This week Christine and I witnessed Cosette's first steps, but not at the same time. You might ask how this is possible. Well Christine witnessed Cosette's first step, and I witnessed Cosette's first steps. On Tuesday while I was at work Cosette took her first step for Christine. She did it at least once a day. But poor daddy didn't get to see it. I was hoping all day Saturday that I would get to see her try to walk. Nothing doing. Then, this morning I was treated to 3 complete steps in a row. This time mommy wasn't around. Since then Cosette took 2 steps twice during Sunday School and 3 steps during Priesthood Mtg. Poor mommy, she still hasn't seen Cosette take more than one step at a time. I don't think that will last for long.
Cosette has been doing this all on her own. For some time she has been walking along furniture, but now she'll stand up wherever she is and start walking.
We don't have any video of her walking yet. So far she hasn't cooperated for the camera. I'm sure that will change soon. She'll be running in no time.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Thoughts on my father from 7-year-old me
I thought it was only fair that both my mother and father should get to read what I wrote about them in second grade.
So here you go, dad!
On a page where I was asked to describe each family member, next to Father I wrote He's funny and he's a good father to me
And on a page where I was asked to describe people that I admire, I wrote
I admire My Dad because he is kind, nice, loving, and understading. My dad helps me with my problems. And he cudles up with me when I'm scared. He's also very handsom (I think so.)
Happy Father's Day, Dad! Love you!
So here you go, dad!
On a page where I was asked to describe each family member, next to Father I wrote He's funny and he's a good father to me
And on a page where I was asked to describe people that I admire, I wrote
I admire My Dad because he is kind, nice, loving, and understading. My dad helps me with my problems. And he cudles up with me when I'm scared. He's also very handsom (I think so.)
Happy Father's Day, Dad! Love you!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Insights on motherhood from Mosiah Chapter 2
I'm currently reading a collection of short essays on motherhood written by LDS moms (The Moms' Club Diaries, for anyone who'd like to read it), and they've really been making me think about my role as a mother.
In this mindset, I sat down to read Mosiah chapter 2 in my personal scripture study the other day, and I found that a lot of it directly applied to my role as a mother. I'm referring to the verses where Benjamin speaks about serving the people as their king. I'm sure I'm not the first person to relate these verses to mothers, but it was a new thought for me and I wanted to share. (Words in italics have been altered from the original scripture.)
10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal woman.
11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen ... and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a mother over these children; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to be perfect, but it's ok to be human. It's also ok to admit that we're human. We will make mistakes, but we have been chosen for this role. If we rely on Christ and don't try to do it all on our own, our best will be good enough. He will give us the might, mind and strength that we need to be righteous mothers in Zion.
12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
Isn't that a good description of motherhood? We spend our days in service of our families, and our payment is not monetary.
13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you--
It is part of our roles as mothers to teach our children the commandments, to do our best to keep them out of trouble. It's more of a stretch, but the reference to dungeons made me think about the responsibility of keeping a beautiful and orderly home.
14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, ... and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne--and of all these things of which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
I think we all desire to give our children a happy childhood, and to shield them from sadness whenever possible. While I know Cosette will go through trials in her life, as we all do, when it's within my power I want to spare her from things which are "grievous to be borne".
15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
In this mindset, I sat down to read Mosiah chapter 2 in my personal scripture study the other day, and I found that a lot of it directly applied to my role as a mother. I'm referring to the verses where Benjamin speaks about serving the people as their king. I'm sure I'm not the first person to relate these verses to mothers, but it was a new thought for me and I wanted to share. (Words in italics have been altered from the original scripture.)
10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal woman.
11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen ... and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a mother over these children; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to be perfect, but it's ok to be human. It's also ok to admit that we're human. We will make mistakes, but we have been chosen for this role. If we rely on Christ and don't try to do it all on our own, our best will be good enough. He will give us the might, mind and strength that we need to be righteous mothers in Zion.
12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
Isn't that a good description of motherhood? We spend our days in service of our families, and our payment is not monetary.
13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you--
It is part of our roles as mothers to teach our children the commandments, to do our best to keep them out of trouble. It's more of a stretch, but the reference to dungeons made me think about the responsibility of keeping a beautiful and orderly home.
14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, ... and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne--and of all these things of which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
I think we all desire to give our children a happy childhood, and to shield them from sadness whenever possible. While I know Cosette will go through trials in her life, as we all do, when it's within my power I want to spare her from things which are "grievous to be borne".
15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
These verses made me stop and think - what is my motivation when I'm serving my family? I admit I'm not always Christlike, and there are days that I want more recognition and praise than I receive. But I should strive to serve out of love. I should also be grateful for all of the many ways that Jeff helps around the house, and not seek to "accuse" him of not doing enough.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of you God.
I know this scripture is often quoted, but that's the real heart of motherhood, isn't it? We're not just serving our family members - we're serving God each and every day.
18 Behold, ye have called me your mother; and if I, whom ye call your mother, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?
19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your mother, who has spent her days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King.
What a wonderful thought. Our service can be an example to our children and help them to turn to their Heavenly Father. I know my mother's example for me helped me to gain and strengthen my own testimony, and I hope I can do the same for my children.
I hope you got something out of these insights. I know I'll never read these verses in Mosiah chapter 2 without thinking of the divine calling of motherhood.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Dear Mommy,
I love so much. I love when you read stories to me. I love when we play together. Thank you for all the times that you take me outside. Thank you for letting me play in the rocks, swing on the swing, and play in the dirt. You know me so well. I love how you sing to me before I go to bed. It comforts me and soothes excited little me. Thank you for taking me to the pool, I love to splash and play. I love it when you give extra time when you give me a bath. Sorry, that I get you all wet sometimes. Thank you for holding me so close in your arms when you're tired and trying to cook dinner for Daddy and me. You make great lunches and dinners for me.
Mommy, I love you and hope you had a great mothers day!
Love, Cosette - Translated by Daddy
Thoughts on my mother from 7-yr-old me
Cosette loves to pull books off of the shelf. In fact, she loves it so much that we do it several times a day.
Recently she enjoys pulling out two bound books I made when I was in second grade. I've kept them all of these years because I think it's fun to see what I thought about the world when I was 7 (and how bad my spelling was).
So here is what 7-year-old me had to say about my mother:
On a page where I was asked to describe each family member, next to Mother I wrote She's kind, gentil, and understanding.
And on a page where I was asked to pick someone special from my family to tell about, I wrote
Her name is Mom
She helps me do these things: like clean the birds cage, set up music and pick my close
She is special to me because when I feel bad she cheers me up
I like to go to the candy stor with her
Her favorites: shoping
Recently she enjoys pulling out two bound books I made when I was in second grade. I've kept them all of these years because I think it's fun to see what I thought about the world when I was 7 (and how bad my spelling was).
So here is what 7-year-old me had to say about my mother:
On a page where I was asked to describe each family member, next to Mother I wrote She's kind, gentil, and understanding.
And on a page where I was asked to pick someone special from my family to tell about, I wrote
Her name is Mom
She helps me do these things: like clean the birds cage, set up music and pick my close
She is special to me because when I feel bad she cheers me up
I like to go to the candy stor with her
Her favorites: shoping
- Food I don't now
- Book I don't now
- Hobby none
- T.V. Show news
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Growing up
I wanted to share my excitement that Cosette is starting to show an interest in climbing and pulling herself into a standing position. It started this past week with our video rocker chair. I would lean it up against the couch so that it was backwards (with the longer part on the floor and the short seat resting on the couch). Cosette discovered that she could climb up on to it and rock herself back and forth. From there, she learned to pull herself into a standing position so she could get to things on the couch.
Since then, she continues to play with the chair several times a day. She has also pulled herself up to look into the bathtub (she LOVES bath time), to get to the sand at the playground (the sand is separated from the grass by a low wooden border), and she also pulls herself up using our ottomans.
It's fun to see her growing up. It won't be too long now before she's walking!
This past week I've also taken Cosette to swimming class. It was recommended to me by my babysitter, and I thought it would be a good idea to get Cosette used to the water at an early age. The second class went better than the first, as she's getting more used to it. We do things like blowing bubbles, splashing, kicking, laying on our backs, and ring around the rosy. It's been fun. I think I might actually use the swimming pool at our complex this summer for the first time since we've lived here.
Cosette also continues to jibber jabber and babble a lot. There are times when I think she's starting to learn more words, but she's not consistent with it so it's difficult to tell. Her favorite words are Dad and Hi, but she has also said "ba" for ball, something that sounded like tiger (one of her favorite stuffed animals is a tiger), and "dis" and "dat" for this and that. Mostly, she likes to communicate in other ways, like pointing, whining, and pounding her hands (on the table when she wants more food, and on the door when she wants to go outside). Her alternative methods of communication have thus far been pretty successful, so she doesn't seem too motivated to talk or sign (I've tried teaching her some sign language, but she just wants to do it her way).
It's fun to see her growing up. It won't be too long now before she's walking!
Cosette also continues to jibber jabber and babble a lot. There are times when I think she's starting to learn more words, but she's not consistent with it so it's difficult to tell. Her favorite words are Dad and Hi, but she has also said "ba" for ball, something that sounded like tiger (one of her favorite stuffed animals is a tiger), and "dis" and "dat" for this and that. Mostly, she likes to communicate in other ways, like pointing, whining, and pounding her hands (on the table when she wants more food, and on the door when she wants to go outside). Her alternative methods of communication have thus far been pretty successful, so she doesn't seem too motivated to talk or sign (I've tried teaching her some sign language, but she just wants to do it her way).
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Zzzap!
Jeff and I wanted to share one of our new favorite videos of Cosette. We've had fun watching it over and over. We especially like the cute noise she makes in the last few seconds of the video, when she clasps her hands together.
Oh, and just so you know - no, she was not eating that Ranch dressing for dinner. She just had fun playing with the bottle.
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