Reward

Miss C is taking tap and ballet at her new school. It actually works out really well to do it there because we don't have to take time out of our evenings to go somewhere for the class. The girl also LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to dance so I thought this would be perfect. One of the requirements is she has to have tap shoes. I kept forgetting to buy them and finally remembered the other day. So when I picked her up I gave them to her in the car. She took the shoes, got all excited when she opened the box and then looked at me and said, "Thank you Mommy." I about fell over. Without prompting or prodding my child thanked me for something I gave her!!! Then yesterday, she did it again! We might be doing something right around here!

Meow

Years ago I walked into a pet store bought a tiny orange kitten. I had just gotten rid of my Australian Shepherd because I was moving into a new apartment and it was just too small for a dog. I had that tiny little cat named Pumpkin for a few weeks before I got her brother. He came to be part of my family after a friends mother found a mom-less litter under a house. I told her to bring me the cutest cat in the litter and if Pumpkin liked him, I'd keep him. Romeo was a tiny little grey and white guy with huge ears. From the moment he arrived, he cuddled up to his new sister and lived up to his loveable name. I have had my cats for over 10 years. They've been with me through everything. Now, it looks like I am going to have to get rid of them. Miss R has had a some instances lately that have resulted in her now having to have breathing treatments. The doctor says because she had RSV as a baby she is more susceptable to irritants. She gets sick. She wheezes. She coughs. The cats are considered a huge irritant because of their hair and dander. The fact that she is a baby and her whole life involves being on the floor close to their hair and dander makes it even worse. Looking back, it's possible the cats have been bothering her from the moment she came home. We took her repeatedly to the doctor for a cough that never seemed to go away. She was never diagnosed with anything. And the cough never really seemed to go away. Now, I can't justify keeping my cats when it compromises my daughter's health. I am trying to find a good home for them and so far no takers. I get it. People want cute little kittens not 10 year old cats. And I am stuck because of that. I can't have my cats running around my house where Miss R crawls and plays. I have it when she starts to wheeze and I have to give her breathing treatments. I want to protect her from that. But I hate having to lock them in the basement. It's not fair to them to live like that. Ugh. What do I do?

Just keeps growing...

Miss R is growing fast and she is a hilarious little girl. She loves to make this growling like sound and does this "AH!" outloud laugh when things excite her. I thought I'd capture somethings she's doing now...

• Signing for milk and more. Both of these are very helpful.
• Eating table foods like bread, cereal, veggies, fruits and some meats.
• Has a mouthful of 8 teeth, for of which came in all at the same time.
• She'll stand on her own for a few seconds at a time.
• I think once she stands on her own it's only a matter of time before she is walking.
• I love to watch her sit and play by herself and be entertained by things like Tupperware or the magnets on the fridge.
• She loves playing with her sister and gets so excited by her.
• We just bought her some new 12 month clothes because she's getting so big.
• Still not sure who she looks like because I don't see me or SP in her features.
• She seems to have taken really well to her new teacher at the daycare. Miss Cheryl is a very kind, loving woman that has made our transition easier.
• More often than not her socks are off and in her mouth.
• She is a happy, happy, happy little girl who brings joy to our lives every day.

Settling in - the special book

Things are slowly starting to get back to normal. We are adjusting to our new routine, our new house and the increase in family activities. For the most part, the girls are doing well but there are still times when Miss C tells me she wants to go to her old school and her old friends or she'll talk to me about Lukas' birthday party that happened right before we moved, or mention Owen or Olivia.

This breaks my heart. It breaks my heart because I miss them too.

I know with time she will embrace her new friends like she did her old friends...she is already starting to do that now. I know that her memories will fade but the impact will be long lasting.

Still, when she asks a lot about her old school, or mentions her old friends or teachers I always pull out her "special book". The special book is a photo book made by her teacher that shows pictures of all her friends and her teachers. We sit and go through all the pictures naming each one of her friends and look at the pictures of her playing with them.

We talk about Miles who left the school to stay home with his mommy. We talk about Owen who has a booboo on his head in his photo. We talk about Kristy, Ann, Yin-Ling and Maria and what fun we had at school.

It makes me sad, but I am so thankful for that book. I think acknowledging those memories and relationships will ultimately help us both move on.

Playing

I love to sit and watch Miss R play. She has this innocent expression of curiosity that I find fascinating to watch. She'll sit and explore her toys and just be content with that activity.

Yesterday it was taking one of the coins from C's cash register and dropping it over and over into one of C's toy cars. She'd drop the coin in, look at it, then stick her hand in to pull it out. Then do it all over again. I loved watching her do this.

Trampoline

The best part of our new house, per Miss C, is the trampoline that is in the backyard. The weather finally was nice enough for her to get outside and check it out. We need to still get a net for it so she doesn't go flying off but she loved it. Of course, the first bounce on the trampoline landed her with a scraped up nose but that didn't seem to deter her.

New House

C's actual birthday - CUPCAKES

10 Months

In the middle of Miss C turning 3 and moving to Louisville Miss R turned 10 months old. Holy crap! Here's some pictures of our girl.

3 glorious 3

Birthday Girl

My Sweet Sweet C,
Mommy and Daddy gave you what I hope will be one of the most important and live changing birthday presents...we moved to Louisville. I know that you don't realize the significance of this now but one day I hope you do.

You are an amazing little girl that has wrapped herself tightly around every ounce of my being and infused such beautiful loveliness into every aspect of my life. You have a wit and amazingly on target sense of humor that often catches me off guard but makes me laugh nonetheless. Along with that wit is a mischeviousness that I expect will one day cause me frustration and heartache but is, for now, pure in it's intentions.

Daily I am amazed by how smart you are and the conversations you have with me. While I don't like that you are growing up I do like that you and I can talk. I cherish those times when we lay in your bed at night and talk about your day. Now, it's not always me talking to you, it's you telling me what you did, what you like and don't, what you find important in your little life.

I try to make each day of your life, not just your birthday though it IS very important, memorable. I like to end each day knowing that you are happy and healthy and that you have the potential for greatness, because you do. And, I hope you never doubt that as you venture through more years and more birthdays.

I was flooded with emotions the day you were born and more often than not, I am flooded with them daily as I love and admire my little girl. You have taught me more than I think I could ever possibly teach you but I am trying.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl.

Love,
Mommy

Age

My girls are growing up. C is now 3 years old and R is 10 months old today. Where did the time go? Lately it's been consumed with moving. Hope things settle down soon.

We've moved!

Things have been a little crazy around here. We moved over the weekend to Louisville so our lives have been focused on that. I hope once things settle back down I will get to writing more.

For now...

• R got tubes right before we left and seems to be doing great.
• The girls are in their new daycare. This has been difficult for me but they seem to be doing ok.
• I expect R to walk soon. Yesterday she pushed a toy across the floor walking behind it. That girl has been moving since birth.
• Speaking of R, she now has 4 bottom teeth and 4 top teeth.
• This weekend we are celebrating C's 3rd birthday. I cannot believe she is 3!

We are all happy and healthy...and home.