Such a Big Girl

This morning I had my meeting and then I went to get my nails done. Ryan had not expected me home until later because I had given him a big list of things that I wanted to accomplish by myself. Well, after getting my nails done I thought I'd pick up Natalie and take her to the teacher store with me. She enjoys going there even though I knew I'd have to make another trip without her. So, I called home to tell Ryan that I was coming to get her. Natalie answered the phone with a very soft hello.

"Hi Natalie. It's Mommy."
"Hi Mommy!"
"Did you have lunch yet?"
"No, I didn't have lunch yet."
"I am going to come home and have lunch with you. Then we're going to go to the teacher's
store. Do you want to come with me?"
"Okay."
"I'm on my way home."
"You are?"
"Yes. I'll be there soon."
"Okay, bye Mommy."

And she hung up! I never talked to Ryan. When I got home he said, "I expected you much later!" apparently Natalie had been playing on the computer and just picked up the phone and answered it. Then later today the "teacher's store" called me about a book that I wanted and she answered the phone. I guess she didn't recognize the voice or understand because she hung up and they called right back! If you call my house be prepared to speak loudly and clearly to a very precocious preschooler!

Visiting With Nana

My mom came to visit us last week. When I say us, I really mean the grandbabies. That's okay. I don't mind that I am not the reason for her visit. When she comes she's a big help. Ryan and I get to go out - a rarity, and it's nice having an extra pair of hands. I actually got to sleep in until 7:45 one morning. That was a treat.

Natalie loves it when her Nana comes "home." In fact one of the things that prompted Nana's visit was a couple of weeks ago when Natalie told me, "Mommy, I think my Nana is lost." My mom said, "That's it. I'm coming." She's made quite a few visits since Natalie was born and I really think that helped foster a strong bond between them. When Nana is here, she rarely wants Mommy - usually only on occasions when she is incredibly tired and crabby.

We had a good visit. It was mostly spent doing things that Natalie enjoys. Of course Matthew was a good sport and didn't complain at all. We went back to the Kidzone (had to take Nana), and to some of our favorite places like Target, Barnes and Noble, and the ice cream store. We swam in the backyard and played games like tag, leapfrog, and fishing. Oh, when I say we I really mean they. I was merely the chauffeur. I don't think I was allowed to play tag, leapfrog, or fish either - a nice little rest for Mommy.

During the visit Natalie and Nana were having lunch out on the picnic table and Natalie said to her, "Nana, you are not lost any more."

Matthew enjoyed Nana's visit too. He wasn't so demanding with his choice of activities. As long as he was being held or talked to he was happy.

After a nice week we said goodbye to Nana until next time.

Splish Splash

You know your a Californian when the first photo of you sitting up on your own is in a pool! Matthew had his first "swim" yesterday in Nat's froggy pool. He wasn't all smiles and giggles but we could tell he loved it by his determination to keep splashing. Natalie loved swimming with him too.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

*I will first apologize for my horrible pun. I have a creative husband. He's hard to live up to. My third graders would think I'm hilarious!

So hopefully this is my last selfish entry in my hair saga. I called back my "old" salon to schedule an appointment with Susie. First there was an answering machine saying that they would call me back. I didn't leave a message. I called back about an hour later and a voice different from yesterday answered. Hoping to get some details I asked for Tina again.

Girl: Hold on.

Background: (girl asking for Tina) She's not here anymore.

Girl: She doesn't work here anymore.

Me: Do you know where she went?

Girl: Hold on.

Background: (girl asking where Tina is) she's gone

Girl: She's gone. There's new management.

Me: Are there any of the original people left?

Girl: Hold on.

Background: (girl asking) No, they all left.

Girl: No, they all left.

Me: Thank you. CLICK

Wow! The whole staff is gone. Now why would I want to go somewhere where EVERYONE left?! I should have known something was up when the girl just answered the phone today with, "Salon." Well, there is still hope. My friend Jeneal has her home number. But she's on vacation. So, until I can find someone I might just end up going to where ever for a cut and coloring it at home. Julie can you help?

The Phone, The Phone

Natalie loves to talk on the phone. Play talk, real talk. She's loved play phones from the time she could grasp objects. The first object she held was a small phone rattle. Whenever I am on the phone she'll always say, "Let me talk." During my last trimester of work she had begun answering the phone too. I would always call around the same time and she'd pick up and say, "Hi Mommy." My class got a kick out of it. Anyway, now that she knows what a phone is for sometimes it's a race to see who can get to a ringing phone first.

Today I was playing with Matthew while she was playing on the computer and the phone rang. She was sitting right next to it so she answered it with a polite ,but soft hello. I picked up the extension just in time to hear, "May I please speak with Ryan." It was a business call! So I took the message and as soon as I hung up Natalie asked, "Who's calling me?" Funny little girl!

More Hair Anguish

The more I think about it, the more upset I get. I've been going to Tina for over five years. She should have called me. Sure, I hadn't been since November, I was a good client and I tipped well. Besides, she knew that once I had kids my schedule was hectic and I'd go in to see her when I was off track. I looked in the phone book today and all it was to me was just a bunch of names and numbers. I can't just randomly try a salon. Too risky. Maybe I will try Susie. I am getting desperate and the roots won't take care of themselves.

*Thanks for the support, Mel!

First Playtime

Matthew and Natalie played a cute game of ball today. Matthew was scooting himself across the floor in our bonus room and spied Nat's very large, blue ball (about 18 inches). He discovered that if he hit it, it would roll back to him. This caused him to giggle. Natalie, wanting to join in on the fun, got on the other end and started to roll it to him. "I'm playing with Matthew, " she said. She would roll it. It would bounce off his head. He would laugh hysterically and it would roll back to Natalie. Repeat . . . repeat. . . repeat. Oh, they had great fun for quite a while. Their first time really playing together. It was cute. I should have gotten it on video but I left the camera on the other day and the battery was dead!

My Hair Needs Help!!!

Today I called the salon where my hair stylist "used to" work. Yes, I said used to. You can imagine my disappointment to find out that Tina no longer works there any more. My conversation went like this:

Me: I'd like to make an appointment with Tina for a cut, color, and highlights.

Receptionist: Tina is not here any more.

Me: Oh, no!

Receptionist: I can make you an appointment with Susie.

Me: No. (Said very weakly and with great sadness)
Do you know where she went?

Receptionist: No, sorry.

Me: Okay, thank you.

click

So now I am in dire need of a stylist. Ryan just laughed at me when I went up to tell him. For me, going to get my hair done is like going to the dentist. It sends fear down my spine. So when I found someone I liked, I was happy. I had been going to Tina in Chino since 2001. I can't believe she didn't even call me to tell me that she was leaving. Sigh. Anyone know a good stylist and colorist?

Rolly Polly Olly

Rolly Polly Olly (note spelling change in order to not infringe on Disney's copyright!). That's what we call Matthew. Although he has started to commando crawl, he mostly rolls where he wants to go. Natalie will say to him, "Hey, how did you get there?" He'll respond with an almost toothless grin (his two bottom ones are coming in). He is definately getting more mobile and soon we'll have to baby proof with more detail. For now though, he's our own Rolly Polly Olly.
Nice drool, buddy!

Welcome Baby Alex

Ryan's brother Jason and his wife Raquel had a baby boy on June 20th. Well, Raquel actually did all the work! Congratulations Jason and Raquel and welcome Baby Alex. Your Auntie loves you and your cousins can't wait to meet you.

Mom of the Year

Okay, on Monday I was trying to straighten a few things before Ryan came back with my mom from the airport. Natalie was on the computer so I laid Matthew on his activity mat, which he loves. After a few minutes he started to fuss, but not really cry, so I kept talking to him as I was cleaning. Well, about ten minutes later I went to check on a quiet Matthew and found him fast asleep on his mat! He looked so comfortable that I left him there and he slept for over an hour and a half!

You Had Me at Hey

In Natalie's younger days, when I would leave for work she would be engrossed in the Wiggles, which progressed to Higgly Town Heroes to Little Einsteins and now her repertoire is quite large. I would want to give her a kiss good bye and tell her to have a nice day but she would be in couch potato mode watching her favorite morning program. I would literally have to yell, "Hey!" to get her attention. Then she'd look at me and I'd say, "I love you." She fell into a routine saying, "Hey, I love you back to me." It became our thing as I would leave each day. As she got older I didn't need to drag her away from the television to say goodbye. So we kind of forgot about it as a daily thing and would do it on special occasions.

Well, Natalie's new thing is to walk whoever is leaving to the door (hence Grant escaping last weekend) and if it's Mommy or Daddy, give them a hug and a kiss and watch us leave. Just recently as I was leaving she yelled, "Hey," pause, "I love you." It made me smile because she has internalized our special thing and made it her own. And it just makes me melt to hear those words, "Hey, I love you."

Shots

(pre shot photos)


Matthew had his six month well baby last week with our pediatrician. Poor little guy didn't know that he was going to get jabbed with the needle - twice. Boy, did he cry during the sticking but as soon as it was over and I picked him up he stopped crying but was still a little miffed. Now Natalie needed a booster shot and I made the mistake of not warning her, something I usually do. Daddy thought it might upset her. but in the past talking about it prepared her for what was to come. Well, I was getting Matthew dressed and Nat said, "I am not getting a shot." The nurse replied, "Yes, you are," and all hell broke loose. She screamed, hit, and kicked. It was so fast but that didn't matter. She insisted that we take it back. Uh, okay, Natalie, I'll take it back. The nurse offered her a lollipop and she said through tears, "Can I have a sticker too?" The PURPLE lollipop and sticker seemed to make it a little better, but what I think helped is lunch at "the restaurant we always go to" and a trip to Target. She also convinced Daddy to buy her a small, purple Care Bear. What did Matthew get at Target? Nothing, he didn't ask.

Food, Fun, and Friends

We got together with some friends that we hadn't seen in a while this past weekend and had a blast. Scott, Melanie, and little Grant came over and we had a barbecue. Ryan did all the cooking! All I did was make salads which was very easy and made me very happy. Grant and Natalie had fun playing in the little pool and eating popsicles. Grant especially liked the train table. I think he needs one Mommy and Daddy. Of course Matthew was his usual charming and good natured self. He actually took a really long nap. We had a great day. It ended with a little excitement. Nat's big thing when people are leaving is to walk them to the door. Well, when Scott and Melanie said that they were leaving, not knowing that it would take some time to pack up, Natalie opened the door land let Grant out. So Grant flew the coop and entertained us with a game Elsa likes to play - chase me and I'll run. He's pretty quick. All in all it was a fun day.Thanks for coming over guys. Can't wait to see you next month. What a cutie!

Our Day Trip to the Kidzone

On Wednesday Nat, Matthew and I went to the Kidzone museum in Hemet with Le Anne and Nathan. Le Anne thought she was having contractions and thought she might be going into labor and still wanted to make the trek out there. What a trooper. No baby yet, though.

Anyway, the kids had fun. Nathan jumped right in but Natalie was a bit more cautious, standing back and watching everything until she felt ready to try it out. She wasn’t crazy over the dinosaur dig – kept getting small pieces of rubber in her sandals. But she loved the grocery store. She knew just what to do and filled her cart twice. What a good shopper!


Matthew was a little trooper himself. There wasn’t much for him to do, but he was just happy hanging out. His highlight was watching his sister take a tumble. It brought deep giggles of glee from his charming little self.

My pictures didn't turn out that great since I had only one free hand and there was too much for the kids to see and do to be bothered by posing for photos.

Remember?

Natalie has a lot of nostalgic memories. One time I picked her up from daycare and as we were getting in the car she said, "Remember when there was a big bug in the car and I was scared?" No, I don't. When we got I home I found out that in the morning on her way to daycare there had been a big bug (a moth I think) in the car - with Daddy. Good, my memory is not failing me. She often remembers random things at random times. Classic example, in October we had gone shopping at Target and Nat really wanted this ugly, soft pumpkin bag for trick or treating. Well, it was ten dollars and I didn't want to buy it for her so I distracted her and dumped it. She soon forgot about it. Three hours later I was giving her a bath and all of a sudden she said, "Hey! Where did that pumpkin go?"

She does seem to have a really good memory, though. She has a couple favorite recollections. One is when Daddy broke his watch. Ask him about that one. Another is when she came to visit Matthew and me in the hospital and she ate my dinner.

I often talk to her about past experiences so she will remember them. Last summer we went back east to visit my family. Natalie has some young second cousins close in age. I'll ask her if she remembers Mia and she'll say, "I shared my pail and shovel with her." Well, I don't know if it was actually sharing, but Mia did use it. Or I'll ask if she remembers swimming with Emily and she'll say, "I shared my rings with her." This is true. She did share that time, but not the purple one.

The other day, she saw her Auntie's wedding photo and said, "Remember when Auntie got married and there was a pretty dress." So, she does have a pretty good memory.

This morning, with such excitement in her voice she asked me, "Mommy, do you remember when we had a surprise?" I couldn't understand what she was talking about so I asked her what surprise. She said, "We closed our eyes and opened them and Maisy came." Ah, yes, I do remember Maisy. And boy was it a surprise. That crazy Maisy making another memory for my little punkin.

*top photo - okay, maybe she did share with
Mia

*bottom photo - at Auntie's wedding and in pretty good spirits considering she was sick

Matthew and Auntie

Here's a photo of Matthew with his Auntie. He's always very happy and content when she's holding him. I think they're going to be great buddies.

Hanging Out With Maisy

Today we went to the story time at Barnes and Noble. It was Maisy day with several Maisy stories and a visit from the large mouse(???) herself. We've never read Maisy's books until today, but we've seen her show on Noggin. Personally, I don't care for it because all the characters do is mumble while a narrator tells the story, but the books were fine and Natalie watches the show occasionally. The two year olds seemed to like it and even Matthew got a kick out of her. He was smiling and laughing at the big mouse. After story time the reader passed out pictures to color, small marker sets, and a snack and juice. Natalie called it a Maisy snack. My good friend
Le Anne met us there with her little boy, Nathan. She was a little worried that he wouldn't do well during story time, but he did great. I was impressed by the whole thing and will definately try to go again.





*Natalie is wearing the outfit her Nana sent her.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

On Sunday we went to my dad's to celebrate his birthday and Father's Day. Natalie calls him my grandpa with the big dogs or my grandpa with the black hair. We had a nice time. Natalie ate very well. She actually ate her chicken, baked potato, and corn and skipped the dessert. She then played hide and seek with her Uncle Joe and finageled a blue ball out of Grandpa. Matthew did well too. He is usually pretty content no matter what we do. What a good boy.

Words of Wisdom

As I was leaving for the gym today Natalie offered me some parting advice. She said, "Mommy, stay away from the cars so you don't get squished." Now that's some good advice.

Sitting Up and No Camera!

It figures that the day Matthew decides he's going to attempt balancing pretty well in a sitting position, Daddy takes the camera for the day. We had been practicing the past few days with Natalie and I giving him much praise and cheering, but today he seemed to be able to hold his sit for quite a while before timbering. I'll take photos tomorrow.

Soon to be Best Buddies

Natalie absolutely loves her baby brother. There was a time when I was a little worried. It wasn’t a surprise to hear her say, “Give the baby to Daddy.” She wasn’t used to sharing, especially one of her favorite things, her Mommy. Soon she learned that “both of us” could fit on Mommy with each one of them getting a side. Natalie gets the right side and Matthew the left. I can’t hold her on the left, because it smells like Matthew! You will often find us on the couch cuddling, with Matthew on the left and Nat on the right.

So, yes she has not only grown to accept her baby brother but to love him as well. The other day Matthew was crying in his bouncy seat and I just needed five more minutes to clean up the kitchen so I asked Natalie to sing to him. She bounded up from the couch and ran over to him and started singing. He loved it. He laughed and laughed. Well, then she started to dance for him. Boy did he chuckle. It was so cute that I wish that I had caught the moment on video.

There are so many of those moments, though. We’ll be driving and she’ll hold his hand as they are riding in their car seats together. Or she’ll pat his head and say, “It’s okay, sweetie.”

On the other side, Matthew adores his big sister. I can see the two of them already forming their sibling bond. They are already planning and masterminding creative ways to entertain each other and experience life. I love watching their bond grow.

Of course we do occasionally still have days, where it’s, “Let Daddy take care of Matthew,” but deep down it’s obvious that she really loves her baby brother.

*In the top photo they are picking out what style of play set they'd like!
** In the bottom photo Natalie likes to have "tummy time" along with Matthew.

Computer Savvy

We live in a computer literate world and this is certainly evident in my two year old. Last night Natalie had difficulty falling asleep. We happened to go upstairs at about 10:00 and found her in the office on the computer. She had opened word and was typing a “letter.” Yes, she found the small word icon and maneuvered the mouse to it and opened a new document. This is what she typed:

Nataliemmmmmmmmuiinuninnnnncuc123456789011zzzxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzznnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmdddddddddddddddddddd
dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddffffffffffffffff
fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
cccccccpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
ppppppp ppppppppppppppppppttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
ttttttttttttttyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyy111111111111111111111
111111111111111111111111111111112222222222222222222
22222222222222233333333333333333333333333333333\33333333334555555555512345678901111123465887/*---**96537413600..nxcbmzasdfghjhklqwertyuiop[\/.,/*-‘;

In just two days time she has become quite adept at handling the mouse. If I open the program for her she can play her online games and she’s become quite good at Playhouse Disney. Check out the site playhousedisney.com to see what she can do.

Tonight I sent her downstairs when Daddy came home so I could rock Mathy (Maffy) in the office chair. I like that one the best. And I noticed that after having her fill of Playhouse Disney, she inserted her Jump Start First Grade cd in the cd rom drive. She definitely knows her way around the computer!

She can use the dvd player and dvr as well! That’s my girl!

Environmental Print

When I taught kindergarten one of the first “little books” that we made in class was an environmental print book. It was things that the kids could read just because they were so familiar with it in the real world. It consisted of words with the picture or label that went with it. Some of the pages were: milk, mail, stop, and McDonald’s. I am proud to say that Natalie has no idea what McDonald’s is. For a while we would drive by and she would think nothing of it. Last week we drove by it and she asked, “Mommy, what’s that?” I said, “It’s McDonald’s. We don’t eat there. You don’t like it.” Although I am fostering that idea in her head that she doesn’t like it, in reality she doesn’t. We’ve tried their chicken nuggets and she won’t eat them. About all she likes on the rare occasion (and I mean rare – ever since we watched Super Size Me http://www.supersizeme.com/ and Ryan read Fast Food Nation http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/books/schlosser.html) is their ice cream cone – which is yogurt anyway. And I say GOOD! Some of the environmental print that she can read: Teddy Grahams, milk, stop, and Target (she even knows where the card goes – oops).