Bath Time

This morning, River was all ready for her bath, Liam was in his bath and - wouldn't you know it - River had somehow outgrown her infant tub practially over night.

So I got out the old bath seat and let them have a bath together. Although Liam will soon be too old to do this, it was still precious. He first off tried to tell River what colors were on the seat.

Liam was so excited to play with River and show her the bubbles. River went to town, kicking her little feet in the water. I love watching my children together! They are like best friends already. Even when Liam got some water in River's eyes. He reached for a towel to wipe it out and she just laughed, looking up at her big brother with so much love in her eyes.

Only Four Months Old!

No, this is photo has not been altered: that is my daughter sitting unaided at only FOUR MONTHS of age. Just had to boast.

Building 'Sweet' Memories

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Liam. He came home one day after he and his cousins had been to see "Happy Feet" (which is adorable). All he wanted in the world was to build his very first "Candy House", or to the rest of you: a Gingerbread House. Now, he had never built one before. His dear cousins decided it would be fun to help him. Much fun and bonding continued with this little group.

Liam was so happy that he went to bed that night asking if he could sleep with the Candy House, and asking when 'Caywa', Brynn and Quincy could come again.

Mother/Daughter

Me and my daughter. Wow. I have a daughter. It was weird to have a son, but now I have a DAUGHTER!!! And look how gorgeous she is! I'll admit, I was just like every other woman and wondered if I could love another child like I love the first . . . and I've learned, just like every other woman, that the heart expands to fit the children we bear. I actually love more because of my children. Watching Liam try to make River laugh. Hearing her laugh. Seeing how River looks at Liam. Their love for eachother is apparent. I am so lucky to have these wonderful kids that are already friends. Tonight, they fell asleep on me. Today was the kind of day I would dream up when I would envision being a mother. Baking, warmth, laughter, cuddeling, singing . . . this is my life and my home, thanks to my husband and my children. Once again I wish there was a single word that could express what I am feeling, since all the other words at my disposal fail to capture it.

First Family Pictures

Caleb, Liam, River and Chelsea Nelson December 2, 2006

We have been a family of four for four months. Last week, we finally took the pictures to prove it. Thanks to Bob for helping us out, and thanks to Judy for the delicious lunch beforehand.

First Snow 2006

Two days ago we had our first good snowfall. So first thing in the morning, I bundle up my kids and let them play in the snow. Liam was so excited.

He was singing "Once there was a snow man" and throwing snow at me, laughing all the while.
River was a little less excited. She doesn't mind the cold, but she sure hates to wear a hat. Remember the kid in "The Christmas Story"? That was River in this little outfit. She basically just laid there like a slug: it was her only defense.

Jeff's Home!

This is my little brother. His name is Jeff. There are people in the world who love their siblings because they have to or because they know they should. I have the incredible luxury of loving my siblings because they are amazing people wholely deserving of my love. I am awed by their strengths and encouraged by their constant growth. My little brother is the sweetest person I know. And together we are able to build the funniest worlds . . . He is so handsome, is he not?

Here he is showing off his modeling skills. He called it "The Glasses Ad." Makes you want to buy your own pair, doesn't it?

This is just silliness. It is one of my favorite things about my brother: having weird faces, weird sounds and crazy expressions come out of nowhere. Our imaginations run wild and we entertain eachother with antics that have us laughing until it hurts.

Today was wonderful. Not only is it the day before Thanksgiving and the day AFTER I set up my Christmas tree, but it was the day I got to see my little brother. He has been touring with a theater group in the eastern United States. We exchange emails and our own special brand of quizzes while he is away. Every day I come home and have a funny note from my little brother. In fact, here is a taste of our humor:

'A Jeff Quiz'

You're strolling down a lovely autumn path when a black squirel crosses your path and says "Oh no you didn't get up all in my grill. This here is mybinnis!" Do you:

A. Throw back the attitude by waving your finger and saying "You don't know me!",

B. Challenge the rodent to a break-dance off,

C. Ingore the ghetto squirel and proceed down the way to purchase yourself an order of chicken wings which you will eat like a rabid bull chasing after his touriodore, or

D. Check into the nearest mental clinic, bind yourself in a straight jacket and pay the staff to feed you endless servings of lime jello in order to cope with the fact that you just saw a talking squirel.

"A Chelsea Quiz"

When meandering through a deserted Disco-themed Cemetary in Missouri, Idaho, you drop your nail file on a fresh grave. Do you,

A. Reach down and pick it up - no harm done.

B. Scream, fall on the groud and thrash about wildly until a low flying aircraft sees the melee and comes to your aid,

C. While whistling through your nose yell, "How dare you do this! What more can you take from me, you pig, you stupid hairy pig!" Then, realizing no one is listening, dance a merry jig and gorge yourself on Victoria Rum chocolates (a speciality of Mrs. Cavanaughs.), or

D. Allow your tears of unending sorrow to fall like raindrops upon the supple and brown earth, hoping that - in time - you will heal and move past this terrible tragedy. that nail file cost you a pretty penny, dammit.

These may seem silly to some - or many people - but they entertain my brother and me. And that's good enough for us.

Liam wanted to show River the computer when he was playing one morning. River was happy to oblige.







Liam took special care to help her understand, so she would know what he was doing. "See this puppy? He goes over there!" and "It's my turn now, not yours."






He and River have become great friends. She is always laughing at his antics, and he wants to involve her in everything he does. It's wonderful to watch them grow into real friends.

Treehouse Party

A week ago, Liam attended Parker's Birthday party. It was rough being the only three year old amidst the 6 yr olds, but he made it work.

Emily, Parker and friends put on a play about a shepherd. It was adorable.

Liam got his face painted like a "T-Rex". This is his 'mad' face. Scary, isn't it?

River Grace. Now you know why her nickname is "Grinner". Looks just like my grandmother Betty, actually. She talks and laughs all day long.







River and Daddy caught a nap on Sunday, and I caught it with the camera. Moments like this make my heart sing.

There should be a specific word to describe or define that feeling one gets when their heart, head and shoulders are about to burst for feeling so beautiful. It's not just joy. It's not just 'self love'. It's not even just happiness. There is so much more. Then it would be so easy to say, "This is how I'm feeling . . ." There would be just one word and no one would look at you oddly and say, "What do you mean?" No need would exist for explaination, not even for your choice of words because it would be ONE WORD: the perfect one.

I still have times when I identify a weakness in myself - more so even in the last three years - and now i am overwhelmed with awareness. Even awareness of my glorious attributes as well as my undesireable ones. Some days I am trapped by my desire to rebuild from what was never broken. It has taken so long to realize that what I am is good. What I will be is good. What I have been has also been good. I create myself and in always striving to create good: I cannot fail.