Month.. Oh man. A lot...

Well, I have failed at even once a month blogging! There is a long list of reminders in my inbox saying "Maddy letter dumbass!" (dumbass mine). And I see it. And I even add it to my list of things to do. And I don't. Why do I resist?

Who knows.

There is SO. MUCH. AWESOME. in our lives. Maddy is amazing and hilarious and so so smart and wonderful. And daily Neil and I laugh or cringe or are shocked by something she says or does. And I want to remember this all. I post pithy little Facebook updates, and maybe that could be enough. But I think I want more context. One of my 2014 resolutions is to... (you guessed it) BLOG MORE. And over a week into this, I am only just starting.

There are some really really old examples of her awesomeness that I saved in Google Keep (love that program - electronic sticky notes). One night, in July or so, as I was putting her to bed, I snuggled her tightly as we laid on her floor. Then I pretended to be fast asleep, with over the top snoring and everything. Maddy kept squirming and trying to get out, calling out "MOMMY! WAKE UP MOMMY!". I ignored her demands to wake up and stole the snuggles. She stopped moving... she was thinking...

"COCKADOODLE-DOOOOO Mommy!"

She couldn't wake me, so the rooster would! I started laughing, ruining the snoring and let her go. And then stared and my 3 and a half year old, in awe of her problem solving. Her voice wouldn't wake me, so what does wake people? ROOSTERS! Oh Maddy, you'll have us on our toes for years and years to come.

(Just a picture from a playdate that I adore. This post needed more pictures!)

This was the first year Maddy went trick or treating, and understood it. And it was SO MUCH FUN. She dressed up, we walked and walked (and collected reams of candy). She was so polite walking up to houses, holding my hand. The first time I stood back to take a picture (below) is the first (but not last!) house with a motion activated scream machine. If you look closely in the picture you can see Maddy looking sharply to the right, as the machine starting cackling. Oy! I ran up the her immediately and was much more careful staying by her side. And holding her for a few other houses with motion detection machines.

After it was all done, we were snuggling in bed and talking about trick or treating. She loved the candy, the visiting. I praised her for being brave with some of the moving decorations. She said she wasn't brave, she was scared.

"Maddy, being brave means still doing what you want to, even if you are sacred. And mommy is so proud of you". I always, always am.

Right now, Maddy is helping with everything. Setting the table, cooking, cleaning... she can do it ALL because she is a "BIG girl now". And we're still trying to accommodate her as much as we can. Cutting the tomatoes? No. But putting the cut tomatoes into the bowl for me? Sure! We can make this helping thing work.


Over Christmas Maddy insisted on helping Neil shovel when it was when it was pretty cold out. We found her snowpants, scarf, tuque, gloves, jacket and warm boots. And her little pink shovel. And she was out! Helping Daddy. Well... "helping". She felt it was important to take the snow OFF the banks and put it on the sidewalk. Then when corrected, no snow on the sidewalk, she took the snow off the bank, crossed the sidewalk and put it on the OTHER bank. Where is slowly rolled down and landed... on the sidewalk. But she's trying! And we encourage that.

Another way Maddy wanted to prove she was a big girl. On New Years day we decided to go out to our favourite sushi restaurant. Maddy hears my mom and I constantly battle to see who will pay. That day? She ran into the living room, grabbed her little toy piggy bank (in the shape of a "Madelineraptor") and proudly declared SHE would be paying! She carried her piggy bank in to the restaurant and told the waitress (who we know well) that she would pay. Rhea looked at us, and we quietly indicated we'd cover the rest. And after dinner, Maddy proudly carried her 45 cents to pay for dinner. And we proudly finished off the bill.

Over Christmas Maddy was home with us when daycare was closed. We tried to get her out of the house, activities and visiting. And even tried to arrange a playdate at our place (although it never happened). But there was a lot of "booooooooored" and "I want you to PLAY with me!" over the days. Espousing the virtue of independent play was not going over very well... Finally on December 30 we could take Maddy in for the day! Despite us both being home, we knew she would love the time with her friends. She walked in to little girls screaming her name. Maddy hugged each little girl so tightly and exclaimed "I MISSED YOU GUYS!" and was off. She has reached that socialization place - her friends are so important to her. And they will continue to grow in importance (as we, the parents, diminish). And that is perfectly ok :)

(A picture from a friend's birthday party)

Maddy is also showing great interest in music. Neil is in a band (awesome band) and Maddy has been having fun "practicing" with him. She'd play the Rock Band game drums as he played bass. For Christmas I asked her if she wanted a drum or guitar, so she could play along with Daddy. She looked at me, with a puzzled expression and said

"A bass, mommy"

Well. A child's toy bass has not yet been invented! So she got a toy pink guitar, which she affectionately calls her bass. And it's obnoxiously loud. And she loves it!

 (Maddy, practicing with Daddy, back in the summer)

Being a mom is often collecting wisdom from friends. One dear friend was explaining how in her house she's taught her daughter there are no secrets, only surprises. The reason for this is dark, if there is anything inappropriate happening, and someone tells Maddy that what is happenign is a "secret" that she can't tell mommy or daddy... well. There are no secrets in our house. But it's hard to give up that vocal tic. 

A few days a ago we were sitting around. Maddy and Daddy were on the couch together, watching something on the computer I think. Maddy was being her usual awesome self and I was struck with how much I love her. I said aloud "Maddy, can I tell you a secret?". She stopped, thought and said "But we have no secrets mommy". Oh Maddy! You are right, I was wrong. There are no secrets. As I try to teach you, you reflect it back at me and make me look at life anew.

Parenting is not about saying the right thing, always. It's about modelling the right thing, as often as you can. And when you see something positive and confident reflected back at you, in your child's eyes and actions, you know that despite the mistakes you are doing ok. There will be secrets, one day. There will be lies and hurt feelings. We will be so irrelevant... and as long as we give her a solid foundation to act from, she'll be ok. So far, so good. We have an amazing little girl in our house.

Pictures!

It's been awhile since I have posted pics. Again, mostly because there aren't as many pics to post, with the whole camera fascination. Brought it out again tonight and it was ok! Only some screen-curiosity. 

 Biggest, Smile. Ever. 

 A new game - she demands to be let in her "crap" (aka crib) and then asks for all her teddies then buries herself in them all and burrows through. 

 Yup, LOADS of fun!

 Can you see our temporary art on the wall? I really love Magic Eraser.

Camera screen fascination. At least you can see her face this time...

Taken tonight. The blur on the bottom? Maddy was taught by her silly mom how to spray a water bottle. Silly mommy... 

 Looking at books. We still haven't figured out how to get Maddy to smile for the camera. It's either straight face or frantic joy. Both equally adorable to me but is there something in between?

Something in between! 

Yesterday was the first day we put Maddy in a booster seat at a restaurant, instead of a high chair. And it worked! She sat pretty still, as long as she was being entertained. My baby is no more. My toddler is growing at an amazing rate and every day is better than the last.

ELMOOOOOOO

On Saturday Maddy, Neil and I joined 2 other families at Telus World of Science, for the Sesame Street exhibit. Which featured a visit by Elmo. In person. Really tall, needed help to walk, kind of silent ELMO. The kids loved it!

Featured, left to right, are Maddy, Elmo, Kiran and Caleb*.

Elmo: Three toddlers? At once? *blink, blink*

Kiran: ELMO! Hi Elmo! I love you Elmo.

Caleb: OK, here's my most adorable smile.

Caleb: And this is my best side!

Caleb: Here is my serious look, on my best side. Whatcha think?

Maddy: I am blowing this pop stand.

 Maddy: They can be awesome, I am done.

 Elmo: Was it something I said?

* Pictures of other people's kids posted with permission

Just for Elaine!

MOAR PICTURES!

Maddy and Daddy sitting together, playing on the computer. What are they doing? 

WoW, of course! Maddy was fascinated by the dancing dog. 

Photo editing program! I have no editing-skills, but my girl has cute-skills for certain. 

Learning to use a spoon. First time eating yogurt herself! 

Enough pictures already! Can't a girl get some peace??

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

And now for something that may surprise you... PICTURES!

 The Birch sit. While Neil can't do this, his aunt and her daughters can. I love seeing the family traits leak into her behaviour. 

 Maddy and Daddy sharing nutells. Yes, Maddy was LOVING it. 

 Sleeping Nunu. She often wakes in this spot in the morning. One of the reasons that a crib won't be leaving her room any time soon. Well, that and OMG SHE'S STILL MY BABY! 

Sherman and Walter. And a huge mess in the living room. Maddy's existence has aged them both (grey face anyone?) but they are loved. And no longer bups, but pup-pee. 

There were more pictures I wanted to post but for some reason blogger doesn't want to change the direction and I give up!  Too many other things on the list of stuff to do. 

Pictures!

I promised myself that next time I blogged that I would post pics. And then life got busy and the batteries died in the camera and the replacement batteries were waaaaaay up one flight of stairs and then we went away and then... PICTURES!*

 Lazy Daisy resting and watching TV. This is a normal Nunu just before bed. 

 Compared to this, a sleeping Nunu. Hard to see her actual size under her awesome Sleep Huggers sack. Colour chosen by dada. 

 Morning Maddy face. Every weekday morning Maddy has milk, toast with marmalade and fruit. Mostly because anything more requires thought and mum doesn't do that well in the morning. 

Maddy is learning about how to climb onto things. She's taken to standing on her dragon and rolling around on it. I blame daycare for teaching her to let her feet leave the floor. Or maybe just growing up... Either way? It's a different world with a climber. In the background you can see a dada and 2 bups, all relaxing. 

Maddy watching (more TV) from her little chair. It has since been moved up to the top of the armoire (for the reason in the previous picture). But she loved the chair and loved the fact "Doo-Rah" was on it. One day, it will return. We hope. 

Life continues to be good. We went to Calgary (sans Nunu) for a friend's 40th birthday dinner. And we're just spending the days since then catching up on everything that still needs doing around the house and also trying to get over a silly daycare/summer cold. 

Oh! The weekend before last we had family pictures taken! Check out a few of them here. So wonderful to have these memories captured. Can't wait to pick the ones to hang on our wall. Our family. Our happy, wonderful, perfectly-imperfect family.

* I have a new laptop which I love! However, I am also a wee bit lazy about installing even the most rudimentary editing programs I have. So? Pics are completely unedited and for that - sorry! 

Dr. Google and I were right! And early Father's Day too.

On Monday Maddy and I (and baba) went to the doctor to be sure her diagnosis was right (it was). But baba was worried and wanted confirmation and I was ok with that too. A virus, possibly Fifths, but without testing it can't be confirmed. And there is no reason to test, Maddy will be fine. We did get a humidifier for Maddy's room, to help her cough. Which worked last night. But also was NOT kind to the Maddster's hair-do. Not at all (see pic below).

Tonight we went to baba and dido's for a (very) early Father's Day dinner. Prime rib roast and cabbage rolls and potatoes and creamed spinach and broccoli and baked beans... and then brownies with cream cheese icing and cherries. And wow, it was waaaay too much food. But DAMN was it good! I meant to bring the Father's Day gifts with us (but that thing to remember fell out of my head, despite having a note written ON MY HAND). So when we got home I got the bag for Neil. In it were 2 cards - one from me and one from Maddy. And 3 t-shirts. One for Maddy, and 2 for Dada. And they were all Doctor Who inspired. I MAY have gotten one for myself too...

Neil's shirt says "Keep Calm and Don't Blink" with a TARDIS under Maddy's hand. Maddy's says "Five little Daleks went out to play... Over the hills and far away...". The other one for Dada says "I wear t-shirts now. T-shirts are cool." Mine has a silhouette of a screwdriver and says "Could use more sonic". You have to be a Doctor Who fan to get it, but I think Dada appreciated it. There MAY be something saved for Dada, for the REAL Father's Day.*

It was a glorious night! And now, there are dishes to do and lunches to make and dogs to walk and herbs to water and laundry t fold and laundry to do... Time to get at it!

* put in partially to see if Neil reads the blog... Shhhh! Don't tell him!

Update: Maddy's new tricks!

OK, we aren't sure it's daycare or would have happened anyway... but Maddy is blossoming! She's speaking so much more (or at least trying her hardest), she started singing on the weekend, she helped take her shirt off herself before her bath, she's answering more questions now, she's saying "hi", she's responding to our requests (like "Maddy, did you finish your milk?" and she went, found her milk and finished it). It's kind of frightening, how much and how fast it's all happening.

On Friday night we moved Maddy's bedtime. She has been going down at 7pm since she was 6 months old. At 15 months, it was time to make a change. Her bedtime is now 730pm, which means a lot more time with her in the evening, considering I get home at 445pm and have to make dinner, ready for 530pm. We eat, then I'd only have about 45 minutes with her. Now? Over an HOUR! And I have to say, I love the extra time! Before daycare Maddy would be acting tired by 6pm. Now, despite being more active than ever, she's completely alert and ready to go until at least 7pm!

Tonight from 630-7pm we sat with Maddy at the back landing. Maddy loves to crawl down the stairs to the landing when the dogs are outside and bark and wave to them. Tonight, even after the dogs were back in, we sat there and...

We waved

We reached for the door handle

We reached under the door

We told stories (Maddy was an enthralled audience)

We... um... well SHE... um...

And what a blast it was!

The most awesome daycare and most awesome present

I am so lucky and so happy that we got Maddy into the awesome daycare we got her in to. This morning it was a breeze taking Maddy in. We walked in (well, I walked and she was carried) and she was quite calm and once I put her down and she got into all the toys... she was just fine. She didn't even pay any attention to my frantic waving and and tearful gaze. She was having fun with Laura, reading a book! As I was hovering, enjoying a few seconds with my girl, one of the staff came in. The little boy - maybe around 4? 5? - from the older kid room noticed her come in and his face lit up. He called out to her and held his arms up for a hug and told her that he missed her. One evening away, and he missed her. And they thought that was normal! Laura's philosophy is that while the parents are at work, her job is to love the kids like they are her own. And it's so obvious she does.

Baba has been in serious (and grump-inducing) withdrawals from her loss of Maddy time. This morning baba came over to oversee a bunch of work being done at the house and then went to get Maddy. Baba and Maddy spent some time together this afternoon (having soft ice-cream). And when I got home there was a special surprise for me.

There was a pink bag with a smeared blue handprint on it. And my first every homemade Mother's Day card.

If you look closely, you can see a few blue and orange pencil marks on the bottom of the card.

I am a mom. I am a most amazing little girl's mom.

Day 2 of Daycare

Today I took Maddy for day 2 of daycare. And today? SO much harder. Maddy cried when we walked in there - she understood this is the room where she gets left. And even while I stayed there for 30 minutes, trying to reassure her, she would be happily playing then just stop and cry. Wail, like her little heart was breaking. Finally, I had to leave to make it to work. I walked out and Maddy started crying. And I had to keep walking. The awesome staff were quick to run over, pick Maddy up and distract her. They know what they are doing. But this first time mom? She's feeling a little lost.

I know it'll get better, I know it's the best thing for Maddy. But as my wise mom says, her head knows it's right but her heart feels like she's deserting our girl.

Today I called (again) to see how she was. The staff we reassuring and Maddy was doing fine, after a few tears this morning. When I called I asked about how Maddy was doing they called me "Maddy's mom". The years of being known as "Maddy's mom" has started. I thought it would feel foreign, like someone way more responsible than I am. But, when I heard it, I felt like it fits. There is a large part of me and my life devoted to being Maddy's mom. While it isn't my entire life, I love it being a large chunk of my life for now.

Maddy's outfit for her first day of daycare. And in case you are wondering, she's holding a tightly sealed empty jar of my anti-aging cream. She found it upstairs and has become a favorite thing to carry around.

No, I don't get it either.

More new for the nunu!

Maddy is once again (still?) teething. But her one molar is completely out and the other, on the bottom, is almost out. But there is still quite a bit of gum over the tooth. However, teething + a meh nap = GRUMP. Despite the grump she still does something new and awesome everyday! Today? It was JUMP.

For a long time Maddy has found jumping hilarious. When we jump near her, laughter. When we jump holding her? More laughter! And today, she jumped all on her own! Did she get much air? Hells no... but she thought it was crazy fun. She'd bend her knees and quickly straighten them. Sometimes one foot would leave the earth, sometimes she stayed firmly on the floor. But it's something new, something fun, something she figured out all her own. So much she's just... picking up on her own. I don't know what I thought, that I would have to teach her things like jumping? That it would take explaining, not just her watching us and figuring it out... but what it is, it is awesome!

Choo choo!

Maddy has reached the questioning phase. Every day, everything is "dat?" or "dis?" and a cute little finger pointing. Anything is fair game to be explained. Pictures on walls, walls, lights, appliances and a favorite to question? Images in books.

There are books she loves - alphabet books. She grabs one, waves it at us until we obey and then we read. With the images I'll often make sounds or noises to match. A current favorite is "T".

There are three images in the book. Toothbrush, Turtle and Train.

When I read toothbrush, I make a brushing sound. When I read turtle I can't think of a good noise so I make none. But when I read train? I go "Chugga-chugga chugga-chugga choo-choo, CHOO-CHOO!" Maddy loves that one, and tries to mimic the sound I make, although it sounds more like "chugg chugg".

Tonight we were reading another little book and we were stopped at a page, she was pointing at everything and asking "dis?".

She pointed to the elephant. "Dis?" and I said elephant. And baby. And cloud. And then I said train. Maddy stopped, looked into my eyes and said "chugg chugg!" with great pride.

And that is when my eyes filled with tears.

Everyday she does something new that is awesome. Tonight I was carrying dinner to the table and called for her, and asked her to come to the dining room to eat. And she came. She chugg chugg'ed. She ate her slices of pear at dinner. She played with a mayonnaise jar. 

She is just an amazing, learning, funny and sweet little girl.

Who can't QUITE reach the bath toys in the bath yet.