2 years, 2 months!

Dear Son,

I am two days late writing your monthly birthday letter. I don't think I've been caught out of town on one of your birthdays before. So here I am at your grandparents' house in Indiana writing this.

I have been so anxious all of December about traveling with you as a two year old. We were fortunate to have Daddy with us on our way here. I had prayed that you would be especially obedient as we traveled. I also prayed that we would be patient and especially understanding parents on this trip. My prayers were answered more fully than I ever could have imagined! I felt such releif after a long Christmas Eve in the sky with you. You were easily entertained, listened to us and the most important request I had of Heavenly Father is that we never lose sight of you... you were always safe and in our sight all day long. What a blessing!

It was neat, on our last leg of the trip, the pilots met you as we boarded the plane. They wanted to show you the cockpit and let you wear the pilot hat. You were intent on pushing all the buttons and climbing up the side window. Despite the added perspiration for me, I was delighted you got to explore and make a couple pilots smile on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day was so much fun for you! You opened all your gifts, played with your cousin Sierra and you even got to go swimming after nap time! We had a great holiday!

You are saying more and more 3 word phrases. The most reoccurring are "I did at" and "don't do dat" and "no, no, no" (as you correct your meaning when we obviously don't get it).

I have to report that your interest in coloring and drawing has only increased this last month! You are crazy about coloring with markers only. Crayons are for the birds. You concentrate for long periods of time when you are at the table drafting up your artwork. Your favorite gift this year was the aqua doodle (second to your guns). You can't get enough of it. You like us to draw something for you to color in. Sometimes you'll add limbs to the smiley face we draw and sometimes you'll just make lines and circles on your own. It really is something to see you at work! Well done, my little Picasso!

I continue to adore your darling face and sweet demeanor. You have had more of an attitude lately, but you still try to do your best in being obedient. I received many compliments on our trip relating to how handsome you are, how smart you are and how funny you can be. It was fun to introduce you and reintroduce you to so many friends and family. Most everyone seemed taken by your charm. It's sweet to see how appreciated you are by others. I already feel honored and blessed to be your mother, but it's taken to a new level when others see what I witness daily.

I love you, son. Thanks for being the great little man that you are!

Love,
Mom

Random Memory

Today, in the wee small hours of the morning, Liam woke. He couldn't find his binky, so I went to help him. The way his tired eyes blinked up at me after finding it, was so so sweet! He said, "thank you, Mom" ---in the middle of the night. Then did those tired sweet blinks as I tucked him back in.

Here is the memory it reminded me of, with the cute tired eye blinking.

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Trimming the Tree and other Christmas Fun

Liam helped me trim the tree last Saturday. He was so excited when he woke up from his nap to find all the Christmas stuff ready for him to help unload and spread all over the place! We started with the lights. He dragged them around for awhile and then tried to help me put them on the tree. Then he was delighted to try to hang the ornaments up. "Try" being the key word. He mainly just handed them to me to put on because somehow they didn't fall when I would do it.

Earlier in the day we had gone around Southern Salt Lake area shopping for a piece of furniture to house the bigger TV. While riding around, we found a sign for Gardner Village. We noted the address and went to find it.

We found it, but we found it was an outdoor shopping experience and it was a bitterly cold day. So we put Liam in the stroller and hoped he'd stay happy. After going in a few shops with lots of wonderful treasures, we finally let Liam have a break as we walked to the bakery to get him a reward for being so good. He carried our bag of treasures all the way there and held tight to it as he shopped the bakery goodies. He had a couple small gingerbread men and was pretty content as we drove to IKEA to scope out another furniture idea.

IKEA was busy busy, but we scouted to our destination and found the piece set up in the showroom. We sat on the comfy furniture as we mulled over the price verses the work to put it together ourselves. All the while, Liam found some kids china set and started dropping the pieces one by one. We put the stuff back, glad that it wasn't broken and bolted out of IKEA.

Liam fell asleep on the way home and transferred well to his crib so I could try to get a nap in too. That didn't work too well for me since I woke up after 20 minutes thinking of all I needed to get done before we leave for Indiana on Christmas Eve. AND I really wanted to run to JC Penney to return a sweater and get a better one for our date that night. So I did just that... and I got Liam an outfit too. (After fighting the parking lot traffic at the mall for 25 minutes... Wowee crazy people holding up the rest of us while they wait 5 minutes for someone to walk to their car, unlock it, load it and load themselves, then leave... I would never do that! Though we do tend to go real slow when we know someone is waiting for our spot because they couldn't possibly park a little further away...)

So, after going to the mall, Liam wakes, we trim the tree. After playing around for awhile, it was time for Liam to try out a new babysitter (Brittany) while we headed to the Energy Solutions Arena for the Jazz game. This little teenage girl did great with Liam and I was so glad we tried her out since our regular, Meagan, was sick and couldn't do it for us. Brittany couldn't believe how well Liam did and how easily he went to bed too! I was just pleased that things went well. I had a list of house rules and Liam's bed time routine written out... I had Shari on call 2 blocks away just in case something happened... I am sure Miss Brittany thought I was a complete basket case, but she smiled and happily said, "No problem!"

It was a great day all around! Liam is such a prince! ...And so is my hubby! We had a great night out!

Finding THE Tree

After visiting Santa on Friday night, we went to go pick out a tree. We hoped the pricing would be down a bit since it was the 14th of December.

After we put Liam's mittens on, he bolted for any lick of snow he could find. He started throwing all the bits of snow at us! We enjoyed his squeals of delight as we shopped for a tree. It didn't take long for us to find one similar to last year's tree.

It was only $26!

Liam and Daddy played in the snow while I paid for the tree.

The next morning Liam woke to the bare tree and exclaimed, "TREE!"

I am just as excited to have another beautiful Alpine Fir in our home this year!

The Chain of Events

Visiting Santa Friday Night -








Liam actually gave Santa a high five though!
_

This is how Liam colors

Really. Every time, he about loses his grip on the chair.

Kiss Mom

This morning after family prayers, Daddy asked Liam for a kiss good-bye. Liam obliged and then pointed to me and ordered Daddy to "kiss mom"...

"You want me to give mom a kiss?"

"Yeah!"

He knows that we all get kisses before Daddy leaves and it was darling that Liam wanted to remind Daddy to make sure I got mine!

SWEET!

Manly Men

We generally watch Two and a Half Men on Monday nights. Liam has learned the theme song since we all sing along at the beginning of the show right before we put him to bed. It's so cute when he sings, "men, men, men, men, men, men..."

Sorry

Liam has gotten good at saying sorry when he hurts someone or something. This morning when we were cuddling, he accidentally head butted me and I said ouch. He immediately said, "Oh saw-wee." Then he rubbed my head and said he was sorry a couple more times. So sweet.

In other news: Daddy got his big Christmas present this weekend... a new LCD TV. So Liam got a big present too... a HUGE box to play in. He's been having fun stacking the foam wedges and diving head first into the box. He even figured out a way to make a slide out of it. "WEEEEE!"

Liam's requests

I have to report how Liam asks for a few things:

Pick me up - "Hold you"

Please help me - "Peez help you"

You wanna get me some sugar? - "Treats?"

It's funny each time he says each of these things -- multiple times a day.

I was especially amused this morning when I said, "Can you say 'help me?"

And he replies, "HAPPY!"

Even when I said it slower and with extra annunciation he still replied, "HAPPY!"

P.S. I have to write down that each day when we put Liam's puffy coat on, he taps his belly or rubs the front of his coat and says "coke" real proud. He loves his "coke", ladies and gentlemen. Good thing because it's "koe ow-sigh".

Christmas last year

I watched this montage last week and it made me so excited for the Christmas season! I look forward to compiling our 2007 season this month!

Enjoy~

December First's Snow

The boys woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. Ian gets just as excited about the snow as Liam does. It's so cute how they both just sit by the window and watch. It snowed all day long. Liam was beside himself as we ran errands, wanting to touch the snow and take off running in the deep sections if I didn't have a grip on him.

Time didn't permit us to take Liam out to play in the snow any sooner than sun down. He spent the afternoon with his future babysitter. Laura says she is on board to tend him the first of the year. YAY!

Liam and Daddy had a great time in the snow! The pure delight on Liam's face and the snow-ball-throwing chuckles were priceless! Those boots were so big that he couldn't stand up when he'd tip over and watching him walk in them was equally as hilarious! I'll have to post video later.

Liam December 2006 <--------------> Liam December 2007

See all photos HERE.

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News

On Monday, Shari, Liam's sitter, let me know that in January she will no longer be able to tend him. I was surprised that I didn't panic at her words. I was merely saddened because Liam would lose her as a mother and her children as siblings. They have been his family for two years and it broke my heart for him to lose them. Granted he'd see them on Sundays and Megan would still tend him for date nights, but still, I was just so sad.

I immediately had two families in mind that live in our neighborhood. Two wonderful families that both have children and they would have great influence on Liam.

I left messages Monday night and heard back from Laura on Tuesday evening. I told her the situation and the money that could be made. She said that she was tempted to say yes right then and there... but she knew it would be wise to pray about it and talk to her husband about it. She has a two-year-old son and a 7 month old daughter.

Laura called me back not 15 minutes later and said she'd like to give it a try on Saturday... she wants me to drop him off at noon and pick him up at 5 like I would on a week day. She was so sweet as she relayed that I should go on a date with my hubby or a take a nice long nap while she tended him. I was comforted that this path might work out for all of us.

This morning, first thing, my second resource called me back. Michelle has two boys that are ages three and five. Liam loves playing with them and Michelle says Liam is a piece-of-cake-child to tend. So I told her the situation and that Laura was going to give it a try on Saturday. Michelle was just as interested in doing it as Laura. She said to keep her posted on what Laura decides.

What a blessing! The two families I had in mind are both interested. I can't imagine worrying about this situation the whole month of December. I can't get over the fact that we were taken care of in less than a week's time. I am so delighted.

Heavenly Father really watches out for us... Especially Liam. We are very grateful.

2 years, 1 month!

Dear Son,

I am a day late in writing your monthly letter. I apologize. I got caught up in a wonderfully long weekend spent with you and your Dad. It was a beautiful four days together as a family. I will always be grateful for this, your third Thanksgiving holiday. You have been such a good boy and we appreciate your tenderness more than you might know right now.

This past month I’ve been trying to be a better mother to you. I have been reading some parenting books and have found some interesting methodology on how children think. I am finding myself being more even tempered with you. I’ve tried a few tips given in the books to help calm you and discipline you in a loving, respectful way. It’s been neat to see your reactions.

I am grateful for resources that can help me be a better teacher and mother to you. You are a bright soul and I love you so much for trying so intensely to please us. You work so hard to bring smiles and shared excitement over your new discoveries. Your electric personality just grows by the day. It’s a marvel to watch you learn and grow. Heavenly Father is blessing you, me and your Dad as we teach each other to be better people. We feel very blessed to have you in our daily lives and it seems you feel the same way about us.

I read an Ensign article tonight by President Gordan B. Hinckley. He speaks of our little ones and how precious “your kind” are. He recalled a memory of taking his grandchildren to the circus and how he watched their reactions instead of the three-ring entertainment. It reminded me of all the times we have taken you to see animals at the farm or zoo or pointed out the window to the cows and horses as we drive along or even just taking you to feed the ducks. We do most any activity because of the joy we see from your eyes as you enjoy yourself and discover the world around you. That hearty laugh of yours... You are our joy. You are our “constant renewal of life and purpose” and we love you for it.

Brigham Young said, “ A child loves the smiles of it’s mother, but hates her frowns.” Less than a week ago when you and Daddy were playing with the radio on the bed and I was folding laundry… Daddy was scanning through the stations and when there was a pause without music, I would frown and pretend to cry. You’d say, “DAH-EE” and the next station would come in and I would bob my head and dance along with the music, as you were. Then it would go off again and I’d cry again. Your reaction was priceless as you’d reprimand Daddy to put that music back on. You were so sweet to make sure I was happy. I love you so much, son!

A wise and wonderful mother named Cornelia once answered her friend when asked if it were true that she had no jewels and if she were poor...

"No, I am not poor,'' answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her two boys to her side; "for here are my jewels. They are worth more than all your gems.''

This rings true for me as your mother, Liam. You are my prized gem. You are the brightest spot in our home and anywhere you go. It’s an honor to take care of someone as priceless and beautiful as you. I hope I can be a person you look up to and want to be your friend and adviser as you grow into a man. I will always be there for you and try my best, with the Lord's help, to be who you need me to be.

All my love,

Mom

Wyatt

Liam loves his cousin, Wyatt. November 9th, his big furry friend came over to play. Liam was able to tell him to sit and get down. We were all floored that Wyatt obeyed. Uncle Drew has trained him well. He just turned a year old and he seems as big as a horse! You can tell how tame he is with Liam in these photos.

Unseasonably Warm

Yesterday I took Liam in the back yard to play in our sea of leaves. It was so warm! He had a great time swimming in those leaves, wading in them and of course splashing me with them!

In other news: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY! We love you!

Two Mental Pictures

A Ninja Among Us

So yesterday Liam got out of his crib. Three times.

The first time, I was in the kitchen right beneath his bedroom, only minutes after laying him down for his nap. The boom was so loud, my heart jumped into my throat! I SCRAMMED up the stairs and only paused for a second to put a sane face on before I opened his bedroom door. I found him standing by his crib with that oh-no-she-found-me-out look on his face. I just knelt down and opened my arms and he hugged me. Then he whispered "hurt" just to make sure he got some sympathy, even though it was perfectly clear that he was just fine.

I put him back in his crib and went downstairs to call Ian at work (to inform him of the experience). My heart would not stop racing. I can still hear that blood curdling boom. I calmed down after about 20 minutes.

Fast forward 10 minutes.

I am sitting on the couch in the living room and I start to hear a consistent sound. Like something grazing the walls upstairs. I slowly go up the stairs to investigate. I open the door and Liam is behind it flinging the door stopper. How in the heck did he get out of his crib so silently this time? He is obviously no dummy. But he was surprised to see me again so soon. I guess it didn't register that flinging that door stopper would draw my attention.

So I decide to put him back in his crib, but stay in the room with him. I lay on the twin bed facing the wall so he thinks I am asleep. I hear commotion of blankets and what-not being thrown from the crib. Then I hear some tiny grunting. I turn to look. He is balancing his belly on the top horizontal rail, ready to make his leap. I say, "LI-UM!" He so gracefully flips himself back into his crib and lays on his pillow.

He never went to sleep. I guess little ninjas who aren't tired learn to escape the napping place.

Cookies in the Tub

So this morning Liam is in the bath. The water is being drained and he is picking up his toys. I go to get his towel.

I come back into the bathroom and Liam is squatting near the drain. Beneath him is a log.

I say, "Liam, did you go poo poo in the tub?" Then I hurry to get him on the pot to finish up if that wasn't all of it.

He sees what's in the tub (and apparently has never seen poo before) and says, "Cookie! Cookie!"

I was (and still am) laughing!

A Bug Fascination

Liam has had a bug fascination the past month. We've had a bit of a stink bug problem around one window of the house. It's never happened before... just like we've never had ants. It's a random thing, but Liam has enjoyed pointing out the few bugs that make it into the house. Including black lint in the carpet.

"EWWW buG!" -- He emphasizes the G in the word and it's very unique how it sounds when he says it. Makes me smile.

So this week, Liam found a murdered spider by the back door. The cats usually leave us grasshopper carcasses, you know, a gift, like that snake experience we had. Liam went and studied that dead spider and kept saying, "EWWW buG!"

Very funny how close he gets but never actually touches it.

Thursday Ian rented A Bug's Life for Liam because he's shown such a large interest in the beasts. This Daddy has good instincts. Liam has been requesting the "buG" movie ever since.

Here he is absorbing the magnificence of a bug's life. Oh to be a bug...

Conversations with Grandma

I was delighted when Liam picked up the phone off the table and said, "Graw?"

We called Grandma Dixie. She answered right away and I put her on speaker so Liam could hold the phone and I could listen and translate.

He started out the conversation by telling her about his banana that he was snacking on. She was absolutely tickled that he wanted to just chat on the phone.

He got down from his chair at the table and started pacing and roaming like his Mama does when she is on the phone. Cracked. Me. Up.

Grandma was giggling as she listened so intently to everything Liam told her. She was soaking up every moment longer she had him on the phone. This was in fact Liam's first real telephone conversation, you see (and we thought it would be brief). He'll say hi or bye once in awhile but is never interested in holding the phone or keeping his grandparents on the line.

I took some video of their conversation. It was so precious how he'd dart from subject to subject. With the pacing and roaming, a toddler can find a lot that catches his eye to talk about. The words toys, cars, blocks, balls and happy were used a lot. He even corrected Grandma once when she was talking about something other than his truck... he said, "No, no, Graw... truck!"

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Repeat, repeat, repeater

Oh my goodness! Can we say official two year old talker?

Of course everything Liam does is adorable, but the constant repeating of obvious information is a little over the top some times. Especially when he's in trouble and he starts telling me something ever-so-interesting not related to his current state being in a time out, etc.

In sacrament meeting on Sunday he kept running away (and driving me batty). At one point he tripped and lightly fell and... that was my cue to swoop, dive and catch him before he went any further.

As we were walking back to our seats, he kept saying, "Mama, fall... Mama, fall..." and on and on and on. I'd whisper in his ear, "Yes, I know you fell, but if you didn't run away from Mama, you wouldn't fall. You need to listen to Mama. You need to stay here and play with your puzzle or eat your snacks."... "Mama, fall... [pause] Mama, fall."... "I am sorry you fell, but I think you are okay. Let's play with this puzzle."

And this is only one example. As we all know, toddlers absolutely have to tell us obvious information over and over for some reason. It's funny and cute most of the time, but once in awhile I have to find something to distract him away from his fixation so he'll stop. Then a couple minutes later he'll tell me two more times. :)

Ian can tell you that "Dah-ee" is Liam's favorite repeat word whenever he is around. Ian is so gracious to say, "Yes, son" each and EVERY time.

Every day Liam does multiple things that are noteworthy, but today I had to report this funny one.

Liam with his hands in the pockets observing the ducks.

Magic

Yesterday I made a yummy chicken and stuffing dinner in the crock pot. I got home from work and steamed some corn on the cob to go with it. An alright dinner in my opinion.

Liam chowed down on the corn and when he finished his first ear, he started asking for mine. I told him he had to eat his chicken first.

You wanna know what he did? He took his corn cob and sat it on top of his helping of chicken and stuffing to hide it! ...THEN he said, "All gone!"

So I gave him my ear of corn. Because, you know, I was just so amused and a cute monkey deserves a reward for being funny... if only this one time at the dinner table.

(Later on when Daddy got off work and ate his dinner, Liam decided that chicken and stuffing was delicious! Oh, that kid...)

Halloween Fun

Liam had to draw a bit before we left for trunk or treat.

Once we got to the church, we put Liam in his bear costume. He even let me draw a black nose and freckles on his face! He was excited to join the party and even knew how to say "trick or treat" and of course he said "thank you" every time he got candy! He even shared his candy with other kids.

We got home and let him dig into his candy. Whoppers, M & M's and pretzels were his favorite treats!

Later, he got out of the bath and into his shark towel. Dad gave him some celery to snack on and we thought it was pretty funny to see a shark eating his veggies!

You can see all the photos HERE.