Mia,
At 13 months, you:
Are wanting really badly to walk. On 3/17 you finally started actually taking lots of steps in a row.
Are talking. You've copied sounds from everyone around you since you were a few months old, and now those sounds are more than just babble with intonation. You say mama, dada, milk, all done, your sister's name (Pink), hi, bye, and today you added stop (you copied "cop" from Lizzie), tickle, and Kat.
Are asserting your independence. You are particularly miffed by diaper changes lately.
Love to play and giggle with your sisters.
Still are a pretty darn happy baby. You're generally just content, except when you're getting molars in - then you cry & fuss & are a complete mess.
Are beautiful. Your eyes are captivating!
Climb everywhere. When we brought your excersaucer back in the house to give to Ellie, you just climbed inside (no easy feat), and I've found you on the stool or chair at the sink, on the Dora table, scaling the gate at the bottom of the stairs, and on the couch. Sigh.
Have started playing hard-to-get. You smile at people or call "Dada!" and then turn away all coy.
Sing all the time. So sweet. And you're impressively accurate - obviously your ability to carry a tune doesn't come from mama.
We love you so much! You, my Mia, are the perfect completion for our family.
Sunday, March 18
Saturday, January 7
not that old
"Wow, mom, that's a lot of laundry to fold."
"Yep."
"I wish we only have enough clothes to last til Monday. Then there wouldn't be as much to fold."
"Sometimes I do, too, Pink."
"Yeah. It would take a really old lady like, an hour to fold all her laundry."
"Am I a really old lady?"
"No! A really old lady is, like, 39 or something."
"Oh, good! Glad I'm not that old."
"Yep."
"I wish we only have enough clothes to last til Monday. Then there wouldn't be as much to fold."
"Sometimes I do, too, Pink."
"Yeah. It would take a really old lady like, an hour to fold all her laundry."
"Am I a really old lady?"
"No! A really old lady is, like, 39 or something."
"Oh, good! Glad I'm not that old."
Monday, December 12
because i'm a sap at heart
I'm finally back with a sappy post. Enjoy. Or gag. Whichever...
In my rearview mirror is a song she thinks is secret, but I can hear the soft voice and see the sweet, tiny lips attempting words she doesn't even understand.
In my rearview mirror is time flying by - not just one baby anymore, but a 5 year old, and her sister singing along through 2 year old teeth and clumsy lips, and a 10 month old squealing her version of her sisters' favorite song in an attempt to keep up.
In my rearview mirror is a private world: the earliest years of a life that 3 sisters will share, and remember, and talk about for decades to come.
I can't share in what I see in my rearview mirror -- my time for backseat camaraderie has past -- but I can watch, I can imagine, I can let my heart swell, and I can hope that time moves slowly and that the camaraderie never fades.
In my rearview mirror is a song she thinks is secret, but I can hear the soft voice and see the sweet, tiny lips attempting words she doesn't even understand.
In my rearview mirror is time flying by - not just one baby anymore, but a 5 year old, and her sister singing along through 2 year old teeth and clumsy lips, and a 10 month old squealing her version of her sisters' favorite song in an attempt to keep up.
In my rearview mirror is a private world: the earliest years of a life that 3 sisters will share, and remember, and talk about for decades to come.
I can't share in what I see in my rearview mirror -- my time for backseat camaraderie has past -- but I can watch, I can imagine, I can let my heart swell, and I can hope that time moves slowly and that the camaraderie never fades.
Monday, November 21
awww
Mia,
You've been saying "mama" for a couple months now, but all day long you've been crawling toward me (and sometimes up me) saying, "ma-ma-ma-ma" and my heart has been skipping a beat all day. :)
You've been saying "mama" for a couple months now, but all day long you've been crawling toward me (and sometimes up me) saying, "ma-ma-ma-ma" and my heart has been skipping a beat all day. :)
Sunday, October 30
happy birthday
I'd gasp at the fact that you're five, except that in so many ways you really seem like you're already six, so this birthday seems like it's been a long-time coming. You now:
*have definite opinions about what you wear and how your hair will be styled. Down and half-up are your favs
*adjusted really well to kindergarten, even though you changed schools after only one day, and then changed teachers 1.5 weeks later - you're loving it & fell in love with Mme. C.
*are incredibly tender with your younger sisters
*have tons and tons of friends. You're planning a cookie decorating party & your current invite list is 20 or so people (we'll have to chat about this)
*get excited to make cards for people for all sorts of occasions
And so much more. You are so much more than we ever could have imagined! Happy Birthday, Pink!
*have definite opinions about what you wear and how your hair will be styled. Down and half-up are your favs
*adjusted really well to kindergarten, even though you changed schools after only one day, and then changed teachers 1.5 weeks later - you're loving it & fell in love with Mme. C.
*are incredibly tender with your younger sisters
*have tons and tons of friends. You're planning a cookie decorating party & your current invite list is 20 or so people (we'll have to chat about this)
*get excited to make cards for people for all sorts of occasions
And so much more. You are so much more than we ever could have imagined! Happy Birthday, Pink!
Wednesday, October 19
peas
To my Peas, Pia, Lizzie, etc:
TWO?! My baby is two. It's a good thing you finally started looking and acting like a toddler, or I'd be a mess of confusion and sadness. But with toddler cuteness oozing out of you everywhere, I can accept the fact that you're 2 now. Currently, you:
Speak in sentences, finally. Some of my recent favs are "I doe Tat hum" (I went to Kat's house), "Ma doo peas, Mah-Mah" (More juice, please, Mama - which we hardly ever have but you always ask for), "duh-doe, Mah-Mah" (Cuddle, Mama), and "Nigh-nigh Mah-Mah dah-dah. Woo woo!" (Night night, Mama and Dada. I love you!).
Think that disobedience is just part of your stand-up routine.
Want to help with Mia - feed her, change her, hold her, comfort her, etc.
Also want to steal Mia's food, utensils, dishes, and anything else she has.
Still think the sun revolves around Pink.
Are growing! You stayed barely small for the longest time and you finally just outgrew about 1/2 of your 12-18 month clothes. The bit of extra height looks good on you.
Have hair like your sister's - blond and curly, but longer
Are my love bug who loves to cuddle (see sentence above)
Scream loud enough to wake the dead, and then giggle loud enough to make it nearly impossible for me to dole out consequences for screaming.
Love to color. You ask for your Minnie Mouse coloring book and your "boo" crayon all the time.
Have started to get a bit shy when we leave, but are really chatty & outgoing if we're around, like in the grocery store where you charm everyone from the guy collecting money out front to the cashiers in adjacent lines (Mama thanks you for charming the money-collector, by the way, so I don't have to work so hard to say no nicely).
Are more than all we could have asked or imagined, just as God says he gives us. We are so blessed to get this front row seat to the wonder that is you. Happy birthday, sweet girl! We love you!
TWO?! My baby is two. It's a good thing you finally started looking and acting like a toddler, or I'd be a mess of confusion and sadness. But with toddler cuteness oozing out of you everywhere, I can accept the fact that you're 2 now. Currently, you:
Speak in sentences, finally. Some of my recent favs are "I doe Tat hum" (I went to Kat's house), "Ma doo peas, Mah-Mah" (More juice, please, Mama - which we hardly ever have but you always ask for), "duh-doe, Mah-Mah" (Cuddle, Mama), and "Nigh-nigh Mah-Mah dah-dah. Woo woo!" (Night night, Mama and Dada. I love you!).
Think that disobedience is just part of your stand-up routine.
Want to help with Mia - feed her, change her, hold her, comfort her, etc.
Also want to steal Mia's food, utensils, dishes, and anything else she has.
Still think the sun revolves around Pink.
Are growing! You stayed barely small for the longest time and you finally just outgrew about 1/2 of your 12-18 month clothes. The bit of extra height looks good on you.
Have hair like your sister's - blond and curly, but longer
Are my love bug who loves to cuddle (see sentence above)
Scream loud enough to wake the dead, and then giggle loud enough to make it nearly impossible for me to dole out consequences for screaming.
Love to color. You ask for your Minnie Mouse coloring book and your "boo" crayon all the time.
Have started to get a bit shy when we leave, but are really chatty & outgoing if we're around, like in the grocery store where you charm everyone from the guy collecting money out front to the cashiers in adjacent lines (Mama thanks you for charming the money-collector, by the way, so I don't have to work so hard to say no nicely).
Are more than all we could have asked or imagined, just as God says he gives us. We are so blessed to get this front row seat to the wonder that is you. Happy birthday, sweet girl! We love you!
Tuesday, September 13
ahem
I've looked everywhere but can't find the book I just bought entitled I Used To Be So Organized. A bad sign, maybe?
Monday, August 29
one year
One year ago today, we found out about you, little Mia. I laughed so hard from shock during the ultrasound, that the technician couldn't continue for a couple minutes: "Ooooh, looks like a BIG baby. How far along did you think you were? No idea? Well...... looks like 19 weeks, 1 day. And...... it's a girl!"
I'm beaming, thinking back on that day. We were taken aback, to be sure, but we never once regretted you.We're so very happy you've been with us for 7 whole months now! Now you:
smile often
giggle often
love your sisters passionately
sit up (at 6 months almost to the exact day)
have started to assert when you don't like something being taken away from you
love peaches and pears and yogurt, which means you must be a member of this family
look so much like your oldest sister, and yet you're so obviously your own person
wake up with cooing
eat like a growing boy - really, you're chunkin' up lately
roll everywhere to get around
are thinking about crawling, but then you just roll instead
have such a bright & sunny personality and bright, happy eyes that strangers stop to tell us that
like pretty much everyone
have the cutest little cough when you're sick (which is right now). sorry, sweetie, but you do
We looked and looked for a name that meant "surprise" as we prepared for your birth, but somehow there aren't many out there, and none that we liked. However, you'll always be my all-time favorite surprise. Happy one year anniversary!
I'm beaming, thinking back on that day. We were taken aback, to be sure, but we never once regretted you.We're so very happy you've been with us for 7 whole months now! Now you:
smile often
giggle often
love your sisters passionately
sit up (at 6 months almost to the exact day)
have started to assert when you don't like something being taken away from you
love peaches and pears and yogurt, which means you must be a member of this family
look so much like your oldest sister, and yet you're so obviously your own person
wake up with cooing
eat like a growing boy - really, you're chunkin' up lately
roll everywhere to get around
are thinking about crawling, but then you just roll instead
have such a bright & sunny personality and bright, happy eyes that strangers stop to tell us that
like pretty much everyone
have the cutest little cough when you're sick (which is right now). sorry, sweetie, but you do
We looked and looked for a name that meant "surprise" as we prepared for your birth, but somehow there aren't many out there, and none that we liked. However, you'll always be my all-time favorite surprise. Happy one year anniversary!
Thursday, July 28
it's good to be home
at school again, with kids who can't pass the high school exit exam. We've got a lot of work to do before they take it again in November, as evidenced by this:
"A Historical figure I would his interesting to meet is Pearl Harbor."
uh huh.
"A Historical figure I would his interesting to meet is Pearl Harbor."
uh huh.
Wednesday, July 13
not that i've blogged much lately, but...
I may be a bit quiet for a while. Within 10 days, starting last week and going through next Monday, I will have:
1)decided to give up trying to make my body provide enough milk for Mia, thus embarking on the adventure of formula for the first time as a mom,
2) moved Lizzie into a big girl bed,
3) moved Mia into the "girls dorm" with Pink & Lizzie, and away from my side at night, and
4) returned to work (with no pump! how strange! it kinda seems like that's just what I do in life)
Don't get me wrong, these are all ok things. The formula isn't a normal part of growth per se, but even that will work out just fine. I'm in new territory, needing to develop systems for budgeting for formula and keeping it on hand when we're out and about (since I've always been able to just pull over and feed a hungry baby myself). But many have done it before and I've been hooked up with tips and encouragement from my BFF, who seems to be switched with me: she resorted to formula for her first two, but has made it to nine months with #3. Mia will be fine. I will be fine. I will have less to carry to work and will be able to do more on my breaks than sit, trapped by wires and tubing, attempting to get every last ounce possible from my body.
It's natural for Mia to grow older and move from a newborn's bassinet into a crib. It's wonderful to walk into a small room with girly decor and to look in on three sleeping beauties. It's fun for all of them to share - they are loving it. It's nice not to hear her every moan and squirm all night long. It's all great stuff, really.
And I like my job. I still carry the fairytale around in my head of quitting and devoting myself here at home. But I do like my job and God has given it to me for this season in my life. I'm not very good yet at balancing work with the rest of life without feeling overwhelmed, and with 2 people in this house with relatively new dietary restrictions (wheat-free being one), I'm not looking forward to adding in making our own baked goods, but we will all get through it.
It's hard, though, to let go of feeding Mia. And that dang instinct reaches up like some kind of claw, grasping for anything that will let me hang on to feeding her myself. Logic prevails, and I'm resigned. But not without some sadness. A week ago she was sleeping by my side, eating from her mama, and I was home every day. Next week, she'll be sleeping in her crib, eating from a bottle, and I'll be gone a lot.
Sigh. So I'm going to be rather busy loving on my husband (who's been working extra hours) and my kids and preparing for 2 solid weeks of 4 sets of out-of-towners. I'll probably sulk a little bit, but mostly I'll be busy soaking in the beauty around me and giving my heart a chance to bask in the good stuff of life so the bad doesn't feel so bad. It's a big week of changes around here.
I'll be back.
1)decided to give up trying to make my body provide enough milk for Mia, thus embarking on the adventure of formula for the first time as a mom,
2) moved Lizzie into a big girl bed,
3) moved Mia into the "girls dorm" with Pink & Lizzie, and away from my side at night, and
4) returned to work (with no pump! how strange! it kinda seems like that's just what I do in life)
Don't get me wrong, these are all ok things. The formula isn't a normal part of growth per se, but even that will work out just fine. I'm in new territory, needing to develop systems for budgeting for formula and keeping it on hand when we're out and about (since I've always been able to just pull over and feed a hungry baby myself). But many have done it before and I've been hooked up with tips and encouragement from my BFF, who seems to be switched with me: she resorted to formula for her first two, but has made it to nine months with #3. Mia will be fine. I will be fine. I will have less to carry to work and will be able to do more on my breaks than sit, trapped by wires and tubing, attempting to get every last ounce possible from my body.
It's natural for Mia to grow older and move from a newborn's bassinet into a crib. It's wonderful to walk into a small room with girly decor and to look in on three sleeping beauties. It's fun for all of them to share - they are loving it. It's nice not to hear her every moan and squirm all night long. It's all great stuff, really.
And I like my job. I still carry the fairytale around in my head of quitting and devoting myself here at home. But I do like my job and God has given it to me for this season in my life. I'm not very good yet at balancing work with the rest of life without feeling overwhelmed, and with 2 people in this house with relatively new dietary restrictions (wheat-free being one), I'm not looking forward to adding in making our own baked goods, but we will all get through it.
It's hard, though, to let go of feeding Mia. And that dang instinct reaches up like some kind of claw, grasping for anything that will let me hang on to feeding her myself. Logic prevails, and I'm resigned. But not without some sadness. A week ago she was sleeping by my side, eating from her mama, and I was home every day. Next week, she'll be sleeping in her crib, eating from a bottle, and I'll be gone a lot.
Sigh. So I'm going to be rather busy loving on my husband (who's been working extra hours) and my kids and preparing for 2 solid weeks of 4 sets of out-of-towners. I'll probably sulk a little bit, but mostly I'll be busy soaking in the beauty around me and giving my heart a chance to bask in the good stuff of life so the bad doesn't feel so bad. It's a big week of changes around here.
I'll be back.
Thursday, July 7
out of the mouths of babes
"Mama, I was just doin' that thing in that story (she means this devotional about self-control) we read before naps where she said to have power, cuz I was mad at Lizzie and when I saw Lizzie just walkin' away I decided to just go [insert long breath here] and then I decided to put away my fight'n just like it said in the story so I didn't get mad at Lizzie."
Why can't I do it with this much ease? Mind you, within 2 minutes, before I could even crank out this post, Pink stole her sister's toy and tantalized her with crackers. But you know, she's kinda getting the idea.
Why can't I do it with this much ease? Mind you, within 2 minutes, before I could even crank out this post, Pink stole her sister's toy and tantalized her with crackers. But you know, she's kinda getting the idea.
Thursday, June 23
bubbles bursting everywhere
Pink talks often about how when she grows up, she's going to marry daddy. Sometimes she breaks out, "But if I can't marry daddy then I'll marry Uncle PatPat," but generally she's very loyal to the main man in her life. Today, though, as she wondered if she'll be the flower girl in her friend Squeaker's wedding, and I informed her that she'll be a little old, she told me that he's going to marry his sister, Odie. "Too bad," she said, "cuz I thought I was going to marry him but he's marrying her. Now I won't have anyone to marry."
"What do you mean?"
"Cuz it's illegal to marry a dad, so I can't marry daddy." With quiet desperation in her 4 year old voice, she added, "And now I can't marry Squeaker. But who will I marry?!?! I don't have any boys in my family!"
"Oh, sweetie, who told you it's illegal to marry daddy?"
"Miss J did at school."
And that did it. I happened to like Miss J before this. I thought she was every kind of nurturing and sweet and gentle and supportive. Reason tells me Miss J is probably just as fantastic as she always was. But she told my 4 year old that it's illegal to marry her daddy, the man she's head over heels for. It's not like she'd go on believing this forever. I wasn't worried that I'd have any true competition. It's just that her little girl heart was in love and devoted and yearned for his affection, innocently wanting to spend forever with him. Now finding that her friend is taken by his sister and that she has no brothers herself, she believes that she will never marry.
It's like finding out Santa's not real, only I dare say a bit worse. Her little bubble is so burst. :( And I'm soooo not happy with Miss J. Grrrr.
"What do you mean?"
"Cuz it's illegal to marry a dad, so I can't marry daddy." With quiet desperation in her 4 year old voice, she added, "And now I can't marry Squeaker. But who will I marry?!?! I don't have any boys in my family!"
"Oh, sweetie, who told you it's illegal to marry daddy?"
"Miss J did at school."
And that did it. I happened to like Miss J before this. I thought she was every kind of nurturing and sweet and gentle and supportive. Reason tells me Miss J is probably just as fantastic as she always was. But she told my 4 year old that it's illegal to marry her daddy, the man she's head over heels for. It's not like she'd go on believing this forever. I wasn't worried that I'd have any true competition. It's just that her little girl heart was in love and devoted and yearned for his affection, innocently wanting to spend forever with him. Now finding that her friend is taken by his sister and that she has no brothers herself, she believes that she will never marry.
It's like finding out Santa's not real, only I dare say a bit worse. Her little bubble is so burst. :( And I'm soooo not happy with Miss J. Grrrr.
Friday, May 20
Thursday, May 19
memory lane
Long story as to why, but I happened upon this post yesterday. I can't say the feeling has changed all that much, but it did give me an enormous laugh to consider that when I wrote it, I was 6 weeks pregnant and still 11 weeks away from finding out that I was pregnant. No wonder I was so tired!
Tuesday, May 17
books
Just as I sat down to make an attempt at a poignant post about graduations and graduation pictures, a little somebody came running up to me and begged me to sit with her to read her favorite book. So, in the spirit of the post I was going to pen, I'm off to read about monsters at the end of books and to "work really hard" at turning pages that are blocked off by rope & brick walls. More to come later...
Wednesday, May 4
math
So many things have been going through my mind today as I've been dealing with ramifications of complicated maternity leave pay, but the overriding though/feeling for my day has been, "I HATE math! I HATE math! I HATE math! I HATE math! I HATE math! E-SPE-cially payroll math! I HATE math! I HATE math!" Well, you get the picture. I don't teach math for a reason.
Wednesday, April 27
3 months
Mia,
I'd wonder how 3 months could have gone by already, but your place in our family is so entirely natural that it seems as if you've always been here and 3 months worth of time isn't nearly enough to explain how we're all so very attached to you. At 3 months you:
giggle & chuckle heartily, especially for "pat a cake" and tickling
smile at almost anyone who smiles at you
spend most of your time just hanging out, cheerfully taking in the chaos around you
cry so seldom that when you do, I feel inept at figuring out what you need
still sleep through the night (mama thanks you for the 7 hours you averaged at ONE day old, and the 8-10 you've averaged since about 1 month)
will let anyone hold you, but will let them know when you're in need of the tummy hold
get schlept around town, but don't put up too much of a fuss
feel so happy when we smile at you that you turn your head cuz you just can't stand it
I'd wonder how 3 months could have gone by already, but your place in our family is so entirely natural that it seems as if you've always been here and 3 months worth of time isn't nearly enough to explain how we're all so very attached to you. At 3 months you:
giggle & chuckle heartily, especially for "pat a cake" and tickling
smile at almost anyone who smiles at you
spend most of your time just hanging out, cheerfully taking in the chaos around you
cry so seldom that when you do, I feel inept at figuring out what you need
still sleep through the night (mama thanks you for the 7 hours you averaged at ONE day old, and the 8-10 you've averaged since about 1 month)
will let anyone hold you, but will let them know when you're in need of the tummy hold
get schlept around town, but don't put up too much of a fuss
feel so happy when we smile at you that you turn your head cuz you just can't stand it
Tuesday, April 19
18 months
Sweet Lizzie,
Somehow when I wasn't looking (and NOT because I've been too busy - I'm still quite captivated by you), 18 whole months went flying by. You:
still don't feel compelled to talk much
still feel like a wonderful little baby to us
can finally run, after taking your sweet time to start walking
giggle often and loudly
come running when I call your name & sign "I love you;" you sign back the best you can
hug your sisters, parents, and anyone else around quite often
have started wanting other people to hold you all the time, even strangers
frown at us, sometimes for comedic effect & sometimes, well, we aren't sure
have so much going on in your cute little head that we can't wait to know you better
bring a joy & easy-going atmosphere to our home
want me to hold you anytime I'm in the kitchen
love to read, either in a lap or in your rocking chair
have the most feminine & dainty way of brushing your long surfer girl hair out of your face
play with self-abandon, with Pink, with Mia, and with anyone else who's willing
put up a sneaky front, when really, you seek out being caught so you can laugh
copy mama's laugh already
still think Pink is the funniest thing around
I love you, sweet girl! We waited a long time for you, and you were soooo worth the wait.
PS - this picture uploaded just fine the first time. then i realized there was a mistake, deleted it, fixed the mistake, and reloaded it. and now it will only go sideways. if i can fix it, i will. otherwise, enjoy the neck stretch you'll get while trying to see it clearly.
Somehow when I wasn't looking (and NOT because I've been too busy - I'm still quite captivated by you), 18 whole months went flying by. You:
still don't feel compelled to talk much
still feel like a wonderful little baby to us
can finally run, after taking your sweet time to start walking
giggle often and loudly
come running when I call your name & sign "I love you;" you sign back the best you can
hug your sisters, parents, and anyone else around quite often
have started wanting other people to hold you all the time, even strangers
frown at us, sometimes for comedic effect & sometimes, well, we aren't sure
have so much going on in your cute little head that we can't wait to know you better
bring a joy & easy-going atmosphere to our home
want me to hold you anytime I'm in the kitchen
love to read, either in a lap or in your rocking chair
have the most feminine & dainty way of brushing your long surfer girl hair out of your face
play with self-abandon, with Pink, with Mia, and with anyone else who's willing
put up a sneaky front, when really, you seek out being caught so you can laugh
copy mama's laugh already
still think Pink is the funniest thing around
I love you, sweet girl! We waited a long time for you, and you were soooo worth the wait.
Monday, April 18
not exactly
A friend caught up with me the other day on Facebook, asking if I'd been doing more of the freelance writing I started before Mia was born. I'd been trying to get my foot in the door somewhere in the hopes that I'd have enough income to postpone maternity leave or quit teaching all together.
More writing? Ha! My reply:
Hey! I'm not writing at all. :(
Most days I tread water with my head barely above the surface, and I went back to teaching already so I'm pretty much pouring myself into: putting away the laundry in time to have empty laundry baskets for the next week's loads, scraping off the floor before I mop it so the 18 month old can throw food all over it again, putting away the same books over and over and over again... you know, highly professional and stimulating work! :) Oh, and I forgot the part about stealing kisses whenever I can.
More writing? Ha! My reply:
Hey! I'm not writing at all. :(
Most days I tread water with my head barely above the surface, and I went back to teaching already so I'm pretty much pouring myself into: putting away the laundry in time to have empty laundry baskets for the next week's loads, scraping off the floor before I mop it so the 18 month old can throw food all over it again, putting away the same books over and over and over again... you know, highly professional and stimulating work! :) Oh, and I forgot the part about stealing kisses whenever I can.
Wednesday, April 13
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