Today Maddy and I went back to my old office to visit friends there. It was so great to see everyone! Maddy had a rough morning nap (as in a short one) and was a little grumpy when we left the house. I really had no clue how she'd do. But as soon as we got there, I took her out of the stroller and she was MOVING! Walking/running and exploring all the new stuff. Diane, a coworker, was able to pick Maddy up and walk around the floor, showing Maddy off, as I caught up with someone. I kept watching and listening for Maddy, in case she got upset. Most kids? They would get upset away from their mom, in the arms of a stranger and in a new place. Not my girl. She happily visited people and was her usual charming self. They only time she got upset has when mama picked her up and tried to put her in the stroller, taking her away from her new friends and play-place.
Her outgoingness, while awesome, scares me too. A stranger can pick her up and carry her off in complete silence. She doesn't play shy... And my heart skips a beat at the thought of someone taking advantage of that. Maybe I spent too much time near policing and am being paranoid. Please tell me I am being paranoid. Please.
Moms/dads/people in the know, I have a question. Maddy's gums on the bottom. On each side, about half way along the gum line on the sides are 2 large and swollen nubs. Are those molars coming through? If not, very small aliens are emerging from her gums instead of her belly a la the movies... If they are teeth? OUCH!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
VIDEO TIME! (insert MC Hammer melody here)
Well, it's a challenge to get a decent pic of Maddy. She's always mooooving. And there is minimal natural light now (so there is maximum flash lighting). And there is a decided lack of photoshop on my computer, to make the flash stop making Maddy look... odd. So? VIDEO TIME!
Well, watching that video it looks like it's time to retire that tight little shirt. You're growing so fast Maddy!
OK, OK imaginary voice in my head. I'll throw in a few (maybe not the cutest) pics too! Maddy loves crawling through the coffee table. She'll lay in there and play, she'll try to sit up and hit her head, she'll move forward and back.
Thank goodness she's so bendy!
I love you so much, my Nunu
Well, watching that video it looks like it's time to retire that tight little shirt. You're growing so fast Maddy!
OK, OK imaginary voice in my head. I'll throw in a few (maybe not the cutest) pics too! Maddy loves crawling through the coffee table. She'll lay in there and play, she'll try to sit up and hit her head, she'll move forward and back.
Thank goodness she's so bendy!
I love you so much, my Nunu
I know every mom says this...
But I think our girl is smart! And even if it's normal, it blows me away how much she knows already.
We have a riding bus, that was a gift from Aunty Betty. Neil showed her how the seat opens up, and there is a little cubbyhole under there. Well, Maddy thought that was just awesome and loves putting thing inside it, shutting the lid then lifting it again to the object is still inside. Later stage object permanence!
Then yesterday at the playdate, Maddy found a toy that was similar to the riding school bus she has at home. Different shape and colours but the same idea. She walked up to it and immediatley picked up the seat, to look inside the cubbyhole. She extrapolated!
And then this afternoon she was playing in her room and discovered an empty drawer (we've been purging). She grabbed a book, put it in the drawer and closed it. Then waited... and opened the drawer again. And there was the book. Right where she left it. She looked at it for a second, with satisfaction, then left it there for good (and I got to put it away).
We are in the initial stages of 2-way communication. When I sing "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" Maddy will start the motions, by patting her head (but has yet to make it to her shoulders, let alone her knees and toes). The other day Maddy caught our attention, and patted her head. And I sang the song. Her face lit up - she was able to tell me something. And I DID IT! Well, this has led to many repetitions of the song by mama, dada, baba AND dido. And I swear I can hear her softly say, under her breath, "Dance monkeys, dance". *grin*
It amazes me to watch my daughter grow and learn and discover. And those cognitive processes that I take for granted, I watch my daughter learn instinctively. It brings home how trully adaptive humans are.
We have a riding bus, that was a gift from Aunty Betty. Neil showed her how the seat opens up, and there is a little cubbyhole under there. Well, Maddy thought that was just awesome and loves putting thing inside it, shutting the lid then lifting it again to the object is still inside. Later stage object permanence!
Then yesterday at the playdate, Maddy found a toy that was similar to the riding school bus she has at home. Different shape and colours but the same idea. She walked up to it and immediatley picked up the seat, to look inside the cubbyhole. She extrapolated!
And then this afternoon she was playing in her room and discovered an empty drawer (we've been purging). She grabbed a book, put it in the drawer and closed it. Then waited... and opened the drawer again. And there was the book. Right where she left it. She looked at it for a second, with satisfaction, then left it there for good (and I got to put it away).
We are in the initial stages of 2-way communication. When I sing "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" Maddy will start the motions, by patting her head (but has yet to make it to her shoulders, let alone her knees and toes). The other day Maddy caught our attention, and patted her head. And I sang the song. Her face lit up - she was able to tell me something. And I DID IT! Well, this has led to many repetitions of the song by mama, dada, baba AND dido. And I swear I can hear her softly say, under her breath, "Dance monkeys, dance". *grin*
It amazes me to watch my daughter grow and learn and discover. And those cognitive processes that I take for granted, I watch my daughter learn instinctively. It brings home how trully adaptive humans are.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Playdate day!
Today Neil and I went to a playdate, with some friends from my sing and sign group. One of the fabulous ladies arranged, at her church, a chance for us to all get together. There were 8 kiddos and their parents there, and so much room and toys and places to explore. And Maddy LOVED it. We put her down in a new room, filled with new people (not all of the ladies were from the signing group - some were from a mom's group) and I watched to see what she would do. And my girl walked away, towards the toys, and didn't look back. Other kids were hovering by their moms or crying when their moms were too far away. But not my girl. She didn't run to the new people, but she never shied away from them. She shows us everyday how strong and independent she is.
I read other mommy blogs, and there is one I read where sometimes it sounds like the mother (while she loves her child) she doesn't necessarily like her child's personality. That is definitely not true for me, about Maddy. I love her independent nature, I love how she knows what she wants, I love her desire to explore, I love her fascination with books and music, I love her quick smile and infectious laugh. These traits can sometimes lead to tantrums and an already thick stubborn streak. But I am thankful I not only love but like my child too.
Today we had a wonderful day with other moms and dads and kids. We got another chance to see our girl interact with the world. And tomorrow? Tomorrow baba and dido are coming over to help us go through all of Maddy's stuff. There will be boxes for a friend, who just had female twins, and boxes to give away to Goodwill, boxes to keep IF we have a second and boxes to keep, no matter what, for Maddy one day. There is a room FULL of stuff for us to go through. And baba and I have every intention to do it all in a few hours. Wish us luck!
I read other mommy blogs, and there is one I read where sometimes it sounds like the mother (while she loves her child) she doesn't necessarily like her child's personality. That is definitely not true for me, about Maddy. I love her independent nature, I love how she knows what she wants, I love her desire to explore, I love her fascination with books and music, I love her quick smile and infectious laugh. These traits can sometimes lead to tantrums and an already thick stubborn streak. But I am thankful I not only love but like my child too.
Today we had a wonderful day with other moms and dads and kids. We got another chance to see our girl interact with the world. And tomorrow? Tomorrow baba and dido are coming over to help us go through all of Maddy's stuff. There will be boxes for a friend, who just had female twins, and boxes to give away to Goodwill, boxes to keep IF we have a second and boxes to keep, no matter what, for Maddy one day. There is a room FULL of stuff for us to go through. And baba and I have every intention to do it all in a few hours. Wish us luck!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A new look!
A new look for the ole blog. Maybe the weather (omg the weather... the never ending cold weather...) has inspired change and voila! Likee?
Life otherwise is much the same. And Maddy continues to be awesome. But RUNNING awesome. Seriously, it's frightening to watch her run at (her) top speeds and ALWAYS something in her hands. I thought the thing that would inspire her to walk was going to be the chance to be mobile and carry something in her hands. Tonight we did a Costco run, there was no meat to be had, and I let Maddy down to walk. She thought it was so much FUN and proceeded to toddle away across the cement. The store was pretty empty (smart people stayed out of the cold) and Maddy had the room to go at top speeds. About 5 feet later, Maddy lost her balance and went down. Then started crawling towards a puddle of muddy slush... but she walked in a store!
Life otherwise is much the same. And Maddy continues to be awesome. But RUNNING awesome. Seriously, it's frightening to watch her run at (her) top speeds and ALWAYS something in her hands. I thought the thing that would inspire her to walk was going to be the chance to be mobile and carry something in her hands. Tonight we did a Costco run, there was no meat to be had, and I let Maddy down to walk. She thought it was so much FUN and proceeded to toddle away across the cement. The store was pretty empty (smart people stayed out of the cold) and Maddy had the room to go at top speeds. About 5 feet later, Maddy lost her balance and went down. Then started crawling towards a puddle of muddy slush... but she walked in a store!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
This n' that
Tonight Neil and I are sitting, relaxing, computering and watching the Oscars. Someone won, and this someone said "To my daughter, who has taught me more than I could ever teach her". Those words brought tears to my eyes... the truth of them hit me at my core. The last 13 months have made my life make sense, my world is clear, my purpose realized. I am meant to be the mother to my most amazing little girl. I have already learned patience and priorities, what truly matters, how beautiful the sound of laughter can be and how much joy one small human can bring to life. This little girl? She is also possibly the only person in existence to wear bright red jeggings with flair and panache. Well, maybe just wear them and look absolutely freaking adorable.
Tonight Maddy woke with a cry, and I went in to check on her. She was distraught because she was on one end of the crib and her Roger (teddy) on the other. Once Roger was in her arms, she nestled into my arms and calmed. And I held my girl, smelled the shampoo in her hair and sang her the lullaby I always do. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Tonight Maddy woke with a cry, and I went in to check on her. She was distraught because she was on one end of the crib and her Roger (teddy) on the other. Once Roger was in her arms, she nestled into my arms and calmed. And I held my girl, smelled the shampoo in her hair and sang her the lullaby I always do. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Month Thirteen Letter
My dear Maddy,
You are motoring your way (literally) into the second year of your life! You are a walking and exploring machine and NOTHING can stop you. Well, except the change in flooring between the laminate and the rug - that used to get you every time although you're better at lifting your feet now.
There is very little pre-toddler left in your life. No bottles, no baby food... Although are still in your crib! Not ready to even begin thinking of changing that yet. You are a pretty mobile sleeper and I could see a few falls out of bed. Although, we're never really sure about how (and when) you sleep. We shut the door and can't open it again until morning. Which is defined by when you start talking. Are you up before then? Maybe... We can't check on you, since it'll wake you every time and you are NOT happy to be woken up. I miss the days when before I'd go to sleep I'd go into your room, check to make sure you had your blanket/Roger and were peacefully breathing. Before we dropped your crib to the lowest level I'd also lightly kiss your forehead. Now I huddle next to your baby monitor and strain to hear you breathe or move before I can close my eyes for the day.
We have booked your spot in daycare and you start in just over 2 months! And your crazy mama has already started thinking about what will need to be done every morning and how much more rushed it will all be. Luckily I am now able to get ready in less than 10 minutes (10 minutes if I need to straighten my hair). There was a time when I'd even look in the mirror before leaving for work. Now, I glance down and hope it matches and I am clean. And with the bottle you wanted breakfast later but without the bottle? Breakfast needs to be pretty soon after waking, which will be good once the daycare days start. Although mama doesn't function as well immediately. Another thing I'll learn to do!
You are such a social little girl! We can take you to new places and to new people and you are calm and curious. You may not instantly warm to them, but you rarely get upset. You take it all in stride and adapt quickly to a new place. Finally, a trait like your mama! You really are your dada's daughter and are so much like him.
Every day, every second with you, is amazing. You are our world, Maddy. Every month sees so much change, it's like having a brand new Nunu! Here's to another month of walking and moving and learning and exploring.
We love you so much, Maddy.
Mum
You are motoring your way (literally) into the second year of your life! You are a walking and exploring machine and NOTHING can stop you. Well, except the change in flooring between the laminate and the rug - that used to get you every time although you're better at lifting your feet now.
There is very little pre-toddler left in your life. No bottles, no baby food... Although are still in your crib! Not ready to even begin thinking of changing that yet. You are a pretty mobile sleeper and I could see a few falls out of bed. Although, we're never really sure about how (and when) you sleep. We shut the door and can't open it again until morning. Which is defined by when you start talking. Are you up before then? Maybe... We can't check on you, since it'll wake you every time and you are NOT happy to be woken up. I miss the days when before I'd go to sleep I'd go into your room, check to make sure you had your blanket/Roger and were peacefully breathing. Before we dropped your crib to the lowest level I'd also lightly kiss your forehead. Now I huddle next to your baby monitor and strain to hear you breathe or move before I can close my eyes for the day.
We have booked your spot in daycare and you start in just over 2 months! And your crazy mama has already started thinking about what will need to be done every morning and how much more rushed it will all be. Luckily I am now able to get ready in less than 10 minutes (10 minutes if I need to straighten my hair). There was a time when I'd even look in the mirror before leaving for work. Now, I glance down and hope it matches and I am clean. And with the bottle you wanted breakfast later but without the bottle? Breakfast needs to be pretty soon after waking, which will be good once the daycare days start. Although mama doesn't function as well immediately. Another thing I'll learn to do!
You are such a social little girl! We can take you to new places and to new people and you are calm and curious. You may not instantly warm to them, but you rarely get upset. You take it all in stride and adapt quickly to a new place. Finally, a trait like your mama! You really are your dada's daughter and are so much like him.
Every day, every second with you, is amazing. You are our world, Maddy. Every month sees so much change, it's like having a brand new Nunu! Here's to another month of walking and moving and learning and exploring.
We love you so much, Maddy.
Mum
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