I knew today was gonna go ok when we got in the car, headed down the road about 50 yards, and I turned the radio on. "All I know is I'm not home yet..." was playing and Moriah started clicking her tongue and flapping her legs up and down in her car seat. I, on the other hand, breathed a "thank you Jesus" with a grin.
Mom told me just a couple days ago how she discovered that Moriah liked a song that was playing on her radio in the kitchen. When it came on, she started fussing and motioning towards the radio in a little bit of a panic. (Moriah language for "This is my jam!") Once Mom cranked it up, Moriah threw her hands up in the air and started twirling all around doing a little praise dance. The song was "All I know is I'm not home yet..."
So you can imagine my little moment when I turned on the radio on this First Day of Daycare and that was the song playing : )
The drop off wasn't too bad. Moriah cried but it was just a Regular Cry and not the Blood-Curdling Scream like the other night. I can deal with Regular Cry. I stood to the side of the door after I handed her to the teacher and listened for her, and she stopped crying after a few minutes.
And at that point, I wiped the tears from my own eyes and headed towards work like a big girl!
I left work at promptly 4:00pm and headed for GABC. Billy met me there because he just couldn't resist ; ) We quietly walked up towards her classroom door so we could peak in and observe without her seeing us. Sure enough she was just walking around with no sign of any problem. I then said her name and made eye contact with her, at which point she started crying and walking towards the door. It was sort of that look like "Oh there you are, Mom! I've had a great time although I'm actually pretty worn out and I'm just really glad you came back!"Not a terrified, disturbing cry, just a "happy to see you and by the way I'm exhausted" cry.
I spoke to the teacher for a few minutes and after that conversation I just want to say for the record that I do believe in modern day miracles. My little High-Maintenance- In- The- Sleep- Department-Moriah, who has never once slept in anything but a crib or pack-n-play (and always with a little floor fan to block out noise. In a dark room. With the door closed.)....actually laid on a NAP MAT today with NO BARRIERS around it, with a ROOM FULL OF CHILDREN AND TWO ADULTS AND NO NOISE FAN.
SHE STAYED ON THE MAT WITHOUT GETTING UP, and....
wait for it,
wait for it,
FELL ASLEEP ON THE MAT!!!!!!
Without crying!
The teacher said she just laid there and stared at everyone until she drifted off to sleep!
I'm still amazed with that one. Must be the "Mob Mentality"--they just do what everyone else is doing. Either way, I'm pretty impressed with her teachers. Well, let's be honest, I'm VERY impressed!!! I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. Just amazing.
When I looked over her little written report for the day, it said she was in a "playful" mood, she ate "good" for lunch (no surprise there), and had a wet diaper in the morning and afternoon. (She saved a jewel of a poopie diaper for Mama about an hour after we got home). That's ok if she wants to save her poops for the evening--any edge to help her teachers like her better. HA! I kid! (ok maybe a little) ; )
All in all, it was a very good first day and I'm very thankful!
Jazzy J
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
19 Months & A New Adventure
Dear Moriah,
Tonight when I got ready to put you to bed, I rocked you just a little bit longer and held onto you just a little bit tighter (and surprisingly, you let me). You are usually so busy and independent that after just a few minutes of rocking, you try and squirm out of my arms and want to slither down out of the recliner and make a run for it. I think you'd keep running and playing until you collapsed, if I'd let you! But not tonight. I think you knew Mama was sentimental and you were just the sweetest, most still little babydoll in my arms. You looked up into my eyes as I sang and sometimes you'd just give me a knowing glance that you were so comfy and cozy and happy, and a couple times you looked straight into my eyes and smiled the sweetest smile. Either way you pierced my heart and I couldn't help but quietly cry as I held your almost 19 month old self.
Tomorrow morning, you will wake up a 19 month old. We will wake up bright and early, get ready, eat breakfast, and head to your 1st day of "school"- the Green Acres Baptist Church Early Education Center. We went there Thursday evening and met your teachers, saw your classroom, and met some of your new friends. Mama and Daddy love the school, their values, your sweet teachers, and all the opportunities you'll have to learn and grow there. You are getting to the age where you could really benefit from more social interaction, stimulation, and structure as well. We've heard such wonderful things about Green Acres and think you are going to love it.
Eventually! : /
Thursday night turned out to be a hard night for the both of us. You went into the room so brave and confident, and Mama and Daddy were so relieved! You started playing and exploring and having a great time. When it was time for us to go, you kept right on playing and exploring and were just fine. It wasn't until someone opened the door to drop off their child that you walked out the door and saw us, and then things went downhill. You seemed shocked that me and Daddy would be in the hallway and then when you had to go back into your new room, you started screaming one of the loudest screams Mama has ever heard come from your mouth. It went against every maternal instinct I had to leave you in there. When we came back to pick you up after our parent meeting, the teacher said you had cried on-and-off during most of the time we were at our meeting. When we walked into the room to get you, you had started crying again. Once I picked you up, you clung very tight to me and didn't wanna let me go much over the next couple days, which is very unlike the Little Miss Independent I know.
Your wonderful Daddy took my hand at church today and led me down to the altar and he prayed for his two girls. He knows that, although we believe we are doing the right thing for you, it will be a time of adjustment for you and me. Mama cried again during this time and a little bit more today. I am just a Crybaby and that is something you will probably not like about me, especially in the future! But you know what?! When I went to pick you up in the nursery, they said you hadn't cried at all, and you also didn't cry when I picked you up (which you usually do). So that was a special sign to me that God was hearing our prayers and helping you (and Mama) to remember He is with you wherever you go. I am also extremely thankful that you going to "daycare" is the "biggest thing" up to this point that I've had to struggle with as a Mama. There are so many other Mamas out there with very sick babies and I don't forget for one minute how very blessed we are.
So when I put you in your bed tonight, my prayer was that God will put extra angels around you tomorrow and fill you with His peace and joy and security. I prayed that you will know, in your own little way as a 19 month old, that He is with you. And that you will begin, even now, to trust in Him and to find Him faithful. Because He is, Moriah! Mama and Daddy love you so much and we will be there for you and do all that is humanly possible for you. But there will be times we can't be there and even times we will fail you, even though we don't mean to. That is when it will be so important for you to know that Jesus is The One who will never leave you, never fail you, and the only one who can make you totally complete! He loves you even more than we can, and we will continue to learn that we can trust Him as He holds you in His hands.
See you in the morning, big girl! I'm so proud of you and I love you so much more than I ever thought possible. You are the sweetest, cutest, busiest, funniest, best 19 month old I know! I love being your Mama! You rock my soul!
(And for future reference):
Stats from your 18 month appointment:
Weight: 21 lbs 2 oz (9th percentile)- Dr. wasn't concerned though, because you are still my little Roly Poly, just petite! ; ) you've got the Pate legs and booty, child!
Length: 30.7 inches (23rd percentile)
Words: door, juice, shoes, church, "go-go" for goldfish, "dye-dye" (for bye-bye), Dah (ball), teetee (you like to wave bye-bye to the teetee when anyone flushes the potty), mama, dada, Tootsie, chalk, sock, car, quack, ruf, "woooo" for swing, Spot (your little dog), etc. Of course many of these words have the "Moriah spin" on the pronunciation.
Hobbies: you love to push your little shopping cart around and "shop" in the pantry- you get canned goods out of the pantry and put them in your cart-ha! you will get your little purse, put it on your arm, and tell everyone in the room "dye-dye" like you are going somewhere. you love to "brush" your teeth, brush your hair, and use Mama's make-up brushes. You are really into climbing up and down little steps and practicing the "sit and scoot" technique that Tootsie taught you. you LOVE water! you are still busy, busy and love to "talk" and prance around. you like to dance, and when a good song comes on, you click your tongue, throw your arms up and "dance" around. you recently got into "coloring" and using sidewalk chalk. your favorite book right now is your little Bible that Tootsie & Pop got you, and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." i can't wait to see all the things you pick up when you start going to "school."
Here are some pics that Emily of Snaps Photography took of you this summer:
Tonight when I got ready to put you to bed, I rocked you just a little bit longer and held onto you just a little bit tighter (and surprisingly, you let me). You are usually so busy and independent that after just a few minutes of rocking, you try and squirm out of my arms and want to slither down out of the recliner and make a run for it. I think you'd keep running and playing until you collapsed, if I'd let you! But not tonight. I think you knew Mama was sentimental and you were just the sweetest, most still little babydoll in my arms. You looked up into my eyes as I sang and sometimes you'd just give me a knowing glance that you were so comfy and cozy and happy, and a couple times you looked straight into my eyes and smiled the sweetest smile. Either way you pierced my heart and I couldn't help but quietly cry as I held your almost 19 month old self.
Tomorrow morning, you will wake up a 19 month old. We will wake up bright and early, get ready, eat breakfast, and head to your 1st day of "school"- the Green Acres Baptist Church Early Education Center. We went there Thursday evening and met your teachers, saw your classroom, and met some of your new friends. Mama and Daddy love the school, their values, your sweet teachers, and all the opportunities you'll have to learn and grow there. You are getting to the age where you could really benefit from more social interaction, stimulation, and structure as well. We've heard such wonderful things about Green Acres and think you are going to love it.
Eventually! : /
Thursday night turned out to be a hard night for the both of us. You went into the room so brave and confident, and Mama and Daddy were so relieved! You started playing and exploring and having a great time. When it was time for us to go, you kept right on playing and exploring and were just fine. It wasn't until someone opened the door to drop off their child that you walked out the door and saw us, and then things went downhill. You seemed shocked that me and Daddy would be in the hallway and then when you had to go back into your new room, you started screaming one of the loudest screams Mama has ever heard come from your mouth. It went against every maternal instinct I had to leave you in there. When we came back to pick you up after our parent meeting, the teacher said you had cried on-and-off during most of the time we were at our meeting. When we walked into the room to get you, you had started crying again. Once I picked you up, you clung very tight to me and didn't wanna let me go much over the next couple days, which is very unlike the Little Miss Independent I know.
Your wonderful Daddy took my hand at church today and led me down to the altar and he prayed for his two girls. He knows that, although we believe we are doing the right thing for you, it will be a time of adjustment for you and me. Mama cried again during this time and a little bit more today. I am just a Crybaby and that is something you will probably not like about me, especially in the future! But you know what?! When I went to pick you up in the nursery, they said you hadn't cried at all, and you also didn't cry when I picked you up (which you usually do). So that was a special sign to me that God was hearing our prayers and helping you (and Mama) to remember He is with you wherever you go. I am also extremely thankful that you going to "daycare" is the "biggest thing" up to this point that I've had to struggle with as a Mama. There are so many other Mamas out there with very sick babies and I don't forget for one minute how very blessed we are.
So when I put you in your bed tonight, my prayer was that God will put extra angels around you tomorrow and fill you with His peace and joy and security. I prayed that you will know, in your own little way as a 19 month old, that He is with you. And that you will begin, even now, to trust in Him and to find Him faithful. Because He is, Moriah! Mama and Daddy love you so much and we will be there for you and do all that is humanly possible for you. But there will be times we can't be there and even times we will fail you, even though we don't mean to. That is when it will be so important for you to know that Jesus is The One who will never leave you, never fail you, and the only one who can make you totally complete! He loves you even more than we can, and we will continue to learn that we can trust Him as He holds you in His hands.
See you in the morning, big girl! I'm so proud of you and I love you so much more than I ever thought possible. You are the sweetest, cutest, busiest, funniest, best 19 month old I know! I love being your Mama! You rock my soul!
(And for future reference):
Stats from your 18 month appointment:
Weight: 21 lbs 2 oz (9th percentile)- Dr. wasn't concerned though, because you are still my little Roly Poly, just petite! ; ) you've got the Pate legs and booty, child!
Length: 30.7 inches (23rd percentile)
Words: door, juice, shoes, church, "go-go" for goldfish, "dye-dye" (for bye-bye), Dah (ball), teetee (you like to wave bye-bye to the teetee when anyone flushes the potty), mama, dada, Tootsie, chalk, sock, car, quack, ruf, "woooo" for swing, Spot (your little dog), etc. Of course many of these words have the "Moriah spin" on the pronunciation.
Hobbies: you love to push your little shopping cart around and "shop" in the pantry- you get canned goods out of the pantry and put them in your cart-ha! you will get your little purse, put it on your arm, and tell everyone in the room "dye-dye" like you are going somewhere. you love to "brush" your teeth, brush your hair, and use Mama's make-up brushes. You are really into climbing up and down little steps and practicing the "sit and scoot" technique that Tootsie taught you. you LOVE water! you are still busy, busy and love to "talk" and prance around. you like to dance, and when a good song comes on, you click your tongue, throw your arms up and "dance" around. you recently got into "coloring" and using sidewalk chalk. your favorite book right now is your little Bible that Tootsie & Pop got you, and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." i can't wait to see all the things you pick up when you start going to "school."
Here are some pics that Emily of Snaps Photography took of you this summer:
Friday, June 22, 2012
Summertime, 17 months!
Well, it felt like this last week, the summer really began for me. The last day of school for us was May 25th...however, it's been full steam ahead since this last week. We had a wonderful Family Reunion, I worked the following week, gave my 1st ever staff training the week after that (with my DAD as an attendee!), and interviewed for a new opportunity. I'm so thankful and excited about this new adventure, which will start officially July 25th of this year...I will be the new school counselor at Kissam Intermediate (grades 3-5) for Chapel Hill ISD. It's definitely bittersweet as I will really miss the boys and my fellow co-workers at Azleway. But I have to admit I'm super excited about being an elementary school counselor at Kissam!
We've had some visitors this week which has been really fun. My cousins Lauren & Bre came on Tuesday and all of us girls went to the zoo Wednesday. It was a great time had by all, and Moriah loved seeing and "talking" to all the animals and riding in the wagon. If only I'd let her climb the fence to get into the duck area she would have been happier. ha! She was reaching for them and "quacking" to them and wanted so bad to get in there with 'em!
Little Miss Moriah turned 17 months on Wednesday and I can't believe it! She is walking all over the place and has quite her own agenda with plenty of things to tend to! She still doesn't care to be cuddled, held, and kept still too much. She much prefers to walk all over the house shutting doors, trying to get into cabinets, pulling toilet paper down from the roll, throwing things in the trash, attempting to dig in the trash, etc. She LOVES being outside and absolutely loves water. Her favorites are playing outside in her Dora sprinkler or little swimming pool. We met Emily, Halle, & Whitney at the splash park Monday and I wondered if she would try to avoid all the water spraying things, but she actually gravitated to all of them and the wetter she got, the better!
The only problem is that between all the moisture from her water ventures and also teething this week, she came down with quite the wicked diaper rash. Poor baby got blisters on her bottom and it just looked horrible. We've been doing all sorts of home remedies and creams recommended by the facebook moms and it's looking better. The 2 teeth on either side of her top 2 big ones are cutting through the surface, so maybe we'll be up to 6 teeth soon!
We took pics with Emily yesterday in Jville and I can't wait to see them! I can't believe the last time I had her pictures made was before she was even walking. Wow, talk about a bad mom ; ) Moriah was so busy yesterday walking all over the place I could hardly keep her "on the set" for her pictures. I'm sure we were quite the scene between me chasing her all over the studio, encouraging, prodding, and pleading with her to look at the camera, and even sometimes reverting to doing that annoying "trying- to-get-the-toddler's-attention- in-Crazy-Enthusiastic-Voice." Yes i know. Sometimes we do things we never thought we'd do to try to get a good picture. Poor Emily. Nevertheless, with Emily's talent I know we will have some good ones!
Esteban has been with us for 3 weeks now and is doing great. He has been working hard at his job, helping around the house, and he really is a joy. He adores Moriah (or "Sissy" as he calls her) and loves to play with her and talk to her. We are about to initiate an "Esteban Cooking Night" where he will cook a meal for the fam so I'll have to report later how that goes!
Raina is visiting us for the weekend and it's been great to have her. She is such a sweetie and we are proud of the young lady she is becoming. Well, I hear Mozella stirring and I think Raina is waking as well. We are about to do some shopping for Tootsie's birthday if we can all get dressed and out of the house!
The summer is off to a great start!
We've had some visitors this week which has been really fun. My cousins Lauren & Bre came on Tuesday and all of us girls went to the zoo Wednesday. It was a great time had by all, and Moriah loved seeing and "talking" to all the animals and riding in the wagon. If only I'd let her climb the fence to get into the duck area she would have been happier. ha! She was reaching for them and "quacking" to them and wanted so bad to get in there with 'em!
Little Miss Moriah turned 17 months on Wednesday and I can't believe it! She is walking all over the place and has quite her own agenda with plenty of things to tend to! She still doesn't care to be cuddled, held, and kept still too much. She much prefers to walk all over the house shutting doors, trying to get into cabinets, pulling toilet paper down from the roll, throwing things in the trash, attempting to dig in the trash, etc. She LOVES being outside and absolutely loves water. Her favorites are playing outside in her Dora sprinkler or little swimming pool. We met Emily, Halle, & Whitney at the splash park Monday and I wondered if she would try to avoid all the water spraying things, but she actually gravitated to all of them and the wetter she got, the better!
The only problem is that between all the moisture from her water ventures and also teething this week, she came down with quite the wicked diaper rash. Poor baby got blisters on her bottom and it just looked horrible. We've been doing all sorts of home remedies and creams recommended by the facebook moms and it's looking better. The 2 teeth on either side of her top 2 big ones are cutting through the surface, so maybe we'll be up to 6 teeth soon!
We took pics with Emily yesterday in Jville and I can't wait to see them! I can't believe the last time I had her pictures made was before she was even walking. Wow, talk about a bad mom ; ) Moriah was so busy yesterday walking all over the place I could hardly keep her "on the set" for her pictures. I'm sure we were quite the scene between me chasing her all over the studio, encouraging, prodding, and pleading with her to look at the camera, and even sometimes reverting to doing that annoying "trying- to-get-the-toddler's-attention- in-Crazy-Enthusiastic-Voice." Yes i know. Sometimes we do things we never thought we'd do to try to get a good picture. Poor Emily. Nevertheless, with Emily's talent I know we will have some good ones!
Esteban has been with us for 3 weeks now and is doing great. He has been working hard at his job, helping around the house, and he really is a joy. He adores Moriah (or "Sissy" as he calls her) and loves to play with her and talk to her. We are about to initiate an "Esteban Cooking Night" where he will cook a meal for the fam so I'll have to report later how that goes!
Raina is visiting us for the weekend and it's been great to have her. She is such a sweetie and we are proud of the young lady she is becoming. Well, I hear Mozella stirring and I think Raina is waking as well. We are about to do some shopping for Tootsie's birthday if we can all get dressed and out of the house!
The summer is off to a great start!
Friday, April 20, 2012
15 Months
Moriah is 15 months old today. Wow i can't believe i just typed those words. Here's what's been going on lately...
* About 2 weeks ago, I noticed she had several "ant bites" on her hands that couldn't be explained. The next day she had a rash on her leg, several of those ant bites on her feet, and a blister on her tongue. Turns out it was the Hand, Foot, and Mouth virus. Thankfully Tootsie came to the rescue and kept her that week since i couldn't send her to the babysitter with The Sickness.
* Last weekend, on Sunday the 15th, we noticed that her left top tooth had come through the surface. That brings us to a total of 4 teeth so far. (The bottom center two teeth, and top right tooth are in full force-and the top left tooth is on its way).
* Tootsie kept Moriah again this week so the poor child had no attention at all (ha). On Tuesday, I went over there after work to visit and Little Missy took her first steps! She has been cruising around for weeks now but has not been able to muster up the courage to step out on her own. We were in the kitchen and Mom stood Moriah up and tried to get her to walk towards her. Sure enough, she took a couple steps and fell right into Mom's arms! She has done it a number of times since then, but so far just takes 2-3 steps before she falls into our arms. This Firstborn has not been racing to get to the milestones by any means, she is so laid back and chill about everything! But that's ok with us! I'm in no hurry to have a walker/runner on my hands.
* In the last week, we've gotten a little Chatty Kathy on our hands (not Mom, Moriah). While she's had her basic list of vocabulary words over the last couple months (door, cracker, dada, mama, dydy for diaper, dydy for byebye, daw for ball, ryry for Moriah, etc), this last week she's started "talking" in complete sentences of babble. She adds in all the expressions, voice inflections, and confidence as if she's actually talking. However, it's her own language. She really ramps it up when she lays down for a nap. It's so cool (and precious!) to hear her just talking away on the monitor.
Moriah Grace- I'm so very thankful for the wonderful, happy, healthy, fun 15 months we've had together. You add even more joy to our family than we could have imagined. There are so many times that Daddy and I will just look at each other and smile or laugh as we watch you play. You are so sweet, funny, smart, and just a beautiful little girl. I love you and I'm so thankful to be your Mama!
* About 2 weeks ago, I noticed she had several "ant bites" on her hands that couldn't be explained. The next day she had a rash on her leg, several of those ant bites on her feet, and a blister on her tongue. Turns out it was the Hand, Foot, and Mouth virus. Thankfully Tootsie came to the rescue and kept her that week since i couldn't send her to the babysitter with The Sickness.
* Last weekend, on Sunday the 15th, we noticed that her left top tooth had come through the surface. That brings us to a total of 4 teeth so far. (The bottom center two teeth, and top right tooth are in full force-and the top left tooth is on its way).
* Tootsie kept Moriah again this week so the poor child had no attention at all (ha). On Tuesday, I went over there after work to visit and Little Missy took her first steps! She has been cruising around for weeks now but has not been able to muster up the courage to step out on her own. We were in the kitchen and Mom stood Moriah up and tried to get her to walk towards her. Sure enough, she took a couple steps and fell right into Mom's arms! She has done it a number of times since then, but so far just takes 2-3 steps before she falls into our arms. This Firstborn has not been racing to get to the milestones by any means, she is so laid back and chill about everything! But that's ok with us! I'm in no hurry to have a walker/runner on my hands.
* In the last week, we've gotten a little Chatty Kathy on our hands (not Mom, Moriah). While she's had her basic list of vocabulary words over the last couple months (door, cracker, dada, mama, dydy for diaper, dydy for byebye, daw for ball, ryry for Moriah, etc), this last week she's started "talking" in complete sentences of babble. She adds in all the expressions, voice inflections, and confidence as if she's actually talking. However, it's her own language. She really ramps it up when she lays down for a nap. It's so cool (and precious!) to hear her just talking away on the monitor.
Moriah Grace- I'm so very thankful for the wonderful, happy, healthy, fun 15 months we've had together. You add even more joy to our family than we could have imagined. There are so many times that Daddy and I will just look at each other and smile or laugh as we watch you play. You are so sweet, funny, smart, and just a beautiful little girl. I love you and I'm so thankful to be your Mama!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
14 Months
Moriah turned 14 months on March 20th. She has had some sort of mental growth spurt these last few weeks, it seems. I don't know how else to describe it---i'm not really talking about intelligence in particular, just more alertness, using humor, and starting to communicate more. More than ever, it has become clear that there's a little person inside of there and i'm so enjoying getting to know her better and having such a fun time with my cute, sweet, funny little buddy.
These are some of the things that have been happening lately:
* She cut her top right tooth a couple weeks ago. It was a doozy. (how could it not be, us Pates have big teeth).
* Daddy and Esteban hung up her little swing on a tree in our front yard. It's one of her favorite things right now. I got her to say "woooo!.....woooo!" while she was swinging. Then a few days later when we were going near the garage door/outside area, she looked at me and said, "woooo! woooo!" and she does that now anytime she wants you to take her to the swing. Almost every time we get out of the car she says it, and if you go inside the house rather than take her to swing she will start crying.
* Her other favorite toy right now is the little plastic lion that Emily gave her. It's one of those toys that the child pushes and hangs onto that helps them walk with support. She absolutely loves this thing and cries when it's time to put it up and go in. (One thing that we noticed when she started walking more--still walks with support only-- is that her feet go out and her right foot seems especially flat. No offense Mo. We will get Dr. Barret to take a look at it during her 15 month appointment).
* Talking: She doesn't have a lot more words in her vocab than the last time I posted. However she's gotten to where she'll communicate an "idea" rather than just labeling something she sees. For instance, the other day I woke her up and while still in her crib she started saying "Cra-cuh, cra-cuh" (cracker). Apparently she woke up hungry. And like I mentioned before, it doesn't matter where we are, she will say "woooh, woooh" if she wants to go swing. She still says "da-da," "dooh" (not sure how to spell it but it's "door" without the "r" sound), "ma-ma" occasionally, muh-muh (if she likes something she's eating), "di-di" for diaper, and also "dye dye" instead of bye bye. she sometimes says a rendition of juice that sounds kinda like "js." And of course lots of jibber jabber.
* OPINION: All of a sudden, Little Missy has developed an opinion! And it's unfortunate she doesn't have alot of words to express that opinion so sometimes I feel as though we have traveled into a little place called Whiny World. It's still hard for me to figure out if she's just trying to tell me something and doesn't have words, or if she's just being whiny. We are trying to teach her some signs but so far no dice as far as her actually using them. Gone are the days of the always happy Moriah. But it's ok because I'm liking this older, with-it girl who knows what she wants!
* Sense of Humor: One of the things i'm loving about this stage is the sense of humor she's developed. She likes to fake laugh and sometimes she'll squint her eyes, crinkle her nose, and make a big exaggerated smile. Sassy little lady she is. She'll blow raspberries, initiate little games like taking off real fast and wanting to be chased, and basically just having a "knowing" in her expressions when she's trying to be funny where i can tell she really knows what she's doing. She definitely keeps us laughing!
* She's still taking 2 bottles a day (one in the morning & one at bedtime) but I"m thinking she'll drop the morning bottle soon. She drinks out of a sippy cup the rest of the day. She's eating finger foods and her favorites foods are: beans/rice (mexican), grapes (cut in 1/4s), mandarin oranges, goldfish crackers, macaroni/shells & cheese, lima beans, green beans, etc.
* She goes to bed about 7pm and wakes up at 6:30am. She takes two 1 hour naps during the day (one about 9:30am and one about 1:30pm). I'm thinking she will go down to 1 nap in the next couple months.
* She alternates between crawling army style (if she really needs to get somewhere fast) and regular. She walks all around as long as she's holding onto something! She still hasn't tried to take steps on her own. But that's ok!
* She's still quite the dancer. The other day we were at one of Ryan's baseball games and each of the baseball players had some sort of rap or r&b song as their walk up song. Every time a song came on she would start "dancing," and as soon as the music stopped she would stop. She would start again when the music started, and stop right on cue as well. Quite funny to watch. This girl feels the music.
We are having so much fun and enjoying this sweet, precious, beautiful little girl! I know I will look back one day and remember this time with all it's sweet moments and memories...we are so blessed to have Moriah Grace!
These are some of the things that have been happening lately:
* She cut her top right tooth a couple weeks ago. It was a doozy. (how could it not be, us Pates have big teeth).
* Daddy and Esteban hung up her little swing on a tree in our front yard. It's one of her favorite things right now. I got her to say "woooo!.....woooo!" while she was swinging. Then a few days later when we were going near the garage door/outside area, she looked at me and said, "woooo! woooo!" and she does that now anytime she wants you to take her to the swing. Almost every time we get out of the car she says it, and if you go inside the house rather than take her to swing she will start crying.
* Her other favorite toy right now is the little plastic lion that Emily gave her. It's one of those toys that the child pushes and hangs onto that helps them walk with support. She absolutely loves this thing and cries when it's time to put it up and go in. (One thing that we noticed when she started walking more--still walks with support only-- is that her feet go out and her right foot seems especially flat. No offense Mo. We will get Dr. Barret to take a look at it during her 15 month appointment).
* Talking: She doesn't have a lot more words in her vocab than the last time I posted. However she's gotten to where she'll communicate an "idea" rather than just labeling something she sees. For instance, the other day I woke her up and while still in her crib she started saying "Cra-cuh, cra-cuh" (cracker). Apparently she woke up hungry. And like I mentioned before, it doesn't matter where we are, she will say "woooh, woooh" if she wants to go swing. She still says "da-da," "dooh" (not sure how to spell it but it's "door" without the "r" sound), "ma-ma" occasionally, muh-muh (if she likes something she's eating), "di-di" for diaper, and also "dye dye" instead of bye bye. she sometimes says a rendition of juice that sounds kinda like "js." And of course lots of jibber jabber.
* OPINION: All of a sudden, Little Missy has developed an opinion! And it's unfortunate she doesn't have alot of words to express that opinion so sometimes I feel as though we have traveled into a little place called Whiny World. It's still hard for me to figure out if she's just trying to tell me something and doesn't have words, or if she's just being whiny. We are trying to teach her some signs but so far no dice as far as her actually using them. Gone are the days of the always happy Moriah. But it's ok because I'm liking this older, with-it girl who knows what she wants!
* Sense of Humor: One of the things i'm loving about this stage is the sense of humor she's developed. She likes to fake laugh and sometimes she'll squint her eyes, crinkle her nose, and make a big exaggerated smile. Sassy little lady she is. She'll blow raspberries, initiate little games like taking off real fast and wanting to be chased, and basically just having a "knowing" in her expressions when she's trying to be funny where i can tell she really knows what she's doing. She definitely keeps us laughing!
* She's still taking 2 bottles a day (one in the morning & one at bedtime) but I"m thinking she'll drop the morning bottle soon. She drinks out of a sippy cup the rest of the day. She's eating finger foods and her favorites foods are: beans/rice (mexican), grapes (cut in 1/4s), mandarin oranges, goldfish crackers, macaroni/shells & cheese, lima beans, green beans, etc.
* She goes to bed about 7pm and wakes up at 6:30am. She takes two 1 hour naps during the day (one about 9:30am and one about 1:30pm). I'm thinking she will go down to 1 nap in the next couple months.
* She alternates between crawling army style (if she really needs to get somewhere fast) and regular. She walks all around as long as she's holding onto something! She still hasn't tried to take steps on her own. But that's ok!
* She's still quite the dancer. The other day we were at one of Ryan's baseball games and each of the baseball players had some sort of rap or r&b song as their walk up song. Every time a song came on she would start "dancing," and as soon as the music stopped she would stop. She would start again when the music started, and stop right on cue as well. Quite funny to watch. This girl feels the music.
We are having so much fun and enjoying this sweet, precious, beautiful little girl! I know I will look back one day and remember this time with all it's sweet moments and memories...we are so blessed to have Moriah Grace!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Holiday Pics Installment 2: Christmas Morning
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| I told yall we went simple this year...Santa left stockings for the 3 of us, a musical/light up table toy thing for Moriah, and a popper |
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| Close up view (she loves this toy--it's like 4 toys in 1) |
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| Can't you tell by her expression how much she loves it (guess we were still waking up)! |
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| Hmmm...very interesting |
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| (We had to remove the legs at the time because Santa must've not gotten the memo that Moriah wasn't too sturdy on her feet yet) |
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| And of course we were more interested in boxes & wrapping paper |
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| Here are the clothes she got from Mama and Daddy |
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| Seriously?! Can you stop with the pictures already! |
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| Checking out the ball from Grandma and Grandpa |
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| The Tricky Sidewinder...not only can she roll the ball she can do it while laying on her side..what a cool kid! ; ) |
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| Mom, you're killing me...absolutely killing me with this camera! |
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Holiday Pics Installment 1: Christmas Eve
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| Here's one of our other "children" Esteban opening a couple of his presents...Fun times! |
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| "What's that you say? It's Christmas Eve?!" |
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| Busy girl, must be in a daze in this one |
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| Opening a present from Pop and Tootsie, aka The Stripes |
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| Poor thing wasn't getting a bit of attention, can you tell |
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| MWAH! Sweet sugars for Pop |
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| Hmmm...what is this stuff |
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Christmas 2011 (minus pics)
Ok, so it's late February 2012 and once again I find myself with the urge to start a blog post with "wow, it's been way too long since I last posted.." so I'll just skip that obvious fact and move along with what's been happenin around here...
We had a wonderful 1st Christmas with Moriah here at the house. Tootsie and Pop came and spent Christmas Eve day with us and then went back to Gilmer that evening. Moriah went to bed at her regular time and Santa came and visited that evening (apparently). We did Christmas quite simple this year (1. Because it is Jesus's bday and we don't wanna get so carried away with all the Santa and Me, Me, Me, 2. We are trying to do things simpler, in other words, cheaper, these days and 3. Because we have a fresh start with an 11 month old and have a few years to experiment with what our Christmas will consist of). In theory, if we continue to Keep It Simple as she gets older, she will just think that's how Christmas is done around here and we won't have to keep trumping the last year and Keeping Up with The Joneses on the day we celebrate our Savior's birth. I know, easy there killer. To be honest, the jury is still out on how we will end up doing Christmas in years to come. There are people we love and admire very much who are on all ends of the spectrum and everywhere in between as far as Santa Clause goes. I think every family unit has to decide what they feel is the right thing for their family within the context of His will, and so Christmas morning could look different for a lot of different folks celebrating the same Savior.
Wow, ok, weird transition from Serious Talk back to What We Did On Christmas....
If memory serves me correctly, we went ahead and let her eat and then led her into the game room area where Santa had stopped by. She got a stocking full of goodies (and perhaps some essentials snuck in there) as well as a neat musical, light-up, talking table thing. And also one of those popping things you push with all the colorful little balls inside. (I'll post pics later...This computer i'm on now is sooo slow about posting pics which is part of the reason i haven't posted anything).
We all played together with some of the toys in the game room, let her open up her presents from us, and from the Allen side of the family that we missed during the holidays! (But will get to see over Spring Break).
We then went to church, then went to Gilmer and spent the rest of the day with the Pate side of the family at Tootsie and Pop's house. That evening, we opened presents with Uncle Ryan, Aunt Shanna, and Kyleigh, Brayden, and Karsyn. (pics coming on that). We had a wonderful time enjoying being with family and just having a fun time together. We are so blessed to be able to celebrate such a special day with loved ones.
Christmas 2011 was wonderful, and it meant all the more having our own little precious baby girl to celebrate with! Last year, while quite pregnant, I remember totally re-thinking the whole Mary Riding the Donkey to Bethlehem While Very Pregnant part of the story. And this year I really reflected on the special gift of having a little one and how much a baby changes everything. (Of course having been through labor, I also re-thought the whole Having a Baby in a Manger scene). wow. wow! Let's just say I have a whole new respect for Mary.
Isn't it interesting how God uses our life experiences to help shape our perspective and continue to see Scripture through a new, refreshing light? Each year I get older and experience different things in life it seems I see the same Christmas Story through a slightly different viewpoint. Such a sweet story and what meaning it has for us who follow Christ. The King of All stepped out of Heaven's glory, became flesh and blood, and came to us in the form of a little baby.
A Baby Changes Everything.
We had a wonderful 1st Christmas with Moriah here at the house. Tootsie and Pop came and spent Christmas Eve day with us and then went back to Gilmer that evening. Moriah went to bed at her regular time and Santa came and visited that evening (apparently). We did Christmas quite simple this year (1. Because it is Jesus's bday and we don't wanna get so carried away with all the Santa and Me, Me, Me, 2. We are trying to do things simpler, in other words, cheaper, these days and 3. Because we have a fresh start with an 11 month old and have a few years to experiment with what our Christmas will consist of). In theory, if we continue to Keep It Simple as she gets older, she will just think that's how Christmas is done around here and we won't have to keep trumping the last year and Keeping Up with The Joneses on the day we celebrate our Savior's birth. I know, easy there killer. To be honest, the jury is still out on how we will end up doing Christmas in years to come. There are people we love and admire very much who are on all ends of the spectrum and everywhere in between as far as Santa Clause goes. I think every family unit has to decide what they feel is the right thing for their family within the context of His will, and so Christmas morning could look different for a lot of different folks celebrating the same Savior.
Wow, ok, weird transition from Serious Talk back to What We Did On Christmas....
If memory serves me correctly, we went ahead and let her eat and then led her into the game room area where Santa had stopped by. She got a stocking full of goodies (and perhaps some essentials snuck in there) as well as a neat musical, light-up, talking table thing. And also one of those popping things you push with all the colorful little balls inside. (I'll post pics later...This computer i'm on now is sooo slow about posting pics which is part of the reason i haven't posted anything).
We all played together with some of the toys in the game room, let her open up her presents from us, and from the Allen side of the family that we missed during the holidays! (But will get to see over Spring Break).
We then went to church, then went to Gilmer and spent the rest of the day with the Pate side of the family at Tootsie and Pop's house. That evening, we opened presents with Uncle Ryan, Aunt Shanna, and Kyleigh, Brayden, and Karsyn. (pics coming on that). We had a wonderful time enjoying being with family and just having a fun time together. We are so blessed to be able to celebrate such a special day with loved ones.
Christmas 2011 was wonderful, and it meant all the more having our own little precious baby girl to celebrate with! Last year, while quite pregnant, I remember totally re-thinking the whole Mary Riding the Donkey to Bethlehem While Very Pregnant part of the story. And this year I really reflected on the special gift of having a little one and how much a baby changes everything. (Of course having been through labor, I also re-thought the whole Having a Baby in a Manger scene). wow. wow! Let's just say I have a whole new respect for Mary.
Isn't it interesting how God uses our life experiences to help shape our perspective and continue to see Scripture through a new, refreshing light? Each year I get older and experience different things in life it seems I see the same Christmas Story through a slightly different viewpoint. Such a sweet story and what meaning it has for us who follow Christ. The King of All stepped out of Heaven's glory, became flesh and blood, and came to us in the form of a little baby.
A Baby Changes Everything.
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