Sunday, July 29, 2012

2 Years Old

Dear Maeli,

Who knew that two years could fly by so quickly! We can honestly say that you get to be more and more fun by the day! You are constantly surprising us with new words and phrases and are sure to keep us on our toes with all of your new knowledge.


Your favorite shows right now are Bubble Guppies and Elmo's World. When we tell you that you can watch Bubble Guppies, you will usually respond by saying either "Ghost" (for the Halloween episode) or "Buppy" (for the puppy episode). Since watching the Halloween episode, you have begun pretending to be a ghost by putting your blanket over your head and yelling "boo" when you rip it off.


One of your favorite things to do is to feed the horses at Grandpa Poulsen's house. Every time we go to Grandma and Grandpa's house, you immediately point to the pasture indicating that you want to go and feed the horses. You have become quite the pro and have developed a routine of feeding the horses and then having Grandpa push you on the swings. Needless to say, you have him wrapped around your finger. ;-)


You still love animals - specifically dogs and horses. Since it is too hot to go to the zoo, we started taking you to pet stores to see all of the animals. You have recently begun playing "dog" and will get on the ground and say "arf." You often pick up blocks off the ground as if you're eating your "dog food" and if I hold out my hands in a bowl shape, you will drink your "dog water." Mom probably shouldn't encourage this behavior...Dad says that if you end up turning out to be a wierdo, Mom is to blame.


One of our favorite things to do as a family is to walk through homes under construction. Although it's probably not the safest activity, you have so much fun getting to explore the homes with Mom and Dad. Since we started doing this, you tend to get excited and repeat the word "homes" whenever we drive past homes under construction.


Maeli, you are a COMPLETE daddy's girl. You would take your dad over your mom any day of the week. Since Dad has been gone more for school, you have become extremely clingy when he is around. Just last night you had a complete breakdown when he tried to leave your room after saying goodnight.


Some additional things you do:
  • You love stickers and know exactly where we keep them in the pantry. When you have stickers in your possession we find them everywhere (ie. the floor, whiteboard, your mouth, your brother, etc.). You also love to paint and draw on the whiteboard in your playroom.
  • Grandma McFarlane got you a kids music cd that you love to listen to in the car. Whenever we're driving, you roll your hands in a circular motion and start humming indicating that you want to listen to "Wheels On the Bus." You can imagine how much Mom and Dad love this song by now. ;-) 
  • Often times you will pick up a book and "read" to yourself. ("Reading" consists of you blabbing on and on as you flip through the pages.)
  • You love playing with your baby doll and all the baby accessories that Grandma Poulsen got you. When you last stayed and Grandma and Grandpa's house, you apparently insisted that your baby sit at the dinner table in its highchair. If only you shared the same interest in your baby brother...
  • You have recently begun grabbing Mom's phone and walking around saying "cheese." Mom and Dad are happy to oblige by making silly faces for you to take pretend pictures of.

Maeli, we feel so blessed to have you as our little girl. You make each day a new adventure and bring so much joy to our lives. We love you so much and can't wait to see what new adventures the next year brings! Happy birthday baby girl!

Love,

Mom & Dad




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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Milo Ryan McFarlane

Dear Milo,

From the time we learned of your expected arrival all the way to the days leading up to your birth, each day was full of anticipation as we anxiously awaited the arrival of our baby boy. I dreamed of getting to dress my little "stud" and your dad talked of taking you to ball games and teaching you the ins and outs of construction. We knew that our lives would be even better with you here.


I hope you realize what a lucky guy you are to have your big sister Maeli at your side. Although she hasn't shown much interest in you so far, I know that in the coming weeks and months she will realize that you are "her" baby and will take her sister responsibilities more seriously. Just yesterday she ran to your aid when she heard you crying upstairs and blew you some kisses to make you feel better. 

I have to admit that I'm not the most emotional person. However, thinking of you and your siblings having a strong relationship does make me get a bit choked up. I remember coming across a saying inscribed in an old building in Ecuador that said, "Although sometimes I am difficult, I love you with all my being." I know you and your siblings will always have your differences, but I hope that you will always put those differences aside and love each other with "all of your being."


I could list a million reasons why I love your dad but the number one reason is without a doubt, because he is a GREAT dad. He loves his kids and makes it clear that they are his top priority. He has a lot going on right now with school on top of working full-time, but no matter how busy his days, he still finds time to each day to cuddle with his little boy.

As you grow up, I hope you see what an amazing guy your dad is and resolve to be like him. I hope you become the honest, caring, and humble person that he is, and an equally great husband and father to your own kids. I know that if you will follow his example and do as he teaches you, you will grow up to me an amazing man.


Milo, as you lay in my lap right now, I'm overwhelmed by how much I can love such a tiny little person. You are "my" guy and I love every second that I get to spend with you. When everyone else goes to sleep at night, it's "our" time. I talk and sing to you and you stare back at me with those beautiful little eyes. And the whole time I fall more and more in love with you.


Know that your dad and I love you so much and are thankful to have you as a part of our family. Bringing you home from the hospital felt like adding another piece to the puzzle. You play an important role in our family and even after just a few days, we couldn't imagine our lives without you. Always know that no matter how rocky the road of life gets, you always have the love and support of your family. We love you and are so glad you're finally here.

Love,

Your Mom 


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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Twenty Cents

Best $0.20 we ever spent...

 

 

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Friday, July 6, 2012

The American Way

To celebrate Independence Day, our ward put on a community breakfast complete with water games, music, and a cute bike parade for the kids. Maeli's favorite part was definitely the face painting. By the time we left she had two painted hands, one painted cheek, and was asking for some love on the second cheek. We quickly realized that she had an addiction and booked it home before she ended up with full-on painted sleeves. ;-)




At night we put on our own fireworks show in my parents backyard. Maeli seemed to have mixed emotions about the fireworks in the beginning but was totally loving them by the time the show came to an end. She especially loved throwing "poppers" at all of the family at the end of the night. Ahh...the true "American way."


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