Forever etched in my memory are treasures only a mother can cherish as affectionately...
Tyler-
When Tyler was startled as a baby he would jerk his arms high above his shoulders with fingers spread. We called it “The Monster”.
We purchased a gate for Tyler’s bedroom door when he was a toddler to prevent him from sneaking out at night to raid the refrigerator. One middle-of-the-night experience revealed him devouring his ninth of the 12-dozen donuts I had purchased for the next morning. Tyler has always had an insatiable appetite. At ten months he weighed 35 pounds and maintained that weight until age two.
In first grade Tyler worked all year to earn “rainbow bucks” at school to spend on the “rainbow bus”. When the big day arrived he returned home excited to show me a little trinket he had picked for himself, something that would probably cost a quarter at the local grocery store. In contrast, Carly had brought home several elaborate treasures and I assumed she had just earned more “bucks”. A short while later I crept in to check on Travis who was napping, and tucked in beside him was the most adorable stuffed Spiderman toy. I asked Tyler where it came from and he responded that he had not wanted Travis to feel left out and had purchased it for him at school. The toy had obviously taken nearly all of his spending money and he had willingly selected for himself the smaller prize knowing how much Travis loved Spiderman. His thoughtfulness brought tears to my eyes. Travis cherished that toy for many years.
Tyler does many considerate things on his own without being asked. One day, unable to find Tyler at the conclusion of a family event at the church-house, we decided to drive around the parking lot in search of him. He was spotted carefully walking my grandma to her car. On another occasion at my mom’s home, on a cold winter day, Tyler brought Grandma Bruce a blanket to keep her warm.
I have countless memories of Tyler riding the tube for hours behind grandpa’s boat. One early spring afternoon we took the boat out just days after all the ice had melted. When my dad cut the motor, Tyler, anxious for the water, jumped in before anyone could stop him. We all expected him to hop out just as quickly but instead watched him paddle about until convincing grandpa to inflate the tube.
I loved dressing Carly in cute baby-girl clothes and each day I glued a small colored bow into her hair. She was born with dark black/brown hair, big chocolate-brown eyes, and an olive complexion; she did not look like she belonged to me. At only 18 days old Carly was hospitalized for six days with RSV. She looked so tiny in that large hospital bed with oxygen tubes in her nose. I was heartbroken and never left her side. Towards the end of her stay, when the door was closed and the tubes removed, I would pick her up and dance with her in a slow steady circle around the room.
How many moms bring their daughter to work? Since the age of two, Carly has tagged alongside me at dance and I delight in her company. Carly stole the show her first year on a competition team after running onto the floor at the wrong time to show-off her own made-up and over-animated moves; the audience was in hysterics. At five, Carly danced her first solo at Lagoon- she was adorable!
Carly makes cards and draws pictures for whomever she feels needs it most. She drew numerous pictures to comfort Grandma Bruce while Grandpa Bernie was so sick.
Carly is a wonderful help around the house. During times when I have been under considerable stress or strain, for instance, helping Eric get through school, Emily’s birth, sick days, and occasionally for no reason at all, Carly will clean the house without being asked: dishes, dusting the televisions, vacuuming, straightening, and sometimes even folding laundry. She can be quite the busy bee when she puts her mind to it. I reward her often for her invaluable services.
Last summer Carly and I rode the Catapult at Lagoon together. We are the only fearless members of our family. Even though our screams could be heard the entire way up and back down again it was purely for the thrill and excitement of it all. Carly and I also enjoy cliff-jumping together; we love the tingly sensation in our stomachs that can only be felt when falling from great heights.
Travis-
Travis was given the nickname “Mr. Perfect” by Grandma Hep because he was such a trouble-free baby; he cried only once in the hospital! We took Travis to Disneyland when he was just a few weeks old and he slept the entire trip. Travis is still very good and well-mannered. He has always been easy to pack around, he listens well, and he is helpful at home.
As unbelievable as it sounds Travis walked at 7½ months; he never crawled! At nine months old we purchased bunk beds because Travis could climb out of his crib.
Travis has a very imaginative, thoughtful, and absorbent mind. After a primary activity centered on missionaries he told me that he was very excited to go on a mission. I asked him where he would like to serve and he confidently replied “Disneyland”. One Sunday Travis gave the scripture, his dad helping him. After he began it was whispered in his ear to speak louder. As a result the scripture went as follows, “And the angle said unto them, speak louder…” One Saturday he asked, “Mom, is tomorrow ‘Quick Sunday’?” He was referring to ‘Fast Sunday’.
I do miss the power-ranger mornings with Travis before he began Kindergarten. We never missed an episode. I will always remember the days that year spent with my “buddy”. Travis was always imitating some character and ran around the house most of the day in costume. The two of us would dance together often, finishing quite formally- I with a curtsy and he with a bow. We invented the color-game and played it tirelessly. It involved putting coins on little color squares made on the computer; its purpose was to teach colors and money values. He loved it!
Each week as we leave church Travis holds open the door for everyone exiting the building. Sometimes we wait awhile for him in the car because of the volume of people leaving the church-house.
Every so often Travis will scratch my arms just to be nice. However, when he is in “super-speed” mode my arms feel less soothed and more on-fire.
Emily-
Occasionally Emily will do what her dad has coined the “scrunchy face”. She wrinkles up her face and gives a silent laugh. It is precious!
When Emily is frustrated she will bang her head against whatever is in close proximity, whether the crib, the wall, or even the forehead of the person holding her. Ouch!
Emily’s first big word besides Momma and Dadda was spoken at 11 months: 'Yuck!' She first said it while I was changing her diaper.
Emily loves playing ‘patty-cake’ and will clap her hands together whenever she is excited.
Nicknames when they were babies
Tyler- Big T, Ty-Man, & Fatty
Carly- Sis, Monkey, & Princess
Travis- Little T, Trav-Man, & Mr. Perfect
Emily- Piglet, Emma Boo, & Little Em
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