I LOVE Sweet Juniper

Sweet Juniper is one of my very favorite blogs. Ever. I promise reading this post will make you smile-

Please, Nobody Sneeze
# posted by jdg @ 10:47 AM


Our baby boy is walking; at least, he's doing that ten-step creaky-mummy-emerging-from-the-tomb toddle from mom to dad and dad to mom and sometimes dad to sister or sister to dog. With this new mobility comes a new sense of dread: just when I had grown comfortable thwarting him and his ground-slapping crawl from causing too much damage around the house, he's working on this stealthy bipedal ambulation. Next it will be the grappling hook and the throwing star. I'm screwed.

The kids and I spent part of the afternoon yesterday going through the old DV tapes looking for footage of Juniper's first steps. We didn't find it, but we watched a lot of tape of me ordering my daughter to dance in this desperate and slightly-effeminate voice. I half expect her to turn towards the camera each time and say, "Dude, I am NOT your monkey. Stop telling me to dance." But what comes out of her mouth instead is complete and total gibberish. Somehow, though, the dude with the slightly-effeminate voice is conversing with her and actually responding to all that jibber-jabber. It was like watching a younger version of yourself deftly haggling over the price of red bell peppers with a street vendor in Budapest, except you don't remember knowing any Hungarian. To put it even more simply, it was like watching Han Solo have a conversation with Chewbacca.

I look at my toddling son, not yet having uttered a single word. We still have to go through all that with him, I think. I'd better brush up on my Wookiee.

I remember being so excited watching her language skills evolve into something tangible. I go back and read old posts on this site and sometimes cringe at the things I've put between quotation marks for her. Did she really talk like an Indian sidekick in an old cowboy movie? The video confirms it. As awesome as it was watching her learn to speak, I can't help but appreciate this articulate nearly-four-year-old creature we have now who can communicate in more than yawps and exaggerated groans.

For dinner yesterday I made her spaghetti and meatballs from scratch. She told me she didn't want spaghetti and meatballs but I made it for her anyways and let her help with the sauce. When I finally brought the plate over to the table, I sat down with her and started singing "On Top of Spaghetti." The line "I lost my poor meatball" threw her into hysterics. Between sobs, actual plump tears coursed down her reddened cheeks. "What?" I asked. "What is wrong?"

"I don't like that song, pops!" She yelled. I stopped singing.

After she was about half done with her meal, I started humming it again. I don't know what's wrong with me: sometimes I just can't help myself. She immediately commenced with the wailing and blubbering again. I looked at my wife. I think this is hilarious, too, her eyes and clenched jaw told me. When Wood pretended to sneeze on her meatballs, Juniper practically went into convulsions. "Why don't you like the song, kiddo?" I asked.

"Because my brain doesn't like it when things are 'poor' or when things get lost."

We tried logic. We tried reason. It was just a meatball. It didn't matter. She's a kid. Even if she's able to make a perfect sentence, that doesn't mean she has to make any sense.

My Mom is Amazing!

My mom is an incredible seamstress, as you can see from the following pictures. Isabelle got spoiled with handmade outfits for her American Girl Bitty Baby. There are jeans, dresses, and pj's--along with everything in between. There are even bracelets, a headband, a blanket...the list goes on and on! What a special gift.

These dresses are so sweet. Look at the attention to detail. Hand painted buttons, ruffles, and a sweet little hat to match the blessing dress. These are priceless treasures that Isabelle will keep forever and hopefully one day pass along to her daughter. Thank you so much, mom!!

Walking With Dinosaurs

Last week, Luke treated us to an evening out. We took the kids to "Walking With Dinosaurs" at the arena. It was killer! You can see how big the dinosaurs really are when you compare them to the guy on the floor. Thanks for an awesome night, Luke!

Looks Like Fun

Oops.

Why am I posting a picture of Izzy and Dylan's ceiling? Well, look really close at the part of the ceiling that is closest to the book shelf. Here's the story: I was grabbing a bedtime story for the kids, and a drop of water fell on my head. I looked up and saw a crack in the ceiling right above me, and more water dripping down. Then I noticed that part of their ceiling was sagging. I looked at Luke and stated the obvious--there is a crack in the ceiling, there is water dripping on my head, and the ceiling looks like it's going to fall in. Just what every husband wants to hear at 8:40 in the evening, right? I guess that is what happens when you forget to winterize your swamp cooler. It turns out the damage isn't too bad, though. Luke is just going to have to spend a weekend replacing some dry-wall. Bummer. He hates dry-wall!

Goodbye

Today I drove past Grandma and Grandpa Kemp's house, just like I have driven past it hundreds of times. I knew the house was sold, and I knew it was going to be torn down, but driving past and seeing it gone took my breath away. It was so strange. It is good to know that we will have all of our memories as well as Grandma and Grandpa's love forever in our hearts. When Luke and I got married, one of our first wedding gifts was a beautiful thought from his Aunt Katie and Uncle Bruce that is framed and hangs in our house right as you walk in the front door:

Our family is a circle of strength and love. With every birth and union the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stonger.

I think that says it all. How lucky I am to be a part of such a cool family.

A New Year

As this new year begins, I thought I'd take a minute to list a few things I've been especially grateful for in 2008. Also, a few things I'd like to work on in 2009.

I am grateful for...
My friends. They are the coolest chics around--I really don't know what I'd do without them! I know I can count on them for a good book recommendation, great food, someone to share a cold diet coke with, and late night runs to Red Mango. What more can you ask for, really?

My family. I have been blessed with incredible parents and three awesome sisters. They all married awesome guys, and of course, had awesome kids. I also married a fabulous guy and had a couple of really, really great kids. His side of the family isn't half bad, either. They rule! We've all been through a lot together, and I hope each one of my family members know that they are loved and appreciated by me.

My triathlon. I learned a lot about myself that day.

My neighbors. I have learned so much from all of my sweet neighbors (my favorite being how to make Amish friendship bread--thanks, Fred!). 2008 was bittersweet as we lost some of our favorite Winward Drive residents, but also gained some dear friendships. It's nice to live someplace where people really care about one another, no matter what.

My freedom. Words cannot express my appreciation for the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep me and those I love safe.

I am going to work on...
Being more organized.
Spending more quality time with my kids.
Simplifying my life.
Being healthy.
Learning something new each day.