Temple

In July (2014) when I went to DC for two weeks, Grandma Call (Booma) came and watched Mr. T with my niece Charity.  They (with Ben)  took him to the Columbia River Temple.

We went last weekend to the temple again--just Mamma and Teancum.  Ever since then he has talked about "Temmpo", "Bench" (where we sat to see the Angel Moroni) , and "Mononai".  He looks at my old calendars with temples on it, riffles through the Friend magazine, and points out temples and Moroni whenever he sees them....and asks to go back.  He keeps saying "Ike Tempo" (like temple).

When we were there, he reverently walked around, and then when I had been there too long and had to go to the bathroom, he folded his arms as we walked into the temple and used the restroom.  He tried to whisper inside, and was very quiet.  I was so proud of him.  Maybe we are doing something right as parents!

Mr T and the Vacuum

So Mr. T is obsessed with the vacuum.  

He wants to play with it every day--all day if I let him.  

I'm not sure where he got this loved or hated relationship.  If anything, he should really be terrified of the vacuum.  And, at times he is.  

In his early life--about 6 months old, he had a really bad cold.  I couldn't find his snot-sucker.  He couldn't eat.  He just cried.  I wanted sleep.  I did what any well-respecting parent would do--don't judge, you know you've at least considered it.  It used to work when I was a kid....Lets just say, it didn't end well--he would go into a fit every time I turned it on after that.  

So if anything, Mr. T should be terrified every time I even get it out.  But, whether time has dimmed the horror, or he just can't look away, (kinda like when you watch those shows where they get weird people to eat discusting things like rancid garbage, or live crickets and you watch even though you are on the verge of throwing up yourself) he keeps coming back.  

We've been working on helping him learn to pick up and put away toys.  He still is trying to get the hang of it.  Sometimes successful, sometimes not.  But, if I say, "No vacuum unless you pick up toys!", he's VERY helpful.  So my daily vacuum has turned into three, sometimes four vacuums a day.  Our poor carpet is either going to be very clean, or very thread-bare.  

When I am vacuuming he prances around, trying to be right in my pathway, but then trying not to get in the way too.  He does these cute little side-steps, with his hands held out to his sides, almost like a dancer keeping his balance while he dodges an angry bull.  

Sometimes he likes to vacuum with his little vacuum (the BEST 5 dollar purchase at a second hand store).  He will sidle right up to me and vacuum next me, trying to mimic my movements.   Other times, he will run to one end of the hall, and then run back, checking to see how my strokes are.  

My favorite time, was when I told him we could clean out the couch and vacuum the cushions.  

I had taken out all the cushions and had already vacuumed half of the couch.  I was pinning the couch cover to the couch and had turned the vacuum off.  He was walking around, inspecting the vacuum, making little singsongy noises.  I was fully absorbed in my work. 

He found the power button.  

(Another obsession--buttons that turn on and off--but that is another blog for another day)  

Up to this point, he hadn't pushed the power button on when the vacuum was plugged in.  Surprise!  When he turned it on, he wasn't expecting it to do anything.  His eyes got really big, he backed away, and he wailed so loud I'm sure the neighbors heard it over the vacuum and their TV.  

So here is Mama, cuddling her terrified baby because he found out what that red button is really supposed to do.  

And yet...two minutes later, he is still hovering and pining after the vacuum....

 

Mr. T with Becky at Christmas time.  He "made" her carry him around for 45 minutes while he got his vacuum fix.  As soon as she would put him down, he would point to the vacuum and then do the universal sign for "pick me up"!   She carried him till her arm went numb.  She's such a sucker. 

I married a "Play"er

So some women are worried that their husbands play around and never seem to settle in to married life. I get it.  I've had that same fear.  But I'm lucky enough to have an utterly shameless "play"er.

I've got a man who plays the piano:

I've got a man who plays with bubbles: 

I've got a man who plays smooch the babe: 

I've got a man who plays petting zoo: 

I've got a man who plays worm: 

I've got a man who plays "Simon Says":

So yeah, I've got a "play"er, but I'm ok with that.  

Do you ever wish you were little again?

Sometimes when I'm all alone, and I am not feeling very responsible, I remember being a little girl, and all the sadnesses and happy things that I felt.

--I remember feeling that everything around me is beautiful.  I loved the worms and the patterns on the leaves, the light streaming through the window, and the way it illuminated fibers on the bedspread or the grains on the hardwood floors.

--I remember that sorrow is so pure.  Sometimes it's just good to cry just because you didn't get your way.  Even though you know that its for the best, sometimes you just want to have a good cry.  I remember the sorrow for feeling lonely, frustrated, and hurt--without all the 'grownup' complications.

--I remember the joys of giggling.  Life has so many funny things.  We are funny beings, with funny moments, the banality of humanity are silly and goofy, even if you are the only one laughing!

--I remember the gift of AWE.  It seemed like everything was full and fresh and AWEsome.  Life was an adventure waiting every moment of the day.  Nothing created was stupid, or not good enough, or undeserving of gratitude.   All gifts of life and love, speech and silence, sight and sound were gifts to be received in awe and gratitude.

--I remember the freedom to love.  Hugs were given out without a reason--just because you were filled with love.  Kisses on the cheek were a delight--just because that cheek was lonely.  And all your dollies appreciated all the tender care you put into dressing and caring for them.

--I remember being unashamed of my gifts.  Sharing your gifts and talents just because you have them--what else would you do?  Hide them?

--I remember being unabashedly pleased with myself when I accomplished something really hard.  Glowing with pride and sometimes dancing with joy--all the while never being ashamed for it.

--I remember the simple prayers.  Father, I thank thee for my family, and for my dog, please help me to be happy, and to be a good girl...

I wonder if God looks down and thinks "I remember when I was mortal, I couldn't see, I had to just have faith..." I wonder if he ever gets reminiscent and wishes he could go back to not knowing....probably not, but I still wonder....

On the Run!

This child is so ready to move.  He wants to walk, run, and be into everything.  Every time I turn around I'm having to fish him out of corners,  under chairs, over couches, in garbage cans (don't ask), and on, and on.  This is him two weeks ago...in another two weeks he will probably be walking..

Cereal Wars

Every morning Teancum has a ritual where he must taste, touch and feel my cereal boxes.  Anything that comes within reach is game.  Here are the documented occurrences.  

Rasin Bran MMM!

Hmm, what's this?  

Wow!  It has extra raisins! 

You should really try this stuff.   

Now we moved on to other venues.

The bread is sooo good....

Get this, it has 20 grams of protein a serving!  

This is how you eat it. . . 

Love this stuff, extra bran is always good. 

CHEERIOS! 

hmm, raisins. 

I guess I didn't get enough with the raisin bran.

Gotta take my vitamins, mom.

More Bread.

Ahhh its attacking! 

Wow, these are so good for you! 

Hi Mamma! 

Munch Munch, more protein.  

Baby Teancum and our wonderful life!

So, as most of you know, I am a once a year blogger.  I thought I'd catch up on life.  Teancum Lamont Murray was born October 25 2012.  We love him so much.

2 Days old!  

I thought I'd give you a little update on his habits lately.  He is six months now!  I can't believe how fast time has gone.  

Teancum is a happy happy boy!  He loves to smile and help others be happy.  He is also a goer, doer, and mover (lucky me! :)  Along with being very curious, he wants to know everything about anything. 

Content to just watch and learn 

Teancum got in a fight with the bassinet-

Sweet smiles

Hanging out with Papa Call

Sitting in the Sink

I found myself!  

HA HA!  

Hmm, what does this taste like?