Angel Scriptures

I swear every day Q pulls out a new cute thing he does. Ian reads scriptures to us almost every night. This night he started helping Daddy read.

AR-15

A while back Ian was talking about how the other men in the Elders Quorum Presidency are so into guns. I shared with him how I'd never used anything other than a pellet or paint ball gun and how I was interested: having no experience with them and not even knowing how to get it. Some friends down in Cali were totally into shooting and I had thought about asking then, but never did. Ian on the other hand had grown up a boy scout and had male roommates in college, so he'd had the opportunity on many a time.

He shared this with the presidency so Jim Woolbert took us out today to experience his love and experience with firearms. It was pretty cool. He started me off with a 22 which was a nice intro to the noise and kick, but after a few shots through my blind eyes at a target I could hardly see; I was ready to move up. I do think it's cool that the bullet can go for a mile!

Next he showed me how to use a 9mm pistol. His dad had me kinda freaked out about shooting too many bullets up in the air so I got a little nervous with this one. Plus I couldn't brace this one against my shoulder. Being an ABSOLUTE novice in the freezing cold wind I found it humorous that I was trying to hold it so I wouldn't get harmed by the kick back, aiming at a blurry target and afraid to pull the trigger too hard so I wouldn't shoot too many bullets like his dad said I might. The rest was pretty cool. I now know what it's like to shoot the weapons I see on TV all the time. I know what it feels like, sounds like and smells like! Jim demonstrated the semi-automatic aspect of the pistol so I could see the difference. I'm a really tangible learner, so this was great.

BUT, next he pulled out his recently assembled AR-15 which I learned is the civilian version of the most commonly used military M-16. Out came the earplugs. Q (refusing ear protection) and I hung out in the truck while I observed Jim & Ian shoot a couple into the tree. Then it was my turn. I have to say it was pretty cool. The scope was much easier to see the target even though the earmuffs made it difficult to look through it. This baby put out a lot of smoke and quite a bang. I was humorously remembering the girl in I-Robot who shot the automatic with her eyes shut - 'cause there was nothing I could do to keep my eyes open after that loud bang!

It was great and I'm grateful for the experience. Can you see the glee on Ian's face? Do you think he's glad he took the day off for this?

I learned the difference between single shot, 3 bullet bursts, semi-automatic and automatic weapons. 'Bout time! I've been living with a video game junkie for all these years and didn't know! He also told us all about the functioning parts of each gun and M-223 bullets he used. I learned a lot. I also learned why these weapons would and could fire underwater.

Even Q got to check it out, right before he hit his non-nap limit and fell asleep crying on my shoulder in the cold wind.

Merry Christmas 2!

Today I turn two, so guess what my new word is?

Mine!

I'm so excited about my presents. I got a big Buzz Lightyear and a little Buzz.

I got Buzz and Woody jammies and Thomas jammies.

Life couldn't be better. Wish you could have seen my happy prance around the room when I opened them! I now wake up talking about Buzz, whom, of course, sleeps with me now. and I point out "Bu-eye" (bullseye, woody's horse) on my jammies. I'm pretty cute when I try to say "To Eternity! And Beyond!" It kinda sounds like "Ee! Anond!"

Daddy's presents are pretty cool, too, though. I want to play with them just as much as my own!

We had my birthday party on Wednesday when more family could be here. Grandma & Grandpa Walker, Uncle Daniel, Aunt Becky & Uncle Clarence, Adam, Jared & Marisa came!

I

WAS

IN

7TH

HEAVEN!

So many people to play with and show off for! And more presents to unwrap! I LOVE opening presents! I got my own Woody! Happy dance! And Toy Story slippers! Happy Dance! and Toy Story 3! Happy Dance! And books about Thomas, Pooh and trains!

Momma spent about 2 hours making and decorating my cake, with Grandma, to look like Winnie the Pooh (since I love Pooh). She was pretty mystified when I wouldn't even try a taste! I REALLY liked everyone singing to me, though. That was fun. I just stared at the candles since I didn't know what to do with them.

2 year old stats: 31 lbs and 35.5 inches tall. He'll probably be taller than Daddy.

TaeBo Baby and the Copy Cat

A friend at church told me last week that her mom claims babies active in the womb are calm when they come out and vice versa. It sounded a lot like an old wives tale to me, but since I can't remember what Q was like in-utero aside from having hiccups, we'll wait and see. This little girl appears to think that she's surrounded by a punching bag and is using it to her delight. There are times when I look at my belly and think "what the heck is going on in there!" Hence I've dubbed her TaeBo Baby. Maybe she's trying to let me know that she plans to keep up with her big brother as soon as her feet hit the floor.

Meanwhile I'm trying to imagine another member of our family that could be as cute as Quintin. Hard to do. OB told me last week that she's in the 95% for size. Lovely. She's likely to be bigger than Q. So much for my lifetime desire for petite newborns. However, my arm muscles are plenty strong enough this time around to handle it. What is 9 lbs compared to 30?

Mr. Q has definitely grown into the next stage of development. His fits are more frequent, louder and longer. One of our frustrations is that all his cries sound the same (always have). He's not like other kids with a 'fake' cry, so it takes a lot of problem solving to discover if it's a problem that can be resolved or a temper issue. This last week I've asked him to tell me what he needs and he's just slammed to the floor wailing (head and all, regardless of floor type). Well, can't help you with that one kiddo (if I'm close I try to block the floor-head slam). It probably doesn't help that Momma's harder to move and drag to a desired object now. It hurts me to move a lot of the time, especially if I'm on the floor. Pregnancy hips, I guess.

He did this while waiting in the bathroom line Monday night at the Warm Beach Lights of Christmas. What 2 year old wants to stand around when there is so much to see? Anyway, everyone in the room moaned when his head clunked the 1/4 inch carpeted concrete. I managed to catch his forehead with my shoe the 2nd time but he just picked it up again and did it next to my shoe!!! Crazy kid! That has to hurt!

But he is making progress in the Daddy appreciation area. At the ward Christmas party he actually walked across the gym to hug Daddy in the dessert line -and stayed there. That's pretty unprecedented. He NEVER walks away from Momma for another person. There is hope! He's also stopped having fits when I leave him with someone. It brings me such peace of mind that my child has finally established enough trust and security to know that when Momma says she will be back, she will, and there's no need to scream over it. And maybe I don't have to sneak out every time, now. Maybe he's saving all the good crying for Momma.

He started literally experimenting with boundaries this week. He got a hold of one of Ian's tools and walked around the room hitting it on things, looking at me each time to see if I'd smile and laugh with him or not. He blows me away sometimes with how responsive he is. He completely responded to me about what was okay and what wasn't, then requested a hug when it wasn't okay to hit Momma with it.

He's also continuing with the language explosion.

• He jabbers at the TV, and his toys, and while we're driving.
• When I'm talking to him he repeats the last word in every statement I make.
• The other night we were trying to find out why he was whining, starting with food. Listing off things he could have. We asked if he wanted a cookie since that's what Daddy was doing and in the most pitiful voice he says "coo-kie." That was way too cute to resist.
• He walks around the house saying "hey, ma-an"
• He asks "Okay?" if you cough or sneeze or get an owie.
  
• "Good Morning"
• "What's dat? A caw!" (car)
• "Get it" when something rolls away
• He loves to be chased and tickled. This week he'll come tickle us then run away saying "Ge-Me Momma!" SO MUCH FUN this kid is!
  
  This week he's been copying LOTS of Daddy stuff.
• He found the paper towel roll and repeatedly held it up to his eye saying "I see you!" (pulling it away) "Boo!" He continued doing this with the play-ear of corn this morning since he couldn't find the roll.
• When he gets tickled and roughed up he keeps saying "He-ey!" like Daddy does...with a big grin on his face.
  
• Daddy pretends to be asleep so Q will say "Wake Up!" over and over again. Now Q tells anyone to Wake Up! anytime they are resting their head, laying down or closing their eyes.
• He was riding around on his dino ride-on toy, got up, found a loose key then came back and stuck it in all the holes on the right side of the dino while continuing to ride around. That boy loves keys and key holes!
• He's finally learning how to say "I love you" which is lots of fun.
  
  Sadly, not all the copying is good. I've been on the verge of feline homicide on many a day the last month. So now, when Mande walks through the kitchen Q will follow behind her trying to kick her and saying things like "Man-e, out!" or "Man-e, down!" or "Man-e, stop!"

I'd finally had enough with the cats last weekend so Ian and I officially moved them into the garage. They DON'T like exile. They spend ALLLLLL day whining at the windows and glass doors to get back in. Too bad I can't reason with them. If they'd only learn to: always use the litter box; stay off the counters; not steal our food; stop whining; stop tripping me everywhere I go; and Mande stop hissing and growling at everyone and everything, I'd be willing to put up

with the cat hair everywhere and dust bunnies appearing 3 minutes after I vacuum. They have always been indoor cats, so I hope they learn to adjust soon. One of the neighborhood strays is trying to adopt us now that there's company outside our house. Last thing I need is another one! It feels so good not to have to worry about them! What a relief!

We also went to a fun Christmas festival/fundraiser here on Camano. They had a real camel, reindeer and firetruck!