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,

Pink

Advice: Enjoy your own company

20 Months

October 21, 2011

I've had several people ask me about the latest on your lymphangioma. We have still to wait for a second opinion from Boston. For now besides that we are simply watching your speech. I have had two people tell me to get you into speech therapy so not knowing what I am doing and out of my love for you and your happiness and health I called about it. They say you are too young now, but when you are two years and 9 months old we can call them back and they will evaluate you. We need to keep a close eye on your speech to see how the cystic hygroma will or will not effect you.

After seeing a video of your friend Cohen (remember he is one week younger than you) I was thoroughly impressed how many colors he knew. I've been putting allot of energy on letters and think maybe you are too young so am going to lay off for a bit and work more on colors. You are not too interested though so I am not going to push you, but al through our day I point out a single color. Last week we collected all your green toys and went looking for green frogs at the golf course. We also worked on white - your teeth are white, moms car and your play chair. Green you have a tough time with but white you can say and point out (high five-knuckles)

Firsts
YAAAAAY you went poop for the first time in your potty!
You said "cuckky" and pointed to your booty. I noticed you were straining and told you: "Let's go to the toilet".
We took your diaper and socks off and you did what was left in you. GREAT Excitement - we called dadda and gigi to tell her the fun new news. I know you are young and this may take many months more but the fact that you told me is the first step in our potty training :-)

First sleep over!
Today, on October 21 we went to Ruben and Renee Garcia's wedding. All our usual care givers like aunty and gigi were going to be at the wedding, so you went to stay with Bri, Noah and Shea in their adorable house in Cardiff. Bri is 9 months pregnant which made me nervous I know how tiresome that can be on its own, but she is so sweet, and easy going, she said there were no problems. She said you were a very good girl and you and Shea hugged and kissed, rearranged the playroom chairs and held the babies. you got to eat a yogurt pop and went with Shea and her folks to the donut shop in your pajamas for breakfast - it sounded like you loved every minute, she said you didnt cry once or even get scared! I can't wait for Shea to come spend the night with us!


Current list of words:
Ant, bair (bear), bubble, bet (bed), bee, but (belt), birt (bird), boot, bug, baby, bag, ball, nana, bear, bed, bike, car, truck, wo-wan (owen), kees (cheese), chair, cheers, keys, keers (cheers), tea, mer-mee (mermaid), guck (duck), wog (frog), cookie, eee (ear), eh-ee (ele for elephant), bebee (berry), raffe (girafe), no, yeah, white, man, wallamalla (watermelon) bulla-uf (butterfly) pum-mum (pumpkin), kucka-poopoop, dee-dee (Diaper)

19 Months

September 21, 2011

Usually I find the people in this world to be unkind, rude and pushy. My grandfather always told me the world is full of idiots.
Looking through my daughters eyes I see now that its more that people are afraid, shy or private. When we walk around our beautiful neighborhood, Franki smiling from the stroller, the dogs trotting along sniffing every shrub people of this planet have no problem at all smiling at us, sometimes even stopping to give a compliment and it cost them nothing but makes our day.

Children are such blessings, they make this world a better place, inspiring actions and feelings in people that in turn make others want to do the same. Never have I encountered so many lovely personalities that are complete strangers since Franki came into my life.

I am still not working full time, so we get to go to the childrens museum, science center, library story time, botanical gardens, aquarium and zoo with Owen and Wyatt and you point out the people as much as you do the animals. The animals are not strange or different to you, you are very matter of fact about them as if they're as common of a thing in your life as your baby doll. Speaking of which. You have suddenly grown attached to the "baby" you have 4 different kinds but the one in particular you insist on taking everywhere. You will not put her down, you always pass her directly to me to hold no matter where we are.

Firsts:
This month you put one shoe on for the first time with no help, it was the wrong shoe on the wrong foot but you determination and independence has grown in leaps and bounds this month. I watch you as you walk about, full of confidence, saying hello to people as they pass by and telling me all day about things you see.

You also went to your very first ballet class. Bri invited us to Shea's ballet class and I had no idea what to expect, half expecting you to cling to my leg, I didnt really think we'd be staying that long. I put a little pony in your hair, and since you dont have ballet clothing, I just let you wear pink tights and a little shirt with dancers. The studio requests the girls to all wear ballet slippers, well arent you a lucky little sausage that Nana brought you beautiful satin slippers from South Africa. All the teachers and other parents were asking where I found such beautiful ballet shoes! Boy-oh-boy did you surprise me! Off you went hopping and skipping, twirling and jumping, copying the other kids and all with a big smile on your face - it was a delight to see, my heart leaped for joy because ballet was mommy's first love.

You are enjoying stickers. You understand that they stick and then when they get dirty and stop sticking you lose interest in them. Not a day goes by that I don't have a hello kitty or bear stuck somewhere to my body.
True Story: You had been gifted a sticker of a banana kicking a soccer ball from Albertsons. Without my knowledge you had cleverly stuck it to my t-shirt. Since it was right under my boob when I looked down it was completely hidden, the only time I realized I had that sticker on me, was when I got in the shower at 9pm that night. I chuckled to myself. "The mom Life" :-)

You went through a period where you were obsessed with clothing, how they are put on and how the different pieces work so we went to Geppettos Toy Store to get you the doll with zippers, snaps and buttons...Whilst we were there, you tripped and fell. I noticed blood but knew you hadn't fallen that hard...I whisked you out the store and into the car to get a better look at your injury.

To my shock it appeared that your lip had pushed through the gap in your two top teeth. I was horrified. When you stopped crying, although still bleeding I gently tugged to see if I could pop your lip out. I had no luck. I called to make an appointment to see the doctor and they could only see us in three days, this didn't worry me because I thought by that time the swelling would have gone down and we could get a better look. On day two I lifted your lip to see what was going on...Still your lip was stuck, after careful investigation I realized it wasn't stuck but had grown this way! My heart sunk into the pit of my stomach. Not knowing what this was and what it would entail to get rid of it I got sad thinking of having to put you through surgery. You have been through so much already with your cystic hygroma.

It tuns out you have what they call a "Labial Frenulum". I called up a friend who is a pediatric dentist and he confirmed what it was, he said its nothing to worry about and very common and if it hasn't split and healed itself by the time you're a pre teen they would just snip it - no big deal. We then saw your doctor and he confirmed this all to be true. My sweet love, unfortunately you are like your mum with a few weird things to contend with as a child but with time and growth they will disappear and everything will be just fine.

When we were seeing doctor Frumin about the Labial Frenulum we also did your "18 month well check" these were se stats:
height: 34.5"
weight: 28.9"

Current list of words:
Bubble, bug, baby, bag, ball, nana, bear, bed, bike, car, truck, wo-wan (owen)cheese, chair, cheers, keys, cookie, duck, man.

Proverbs 3:6

The artist Stephanie Ackerman created this doodle. I need you to carry this in your heart.

18 Months

August 21, 2011

You are so so smart. I often under estimate you since you can barely talk - but then you will figure something out all on your own and I suddenly realize how fast you are growing, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. The other day when you had sucked all the air from your sippy cup, you knew if you turned the nipple sideways and bit down it would relieve the pressure and you could get more liquid out!

When I say - its dinner time, lets sit in your chair, you run to the drawer with the spoons, and although you can't see inside the draw - your little hand fishes around until you feel one of your spoons. You're not quite feeding yourself yet but definitely getting better which surprises me since all your shaped block toys, you have down, no problem you simply slot the specific shape its the correct shaped hole.

Your mannerisms continue to keep us giggling. You now role your eyes, shrug your shoulders, close your eyes when you want us to go away and love doing your own summersaults on the bed - unassisted!

More words this month...
Buh-boo = bubble
Mah = more
Bah = bus

This month was a magical one. Not only did mom turn the big three-five, but your nana met you for the first time!
On August 12, 2011 dad picked you up from Jenni's and I drove downtown o get my mom. She had flown over 27 hours hours to come see us. When I saw her coming down the escalator at San Diego International, I could not hold back my blubs, we embraced and cried like babies we were so happy. I have not seen my mommy in two years. Now that I myself am a mommy to a daughter I can now understand how heart wrenching it must be to be so far from your love, blood and flesh.

Your nana was overjoyed the first time she met you. You had been napping, so when we got you out the crib you just stared at her as she felt your likely hair and gave you cuddles. It was a very special moment I will never forget. We spent most of our days at home walking about the neighborhood, just relaxing and catching up. There were a few days where I needed to go to work and so your nan took care of you, cooked for you and gave you smooches. She so enjoyed your lively personality, she let you jump on her and squeeze her to the point where she had little bruises everywhere, but she didn't even care. She was just so happy to see your smily face and disheveled hair.

It was very, very sad saying goodbye to nana. We dropped her at the airport and went to park the car. We had to take a shuttle bus back to the airport because they are doing construction on the parking. I was so worried we would not see her again to say a proper goodbye. You were very excited to be on the bus. It was your first time. Thank goodness we did see nana again. We walked the hallway and looked at the art and nana showed you all the different colored busses that were passing by. But you got tired. It was late and so it was time to leave. You gave nana a big kiss and so did mommy and we waved goodbye. Soon we will see nana again and mommy is very excited for when that day comes.

Passion

A Toddler's Rules of Possesion

I read this on a blog...And had to giggle, because its true :-)

1. If I like it, its mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it' broken, it's yours.

First: Love Jesus...

17 Months

July 21, 2011
The reason I never have time to open a book or download one onto the ipad is because I follow a plethora of blogs...mommy blogs, design blogs, photography, cooking, basically everything in life that makes me: me :-) One thing I noticed on the mommy blogs, is that although they diarize their babies growth so beautifully "month 17" is missing in many cases. Well now I know why.

This has been your busiest month of all. With your learning to walk last month, you are now trying to figure how to run and climb and jump. You want to go up the road, down the road, chase Bede and Mr. Scruff and never sit in your stroller. I had heard about this stage. Unless I put you in the ginormous car cart at the grocery store, in spite of only needing one item, there is just no way to get through the store without you taking off and tearing everything down in your wake. Of course everything you do is with a great shrill scream and tremendous excitement. It only makes chastising you that much more difficult because behind every "no Franki" I have a smirk. You are too darn adorable for your own good, just look at you in this picture sporting you very first ponytail!

As you get older, dad and I are trying to figure out the fine lines that separate treats from spoiling and teaching you sensible behavior versus having fun and knowing a good time needs to come to the end. Example: I was horrified to hear when you walked to the store with your dad, he gave you a fruit roll up treat, I am no opposed to treats contrary to what our family and friends think, I just want you eating stuff that wont give you a belly ache or cavities. Ok so its true. I worry allot. We we have come to an agreement, you are to get treats in any form every now and then. I will trust you will be ok :)

We are gearing p mentally for the next stage we are about to enter in, the potty training, toddler bed, no more sippy cup after bath etc etc. Im a little scared.

I really am grateful to you for being such a good girl, I hear other mums talk and you don't do any of the crazy stuff I overhear. You are so so good with going to bed with just your cup of tea, and sleep 13 hours a night, you are always smiley and more often than not you share. You are very loving and always wave hello and goodbye, even blowing kisses to the lucky few. You love bugs and cats and although you're a little freaked out by the airplanes (you always say uh-oh) you do like to point them out to me.

I love you more than life itself my angel bug.

Romans 8:31

Remember this if ever anyone is mean to you.

16 Months

June 21, 2011

You're officially a toddler - a walking, mumbling, squealing machine!
When I lay you on my lap when you are tired and you put your little thumb in your mouth and look up at me with those big bluey green eyes my already mushy heart turns to liquid. You are just the cutest. I know all moms say that about there own children, but you really are. You are silly and fun and happy and easy going and very rarely do you complain. I am very proud of you.

You are sharp as a tack and don't miss a thing. When you set your cookie down to play and your buddy Owen nabbed it you very quickly noticed. When I try to trick you to get your diaper changed or swap out your water for milk, straight away you will let me know that you noticed.

Your words are getting more pronounced that now I can almost make out what yo are trying to say, then you point to make it clearer and I get it. We...or I should say you discovered a super book with all the words you are working on learning and we sit almost daily going over the pictures. You say "naa-na" for banana, "raaaf" for giraffe, "cowe" for cow, "dock" for dog, "ba" for baby and the words you don't yet know how to say like tree, elephant and lion you either make the sound or point right at it.

You're not quite feeding yourself with a spoon, you try with all our might and as much as you get the spoon into your mouth, most every drop of food lands on your lap. Unfazed you try and try again. You have great tenacity!

This summer has got off to a great start, we do so much together as a family. We take walks with the dogs up to the spitty fountain, we take your blow up pool and head down to the beach, you absolutely love the ocean and try to walk in as far as you can go!

On July 2, 2011 I started taking you for swim lessons. You are young by one month, and I wasn't sure how you would fare going everyday Monday through Thursday. We meet the lady from Swim Synergy at 4pm and you have a private lesson for about 15 minutes. The pool lovely and warm, and although you don't enjoy being laid on your back to float, you grumble and moan, you still do it and still learn. You amaze me. You love the water and are very brave, I want to keep it that way. The reason I put you in swim, is not because I plan to train you early to be an olympic swimmer, but because mommy and daddy love the water and are constantly near a pool, I am too scared to have you fall in and get hurt. With these lessons you will earn to float, flip, kick to the surface even get to the side of the pool! The investment and time is worth every moment for your safety.

You are my little girly girl and your aunty Andrea encourages it buying you purses, ruffle bikinis, pink water bottles and high heels. Your dad video taped you walking in your heels like a pro!

Proverbs 31:25

Are you there god? Its me Margaret.

I often think of things to do with Franki that would be enlightening, fun, educational or creative however most of the things I think of are better suited for an older child. I am hopeful I dont forget these "things to do" by the time she does reach and appropriate age, but just incase I do I am going to jot down notes in this blog to look back on. Feel free to add ideas!

My co-worker who has two creative, intelligenet girls told me about this wonderful book written in the 70's about a girls quest for a single religion, its called Are you there God? Its me Margaret.

ACTIVITY
Book: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Author: Judy Blume

AGE
Preteen

ABOUT
A girl in sixth grade who grew up with no religion. Margaret's mother is Christian and her father is Jewish, and the novel explores her quest for a single religion. Margaret also confronts many other pre-teen female issues, such as buying her first bra, having her first period, coping with belted sanitary napkins (changed to adhesive sanitary pads for recent editions of the book), jealousy towards another girl who has developed a womanly figure earlier than other girls, liking boys, and whether to voice her opinion if it differs from those of her friends.

15 Months

May 21, 2011
We all enter this world in different ways. You wouldn't think so at first, but some babies are born to moms completely naturally with no pain med, others are delivered cesarean long before 40 weeks, so are birthed after 18 hours of labor with complications etc etc. Yes every single child is fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. You are so perfect my love. Here I was fretting through my youth about the what ifs and unknowns, even as I went through a content 40 weeks I still had fears and concerns. I had never diapered or swaddled a baby (your dad had to teach me) I didn't know if I was supposed to powder your bottom, or what he "magic tricks" were to keep a baby comfortable...and yet when you came, we just did it. Some great advice was thrown our way but mostly we just figured out as we went along and you have turned out to be an attentive happy and healthy baby. Looking back - the hardest part was simply going through this journey without the one that knew me before I knew myself. My mom. Your granny. She would have been amazing.

Good news! She is going to finally come and meet you. When you are about 18 months old, she will hold you for the first time, she will hear your laugh, hold your hand and get to read you a story. I am so overwhelmed with emotions. My mom parented me very differently from how you are are and will be parented. You are blessed to have a large family and two parents that adore each other. My mom had to do it all alone and work. She knows stuff, and has seen stuff that you and I could never even imagine - her wisdom and strength is something we can both not only admire but learn from. Your granny will only be here for two weeks, but it will be the most blessed two weeks and we will all cozy together, take walks, swim, laugh and picnic.

Bath time has been very special. we all pile into the bathroom as a family, dad will sit on the floor and me on the toilet, we will laugh and blow bubbles, you play peek a boo with the shower curtain and dad gets a huge fright every time you splash him and falls over. I look forward to 6:15pm every day.

I understand why “they” call the navel a belly button. You are obsessed with that tiny little indent in your tummy, you constantly press yours as if it a light were going to switch on. Then you go looking for mine, whipping my shirt up and laughing hysterically when you find it, you do it to your dad too, you push your little finger as deep as it will go trying to figure out what it is. I don’t know which you think is cooler, that we each have one or that there is a hole in your belly.

Since you have been officially walking (stopped crawling completely May 21, 2011) I let you stroll rather than ride in your car as we walk Mr. Scruff to go potty. So every day you walk about one mile, it takes about an hour because you insist on stopping and smelling every flower you see, its adorable the way you lean over the flower and breathe out through your mouth, you bend your knees at every bush and meow then look at me – searching for cats because you saw one about a week ago. If a plane flies overhead you point at it and watch it until it fades out of sight and if a crow squawks even barely within ears reach you tell me, pointing with great excitement. I love how curious and aware you are, you are mellow and sweet. Simply perfect in every way.

Advancements:
YOU ARE SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!
I never thought I would ever get to say those words. You are a superstar! I lay you down at 6:30pm and you sleep until 6:30am the next day without a peep. No rhyme or reason, you just started doing it all alone. You don't need a sippy or bottle or pacifier. I just put on your binaural beats and close the door. That is it. Thank you love bug. Mommy smiles more with more sleep :-)

You are attempting to eat with your own spoon, I bought a special spoon with little holes that reduces the chances of it falling onto your lap, its working fairly well depending on the nature of the food, and you are very proud of yourself when you get a successful mouthful. Of course your walking improves on a daily basis and you are even trying to jump!

Go get it

You're the only one who can make the changes you're craving. Don't expect the world to hand you what you want.

Songbird

For you there'll be no crying
For you the sun will be shining
‘Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

And the songbirds keep singing
Like they know the score
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before

To you, I would give the world
To you, I'd never be cold
Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

And the songbirds keep singing
Like they know the score
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before

Like never before; like never before.

~ Fleetwood Mac

Stay Forever Young my gogo

May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud dignified and true
And do unto others As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave And in my heart you'll always stay forever young,

May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young,
And when you finally fly away I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime no one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young.

~Rod Stewart

Confetti Rice

Ingredients
2 c. Jasmine rice
3 c. Water
1/4 c. Diced red onion
1 1/2 tsp Fresh ginger root, chopped
1 tsp Fresh garlic, chopped
1 1/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Fresh lemongrass, finely chopped
1 x Kaffir lime leaf, fresh or possibly frzn
2 Tbsp. Carrot, very finely chopped
2 Tbsp. Red pepper, very finely chopped
3 Tbsp. Green onion, very finely chopped

Directions
1. To cook in a rice cooker: Rinse the rice in a strainer till the water runs clear. Drain well, then place it in the rice cooker with all the remaining rice ingredients. Stir well, cover and steam till tender, per manufacturer's directions.
2. After rice is cooked, fluff with a fork, then gently mix in the confetti ingredients.
3. To cook without a rice cooker: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the rice in a strainer till the water runs clear. Shake rice and drain well.
4. Place rice in a large, ovenproof saucepan with remaining rice ingredients. Place pan over high heat and bring to a boil, stir. Quickly cover pan with a piece of foil and a tight-fitting lid.
5. Place in a preheated oven and cook for 15 min. After rice is cooked, immediately remove the lid and foil. Fluff with a fork, then gently mix in the confetti ingredients. Serve immediately.
Chef's Notes:*Fresh lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves can be found at Southeast Asian grocers. If purchasing a package of fresh lime leaves, use what you need and store the rest in the freezer.

*This dish is a nice fat-free and vegetarian accompaniment to simply steamed vegetables, or possibly grilled fish or possibly chicken.
*Leftover jasmine rice makes a great fried rice. Simply dice up some veggies and maybe a little leftover meat or possibly chicken. Quickly saute/fry them in a frying pan or possibly wok with the leftover rice, then stir in some bamboo shoots and bean sprouts if you like. Whisk a little soy sauce with an egg or possibly two and stir-fry into the rice, cooking just till the egg coats the rice and is cooked through and the rice is warm.

14 Months

April 21, 2011
It has warmed up considerably; you’re wearing shoes less and even have several pairs of shorts. I love seeing your little chubby legs, I have missed them because they are always covered up. If you hurry and start walking, we can put you in dresses!

You absolutely love drinking out of a straw, you either pinch my cup from the bedside table or you sip sip sip away from the cute little bottle I bought you. With all your teething lately you have not been too interested in food, but if I make confetti rice – you gobble it up every time.

Advancements:
MORE TEETH! Yup…you got two more in the back on the top. You gave us two weeks straight of sleeping through the night – first time since you were 5 and a half months old. Now you are back to waking a few times a night, I just think you must be so uncomfortable with those sharp little pegs poking through. You are like me, no pain medication relieves your discomfort, and neither do the teething pills, homeopathic treatments and holistic tinctures. Just prayer, love and the occasional warm bottle

You are actually communication now. I don’t know what you are saying but I talk back to you anyway. You love telling me about stuff because you point, make facial expressions and laugh out loud. You are extremely smart. The only real word you say is dada and you try to say duck.

My favorite new things you do, is when Mr. Scruff barks you put your pointer your finger to your lips and say:”sssssssssss” you have learned about your fingers and wiggle them about. You understand the word “dance” so when I put some music on ask you to dance with me you tap your one foot and nod your head to one side. I smile just thinking about it.

Regression:
You have learned how to get your way. Tantrums. Oh my goodness, whenever we try to change your diaper or pick you up to leave the house when you are playing, you kick your little legs with all your might and scream blue murder. It seems to work well with you dad, he hates to see you upset. Me, not so much, I know you’re not really upset that is just the only way you know how to tell us you really really don’t want your “dee-dee” changed. The good thing is you get over it really quickly and move onto the next exciting adventure.

Firsts:
I introduced you to marie biscuits! These were my favorite growing up. They are a south African biscuit that are thin and have their own unique flavor. One day when you are a bit old I will show you how to dip them on milk and make a sandwich with butter between them.

Schedule:
Because you wake up at 6:30am now instead of 8am, you get tired really early. Jenni usually lays you down around 9:30 and you sleep two hours. On those days, by the time I get you at 2:30 you are ready for another little nap. I like it when you nap because you are well rested and chipper but I also dislike it because I miss you all day long, and can’t wait to see and play with you.

In my life...

There are places I remember all my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments with lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living in my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers there is no one compares with you
and these memories lose their meaning when I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them in my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them in my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

~The Beatles

Children are the best investment you'll ever make

The cost of raising a child... a different perspective.
Here is something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice.

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with R1,681,470.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But R1,681,470.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:A.. R93 414.93 a year,
B.. R7784.49 a month,
C.. R1796.34 a week.
D.. A mere R254.52 a day!
E.. Just over R10.50 an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is: don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your R1,681,470.00?A. Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
B. Glimpses of God every day.
C. Giggles under the covers every night.
D. More love than your heart can hold.
E. Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
F. Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
G. A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
H. A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
I. Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For R1,681,470.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:
A. Finger-paint,
B. Carve pumpkins,
C. Play hide-and-seek,
D. Catch lightning bugs,
E. Never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:A. Keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
B. Watch Saturday morning cartoons,
C. Go to Disney movies, and
D. Wish on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere R254.52 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:A. Retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
B. Taking the training wheels off a bike,
C. Removing a splinter,
D. Filling a paddling pool,
E. Coaxing a wad of gum out of hair, and
F. Coaching a rugby team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream, regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:
A. First step,
B. First word,
C. First bra,
D. First date,
E. First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!

April Fools Fish tricks

Apparently April Fools started in France and as tradition has it, the French celebrate by taping paper fishes to the backs of people they encounter.

There are many really cute and fun little projects to enjoy the frivolous excitement of April 1

1. Sweetie Sushi
2. Turn the milk blue using food dye.
3. Sweet little fish butter cookies

13 Months

March 21, 2011
Spring is here! I have been little by little building your scrapbook from the time we found out we were pregnant until today, and I am only just getting to your first Easter pictures, already Easter is rolling around again, its going to be so busy at the annual San Elijo eggs hunt this year, there seems so many more babies under two than ever before.

Advancements:
You are now walking, just holding with one hand, you have realized with only holding our one hand you can pick things up and you can carry your sippy at the same time! You're doing well at understanding me, when I say "no, no, no" you shake your head left to right, you think its very funny so purposely do things to make me say no. I can't help but chuckle. When we ask you what a cow says you purse your little lips tightly together and say "moooooo" and when we ask you what a dog says you proclaim "Whoo!" We are working on "ribbit" which I agree may be a tough one and "quack". I love how you wave goodbye to everyone with no encouragement when I collect you from Lynn's house after work. You are always sad to leave but always so happy to see me. We go home and do fun stuff. Just today we put on your bathing suit and went to the spitty fountain, then to top of your day you got another nice big hug from Owen.

Regression:
Shame you picked up a nasty cough over the last few weeks. It doesn't seem to both you that much during the day but at night it must tickle your throat because you will cough for hours. You are still too young to give any sort of muti but you take raw organic honey in some warm Rooibos very nicely and it seems to sooth you a bit.

Firsts:
I let you try peanut butter! You didn't love it so I gave you some almond butter on bananas the next day as a snack and you loved that. You have no allergies it seems, I was even thinking the other day how you have only ever had two diaper rashes. (Once was when you pooped in the night and slept several hours with it in your pajamas)

Schedule:
We took you to Doctor Fruman for your one year checkup. You got two thumbs up. But then Dr. Fruman asked: "does she wake at night"...I said yes always once at midnight, sometimes twice...then he asked: "Do you feed her?" I hesitated to answer because I knew what he would say. That I shouldn't be. He was of course very diplomatic but it made me realized I am not doing anybody any favors by feeding you in the night. You don't need it. Its simply comfort to take a bottle and sit on my lap and Ive been doing that every night since you were 5.5 months old. I am not sleeping well at all and with starting work, I need my sleep to be a good mommy, wife and worker.

Now when you wake up I just hand you a sippy (not a bottle) with 4oz of milk (instead of 8oz of formula) you're doing really well and have even slept through the night a few times. I am slowly going to ween you onto water and then take the sippy away completely. As always you are adjusting well.

Social Media Birthday Wishes

As if you didn't get enough emails, phone calls, skypes and old fashioned beautiful birthday cards...My FaceBook account was blown up today with all the loving, sweet happy birthday wishes and blessings for your very first birthday. I know by the time you are old enough to read this FaceBok will be a thing of the past and you will have new stranger ways to communicate with your friends and family.

12 Months

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my little love bug!
I am blown away that on a rainy day just one year ago, I was breathing and concentrating and breathing some more all in an effort to bring you safely into this world.

Over the last few months not allot of changes have happened with your growth or development besides just getting more of a sense of humor. You love to hit yourself in the face and kick cousin Bennett, but we are all certain you mean no harm, you're just being playful and underestimating your own strength.

Dad finished the loft! He did such a great job and I am now in full swing decorating it and making it a safe and happy haven for you to play in. I just know you are going to spend hours creating, learning and discovering in that little space.

Two more teeth poked through on the bottom, you really only struggled two nights with the pain, unlike the other teeth, you look so cute with your emerging "kid mouth".

You are still doing only one nap of two hours. You have been with Lynn this month with Jenni out of town and occasionally she will lay you down for a short morning nap but mostly you are happy with just one.

You are doing much better on the sippy cup (Nuk)Its just taken some practice. have now taken away your bottle completely. At night you only drink a 5oz of milk at midnight, but we are slowly working on weening you off that too. You still wake up screaming, but my hope is with weening you off the bottle and then the cup, you will start learning to put yourself back to sleep.

I love you so much baby girl, your independence and contagious laughter continually thrill me.

One.

Happy First Birthday!!!

I was so super excited about planning your first birthday party, we had it at the gazebo in San Elijo Hills on Sunday, February 20. I know very well you won't remember much, but I wanted to create a memory for you in pictures so you could loo back and see just how much fun we love having with you and all the wonderful people that came to celebrate with us as a family. You are very well loved, but you will figure that out on your own.

I am never fond of walking into a store and buying all the matchy pieces. I prefer to give as many things in life (as I have time for) my own thumb print. I love handmade and crafty items, so many cookie cutter concepts lack that tactile "made with love" feeling...In my opinion.

Your theme was Enchanted Forest/Woodland Creatures/Gnome-topia. I had know idea the movie "Gnomeo and Juliet" was about break the week before your birthday. Ive been planning your party for 4 months. I started with collecting inspiration and deciding on a color scheme...

• I saw your Gnome dress and told Gigi about it, she beat me to it and bought it from the seller PinkDixie from Etsy online.
• I created your invitations myself on my computer at home using inspiration from another designer and printing them with the printer your dad bought me for Christmas.
• I collected gnome figurines from Joanns Spring sale.
• Green & Blue M&M's from Michaels
• I baked box cupcakes and frosted them with a "grass" tip
• For the terrarium I used an old cookie jar, painted a birds nest and made little toadstools out of Fimo clay. The moss I bought from Michaels.
• The mossy Stone toadstools were from Michaels, so were the bug catching party favors
• Gigi helped me sew and cut all the pennants (buntings)
• The table cloths were disposable red plastic and then I bought burlap squares to act as overlays.
• The "toadstool" cake pops were red velvet and absolutely delicious, enjoyed by young and old.

You were such a good girl, not at all overwhelmed, smiling at everyone all day, playing on the slides and walking about holding your dads fingers. You are such a delight and I am so proud of you!

Birds Nest Recipe

I'm making these for Franki's Woodland themed first birthday party.

Makes 12 | Takes 15 minutes to make, plus chilling

Ingredients
1. 100g butter, cubed
2. 1 tbsp cocoa powder
3. 50g milk chocolate buttons
4. 75g golden syrup
5. 4 Shredded Wheat
6. 36 mini chocolate eggs


Method
1. Put the butter into a medium bowl, then add the cocoa powder, chocolate buttons and golden syrup. Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds, or until melted, then stir to mix everything together.
2.Hold 1 Shredded Wheat over the bowl and squeeze in your hand to crumble it in. Repeat with the other 3 Shredded Wheat. Stir to mix evenly.
3.Line the patty tin with 12 paper cake cases and put a generous tablespoonful of mixture into each of the paper cases. Press the centre of each nest with your fingers to make a slight dip, then arrange 3 mini chocolate eggs in each of the dips. Chill for 30 minutes before eating.

Chef's tip
For this recipe you’ll need a 4.5cm wide, 2.5cm deep 12-bun patty tin (a small fairy cake tin) and 12 paper cake cases.

Augmentin Allergy!

I could not believe what I saw when I got you unchanged for a bath on Thursday, a week after you surgery. What was going on!? I soon learn by way of Gigi, aunty, Granny in South Africa and the internet that you were having a reaction to the Antibiotic prescribed to you after your procedure. Granny in South Africa is allergic to Penicillin and aunty Ang gets a black tongue, so suffice to say, its in our family.

Augmentin is a penicillin antibiotic.

Augmentin contains a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Amoxicillin fights bacteria in the body.

Clavulanate potassium is a form of clavulanic acid. It is used to overcome resistance in bacteria that secrete beta-lactamase, thereby counteracting possible bacterial resistance to the amoxicillin.

We immediately stopped the antibiotic. We thought if its a side effect it will fade quickly and we can go about our weekend as planned. Sadly you did not just suffer a side effect. You are actually allergic. The rash turned into hives and began to itch. We quickly gave you a light covering of Benedryl ointment to relive your scratching as you were making yourself bleed! This morning when you woke up the red welts have gone but the bumps are still working their way through your skin. I applied more Benedryl and have been giving you more probiotics that I usually do. Hopefully by tomorrow you will be good as new.

2nd Procedure - 11 Months Old

Firstly, I want to tell you baby girl, I think you are the bravest, most forgiving, extraordinary positive love angel that I have ever known. You inspire me, give me courage and make me want to be a better person.

Wednesday, February 2 2011
12:30pm
Dad and I walked into Rady's Children hospital in San Diego with you in our arms, pushing all our belongings in your stroller and checked-in for your elective "surgery"to reduce the size of your lymphatic malformation (cystic hygroma) My heart pounded knowing that you had no idea what was about to happen. You were giggling and playing and just being your usual easy going self. Your vitals all read well, you weighed in at a healthy 24lb and managed your hunger without a single complaint.I was relieved you were able to take a really good nap before we left home, that was God's doing I know because you have not been napping very well over the last week.

2:30pm
A lovely nurse called for you and it was time to roll. We walked with you in our arms up to the radiology room where we waited for Dr. Dory and Dr. Magit to come and chat with us. The plan was to aggressively inject the potent antibiotic Doxycycline into your cysts directly through your throat and floor of your mouth. We handed you over to the anesthesiologist Dr. Alvin H Faierman, who has a friendly smile and gently laid you on your back to administer the sleepy gas. They do this before they put the needle in you so lessen your anxiety.

3:30pm
Gigi came straight from work to see you but the hospital wouldn't allow any visitors inside so we all waited together for a nurse to come call us into recovery when you woke up. They finally called for "mom only" and I raced like a headless chicken to you, I could hear you crying as I walked in I knew it was you, when I saw you, you were so swollen I barely recognized you, I had to be brave, no tears and I just smiled at you.I picked you up and immediately you drifted off to sleep. I was so grateful to have you back in my arms. I praised God for your safety and that it was over. I just sat there and watched the peaceful look in your face. I love you more than words can describe.

5:30pm
Finally we got you safely into your room. We are blessed to have a private room with a view and a foldout chair. Dad and I agreed to take turns in staying up and watching over you. You slept fairly well only waking for a bottle and a cuddle. We won't leave you. Ever.

Thursday, February 3 2011
8:00am
You woke up very cheerful, we ordered breakfast and you shared my eggs and oatmeal and ate like a champ. We entertained you with DVD's, toys, walks. You finally drank two bottles and some water so we asked if they would take you off the IV and monitor you with the hope of being discharged that evening.

6:00pm
I could not believe how well you were doing just 24 hours after such an invasive procedure. You were playful, happy, eating, drinking, sleeping - doing everything you normally do and the swelling had gone down by about 30%. The doctors and nurses were pleased so gave you your discharge papers!

7:00pm
Your family was so exited to see you come home, you were getting 100's of well wishes on FaceBook. Gigi was on her way to meet us at our house to give you a big hug...but I had to call and tell her maybe tomorrow. You were so tired you fell asleep in the car on the way home, they didn't let you rest much in the hospital, poking you and prodding you every 4 hours, so I was overjoyed to see you resting.

Friday, February 4 2011
2:00am
You had woken up a few times and felt a bit warm, but with some gentle loving and a change of clothes I thought nothing more of it until 2am. We took your temperature and you were running a 104...that really scared us, we put you in the bathtub, gave you Motrin and called the hospital and they said we could either bring you into the emergency or wait until the morning o see Dr. Magit. We decided tow ait - I didnt want to subject you too the ospital, lights and pokes so dad and I sat up all night holding you, watching you sleep and keeping a cool cloth on your neck.

12:00pm
In walks Dr. Magit. He looked in your ears and mouth and took your temperature then announced he would book a room for you. He suggested we stay overnight to monitor you and put you on steroids and antibiotics as well as fluids because you were dehydrated. I was scared. Dad was strong for the both of us. He cried much later, when we were both asleep.

6:00pm
This was possibly the worst moments of our lives. You were wide awake and the nurses had to put a needle and splint in your arm for your drip. Our nurse called the best nurse on the shift for the job, she tried twice. You screamed your little heart out as we cried with you trying to distract you with "blues Clues" and "Moose and Zee" youTube videos. I never want you tuo hurt, ever but I know that in life we all get hurt one way or another. we learn from our pain. I just hope you knew how much we love you and wanted to protect you. The nurse felt really bad for you. She called the EMT's to come and administer your IV needle as they do it all the time the would have better luck. They poked you once...then got you the next time. You were so glad to see them go and after that didn't trust anyone that even walked in the room. Anyone that came within a meter of you, you would scream blue murder.

12:00pm
All through the night you were fed your antibiotics and steroids through the IV, you weren't able to sleep much between the beeping and prodding but we knew it only meant you would be getting better and not have to deal with that scary fever again. You ate a good breakfast and gulped down a couple of bottles, so were given the "all-clear" to be released. That was the best news I had heard all week. They wrote you a prescription for Augmentin and sent us home.

Love like Crazy

The chorus lyrics of "LEE BRICE - Love Like Crazy" really resonate with me and I wanted to pass them onto you. They sure are good words to live by baby girl.

Be your best friend,
tell the truth, and overuse I love you.

Go to work, do your best,
don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your praying knees get lazy
And love like crazy

11 Months

January 21, 2011

What a busy month for an 11 month old! You had your 2nd procedure, first trip to Big Bear, first Valentines and your first Birthday!

I like to call you "Miss February" Because through all your trials and tribulations you have shown courage, humor and forgiveness. I am so proud of you baby girl.

Advancements:
We have been working on word recognition: When I ask you these words, you point perfectly to each thing:
Nose, Hair, eyes, light, wave, clap, Mr-Dog, Bede-Dog, Dada

My favorite new thing you do is I seat you in front of your sliding mirror doors. You spin around on your butt and look at every movement, over your shoulder and around and just giggle profusely.

Schedule:
After reading BabyWise and Baby Whisperer I learned quickly that its not good to have a snack eater. As soon as you went to the bottle, I made sure to sit down in a quiet place and let you drink until you finished the 6oz bottle. You did this every 3 hours like clockwork with no snacking in between. I would pat myself on the back at a job well done. Now 11 months older I am instead kicking myself because unless you are on my lap in a quiet room, you will not drink a bottle or sippy. I start weening you off Formula, only giving you 4oz in the morning and 4oz at night with goat milk in between. You like Goats milk, but as mentioned before only if its given to you in quiet place on my lap.

Your sleeping cycle is still disjointed. You sleep from 7:30 - 11:30 and then cry until about 3am, I am still trying to let you cry it out as I can hear your cries are more moans than anything else. I check on you every 10 minutes but that only makes matters worse. One day sweet baby you will let mommy and daddy sleep.

10 Months

December 21, 2010

It took 10 months for you to form in my womb into a healthy baby girl, with 10 fingers and 10 toes, organs, brain and skin. In spite of you being such a complicated complex creature that's all it took and here we are another 10 months later, and you're trying to talk, walk, and express your opinions even.

Advancements:
At the beginning of turning 10 months you pulled yourself up in your crib. At first I was so excited until I realized you have no idea how to get down! Once you grow tired of standing, you start screaming, well before nap time that's no problem at all I go in and show you how to slide your hands down the crib poles. At night, its not as fun as we are already on lack of sleep. (Still waking up 1 to 2 times a night for a 6oz bottle) Thank goodness that only lasted a week.

Its amazing how you are now figuring how things work. You are poking your fingers through holes to get or maneuver things, you are placing objects into larger objects, you are looking intently at objects figuring how they work...Example: dad put safety latches on all the cupboards so you can't open them, you will open the door gently and look to see what is holding it back.

We think you're incredibly intelligent, I started working on your facial features, you're not quite pointing at your own yet, but when I ask you where is my nose or daddy's nose, you point straight at it. I also set out a pair of your little boots to dry and you came across them when we were playing, I said: "Those are Franki's shoes" and you looked down at your feet and pointed to your toes!

Your frustrations and opinions are now starting to form too. When you get mad with a toy you throw it clear across the room, when I offer you a bottle you don't want you swoop your arm across you shoving it with great intent from out of your sight. When your walker gets stuck, some days you have no problem just maneuvering it to where you want it to be, but other times you yell out in anger.

Regression:
I can't believe it I want to pull my hair out. When I thought your sleep cycle challenge couldn't get any worse, you decided simply one day, that you did not want to nap anymore. You're cranky and want to be held one second and put down the next, a sure sign you're tired but instead you will just stand in your crib screaming. I did some research and it seems that at your age your mind is racing, with all your experiences and learning, you can't calm down. When I can't stop thinking and am a little stressed I love taking a squirt of Bach's Rescue Remedy. Well I found out they make Rescue Remedy® - Kids. It is alcohol free and non drowsy, since there is no age specification I gave you half the suggested dosage when you were over tired and just would not lay down to sleep. It works fairly well.

I was so excited about you almost being one and only having had a minor wet nose once. Well I spoke too soon. On January 13 you started with a horrible sounding cough, I knew it wasn't whooping cough because you have been immunized. By Friday it was drastically worse, we had no sleep, dad and I took turns sitting in your rocker holding you upright because it seemed to make you cough less. First thing Saturday morning we took you to the doctor and low and behold you have Croup. Its a horrible viral infection that they can't administer anything except steroids to open your throat up. Ive had you in a steamy shower, the vaporizer runs non stop and we even have a handy little plug-in that fills your room with the smell of vicks. Anything to help you breathe easy. I am so angry that people don't keep their sick babies at home. We have waited 4 months to get you an appointment with the specialists at Rady's Hospital and now they may not do your procedure, all because parents choose to be selfish and cart their snotty nosed babies around. Please parents: KEEP YOUR BABIES HOME!

Firsts:
January 3, 2011 was your first day in daycare. I decided since our bank account is empty and I would like to some money away for you each month that I would go back to work. I am very blessed to be afforded the opportunity to do just two days. It was a nightmare for me trying to find a suitable daycare. I think I got Grey hairs over it. But finally I found an amazing lady called Jennifer Hawkins. She looks a bit like gigi with her cute blond bob and pretty blue eyes, she is in her 50's and from Durban! She has all the same thoughts on nutrition, discipline, no tv, packing away toys etc. She really is super!

Schedule:
Since you no longer want to nap I have changed up your schedule a bit, instead of setting you down at 10am you now go down at 11:30am. You tend to sleep a couple hours. If that's the case you will not nap again. If you only sleep an hour - I lay you down again at 3pm. You are still having 6oz every 3 hours (when you will take it) and are now eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.