2-2-2-2 (added videos)

Today Gianna is two years, two months, two weeks and two days old.

(Gotta love those little birthday tickers!) 

I remember reading one particular blogger's thoughts about her growing children.  She keeps closing her eyes and remembering exactly how each of her children were at two years old.  That was her magical age in her heart's memory.  I think of that often - especially during those LONG days of parenting a two year old - that this is the good stuff.  Many of these moments is what I'll sit in my rocker and remember when I'm old and gray older and grayer.

So here's my effort to record some of what Gianna is doing at TWO. This post is really for me, but read along if you'd like.  I'm just going to jot things as the come to me.....

"Good Mawning, Mommy!" is the first thing I hear when I enter her room each day.  "How you?"

Not such a shabby way to begin a day!

SLEEP

She still sleeps in her crib....and frankly, I'm in no rush to move her into a toddler or regular bed.  She seems to love being in there.  She's not yet tried to climb out (that I'm aware of.)  I'm sure somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3 -- we'll be transitioning to a bigger bed. We still put her down at 7pm, but there is usually a 30-60 minute variety show that happens in the confines of her crib.  And it doesn't matter what time we put her down, there's still a show.  There are nights when we have special things going on when bedtime ends up being 8:30 or 9ish.  Still a show.   Some nights are hysterically funny.  She often recounts conversations and events of the day, but mostly it's song and dance (and a little jumping thrown in for good measure.)

No matter what time she actually goes to sleep she almost always wakes up within minutes of 7am. Every now and then she sleeps later....and that's usually on weekends when Iain's home to get up with her. Go figure.  We think it's because there's far less traffic that she hears on weekends.

Naps have gotten shorter --- and I'm not thrilled about that little change.  For a while is was down to 45 minutes which was wearing me out, but now we're between 60 and 90 minutes with an occasional two hour jackpot.  She typically wakes up singing, so I usually let her have karaoke time in her crib for a good 20 minutes after she wakes. I usually know just when to get her once I hear, "Oh, MOOOOOMMMMMMY, WHERE AAAAAAAAAAAAAARE YOOOOOOUUUUU?"

SONG and DANCE

She sings ALL the time.  Loves music. Loves instruments. Loves dancing. But there's rarely an hour that goes by that she's not singing.  She is one of those people that hears a song once or twice - and knows it - or most of it.  She, like her mommy, makes up the words that she doesn't remember.  And she just recently started making up songs on her own. So funny.  When we're at church and the choir stops singing, she shouts out requests, "Trading my Sorrows!"  "We are Dinosaurs!"  "I'm gonna Catch you!"  The people in the pews nearby get frequent chuckles from watching our  munchkin.

CHURCH
I wish I could say I look forward to church each week....but apparently this is just one of those seasons in parenting where is just a lot of work.  Honestly, anyone who goes to church with us would say that Gianna is an angel during Mass.  And she really is good for the most part...it's just that it takes effort every minute of the hour (plus) we're there in order to keep her quiet and pleasant.  We managed to give up the 'cry room' about a year ago.  We still get up occasionally with her, but is to stand up in the back of the church with her.  On a couple of occasions, we've had to remove her from the church completely.  One time, Iain took her to the car and they waited for me.  That was a bad day....but she remembers it and it hasn't happened again since. (Knock on wood.)

MEALS

She says grace by herself and has gotten into the habit of dragging it out very slowly....and it interrupting herself by saying, "Hi Mommy!"  "See Gianna's painting."  "Where'd Max go?"  Little turkey! 

As a baby, she had the best appetite and ate anything.  These days, she loves a food one day and is not at all interested the next. I'm just rolling with the punches.  I promised myself I wouldn't get into battles over food...and for the most part, I haven't.  I just get creative with food choices and meal times.  Some days her appetite is small and other days she's ravenous. Overall she has a really healthy diet.  She loves fruit and most vegetables...although every now and then she has 'texture issues.'

I'm kinda surprised we've made it this far avoiding fast food and drinking only water and milk (with the exception of occasionally spiking her water with a little bit of juice.)   It hasn't been easy, but I'm really glad we've made the effort.

What's is really interesting and surprising is that Gianna is not proficient at feeding herself.  It boggles me.  She still asks, "Mommy do it?"  I guess part of the reason might be that she recently decided she doesn't like being messy or dirty.  I'm not making a big deal about it.  She's gotten better over the last few weeks, and I'm fairly certainly that she'll have self-feeding master by the time she starts school. :)

Not potty trained yet....but they're have been big developments in that department.  Post coming soon!  She's in a size 5 diaper still and my goal is to end diaper-wearing with that size...without duct tape!  We'll see.  That's another area that I'm not pushing in. 

SIZE

Gianna weight almost 30 pounds and is almost 34 inches tall.  People think she's so big, but she's really more on the average size.  Her clothes are 2T, but can also wear some 24months and some 3T's.  Her waist is tiny and even her 24m jeans are too big.  She's come a long way from Princess Puff-a-lump!

MISCELLANEOUS

Since hitting two - she's definitely amped up the DRAMA.  Forced crying is her latest skill - and if I manage to ignore it (it drives me nuts) she'll stop mid-cry and say in the most matter-of-fact tone, "Mommy! I crying!"   AND, she works on her crying and her drama faces in the mirror! Heaven help us! Gotta love those girls.

Memory. Holy cow, this child's memory is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!  (I actually have a really good memory too.  I have very vivid memories at her age and before.)  She remembers who gave her things, she great with names, and never forgets a place.  She can even remember conversations that she had six months ago.  If floors us.

Within a couple of weeks of turning two, her verbal skills hit warp speed.  She's been really good at communicating from the early sign language days, but all of a sudden words, turned into sentences with turned into full on conversations. As wonderful as her ability to speak is, there are moments that we pray for silence.  Can't seem to find the "off" switch on this child.  I remember my mother telling me that she used to hide in her closet, because I wouldn't stop talking.  I guess this is what you call payback. 

Oh, and we deep in the throws of repeat a word, phrase or request ENDLESSLY!  The other day we were all in the car and she repeated a phrase 37 times.  THIRTY SEVEN times! I repeated, "Deliver me, O Lord." about 37 times after that.

As many times as I'm challenged, frustrated, and feeling completely overwhelmed in my parenting efforts - I am so grateful for this remarkable child who is really one of the most delightful, loving and precious kids I've ever known.  Really.  It's no secret I love this child "big, big like the moon" ---- but I have to say, I like her, too.  I really, really, really like her.

Happy 2-2-2-2 day, Gianna!

Paging Dr. Lewis, STAT(s)

"I two!" she squeaks in her sing-songy voice. We couldn't manage to teach her to hold two fingers up without the others popping up, so she uses her two index fingers.

I really thought I'd dread the onset of the "twos" but I was surprisingly excited to enter this new exciting age. Oh, and as I realized that today is the first of the month (she was born on the first of July) I'm reminded of how I'm enjoying the milestone of being able to measure my daughter's age in years as opposed to months.

Two Year Stats:

34 inches (although 2 weeks later she measured 35 inches - who knows?)

28 pounds (measure 29 pounds two weeks later)

Have I mentioned how much we ADORE our pediatrician?  Although we have not had any serious medical issues (thank heavens), she has made our healthcare journey absolutely pleasant and easy.

When I kept my friend's infant son for the first three years of our marriage (Mommy Boot Camp, as I like to refer to those years), I often took him to the doctor when his parents couldn't get off work.  It was great because I got to screen pediatricians during our visits.  I personally know the majority of the pediatricians who work at our Children's Clinic and would feel comfortable using any of them as our doctor.  But, the first time I brought Hunter to see Dr. Decker (whom I had not met before) --- I just knew that's who I wanted to care for my own children.  She was thorough, agressive, gentle, proactive, and completely validated my questions and concerns, answering them completely, and treated me with such respect - even though I wasn't the mom.

Well, Gianna adores her as well.  When I tell her we're going to the doctor, she lights up like a Christmas tree.  "Dr. Deckah?" she inquires. "Yes, we're going to see Dr. Decker," I tell her.  Then we usually hear, Doctah Deckah. See her?  Sit on lap? Listen to heart. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. Look in ears. Look in mouth....Ahhhhhh.  Look in nose. Give hug. Stickahs?" 

Doctor Decker gets a pretty big kick out of Gianna, too.  When we went for her 2 year well visit, and Gianna was playing with all her "doctor tools" when she wasn't doodling on her prescription pad, Dr. Decker looked at me and asked if she had a doctor kit.  I told her that it never occured to me to get one.  "Oh, she needs one.  This is the perfect time." she said. ~ I'm sure she was thinking that we'd better start preparing this brilliant little munchkin for medical school now. :) ha.

So when Aunt Dana called and asked what to get Gianna for her birthday - we had the perfect idea.  She found a little doctor kit (actually I think it's more of a costume with props)  and Gianna loves it.

She must be giving the H1N1 vaccination.

Gianna has a special affinity (and gusto) for giving shots. 

She's got great bed-side manner...

...and is very loving to her patients.

Chart looks good. 

No more STATS for another year.

Wow....that's change.

** At the end of our appointment, Dr. Decker said, "I hate to have to tell you this, but from here on out, it's only yearly visits."  I told her not to worry.  We'd be sure and make up some excuse to come and see her.  Two weeks later we were back....much earlier than I expected.  It seems my little fish has swimmer's ear.  She said that those children who like to splash a lot and go under water often are more prone to it.  Yep, that would be Gianna. Not so much a splasher, but definitely a dunker!

FYI:  Did you know you can make your own Swimmer's Ear solution?  1 part alcohol to 1 part white vinegar.  A few drops in each ear after swimming.  The alcohol dries the water and the vinegar kills/prevents bacteria.  Sure beats the sixty buck we had to shell out for the tiniest bottle of antibiotic eardrops.  Yikes.

Almost Two - YIKES!

One month from today, my baby girl will turn two years old. I promised myself that I would never dread her birthdays or lament that time is passing too quickly.  Not everyone gets the privilege to raise precious children, so I decided to always approach her birthdays with a spirit of gratitude. 

So here's a positive note....I'm looking forward to relaying her age in years and not months. :)

(click to enlarge)

Twenty Months

Holy Cow!.....that sure sounds old. Just four months away from her 2nd birthday.   Yikes!

I am in constant amazement of how the time we spent waiting for a child seemed to c-r-a-w-l by and the time once that child comes seems to SPEED by.

I am soaking up every minute with her though...and by far, it was certainly worth the wait.

I've gotten such a kick out of the words she says, how she uses them and her pronunciations.  Here are a few of my favorites that I want to always remember...

• "Ah luz you." (I love you.)
• "Oookay."
• "Mote. Wash."  (Remote. Watch.) Asking to watch a video as she brings me the "mote."
• "Chuch. Jeeeezus. Shhhhh."
• "Oh deeyah."  (Oh Dear) says this A LOT!
•  Bes-shoo." (God bless you.....says without prompting after someone sneezes.)
• "Oooooh, baby."
• "Aw Bet-tah."  (All better.)
• Mee Maw & Pee Paw (Grandma & Grandpa:  her own translation)
• "Reh-deee"  (ready)
• "Wap-pul" (waffle)
• "Maaah- kss" (Max- our dog)
• "Bay-yah" (bear)
• "Bay-yull" (Bell - sounds like the cutest little country bumpkin when she says it.)
• "Sank Cue" or "Tank Cue" or "Zank cue" (Thank you.)  As Iain was helping her finish supper last night and I was doing something else, she looked up at me and said on her own, "Tank Cue, Mommy." (For preparing her supper.)  Sweet Girl.

18 months – already?

How is it, that we wait and wait and wait for a baby and time seems to stand still – and then the baby miraculously arrives and time is boosted into warp-speed?  Can’t figure it out.

Gianna turned 18 months old on January 1st.  (Can I tell you how much I appreciate the easy math on my “first of the month” baby?!!)

(click to enlarge)

Life seems to be changing gears a bit and since the holidays and has been moving at a little slower pace. We just finished the 3rd section of our home study paperwork and have one more section before the interviews. It’s been a bit of a chore, actually.

We’ve been trying to keep occupied indoors because of our freezing Louisiana temps (go ahead, northerners – you can laugh) it has been mildly challenging.  We’re starting to break out the crayons and paints and enter the whole world of “Oooh, not on that! Only on the paper!.” And, “No, not in your mouth, crayons taste yucky.” 

Maybe will need to stick with the musical instruments for a while…

Yep - she’s gonna be one of THOSE musicians.
(Stinkin' cute shirt compliments of Ms. Sarah!)

Sweet Sixteen

Sixteen MONTHS, that is.

We are really leaving babyhood behind.  Thank heavens for her full little cheeks (I hope they never go away) that remind me of the little baby that's somewhere in that busy toddler body.

Not long ago I wrote about why I choose to blog.  One of the things I didn't mention was just how helpful it has been in my digital scrapbooking - especially these little monthly stats and updates that I create on Scrapblog.   It helps that she was born on the first of the month - so I can begin each month's pictures with updates like the one above.

I am still working on completing the books from her first year - there were A LOT of pictures to edit and weed through.  (I know - you're shocked, right?)  I figured I'd create an 8x8 hard cover book for three months at a time.  My goal is to be relatively caught up by the end of the year. (We'll see how that goes.)

Here's my first book I completed for Gianna's first 3 months.  The layouts are a little busier than I'd prefer, but I figure that's pretty indicitve of that first year.

Click here to view this photo book larger

I'll post the rest of the books here and there.

15 Months & Feeding Fun

I can hardly believe this little munchkin is already 15 months old! We had her well baby visit last week and she's doing beautifully. We were in the Children's Clinic for an hour and a half....but she was so pleasant and such a trooper. The staff there was so impressed with her couldn't believe she was only 15 months old because of how well she behaved and communicated. One of those moments that keeps me keepin' on.

I keep up with her stats for our benefit & enjoyment, but if you're interested, you can click to enlarge.

At this stage in the game, we're only trying self-feeding every now and then. (When I have the time for it and the stomach for it! :)


In the video, Gianna is using an awesome little spoon I found at Mistletoe & Moss last year. It's great for little ones learning to self feed and they have both left and right handed spoons. I love that a local mom developed the concept and is now in business. If you click on the below picture, it will bring you to the My Spoon website. Happy Monday!

12 Month Stats

Click to enlarge:

Ten Months

(Click on image to enlarge)

Nine Month Stats (already?)

(Click on image below to enlarge.)Just got back from our well baby check-up. Empty waiting room. No shots. No charge (we had a credit.) And bonus formula to boot. Not to mention that we LOVE our pediatrician. How much better can you get? Thanks to Grandma Angel who kept Luke while we went to the appointment. Here are a few more photos: (Gotta love the black and white!)

Eight Months

First off, we're back from our weekend jaunt to Jackson - and still recovering. (More later on our trip.) We have learned that having a routine is amaizng for baby and for parents -- until you blow it to pieces in one fell swoop. Actually, Gianna is the best little trooper and traveler and adjusts incredibly well to changing situations. (Maybe it's just US who are having the rougher time!)

On Sunday, our lil Sweet Potato turned eight months old. Typically when I post stats, we've been to the doctor for a well baby visit. I'm not overly impressed with the accuracy at the Clinic, so I figure my own attempt can't be that much different. We'll see next month when we go for her 9 month checkup.

6 Month Stats

We went to the doctor this week. Growing like a weed! Healthy as can be....thank heavens. What ever happened to that little five pound baby we brought home? My, how time is flying.