Big Woofie & Spotty

For Christmas of 2013 Macy asked for a "woofie" (dog). We think she may have meant a real dog, but instead she got what quickly--and accurately--became referred to as "Big Woofie."

Big Woofie was a hit from the minute she pulled him out of the box. A year and a half later he still gets dragged all around the house and is consistently incorporated into pretend play or used as a pillow. He is also super cuddly when sleeping.

Forward to Christmas 2014 and Norah decided she wanted a big cuddly dog, too. Her school mascot is a Dalmatian, so when she saw a black and white spotted "Big Woofie" at the store she promptly added it to her Christmas list. This one became known as "Spotty" and is also very cuddly. 

Almost every night before Seth and I go to bed we peek in on the girls. (MAYBE sometimes I really need to end the day with a sweet, cuddly image of a certain 3.5 year old than whatever image from the evening would have otherwise been in my mind.)

Sometimes when we do that I can't resist pulling out my phone to snap a picture or two...

Quite Possibly the Slowest Eater in the World

It only took a handful of birthday parties for us to notice a trend: 

Literally...the party people clean up as much as they possibly can around her. Most of the other kids are already on their way home. The parents of the party kids have already started packing up. 

And there sits Macy, slowly enjoying every bit of her cupcake. 

It starts with the food - she typically isn't done with her plate before they start serving cupcakes - and just continues from there. We have even learned to try to move her along to prevent this from happening, but for some reason this is always how it ends. 

I can't help but be reminded of when I was nursing her and she never quite seemed ready to stop. I finally ended up cutting her off, even though it is not recommended since it can affect production. (I think she turned out okay.) 

We anticipate a struggle next year in pre-k when she has 25 minutes to eat at a table full of distractions and no one to remind her to continue eating. But we figure it won't take her long to learn her lesson...

The Toothless Grin Chapter Begins

A few weeks ago, after months of anticipation to even get a loose tooth, and several more weeks of having a loose tooth, it finally happened. 

When I picked her up from school that day she pushed it out with her tongue and it was practically perpendicular to the tooth beside it. After going through our typical evening routine, I asked Norah if she wanted me to try to pull it. She was hesitant, but I told her (and myself - gross) that I wouldn't pull it very hard at all. If it was ready it would come. 

Let's just say it was ready. It must have been barely hanging on, as it popped right out. Norah was a bit freaked out at first, I think because there was a tiny bit of blood. Plus it just feels weird to suddenly have a big hole. 

But then she was super excited and finally let me take a picture to send to Daddy who just happened to be working late that night. And of course she requested that I text her cousins and the Moms of two of her friends. 

I didn't really know writing notes to the Tooth Fairy was a thing, but that's what she wanted to do next. 

And this is how she went to bed that night. 

She was super excited to find $5 under her pillow in the morning, but a tad disappointed that the Tooth Fairy didn't write a note back (oops). 

Everybody (I mean EVERYBODY) we have encountered since has been made aware that she lost a tooth. 

Number two is loose now as well, and I think it is a matter of days...

Black History Month Lesson

Norah's school had a Black History Month program last Tuesday. I reminded her about it that morning and asked whether they had been talking in class about the fact that it is Black History Month. 

She said yes, paused, then looked at me quizzically and asked, "But Mommy, where would you go?" 

"What do you mean?"

"I mean your skin isn't brown, but it isn't really white either. So where would you go?"

Let's break this down: 

1. Well aren't you sweet. This shirt must be a good color for me since you don't think my skin is white. 

2. Clearly you are talking about segregation in class. 

3. Thank you for creating a perfect opportunity for us to discuss how there are all kinds of visible differences among people, like skin tone, hair color, and height, and how none of that really matters. 

That evening Norah proudly stood on stage with other Kindergarteners and sang "Sing about Martin." 

Here is a link to a video: http://youtu.be/xeUKEvyXAyY.

Sweet and Spicy

When people ask me about Macy, my answer these days is that she is VERY three and a half. If they have parented kids that age--even if it was a long time ago--they seem to know exactly what I mean. 

We have this rub that we use on salmon sometimes. It is a delicious blend of sweet brown sugar with a bit of a bite from cumin, cayenne pepper and chili powder. 

A delicious blend of sweet and spicy - that's our Macy girl!

A long time ago some friends termed her irresistible hugs "Macy Melts." It's like she sort of just lets herself go and melts into every corner that she can. It reminds me of when they put that heavy cover on your chest when you get x-rays at the dentist. Macy Melts are simply awesome. 

Macy has generally always had a nice temperament, and has a giant smile that can light up a room. From a very young age we noticed that she sometimes smiles so big that her eyes are reduced to small slits. 

She often gently rubs my arm when we cuddle. And, oh my, the cuddling. Morning and after-nap cuddles are two of my favorite times of the day.

Macy is often the first one to share, and is quick to check on her sister when she is hurt. It is not uncommon for her to offer a hug and rub on the back as I am consoling Norah.

But then there's the cayenne-pepper-like spice. Oh my. Frowny face, arms crossed, with a little "I'm not going to be your best sissy" thrown in for good measure. The whining, the obstinence...OH the obstinence. 

I read an article recently about dealing with toddlers. The author noted that toddlers are simply required to say/do/think the opposite of what you say/do/think. If you say "green" they will say "blue" even if their all-time favorite color in the whole world is green. I shared this with Seth, and now we frequently reference the article in the middle of Macy situations. 

Especially since it often coincides with when she is tired, it is completely unpredictable. Norah even sometimes looks at us when a protest begins and shrugs her shoulders.  

A while back I started asking Macy whether she needs some love (cuddles) in order to move on from a fit. Now she often asks for love from a time-out in her room, at which point we know she is ready.

I'm okay with a little spice. I think it could serve her well in life...as long as it is balanced with PLENTY of sweet. So far so good!

Sister Relationship at 6 and 3.5

For the most part, Norah and Macy are good friends and seem to genuinely enjoy each others company.

We have always encouraged them to look out for each other and they really do. Particularly Norah, as the older one, just seems to always have her eye on Macy. 

Norah is usually awake first in the morning and often says, "Ohhhh, I just can't wait for my sissy to wake up." 

I pick Macy up first after school and on the way to get Norah (which is about 4 minutes) it is not uncommon for her to say, "I just really want to see my sissy." 

They typically run to greet each other with a big hug. And I could count on one hand the number of times they have gone to bed without hugs. 

Norah is very helpful with Macy--staying in the bathroom when Macy wants company, getting shoes and socks on, buckling the carseat, etc. 

MOST of the time, it feels like this: 

And then there are the foot stomping, arms crossed, pouty face, "I'm not going to be your best sissy" moments. Oh yeah, we definitely have those, too. (And yes, Macy really does say that.)

Norah's pouty face is dominated by a wrinkly nose, with a little lip thrown in for good measure. 

Macy's pouty face is 99% "duck" lip, and usually includes a downward chin tilt.

They both definitely have their moods, often associated with being tired, and it is during these moods that their sister can't do anything right. There is no telling what will result in a pouty face, but examples I can think of off the top include: 

- One of them is not doing what the other one wants them to do while playing pretend school.

- They are arguing over who gets to push the button/open the gate/hold the door/go potty first/put Mommy's fork on the table/sit on my lap/wear the last clean pair of underwear with both Elsa AND Anna/push the hang-up button on the phone/use the pink marker/have a certain cup/walk down the sidewalk first/[insert hundreds of more seemingly ridiculous things here]. There have been times when they argue about who HAS to go first to do something. 

- I ask them to wash hands and Macy gets mad because Norah beats her down the hall. "Norah it's NOT a race!" "I didn't race you, I just got here first!" "But I wanted to get here firrrrrsssst."

- Something is not fair - she got a longer turn on the iPAD, she always gets to use THAT trapeze bar first, she got longer stories than me, I always have to get out of the bath first, I wanted THAT spoon...

- They can't agree on an activity. One morning Norah asked Macy if she wanted to play a game. Macy answered with a definite "No." Norah asked Macy if she wanted to do something else. Macy answered with a definite "No." Norah came in complaining to us that Macy didn't want to play the game or do the other thing, so Macy announced, "Well I don't want to do anything that Norah wants to do." Right, so basically you're telling us straight up that if Norah suggests something--no matter what it is--you're not going to want to do it? Gotcha.

But luckily there seems to be a foundation of genuine love and enjoyment of each others company. In between the arguments and pouty faces there is a whole lot of giggling, cuddling and love. 

January Round Up

I am going to ignore that my last post was in September. And that the topic of the post was our summer vacation in July. On to 2015…

We had a pretty relaxing holidays since we didn't travel this year, but toward the end I felt ready to get back into the routine. Right now it goes something like this: 

- Girls are up between 6-6:30. They color or work in their Brainquest workbooks in our room while we get ready. I leave around 7:30 and Seth and the girls soon after. (Seth does drop off.) 

- Macy is at the same school all day. Norah attends her school's after-school program for two hours, during which there is homework time, outside play, a variety of games and activities. As part of the program she also participates in Let's Dance, Artsy yet Crafty, and Drama Club--each one day per week. 

- I pick them both up by 5:30-5:45 and we start the dinner, bath (every other night) and bedtime routine. 

- Tuesdays is meeting night for me. Once a month I have PTA board, PTA general, Plaza Tots (babysitting co-op) and Plaza Moms meetings. The PTA board meetings are early enough that I catch bedtime and the others are late enough that I only miss the end of bedtime. 

- Wednesdays are swim night. The girls LOVE swim lessons and have progressed significantly in the past year. We don't plan to stop these anytime soon. 

- Bedtime is around 7:30. Norah tends to fall asleep really quickly, while we suspect Macy spends some time playing with and arranging the 20+ stuffed animal friends she insists on having in her bed. She also often comes back out to go potty. Overall bedtime is great these days, particularly compared to some phases we have had in the past. 

- Seth and I then have 1 to 1.5 hours before heading off to bed. 
___

We were proud of Norah for receiving the Student of the Month in her class for demonstrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) profile of Principled. The IB approach includes a focus on 10 profiles, such as Caring, Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Thinker, Open-Minded, and Principled. Each Student of the Month is chosen based on one of these profiles. She stood proudly with her Principal: 

In other Norah news, she has her first loose tooth. Since many of her friends and classmates started loosing teeth already, she has been waiting for this to happen. Let the toothless grin phase begin! 

By FAR, the activity that the girls do the most at home is play school. To us it appears to be the same thing over and over again, but they can literally spend hours doing it on the weekends. One is the teacher and the other is the student--typically the teacher's helper for the day--and it is nap time. Other students are played by stuffed animals, and the teacher tells them all where to lay. Then various students do things that result in the teacher moving them to a new nap location. Occasionally there are threats of sending a note home to mom and dad. And that's it! Doesn't that sound like a blast? 

We have started having family movie nights lately. Especially since the girls don't watch a lot of TV (none at all during the week), they love it. We most recently watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original). We typically make popcorn and they get to eat it on the couch while watching.

Hopefully there will be another blog entry soon...

Macy Girl

I am trying hard not to feel guilty about my lack of blogging. And I do realize that it is mid August and Macy's birthday was in June, but she still deserves an entry. 

Macy is quite the 3 year old. 

Memories of Norah at this age starting coming back to us in detail a few months before Macy turned 3. It started around the time I picked her up from school and her sweet, sweet teacher asked, "Soooo...how is Macy doing at home these days?" 

There is only one direction in which this conversation was headed. 

(Me): Uh, well, she's a bit of a challenge. How's she doing here? 

(Sweet teacher): Well, she roared at me today.

(Me): Roared? 

(Sweet teacher): Yes, roared. (She demonstrated by putting her hands up in the air like paws.)

Nice.  

We're definitely experiencing the so-called "terrible threes." Call them meltdowns, tantrums, "totally loosing it," or whatever you want. It definitely happens and it's not pretty. 

But there is also a completely lovable, totally sweet, irresistible side of Macy, which helps make up for the rest of it. 

My day does not feel right if it doesn't start out with one of her morning hugs. It's like she gives you everything she's got in that moment. And her hugs are often accompanied with, "I really do love you, Mommy." 

And her smile--it can light up a room. When she smiles extra big her cheeks push up so much that her eyes are barely open. This is especially pronounced in the morning when her eyes are still a bit swollen from sleeping. 

We have noticed lately that Macy can be quite sensitive. Sometimes when we tell her "no" or ask her not to do something--even if it isn't very harsh--she slowly starts to frown and she breaks down in tears. 

Another sign that we know we have a three-year old is her insistence on doing things, and doing them her way. This has also been a bit of an adjustment for Norah, as she doesn't get to control their play and make all of the decisions anymore. 

Generally, however, Macy and Norah are very sweet sisters.

They genuinely enjoy each others company, look out for each other and giggle a lot together. One of my favorite things is hearing them refer to each other as, "Sister." 

"Hey Sister, do you want to color?" "Look at this, Sister!" "Sister, come with me." 

One morning last week Norah and I walked down the hallway past Macy's room. Macy wasn't up yet, but just as we passed her door we heard it open. Norah excitedly said, "Ah - Sister!" I kept walking but Norah turned around to get Macy. When I came back into the hallway a few moments later, I found the two of them just standing there hugging. 

Of course there is the other side of the sister relationship as well, which includes pretty intense competition. For everything. Most kids fight over who gets to go first, but somehow ours have turned it into who has to go first. And who gets to open the door and who gets in the car first and who holds Mommy's hand and who pushes the cart and who carries the bag and who gets the purple bowl...and the green spoon...and the pink cup. And on, and on, and on. 

Some typical developmental topics: Macy is fully potty trained, and was pretty easy with only a handful of accidents. Unfortunately her biggest one was quite costly, as it happened on our couch cushion which resulted in a couch purchase since it soaked all the way through. She continues to be a great eater, though is painfully slow. I mean, painfully. We have had some sleep issues, mainly getting her to stay in her bed at night, but it has gotten better since she turned three. We have been emphasizing the difference between how a baby goes to bed and how a three-year old goes to bed, and it seems to have an impact. She still naps everyday. Most weekend naps are taken with Norah in Macy's bed. 

While Macy's verbal development seems typical overall she's not quite there with the pronunciation of the letter "r," which I find completely adorable. It sounds more like "owe" than "r" if on the end of a word, and more like a "w" if at the beginning. "Dowe" instead of "door," and "wing" instead of "ring." Then there are words that she just doesn't quite have right yet like "macamoni and cheese." And she refers to one of her teachers as "Gabalella" instead of "Gabriella."

Macy had a joint birthday party this year with two other kids in her class - Olivia and Henry. 

The party was at a kid's pool that is only about 1-2 feet deep in most places and has a structure in the middle with slides, tunnels and climbing walls. It was a great location for a party and the kids seemed to have a great time. 

Macy had an early birthday celebration several weeks early when we got together with Lisa, Scott and the kids to celebrate May and June birthdays.

While our little three-year old keeps us hopping (occasionally hopping mad) we choose to focus on the sweet cuddles and laughs that Macy brings to our lives. Definitely worth it!

Good-bye Pre-K, Hello Kinder

I'm having a hard time believing that school is over and summer has officially begun. The year went by so quickly and it seems like just yesterday that we were sending our little 4 year old off to the big school for pre-k. 

Norah on her first day of pre-k (August 2013)

We all had a lot of adjustments. Our morning schedule needed modifying since the girls were at different schools. We had to start packing a lunch and snack every day (which, truthfully, continued to feel like a chore throughout the whole year). We had to learn the system at new school, and for the first time a public school. The homework, school events, after school care, uniform, PTA, dance class, Tuesday folders, holiday schedule, field trips, teacher communication, fundraising--everything was new. 

Norah seemed to make the adjustment with ease. She had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Lillich, and we were pleased with her progress throughout the year. She never complained about going to school and, in fact, received an award for perfect attendance. 

Norah on her last day of pre-k (May 2013)

Seth and I survived as well. Our biggest struggle was figuring out how to feel connected to the school without being on campus during school hours. But with a year under our belt I feel much more prepared to handle that next year (PTA board, here I come). 

Overall we had a great year and are looking forward to what Kindergarden has to offer. 

Now…let the summer begin!

Macy Talk

Macy is very communicative, and just generally at a really cute verbal stage:

When we got in my car to go to swim lessons Macy announced, "Mommy, you have a HEB car like Mimi's." She meant an SUV. (HEB is a grocery store.)

When getting ready for swim lessons Macy told Mimi, "I have a swim suit with strawberries and a swim suit with a fish, and those are my options." Guess she's been told about her options a few times. 

I asked Macy if she had to go potty. She said she didn't, so I told her she needed to go in two minutes. After a few minutes I said, "Okay, time to go potty," and she said, "No, Mommy, it's in two more minutes. I messed you up." 

Macy doesn't seem to know that the words "he" and "she" exist - it's always "him" and "her." "Her isn't eating because her isn't hungry." 

She also says, "do's" instead of "does." "My baby "do's" this with her hands." 

One morning this week she ran out to Seth in the kitchen and said, "Daddy - I have this really cute dress!"

For whatever reason the last part of the bedtime routine is for us to say "gaga" to each other (whether it is me or Seth putting her to bed). We have no idea where it came from, but we agree that if she willingly says it back it is a sign that she is truly ready to go to sleep and we won't hear another peep. 

She frequently tells me things like, "Mommy, I like your head and your ears." Or, "Mommy, I like your hands and your belly and your skin." 

I didn't teach her to say it, but I highly recommend it to other moms. It's good for the soul. 

Wacky Wednesdays

For several reasons, Wednesdays have quickly become the girls favorite day of the week. 

First, Norah has dance class immediately after early release at 1:30. The class has been going on since the beginning of the school year and she really seems to enjoy it. We send a leotard, tights, tap and ballet shoes every week. The class includes jazz as well. Apparently there will be a program of some sort at the end of the year, so we'll see what Norah has learned. The girls sometimes like to put on music and dance around at our house. When doing this, Norah occasionally does some sort of semi-awkward movement across the floor and I remind Seth that's what a couple hundred dollars gets us. 

Mimi has made it a regular part of her week to pick the girls up early on Wednesdays and spend the afternoon with them. Papa has done it a few times as well. Either way the afternoons seem to frequently involve ice cream and lots of fun for everyone. We appreciate that between dance and Mimi/Papa Norah doesn't have such a long afternoon with YMCA after-school care. 

As if that isn't enough, we started weekly swim lessons in February for both girls on Wednesdays. We go to a new place really close to our house that was opened specifically for this purpose. It's a really nice facility and the instructors seem great. We have been pretty impressed with the girl's progression. 

After about 3-4 lessons, Macy's instructor started helping her go all the way down to the bottom of the pool to retrieve a ring. Check out this video: http://youtu.be/BvE0KzRCF9M.

Norah is learning front and back stroke, and seems to swim farther and farther by herself underwater each week. Another video: http://youtu.be/042nFMWzT9o.

The lessons are at 6:30, so Wednesday evenings are a tad hectic and usually end in a late bedtime, but so far it's worth it. The girls LOVE swim and typically squeal with delight when I tell them it is time to get ready to go. 

One time on the way home Norah said, "Mommy, I really do wish we could just stay there all night." Last week when we were walking out Macy announced, "That was fun." 

Perhaps part of the enjoyment comes from the fact that we signed up with good friends. 

Coversations with a 5-Year Old

Mommy, when I get older I want to be a mommy like you. (Woah, there. Slow down.)

Well that may be something you choose and are able to do when you get much older. 

Big smile and wide eyes. Yay!

Later that evening, while cuddling with Macy on her lap. Mommy, maybe when Macy and I get bigger we can hold babies like this. 

You mean when you have your own babies you might want to hold each others? 

Big smile and wide eyes. You mean when we get bigger we can grow our own babies in our bellies? 

Yes, it's a possibility. 

Well then I want to have three of my own babies! 

Mommy, what did people do before they had Siri (on iphones) to tell them where to go? 

We had paper maps.

What about before there were paper maps? (This led to a long conversation about the "old days.")

Daddy, do you buy cats and dogs or do you make them in your belly? (Seth explained that dogs and cats grow babies in their bellies like mommies.) 

I guess we better be prepared at all times - you never know what is going on in a 5-year old's head! 

Definitely Two

Macy really is "something," as my mom would say. It doesn't say much yet somehow it says everything. 

She's two. That probably sums it up for a lot of parents of two year olds. She wants to be very independent and often has to put things back in place for a split second so she can get it herself. Or walk back to whatever she considered the starting point of any given moment so she can walk herself or carry something herself. 

When this stage started we heard "No, MY do it!" over and over and over. She has since corrected herself and uses "I." We also frequently hear, "No, no, no, no, no" when she wants something done differently. 

Macy has strong opinions. Period. On a lot of things. Sometimes she insists on her "sissy." Other times she most definitely does not want her "sissy." Sometimes she wants a pink bowl and other time it's blue. Both girls are somewhat obsessed with choosing their plates/bowls/cups. I've started using the same ones whenever possible so there is not a choice. One time when I used matching cups Norah announced that she wanted the one on my right hand. I didn't acknowledge the statement, but simply placed the cups in front of them. Macy had a fit. She said "I wanted the one in your right hand," over and over again as if she had a clue which one that actually was. 

She insisted on wearing a tutu around the clock for about two weeks. The nighttime hours were covered by a pair of pajamas that came with a red tutu. This tutu went over the top of any pajamas she wore--picture pink, fleece, footed, monkey pajamas…with a red tutu. 

One day she had on a self-chosen outfit that included loose fitting patterned pants, a tutu and  a clashing patterned shirt. When she held up two different socks for Seth to put on he suggested that they find a matching pair. I said, "Seth, really. Look at her. Do you think matching socks will be noticed?" He quickly realized it was far from important and put on the socks Macy chose. 

Luckily, the super sweet and cuddly side of Macy remains, scattered amongst the demanding, opinionated moments. She gives awesome hugs and tells us she loves us. One night when I was telling her good night she said, "I love you…a lot of times." This has become the new standard for the whole family. 

Another sign of a two year old, Macy suddenly became interested in the potty. She was with Mimi at swim lessons one Wednesday a few weeks ago and since they were early she didn't have on a swim diaper. Mimi explained that she should to tell her when she needed to go potty. A few minutes later Macy said she needed to and off they went. She was mildly interested in the potty until the following Wednesday when Mimi was with them out in public again. Macy had to go potty so Mimi took off her diaper but didn't have another one so Macy just wore her leggings. Since then, for the past two weeks she has primarily been in underwear (except at night) and is doing great. 

I'm sure it will only be a matter of time until we are out of this phase. Until then, I'll be sure and get my fill of those awesome hugs to make up for the typical two-year old bits. 

Sleepy Time Struggles and Cuddles

We have reached a point of consistency with Norah's sleep. Bedtime battles are rare, as are midnight wakings, and she is working hard at staying quiet and in her room on weekend mornings if she wakes up and we are still sleeping. 

Macy, on the other hand…oh, Macy. She rarely wakes in the middle of the night and typically sleeps until about 6:30 in the morning (which is actually respectable for our household), but bedtime is…less than desirable. 

Rarely do we simply say "goodnight" and that's the end of it. Most often she leaves her bed and lays down on the floor by the door. She typically cries, and after trying the ignoring route for a while with zero success we have learned that if we go right back and ask if she is ready for us to put her in bed she'll answer "yes." We put her back in bed and while we usually don't hear anything more out of her she goes back to laying on the floor by the door and that's where she falls asleep. 

One night she fell asleep like this: 

And another night in her chair!

Why? JUST WHY?

But where she sleeps isn't that big of a deal -- we assume she'll eventually figure out that a bed is way more comfortable. We also find it ironic that once we are in our bed there is very little that could be done to get us back out again. 

And none of this is anywhere close to as bad as it was with Norah when she chased us to the door and screamed for 30-45 minutes before falling asleep on the floor.  

While we were in Goshen over the holidays, the girls shared a bed. All in all they did a really good job. We had some early morning wakings (usually Macy was the first), but considering they were sleeping in a different place, and together, we thought they did great. 

We enjoyed peeking in on them every night. Here is some of what we found: 

During the Gunden family Christmas the first weekend we were home they napped together at Lisa and Scott's. They fell asleep like this, holding hands: 

Ever since then they have taken naps together in Macy's bed. We lay with them until they fall asleep, which typically requires around 15 minutes of giggling and cuddling. They are usually either holding hands or Norah has her arm around Macy. They usually sleep for between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, and eventually emerge from Macy's room hand-in-hand. 

We have always talked about moving Macy into Norah's room, but would like to get Macy in a better routine before doing that. On the other hand, I wonder if she would do fine if she was in the room with Norah. We just might have to give it a try one of these weekends...