i die

It isn't often that I willingly admit someone else's child is as cute as mine are, but guys...

 

Gah! I die.

 

My sweet and adorable niece, Annalise. Photos by dc photography. (More here.)

random

 

 

+ I went to a pure barre class on Wednesday night. If you were to watch this class, you'd probably think, "What's the big deal?" But if you were to take this class, you'd think you were dying after two minutes, after a half hour you'd think you might vomit unvoluntarily, and then two days later, you'd wake up and think, "Where did my legs go?" Because seriously, mine don't work. Of course, I have an illness, and I can't wait to go back. The good news is there isn't class next week, so I have some extra time to recover my calves.

 

+ Lou Lou went to her 15 month check up this week. The minute our pediatrician walked in, she started speaking in Japaspanglish to him. He talked back. Seriously the best pediatrician. Lou's super tall, has a giant head, and is a skinny little twig baby. And healthy all around.

 

+ Annabelle and I had the following conversation yesterday:

Me: Belle, leave Lou alone.

Belle: But why?

Me: Because I said so.

Belle: But why did you say, "So"?

Me: Because Isaidso.

Belle: BUT MOM. Why did you say, "So"?

Awesome.

So...

+ I took my mom's gluten free banana muffin recipe and turned them into pumpkin muffins. They need a little tweaking, but after I get them just right, I'll share.

 

+ It snowed this week for the first time this year. My snow bunny, Belle, put on her boots and gloves and tried to make snowballs. It was fairly wet snow however, so she mostly just giggled and got freezing cold and wet. And wherever we go, she spots the snow patches and MUST stomp in them or she can't continue living.

 

+ I made my favorite loaded baked potato soup this week with gluten free, all purpose flour. It worked! Glory! It's slightly more grainy than regular flour, but the soup was gloriously delicious. Annabelle didn't prefer it, and I was all, "Bummer. Give me your bowl." Slurp slurp.

 

+ Sometimes Lou cries out in the night. So one of us walks in, she spots us, shuts her eyes, then crashes (literally) down in her bed, eyes shut, apparently dead asleep. It's hilarious and slightly annoying. I think she just needs to know we're there.

 

 

+ This summer, Grandma Cheney brought back mini flamenco dancer dresses for the girls from Spain. Recently, Annabelle has developed an obsession with this pretty little number and she wears it constantly. I don't allow it out of the house, but if we're home, she's a dancer.

 

+ This song is so very lovely. Go listen. And then listen again.

 

+ For those of you like me who find cow's milk fairly revolting, try out Almond Breeze Coconut/Almond milk. Holy smokes. Nutty, fatty, goodness. And way more calcium than regular cow's barf, I mean milk, so don't even start with me.

 

+ I'm almost done Christmas shopping. No really. Granted, I bought the girls' big gift (a doll house) like six months ago when I found a killer deal. But I've also scooped up some other random trinkets. And Jess and I are giving each other a real house. (Yay! Christmas in my own home!)

 

 

no explanation

So um yeah. That's all I have to say about my lack of bloginess. No good explanation. Not only have I not finished my Yellowstone report (I know, you're dying for it), but I've also added stuff to my Etsy shop (baby announcements here, Christmas printables here, more Christmas cards here), and we up and went to Zion (and left our kids for a night!) - all these things I haven't reported on yet! We're also knee deep in red tape (mixed metaphors happen to be my favorite thing, right there with mixed chocolate) with our new house, and packing, and cleaning. And then there's the not packing and the not cleaning that I've gotten really good at. Like I said, no explanation for the lack of bloginess. And so I shall start here:

My youngest sister, the shining hope of the Christensen clan (as we call her, as she's good at ev.ery.thing she does) is a budding photographer. Girlfriend is good. When we visited a month or two ago, I asked if she wouldn't mind snapping some of me and the girls for Jess for his birthday. She very kindly obliged, even in the crappy light I made her take them in. But seriously guys, she worked some mighty miracles that day.

 

 

 

Because taking photos of my children together is kind of like taking pictures of a cat and a mouse. Literally. Lou runs like a wild banshee, Belle chases laughing.

Belle will stop and pose, but Lou? Um yeah right. Girlfriend is nuts and bolts. So not only are these photos amazing (and I love them so much), but she defied the impossible. She captured my girls. Together. Looking cute.

 

I know, right? I don't know if she knows how much these photos mean to me. These photos make me so very happy, down to my tippy toes. They capture the joy and love and happiness that are my girls. These photos make me so proud and in love all at once. I don't know if she knows that when she's taking photos, she's literally capturing life. Bottling it up for me and for others. Preserving moments that cannot be repeated. Because things change and babies grow. But not in her photos. And I think that's pretty amazing.

You can find my sister's photography (dc photography) here and here. If you're in SLC, I really think you need her to take your photos (because that means she visits us!). :)

These last two were per my request. Every day I wear around my neck an A for Annabelle, an L for Lydia Lou, the pendant that reads "every day i love you," and that little redheaded baby. That's right - Jess. Jess' mom gave it to Jess' grandma when he was born, her first grand baby (and her husband's namesake). Just last year, Gram gave it to me.

lou lately

* Has developed a heavy aversion to her bed. She used to be best go-to-bed baby ever. She had a trophy. Put her in bed, say good night, sleep. Wallah! But she has been stripped of her honors. Now she pretty much wanders around like a drunk person until she falls asleep. Because we. Can't. Handle. The. Screaming. If we put her in her bed awake, she screams like the world just ended, and you caused it.

* But other than sleeping, she remains the happiest clam this side of the Mississippi. No really. You can't be around this kid for any period of time without getting happy. She's like a happy pill. But legal. And without any obnoxious side effects, except LACK OF SLEEP.

* She used to say "pease" when she wanted something or when we asked her to. Now? Now she does this:

Wha? Two hands over her mouth. Sometimes she does it over her whole face and stretches her face all crazy. It's her own sign language I think? It's fairly adorable.

* Other than that, she speaks Japaspanglish. No idea what she's ever saying. But she knows what she's saying. She carries on and on. And you'll ask her to repeat herself, and she does. She repeats her foreign syllables in exactly the same patterns. Just in some awesome dialect not familiar to our ears. I secretly never want her to learn real English. This version is to die for.

* Her obsession with reading persists. All day long. Read. Read. Read. You know, I didn't ever imagine that I could grow tired of reading. I love reading. But there are days...um yeah. I grow tired.

* Her face is always dirty. This is mostly because she chews on her hands constantly. If someone could please help her grow teeth? Please?

tumbling

"Mom? Will it be okay that I'm wearing these shorts?" Her voice was quiet, a little shaky.

 

We were driving to Annabelle's first tumbling class, a fairly informal class offered by a local recreation center, but her first class ever to attend, all by herself. We'd been talking about this class for weeks, especially as her best friend was in it already. She could hardly wait, and I took her to Target (because where else would I go?), where she got to pick out a special tumbling outfit. In the days that followed, she told everyone she talked to about her tumbling clothes. "If you want, I'll show you 'em?" She was so excited. I was so excited too. I knew that my Belle needed something all her own, something she didn't have to share with her sister one bit. A chance to run and play and laugh. And a chance to do something by herself, without Mommy's help.

 

But now, as we drove, I saw my sweet, cautious daughter turn into the bundle of nerves that her mother often becomes. She was nervous about her shorts. Oh, how she is my daughter! I looked back quickly as I drove and saw a face fighting tears. And then my face had to fight them too. I reached back and gave her knee a squeeze. I told her that her shorts were perfect, that she was perfect, and that she would have so much fun. She bit her lip and smiled, trying to be brave.

 

When we got to the class, she wanted me to go with her. I told her that I had to stay outside the door with the other mommies but that she could see me through the window. She said she wanted to watch for a minute. Because I know and understand this girl, I let her watch. I knew that she was afraid of looking funny. I know that she hates to do anything unless she's confident she can do it right. She doesn't sing a song until she knows all the words. She won't read her books until she can read every word. She won't join a group of friends until she's observed them all for a while. It's who she is. And so we watched. She smiled as they stretched. She saw her friend and watched with intense eyes, memorizing how the kids were interacting. She paid special attention to the teacher. When they used a big parachute to throw balloons around the room, she decided it might be fun to join. I walked her in. We took small, timid steps, but we kept moving forward. Her teacher saw her and said, "You must be Annabelle!" and with a big smile motioned her in. Then her best friend spotted her and ran to give her a hug.

Annabelle smiled at me and followed her friend to her "circle on the floor." She sat down and one more time, asked if I could stay. I told her I couldn't but that I'd be right there, right outside watching. She told me she'd be okay. And so I watched. And although it's just a little thirty minute class for toddlers, my heart nearly burst with pride.

 

 

She listened to her teacher so hard I thought her ears might fall off. She tried every trick and instruction, and she tried with that focused determination that is Annabelle. She was brave and beautiful. And she was so happy. I realized as I watched her, proud of every floppy handstand and sommersault, that this was just the beginning of a lifetime of happy separations and sweet victories. In all the playing and learning and being that we do, I always hope that my babies are secure in who they are, in how they're loved and supported, and that that love that will help make them brave and strong. I want them to know that even when Mommy or Daddy aren't literally there, we are always figuratively right by their side, cheering them on, proud of their every victory. As I watched her succeed that day, my heart felt like it really might explode. I am that mom, cheesy and sometimes dorky, but I was so proud.

 

 

 

 

When class was over, she ran out to me and hugged my legs. She held up her hand that had a stamp on it, and said, smiling and slightly out of breath, "Can I go again?"

 

 

random

 

 

+ So I've reached my Picasa Web Album limit. I'm at 99.9% capacity. This means I have to start paying for photo storage in order to continue posting photos on this blog. For those of you who haven't hit this limit, here's the quick rundown. Everything you upload through Blogger is stored in your Picasa Web Album (because Google owns you). Even if you don't use the photo or replace your header or anything - it's stored. You can delete unused photos (and I have), but the interface is clunky and hard to use and makes me want to kick something. To access your Picasa Web Albums, go here and scroll to the bottom (you will be asked to log in if you aren't already). In itty bitty print you will see how much space you have left.

 

I tried migrating my two Daily blogs (of the girls) to a different email address, but thus far, it isn't working. I'm really REALLY annoyed. It's only $2.50 a month. But $2.50 a month for the rest of all time is A LOT OF $2.50.

 

This is why I haven't posted more Yellowstone. I CAN'T. Lame.

 

Give me a few days. I'll figure something out. It might involved an elaborate plot wherein I decode Google's ownership of my soul.

 

+ I'm wearing sweat pants right now. This announcement is interesting not only because it proves that I'm lazy and don't like to wear pants, but also because they're sweat pants. It's cold enough outside for sweat pants! PRAISE THE HEAVENS! Fall, you are welcome here any time! I made pumpkin bread last night (a gluten free attempt that worked fairly well), and the smell was heavenly. Jess came home and said, "It smells like Christmas!" Yes, yes it does.

 

+ I've been gluten free for about three months now. It's kind of obnoxious and sometimes I feel like it's not worth it - say when a cupcake presents itself - but for my auto immune disease, it's the recommended diet. Truthfully, I feel much better. Like the glue(ten) has literally been removed from my system. I'm not so sluggish and stuckish. I've found some great recipes (in fact, it's not that hard to cook or bake gluten free). And my mom invented a banana oatmeal muffin recipe that is. to. die. for. You're welcome for that link. (By the way, if you blend your own almonds, it will be a nuttier muffin as the almond skin makes the texture more coarse. If you use (and buy) blanched almond flour, it's a smoother, more sweet and almondy muffin.)

 

+ The girls and I have a cold. It's loads of fun. LOADS. It's the kind that takes your throat and turns it to shreds. It feels super awesome.

 

+ My downstairs neighbor has music on so loud right now that my butt is currently vibrating in my chair. This might have something to do with the vibratability of my flabby toosh. But still.

 

If you want some perfectly lovely music (unlikely to vibrate bums) try this. My sister-in-law and I can't stop listening to it.

 

+ I'm knee deep in two super time consuming, very exciting, and totally brain frying surprises right now. One rhymes with "mouse." And starts with an H. But I feel like I'll totally jinx it if I talk about it. And so until I have the thing that rhymes with "me" and starts with a K in my hand. I ain't tellin'. The other one is not a new baby, although my uterus has informed me it would be fine being occupied any time now. Thus far, I've successfully ignored my chatty uterus. Good thing I have a Lala baby. She's still a baby, right? Right.

 

yellowstone, day two

 

 

So when we go on vacation - almost no matter where it is - Jess drags his hiney out of bed at ridiculous hours to catch the sun rise. It's always worth it. He always comes back with the most beautiful photos.

 

 

And we have a system - while he's out communing with nature, I sleep for as long as the girls will allow me. This often means all three of us end up in one bed, and I have to admit, it makes for some pretty cute mornings. There is nothing - hands down - in this world as awesome as waking up to Belle's bed head. Or Lou's buck tooth grin.

Gah! I die. So anyhow, I get the girls up and ready, feed them some breakfast (I usually have homemade banana muffins and a small tub of Nutella, in other words ALL YOU NEED), and then Jess usually gets home right about then. This trip, Jess came home the first morning and said, "Okay. Put on your running shoes. You're out of here." And he packed up the girls and took them to some (dry) hot pots in Mammoth (they were bubbling two years ago, it all depends on the movement of the earth, apparently. I had a blissful morning run. Running in random places is maybe one of the most awesome things ever. You see such amazing things by the power of your own two feet.

 

The pictures here are from day two (above are the dry hot pots Jess took the girls to). From Mammoth, we drove to Lamar Valley to find some animals. We started providing voice over for the animals about this time. 

 

 

Like the bison, "Harold. Stop. We can't leave Lamar Valley." Because seriously, you enter Lamar Valley, and BOOM! ANIMALS! How do they know that they're supposed to be there? Or while we searched the tops of trees for bald eagles, only to find mostly crows, which were obviously saying, "Frank! Stick your chest out! Look regal! They're looking!" Um, yeah. Many hours in the car afford some serious imagination. We also saw some pronghorn deer:

 

 

And at one point, there were a few cars pulled over, so NATURALLY, we pulled over too to see what all the fuss was about. We saw something moving about in the bushes, so we pulled out our monocular (our longest lens), and had a look:

A coyote. While I tracked him with the lens, I noticed he was tracking something of his own. I couldn't see what he was trying to catch. But I did catch him pouncing:

We got pretty ridiculous with the animal spotting. At one point, I was all, "Hand me the camera! What's out there?!"

A rare fly fisherman?

We stopped at several of the standard hot spot and waterfall walk-abouts as well, which is why I think a Yellowstone trip works with kids - plenty of chances for breaks and walks. And when they fall asleep, you just enjoy the sights from the car.

Speaking of enjoying sights from the car:

It's my favorite when a bison just lumbers along and holds up traffic. They're so slow and lurpy. I'm seriously such a fan of bison - funniest big headed beasts evah.

 

So a word or two about the following photos. Yeah. We're those people. Who put their kid on a leash. But she's that kid. Let's be honest. It was either put her on a leash or let her jump in a thermal geyser. Don't you worry, Asian tourists also took photos of her. Look at her face in these, by the way. She got a hoot out of it!

 

 

Oh wait? Need another dose of cuteness? No problem:

Belle was not as fond of the weeds. "They're pokey!"

But she found plenty of other opportunities to pose. She's also obsessed with climbing things - this fence, random piles of rocks. The fence next to a billion foot tall waterfall. Good times.

We ended the day in Canyon (Night Three on map below). We ate at the diner on site, which I found incredibly charming (although the food is the same as it is at every other park restaurant in Yellowstone), and called it a night.

Which turned out to be a comedy because our room was tiny, old, fairly disgusting, freezing, etc. Luckily, I plan for things like this: notebooks, crayons, snacks, and a movie (on the mini DVD player, as park accomodations don't have TVs).

The night was miserable for me - the old radiator heater scorched my skin and I may or may not have laid on the filthy floor so the cold air from outside would freeze my on-fire skin - and when Jess arrived home the next morning, I was like, "Get me out of this hole." And so we left in a hurry. On to Old Faithful (our favorite!) we went.

To my FOUR loyal readers, stay tuned!