Weeks 93, 94 & 95

Dear Jorie,

I'm so sorry I haven't had time to sit down and write letters to you lately. Our carefully constructed schedule crashed and burned a few weeks ago, when first I came down sick (and even had to call out from work one day), and then it was your turn. In the midst of arranging care for you while you stayed home for an entire week, there was also Easter! And a color run! And nice weather! I can't speak for your Father, but I know that for me the past three weeks have been a sprint from start to finish, with so many things going on.

We tried our best to make sure you got in as much outside time as possible, which helped your father keep his sanity on the two (!) days he was home with you all day. I got to stay home with you one day, and you even got two whole days at Nannie and Apa's!

I honestly can't remember all the things we've done over the past few weeks, it's all a blur of swinging on the swings, running around the back yard and play ground and blowing many, many bubbles.

Some highlights from the weeks were the Color run and egg hunt we did at Jaimee, Bill and Zetta's. Both happened on the Sunday a week before Easter. We did the color run in the morning and the egg hunt in the afternoon. It was a very full day!

I had been signed up to do the Color Vibe Run with a friend, but when she texted me the morning of the run to say she was sick, Your Father decided he'd do it with me, which meant we'd be taking you along. Some quick scrambling around later we were all dressed and signed up and waiting to start the Run/Walk. We did more walking than running, although you really enjoyed the running (like you always do) and were often prompting me to run "Faster!" You loved the "color stations" where the people throwing color would very carefully dust you with colored powder, and the dance party at the end of the race. We had to pull you away to go home and clean up! When you woke up from your nap, the first thing you said to us was "More Color!"

After we were all cleaned off and rested, we headed over the Jaimee, Bill and Zetta's for a Pre-Easter egg hunt (they were out of town on easter.) After a bit of prompting, you and Zetta got the idea and were racing around their back yard finding eggs. Especially after you guys figured out how to open the eggs, and realized there were marshmallows in some of them!

This was all prior to the "week of sickness" for you. You had started coughing at this point, but had yet to get the fever that showed up sunday night. It wasn't even a real fever, it just hovered around 99 degrees, but combined with the cough you'd been fighting, your father decided to keep you home on monday, which we extended through tuesday (day 1 and Nannie and Apa's), and then wednesday, last minute your fever started creeping up so I called out from work to take you to the doctors, where we found out you had bronchitis and an ear infection (again!) You've been taking medicine since then and are doing a lot better. Thursday you were at Nannie and Apa's again and then Friday your Father had off so he was home with you again.

This past Sunday was Easter, and even though we weren't able to take you to get your picture with the Easter Bunny on Saturday because you were still sick, we did an egg hunt and Easter dinner at Nannie and Apa's on Sunday. You were adorable in your Easter dress running around the yard finding eggs. You looked like an old pro at it!

Later on Sunday you gave us all a scare when you decided to test out the safety cover on Nannie and Apa's pool. You bolted out on to the cover before any of us knew what you were doing. You got about three or four feet out onto the cover before it started sinking a little, enough that your feet got wet. I was able to coax you to come back to the edge at that point, so I didn't have to test it out myself. I have never been more frightened in my life than seeing you run out onto that cover.

One of the things that I learned this week is that you are an Advanced child. I know, every parent believes this of your child, but you wowed the nurses and doctor at the visit. You have amazing verbal skills apparently, The Doctor said you talk like a three year old, and you follow directions very well. Both you and Zetta can jump with both feet, which I learned is a three year old skill as well, most kids your age can't jump like that. It's hard not to get really excited and over proud of you for all of it. I know kids all develop at different rates, but I really do feel you pick things up quickly. I hope you continue to grow and learn at this pace and never loose the love of exploration that's lead you this far already.

The week at home sort of derailed your ability to get used to the new daycare unfortunately. This week it's been a lot of rough drop offs. It's really hard on your Father and I, because neither of us really want to drop you off. We'd be much happier if we could stay home with you all the time.

You are in the full on Toddler Zone lately. You are one big ball of grabbing, running, pulling, exploring energy. This is very hard for me in particular, I spend a lot of time trying not to snap at you when you grab at something for the eight millionth time, or grab you when you go bolting for the area in the yard behind the shed. Your Father is much more Zen about it all than I am, and is constantly reminding me to relax, that you're just being a toddler. Most of the time it's a lot of fun, but sometimes I just run out of energy (especially after a full day of work) and wish you would just cuddle up on the couch with me. Sometimes you do, and it's amazing.

You've started giving real kisses lately, which is adorable. You insist on kissing both my cheeks one at a time. If you accidentally hurt me, you'll say "sorry mommy" and kiss the boo boo, which is so incredibly cute. You also started singing lately. You sing along to part of the My Little Pony theme song, and can sing part of your ABC's (sort of). You count "one two three" and say "Ready Set Go!"

The other week when we were at Nannie and Apa's, Apa was lighting the grill and you were watching sitting on your Father's shoulders. When Apa lit the fire, you started singing happy birthday! We were all stunned, we didn't even know you knew that song! So of course we had to go get a cupcake and candle and get you to do it again. Now whenever you see a cupcake, you say "Cupcake!" and then start singing Happy Birthday.

You love to "Do it Myself" lately. Everything from climbing up and down the stairs, to picking your clothes and brushing your teeth. You are Miss Independent. It makes me happy and sad at the same time, loving watching you be assertive and learning but missing my little baby. You really don't look like a baby at all anymore. You weighed in at 30 lbs at the doctors office and you're getting really tall already.

You still love taking care of your "Baby", putting it to bed, feeding it, washing it's face, "reading" books to it. I'm thinking we're going to have to get you a few more things for the baby soon. I'm having a really hard time with this, since the Feminist in me wants to only get you gender neutral toys and to encourage you to play with things like Legos and Cars, but you seem to gravitate towards the baby doll and the cooking stuff. I'm trying really hard to just let you play with whatever you want, to keep all the options available to you and let you be your own kid.

I love you so much Jorie Bear.

Week 96

Dear Jorie,

This week was all about your Mommies Half Marathon on Sunday. Most of the week was spent gearing up for that. So I'm sorry for the short letter. You and your father came out and braved the chilly weather to cheer me on, and then we spent the rest of the day at Nannie and Apa's recovering.

You were such a great cheer section! It was great to be see you on the side lines at the half way point and again at the finish!

Other than that, you've been acclimating back to the new daycare, and getting used to our schedule again. Today's drop off went really well, you barely fussed at all, and most of that was before we even left the house. You told me "No daycare. I sick." Then pointed to me "Mommy sick. Mommy home." I wish I could baby girl, believe me. But when we got to the daycare, you went right in and started playing with Zetta.

Your Grandma Ross is out of town this week, and boy did that bother you at dinner last night! You spent a good chunk of the night wandering around calling out "AMMA!!!" I think you were convinced she was just hiding somewhere. I'll bet you'll be overjoyed next week when she's home!

I love you so much baby girl. Thank you for cheering me on!

Week 92

Dear Jorie,

This week the weather finally started to show some mercy on us. It finally looks like spring has shown up!

Friday we went over to Bill, Jaimee and Zetta's for dinner. It was so much fun letting you girls play your little hearts out like usual, and then to have some adult time for the parents once you'd tuckered yourselves out.

Right now is kind of a stressful point for all of us, since after a long debate, and a lot of unhappiness, we've decided to move you and Zetta to a new daycare. We made the decision as a group (all four parents) to keep you and Zetta together. This week, ending this upcoming friday, will be your last week at the daycare you're in now. I am really nervous about the transition, but I feel a lot better knowing that Zetta will be with you, and I know, in the long run, this is a decision that is in your best interest.

Saturday morning, when I woke up and came downstairs (your father let me sleep in), you were demanding waffles! Since I made them a couple of weeks ago, you've been obsessed with waffles. Whenever we ask you what you want to eat, "Waffles!"You even "cook waffles" in your play kitchen. You really are a big fan of my Waffles. Especially when we let you have "dip" on them (when we take the pieces and dip them in syrup for you.)

Saturday afternoon we were at Nanni and Grandpa O's, and you were a whirlwind of activity. You were constantly bouncing from one thing to the next, which has been your M.O. lately. I think you are not getting enough exercise or something. I'm hoping that now that the weather is nicer we can start getting you out to the playground to burn some of that off. There was a surprise huge snow storm Saturday night, with huge flakes falling, and about six inches of snow showing up over night.

Sunday, after brunch with Uncle Farley, we stopped back at Nannie and Grandpa O's, because your mom had forgotten her phone there the night before. You fell asleep on the way there, so we ended up staying there and hanging out for a few hours while you napped, and then for lunch once you woke up. We even got a chance to talk to your Uncle Chris, who called from Chicago while we were there! It was a nice relaxing Sunday, with only the grocery shopping after that. We managed to get one of the cool race car carts, the one with the race car part up top, so you had a great time at the grocery store.

Monday, I had planned on running in the morning, but I wasn't able to get myself out of bed. When I told your father I wanted to go for a run in the afternoon, he decided to join me! So we packed you up and took the Jogging stroller out for the first time this season! We ran for a bit, up at the Reservoir. You had a great time, while your Dad was pushing you you kept pointing at me saying "Mommy Run!" So I asked "Is daddy running?" you said "No! Daddy push." We switched pushers for a while and you said "Daddy run!" then when we switched pushers again, you got really upset, saying "NooooO! Mommy Push! Mommy Push!" We did about a quarter lap with you protesting before I took over pushing again for a bit.

You really are growing and changing so much lately, although it's hard for me to see it day by day. You have definite opinions on what you want to do, what you want to wear. You are getting so confident, it really makes me happy. This morning, while I was giving you a bath, you showed me how you put your face in the water. You also, after a little prompting, lay back in the water, with me holding your head, to practice "floating". You then proceeded to kick your feet (saying "kick! kick! kick!" the whole time) and completely soak me! It makes me really happy that you're getting so comfortable in the water. It will make teaching you to swim that much easier this summer!

You speak in short sentences now. Some as long as four or five words, and occasionally you string sentences together. This past weekend after we woke you up from a nap, you looked at me and said "I nap in crib. I wake up."You also "talk" to people on your play phone, having long conversations (only part of which are intelligible to me), and often tell me who you are talking to (usually Nannie, Grandpa, Zetta or Aunt Becky.)

I love you so much baby girl. You amaze me every day.

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!