One of these things is not like the other things

It's getting hard to ignore how much these two look alike:



























And how much this guy doesn't.














Amazing. I love my little Nico face. Even if he is up to 10 tantrums a day.

It's sort of like Jacob in his kindergarten class. Just look for the kid who blends in perfectly with the hay.














(I realize that lately all I seem to be able to do is post old pictures of the boys, but the feeling that time is racing by/playing tricks on me/slipping through my fingers is ever present these days. I promise to get current again. Until then, indulge me!)

Something I Want to Remember

Tonight we needed to quickly go down to the lobby to meet a friend. Benjamin was asleep and so the big boys and I went down. I had already put them to bed, so they were extra excited to leave bed and come with me.

When we got to the lobby Jacob turned to Nicholas and said, "Let's run around in big circles!" and Nico said, "Sure!" And run around in big circles they did. Laughing and smiling all the way.

Those two speak the same language. It's fun (and I'd be lying if I didn't say also challenging) to listen to the natives each day.

Here are some snaps of that brotherly togetherness from May in Alabama.













Sweaty (and sweet) brotherly togetherness.













And if you're interested in that Benji-boy, I promise to post more about him this week. He's my giggling, smiling, rolling, and backward scooting babe. He is also being initiated into his big brothers' tribe and, judging by the smiles he only saves for them, I think he likes it. (Heaven help me!)

Masters of Disguise

Dear Nicholas,

You love to find things. Things that have been lost for a long time. You love to tinker with them. You love to take them apart. You love to break them. All in the name of curiosity.

Then you bring it into our world and invite us to use it. And oddly enough, sometimes it's fun!

Behold the fake-nose-glasses-without-the-nose-anymore!

Jacob's worst fears are confirmed

Some mornings after he goes to school we do just sit around and watch TV for a while. (Underoos optional.)













Ah to be three again, eh Jacob?

Forgot the poll!

Get out and vote (yes) on Prop Pimpernel! (If you're confused read the next post.)

Who's with me?

I just started attending a book group and the first book we discussed was The Scarlet Pimpernel. If you haven't read the book I recommend it. It's nothing fancy, but definitely an enjoyable read (although if I have to hear about Marguerite's tiny hands and feet one more time...).

As I read the book I had a real hankering to see the movie version that I watched repeatedly as a teenager. Heck, that a lot of us watched repeatedly as teenagers. Needless to say, by the end of the book that movie had to be seen. At least 10 years had passed since the last time I'd watched it. When I proposed a movie night Matt asked, "Is this the movie where he says 'Sink me'?" Yes, Matt, it is.

As Matt and I were waiting for the movie to start I turned to him and said, "By the way, the Scarlet Pimpernel is hot."

Matt was shocked by my claim and said that that was the first time he'd ever heard me call anyone "hot". I am naturally so demure, you see? Anyway, after watching the movie Matt was totally underwhelmed by the Scarlet Pimpernel's hotness.

And I couldn't believe it. I told him categorically that girls my age watched that movie a ton and that we en masse find the Scarlet Pimpernel super duper hot. Especially in the "ruggedly handsome" scene. If you've seen the movie you know what I'm talking about. You know.

If you don't know, here it is. Sigh.

Even with the feathered hair and bad make-up, it's just undeniable, no? (Sorry it's embedded funny.)

Matt still doesn't believe that I am not the only girl in the world who feels this way. After a healthy debate I said, "I bet if I put a poll on my blog there would be tons of girls who would agree with me." Matt said, "Do put a poll on your blog!" with skepticism and doubt in every word.

Ok, bring it.

So you 25 to 35 year old female readers of my blog, who's with me? If you are with me, let Matt know! It's just that important...

By the way, if you haven't seen this movie, or it's been a while, I encourage you to watch it. For more than just the hotness. You won't be sorry.

I'm Just Sayin'

That while Benjamin definitely has hair...


















...it's just not quiiiiiiite as much as Nicholas had. Note how Nico's hair is attempting to suffocate Jacob. Also, the more you look the more hair you'll see.


















Good thing we live in Chicago now and will have to wear hats until about May.













'Cause Benjamin rocks hats.



A few notes: the above photos of Benjamin and Nico were taken at the same age (4 months). Also, while Benjamin has the most darling laugh and smile around (see top photo) he clams up pretty hard when he sees the camera. So I have hundreds of pictures of "Serious Benjamin" (see last photo). Maybe he thinks he's giving me different looks and calls them things like El Tigre, Magnum and Blue Steel. Maybe.

One Year Ago

We visited the beach with Matt's family. As a family of four.

I also took a pregnancy test at 1:30 in the morning on that trip. I then woke Matt up at 1:31 am to tell him the results. Benji was on his way.

After an incredibly full year, we are here again. All five of us. It feels pretty good.

Smiley Smilers of Smilerson Lane

Thank You

Picture this:

You and your spouse have two children and five grandchildren. Your grandchildren are all 8 years old and younger. You and your spouse have both been retired for at least a year and life is good. There's time to work in the yard; go on dates; learn or improve upon your talents and hobbies; serve in the church, your community and your family; and fiercely compete with your spouse on the wii.

Now, imagine there's a knock at the door. You open up and there stands a blonde little 5 year old. He's precocious, sweet, and funny. He's also moody, high-strung, and hyper. As you begin to process all that he brings to the table, he's joined by a blue eyed toddler with a darling smile, a playful personality, and a voice that could break glass. As cute as he is, you perceive a vague sense of danger about this boy. They are a formidable duo.

If you wonder where their mother is, she's next. She's tired, needy and she's got a four week old baby in her arms. This baby bears an uncanny resemblance to his grandpa. He's simply darling, yet even more needy than his mama and brothers. As you look at this careworn girl you see that somewhere deep beneath her crazed young mother exterior she's your daughter.

They tell you that while their father and husband works hard at an internship in Omaha over the summer, they need a place to stay. And the place they're eyeing is your place. And you take them in. For 10 weeks.

The boys and I are leaving Utah. And leaving my parents' home. And we are doing it with hearts full of love and gratitude. Mom and Dad have truly stepped up to the plate this summer. In fact, if grandparents could earn merit badges they would be covered in them. They've cooked, cleaned, played, worked, abided, read, buckled, rocked, talked, diapered, shopped, shared, packed, planned, prepared, hugged, kissed, and loved all summer long. Their world has been rocked with riotous children and they've taken it in stride. Toys underfoot, missing shoes, tantrums, fights, spills...they've experienced the seedy underbelly of our life day in and day out. And that seedy underbelly seems to make an awful lot of noise and mess in their lovely home.

This summer has been wonderful. And also challenging. I have learned even more over the last 10 weeks that there are tradeoffs to all that we do in life. Being here has brought unique blessings and challenges. Matt and I felt that those blessings and challenges would be best for our family and looking back we feel that they have been. We're grateful to Mom and Dad for having us at such a time of transition. To have so much loving help and support has made our transition from 2 kids to 3 so much smoother. And more stable. Instead of uprooting our family for the summer to the unknown of Omaha we were able to come to a place forever familiar and comforting to me and mine. A place where we've been able to spend time with family and enjoy the beauties of Utah.

Spending so much time with my parents has made me appreciate them even more. As I see them grandparent my children it's really been an opportunity for me to remember how lovingly they parented my sister and me. Just being in their home reminds me of their loving care. And a day hasn't gone by without them serving us. It's been a joy to learn from them and spend time with them.

Sigh. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything. You've done so much. We love you and we will miss you so much.