She's napping! She's napping!! She's napping!!!
(She hasn't napped in ages)
Oh thank God! If that child doesn't wake up with a more pleasant demeanor I probably won't make it to 8 pm.
She has been soooo difficult lately. I choose the word difficult because I don't want to call her names like "witchy" or "heinous". Yes, she turned three at the end of September. Yes, I've heard all about how age three is worse than two, (pretty much anytime I was venting about how tough she was at two. Thanks). But I mean, come ON. Everything is a fight! Every ridiculous teeny thing is a gigantic challenge. Right down to which stories we read at bedtime. I understand that she wants to control everything - as do I. I understand it's all about her growing and changing and developing her personality, blah blah blah. Just cut the shit already, kid! And speaking of shit - use the damned toilet will ya? As my ever-expanding pregnant stomach presses harder against the changing table, your flailing arms and legs punch and kick just as hard. You're too big for that table! It's meant for dainty little pea pods not thirty-five pound, thirty-nine inch long children. I can barely hoist you up there, it's getting out of hand. And your diapers don't come any larger and if they DID I couldn't carry a box that large. Any WHY are you awake already!!??!?!?!!
Ugh. My joyous quiet time has ended. But first, a story before I go...
This morning I brought home some new pink cowboy boots for her. She immediately started to try them on. I saw her struggling so I let her know there is velcro that allows for easier access. She threw them across the room. She asked if they are rain boots. I replied that they are cowboy/girl boots. She said, "Humph, well IIIIIIIIIIII wanted rain boots." Umm, no. First off, Veruca, there was no mentioning of a new boot of any kind coming into this house today. I took it upon myself to purchase a product that I thought you would like as a kind surprise. You threw said product across the room. I gathered the friggin boots and put them away stating that I would give them to another girl who would love and be grateful for them. One hour later she put the boots on and paraded around in them happy as a clam.
And THAT, my friends, is age three... barely two weeks in.
Showing posts with label The Scarlett Letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Scarlett Letters. Show all posts
October 6, 2014
September 23, 2014
The Scarlett Letters: The Third Birthday
On September 24th you will officially be Three Years Old.
Man alive.
It really is insane how quickly time passes when you're watching your baby grow up.
This past year has been filled with some amazing moments... and some incredibly challenging ones. So, Scarlett, here is a glimpse of YOU becoming a three year old ...
1. You love to play outside and get FILTHY. And I mean F I L T H Y. Like, 'dumping dirt over your head, scraping what's left of your fingernails deep into the earth, filling your shoes and socks with pebbles and sand' filthy.
2. You're kinda fresh. You love the word, "no" and will use it as many times as you see fit. If I say something is black, it's white to you. You're stubborn as the day is long. Your mind is made up about everyyyyyyyyyyyyything and there's no changing it. You cannot be fooled. You cannot be bribed. You're a know-it-all. If I say, "go put on your shoes" you come back with, "they're not shoes, they're sandals." Your personality is incredible. You're a funny little character. You always have people laughing... you're my little scamp.
3. You watch a little too much Peppa Pig and may or may not be developing a British accent. You say things like, "This is an ice-lolly" when it's clearly a popsicle. You call a flashlight a torch and vacation a holiday. I'm trying to rectify the situation but you just love that show. Meanwhile you're turning into a mini Madonna with that accent.
4. You repeat things that your pregnant mommy shouts in anger at the dog. Most begin with the letter F.
5. Bedtime is a big ole game to you. As you settle into bed you love to have your routine which goes something like this:
I grab a tissue and we blow the noses of five of your stuffed animals. I then kiss those animals. I kiss and hug you. We do Eskimo-noses. You ask me a question. You tell me a secret by whispering nothing and then I have to come up with some crazy statement that you may have used as a secret. Sometimes my statement is unacceptable. We do that about seven to ten times as I inch my way out the door trying to distract you with, "ok, goodnight, love you"s. IF you are satisfied with our ritual you will play with your little animal friends for about an hour to an hour and a half before falling asleep. If our routine was unsatisfactory you will cry, whine and scream for the same amount of time.
6. You still have your favorite foods: Peanut butter and jelly, scrambled eggs, fruit, yogurt, cereal and soup. You are branching out more by saying, "surprise me!" when asked what you'd like for a meal. Chicken quesadillas are becoming a fast favorite.
7. You absolutely LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE kitties. All things kitty. Your hands are kitties at times. You meow all the time. You become a kitty when you're threatened (which by the way is going to get you nowhere).
8. You get pissed. A lot. You're way of dealing with being frustrated is to cram your hand down your throat until you gag, blow your nose in your hand and bang your head on the floor. Daddy and I basically tell you how ridiculous you look and you get over it.
9. You love story time and are currently obsessed with The Little Critter Collection. I read all seven stories pretty much every night.
10. You are finally letting go and allowing yourself to be more silly. I used to call you "Scarlett P. Keaton" (remember Alex from Family Ties? Really showing my age here). You would never dance around with me or Daddy, you'd look at us like we were nuts - kinda the same way an eighty-seven year old man might look at a saggy-jeaned wanna-be thug. Lately, however, you've been dancing around with us - or by yourself, it's refreshing.
You are really a delightful little girl, so very special to all who know you. Sure, you are very challenging, but I don't think there's a three year old out there who isn't. You are smart as a whip and funny as they come. We are really looking forward to seeing you slide into the 'big sister' role.
May God bless you, sweet Scarlett. Happy third birthday to you!
August 22, 2014
The Scarlett Letters: Scarlett's Big Girl Room
Upon finding out that we are going to be blessed with a new baby, we knew we had lots of decisions to make. One being the issue of bedrooms. Scarlett's playroom was larger than her bedroom so we chose to combine the two, giving her the bigger room - since she is a big girl now. I knew that I wanted her to be out of the crib and into her big girl bed in her big girl room by the end of the summer. I wanted to allow for plenty of time for adjustments and I absolutely did not want her to feel like she was being kicked out by the baby.
We started by emptying out the playroom. We had lots of clunky dark furniture in there: chairs, a desk, a television and stand, bookcase - etc. The carpet was a disgusting gray, walls were painted dark gray and dark red - well, it was a movie room/office before Scarlett entered the scene. I had always wanted to paint the walls and brighten the place up but we were hoping to have another baby so we kept putting it off.
Once emptied, we went paint shopping. I knew I wanted pink and aqua walls after getting the inspiration from my friend's daughter's nursery. And I knew I wanted white furniture and a large bookcase and lots of storage. Gregg and Grandpa started by painting the walls and ceiling, immediately improving the room by a factor of ten. Next up, Gregg ripped out that horrific carpet. The crappy plywood floors looked ten thousand times better than that decrepit rug. Soon after, the contractor came and set up an appointment to install the new floor. Once that floor was down I was in heaven. I could not believe how enormous and pretty it looked !! I was actually a bit envious. I would have killed for a room like that growing up. Scarlett, you're a lucky gal!
Once the cosmetic jazz was complete we shopped for new furniture and accessories - my favorite part! We decided to go with a twin bed for Scarlett and skip the whole toddler bed phase. We bought pool noodles to place under the mattress pad to keep her from rolling out of bed. I had a hard time deciding on bedding but ultimately chose Hello Kitty and it's really cute. Gregg and I spent a very long day shopping for last minute pieces and putting it all together and the result is just lovely. I am so, so happy with it. When Scarlett saw it for the first time she was so excited, her face made my heart melt!
Here are some pictures...
Scarlett LOVES her new room and has easily transitioned from the crib to the bed. We feared that she would be up and down all night until she was used to it but she hasn't done that once! She waits, as I asked her to, until I come in to get her each morning. She even took a nap in it twice! Seeing her happy makes us happy and it makes all of the hard work well worth it.
Now, onto the nursery! Eeeeeeeeeek! :)
We started by emptying out the playroom. We had lots of clunky dark furniture in there: chairs, a desk, a television and stand, bookcase - etc. The carpet was a disgusting gray, walls were painted dark gray and dark red - well, it was a movie room/office before Scarlett entered the scene. I had always wanted to paint the walls and brighten the place up but we were hoping to have another baby so we kept putting it off.
Once emptied, we went paint shopping. I knew I wanted pink and aqua walls after getting the inspiration from my friend's daughter's nursery. And I knew I wanted white furniture and a large bookcase and lots of storage. Gregg and Grandpa started by painting the walls and ceiling, immediately improving the room by a factor of ten. Next up, Gregg ripped out that horrific carpet. The crappy plywood floors looked ten thousand times better than that decrepit rug. Soon after, the contractor came and set up an appointment to install the new floor. Once that floor was down I was in heaven. I could not believe how enormous and pretty it looked !! I was actually a bit envious. I would have killed for a room like that growing up. Scarlett, you're a lucky gal!
Once the cosmetic jazz was complete we shopped for new furniture and accessories - my favorite part! We decided to go with a twin bed for Scarlett and skip the whole toddler bed phase. We bought pool noodles to place under the mattress pad to keep her from rolling out of bed. I had a hard time deciding on bedding but ultimately chose Hello Kitty and it's really cute. Gregg and I spent a very long day shopping for last minute pieces and putting it all together and the result is just lovely. I am so, so happy with it. When Scarlett saw it for the first time she was so excited, her face made my heart melt!
Here are some pictures...
Scarlett LOVES her new room and has easily transitioned from the crib to the bed. We feared that she would be up and down all night until she was used to it but she hasn't done that once! She waits, as I asked her to, until I come in to get her each morning. She even took a nap in it twice! Seeing her happy makes us happy and it makes all of the hard work well worth it.
Now, onto the nursery! Eeeeeeeeeek! :)
January 15, 2014
The Scarlett Letters: let's get a few things straight...
Dearest Lemon-pie,
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME??
Eh, I'm half kidding. Let's just say you've been "testy" lately ... and trying every ounce of patience I have. Some days I'm not sure who's winning. It seems that you believe that I am winning and I believe that you are winning. So we battle harder.
Let's clear up a few things...
You are 27 months old. How is it that you are strutting around the house like you just paid off the mortgage? You're constantly throwing your things everywhere, tossing food on the ground like this is some half-assed diner. Demanding diaper changes, snacks and Mickey videos. Listen up, kid, I run the show.
If I say we are drying your hair post-bath so your teeth will stop chattering - it's happening.
When I tell you to stop using the television screen as an easel - STOP IT.
When I put dinner in front of you which you refuse to eat and you immediately pull the pin on your little grenade - you aren't getting your wish of cookies, your alternate option is yogurt or nothing.
Just because I accidentally zipped your skin in your jacket ONE TIME doesn't mean that every zipper is going to ruin your life. I SAID I WAS SORRY, CRIPES !!! Let it go, kid.
When you flail around like a lunatic during our bedtime rocking/reading session it only makes me shorten the ritual. I feel like Danny DeVito trying to rock Shaq up there. You are clearly longer than my lap and legs, I know it's awkward - I can't stretch out like taffy so please try to settle in and just enjoy it. I'm pretty sure that glider is about to collapse any day now anyway.
When it's nap time and you run into the corner I can still see you. I will come get you, peel you from the floor and carry your arched body to the crib. It's going to happen.
When you decide that you can't handle the skin from the tomatoes or that you don't like blueberries today you needn't hand me every single unacceptable morsel to be taken to the trash that very moment - you can keep them on your plate until meal time is over.
You cannot eat all of the marshmallows out of the cereal canister. Mallow Oats will simply be OATS if you do that. Trust me, it's better this way.
Stop sticking your head through the bannister. Just stop it.
The staircase is not a place to put on a jazz show. Just move your bum up the stairs and don't worry about who carries blanky and who carries bunny. We will all be together again in fifteen seconds.
I always love you. Even when you're driving me mad because you refuse to have your nails clipped and I have to go sit in the other room on the couch for two minutes and breathe- I love you. When you roll over on the changing table like an alligator nailing its prey because I'm trying to get the "floofies" out of your nose and you've got some kind of mental block against tissues and q-tips - I love you. When you throw rocks at the glass door - I love you. When you take it upon yourself to get the chapstick out of the "do not enter" drawer - I love you.
It is apparent that you are going to fight me on everything for the next couple of years and I'm going to do my best to mentally (and physically) prepare myself. (Think: running bleachers and meditation). You're beyond stubborn. Potty training will most definitely have me rocking in a corner somewhere. But I love you. You're my wonderful, smart, adorably funny little girl. You're going to be a huge challenge but it's alright - we will get through it.
xo
Mama
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME??
Eh, I'm half kidding. Let's just say you've been "testy" lately ... and trying every ounce of patience I have. Some days I'm not sure who's winning. It seems that you believe that I am winning and I believe that you are winning. So we battle harder.
Let's clear up a few things...
You are 27 months old. How is it that you are strutting around the house like you just paid off the mortgage? You're constantly throwing your things everywhere, tossing food on the ground like this is some half-assed diner. Demanding diaper changes, snacks and Mickey videos. Listen up, kid, I run the show.
If I say we are drying your hair post-bath so your teeth will stop chattering - it's happening.
When I tell you to stop using the television screen as an easel - STOP IT.
When I put dinner in front of you which you refuse to eat and you immediately pull the pin on your little grenade - you aren't getting your wish of cookies, your alternate option is yogurt or nothing.
Just because I accidentally zipped your skin in your jacket ONE TIME doesn't mean that every zipper is going to ruin your life. I SAID I WAS SORRY, CRIPES !!! Let it go, kid.
When you flail around like a lunatic during our bedtime rocking/reading session it only makes me shorten the ritual. I feel like Danny DeVito trying to rock Shaq up there. You are clearly longer than my lap and legs, I know it's awkward - I can't stretch out like taffy so please try to settle in and just enjoy it. I'm pretty sure that glider is about to collapse any day now anyway.
When it's nap time and you run into the corner I can still see you. I will come get you, peel you from the floor and carry your arched body to the crib. It's going to happen.
When you decide that you can't handle the skin from the tomatoes or that you don't like blueberries today you needn't hand me every single unacceptable morsel to be taken to the trash that very moment - you can keep them on your plate until meal time is over.
You cannot eat all of the marshmallows out of the cereal canister. Mallow Oats will simply be OATS if you do that. Trust me, it's better this way.
Stop sticking your head through the bannister. Just stop it.
The staircase is not a place to put on a jazz show. Just move your bum up the stairs and don't worry about who carries blanky and who carries bunny. We will all be together again in fifteen seconds.
I always love you. Even when you're driving me mad because you refuse to have your nails clipped and I have to go sit in the other room on the couch for two minutes and breathe- I love you. When you roll over on the changing table like an alligator nailing its prey because I'm trying to get the "floofies" out of your nose and you've got some kind of mental block against tissues and q-tips - I love you. When you throw rocks at the glass door - I love you. When you take it upon yourself to get the chapstick out of the "do not enter" drawer - I love you.
It is apparent that you are going to fight me on everything for the next couple of years and I'm going to do my best to mentally (and physically) prepare myself. (Think: running bleachers and meditation). You're beyond stubborn. Potty training will most definitely have me rocking in a corner somewhere. But I love you. You're my wonderful, smart, adorably funny little girl. You're going to be a huge challenge but it's alright - we will get through it.
xo
Mama
December 7, 2013
The Scarlett Letters: Little Miss terrible two
Dear Scarlett,
I'm so glad you are much happier today than you have been over the past few days. You've become very defiant, resistant to change and hard to read. We had our annual visit with Santa and you did GREAT! We were so happy that you weren't petrified or shy. When he asked you what you would like for Christmas you replied, "Mickey toys! A tree! A wreath! Presents!" ... yeah, it was pretty adorable. You love our Christmas tree and have been pretty good about not touching too many of the ornaments. You're having a blast finding the elf, "snoozy" every day too. I'm a little disappointed that you aren't interested in any of the Christmas specials that I'm DVR'ing like a freak. Sorry, Mama is semi-North Pole obsessed. I'm sure you'll enjoy them another year - and if you don't that's okay, I watch them anyway.
You are pretty set in your ways, you are. You just like things to be a certain way. Every figure has a specific car, they can't swap cars or you will spin off the planet. Mickey cannot play with McCoggins - it's simply not allowed. You play how you want to play - you don't seem to enjoy many other ways right now. We keep coming up with new games to play and new arrangements and places to keep toys. We try to change things up as much as we can to keep you straying from that one favored path. We want you to have many paths as much as we want you to do what you like.
This age is by far the most challenging of all. You are constantly pressing buttons, pushing limits and testing waters. We have our daily ups and downs. I'm tired. You're wearing me out, little girl! It's okay, I know you are growing and learning every second of every day. As long as you remain healthy and happy I'm thrilled. You're still my little pig-tailed sweetie bo-beetie pants. Although I have been known to call you my sour-bo-bower face from time to time. ;o) Love you to pieces!
Mama
I'm so glad you are much happier today than you have been over the past few days. You've become very defiant, resistant to change and hard to read. We had our annual visit with Santa and you did GREAT! We were so happy that you weren't petrified or shy. When he asked you what you would like for Christmas you replied, "Mickey toys! A tree! A wreath! Presents!" ... yeah, it was pretty adorable. You love our Christmas tree and have been pretty good about not touching too many of the ornaments. You're having a blast finding the elf, "snoozy" every day too. I'm a little disappointed that you aren't interested in any of the Christmas specials that I'm DVR'ing like a freak. Sorry, Mama is semi-North Pole obsessed. I'm sure you'll enjoy them another year - and if you don't that's okay, I watch them anyway.
Here are a few "Little Miss" nicknames we could give you right now:
You are pretty set in your ways, you are. You just like things to be a certain way. Every figure has a specific car, they can't swap cars or you will spin off the planet. Mickey cannot play with McCoggins - it's simply not allowed. You play how you want to play - you don't seem to enjoy many other ways right now. We keep coming up with new games to play and new arrangements and places to keep toys. We try to change things up as much as we can to keep you straying from that one favored path. We want you to have many paths as much as we want you to do what you like.
This age is by far the most challenging of all. You are constantly pressing buttons, pushing limits and testing waters. We have our daily ups and downs. I'm tired. You're wearing me out, little girl! It's okay, I know you are growing and learning every second of every day. As long as you remain healthy and happy I'm thrilled. You're still my little pig-tailed sweetie bo-beetie pants. Although I have been known to call you my sour-bo-bower face from time to time. ;o) Love you to pieces!
Mama
November 7, 2013
The Scarlett Letters: Imagination and Sparkle
My dear Scarlett,
I'm writing this while you take your little nap. You don't nap often, maybe three times each week for no more than an hour. You still sleep well overnight. I put you in the crib around 8pm on average. Sometimes you go right to sleep - mostly if you've missed your nap that day. Other times you will yap and yap and yap until sometimes ten o'clock! We love to listen to you tell stories to your friends (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Snoopy, Blanky, Bunny, Owl). You talk about things you did that day, you make up stories and scenarios and what cracks us up is that you actually use different voices! Hysterics!
Some of your favorite things lately:
Jewelry. You love your little bracelets and necklaces and have so many of them! You will wear them all at once or choose just a few. You like to put them and out of boxes, baskets and containers over and over.
Memory. Gee-Gee gave you this game in your Halloween treat bag and you just love it! Just like I did as a kid, it was my favorite! We have played it dozens of times already and you are so good at making pairs, your memory is just incredible.
Figures. You've had a fondness for little figures for quite a while now. You have a bunch of them - mostly Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "guys" as you call them. You also have some from the Tickety Toc gang and Team Umizoomi. I love listening to you play with them, setting up little scenes and such. That imagination is really wonderful.
Pearl Jam. Haha that's right. When their new album, Lightning Bolt, came out you were more than happy to listen to it several times a day for several days while Mama acquired her "fix." You even asked for it to be played a bunch of times. I'd look over and you'd be dancing all around the room or enthusiastically nodding in your high chair. When we were in the car the other day one of their old songs came on and you yelled, "IT'S PEARL JAM!!" Proud moment.
"Peanut Butter Cantaloupe" Over the past couple of months anytime we ask you what you want to eat the answer is the same - peanut butter cantaloupe. A peanut-butter and jelly sandwich with a side of melon. Time and time again. It has become a very popular lunch.
The blanket. Lately you can be found several times a day playing underneath a blanket. You choose a few toys, drape the blanket over your head and have a ball. I find it hilarious and adorable.
"Shoods" Because you can't pronounce your F's yet you say "Shoods" meaning Foods. We gave you a big bag of plastic foods for your birthday and you lovvvvvvvvvvve it. You, of course, have your favorites: The apple/tomato (I don't know what it is!), ice cream cone, cookie, banana, potato chips, orange, lettuce, lemon, egg, ketchup bottle etc. I remember vividly how much I loved my fake foods as a kid too. (smile).
Things have been really, really great with you. You are growing like a weed, super tall girl! You're long and lean, I can't keep your pants up! Trying to find you pajamas is pretty difficult. The shirts are all too short and the pants fall off of you. One-pieces are the new norm. You're wearing 18 mo or 24 mo pants and 3T shirts on average. Your shoe size is a 6/7 in case you were wondering. Haha.
Daddy and I are sooooooooooooo looking forward to Christmastime with you this year. I think you will really enjoy it all. Especially decorating the tree. I hope to watch all of our favorite Christmas specials with you so ... get on board! We are excited to start our own little family traditions, making wonderful memories to stay with you for a lifetime.
We love you so much, sweet girl.
xo
I'm writing this while you take your little nap. You don't nap often, maybe three times each week for no more than an hour. You still sleep well overnight. I put you in the crib around 8pm on average. Sometimes you go right to sleep - mostly if you've missed your nap that day. Other times you will yap and yap and yap until sometimes ten o'clock! We love to listen to you tell stories to your friends (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Snoopy, Blanky, Bunny, Owl). You talk about things you did that day, you make up stories and scenarios and what cracks us up is that you actually use different voices! Hysterics!
Some of your favorite things lately:
Jewelry. You love your little bracelets and necklaces and have so many of them! You will wear them all at once or choose just a few. You like to put them and out of boxes, baskets and containers over and over.
Memory. Gee-Gee gave you this game in your Halloween treat bag and you just love it! Just like I did as a kid, it was my favorite! We have played it dozens of times already and you are so good at making pairs, your memory is just incredible.
Figures. You've had a fondness for little figures for quite a while now. You have a bunch of them - mostly Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "guys" as you call them. You also have some from the Tickety Toc gang and Team Umizoomi. I love listening to you play with them, setting up little scenes and such. That imagination is really wonderful.
Pearl Jam. Haha that's right. When their new album, Lightning Bolt, came out you were more than happy to listen to it several times a day for several days while Mama acquired her "fix." You even asked for it to be played a bunch of times. I'd look over and you'd be dancing all around the room or enthusiastically nodding in your high chair. When we were in the car the other day one of their old songs came on and you yelled, "IT'S PEARL JAM!!" Proud moment.
"Peanut Butter Cantaloupe" Over the past couple of months anytime we ask you what you want to eat the answer is the same - peanut butter cantaloupe. A peanut-butter and jelly sandwich with a side of melon. Time and time again. It has become a very popular lunch.
The blanket. Lately you can be found several times a day playing underneath a blanket. You choose a few toys, drape the blanket over your head and have a ball. I find it hilarious and adorable.
"Shoods" Because you can't pronounce your F's yet you say "Shoods" meaning Foods. We gave you a big bag of plastic foods for your birthday and you lovvvvvvvvvvve it. You, of course, have your favorites: The apple/tomato (I don't know what it is!), ice cream cone, cookie, banana, potato chips, orange, lettuce, lemon, egg, ketchup bottle etc. I remember vividly how much I loved my fake foods as a kid too. (smile).
Things have been really, really great with you. You are growing like a weed, super tall girl! You're long and lean, I can't keep your pants up! Trying to find you pajamas is pretty difficult. The shirts are all too short and the pants fall off of you. One-pieces are the new norm. You're wearing 18 mo or 24 mo pants and 3T shirts on average. Your shoe size is a 6/7 in case you were wondering. Haha.
Daddy and I are sooooooooooooo looking forward to Christmastime with you this year. I think you will really enjoy it all. Especially decorating the tree. I hope to watch all of our favorite Christmas specials with you so ... get on board! We are excited to start our own little family traditions, making wonderful memories to stay with you for a lifetime.
We love you so much, sweet girl.
xo
September 24, 2013
The Scarlett Letters: Scarlett turns two!
Happy 2nd Birthday, Scarlett June!!!
Well, let's see. You're not a baby anymore... and, as my final 'Mom 365' daily email informed me, you're not a toddler anymore. What does that mean? Are you already a "little kid" ??? Nope, not in my book, baby girl.
Two years ago today I was lying in a stiff bed with flat pillows, falling in love with The Big Bang Theory and working on 48 hours worth of contractions. Eventually you were born via C-section at 8:09 pm. And it was at that moment that my life began. Along with my short-lived morphine drip.
You have made everyone so happy. You make us laugh every day. You amaze us with your vocabulary and ability to put sentences together. At your party on Saturday I heard you say to a friend, "Hi! Welcome to my home!" I have no idea where you got that from. The other day I put your shoes on and you said, "Hmm, Mama, those fit pretty good!" I know you heard that one from me but you used it perfectly. Another popular phrase is, "Mama, I can't find my -------- anywhere!" We are able to have conversations with you although every now and then there is a word that takes us a while to figure out. You have trouble with your F's and L's. And it's adorable.
You lovvvvvvvvve to play "outshiiiiiide." We let you use your water table in our gravel area and you get plenty filthy having a blast with that. You love your slide and your swing and getting Brody to run with you. You think he is just so funny! Now that the weather is cooler and drier (and less insect-pleasing) I can enjoy being out there with you. I still hold my breath when I turn your toys over, praying there aren't 'things' floating or webs spun. Baby steps.
We took you for a photo session last week and you threw a pretty decent tantrum but eventually warmed up and we got great shots. You're so photogenic. That smile is infectious and so heartwarming. You say hi to everyone and not everyone says hi back. I explain to you daily that some people don't like to say hi. Then I grumble under my breath that those people are called assholes.
You are really into playing with little figures, like Mickey, Minnie and Pluto. You also enjoy using your new easel. You wipe it clean and say, "Good as new!" And when you've had enough you put your marker down and say, "Ok, I'm all done." For your birthday we gave you a cash register which you absolutely love - just as I did as a little girl. Although my cash register was my jewelry box... and it didn't have a scanner, or credit card slot and the only sound it made was when I wound up the ballerina but hey, I didn't know the difference. You also adore your basket of fake foods - which was one of my favorite things to play with as a kid. We had a picnic in the playroom the other day and I felt like I was four years old all over again. I almost fought you for the little strawberry.
You are amazing, Scarlett. You're so so so so smart. You are truly funny and silly and spunky. You're bold as brass, stubborn like your Mama and a roughneck through and through. You do stop to smell the flowers - even if they are in the pages of your book. You like to choose your clothes when given the option and you've refused to wear your Super-girl shirt for months. Humble too, perhaps? You can't get enough of peanut butter or cantaloupe. You have favorite songs like, "I Will Wait" by Mumford and Sons. You dance in your highchair and like us to dance with you... "and Mama too ... and Dada too... and Bro too!" I wish Brody could dance for you. You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Team Umizoomi and Special Agent Oso. I feel good about letting you watch those shows. You are learning so much every day from your family, from being outside, from watching good television, from playing with your toys. I pray that you always have that blessed brain.
Happy Birthday Dear Scarlett, Happy Birthday to you!
(I've noticed you are sleeping in on your big day! It's 8:33 ... ooo I hear you murmuring ... )
We all love you SO MUCH!
xoxo
Mama
Well, let's see. You're not a baby anymore... and, as my final 'Mom 365' daily email informed me, you're not a toddler anymore. What does that mean? Are you already a "little kid" ??? Nope, not in my book, baby girl.
Two years ago today I was lying in a stiff bed with flat pillows, falling in love with The Big Bang Theory and working on 48 hours worth of contractions. Eventually you were born via C-section at 8:09 pm. And it was at that moment that my life began. Along with my short-lived morphine drip.
You have made everyone so happy. You make us laugh every day. You amaze us with your vocabulary and ability to put sentences together. At your party on Saturday I heard you say to a friend, "Hi! Welcome to my home!" I have no idea where you got that from. The other day I put your shoes on and you said, "Hmm, Mama, those fit pretty good!" I know you heard that one from me but you used it perfectly. Another popular phrase is, "Mama, I can't find my -------- anywhere!" We are able to have conversations with you although every now and then there is a word that takes us a while to figure out. You have trouble with your F's and L's. And it's adorable.
You lovvvvvvvvve to play "outshiiiiiide." We let you use your water table in our gravel area and you get plenty filthy having a blast with that. You love your slide and your swing and getting Brody to run with you. You think he is just so funny! Now that the weather is cooler and drier (and less insect-pleasing) I can enjoy being out there with you. I still hold my breath when I turn your toys over, praying there aren't 'things' floating or webs spun. Baby steps.
We took you for a photo session last week and you threw a pretty decent tantrum but eventually warmed up and we got great shots. You're so photogenic. That smile is infectious and so heartwarming. You say hi to everyone and not everyone says hi back. I explain to you daily that some people don't like to say hi. Then I grumble under my breath that those people are called assholes.
You are really into playing with little figures, like Mickey, Minnie and Pluto. You also enjoy using your new easel. You wipe it clean and say, "Good as new!" And when you've had enough you put your marker down and say, "Ok, I'm all done." For your birthday we gave you a cash register which you absolutely love - just as I did as a little girl. Although my cash register was my jewelry box... and it didn't have a scanner, or credit card slot and the only sound it made was when I wound up the ballerina but hey, I didn't know the difference. You also adore your basket of fake foods - which was one of my favorite things to play with as a kid. We had a picnic in the playroom the other day and I felt like I was four years old all over again. I almost fought you for the little strawberry.
You are amazing, Scarlett. You're so so so so smart. You are truly funny and silly and spunky. You're bold as brass, stubborn like your Mama and a roughneck through and through. You do stop to smell the flowers - even if they are in the pages of your book. You like to choose your clothes when given the option and you've refused to wear your Super-girl shirt for months. Humble too, perhaps? You can't get enough of peanut butter or cantaloupe. You have favorite songs like, "I Will Wait" by Mumford and Sons. You dance in your highchair and like us to dance with you... "and Mama too ... and Dada too... and Bro too!" I wish Brody could dance for you. You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Team Umizoomi and Special Agent Oso. I feel good about letting you watch those shows. You are learning so much every day from your family, from being outside, from watching good television, from playing with your toys. I pray that you always have that blessed brain.
Happy Birthday Dear Scarlett, Happy Birthday to you!
(I've noticed you are sleeping in on your big day! It's 8:33 ... ooo I hear you murmuring ... )
We all love you SO MUCH!
xoxo
Mama
June 20, 2013
The Scarlett Letters #15: A letter to Scarlett
Hi Lollipop,
Here's a bit of what's been going on lately, just to get you up to speed...
Sometimes we stay inside all day when it's perfectly nice weather. We play in different rooms with the same toys. We watch Blue's Clues and Super Why and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Sometimes I let you bounce around on the couch too rambunctiously despite my impending heart-attack - just because you love it.
Same goes for taking on the slide head first. You're a roughneck for certain.
I occasionally put you in outfits that are unsuitable for playgrounds because you just look so stinking cute in them.
I decided to put your crib-soother away last night before bedtime because I am convinced that it wakes you up every night when it shuts off. You have used it since you were around four months old and you loved it so much. It kinda broke my heart to see your face when you realized it was missing. That was one of my first lessons in Sometimes you gotta do what's right for your child even if it makes them sad. You got over it within three minutes and slept like a champ.
I love that you love the beach. We were taking a ride this morning and you were chanting, "beach, beach, beach, beach" from the backseat. So we went to the beach even though I wasn't dressed for it. You love to play in the sand and pick up shells and rocks. You also love throwing sand at me and running off toward the water forcing me to sprint from my sheet. Thanks for always keeping me on my toes.
Dinner time has been quite a challenge lately but I've learned that I'm okay with you just having a handful of peas or a piece of wheat bread if it teaches you that you get what I give you and not what you demand.
You love to gulp a ton of milk and make yourself burp. I love to hear you say Excuuuu Meeees.
I love how you giggle when you find the little mouse on each page of Goodnight Moon.
Sometimes you yell at Brody to MOVE! which teaches me an instant lesson.
You are very fond of stop signs these days, pointing them out wherever we go.
You can recognize every letter of the alphabet. You were hung up on J and G for a bit but you've got 'em down now. Your pronunciation is coming along too, God bless that sweet brain.
As far as counting goes sometimes you rattle off 1 to 10 but usually it's 1,2,3,6,7,8,9.
Sometimes I just watch you play with your little figures. You put them in their car and say that they are going to "Gee-Gee's house" and it makes me so excited for the days of dollhouses and pretend play.
Your nap is normally forty five minutes to an hour each afternoon. If you want to sleep a little longer than that every now and then I would be just fine with it.
You love the part in Coraline where the 'other Father' plays the piano and sings a little song. I love the way you say Coraline.
When we take your pigtails out you look hysterical. Daddy calls you Frank Barone and I say you look like Gary Busey. Regardless, it makes for a good time.
FAVORITE TOYS:
Blankie and Bunnie
Baby Pluto figure
Keys - we made you your own special set that you promptly lost in the car and I spent fifteen minutes searching for only to find them jammed under the cushion lining of the car seat. They are no longer "traveling keys"
ABC puzzle
Bubbles - you really just want us to get the bubbles open so you can repeat, "ho it, ho it, ho it" (hold it) until we give you the wand and you stick your finger through the opening
Blocks
FAVORITE FOODS:
Peas
Frozen grapes
Waffles
Bread
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Pear
Pasta
Cereal with bananas
Cookies
Yogurt
Your personality is really starting to blossom these days. You are funny, silly, smart, a little impatient, and mostly happy. You throw a little tantrum now and then but we just walk away and you realize how foolish it seems to be laying on the floor crying and you get up and get over it. You are showing signs of empathy and you are good about sharing so far. I love you to pieces even in those moments where you are testing the hell out of me. I like a good challenge - I'm gonna keep you around for as long as I'm allowed. XO Mama
(21 months)
Here's a bit of what's been going on lately, just to get you up to speed...
Sometimes we stay inside all day when it's perfectly nice weather. We play in different rooms with the same toys. We watch Blue's Clues and Super Why and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Sometimes I let you bounce around on the couch too rambunctiously despite my impending heart-attack - just because you love it.
Same goes for taking on the slide head first. You're a roughneck for certain.
I occasionally put you in outfits that are unsuitable for playgrounds because you just look so stinking cute in them.
I decided to put your crib-soother away last night before bedtime because I am convinced that it wakes you up every night when it shuts off. You have used it since you were around four months old and you loved it so much. It kinda broke my heart to see your face when you realized it was missing. That was one of my first lessons in Sometimes you gotta do what's right for your child even if it makes them sad. You got over it within three minutes and slept like a champ.
I love that you love the beach. We were taking a ride this morning and you were chanting, "beach, beach, beach, beach" from the backseat. So we went to the beach even though I wasn't dressed for it. You love to play in the sand and pick up shells and rocks. You also love throwing sand at me and running off toward the water forcing me to sprint from my sheet. Thanks for always keeping me on my toes.
Dinner time has been quite a challenge lately but I've learned that I'm okay with you just having a handful of peas or a piece of wheat bread if it teaches you that you get what I give you and not what you demand.
You love to gulp a ton of milk and make yourself burp. I love to hear you say Excuuuu Meeees.
I love how you giggle when you find the little mouse on each page of Goodnight Moon.
Sometimes you yell at Brody to MOVE! which teaches me an instant lesson.
You are very fond of stop signs these days, pointing them out wherever we go.
You can recognize every letter of the alphabet. You were hung up on J and G for a bit but you've got 'em down now. Your pronunciation is coming along too, God bless that sweet brain.
As far as counting goes sometimes you rattle off 1 to 10 but usually it's 1,2,3,6,7,8,9.
Sometimes I just watch you play with your little figures. You put them in their car and say that they are going to "Gee-Gee's house" and it makes me so excited for the days of dollhouses and pretend play.
Your nap is normally forty five minutes to an hour each afternoon. If you want to sleep a little longer than that every now and then I would be just fine with it.
You love the part in Coraline where the 'other Father' plays the piano and sings a little song. I love the way you say Coraline.
When we take your pigtails out you look hysterical. Daddy calls you Frank Barone and I say you look like Gary Busey. Regardless, it makes for a good time.
FAVORITE TOYS:
Blankie and Bunnie
Baby Pluto figure
Keys - we made you your own special set that you promptly lost in the car and I spent fifteen minutes searching for only to find them jammed under the cushion lining of the car seat. They are no longer "traveling keys"
ABC puzzle
Bubbles - you really just want us to get the bubbles open so you can repeat, "ho it, ho it, ho it" (hold it) until we give you the wand and you stick your finger through the opening
Blocks
FAVORITE FOODS:
Peas
Frozen grapes
Waffles
Bread
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Pear
Pasta
Cereal with bananas
Cookies
Yogurt
Your personality is really starting to blossom these days. You are funny, silly, smart, a little impatient, and mostly happy. You throw a little tantrum now and then but we just walk away and you realize how foolish it seems to be laying on the floor crying and you get up and get over it. You are showing signs of empathy and you are good about sharing so far. I love you to pieces even in those moments where you are testing the hell out of me. I like a good challenge - I'm gonna keep you around for as long as I'm allowed. XO Mama
(21 months)
February 16, 2013
The Scarlett Letters #13: 50 first words...
Miss Scarlett, I've decided to honor you with some simple typography today. Your vocabulary is expanding every second it seems so I started to keep track of new words as they crop up. You hit the fifty mark last month (at sixteen months) and are now into the sixties although I'm positive I've left out a few. I'm calling this post "50 first words" but I didn't actually count how many I listed. Oh! And you've recently started putting two words together like, "Hi Mama!" It's quite remarkable to watch you absorbing your surroundings. May your wonderful brain be blessed forever.
Hope you enjoy it, I love you.
Hope you enjoy it, I love you.
January 24, 2013
The Scarlett Letters #12: 16 months
My silly, silly goose...
Sixteen months! Wow! Such a big girl now. Growing more every single second. Taller, stronger, smarter.
You've really come into your own over the past few weeks. Your personality is sparkling. Your laugh, infectious. Your silliness is overwhelmingly awesome. I forgot how fun it is to be silly. Even when we are cracking skulls in your play tunnel (your fault) we are laughing wholeheartedly.
The main focus of our time together is play play play! We play as much as possible. We've given you safe spaces where you can run around like a little maniac with many books, toys, pillows, stuffed animal and blankets to keep you happy. Your attention span is short and you're much like a tornado, moving from one toy to another in just seconds. One of your favorite things to do is to take down your books from your bookcase, one by one, giving each a few quick page turns before tossing them aside. A few of your favorites at the moment are: Baby Happy Baby Sad, Big Little, No No Yes Yes and Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli.
We love to build you tall towers that you promptly destroy. You're not big into your blocks just yet and not quite as fond of stacking objects as you are of demolishing them.
You are a little roughneck. Just like Mama was. When we are chasing you screaming down the hallway only to grab you and throw you down on some pillows you are in your glory. Rolling around on the floor or inside your tunnel - that belly laugh can be heard all over the house. You love to be scared. We love the thrill of scaring you. I often hide in the corner of your room so you'll come barreling toward me with that giant grin that I love so much...
Sixteen months! Wow! Such a big girl now. Growing more every single second. Taller, stronger, smarter.
You've really come into your own over the past few weeks. Your personality is sparkling. Your laugh, infectious. Your silliness is overwhelmingly awesome. I forgot how fun it is to be silly. Even when we are cracking skulls in your play tunnel (your fault) we are laughing wholeheartedly.
The main focus of our time together is play play play! We play as much as possible. We've given you safe spaces where you can run around like a little maniac with many books, toys, pillows, stuffed animal and blankets to keep you happy. Your attention span is short and you're much like a tornado, moving from one toy to another in just seconds. One of your favorite things to do is to take down your books from your bookcase, one by one, giving each a few quick page turns before tossing them aside. A few of your favorites at the moment are: Baby Happy Baby Sad, Big Little, No No Yes Yes and Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli.
We love to build you tall towers that you promptly destroy. You're not big into your blocks just yet and not quite as fond of stacking objects as you are of demolishing them.
You are a little roughneck. Just like Mama was. When we are chasing you screaming down the hallway only to grab you and throw you down on some pillows you are in your glory. Rolling around on the floor or inside your tunnel - that belly laugh can be heard all over the house. You love to be scared. We love the thrill of scaring you. I often hide in the corner of your room so you'll come barreling toward me with that giant grin that I love so much...
Or I'll surprise the crap out of you when you aren't expecting it ...
We definitely have our share of fun that's for sure. There is no shortage of happiness in this home.
Mealtimes can be challenging. I like to give you enough freedom to play with your food so that you'll learn about textures and things but I am kind of a neat freak - so freedom comes with a stopwatch. Your sippy cups are quite possibly causing the gray hairs I've recently found around my temples. I hate them, Scarlett. I hate them all. If they don't leak they overflow. They're too thick or too tall. They have too many frigging pieces for a cup! I can't properly clean them. Tonight you couldn't even get any milk out of yours. After ten minutes of trying to fix them I threw two cups into the garbage can. Game over. We are evolving tomorrow.
And that's what we do every day. We evolve. Together. You have taught me so many things and continue to do so every single day. You've taught me more about myself in just over a year than I'd learned in thirty years. I'm so happy. I'm now the person I've always wanted to be but never knew it until I met you. I was confused for a long, long time about what happiness meant. But I get it now. I definitely get it.
"Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine..."
January 2, 2013
The Scarlett Letters: #11: we've taken a turn
Apparently at age thirteen months, along with your molars, you found your inner deviant. Now, at fifteen months, you are nurturing the crap out of said deviant.
Don't get me wrong, there is still way more good than bad. You aren't a "bad girl" you are just a little fresh. We are working very hard to make sure that you don't become that cute little girl who appears to be a spoiled brat. Because you aren't spoiled. In fact, you almost never get your way these days. Mostly because your way means: touching the television, grabbing handfuls of dog-food, pulling your clothes out of your dresser drawers, taking diapers from the trash, standing on anything unstable, throwing food and sippy cups, throwing toys at the dog, playing with the humidifiers, occasionally hitting and most recently - and the most unacceptable of them all - biting.
We got our first glimpse at your darling, little temper on our trip to the Christmas tree farm. Sure, you loved strolling around the fields in the cold, fresh air but when we attempted to get you back into the Jeep you flipped your switch. The back-arching, the stiff body, the scream-crying. The whole shebang. Through it all, we crammed your flailing and livid body into that car seat, strapped you in and continued on our way. Once defeated, you sniveled up your last whimpers and got over it. So, that scenario revealed our previously unknown method and motto - it's going to happen, so get over it.
That has been your only full-blown tantrum to date. You've since resorted to lots of, "no-no-no-noooo"s, tears and your tricky piranha moves. The biting is actually pissing me off. I can deal with the food-flinging and the crying and the jelly legs but the biting is officially my least favorite. We are dealing with it, however, and it's not going to last long, Missy!! You hear me?! (wink wink)
No matter the mood, you are always the most amazing part of every day and night for me and for your Dada. Your laugh is so stinkin' cute we will do anything to hear it. That mouthful of teeth - while dangerous as hell - is just the most darling jack-o-lanterny display I've ever seen. I continue to take an insane amount of pictures of you every day maybe just because you look so cute in your pants or because your eyes look an even brighter shade of blue in that pink sweater then they did yesterday in the gray one. We had a blast playing with you in the snow for the very first time this past weekend. You couldn't get enough of being pulled around in your sled or the mouth-numbing bites of snow you kept taking. Thank God for video and photographs. We'll never forget that day.
You aren't a good napper but you sleep like an angel all night. Your mealtimes are messy but you always eat your vegetables. Your attention span is super short but you learn an immense amount every day. You sometimes try to bite me when you're angry but you always kiss me goodnight. You're my sweetheart.
Love forever,
Mama xo
October 21, 2012
The Scarlett Letters #10: The First Birthday
Here are some pictures documenting your very first birthday. I leave you no guess-work - you can see it all right here.
I wanted to make your party colorful and sweet just like you! I found lots of ideas online (some that I stole completely and others that I tweaked) and had a blast creating a special theme for you. We chose to give away pumpkins to your little friends as their favors. They were happy to choose their own pumpkin to bring home!
You wore the hell out of your birthday dress - SO. STINKIN. CUTE! Mama went crazy looking for a dress sweet enough for you and after lots of "not-good-enoughs" we found the perfect one! You only kept your ponytail in for about four minutes but man did it look cute for those four minutes. After you demolished your cake we changed you into your big-girl shirt letting the world know that 'YOU ARE ONE'!!
I really wanted to make a cake just for you. I bought a yummy cake mix and pink frosting with sprinkles. I baked the cake and cut it into a circular shape, stacking one circle on top of the other to make a very Dr. Seuss-esque shaped cake. It was super cute. But, since Mama is certainly no baker, when I went to frost your cake it turned into a deliciously hideous mess. I had to dump it and send Daddy out for a twenty dollar quick-fix. It was cute enough but just not what I really wanted for you. I tried, Sweetie... but you were happy as a clam with your sugary snack regardless!
Your birthday party was on a Saturday with all of your friends and family. You had a really great day! Barely a twenty minute nap the entire day and you were so pleasant! You love to be around the kids and you had no problem sitting with anyone - even the people you had just met for the first time! Your real birthday fell on a Monday and since Daddy had to work we spent the day with Grammie and Gram-Gram. Grammie had an afternoon cupcake lighting for you. And when Daddy got home we went to Toys R Us where you got your balloon and crown and we picked out your Minnie Mouse Ride-On that you love so much. (Mama & Daddy love it now too since Daddy broke off the VERY sensitive shifter thing that annoyed the crap out of us every-time you moved an inch)!
You really had fun opening and playing with all of your new toys. You got LOTS and LOTS of clothes too! Thank God because our arsenal had run out at 12 months! Some of your favorite gifts were: the talking/scurrying kitty-cat, a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse lift-the-flap book, a Minnie Mouse plush doll, your Fisher Price house and your plastic puzzle. While Mama loves all of those toys too, I also am very happy that I found your adorable pink rocker at HomeGoods during their half-off moving sale! You love to sit in it like a big girl and slide out of it within about ten seconds.
Although it is very bittersweet for your friends and family to see you growing so quickly, we had a wonderful time planning and celebrating your first birthday. You are becoming such a character - it's making it a little easier to let go of your baby days... but not TOO easy. Love you so much!
XO
Mama
September 6, 2012
Scarlett Letter #9
Dear Sweet Scarlett,
You are now eleven months and two weeks old! When will this end!??! You are much like a sponge these days, just absorbing everything we teach you - and things that we didn't realize we were teaching you! Your latest surprise was the hand gestures for The Itsy Bitsy Spider. I sang the song to you twice one morning and that evening you were motioning those little hands all over the place. My heart nearly doubled. It is amazing - to say the least - watching you becoming YOU. Your personality is nothing short of awesome. I love your silliness, your ability to understand when something is funny, your devilish grin and animated eyes. Let's face it, I love everything about you.
What you love most:
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - mainly Pluto, the little puppy Bella and the "kitty-cat" Figaro. You always get excited to see the beginning of the show and you always, always dance to The Hot Dog Dance and wave bye-bye as the characters all go home.
Brody - You love to watch him walk around the house and play rambunctiously outside in the back yard. You've recently started to enjoy watching him eat and drink. He's pretty noisy so it always attracts your attention.
Being outside - We put your Around We Go entertainer on the deck the other day and you were loving every second of it! We've had to keep you away from your pretty, pink swing lately because we've had a nasty bee problem. Daddy and Brody were stung several times and Daddy tried spraying them away but they were stubborn! Mama ended up calling "the bug guys" and they took care of those bees for you. It's time to swing again, babygirl!
Exploring - I think your favorite thing to do is to roam the house. In and out of the rooms, zooming around, bruising up your little knees. (You won't wear the heart/band-aid knee pads I got you!) I make sure to sweep up and vacuum the dog hair before we let you loose. You love playing in the hampers- pulling out all of your clothes. You also enjoy the air that comes out of the humidifier - even as I tell you, "no-no" you just smile. You love standing up at the deck slider looking out into the yard at the big tree and watching Bro. And for some reason you have a thing for straps - so you like to stand at your highchair and fiddle with those for a while. You giggle and giggle and giggle as we chase you with stomping feet down the hallway. I hope we can always make you giggle that way.
Vegetables - I am SO SO SO happy that you've been such a great eater so far. I realize that can (and most likely will) quickly change. But for now, when I spread out a variety of food on your tray you always grab the greens first. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc. You love sweet potatoes too. And I tried peppers with you again this week and you ate them right up! You have a very healthy diet and I'm very proud of that. I promise to always try to give you 90% healthy and 10% treats.
Your room - Daddy and I spent long hours dreaming up and creating that beautifully sweet room for you. It makes me so happy to see your face light up each time we enter it.
The beach and pool - You've had a wonderful first summer! You really enjoyed going in your inflatable pool at Grammie's house and we even brought it to the beach! I'm so happy that you seem to love the beach! I could've done without the handfuls of sand in your mouth but ... it happens. You didn't even flinch as the waves came hurdling toward you, crashing on your little legs. It may not have been very relaxing for Mama or Grammie but you sure had a blast and that's all that we care about. Daddy and I will take you a lot more next year! You also had your very first taste of Aunt Carrie's clamcakes and chowder!
I guess I could go on and on writing about the things you love - you seem so happy all the time, it appears you love just about everything. Although I can say with conviction that you do NOT love: teething and cherry tomatoes. You've handled your teething remarkably well considering but tomatoes... not so much. Ha Ha.
Mama has been very busy planning your very first birthday! We want everything to be special for you. You're the most special thing in our lives and you've brought us all so much joy - we just want to honor you the best way that we can on your big day. Apparently, to me, that means lots and lots of rainbows. I've been busy making cupcake toppers, signs, invitations, thank you cards, favor tags, flag banners, etc. And Daddy has been spending his weekends working in the back yard - painting the shed and renovating the deck! We are hoping for an outdoor party so keep those little fingers crossed for sunshine!
Today we may have bought your very last tub o' formula! Oh, how the months have just flown by. This past year has been amazing. I hope the next twelve months bring us even more happiness together. Love you "sooooooooooooo much!" xoxo
Mama
I love you more today than yesterday - but not as much as tomorrow.
August 9, 2012
Scarlett Letter #8
August 8, 2012
the best nightmare EVAHHHH & other junk
Yes, it's been a month since I've written a post... tsk tsk. Get over it, people, I have things to do. Just kidding -- while I do have things to do I don't expect you to have to get over it. Nor do I expect that you've even noticed that my blog has been a cricket-fest for a month. Onward...
April 24, 2012
Scarlett Letter #7: 7 months old!
April 24, 2012:
Happy Seven Month Birthday, Scarlett!!
I cannot believe seven months have passed since I first saw your beautiful, little face. A face that's accumulating more character every single day. A face that only gets sweeter with each ticking second. My sweet girl.
What you've been eating:
Lately you've been loving plain yogurt. I just add mashed up banana or some pureed peaches and you gobble it right up! You've also been good with trying new meats and veggies. Newest have been pot roast with celery, carrots and potatoes. And chicken with celery and carrots. All pureed of course. Spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, peas and butternut squash are some of your favorite vegetables. Pears, apples, bananas, mango and peaches are some favorite fruits. You tried some teething cookies but they're still a bit too much for you, you were getting very scared and choking! So Mama found you some new ones today that are just perfect!
What you've been busy with:
You have mastered sitting up and playing. You spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour on the floor with your toys. We spread out a sheet (with colorful polka-dots that you love) and sprinkle toys all around. You move from one to another, happy as a clam, giving each a little attention. You love your Fisher Price play kitchen - turning the faucet on and off and putting the spoon, soup pot, milk and carrots in your mouth. You also love your Zany Zoo with its four sides of activities. And you're still going strong in the doorway jumper. I think you're going to be so sad when we have to take that down! You've also been VERY vocal this month - cracking up everyone around you. Squawking and "singing" with that babydoll voice that I can't get enough of. Did I mention you rarely cry? Thank you, love.
When you sleep:
Well, you don't take great naps during the day but you still sleep an average of eleven hours each night. Usually around 8pm - 7am. Your naps are anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. One around 10/10:30am and the other around 2pm.
How you measure up:
At your last appointment, your six month visit on April 3 - you weighed 17.13 oz - and were 27.25" long! You tend to grow out of your clothes a little fast due to your length. Your shirts are short! A lot of times I put dresses or baby-doll tops on you with jeans or leggings - hey, it looks cute!
Favorite books:
We always read a little bit everyday. How The Grinch Stole Christmas has been a favorite since you were born (maybe even before) because I always recited it to you. I know most of it by heart and you like when I randomly break into verse while you're on the changing table or any other odd place. Your favorite lines? "Oh, the NOISE, NOISE, NOISE, NOISE!!!" These days you're also loving: Goodnight Moon | Nighty-Night | Bubbles, Bubbles | Eyes and Nose, Fingers and Toes | Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? | Squeak Squeak | Counting Kisses | Yawn. I pick up books here and there when I'm out, I'm a little obsessed. But a few of these faves were bought for a dollar each at Target! Love that dollar section.
New places you've been:
We took you to the playground at the beach last week and you had so much fun on the swings!! We walked along the beach and gave you your first real glimpse of the "ocean" - it was the bay - but you were in awe just the same. You smiled while watching the waves roll in. We wanted to play in the sand but it was too windy!
Other than that you've just been busy being wonderful. Mama and Daddy are so, so happy to have you in our lives. We can't imagine how we got along without you! We love you so much!
"Scarlett June, You're my moon..."
April 13, 2012
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