Good morning baby! We had a very rough night. You've been so sick this week. You fell asleep at 11 & I checked your temperature twice before I went to bed at 11:30. Both times you were about 100 degrees. At midnight I had a strong urge to get up and check you again, even though I felt a bit silly and like a big nervous mother. Your temp was up to 103! They say 104 is the temperature to take you in at so of course I wanted to keep checking you every five minutes. You just wanted to sleep without me scanning your forehead.
I made you wake up to take motrin and you were not impressed. I ended up calling the dr's after hours number while I was waiting on the motrin to kick in. Since you've been sick all week, I wasn't sure if you should go in at 103. They had been talking about doing bloodwork with you. While I was on the phone with the dr, your temp dropped to 101.4, making me feel a bit silly for calling. I checked you one last time (101.8) and headed to bed.
This morning you have no fever at all! It's the first time in 3 days! You seem miserable though. I called my mom (because that's what you do as a mom, you call your mom) and she said you're probably just wore out from fighting whatever you've had & that you're really starting to feel better but you're just tired now. Crossing my fingers she's right!
Off to go snuggle more with you! Love you!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Poor Little Monkey!
You've had a UTI since last Fri (we didn't figure out why you were peeing on the carpet until Sat night of course). We took you to Urgent Care & got meds first thing Sunday morning but they warned it might be an antibiotic resistant strain.
Sure enough, tonight you have a fever. You are such a sweet little girl. Even when you don't feel good you still try to be a good girl & take your medicine. I feel bad because I snapped at you & hurt your feelings. You hung your head & I immediately apologized & kissed your forehead, telling you you're such a good girl. When I kissed you I knew. Mommas always know a fever on their lips!
You are so forgiving. I feel just horrible for snapping at you, even more so since you really don't feel good. Of course we're letting you sleep on the couch tonight (your favorite spot) and watch movies until you fall asleep. I'll take you in first thing tomorrow.
Earlier today you told me you didn't feel good & "go to doctor." A few minutes later you showed me a skin indentation from your seat belt (the harmless kind) & told me you needed a doctor for that, too, so I wasn't really sure if I should trust your medical judgment. Don't worry baby. You'll see the doctor tomorrow & he'll fix you up!
We love you!
Sure enough, tonight you have a fever. You are such a sweet little girl. Even when you don't feel good you still try to be a good girl & take your medicine. I feel bad because I snapped at you & hurt your feelings. You hung your head & I immediately apologized & kissed your forehead, telling you you're such a good girl. When I kissed you I knew. Mommas always know a fever on their lips!
You are so forgiving. I feel just horrible for snapping at you, even more so since you really don't feel good. Of course we're letting you sleep on the couch tonight (your favorite spot) and watch movies until you fall asleep. I'll take you in first thing tomorrow.
Earlier today you told me you didn't feel good & "go to doctor." A few minutes later you showed me a skin indentation from your seat belt (the harmless kind) & told me you needed a doctor for that, too, so I wasn't really sure if I should trust your medical judgment. Don't worry baby. You'll see the doctor tomorrow & he'll fix you up!
We love you!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Water Girl
Little girl, this $30 pool has been the best investment we've made all summer. It was 91 today & we had fun swimming then you talked daddy into some swimming once he came home. I love that I said "Say Cheese!" before taking this photo & this is the first time you tried to pose. You are the cutest!
You're pretty tricky though. You had taken 2 play bowls from your kitchen out into the pool. You gave me a bowl (to defend myself with but I didn't know it yet) then used your bowl to throw a bowl full of water on me! I got you back & you giggled & giggled. It's your favorite game to play in the pool right now.
I'll say "You silly goose!" and you'll copy "You....goose! Silly!"
Oh little girl we love you. Your daddy loves you so much he got into this pool even though you'd just used the hose to refill it with icy cold water.
Love you baby girl!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Surprise Party...For Your Birthday!
Oh Gracie how you have changed in the past few months! Things here have been so busy but you have remained the cutest joy in our lives.
You've really started talking, much to our relief. Last night I said you had to brush your teeth & you told me "you're mean!" but then obliged. Guess I should get used to you voicing dissent. It won't always be praise, right?
Today your daddy came home & you greeted him at the door as always. You've taken to calling him Papa, which threw him initially since he's your daddy & not your grandfather. You love the Berenstain Bears though so you know Mama & Papa from that.
As you were greeting your daddy (Papa), I called for you that I had a surprise for you. I had cut an orange into a flower shape the way they do at our favorite sushi restaurant. It's gotten you to eat oranges so I was excited to try it at home. You came running up the stairs, turned to your dad and yelled "SURPRISE DADDY!" then "FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!"
It was so sweet. Of course your daddy just beamed & told you thank you. I handed you the plate with the orange & you said "Wow!" then turned to him and said "Surprise for you! For your birthday!" He told you, "That's for you Grace" and you corrected him saying, "AND you!"
We all shared the orange together in honor of your daddy's birthday. Seeing as how his big day isn't until December, it truly was a surprise party. Well done baby!
You've really started talking, much to our relief. Last night I said you had to brush your teeth & you told me "you're mean!" but then obliged. Guess I should get used to you voicing dissent. It won't always be praise, right?
Today your daddy came home & you greeted him at the door as always. You've taken to calling him Papa, which threw him initially since he's your daddy & not your grandfather. You love the Berenstain Bears though so you know Mama & Papa from that.
As you were greeting your daddy (Papa), I called for you that I had a surprise for you. I had cut an orange into a flower shape the way they do at our favorite sushi restaurant. It's gotten you to eat oranges so I was excited to try it at home. You came running up the stairs, turned to your dad and yelled "SURPRISE DADDY!" then "FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!"
It was so sweet. Of course your daddy just beamed & told you thank you. I handed you the plate with the orange & you said "Wow!" then turned to him and said "Surprise for you! For your birthday!" He told you, "That's for you Grace" and you corrected him saying, "AND you!"
We all shared the orange together in honor of your daddy's birthday. Seeing as how his big day isn't until December, it truly was a surprise party. Well done baby!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
God Knows the Plan
Grace,
Last week your dad was in Australia on business and we were out to eat together. I always tell you we're ladies who lunch when we do that. You weren't carrying on much of a conversation with me since you'd brought your play cell phone into the place & were busy with that. I overheard a woman and her friend talking about how hard it was to watch their friends get married and start to have kids. Still single, they were happy with life but couldn't help wondering when they'd meet their husbands. They felt God had a plan for them but just wished marriage would be part of it sooner rather than later.
You leaned over their booth & started talking with them so I did, too, admitting I'd overheard them. I told them that just five-six years ago, my friend Chrissy & I were saying the same things. We laughed over the common ground and I told them what I'd tell you.
I am so happy none of my other relationships worked out because I would not have been as happy as I am today--not by a long shot! I always thought God had a husband out there for me somewhere & I would sometimes pray for him. I would pray that my future husband had a good day the next day...and that he would get his act together and find me! :) I met my husband in God's perfect timing and I never dreamed I would be THIS happy. Your daddy is so sweet, patient, and he humors me as only he could. My life is nothing short of amazing and nothing compared to what I imagined for myself.
Ten years ago: I was just finishing graduate school and starting my career. I had no idea my plans would be drastically changed when Em got sick, no idea I would ever move back to my hometown.
Six years ago: I was taking care of my sister and making plans to do so for the rest of my life. A boyfriend had just dumped me and I thought that was probably it for my dating life/possible marriage/family life some day. I came to accept that my place was as a caregiver.
Five years ago: Em was better & moved out. Not only that, she was getting married and moving to Florida! Two months later I met your daddy after randomly deciding to do match.com with a friend.
Four years ago today: I married the best man ever! We planned to have at least two children and live in the house in MI.
Three years ago: We had you and found out you'd be our one and only, making you even more special to us if that were possible!
Since then, we've moved twice and aren't sure what the future holds. I'd like to think we've given up any sense of long term planning. Here's why: God knows the plans He has for us, not for despair but to give us hope and a future. That is my family's mantra following Emily's sickness. Grace, when in doubt Let Go & Let God. When my sister was sick, it wasn't until I'd found peace with it that things changed. When I found peace in being single, your daddy came along. Every day now I find peace in my life with you and with your daddy.
Before he met me, your dad watched his mom suffer through and lose her battle with cancer. He moved from North Dakota to Michigan and that was a big leap away from the security of family and friends. Oddly enough, when I met your dad on our first date, I was indifferent. It wasn't until I mentioned the weight of caring for my sister and he said "I know what you mean. I took care of my mom." that I really took notice. Because of my experiences with Emily, I appreciated his strength of character and admired his ability to love someone while watching them suffer. It is not easy--it is incredibly painful to watch someone you love suffer every day, with no way to help them. We share an uncommon bond that has helped each of us to cherish each other & you all the more. Life is special. It's precious. We hang onto it and each other with both hands, appreciating each day and the little joys because we know how much the bad days can hurt. Neither one of us get too worked up by the little things in life, including most of the messes you make because we know that there's really no sense in sweating the small stuff.
God always had a plan for us. We joke "How else would a girl born in Germany and a boy from Montana ever find each other?" We appreciate each other because we waited so long, we lived so much during the wait, and share so many common experiences.
Our anniversary is today but we don't have much planned. To be honest Grace, we live most of our days treating each other with kindness and love. This day isn't too much different than any other in that sense. We say I love you almost every night before we go to bed, we joke around rather than get truly angry at each other's faults, and we appreciate and focus on each other's good qualities.
I am sure God has so many amazing things planned for your life Grace. Please remember that during hard times, you are growing. God is teaching you more than you know and that knowledge will be essential down the road. We all have to learn how to love, how to let go, and how to appreciate life. The lessons don't come easy because they can't be taught easily. If your road is harder, rest assured that God has so much joy waiting for you soon. Six years ago I had a very, very hard road. Now I have joy and the wisdom to appreciate it. God will always be there & so will we.
I love you so much more than you'll ever know! You are awesome and one of God's greatest gifts to me. Thank you for bringing me so much joy every day.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
You Are Awesome
Grace,
You are just awesome. I love love love being your mom, particularly now that you've turned 3. Somehow just before your birthday you become quite a handful and then after that you are much more fun again. It might be just the chaos of the holidays each year.
Every month you change so much! I just read you 10 books until you fell asleep. It seems you have caught on to giving me more and more books as a way to extend bedtime. That's okay. I'll just push your bedtime back to accomodate it. I never could understand parents who limit their kids to one, two or three books! Tonight you fell asleep mid-book but I finished reading The Cat in the Hat to you anyway, just relishing the time we have together & watching you sleep (and snore). You are so beautiful!
A big change this month? You are sleeping in your toddler bed! The first six/seven months of your life you coslept in the bed with us. We always said we would never do that. Then we met you and realized that's what you needed so we adjusted. Then you started sleeping on the couch. We couldn't leave you in your crib because you were strong so early that you'd just climb out. We converted you to a toddler bed & would find you every morning on the couch. You just woke up and moved to where you wanted to be.
We waited until you were ready for your bed. I am really glad we did. Growing up, my parents took a very authoritarian approach and bedtime was always filled with threats, etc. Recently, I noticed you'd been using your room as your room. You played in there more, realized all your clothes were there, checked your outfits out in the mirror in there, etc. A few weeks ago I started mentioning your bed as we played in your room and that one night soon you were going to sleep in it. Each time you would start to cry & I just said "Oh you don't have to do that now! Someday we will." After less than a week, when I said it was time for bed, you grabbed your blankies and headed for your room. I seized the opportunity, grabbed a bunch of books to read & it went great. Yes, you cry a little bit sometimes but you never really throw a big fit about it. You're cute. You'll turn your light on and come out & all I say gently is "It's time to go night night." and you run back to your bed. Other times, I'll just ignore you & you'll stay in the hallway for a few minutes, then whimper, turn your light off and go to bed. Thank you for being easy on something Grace! I honestly think we haven't yelled or had any traumatic moments about it because we waited until you were ready.
You are the toughest kid I know. You ran into an open kitchen drawer with your eye tonight & fussed for 2 minutes and it was done. I would have been upset for at least another hour! You are just so tough! You have incredible motor skills that allow you to dangerous balancing acts and not fall but when you do fall, you're never really injured. I'd say you're a tomboy but you love necklaces, finger nail polish, and dress up shoes too much. By the way, you've recently been using markers to color your finger nails & toe nails. I drew the line when you started coloring the bottoms of your feet though. When they get wet that washable marker starts coming off & there are little foot prints everywhere!
You are talking & understanding so much more now! I am totally impressed by you. Each day you say new words. I recently called a speech therapist I'm friends with & we talked about you for an hour. She agreed with me that you wouldn't qualify for speech now so there's no sense in taking you in for an evaluation. Go Grace! Of course, your new language skills make for some funny moments. Lately you follow me to the bathroom a lot and ask me "You poop?" Um...not right now but thanks for asking! When I get really upset about something and launch into a mommy lecture like "Stop pouring milk all over my floor!" you press your fingers to your lips and "Shush" me. It's sooooo funny and effective. I can't stay angry with this little person shushing me.
You still love to dance. My favorite was tonight. You kept putting your hands over your head and trying to spin in a circle--a very very fast circle. Poor thing, you'd lose your balance & fall down. You aren't one to give up though so I finally had to coax you into a new dance move to keep you from getting hurt.
You are starting to sing now that your language is coming. You love to figure out the words in songs. You can usually pinpoint the first and last words of a line. It's hilarious to hear you hit high notes because the squeaking is beyond adorable.
You pretend to be a puppy A LOT. You love licking our faces and we cringe and bear it because we love you and you are so cute. You'll grab my face, turn it & give it a big lick. When I go "eww!" you just laugh hysterically. We were having a hard time not running out and getting you a new puppy so we ended up buying you a FurReal dog that is a robotic dog. You think he's great & have taken him on car rides. I still see a real dog in your future but we're hoping to hold off a bit longer.
We built our first snowman together, me and you. It was a blast. We ended up building him 3 times because you would pat him down a lot--and he'd fall down. He also fell down when you hugged him. You are quite the hugger. You'll ask "You need a hug?" and we'll say "Hey! I need a hug!" you laugh, then run into our arms, giving us a kiss if we're lucky. Then you turn to the other one of us and wait for them to say "HEY! I need a hug, too!" You'll go back and forth at least a dozen times.
You and I do a lot together. We play ball and tonight you made up a game where I hold a small basket & use it to catch the ball you throw. You help me move the laundry from the washer to the dryer. I taught you to grunt and yell PULL evidently because you do that all the time now. We cook together, too. You would love to crack eggs but I've talked you into letting me crack them into a container and then you dump it into the batter. Your favorite foods right now are anything chocolate, pancakes, and of course, ice cream. With your daddy, you play playdoh, Moon Dough and train a bunch. You'll have a picnic with anyone willing.
You are the sweetest little girl I know. You brighten our days and I absolutely love it. I'm already dreading the day we don't get to spend as much time together. I hope someday we'll be best friends because you are awesome & I love having awesome friends. In the meantime, I'll have to be a bit mean to you as I stop you from eating dirty snow, make you wear gloves outside, refuse to let you put pudding in your hair, and make you change your dress after 3 days of wearing the same one. Thank you for being my little buddy and such a sweetheart.
Love you!
Momma
You are just awesome. I love love love being your mom, particularly now that you've turned 3. Somehow just before your birthday you become quite a handful and then after that you are much more fun again. It might be just the chaos of the holidays each year.
Every month you change so much! I just read you 10 books until you fell asleep. It seems you have caught on to giving me more and more books as a way to extend bedtime. That's okay. I'll just push your bedtime back to accomodate it. I never could understand parents who limit their kids to one, two or three books! Tonight you fell asleep mid-book but I finished reading The Cat in the Hat to you anyway, just relishing the time we have together & watching you sleep (and snore). You are so beautiful!
A big change this month? You are sleeping in your toddler bed! The first six/seven months of your life you coslept in the bed with us. We always said we would never do that. Then we met you and realized that's what you needed so we adjusted. Then you started sleeping on the couch. We couldn't leave you in your crib because you were strong so early that you'd just climb out. We converted you to a toddler bed & would find you every morning on the couch. You just woke up and moved to where you wanted to be.
We waited until you were ready for your bed. I am really glad we did. Growing up, my parents took a very authoritarian approach and bedtime was always filled with threats, etc. Recently, I noticed you'd been using your room as your room. You played in there more, realized all your clothes were there, checked your outfits out in the mirror in there, etc. A few weeks ago I started mentioning your bed as we played in your room and that one night soon you were going to sleep in it. Each time you would start to cry & I just said "Oh you don't have to do that now! Someday we will." After less than a week, when I said it was time for bed, you grabbed your blankies and headed for your room. I seized the opportunity, grabbed a bunch of books to read & it went great. Yes, you cry a little bit sometimes but you never really throw a big fit about it. You're cute. You'll turn your light on and come out & all I say gently is "It's time to go night night." and you run back to your bed. Other times, I'll just ignore you & you'll stay in the hallway for a few minutes, then whimper, turn your light off and go to bed. Thank you for being easy on something Grace! I honestly think we haven't yelled or had any traumatic moments about it because we waited until you were ready.
You are the toughest kid I know. You ran into an open kitchen drawer with your eye tonight & fussed for 2 minutes and it was done. I would have been upset for at least another hour! You are just so tough! You have incredible motor skills that allow you to dangerous balancing acts and not fall but when you do fall, you're never really injured. I'd say you're a tomboy but you love necklaces, finger nail polish, and dress up shoes too much. By the way, you've recently been using markers to color your finger nails & toe nails. I drew the line when you started coloring the bottoms of your feet though. When they get wet that washable marker starts coming off & there are little foot prints everywhere!
You are talking & understanding so much more now! I am totally impressed by you. Each day you say new words. I recently called a speech therapist I'm friends with & we talked about you for an hour. She agreed with me that you wouldn't qualify for speech now so there's no sense in taking you in for an evaluation. Go Grace! Of course, your new language skills make for some funny moments. Lately you follow me to the bathroom a lot and ask me "You poop?" Um...not right now but thanks for asking! When I get really upset about something and launch into a mommy lecture like "Stop pouring milk all over my floor!" you press your fingers to your lips and "Shush" me. It's sooooo funny and effective. I can't stay angry with this little person shushing me.
You still love to dance. My favorite was tonight. You kept putting your hands over your head and trying to spin in a circle--a very very fast circle. Poor thing, you'd lose your balance & fall down. You aren't one to give up though so I finally had to coax you into a new dance move to keep you from getting hurt.
You are starting to sing now that your language is coming. You love to figure out the words in songs. You can usually pinpoint the first and last words of a line. It's hilarious to hear you hit high notes because the squeaking is beyond adorable.
You pretend to be a puppy A LOT. You love licking our faces and we cringe and bear it because we love you and you are so cute. You'll grab my face, turn it & give it a big lick. When I go "eww!" you just laugh hysterically. We were having a hard time not running out and getting you a new puppy so we ended up buying you a FurReal dog that is a robotic dog. You think he's great & have taken him on car rides. I still see a real dog in your future but we're hoping to hold off a bit longer.
We built our first snowman together, me and you. It was a blast. We ended up building him 3 times because you would pat him down a lot--and he'd fall down. He also fell down when you hugged him. You are quite the hugger. You'll ask "You need a hug?" and we'll say "Hey! I need a hug!" you laugh, then run into our arms, giving us a kiss if we're lucky. Then you turn to the other one of us and wait for them to say "HEY! I need a hug, too!" You'll go back and forth at least a dozen times.
You and I do a lot together. We play ball and tonight you made up a game where I hold a small basket & use it to catch the ball you throw. You help me move the laundry from the washer to the dryer. I taught you to grunt and yell PULL evidently because you do that all the time now. We cook together, too. You would love to crack eggs but I've talked you into letting me crack them into a container and then you dump it into the batter. Your favorite foods right now are anything chocolate, pancakes, and of course, ice cream. With your daddy, you play playdoh, Moon Dough and train a bunch. You'll have a picnic with anyone willing.
You are the sweetest little girl I know. You brighten our days and I absolutely love it. I'm already dreading the day we don't get to spend as much time together. I hope someday we'll be best friends because you are awesome & I love having awesome friends. In the meantime, I'll have to be a bit mean to you as I stop you from eating dirty snow, make you wear gloves outside, refuse to let you put pudding in your hair, and make you change your dress after 3 days of wearing the same one. Thank you for being my little buddy and such a sweetheart.
Love you!
Momma
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)