Dani's official birthday is today. We moved the family party back so that my parents could attend, however, we wanted to recognize her big day in some fashion today.
When I got home, she was happy as could be, running around playing with me, Grandma, and Jack. I made her favorite, macaroni and cheese which she happiliy shoveled in by the fistful. We then got a cupcake with pink icing and sang to her. Jack had eaten half of his cupcake by the time we finished singing. Cupcakes are Jack's thing right now. In fact, he has had them for so many birthday celebrations already that he thinks that birthdays and cupcakes are a package deal. We didn't light the candle because we know our girl too well. She grabbed at the cupcake, curious about the strange sensation at her fingertips. A few seconds later, she put one of her pink fingers into her mouth for a taste. She had a bite but wasn't completely into it. Mostly, I think she was full from her huge dinner. Even though she didn't eat much, she had no problem getting frosting all over her face and in her hair.
We headed up for a quick bath before opening presents, an Elmo doll she had picked out a couple of days earlier and an electronic book from Grandma. All and all a good first mini party to get her prepped for the big one in December.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
To Dani at 1
Dear Dani,
It's hard to believe you are already 1! It's just simply hard to fathom what life was like without you. Granted, things were a little less hectic but that just comes with having two kids and I wouldn't change a second of this craziness for anything in the world. I remember being so scared leading up to your arrival. I knew I wanted to have another baby but I was just scared. Scared of two, which was so foreign to me as an only child. Fear that Jack wouldn't take well to you. Fear that I wouldn't know what to do to juggle everything. Fear that I couldn't possibly love two children so much without exploding. Then you arrived on the scene, all 9 lbs 7 oz. of you and erased all fears I ever had.
You got off to a rough start, with your milk allergy. I felt horrible not being able to help you and so relieved when we found a way to relieve your pain. As you grew, I watched this helpless little baby turn into a strong, determined, happy little girl. Every day you amaze me and I find new things to love about you. Here are some of my favorites:
Your smile: Your smile lights up your whole face. It is impossible not to smile when you see your grinning face. You started smiling early and once you figured it out, it didn't stop. It is so easy to make you smile. It took you a little longer to laugh. You now do it quite readily, especially around your brother, who you adore. My favorite is when you are walking fast/running away excitedly while being chased. You break into this laughter that affects your stride and it usually ends in you catching your balance on the nearest piece of furniture or falling to the floor.
Your eyes: When your eyes stayed blue well past the point that Jack's turned, we had a little hope that you might get a color other than brown. Seeing as Daddy is Hispanic, we didn't REALLY think it would last, but I was thinking maybe you'd get green. Yet they stayed a definite blue. You got your Nonny's eyes. And they are beautiful. But even more beautiful than the color is how big and lively they are.
Your babbling: You are a talker. So far, you have "bah-bah" (bye-bye), "mo! mo!" (more, while signing the word), and "baw" (ball) down. "Elmo" is just around the corner, especially after your new birthday gift. You also have an amazing ear for sounds. From an early age (as though you are "old" now) you repeated different things. Mostly just "ma", "ba", "da", and "na" but you have now added "la" and eeeee sounds. You repeat well and LOVE to repeat Jack, who loves teaching you! You also make less desirable sounds like screeching, earning you the nickname "Squawky".
Your face: Or rather, more specifically, your nose, the way it scrunches up when you are extra excited or happy. It's actually not a terribly attractive face that you make but I just love it.
Your spunkiness: You are a lively girl. Since you started moving, you haven't stopped. You love to move, explore and see new things. You are completely outgoing and constantly crave social contact. "Stranger Danger" is not a term that is on your radar. You want to be with people at all times and reach out to strangers. Now, I don't exactly LIKE this trait (at least I know it is something we will need to work on in the future if it remains this way.) You really don't like to be left alone for any amount of time, unless you are watching Bubble Guppies. In that case you are pretty much hypnotized.
Your determination/opinions: When you decide to do something, you do it. Or you get EXTREMELY mad if you aren't allowed to. You crawled and walked early because you decided that that was what you want and needed to do. The mad part isn't completely fun but I think I can safely say that you probably won't be the girl who, when asked what you want to do says, "Gee, I don't know, what do you want to do?" You aren't shy about letting anyone know just how you feel. When you get really mad, you start to cry angrily and flap your arms up and down. Sometimes you lay on the floor, giving us a glimpse of the tantrums to come! It's hard to get mad or frustrated sometimes because it's so funny to see this little girl expressing (with her limited expression resources) her displeasure. The funniest example was at the doctor's when you got your flu shot. For the first shot, you didn't even cry. However, when you got the second a month later, you definitely changed your mind about it--and the nurse who administered it! I watched your little face go from peaceful and happy to bright pink. You not only were sad, it was as though you were personally offended that someone would do that to you. You started to cry and then looked at the nurse and screamed louder, almost accusingly. When I picked you up, your head was on a swivel, scanning the room for the offending nurse, screaming more loudly at her when you found her.
Put simply, there really isn't a list long enough for all that I love and adore about you. I am so glad that I have a little girl and so happy that that girl is sweet, spunky, strong-willed, perfect you. You are so full of life. I love coming home from work to be greeted by your huge, beautiful smile and you walking, excitedly into my arms for a hug. I love when you reach out for me yet I love your independence. I love how joy just bursts from you and how that joy is instantly contagious. You've certainly brought so much joy into my life in just this first year. I don't know what I did to be so lucky but I am sure grateful that I am your mom. I love you, Dani. Happy birthday.
Love, Mommy
It's hard to believe you are already 1! It's just simply hard to fathom what life was like without you. Granted, things were a little less hectic but that just comes with having two kids and I wouldn't change a second of this craziness for anything in the world. I remember being so scared leading up to your arrival. I knew I wanted to have another baby but I was just scared. Scared of two, which was so foreign to me as an only child. Fear that Jack wouldn't take well to you. Fear that I wouldn't know what to do to juggle everything. Fear that I couldn't possibly love two children so much without exploding. Then you arrived on the scene, all 9 lbs 7 oz. of you and erased all fears I ever had.
You got off to a rough start, with your milk allergy. I felt horrible not being able to help you and so relieved when we found a way to relieve your pain. As you grew, I watched this helpless little baby turn into a strong, determined, happy little girl. Every day you amaze me and I find new things to love about you. Here are some of my favorites:
Your smile: Your smile lights up your whole face. It is impossible not to smile when you see your grinning face. You started smiling early and once you figured it out, it didn't stop. It is so easy to make you smile. It took you a little longer to laugh. You now do it quite readily, especially around your brother, who you adore. My favorite is when you are walking fast/running away excitedly while being chased. You break into this laughter that affects your stride and it usually ends in you catching your balance on the nearest piece of furniture or falling to the floor.
Your eyes: When your eyes stayed blue well past the point that Jack's turned, we had a little hope that you might get a color other than brown. Seeing as Daddy is Hispanic, we didn't REALLY think it would last, but I was thinking maybe you'd get green. Yet they stayed a definite blue. You got your Nonny's eyes. And they are beautiful. But even more beautiful than the color is how big and lively they are.
Your babbling: You are a talker. So far, you have "bah-bah" (bye-bye), "mo! mo!" (more, while signing the word), and "baw" (ball) down. "Elmo" is just around the corner, especially after your new birthday gift. You also have an amazing ear for sounds. From an early age (as though you are "old" now) you repeated different things. Mostly just "ma", "ba", "da", and "na" but you have now added "la" and eeeee sounds. You repeat well and LOVE to repeat Jack, who loves teaching you! You also make less desirable sounds like screeching, earning you the nickname "Squawky".
Your face: Or rather, more specifically, your nose, the way it scrunches up when you are extra excited or happy. It's actually not a terribly attractive face that you make but I just love it.
Your spunkiness: You are a lively girl. Since you started moving, you haven't stopped. You love to move, explore and see new things. You are completely outgoing and constantly crave social contact. "Stranger Danger" is not a term that is on your radar. You want to be with people at all times and reach out to strangers. Now, I don't exactly LIKE this trait (at least I know it is something we will need to work on in the future if it remains this way.) You really don't like to be left alone for any amount of time, unless you are watching Bubble Guppies. In that case you are pretty much hypnotized.
Your determination/opinions: When you decide to do something, you do it. Or you get EXTREMELY mad if you aren't allowed to. You crawled and walked early because you decided that that was what you want and needed to do. The mad part isn't completely fun but I think I can safely say that you probably won't be the girl who, when asked what you want to do says, "Gee, I don't know, what do you want to do?" You aren't shy about letting anyone know just how you feel. When you get really mad, you start to cry angrily and flap your arms up and down. Sometimes you lay on the floor, giving us a glimpse of the tantrums to come! It's hard to get mad or frustrated sometimes because it's so funny to see this little girl expressing (with her limited expression resources) her displeasure. The funniest example was at the doctor's when you got your flu shot. For the first shot, you didn't even cry. However, when you got the second a month later, you definitely changed your mind about it--and the nurse who administered it! I watched your little face go from peaceful and happy to bright pink. You not only were sad, it was as though you were personally offended that someone would do that to you. You started to cry and then looked at the nurse and screamed louder, almost accusingly. When I picked you up, your head was on a swivel, scanning the room for the offending nurse, screaming more loudly at her when you found her.
Put simply, there really isn't a list long enough for all that I love and adore about you. I am so glad that I have a little girl and so happy that that girl is sweet, spunky, strong-willed, perfect you. You are so full of life. I love coming home from work to be greeted by your huge, beautiful smile and you walking, excitedly into my arms for a hug. I love when you reach out for me yet I love your independence. I love how joy just bursts from you and how that joy is instantly contagious. You've certainly brought so much joy into my life in just this first year. I don't know what I did to be so lucky but I am sure grateful that I am your mom. I love you, Dani. Happy birthday.
Love, Mommy
Monday, November 28, 2011
Little GPS
It seems that Jack has inherited his father's fantastic sense of direction. Today we were headed to Buy Buy Baby to pick up a birthday present for Dani. The route we took was the same route we take to go to Monkey Joes, which we haven't been to in months. As we were driving, Jack told me, "We gonna go to Monkey Joes." I replied, "No, not today, buddy." He then said, "We gonna go to different store."
Bad Doggie
We went to our friends' house for the Bears game on Sunday. They have a big dog who gets really excited about new people. Jack was a bit overwhelmed by the dog once he started barking pretty close to Jack and jumping up and down. Tears started filling his little eyes as he tried to hold it back. This happened twice. We had a great time with our friends and Jack made a new friend in their son. We pretty much forgot all about the dog.
After the game, we loaded the kids up in the car and headed home. About five minutes into the car ride, Jack declared, "I don't want a dog." Apparently he had been thinking of this for some time. Jack loves my parents' dog and I reminded him, "Well, what about Wiley?" He thought for a minute and said, "Wiley is better."
After the game, we loaded the kids up in the car and headed home. About five minutes into the car ride, Jack declared, "I don't want a dog." Apparently he had been thinking of this for some time. Jack loves my parents' dog and I reminded him, "Well, what about Wiley?" He thought for a minute and said, "Wiley is better."
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Kid stuff
Today I took Jack and Dani to Target. As I turn into the parking lot, I realize I am behind this complete idiot who has know idea what she is doing or where she is going. So I yell out, "Come ON! What are you DOING!" Then I hear this little voice from the backseat say, "Ummm....I'm sitting in da seat."
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When Jack wants the attention that Dani is getting, he starts to throw things because he knows he will get yelled at and figures that any attention is better than none. Today he picked up a rather heavy toy. I tried to stop him by saying, "Jack, you throw that and you get a Time Out." He looked at me, purposely dropped it on the floor and said, "I dropped it. See?"
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Our Dani girl is almost one--so hard to believe. She is such a happy little delight. She is babbling like crazy and Jack is enjoying telling her what to say. And she is happy to always oblige her brother, who she adores. It seems that, for the most part, the feeling is mutual. She is walking like a crazy woman and just today started dancing, which is basically her bouncing up and down on her legs and yelling.
--------------------
The other day Jack was getting up from his nap. I heard him start to stir and went upstairs to get him. When I opened the door, he popped up, jumped out of bed and declared, "I'm outta here!"
--------------------
I have managed to work the word "ueber" into Jack's working vocabulary. Tonight, after Dani ate something random off of the floor for the umpteenth time (I swear she's part goat. And I'm Mother of the Year.), Jack declared, "Dat's ueber, ueber yucky." Next up: Schadenfreude.
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Today Jack was working on perfecting his Lego tower. He would build it, then happily knock it down and start over again. In the middle of a re-build, Dani swooped in and snatched a piece of the tower. Jack bent down, ripped it out of her hand and said, "Are you kidding me, Dani?!?!?"
--------------------
Dani is a girl who knows what she wants. When she objects, which she does often (and does every time after hearing the word, "No.") she cries or yells. Yesterday she went for a toy. Jack saw what she was doing and beat her to it, even though he had no interest in playing with the toy until it was Dani's idea. Dani yelled, then screamed. Then started flapping her arms and smacked him. I really think Jack better get all his teasing and abuse in now. I don't think he's going to have the upper hand for long. My prediction is that, when it's all said and done, she makes him cry more than he makes her cry.
--------------------
When Jack wants the attention that Dani is getting, he starts to throw things because he knows he will get yelled at and figures that any attention is better than none. Today he picked up a rather heavy toy. I tried to stop him by saying, "Jack, you throw that and you get a Time Out." He looked at me, purposely dropped it on the floor and said, "I dropped it. See?"
--------------------
Our Dani girl is almost one--so hard to believe. She is such a happy little delight. She is babbling like crazy and Jack is enjoying telling her what to say. And she is happy to always oblige her brother, who she adores. It seems that, for the most part, the feeling is mutual. She is walking like a crazy woman and just today started dancing, which is basically her bouncing up and down on her legs and yelling.
--------------------
The other day Jack was getting up from his nap. I heard him start to stir and went upstairs to get him. When I opened the door, he popped up, jumped out of bed and declared, "I'm outta here!"
--------------------
I have managed to work the word "ueber" into Jack's working vocabulary. Tonight, after Dani ate something random off of the floor for the umpteenth time (I swear she's part goat. And I'm Mother of the Year.), Jack declared, "Dat's ueber, ueber yucky." Next up: Schadenfreude.
--------------------
Today Jack was working on perfecting his Lego tower. He would build it, then happily knock it down and start over again. In the middle of a re-build, Dani swooped in and snatched a piece of the tower. Jack bent down, ripped it out of her hand and said, "Are you kidding me, Dani?!?!?"
--------------------
Dani is a girl who knows what she wants. When she objects, which she does often (and does every time after hearing the word, "No.") she cries or yells. Yesterday she went for a toy. Jack saw what she was doing and beat her to it, even though he had no interest in playing with the toy until it was Dani's idea. Dani yelled, then screamed. Then started flapping her arms and smacked him. I really think Jack better get all his teasing and abuse in now. I don't think he's going to have the upper hand for long. My prediction is that, when it's all said and done, she makes him cry more than he makes her cry.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Everything is AWESOME!
Jack finds a lot of joy in a lot of things. Take these two examples, for instance:
Jack: Dani, say "Ma-ma-ma."
Dani: Ma-ma-ma!
Jack (with both hands raised in the air): YAY FOR DANI!!!!!
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Me: Hey, Jack.. Do you know what's for dinner?
Jack: No.
Me: Mac and cheese
Jack: YAY FOR MAC AND CHEESE. . . . AND MEAT!! YESSSSSSS!!!
Jack: Dani, say "Ma-ma-ma."
Dani: Ma-ma-ma!
Jack (with both hands raised in the air): YAY FOR DANI!!!!!
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Me: Hey, Jack.. Do you know what's for dinner?
Jack: No.
Me: Mac and cheese
Jack: YAY FOR MAC AND CHEESE. . . . AND MEAT!! YESSSSSSS!!!
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