While trick-or-treating last night, we noticed Emily wasn't saying "trick or treat".
ME: Emmy, don't forget to say "trick or treat" when someone opens the door.
EMILY: But they already know!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Eleven Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
You are now eleven months old, and so close to reaching the huge milestone that is your first birthday. You decided to celebrate eleven months by taking your first steps - about five - yesterday, but you definitely aren't walking yet. If I hold my arms out to you from a couple feet away, you'll make your way over, usually falling into my arms on that last step. You want to be walking so badly, but I think it will be a few more weeks before you get there. And that's okay with me because I enjoy watching you speed crawl your way through our entire house. If they had crawling races for babies, my money would be on you every time.
Your days follow a mostly predictable pattern. You enjoy three bottles each day, gobble up finger foods at each meal, and on good days, will tolerate some baby food. You nap very well each morning, but often cry for awhile before your afternoon nap. You are quite happy on most days, but the last hour before bedtime is often hard. You've just plumb tuckered yourself out and start to lose the ability to keep it together. So we take walks, we read books, we cuddle, we have dance parties and somehow, day after day, we make it until 8:00.
You're quite mischievous, just today finding your father's secret stash of dark chocolate and going to town until I found you and promptly put an end to your fun. You have an almost constant gleam in your eye, telling me that you're enjoying life to the fullest. But this gleam also lets me know - in a way that I can't fully explain - that you're going to be trouble sometimes. You're going to test limits and push boundaries, but you'll do it with a happy grin the whole time.
I absolutely adore watching you grow and change into the little person you will become. Sometimes the days are long, but the months and years are short, Sophie Bear. So very soon you will turn one, changing more and more from my baby precious baby into my precocious toddler. And I can't wait to be there with you every step of the way.
I love you lots and lots,
Mommy
You are now eleven months old, and so close to reaching the huge milestone that is your first birthday. You decided to celebrate eleven months by taking your first steps - about five - yesterday, but you definitely aren't walking yet. If I hold my arms out to you from a couple feet away, you'll make your way over, usually falling into my arms on that last step. You want to be walking so badly, but I think it will be a few more weeks before you get there. And that's okay with me because I enjoy watching you speed crawl your way through our entire house. If they had crawling races for babies, my money would be on you every time.
Your days follow a mostly predictable pattern. You enjoy three bottles each day, gobble up finger foods at each meal, and on good days, will tolerate some baby food. You nap very well each morning, but often cry for awhile before your afternoon nap. You are quite happy on most days, but the last hour before bedtime is often hard. You've just plumb tuckered yourself out and start to lose the ability to keep it together. So we take walks, we read books, we cuddle, we have dance parties and somehow, day after day, we make it until 8:00.
You're quite mischievous, just today finding your father's secret stash of dark chocolate and going to town until I found you and promptly put an end to your fun. You have an almost constant gleam in your eye, telling me that you're enjoying life to the fullest. But this gleam also lets me know - in a way that I can't fully explain - that you're going to be trouble sometimes. You're going to test limits and push boundaries, but you'll do it with a happy grin the whole time.
I absolutely adore watching you grow and change into the little person you will become. Sometimes the days are long, but the months and years are short, Sophie Bear. So very soon you will turn one, changing more and more from my baby precious baby into my precocious toddler. And I can't wait to be there with you every step of the way.
I love you lots and lots,
Mommy
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Traditions
One of the things I had really looked forward to when Eric and I started a family was creating traditions. I love looking back fondly upon some of my family traditions, from Christmas pajamas opened every year on the 24th of December to my mom's homemade pecan pie every Thanksgiving to eating the same wonderful casserole on most every special occasion. And these days, here in Pittsburgh with two young girls, it's hard to find time or energy to create traditions. Most nights, it's hard not to fall over in exhaustion as soon as the kids are asleep.
But still, when I look back and remember these years, here is one thing I desperately want to remember: making muffins from scratch with my girls. It's an easy recipe, one that my husband and his college roommates made all the time. One that these boys - now men - now all make with their own families from time to time. When I make the muffins, I remember these friends and how our lives intertwine, both then and now, and it makes me smile.
It also makes me smile to watch Emily's excitement at getting to help, at insisting that she can dump in the ingredients by herself. It makes me smile how she asks approximately 28 times if she can lick the spoon yet. It makes me smile to see how she wants to share the experience with her sister, and how she's the first one to suggest that Sophie should get a taste too. It cracks me up that she spends the entire time the muffins are baking "washing" the bowl and measuring cups in the sink. It amazes me that she says, "Guess what mom? The sponge can float. That means it can stay on top of the water." It delights me to watch Sophie take it all in, to know that someday, she too will help us make these same muffins.
Yes, these days are crazy. And hard, so very hard. But these small traditions, like making muffins, are the things I want to remember about these days. And I think I will.
But still, when I look back and remember these years, here is one thing I desperately want to remember: making muffins from scratch with my girls. It's an easy recipe, one that my husband and his college roommates made all the time. One that these boys - now men - now all make with their own families from time to time. When I make the muffins, I remember these friends and how our lives intertwine, both then and now, and it makes me smile.
It also makes me smile to watch Emily's excitement at getting to help, at insisting that she can dump in the ingredients by herself. It makes me smile how she asks approximately 28 times if she can lick the spoon yet. It makes me smile to see how she wants to share the experience with her sister, and how she's the first one to suggest that Sophie should get a taste too. It cracks me up that she spends the entire time the muffins are baking "washing" the bowl and measuring cups in the sink. It amazes me that she says, "Guess what mom? The sponge can float. That means it can stay on top of the water." It delights me to watch Sophie take it all in, to know that someday, she too will help us make these same muffins.
Yes, these days are crazy. And hard, so very hard. But these small traditions, like making muffins, are the things I want to remember about these days. And I think I will.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ten Months Old!
Sophie,
Here's something I've learned about parenting - you can never trust what other people tell you about raising children. Everyone always told me that raising a second child would be completely different than the first. But so far, your similarities to your older sister are far greater than your differences. At this age, you both couldn't stand to be left alone in a room, were always, ALWAYS on the go, and had very little interest in age appropriate toys while always angling for ways to get the things I didn't want you to have. You and Emily were/are both social babies: perfect angels when we're out on the go, but often very whiny at home. But Sophie, in little ways, you are definitely your own little person. You're tender, and will almost always give me a cuddle, albeit often brief. Your smile is big, bright, and so frequently on display. And not to knock your sister, but let's just say I have a hunch that the natural athletic ability was more greatly bestowed to you.
You're such a good sleeper, my darling baby. This needing more sleep is both a blessing and a curse though because if you miss a nap you fall apart so quickly it's pathetic. When I started working three mornings a week and at first you weren't napping in the morning- well, let's just say it was a rough transition. But we've found a solution, you seem to adore your caretakers at the nursery while I work, and all is well.
You're still very much attached to your bottles, but slowly warming up to the idea that liquids can also come from a sippy cup. You let us know that you can feed yourself, thank you very much. Baby food fed from a spoon doesn't go over very well with you, but you will pick up cheerios and banana pieces until we decide you can't possibly need any more food. You are finally getting your first tooth popping through, which leaves me feeling relieved that you will indeed have at least one tooth by the time we're celebrating your first birthday.
Unfortunately, Sophie, I am finding it to be true again that this is often a frustrating age. You are very much aware of what you want but can't yet vocalize it with words. You very much want to follow but can't quite keep up by crawling. You desire to be held and explore at the same time and why can't I just figure out a way to let you do both? Still my darling girl, I cuddle up with you before bedtime, you rest your little head on my shoulder, and for a few moments, absolutely all is right with the world.
Love,
Mommy
Here's something I've learned about parenting - you can never trust what other people tell you about raising children. Everyone always told me that raising a second child would be completely different than the first. But so far, your similarities to your older sister are far greater than your differences. At this age, you both couldn't stand to be left alone in a room, were always, ALWAYS on the go, and had very little interest in age appropriate toys while always angling for ways to get the things I didn't want you to have. You and Emily were/are both social babies: perfect angels when we're out on the go, but often very whiny at home. But Sophie, in little ways, you are definitely your own little person. You're tender, and will almost always give me a cuddle, albeit often brief. Your smile is big, bright, and so frequently on display. And not to knock your sister, but let's just say I have a hunch that the natural athletic ability was more greatly bestowed to you.
You're such a good sleeper, my darling baby. This needing more sleep is both a blessing and a curse though because if you miss a nap you fall apart so quickly it's pathetic. When I started working three mornings a week and at first you weren't napping in the morning- well, let's just say it was a rough transition. But we've found a solution, you seem to adore your caretakers at the nursery while I work, and all is well.
You're still very much attached to your bottles, but slowly warming up to the idea that liquids can also come from a sippy cup. You let us know that you can feed yourself, thank you very much. Baby food fed from a spoon doesn't go over very well with you, but you will pick up cheerios and banana pieces until we decide you can't possibly need any more food. You are finally getting your first tooth popping through, which leaves me feeling relieved that you will indeed have at least one tooth by the time we're celebrating your first birthday.
Unfortunately, Sophie, I am finding it to be true again that this is often a frustrating age. You are very much aware of what you want but can't yet vocalize it with words. You very much want to follow but can't quite keep up by crawling. You desire to be held and explore at the same time and why can't I just figure out a way to let you do both? Still my darling girl, I cuddle up with you before bedtime, you rest your little head on my shoulder, and for a few moments, absolutely all is right with the world.
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Our New Normal
I'm so thankful that the Lord knows me so well. When we moved to Pittsburgh for Eric to go to school - with a spirited three year old and an infant - I didn't imagine working was in the cards for me. Not because we wouldn't need the money (we sure do!) but because there didn't seem to be any scenario that would prove to be financially beneficial while simultaneously not completely overwhelming. Put another way, I may have been able to find a full-time job that would net us enough money to justify childcare expenses for two children for 40+ hours, but there was no way that I was comfortable leaving them for that long each day. As I found with Emily, part-time work is what sits best with me as a mom. It allows me enough of a break to miss my kids, to engage in adult conversation, to challenge parts of my brain that aren't normally used in parenting, etc. But at the same time, it's not so much that I feel like I'm missing out on milestones or bonding time with my girls.
I was given the gift of a job opportunity a few weeks ago when I was asked to interview for a part-time position in our church. I now work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings with a great group of people. I feel challenged to do my work well, and I get to hear words of affirmation in a way that my little ones aren't able to provide me for me. I work in the same building on the same days that Emily goes to pre-school and Sophie is in the lovings arms of childcare providers just down the hallway from me. All in all, I couldn't imagine it working out any better. Our new normal routine is taking a bit of adjustment, but I praise God that "Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord!" (Psalm 139:4).
I was given the gift of a job opportunity a few weeks ago when I was asked to interview for a part-time position in our church. I now work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings with a great group of people. I feel challenged to do my work well, and I get to hear words of affirmation in a way that my little ones aren't able to provide me for me. I work in the same building on the same days that Emily goes to pre-school and Sophie is in the lovings arms of childcare providers just down the hallway from me. All in all, I couldn't imagine it working out any better. Our new normal routine is taking a bit of adjustment, but I praise God that "Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord!" (Psalm 139:4).
Monday, August 22, 2011
Growing Up Tech Savvy
The other day, Emily and I had the following conversation on the way home from picking up our take-out food for dinner:
Emily: I think we should get Pap Pap Barry a Blues Clues placemat. He would like that.
Me: You think? Hmmm. I don't know where we would get one of those.
Emily: At the Blues Clues store, mom!
Me: Oh course, why didn't I think of that? But Emmie, I don't know where that store is.
Emily: That's okay, mom. Just plug it in there (pointing to the Garmin).
Emily: I think we should get Pap Pap Barry a Blues Clues placemat. He would like that.
Me: You think? Hmmm. I don't know where we would get one of those.
Emily: At the Blues Clues store, mom!
Me: Oh course, why didn't I think of that? But Emmie, I don't know where that store is.
Emily: That's okay, mom. Just plug it in there (pointing to the Garmin).
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Nine Months Old!
Dear Sophie,
Today you turn nine months old, my littlest girl! You have left infancy behind, and I fear it will be all too soon before you are saying goodbye to babyhood. Don't get me wrong, I love watching you develop and change, and truth be told, I'm a much bigger fan of most stages after the first year of life. But at the same time you are such a joy right now, just as you are, that sometimes I do want to just press the pause button. It's so easy to get a smile and a giggle out of you, and I know that's not always going to be the case.
You're a crawling fool, having abandoned the army crawl in favor of the more traditional (and faster!) style. After a few strikes, you are finally starting to get the hang of the sippy cup. You are sleeping wonderfully, so much so that I almost didn't want to write that down lest I jinx myself. When it's time for a nap, you will lay your head on my shoulder as I sing a few verses of Silent Night (don't remember how that particular song was started, but it's your cue that it's time for sleeping). It's the ONLY time that you are still in my arms, and I cherish those moments in our days. You have taken a particular liking to a white bunny blanket, and now sleep with it at all times. You terrorize Oscar, pulling out fur whenever you can (but between you and me, he has plenty of extra - I know because I vacuum it up all the time). You are eating many more solids, and just yesterday took a particular liking to graham crackers. You love to play peek-a-boo and perform well when I ask you, how big is Sophie?! (Answer: SO BIG! and you'll raise your arms proudly).
In short, ladybug (or, stinkbug, if you are being naughty), you are becoming such a fun, smart, energetic and spirited girl. You make me smile every day, and though you may not believe me if you read this when you're, say, 12 and your sister is almost 15, Emily adores you. We often go around the table at dinnertime after we've said our prayer and share one thing we're thankful for. Emily will normally say ice cream, or Dora, or something equally profound. But the other night, she paused, looking thoughtful and serious and said: "I'm really thankful for my sister". And I, Sophie, am really thankful for my youngest daughter.
Love you,
Mommy
Today you turn nine months old, my littlest girl! You have left infancy behind, and I fear it will be all too soon before you are saying goodbye to babyhood. Don't get me wrong, I love watching you develop and change, and truth be told, I'm a much bigger fan of most stages after the first year of life. But at the same time you are such a joy right now, just as you are, that sometimes I do want to just press the pause button. It's so easy to get a smile and a giggle out of you, and I know that's not always going to be the case.
You're a crawling fool, having abandoned the army crawl in favor of the more traditional (and faster!) style. After a few strikes, you are finally starting to get the hang of the sippy cup. You are sleeping wonderfully, so much so that I almost didn't want to write that down lest I jinx myself. When it's time for a nap, you will lay your head on my shoulder as I sing a few verses of Silent Night (don't remember how that particular song was started, but it's your cue that it's time for sleeping). It's the ONLY time that you are still in my arms, and I cherish those moments in our days. You have taken a particular liking to a white bunny blanket, and now sleep with it at all times. You terrorize Oscar, pulling out fur whenever you can (but between you and me, he has plenty of extra - I know because I vacuum it up all the time). You are eating many more solids, and just yesterday took a particular liking to graham crackers. You love to play peek-a-boo and perform well when I ask you, how big is Sophie?! (Answer: SO BIG! and you'll raise your arms proudly).
In short, ladybug (or, stinkbug, if you are being naughty), you are becoming such a fun, smart, energetic and spirited girl. You make me smile every day, and though you may not believe me if you read this when you're, say, 12 and your sister is almost 15, Emily adores you. We often go around the table at dinnertime after we've said our prayer and share one thing we're thankful for. Emily will normally say ice cream, or Dora, or something equally profound. But the other night, she paused, looking thoughtful and serious and said: "I'm really thankful for my sister". And I, Sophie, am really thankful for my youngest daughter.
Love you,
Mommy
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