July 30, 2005

Happy to have you home after a few days at Nana's house. Karrie & Jeremy were on vacation, so we had to send you off while Mama and Dada worked. I'm sure Nana spoiled you rotten, she always does. I'm just reveling today in your amazing vocabulary, and how you make connections. We were in Meijer tonight and as always we stopped by the pet section. You asked what the hamsters were doing and I told you they were taking a nap. You said, "Where's hamster's Patsy?" You never take a nap with out yours, so it stands to reason that everyone needs a Patsy to sleep. Later, you told me the hamster could have you Mini, but I said he'd probably just eat it. On the way home you were singing along with your favorite CD - Little People. Your Dad and I couldn't help laughing hearing you sing B-I-N-G-O.

One of our new favorite activities is butterfly hunting. I catch them in a net and then pick them up and put them on your hand. Pretty much you walk around looking at flowers while I get all sweaty trying to track down these quick moving insects. I think its fun though.

I was going through pictures today and I found this picture from when Grandpa visited. I was shocked by the picture, because you look like you're about 5 or 6. I can't believe it. It's like I got a snapshot from the future. It actually freaked me out a little bit. I added it to this post, so we can compare later on.

I hope you don't grow up too fast. My little bug.

Love,
Mama

July 20, 2005

I just realized tonight that you are potty trained. Day trained at least. It just kind of happened, no real planning. It started when you were 15 months. We bought a potty just to have around to see if you were interested and started getting into the habit of having you sit on it before bathtime, low and behold, you went. Then when you were around 18 months old you started having potty hatred issues. You would refuse to sit on it, let alone go on it. I think it was because you were just starting to walk (you didn't walk until you were 19 months). Then a couple of months ago, the cloud lifted and you started getting interested in the potty again. Using it 1-4 times a day, including number 2. But this last month, you've been really interested in it. Even asking on your own to use it. Dada was at Barnes and Nobles and you asked to go potty, so he took you to the bathroom and you went!! What really floored me was that you're not used to using a big potty. So I started putting you in regular underwear for part of the day this week and regularly asking you if you had to go, with good success. Today you wore big girl panties all day except when we went to Lowes and when you took a nap, and those were the only times you went not on the potty. When I was bathing you tonight it finally dawned on me. She's potty trained!! Two not even really accidents. I can't believe it. All this time I've been thinking how nervous I am to start potty training and it's already done practically. Whew! What a relief. I'm not going to worry about night training you anytime soon. You are afterall, only just 2. After we have the day and naptime stuff down pat, then I'll worry about that. I added a picture of you sitting on the potty when you were quite a bit younger. I didn't want to take a more recent one because you are getting shy about having your picture taken now.

July 19, 2005

Tonight was one of those moments I will never forget. You had been having trouble getting to sleep. I heard you up there rustling, singing, reading. Then it was quiet for a bit and I thought you had gone to sleep. Then someone set a firework off very close outside, and you woke up crying "I'm scared". I went upstairs to rock you for a little bit. We were snuggly in the chair and I was trying to point out fireflies through the window, but you didn't know what I was trying to show you. So I took you outside, and managed to catch one on my hand. It lit up once just before it flew away. From then on you were oohing and ahhing and reaching out your little hand to touch them. Pointing all over the sky to show me, "There's one Mama!." Then the frogs in the pond starting making all kinds of noises. At first, you were a little unsure, but I told you it was just frogs talking and since you are quite familiar with frogs (we send them flying into the water when we walk around the pond) you relaxed. Then I started imitating the sounds they were making and you thought that was funny, so you tried it too. "dumpf" you'd say over and over laughing hysterically. Your Dada and I couldn't stop smiling and laughing too. You were so pleased with yourself. Then we looked at the moon for a while, but the skeeters found us and we went inside. I read you Goodnight Moon, and Dada rocked you for a while and now I think you are asleep. I know I will never forget the look in your eyes the first time you saw a firefly.

July 14, 2005

Sometimes I can't believe what a good kid you are. Today, we were in Babies R Us and there was this kid screaming his head off about some toy. His mother had to drag him out kicking and screaming. I've only had to do that with you once, and it was more my fault than yours. You were just pooped out and didn't want to be Christmas shopping. Sure you pull stuff off the shelves when we're shopping, but all I have to say is "Wow, that's a nice toy, can you put it back on the shelf for Mama." And you do it! Just like that, no questions asked. Of course, that could always change.

We also visited the library, and I found this great book. It's called Clap Your Hands. You can do most of the actions in it, but what amazed me when we came to the line And your name is...? How old are you? You said Eese and 2! I knew you knew your name, but I didn't know you knew how old you are. Very impressive. You just pick stuff out of no where.

Tonight Daddy and I are having date night and Brooke is coming over to watch you. She is just the sweetest girl. She lives a few houses down and is 15. When most kids would be watching MTV or something like that, when we come home Brooke is watching Nickelodeon. You usually do well with her, although we haven't had her babysit as often lately, so you are a little shy when she first gets here.

Well I have to clean up this house. I am going to try to keep writing this. I hope you will be interested in reading it one day.

Love,

Mama

July 13, 2005

Today, we went swimming at the neighbors pool. You love jumping off the steps and having me swirl you around in the water. Their granddaughter Alexis who is four was there, you think she is very interesting. Afterward, you were walking around in the driveway with the towel wrapped around you and your wet hair. You looked so grown up, like a real kid, not a baby. You went to sleep reading one of your Arthur books in your crib. You absolutely love reading and I hope you continue that into adulthood. I thought I would add a note about your current daily schedule. Toddlers are creatures of habit after all.

7:15 - Wake up (usually calling for Dada, Mama, milk, or some combination of those)
8:15 - Breakfast (current favorites are Cocoa Krispies and french toast)
10:00 - We run errands or go on outings to the park, library, playland, etc.
12:00 - Lunch (current favorites hot dogs, grilled cheese, turkey)
1:00-3:00 - Naptime
3:30 - Snack (this is your opportunity for treats, current favorites pudding and kudos)
5:00 - Dinner (current favorites noodles with alfredo sauce, chicken nuggets, carrots)
7:15 - Bathtime
7:45 - Bedtime (after bath we get in your PJ's, read books, and kiss everyone goodnight before drifting off to sleep with a book, your stuffed animals, and music)

2-3 days a week you go to "daycare" at Maddie's house. Karrie doesn't watch any other kids, and she takes you guys all over the place; garage sales, the mall, library, McDonalds. I couldn't imagine a more ideal situation. You love playing with Maddie, even though you get in fights sometimes. Yesterday, you came home with a big bite mark on your arm. I think Maddie does most of the physical stuff, but you're not completely innocent either. You have no desire to share, frequently telling you father and I "Maddie no play with Patsy, Maddie no look at Patsy." Patsy of course is your blanket, one of your essential of living. You also have a hand towel size version of Patsy, named Mini, a stuffed dog named Abby. I would also include milk & juice in this category. When you get stressed you say "I want Patsy, and mini, and abby, and juice." Boy you're demanding ;)

July 11, 2005

Dear Elise,

I decided to make this Weblog because your journal has not been going well. I wanted to keep a journal for you, but my handwriting is atrocious and I write too slowly. Since I'm a much better typist I thought this might work better.

Yesterday was your second birthday party. I think it went pretty well. You were having a great time playing with Maddie, Joey, and Alexis. So good in fact you weren't really interested in presents, cake, or the other guests. But I was just happy you were having such a good time. Daddy built you a great swingset and you are loving it. I can't believe what a difference six months makes. You can actually run now. You love Bear in the Big Blue House which was the theme of your party. As I'm writing this you are laying in your crib listening to "The Bear" on CD, and playing with your new dolly that giggles. I can hear you singing and baby giggling. You also love books, playing outside, Shai the dog, and your large array of stuffed animals. I think you have 8 or 9 in the crib with you right now.

We went to the post office today and you got your usual tootsie roll. We talked about all the animals we saw on the way; a great big snapper turtle, horses, cows, birds. You still like me to carry you most places, which is loads of fun when I'm also trying to carry my purse and 2 or 3 packages.

As far as two year olds go, I think you are an excellent kid. You throw maybe one tantrum a day, but get over them easily and you are always eager to help. When I clean you follow me around with the feather duster and you already have a chore. You feed the dog dinner. Occasionally we end up with dog food all over the floor, but that's okay by us. Your Daddy thinks the sun, moon, and stars all revolve around you. He is convinced you are the most beautiful girl that ever lived and the smartest too. He's deemed you "baby genius". Many nights we've been laying in bed and he's asked if he can get you up and play with you. I know he's only joking, but I do think he would love to play with you then.

Well, I'm going to try to get some lunch. I just had to go up to your room because you were calling me. I think you are trying to get out of having to take a nap. I told you I'd read you one more book and then you had to take a nap, you didn't protest. You are almost always good about taking you naps and going to bed.

I love you shuggie bear!

Love,

Mama