Thursday, January 29, 2009

Keeping Mom on her Toes

Terrible Twos


Mom: What do you want for lunch?
Booker: Cereal... with water.
Mom: No, that's gross. What do you want?
Booker: Cereal with water. 
Mom: You can't have cereal with water. 
Booker: CEREAL. WITH. WATER.
Mom: Ew. No.

Meltdown of the century ensues. Yelling, crying, rolling around on the ground, gnashing of teeth, tearing of hair. Much pleading for the cereal... with water. 

Mom: Fine. But you have to stop crying right now.
Booker: sob Mom, I lub you sob

I guess you gotta try everything at least once. 




Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009

To My Second Child


Dear Teichert Blaine, 

Sometimes I worry that I don't love you as much as your older brother. You see, I've known Booker a little bit longer than you. I've changed more of his diapers, cleaned up more of his vomit, held him through countless fevers. You've never even had a fever. You're easy. When I really think about it, I don't love you less, just a little differently. 


And since its so easy for you to go unnoticed, to become just another prop in Booker's one-man-show, here are some of my favorites things to "love on you" for:

- You make the greatest baby Chewbacca noises. No one can come close to emulating you. 
- You take eating so seriously. You're a man after my own heart. No one gets between you and your breast. 
- Your eyes are slightly greener than Booker's, which is about the only difference between you two. Maybe they will be hazel and my heart will be full. 
- You're so happy when you have someone to talk to. We love hearing your stories. 
- You're quick to forgive. In one day, you rolled off the bed, fell out of your swing and dove out of your Bumbo seat. You didn't hold a grudge or judge me for not watching you more closely. 
- Your face lights up each morning when I fetch you from your crib. Even on the mornings when I have to wake you up, you're thrilled to see me. 

- Oh, and I love the goofy smile you always give Booker and the noises you make for him only. You don't make them for me or your dad. 

So as the weekend starts and your dad and I think of fun things for Booker to do, I promise that you're not just along for the ride. I promise that when Booker is having quiet time, I'll let you talk to me. You can tell me how loud and crazy he is and I will agree. I promise to stop constantly comparing you to your older brother. You two may look like twins, but I'm hoping that you'll be as different as your namesakes. I promise that you will be my favorite second child because second children are the best. I love you. 

Your mom


Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

'Tis the gift to be simple...

'tis the gift to be free.



Thursday, January 15, 2009

Booker's First Set of Gouaches

He takes his painting very seriously. Mom is quite proud. 





Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Vietnamese Flag


Dear Petra
I'm finally big enough to wear this shirt you gave me! Thanks for going all the way to Vietnam to get it. I'm learning my shapes and now I know my stars inside and out. Once I've mastered my shapes, we'll move on to world flags and once again, this shirt will come in handy. Maybe your next trip could be to Bhutan because I'm really into dragons. Can't wait to see you in March. Much love, 
Booker

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Monday, January 5, 2009

A Few of Booker's Favorite Things

Favorite Snacks: Goldfish crackers, clementines, pickles and fruit snacks
Favorite Breakfast: Cinnamon life cereal
Favorite Lunch: PB & J sandwich, as long as he gets to help make it
Favorite Dinner: Mac & Cheese or as he likes to call it, "Monsteroni and Cheese"
Favorite Drink: Milk in a Lightening McQueen sippy cup, Elmo doesn't make the cut anymore
Favorite TV Show: Super Why


Favorite Books: This week, the Little Critter series


Favorite Movies: Monsters, Inc and Cars
Favorite Outfit: Mr. Walrus shirt with some athletic shorts, sneakers with no socks
Favorite PJs: Puppy dog PJs
Favorite Shape: Triangle
Favorite Letter: O
Favorite Friend: Sarah Matson
Favorite Cousin: Addie because she called him on the phone
Favorite Aunt: Callie because she feeds him at family dinner
Favorite Songs: Popcorn Popping, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider
Favorite Nighttime activity: Dance parties on mom & dad's bed. Thanks for the Bose sound system, Baba!
Favorite Stuffed Animals: Bolt (previously named Monty) the dog and Brody the dog
Favorite Wii game: Cow racing on Wii Play


Favorite game: Anything that involves a ball
Favorite "nap" time activity: Playing with cars on his bed
Favorite made-up word: "Don-don" (it means bad)
Favorite bath time activity: Jumping out of the tub, evading the towel (using mom and dad's sheets instead) and running around the house "nakey-jakey" style
Favorite bath time toy: Teichert
Favorite driving activity: Spotting tractors
Favorite park: Jacob's Memorial park
Favorite thing to draw: Dolphins
Favorite game of pretend: Climbing the mountain, going to school and checking the mail for letters from Baba
Favorite thing to yell out in the middle of the night: "I WANT A PICKLE"
Favorite thing to yell out in the middle of Sacrament Meeting: "WHERE'S BISHOP?"
Favorite day of the week: Sunday, because he gets to go to nursery
Favorite activity to do with dad: Jogging at night in the jogging stroller
Favorite activity to do with mom: Read books on her bed

Friday, January 2, 2009

Butterfly Exhibit

Earlier this week we went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens to see the Butterfly Exhibit. Its a basically a very humid greenhouse (hence the foggy photos) with tons of butterflies from all over the world. We walked around the gardens first, looking at compost piles and various herbs and plants, saving the butterflies for last. Booker was a little scared at first but quickly warmed up once he had a magnifying glass to spot the butterflies with (he refused to look at them without it). He nearly crunched several butterflies who were hanging out near the ground with his feet and even managed to knock a couple off their branches with his big noggin. Teichert slept in his car seat the whole time but woke up as we left the greenhouse because both he and his car seat had to be thoroughly examined for any "hitchhikers." None found. It was so much fun we're going again tomorrow with the Matsons. 

Keys are funny