So thankful

Sometimes after repeating myself dozens of times I start to wonder if the things we're trying to teach and instill in Oliver will ever stick. I'm sure most parents hear me loud and clear.
Tonight I watched him walk over to a plate and fork sitting on the couch, pick it up, and scrape it into the trash and then put it in the sink without Mark or I saying a word. Genius! He saw the need and just did it!
I was so impressed by this, and I started to think about my example to him as a mom. If Mark and I are careless with our things and don't lead by example how can we expect our children to do anything we say. Respect is a two way street and it's amazing how quickly children will pick up on those who are undeserving of it.
I pray that my example to our children will be one that they are proud to follow.

Favorite Quote of the Day: Oliver

As we passed an old church
Oliver: "Mom, look! It's college, right there, college."
Mom: "No, that's a church"
Oliver: (pausing to think) "Oh. That's a tricky one."

Favorite Quote of the Day: Oliver

While watching Aladdin
"Ewww! Kissin' ahke Mom!"

Picey Indian

The following conversation was dictated to me, by daddy, after a recent trip to our favorite Indian restaurant.
Oliver: "Ugh! Again!"
Daddy: "What's again?"
Oliver: "Picy (spicy) again"
Daddy: "Oh, I'm sorry"
Oliver: "No, not your fault. It's my fault"

Better than "between the sheets"

Today while riding in the car, Oliver asked nearly half a dozen times to go to Bompa's house (as he usually does when we're riding anywhere in the car). Mommy said "no, not today" and forgot about it.
Later on Oliver got a fortune cookie to munch on in the backseat.
After a few minutes mommy and daddy heard the following.
Oliver: "This word means, 'go.......to.......bompa's.......house'
He was "reading/creating" his own fortune.
I love this kid!

An all around winner...

This is an snip-it from a contest at work where Mark won $60 worth of Sikorsky products for his creative writing skills.
In Dec he won another contest at work and got an amazing prize, and you can click here to see his "luck" earlier this year. I mostly joking calling it luck. I know God has blessed us with everything we have.

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EH&S Job Safety Analysis on the Fly Winner!

Mark Melby, Derco Repair Shop Technician, won 3rd place for the Sikorsky Enterprise wide On the Fly EH&S Assessment Catch Phrase contest! Mark's suggestion was associated with the acronym QUESTION. Question Unsafe Equipment Situations, Trust Is Operator Negligence. The Job Safety Analysis on the Fly campaign was initiated by Sikorsky to address employee safety when doing out-of-sequence work, where there is an increased risk in hazards. Short catch phrases, such as QUESTION, help employees to remember these additional hazards.

Look for Mark in the upcoming Sikorsky Source as well. Congratulations Mark!

New Favorites

With two children under the age of 3, things are changing ever day.

Here are a few of our favorite "Oliver-isms"

• Oliver very rarely ever wakes up crabby, or even less than delightful
• Daddy: "Oliver, it's time for a nap." Oliver: "Actually, no. Play."
• He wants to do everything like daddy, even if it means faking a toothache to match daddy's real toothache.
• Oliver is great at reminding us to pray before eating
• Oliver usually prayer for our meals (or "says the words to God", as he calls it). After every prayer he'll turn to me with arm outstretched and say: "Mom, you wanna say a bit?"
• He's known his ABC'S and been able to recognize them by name since before Thanksgiving
• He loves watching football with his daddy
• He would eat spaghetti every day if we let him
• He gobbles up lettuce, carrots, and fresh green beans like they're ice cream
• We just recently discovered that Oliver knows the words and can sing to most every song we listen to, even Mark's favorite Celtic Rock band, Mumford & Sons.
• One of Mark's favorite Oliver phrases is: "Whatcha-got-der-Dad?"
• Oliver turned 2 1/2 on December 4th

Favorite "Finner-isms"

• He quickly learned the word no, and shakes his head at things he doesn't like
• Finley wakes up absolutely silently so that Mommy doesn't know he's on the move:)
  
• He enjoys using baby sign, and will occasionally make up signs of his own.
• Daddy is his favorite person and several times a week, Daddy is the only one Finley will let put him to sleep ( I swear I didn't plan it that way)
• He is scared to death of small animals such as cats, dogs, Grandma Kelly's Fur coat, Uncle Scotts Fur hat...
• He found out how to unlock the gate at the top of the stairs (so much for safety)
• He has got to be one of the happiest babies I've ever seen
• Finley turned 9 months on December 10th