Bitty Bruno

TWO

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

24 Months

2012-02-20T21:30:00.000-08:00

February 21, 2012

Its that time.
Already.
When someone asks me how old you are and I simply start answering "two" - no longer will we count your age in months.

This is the last blog post I will write on your monthly developments. You are a big girl now. Its time to start treating you like a toddler and no longer like my little infant, although you will ALWAYS be my baby. I will continue to document all your wonderful milestones and the curious things you say - but I suspect that they will be less frequent so I will now keep a book for you.

I worked hard putting your party together. You LOVE bubbles and Elmo so I joined the two together and illustrated and designed all the matching pink elmo decor so you would have a a fun themed party of your dreams in gigi and papas back yard..

All your closest friends came to your party. Only Owen couldnt make it because him and his little brother were sick. You got beautiful toys and clothes - all your favotite things - minnie mouse, hello kitty, disney, baby dolls, tea sets, bath toys - you even got a watch!!!

My favorite part of the whole day was when you were opening presents, as tired as you were you managed to keep a smile on your face, jump up and down and clap your hands. You never complained once, the entire day. I am so incredibly blessed to have such a gentle and sweet little girl.

I remember before you.
Before your dad.
When I was a very busy and very single young lady.
My mom, your Nana, said to me: "One day you will have a child, and you will not remember what you did before their existence." I thought (respectfully) she had lost her marbles. I was so busy how would I possibly forget my day to day schedule.

Its true. As always, Nana was right. My life was nothing before I met you. Not a day goes by that I don't want to hold your hand as I drive until my arm goes numb, not a moment passes that I don't want to share fairy kisses and hear you giggle. I look forward to coloring with you, dancing, reading and snuggling - thats all that matters to me is to feel your warm breathe on my cheek. You are amazing.

Two years ago today I was asleep the recliner in your nursery because my belly was SO HUGE I couldn’t get comfortable in my own bed. Little did I know that just 5 hours later I would be headed to the hospital, in labor and already 5 centimeters dilated.

Tonight, I was in the exact same place as I was two years ago only this time I held you in my arms reading you your bedtime story and giggling about how"minnie" got out her cage and how the "mermee" has wet hair from the bath.

I shed a tear - not because I am sad. Simply because you are growing up so fast. I want to slow time down and cherish more with you. I am grateful for your health, curiosity, happy go lucky personality and your beautiful soul.

Happy Birthday Bugsy.
I love you more than all the stars in the sky.

For the man like your dad

2012-02-16T12:01:00.003-08:00

I'm going to tell you now, days away from your second birthday that your dad is the best man you will ever know. I knew I loved him and wanted to marry him because e is the kind of guy I would want my daughter to marry. Then I had you. One day you will go on dates and one day you will fall in love. I will always urge you to pick a man not much unlike your dad.

Your dad, although a bit of a "los kop" is brave, strong, sincere, sensitive, noble, helpful, kind, genuine, serious, smart, creative, loving, honorable, dignified, charismatic, friendly, social, honest, faithful man.

That being said - when you fall in love with a man like your dad one day. This is the advice I have for you:

Write him letters
Go on regular date nights
Write his name on lipstick on the bathroom mirror
Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
Pray together
Hide notes in secret places
Go to bed at the same time
Listen to music together-share earbuds
Send him on a scavenger hunt in the house
Buy him gifts he will love
Hide a treat in his glovebox or desk at work
Read the Bible together
Praise your spouse to other people
Let them overhear you
Read a marriage devotional
Porn-proof your home
Be best friends
Sleep in his t-shirts
Look to him to make the big decisions (see comment section for my opinion on #20, #21)
Don’t nag him
Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
Fight naked
Tell him you like him
Receive his compliments
Pick your battles
Go away together at least once a year
Frame your wedding vows
Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
Kiss in front of your kids
Make his favorite dessert
Make sex a priority
Spend time apart occasionally
Learn to enjoy something he loves
Surprise each other
Meet him at the door
Dreamstorm
Text each other from across the room
Be accountable to each other
Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
Be affectionate
Leave work and come home early
Engage every day in meaningful conversation
Compliment each other
Touch your spouse several times throughout the day
Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
Let each other sleep in
Be spontaneous!
Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
Kiss every day
Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
Forgive quickly
Be honest.
But not hurtful
Get on the same page: plan your budget together
Look your best as often as you can
Guard your marriage
Get out of debt (and stay out)
Laugh together
Have a date night in
When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
Talk about your favorite memories together
Tell him he’s sexy just because
Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it
Make him breakfast in bed - unless he is like your dad and is up at the crack of dawn!
Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
Read a book out loud together
Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids
Bring him a favorite drink during the middle of the day
Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc
Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment
Tell him a secret he doesn’t know about you
Thank your spouse just because, often
Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant
Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
Teach your kids about marriage
Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer
Create art together
Support each other’s goals
Know when to talk and when to hush
Consider counseling (even if there’s not conflict)
Doodle his name
Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)
Wear something he loves
Share furniture-sit in his lap
Fight for your marriage

101 things to do with my toddler

2012-02-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

1. Color
2. Blow Bubbles
3. Play Hide-and-Seek
4. Peek-a-Boo
5. Play Chase
6. Do Finger-plays
7. Sing a song
8. Collect rocks in a basket
9. Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture
10.Make a fort out of cushions and sheets
11. Go for a Walk
12. Make a Car out of a Box
13. Read a book
14. Go to the park
15. Finger-paint
16. Play with Play-Dough
17. Toss Bean bags into a Bucket
18. Play the shell and pea game
19. Dance to music

20. Download games for toddlers from the Internet
21. Practice putting things in and taking things out of boxes and bags
22. Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch
23. Roll a ball back and forth on the floor
24. Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl)
25. Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision)
26. Put on a puppet show
27. Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn
28. Make a Horseshoe game
29. Make a Shape Puzzle
30. Play paper basketball
31. Run through a Sprinkler
32. Play with a bucket of water and a sponge (PLEASE WATCH CHILD AT ALL TIMES!)
33. Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
34. Play with a kazoo
35. Wash windows together
36. Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon
37. Brush each other's teeth
38. Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes
39.Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other
40. Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other

41. Make a playhouse out of a large box
42. Let child play with a sticker sheet (make sure your child doesn't eat them!)
43. Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets
44. Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
45. Go on a Smelling Hunt
46. Frost Cookies
47. Plant a flower or vegetable plant together
48. Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket
49. Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers
50. Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
51. Have a splash party together in the bathtub
52. Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house
53. Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!)
54. Make and try on paper hats
55. Give a piggy-back ride
56. Play "Horsey"
57. Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice)
58. Play tug-of-war with a blanket
59. Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...)
60. Make a camera and go on a Safari

61. Play games with lids
62. Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives
63. Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too
64. String large beads onto or along a shoelace
65. Squirt each other with squirt bottles
66. Glue shapes onto paper
67. Make sock puppets
68. Make paper puppets
69. Fill an old purse with toys
70. Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone
71. Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching"
72. Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
73. Act out a story from a book
74. Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
75. Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
76. Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk
77. Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones!
78. Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror
79. Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it
80. Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
81. Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
82. Do the Hokey Pokey
83. Make a super-hero costume out of household items
84. Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes
85. Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop"
86. Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
87. Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!)
88. Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro
89. Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells
90. Learn numbers from a deck of cards
91. Play the matching game with a deck of cards
92. Make a domino chain
93. Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
94. Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes
95. Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it
96. Make a nature collage
97. Mirror each other
98. Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper
99. Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways
100. Make and walk along a toilet paper trail

101TAKE A NAP!

23 Months

2012-01-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

January 21, 2012

I would have to say this was your busiest month to date. After two years of being home with you, your dad and I decided it was time not only for you to enjoy the company of other children your age, but for mommmy to return to work so that we can work toward our 2 year plan. Its an aggressive plan but your dad and I are motivated.

Knowing that our full days together were numbered I made sure we gout out and about and had as much fun as possible. Trips to the safari park were a weekly occurrence and we got to sit sometimes for as long as an hour watching the elephants. We had Shea come to our house to play, you went to Wyatt's house to play, we had bubble days, color days, dress up parties (just you and I" we lunched like ladies of leisure, we took naps, went for LONG walks, went shopping - you name it we did it and loved every minute.

You are a large vocabulary now - and can understand almost everything but you are still learning to announce your words. I can tell you try very hard and am proud of your enthusiasm. You absolutely love sitting on my lap and listening to me read your books before bed. Even though we have read the same books over and over you never grow tired of them. Your favorite books are jack in the beanstalk and goodnight moon.

You seem to have grown a bit tired of the ipad - and prefer to spend your time coloring. You will lay on your belly for half an hour repeatedly drawing little circles. I have kept some of these pages you are quite amazing - it makes me wonder what is going through your brain and what you will grow up to be.

I am amazed that soon you will be two. How did my tiny 7lb 11 oz baby grow up to be a sweet natured toddler so quickly!?

22 Months

2011-12-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

December 21, 2011

This month has been full of fun and festive excursions. It made me grateful that I am not working. I have never been in the Christmas spirit more than I was this year. Having you and seeing the world through your eyes changes everything. We met with a few santas, saw houses lit up, some parades, went to a tree lighting or two and at ourselves into a stupor. Lats year you were very little. This year I was bale to read to you about Jesus, you sat for allot longer than usual. That is what is important to mommy at Christmas time.

For the last few months I have told myself that I don't need to make a big deal about your 2nd birthday like I did for your first But then I asked myself: "self...Why not?" Right? Why not - you deserve it - I love ding it and I never want a single birthday of yours to pass without a "song and a dance". I am fortunate that with only one child I have the time and resources to be able to make a big deal. So I am working hard to get that all together as we "speak"

You are getting funnier with the things you say. The other night when you were in the bath, you had all your animals, and "mermee's" floating about you - but you had especially selected two small frogs to float alone in a little jug. I asked you why you had singled them out and who they were...you proceeded to tell me that they were gigi and nana (both your grand mothers) I love to imagine what goes through your thoughts - you are very creative and busy.

You're starting to string words together now. On one of our many errands to Target, you had a little snack pack of organic cheddar bunny crackers as you got down o the last few you were having a rough to holding onto the bag and eating at the same time so inevitably the little bag was turned upside down and all the bunnies were left on the street. You weren't too heart broken about it - and as quickly as we walked away so the little birds fluttered in to take a munch of their good fortune. I explained to ou - that it wasnt a bad thing that you dropped your crackers - the birds were making lunch out of them. We packed the car, got settled in and as we were driving off you said to me: "mamie, beard, bubby kacker" (bird, bunny, cracker) I melted.

It has take you a while to get past "tu" - when I ask you to count you say with ease "wuuun, tu" and thats it...today (01.07.12) you said three :-)

Thank you for being such a brilliant little bean - I am so incredibly proud of every accomplishment no matter how big or small. Every night when daddy and mommy get into bed we say how amazing you are. Thats the truth!

21 Months

2011-11-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

November 21, 2011

"WYTE"...
Thats the color you have down.
What color are your teeth?
What color is daddy's car?
What color is your chair?

Shew, a proud sigh of relief you have learned a color!...Then I asked you...What color is the frog, because I wanted to start on a new color..."WYTE" you say. Oh dear - I don't think its that you don't understand color, I think its that you don't understand the word color. No worries, in time, you will know color very well.

There has been no further progress on your desire to use the potty - several times you have told me you have a "kucka" and I race to get you on the potty - and there is nothing there - I think you like how I madly grab you rip your clothes off and haste and sit n the floor smiling - you must think Im a lunatic! again...in time you will get it. No rush :-)

You have such an amazing memory. Two months ago we went to the wild animal park and after I had changed your diaper, I needed to potty, so had you stand in the stall with me, explicitly explaining to you not to touch anything and to stay very clear of the gaping hole in the floor that was missing its grate. Well today we went to the wild animal park and I needed to change your diaper in the same trailer restroom...when I was done changing you and washing my hands, I noticed you had walk aay, I went to look at what you were looking at...you were looking at the hole in the floor that had since been repaired with a grate. There have been several instances where you have done that. A good memory is a wonderful gift to have!

As Christmas nears there are allot more creatures and items around to learn about. Although you are not a big fan of Santa - you know exactly who he is, but I think your favorite Christmas creature of all is the reindeer - you tell me "dee mama, dee"

Every morning when you wake up, before we even change your diaper, your first request is "more meelk" and pah-pah. I lift you out of your crib with your rats nest dreadlocked hair and we cozy on the floor and do a puzzle together. I explain the same thing every morning to you - that if you find the chicken head then we need to find his feet and put them together. Or if you see a house with a gate - then lets find another piece with a picture of a gate and join those together. It was a daunting 335 piece puzzle at first - now you're almost doing it on your own. No jokes! The part amazes me is not only do you understand a combination of three pieces, how they turn to fit each other but also to clip in each side. That was your biggest struggle is understand that the pieces joins on several sides and now you have it!

Your favorite book is still the same favorite since you were 17 months. Jack and the bean stalk. Nan brought it for you, she got it at Woolies in South africa. You know the book so well - you read it to me! You start by telling me there is a bug on the cover and "more bug" on the spine (thats the brand of books "Ladybird Books") then you go on to tell me "yack"(Jack)..."man" (giant)..."kicken" (golden goose)..."dadda" (cos the giant has boots like daddy)..."tee" (the giant has 3 yellow teeth"..."mama" (jack climbs down the tree and gives his mom the golden goose and gives his mom a hug)

I can't wait for Christmas. Our tree is up - and although we already have three casualties in the ornament department - you're having a fun time. I have never been so excited about Christmas before. You give Joy and happiness a whole new meaning!

Current list of words:
Ant, bair (bear), bubble, bulla-uf (butterfly)bet (bed), bebee (berry), bee, but (belt), birt (bird), boot, bug, baby, bag, ball, bear, bed, bike, cookie, car, chair, cheers, dee-dee (Diaper), dee (deer), eee (ear), eh-ee (ele for elephant), guck (duck), kucka-poopoop, keys, keers (cheers), kees (cheese), kicken (chicken), man, meelk (milk), min-ma (minnie mouse), mer-mee (mermaid), nor (no), nana, pum-mum (pumpkin), puh-puh (puzzle) raffe (girafe), truck, tea, wo-win (owen), wog (frog), white, wallamalla (watermelon), Wut-wa (apple) yeah,

Pink

2011-11-12T21:40:00.001-08:00

Advice: Enjoy your own company

2011-11-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

20 Months

2011-10-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

October 21, 2011

I've had several people ask me about the latest on your lymphangioma. We have still to wait for a second opinion from Boston. For now besides that we are simply watching your speech. I have had two people tell me to get you into speech therapy so not knowing what I am doing and out of my love for you and your happiness and health I called about it. They say you are too young now, but when you are two years and 9 months old we can call them back and they will evaluate you. We need to keep a close eye on your speech to see how the cystic hygroma will or will not effect you.

After seeing a video of your friend Cohen (remember he is one week younger than you) I was thoroughly impressed how many colors he knew. I've been putting allot of energy on letters and think maybe you are too young so am going to lay off for a bit and work more on colors. You are not too interested though so I am not going to push you, but al through our day I point out a single color. Last week we collected all your green toys and went looking for green frogs at the golf course. We also worked on white - your teeth are white, moms car and your play chair. Green you have a tough time with but white you can say and point out (high five-knuckles)

Firsts
YAAAAAY you went poop for the first time in your potty!
You said "cuckky" and pointed to your booty. I noticed you were straining and told you: "Let's go to the toilet".
We took your diaper and socks off and you did what was left in you. GREAT Excitement - we called dadda and gigi to tell her the fun new news. I know you are young and this may take many months more but the fact that you told me is the first step in our potty training :-)

First sleep over!
Today, on October 21 we went to Ruben and Renee Garcia's wedding. All our usual care givers like aunty and gigi were going to be at the wedding, so you went to stay with Bri, Noah and Shea in their adorable house in Cardiff. Bri is 9 months pregnant which made me nervous I know how tiresome that can be on its own, but she is so sweet, and easy going, she said there were no problems. She said you were a very good girl and you and Shea hugged and kissed, rearranged the playroom chairs and held the babies. you got to eat a yogurt pop and went with Shea and her folks to the donut shop in your pajamas for breakfast - it sounded like you loved every minute, she said you didnt cry once or even get scared! I can't wait for Shea to come spend the night with us!

Current list of words:
Ant, bair (bear), bubble, bet (bed), bee, but (belt), birt (bird), boot, bug, baby, bag, ball, nana, bear, bed, bike, car, truck, wo-wan (owen), kees (cheese), chair, cheers, keys, keers (cheers), tea, mer-mee (mermaid), guck (duck), wog (frog), cookie, eee (ear), eh-ee (ele for elephant), bebee (berry), raffe (girafe), no, yeah, white, man, wallamalla (watermelon) bulla-uf (butterfly) pum-mum (pumpkin), kucka-poopoop, dee-dee (Diaper)

19 Months

2011-09-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

September 21, 2011

Usually I find the people in this world to be unkind, rude and pushy. My grandfather always told me the world is full of idiots.
Looking through my daughters eyes I see now that its more that people are afraid, shy or private. When we walk around our beautiful neighborhood, Franki smiling from the stroller, the dogs trotting along sniffing every shrub people of this planet have no problem at all smiling at us, sometimes even stopping to give a compliment and it cost them nothing but makes our day.

Children are such blessings, they make this world a better place, inspiring actions and feelings in people that in turn make others want to do the same. Never have I encountered so many lovely personalities that are complete strangers since Franki came into my life.

I am still not working full time, so we get to go to the childrens museum, science center, library story time, botanical gardens, aquarium and zoo with Owen and Wyatt and you point out the people as much as you do the animals. The animals are not strange or different to you, you are very matter of fact about them as if they're as common of a thing in your life as your baby doll. Speaking of which. You have suddenly grown attached to the "baby" you have 4 different kinds but the one in particular you insist on taking everywhere. You will not put her down, you always pass her directly to me to hold no matter where we are.

Firsts:
This month you put one shoe on for the first time with no help, it was the wrong shoe on the wrong foot but you determination and independence has grown in leaps and bounds this month. I watch you as you walk about, full of confidence, saying hello to people as they pass by and telling me all day about things you see.

You also went to your very first ballet class. Bri invited us to Shea's ballet class and I had no idea what to expect, half expecting you to cling to my leg, I didnt really think we'd be staying that long. I put a little pony in your hair, and since you dont have ballet clothing, I just let you wear pink tights and a little shirt with dancers. The studio requests the girls to all wear ballet slippers, well arent you a lucky little sausage that Nana brought you beautiful satin slippers from South Africa. All the teachers and other parents were asking where I found such beautiful ballet shoes! Boy-oh-boy did you surprise me! Off you went hopping and skipping, twirling and jumping, copying the other kids and all with a big smile on your face - it was a delight to see, my heart leaped for joy because ballet was mommy's first love.

You are enjoying stickers. You understand that they stick and then when they get dirty and stop sticking you lose interest in them. Not a day goes by that I don't have a hello kitty or bear stuck somewhere to my body.
True Story: You had been gifted a sticker of a banana kicking a soccer ball from Albertsons. Without my knowledge you had cleverly stuck it to my t-shirt. Since it was right under my boob when I looked down it was completely hidden, the only time I realized I had that sticker on me, was when I got in the shower at 9pm that night. I chuckled to myself. "The mom Life" :-)

You went through a period where you were obsessed with clothing, how they are put on and how the different pieces work so we went to Geppettos Toy Store to get you the doll with zippers, snaps and buttons...Whilst we were there, you tripped and fell. I noticed blood but knew you hadn't fallen that hard...I whisked you out the store and into the car to get a better look at your injury.

To my shock it appeared that your lip had pushed through the gap in your two top teeth. I was horrified. When you stopped crying, although still bleeding I gently tugged to see if I could pop your lip out. I had no luck. I called to make an appointment to see the doctor and they could only see us in three days, this didn't worry me because I thought by that time the swelling would have gone down and we could get a better look. On day two I lifted your lip to see what was going on...Still your lip was stuck, after careful investigation I realized it wasn't stuck but had grown this way! My heart sunk into the pit of my stomach. Not knowing what this was and what it would entail to get rid of it I got sad thinking of having to put you through surgery. You have been through so much already with your cystic hygroma.

It tuns out you have what they call a "Labial Frenulum". I called up a friend who is a pediatric dentist and he confirmed what it was, he said its nothing to worry about and very common and if it hasn't split and healed itself by the time you're a pre teen they would just snip it - no big deal. We then saw your doctor and he confirmed this all to be true. My sweet love, unfortunately you are like your mum with a few weird things to contend with as a child but with time and growth they will disappear and everything will be just fine.

When we were seeing doctor Frumin about the Labial Frenulum we also did your "18 month well check" these were se stats:
height: 34.5"
weight: 28.9"

Current list of words:
Bubble, bug, baby, bag, ball, nana, bear, bed, bike, car, truck, wo-wan (owen)cheese, chair, cheers, keys, cookie, duck, man.

Proverbs 3:6

2011-09-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

The artist Stephanie Ackerman created this doodle. I need you to carry this in your heart.

18 Months

2011-08-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

August 21, 2011

You are so so smart. I often under estimate you since you can barely talk - but then you will figure something out all on your own and I suddenly realize how fast you are growing, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. The other day when you had sucked all the air from your sippy cup, you knew if you turned the nipple sideways and bit down it would relieve the pressure and you could get more liquid out!

When I say - its dinner time, lets sit in your chair, you run to the drawer with the spoons, and although you can't see inside the draw - your little hand fishes around until you feel one of your spoons. You're not quite feeding yourself yet but definitely getting better which surprises me since all your shaped block toys, you have down, no problem you simply slot the specific shape its the correct shaped hole.

Your mannerisms continue to keep us giggling. You now role your eyes, shrug your shoulders, close your eyes when you want us to go away and love doing your own summersaults on the bed - unassisted!

More words this month...
Buh-boo = bubble
Mah = more
Bah = bus

This month was a magical one. Not only did mom turn the big three-five, but your nana met you for the first time!
On August 12, 2011 dad picked you up from Jenni's and I drove downtown o get my mom. She had flown over 27 hours hours to come see us. When I saw her coming down the escalator at San Diego International, I could not hold back my blubs, we embraced and cried like babies we were so happy. I have not seen my mommy in two years. Now that I myself am a mommy to a daughter I can now understand how heart wrenching it must be to be so far from your love, blood and flesh.

Your nana was overjoyed the first time she met you. You had been napping, so when we got you out the crib you just stared at her as she felt your likely hair and gave you cuddles. It was a very special moment I will never forget. We spent most of our days at home walking about the neighborhood, just relaxing and catching up. There were a few days where I needed to go to work and so your nan took care of you, cooked for you and gave you smooches. She so enjoyed your lively personality, she let you jump on her and squeeze her to the point where she had little bruises everywhere, but she didn't even care. She was just so happy to see your smily face and disheveled hair.

It was very, very sad saying goodbye to nana. We dropped her at the airport and went to park the car. We had to take a shuttle bus back to the airport because they are doing construction on the parking. I was so worried we would not see her again to say a proper goodbye. You were very excited to be on the bus. It was your first time. Thank goodness we did see nana again. We walked the hallway and looked at the art and nana showed you all the different colored busses that were passing by. But you got tired. It was late and so it was time to leave. You gave nana a big kiss and so did mommy and we waved goodbye. Soon we will see nana again and mommy is very excited for when that day comes.

Passion

2011-08-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

A Toddler's Rules of Possesion

2011-08-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

I read this on a blog...And had to giggle, because its true :-)

1. If I like it, its mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it' broken, it's yours.

First: Love Jesus...

2011-08-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

17 Months

2011-07-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

July 21, 2011
The reason I never have time to open a book or download one onto the ipad is because I follow a plethora of blogs...mommy blogs, design blogs, photography, cooking, basically everything in life that makes me: me :-) One thing I noticed on the mommy blogs, is that although they diarize their babies growth so beautifully "month 17" is missing in many cases. Well now I know why.

This has been your busiest month of all. With your learning to walk last month, you are now trying to figure how to run and climb and jump. You want to go up the road, down the road, chase Bede and Mr. Scruff and never sit in your stroller. I had heard about this stage. Unless I put you in the ginormous car cart at the grocery store, in spite of only needing one item, there is just no way to get through the store without you taking off and tearing everything down in your wake. Of course everything you do is with a great shrill scream and tremendous excitement. It only makes chastising you that much more difficult because behind every "no Franki" I have a smirk. You are too darn adorable for your own good, just look at you in this picture sporting you very first ponytail!

As you get older, dad and I are trying to figure out the fine lines that separate treats from spoiling and teaching you sensible behavior versus having fun and knowing a good time needs to come to the end. Example: I was horrified to hear when you walked to the store with your dad, he gave you a fruit roll up treat, I am no opposed to treats contrary to what our family and friends think, I just want you eating stuff that wont give you a belly ache or cavities. Ok so its true. I worry allot. We we have come to an agreement, you are to get treats in any form every now and then. I will trust you will be ok :)

We are gearing p mentally for the next stage we are about to enter in, the potty training, toddler bed, no more sippy cup after bath etc etc. Im a little scared.

I really am grateful to you for being such a good girl, I hear other mums talk and you don't do any of the crazy stuff I overhear. You are so so good with going to bed with just your cup of tea, and sleep 13 hours a night, you are always smiley and more often than not you share. You are very loving and always wave hello and goodbye, even blowing kisses to the lucky few. You love bugs and cats and although you're a little freaked out by the airplanes (you always say uh-oh) you do like to point them out to me.

I love you more than life itself my angel bug.

Romans 8:31

2011-07-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Remember this if ever anyone is mean to you.

16 Months

2011-06-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2011

You're officially a toddler - a walking, mumbling, squealing machine!
When I lay you on my lap when you are tired and you put your little thumb in your mouth and look up at me with those big bluey green eyes my already mushy heart turns to liquid. You are just the cutest. I know all moms say that about there own children, but you really are. You are silly and fun and happy and easy going and very rarely do you complain. I am very proud of you.

You are sharp as a tack and don't miss a thing. When you set your cookie down to play and your buddy Owen nabbed it you very quickly noticed. When I try to trick you to get your diaper changed or swap out your water for milk, straight away you will let me know that you noticed.

Your words are getting more pronounced that now I can almost make out what yo are trying to say, then you point to make it clearer and I get it. We...or I should say you discovered a super book with all the words you are working on learning and we sit almost daily going over the pictures. You say "naa-na" for banana, "raaaf" for giraffe, "cowe" for cow, "dock" for dog, "ba" for baby and the words you don't yet know how to say like tree, elephant and lion you either make the sound or point right at it.

You're not quite feeding yourself with a spoon, you try with all our might and as much as you get the spoon into your mouth, most every drop of food lands on your lap. Unfazed you try and try again. You have great tenacity!

This summer has got off to a great start, we do so much together as a family. We take walks with the dogs up to the spitty fountain, we take your blow up pool and head down to the beach, you absolutely love the ocean and try to walk in as far as you can go!

On July 2, 2011 I started taking you for swim lessons. You are young by one month, and I wasn't sure how you would fare going everyday Monday through Thursday. We meet the lady from Swim Synergy at 4pm and you have a private lesson for about 15 minutes. The pool lovely and warm, and although you don't enjoy being laid on your back to float, you grumble and moan, you still do it and still learn. You amaze me. You love the water and are very brave, I want to keep it that way. The reason I put you in swim, is not because I plan to train you early to be an olympic swimmer, but because mommy and daddy love the water and are constantly near a pool, I am too scared to have you fall in and get hurt. With these lessons you will earn to float, flip, kick to the surface even get to the side of the pool! The investment and time is worth every moment for your safety.

You are my little girly girl and your aunty Andrea encourages it buying you purses, ruffle bikinis, pink water bottles and high heels. Your dad video taped you walking in your heels like a pro!

Proverbs 31:25

2011-06-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Are you there god? Its me Margaret.

2011-06-06T07:53:00.001-07:00

I often think of things to do with Franki that would be enlightening, fun, educational or creative however most of the things I think of are better suited for an older child. I am hopeful I dont forget these "things to do" by the time she does reach and appropriate age, but just incase I do I am going to jot down notes in this blog to look back on. Feel free to add ideas!

My co-worker who has two creative, intelligenet girls told me about this wonderful book written in the 70's about a girls quest for a single religion, its called Are you there God? Its me Margaret.

ACTIVITY
Book: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Author: Judy Blume

AGE
Preteen

ABOUT
A girl in sixth grade who grew up with no religion. Margaret's mother is Christian and her father is Jewish, and the novel explores her quest for a single religion. Margaret also confronts many other pre-teen female issues, such as buying her first bra, having her first period, coping with belted sanitary napkins (changed to adhesive sanitary pads for recent editions of the book), jealousy towards another girl who has developed a womanly figure earlier than other girls, liking boys, and whether to voice her opinion if it differs from those of her friends.

15 Months

2011-05-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

May 21, 2011
We all enter this world in different ways. You wouldn't think so at first, but some babies are born to moms completely naturally with no pain med, others are delivered cesarean long before 40 weeks, so are birthed after 18 hours of labor with complications etc etc. Yes every single child is fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. You are so perfect my love. Here I was fretting through my youth about the what ifs and unknowns, even as I went through a content 40 weeks I still had fears and concerns. I had never diapered or swaddled a baby (your dad had to teach me) I didn't know if I was supposed to powder your bottom, or what he "magic tricks" were to keep a baby comfortable...and yet when you came, we just did it. Some great advice was thrown our way but mostly we just figured out as we went along and you have turned out to be an attentive happy and healthy baby. Looking back - the hardest part was simply going through this journey without the one that knew me before I knew myself. My mom. Your granny. She would have been amazing.

Good news! She is going to finally come and meet you. When you are about 18 months old, she will hold you for the first time, she will hear your laugh, hold your hand and get to read you a story. I am so overwhelmed with emotions. My mom parented me very differently from how you are are and will be parented. You are blessed to have a large family and two parents that adore each other. My mom had to do it all alone and work. She knows stuff, and has seen stuff that you and I could never even imagine - her wisdom and strength is something we can both not only admire but learn from. Your granny will only be here for two weeks, but it will be the most blessed two weeks and we will all cozy together, take walks, swim, laugh and picnic.

Bath time has been very special. we all pile into the bathroom as a family, dad will sit on the floor and me on the toilet, we will laugh and blow bubbles, you play peek a boo with the shower curtain and dad gets a huge fright every time you splash him and falls over. I look forward to 6:15pm every day.

I understand why “they” call the navel a belly button. You are obsessed with that tiny little indent in your tummy, you constantly press yours as if it a light were going to switch on. Then you go looking for mine, whipping my shirt up and laughing hysterically when you find it, you do it to your dad too, you push your little finger as deep as it will go trying to figure out what it is. I don’t know which you think is cooler, that we each have one or that there is a hole in your belly.

Since you have been officially walking (stopped crawling completely May 21, 2011) I let you stroll rather than ride in your car as we walk Mr. Scruff to go potty. So every day you walk about one mile, it takes about an hour because you insist on stopping and smelling every flower you see, its adorable the way you lean over the flower and breathe out through your mouth, you bend your knees at every bush and meow then look at me – searching for cats because you saw one about a week ago. If a plane flies overhead you point at it and watch it until it fades out of sight and if a crow squawks even barely within ears reach you tell me, pointing with great excitement. I love how curious and aware you are, you are mellow and sweet. Simply perfect in every way.

Advancements:
YOU ARE SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!
I never thought I would ever get to say those words. You are a superstar! I lay you down at 6:30pm and you sleep until 6:30am the next day without a peep. No rhyme or reason, you just started doing it all alone. You don't need a sippy or bottle or pacifier. I just put on your binaural beats and close the door. That is it. Thank you love bug. Mommy smiles more with more sleep :-)

You are attempting to eat with your own spoon, I bought a special spoon with little holes that reduces the chances of it falling onto your lap, its working fairly well depending on the nature of the food, and you are very proud of yourself when you get a successful mouthful. Of course your walking improves on a daily basis and you are even trying to jump!

Go get it

2011-05-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

You're the only one who can make the changes you're craving. Don't expect the world to hand you what you want.

Songbird

2011-05-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

For you there'll be no crying
For you the sun will be shining
â€˜Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

And the songbirds keep singing
Like they know the score
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before

To you, I would give the world
To you, I'd never be cold
Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

And the songbirds keep singing
Like they know the score
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before

Like never before; like never before.

~ Fleetwood Mac

Stay Forever Young my gogo

2011-04-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud dignified and true
And do unto others As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave And in my heart you'll always stay forever young,

May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young,
And when you finally fly away I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime no one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young.

~Rod Stewart