Put us in the Zoo

There's a great book by Robert Lopshire called "Put me in the Zoo" about a polka-dot animal that wants to live at the zoo. Kids love the book but sometimes it's not so great to feel as though your family is actually living the book.

You see I'm used to my cutie pie girls garnering a lot of attention when we go out. It's pretty much the way things have rolled around here since Isabelle came home almost four years ago. It was fine at first when we were basking in the glow of finally having a baby of our own and Isabelle was an infant and oblivious to it all but now it seems as though the spotlight has doubled in size with the addition of Madeleine (the new "Miss Oblivious"). I'm not talking about the attention we receive from friends and family or people I work with, I'm talking about the attention from random strangers who feel as though because our family doesn't "match" they have a right to ask a zillion questions and intrude on our family as we go about mundane family things such as running into the grocery store to grab a carton of milk.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I've got two hungry and tired little girls I need to get home, I don't have time to answer your question about 'how much my children cost'."

Or, "gee, sir, who's driving us to the airport to leave for Disneyland, now is not a good time to discuss why my child's 'mother didn't want her'."

Clearly this has been going on for a long time so why is my ire up now? Here is my latest example of people just not getting it:

Scene: Local restaurant
Objective: Quiet dinner out with the fam
Annoyance: Seated next to a party of 20 STRANGERS (just so we're clear - never seen them before in my life!)

As we're trying to sit down in our nice cozy booth we're spotted by the boldest member of the group who says, "Oooooh, look over there!" All heads turn in our direction and for the next ten minutes here are some of the comments slung our way: "Did you see that one?" "No! I'm looking at that one!" "Look at her hair!" "Can you turn her around so we can see her?" "Why don't you put her on the other side of the table so we can watch." And on and on and on. Meanwhile Isabelle, who is already very shy, is showing signs of being very uncomfortable even though I had quickly pushed her to the interior of the booth and struck up a conversation with her to keep her occupied while Jason dealt with the dog and pony show.

I'm sure these were very nice women and their comments weren't mean or even too intrusive (although the "that one" comments irked me a bit). Most of the time I don't mind answering questions or educating people about adoption - but sometimes we'd like to eat our dinner in peace! I think next time we go out we'll wear dark sunglasses and fedoras - we'll definitely be incognito then.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is always so much to be thankful for but this year (and every other year) the thing we're most thankful for is family. I could probably go on and on using elegant prose and sweet sentiment but to put it simply: there is nothing more wonderful than our amazing little girls.

"I love Thanksgiving! Food, food, food - and I'm finally not the only Butterball in attendance!"

Having Grandma and Papa here for Thanksgiving was the best!

Isabelle striking a pose. Please note the rock star guitar pinned to her dress. After its purchase a few days ago Isabelle is rarely seen without it - most likely so she can always channel Miley Cyrus.

"Is it done yet?"

Madeleine: "I smell turkey!"

Time to dig in.

I Smell Roses

Even though we're living in Husky central we're still rooting for our hometown Ducks. I had to wait until after the double OT nail biter against Arizona tonight to post this but we are stoked there's only one game standing between us and the Rose Bowl. Just don't blow it against the Beavers guys!

A Tale of Woe

It was a blustery Friday morning. I had just dropped Madeleine off at daycare and Isabelle and I were chatting peacefully as I drove her to preschool.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a kamikaze squirrel jumped out of a nearby bush and ran as fast as his legs could carry him toward the rear wheel of my monstrous van.

I tried to swerve to avoid hitting the pint-sized rodent but my efforts were in vain as I heard the inevitable bump-bump sound of wheels on fur. Things only got worse when I realized to my horror that a group of former students were watching the scene while waiting happily at the bus stop. At the time my only hope was that they hadn't seen I was the squirrel-murdering offender so I sped off, choosing instead to be a cowardly hit-and-run squirrel killer.

Looking back at how events unfolded I can only imagine that if the children did know it was me they may have thought my swerve of avoidance was actually a calculated move to rid the earth of all things fluffy and cute. And now I am no longer Mrs. Brock, beloved kindergarten teacher - I am that mean lady who kills harmless animals. Oh, if they only knew how many times I have successfully maneuvered out of the way of dim-witted animals of all sizes - my most heroic of all being the moves I used to save the life of a miniature tree frog.

To make myself feel better I will now hold up Eleanor Roosevelt as evidence that great people really do make horrible mistakes:

Here she is sporting her favorite fur coat - made from squirrels.

Happy Birthday Madeleine!

Today Madeleine turned one year old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! We had a low-key birthday at home with just the four of us. Here's a look at our day!

Mommy and Madeleine on her special day.

Serious sisters.
Silly sisters.


Time to party!

"For me?"

Madeleine had all afternoon to open her presents. What did she get? Her favorite thing - books of course!

Her favorite gift was "The Button Book" that Isabelle picked out.

Isabelle loved the decorations...

...and so did Madeleine.

After making Madeleine's favorite dinner of French Vegetable soup (Isabelle's favorite too - she said she loves it so much that she's going to marry it) and freshly baked bread it was time for Madeleine to try her first bite of cake.

"Delicious!"

"Mommy, what has happened to me?! This just doesn't seem right."

"Maybe Daddy wants some cake."

Now, in true blog fashion it's time for "the list". I've never made one before because I find it simply impossible to limit myself to just a few things I love about my children but today I will make an attempt. It's going to be hard to narrow down but we've come up with the top 12 things we love about our sweet Madeleine (one item for every month of the year):

1. I love how you play bootie with me - Isabelle (This game involves Isabelle dumping protective shoe booties used for home tours onto Madeleine's head, causing both girls to dissolve into giggles and snorts of laughter.)

2. We love how you play hide-and-seek, waiting for us to hide and then crawling as fast as you can to find us before tagging us on the head with a big smile on your face.

3. We love the crunched up face you make to show how silly you think we are.

4. We love how every morning when we come into your room you smile, clap your hands and give us a standing ovation simply for saying good morning.

5. We love your big, still-toothless smile and dimples in your cheeks.

6. We love how you've learned how to give wet, slobbery kisses (with tongue) and wave to your adoring fans.

7. I love how you crawl towards me and climb on me to say "hi". - Isabelle

8. We love how you're so mischievous and, knowing full well that you're not supposed to put things in your mouth, will slyly try to place an item in your gnashers while giving us your "I know I'm a stinker" smile.

9. We love how you love water and will splash and kick your legs in the tub, soaking yourself and everything else within a five foot radius.

10. We love how you love books and will sit patiently on Isabelle's bed listening to stories way beyond your comprehension level at bedtime.

11. We love how when you really want something you will put your head down and crawl at breakneck speed, huffing and puffing (never mind that it's usually a no-no item like the fire or Mommy's wine bottles that you desire).

12. We love how you babble so well, complete with hand motions for emphasis, that it sounds as though you're carrying on a discourse regarding the state of the world's affairs.

and #13. (let's go ahead and make it a full baker's dozen)

We love how you complete our family. At night when you're snuggled close and I'm rocking you to sleep I look down at your little face just inches from my own. Your big brown eyes look up at me while you listen intently to my whispered endearments and I feel as though my heart is so full of love for you that it might just burst. You are the perfect addition to our family and there isn't a list in the world that could truly show how wonderful you are.

Happy Birthday Madeleine!

Opening presents

There isn't a more fun playmate than Isabelle.

Happy Birthday!

"Yummmm."

Disney on Ice

Saturday night Isabelle and I headed out to the Events Center to see the much anticipated Disney on Ice starring Tinkerbell, who continues to be Isabelle's favorite Disney character. Isabelle was feeling very grown-up as Daddy and Madeleine stayed home and she got to meet up with her b.f.f. Laney and Laney's big sister Emersyn. We had seats right on the ice so everything was close up, exciting and frosty.

A quick pose before the show.

We sat through "Cars",
"The Little Mermaid"

and "The Lion King"

before Tinkerbell made her appearance in the second half finale.

It was definitely worth the wait.

Great show!

She's Got Skills

Madeleine has been working hard at learning to pull herself up, stand and take a few steps while holding Mommy's hand but it should be no surprise to anyone that the thing she is really adept at is eating. She has mastered the art of feeding herself with both hands, ensuring that if one hand is stuffing food in the other is busy picking up the next bite. She can sign "more" (we'll all admit a very important skill indeed) and enjoys being very independent while drinking from a cup. She doesn't seem to mind at all if she ends up with a soggy shirt. Of course she does let us know the warm bathtub is where she'd like to be straight after dinner.

Here she is in action (please ignore Isabelle's hacking cough in the background - we believe the piggy flu paid a visit to our house last week.)