I don't know why I have this urge to DIY the Halloween costume. It's not like she understands trick or treating or the fact that she gets to dress up as a fun character. So in anticipation of having to sit down to make something, I've been bringing up the topic for a while now.
A few weeks ago we were hanging out in the living room one evening (watching the Rangers, of course), so I started in with the questions.
Me: Do you want to be Nemo for Halloween?
M: No.
Me: What about a mermaid? Like the mermaid on your jammies?
M: No.
Me: An owl?
M: No.
Me: Minnie Mouse?
M: No.
::crickets::
Daddy: What about a baseball player?
M: YES!!!!!
So we laughed and thought it was cute. I didn't give it much more thought for the next few weeks. Eh, I can wait until October rolls around, right?! And I might as well just pick out something that's somewhat easy to make because she has no idea what we're talking about anyway.
This week, we were doing our usual nightly routine, reading books on the couch, watching the Rangers and enjoying our evening when I brought up the subject again. This time, she didn't even let me get my ideas out.
Me: So what do you want to be for Halloween? An owl (I'm kind of hooked on the owl since I found a really cute idea on pinterest...)?
M: No.
Me: Minnie Mouse?
M: No, a baseball player!
So baseball player it is. I guess it's only fitting for our family. Daddy & I actually spent last Halloween at the World Series while Grandma & Grandpa took our little honeybee trick or treating, so I'm really looking forward to taking our little baseball player trick or treating for the very first time this year! :)
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Baby R2: Baby is a....
Last week we had our "big" ultrasound and found out that Baby R2 is a healthy.....
BABY!!! ;)
When we got pregnant, I decided I didn't want to find out the sex of the baby at the usual 20-week anatomy scan/ultrasound. Daddy was a little on the fence, but I got him to come around!
We've told most people that we are "Team Green," and most responses have been positive. I've had several friends do this, and they loved the suspense and surprise of waiting 9 long months. But there are some people who think it's silly to wait. You don't have time to plan, you don't bond as much with the baby, and, oh my goodness, what will the baby wear if it's a boy?!
I loved finding out with the Sweet Girl. We got to plan out the perfect girl nursery (which still happened to be gender neutral since I'm not a fan of pink or frilly girly stuff!), we got to register for things other than yellow ducks and green frogs, and we got to have fun showers for our girl. It was an awesome experience knowing she was a she, and I wouldn't change the way we did things for anything.
But this baby is different. We're not redoing the nursery, I won't have any baby showers, and I really anticipate that the next 19 weeks will be a lot more laid back than they were the first time around. We are over-the-moon excited for this baby, but you second time moms probably know what I mean when I say it's a different kind of excited. We've been there, done that. It's not all so "unknown" anymore, and you kind of feel like you have the whole "being a mom" thing all figured out. Kind of. Well, at least you know you'll survive. ;) This time I just want something different. The whole "before the baby is born" excitement will be focused in a new direction. It's all just so...exciting!
Only 4 1/2 months to go!
BABY!!! ;)
When we got pregnant, I decided I didn't want to find out the sex of the baby at the usual 20-week anatomy scan/ultrasound. Daddy was a little on the fence, but I got him to come around!
We've told most people that we are "Team Green," and most responses have been positive. I've had several friends do this, and they loved the suspense and surprise of waiting 9 long months. But there are some people who think it's silly to wait. You don't have time to plan, you don't bond as much with the baby, and, oh my goodness, what will the baby wear if it's a boy?!
I loved finding out with the Sweet Girl. We got to plan out the perfect girl nursery (which still happened to be gender neutral since I'm not a fan of pink or frilly girly stuff!), we got to register for things other than yellow ducks and green frogs, and we got to have fun showers for our girl. It was an awesome experience knowing she was a she, and I wouldn't change the way we did things for anything.
But this baby is different. We're not redoing the nursery, I won't have any baby showers, and I really anticipate that the next 19 weeks will be a lot more laid back than they were the first time around. We are over-the-moon excited for this baby, but you second time moms probably know what I mean when I say it's a different kind of excited. We've been there, done that. It's not all so "unknown" anymore, and you kind of feel like you have the whole "being a mom" thing all figured out. Kind of. Well, at least you know you'll survive. ;) This time I just want something different. The whole "before the baby is born" excitement will be focused in a new direction. It's all just so...exciting!
Only 4 1/2 months to go!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Chatty Madie @ 27 Months
Ant: "Why are you crying? You're a big girl."
M: "Don't say dat."
But then, when we ask her if she's a baby, she says "I'm a big girl."
She recently came into the kitchen carrying my phone and said, "Here you go, Amanda." She also came up to me last night, hugged my leg and said, "I lugge (love) you, Amanda."
About 6 months ago she reverted to calling Daddy "Dada." I think it's cute! :)
A lot of times she'll play a little too hard around my growing belly. If I say "ouch!" or "oww, that hurt!" she responds with, "It's okay, Momma," or "You're okay!"
When Ant or I have something she wants, "You has to share wis me."
"I hafta be careful."
When she falls or stumbles, "I'm okay, Mama." :)
I think when you become a mom, you pretty much give up your right to pee in peace, so now that we're potty training, I'm getting a lot of positive reinforcement, too.
M: You did it, Mommy! You get a M&M!
(a separate occasion...)
M: Yea, Mommy! I'm so proud of you!
We have been using m&m's or chocolate chips as a reward for the potty. I usually put the chocolate straight into her mouth (and she only gets one), but she recently told me "I want four-teen in my hand." ooookay....
I love seeing her vocabulary and language develop. Right now we're working on pronouns and possession. She won't say "she," so it's "Her is hungry." "Her is tired," etc. It's cute, but I still try to correct her because I'm a grammar nerd. I recently corrected her to say "She," and she followed with "She her is hungry." :) Oh, this kid.
When she does use "her" appropriately, she likes to add an "s" to show possession. I guess that her little 2-year-old brain really can tell the difference between when she means she/her. "Where is hers Momma?" "Hers Daddy is at work." "Where is hers blanket?" etc. I giggle just thinking about it!
She can now tell people how old she is when asked, and when asked her name, she very sweetly says both her first and middle names almost perfectly. We often ask her what the baby's name is to see what she will say, and she always replies, "Amanda." And "Amanda," by the way, is going to be a sister, according to Miss Big Sister. :)
M: "Don't say dat."
But then, when we ask her if she's a baby, she says "I'm a big girl."
She recently came into the kitchen carrying my phone and said, "Here you go, Amanda." She also came up to me last night, hugged my leg and said, "I lugge (love) you, Amanda."
About 6 months ago she reverted to calling Daddy "Dada." I think it's cute! :)
A lot of times she'll play a little too hard around my growing belly. If I say "ouch!" or "oww, that hurt!" she responds with, "It's okay, Momma," or "You're okay!"
When Ant or I have something she wants, "You has to share wis me."
"I hafta be careful."
When she falls or stumbles, "I'm okay, Mama." :)
I think when you become a mom, you pretty much give up your right to pee in peace, so now that we're potty training, I'm getting a lot of positive reinforcement, too.
M: You did it, Mommy! You get a M&M!
(a separate occasion...)
M: Yea, Mommy! I'm so proud of you!
We have been using m&m's or chocolate chips as a reward for the potty. I usually put the chocolate straight into her mouth (and she only gets one), but she recently told me "I want four-teen in my hand." ooookay....
I love seeing her vocabulary and language develop. Right now we're working on pronouns and possession. She won't say "she," so it's "Her is hungry." "Her is tired," etc. It's cute, but I still try to correct her because I'm a grammar nerd. I recently corrected her to say "She," and she followed with "She her is hungry." :) Oh, this kid.
When she does use "her" appropriately, she likes to add an "s" to show possession. I guess that her little 2-year-old brain really can tell the difference between when she means she/her. "Where is hers Momma?" "Hers Daddy is at work." "Where is hers blanket?" etc. I giggle just thinking about it!
She can now tell people how old she is when asked, and when asked her name, she very sweetly says both her first and middle names almost perfectly. We often ask her what the baby's name is to see what she will say, and she always replies, "Amanda." And "Amanda," by the way, is going to be a sister, according to Miss Big Sister. :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Little Lizard
Daddy found a tiny baby lizard outside yesterday, and someone was very excited to hold it. Well, she was at first...
It's A New Day
Today our baby girl went off to "school."
I'm so nervous for her. She's basically going from a "Grandma's house" environment to a school, complete with a lunch room cafeteria. She loved her in-home provider, but after one too many face-scratching incidents from an aggressive little boy, we decided it was best to move her. Even though she was in a center as an infant, all she knows is Miss L's house. Kicking her shoes off when she walks in the door, curling up with a book in the comfy recliner, rocking out to oldies tunes every afternoon during dance time, a ratio of about 1 to 4. It was like home, for her and for me. She did really well with Miss L and learned so much. People sometimes think in-home care is inferior to a center, but we were so pleased with the progress she's made and all that she's learned.
She is so smart and will pick up everything so quickly. Kids are resilient. The change of environment and routine will be a shock for a few days, but I know she'll be fine. It's just -- well, I'm her mom. And I worry. What if she needs go go potty and doesn't know who to tell? What if she doesn't eat her breakfast in the cafeteria and has to go hungry? What if she feels left out - like the typical new kid? What if?
I know I over analyze things. And it doesn't help that I'm an introvert. I hate being put in new social situations. I just don't want her to be scared, like I would be.
Anyway, last night I stayed up until after midnight (which is a feat for me) getting everything ready. We were able to send a blanket and small pillow for nap time, so I stayed up sewing a new pillow case for her little pillow. She got to pick out the fabric from my fabric drawer and everything. The tuition check was placed in the front pocket of her tiny new backpack. Clothes options and shoes were laid out on her dresser. Of course, she wanted to wear her brand new tennis shoes to bed (open toed sandals are discouraged - which is all she's worn this summer), but Daddy sweet talked her out of that. :)
This morning she was up and at 'em bright and early. She drank a big glass of chocolate milk - her new favorite thing.... - and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before getting ready for her big day. She picked out her favorite big bird shirt and was so excited to wear her new "pack pack." And in true Mommy fashion, I made her pose for a few dozen pictures before we left.
I had a huge lump in my throat as we pulled in. She wanted to hold Mommy & Daddy's hands as we walked toward the big door, but she immediately found her friends and joined them playing at their little picnic table. She chased us down whining as we tried to leave the first time. Another little girl came in for her first day today, too, so our focus shifted for a few minutes. She finally caught sight of the potty and had to use it, so I snuck out of the room while Daddy tended to the potty and the hand washing. Then Daddy stepped back to talk to the center director and she was fine. Went back to playing kitchen with her new friends like she was just one of the regulars.
And then we left, and I drove to work with a huge knot in my stomach. Goodness, I am going to be a mess when she starts kindergarten...
At least one of us was excited!
Showing off the new "pack pack"
Let's go!
This whole "letting them grow up" thing is so bittersweet. Slow down baby girl!
I'm so nervous for her. She's basically going from a "Grandma's house" environment to a school, complete with a lunch room cafeteria. She loved her in-home provider, but after one too many face-scratching incidents from an aggressive little boy, we decided it was best to move her. Even though she was in a center as an infant, all she knows is Miss L's house. Kicking her shoes off when she walks in the door, curling up with a book in the comfy recliner, rocking out to oldies tunes every afternoon during dance time, a ratio of about 1 to 4. It was like home, for her and for me. She did really well with Miss L and learned so much. People sometimes think in-home care is inferior to a center, but we were so pleased with the progress she's made and all that she's learned.
She is so smart and will pick up everything so quickly. Kids are resilient. The change of environment and routine will be a shock for a few days, but I know she'll be fine. It's just -- well, I'm her mom. And I worry. What if she needs go go potty and doesn't know who to tell? What if she doesn't eat her breakfast in the cafeteria and has to go hungry? What if she feels left out - like the typical new kid? What if?
I know I over analyze things. And it doesn't help that I'm an introvert. I hate being put in new social situations. I just don't want her to be scared, like I would be.
Anyway, last night I stayed up until after midnight (which is a feat for me) getting everything ready. We were able to send a blanket and small pillow for nap time, so I stayed up sewing a new pillow case for her little pillow. She got to pick out the fabric from my fabric drawer and everything. The tuition check was placed in the front pocket of her tiny new backpack. Clothes options and shoes were laid out on her dresser. Of course, she wanted to wear her brand new tennis shoes to bed (open toed sandals are discouraged - which is all she's worn this summer), but Daddy sweet talked her out of that. :)
This morning she was up and at 'em bright and early. She drank a big glass of chocolate milk - her new favorite thing.... - and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before getting ready for her big day. She picked out her favorite big bird shirt and was so excited to wear her new "pack pack." And in true Mommy fashion, I made her pose for a few dozen pictures before we left.
I had a huge lump in my throat as we pulled in. She wanted to hold Mommy & Daddy's hands as we walked toward the big door, but she immediately found her friends and joined them playing at their little picnic table. She chased us down whining as we tried to leave the first time. Another little girl came in for her first day today, too, so our focus shifted for a few minutes. She finally caught sight of the potty and had to use it, so I snuck out of the room while Daddy tended to the potty and the hand washing. Then Daddy stepped back to talk to the center director and she was fine. Went back to playing kitchen with her new friends like she was just one of the regulars.
And then we left, and I drove to work with a huge knot in my stomach. Goodness, I am going to be a mess when she starts kindergarten...
At least one of us was excited!
Showing off the new "pack pack"
Let's go!
This whole "letting them grow up" thing is so bittersweet. Slow down baby girl!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday Favorites
Playing with her pal, Pink 105; Mommy & Daddy at the game (when Mommy called her man Murph's GRAND SLAM!!); Sleeping beauty; Getting a ride from Bubba on Mamu's walker!
And while we're at it, here's the latest song!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday Favorites
Here's a little glimpse into our fun, busy, normal week...
Keeping warm in the 100+ degree temps; Our little doctor; Getting her ribbon at her final gymnastics class of the summer; Her new "helper" spot for grocery shopping trips.
Keeping warm in the 100+ degree temps; Our little doctor; Getting her ribbon at her final gymnastics class of the summer; Her new "helper" spot for grocery shopping trips.
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