Flanz Bananz

goodnight little sun

2009-09-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

flanz: "It's getting dark outside."
m: "Yes, the sun is going to bed and it's time for you to go to bed too."
flanz: "does little sun brush his teeth? .... and does his mommy-sun read him books?"
m: "yes, I think so."
flanz: "And then he goes to sleep and pulls his blankets up all by himself."

the end.

Otto

2008-10-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

Otto Charles Malmberg

our nephew and cousin

August 22-30, 2008

Sweet baby boy. I wish so much I could visit him and hold him again.

Dark blue eyes, soft fuzzy hair, long feet and toes, chubby thighs squeezed between my fingers, little fists darting towards my face, thumb in mouth, my brother holding him, stroking him, loving him, his mommy looking at him with intense, open, all-encompassing love, his mommy's elf ear, his daddy's chest, his button nose, his sweet, gentle presence.

Loving him from the moment Jessie plopped that stick down in front of me. Waiting for him, hearing his name for the first time, the burst of joy upon meeting him, holding him, kissing him, loving him.

I can't bear that there will be no more moments with him. But if it is so, the ones I had will somehow be enough. I love him, my nephew. I have so much sadness but also gratefulness. His life, his person, and my memories of him will forever decorate my life.

Happy Birthday, Flannery!

2008-06-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

We had a great day at the park with family and friends. Highlights included sprinklers, bubbles, strawberries, gifts, balloons.

Two Years ago!!

Happy Birthday, precious one. We love you!

Markers

2008-06-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

This one's for Laura. See Lydle isn't the only one with marker frenzy. This was after her bath (I mean her outside-hose-shower to wash off sand), so other than some that rubbed off on her shirt, she went to bed like this. Oops. Earlier in the day, her legs looked like Lydia's too.

Here we have "Funny Bunny" from Mary Engelbreit's, "Lovey Dovey" a.k.a. "Ubby Dubby". :)

Other than that, anyone have any good tips for getting an almost 2-year old to open clenched lips enough for a tooth brush to enter?

Today we had the playground all to ourselves. I followed her around, "Mawwee, come", sliding, laughing, climbing, sitting. What a joy this little growing person!

Aunt Jessie's baby shower

2008-06-01T17:48:00.001-07:00

My beautiful sister-in-law, Jessica, is due in August. We loved hanging out with her and Uncle Ryan last weekend.

Mom, Jessica, me.

Flannery with Cousin Laura's girls- Lydia, Flanz, Rosalia, Sophia
We love our cousins!
...and Aunt Jessie's new baby too.

Back in SoCal

2008-05-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Is 10 months too long between posts? I keep thinking I need the perfect post-hiatus, post-movie post, but alas maybe pictures will do.

"Happy Maaeee's Day"

Daddy's Little Girl

2007-07-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

Does this picture remind you of Gary or what?! Love it.

After Flannery's birthday, we had 2 weeks of teething and lots of practice walking. She doesn't eat when she teethes - except apparently a whole lemon, hummus & lemon chicken.

With walking has come a new independence and enough bruises to report me...

She's a little person now. She can finally be put down to run around when we're out. On one outing I coaxed, "Come over here, Flannery." She squealed and took off in the other direction her little hands waving in the air balancing her wobbly legs. :)

Notice the moving box in the above picture. Yes, it's true! We're packing all our stuff into storage and going off to Oregon next week. We just found out last Friday that we're starting production on our film October 1. Wow. More later.

Grandma Mae

2007-06-12T18:14:00.001-07:00

In the midst of the birthday parties, we also gathered on June 3 to celebrate the memory of my Grandma, Valera Mae Marshall, (Dec. 1, 1920 - March 15, 2007).

I remember...

- Grandma's gardens -- especially her hill full of flowers in Yreka and the hours she joyfully spent digging. (Could I inherit some of this please?) Come to think of it, some of my fondest childhood memories are of my mom digging in her flowers - tan in her tank top.

- learning to paint. she always made me feel like I could learn to do it well... a beautiful skill in a teacher.

- that she owned the toolbox in her family (like me!) and that she felt comfortable tearing down a wall. I love that I inherited this.

- meatloaf. all the meals she cooked for us. one of her many ways of caring for us. When Gary and I were at the cabin for a year, it was so important to her to have us over for dinner and feed us. She made green beans, mashed potatoes and pears & cottage cheese. She made sure to send us home with packets of instant mashed potatoes in case we needed them...

- her bengay and how she always recommended I try it for any sore muscles.

- gin rummy. learning poker when I was 8 or so and using the skills to beat the high school boys. Then playing with my cousins using matches for chips and burning a hole in my parents carpet.

- raising her little fists with a grin (usually aimed at my Dad).

- her quick wit even at the end.

- her one-armed sweaters.

- showing her my engagement ring outside her house in Yreka.

- all her animals. her love for every one. how she would tell the story of holding each of them as they passed on. her care for them in those moments. the way she looked in their eyes, comforted them and stroked them.

- her last words to me (the last time I saw her) -- "the Lord be with you"

- her last words to me (the last time on the phone) -- "I love you too, Sugar... I can't wait to see you." Her voice was so clear and beautiful this day a week before she died. It made my heart jump, my eyes tear up and gave me some peace.

- our year of healing in the woods and Grandma's part in this. Our "Church of Mae Marshall" every Sunday afternoon.

- her endless encouragement. "I'm so proud of you." "You know who to thank for that, don't you?" "Just close your eyes and talk to him. Any time during the day, just talk to him and thank him and ask him to guide you." "I pray for you and Gary every night. I pray for all of my children and grandchildren."

- when she told me, "Usually when I pray I get a picture about you... This time when I prayed for you and Gary all I saw was a blank slate. I've turned you over to God."

- my overwhelming feeling of thankfulness and tears when I hugged her and left in the U-Haul headed back south after our year at the cabin.

- her head leaned to my pregnant belly kissing Flannery and praying for her. I'll never forget this beautiful moment sitting with her on my couch in Santa Barbara the weekend of my shower.

- there are a million other things.

Thank you, Grandma.

I miss you. But thank you for still being with me. There's not a hole when I think of you but a very full spot with your love and memories in my heart.

For my daughter, Flannery Mae, who has your name, I pray that she gets your spirit, your faith and your strength.

I love you.
Anne

Birthday

2007-06-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

For Flannery's birthday, the three of us spent the day at the Long Beach harbor: Fish gazing at the Aquarium, PF Changs picnic dinner at the park, a movie, and Coldstones all while reminiscing over the last wonderful year.

At the aquarium, Flannery was entertained for a full two hours watching the seals, trying to pet the birds, "kissing" the fishies, staring in awe at the huge lobsters, touching a shark.

During her afternoon nap, we went to a movie, Knocked Up, a comedy about a couple having their first baby. It didn't occur to me how emotional we would get seeing it on Flannery's birthday. So many memories of the last two years, from early pregnancy ultrasounds through the actual birth.

We wrapped up the day with our favorite Coldstones treats. Flannery had her own small serving, but mostly enjoyed eating the bowl. Paper -- her current favorite food.

What an amazing day celebrating our baby. I mean our 1 year old!

I'm ONE!

2007-06-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Here she is - our wonderful little 1 year old! Wow!

...and look how far she's come.

Birthday - almost

2007-06-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

One year ago today, I was sitting on Janice's couch holding little 5 week old Lucie. Flannery was kicking her through my tummy. I was almost in tears because the day before, my doctor had said there were no signs the baby was coming any time soon. He said, I'll be on call this weekend, but I doubt you'll have her before next week. I just knew she was coming. No contractions, but I'd been feeling strangely emotional over the last 24 hours.

On the way out the door, I told Janice, "next time I see you I'll be in labor. Just kidding." I went home, packed my hospital bag (finally), finished all my thank you notes, organized my whole house and finally laid down at 11:00 pm to relax and "talk" to Flannery. Three hours later she woke me up, having decided to start her grand entrance into this life...

Lucie and me waiting for Flannery...

AAAAAAAAAH

2007-05-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

The YELL. I'm hoping this is just a phase. And if so, that it doesn't last until she's 3. Other mothers tell me, "They're just finding their voices."

Flannery has adopted a new form of communication. It goes like this... (Picture very LOUD - as if you never really knew what ear-piercing meant until now.)

(raise arm, point)
AAAAAAAAAAAAH
(pause)
AAAAAAAAAAAAH
(point at something she wants but can't have)
AAAAAAAAAAAAH
(pause)
AAAAAAAAAAAAH
(point at something she CAN have and I will give her as soon as possible)
AAAAAAAAAAAAH
(pause)
AAAAAAAAAAAAH
AAAAAAAAAAAAH

Oh boy!

But then a little later she gives me one of those wet kisses and a choke-me-around-the-neck hug. Ahhhh...

At our backyard Memorial Day BBQ: Flannery loves her dolly. (Thanks, Ellie's Mom.)

Climbing

2007-05-26T20:33:00.001-07:00

Flannery has taken her first few steps! Two towards Sedona. And then three from the rocking chair to my leg.

She's also learning to climb. Yesterday I turned around for 5 seconds and she'd climbed up and "over" the rocking chair knocking it to the floor. Once comforted she immediately set to doing it again!

Here are some new pics from the last two weeks.

Flannery loved her friend, Sean's, birthday party and swimming in his grandparents pool.

Beach Day Today

2007-05-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful benefit of having a kid. Usually the only time I go to the beach is to walk or jog. Now along with enjoying the sun, I get to dig, build, play chase, and of course, monitor the sand eating.

I love this one -- one of many wonderful, sweet pictures of Gary with Flannery.

Thanks Julie for this great hat! When I put it on her, it covered her face so nicely, she thought we were playing peek-a-boo.

Butterflies

2007-05-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

It was one of those days. For starters, Flannery has had a low grade fever the last couple days. I'm convinced its her teeth, hopefully the molars. She's been fussy, clingy and is rubbing her jawline and ear with the palm of her hand. No other symptoms.

We went to the Butterfly Exhibit at the Natural History Museum today. On the way, Flannery fell asleep which I wasn't expecting. I reached back to see what she was doing and she was limp; I couldn't wake her. Finally I stuck my finger in her mouth and swung it around. She cried. Phew. I was shaking the rest of the trip. I don't know why I chose that moment to, for the first time, get scared by her sleeping in the car.

The exhibit was great. Flannery met 4 of her baby friends. I really wanted a picture with a butterfly sitting on the brim of Flannery's hat. Or maybe just one with her and a butterfly in the same shot...

Flannery slept for 20 minutes in the car on the way home. Ugh. Murder on naps. A bit of parental delusion (in spite of her protests) made me think I could get her back to sleep. Once I came to my senses an hour later, she played happily until bed time.

... A disclaimer for kidless friends or friends who have kids but have expanded their thoughts beyond first steps, rice-gummed hair, and diapers; so far this blog is for the grandparents! Maybe soon, I'll tell you what Gary and I are up to also.

Train

2007-04-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah. Now that I have a blog, I'm supposed to post.

We bought Flannery a train today. Something to push and ride. She must like it because she keeps saying "Ooo, Ooo, Ooo".

We tried the new egg mcmuffins at Starbucks this foggy morning. Good but I think I'll stick to the coffee. I love going out for coffee on the weekends.

Tomorrow I start my new workout plan. Step class 8:30. We'll see if I can make it 3 times a week!

Little Bully

2007-04-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

We went to Flannery's friend River's 1 year birthday party on Sunday.

The buttons on this bike made music. Flannery decided she wanted it to herself so tried to push off this little boy. We have a little bully on our hands.

In other news, she's standing, jabbering like crazy and has started licking the carpet. Hmmm.

6 months old today!!

2006-12-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

Flannery can now sit up for a few seconds and is starting to reach for us.

She loves her food. Her eating process goes like this: lunge at the spoon mouth open (miss, hit her nose), gnaw on the spoon, stick out her tongue, send food down her chin, chew on the side of the high chair, leave some food there, swallow a little, start over. Sedona is especially thrilled with Flannery's new eating skills.

1st Meal

2006-11-29T17:39:00.000-08:00

Flannery had her first meal today. Rice cereal. It's yummy (I tasted it). She seemed to love it and got most of it down!

Monument Valley Trip Home

2006-02-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

On the way home from Albuquerque, we stopped in Monument Valley. It was beautiful although windy and pretty cold in the high desert. We are certainly happy to be home at the beach where the air is warm and a bit less dry!

Feb. 5, 2006 at Monument Valley
Sedona hoping some small creature will appear from under a rock...

Feb. 4, 2006 at Four Corners (NM, CO, UT, AZ)
Just a little bit of a belly. :)

Baby's first picture!

2006-01-16T21:18:00.000-08:00

Here's the first picture of Baby Lundgren at 19 weeks. The technician said she was "leaning" towards a girl but not to buy anything pink!

Since the whole baby naming process is so overwhelming for us, we're just focusing on girl names. We have a second ultrasound between 25-28 weeks. At that time, we may be switching to boy names. We'll see!