You're Threeeeee!

Little Lady Lorelai --

Somehow, you are 3. I feel myself trying to adjust to saying I have a 3-year-old, and it's certainly an adjustment! Just a week ago, I caught myself telling someone that you were 2 -- true enough, but I didn't think to say "almost three." A bit like you, I guess, since you have held on to being "2 and a half"...right up to suddenly being 3. But you are certainly excited about being three now. You've been practicing the right number of fingers to hold up, and you're happy to join the ranks of other 3-year-olds you know: cousin Ryan, Lila at school, and other friends.

You're such a little person now, and so often, you're such fun. I love how you tell stories now -- real, multi-part stories -- from your day, and you are so excited to tell us that you get a little stuck. You'll get stuck in a little loop of "uh, um, um" until your mouth and brain can get back in sync for the conclusion. It's lovely.  So are you.

You're all about letters and songs these days. We can't take a car trip now without you loudly calling letters spotted from your back seat. "I SEE A 'B'. I SEE A 'Y'. MOMMY. MOMMY. DO YOU SEE THAT?" You're very favorite letters to spot are L and D and J, because you know they start our respective names, and you're so sweetly concerned for me that you can't find as many J's as the others. I love it.

And it makes my heart so happy that you like to sing. I hope it sticks. At Christmas, you had me sing "Away in a Manger" until you could sing it by yourself. You request songs related to our night time Bible stories -- Jericho, Jacob's Ladder, Jesus Loves the Little Children. Your new favorite as we rock is "Goodnight, Sweetheart" (complete with Mommy's attempt at a bass line "bum bum ba bum") which you interrupt each time to whisper in my ear: "I'm the sweetheart." And I will treasure forever the nights we have sung "Jesus Loves Me" together, rocking and cuddling.

It's true that the not-so-great parts of being 3 have found us at times. When you are told you shouldn't do something, your favorite response is: "I DO!" But amid the moments, I imagine typical moments, of argument or high-pitched screams or flailing about, I want to remember a few of your current sweet favorites:

1-- Doc McStuffins. Followed closely by Frozen, Minnie Mouse, etc. You like Daddy or me nearby when you get to watch an episode, and I catch you singing the check up song at all sorts of moments.

2. Oatmeal with dried cranberries. I'm so happy about this one! Your parents are both big breakfast fans -- but you and Mommy are the oatmeal lovers. I just think it's so endearing when you wake up, roll over, and whine, "I want oatmeeeal."

3. Dessert. Okay, so you're our kid -- it's a given. We really do try to eat a lot of healthy food, but you are definitely convinced dinner should end with a little sweet. Recently, I packed sandwich sacks and we drove to Santa's Wonderland as a family. After hours of fun, as you considered drifting off to sleep on the ride home, you perked up in concern: "Oh! We didn't have dinner!" I reminded you we ate sandwiches and fruit during our drive. "Oh. (pause) But we didn't have dessert!" Goodness.

My sweet girl, we love you bunches.  The other evening, we sat on the couch watching your show, you reached out to hold hands with me, and my heart was full.  Yesterday, you marched in the kitchen as I prepped food to tell me, "I need a hug," and my heart was full.  Some mornings and evenings you announce, "Group Hug!" -- Daddy and I wrap you up in our arms, and our hearts are full.

I'm so grateful to celebrate another year in our little family -- and another year of you.

'Til next time,

Love to our Lorelai

See ya later, Summer

My Lolabug --

The end of summer has come. For us, that means a different schedule -- the one where I'm not a stay-at-home mommy for awhile. I still feel lucky that we get to experience both working-mom and working-at-home mom schedules each year, but of course there's something bittersweet about this time of year.

So as I hold this summer to my heart, I want to tell you my favorite things about this particular end of s-u-m-m-e-r.

Seashells & Seashores -- what a fun time at the beach as an extended family. We went last year, too, but you were so much more aware and full of preferences this time. While your sweet cousin preferred the sand, you loved playing at the water's edge.

You traded shells and checked out hermit crabs and wiggled your fingers in wet sand. So fun.

(& playing kite with Daddy was fun, too)

Understanding -- we just can't get over all the new sentences and nuances you can create now. I giggle when you work "quite" or "actually" into your statements, and it's so neat to me to hear you navigate whole conversations about accidents, or bad choices, or plans for our day.

And those A-B-C's continue to stick! Some are hit and miss, but you're so interested. Reading a book often comes to a halt as you yell out letters you know :) And on a recent visit to a train museum, when you started yelling out letters on a train car, we stopped to show you they formed your middle name. You seemed surprised, but pleased...

Make-believe -- goodness, we have fun pretending, and I love how often you prompt our play. We walk in circles inside our house, and we wind up visiting the ice cream store, the restaurant, or the park. (I'm not sure who you're modeling from a restaurant, as you keep ordering popcorn and macaroni. Together.) At every park with a steering wheel, you offer to drive us (usually to the park). Just today, our living room became the park, and we pretended to swing and slide. 

Memory! -- you continue to remember comments and details from days or even weeks before. And you've also showed some interest in a Memory-style Dr. Seuss matching game. Granted, some times you're more focused than at other times, but you're so excited when you remember where Hop on Pop or Horton is hiding.

Energy -- from a 2-yr-old? Um, yeah. But many times, this is fun. You keep us jumping and running and sometimes yelling for no good reason but noise. 

Rest -- I'm so glad we had a time of slightly later mornings and long breakfasts and mini-trips to family. Your momma sometimes struggles with a feeling of go-go-go, so these times are especially good for us. One of my favorite pics from the beach is the three of us just siting on a mat, completely without agenda.

I loved our summer, Lolabug. And the next summer will be good, too. 

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Bouncing Bunny-Girl

My lovely Lorelai --

As our summer winds down (sniff, sniff), we are still finding our little adventures, and that's a good thing. It's fun to see you finding your preferences and knowing how to voice them.

Recently, your cousin Ryan turned 3. We took a girls' trip for his party, and it really was fun. Ryan is all about the construction vehicles these days, so his party was too. You had fun wearing a construction hat and digging in sand. But your favorite thing just might have been turning your uncle, Brad, and his fiancé, Katie, into "Jump HIGH!" machines...

I guess "jump" and "bounce" are what you liked best from our gym class this summer, and that favorite thing is showing up all over. You're still working on jumping unassisted, but you're getting closer and having fun trying. You also got a chance to jump and bounce at an indoor bounce-house place this week -- and you did -- but at the foam pit, you were a little more into pounding the pieces like drums and stacking up "castles" to knock over...

And in the sports-themed bounce-house, you sometimes dropped to your knees and yelled "Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy!" -- but you also really liked walking the soccer balls up to drop them through the holes. (No convincing you to throw them -- I swear you were thinking, "Mom, I can reach 2 out of 3 holes. Why throw?" Funny kid, you.)

Your other favorite recent thing was our trip to a little animal farm for a playdate. After feeding pigs and chickens, we headed into the "boutique," where you were invited to decorate a "diva box" for a bunny. No real surprise that you went with purple and pink...

And then we got to add Oreo, the bunny, to the diva box...

Pretty cool. You got to brush her fur, pet her, and -- poor Oreo -- temporarily add a bow and necklace bling...

You really were very gentle with her :)

And she responded by checking you out from a basket perch before saying goodbye...

And my favorite thing of late? Watching you suddenly learning some of your letters. I'm not really sure what clicked, but it's a blast. You spelled out W-A-R-R-I-O-R on one of my shirts, and you love associating letters with people's names, in particular. You've pointed out "B for Uncle Brad" on trucks when we drive, you know "L is for Lorelai, and Aunt Lindsay, and Lila (a friend from school)." You ran into the kitchen just today to push a block against my belly, and smile: "J for you!" (since you've known Mommy's name is Jennifer for awhile now). So fun.

I'm trying not to fret about time and schedule changes in the coming school year. I know we'll keep finding fun family time, and watching my little sponge soak up new learning will continue to make my heart so happy.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Ready...Set...Read!

My lovely Lorelai, 

It's been a couple weeks. We have been busy somehow -- between play time at home and mini-trips to see loved ones.

I can't believe our summer is going so quickly -- but I guess that means we are enjoying each other :) I want to pause and remember some of our favorite things.

For you, it's a toss up -- but definitely you would pick a time outside. You might pick the night of your first fireworks...

Or watching sea lions swim at Sea World...

(or that swanky purple carousel horse)

Or you just might pick play time with your visiting cousin Ryan...

(even though Ryan wasn't convinced about that big swing -- I loved watching you try to win him over!)

Whichever you would pick as the very best, I have had fun making little memories with you. 

For me, my favorite thing lately is seeing you develop a strong interest in books. Of course I'm a little biased on this topic, but I think it's wonderful. Lately, you have been quoting and/or discussing your library books after just a few readings, and it's fun to hear what sticks with you. At random moments, I hear:

from Olivia the Pig, "Beep Beep -- coming through!"

from Amazing Animal ABC, the "Zizza Zozza Zak!" (a complete cheat of a made-up animal -- amused you :)

from Polar Bear, Polar Bear..."What do you hear?" (and you know the next 2 animals are lion and hippopotamus)

from Have You Seen My Potty? -- "Suzy Sue need to go poop!"

from My Big Boy Bed, "Donnie, get back in bed!"

from Good-night, Owl, "Owl not sleep!"

from Snip Snap, "...enough! Alligator, you get out!" (complete with shaking fist :)

from Farmyard Beat, "Peep peep peep...they got that beat!"

...and more! You often tell me "I read it" after I finish reading, and you comment often during my readings -- "He go night-night?"..."That not okay!"..."She sad?" I love watching you think it all through.

Your daddy and I are so surprised at how much you remember sometimes -- including the recent moment when you used a book to apologize for bad behavior. You dug one out of the stack, opened it up, and said, "Bad day, Mommy. Sorry."

Awesomeness.

Whether inside with books or outside amid play, I'm so glad to see the little person you're becoming. As I often tell you, "I like you."

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Lights, Bunnies, Action!

My Lolabug, 

This week, your favorite thing is a hard call -- and what a lovely problem to have :) The first contender would be our trip to the Thinkery -- our first visit to the new museum location. The water music room was your second favorite -- but the winner was definitely the lights room. Giant Lite-Brite wall? Oh yeah, a winner.

But then another day, we stopped by Callahan's store. We hadn't been. They were so nice -- one of the ladies showed us the back door that led to stalls with chickens, a very loud rooster, mini-pigs, and goats...and then back inside, we found the bunnies. And you got to pet one of those. Oh yeah, a winner again.

And then finally, this weekend, we went to visit family for your aunt Lindsay's birthday. We took a little gift for your cousin, a Thomas the Train bubble blower. My, my -- a third big win this week. And I must say you two kiddos did some decent sharing. You two ran with it, pointed the bubbles at other people, and danced in the bubbles yourselves.

Bubbles, bubbles -- in air and all over you both :)

A great week. And my favorite thing?-- It might be tonight, after a long day, when I put you to bed. In your crib, you popped your head up to say, "Your body needs a rest, Mommy" -- quoting something I've been trying to sell to you at tough bedtimes. I couldn't help laughing, and I said, "Gosh, I love you." You immediately said it back with a grin: "Gosh, I love you!" My little lovebug, indeed.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Outside, Outside!

My sweet girl --

This week, your best times have been outside. After nap, you often announce, "We go to park, again." And sometimes we do. You want to swing and swing, and you want Mommy to swing, too. So we find a rhythm of a few pushes for you and then Mommy hops the swing beside you. It's so peaceful. And then we take a snack break and chat.

And this weekend, Daddy joined the outside play. We checked out the dinosaur pit (seems fitting for your geologist daddy), and you two dug and checked out the "fossils." 

(I love your little possessive hold on his arm in that pic :)

You didn't want to give up the shovel...

And during one more park play, I couldn't help but be struck by what a little lady you are becoming. You look so thoughtful, calmly observing it all. I love so much about you, my girl.

'Til next time, 

Love to my Lorelai

Sweet Li'l Moments

My sweet big kid -- 

I'm taking over the favorite things list this week :) We've had a week of sweet snuggles & Mommy moments, and I want to remember them. 

Early this week at bedtime, I felt a bit sluggish. I plopped in your bedroom recliner, which is nearly too comfy. In jest, I asked if you wanted to put Mommy to bed. You were delighted. You climbed on top of me, wrapped your arms around me, and started chanting "Shhh."

Oh, we laughed.

Another morning, after a rough night, you woke early and fitful, as I was trying to finish a quiet time. After getting you up, I asked if you would sit with me while I finished my journal notes. We chose you a book, snuggled you into Daddy's side of the bed, and I went back to making notes about a couple of Bible verses. After a minute, I felt your hand on my arm. You smiled, stroked my arm, and then just kept your hand on mine while you went back to turning your pages.

Oh, what sweetness.

And all this week, you've developed a new bedtime habit. We've been playing the same worship lullaby CD at bedtime pretty much since you were born. And now, at bedtime, as we rock in your dark room, you tell me, "Mommy, sing." And we do. When it's "Jesus Loves Me," I can make out the words, and on others, you do your best to sing along. During "How Great is our God," you asked me, "Where's lion and lamb?" -- right before that lyric played. 

Oh, my heart.

But I don't want to leave your daddy out. Mommy snuggles aside, you and your daddy have been snuggling over library books as I cook dinner:

Well, that is, when you take a break from "Daddy, chase me!" or "I chase you, Daddy!" (Your daddy is a good sport.)

I know you will have phases, and each season will have its ups and downs. But I am so enjoying the sweetness of this particular season.

'Til next time,

Love to my Lorelai

Donuts & Bubbles

My Lolabug --

Your favorite things this week?  That's easy.  Friday, we went out for breakfast to take advantage of National Donut Day, armed with your cup of milk and a bag of strawberries.  First, Krispy Kreme gave us each one donut of our choosing.  I went for a dense, chocolate-cake sort of thing, and you, my little purist, went for a simple cinnamon-sugar ring.  

You chowed that donut down with fist-pumping, chair-dancing giddiness. Then, on to Shipley's, where your momma was gifted with coffee, and you got a free, warmed glazed donut.  (I splurged on an apple one for me.)  Happy, happy kid.

We followed that up with a trip to Millie & Mox, a super-cute kids boutique that does a free music Friday.  You sang along to Old Macdonald, Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy, and a few new tunes.  You got to bang music sticks and play peekaboo with a scarf.  And then...the bubbles.  I love your abandon in this moment -- your full and oblivious reach for those bubbles.  It's lovely, my girl.  And so are you.

'Til next time,
Love to my Lorelai

A Few of My Favorite Things

My little Lorelai --

On this first day of June, you and I are both looking to summer.  You are officially done with another year of school, and I have just a couple days left.  Based on our talks, you have decided that summer means...
"I hang out with Mommy."
"I wear sandals." (Daycare doesn't allow them.)
"I go swim class."
"I go gym class."

And all of these are true.  I have a feeling our summer will also involve a move to a toddler bed and (hopefully) potty training.  I don't want to rush either of these things, but you're showing signs of big-girl readiness.  Lately, you'll usually use the potty 2-3 times a day if I ask you -- and as long as you get a sticker.  I think we'll have to stock up on stickers for awhile.

These days, you're so independent and yet so Mommy's girl.  I often hear little choruses of...
"I help you."
"I do it."
"My turn!"

And yet, I'm also lucky enough these days to hear...
"I just love you."
"I miss you."
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!"

So, our summer of "hanging out with Mommy" seems a good thing for the both of us.  I'm sure our summer will involve lots of outside play and many, many books.  (I'm pretty excited about that.)  Your attention span for both surprises me at times.  

Outside, you're all about acorns, grass "crowns," and a big pink ball.  You and your daddy are having some wonderful playtimes outside, and I get to join in, too.

And maybe because of all our books, your language connections are so cool (and sometimes funny) lately.  The other day, we read a book about Llama Llama, and the llama starts to whine.  I asked you if you knew what whining sounded like, and you demonstrated.  And then interjected: "I whine when you wipe my poop."  Um, yes.  You're making distinctions, too.  As we walked into school one day, I laughed and said you were a silly girl.  You responded: "I don't silly. I funny."  Hmm :)

My most recent delight (and proof that you are, indeed, my girl) is hearing you sing. Everything. At random times. We often play Baby Einstein on Pandora in the evenings, and your mommy is reliving her nostalgic Disney movie moments. The other day, I started singing along to "Part of Your World" from Little Mermaid, and it made no matter that you didn't know the words.  You ran over, flung your arms out, and started singing with me.  (We had quite the diva moment sing-off.)  And the pattern has continued.  You've jumped in singing along with songs from Mary Poppins (which you haven't seen) and each song I volunteered for the princesses on one set of your pj's (Aurora/Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White).

So in the spirit of our movie songs, I'll borrow from another -- "My Favorite Things."  Now that we have arrived at another summer, and you are firmly a little person, I hope we'll continue to discover new things to call favorites.  I feel sure we will.  

Maybe my notes to you will be frequent, or maybe not.  But I want to remember our favorite things.  And I want to be a part of your favorite things for many years to come, my sweet.

'Til next time -- and for all time,
Love to my Lorelai