Grooving with Evy Part II

If you made it through the previous post, you might want to skip this one. It is more of Evy's dancing with Dada along for the groove. This post is mostly for the g'mas who want more--

Enjoy!

Grooving with Evy

Everett is talking more and more and understanding most things these days. He is overall a happy, cheerful little boy. He is a maniac in the water and loves to take baths (requesting several a day). He does have his "age appropriate" moments where he tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants in his time frame. The center of his world is his dad, and he loves to chase the cat around the house.


First thing in the morning is "EAT" followed up by "SHOES, GO, CAR!" When he has his shoes on and I don't, he is very quick to tell me to put on my shoes. Ever on the move!


He wants to "wok" when we are outside and tells us about every car and truck that he sees. Right now he is working on saying the words "bus/van."


This morning was a treat when we got to see the garbage truck and then the recycle truck TWICE! Very exciting moments around our house and the smallest thing is appreciated.


There is something magical about "Ball" because he lights up at the mere suggestion, loves to play ball, and has a pretty good arm for throwing.


He can find trash quicker than any of us and is as quick to throw it away. At Dairy Queen today, he picked up the napkin he used and threw it in the "Thank You" trashbin without any prompting as the adults were chatting away at the table.


He looks forward to being in charge of "paying" for purchases or checking out library books because he can hand over the plastique. He also knows that holding onto the receipt is a special job.


He loves to wave "hi" and "bye"--isn't shy about giving kisses, but really prefers to give you the ROCK!

When we ask him to smile, he does this:

Eventually, we get to this:

Yes, he loves to sit in containers:

But, he is super funny when he wants to blow out a candle:

One of the best parts nowadays is the dancing!

Chills and Thrills

2 Week Update

We have been really busy the past couple of weeks. We had an excellent Memorial Day weekend which included a friend from grad school-Raegen, lots of pool time, great food--Indian--breakfast burritos--watermelon--fajitas, and a crepe breakfast with our good friends the Hughes. (We also got to see the proofs from our photoshoot with Amy. I can't wait to show you some of the shots she took! If you are looking for a talented photographer who is a gem with kids--I highly recommend her.)

Everett: I am all about CARS and TRUCKS! I recently saw a car in a garage and thought it was so cool that a car was in the house! (poor kid doesn't know that this is the norm in many areas of the US) Mom says that I am totally acting age appropriate and keeping her and Dad on their toes. All I know is that I am having a GOOD time!

Sheila: Forget the Zofran, what a bust! I did have a bit more energy this week and was even able to go get ice cream with a friend this afternoon. I am scheduled to have sonograms to watch my cervix because of the complications with Everett's pregnancy. So far, so good. But, given that I am going every two weeks to the sonographer, we'll see how long it takes before they let it "slip" what the sex of the baby is. Yes, we are waiting until the birth.

Erik: Doing well! Enjoying the fact that pools are open. Had another good conversation with a firm in Dallas.

This weekend we are going to finally wash our car (!), help with a baby shower, put some extra effort into our yards, and maybe finish the basement ceiling. We are especially excited that Sheila's sister, Mandy, and her family will be in driving distance for the summer. Sheila is really excited about this as she'll have some of her family with her for her birthday!

Mommy's Crankerpanks Day

Today was especially hard. Lots to balance--work, Everett, being sick, Everett being sick, and that overriding issue of having a clean, let's say "picked-up," house.

I am cranky. And, I mean royally cranky. I went to Target to get a few necessities and took it personally whenever someone was in my way. I try so hard to be patient because I know that I am being ridiculous, but I just am still irritated when someone saunters across my path blithely unaware that a pregnant (I don't look pregnant so how would they know) lady with a toddler are struggling to get the shopping done. In fact, one lady acted like *I* was in the way. I can't imagine.

My saving grace was when we picked up Erik at the bus stop this evening. Bag in hand, smile on face, ipod buds in ears, I was so relieved to let him know that Everett was "all his." And, he happily accepted it.

Right now, he is trying to convince Everett to keep *some* of the water in the tub.

Set limit, reinforce, set limit, reinforce. repeat.

I Think I Fed Everett Cookies for Dinner

I sat down to check email this evening and realized that Everett and I didn't have a sit down dinner. I've been eating in small quantities for obvious reasons, and Everett has just followed along. In fact, the last item he ate was from a crinkly cellophane wrapper . . . fig newtons . . . and not the homemade kind, either.

After thinking about it for a couple of seconds, I realize that figs have lots of positives--high in fiber, no fat, no cholesterol, and I heard that one fig newton has more fruit than a nutrigrain bar.

Everett, who will never let us put him to bed hungry, didn't fuss at all when I laid him down. So, I guess he is okay with it.

And so, going along with the idea of breakfast for dinner, we had cookies for dinner--not after dinner, just for dinner.

"David, I need a date for Prom!"

A friend of mine, El Grego, introduced me to American Idol (AI for those who know) years ago. I didn't really pay much attention until then as I found the best show for talent search was, well, Star Search. Watched hours and hours of Star Search growing up.

I just spent an hour of my life watching the AI finals: Duo of the Davids. And, it was pretty enjoyable. I don't watch AI every week or every other week. I may watch one or two episodes during the season and keep track of it through the recaps the next day.

It is so funny to watch the audience, read the posters (this post's heading), and spend more time picking apart the judges' comments rather than the performances. But, this evening I was reminded of defining moments. Moments where you discover a part of you, moments you never forget, and moments that will define you far into the future. One of which I wanted to capture~

I was the only teacher in a locked-down child psychiatric unit that was a short-term facility in the inner-city of Chicago. Our work was to assess and stabilize the children as soon as possible and then transition them to situations where they could flourish. Latrice, a 13 year old with a broken front tooth, was one of the most challenging students I had ever had the pleasure of working alongside. Every moment was a battle. Every minute you were on your toes hoping that the next thing you said or did would spark something for her.

She was ready to pick a fight with everyone about anything. Most days she scared me with how intensely her hate struck each of us. That was her armor.

Latrice, the youngest of 10 children, seemed to have a hardened criminal mentality, but she was really a caring person. Her mother had very limited cognitive abilities. Latrice would hoard food from her own meals and then give it to her mom when she visited.

After a couple of weeks, I built enough trust with her to allow me close enough to ascertain her reading level. Latrice could not read; her literacy prowess was that of a preschooler. Any interaction before that established trust was a fruitless power struggle--a physical, emotional, and verbal struggle.

It was on a Tuesday afternoon. I had managed to work her schedule so that she was with me when I had fewer students in the classroom. It was her last day before transferring to a residential facility. She wasn't happy about it. She struggled with transitions and experienced a rough morning on the unit. Thankfully, during school she finally agreed to listen to a book on tape. (The only literacy activity I could engage her in without a fight.)

She chose Madeline and listened intently to the story, really enjoying herself. Somehow she had crossed a bridge between her inner-city, homeless upbringing to the adventures of a child in France.

As the tape ended, there was a song in French recorded at the end. As the last minutes of her time with me ticked away, she began to sing softly along to this song. Surprisingly, her voice was devoid of hate, devoid of pain, devoid of anger, devoid of posturing. Her voice falteringly pronouncing the foreign words was that of a child. Her affect was so peaceful.

That was my defining moment. To have the patience and unfailing desire to provide the space and opportunity for a child to be a child.

Chills and Thrills

Everett: My week was super. I am saying more and more words. I now have a word for my blanket, and I am getting pretty good at "cookie." I LOVE popcorn. I ate an entire bag all by myself this week. Mom says that I am showing more of my sense of humor, too.

Erik took Everett to the kitchen for breakfast. He let Everett pick out spoon for his yogurt by saying, "One spoon." To which, Everett said, "No, two!" And he very deliberately took a spoon for each hand. Who knew he had number sense?

Erik: One of my thrills is that I had a really positive interview with a firm in Dallas this week. Everett and I opened "Sjolseth Pool Season" this Saturday. He is such a charmer and tried really hard to swim like everyone else.

Sheila: We all had an amazing time getting family pictures taken by our good friend Amy. Other than that, the week was full of errands, work, playing with Everett, and laying on the floor. This coming week we have a sonogram, a friend visiting on the weekend, and will be trying to get to the pool.

My Letter to Nature

Dear Nature,

I've been meaning to write you all week. I've had some concerns I wanted to share with you. First, you must realize that I have a very nervous constitution and tummy right now. After that realization, the following will make sense.

• Please refrain from allowing animals to vomit obscenely, and repeatedly, on my front steps. Even more grateful I will be if the vomiting did not include raw and recognizable animal parts. (To my readers, the offending animal was not Twiggy. She prefers live animal gifts and after this week, I much appreciate her version.)
• Please refrain from publicizing any spider fights in my presence. I don't care how long I need to drape my slovenly being over the porcelain god of latrines, ANYTIME I see spiders fighting, especially if one of them is a menacing looking creature that looks like it preys on toddlers, I will shriek and kill all creatures with exoskeletons in my path. I must note though that my illogical fear will keep me from disposing of said carcases, and I will just avoid THAT bathroom until Erik can dispose of the remains.
• Please refrain from allowing any flying insects into my son's room. I am especially wary of stinging insects after one roosted in his room this week, escaping many attempts on his life. Erik finally killed it.
• Please refrain from, well, smelling bad. That would help immensely. It doesn't have to be forever . . . let's just say you can start smelling bad in about a month.

I do appreciate the rain, the sunny days, the flowers, and insects when they are outside. I appreciate the rocks, especially as Everett builds his own appreciation and rock collection. I even don't mind the squirrels very much these days.

I appreciate your sympathy and attention in this manner.

A Mom

Dressing Up

Everett is having more fun these days as he has figured out that hats and glasses are not torture devices.

The awesome glasses are from Eva's birthday party (thanks, Eva!).

The outfit is from Aunt Megan (thanks, Aunt Megan!). When Everett saw the outfit, he practically squealed with joy. Once we got the outfit on him, he knew it was special and kept running to the mirror to pose and take a look at himself wearing the very cool outfit, stroking the dragon on the front. In fact, when I changed him into his regular day outfit, he was quite unhappy with me.

The Heat Is On . . .

. . . in our house. Can you believe it? I want me some warm weather. Though, today was bright and sunny.

The heated pools near our house opened this past weekend, and it was only overwhelmingly important homework that kept Erik away. I'm pretty sure we'll be dipping our toes into the chlorinated H2O this weekend.

So, if it is warm where you are, please send it our way.

Chills and Thrills

Sheila: My Thrill and Chill is related to needing Zofran. I got some. I have my fingers crossed. We celebrated Mother's Day last Sunday as Erik will be out of town this weekend. We had a lot of fun and it was the best breakfast in bed, ever!

Everett: My Chill this week was taking a nose dive off of the back patio. It looks like I was in a motorbike accident and that I have road rash all over my forehead and nose. It was a great Thrill, though, to be able to play outside in the nice weather.

Erik: My Chills and Thrills are just mainly related to keeping everything balanced and running together. We are doing well, overall, and are thrilled to be able to watch Everett grow!

Cleaning Out the Water Fountain

A Dirty Car

We know that our car is dirty . . . nay, filthy. Stuff falling off of blooming trees, birds that roost in those trees, the commute, etc, etc. We know our car is overdue for a TLC wash and wax job.


But, we can't figure out this:

Bird Poop Inside the Door Frame

I'm thinking it happened while we left it at the repair shop when we were out of town. But, who knows?

Age-Time

The other day I realized that I graduated from high school 15 years ago. (and since I married an older man, it has been even longer for Erik) hehehe

And, then I caught wind that it has been 25 years since Tom Cruise and Risky Business entered our world.

And, HELLO, Indiana Jones . . . can you believe that snake adverse hero has been around since 1981? 2008-1981=27 years (all you sleep deprived people out there, yes, I had to actually write out the problem . . . mental math only works when I've slept well) And, you must plan to see the new movie, of course.

What happened? Where did the time go? I feel only slightly older than I did in 1993. There was no magical poof at any point where a cloud of smoke enveloped my being and I emerged an adult. Physically, I am a bit different. (Let's say I'm more "mature.") Mentally, that's a toss-up. Financially, I have much more in school debt than I did at 18. Spiritually, I think that this is where the largest area of growth occurred. (That wouldn't be what I would have guessed 15 years ago.)

But, what causes me to really think is what will the next 15 years or 25 years or 30 years bring? I don't know that I want to watch entertainers age as much as I have aged. Nothing against them . . . it just causes me to think about how much I must have changed over the same time period and I don't have the advantages of plastic surgery, make-up artists for the stars, or someone to touch up my pictures.

That's not to say I want freeze time or that I want to go back to being 18 years old again. No way. I am enjoying my life's progression, and I am very prideful of my post-graduate school matching furniture.

I think one of the more exciting elements of change over time is watching the children around us grow up. I know which of my students will be a Pulitzer prize author. One little girl I know has the potential to organize the world. Chances are one of my nephews will be a cowboy and/or a professional stunt man--sound effects guy, and I am convinced that my nieces will grow up to be taller than me. All that sounds a bit shallow in depth, but you get my drift.

So, I'll slather on the sunscreen, drink lots of water, refrain from smoking clove cigarettes, and maybe succumb to flossing on a regular basis; so perhaps the physical aging won't be so dramatic. (Does using satin pillowcases work?)

My idea of a fountain of youth . . . this is the world's largest working chocolate fountain . . .

the Bellagio, Las Vegas

Out On a Walk

We've been trying to push Everett's endurance in walking and helping him develop ease in walking on uneven surfaces for his physical therapy exercises.

Here are a few moments from our walk this afternoon. (What I didn't get was any pictures of the process he goes through to select his walking stick. He has to have a stick to walk [of course] and not just ANY stick will do.)

Chills and Thrills

Erik: Thrills--The past week was so fun and extremely full. I especially enjoyed seeing my brother, Marc. It was also really fun to catch up with my brother Brent and his family. My dad and his wife were good enough to house us and Sheila's family while we were in Austin. In other thrills-- a couple of job opportunities have opened up. Please keep us in your prayers as we have some really viable options that have opened up to help us move closer to family. Chills--Though Everett is a stellar traveler, I will strive to ALWAYS take a direct flight when flying with him.

Sheila: My Thrill was basically seeing family and visiting Austin. I really didn't have any nausea while we were gone other than what I experienced on the travel days (surprisingly, the toilets in the Atlanta airport are extremely clean) and when I did feel sick there were plenty of family members to chase after Everett. I loved seeing how well Everett and his cousins played with each other and hope to be closer to them very soon. Any Chill right now is really related to the yuckies of early pregnancy . . . oh, and obsessing over all the little things that I would like to fix in the house before we sell. No, the house is not the on the market.

Everett: My Thrill was in getting to know my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles better. They are so much fun. I also learned how to swing all by myself. I got to feed cows. On Monday, I completed my 19th plane ride. My Chill is, well, I don't feel very good when I miss my naps, especially when I am caged in an airplane.