Linguist Avi

Avi's first foray into the German language is the word "eierkuchen!" She does it pretty well, only hardening the "ch" too much, as most people do!

Sweet Taylor

Taylor definitely has his moments with his sisters.

We had just dressed Averi for church so she was waltzing around saying how pretty she was.

Daddy (to Taylor): Isn't Avi pretty?
Taylor: She's not pretty, she's beautiful!

In the past, he's even called her a princess!

Omi's Cookies

Taylor was very excited to have one of Omi's home-baked Christmas cookies. He was told he would have to wait until after supper and so he patiently waited while carrying the bag home and throughout dinner. When the momentous occasion arrived, Averi finished her cookie before everyone else and begged for more. Daddy donated the rest of his cookie to her. Upon seeing this, Taylor broke off a piece of his treasured cookie and gave it to his daddy!

Since I was overwrought with tenderness at his gesture, I gave him the rest of my cookie--only sneaking two more bites from it later!

Ella Speaks!

Ella's been a lot more chatty lately. I would have to say that her first word is "Ella!" She says it all the time: "El-la-la-la-la-la-la-la..."

"Tickles"

Taylor (referring to Shawn's stubble): Daddy, can I feel your tickles?

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

Holiday wish list?! I wish!

1. I wouldn't mind a new prepaid cell phone. I have a particular one in mind.
2. I'm always in the market for more scrapbooking/card-making tools and supplies! My top of the list right now is Spellbinders Nestabilities!
3. Martha Stewart Pine Branches punch
4. Martha Stewart Circle Cutter
   
5. Time to myself to create!!!!
   

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

My mom made me a book for my bday about why she loves me. Awwww!

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

I have albums and brag books to do!!

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

Am I supposed to be able to remember that far back?? Much to my parents dismay, I can't recall anything in particular.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

They're too young to have wish lists but anything to do with Cars, Treehouse shows or dollies will do!

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

Kleuse, a German potato dumpling.

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

My Christmas cards!

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

I love Miracle on 34th St (the newer one) and Home Alone 1 and 2! Oh, and the animated Nutcracker Prince.

9. Favorite holiday song?

Probably O Holy Night.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

German Christmas cookies and advents!

To enter to win all these cool prizes below simply answer the questions in this meme, make sure to post links back to TodaysMama.com and Provo Craft (use this link: http://bit.ly/4ikY3c ) and tag your friends!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Pouty-Pants

Baby Girl and Her Big Bro

Wake Up Call!

Ella's usually such a happy camper when she wakes up! Check out that fuzz head! Daddy loves to take these shots.

Update on Avi's Eyes

I'd previously posted this about Avi's glasses, but here's a few more pics.

Avi has a bit of near-sightedness to go along with her in-turning eye. She'll most likely be getting surgery and has a consult coming up in the new year.


She's so adorable!

Poor Ella!!

I swear the Fates are against Ella.

Sometime ago, Ella was belted in her little rocking chair which had been placed on the island in the kitchen (I won't name names). During the process of wiggling or being manipulated by a younger sib, I watched in horror as it fell off, unable to reach it in time to prevent it. She didn't fall directly on to the floor, but I was traumatized. (So was Taylor--he blamed himself!)

On other occasions, as previously blogged here, Ella had accidentally been hurt by her sibs.

Today, I specifically told Taylor not to move around too much in the shopping cart because it seemed rickety and I didn't want him knocking it, with Ella in her carseat perched on top, over. Well, sure enough, he knocked it over. I was terrified for Ella but she was only scared and, luckily, not hurt. Taylor was scared, too, but with a shiner to go with it.

You Think They're Ignoring You...

Taylor was snacking on soda crackers when I asked if he was making a mess. He replied in the affirmative, so I asked him if he was planning on cleaning up the mess. Parents often say these things, completely assured that their child is ignoring them. When he was done his snack, Taylor through out the plastic packaging and fetched the handbroom and dustpan. I watched, mouth agape, as he swept his crumbs from the table!!! I couldn't contain my hysterically gleeful giggles.

Little Artist

Taylor is sitting here on the floor drawing me unique, beautiful and colorful drawings! He's so sweet!

Daddy/Daughter Date

Daddy had the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with Averi today. Since Mommy didn't come home for supper, Daddy took Avi to Swiss Chalet. What a sweet little daddy/daughter date!

Just Call Me Dr. Dana

Avi was getting her glasses repaired for the 2nd day in a row--we've only had her glasses for that long--and it was taking quite some time (she had really done a number on them). She was restless but fairly well-behaved. While I was sitting holding her hands, she yanked away. She cried a little and said "Ow," obviously indicating that she'd hurt herself. I thought it was her wrist because she was guarding it and refused to use that hand. I gently moved it in different directions trying to ascertain the damage and she would flinch and cry upon suppination. I feared a dislocation.

Upon consulting with my dad, a family physician, it was determined the she did indeed have a subluxation at the radial head--otherwise known as toddler's elbow. Through much crying and frustration (the 1st from Avi, the 2nd from myself), I was given instructions on how to reduce it. It wasn't until after I'd given Averi and myself a settling down period that I was finally successful in popping it back into place. She cried for a few seconds but then was using her hand again! I was elated!

Avi's Glasses!

I wanted a pic with Avi awake to show off her new glasses but this pic was too priceless! She fell asleep while watching a movie...


She only got her glasses yesterday and I've already had to take her in to get them repaired!

Happy Hallowe'en!

Avi insisted on carrying her bag and going up and down stairs by herself. She would constantly exclaim that her bag was too heavy but then freaked out if anyone tried to help her with it, saying "My candy! My candy!"

After receiving a treat at each door, Avi would look at the person and say "More candy!"

Taylor and Uncle Aaron ran from house to house because Avi tiik so long and it was getting cold out.

Taylor's costume was safety-pinned on due to zipper malfunction. The costume was, like last year, borrowed from our neighbors.

Ella stayed quiet, but awake, bundled up in her stroller the entire time.

"Baby" Eye Patch

Flat Out Sucks

I spent the day with my mom yesterday who was home with a migraine. Seems inconsiderate to burden a woman in pain with my children but it worked out alright. Anyway, when we went to leave, one of our tires was completely FLAT! Shawn was a magnificent professional in replacing it with the spare.

Like a Weed

I accompanied Taylor to a store bathroom yesterday. He was going "number 2" and declared:

Food grows me up!

I found out later that Shawn had been teaching Taylor to associate food with growing (as well as "number 2"). ;)

Crying Duo

Taylor is traumatized every time Ella cries. Recently, Avi accidentally stepped on her and then fell on her and Taylor had to run to his room because her crying was so sad. Today, he accidentally smacked her on the head and he cried as much as she did. It's so cute trying to comfort him while comforting Ella!

Bro and Sis

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!

Ella and Aunt Lizzy

Lindsay, Kyle, Norm, Ariel, Rebecca and Aaron all came over in costume last weekend. Here's Aunt Lizzy holding Ella!

Sisters

Avi holding Ella's hand!
(forgive the mess!)

Halloween Dysphasia

My neighbor, Stefanie, and I decided to have the families get together for pumpkin carving. The problem was, Stef couldn't stop saying "pump the carvkins" rather than "carve the pumpkins." My turn came when I accidentally said "parve the cumpkins." Hmmm....

The kids turned out to not be interested in the pumpkin procedures. Stef and I ended up gutting and carving on our own. We did gutting one night and carving the next day. In the time it took me to carve one pumpkin, Stef did three!! I did my last two at home. The following is the result:

Anatomical Similarities

I was helping Averi on the toilet today when she glanced down my shirt and announced, "Bum!!"

I laughed my butt off.

Incredible Ella

Ella got her 4 month immunizations today. She cried half-heartedly for about 30 seconds. A few minutes later she was gurgling and cooing. WOW!!!

Bite Me...

Taylor (after being bitten once again by Averi):

We need to take out her teeth!

Seth's Bday/Halloween Party

Our neighbor's son, Seth, had his birthday party today! Since it's close to Halloween, Stef incorporated the Halloween party with it.

Our butterfly

Our cow


Aunt Ariel and Rebecca

Uncle Norm

Liz and Stef

Same expression!

Good Taylor!

I was feeding Ella during the night when I heard Taylor get out of bed saying "Hurry! Hurry!" I thought maybe he had to go to the bathroom but instead he ran to go puke in the toilet! By the time I was able to get to him, he was done the deed and, apparently, feeling fine. He apologized for puking and recalled the incident some time ago when he puked on Grandma and Grandpa's carpet. I was surprised at his memory, though he's always had a good one. I told him I was so happy that he was able to get to the toilet, helped him brush his teeth and put him back down.

What a good boy!

Like Father, Like Daughter

It's so horrifying when you find yourself doing something your parents did that drove you nuts.

Yesterday, I found myself trying to accelerate my children's preparation for departure by singing, "Let's go, let's go, let's... really go!"

My dad used to do that.

Ew. ;)

Girl vs Wolf

On occasion, Averi will urgently indicate that she requires the facilities by repeating "Pooh! Pooh!" only for us to discover she really didn't have to go. Shawn, in much frustration, recently dubbed Avi "the girl who cried "Pooh!"" Much laughter ensued.

(In case you're unfamiliar with the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, see here.)

Avi's Eye Patch!

Avi has an inwardly turning right eye and so is required to wear a patch over the left eye to force her to use her right. I had to wear patches over my right eye as a child for a similar reason. Trying to take it off...

Naptime Incident

This afternoon, Avi was reluctant to go down for a nap. We're usually driving around when she naps so falling asleep isn't an issue. Today however, I caught her stripping and trying to redress. I put her back down and didn't hear from her again for 5-10 minutes. What I did hear at that time was a loud crash. I'm guessing she had tried scaling her tall, skinny dresser. She is really the most amazing monkey! Said dresser now lay across the floor in an odd position from where it used to be standing. The glass pictures that had been on top of it were now on the floor, one of the glass panes shattered.

This incident occurred while I had someone over trying to explain salsa canning to me (we were supposed to do it today but it didn't work out). Due to the circumstances, we agreed to discuss it later. So after a grueling cleanup, I packed up the kids to get Avi to sleep in the van.

Well, mostly it was so I could cool off while they were belted up. ;)

Morning from Heck

A recent day--which I can't recall specifically because they all blend together--boasted quite an interesting morning. Ella had a blowout diaper and after changing her, I went to put her soiled clothing in a laundry hamper. I came back to discover that Avi had stepped in the offending diaper, which I had forgotten to close up. After cleaning Averi and disposing of said diaper, I found Taylor sitting in the laundry basket with the poopy clothing! After ascertaining that he was poop-free and shooing him away, I went to put fresh clothing on the sweet instigator of this debacle. During this task, I noticed that Avi was trying on all the clothing within the dirty laundry basket!

Gotta love those days...

Another Blog!

I've started a paper-craft-oriented blog with myself, my mom and a couple of friends as authors. It will mostly showcase cards and scrapbooking pages. Feel free to check out Aspiring to Creativity!

Walking on Broken Glass

Uh, Avi locked Taylor and I out of the house somehow. She still can't unlock doors, however, so I had to break back into the house... sacrificing a basement window in the process.

Yowch!!

A Little Soul

Larissa, our 10-year-old neighbor, has been adding a little "soul" to Avi's hair!

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

I thought Averi was beyond her pulls-everything-out-of-the-dresser phase but I was wrong... Avi loves getting into clothing. Whether it's going through her drawers or spreading my clean laundry all over the 2nd floor, she loves to put her legs through shirt sleeves and put pants on her head. One thing I've noticed, though, is that while I'm still required to help Taylor get dressed, Averi sometimes dresses herself with success! Way to go, little girl!

Gets Me Every Time

Taylor: Do you wanna snuggle with me, Mommy?

What am I gonna say? No?? I recognize that one day he won't want to snuggle with me so of course not! He gets me with that every time...

Taylor's Birthday!

My baby boy turned 4 years old today... Omi's sprained back has prevented her from making her traditional cake and a near mommy-meltdown on my part prevented me from making one of my own so we got this orange shortcake at Co-op (their strawberry shortcake is the BEST!).

He looks so proud to have blown out his candles here!

Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Norm came over for a quiet family celebration (Aunt Ariel was in Nova Scotia). Taylor got 2 tanks and a jet from G & G as well as a ghost nightlight and road map rug from us.

Our exciting celebration of Taylor's birthday took place at Calaway Park on the 28th.

I do not know what's going on with Blogger's photo orientation!!

Taylor loved the bumper cars once Daddy explained how to get the car moving!

We didn't even mind that we didn't get to go on any adult rides. It could be due to the fact that
even the kiddy rides make us sick!

Kids in Church

Avi is now kept rather happily busy during Sacrament Meeting with numerous books. However, every time the organ kicks up for a hymn, Avi immediately folds her arms and yells "Pray!" We had to remind her that it was music time, not prayer time. She also does the same thing at the end of a song, which is when it typically is prayer time. Since the chapel tends to hush right about that time, everyone can hear her pronouncement. It's cute, just loud.

Taylor had his first talk in Primary today. Since I learned from his experience "giving the prayer" (he wouldn't go up at all), I expected the same today. Actually, he did stand up with me (though not behind the podium) and briefly held the picture I was using to talk about temples. It worked out pretty well. I was pretty nervous but was able to wing it fairly successfully.

Ella was so cute today in a simple dress with polo collar and a headband with flowers that matched the color of the dress. Aunt Ariel made a bunch of those headbands for me and they're so adorable!

Avi's Birthday!

Our little girl turned two on August 17th! We had some family over for dessert: I purchased a blizzard cake since Mom had sprained her back and was unable to prepare one. Averi loved it...


...though Taylor did not...

The kids were kept occupied for at least an hour just playing with balloons!! It was awesome!

Aunt Vickie brought Avi a ball and several types of barrettes. Avi, who constantly fights having her hair done, loved them and kept wanting me to put more in her hair! Her favorites are the ones shaped as fruits (bananas, apples, pineapples, grapes, etc).

We got Averi a ball, as well, and a doll stroller which was a big hit.

Avi Words

My mom found an old journal recently and happened to open it to the spot where she'd written about Lerina's 2nd birthday. She had included a list of her vocabulary at that age so I thought I'd do the same. Avi's words currently include: food, up (which can mean either "up" or "help" depending on context), cheese (her fav food), Dude, Taylor, Mama, Dada, monkey, wawa (which she uses for "drink" and "water"), shoo shoo (I often tell her this), juice, pizza and peaches which are both pronounced "chee-ha" (hilarious but I think she used to say both words better in the past), baby, mine, blankie pronounced "bedgie" or "beddy" (she's really attached to one particular blanket), "wake" for awake, sit, yup, yes, yeah, yeehaw or weehaw, no (she used to say "mo" but can now say it properly--and frequently), Ella, poo (which can mean poo, diaper or toot), pee, toot, bath, "this" which means either "thanks" or "movie" or just "this" depending on context, please, more, okay, hide which sounds like "hat" or "head" (both of which she can also say), uh-oh, ow (which can mean either she's hurt or scared), pray, Heavenly Father, Jesus, amen, beebee which means "sunbeam" (she uses this to sing "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam"), tree, eye(s), play, toys, happy, bye, hi, nose, shoes, socks, hot, cold, book, mess, arm, spoon, milk, teeth, out, Avi/Averi, Mimi for Omi, me, all done/gone, Papa for Grandpa, nice, woah, animal sounds like meow, woof, neigh and ee-ee, look (more like "wook"), 'mon for c'mon... I may add to this list as I think of more. She also counts to 3, as in I say "one" (when someone's in trouble) and she continues on "two, three!"

**Addendum Sep 21/09: After Avi turned 2 her vocabulary exploded! She's also started stringing words together.**

She loves books, constantly perusing the collection in Taylor's room, aka making a mess of them. She also loves music and singing and it's so fun to listen to her versions of Primary songs! Her favorites are Popcorn Popping and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, though she also sings along with I Am a Child of God and Love One Another. She and Taylor also sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star together.

Avi's also a frequent shrieker... :)

That's What Little Boys Are Made Of...

Taylor was climbing on the furniture (which he knows he's not supposed to do) and fell off. I called over to see if he was alright and he replied, "Yes, I fell on my head."

Sleepy Avi

Avi fell asleep in an upright position...

and doesn't seem to be able to sleep until she's pulled all her blankets onto the bed...

Spontaneous Trip to Drumheller

We've been so fortunate as to become close friends with our neighbors behind us. So when Stef called on the morning of August 10th and asked if I wanted to accompany her and her children to the Tyrell museum, I was all for it!

We hit some unfortunate gridlock traffic on the highway heading for Drumheller but otherwise the trip was quite palatable due to our van's DVD player.

We were quite surprised at the number of places to take a young family for fun in Drumheller! There are several large dinosaur sculptures as well as a wading water fountain and spray park.

The "ball room" is still Taylor's favorite. We haven't been to the museum in 2 years but some things don't change. Avi wasn't sure what to think at first but got into the swing of things.

Here are some other pics: