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

"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

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

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

Quick Release

Apparently the fear of being left alone at school has subsided for you. I dropped you off on Wednesday, and for the first time since you started in the Tod I room you didn't cry. In fact, you looked at me and waved good bye - as if to say, "It's time for you to go Mommy." I took my cue and left. I MADE IT THROUGH MY FIRST ROUND OF SEPARATION ANXIETY. Go team!

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Sixteen Months

You'll note by the date that this is a bit late this month. I apologize. Our internet was out at home this weekend so I didn't get to write you my letter on your actual birthday. Somehow I doubt you will care years from now as you read this...

It's been a crazy month. You are well adjusted in your new room at school, with a few exceptions:

Exception #1: since you spend a majority of your day outside in the sandbox, you have developed a lovely rash on your bottom from the CRAPLOAD OF SAND that accumulates in your diaper. Did I mention the CRAPLOAD OF SAND that comes home with you everyday? I think I washed your sheet 5 times last week alone. Anyway - it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, so I am taking you to see Dr. Cohen this afternoon to see what he thinks we should do about it.

Exception #2: you have a frenemy at school. And it happens to be the daughter of a mother I don't like very much. I wonder if they're connected in some way? Maybe I've secretly put my feelings for this mother on you, and in turn she lashes out? To make a long story short, this lovely little girl seems to think you taste good. So she bites you. A lot. Your daddy and I were very worried about this, as your behavior seemed to change last week when you received YOUR THIRD BITE IN TWO WEEKS!! You became very afraid of getting hurt. And you repeatedly showed us your arm where she bit you. I was all ready to pull you out of school, as any normal over-reactive parent would do, when I received a call from Andrea (the director of your school). She assured me that this is not affecting your behavior at school, and other than getting pissed when she bites you, you seem totally unaffected. And she giggled when I told her about you showing us your arm and pouting. She said you have us wrapped around your finger......

Summer is in full swing. You absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE to be outside. You've learned to drink from the hose, run through the sprinkler, eat watermelon slices and bend over to smell the flowers in our front yard. Oh - and this weekend we took you to Boulder Res to build sandcastles and play in the water. YOU LOVED IT!!! I think we'll spend lots of time there in the coming months.

I know I say this a lot, but I really do have so much fun being your mama. You are such a good baby - so full of life and love. I couldn't ask for anything more. Just thinking about you now makes me swell with pride. Thank you so much for choosing me.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

No Longer a Baby...

You moved into the Toddler room today at school. It is such a big moment for you! You are now only going to nap once a day (God help me and daddy!) - and you don't have a crib...just a bedroll! When I dropped you off this morning you saw your little buddy, Neva. You and Neva were the best of friends in the Infant room. You saw her right away, smiled so big and opened your arms to give her a hug. It brought tears to Elizabeth's eyes (Elizabeth and Barbara are your new teachers).

You seemed quite at home in your new room - they have such cool toys. You will get to spend your afternoons outside on the playground, and you no longer have to sit in a highchair - they have little booster seats at the table for your lunch and snacks. Oh! I forgot to mention that I bought you a lunchbox yesterday. It is adorable. I chose to avoid Barbie or Dora the Explorer - that's not your (read: my) style. So you got a super cool tie-dye and flower lunch box. Much more you. :-)

As I kissed you goodbye and walked out the door, I realized that my little baby is...no longer a baby. And I cried.

Iloveyoumadly.
mama