Dear Son,
We had such a great day together that I had to record it somehow. Our relationship, the one between you, your sister, and I, has really blossomed. We are able to get things done, anticipate each other's needs, and have a really good time.
I so appreciate how you bring laughter to my life, especially when you are TRYING to be funny to laugh with me. Your sense of humor is silly and you do things like talk in a baby voice, use rhyming words that are nonsense, and repeat phrases you hear that seem to be funny to make me laugh. You do the same things for your sister, too.
Today when we were out doing errands for ME, you didn't seem to notice that it wasn't just a fun day for you, too. The only time you were upset is when you were playing some game you made up called Humpty Dumpty in the dressing room and you took a fall and it hurt your head. You didn't catch the irony, and instead you begged for a "Binkster to put in my mouth to make me not so grumpy". Another thing you did today that was memorable to me was that you asked to go watch the carousel at the mall. Not to ride it, but to watch it. I am glad you didn't want to ride it, because I didn't have the six dollars it would take to ride it (I rarely carry cash!). You said patiently and excitedly on a small couch nearby and just talked about the carousel. It was precious. Later at lunch, you skipped around the dining area and were sweet and well behaved. It is such a pleasure to be with you since you are so frequently in a good mood.
I really appreciate this time with you as a very old two year old. Its your best time yet, I think. Your knowledge about trains and content we've read in books and our family is huge. You are a sponge, Daniel, and I hope you always stay as curious and interested in how things work as you are today.
I love you so, my boy.
Mama.
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Dr. Jekel; Mr. Haid.
Son, you were the on the best behavior of your best behavior ever this morning. You were on you A Game at the library, singing songs, participating, learning. You were clever and sweet at my doctor's appointment. You were funny and curious and demure when we played on the MU campus. You were also the worst of the worst from 1 PM to 4 PM today. Major fits. Major dirty diapers. Major issues in defiance. Major meltdowns. Obviously, no nap happened. It was a very tough time for you and I do take pity on what it must be like to experience such highs and lows in only a few hours span. You must be clean wore out! I know that I am still recovering from nearly losing my ever-loving mind during your stint on the naughty bench. Since your behavior is so variable through the day, I am eagerly waiting for the next fun time we'll have, which should happen again soon.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Quick Love Letter To My Sleeping Child
Dear Daniel, you are loved so much. I just went to tuck you in again during the middle of the night, and I couldn't help myself but to bend over and kiss your still little face. Your binky is firmly held in your mouth, your body is relaxed, and the covers are tossed about on the bed. You look to be dreaming, and as active of a sleeper as you are, I think your dream must be about an adventure. You look peaceful, but also ready to wake at any moment and start playing with reckless abandon. You are so lovely, darling Daniel, and I appreciate seeing you sleeping and so still so I can soak in your perfect, handsome features. I almost want to wake you up to scoop you into a bear hug, or perhaps cuddle in close in your tiny toddler bed because I miss the physical contact we had during the first year of your life, when you were smaller and not yet mobile. I love you so, my son, and I want you to always know this. I count you among my blessings when I pray each night.
love,
your mama
love,
your mama
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Pride and Disappointment
Dear son,
Today you disappointed me several times. You had five meltdowns before noon. Crying, wailing, moaning, whining, saying "hey hey no waaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" (which is against the rules), and refusing to go where you needed to. You had a rough morning. They were rough on me, too. I felt sorry for you that you couldn't cope not getting your way and that I couldn't find ways to compromise.
But you did something that made me really proud to be your mum today. You cleaned up toys in the nursery when we needed to leave church, and none of the other (older!) children did this. You picked up all the trucks and cars and lined them nicely on the shelf. I told you I was proud of you for being obedient and helpful and you LIT UP. It was a special time for you.
The last four months have been chock full of difficult times for you since you have to do things you don't want to do, but you do have MANY more good times than bad. You really do. And there are whole spans of time - like six hours - where you are sweet and agreeable and obedient and funny. When you are tired, hungry, annoyed by your sister, and prevented from going outside or brushing your teeth or pretending to drive the car or forced to sit when you don't want to - its bad news.
Its the times when you are so good that I realize... hey, he's actually only a rough pill every now and then and I appreciate you.
We are proud of you, son, and even when you disappoint us momentarily, there are so many times of redemption. You apologize, you seem to understand when we talk to you about the consequences of negative behaviors, and you do try hard. And no matter what you do or how you act, we do still love you and we always will love you. Even if we are not proud of your actions, we still love you in that moment. Its our job to show you Christ's love that is not dependent on performance or obedience... just to model a love that keeps loving and keeps hoping.
Love
Your mama
Today you disappointed me several times. You had five meltdowns before noon. Crying, wailing, moaning, whining, saying "hey hey no waaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" (which is against the rules), and refusing to go where you needed to. You had a rough morning. They were rough on me, too. I felt sorry for you that you couldn't cope not getting your way and that I couldn't find ways to compromise.
But you did something that made me really proud to be your mum today. You cleaned up toys in the nursery when we needed to leave church, and none of the other (older!) children did this. You picked up all the trucks and cars and lined them nicely on the shelf. I told you I was proud of you for being obedient and helpful and you LIT UP. It was a special time for you.
The last four months have been chock full of difficult times for you since you have to do things you don't want to do, but you do have MANY more good times than bad. You really do. And there are whole spans of time - like six hours - where you are sweet and agreeable and obedient and funny. When you are tired, hungry, annoyed by your sister, and prevented from going outside or brushing your teeth or pretending to drive the car or forced to sit when you don't want to - its bad news.
Its the times when you are so good that I realize... hey, he's actually only a rough pill every now and then and I appreciate you.
We are proud of you, son, and even when you disappoint us momentarily, there are so many times of redemption. You apologize, you seem to understand when we talk to you about the consequences of negative behaviors, and you do try hard. And no matter what you do or how you act, we do still love you and we always will love you. Even if we are not proud of your actions, we still love you in that moment. Its our job to show you Christ's love that is not dependent on performance or obedience... just to model a love that keeps loving and keeps hoping.
Love
Your mama
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Report From Grandma Nanny
Dear Daniel,
You've stayed for extended weekends with your Douglas grandparents now several times, and I wanted you to know that we miss you during this time, but we also know you are having a good time. We have a good time doing non-toddler things like eating in quiet restaurants or watching movies with kissing and explosions (instead of cartoon mice and puppets!).
Here is an excerpt from and email your grandma sent to me:
We use the computer to chat with you, and you really seem to enjoy the face to face interaction. Its so good to see your face and hear your giggles, and its fun to play with you through the screen. Last night you and I joked around about sharing a drink with a straw through the webcam. You were so happy to see your sister's face too, and tried to kiss her. It was great.
I wish I had the same opportunity as you did to spend time with your grandparents like this, but when I was your age, my grandparents were very old or very busy or sick, so I didn't get to. Your grandparents are younger, less busy, and healthy, so I think you and EK can do this more often! You'll get to know them well.
Love ya, little 24 month old!
You've stayed for extended weekends with your Douglas grandparents now several times, and I wanted you to know that we miss you during this time, but we also know you are having a good time. We have a good time doing non-toddler things like eating in quiet restaurants or watching movies with kissing and explosions (instead of cartoon mice and puppets!).
Here is an excerpt from and email your grandma sent to me:
Daniel just went down for his nap. He ate a good lunch today.
Hotdog, pretzels, applesauce and 2 cookies
He likes
Bob the builder. He watched about 20 minutes before he went down for his nap.
We went to play with his trucks at the school playground this morning. Nancy Hall was there and invited us in
To see her new pre- school set up and Daniel got to play with some of the pre-school toys. He had a fun time.
She invited him again to play.
We went to the grocery store and then came home. He played a while then ate lunch and watched a little TV then went down for a nap
He did want to go outside last night when we were talking to you but I just talked to him about it being dark and we had to wait for the sunshine to come out and he was ok with that
He wanted me to rock him for a few minutes then went right to sleep and slept until about 7:30 or closer to 8:00. He may have slept longer but Grandpa heard him and went up to get him.
He was pretty groggy and may have slept a little longer if left alone.
I wish I had the same opportunity as you did to spend time with your grandparents like this, but when I was your age, my grandparents were very old or very busy or sick, so I didn't get to. Your grandparents are younger, less busy, and healthy, so I think you and EK can do this more often! You'll get to know them well.
Love ya, little 24 month old!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Photographic Proof That Your Mama Loves You
Dear son, We don't have too many photos of us cuddling these days, but here are a few taken during your 23rd month of life. We have just finished up swimming and splashing at the Tiger Shark Swim Park, so we are wet and exhausted, but so happy. You were being silly (as usual) and I was feeling especially happy that you are mine. Ayhan is checking his phone, Daddy is getting things ready to pack into the car, and Aunt Rachie is taking the photo. I want you to be sure without a doubt that I loved you and cared about you while you were a rascally toddler. Love, Mama.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Short Note to My 18 Month Old:
Dear Daniel,
There is not one day that goes by that you do not surprise us. Today I was surprised by your ability to identify odds and ends in the laundry room. I said, "Daniel, where's the toilet paper?" and you pointed it out. You also could tell me where the cereal was, where the ice water pitcher was, and where to find the light switch. We never talked about these things explicitly before. I didn't even know we said light switch, just light off or light on.
Your dad was really surprised today by your dexterity with a spoon. You used it so successfully to eat yogurt. You also used the spoon to scrape some off of your bib to put in your mouth. You've just got so many skills.
When you were sick a few days ago, we had a lot A LOT of cuddle time. I just realized that there will be a point where we won't do this. You sit on my lap so much and we have so much physical contact. You are just a snuggle kid. I wonder if you will outgrow this when there is another child. I also wonder if you will want to do this at age 3 or 4. Will you still want to read while sitting on my lap? Will you still reach out for my hand?
Today you came into our bed because you were cold in yours. You cuddled and slept for 2 hours. I didn't sleep during this time because I am actually not a cuddler by nature, and I need my space to fully sleep, so instead I watched you sleep. You were so precious. You sleep so differently than when you were a newborn. Your expressions do not change like they did during your newborn dream cycles. You just look peaceful and sweet and like a perfect child.
Yesterday when we woke you up for the day a little earlier than normal, you popped right up. You started smiling and waving your arms around. You were dancing, but there wasn't any special music on. I think that you were dreaming of dancing or music! It was funny.
We basically cannot use the computer if you are around. You are just so interested in using it, too. You want to watch baby movies of yourself or scroll through online photo albums. You also want to watch youtube. Your favorite clips are kitten videos and the Mickey Mouse Club Hot Dog Dance song. You will wait outside the room that we keep our computer in and shout, "HOT Da!". If we are near the computer, you will tell us "HOT Da!". Its like you think we are watching this silly cartoon dance anytime we are on the computer. Sheesh. We do get a kick out of watching you watch the hot dog dance and seeing you do the hot dog dance, too, so we usually let you watch it a few times everyday. If you knew better, you'd be annoyed that we don't have cable because you could watch this program every morning and afternoon on the Disney Channel.
You are getting closer and closer to successful communication with us. You can ask for certain foods like bananas and tell us you are all done with your meals. You can also often remember to ask for "more please" by signing. This weekend you started going to the refrigerator and whining until we open it, or dodging in front of us when we are opening the fridge. You will point out what you want. Today you told your dad you wanted strawberries for a snack. You also reached in and got the milk jug and the bottle of Hershey's syrup. What a great snack idea! You can also pick up the bottle of V8 fruit juice we have for you, and you can also put it away. You also communicate very clearly about wanting to get up to see something, like the laundry going or us cooking, or wanting to get in or out of the bath.
You still love kittens, Curious George, some dogs, reading books, doing stacking toys, reading, fish, your fish toy, baths, juice, chocolate, your grandparents, and your parents. You also love my expanding abdomen. Since before Christmas you have had such interest in my belly. You want to see it, kiss it, poke it, blow on it, offer it pacifers, hug it, etc. You reach for my stomach anytime the word baby is uttered. You talk to the baby in a sweet singing voice. Its so sweet.
I love you so much, son.
Love
Your mama
There is not one day that goes by that you do not surprise us. Today I was surprised by your ability to identify odds and ends in the laundry room. I said, "Daniel, where's the toilet paper?" and you pointed it out. You also could tell me where the cereal was, where the ice water pitcher was, and where to find the light switch. We never talked about these things explicitly before. I didn't even know we said light switch, just light off or light on.
Your dad was really surprised today by your dexterity with a spoon. You used it so successfully to eat yogurt. You also used the spoon to scrape some off of your bib to put in your mouth. You've just got so many skills.
When you were sick a few days ago, we had a lot A LOT of cuddle time. I just realized that there will be a point where we won't do this. You sit on my lap so much and we have so much physical contact. You are just a snuggle kid. I wonder if you will outgrow this when there is another child. I also wonder if you will want to do this at age 3 or 4. Will you still want to read while sitting on my lap? Will you still reach out for my hand?
Today you came into our bed because you were cold in yours. You cuddled and slept for 2 hours. I didn't sleep during this time because I am actually not a cuddler by nature, and I need my space to fully sleep, so instead I watched you sleep. You were so precious. You sleep so differently than when you were a newborn. Your expressions do not change like they did during your newborn dream cycles. You just look peaceful and sweet and like a perfect child.
Yesterday when we woke you up for the day a little earlier than normal, you popped right up. You started smiling and waving your arms around. You were dancing, but there wasn't any special music on. I think that you were dreaming of dancing or music! It was funny.
We basically cannot use the computer if you are around. You are just so interested in using it, too. You want to watch baby movies of yourself or scroll through online photo albums. You also want to watch youtube. Your favorite clips are kitten videos and the Mickey Mouse Club Hot Dog Dance song. You will wait outside the room that we keep our computer in and shout, "HOT Da!". If we are near the computer, you will tell us "HOT Da!". Its like you think we are watching this silly cartoon dance anytime we are on the computer. Sheesh. We do get a kick out of watching you watch the hot dog dance and seeing you do the hot dog dance, too, so we usually let you watch it a few times everyday. If you knew better, you'd be annoyed that we don't have cable because you could watch this program every morning and afternoon on the Disney Channel.
You are getting closer and closer to successful communication with us. You can ask for certain foods like bananas and tell us you are all done with your meals. You can also often remember to ask for "more please" by signing. This weekend you started going to the refrigerator and whining until we open it, or dodging in front of us when we are opening the fridge. You will point out what you want. Today you told your dad you wanted strawberries for a snack. You also reached in and got the milk jug and the bottle of Hershey's syrup. What a great snack idea! You can also pick up the bottle of V8 fruit juice we have for you, and you can also put it away. You also communicate very clearly about wanting to get up to see something, like the laundry going or us cooking, or wanting to get in or out of the bath.
You still love kittens, Curious George, some dogs, reading books, doing stacking toys, reading, fish, your fish toy, baths, juice, chocolate, your grandparents, and your parents. You also love my expanding abdomen. Since before Christmas you have had such interest in my belly. You want to see it, kiss it, poke it, blow on it, offer it pacifers, hug it, etc. You reach for my stomach anytime the word baby is uttered. You talk to the baby in a sweet singing voice. Its so sweet.
I love you so much, son.
Love
Your mama
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A Special Family Christmas Evening
Daniel,
Tonight we had a special time celebrating Christmas with our little family. All week we have been preparing for Christmas, day by day, adding new decorations to our house. Last weekend your dad put up the house Christmas lights. He got down decorations from the attic. We also started to light Christmas candles that smell of evergreen and other festive scents, and you enjoyed seeing and smelling them. On Monday, I washed our special 12 Days of Christmas drinking glasses and moved the ceramic lighted tree into our kitchen to see. On Tuesday we strung a garland of snowmen together and hung it in the kitchen near the table above your high chair. We also read a Christmas book with several traditional Christmas icons and taught you the vocabulary. On Wednesday, I hung two more Christmas wreaths on doors. I also put out the small nativity and we practiced saying Jesus. On Thursday you moved the window clings we'd put on the patio doors around. You enjoyed the train stickers, but you really enjoyed the nativity. You carried Jesus and his parents around the house and told me their names. I also put out a small Santa and you started to call him HAT (or AT? or Hatch?). On Friday I got out some more decorations, which included a set of nesting gift boxes. You played and played with them. I also bought a small tinsel tree for your bedroom and you watched as I hung small ornaments on it for you. I put two other small, artificial trees in the living room and a few other decorations on door knobs. You were delighted!
And on Saturday, we planned a date for our family. We started by reviewing Christmas vocabulary, but you have really mastered it. We ask you to identify Santa, Jesus, candy canes, wreaths, etc. and you can easily do so.
First we made hot cocoa for everyone and watched the opening scenes of a Christmas movie your dad loves, Christmas Vacation. You LOVED the cocoa! It was only warm for you since I cut it with half a cup of whole milk. You slurped down twelve ounces, and I shared some of mine with you, too. Here you are with your father. Note that you are wearing a special, Christmasy outfit.
Next we went to Bass Pro, a local outdoor equipment and sporting goods shop. They have a special Christmas area with Santa. They also have many motorized vehicles, and you stopped to explore them. You will not ride on these things alone for quite sometime based on your size and your impulsivity! But it was fun.
This store has many different decorations and lots of animals that have been taxidermied. You liked this lighted deer, though I am surprised you could identify it as a deer since it looks like a bundle of sticks! But you are a clever fellow.
When we went inside, the store was so crowded. There were lots of sales to see, but we were there on a mission. We wanted you to go and visit Santa Claus. The Bass Pro Santa did look friendly and his costume was nice. However, there was no line at all. You did not have an opportunity to get warmed up before we took you to see the Santa. Look at your expression.
We told you several times it was Santa, and tried to distract you by getting you to smile at your dad or listen to jingle bells. You just wanted the man to put you down. You kept pointing to the ground and saying, "DOWN!".
We did not order any of the professional photos. The free photo we received was good enough! And I did not want to torture you by making you pose again.
The Santa area was very loud. There were so many children playing shooting games, running around the ATVs, making crafts, and playing with other displays that were set up. You were quickly distracted. You noticed everything.
Your dad showed you the remote control cars. You can see he thought they were pretty neat. I think you did, too. You could not look at the controller and the car at the same time, so I don't know if you really understood what was happening. But your dad had fun!
Next we looked around some more. You liked the special Christmas train set that was on display. When other children left, we showed you it and let you press some of the buttons.
I think you liked the whistle noise, too. Your father and I both like the idea of a special Christmas train and town display, so maybe someday we'll have a trainset like this one. You will probably think its neat then, too.
The next photos are beautiful. They are not of you looking at Santa or his beautiful workshop area. You are looking in wonder and astonishment, the same way many children do look at beautiful Christmas decorations.
But you are looking at fish in a large aquarium. You waved to them, said, "HI!", and loved seeing them swim. We looked at fish for a very long time. You can say the word fish in your own way, and it sounds like 'Ffffffsh". You have been saying this word for two months, since your 15 month checkup, but these fish are much more impressive than the fish at our pediatrician's office. They are neater than the ones in your books, too.
After going to Bass Pro, we went to a restaurant to eat. This is a rare and special occurrence. Though we really do love you, it is stressful for us to take you to a different place to eat. You are a little picky about the food and you are VERY distracted by other diners, sounds, and decorations. This time you spent a little time coloring with crayons and sitting in the booth in our laps. You ate maybe five bites of food from our plates, and we were under pressure to eat quickly to get to our next destination and to be kind to your dislike of sitting still and quiet in a restaurant. You weren't TERRIBLE, but you were not a calm, peaceful diner, either. You made eyes at a table full of college girls and caused them to giggle. You pointed and loudly said,. "THAT!" at all the decorations on the wall and at every light. You fussed when we tried to get you to eat anything other than a French fry (and you only had two or three of those).
We next drove to our church to see the Christmas program. Last year our family was in this program, and I remarked at how much you've grown since you were Baby Jesus. This time, you were interested in all the decorations and you danced a little to the music. Unfortunately, we had to leave early. You soaked two diapers (all that cocoa!) and had a leak on my lap. You were also too talkative to be a good audience member. I think you did enjoy the time of watching the singers and also in seeing the church decorated so much. You did not notice either thing last year!
On our way home, we looked at many houses lit and decorated for Christmas. We could see many lighted trees in the windows. Our tree will go up later this week, and I think you will like it, too. You are so interested in our house lights and in the lighted nativity scene we have in our front garden. You are able to point to Mary and Joseph when we ask you to point to Jesus's mama and dad, but you can say Jesus. It sounds like 'Chu-Je-z-s" or at other times 'Jees".
This was a very lovely afternoon for us as your parents, and it was so pleasant to hear you sing along to the Christmas carols in your high pitched "ahhaaa"s and "ooooo- ou-ou"s. It is wonderful to see you delight in our favorite holiday as well.
Love
Your Mom
Another Wonderful Thing About You.
Dear Baby,
You are so full of joy. You spent most of your day in pure merriment! This means you laugh and play with your toys (alone or with a parent), you sing little high pitched songs you've made up and then giggle when we catch you and ask if you are singing Christmas carols, and you laugh anytime you hear another person laugh. Then you laugh harder and louder so everyone will laugh with you!
But just now is even better and a perfect example of what a happy person you are. Its after ten and I went to make sure you were tucked in under some covers. As I drew the blankets around you, I saw you smile. I smiled. I put a pacifier near your head, and you lunged for it and laughed. Your eyes were closed, but you were clearly laughing and smiling. You turned your head and I saw why you thought it was funny - you had another pacifier right there on the other side of your head! You tried to put both of them in your mouth at once. You chuckled silently to yourself. I laughed and smiled, and you smiled some more. All the while, you were SLEEPING! I bet you are having very pleasant dreams tonight.
It is a real pleasure to spend days with you, my happy boy, and your delight in life rubs off on me. Even though I am often tired and sick through this current pregnancy with your sister, I do enjoy my days. You are such a fun, special little boy!
Love,
Your Mama.
You are so full of joy. You spent most of your day in pure merriment! This means you laugh and play with your toys (alone or with a parent), you sing little high pitched songs you've made up and then giggle when we catch you and ask if you are singing Christmas carols, and you laugh anytime you hear another person laugh. Then you laugh harder and louder so everyone will laugh with you!
But just now is even better and a perfect example of what a happy person you are. Its after ten and I went to make sure you were tucked in under some covers. As I drew the blankets around you, I saw you smile. I smiled. I put a pacifier near your head, and you lunged for it and laughed. Your eyes were closed, but you were clearly laughing and smiling. You turned your head and I saw why you thought it was funny - you had another pacifier right there on the other side of your head! You tried to put both of them in your mouth at once. You chuckled silently to yourself. I laughed and smiled, and you smiled some more. All the while, you were SLEEPING! I bet you are having very pleasant dreams tonight.
It is a real pleasure to spend days with you, my happy boy, and your delight in life rubs off on me. Even though I am often tired and sick through this current pregnancy with your sister, I do enjoy my days. You are such a fun, special little boy!
Love,
Your Mama.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
46 Weeks
To My Moody 10.8 Month Old.
It was an emotional roller coaster this week! Happy, sad, desperate, silly, furious, confused, and joyful. I think you may have inherited a touch more of my genes than your even-keeled father!
You displayed your first signs of jealousy this week. Our friend Julia brought her newborn daughter Juni over for a visit. I held off holding her for a long time, though it was difficult, because I knew you'd want to sit in my lap and poke at her. I haven't taught you to be gentle yet. While I admired her tiny features and delicate skin, you grunted at me and clamored at my legs. You wanted me! Later when your father fed the baby and you bounced for his attention and made a high pitched hum noise to voice your confusion. You wanted to drink that bottle, too! You took Juni's pacifiers, her bottle, and tried to get into her car seat to play with her toys. I bet you would be relieved to know that you are not going to be a big brother any time soon.
One of your favorite activities this week has been clapping your hands. You learned to do it the previous weekend and you go on jags of clapping when you will clap and clap for several minutes, and then hours will pass and it is like you have forgotten how to do it. Then a song will come on the radio or you will see a toy you like and you'll re-discover that you know how to clap. You look joyous and puzzled that you actually can do it. It is SO cute. I wonder how many videos we will have of you clapping?
New foods - waffle, graham crackers, juice
I let you play in your baby pool this week. You seemed excited at first, but them you hesitated. I had to lure you into it with kitchen spoons. So you crouched in the pool and knocked two spoons together. Then you concentrated on chewing the spoons. Then you beat the spoons against the ground. You never did splash the spoons or really play in the water. Later in the week your dad discovered that you like to play with the garden hose in the pool. You change the nozzle to different sprays and act surprised. You try to drink from the stream of water like a water fountain. When the water gets in your eyes, you make a surprised expression and get frustrated. It is very funny.
You did play at the indoor city pool this week with your dad while I did water exercise class. I would do my exercises and then occasionally catch the two of you out of the corner of my eye. You would be beaming and being silly and your dad would be laughing at you. All of the old ladies in the fitness class just mooned over you. They couldn't believe how happy you were and how you waved at them.
I've loved your sleep patterns this week. You play in your crib with a few toys for fifteen minutes and then you are conked out, cradling a blanket, for an hour and a half to longer than two hours. You also slept from 8 PM (we heard you playing alone in your room an hour after you went down) until 5 AM when you were hungry for a snack and then again until 7 AM. Great job, kiddo! I loved the consecutive sleep I got and the chance to work around the house without your cute face to distract me. I also was able to watch A WHOLE MOVIE during one of your naps this week. It was amazing. I felt like a part time mom as compared to when you were a newborn and you needed SO MUCH ATTENTION. Your naps just weren't that long back then. Now, don't be sad and think that I prefer a slumbering Daniel to an awake Daniel. I much prefer an awake, well rested Daniel! You are in such a good mood when you wake from a "long enough" nap and you are fussy when you skip a nap and often cannot fall asleep properly at night. Our house just works better with a baby who is a good napper.
You started to try to help out around the house this week. You have been using a rag to wipe up spills on your high chair tray for a few days now, but when I started to clean the shower using a similar towel and wiping manner, you pitched in! You wiped and wiped and looked so proud of yourself. You have also helped me wipe up spills on the floor. You are SO interested in the vacuum, dishwasher, and the broom. You cannot use these things properly, but anytime one of us is cleaning with these things you come and try to help. When we leave these things accessible to you, you explore them and work at them for a long period of time.
This week you started to indicate which book you wanted me to read to you. Often you selected Are You My Mother? and The Best Nest. You would pick up the book and open it in your lap. You would also climb into my lap, carrying the book in your mouth because you needed both hands to climb up. I think this is so neat. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday you did this and we read books four to six times a day instead of your normal twice a day or so. I love that you love to read!
We had a scheduled photo shoot in Berger this weekend with your grandfather and dad at the historic home that bears your same name on its front step. The second generation of Daniel Haids built the home in 1910, and though a Dan Haid hasn't live in it for a half century or better, it is still owned by relatives of your grandfather (more distant and someone I haven't met). It was pretty neat to see how proud your grandpa was. Usually he is gruff and very disinterested when it comes to being photographed, but he actually suggested this one! I can tell that you mean a lot to him. This three generation photo is very special to him. It was a neat experience.
As always, I love you so much and I am delighted to be your mother.
It was an emotional roller coaster this week! Happy, sad, desperate, silly, furious, confused, and joyful. I think you may have inherited a touch more of my genes than your even-keeled father!
You displayed your first signs of jealousy this week. Our friend Julia brought her newborn daughter Juni over for a visit. I held off holding her for a long time, though it was difficult, because I knew you'd want to sit in my lap and poke at her. I haven't taught you to be gentle yet. While I admired her tiny features and delicate skin, you grunted at me and clamored at my legs. You wanted me! Later when your father fed the baby and you bounced for his attention and made a high pitched hum noise to voice your confusion. You wanted to drink that bottle, too! You took Juni's pacifiers, her bottle, and tried to get into her car seat to play with her toys. I bet you would be relieved to know that you are not going to be a big brother any time soon.
One of your favorite activities this week has been clapping your hands. You learned to do it the previous weekend and you go on jags of clapping when you will clap and clap for several minutes, and then hours will pass and it is like you have forgotten how to do it. Then a song will come on the radio or you will see a toy you like and you'll re-discover that you know how to clap. You look joyous and puzzled that you actually can do it. It is SO cute. I wonder how many videos we will have of you clapping? New foods - waffle, graham crackers, juice
I let you play in your baby pool this week. You seemed excited at first, but them you hesitated. I had to lure you into it with kitchen spoons. So you crouched in the pool and knocked two spoons together. Then you concentrated on chewing the spoons. Then you beat the spoons against the ground. You never did splash the spoons or really play in the water. Later in the week your dad discovered that you like to play with the garden hose in the pool. You change the nozzle to different sprays and act surprised. You try to drink from the stream of water like a water fountain. When the water gets in your eyes, you make a surprised expression and get frustrated. It is very funny.
You did play at the indoor city pool this week with your dad while I did water exercise class. I would do my exercises and then occasionally catch the two of you out of the corner of my eye. You would be beaming and being silly and your dad would be laughing at you. All of the old ladies in the fitness class just mooned over you. They couldn't believe how happy you were and how you waved at them.
I've loved your sleep patterns this week. You play in your crib with a few toys for fifteen minutes and then you are conked out, cradling a blanket, for an hour and a half to longer than two hours. You also slept from 8 PM (we heard you playing alone in your room an hour after you went down) until 5 AM when you were hungry for a snack and then again until 7 AM. Great job, kiddo! I loved the consecutive sleep I got and the chance to work around the house without your cute face to distract me. I also was able to watch A WHOLE MOVIE during one of your naps this week. It was amazing. I felt like a part time mom as compared to when you were a newborn and you needed SO MUCH ATTENTION. Your naps just weren't that long back then. Now, don't be sad and think that I prefer a slumbering Daniel to an awake Daniel. I much prefer an awake, well rested Daniel! You are in such a good mood when you wake from a "long enough" nap and you are fussy when you skip a nap and often cannot fall asleep properly at night. Our house just works better with a baby who is a good napper.
You started to try to help out around the house this week. You have been using a rag to wipe up spills on your high chair tray for a few days now, but when I started to clean the shower using a similar towel and wiping manner, you pitched in! You wiped and wiped and looked so proud of yourself. You have also helped me wipe up spills on the floor. You are SO interested in the vacuum, dishwasher, and the broom. You cannot use these things properly, but anytime one of us is cleaning with these things you come and try to help. When we leave these things accessible to you, you explore them and work at them for a long period of time.
This week you started to indicate which book you wanted me to read to you. Often you selected Are You My Mother? and The Best Nest. You would pick up the book and open it in your lap. You would also climb into my lap, carrying the book in your mouth because you needed both hands to climb up. I think this is so neat. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday you did this and we read books four to six times a day instead of your normal twice a day or so. I love that you love to read!We had a scheduled photo shoot in Berger this weekend with your grandfather and dad at the historic home that bears your same name on its front step. The second generation of Daniel Haids built the home in 1910, and though a Dan Haid hasn't live in it for a half century or better, it is still owned by relatives of your grandfather (more distant and someone I haven't met). It was pretty neat to see how proud your grandpa was. Usually he is gruff and very disinterested when it comes to being photographed, but he actually suggested this one! I can tell that you mean a lot to him. This three generation photo is very special to him. It was a neat experience.
As always, I love you so much and I am delighted to be your mother.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
45 Weeks Old
Dear Daniel,
This week it was summer time. This means we spent a lot of time playing, eating, and being outdoors. Your skin is so fair that you always must wear a sun hat and sunscreen.
We traveled to visit my parents on Friday night. On the way, we stopped at your Dad's work to pick him up. You crawled around his office and visited your friends there. They dote on you and think you are so funny. Your dad carries you around proudly to see his coworkers. It is obvious how much he thinks of you!
We arrived at dinner time and you ate a BIG meal. You have been eating three or four cubes of baby food for some of your meals. I cannot believe this! You played with your grandparents and showed them how quickly you can crawl and how close you are to walking. They were impressed! That evening and the next morning my parents taught you how to clap. You'd been trying to do this task for awhile, and you were good at clapping my hands together and clapping your hands to your lap. Once they taught you, you clapped and clapped!
Along with clapping, you learned to wave properly this week. You started out by shaking toys, raising your hands in the air, pointing, and then progressed to a wave. You sometimes wave with both hands. Your hands are usually parallel to the ground, and you flutter your wrists up and down. It is probably the cutest thing you have done so far in your whole life. It is just SO SWEET.
You got a new toy this week... a baby pool! You and your dad went to pick it out from the store. Your dad said that everyone commented on how cute and sweet you were and that you had so many waves for them. Your father was so excited about the pool that he opened it immediately and set it up. We didn't actually have a proper swim outfit for you, so you bathed in a diaper cover. When we put you in the pool you seemed a bit confused. You sat near the edge of the pool and played with a toy on the sidewalk. We aren't sure if you like it yet. But we really get enjoyment from watching you!
You are still on the pacifier. You must have a radar for those things. We can think one is long lost and suddenly you appear with it in your mouth. We have no idea where your stash is! I found TEN behind your crib this week. You really enjoy these things. They seem to keep bugs and grass and other inappropriate things out of your mouth when we are out of the home, and it also keeps you a bit more quiet when we are in church. You sort of insist upon them during naps and story time, and because you are so persistent, we usually allow you one to hold and one to have in your mouth. Its probably not a big deal, but we were firmly against pacifiers before you were born and thought they were germy, tacky things. We now find them quite useful and they are probably no more germy than your thumb would be.
You played A LOT this week. Anything seemed to be a good toy. You played with your sippy cups and enjoyed spitting water through your front teeth. I did not enjoy tis game very much. You played wrestling with your dad this week. He did enjoy this very much and it was the first thing you two did together after he arrived home from work each day. You played with empty cardboard boxes, pushing them around the house and reaching your hands inside. You played with an unused computer keyboard that my mom let you have. She enjoyed listening to you click clack away on the keys. You felt so proud of yourself and very grown up. You played with the new ball she got you, too. You were really interested in the colors on the ball and so it distracted you during your wiggliest and most difficult times - your diaper changes. You also played with Aunt Rachel and your grandparents during a dinner we had for your Grandma's birthday. You brought everyone a lot of joy from your cheerful playtime this week!
Though you are becoming more independent and need your parents less and less, we still enjoy caring for you and watching you grow. You are still the delight of our days and help us to appreciate more of what we want for our lives. We like our routines of wake, nurse, play, eat breakfast cereal, nap, nurse, errands/play, eat lunch, nap, play, eat supper, get messy, have a bath, nurse, play, read books, and sing a lullaby, and then expect you to sleep from around 7 to 6 AM, with one nighttime feeding around 11 PM. Its a good routine and we three are pros at it!
Blessings to you, dear Daniel Henry.
- Mama
 |
| This week you are 45 weeks old! We are weeks away from your first birthday! |
 |
| Here are two of your favorite crib toys. You still like the pop beads and you really like this picture book of prayers. |
This week it was summer time. This means we spent a lot of time playing, eating, and being outdoors. Your skin is so fair that you always must wear a sun hat and sunscreen.  |
| One of my all time favorites of you! |
We traveled to visit my parents on Friday night. On the way, we stopped at your Dad's work to pick him up. You crawled around his office and visited your friends there. They dote on you and think you are so funny. Your dad carries you around proudly to see his coworkers. It is obvious how much he thinks of you! 
We arrived at dinner time and you ate a BIG meal. You have been eating three or four cubes of baby food for some of your meals. I cannot believe this! You played with your grandparents and showed them how quickly you can crawl and how close you are to walking. They were impressed! That evening and the next morning my parents taught you how to clap. You'd been trying to do this task for awhile, and you were good at clapping my hands together and clapping your hands to your lap. Once they taught you, you clapped and clapped!Along with clapping, you learned to wave properly this week. You started out by shaking toys, raising your hands in the air, pointing, and then progressed to a wave. You sometimes wave with both hands. Your hands are usually parallel to the ground, and you flutter your wrists up and down. It is probably the cutest thing you have done so far in your whole life. It is just SO SWEET.
You got a new toy this week... a baby pool! You and your dad went to pick it out from the store. Your dad said that everyone commented on how cute and sweet you were and that you had so many waves for them. Your father was so excited about the pool that he opened it immediately and set it up. We didn't actually have a proper swim outfit for you, so you bathed in a diaper cover. When we put you in the pool you seemed a bit confused. You sat near the edge of the pool and played with a toy on the sidewalk. We aren't sure if you like it yet. But we really get enjoyment from watching you!
You are still on the pacifier. You must have a radar for those things. We can think one is long lost and suddenly you appear with it in your mouth. We have no idea where your stash is! I found TEN behind your crib this week. You really enjoy these things. They seem to keep bugs and grass and other inappropriate things out of your mouth when we are out of the home, and it also keeps you a bit more quiet when we are in church. You sort of insist upon them during naps and story time, and because you are so persistent, we usually allow you one to hold and one to have in your mouth. Its probably not a big deal, but we were firmly against pacifiers before you were born and thought they were germy, tacky things. We now find them quite useful and they are probably no more germy than your thumb would be.
You played A LOT this week. Anything seemed to be a good toy. You played with your sippy cups and enjoyed spitting water through your front teeth. I did not enjoy tis game very much. You played wrestling with your dad this week. He did enjoy this very much and it was the first thing you two did together after he arrived home from work each day. You played with empty cardboard boxes, pushing them around the house and reaching your hands inside. You played with an unused computer keyboard that my mom let you have. She enjoyed listening to you click clack away on the keys. You felt so proud of yourself and very grown up. You played with the new ball she got you, too. You were really interested in the colors on the ball and so it distracted you during your wiggliest and most difficult times - your diaper changes. You also played with Aunt Rachel and your grandparents during a dinner we had for your Grandma's birthday. You brought everyone a lot of joy from your cheerful playtime this week!
Though you are becoming more independent and need your parents less and less, we still enjoy caring for you and watching you grow. You are still the delight of our days and help us to appreciate more of what we want for our lives. We like our routines of wake, nurse, play, eat breakfast cereal, nap, nurse, errands/play, eat lunch, nap, play, eat supper, get messy, have a bath, nurse, play, read books, and sing a lullaby, and then expect you to sleep from around 7 to 6 AM, with one nighttime feeding around 11 PM. Its a good routine and we three are pros at it!
Blessings to you, dear Daniel Henry.
- Mama
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)