Little Things: December 2009

12.31.2009

LOOK WHO'S 3!

MAX (n); boy, boy, boy

(adj); tough, stubborn, soft hearted, dramatic, spirited, playful, loving, full of life

Favorite Things: Any game involving a ball, SOCCER, singing, DANCING, playing GUITAR, watching SHOWS (scooby doo, wiggles, dora, diego, curious george), play-dough,coloring,MOWING the lawn with dad, cooking with mom, playing with Luke, READING BOOKS, Jumping off things

favorite places: HOME, Aunt Jolea's, nursery class, OUTSIDE, Grandpa's house, Nana's place, McDonalds playland, Park, mom's bed, TOY ROOM, swimming pool

Beloved Toys: Wiggles guitar, balls, vacuum, lawn mower, stories bookCURRENT CATCHPHRASES:

'what are you talkin' about?'

'i'm talkin' about you'

'OOOH MMMMY GGGOSH'

'Dad, Don't Do That!'

'I Love You'

'Lukie, No, No, No, No, No!'

KNOWS: Most colors, how to count to 10+, how to count to 10 in Spanish (not always in order), can recognize a few letters, many little songs, most shapes, how to draw a circle

We love you Max... you have brought so much joy to our lives!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

i SAY it every YEAR. having a child born on CHIRSTMAS EVE is a wonderful BLESSING and a blessed CURSE. By the time that Christmas comes MAX has already eaten so many sweets and opened so many GIFTS that I wonder if he thinks CHRISTMAS is three day CELEBRATION all about him. Oh, well.

We were going to be at my brother's house in Idaho Falls on Christmas Eve, so we decided against hauling this ginormous gift up there and Max got to start his birthday bonanza a day early.

This kid is way into PRETEND play. He always pulls chairs up to my counters and uses my big spoons, pans, etc... to 'cook' us up some special dishes. He loves his new KITCHEN, especially the microwave part of it!

Uncle Jim and Aunt Christine were so kind to host Christmas Eve and MAX's BIRTHDAY!

For 2 months he has been talking about his 'Sooby Doo' Birthday cake. Dad had to handle this one as Mom had no time to run to the bakery, and I must say, he did a pretty darn good job albeit the printer was out of yellow toner.

Loves blowing out candles...finally these ones are for him!

One of the favorite gifts...the very NOISY band in a box from his NANA.

I didn't have to provide much in the way of birthday activities as Max was with many of his cousins on Christmas Eve. He loved just being with them at Jim's house and playing together.

I might also mention that Luke turned 10 months old on Christmas Eve as well.

12.30.2009

Johnsen Family Christmas Party

Porter, Brooke & Jessenia let me impose on them for a quick pic!

Max stalking Uncle Mike's remote control car from Grandma J

Some crazy boys...

The white elephant gift exchange circle for the great grandkids...

2nd to last, Max patiently waits for his turn to snatch a gift.

Luke drifts off to sleep in Grandpa's arms

Daddy and Max cheer for the achievement announcements

Clarissa & Sarah enjoy Christmas dinner

The Johnsen cousins Nativity

Wise Man Max, aka 'Karate Kid', with his puppet camel/chew toy

My very favorite moment from the Johnsen Family Christmas Party this year was the few minutes I took advantage of to sit and talk with Ryan's grandma Elaine. We spoke about her health at 89 (almost 90) and how she looks forward, not fearing, leaving this life to go and be with her family and her dear Clark. She lifted her old and weathered hands to touch and play with Luke and to hug Max.

There was a very special and very poignant moment in our conversation when she turned to Ryan and I and she gave us counsel as parents. She said to us "When you're busy and your children are trying to get your attention, stop what you are doing and ask them what they need. Ask them why they need it. Find out what they need and why it is important to them. Teach them to share. It will be hard. Teach them to be kind. They grow so fast you know."

Ryan and I discussed her words on the way home. We thought how very interesting that here is a woman who will be leaving this world soon and these are the thoughts she feels important to leave with us. She said she regretted not taking advantage of the little moments.

I'm sure she doesn't remember the phone call that was so important at the time her girls were tugging on her pant leg or the floors that just had to be cleaned. And neither will I. I think Grandma J's counsel will be at the top of my New Year's resolutions. I love her for it and I will never forget those moments Ryan and I shared with her...

12.29.2009

You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry...

Thanks to a husband who loves to plan ahead, budget, and avoid wasting time trying to find parking spaces that don't exist in crowds that don't spread Christmas cheer...we tried to get a jump start on Christmas, getting all those tedious things done a little bit earlier so we could just enjoy the season with our family.

As a result, Max got a healthy dose of Christmas anticipation. In addition to learning 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town', one line of 'Jingle Bells', and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas', this is how he and Luke got ready for Christmas:

Making sure the white stuff was in perfect place...

Max carves out a path for Santa and his reindeer

Only one trip to the mall this year, Max throws his pennies in the fountain and makes a wish

The boys were not interested in seeing Santa (bad experience last year), but were all-a-go for Build-a-Bear browsing.

Luke loved people watching at the mall. He was so content and happy to sit facing the crowd and just take all the Christmas chaos in.

Funny side note: Mom's Christmas fantasy included Max watching and loving the Christmas classics from her childhood...Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, Santa Claus is coming to Town, etc. He gave 2 thumbs up for Frosty and 1 thumb up for Polar Express.

He gave a roaring round of applause for the stupidest Christmas cartoon ever made...Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer.

12.15.2009

9 months and some

LUKE is just over 9.5 months old now.

23 lbs (82%), 27.75 in (25%)

Just before he turned 9 months old his top two teeth sprouted. He just had two more bust through for a total of 6 and I think two more are on their way. He bites everything, including us.

He's picked up speed in the last month and can get to everything very quickly, especially the Christmas tree which is now bare on the bottom half.

He has an obsession with trying to climb the stairs and can get up the first three steps so far. He is pulling himself up on everything and has started to take steps around the couch.

A few of his favorite things include:

Undoing all Mom's folded laundry.

Time with Dad is still a huge favorite

He likes his Mom too, particularly when he's hungry and sleepy.

His best buddy is of course Max. He has started to annoy Max as he can now get to all Max's toys. We call Max the "Luke Police" because he is constantly monitoring his every move and making sure we know about it.

Max is especially perturbed by Luke's fussing when he is trying to hear his shows. But they are buddies for sure. They love to give each other kisses and laugh together.

Loves to clap...

...and Dance (favorite song is "I'm the Map" from Dora)

Luke had a rough go the last 1 1/2 months. He had a cold, double ear infection, swine flu, and a secondary respiratory infection. On top all that, the four new teeth decided to come. Through it all he has been such a trooper. We even left him for the first time overnight and he did pretty well.

We love this chunky little boy so much. He is growing up really fast and learning new things every day.

Sleepovers & Snowmen

Every year, we put in for the MoTab Christmas Concert lottery. This year Natalie Cole was the guest performer, so we were really hoping to win and we did! 4 Tickets. So we swapped babysitting with Jolea so they could go on Friday and we could go on Saturday. We only ended up keeping Sarah, but it turned into a sleepover and a fun filled Saturday. It was the first time that Max had a friend sleepover and it sure was nice to have her around her for a day. She kept him very entertained and taught him all kinds of new fun games to play! I loved it.