How do you get a real smile...

So recently we have been struggling to get a "real" smile from Hailee in posed shots. We usually get this really fake smile that just isn't as cute as when she is really smiling. Recently we discovered that if we get her telling a joke we can usually catch a "real" smile. Hailee loves telling jokes.

Of course we catch a few pictures like these two, but then...

....we always get the sweetest little smile. I love it that she just cracks herself up with the silliest of jokes. Some of her favorites are...

H: Knock, knock
N: Who's there
H: Gummy Bear
N: Gummy Bear who?
H: You've got gum in your hair!!!!

H: Guess what?
N: What?
H: Chicken butt!

H: Guess why?
N: Why?
H: Chicken pie!

H: Guess who?
N: Who?
H: Chicken poo!

(The first one was taught to her by my sisters, the second two she came up with on her own.)

H: Knock, knock
N: Who's there
H: Banana
N: Banana who?
H: Banana
N: Banana who?
H: Banana
N: Banana who?
H: Banana
N: Banana who?
H: Orange
N: Orange who?
H: Are you glad I didn't say banana.

That one is one she heard before, but just changed it to not really make any sense. Sometimes the banana part can go on forever.

Busy Little Girl

Well I just dropped my baby off at preschool. She was so excited and ran right in. Roslynn and I on the other hand just think the house is too quiet and boring without her. When I came home without Hailee Roslynn went all around the apartment looking for her, then when she couldn't find her sat on her pillow and keeps giving me this look like "where did she go, you are so boring." Yes I know, I'm not not nearly as fun as Hailee. I'll post more about preschool once I pick her up and get her input on how her day went.


This past week we also had a visit from Susan, Deborah, and Aunt Dorthy. It is so nice to have some family by us in Oregon. They came up to visit us and took us to dinner. It was so much fun to see them. Deborah leaves for school the end of December so we hopefully will get to see her before she leaves. Susan brought Hailee the most adorable coat, hat and purse that she made. Hailee won't go anywhere without all three. She absolutely loves them, and every where we go people always make a comment on how cute it is. Todd has a really cute one of her wearing it in his camera, I'll have to figure out how to get it off so I can post it.

Todd and Aunt Dorthy chatting, or chattering as Hailee would say it. It was great seeing her, she was up visiting from California.

Friday we got to go to a pumpkin patch with our ward. Hailee of course wanted to wear her new jacket, but it was just too hot. I can't believe how nice the weather has been. At the pumpkin patch they had a few animals to look at. These are the pigs, they also had goats, bunnies, kittens, and rooster. I was laughing because they had the bunnies, kittens and goats for sale. I was thinking to myself, who wants a miniature goat. Then I saw that both of the goats that were there were already sold. My goodness what do you do with a goat, even if they are miniature.

First we went on a little train ride out to the pumpkin patch. Hailee loved it. On the way back we got to go on a boat ride. It was a lot of fun.

Picking out our pumpkins. Hailee had such a good time picking out our pumpkins. She found one first that she said could be mine, then she hunted and searched to find the perfect pumpkin. Once she found it she declared it to be perfect and wanted it in the wheel barrow. It was both of ours first experience at a pumpkin patch.

They also had hay mazes, hay jumps, and hay things to climb on. Hailee loved jumping off into the big pile of hay. Now we just need to carve our pumpkins.

Friday we also decided to check out the park by Intel before picking up Todd. Hailee had such a good time and in no time at all had rounded up two other kids to play with. They were playing some elaborate game where the jungle gym was a space ship/boat thing. She had such a good time. When Todd called to get picked up she wasn't ready to go at all. Luckily Todd was a good sport and walked over and we played for another 1/2 an hour. On the way home she said, "It's always fun to make new friends mom." I am always amazed at how quickly little kids make best little friends.


Sunday we had the Primary Program. Hailee was so excited to be able to sing the songs she has been learning in Primary. She also had a small part. I didn't get her part until Saturday evening so Sunday morning we spend memorizing and learning her part. She was suppose to say, "Jesus Christ is my Savior. He taught us how to do the will of Heavenly Father." all together with her class. By the time we left for church she knew it and I was fairly confident that she couldn't freeze us. So when her turn came she gets up with the rest of her class and they start saying their part, only the rest of the class didn't have it memorized and they were being prompted by the Primary President. By the last phrase everyone just kind of stood there frozen so Hailee just grabbed the microphone and said "the will of Heavenly Father." Yeah, I really don't know what to do with her. I guess she just decided to take matters into her own hands and just get it finished. Later our home teachers came over and right at the beginning of the visit made a comment about it. I guess everyone knows us now, or at least they know Hailee.

Our week (or so) in pictures

Early mornings are catching up to Hailee. Todd likes to get to work around 6:30 or so. That means on the day I want the car I have to wake up Hailee. She has always been a night owl so mornings aren't her favorite thing. She get's that from her dad. She is still refusing to take a nap (she tells me "I'm out of naps now mom.") Well after a couple of early mornings this is what I found one early afternoon. We had just finished lunch and I decided I better jump in the shower. I left Hailee watching her kid shows, After my shower I decided to check my email. Things were very quite in the other room so I went to investigate. I found Hailee asleep sitting up. Looks like we need to change her schedule a little bit at get her to bed earlier. But it's not all bad, Curious George comes on at 7:00 in the morning here so she get's to watch that in the morning again.

Mail has always been something Hailee has enjoyed. She loves getting packages from grandparents and people that love to spoil her. Recently it's been even more exciting to her, I'm sure because of the move. The other day we went to check the mail and usually there is always some kind of mail from her, or junk mail that she can open. This day there were only important things to file and the Sports Illustrated magazine. A little disappointed there was nothing for her, I told her she could have the magazine. When we got back to our apartment I started picking up a few things and asked Hailee to help me pick up her toys, to which she responded "I need to go read my mail." Off she ran down the hall. A few minutes later I found her on my bed reading the Sports Illustrated. I was even more surprised to find out that she was really reading it, and she was getting about 80% of the words right. Who knew she could read words like "college" and "football," being her father's daughter I guess I shouldn't be to surprised.

So we are finally getting a little more unpacked and sorted through things. (I'm really so proud of all the stuff I've taken to Goodwill and DI. It's nice to have less things that we aren't using.) Well since I've finally gotten most of my kitchen sorted and unpacked I decided to start cooking again. We've been living on sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and chicken nuggets. When I started making dinner Hailee wanted to help. She got on her little apron and exclaimed, "It's been a long time since we've cooked mom." Don't I know it. It feels nice to be a little more settled. We made spaghetti and corn on the cob. Hailee's favorite vegetable is corn on the cob. She'll eat a lot of corn as long as it's still on the cob.

After helping me cook she turned her apron around to make a cape. Still looking for the box with her cape in it.

This morning when I took Roslynn out to go to the bathroom I discovered this by our front door. I have never seen a bug that big before (besides the zoo and tv). I have no idea what it is, but I'm just glad it is too big to fit in the cracks of the door. As long as he stays outside I'll be just fine.

Conversations with Hailee

I just have to say how much I love being a mom. Hailee is always keeping me quite entertained. Here are a few of the recent conversations we have had.

When we first moved to Hillsboro we had just grabbed a quick dinner and were on our way home when she said.
H: That was so good. I am unstarving now.
T: Don't you mean full.
H: No dad, I was starving and now I am unstarving.

*****

H: Mom can I take off my jacket I am sweatering
N: Sweatering?
H: Yeah I am so hot.

*****

While watching Aladdin she wanted to know why the two little kids at the beginning were sad and I told her that they didn't have any money for food. She wanted to know if that is why they didn't have shoes either. I told her yes. By the end this is what she said...

H: Jasmin doesn't have any money either.
N: Why do you think that Hailee?
H: Because she doesn't have enough money to cover up her tummy.

*****

We watched part of Pocahontas on the Disney Channel and during the end fight scene Hailee asked...

H: Why don't they like each other mom?
N: Well Hailee sometimes people don't like each other because they look different.
H: That's not right mom
N: No it's not
H: Kaymi has blond hair and I have black hair and we like each other.
N: That is very true, but what if Kaymi didn't like you because you had different color of hair
H: That would make me sad
N: And what if people didn't like you because you had different color of skin
H: That would make me sad too
N: So those things really don't matter
H: No it doesn't matter mom. I like Kaymi.

We then got to have a nice little conversation about why it's good to have lots of differences and how we're all Heavenly Father's kids, even though we don't always look the same. It just reminded me how precious and loving these little ones come.

*****

H: Mom I need some wobble gobbles.
N: Some wobble gobbles?
H: You know the things that go on your eyes and nose so you can see under water.
N: Oh some goggles
H: No mom, wobble gobbles, and that thing that goes in your mouth so you can breath too.

*****

One day while driving to pick up Todd from work Hailee said...

H: Mom, my daddy is really smart.
N: Yes he is
H: But I am smarter than him.

Now I don't know whether to be happy that she is confident and excited about being smart or worried that at 4 years old she already thinks she is smarter than her parents.

*****

I had just put Hailee in the bath and was letting her play and get washed up before I washed her hair. I left Roslynn in the bathroom because she likes the company. This is what I heard...

H: (splash) Roslynn
a few seconds later
H: (splash) Roslynn stop it
a few seconds later
H: (splash) Mom Roslynn keeps pushing Cody (the name of one of her bathtoys) into the water!
N: Honey I'll be in in a minute, just get her to stop

A few minutes later I go in to find a wet dog, a wet bathroom floor, and Hailee dumping water on Roslynn. She did get Roslynn to stop pushing Cody into the bath. Roslynn was very happy to escape once I came in to do Hailee's hair.

*****

One day when she was particularly bored and missing her friends.

H: Mom you need to get this kid in preschool.

*****

And perhaps my very favorite conversation.... For the last little Hailee has been differentiating between grandparents by saying things like "My mommy's mom and dad" or "my daddy's mom and dad." A few months ago she asked me why I didn't live with my mom and dad anymore, I told her that when you grow up you move away from home. The other day while I was working on the computer she came to me and said.

H: Mom when I grow up I am going to miss you so much (with tears in her eyes)
N: Oh honey don't worry, when ever you need me I will be there.
H: But I need you every day mom.
N: Don't worry it will be a long time until you grow up.
H: Oh good mom, let's cuddle.

So we got to cuddle for a little while and she was fine, off she went to play. It reminded me of the time when we were preparing her for Todd's surgery and told her that we were going to be gone and that Grammy was going to be watching her. She responded "It's just fine I don't need you." Then a little while later she said "I do still need you at night mom." She was right she didn't need me at all during the day, she had so much fun being spoiled by Grammy, Aunt Emily, and Aunt Brenda, but she always waited for me at night before going to bed.

Hillsboro

I think Hillsboro and I will get along just fine....rain isn't snow and the temperatures are above freezing. I can handle that.

Seven Random Facts About Me

Tagged....Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself....

1. I love living in a big city. My last area of my mission was in Lisbon. Being from a small town I always wondered what living in a city would be like. My first two areas were in small towns and I was so glad when I got the chance to serve in Lisbon. I fell in love with European and City life. In Portugal we lived in an apartment building and there was a bakery, a grocery, a butcher shop, and a couple of cafe's all within a very short walk. You just picked up what you needed when you needed it. I think the main reason people don't like living in the city is because they try and live like they did in the suburbs. You can't go grocery shopping once a week and get all your food, you have to do a little at a time. Even now with children I would love to live in a big city again and one day I would love to live Internationally again.

2. I love watching Hailee's "kid shows." There are some seriously cute "kid shows" (as Hailee calls them) on PBS and Disney. Hailee and I are addicted. We love Curious George, Super Why, Word World and Charlie and Lola. Todd teases me that I like them more than Hailee, and he might be right. I figure it's good bonding time, and they are quite educational. Hailee was reading at three and a half so it can't be too bad to let her watch them.

3. I love BYU Football. I absolutely love watching college football and in particular BYU. I like college football better than professional because they just seem to be playing for the love of the game and not a paycheck. Todd was so excited when we moved to Oregon that we still could get the BYU games, but I think I love them just as much. I don't get as excited about other college sports until March Madness come around, then I'm addicted again.

4. I love Apple computers. I'm sure we will always have a PC in our home, but there will never be time without a mac. I've loved Mac computers long before they became "cool." My first real experience with them was in high school in 1994. I was just beginning my junior year and the yearbook just decided to do everything on the computer. That is where I came in. It was my job to get them going and I really didn't know what I was doing. I think I had used one a few years earlier at a computer camp I went to (I know...I went to computer camp, there is another random thing about me) but really that was my only experience. From the beginning it was just wonderful and easy working with a mac, it was like we were on the same wave length. We kind of had an understanding with each other, and I've never looked back since.

5. I love the rain. Ever since I was a little girl I loved playing in the rain. My favorite was summer storms when we could go outside and jump on the trampoline in the rain and get soaking wet. My mom would open all the windows in the house and would listening to it rain. She grew up on a farm and told me one day that she had prayed and fasted for rain so much growing up that every time it rained she said it felt like a prayer being answered. She passed that on to me and I love watching and being in the rain. I don't think I'm going to mind the rain here in Portland. Besides there are so many cute rain hats, coats and umbrellas. It's like a whole new world of accessories has opened up to me.

6. I hate hospitals. And not really just hospitals, but anything related to healthcare. The problem is I tend to feint at such times. While Todd was in the ICU after surgery I almost passed out twice, luckily for me it wasn't when anyone else was in the room and I was able to recognize the signs and recover from it. It's not something I enjoy at all. It's happened enough that I can now recognize the signs of one coming on so I can sit down before I fall down. I'm worried the first trip I have to take the Emergency Room with a split open head. I might have to call Todd. It's not the blood that bothers me, it's the stitches, shots, and such.
7. I hate drinking milk. I'm fine with milk on cereal or if it's flavored with strawberry or chocolate, but just plain milk is the worst thing in the world to me. I think it started pretty young, my mom said when she put me on infant formula there were just some I wouldn't even drink. She was a little curious at what the difference would be so she tasted them. The one I preferred was sweeter than the others. Today I can drink milk with certain foods, but it has to be cold straight from the fridge and I just pour 1/2 glass at a time. I can't handle it if milk has been sitting on the counter for even 2 minutes.

Anyone who wants to play I would love to see 7 random things about you.

Sanity Breaks....

Every once in a while I need a sanity break. Some time where I can just do something creative, turn up my music and ignore the rest of the world for a small time. When I was packing to move to Oregon the first thing I did was pack up my scrapbooking stuff, sewing machine, and fabric so I wouldn't be tempted to make projects when I should be cleaning and packing. It was terrible. (Thankfully Deanna invited me over a few times to make cards so I could have a little creative outlet.)

Well since getting here I still have boxes to unpack, but I decided the creating/crafting hiatus had gone on long enough. For me, it helps me recharge and ready to unpack a few more boxes.

This first project Hailee and I worked on together. I got this idea just before we left Utah. These are the composition books you can by for 52 cents at Target, a little scrapbook paper and voila a cute little journal for all of Hailee's creations. Hailee picked out all the paper and helped me glue it all together. It was a good time and a nice break from unpacking and running errands. Hailee loves to color, draw and make notes. I was finding we were going through reams of paper and her beautiful creations were getting ruined and scattered. I love having them in notebooks because it cuts out the floating papers and it keeps them nice and in one place.

My second project was one I actually started in Utah 2 months ago before life got a little crazy. Hailee has been really excited about writing and I wanted to have a template so she could practice her letters for the uppercase and lowercase. Right now she just likes writing the uppercase letters. I just print these at costco as 4x6 photos, put them in a photo book and get dry erase markers and let her go to town. It was so fun to turn on a little "Angels and Airwaves" and work on the computer without any distractions for a little while to finish it up. Hailee is an angel to allow me to do that. I really couldn't ask for a better girl. I let Hailee choose the colors of this book and of course it was red. I tried adding other colors, but she liked it just plain red. Funny girl.

Mom you will be glad to see I also added her numbers. Hopefully this will get her excited about numbers. She is reading quite well, but still can't count to 20. She gets all the way to 1o then it goes something like this... "elven, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eleventeen, twenty." My mom was teasing me that she is going to be in advanced reading, but remedial math when she starts school.