Toddler Tales

There's another little girl at my house . . . Gone is the baby girl who used to occupy our crib.  In her place is a very busy toddler.  

Stats:

19 months old

22 pounds

Size 18 month clothes

11 teeth (but a couple more are getting close)

10 little fingers that grab, reach, and find nearly anything there is to find

2 little feet that do not stop . . . EVER!

Favorites:

Food - cheese, cookies, candy, chips, DIP (aka "bip")

Drink - water (although she is finally drinking straight up whole milk)

Clothing - socks and shoes

Book - Brown Bear and Llama Llama books

Toy - Baby dolls and accessories, colors and stickers

Activity - running, dancing, climbing, and getting in her sister's "space"

And, because I am who I am and I do what I do, I have to give an update on her growing vocabulary!  If I were writing her IEP, it might read something like this:

"Rosie's expressive and expressive language skills continue to grow.  Expressively, she has more than 100 words.  She uses expressive language to initiate, comment, ask questions, answer questions, give commands, and formulate greetings.  She speaks primarily in 1-2 word utterances but does produce 3 word utterances on occasion (such as "where daddy go?").  Although she has an adequate vocabulary to express her basic wants and needs, when upset or frustrated, she relies on screaming or yelling to communicate.    Her favorite words and phrases are "no", "mine", and "where go?"

"Receptively, Rosie is able to follow a 1 step direction although may choose not to do so.  She can identify and label many of her body parts, including her belly button, elbows, hair and teeth (both of which have been very slow at filling in).  She is beginning to understand basic concepts such as up, down, in, out, and under.  She is also gaining a very clear understanding of "cold" thanks to a recent cold spell."

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This fall, Rosie took a little tumble off of the piano bench.  Trip to the walk-in clinic and a referral to the pediatric orthopedic doctor here in town confirmed a broken arm.  Fortunately, we were able to avoid a cast and use and xxxsmall brace, which she wore for 4 weeks.  The brace and the brake didn't slow her down a bit.  And more importantly, she healed quickly and she still loves playing piano.  

**********

Our big news/accomplishment recently is that we have gotten rid of the NUK.  I just about cried cutting the pacifier off of her little giraffe, and I swear the giraffe looked just as sad as I felt.  A couple of rough nights, and she doesn't even seem to miss it.  Only once one day did she ask for it.  Phew!  It was a faithful and favorite companion for 19 months.  I told her big sister it was time to take it away and she did not think it was a good idea and in fact suggested we wait until Rosie turned 2.  "But she loves her nuk, mom!"  What a good big sister!  

*******

She has the best smile and dimples . . . unfortunately both very difficult to catch on camera if not set to "sport" setting.  She is such a little love!  And she'll always be my baby!  

365 days

Today is day 365:  The last day in the year of firsts.

How can that be?

How can tomorrow be the first anniversary of one of the worst phone calls I ever received?
How can tomorrow be the first anniversary of a heart more broken than it has ever been?
How can tomorrow be the first anniversary of a forever without her?

How can it be?

The last 365 days have been filled with some of the saddest, hardest, most surreal days I have ever experienced.  And here I am, 365 days later, still in disbelief, still waiting, longing for the phone to ring to tell me it was all a mistake.

How can it be?

After 365 days, one would think the tears would have run out.  I guess it is a good thing that those tears come from a well that hasn't run dry.  But today as I sit with tears rolling down my cheek, I can't help but wonder how long these tears will fall.  There's this part of me that knows I should be rejoicing this week, after all, tomorrow is really her first heavenly birthday.  But I am selfish and imperfect and don't have it in my heart to rejoice.  Because all I keep thinking is:  How can this be?

For the last 365 days I have done everything I can to surround myself with her things or things that remind me of her.  Her couch is in my family room.  Her lawnmower is in the garage.  Her patio set, a piece of her jewelry, the scarf I gave her for her birthday one year, the pottery we bought at a craft fair.

How can it be?

Yes, there have been days in the last 365 that I have been able to laugh as I remember a funny memory or story.  Yes, I still find joy in in my family, my friends, and my life.  I look back and couldn't be more grateful for the gift we were given in her 35 years of life.  It's when I look forward, thinking of the years ahead that she won't be here, feeling like forever is a very long time.  And I think:  How can it be?

I have had the same profile picture for the last 365 days.  It's probably time to change it.  I should probably print it and frame it and put it somewhere it will make me smile.  I guess that is part of moving on.  And I guess moving on is what we have to do.

How can that be?

Little Pumpkins

We've had a fun and busy fall . . . I can't even believe it has been 2 months since we started the whole back to school/daycare routine.  I also can't believe how well my girls have adjusted.  Way better than their mother, who is running around work and home 2 steps behind most of the time.  Uff da!  The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler, and our girls are getting bigger.  

Pinky, our social butterfly, loves her days with her friends.  She has been "writing books", learning about letters and sounds, and crafting up a storm in her classroom.  She has great teachers who foster her learning in a variety of ways.  It is exciting and scary all at the same time.  She's growing up so fast.  A year from now her classroom will be in an elementary school and her classmates will be kindergartners.  And I know for certain she will be much more ready than I will be for that transition. She continues to crack us up with her inquisitive thinking and crazy comments.  

Not only social, but oh so affectionate.  She still likes snuggle time and lots of hugs and kisses.  Her friends at school may not love her hugs as much as she likes to give them, but they seem to expect them from her.  As do her cousins.  I can't get enough, as it's quite possible she will run out of hugs for mom and dad one day, but hopefully not for a very long time.  

Sweet

And sassy!

 

Rosie is growing up too.  Although still quite a peanut, she makes up for her small size in personality and action.  Our baby is much more a little girl than a babe these days.  And this little girl does not sit still . . . ever!  Ok, that's not entirely true, she has started to LOVE reading books and will climb into one of the chairs in the living room and sit and read for a few minutes . . . or if she sees you sitting on the floor, she is likely to grab a book and come plop herself down on your lap for a quick story.  Her new thing is to "read" her books which is absolutely hilarious if you don't let her catch you listening.  Love Rosie-babbles!  However, you are much more likely to find her climbing stairs, chairs, tables, beds, benches, etc.  

This fall she started in the infant room at daycare, but has already transitioned to the toddler room.  I was worried about the transition . . . She of course proved that my worrying was unnecessary.  She loves the activity and stimulation in the toddler room and gets just as much TLC from her new teachers.  They do all kinds of art projects I can't even imagine attempting with a 1-year-old much less a room full of them.  She eats at a little table while sitting, unrestrained, on a little chair AND she naps on a little cot.  Can't even imagine but so proud of her for being such a "big girl"! 

Tiny

but Tough!

The days go fast, especially Saturday and Sunday, and bedtime always comes much too soon.  We squeeze in as much fun as we can while trying to maintain some kind of routine.  Every day is an adventure and every day is a gift!

Life is Messy

Everywhere I go right now, I find a mess of stuff waiting for me. 

My car is a disaster after a busy summer of running here and there and farther than there.  Sippy cups, sunflower seeds, half consumed bottles of this and that, shoes, bags, toys, books . . .

Our house is not terribly messy except for those few places that most people don't see so you put stuff you don't have time to deal with . . . like my desk, closets, the office, the laundry room . . . Summer clothes, fall clothes, work clothes, clean clothes, dirty clothes, clothes to donate, clothes to keep.

My work office is ridiculous.  Trying to get oriented after a year away is one thing, but trying to find things after someone else has been in your space for a year is another. 

Even my insides feel messy this week.  My brain and my heart have been on overload trying to process all of the changes at home and happenings in our circle of friends.  I have tried to let myself cry when I need to cry and to pull it together when it's no longer appropriate to cry . . . Like the post office, for one.  (Oops!  I tried!) 

And although I hate mess . . . and am often quite uncomfortable with mess . . . sometimes you just have to live with it.  Tonite for example, I had time to clean my car, but not if it meant missing the chance to fly a kite with my family in the yard.  And when mailing my packages this week, it didn't really matter that I couldn't stop crying.  I have confirmation that my packages arrived at their destinations which was the goal.  (Giving the cashier a story to share at the dinner table was just an added bonus I guess!)

Today at work, I had lots to do and it would have been easy close my door to shut out all of my co-worker friends so that I could get more done.  Instead, I left the door open, got lots of warm hellos, big hugs, and reconnected with friends I had forgotten how much I had missed.   And after the small talk, I learned from some that their lives had moved in a variety of directions since I had seen them last, and some are now dealing with their own messes.  And when asked by those who really do want to know how my year off was, it's hard to find the right words . . . because although it was an absolutely amazing year with my family . . . the year has also left me a bit more fragile and broken hearted . . . and a bit of a mess.

Life is messy . . . but if you aren't careful, you will miss the part that is incredibly good! 

For Sale . . . Again

Our house is officially back on the market today.  It's not a huge deal.  A minor setback in the scheme of things I guess . . . but man, what a bummer!

We love our house.  As excited as we are to move, we are really going to miss this house.

Our first house!  We did so much to make it ours, even though many families called it theirs before we called it ours.  Windows, furnace, garage, painting, electrical.  More we could do, but the rest is for another family. 


The home we brought both of our girls "home" to.  Setting up nurseries.  Late night feedings.  First birthday parties and almost everything first under their first roof. 

The porch . . . We crammed 20+ people around the table for Thanksgiving, celebrated Kaili's graduation, my 30th birthday, and hosted several late-nights with friends.  A space heater and a warm pair of socks and you could stay pretty cozy out there in the winter.  I love eating meals out there, reading, rocking, watching tv.  It's quite possibly my favorite place in the house. 

The kitchen, maybe the only kitchen in the world that you have to move shoes to open the freezer, but functional none the less.  Pinky and I have made a lot of banana muffins, caramel corn, and cheese quesadillas in that kitchen.  It's the kitchen I have burned, undercooked, and tried many recipes.  (All the while moving shoes!)

The yard . . . I'd be lying if I said I was leaving all of the rocks I had hand-picked from rock piles on the farm.  Sorry, for the most part, they are already loaded.  I've also dug up some of the plants so I can take them with me as well.  Hostas, peonies, buttercups.  So many perennials that show up just in time for summer and bring a splash of color with little care.  And then there's the apple tree . . . apple sauce and apple pies.  I even tried apple cheese cake.  But most of the apples went into carboys for wine.  I love having an apple tree.  (LOVE)  And a place to hang the girls' swing. 

It's been such a great house.  It's hard to imagine our Christmas tree decorated anywhere else.  A year from now, I hope we are settled in and making our new house our own.  And I hope, and pray, that someone buys our house and makes it their home.  It's a great place to bring home babies, host friends and family, and create memories. 

4 and a half

There is this BIG GIRL living in my house and I don't know where she came from.  Honestly!  She's riding a big bike, going on lots of play dates, adventuring on the big slides and toys at the park, telling jokes and stories (lots and lots of stories). 

So independent.

So strong willed.

So determined.

So silly.

So smart.

The other day we were driving in the car and she said, "Mom, did you know 3+5 is 8? and 5+5 is 10?" 

I just love how her brain works . . . although her brain seems to be wired somewhat like mine . . . hard to shut down. 

We have had lots of interesting conversations in the last few weeks.  Most crack us up.  I wish I wrote them down sooner.  Here's a couple funny comments and conversations:

Sitting at the dinner table enjoying a meal together, she says, "Hey mom, do ya want me to punch your husband?" 

WHAT?  (No, honey, I did not coach her to say that, I swear!  But it was funny!)


Driving in the car on our way to church she asked "What day was it when I came out of your tummy."  We told her and she says, "Hey, that's the same day as my birthday!" 

YUP!  Clearly we have missed some important conversations about what a birthday is . . . huh!?!?!

Her new "phrase" for almost any situation goes something like this:

"Sure is a good day for some fresh water."

"Sure is a good day for ride on our bikes."

"Sure is a good day for some ice cream."

The last couple of weeks, I have been trying to be more deliberate about spending time with Pinky while her sister is napping.  Although it is usually the best (only) time to get a hundred other things done, I have been trying to spend most of that time doing something Pinky chooses.  Sometimes we color in the porch.  Sometimes we lay in the hammock or work in the yard.  We read books, watch movies, and enjoy the quiet time just the two of us.  It's been great!  I sometimes feel bad that we haven't had as much time together as I had hoped in the last year.  So, I am going to enjoy this time, these summer afternoons with my 4-year-old!  And I'll try to write down more of her funny comments. 

Ice cream at the lake - the best! 

Lazy afternoon in the hammock.

She does pretty well, except that she spends most
of her time riding in "lala land".  (SCARY!)

Can't beat a chocolate ice cream mustache
on a Thursday afternoon. 

13 months (and a few days)

Little Rosie has had a BUSY month.  In fact, everything about this girl is busy.  I'm not sure if she keeps me young or makes me feel old . . . depends on the day and how much sleep she lets me get I guess.  She is into everything.  I often hear her sister saying:

"Mom, she's in the bathroom."
"Mom, she's climbing the stairs."
"Mom, she's got your phone."
"Mom, she's ......."

No wonder she's tired at the end of the day! 

A week ago, if asked, I would have said she crawls more than she walks.  Not so much the case these days.  She is on the MOVE!  She can handle most terrains and loves this new freedom, especially outside.  I must admit, I am enjoying it too.  In addition to walking, climbing has also become one of her favorite challenges.  So far, she has made her way to the TOP of the piano, she enjoys sitting on her sister's play table, and she likes to stand in her toy rocking chair (and once she has her balance, she likes to rock it just a bit).  If there aren't any now, I certainly see gray hair in my future.  OY!

Although she is still on the little side, her personality makes her large and in charge!  She has started pointing and babbling at the same time in a tone that feels an awful lot like scolding.  (Yikes, where did she learn that!)  She loves to have screaming matches with her sister, especially in the tub where it echoes or at the dinner table when we are way too close to appreciate this silly interaction.  If you were to judge who was loudest, I am not sure big sister would come out on top.  She continues to sign "more", "all done", and sometimes "milk" and has a few words she is starting to say:

     Bella = "Beba"
     Dad = "Dada"
     Mom = "Mama"
     Up = "pu"
     Down = "du"
     Done = "du" or "ahdu" (all done)

She also likes to say "nananananananana" an awful lot.  I don't know what it means.  Sometimes it is happy, sometimes, not so much. 

At meal time, Rosie often eats more than her sister.  She often initiates the prayer by folding her hands first, and if we are too slow, she has no time for it, she is ready to EAT!  She is loving fresh summer fruit and enjoys a good hotdog (I use the word good loosely) and summer sausage.  Unlike her sister, she has not fallen in love with cheese.  And unlike her sister, she LOVES mac n cheese.  (This makes her pasta loving parents very happy!)

When given the chance to play with what she wants to play with (and not what her sister will let her play with), she is often playing with the toys in the toy kitchen and playing with babies.  She loves to feed her babies a bottle, put them in the stroller and push them around, pat their backs and give them hugs.  I am amazed by this play . . . especially since it was not modeled by her sister or mom, at least not much.  Watching her play with babies is one of the most precious things I have ever seen. 

We've had a busy summer so far.  Trip to the farm.  Great Grandma's 80th Birthday.  Trip to the lake.  Lots of play dates, picnics at the park, back yard pool fun, and a few bonfires, although bedtime comes too soon for her to have experienced a roasted marshmallow yet.  But hey, there are lots of summer days ahead! 

Playing with "baby Deloris" (April 2014)

Playing at the farm.  June 2014

At Great Grandma's 80th birthday. June 2014

Picnic at the park, July 2014

Splash Pad Fun!  July 2014

Did I post any from her first birthday? 
Our little Sunshine!

Honestly, LOVE her toothless grin! 

First Pontoon Ride, July 2014

First Nap on the Pontoon, July 2014