Marieka and company have moved to Stacy's house. Marieka wants Titus, her little white dog, to sleep with her. Meanwhile, everytime he barks, she covers her ears and cries. So, we are encouraging her to not sleep with him. At this house, loves the kitty Phoebe and Titus, "Stace" and the fact she can let Phoebe in and out of the front door. Last night, we hardly slept, though. She cried on and off, claiming her stomach hurt, her elbow hurt, she was hungry, and kicking Rob and I all night long. Sometimes I love her so much during the day, and then feel like I have a foreign being in my bed at 2am.
She loves to talk about Finland, but she isn't entirely sure what it means, I don't think. "Is that after Finland mom?" "Will we take the plane to Finland, mom?" I see the purpose of DVD players and children's video games, I sadly say.
I not entirely sure what the sleeping arrangements will be there...hoping that there will be some bed options for Marieka...and more sleep for us.
Yesterday, I picked her up from the childcare center at the Valley. I walked in, and didn't see her. I looked and looked around, and realized SHE was the little girl in a black witches hat and dress. She immediately pranced around showing me her clothers. Clearly, I need dress up clothes and a drama class for this girl.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Welcome to 3 1/4
So 3 years old has been pretty crazy for Marieka...and intense for Rob and I. She is opinionated, loud, fast and smart. She says words like "chameleon" with ease and grace. She loves to rhyme...toe, joe, slow, blow, snow...you get the picture. Words and sounds are her thing. She also loves imaginary play...she can often be heard guiding/scolding/telling/informing her friends Lolly, Ringabell, Jackamo and Sally to..."not do that" or "do what I say." Luckily for these friends, it is generally in a kind voice, though firm. Hm. Wonder where she gets that?
She says thing the will blow your mind out of no where. One day, she was hoping to get a dress with a rip fixed. We talked about how to get the dress fixed, and she said "Omi can fix it. Omi can fix anything. That is what Omi's do."
What a great legacy for Omi.
She says thing the will blow your mind out of no where. One day, she was hoping to get a dress with a rip fixed. We talked about how to get the dress fixed, and she said "Omi can fix it. Omi can fix anything. That is what Omi's do."
What a great legacy for Omi.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Big Trip
In just 6 months, we will be packing up our life for Finland for 4 months...so this little 2 week vacation should be nothing, right?
Wrong.
Well, sort of wrong.
Travelling with a nearly 3 year old is a challenge...then combine that with a red-eye cross country flight and little sleep, and a beach vacation with other kiddos...and a few days in a big city...then a few MORE days in a bigger city (that is likely to be HOT and HUMID...) well, we are doing really well when I look at it like that!
We flew the red eye to Boston (partly because I am cheap, partly because we were using a companion ticket, partly because I thought "she would sleep) and then caught a Peter Pan bus to Woods Hole to catch the big ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Bless Ray and Celena for inviting us to a lovely house on the Island for the week...and letting us sleep for 3 hours as soon as we got there! Rob was the worst for wear, actually, being a total non-fan of turbulance and he got the least sleep of us all. Poor Marieka literally fell asleep sitting up, cross legged on the seat. It was sadly sweet to witness. And she barely cried, just wanting a snack the moment her eyes opened at 630 am (I mean...330 am...). She loved the bus because I let her watch a video on the new mini dvd player...then we both crashed out for an hour (Rob said he had to hit me 5 times with the pillow to get me to wake up...this is totally unheard of). Then the ferry and Ray generously picking us up and navigating the roads to the house, because you would not have wanted either Rob or I to drive at this point...10 hours into travelling with minimal sleep.
The weather was warm, but not stifling, and a great breeze scooted off the water just enough to keep you from sweating too much. The house outside of Edgartown, was in a perfect location...1 mile from the beach, 2 miles from town, 3 minutes from the miles of endless bike trails. We couldn't manage our bikes this trip however, you need them for MV because the trails are amazing and go everywhere, and the traffic sucks.
The week flew by...where did it go? We rode bikes (tandem plus trailer AND we are still married..impressive!), we went to Gayhead beach and discovered the very cool clay cliffs, which have "rocks" that squish softly under your feet and color the water a light grey (we also discovered the "nudies" as someone so eloquently named them...that was a surprise too, just like the soft clay!) and we took the 2 min ferry to Chappiquidick. Which was a bit of a letdown, but surely the smallest ferry I have every ridden! Marieka loved playing in the sand, floating and diving in the freshwater pond (just steps from the salt water beach....totally cool) and playing with Parker, 6 and Sam, 2...though it appeared to take her days to figure out Parker's name, often referring to her as "that girl." They pretended together, did dances and performances, and participated in Parker's favorite activity..."movie night" "Where I get to stay up later than I usually do and watch a movie and eat a sundae." This is big girl stuff, I tell ya!
After leaving the island, we went to Boston, where Celena's nice neighbors let us stay in their empty house that they are selling...great, because Celena's house is the same size as ours without a basement, so 3 additional bodies is a lot! After a yummy breakfast, we headed out for the Duck Tour, and while I have always said I would never do a Duck Tour (I prefer the hop on and off style busses...really...we ALWAYS do those, but the Ducks, well, they seem so "tourist") but well, we did it. Amazing transit system here...1 block to bus, which brought us right to the T in 10 minutes, which took us in just 15 mins to the Duck stop. Very cool, and only $3! Driving here is not easy, as the tour guide noted...turn signals are not used (don't want to confuse the other drivers), red lights are merely a "suggestion" and we found ourselves stuck behind a driver in a right turn only lane...going straight. Nice. Marieka liked the tour, wanted to hang out the window, and my favorite, laughed at the history jokes that the driver told (really, she did, and the amazing part was that she looked like she actually got them...she had that knowing look in her eye, like, "yeah, I totally know what you mean" as she chuckled). After the tour, we checked out the library (Marieka insisted on a photo with the 2 flanking statues after confirming that yes, they did seem to have nee-nees) and just missing the man urinating on a tree behind the hot dog cart on the corner of the public church garden...we got back on the train...then the bus...then home. No nap. Red red eyes...but we pushed on and wrestled and insisted she hold our hands as we walked down the busy streets ("Why?" she kept asking...)
And then dinner, and the best of it all...movie night. With ice cream and The Backyardigans. And then. sleep. Finally.
Now, sleep for me and another day in Boston. Whew.
Practice for Finland...right?
Wrong.
Well, sort of wrong.
Travelling with a nearly 3 year old is a challenge...then combine that with a red-eye cross country flight and little sleep, and a beach vacation with other kiddos...and a few days in a big city...then a few MORE days in a bigger city (that is likely to be HOT and HUMID...) well, we are doing really well when I look at it like that!
We flew the red eye to Boston (partly because I am cheap, partly because we were using a companion ticket, partly because I thought "she would sleep) and then caught a Peter Pan bus to Woods Hole to catch the big ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Bless Ray and Celena for inviting us to a lovely house on the Island for the week...and letting us sleep for 3 hours as soon as we got there! Rob was the worst for wear, actually, being a total non-fan of turbulance and he got the least sleep of us all. Poor Marieka literally fell asleep sitting up, cross legged on the seat. It was sadly sweet to witness. And she barely cried, just wanting a snack the moment her eyes opened at 630 am (I mean...330 am...). She loved the bus because I let her watch a video on the new mini dvd player...then we both crashed out for an hour (Rob said he had to hit me 5 times with the pillow to get me to wake up...this is totally unheard of). Then the ferry and Ray generously picking us up and navigating the roads to the house, because you would not have wanted either Rob or I to drive at this point...10 hours into travelling with minimal sleep.
The weather was warm, but not stifling, and a great breeze scooted off the water just enough to keep you from sweating too much. The house outside of Edgartown, was in a perfect location...1 mile from the beach, 2 miles from town, 3 minutes from the miles of endless bike trails. We couldn't manage our bikes this trip however, you need them for MV because the trails are amazing and go everywhere, and the traffic sucks.
The week flew by...where did it go? We rode bikes (tandem plus trailer AND we are still married..impressive!), we went to Gayhead beach and discovered the very cool clay cliffs, which have "rocks" that squish softly under your feet and color the water a light grey (we also discovered the "nudies" as someone so eloquently named them...that was a surprise too, just like the soft clay!) and we took the 2 min ferry to Chappiquidick. Which was a bit of a letdown, but surely the smallest ferry I have every ridden! Marieka loved playing in the sand, floating and diving in the freshwater pond (just steps from the salt water beach....totally cool) and playing with Parker, 6 and Sam, 2...though it appeared to take her days to figure out Parker's name, often referring to her as "that girl." They pretended together, did dances and performances, and participated in Parker's favorite activity..."movie night" "Where I get to stay up later than I usually do and watch a movie and eat a sundae." This is big girl stuff, I tell ya!
After leaving the island, we went to Boston, where Celena's nice neighbors let us stay in their empty house that they are selling...great, because Celena's house is the same size as ours without a basement, so 3 additional bodies is a lot! After a yummy breakfast, we headed out for the Duck Tour, and while I have always said I would never do a Duck Tour (I prefer the hop on and off style busses...really...we ALWAYS do those, but the Ducks, well, they seem so "tourist") but well, we did it. Amazing transit system here...1 block to bus, which brought us right to the T in 10 minutes, which took us in just 15 mins to the Duck stop. Very cool, and only $3! Driving here is not easy, as the tour guide noted...turn signals are not used (don't want to confuse the other drivers), red lights are merely a "suggestion" and we found ourselves stuck behind a driver in a right turn only lane...going straight. Nice. Marieka liked the tour, wanted to hang out the window, and my favorite, laughed at the history jokes that the driver told (really, she did, and the amazing part was that she looked like she actually got them...she had that knowing look in her eye, like, "yeah, I totally know what you mean" as she chuckled). After the tour, we checked out the library (Marieka insisted on a photo with the 2 flanking statues after confirming that yes, they did seem to have nee-nees) and just missing the man urinating on a tree behind the hot dog cart on the corner of the public church garden...we got back on the train...then the bus...then home. No nap. Red red eyes...but we pushed on and wrestled and insisted she hold our hands as we walked down the busy streets ("Why?" she kept asking...)
And then dinner, and the best of it all...movie night. With ice cream and The Backyardigans. And then. sleep. Finally.
Now, sleep for me and another day in Boston. Whew.
Practice for Finland...right?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The end of the nee nees.
So this week represents a transition for Marieka and I, and Rob by default. I needed to stop nursing...it was getting me down, it wasn't fun anymore and I was feeling a bit "used" by my persistent little girl. So, the gum and band-aids have begun.
What?
Yes, licking gum and band-aids have been the solution, and we are 4.5 days in. Nee nee? You want to lick gum instead? Nee nee? Nope...have band-aids on them. Dr. Steve says I need band aids.
Poor Dr. Steve, getting sucked into the lie without any involvement at all. He would actually like it!
Its working so far. She has sneaked some gum IN her mouth (meaning, in her stomach) and she keeps waking up but overall, we are surviving. I am trying not to think of all the sweet times we had, sitting on the couch, in the car, anywhere, snuggling and nursing, and those months where I was her source of food and solace. We both need to move forward. Now, I thought this would mean more sleep for her, but whatever, not yet, still every couple of hours, but she asks less, and asks if the band-aids are still there, more out of concern than interest it seems. She is one persistent girl, and I know one day soon, I will love that about her. Wait, I really already do because I know that so well.
A friend expressed concern that the band-aids were a lie. I say "no way." They aren't exactly a lie...I was starting to be in a bit of pain...and band-aids are something kids understand. She wasn't getting the "you don't need me for nutrition anymore and you need to learn ways to comfort yourself." She hasn't quite learned the self-comfort way yet. But these things take time. I am just glad we are there, I am not in tears, and either is she.
What?
Yes, licking gum and band-aids have been the solution, and we are 4.5 days in. Nee nee? You want to lick gum instead? Nee nee? Nope...have band-aids on them. Dr. Steve says I need band aids.
Poor Dr. Steve, getting sucked into the lie without any involvement at all. He would actually like it!
Its working so far. She has sneaked some gum IN her mouth (meaning, in her stomach) and she keeps waking up but overall, we are surviving. I am trying not to think of all the sweet times we had, sitting on the couch, in the car, anywhere, snuggling and nursing, and those months where I was her source of food and solace. We both need to move forward. Now, I thought this would mean more sleep for her, but whatever, not yet, still every couple of hours, but she asks less, and asks if the band-aids are still there, more out of concern than interest it seems. She is one persistent girl, and I know one day soon, I will love that about her. Wait, I really already do because I know that so well.
A friend expressed concern that the band-aids were a lie. I say "no way." They aren't exactly a lie...I was starting to be in a bit of pain...and band-aids are something kids understand. She wasn't getting the "you don't need me for nutrition anymore and you need to learn ways to comfort yourself." She hasn't quite learned the self-comfort way yet. But these things take time. I am just glad we are there, I am not in tears, and either is she.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Marieka in Maui
While this sounds like it could be a bad 50's film, it is really her current reality and she loves it, as one would imagine.
She has goggled...put goggles on and looked at fish, and said "that is the same fish that is in my book" when she saw a Moorish Idol. She saw striped fish, "lipstick fish" as she called it, and coral. IT was fun to see her float in her float ring happily and be bounced around by the waves.
She has also spent a lot of time in the swim pool, the one with the flowers, and the one with "the mama and the baby whale" on the bottom. Lots and lots of jumping off the wall and bouncing off the bottom.
She has spent a lot of special time with Omi and Opi, and Paigie and Nate. Omi and Opi love to bring Marieka to the ocean and coach her in managing the waves.
She has enjoyed great food, lots of mac n cheese, to be sure, but also pineapple and avacado and her new favorite...coconut ice cream. yum.
She has goggled...put goggles on and looked at fish, and said "that is the same fish that is in my book" when she saw a Moorish Idol. She saw striped fish, "lipstick fish" as she called it, and coral. IT was fun to see her float in her float ring happily and be bounced around by the waves.
She has also spent a lot of time in the swim pool, the one with the flowers, and the one with "the mama and the baby whale" on the bottom. Lots and lots of jumping off the wall and bouncing off the bottom.
She has spent a lot of special time with Omi and Opi, and Paigie and Nate. Omi and Opi love to bring Marieka to the ocean and coach her in managing the waves.
She has enjoyed great food, lots of mac n cheese, to be sure, but also pineapple and avacado and her new favorite...coconut ice cream. yum.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Ides of March
What is going on in Marieka's Amazing Life? Well. Where should we start.
She is jumping off the diving block at the pool by herself, and is starting to actually reach and pull. So proud of her. She is swimming from the wall and out to me about 5 feet. She loves to jump off the side over and over. And she loves the lifeguards. Hawaii in two weeks is going to be amazing. She has been telling everyone about how she is going to "swim with turtles" in Hawaii, and Omi, Opi, Paigie and Nate.
RIka is always figuring out the skuut. She took it out with Rob for 4 blocks and is almost gliding.
Today, no nap. And a park date in the morning, a swim date in the evening, and falling asleep in the car on the way home. Asleep at 7:20...that is one tired girl.
She is jumping off the diving block at the pool by herself, and is starting to actually reach and pull. So proud of her. She is swimming from the wall and out to me about 5 feet. She loves to jump off the side over and over. And she loves the lifeguards. Hawaii in two weeks is going to be amazing. She has been telling everyone about how she is going to "swim with turtles" in Hawaii, and Omi, Opi, Paigie and Nate.
RIka is always figuring out the skuut. She took it out with Rob for 4 blocks and is almost gliding.
Today, no nap. And a park date in the morning, a swim date in the evening, and falling asleep in the car on the way home. Asleep at 7:20...that is one tired girl.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Allergies, Pollen and Dust, oh my
It is March, the time that Sarah and Marieka start to sneeze and wheeze. Poor little M...she got it pretty bad. Three days of steriods, lots of nebulizer treatments, and rest...and she is a lot better than she was last week at this time. Thankfully. This weekend I went away for my birthday to Mount Rainier with friends, and she was with Dad, Omi and Opi and she did so well...she survived with mom...dare I say thrived...without mom. So happy for her and dad. What amazing things has she done lately?
played hide and seek with neighbor Ian
started to scoot on the Skuut.
went to preschool at Westside Coop...did great, including inexplicably crawling across a table...
has been sleeping without mom, with dad and on her own.
made 2 fabulous cards for omi and paigie, consisting of many, many stickers on top of stickers
devoured an entire chicken and apple sausage happily
and is working on the potty learning pretty regularly. Getting close...
The intense emotions of a 2 year old are coming up time and again and there have been more tears than we are typically used to, but luckily, she can be talked down pretty easily.
played hide and seek with neighbor Ian
started to scoot on the Skuut.
went to preschool at Westside Coop...did great, including inexplicably crawling across a table...
has been sleeping without mom, with dad and on her own.
made 2 fabulous cards for omi and paigie, consisting of many, many stickers on top of stickers
devoured an entire chicken and apple sausage happily
and is working on the potty learning pretty regularly. Getting close...
The intense emotions of a 2 year old are coming up time and again and there have been more tears than we are typically used to, but luckily, she can be talked down pretty easily.
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