? Give that person a gold star!

Stay tuned for pictures from the beach.
(Don't fear, no swimsuits were donned for these photos!)

Single U Single U F(amily) Wrestling

2009-09-24T22:56:00.004-04:00

In this corner weighing in at 14 lbs and exactly 2 feet long is Meg "So Cute It Hurts" U**.

And in this corner we have Tessa "The Boss" U** who measures a full foot taller with exactly twice the weight.

Who's winning?

Its amazing the difference a foot and 14 lbs make.

Here's Tessa using her signiture move.
Let her roll herself over for the easy pin.

We've hit that stage...

2009-09-23T12:00:00.010-04:00

While I'm doing okay at keep the girls alive, I'm find this "mother of two" business to be...challenging.

Why?

Well, you don't have to ask in "that tone." I know that others manage two just fine. And other-others have 3. Or 4. Or 5. Or 8 - happy, adjusted, dressed children. (Approximately 74% of my blog readers fall in one of those catagories.) But for me, two is kicking my trash.

Why?

Sibling rivalry has reared up in the form of an sweet, loving and uber-whiny/tantrumy pre-schooler and it is exhausting.

Why?

I really want to give Tessa a lot of attention because she is at such a fun age.

Why?

She has just hit the speech breakthrough that happens at this age and talks in complete, if not completely understandable, sentences. She is so sweet and loving towards Meg and is just plain silly!

Why?

Well I could go on about that forever so lets get back to the question at hand. It is exhausting to feel like I am not teaching/playing/challenging Tessa enough while in reality the the happy, content goo-goo-ing second born sits in the bouncy chair being neglected. (We refer to her as the PNSB.)

Why?

Because PNSB stands for Poor Neglected Second Born

Why?

Its an acronym.

Why?

It saves time - unless you have to explain it.

Why?

{exasperated sigh} Moving on.

I thought I'd like to have a big family (somewhere between 2 and 8 we were telling people) but now - - well, you might want to wait a few months before asking if we are going to have any more.

Why?

Because if every single child goes through this stage I don't think I've got enough answers to make it out alive.

Why?

---

P.S. Tessa hasn't been sleeping well AT. ALL. and this has contributed to the overall whiny/tantrumy levels here at home (both her and I). Aaron and I turned to "the google" to find out how to help. I searched "2 year old sibling rivalry" and this "article" claims that "As for the advantages of having siblings, I can think of none if the spacing is narrow (less than two and one-half or three years)." I'm completely dumbfounded by this statement. Yes - it is tough going at the moment, but seriously - NO advantages?!!? Thanks for the support.

Jerk.

Spell check

2009-09-22T20:33:00.001-04:00

Um - BREATHE fresh air. How embarrassing.

The U**s breath some country air

2009-09-22T17:00:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I gathered random stuff from the fridge to make a wrap.

Wheat tortilla, hummus, turkey, mozzarella, mustard and pesto. Something in the wrap just did not mix well. It may have been the hummus and mustard, or the pesto and hummus, or just the wheat tortilla, but whatever it was prompted me to txt Aaron to say that my lunch tasted like the horse shed at the fair smells.

Then one night in August when I was at my parents house I realized - that is also what Idaho smells like. {grin}

While in Idaho we took an opportunity to go on a very small hike, with some very small hikers.

Then we headed to dinner at Aaron's aunt and uncle's house is Ririe. Trust me, It dudn't git much mo cun'ry then that*. And Aaron proved to be the definition of "city kid" when he "stepped in it."

Tessa once again cast off the "timid" label by eagerly feeding year old cookies to the goats.And by running full speed back and forth on the trampoline. Next year - summer camp at Uncle John's house!

*Thanks to Heather for correcting my grammar and suggesting this vernacular spelling.

Puffy eye

2009-09-21T11:14:00.003-04:00

Sunday morning - 3:30 am - I woke up to feed Meg and OH MAN my eye itched. I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed, then ran to check the mirror to see if I had pink eye. Nope. It was just my eyelid and it was nearly swollen shut.

This of course led to a middle of the night reading of my baby/breastfeeding reference guides to see if I could take benadryl. I did take it, the lowest dose of childrens benadryl - and no, it didn't work. And yes, it may have made me and Meg drowsy but it was 3:30am so...sue me.

In the morning my eye was still swollen and Aaron declared I should get back in bed. Was I contagious - no. But I was vain.

I took this picture around 11:00 am, after the swelling had gone down by half.

Just for you Mom

2009-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

They always hope you end up with a kid just like you but, I never thought that sounded so bad. I'm an alright person and as a kid, well, no real rebellion, running around, or general naughtiness from me. Good student, adorable.

Bring it on, I thought. Bring it on.

Then this week Tessa became the me that my mom was looking forward to seeing.
So, if you are my mom, or any of my (younger) siblings AND you can handle the sideways image (I'm still figuring out the new phone) I think you'll get a real kick of this.

Behold - the oldest child.

Museum of Science + Mommas favorite purchase of the year

2009-09-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Yucky Economy = grossy
Daddy Working 80% = grossy
Daddy having Fridays off = Sooooooooooo Cuke
Free passes to the M.O.S. for Salem residents = Soooooooo Cuke
New (to us) Stroller = Soooooooooo Cuke

Here is a picture of the stroller (and eager occupants) when we got to the Museum of Science.

And on the way home...

What the pictures don't show (because sometimes you just need to live the moment, not watch it through a viewfinder) is how amazing it is for a two year old to be able to push ANY button SHE WANTS, as OFTEN as SHE WANTS.

Or that Momma's amazing craigslist purchase can be steered with only one hand AND cost 1/5 the price as the other strollers I've been eyeing. Okay, continue to eye. In fact, eyed while at the museum and realized that I GOT A SCREAMING DEAL on a great stroller. This is easily my favorite purchase in recent memory. Granted, I can barely remember this morning...

(At the risk of sounding materialistic...my 2nd fav purchase is my new phone (free with rebate...and lifetime servitude to Verizon). The 1st picture was taken with my in-phone camera - the second with Aaron's. The resolution on mine totally eats his for breakfast.)

And lest you think Meg has nothing cute to say

2009-09-12T21:24:00.004-04:00

(This talking is also how Meg wakes me up when she is hungry at around 5-ish in the morning. Daddy thinks it is adorable, as he pulls the blankets tighter around his sleeping body. (Okay, I do to...but it is 5 AM))

---
Auntie Laura posted some cutie pie pictures of the girls and their cousins so check them out.

A Glimpse: Funny things Aaron says

2009-09-03T23:16:00.004-04:00

Aaron, absent-mindedly yet completely seriously, to coworker:
Hey D**, wanna catch the choo-choo with me?

Coworker (with daughters): Sure.

Coworker listening in (no kids): (insert laughter and ridicule)

Mooching continued

2009-09-01T21:05:00.003-04:00

When I was in Idaho I pretty much relied on my sisters to do all the childcare while I took a nap.

That shirking of responsibilities continues in blog-ville.

Read this hilarious post by my sister Alicia.

(And now comfort me in my guilt, Tessa fed this little guy a LOT, a number of times while we were visiting...I wonder if he died of high cholesterol or something.)

Trip/Picture Catch-up Part 2 of ?

2009-08-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

I knew waiting to post about our trip would work to my advantage.

Once again - please visit my sister's blog for pictures of one of our first days in Idaho Falls.

Laura's Blog - Living a Little

A Glimpse: Funny things Tessa says

2009-08-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

We once told Tessa not to give Meg her binkie if she was happy - now the Binkie Nazi holds us to our word by saying She happy is and if we don't comply she POPS it out of Meg's mouth, usually resulting in she happy isn't.

No coz ee door (translation: Don't close the door)

Grossy (translation: Gross, but cuter)

Wha-ar ye doin' Mom? (yes, MOM - I got less than a year of momma) She asks this one over and over while I'm cleaning up potty training accidents, as if to make me contemplate if I really want to do this.

It is Sooooooooooooo CUKE (this applies to Meg, clothes and pictures of slides, aka Wheees)

After cleaning up numerous potty-training accidents AND a diaper explosion from the little one I was feeling ganged up on and abandoned (I mean who GOES TO WORK when there is potty-training a foot?) The solution for feeling sorry for myself was a trip to the store to buy something, anything (can you say lysol spray and lysol wipes?) so I sat with Tessa to put her shoes on and she says, clear as a bell, "Thank you for helping me Mom" Instant mood lifter.

She also melted my heart a few weeks ago when she declared Thank you. Momma. Food.

Current Events

2009-08-27T16:41:00.007-04:00

Well, it turns out that Senator Kennedy's funeral procession drove through the neighborhood that Aaron's office is in. He office took the opportunity to watch it pass by.

(Taken by our own agent in the field)

My thoughts on the late-senator? Well, he did some really bad things, and some really good things. What to think? I don't know...but this week/stage-of-my-life all I know is...I wonder how Teddy Kennedy's mom (or nanny, whatever) potty trained him?

The same shot, cute every time

2009-08-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Picture Catch-up - part 1 of ?

2009-08-26T12:00:00.001-04:00

Imagine that the mp3 player is a Walkman and just outside the frame she has knee high socks and sneakers on...you know you dressed like this in the not too distant past...probably while you watched Labryinth...

Self timed family photo - always a winner.

Not about the vacation

2009-08-25T13:34:00.002-04:00

I know you are waiting to hear about my 23 day, 22 night all expenses paid vacation to sunny Eastern Idaho, and it'll happen - only it'll happen in U** time = s l o w l y.

You see, I operate on deadlines and the end of the month is a deadline on the blog I contribute to.

READING FOR SANITY.

I recently reviewed two books that were so helpful to me that I wanted to recommend them here as well.

One is called "The Shyness Breakthrough"

and the other is "Into the Minds of Babes".

The exciting thing is that the author of "Babes" found my review, liked it (duh, I gave her five stars) and partnered with RFS to offer a copy of the book as a giveaway. The deadline for entering is the end of the month (augh - panic attack - is it really almost the end of AUGUST!?) so head over there and sign up.

Poaching

2009-08-10T01:42:00.004-04:00

If I were to blog right now (which I'm not, so don't get your hopes up) I would do so by uploading photos taken by my sister...

AND ---

Since she already posted them on her blog, I'm just going to send you right on over to Laura's Blog.

Summer picture update

2009-08-02T20:37:00.013-04:00

Emily & the girls are out visiting both sets of grandparents for a couple of weeks, while I get left in my 'swanky' bachelor pad (pad with a nursery, of course). Emily left me specific instructions to 'finish the bathroom'. She paid almost all the bills before she left, so I only have to worry about feeding myself and finding a place to shower. I'll admit I am having a good time and am staying busy working hard on her last bidding;-P, but it is pretty lonely here.

I would post pictures of the progress in the bathroom, but Emily took the camera with her, so I guess we'll just wait to see the final product. This first picture is the window boxes I rebuilt and painted while Emily was in the hospital with Meg. Tessa helped me plant the flowers and spices. Yes I know they should be below the window sill, I did it this way because of the roof was not far below this sill, & the brackets didn't work quite the way one would expect, plus I'm not sure our window sills will carry the load, they're a little old & tired. Try to avert your eyes from the neighbors house that needs paint, they just fixed their leaky roof, I'm sure they'll paint some day soon. This picture is the escape artist before he made a leap for it and climbed onto the roof, he discovered, as I have, that the roof is actually a lot steeper than it looks.

Meg is growing fast, and as one grandmother told me over the phone today, she's a little cherub with all of her own expressions and happy little noises. I'm so very blessed to have two beautiful girls that are healthy and a mother who loves them so much.

Some friends invited us to go camping with them in Stowe, Vermont in July. It was a fun weekend, Meg is a 'happy camper' just like her sister. The weather was perfect, the company was great, and the campsite had this great stream right behind us that we could wade in the next morning that reminded me so much of Coffee pot springs in Island Park, Idaho growing up. Stowe was the spot to be that weekend, with a hot air balloon festival. We also saw a glassworks studio, & had the best tasting apple cider I've ever had from http://www.coldhollow.com/ . Sorry for the shameless plug, but the free samples coming out of the 500 gallon tank were so refreshing. We had to buy a gallon and share with our friends that shared their cider donuts.

Here's Emily holding Tessa at the 6am launch the next morning. What's really cute is to ask Tessa about balloons. Every time we come across a picture in one of her favorite books, 'Personal Penquin', she tells me how big the bawoons are, and they're hot, and they're yewow, & back, & purple, & rwed. It's very adorable. She sure liked them a lot better than the 'farkles' on the 4th.

I think we saw more than 40 balloons in the air at once, this is definitely a contender for being an annual family tradition for summer.

This picture of Von Trappe Family Lodge is on here purely for my mother-in-law to see. It looks like a nice place to stay, and is apparently still run by the Von Trappe Family, well at least Von Trappe grandkids. If only we could have found the barn & hotel where they filmed 'White Christmas', then I would have really scored points with the in-laws.

Here's something every family should do on Sunday afternoon, sit around and tell yourselves you have the cutest kids on the planet. Kids this age are so much fun!

Can you believe this kid is three months old already? Babies aren't supposed to grow this fast are they? They're supposed to stay little for 6 months at least.

Tessa sure loves to hold her baby sister, Hopefully that lasts a long time.

Sorry for the long-winded post, I've realized I enjoy seeing other people's blog when they have a lot of photos, so thought you might like it. I'm sure Emily will post again soon to catch you up on her trip to Idaho. Wish me luck on not loosing a finger while I continue to go 'gangbustas' on the bathroom. (my annoyed neighbor's term, not mine). :-)

My Hair Blog

2009-07-23T22:24:00.005-04:00

Its time I let you in on a secret. I have another blog. Its called www.1,000,001-ways-to-not-comb-let-alone-braid-your-daughters-hair-for-around-the-house-or-special-events.blogspot.com. In addition to creative ways to not comb your child's hair there is also has a special section on ways to not wipe yesterday's breakfast off of your daughters' face.

Its a niche blog.

But, if my subscribers saw this picture they'd abandon me in droves.

Behold the first ever pig tails AND keeping barrettes in hair all day, to the point of wanting to sleep in them.

-------

I could tell she knew she was cute when she actually took the binkie out of her mouth and smiled when I asked.

Disaster Averted

2009-07-21T20:57:00.003-04:00

I think you'll find (as I am finding) that we are entering a new chapter of childhood with Tessa. The chapter wherein she begins to do and say "the darnedest things." You know, the stuff I tell you about, hoping it is as funny in the re-telling as it was in the moment.

Lets begin with this one...

I was putting on my makeup when I heard...ahem... "noises"... from Meg that alerted me to the need for a diaper change. For the last week or so Tessa has been changing her baby dolls diaper constantly, sometime 2-3 in a row. She uses Meg's diapers and a wipe, she puts the wipe in the diaper, folds it, and leaves them lying around the house (I do not know where she learned that). We follow her around and pick up the unfolded but still clean diaper and use them on the kind of baby who will inevitably dirty them. Actually there have been a few times when Tessa has been struck with a tidy impulse and throws the diapers away, declaring "All better" and dusting off her hands. I then have to pull them out of the trash, as long and they are sitting on top.

Anyway, back to the story. While I'm putting on my makeup Tessa is chit-chatting with Meg, how sweet. Then suddenly I realize she has unbuttoned Meg's onsie, gotten out a fresh diaper and is asking me where the wipes are! How helpful she was being. Inside I yelped - ACK! I helped her find the wipes, then asked if I could help her change Meg's diaper. I'm sure she thought "What a good girl Momma is, how sweet, I'll play along and let her think she is helping..."

Independence Day/Dependence Night

2009-07-12T22:49:00.009-04:00

We were so thrilled to go to a big barbecue (complete with tiki-torches) on the Fourth of July. I was nervous about how Tessa would do - sometimes she does wonderfully in groups and sometimes, not so well. Luckily two of her best friends, Melanie and Alyssa where there. They played with her while I was stuffing my face full of delicious shrimp and the dessert buffet and quickly she turned into a standard run around ragamuffin.

Tessa with Melanie and Alyssa at the Lake

After eating everyone headed to the fireworks by the lake. Every year we've been in MA we go to our town's fireworks - which we LOVE - but this year decided to go to the fireworks in the town our friends live (do you love my vague "internet safety speak"?). But I am out-of-shape/lazy and didn't want to walk, so we drove to get a little closer, which in the end, really didn't do us that much good (as you'll soon see).

We had fun waiting for the fireworks. But when the show started poor Tessa hid under the blanket saying "No farkles, no farkles," and eventually fell asleep.

Then we headed back to our car and the 30 minute drive home.

Then the car didn't start.

Then we had to hitch a ride with friends who had come to the barbecue and lived close to us, including calling back a family that had already it the highway. I'll be honest, I was/am so embarrassed, as if our family hasn't needed enough help this year. So much for Independence Day.

Then the next day Super Dusty came to the rescue (as usual - see mishap and related endorsement #4) and our car started.

Then the next week we took the car to the shop where, after 5 diagnostic checks and 50 successful startups, the mechanic couldn't find a thing wrong with it.

Then we renewed our AAA membership.

3rd Annual U** Family July Wagamama Lunch

2009-07-09T23:29:00.006-04:00

Right now 95 % of you are asking "What? What? What is Wagamama?" Its a yummy international noodle chain with a restaurant in Boston. We first went to in London in 2006. Then they opened their first US store in Boston July 2007. We took Tessa there on one of her first big outings.

For some reason we went again in July 2008 (I think to celebrate Aaron's offices switch to summer hours - it doesn't take much to warrant a celebratory lunch around here).

This year we went on July 1st. Aaron, always the romantic, invited me to come into eat lunch on the 9th anniversary of our first date. We were also celebrating his LEED accreditation (if you are asking "What? What? What is LEED?" then you missed this long and detailed post). As you can tell from the picture we had other people with us (hi Nicole(also LEED AP), Jenny and Josie) , which is why Mommy gets to make a cameo in the picture. Sadly this picture was taken inside because of the incessant rain.

There, did you see what I did just now? I blogged about this, thereby firmly embedding this outing into U** family tradition. I'm gonna go ahead and put this standing date on my calendar for next year.

And speaking of expectations - Josie...Candy?

Victory

2009-07-07T15:30:00.002-04:00

It is no small feeling of victory that I experience when I peak in the bedroom and find my toddler asleep, after three commendable attempts at convincing me of "no nap," and "I not fweepy."

It is almost like the feeling I used to get when closing on million dollar real estate deals or brokering an agreement between embattled energy companies. If - you know - I had actually done those things.

Its been awhile

2009-07-05T23:33:00.005-04:00

Hey, have you noticed it has been a while since I've posted anything? No? Well, I guess I'll wait a few more weeks then.

What?

You'd like to see some pictures? Well - okay.

I have a feeling you will see a thousand of these type shots...although hopefully not all with the binky.

Heartbreaking (but picture worthy)

Tessa has excellent fine motor skills - if I had a nickel for every therapist that has commented on her "beautiful pincher grasp"...

Washing the car with Daddy - I took this picture from our 3rd story window.

This picture is a month old but ooooooooooh-oh! she is so adorable!

Sidewalk Chalk

2009-07-05T23:21:00.003-04:00

This summer I'm thrilled that Tessa is old enough for all sorts of fun stuff that I finally have the ability and sometimes the energy to show her - sidewalk chalk is one of them.

You may have heard us (and every single New Englander) complaining about all the rain but there has been the occasional day where we can all play outside after Daddy gets home from work.

LEED AP

2009-06-30T15:19:00.003-04:00

As of this morning Aaron has a title, you may now address him as

Aaron U**, LEED AP

CONGRATULATIONS!!

This means that he knows all there is to know about "green" building practices and so people will pay him oodles to design their buildings. At least that's what I'm hoping. I actually was able to utilize his vast knowledge last night when I was writing a newsletter article for work, but he hasn't billed me yet, so I don't know how drastically his fees will be increasing.

Enter

2009-06-27T16:02:00.004-04:00

One of the major reasons I haven't posted much this month is, no time {SHOCK}...okay, actually that is the only reason. I've had lots to say but no time to eloquently compose words, so those thoughts will have to wait. BUT - on one thing time is running out.

So - I ain't going to worry about riten pretty and I'm just going to strongly suggest that you visit Reading for Sanity - a blog that I contribute to (as infrequently as I do this blog) and that is having a giveaway.

What kind of giveaway? FIVE FREE BOOKS. You have until the end of the month (gasp, 4 days.)

So go.

Go.

(And seriously, if you enter you better say that you plan to read one of the books I reviewed or else I'll be VERY offended. Not joking. But of course you have your agency.) {Angelic smile}

Worth Waiting For

2009-06-24T23:49:00.004-04:00

I know its been a while since I posted - BUT - I think this video clip will make up for it!

It is almost heartbreaking how sweetly she looks at the camera with no idea about how funny this is.

PJ Day

2009-06-09T21:30:00.003-04:00

We have had a lot of fun this past week showing Aaron's sister around MA (yes, I will have pictures). Tessa was thrilled to once again have a 3rd adult to follow her around and she was overjoyed to discover that the world is full of "aunties." However, six "off-schedule" days really threw her for a loop and she was showing her "terrible-twos" hardcore.

So today, with no discussion between Aaron and I, we each decided that as good parents we would let her stay in her jammies all day and cater to her every whim. Turns out, she didn't ask for anything (okay, much of anything) she couldn't/shouldn't have and seems to have returned to her cheery, much-less-emotional, daddy-adoring, mommy-helping, Meg-snuggling self.

I think next time I'm feeling overly emotional I'll just stay in my jammies and give myself whatever I want. I can't wait.

A match made in ...

2009-05-30T17:48:00.010-04:00

A few months ago: (I don't care to know the exact date, it would just make me sigh louder) Aaron took the bathroom sink off the wall - and it hasn't worked since.

This week: He finally replaced the tiny little piece that needed to be fixed to get it working again.

An hour ago: I slipped into a nice little "baby on your chest after nursing" doze and when I woke up I was informed that Aaron got that gouge on his nose (which luckily for me was not still spilling blood down his face when I saw it) while trying to reconnect the kitchen sink sprayer and that it was broken.

"Your nose?"

"No, the sink."

"That's okay, it hasn't worked in 2 years."

"No, not just the sprayer...the whole sink doesn't work."

All of this happened in twenty minutes and less than 20 feet from where I was sleeping.

"Don't worry though, I cleared a path to the bathroom sink* so use that until I get back from H--- D----.**"

Sigh...

I grumble about the house, wishing we would just order pizza for dinner to save me the hard labor of frying up already formed hamburger patties***. But I bite the frugal bullet and decide to get everything ready to eat the minute the intrepid remodeler and his bubbly little sidekick return from the store.

Eight minutes later: The microwave beeps that the thaw cycle is done...a few reminder beeps go by and I head into the kitchen. I open the door. No hamburger. Did I take it out already? I look again. And again. And finally I find the hamburger, in a bowl, next to the window. And having never made it into the microwave at all they are of course, still frozen.

I'm really just worried about the children.

---***---

*We hadn't been using the long awaited bathroom sink because there was construction debris blocking the way, and because dirty doesn't come near describing its condition.

** I have grown to loath this particular construction supply store and would rather not mention its name in entirety.

***Edited to add: It turns out that having to use the bathroom sink while cooking makes for a pretty inefficient work triangle.

Edited once again with this update: The kitchen sink was fixed within two hours of this post. This means that I am now blessed with TWO working sinks...can you imagine?

Girls

2009-05-21T10:00:00.001-04:00

I absolutely love saying sentences like "Put it in the girl's room," "Wash the kid's clothes seperately," or "Lets get this for the girls at Christmas." It seems so amazing to have TWO kids!
I'll say it again - they are both so lucky to have a sister*!

*Even if Tessa will eventually try to convince Meg that we really named her Mugford but decided to call her Meg for short.

Series

2009-05-20T13:27:00.007-04:00

Thank goodness for digital - eh? It allows me to take 15 shots of the same scene, then store it on my hard drive for years and never let anyone else see them.

But not this time!

Here are a few shots of Meg on day 2 of Life:

And two shots of Miss T:
I took TWENTY pictures and these were the only two that she would face the camera and/or not have her fingers in her mouth...come to think of it, why did I keep taking pictures if she wasn't looking at me...?

And some SUPER CUTE shots of Meg with her eyes open: