And Then You Turned Four

Wow! You've kept me really busy the past year! I hope that one day when you grow up and see that your Mommy did not do a very good job documenting your childhood, you'll know it was because I was too busy embracing each day I got to spend with you.

Every day you grow and change, and I just love you more and more. You amaze me with all of your questions and the things you want to understand. You are a bright, funny and beautiful little girl, and you're growing up faster than I'd like. You've been writing your name - Hannah B dot - for six months now. You have such a sweet heart, and I love hearing your little voice singing each morning when you wake up before your clock is green.

I am so so thankful that God chose me to be your Mommy. I think you've taught me as much as I've taught you. You show me how to look at things through your eyes - your beautiful big brown eyes.

You often ask me if I will be your best friend, and I always say, "Yes." Because now matter how old you are, I will always be your best friend. I will always love you, and I will always be proud of you.

I love you more today than I did yesterday, but not as much as I will love you tomorrow.

Happy birthday my sweet baby girl.

Love,
Mommy

Are you really 3 years old already?

Happy birthday my sweet girl! I can't believe you are already 3 years old today! It seems like every year just goes by faster and faster. You are such a sweet, beautiful and smart little girl. You love your big baby doll, playing the "letter game" with Mommy & Daddy, swimming at the pool and writing the letter "H" with your crayons. You make me laugh every single day.

You have no idea how much Mommy & Daddy love you. Maybe someday when you have a little girl, you will finally understand our love for you.

I can't believe how much you've "grown up" in the past year. You are so independent and love to do things by yourself. Sometimes it feels like I just blinked my eyes, and suddenly you can do so many more things. I love watching you learn new things, and you are constantly saying sentences that sound so mature.

I'm so thankful you still let me rock you every night. I love the time we spend together in your room after we've read your books, said your prayers and sang your favorite songs ("ABCD," "Itsy Bitsy Spider, " "Rock-a-bye Hannah" and "Jesus Loves Me"). I run my fingers through your soft hair and trace the outline of your face with my fingers. You giggle when my fingers go under your chin and down your sweet neck. I rock you as you close your big brown eyes and start to fall asleep. Then I tiptoe over to your bed and lay you down gently. I kiss your sweet head and whisper, "I love you."

I am so very proud of you, Hannah Claire. Can you make the next year go by a little more slowly? I want to hold you in my lap a little while longer, OK?

I love you with all of my heart,
Mommy

Kids Say the Funniest Things - Part 2

While at my mom's house a couple of months ago, I was putting Hannah to bed in my room. My mom has pictures from my wedding day in my bedroom. Hannah was studying the pictures and pointing out faces she recognized. "Dat's Mommy?" she would ask.

"Yes," I replied.

"Dat's Daddy?" she questioned further.

"Yes," I answered again.

"Dat's Day?" Another question and Hannah's version of "Gran."

"Yes."

"Where's me?"

I laughed so hard, but I'm sure she had no idea what was so funny. To her, the world didn't exist prior to her birth.

My Little Snow Bunny

We don't get much snow here in Nashville. Sure, maybe a few flurries a couple of times a year, but 4" - 5" inches? Not likely for us. So when it snowed all day on Friday we were super excited. We waited until Saturday afternoon to try out the snow, and then we got all bundled up in our coats, hats and gloves and went sledding. In a laundry basket. Like I said, we don't get much snow here in Nashville. There's never been a reason to invest in a sled. But I sure wished we had one on Saturday.

Kids Say the Funniest Things

Potty training Hannah has been a much lengthier process than I'd imagined. I guess I thought she would “get it” a little sooner and without much training. Weaning her off the pacifier at six months was a breeze. She’s a good eater and doesn’t refuse most things on her plate. She does well obeying me and Steve. But this potty training is sure taking some work.

She misses no opportunity to tell you she’s a big girl and even knows that “big girls pee pee in potty.” She usually follows me when I use the bathroom, so the other day I decided to use it as a training experience for her. She watched me sit down on the toilet and then asked, “You pee pee on potty?”

I responded, “Yes because I’m a big girl.”

“No, you Den-fer, I big girl.” Apparently, there can be only one big girl at our house.

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While we were having Christmas at my mom’s house Hannah started to get a little cranky about 30 minutes before dinner was ready. I thought maybe she just needed a little snack to tide her over until the meal was ready. I asked her if she wanted something to eat, and she said she needed a cracker. So, I asked, “Do you need an appetizer?”

“No, I need a cracker.”

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While lying in bed with me the other day, Hannah poked me in the chest and said, “What’s that?”

“That’s Mommy’s bosom,” I replied. “Where’s your bosom?”

Hannah pulled out her shirt, looked down at her chest and said, “I got lil' bosoms.”

Aren't two year olds hilarious?

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.”