Happy 5th Birthday!!

My sweet baby girl. You turn 5 today.

I can't believe we've reached this milestone - it seems like just yesterday you and I were laying next to each other in that hospital bed trying to figure out what to do next. So far, so good!

You are such an amazing little girl. You have an amazing heart, and an exceptional mind. You are constantly striving to learn and to achieve. And much like your mother, you are always seeking perfection. I fear I have passed along this little burden to you.... you are so talented in so many things: signing, drawing, puzzles and other strategic games (it's kind of crazy how good you are at strategic/think-ahead games!) - but you get so frustrated if you can't do something perfectly the first time! If we're in the car on the way to school listening to Lady Gaga or Adele, Berit is singing at the top of her lungs, and I look in the mirror and you're just mouthing all the words. And since you are so much like me, I know it's because you don't want to sing the song until you have it mastered. You approach most things in your life like this.

One of your New Year's Resolutions was to learn to read. I fully intend to help you realize this sooner than later. We read together every night and we work on sounding out words. You always start off so strong and so excited, and after a few minutes I can see you start to get frustrated and you want to stop. It is so funny.

You learned to ride your bike without pedals about two months ago. We started you at Boulder Indoor Cycling in a Strider class, and after a few lessons you were a pro! We put your pedals back on after a few weeks and without any assistance you just took off down the driveway! It was amazing. You impressed all of us so much even your 2 year old sister decided to take classes. You are so strong and so athletic. Your little muscular body is going to take you so far in your life. I just hope you always appreciate how amazingly strong and agile you are, and how blessed you are to be so healthy. Not many girls are as strong as you at this age - and it shows in how fast you run, how fast you ride your bike and how quickly you picked up the "snow plow" in your first ski lesson!

I am so excited for this next year for you. You start Kindergarten in August and you are so ready. You continue to amaze me with your kindness as a daughter, your understanding as a friend, and your unbelievable patience and never-ending love as a sister.

Happy Birthday, Hadley Palmer.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I'm a day late. So sorry. I'll get into that later....

But HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY my sweet angel. I can't believe that 4 years ago I became a mama. You make my life so bright, and my days so unbelievably wonderful. Every day I get more and more glimpses as to what kind of person you are going to become.

You continue to amaze me with your generosity - especially when it comes to your baby sister. She wants to be wherever you are, do whatever you're doing, wear whatever you're wearing ALL THE TIME! And most of the time you have incredible patience with her. You love her so much and it makes me so happy. The ups far outweigh the downs. I couldn't be more proud of who you are as a sister. And it's not just me who notices. Almost everyone who sees you interact with Berit comments on how gentle you are with her, how giving, how forgiving, because she can be an outright turd. (Shhhhh....don't tell her I said that!) You're never harsh with her. Never. And we rarely have to ask you to share your things with her because you readily want to show her everything. This has to be the most beautiful thing about having a family, seeing my children interact and laugh with each other. Yes, the laughing the two of you do together is second only to watching you lead her by the hand into the playroom. Daddy thinks I am Berit's favorite person in the world, but I'm going to share a secret with you: Berit may call out for me when she's scared or has an OWWWIEEEE, but she squeals when she sees you climb up those stairs in the morning. She runs to be by your side. She imitates your every move. I think you are Berit's hero. As your mother I am blessed to be able to witness this. Thank you for being such an amazing older sister.


You struggle with wanting so desperately to be independent and yet still needing us. We struggle with it too. We want for you to be able to do certain things on your own (like fall asleep!) and get frustrated when you won't. But we also love it when you need a hug to "put you back together" when you're feeling low, or that sometimes you just need to hold our hand as we watch tv. It's those moments I try to breathe in and just hold there.

The other weekend Daddy was gone, and you had a rough night. I knew Berit was sick and would also probably wake up at some point, so I offered the rare opportunity for you to come sleep in our bed. You crawled in under the covers, and even though we have a huge king bed, you snuggled right up against me. I just smelled your hair, and listened to you breathe and absorbed every ounce of it. Even though I knew I wouldn't get much sleep, I didn't mind - it was exactly where I wanted to be at that moment.

Daddy is going to leave for China again in a few weeks. I always dread this trip. It's a long time for him to be away from us. I know I am going to count on you to help more this time - and I know you are going to rise to the challenge. You are my Hadley, and I can't wait to see what this next year brings us.

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

Thirty-Four Months

Inching ever closer to three.....

The major milestones are no longer looming over your head. You have reached and passed them with ease. The latest? You are now 100% certifiably potty trained. NO MORE DIAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you sense I'm excited about that? I think you were ready to ditch the bedtime diaper a long time ago. It was daddy and me that kept you in them. We weren't ready for the bed-wetting phase of life, especially since your sister was going through her "I've reached 6 months and I am going to completely screw with my sleep schedule" thing. But one night about 3 weeks ago you said you didn't want to wear a diaper to bed, and that was it. And no accidents so far!! Way to go, baby.

I asked you to entertain your sister the other day while I went potty. You were both hanging out on the floor in Berit's room. Without any prompting you sang her the ABC's - and you did it all by yourself! You were so proud. I almost cried.

Another big and exciting thing this month was the arrival of Bodhi Ray DeRoma on November 25, 2009. You haven't met him yet - he is only two weeks old. But you are so anxious to meet him! He is precious and I think all 3 of you are going to be lifelong friends.

So you are going to have a fun few weeks ahead of you. Grammy is coming tomorrow for one night to see you and Berit, Nana comes Monday to stay with us for a week and Grandma comes on Christmas day to stay with us for a week. And then Grammy comes back after New Year's with Gramps and Uncle C! How much fun. You are going to be so spoiled.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Pink Boots and Old People

We were in the car this morning on the way to school just chatting about life, like normal. You were commenting on how excited you were to turn three. And then you asked how old I was and I said "I'M OLD!!" And tried to explain what 35 was since I think you can only count to 20 right now. You sat there quietly for a minute, and then you asked quietly, "Are you going to go away?" I of course said "no" and asked why and you responded, "My kitties were old. They died." I felt horrible. You poor thing! You thought for that minute that I was going to die because I told you I was old.

You quickly recovered and moved onto the next topic: farm animals. We passed one of the farms on 75th and you saw the horses and said you wanted to go back to the pumpkin patch. I mentioned that pumpkin season was over, but that we were going to go to a farm soon to buy a Christmas Tree. I proceeded to try to explain what Christmas was, but you didn't really follow me at all until I mentioned PRESENTS! So I asked you if there was something in particular you thought you might want for Christmas this year, and without hesitation you answered, "Pink boots."

Ok then. Pink boots it is.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Thirty-Three Months

My dearest Hadley. I mean Tinkerbell. I love your how your mind works. If only I could crawl inside your brain and take a peek at what you've got brewing up there. I opened up your school bag this morning and pulled out your daily art project. This one happened to be titled "All About Hadley." They asked you a few questions, and then wrote down your answers verbatim. (Oh to have been your teacher yesterday!) I'd summarize it here, but it's just too precious not to rewrite in it's entirety:

PAGE 1:
"My name is Hadley. I love Tinkerbell. I wear wings. I dress up and fly. My kitties died. My hair is long. I like Tinkerbell."

(reads a bit like a poem so far, don't you think?)

PAGE 2:
"Papa and Nana live in Minnesota. My daddy hurt his ribs. I have a sister, Berit. My daddy's ribs are better now. My mommy is Ginna."

(I have to say, I am impressed that a) you know your grandparents live in Minnesota, and b) when did you learn what my name was?)

PAGE 3:
"I like to go to the park and play with my family. I like to play with my friends. I like to read books. Isabelle. At home."

(You actually have "The Adventures of Isabelle" completely memorized.)

PAGE 4:
"When I grow up I want to be like Tinkerbell. I'll fly. That's all. I go have fun at the store. At the milk store."


At least you didn't say the "beer store."


iloveyoumadly.
mama

Thirty Two Months

At least that's how old I think you are. Counting your age in months now is a bit tedious.....

You started pre-school this week. I can't believe it. You are so grown up. You left Miss Linnea in Tod 2 quite devastated - she loves you so much. We'll probably ask her to babysit you both one of these days, assuming your daddy and I actually go out and do something. haha. Your new teacher is Katie and you seem to like her quite a bit. From what I can tell, she is very patient and kind.

Already this week you've taken a walk with your class to the park, you've learned two new songs and you've taken your first Spanish class. SPANISH. AT AGE 2. Crazy. I am insanely jealous of you. I never took a day of Spanish. German. That was my foreign language choice. Go figure.

Your baby sister is growing increasingly more aware of, and in love with, you each day. Watching your relationship blossom is so spectacular. You are so lucky to have a little sister. I hope you cherish it always as you do now. After your bath tonight you wanted to go visit Berit in her crib since she was already asleep (usually you get done with bath soon enough to kiss her goodnight as she is eating in the rocking chair). So I scooped you up and we went in her room. I reminded you to be quiet and told you to say "Good night Berit". And you know what you said? "Good night Sweetie Pie." Sweetie Pie. How precious are you?

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Hadley v2.5

You're two and a half!!! I can't believe it. We just spent 10 days in Minnesota for our annual visit. We spent 4 days in Minneapolis at Grandma and Andpa's - and we got Berit baptized while we were there so you got to see all the Ronalds and Larsons that live there. It was fun. During the ceremony you reached over and grabbed your sister's hand and held it....you could hear everyone in the crowd sigh. You are so precious. And then we drove up to Cromwell to see Nana and Papa. And there were still some Kearneys there for Summer Camp, so you got even more family time!

The most valuable visits you made, however, were with your great grandparents. You got to spend some very special time with your Grampy and your Nonny. And they just ate you up. Neither one of them could believe how much you talk!! And talk, and talk and talk.....your vocab EXPLODED this visit. It always amazes me how your language takes off when we leave home. Not only did you start using new words, but the way you put them in a sentence now is just wonderful. You are so bright.

You have also figured out how to "lie." Or maybe just exaggerate the truth? You have started saying things like "mommy told me to..." or "daddy asked me to...". Usually it is something like you saying to daddy "mommy told me to have a popsicle." Except you haven't mastered the art of waiting until the other person is out of the room! It's pretty funny.

You have decided that we are no longer allowed to brush your hair in the morning. This causes me great grief. You have exceptional hair. Hair other women comment on ALL THE TIME. And yet, I almost always have to throw it in a bun (if you let me get near you with a hair tie) or die a small death when I have to let you go to school with a rat's nest hanging down. I really really really hope this is a short phase. I can't bear the thought of cutting your hair!

Your overall appearance has really changed in the last 6 months, too. You lost a lot of the baby chub, and your face is very defined now. I know I always say this, but you are exceptionally beautiful. It kind of freaks me out sometimes. Your poor father....

I love you baby. I can't even believe I have a 2 1/2 year old! You continue to amaze me everyday. And only drive me crazy a little.... :-)

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Fifteen Months

Happy 15-month birthday, my sweet Baby Toad.

Days around here sure are getting more and more fun! You are such a precious little person. I have become somewhat addicted to what is being referred to in the media as "Mommy Bloggers" - these are public posts by other moms that talk about their lives, their children's lives and all the adventures that go therein. Some are good, some are kind of mundane (much like mine would probably be to someone else if I ever allowed public access to this site). But all of them share one thing in common: this isn't an easy job - but it is a job none of us would ever give back.

You are somewhat of a Daddy's Girl. And by this, I mean you seem to want to impress him or be held by him or want to be where he is more than with me. And that's OK - I love how much you two love each other. And sometimes I admit that I get a little sad as I think it somehow shows me a glimpse of our future as mother and daughter. But really, when it comes down to it, you are my little buddy. You are - at least so far - an almost CLONE of me. Minus your dad's feet and eyes. But you talk in your sleep like me (ask daddy someday about some of the things that come out of my mouth at night), you look almost exactly like I did at your age, you have magic toes (quite possibly my most favorite of all your gorgeous body parts), and I am next to positive that you are inheriting my allergies. There are so many other similarities that sometimes take my breath away...maybe I'll add more to the list later.

Your Grammy and Gramps were here this past weekend - it was so fun. You LOVE your Gramps. I'm tellin' ya - you two are little peas in a pod. I have never seen anything so cute. But again, I missed the photo ops and didn't take any pictures. D'oh! Your Grammy said to me in passing on their last day, "I don't know how you do it." And I asked what she was referring to. To sum up everything she said, it was basically - "I don't know how you are able to be such a great sister, such a great wife and an amazing mom - all while working full-time." She didn't work while raising Christian. My response was something like, "I am lucky to have such a great family." But you know what else is in there? You. You are so amazing, and easy to be with and around .... and raise. You actually make me think I know what the hell I'm doing. (And your Daddy is amazing, but this post is about you and me). I hear and read about all these moms that struggle through the early years as their children throw tantrums, and challenge everything - and I don't get that with you. Don't get me wrong - you have your moments where I wonder where my baby went as I look at the screaming alien that replaced you - but overall you make me a good mom.

Every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful child on the planet. It's biologically impossible for us not to feel this way. For God's sake - we made you out of our own flesh and blood! (Someday that will amaze you as much as it now amazes me). But really - you are the most beautiful child on the planet. In everyway possible, your beauty takes my breath away.

You will stay this beautiful to me always.

iloveyoumadly.
mama