Save it for Sunday | 7.29.18

Summer Throwback

Owens Family Visit (June 14-16, 2018)

The fact that Mark and Michelle flew all the way from Italy with a newborn and squeezed us into their first visit to show off their new baby deserves a standing ovation. We feel so blessed that our friendship is treasured by them just as much as theirs is by us. No matter how much time has passed, we always slip right back into such an incredibly happy groove with the Owens. It feels so much like family time with them. They swoon over and care for our kids as if they were their own, and you know perfect little Cole stole our hearts completely. One of my favorite moments of their visit happened right away. Brad's first time holding Cole during our first morning together, Cole slipped right into a peaceful morning nap in his arms without any bouncing, rocking, pacing, patting, shushing, or any effort at all. The smile on Brad's face was definitely an I've-still-got-it dad smile. While we ate breakfast he snuck away to the comfiest corner of the couch to catch a nap with Cole. The next day I got to embrace my own Cole snuggles. Harvey was a little miffed at the sight of me holding another handsome little man. Originally I had thought we might not get to meet Cole until he was a few years old, so this chance to bond was beyond anything we could have hoped for. 

We've been on so many Colorado hikes at this point that the details of them honestly start to blend together a bit. We chose a hike to take the Owens on that was probably a bit too challenging. The first two miles are basically straight uphill, but they totally rocked it! We were so proud of them. It turns out chocolate chips cookies at the top of a mountain taste even better shared with some of your best Army friends. Our five year wedding anniversary happened to fall during their visit too. The boys managed a sneaky detour on our way home from hiking to surprise me with a scrumptious, huge carrot cake. Brad specifically ordered Spartan colors, five layers to commemorate five years, and a snarky quote on top. As he so often reminds me, "I always have to go for the laugh." When I first read it I didn't get what was so funny about it. Maybe because I truly do consider myself a very lucky wife? Don't let the lack of a posted throwback wedding picture or sappy sentiment shared fool you. I am the happiest I have ever been in our marriage. Newlywed life is great, but it is the grit of a few years and some tough times under your belt that really shows you what you have to be thankful for. Brad is the best out there and he is all mine. I am not just a very lucky wife, I am the luckiest wife!

When we were all living in Missouri, Mark and Michelle were over at our house at least a few nights each week. They would help us with bath and bedtime, and we would enjoy dinner, a favorite TV show, piñata construction, or board games together afterwards. Those who have been to Fort Leonard Wood know it is not about what is there (ahem, nothing) that creates your happiness, but it is all about who is there. Not even 5,000+ miles across an ocean could change the value of this friendship. It felt just like the good ole' Fort Lost in the Woods days. Not even a game defeat could bring us down. The rivalry is real. I'll get you next time, Mark! 

The Highlights

An ice cream truck has been making rounds in our neighborhood all summer, and of course Eloise has been dying to visit it, but the timing has just never been right. As we were putting shoes on for a walk I heard the ice cream truck jingle. I told Eloise to grab her money (Uncle Josh snuck her a $20 bill when he was here) but tried to prepare her big preschooler emotions by telling her it sounded like it might be driving away. As we were walking down the driveway the ice cream truck turned onto the street that runs straight into our house and headed right for us. The excitement could not be contained! I am pretty sure the driver could have seen her mega smile from miles away as she waved and wiggled. The Tweety Bird popsicle she chose was her second investment with the money from Uncle Josh, the first being lettuce to feed the giraffes at the zoo. She radiates pride when she gets to buy something with her very own money. The sweet driver got the biggest kick out of her and asked if she wanted to sit in the drivers seat and play the jingle. Day made. I love seeing the world through her eyes. Even the smallest joys are a big deal to her, and I think that is the way life is meant to be lived. We have so much to learn from these littles.

This was honestly the first week since our Michigan trip that we've felt nearly normal. Some of the best moments of our week were just being back with our friends. There is a new coffee and smoothie truck called Camp Coffee that parks at the entrance to our neighborhood every morning. It is run by two awesome moms, and it is divine. This week we loaded up the strollers and walked from our house to Camp Coffee. Mamas loaded up on caffeine and the kids all got smoothies, then we enjoyed our treats at the park. It was such a pleasant morning we are making it a once a week ritual. Even more friends are joining us this Tuesday, and I am already really looking forward to it. Camp Coffee is quickly looking like it might become the Colorado Springs version of our weekly "donut walk" stroller brigade I so loved in Missouri. On Saturday night Brad treated me to a girls night out. He said, "Woah, party animal!" as I walked through the door way past my usual mom bedtime. This was exactly my kind of party. Sweatpants, drinks, and desserts on the couch with good friends. A night perfectly spent. 

This last highlight is still a work in progress, but it is one I am excited about. We are officially on the hunt for a church home. I have been really eager to find a community we love, and my friend Courtney has been inviting us to join them at the church the love since May. It is too easy to find a million excuses to stay lazy on Sunday mornings, but we finally took her up on it today. The music and message was incredible, and the care and education for kids blew us away. It is much more of a modern, nondenominational service than Brad and I are used to, but I don't think we are ready to rule out something more this route yet. There were so many thought provoking points the pastor made that really hit home, so much so that I found myself wishing I had brought something to take notes. Eloise has shown a lot of interest in prayer and in the Bible stories lately. She made a megaphone craft in her class with the intention to shout God's word for all to hear. She has been bouncing around all afternoon belting, "Jesus loves you!" We went out to breakfast as a family afterwards, and we all agreed it was a really positive experience. I am looking forward to seeing how things blossom as we try a few more places and make a decision. 

The Small Moments

We have had the strangest weather here this week. Every single day has been an identical pattern of sunshine in the morning and big summer thunderstorms in the afternoon. I love thunderstorms so I have actually been really enjoying it, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree because Eloise does too. Her beloved rain boots have seen daily puddle jumping action this week. True to Harvey's character as we have noted so far, he is not a fan. Forever my sensitive, cautious dude. I think it is wild to see how siblings can have such different personalities. We can already tell each of them will take on and react to life in a totally unique way, and it will surely keep us on our toes. 

Every so often I like to lay my head on Eloise's chest as we are doing bedtime hugs, songs, and kisses. I love to hear her little heart beating. It amazes me every time. Well she finally thought to ask what her weirdo mom was doing. When I told her I was listening to her heart beat, she naturally asked to listen to mine. Now as a part of our bedtime ritual, we tell each other what our hearts sound like. That moment of stillness and quiet with her freshly washed curls on my chest is something I try to soak into the core of my memory bank. 

I used to be good at just spending the entire day at home. For some reason lately I need to fill our mornings. Afternoons are enjoyed here at home, but I get such an itch to get up, dressed, and out of the house in the morning. One day this week we went on a Barnes and Noble date. I love taking them just to read a stack of new books, plus ours has a great kids area with a stage, a huge train table, and plenty of tools for imaginative play. As we were leaving, I noticed Harvey had sneakily stashed a train in the stroller. I was beginning to explain to him that we don't steal what isn't ours (because you know 18-month-olds can totally comprehend these things) but stopped mid-lecture. To all of my mom friends of train loving little boys...how come nobody told me there is a Thomas the Train character named Helpful Harvey?! And how can I be mad at the dude for attempting theft on a train that literally has his name written on it? It was such a spooky coincidental moment that made me smile. We did put it back, as good samaritans do. I did add a full size Helpful Harvey toy to his Amazon Christmas wishlist as soon as we got home, as good moms do. 

The Ways We Grew

Eloise and her best pal Eef, our friends Meggie and Ian's son, have become pen pals since we moved apart. She created quite the masterpiece of stick figure Eloise and Eef to include in her latest letter. Out of the blue this genius child of mine writes her name. WRITES HER NAME! Just like that. She has been practicing tracing letters and connecting dots to form letters, but there has been no official free form letter writing up until this pivotal moment. Man is it cool to see them reach big intellectual milestones at this age. Also of note, she requests to take and thoroughly enjoys showers instead of baths now. Good grief, she is practically a teenager. 

Harvey shocked us all by walking up to the toilet one evening as we were prepping for bath time and demanded, "Poop. Potty." You better believe I sat him on that royal throne in a jiffy. He mostly just thinks its funny up there. And I made the mistake of letting him unwind the entire toilet paper roll once just to hear his belly laughs. Now it is of course his favorite pastime. In all seriousness I have heard boys and second borns are easier and earlier to potty train. Here's to hoping?

The Eloise-isms

"Excuse me." (After burping) "Oh my gosh. That was a Cheerio burp!"

"Look! It's a car on skis!" -- Every single time we pass a car dealership next to the highway that has a car elevated and tipped forward on a lift. 

"Mom, what is this song called?" -E
"Rhythm of love." -Me
"Who sings it?" -E
"The Plain White T's." -Me
"Oh. Sounds just like 'blackbird singing in the dead of niiiight'" -E
*Laughing hysterically* -Me
"That's a Beatles song, mom." -E

"Nooo! Someone was a litterbug!" -- Watching an empty pop can blow through a parking lot. She was hysterical and begged me to catch it so we could properly dispose of it. I did, which deserves a medal. Those of you who have experienced Colorado Springs wind know what I mean. 

And one Harvey-ism too for good measure this week:

"Pizza. Yummy." -- Atta boy.

Have a great week ahead!

Save it for Sunday | 7.22.18

Do me a favor and don't look back at my last post to count the number of weeks I have been slacking. When I said our busy summer schedule might slow my writing down I guess I really wasn't kidding. Truth be told, I could fill a novel or two with the amount of goodness the past few weeks have held. Our flurry of fun hit at just the right time and filled my love meter way past the brim. I am going to include a summer throwback section for quite a few Sundays to follow in order to properly document the joy of each event, visitor, and trip I've missed writing about.

Summer Throwback

Papa and Grandma Sue's Visit (June 7-11, 2018) + Eloise's Dance Recital (June 9, 2018)

When my mom and dad come to visit, I usually have a long list of projects to work on together. In the past my mom has helped me organize, hang pictures, and furnish our guest bedroom. My dad has built furniture, installed window well covers, and fixed whatever needs fixing. This time around I decided I wanted to do things a little differently. We went to the Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and we dined at a handful of our favorite restaurants around town. I really enjoyed giving them the royal tourist treatment they deserve. When they booked this trip, my parents didn't know yet that they would be celebrating their first weekend of retirement! It was wonderful to see the sparkle in both of their eyes and relaxation in their stress-free smiles as they talked about how excited they are for the next chapter together.

My dad's favorite animal has always been giraffes. The first thing you see at our incredible local zoo is an up close and personal giraffe exhibit. The walkway is built at their eye level, so they can walk right up and eat lettuce leaves right out of your hand. Eloise could not wait to bring Papa to her zoo to feed the giraffes, and the experience did not disappoint. I loved watching my dad grinning like a kid while feeding and petting the gentle giants. Just as we were all about tapped out at the zoo, we walked by the carousel. Who in their right mind puts a carousel at the very end of a zoo?! You know every overly exhausted, hangry, sweaty kid is going to have a total melt down if they don't get to ride it. Mine sure did. Grandma Sue being the saint that she is decided she could muster enough energy to take Eloise for a ride. I'll let the smile speak for itself here. The funniest part was that as soon as her foot stepped back on non-carousel ground she was whining and crying again. Carousels and grandma love are pure magic.

If you had asked me this spring what I thought my child would do on stage during the big recital I might have had some guesses. Pick her nose. Wave at us. Pick imaginary dandelions. Yawn. An entirely different dance than the choreographed one. Twirl in circles. Absolutely nail it? My kid? No way. SHE NAILED IT. Well, in the three-year-old sort of way. She never stopped dancing and her moves were about 70% on target. Success! I was beaming like a fool the entire time. It was the icing on the cake that Papa and Grandma Sue got to be there. Earlier that day my mom and I went together to pick out flowers to give to our star after the show. My mom spent a very long time choosing just the right bouquet. She didn't want it to overwhelm her, and she wanted it to look good with her costume colors. When the lights went out after the dance before Eloise's, she leaned over with tears in her eyes and said, "I'm nervous!" And I think my dad was just happy to be there to initiate Brad into the dance dad club. He has earned his VIP badge after sitting through too many 3+ hour shows of mine growing up, with one of those massive camcorders from the 90's on his shoulder to boot. It was really special to have my parents with us.

After the recital we went out to dinner with our closest dance friends. Eloise and Addi will be in the same class again this fall and are playing soccer together this summer too. It was nice to see the dads finally meet after the moms had spent countless Tuesday mornings at the studio getting to know each other. Gaining such sweet family friends was a gift I hadn't expected to walk away with when I signed Eloise up for Tippy Toes in January. And last but not least, remember the high anticipated full stage chasse at the end of the dance? They cut the lights!! The audience missed out on the cutest stage exit ever. We were in the third row or so (first time dance mom right here) so we could still see her in the ambient lighting. They had just put out floor mats for the next act. All of the other girls just turned and scampered off in a herd of tiny dancers, but not Eloise! She chassed her little heart out on that dark stage, straight into the edge of the mats and splat on the floor. My mama heart was just a little relieved that they did cut the lights for their exit after all. If you ask her what her favorite part of the recital experience was though, she will proudly proclaim, "My chasse!"

I caught a quiet moment at the park between my dad and Eloise on camera that I think will go down in family history as a forever favorite. I cannot think of anyone I'd rather entrust with the task of teaching my daughter the importance of just laying in the grass to watch the clouds go by than my own dad.

The Highlights

Simply put: just being home. We got back from a two week trip to Michigan on July 12, and we had four sets of visitors between Memorial Day weekend and the end of June. The last left here less than 48 hours before we started our drive east. I have to share a picture of this sign that caught my eye at the beachside carousel in my hometown in Michigan. We had an amazing first half of our summer, but I am ridiculously thankful to be home. A standard day for us now includes maybe a morning activity or playdate with the rest of it spent in the sunshine of our own backyard. Popsicles almost always in hand. Time to refocus, refresh, and catch our breath.

"If I ever go looking for my heart's desire I won't look any further than my own backyard!"

In Michigan we spent time with two wonderful couples that are close to our hearts. We visited with Brad's cousin Lauren and her wife Ashley in Chicago and with my parents' best friends Glenna and Marsha in Saugatuck. Eloise asked me so innocently if they were best friends. When we got home on Thursday night there was a tiny segment of a very vibrant rainbow right in our backyard. Right after I mentioned to Brad that I wanted to start talking to her about our LGBT family and friends I noticed that weekend was the Pride festival in Colorado Springs. We had to go! We all enjoyed the festival fun and the kids loved collecting rainbow beads and waving their new flag, but I am not really sure it did much in terms of education. We did pick up two books (A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo and And Tango Makes Three) though that have really opened her eyes to what it's all about. They stories are cute, age appropriate, and have sparked even more questions from her. It really feels like an honor to teach her that in our house we know love is love. If anyone out there has more book recommendations I would love to hear them.

Eloise started soccer! When I asked to snap a quick first day of soccer picture before she ran down to the field, without hesitation she jumped into the final pose of her recital dance. Girlfriend might have her extracurriculars it bit mixed up. She is having a blast, and I can't say enough good things about Colorado Springs Soccer Buddies so far. Coach Connor runs drills that are somehow morphed into silly little concepts and games that are well suited for the chaos that is preschooler soccer. I am convinced the most perfect way to spend Friday mornings now is at the park with the other moms and younger siblings listening to giggles and squeals from the field. There may or may not be a post-soccer donut treat tradition forming that I am a big fan of too.

Thinking of donuts makes me think of the poolside deep freezer stocked full of ice cream treats at Brad's parents house. When I say we indulged in Michigan, I mean we indulged. It was heavenly, but once we got home we knew we needed to get back on track. Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table each night has always admittedly been a real struggle for me. I decided to try Skinnytaste's weekly meal plan this past week, and it was a huge success. Of the six dinner meals I made, four are definitely repeater recipes. My kids, who usually turn their nose up at any meat that isn't chicken or hot dogs, scarfed down halibut. Brad ate three, yes three, of the hawaiian teriyaki burgers and licked his plate. It felt really good to welcome him home from another crazy day of work to a warm, well rounded meal each night. Best part? She literally creates the entire week's grocery list for you. All you have to do is screenshot or print it off. Our tastebuds and my hatred of meal planning tells me this almost seems too good to be true, so I knew I had to share.

The Small Moments

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is Harvey's most favorite book. We have made it into a game to put it back in a different spot on bookcases around the house and watch him find it. No matter where we put it, he scans the book spines until it is in his chubby little hands. "Boom boom. Book. Read." I cannot get enough.

Eloise did a three day dance camp when we first got home that ended with a hip hop (!) performance on the final day. Daddy's girl really wanted Brad to come (he can't say no to her pout), so he drove to the studio on his lunch break but missed it by minutes. She was just thrilled to see him there and my heart was grateful for his effort knowing how busy his days are. At lunch together we ran into one of my coaches from a group fitness program I did at Fort Leonard Wood. They are moving from Missouri to California and made the Springs a pitstop. Sarah has such a positive light and energy to her. Seeing someone you value so unexpectedly like that really has a way of making your entire day. As if I wasn't already riding a happy high, as we were eating a cute old man stopped by our table to thank Brad for his service and say how much he enjoys seeing a soldier out with his beautiful family. Ten minutes later he came back with an entire cake from the bakery next door and asked us to please accept it as a gift. Small acts of random kindness are always such a welcome reminder that there are still plenty of good people in the world.

I claim the goon on the end

In the car the other day, Eloise starts babbling on and on excitedly that she saw Santa Claus. I am in the front seat doing as moms do. Nodding my head, telling her how great that is, zoning out, thinking she either saw a billboard for the North Pole amusement park near us or is daydreaming about last Christmas. Finally in a full blown scream she is like, "MOM! LOOK!" I turn my head and there is Santa. In a short sleeved button up, red suspenders, the classic red hat with white fur lining, full beard, sitting in the driver's seat of a red convertible next to us at a stoplight. I mean this was the real Santa you guys. Not just an old man with a big white beard. By this point I am shrieking even louder than Eloise. It was hysterical and so unexpected in the middle of July. I definitely look twice now when she tells me what is outside her window.

I think everyone is well aware by now that I am in love with our backyard. On one of our first mornings back we had the full herd of cows grazing back there. I ran into Eloise's room with Harvey in tow to open the windows and say hi. It is one of their favorite morning rituals. Eloise sat on the window sill with fresh air blowing her fresh bedhead. Harvey shouted, "Moo! Cow! Moo! Cow!" over and over again from my arms. We noticed bright yellow, wild sunflowers peeking over the fence that were not there when we left for Michigan. We have since learned they are native to Colorado, and I know I will look forward to their return every summer we are here. It was a simple, happy moment that I have cherished all week long.

The Ways We Grew

Harvey is pointing and labeling literally everything. I swear he has a handful of new words every day. Puppy. Kee Kaa (kitty cat). Ooh Ooh Ooh (Monkey). Zebra. Hug. Book. Boon (balloon). Dada (anytime he sees a soldier in uniform). Nack (snack or any food). Boat. Car. Cars are by far his favorite right now. This dude is all boy. If he doesn't have something with wheels in his hand scooting it across the floor his world just isn't balanced. I have also noticed he is finally to the age where he will follow my commands rather than just crying for help. He has never been brave enough to get down from our raised concrete slab of a patio on his own. In his defense, it is a toddler death trap. Yesterday I told him to sit on his bottom, and he did. I told him to roll to his belly and lower himself down, and he did. Hallelujah! Game changer. And my sweet prince kisses everything and everyone. Eloise did the slobbery, open mouthed kiss for a very long time. Not this guy. He does the full pucker up with an audible smooch sound. He kissed every single item discussed (bears, chairs, kittens, mittens, comb, brush...even the bowl full of mush) in the book Goodnight Moon last night.

And as for our Eloise. Most notably for me was the first purchase for her from the girls department at Target. She fit perfectly in the size 4-5 XS activewear capris I bought her for soccer practice. It feels like yesterday I was blown away by the realization that she no longer fit in anything from the baby section. Totally silly but still a monumental moment for me as she is seeming more and more like a little girl and less like my baby every day. Every gorgeous picture I take of her lately just reinforces that big girl status. She is also becoming quite the little artist. She loves to have me draw simple things on her magnadoodle and then try to copy it. Stick people have also entered the scene, and it is hilarious. Check out her stick figure version of Papa and Grandma Sue. Brad and I think they turned out a bit like the "poor unfortunate souls" the sea witch Ursula keeps prisoner in The Little Mermaid. My parents are very happy people, I promise!

Poor Unfortunate Souls, by Eloise Witt, age 3.5

I do believe Eloise has earned the #1 spot on Harvey's list of favorite people. If he is being picky at dinner, refusing it from his plate and from us, we ask Eloise to feed him a bite and he will gladly open wide for her. I have spent more time than I care to admit asking him to repeat his new words on camera that are my favorite to send to family. Lips sealed until the very first time Eloise asks him to say it. Little stinker! The other day while sitting on the potty Eloise asked him to say sissy and of course he immediately did. Eloise nearly fell in she was so surprised and overwhelmed with joy. Their sister-brother bond is growing by leaps and bounds, even when she makes him be the mermaid so she can be the pirate. It is so true that the greatest gift we ever have and probably ever will give them is each other.

A little bedtime yoga led by Eloise

The Eloise-isms

"Looks like they're having such a nice picnic!" -- In reference to a group of homeless men sitting together under the highway overpass.

To Harvey: "You blockhead." To Ruby: "You sly dog, you." -- Courtesy of The Peanuts Movie on repeat on our road trip.

"We all live in a hello sum marine." "Nothings gonna change my worm." -- Courtesy of The Beat Bugs soundtrack on repeat on our road trip, which I actually do highly recommend if you are looking for some kids music that won't make you pull your hair out. It is all kid versions of Beatles music.


Cheers to you for making it through all of that! And cheers to myself for diving back in and clearing the first big hurdle towards catching up. Future me with grown up babies is already thankful for these words and memories in print.