Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Little Helper
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Hop on Pop
Alma's new favorite game, which she calls "HOP POP" and plays at least once a day, consists of all the pillows in the house and Joshua. There seem to be set rules -- you start the game by saying "BYE" to all the mamas (even if they aren't in the room), then there is some hopping and balancing activities -- but mostly it is giggling and wonderfully silly.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Hurricane Irene
We made it through the storm. The only damage is a little leaking in Alma's room and one of our trees that split and fell on our back fence, just barely missing our house but taking down the power line. We still have power but the line is blocking the road.
The power line originally was draped over someone's car but that person got in their car and drove away!! We could not believe it. Before the road was closed, we were watching out the window to make sure no one was going near the line. But we turned our backs for a moment and the car was gone. Thank goodness nothing horrible happened.
Now if we can just get the neighborhood kids to stop riding their bikes under the line.
Now if we can just get the neighborhood kids to stop riding their bikes under the line.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Joys of Summer: Goldfish Crackers
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Joys of Summer: The Beach
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Joys of Summer: Sunglasses
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Joys of Summer: Belly Buttons
Monday, August 22, 2011
Joys of Summer: Swimming
This week we are going to review the wonderful joys of summer...
Today's joy: Our local swimming pool and Alma's love of swimming
Today's joy: Our local swimming pool and Alma's love of swimming
Friday, August 19, 2011
Five Years of Fantastic
Five years ago when we said "I do" I could not have imagined the many ways I would continue to fall in love with Joshua and our life together.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Newest Thompson
My brother and his family welcomed their third child at the beginning of June, so we celebrated the baby's baptism this past weekend.
Alma enjoyed playing in the baptismal font with Grandpa, who she lovingly calls "Baw-paw".
Alma enjoyed playing in the baptismal font with Grandpa, who she lovingly calls "Baw-paw".
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Update: Gifty McRudolph
Making us laugh and feel better, Alma's Godfather Scott comes through with an email ....
Okay, I just read the blog, and I feel as if we really need to move you people beyond this sadness about #2 being born so close to Christmas!! As I will tell #2 a great many times (yes, I'll speak to the child even though I am not his/her godfather), being born close to Christmas is the greatest thing ever!!!
1. You never have to go to school on your birthday (if born on Dec 21 or 22, then maybe once every few years, but that's it)
2. You're more likely to see relatives during this period. Relatives who might only send a card if they lived far away, but because they're seeing you in person: Presents!
3. It's a very happy time of year. You'll associate that with your birthday, too... as if your big day is the true cause of all the joy!
4. You get to constantly shoot down the assumption that you get fewer gifts because your birthday is around Christmas. (This is because you have a family that will make sure no such thing happens!)
5. Being born at the end of the year is cool. For 99% of any year, you're the same age. "Ah yes... 1998. The year I was 20."
6. Apart from the fact that they usually come bearing gifts, it's super cool that there tends to be a lot of family around during this time of year. Oftentimes family that you don't get to see a lot. So instead of cards and phone calls, hugs and parties! (Oh yeah, and presents.)
7. Plenty of cool people were born on/around Christmas. Jane Fonda and Connie Chung come to mind. Also my host brother in Argentina, Italo.
8. Your parents will love it because you'll always be home for your birthday. (At least through college.)
9. You'll go 33 years before you hear the words "Gifty McRudolph." (If you take after your sister's godfather!) tee hee
10. Two words: Christmas Music! You'll LOVE it! It's your own personal birthday soundtrack!
11. You'll be one of the older kids in your class. Awesome!
12. Christmas break (excuse me, "Winter Holidays") will often be the occasion of a family vacation. That means birthday in an airport! Birthday in Hawaii! Birthday w/ Grandma and Henry! Awesome, awesome, and awesome.
13. When you're older, you can take birthday presents you don't like to the mall and exchange them for even better gifts, thanks to annual Dec 26 clearance sales!
14. Weirdly, not that many people seem to be born in December. You'll be part of an exclusive club!
15. You automatically get the chocolate in the Advent Calendar on you big day, even if the rule of alternating days means that it's your sister's turn.
--------------
So there you go! See? Christmastime birthdays are awesome. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
Signed,
Scott Smith
Christmas Baby
December 21 (that's 21, bloggers!), 1977
Thanks Scott!
Okay, I just read the blog, and I feel as if we really need to move you people beyond this sadness about #2 being born so close to Christmas!! As I will tell #2 a great many times (yes, I'll speak to the child even though I am not his/her godfather), being born close to Christmas is the greatest thing ever!!!
1. You never have to go to school on your birthday (if born on Dec 21 or 22, then maybe once every few years, but that's it)
2. You're more likely to see relatives during this period. Relatives who might only send a card if they lived far away, but because they're seeing you in person: Presents!
3. It's a very happy time of year. You'll associate that with your birthday, too... as if your big day is the true cause of all the joy!
4. You get to constantly shoot down the assumption that you get fewer gifts because your birthday is around Christmas. (This is because you have a family that will make sure no such thing happens!)
5. Being born at the end of the year is cool. For 99% of any year, you're the same age. "Ah yes... 1998. The year I was 20."
6. Apart from the fact that they usually come bearing gifts, it's super cool that there tends to be a lot of family around during this time of year. Oftentimes family that you don't get to see a lot. So instead of cards and phone calls, hugs and parties! (Oh yeah, and presents.)
7. Plenty of cool people were born on/around Christmas. Jane Fonda and Connie Chung come to mind. Also my host brother in Argentina, Italo.
8. Your parents will love it because you'll always be home for your birthday. (At least through college.)
9. You'll go 33 years before you hear the words "Gifty McRudolph." (If you take after your sister's godfather!) tee hee
10. Two words: Christmas Music! You'll LOVE it! It's your own personal birthday soundtrack!
11. You'll be one of the older kids in your class. Awesome!
12. Christmas break (excuse me, "Winter Holidays") will often be the occasion of a family vacation. That means birthday in an airport! Birthday in Hawaii! Birthday w/ Grandma and Henry! Awesome, awesome, and awesome.
13. When you're older, you can take birthday presents you don't like to the mall and exchange them for even better gifts, thanks to annual Dec 26 clearance sales!
14. Weirdly, not that many people seem to be born in December. You'll be part of an exclusive club!
15. You automatically get the chocolate in the Advent Calendar on you big day, even if the rule of alternating days means that it's your sister's turn.
--------------
So there you go! See? Christmastime birthdays are awesome. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
Signed,
Scott Smith
Christmas Baby
December 21 (that's 21, bloggers!), 1977
Thanks Scott!
Update: This Pregnancy
Thus far, this pregnancy has been difficult. Much more difficult than we were envisioning. From being sick all the time, to crazy stress coming from Joshua's work, to lots of sad news (the loss of both of our maternal grandmothers and the sudden/acute sickness of a close friend), it has been a lot to handle. While it is difficult to not enjoy a summer schedule that includes a happy, loving toddler, I have been feeling like we have been cycling quickly between highs and lows.
We only know two things about this new baby:
1. He or she is a healthy baby.
2. The due date is approximately Christmas Day.
Sure, it's good to know the first fact -- ruling out giving birth to puppies or veloceraptors -- but it is a little limited in scope. Girl/Boy? Redhead/Blond? Looks like Alma? Good sleeper? So much yet to learn.
The second fact is, I'll admit, a bit of a downer. We didn't plan to give birth to a Gifty McRudolph, as I've been calling the baby, so close to Christmas. It seems that no one beyond Scott (Alma's godfather) has given us encouraging or even neutral words about this impending birthday. Scott's birthday is December 22 and you cannot imagine someone who loves their birthday more. I am feeling that a child's birthday -- yes, while important -- isn't the most important thing ever. However, seeing as that is one of the only things we know about this child, it has become a critical point and, at times, it is difficult to see as a positive around it. Don't want to have "bummed out" feelings about a new member of the family, but have to admit that I have been stuck in that mire a bit. Granted, I've also been sick for the past four months, which just generally leads to bummed out feelings.
It helps to put the birthday out of mind by thinking about how that will only be one small part of the child's life. Moreover, I've been dreaming on family traditions that we can start for holidays -- birthdays and Christmas' included -- that go a little against the grain but also feel more natural to me.
In general, it is interesting where the mind goes when feeling a little run down by the rest of life. Soon enough I'll feel better -- to be honest, I've been feeling great during the day but still got sick two of the three past mornings -- and can start nesting. I struggle with being in a holding pattern of inactivity.
We only know two things about this new baby:
1. He or she is a healthy baby.
2. The due date is approximately Christmas Day.
Sure, it's good to know the first fact -- ruling out giving birth to puppies or veloceraptors -- but it is a little limited in scope. Girl/Boy? Redhead/Blond? Looks like Alma? Good sleeper? So much yet to learn.
The second fact is, I'll admit, a bit of a downer. We didn't plan to give birth to a Gifty McRudolph, as I've been calling the baby, so close to Christmas. It seems that no one beyond Scott (Alma's godfather) has given us encouraging or even neutral words about this impending birthday. Scott's birthday is December 22 and you cannot imagine someone who loves their birthday more. I am feeling that a child's birthday -- yes, while important -- isn't the most important thing ever. However, seeing as that is one of the only things we know about this child, it has become a critical point and, at times, it is difficult to see as a positive around it. Don't want to have "bummed out" feelings about a new member of the family, but have to admit that I have been stuck in that mire a bit. Granted, I've also been sick for the past four months, which just generally leads to bummed out feelings.
It helps to put the birthday out of mind by thinking about how that will only be one small part of the child's life. Moreover, I've been dreaming on family traditions that we can start for holidays -- birthdays and Christmas' included -- that go a little against the grain but also feel more natural to me.
In general, it is interesting where the mind goes when feeling a little run down by the rest of life. Soon enough I'll feel better -- to be honest, I've been feeling great during the day but still got sick two of the three past mornings -- and can start nesting. I struggle with being in a holding pattern of inactivity.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
At the Farm
Friday, August 12, 2011
Best Friend
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Vacation Wrap Up
We were lucky enough to have three straight weeks of vacation this summer. Well, one week of "workcation" followed by one week of "memorialization" before a week of actual vacation.
Our first week was spent in Applegate, CA (near Sacramento) for Joshua's work conference. The overarching organization that Joshua, through CUNA, works with, People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO), is an international non-profit that encourages the employees to bring their families to the yearly week-long work conference. I've been wanting to attend for years but this is the first time that the trip didn't interfere with my own employment. Alma and I spent our days playing with the other 40+ kids in attendance and enjoying the beautiful Jesuit retreat center where the conference was held. And, at night, Joshua and I would hang out on the patio overlooking the pond and share a crossword puzzle.
Sadly, Joshua's grandmother passed at the beginning of June, so we spent the next week with his family celebrating her life. While it was a sad event, it was so nice to have some time with the Chisholm clan when we had not been planning a visit with them for this summer. We were able to spend a day at Santa Monica beach (photo of Alma and me was snapped by Hayden!), some time in the backyard shooting cans with a BB gun, and Alma had plenty of time idolizing her cousin Hayden.
After a wild trip home -- three days of delayed flights, car rides interrupted with me getting sick on the side of the road (yes, that happened more than once), an eventual red-eye flight home with an overly tired toddler -- we were home for 20 hours before leaving for a trip up to the Adirondacks for a week of relaxing with Kate, Neal (a.k.a. Uncle Fun), their pup Rio and our dog Simon. It was a week composed of all the greatest things: best friends (even Simon had his best friend), delicious food, and an amazing house right on Lake Paradox. We spent days hiking, napping, watching the dogs swim until near-drowning fatigue and our nights were long games of Kate beating us at Settlers of Catan.
Our first week was spent in Applegate, CA (near Sacramento) for Joshua's work conference. The overarching organization that Joshua, through CUNA, works with, People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO), is an international non-profit that encourages the employees to bring their families to the yearly week-long work conference. I've been wanting to attend for years but this is the first time that the trip didn't interfere with my own employment. Alma and I spent our days playing with the other 40+ kids in attendance and enjoying the beautiful Jesuit retreat center where the conference was held. And, at night, Joshua and I would hang out on the patio overlooking the pond and share a crossword puzzle.
Sadly, Joshua's grandmother passed at the beginning of June, so we spent the next week with his family celebrating her life. While it was a sad event, it was so nice to have some time with the Chisholm clan when we had not been planning a visit with them for this summer. We were able to spend a day at Santa Monica beach (photo of Alma and me was snapped by Hayden!), some time in the backyard shooting cans with a BB gun, and Alma had plenty of time idolizing her cousin Hayden.
After a wild trip home -- three days of delayed flights, car rides interrupted with me getting sick on the side of the road (yes, that happened more than once), an eventual red-eye flight home with an overly tired toddler -- we were home for 20 hours before leaving for a trip up to the Adirondacks for a week of relaxing with Kate, Neal (a.k.a. Uncle Fun), their pup Rio and our dog Simon. It was a week composed of all the greatest things: best friends (even Simon had his best friend), delicious food, and an amazing house right on Lake Paradox. We spent days hiking, napping, watching the dogs swim until near-drowning fatigue and our nights were long games of Kate beating us at Settlers of Catan.
Friday, August 5, 2011
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