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.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
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.
Monday, February 8, 2010
another week, another kid
Sometimes each new day makes me feel a little like I have a new daughter. Yesterday evening, Marieka was a bit...crazed. We went for a walk around 7 to wear her out (Rob and I were completely worn out already and didn't need anymore help!) and she insisted on pushing her grocery cart down the street, which was totally fine with us. Except when she literally wanted to push it down the STREET not the sidewalk! Argh! You would think that we told her that she couldn't ever go to a dance or swimming or shopping ever again! She wailed, screamed, kicked, and we ended up carrying her home, while waking up all of the neighbors.
Thankfully, Rob is quickly becoming the master of putting her to sleep. In fact, he is able to read to her, and then say "ok, you go to sleep. I have the monitor. You are fine and I love you" and leave. And she falls asleep. It is amazing.
I have been sleeping on the couch, however, going to "all night meetings" still (the girl must think I am a bit of a workaholic...so not true!). Last night, around 2:30am, I heard the pitter patter of little feet, and a hand on the doorknob to the living room. Uh oh, I thought, as I tried to shrink really small into the couch...what if she smelled me?? and I watched her come in, turn around, and leave. Hm. Is she a sleep walker? Has she been taking turns around the house at night on a regular basis? Or did she sense Mama was somewhere nearby...well, luckily we made it through the night (the 5th one in a row) with Mama getting to sleep, and Rika with dad. Ahhh.
And today, a new kid. She was fun and interesting and easy. You just don't know, do ya?
Thankfully, Rob is quickly becoming the master of putting her to sleep. In fact, he is able to read to her, and then say "ok, you go to sleep. I have the monitor. You are fine and I love you" and leave. And she falls asleep. It is amazing.
I have been sleeping on the couch, however, going to "all night meetings" still (the girl must think I am a bit of a workaholic...so not true!). Last night, around 2:30am, I heard the pitter patter of little feet, and a hand on the doorknob to the living room. Uh oh, I thought, as I tried to shrink really small into the couch...what if she smelled me?? and I watched her come in, turn around, and leave. Hm. Is she a sleep walker? Has she been taking turns around the house at night on a regular basis? Or did she sense Mama was somewhere nearby...well, luckily we made it through the night (the 5th one in a row) with Mama getting to sleep, and Rika with dad. Ahhh.
And today, a new kid. She was fun and interesting and easy. You just don't know, do ya?
Friday, January 29, 2010
no nap thoughts...
Last night Marieka slept from 830-4am...straight. Yes, it is true!
Today, she didn't nap. Ugh.
Is there a connection?
We went for a walk with Stacy and the dogs on the trails by her house. Rika got to walk a lot of the way herself, ran even, and then sat in the stroller for some. Then we went to the bakery, she had a gingerbread man cookie, and got a cute new outfit from Stacy *late xmas gift...*. Then, we went to the museum...and she painted and did work with the vegetable areas.
Sounds like a recipe for sleep to me!
But we get home...and no dice. Nurse and nurse and snack and read and no go. By herself in the bed with books...no dice. Even a walk with mom later in the afternoon. Nada.
So what happened? This girl generally is a napper!
Cookie? too much stimulation? Too much regular sleep last night (the beginning of the end...)?
Who knows.
All I know is that I get wiped out when she doesn't nap. She gets wiped out when she doesn't nap. And she acts very silly when she doesn't nap...singing made up songs to herself, talking non-stop, seriously non-stop...and non-stopable.
One day is not a pattern. My new mantra.
Yesterday:
Thanks Momma.
For what?
For making me pancakes.
or this earlier in the week...
Mom- is he riding a wheelbarrow? (when she sees a guy riding a recumbent bike).
I have to remember that this girl is amazing, but we all have our off days. Even her.
Today, she didn't nap. Ugh.
Is there a connection?
We went for a walk with Stacy and the dogs on the trails by her house. Rika got to walk a lot of the way herself, ran even, and then sat in the stroller for some. Then we went to the bakery, she had a gingerbread man cookie, and got a cute new outfit from Stacy *late xmas gift...*. Then, we went to the museum...and she painted and did work with the vegetable areas.
Sounds like a recipe for sleep to me!
But we get home...and no dice. Nurse and nurse and snack and read and no go. By herself in the bed with books...no dice. Even a walk with mom later in the afternoon. Nada.
So what happened? This girl generally is a napper!
Cookie? too much stimulation? Too much regular sleep last night (the beginning of the end...)?
Who knows.
All I know is that I get wiped out when she doesn't nap. She gets wiped out when she doesn't nap. And she acts very silly when she doesn't nap...singing made up songs to herself, talking non-stop, seriously non-stop...and non-stopable.
One day is not a pattern. My new mantra.
Yesterday:
Thanks Momma.
For what?
For making me pancakes.
or this earlier in the week...
Mom- is he riding a wheelbarrow? (when she sees a guy riding a recumbent bike).
I have to remember that this girl is amazing, but we all have our off days. Even her.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
the sleep obsession
Like many parents, we are pretty obsessed with sleep...is she getting enough, is it long enough, where is it happening...will it happen soon?
The past week has been a real change of sleeping approach for us. We needed a change, she needed a change, Mom needed to sleep. So, Dad stepped in.
For the past few days, Dad is the main sleep guy. He goes in and reads to her, and helps her sleep. Mom goes to "meetings" all night, and isn't around until the morning. Mom on the couch, dad usually sleeping with Rika till 12 or so, and then back and forth between his bed and hers. Mom, some sleeplessness, but trying to relearn how to sleep.
The good news is that it has seemed to work! She has been sleeping more, crying in the middle of the night less, and amazing moment of the week, she PUT HERSELF TO SLEEP TONIGHT!!! Now, I am trying to hold in my joy and excitement for this huge step in the whole family's life...but Dad finished stories, and told her to lay down, she was safe, he was grading papers in the living room...and it appears as though she is asleep...now I know that one day is not a pattern, but...wouldn't that be cool? It would be so wonderful for us, all of us.
The past week has been a real change of sleeping approach for us. We needed a change, she needed a change, Mom needed to sleep. So, Dad stepped in.
For the past few days, Dad is the main sleep guy. He goes in and reads to her, and helps her sleep. Mom goes to "meetings" all night, and isn't around until the morning. Mom on the couch, dad usually sleeping with Rika till 12 or so, and then back and forth between his bed and hers. Mom, some sleeplessness, but trying to relearn how to sleep.
The good news is that it has seemed to work! She has been sleeping more, crying in the middle of the night less, and amazing moment of the week, she PUT HERSELF TO SLEEP TONIGHT!!! Now, I am trying to hold in my joy and excitement for this huge step in the whole family's life...but Dad finished stories, and told her to lay down, she was safe, he was grading papers in the living room...and it appears as though she is asleep...now I know that one day is not a pattern, but...wouldn't that be cool? It would be so wonderful for us, all of us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Rika's Rainy Day
it has been raining non-stop in Olympia the past couple of days...and we are surviving, but barely at times. Marieka had a fun walk, though, in the "triple jog" with Annie and Baby Charlie. Rika sat in the middle and ate a granola bar and sang "John Jacob" with Annie. She totally enjoyed the walk with her pals.
Lately, she can't get enough of Madeline stories. She loves to hear about the "Bad Hat" Pepito the neighbor who is naughty...and then turns good, and about Madeline's appendix, and especially how "to the lion in the zoo she just says 'pooh pooh' ". Her memory of stories and words amazes us everyday. She recites Mother Goose rhymes, stories and songs non-stop, but more importantly, LOVES words and books and stories. This is gratifying. I am looking forward to many visits to the library, and large stacks of books next to her bed.
Rob is excited because she is on her Skuut a bit now, finally her feet can reach the floor. She likes to take it around the house, talking about the handlebars, and carrying a purse on the handlebars...so chic. She wants to carry more items with her, but she has to be reminded that she can't do it all (ie: can't hold on and steer AND bring dog for a ride...) Ah, just like her mother.
And yesterday, she was chasing "the other Lucy" around the house. Lucy is her pretend friend, who at times is 2 inches high (and thus can live close to her heart, as she told me once) and at other times, is big enough to sit in a chair at her art table. She is very clear about the pretend and not pretend, which makes it a little simpler for us, thankfully.
Lately, she can't get enough of Madeline stories. She loves to hear about the "Bad Hat" Pepito the neighbor who is naughty...and then turns good, and about Madeline's appendix, and especially how "to the lion in the zoo she just says 'pooh pooh' ". Her memory of stories and words amazes us everyday. She recites Mother Goose rhymes, stories and songs non-stop, but more importantly, LOVES words and books and stories. This is gratifying. I am looking forward to many visits to the library, and large stacks of books next to her bed.
Rob is excited because she is on her Skuut a bit now, finally her feet can reach the floor. She likes to take it around the house, talking about the handlebars, and carrying a purse on the handlebars...so chic. She wants to carry more items with her, but she has to be reminded that she can't do it all (ie: can't hold on and steer AND bring dog for a ride...) Ah, just like her mother.
And yesterday, she was chasing "the other Lucy" around the house. Lucy is her pretend friend, who at times is 2 inches high (and thus can live close to her heart, as she told me once) and at other times, is big enough to sit in a chair at her art table. She is very clear about the pretend and not pretend, which makes it a little simpler for us, thankfully.
Friday, January 8, 2010
out to dinner
so Marieka, Rob and I went to dinner with Gee Gee, Erin and Todd. Ramblin Jacks is a pretty kid friendly place, and luckily they sat us way in the back. Unluckily, we got the slowest service in a long time (our order took over 35 mins to arrive) and the girls tried to hang in there, but by the time the "macncheese" arrived, they were the worse for wear. Luckily, Marieka was very interested in her dinner and was able to eat a fair amount of it before we had to escape and walk up and down the street. Ah, to eat with a child who is able to sit and eat...maybe 2 or 3 years? On her way to sleep tonight, Marieka said "I had a fun time with Erin and Todd." Girl is all about manners, even if she forgot her buddy Gee Gee.
Today I had a meeting in Seattle all day, which was fun for me...and Marieka spent the day with Meggie and Gee Gee, and Marieka was going to have to take a nap at GeeGee's. I was so worried about this, and she definitely needs her nap to survive the day (and night, really) and how grateful was I when I got the text from Meggie that stated (first) "she picked out her blanket and pillow to bring" and at 130 "sound asleep. she is precious. I love her so much." How often I thank my lucky stars for our Meggie.
So while we aren't ready to wean, the ongoing saga of nightweaning continues. Originally, we tried to night wean LAST February...3 days of crying and sadness..and we made it, at least, close...and then M got sick. So, we were back on. Then again, we tried in the summer...and sickness came back, and we started again...and now we are on again, though my resolve at 3am is pretty slim ("no" "nee nee right now" "no- go to sleep" "neee nee" "ok fine, but go to sleep") What can you do? Even if she doesn't ask for it (sometimes we can make it till 3am) she still wakes up every 2 hours on the dot. Argh. I know it won't last forever, but what is the deal..is she stubborn? Is she really smart? Is she a light sleeper? Is she a nee nee addict?
This week is all about Madeline. She got the talking Madeline dall from Papa and Grammy for christmas, and now wants th stories non-stop, which I love, because I love the stories. It is so funny to me, though, that she loves them. They rhyme, sure, but really, she doesn't get it ("the girls are sad because their mommy isn't there") how do you explain boarding school to a year old? Of course you don't, but I still think it is funny.
Puzzles, puzzles and pull ups. Working on toilet learning...a little slower than I would like, but embracing her pace.
Looking forward to a weekend of swimming, family meals, and Mom skiing on her own.. Oh yeah...and Jack's birthday. On Tuesday this week, I asked Marieka what was happening...and she said (I kid you not) "Jacks birthday." So we think she is a genius...but that might be just us.
Today I had a meeting in Seattle all day, which was fun for me...and Marieka spent the day with Meggie and Gee Gee, and Marieka was going to have to take a nap at GeeGee's. I was so worried about this, and she definitely needs her nap to survive the day (and night, really) and how grateful was I when I got the text from Meggie that stated (first) "she picked out her blanket and pillow to bring" and at 130 "sound asleep. she is precious. I love her so much." How often I thank my lucky stars for our Meggie.
So while we aren't ready to wean, the ongoing saga of nightweaning continues. Originally, we tried to night wean LAST February...3 days of crying and sadness..and we made it, at least, close...and then M got sick. So, we were back on. Then again, we tried in the summer...and sickness came back, and we started again...and now we are on again, though my resolve at 3am is pretty slim ("no" "nee nee right now" "no- go to sleep" "neee nee" "ok fine, but go to sleep") What can you do? Even if she doesn't ask for it (sometimes we can make it till 3am) she still wakes up every 2 hours on the dot. Argh. I know it won't last forever, but what is the deal..is she stubborn? Is she really smart? Is she a light sleeper? Is she a nee nee addict?
This week is all about Madeline. She got the talking Madeline dall from Papa and Grammy for christmas, and now wants th stories non-stop, which I love, because I love the stories. It is so funny to me, though, that she loves them. They rhyme, sure, but really, she doesn't get it ("the girls are sad because their mommy isn't there") how do you explain boarding school to a year old? Of course you don't, but I still think it is funny.
Puzzles, puzzles and pull ups. Working on toilet learning...a little slower than I would like, but embracing her pace.
Looking forward to a weekend of swimming, family meals, and Mom skiing on her own.. Oh yeah...and Jack's birthday. On Tuesday this week, I asked Marieka what was happening...and she said (I kid you not) "Jacks birthday." So we think she is a genius...but that might be just us.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Now she is two...
Welcome to Marieka's blog. As a 2 year old who tells me "wait...Rika has to text" all to often these days, it makes sense that we start a technologically advanced journal of her daily life, joys and fun.
Marieka just made it through Christmas and New Years Eve. For Christmas, she went to Wenatchee to celebrate, to ski and to chase Lola the dog all over the house shouting "sit, sit, sit" while Lola tried in vain to escape. She took multiple tubbies with Omi, and had lots of books read to her by Opi. For New Year's Eve, she went to Seattle, had dinner at a Chinese vegetarian restaurant and dessert at Whole Foods with Mom, Dad, Cousin Chanda and Tamara, and Cousin OBrien, who said "Marieka is my cousin AND my best friend." For Christmas she got tons of cool things, including a suitcase for "hotels," puzzles, a dr kit, books, and a Madeline doll that speaks French. Life is good for this little girl.
Marieka just made it through Christmas and New Years Eve. For Christmas, she went to Wenatchee to celebrate, to ski and to chase Lola the dog all over the house shouting "sit, sit, sit" while Lola tried in vain to escape. She took multiple tubbies with Omi, and had lots of books read to her by Opi. For New Year's Eve, she went to Seattle, had dinner at a Chinese vegetarian restaurant and dessert at Whole Foods with Mom, Dad, Cousin Chanda and Tamara, and Cousin OBrien, who said "Marieka is my cousin AND my best friend." For Christmas she got tons of cool things, including a suitcase for "hotels," puzzles, a dr kit, books, and a Madeline doll that speaks French. Life is good for this little girl.
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