Nate's family

Dear Grandma Becki,

I went to school.  I did art.  I colored a picture of my family I am very thankful for.  9ikmnbvgdwsaz (Nate wanted to type)  I want to eat Skittles.  I walked home in the stroller.  Then we went on a walk with Stacy and little Nathan and went to the park.  I went to the park and went down slides and bides and mides and kides.  Grandma Becki liked when I sing to her on the phone.  I saw you last night.  I love you.  I love you, Grandma Becki.  I want to play with you all day.  

Love, Nathan

Forts and dishwashers

Nate hanging out in his fort

Outside view of the fort

Hi Grandma Becki! 

We had so much fun seeing you tonight, even if it was only for a few minutes.  It was good just to be in the room with you.  Nathan was so excited to see his Grandma Becki.  You know how you used to write in Brett's journal for him every day when he was a kid?  Well, we are doing that with Nathan now.  This is what he wrote tonight:

"Today I don't go to school.  I went in a fort and builded a fort out of blankets and chairs and pillows.  I played Curious George on your computer today.  I saw Grandma Becki and she was bald.  Brookie cut Grandma Becki's hair off 'cause she had to take that yucky medicine that will make her hair fall out so Brookie cut it.  Curious George was hopping around for a long time.  And that's what I did today.  The end.  Nothing else."

The other day when we were journaling, I asked, "What do you think about Grandma Becki?" and this was his reply:  

"I love her.  I love Grandma Becki, I love Grandma Becki.  She's sick and she can't get out of bed forever.  She's going to get all better.  I love Grandma Becki and I want to come see you when you feel better.  Grandma Becki is not feeling well.  She can't get out of bed until she feels better".

Nate sure thinks the world of you!  And he can't wait until you are "all better".

As for Ty, here is a picture of him with his very favorite toy.  He can be across the room playing with toys.   I'll open the dishwasher and he zooms on over.  He cries whenever I close it!  Now if only I could get him to load and unload while he's at it...

Milestones

Ty is growing up so fast! Here are short clips of some of his recent milestones:

Walking: He could do it if he really wanted to, but he's so fast crawling that he doesn't seem to care. The first part of the video is a botched attempt, the second is success! I suspect one of these days, he'll be up and running!




Dancing: We were listening to "Life is a Highway" (from the movie "Cars") when we noticed Ty was dancing to the music. If you look (and listen) carefully, you'll notice that he is even singing along!


Fishy face: Ty can tell you what a fishy "says":

No spice for me, thanks

Dear Grandma Becki,

My mom made some spicy chili the other night and gave me some of the meat and beans out of it.  I liked it then, but that night I squirmed and moaned and cried most of the night.  So I'm with you for now-- no spice!

Love, Ty

Snow boys

Ty's first real snow experience!

Nate with his snowman

What kind of weird person is this?

Purple hair and kisses

On November 1st, the Saturday before Becki started chemo, we all got together at Becki's house for a hair-chopping party.  We bathed the boys right before we left, and when we got there, we took anti-bacterial wipes and wiped down Ty's neck and behind his ears so Grandma Becki could kiss him in her favorite spot one more time before he really became off-limits.  

Becki hugged Nate one last time while he was still relatively germ free.

Then the hair-cutting began!  Brooke and Shellie cut off the long strands first, for Kim to save.  Nate got to cut the first piece:

  This gave Becki a sweet mullet:

Brooke was a little nervous because she didn't know exactly what she was doing, or even hoping to end up with.  And Grandma Jones didn't help, as she screeched in horror every time Becki's hair got shorter and shorter!  

But Brooke's talent prevailed, and Becki ended up with a fabulously stylish configuration of hair.  Way to go Brooke!  There's a reason she's our hair cutter!

Now, when Becki gave Nathan the choice of whether she should dye her hair purple or not, she had to know there was really no choice.  Is there anything cooler than seeing your grandma with purple hair?  I don't think so!  Nate was so excited to spray Grandma Becki's hair purple.  And look how cute it turned out!

Nathan had so much fun being with Grandma Becki one last time before she became truly quarantined.  We were all so glad it was such a beautiful day that we could all go visit and participate in the momentous event! 

Nate had so much fun that this was his prayer at family prayer the next day:  First he thanked Heavenly Father for the food (as always) and then these are his words, verbatim:  "We're thank Thee that we could spray Grandma Becki's hair purple and we're thank Thee that we could go to Grandma Becki's house one more time".  And that was the whole prayer.  Nate sure thinks the world of his Grandma Becki.  He can't wait to be able to see her again.

Yucky coughing

Hi Grandma Becki,

Nathan was so excited to read your blog today.  He thought it was very funny that you were eating baby prunes and he was very interested in the picture of you in the hospital.  Sorry we haven't posted anything for a couple of days.  We spent the weekend at James and Charmaine's house.  Unfortunately Nate had a bad bout of croup while we are there, but he is doing lots better.  

We hope you are still doing well.  Yay- you are off the chemo for a little while!  We printed off some pictures for your "motivation board".  Hopefully we can get them to you soon.  I will have Nate "write" you tomorrow for sure.  We love you!

xoxoxoxoxox

Jess, Nate and Ty