My Marlee Kay - #3

My Sweet Girl,

It's been three years since the first time we met. How is that even possible? For your birthday your Daddy and I decided it was time to convert your crib into a big girl bed. When I went in your room and saw it, I cried. Your Daddy came in and said to me that we have to let you grow up, and he's right, but does it have to be going by so fast? Some days seem endless, but the weeks, months, and years are fleeting.

So many things are already a distance memory. Like your Daddy and I trying for so many years to have you, and thinking that maybe it just wasn't in the cards for us; never knowing if I would hear someone call me Momma; being pregnant and so scared; feeling you inside me; your smooshed up little face and big feet when you entered into this big unknown world; your new baby smell, how I wish I could have bottled it; your Daddy being so protective of you when you were first born, even with me; you sleeping next to me all swaddled up; your gummy smile; learning to sit up, crawl, stand, walk, and then run on your own; the babbles turning into real words and conversations. And soon, right now - this moment, will be just that, a distant memory.

Make no mistake, my Marlee Kay, things have not always been easy with you; and I know this is just the beginning. You are so determined, precise, demanding, and temper mental. More days than not you test my patience, and there are nights when I look down at you and tell you tomorrow Momma will be more patient. Momma will not raise her voice to get you to listen, as I seem to be doing that more and more lately. Momma won't be too busy to get down on the floor and play with you, even if it is at 8pm and I am Momma'd out. The good news is you don't seem to hold a grudge. You love me. No matter what, it seems. <3

Yes, I do have to let you grow up. And everyday I am going to try to remember how lucky I am. You have made my world that much brighter, my beautiful girl, and I love you. No matter what.

Your Momma

I Lobe You

Tonight as I was rocking Marlee before bed, I started eating her up, as I would say (really just kissing her over and over). And out of nowhere she says Momma I lobe you.

Yes, she repeats it back to me most times when I tell her I love her, but this is the first time she has just said it. To me. Or anyone. Just because.

Made the week I had much much brighter. My little 3 year old knows exactly what I need.

Today

-MK and I took our weekly trip to the library. An hour after our usual story time, which is okay with me since with summer break brings entirely too many kids. And too much chaos.

-Met Daddy for lunch at Red Robin, MK's favorite. She had her .75 cents in tow, as always, hoping this will be the time she gets the happy face ball. No luck. It was the dolphin ball. Again. But she seemed pleased. She was definitely pleased to order the macaroni and cheese, which was almost always a no no at restaurants due to her egg allergy. Well, that pesky egg allergy is a thing of the past. More on this later.

-Came home. MK napped while I worked.

-MK woke up and went swimming with Daddy. I wouldn't believe it if I saw it. She is actually swimming. Since Sunday (6/27). With a life vest on, of course. She goes back and forth across our 50 foot pool and she loves it. As long as dunking is not involved.

-I ran to LensCrafters to drop off my one month (new) glasses to have my second pair of ($400.00) lenses fitted into my frames due to LensCrafters damaging my old (new) lenses while adjusting my glasses. Yes, free of charge. Still annoying.

-Ran to yet another Target looking for my size in the cutest tankini. No luck. We leave for California soon (yippee) and I am in desperate need of a more modest swim suit. I don't want to scare my fellow beach goers and all. I will not give up.

-Had Stacey and Haylee over for dinner. Steak, lobster, and asparagus. No, we don't eat like this often. Yes, it was good.

-Cleaned up the house and got MK ready for bed.

-After reading stories (Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Snake Cake - both library books), singing our nightly songs (Itsy Bitsy Spider, Popcorn Song, ABC's and Count to 20), and rocking (yes I still rock my almost 3 year old baby before bed every night) MK says Momma let's talk? What did you do today? Something I have said to her night after night for as long as I can remember.

-So, we went through our day. As we so often do.

-And I thought I would share.

-Now off to pour me a bowl of honeycombs and turn on the boob tube.

Lately

-she tells me momma be happy if I get after her for something.

-or she gets the saddest expression on her face, lip puckered, and says momma yelled at you.

-we were holding hands walking into her swim lesson on monday (5/24) and she said what a beautiful day. made me smile. something i always say to her.

-about swim, it was short lived due to the fact that she cried the entire 30 minutes. all but 1 time. after about 6 classes daddy gave up and has been working with her in our pool, which she doesn't cry in. go figure.

-her grandma viola and pappa harland have been visiting from florida. they drove. which is pretty amazing considering dave's dad's age (89 in july) and health. marlee instantly fell in love with her grandma and cried when she left. and pappa was ok, too.

-she is a little copycat. mimics daddy and me constantly.

-she loves to play games on my iphone. one of her favorites is a cupcake app. after she makes the cupcake, adds the icing and toppings, and adds and lights the candles she sings happy birthday to you. happy birthday to you. happy birthday marlee kay (or momma kay). happy birthday to you. she then blows out the candles and says yay! every time.

-she is asking for a big girl bed, to ride on a bus, and to go to school. none will be happening anytime soon if i can help it.

-okay, maybe the big girl bed.=)

-she had her first happy meal (05/29). mcdonald's. and it just happened to be shrek themed. bonus.

-she started dance (ballet and tap) last week. her first class that is not parent and me. she will not go in alone and makes me stand at the back of the room. this is no surprise.

-she is completely potty trained. she now wakes up from nap dry and is dry about half the time when she wakes in the morning.

-we're planning a trip to Disneyland this summer for her 3rd birthday.

-we went and saw shrek ever after at the movies on memorial day. the second movie we have taken marlee to. she loved it and did great. what a difference 6 months makes.

As for the rest of the family...

-dave is beyond busy. starting his days at 2:30am and pretty much not stopping until 8-9pm, when he crashes. and he never complains. ever. He defines ambition and makes the rest of us look inadequate.

-as for me, i too am busier than ever. taking care of MK, the house, working, working, working, and gearing up for the fall semester. it.never.ends.

-cooper has been having some problems lately. after a vet trip and x-rays we learned he has spinal disc problems, hip dysplasia, and arthritis in his hips. they have him on meds, which will hopefully help the disc problem. as for the hips, his doctor doesn't seem too concerned. we put him on dietary supplements and we'll see how it goes. time will tell. lazy little bugger.

-as for mollie, she had surgery on her mouth a couple of months ago due to gingivitis and periodontal disease. after pulling 11 teeth and a good dental cleaning, she is good as new.

-yes, the dogs are going to bankrupt me.

-and yes, the majority of this post was written on 5/25. i suck.

The Tale of Turtle

Marlee has been going pee pee on the toilet since January. Going number 2, well that's a different story entirely. Without going into too much detail, it's been much more difficult. I have been telling her for months if she goes number 2 (we say poopoo, of course) on the toetoe I will take her to Target and let her pick out anything she wants.

Finally.

Finally.

Finally.

On June 3rd she went number 2 on the toilet!

And keeping with my promise, Friday morning we took a special trip to target. I let her out of the cart and told her to go up and down the aisles and look for any special toy she wanted. After deliberation between a 4 pack of Cars matchbox cars and a Nemo turtle, the turtle won.

Yes, out of everything, my daughter picked a $12.00 swimming turtle. This just so happens to be the same turtle she had seen at Target a couple of months ago and wanted. When I asked her what she wanted to name turtle she said fourfivesixseveneightnineten.

And I'm happy to report we are on day 4 of 4!

Things She Says

That make me smile...
-okay Momma.
-ne-night Momma - last thing i hear as i close her door at night.
-peeeeeeaaaaasssseeeee. so exaggerated.
-swing so high. out in, out in.
-hold you.
-too heavy.
-careful blue doggie (when using scissors - long story).
-big girl panties.
-momma i coming (when she wants out of her crib because this is what i have always said to her when i would hear her calling for me).
-brrrr...cold.

-i need to get situated.
-rock you.
-i got a weggie.

-maybe.
-got a lot of crap.
-i happy.
-pooey stinty.

and if you know my daughter, you know it's not always what she says, it's the way she says it.

No Thank You

A typical conversation with Marlee Kay over the last few days:

Dave: Marlee, let's get on your jammies.

MK: No thank you.

Me: Marlee, can I have a kiss?

MK: No thank you.

Me: (smile)

Me: Marlee, it's nap time.

MK: No thank you.

Do you think she's getting the whole manners thing?

Looking through old photos tonight...

and this one made my heart smile.
07.2008

(ps-taken by lesley)

I Do It

My daughter will be 3 in less than two months, yet to me she is still so little.
I still get her dressed/undressed, put on (most) of her shoes, help her on the potty, help her wash her hands and brush her teeth, rock her before bed...
This is normal for me. This is normal for Marlee. I've done all these things her entire life. I've never thought of not helping her.
Lately I have been better about telling her to go wash her hands, brush her teeth, etc. And I've been wondering at what age does she start doing more of these things on her own.
Just today I was explaining this to my sister Kristy. I also had a play date with my oldest friend Jessica and her two kids.
I don't know what happened. I don't know if Marlee heard my conversation with my sister or if she was watching Jessica's 4 year old daughter being more independent. However, this afternoon I kept hearing "no Momma I do it." I tried to help her put on her shoes and this is what I heard. I went to help her on the potty and this is what I heard.
And as much as I want to raise an independent child, I too want her to need/want my help.
Sadly, I know this is just the beginning.

Halfway to Three

At 2.6 (01/10/10), MK

-knows her abc's
-counts to 20
-learning her colors. recognizes blue, black, purple, green, white, pink, orange, yellow. All the basics but red. I'm starting to think she may be color blind to red.
-favorites are probably purple and green.
-shapes. recognizes triangle, heart, star, and circle.
-slowly grasping her opposites. she now says "momma i happy" or "i sad."
-talks and talks and talks.
-loves to swing so high, as she says.
-has a serious addiction to minnie and mickey. mr bear has taken a back seat.

-is still in her crib. with a tent. yes, she's a climber.
-goes down the big slides at the park all by herself. i have daddy to thank for this one.
-has started going potty on the toe-toe.
-loves the library and all things book.

-has a freckle on her right thigh, which she compares to her daddy's freckle. sometimes when i rub lotion on her she gets upset worrying that the freckle will rub off.
-is a great sleeper and still napping daily.
-loves baking with momma.
-is addicted to her daddy.
-cut all four 2 year molars. two in november. two in december.
-makes me smile. everyday.



**MK is now 2 years 10 months, but this post was written in January when she was actually 2 years 6 months. I never posted it. Oops.

8 years

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go, you go my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate
(for you are my fate my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky and the tree called life;
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart
(i carry it in my heart)

-ee cummings

happy number 8 to the man who stole my heart.<3

Favorite part of my day

This afternoon Marlee and I were dancing. I was holding her and we were swinging, spinning, dipping, and twirling about when she leaned in and kissed me.
Just because.
Made my heart smile.=)

Least favorite part of my day...
Right before dinner Marlee had an allergic reaction.
To what, I have not a clue.
I do know that her allergies - environmental or food, I'm not sure - seem to be getting worse.

The What If. Dresser Edition...

No, not the pool this time, but equally as frightening.

This afternoon...
Dave had just gotten home and the three of us were in our bedroom.
MK was supposed to be resting in my bed as she decided she didn't need a nap today.
And she was resting until her Daddy walked in the door.
Dave and I were just on the floor talking.
MK was over by our tall 6 drawer dresser pulling one of the drawers open.
I could hear the drawer open, then close. Open, then close.
Then I hear it.
That awful make your heart stop, panic, hold your breathe sound.
The entire dresser fell on my daughter.
All the drawers came crashing down on top of her.
The entire dresser fell on my daughter.
We both ran to her and started pulling on the drawers and dresser to get her out from under it.
All the while me screaming, in my breathless, frantic voice, for Dave to get it off of her.
Once we got the dresser moved Dave carefully picked her up.
Before we even had a chance to make sure she was okay, she was crying.
Of course she was crying.
For Mickey.
The DVD player that was on the dresser also came crashing down and was yanked out of the wall in the middle of The Three Mouseketeers.
Yes, my brave daughter was more upset over the movie possibly being broken than over the dresser falling on her.
She is okay.

Other than a swollen face/cheek/eye that immediately started bruising and a swollen bump on her knee and foot.
She is okay.

More than anything, I wanted to hold my baby.
To comfort her.
To tell her she is so brave and I love her so much.
She wouldn't come to me from her Daddy.
I just kept begging and begging until she finally gave in, just as she does me.
Daily.=)

The scary part of the whole thing is that Marlee was not climbing on or up the dresser. She did not have a bunch of the drawers open at once. It was just one drawer that she must have pulled on just right to bring the entire thing down.

*Photo taken about 20 minutes after the accident. By this evening she was already sporting a swollen black eye.

Favorite part of my day

Dave, Marlee, and Cooper were snuggling on the couch tonight watching Mickey Mouse. Marlee looked up at Dave and said "Daddy, I happy."
Nothing like a 2 year old putting things into perspective.

Today's Marlee-ism (2)

This is how the conversation with Marlee went as we were getting ready this morning, more specifically me putting on my bra:

MK: want boobies
Me: what honey?
MK: (as she's pointing to her boobies) want to wear boobies.
Me looking perplexed and still not getting it.
So she repeats: want to wear boobies, until I realize she is wanting to wear my bra.

Definitely put a smile on my much needed face.
Couldn't she put a smile on anyone's face?

Playing outside today. Beautiful weather. One of the benefits of living in the desert in February.

PS-crappy quality photo taken with iphone.

Today's Marlee-ism

As we were getting buckled in and pulling out of Target's Parking, I hear MK release some excess gas.
I say:
"Marlee, did you just toot?"
Her response:
"Tooted! Momma, I gassy."

I guess it's better than what I've been getting lately when I ask that question, which is "no, farted!"

My sweet and gassy girl, who is addicted to all things Mickey and Minnie, and her baby bear.

Annual Family Photos

12/2009

All photos taken by an amazing photographer, Lesley Barr. Who also happens to be my big (little) sister. To see more photos and to read about my crazy love for my Bubba's, go here.

The Flu

Well, Marlee got her first bout of the flu this past weekend. She woke at 3:30am Friday(01/08) throwing up. Thankfully the vomiting only lasted until 12:30pm Friday.
She just rested all day Friday and was so clingy and snuggly. Dare I saw I enjoyed it? Except for the not sleeping good part.

We Have Pee...

Today was the day

For the past week or so, Dave and I have been putting MK on the potty here and there, but she had yet to go pee pee on the toe toe (as we call it).

Today was different. She woke up (at 7:45am) and went from night time diaper to Minnie big girl panties immediately. Finally, after much practice and constant potty talk, MK peed on her little toilet around 11:35am.
Yes, my daughter must have a big bladder like me. She only pees a couple of times a day, but when she pees, she pees. As you can see from the picture.

Doesn't she look so proud of herself? Or it could be the sudden shock from the bright flash.
I danced, hollered, and clapped my hands. As a special treat for going pee pee Dave and I took her to the library after her nap. She was over the moon excited! I have never met a kid that loves the library like my little MK. She was also treated to chocolate in her milkie.

I am so proud of you my Marlee Kay. Just one more step that takes you from baby to big girl.

And because I have to document everything...
Day 1
-panties on at 7:45am
-went pee pee at 11:35am
-diaper wet after nap
-went pee pee at 6:30pm
-went pee pee at 7:15pm
That's it! Other than nap time, MK was dry all day. She seems to have caught on quickly. We'll see what the upcoming days hold.