I have made an executive decision... har har... I have not been a good blogger. I originally thought of doing this blog to keep friends and family informed of craftiness and Anna's hilariousness. But I am not the best at sitting down to blog after a long night at work, long day with Anna, etc. I usually just want to clean house or organize something (therapeutic) or squeeze in a craft (also therapeutic). And most nights, I want to fall asleep with my girl, snuggled in, and prepare for what tomorrow brings. I have read many blogs where the Momma writes a monthly letter to her child. I
love that. Always have. I just regret that I didnt' start it sooner than now. But better late than never! And maybe I can figure out the blogger app on my phone and do it more often. And if anyone really reads these, God bless:) I really just want to document these years with my girl. So here goes...
Dear Anna,
I'm not going to dwell on how much time has passed before I got around to writing you letters. Let's see, today you are 2 years, 9 months and 21 days old. Dang. I feel so fortuate that I can remember so much of these past two years. So many details. Thankfully, your Gummi keeps a daily journal. And I'm sure she remembers stories that I don't. But we have so many good stories already, you and I.
From day one of trying to get preggo (or even thinking about it), I knew I wanted a girl. I know, I know... everyone says that they don't care if it's a boy or a girl, they just want a healthy baby. That was true for me too. But deep down, I knew that I was meant to have a girl. A mini-me. One who was just the right mix of frilly and tomboy. And my girl, that's what we got.
You love bugs. Your second birthday was bug themed. Now, some of the love has faded and you resort to smashing them with your shoes (junebugs, mostly). But you have never been scared of them. Always peering in for a closer look. Doing that silly looking half squat/half bend over maneuver that defies all laws of gravity and balance. We spend countless hours looking for rolly-pollies.
You are loving your shoes. Just this week, you really started getting into putting your own shoes on. Socks are still a challenge but you don't get pissed. I watched you for several minutes today try to put your socks on before you asked me for help. Yesterday, we ran to the grocery store and I asked you to get your shoes. In the past, this has meant slipping on your Crocs (a favorite). But that day, your brought me your velcro light up shoes. I suggested you needed socks so your feet wouldn't get sweaty. "Oh yeah," you said. And brought me back a pair of red Elmo socks to go with your pink shoes and your orange dress. You were so proud of yourself. And I was too.
Potty training has been conquered this week (*knock on wood*). You've been interested in your musical kiddy potty for months, off and on. But something clicked last week and you've been great at peeing in the potty since Saturday. In fact, you don't even want to use the kiddy potty for peeing now, preferring instead to use it as a step stool for the big potty. Pooping, not so much. Still working on that. In fact, I am still stuck for what to so for school tomorrow. I am so proud. While using the kiddy potty, for encouragement, I made a sticker chart to use. You took to the idea great But the best part was when the potty would play music and I would gasp and cover my mouth with my hands and be crazy excited and say, "ANNA! I am so proud of you!!" You soon began to follow suit and do it the same time I did, telling me, "I'm so proud!" You are so funny!
Dogs days of summer... so many memories already this summer. The water park where you looove the wave pool. Inching out further and further, willing the waves to knock you down. And laughing hysterically when they did. Wanting to go on the big slides (definately your Daddy in you). You have such a craving for adventure and adrenaline. You are such a brave little girl. You jumped off a diving board last weekend (with a little help gfrom Gigi). Of course, someone was there to catch you (with your lifejacket on) but girl, you wanted more and more! You learned how to "swim"... with the lifejacket on. You really did very well... you were able to kick and paddle your way around the pool. I'm not so sure you would even sink without the life jacket! You play in the sprinkler almost nightly. Naked, of course. You like it in one particular spot, at a particular height. Very specific. And you play for nearly an hour. Until you are getting worn out and I'm afraid you will start tripping over yourself. So we head inside, maybe take a bath (where you practice swimming some more), brush teeth (you think it's hilarious that I am trying to tickle your teeth) and snuggle in your big girl bed. You have had it for three weeks now and made the transition just fine. I can't remember the last time you got in mine and Daddy's bed with us (I guess you nees your space). But you love for me to get in your bed with you. Sometimes we read. The Three Little Bears is a favorite. So is He Bear, She Bear. And Goodnight, Moon. Books that rhyme settle you down most of all. Or we will watch (some of) a movie. We have been on a Scooby Doo run for
months. Many months. But recently, Shrek has been welcome too. Tonight you fell asleep watching an old Baby Eintstein video. Goofball. I love watching you as you snuggle down, your blanket has to be just so so, no wrinkles. We say our prayers. I love your hugs that you give so much more often now. The way you tell me you love me. My heart swells up. I will never tire of you being this little. You make me so incredibly happy, my mini me.
Love,
Momma
(at the lake in June 2011)
