3

here's what i remember about being 3...um....nothing. so as my little Greta bo sweta turned 3 this week i thought she'd like to remember what we did on her third birthday, and why she is so special to us.
Her actual birthday was on tuesday during finals still, so we spent the day together opening a few presents and playing at the park. Greta kept asking all day, " are we going to have my birthday today?" in which i told her that she'd have a little party on saturday...which means nothing to kids, so i said.." in a few days okay?" "okay mommy." Greta has been asking for a bike since her last Birthday, so we finally gave in and she really seems to love it and be quite good already.

we also got her a Unicorn to ride on because she'd been pulling hangers out of my closet to ride around on for months and i got a little tired of finding hangers everywhere. she named her "Uni" and likes to put her to sleep under her buddies and pat her head while she falls asleep.
later this week i made cupcakes for greta, and decided on a rainbow theme because she's been really into rainbows and unicorns as of late. i found the perfect recipe on some lady's blog, seemed pretty straightforward so i went to work...3 hours later...for real..they were done. it was definatley a labor of love. but look at those colors! rad.
everyyear for gretas birthday i always plan something outside, and we've been rained out every year. it looked like it was going to happen again, and then after a week of snow and cold, it was beautiful all of the sudden just in time for a party! Greta had some of her friends over and we rented an AStro jump (thanks laura) that the kids loved!

then we had cupcakes and more jumping and sliding,Greta was so happy to have her girl friends come play, even though we were missing some of her favorite boy friends (ie. Elias, Jost, Carson, Briggs etc.)

All in all it was a great week and a perfect party for our little girl! We love you so much Greta, and are so proud of the sweet, smart, independent, joyful little girl you are growing up to be!

the boy I love

busy few weeks...finals, more finals, mother's day, greta's Birthday (pictures to come mom :) more finals..will they ever END?!! anyways, amidst it all i must pay tribute to Ozzie and his 8 months of life!
Ozzie is changing...FAST! reaching for everything, hating his swing all of the sudden, not liking baby food but wanting everything we eat exactly as we eat it...not mushed, teething like a banchee, whining when i go out of sight, loving the sound of his own screaming voice, still hating formula...all varieties, busting out of his jammies on every level... i could go on

but apart from all the sort of typical 8 month physical baby stuff, a few things remain the same.

he is SO sensitive. if Greta cries, he cries. if i raise my voice to loud he lip quivers...very in-tune.

he is SO SOLID! i can not hold him on my hip for longer than 10 min. before my arm is shaking.

he can go from A- Happy, smiling, laughing, playing baby to Z- screaming, un-consolable, grouch pants in literally 2 seconds flat...I'm told that's a "Me" trait, but i wont take the blame.

i can say he's definatly the boy i love so much...without any reservation... because Dick at somepoint in the past 6 years since we met has finally got his Man on . love you both.

this pic captures Ozzie perfectly. Happy, drooly, scratches, tongue up and curled.

questions, questions, questions?

I think maybe i've taken for granted how 'well spoken' Greta is. She has always been a very good communicator and she has made it quite easy for us to understand what she needs or wants which is always a struggle for parents to figure out. Anyways, the past few months she has become more inquisitive than ever. Asking 5 bazillion questions about everything and anything. Mommy, whats that funny smell? what are you eating? why does Ozzie bite everything? whats in your mouth? why does Helen like bacon so much? where are we going today? what time is it? 2 oclock? is there still a baby in your tummy? (gggrrrr) why do you have owies on your face?(ggrrrrrr) etc. etc. etc... it sounds all cute and innocent, but can become annoying at times, especially when you dont feel like answering every little thing. Just when I thought I'd had enough questions for one day, i was on the phone with someone and I said my "husband" at somepoint in the conversation. when I got off the phone it went like this:

Greta: Mommy whats a husband?
Me: Well, Daddy is my Husband, and I'm his Wife because we are Married.
Greta: I want to be a wife
Me: One day when you grow up and meet a nice young man, you can get married in the Temple and you will be a wife too.
...
...
...( After a very thoughtful, contemplative pause, and that questionable look on her face)

Greta: Can I take my buddy (blankie) with me?

i love the questions. keep them coming.