Wendell

A year after Mark and I got married I went to visit a friend, and a stray white-with-dark-ears kitten followed me into their house. He also had what looked like red magic marker all over his back. He came home with me, got a bath and we've had him since then. We called him Wendell, because Mark had just given me a book of Wendell Berry poems for my birthday. Today, as we were leaving the house for work, we discovered a quite bloody Wendell on the back porch - where 10 minutes before he had been fine. Its a mystery what happened (a fall, a car), but the result is a broken jaw, a crooked nose, and a full morning at two different vet offices. He went through his surgery okay, and is all wired back together. Hopefully we'll bring him back home tomorrow.

Dress Up

Dress up is really all the rage these days among Naomi and her friends. Here she is with her dear friends Layla, Soren and Ellaiden. Aren't they so pretty? These girls are so sweet together.

Cupcakes and Trees

I took Naomi to get her haircut this past weekend, and its become a girl-outing for us. We get her haircut and then get hot chocolate afterwards. This time I asked Naomi if she wanted to split a snack with me -and she immediately chose "the brown cupcake"! Of course. The barista just laughed when I ordered Naomi's hot chocolate, my latte, and then the hugely dark rich chocolate cupcake while holding my toddler. When I told Naomi I was going to take her picture, she purposely stuck out her tongue.
Naomi, however, has become more and more charming to people serving us. Last week at a juice place the cashier asked her name and she responded, "I'm Nomi Grace Pearson".


Naomi has also recently discovered the tree in our backyard - here she is before school one morning. I think trees agree with her.

This post could have been much longer and more dramatic.

This morning Mark was outside, and I stepped out on the deck to check on something. When I turned around, Naomi had locked the door. Thankfully, Mark had his keys on him and I could go around to the front, but for a full second I wondered if I could talk a 2 year old into opening the door - which I doubted cause she was looking at me like I was crazy and she had no idea what the problem was. Then I had an important talk with Naomi about only locking a door when one of us is inside too. I didn't know she could turn the deadbolt!

Getting Out the Door

This morning Naomi and I were trying to leave the house, to run an errand before dropping her off at school. As I balanced lunch bags and calendars and coffee, she came out of her room wearing her fairy wings and holding three books, which she read all the way. She'd read out loud, (describing the pictures) and then say, I'm a good reader!

the Biggest Daddy

Evidently, the Dragonfly class - Naomi's class at her pre-school - debated fiercely as to who had the biggest daddy. Naomi fought hard - and won. Her daddy is biggest.

Colorado

Here's the newest picture I have of Olivia -she is holding the nurse's finger. She is about back up to her birthweight. I went to Colorado for a long weekend. Alli had her surgery, my mom is working towards recovering with her broken leg. Its been an intense couple of weeks -and even though this isn't all happening to me, its felt incredibly emotional. I was glad to have been up there this weekend, chasing my nephew around and watching Alli sleep in the hospital. I think the hardest part was leaving - I wanted to stay with her very much. I am so thankful though that as of right now, things are progressing smoothly.

The highlights of my weekend? (1.) I got to be Aunt Kristen - and that was so fun! Alvin and I ran errands together. I started talking to him about getting a present for Olivia, and asked what he'd like to get her. He said, a Duck. See, Alvin's favorite stuffed animal - the thing he takes EVERYWHERE with him - is a duck! So we went duck shopping together. Granted, it took some effort (and one meltdown) to stay focused on finding a duck for Olivia, rather than trains for Alvin, but we had success! Alvin did come away with a new book about being a big brother, a Dr. Seuss ABC book (hisother obsession - the abc's), and a set of family dolls (the therapist in me couldn't resist!). (2.) I also got to drive my mom around and drive up the canyon a little bit - it was nice to be able to get her out too. (3.) I got to sit with my sister at the hospital, and be with her. Granted, she slept a good chuck of the time (so I read and watched General Hospital), but I also got to see her on pain meds, which if the situation weren't so crazy was almost funny.

I am looking forward to being up there again soon.

Hair

This morning Naomi and Mark were discussing showers. Naomi said, rubbing her belly, "I'm not clean." Then she looked at Mark, still rubbing her belly, "I don't have my hair on."

Welcome Olivia Jane

Naomi has a new cousin as of yesterday - Olivia Jane Wible. She decided to make her appearance much earlier than expected - but all are doing fine so far. She weighs in at 1 lb 15 oz, which is impossible to imagine, even while standing there looking at her. A lovely little girl. She is 13 and a half weeks early. You can see more of the story at Alli and Chad's blog (link is on the side -- the Wibles). Its been an emotional ride; thankyou for all your prayers and thoughts this direction.

Update

This is to inform you that Naomi's baby is no longer named Fabulous. Her new name is Halleluiah.