Post Category → william

things i want to remember

:: the patient determination shown by Jameson as he tries to do his own buttons.

:: how William, rather than crying when he stirs at night, has started simply calling for me (in an adorable, somewhat-panicked baby voice), “ma-MA?”

:: Jameson’s pronunciation of pj’s: ja-pe’s, which must mean something in French. And for that matter, the way he says “weet”, “wit”, and “tare-fuw” instead of feet, fit, and careful.

:: William’s jubilation at being able to stand on his own. He isn’t content to just stand for us; once he gets his balance, he throws his [short, fat] arms up in the air and beams.

random

:: It’s eat-from-the-freezer week around here. We came home to a completely empty fridge (which is sparkling and white and clean, and I almost don’t want to fill it!), and have bought only staples like onions, carrots, and milk, and are enjoying lovely dinners. Turkey soup (yum, yum, yum). A huge pot of [loosely interpreted] bolognese. And — oh yes, get this — a whole pumpkin pie I made for Thanksgiving but then froze. That is a treat worth finding in your freezer.

:: I went for a walk this evening. My sister, over the phone, laughed at the ridiculous idea of someone back home taking an evening walk. They’d be found dead the next morning, buried in a snowbank. Not here, though. And I can’t decide how I feel about that. I know I’m supposed to love the green lushness and refreshingly cool and yet balmy air. But there’s a part of me that really likes the PAUSE of a snowed-in January. Doesn’t everyone need to just slow down for a few months each year? I guess not here.

:: Our trip back was, of course, an episode. We spent in the night in Toronto, due to bad weather and delayed flights. William was throwing up both days. And then, hours after we arrived back home, Jameson, me, and even Ryan succumbed to the same tummy bug. Needless to say, the house was chaos. Five days later, the laundry is finally done, and the last suitcase was put away today. Ahhh.

:: Jameson will, at any given moment of the day, suddenly sigh and ask, “Why aren’t we at Nana and Papa’s house?” He had so much fun.

:: When Mom asked me what our family wanted for Christmas, I knew the answer almost immediately (and I never, ever know what I want): children’s songbooks. She got us three of them, and we’ve spent the last two mornings singing away. Well, I sing and play piano while William drums on the couch and howls, and Jameson switches back and forth between his “drum set” and tennis racket guitar. They love it and keep asking for more.

:: My favorite gift was some very cool vintage fabric from Julia. I’m going to wait for just the right inspiration before I cut into that cloth.

:: Some friends and I are going to see Sherlock Holmes on Saturday. It’ll be the first time I see them in a month. I can’t wait.

trimming a tree

Two days later, we decorated the tree. My siblings brought all of the boxes down from the attic, and my dad got to work stringing lights and garland. We played Christmas music and got right to the business of being festive. Jameson hung his share of ornaments and had a blast. Even William had fun. We ate our first round of Christmas cookies and breathed deeply of sweet piney air. And when we turned off the lamps, lit candles, and gazed at the tree, we didn’t even mind that it’s the tiniest little thing we’ve ever had. ‘Cause it’s still beautiful, and mostly, it’s still special.

getting a tree

Two weeks ago, we spent the morning trekking through mud and muck to find a Christmas tree. It was our first morning in New York, and I couldn’t think of a better way to start our visit than with a family outing full of slips and spills, group decision (ack!), fresh country air, and cold cheeks. William cried most of the time, but the rest of us loved it.

(And probably my favorite picture of all is the one where Jameson is following his Papa. He shadows him everywhere and likes to know exactly where Papa is at all times. So cute.)