Gramma's Ring

So, you might remember that both of my grandmas passed away last fall -- my Gramma Johnson in September and my Grandma Bickley just three weeks later in October. For no particular reason at all, I've been missing both of them quite a bit lately. No one is quite as excited to see you or hear about your day like your grandma. My Gramma J. for sure was always such a good listener and a source of unconditional encouragement. Of course, I miss her and all that encompassed who she was, but I also miss the way I felt when I was with her: important; cherished; adored. We all need to feel like we're at the top of someone's list every now and then, and my Gramma made me feel that way every time I saw her. My Grandma B. had a faith unlike anyone I've ever known. While she was alive, I didn't really understand her, and I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't seek to know her or ask her about why she believed the things that she did. For reasons that are too lengthy for this particular post, the last few months have been extremely spiritually challenging for me. I have a lot of questions and a lot of anxiety that I just know she could've helped me work through. I think we could've really bonded over that conversation, and I'm genuinely sad that we will not ever have that opportunity (although she left her Bible full of handwritten notes and passages that I would love to read through someday).

When my Gramma J. died, she left me her emerald ring. I feel so blessed and honored to be entrusted with this treasure; certainly, it has great monetary value, but more importantly, it holds great sentimental value for all of us who loved her because it was one of her favorite and most worn pieces of jewelry. She designed it sometime in the 80's with a jeweler here in Portland who has become a family friend throughout the years. I have dozens of specific memories of my Gramma wearing her emerald ring, and I can vividly recall what it looked like on her individual hand. I have always admired it, but it was quite a few sizes too big for my finger and looked a bit awkward on my hand. I would've happily gazed at it in my jewelry box every day, but it most likely would not have ever left my bedroom. My mom, however -- true to her creative and generous nature -- offered to take me to the same jeweler who designed the ring in the first place and have it redesigned with all of its original elements to suit my hand and my taste. Fabulous. Just fabulous. Given our current stage of life, it would've been 15 or 20 years before we could've justified such an expense. It is by no means a necessity, but I'm so grateful to my parents for continuously treating me to the "un-necessities" of life -- they are never lost on me. The completed ring was delivered to me today, and just look at how beautiful it is:

I am thrilled with it. My mom is thrilled with it. And I really think my Gramma would be thrilled with it, too. I love that this gold and these jewels encircled her finger for nearly 30 years. It's beautiful and sparkly, and I get all girly and giddy looking at it dance around on my hand, but I just love that it was hers...and I hope someday that my grand-daughter will feel it encircling her finger and smile at its beauty and feel the same way.

Snapshots

For the last two months, we've had a heck of a time with Madelyn at bedtime. She's never been a great sleeper, necessarily, but she at least was always able to fall asleep on her own relatively quickly. Since Kurt was laid off and things went all topsy-turvy on her, however, she's been laying awake in her crib -- talking, singing, scolding her stuffed animals -- for up to two hours every night. I'm sure this is just her way of processing everything that's been going on around here; we certainly don't feel like we act stressed around her, but children are quite perceptive. We wind her down with dim lighting and stories and have removed everything potentially distracting from her crib, but the little rascal finds ways of MacGyver-ing toys in there! I'm not sure what transpired with these tutus before she finally fell asleep, but this is how we found her just before we went to bed.

Kurt ran the Shamrock Run 15k a week ago and did an awesome job. He beat the time he was hoping for like it took no effort at all even though I'm confident that it did. Maddie and I went down to cheer him on and enjoy a beautiful spring morning, and she was so confused. We knew where he was going to be at approximately what time, but we ended up standing in the same place for about 20 minutes before he eventually ran by. She kept asking me, "Mommy, where are all these people running?" I told her they were just running for the sake of running which only seemed to confuse her more (I share her confusion, actually, which might explain my sub-par answer; while I certainly admire runners and get a jog in every now and then, running is not at all my exercise of choice). Then, despite our looking, we didn't even see Kurt approaching us. He saw us and yelled our names as he ran by, so we yelled "Yay Daddy! Go Daddy!" and then it was done. You can understand why she would have difficulty understanding what all the fuss was about. Nevertheless, we all had a great time, and we're very proud of our runner-for-the-sake-of-running.

This photo (of Mimi and Maddie) was taken just yesterday at the opening of our local farmer's market. We LOVE our farmer's market and are so excited to once again get to visit it once a week. The one we frequent (at Esther Short Park in Vancouver) is just awesome. Tons of farmers, artists, street performers, and food carts right next to a gorgeous park with a huge playground and a water fountain -- a one-stop adventure for a Saturday morning. Yesterday, we met Mimi and Auntie Kari there and had a great time. We picked up some carrots and a few Pink Ladies and treated ourselves to a waffle. Delicious. So happy that spring is here. We joined a CSA this year, too, and get to pick up our first box this Tuesday afternoon, so we'll let you know how that goes. Happy Spring to each of you!

Monkeys and "Hippopopamuses"

Here are a couple of videos for you that show off two of our favorite sides of Madelyn's personality:

In choosing a "monkey" theme for her bedroom before she was born, we had no idea how accurately this animal would fit her personality. Madelyn is on the move all the time. She loves to run, jump, dance, skip, bounce, drum, tap, twirl, and wiggle. We try to keep her as active as possible because she will literally run laps around the living room (or just stay up talking and singing in her crib until 10:00) if we don't. We recently cleaned up the basement and put a rug down there and some of her louder, busier toys. It's been a life-saver for rainy, no-park days.

Madelyn has always loved the book But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton. Lately, however, she likes to "read" along with us, and oh my goodness, it is the cutest thing ever. I LOVE the way she says "hippopotamus." Some day, when she actually says it correctly, we will be so sad. Also, about 3/4 into the book, listen for her to excitedly exclaim "It's the same!!" This is her new favorite phrase, and she says it the same way every time. She loves to find things that are the same (color, shape, size, etc.) and she is amazingly observant.

Sparse Posting

In case you wonder where we are in the next few weeks, this is what's going on:

Mr. Mom and The Sugarmama

Nevertheless, we have managed to take a few photos:

Riding a pony at our local indoor playpark where we go at least once per week. Love NoPo, baby :)

Madelyn is obsessed (truly) with window clings. These ones are from Auntie Kari. So cute!

Not really sure what's going on here, but the monkey seems to be riveted.

Reading to her friends in her crib one afternoon.

Madelyn finally got to legitimately use her umbrella. Banner day!