Amy and I have been having just a wonderful time experiencing our little girls imagination. She has been playing a lot by herself and creating all sorts of wonderful memories for us to smile about. I hope the story below illustrates my point
So the other morning I was just waking up and trying to remember which direction the shower was when it became apparent that there was a nice conversation going on in the other room.
Please let me share it with you.
Keira
"Mamma, these are all of my kids."
"These are my sons, and these are my daughters."
Amy speaking now.
"Keira, where is the pappa?"
Keira
" Mamma, do you mean Mark?"
Amy
"Mark?"
Keira
"Mark, my husband."
Amy
"Um, yeah Mark, where is he?"
Keira
"Mamma, don't you remember, he went to be with Jesus."
Amy
"He went to be with Jesus?" " Do you miss him?"
Keira
"Umm, yeah. I do. He was nice."
So I am lying on the floor by now laughing, tears rolling down my face. Because it occurred to me that not only do my in-laws live with me but my WIDOWED 2 year old, with all of her children ( her stuffed animals) live with my two. I kept thinking that maybe I should receive some benefits from the state to support her. And why is that the Dad is the last to know when their daughters have boyfriends, let alone husbands. He was living under my roof and I didn't even know about it. I must be working too much.
What about Mark?
I don't remember what he look like. It was like he never existed. How old was he? Since at her age she is not allowed to date, let alone older boys, he must have been 2 or 3 at the most. What was it like for him to be married so young? What did his parent's think of all of this? Was I invited to the wedding? Did they elope? That is way to much for a 2 year old to carry around in his life.
Was this the reason Mark passed away? Was it the burden of raising all their children? Living under her parents roof? Having to share a room with someone who is a bossy morning person? Oh wait that will be the death of me not Mark...
And what about Keira?
Will she find another husband as good as Mark. Did he treat her nice? Did he take care of her? Bring her Popsicles and lollipops. ( Blue Rasberry?) Was he handsome? Did he look like me at all?
The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that she young, there will be plenty of opportunities for her to find another husband. I just hope she starts looking again when she turns....
35
By then her kids will have grown up and gone to college and on their own. No longer sponging of dear old Dad.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Fall stuff
I haven't quite got the hang of posting regularly. I know Dave and I doing this as much for a record of all those precious moments a parent gets to enjoy but seem to loose memory of over time as much as for friends or family to "see" Keira from a distance.
My cute thing is how much I have been enjoying just daily interactions with K. Of course, she is 2 and all the challenges that come with that. She is learning to do so much for herself like dress, turn on light switches, open doors all that kind of stuff and she can really fly off the handle if her little agenda is challenged by a mama in a rush. But in between helping her learn self control and negotiation skills and how to rest when she isn't sleepy I am getting a huge kick out of sharing her life. We were at Starbucks the other day waiting for some friends. Keira had to bring her purse in with her so I asked her what she was toting around inside it. She pulled out keys, a cell phone, a small pad and pencil, plastic fruit, a mirror and a "monkey George" toy. "That's all" she said. "Just stuff girls need" I observed to her that the things she packed in her bad looked a lot like what mom carries around in my purse. "Yep" she says casually. By now I am giggling. I did have to ask about the plastic fruit. "For snack mama". Makes sense. I always have a snack in my purse for myself and/or her. "What about monkey George?" I asked. "In case Peanut (what we are calling the baby in the belly for now) gets bored when she comes out and needs a toy to play with" Again, made sense, I often have a toy or 2 in my purse to entertain Miss Grace when life finds us in a place where I need her to sit still. Love this kid. By the end of our conversation I was not only entertained but fascinated at Keira's observations and imitations of me. Honored really.
I know parenting isn't for everyone, but I am so blessed and wouldn't miss it for the world.
My cute thing is how much I have been enjoying just daily interactions with K. Of course, she is 2 and all the challenges that come with that. She is learning to do so much for herself like dress, turn on light switches, open doors all that kind of stuff and she can really fly off the handle if her little agenda is challenged by a mama in a rush. But in between helping her learn self control and negotiation skills and how to rest when she isn't sleepy I am getting a huge kick out of sharing her life. We were at Starbucks the other day waiting for some friends. Keira had to bring her purse in with her so I asked her what she was toting around inside it. She pulled out keys, a cell phone, a small pad and pencil, plastic fruit, a mirror and a "monkey George" toy. "That's all" she said. "Just stuff girls need" I observed to her that the things she packed in her bad looked a lot like what mom carries around in my purse. "Yep" she says casually. By now I am giggling. I did have to ask about the plastic fruit. "For snack mama". Makes sense. I always have a snack in my purse for myself and/or her. "What about monkey George?" I asked. "In case Peanut (what we are calling the baby in the belly for now) gets bored when she comes out and needs a toy to play with" Again, made sense, I often have a toy or 2 in my purse to entertain Miss Grace when life finds us in a place where I need her to sit still. Love this kid. By the end of our conversation I was not only entertained but fascinated at Keira's observations and imitations of me. Honored really.
I know parenting isn't for everyone, but I am so blessed and wouldn't miss it for the world.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Another Day
I never realized just how big a leap it is for a child to understand the differences in time. I know that my child is smart and seems to have the ability to pick up concepts fairly quickly. I hope that common sense keeps growing as she get older. Please! Please!
Anyway, for a while now Amy and I have been using the timer on the Microwave as a means to initiate a change in tasking for K. What I mean is that we set the timer for 2 minutes and then when the timer goes off, is K knows that it is time for dinner, or bath, or nap. It seems to work very well for her. It has also worked in the sense that she has started to negoiate for more time on the clock. Yes, yes I know that I am real trouble.
For a while K has been saying things like, " When I am 5 Pappa, I can do..." But recently that has changed to "Pappa, I can do that Another Day?" "Another day I went to the Park and played on the Swing." "Another day, I will go to your work and ..."
It is amazing to me that she is seeing that fact that "Another day" means the present, the past and the future. The say context determines meaning, right? what do you do with a 2 year old that understands the context of the situation but is still learning the words to descirbe them. I know encourage her.
So she knows all of her letters, she knows all of her sounds. Recently she was in the car with her mama and Amy heard this from the backseat, " hhh ...oooo...ttttt" Mama that says "hot"
Is it wrong for me to dream that she will be reading by 3. Is that such a far off idea.
I do know that it will be "Another day"
Anyway, for a while now Amy and I have been using the timer on the Microwave as a means to initiate a change in tasking for K. What I mean is that we set the timer for 2 minutes and then when the timer goes off, is K knows that it is time for dinner, or bath, or nap. It seems to work very well for her. It has also worked in the sense that she has started to negoiate for more time on the clock. Yes, yes I know that I am real trouble.
For a while K has been saying things like, " When I am 5 Pappa, I can do..." But recently that has changed to "Pappa, I can do that Another Day?" "Another day I went to the Park and played on the Swing." "Another day, I will go to your work and ..."
It is amazing to me that she is seeing that fact that "Another day" means the present, the past and the future. The say context determines meaning, right? what do you do with a 2 year old that understands the context of the situation but is still learning the words to descirbe them. I know encourage her.
So she knows all of her letters, she knows all of her sounds. Recently she was in the car with her mama and Amy heard this from the backseat, " hhh ...oooo...ttttt" Mama that says "hot"
Is it wrong for me to dream that she will be reading by 3. Is that such a far off idea.
I do know that it will be "Another day"
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Toliet Trees?
It is so funny how little ones process the information around them. They take everything at face value. This morning I was making a shopping list and I asked Dave if he needed any toiletries. Keira looks at me and then back at Dave and says, with her brow furrowed, "Toilet Trees????" I didn't get what the question. I started to explain about shampoo and toothpaste and Dave says "Am, say is syllable at a time" I was just buzzin' through the morning and would have missed the joke entirely probably. Love my little girl and how much she helps me to slow down and appreciate life.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Lets Go Walking
The other day after dinner Keira asked if we could go outside. It was a cloudy day and even had rained in spots. But after I explained that she would have to wear her boots, she was all for it.
At first she didn't really want to leave the driveway, but when I told her that I was going to the mailbox, she quickly consented and the next thing I know, her hand reached up and grabbed a hold of two of my fingers.
WHen we got to the mailbox, I made a move to remove my hand from her grasp, she just strengthened her grip and said, " Lets keep walking Pappa." So we did.
Marching along the sidewalk, I kept thinking that at any moment she would want to turn around or worse that since we didn't have her stroller, that I would have to carry her back. But every step was with confidence. Every time she stopped at the end of the street to look for cars, and then proceed to cross the street, she walked like she knew what she was doing.
About half way to the "waterfall park" there is a hill. I thought for sure that this would be the point that I would start doing the carrying. But nope, she kept walking. I did laugh when she got to the middle of the hill and stopped and looked at me and said, " I need to catch my breath." Then proceeded to breath heavily for one or two breaths. (Thanks Nanny!) Then we continued.
She didn't even want to stop at the waterfall park. We kept right on walking. We were more than half way around the walk before she even realized that we didnt' have a stroller. She kept walking. I will say more than half way was enough of holding onto Papa's hand. But she kept walking. And she made it the whole way.
I am so proud of her. That is a big walk for me sometimes when Amy is speed racer mode. She talked to me the whole time and was very engaging. I am sure anyone driving by had to smile just by the smile on my own face. She said more than once " I like it when it is just you and me, Papa." Then she would say, " I like it when it is Mama, Papa, Smer, and Nanny and Granddad too." It is almost like she was working out how to say that she like walking with me but didn't want the rest of her family to feel any less important cause she was having a good time. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but she said it about 7 times on our walk.
And one final thought to any parent out there. Remember that your brains grow when you take your naps. Just ask Keira.
At first she didn't really want to leave the driveway, but when I told her that I was going to the mailbox, she quickly consented and the next thing I know, her hand reached up and grabbed a hold of two of my fingers.
WHen we got to the mailbox, I made a move to remove my hand from her grasp, she just strengthened her grip and said, " Lets keep walking Pappa." So we did.
Marching along the sidewalk, I kept thinking that at any moment she would want to turn around or worse that since we didn't have her stroller, that I would have to carry her back. But every step was with confidence. Every time she stopped at the end of the street to look for cars, and then proceed to cross the street, she walked like she knew what she was doing.
About half way to the "waterfall park" there is a hill. I thought for sure that this would be the point that I would start doing the carrying. But nope, she kept walking. I did laugh when she got to the middle of the hill and stopped and looked at me and said, " I need to catch my breath." Then proceeded to breath heavily for one or two breaths. (Thanks Nanny!) Then we continued.
She didn't even want to stop at the waterfall park. We kept right on walking. We were more than half way around the walk before she even realized that we didnt' have a stroller. She kept walking. I will say more than half way was enough of holding onto Papa's hand. But she kept walking. And she made it the whole way.
I am so proud of her. That is a big walk for me sometimes when Amy is speed racer mode. She talked to me the whole time and was very engaging. I am sure anyone driving by had to smile just by the smile on my own face. She said more than once " I like it when it is just you and me, Papa." Then she would say, " I like it when it is Mama, Papa, Smer, and Nanny and Granddad too." It is almost like she was working out how to say that she like walking with me but didn't want the rest of her family to feel any less important cause she was having a good time. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but she said it about 7 times on our walk.
And one final thought to any parent out there. Remember that your brains grow when you take your naps. Just ask Keira.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Wind Blows Me Silly
If I didn't have a calendar to reference I would be convinced that it is March up here in Washington and not June. It has been the coldest June on record so far. Rain, chill and even Spring like wind storms. Yesterday we were out and about in the blustery weather and Keira started running around in circles saying over and over "I am running in the sun!" and "The wind blows me silly" That last one had me cracking up. Where do they come up with this stuff? Here are some recent pictures.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Female and Males
First of all I didn't realize that it has been over a month since the last time I posted. I am not sure anyone is reading this but I really think I should codify these wonderful moments that we are having with Keira.
So yesterday she and I were in the kitchen and we were getting ready to make dinner. She was standing in her chair and eating the heads of of her animal cookies. Having a wonderful time at it I might add.
So I said "Keira, would you like a grilled cheese sandwich?" She looked at me and said "that would be a great idea, Pappa." She thought for a a moment and said," Pappa, I would like a grilled cheese sandwich. Would you like a boy cheese sandwich?"
Who knew sandwiches had a gender. Certainly not I.
So yesterday she and I were in the kitchen and we were getting ready to make dinner. She was standing in her chair and eating the heads of of her animal cookies. Having a wonderful time at it I might add.
So I said "Keira, would you like a grilled cheese sandwich?" She looked at me and said "that would be a great idea, Pappa." She thought for a a moment and said," Pappa, I would like a grilled cheese sandwich. Would you like a boy cheese sandwich?"
Who knew sandwiches had a gender. Certainly not I.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Belated Easter
Hi it's me. Since my parents have been real busy lately it became apparent that if I wanted my grandparents to have any pictures of how I looked on Easter I would have to compute and do it myself. This first one is me at the local park on Saturday. As you can see my momma dressed me in the latest fashion.. circa 1994 but hey until I can pull a shirt over my own head, I have to at least try to make her happy.
Grandma came over for a visit. We are waiting very patiently for Mama to come over with our eggs so that we can decorate them. Notice that grandma has adopted my perfect waiting technique.
Yep Easter Morning and now I am in a more appropriate dress. This is of course before I get my basket.
I just had to get away from all the fuss from the adults and really check out what I got in my basket. The bunny is nice but really how muck chocolate did I really get. I will have to remember just how much if it isn't to the standard set by the Two year Olds of America bureau. I might have to get my phone out and call them.
The weather broke so I got to go outside and look for eggs. I am so adorable. The eggs were easy to find as I had lots of help. THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED I don't know how I could have found all of the eggs. (Note: my parents say thanks to for we got all nine eggs and don't have to worry about the rotten egg smell any time soon)
Last picture. That is grandpa in the background. He loves me so.
Well I hope you enjoyed this little jot down Easter with me and my family.
Bye all. For Now.
K
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Keira turns 2
I thought I would take a little time out and tell you about Keira's second Birthday. It was supposed to be low key but alas we had a house full of people. I think Keira enjoyed every minute of it.
The highlight of the day for me was when she was sitting in the floor eating her blue cupcake. She was taking her finger and scraping the frosting off. When the frosting was done she looked up at her mom and said " Momma, my cupcake broke." I hope in twenty years she will find a boy that will eat the cake without the frosting like I do for Amy.
Enjoy the picts...
Chris gets the pleasure of reading to Keira. He joins the many that went before him that gave up hours of their time to help her with her vocabulary.
Kate and Keira sitting enjoying their cupcakes.
After a big day like today, all I need is my binkie, my blanket, a comfy chair and Veggie Tales.
Can you blame a girl =)
The highlight of the day for me was when she was sitting in the floor eating her blue cupcake. She was taking her finger and scraping the frosting off. When the frosting was done she looked up at her mom and said " Momma, my cupcake broke." I hope in twenty years she will find a boy that will eat the cake without the frosting like I do for Amy.Enjoy the picts...
Chris gets the pleasure of reading to Keira. He joins the many that went before him that gave up hours of their time to help her with her vocabulary.
Kate and Keira sitting enjoying their cupcakes.
After a big day like today, all I need is my binkie, my blanket, a comfy chair and Veggie Tales.
Can you blame a girl =)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Praise
Keira and I have been talking a lot lately about the concept of praise. We try and praise her for the good things she does, you know eating all of her green beans, not whining, asking to sit on the potty or remembering that back in October we went to Dave and Michelle's and they took us to the zoo to see the Lions.
She has taken to "praising" dog.
"Your a good dog Smer."
"I'm scratching Smer nice Pappa"
" I kissed him and he liked it Pappa."
This new behavior has started to branch out to other aspects of her life. This morning we were sitting on the edge of the tub( Kiera in my lap), and Amy was helping me clip my nails. ( Not that I can't do it myself but apparently I have a hard time doing it "correctly" so Amy had offered to help. ) When she was done we hear " Pappa, good job in letting Mamma cut your nails." I smiled and said "thank you." And as I put her down so I could stand up, we here " Mamma, you did a good job cutting Pappa's nails."
Is this nurture or nature? Or Both? I hope the latter.
She has taken to "praising" dog.
"Your a good dog Smer."
"I'm scratching Smer nice Pappa"
" I kissed him and he liked it Pappa."
This new behavior has started to branch out to other aspects of her life. This morning we were sitting on the edge of the tub( Kiera in my lap), and Amy was helping me clip my nails. ( Not that I can't do it myself but apparently I have a hard time doing it "correctly" so Amy had offered to help. ) When she was done we hear " Pappa, good job in letting Mamma cut your nails." I smiled and said "thank you." And as I put her down so I could stand up, we here " Mamma, you did a good job cutting Pappa's nails."
Is this nurture or nature? Or Both? I hope the latter.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Pappa'a Broke
We were in the mall the other day and it was time to go home. Keira and I were making our way back to Barnes and Nobles since that is where we parked. To get there we have to pass by the Baskin and Robins store. (Which by the way wants me to do a Google search on just who Baskin and Robbins were and why did they choose Ice Cream , but that is not he point of this post) As we pass by Keira looks up at me and asks " Pappa, can we get some Ice Cream?" I will say that in this case it was with her sweet, nice voice and not the whinny voice that makes Papa and Momma get Monster hands, so I looked in my pockets for money. I replied back to her, " I am sorry bug but I am broke, I don't have any money."
I hear back " That's okay Pappa, Momma will have money." And off we walked into B&N to read some books to Momma arrived.
Amy comes in while said reading was taking place and as soon as Keira sees her she pops out of my lap and says, " Momma, you have money?" Amy replies, " Yes, I have some money." But giving me a quizzical look.
Keira replies, " Momma, can we get some Ice Cream?" Amy replies, " Sure." laughing at request. and Keira continues, " Pappa's money broke."
To which both of us start laughing, Keira smiles knowing she made a funny and off we go to the Ice Cream store.
So if any of you out there are interested, Pappa's money is broke and needs fixing, anybody willing to help?
I hear back " That's okay Pappa, Momma will have money." And off we walked into B&N to read some books to Momma arrived.
Amy comes in while said reading was taking place and as soon as Keira sees her she pops out of my lap and says, " Momma, you have money?" Amy replies, " Yes, I have some money." But giving me a quizzical look.
Keira replies, " Momma, can we get some Ice Cream?" Amy replies, " Sure." laughing at request. and Keira continues, " Pappa's money broke."
To which both of us start laughing, Keira smiles knowing she made a funny and off we go to the Ice Cream store.
So if any of you out there are interested, Pappa's money is broke and needs fixing, anybody willing to help?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Too Smart!
First of all I would like to announce to any interested party ( you know who you are Grandparents!=) ) that there will be new pictures coming soon.
On Saturday,we sat down to dinner as a family and even though we had been home all day doing gardening and other pieces of house work, it was the first time that Amy and I had a chance to talk to each other. Apparently we hadn't included Keira in then conversation cause we heard " Guys, Stop talking" a couple of times in a row. Amy then turned to Keira and told her, " Keira, dinner time is the time we come together and share stories and talk about our day."
Keira thought about it for a few seconds and then responded " Oh, so how was your day?"
I have a funny feeling that we are only encouraging her to behave this way cause she had a great big grin on her face as she watched Amy and I laugh.
On Saturday,we sat down to dinner as a family and even though we had been home all day doing gardening and other pieces of house work, it was the first time that Amy and I had a chance to talk to each other. Apparently we hadn't included Keira in then conversation cause we heard " Guys, Stop talking" a couple of times in a row. Amy then turned to Keira and told her, " Keira, dinner time is the time we come together and share stories and talk about our day."
Keira thought about it for a few seconds and then responded " Oh, so how was your day?"
I have a funny feeling that we are only encouraging her to behave this way cause she had a great big grin on her face as she watched Amy and I laugh.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Do I?
Last night after we got home from dinner, Keira wanted to play for a few minutes before bedtime. She had been amazing the whole day so we said sure. We then asked her if she wanted to have a small snack before she went to bed.
This is the response.
" Uhmmm, Do I want some dried cherries?" "Do I?" "Yes I think I do." " Yes papa, that would be a good idea."
Okay so that would be number 3 thing that is me.
This is the response.
" Uhmmm, Do I want some dried cherries?" "Do I?" "Yes I think I do." " Yes papa, that would be a good idea."
Okay so that would be number 3 thing that is me.
What she doing?
Amy and I have been talking a lot lately of how Keira is looking outside her general suroundings to observe and comment about the world. An example:
Saturday she and I were going to the mall. It was mainly an excuse not to watch "Bob and Larry" and since it was still too cold to go to the park, I packed her up and off we went. We are driving and talking, mainly about where mama is and what we are going to do when we get to the mall. You know, the play area, the disney store, B&N so she can play with the trains, all the good stuff you can do at the mall.
We pulled up to a light, and I am waiting for her to start talking about the traffic light. "Red means stop, Yellow means slow down and Green means go!" Instead I got, "What's that all about?" I looked around the car and said " What's that?" I looked back and she was pointing to the car next to us and when I looked over there, a young woman was holding a cigarette. Keira then said, " What's she doing Papa?"
So in my head I am thinking about how do you explain what smoking is to an "almost 2 year old." I initially thought that I could just ignore it, but then I thought that maybe I could tell her and let her decide what to make of it. So I said, " She is smoking a cigarette." I hear from the back, " Hmm, she smoking Papa?" I replied, "Yes bug, but it isn't a good idea to smoke." " It isn't good for your body."
It is silent for a moment and then I hear, " She isn't being very nice to her body." The light turns green, the other car drives off and Keira and I go on our merry way.
Then yesterday we went out to dinner and we are enjoying our meal. Keira looks over to Amy and says " Mama, what was that girl doing out her window?" Totally out of the blue, so Amy was a little lost. I reminded Amy that this story was about going to the mall, and Amy asked" Was the lady smoking?" Keira replied, " Hmm, yes but she wasn't being very nice to her body."
What two year old does that sort of thing?
Saturday she and I were going to the mall. It was mainly an excuse not to watch "Bob and Larry" and since it was still too cold to go to the park, I packed her up and off we went. We are driving and talking, mainly about where mama is and what we are going to do when we get to the mall. You know, the play area, the disney store, B&N so she can play with the trains, all the good stuff you can do at the mall.
We pulled up to a light, and I am waiting for her to start talking about the traffic light. "Red means stop, Yellow means slow down and Green means go!" Instead I got, "What's that all about?" I looked around the car and said " What's that?" I looked back and she was pointing to the car next to us and when I looked over there, a young woman was holding a cigarette. Keira then said, " What's she doing Papa?"
So in my head I am thinking about how do you explain what smoking is to an "almost 2 year old." I initially thought that I could just ignore it, but then I thought that maybe I could tell her and let her decide what to make of it. So I said, " She is smoking a cigarette." I hear from the back, " Hmm, she smoking Papa?" I replied, "Yes bug, but it isn't a good idea to smoke." " It isn't good for your body."
It is silent for a moment and then I hear, " She isn't being very nice to her body." The light turns green, the other car drives off and Keira and I go on our merry way.
Then yesterday we went out to dinner and we are enjoying our meal. Keira looks over to Amy and says " Mama, what was that girl doing out her window?" Totally out of the blue, so Amy was a little lost. I reminded Amy that this story was about going to the mall, and Amy asked" Was the lady smoking?" Keira replied, " Hmm, yes but she wasn't being very nice to her body."
What two year old does that sort of thing?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
We woke up hungry
It seems like every morning there is something funny that comes from Miss Keira, but when I really think about it, ANY time we sit and give her our undivided attention she entertains us. Hmmmm, maybe we should do that even more. Anyway, this morning she was being very silly. I called her a fruit loop (she has never been introduced to a box of fruit loops). Response: "Mama, I'm not a fruit roll-up" (Eats these on occasion and they are a fav). Not that funny, but cute. Not a minute later Dave said she was a human tornado. Response: "Papa, I'm not a tomato!" We all melted into giggles when I told Dave she must be hungry this morning with all the fruit roll-ups and tomatoes on the brain.
Oh! One other little story this morning before I go. We were drawing a day or two ago and Keira kept asking me to "write it." But I was not sure what she was asking me to write. I FINALLY figured out she was saying when she said, "my name! M O H E A D" My child knows how to (mis)spell her last name already. =)
Call us when you have a moment to chatch up. Keira is great at phone conversations.
Oh! One other little story this morning before I go. We were drawing a day or two ago and Keira kept asking me to "write it." But I was not sure what she was asking me to write. I FINALLY figured out she was saying when she said, "my name! M O H E A D" My child knows how to (mis)spell her last name already. =)
Call us when you have a moment to chatch up. Keira is great at phone conversations.
Friday, February 22, 2008
A Conversation
Yesterday our daycare provider asked if it would okay to bring Keira to her house instead of where we normally take her. While not a problem at all, it tends to add about 15 minutes to our commute home in the evenings. What it really means is a 15 minute commute is now 30. Pshaw you say 30 minutes is nothing, but for anyone of you out there that has a child like mine, the extra 15 minutes can either be incredible or miserable.
I was fortunate to have the former yesterday. It was one of the few times that when in the car Keira didn't ask for her music to be on. So she was talking to me and I was talking to her. It was a very pleasant conversation I must say. We got on the subject of animals and more specifically the names of the dogs and cats of our friends. She threw out Hana and Derby and Gillie, with out too much effort and when we got to Nick and Andi's dog Tango, I casually mentioned that they had cats to.
To which I heard, " Papa, what are their names(the cats)?"
I responded " I don't know their names."
The reply " Maybe Mama knows, I'll ask her."
That was the end of that conversation and we went on to other things she wanted to talk about. But I will say she has been, when one parent doesn't know the answer, going to the other to see if they do. But this isn't the point of this story. Let me continue.
We keep driving and talking about other things. About 20 minutes have passed since the first conversation about N&A's cats when my phone rings. I answer ( this isn't the place to have a lecture about talking on the phone while driving) and it is Amy asking about how Keira's day went. These conversations are usually very short and as I am about to hang up I hear from the back Keira asking to talk to Mama. So I hand her the phone and this is what I hear. ( Mind you I can't hear Amy's responses)
" Mama, what are the names of Nick and Andi's kitty's?"
" No Mama, What are the names of Nick and Andi kitty's"
I look in the rear view mirror at this point cause I have stopped laughing, and see this very frustrated look on my daughters face. She then gives up and I hear.
"Thank you mama. I love you too."
Then she hangs up the phone. I look back at her and she says " Mama didn't know." She then hands me back the phone and we continue on to the house.
It turns out that Amy didn't understand anything she was asking and that was the cause of the frustration.
I can't remember what I did 20 minutes ago, and my daughter is asking my wife about the name of cats she has never met before.
While I am not tyring to keep score, cause I will definitely lose, but Cowlick and Steel Trap are mine. The rest is Amy.
I was fortunate to have the former yesterday. It was one of the few times that when in the car Keira didn't ask for her music to be on. So she was talking to me and I was talking to her. It was a very pleasant conversation I must say. We got on the subject of animals and more specifically the names of the dogs and cats of our friends. She threw out Hana and Derby and Gillie, with out too much effort and when we got to Nick and Andi's dog Tango, I casually mentioned that they had cats to.
To which I heard, " Papa, what are their names(the cats)?"
I responded " I don't know their names."
The reply " Maybe Mama knows, I'll ask her."
That was the end of that conversation and we went on to other things she wanted to talk about. But I will say she has been, when one parent doesn't know the answer, going to the other to see if they do. But this isn't the point of this story. Let me continue.
We keep driving and talking about other things. About 20 minutes have passed since the first conversation about N&A's cats when my phone rings. I answer ( this isn't the place to have a lecture about talking on the phone while driving) and it is Amy asking about how Keira's day went. These conversations are usually very short and as I am about to hang up I hear from the back Keira asking to talk to Mama. So I hand her the phone and this is what I hear. ( Mind you I can't hear Amy's responses)
" Mama, what are the names of Nick and Andi's kitty's?"
" No Mama, What are the names of Nick and Andi kitty's"
I look in the rear view mirror at this point cause I have stopped laughing, and see this very frustrated look on my daughters face. She then gives up and I hear.
"Thank you mama. I love you too."
Then she hangs up the phone. I look back at her and she says " Mama didn't know." She then hands me back the phone and we continue on to the house.
It turns out that Amy didn't understand anything she was asking and that was the cause of the frustration.
I can't remember what I did 20 minutes ago, and my daughter is asking my wife about the name of cats she has never met before.
While I am not tyring to keep score, cause I will definitely lose, but Cowlick and Steel Trap are mine. The rest is Amy.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Insert Title here
A snow day! Two bundlebugs, Kate and Keira. And after all that playing in the snow we had a nice warm tea party.
Ice Skating
These are my two favorite pictures from the Holidays. Why you may ask? Well if it isn't obvious to anyone the first one is as Keira tells us all the time " I am not a baby, I am a toddler two step." Plus I can totally see Amy in the picture. I get a very good idea of what it must have been like for Debbie and Marvin, and having this little person doing amazing things when Amy was Keira's age.
Well the second is simple because it contains my two most favorite people in the whole world. The may not ever realize just how proud I am of the two of them and how much I enjoy watching the two of them interact with each other. I spend a lot of my time smiling cause they are both in my world.
So what are they doing, well the first one is waiting for Papa so they could go ice skating and the second is taking a break from ice skating. (Notice the cool skates on Keira's "Hikees")
I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thank You Papa
For those of you that don't know already, Keira has the same routine every night when she goes to bed. We have a small snack, play for "five minutes" and then go upstairs and put on PJ's and brush our teeth. After that we have her crawl into her "big girl" bed and that is when the fun starts.
First of all she is still at that age that when it is time to crawl into bed she does. She may try to negotiate a book reading or two but she will lie down and snuggle in with her blanket and pillow-- lest I forget the 11 animals that now sleep with her to "protect her." We say prayers and then sing her two songs, Jesus loves me and Rock a Bye. She then asks us if we are going to be downstairs where the TV is and that usually has been good enough for her.
But lately, she has upped the ante. She has taken to thanking us for the things she did that day. Things like yesterday, "thank you for going to church with me Papa." Or " thank you for having Ice cream with me at the mall, Papa" I hope Amy isn't jealous of it always being Papa at the end, but I know she too is thankful for going for ice cream at the mall with her family.
All that to say that it makes me smile a lot these days to hear my daugther say "thank you." It is spontaneous, it is for the good things that happen in her life, it is because I think she lives in a home that appreciates each other when we say thank you an please.
One last thing, Keira and I were walking down the stairs on Saturday morning and we got about 2 stairs down when she stopped and said " Please papa, pick me up." To which I turned and lifted her into my arms. We got about 2 more steps down when she looked at me and said " Papa, that was not my whinny voice, but my nice voice." I started to laugh. And she replied, " I made papa laugh." Yes, yes she did. And I am still smiling.
First of all she is still at that age that when it is time to crawl into bed she does. She may try to negotiate a book reading or two but she will lie down and snuggle in with her blanket and pillow-- lest I forget the 11 animals that now sleep with her to "protect her." We say prayers and then sing her two songs, Jesus loves me and Rock a Bye. She then asks us if we are going to be downstairs where the TV is and that usually has been good enough for her.
But lately, she has upped the ante. She has taken to thanking us for the things she did that day. Things like yesterday, "thank you for going to church with me Papa." Or " thank you for having Ice cream with me at the mall, Papa" I hope Amy isn't jealous of it always being Papa at the end, but I know she too is thankful for going for ice cream at the mall with her family.
All that to say that it makes me smile a lot these days to hear my daugther say "thank you." It is spontaneous, it is for the good things that happen in her life, it is because I think she lives in a home that appreciates each other when we say thank you an please.
One last thing, Keira and I were walking down the stairs on Saturday morning and we got about 2 stairs down when she stopped and said " Please papa, pick me up." To which I turned and lifted her into my arms. We got about 2 more steps down when she looked at me and said " Papa, that was not my whinny voice, but my nice voice." I started to laugh. And she replied, " I made papa laugh." Yes, yes she did. And I am still smiling.
Your choice
In the mornings when Keira wakes we bring her into our bed for some family cuddle time. This morning she wanted Dave to come downstairs with her and he was not quite ready to get out of bed. I told her that she could go downstairs with me or she could stay upstairs with her papa and cuddle in bed. Well, I guess I have told her one too many times "These are your choices you can A or B." Usually when I am trying to get her to do something and she has other ideas (example: "You can wear the blue or pink pants. Those are your choices" when we are trying to get dressed and out the door). Back to this morning...she looked at Dave and said "Downstairs with Papa, that is my choice." She picks up everything and then sends it back to us! Boy are we in for it.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Friday Fun with My Girl
Today is Friday. I don't work on Fridays so Keira and I get to hang out. She amazed me more times than I can count today, so instead of bragging about her dazzling communication and interpersonal skills I will tell you a funny from dinnertime.
Keira had a plate of assorted vegetable matter in front of her. She generally likes her veggies, but today there was also garlicy cheese toast and that was all that was making it down her hatch. She asked for more cheese toast and I told her that she had to eat all the remaining veggies on her plate. My exact words were "your plate has to be empty before you can have more cheese toast". And the girl outsmarted me again. She promptly dumped the contents of said plate onto her placemat and said with all sincerity "Mama, my plate is empty". What is a mom to do!
Happy weekend to friends and family. We love you.
Keira had a plate of assorted vegetable matter in front of her. She generally likes her veggies, but today there was also garlicy cheese toast and that was all that was making it down her hatch. She asked for more cheese toast and I told her that she had to eat all the remaining veggies on her plate. My exact words were "your plate has to be empty before you can have more cheese toast". And the girl outsmarted me again. She promptly dumped the contents of said plate onto her placemat and said with all sincerity "Mama, my plate is empty". What is a mom to do!
Happy weekend to friends and family. We love you.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Getting a HairCut
So Keira got her haircut. We are so amazed that she responds so well when we tell her the truth about the "adventure" she is going to have. Amy talked to her about what was going to happen, and then she sat by and watch as Keira got her haircut.Lorie was so wonderful! Keira and Lorie's daughter Leah get to play together all the time I am sure that Keira helped as she was able to relax.
But the best part, the thing that blew me away about the whole experience was when I got home the first thing my daughter asked me was " Pappa do you like my haircut?" It was amazing that this little girl who isn't even two yet was asking me how she looked. Boy am I in trouble!
A little late but now we start
So my wife and I were talking the other day about the fact that we needed to start to catalog all the things that we had been experiencing with our daughter. I thought about it for a while, and cause she mentioned that we probably need to start a blog, so here it is.
We are proud parents. We want to celebrate the little things that she is and does. We want to give those who can't experience her in person the ability to hear our stories about Keira and allow those who might want to peek into our family as we learn what it truley means to be a family.
I hope that this is a place that someday, that Keira will come and launch her own thoughts and feelings for you to share with her. I say someday, because Amy made the mistake of saying that when she was older (which Keira translated to 5) that she would be able to put the Veggie Tale DVD into the player. We are begining to believe that she thinks 5 is a lot closer than we do. She is already "computing" to find her recipes. I am sure she will have the surround sound figured out by the time she is 2.
And so it begins...
We are proud parents. We want to celebrate the little things that she is and does. We want to give those who can't experience her in person the ability to hear our stories about Keira and allow those who might want to peek into our family as we learn what it truley means to be a family.
I hope that this is a place that someday, that Keira will come and launch her own thoughts and feelings for you to share with her. I say someday, because Amy made the mistake of saying that when she was older (which Keira translated to 5) that she would be able to put the Veggie Tale DVD into the player. We are begining to believe that she thinks 5 is a lot closer than we do. She is already "computing" to find her recipes. I am sure she will have the surround sound figured out by the time she is 2.
And so it begins...
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