Two months old

May 23, 2008
April 23, 2008

My Quest

I am on a quest to make my littlest offspring smile. An article in Parents magazine said the average age for a newborn to smile is 4-8 weeks. (and we all know that magazines report only the gospel truth). Nathan first smiled at 4 weeks and still practices every day. Baby Josh, on the other hand, is taking his sweet time. I've seen a few (and far between) precious glimpses of joy, but I'm waiting for that ever rewarding, light-up-your-face smile that somehow makes all the sleepless hours worthwhile.
Here is Nathan's first smile: I know the photo quality is terrible, but you gotta snap fast with these fickle buggers.

Now, a few days ago, Nathan and I attempted the impossible: make an 8 week old smile.
"Nope, not doing it"

Nathan "helping"

"closer. . . "

oh, seriously we just missed it. . . darn camera pause.

Nathan wants to show that he can smile. "Nathan do smile"


Well, I'll get back to you when I can truly capture a great smile. I'm sure it will be worth it!

Mother's day with uncooperative munchkins

Well, I enjoyed my mother's day. . . I was pampered and encouraged and smothered. One of my children wanted nothing to do with me and the other couldn't get enough of me!


Nothing like bribing your kids to take photos. . . this time was a truck to hold

Nothing like sleeping through the photo session

Nothing like sweet toddler smooches

Nothing like a cute Soderlund family photo

Saint Elizabeth

Also called St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, born in Hungary, probably at Pressburg, 1207; died at Marburg, Hesse, 17 November (not 19 November), 1231.

St. Elizabeth is generally represented as a princess graciously giving alms to the wretched poor or as holding roses in her lap; in the latter case she is portrayed either alone or as surprised by her husband, who, according to a legend, which is, however, related of other saints as well, met her unexpectedly as she went secretly on an errand of mercy, and, so the story runs, the bread she was trying to conceal was suddenly turned into roses.

The other Saint Elizabeth of Redmond is more commonly known to us commoners as simply, "Beth". She is best known for her selflessness and ability to manufacture cute kids.

One example of her selflessness is an example that is going to be coming in June. In June, the beautiful Saint Elizabeth is willing and selflessly staying at home with her two children while her husband (who has not yet achieved 'Saint' status) heads off to New York for a few days to witness history.

While she is at home furthering her saintness, her husband will be on a tour of history experiencing Yankee Stadium (home of the Yankees) and Shea Stadium (home of the Mets). Both stadiums are in their final seasons before the teams move to newer, bigger, and better stadiums. And her husband feels a strong need to see them before they are no longer.

Yankee stadium in particular will be missed by the game of baseball. It has been the home of such greats like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and so many more that it would take too long to name them all. To keep the history part of the trip, he will also be taking a day in the city of Cooperstown to see the Baseball Hall of Fame.

While Saint Elizabeth would like to be a part of this historical weekend, she is foregoing her rights to see it so that her husband can go.

The ultimate example of selflessness, Saint Elizabeth shall be remembered forever for this.

Me and my boys

When did I start referring to myself in third person as "mommy?" And when will I stop?