Week 91

Dear Jorie,

This week was kind of boring in some ways, with some excitement squished down into a few days. There were no days home sick, but there really wasn't any going outside either (too cold.) I think everyone is ready for this winter to be over, especially since it's officially spring already! You've even started saying "no no snow. Bye bye snow" when it was snowing this morning.

The big excitement this week all happened on Monday. First, we officially told the daycare you're at now that we are moving you. It's been an emotional, difficult decision for your father and I, but we ultimately believe that moving you is the best decision. We will be moving you with Zetta, so you girls will stay together, which I believe will help with the transition.

After that, and all the emotion involved, we went and picked up our new (to us) car! My Mazda Protege 5 has been on it's way out for a while, we've managed to keep it running but it's way past worth fixing at this point (it's 12 years old, which is REALLY old for a car!) So we went and picked up a nice 2011 Toyota Corolla. It's so nice having two working, (mostly) reliable cars! (The chevy Aveo we have still has a few issues.) It's kind of sad for me because I've had that Mazda for so long, but the new Corolla is so nice, it'll be a much better car for schlepping you around as you get older. While we were there, the salesman was nice and got you a shiny red balloon, which you loved. While we were waiting for paperwork, your father walked you around the showroom for a bit. It was really cute seeing you walking around trailing the red balloon. Unfortunately you lost the balloon when your father was getting you into the car to go home, which upset you greatly.

Something that you've started noticing lately is that "Mommy Run." You started saying it on Saturday (I think) when I got to my parents after a really long run to meet up with your father and you. Every time I get off the treadmill, or get suited up for a run you say it now. And you say "I run!" and start running around the room. When I ask you if you want to run with Mommy, you say Yes! I can't wait till the weather gets nice enough for me to put you in the Jogging stroller and take you with me!

You've been very clingy lately, and I'm not sure what it's about. This morning, while I was home with you, you wan
ted to be close to me all the time. After I gave you a bath, you were really sleepy, but wouldn't go down for a nap. You just wanted to cuddle with me in the rocking chair, have me rock you and sing you songs. Every time I'd finish a song you'd say "more? more sing? more rock? Please?" It melted my heart. Of course I spent about a half an hour rocking you, cuddling and singing Freire Jacques over and over (it was the only song you wanted me to sing.)

Yesterday your father called while he was on his way home from work and I put the phone on speaker so you could "talk" to him. You immediately starting going "Hi daddy!" "hi!" and then saying something that sounded like "I said hi daddy!" interspersed by babbling. It was adorable.

You've really started to loose the "baby look" lately. You look more and more like a little girl every day, which I suppose is an odd thing to say. Your play is more purposeful now too. You "cook waffles" for us in your play kitchen, and change the baby doll. Changing the baby doll is fun, since it involves "washing" the baby (during which you say "baby wash" repeatedly), getting the baby out of it's clothes, and then putting the baby on the mat to "Change" it.

A lot of what you do has multiple steps to it now, or is accompanied by you telling us what you're doing or what's happening. "Baby sit!" you'll say while putting the baby in a chair, or "Baby rock" while rocking the baby in your arms. Sometimes you'll go on at great lengths about something that happened, complete with gestures. Unfortunately I rarely understand what you're saying when that happens. Even after you repeat yourself multiple times in an attempt to get me to understand.

I love you so much baby girl. Stop growing up so fast, I'm not ready for it!

Your Aunt and Uncle's New puppy!

Weeks 89 & 90

Dear Jorie,

You get a double week update this time, because last week was so crazy! First you were home sick monday and tuesday (nothing major, just a low fever.) Then Wednesday we got a crazy blizzard snow storm, so we were all trapped at home all day!

Your father stayed home with you monday, and then I got to stay home with you Tuesday. The weather on Tuesday was beautiful, so after breakfast, I packed you up and headed down to the play ground to let you get some outside time. You had a blast running around, climbing onto the play structure and going down the slides. You kept pointing and saying "Slide!" before running over and climbing the stairs. I can't believe how much you've grown since the last time we were at the play ground. You can now climb all the stairs yourself, and you go down the slides by yourself too. We had the whole play ground to ourselves, but after a little while I realized it was getting towards nap time, and had to pack you up and take you home. You were really upset, you were having such a good time!

Wednesday was the snow storm. Your father and I both stayed home, although your father was attempting to work from home. You were really cranky, having been home for three days, you were tired of all your toys, and since it was really nasty outside, we were stuck in the house. Your father did take you outside for a bit while I shoveled, and you had a great time playing in the snow. Such a good time that you threw a fit when your father took you back inside, screaming "OUTSIDE!!!! NO NO OUTSIDE!!!!"

This past weekend we had Jaimee, Bill and Zetta over for dinner. The two of you play so well together still, it's really awesome. Like I've said before, I really hope that you stay friends with Zetta, the two of you seem to have such a good time together right now, it'll be really special if you get to keep that friendship!

So far this week has been quiet, just the normal goings on.

We got your booster seat in, and graduated you out of the high chair. I think you like being at the table with us in a "big girl" seat. You also use two and three word sentences now. A lot of "I do this" or "I do that" or "I want this", but also some "this happened" or "that did that". You have words for most of the people in your life now, Ama (grandma), Apa (grandpa), Nanni, Aunt Becky, Uncle, Essey(Wesley), Zetta, Daddy, Mommy, Doggie, kitty.

You've started learning your shapes too, you can identify circles (and say "circle) and squares. You love pointing out circles to me all the time now.

The tantruming hasn't been that bad lately (although it was in full force the day of the snow storm!) I don't know if that's because you're outgrowing it, or we're just becoming better at dealing with it (or becoming used to them, who knows.)

Your favorite show to watch right now is a show called Bo on the Go. It drive your father and me nuts! It's a computer animated show with this girl "Bo" who needs you to do things like run in place to give her energy to get past obstacles in the show. It's very repetitive, every episode follows the same pattern. You love it though, and ask for it by going "Buddy?!" (The little girl calls the people watching her "Bo Buddies.") We're still trying to keep you from watching too much television, and really only let you watch one half hour episode of something a couple times a week (usually on the weekends.)

I'm not really sure what else to say baby girl. It seems like you're growing so fast, like every time I turn around your bigger, and have learned something new, it's hard to keep track. It was so nice getting to be home with you so much this past week. I hate feeling like I'm missing out on your childhood.

Last night when we were getting ready to leave your Grandparents house, I was holding you in my lap. You were asleep and just sprawled across my lap. You looked so big and so tiny at the same time.

I love you so much baby girl. Please stay my baby girl a little longer!

"Shoes!"

"Hey, why isn't this working?!"

Watching "Babies" on Daddy's Phone

Week 88

Dear Jorie,

It's been a crazy week, but then again, that seems like every week now! You have hit the "Toddler Tantrums" with force. This week you have been a tiny little tornado ripping through everywhere we go. You are high highs and instant flips to anger. From what I hear this is par for the course with toddlers.

You have humor now, and snark. Oh little girl do you have snark. We've been working on dicipline with you, which has involved the slow count to three. You've recently started snarking me good when I start "Oooone...." you look at me and say "Two." The other night, your father and I were having some gummies and you wanted one, however you were standing in your high chair (a big no no.) Your father told you you could have one if you sat down. So you sat down. Your father handed you a gummie, and as soon as you had it in your hand you smiled, stood up, looked right at your father, and popped it in your mouth. And then you laughed.

One of your favorite things to do recently is put on our shoes and try to walk around. You've worn Mommies shoes, Daddies shoes, and Mommies Rain boots (which went all the way up your legs!) You stand there in them and go "walk walk walk" and try to shuffle around. It really is adorable.

You've also become obsessed with reading. It's nice because if I need a minute, I can put you in your crib with a bunch of books, and you're ok for a bit.

This week, your Aunt Becky and Uncle Michael got a new puppy. They brought it over to our house on Thursday, and we got to play with it and it met Mojo. It was a lot of fun and you really seemed to enjoy being bigger than a dog for a change.

I think this winter is starting to wear on all of us a little bit. I can't wait till it warms up and we can take you outside more often to burn off all that energy you're using (right now in fact) to drive your father and me a little batty.

I love you so much baby girl! I just hope this stage doesn't last too long!

Week 87

Dear Jorie,

I always have such a hard time starting these letters. I have to think back to what we did this week, and so often the week is a blur. It was another week blessedly free from major sickness, although you've continued to have the sniffles.

Really we only did two really cool things this week. Saturday it was (relatively) nice out so we packed you and the dog up and went for a (short) walk at Mt. Hope cemetery. That's not as morbid as it sounds I swear. Mt. Hope is a really nice park like cemetery, with nice, quiet, cleared streets for us to walk on. We had the stroller with us, but you walked almost the whole time. You held my hand very nicely for about the first half of the walk, then, since there were no cars or really anyone around, I let you wander. The first thing you did? Walk over to the snow bank and start stuffing snow in your mouth. You are fascinated with eating snow. Every time we go outside you go "Snow!" and grab as much of it as you can whenever you can, and stuff it in your mouth. Whenever we buckle you in your car seat, you look up at us and ask "Snow?" You want us to get you snow for you to eat while we drive. It's adorable.

Sunday we had a play date with Zetta! We all went over to Jaimee, Bill and Zetta's house and hung out and played all afternoon. We even stayed for a really tasty dinner. You and Zetta play so nicely now, it's really great watching you guys run around. I'm really glad you two are such good friends!

You're getting so big lately. We're going to have to get you some new clothes soon, since a lot of your Jeans are getting too short. It seems like you outgrow clothes about once a month right now. We do have some clothes that are a bit big on you, but they're mostly summer-ish type clothes. So I'm hoping you don't grow too much between now and summer.

Recently we've had to start "Jorie-proofing" a lot of new things. You can reach, and open the door from the living room to the hall way now, so we had to get something to fit over the door knob to keep you from turning it. We've also gotten all sorts of things to make your bedroom safe for when we turn your crib into a bed.

This weekend you also took your first shower with me. I was taking a shower and you wanted to come in, so in you came. You were ok with it, although you were very nervous at first, and didn't want me to put you down. It was nice because it was a really quick way to get you clean. Much quicker than a bath, although you REALLY like baths now. You ask for them all the time, going "Ba?" "Wader?"(You still aren't very good with 't' sounds.)

Another new fixation is watching the dog when he's out in the back yard. When we get home in the afternoon you run to the window to watch him. You point out the window and say "Doggie outside!"

You've been using very clear multi word sentences lately. Mostly things like "I am here." "I sit here." "Doggie go outside." Your father says you told him "I want a bottle" the other day. It's amazing how fast your language is developing!

I love you baby girl, stop getting so big so fast!

Week 86

Dear Jorie,

Thankfully this week was mostly free of sickness. You've been fighting off some sniffles, but other than that, you've been doing well. This week was a busy one, but not with fun exciting things to write about. Just mostly busy for your Mom and Dad.

Friday was Valenties day. I guess they had a party at your daycare, because you came home with a bunch of cards and candy. We all went over to your Aunt Becky and Uncle Michaels so you and Wesley could  play while the adults had take out Thai food to celebrate. You and Wes were adorable running around chasing each other. He still doesn't really play with you, but you try, you even forcibly share toys occasionally.

Really the rest of the week has just been your poor Mom and Dad trying to hang out and keep ahead of everything.

Last night at dinner with the Ross', you proved to your Daddy that you are smarter than he thinks you are. He didn't believe me that you'd been calling your Uncle Michael "Wesley's Daddy." He didn't think you would understand the concept of a Daddy. So he asked you who "wesley's daddy" was. You pointed right at your Uncle Michael. Your father was floored, but still skeptical, so a few minutes later, once the conversation had moved on, he asked you who "Wesley's Mommy" was. You pointed right at your Aunt Becky. I can say you really shocked your Daddy. He's still amazed about it!

The other cool thing that happened this week, happened while I was out with your Aunt Becky. Your Dad took you out into the snow in the back yard. He got a really cute video of you playing (and having a great time) in the snow. So much of a good time that you were really upset when he made you go back inside to warm up.

Hopefully the next week will calm down and we can do some more fun things with you.

I love you baby girl!

Grumpy sleepy girl

The "baby" needed sunglasses

Bathtime with daddy!

Your Little People Empire

Week 85

Dear Jorie,

Oh baby girl, I wish i didn't have to start another letter this way. You were sick again this week. A croup-like cough started on saturday night, and a fever started on sunday. You haven't been sleeping well, and the cough is still going strong, although the fever has come down a bit.

Saturday after having brunch with your Aunt Becky, Uncle Michael and Wesley (and doing some shopping at Target,) we decided to try to take you to Kango, an indoor playground, since we weren't going to my parents for dinner until sunday this week. After getting our nifty paper wrist bands, and hanging up our coats, I took you into your first bounce house. You did not like it. At all. I sat in there with you for about 15 minutes before you would even leave my lap, and even then you were not a happy camper. So we let you run around the rest of the place for a while.

We tried the bikes, but you really weren't into them, and really just wanted to run around. After a while we decided to try the bounce house again, this time with your father. Your father thought what you needed was to see how much fun bouncing in the bounce house would be, and proceeded to bounce around with you in his lap until you were terrified. This did seem to work though, as when I went back in with you a little later, you actually crawled around a bit before letting us know you were all done.

Sunday we had brunch with Farley, and then later had dinner at Nannie and Grandpa O's.  You had a great time, and weren't acting sick at all, but by the time we got you home and in bed your temp was up over 103.

Monday you stayed with Grandma and Grandpa R for the day, and had a great time by all accounts. You only took a 45 min nap you were having so much fun!

Tuesday it was my turn to be home with you. Because we're down to one car for the most part, we packed up and drove your father into work in the morning (and picked him up in the afternoon.) We spent a lot of time cuddling on the couch, watching Curious George or reading books. You took a solid 2 1/2 hour nap, and then because you still had a temperature we took you to see the doctor just to make sure it wasn't anything serious (it's not.) At the doctors office your usual shyness was no where to be found. You hammed it up for the nurse and the doctor, waving, saying hi and bye bye, asking for books, and sitting very nicely on the scale. You did really well with the exam too, sitting nicely and not even flinching when he looked in your ears (which you normally hate.) You even barely flinched when he did a throat swab to rule out strep! On the way out you waved and said bye bye to everyone too, and then it was time for dinner at your Grandma and Grandpa R's!

Today you're at Nannie and Grandpa O's, after having the morning home with me. I have to admit I got kind of spoiled getting to spend so much time with you the past few days. I miss you so much right now.

Recently you started actually going down the stairs (with our help), and I realized the other day that you are now tall enough to reach the banister. You also talk in short four word sentences sometimes, saying things like "baby has a bottle", or "that is mine". You have "names" for a lot of the books we read, "Paul" for 'pat the bunny' (for the little boy paul in the book), "Kitty" for 'where is the cat', "lalala" for 'Moo baa lalala', "moon" for 'Goodnight moon'. I'm sure there are others, I just can't think of them now.

You are definitely a force to be reckoned with! For a while I was using 'the countdown' to let you know when you were about to get in trouble, then the other day I said "One...." and you looked at me and said "two." It took everything I had not to burst out laughing!

I love you so much baby girl, Don't ever loose that strength!

Looking way too grown up eating snack at your little table. 

"cleaning" the "baby's" face

A short rest at Kango

One of the climbing structures at Kango

Playing in the Dog's Crate!