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

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