first crush

I think Chloe needs some ink, so this entry is dedicated to her. Chloe's personality would never lend itself to being forgotten; however, her little brother has been stealing the show lately. So, most recently she has developed a little "man-phobia" For some reason she turns her head and hides from all men at church, the store or anywhere lately. But there is one guy she loves...Skip Williams, a new professor at ISU and our friends in the ward. We had him and his wife over for dinner about 2 months ago and since then every time we see him at church Chloe gets an ear to ear grin, points at him and says "it's Skip, it's Skip" We think she has her first little crush on a college professor. Yesterday he spoke in church and as soon as he started talking she got that grin and came and sat on my lap. 5 minutes of staring at him while he spoke until her 2 year-old attention could no longer focus (I thought that was pretty good for listening to a talk). In our ward you don't sit on the stand so as soon as he returned to his spot, Chloe snuck 4 rows up with the biggest smile she has ever had and peeked at him...but he didn't see! Later she took a starburst up to him, but another failed attempt. Finally on the 2nd starburst and 3rd trip he noticed her, she even got to show him her newly painted fingernails. She came back so proud of her accomplishment. Above is Chloe with her tow monkeys, they look pretty similar don't they? They are exactly the same (that's what we thought at least) one night I gave her a monkey to go to bed and she said "no I need scratchy monkey" I thought what are you talking about, I gave her the other monkey and noticed that she started scratching the back of its head. I picked it up and below is what I saw. She has worn a hole in the back of his head. So now we have "Scratchy and Scratchy's best friend" She will only go to bed with "Scratchy" now

I have been able to see a little more of Chloe's funny personality while Mel has been home with Ezra. Last week I went running and gave Mel a kiss, I went to kiss Chloe and she told me "dad, you're all sweaty, don't touch me." I was very surprised and asked her what she said and it was good to know I don't have a hearing problem, she had definitely told me not to touch her because I was sweaty. Then we went to the Home Depot building project last Saturday and in the middle I asked her if she wanted to pound any more nails in and she said "no, I am getting all sweaty, I need a break"

She never surprises us with the things she says. We sure love you Chloe Blue!

It's 10:03am.

This morning at 6am I awakened to the baby crying. Hadn't I just fed him at 430am? I think i didn't get back to sleep until 530am. I have this monster headache because my fear came true yesterday afternoon when I started feeling that tickle in my throat and then the dreaded sore throat made it's appearance. I caught a cold. And I just lay here in bed (not for very long because I knew I had to get up and get to the sweet baby before Chloe woke up) I just lay there and prayed that he would stop crying and that I could just keep sleeping and somehow wake up healthy and not have this cold. How did I get this cold anyway? That's the reason i haven't been anywhere for 4 weeks. Grrr!!! When I get sick it's for 14 days atleast...I can't taste, I can't breathe, I can't sleep. Joy. But Brad tells me atleast I'll be better for some of Christmas.

So, I got up and fed sweet Ezra...he doesn't know I'm sick. and just as I was feeding him who should awaken in her room but sweet number 1. It's 630. Today of all days Brad had to go in at 645. Usually he is such a great help in the morning and I am able to sleep a little bit.

So what have we done this morning? Well, i lay on the coach and pathetically tried to nap as Chloe watch far to much tv. That lasted for about 45 minutes until she came up and said "why are your eyes closed...I want breakfast." I got her breakfast and then she watched some more tv. Later, I took a "burn out shower". Turn the water way hot. I was too lazy to wash my hair because I have a hair cut tonight so I just stood in one spot and got major red welting as a result. Chloe came in and said "why is it foggy in here?" It's only 10:03 now! What are you doing today?

...and then I was alone with 2 kids!!!!

Today is my second day as a mom of 2 and no one else around. Brad went back to work. My parents got on the "big plane and went to Utah" and I woke up Monday to the task of parenting these 2 sweet angels. It has been terrific and I have managed to survive. It was absolutely wonderful having my parents with us for 16 days. 16 wonderful days! My dad fixed everything from plumbing stuff to hanging hooks and pictures to making shelves and finding materials to make me some garden boxes for the summer. He just quietly went about his projects and it was a true treat to have him come along. I love this picture.

And how could I do with out my cute mom. The amount of laundry she did...! She cooked delicious meals for us and treats that I wanted. She played with Chloe (although sometimes not getting much love in return from our spirited 2 year old) She supported me and loved holding that new grand baby of hers. It was fun at night to play games all together and then to end the week with a grand Thanksgiving.
We're starting her young. She ran in her first fun run race on Thanksgiving morning. She actually ran most of it and crossed the finish line to many many people cheering her on. It was so cute. Her rosy cheeks were beaming with a proud smile and she passed me and my dad waiting for her at the end.
We discovered this cool outdoor nature place in Bloomington. I love this picture because of the great care my mom and I both took to make sure the deer and the raccoon made this self-timed picture.