Backseat Driver

Sometimes I reminisce about the days when we were worried about FFM's lack of speech. Like today. We had a fairly long drive to do some volunteering with my cousin's Girl Scout Troop and he commentated my navigation of early rush hour traffic.

"Mommy, you forgot to use your turn signal." (oops, I actually was being lazy)

"Mommy, don't drive too fast." (I wasn't)

"Mommy, you forgot to stop at that stop sign." (I paused at a stop sign in totally empty strip mall where there were zero other cars or pedestrians in sight)

"Mommy, that's a school zone, watch out and slow down." (Roger that but thanks for the reminder)

"Mommy, the speed limit is three five. Are you driving slower than three five?" (yes)

It should be noted that he's much harsher to Travis. The commentary on my driving is pretty light, poor Travis gets hammered. Mostly because Travis doesn't really like to use turn signals, but I guess he'll learn since he now gets reminded fairly constantly. I should also point out that FFM likes to tell us where to go when were on familiar territory - i.e. things like "turn left here!" or, "keep going straight!" Helpful for our out of town guests.

500

Yeah, it's not much to brag about, but I'm ecstatic. I got back into the water yesterday after nearly two years of not being able to actually rotate my right arm. It's been a LOT of doctors on multiple continents, x-rays, a couple MRIs, and endless endless endless physical therapy, but I SWAM! An entire 500 yards. That's 20 laps for you landlubbers. Nothing to get excited about, but my shoulder is still very weak from, well, not being able to rotate for two years. I managed my first full rotation the week between Christmas and New Years and last week got the OK to move beyond rubber bands and into weights (no more than 5lbs) and *gasp* the gym OR pool (not both, I've been warned). Hip Hip Hooray!

I Heart Brisbane

As news from far far away finally trickles into our news here in America, as we deal with our own crises and mourn for those in Tuscon, I watch the floods in Brisbane.

We see photos of the place we used to live, the exact streets we used to walk, the bridges we crossed, the trees that gave us shade, the gas station we used to fill up at, the park we played in, and they are all underwater now. I hear quick messages from people we know there saying they've moved everything to their second story and they are hope for the best, that evacuation was imminent (No word from them for a couple of days...but I'm sure all is fine. Who has internet in the middle of a flood?).

If you would like to help, please click on the link here to donate: Queensland Flood Relief

The boat ramp at Univ of Queensland, where FFM took his first swimming lessons. Normally a steep ramp down to the river it looks like it's floating uphill now.
The river path at South Bank, where FFM and I logged many, many km in the stroller. Just steps from our apartment. Eagle Street Pier, a yummy spot for lunch and where friends Megan and Stephen would catch the RiverCat. Our path to the library where we'd go for storytime and songs. South Bank, our home in Brisbane, totally underwater. This is normally, from left to right, river, boardwalk, sidewalk, building (which is the library). Our apartment building is to the right behind the big wheel.

Like pictures of a blizzard, or probably any great disaster it's hard to understand the scope of these without any frame of reference. It may look like just a couple of really big puddles but Travis and I have been amazed at how far into the city the water reached and, from the sounds of the news we hear here, how quickly it happened. Good Luck Brissy, we'll be back to visit someday and see how you recovered.

Breakfast Discussion

"Mommy, did you have any dreams last night?"

"Yes, I sure did."

"What did you dream about?"

"I dreamed we were about to buy a really, really, really big house with a fantastic kitchen with lots of storage space. But then there was a problem because my sister-in-law* crashed our red car. And we had to go out to a farm to find her because she ran away. And then we all got chased by a giant white horse and a giant white cow."

(Yup, when I dream they are a bit weird.)

Finn replied, "Wow! I dreamed we went to the store to buy STRAWBERRIES!"

*You all just have to guess which one of my three this was. I'm not going to name dream names.

Holidays Merry and Bright

On the night before Christmas, all through the house, every creature was stirring, making gingerbread men and a house! We had a great holiday season, kicking off with a balmy afternoon at the ice rink at Southglenn. The Gales, Grandpa Moore, Penny, and Mom and Eric all converged for skating/observing, and lunch on a fine afternoon. All the advanced skaters gallantly took turns running FFM around the rink, Uncle Byron was his favorite by far (note his feet aren't touching the ice...)

Christmas morn dawned at a perfectly humane hour, with adults and kiddos bright with anticipation. The much wished for Woody and Buzz were indeed under the tree, it took no time at all for them to start flying around the room.

Cousin Audrey (and her parents) were here for the week, and she and FFM were great at making each other get really, really, really silly.

Lunch treat one afternoon was Casa Bonita! The food never gets any better but it's totally awesome all lit up with Christmas lights and I have a whole new perspective watching the divers and gorilla show with amazed two and three year olds. I thought they might explode with excitement.

We rang in the New Year with a trip to the Children's museum, some snow, and some crafty hats (Audrey was not a fan). The bubble room at the museum was a favorite, the kids are actually standing in a giant bubble in the top left photo.