letter to my girl

Dear Addelyn,
I realized if you ever read this blog someday (which is one of the reasons I am doing this- a scrapbook for you!) you will think your mom was only annoyed and stressed with you. To be honest, I like to share your funny comments and stories because I know some day we will look back and laugh. At the same time, I want you to know what an amazing little girl you are and how much we love you. Even though sometimes you push my buttons, more of my day is spent enjoying you and your personality and who God has made you to be.

You have a very tender heart. You can be very sensitive. You love babies and it is so sweet to watch you carry your baby doll around (you finally named one of them- Avery, not just baby anymore!) You rock your babies, you sing to them, shhhsh them, hug them, change their diapers (over and over and over), carry them in the car seat, push them in the stroller, put them to bed in the manger (thanks baby Jesus for this one), and sleep with them.

You notice EVERYTHING! We drove in the driveway today and you yelled, "Look, a spider!" A small spider had made a web on the garage. I would have never noticed this but you are so aware of the world around you. Buses, workers on the road, leaves, what direction we are going in the car and where, what kind of car is in front of us, etc! The other day you saw an Impala go by. You pointed and said, "That is like Jiller's car but hers is white." You pay attention!

A lot of times you remember your manners without prompting. Sometimes you even say "I'm sorry Mommy," in the sweetest voice I can imagine.

You love to laugh. I think you may already understand sarcasm. Yikes. You love to wrestle. You love to play outside. You ride your scooter up and down the sidewalk as fast as you can. You love to eat cheese. Every morning you ask me for a string cheese.

You wake up slowly, like your dad. It is usually the only time I get to cuddle with you these days and sometimes even then, you don't want to!

Oh Addelyn, we love you lots. I'm excited to see how you will grow and learn. I get scared sometimes about how to be the best parent you need, how to best discipline you and encourage you, and how to help you grow. So we'll take it day by day. Just know how much we love you!
Love, Mommy

just one of those days

Some days.

1. No nap for Addelyn. She played in her room. Yelled. Cried. Yelled more. Played her keyboard. Yelled, "MY EYES JUST WON'T SHUT!!!!" Over and over.

2. While I switched laundry, she kicked down/pushed over her gate. Dang. Gate number two. Fail. Picked up her cute little stool from the bathroom, carried it into the spare bedroom and reached a random sharpie in the middle of the pen/pencil jar, and colored our white duvet with some nice blue sharpie designs.

3. Tonight, Addelyn stared up at me with her big ole blue eyes. She said, "Mommy, when I get older, will I have owies like you?" She pointed at my zits on my face. I could only laugh!

4. Sweet, sweet, sleep.......the day ended. Addelyn passed out in front of the gate, again. Scooped up her little body and carried her to bed. Just love the little girl.

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Looking for a great 3 bedroom house for sale in Waterloo? Pass the word along!

P.S. Maybe I'll become a realtor, you never know!

the big girl bed............

One week ago, Addelyn moved into her new big girl bed. She is very excited and very proud. Her first night was a little tough. She didn't get out of her bed (amazing!) but cried for about 20 minutes. "I don't like my big girl bed, I'm sad!" After the tears, she did great! We didn't hear from her til the next morning when she sat on the end of her bed and waited for us to come and get her.

The past week overall has gone really well. She has slept well for both naps and bedtime for the most part. We have a gate up at her door- one that seems very childproof. Until 2:30 a.m. when our bedroom lights turned early on morning a few days ago. So she knows how to get out. Now what?

Then today.......naptime arrived and my little miss was in and out of her room about 30 times. I would continue to return her to her room. She continued to come out with a different excuse or reason. See below, each excuse was a different time out the door and another trip where I carried her back to her room. These are the ones I remember!

"I have to poop."

"I need chapstick."

"I need water."

"I need a couch pillow."

"I have books." (in this case, she had taken MANY MANY books off her shelf and they were everywhere in her room)

"I sleep on the floor." (her pillow and blankets pulled off the bed onto her floor)

"Jonah pooped." (Jonah is the new imaginary friend, another post is to come soon on this one I promise! She had the wipes and a diaper out.)

"Jonah woke me up."

"Micah pooped." (Micah is imaginary friend Jonah's younger imaginary brother)

"I don't have clothes." (this time she was completely naked)

"I am laughing, Mommy." (I responded, "I am not." Took her back in her room, holding in my bursts of laughter)

"I need you." (this time she crawled out on her hands and knees)

"I heard a helicopter."
"I heard a train, I'm scared."

"What are you eating? I heard the bag." (yes, I was snacking!)

"After nap, we are going to the pet store!"

"Right, Mommy?"

"Right, Mommy?"

"Right, Mommy? (I was ignoring her completely each time at this point.)

"I'm sorry, Mommy. I'm sorry, Mommy." (this was in the sweetest, saddest voice, of course!)

Finally, I cracked. Just couldn't deal anymore. I let her get up for good.

I don't really know what to do. Any great bed suggestions? Gotta love my toddler.

imagination movers

Have you ever seen the show Imagination Movers? Addelyn loves it. It is four men, singing and dancing and solving problems. Ahh to watch children's shows.
Today on the way home before her nap, Addelyn told me she was having an "idea emergency." I looked back in the mirror to see her one arm sticking out of the car seat strap in a strange way.

For those of you who aren't following, this is what they say when there is a problem on Imagination Movers. (this is followed by corny singing and dancing.....)

amazing story

Watch this amazing video from the Today Show if you have a few minutes. It is amazing to me- the story of this little baby- a miracle.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38988444

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Check out this great house for sale in Cedar Falls!!!

things learned.....

On our way home from Papa and Nonnie Kramer's house after a fun day of playing outside with the kitties, Addelyn said to me, "Mommy, we shouldn't throw cats, should we?"
I (trying my best not to laugh) said, "No, Addelyn, we shouldn't."
Another question: "Mommy, we shouldn't throw people either, should we?"