Nov. 23 2007
I don't know how she does it, because I can't do it, but Reese is able to say words (Baby words) with her mouth closed. It is interesting to hear. Mostly it sounds like she says a-goo. But she really does not move her lips - at all - or open her mouth. She says a-goo and I can hear the pronunciation almost like she were saying it with her mouth open. Hopefully I will be able to capture it on tape, but time will tell as she usually clams up when I pull out the camera.
Reese has had some new milestones this month. She got her first tooth/teeth on Oct. 20. She got the bottom middle two teeth. At first she bit me a lot while nursing, but slowly she has realized that if she wants to continue nursing then she has to stop biting. I really love nursing her so I am glad she has quit biting.
Also, she began crawling on Nov. 6 - her official 8 month mark. It seemed like she just figured it out one day and began crawling. Prior to this day she had been scooting this way and that, most of the time pushing herself backwards. Two days ago we raced across the room to see who could grab a pen I had thrown first. She really liked this game. She laughed and giggled the whole way and occasionally slipped up and fell, but instead of her usual crying when this happened, she just got right back up and kept crawling as fast as she could. So cute!! In the future I plan to do this more often before bed time because it really seems to tucker her out.
Yesterday was Thursday, Nov. 22 and Reese's first Thanksgiving. It was a really nice day. Normally we have dinner with either my moms or my dads side of the family, but it has gotten to the point where there are just too many people and you tend to feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable. So we separated this year from the big group and did our own thing. The dinner was held at Moms house and she did an amazing job making it look just right. Brian commented that it was nice to see a really nicely set table instead of the normal - lets see how many plates we can fit on one table - type setting. It really was beautiful and brought some of the magic back to the holiday.
Before dinner Dad shared a thought about a gratification stone. It really made us think about how we could keep a prayer of thanks in our hearts, and if we do this how we might affect others as well. He recalled a story about Josh in Mesa Verde from years back. We had to climb old ladders that extended over big cliffs and this really worried Josh. Dad said that Grandpa picked up a stone and handed it to Josh and told him it was a worry stone and that if Josh would rub this stone then his worry would be taken away and he would be able to climb these ladders without being so nervous. Josh took the stone and the advice. Later we joked that Josh had rubbed that stone so hard as to rub a thumb dent into the surface of it. Then Grandma Butler shared a story about a couple who had moved into her ward years ago who had no children, and did not want any. They moved in right next door to a family with 10 children, but in the end it was alright because of how great this large family was to help the new couple. She said that in the end if you don't have family, you don't have anything.
Then Mom made us all turn on the water works by going around and telling each of us (Grandpa Butler, Grandma Butler, Dad, Josh, Brian, Me, Mike, and Mitch) what she loved about us. Lets see if I can remember them all. Gpa Butler - his zeal for life and learning. His amazing work on the geneology in our family. Gma Butler - Her friendship and advice - and she recalled going to the store at midnight, just Mom and Gma when Mom was a little girl - she really treasured that time. Josh - His exuberence for life and trying to make others laugh and being a hard worker. Brian - his happy soul. He brings something different to the family than anyone else. He is like Mom in spirit. Jess - My capacity to love. She said I am the mediator in our family and help bring a sense of calmness. She said I am also good at forgiving others and trying to make things work out. She is glad she had a girl - even though I am more like Dad - more calm - than she is. We are best of friends. Mike - his humor. He is able in any situation to make us laugh. Examples were his bum print in the concrete we recently poured, the Chicken Wagon phone calls, stories of him sneaking out at night, etc. He is a great kid and a hard worker. Mitch - his tenderness. At the age Mitchell is most boys would think it was uncool to have night time prayers with their mother and still give hugs and kisses. But not Mitch. He still does those things and it makes Mom feel very special. He is also good at forgiving others and never says a mean thing about anyone. Dad - Her best friend and solid element in her life. (In different words - I can't remember exactly.) Works hard to help give the family what it needs.
It was nice to take the time to say these loving words at the dinner table. Hopefully this will be a tradition we will repeat. Dinner was fantastic. Mom made the turkey and the yams (Yum!!) Dad made the mashed potatoes and the corn. I made the stuffing and the salad (Brian helped by cooking the bacon). And Grandma brought the rolls (I think). For dessert I made lemon bars, Mom and Dad bought Costco pumpkin and apple pies, and Grandma made her famous cheesecake. Delicous! We were all sufficiently stuffed.
After dinner and dessert we played a card game called King, Queen, Lord, Surf, Peon. Even Grandma and Grandpa played. Brian was the guy in charge, teacing us all how to play the game and reminding us of the rules throughout the game. We all had to wear a hat specific to our rank by how well we played the game. The King had - of course - a crown of red and gold. The Queen had a crown of purple and pink. The Lords were a football helmet, Coon Skin Hat, Cowboy hat, and a yankee soldier cap. The surf wore a big sombrero and the peon wore a chicken hat. It was really hilarious.
The Guitar Heroes
King and Queen of the game!
