Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Photos for Anissa

Anissa, just click on the photo to enlarge then right click to save to your desktop.

































Sunday, July 29, 2007

Our weekend of Cuteness








Our bathing beauty after a long time outdoors with the rocks, Wyatt, the sprinkler and bubbles.

SUNDAY


Liam fell asleep on the way home from church today...
and we only live 2 minutes from the church.



Liam modeling another shirt I made him. All his PJ's were dirty,
so we resorted to a "night shirt."

Friday, July 27, 2007

A photo in my mind

I so wish I could have gotten some footage of Liam and Ian tonight. I was upstairs vacuuming and had a bunch of junk I hadn't unpacked piled on the bed. Liam got up there and supervised my work and squealed for my attention because he was so high on top of the suitcase, etc.

I finished vacuuming and headed downstairs leaving Liam on the bed while I put the vacuum away.

I brought Ian back upstairs so we could say our good-nights to Liam. We found Liam still on the bed and he reached over to Ian's clock radio to turn on some music (clock radio - a toy they play with only when they are together). Celine Dion starts singing and Liam starts groovin' and is holding his belly at the same time. He is also sitting on his knees while doing this odd jig. He points to Ian's belly and lifts his own shirt prompting Daddy to do the same. He even insinuates that he wants Ian kneeling on the bed and groovin' the same way he is. I couldn't help but laugh at this unique sight. Two bare bellies dancing weirdly to Celine Dion. The way Liam was moving was absolutely a one time thing. I looked at Ian and said, "I couldn't video this if I wanted to, could I?" And he promptly confirmed that it was a no go.

I went along with his wishes, but now it's written down so I can try to recall this humorous scene later on in my life.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Happy 21 Month Birthday, Liam!

Dear Son,

Once again the month flew by and you learned much more than I can report. I wish I knew what all is being absorbed in that genius brain of yours.

I’ve read that people your age tend to retain 10 words a day (even though you can’t verbalize it, you remember it). So I’ve tested this theory and sure enough, you don’t forget much I tell you or say in your presence.

I am sure if you could speak or attempt to repeat everything you hear, you’d blow me away with your brilliance. Of course you do that anyway… I guess it doesn’t take much to impress me when it comes to you. Just about everything you do is something special to me. Just the way you move, jabber, eat, drink, sign, smile, goof off, skip, run, jump, dance, play, color, draw and sleep. And if I’m in the right mood, your tantrums amuse me.



Speaking of tantrums… you’ve found that those fits come in handy. Luckily they don’t last long, but I feel bad you have to resort to expressing yourself that way. People your age get so frustrated when you can’t spell it out for your parents. I am sure it would wear on me too if I couldn’t communicate the way I needed to. I am sure you feel like a foreigner in a surprisingly comfortable place. A place you can’t escape…

You have found that clinging to my leg in or around the unfamiliar is the best idea for you… that keeping me from moving from my standing position is the way to go, that somehow this will make your anxiety go away. Sure, it’s a phase, one of many interesting ones. It’s a good reminder that I’m your person of choice, that I’m the mom, the favorite, the gal you want by your side… it’s actually a very sweet compliment you’ve paid me quite often this past month. So thank you.

My favorite thing about you this month has been your improved endurance for prayers. You have been folding your arms quite well for a long time at meal times, but this past week you’ve folded your arms and stayed reverent for the longer family prayers in the mornings and evenings. Pride surges through both your dad and me each time you do this. Really, I can’t describe how much joy this brings me.

Second favorite thing, the word “yellow”… when uttered from your lips it’s like a song from the heavens. “LEL-LOW!” Oh so sweet! You start low and end high and it’s just. so. DARLING! (The way you say “purple” is pretty cute too… sounds like poo poo, but you and I both know what you are talking about.)

I know I am missing a lot of details of the month’s milestones, so please forgive me. Just writing what I have thus far confirms in my heart how much I really adore you. I have gotten frustrated more this month than any in your life, I think, but you’ve shown me much joy that has compensated for those times that we’ve frustrated each other. Just the fact that you are weaned and sleeping longer and more soundly, makes me a better mom for you. I am extremely grateful for that. I have the energy required to fully participate in your life and be a better mom to you. A hump was hurdled this past month mentally for me. Something clicked and life got easier, or maybe just smoother. I can’t really explain it, but I feel like I am finally getting the hang of this mom thing.

Thanks for your patience with me and for being so well behaved even when things are out of your control. I know those times that you are “acting out” are stemming from something that isn’t your fault. I am glad I understand that so I can better remedy the situation making it less likely to happen again. I want you to be happy at every moment. I love that you try so hard to stay happy and make us smile in the process. You really are a child of God, something miraculous and wonderful. If you don’t change the world in your lifetime, you’ll have at least changed mine. I applaud you for that. Amazing work you do at such a young age. You sure are destined to touch many more lives in the countless years to come.

Love you always,
Mom

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

More Timp info





I should be posting Liam's birthday letter for tomorrow or at least getting it drafted, but I am going to show off some more photos of our hike yesterday. These are the 4 little ones that we packed up and down the mountain. Liam, Cameryn, Penny and Emerald. All about 2 years of age.



We had quite a few adults to help out carrying kiddos, but this hike would be plenty difficult just carrying one's self. We had a 12, 10, 6 and 4 year old with us too. Daisy and Mike even carried Luke who is under 1. Daisy was breastfeeding in the caves and a couple of us were changing diapers in there too! What a wild adventure! Only the Tross family is tough enough to take on this kind of family activity... I am glad I could be a part or it, but I certainly don't recommend taking children under 5 years old. And if you do, don't pay to tour the caves... do about half the hike with the toddlers and then come back down. I think a big incentive for us to keep on going was because we all paid for the tour, but the tour is at the very top of the mountain.

Monday, July 23, 2007

We Hiked

Liam and I hiked up to Timpanogos Cave today. I didn't think we could do it. I mean, I did a lot more work than he did, but for a kid his age, he did AWESOME! Liam hiked a quarter mile on foot and was carried the rest of the way up the mountain (with a few bursts of walking on his own). He fell asleep on the tour of the caves and slept as I carried him a half mile down the mountain (and then the other half mile he refused to walk, so I still carried him). I. am. beat.

I am so grateful to the Tross family for cheering me on as we hiked and also for the few short breaks that someone else would carry Liam. It was so steep. I thought to myself many times, "What in the world am I doing up here!" The things one does for the people they love and want to spend time with... I am glad we did it.


The sweaty pair at the top of Mount Timponogos ready to cave!

(All photos here)