Hakuna Matata

So Sunday morning we went on our usual grocery shopping trip. Then after nap we got ready to head over to Nan and Paps for the afternoon. I don't know if you didn't get a good nap or what, but booooooy were you a HUGE grump! You were fine once we got there and you could play tea party.
Today we had a 2-hour delay thanks to some snow and sleet. I went in to get you up and you were just sitting in your crib, chilln' out. After school we played Candy Land (which you call Candy Lane) for the first time. We have the Dora version and you loved playing. You even made daddy play with you after dinner.
Your first and nasty diaper rash is slowly fading away. We've been super lucky to only have had this one over the course of your life. They suck.
On the way to school this morning you counted to 20! You can also count to 10 in Spanish as well. You are so brilliant.
Mommy really wants to go back to Disney in August so maybe if I can find a good deal we will :)

Smooches,
mommy

Sick again....

We had tumble on Wednesday. It was just one-of-those nights for you. First, you hit your head on a bar. Then, you fell off a mat. Last, another kid was running and ran into you. You were a hot mess. Then we went to Sweet Frog with Jordyn and her family for "ice cream" and that finally made you happy.

Last night was probably our worst night, ever. You had some stomach thing (maybe food poisoning) and were up alllllll night. I ended up "sleeping" on the couch with you. Pretty much, I was playing your tv shows and sleeping in 2o minute increments until you fell asleep and maybe we got an hour or two. We had to wash lots of bedding and clothing and you went through about 20 diapers over the course of the day. On top of it,  you got your first diaper rash- and it is pretty bad. It's hard hearing you crying and being in so much pain. It was a rough morning. Luckily, we both got good lunch and good naps and you were acting better, so I presume you started feeling better. We went to the mall in the afternoon and went to Tumble Town. You seemed to enjoy yourself which was wonderful to see.

I love you so much,
mommy

Remember, you're the one who can fill the world with sunshine

I truly love every moment I get to spend with you.

Yesterday morning we went to see "Baby Brooke" and give her her birthday presents. You acted very shy but you loved seeing her. Then we went to Nan and Paps place. You played tea party and princesses with Nan and Paps. We watched the Falcons lose in the NFC championship and everyone was sad. But- the Ravens won the AFC championship (while you were sleeping) - mommy and daddy are very thrilled!

Today was Martin Luther King day so mommy had off work and got to spend the day with you. We went to Chuck E Cheese and ate lunch. We played some games and rode rides. You were so happy and had a wonderful time. Aunt KiiKii even joined us after awhile and played too. Then we went to Kids Klothes and got some tumble clothes, a bathing suit and Belle jammies. After nap we played tea party, painted your nails, watched a little TV (Diego and Bubble Guppies) and jumped on the trampoline. Mommy was out of the room at one point and Mozy and Maggie stated fighting. It really upset you and they got in big trouble. I hope you don't have nightmares about it :(

I am so blessed to have you as my daughter.

Xoxo,
mommy

Wish Upon A Star

We spent the morning shopping with Aunt Kimmy. We went to Salvation Army. We got a couple clothes for you and a mini-trampoline. We went to the mall and got some clothes from Gymboree with our gymbucks. Finally, we stopped at Target to grab a couple things - like a bathing suit for your swimming classes that start up again next week. We ate lunch at Isaacs. You got their Twisted Bufflehead, which is the only thing you ever get there. It was a great trip and you fell asleep on the way home.
After nap we went grocery shopping, ate spaghetti for dinner (you love pasta) and played on the trampoline and with memory cards. Mommy and daddy played Trival Pursuit again and mommy lost again- only because she couldn't land on the middle spot! Daddy was getting you to say movie quotes like "show me the money."
I'm thinking about our Disney trip a lot tonight. I wish you'd be able to remember all the things we got to do and see there. It was such an amazing trip. It's almost sad to think about because I would love to go there every year if we could but unfortunately it's just not possible. So I'll just keep wishing, dreaming and begin planning for our next trip...

All yours,
mommy

Baby, you're a firework!

Some notes of the past week:

Wednesday we had tumble class. When pulling in the parking lot you yelled, "Minnie! I see Minnie!" I didn't see Minnie anywhere and had no idea what you were talking about. When we were walking towards the building, again, you yelled "Minnie!" Looking into tumble class I saw Minnie balloons hanging from the ceiling (along with Mickey ones too.) I was shocked and wondered how in the world you saw the balloons from where you did.

Thursday we were playing in the living room and daddy was plunging the toilet. You heard him and said "daddy fell in the potty!" We went to the mall and walked around. You tried on some shoes and the ones you wanted were too big on your little feet. You chose to ride the boat on the merry-go-round. Then got upset when it started to move. 

Today at school you went on a Dora Adventure and it was wonderful to hear your retelling of  where you went: Swiper took the cookies. You went to Miss Michelle's office, the church lawn and finally to the picnic table where you found the cookies! Tonight we played (or tried our best to play) My Little Pony Memory. We need to practice some more (or a lot) before we can play with more than 8 cards. 

You finally got rid of your fever and sickness then had a stomach bug last night. Just want you to be healthy and 100% again.

Kisses,
mommy

You are a Super Hero!

Sesame Street Live was so cool. It was awesome to see your face light up as the different characters came out and you would yell their names. The show was about being a super hero and that everyone needs rest, to eat healthy foods, have good hygiene, and exercize. We went to Friendly's after. A little girl walked by and you said "hello! but she didn't respond so you yelled "hola!" after her. It made me laugh out loud. Then you just yelled "Hola every body!" You didn't really care for the watermelon sherbet but you were SO thrilled to get a balloon when you left. Hope you had a wonderful time too. 

Love you lots, 
mommy

Go Ravens!

Mommy took a sick day again on Friday because you didn't get much sleep ... and woke up with 104 degree fever again. You poor thing had no energy and looked miserable. For the first time in your life (27 months) you fell asleep sitting at the table eating lunch. That night we watched "Cars" and you were pretty frightened for the first 3 minutes but ended up really liking the movie. Today we went shopping (to get out the house since we've been cooped up for over 2 days) and got lunch at Ruby Tuesday. As a "trooper" gift (you weren't too terribly grouchy for how sick you were) you got a stuffed Milli - from Team UmiZoomie. We went to grand mom and PopPops place to watch the Ravens game, Aunt Angie, Uncle Matt and Cousin Ben were there too. You had fun running around and playing with Ben. The Ravens game was amazing and they won in overtime. You jumped around with me and it was a truly special moment I got to share with you. Because the game went into double overtime we didn't get home until after 9. Hopefully you are in a wonderful mood tomorrow. We are going to see Elmo's Superheroes (sesame street live) in Hershey. Can't wait to see your face.

I Love You,
mommy

My sick, little princess...

Yesterday you seemed tired but okay. You had a wonderful time at gymnastics. Guess my motherly instinct was right though, I knew something was off. At 4:30 this morning you had 102 degree fever. I called into work and stayed home to snuggle with you. By 10am you were a little ball of fire and your temp read 104.9. That's the highest it has ever been. I called to doctors office and they just said to give you medicine and keep an eye on you. You looked completely miserable but never cried, never complained or acted grouchy. You drank lots of daddy's fruity water and ate a lunch of blueberries, strawberries and bananas. Luckily, for me, you took a great nap and slowly, very slowly your fever has started to drop. We played blocks and watched lots of TV. You ate a pretty good dinner too. For some reason you hated the shower tonight though. So I handed you out to daddy to get your jammies on and read you night-night book. When I placed you in your crib your temp was 100.8. Hoping it breaks tonight with a good-nights sleep. (or else daddy gets a sick day with you.) You are super amazing and I love you so much.

xoxo,
mommy

Pretty Princesses

Tonight was filled with Duplos and dolls. You told your daddy to "get outta my face" when he was playing with you at the kitchen table. Later you said "I toot" when sitting on the couch with me. Which is new because before, it was always "I poop." Maggie got to play dress up (not her choice) with you tonight. She makes a pretty princess-- just like you. You got 4 Disney books as a late Christmas present from your Uncle Kenny in the mail today. There was no note so mommy had to take to Facebook to find out- although, I was 99% sure it was him. Each book comes with a charm necklace- that you call "jingles." So for the first time tonight you wore a necklace and it also led to a huge tantrum getting it off. You are now in the Older Toddler (aka 2-year-old) classroom at school. You are doing so well and I'm so proud of everything you learned, did and made in the Young Toddler room.

All my love,
mommy

"Belly, belly, belly screen!"

This afternoon daddy picked you up from school since mommy had to stay for a work meeting. During dinner you said something super silly. Daddy was pulling up his shirt and you said "I see belly." We had a couple tea parties and made some chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels while daddy was at the gym. You love to watch Team Umizoomie! You love Geo, Milli, and Bot. We are trying to get you to spit when brushing your teeth but it still needs a lot of work. It's cute.

Love you lots,
mommy

Go Baby!

What a busy and fun weekend! Saturday we went shopping with your Aunt Kimmy and Aunt KiiKii. You picked out some Dora blocks at Ross and a Snoopy light from Hallmark. Also at Hallmark I found the most perfect ornament (@ 60% off too!) for our tree next year! For some reason you absolutely loved the song "I Want a Hippopotumus for Christmas" this holiday season. So much so, you made me listen to it quite frequently and even knew the words "no crocodiles, or rhinocerosuses, I only want, Hippopotumuses." Problably one of the cutest things you've ever done in your life- but go figure- you never would sing it when I had the video camera rolling. Today we went on our usual Sunday grocery shopping trip. And as usual you loved pushing the "buttons" to get mommy lottery tickets out of the machine.
Later we went down to Grandmom and Poppop's to watch the Ravens play in the wild card game. They won. It was also Ray Lewis' last home game. I'm sure you'll hear about him over the years. You love to say "Go Ravens!" and "Go Baby!" when watching the games with us. Mommy, daddy, Poppop and Grandmom were playing the "train game" and you walked over and said "whatcha doing guys?" It made us all laugh. Your little personality sure shines through more and more each day.

Lots of love,
 mommy

Shine Bright like a Diamond...

We had a rough morning. Not that I could blame you- it has been almost 2 weeks since we've gotten up at 6am... However, you were okay once you saw the Christmas lights on the way to school that one neighborhood left up. (how nice!!) You LOVED looking at lights this year. One you called "diamond" every morning. Not sure if it was the way the lights looked (sparkly and bright) or the fact that it looked like a diamond shape around their fence... You love singing the song "Diamonds" by the way. After school we had a package waiting for us! It was your princess dress-up shoes! Your face was priceless when you saw them. They are big on you but that just means you'll get more use out of them. We then had tumble class. You sure had lots of energy tonight! You took off and ran clear across the room! For some reason though you weren't holding on to the bars and normally you love swinging on them. Before bed you were playing with your dress-up Minnie's. You were throwing one a birthday party and making the two Minnie's hug. It was rather cute. You also called Maggie pretty which made your daddy laugh.

 Lots of love,
 mommy

Welcome 2013!

We spent the first day of the new year shopping at the Rockvale outlets in Lancaster. I love seeing your face light up as we walk into the Disney Store and you call out the names of all the charaters you know- which is a lot! You are now a 6.5W shoes size as we found out in StrideRite and got you some new kicks. We also got some cute stuff from Gymboree that was in clearance. We ate lunch at Subway (you love their BMT) before heading home for nap time. Aunt Kimmy came over and ate dinner with us. That was a special treat. You even had a tea party with her. We also got to watch the Tournament of Roses Parade that we recorded.

It always makes me sad to go back to work after vacations. I wish there was a way to spend always with you. I love you so much.

Kisses,
 mommy