A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - "Hello World"

Charlotte Marie

March 23, 2008

Tea for Two and Turning Three

IT IS AMAZING HOW CERTAIN EVENTS IN YOUR LIFE REDEFINE YOU, THE DETAILS OF WHICH YOU CAN REMEMBER AS IF THEY OCCURRED YESTERDAY.   THREE YEARS AGO I WAS IN A HOSPITAL BED, PATIENTLY ENDURING THE LONG AND LABORIOUS TASK OF LABOR.  I WAS FOCUSED AND DETERMINED AS I KNEW I WAS ONLY HOURS AWAY (OR SO THEY TOLD ME) FROM RECEIVING ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST BLESSINGS, A BABY, OUR FIRSTBORN. 

AS YOU PREPARE FOR MOTHERHOOD, YOU ARE BOMBARDED WITH ADVICE AND PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM OTHER PARENTS.  I REMEMBER HEARING REPEATEDLY THAT 1) YOU CANNOT FULLY PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE AMOUNT AND DEPTH OF LOVE YOU WILL HAVE FOR YOUR CHILD AND 2) SAVOR EACH MOMENT, FOR CHILDREN GROW SO QUICKLY.   WHILE I APPRECIATED SUCH SENTIMENTS, I DID NOT YET HAVE MY BABY GIRL AND WAS UNABLE TO FULLY GRASP THE REALITY OF THOSE TWO STATEMENTS.

THREE YEARS LATER, I AM IN AWE OF OUR LITTLE LADY AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT 1) SHE IS OURS 2) THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR HER AND SHE FOR US AND 3) THAT SHE IS THREE.  HOW IS IT THAT THE TINIEST OF HANDS CAN GROW LEARNING TO FEED, PAINT, COLOR, AND TURN THE PAGES OF A BOOK SO QUICKLY?  AND, THE SWEETEST OF FEET CAN LEARN TO WALK AND RUN, GAINING MOMENTUM AND GROWING IN INDEPENDENCE RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES?  HOW CAN TWO DARK EYES THAT INITIALLY FOCUS ONLY ON YOU SOON LEARN TO TAKE IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM, IDENTIFYING TREES, SUNSETS, AND LOCATING THE MOON.  HOW CAN LITTLE LEGS THAT ONCE ONLY SQUIRMED LEARN TO JUMP, CLIMB AND DANCE?  HOW CAN HAIR THAT WAS ONCE BLACK AND STANDING STRAIGHT UP GROW IN LENGTH AND CHANGE TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHADE OF BROWN WITH GOLDEN HIGHLIGHTS? IT HAS HAPPENED RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES, OUR PRECIOUS  GIRL BORN AT 2:55 PM WEIGHING 7 POUNDS 8 OUNCES IS NOW 32 POUNDS OF CHARISMA, CURIOSITY, CHARM, AND DRAMA - NO LONGER OUR BABY, BUT OUR LITTLE LADY.

SHE IS BOLD - ASSERTING HERSELF IN INDEPENDENCE AND WITH DETERMINATION.  SHE IS CURIOUS - ALWAYS QUESTIONING LIFE, LOOKING FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES.  SHE IS HUMOROUS - FILLING OUR HOME WITH INFECTIOUS LAUGHTER AND SILLY COMMENTARIES ON LIFE.  SHE IS DAINTY - APPETITE SMALL, LIMBS LONG AND WAIST SLENDER. SHE IS COMPASSIONATE - ALWAYS ASKING WHY ANOTHER IS SAD OR CRYING, TAKING TIME TO PAUSE WHEN ANOTHER IS HURT.  SHE IS INDEPENDENT - ATTEMPTING TO SOLVE ALL OF HER OWN PROBLEMS ON HER OWN TERMS.  SHE IS FRAGILE - HER SPIRIT IS TENDER AND SHE BRUISES EASILY.  SHE IS ENTERTAINING - OFTEN THE LIFE OF THE PARTY.  SHE IS JOYFUL - WAKING WITH A SONG EACH MORNING AND LAUGHING OFTEN.  SHE IS SPIRITED - CHALLENGING BOUNDARIES, VERBALIZING HER OPINIONS, AND STANDING UP FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES IN.  SHE IS A LEADER - OFTEN BEING THE FIRST TO VOLUNTEER, HAVE AN IDEA, OR ENGAGING OTHERS IN AN ACTIVITY.  SHE IS HELPFUL - ASSISTING ME IN THE KITCHEN, FOLLOWING ME WITH A SPONGE, FETCHING THINGS FOR HER BROTHER.  SHE IS ANIMATED - EXPRESSING HERSELF WITH LOUD VOICE, TALKING WITH HER HANDS, A SPARK IN HER EYES.  SHE IS LOVING - ALWAYS BESTOWING KISSES ON HER BROTHER, TELLING US WE ARE HER BEST FRIENDS.

SHE IS SO MUCH MORE, AND AMAZINGLY SHE IS OURS. 

SHE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM ABOVE.  FROM THE MOMENT I LAID EYES ON HER I KNEW I WAS CHANGED.  SHE HAS CHALLENGED ME IN WAYS I NEVER EXPECTED CAUSING ME TO GROW IN WAYS I NEVER ANTICIPATED.  SHE HAS ENRICHED OUR LIVES, INCREASED OUR JOY, FILLING US WITH HOPE, GRATITUDE, AND LOVE.  JEFF AND I ARE FOREVER CHANGED BECAUSE OF HER ARRIVAL THREE YEARS AGO.  WHAT A GREAT PRIVILEGE IT IS TO BE A PARENT.  WHAT A GIFT FROM THE LORD.   I AM BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR HER LITTLE LIFE AND THAT THE LORD ALLOWED US THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HER PARENTS. 

CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY TEA PARTY

ALWAYS EAGER TO BE BY MY SIDE IN THE KITCHEN

TASTING THE FRUITS (FROSTING) OF HER LABOR.

TEA PARTY ATTIRE

LET THEM HAVE TEA.

HER ONE BIRTHDAY REQUEST...A LIGHT BLUE CAKE.

(HOT PINK LADY CAKE w/ LIGHT BLUE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING - recipe from Smitten Kitchen)

IT IS HARD TO CONTAIN A 16 MOS OLD AT A TEA PARTY. 

IT IS ALWAYS HELPFUL TO HAVE A SURGEON CUT THE CAKE.

Lord, we praise you for this special little lady. 

We praise you that she is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Watch over her young life; we thank you for her health.

Grant us wisdom as parents, that we may honor you in the way we raise her.

It is our prayer that she would come to know you and serve you with her life.

Thank you for allowing us the mighty privilege of being her parents.

We give her into your care.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLOTTE MARIE!

Meatless Meal - Pizza Without the Red Sauce

THIS WAS A TASTY AND EASY MID-WEEK MEAL.  I SNICKER AT THE NAME OF THE RECIPE AS THE SAUCE IS ACTUALLY RED ONCE PREPARED; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT A TRADITIONAL RED PIZZA SAUCE.  IT WAS A PLEASING AND SUBTLE CHANGE FROM THE USUAL PIZZA FLAVORS WE SO OFTEN CRAVE IN OUR HOUSEHOLD (THAT WOULD BE EVERY FRIDAY EVENING...THANK YOU ROSATI'S!) AND, AS WITH ANY PIZZA YOU CAN BE AS CREATIVE WITH TOPPINGS AS YOU'D LIKE.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs butter, melted

1 Tbs olive oil

3 Tbs minced garlic

2 Tbs sun-dried tomato pesto (I used the "Classico" brand, which Super Target carries.)

1 tsp dried basil leaves

1 tsp dried oregano

1 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese

1 unbaked pizza crust (I used Boboli, but any crust would do.)

Toppings:

The recipe called for the following -

1 tomato, sliced

1 bunch fresh spinach, torn

1 sweet onion, sliced

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, chopped

1 (6 oz) package feta cheese, crumbled

Our pizza's toppings were -

1 tomato, sliced

3 oz crumbled feta cheese

3 oz grated Parmesan and Asiago cheese blend

salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to pizza crust package directions.

2. In a small bowl combine butter, olive oil, garlic, pesto, basil, oregano, and Parmesan cheese.  Spread mixture evenly on pizza crust.

3. Arrange toppings on pizza. Top with crumbled feta cheese.

4.  Bake according to package directions.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words - Jam Session

Madison Children's Museum

ONE OF OUR OUTINGS DURING JEFF'S VACATION WAS A TRIP TO THE MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.  I HAD BEEN WANTING TO TAKE THE LIL' LADY AND FELLA THERE FOR AWHILE, BUT KNEW THAT IT WAS A TWO PARENT TASK, NOW THAT THE LITTLE MAN IS ON THE MOVE.   WHAT A DELIGHTFUL AND WHIMSICAL PLACE IT IS!  EACH CORNER, NOOK AND CRANNY IS FILLED WITH COLORFUL AND STIMULATING IMAGES AND PLACES FOR LITTLE HANDS TO TINKER.  AS SOON AS ADMISSION WAS PAID AND COATS WERE OFF OUR CHILDREN RAN IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.  IT WAS A SWEET MORNING AND I WAS ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL THAT WE COULD EXPERIENCE IT AS A FAMILY OF FOUR. 

THIS LITTLE MAN ENJOYED THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE AT HIS OWN PACE AND CHOOSE HIS ACTIVITIES INSTEAD OF HAVING A CERTAIN LITTLE LADY PICK THEM.

CURIOUS AND CUTE.

I WISH I HAD SUCH A WINDOW AND WELL FOR THE CHILDREN TO PAINT ON.  THIS CENTER PROVED TO BE THEIR FAVORITE.  (NOTE TO SELF - PURCHASE SPRAY BOTTLE AND SQUEEGEE.)

FUTURE PAINTER?

THE WATER ROOM WAS ALSO A BIG HIT, AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN MY FIRST CHOICE OF ROOMS TO PLAY IN AS A CHILD.   THE TRICKLING WATER INSPIRED THE LITTLE LADY TO PLAY BARISTA AND MAKE "COFFEE" FOR HER DADDY.

COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.  NO MORE ENERGY FOR LIFE.

YES, THEY NAPPED WELL THAT AFTERNOON.

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

THIS HAS BEEN A WEEK OF VACATION FOR MY HARD-WORKING HUSBAND.  IT IS ALWAYS REFRESHING TO HAVE HIM HOME, AND LAST SUNDAY EVENING MY HEART WAS GIDDY WITH THE THOUGHT OF HIS UNDIVIDED PRESENCE IN OUR HOUSEHOLD.  LIFE IS JUST SWEETER WHEN HE IS AROUND.

A FEW MOMENTS THIS WEEK HAVE CAUSED ME TO PAUSE IN GRATITUDE FOR THE SPECIAL AND UNIQUE MAN HE IS, FOR OUR MARRIAGE AND FOR THE FATHER HE IS TO OUR CHILDREN.

-ALL WEEK HE HAS ENJOYED THE LUXURY OF NOT SETTING AN ALARM CLOCK, AND HAS WOKEN TO THE SWEET SOUNDS OF HIS SON EACH DAY.  WELL, BLESS JOEY'S HEART FOR HE HAS NOT RISEN BEFORE 8 AM EACH DAY (CRAZY!).  TO SEE MY SWEET MEN DESCENDING THE STAIRS EACH DAY WITH TOUSLED HAIR AND SLY SMILES HAS BROUGHT ME GREAT JOY EACH MORNING.

- ON DATE NIGHT WE DECIDED TO SEE THE MOVIE "THE FIGHTER" AT THE BUDGET THEATER.  DURING THE MOVIE A GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK ROW BEGAN SNORING LOUDLY AND FREQUENTLY.   IT BECAME QUITE THE DISTURBANCE AND PEOPLE BEGAN MOVING (IT WAS NOT A CROWDED THEATER).  AFTER ABOUT 45 MINS OF LISTENING TO HIS SNORES, JEFF QUIETLY LEANED OVER TO ME AND ASKED IF HE SHOULD GO WAKE THE MAN.  HE THEN PROCEEDED TO GENTLY WAKE THE SNORING SOUL, WHO WAS EXTREMELY APOLOGETIC AND GRATEFUL.  I LOVE THAT JEFF HAD THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT SO MANY WANTED TO DO, HANDLING IT WITH GRACE.

- ON HIS FOURTH DAY OF VACATION, I RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM JEFF THAT SIMPLY READ, "I'M HAVING SUCH A GREAT VACATION.  THANK YOU."  AT THAT POINT WE HAD NOT DONE MUCH, BUT I WAS BLESSED TO KNOW THAT HE FINDS SUCH SATISFACTION AND JOY IN THE SIMPLE MOMENTS.

- JEFF AND I DECIDED TO FUN A 5K IN MAY.  (I HAVE NEVER BEEN A RUNNER.  ALWAYS ADMIRED THEM.  NEVER WANTED TO JOIN IN THEIR FUN.)  THIS WEEK HE HAS ENCOURAGED ME AND PROVIDED ME WITH THE TIME TO "TRAIN" FOR OUR RUN.  I WOULD NOT HAVE DECIDED TO RUN A 5K ON MY OWN.  THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW MY HUSBAND CHALLENGES ME AND MOTIVATES ME.

 

- AND, THERE IS NOTHING THAT BRINGS ME GREATER JOY THAN WATCHING MY HUSBAND WITH OUR CHILDREN, HEARING THEIR GIGGLES, AND SEEING THEIR GREAT AFFECTION FOR ONE ANOTHER.

Bracketology

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?!  WELL, IN OUR HOME THIS WEEK OF MARCH HOLDS ALMOST AS MUCH THRILL AND EXCITEMENT AS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  IT IS MARCH MADNESS, BABY! 

SELECTION SUNDAY, MONDAY'S USA TODAY PAPER, ESPN'S BRACKETOLOGY, FRESHLY PRINTED BRACKETS, MECHANICAL PENCILS, THE WISE WORDS OF JAY BILAS, ALL GLORIOUS SIGNS LEADING TO THE TOURNEY'S FIRST TIP-OFF AND A TIME OF CELEBRATION (AKA MADNESS) IN THE LARSON HOME.   IT IS A TIME FOR VACATION (JEFF'S FIRST CHOICE OF VACATION WEEKS FIVE YEARS RUNNING), A TIME TO RETURN TO MILWAUKEE (HIS PARENTS HAVE THE PERFECT BASEMENT FOR VIEWING COUNTLESS HOURS OF BASKETBALL), A TIME FOR FRIENDS TO GATHER (JEFF HAS HOSTED A MARCH MADNESS PARTY EACH YEAR [MINUS THE YEAR OF OUR DAUGHTER'S BIRTH WHEN WE WATCHED GAMES IN THE HOSPITAL] SINCE MEDICAL SCHOOL), A TIME FOR FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL! 

TUESDAY NIGHT

THE LITTLE LADY'S FIRST BRACKET - TAKING HER SCRIBBLES VERY SERIOUSLY.

OUR VERY OWN MARCH MADNESS PRINCESS.

BY THE LOOKS OF IT, SHE IS VERY CONFIDENT IN HER FINAL FOUR.

ON WISCONSIN.