Well Sugarpie, we're almost there! (This first line was written on the 20th. Now, a few days later when I have time to finish this blog, things have changed...drastically).
Sweet Angelbaby, last night you pooped on the potty. The week before I went back to work after your sister was born, you woke up one morning and said "Mama, I need to go pee." Two days later you were able to stay dry in your pull ups all day long (except while you were sleeping) and aside from the predictable poop that came every time you went down for a nap you were doing a fantastic, quick job of potty training. Even at the park you would run up to me and tell me you needed to go potty, and you held it while I wrangled you, me and your sister in the dingly metal stall, jumping over puddles on unknown liquid on the floor, and somehow trying to get us all out of there just as clean and when we went in.
I had joked for the last 8 or so months that you would be in diapers until you were 10 because you showed absolutely no interest at all in potty training. People told me how hard it would be to have 2 kids in diapers, but I'll tell you, it was a lot easier to let you pee in your diaper, than it is now trying to get you up on a toilet while I balance your sister on one hip, and wiping? All I can say is I'm glad I haven't dropped you on your face yet because it is a feat of physics to do it one-handed in a public restroom. But kid, you are such a champ. Aside from the half-pee you do to get candy more often (pee a little, then pee again 10 minutes later) I am amazed at how quickly the process was, and now that you are pooping in the potty too, words cannot describe how proud of you I am. You sticker calendar to record how many times you went potty each day is completely full, and I'm thinking by your birthday you'll be in undies full-time if you want to be.
I did go back to work this month, but you have taken to daycare like a frog to water. The first day I went to pick you up, you started crying that you wanted to stay and play longer. It makes me so happy to see you having so much fun, you napped with no problem, and are generally thriving and content there. The only complaint I have is that I haven't gotten any artwork to bring home, but I can discuss that with your caretakers later. :)
My wish for you this month, Darling, is that you continue to adapt so fluidly to the changes that will be thrown at you in life. I know it was hard to have me home for 6 months then suddenly I'm back at work and you are being bounced around to different places each day of the week. And although I am happy that you are with family 5 days per week, I think putting you in daycare has shown me that you are much more adaptable now than you were as a baby, and I hope that adaptability sticks with you, as it will be vital later in life.
Before I sign off, I want to tell you that your Papa bought me a digital picture frame for Mother's Day this year. It was supposed to be for work, but is absolutely enormous, so I think we're going to keep it at home. I brought it upstairs so that I could download the photos to it, and the box is sitting outside my bedroom door. Every time you notice the box, you run to me and say 'Happy Mother's Day.' Thank you for being your wonderful self.
I love you Baby,
Mama.
Showing posts with label Taryn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taryn. Show all posts
May 20, 2009
April 20, 2009
Month Thirty-Four
Holy Smokes Batman, you are just about 3 years old! When people ask me now how old you are, I'm stumbling between 'two' and 'almost three.' It's not that I want you to be older any sooner, but to say two when you can hold a conversation with an adult, or kid, or dog, flower, computer screen.... it just doesn't do the extent of your development justice. But you aren't three yet, and I want to savor this beautiful time when I am still the center of your world.
When Papa wakes you up in the morning, you two go downstairs and exercise. He bought some video that he wants to get fit to, and since you two are up an hour earlier than the baby and I (for now) it's wonderful to see you two spending time together. And it's nice to sleep in too. I just bought a tumbling mat too, and you are having a great time exercising on it, jumping from color block to color block, and tomorrow, I'm sure, you'll realize you can do your gymnastics rolls on it, and I'll have to move your sister out of the way so you can stretch your gangly little limbs out.
Since I am going back to work in less than a month, we've been looking at a lot of day cares for you and your sister. I'm satisfied with the arrangement of your Nana, Papa and I each having you guys for a day each week, and you having two days away. It's going to break my heart to see someone else spending so much time with you, but I know you will thrive with the social interactions with your peers (and hopefully start on the potty training as well) and you two will be together. Plus, I'll still be able to see you guys at lunch each day, at least for a while. It is so hard to feel like I have no choice-again-but to go back to work. So my wish for you is that you have a choice to work or stay home if you decide to have children. Some people love their careers, some people love their lifestyles, I just wish I could work part-time and be home as much as possible while you two are young, but I know God has a plan and this is what is supposed to happen right now.
You and Jackson had a fun day riding horses a couple weeks back and whenever I mention him or Ms Ally, you go off on this tangent about the horses and the pig and everything we did that day and I'm realizing more and more it's the little things with you. Some kids may want a huge production, but you just want something different from everyday life. I promise that when your sister is a bit bigger, we're going to go on all those adventures I dreamed about when I was pregnant with you. We're going to travel, and go on road trips, and camping and fishing and see the snow. I promise to introduce you to every new type of food I can imagine and take you to Mexico to eat real tortas, and to New York so I can see it for the first time with you. We'll gaze at the Grand Canyon, hike through Yosemite, and search for bears at Yellow Stone. I promise that no matter what else happens in life I will always be there for you. I will never leave you, I will always be your biggest fan, and I will go to the ends of the universe and back, or just flag down the ice cream truck on a sweltering summer day, all just to see your smile.
I love you Angel,
Mama (Mom)
When Papa wakes you up in the morning, you two go downstairs and exercise. He bought some video that he wants to get fit to, and since you two are up an hour earlier than the baby and I (for now) it's wonderful to see you two spending time together. And it's nice to sleep in too. I just bought a tumbling mat too, and you are having a great time exercising on it, jumping from color block to color block, and tomorrow, I'm sure, you'll realize you can do your gymnastics rolls on it, and I'll have to move your sister out of the way so you can stretch your gangly little limbs out.
Since I am going back to work in less than a month, we've been looking at a lot of day cares for you and your sister. I'm satisfied with the arrangement of your Nana, Papa and I each having you guys for a day each week, and you having two days away. It's going to break my heart to see someone else spending so much time with you, but I know you will thrive with the social interactions with your peers (and hopefully start on the potty training as well) and you two will be together. Plus, I'll still be able to see you guys at lunch each day, at least for a while. It is so hard to feel like I have no choice-again-but to go back to work. So my wish for you is that you have a choice to work or stay home if you decide to have children. Some people love their careers, some people love their lifestyles, I just wish I could work part-time and be home as much as possible while you two are young, but I know God has a plan and this is what is supposed to happen right now.
You and Jackson had a fun day riding horses a couple weeks back and whenever I mention him or Ms Ally, you go off on this tangent about the horses and the pig and everything we did that day and I'm realizing more and more it's the little things with you. Some kids may want a huge production, but you just want something different from everyday life. I promise that when your sister is a bit bigger, we're going to go on all those adventures I dreamed about when I was pregnant with you. We're going to travel, and go on road trips, and camping and fishing and see the snow. I promise to introduce you to every new type of food I can imagine and take you to Mexico to eat real tortas, and to New York so I can see it for the first time with you. We'll gaze at the Grand Canyon, hike through Yosemite, and search for bears at Yellow Stone. I promise that no matter what else happens in life I will always be there for you. I will never leave you, I will always be your biggest fan, and I will go to the ends of the universe and back, or just flag down the ice cream truck on a sweltering summer day, all just to see your smile.
I love you Angel,
Mama (Mom)
March 20, 2009
Month Thirty-Three
Hello Darling Girl,
You're just a trimester short of your third birthday, but you are acting like you're four times as old. I think you may have even rolled you eyes at me the other day, but I can't be sure. You've taken to responding to every question with "huh?" Which Granny says you get from your Papa, and even your facial expression mimics him when you say it. Irritating? Yes. But irresistibly cute as well. We were driving up to Petaluma for your Tia Elba's birthday last week and you started talking about getting married for some reason. You told Papa and I you wanted to marry him, and he couldn't be my husband anymore. I have no idea where it came from, maybe because I call him 'husband' when I am angry, so I asked you again today who you wanted to marry, and you said Jack-Jack. You also asked if you could marry him today and said how fun it would be.
By far the most interesting thing that happened this month was you starting preschool. You are such a champ. No tears or prolonged goodbyes. You are so into other kids, and your teachers say that you share very well, something a lot of the other kids don't do yet. Every time we leave the house to go, you are so excited, talking about seeing your new friends and saying hi to your teachers, and when I go back to pick you up you are always so chipper, telling me about your art project for the day and the new toys you played with and singing the songs (with hand motions) that I don't know but love hearing you sing. My wish for you this month Angel, is that you continue to thrive in school and love learning as much as I do. I can totally see this is one of your elements, and I think we picked a perfect time to start you. I know you will do awesomely learning and exploring and creating, and I hope you never lose the wonder you feel now at new educational experiences.
We haven't done much in the way of going places. The weather has been shockingly beautiful this month, very little rain and 75 degrees in March is not something to be wasted, so we've been going on lots of walks and spending lots of time at the park. One of the things that continues to amaze me about you is that you are so sensitive, but so low-key. When I tell you it's time to leave the park without any notice and your sister is screaming on my shoulder, you are so compliant, never throwing a fit or begging to stay.
And most days the three of us end up in the rocking chair together while I am trying to get you to sleep, and you are just so understanding of your sister. Even today she grabbed a handful of your hair and yanked it, and you calmly asked me to take her hand off your head, then you looked at it. And when you saw she had pulled out a piece of your hair, you unwound it from her fat little finger and put it back on the top of your head. :)
You are only 2, but when people hear you talk they always ask if you are older. You have actual conversations with people, and it is getting much easier to understand you because your vocabulary is continuing to expand at a crazy-fast rate. And em, you're repeated a few swear words I said, but only that one time. I'm sure you'll bust them out at the most inopportune time (and use them appropriately to boot) but for now I'll trick myself into thinking you forgot them. You and I talk all day long, about nature and people and cars and buildings, read stories and talk about what's happening on the pages, and we've even had conversations about God. You are simply amazing.
And as I say every month and think to myself a hundred times per day, you are such as special kid, I am so blessed to have you in my life. And I love you more than I ever thought possible.
Love,
Mama
You're just a trimester short of your third birthday, but you are acting like you're four times as old. I think you may have even rolled you eyes at me the other day, but I can't be sure. You've taken to responding to every question with "huh?" Which Granny says you get from your Papa, and even your facial expression mimics him when you say it. Irritating? Yes. But irresistibly cute as well. We were driving up to Petaluma for your Tia Elba's birthday last week and you started talking about getting married for some reason. You told Papa and I you wanted to marry him, and he couldn't be my husband anymore. I have no idea where it came from, maybe because I call him 'husband' when I am angry, so I asked you again today who you wanted to marry, and you said Jack-Jack. You also asked if you could marry him today and said how fun it would be.
By far the most interesting thing that happened this month was you starting preschool. You are such a champ. No tears or prolonged goodbyes. You are so into other kids, and your teachers say that you share very well, something a lot of the other kids don't do yet. Every time we leave the house to go, you are so excited, talking about seeing your new friends and saying hi to your teachers, and when I go back to pick you up you are always so chipper, telling me about your art project for the day and the new toys you played with and singing the songs (with hand motions) that I don't know but love hearing you sing. My wish for you this month Angel, is that you continue to thrive in school and love learning as much as I do. I can totally see this is one of your elements, and I think we picked a perfect time to start you. I know you will do awesomely learning and exploring and creating, and I hope you never lose the wonder you feel now at new educational experiences.
We haven't done much in the way of going places. The weather has been shockingly beautiful this month, very little rain and 75 degrees in March is not something to be wasted, so we've been going on lots of walks and spending lots of time at the park. One of the things that continues to amaze me about you is that you are so sensitive, but so low-key. When I tell you it's time to leave the park without any notice and your sister is screaming on my shoulder, you are so compliant, never throwing a fit or begging to stay.
And most days the three of us end up in the rocking chair together while I am trying to get you to sleep, and you are just so understanding of your sister. Even today she grabbed a handful of your hair and yanked it, and you calmly asked me to take her hand off your head, then you looked at it. And when you saw she had pulled out a piece of your hair, you unwound it from her fat little finger and put it back on the top of your head. :)
You are only 2, but when people hear you talk they always ask if you are older. You have actual conversations with people, and it is getting much easier to understand you because your vocabulary is continuing to expand at a crazy-fast rate. And em, you're repeated a few swear words I said, but only that one time. I'm sure you'll bust them out at the most inopportune time (and use them appropriately to boot) but for now I'll trick myself into thinking you forgot them. You and I talk all day long, about nature and people and cars and buildings, read stories and talk about what's happening on the pages, and we've even had conversations about God. You are simply amazing.
And as I say every month and think to myself a hundred times per day, you are such as special kid, I am so blessed to have you in my life. And I love you more than I ever thought possible.
Love,
Mama
March 5, 2009
First Week of Preschool
Boogie is a real preschooler now! She started this week and went two days, and loved it. I was worried at first that she would be super shy and not talk to anyone, but the first day we showed up I only hung around for about 5 minutes, and she was fine. She was the only girl playing cars with the boys, ans when I came back to pick her up, the teacher's assistant told me that she didn't shed a tear, and was holding her own against a bigger buy who was trying to take her toys away from her. She even painted me a picture!
Today was her second day, and when I dropped her off the TA said she was so impressed by how confident Boogie is, that some kids that have been in the preschool since the Fall still barely talk to the other kids and cry when their parents leave. I had to do a double take to make sure she was talking about my Boogie. I am so happy that she is thriving and loving it. She is non-stop chatter in the car talking about her new friends and playing with the toys. She made a necklace today but ended up eating all the Cheerios off it before I could see. Typical Taryn.
Anyway, I'm so excited to see her thrive in yet another situation. And I sort of dig the two hours I got to spend alone this week, drinking a coffee, listening to my ipod and reading a book.
Today was her second day, and when I dropped her off the TA said she was so impressed by how confident Boogie is, that some kids that have been in the preschool since the Fall still barely talk to the other kids and cry when their parents leave. I had to do a double take to make sure she was talking about my Boogie. I am so happy that she is thriving and loving it. She is non-stop chatter in the car talking about her new friends and playing with the toys. She made a necklace today but ended up eating all the Cheerios off it before I could see. Typical Taryn.
Anyway, I'm so excited to see her thrive in yet another situation. And I sort of dig the two hours I got to spend alone this week, drinking a coffee, listening to my ipod and reading a book.
February 20, 2009
Month Thirty-Two
Hey Baby-doll,
This is the first time in months I've gotten your letter started on time, woot! I almost didn't because I need to get this adorable picture of you up on this blog. You've been big into picking out your own clothes lately, and you have a very developed sense of style. I don't know if it's because I always wear layer, or because it's cold outside and sweaters just aren't as cute, but you have been layering tees, tank tops and turtlenecks, and it freaking matches! Who would have thought that a rainbow striped tee, green shirt and gray tank would look good together? Anyway, tonight you wanted to put your own pjs on, and when I went into Granny;s room to get you to read books and go to sleep, you had put on one of Baby Z's pants, your pj top and your sister's beanie as well. You looked like one of those little boys from the 1920's with the short pants on, but it was so cute.
You've also been attached at the hip to Elmo for a while now, as attached as you are to anything, really. Which only means that although you prefer to sleep with him, and have him in the bathroom each night, you'll take a replacement Elmo when we can't find the big one, and you are perfectly content with him sitting on the laundry basket, rather than being in the bath with you. You asked to have him swaddled every night before bed, and I did for a while until you woke up two nights in a row crying that you couldn't get the swaddle tight again. So I told you Elmo was sick and didn't want a swaddle, he wanted to snuggle under the blankets with you, and you accepted that with no question.
I think Elmo has been great for you this month, because you're treating him like your child, and the slight jealously you'd shown about your sister is absolutely gone. Now when I sit on the couch to nurse her, you will sit in your rocker to nurse him. You put diapers on him, and change him over and over, exclaiming (like Mama) about how much poop or pee he's got. And though I shouldn't admit it, I use Elmo to distract you about 10 times per day. When you are under my feet while I'm making breakfast, I'll tell you that Elmo is crying for his mommy and send you out to find a toy to play with him. Or when you are stalling getting your shoes on to leave the house, Elmo is usually all ready to go and waiting just for you. You're adorable, because whatever Elmo wants, Elmo gets. :)
This month has been crazy busy for us. Granny is here, has been here for about 3 weeks, and you follow her like a shadow all day long. When she comes down in the morning, you tell her 'Good Morning everybody' and she is the last person you kiss at night. She was the one who helped you make your first batch of Valentine sugar cookies with sprinkles and showed you how to cut out the shapes with cookie cutters. After your bath while Papa and I are calming the baby so I can read your books and put you to sleep, you sneak into Granny's room and get under the covers with her, watching TV until I am ready for you. And though you didn't want to be alone with her at first, now when I need to run to the store quickly, you are perfectly content to stay home with her and your sister. Granny has been amazing to have here, she's taken care of so much cooking and cleaning that I've really been able to spend a lot of time with you, and I know I am less stressed and better able to respond to your 'terrible twos' that if I was doing this all by myself.
My wish for you this month is that you learn patience by example, and the vital fact that you will lose it sometimes, and you will have to apologize. There is very little you cannot fix by saying you are sorry-and meaning it-and it is okay to express your anger and frustration as long as it is not meant to hurt anyone and done in a constructive manner. And by all means ask for help when you need it. I'm still working on that one.
Next week you start gymnastics again, which I know you will love, and the week after you will be in preschool, so next month's letter should be packed and quite easy to write. Sweetpea, you continue to amaze me by how much you are blossoming and becoming such a fun, cool kid. You've had so many play dates this month, and when I ask who your friends are you list all you buddies, their sibling, and their parents. Never one to discriminate, you also want them all at out house, all together, all the time. And you want to make them cookies. Every day.
I love you,
Mama
This is the first time in months I've gotten your letter started on time, woot! I almost didn't because I need to get this adorable picture of you up on this blog. You've been big into picking out your own clothes lately, and you have a very developed sense of style. I don't know if it's because I always wear layer, or because it's cold outside and sweaters just aren't as cute, but you have been layering tees, tank tops and turtlenecks, and it freaking matches! Who would have thought that a rainbow striped tee, green shirt and gray tank would look good together? Anyway, tonight you wanted to put your own pjs on, and when I went into Granny;s room to get you to read books and go to sleep, you had put on one of Baby Z's pants, your pj top and your sister's beanie as well. You looked like one of those little boys from the 1920's with the short pants on, but it was so cute.
You've also been attached at the hip to Elmo for a while now, as attached as you are to anything, really. Which only means that although you prefer to sleep with him, and have him in the bathroom each night, you'll take a replacement Elmo when we can't find the big one, and you are perfectly content with him sitting on the laundry basket, rather than being in the bath with you. You asked to have him swaddled every night before bed, and I did for a while until you woke up two nights in a row crying that you couldn't get the swaddle tight again. So I told you Elmo was sick and didn't want a swaddle, he wanted to snuggle under the blankets with you, and you accepted that with no question.
I think Elmo has been great for you this month, because you're treating him like your child, and the slight jealously you'd shown about your sister is absolutely gone. Now when I sit on the couch to nurse her, you will sit in your rocker to nurse him. You put diapers on him, and change him over and over, exclaiming (like Mama) about how much poop or pee he's got. And though I shouldn't admit it, I use Elmo to distract you about 10 times per day. When you are under my feet while I'm making breakfast, I'll tell you that Elmo is crying for his mommy and send you out to find a toy to play with him. Or when you are stalling getting your shoes on to leave the house, Elmo is usually all ready to go and waiting just for you. You're adorable, because whatever Elmo wants, Elmo gets. :)
This month has been crazy busy for us. Granny is here, has been here for about 3 weeks, and you follow her like a shadow all day long. When she comes down in the morning, you tell her 'Good Morning everybody' and she is the last person you kiss at night. She was the one who helped you make your first batch of Valentine sugar cookies with sprinkles and showed you how to cut out the shapes with cookie cutters. After your bath while Papa and I are calming the baby so I can read your books and put you to sleep, you sneak into Granny's room and get under the covers with her, watching TV until I am ready for you. And though you didn't want to be alone with her at first, now when I need to run to the store quickly, you are perfectly content to stay home with her and your sister. Granny has been amazing to have here, she's taken care of so much cooking and cleaning that I've really been able to spend a lot of time with you, and I know I am less stressed and better able to respond to your 'terrible twos' that if I was doing this all by myself.
My wish for you this month is that you learn patience by example, and the vital fact that you will lose it sometimes, and you will have to apologize. There is very little you cannot fix by saying you are sorry-and meaning it-and it is okay to express your anger and frustration as long as it is not meant to hurt anyone and done in a constructive manner. And by all means ask for help when you need it. I'm still working on that one.
Next week you start gymnastics again, which I know you will love, and the week after you will be in preschool, so next month's letter should be packed and quite easy to write. Sweetpea, you continue to amaze me by how much you are blossoming and becoming such a fun, cool kid. You've had so many play dates this month, and when I ask who your friends are you list all you buddies, their sibling, and their parents. Never one to discriminate, you also want them all at out house, all together, all the time. And you want to make them cookies. Every day.
I love you,
Mama
February 13, 2009
Got Your Nose
Oy, my apologies to anyone who cares. It's been a few weeks and nary a peep from this blog. Not that life has been slow, but my only opportunity to blog is when Boogie and Gorilita are both asleep (which coincides with my nap as well... which hasn't happened in a few days) and that short period of time between when I put Boogie to sleep for the night, and when P realizes I'm not longer occupied and brings me Gorilita.
Which is now.
So quick like, I wanted to say that the game "Got Your Nose" was a dismal failure in my house. I don't know what possessed me to steal Boogie's nose, I thought she would find it amusing and assumed she was way to smart to believe it, but... nope. I took her nose and put it in my pocket. I had a rolled up tissue in the pocket and told her to feel her nose, which she did, and proceeded to freak the f*ck out.
Seriously. She started screaming and writhing on the ground, wailing that she wanted her nose back, begging me to put it back on her face. So I took it out of my pocket and put it back on her face. The end?
No. She asked me to take it again and put it on the shelf. So I did.
And she freaked out again.
And of course later that night she asked me to take it again and got upset when I said no, but when I took her nose off again and put it under the blanket, she freaked yet again.
I'm so confused.
(And I can hear him coming up the stairs. Right on cue.)
Which is now.
So quick like, I wanted to say that the game "Got Your Nose" was a dismal failure in my house. I don't know what possessed me to steal Boogie's nose, I thought she would find it amusing and assumed she was way to smart to believe it, but... nope. I took her nose and put it in my pocket. I had a rolled up tissue in the pocket and told her to feel her nose, which she did, and proceeded to freak the f*ck out.
Seriously. She started screaming and writhing on the ground, wailing that she wanted her nose back, begging me to put it back on her face. So I took it out of my pocket and put it back on her face. The end?
No. She asked me to take it again and put it on the shelf. So I did.
And she freaked out again.
And of course later that night she asked me to take it again and got upset when I said no, but when I took her nose off again and put it under the blanket, she freaked yet again.
I'm so confused.
(And I can hear him coming up the stairs. Right on cue.)
January 22, 2009
Month Thirty-One
Boogie, the day you turned 31 months we rang in an historic moment with mimosas for me, Nana and Granny, and you had OJ in your sippy. We watched the inauguration of President Barak H. Obama, the first African American president of this country. On election night a few months back you sat on the couch with me enthralled by his acceptance speech, and once again I am thrilled to have shared this momentous occasion with you. We cheered, clinked glasses, and you periodically yelled "Obama!" while watching the TV with a huge smile on your face. I know you won't remember that day, but know that you were there, you watched it live, and you were just as juiced as the rest of the world.
Speaking of TV, I want you to thank your sister for one thing, if nothing else: she made you a normal kid. Before she was born, I was stringent with TV. Most days you didn't see it at all unless I was sick or too tired, and then it was educational videos, cartoons set to kids songs, or Jackson's birthday. Now, you're getting around 45 minutes a day, still educational but a lot of the same Dora the Explorer episodes as well (which you know all the words to) so that I can have time to cook dinner or deal with your crying sister without you feeling neglected. I'm not happy about it, but I realized yesterday that I'm trying to do too much, trying to do it all and do it perfectly, and you are suffering. So there you go. Zoraya loosened the cable strings and now you'll be able to discuss non-violent educational cartoons with your friends at school. Say thank you. :)
I'm glad we didn't sign you up for gymnastics this month. It's January, but it's been 70 degrees for weeks so we've been able to go to the park, and play outside, take a few walks, and enjoy the beautiful unseasonal weather. And today it's raining so I put a video on for you so I could write you letter.
You are going through a rough transition right now, from a toddler to a preschooler and attempting to assert your independence. I am trying to help you explore your autonomy while maintaining mt sanity, and it's a hard balancing act but I think we're doing okay. It's funny though because you pretty much refuse to do anything I ask unless it involves someone else. You'll put Papa's shoes away, but not your own. You'll bring me a diaper to change Zoraya, but not when I need to change yours. And you'll eat food off my and your Papa's plate, but not what's on your own. So okay, I'm hoping this phase ends soon, but it's still fascinating to watch you go through it. So this month, my wish for you is that you remain fiercely independent but still have a kind heart, that you assert yourself but not to infringe on or hurt others, that you know clearly what you want and you go after it, but don't beat anyone else down to get there. We've been trying to perfect this for generations, and I have high hopes that you will be the first to achieve that balance.
I haven't talked much about your stature recently, because you haven't been to the doctor in months. You're getting tall, about 34 inches but are still a beanpole at a touch over 25 lbs. Girth-wise, you still fit into 18-24 month clothes and a size 4 diaper, but height-wise you're pushing up into 3T. And you are still one of the most stunning children I have ever seen. Everywhere we go people are commenting that you are so beautiful, and I'm trying to teach you to respond "Thank you, I'm smart too" so that you will learn that looks are not everything, but I have to be honest that you are absolutely gorgeous... and you know it.
You've also been a dancing queen again, stripping off all your clothes, turning on the radio and shaking your scrawny little butt to whatever comes on. I'm going to film you one day and hold it hostage to make sure I get into a nice retirment community.
I love you,
Mama
Speaking of TV, I want you to thank your sister for one thing, if nothing else: she made you a normal kid. Before she was born, I was stringent with TV. Most days you didn't see it at all unless I was sick or too tired, and then it was educational videos, cartoons set to kids songs, or Jackson's birthday. Now, you're getting around 45 minutes a day, still educational but a lot of the same Dora the Explorer episodes as well (which you know all the words to) so that I can have time to cook dinner or deal with your crying sister without you feeling neglected. I'm not happy about it, but I realized yesterday that I'm trying to do too much, trying to do it all and do it perfectly, and you are suffering. So there you go. Zoraya loosened the cable strings and now you'll be able to discuss non-violent educational cartoons with your friends at school. Say thank you. :)
I'm glad we didn't sign you up for gymnastics this month. It's January, but it's been 70 degrees for weeks so we've been able to go to the park, and play outside, take a few walks, and enjoy the beautiful unseasonal weather. And today it's raining so I put a video on for you so I could write you letter.
You are going through a rough transition right now, from a toddler to a preschooler and attempting to assert your independence. I am trying to help you explore your autonomy while maintaining mt sanity, and it's a hard balancing act but I think we're doing okay. It's funny though because you pretty much refuse to do anything I ask unless it involves someone else. You'll put Papa's shoes away, but not your own. You'll bring me a diaper to change Zoraya, but not when I need to change yours. And you'll eat food off my and your Papa's plate, but not what's on your own. So okay, I'm hoping this phase ends soon, but it's still fascinating to watch you go through it. So this month, my wish for you is that you remain fiercely independent but still have a kind heart, that you assert yourself but not to infringe on or hurt others, that you know clearly what you want and you go after it, but don't beat anyone else down to get there. We've been trying to perfect this for generations, and I have high hopes that you will be the first to achieve that balance.
I haven't talked much about your stature recently, because you haven't been to the doctor in months. You're getting tall, about 34 inches but are still a beanpole at a touch over 25 lbs. Girth-wise, you still fit into 18-24 month clothes and a size 4 diaper, but height-wise you're pushing up into 3T. And you are still one of the most stunning children I have ever seen. Everywhere we go people are commenting that you are so beautiful, and I'm trying to teach you to respond "Thank you, I'm smart too" so that you will learn that looks are not everything, but I have to be honest that you are absolutely gorgeous... and you know it.
You've also been a dancing queen again, stripping off all your clothes, turning on the radio and shaking your scrawny little butt to whatever comes on. I'm going to film you one day and hold it hostage to make sure I get into a nice retirment community.
I love you,
Mama
January 15, 2009
God, this is hard sometimes...
Sometimes the days are so hard that I am in tears by the time P gets home. Yesterday I had a screaming infant and a toddler who melted into the floor in tears, begging me to pick her up instead of the baby. I'm still struggling to balance my time, to make Boogie feel loved and attended to, but also to make sure Gorilita's needs are met as well. Then mine. Mine are always last, but I knew that going into this parenting thing, and I'm okay with that. It's splitting time with the girls that is killing me.
Then there are other times, like this morning, where Boogie is so loving and attentive to her sister, playing with her and seeing Glorilita's huge smile when she sees her sister's face melts my heart and makes the rough patches totally worth it. Then I'm in tears anyway when P gets home, so happy that I decided to sacrifice once again so that these sisters will grow up close in age, and hopefully as friends.
I just have to remind myself when things are hard that it will pass, and soon they will be able to play together and making sure they both feel loved now is vital to their later development.
Then there are other times, like this morning, where Boogie is so loving and attentive to her sister, playing with her and seeing Glorilita's huge smile when she sees her sister's face melts my heart and makes the rough patches totally worth it. Then I'm in tears anyway when P gets home, so happy that I decided to sacrifice once again so that these sisters will grow up close in age, and hopefully as friends.
I just have to remind myself when things are hard that it will pass, and soon they will be able to play together and making sure they both feel loved now is vital to their later development.
January 6, 2009
Effective Disciple?
Boogie has been a bit out of control lately, steadily wading through her terrible twos, and I have to keep reminding myself that this is completely normal. And also not to laugh too much. Her favorite thing now is saying "I can't do it" when I ask her to clean up after herself or do something, like bring me a tissue.
The other day I asked her to pick up her blocks after she dumped them on the floor and walked away. It was time to take a nap and she was being defiant, sprawled across the bench of her table moaning like I had asked her to pick me up and carry me up the stairs.
"I can't Mom, I'm too tired."
So I told her I'd take them away if she didn't help me pick them up, and she says, "Okay, can I go to sleep now?"
As if that wasn't cute enough, the next morning we moved her kitchen and found a couple of the blocks that I had missed putting away the day before. She picks them up, walks over to me with her hand out and says "Put these away too, Mom."
The other day I asked her to pick up her blocks after she dumped them on the floor and walked away. It was time to take a nap and she was being defiant, sprawled across the bench of her table moaning like I had asked her to pick me up and carry me up the stairs.
"I can't Mom, I'm too tired."
So I told her I'd take them away if she didn't help me pick them up, and she says, "Okay, can I go to sleep now?"
As if that wasn't cute enough, the next morning we moved her kitchen and found a couple of the blocks that I had missed putting away the day before. She picks them up, walks over to me with her hand out and says "Put these away too, Mom."
December 30, 2008
And the Requisite Photos...
Zoraya's first hospital glamor shot.
Not too happy about her first bath.
Me and the girls in the hospital.
Taryn trying to figure out what she's supposed to do with this baby.
Holding her and watching TV, just like Papa.
One of the only times she slept in the car seat.
Stoked much?
In Taryn's bed. She turned bright red when she gets really mad.
Christmas out take.
Christmas baby.
December 26, 2008
Month Thirty
My Beautiful Girl, you've made it to the second half of your second year, and though this has been a difficult month for all of us you have blossomed into quite the social butterfly.
I promise not to turn your monthly letters into a recap of your sister's life (she'll have her own letters for that) but since she was born this month, I should comment on how you are adjusting. At first, things were good. You were super attached to Zoraya, wanted to help with everything from changing diapers to swaddling to nursing, and at least 10 times per day you'd come to me and ask to hold her. Within the last few days though you've been acting out a bit, crying very easily and throwing tantrums (for most kids, they'd probably be small hissy-fits, but for you it's a full out puddle-on-the-floor tantrum). You also haven't been sleeping as well, waking up very early or very late, and crying when we leave you at night. I know it's hard, and I know we'll get through this. I constantly remind myself that you are only 2. In some ways you seem so much older, much more mature, but in others you are spot-on your age. This is on of them.
You are still very affectionate with your sister though, holding her and helping me to take care of her. Thankfully she sleeps through your noise, banging on the drum Papa bought you for Christmas (which you love, and had a great little jam session with your Popo the other day). I can't wait until she's old enough for you two to play together, and although I know the older you get, the more you'll fight, I also know you'll love her and protect her for the rest of your life.
As for blossoming though, for the past year you have been very shy even around family and people you see often and know. But these past few weeks you have warmed up incredibly fast, and now are playing within 20 minutes as opposed to 2 the 2 hours it used to take you. No exaggeration, you would cling to me for 2 full hours before you'd go play with the kids, and it would take 3-4 hours to interact with the adults. This past Friday you were playing with Popo and Grammy (whom you had never even met before) within about 30 minutes. I love it because people are drawn to you and you have so much fun with them, and I just love seeing the look of delight on both of your faces. So this month my wish for you is that you continue to light up people's lives simply by being your wonderful self.
We haven't been out much, though we are going to see Christmas lights tonight before they take them all down. We did go to a Christmas show and you had a ball watching the dancers and listening to music and learned how to do the chicken dance. The second half of the show was a little dark and we left early, and I think you had a nightmare about the clown, so I'm hoping that isn't something that stays with you forever.
And you've started calling me "Mom" and your Papa "Babe". Nice, huh? I know you are just mimicking what you hear, and it is cute, but I hope the habit doesn't stick. Not very cool when we're out in public and you tell to your Papa "Come over here, Babe!" People stare. Then laugh. Great.
Alright kid, I'm tired. You were up until 11:30pm last night and woke up this morning at 7am, so between that and your sister staying away and fussing until 3am, I need a nap. But I love you, and I promise things will get better. You won't even remember how hard this time is and will be for a while, and I promise that having a sister will eventually be a blessing, even though right now it may feel more like a curse to you. You will always be my angel.
I love you.
"Mom"
I promise not to turn your monthly letters into a recap of your sister's life (she'll have her own letters for that) but since she was born this month, I should comment on how you are adjusting. At first, things were good. You were super attached to Zoraya, wanted to help with everything from changing diapers to swaddling to nursing, and at least 10 times per day you'd come to me and ask to hold her. Within the last few days though you've been acting out a bit, crying very easily and throwing tantrums (for most kids, they'd probably be small hissy-fits, but for you it's a full out puddle-on-the-floor tantrum). You also haven't been sleeping as well, waking up very early or very late, and crying when we leave you at night. I know it's hard, and I know we'll get through this. I constantly remind myself that you are only 2. In some ways you seem so much older, much more mature, but in others you are spot-on your age. This is on of them.
You are still very affectionate with your sister though, holding her and helping me to take care of her. Thankfully she sleeps through your noise, banging on the drum Papa bought you for Christmas (which you love, and had a great little jam session with your Popo the other day). I can't wait until she's old enough for you two to play together, and although I know the older you get, the more you'll fight, I also know you'll love her and protect her for the rest of your life.
As for blossoming though, for the past year you have been very shy even around family and people you see often and know. But these past few weeks you have warmed up incredibly fast, and now are playing within 20 minutes as opposed to 2 the 2 hours it used to take you. No exaggeration, you would cling to me for 2 full hours before you'd go play with the kids, and it would take 3-4 hours to interact with the adults. This past Friday you were playing with Popo and Grammy (whom you had never even met before) within about 30 minutes. I love it because people are drawn to you and you have so much fun with them, and I just love seeing the look of delight on both of your faces. So this month my wish for you is that you continue to light up people's lives simply by being your wonderful self.
We haven't been out much, though we are going to see Christmas lights tonight before they take them all down. We did go to a Christmas show and you had a ball watching the dancers and listening to music and learned how to do the chicken dance. The second half of the show was a little dark and we left early, and I think you had a nightmare about the clown, so I'm hoping that isn't something that stays with you forever.
And you've started calling me "Mom" and your Papa "Babe". Nice, huh? I know you are just mimicking what you hear, and it is cute, but I hope the habit doesn't stick. Not very cool when we're out in public and you tell to your Papa "Come over here, Babe!" People stare. Then laugh. Great.
Alright kid, I'm tired. You were up until 11:30pm last night and woke up this morning at 7am, so between that and your sister staying away and fussing until 3am, I need a nap. But I love you, and I promise things will get better. You won't even remember how hard this time is and will be for a while, and I promise that having a sister will eventually be a blessing, even though right now it may feel more like a curse to you. You will always be my angel.
I love you.
"Mom"
November 21, 2008
Month Twenty-Nine
Well Kiddo, looks like you are almost 2.5 years old, but I could swear you're turning twenty. First off, what's up with the memory? It used to be that I could promise you something, like ... "If you go to sleep now, we'll read Cinderella when you wake up!" And you'd sleep, and forget all about Cinderella. Now, the minute you wake up, you go get Cinderella and I have to read it, because I promised. Or how I told you that the chocolate chip pumpkin muffins were a snack, and not breakfast, lunch or dinner, and every time I ask you if you are hungry, you get a glint in your eye and ask for a snack. Smart kid, but I need to figure out another form of deception for you now.
Speaking of books, I'll apologize ahead of time if I've already ruined your social life by getting you addicted to books. Truthfully, I didn't read much to you when you were a baby, it was boring because I knew you didn't know what I was saying, and books for that age group are a bit...dry. So I'd read you my murder mysteries out loud so when your pediatrician asked if I read to you, I could honestly say 'yes' without elaborating. And also, you were more interested in eating them than reading back then, so hey, I did what worked for both of us. But I rearranged your room recently (nesting, one day you will know that drama it can cause) and now your books are all at your level, and you are in heaven.
When you wake up from your naps or in the morning, we don't hear a peep from you unless you are reading out loud to your pony or one of your dolls. Mostly though we'll find you in your bed with a pile of books, in the dark, flipping through the pictures and mumbling a story line, happy as can be all by yourself. I love it. I remember staying up for hours reading when I was a kid and the joy and escape that it brought to me, as well as the trouble it ultimately kept me out of. So I hope that you retain your love of literature, and that you let if expand past fiction to a love of books of all things, past and present, real and make-believe.
I've been on maternity leave for 2 weeks now, and aside from being laid up with a cold and stomach flu, and the obsessive cleaning and organizing that I've been doing, we're having a blast. Lots of play dates, coffee shop stops, shopping, and of course reading tons of books. We've been cooking together, and you are becoming a pro at stirring (and 'tasting' when my back is turned) and I still can't get over what a love-bug you are. You are also getting much more comfortable with starngers, playing peek-a-boo with people behind us when we are in line at the store and waving hi and bye to the neighbors you previously ignored.
You've also become quite a protector for mommy, and it's not your job to take care of me, but it is cute to see you try. Like when I get frustrated with the dog, you'll pick Rosco up and carry him out of the room, then shut the door. Or try to help me put on my shoes because it's so hard to bend over with a huge belly right now. You get the animal food from the cabinets for me, point out all the spiders for me to 'clean' and consistently tell me how to drive, from letting me know what the colors of the lights mean, to urging me "Mama, let's go!" when we are stuck behind a slower car.
Wait, back to the memory thing? You remember our full names and all of our birth dates. You remember what you were wearing the last time you saw someone a week ago, and ask to wear the same thing the next time you see them. It's almost weird how you seem to absorb everything, reminding me if Papa is at work or in class from one day to the next, based on what he tells you in the morning, or what to buy at the store. If I told you two days ago that on Saturday you would see Nana, when I tell you when it is Saturday, you'll ask to see Nana. Really, quite uncanny for your age.
I'm continually amazed at how grown up you are, but so completely innocent at the same time. I know I tell you a hundred times a day, but I love you with all my heart, and I can't imagine my life without you.
Love,
Mama
Speaking of books, I'll apologize ahead of time if I've already ruined your social life by getting you addicted to books. Truthfully, I didn't read much to you when you were a baby, it was boring because I knew you didn't know what I was saying, and books for that age group are a bit...dry. So I'd read you my murder mysteries out loud so when your pediatrician asked if I read to you, I could honestly say 'yes' without elaborating. And also, you were more interested in eating them than reading back then, so hey, I did what worked for both of us. But I rearranged your room recently (nesting, one day you will know that drama it can cause) and now your books are all at your level, and you are in heaven.
When you wake up from your naps or in the morning, we don't hear a peep from you unless you are reading out loud to your pony or one of your dolls. Mostly though we'll find you in your bed with a pile of books, in the dark, flipping through the pictures and mumbling a story line, happy as can be all by yourself. I love it. I remember staying up for hours reading when I was a kid and the joy and escape that it brought to me, as well as the trouble it ultimately kept me out of. So I hope that you retain your love of literature, and that you let if expand past fiction to a love of books of all things, past and present, real and make-believe.
I've been on maternity leave for 2 weeks now, and aside from being laid up with a cold and stomach flu, and the obsessive cleaning and organizing that I've been doing, we're having a blast. Lots of play dates, coffee shop stops, shopping, and of course reading tons of books. We've been cooking together, and you are becoming a pro at stirring (and 'tasting' when my back is turned) and I still can't get over what a love-bug you are. You are also getting much more comfortable with starngers, playing peek-a-boo with people behind us when we are in line at the store and waving hi and bye to the neighbors you previously ignored.
You've also become quite a protector for mommy, and it's not your job to take care of me, but it is cute to see you try. Like when I get frustrated with the dog, you'll pick Rosco up and carry him out of the room, then shut the door. Or try to help me put on my shoes because it's so hard to bend over with a huge belly right now. You get the animal food from the cabinets for me, point out all the spiders for me to 'clean' and consistently tell me how to drive, from letting me know what the colors of the lights mean, to urging me "Mama, let's go!" when we are stuck behind a slower car.
Wait, back to the memory thing? You remember our full names and all of our birth dates. You remember what you were wearing the last time you saw someone a week ago, and ask to wear the same thing the next time you see them. It's almost weird how you seem to absorb everything, reminding me if Papa is at work or in class from one day to the next, based on what he tells you in the morning, or what to buy at the store. If I told you two days ago that on Saturday you would see Nana, when I tell you when it is Saturday, you'll ask to see Nana. Really, quite uncanny for your age.
I'm continually amazed at how grown up you are, but so completely innocent at the same time. I know I tell you a hundred times a day, but I love you with all my heart, and I can't imagine my life without you.
Love,
Mama
October 26, 2008
Almost Pee'd My Pants
I was fixing Boogie's hair this morning so P could take her out to get fish and pupusas. I feel like crap, otherwise I may have wanted to go, but my head was pounding and I but her bangs started doing this weird outward flip thing which made them stick straight out from her forehead.
P suggested we put a cold roller in her hair to curl them back under, but it wasn't staying so I told him to put some water on them so they'd keep that shape when they dried.
Next thing I know he's chasing her into the room with the iron.
Me: Babe! What the heck are you doing?
P: You told me to spray water on them!
And he corners her and starts spraying water from the iron onto her hair, soaking the top of her head and misting her entire face as well. I was laughing so hard I really almost lost it. I had to run to the restroom before Frogger kicked me and really made a mess.
But it did work. :)
P suggested we put a cold roller in her hair to curl them back under, but it wasn't staying so I told him to put some water on them so they'd keep that shape when they dried.
Next thing I know he's chasing her into the room with the iron.
Me: Babe! What the heck are you doing?
P: You told me to spray water on them!
And he corners her and starts spraying water from the iron onto her hair, soaking the top of her head and misting her entire face as well. I was laughing so hard I really almost lost it. I had to run to the restroom before Frogger kicked me and really made a mess.
But it did work. :)
October 22, 2008
Spot On and NatGEO
I'd been worrying about Taryn's sleep habits for a couple weeks now. She's quite consistent, but just not on an even similar schedule to any other kid I'm aware of. My little Angel sleeps 9p-8a at night, then a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. Sometimes she wants to nap 4 hours, but very rarely less than 2.5. So that makes about 14 average per day, and I didn't know if that was average or what.
Well, just read a WedMD article that said toddlers typically sleep 12-14 hours per day, so I guess she's doing fine. I have to say, though I can see the appeal of getting her to sleep earlier and having more of a break at night, I love that I get to see her for almost 4.5 hours after work, and I get to sleep in on the weekends.
Yes, waking up at 8am is sleeping in when your alarm is normally set for 5:45.
And ohmigoodness! P and I had quite a show on Saturday night.
I woke up around 12:45am to tinkle and heard a rustling noise outside and a low growl. I figured it was a cat or spazoid deer or something, so I looked out the window and literally 15 feet from me was a deer being stalked by 2 coyotes! The deer was backed up against the fence that separates our 'lawn' from the wilderness and the coyotes were doing figure 8's on either side getting closer and closer. I called to P who was dead asleep and the sound of my voice frightened the coyotes off a bit. We could tell the deer was injured so we makes some more hissing noises to scare them off, and one coyote ran up the hill, while the other one moved off about 30 feet but sat watching.
We went back to bed after a while, but for the next hour whenever we heard anything one of us would get up and look out the window with a flashlight and give the other an update. At some point P closed the window (I was knocked out, watching live nature shows really is exhausting) so we didn't get to see how it ended, but that deer was hardcore. He made a run for it at least once and got cornered and forced back down to the fence, but I think he made it in the end. I mean, if they could have taken him easily they would have, but he seemed smart enough and the coyotes were kind of wimpy.
So. I'm off the hook for walking the dogs in the early morning and at night, at least for a while. And the cat is grounded when the sun starts to go down.
Well, just read a WedMD article that said toddlers typically sleep 12-14 hours per day, so I guess she's doing fine. I have to say, though I can see the appeal of getting her to sleep earlier and having more of a break at night, I love that I get to see her for almost 4.5 hours after work, and I get to sleep in on the weekends.
Yes, waking up at 8am is sleeping in when your alarm is normally set for 5:45.
And ohmigoodness! P and I had quite a show on Saturday night.
I woke up around 12:45am to tinkle and heard a rustling noise outside and a low growl. I figured it was a cat or spazoid deer or something, so I looked out the window and literally 15 feet from me was a deer being stalked by 2 coyotes! The deer was backed up against the fence that separates our 'lawn' from the wilderness and the coyotes were doing figure 8's on either side getting closer and closer. I called to P who was dead asleep and the sound of my voice frightened the coyotes off a bit. We could tell the deer was injured so we makes some more hissing noises to scare them off, and one coyote ran up the hill, while the other one moved off about 30 feet but sat watching.
We went back to bed after a while, but for the next hour whenever we heard anything one of us would get up and look out the window with a flashlight and give the other an update. At some point P closed the window (I was knocked out, watching live nature shows really is exhausting) so we didn't get to see how it ended, but that deer was hardcore. He made a run for it at least once and got cornered and forced back down to the fence, but I think he made it in the end. I mean, if they could have taken him easily they would have, but he seemed smart enough and the coyotes were kind of wimpy.
So. I'm off the hook for walking the dogs in the early morning and at night, at least for a while. And the cat is grounded when the sun starts to go down.
October 21, 2008
Month Twenty-Eight
Oh Child, the things you say nowaday. Rather, the things you repeat, shock the bejeebus out of me sometimes. It's mostly cute things, like how you've picked up on my "Ummmm .... no" instead of just saying no, but you also started the habit of saying "Shhhhh! Baby sleeping!" when you are playing with your dolls and we are talking too loudly. I can only remember one time that you've been shushed when there was a sleeping baby at the house, but I guess it's good practice for when your baby sister is born.
Last month you were much more into singing and dancing together, but it seems like the last few weeks you've only wanted to really sing. And sing. And sing. You sing in the bathtub, in your carseat, when I get you up from a nap you are typically awake in your toddler bed singing to Osito or a baby doll. It's awesome how well you know the words to songs, how you can hum the tune of your favorites, and how after you sing Happy Birthday (or insert part of it into another song) you blow out imaginary candles.
Speaking of toddler bed, you transitioned amazingly well to it. The first week was a piece of cake, though the second week we did have to set some limits on geting out of bed and you cried a few times when I left you in there, but for the last couple weeks you are excited to go to sleep, and even when we read books at night you want to sit in your bed, propped up with pillows like Mama does, and turn the pages yourself. And the only way I can leave is by singing ABC and Twinkle Twinkle, and I'm tripping because it took me 25 years to figure out that they have the same tune. Thanks Doll.
We've also moved on from board books to actual stories at night, 101 Dalmations, Winnie the Pooh and Snow White have been in rotation for the last week. It's much more interesting (for me) to read these than to recite your other books from memory with my eyes closed, and you have a trick of putting your squishy little finger over the witch or Cruella de Vil's face and saying "Opa scary!" with a giant grin on your mug. I'm excited to share my love of readign with you, and I'm so happy you are into Fiction (so far) instead of history book, like your Papa. My wish for you this month Angel is that you nurture your love of books and are able to use them as an escape, as a vacation, and as a learning tool throughout your life.
Kiddo, we're going to have so much fun this holiday season. We've already been to several pumpkin patches and a Halloween party, and you are so adorable in your kitty costume, though it's already filthy and needs to be washed...again. You have a small pile of pumpkins that you've picked up at each event, and which you periodically set around the house 'just so' or walk in your shopping cart. This weekend for your sister's babyshower will be a blast, seeing all you kids in costumes and playing games and getting hyped up off massive amounts of candy. We have a couple more HAlloween events until the big day, and as soon as I'm on leave from work we'll tear down Halloween and start working on Christmas, with lights and trees and decorations everywhere. Yes!
I love you my Sweet Girl. And thank you for being honest. Usually when I wear my hair down and curly you roar at me like a lion, but I got a very expensive, and very cute cut, and when I came home you ran your fingers through my hair and said "I like it." My Angel.
Love,
Mama
Last month you were much more into singing and dancing together, but it seems like the last few weeks you've only wanted to really sing. And sing. And sing. You sing in the bathtub, in your carseat, when I get you up from a nap you are typically awake in your toddler bed singing to Osito or a baby doll. It's awesome how well you know the words to songs, how you can hum the tune of your favorites, and how after you sing Happy Birthday (or insert part of it into another song) you blow out imaginary candles.
Speaking of toddler bed, you transitioned amazingly well to it. The first week was a piece of cake, though the second week we did have to set some limits on geting out of bed and you cried a few times when I left you in there, but for the last couple weeks you are excited to go to sleep, and even when we read books at night you want to sit in your bed, propped up with pillows like Mama does, and turn the pages yourself. And the only way I can leave is by singing ABC and Twinkle Twinkle, and I'm tripping because it took me 25 years to figure out that they have the same tune. Thanks Doll.
We've also moved on from board books to actual stories at night, 101 Dalmations, Winnie the Pooh and Snow White have been in rotation for the last week. It's much more interesting (for me) to read these than to recite your other books from memory with my eyes closed, and you have a trick of putting your squishy little finger over the witch or Cruella de Vil's face and saying "Opa scary!" with a giant grin on your mug. I'm excited to share my love of readign with you, and I'm so happy you are into Fiction (so far) instead of history book, like your Papa. My wish for you this month Angel is that you nurture your love of books and are able to use them as an escape, as a vacation, and as a learning tool throughout your life.
Kiddo, we're going to have so much fun this holiday season. We've already been to several pumpkin patches and a Halloween party, and you are so adorable in your kitty costume, though it's already filthy and needs to be washed...again. You have a small pile of pumpkins that you've picked up at each event, and which you periodically set around the house 'just so' or walk in your shopping cart. This weekend for your sister's babyshower will be a blast, seeing all you kids in costumes and playing games and getting hyped up off massive amounts of candy. We have a couple more HAlloween events until the big day, and as soon as I'm on leave from work we'll tear down Halloween and start working on Christmas, with lights and trees and decorations everywhere. Yes!
I love you my Sweet Girl. And thank you for being honest. Usually when I wear my hair down and curly you roar at me like a lion, but I got a very expensive, and very cute cut, and when I came home you ran your fingers through my hair and said "I like it." My Angel.
Love,
Mama
September 29, 2008
Success!
Taryn slept all night in her new toddler bed. Not a peep from her until 7:30 this morning when strolled into P and I's room, climbed up on her bed and said "Opa noni!"
September 20, 2008
Month Twenty-Seven
All day long I had it stuck in my head you were only twenty-six months today, but then I realized that you and your little sister should be 29 month apart, so either your birthday or my due date was off. Silly me.
I don't really know what a 27 month old kid is supposed to be like, I guess I haven't paid much attention to any that I was around, but I really should have, because you have been cracking us up lately.
We've been practicing names for a couple weeks now, I figured since you're old enough to run off and get lost, you should probably know your families names so whatever security guard picks you up in the mall, they can page us. Like you'd actually talk to a stranger. You got my name, the animals and your own fine, but when I asked you what Papa's name was, you yelled "Babe!" Which is true in a way, since that's what I call him, but probably wouldn't help much in the event of an emergency.
After you got the first names of people you see on a regular basis, we started working on last names too, but every time I say our last name, you dissolve in giggles. So I've taken to calling you "Miss C-" just to see you crack up for absolutely no reason.
We started gymnastics again this month, and I feel bad for keeping you away for so long. At the first class, as all the other kids were shy and quietly following directions, you were a whirlwind of bouncing curls and random jumping, spinning in circles with your arms flying by your sides and randomly rolling on the floor. And about halfway through the class you saw the older girls running in a big circle in another part of the gym and took off running after them. Yeah, everyone thought it was funny except your 7 month pregnant mother who had to tackle you to the floor to get you to slow down, and drag you back to the 2 year-old group.
But I'm glad you have so much energy, it motivates me to get going too even though I'm exhausted all the time. On our walk today, I was waddling along as you pushed your baby in her stroller and I noticed suddenly that you were no longer next to me. I turned around to see where you had gone, and almost peed myself (literally) when I spied you a few feet back with your hands on your hips, shaking your butt and singing something incoherent.
I don't know what has changed, but in the last couple weeks you spend hours each day singing and dancing, with a doll or stuffed animal, sometimes all by yourself in front of the mirror. Papa and I both sing to you a lot, and we all dance together, but seeing you groove to your own little beat is the most fantastic vision of freedom and self-confidence. And so my wish for you this month is that you never lose your song, and you never lose your love of dancing.
Pretty soon I'll be home with you more, and I'm excited to see you excited in the coming month as we start hitting up the pumpkin patches and get your Halloween costume pictures. You already know how to say Trick-or-Treat, and when we practice at home you hold out your hand for candy, and pretend to unwrap it and stick it in your mouth when I hand you a pretend piece. Ah, life is so easy before you relize how much real candy you'll get that day...
I love you,
Mama
I don't really know what a 27 month old kid is supposed to be like, I guess I haven't paid much attention to any that I was around, but I really should have, because you have been cracking us up lately.
We've been practicing names for a couple weeks now, I figured since you're old enough to run off and get lost, you should probably know your families names so whatever security guard picks you up in the mall, they can page us. Like you'd actually talk to a stranger. You got my name, the animals and your own fine, but when I asked you what Papa's name was, you yelled "Babe!" Which is true in a way, since that's what I call him, but probably wouldn't help much in the event of an emergency.
After you got the first names of people you see on a regular basis, we started working on last names too, but every time I say our last name, you dissolve in giggles. So I've taken to calling you "Miss C-" just to see you crack up for absolutely no reason.
We started gymnastics again this month, and I feel bad for keeping you away for so long. At the first class, as all the other kids were shy and quietly following directions, you were a whirlwind of bouncing curls and random jumping, spinning in circles with your arms flying by your sides and randomly rolling on the floor. And about halfway through the class you saw the older girls running in a big circle in another part of the gym and took off running after them. Yeah, everyone thought it was funny except your 7 month pregnant mother who had to tackle you to the floor to get you to slow down, and drag you back to the 2 year-old group.
But I'm glad you have so much energy, it motivates me to get going too even though I'm exhausted all the time. On our walk today, I was waddling along as you pushed your baby in her stroller and I noticed suddenly that you were no longer next to me. I turned around to see where you had gone, and almost peed myself (literally) when I spied you a few feet back with your hands on your hips, shaking your butt and singing something incoherent.
I don't know what has changed, but in the last couple weeks you spend hours each day singing and dancing, with a doll or stuffed animal, sometimes all by yourself in front of the mirror. Papa and I both sing to you a lot, and we all dance together, but seeing you groove to your own little beat is the most fantastic vision of freedom and self-confidence. And so my wish for you this month is that you never lose your song, and you never lose your love of dancing.
Pretty soon I'll be home with you more, and I'm excited to see you excited in the coming month as we start hitting up the pumpkin patches and get your Halloween costume pictures. You already know how to say Trick-or-Treat, and when we practice at home you hold out your hand for candy, and pretend to unwrap it and stick it in your mouth when I hand you a pretend piece. Ah, life is so easy before you relize how much real candy you'll get that day...
I love you,
Mama
August 20, 2008
Month Twenty-Six
Girl, if there terrible-twos are about testing limits, we have jumped in head first! This month has been full of surprises, demands, hissy-fits, tears and hugs. Your pushing it, and I'm proud of you for asserting your independence in a little 2'9" 24lb body, but ... I'm tired.
The roller coaster started with more obvious food preferences, no more oatmeal or quesadillas (which you had been living off of for many months) and all of a sudden you are actually asking for certain foods, which is awesome, except when you only wanted to eat blackberries for days. Because Love, you will see if you have your own children, blackberry-filled diapers are no joke.
Then the teething kicked in again, and the bottom two second molars were a breeze, but the top two knocked your socks off, and you went from Ms. Independent to Ms. I-Need-You-Mama-More-Ice-Please. And I struggle so much with being available and making sure that you always know you can count on me, but on the other hand I don't want you to become so dependent that you cry whenever I leave the room, and regress to be coddled. It's hard, but pfffft. Shows how much I know about preschoolers.
Sure enough, the next week you are a full-fledged Gemini, screaming at the top of your lungs "Mama, Mommy, need you, help please, up, up, mas besos, more hugs, up Mama, Mama sing song, Mama come, Mama sit, up Mama, no down, no down, more hugs, mas besos, love you, Mama ..." and the next second, when Papa is home from work and you have a new focus, "Mama go away, in house Mama. Now."
Right. I'll get one that now.
But I love it. I may not necessarily enjoy every second of it, but it's so amazingly cool to see you, really see you, and I love who you are, who you have been and who you are becoming. My wish for you this month is that you continually evolve. I hope you don't ever get stuck in being what anyone expects of you, I hope you are an individual and that your tastes and moods, and styles and interests change as your life does. I know you'll be dynamic.
I do have to say, this month has been packed, and while I'm looking forward to some down time from the birthdays and play dates, you are incredibly adaptable and have quite a few boyfriends. But although you only have one little girl your age you sometimes see, you've become a rough and tumble girly girl. You'll jump and run and play and wrestle with the boys, and do it in the pretty dress you picked out that morning. Or throw your dolls and play with monster trucks and trains, ride bikes and let your cousins puch you on their skateboards and scooters, but the minute someone is hurt, you immediately get concerned, and make sure 'Boo-Boo Rescue' is on the way. I love that about you. So carefree and unconcerned with gender roles right now, but always the nurturer.
Well Darling, I keep saying it, and I mean it more than ever. I love you so much more that I thought humanly possible. The rest of this year is going to hold some major changes for you, but I know you'll get through it, and be a womderful big sister. Which reminds me, you repeat everything we say right now. You've started calling Papa 'Babe' because that's what I yell when I need him, or if he calls to me, you'll yell 'What?" like I normally do. You tell the puppies to 'hush, stop barking' and you remember events vividly and will explain them again and again, repeating over and over if someone got an ouchie or you went to play with a friend down the street. I just wanted to bring this up because when your sister is 2, and you are almost in kinder and she's following you around repeting what you say, I just want written proof that you did the same thing first.
I love you,
Mama.
The roller coaster started with more obvious food preferences, no more oatmeal or quesadillas (which you had been living off of for many months) and all of a sudden you are actually asking for certain foods, which is awesome, except when you only wanted to eat blackberries for days. Because Love, you will see if you have your own children, blackberry-filled diapers are no joke.
Then the teething kicked in again, and the bottom two second molars were a breeze, but the top two knocked your socks off, and you went from Ms. Independent to Ms. I-Need-You-Mama-More-Ice-Please. And I struggle so much with being available and making sure that you always know you can count on me, but on the other hand I don't want you to become so dependent that you cry whenever I leave the room, and regress to be coddled. It's hard, but pfffft. Shows how much I know about preschoolers.
Sure enough, the next week you are a full-fledged Gemini, screaming at the top of your lungs "Mama, Mommy, need you, help please, up, up, mas besos, more hugs, up Mama, Mama sing song, Mama come, Mama sit, up Mama, no down, no down, more hugs, mas besos, love you, Mama ..." and the next second, when Papa is home from work and you have a new focus, "Mama go away, in house Mama. Now."
Right. I'll get one that now.
But I love it. I may not necessarily enjoy every second of it, but it's so amazingly cool to see you, really see you, and I love who you are, who you have been and who you are becoming. My wish for you this month is that you continually evolve. I hope you don't ever get stuck in being what anyone expects of you, I hope you are an individual and that your tastes and moods, and styles and interests change as your life does. I know you'll be dynamic.
I do have to say, this month has been packed, and while I'm looking forward to some down time from the birthdays and play dates, you are incredibly adaptable and have quite a few boyfriends. But although you only have one little girl your age you sometimes see, you've become a rough and tumble girly girl. You'll jump and run and play and wrestle with the boys, and do it in the pretty dress you picked out that morning. Or throw your dolls and play with monster trucks and trains, ride bikes and let your cousins puch you on their skateboards and scooters, but the minute someone is hurt, you immediately get concerned, and make sure 'Boo-Boo Rescue' is on the way. I love that about you. So carefree and unconcerned with gender roles right now, but always the nurturer.
Well Darling, I keep saying it, and I mean it more than ever. I love you so much more that I thought humanly possible. The rest of this year is going to hold some major changes for you, but I know you'll get through it, and be a womderful big sister. Which reminds me, you repeat everything we say right now. You've started calling Papa 'Babe' because that's what I yell when I need him, or if he calls to me, you'll yell 'What?" like I normally do. You tell the puppies to 'hush, stop barking' and you remember events vividly and will explain them again and again, repeating over and over if someone got an ouchie or you went to play with a friend down the street. I just wanted to bring this up because when your sister is 2, and you are almost in kinder and she's following you around repeting what you say, I just want written proof that you did the same thing first.
I love you,
Mama.
July 20, 2008
Month Twenty-Five
Thirty minutes ago, we were outside in my parked car. I was cleaning old receipts and gym passes while you "organized" my car paperwork in the glove compartment and drew pictures. Twenty minutes ago, you were running out the back of the house, yelling for the dogs to come back inside and stop barking. Ten minutes ago, you called me "Mama china" (Mama cochina) when you thought I passed gas. And five minutes ago you crawled up into my lap as I was on the computer, and asked to watch You Tube. I started humming a song and rocking you, and within about 2 minutes, you laid your head on my shoulder, grabbed onto my pinky finger with your little hand, and fell asleep.
I can't imagine life getting any better than this.
We didn't get to see fireworks this year, as we have the past two years. They started around 9:30, but by 9:00 each night you were begging Papa and I to let you go to sleep. Quite a change from the little baby we brought home from the hospital who was awake from 11pm to 4am. Every night. For weeks. We did go to the fair though, and you were able to go on your first carnival ride, even though you were about 4 inches too short. Papa carried you on the train and sat with you, and you smiled to me each time you went around the circuit. You also won a red monkey playing the game where you shoot water into a little target, you sitting on Papa's lap, white-knuckled as you gripped the handle, and smiling like a clown when the Carnie offered your pick of stuffed animals.
This month we also went to an ultrasound to see your little sister. You were so well-behaved, even the sonographer was shocked that you sat so still for almost 15 minutes, munching on your popcorn and commenting on the baby pictures. "Wow" and "Baby aca" were the most frequent, and I don't think you got what we were really looking at until you saw her face and got so excited. You still kiss the pictures they gave us and now say "baby sister" when you see some of them.
Your sister has gotten into the habit of kicking you when we're sitting together, though I remember you kicking the dogs the same way when I was pregnant with you. You have been such a helper, and so understanding of Mama's energy and mood fluctuations. When I need to rest a bit, you are happy to entertain yourself, or just snuggle up with me a read yourself a book until the dizziness or fatigue passes. You've also started singing again, and request certain songs when you are going to sleep, or we are going for a walk. The best is "Twinkle, Twinkle" which you know most of the words to, and sing along with me. But it's a bad one to sing before bed, because we both end up cracking up by the end, at the sound of our duet.
Your two year check-up is tomorrow, so I don't know exactly how much you weight, but the scale at home sys 23.9 lbs, so we've done well the past few months. This month in particular, you've been wanting to eat quesadillas every day. And seriously, you'll have oatmeal for breakfast, three corn tortillas worth of quesadillas for lunch and dinner each, and oatmeal before bed. And massive amounts of fruit, especially since now after work we can go on a walk while we wait for Papa to get home, and pick blackberries from the bushes by our house. Though you call them 'popcorn' and I can see why, you are much neater this year eating them than you were last year. So my wish for you is that you remember these summer days picking blackberries and taking long walks, drawing with your chalk outside, and riding your little bike, and you remember what it was like to be a kid and not have the weight of the world on your little shoulders, like your Papa and I did when we were young.
But like I was saying, I can't imagine life with you getting any better. I know it will, you are more beautiful, intelligent, and loving, playful, kind, sweet, the best at hugs and kisses, and simply the most amazing little girl I have ever had the pleasure to know. I had no idea you'd be so much fun, I knew I'd love you but I never knew that I would like you so much! Thank you for choosing me to be your mama, I know I've said it before, but I feel blessed to have you in my life.
I love you,
Mama
I can't imagine life getting any better than this.
We didn't get to see fireworks this year, as we have the past two years. They started around 9:30, but by 9:00 each night you were begging Papa and I to let you go to sleep. Quite a change from the little baby we brought home from the hospital who was awake from 11pm to 4am. Every night. For weeks. We did go to the fair though, and you were able to go on your first carnival ride, even though you were about 4 inches too short. Papa carried you on the train and sat with you, and you smiled to me each time you went around the circuit. You also won a red monkey playing the game where you shoot water into a little target, you sitting on Papa's lap, white-knuckled as you gripped the handle, and smiling like a clown when the Carnie offered your pick of stuffed animals.
This month we also went to an ultrasound to see your little sister. You were so well-behaved, even the sonographer was shocked that you sat so still for almost 15 minutes, munching on your popcorn and commenting on the baby pictures. "Wow" and "Baby aca" were the most frequent, and I don't think you got what we were really looking at until you saw her face and got so excited. You still kiss the pictures they gave us and now say "baby sister" when you see some of them.
Your sister has gotten into the habit of kicking you when we're sitting together, though I remember you kicking the dogs the same way when I was pregnant with you. You have been such a helper, and so understanding of Mama's energy and mood fluctuations. When I need to rest a bit, you are happy to entertain yourself, or just snuggle up with me a read yourself a book until the dizziness or fatigue passes. You've also started singing again, and request certain songs when you are going to sleep, or we are going for a walk. The best is "Twinkle, Twinkle" which you know most of the words to, and sing along with me. But it's a bad one to sing before bed, because we both end up cracking up by the end, at the sound of our duet.
Your two year check-up is tomorrow, so I don't know exactly how much you weight, but the scale at home sys 23.9 lbs, so we've done well the past few months. This month in particular, you've been wanting to eat quesadillas every day. And seriously, you'll have oatmeal for breakfast, three corn tortillas worth of quesadillas for lunch and dinner each, and oatmeal before bed. And massive amounts of fruit, especially since now after work we can go on a walk while we wait for Papa to get home, and pick blackberries from the bushes by our house. Though you call them 'popcorn' and I can see why, you are much neater this year eating them than you were last year. So my wish for you is that you remember these summer days picking blackberries and taking long walks, drawing with your chalk outside, and riding your little bike, and you remember what it was like to be a kid and not have the weight of the world on your little shoulders, like your Papa and I did when we were young.
But like I was saying, I can't imagine life with you getting any better. I know it will, you are more beautiful, intelligent, and loving, playful, kind, sweet, the best at hugs and kisses, and simply the most amazing little girl I have ever had the pleasure to know. I had no idea you'd be so much fun, I knew I'd love you but I never knew that I would like you so much! Thank you for choosing me to be your mama, I know I've said it before, but I feel blessed to have you in my life.
I love you,
Mama
July 14, 2008
Booty Shakin' and Fake Ta-Ta's
There is a reason I don;t let Boogie watch mainstream TV. Some people think I'm overly strict, some think I'm just weird, but I know how impressionable little kids are. I know how impressionable even adults are, and I didn't want to subject my angel to any self-criticism at such a tender age. Think she's too young? Think again....
Last night, as I was cleaning up after dinner, P put MTV on so Boogie could listen to music and dance to wear herself out before her bath. She watched a couple videos, and we watched her, laughing along as she shook her little diaper-clad bottom, hands on her hips or twirling in the air above her head.
She was having a great time, but suddenly stopped and picked up a whiffle ball and a small fist-sized basketball that were lying near her feet. She had been watching a Fergie video, which was sexual, but not overly revealing, in my mind. Boogie, my sweet, perfect, two-year-old Angel put the balls up her shirt like fake chi-chi's and started dancing again! She even stood up on the bench of her table, imitating the girls dancing on the tables in the videos.
OMG!
When they started to slip, she asked me for help, and I had to pick her up and tell her she was perfect just the way she was, then insisted we go take her bath and stop dancing. Because really? I'm a bit disturbed that my 2 year old notices all the women on TV have their boobs hanging out, and is trying to make hers bigger.
Last night, as I was cleaning up after dinner, P put MTV on so Boogie could listen to music and dance to wear herself out before her bath. She watched a couple videos, and we watched her, laughing along as she shook her little diaper-clad bottom, hands on her hips or twirling in the air above her head.
She was having a great time, but suddenly stopped and picked up a whiffle ball and a small fist-sized basketball that were lying near her feet. She had been watching a Fergie video, which was sexual, but not overly revealing, in my mind. Boogie, my sweet, perfect, two-year-old Angel put the balls up her shirt like fake chi-chi's and started dancing again! She even stood up on the bench of her table, imitating the girls dancing on the tables in the videos.
OMG!
When they started to slip, she asked me for help, and I had to pick her up and tell her she was perfect just the way she was, then insisted we go take her bath and stop dancing. Because really? I'm a bit disturbed that my 2 year old notices all the women on TV have their boobs hanging out, and is trying to make hers bigger.
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