Kona Bones

Kona,

It's been almost a month since we said goodbye to you, and we think about you every day.

When we come home after work and walk up the stairs into the house, Bean says "Kona?" She expects to see you jumping around at the top of the stairs waiting for us.

When Squeaker drops a TON of food at every meal, we miss saying "Kona, clean up on aisle 3!" I had no idea how much food that kid dropped until you were gone.

When I say, "Let's go on a WALK," I still emphasize the word walk for your benefit. I miss how excited you'd be to get outside.

When it's thundering at night, I wake up expecting to hear you shuffling and crawling under the bed for cover.

I'm still so thankful you were in my life for 13 years. It was a blessing that your illness was quick. We tried to spend your last hour doing something you'd love--walking with the family. Our wonderful neighbor captured this shot of the whole family when you pooped out in her yard. Husband and I are upset, and the girls are confused, but you look just like you.

I HEART DAD

The kids "tatted" up for Dad's day.

I've been thinking this morning about how lucky I am to have two wonderful Dads in my life. My Dad, Opa to Bean and Squeaker, and husband, Dad to Bean and Squeaks.

My Dad has always been the most available, patient, and uncomplaining Dad I know. He was also involved: changing diapers, cooking dinner, washing dishes, taking us camping, helping us with homework. You name it. My sisters and I were, and still feel like, his number one priority. With my Mom, he raised three independent daughters to be capable and confident. He set the bar very high as a father and a husband.

Husband is my partner in parenting. I learn how to be a better Mom from him every day. No matter what's going on outside of our house, he always saves his very best for the kids and me. The girls light up when they see him because they know he'll give them smiles and on-the-floor play with 100% of his attention.

His instincts about the kids are often better than mine. He can sense when Squeaks has an ear infection or Bean is about to hurl. And when she does hurl, he jumps into instant fix-it mode while I tend towards self protection (I have been known to rip my clothes off--I think in fear of getting puke on them).

He tells Bean that she's "interesting" and "funny." Not just "cute" and "pretty." My Dad did this, too.

Dads and Opas, we love you!

OMG, Squeaker!

Squeaker is into everything these days. When she hears the fridge door open, she crawls as fast as she can, stands up inside the door and enjoys the cool air and cold beers. Her sister's latest favorite saying is "OMG." For those of you who didn't grow up in the world of texting and instant messaging, "OMG" stands for "Oh my gosh." Used in context, Bean's Dad would say "OMG, Squeaker. Don't drink my beer!"

Chocolate Blackout

Bean and I made a Chocolate Blackout Cake for our friend, Julie's, birthday on Saturday. Bean helped pour dry and wet ingredients into the mixing bowl, and did her best work cleaning up (as you can see in the photo below). We used the stand mixer. At first she was scared of the loud noise... "No, Mommy! Bean go hide!" But then I convinced her to look into the bowl and watch it mix. After about 15 seconds, she requested I turn it up a notch: "Super fast, Mommy!!"

The cake was fantastic. I hope this is the first of many cakes Bean and I will make together.

Bedtime with Bean

Bean is ridiculously sweet at bedtime these days. Tonight was a good example...

We're in bed (Daddy, Bean, Mommy) reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Bean knows about half the words. Her favorite part is when caterpillar eats the buffet on Saturday: "one chocolate cake, one ice cweam cone, one pickew [pickle], one cheese, one ami [salami], one awipop [lollipop]..."

When we're done reading, I pick her up and she puts her head on my shoulder. "Good night, Daddy! Give kisses!" and she blows lots of kisses to Daddy. I carry her to her room and she requests a song, "Sing Sunshine, Mommy." I sing "You are my sunshine..." and put her down in her crib. She requests a specific setup: "Mommy, soft blanket up here. Other blanket cover up. Easter Bunny. Boo Boo. Head on pillow, Mommy. Mommy, Bean turn on fishies!"

When she's all set up, she says "Night night, Mommy. Kisses, Mommy. [blows kisses here] Thank You, Mommy. Night night, Mommy. Love you, Mommy."

Love you, Bean!!!!

Happy Birthday, Nana! (an update)

A simple, belated birthday gift for our Nana. Translated from toddler to English: "I'm Nana's Girl. I'M NANA'S GIRRRRLLL!" Guess who taught her that?

New Yearsolutions Update

In January, I shared my goal to add exercise to my life. I'm happy to report I've met that goal for half the year so far. I've been running 4 days/week with my neighbor, Julie, and we just completed a 1/2 marathon. Still working on some other New Yearsolutions...