Big Sister Love

Daddy called me on the way to work this morning (I went to the gym early, so he stayed with you guys and got you ready for school). He said “I have to tell you something.” Which made me a little nervous – he sounded to so serious! But what he said was the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.

Apparently you and Berit were sitting on the floor playing while he was making breakfast. You picked up “Moo Baa La La La” (a recent favorite of your sister’s). Berit saw this as an invitation, apparently, because she sat down in your lap. You proceeded to read the book to her – word for word. Daddy was very impressed.
And then you went and got even cuter: you taught her how to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep. I wish I had been there.

You’re the sweetest big sister she could have ask for. And she loves you probably more than any other person on this planet. Remember that when you want nothing to do with her in a few years….. :-)

Iloveyoumadly.
mama

Where did the summer go?

WHOA! How is it September already? What a slacker mom I am - I haven't updated this since JUNE! Some big things happened this summer....let's see what I can remember:

1) YOU'RE SLEEPING! That reward's chart I mention in the last update? It worked wonders! After about 2 weeks you had it down. After every 3 days of sleeping through the night, we rewarded you with chocolate that you could eat before school! We actually don't even do it anymore it worked so well. The piece that is key to getting you to sleep through the night/not cry when you wake up in the middle of the night is to ensure we don't fall asleep with you when we put you to bed. You would think this is not a big deal. Except you smell so good, your bed is so warm, it's dark and the sound machine is on. IT'S NEAR IMPOSSIBLE! So we created the "check system" - we read our stories and snuggle just like normal, then we leave to let you "practice sleeping with your eyes closed" and come back in about 3 minutes. We repeat this until you fall asleep (and you need to fall asleep when we're not in the room).

2) You turned 3 1/2 in August! This was very exciting for you, as it meant you were just that much closer to 4. Which apparently is a really big deal for you.

3) You moved up to Pre-School 2 and now have Miss Jessica as your teacher! This was great because it coincided with the school year start and your entire class moved with you. This way you get to spend the entire year in her room and benefit from her curriculum with no interruption. One of the things that Jessica uses is ZooPhonics for reading development. I know nothing about this, so I purchased the home version for us to use together! I am excited to dive in and learn this with you. You are so smart - my goal is to have you be a proficient reader by the time you enter Kindergarten. Knowing you this is going to be a non-issue.

4) This has been a really fun summer for Grandparent visits! It started at the end of July - mommy and daddy went to Telluride to celebrate our anniversary so Nana and Papa came out to visit. The week after, we both had to go to Salt Lake City for work so Grandma and Andpa came out to visit (can I just tell you what chaos this presented to your sister and her sleep schedule? We're still working through it 2 months later!) And then a few weeks later Gramps, Grammy and Uncle C came out for a quick weekend and we spent it at the pool at their hotel! So much fun. You got to show off your swimming skills to Gramps (who you were attached to for basically 2 days) - and at one point you even jumped into the pool by yourself while you were both standing on the edge! Gramps jumped in after you - because, you see, YOU CAN'T SWIM! At least not by yourself. Alas, you were just fine.

5) We just returned from our annual trip back to Minnesota. We were there for 2 weeks. It was a grand adventure for you and your sister. We spent the first 4 days at Taylor Lake. This was your first trip there. The weather was cool and wet, but that didn't stop you and daddy from spending TONS of time in the woods. You called it your "forest adventure." Your sister couldn't join you on most of it since she can't really walk by herself over fallen trees and she would haven eaten every wild mushroom in site - so she and I spent most of the time back at the cabin. I think the next trip up there will be a lot of fun for the two of you to have adventures together. While at the cabin, you also got to spend time with your cousins for the firs time! Sophie, Josephine, Aunt Sonja and Uncle Matt came with us. It was a lot of fun. You and Sophie hit it off immediately! In fact, when they arrived at Grandma and Andpa's house before we left for the cabin, you gave her a hug right away and the two of you disappeared into the house holding hands. Aside from a temper-tantrum here and there (hers - not yours!) you guys had a great time together which was the main goal of the weekend together.

The other grand adventure of the week in Minnesota was Aunt Erika's wedding. You were the Flower Girl. It was spectacular! You did such a great job. I, on the other hand, required a box of kleenex in order to get through it. You were such a beautiful addition to the ceremony and everyone commented on how fabulous you were - they couldn't believe you were only 3! You had to walk down the aisle all by yourself in that huge church. And you did it with such grace and a big smile. I can't wait to see the photographer's photos! (As I mentioned, I was a blubbering mess and therefore didn't take any pictures.)

I am anxious to start the fall - it is one of my favorite times of the year. I love starting new routines and new activities, and you and your sister make every day such a fabulous adventure!

iloveyoumadly.
mama

"A B C D !!!!! "

Nana was here this past weekend. I just realized she came and went and I didn't take one picture.....d'oh! Anyway - she just came "to get her fix" as she says. You were so excited all of last week. You couldn't wait for her to come pick up at school, show her your new bathing suit (which you never actually put on since it was 50' and raining....IN JUNE!), but most especially, you were so excited because she was bringing your 'wedding dress' for Aunt Erika's wedding. So she pulls up in the SuperShuttle and you ran as fast as you could across the yard into her arms. I thought she was going to explode with happiness! You made her week. (Even if the first thing you asked her was where your dress was!)

One of the things she pointed out when she was here was how amazed she was at what an awesome big sister you have become! And how seriously you take this role. Do I sound like a broken record yet? One of the things she loved witnessing the most was your tactic to get Berit to stop crying: you sing the ABCs. This started a few weeks ago - you thought it might entertain her in the car - and it did. She was mesmerized. And it has worked almost every time since - in many situations. But at one point this weekend Berit was exceptionally P.O.ed about something and crying/whining pretty loudly. This didn't stop you. You just YELLED your ABCs. It was the funniest thing any of us witnessed in a long time! And you were so serious.

The other thing that Nana noticed is that you are ... how did she say it?... a girly girl. Yep. No question about it. You love all things sparkly, pink and feminine. You want to wear lip gloss all the time, your favorite outfit is your ballerina t-shirt and your tutu and you have almost as many purses as I do. I think it's awesome. Daddy...? Not so much. Though he did say if he could find some pink camo pants he'd be pretty psyched.

Preschool is getting pretty adventurous these days. You guys are taking all these field trips! In the just the last 2 weeks you've done the following:

-(2) trips to the YMCA for swimming (more on that in a bit)
-a 1/2 to Pearl Street
-a 1/2 day at 34th Street Park
-a 1/2 day at Scott Carpenter Park

And next week you guys are going to the Zoo! (I might actually chaperone that one)

Anyway - for all of the above - minus the Zoo - you guys take the bus. It is the cutest thing. You walk down the sidewalk holding hands - just like Madeline and the Cats of Rome. And you all have on your little backpacks that hold your hat, your lunch and a sweater. And you get on the Jump or the Hop and ride all over town! YOU LOVE IT!!

So swimming lessons. For 2 years I've talked to Daddy about getting you in swimming lessons. He kept arguing saying there was no reason - we both taught lessons as teenagers so we'd just teach you. Except we could never get to a pool with you. Too much effort. But school offers swimming lessons through the Y in the summer - it's so great! So Daddy went on your first trip as a chaperone. So cute. Anyway - apparently you are one of 3 kids in your class that actually likes the water! Go figure. :-) So you are in the advanced class. You get to jump off the wall, blow bubbles in the water, and do bobs. You love it! And you love your teacher. Apparently you think it is very funny that he is a boy and doesn't wear a shirt. Anyway - we are just thrilled that you love swimming! We'll have to head to Ba's pool this summer as a fam.

And on a final note....your sleeping issues aren't improving. Ce la vie. We have started a reward's chart to see if that helps. It doesn't really. But you sure like getting sparkly stars and chocolate when you get through the night without needing us! Just when you get out of this phase, Berit will go through it. Here's to not sleeping until you're in Kindergarten..... ugh.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

And we were worried you'd never talk....

So this hasn't been your best few weeks. You've had A LOT of trouble sleeping and that, in turn, has made you a bit....fussy. But since you are also a very verbal child you have a way with words when describing what's bothering you.

Last night you woke up - for the 2nd time in 3 hours - and I went downstairs to see what was wrong, comfort you, and ultimately fall asleep in your bed (this has become my routine lately - it goes against all pediatricians' and child psychologists' advice, but they aren't awake at 3 a.m. for the 2nd time in one night). (Oh - and did I mention I had the stomach flu last night? I just wanted to make sure you know how much I love you. So much so that I would rather come comfort you in your distress than try to rest and feel better myself). Ok - on with the story: so I got to your room, crawled into your bed, and asked you what was wrong. Usually you say you had a bad dream, or you were scared. But not last night. Last night your response was - through sobs - "I am having a rough night." I couldn't have explained it better myself. And I'm not 3.

Usually the morning that follows these "rough nights" is a slow-moving, pouty little Hads. And lately when we ask you why you're so slow and pouty, you respond "I woke up on the wrong bed." Clearly paraphrasing something you've heard us say - but how funny if we took you literally.....

iloveyoumadly.
mama

The Rise of the Big Sister

I know I have mentioned this before, but you are the best big sister EVER! Man oh man how you love your little sister - and in case you don't know this yet, you are quite possibly her favorite person the planet. For starters, you can't stand it when she's upset. You do everything you can to help her: give her your toys (even Peef!), ask us if she needs a snack - you name it. But you also have learned that sometimes Berit just gets "fussy" as you say. One of the funniest things you've picked up on from us - after all other things have been tried - is to just ignore her/listen to her complain (which in all honesty doesn't last very long). For example: the other day we were in the car on the way home from school and Berit was just annoyed that she was stuck in her seat. She throws her toy on the floor and instantly starts yelling because she isn't holding it anymore - this is a common occurrence. You looked at her, and in a very calm voice say, "That was your choice Berit." I almost died. It was hysterical. And of course I couldn't laugh.....

Along with this increased level of big-sister'ness has come your ability to be our little helper. It is so wonderful! You help put the dishes away, you help put your laundry away, you pick up your toys, and you LOVE to help your daddy outside! This past weekend we bought some plants and shrubs, and daddy decided he wanted to build out the garden boxes. You spent hours with him in the yard helping to hold spikes in place, use your little shovel to help dig dirt, and generally just entertain him while he worked. You've always enjoyed working outside with him - even back when you could barely walk. It's something he cherishes and I know he has his sights set on your taking over some of these responsibilities one day..... :-)

You've been asking about getting a puppy lately. I am not totally sure where this comes from - probably school. I know you're learning about pets this week - but it started before this. Daddy and I have decided that Berit has to AT LEAST be in Kindergarten before we'll even consider it. We would love a dog, but wow - I just don't know how people do it with little ones around..... Anyway - because this is pet week at school, Katie is taking you guys to PetSmart on a little field trip today. I suppose in an effort to educate on all sorts of different animals people have as pets. She mentioned being excited about the hermit crabs.... So help me GAWD if you come home with a gerbil.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

There's No Room for You.....

So we were in the car yesterday on the way to school and you were telling me how daddy had asked if you wanted to have a slumber party in the backyard soon. Let me lay out here EXACTLY how our conversation went:

ME: "I think we're going to have an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard this weekend."

YOU: "After we sleep in the garden?"

ME: "I am not sure it's warm enough to sleep outside yet."

YOU: "That's OK.......(your face squishes up) I don't think there's room for you mommy."

ME: "Oh."

YOU: "But Berit can come!" (all excited and smiling)


For real?

iloveyoumadly.
mama

I said.

My sweet little Hads. Oh what a kid you’re becoming. Everyone said 3 would be harder than 2 – I didn’t believe them.

I do now.

Daddy was in China the past few weeks. He came back this weekend and BOY OH BOY! are you happy he’s home! We made it through his trip – and pretty successfully – but I think we’re all glad to be a complete family again. Here are some highlights from while he was away:

-you had frequent nightmares and woke up terrified, crying for me.

-one morning you decided “ENOUGH!” with the whole sleep thing, and woke me up at 5:50 a.m. by standing next to my bead saying, “Hi mommy. I am done sleeping now.” Scared me to death! (Keep in mind that most mornings I need to drag you out of bed at 7 a.m….)

-you peed in the playroom closet. For real. How did I discover this, you ask? You came upstairs with a huge smile on your face and said, “I peed everywhere.” And you did mean everywhere. Through 4 sleeping bags, onto 2 suitcases and it spilled from there onto the carpet. I had no idea a 3 year old could hold so much pee.

-But the topper? You and I both got the stomach flu. It’s hard enough to keep it together when your baby girl is throwing up every 30 minutes for 12 hours straight – but to do that AND try to make it to the bathroom yourself is near impossible. Somehow we survived, and seemed to keep it from your baby sister. (Typing that all makes me truly wonder how I survived those 24 hours….)

One of your latest and greatest comes in the forms of vocab. In all of your “three-ness” you have really started to use declarations when talking about anything! I think you’re starting to discover your bossy side. :-) You love to end these kind of sentences with “…I said.” For example: “I don’t like tofu today, I said.” It’s quite funny. Especially because you’re so serious when you say it. You also use this phrase when reading outloud to your sister (which has become one of your favorite activities). You hold up the book, like your teachers do during circle time, and read to the pictures. Ending almost every page with”…I said.”

Now that your daddy is home, you’ve become very worried that he is leaving again. As hard as it is to deal with the crying and the clinginess that has come from this fear, it is also very endearing that you love him so much. 3 is a bit harder than 2 – but not necessarily because you’re more difficult. It’s mostly just because you’re more intelligent and all our previous distraction techniques no longer work on all your brilliance.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Judgy McJudgerton

Apparently you have become very judgmental of others' appearances....mainly, your mother's. We were in the car this morning and in the rearview mirror I saw you squish up your face like something was bothering you, so I asked what was up. Your reply? "Your hair is really messy mommy."

Awesome.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

The Sweetest Thing....

We had a rough night last night. You aren't feeling 100% - you have a nasty cough and a really sore throat. Last night you just didn't feel like being alone. So I ended up sleeping with you for a good portion of the night. I should put "sleeping" in quotations. I didn't do much of it.

So we get up this morning - I barely made it through the basics of getting ready: washed my hair but didn't style it, threw on jeans, a long-sleeved T and a pair of boots, a little lip gloss and called it good. By no means did I feel beautiful.

We were all getting our coats on, rushing to get out the door, when you reached your arms up and asked for another hug. I obliged - of course! - because there's nothing better than one of your hugs. And just as I was pulling away from you, you put your hands on my face, looked me in the eyes and said, "You're so pretty."

You made my decade.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

You're THREE!!!! Or as you like to say it, "FREEE". We're both right. :-)

We had such a fun weekend. Saturday was your fairy party. It was magical. We invited just a few of your closest girlfriends, and of course baby Bodhi. The girls all dressed up as fairies - wings, wands and all - and Bodhi came as a Super Hero. It was wonderful! You were all so precious and well-behaved. Daddy and I spent the night before making stars for the "Pin the Star on Tinks Wand" game, organizing stickers for the cup decorating and pre-making the Fairy Punch. You guys didn't want or need any of it. You were all so content to just play in your playroom, eat your lunch and of course, the cake and ice cream! We moved your little art table into the dining room so you could all sit together. It was fantastic. You wore yourself out so much that you were asking for Daddy to take you to nap before Neva Diva even had her coat on!

You've really take this big sister role to new heights over the past few months. I think it has something to do with the fact that Berit is so in love with you! She reaches out to hug and kiss you the second you get within arm's reach. You are always willing to share your most prized-possessions....specifically, anything related to your baby dolls. On that subject......we decided to take you shopping for your birthday to let you pick something out. We went to Grand Rabbits. On the way there, we asked if you had any ideas about what you wanted. After a few seconds of thinking you replied, "ummmm.....something like a baby doll." (You say this same thing when I ask you want to you want for breakfast...."something like oatmeal." It's so funny.) Anyway - we get to Grand Rabbits and immediately walked to the doll section. There were so many to choose from! After careful deliberation and examination of each of the dolls and accompanying gadgets (potty seats, bottles, pacifiers, etc.) you settled on a nice-sized baby that came with a diaper, bottle and pacifier. You promptly named her Becca. Precious.

You crawled up the stairs yesterday morning, realized that none of us were out of bed yet, and walked into our room (this is a new development for you - getting out of bed on your own and walking upstairs). When you crawled into our bed, Daddy and I started singing "Happy Birthday" to you. You had the funniest look on your face throughout the entire song...and then when we were done you said, "Guys, it's not my birthday. There's no cake."

Apparently cake is all you need to make your birthday spectacular.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Luscious

So you have this thing with lip stuff. Be it Cherry Chapstick, Burt's Bees lip salve or my $20 tube of gloss. You love it. And you are a bit OCD about it. One time, on the way to school, I gave you my lip gloss (because I caved. There - I said it.) And when we got to school you had a Krusty the Klown smile of raspberry scented lip gloss from the tip of your chin up to your nostrils. I let you walk into school like that.....but I digress.

You also have a habit of losing said lip stuff. There is no telling just how many lip balms and lip glosses and chap sticks there are rotting away silently at the bottom of some box you cannot live without (and have stashed in the playroom or your closet, or that corner of the garage where daddy keeps your bikes). In fact, I'm certain that one day we're going to find Jimmy Hoffa at the bottom of one of these boxes. And his lips are going to be very moisturized.