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.