Chew on This

We love our Aika boy.  We’ve had him for 11 years and he’s a part of our family.

However, in his old age, he’s taken up chewing.  I don’t know why he’s doing it but it’s making me crazy.  Maybe he longs for puppyhood and is reliving the good ‘ol days.  Maybe he decided a new hobby was in order before he dies.  Maybe we don’t feed him enough.  Maybe he’s an instigator and likes seeing me freak out.  Maybe his brain is the size of a walnut and he's an idiot.   Who knows.

All I know is this: anything left on the floor is fair game to him. Even though we’ve purchased numerous chew toys for him, he doesn’t lay a tooth on those.  Nope. Only things that are off-limits taste good to him.

Like this blanket:

 

And his house shoes:

Eva’s slipper:

I had to sew the arm back on this poor baby:

And the tail back on this cute chipmunk:

And we certainly can’t forget the wool blanket he snacked on in Idaho. 

Perhaps the worst assault came a few nights ago.

 

Poor Rapunzel never saw it coming. 

Royalty

Only the most comfortable amenities for my princess. 

Surprise!

It’s been a dreary winter; a lot of rain, a lot of snow, a lot of gray skies.  I’m ready for Spring.  Our tulips started sprouting and I began to feel hopeful that the seasons are changing.

Then this happened.

Thanks for nothing, Spring.

Different Perspective

Take a look at the world through Eva’s eyes:

I’ll spare you the pictures she took of me laying in bed one morning.  And the ones she took of me tweezing my chin whiskers.  

You’re welcome.

Victorious

Last week was a week of accomplishments for our little Eva.  After warming her up to the idea of sleeping without a diaper, and offering a bribe if she did, Eva agreed that giving up the ol’Pampers was worth her time.  She made it 5 nights in a row without an accident on her first attempt.  Hooray for Eva!  No more diapers at our place.

Her reward was a trip to an indoor playground so she could visit her pet Lulu.   Well worth the $7.

  

Her next accomplishment was giving her first talk in Primary, completely unassisted.  We worked all week to memorize her talk and she was excited by the idea of standing at the microphone and speaking.  On Sunday, she sat up in front of the Primary waving to all of her friends like she’s famous.  Then she marched up to the microphone on her cue and delivered her talk perfectly.  Michael and I had such beaming smiles that we bordered on being obnoxious.  It was a proud moment for us and we loved all the attention from the Primary leaders for having such an impressive child.

Her bribe for that performance was sprinkle ice cream.  Well worth the $3.

This little girl is growing up!

More Conversations with a 4-year-old

At swimming lessons:

Before jumping into the pool, the kids choose what kind of animal they are and then jump as that animal.  Eva chose to be a unicorn.

Myke: Wow, Eva! That was a great unicorn jump!

Eva: Yeah, even sparkles came out.  Did you see the sparkles?

Flipping through a book with pictures of napping cats:

Me: Whatcha doing?

Eva:  I’m trying to decide which kitty to get when Aika is died.

In the car:

GPS says for us to turn left at the traffic light.

Eva: Turn left at the traffic light, Mama.

Me: I’m going straight instead because I think it’s faster.

Eva: You can’t just ignore the GPS!

At church:

Drinking the Sacrament water.

Eva: Mmmmm.  That one was super good.

Cleaning up Eva’s bedroom:

Me: Eva, are these underwear clean or dirty?

Eva:  I’ll see if they have a bruise.  (Checks the crotch)  Nope, no bruise.  They’re clean.

 

If only Myke’s underwear didn’t have any bruises…

If I’d Known There’d Be Gifts…

I hesitated posting about our quest to have another child.  I debated over whether it was too personal, too emotional, too none-of-anyone-else’s-business.  But the more I pondered the event, the more I wanted to share it, to open up the hidden corners of my soul.  I also considered that I don’t want my blog to be a discourse on my perfect life, since it is anything but that.  If everything I post is silly or idyllic, then I’m full of crap.  I ultimately felt that omitting my struggles would mask the authenticity of my mortality. So I shared.  Then I felt paranoid that it was an over-sharing and smacked myself across the face.

But then something wonderful happened.  The people I care about the most responded to me with love.  I was incredibly heartbroken and sad, and in the clutches of my sadness, my hope was renewed, slivers of happiness emerged.  I was surrounded by the concern and support that I needed.  I received flowers.

From my sister, Chris.

From my parents.

From my husband.

I received phone calls and texts.  I was strengthened and encouraged.  I was reminded that I am not alone.  How grateful I am for that!

There has been some healing for me in sharing.  The tender emotions of my heart are not so raw anymore and I feel like I’ll recover from my sorrow.  I even feel like I’ll recover as a stronger version of myself.  I might just share more personal things with you. 

And I expect flowers when I do.