TWO

24 Months

February 21, 2012

Its that time.
Already.
When someone asks me how old you are and I simply start answering "two" - no longer will we count your age in months.

This is the last blog post I will write on your monthly developments. You are a big girl now. Its time to start treating you like a toddler and no longer like my little infant, although you will ALWAYS be my baby. I will continue to document all your wonderful milestones and the curious things you say - but I suspect that they will be less frequent so I will now keep a book for you.

I worked hard putting your party together. You LOVE bubbles and Elmo so I joined the two together and illustrated and designed all the matching pink elmo decor so you would have a a fun themed party of your dreams in gigi and papas back yard..

All your closest friends came to your party. Only Owen couldnt make it because him and his little brother were sick. You got beautiful toys and clothes - all your favotite things - minnie mouse, hello kitty, disney, baby dolls, tea sets, bath toys - you even got a watch!!!

My favorite part of the whole day was when you were opening presents, as tired as you were you managed to keep a smile on your face, jump up and down and clap your hands. You never complained once, the entire day. I am so incredibly blessed to have such a gentle and sweet little girl.

I remember before you.
Before your dad.
When I was a very busy and very single young lady.
My mom, your Nana, said to me: "One day you will have a child, and you will not remember what you did before their existence." I thought (respectfully) she had lost her marbles. I was so busy how would I possibly forget my day to day schedule.

Its true. As always, Nana was right. My life was nothing before I met you. Not a day goes by that I don't want to hold your hand as I drive until my arm goes numb, not a moment passes that I don't want to share fairy kisses and hear you giggle. I look forward to coloring with you, dancing, reading and snuggling - thats all that matters to me is to feel your warm breathe on my cheek. You are amazing.

Two years ago today I was asleep the recliner in your nursery because my belly was SO HUGE I couldn’t get comfortable in my own bed. Little did I know that just 5 hours later I would be headed to the hospital, in labor and already 5 centimeters dilated.

Tonight, I was in the exact same place as I was two years ago only this time I held you in my arms reading you your bedtime story and giggling about how"minnie" got out her cage and how the "mermee" has wet hair from the bath.

I shed a tear - not because I am sad. Simply because you are growing up so fast. I want to slow time down and cherish more with you. I am grateful for your health, curiosity, happy go lucky personality and your beautiful soul.

Happy Birthday Bugsy.
I love you more than all the stars in the sky.

For the man like your dad

I'm going to tell you now, days away from your second birthday that your dad is the best man you will ever know. I knew I loved him and wanted to marry him because e is the kind of guy I would want my daughter to marry. Then I had you. One day you will go on dates and one day you will fall in love. I will always urge you to pick a man not much unlike your dad.

Your dad, although a bit of a "los kop" is brave, strong, sincere, sensitive, noble, helpful, kind, genuine, serious, smart, creative, loving, honorable, dignified, charismatic, friendly, social, honest, faithful man.

That being said - when you fall in love with a man like your dad one day. This is the advice I have for you:


Write him letters
Go on regular date nights
Write his name on lipstick on the bathroom mirror
Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
Pray together
Hide notes in secret places
Go to bed at the same time
Listen to music together-share earbuds
Send him on a scavenger hunt in the house
Buy him gifts he will love
Hide a treat in his glovebox or desk at work
Read the Bible together
Praise your spouse to other people
Let them overhear you
Read a marriage devotional
Porn-proof your home
Be best friends
Sleep in his t-shirts
Look to him to make the big decisions (see comment section for my opinion on #20, #21)
Don’t nag him
Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
Fight naked
Tell him you like him
Receive his compliments
Pick your battles
Go away together at least once a year
Frame your wedding vows
Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
Kiss in front of your kids
Make his favorite dessert
Make sex a priority
Spend time apart occasionally
Learn to enjoy something he loves
Surprise each other
Meet him at the door
Dreamstorm
Text each other from across the room
Be accountable to each other
Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
Be affectionate
Leave work and come home early
Engage every day in meaningful conversation
Compliment each other
Touch your spouse several times throughout the day
Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
Let each other sleep in
Be spontaneous!
Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
Kiss every day
Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
Forgive quickly
Be honest.
But not hurtful
Get on the same page: plan your budget together
Look your best as often as you can
Guard your marriage
Get out of debt (and stay out)
Laugh together
Have a date night in
When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
Talk about your favorite memories together
Tell him he’s sexy just because
Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it
Make him breakfast in bed - unless he is like your dad and is up at the crack of dawn!
Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
Read a book out loud together
Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids
Bring him a favorite drink during the middle of the day
Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc
Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment
Tell him a secret he doesn’t know about you
Thank your spouse just because, often
Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant
Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
Teach your kids about marriage
Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer
Create art together
Support each other’s goals
Know when to talk and when to hush
Consider counseling (even if there’s not conflict)
Doodle his name
Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)
Wear something he loves
Share furniture-sit in his lap
Fight for your marriage

101 things to do with my toddler

1. Color
2. Blow Bubbles
3. Play Hide-and-Seek
4. Peek-a-Boo
5. Play Chase
6. Do Finger-plays
7. Sing a song
8. Collect rocks in a basket
9. Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture
10.Make a fort out of cushions and sheets
11. Go for a Walk
12. Make a Car out of a Box
13. Read a book
14. Go to the park
15. Finger-paint
16. Play with Play-Dough
17. Toss Bean bags into a Bucket
18. Play the shell and pea game
19. Dance to music

20. Download games for toddlers from the Internet
21. Practice putting things in and taking things out of boxes and bags
22. Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch
23. Roll a ball back and forth on the floor
24. Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl)
25. Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision)
26. Put on a puppet show
27. Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn
28. Make a Horseshoe game
29. Make a Shape Puzzle
30. Play paper basketball
31. Run through a Sprinkler
32. Play with a bucket of water and a sponge (PLEASE WATCH CHILD AT ALL TIMES!)
33. Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
34. Play with a kazoo
35. Wash windows together
36. Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon
37. Brush each other's teeth
38. Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes
39.Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other
40. Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other

41. Make a playhouse out of a large box
42. Let child play with a sticker sheet (make sure your child doesn't eat them!)
43. Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets
44. Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
45. Go on a Smelling Hunt
46. Frost Cookies
47. Plant a flower or vegetable plant together
48. Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket
49. Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers
50. Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
51. Have a splash party together in the bathtub
52. Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house
53. Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!)
54. Make and try on paper hats
55. Give a piggy-back ride
56. Play "Horsey"
57. Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice)
58. Play tug-of-war with a blanket
59. Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...)
60. Make a camera and go on a Safari

61. Play games with lids
62. Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives
63. Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too
64. String large beads onto or along a shoelace
65. Squirt each other with squirt bottles
66. Glue shapes onto paper
67. Make sock puppets
68. Make paper puppets
69. Fill an old purse with toys
70. Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone
71. Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching"
72. Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
73. Act out a story from a book
74. Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
75. Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
76. Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk
77. Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones!
78. Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror
79. Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it
80. Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
81. Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
82. Do the Hokey Pokey
83. Make a super-hero costume out of household items
84. Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes
85. Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop"
86. Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
87. Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!)
88. Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro
89. Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells
90. Learn numbers from a deck of cards
91. Play the matching game with a deck of cards
92. Make a domino chain
93. Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
94. Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes
95. Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it
96. Make a nature collage
97. Mirror each other
98. Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper
99. Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways
100. Make and walk along a toilet paper trail

101TAKE A NAP!

23 Months

January 21, 2012

I would have to say this was your busiest month to date. After two years of being home with you, your dad and I decided it was time not only for you to enjoy the company of other children your age, but for mommmy to return to work so that we can work toward our 2 year plan. Its an aggressive plan but your dad and I are motivated.

Knowing that our full days together were numbered I made sure we gout out and about and had as much fun as possible. Trips to the safari park were a weekly occurrence and we got to sit sometimes for as long as an hour watching the elephants. We had Shea come to our house to play, you went to Wyatt's house to play, we had bubble days, color days, dress up parties (just you and I" we lunched like ladies of leisure, we took naps, went for LONG walks, went shopping - you name it we did it and loved every minute.

You are a large vocabulary now - and can understand almost everything but you are still learning to announce your words. I can tell you try very hard and am proud of your enthusiasm. You absolutely love sitting on my lap and listening to me read your books before bed. Even though we have read the same books over and over you never grow tired of them. Your favorite books are jack in the beanstalk and goodnight moon.

You seem to have grown a bit tired of the ipad - and prefer to spend your time coloring. You will lay on your belly for half an hour repeatedly drawing little circles. I have kept some of these pages you are quite amazing - it makes me wonder what is going through your brain and what you will grow up to be.

I am amazed that soon you will be two. How did my tiny 7lb 11 oz baby grow up to be a sweet natured toddler so quickly!?

22 Months

December 21, 2011

This month has been full of fun and festive excursions. It made me grateful that I am not working. I have never been in the Christmas spirit more than I was this year. Having you and seeing the world through your eyes changes everything. We met with a few santas, saw houses lit up, some parades, went to a tree lighting or two and at ourselves into a stupor. Lats year you were very little. This year I was bale to read to you about Jesus, you sat for allot longer than usual. That is what is important to mommy at Christmas time.

For the last few months I have told myself that I don't need to make a big deal about your 2nd birthday like I did for your first But then I asked myself: "self...Why not?" Right? Why not - you deserve it - I love ding it and I never want a single birthday of yours to pass without a "song and a dance". I am fortunate that with only one child I have the time and resources to be able to make a big deal. So I am working hard to get that all together as we "speak"

You are getting funnier with the things you say. The other night when you were in the bath, you had all your animals, and "mermee's" floating about you - but you had especially selected two small frogs to float alone in a little jug. I asked you why you had singled them out and who they were...you proceeded to tell me that they were gigi and nana (both your grand mothers) I love to imagine what goes through your thoughts - you are very creative and busy.

You're starting to string words together now. On one of our many errands to Target, you had a little snack pack of organic cheddar bunny crackers as you got down o the last few you were having a rough to holding onto the bag and eating at the same time so inevitably the little bag was turned upside down and all the bunnies were left on the street. You weren't too heart broken about it - and as quickly as we walked away so the little birds fluttered in to take a munch of their good fortune. I explained to ou - that it wasnt a bad thing that you dropped your crackers - the birds were making lunch out of them. We packed the car, got settled in and as we were driving off you said to me: "mamie, beard, bubby kacker" (bird, bunny, cracker) I melted.

It has take you a while to get past "tu" - when I ask you to count you say with ease "wuuun, tu" and thats it...today (01.07.12) you said three :-)

Thank you for being such a brilliant little bean - I am so incredibly proud of every accomplishment no matter how big or small. Every night when daddy and mommy get into bed we say how amazing you are. Thats the truth!

21 Months

November 21, 2011

"WYTE"...
Thats the color you have down.
What color are your teeth?
What color is daddy's car?
What color is your chair?

Shew, a proud sigh of relief you have learned a color!...Then I asked you...What color is the frog, because I wanted to start on a new color..."WYTE" you say. Oh dear - I don't think its that you don't understand color, I think its that you don't understand the word color. No worries, in time, you will know color very well.

There has been no further progress on your desire to use the potty - several times you have told me you have a "kucka" and I race to get you on the potty - and there is nothing there - I think you like how I madly grab you rip your clothes off and haste and sit n the floor smiling - you must think Im a lunatic! again...in time you will get it. No rush :-)

You have such an amazing memory. Two months ago we went to the wild animal park and after I had changed your diaper, I needed to potty, so had you stand in the stall with me, explicitly explaining to you not to touch anything and to stay very clear of the gaping hole in the floor that was missing its grate. Well today we went to the wild animal park and I needed to change your diaper in the same trailer restroom...when I was done changing you and washing my hands, I noticed you had walk aay, I went to look at what you were looking at...you were looking at the hole in the floor that had since been repaired with a grate. There have been several instances where you have done that. A good memory is a wonderful gift to have!

As Christmas nears there are allot more creatures and items around to learn about. Although you are not a big fan of Santa - you know exactly who he is, but I think your favorite Christmas creature of all is the reindeer - you tell me "dee mama, dee"

Every morning when you wake up, before we even change your diaper, your first request is "more meelk" and pah-pah. I lift you out of your crib with your rats nest dreadlocked hair and we cozy on the floor and do a puzzle together. I explain the same thing every morning to you - that if you find the chicken head then we need to find his feet and put them together. Or if you see a house with a gate - then lets find another piece with a picture of a gate and join those together. It was a daunting 335 piece puzzle at first - now you're almost doing it on your own. No jokes! The part amazes me is not only do you understand a combination of three pieces, how they turn to fit each other but also to clip in each side. That was your biggest struggle is understand that the pieces joins on several sides and now you have it!

Your favorite book is still the same favorite since you were 17 months. Jack and the bean stalk. Nan brought it for you, she got it at Woolies in South africa. You know the book so well - you read it to me! You start by telling me there is a bug on the cover and "more bug" on the spine (thats the brand of books "Ladybird Books") then you go on to tell me "yack"(Jack)..."man" (giant)..."kicken" (golden goose)..."dadda" (cos the giant has boots like daddy)..."tee" (the giant has 3 yellow teeth"..."mama" (jack climbs down the tree and gives his mom the golden goose and gives his mom a hug)

I can't wait for Christmas. Our tree is up - and although we already have three casualties in the ornament department - you're having a fun time. I have never been so excited about Christmas before. You give Joy and happiness a whole new meaning!

Current list of words:
Ant, bair (bear), bubble, bulla-uf (butterfly)bet (bed), bebee (berry), bee, but (belt), birt (bird), boot, bug, baby, bag, ball, bear, bed, bike, cookie, car, chair, cheers, dee-dee (Diaper), dee (deer), eee (ear), eh-ee (ele for elephant), guck (duck), kucka-poopoop, keys, keers (cheers), kees (cheese), kicken (chicken), man, meelk (milk), min-ma (minnie mouse), mer-mee (mermaid), nor (no), nana, pum-mum (pumpkin), puh-puh (puzzle) raffe (girafe), truck, tea, wo-win (owen), wog (frog), white, wallamalla (watermelon), Wut-wa (apple) yeah,