Playing around, in different ways

Andrew still loves to put things in his mouth.



And try to do things like his big brothers.

Max loves trying new tricks.

But wait, what about this guy?!

He likes to hang around our playground set to make sure everything is safe.

You know, because he may be needed at any time!

It's so fluffly I'm gonna die

I can't stop taking pictures of Andrew sleeping.

Those lips.


Those cheeks.


Those eye lashes resting against those cheeks.


Did I mention the lips, cheeks and eyelashes? How about a chubby fist?

Deep conversations

It seems bedtime is the best time for my boys to just open up their little hearts and ask the most probing, deep questions.  All day it's the usual, "Why is the sky blue"and "tell me about dinosaurs" stuff.  At night, it gets more philosophical.  And it's usually as I'm reaching for the door when a little voice pipes up: "Momma? Can I ask you something?"

Why, just tonight we covered infertility and adoption, death, Heaven and Hell, the 9-11 Attacks, and the Presidential elections.  I try to stay age-appropriate but not brush them off.  I come upstairs hoping I've addressed their concerns and given them peace. 

Once, though, it wasn't at bedtime that I got a surprise. I was backing up out of the driveway when Max announced, "Mom, I don't want to die."  Me: "Whaaaa?" Bonk, I backed right into my neighbor's bumper.  His steel contraption is fine. Mine is slightly dinged.  I still cringe over that.

Books and Bagels

An email from JB on a recent Wednesday morning to me at work:

"Just got back from Books and Bagels. The boys had a great time. They listened to Jason Washburn from the basketball team read Curious George and Dr. Seuss. We got a great picture with him afterwards. Benny even sang "Utah Man" to some of the athletes."





Best part was walking home. Benny said in his most earnest voice, 'When I grow up I want to be a Ute player and then when I get tired of that I'll be a firefighter.' Made me smile."

Awkward

Today I wore a long maxi skirt, fitted shirt and ruffled cardigan. I felt stylish and spring-y.

Then Benny came up to me at the end of the day, patted my lower abdomen and said, "You look like you have a baby in your tummy, mommy!"

Um, hehehehehe. Nervous laugh. Quickly gather shards of dignity.

"I don't, Benny. My body has just changed because I've had three babies already: Max, you and Andrew."

"Oh. But when are you going to have another baby?"

"Um, (another nervous laugh), that's something your daddy and I would have to talk about. And it's kind of up to God."

"Oh. I'll say a prayer then. Dear Heavenly Father, please let mommy have another baby."

Oh jeez. Why did I have to wear this skirt today? Look what it has wrought!

I'm going to buy some Spanx.

Trip leftovers

I was looking through the pictures on my iphone and I laughed and laughed.

I found 6 pictures of Benny's night-night blanket, and 36 pictures of his sweet face. He took them during his turn for the phone during our trip to CA. This is a screen shot of my photo album on my phone.




He also took some video. Here's just a portion. I love seeing his little piggies as he had kicked his shoes off, and hearing Andrew babbling.







I took this with my cell phone one night in the hotel. It reminds me of the picture in this post at my sister's house years ago.

The pool

Next time I think we will just get a hotel room with a pool closer to home. It was one of the boys' favorite parts of the trip. The pool was perfect for them -- warm, and no deeper than 4 feet.

We are getting them into swimming lessons again after soccer. Benny still hugs the side of the pool but Max really gained some confidence by the end of our CA stay. Look at these jumps!