esther's thoughts

Saturday, February 4, 2012

muy casado

It's been a very tiring few weeks. Work is insane. Got a lot going on between me working, Scott working on WOD Gear stuff, Scott working events Saturdays, and keeping up with the house. Micah has been talking more and more. Kyla is still rolling all over the place. Micah eats as much as an adult and thus stretches our food budget more than a typical 2 year old would. Kyla is getting more separation anxiety. It's hard for Scott and I to get any time to ourselves. Oh well, such is life. One day, it'll be better. But, I know these moments are so precious so I want to enjoy every moment while I still can. I love my munchkins more than anything else! Oh boy, Kyla's getting up to eat. Better go. Here are some pics for you to enjoy!

toodles,

Esther

The many faces of Kyla:

My man Micah:

Besties:

Sunday, January 22, 2012

up and down

The bug has hit the clauson household. first it started with micah. he had a really high fever for almost 2 days that wouldn't budge with medication or baths. Then I took the hit, with what seemed more like a sinus infection. Scott was next, and then Kyla with a fever. She seems to be okay now. Ugh, so not fun when it hits us all, especially with so much going on for both Scott and I with work. Work is k-razy on my end and Scott is continuing to plug away at WOD Gear, which seems only to be gaining more and more momentum.

Kyla has two teeth now! she's rolling all over the place, particularly if it means going towards her big brother. she's razzing quite a bit and really loves to eat. She really loves watching Micah, who is always dancing and singing. Since a few posts ago, we have had to put his crib back up since we were going through a period of him getting up one hundred times at bed/ nap time. I know it's just a temporary fix and we'll have to deal with it again. I just didn't feel like dealing with it now. As Kyla continues to grow, it's getting more and more manageable with the two.

Kyla is bopping up and down when we hold her so she's on her legs. Micah loooves "Blues Clues" and now says things like "idea" when he has an idea or "how bout this one?" I wonder where he gets that from. He is recognizing most of his letters and likes to spell out the words of his books. Scott and I pondered what our kids temperaments will be like. We think Micah will try to be a clown like his dad and Kyla will be the social butterfly.

OK, gotta run, here are a few fun pics for now...

hugs,

Esther

Hair setting with halmuni

Kyla, the snowwoman

Micah playing with his new firetruck on Christmas day

Micah playing with pay-do

Umma loooves Micah's hands!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Happy New Year, 2012!

It's a new year and I'm onto something. We've started talking about Micah's birthday in March, Kyla's dol (first birthday) in June. I've purchased my dad's bday gift and it will arrive BEFORE his birthday. Yahoo. I'm all about being on top of the ball this year. Well, at least I can try my best and see how far I get. Heard a great sermon about vim, strength of life and the acronym of vision, intention, and method, which can both be applied to my spiritual and physical life. I started doing CrossFit back in November and have been trying to keep up with it at least 2-3 times a week. I know that I need to take good care of myself, spiritually and physically so that I am living a full life.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

just getting around to posting this! started it in NY...

Kyla is getting so big. As we were in NY, just before she turned 5 months old, she sprung her first tooth, turned over from belly to back, starting talking with high pitch and great emphasis, started really grabbing stuff firmly, focuses on objects intently. I think she's really smart and sharp. She zeroes in on objects and after thinking about grabbing something, she will reach out quickly and grab it. For instance, as we are making her bottle, her eyes will light up and she will start panting for it. She will practically grab it with both hands and almost have it firmly enough where she can hold it herself. She has the cutest little giggle and can light up a room. She is almost always smiley (basically when she's not screaming from acid reflux) and she will make even strangers google over her. Harabuji is smitten with her and while we were in NY, he couldn't get enough of her. She has the funniest way of smiling at you and raising her eyebrows while she's smiling. That's why I think she's so sharp, she just seems to be so in tuned with what's going on.

Micah is so fun. He is starting to say his name "Mi-cah" and is talking a lot more. He says things like "octopus" and "vitamins." we're getting there :)

Saturday, November 5, 2011

It's getting coooold...

for Southern California! Howdy. It is very quiet in the Clauson house (finally!) Micah took about an hour and a half to finally fall asleep. He's now in his toddler bed and he's been doing pretty well with it, though he fell out the other night. We put cushions to break his fall and I'll give it one more time until I fork over the money for a security rail. I found him sitting on the side of his bed singing heads, shoulders, knees, and toes an hour after putting him down. He listened after the fifth time of me telling him to lie down. At the very least, he's not climbing out! Even in the morning, he'll wait for us to come get him. Must be pavlovian! I really wonder if that's the magic to the convertible beds??

Kyla is doing well. Smiling a lot, getting used to going to grandmas. Her sleep is still all over the place, but seems to be better than when Micah was this age. When she wakes up during the wee hours, that makes it tough for work days. Going back to work has been much challenging than I thought. Not that I'd imagined that it would be easy, but it's definitely overwhelming having a million things going on in your brain. I think I'm dealing with some post partum blue issues. I can sense that it's not just being sad or depressed about everything, nor is everything that is usually light and cheery experienced in such an automatic way. Scott has definitely stepped in to helping me handle things I would normally figure to take on myself. I realized that I really need to make time for working out, even though I don't have any time to spare. But, I know that is one thing that I can't get back as time goes on. Working out helps me get the energy out in a productive and healthy way. I'm tired beyond belief, but I know I have to do something to get my blood circulating!

So, I did my first CrossFit WOD. I farted, barfed, and almost passed out. Fun. I swore on my drive home that I'd never go back. Yet, the day after, you almost forget how bad it was and can't wait to go back. It is like a sick drug. I sense it. I just don't know if I can really make it work with this stage in everyone's life. We'll see.

OK, need to go fold some laundry. Hope you enjoy the pics! Note the ones where Kyla is in Micah's crib. Micah loves cuddling with Kyla. I love it.

Ciao!

Es

Post tummy time!

Dad, I can scrape the pumpkin out myself!

Where did it go?

Striking a pose

I love cream cheese!

Do the hand suck!

Big brother, little sister

Rolling around with the animals

Hugs!

Hi mamma!

Tummy time!

ohhh!

Eating my gummy snacks

little bug

Happy Halloween!

Smiles

a message to my halmuni and harabuji

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Hugs!

It is the eve of my first day back to work. It's hard to believe that my family will be without me for 10+ hours a day. That deficit will be life altering, once again. I had a pretty good week last week, getting in lots of visits with friends, hanging out on Sat. night with special ladies that I did life with once a week last year, and getting in as much hugs and kisses with my kiddos. My wish would be to stay home and take care of my family, but alas, such is not my reality for now. Interesting how I've been learning that things don't always end up the way that we envision them. Somehow, our realities don't quite pan out the way we plan or even think they will be. We often long for something else. Once again, that reminds me that our hearts and souls ache and long for something else, something bigger, something more fulfilling. Even a stay at home mom might long for different as well. Then I am quieted by the reminder that yes, our hearts do indeed long for something else and Jesus gives me hope for life that is centrally found in him who is the giver of all good things and who continuously offers gifts that I cannot find deep within myself. So, while work will be difficult I'm sure, I am thankful that I have a job and can help put food on the table while Scott plugs away at a venture that we hope and pray will give us bigger and better opportunities.

The kids are great. Kyla is starting to coo and giggle. Amazing how a 3 1/2 month old knows what funny is. Scott and Micah were doing jumping jacks, laughing away and Kyla was giggling so hard. We decided that we would try to have family giggle time every day to connect in a loving and fun way. It's only happened a few times, but hopefully we can keep doing it.

Micah is starting to talk more and more. Within the last week, he has exponentially increased his words and repeats every other thing that we say. He can now say words like, "I did it," "Kyla," "spit up," "dinner time," "ocpotus," and oh so much more. When Micah goes to give Kyla a hug, he says, "hugs." So incredibly cute. He is great with Kyla, for the most part but still tests me and throws balls or things close to her. Rascal.

I finally got Micah a real hair cut by my friend who is a hair dresser. He looks like such a big boy! He is a tank though. Scott said that Micah was running around with a 3 1/2 year old before church and Micah was much faster and sure footed than the older boy. We definitely can see where his talents lie!

OK, gotta get ready to feed Kyla one last time and prep for bed. I really hope that you are well and pray for great peace in your life. Here are some photos that will hopefully brighten your day as I know they will brighten mine tomorrow!

hugs,

Esther