30 January 2006

Memories...

Why is it that with all Madeline's recent life experiences (including jumping on the trampoline, seeing Nemo on ice, eating ice cream with marshmallows, etc.) that she most often recalls the details of her experiences of throwing up in her bed and in Nathan's hands (long story - maybe another blog entry on another day)! We went to the mechanic today and she says, "I throw up in my bed and mommy clean all up." Then, she repeated the same story to the owner who gave us a ride home. She then brought her doll to me and explained that her baby threw up in her hands and said, "Yeh, baby!" and proceeded to clap her hands. I'm guessing that the experience of having the stomach flu was really traumatic and she needs to keep talking herself through it in a sense...she does not forget a single experience. I just hope that the "throw-up" memories will soon be replaced and we can have less nauseating dinner table conversations.

28 January 2006

I'll never forget this one...

Madeline has been potty training for the last couple of months, but hasn't quite found the courage to go poopies in the "big girl potty" yet. However, she surprised us the other night by doing her first poopie in the big girl potty - hip hip hooray for Madeline! She called me to the bathroom and pointed, "Look, Mommy--I go poo-poo in the potty...as big as a doggy!"

Maybe gross to some, but so darn cute to me--and hilarious!

27 January 2006

No Way Around It

I don't usually pay much attention to bumper stickers, usually because they all say useless things and don't add anything to my life. But yesterday I saw one that grabbed my attention immediately, especially in light of Sanctity of Life day last Sunday...the sticker read:

"If it's not a baby, then you're not pregnant."



How could someone even begin to try to refute that.

26 January 2006

Where does she come up with this stuff?

A couple of weeks ago, Nathan watched Madeline walk down our driveway toward the street, holding her purse close. He asked where she was going and she answered simply, "To work." Surprised, he asked where she worked and she answered emphatically, "Starbucks!" He laughed out loud and couldn't wait for me to get home and share the story.

My cousin Jen (who actually does work at Starbucks) was visiting us today, and got a big laugh out of the story. So Jen asked Madeline, "You work at Starbucks?" Maddie nodded and then said, "I make coffee for Daddy."

Big Sister Madeline

We have been trying to prepare Madeline for the arrival of her baby brother in a few short months, while at the same time trying not to make too big a deal too soon before the big event. We've been telling her, "Madeline is going to have a baby brother," to which she replies, "No baby brother--baby sister!" While she likes babies, she prefers that Nathan and I steer clear of them and only admire them from a distance - a very far distance away. She caught me off guard today while at the doctor's office, proudly putting her hands on my belly while explaining to her pediatrician, "Baby Grant in mommy's belly."

Ahoy, Mate-eee!


While grocery shopping the other day, Madeline noticed an elderly man slowly pushing his cart along. She watched him carefully and then noticed the black patch that covered his one eye and she shouted (literally), "Look, Mommy! He's a pirate!" and proceeded not only to repeat herself, but also began pointing at him. I was so thankful that he was now walking behind us as I was slowly dying with every word she spoke (I mean, yelled).

25 January 2006

A Cure for the "Terrible Twos"

I was explaining to my dad how Madeline has been having these meltdowns - totally and completely unpredictable, and quite frequent actually. He asked me, "Why do you think they call it the "terrible twos?", he laughed, as if that brought any consolation. In the last few weeks since that conversation, we've had more meltdowns and more making up together. It's been quite a ride. But yesterday Madeline woke up with a cold, and I knew she had no energy to do anything but veg in front of her favorite dvd movies. I suggested that we watch movies of baby Madeline (and decided to kill two birds with one stone by organizing these home videos at the same time). She gladly agreed and was glued the entire time we watched video of her talking, laughing, dancing, clapping and all her other cute antics as a pre-toddler. But what I least expected was my own treat - I felt more compassion toward her and all the hardship that comes with having a sick toddler at home. Watching her as a baby reminded me that she's still little and vulnerable, even though she is much larger and has the ability to talk back. But deep inside, she's still my little baby and it has made nursing her back to health so much more enjoyable.

Terrible twos?? Pull out those home videos of your baby and fall in love all over again!

Nana's Secret to Potty Training

A few weeks ago we visited my parents for my brother's birthday party. We all watched in horror as their 15 year old dog "Binky" relieved himself on their brand new, no more than a month old, carpet. My dad quickly grabbed him up and put him outside, while my mom scolded him with one hand and carpet cleaner in the other. Madeline just watched this scene with wide eyes and asked me what was wrong. I explained that Binky went "wee-wee" on the carpet and Nana made him sit in the naughty chair because he's only supposed to go wee-wee on the potty. With tongue-in-cheek I said, "When you're at Nana's house, no wee-wee on the carpet or Nana will make you sit in the naughty chair." Forgetting that this brilliant child is only at the ripe young age of 2, she looked up at me and said, "I go wee-wee in the potty" and insisted on going that instant. Even though it was hilarious at the moment, my mom helped give Maddie a boost in her potty training efforts. We've really allowed her to take the lead in the whole process. But since that night, she began telling us more regularly when she had to use the potty with only a few, rare accidents.

Thanks, Mom! I'll have to remember to bring Grant over when he needs a boost in potty training.

23 January 2006

First Five Questions To Ask Jesus in Heaven

I was "tagged" by my dad to answer his blog meme question and here are my answers:

What are the first five things you want to ask Jesus when you get to heaven?

1. Where's my Grandma Ruby?
2. When will Nathan & Maddie be arriving?
3. Will you show me all the things you liked most about me while on earth?
4. Please explain all the things that happened in my life that were always part of your plan, but I never understood them.
5. Is there an unlimited supply of chocolate here?

Any other answers would be fascinating to read.

16 January 2006

Messy House

My house is an absolute mess with toys scattered all over the place, dirty dishes in the sink, wet clothes in the washer and clothes thrown all over my unmade bed. But today I just played with Madeline and let her dictate what our next adventure would be. From swinging in the backyard to jumping on the trampoline to playing in the sandbox to playing hide-and-seek in the house - we spent the afternoon just enjoying each other's company. It's so hard for me NOT to clean up, but it's even harder for me to think about what I might have missed in just being with Maddie and soaking in her loveliness.

11 January 2006

Community

I was so blessed yesterday to find some other moms in my Bible study group that love their little toddlers to death, but are just as blown away by random tantrums and meltdowns as I am - I just thanked the Lord that they were even willing to share! I have been wanting to meet and pray with other moms of toddlers for some time and have desired that fellowship and community with other mothers - just to be able to relate, encourage one another and pray for ourselves and our little ones. But sometimes it's so hard to share because I don't want to make Madeline out to look like the child from hell, but I also need an outlet and forum for finding that I'm not alone. Thank God for these lovely women to be so open about their struggles and now we're in the process of trying to set up a prayer time together. That is the second time this week that the Lord has DIRECTLY answered my prayer. I'm really excited to see what the Lord is going to do by bringing us all together in this way.

09 January 2006

Separation Brings Renewal

Sometimes it's hard for me to allow Madeline to go and visit with relatives, whether for a few hours or a few days. I know she's in good hands and that she's having a blast, but I always feel most secure when she is with me. She is with her Nana and Poppy this weekend, and she is soaking up all the lovies and captive attention! I want to experience every moment with her, every new discovery she makes, every new phrase she delivers, and it's often hard for me to share her. But on the flip side, I find that when I am even a few hours apart from her, I am more emotionally available to her and can't wait to experience her continual growth and change. So here is a big fat Thank You to her Nana, Poppy, Oma, Pops, Gigi, Papa, Auntie & Uncle Steve, Auntie Jan and Uncle Pete for loving her presence so much and being so available and willing to care for her - even if it is for your own selfish reasons! :)

02 January 2006


Are they crying because their mothers keep saying "one more pose?" or because they want to keep taking more pictures with this fake snow background? hmmmm.... Posted by Picasa