Leap day

 How did you spend this "extra"day of the year? Our's was memorable mostly because of the snow we woke up to . . . and then tromped through and tried to shovel (Trev had more success and I eased my guilt by vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom). The trees and scenery were gorgeous this morning, and then gave way to massive amounts of heavy, gloppy, messy slush. We also capitalized on a coffee date opportunity at Caribou.Happy Leap Day!

I need a place to capture quotes from books, articles, blogs - so many strike me, yet I seem to forget them almost as fast as I read them. This might as well be the place.

A recent line  I read in two different places within 24 hours (crazy! I think that means I should pay attention to what it says):
"Find new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other gold". If you are an "old" friend, and you happen to read this - well, please know you are a treasure.

A psalm said said daily around here:
118:24 "This is the day the the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it"

Another recently read from How We Love Our Kids:
"Not only do kids reveal our weaknesses, they frustrate our need for control and predictability . . . like little coaches pointing out weaknesses and defining our training, children point spotlights on places we need to grow in our lives."

So true, in a very good way. I'm reminded often that Karis's life is a gift, and Trevor and I have the privilege of raising her. This entails many, many moments of joy - and plenty reflected in this quote as well. Sometimes at the end of the day, I realize how many tiny decisions have been executed in just one tiny square box on a calendar - I need wisdom and grace to be making the best choices on behalf of this precious little person entrusted to my care.

I was also delighted tonight when Anne of Green Gables (the Sequel) stated that she likes when names are spelled with "K" instead of "C". And a scene when her class is singing "All Things Bright and Beautiful", a song that Karis asks me to sing every night right before bed. It's the small things, as always.

There's too much to write about that I can't even start right now - we enjoyed an awesome vacation last week that deserves its own post entirely, with lots of pictures of beach baby Karis.

Lenten thoughts also deserve another session of writing . . . in the meantime . . . 

Recent Karis-isms:
- "I want some hair 'jello'" (my latest favorite!)
- Having to wear her purple crocs inside at all times
- "Where are we going?" (asked at anytime of day, not necessarily when we're going somewhere)
- "What's on your face?" (awkward when asked of non-family members)
- "No, no!" (common reply to any question she is asked)
- "I want a girl scout cookie!"
- "Daddy, come inside!" (peeking her head out the door while he was shoveling)
- "Play legos! Build a house!"
- Favorite books lately: I Love You, Mouse. Corduroy, Sheep Take a Hike, Always Room for One More, Nursery Rhymes, Goodnight Moon, Napping House, Piggies, The Foot Book, Runaway Bunny
- Favorite song this week: "You Are My Sunshine"

From a month ago, a ride on an escalator

Valentine's Day treats

I've always associated Valentine's Day with family, thanks to my parents who always made it a fun and special day for my brother and me (thanks, guys!). I have wonderful memories of time together, new pink socks, memorable meals and creative endeavors (like making crafty boxes for elementary school - wow, those were the days).

I had grand aspirations of having a little tea party with the tots today, but the morning just flew and no tea was steeped (Karis loves tea these days, just a wee bit of weakened chai suits her well). We did manage to get outside and shovel the freshly fallen snow (so gorgeous and refreshing), bake ginger cookies, and visit a neighbor . . . who sent us home with a special treat. She has a stuffed bear that sings "God Bless America" - Karis loves to sing along. So, neighbor Bonnie sent it home with us to "babysit" for a week.

We also enjoyed sending lots of mail, which to me is a favorite activity for this holiday. The other thing that I'll remember about this Valentine's Day is that for the first time, Karis wore her "big girl underwear" all morning without any accidents . . . and also went when I "offered" before going outside and after nap. What?! I'm so delighted and even more so am having fun watching Karis's excitement in this step of independence. I wonder what will happen when she realizes that getting gum after each session isn't an eternal occurrence?

Another couple of memorable moments today - Karis stuck cheese in her ears. Shredded cheddar, if you were wondering. ???? Also, I marked the day by getting my teeth cleaned, which I actually love. It ended up being such a treat (no sarcasm), I had a fabulous hygienist who ended up talking about her current relationship and asking about me and Trev. It was kind of a sweet interaction and seemed fitting for Valentine's Day. I forget how good it is to get out and do these normal things that are pretty much off my radar. Perhaps it's time to see the optometrist as well.

Tonight we kept our tradition started last year of Valentine's "BOGO" events. First, dinner a Qdoba (where it's buy one, get one if you kiss in line). We met dear friends there, and Karis just loved her dinner date with "D". Trevor had a very kind and outgoing "older" gentleman approach him and say, "There are only a few people in this world with good looking heads. Everyone else has hair." HA!

We ended the evening with our "BOGO" Caribou coffee and tried to recall memories of pre-Karis Valentine's Day celebrations. We couldn't remember many and so resorted to grade-school reminiscing.  We did carve in our own at-home date by watching some Harry Potter 3, which reminded us of when we lived in VA and we used a projector on a huge white wall to watch it for the first time- we completely rearranged furniture to make it possible - we both laughed recalling that memory. What really made my day is that in the cards we wrote to each other, we both talked about wondering where we will be and what we'll be doing on future Valentine's Days . . .

That's amore:  Karis, "D" and their PDA at Q doba

As I write, my fingers smell like turkey. I like it. Spring is in the air or something, I've had these bursts of energy to get things done that I've been meaning to all winter . . . like cook that huge turkey that's been sitting in the freezer for longer than I will admit to publicly. Turkey-cooking is also a part of our plan to "grow up" this year, it was fun to watch Trevor carve it and then to enjoy the results together. The simple life, that's what we're all about here - or at least try to be about. In many ways, Karis has helped us slow down, find a regular rhythm, relax at night.

The above paragraph was written on Monday . . . this paragraph is written on Friday as the turkey is turning into soup on the stove. Mmmm. Turkey is our new friend and fits a new motto and method I'm incorporating into cooking: "minimum input for maximum output".

Today (still Friday!) was momentous for Karis, she got her very own library card. Wow, she was SO excited, I wish I could've gotten her reaction on video. The awesome part of her getting her own card is that now she can check out 30 books at a time. Keeping up with library books is like a part time job, a juggle of when things are done, which ones to renew, which ones to reserve. I love it.

Momentous happenings this week also include diaper-ish things. I decided to be done with cloth diapers, I don't know what happened but I'm just done. As it would happen, Karis seems to think she's about done with diapers, period. I haven't changed a dirty diaper in about a week, she's literally training herself and just lets us know when she has to go. That was easy, all credit goes to Karis.

Before the memory fades, I have to recall some moments from last Sunday's church service: it was the first Sunday that I was called upon to help serve communion, which involves a good 15 or so minutes of me (and other servers) standing at the front of the church. I did wonder what Karis would think of that situation, my girl can be unpredictable about her mommy-separation moments (although less so lately, she is really growing up). Well, she was great, I didn't hear her at all . . . until Trevor actually brought her up front for communion. At that point, she started bawling and crying very loudly for mommy. Oh my Karis, I could see the tears pooling in her eyes. I appreciated many sweet glances from those receiving the juice I was offering, those who know Karis and understood and appreciated the moment - who, like me, knew she would be absolutely fine (nothing a bagel from the back couldn't fix!) and also knew it was a slice of time I'd remember forever. A friend who is a seasoned grandmother-of-five told me after the service, "You know, someday she's not going to like you!" While I hope that's not true (!) I do realize that these little memories are ones I will treasure, ones I will tell Karis about in those moments that she thinks she doesn't need me. 

Random highlights of our week are included, but not limited to:
Having neighbors join us for pizza one evening; meeting an aunt and uncle for dinner one night; celebrating a dear friend's 30th birthday here (with what else but turkey?!); seeing Trev's brother who was here on a long layover; meeting former coworkers for a mall playdate; watching The Help; going to the library book sale and finding some terrific treasures; spontaneously meeting my bro for coffee; purging closets and drawers & organizing piles of clothes - watching Karis try on old favorite dresses and put together hilarious outfits for herself.

It's a simple life and we're thankful.

Karis-isms:
- "Hey mommy!" and then proceeding to tell me anything and everything that is happening to or around her. This is my favorite exclamation right now.
- She knows our first names and sometimes calls us by them, especially when yelling down the stairs
- She stuck a ball of kleenex up her nose, we were able to fish it out but I was having visions of candy or small toys going up there . . .
- "Watch the turkey!" (peering into oven). When they turkey was out, she just wanted to touch it
- "Cover Karis up!" (she likes to have a blanket over her now - after watching me cover Lukas up for his naps here)
- "I have a little cough! I need honey for my cough"
- "I'm gonna be a flower girl" (it's true! Thanks, Jordan and Cassie, for that exciting honor)
- "I set the table" (true)
- "Let's go to ca-meh-rah!" (Karis-speak for "Panera")
- "Date with Lukas!" (true, we took Lukas on a birthday date to the playplace at a local mall and dinner at Chipotle)
- "Mommy go bathroom so bad" (true - usually after being out and about and having to go right inside for a minute before playing outside)

Cutest thing I ever did see

Well, yes, the picture below would depict one of the cutest things I've ever seen. But right before I snapped the photo, I saw something else pretty adorable: a cute old man from the "big red barn" house at the end of the block (the same one with the singing inflated reindeer at Christmas time) was walking to his truck . . . and what was just too cute was that he had a blue tooth in one ear and was chomping on a big old piece of red licorice. The whole scene just kind of made my day. It's the little things, don't you think?

Is it okay to say "cute old man"? Because he was. It was cute, I wish I could've gotten a picture of him, but that probably would not have been okay.

So, here's the picture I did get (please don't tell me you'd rather see a picture of an old man?!):

Another scene was Karis seeing Trev (after a few days of him being gone) at the end of block and biking as fast as she could to him. Pure delight.

Karis-isms:
- "Mommy blow on hands!" (when we get back inside and her fingers are cold)
- "I'm freezing!" (can you tell it's cold and damp here lately?)
- "Walk on ceiling!" (she loves for Trevor to hold her upside down so her feet touch the ceiling)
- "I want quinoa! I smell quinoa" (yes, she smelled it cooking without even knowing what was in the pot)

And one more, because it's Monkey Monday around here . . . Karis holding a book she pulled off the shelf this morning. Can you tell what it is?

 

 

 

You can't see it well in this shot, but the t-shirt displays Rainbow Brite - a shirt I wore at her age. Thanks, mom, for keeping it!

One Little Monkey Jumping on the Bed

We have this thing in our house called "Monkey Mondays", for some reason monkey-ish things seem to happen on Mondays. Climbing, running, screeching, crawling, jumping. Today when Karis woke up I asked her, "Are you ready to be a monkey?!". She loved that and continued to repeat the phrase all day.

And now Monkey Monday is coming to a close and I'm enjoying listening to Karis talk herself to sleep - wouldn't it be funny if we all lay in our beds and just chattered to ourselves as we fell off to slumber? These days my head hits the pillow and I'm sawing logs within minutes. We are quite a sleeping family, it works well for everyone.

There's one memory from the weekend that will be a freeze-frame in my mind forever: we were at our church's annual meeting/potluck, and Karis shocked me by actually wanting to go to the childcare. About a half hour later, our good friend (and babysitter) Rachel brought Karis back to us . . . she had bitten her tongue, poor girl. She was okay and nothing a little hug couldn't fix, but the precious part is what she was wearing - a sparkly sequence butterfly costume (WHY didn't I take a picture?!). She stayed with us for the rest of the meeting and mostly sat on my lap until the last few minutes when she busted out jumping up and down, talking about her "butterfly outfit". Sunday morning we offered the nursery option to her again, she went for a few minutes and when Trev picked her up she told him she had bit her tongue again. Funny honey.

Random Karis-isms from the week that I want to remember:
- Singing "All Things Bright and Beautiful" before bed, stomping around her room doing some quite elaborate and amazingly consistent interpretive dance. Someday I'll learn how to upload videos here
- Helping Trevor shovel
- Barreling up and down the sidewalk on her tractor or bike. The girl can FLY
- Calling the bookshelf at the end of the hallway "mommy's house. daddy's house". Needing to stand in it right before she goes to bed, then giving Trevor a huge hug and then going back to her room for bedtime. Kind of ready for bed, she then proceeds to run back and forth between me (sitting on the rocker) and her closet while I read a few books. Exuberant energy until the very last minute of wakefulness. We started telling her she can talk all she wants while she falls asleep, and then she can go ahead and sleep through the night . . . so she's taken to beating me to it as I put her to sleep: "talk all I want. sleep all through night."
- Jumping on our bed
- Saying "all done mommy, all done daddy" to basically whatever we are doing when she decides we shouldn't be: singing, talking, playing the piano, reading, eating a banana (yes, just the other day Karis told me "all done mommy eat banana"!?)
- "I want some decaf!"
- Brand recognition: Chipotle, Target, Trader Joes, and most recently, Starbucks.
- The way she goes into her room to take care of "kitty bear": bedtime routine, diaper, wipes. She closes the door just enough so I can't peek in . . . one time I went in and I saw why - she got hold of the diaper cream and was slathering it on her little stuffed animal.

Growing up

Get real, right? I was thinking about my DIRL post, and realized it's pretty utopian in its perspective. This blog is where you're mostly going to see the "baby book" version of our lives. I want to be real (as in, more than Dan in Real Life real). In case you need to know, it is not all roses here all the time, but this just doesn't seem like the place for the thorns. At least not most of the time.

The thing is, I sometimes feel like we are living a rather utopian life right now - we are in the middle of a precious season of life. For that reason, I feel a sense of guilt if I'm ever found less-than-positive about any number of things . . .

If you have a minute, read this article

The thoughts the author expressed resonate with me - and I guess you could say that most of the posts here capture the "kairos"moments we have. I don't usually want to re-hash some of our more chronos moments that include meltdowns, discipline decisions, self-doubt, thrashing on the floor & screaming at friends' homes or feeling exhausted after a night of nearly no sleep (notice I don't ascribe these behaviors to any specific people in our family - they might be said about any of us at different moments!). Maybe if I write more often, some of the chronos will sprinkle itself throughout, because we sure have plenty of them to go around here.

In weekly news: we had a Friday full of highs and a couple lows, it was one of those memorable days. The morning began with me winning a book from the AM station I often listen to . . . "if you're the first caller, you'll win this book" and I gave it a shot. I need to start listening to a station that offers a chance at an all expense paid trip to Hawaii.

Shortly after the book jackpot, Karis decided to sit on her little port-a-potty. In front of the kitchen stove, so you know, she could look at herself (she loves mirrors, this girl). I was listening to her happily singing "Angels we Have Heard on High", when she stopped abruptly to say "pee in potty!" I ran to her spot and wouldn't you know, there was "2" in the potty! So, we had a little dance party, washed our hands, and she got a green m & m and carried it around saying "I got a treat. I found a meatball" (she calls anything round and chocolate a "meatball"). We kept the party rolling by traveling to NE Mpls. for a playdate with another baby Charis. Chraris's brother Jonas kept Karis well entertained and the mom and I managed to have a nice chat while Charis slept on my shoulder. Precious.

The other fabulous Friday occurrence was that Trevor got a new work computer. A big deal, trust me. Top off the day with a quick trip to Trader Joes (with only one mid-store meltdown for Karis) and a viewing of this week's Parenthood episode, I'd call it a fab Friday.

We proceeded to a mostly normal Saturday, with some super happenings. The day began with Karis running around the house in her swimming suit and sun hat, and ended with Trev and I getting a nice meal out while Karis played with her fave friend, "Dee".  Trevor and I enjoyed talking about our words for the year, chatting with the waitress, trying to not inhale our food and make the meal last. A theme of our talks this month is how this is the year we will grow up. We'll both be 30 after all! This fancy meal was part of that plan, for sure - really, probably the nicest we've had (just the two of us, that is) since our honeymoon.

So, there you go. Some days just have more kairos than others.

Other random Karis-isms this week:
"Wear hair like mommy's!" (and then spending an unreasonably long time checking herself out in the mirror)
"My nose is cold"
"Happy Day, Dee!" (i.e. happy birthday, Lukas)
"I be back" (i.e. I'm going to the basement and will be right back)
"Mommy Andrea" and "Trevor!" (i.e. scary! I'm not ready for Karis to know my name yet)
"Hellooooo, we're home" (while walking in the door)
"Whoopsie daisy!"
"Feed Kitty Bear lunch" (while preparing a tray of fake food for her favorite stuffed animal)
"Wear swimming suit"
"Mommy sit" (while directing me to sit in whatever place she thinks I should be at that moment)

Books in our lives lately: Praying for Strangers, You are Your Child's First Teacher, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, The Shadow of His Wings. Trevor is being uber ambitious in tackling Les Miserables. Karis is hopping around from Apricot ABC's to the Foot Book, and our absolute fave, what we call The Polar Bear Book.

That's it for now, I feel like every day has a million things I want to write down and remember . . . and then of course when I sit down they all escape my mind. We went for a walk in the snow this morning and it dawned on me that Karis is 2 and a HALF. That half just feels so significant all of a sudden.

Just minutes after waking up, hair goes into a ponytail and blanket becomes a cape

DIRL

Phrases you might have heard in our home a week ago (from Karis, then repeated by us - because, you see, our tot loves for us to repeat what she says so she knows we understand her):

"Let's go to Colorado"
"Bring backpack to Colorado"
"Pack noise machine, Colorado"
"Pacifier, pack Colorado"
"Airplane, bring us, Colorado!"

Any guesses on where we went last weekend?

Let me tell you, this 60 hour trip is one we've been anticipating for a few months: tickets, check. Snow boots, check. Snow pants, check. Toddler sunglasses, check. I admit, that was Trev's checklist and his careful preparations were such a gift to our family. My packing list was the standard: pajamas, socks, distractions for the plane ride, camera, diapers. Karis's list was easy: her Mini Mouse backpack that included goldfish and a little person (you know, the "little people" toys? She knows the singular and plural in their appropriate uses, cracks me up).

Honestly, we had a blast anticipating the trip as a family - I probably shouldn't be surprised, but Karis really understood it all, and when we woke up Friday morning she knew we were going on the airplane that day. Let me tell you, this was one epic journey to the final destination: drop off bags, Karis, and Andrea at shuttle station. Trevor parks car and walks to shuttle station. Shlep all our bags onto the shuttle. "Ride bus to airport!". Shlep bags again. Check in, check bags. Spend 30 minutes in the security line. Get through. Arrive at gate just as they begin boarding. Fun plane ride. "We're in Colorado!". Claim bags. Another shuttle to rental car. Load rental car. Meet Drew & Mike, transfer luggage and groceries. Drop off Mike's car. Sit in traffic. Get in line at Wendy's alongside an ex-con with ankle bracelet who spent $41.00 on a fast food meal. Pick up snowshoes. Drive up the mountain. Arrive at the final destination, a house on the mountainside! Phew. We enjoyed the journey, but wow it was epic. There were admittedly about 20 minutes (the ones when Karis was screaming in the car) that I thought "What were we thinking?!". Not bad for such a day!

Trevor has been to this house-in-the-woods (owned by his distant cousin) a couple times and has been talking since last year about wanting to bring Karis and me there. He described the cabin as "nice, but rustic". Um, this nice and rustic cabin FAR exceeded my expectations. Try, "Country Living Magazine" rustic. Gorgeous, spacious, cozy, leather couches, soft lighting, relaxing woodsy decor, comfortable beds, beautiful bathrooms, rock fireplace. I mean, down to the cuisinart coffee maker, this place was a dream. Karis must have agreed, she settled right down for a full night of rest. Trevor and I followed later, I will always remember the bedroom's huge picture window with no blinds, the moon and the snow and the trees and the mountain our backdrop for sleep. Be still my soul!

Before we retired for the evening, we welcomed the rest of the weekend gang: Trev's bro and his fabulous fiance, and two other marvelous mutual friends arrived shortly after us and we all sighed contentedly and settled in for this weekend we'd all been waiting for.

For me, not only the place but every aspect of our time in CO exceeded my expectations. Here is the best way I can describe the two days: DIRL. 

DIRL: Dan in Real Life.

In case you didn't know or have forgotten, I have this favorite movie obsession with Dan in Real Life (please, if you haven't seen it, watch it. Now.).

So yes, it was a real life DIRL weekend, and to me that is bliss defined. Togetherness in everything from activities to rest to meals to clean-up. The picturesque backdrop, wonderful weather, and snazzy house. Genuine enjoyment of the people, the place, creation. Zero traces of technology, disconnection, semi-isolation. Health, humor, honesty. Looking out for each other but giving each other space. Deepening relationships, random conversations, asking questions, opening hearts, sharing meals. Times of chatter and others of silence. A soundtrack playing in the background that included Ray Lamontagne and Alexi Murdoch. At least two generations (at one point, 3), games of "sardines" while dinner was cooking, people in different stages in their relationships in a safe place to all be themselves - family, loved, accepted, encouraged, appreciated. DIRL.

Oh, and did I mention the crew of weekend planners decided to give me a break . . . I didn't plan a single meal, make a grocery list or do any shopping. THAT is like a movie, nourishing feasts just appeared out of nowhere. Delicious ones. Thank you, everyone.

Other highlights included watching Karis latch on to her new Aunt Cassie, snowshoeing up the side of a mountain (and watching Karis enjoy being carried on Uncle J's back - pictures to follow soon). Rare forms of rhubarb alongside a man-meal of 3 kinds of meat and about a gallon of baked beans and lionized potatoes; crackling fires, hot showers and sweatpants. The sound of the wind and nothing else. The half moon lighting the house when the day was done. These verses come to my mind as I picture the weekend in my memory:

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
   where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth. 

I better give Karis a chance to tell her side of the story, partly in pictures: 

I loved sleeping in the same room as mommy and daddy, I don't remember that ever happening before! I got to get up before everyone else and loved having the house to myself. I ran in circles singing "Hot Cross Buns" in the quietest voice I could manage. Mommy drank a lot of coffee.

I loved the mountains! Daddy did such a good job of preparing the perfect gear for me to be comfortable on the ride up the mountain. I had the best spot and didn't have to move a muscle (thanks, Uncle Jordan and Daddy). Someday I might like to try those snowshoe things and give the hike a go. Everyone seemed pretty tired and the hill was very steep, so maybe I can get away with being in the backpack for a couple more years.

Uncle Drew took a turn carrying me also, so glad these guys were in shape so I could be part of the adventure.

Can you guess what's in my mouth? I'm so excited to be with my "new aunt", my favorite place this weekend was wherever she was

Other thoughts from Karis: I loved being around so many people all weekend, I found some great cozy cupboards to crawl into, beds to jump on, stairs to climb. I colored and chatted and ate breakfast on daddy's lap. I wore my sunglasses like a champ and put my hands under daddy's hood to keep them warm. I walked around in my snowpants and boots up on the mountain . . . when it got to be time for my nap, mom and dad took me back early and I got to chew gum all the way down the hill. Actually, I found that if I fussed a lot at certain times, I could get a piece or two of that delicious minty stuff. I ate a lot of goldfish crackers and cookies and strawberries. I loved the journey - riding the bus and the airplane were so much fun and I think I was very well-behaved (mommy said I was, too). I said "Hi people!" to anyone who would look my way, and I loved seeing all the pretty nails that women had on the flights. I looked out the window and pointed out lakes, blue sky, and lights. I was very relieved to get back to my own bed and have been sleeping a lot this week . . . I'm still wearing my pink backpack, hoping we can go back to Colorado soon.

And now, we're home (after, of course, the same kind of epic and many-stages-journey to get here. However, the return trip instead of "we're crazy" my thoughts were "all these steps are part of the memory-making and so completely worth every bit"). Karis quickly caught on to the shift in location and exclaimed, "We're in Minnesota! Minneapolis!"