 |
After I finished making the wreath yesterday, I left a ziplock full of the rest of the ornaments sitting on my desk. Today, Peeper picked it up and said, "Oh! What colorful* balls you have here, Mama!"
I said, "Yes, they are very colorful," but evidently that wasn't good enough, because she looked at me and said, "Say thank you."
Oh. Thank you.
*Yes, "colorful." This is a word that she uses - appropriately - all the time. I'm not sure where she got it, but I love it.
Dear Peeper:
You are thirty-seven months old today. Yeah, yeah, I know. I don't actually say that, I usually just say that you "just turned three," although I suppose the time limit on that one is getting close.
This has been a huge month for you, developmentally.
A month ago, you were wearing panties at home when we remembered to put them on you, and you slept nice and cozy in the middle of our family bed.
Today, it's been a month since you've worn a diaper in the daytime, you've not had one on - even at night - in three weeks, and it's been a couple of days more than that since you've slept in the big bed (except for one nap with me this week, which was quite an accident).
I am so proud of you, and so glad that both of these things happened on your time-table, but I am also a little sad about them, because - Hello! Who stole my baby!?!
Actually, I don't have too much ambivalence about the potty thing, except that it was easier to stick a diaper on you and go than to stop at every potty we pass and make you "try," and now that you seem to be committed to the big girl bed, a couple of times when you seemed to be wavering (both were when you weren't falling asleep in there and you got back up) I found myself really wanting you to get okay with staying in your bed, because I was a little worried that if you went back into our bed for a night, you'd be there to stay.
Of course, you usually aren't all alone in there all night long, nor are you usually holding it all night. Generally, you wake up once or twice, and I take you to the potty before lying down and nursing you back to sleep. Sometimes I fall asleep with you and stay until morning. That's not so bad, now that we have a real twin bed for you (well, a mattress and box springs) instead of that damn youth bed.
Morning stull comes kind of early, though. No matter what time you go to bed, it seems that you're up and ready to go at eight. When you were in our bed, I could usually get you to nurse and sleep a little longer, and that works for a little while if I'm waking up in bed with you, but if I'm running in from our bedroom, you're too awake by the time I get there.
A couple of nights, you have actually slept all the way through with no wake-ups and no pees. That was very nice.
In other news, your latest obsession is with the Nutcracker, and we are enjoying watching you fall in love with something new. We listen to the music in the car all the time, and you can now identify at least three or four of the songs by name, and can sing a couple of them.
You have a Nutcracker and a Mouse King, and a couple of different things that you've called the Sugar Plum Fairy - a beanie baby bear, dressed like a pumpkin, wearing your tutu wrapped around it several times, and a panda bath puffy (when you saw it you said, "Oh! She is a ballerina!"), as well as two different Nutcracker books.
I've also ordered a DVD, but I don't know when you'll actually get it, because I made a deal with you last night that when you finally fill up the Elmo column on your Sesame Street potty chart - which is for "Uh oh, gotta go!" you can have it.
That's seven times that you have to tell us that you need to go potty.
I've given you the first two of the seven stickers for progress toward what we're really looking for - 1- I asked and you said yes, 2- you were trying to get the bathroom door open, and right after that you pooped in your panties - but at some point, I have to hold out for an actual "Mama! Pee-pee!" before the pee-pee starts flowing.
I really hope that the incentive helps, because if you're just not developmentally ready to do that, then I'm going to feel like a real jerk for holding out on the DVD.
You are already quite into Christmas, but you seem to be more concerned with the candy that Santa's going to bring than the other gifts. (That's my girl.)
Today, for the first time, you told "Santa" (I was wearing your Santa hat) that you want "some truck toys and some car toys." He may have to put in a special order to the elves on that one.
Several times, though, you have put on the Santa hat and told me, "I am Santa Claus. What I could bring you for Christmas?"
You're full of the funny these days.
The other day you told Mommy, "I wanna go outside with clothes on Mommy, with you," (turned to me) "and with not you."
You've been all about Mommy lately. If she's home, you don't want much to do with me, until it's time for goody. I just love watching the two of you play, and I don't mind the break, so my feelings aren't too hurt.
She's had several days off work in the past week, so you've had lots of time to play together. She's been giving you most of your baths, and I have gotten quite a kick out of listening in on your conversations.
A few days ago, you declared that your bubbles were "dipping sauce" (ranch dressing, of course), and you lay back in the water, with just your little face showing and say "Oh no! I fell in the dipping sauce!"
I have no idea where you got that, because we usually just talk about "dips" not "dipping sauce."
A lot of times you say something that one of us can't figure out, and then the other explains the Sesame Street sketch that it came from, but you come up with some pretty good ones on your own, too.
Several of which I will remember as soon as I hit the "publish" button on this post, of course.
Which I need to do, and then go get in bed, because either you are going to wake me up before long, or you're going to sleep through the night and I'll be kicking myself for wasting it by staying up late.
So, happy monthiversary, kiddo. Enjoy your big girl bed, and I'll see you in the morning.
I love you,
Mama
Peeper was playing with her dress-up monkey (seen here in nakey mode), when she handed me her sock monkey and said "Mama play with other monkey."
"Play with it how?"
"Jump!"
So, we made both monkeys jump for a while, until she decided that it was time for them to "Go sleep on quilt," and told me that hers is the Baby Monkey and mine is the Daddy Monkey.
I think I got it out of her that Baby Monkey has two daddies, but I'm not sure who the other one is.
We put diapers on both of them, and then she started bringing them food from the sunroom. (On the total opposite end of the house.)
First a lettuce, then an onion, and then a breast pump flange.
Peeper: Here go, Monkey. Pump pump.Oh, well okay, then.
Mama: Who's going to pump-pump?
Peeper: Daddy Monkey.
Whozat: What's he going to pump?
Peeper: Goodies. (Puts Little Elmo in his lap) Get goody, Elmo.
Whozat: Elmo's getting goody from Daddy Monkey?
Peeper: Has breastmilk.
Mama: Hey, Peeper, what does goody milk taste like?
Peeper: Apple.
Mama: Apple?
Peeper: Apple. Not Alpo. AppLE. It's better.
Handing Shrike some pipe cleaners and pompoms: "Here go, Mommy. Here go. Enjoy."
Watching a YouTube video: "Dat's hiyarious!"
Climbing over Mr. Panda: "Suse me, Panda. Peeper comin' froo."
Pushing the blankie off her lap in the car: "Get yost!"
Holding TV remote up to her ear: Hello? Can't hear you. Diff'rent phone.
As I'm reading a text that just came in: What person, Mama?
Putting her Cookie Monster stethoscope on her chest (and the cat's): Echocardiogram!
Inspecting her poop during a diaper change: Yook yike . . . eagle!
Yesterday, Peeper and I were sharing an apple, and I notice that she wasn't liking the peel, so I peeled her pieces and then returned them to her.
She picked one up, looked at it, and said "Apple nakey!"
She also requests that we make her crayons "nakey" by peeling off the paper.
She does like the nakey.
Overheard this afternoon, while Peeper was going through her litany of "who says what."
Whozat: What does Mommy say?
Peeper: Ssshhh!
Whozat: Who does Mommy say "Ssshhh!" to?
Peeper: Mama.
Overheard in our kitchen, moments ago:
Shrike: Honey, I think I'm going to start buying crunchy peanut butter. It makes me happy.And it only took us twelve and a half years to realize we've been buying the wrong peanut butter all this time.
Whozat: Okay, that's fine.
Shrike: Well, I figured I'd just buy both kinds, because I know you like the smooth.
Whozat: I don't have any objection to crunchy.
Shrike: Really? I thought we were buying the smooth for you.
Whozat: I thought we were buying it for you.
Whozat: Is "peanut butter" one word?Her version:
Shrike: I don't think so. Why? (glances at my computer) Oh. I'm putting it on Facebook.
Twelve and a half years later and we find out that each of us thought the other preferred smooth peanut butter. Good to know there is still some mystery, however pathetic it is.
While driving past a farm, as the cows all headed in from the field:
Whozat: Oh, look at all the cows, going in to be milked.
Peeper: Pump! Pump!
At breakfast, over "wet" cereal:
Peeper: Wawa?
Whozat: That's milk on there.
Peeper: Pump! Pump!
While playing with her farm:
Peeper: Caaaow? (signs) Where?
Whozat: Here's your cow. Is it time for her to get milked?
Peeper: Lifts shirt and nurses the cow. Then brings it to me to nurse.
Overheard
Peeper (in my lap, nursing): Baby! Baby! Baby!
Mama: Mommy will get your baby.
Mommy: Where is she?
Mama: Right there, by the door.
Mommy: Oh, Mommy can't see very well.
Peeper (signs): *glasses*
Shrike (from Peeper's room): Did you do this?
Whozat: Do what? (walking into room)
Shrike: This . . .
Whozat: Noooo . . . . Why do you think he's in jail?Shrike: I don't know. Maybe for killing the other two?
The first paragraph from my first substantive post from each month of 2009, complete with links to the full posts, if you want to refresh your memory as to what the hell I was talking about.
January 3 - I Walk the Floor
Peeper's been having some gassy-tummy issues lately. (Does anyone know if she can take mylicon and gripe water at the same time?)
February 1 - Snuggle Bear's Big Adventure
It was a beautiful, sunny, "warm" (50s) day here, so we bundled Peeper up in what we're now calling her "snuggle-bear suit" from Vee and Jay, stuffed her into the wrap (in a new, "big-girl" carry! - mostly because she wasn't very bendable in the suit, so wouldn't go into her usual position) and went for her very first family walk around the neighborhood with the doggies.
March 2 - Overheard: Bye-Bye Bottle Edition
Today, we started "practicing" for Learning Center Online, and for me having to pump while Peeper's not able to nurse during surgery time, and for her doc wanting her to get the first couple of post-op feedings by bottle, so they can monitor her intake.
April 4 - Daily Peep: Out and About
It's a beautiful, sunny day, so Peeper and I took a little walk in our neighborhood. It was still pretty windy and chilly, so we didn't go far, but it was nice to get out for a few minutes.
May 3 - More Practice
So, now that Peeper's introduction to solid food is imminent - We're thinking the end of next week, based on a variety of factors, including banana ripening (It needs to be good and squishy.), our schedules (We have to find a time when we've got nothing else going on for a while, since the first time will be a Big Deal requiring Full Parental Participation - and a bath.), and neuroses too ridiculous to admit (Yes, mine. They are always mine.) - we're thinking we should at least pretend that we're eat-at-the-table kind of folks, because that was one important characteristics of the "better people" who we were supposed to magically become when we had a kid.
June - Trial by Cheese
We've decided that, now that Peeper's seven-and-then-some months old, it's time to do some experimenting to see if she's outgrown her dairy sensitivity.
July 3 - Spoke Too Soon
That Daily Peep photo from the wee hours is of Peeper lying on the floor giggling, after having fallen over backwards.
August 1 - Daily Peep: You Gotta BelieveNine months of breastfeeding. . . and counting.
As you know, Peeper and I got off to a very rough start with breastfeeding, but we hung in there and nine months later, we're still going strong.
September 5 - Whatchu Talkin Bout, Peeper?
A couple of days ago, Peeper and I were having a snack, and a chat. I said, "I love you," to which she responded "Ah-la-ya."
October 2 - It's Go-Time!
I heard from BabyBro a couple of hours ago, saying that SIL would be induced as soon as the perinatologist stopped by and signed off on it. He was expecting them to start within the next hour or two.
November 2 - Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Okay, the kid's a year old. Maybe it's time to start getting our shit together around here.
December 3 - Daily Peep: Jolly Old St. Nick
Peeper and I went to visit Santa Claus this evening. Given the way she generally reacts to anyone other than me or Shrike holding her, I was kind of expected to come home with an official Bad Santa Photo, but she did amazingly well.
Overheard, at 1:40 am:
Shrike: I keep hitting the "SLEEP" key, but nothing's happening!
As Peeper was chomping away at some pot roast (beef, carrot, potatoes) for lunch today, Shrike said, "Hey look - She's Lieutenant Carrot!"
Peeper mostly likes this glow worm, but sometimes (like in the photo) seems a bit uncertain about it.
It's actually a "Lullaby Glow Worm" which plays (duh) lullabies when you squeeze it.
It cycles through "Brahm's Lullaby," "Frere Jacques," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," (or possibly "The Alphabet Song" or "Baa Baa Black Sheep"), "Hush, Little Baby," "Pachebel's Canon," (which we played at our wedding!) and "Rockabye Baby."
Ironically it does not play "Glow, Little Glow Worm."
Which reminds me:
Overheard one day, as Peeper was crying, and Shrike was singing to her:
Whozat: What's her problem?
Shrike: She's pissed off about all those crappy gifts you're going to get her.
Whozat: What gifts?
Shrike: You know, the mockingbird, the cart and pony . . .
As BigGaloot is lying on his side on the floor:
Shrike (sounding a bit alarmed): Honey, he has a nipple!(He had stolen a bottle nipple and was chewing on it. He might as well; Peeper won't.)
Whozat (thinking "doesn't everyone?"): Of course he has nip. . . Oh.
Peeper: Grunt, squawk, I'd like some goody now, please.
Whozat: Okay, just let me go to the bathroom first.
Peeper: Where's my damn goody!?
Shrike: Where's Mama?
Whozat walks back into the room.
Shrike: Hey, there's Ol' Milk Bags!
Today, we started "practicing" for Learning Center Online, and for me having to pump while Peeper's not able to nurse during surgery time, and for her doc wanting her to get the first couple of post-op feedings by bottle, so they can monitor her intake.
I pumped a bit and left it in the fridge while I went down in the basement to work on installing software and getting the laptop set up for teaching and Shrike and Peeper hung out upstairs.
Shrike offered her the bottle midway throught, but she was having no parts of it.
Later:
Shrike: You ruined her for the bottle.
Whozat: Well, which would you chose?
Shrike: Can you make beer come out of them?
Overheard from our bedroom:
Shrike: "You know, gang, Mama's reeeaaally lonely in the other room. . . ."
Overheard yesterday evening, on the phone with Frappa (LadyKay's kiddo #2):
Whozat: Well, I guess I'd better go feed this kid, again.Of course, I told Shrike about that when she got home.
Frappa: Hey, that's your job, Titty McGee!
My bust ain't flat, in fact it's huge, and my nipples are in pain
I'm tryin' not to drip milk on my jeans
Peeper makes a fishy-face, the milk begins to rain
She nurses all the time, or so it seems
I pull my boob out of my stinky nursing bra,
I'm lactatin' while Peeper sucks the boob, yeah
No more pump a-keepin' time, I'm holdin' Peeper's hand in mine
And we sang every lullaby we knew-ew-ew
Oh, "goody's" just another word for sucking on the boob
And sucking, well that's all that Peeper does t'me, yeah
Feeding her is easy, now that she sucks the boob
Feeding her is easy now for me-ee-ee.
Easy for me, I'm Titty McGee!
Yes, there was an attempt at the second verse as well, but I will spare you.
Overheard while Shrike was changing a diaper, after we'd been out and about most of the evening:
Shrike: So, I found out these things have a load limit.
Whozat: Well, we haven't changed her since . . . . Oh my God!
Shrike: Yeah, I just realized that. And then I realized what awful parents we are.
|
Peeper and I have been breastfeeding for...
Six Weeks
Three Months
Six Months
Nine Months
Twelve Months
Eighteen Months
Two Years
Three Years
Four Years Four-and-a-half years and counting! | |
 | |
| |
|
|
