Monday, July 18, 2011

Dis & Dat

I guess it's been just over a month since my last posting - my apologies go out to the 4 families that follow us. Grandma Kamstra passed away last month. I'm very sad, and it was difficult to say goodbye, though we've all been saying goodbye for years as she tried to fight through dimentia. It was particularly hard to watch such a strong, beautiful, and capable woman wither away and lose her memories. As an accomplished nurse, it must have been terrifiying for her, as she knew exactly what was coming. Of course, the juxtaposition of her oh-so-frail body & mind, somehow makes my joy all the sweeter today knowing that Jesus has redeemed her and made her new.  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  I miss you Grandma, but we'll see you again real soon.

Life has been busy in the last month. Just before Grandma died, Katie and I volunteered through our church on "Serve West Bountiful". Through the course of a week, over 500 volunteers worked to restore 22 homes in our community - mostly landscaping & paint, but also some new roofs, porches, siding, etc. It was pretty fun, and you can see some pictures here though the video is pretty long.


Serve West Bountiful from The Heights Community on Vimeo.

Tommy continues to grow up at an alarming rate. He's mastered a couple of key words in addition to mama and dada - No, Yeah, Dis & Dat, all of which are accompanied by hand/head movements. No is paired with an exaggerated head shake. Yeah (yes), usually includes an excited shaking/wiggling of his bum and is almost always seen in the morning when you ask if he wants pancakes (just like his dad, yum!). The rest of the day he employs his pointer finger liberally, asking dis? or dat? As in, what's this and what's that. The pointer finger also means, bring said item to me, or carry my body over there. Most mornings when he gets up, he points excitedly at his (real) puppy standing in the doorway and makes his "woof-woof" noise which sounds more like a puppy whining softly than barking. Tom is one cute boy.


Dat?
Dis?
Dis?
Pool time's over.




Katie and I also did a quick bathroom remodel, which I describe as a soft remodel: moving an outlet, adding a light, repairing the fan, new lights, wall repair & paint, new floor, new vanity/counter. Any time I don't have to move plumbing or install a shower/tub it's a good thing. I regret not taking a few more before pictures, but didn't want to feel obligated to post on my blog before now. I guess I needed a few weeks away from here mentally.
Enjoy the few photos we did manage to take recently.






Thursday, June 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Son

Tommy, 1 year has gone so fast and you've grown up so much.  We can't believe how much joy & love you've brought into everyone's lives.  We love you son, happy birthday!

Monday, June 13, 2011

For Jason - Offered with Little Editorial Comment

To limit incriminating evidence...

For the record, I did try a fuze first, but needed a little more energy to initiate.



4th of July is coming up, and I happened to notice these canisters of welding material, normally used to fuze copper electrical connections, on clearance at a certain junk clearinghouse.  I couldn't resist...

Crud

I just realized my playlist doesn't auto-start anymore, so I've lost all dramatic effect on my previous post The Force is Strong with my Young Apprentice.  To properly enjoy this posting, please scroll to the playlist at the bottom, click play, and then read as if the Imperial Emperor (with tented fingers and peg-like teeth).

Thank you.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Keepin' Cool

I think it alsost got to 80 - uggh.
Tommy's also fascinated by airplanes - enough that we forgot about his blow-up pool heaven to see the passing cessna.
His hat and shirt keep the mid-day sun off.  Dad's hair serves as his protective suit.
Again in the late afternoon with his cousins.


Saturday Morning

Also known as the best morning of my week - eating breakfast, and playing on the patio with my son!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Force is Strong with my Young Apprentice

I think I've mentioned before that my son is strong-willed.  He will not be restrained in any fashion, be it in his car seat, in a high chair, swing, walker, or stroller.  He's constantly trying to "hulk-out" of his car seat. I keep telling him that indeed, with the proper application of force, he could overcome his bonds.  He will not tolerate lying briefly to have his diaper changed.  He will also occassionally not ingest the poison that we feed him, also known as food.  Fortunately, he is still my apprentice, and I am the master.  Ultimately, he has no choice but to succumb to our will, for the force is much stonger in us.  Please be praying that Tommy does not choose to serve the dark side, but rather uses his powers for good.

Normally, I believe a picture is worth at least a thousand words, but tonight I think I'll give a written report on Tom.

He was climbing stairs before he could crawl.

It looks like he'll figure out how to climb child-gates before he can walk.

He's crazy - loves to be tossed in the air, swing really high, and be flipped upside down.

Tommy loves cars.  He enjoys standing in my lap in the truck (parked) while he flips on the signals, lights, and honks the horn.  We did slowly drive circles in the culdesac - he thought that was a riot.  He watches every time a car drives by our house when we're out front.  He also loves driving on Grandpa Pat's scooter, and cousin Patrick's electric car - often putting his hands in the air like he's in a roller coaster.  Since Uncle Brandon had Tommy "drive" the elec car (by pushing the accelerator with a broom stick), he refuses to sit in the passenger seat.

Tom loves dogs.  He loves Mario, who doesn't exactly feel the same in return.  He has several puppy stuffed animals in his room - one of which is a requisite for sleep.

He has incredible eyelashes - I've dubbed them "Lady Slayers".  Everywhere we go people (mostly ladies) comment on them.  He's already demonstrated he has the Bakker charm.

He really doesn't sit well in highchairs most of the time.  We have better luck with him carefully standing on a chair between us.  The good news is that he seems to enjoy eating when we eat, and likes trying the food we're eating (as long as he's under the impression he's in control, not if we're feeding him).

He has 2 upper and 2 lower teeth - looks like a little imp when he smiles.  This has proved difficult to get a picture of, but I'll keep trying.

Tommy is crazy about baths, not so much the cleaning of his body, but playing is huge.  We've also taken his to the rec-center pool twice which he loves.  He's a water baby.

He's sleeping better, but still up at least once in the night for some reason or another.  Lately he's been teething which is a joy.  He's a very light sleeper - too much noise/activity in the house will wake him right up.  I think he's afraid he's missing all the action.

Tommy likes to be outside non-stop.  Good thing we're finally getting some sunny days to enjoy outside.

He knows the words mama & dada, and employs them correctly - usually in an unsuccessful attempt to manipulate.  For example, when I put him down for a nap that he doesn't want he cries for mama.  When I'm at work, and he wants something he can't have, he cries dada.

This is my first-ever post without photos.  I promise to post some this weekend.

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