A Traditional Thanksgiving

It's been a while since I've done a prompt from Mama Kat. In honor of the big day tomorrow and my desire to actually write something that isn't about books that I haven't read or the life I wish I had (i.e. the life of a glamorous stay-at-home-mom), here's what I've got:

2.) What traditions do you carry on with your family each year?

This is a year of breaking traditions and starting new ones. A year of finally, finally feeling like we're doing the holiday for our family and not someone else's (though, I suppose our extended family is our family, but you know, it's not quite the same thing--they don't have to deal with the cranky toddler and man after a long and crazy day).

Over the last five years, since DOH and I were first together, we've been battling how to arrange this frenetic time of year. Who's house do we go to? If we go this place at this time, will we be able to go to the other place? Should we eat there and not at the other? Who are we more comfortable offending by not eating their food/not staying quite as long? (Somehow my family seemed to always get the short end of the stick on that one, mostly because they wouldn't get offended, I'd just hear, "I wish you could have stayed a bit longer, Kirsten," fifty-billion times.) And after having Lizzie, it only got that much worse, because, of course, both sides of the family wanted the only grandchild/great-grandchild at their table for her first (and second, and third, and fourth...) Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving Day traditions of olde (and I use the "e" to emphasize how old I really mean, like six or seven years ago old, when I still had braces and stuff) were much more Norman Rockwell-esque. I'd force my brother to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with me. We'd stay in our P.J.'s until noon. Mom would be busy in the kitchen. My dad would be off picking up last minute supplies. Later on, everyone, my parents, brother, grandparents, and a smattering of my aunts and uncles (depending on who was around or what state we were in, Maine or Massachusetts), would gather around the dining room table with every sort of food you could ask for, we would gorge ourselves, then laze about the house, football game on, maybe play a game of Skip-Bo or Phase 10, then around 7 or 8 o'clock the adults would break out the wine and leftovers, gorge once more, and pass out in recliners and on sofas. It may seem small, but it was perfect. I was a weird sort of teenager in that I enjoyed being around my family, even my parents, and I cherish the memories and, even more than that, the feeling of safety, comfort, and happiness that I felt when I was around them on these special days. Plus, it paid off having all those adults loosened up, because I ended up having plenty of spending money when I would hit the stores with my friend in Newburyport, MA the following Saturdays (per tradition) to do some personal Christmas shopping and enjoy Starbucks (which, I swear, we did not have in Maine at the time).

But, as I said from the start, this year is different. It's not going to be like Ye Olde T-Day, where it's one house, one day of relaxation, one awesome freaking parade (which I will MISS for the first time EVER this year). But it's also not going to be the Thanksgiving Marathon and stress-fest it's been in years past. We still go to the two sides of the family, but we've coordinated it in such a way, that we've allotted at least a couple hours at each house and we end the night a mere twenty minutes away from home (as opposed to an hour or more). While those wonderful feelings of safety, comfort, and happiness have been a bit fleeting over the last few years, I can already sense (in an almost a Zen like way), that tomorrow will be different. It will begin a new era of Thanksgiving traditions and Thanksgiving days that Lizzie can look back upon and have the same feelings stir inside her own heart I felt growing up, where she feels the love and comfort of her families and is lucky enough to have the day with both sides.

But could someone please record the parade for me?

Gettin' My Cuddle On

For a lot of different reasons, when Lizzie was a baby, we decided to cosleep. It just worked. But then, as she got older, more independent, she moved herself out and into her own space.

And now she's back. It's not every night, and sometimes it's not until the wee hours of the morning (which is convenient for DOH and I, wink, wink, nudge, nudge), but when she climbs up into our bed and snuggles up between us...I can't imagine anything better. Maybe it's because I've been gone so much due to work (something I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it), but I don't dislike the idea of the "family bed" in the way I thought I might when I first heard about the concept.

But this isn't even really about that.

It's not about a parenting style or choice. It's about having your sweet little one snuggle up next to you, give you kisses and tell you you're, "the best mama." All the cuddling and hugs and kisses and sweet words we missed out over the course of the day are more than made up for in those last moments before sleep. It's about having that physical connection again, especially at an age where you're lucky to get a quick cuddle in before your little Roadrunner sprints off to the next activity.

It's so easy to forget, as we play with and take care of our kiddos, day in and day out, that they're growing, and that they will soon become even less and less available for those squeezy tight hugs and extra wet and earnest kisses.

The things I love best about my daughter will constantly change, but one that never will is her cuddled up next to me, sleeping soundly, knowing she is safe.

Christmas Outfit

So, because I'm absolutely in love with Christmas and all things "holiday", I've already figured out Lizzie's Christmas outfit.

It was really easy because it's basically the same thing she wore last year.

I love this dress. I bought it from Hanna Andersson last year for Lizzie's Christmas dress and while it was a bit big, she still rocked it. 

Well, what do you know, it fits her perfectly this year. BUT there were some small stains on the dress that I hadn't been able to get out last year. Bummer, right? Well, my mom gave me a little tip: soak the dress for a a few hours to  day in the tub along with some OxyClean the wash it as you normally would. Well, low-and-behold, the dress came out of my dryer like new. Yes!

So, now we need to buy new tights (which mom kindly offered to do). Last year, we got the tights at Hanna Andersson, which is where we'll get them again. This is the pair I think we'll get:

Don't you love the ruffle butt? 

Anyway, we'll slap on some cheapo patent leathers from Wal-Mart and call it a day, bringing my grand total to $10.88 for Lizzie's Christmas outfit. Pretty great considering I spent about $50 last year...

First Day of School!

On Monday we all got up bright and early and got ready for Lizzie's big day. I got her dressed and did her hair. I had written her a short little "Happy First Day of School!" letter the night before, which I read to her. After I felt like she was all settled and ready to go (and that DOH was okay on his own...he was a little nervous about his baby girl starting school--so cute!), I headed to work. That part sucked. I really felt like I should have been there, but such is the life of the working mom.

Though I wasn't able to be there fore the drop off, DOH (who really has proven this week how truly wonderful he is) took Lizzie out to breakfast (a tradition he's continuing from when I was still in school) and then brought her to school.

Lizzie took to preschool like a fish to water. She was fine when DOH left, happy to see him when he came to pick her up, but not desperate to go home. And when I came home, she was so excited to describe everything she did at school. I know she had a really wonderful time and will hopefully make lots of new friends!

But I still can't believe I am the mother of a preschooler!

There Should Be a Dating Websites for Finding Friends

Lizzie starts preschool on Monday (as Elizabeth, since she wants to go by that at school). I think I might die. Of excitement or anxiety, I don't know, but there is potential heart failure in my future.

But I'll update you about school next week.

What I want to talk about is how I don't have any friends. (I've been a bright little ray of sunshine lately, haven't I? No wonder no one hangs out with me any  more.)

Well, that's a lie. I have friends, and their great, but they're friends from high school. Friends who haven't had kids yet. Friends who are wonderful, but don't always get all the "mom" stuff I deal with. And that's okay. They aren't there yet, and I respect that.

But I really want some mom friends.

And with Lizzie starting preschool, I thought that maybe this would be an opportunity for me to meet some moms and maybe, I dunno, make some friends.

Well, today was open house for the preschool, so all the kiddos and their moms and dads and even some grandparents came to check things out. While parents mingled and chatted with one another, all seeming to know each other from somewhere (seriously, all of them knew someone), I stood back and watched Lizzie play with some toys and the student teachers and other kids.

I tried to stand near other moms. I smiled. I said hello. I complimented people's kids/babies.

Someone asked me if it was a gold or green student day (the preschool is at a high school, and the days rotate for the high school students who work at the preschool).

I said no, I didn't.

She looked confused.

Lizzie ran over to me and said, "MAMA!"

She looked really confused, then walked away.

She thought I was a high school student.

Awesome.

I am telling you, without fail, this happens to me any time I go to some sort of parent/child function. I'm either the student worker, the babysitter, the older sister, the nanny. Should I just have "I am a parent" tattooed to my head?!

I'm getting tired of this, and I feel as thought it's preventing me from making mom friends. I don't think they realize I'm the mom or they don't take me seriously as a parent (because, apparently being a young parent means you suck and aren't worthy of friendship or at least a cordial greeting). I also realize that I need to be more willing to step out of my shell and talk to people, but it's hard when everyone else is busy talking to one  another and they don't give you a second glance.

I realize I'm getting super pouty and having a bit of a pity-party, so I apologize. I realize this isn't making me out to be someone who people would really want to be friends with.

But, if you're out there mommy friends, I promise I'm not usually this annoying. I'm really fun! I swear! Really!

Please be my friend?

Bad Mommy

Do you ever have one of those days where just know you're a totally crap parent. That, 10 or 15 years down the line, your child will tell you that her earliest memories are of you being really, really horrible? And that will frame their entire picture of you for the rest of their lives and they'll hate you and have to go to therapy and not be able to have a positive and meaningful relationship with anyone because YOU screwed them up so badly?

I'm totally having one of those days.

It's been one of those days where I understand why people encourage parents to be older and more mature before they have children.

It's been one of those days where I wanted to crawl under a rock and just die because I feel so badly about everything I do as a parent.

It's been one of those days where mere crankiness feels like it's much, much more and I start to wonder if I belong in a mental institution.

Our day ended with Lizzie asleep in my arms. We had finished getting ready for bed, stories read, songs sung (teeth inevitably forgotten to be brushed, something I only realized after she was sound asleep), and Lizzie was ready to go into her own bed. I told her she could fall asleep in bed with me. As you may have gathered, it had been a tough day, and I just wanted her close to me for a little while, for her to realize that no matter how crappy and grumpy I can be, I still love her.

As she drifted off in my arms, I looked at her. It's so rare for me to just look at anyone and really see what I have. I think most parents believe they don't deserve these perfect, all-forgiving little souls, but I truly do not. I'm still not sure how I won the good Karma lottery when this child was brought into my life. She is so good, so bright, and so beautiful, and yet I don't see all of it as often as I should.

I get caught up in menial things, things so incredibly unimportant, like the state of my  house or the new recipe I want to try out.

I don't play with her enough.

I don't talk with her enough.

I don't look at her enough.

And here I am, prattling on about having another baby when I still have so much to do and grow with in this baby. I still get that overwhelming sense of awe when I really look at her, not believing that this person is partly from me and loves me, even when I'm not all that fond of myself.

I think I need a focus shift, away from the material, which I can become very much obsessed with, more inward--in towards myself and towards my family and my interactions with them. I need to see more frequently (like, all the time) how blessed I am to have my daughter (and DOH) in my life, and I need them to feel that.

Am I the only one who has these kinds of days and realizes she needs to re-evaluate...everything?

Lizzie: Future Mom Blogger

So, Lizzie comes up to me this morning, pushing her play baby carriage. She has a baby blanket over the stroller.

She tells me: "Kirsten [this is what she calls me when she's pretending to be a grown-up], do you like my baby cover. It helps my baby stay out of the sun. I made it."

I say: "Oh, that's great, Curious [this is Lizzie's grown-up name]! What a good idea."

She responds: "Yeah. Can I use your computer, I need to blog about it."

How to Overcome Your Fears

Yesterday we went back to one of our favorite summer spots, Old Orchard Beach.

We've been two other times this summer and both times, Lizzie has been less than impressed.

She doesn't like the waves.

There are lots of people.

I think it's really overwhelming for her.

And DOH and I find this very disappointing, because we love OOB and we wanted her to love it as much as we did. But it didn't seem as though she would...

...until she did.

"Mommy! I'm having so much fun! I LOVE it here!"

I am the queen of the rush. I rush, rush, rush through things, through life, through fun. But yesterday I stood and just watched (and not just because I didn't want my little girl to be carried off by the abnormally huge seagulls that make OOB their home). I watched my daughter have the time of her life and saw a memory for make itself right before my eyes. I knew that she was going to remember the day she learned to love the sun and surf here at one of her parents' favorite places. I knew she would remember the freedom of crashing through the waves, the smiles on her parents' faces, the idea in her mind that she's "really a brave girl."

For Me: Staying at Home vs. Working

Source

Since I had my daughter, I've been a student. This meant, during the school year, I'd attend class, go home, do work for those classes, and then maybe muster the time and energy to clean, cook, and actually enjoy my family. During the summers, however (and the blessedly long winter breaks), I was at home all day, every day. I could devote myself completely to all the things that had been neglected during the school year.

When I graduated this past spring, there was very little question over whether or not I'd go to work. For one, it would be nice to have the extra income. In college, I recieved a really excellent scholarship that covered my tuition, which meant any aid recieved from the government or my university went towards living expenses. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to manage rent, electric, and some groceries. But we couldn't afford a lot of extras, which, to be honest, are kind of nice to have. For two, I did just spend five years of my life working towards the moment where I could leave college and actually put my knowledge to work.

That said...I love being at home. I guess, because I had never really had the fully stay-at-home-mom experience (there was always school looming just on the horizon), I sort of glorified the idea. What would it be like to have all that time to do all that stuff? Of course, when you're actually in the thick of being at home, using all that time to do all that stuff, it doesn't feel like you have quite enough of the first and too much of the second. For me, when I'm home during the summers, somehow all that extra time goes the way of the missing socks in the laundry. I suppose it wouldn't be that different if I were home all year round.

Though, even when I could acknowledge that aspect of staying at home, I couldn't help still feeling like I really should be staying home. I'd like to think it was some sort of weird maternal instinct thing, like mother animals knowing what their babies smell like, or something. But, in reality, I'm a 23-year-old with a kid, who hasn't had a kid before, and is constantly looking for input. I'm impressionable. A few people (ranging from people I actually know, to mom bloggers, to "experts") telling me that I need to stay home with my daughter or else she'll grow up to be an extremely damaged human being is enough to make me feel horrible for not doing just that.

Plus, I like the kid, so it's nice to stay home with her (even though she's suddenly become a horrible napper).

But, I guess I'm going to have to let go of all that and trust that if she hasn't been majorly screwed up by things over the past three years, she's likely to be okay, because...I got a job.

And I'm really excited about it.

I want to work, and I'm not ashamed of that fact (much...some feelings are hard to let go of). And the plus of being in education is that I still get to have the time off that I'd enjoyed previously (when I'm not taking courses to help maintain my certification and earn my Master's).

I'm pumped about whole "having a job in a tanking (or tanked) economy" thing. It'll be great to have the extra money. And I'm really excited about being able to put my recently earned degree to use. But, those aren't the best things about this whole "job" thingy.

This is a job I'm passionate about. And, it's the perfect for me and for my family. Which, in the end, is what's important.

Lizzie Appreciation

Early last month, I decided I wanted to write a post to Lizzie every month. Well, it's been about a month (and one week), so it's that time again.

Without further ado...

Dear Lizzie,

You. Are. Crazy! But in the best possible way. This month you've really latched on to two things: your sense of humor and your sense of discovery. You are constantly making us laugh and are learning really fast what we all think is really funny. You come up with the most clever little lines, either on purpose or accidentally, and we're constantly repeating them to friends and family. I used to keep a little journal of all the cute things you'd say...I need to start doing that again! (Very sadly, the one I was keeping was lost when my laptop crashed :-( ).

Just last week we visited my Aunt Alice (your great Aunt Alice) at her house by the ocean. Grandma bought you a little magnifying glass at a store and you've been using it nonstop ever since! Everything needs to be investigated, checked out, and glanced over. Also, while at the ocean by Aunt Alice's, you over came your fear of the waves! By the end of the day, you were playing in the water, riding the waves with Grandma and Aunt Alice's help, and looking for snails and crabs in the rocks (more of your inquisitiveness on display).

And recently two very exciting things happened for you. One, you finally got to go to Funtown and Splashtown with me and Daddy and Uncle Bill. You road a bunch of rides, played in some pools, and went down a water slide with Daddy! Two, you got a new kitty! You and Daddy named her Rosie and she is beautiful. You're having a little bit of trouble playing gently with her now, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it with time. For now, you're really helpful in helping me pick up her things and getting her fresh water for her to drink.

July was a wonderful adventure and I can't wait to see what the rest of August will bring us!

Love,

Mama (though, you are calling me Mommy now)

A Top Ten: The Books Lizzie Loves to Read

So, a couple of weeks ago, I did a post on the top ten books I can't wait to read to Lizzie when she's a bit older. This week, I thought it might fun to talk a bit about the books we love to read now.

Here are our favorite titles (in no particular order):

1. Baby Bear's Books by Jane Yolen. This book is a fun book celebrating books and how they can make any part of the day an adventure. The whole story is told in rhyme and is loads of fun to read aloud (one of my big prerequisites for a book that I'll read repeatedly). Plus, the illustrations are adorable AND the illustrator is a Mainer (always a plus).

2. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. Mo Willems is a freaking super star in my house. This particular book and it's companion, Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog (I think there might be a third pigeon book, but I'm not sure) are hilarious. They are so much fun to read and the way the words and illustrations work together it's almost like a little T.V. show rather than a book (which makes sense, since the author wrote for Sesame Street and animated a couple T.V. shows I know my brother would be familiar with). Also, from a teacher's standpoint, I know if I ever teach a unit on the art of rhetoric (logos, pathos, and ethos) there are plenty of fun examples in this book.

3. The Arthur books by Marc Brown. I grew up with these books, watched the T.V. show as a kid (and I'll sit down and watch them now--they're good!), and just recently started picking up some of the books at the library for Lizzie. She really likes them! While they're definitely geared towards an older set of kids and the stories can seem like they might be a bit long for a three year old, Lizzie will sit through them and loves D.W., Arthur's precocious little sister.

4. The Knuffle Bunny Books by Mo Willems. The Knuffle Bunny Books (there are three) were essentially written for Lizzie. They focus on a little girl who's around three (though, in the first book she's an infant/young toddler) and her lovie, Knuffle Bunny. The language, pictures, and content speak to little kids and are such a joy to read aloud. They sort of are like a comic book, which I think is neat, and I love how the illustrations mix hand drawn pictures and photographs taken in real places (like New York City).

5. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. This is such a classic little girls book and Lizzie really loves listening to it. I love the rhyming (reading anything with a rhyme is fun) and Lizzie loves a story about a little girl. We particularly enjoy the part when she has to be rushed to the hospital to have her appendix taken out. The drama!! It's also a fun time to practice my French accent.

6. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. This was one of my favorite books to have read to me when I was a little girl, and now I get to take my copy and read it to Lizzie. We like talking about the book after we're done reading, discussing just what was it that made Alexander's day so horrible. Lizzie like the repeat of the whole "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day" (probably because I put a lot of emphasis on this). What's made me love this book even more, reading it aloud to Lizzie aside, is the fact that I got to write a really fun little blog post for a literature class last fall. Very esoteric and academic, yet so much fun.

7. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. Okay, first of all, Jon Scieszka made my childhood awesome. Between this book, The Stinky Cheeseman, Squids Will Be Squids, and his time travel series, I spent hours in stitches. These books are so funny! And The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is such an awesome retelling of the classic Three Little Pigs story. Lizzie thinks it's a fun read now, but I think she'll appreciate it even more once she's heard the original story a few times. I can see an older preschooler or kindergartener really getting a kick out of this story.

8. The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman. I was given this book as a little girl by a friend of my mother who is an artist and interior designer. She has an eye for beautiful illustrations and I think that was the major thing that drew her to this book. The illustrations are enchanting. Seriously. They're detailed and colorful and rich. And the story ain't half bad either. It's about a princess who grows a balloon tree as a way to summon her father home when her kingdom is in trouble. It's an adorable story premise with equally adorable illustrations.

9. Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. I think almost every new mother or mother-to-be gets this book. It was actually the first book I was given for Lizzie when I was in the early stages of my pregnancy from my second grade teacher aunt. I read it every night to Lizzie during my pregnancy and I still bring it out every once in a while to read to her. She'll say goodnight to the all the little things in the room right along with me and tell me different things about the kittens and old lady whsipering hush. She also likes this rendition, which is one of my absolute favorite parodies.

10. Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Early on in our relationship, I dragged my husband down to a local book store, sat him down on a couch and read this book to him. I explained, "This is going to be one of the first books I read to our kids." And then I made him buy the book. Instead of running away (like he probably should have), a few months later he asked me to marry him. And we still have the book, and it was one of the first books I read to Lizzie. We love quacking away as Mother duck and her ducklings holler at passing cars and bikes to stop. We love Michael the policeman who calls Clancy and the station and saves the day. It's another one of those classic kids books that we eagerly enjoy over and over again. I also think I'd love to use it as a fun little travel guide on a family trip to Boston. Lizzie still doesn't believe me that there are giant swan boats!

Top Ten: Books I Cannot WAIT to Read with Lizzie

I was a reader out of the womb. I love reading (and not just books, but articles, blogs, magazines, newspapers, etc.) with a passion that I think is largely due to the fact that both my parents read to me every night from an early age. They instilled in me a quiet passion for the written word that I could not have gotten anywhere else. This is something I want to give to Lizzie. In my opinion, it is the greatest thing I could give her.

We read every night (one or two books) and we frequent the library to constantly restock our reading materials, all of which are things I enjoy, but I'm going to admit to looking forward to a few years from now when I can break out some of my fave books from my childhood (or from right now). So, here are my top ten books I can't wait to read with the Liz.

1. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - I know this is a childhood given, but it is one of my all time favorite books and I think every parent should read it with his child. (Ages: 4/5-8)

2. Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field - This, in my mind, is one of the ultimate little girl books out there. It follows the life of a little doll made for a little girl who lived in the wilderness of Maine (woot, Maine shout out), and the doll, Hitty, has many adventures there after, including, but not limited to, being swallowed by a whale and has her portrait painted. (Ages: 7-12)

3. The Witches, The BFG, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach all by Roald Dahl - Roald Dahl made my childhood. I slurped up his quirky books with sheer delight and they were my first introduction to fantasy novels. These books, and others by Dahl, are just more examples of literature every kid should have exposure to. (Ages: 8-10)

4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - These books are the gateway drugs to wonderfully good fantasy. They are enchanting, well-meaning, solid books that read like fairy tales, but present such challenging subjects. They are also so much fun to read aloud! (And you MUST read them in the original order as seen in the picture.) (Ages: 7-12/13)

5. The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Every little girl needs to read these books. While the message can seem a little overly wholesome and outdated to a jaded reader (like I can be sometimes), they are really the perfect message for a young child. And the stories are so well written and cute. I remember being fascinated by the Christmas stories the most--somehow getting a pair of homemade mittens, a piece of candy, and a your own tin cup seemed just as great as getting those five new Barbies, Easy Bake Oven, and stocking full of treats. (Ages: 6-12)

6. The Princess Bride by William Goldman - If you've only seen the film (which is quite good), you're doing yourself an injustice, never mind not reading it to your kiddo. While I would wait to read this with Liz, I hope that we'll be reading together for quite a while. It's such a fun story with so many strange twists and turns it's the perfect book to share with someone. (Ages: 10-Teen)

7. The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter (as seen in this post) shaped my childhood in many ways. I plan on reading a Harry Potter book to Lizzie once a year (maybe twice, depending on her level of enthusiasm) and I simply cannot wait. These stories are absolutely timeless, filled with magic, real and figurative, and I truly believe that Harry will become a key figure in the children's literature cannon, right along side Charlotte and Wilbur, James (and the Giant Peach), and Laura Ingalls. (Ages: 8-Teen)

8. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle - Another childhood classic that insites imagination and thinking about the world (and universe) in a wider way. I can imagine the sorts of conversations a parent can have with her kids after reading this book. It offers a safe way to approach different issues in philosophy and brings both your child's and your own thinking to such a high level, which gets your kiddo's brain cranking, making it stronger and prepping it for future endeavors in and out of the classroom. I know it sounds ridiculous to claim that reading a simple book and then talking about it could do much for your kid's cognitive skills, but it's so true. (Ages: 10-Teen)

9. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien - I don't know if I'll be able to get Lizzie to read with me long enough to get to these, or at least to get to LOTR, but I'd love to read these with her. All of the fantasy books I mentioned previously on this list are just introductions to these books, priming Lizzie's brain to take on the awesomeness that is Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, elves, dwarves, wizards, and powerful men. These books are truly epic (in every sense of the word), and I want so badly for Lizzie to enjoy them as much as I did. However, I do get (as I do with all these books) that she might not be as into them as I was. I can dream, right? (Ages: 12 and up)

10. There isn't a specific book to list here. The top thing I am looking forward to reading with Lizzie as she gets older is whatever it is she is excited about reading. As I mentioned with #9, I know she may not be as excited about these books as I was/am. We may never get to any of these books. But I know we'll read, and read lots, and I can't wait to see what she picks, what new books and authors she introduces me to, who her Harry Potter is. I am so excited for the adventures we'll go on together with each new book Lizzie finds. (Ages: Timeless)

Remember This

At an age when many little girls like to imagine themselves as princesses and fairies, glamorous movie stars or are emulating the Barbie du jour, my little girl is something different.

"Good night, my princess," I said to her tonight as I put her to bed.

"No, I don't want to be a princess," she told me.

"Well, what do you want to be then?" I asked.

"I want to be Lizzie. Just Elizabeth."

My darling little girl, please remember, years from now, please remember that even as a little girl you knew that being "Just Elizabeth" was better than anything else you could imagine.

Beach Babe

Something Stinks

Lizzie farts...a lot. Sometimes it's by accident (which is fine). Sometimes, like today, she stood in front of me and forced a little toot out of her butt and laughed...really hard.

"Someone farted!" she yells. "Ooh! That stink!" And she laughs and laughs and laughs.

It's really hard to not laugh right along with her, but all I can picture, as I'm chuckling along, is Lizzie going to preschool and letting a big one rip all the time. I don't know if this is something we want to encourage...

Swim, Girl, Swim!

Lizzie started taking swim lessons last week and will all through July. She's really enjoying herself and doing such a great job! So far, she's started floating on her back and front with some help, will dunk under the water, and has started kicking her legs using a kick board. We're so proud!

Here are some pictures from today's swim lesson:


Lizzie diving for a ring.



Lizzie dipping her ear in the water through the ring.

Yay! She got it!

Go through the hoop!





Going through the hoop again!



I've covered a lot of different topics in this blog, ranging from books, to the royals, to our new house and, really, the whole new life our family is embarking on. But there is one thing, one person, actually, who I feel I don't quite say enough about--my daughter. So, starting today (which, coincidentally marks her 39 month birthday--not that we're so OCD we're keeping track), I'm going to try to write her a little letter or note each month. Just something short and sweet, partly for me, to remember some of the little things, but mostly for her. I want her to know how loved she truly is.

Dear Lizzie,

This is something I wish I had started doing years ago, when you were first born. In fact, I have written you a few little letters, ones that I've tucked away inside your baby book for you to find someday. But I haven't done anything consistent, nothing that let's me see how much you've grown and changed over the last three years. Of course, there is my memory and photographs, stories that your daddy and I share with each other and our friends and family, but I want there to be something for just you, too.

So, here is your first real letter. Yes, it's on my blog, so others will see it, but know this is just for you, no one else, and, at the moment, this is probably the safest place to keep anything I write you, because goodness knows how much longer this laptop will last and any of the files on it!

Right now, you are the biggest star in my life. You rule the house with a benevolent and fanciful fist. It's not difficult to let you have your way, because you so eager and happy about everything. Just this morning, as we were getting ready for the day, you stood stark naked in our big bathroom mirror and put on the most impressive show. You were an exercise guru of some sort, telling "everyone" (not sure who that was) to do jumping jacks. And you were explaining so percisely just how to do a jumping jack. Put your legs out. Now in. Now JUMP! It was so funny and you were so earnest and sweet about it. It made my morning.

That's a perfect example of how you lead your life right now. You have fun, and you do it like it's your job. Having fun and being three are very important things for you. I love that.

You are also very dramatic. Very recently you told me, "All my life you have been so mean, Mama!" You upset, you see, because I had taken away a Barbie you had used to bludgeon me on the head (for fun, you said, as if that made it all better). I had to keep so hard from laughing hysterically at your over-the-top pouty lips and cry as you told me how mean I had always been to you with such feeling. Your grandma (my mom) told me that I'd better watch out, because if you have that flair for the dramatic now, what can I expect when you're a teenager. I'm thinking you'll have gotten all of that out by then and you'll be a perfect angel by the time you hit twelve (yeah...right).

We are having a really wonderful summer so far, with lots of trips to the lake, rides on your grandpa's boat (my dad), and visits from Grammy and Mike (daddy's grandparents). You even spent a night over at your Aunt Shelly's house (daddy's aunt) and went swimming in her pool AND learned to use the big girl potty. You've been wearing undies ever since and we are so proud of you (and thankful for you aunt!). And while we still have quite a bit of summer left (thank goodness), I'm already a little sad about the Fall, when I'll have to go back to work and you (and I'm more excited about this than sad) will go off to preschool. I've really loved our extra time together and I'm going to soak up ever last moment we have together.

You are my sunshine, little girl.
Love,
Mama

Toilet Triumph!

As of today, we've gone a full week of Lizzie in underwear only (except at bedtime). This. Is. Awesome! She's using the "big" potty (which I find extremely impressive) and is so proud of herself (and I'm really proud, too!). But the best part of being diaper free? The adorable little girl undies. I know no one is going to see them except for us, but they're just so dang cute! We've stocked up on Tinker Bell and Princess Tiana undies and it's been fun for Lizzie to pick out which pair she wants to wear each morning (it's just about the only thing I'll let her pick at the moment, otherwise she'd perpetually be dressed in a ballet tutu and a sweater).

So, how did this all happen? I have to say, we weren't exactly trying very hard to potty train. Why? Well, honestly, because we're lazy. We knew we'd have to start soon, because Lizzie is heading off to preschool in the Fall (!!!), but we just hadn't gathered up the gumption. We had a small training potty in our bathroom and Lizzie had used it off and on, but wasn't showing any real interest. I was also really worried about what I'd do with her out in public, because I didn't think she'd be able to hold herself up on her own.

Well, last week, she spent the night at DOH's aunt's house and they ran out of diapers. DOH's aunt has deftly raised two children with a no nonsense, but pleasant attitude, and it's a style that worked well in the potty training of Lizzie. She gave her a pair of her daughter's underwear and said, "You need to use the big girl potty so you don't get your cousin's underwear wet. Gotta keep them dry!" And that was it. Lizzie used the big potty and kept the undies dry. And she's been keeping all her underwear dry (for the most part) ever since. I guess it was like a bandaid--we just had to go and do it. She was ready and I guess I wasn't, but now that it's happened, I'm totally on board.
It's all very exciting, but at the same time, it's a definite reminder that Lizzie is fast becoming a kid, and isn't an little baby or even toddler any more. The change is hard, but I think it will be good.

What To Do?

Well, it's just past 10 o'clock at night and Lizzie has finally, maybe, relaxed enough to fall asleep. We put her to bed around 9 (which is late for her, but considering she slept to nearly 8 this morning, unusual, and she took a late nap, it made sense). For an hour she fought sleep. And I mean really fought it. Full out temper tantrum screaming.

Unable to stand it and knowing that she was "okay" (not in any danger, just overtired and refusing to go to sleep), I went out to my car to sit (don't worry, DOH was in the apartment and knew, obviously, because he could hear, what was going on). In my car, with the door closed, the radio going, I could still hear her screaming. I went back inside after a couple of minutes.

After going back into her room and comforting her for the millionth time, explaining that for both of our sanities she needed to go to sleep, she was at least quiet. And she's been quiet. Thank God.

The unfortunate thing, however, is that this has been happeneing every night for the last week.

Shoot me in the freaking face.

I value my post-Lizzie bedtime, because it's pretty much the only time I get during the day to just sit without any time limit. Or, if I'm exhausted, it's prime sleeping time. And if I'm pooped at 8 and Lizzie isn't ready to get to bed, it's miserable. Like, ready to ram your head against a wall in frustration miserable.

I don't know why there is this sudden change. Sometimes she goes through phases where bedtime isn't easy, but for the most part she goes down like a peach, and this feels different. I don't know, maybe she's feeling the upheaval of the move more than I realized and it's throwing her for a loop? Perhaps there is some anxiety surfacing that I wasn't aware of? Her big hang up as I try to put her to bed is that she doesn't want to be left alone (a big thing lately--she's always worried about being left alone or others being left alone). She knows that she is coming with us to the new house...but maybe that hasn't completely registered yet? Hopefully once we're in bedtime will go back to being easy again. Until then...I'm dreading it.

Our Easter

 Miss Liz dying eggs. She kept asking when they were going to hatch!

 The Easter Bunny came! Lizzie was, however, a bit disappointed she didn't get to see him.

 Taking a walk and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather. I don't think there is a better way to celebrate Easter and rebirth than going out and enjoying the wonderful changes nature is making this time of year.

 The mountains of Western Maine. Love 'em.

 Liz pretending to be a horse.

 The river.

 Liz with a rock (this is turning into an Easter tradition, it seems, as I have a similar picture form last year).

 Liz releasing the rock back into the river. "Be free, rock!"

Another picture of the river. I'm looking forward to coming down again as the weather gets warmer and things brighten up. This is definitely a place I'll miss going when we move.