Finley Makes 3...

Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses

2009-10-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses
My Friend Ashley talked me into submitting a dress design even though I so didn't have the time! But I must admit, it was so much fun to stop working and be creative again for a little bit :) My dress design would be made of a combination of knit Jersey and lightweight cotton.
Click on the image to get a really big zoom.
Some info:
~main dress is a sea glass color
~ fitted bodice with strips of jersey in same color making ruffle effect
~little puff sleeves made of light weight non stretch sea glass colored cotton with lavender jersey trim
~All trim in lavender jersey except pocket trim
~ pockets made of extremely light weight non stretch cotton in same sea glass color, with very thin orange trim.

All in a days work :) FUN!
Since I've never sewn adult clothing, I'm already working on a mini version of this for Finley. I've never tried to make my own pattern (well, I've never tried to make one that actually works!!) but here's to hoping this one fits! The bodice I made might be a little narrow...so I might be hacking off the top and just having a pocket circle skirt. We'll see :)

My goodness it's your birthday!

2009-06-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today you turn three. At 3 pm today, June 8 2006, you entered this world. You gave me and daddy quite a surprise, since we had not expected to meet you for another 5 weeks...but you were determined to say hello, make us smile, make us love you, and make a big entry.
You are still exactly like that, determined, yup, that's for sure. You love to make us smile (your favorite joke right now goes like this "Knock Knock, who's there, Cargo. Cargo Who? Car go Beep Beep"), it always gets a hearty laugh from daddy and me. You don't even need to try to make us love you, we did the moment we met you. And as for a big entry? Well, let's put it this way, you like your presence to be known, regardless how you feel about a given situation!
Since you have bronchitis, we had to cancel your birthday party (well, postpone). It's a small party we are planning, with only about 4 guests, and we're bummed about canceling it, but daddy and I tried to make your birthday morning really special. Though you woke up not in the best of moods since you aren't feeling well, you perked up when you saw the forest of balloons in the hallway, as well as festive banner and bunting we decorated with last night. Then you got to open some presents and play, and watch tv. Nice. But it got better. We took you to your favorite place (the bookstore!) and then for lunch, you had ice cream! Yay! You loved it!
Now you are napping and it's hard for me to think about how 3 years ago life was so different. I didn't know about this massive maternal love. I remember 3 years ago right now, at 4:30 in the afternoon, holding you for the first time, my funny looking newborn, and wondering how this will change my life. I recall thinking it was all very surreal. Did this really happen? Did I just have a baby? (thank god for the most simple labor on the planet, thank you darling!).
Anyhow, it did happen, it still is surreal, and it did change my life. I would never be the same without you and I don't even remember what life was like before you came into this world and brightened my everyday with your superstar personality.
I adore you forever.
xoxo
Your mummy.

Day 2 Away from you....

2009-05-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

I'm off in Arizona on a 'working vacation' as they say. It seems today was ALL work, but tomorrow I intend to relax, possibly sleep in, and play. Maybe shop. This is my first time away from you and I sure do miss you my little monkey. I am amazed though that you are at an age where we can talk on the phone! Your voice sounds so different on the phone, it's almost like you have a foreign accent or something! It makes me laugh!

Tonight when daddy put you on the phone the first thing I heard over the speaker was your deep giggle. Is that possible? A deep giggle? That's the best way I can describe it. It's a beauty. I adore hearing you laugh.

But as soon as you heard my voice on Daddy's phone you just started giggling and next thing you know you are telling me all about your day and your DVD that is skipping and oh no what will you do etc... It was precious. Sometimes it takes small moments like this to realize how incredibly special the things in front of your face every day are. I don't think I ever thought you weren't precious, but we take for granted what is right in front of us each day, and I will try not to do that anymore. I am with my friend who lost her daughter two years ago and I am just so thankful that you are my daughter and you are here.

Here you are in the new skirt I made you. And here is the view from my window this morning. Wish you were here monkey.

Oh yes, we have no Banana's...

2009-05-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

This happens to be one of your favorite songs these days. you often share a banana with me for breakfast and so you run over to where we keep the bananas on the counter and you sing that song and change the number based on how many are actually there. It's one of those fun little things that you do that I don't want to forget. There are so many, and in fact I wanted to write about something entirely different this morning but didn't have time, and, well, yeah, I forget what it was about....

But speaking of bananas...we had your Nana here for most of the month of April and you had an incredible time with her laughing it up. I find myself taking fewer and fewer pictures these days and wanted to get one of the two of you in here to memorialize the fun you guys have. I am always amazed that 8 months or more can go by without seeing her, and as soon as you see her you know it's your nana. In fact, when she got off the plane I pointed at the crowd of people and said "Look who's here, it's Nana!" and you went running, arms open wide into her legs. It was so darling and I know she appreciated it so very much.
You are truly a very loveable girl. You may not be into snuggly/cuddly moods all that often, but you sure do know how to share and show your love in other ways. For that, I am super thankful.

Identity Crisis

2009-05-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

I've often mentioned in the past how you like to call yourself different names, anything from the week you went by "walrus" to yesterday when you were "Finley Baby." Not to be confused by "Baby Finley," I should mention. No, no that certainly was not the name you wanted me to call you! But now, well, today, you're just Finley. And I like it.
Today I said "You rock!" when you did something clever, and you replied "No Mummy, I Finley." Very matter of fact.
And so it is. You are Finley.

4 months flittering by...

2009-05-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

No more apologies from Mummy! I know, I know, I lost the memories to my mummy brain possibly forever and we now may never remember what you did from Jan 2009 to May 2009. Oh, the sacrifices one makes for blogging. What have I been up to? Aside from being your loving and adoring (though honestly lately frustrated) mother, I've continued to be busy with a plethora of things from work, to family, to crafting, to just plain procrastinating.
I enjoy writing your blog so much, and thanks from a silent nudge that I personally imagined coming from a friend, (though it didn't), I now want to say I am back on the blog-wagon!
As for what you've been up to? An enormous amount of crazy and creative and wild things. I haven't read back to see what you were up to at the end of 2008, but 2009 brings many 'flyboats/hospitals/libraries' which ultimately are random items from all over the house piled up on the living room sofas. I Move one thing and you go into panic mode with a great big "OH NO!" and things just aren't right! Ah well, so the sofa's are useless until bedtime, where together after our family kooky dance time we tidy everything up and let everything "nap" together with their friends.
I'll try and track down a picture of a recent pile up. Uh, boat.

What else...you are still madly in love with reading books. The library is your favorite place to be. Reading books is your favorite activity, and we still read before naptime and bed time as well as every morning when you wake up. Anywhere from 10 minutes to 45. I love that you love books. I love books too, though am embarrassed to say that I barely make it through a magazine these days, let alone a book!
My nightstand is stacked with books from your psychologist about "Helping you socially vulnerable child" and "Emotional Coaching for Social Anxiety" and so on. Yes, you still have your moments, and your still not entirely comfortable in large groups, so we keep things small and tight these days and whoa, school is right around the corner so we are going to need some serious coaching through that one.
Amid this anxiety, you also walked up to a little girl at Target today and said "Hi, I'm Finley and this is my Majesty Mummy" Yes, that is your new name for me, because you are a princess and you've thus imagined me as the queen so have named me Majesty Mummy. I must say I way prefer it to Linnie, which you called me for 2 weeks straight. Daddy was Steve. I am sooo glad we are done with that phase! Oh wait, I imagine we're just on hiatus!
Your imaginary Rhino friend Rosa hasn't visited too often, I kinda miss her. You seemed to tell me what you were thinking about through Rosa. Now when I ask what you're thinking about you cross your arms and get a grumpy face and say "ANYTHING!" which really meaning "nothing." I want you to tell me more. In fact, I want you to tell me everything. And 'anything.'

ACK!

2009-01-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

It's been a month and a half of your precious life...just fleeting me by in the land of blog. I'm so sorry darling. You seriously deserve like 3 posts per day because I know I could fill it with many of the incredible things that you do and say. Like I could detail all the new songs you have been making up (for example, Mary had a little lamb could alternately be "Mary had a little shoe" or "little penguin" according to you.) You love to sing and love making up songs. And dancing. We've been dancing at night with Dad all three of us holding hands and looking down at your happy little face is the greatest.

Speaking of Dad, you are at that absolutely adorable stage where you shriek in delight at the thought of him coming home! If Maddie barks you say "Is Daddy home?" with anticipation. When I tell you not yet you say "let's go check, just in case" because you are so excited to see him.

You've found your zen lately as a builder. Lego Duplo has come to our rescue and seriously entertains you for ages. Together we build towers and houses and cars and robots. Oh, and Mr. Potato Heads too. You love building those and making silly faces. Each time you build something you say "I build the best one Daddy's ever seen!!" and when he comes home you usher him to your playroom saying every night "Daddy, I show you something special....Ta Da!!!!" Ah, it doesn't get sweeter.

Here are a few photos from the last month. Hmm...did I miss Christmakah all together? Yikes~! I've had a lot on my plate with work and all. The holidays were low key and lovely. You got a train table for Channukah and lots of other fun things for the holidays. Most importantly we spent it all together as a family and that's what it's all about. Love you.

It's a Faux Christmas

2008-12-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

Today your Mimi and Grand Daddy Sam left after a whirlwind 3 day visit which not only included a trip to the largest tamale festival, and Wild Lights at the Living Desert...but it also included the official start to your Christmas. In fact, the start was so much like Christmas that I am almost thinking we are done with the holiday! Well...I know that won't fly around here, but it was worth a try! ;-)

We had a great time. We picked a tree with Mimi and Grand Daddy and you had a lot of fun decorating it. When you woke up Friday morning Mimi had filled it full of presents, mostly bearing the name Finley. Oh did your eyes twinkle when you saw it all! The very best gift of all was your Thomas trains and starter track. I've bought you a full on 120 piece all wood train set for Channukah, which you will get in a few weeks, but this was perfect as a starter train set and you cannot stop playing with it! You got a Thomas & a Molly train, and some fire truck trains. You looked at me and said "where's Percy and Emily?" HUH? When did you figure them all out like that...must be all that time at that Benjamin's house...oooh, he's going to cost this family a pretty penny on trains! ;-) (Actually Finley, when you read this when you are a mother yourself I want you to know the price of a single wooden Thomas train is about $18 in Dec 2008. I am curious if that will be shockingly cheap, or shockingly expensive in 30 years from now...).

Anyhow, a great couple of days with our family celebrating half the traditions of our family. You will have so many traditions girl, you'll be relieved when December is over each year!

Love you sweetie pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-12-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

I know it's been at least 2 weeks since I've posted. It's a busy time of year! We have your Mimi & Grand daddy Sam visiting us in a few days...so it will be even busier!

Forgive me for not making a big deal out of thanksgiving...but I never celebrated it growing up since my parents didn't grow up in North America (and thus they never celebrated it!) so I didn't quite realize the importance of this holiday around these parts! Anyhow, we had a really wonderful night at Bubbie & Zaydie's house where you & Fiona (Bubbie's daughter Shannon's little girl) had a blast playing together. I think she is 9 years old...and the moment you laid eyes on her you were smitten ;-) You love girls who are at least twice your age and you love to watch them and play with them. You and Fiona had a blast playing with balls, or running around the house counting all the paintings on the walls, or searching for colors (that's a great game by the way, thank you Fiona for creating it!).

We had a double thanksgiving because 2 nights later we spent it at the neighbors with Dave & Rob and some friends. Though you never actually sat down to eat, you did have an incredible time running around the house with your toys everywhere. It's easy going next door, that's for sure! They have the most beautiful tree every year and you loved looking at it and naming all the animals on the ornaments.

I think your dad i about ready to get you organized for Christmas...while I need to find a way to trump Christmas with some kind of phenomenal Chanukah bush or something. Hmm...better start thinking about that one. It's pretty impossible to trump the beauty of a Christmas tree and a jolly fat guy in a red suit. Oh, and the presents. I cannot wait to give you our present!! We got you a great wood train table and set and I think you are going to love it! Just need to figure out where to put it in your shrinking playroom.....

You're a potty star!

2008-11-14T17:17:00.000-08:00

Last night I was out running some errands. I called Dad to ask him about something and he was just washing up your dinner dishes and prepping your bath. He walked into the bathroom to start the bath and there you were, undies on the ground, and pee pee in the potty! You looked up at him and said "Finley go pee pee potty!!" Indeed you did! How amazing are you?! You've been potty trained for about 4 months now, but never have you ever just gone to the potty all by yourself! Dad put the phone down and I heard a lot of cheering and laughing and singing and dancing. It was a good time had by all, and I am so happy I was lucky enough to call and share in that moment.

I didn't have a picture since I wasn't there, but I can just imagine your smile was about this big. :)

How old are you exactly..?

2008-11-11T17:36:00.001-08:00

I know every parent thinks their kid is gifted...in some way or another! And usually, well, they're not.

But even if you aren't gifted (hey, I'm cool with that), you are doiong a few things that seem to me to be well beyond your 2 years 5 months (yes, soon to be 2 and a half and I don't know why but that feels so old to me so I am sticking with an "*almost* 2 and a half" when asked). Anyhow, I digress.

You've started speaking and behaving in alter egos. I know you kids have tremendous imaginations (like the fake birthday parties and presents thrown daily) but you've taken on new names & personas.

Last week you were known as 'cowgirl'. You waned to be called cowgirl all the time, and you addressed yourself as such too. In turn, I became cowgirl's mummy. Lucky daddy became 'cowboy'. Several days later you became 'bubble princess' (though according to you daddy remained cowboy) and most recently you have been asking for me to call you 'walrus'. Yes, walrus. You say things like "Walrus hungry" and "Mummy say night night walrus."

Yup, you are officially gifted ;-)

Oh my Goodness!

2008-11-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

Halloween has come and gone and I haven't even posted about your tremendous evening! Well, I wasn't quite sure how it would go...but I imagined a scene much like this:

Me: "Finley, would you like to knock on the door and say trick or treat?"

You: "Wwwaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!"

Surprisingly, it went more like this:

Me: "Ok Finley, let's go to the next house......... wait for me!!!"

You: "Trick or treat!!! Happy Halloween!!! Thank you!!"

Yup, you read that right. Miss shy heard the word CANDY, and though you never tasted any before, it made your eyes gleam and the thought of it made you run with reckless abandon darting to strangers homes and knocking on doors! It was a blast to watch and I loved every moment. You made your mama proud. :)

When the night was done and we decided it was your first time to taste CANDY you were excited as can be. The first M&M got a great big smile. The second the smile was still there. The third had you spit it out and say "yucky!!"

Ahh...you really are something else baby girl.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

2008-10-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

Is it seriously October 26??

2008-10-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

Where oh where does the time fly? Not just on a day to day basis...but really, are you my two year old?

Today we went to Belinda's to spend some time with her & her 4 week old twins. They are about 6.5 pounds each now and I fed them both and cradled them in my lap the same way I fed you a bottle when you were just 4 weeks old and weighing a bit more than that. The memories flashed at me and the thought of you, who was peering over my shoulder as I fed little Ruby, being the same girl as the one who once fit on my knees like Ruby now did, with her eyes half shut drinking her milk...man, it was a total flashback!

So we've had a super busy month, which I will recap here for fear that those memories too will be forever gone (my memory is failing!). Your nana came for a visit this month. You guys had an absolute blast together. You played with her non stop and you were a total angel. We all went to Sea World, and the pumpkin patch. You had a great time at both and I should mention they were big deals because of long car rides...but you did it in your undies and stayed dry! Superstar!

The pumpkin patch was a ton of fun and fabulous photo opportunities! There is just something so adorable about little kids surrounded by massive veggies and plants :) When we were driving there you suddenly yelled out "gourds!" and it was like you had a teeny flashback of our pumpkin patch visit a year ago. You loved it then too, and had picked out 6 little gourds that became your playmates all year long. You still shake those things :) This year we picked six more to add to the collection.

Sea World was great too because you actually enjoyed some of the things that typically frightened you. You enjoyed the Shamu show, and the dolphin show, which was fun. You also went on your first amusement park ride...the Abby Cadabby Teacups! You were a tad freaked but you did have a great time over all. You sure are growing up babe...

The weather's been cooler too so we've actually been playing outside more and heading to the parks. Your newest thing is that you are no longer terrified of the slides & playground! You amazed me by climbing up and sliding down all by yourself...something you had little interest in 5 months ago. It's really neat.

Oh and your performing streak is really out and about too. Last night you decided to do a performance of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and you had dad & I in hysterics! You would tell us that you were going to sing, then you would climb over an Ottoman to get to your 'stage' which was just the floor nearby. But you made it seem like you were going from back stage to main stage and you made a big deal out of it! Then you looked at us, asked "Ready?" and waited for our enthusiastic YES and next thing you know you belted out Twinkle and then clapped with pure joy. Then did it again. And again. And again. So cute!

I think I'll stop here for now and just upload a few great pictures from the last few weeks.

Love you babe.

Do not turn up your volume...

2008-10-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

You know how whenever someone send an email with a video they say "make sure to turn the volume up"? Well for this video, make sure the volume is not set too high! You will quickly see why. I think Ryan's ears may still be ringing today!!

This little video was taken last night. You, my dear Finley, helped mummy throw a sweet little birthday dinner for Emily. Amber cooked the entire meal (now THAT is the way to throw a dinner party- have your friends cook everything!) and you three girls were so sweet together. I set up a 'kiddie' table for you guys and we attempted an adult meal. Attempted is the key word :)

Anyhow...as it got later into the evening you & Abby ended up being your nutty selves as sweet Mia watched and wondered how she wound up with such kooky buddies ;-)

You guys had fun, and so did we, so a good night was had by all. Happy Birthday Emily!

SO much to catch up on! Post #3

2008-09-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to daddy!

It was Dad's birthday this week and you were very excited to give him your handmade card! When Daddy saw it he said "Finley! Did you make this?" and you looked at him and said "Yeah, Mummy make it." Honey, that was supposed to be between us! ;-)

But we had a lovely day...pancakes for breakfast and then a trip out to the bookstore where we hung out reading books. You love books so bookstores are always a hit with you!

Since it was Dad's birthday I asked you if you wanted to wear your party dress! Oh yes you did!! You ask me quite often to wear this dress and this silly mum always says 'no honey, it's too fancy to wear to walmart!' but that's silly right there. You should wear it before you grow out of it...which you soon will at the rate you are growing!

So you were so pleased to wear your party dress and a big "oooohhhhh" came from you when you saw your reflection all dressed up. Oh you are such a girlie girl!

So much to catch up on! Post #2

2008-09-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

How cute are you in pigtails? :) It's been forever since you let me put 'piggies' in your hair! But you finally relented for a moment (I think you were captivated by Dora on tv or something when I put them in!). I haven't been able to get new ones in since!

But you did enjoy another night of painting in the back yard with Daddy. You beg to paint every day but it's still so hot we usually wait until nigh time... It's now too cold to swim every evening so it looks like painting will be its replacement for a while :) I'm cool with that!

SO much to catch up on! Post #1

2008-09-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe to make this easier I'll make it into separate posts...going from a few weeks ago to now. This way when you are older and reading this you won't be over loaded with my ramblings....

Let's start with this:

This was the scene the night we launched Happy Chickadee. I know I haven't mentioned it much on this blog, since it is a blog dedicated to you, and not my business ventures. But this too is becoming a big thing in my life and I want you to know about it. And also be inspired by it. Women can wear so many hats, and lucky for me I can multi task and be your mother and a work at home mom! I hope you achieve whatever your dreams are sweet girl.

Anyhow, we launched our website on a Wednesday night, Sept 17. Moments after we launched your daddy called me into the living room. The above was what I saw. Cake and cookies and candles to celebrate the launch of a new business (yes, inspired by you too! See you are always behind everything I do!). How sweet is your daddy? Super sweet :)

So you kind of have an idea that I work, because you now can say "mummy working", "happy chickadee" and "mummy office". Though I am not sure you quite understand what working/Happy Chickadee means, but that's ok! I think I like keeping business and pleasure separate too :)

There's post #1. I will attempt more today to catch up on September. But perhaps now you'll understand why I was so busy in September 2008 and barely took any pictures of you or blogged about you. You've got a lifetime kid. ;-)

A little bit of mama...a little bit of dada...

2008-09-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Someone pointed out to me how comfortable you look with a golf club or paintbrush in hand! Wow, I totally didn't notice it before but now I do! It's funny since your dad and I have never been able to pinpoint who you look like, either he or me. People sometimes say you look like Dad, or me, but we still can't see it. Then some people say you are a perfect blend of the two of us. Nope, can't see that either. BUT, now we can see you take after a little bit of each of us in your personality.

Daddy, as you will one day find out, is an accomplished golfer (he in fact shot 61 in a tournament today) and played professionally for many years travelling the world and competing. Just before he & I met he stopped playing professionally and went amateur again (I hope I am using the right terms. I am pretty dense when it comes to this stuff!). Dad will tell you more when you are older! Anyhow, I hope you enjoy golf because it can be such a fun way for you guys to spend time together and enjoy the great outdoors! I love golf, although am not very good, nor do I actually know how to play...but I do love it anyhow. So by the looks of you and your little involvement with golf so far...I think you will be a natural!

Then it seems you love to paint too. As you will also come to learn, Mummy is the artist in the family and while I never painted for a living (though have sold some pieces) art was definitely my living for a long time. I would love for you to enjoy art and creating so when I watch you paint my heart flutters for a moment and I hope that it's another connection that you & I will have.

So while you may not look like either of us per se, you certainly have some of our best traits. And that my dear, is wonderful.

A Great Day at the Kids Museum, Cowboy!!

2008-09-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning you woke up and I had no idea what we should do for the day...temps are still in the 100s! So I gave you two choices, I said The Library and paused (to which you didn't react) and then The Kids Museum, to which you immediately smiled and said "KIDS MUSEUM!".

Perfect! Away we went and let me tell you, we had a blast! You tend to shy away from lots of things at the museum because they frighten you or other kids are around...but you really loved it yesterday! It helps that school is back in session, and it was a Tuesday so there were very few people there. We had fun for about 2 hours there and I had to drag you home for lunch!

We had the most fun upstairs at the dress up area, where you put on puppet shows for me and vice versa. You started singing a song that you claim is a Wiggles song, it started with you belting out "Cowboy!!!........" then had a verse that was much like "A-boo, A-baa, didididididi, tatatata..." and then ended with a distinct "Yeeehaw!!" It was hilarious and you had me in stitches! We did that number over and over again, you singing and me dancing!

We then had some artsy moments where you painted the car. I love watching you paint and can't wait for the weather to cool down so that we can paint in the backyard again.

So a fun day was had and I am thinking we may make it a little ritual again and go every week (on a school day!).

Thanks for a great day!!

xoxox

We're back from Vacation!

2008-09-04T00:29:00.001-07:00

Though I am not positive that will help much with my blogging hiatus! I'm trying Finley, I'm trying!

We had an incredible time in Jackson, seeing friends and gorgeous scenery and spending time with Bubbie and Zaide. You loved being there and I'm not surprised! The weather was gorgeous and we got to play outside everyday, and go on our friend's boat amidst the stunning Tetons, hang out with tons of dogs (Maddie's old play buddies!) and all my friends' new kids!

You did a lot of surprising little things over the vacation that your dad and I just looked at each other wondering if you were our kid! :) Like your sudden love for ride on toys (which did not return to you upon your arrival back in CA and your 'wheely bug' still remains lonely and dusty), as well as your sudden love of tents and tunnels, and not to mention your love of going to bed late and sleeping in even later! We were pretty much on the 10pm-10am schedule in Jackson! Yeehaw them cowboys say, eh? (which is how a Canadian says it I guess ;-)

We had a great time and unfortunately it was only dampened by the bug you caught on your last day which later decided to rear it's ugly head in the form of projectile pukefest 2008 on the flight landing in Palm Springs. Yup, it was messy, ugly and extremely nerve wracking, but we took care of you and each other and everyone came out alive though slightly messy and smelly! Ugh!

So the last week you've been a bit out of sorts and I don't know if it's the bug, or the settling back in, or the you being two part, but the tantrums and crying fits we've seen this week are like none I've ever seen from you before! We're trying to figure it out...feel free to make suggestions as this very well may be a cry for help!

But the good news this week...well you are my dear a potty champ! at 26 months old we've eliminated diapers from all waking hours and only use them at naps and nights. Even better news? You don't even need hem 80% of the time! You look at me in the morning all proud and exclaim "DRY!" referring to your diaper! And yes indeed, 3 days in a row, it's been dry after you being in bed 12+ hours! And naptimes been no different with a majority of the time being dry after about 4 hours! You got it baby, you got it!! :)

But I fear cheering is premature cause we still have a long way to go I think! But what a great step and you are doing a terrific job! Thank you!

Well, that's enough or me...it's late and that seems to be my only quiet time these days...I'll try to write more sweetie. There is no reason why you should be deprived of month 27 too!

xoxox

Gearing up for our next vacation

2008-08-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well it feels like the time has just flown by. The month of August has been a complete blur! Though it isn't over yet and we have a big trip planned! We are off to Jackson Hole for a week to enjoy the glorious Tetons, spend time with Bubbie and Zaydie, our good friends, and see the place where you grew in my tummy! Fun! we plan on playing the roles of tourists while there so that we can show you as much as possible and we already have our first three days booked solid, including a trip out to the lake on our friends boat. Your first boat trip! I am crossing my fingers that you like it!

Well, this past week hasbeen nice, very nice. You've decided that you are either madly in love with your bed, or you are on some new growth spurt, because you've been sleeping in every morning until about 10am! Crazy! It makes for a tough morning in terms of making plans with friends, but it has given me some great time to focus on some work and such. So thank you!

We've also had a lot of fun swimming this week, including time with our friends. You've found a new obsession with Dora the explorer and her monkey boots and have since named all monkey dolls boots. Dora is helping with your potty training and you'll do anything to keep your Dora undies dry! :) I can actually say you are doing so well, it's amazing. Since the day we got home from Tacoma, which was 3 weeks ago, you've only worn diapers for naps and bed time, and undies the rest of the time. And the truly remarkable part...you've only had one accident!! And it was under unusual circumstances! Hopefully we can keep it up while on vacation! I am really proud of you baby. I thought this was something that would have me ripping my hair out...but so far so good... Check back with me in few weeks though ;-)

Where does the time go...

2008-08-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Is it seriously August 10th and last time I wrote was July 31? Shame on mummy! I know I was planning on writing more about our trip to Tacoma, yet so many fun things have happened in between! I'll stick to my original plan though and just always be a little behind!

Here you areplaying at Mimi's dock and lake. You had such a terrific time! You loved dancing on the dock and picking flowers (and placing one above each of our ears). You loved walking into the lake and throwing little rocks with Dad. It is such a beautiful setting and we just had a glorious time there. Here are some pictures.

Back from a getaway!

2008-07-31T23:25:00.000-07:00

I can't exactly call it a vacation, since there was little rest and relaxation, which is what is usually associated with vacations! But we sure had a great time! We went to Tacoma to see your Mimi and Grand Daddy Sam and family, and then to Vancouver, BC to a wedding and my friends and your Doda Talia!

You had a great time, even though the day before we left we spent the afternoon at the hospital ER for your wickedly huge split lip! Oh, and then while in Vancouver you took another big fall and fell on your chin into a metal ladder. Ouch. But amidst the scrapes, bruises (and splinters from playing hours on end at Mimi's dock) you had a terrific time!

We had many firsts, including the first time ever you slept in a bed with us (let's just say it was a bit of a achallnge for all involved but Daddy!), and the first time you stayed up until 10:30 pm, oh, and the first time you stayed up until 1:00 am! Ha, that was DEFINITELY a first! Plus the first time you went three consecutive days without napping. And the first time you insisted on wearing sunglasses! The list goes on an on. A vacation full of firsts that I am a bit tired to remember it all right now but I'll try to add pictures of our week all this week and snippets and stories. In the meantime hereis a sweet picture taken a Point Defiance Zoo.

Well, I may as well make it official...

2008-07-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

Because I guess you are officially on the potty train. Choo Choo baby! It's been a little over a week that you actively started using your potty and today we hit the 'piece de resistance' milestone. It was a beautiful moment.

To backtrack a little, we've been doing potty training by you simply sitting on the potty before we leave the house, and before naps and bedtime. You've been wearing just your underwear at home, and diapers during sleep time and outside of the house time. It's been working great (you pee 95% of the times you try), but you hadn't really expressed a need to use the potty on your own volition, as opposed to me just telling you when to use it, and use it you did!

You did a great job and of course it helped that every successful trip got a sticker for your hand, another for your potty (which now has 34 stickers on it!) and a small dollar store gift.

Well, today we were at an event at the library, and you said to me "pee pee potty mummy" and I kind of looked around not knowing what to do! We had never tried in a public restroom before! Well, good thing I had you in a dress (that's all you are wearing from now on baby!!) because we went there, I put you on the potty, and it was a success!! We did the potty dance and got a sticker for you and man, I was so proud of you!! You knew, even though you were in diapers, to stop what we were doing and take care of business!

I have no idea if this will all keep happening, or if it will be over in a week, but I have to say I am totally proud and impressed, since a little over week ago you wouldn't even sit on the thing. :)

We are traveling all next week so hopefully that doesn't ruin things...but I must say you are my little super star once again. Thanks sweet 'pee'. Oh man, I'm soooo lame!! :)

Letter Love

2008-07-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

You got these letters the other day as an 'incentive' gift. It turned out to be a hit! As soon as you got them you wanted to take a bath. It was 11 in the afternoon! But a bath you had. Then another one that night, and the next morning, and the next night.... You get the point- the letters are a good gift :)

Now if we could only get you to figure out that an 8 is not a B and a V and Y have a slight difference to them, then these letters will be a massive success!

But fun was had, and that's all that counts.

Cheers to Good Friends

2008-07-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

You've got a lot of good friends. I think that's one of the best things that happened since moving to the Desert while I was pregnant. See, had we stayed home in Jackson Hole, you might have had a few friends, since several of my friends there have kids about your age...but instead we moved to California, and it forced me to meet new people, new mothers specifically, to find support, friendship, and to keep us busy!! You never liked staying home...not as an infant, and not as a toddler either...

Turns out as luck would have it I not only made incredible friends, but so did you!! Most of your little friends are anywhere from a week to 3 months age difference with you. How crazy is that? You have quiet friends, and curious friends, you have smart friends and even a friend that you treat like a sibling (means you love her, but you guys get into fights. Yes, a 2 year old gets into tiffs with her buddies!). You basically have friends whom you feel good hanging with, and can learn things from, and show off in front of, and just be your plain kooky self; and they love you. It's pretty awesome.

Here are some photos from a little impromptu dance party you and your friends decided to have. Dad and I have a thing where for ten seconds every night, we have to DANCE! Like fools, to no music...but just get up out of our chairs at any random moment, and dance hard! Perhaps we'll do that with you every day. You are the dancing superstar in this family after all.

The lost blogger...

2008-07-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

But I promise you, not the lost mother! I know I've been missing out on blogging about all the fun and sweet and loving things that you do over the last few months, but I want you to know that although I've been busy dear Finley, I have not deserted you! I am still the same stay at home mum who relishes in seeing your face every morning and misses you if I have to go run errands while Daddy is home.

I have been busier than usual lately, but that's because I am starting a new business. I wonder if you're older and reading this you'll know the business and everything about it, because it became super successful and wildly influential...or maybe you'll say "you did what?" because it was just barely a blip on the radar. I hope the former but this isn't the place for me to talk about business, unless the business of raising my little girl!

Well, you've been a busy little girl too. We've been seeing your friends lots, and we went to Santa Monica and LA for a few days to see all your family from New Zealand and you got to meet cousin Asher. You haven't stopped talking about him since! And Uncle Grant and David, and Auntie Britt. And Uncle Jack & Auntie Maureen too! All the NZ family was on a layover in LA so we went to meet them for two days. I am so happy you got to meet more of your family.

We also had your 2 year well visit. You are 29 pounds and 35 inches tall! That's nearly 3 feet! Everything looks great and your doctor was very impressed with your vocabulary, especially when she took out her stethoscope and placed it on you and you said "heart beat". Smarty pants. :)

We talked about your anxiety with the doctor. You have a lot of fear of new people, anxiety over crowded places, loud noises or unexpected noises (we don't ever think of handing you a doll that has any form of noise/electronic voice or whatever!). You get really scared and your shoulders raise all the way up practically past your ears and your hands shake in front of you said "no! no!" Dr. Go said that about 30% of kids your age have some form of anxiety and that though yours may be a higher level we have to keep doing what we are doing...which is exposing you to things in these situations and setting you up to anticipate them. We're working on it! But we're lucky we have super understanding friends who are always careful about handing you the right type of doll!! :)

Oh, we also discovered I can fit in your crib! This is a new thing you like for us to do after every nap. You get me in there with all your dollies and play. I love it! You also taught yourself how to put on pants this week. Though you were already wearing a pair of shorts at the time but...whatever! :)

Well, that's our highlight. I won't promise yet that I'll be writing more, but please know that I will try. I do want you to have all these memories one day. xoxox.

My Rock Star in Training

2008-06-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Sick and Snuggly

2008-06-19T22:59:00.001-07:00

Just a little note to say I am so happy you are feeling better! You had a little stomach bug that started at 6am Wednesday morning when you said from your crib "Mouth Poo Poo" meaning you had thrown up all over your bed. Pretty cute and clever I must say of you to call it that since you didn't know what else to call it! Well, there was more 'mouth poo poo' all day long and also fever over 102 and chills and even blue lips and feet! You had me worried baby! But we went to the doctor and she was certainly right, just a stomach bug!

It was strange though because you were totally different than your usual self. Normally you will eat non stop if I let you, but you refused all and any food, other than less than half a cracker (on a good day you would eat five if I let you!!). Plus it didn't stay down! You also wouldn't drink juice. Now you never do drink juice but not because you don't like it, but because I never give you juice! But you love it the few times a year you drink it! Yesterday I tried everything to get you to drink juice. No way.

The other huge difference, which while I hated the reason you were being this way, I secretly enjoyed it, was that you became the most delicious snuggle bug around. You rarely snuggle, maybe twenty minutes in a whole week, maybe, on a good week! But yesterday you curled up in my arms for at least 8 hours. You melted your face in my shoulder or chest and wrapped your arms around me. It was delicious, especially the few minutes you napped on me. We didn't leave each other's side for more than 10 minutes all day. Now that was nice. Not that you were sick, but nice that you knew I would always be there to care for you.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

2008-06-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

You're pretty young but I think you are old enough to know how special your dad is. Without him you might not get fed and bathed at night, or get endless games of peekaboo, or have some one's back to ride on during push ups, or have someone want nothing more than to make you giggle endlessly. He takes such incredible care of you, and wants nothing more than to be the perfect dad.

He will always be there for that extra hug and kiss, and you will never grow up not knowing what it's like to have a loving and involved father. He'll always be there, teaching you things throughout your life, whether major or silly trivia, that he'll share with you. He'll make sure you grow up to be a well rounded woman who is kind and generous to all, just as he is. He'll make sure you learn how to act with respect and genuine interest for everyone you meet, just as he does. If you grow up to be like him at all, then we're a very lucky family.

We're two fortunate ladies to have him and today is the day we tell him that.

We love you Dad.

KISS!!

2008-06-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

I got you these animals for your birthday. They have a similar set at the kids museum and every time we go there you spend like 20 minutes playing with them, so I thought you would like these. Do you ever! You take one in the car, another around the house, another in your kitchen etc. You wake up asking to play with them, and they were the biggest toy hit of your party! Who knew!!

But........the best thing you've done with them is the picture here. I came back from the kitchen and you were hanging out in your playroom, and I saw all your animals posed as though they are kissing! I asked dad if he did it, and he said no. So I looked at you and said "Finley, did you do that to the animals?" and you said "Yeees!" (it's so cute, you switched from Yeah to Yes and it's adorable!). Anyhow, I wasn't quite sure you understood what I asked. So I said "Finley, what did you make the animals do?" and you looked at me, smiled and said "KISS!!!".

Yummy, you are so darn yummy!!

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

2008-06-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

Wow wow wow. You are now officially two. Wow. I feel like that's all I can say. I mean, we have just had so much fun with you over the last 2 years and we've learned so much and we've become these people that we wouldn't actually know only two years ago. Wow. Wow.

Well, it was a wonderful day. We had a fabulous art themed birthday party for you. We kept it super small since you really hate crowds and only your best 7 buds were there. We sure are lucky to have such great seven buds, let me tell you. They are such great kids and their mommies are people I just couldn't live without. I feel fortunate every day to have them in our lives.

We had a lot of fun and you were just a spunky fireball today. You were completely obsessed with opening gifts and kept saying "one more! one more!" over and over after each gift was opened. And did you ever receive some of the most amazing gifts ever!! I can't even begin to tell you how touched I was to know that our friends love and care for us so much to think about us and make such special things for us. In your adorable little "Cackeee" voice (Finley speak for "Thank you") that's all I could barely utter today I was so amazed. We sure are loved, and it sure feels good!

Anyhow, back to you!! You enjoyed the festivities and even had your first taste of cake (Sans icing! Sorry baby!! I promise that on your third birthday you'll get cake AND icing!! ;-). You seemed to like it but you did seem more excited by the prospect of eating a cracker even more! We munched on fruits and veggies, and you must have had like 5 crackers. The sugar and carbs had you on full speed energy until 2pm, at which time your last guest left and you crashed!!! You insisted you wanted to keep playing but your eyes told me "put me to bed, NOW!" :) I did and you fell fast asleep.

It was a beautiful day with you, and though the evening wasn't quite as easy (you still seemed hopped up on sugar or something and very moody!) it was still a super special day. I remember after putting you down for nap your dad and I started cleaning up and I looked at the clock and it was 3pm on the nose. the moment you were born, 2 years ago. I told Daddy and we hugged and were just so amazed to be where we are today, and how lucky we are to have a superstar like you in our midst.

It's a challenge

2008-05-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

A fellow mama friend, Jamie, posted this challenge on her own blog for me (and several others). Are we like super geeks or super cool because we blog? Who knows! But anyhow, this blog is almost always about you until some segue like this happens. Sometimes I feel guilty for digressing to non YOU topics. Isn't that nuts? I'm telling you, until you are a mother you never know what it feels like to really never put yourself first anymore. I mean it, NEVER! Not even in a silly little blog (speaking of which, oh lordy do you say the word Silly so cute! You sign it at the same time and it in itself is the picture of silliness!).

See, what did I say, I can't even focus on myself even when it's the task at hand!

Anyhow, here is my challenge....

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog (done and done)

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs (am I supposed to know 7 bloggers personally? That's just plain nuts! Jamie already tagged my only blogging friends and I know they won't do this again so I shamefully can't complete this rule. I need more nerdy friends like me!
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog (I will not be tagging anyone, so need not complete this rule either. You should know this is very hard for me, because I am a rule person. Yes indeed.).

Well, since this blog is for you my dear and when you are 14 reading through this I want to make sure these are things about me that I actually want you to know (tattoo? what tattoo? Heehee...speaking of which you saw mine the other day and said "Boo boo" and kissed it better. Awwwww) so I need to formulate my 7 random facts strategically.

1. I wear my watch on my right hand even though I am a righty. I am not sure when I started doing that, but I think it was some time in high school when I was trying to be different. I started wearing two watches, one on each hand (I was so cool, eh?). Eventually I took one off cause it was so silly and I guess I took the wrong one off and now it's the one I use.

2. I slept with a stuffed animal until the day you were born, and now he is sitting in your toy box. I knew I had to break the habit one day! Pathetic, eh (I am referring to friends with this question, not to you, who should never refer to your mum as pathetic!). His name is Strother, he is a dog, and I hope you still have him when you are old enough to read this.

3. I've been a vegetarian now for 20 years. Started at 14. Strange, because I am only 29 now ;-) Somehow the math works in my head. Haha.

4. I've won several 45's (that would be pr-MP3, pre-CD, pre-cassette tape, and even, sadly, pre 8-track, ask me about this when you are listening to music through your ears connected to some implanted micro chip) for my hula hooping skills. When living in Israel my sister and I entered lots of hula hoop contests and won several. I don't know why, but it was a big deal. We hula hooped every single day if I remember right. I used to be able to do it for literally hours. Hence all the prizes. I think some of those records are still in Nana's basement.

5. I set my alarm clock to odd numbers only. Well, except for 5s. Like I would never do 4:45 or 4:15. But I would do 4:47 in a heartbeat.

6. I have no fear of things that are out of my control. And I seek those moments. I am the first to bungee jump, paraglide, or whatever, I have no fear of that. But the little stuff, that's what gets me. It makes me nervous and agitated and makes me feel like I would rather jump out of a plane. Strange, I know. I am completely calm under big pressure (including your birth) but can barely deal with hiccups in travel plans or other minuscule things.

7. I used to speak four languages. It's dwindling every year and soon enough it will sadly only be English. Well, the spell-checked version! I used to be fairly fluent in English, French, Hebrew and Yiddish. I even had a few words of Swahili under my belt. Don't use much of any of it anymore and I suspect you won't know any of those other languages either. Kind of sad. We'll have to work on that, and also learn a few new ones together.

Well, there you have it, 7 random facts about me (or Moi in French, Ani in Hebrew, and I want to say Ich in Yiddish but that's actually 'I am'. See, I told you it's dwindling).

Tomorrow perhaps I will post seven random facts about you. After all, it's all about you.......

It must be a felony somewhere....

2008-05-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

To put rocks in a mailbox! There are so many USPS laws, aren't there?!! Wait, maybe writing about putting rocks in a mailbox is illegal?? But that's been your number one all time favorite thing to do these days. The weather's been cool so we stroll around the hood and you always insist we walk to the mailbox, where you proceed to open and close the parcel box about a hundred times. You announce "open....close!" over and over in the funniest, cheekiest little voice! So funny! Then you collect little rocks (the small ones you call 'baby rock') and put them in, take them out, then put them in again. This could last anywhere from 15 minute to 45! Pretty hilarious. You get such a kick out of it, I love it.

Our neighbors Dave and Rob came to see your busy bee ways and found it so cute. You showed off a ton for them and started jumping off the curb into my arms repeatedly. I must admit I was worried about a broken skull but we all survived the acrobatics! It's a shame the weather is turning hot again...we won't be able to visit the mailbox when it's 100 degrees out :( We'll have to actually try and be entertained by all the ridiculously expensive toys we buy for you instead. What a novel concept!!

Who do you think is having more fun?

2008-05-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

We got you an easel for your birthday (yes, we simply couldn't wait to give it to you, so you got it way early!). I kind of thought it would help keep you entertained lots during the mornings or evenings, but it seems Daddy finds it more entertaining than you do! You've used it a few times but you always seem way more into the easel at Belinda's house than your own. Oh well, I guess that's always the case, eh?

Anyhow, your birthday party this year is art themed, so it will come in perfectly. I would love for you to get the art bug one day but I promise I won't push it. And Dad promises not to push golf on you! We are thrilled with whatever you choose to do, promise! Unless of course you decide to do something silly, like not like art or golf. Just kidding! Anything you do will be supported. I know how huge it was in my life to have my parents support to become an artist, and for Daddy to become a professional golfer. So the world is your oyster babe (hmm, maybe don't become an oyster farmer ;-) and feel free to do anything you want with our support.

What's a girl to do on a windy day?

2008-05-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Except take over the aisles of Walmart with a great big piling game! Sometimes it surprises me how much I've become 'That' person. The one I said I would never become! You know the one; the one who I used to look at in stores and their kids are going crazy everywhere (you yesterday), or at the library and their kids are throwing a tantrum (you two days ago), and think "now why are they letting their kids do that?" It turns out there's always a good reason! Taking things off store shelves is FUN! And we always clean up! And throwing tantrums? Well, the only way to stop one is to let it happen, and ignore it!

Anyhow, all that aside we had a fun time at Walmart yesterday. Dad and I hunkered down while you spent about 20 minutes taking paint trays off the shelves and making a row of piles, and then pretending to paint with rollers. We actually got a great kick out of it and had a lot of fun! The guy who worked the hardware department didn't mind us at all...though you did mind him! Each time he tried to smile at you or talk to you you freaked out and came running to my arms crying! You still have some stranger anxiety I think.

Anyhow, it was pretty fun and a good thing to know that you enjoy doing. When the temps hit 120 we may be hitting that aisle yet again :)

Did I mention your penchant for shoes and handbags?

2008-05-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

Along with the Bala-Bala dress comes your desire to look through my heels and evening bags! Where does this come from!!? It's so nuts to me. Sometimes you shock me with the stuff you know. Here's a few amazing examples from this week.

We have a book about animals and their homes. You've never taken to it much so we've only looked at it a few times. Yesterday you pulled it out and looked at the picture of a beehive (without bees in it) and I asked you who lived there and you said "bees!" We turned the page to a bird and I asked you where it lives and you said "nest!" Hello? How do you know this!!?

Then today we were at the library and we were just wandering along the aisles. You pulled out 6 The Wiggles DVDs and yelled "wiiwii!!" while wiggling from side to side! We don't have a Wiggles video nor do we watch the show! You do have a CD of them and somehow managed to recognize all the characters on the DVD covers. Just plain strange!

Oh, and the other day you were playing with my calculator. I asked you if you knew what it was called. Yup, you said "Calacata" Huh? I mean, you are just finally figuring out how to link two words like 'more' and 'please' together to form a question, but you know calculator?!! Amazing!

Oh, and best of all, you have this great little sense of humour! We had gotten back from Mia's birthday party and we were chatting and I kept saying "mummy loves Finley!" and I asked you "Finley loves...who?" and you looked at me and said "Mia!" and I said "what!?" and you looked at me again with a big grin and said "Nooooooo.............mummy!!!" haha, it was the best freaking joke ever!! I loved it! Like you were totally trying to trick me. Hilarious babe. It's the little things, I tell ya!

Bala-Bala

2008-05-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

Which in Finley speak is "Ballerina" (as well as 'blanket,' but it was ballerina in this context).

You found this dress in the closet the other day. You got it for your first birthday and have never worn it! It's beautiful, but not really your (my??) style and how often do our playdates require this type of dress!?

Anyhow, you found it, and it's all you wanted to wear. You wore it two days in a row! Luckily we had a birthday party to go to so you wore it to that. Much more fitting than the night before when you wore it while playing in your playroom, not wearing a diaper with it, and snacking on peaches and bunnies while watching elmo!!

But you repeatedly checked yourself out in the mirror and beamed. I need to get you some more Bala-Bala dresses it seems!! Why not...you only get to be a little princess once!

All Wrapped Up

2008-05-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Where do the days go? How could it be 6 days since I've last blogged about you? You do so many wonderful things every day, and time slips by me and I don't get a chance to document it! What a shame.

This week was a lot of fun. A big part of that was having Sam and Mark visit us from Jackson Hole. You also spent a lot of time with Daddy this week on his days off, while I went running errands and doing my own thing. I think that was really important, because you've been so clingy with me and refusing to go to anyone but me, including Daddy :(, so after you guys spent a lot of time together you seemed to be more content than before when I wasn't around or available.

I'm sure there will be a day when I'll be begging you to want me more, and come to me to talk, and one day I will want to hear "Mummy, up!" and yearn for the day when that was all you said. I better soak it in now rather than think of it as a habit I need to break...

Anyhow, the best thing about spending time with Daddy is you two do some silly things together, including this photo, which shows how he wrapped you all up like a present! Dad's are so cool!!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Today is my second official Mother's day. They get better each year :) We had brunch with Daddy, Bubbe and Zaydie and you were really awesome. I'm really proud to be your mother, you are such a terrific little kid. You make me smile so much, and I could just squeeze you to little bits sometimes I am so overcome with love. All the grandma's and grandpa's at the club wanted to take you home with them. It was pretty funny. But you weren't really in the mood to make new friends and kept to yourself and were pretty shy and not so generous with smiles for strangers today. That's ok, one day I'll be encouraging that behaviour!!

These past few weeks your vocabulary is really expanding and you are just starting to string a few words together including "more please" and "mummy up." The latter being your favorite. I think we're going through Stage 2 Separation Anxiety. Ah well, especially on mother's day it feels great to be loved and wanted.

You just went down for nap, which is typically from 1:30-4:30 each afternoon so I think this mama will treat herself to a little rest as well today rather than wasting time on the computer and putzing around the house. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be your mother. It's a role I cherish and am proud to be forever.

First Haircut

2008-05-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

If you can actually call it that! More of a very teensy weensy minor trim. But it's perfect! Your hair is so pretty, but it's in your eyes all day long, or more like in your mouth! When you wake up in the morning your hair hangs flat right to your lips and though you occasionally let me pull it back, it can be a bit trying. I decided that you need a haircut!

Amazingly enough, today on Elmo it was all about hair and haircuts! How perfect was the timing, since we had an appointment for tonight! Serendipitous I tell you! So all day I talked about haircuts and Elmo to prepare you. When Shylee, our favorite hairdresser came over, I told her I had no idea what we should do, but I knew what I didn't want: Suri Cruise's haircut. (hmm, when you are older and you read this I bet Suri Cruise's name will mean nothing to you at all. She is a 'celebrity baby,' which seems to be all the rage right now, to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Famous movie stars. Consider this your 2008 Entertainment/History lesson of the day! Suri is hugely popular for some reason these days.)

Anyhow, I didn't want bangs, nor did I want to take off any of your length, so Shylee snipped the smallest bit off the frame of your loooong bangs and though it looked like she had done nothing at all, it was EXACTLY right! Long enough to keep in clips but short enough that it just reaches past your eyebrow in the center.

So although it doesn't look any different at all, it was a milestone and now it's documented.

Ladies who Lunch

2008-05-05T08:00:00.001-07:00

Dad took this picture nearly two weeks ago, when we went swimming over at Bubby and Zaydie's club when your Aunt Talia and cousin Adi were in town. We had a fairly fun time in the pool (though this was before swim classes began, so there was less stress!) but we had even more fun lounging around and eating lunch! You looked like such a big girl, hanging out in the chair, and from this picture what seems to be just 'shootin' the breeze' with your Mummy.

Speaking of 'shootin the breeze', you've been developing a lot more words and though you aren't really stringing words together to make sentences, I was able to get you to actually combine 'more' and 'please' which was nice. It seems to put your brain in overload when you try to mix two words, and suddenly two monosyllabic words end up having like 5 syllables each! You seem to get jumbled up and almost like you are trying too hard! Perhaps you get that from your mama! Stressing yourself out to the point where you screw things up! Oops, did I just confess one of my weaknesses? Don't use it against me! ;-)

Snuggle Bug

2008-05-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

The other day we went to the library for story time. You are really starting to genuinely enjoy it by the way. You are finally able to sit on your own chair throughout story time, and you even get the nerve to stand up and get your own shaker sometimes! I always say...baby steps!

Anyhow, we sat in the park afterwards for some snacks and you kept walking around from tree to tree having a fun little afternoon with some friends. But all of a sudden, I'm not sure what came into you, but you were suddenly snuggle-liscious! You kept running up behind me and hugging me, or putting your head on my shoulder and kissing me, it was seriously wonderful!

You tend to generally not be overly snuggly and huggy (I guess I am not either in general, so perhaps you get that from me). But, I always want to snuggle with you but you usually tell me to go away when I do, so I don't push it :) But on this day you were just a lovey-dovey delight. I caught this picture just as you came in for a snuggle. It's one of my favorite pictures now.

It's May!

2008-05-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

Where have I been all of April! We've been keeping super busy. Who knew being a stay at home mother would keep me so busy? I sure didn't. I remember there was a time when I was begging to find things to fill our days, and now we seem to have something going on all the time. We've just added a new activity to our week, swim classes. First one was today...

This swim class is a bit different. It's just you and the instructor, Dylan, in the water, and me hiding in the bushes! Basically I hid the entire class so that you wouldn't see me and want to be with me. Not that it stopped any of your tears or yells for Mama, or Dada, or at one point you kept screaming "EAT!" and "Bye bye" I am not sure she's ever heard a kid yell "Eat" in the middle of swim class! It was so funny (and heart breaking at the same time). You were ready to do anything to get out of that pool! You were dunked at least 20 times and I kid you not, by the end of class you 'swam' like 2 feet on your own. It was incredible! See photos, and note that the photo of the two of us was BEFORE class. After class you looked a little more like you had been through a car wash without a car. :(

You did swallow and gag a bunch of water, and you did cry for most of the thirty minutes, but for some reason, you LOVED it. Tonight at dinner you asked to swim with Dylan more. Yup, I was shocked. You actually liked it! I am so happy, since we are doing this twice a week! I suspect you will cry a ton each class, and be exhausted afterwards. It was a huge workout. But I feel you are getting a vital skill, and most importantly a comfort of being in the water. This summer we are going to have a ton of fun in the pool!

Well, anyhow, again honey, I am sorry I have been slacking so much on your blog. I want so much to keep this up to date so that we can look back at all these memories one day. I'm going to try harder. I love you.

We're on a posting hiatus...

2008-04-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

Should be back soon! We have your Doda Talia and cousin Adi visiting so I have no time to post. I'll try to recap your week sometime this weekend.

But trust me, you're as adorable as ever!!

Art Attack!

2008-04-17T15:51:00.000-07:00

Painting and coloring are becoming a favorite pastime. Every morning you ask if we can paint. We started a few nights ago painting in the backyard and you really got into it, though you seem to like painting your body more than the paper!! So we try to reserve the activity until just before bath time, and you can see why by this picture! But every morning you ask me to paint, and I tell you that when Daddy comes home we will. I am really excited that you are enjoying this and hope you really get into art! Just like Mummy! :)

In fact, for your birthday I am buying you an easel so that we can get even more into doing artsy things. I want art to be something you know about and are inspired to do and create. You know, I never knew that I was into art until I actually decided to go into art school. It kind of just popped up on me and surprised me. But my mum, your Nana, said that at age 4 or 5 when I went to nursery I was drawing houses, with paths, and flowers and people. And all the other kids were supposedly still drawing lines and abstract works. Pretty funny since I turned out to be an abstract artist! But regardless I just want you to get into it and enjoy it and creative expression.

In the meantime Dad asked if your composition is good and if we can start eBaying your work in a few years to make millions! Ha!! I certainly think your composition is good, but then again you can smear peas and corn across your face and I would think you did a brilliant job at color mixing. Yup, I'm that blinded by love.

Open for Business!

2008-04-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

We went to the park yesterday morning,though it got too hot too fast and we couldn't even use the swings. But you walked over to the little counter at Monticello park (your favorite park) and started serving up some bark treats! Dad says when he takes you to this park he always orders the 'Bark and Sand mix soup with a side of leaf.' Haha, your Dad is a funny man, and he sure knows how to play with you. He even told me he pretend pays you and counts fake coins into your hands and counts them out for you. You get a big kick out of counting anything these days.

It's really interesting how differently we each play with you. Sometimes, to be quite honest, I'm jealous of how easy play comes for you and Dad. I guess since you and I spend so much time together every day we don't quite make the most of it like you do with your 1.5 hours with Daddy each night. I need to try and change that. We should be making the most of 'it' every day. New lesson learned starting now, all because of delicious bark and sand treats :)

It's been a fun week...

2008-04-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

And although I haven't been writing much, that's not to say you haven't been impacting me in so many amazing ways. Sometimes I am so overcome with love for you, I just have to look around to see where it snuck up on me from. Other times, well, to put it lightly, I could certainly use a break. But overall I realize just how lucky we are. I mean, how lucky are we to spend the days together? And have precious friends? And a husband/father who adores us? We have some serious fun together, and life should be about fun.

I've been reading a book about a man whose life has been beyond trying, from childhood through adolescence and early adulthood. He never had love in his life and never knew what a true family is 'supposed' to feel like. He is turning his life around at the part of the book I'm reading, and although I haven't made it past his twenties yet, I hope he turns out OK. Life is simply too short to not make it sweet. You sweeten my every day and my every night.

So needless to say, it's been a fun week. Filled with big stuff like zoo time, park time, shopping mall playtown time, friends time, outdoor fairs time, and the best, some rare snuggle time. Now those fleeting moments are precious. But it's all about the little stuff. Like how you remember the names of the cats in your silly cat book (and I really don't like cats!), or how you learned to (kind of) say the number thirteen this week, or how you love to bite the end of your Kiwi doll's nose and how you stand on the scale and it reads E for error and you joyfully yell "E!!!" How in the world will I remember all the amazing little stuff................

Here are some snapshots of our week my little monkey.

Baking Time!

2008-04-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

Last night we baked cheese muffins together! I always thought you were way too young to be baking, and guess what, you kind of are! :) That is, if the baking is supposed to go smoothly and as planned. Instead we had one great big cheese muffin alongside many other somewhat less cheesy muffins! It was pretty funny! We scooped the batter into the tins (well, I did, you just swirled your spoon around the mixing bowl and made a bit of a mess!). Then I gave you the grated cheese to help me sprinkle on top of the muffins and you sure did follow those directions well! It had Dad and I cracking up.

It was also a great opportunity to teach you about the oven, and that it is hot and that we don't touch it. You totally seem to get it! You would sign and say "Hot", point to the oven, then say "bake" and "eat!" Sure seems like you understand the process! The best part........? You LOVED the muffins.

Playtime with Abby

2008-04-09T21:57:00.001-07:00

The other day you and Abby got together for some power playing! You too seriously crack me up. I love that you have this great little friend (and so do I in her mommy!) and you so love Abby. Even though you two sometimes have minor tiffs. Yes, two year olds can have tiffs! But you guys always make up. We have a book at home that was customized with your name in the story that we received as a gift over a year ago. It includes some of your friends names in it, although Abby's name isn't in it. Every time I read you the book before bed I start to read the line "And Princess Finley invites all her friends to the castle ..." and I list the three names in the book and you immediately yell out "ABBY! EMELLAY!!" and I nod and say yes, they are your friends too, and they will come to the castle too. And you smile and relax back in my arms. So sweet.

Abby is always on your mind.

I'll try to post a video of you and Abby playing. It was lots of fun.

First Swim of the Season

2008-04-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we finally braved all the gear that goes along with living in the desert and having bathing suit season upon us in early April! I asked you in the morning if you wanted to go swimming with your friends and you repeatedly told me no. I was actually surprised, since you seem to really enjoy playing with water. But I shouldn't have been very surprised because it's a new activity that we haven't done it months and I suspect it's nerve wracking to you to go on new adventures. But you did really great!

We met up with your buddies and got the swim suits on, the towels out, the sunscreen slathered and we waded around. You mostly wanted to have me walk around the shallow end holding you so that no water even touched you, but eventually you got into walking around on the very shallow beach entry yourself. You even stumbled once and fell to your side and I caught you before your head went underwater and although you were slightly startled you ended up replaying that moment all day long! It was pretty cute. You would scrunch up your face and start rubbing your eyes and say "EYE!!" and then rub rub rub and then say "Wawwu!" to let me know that water got in your eyes when we were swimming. You are quite the drama queen ;-) For you though best part of swim was snack time afterwards.

But today I signed you up for swim lessons so hopefully you'll get more and more comfortable with the idea of swimming and this summer we can spend every afternoon in our pool! That should be fun!

So I guess it's finally time to admit...

2008-04-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

You like Elmo. Yup, I said it. I've been avoiding this moment for 2 years. I don't know why. Some kind of romantic notion that you, my darling child, need not be entertained by floppy red muppets and plastic licensed characters. But heck, those things sell by the millions for a reason I guess! Kids LOVE them! And you my dear are no exception.

You've gotten into Elmo for a few months now and although you aren't really into watching Sesame Street you do adore the musical movie phenomenon CinderElmo, based of course on Elmo playing the role of Cinderella. There is a particular song that gets you grooving and you just have such a blast. Who am I to deny you of that!! Here is a video of that special piece of choreography.

So there you have it. Elmo is officially part of our daily vocabulary now. I've been defeated by the fluffy red monster. :)

Happy Birthday to BA

2008-04-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

'Ba' would be Finley Speak for Benjamin, who turned two today! It was a lovely party, and let me know for sure that you are in no way ready for Disneyland! There were some people dressed in Ernie and Cookie Monster costumes and they terrified you. So did the puppet show. You seriously have something against soft toys that make noise! They always freak you out. You're entitled to be quirky! I wouldn't want you any other way. :) But it was certainly hard for us to avoid the Sesame Street Mascots and that resulted in a lot of "NO!! NO!!" from you.

But we had a great time with our friends and you've been napping pretty much ever since! Here's a photo of you hugging the birthday boy.

All's Well that Ends Well

2008-04-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started off kind of bad but ended up great! We were en route to see all your friends at the park and were having a lovely drive and watching some horses from the car when my car started to act funny and then had an urgent transmission message! We were lucky Daddy was able to come meet us, put your car seat in his car and then we waited for the tow truck! Long story short it ended up being a little bit more difficult than planned, but ended well.

Then after nap we were going to Bubby and Zaydie's house so that I could help them pick a paint color for their home. Dad met us there when he finished work and you, Dad and Zaydie went out on the golf course and you had a BLAST! You sure must be Daddy's little girl, since you picked up the game so fast! You totally understood that the ball had to go in the hole and you kept taking the balls just as Zaydie was about to putt them and ran them to the hole and cheered and danced like mad each time they went in! Zaydie even putted a shot right between your legs right into the hole and we all got a good giggle. You just loved the wide open spaces and seemed so comfortable there. Usually it takes you longer to warm up to any new location but this being without any stimulation seemed to put you at ease immediately.

It was a lot of fun and I suspect Dad and Zaydie (both incredible golfers), saw a little golf star in the making. :) It was a great end to the day.

A Moment with Mummy

2008-04-03T07:11:00.000-07:00

Two nights ago at 11:45pm you started to yell "Mummy! Mummy!" in your crib. You never wake in the middle of the night, and I wasn't sure what woke you. But after 8 minutes of that I went to your room and you immediately asked me to read you a book. I kept the lights out and held you in my arms, played your lullaby CD, and recited your favorite ABC book (which I know off by heart!) and when we got to Z you knew it was the end, you pointed to your crib, signed 'bed' and I asked you "You want to go back to bed?" and you nodded your head yes and that was all done. You went to bed and were a silent baby right away.

When I went to bed I thought of two things. The first was that I hadn't been home that evening for bath and bedtime and perhaps you woke for a moment in the middle of the night and remembered you hadn't seen your Mummy right before bed, and that's why you called for me. Because you really seemed so calmed by just having a moment with me. Like you needed reassurance that I was there and would be there to kiss you goodnight. It made me feel wonderful to have that moment with you where you lay in my arms and you shut your eyes listening to me tell you a story. You never sleep in my arms, so this was nice.

The second thought that I had was that you somehow had Toddler ESP and you knew my birthday started at midnight and you wanted to be the first to wish me a happy birthday. Hey, a mother can dream, right? ;-)

Whatever it was, it was a great moment together. Just don't do it too often ;-)

Anyhow, so yesterday we spent a wonderful birthday together as a family. We all had breakfast together and went for a hike in the morning and had a ton of fun. When you finally wanted out of the backpack you wanted to walk on your own. That consisted of picking up rocks and dirt every second step. It was very cute.

There's no picture yet because Daddy bought me a new camera for my birthday and I don't now how to upload the photos yet! I'll figure it out at nap time and get one up there from yesterday's hike. You were so cute!! Thanks for a wonderful day!

Oh SEW fun!

2008-04-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

So I've been learning how to sew. And you my dear, are my guinea pig! We've had some successes, and also our misses! Here is a two part success and miss! The shirt works, the pants do not!! :) I've been really enjoying making some clothes for you, and you seem to really enjoy seeing the new outfits and trying them on. There is nothing more satisfying than a big "WOOOOOW!" from you when I show you one of my handy creations! :)

Nothing too much exciting these days as we've just recovered from our colds. Today is April Fools and I will need to learn from your Nana how to make good jokes on you when you get older. She is the greatest at them and already got me good this morning (saying she is coming to visit when Doda Talia an Cousin Adi come at the end of the month!). Well, she hasn't confirmed it was an April Fool's joke, so hopefully your dear mama hasn't offended her!

Gotta run, you just woke up. I love you, you are saying"Animals" over and over in your crib. You must be remembering our trip to the pet store yesterday afternoon.

Toga Party!

2008-03-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

Well, the interest in your blankets has reached a new level of game playing. You now like me to tie them on you and then stare at yourself in the mirror. Pretty cute!

We've been hanging at home lots these days so I brought out some of your old toys. I think you are really musical! Well, certainly much more musical than I am!!! You really got into your little piano and xylophone. You love to pretend to sing, either songs from Hi-5, your ABC's (you know ABC and then you often can fill in a few blanks in between) or you've now started singing your numbers. You know 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. I fill in the blanks. I tried to capture it on video but you were more interested in playing the piano!

Yup, we're sick again! :(

2008-03-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

What is going on!!!?? It's the never ending "winter" bug (funny since it's 90 degrees out!). But even though the heat you have been pulling all your blankets out of your bottom drawer, dragging them to the sofa, piling them up and then attempting to climb up (you still can't quite climb it alone. Actually, I take that back. Today you were really peeved at me and you ran away from me to the sofa and you miraculously climbed onto it without my help. But when I am around you insist I help and sob if I don't and struggle to get your knee up. Silly girl!).
Anyhow, I got off topic. You've been gathering your blankies, getting on the sofa, begging for Hi 5 or dare I admit Elmo, and snuggling into the blankies and hunkering in.

Normally I would try and divert your attention and get you playing outside or on a playdate, but to be quite frank, I am sick as a dog too and can't be bothered to do much of anything to entertain you! So let the nice kids at Hi 5 do it for a few days. I don't think it will harm your chances of getting into Harvard one day ;-)

What a fun weekend!

2008-03-24T07:32:00.001-07:00

You woke up Saturday morning with a runny nose, which we are positive are allergies but just in case, we opted out of music class. Instead we decided to meet daddy down at Old Navy and then wander around in the beautiful sunshine. Well, we made it to Old Navy, but never past the entry way! As soon as we walked in we bumped into your best bud Abby and her parents Emily and Ryan! I must admit, the entire car ride to the store you kept asking about them and I repeatedly 'lied' to you (little white lies...harmless, right!) that they are all working today, just like Daddy so we couldn't see them. Well, our luck changed and there they were! Next thing you know, we spent nearly an hour in the entry way of the shop where you and Abby decided to turn it into a My Gym session...just better!! :) The two of you danced like monkeys, called out the letters on the floor, rearranged some clothing and totally acted like the two best, funniest and most clever toddlers on the planet!

Since the word Navy has a letter 'Y', you were really into it (it's your favorite letter!) but Abby considers the alphabet very near and dear to her heart and insisted the letters were all hers and tried to protect them from you trampling on them, as shown in the photo! It was hilarious and I have to say the two of you never behave this way in public, in front of strangers! It was easy to imagine that we were in one of our homes the way you were behaving, you guys just felt so comfortable! It was so cool!

Then the weekend got even better when Andrei, my good friend from Vancouver came for a visit! He got you a really neat toy that you are totally digging and a Vancouver Tee! We had so much fun catching up and I am so happy you two had a chance to meet.

So amidst allergies and all, a great weekend was had by all!

Ok, I'm back!

2008-03-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hopefully on a more regular basis. So so...how shall we sum up the month of March? Well, in one word: BUSY! You are 21 months old, and very much looking older than your years (or do I say months!). It amazes me to see, especially in the last few weeks how much you've changed.

You've been gaining more words every day, and although you don't combine words yet to form sentences, you certainly know how to get your point across! In many ways, you can be bossy! For example, when we sit for dinner you would point to a place setting and yell who would sit there, and in the next chair, and so on. You certainly like things done your way. Hmm...that sounds awfully familiar. Whoops! Somehow it's more endearing on you!!

What else...we celebrated Collin and Abby's second birthdays this month. That was a ton of fun although unfortunately I think you thought you turned two the day of Abby's party as well, because we formally entered the terrible two's that afternoon with the tantrum/meltdown of the century. Let's hope that passes fast. Please toddler gods!! :)

We had Nana visit for a week and you two had a great time! You reignited your love for your bear rug, and the two of you made up some silly dances and cheers on that thing! You loved spending the time with Nana and she adored every minute of you too.

A friend of mine started to teach me and a few girlfriends how to sew, and it's my new passion! I am totally loving it so a lot of your summer wardrobe may be homemade this year!! I hope to keep this passion for it going strong cause it's been a really fun hobby and has allowed me to step away from the role of mother for a few hours every week (even though I am mostly sewing for you or your friends!!) but it's a great 'escape' that allows me to be creative. Well, somewhat, since there are more directions to follow than I care to, but I'm dealing with the 'rules'! :)

I had some minor dental surgery done this week, which now leaves me unable to smile for a few weeks! The ladies in town must think it's botox! ;-) It's pretty painful and I have to eat food cut smaller than yours and use your teeny spoon (for ice cream!) but as long as you don't punch me in the lip or chin, then we're all good! It is strange though, not being able to smile at you with a big grin every time you do something fun, clever, or you just being you.

Today we went to the most awesome Easter egg hunt at Amber's (where this photo was taken-notice my lack of natural smile!) and it was so fun! Everyone had the kids dressed up in their springtime best and it was just so much fun. I love our friends!!

I'm more or less caught up, except on photos. If you want to see recent photos (now I'm talking to the 'internets', go here). All I can say is you are still as adorable as always. You always will be in my eyes.

Oh the Jewish Guilt!!

2008-03-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

I feel terrible for not writing in so long! So much is going on and every day has been so busy! I promise to try and catch us up at nap time so that later in life you aren't wondering if you disappeared off the face of the earth for the month of March 2008. You didn't :)

You are as delicious and wonderful as ever, and throw in a temper tantrum or two and we've got the complete picture. Plus minor dental surgery for Mama, 2nd birthday parties, wave of fatigue, out of town guests, and that's March in a nutshell! Oh yeah, plus my new sewing obsession! Here you are in the dress I made you!

Love you...will write more later...

Now....where were we???

2008-03-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Ugh, it's been two weeks since I've written, and there really is no way to catch up on two whole weeks in the life of a toddler. Two weeks toddler life is like two years in an adult's life, I mean, you change so much daily!

I just looked through some of our photos of the last two weeks, and now I feel inclined to catch up so that I can capture all the fun moments...but that will have to wait! It's been a busy two weeks. I've been without a computer for one week (virus+mean hacker=credit card fraud=disaster for blogging time!) and now your Nana is visiting you from Montreal for a whole week and we are keeping BUSY!

So for now, here is a photo of three generations at the Living Desert yesterday. We had a great time and you were totally into the train. As soon as I have more time in a few days, I will try to catch up. And if not catch up, then start posting daily! I love you.

HUGS!!!

2008-02-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

No, it's not the new Toddler Wrestling League! This is actually one of the sweetest moments ever captured on camera. Trust me, you just had to be there. It started with your buddy Abby tickling your toes, which you found quite hilarious. Then it moved to Abby laying on her back and lifting her toes up for you to tickle hers. That too was pretty fun.

Then Abby stayed on her back, and I can't recall exactly what happened but next thing you know the two of you were in the sweetest most loving embrace. You hugged each other so gently and then you kissed Abby. By the time Emily got the camera you two looked more like this! Wrestling around, but actually there was no wrestling, just some cuddling. So adorable it could make me cry!

Flowers For Mummy

2008-02-29T14:53:00.000-08:00

We've been having a blast playing in the backyard every morning. Each day you seem to introduce a new element to the games. It started simply with pouring water back and forth in a cup. Then it graduated to include rocks. Then it escalated to include the cheesy frog planter on the opposite side of the back deck, and it took part in the rock and water gathering. Leaves were eventually introduced, and now flowers!

You take all the items back and forth across the yard creating piles and marvelling at them. Then moving the piles to another area and marvelling at them there. I like the new introduction of flowers, because you actually DO take time to stop and smell the flowers, which I love. And it reminds me too to not just stop and smell the flowers per se, but just stop and take it all in. 'It' being life. It's important for me to do that every once in a while, so thank you for reminding me of that and teaching me new lessons every day.

SNOW!!!

2008-02-29T14:30:00.002-08:00

Nope, we're not back in Jackson Hole...but in Palm Springs! We went up the tram this past Wednesday and had such a great family day! The actual tram part was not your favorite experience (you take after your dad there I guess, definitely not your mum) but playing with the snow and walking in the backpack you definitely enjoyed! It was super slippery walking in the snow and after your first wipe out you pretty much refused to stand on the stuff again! But you had a blast yelling "ICE!" and making snowball piles. You can make a pile out of anything I guess! It really is your favorite pastime. You kept a lot of the tourists amused every time you carefully selected where to put your next snowball, and then exclaimed "WOW!!" Fun fun.

We had a great day. The weather was gorgeous and sunny and your dad and I felt really out of shape walking back up to the tram after walking in the snow for two hours! You got super tired, and actually managed to fall asleep while bouncing around in the backpack! It was so funny!

We enjoyed a nice lunch and a beautiful view, and a ride back down the mountain full of "No, no, no, no!" but you braved through it. A nice tram operator offered you a snickers to make it all better. Sorry kid, in this household banana makes it all better :)

A Quick Visit with Mimi

2008-02-26T15:52:00.000-08:00

Your Mimi came for a visit this weekend with 'Grandaddy Sam.' We had a ton of fun, even though it was short. You kept them extremely entertained playing with water and bringing rocks from one end of the yard to the other. Your water and rock obsession is still going strong!

Mimi was amazed by how smiley you are, and how much your vocabulary has improved. Each night she read you books before bed, gave you a bath and fed you your breakfast and dinner. We went out for dinner one night and you entertained us all with your silly dance moves in the high chair.

I even got some time off to run errands on my own and they took you and Maddie out for a neighborhood wagon stroll where I understand you walked holding their hands for quite a bit! And you put your hat in the mailbox! With me all you do is insist on eating, but I won't complain, I know it's more interesting to be with new people than boring ol' mum! ;-)

This beautiful weekend was just what we needed though. We both feel great, our infections seem to be gone and we are ready to get back into some playdate action!! Hallelujah!

Another Trip to the Zoo

2008-02-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

This week we've been quarantined and unable to play with our friends. It leaves us with little to do except play in the yard and go to the zoo! So off we went to the Living Desert.

You really know that place because as soon as we park the car you say "Animals!!" It's amazing how your memory is. In fact, we went to the doctor this week (you hadn't been there in 2 and a half months) and to be quite honest I don't think we told you we were going there. It was evening time, and dark. But as soon as we parked the car and I came to get you from your carseat you said and signed "Fish!!" Indeed there is a giant fish tank in the waiting room, and you somehow remembered that...so many months later.

Anyhow, our trip to the zoo was fun. You seem pretty into the train, which I think is super cool. And also the water table/play area. You played there a looong time and got completely drenched! You just love your water...

We went to the petting zoo too this time and although you were attached to me 99% of the time, with a bit of fear in your eyes...you did manage to pose real nice with this one goat. Although truth be told the second after I took the shot you ran at me yelling "UP!!!"

That's ok, at least we got the shot. When we look back at the photos in 50 years my failing and senile memory will tell you "Oh Finley, how you loved that goat! You couldn't stop petting him and brushing his hair!" ;-) Let this blog be proof and truth about our trip to the petting zoo.

We have a Virus and Bacteria :(

2008-02-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

Well, sorry for not writing for a while, this will be short. Aside from you having a sinus infection and an ear infection (your first ever), plus me having a sinus infection, we also have a virus, computer virus that is! Everytime I want to write on your blog I get booted off. We'll figure it out soon enough, but in the meantime just wanted to post you a little note to thank you for being such a champ while you are sick. It's been over two weeks of sickipoo, which also means we haven't been on a playdate in that long, and I thought we would both be going stir crazy by now..but to be quite honest we are not only in good spirits despite being sick, but we're also having a lot of fun...even if most of it is at home!

By staying home so much we've been able to focus on playing with certain things over and over again. You've learned all your shapes pretty much, and can name Circle, Triangle, Square, Oval, Moon and Cross (they certainly don' sound like that, but I get it) and it seems you've learned a few letters, including Y, I, E and N. They are all part of Finley :)

We went to the Date Festival this past week and the Living Desert Zoo...and once my computer is cleaned up and we're all better I'll try to post some pictures and write a bit to capture those days as well. Love you.

Lunching like a big girl

2008-02-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

Today we never left the house except to go in the backyard and a short walk. We're on sick day number who knows what (feels like forever!) and we actually had a pretty enjoyable morning and afternoon!

We spent much of the morning in the backyard playing with the water and rocks. I even got to do a little bit of rearranging on the back deck to make it more Finley friendly, which was nice.

You wanted to eat and I told you we would have to go inside to your highchair, but instead you pointed at the deck chair and told me you wanted to eat there. Then you pointed to the chair next to it and told me that I would sit there. So...off I went and got your lunch and there you have it...your first real meal sans high chair (and not in my lap or in a park etc). You loved it and so did I.

I learned something very important about you today...you are a girl of conviction!! I took your diaper off this morning to give you a little 'breathing' time and decided since we weren't leaving the house all day to just leave you like that. I kept asking if you needed to go potty every time you squirmed and you said no. You were right, you didn't. You didn't after your milk, or after breakfast, or after water, or a snack, or lunch, or more water. Huh!!!??? Five hours passed, and you never peed. Not once. Heck, we were playing WITH water all morning and the pool in the backyard had the spa spillover on and all we could hear was the sound of a water fall...but nope, nothing! Can't say the same for mummy!

Finally I realized that you must be afraid to do it without your diaper on...so I put on a diaper, and sure enough, within a few minutes I changed you into a clean one. Wow, who knew a one and a half year old could hold it!!?? I sure could have used that iron bladder when I was pregnant with you! ;-) (Am I allowed to write this stuff on my own blog?) :)

Direct Line to Abby

2008-02-15T20:27:00.001-08:00

There's a lot of Abby Love going on in this house. Abby is one of your best gal pals, an adorable 23 month old who always makes you smile. The new ritual these days is you ask to call her on your pretend cell phone every night before bed (and often before naps as well). You'll yell out "Amby!!!" and point to the phone and insist I call her, stat.

It's not ok for me to just call and say "Hi Abby, Finley wants to say Lilah Tov (good night)...no no no....we need to tell her about our day, and what we ate, and where we went, and we need to do all that, even if you two spent the day together!

And it doesn't end there. When my neck finally starts killing me from reading a book and craning my neck to keep Abby on the phone (that's right, if I put the phone down you freak out and yell "Amby!!!!" all over again) I then tell you Abby went Lilah Tov. You wave goodbye to her and then say "Emellay!!!", who is my dear friend Emily, Abby's mum (well, I guess she's her Mom, not Mum ;) Anyhow, we then continue the conversation with 'Emellay' until she too, miraculously goes Lilah Tov.
You'd think it would end there, right? Nuh-uh. You guessed it...you now ask for "Ryruu!!!" being Ryan, Abby's Daddy. I cannot believe it, it's so funny! So I spend the entire evening with a crick in my neck, reading you books, and reading their whole Abby family books as well.

When Dad puts you to bed (which is most nights, except lately while you are sick and insist on being a Mama's Girl) he must do the same routine. He and Ryan occasionally speak guy talk...but I think for the most part it's "Abby, did you see how pretty Finley's hair looked today?" and "Abby, did you see the giraffes at the zoo?" and "Ryan, aren't our girls just so adorable?"

OK, maybe the last one he didn't say...I'm embellishing. :) But I wanted to document this adorable (yet slightly painful) new routine of yours. What I think is so sweet about it is just how much you are able to show your love for others.

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

I'm glad I got this picture of you today...because the heart shirt didn't last long between the huge amounts of teething drool coupled with the throw up of the day (day two) :( Yup, you are sick...again! But we still got some good love in and danced together and read books and snuggled. Amidst that there was a lot of nose and chin wiping, and trying to unstick your hair from your face. Pretty picture, eh? But it was all done with love. :)

Happy Valentines baby, love from your mummy and daddy. We love and adore you, sickipoo snot and all.

Having a Ball

2008-02-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after music class we went to the park to meet with a friend who was in town from Orange County. She turned it into an awesome Valentines playdate and had balls for each of the kids to play with. Most of the kids were playing on the slides etc for at least an hour, while you sat on my lap and ate lunch.

But then all of a sudden, you took an interest in the balls, that were there the entire time...and went nutty chasing and kicking them and throwing it to me! You couldn't get enough of it! Your wicked little giggle came out full force (lately you've had this crazy giggle that is really low and long and sounds a teeny weeny bit evil!!) Haha....it cracks me up! You had the same giggle in class when we danced and you had the other ladies laughing too!

Anyhow, after the playdate and nap you saw the ball in the house and got all excited again and played again and again with it. Lots of fun. I actually didn't think you would be into it...but you surprised me!

Get on Board (Choo! Choo!) the Potty Train!!

2008-02-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well, this picture sure looks successful, but to be truthful, you have never ever peed in your potty to date! I recently bought a Potty Training kit by Baby Signs since you love to sign, and thought that might be a fun way to incorporate potty training into our lives. We're not technically potty training, but potty familiarizing at this point.

The kit came with a video teaching signs for Potty (you are doing the sign in the picture) and other helpful signs, and a catchy little song that includes the line "If you want to wear a pair of big kid underwear, get on board (choo choo) the potty train! If you want to learn to pee on the potty just like me, get on board (choo choo) the potty train!!" You get the drift. I only type it all out because I haven't gotten the song out of my head for days!!

Anyhow, I know you have no idea when you are peeing, or wet or whatever, so I thought to just have you enjoy the time and have interest in your new potty. You don't seem to mind it, but you certainly have no idea what it's for...considering you stood up after sitting on the thing for ten minutes, and then peed standing up a few feet from the potty! And you didn't even notice! It was funny. This will be a loooong process! But that's fine...we've got plenty of time!

You have been enjoying though playing without a diaper on...which makes my heart rate rocket so I'll have to figure out how to incorporate your new found love of going au naturel with the beige carpets and persian rugs! I think it's so healthy for you, so I certainly want to encourage it. It would suck having to wear a diaper all day and night long...especially when you have such sensitive skin, as you do.

Anyhow, this is probably TMI (Too Much Information) for you, but one day when I am an old lady you'll be talking about buying me diapers and you'll see that I did it for you and it's your child responsibility to your crazy old mama. What goes around comes around...let's hope you have hardwood floors when you have to take care of me!! ;-)

Music to my ears...

2008-02-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

We started taking Music Classes! Since you love to dance and groove at home I thought this might be something fun for us to do on Saturdays while Dad is working. The good thing about this class is you can sit on my lap the whole time and it doesn't feel like we are throwing away our money like it did when we went to My Gym (because sitting on my lap at My Gym is counter productive to the class experience, whereas in this class it's set up that way). So far you seem to like it!

The demo class we went to I thought was totally lame and was not prepared to sit through an hour of it once a week...we were even told not to talk like normal people in class to one another but use our "Siiiingiiing voiiiiices" (sounds like a cult when you are there!!). But throughout the class you seemed to feel comfortable and relaxed. The teacher plays guitar and we sing fun songs, and she brings out silk scarves that we dance with, or a big bucket full of instruments that you get to bang and clang on. All in all pretty fun stuff. The hour goes by super fast and we leave happy.

You always reenact the class a few hours or days later by telling me "GOL!" (meaning 'girl') and then you start to sway, clap, and dance. That is how you reenact music class. Sometimes you also point to yourself and say "Ninley" (for Finley) and then point to me and say "Mama" (that one's obvious, no translation needed) and then you go into the swaying routine again. Meaning we were both there and we both clapped and danced. It's so funny. You only reenact good things. (Oy, we've been reliving Chuck E Cheese for 3 days now with your fine reenactments!! It's actually the same routine but instead of saying "GOL!" you say "MACK" for mouse, and sign mouse at the same time). Actually, sometimes you will reenact a fall by saying "Bonk" and bumping your head on whatever it is you bumped on.

You would make a terrific baby witness or TV dramatization baby actress in your reenacting abilities! I wonder if there is a market for that.....? :)

A little Chuck and a little Cheese makes Finley a Happy Girl!

2008-02-07T21:36:00.001-08:00

Today we went to Chuck E Cheese with some friends. You would think the main attraction is not the pizza (it shouldn't be), nor the big screen TV, nor the creepy giant mouse spinning vinyl (or so I imagine-oh, I can just imagine you reading this in 15 years saying "Mum, what is VINYL???"). But once again, I digress...

You would think the main attraction is what they make all their money on...the GAMES! There's a ton of them, geared for all ages, including a carousel ride, and cars, and ducks, and frogs, trains etc! Wow, don't they look like fun!!

Nope, all you wanted to do was watch the giant mouse. And hold a lemon. you did put down your lemon for a brief moment or two to clap for the big mouse. What's a mum to do but join in? :)

Wawwuuu!!!

2008-02-07T21:10:00.000-08:00

It's all I hear from your mouth these days! You are truly water (Wawwuu, for those of you who do not speak Finley-Speak) obsessed. It's become a true (I mean real bad!) obsession. You wake up yelling Wawwuu, you go to sleep saying it, you ask for it in the car, in the stroller etc. And not for consumption, I should mention. Purely for pleasure.

I keep half full water bottles all over the house and car so that you can shake them around. I put your Learning Tower up by the sink so that you can fill up cups and pour them back out. Dad lets you help him fill the frog humidifier in your room with water. We fill the pitcher and let you pour it into the bathtub. The list goes on and on. So yesterday I bought you the best gift ever! A water activity table!!!

Your face lit up when I told you I had a surprise for you this morning. I told you we had to dress warm and get your crocs on and that it had something to do with water! Oh you couldn't follow me fast enough to the back yard! Lo and behold it was a great gift and kept you busy for 45 minutes this morning (I had to pry your shaking, wet and crying body away from it so that we could have breakfast before heading out to meet friends!!). You were like a little chemist, pouring water here and there, over and over and over again, and giggling away at the bubbles you made by pressing some buttons. Fun Fun Fun! Even Maddie loved it and considered it a gift to herself as well; a brand new giant water dish!

After nap, well, you know the drill, "Wawwuu" was the call from your crib! But I wanted to get Maddie out on a walk first so we got in the wagon and went for a walk first but all you could ask was when were we going home and playing with the water? (well, that's my version of what you were saying. What came out of your mouth was screeches of "Wawwuu!!! Wawwuu!! Wawwuu!!" and when I would say "Do you want to play with the water when we come home" your little body jumped up and down (as much as you could with your seatbelt) saying "YEAH!! YEAH!!" Very fun.

So back to the house we went...as the temperatures dropped and you were drenched and cold and it was dark out, you still didn't want to let go of the table, and once again, I brought a crying, wet and cold baby inside. Took all your wet clothes off and you refused to wear anything at all. So now I'm shopping for an oilcloth apron for you!! Perhaps I'll pretend it's mine and then you'll be sure to wear it! ;-)

Another new outfit!

2008-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

I bought a new shirt a few days ago. I guess you get to wear it before I do! I always thought that would happen one day, but in like 12 years from now!! Your dress up play is definitely coming out. By the time you are two I just may have to make my first real visit to (gasp) the Disney Store. Sigh, I'm just not ready.

But funnily enough when I pull out a pair of pants or pretty shirt of yours to wear you refuse me many times! Go figure...the grass is always greener! The lousy thing is YOUR clothes are cuter and more expensive than mine...and I can't fit into yours!!! ;-)

An afternoon with Daddy

2008-02-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we visited Dad at work and had lunch together at his office. He took you for a fun little ride in the golf cart, and you loved it. He drove you up to the gate where he showed you off to security (he often shows you off you should know. In fact, you know how I always write how much I love you and am proud of you? Well, just know that Dad, although not the blog type, feels the same way. We both look at you sometimes and marvel at the fact that you are OUR kid. The swaddled, bitty baby of past is now walking, talking and full of personality. But again, I digress...).

Anyhow, we had a nice afternoon with dad, and after the cart ride we sat and had lunch at the conference table, where you called your first official meeting to order. It was very important stuff that you needed to discuss, including how much you wanted to eat apples with your lunch, if Janet, the receptionist wanted to come and see Dawg (the dog doll pictured) and there was a vote and eating Turkey burger was voted in, and eating Tofu was voted out.

A very productive day indeed.

Well my oh my, it's not a Choking Hazard!

2008-02-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

I remember when you got these Little People. You got it from Grandaddy Sam for your first birthday. I was terrified. Could you get one of these little gals in your mouth and choke?? Dad even named the ladies. There is Mrs. Johanssen (who is in your left hand), The Pilot (yes, that's her name, and that is her in your mouth) and the third lady, the touristy looking one carrying a cell phone, whose name escapes me at the moment.

Well, turns out they are NOT a choking hazard, as you so deftly proved to me the other day. Why thank you for putting my mind to rest finally.

I recall wondering when you would really 'play' with these Little People. At first all you liked to do was chew on them and hold them. You love to hold things. Especially in your stroller. You don't like your hands empty, it's kind of interesting.

Then you progressed to taking the Little People out of the airplane, and then back in. That was oodles of fun. So was the stage when you would set them out on your rug and marvel at them in the center of each flower.

Now, nearly 8 months later, you actually play the way they are intended. Well, almost. You 'walk' the ladies to the plane (by bouncing them up and down on the ground) and you open the door and shove them in head first. Then you pick up the plane and hand it to me to fly it, or you roll it along the ground. What a concept!

Soon enough, they will all have voices and personalities.

I know it seems pretty banal to discuss the use of Little People, but it actually is so very interesting to me to see how a simple toy like this has evolved with your newfound skills. One day you'll read this and be like "Mum, are you seriously dedicating an entire blog entry to the Little People??" Yup Finley, I find the banal. when it comes to you, so very interesting.

We now welcome the slide into our world!

2008-02-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

What a terrific thing! You've loved playing at the park for months now, but you shy away from almost all the park playsets other than the swing and occasionally the rocking toys. I'm not sure if it's the climbing part that intimidates you, or the fact that all the other kids are on it, or what...but something about it makes you nervous, so I don't push it.

The other day when you were sick I took you to our new favorite park. It's super quiet and there are rarely lots of kids playing. That day we were the only ones there! I guess this made you feel more comfortable because you climbed up the playset and went down the slide at least four times! Each time you went down you exclaimed "Whheeeee!" so I know you were having fun! It was so incredible to watch, and we'll see what happens next time we go and there are other kids playing too.

I must say though that we have a lot of work to do on your climbing skills! I'm not sure if it's the klutz in me that you get this from, but you seem to have absolutely no concept when it comes to climbing, and then what to do with steps. If it were up to you, you would walk right off a high canopy thinking there was soft ground inches under each of your feet. It's so frightening to watch you try to learn how to maneuver on the playset, and I nearly had a heart attack when you were barely paying attention and walked down a step as though you were walking on flat ground. Needless to say I did not end up having a heart attack, but you have a lovely circle on your forehead which is the imprint of the cut out circles in the play set so sand and dirt can fall through. Whoops!

But all in all, it was a blast to watch you play and explore in ways you've resisted in the past. I'm so very proud of you honey. You are an incredible slider now. Only a mum could be so proud of something so insignificant. Love you.

Sickipoo

2008-02-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

Well, you've got the sickipoo. It's your first cold of the season, and it's been dubbed Snot Fest 2008 by dear Emily (Abby is sick as well). In fact, it is so snotty that I devised a llittle trick to keep your hair off your face. I got you to wear this headband (which again, you love and Say "Pretty" when you see your reflection) because you have long bangs, and long story short is snot plus hair equals glue. Basically your bangs were glued to your cheeks all day from getting stuck in your, well, I'll say it again, snot! So headband it is! You look so grown up in it...like my little 10 year old! Well, not quite, but you sure look older than your 20 months! (Hmm, I can barely believe you are 20 months!).

Anyhow, this little bug is pretty sad, because your voice is all congested and raspy, and your little cough is so sad to hear. But you are doing really well through it, and although you've been clingier than usual, you've also been more focused than usual. I bought you a new shape sorter the other day and I'm sure we've played with it for at least 5 hours over the last two sickipoo days! You've really enjoyed taking your time with it, which is not your typical way of play...so this is a good thing! You've even learned a few shapes, and I'm pretty sure you are saying Circle and Triangle. Although not entirely positive. I know you have Star and Heart and Moon (for a half circle) in your shapes repertoire, and I think we can add Circle as well. Maybe Triangle was a fluke.

They say to take lots of Vitamin C when you are sick. You are not very tolerant to citrus, so rather than eating vitamin C you are still just toting it around with you. We don't go anywhere without an orange or grapefuit (in your words"Anmo" for orange and "Ahpoo" for grapefruit) clutched in your little hands. After nap yesterday I asked you if you wanted to go in the car and go shopping. Your usual answer is "Yes!" but you weren't in the mood. I asked if you wanted to go shopping to buy new oranges and your eyes lit up and then I heard your great big "YES!" and you couldn't run to the garage door fast enough! I bought you three new oranges, and you were over the moon! Thank goodness for Vitamin C during sickipoo! :)

My little Martha Stewart

2008-02-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

(I'm a bit behind on posting to the blog so I'll be doing several today.)

I wonder, when you are an adult reading back on this, will you know who Martha Stewart is? Will it be like so passe to talk about Martha Stewart? Wait, it might already be, heck, it's 2008!!

Two days ago you decided that the furniture needed rearranging! It was so funny, because you typically aren't so bold in your decision making...but you were determined to get the chairs from your coloring table in the kitchen area to your room! Pronto! You hoisted them in the air and pushed them along the back hallway to your room. When you got them just to the right spot, you exclaimed "WOW!" and seemed satisfied. You then accessorized by adding some toys on top of each chair. "WOW!"

And add to that girliness...

2008-02-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

The other day when I tried to get you dressed you refused absolutely everything in your closet. Nothing seemed quite good enough to you (and let me tell you babe, you have a beautiful wardrobe!) but I pulled out this black onesie with faux pearls printed on it and your eyes absolutely sparkled! You imediately bobbed your head up and down saying "YES!" So cute! The funny thing is, I bought the onesie in San Fransisco last summer and it was supposed to be for under your flapper Halloween costume in case the weather was cold. But is was so hot this past October there was no way you were going to wear it under your costume (which, by the way was a huge hit...I'll post a picture of it here since I started your blog well past Halloween).

Anyhow, you loved this onesie and you stared at yourself in it a ton, saying "Pretty" and feeling like a ballerina :) I see these little girly ways about you spring up every day now and it's so cute to watch. For some reason I didn't expect it! I thought you would be more tomboy-ish! But this is adorable. Including yesterday when you snagged my red leather purse and filled it with fruits and wandered all over the house. Oh how I love my girly girl.

What a Girly Girl!

2008-01-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

I was a tomboy growing up. Well, not necessarily a tomboy, but I definitely wasn't girly. You, on the other hand, seem like a girly girl to me. It's nothing in particular that I've pushed on you or exposed you to, but you are attracted to shiny things and like to dress up on a regular basis in your bracelets and cocktail bag.

The other night you got into my summer clothes after bath and insisted on wearing one of my summer dresses! It was so adorable! You walked all over the house in it and stopped in front of every mirror to admire yourself!

Anyhow, it was super adorable and a great little memory.

Oh, and lest we forget the Orange in the picture. Your new very favorite toy. We can't leave home without an orange or grapefruit!! I don't quite understand what about it captivates you so much...especially since you can't eat citrus (you have a slight food intolerance to it) but oh how you love carrying those around and smelling them all day! I have to pry them out of your hands at naptime and bedtime. It's really weird. I would love to get into that active little brain of yours and figure you out!

Sweet as pie

2008-01-27T14:01:00.000-08:00

Just a little love note to you here. It's been a really rainy morning and I just wanted to tell you just how much I love and adore you and couldn't be more thankful that I am your mother.

You are so sweet that I just want to eat you up sometimes. Even though you are young and your personality is just developing, I can already tell that you are kind, loving and the life of a party. You sparkle when you are happy, you are 'convincing' when you're displeased, and you are an adorable angel when you are sleepy. You have energy and spirit that is so warm and infectious. Your smile is so pure.

I know you'll do so many good things in your life and I'm already so proud of you.

xoxo,
mummy

Coming out of your shell

2008-01-26T16:06:00.000-08:00

It's baby steps but we keep taking them, and I love it. The past few days we've been keeping busy and exposing you to new things, new people, and groups. The other day we went to the kids museum again and although while we were inside you wanted to stay up with me, when we went outside you opened up to making piles of balls again and walking well away from me to get them.

This morning we went to our new music class and although you had a tendency to sit in my lap most of the time, you did have some fabulous break out moments where you grooved to the music, hopped to the drum beat and swayed with the guitar. You danced with the silk scarves too and gave Benjamin some shakes. It was very sweet. I love to see you dance, it makes me grin. You've got the funniest moves and it always makes me laugh. (Just like your Dad's dancing...shhhh, don't tell him I said that, but you'll see when you're old enough to dance with him. I can already hear that "Daaaad! Stoooop, my friends are watching us!" in the preteen years :)

Sorry Honey (as in husband here-if you are reading this)- I love you, and your dancing, but that time will come. So will the "Mooooom, stop licking your finger and cleaning my face!" and so many other things I can already picture, and remember from my own youth...including the ever so annoying trying on a skirt in a store and coming out of the dressing room and Mother decides it's time to tuck in your shirt and does it by lifting your skirt up in front of everyone! Seriously Finley, if I ever do that, you have my permission to scold me or worse. I promise to you I will never do that, and now we have the materials to prove that I not only won't, but can't!! I don't want to take a scolding from my future 12 year old. But once again, I digress....

The Wheels on the car go round and round...

2008-01-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

We were in the car today, for HOURS! We left at 10am this morning and headed to Santa Monica for the LA Art Show. My great ol' gallery pals from back in Vancouver were exhibiting there and we needed to introduce you to them. Uncle Mark fell in love with you the moment he saw you. He even shed a few tears when we all hugged hello! It's been far too long since I've seen him (since the wedding reception in Tacoma!) and you've only heard him and his wife Lyn and little girl Ally on the phone. We also were so lucky to see Shane as well. It was so great to catch up, and for just a few hours be surrounded by hundreds of works of art. It gave me a little itch to get back to work. I do miss the gallery days, although don't you fret, this stay at home mama is not abandoning you for the gallery life just yet! We've still got so much more playing, laughing and discovering to do.

You were a real delight at the show. You ran around the expo center like a little nutty toddler and wanted to touch just about everything. It's so funny how walking around an art show like that has changed for me. It used to be talking to other galleries, looking at other artists either for personal purchase or to represent them. Now I walk around with you on my hip and spout off things like "Do you see the pretty picture?" and "Look! There's a doggie in that painting!!" or "Wow, see the bright red dots?" Wow is right, life sure has changed.

You did wonderfully though and after 3 hours in LA we turned right back around to avoid the traffic. Poor thing you were in the car over 6 hours and only napped about 30 minutes each way!! But you were a trooper, and you continue to surprise me each time we take you out of your element and off your routine. Dad always says he is never surprised, because he knows what an amazing little kid you are. You went to bed an hour late but you were in great spirits and I'm happy that you continue to surprise me.

No time to be depressed!

2008-01-21T15:13:00.000-08:00

So I was told today by a friend that today, January 21st, is historically the most depressing day of the year. Why? Because supposedly by now most New Year's resolutions are broken. After hearing this I vowed to be extra happy today, just to make up for all the gloom and doom.

And I have plenty to be happy about. It seems you are coming out of your shell a little bit. Even if it's temporary, it's wonderful. Uncle Billy and Uncle Bobby have stayed with us the last few nights and you used to be terrified of them (new people, especially men, were never your favorite). Now you played with Billy and flirted with him when you woke up, and you asked for Bobby all day yesterday and even let him feed you this morning. This is BIG super goodness.

And to top off the goodness pie, last night we went to Bubby and Zayde's house for dinner. You were a true delight, showing off your signing skills to your cousin (second cousin to be exact) Sierra. It was the first time you've been around a young girl (she is 6) and you played beautifully with her. She took you to explore the house and danced with you and made you laugh and smile. I see no reason to be depressed at all!

And you raaaan, you ran so far away.....

2008-01-20T15:10:00.007-08:00

Yes, I know you can't see a lot of you in this picture...that's the point!! You actually felt comfortable enough to wander away from me! Pretty far too! I'm so proud of you, I feel like today was a major step in you feeling comfortable in groups of strangers, and me doing the right thing as a mum. Here's what happened:

We decided to go to the kids museum this morning. Usually we spend an hour or two there on Sundays. Typically what happens is we get there and I attempt to put you down amongst all the other kids, and you immediately turn around, lift your arms up at me and say "UP! UP!" My usual reaction is to say something like "Don't you want to see the pretty fruits at the pretend grocery store?" or, "Why don't you grab a book and bring it back to me so that we can read it?" The theme is basically that I'm trying to get you out into the museum, wandering and exploring amongst the other children, without you being attached to my hip. Not because I don't love carrying you (well, it's not as fun as it sounds-you do weigh nearly 26lbs!) but because I want so much for you to experience the joy of playing like the other kids, and exploring new surroundings.

Well, over the last few weeks, as you've gotten more and more clingy, I realized that this just isn't the right method. You need your time to warm up to new environments, and if I am your security blanket, then so be it. So into the museum we went today, and together we sat at the table with blocks. I picked it because no one else was sitting there, but lots of other kids were around at other stations playing. You can observe from afar and get your feet wet. We spent 15 whole minutes there! For you, 15 minutes is an eternity and you usually flutter from one thing to another within seconds. But you loved sitting in my lap, handing me different colored blocks to stack, and point out what all the other children were doing. It was a beautiful 15 minutes where you and I both just felt so right. I know that sounds weird, since we were just sitting there stacking blocks, but it was perfect.

Then we continued to the usual stations you enjoy. And we stayed close together, in fact, attached at the hip. Usually I would try to nudge you out there, but today I realized that you don't need the nudge, you just need the time. Sure enough, when another girl came to play at our station, you didn't flip out with nerves, as you often would, but you watched her and felt comfortable. We were partners, and you knew it!

We went outside to sit in the sun and have some lunch. Once again, I would normally try to sit amongst all the other kids, but today I picked a patch of grass away from the play area, where you could observe, and feel comfortable. We had lunch, played some music and danced. As the hour passed, you ventured out. First you asked me to come with you, so I followed you out to the field where all the kids were playing with balls, and you picked up a ball and brought it back to our sitting area. Then, you did it again....alone! And again and again and again! Until we had a pile of balls and you even walked so far away from me at one point you couldn't even see me! I was so proud of you! And of myself! I think we might have finally done it...figured one another out! We're partners baby- Finley and Mummy makes TWO!

Just one of the boys...

2008-01-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today we went on an all boy play date! That's a big change for you, since you usually hang out with all the little ladies. You always are more comfortable with girls it seems, and it's an amazing psychological study to watch how differently boys and girls play. Are we hardwired this way? Or do parents let boys "Be Boys" and girls "Be girls"? It's so strange!

But anyhow, the good news is, the boys you played with today were extremely polite. You get nervous around rough housing or yelling and these kids were excellent playmates! (good on ya parents! ;-) But it was interesting to watch because whenever the boys gathered around the play table you quickly walked over to me and sat on my lap. As soon as they dispersed, up you went, right over to the table until they came back again. You did this several times and it was interesting to watch your caution. Sometimes I wish you were able to be a bit more adventurous, but I'm sure Daddy will be happy to hear you backed away from the boys!

You did though kiss the boys goodbye...and I encouraged it. In ten years we'll be having a whole different conversation on this topic though!!

My Little Foodie...

2008-01-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

Well, not quite. But today we did manage to take you out to TWO restaurants. That's practically more than you've been to in the last 6 months! Let's face it, I'm an anal mother who thinks your solid nutrition is very important, as is my peace of mind...and as such we've avoided restaurants. It's too stressful; we wait, you get antsy, we eat like madmen, barely even finishing a bite before taking the next so that we can trade off on feeding you duties. You think the water is a toy, and next thing we know you are practically taking a bath at the table, straws are to be found everywhere...well, the list goes on as to why we avoid restaurants!

But, your dad and I finally decided we need to re-enter the 'regular' world and do what families do. That would consist of a nice brunch after a morning of hiking and a loud dinner at, of all places, Red Robin. We even bumped into people we know! Who knew that they too go out after dark!

Oh my god I'm embarrassed to admit that not only did all of our nutrition go out the window, but we hang our heads in shame knowing we let you snack on the batter of onion rings (I was compelled to order them after walking in and smelling a delicious smelling tower of deep fried goodness!!). I can't believe we let you eat that. It was enough to fill barely a tablespoon, but still....ugh. You also feasted on apples and apple sauce, one slice of pizza and a tiny amount of grilled chicken. Not your finest meal, but if it's one night every once in a while where you see no vegetables, well, we can deal! (I'm so proud of myself! This is a major breakthrough I think!)

Anyhow, both restaurant excursions went without any major hitch. I tried to act sane and be calm (both very difficult for me, but I managed), and make conversation with our friend and neighbor Dave who decided to partake in the madness. I was smart though and just ordered soup, because seriously your Dad came home with a stomach ache after eating so much fatty stuff. We'll be back to salads tonight :)

Anyhow, we're both proud of you. I guess we're not the only ones that have grown, you have too! This means we can go out after dark now every once in a while. Very exciting stuff. But we may need to pick a different restaurant to go to next time...

So nothing's wrong?

2008-01-15T14:18:00.000-08:00

Apparently not. Here I was thinking something is wrong with you. Teething? Interrupted naps? ADD???? Bi-Polar Disorder???? You know how a mother's mind can go just about anywhere.... You're fussy, you say NO all the time, you throw fits, you have incredible mood swings from ecstatic to angry within a split second, you are clingy, you have no attention span. Well the list goes on! So I talk to my wonderful friend Emily who's daughter Abby is 3 months older than you. She looks me in the eye as I say "Do you think something is wrong with her???" and says "What you've got here Shari, is a TODDLER!"

Duh.

Eureka! It's true. Today you threw a fit when I tried to put on your shoes. The shoes you barely wanted to take off all week long. You even wore them with your footed jammies a few days ago! This morning it was a screaming fit as soon as you saw them. I ended up strapping you into the car seat and then putting the shoes on, as it was the only way!! Hmm...it didn't sound all that familiar, since I was blinded by your 'toddlerhood'....but Emily reminded my how, hmm, 3 months ago Abby did the SAME thing. Oooooohhhhh...now I remember!

So happy to hear nothing is wrong. Now tell me, is there an easy cure for Toddlerhood? :)

MORE!!!!!

2008-01-13T14:09:00.001-08:00

It's always been one of your favorite words. More this, more that...whatever it is, you want more of it. Food, dolls, TV, milk, water, leaves from a tree....anything you like, you want more of. It fits into your personality type...you do everything with gusto! The more, the better, in your mind I think. I guess I might be a little bit like that too. :)

These days the 'more' applies to bringing every doll into your crib when you get up from nap. You usually sleep with one doll (Harry Elephante) but these days when I come into your room you ask for two things....the first thing you say is "TWO!!!!" meaning you would like two teething tablets, pronto. Right now I don't know if I am giving them to you for the teething pain, or to get you to stop saying "TWO!" all the time...but I digress. The next thing you do is you ask for each of your dolls, by name (or their respective animal sounds) and you give each one a hug, and then sit them in your crib. Sometimes you'll give some of them some milk, or share your lovie, but for the most part you just surround yourself with them until your doll shelf has no more dolls. To which you exclaim "MORE!" :) I always manage to find more....anything to make you happy babe.

Mom's Night Out

2008-01-12T08:15:00.001-08:00

I know this blog is supposed to be about you, not me (heaven forbid that I think of myself first!) but today I also wanted to post about some of my friends. And I guess that without you, I wouldn't have these friends...so there you go, this post technically is all about you. ;)

Regardless, the other night a few of my "Mommy" friends and I got together to bid adieu to our friend Megan who is moving to another state. I had such a nice time having dinner and being out after dark with such a wonderful group of women. I feel so lucky to have not only met women who are also mothers to young children like me (it's actually eerie how all of our kids are at most 3 months apart) so that we all can relate to what the other is going through, but they are all women that I've grown to love and have wonderful friendships with.

Amazingly, it's not always about the kids! It's also about us, and how we feel, as parents, or as people. It's about support, and trust, and help, and respect. And sometimes it's about politics, or religion, or husbands, or fashion. Mostly what it's about is real friendships. I am so lucky to have them, in a place and time in my life when I really didn't expect to have them. I figured moving to a new city with a new baby will be impossible to make new friends. I am so happy to be wrong on that front. I don't know what I would do without them.

And one day you too will have girlfriends, and true friendships. It would be so neat if it were with the children of these women :) But with whomever it is with, cherish your friendships and be good to them, and they will be good to you to.

Timber!!

2008-01-12T08:02:00.000-08:00

You've been getting good at stacking your cups these days. I recall once several months ago watching a little girl who was a few months older than you stack these cups and I thought..."wow, that's incredible that an 18 month old can do that!!" Well, you still struggle with it a bit, but sure enough, you can do it! At first it freaked you out when they fall down, but once we attached the word 'timber' to the falling action, it's all fun and games!

It's amazing how the changes in you are daily. From one day to the next you can accomplish more, say more, and even try to trick me more. The other day Dad said to me "I'm scared of the day when she can outsmart me....because she's already starting to!" Supposedly at dinner time you pretend to sneak bites of chicken or whatever but really it's fruit.

Really though, all you have to do is flash that sweet smile of yours, and we are putty in your hands.

Half Girl, Half Animal :)

2008-01-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

You've always been obsessed with animals. It comes as no surprise that you managed to find some very buried away giraffe slippers that we have not seen in years and now part of after bath ritual is to wear them and try to walk to your room. Every two steps involves putting the slippers back on :) It's super cute.

The most unusual thing has been happening this past week though. Lately every time you've seen Sesame Street characters (as in an Elmo doll at the store, or when we are on the computer together-which by the way, I am afraid of how much you like being on the computer, but I digress...) but you call out "Elmo!", "Ernie!", and "Grover!" (or at least it sounds like that). The most amazing part of this all is....you've never seen more than three minutes of Sesame Street and you have none of the aforementioned dolls or toys!! You've never had interest in that show, so I never put it on! You do have a soft book your Nana bought you that has Elmo in it, but you haven't seen that book in months. But today, there we were at Target and you screamed "Elmo!" from the cart and sure enough behind my shoulder was a row of Elmo pinatas (who knew they made Elmo pinatas?!!). But this is a very interesting phenomenon, and since I am the only one that takes care of you I am pretty perplexed by how all this came to be!!!

Knock Knock. Who's There? Who knows, but It's funny!!!

2008-01-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

You and Abby were an absolute riot! I must have shot 40 photos of the two of you chatting away on an El Paseo bench. Abby was telling you stories and there was one joke that had you roaring in laughter! At least Emily & I perceived it to be a joke. You ladies were having a fun fun time! I could have stayed and watched the two of you chat like old ladies on a bench for hours.

But no, there were stroller races to be had! Sorry babe, but you got the heavy stroller and it weighed you down so Abby was the clear stroller race winner. Her prize? Getting a chariot like stroller ride by her fine opponent...you!

I can just tell when I watch the two of you play how much you like one another and enjoy each other's company. The way Abby loves to share her food with you, and likes to feed you all the time. Or the way you let her take your rocks from your pile and not argue. And the way you smile when you hear her name, and blow her kisses or say Bye-Bye when we leave. It's a good thing to have such a good friendship.

Where's the Rain?

2008-01-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

It was supposed to rain this weekend. A lot. Especially for the desert. But we saw no rain. Lots of wind though today. I was surprised by how much you actually disliked it as we went out from the car and into the grocery store. You kept saying "No-No" and holding your ears. It was really howling so I guess the sound really bugged you. Plus your hair was all over the place :)

We had a little accident in the crib today during nap. Needless to say when I came in to get you it was not pretty. Into the bath you went! That was a first. Please, please let it be the last.

Five Minutes with Daddy

2008-01-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

Need I say more?

It looks like you had a lot of fun pulling all your dolls and toys from your bedroom to your playroom floor. I love that you and Dad get to spend the evenings together. I remember over a year ago when Dad said to me one day "I just can't wait until the day she runs to the door to say 'hi' when I come home at night." Sure enough, you've made his wishes come true.