Mommy's Budding Shopper

So we were out at the mall recently and I got a glimpse into Emma's future as a shopper.

We were in Gymboree, and I let her out of the stroller for a bit. She immediately walked over to a low rack of clothes and started looking through them. I was watching her, just impressed at how adept she seemed at picking through the clothes on the rack. Little did I know just how good of a shopper she was.

She proceeded to hold up one shirt and say "look mommy, it's adorable". I chuckled..how cute she is! Then she held up another shirt and said "look mommy, it's cute". This time I laughed. She's was really good at this! But the next line really got me...she held up yet another shirt and yelled "mommy look....it's nine nine nine!!" I couldn't help myself. I burst out laughing. My little girl is a born bargain shopper. She must have heard me tell someone that I didn't like to pay more than $9.99 off the sale rack. Needless to say I've taught her well to look for the clearance items :)

The Circle of Life

I'm sorry that it has been a while since I updated. I'm also sorry to say that today's entry is not as light and funny as my entries usually are.

The reason I haven't really updated was because I was off spending time with my Uncle Doug. It's a funny thing the way the circle of life works. Last friday I got a call that my uncle wasn't doing well. He'd been hospitalized for the previous 9 months following a stroke, and lifelong battle with diabetes. So this particular day I was told he didn't have long. So I went to the hospital and camped out there with my family for a few days. During this day I was waiting for two separate things to happen...
I knew Uncle Doug was dying, and at the same time I was awaiting news of the arrival of my friend's baby. As I sat there in Uncle Doug's room I couldn't help thinking what a strange feeling this was. I was sitting in the middle of the circle of life. One person was dying while another was being born. It was a bittersweet thought to have, but it did give me hope. A new life entering the world as I mourned the impending death of a loved one, gave me reason to celebrate and that made me feel good.

At the end of that friday my uncle remained, hanging on to live, and I received a call that my friend had given birth to a beautiful little boy. But just two days later Uncle Doug passed away, and the circle became complete. It really is amazing how life is.

So this post is in loving memory of my uncle...Douglas White 1/30/57-3/1/09
Here he is meeting Ben for the first time...he was so excited to meet Ben!

A boy and his food

Have you ever seen a kid who is a born eater? Meet my son :) The kid can eat. So the other night I was feeding him some (very appetizing) peas and rice cereal, and he was eating it vigorously and happily as usual:
He was happy until it was gone. Really, never mess with a kid who loves his food. The minute I stopped spooning food into his mouth this was the reaction:


I am constantly amazed at the different eating personalities my kids have. They are like polar opposites. Emma didn't care that much about food, whereas Ben doesn't want it to be gone :) Either way it does make our life interesting!

A budding tree hugger

Because Emma is 2, she is not known to listen too well the first time. This is often very evident as we walk from our front door to the car. She is greatly distracted by the many things around her on the walk to the car. Lately it's been the snow, but yesterday her interest changed.

There is a small tree between our house and the car and Emma has taken a particular liking to it. Yesterday I turned around to find her with her arms wrapped around the tree. I asked her what she was doing and she said "Mommy, I'm giving the tree a hug". I had to stifle my laughter. I brushed it off until today when we were getting ready to leave again. As soon as I opened the front door she yelled "Mommy! I need to go hug the tree!" At that point I grabbed my camera and followed her out. Sure enough I was able to snap this picture:

The love of a sibling...

Today Ben noticed Emma. I mean really noticed her. I was holding him in my lap and she was sitting next to me. He looked at her and she looked at him. She said "Hi Ben" and he smiled. He then reached out both hands and put them on her cheeks and let out a belly laugh. What a sweet moment. A first in our house, hopefully to be followed by many many more. For every day I get frustrated when the double team me, I will remember moments like these where I can see just why I wanted two kids, and imagine the wonderful relationship they'll have as they grow up!

The first post

Interesting title right? Here it is...my first blog post. I'm finding a moment in the busyness of life to sit down and create this blog and write on it. Emma is napping and Ben is happily jumping in his jumper. A brief break in the madness :)
I am amazed at how quickly these kids are growing up. Emma really soaks everything up like a sponge. The other night my husband went upstairs to soothe Ben, and Emma saw him walk past her room. She wanted his attention, and this is what I heard:
"Daddy" (silence)
"DADDDY" (more silence)
"Brian?" (silence again)
"HOOOOOONNNNN!!"

I guess I call my husband Hon too much, because that is what Emma has picked up on. She really is too funny.