Maxine's Little Buddy

Maxine has a great friend here in Chicago. Her little buddy Oliver. They do everything together.

They go for rides.

They climb and crawl.

They wear raincoats for the first time.

They destroy sand castles.

They bother each other.

Oh friends. We'll miss you Oliver!

I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus

This morning our apartment was loud. It was filled to the ceiling with the yelling of a one year old. Perhaps her teeth hurt. Or she was tired. Maybe she had no reason at all. Whatever was going on in her head was making her frustrated and the only way to communicate that with us was to yell, loudly, and over and over.

Seth said calmly to her, "Maxine, we do not yell in the house."

I told her, "Maxine, if you keep yelling you will have to lay in your bed to calm down."

Unfortunately, she's 1 and those statements, nor time out, worked. Not that the next one did either.

I'm making Seth's lunch and she's standing next to me yelling. I picked her up and thought, 'Why is yelling so bad besides it annoys us? What is a better reason to not yell?' Then I instantly thought of love. I told her, "Maxine, Dad doesn't yell at Mom. Mom doesn't yell at Dad. Neither of us yell at you. And it's because we love each other."

Then it became even more clear why we don't yell. "Maxine. Heavenly Father and Jesus don't yell at us or each other. They love us! I want to be like Jesus. Don't you? One way is not to yell." The Children's Hymn 'I'm Trying to be Like Jesus' popped into my head and I started singing it to her. Seth soon joined in too. I got a little teary singing, "I'm trying to love as He did, in all that I do and say."

Maxine looked bewildered at both of us singing. I gave her a hug and kiss and set her down.


Then she yelled.

Well, at least I'm more committed to using a quiet voice.

Oh parenting.

Two and a Half Weeks. Incredible.

Summer, why do you go by so fast when I wait all year long for you. 

Life, why are you flying by when I just want you to slow down!

Maxine, you're so big, it's crazy, will you stay little for a bit longer?

Law School, you, my dear, can hurry along at double time. Thank you. 

Two and a half weeks!? I only have less than three weeks living here in Chicago!? I can't believe how fast it has gone. I mean, when do we ever? I love you Chicago, please, don't make me leave. I am excited to get back to Utah and see my friends and family. I have missed them. I'm excited for Seth to finish Law School and start his career helping the innocent and protecting the weak. ;) Yet, I want to stay here a bit longer. We've made a home here in this sublet apartment full of another's things. We've made friends. We have our favorite restaurants, places to go, things to see. I'll always treasure this summer and the wonderful experience it has been for our little family. I'm sad Maxine won't be able to remember her time here in the Windy City, but perhaps we'll be back someday. 

When we get to Utah, we're moving into a new apartment. That's something exciting! A new home again. If we can make this our home for 10 weeks, then for sure I can make our new place a home for at least 9 months. 

Seth will go back to school, although his semester will be a lot easier. He'll have an internship with the SEC in SLC, what great experience for him.

I'll start watching my neighbors cute little baby boy when she goes back to teaching. 

I'll still have my darling Maxine. 

It will be great and fun and comfortable and fine.

But it won't be Chicago. I'm glad I got to come here, even if it just was for the summer. 

Here's to new beginnings in 2.5 weeks! Here's to new experiences! Here's to life!!!

One Whole Year

Last weekend we celebrated Maxine's birthday. My little baby, born all chubby and red, is a whole year old. I can't hold her the way I used to, but I can chase her. I can't sleep next to her anymore, but I can put her to bed with a squeeze. I can't lay her on my bed, but I can bounce her on there. She's not quiet anymore, but she can chatter with me. 

No matter what changes have occurred and are yet to occur, I can still, and always will:

sing to her

hug her

laugh with her

read to her

be enamored by her

and forever and forever I will always love her. 

I love you my sweet little toddler. You're the apple of my eye and the joy of my life.

What a Difference a Friend Makes

For the first week while Seth was back to work, I was feeling pretty lonely. There is tons to do here in the city, but I didn't want to go with just Maxine. I love her, but she's not a great conversationalist. We mostly just stayed in the apartment...all....day.....long.

Then I got a call from a girl in my ward who said, "Hey, I'm in your ward and we live in the same building. I have an 11 month old son. Can we come up and meet you?"

Yes, that was the start of my friendship that changed Chicago for me. Honestly, I couldn't have planned where we live any better. Our kids are the same age, we're interested in the same things, she has lived here for long enough to know where stuff is and how to get there, and she's super fun.

You all know what it feels like to make a new friend. It's awesome huh? What an answer to a prayer.

 Our cute kids. Keys are so cool apparently.

 Ready to swim.

Having the best summer ever!

(Does that sound yearbooky to anyone else?)

Chicago!

Well, we made it! We're unpacked and moved into our 10 week apartment! I can already tell it's going to be hard to leave. I LOVE it here. I forgot my camera cord at home, so until it gets mailed to me I have no pictures, but our apartment is wonderful.

Here's a list of what I am most enjoying right now:

1. Beautiful park 5 minute walk away from our apartment

2. Beach and lake 5 minute walk from our apartment

3. 10 minute walk to Navy Pier, such a fun family area

4. Gorgeous 21st floor apartment viewing the city and lake

5. Wonderful weather, not too hot yet

I love love it! We're going to church tomorrow which is half an hour away, so we'll see how Maxine does. She is loving the apartment too. She just crawls around chattering to us and herself. It's wonderful. Yay for Chicago! Yay for us!!!

They Watch and Learn

Maxine is growing into the imitating stage now. It's amazing to see her grow and understand more and more each day.

Lately she has taken to talking on the phone. She'll hold it up to her ear, or the back of her neck, and talk in her high soft voice. It's incredible what they pick up from just watching us.

She's such a little doll and she's so much fun. I need to get videos of all her cute little tricks before she out grows them. She grows too fast!