Santa Claus Progress

Last year we took Hannah to see Santa Claus completely unaware of how she would react. We stood in line for 45 minutes while she watched all of the other children walk up and climb in his lap. When it was finally our turn, Hannah held on for dear life and screamed bloody murder while I tried to take a quick picture.

See?



So this year we decided to try the Santa experience again fully prepared for a complete melt down. While Hannah had no interest in sitting in Santa's lap, she agreed to stand in front of him while I took a few pictures. I think the candy cane, pencil and rubber bracelet Santa gave her might have had something to do with it. Instead of learning that Santa is really a nice man, I think we may have just taught her that strange men give you presents if you don't scream.

Elmo's Party

Since Steve and I have been together, we've always spent Thanksgiving with his family. My family has never really done anything special for the day except enjoy a day off of work or school. But since it's a long weekend, and my mom's birthday is November 25th, we always go visit her for her birthday more than Thanksgiving. So, this past Thanksgiving when Hannah saw my mom's birthday present wrapped in pretty pink paper while we were in Georgia, she informed us she was "reh-reh go to the party." For four and half hours while we drove from Columbus to Pulaski she talked about going to the party. About half way through the trip, it went from just a party to Elmo's party. I'm still not sure where the idea of Elmo having a party came from, but Hannah was adamant that we should be going. We made it to my mom's house, and my mom unwrapped her birthday presents. I think Hannah may have been a little disappointed in my mom's gifts and that Elmo didn't show up for the "party."

So when we heard that Sesame Street Live would be coming to Nashville, we decided Hannah would love to go. I worried that the adult size characters would scare her since she'd only seen Elmo on TV, in books or the doll size version. We tried to prepare her by telling her we were going to see a BIG Elmo so she wouldn't be too freaked out at the show.

For the first 15 minutes of the performance, Hannah didn't move. She stared in complete awe at the stage. But as soon as she realized the child in front of her had some sort of toy that could spin and light up, her attention quickly shifted from the stage. She still enjoyed the characters, but she constantly pointed to the child's toy and said, "I have that." The toy didn't look particularly safe to me, so I didn't jump at the chance to spend $15 so my child could poke her eye out. Even without the toy, I think Hannah did very well and really enjoyed her first musical.

Madison

After 15 years of being my faithful companion, Madison is no longer with me. He still longed to play and jump into my arms, but his little body was giving out. Steve and I were with him as we let his body relax, and the pain went away. We took him to his Gran’s house to be reunited with Maggie.

Steve, Hannah and I miss him terribly, but I am so grateful I was able to keep him as long as I did. He took care of me when I was sick or just sad. He was with me as I grew from a dependent college student to an independent adult, wife and mother.

I will always love my sweet baby boy.

End of Summer Vacation

A few weeks ago, we were able to take a family trip to Gulf Shores for a little relaxation on the beach. This year’s vacation included the whole family with Gran, Daddy B, Steve, Hannah and even Madison joining me. Nashville was in the middle of a two week rainy season, so we were glad to get away and enjoy some sunshine and sand!

I’d been a little apprehensive prior to the trip since Hannah doesn’t have a very good track record with long drives in the car. Last year’s trip does not bring back happy thoughts when I remember the drive home from Ft. Walton. Maybe she’s just a little older and her attention span has gotten a bit longer, but she did really well travelling both to and from Gulf Shores. We were grateful for her love of Elmo since his books and movies helped keep her occupied for several hours.

During last year’s vacation, Hannah didn’t seem to have the same love for the beach as her Daddy and I do. She didn’t want to go near the ocean and couldn’t stand one grain of sand touching her which meant she spent the entire time on a sheet playing with toys and bird watching. This year she decided to be a little braver and even took her shoes off to walk in the sand. She let us cover her feet with sand and didn’t seem to mind when we even got it on her face. And the ocean? Well, we’ve got to save something for next year.

Each day was spent soaking up the sun, finding sea shells, tickling our toes in the ocean, swimming in the pool and taking naps. We ate fabulous meals of seafood with my favorite being the crab and shrimp au gratin at Louisiana Lagniappe. The weather was gorgeous every day, and going in September meant the beaches and restaurants weren’t quite as crowded.

We’ve been home two and half weeks, and Hannah is still asking to go back to the beach. I know I’m ready.

Like Mama Too

The day after I posted Like Father, Like Daughter, Hannah reminded me of my own OCD tendencies. After her bath last night, I heard her playing in the living room with her blocks. I assumed she was building another one of her four block high towers that she would then knock tumbling to the floor. Instead, she had organized them into a very neat and straight line. And she even had the patience to line up 17 blocks!

I guess there are plenty of my quirks in her little DNA.

The only difference is I would have organized them by color. Or alphabetically.

Like Father, Like Daughter

I smile when I see Hannah doing little things that remind me of myself. Like when she straightens the top of her hamper after tossing her clothes inside or when she mindlessly twirls her hair between her fingers. But leaving her shoes next to the stairs? That's all Daddy.

I Yuh You

To anyone else, “I yuh you” probably doesn’t sound very exciting, but just a few nights ago Hannah said this completely unprompted to me when her daddy was putting her to bed. She’s heard both Steve and I say, “I love you” to her since the day she was born, and she would even repeat it to us when we asked. But this was the first time I heard her say, “I yuh you, Mama” without either one of us asking. Since then she’s said, “I yuh you, dog,” but her daddy is still waiting for his turn. :)

Hearing those words and seeing this sweet face makes all those sleepless nights and temper tantrums totally worth it.

Her Social Calendar is Full

Who knew a 2 year old could have such a busy social life? Lately we’ve been very busy keeping up with Hannah’s calendar.

Hannah’s friend, Brady, turned two just one week after her birthday. We were invited to go bowling for his birthday. I wasn’t sure how a group of two year olds would manage to throw a 10 pound ball down a bowling lane, but at the Franklin bowling lanes , kids are invited to go mini bowling. Doesn’t she look like a professional as she concentrates on her form?





In late June, she began taking gymnastics (also known as "na-nacks") at Let It Shine. While she’s not a fan of the trampoline, she likes to swing, slide and climb. She’s doing great at circle time, and she’s getting better at completing the obstacle course properly. Of course if she could, she’d bounce from one obstacle to another completely out of order, but she’s learning to follow directions and complete tasks as instructed.





The annual Riverwalk Fourth of July parade is a chance for Hannah to ride in her decked out wagon, but it also gives her daddy a chance to make her some cool spinners. Isn’t she cute in her star spangled shorts?





Finally, last week we took Hannah to her first baseball game. She would’ve much rather run the bases with the boys since she kept pointing to the field and saying, “I play. I play.” A player from the opposing team was kind enough to give her her very first baseball from a game. I think her daddy was more excited than she was. She enjoyed the hot dogs and ice cream as well as the people watching (just like her mommy).



We’re enjoying our busy summer even though Hannah’s social schedule keeps us on our toes!

Happy Birthday Hannah

Do you know how proud I am to be your mommy?

The past couple of years I’ve been blessed to watch you grow from a tiny baby to a sweet little girl. I can hardly believe it’s been two years since Daddy and I brought you home from the hospital. I love seeing things through your eyes and watching you discover something for the first time. I’m so glad I get to be the one to show you things.

Your favorite things right now are Elmo, reading books and playing ball. You can’t stand to be still. You’re a busy little girl who is always on the go. You love to read about your ABC’s. You take such good care of your baby dolls. You love to play outside and swing at the playground. Your sweet little giggle lights up my whole world. Your teachers at day care always talk about how sweet you are.

Every day you’re growing and changing, but so am I. You’ve taught me how to be more patient and kind. You’re teaching me not to worry about the little things.

Happy birthday my sweet baby girl! I love you! Do you know how proud I am to be your mommy?

Child Dedication

At Cross Point, we practice baby dedication instead of baptism since it is our belief that baptism should be completed when a person is able to make a conscious decision to follow Christ. During the child dedication, Steve and I as parents made a commitment to raise Hannah in a Christ filled environment. The congregation also promised to support us during our parenting journey. Here’s the commitment we made on May 10, 2009.

We acknowledge that our child is a miraculous gift from God. We also acknowledge that our child is a unique person created in the image of God and we understand that raising our child is both a privilege and responsibility.

Therefore we promise to love, train and support our child looking to God for divine guidance and support. We, in the witness of these people, publicly place our child into the care and protection of our great God, asking our church community for their support, guidance and encouragement in the days ahead.

Hannah let me hold her in front of the entire church while we made our commitment. Steve and I selected Jeremiah 29:11 to be her life verse. The verse reads, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Hannah even waited until we got home from church to have her meltdown (see last picture).

I Doh

Hannah has recently begun using short sentences instead of just words to speak. Her first sentence began when she was trying to express to us that she was ready to leave the house. “I doh” translates to “I go.” When she tries on my shoes and prances around the house, she likes to tell us, “I Mama” which means, “I’m Mama.” When her daddy is outside working in the yard, she’ll tell me, “Dada mow dass” which is her way of saying “Daddy mows the grass.” For 2 years, we’ve been waiting for her to be able to verbally communicate with us, and we’re so excited that the time is finally here.

Here’s a recent picture of our big girl ready to “doh.”

Noooo

Hannah has been a little slower to speak than some children, and I’ve tried not to be too concerned. At her 18 month doctor’s appointment, the nurse asked if Hannah could say 6 – 10 words. We really couldn’t think of that many, and I was afraid she had flunked one of the questions. Around 20 months, Hannah started saying a few more words, and it has been so cute and so much fun to hear her use each new word. Until now. Her most recent word is no. I guess I should be thankful that she’s been saying yes for a couple of months now. I’d kind of gotten used to her being pretty agreeable to things. Just recently she learned about no, and I think it’s been her most used word yet. Even when she disagrees, she still sounds cute when she drags out the word into nooo. After all, she will be two just a couple of months from today. In addition to no she’s also saying

apple, baby, ball, bar, Bible, bird, boo-boo, book, boots, cheese, choo-choo, church, dada, dink (drink), doggie, ears, Elmo, eyes, fish, mama, moo, nana (banana), peez (please), purple, shhh, shoes, that, yes

And since I can’t write a post without a picture, here’s the one I just put on my desk.

Same Sweater, Different Dress

When I purchased Hannah’s Easter dress for this year, I was hoping since the holiday fell in mid-April, the weather would be warm. It was a tad cool Sunday morning, and while it was an opportunity for Hannah to learn sometimes looking good comes with a little sacrifice, I still felt the need to provide for her. I’ve saved a few of my favorite outfits of Hannah’s, so I searched the attic for last year’s Easter cardigan. I was hoping if she just had something to cover her little arms, she would survive from the car into church. But our dainty little girl was totally able to wear her 6 – 9 month sweater from 13 months ago! At this rate, we’ll be lucky to have her in a 3T by kindergarten.

My Little GPS

Hannah may not know her telephone number or address yet, but she can show you exactly how to get to the neighborhood playground ½ a mile from our house. Last Sunday, Hannah and I were outside helping Steve in the front yard. I ran inside for a second to check on the laundry, and when I returned Steve and Hannah were holding hands and walking across the street to the sidewalk. I caught up with them and asked where we were going. Apparently, Hannah had taken Steve by the hand and begun leading him across the street. I assumed she just wanted to go down the sidewalk for a little bit, and we would turn around after a couple of houses. Pretty soon it was apparent that this little girl was on a mission! She followed the sidewalk to the 4-way stop, and when we suggested a turn, she was adamant that we continue her path. We went through the 4-way stop and crossed over the bridge. When she caught sight of the playground, I think her gait picked up a little speed. If I would have known our destination when we began our travels, I would have taken the camera. Since I don’t have a picture from this Spring yet, here’s Hannah about a year ago in her favorite spot on the playground.

She’s Not a Baby Anymore

My baby girl is becoming such a big girl. As if time wasn’t flying by fast enough, I lost an hour with her due to daylight saving time this past weekend! Last Sunday at church, she pointed to her classroom and was ready to go in when we arrived at Kidz World. She walked right into the room without as much as a tear.

Bedtime is usually when we snuggle for a few minutes while we rock in her room. We say our prayers and sing Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children. The past three nights she has wanted to go straight to her bed without even rocking. No matter how much I tried to hold her and snuggle, she wiggled and squirmed until I gave in and put her to bed.

For the most part, she is capable of feeding herself with a spoon now. She gobbled up her dinner last night with minimal help from me.

Last night was too warm for her fleece pajamas, and I've not started shopping for summer sleepwear yet. Since she's so tiny, I held on to her 12 month pajamas from last summer, and she wore those just fine last night. It was even more obvious how big she's getting when the pants that used to drag the ground came just below her knees.

Since the weather was so nice over the weekend, we spent lots of time at the playground. Hannah has always been a fan of the swing, but this weekend I introduced her to the slide. After I helped her the first time, she figured out how to climb up the ladder and slide down all by herself. If she went too fast, and her bottom landed on the ground, she just jumped up, brushed herself off and went back for more.

Remember when she looked like this? I guess I’ll have to figure out how to stop blinking.