Nesting is in full-force!

There is just something about being pregnant that makes me want to have a clean, organized, uncluttered home. I always have this feeling, but when I am expecting, the feeling surges within me and urns to be unleashed. I try not to go full-force, as I would probably wear myself out and end up on bed-rest for the last few months. But I am trying to take full advantage of this maternal instinct when I can.

Yesterday, I decided to rearrange the family room, a.k.a. the play room. I pulled out the last of the toddler toys; just in time to get the packed up and put away neatly in the attic so that I can bring them down again. I reorganized the games and puzzles, so that everything fits neatly on the bookshelf. I filled an entire bucket with Happy Meal toys and laid them to rest in the recycle bin outside. This task, however, took great stealth, because if the girls saw me throw out their precious hippo that talks or miniature stuffed poodle they would have been devastated.

Today, I took on the girls’ closets. When we moved into this house, we installed closet organizers with the intention of keeping their belongings in a neat and orderly manner. What has happened is a different story. The shelves get piled with stuff that no one knows what to do with, shoes get thrown into a heap on the floor and too-small clothing sits in the corner. After a little work, a lot of removing and tossing out, both girls have fully functioning closets again.

As I look around, I see tons of other projects calling to be tackled…the kitchen cabinets need to be reorganized, the bathroom cabinets need a good cleaning out, and eventually the baby’s room needs to be started. I am not sure what project is in-store for tomorrow. Perhaps my nesting instant will take the day off; at least I hope so.

THREE!

Happy Birthday Vanessa!
A few days ago, you turned THREE! What an incredible year this has been for you. A year ago, you were talking in one or two word sentences, still relying on Mommy to translate, and using ASL as a means to get what you wanted. And now, you have an enormous vocabulary, enjoy singing, and at times, I cannot get you to be quiet. I feel that early intervention has been one of the biggest blessings that we were able to provide you. You were denied from the school district for services after three and I am not sure if that is a blessing or not. We are going to continue with several of the sessions that we had already been doing, but now we are more flexible to do what we want and not what the county is telling us to do.

Watching your personality develop has brought a smile to my face. You are funny! There is no kidding about that. Almost every picture we take of you, you are making a funny face. The things you say and do, will often make your Daddy and me laugh. You are my fireball! But I love your intensity and passion, although when you were a baby crying for hours on end, I don’t think I would have felt the exact same way. However now, you are able to channel it in a different way.

For the last few months, we have been building up your third birthday. On this special day, all bottles were to be gone from your life. This was a very difficult decision for me to force upon you, however one that is in your best interest. A few months back, a child therapist recommended that we let you keep the morning bottle, as your still needed that comfort and were “stuck” in infancy with regards to the bottle. So every day, you received one bottle of milk in the morning. On the other hand, I had your speech therapist upset that we were still giving it to you. So either way, your Mommy got into trouble by one person for you. Turning three however, was a big milestone and one that we could use as a transition into no more bottles. So on the morning of your third birthday, Daddy gave you a bottle without realizing what he was doing, until I came into the room. I asked you what was supposed to happen that day and what was in your hand. You gave me a cute smile, a little laugh and threw up your hand, as if to say “Oh yah, I forgot, I turn THREE today!” You walked over and put your bottle into the sink, without any prompting. Daddy and I just looked at each other and smiled. We were so proud of you for making that decision yourself and taking responsibility. It hasn’t been a walk in the park every morning without your bottle of milk, but it is getting easier as each day passes.

Swinging is still a favorite activity of yours, but riding your “big girl” bike is a new love of yours. What impresses me the most is that you are really good on your bike. You can now ride to the park or around the block without any assistance. Going for walks is much easier now that you can get there yourself. You love to play in the water, no matter how cold it is outside. If I am outside washing the car or watering the flowers, you will join me in your swimsuit eager to help. You are still a climber, as you always have been. When you want it, you go get it. Perhaps rock climbing is in your future…while wearing a princess dress. You are so girly; I have to double check to make sure you are really my daughter. Every day is a princess day. Your favorite is Snow White, but you’ll wear any princess dress, often changing multiple times. And your outfit cannot be complete without your earrings, rings and purses. You’ve gone everywhere in your formal wear and always get the most compliments.

One big milestone that you recently reached was being potty trained. I tried to get to this point a long time ago, but realized that you just were not ready for it. The more I forced it, that more it wasn’t happening. So I backed off. This last November, you started showing signs that you were interested. And within a short amount of time, you were out of day-time diapers. Of course, Santa brought you some new big-girl panties because Mrs. Claus was so happy with you.

As I look back over this last year and try to sum up your life into a few paragraphs, I realize how much you have grown and changed in these last 12 months. Like how you are now able to use a spoon, not just a fork. And drink from a cup without spilling. And put your shoes on by yourself (although often backwards, but nonetheless, they are on). And you have more interest in books and will sit while I read one to you. And you love to follow your sister, driving her crazy, whereas prior you wanted nothing to do with her. And you can now buckle your carseat by yourself. And your food intake consists of more than just chicken nuggets. And you enjoy playing with some toys and other children. And you desire to do things yourself. And I can leave you for periods of time. And how much of a little girl you are becoming.

I am overjoyed watching you grow and change and blossom into a little person. While I am happy that I can now take some personal time, I still love the fact that you love me so much you never want to leave my side. I know that when you are a teenager, that story may not be true anymore. So in the meantime, I might as well take all the kisses and hugs while I can get them.

I love you always. Happy Birthday!
Love, Mommy

"I'm FIVE today!"

To My Baby Girl,

Today you are FIVE! You have been waiting for this day for so long, in fact you started thinking about your 5th birthday the day after you turned 4. And ever since then, it has always been about “when I turn five”. This is a magical year for you, just as every year is, but turning five presents more opportunities for you to explore. Like what? Well, when I was kissing you goodnight last night and telling you how proud I am of you and of the person you are becoming, I asked if you knew what exciting event happens this year for you. Your response? KINDERGARTEN! I remember when you were so excited to start preschool and now I can see those same excited feelings rushing through your little body about going to Kindergarten this Fall. Oh, and the first words out of your mouth this morning were, "I'm FIVE today!"
This last year has been one of growth for you. Not only are you taller now physically at age 5 than I was at age 6, but growth in maturity and in whom you are as an individual. Watching you interact with your sister is wonderful. Well, maybe not the fighting and yelling, but the love and care that you show her and dedication to helping her. You went out last night for dinner with Grandma and Papa to celebrate your birthday. When you arrived home, you toted along two balloons: one for Vanessa and one for you. Now, how many siblings would even think about getting their sister a balloon? Yet, that is the first thing you think of. With each passing day as the arrival of your new sibling comes closer, you constantly are reminding me of how you’ll be my helper with the baby. You’ve offered to share your room and even sleep next to the baby so that she doesn’t fall off of the bed at night. You’ve decided where everyone should sit in the car, so that each person has their own seat. And being as gracious as you are, you’ve offered to take the back seat in the Tahoe, so that the baby can be closer to me. Because it’s not fun sitting way in the back or anything! You still have your alternative motives, but I love your gracious spirit.
While you are not reading books by yourself yet, you have the capability too, yet the complete desire isn’t always there. But who can blame you? I’d curl up next to a warm body too and have them read me stories if that was an option. But you understand how language works, and always have. Last week, you asked me to tell you a word, a three letter word. I would tell you a word and then you would write it down, sounding each letter out. You wrote approximately 15 words by yourself, knowing only if they were 3 or 4 letter words. It was basically a mini spelling test, which I always disliked in school, yet you treasured the entire process. You still love to do puzzles and are very good at them. However, more advanced games are now becoming appealing, like Dominos and Operation.
We recently got television at home, not that we didn’t have a T.V., but we got the service that allows us to actually watch shows. Yes, your parents are slow sometimes. But what was so wonderful was that it was completely foreign to you, yet made me realize that you were not missing out on your childhood, that I really wasn’t depriving you that much, that I wasn’t a horrible Mommy by not exposing your to Dora on a daily basis. Yes, we had movies that you watched, so it wasn’t like you were living in the stone-age. The first time you saw a commercial, you thought the show was over. You did not understand what a commercial was, nor knew what it was even called.

During this last year, your self-confidence has taken a huge leap. You now have faith in your ability to ride your bike to the park and swim in the pool. You were introduced to skiing and are anxious to go again. You are a social butterfly, making friends wherever you go. The older boys on the block, all ages 12-14, ring the doorbell often asking if you and Vanessa can play. Perhaps it’s the fact that they do not have sisters, but they will spend hours outside with you, playing games that are kid-friendly and appropriate, mentoring you in a positive way.

This year, you are in a Pre-K class. It is the first time where I would say that you actually have friends in your class and are well liked. Last week we had your birthday party and almost every one of your classmates attended. Friend Laura told me that, in her family, birthdays every 5 years, when you are little, are a big deal and celebrated with a special birthday party. So we had one, one that you’ve been asking for a year. It was awesome to watch you interact with each one of your friends, with their own personalities and differences. But you see right past those differences and look into their heart. Your close friends from outside of school still hold a special place in your heart, as they always have and will. Friends are important to you and something that you won’t lose easily. You teach me daily about the blessings of friendships.

A few weeks back, when I picked you up from school, you told me that I would be so proud of you because you didn’t do two things at school that day. Oh how excited I was to find out what they were! Perhaps you didn’t share the jobs or clean up after yourself? What things DIDN’T you do today, I asked. “Mommy, I didn’t bite my nails today and I didn’t pick my nose today,” you proudly responded back. I was about to fall off of my chair laughing, but thought that might be a little rude to you. Yes, I was so very proud of you and of your self-control. Learning self-respect is a hard concept to grasp, but something that we are working on.
One big change in your physical appearance this year has been the elimination of your bangs. Why am I writing about this? Because this is big for you! Since the time you began having haircuts, it has always been what I want to see on you. Never have you had an opinion, until now. Last Fall, you decided that you wanted to grow your hair long and grow your bangs out. So we began this painful process, on the condition that you have something in your hair until it is long enough to stay out of your face on it’s own. And for someone would prefer their hair down, with only as little as a headband in it, this has been rather difficult, but you have stayed with it and I commend you for not giving up.
Your inquisitive mind has been in overdrive lately. You are always asking questions, whether to clarify a situation or to understand something better. A year ago, I could tell you something and it really didn’t faze you if you didn’t know what one word meant. Yet, this year, you stop me in mid-sentence and ask what one word meant or to explain my statement again. Don’t ever lose your inquisitive mind. By understanding language and how the world works, you will be successful with your passions.
I am so very proud of the person you are becoming. Every day, I see my Baby Girl growing into a beautiful young lady, full of passion and love, maturing with each passing day, learning the meaning of self-respect. As I look back over pictures from this last year, I am saddened that you are growing up so fast. You’ll always be my Baby Girl. However, I am overjoyed that I get to experience the world with you in my life.

I love you beyond what words are capable of. Happy Birthday!
Love, Mommy

Roller-coaster Fun

Last Monday, I was lying on the floor during the “resting” period of my yoga class. The lights were dimmed, everyone was quiet and we were all trying to be as comfortable as any pregnant woman can get. Whenever I am sitting still, whether it is watching a television show, working at my desk, or reading, I almost always have a hand on my tummy. I love to feel the baby move around inside. To me, it is an awe inspiring experience to go through and one that I find is truly a miracle. Anyways, I was resting with my hands on my tummy when I felt the baby move…not just on the inside, but on the outside! The kicks and rolls are starting to get stronger, which means a growing baby fighting for room. Bill felt movement on Friday, so I know from now on, my stomach is just going to be a roller-coaster of movement.

A chilly Winter afternoon at the park