China

We survived! yay.

But not without some challenges. Let me say this first, however, before I go into those: you are amazing. You have risen to the challenge of being the 1st Born/big sister. You were my little helper, and for the most part without complaint. I love you so much for so many reasons, not the least of which is I am not sure how I would deal with your baby sister without you! (Ok - I'm being dramatic). But really - because she worships you down to your core there are times where we can just leave you two alone for a long time to play because I know you're watching out for her.

Ok - so onto the challenges. Main thing: mama didn't get much sleep during this trip. Aside from Ba helping every evening (hallelujah!!!!) the only overnight help I had was during one of the weekends when Nana came to stay with us. There were many nights I spent either in your bed or on the floor next to Berit's crib. Neither of you like it when one of us is gone, and it really reflects in your sleeping habits. But the worst night was when you both woke up AT THE SAME TIME! At 2:45 a.m. And. Never. Went. Back. To. Sleep. For real. After multiple attempts to keep you separated, I finally gave in at 4:30 and we went downstairs to watch a movie. I have never been so exhausted. That was the only night that happened - but there were many where you both woke up in the same night, just not at the same time.

We function best as a whole family. No questions asked. And when you guys saw daddy standing in the garage waiting for us last week when we got home from school - MAN did you faces light up! You were both so excited. It reminded me how awesome we are when we're all together.

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

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

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

Twenty Months

So you're twenty months old. That's ALMOST TWO! Almost two. Wow. And yet you're still not really talking..... hmmmm.

You're very communicative though. Daddy and I know pretty much what you are saying, even though it doesn't always sound like English. I think that may be why you're not actively increasing your vocabulary at the rate at which we wish you would. We enable you by giving you what you want when you grunt. ENABLE. This is a dirty word in many respects. And by mentioning it here, I can already see the therapist's office 15 years from now. "Ginna and Nels, you are ENABLING Hadley."

Even though you don't use specific words all the time, you are very expressive and make it pretty clear what you want. I've mentioned many times what an easy baby you are - you sleep well (most of the time), you eat well, you share well - you are a wonderful child. You even tell me when it's time for a bath and when you're ready to stop playing and crawl in your crib to go to sleep. Just the other night we were rocking in the chair, speaking quietly about the day, about your new pajamas, about Peef - and nothing in particular. All of a sudden you sat up, pointed at your crib and looked at me as if to say, "I am tired woman. Put me to bed and leave." It was pretty funny. So I put you down, kissed you good night and told you I loved you (very important steps that if skipped, you tell us we didn't do it right). As I shut the door behind me I realized that even though you don't use your words very often, you have never failed to communicate to us what you're thinking. There isn't a doubt in my mind that you are brilliant.

iloveyoumadly.
mama