He's Here

My newest nephew, Zakary Ellex, was born October 3rd in the wee hours of the morning.  He looks like Ajay with a bit of Stahlsmith thrown in :-)

Evan Sometimes

Sometimes he looks like my sister Brook.
Sometimes he stands on his head when he is bored.
Sometimes he laughs really loud like Scut Farkus (from A Christmas Story).
Sometimes he collapses in a heap of tears when his feelings are hurt.
Sometimes he jumps around till he can't hold it anymore then runs to the bathroom.
Sometimes he asks for more food thirty minutes after a meal.
Sometimes he squawks like a chicken in answer to a question.
Sometimes he brushes his hair so poufy it stands 4 inches off his head.
Sometimes he smells like sweat and dirt and fresh air when he cuddles up on me.
Sometimes I think I can't possibly love a little boy more than I do this one.

To the Zoo

Just a few shots of an outing this week....

Bits & Pieces :: September

*I have amazingly found a "cheetah outfit" for Chloe in size 4, 5 and now 6 :-)  How crazy, right??  It's been her favorite for all these years.  And, also if Evan wears his hat, Chloe insists on grabbing hers (which, incidentally, happens to be his old one).

*Monster trucks have become one of Chloe's favorite games to play with Evan. They shade them with these paper umbrellas and have them all ranked like the dog pack in the movie UP -- Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Dug and one they call The First Aid.  Their ranks change based on behavior, tricks, smarts and whether others like them. 

*I think all boys can be found draped on furniture like this. 

*These little cables provided an entire afternoon of play one day.  They called it "Chickens and Snakes."

*Evan wears his glasses pretty often but he doesn't like how the nose-pads get sweaty.  He seems to think that playing video games is part of getting his eyes strong, since Dr. Tracie said to make sure he wears them while playing.... makes sense.

*Oh, look who was at my house :-) 

*Dad's tools provide tons of entertainment -- these clamps that make the kids feel really strong.

*We recently had some drama with our kitties.  Ruby had a UTI and is better now, and little Roy has a fractured pelvis.  He basically just sleeps all day and the vet said that's all he needs. 

*Our third kitty is perfectly well ;-)

Swinging & Smiling

Purple Pants

It's fall and the weather is really shifting, so we did our fall clothes shopping recently.  It is always interesting to see what my girl decides is worthy of her wearing as she peruses the racks of clothes.

She has been through so many interesting clothing phases since she began deciding what she would and wouldn't wear (at the age of two) --  remember these?? 

*the Thomas t-shirt
*all red, all the time
*no pink, no white, no ruffles, no skirts....
*tie-dye
*layered socks
*the unicorn nightgown/dress
*animal prints
*bright colors and rainbows
*pant legs tucked into socks
*red velvet dresses for all occasions
*lots of dresses and skirts and twirly girly things
*glitter on everything


She sure has changed and evolved, and amazingly every season brings something new and more interesting.  Her current loves are:

*hearts on everything
*sparkly stars
*bow details (!!!)
*glitter shoes  -- still
*super soft fabrics  like velour or corduroy
*black shirts with sparkly designs  (black!!??!!)


And once again for Chloe, the bright colors prevail.  So when we were shopping this is the sort of clothing she was drawn to.  I shouldn't have been surprised at all by her choice of purple corduroy pants, but I was. 

I didn't really like them and didn't really believe she'd wear anything with a snap and zipper (she still hates jeans).  But, persuasive as she is, she convinced me she would wear them so we brought them home. 

She could not be more pleased and proud in those soft purple pants.  And, you know, they actually look really pretty on her.

This sort of thing is still hard for me.  Moms are supposed to pick the clothes and the kids are supposed to put them on and look adorable.  Alas, that is not how things are for me and Chloe.

I always have a bit of a struggle just letting go when it's shopping time.  (That's weird, I know and maybe I shouldn't share that here, but it goes with this whole story, so there it is.)  But, I have never been willing to fight over clothes, so we don't.  She picks.  I smile.

More than anything, I want my sweet girl to know that nothing like purple pants (or Thomas t-shirts or crazy orange knee socks with khaki shorts) will never be an issue between us.  I love her just the way she is, and that 'way' is quite often different from me.  I like that.  I can't let my pride or expectations get in the way of that.

I hope someday she knows that when I am supporting her (through things that are uncomfortable or even mildly embarrassing for me), I am expressing my unconditional mama guarantee:  I love her and I accept her, no matter what. 

Holding Chicks

At a local farmer's market/festival last weekend, we spent a great deal of time with these little friends.  Little chicks are about the cutest things you've ever seen, and their little peep-y noises are just adorable.  If only they could stay small and fluffy forever. 

(I feel that way about the kids sometimes too.)