warning: grab your toothbrush and floss for this sickening sweet sap.

June 25, 2014. Did you know we're six months out from Christmas Day. DID YOU KNOW?! You're welcome. : )

If we're six months from Christmas, we're almost six months from this gorgeous girl turning FIVE.

How on earth is it possible that time really goes by this fast when I spent the better part of my life wishing for the days to end?!?

I can barely keep up.

Neither can these two apparently:

Dad and Lovie fell asleep after Father's Day brunch, and before some mini golf. It was Lovie's suggestion--the mini golf. She said, "On Father's Day you're supposta take your father to mini golf." I thought it was a brilliant idea, so we went and, of course, I got two holes in one while my two playmates sulked.

Seriously though, I know it gets old--reading all the mom sap and all the Look-at-How-Bloody-Wonderful-My-Life-is posts on blogs and Facebook, etc--but really... I'M SO IMMENSELY BLESSED. I can't come here and pretend that I'm not.

Of course I have bad days.

Of course there are times when I want to remove myself from the picture and live life in solitude.

But then I look at my sweet girl or she tells me something funny and it all makes sense again. And life is beautiful and a blessing. Such a freaking blessing!


The other night when it was time for her bath, Lovie was getting in the tub and she looked up at me whilst holding onto my shirt and stepping into the tub (because she's so damn tall now that she insists she gets in and out of the tub by herself) and said, "Mama, did you know that you're my best friend?"

I mean... seriously. This was really said to me. By that little girl right up there just moments before I snapped that picture.

How on earth could I not feel anything but blessed?
And lucky?
And fortunate?
And enamored with life and all things Lovie?

Yeah I'm her mama and all that jazz, but honestly, this kid?

She's just pure amazing.

She's just such a gift.

Not a day goes by when I don't thank the universe for her.

So yeah... six months till Christmas and nearly six months till she turns 5.

Hold me?

on this day one year ago

...I posted a little story about Boating Voting!

It made me giggle reading it just now so I thought I'd share the giggle with you. Go forth now and enjoy. ;)

a gorgeous Sunday in Fall

There's so many things I love about this photo below:

As you can see, it's not a gorgeous image or anything. There's nothing special about it, really. Not to the average person. But to me, there's so much I love: the colors from the trees, the fact that the sun is getting ready to slumber, the awesome playground structure, and, of course, the people jumping into action.

I took the photo with my cell phone this past Sunday. We had just gotten done eating a late lunch after a little photo shoot by a lake. It was quite chilly out, but beautiful. Gorgeous, really. A gorgeous Sunday in Fall. Lovie asked if we could stop at the park and we obliged. Why not, right?

Turns out we were the only ones there, which was fine by me. Lovie generally only wants to play with other littles when we go to the park these days, but she was quite content with just hanging with us for some reason. Which we ate up. Taye especially.


We've been together for 13 years now-- Taye and me. There have been hot moments and some downright bitter cold moments. The first year after Lovie was born, things were a little rough. I was so damn tired. I still am but it's different now. Life is different. Lovie is different. I'm different. Watching the two loves of my life interact... it just truly warms my entire soul. And that's what I got to do Sunday during our park visit. I got to sit and watch and take photos and laugh. Man, did I laugh. Because these two are like two peas in a pod. Neither of them needs much sleep, both of them are super damn funny and chatty and outgoing. And they both adore one another.


Lovie and Taye are leaping from the sidewalk on the playgrounds' edge, steps from where I was sitting on a bench. They were being superheroes. I had called for help -- my Kitties were in danger because they made their way to the Monster under the bridge (per Lovie) -- and Superdaddy and Superbaby (I can't believe she still lets us call her Baby. We don't tell her she's a baby because she's not, but we do call her Baby instead of her name most of the time and I'm just really surprised she hasn't yet put the kibosh on that. I hope she never does.) were off to rescue them! Over and over again and again. Poor Taye was exhausted, but kept up with Lovie quite well. I was pretty impressed.



These are them. These are the moments I cherish with all my heart. This is life right here. This is living. I never dreamed it could be this damn beautiful. Stunning, really.

So this kid of mine...

So this kid of mine...

 

this child who makes a smile cover my face just when I think of her... this child who is so much more than I ever imagined... this child who is so damn smart and funny... this child who is quickly approaching 4... this child who is going to be a Pirate tomorrow for Halloween despite not allowing us to leave Costco one day last month without a Rapunzel costume (and wig)... this child who is worried that my hair is still white... this child who can't wait to have a baby come from her tummy one day... this child who is the essence of life, of beauty, of innocence, of purity...

She's said some fun things this year that I haven't really recorded here but probably should. Unfortunately I only started posting her quips to Facebook the other month so this is all I have:

Lovie: Mama can I have some hot chocolate?

Me: How about some warm milk?

Lovie: Well hot chocolate is made with milk so how about some hot chocolate?

 
**********************

Lovie: Mama why is your hair white?

Me: Because I'm getting old.

Lovie: Does that mean you're gonna be dead?

Me, wanting to scoop her into my arms forever: No baby, hopefully not for a long time.   

 

*********************
  
obviously this isn't a real conversation... not really:

Hi my name is Lovie and I'm so excited today is Saturday because that means we're having our tea party!! So because I'm so excited it took me extra long to fall asleep last night and then at 4:30 this morning I got up and came into my mommy and daddy's room because IT'S SATURDAY AND THAT MEANS WE'RE HAVING A TEA PARTY!!!! So what if the party isn't till 3 pm? IT'S SATURDAY AND THAT MEANS TEA PARTY DAY!!!!

**********************

Me: [Lovie], can you pick up the popsicle stick from the floor?

 

Lovie: popsicle?? Did somebody say popsicle?

 

Me, looking at used stick on floor from popsicle she consumed minutes prior: Yes, can you please pick up the popsicle stick and throw it away?

 

Lovie: popsicle?? Yeah sure I'll have another popsicle.

**********************

 

Me: So what do you want for Christmas?

 

Lovie, sitting upright in bed: A baby. I want a baby in my tummy (she pats her belly) because I haven't had a baby come from my tummy yet so that's what I want for Christmas.

 

Me, looking at her and then quickly back down to the books we were reading: Oh honey, it's going to be a long, loooong time before you can have a baby in your belly.

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy's Girl

These two:

They own my heart.

Especially when I see them together.

Last night Taye got home maybe 10 minutes after Lovie and me. This doesn't happen often. Maybe once every other month. More than not, Taye doesn't get home till after Lovie is in bed. Maybe once a week, he makes it home right at bedtime.

Last night we knew Taye wasn't going to be late, but we didn't know how early he'd be. So when Lovie saw him standing there in the laundry room (where the back entrance is)... it was like the heavens had opened up and shined a light on just the two of them. She screamed DADDY! and ran and leapt into his arms and just hugged him and hugged him. Then she looked over at me with the hugest smile before squeezing Taye again. They stood in the doorway hugging for at least four minutes. I should've gotten a camera because it was truly such a beautiful moment but I didn't think it would last as long as it did.

They both were so incredibly happy to just be there in that moment in time. Nothing spectacular going on in the day, no special reason. Just Daddy getting home from work a little early and his baby girl happy to see him.

This is what it's all about. These tiny little insignificant moments.

gush

“She seems so much older than three.”

 

I’ve been hearing this a lot lately.

 

Granted Lovie is just three months shy of four, but still, she’s three.

 

 

The girl has quite the vocabulary and can talk your ear off. She’s been like this since before two, believe it or not. Now though, she’s added spelling and writing her name and a few other words to the mix. And she absolutely loves all books (still), including books on CD in the car and at bedtime.

 

She’s a very smart girl who catches on immediately. She absorbs everything. And I do mean everything (as do most littles).

 

So I think that’s why people have been saying that she seems older than she is.

 

taking over piano duty at the grocery store

 

 

I generally just smile when people interact with her; I find it quite entertaining to watch when it happens, which is pretty much wherever we go. If you give her the time of day, she’ll find something to chat about. She’s a lot like her dad in that respect.

 

 

 

 

I’m glad she’s so social and verbal and communicative. I really am. I’m so proud of her I can’t even put it into words.

 

And my love for her? It truly does expand each and every day. How that’s possible, I have no freaking idea, but it truly does.

 

 

 

Still, when I hear people comment that she seems so much older than she is, a part of me worries. I suppose that’s because I’m a natural born worrier--people have been telling me all my life that I worry too much.

 

I just really want her to love life and live life to the fullest. I don’t want her to seem older because her youth was snatched from her.

 

I don’t want her to become me.

 

But I know she’s not me. I know she’s oh so different than me. She likes pink and dresses and princesses and ballet and tea parties and ponies.

 

 

 

She’s super outgoing and so much fun.

 

So it’s okay that she seems older. Because I know her childhood is still intact. I know her innocence and sense of wonder still remains. And I will do all that I can to ensure that it remains for a long, long time.

 

 

 

It’s just that I want her to remember jumping on the bed...having a popsicle for breakfast on Sunday morning...watching one more episode of Team Umizoomi before bed.

 

I want her to look back fondly on her youth.

 

I want a smile to shine on that gorgeous face when someone talks about childhood and she starts to reminisce.

 

 

I just need to let go of my insecurities from my own childhood, and try not to read into what people say about Lovie.

 

She seems older, yes, but she’s three and a half. Just ask her, she’ll tell you.

 

 

interview with a three year old

I really do need to video an interview with her because it's just so damn entertaining talking to her. And I need better questions that may elicit more than one or two word answers. As it was, I just asked these this morning on our way to school and I didn't have the questions I asked last time when she was 2.5 so I had to wing it. I do remember asking about our ages last time and how quick she was then to throw out some numbers... not so much this time. Girlfriend is really growing up, huh? And yeah, I know I just posted the photo yesterday but a) I love the photo and b) it's the only recent one I have of her where she's actually looking at me/the camera.

Reflecting back on Lovie's past year, there was a lot of changes: She nixed the pacifier (not such an enjoyable transition but not so difficult either when looking back); she started (and is still *sigh*) potty training; she moved up to the young preschool room at school; we made the switch from rear facing to forward facing; we made the switch from crib to toddler bed; she's pretty much without a high chair except when we play with play-doh; she's still the coolest damn kid in the world.

And. She's now THREE.

"Mom" by Lovie

I was gonna do this and then I wasn't. I was gonna do it and then had her do it but then decided to post this instead. But then I saw and read this and laughed so hard I had to share mine after all.

So that's that and this is it... Lovie's portrait of ... Me:

I stood by her as she created this. She kept looking at me and saying, "Ok now for the ... ears!" or whatever it was she drew next. She didn't look at me for the face, eyes, hair, or nose because I guess those she knows by heart. The rest she looked at me and studied me for 2.2 seconds before adding to her masterpiece.

So here's the breakdown, per Lovie:

 

Truth of the matter is, she's got it about right: I'm a blob.

TILTW: 8.11-8.17

* I can no longer eat these damn things:

* Forward Facing Lovie is so much easier than having her Rear Facing. I still feel that she'd be safer if she was rear facing and in the center, but she's getting so big and it was becoming really hard to communicate with her. I don't feel these are good reasons to forward face a one year old, but she's making her way toward three and is pretty big for her age.

* I enjoy having a clean car (after Taye moved the seat, I went and vacuumed the hell out of it).

* Lovie isn't ready to potty train quite yet. We tried last Friday - the whole day - but it was a big fat fail. I was super proud of my Lovebug; she did an amazing job of being super excited and compliant with going to the potty (hate that word) every 20 minutes. But she just doesn't care if she pees herself and won't release on the toilet. I'm not worried or anything; I think we'll give it another go Labor Day weekend.

* I really do believe Two and a Half is the bomb diggity. At least with my 2.5 year old. Her communication skills are incredible (they have been for a year now but hot damn it doesn't slow down!) and she's just a damn joy to be around. That said, the INSTANTANEOUS FREAKOUTS over who knows what are kinda nuts. Love it all, though!! :)

* I've come to terms with being "OK" if I were to get pregnant again. We're team One and Done all the way, but if it were to happen, I'm finally at a place where I'd be OK with it. Up till now, I was absolutely terrified of getting pregnant again.

* I fucking LOVE my new header... oh, and, while on the topic of the blog, I need only ONE more follower to hit 200. Who will it be??

My Home

I used to come here and gush all about her...

my Lovie.

I'd go on and on about all that she was learning and how fast she seemed to be growing. I'd marvel over her adorableness in photos I'd share any chance I could.

But then I kind of stopped.

It seemed like I wasn't getting as many comments when I gushed about my lovebug... not like I would when I made lists or tried my hand at fiction or other writing, which I absolutely love doing.

But the thing is, she is what makes me get up every morning.

Yeah, it used to be writing and getting all my thoughts down. And while that still does help today, there's so much more to me than writing. It's all about her.


I recently went away for three days and three nights. I left my Lovie in the hands of Taye, my husband (and her daddy). I knew she would be well taken care of. But a part of me was so afraid to leave. All the worse case scenarios popped in my head and I feared that I may not return home to my Lovie.

Mama, Lovie, Taye at the Wiggles show.

But then I realized this could happen at ANY moment.

I didn't just realize it when I went away; I've known for a very long time that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I feel like I've really tried living each day believing this- that tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

actual view from our room

So I went on that trip and I had the time of my life... and I missed the shit out of my Lovie. I watched kids and babies playing in the sand and water, laughing and having the time of their lives... and my heart ached to see my Lovie.

Lovie. with Mama poking out from behind at the Wiggles show.

And when my flight going home was cancelled for the day and another flight couldn't be booked till the next day? I wanted to just cry. Trying to find another flight home and get a hotel voucher for the night, the lady behind me was just wanting to get the voucher for the hotel room so she could "lock her kids up" when I just wanted to get home to my kid- to wrap my arms around my kid, to smother her with kisses.

Lovie and me at the Wiggles show

Lovie is my life. Plain and simple.

I am my own person, yes, but I'm her Mama. First and foremost, I. Am. Her. Mama. And there's nothing... NOTHING... in this world that could take that away from me. Nothing can make me feel guilty about wanting to watch her learn and grow every single day. Nothing can make me feel guilty for not wanting to be away from her.

Yes, my time away was very enjoyable... I slept in till 9AM one day! There was no diapers to change, no food to make for anyone. I laid on the beach and in the water for three straight days. The sun burnt my skin to the point that it's now grossly peeling. Cabana boys were at my beck and call. IT WAS FANTASTIC! I'm glad I went.

how we've basically spent the last several days- she's glued to me at all times. and i like it like that.

But I was even more happier to see that Lovie of mine when I finally got home.

She is my home.

Princess Cow Girl

Last night as Lovie and I played Grocery Store in her room for a few minutes before bed, I asked her what her favorite thing about Summer has been so far.

"Mmmm," she hummed, playing with her cash register. "Cawh Ga."

"What's your favorite thing about summer?" I asked again, not certain what the heck she was saying.

"Mmmm," she puts her finger to mouth to indicate she's thinking. "Cawh Ga!"

"Your favorite thing about summer is 'cawh ga''?"

"Nooo... Cawh. Gurl."

"Oh, COW GIRL?!"

"Yesss." Giggles.

"Your favorite thing about summer is Cow Girl?"

"Yes, cow girl. I wish I could ride a horse."

WHAT THE HELL IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?!

Then it dawned on me that I've been asking her a lot lately what she wanted to be for Halloween and proving her Two-and-a-half-ness, she answered my question about Summer as if I was asking about Halloween. I guess!

"You want to be a Cow Girl for Halloween?"

"Uh huh," she says smiling super big. "And I wish I could ride a horse!"

"Hm, well okay. But what about Summer? What's something that we've done that you really like? You know, like how we went to the zoo and saw the dolphins..."

"Oh dolphins! They dance and jump to the orange ball!"

"Yes, or how we went to the beach. Did you like going to the beach?"

"I like the beach and the sand with Mama and Daddy."

"So what was your favorite?"

"Mmmm..." finger goes up to her mouth. "I wish I could be a princess."

And that was the end of the conversation about Summer and cow girls and princesses.

So... I will take it upon myself to answer the question for her since she's my kid and I know what really was her favorite thing (so far) about this hellaciously hot summer: The Dolphin Show at the zoo.

And how do I know this was her favorite thing about the summer since she insisted it was being a Cow Girl? Because of this face:

That face is what transpired as we sat in the steaming hot arena waiting for the show to officially start... as she pointed to the dolphins that were right there in front of her...swimming, dancing, jumping.

Plus, she does talk about the dolphins swimming and dancing and jumping for the orange ball on occasion, too.

So that's what Lovie's favorite thing about this Summer has been.

And now, I guess I need to start looking for a Princessy Cow Girl costume for Halloween.

Leaving

In just a couple days I'll be going away for several nights. I'm flying into "Paradise" and meeting my BFF/cousin. Together we'll cab it to a beach location where we'll do as little as possible for three days and nights. We're doing this together because this is the year we both turn 40.

Age is just a number but for some reason, turning 40 is a big deal to me. Maybe it's such a big deal because, for the most part, I really enjoyed my 30s. I felt really true to myself in my 30s. Maybe it's such a big deal because I could be considered middle aged. Or maybe it's because I can finally, for the first time in my life when turning another century old, look back and smile.

Regardless of the whys, I've never really made a big deal about any of my birthdays, nor have I had anyone else make a big deal about it. No surprise parties or lavish gifts for me. And I wanted it to be different this time so all of that adds up to booking a trip to Paradise.

Doesn't it sound ridiculously wonderful?!?

It does, I know ... but ... I'm going alone: No husband, no child.

I love my husband and all but he's not the one I'm thinking about today. It's her. My Lovie.

I know people leave their kids all the time to do things without them. I understand that and I understand people wanting that break. But I don't. I don't want that break. I get enough of that break Monday thru Friday when she goes to school and I go to work for nine hours.

Would I feel differently if I didn't work outside of the home? Maybe, maybe not. It's tough to say because the thing is, I've waited so long to be mama to this little girl and I just want to soak up all of it. Every bit of it. The good and the bad. The screaming and the laughter. It's all a part of who she is and I want every last drop of it. Because one day, she'll be turning 40 and then what? Then she'll have her own life and want her own celebration.

I'm just a little nervous about this trip. It's only for three nights but it will be the first three nights away from her and... I already miss her.

...and I can't stop wondering about what if something goes wrong.

There, I said it.

I know that's not a good way to think but dear god almighty will she know, believe, understand, comprehend how much she meant to me if I don't return? How much she's loved and adored and cherished? Is she at the age where she could remember me if something happens? Will the photos tell a proper story of how she's absolutely everything to me? My sunshine? The air I breathe? 



Bubble bubble bubble POP!

The past several weeks, Lovie has been calling me Mama.

Before you wonder, she'll be 17 months (holy hell I had to seriously just count to make sure of this) at the end of the month. And she's just now calling me Mama.

Apparently she's been referring to me as Mama to the husband, to my dad, to everyone but me, and she's been doing so when she wants me. Like if I go to the bathroom and close the door, she'll try to get in and mumble something with Mama attached.

Or so the H has told me.

But this past week she's been calling me Mama. She's been looking me square in the eyes and saying, "Mama" and meaning me, her Mama.

I've been waiting so friggin long to hear her call me Mama and to mean it and every time she does it, I melt and get all weepy.

Last night I was sitting on the couch and she turned from the TV and pointed to the pictures we have up of the H and I when we were thin and the H and I from our wedding day and the H and I with our itty bitty Lovie the day she was born. She pointed and said, "Mama," looked me in the eyes, and smiled at me before turning back to the TV.

I sincerely choked up.

This child is so incredibly sweet. I just... sometimes she really leaves me speechless.

_______________________________________________________

Speaking of last night, it was Lovie's first bath outside of the ducky tub. My little baby doll is getting to be such a big girl.

I went in to the bathroom to start the bath and the ducky tub was against the wall (normally it's in the tub). Lovie grabbed the ducky and tried bringing it to me to put in the tub. Hehe. She's so sweet. And such a good little helper.

I told the H to take the ducky tub, along with Lovie, and go into the other bathroom and leave it in there and let Lovie know that's where it'll be.

When they came back it was time for "Naked Baby!" (we're dorks and get all hyped up about getting Lovie naked and in the tub in the hopes that by being excited, she won't fight getting undressed so much, etc)

We tried getting "Naked Baby!" in the tub but she wasn't liking it... and really, who could blame her? She's spent most of her life relaxing in the squishy, comfy confines of the ducky tub and here we were trying to sit on the hard, huge tub.

She clung to me like never before and I just let her hold on to me but kept her feet in the tub, talking softly, trying to convince her it was going to be ok as I smoothed some warm water on her itty bitty butt.

She still clung to me.

I could tell part of the problem was that it was super slippery and hard so I told the H to grab a big towel so we could put it on the floor of the tub and that way she could have a better grip.

It didn't phase her.

Then I tried squirting her with her little bath toys and that got her to stop whining and actually giggle a little but she still wouldn't leave my side.

So then... I got out the bubbles! And BAM! she sat down and played with the bubbles. Damn, I'm good, eh? ; )

I think last night's bath ended up being her longest ever! Because after she played with the bubbles for a bit, I brought her a plastic container and cup and started pouring water in and out of them until she took over and man was that the bee's knees.

I'm just super glad I waited to do the big girl tub for when the H was home because I'm not sure I could've hacked it all on my own.

____________________________________________________

Speaking of bubbles (haha what an awful segue!)... the other day, Lovie started saying/singing, "Rowh Rowh Rowh" to me. The first time I heard it, I looked at her and she looked at me, smiling. She was on the changing table. Then she did it again and I figured she might be singing Row Row Row your Boat so I started singing it and sure enough she got all happy and clapped. Then after I finished she started saying "Bahhel Bahhel."

I thought hard for a minute but had not clue what "Bahhel Bahhel" could mean so I went on to another song and asked the girls at daycare if they've been singing Row Row Row your Boat lately. And when they confirmed it with a smile, I then asked if they were singing something else that Lovie liked and they both (there's two teachers there in the morning at drop off) said, "The Bubble Song" in unison with a laugh.

One of them then sang it pretty fast because she was clearly embarrassed to do so in front of me. I couldn't catch most of the lyrics until the end: "Bubble bubble bubble. Bubble bubble bubble. Bubble bubble bubble. Bubble bubble POP!" And that's when Lovie started smiling super big and when it got time to POP! she and the two other kids in the room at the time, as well as the teachers, all clapped their hands together in one huge POP!

Too friggin cute, if you ask me (I secretly want to work in a toddler room at a daycare).

They were going to write down the words but I finally found it here:

http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/animal-rhymes.htm

There was a little turtle,
His name was tiny tim.
I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water,
He ate up all the soap,
And now he is in the bathtub,
With a bubble in his throat.
Bubble, bubble,bubble,
Bubble, bubble, bubble,
Bubble, bubble, bubble,
Bubble, bubble, pop!

Ack! I cannot wait to see her face later today when I sing this to her! : )

Countdown via images: day 1

So my Lovie turns the big ONE on the 29th of this month.

...pause so her momma can gather her composure...

In honor of this momentous occasion, I've decided to take pictures and/or videos every single day from now until then. Now I realize that gobs of you do this anyway but for me, it's a pretty big deal. I don't often find myself near the camera during the week as there just isn't that much time. But I'll be making the time until the 29th, damnit.

Last night was fun. Lovie's discovered how to turn on the noise activated Christmas lights I bought the other day so that occupies much of her time lately. That, and chasing me down the hallway, of course:

Grab the hand sanitizer

...you'll need it around here: Lovie's got the worst case of diarrhea I've ever seen. : (
Today is day FIVE of it.
Went to the doc and she said to STOP any milk products and give her Pedialite and solids (crackers, rice, non dairy).
My poor baby's bottom. 
I can't even say how many times *I've* broken down in tears because of hers- during diaper changes only. Otherwise she's the happiest, friendliest baby in the world and I'm not just saying that; I have proof!! She met 15 new people on Saturday when we threw my dad a birthday party (77th!). Every single one of them marveled at a) her beauty (sooo sweet- she was compared to the likes of Halle Berry... I'll take it!!) and b) how good she was. I barely saw her the entire time and didn't hear her either.
Then today, after the doc visit, we stopped by my work so I could get some things done since I'll be out wiping someone's butt as gently as I can and caking on the A&D ointment, and every single person she encountered again marveled at a) her beauty and b) how great a baby she is.
And she is.
My Lovie.
My doll. 

arrow is point to her two little teethers that joined our household several weeks ago- finally- at 9m4d (I've been saying she's been teething since 4 months- oops!)

Thanks for stopping by- don't forget to wash your hands now so you don't get the runs, too!

I couldn't help it.

I know today is Wordless Wednesday and I thoroughly enjoy Wordless Wednesdsay in bloggersville but today I won't be participating.  Not only don't I have any new pics to post but I've got bigger news to share.

See they (daycare) finally moved Lovie's crib (end of last week) to the back of the room and she's since been napping twice a day. That, in addition to the 45-60 min nap she takes in the car on the way home, means Lovie and I get to PLAY when we get home because she isn't ass tired!

Oh man have we been having so much stinkin fun- I can't even say!

Sure I could be washing dishes, cleaning the floor, folding (or doing) laundry, etc, but those 2 hours from the time we get home till Lovie's bedtime go by in a flash so why not play, play, play?  We laugh and giggle, wrestle and hug, dance and sing.  I have a big ole grin on my face right now just thinking about the fun we have!

Well last night something happened... something that made me well up with tears in my eyes. I couldn't help it.

Lovie was playing with her activity table- pressing the things to make music and dancing and singing.  Then she came over to me and we hugged and danced. I was sitting on the floor against the wall, she was standing- making us eye level. She turned around to go back toward the activity table which was maybe three baby steps away. Instead of dropping and crawling, she went for it:

LOVIE TOOK TWO STEPS WITHOUT ANYONE HOLDING HER UP.

I didn't even really realize what was happening until it was done because it happened so fast. My hands were right there ready to catch her the whole time, but they didn't need to do anything as Lovie moved one foot forward, then the other, then lunged toward the activity table and pressed a button and danced.

"Yaaaaaaaaaay!!" I proclaimed and clapped.  And then, just like right now, I welled up and cried.

I couldn't help it. And I can't right now.

I'm so proud of her- I can't even convey it really. But... wow. My baby doll took her first steps.  (Holy hell, I just had to wipe my eyes just now, too!)

I'll have to institutionalized when she starts school at the rate I'm going.

About Last Night- G rated

Last night was great. Lovie was ass tired, as usual, when I picked her up from a hard day at school. :) She fell asleep as soon as we got in the car and woke up when we got home. Like she does every day. Since she just had a snack and a bottle before leaving school, I tried to let her nap a little longer than the hour she had done all day.

She wasn't having any of it. YAY!! I love it when she refuses to nap when we get home because that means we actually get to PLAY!

And play we did.

I changed into shorts and was sitting in the chair in her room and she thought it would be funny to slap my naked knee. I could see this grin creeping over her face so all of a sudden, I started to slap my knee, too- copying what she was doing. Boy did find this hilarious and started cracking up! Good times, I tell ya! Good times! We did this for a good 15 minutes.

After about 45 minutes of playing in her room, I scooped her up and off to the kitchen we went- where I placed her into the high chair so she could have some dinner (peas and crackers). And then we went to play for a bit in the play room.

This is where she started to dance to the her activity table- WITHOUT LEANING ON ANYTHING. I didn't have my camera so I couldn't catch it on film, but I sat there with my jaw on the floor as she danced and danced to her activity table, holding a set of plastic keys in one hand and nothing in the other. She danced with all her weight on her legs and feet and I nearly cried. My big girl.

Before making our way back to her bedroom to start winding down for bed, I wanted to see if she would push her little push toy so I would place her behind it, standing up, and I walked backwards making the toy move. And my itty bitty Lovie walked right along with the movement of the toy with a big ole grin on her face.

We did this over and over again for about 20 minutes! I was completely out of breath, but I did manage to catch it on video to show my husband (and the world).

And the excitement didn't end there, folks. Nope!

It was nearing her bedtime and because we had so much fun, I thought I should read a couple more books than the normal Goodnight Moon to get relaxed. I started to read Guess How Much I Love You with Lovie on my lap, but she quickly made her way off and down onto the floor. I continued reading. She crawled to the bookshelf and looked at it and picked up one of my favorite books that I actually bought the day we found Lovie would be a girl: I Love You So...

Lovie held it in her hands and looked at me as I finished up reading the other book. She put it in her mouth and looked at me. I asked her if she wanted me to read that book and gently took it out of her hands, scooped her back up and placed her on me and I read the entire book with Lovie laying on me.

So to recap:

• Lovie and I laughed and she slapped my leg
• Lovie danced without leaning on anything
• Lovie walked with her push toy
• Lovie "asked" me to read her a book

Does it really get better than this??



sorry about all the links but videos really slow down my page... don't worry, though, here's a pic of my Lovie:

Playing hookie

Lovie had her 9 month checkup yesterday and she's looking great, thankfully.

weight is 50 percentile- average: 19.3 pounds
height is 75th percentile- long still: 28.5 inches!!
head is 75th percentile, too: 44.5cm

She's crawling, pulling up to stand, cruising like mad, standing without holding onto stuff, pushing a toy and walking with it, thinking about walking (I swear I can see her mind thinking about just going for it at times); she's eating table food and pretty much ditched the baby food; she's wearing 12 month and 12-18 month clothes (her feet are still very tiny though); she drinks water from sippy cup like a pro...

Blah Blah my kid is awesome blah blah.
 
After the appointment, we went to the pumpkin farm because it was beautiful out and a weekday (both the hubs and I take off when she has her appointments- it does a family good to spend a day during the workweek together occasionally).
 
 

I didn't want to ruin the pictures with my "watermark" so I made them smaller- regardless, do NOT steal, please. I took the last one with my cellphone believe it or not.

God I love Fall. Crisp air, vivid colors, and snuggling with my Lovie.

Already?

Yes. I'm talking 1st Birthday already. Lovie'll be 9 months tomorrow, and I'm already thinking about her 1st birthday.

Truth be told, I've been thinking about it for quite some time. Some days I try not to think about it and just enjoy today because it really is going by in a flash. But more than not, I'm left here wondering about it. After all, what else is there to do at work? ;)

So a bit of a background- don't roll your eyes, this will be quick:

• Lovie is our one and probably only child. I'm old, remember? And very tired
• She's not Baptized or anything so we have NOT had any huge gathering since her birth
• There are lots of family and friends who've never even met her even though we're all in the same vicinity
• My parents are divorced and my dad isn't over this fact... even though it's been nearly 30 years already
• Unless we make the gathering Lovie's Grandparents (and her one and only Great Grandparent) ONLY (or keep it just the three of us, which we'll do on her actual birthday regardless), we'd have to rent a place, which we're open to doing if need be
• We live in Chicago. Lovie's birthday is end of December. Weather could be... who knows, really, but definitely not warm and sunny

OK so now check out the Poll over there on the left side of the page where Lovie's picture normally is and tell me what you think we should do. Please?

BaBa Baby

The other day I mentioned that I have another blog (private) to and for Lovie... here's another snippet (posted just moments ago):

I'm getting it down... just in case.

The past several days, I've noticed you saying "BaBa" very clearly when talking to me- or when you're upset (in the crib wanting out, on the changing table). I don't know what it was exactly but it dawned on me that I thought you were saying something- that "BaBa" meant something to you and not 'bottle' and not just sounds you were making.

You've been saying "Dada" and the like ("Dadadadada Dada Dadadadadadadada") since Father's Day, but we still don't think you mean Daddy when you say it (though there have been a handful of times lately when maybe that is what you mean). But this BaBa??

I suspect it means... ME!! I think you're saying Mama only it's coming out BaBa because you haven't done any M sounds.

I could be totally wrong, but earlier today you woke at 445 and were crying out and BaBa could be heard. When I came in you were all smiles and clung to me like saran wrap not saying anything, not making any sounds. Then when I laid you down to change you, again you cried, "BaBa!" and looked right at me. I calmly and softly told you I loved you and you looked at me and smiled- like I figured it out and you were happy I had done so.

Of course I could be DREAMING all this in my head, and be way off... and if I am, so be it. But, just in case we come to discover that BaBa is
Love you!
xoxo

So I'm totally dreaming, aren't I? There's no way my 9 month old (tomorrow) is talking already, is there? I mean, yes, she does say Kitty Cat (not including the K, C, T) whenever she sees either cat and she's been making other sounds and babbles for months and months but this BaBa?? I'm dreaming, right?