We got up and went over to Lisa, Joey, Tate and George’s house to play and have breakfast. I mainly played because who can focus when there are two weiner dogs to chase and love? After this, which did feel more like vacation, we got back into the car. You know what we did? You got it, we drove and drove. I did not say “drove” three times this time because we only drive for five hours, not eight.
There was one incident on the highway that made us praise God. It was a situation that could have turned out horribly, but did not, even though it was not the best end-result. After lunch (at the same Wendy’s we realized, that we ate at last year), we headed back onto the highway. There was a Penske truck pulling a trailer with a car that was driving quite eradically, at 70+ miles per hour. This was not your “run of the mill” eradic driving. He merged into us and if it weren’t for Daddy’s quick thinking, we would have been run off the road or hit. This truck was in front of us for several miles, swerving from lane to lane, cutting off other cars. There were three 18 wheelers hauling full loads in the left lane that were causing a mini-traffic jam, so there was not much cars could do to get out of this truck’s way. Daddy slowed down to let this Penske truck get well ahead of us. Within a few minutes, the truck swerved off the left side of the highway into the median (which, luckily, was very wide and had a mini-forest between our direction and the other side of the highway). We did not see what caused him to swerve, but he did not hit any other cars and all of the other cars stayed in control. The driver had enough control of the truck to keep it upright and did not slam directly into the woods. The windshield was crushed but he seemed to be moving fine as we passed by. Several cars stopped to help him. Within a few miles, there was a truck stopped on the same side of the highway with a person standing behind it. What are the chances that the truck swerved off when it did, that Daddy and Papa were far enough back to avoid any accidents, that all of the other drivers maintained control? We hope that he is okay and it’s too bad that he had an accident, but thanks to God for keeping us and the other people on the highway safe.
It seemed like no time at all and then we were in Hilton Head! It was sunny, even though it was cool. At least it was warmer than it was the day before in Kentucky and Tennessee and even Anderson South Carolina! We checked in, took everything to the room, unpacked and were ready to swim in less than one hour! Daddy took me into the pool and we played with the ball and just floated around too. After that, we got dressed and went for a walk on the beach. I don’t think I am sold on the beach idea. I got sand in my shoes (I don’t like stuff in my shoes) and it was hard to walk because of the sand. It was a quick trip. We went home, ran around (literally) and shut as many doors as possible. I figured out how to turn on the dishwasher and am good at opening all of the cupboards.
After dinner (a yummy spaghetti that Grandma made) and my bath, I went to bed in a special bed. Instead of a pack-and-play like last night, my bed is a big bed with rails and pillows all around me. We’ll see how that goes!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
October 17, 2009
I am not so sure about this vacation thing anymore. Saturday morning, we all woke up, ate breakfast, then packed up the cars (this took some time because we had quite a bit of stuff, even though Mommy packed much of it the night before). After that, we drove. And drove. And drove. Now, I like the car as much as any 2-year old, but this was not vacation in my mind. We got out a few times, but it was cold (30 degrees) so it’s not like we played outside for any period of time. Nana sat in the back of the van with me, I got to watch some videos, I did take a nap, I took off my socks (and lost one), I ate Twizzlers (both red and black and liked them both) and was overall ready to be done with this part of the vacation.
We arrived at what I thought was vacation that evening, but again, I was fooled. We stopped for the night in Anderson, South Carolina where our friends Lisa and Joey (and their two dogs Tate and George) live. We were at a hotel with a pool right outside our window, but it was there just to torture a sweet little girl, because Mommy said that it was too cold to swim. Luckily, I am good natured and there was a cat that looked just like Bella walking around the pool, so Mommy quickly changed the subject from swimming to the cat.
For dinner, we met our friends Lisa and Joey at Outback Steakhouse, which is right across the street from our hotel. By this point, it was getting late (7 pm) and I was in no mood to sit. How could these adults tolerate sitting down any longer? But what was the first thing we all did when we got to the restaurant? We sat down. I started throwing menus and crayons and trying to stand on my chair. Finally they recognized my signs of restlessness and I got to walk around the restaurant with Mommy. Everyone took turns walking, holding, talking to me throughout dinner. By 8:45, it was time for bed! I went back to find the cat (less interested in the pool this time) who I guessed was sleeping since he was not at the pool.
We arrived at what I thought was vacation that evening, but again, I was fooled. We stopped for the night in Anderson, South Carolina where our friends Lisa and Joey (and their two dogs Tate and George) live. We were at a hotel with a pool right outside our window, but it was there just to torture a sweet little girl, because Mommy said that it was too cold to swim. Luckily, I am good natured and there was a cat that looked just like Bella walking around the pool, so Mommy quickly changed the subject from swimming to the cat.
For dinner, we met our friends Lisa and Joey at Outback Steakhouse, which is right across the street from our hotel. By this point, it was getting late (7 pm) and I was in no mood to sit. How could these adults tolerate sitting down any longer? But what was the first thing we all did when we got to the restaurant? We sat down. I started throwing menus and crayons and trying to stand on my chair. Finally they recognized my signs of restlessness and I got to walk around the restaurant with Mommy. Everyone took turns walking, holding, talking to me throughout dinner. By 8:45, it was time for bed! I went back to find the cat (less interested in the pool this time) who I guessed was sleeping since he was not at the pool.
October 16, 2009
So far, this vacation thing is working well for me. When I woke up this morning, DaddyMommy told me that GrandmaPapa were picking me up from school early. That is vacation all on its own! Now, they usually take me to Costco, not swimming, so I was not sure how the swim diapers fit into this. To be sure they understood the full scope of vacation, I told them all about the swim diapers. And yes, after my nap, we did go to Costco, not to buy anything, but to have some good treats. That night, Nana came over! So far so good on the vacation thing!
Hilton Head Vacation 2009
October 14, 2009
I have been talking about vacation for weeks. This started when Mommy started “staging” our vacation supplies (yes, supplies, we take enough food for weeks) that included my swim diapers. I think I have mentioned that I love to swim. If you don’t remember from past stories, remember it now. Anyway, I saw the swim diapers and Mommy told me that they were for vacation. If vacation means swimming, then “I am in.” Then MommyDaddy mentioned that GrandmaPapa and Nana were also included in vacation. Could a girl ask for more? So, in preparation, I started packing myself. I can open drawers now so started pulling items out of my dresser. I found two bathing suits, 3 pair of sunglasses and that was it before Daddy shut the drawer. I was only consoled when they assured me that the bathing suits would be properly packed with the swim diapers for vacation.
I have been talking about vacation for weeks. This started when Mommy started “staging” our vacation supplies (yes, supplies, we take enough food for weeks) that included my swim diapers. I think I have mentioned that I love to swim. If you don’t remember from past stories, remember it now. Anyway, I saw the swim diapers and Mommy told me that they were for vacation. If vacation means swimming, then “I am in.” Then MommyDaddy mentioned that GrandmaPapa and Nana were also included in vacation. Could a girl ask for more? So, in preparation, I started packing myself. I can open drawers now so started pulling items out of my dresser. I found two bathing suits, 3 pair of sunglasses and that was it before Daddy shut the drawer. I was only consoled when they assured me that the bathing suits would be properly packed with the swim diapers for vacation.
October 2009
The Going-Ons of Abigail Connor
In case you were wondering about my day-to-day activities and habits, here is an update.
I still love to color. I color with crayons now and in general, can be trusted not to color on furniture or walls. Mommy made me a binder with scrap paper and a special holder for crayons, and I love to sit on my picnic table and color. I also have some of my stickers (return address labels that Mommy gets in the mail) in the binder and stick them on papers sometimes too. I am also rather trustworthy with stickers, as I like to stick them on paper (versus furniture or walls).
I point out activities and cause and effect relationships. I keep track of Bella’s activities and tell MommyDaddy about them. “Bella sleepin’” or “Bella runnin.” I am learning about how things work, like what happens when I throw a decorative gourd (instead of a ball) and it breaks. Then after Mommy tells me that it’s broken, I say “Mommy fix it” over and over again until Mommy fixes it. Luckily, Mommy is good at fixing things.
I am very particular about my routines. I get a bath every other night. I could not tell you for sure the frequency of the bath, but if you asked Mommy, that is what she would tell you. I am okay that I don’t get a bath every night, I do not put up a fuss when we go into the bathroom and head to the sink, not to the tub. I want lots and lots of bubbles in my bath. I like to pour the bubbles into the bath, which is something that the people at Johnson & Johnson probably like, because I am not as specific where I pour the bubbles. Sometimes they go into the tub, sometimes not. We still use a plastic tub inside the big tub (of course, another thing that Kim and Jenna gave us), one to save water and two, because I fit just right. I have 3 plastic balls with a hoop that sticks to the side of the wall. I also have a blue plastic cup, with two plastic ducks, one big and one small. In this cup is also a slowing disintegrating piece of soap that I love to drop in the water and ask Mommy to find. I pull the balls down from the bathtub ledge and throw them in the water to see them splash. I lay my head back these days because this allows me to keep as much of my body under water as possible. I don’t like water in my eyes, so I put a washcloth over my face while Mommy uses the sprayer to wet and rinse my hair.
Every night, whether I get a bath or not, I floss and brush my teeth. Daddy brought home some really great Disney flossers which have different shapes can colors and come in individually wrapped packages that I like to open. Mommy and I count as she flosses between each of my teeth. We count to 8 on the bottom and 7 on the top. Soon, though, we will count 9 on the bottom because I am getting another molar as we speak (or write, but you know what I mean). I am learning how to spit, although I would say that I have not mastered the skill just yet. I actually am good at spitting, especially food that I do not like, but it is a different thing to get toothpaste (that I like) in my mouth with a brush, then be asked to spit it out without swallowing it. Mommy has a toothbrush in my bathroom so she brushes when I do and shows me how to spit. If she forgets that she is supposed to brush, I yank the brush out of the cup (it is dual-purpose because we keep the brushes in there and I like to drink out of it too) and say “Mommy brush too.”
My bedtime routine has changed a little bit in the last couple of months. I used to sit on the rocking chair or stool (it changed every night) and Mommy or Daddy would read me a book. Now, I love to play with the plastic beach ball Terra, Julie and Deena got for me at the volleyball tournament. I still must have my sound machine (that JJ gave me), my nightlight and my “fan” (the humidifier since I have this cough and it’s winter and not humid outside).
We all have to sit on the floor, and sometimes I sit on the beach ball (because I have watched MommyDaddy exercise using their exercise ball, this seems normal to me). Sometimes we throw the ball too. We count because if we didn’t, I would play all night long. And if you know anything about being two years old, you know that we do not like having activities change abruptly, so we need some pre-warning (like counting).
After the activities in my room, I now like to climb into my bed (crib) by myself. I still need a bit of help but I can’t just be lifted into bed, I am too big of a girl for that. After that, since it’s getting cold, I get all of my covers pulled up (the blanket that Aunt Sarah made me on the bottom, then the sheet that Nana made me in the middle, then the blanket that was Mommy’s on the top). Because Mommy was worried that I would get cold in the night (she worries about this because many times she comes in to check on me and I am cuddled in a ball with no sheets or blankets on top of me), she has showed me how to pull up the blankets by myself. I practice this now every night.
Next I need to dip my paci into my water cup (with ice, please), then I try to sneak a drink of the water without the lid on. I don’t want the lid on cups, because I don’t have them at school. Mommy is much more liberal in taking the lids off than Daddy, but she also cleans up more messes.
Anyway, after that we say my prayer. It’s the same one every night. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Watch me through the starry night and wake me when the sun shines bright.” Then we say “God bless…. And list the many people that I love in my life.” After that, I ask for more water, sometimes get another kiss from Mommy, ask where Daddy went (he usually leaves the room first), then just as Mommy gets to the door, ask for more water. She usually comes back a few times, then says, this is the last time, and she closes the door.
I mimic what people say, and pretty well if I don’t say so myself. Be careful what you say around me, I will probably say it too. If you whisper something, I will whisper it too. I understand nuance of intonation and expressions. If you want to tell a secret, I will welcome it.
In case you were wondering about my day-to-day activities and habits, here is an update.
I still love to color. I color with crayons now and in general, can be trusted not to color on furniture or walls. Mommy made me a binder with scrap paper and a special holder for crayons, and I love to sit on my picnic table and color. I also have some of my stickers (return address labels that Mommy gets in the mail) in the binder and stick them on papers sometimes too. I am also rather trustworthy with stickers, as I like to stick them on paper (versus furniture or walls).
I point out activities and cause and effect relationships. I keep track of Bella’s activities and tell MommyDaddy about them. “Bella sleepin’” or “Bella runnin.” I am learning about how things work, like what happens when I throw a decorative gourd (instead of a ball) and it breaks. Then after Mommy tells me that it’s broken, I say “Mommy fix it” over and over again until Mommy fixes it. Luckily, Mommy is good at fixing things.
I am very particular about my routines. I get a bath every other night. I could not tell you for sure the frequency of the bath, but if you asked Mommy, that is what she would tell you. I am okay that I don’t get a bath every night, I do not put up a fuss when we go into the bathroom and head to the sink, not to the tub. I want lots and lots of bubbles in my bath. I like to pour the bubbles into the bath, which is something that the people at Johnson & Johnson probably like, because I am not as specific where I pour the bubbles. Sometimes they go into the tub, sometimes not. We still use a plastic tub inside the big tub (of course, another thing that Kim and Jenna gave us), one to save water and two, because I fit just right. I have 3 plastic balls with a hoop that sticks to the side of the wall. I also have a blue plastic cup, with two plastic ducks, one big and one small. In this cup is also a slowing disintegrating piece of soap that I love to drop in the water and ask Mommy to find. I pull the balls down from the bathtub ledge and throw them in the water to see them splash. I lay my head back these days because this allows me to keep as much of my body under water as possible. I don’t like water in my eyes, so I put a washcloth over my face while Mommy uses the sprayer to wet and rinse my hair.
Every night, whether I get a bath or not, I floss and brush my teeth. Daddy brought home some really great Disney flossers which have different shapes can colors and come in individually wrapped packages that I like to open. Mommy and I count as she flosses between each of my teeth. We count to 8 on the bottom and 7 on the top. Soon, though, we will count 9 on the bottom because I am getting another molar as we speak (or write, but you know what I mean). I am learning how to spit, although I would say that I have not mastered the skill just yet. I actually am good at spitting, especially food that I do not like, but it is a different thing to get toothpaste (that I like) in my mouth with a brush, then be asked to spit it out without swallowing it. Mommy has a toothbrush in my bathroom so she brushes when I do and shows me how to spit. If she forgets that she is supposed to brush, I yank the brush out of the cup (it is dual-purpose because we keep the brushes in there and I like to drink out of it too) and say “Mommy brush too.”
My bedtime routine has changed a little bit in the last couple of months. I used to sit on the rocking chair or stool (it changed every night) and Mommy or Daddy would read me a book. Now, I love to play with the plastic beach ball Terra, Julie and Deena got for me at the volleyball tournament. I still must have my sound machine (that JJ gave me), my nightlight and my “fan” (the humidifier since I have this cough and it’s winter and not humid outside).
We all have to sit on the floor, and sometimes I sit on the beach ball (because I have watched MommyDaddy exercise using their exercise ball, this seems normal to me). Sometimes we throw the ball too. We count because if we didn’t, I would play all night long. And if you know anything about being two years old, you know that we do not like having activities change abruptly, so we need some pre-warning (like counting).
After the activities in my room, I now like to climb into my bed (crib) by myself. I still need a bit of help but I can’t just be lifted into bed, I am too big of a girl for that. After that, since it’s getting cold, I get all of my covers pulled up (the blanket that Aunt Sarah made me on the bottom, then the sheet that Nana made me in the middle, then the blanket that was Mommy’s on the top). Because Mommy was worried that I would get cold in the night (she worries about this because many times she comes in to check on me and I am cuddled in a ball with no sheets or blankets on top of me), she has showed me how to pull up the blankets by myself. I practice this now every night.
Next I need to dip my paci into my water cup (with ice, please), then I try to sneak a drink of the water without the lid on. I don’t want the lid on cups, because I don’t have them at school. Mommy is much more liberal in taking the lids off than Daddy, but she also cleans up more messes.
Anyway, after that we say my prayer. It’s the same one every night. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Watch me through the starry night and wake me when the sun shines bright.” Then we say “God bless…. And list the many people that I love in my life.” After that, I ask for more water, sometimes get another kiss from Mommy, ask where Daddy went (he usually leaves the room first), then just as Mommy gets to the door, ask for more water. She usually comes back a few times, then says, this is the last time, and she closes the door.
I mimic what people say, and pretty well if I don’t say so myself. Be careful what you say around me, I will probably say it too. If you whisper something, I will whisper it too. I understand nuance of intonation and expressions. If you want to tell a secret, I will welcome it.
October 11, 2009
On Saturday, October 10, MommyDaddy and I got up and headed out to the Newport Aquarium. They were following the principle they learned about the zoo, that the animals would be out but the people would not. Note to self, this principle does not hold true. We arrived 15 minutes after the aquarium opened, along with a mass of other people who either thought this principle was true or who did not care and wanted to get up Saturday morning to go to the aquarium. I am still a bit afraid of the aquarium with all of the tunnels, dark areas and fish moving in unpredictable ways. The penguins were my favorite (and the last exhibit, so might have just been the one I remembered the most). They were very active, jumping and splashing and playing around. They reminded me of myself!
On Sunday, October 11, we went on a new adventure. This time it was pumpkin picking with our friends the Vanasse family. It was a cool, but sunny and beautify fall day, perfect for pumpkin picking. We drove to Kentucky (which seems like a very long way away, but is really just 30 minutes south of our house). We went to a couple of pumpkin picking farms that Mommy went to with Kelly and Guy and Julian when Julian was just a little baby. I got to sit on a really big tractor and stand in front of a tractor that was taller than two daddies stacked in top of each other! I picked my very own pumpkin and tried to carry it around. There was one unfortunate incident at the end of the adventure. Zoe and her friend Nicole were throwing gourds and me be me and wanting to be the by big girls was right in the middle. One of the gourd throws went astray and the gourd landed right on my head. It was a rotten gourd so it burst on my head and it also hurt. I cried. I got big hugs from Kelly and apologies from Zoe and Nicole, then I stopped. All in all, it was a fun trip, even with the gourd incident.
On Sunday, October 11, we went on a new adventure. This time it was pumpkin picking with our friends the Vanasse family. It was a cool, but sunny and beautify fall day, perfect for pumpkin picking. We drove to Kentucky (which seems like a very long way away, but is really just 30 minutes south of our house). We went to a couple of pumpkin picking farms that Mommy went to with Kelly and Guy and Julian when Julian was just a little baby. I got to sit on a really big tractor and stand in front of a tractor that was taller than two daddies stacked in top of each other! I picked my very own pumpkin and tried to carry it around. There was one unfortunate incident at the end of the adventure. Zoe and her friend Nicole were throwing gourds and me be me and wanting to be the by big girls was right in the middle. One of the gourd throws went astray and the gourd landed right on my head. It was a rotten gourd so it burst on my head and it also hurt. I cried. I got big hugs from Kelly and apologies from Zoe and Nicole, then I stopped. All in all, it was a fun trip, even with the gourd incident.
October 8, 2009
Mommy went on a trip to a place called New Jersey. I don’t know what is new about this place, because I think it has been around for a long time. Anyway, she woke up really early to get to the airport for a 6:40 am flight. Needless to say, I did not wake up to say goodbye. Instead of sending me a story from “Trekker,” she wrote a quick story about her and me. Here is what she wrote:
Late night moments with Abigail:
In the middle of the night when I creep over to your room after I hear you call, you look so cuddly in your bed. You usually are calling for “paci” and sometimes you ask for a drink of water. I speak in hushed tones, as not to wake Daddy and Bella, and you follow my cue, as every sweet word you speak is a whisper, (even though they are also generally commands). You often say “hold you” or “sit” which of course I know means “pick me up (bring my blanket even if it is ridiculously cumbersome and often stuck in the bed) and cuddle with me on my rocking chair.” How can I turn down such a genuine invitation? No matter how tired I am or how much I want to be back in my own bed, I can’t resist a quiet moment showing you merely and ounce of the love I have for you. You curl into me (once, of course, I adjust the blanket and myself the way you want). You compromise too, as even though you are never sure what to do with your right arm, that you do not complain about. I know you are not sleeping because I can feel your face moving next to me and you constantly shift your arm, trying to find a comfortable spot. Often, I talk to you, and you respond in a quiet, almost secretive whisper.
Since I know that neither you nor I will actually sleep, as I begin to dose off, I start giving you the “two minute warning” about us both going back to bed so I will not be greeted in less than secretive tones of “no” if I dare give an abrupt declaration of returning to bed. I usually have no idea how many minutes go by and I so savor your cuddles in the quiet night, so I wait until my head nods again before getting you back into bed. Even if I know I will pay for it later, I would not miss those sweet moments as we fit perfectly (almost) in that chair together in the night.
Thank you my darling sweet girl for teaching me daily something that I did not know. Thank you for showing me the way you approach the world. As each hour we share rushes by like rapids in a river, thank you for reminding me to not just focus on getting through, but thank God for a beautify day and you to share it with, for challenges that we will conquer together and most of all, to enjoy the ride.
Even in your saddest moments, you are usually just seconds away from an all-out belly laugh. There is something to be said about that resilience that seems often lost in the grown-up world of seriousness. Thank you for teaching me, without every directly saying a word, about pure joy and the ability to find it at any given moment.
Late night moments with Abigail:
In the middle of the night when I creep over to your room after I hear you call, you look so cuddly in your bed. You usually are calling for “paci” and sometimes you ask for a drink of water. I speak in hushed tones, as not to wake Daddy and Bella, and you follow my cue, as every sweet word you speak is a whisper, (even though they are also generally commands). You often say “hold you” or “sit” which of course I know means “pick me up (bring my blanket even if it is ridiculously cumbersome and often stuck in the bed) and cuddle with me on my rocking chair.” How can I turn down such a genuine invitation? No matter how tired I am or how much I want to be back in my own bed, I can’t resist a quiet moment showing you merely and ounce of the love I have for you. You curl into me (once, of course, I adjust the blanket and myself the way you want). You compromise too, as even though you are never sure what to do with your right arm, that you do not complain about. I know you are not sleeping because I can feel your face moving next to me and you constantly shift your arm, trying to find a comfortable spot. Often, I talk to you, and you respond in a quiet, almost secretive whisper.
Since I know that neither you nor I will actually sleep, as I begin to dose off, I start giving you the “two minute warning” about us both going back to bed so I will not be greeted in less than secretive tones of “no” if I dare give an abrupt declaration of returning to bed. I usually have no idea how many minutes go by and I so savor your cuddles in the quiet night, so I wait until my head nods again before getting you back into bed. Even if I know I will pay for it later, I would not miss those sweet moments as we fit perfectly (almost) in that chair together in the night.
Thank you my darling sweet girl for teaching me daily something that I did not know. Thank you for showing me the way you approach the world. As each hour we share rushes by like rapids in a river, thank you for reminding me to not just focus on getting through, but thank God for a beautify day and you to share it with, for challenges that we will conquer together and most of all, to enjoy the ride.
Even in your saddest moments, you are usually just seconds away from an all-out belly laugh. There is something to be said about that resilience that seems often lost in the grown-up world of seriousness. Thank you for teaching me, without every directly saying a word, about pure joy and the ability to find it at any given moment.
October 2009
Again, back to the Story about School
I don’t remember the exact dates (which should be obvious to you because I don’t understand what a date is yet), but from the time I started in my new room in school through October, I had a bit of trouble with another little girl in my class. If you are familiar with how two-year-olds interact, you know that we are not big on respecting “personal space.” This is especially true when there are toys involved. On three occasions, this little girl bit me when I inadvertently (another big word to impress you) invaded her so-called “personal space.” There was another potential scratching incident, but as Daddy reviewed the video with the directors at school, it was determined that I had actually scratched my own face. (That night Mommy cut my fingernails).
The third time this bit me, she drew blood through a long-sleeved shirt and MommyDaddy were fed up. Daddy picked me up that night and did not know how bad the bite was, he just saw the incident report. He told the directors that he did not want me with this other little girl. The next two days, Mommy and Daddy both had conversations with the directors and then a conference to get the situation resolved ASAP. The directors made a switch between students and now my new teachers are Miss Tiesha (my teach from my 6-12 months class) and Miss Tiffany (my teacher I already mentioned). I would still have some time with the other little girl, but throughout the day I would be with other teachers and my friends from when I started. Mommy and Daddy were frustrated just as much about the conversation with the director, because part of the reason I got switched to another teacher (even when they originally said I would be with Miss Tiffany) because other parents requested her. They will not re-learn that lesson!
I don’t remember the exact dates (which should be obvious to you because I don’t understand what a date is yet), but from the time I started in my new room in school through October, I had a bit of trouble with another little girl in my class. If you are familiar with how two-year-olds interact, you know that we are not big on respecting “personal space.” This is especially true when there are toys involved. On three occasions, this little girl bit me when I inadvertently (another big word to impress you) invaded her so-called “personal space.” There was another potential scratching incident, but as Daddy reviewed the video with the directors at school, it was determined that I had actually scratched my own face. (That night Mommy cut my fingernails).
The third time this bit me, she drew blood through a long-sleeved shirt and MommyDaddy were fed up. Daddy picked me up that night and did not know how bad the bite was, he just saw the incident report. He told the directors that he did not want me with this other little girl. The next two days, Mommy and Daddy both had conversations with the directors and then a conference to get the situation resolved ASAP. The directors made a switch between students and now my new teachers are Miss Tiesha (my teach from my 6-12 months class) and Miss Tiffany (my teacher I already mentioned). I would still have some time with the other little girl, but throughout the day I would be with other teachers and my friends from when I started. Mommy and Daddy were frustrated just as much about the conversation with the director, because part of the reason I got switched to another teacher (even when they originally said I would be with Miss Tiffany) because other parents requested her. They will not re-learn that lesson!
September 20, 2009
Daddy went on his golf trip, like every year, September 17 through September 20. As usual, Mommy had a “full dance card” so to speak while he was gone. On Friday night, Mommy picked me up and instead of going right home, we went to Costco (as you know, one of my favorite places). Then we headed to Target, because our friend Terra sent a gift card for me to buy a fun Halloween shirt. After that successful trip, we went to Once Upon a Child to search for my Halloween costume. We were lucky shoppers, as there were two Elmo costumes hanging on the rack as soon as we walked in! One fit perfectly so we were on our way. For dinner, Mommy let me sit on the bar and eat with her (you know that Daddy does not allow that sort of thing). I did not have the best night’s sleep, but the next morning we were on the move again! We ran some errands, went to see our friends Kristy, Bryan, Colin and Patrick, then even stopped by to see JJDan and Regan and Reilly the dogs.
After lunch, both Mommy and I took naps! But the fun did not stop there! After our naps, we went to Dayton to celebrate Uncle Robbie’s birthday. Like in August, we congregated (what a big word for a 2-year old, huh!) at Uncle David’s house for a cookout and cake. I am getting really good at helping people blow out candles, so keep me in mind if you ever need help. I got to see Uncle Robbie (of course, it was his birthday, it would have been awkward to have a celebration without him), Aunt Jeannie, Uncle David, Nana and Papaw. It was a late night but that night Mommy and I slept much better.
The next morning I was on to another new adventure! This amazing adventure was at a place called King’s Island and I went with Mommy and Nana. Oh what a mystery land this is, it has a gi-normous water fountain (I know gi-normous is not a word, the computer program even has it underlined, but I am doing it the P&G way, trying to make up a word that could possibly be real. My next step will be to post it on wikkipedia which will indeed make it real). Anyway, Mommy was very proud of herself because instead of just following the herd of people parking far away, she drove all the way to the “gold pass” parking lot and lo in behold, the gentleman said that it was all access that day! Mommy has been coming to King’s Island for over 20 years and has never had such a close parking spot. This made life much easier later in the day.
We arrived at King’s Island at 9:30 am, in good time to pick up all of the P&G goodie bag items and to get some pictures in front of the big fountain and Eiffel Tower (no, not the real one, but a structure that looks just like the real one in Paris, just smaller). Oh, and also a picture on the Charmin toilet that was taller than Nana and Mommy. Mommy took our bag full of goodies back to the car (because it was parked so close, she could do this), and Nana and I walked along “main street” and admired the fountain and Tower from all directions. There were a few characters walking around too, but they were pretty scary so I avoided them. When Mommy returned, it was almost 10 am and the rides were about to open. At this point, it started to rain. Just a little at first. We had positioned ourselves by the entrance of the Grand Carousel, and we were the first in line. I love the carousel at the zoo, and this is just like that one, just bigger. There were not people standing around for me to wave to at this point (because we were the first ones on it and because it was raining), but I enjoyed it just the same.
After the Grand Carousel, we headed to the Nickelodeon area where there were rides for kids my size. There was a carousel there too! I rode it several times, partly because there was not a long line, and partly because it was covered and we were out of the rain when we rode it. Mommy took me on one other ride, which she realized halfway through the line, was not the optimal choice, but it was pretty fun anyway. It was a helicopter that went on a track really high in the air. I got to wave and yell “hi Nana” as she stood in the rain watching us. At this point, although Mommy’s inclination was to “storm on” and ride as many rides as possible, she thought maybe I did not know what I was missing and Nana was probably wet and cold, so we left. This is another time when having the car very close was helpful. Although we did bring the plastic rain cover for the stroller, I was not a huge fan of having an obstacle in my vision, so repeatedly pulled it off.
We went home for lunch, then Nana left and I took my nap. That night Daddy came home! It was after I went to sleep, but he told me the next day that he came in and gave me kiss while I was sleeping.
After lunch, both Mommy and I took naps! But the fun did not stop there! After our naps, we went to Dayton to celebrate Uncle Robbie’s birthday. Like in August, we congregated (what a big word for a 2-year old, huh!) at Uncle David’s house for a cookout and cake. I am getting really good at helping people blow out candles, so keep me in mind if you ever need help. I got to see Uncle Robbie (of course, it was his birthday, it would have been awkward to have a celebration without him), Aunt Jeannie, Uncle David, Nana and Papaw. It was a late night but that night Mommy and I slept much better.
The next morning I was on to another new adventure! This amazing adventure was at a place called King’s Island and I went with Mommy and Nana. Oh what a mystery land this is, it has a gi-normous water fountain (I know gi-normous is not a word, the computer program even has it underlined, but I am doing it the P&G way, trying to make up a word that could possibly be real. My next step will be to post it on wikkipedia which will indeed make it real). Anyway, Mommy was very proud of herself because instead of just following the herd of people parking far away, she drove all the way to the “gold pass” parking lot and lo in behold, the gentleman said that it was all access that day! Mommy has been coming to King’s Island for over 20 years and has never had such a close parking spot. This made life much easier later in the day.
We arrived at King’s Island at 9:30 am, in good time to pick up all of the P&G goodie bag items and to get some pictures in front of the big fountain and Eiffel Tower (no, not the real one, but a structure that looks just like the real one in Paris, just smaller). Oh, and also a picture on the Charmin toilet that was taller than Nana and Mommy. Mommy took our bag full of goodies back to the car (because it was parked so close, she could do this), and Nana and I walked along “main street” and admired the fountain and Tower from all directions. There were a few characters walking around too, but they were pretty scary so I avoided them. When Mommy returned, it was almost 10 am and the rides were about to open. At this point, it started to rain. Just a little at first. We had positioned ourselves by the entrance of the Grand Carousel, and we were the first in line. I love the carousel at the zoo, and this is just like that one, just bigger. There were not people standing around for me to wave to at this point (because we were the first ones on it and because it was raining), but I enjoyed it just the same.
After the Grand Carousel, we headed to the Nickelodeon area where there were rides for kids my size. There was a carousel there too! I rode it several times, partly because there was not a long line, and partly because it was covered and we were out of the rain when we rode it. Mommy took me on one other ride, which she realized halfway through the line, was not the optimal choice, but it was pretty fun anyway. It was a helicopter that went on a track really high in the air. I got to wave and yell “hi Nana” as she stood in the rain watching us. At this point, although Mommy’s inclination was to “storm on” and ride as many rides as possible, she thought maybe I did not know what I was missing and Nana was probably wet and cold, so we left. This is another time when having the car very close was helpful. Although we did bring the plastic rain cover for the stroller, I was not a huge fan of having an obstacle in my vision, so repeatedly pulled it off.
We went home for lunch, then Nana left and I took my nap. That night Daddy came home! It was after I went to sleep, but he told me the next day that he came in and gave me kiss while I was sleeping.
September 2009: Back to the school story
I have had some trouble sleeping in my new classroom. There are several reasons for this, but one of the biggest issues is that in my “rotation” with Mr. Matt and Miss Emily, there are some kids who are closer to 3 and do not need to nap like me. They end up talking the entire time, which I find to be distracting. Also, I am very used to having my back patted as I fall asleep in school, and when the teachers have to spend their entire time controlling the talkers, they do not have time to pat backs. To help solve this, I started going to the other “rotation” with Miss Tiffany and Miss Betsy to sleep. This worked pretty well, especially when Miss Tiffany was there because she had a couple of tricks to keep me settled enough for me to get to sleep. MommyDaddy were not really happy with the whole situation, because they really wanted me to be in one class rotation throughout the day and would have preferred for me to be with the kids I have been with since I started. But, they thought this is how it worked, so they kept working with the directors to help me sleep. More of this story will come later.
September 12, 2009
The next weekend (September 12), we headed to Toledo to see GrandmaPapa. It was a short visit because we left on Saturday morning and came home on Sunday, but we packed as much fun in as possible. Aunt Cin-Day, Uncle Michael, Anna, Chloe, Christian and Uncle Mike all came over (to see me, of course). I even got to sit on Uncle Mike’s motorcycle and go for a walk with him and Aunt Cin-Day (do you remember that her name is actually Cindy but she thought it was pretty funny when she came to our house one time that the exit to our house sounds just like her name “Cin-Day.”
September 5, 2009
Over Labor Day weekend, Daddy’s “girl” friends Terra and Julie came to visit and watch the AVP (volleyball) tournament nearby in Mason like they did last year. This time, Terra’s friend Deena came to visit too. I woke up Friday morning and all of these fun people were at my house! Needless to say, I was not very happy when everyone else seemed to be headed in one direction and I was going to school. I certainly did not yell “Yeah School” that day! I did not know this (and it’s best that I didn’t), but our friends Kristy and Patrick met the rest of the crew at the volleyball tournament that day too. They watched lots of amazing matches and were within five feet Olympic athletes. Mommy still could not get over that amazing fact. And, in Mommy’s style, she got enough freebies and won enough games that she made up for the whopping $5 ticket. That night, Mommy, Terra, Julie and Deena picked me up that night and I had a great time with the gang. They cooked out and the weather was fantastic, so they took turns pushing me in my swing on the patio. We played ball in the backyard too. I think they might have been trying to play a different game than me, but I still live in the bliss that everything revolves around me, so I ended up constantly changing the game back to mine. Do note, I am a darn good throw but have not quite mastered the balance between power and distance, so watch your face (as Mommy would say) when you are throwing with me within a close distance.
The next morning, I got to see Nana again! Mommy dropped me off at Target in Middletown and off Nana and I were for a fabulous adventure! I did not mention MommyDaddy at all when I was hanging out with Nana and Lilly (Nana’s puppy dog that I love). I was actually usually too busy to talk to MommyDaddy when they called to say goodnight or good morning to me. Girls have priorities! MommyDaddy had a really fun time at the volleyball on Saturday and after they found out that Deena is a fabulous cook, they ate their way through the weekend. On Monday after Mommy dropped Terra and Deena off at the Dayton airport, she picked me up at Nana’s. You can imagine that I was not very happy to be leaving, but I guess all good times come to an end. I did get to see Julie before she left on Monday, though, and continued talking about our house guests for the week after they left.
The next morning, I got to see Nana again! Mommy dropped me off at Target in Middletown and off Nana and I were for a fabulous adventure! I did not mention MommyDaddy at all when I was hanging out with Nana and Lilly (Nana’s puppy dog that I love). I was actually usually too busy to talk to MommyDaddy when they called to say goodnight or good morning to me. Girls have priorities! MommyDaddy had a really fun time at the volleyball on Saturday and after they found out that Deena is a fabulous cook, they ate their way through the weekend. On Monday after Mommy dropped Terra and Deena off at the Dayton airport, she picked me up at Nana’s. You can imagine that I was not very happy to be leaving, but I guess all good times come to an end. I did get to see Julie before she left on Monday, though, and continued talking about our house guests for the week after they left.
August 28, 2009
Miss Shayla, one of my other favorite teachers from the 18-24 months class, came over in August so MommyDaddy could go to Kelly and Guy’s house for dinner with our friends, Doug and Tara Hood. They had not all been together since before the Vanasse’s moved to Boston, so they had much to catch-up about. Again, I was happy because I love Miss Shayla and she and I played and played and played, just like at school.
August 22, 2009
GrandmaPapa missed me so much that they came to see me in mid-August. I got so excited when I see them that I kicked my feet with happiness when they picked me up. On Saturday morning, we got up early and went to the zoo to see the animals. It was a chilly, overcast morning, but it was perfect because the animals were out and the mass of people were note. One of my favorite books these days is one with all different types of animals and their sounds. Mommy did her best to point out and say the sound of the animals we were seeing from my book. Yes, it was pretty funny to hear Mommy make the animal sounds in front of the animals that naturally make these noises. They must not have been in the mood for talking because they generally just looked at her and continued eating or turned around and went to the bathroom in front of us. The giraffes (one of my favorite animals and exhibits at the zoo) were eating out of feeders right in front of us! The cool thing is, we were two stories up and their heads were right at our level! The tiger cubs were running and playing, including jumping on their mom, much like I do with Daddy. After we left the zoo, had some lunch and I took my nap, we did our usual trip to Costco, being much more careful to avoid any taster-day treats with peanuts. It was still really fun! I sit in the “double seat” of the Costco stroller and happily chomp on the treats from the taster ladies that Mommy be-lines to while Daddy tries to keep up. After such a fun day, I was sad when GrandmaPapa waved good-bye and kept waving well after they had pulled away.
August 2009
Our friends the Vanasse family (Kelly, Guy, Julian and Zoe) moved back to Cincinnati from Boston in July. I have talked about them before, especially Zoe, because I think she is pretty terrific. She and Kelly came to see me a few times and Zoe played and played with me. I want to be just like her. Mommy and I went over to see them after they moved back in August and I not only got to see Zoe but I got to play with her toys. Big girls have really fun toys like doll houses. The Vanasses live in a cool town that Mommy, JJ and I actually visited in 2007 called Mariemont. (Mommy, JJ and I went to see a movie while Mommy was at home with me). This time, we went to get something almost as good as a movie (especially since when I went to the movie, I slept through the whole thing and did not get any snacks or anything)…ice cream at Graeters! You know how much I love ice cream!
August 9, 2009
The same week we returned from our vacation, MommyDaddy went to see Jimmy Buffet perform at an outdoor concert in Cincinnati with our friends, Paul and Gail Griffith. I was fine with this because Nana came over for a sleep-over. MommyDaddy had a really good time going out to dinner at Arthur’s, a restaurant in Hyde Park that they really like, then going to the concert. Mommy went to a Jimmy Buffet Concert with her friends Teresa and Kristy in 1993. She said that the experience was about the same; lots of very happy people singing at the top of their lungs. Mommy, of course, made many friends that evening.
I probably mentioned that I coughed and coughed while I was at GrandmaPapa’s house so when I got back, Daddy took me to the doctor. Even though I am a very big girl, I still don’t like the doctor and cannot be convinced otherwise. Well, I have another experience that solidified my distaste for doctors. Dr. Ringel recommended that I visit a special doctor (this time, not for my ears or eyes, but for my cough). Daddy took me to this doctor too. It might have been the worst doctor visit in my life, except for maybe when I got my tubes and had to be put to sleep. They did allergy testing on me, which means they stuck my back 15 times with pins, then waited to see what would happen for over 15 minutes. Saying that I was mad about this was an understatement. The doctor expected that I would be allergic to “environmental” allergens like dust or mold. Instead they found that the only thing I am allergic to is peanuts. This did explain why I was coughing so much while I was at GrandmaPapa’s house, because the one night I coughed the most was the day someone unknowingly gave me peanut butter. I am not allergic to tree nuts, I can have food made with peanut oil, and it seems that I can be around peanuts, but cannot eat them. Of course MommyDaddy have taken every precaution, ridding the house of any peanuts, reading every label of the common foods we eat and getting Epipens for the house, school, diaper bag and cars. You would be surprised how prolific peanuts are! One interesting fact is that Honey Nut Cheerios does not have peanuts, but instead use almonds. Do you think they know that kids have this allergy and want kids like me to be able to eat them? The saddest thing for me is that I cannot eat M&M’s, which I love. Even the plain M&M’s say they have peanuts because they are made on the same line as the peanut M&M’s, so I cannot eat them at all. Mommy has been creative and has convinced me (so far) that Junior Mints are also called M&M’s.
I probably mentioned that I coughed and coughed while I was at GrandmaPapa’s house so when I got back, Daddy took me to the doctor. Even though I am a very big girl, I still don’t like the doctor and cannot be convinced otherwise. Well, I have another experience that solidified my distaste for doctors. Dr. Ringel recommended that I visit a special doctor (this time, not for my ears or eyes, but for my cough). Daddy took me to this doctor too. It might have been the worst doctor visit in my life, except for maybe when I got my tubes and had to be put to sleep. They did allergy testing on me, which means they stuck my back 15 times with pins, then waited to see what would happen for over 15 minutes. Saying that I was mad about this was an understatement. The doctor expected that I would be allergic to “environmental” allergens like dust or mold. Instead they found that the only thing I am allergic to is peanuts. This did explain why I was coughing so much while I was at GrandmaPapa’s house, because the one night I coughed the most was the day someone unknowingly gave me peanut butter. I am not allergic to tree nuts, I can have food made with peanut oil, and it seems that I can be around peanuts, but cannot eat them. Of course MommyDaddy have taken every precaution, ridding the house of any peanuts, reading every label of the common foods we eat and getting Epipens for the house, school, diaper bag and cars. You would be surprised how prolific peanuts are! One interesting fact is that Honey Nut Cheerios does not have peanuts, but instead use almonds. Do you think they know that kids have this allergy and want kids like me to be able to eat them? The saddest thing for me is that I cannot eat M&M’s, which I love. Even the plain M&M’s say they have peanuts because they are made on the same line as the peanut M&M’s, so I cannot eat them at all. Mommy has been creative and has convinced me (so far) that Junior Mints are also called M&M’s.
September 2009
I think I need to give Mommy a performance appraisal and put her on a performance improvement plan (PIP) for her blog update timeliness. We have been home from vacation for a long time now and do you think that she has properly documented all of the important activities in my life? You should be able to tell in the following paragraphs that the answer is “no, she has not properly documented the important activities in my life.”
When we returned from our not-so-much a family vacation, but rather a vacation for me with GrandmaPapa and Daddy’s surprise trip for MommyDaddy, I moved into my new class. It is called “Gard 2” and it is for 2-3 year olds. At my school, at 2 years old, you start a whole new world. The daily schedule includes moving from room to room throughout the building every 30 minutes. We go to art, music, dramatic movement (gym and tumbling and dance), Spanish and computer class. You also have to wear a uniform Monday-Thursday. It might seem like a lot of moving around for young kids like me, but boy is it fun! MommyDaddy don’t really like the idea that I have to wear a uniform since I have so many nice clothes that Jenna and Kim gave me, but so far it is working out just fine. When I started in the class, my teachers’ names were Mr. Matt and Miss Emily. I will get into that later. For the first couple of weeks, I was really tired when I came home! I also missed my teacher in the last class (Miss Gina). I stopped yelling “yeah school” when we pulled up but started saying “no school” because I was not really into the new routine yet. I was also not with all of my friends. MommyDaddy originally thought that I would be with Miss Tiffany, the teacher that I loved when I was in the 12-18 month old class, but something got changed at the last minute. I liked my new teachers, but was just not getting as much cuddling as I did before. Do you know that I love to get cuddles? As I mentioned earlier, though, my teachers have changed. You will need to hold on because I am a chronological girl. That’s how I roll. Or, that is how Mommy rolls and she does have say on how we do this.
I think I need to give Mommy a performance appraisal and put her on a performance improvement plan (PIP) for her blog update timeliness. We have been home from vacation for a long time now and do you think that she has properly documented all of the important activities in my life? You should be able to tell in the following paragraphs that the answer is “no, she has not properly documented the important activities in my life.”
When we returned from our not-so-much a family vacation, but rather a vacation for me with GrandmaPapa and Daddy’s surprise trip for MommyDaddy, I moved into my new class. It is called “Gard 2” and it is for 2-3 year olds. At my school, at 2 years old, you start a whole new world. The daily schedule includes moving from room to room throughout the building every 30 minutes. We go to art, music, dramatic movement (gym and tumbling and dance), Spanish and computer class. You also have to wear a uniform Monday-Thursday. It might seem like a lot of moving around for young kids like me, but boy is it fun! MommyDaddy don’t really like the idea that I have to wear a uniform since I have so many nice clothes that Jenna and Kim gave me, but so far it is working out just fine. When I started in the class, my teachers’ names were Mr. Matt and Miss Emily. I will get into that later. For the first couple of weeks, I was really tired when I came home! I also missed my teacher in the last class (Miss Gina). I stopped yelling “yeah school” when we pulled up but started saying “no school” because I was not really into the new routine yet. I was also not with all of my friends. MommyDaddy originally thought that I would be with Miss Tiffany, the teacher that I loved when I was in the 12-18 month old class, but something got changed at the last minute. I liked my new teachers, but was just not getting as much cuddling as I did before. Do you know that I love to get cuddles? As I mentioned earlier, though, my teachers have changed. You will need to hold on because I am a chronological girl. That’s how I roll. Or, that is how Mommy rolls and she does have say on how we do this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
+of+thanksgiving.jpg)
