Throwback Thursday

Photo courtesy of Apt 22 University Villa, Winter 2007.

Dear Miss T,

I recently went to a baby shower for this lovely lady (she and I are fitting entire plums into our mouths at the moment...because a few years previous she was with me when I first discovered what plums were and that I liked them!). It is pretty fun that she and I will each have a baby girl as of January 2014. We are so excited. Already planning for them to be college roommates like we were.

At any rate, at her baby shower I ran into another friend from high school.  She introduced me to her two daughters. They were sitting together eating snacks.

I said to the eldest girl "Are you two friends?"

She looked at me like I was crazy. She firmly said. "No. We are SISTERS."

All the better, don't you think? Why be friends when you can be sisters? I wonder if you would have said something similar when we were little? My inclination is to think yes. ;)

Love, Kk

PS: Came across these gems too. I share them for amusement purposes only.

This is the by far the best we ever achieved.

 This comes in second place. Only because we have Troy Bolton doing tricks with us. Headstands is a pretty standard skill thanks to Sweet Liberty.

And this...well this is just a sample of the creative process behind all tricks. It's a work in progress. I think we will yet figure out how to make a table with our legs one day.

Where's the Shirt?

KK-

Have you seen those little onesie that say "Baby's First Christmas"?

I love them.

This year I went to go find one for Little Grizzly.  It will be his first Christmas, and I am so excited.  As I shopped through baby clothes, I noticed that all of the "Baby's First Christmas" shirts were in the sizes of Newborn to 6 months.  There were NO outfits in the size 12 months!!!! (which is Little Grizzly's size).

What about those babies born December 26th through March?  They haven't had a first Christmas yet!  

Now, if I was really into it.  I am sure I could go on Pinterest and fine a cute way to make my own little onesie.  But, lately I have had a huge Pinterest flop.  The last project I found from Pinterest failed twice.

Enough about me.  Go out and buy one for your sweet Baby J and take picture of her in it for me.

Love,

Miss T

This is the Reason for the Seaon

Hi Kallene,

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving despite missing our families dearly.  As we headed home with our bellies stuffed with turkey, Big D and I talked about how people seem to rush into Christmas.  They can't wait to get out the decorations and get going. 

Not that we don't love Christmas, we just weren't feeling it yet.  This morning I found the this video on Facebook.  It brought tears to my eyes.  



This is the reason for the season.  I am ready for Christmas now.  Let's get it on. 

I can't wait to feel the Spirit and worship my Savior this month by showing love and kindness to those around me.

Merry Christmas!

-Miss T

R: I Will Read

KK-

Tuesday was my birthday. 

Big D asked me what I was going to do on my birthday.  I told him I wanted to go to the beach.  And so I didn't schedule anything on my birthday.  No school, no babysitting co-op, no visiting teaching, no appointments, no play dates, nothing.

On my birthday, the weather was terrible.  Cold, heavy rain, wind... just plain yucky.  I didn't really have a backup plan for my birthday.  

I decided I should do something with my boys, that I like to do with them.  

I took them to the library.  We spent a lot of time looking at books, checking out books, playing with activities they had there.  The boys were well behaved and we had a great time.

When we got home we read, and read, and read.  I love to read books to my boys.  

Finally, the three of them gave me their present.  They all fell asleep at the same time for 45 minutes.  I could not believe it.  I curled up with some hot chocolate in my bed and enjoyed a peaceful, quiet house.  It was absolutely lovely.

I am grateful that our Cutler family motto included the phrase: "I will read."  I do enjoy reading myself, but right now I enjoy reading to my boys even more.  I am thankful for their grandparents who all have passed down a love of reading.

And now someday we can go back and read this post about what a lovely birthday I had in 2013.

-Miss T 

Fall Photo Shoot with Jane

Hi Miss T-

We made up our own fall photo shoot with Jane. In her little white blessing dress that Miga made her. No funny stories here, just some irresistible pictures.

 Shadow of the photographer there...

 With the quilt Miga made her.

 Pondering the heavens?

 In the leaves.

 Looking up.

Full body shot.

We are not even what you could call amateur photographers, but when you have a cute subject you are bound to get a good picture at some point! Happy fall.

"My Legs are Cold"

Dear KK - 

Here is what we have been up to lately.

The Background
Cub has officially been potty trained for over a year now.  We still struggle with him having little accidents.  He just goes a little pee in his pants before he decides to run to the bathroom.  Nothing seems to work to fix this problem - not rewards, time outs, making him wear them wet, making him change his clothes himself, etc.  So we have been trying to "wait it out."

The Story
Yesterday, I took the boys to Vancouver for Troy's Teddy Study appointment.  They scheduled our appointment at a satellite location, a fire station.   The boys were excited to see the fire station after we finished the appointment.  Cub wore his firefighter jacket, hat, and boots. While we were in our appointment, we heard the alarm sound and the fire engine race out of the garage.   The boys were disappointed that the firefighters were gone and they were not going to tour the fire station.

On our way home, I decided to take them to our neighborhood fire station to console their broken hearts.  We rang the doorbell at the fire station, and some happy and energetic firefighters answered the door.  They let us in and gave the boys a great tour of their fire engines and garage.

As we were getting ready to leave, one of the firefighters started quizzing T Bear about what to do in case of an emergency.  He told T Bear than our family needed to have a meeting location outside our house in case of emergency.  He told us some fun ways to practice meeting at our spot.

After dinner at home, I announced that we all needed to get shoes on because we were going to test the smoke alarms and practice going to our meeting spot.  Cub came to me and said,"My legs are cold." I looked at him.  Earlier he had one of his "little accidents" and was currently only wearing underwear.  He had his boots on, but no pants.  He knew he was going to be cold outside in the dark, rainy weather at our meeting spot.

I looked at him and said, "Well then you shouldn't have wet your pants. You peed in your pants and you are not getting new ones, so yes, your legs are going to be cold.  Sorry." 

Big D overheard our conversation and said to me, "Wow, you're a jerk but that's why I love you!"  I decided to take that as a compliment since I felt ok with what I had said to Cub.  And just so you know, Cub took it like a "man."  He marched out to our meeting place and stood out their in his underwear and boots and didn't complain one bit.

The Moral
I can be a cool mom one minute, and a mean mom the next.  Don't mess with me!  And I have no idea if what happened will help Cub, but I know he loved his visit to the fire station.

Love,
-Miss T

A Writer is Born

T Bear tossed this note into the room as I was putting the other boys down for naps today.

Translation: "Dear Mom Please get some more clear tape."

T Bear is loving to write down everything.  He is writing stories, cards and apparently reminder notes to his mother.

-Miss T

Sisters?

The faces of Baby Nelson

Dear Miss T,

You will have to forgive me- I am slightly obsessed with my baby. Isn't every new mother? Just give me a couple months and then I am sure I can post about something else. But for now, I just couldn't help but share a few of the expressions I have captured of this little cutie.

These are all phone camera pictures, so nothing amazing, but it sure is fun to see this expressive girl experience things like basking in sunlight through a window, waking up from a nap all snuggled in a Halloween quilt, feeling full and happy after a meal, and getting dry after a bath. I am trying to not take any moment for granted. Pretty much every mother has told me to embrace the moment now, because it goes by really fast. I am just beginning to believe it, because my snugly little baby is already working really hard on gaining neck control. It is as if she wants to see everything that is going on (despite her naturally slow developing eyesight) and be in some control of her life even now! I can already feel muscles in her back and in her legs that are getting stronger. She is growing! And I can't stop her! 

Any suggestions on how to savor the moment?

Love, KK

Matchy-Matchy Sisters

KK- Here's a story for you.

Last Sunday we sat on a bench with another family.  It was a dad with his two daughters about the ages 12 and 9 years old.  By the end of the service I had noticed that the girls were "matchy-matchy."  

They both had on cute cream lace dresses with a dark denim jackets over the top.  As we stood up to leave the chapel, I talked to the older sister.  

I said, "Are you and your sister matchy-matchy today?"

Older sister said with a major eyeroll, "Yes. She begged me this morning to match with me."

I replied, "Oh, you have earned major sister points today.  That was so nice of you.  My younger sister would love to still be matchy-matchy with me and she is married now!"

The older sister smiled and gave a little laugh.

When I said to the younger sister that she looked super cute being matchy-matchy with her older sister, the younger sister gave an adorable guilty smile.  Her sweet smile was also saying that she was super pleased that she got to be dressed like her super cool older sister.

Isn't great to have sisters!

I love you little sis!

-Miss T

PS - I couldn't find any "matchy-matchy" pictures of us together.  Do you remember where we were when we took this picture?   BTW- let's take a "matchy-matchy" picture together next time we see each other.

Baby Nelson!

She came! She is here! Baby Nelson arrived!

Right before I went into the hospital I visited our brother In Provo and his wife and their two adorable boys drew this for us as we went up the stairs to their house.

With that good measure I went to the hospital for a cervix softener Wednesday evening. Thursday morning my body had begun laboring. They still induced labor, and after a full day of induced labor (about 15 hours), Baby Nelson required a c-section because of the curve and position of my pelvic bone. So, please notice her beautiful round head--a plus that Miga pointed out to me--of having a c-section. 

Looking through the glass of her hospital bassinet.

Making faces at her Mom already.

With her Daddy.

Wearing an adorable little bow.

With her Miga and Uncle J.

With her Papa.

Open eyes.

Words cannot describe becoming a mother, and what it feels like to hold your own little baby. I feel so lucky (and a bit overwhelmed) to be her mother. Welcome to our family Baby Nelson. We have long awaited her arrival. 

Love, a finally unpregnant KK :)

A Smile While You Wait

While we wait to see the beautiful baby of KK, here is a picture of Little Grizzly to make you chuckle.

I mean, look at that face!  Is he angry/evil? happy?  And what about that head?  Huge.  It reminds us of Megamind.

It needs a good caption..... ideas?

Either way, I hope it makes you smile today because this kid makes me smile everyday.

-Miss T

Wow! These Girls Were On Fire!!!

Many of you know what a success our Celebrate Women's Fitness 5k was because so many of you were there or supporters of it in one way or another. 

THANK YOU!

We had so much fun.

Here is what I took away from the event:

Girls need girls.

Girls just wanna have fun - and we did!

Zumba is a great thing to do before a run, in fact I would rather do Zumba than run!

We are so blessed to have so many good women in our lives that came to support this race.

We have great men in our lives to support us doing this race.

Our shirts for the race rocked!

It is important for women to stay fit.  And you really do feel better when you exercise, especially with friends and family.

Women are not big fans of Big D in a Stay Puft costume.

The balloons looked great.

We can't wait to have KK and baby with us next year.

God answers prayers. 

You are never to old to do anything (like walk 5k, or put together a 5k from scratch!)

Miracles do happen.

Thank you all again.

Love, 
Miss T

She won the grand prize.  I know everyone wanted it, but this girl winning this bike was truly an answer to many many prayers.  It was incredible.

No Baby!

Dear Miss T,

I know you told me to plan on a later due date, especially when the ultra sound tech told me Baby Nelson was measuring 5 days small. So, it turns out my due date was yesterday and I didn't even know that! But either way, regardless of what the due date is or isn't, still no baby!

So what do I do with no baby? Well not the dishes anymore.

It seriously is painful to do them...baby Nelson just doesn't like being right up against the sink for some reason. It is the darnedest thing.

But instead I do this:

Put some chocolate cake mix cookies in the oven for myself. Yep. That is what you do with no baby. What else can you do? It is the only way I am keeping up a good attitude right now :). Wish you were here to eat them with me and a glass of milk (except minus the milk because we ran out :( oops). And we could watch a Drop Dead Diva together. Oh wait. Except we can't handle that show anymore because they twisted it way too much...

Much love and cookies,

Kk and in-utero-Nelson

Kissing Him Goodbye

KK-

I have wanted to write this post and I have not wanted to write this post.

Last week T Bear started kindergarten.  

My mind has been running in circles about what to write about after this day happened.

I can't believe it arrived... his first day of school.  That was the fastest 5 years I have ever experienced.  I start to think about the day he was born... small and large milestones he has accomplished, how much he has grown, how much he has taught me about life and love.  Tears.  Sweet sappy tears fill up my eyes.  And that is why it is hard to write about this.

My mind changes direction.

I can't believe he is off to kindergarten - HOORAY!!!! Now I will not have to be "fighting" with him all day about the correct way to write a letter, or why we put on clean underwear everyday, or telling him to be kind and respectful to his brothers and friends.  We will have a break from each other, miss each other and then be thrilled to be reunited everyday.

Such mixed emotions.  Alas, this is motherhood.  Still won't trade it for anything.

And what does T Bear think about kindergarten?  He loves it.  He wants to walk to school by himself (big NO), he is thrilled to ride the bus home.  He waves goodbye and doesn't look back.  He tells me about his new friend and all the fun things they do.  School is great for him.

And so, everyday I kiss him goodbye.

-Miss T (now a kindergarten parent!) 

*anybody wondering about what Cub thought about T Bear going to kindergarten?  Well, on one of the first days Cub wore his own backpack and before I knew it he was half way down the hall to class.  I hear T Bear yelling at him "Cub you can't go to kindergarten!"  Poor Cub came back and cried the whole way home.  He is loving the one-on-one time with mommy once we get home.

Make It A Girls Weekend

All ya pretty ladies!

Are you planning to make September 21st a girls weekend?

We are! right, KK?

Our mom is hosting a fun run/walk for women, girls, ladies, lassies, madams, sisters, aunts, grandmas, nieces, granddaughters, daughters, mothers, girlfriends, etc...

It is going to be a party! That is why you need to register for the race NOW.

And don't you think the shirts are adorable?  Not a boring race shirt. (Big thank you to the best college roommate for designing them - Karin!)

Once you have registered, don't stop there.  Make it a full fledged girls weekend.

You can go to a salon (there will be coupons in the goody bags for some sweet salons) or get a pedicure or manicure together.

Plan on watching some chick flicks.  We like Drop Dead Diva, White Christmas, Singing in the Rain, So You Think You Can Dance, or any movie on the Hallmark channel.

Eat some delicious food.  Sometimes we go out to eat, or we have had take-out, or just had a nice homemade dinner together.  Don't forget to include chocolate for the dessert!

Also, you can play some games.  We like to play a big game of Bunko or if we have fewer numbers, we find a more calm game to play.

Sometimes we have done projects or crafts together - mostly my sister-in-law Alene - she is the real crafty one.

Mostly we just enjoy being WOMEN together.  Girls need girls.  (and a little bit of exercise is good for us too!)

I can't wait for our girls weekend to begin!  I hope yours will be as fun as ours!

-Miss T

You know you are really pregnant when...(version 2)

Dear Miss T,

I was looking for some pregnancy sympathy posts from the past because I am getting to the point where I WANT BABY NELSON OUT MORE THAN IN! Remember that feeling?

I found a post you wrote called "You know you're really pregnant when..." And you told the story about going to the Dr. and forgetting to pee in the cup. Made me laugh because that absent-minded ness is so real!!

My you-know-you-are-really-pregnant story isn't quite as funny, but I bet pregnant ladies everywhere can relate.

 We went out to dinner with some friends, but unfortunately didn't get to the restaurant until after 7pm. The restaurant was packed because of the Swiss Days festival going on in town, and waiters and waitresses were swarming everywhere, but no one was coming to our table. I began to color aggressively on the table. Trying to wait for food. As the minutes ticked by I couldn't help but vocalize my concerns about getting some food soon. When a waitress finally came to our table, the friend began to order and said "we know you a busy tonight, but if you could notice we have a hungry pregnant lady with us and we would appreciate any kind of rush you could out on our order." The lady nodded politely and knowingly. So the friend proceeded to order an appetizer. Mr. P was about to place his order next, but when he looked up, the lady had disappeared! We looked at each other dumbfounded, thinking "our waitress just left us?!"

A minute later she returned with her notepad as if nothing happened. Our friend who had ordered said "Ok, so that order of cheesey bread," starting from the beginning of his order again, and the lady stopped him. She said, "OhI got that order in, and I told Carmello she is pregnant so get this in rapido! Pronto!"

We got that order of cheesey bread in less than ten minutes. :D The rest of our food took almost an hour to come, but the cheesey bread held me over just fine. 

I guess you know you are really pregnant when friends start advocating for you to rush food, and waitresses put orders in for you "Rapido! Pronto!"

Love,

Ready to get Baby Nelson out KK

PS Thank you for the maternity clothes! Recognize that top? 

Dinner last night.

Dear Miss T,

Because of our conversation yesterday, all I wanted for dinner was Papa Murphy's pizza. So look what we got for dinner. Too bad ours doesn't have Tuesday deals like yours does. But there was a $2 off coupon for the stuffed meat lover's pizza, so we did it. Did you end up having pizza last night too? 

Thank you for introducing us to this epic pizza. 

Love from,

Always hungry. 

You Know You're a Boy Mama When... (part 1)

Dear KK,

You know you're a BOY Mama when...

Your life revolves around pee and poop.

Case in point:

T Bear draws himself and his stools in his church primary picture.

Cub brags about the size of his accomplishments in the toilet.

The only way I can get the boys to help me with Little Grizzly is to tell them that his stinky diapers will explode on them if they don't put them in the garbage in 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1!

Cub tells me he likes to pee fight with T Bear.  My reaction: WHAT!!!! Big D's reaction: lots of suppressed chuckling.

I could probably go on, but I know I shouldn't.  I am sure Miga is not even reading this anymore because it is so disgusting.

But this is life right now.

I am a mother of boys.

-Miss T

Reunion with Seattle friends!

Dear Miss T,

You know what you are good at? Sharing. Especially when it comes to sharing your friends.  Remember when I first lived with you in Seattle after I got back from Hawaii? That was actually when this whole blog thing started for real. (http://whitechristmassisters.blogspot.com/2010/07/together-again.html ) And that was when you really shared your friends to a friendless (at least in that location) me.

Well that summer you shared your house, your food, your job, your child, and your friends with me. One set of friends you shared with me happened to visit Salt Lake last night, and I had the privilege of taking them around Temple Square a little. It took me back to the days of being a temple visitors' center missionary, and I remembered so vividly when I ached to return to Hawaii. Especially in those days when I was first introduced to these friends, the Love Family we will call them, because we love them! 

It was so fun to walk the sacred grounds and let the Love family know that the temple is a symbol of eternity, and that we are a part of eternity and through God's power our families can be part of eternity too. What a fun family they are, and what a treat to see the way those kids have grown. I have pictures for proof.

They said to pass their love on to you.

Love, Aunty Kk (as they still called me)

Make Way For Ducklings

KK-

We had another summer afternoon of projects from our Mother Goose Time box.  This time it was about ducks.  The kids made duck head bands and then put baby ducks on a string to lead around the yard.  They was a lot of happy quacking going on.

I ran in the house to find the book Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey.  This is a great book (which if you ask me, there are some really lame children's books out there).

I just have to share the section of the book that made me smile.

"'Don't you worry,' said Mrs. Mallard. 'I know all about bringing up children.' And she did.

She taught them how to swim and dive.

She taught them to walk in a line, to come when they were called and to keep a safe distance from bikes and scooters and other things with wheels."

Right now I feel like I am trying to be Mrs. Mallard.  As I waddle along, I have my three little ducklings.  They still need to learn to walk in a line and come when they are called.  And I wish I knew  "all about bringing up children."  But I will just fake it until I make it.

Maybe I should have named my children like Mrs Mallard.  She named her ducklings: Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack.

Now we need to go feed the ducks to make our learning experience complete!

-Miss T

Best High School Reunion Ever

Dear KK-

I don't know if you will choose to go to your 10 yr high school reunion or not.  When mine came, I choose not to go.  I was extremely pregnant, and just really not in the "mood."

Well, this week I got to have the best high school reunion ever.  I had a lot of great friends in high school.  I had a lot of best friends, but there was one group of friends that are dear to my heart. 

It has been over 10 years since we all have been together in one place.  We had a great time laughing and talking over pizza for a girl's night.  And the next night we had a family picnic with some other friends from high school too.  Between the six of us we have: 6 husbands, 14 kids, and live in 4 different states (including Hawaii!).

I think Andi's comment sums it up the best, "Some friends just feel like home."

Love these girls!  I know you do to.

-Miss T