Dyeries

Hannah Leibovitz

2010-02-09T09:20:00.004-05:00

Hannah was the art director for this photo shoot. She arranged everything on the couch and the chest, including some things behind Jane that weren't even going to be seen.
She also had Jane sit with her arms held out. Jane didn't get it "right" at first so Hannah had to show her...

Hannah fixing the set, and Jane's thinking, "Now, what am I doing here again?"

"Hold it like this, Jane."

"No, out like this." (can you see the sigh on her face?)

"That's it, Mom!"

I should have asked her about it, what to call it, or the symbolism behind it???

(Yeah, the pics are bad. I should have taken time to get the settings right on my camera. The girls ask me to take so many pictures, sometimes I just click so I can oblige them. Oh well. )

In Portsmouth, RI

2010-02-06T22:37:00.005-05:00

Too cold to do this today...

So, we went bowling.

Good times.
Still, too bad we had to get in and out of the cars to feel the biting chill. Brrr!
Maybe the Truscotts will let us hibernate here???

~•~

Rhode Trip

2010-02-03T23:01:00.003-05:00

The girls and I drove up to Portsmouth, Rhode Island today to visit the Truscotts for the weekend.
My friend Julie has really tough pregnancies so I decided to come and provide any and all services I can to her. She deserves it.

We are looking forward to a long weekend away from the city.

~•~

Good Morning!

2010-02-02T09:21:00.003-05:00

Trying to pretend there's not a huge camera taking pictures of me with bed head and face so I can enjoy morning cuddle time.

~•~

On a Sunday afternoon...

2010-01-31T22:39:00.003-05:00

Minna is sleeping and I need something to keep the girls quiet so they don't wake her. So we make a movie.

What's up, Claire?

2010-01-29T16:29:00.007-05:00

Claire is up, apparently. She has been standing a lot and for long periods of time, even on this bed (which looks like she's about to slide off of. Sorry. That tilt bugs, but I had to snap fast and leveling it would crop off that cute little head. OK I'm done).

Back to the babe, she doesn't seem like an infant anymore. She has made so many milestones and shamefully, with all the blogging I do, I haven't documented everything.

So, I mentioned she stands, and well. We have seen her take a shaky step here and there, but she's not walking yet. My prediction is that she'll be walking in the next couple of weeks, though, and definitely before she turns one in March.

Claire is VERY vocal. Sometimes she uses her chords to yell out for our attention or in protest, and sometimes she uses them in a more preferred manner by actually saying words. So far, she has just said "Da" for Dad (Woody is also "Da", who looks enough like Dan, I suppose) and "Du" for diaper. Seriously, I can tell the difference. She knows what she's talking about, too.

She is also communicating with a few signs like "eat", "all done", "bath" and "diaper". She also is progressing with word recognition. I love it when I say "kisses" and she just smiles big. She knows those are the best.

Claire still only has two teeth, and she doesn't have the amount of hair her sisters had at this age. I know because I haven't been able to put that little hair sprout on top of her head yet.

Claire is not the roll of chub she was last summer. She has slimmed throughout her body, a little too much for the likes of our pediatrician- she dropped from the 50th to the 10th percentile in two months. I'm not worried though. She seems healthy to me.
She is also in the 50th percentile for height and head- she's following Jane's height patterns.

I think that's about it, except that she likes to shake it to a groovy beat.
She's just awesome.

~•~

Video: A city journey

2010-01-26T17:08:00.008-05:00

VIEWER ADVISORY:

Before you push that little play button, you might want to know what to expect.

The video below is not an account of what we did at a particular destination, which is what we usually do. The destination plays just a small role in this little feature. Instead, I wanted to highlight the journey to and from that destination, a journey which represents most of the other journeys we take into the city. After watching, you might agree that it is indeed a journey.

I wanted to have a record of the things we do to get into Manhattan and with kids. That means a lot of walking, subway transfers, carrying the stroller up or down stairs, and chasing our children down the sidewalks before they get lost in a crowd. It also means seeing a lot of interesting people, places and things.

I should mention that we had some company join us (Dan's cousin Micah and his wife Cheryl) which made all those challenging things a lot easier since we outnumbered the girls. Plus, they took some video of all of us-- together! Thanks.

So, if you haven't moved on to another blog by now, and you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, you are free to watch and enjoy.

Something to do

2010-01-25T20:45:00.003-05:00

When I was in Utah last weekend, my SIL, Shara, was telling me how she can't do enough things for/with her nearly five-year-old daughter at home that will keep her engaged/interested/entertained.
That's how Dan and I feel about Hannah lately. She seems... bored, and we all know what boredom leads to: undesirable behaviors.

I keep thinking of things I can try with her or buy her, but that's not always the answer, is it? She's already in Pre-K five days a week, but we need her in classes of something, anything. So then we consider the cost of such a thing and we are back to square one-- home and BORED.

What's that got to do with the bowl of water and random contents, you ask?

It was the most entertaining thing for Hannah today to guess whether or not something would float in water. She loved it and was so entertained.

We tried:

an almond

a necklace

a mason jar ring

a Pez dispenser, sans candy

a straw

an empty bottle

a plastic spoon

a clothes pin

a small plastic dish

and an apple

She loved the experiment and she kept trying to do it secretly after I told her we needed to clean up. That's me, stifling her inquisitive spirit.

When Dan came home she tried to tell him about the "operation" she performed (she had forgotten the word experiment). Then, she came in to where I was taking a bath (uninvited) to test out the bath water's properties in keeping things afloat. She didn't seem to notice that I was practically yelling at her to give me privacy. So focused, she is. Dan had to come and escort her out. Sorry if that was TMI. We're not a private blog, are we.

Anyway, at least I had something for her to keep her entertained

Eventually, and probably soon, the cost of some extracurricular activity is going to be insignificant compared to the benefits of having her involved in something.
Now I know why my parents always had us in sports, dance and music lessons, even when they could have used the money on groceries. It kept them sane. Oh, and they probably did it for us kids too ;)

~•~

Non-Asians cooking Asian

2010-01-24T23:08:00.013-05:00

*This is another "I liked the food so much I wanted to blog about it" post.*

He had a glorious Asian feast last night. Heavy on glorious.

We went out to Long Island where our friends the Harts and the Riches live. We like to go visit them in their little village and take the chance to get out of the city.
Ami already had things going when we got there, so we helped by making spring rolls-- cook, roll, cook again.

Look! There's me!

I try to make an appearance on the blog every once in a while.

The spring rolls were everything we had expected them to be (delicious), the recipe coming from our very own Enny, spring roll master extraordinaire, from our ward.

Ami made her version of a Thai chicken, coconut soup with mushrooms and lemongrass. It was heavenly.
She also made some pork dim sum (I keep forgetting what she called it). They were divine.

The meal was complete with sticky rice and a Chinese Chicken Salad that Monica made.

Needless to say, we stuffed ourselves silly, but we still managed a rich, warm, chocolate dessert with ice cream.

Unrepentant glutton I was. I can't speak for anyone else.

Thanks for taking pictures, Dan and Ami.
~•~

Jane's "see my eye?" face

2010-01-22T21:43:00.004-05:00

Jane's face and eye looks happy and pretty normal until she pulls her "see my eye?" face.

That was two days ago, a week since the incident.
It was hardly noticeable when I looked at her today- a huge improvement from the deep shade of purple on day two-, but she still does the face.

~•~

My 365 Days of Grateful project

2010-01-20T23:29:00.002-05:00

I have been getting a little more personal on my photo blog by writing and showing something I am grateful for every day for 365 days.

This announcement is mostly for my parents as I have been putting up a lot of pictures of the girls, and I know they live for those. The more the better for them.

My P.O.V.

2010-01-19T17:45:00.000-05:00

Pretend like you are my head/face while watching this.

That's my life with Claire. She just can't get enough of me, or too close.
I can take it.

Funerals and Family

2010-01-18T14:19:00.002-05:00

I have returned from my long weekend in Salt Lake City.
There is so much to say that I don't know what to say.
At this point in my post, you can stop reading. I won't feel bad.

•••••

When my parents told me last week that my grandmother and uncle had passed away, I knew right away that I would be getting on a plane to attend their services. There was no question. I am so grateful to have been able to go. I flew with Claire and left Dan with the other two girls.

It's hard to sum up the details and feelings of the events leading up to and around the funerals- it was all quite an amazing experience, actually. If I had to say something about what impressed me throughout the weekend it would be the strong family ties that resurged, the amount of support we give to and need from each other, and the reminder of who we are to each other. I love having such a big family.
In one day, between two extended families, my parents, siblings and I reunited with,

6 aunts and uncles (7, if you count the uncle that passed)
29 cousins (and their respective spouses, if applicable and/or present)
37 great-grandchildren

The numbers would have been even greater if everyone could have made it out. We all had such a good time catching up and reminiscing.

While both services were well-done, sad, uplifting and inspiring all at once, they had slightly different feels. My uncle's funeral saw more tears of sadness because his death was more untimely and unexpected. My grandmother's funeral saw more tears of laughter as we remembered and celebrated her life and character. Of course, there were sad tears as well because she will be missed, but I laughed so much. It was a great farewell.

My uncle and my grandmother both left amazing legacies. I am happy to be a part of them.

~•~

The eye- Day 2

2010-01-13T13:32:00.004-05:00

Jane's swelling had gone down significantly over night. She didn't look so bad this morning.
Then, I had her close her eyes.

What a shiner!
At least it's a nice dark even shade of purple which matched her outfit today.

Jane has an idea on how to make her purple eye more attractive...

~•~

Jane's third eye

2010-01-12T16:26:00.002-05:00

Jane took a spill today. Quite a spill.
She was running toward a concrete set of stairs when she slipped and BAM!
Her eye swelled up practically on contact. I freaked out a little because it was big so fast and it seemed to be growing bigger by the nano second. I was just watching it as if I were anxiously waiting for a balloon to pop. Burst and spray blood is more like it, in this case. Ewww!

We came home, and I was encouraged by the fact that the goose egg hadn't grown during our walk home. On the other hand, it hasn't gone down since the incident either because she won't let me put any ice on it. She won't let me touch it or even look at it. In fact, she denies that it is there, that she doesn't have "the biggest owie ever" (Hannah). The only way I got her to pose for the pictures is because I offered her ice cream. I don't do that every time I want my kids to look at the camera, mind you. She was just so sad, and all sad kids with the biggest owie ever should get ice cream.

Here's the profile...

So, so sad :(

~•~

In loving memories

2010-01-11T21:30:00.004-05:00

Cora Alice LeFevre Jerry Paul Hirst

1911-2010 1943-2010

It has been a sad, sad couple of days, mostly for my mom and dad and my respective extended families.
My grandmother, my dad's mother, passed away yesterday and my uncle, my mom's brother, passed away this afternoon.

My grandmother was 98 years old and her death was not much of a surprise. Of course, there is still sadness because of the loss, and I will miss her, but people were praying more for her to pass so the pain would stop. She lived a good long life.

My uncle's death, on the other hand, was not so expected. In fact, I am still quite shocked, and I feel heavy in my heart, head and even in my fingertips as I type this. He was so good to his family and friends. I know my mom is going to miss him terribly. My whole heart goes out to my aunt, his children and grandchildren, my living grandmother, my parents, aunts and uncles, and everyone else suffering from his loss.

As sad as I feel, it makes me so grateful to know that this isn't the end. Peace comes when I think of the atonement and the resurrection.
I am reminded of this video and then I have hope.

I love them and I will miss them both.

•••••

As a side, PLEASE REMEMBER to take photographs of the ones you love!
I had to go back to my wedding photos to find a picture of my grandmother, and the quality isn't good because I had to zoom in and blow up her image from a group shot.
Shame on me for not having more of her, especially since I am a photographer. I wish I had taken more of both of them.

Shake Shack

2010-01-08T21:04:00.002-05:00

Mmmm!

She's covered

2010-01-07T16:16:00.004-05:00

The girls came dangerously close to completely obliterating Jane's precious personalized rainbow umbrella while playing with it open in the living room. An open umbrella inside is against the rules, and it actually did snap at one joint (fixable) so I had to confiscate it, reserving it for rainy days and special occasions only.

Jane has since found this umbrella (above) that Dan made of pipe cleaners in church one Sunday for Jane, and she has been using it as if it were an actual umbrella. She took it in the car with her and before we got out, she made sure she was carrying it above her head. A weak substitute but she's goin' with it.
The night before last she woke up and asked where her new umbrella was. I gave it to her and she fell back into slumber.
Obsessed maybe?
Should I be concerned? ;)

~•~

Yes, they are listening

2010-01-06T09:05:00.005-05:00

I posted this on my photo blog this morning, but I have been thinking about it all day, about how I need to make it my morning mantra.

I found this on The Maternal Lens. She posted images with each point which makes it more fun, but I didn't have time to search for appropriate representations.
So here are...

19 Things we should say to our children

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.

12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.

13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.

14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?

16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.

19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

Maybe you already say all these things, but I could be saying a lot more of the "I can wait. We have time. We don't have to hurry this time" variety. And there's much more from this list I can say too.

I need reminders like this often. My children are still so little after all.

~•~

Girl World

2010-01-05T15:53:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Girl World, where things are all girly, all the time!

Hannah got these little girl "press-on" nails for Christmas. At first I thought they were kind of ridiculous (even though I was the one that gave them to her), but now when I see them on the girls I just laugh. I would have done who knows what to have nails that fit me like that when I was a little girl. They are crazy silly but so girly, and here in Girl World, that's all that counts.

FYI- These are not allowed out of the house. The looks I would get!

Maybe someday we'll get to venture into Boy Land. Maybe...

~•~

Brace yourselves...

2010-01-03T19:31:00.003-05:00

Jane is now a Sunbeam!

She has successfully completed nearly 2 years of nursery and has graduated into Primary. In short, she is three.
We watched her from the window for a few minutes today. She looked tired as she kept falling to one side or another. Someone in the presidency came to sit next to her to prop her up. I think she was just bored and not used to sitting so still in church (we do try to help her when we're with her). I am actually surprised she didn't get up to try and play the piano. Maybe she did when we weren't looking...

Well, we are excited for this day, this rite of passage for Jane. She may have had a slow start, but she was a very happy Sunbeam at the end of church.

Our gift this year

2010-01-03T13:17:00.002-05:00

This was our Christmas gift to our families this year. It was really fun to do, for the kids and for myself.
If you haven't received our gift yet (Shane and Lauren?), then don't peek! Otherwise go ahead and take a look.

Click Here

You can preview or even buy ours here, or go make your own. It is an adventure in its making!

*The box won't open in Reader*

~•~

Our New Year's Eve

2010-01-01T22:00:00.005-05:00

We were going to spend New Year's Eve out on Long Island with our dear friends, but we decided to keep things simple and stay home. We do stay home on some holidays now and then.
I think.
We got the girls psyched up for a little family party of Oreo dippin', arm flailin', card matchin' fun. We had a really good night, and we can't think of any other little people we would have rather spent the evening with. Happy New Year, girls!

And Happy New Year to all of you!

Our Christmas wish for you

2009-12-31T09:52:00.002-05:00

Even in this day and age of e-cards, I really wanted to mail out Christmas cards this year. We have them. Lots. I just chose to focus on other holiday related things, and I never got around to it.
Still, I felt bad that I hadn't written any out before we left for Seattle for Christmas. I felt even worse when we got back and found an abundance of wonderful holiday greetings in our mail from friends and family all over the country.
Thank you! Thank you for thinking of us. We love all of your cards, pictures and updates on your families. Please don't take us off of your Christmas card list. We will try harder next year to actually send something.

If it's not too late, we'd like to extend our warm wishes to you this season. We hope that your Christmas was merry and bright and that you have a delightful and memorable year to come.

*I realize there are no pictures of Dan and myself up there. That's because we couldn't find very many. We'll be making a goal of more pics of us in the coming year.

If you are reading this blog, you probably already know what we are up to. Keep checking in on our life. We love that you do!

~•~

A new favorite

2009-12-30T21:26:00.003-05:00

Hannah is practical and resourceful. Ever since she got an eye-mask on the red-eye flight back to New York, she has been using it as a headband during the day and as an actual eye mask at night.

Tonight, I tucked her in bed and she didn't have it on. A few minutes later, she called me in for another good night hug and she had in on her forehead, ready for use.
That girl...