Paul and I continue to be amazed at the things that will come out of our Éva's mouth. Everyday, it seems, she says something new that absolutely floors us! Today, my sensitive girl asked a very intuitive question. "Momma, you happy?" she asks with a very inquisitive look on her face. "I'm happy. Are you happy?" I reply. "Okay" she says and turns around to fall into her bean bag giggling as she sinks into the hot pink fabric.
Momma is very happy.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
So Cool
This weekend, Paul and I went up to outlets in Waikele to check out the Labor Day weekend sales...and boy did we find them! As we meandered in and out of various stores, Éva was growing weary of shopping...she is not a shopper like her mother. But all of the sudden, she spotted something that she just couldn't live without! Pink, sparkly sunglasses at Osh Kosh.
It's been a challenge to get her to put them down.
It's been a challenge to get her to put them down.
Rainbow Connection
So, I'm obsessed with lullabies or anything that could be used as a lullaby. My recent discovery was Sarah McLachlan's version of "The Rainbow Connection" and I LOVE it. I remember the song from the old Muppet Movie which I watched over and over again as a child, but I never really understood the lyrics until now. So for those of you who have already had this epiphany...bear with me.
As I listened to her question why we find rainbows and stars so special, I found myself strangely comforted. I know why! I think most Christians do. People look at rainbows and stars looking for answers to their deepest questions and problems. And then I think about why those things were created in the first place.
The rainbow...a symbol of promises kept...God's love written across the sky in vibrant colors (and here in Hawaii, we get to see those alot!). And the stars...too numerous to count but each one has a name according to scripture...isn't it the same with us. So many people on this earth, but God knows how many hairs are on our heads...amazing. What are people really looking for when they wish on stars or tell stories about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
The Rainbow Connection, Kermit and Sarah...it's the love of an imaginative Creator!
My Favorite Picture
This is my most favorite picture of Paul. This picture is the first time I ever saw him. Oh yes, there is a story behind it...sorry Emily...I've got to tell it!
My friend and room-mate at DLI, Emily, came home one night after spending the evening in downtown Monterey while I stayed home to watch a chick-flick...I think...I can't quite remember what I was doing that night and why I wasn't with her. Anyway, upon her return, she mentioned to me that she had met this really cute guy and she took his picture. I think it was the next day that we went and got her photos developed and I was able to see this guy she kept talking about. And this was the photo she showed me.
Now, keep in mind that my dear friend was interested in him, so I couldn't appear interested myself. But when I saw this picture, my heart jumped out of my chest. I thought he was beautiful! I nonchalantly said something along the lines of.."Oh yeah...he's cute."
So, that evening, she convinced me to go out with her to meet this picture perfect guy. I wasn't feeling totally up to it, but I agreed and a group of 4 of us headed down to a Mexican restaurant on Canary Row called El Toritos. Once we got there, Em got a phone call from the picture guy and his buddy saying that they needed a ride. So of course, Em grabbed me and said, "Come with me to pick them up!"
10 minutes later, we were pulling up to the curb of the male dorms on the DLI campus and there he was...the picture guy...beautiful. He and his buddy climbed into the back seat and although his buddy was very loud, picture guy didn't say a word. I looked over at Emily and gave her a "thumbs up" with my eyes and off we went to the restaurant.
Now, something to be said about my dear friend Emily...she can talk to anybody! And she will. She's crazy outgoing and super sociable and that's why I've loved her from the moment I met her. So, we're at the restaurant and Em is being very sociable and talking up everyone at her end of the table...and then there's my end of the table. Paul is sitting across from me and we are not talking...at all. So lame. Paul tends to play it cool when first meeting some one new and I didn't quite know what to do with him because he was somewhat off limits to me.
All of the sudden, Em grabs my arm and pulls me into the nearest restroom for a "secret meeting." This is where she informs me that Paul is staring at me and that I need to talk to him. I looked at her like she was nuts! Why on earth would he be into me?!? "Talk to him!" she said. So, with her permission, I walked out, sat back down and reached out my hand to introduce myself. "I don't think we've officially met...I'm Anne." His eyes lit up as he took my hand, "I'm Paul."
And the rest is history...
Thanks Em! Many people claim to be the reason Paul and I met, but he and I both know, it was all because of you and your perfect picture!
My friend and room-mate at DLI, Emily, came home one night after spending the evening in downtown Monterey while I stayed home to watch a chick-flick...I think...I can't quite remember what I was doing that night and why I wasn't with her. Anyway, upon her return, she mentioned to me that she had met this really cute guy and she took his picture. I think it was the next day that we went and got her photos developed and I was able to see this guy she kept talking about. And this was the photo she showed me.
Now, keep in mind that my dear friend was interested in him, so I couldn't appear interested myself. But when I saw this picture, my heart jumped out of my chest. I thought he was beautiful! I nonchalantly said something along the lines of.."Oh yeah...he's cute."
So, that evening, she convinced me to go out with her to meet this picture perfect guy. I wasn't feeling totally up to it, but I agreed and a group of 4 of us headed down to a Mexican restaurant on Canary Row called El Toritos. Once we got there, Em got a phone call from the picture guy and his buddy saying that they needed a ride. So of course, Em grabbed me and said, "Come with me to pick them up!"
10 minutes later, we were pulling up to the curb of the male dorms on the DLI campus and there he was...the picture guy...beautiful. He and his buddy climbed into the back seat and although his buddy was very loud, picture guy didn't say a word. I looked over at Emily and gave her a "thumbs up" with my eyes and off we went to the restaurant.
Now, something to be said about my dear friend Emily...she can talk to anybody! And she will. She's crazy outgoing and super sociable and that's why I've loved her from the moment I met her. So, we're at the restaurant and Em is being very sociable and talking up everyone at her end of the table...and then there's my end of the table. Paul is sitting across from me and we are not talking...at all. So lame. Paul tends to play it cool when first meeting some one new and I didn't quite know what to do with him because he was somewhat off limits to me.
All of the sudden, Em grabs my arm and pulls me into the nearest restroom for a "secret meeting." This is where she informs me that Paul is staring at me and that I need to talk to him. I looked at her like she was nuts! Why on earth would he be into me?!? "Talk to him!" she said. So, with her permission, I walked out, sat back down and reached out my hand to introduce myself. "I don't think we've officially met...I'm Anne." His eyes lit up as he took my hand, "I'm Paul."
And the rest is history...
Thanks Em! Many people claim to be the reason Paul and I met, but he and I both know, it was all because of you and your perfect picture!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Bedding
Okay, so I've told many of you about our new bedding and have yet to show you any pictures...so here ya go!
Smiles and Coos
Our Izzy reached a milestone this week; her first real smiles and efforts to "talk." So sweet. She smiles big...her mouth wide open showing off every bit of her toothless gums! (I don't have a picture of it yet, but I'm working on it) I love to pick her up after a nice long nap. She's always in a lovely mood and she'll smile and ooh and ahh and make that adorable "O" shape with her lips she makes when she's trying to push out noise.
She's also started to get some of that yummy baby fat we've been waiting for! I love watching the little rolls form on her legs and arms...and that double chin is perfectly scrumptious!
She's also started to get some of that yummy baby fat we've been waiting for! I love watching the little rolls form on her legs and arms...and that double chin is perfectly scrumptious!
The Room
For those of you that don't know, my little sister Jessica lived with us for about 8 months this past year. We loved having her and even took the time to give her a special room. We painted the walls hot pink and got her some zebra striped bedding. It was a pretty cool room, if you ask me.
Well, the thing about living in military housing is, you have to paint over any painting you've done while you lived there with a neutral cream color before you move out. No big deal...except when you're trying to paint over hot pink! The job is so daunting that every time Paul goes in there to start it, he ends up turning around and walking out. Poor guy. He has managed to get half the room primed...but that was 2 months ago.
It reminds me of that episode of Friends when Chandler discovers that Monica has a locked closet that no one has ever been in. At the end of the show, he finally gets it open only to be shocked that "neat-freak" Monica has a messy closet! Well, we don't have a messy closet...we have "the room"...half primed, furniture randomly placed throughout and the door closed...always closed!
Well, the thing about living in military housing is, you have to paint over any painting you've done while you lived there with a neutral cream color before you move out. No big deal...except when you're trying to paint over hot pink! The job is so daunting that every time Paul goes in there to start it, he ends up turning around and walking out. Poor guy. He has managed to get half the room primed...but that was 2 months ago.
It reminds me of that episode of Friends when Chandler discovers that Monica has a locked closet that no one has ever been in. At the end of the show, he finally gets it open only to be shocked that "neat-freak" Monica has a messy closet! Well, we don't have a messy closet...we have "the room"...half primed, furniture randomly placed throughout and the door closed...always closed!
Old Man in my Bed?!?
We are co-sleepers with our newborns. Éva slept with us until she was almost 5 months old and Izzy starts in her crib and ends up in our bed most nights. Many a doctor has slapped me on the wrist for this, but those doctors are also male and have no idea what it's like to have to get out of bed to breastfeed 4-6 times in one night. It's so much easier to have baby in bed with you so that you can easily turn over to nurse while you and baby drift back to sleep together. I know there are stories of parents rolling over on their children, but more often than not, those stories include the use of drugs or alcohol.
And Paul and I have no choice but to be totally aware of Izzy's existence in our bed all throughout the night because of her constant grunting. No, she doesn't have gas or need to burp...she's just a sleep grunter. It seriously sounds like an old man using every ounce of his strength to lift his frail body out of a recliner. She looks so peaceful when she's sleeping...and then the grunting starts.
And Paul and I have no choice but to be totally aware of Izzy's existence in our bed all throughout the night because of her constant grunting. No, she doesn't have gas or need to burp...she's just a sleep grunter. It seriously sounds like an old man using every ounce of his strength to lift his frail body out of a recliner. She looks so peaceful when she's sleeping...and then the grunting starts.
Lumpy
This is Lumpy, also affectionately known as "Bumpy" to Éva. You may recognize him as the adorable Heffalump with a sweet English accent on the Disney Channel Show "My Friends Tigger and Pooh," but in our house, he's another member of the family. We don't ever leave home without him, he has a seat at the dinner table, and he has the same bedtime, and bed for that matter, as Éva.
I found Lumpy while I was pregnant with Éva during a shopping excursion with my friend, Kasey, at the Disney Store in Ala Moana Mall in Waikiki. I didn't really know who he was at that point, but he was cute and soft and on sale for $2 so I picked him up.
Éva always had a soft spot for Lumpy, but it wasn't until her stay in the PICU at Kapiolani Medical Center following her heart surgery in April of '07 that she really bonded with him. Paul and I were unable to stay with her over night while she was in the PICU and so I brought Lumpy and her blanket up to the hospital and sprayed them both with the body spray that I always wear so she would have something familiar with her when Mommy and Daddy had to say good-bye every night. Ever since then, Lumpy and Éva have been inseparable.
They are the best of friends. If she accidentally drops him, she immediately picks him up, hugs him and says,"Oh, I'm sorry Bumpy." Anytime one of Éva's favorite songs comes on, she runs to grab Lumpy so they can dance and sing. If she is leaving a room, she'll say "Come on Bumpy" and go pick him up from whatever random place she left him before. And sweet Lumpy is a kind little heffalump. He patiently endures wash after wash in the washing machine, and every little stitch I have to put in him to keep the beads that make him so cuddly inside of him instead of all over my living room. He's so lovingly steadfast through every bout of Éva's little 2 year old temper as he's being slung across the room or thrown down on the floor in a fit of anger! He's not the bright, plush heffalump he once was...now he bears a worn coat and tattered stitching. But he's a loved heffalump, that's for sure!
Recently, however, Lumpy has been misbehaving...apparently. Sometimes, when I put Éva and Lumpy down for their naps, I can hear Éva scolding him harshly. I'm not quite sure what he's doing up there, but it's enough to really make Éva angry. I can hear her from downstairs saying, "No Bumpy! Don't touch! It's mine!" Oh Lumpy...
I found Lumpy while I was pregnant with Éva during a shopping excursion with my friend, Kasey, at the Disney Store in Ala Moana Mall in Waikiki. I didn't really know who he was at that point, but he was cute and soft and on sale for $2 so I picked him up.
Éva always had a soft spot for Lumpy, but it wasn't until her stay in the PICU at Kapiolani Medical Center following her heart surgery in April of '07 that she really bonded with him. Paul and I were unable to stay with her over night while she was in the PICU and so I brought Lumpy and her blanket up to the hospital and sprayed them both with the body spray that I always wear so she would have something familiar with her when Mommy and Daddy had to say good-bye every night. Ever since then, Lumpy and Éva have been inseparable.
They are the best of friends. If she accidentally drops him, she immediately picks him up, hugs him and says,"Oh, I'm sorry Bumpy." Anytime one of Éva's favorite songs comes on, she runs to grab Lumpy so they can dance and sing. If she is leaving a room, she'll say "Come on Bumpy" and go pick him up from whatever random place she left him before. And sweet Lumpy is a kind little heffalump. He patiently endures wash after wash in the washing machine, and every little stitch I have to put in him to keep the beads that make him so cuddly inside of him instead of all over my living room. He's so lovingly steadfast through every bout of Éva's little 2 year old temper as he's being slung across the room or thrown down on the floor in a fit of anger! He's not the bright, plush heffalump he once was...now he bears a worn coat and tattered stitching. But he's a loved heffalump, that's for sure!
Recently, however, Lumpy has been misbehaving...apparently. Sometimes, when I put Éva and Lumpy down for their naps, I can hear Éva scolding him harshly. I'm not quite sure what he's doing up there, but it's enough to really make Éva angry. I can hear her from downstairs saying, "No Bumpy! Don't touch! It's mine!" Oh Lumpy...
Beach Photo Shoot
My brother Ryan and his wife have recently started their own photography business, and we, being family, have the unique ability to utilize their services for a small fee of taking their pictures for them (the photographer usually has a reputation of never being photographed himself, and Paul happens to be pretty good with a camera).
So, a few weeks ago, we caravanned up to the Ko'olina Beach Resort on the west side of the island and got some pretty good shots of everyone! Éva was so well behaved, as was Izzy, and Ryan was able to get some amazing candid shots of our little family.
So, a few weeks ago, we caravanned up to the Ko'olina Beach Resort on the west side of the island and got some pretty good shots of everyone! Éva was so well behaved, as was Izzy, and Ryan was able to get some amazing candid shots of our little family.
I'm Back
Not so long ago, I too was a part of the blog world, and chose to leave it all behind for various reasons. But, as I read the posts of my friend Ashley (a close friend and an incredibly talented writer) and the blogs of others, I'm compelled to rejoin the blogging world. Mostly because we've just had an addition to our little family and I would like a place where people can come and check out new photos of our girls and the funny little things they do on a daily basis.
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