This post is late- but better late than never. So they say.
dearest Norah- On Wednesday, September 5th, you turned three years old. As I type that, I can hardly believe it. I still remember sitting on the grass of a gas station across the street from the dollar theaters in Sugarhouse, on the day I went into labor with you. I was eating oreos and chatting with my mom, dad and Brian. We were seeing a double header movie, to keep me distracted from the contractions (my Daddy's idea.) We were in between shows (had just seen my sister's keeper and about to head to Star Trek.) The contractions were intense and frequent. They were increasing in intensity and I wondered if I was going to have you that day. It was Friday, September 4th. I labored that night in the hospital and had you the next morning, a little after 10. Now, you are three. I watched you squeal with glee, as you saw your pink cupcakes and Dora balloon. You were running around, talking a million words a minute, and very much so enjoyed your birthday party. You asked for ice cream with your cupcake and I reveled in the fact that you are your daddy's daughter in that respect (I don't care for ice cream.) You were an adventurer as you and your little friends searched for your party favors in a Dora the Explorer like scavenger fashion. Daddy made the map for you and your friends and you found the prizes with excitement. As you opened your presents, I was thrilled to see you are finally at the age to understand and excite in presents.
We went to the Dr. and you are 35" and 26 lbs.- a perfect little bean-bug. That's why I titled this post "3 years little". You are pint-sized but oozing with personality. You have just begun contradicting much of what I say. You'll ask me a question, i.e. "Mom, is this a parrot?" When I answer yes, you say, "No it's not. It is scarlet macaw." So why did you ask me, you little stinker! Or I'll say yes to something and you say, "No." We could go back and forth between yes and no for hours, and you wouldn't back down. Uh oh. We have quite the future ahead of us. I am amazed by your agility and strength. Although you are tiny, you manage to climb huge jungle gyms, climbing walls, dressers and the list goes on. It is amazing to me. I see it as a parallel to your personality. There is nothing you are not willing to try and conquer. You still don't like to eat much. It is a fight, every dinner, to try to get you to eat. Just a couple weeks ago (around your birthday) you gave up your binkis and became completely potty trained. You potty-trained yourself a few months ago, but had two poopy accidents and decided you wanted to wear diapers again (that is what you told me.) So we did diapers up until a month ago, when you decided you were ready for underwear again. You do a great job. You are still in pull-ups at night because I, truthfully am not ready to attempt the night thing. Since you got rid of your binkis, you have had a real struggle to try to go to sleep at night and during your nap. After three years of self-soothing with the binki, you are having to relearn completely how to self-soothe. It has been a real challenge for us. You climb out of your big-girl bed several times a night, until you finally settle down after a couple of hours. We have tried many strategies to keep you in bed. We have offered rewards, we have threatened to take things away or put you back in a crib. We have had talks about it, tried Dr. Weissbluth's idea of picking you up calmly, silently and unemotionally and putting you back in bed, as many times as it takes. Nothing has worked. Currently we are trying our last-ditch effort. You want to sleep with the door open, which we allow, unless you get out of bed. If you do, the consequence is a closed and locked door. I'm really praying and hoping this will work. You are a doting and adoring older sister. You love to make your brother laugh and smile. After every nap you come with me in his room, climb up his crib and talk to him. He always greets you with an enormous smile. It is darling.
Here are a few favorite Norahisms from the last year:
-Instead of saying "we both" you say: "we all both". For example: "We all both have suckers!"
-When walking into an empty play place at the mall you said: "There is no other bodies."
-"They're too way up high."
-I was lying with you in bed one evening cuddling. You turned to me and said, "Mommy, you're a good mom. Sweeter words do not exist- with the exception of "I love you." You then stroked my hair, put your hand on my cheek and we just lied there.
-When talking into either side of a tube that runs underground at the playground, I was singing to you at one end, while you listened at the other. I walked away from the tube, where you could see me and said, "Hey Norah, it's time to go. You replied: "I can't go yet, I'm talking to my other mommy in the microphone."
-In the car, Elias was fussing. You said,"It's OK Buddy, we're almost home and then you can go to bed!"
-One of my favorite conversations this year:
You: You're my friend.
Me: Thanks! You're my friend too!
You: I love you!
Me: I love you too!
You: I make you happy.
Me: Yes, you do (as I kiss you.)
You, without pause: I want a cupcake.
4 comments:
I can't believe it was three years ago that we visited you at your parents after you had Norah. Some of the things she says remind me of Evie. I think they would get along. :) and Evie had her two year visit the day before Norah's bday and she was 35" and 25 lbs. I can't believe they're the same size!
She is absolutely adorable! So petite with such a big personality!
Just like you :) How are ou doing? How's school been going for Ben? Have you survived being essentially a single parent?
Seriously! Time has flown!! That's hilarious that they are the same size. How are you guys doing?
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