Wednesday's Winning Words: Toddler Lyrics

To say that Delaney's vocabulary has taken off would be the understatement of the century.  Regularly, she says things that make me just stop and wonder what happened to my 2 year old and when she suddenly became a teenager.  It's frightening, sometimes.  Really.  My favorite thing lately is that she sings in the car.  Constantly.  And if she doesn't like the song I have on the radio (that I may or may not be singing along to), she will sing louder, as if to prove a point.  Yeah, it's cute.  For now.  So, I thought it would be fun to share with you a few of Delaney's lyrics to some of our favorites.  Feel free to sing along in your head.  You know you can't help yourself.

The Alphabet Song: "...LMNOP, 2RS, TUV..."

Row Your Boat:  "Wo, Wo, Wo your boat, gently down the street..."  Poor girl--we don't have streams, here in this part of Texas.  Can you blame her for getting that one wrong?

Jingle Bells (I think I've mentioned this is a year-round favorite for her):  "Shingle Bells Shingle Bells, Shingle all the way.  Oh what fun it is to ride. HEY!"  That's the entirety of the song, as far as she is concerned.

This must be the early version of that e-card I keep seeing about that awkward moment when you are singing a song you've known since you were a kid and you suddenly understand the lyrics.  I love that she enjoys music so much.  She is constantly bobbing her head to whatever is on the radio and she's now taken to just putting our everyday phrases into song.  It definitely makes me more cognizant of what I'm saying.

And since I've been depriving everyone of pictures lately, and since we're on the subject of Delaney, here are a few recent pics of her.  Don't even talk to me about how grown up she looks.  I know and it's breaking my heart.

Playing dress up at G-Daddy's and Darla's

 

 Playground time!!

Baby D: Version 2.5

Guess who is officially two AND A HALF today??  That's right, this kid (except that this picture is from about a month ago):

So, that means an update!!

Not sure on her weight and height status because (shockingly) she has been well and not to the doctor in quite some time.  Yes, I realize I just jinxed us....which is kind of funny since I am about to leave town and Kidd will be single parenting off and on for the next three weeks.  hahaha.  She does wear a size 2 for the most part and a size 6/7 in shoes.

She definitely loves being silly, and I think that just maybe she will develop a bit of a snarky attitude.  Can't imagine from whom she might get that.  She's a bit of a practical joker...as much as a two year old can be.  If you ask her a question, she will sometimes deliberately give you the wrong answer just to see what you do.  I may have said it a time or two--we are definitely in trouble with this one... We were discussing this morning that she has started speaking much more quietly with us (and with a bit of a whine), and Kidd pointed out that it's because she's learning to manipulate us.  She's starting to understand that if you speak quietly, people are forced to stop and listen to you.  Whereas, if you speak loudly, asking for what you want, often you are just told to be quiet.  I'm not sure if her reasoning skills are quite that advanced, but she is observant so I'm not willing to put it past her just yet.

Bat Girl

Wearing Daddy's shirt

This girl still LOVES her shoes.  She has started having a pretty intense opinion on which shoes she wears every day.  I'm not above selecting a whole different outfit for the day if the one I pre-selected does not match the shoes she is committed to wearing on a particular day.

 Thankfully, she's not into mismatched shoes...yet.  This was just her trying on new tennis shoes.

 

She loves her red sparkly Toms.

Her sunglasses are her favorite accessory, and she seems unphased by the fact that don't really sit on her left ear very well.  We re-adjust as needed and keep on truckin'.

 

 

She has become kind of a picky eater.  She will try most foods, but then after the initial taste, we get "I no like it..." and then the spitting out of the food.  Now, when she does like something, she will eat and eat and eat.  Her favorite things right now are NutriGrain bars (Justus went through a love affair with these as well), fruit snacks, cheese, chips and salsa, blueberries and broccoli.  She will eat peas and green beans, mandarin oranges (almost every day), some meat and any bread...  I'm just glad she is at least willing to try stuff.  Justus didn't even do that very much.

She is working on the potty training.  And by "working," I mean doing it when she feels like it and teasing us when she doesn't.  She has days (and even some nights) with no accidents, and then there are days like yesterday, where she had 5 accidents at school and 1 at home.  I'm certain we will get there, but it is a battle in the meantime.  She's fully capable, but often lazy or disinterested.  We aren't forcing it.  Right now.  I am tired of doing laundry every day though...

Her vocabulary has just blossomed and she has the best things to say sometimes.  Lately, when she asks for something and we tell her "No" (I assure you, it's not often), she says "Awwww, Man!" just like her brother.  Cracks me up.  She is quick to voice her opinion and loves to sing, sing sing.  Jingle Bells is still her favorite song, so it's Christmas all year in the Royal household thanks to this one.  Every night at bedtime, we go through ABC's, RockABye Baby, Jesus Loves Me, and a few others.  She's definitely a creature of habit.  She is loud and silly and playful at home, but still acts quite shy and reserved in public.  If you know me, you know I don't really understand this.  Kidd totally gets it and says it's normal.  I trust him.  It actually works out well because we get the kindest compliments on how sweet she is.  I get to smile and thank people, while thinking "Yeah, that's because she doesn't know you that well...Stick around awhile."

She still doesn't play with a lot of toys, but her favorites are her princess dress up shoes and all her dress up necklaces, etc.  She loves pushing her baby around in a stroller, playing in her tents, and playing with her Calico Critters Bunnies.  She also has a great time playing "shopping" with her Minnie Mouse grocery cart and groceries.  Her Minnie Mouse phone is always nearby too.  Now that I think about it, she does have a bit of a Minnie Mouse obsession.

Ultimately, her favorite play thing is still this guy.  Best. Friends.  I can't get over what a good big brother he is to her and how helpful he is when it comes to getting her to do things.  She adores him and loves to play in his room with him.  I think she would follow him to the ends of the Earth as long as it meant she got to spend time with him.  She still calls him "my Justus" and he absolutely is!

There's so much about this little girl to share, but I think that's good for now.  She will be 3 before we know it and I'll be doing another update.  I can't believe how fast she's growing and what an interesting (and entertaining) little lady she's becoming.  Her independence may be the death of me, but I wouldn't want it any other way for this one.

Happy 2.5, Delaney Grace!  We love you more than you will ever know.

Wednesday's Winning Words: Life as we know it

So, my morning (once I got to work) went a little something like this:

As a follow up to something that happened late yesterday, I call client university president.  He isn't there, but I'm told he will return my call shortly.

Wait patiently in my office so as to not miss important call from said university president, who I know is an incredibly busy person.  If I miss the call, it may not happen again today.  And this call must happen before I leave town this afternoon.

Cell phone rings.  It's the daycare.  My thought:  "Crap, Delaney bit someone again and is about to get kicked out of daycare..."  I answer anyway.  Just as I hear Katy say "Hi, it's Katy," the office phone rings.  "Katy, can I call you right back? I've been waiting for this call that just came in. Mkay, thanks, bye."

Talk to university president about very important university business.  I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.  And then I'd lose both my job and my freedom, so it's not worth it.  Sorry.  We had a good 10-15 minute talk, and solved all the world's problems (or so I thought).

Called daycare back immediately because I can envision my either ill or troubled child sitting in Ms. Katy's office:  "Ok, Katy, sorry.  Had to get that.  What's up, is everything ok with Delaney?"
Katy:  Yes, Delaney has some good new she wanted to share, so let me put her on speaker..."

Delaney (in a very unlike her soft, whispered voice):  "I tee tee potty, Mommy.."

me: YAY!!!!!  My big girl tee-tee'd in the potty.  I'm so happy..."

The celebratory conversation of the event (with details you don't want to hear) with Delaney and Katy continued for a couple of minutes...

As soon as I hang up, with a huge smile on my face because Delaney FINALLY went on the potty at school, I click that I need to get down the hall to my boss to discuss my previous conversation of the morning.  Not the one about the potty.

This is my life....giving advise to high level administrators and celebrating potty successes all within the matter of five minutes.  And, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I know so many women who engage in this dual life of outside the home work & parenting, and we don't think anything of it because it truly just is life as we know it.  But, every now and then, something like this morning happens that when I step back and look at it, I gain a little more perspective of how fortunate we are to be able to both do what we love and have what we love at the same time.  It is hard.  Every day, it is hard.  But the rewards from both adventures are bountiful, and I am so thankful to God for my many blessings which include both work and a family.  It's easy to get frustrated in the day to day of either (or both) work and/or life, but I aim to focus more on celebrating the good fortune of having both and for being a better person because of both.  Every woman has to do what is right for her when it comes to deciding whether to be a stay at home mother or work, and I don't judge.  We are not all cut from the same cloth, and the world needs us both.  I am a better parent because I work.  I also think I'm better at my job because of my family.  At this point, I could not imagine giving up either.  I am truly blessed and look forward to many more days of this life as I know it!  I just hope that more strike me as being as humorous as today did.

Wednesday's Winning Words: Spoiler alert

  This is a cautionary tale of what happens when someone spoils your child and then leaves you to deal with it.  I'm talking to you, Ms Shanon!

It's been warm lately and Delaney has adjusted to the flip flop/sandals with the thing between the toes (unlike last year when she screamed when I put them on her).  So, she wanted to wear some of her new sandals to school the other day.  I obliged. 

Me:  Delaney, I love your new sandals.  They are so pretty!

D:  Pretty shoes, Mommy?! 

PAUSE as she looks quizzically down at her feet....

D:  My toes not painted, mommy....

sad face

D:  MY TOES NOT PAINTED, MOMMY!

D:  Ms. Shanon paint my toes???

Me:  Delaney,  you are two.  It is acceptable for you to wear sandals without toenail polish.

D:  My toes not painted, mommy....

Still the sad face, as she walks in confusion to another room. 

She wore the shoes anyway, but it was touch and go there for awhile.  Apparently, she continued to make an issue of it for the duration of the day, because her sweet teacher, Ms. Syeda, offered for us to bring the polish to school and she would paint her toes during nap time!  This kid has the whole world wrapped around one of those little pinkies.

Wednesday's Winning Words

I am without children for a few days, but fortunately I have a two-fer for you in the way of Winning Words.

Monday night, after Taekwondo, we went out to dinner.  As we are sitting there getting everyone everything they needed, Justus blurts out, "Mom....tell me what you want, what you really, really want." a la Spice Girls, circa late 1990s.  After I collected myself from the laughter, I said "I want to know where you heard that."  He said a friend he had played with a Spring Break camp that day had shared it with him.  It was a friend he's had for years (literally, since he was 1), so I texted the mom the next morning so we could share the laugh.  She said her son heard it from a cousin and swore the cousin made it up.  Thankfully for iTunes, she was able to quickly demonstrate that the key phrase was made famous by a great little girl group from the other side of the pond. 

I love when our kids take an interest in music that was meaningful to us at some point in our lives before kids.  We had a similar experience when Justus was VERY into Disney's Cars.  If you have kids, you know that Life is a Highway is the theme song.  I heard the Tom Cochrane gem at summer camp years ago and knew it well.  All of the sudden, here was my son begging me to play it over and over again in the car as he belted it out.  Old memories revisited, all the while making new ones.


Originally, this post was going to stop there.  Then yesterday happened.  Justus was riding to Taekwondo with a friend, so I needed to grab Delaney and get her there to meet them before it was over.  As you can tell, we spend quite a bit of time there.  Twice a week to be exact.  So, Delaney and I pull up to the building, and she immediately starts yelling and pointing "Justus go Hi-ya in there, Hi-ya, Hi-ya..." while simultaneously, throwing front punches and kicking her legs.  She was getting into it!!  Aaahh, my little ninja in the making.  She may be out on that floor before we know it.  Daddy couldn't have been happier---a daughter as a black belt?  Go ahead and try to make a move on her.

Wednesday's Winning Words

I swear, after this week is over (and I get pictures from Shanon, *ahem*) I will do a post recapping Princess's birthday party.  But, for today, this will have to suffice.

Last night, we had soup for dinner and I am trying to use up plastic wear that we had left over from the party, so I pulled down the bag with the utensils from Saturday.  Delaney was standing there and as I pulled out the pink spoons, she pointed to them and started saying singing:

"Happy Day to Me!" 

"Happy Day to Me!" 

"Happy Day to Me!"

"Happy Day to Me!"

"Happy Day to Me!"

"Happy Day to Me!"

 

 

 

I guess she liked her party. 

She's TWO!!

Can this be real?

 

Can this child really already be TWO YEARS OLD?

 

We go to see the good Dr. H. tomorrow, so we will have official stats then.  You are still a bit on the petite side though, I think.  You are mostly wearing a size 6 shoe, although you can still wear some of your 5s. You  wear a 2T top (to fit around that belly!), but still need an 18-24 month bottom for the most part .  I bought you several winter wear items in a 2T, and I don't know when you will get to wear them.  My luck--you'll fit into them around March or April.  Yikes!

 

Your vocabulary is exploding, which is so much fun.  You love to parrot what we say (note to self--watch the language!), and most recently, you have started "HO HO HO"ing every time you see a Santa Clause.  Super cute.  You even added the "Meerrry Christmas" to it yesterday. 

 

It's a good thing your vocabulary is really coming along because, girl, those temper tantrums....already....just wow.  You get very upset.  And you get angry.  And you throw things and hit.  Hard.  You do a good job of fooling people with that precious face and those beautiful curls, but when you get mad...watch out!  Right now, the fits take the shape of throwing yourself on the floor face down or going to a wall and putting your face into it and crying.  We let you work it out and come around, but when we are doing something with you (changing clothes, diaper, picking you up to move), you really let loose.  In the vein of having fits, you seem to have a love/hate relationship with "No."  You love to say it, but hate to hear it.  Typical, but we must work on that.

 

Your eating habits have changed.  First, you have rejected your high chair completely, at least until we took the tray off and started pulling you up to the table like the rest of us.  You can live with it for now.  No worries, a booster seat literally in the mail and on its way.  You also don't seem to be interested in eating many of the foods you once loved.  This is a bit of a challenge because I never know what you are going to eat and what you aren't.  I can pretty much count on you eating blueberries, grapes, broccoli, cheese and pasta.  Everything else is just the luck of the draw.  I worry sometimes that you don't get enough to eat at a meal, but all evidence to the contrary.  I'm not sure why, but you have decided you want a grown up to put the food on the fork and then you would like to get the fork to your mouth.  If you don't have success with this, you go straight to using your hands again.   I don't know what is up with this process, but I hope you get it worked out soon because, frankly, I would like to eat too.  Bite for Delaney, Bite for Mommy gets tiresome. 

 

You are such a loving child (despite aforementioned tantrums), and I adore that you still let me rock you and snuggle with you so often.  I just can't get enough of all that preciousness.  My heart smiles (and also breaks a little) when I notice all your growth and how very much you want to do everything your big brother does.  I know in your head, you are certain you two are the same age.  You adore everything about him, except when he doesn't let you play with a certain toy you have your eye on or takes away the one you are playing with, even if just to "show" you something. 

You have an inner light that is so beautiful and felt by all around you.  You are more reserved than your brother and I (which will probably serve you well in the future), but still warm and friendly.  You are one very tough little girl! We joke that you are kind of the bull in the china closet of life because you approach everything with a bit of reckless charge, but we see that as a strength that wil serve you well as you are faced with the many challenges that life has to offer.  As a careful planner, it makes me nervous to think of parenting this trait, since it's so opposite of me, but we will figure it out together.  Delaney, when you came into this world two years ago, we could never have imagined how much you would bring to our lives, although we were quite excited to find out.  Children test the boundaries of our heart-- and, you my dear, make mine swell every day with love and happiness, beyond what I ever knew I had the capacity to have.  We are so blessed by you and honored that we were chosen to be your parents.  We love you more than you will ever know.

 

ONE DAY OLD

 

ONE YEAR OLD

TWO YEAR OLD

L.O.V.E.

 

Wednesday's Winning Words: Manners

We are from the South.  A few things are critically important to our existence as good Southerners:  having good sweet tea, supporting high school and college football, and teaching our kids to use good manners.  Ok, maybe a few other things too, but this is a pretty good list.  Delaney is almost two now (Literally.  In three weeks.  I still can't believe it!), so we have been working on the manners part.  Never too young to start, right?  She is totally good with Please ("Peas) and Thank You ("tank you, mama") and generally even uses them at the appropriate times on her own.  So, we're moving on.  Of course, with her being almost two, we have hit the bumpy road of "NO!" and "MINE!"  I definitely don't do everything right in the life of parenting, but I try to model the desired behavior as often as possible.  So, we've been saying "No, Ma'am" to Delaney when she does something she's not supposed to or gets into something she should be leaving alone.  We believe in encouraging the use of "ma'am" and "sir" when talking to grown ups.

As a result, when she doesn't like something I'm doing or is feeling particularly argumentative, she now says (very assertively), "NO, ma'am, Mommy!"  At least she's polite about it, right?!

What I love most is when she says "No, ma'am, Daddy" or "No, ma'am, Buzz"....and the list goes on.  We haven't quite moved on to distinguishing "ma'am" and "sir".  Baby steps.  She will be a great Southern Belle, one day!

22 months!

Could she look more grown up in these pics???

It's hard to believe that the next time I do an update on this one, she will be TWO YEARS OLD!  I feel like it has flown by in a heartbeat.  I look at her newborn pics and can hardly remember holding that tiny baby.

So, what's up with you, Miss Delaney?!

Height and Weight:  When you were sick last week, you weighed in at 25.5 pounds (50.09%), and this week you weighed in at 25 lbs, 14.1 oz.  Glad to see you're eating again...  Good for you for not letting it get you down.  They measured you today at Texas Children's and said you were 2 feet, 8.76 inches (39.58%).  I think you are a little taller though because you kind of squatted down a bit when she started lowering that plate onto your head.  You did NOT like that at all.  Can't say I would feel any different.

Clothes:  You can wear most of the 18 month clothes and all the 18-24 month stuff.  I bought mostly 2T for winter, but they say they are for 30-33 lb kids, so beef it up a bit, will ya?  We got some really cute stuff you need to fit into soon.  Shoes, oh the shoes--you can wear some 5s, but I am beginning to get you 6s.  We even have to send one pair of 6s back because they are too tight.  I think we have a width issue with those little piggies.  Not judging, just noting.


Food:   You have become more picky in your older age, and less interested in eating.  You will eat salad, which is more than I can say for your brother.  However, your favorites are scrambled egg, mandarin oranges, refried beans and cheese.  You are kind of over the bread thing, so grilled cheese sandwiches don't do it for you any more.  Good for you.  Bad for me.  Meat consumption is unpredictable and determined on a case by case situation.  You will and have eaten chicken, pork and beef, but you don't seem to "want" any of them regularly.  Your brother gobbled up those Gerber pre-packaged toddler meals.  You, my dear, seem to think you are too good for them and want no part. 


Play:  You are starting to branch out with what you will do to consume your time.  You like a few more toys, although now you have made it clear you have no interest in sharing once you get something, and you may or may not be inclined to just walk up to what someone else is playing with, point and shout "Mine!" whether it actually is or not.  You LOVE music.  You will jam out in the car with a little headbobbing action.  Super cute.  Oh, look, I happen to have a video.

Somebody loves 90's on 9 (thank you Sirius, and thank you daddy for bringing back some of mommy's favorites.)

It's so much fun when you and Justus both go to "dancing" in the back seat.  He is still your favorite play thing, but you have started to  bicker a bit (see earlier statement on "Mine!").  He is tolerant and still loves you very much.  He has learned the art of distracting you with something else.  Too bad for him you are about grown out of that stage.  You are also our little daredevil.  You have no fear and you try to climb everything.  This combination makes me nervous and I feel like I should start planning fastest routes to the ER in preparation of what may be to come.  Speaking of climbing, you are starting to climb on the couches and beds in the house, and have no problem asking for "Hewp" if you need assistance.  This is cute.  Until you go up and down about 15 times in a row.

Talking:  You have become quite a chatterbox!  I love it.  You have started adding on the name of the person you thank, so you will say "tank you, mommy" or "tank you, daddy" which is beyond adorable.  You are also a big fan of "I got it!" or "I did it!" when you have succeeded.  I love it and am so proud of you--even if you've just knocked over something I asked you to leave alone.  Your visible pride in yourself when you do something you have been wanting to do is inspiring.

We also went to Texas Children's for your annual ENT appointment yesterday, where they did your hearing test and we met with the good doctor V (not to be confused with the good doctor H, your pediatrician).  Dr. V was his usual barrel of laughs (great doc, but seriously the least enthusiastic person I've ever come across), and your hearing test came back fine.  They said your hearing in your right ear is in the normal range.  The testing wasn't as precise as the ABR we previously did, but at least you didn't have to have anesthesia this time.  They did some behavioral testing, and noted that it's possible that in some situations, you may have been ignoring them as opposed to just not being able to hear them.  No. Way.  An almost 2-year-old ignoring a grown up?  Shocking!  They acknowledged it's a pretty high liklihood that it happened that way from time to time during the testing, and they take that into account.  Well, that's good!  All in all, a good visit.  We just have to be vigilant about watching your speech development.  It's times like this that I am glad you are at daycare and are surrounded by other kiddos your age, so we can get a good comparison for your speech.  Know that we are doing everything we can to give you the best opportunities to succeed!

Delaney, you continue to be the light of our lives with your vivacious spirit and warm heart.  Despite your tendency to hit when frustrated (I suppose I prefer this to biting--the evidence doesn't last as long), you are a very kind child, but the less (hyper)sensitive of our two.  You are a tough cookie, and tolerate a lot of bumps and bruises in your effort to hang with your big brother.  You love to laugh and to make people laugh with you.  We are starting to see some of the frustrations of the "terrible twos" setting in, but are certain we will all survive.  You just keep being you and letting us love you.

Next order of business:  Plan your "Goody-TWO-Shoes" birthday party!

Wednesday's Winning Words

I was out of town over the weekend, with some girlfriends (more to come on that, I promise!), and we had spotty cell phone service.  So, when I was able to call home Sunday to say I was on my way, I heard Delaney in the background saying "Mommy! Mommy!"  With a little prompting from Daddy, she said "Mommy.  Home!" (while apparently pointing at the garage door, according to Kidd)

Sweetest. Sound. Ever! 

Especially when you haven't heard that little voice in two days. 

But for the rain, my car would have flown to get to that little one and her brother and Dad!

Wednesday's Winning Words

The Language Explosion has taken over our home and I LOVE it.  Delaney has really started using her words (which is nice because Little Miss Drama Queen can throw. a. fit.).  Of course, an almost 2-year-old speaks their own language and says our words they way they can and it's about the cutest thing I've ever heard. 

My current favorite is that she says "Ah-wite" for "alright" instead of "o.k."  So, it goes like this:

Me: Delaney, will you please put your dirty clothes away?

D: ah-wite.

Me: Delaney, let's brush your hair."

D: ah-wite.

..and a million more like it.  I'm not sure what got her saying that instead of "ok," which was a favorite of Justus, but I melt when I hear it.  Hearing that sweet little (*cooperative*) voice just makes my heart smile.

Double fail

Last night, Delaney *properly* used this little gem for the VERY. FIRST. TIME!!!

While I was somewhere on the road between San Antonio and home.

Awesome.

....and the working mommy guilt sets in again.

Might as well be something both kids get to experience, right?

Truth be told, as a working parent, it's to be expected that when you pick your kids up from daycare, you may hear about the first time something happened and know you weren't there.  That is not all that uncommon, and I'm pretty sure Delaney's teachers have just been kind enough to let me think I've witnessed most of her firsts.  This one stung because it happened in the evening at home, when I would normally be there.

Funny thing though--Kidd wasn't there either.  Only Shanon got to celebrate the moment.  Is Kidd all heartbroken about it?   Of course not. 

Wednesday's Winning Words

Justus has been on this "take the easy way" or "settling" kick lately.  I guess ambition and motivation are not always intrinsic (or at least not at age 5), but I realize now, we are going to have to work on how to instill this in him.

After seeing The Lion King, we were talking about the production one day.  I pointed out the kids in the show and how they weren't but a few years older than him.  We were talking about what it must be like to get up on stage in front of all those people, sing and dance, remember lines, etc. I asked him if he thought that would be fun.  He started talking about all the stuff he would say and do, and I pointed out that they have to learn specific things to say and sing, and ways to move. 
He thinks for a second or two, and replies:

"Well, maybe I could just be a zebra." 

I see a long line of tree and rock costumes for school plays in my future.

As one only thinks to do every four years, we have been talking with Justus about the Olympics as we watch them (because we're kind of Olympic junkies).  He's been asking great questions about the teams and why only certain people get to go to the Olympics.  We asked him if he could be the best in the world at any one thing or sport, what it would be.  The answer: Soccer.  Without hesitation.

Fast forward to the next morning:
J: "Mommy, maybe instead of being the best in the world at soccer, I could just be an astronaut."
Me: "Sure, buddy, that sounds like a pretty awesome thing to be too, and it's a very important job."
J: "Do astronauts get to go to the Olympics?"
Me: "Well, no.  There's no astronaut competition."
Silence.  I could see the wheels of reconsideration turning....

Please don't misunderstand me.  No matter what he does, as long as does his very best and he his happy, we will be beyond proud of him.  It's just funny to hear what is or isn't worth the effort in the mind of a 5-year-old.


In other news, we have new words for Ring Around the Rosy:

She did this a million times the other day, when I didn't have my camera, of course.  It took her a few times this morning.  There was this waffle that had to be eaten too.

"....Ashes, Ashes...GET DOWN!"

Wednesday's Winning Words

On the way to Houston and back over the weekend, Kidd was playing a game with Justus in the car about remembering the names of the towns we drive through.  He would give Justus a dime for each one he remembered.  For some reason, Hempstead just didn't stick.  We must have told him a hundred times the name Hempstead and he just couldn't remember it.  So finally, we asked him why he was having such a hard time remembering Hempstead and he said (in a semi-whiny voice):

I don't know, I think my braind just doesn't like it.

Have I mentioned that I really, really love the way little kids think?!

On another winning words front, check this out!

Nothing like hearing your baby saying "I love you!"

19 months!

We skipped the 18 month update on Delaney because we couldn't get in to see the good Dr. H until almost 19 months.  So, here we are.  Can't believe it's been 19 months.

I swear, this wasn't a headlock.  They actually had posed for a couple of pics (none of which turned out), but then she was d.o.n.e.

So, what have you been up to, Miss Delaney?

You are definitely growing!!  You now weigh 25 lbs, 3 oz., which puts you in the 59th percentile.  And, you are 2 ft., 9 inches, which puts you in the 79th percentile.  You have literally shot up in both of these categories.  It's starting to look like you may be tall, after all.  You can still wear some of your size 4 shoes, and often do, but the 4.5s fit best...but you love some of your 5s (hello, sparkly pink Tiny Toms) and insist on wearing them sometimes.  Speaking of insisting on wearing things--I set clothes out for you on purpose, to make our mornings go more smoothly and allow you as much beauty sleep as possible.  I do not wake you up early enough to wrestle with you while you try to literally rip off the shirt I have carefully selected for the day, or reject the shoes I chose only to point and grunt at other ones.  It ruins the whole ensemble and we have to start over.  We need to come to an agreement on how we are going to do this morning dressing ritual.  You have the rest of your life to be picky about what you wear.  Can you at least give me these first couple of years, like until you can verbalize your distaste of my selections?

You had a tooth explosion and you now have about 10-12 teeth.  And you LOVE to "brush" them.  You haven't quite gotten the knack of brushing so much, but you love to put the toothbrush in your mouth and move it around.  The only problem is that you don't want any help (at all.  for anything. I'm getting over it.), so it's a challenge to be sure your teeth are getting clean.  BTW, your breath this morning indicates that we did a less than stellar job last night.

You continue to be a good eater, as indicated by your "great belly" that Dr. H. loves and says you should keep just like it is (at least for another year or so). You have been on a broccoli kick lately, which is great, and your new obsession is corn on the cob.  I'm pretty sure that if left alone, you could singlehandedly put away a half dozen cobs.  You also have started branching out in your fresh fruit adventures.  You had scaled back your fruit intake to pretty much only mandarin oranges and grapes.  This week alone, you have happily also taken on apples, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon.  Yay for fresh fruit in the summer!

You surprise us all the time by repeating things we say, or trying at least.  And you have become more assertive in your "no."  Can't say I'm surprised or excited by this development.  You still prefer to have people entertain you rather than play with toys, but it is less consistent than it was.  You love books, and our reading time before bed.  We need to mix it up a bit though.  I'm growing weary of Ten Little Rubber Ducks and Bedtime Bible Stories.  We'll bring them back, but let's circulate a few others in the mix.  Justus is your favorite play thing ever.  As you grow, he's getting a little more rough with you and we try to settle him down, but your laughing while he's rough housing doesn't help him understand that he needs to be more gentle.  He just says "but, look, she likes it."  We must start preparing for the day you two start ganging up on us.  It's closer than we think.

You have such a soft spot in your heart for animals.  I hope that we can nurture that love in a way that encourages you to always want to have them.  They are very special and often become part of our families.  We lost our Mollie Sunday night, and I think you may be the most affected by it.  You loved to watch Daddy feed her in the mornings.  Tuesday, you walked into the kitchen, pointed at her bowls, looked at me and asked "Mollie? Mollie?"  Broke my heart.  I admit, I'm glad you aren't Justus' age because I know it would be much harder on you.

You are a girly girl (as established by your well-dcoumented shoe obsession), and the evidence is mounting.  We tried on clothes before our last photo shoot with Sarah--dying to see those pics!!--and you didn't want to take off the baubles.  Ever.  You tried to wear them to bed! 

You also apparently will sit still for toenail painting, but not clipping. 

I see trips to the nail salon in our near future.

You are so much fun, sweet girl, and bring so much light and happiness to our family.  You are sassy and sweet all wrapped into one. We are completely in love with you.  On the one hand, I want you to immediately stop growing.   On the other, it is such a delight to watch you develop.  We are so blessed with the honor of being your family, Delaney.  We love you!!

Wednesday's Winning Words

If I was smart and as well organized as I would like to think that I am, I would have video proof of what I'm about to tell you.  But, given that none of the words are related, it would be a bunch of video snippits, mostly of me talking in a high pitched voice in effort to elicit the verbal gold that Delaney has embarked upon sharing.

That's right, our child who didn't appear to want to talk for the longest time now says at least the following words (with her own precious toddler spin on the pronounciation):

Mama

Daddy

Justus
No (of course)
Oh no

Hi

Bye-Bye

Puppy

Please

Thank You

Boo

Nose

Eyes

Duck

Ball

Milk

Aubrey (friend at school)

Abby (friend at school)

Cheese (both for the food and to smile when camera is pointed in her direction.  Of course, now that I think about it, maybe it's the thought of the food that makes her smile when a camera is pointed in her direction)

Pink

Purple

Apple

Blueberry (this one came out of nowhere yesterday, when she repeated me saying it)

I'm sure that I'm forgetting several, but clearly, she's really taken off on this language thing.  This is one of my favorite stages because it's like she comes home each day with a new word.  It's no surprise or coincidence that the class she's in at school now is the "Parrots" class!  It's really an amazing developmental stage because at this point she understands so much of what we say and can follow all kinds of directions, knows people and things when we talk about them, but doesn't have the full language development to respond or even always repeat the words.  How frustrating it must be!  Of course, this is what leads to tantrums, which we've also seen quite a bit of recently.  We wait with anticipation about what the next words will be and will revel in the joy of each one of them as she finds her voice.

Hair.

...and even though I'm headed to NYC in a few days, I'm not talking about the musical.

It seems that lately, I've gotten a number of compliments on Delaney's hair always being done with a bow in place.  I appreciate it. I do.  But, I kind of think people are getting the wrong impression about me (for once, a better version than the actual truth).  If you know me well, you know I am a pretty low maintenance person.  It's a good thing I had a boy first because it requires very little to make him look acceptable in public.  Easy-to-do hair, only a few possible shoe options, and a million polos and pants to choose from and we're out the door.  Basic colors: black, navy, khaki, red, green.  Easy.  Go.

I always wanted a girl.  I really did, but me having a girl is like a special test from God.  I am not exactly the most skilled in the matching of the clothes, shoes, hair accessories, etc.  I wish I were better at it, especially now.  Admittedly, I think I'm doing a pretty decent job so far.  Girl clothes are just too precious.  I figure if I buy enough of them, something is bound to match.  Haha!  I am definitely having fun with it though, even more than I thought I would.

Which brings us back to the hair. Yes, I do Delaney's hair every single day, and generally a bow goes in her hair.  Why not, I've already done the hard part, right?  I have mentioned a time or two that her hair baffles me.  Justus' is straight as a board and thick.  Delaney's is curly and poofy.  I know that's not a technical term, but let's pretend that it is.  I half expected her hair to just fall naturally and heavily down, like mine, even though it is also wavy, or her brothers.  Not so much.  It has this strange fluffy and light quality to it that makes it constantly look like a mass of curly yarn perched upon her head.   I swear to you, when I brush it out, it gets bushier and more unruly.  I just don't get it.  You can't tell when it's dry, but her hair actually goes down to the middle of her back when it's wet and straight.  And, being a toddler, it does not affect her when it gets in her face.  Or her food.  Or her snot. 

But it affects me.

October 2011--Daddy's birthday. 

*Aside from the hair issue, this face makes this one of my favorite pics of her.*

December 2011

                                                              Today

So, you see--it is purely out of necessity.  To tame this wild beast.

I think God just wanted a little something extra to test me, in the event I got the hang of the whole outfit coordination responsibility.  At the same time, I suppose it's better to have my girl with this kind of hair than my boy.  Can you imagine Justus with this mop?  **This is the part where I wish I was skilled at photoshop and could insert a picture of him with her hair on top.**

I have gotten used to the pretty bows. And I love when Justus tells her she looks beautiful and that he likes her bow.  That, in itself, makes it all worth it.

Wednesday's Winning Words

This one?  An attitude?  Never.

I assure you she has more sass in her left pinky finger than most grown ups I know have at all.  So, what does all this mean right now?

We are there-- That frustrating part of toddlerhood where a certain somebody has so much to say, but not enough words to say it.  Instead, we get tears and grunting and pointing.  LOTS of tears and grunting and pointing.  She's also exerting her *authority* by taking things away or not giving them back when requested.  She doesn't say "no," but there is no doubt when she's thinking it.

At this point, any words would be winning words because she wouldn't be so frustrated at trying to express herself.  Although I may regret it later, please pray that this little one finds her words quickly...but just the sweet ones.  K, thanks!  It would be best for everyone's sanity.

She has found one way to get what she wants:  Sit on them until they cave!

16 months!

We haven't done an update on sweet Delaney since her birthday (that I recall), so I thought we should do a post on her to catch everyone up to speed.

Stats:  I'm not exactly sure, but at her 15-month check up, she was 22 lbs and 31 inches.  This comes out to her being in the 70th percentile for height and 39th for weight.  Looking at her, you would think that was backwards.  I'm just saying....the girl is packing a belly and a butt!  It does appear that milk does the body good, as she's no longer considered a shorty.

She has 4 teeth that are visible to the casual observer.  Actually, just the bottom 2 can really be seen when she smiles, but if you turn her upside down and tickle her a lot so she laughs, you can see that she has a third tooth on the front of the top row coming in and one on each side in the back has poked through.  So, we are technically at a grand total of 7 teeth.  Don't feel bad for her-- I assure you, it does not slow her down at meal time.

Skills:  She is on the verge of running.  Sometimes she takes off, as if to run, but gets tripped up a bit.  So, it's a work in progress.  She is a very fast walker though.  She has a good grasp on some important sign language words:  "More," "Please," and "Thank you."  As far as actual words: we have a few favorites "Hi,"  "Bye-Bye,"  "Uh-oh," (which totally counts when living with a toddler), "Puppa" for Puppy, "duh" for duck, "mama" which I think she really is trying to say "more" because the only time I hear it is when there is food out of her reach, "dada" and "du-dus" for Justus.  She knows several of the animal noises--dog and cow are her favorite.  She will try to climb just about anything, so we've learned.  Oh, and she's very organized and likes to clean up (Thank you, God, for this reward!).  If a drawer is even cracked open, she will go over and close it, and clap for her accomplishment.  She knows where to put her dirty diaper after we change and where her dirty clothes go.  Order and organization are good in her mind.  We'll reserve judgment on OCD tendencies a bit longer...

Loves:  Justus, of course.  Her new interest and a close second--SHOES!  Well, and food.  Still not one to play with a bunch of toys, she loves following her brother around.  Yesterday morning she walked right in our room and over to him, turned around, and plopped herself down right in his lap.  It was really cute.  She also has this new obsession with shoes.  If you know me, and the size shoe I wear (clearning throat, cough, 12, ahem), you would know that this presents a problem.  When I shoe shop, I don't really have the luxury of finding a great pair of cute shoes.  I basically ask the kind clerk to show me all the shoes in my size that they have in stock.  Once said clerk overcomes the visible shock and awe that people women actually wear that size, he or she usually brings out maybe 4-7 boxes and I might walk away with one.  On a good day.  From a store FULL of shoes.  So, this shoe craze, and it is nothing shy of a craze, has mommy a little nervous.  I will have to video our morning prep for you one day and post it because there is no adequate explanation for how much this kid loves her shoes (and how picky she is about which ones she will wear each day).  Food would be the other focus.  I swear, she knows when it is almost, but not yet quite, time to eat.  If she realizes I'm cooking, she starts crying and doesn't stop until the first bite of food hits her mouth.  Same can be said for going through a drive thru, as much as I hate to admit it.  She immediately starts making the sign for more, and will fuss until food is presented to her for consumption.  She's particularly fond of the carbs.  If you are around this one and have a piece of bread, watch out!  She also loves her friends at school.  Apparently, she and this other little girl, Kelly, are very close.  I was told yesterday that at nap time, they were two teenagers at a sleepover.  Oh. Lawd!  Already?  I'm glad she's social, as is Justus, but I'm afraid the "She's a sweet girl, but awfully chatty" note will be coming home from school sooner rather than later.  Not that I'm familiar with such a note.  Because I never got one like that.  Ever.

As has been the case for the last 16 months, she is the light of our world and just the most scrumptious thing ever.  I cannot get enough of her.  I told Kidd yesterday that I adore Justus and think he is so handsome and an amazing young man, but there is something about her--I just want to squeeze her because she's the cutest thing I've ever seen (no, I'm not at all biased)!  Perhaps it's because she doesn't really talk yet....

The Soap Box

I'm not one to use my blog as an advice column because a) I generally think I'm in no position to give advice on most matters and b) it's not as entertaining, but today I want to take the opportunity to make a suggestion to other parents.  It's actually kind of a two-fer because they go hand in hand:

1).  Please DO NOT take your children to school when they have (or probably have) a contagious virus.

2)  Be considerate of those your [sick] kids are going to be around and think about whether you would want your kids around that if they were well.

We have had a rampant breakout of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease at our beloved daycare and I now understand that the facility's hands have been tied on what they were legally allowed to do as far as preventing kids from being there.  It doesn't excuse not even sending an advisory note home, but that's besides the point because it's all been handled now.  Nonetheless,  it is really upsetting to think that my little family risks getting it AGAIN when all the kids return to the daycare well on Monday because some parents chose to abide only by "minimum standards" and sent their contagious kids anyway because they didn't have fever.  9 out of 13 kids in her class have "confirmed" cases of this nasty mess.  Surely, it's only a matter of time for the others.  Wait it out like the rest of us and let them get completely well before you bring them back, please...for the health and safety of all the other kids in the center.  Otherwise they will just keep passing it around and it will never really go away.  All the cleaning in the world won't matter.

Yes, it is difficult to take a day (or week) off of work to stay home with sick kids.  Yes, it sucks to pay a babysitter on top of paying for daycare.  Yes, they seem to be acting fine.  IT DOESN'T MATTER.  If they are sick, please keep them home!!  I'm not talking just about HFM either.  You know if something is wrong with your kid.  Let it pass instead of spreading it.  We teach our kids to share, but it doesn't mean they have to share illnesses too!  Of course it's going to happen from time to time, but we can do our part to minimize it by being responsible parents and members of our daycare communities.  Next time, your kid may be the well one, and how would you feel if you knew there was a contagious kid in the same area as your kid all day long?  Please, just think about the risk. 

That is all.

Besides, does she look sad about having to stay home?  I think not.