Could You Be Any Cuter?

Sweet Potato Pie, my little Character. Everyday you amuse me by something you do or say. I could spend a bunch of time on here writing about all the funny things you come up with. But, of course, I have to do laundry and eat. I love you, little girl.

Yesterday we took Sophie to the vet. And, this was very interesting to you. Until they checked her ears (which were infected and the reason for taking her) and Sophie started squealing like a pig. Which she always does at the vet, but you didn't know that and you started bawling and crying for "your Sophie." You thought they were hurting her. You have such a gentle spirit for wounded people and animals. I love seeing that side of you. Even if I did find it slightly amusing to have 4 people, a bawling toddler, and a squealing dog in a very, very small room.

On the way home there was a Sonic and I asked if you would like a cherry-lime. You dig those (probably because I dug them the whole time I was pregnant with you--and I typically don't care for them). You said yes. So, we were in the drive through at Sonic getting cherry-limes and out of the blue (you were excited about getting that drink) you told me, "mommy, I'm not mad at you!" I said, "OK, baby, but why would you be mad at me?" We hadn't had any incidences--as in, me disciplining you, so I wasn't sure where you were coming from. You said, with a very frustrated voice, "I'm not mad at you, mommy." OK. Got it. Then you told me that your tummy needed a cherry lime in it. I told you that I ordered it and we were waiting for it. Then you told me again, for about the 10th time in a few minutes, that you wanted a cherry-lime. I finally got exasperated and told you that it was coming and to stop asking. You said, "OK, mommy. Thanks for talking to me." Little adult.

We also went to the library yesterday and on our walk to the car it was thundering outside. Now, you've been known to be slightly afraid of thunder. We were holding hands and you pulled yourself close to me and said, "it's okay, Mommy. It's okay, Mommy. It's okay." You were comforting me in the event that the thunder was frightening me. You are so precious.

Oh, Lord!

You were on a roll last night, little girl. First of all I was talking to you about spitting and how you are only allowed to spit outside in the grass and in the bathtub. In the midst of this very serious conversation you walked off. I grabbed your arm and pulled you back over and said sternly, "Haven, look at me. I'm not done talking to you." Very mysteriously you suddenly developed an owie on your elbow (deflection?). You were telling me about it, in much detail, and after a few moments my mind kind of wandered off. You grabbed my face and said, "look at me, I'm not done talking to you!" And, that, my dear, is how good discipline is thrown out the window--because your daddy and I couldn't help but laugh.

A few minutes later you were running around the house without a diaper on (pretty much standard routine around here at night). You spit again and your daddy spanked you. Since you didn't have any padding back there it probably hurt (slightly) more than usual. You grabbed your bottom and said, "oh, my butt! Oh my butt!" And, then, "Oh, Lord. Oh Lord. Oh Lord." Come to think of it, that's what your very pregnant Mama says when something hurts lately. I don't know what we are going to do with you. You really are a fantastic little girl. You have your moments, but most of the time people compliment me on how good you are. It isn't my parenting, I'm sure. It's just your nature. You are typically a very calm and easy going kid. Your Mama was blessed the day you were born.

My Stinker Face

Little Miss Personality: your very favorite thing to do right now is try on clothes (especially baby clothes that don't fit you, but would fit a small infant). I tell you over and over that they are too small, but you are convinced that you can make them work.

Lately, I've been letting you pick out your own outfits. Nearly every day. Sometimes, more often than not, I'm rather amazed at the things you put together. Typically, you do a great job. My very favorite, though, is when you paired your multi-colored sandals with the wool socks Monika made you for Christmas. I told Daddy you were practicing to be a future Sandian.

When you don't want to do something that someone has asked you to do you tell them that you are too little. Which is strange because most of the time you are trying to convince me that you are big enough and old enough.

Yesterday we went over to Heidi's house so you could play with her little boy Isaac. Last time you played with him you were a little scared/surprised that he was so rambunctious. Your daddy wrestles with you every night, but I guess he isn't quite so rough as Isaac. Although Isaac is just being a typical boy you came running to me every 5 minutes or so to tell me that he'd touched you or scratched you...I told you that he was a boy and if you wanted to play with him you had to be tough. That was last time, this time I was getting you out of the car and reminding you how you and Isaac needed to share toys (this is a real point of contention between you two). You told me you would and then you said, "she won't scratch you?" She means he--we'll work on pronouns later. I assured you that he wouldn't. And you said, "I'll be real tough!" It was so cute. You are so cute.

This morning I asked you if you would go shopping with me for baby sister and help me pick out things that she needs. I asked you if you knew of anything that she needed and you promptly informed me that she would need batteries. I guess everything needs a battery now and then.

I love you, my Grace. We only have two months left with you as an only child. Sometimes I am so nervous that you are going to think you aren't as important as you have been. But, I assure you, my love, that you are. I am so excited that you will have a baby sister to share life with. Your nana is just now on a cruise in the Virgin Islands with her sister and as I was praying for her to have a wonderful vacation I found myself hoping that you and Baby Sister someday get to share experiences like that together.

Antics

Some funny things you've said lately:

While looking in Daddy's mouth with a flashlight, you spotted his uvula and exclaimed, "there's daddy's wienie!" He was not amused. I, however, was so amused that I laughed too long and you told me stop.

It was Daddy's birthday yesterday and when you were informed of it you very excitedly informed him that he was two, just like you.

I was in the bathtub and you were in the living room being way too quiet. I asked you what you were doing and you informed me very non-chalantly that you were making messes. You weren't lying. There was a huge powdery mess from a bath-salt you had dissembled on the couch.

I asked you if you were ready for a nap. You said, "no, another day."

Another bathtub adventure: we were in the tub and daddy walked in. You said, "Daddy, I want a beer." Very matter-of-factly.

You have been making messes that are truly astounding at times. Like this one when you put sunblock (diaper cream) on your baby. You told her you didn't want her to have a sun-burn and that is when I ran into your room because I knew it couldn't be good.

And, there was this the other day, when I learned about your preference in men. You saw this picture of John the Baptist and told me he was cute. When I asked if you thought he was cute (because I was sure I must've heard you wrong), you said, "yeah, his shirt is cute." Interesting.

You were sitting on my lap eating cereal and kept grabbing the bowl. I told you to put it down before it spilled. You did, but then after some thought picked it back up. I said, Haven, are you minding. You said, "No, no way. I'm a big girl!" Apparently you were under the impression that big girls didn't have to mind.

While walking Jackie (Nana's dog) on a leash, "this is wonderful!"

Joy Squared

(This is you "smiling" in your new big girl bed)

My sweet little girl. We found out that you are going to have a little sister today. Before we went to the hospital to have the ultrasound, I tried to explain to you that we would be looking at the baby in mommy's tummy. I couldn't see your face since grandma was blocking my view, but based on the commotion you made about turning the lights back on in the room I would say you were completely unimpressed with viewing baby sister. That is not to say that you won't be fascinated when your little sis makes her appearance. You are very into babies.

Little girl, I love you. You are so darling to me. I was expecting a little brother for you. I don't know why, I just thought this little one would be a boy. But, based on how much I love you and how much fun you are, I can't imagine that I will be anything but thrilled when my next little girl makes her appearance. I just want you to know, though, my Haven, that you are so special to me. The whole reason for having another baby is not to replace the one we have, but because you are so great it would be a shame not to repeat the process. Your parents love you and I hope we do a good job of continuing to make you feel like you hung the moon. Even when a new, very special one comes along. We'll think she hung the moon too. We'll think you hung it together.

You are the very best thing that's ever happened to us. Your daddy and I both agree. We want more of the same (but different) this next time around because you give us so much joy.

Yes, You Are

You were jumping on the bed last night when Daddy asked you if you were ready for bedtime and a story. You said, "no, I'm wild." Yes, yes, you are child.

Then, while we were in the bathtub Daddy walked in and you said, "daddy, I want beers." A little while later I asked you if you were ready to get out and daddy would put your pjs on and read you a story. Lately, though, only mommy will do for story time. You said, "no, mommy read story." Daddy asked why mommy needed to read the story and I'm not sure where this came from, but you informed him that mommy had lots of beers and that's why I read the stories. Mommy's pregnant, my darling. She doesn't get lots of beers. Although last night I sure felt like I needed one.

Tough

This morning we were laying in bed together and you uncovered me. I asked you to put the blankets back on me because I was cold. And, you said, "you're okay. You're tough." I love you Haven Grace. You make me laugh.

Your daddy also taught you to say, "a bunch of junk." If you see piles of anything lying around then it is all of a sudden a bunch of junk.