a hilarious playdate

I wish I could write well enough to get across the great humor in this morning's playdate. First, thanks to Amy for organizing it; it was just unavoidable circumstances.

I had been telling David for several days that we were going to see a fire truck this morning. Yesterday when he asked to see the fire engine, I told him he would have to go to bed and the next morning when he woke up, we could go see it. Yesterday afternoon around 4:30, D tells me, "Mommy, I want to go night night." This was in an effort to speed up the process of seeing the fire engine!

Today, we left with a very excited son to get to the fire station on time. Upon arrival we were told to come inside and wait in a room where the "lady in charge" (at the fire station) was going to show us a short video on fire safety. As we came into the building, one little boy used a slightly louder than normal voice and was promptly hushed by the "lady in charge." "People are trying to work!" This was my first indication of what was to come. I realized after entering the room that I had left my memory card in the computer so no room to take pictures on my camera. She looked at me aghast and said, "What??? Are you not prepared this morning?" The lights turned off and the video started. While it was an "ABC of Safety" video with Sparky the dog, a quick glance around the room showed various children already getting a bit antsy to get on with the "real" show. This was one of the largest playgroups ever- with over 40 people (30+kids). The lights came back on and the "lady in charge" stated in a rather monotone voice, "the fire engine had to go away." The look of shock perhaps prompted the follow-up statement, "The party is over. Time to leave." (to be fair: they got called to a fire unexpectedly) There was a bit of bedlam as all moms rounded up kids to head back out again, only minutes after arriving. Of course, the 30+ kids felt like mutiny-ing, and there is the voice of the "lady in charge" over it all, "SHHHH!!! There are people working here!" Oh, the hilarity of the whole situation!

Many moms joined up again at the McDonald's for play time. Thanks to Amy again for capturing the one sole picture of one of my children at this very funny playdate.

Learning early

David has learned early that everyone's favorite question is "How are you doing?" This prompted his one sided conversation on the driveway today. (After seeing our neighbor), "Hi. Hi, girl!". When she finally responded with "hi," he jumped the gun and said, "I'm doing well."

What's wrong with your baby?

Dearest Elizabeth, the six month landmark has not been an easy one for any of us. You are full of two extremes, the most cheerful smiles in the world turning to the loudest screams in the room.

"What's wrong with your baby?" (an actual verbatim question I was asked yesterday) This seems to be the eternal question. If it is not this question (and often stated in such an abrupt way), then it is always assumed that the baby is hungry. However, as many moms can relate, this has had nothing to do with hunger! And rather unfortunately (hah), the doctor even told me yesterday there is nothing wrong with you... So, while I am so thrilled that God has answered the prayers of protection from sickness, your fussiness has been merely the pains of teething...with the normal crankiness of being overly tired and not willing to sleep.

You do sleep fantastically at night still, however. Generally from 6:30 or so pm to 7:00 the next morning. During the day, you could catnap with the best of them! Naps of 5-10 minutes are common and a 30 minute nap is a luxury! Fortunately, you are moderately content playing in your crib though. It still makes me laugh to see you sitting up grinning in your crib when I come in to get you.

You generally eat solids once a day for breakfast. This can vary from oatmeal and applesauce to pears to yogurt. Yum! Yogurt is by far your favorite. Finally, just in the past week you have begun eating a bit more delicately. For the last 2 months you have had the same routine at mealtime. Mommy dons you in bib and seats you in the bumbo. You open your mouth. She inserts the spoon. Even as the spoon is coming out of the mouth (long before any thought of cleaning up around the mouth), your fingers come in for the dive at the same time as your tongue sticking out and leaving 3/4 of the spoonful around your mouth. Thus, the fingers end up getting dirty on the way into the mouth and the only food you get is what you suck off your fingers. No joke!!! This has been a frustrating experience, for both of us. And holding one hand only taught you to be ambidexterous and insert the other hand. The last week there has been a breakthrough and you now generally wait to insert fingers into the mouth. Yeah!!!

You are still taking 4 (sometimes 5) bottles a day of about 7 oz. each. You turn your nose up at my frozen breastmilk so it has to be mixed into formula. And no sign of pain, but you spit up constantly!!!!

On cleaner notes, you have taken your first baths this month in the big tub without the baby tub. You love it!!! You love to splash and play in the water!

Other things you love? You adore your big brother's smile. You love when he laughs!

Now so comfortably sitting up, I knew it was just a matter of time until you crawled. You have been able to scoot to what you want but generally don't care about it as much as your brother did. However, this past Sunday (9/11), I looked over and discovered you very easily crawling across the room to get an escaped toy. You still will not put forth the effort much of the time, but are quite capably doing it. You would prefer to stand up instead. For several weeks this month you were even on all fours trying to stand up from that point, but you are definitely trying to pull yourself up on many things and can stand still if holding onto something for minutes at a time. Will crawling take second place to this?

I was told that you are a chatterbox. Perhaps not as much of one as your brother, but you have suddenly found your syllables and will often say "dadada" and "mamama" now.

You are still a petite little thing. You have moved into almost all 6 month clothing but only due to your height: 26" (61.26%ile). Your weight is 14 lb. 12.8 oz. (27%ile) and your head circumference is only 41.3 cm (19%ile). We did have a fashion show one night in preparation for family pictures. Cutie!

This month has been full of ups and downs, but we love you and are so thankful to the Lord for our little girl!

Pictures and some thoughts

I had planned to only do quarterly updates on my son now that he is three, but since I have so many things I want to remember from this month, I decided to celebrate his 37th month today with a few things of note and the pictures from the last month.

David has grown verbally so much again this month.

• He talks constantly about his friends--most often from the church nursery or childcare. Miss Laura, Nick (and Jaime), Tanna, and Ellie being among the top contenders.
• He went through a phase talking constantly about the "bad man." Not sure where he heard that term, but...he is often seen shooting "the bad man" with his water gun.
• We hear the phrase "Tada, baby sister! Tada!" and we know what is going on immediately! Again, not sure where he picked up that phrase, but D uses it to wake up a sleeping sister when we are driving in the car. Of course, a quiet baby must be roused...
• "Uh, oh. It's gone. Uh, oh. Uh, oh," said with great concern. When I ask what is gone, D seriously looks at me and says, "My chip. It's gone. It's in my tummy!"
• David is extremely polite. He so sweetly is constantly saying "thank you," "you're welcome," "I'm sorry." The "please" is only about half the time though.
• Some funny things he says: bozer (bulldozer), diggert (a digger/tractor), Bedward (Edward the train), my sips (any drink with a straw), my music (any toy which makes noise).
• "Daddy, you not talk to Mommy. I talk to Mommy," a commonly heard phrase around the house when I am trying to hold a conversation with Michael.
• David loves to sing "Happy Birthday to you, David!" I will often hear him in his room during naptime telling his trains to sing "Happy Birthday," regularly to himself.
• David loves to introduce himself to people--including complete strangers. He will politely say, "I, David." Somewhere he learned that his first name is actually Michael so he can sometimes be heard now saying, "I, Michael David." We have been teaching him his last name and for the first time today, he remembered his complete full name when asked!
• David often asks to pray too after we have prayed. Most often it starts out, "Dear God, blah blah blah blah blah..." He is really speaking things but often so low that we can't understand what he says. Today, however, I overheard him telling God about his birthday and praying for his birthday cake.
• David will now answer correctly when asked his age!
• His favorite color is green...apparently, at least, for all he talks about it. Today when I was reviewing colors for him, I asked him what color my car was. He said, "Green." I told him that "no, it is white." He responded, "no, silly mommy. Your car is green!"
• David loves counting these days, although not necessarily completely in order. Since he still adores riding on his little tikes handy hauler truck (great investment, by the way, since it has been loved for 2+ years--this is actually his second one), he will sit on it and then say, "1, 3, 5, 6. Go!" (as if he is at the races) and then take off zooming in a circle through the house as loudly and quickly as possible.
• He obsessed for a little while about bugs in his room. He would tell me that he wanted to "get the bugs." Only after one naptime when he actually brought a dead bug downstairs in his fingers, did I really believe that there was one up there! He will be my bug killer in the future!

There are other things to note too. He loves to copy both me and his sister. He will vacuum with his little dirt devil vacuum anytime I pull out mine, and he loves to do whatever/be wherever his sister is. He has gotten better and better at Mario Kart so that he can place very high in the races (and probably beat me) if he so desires. Fortunately (for me), he most often is more interested in intentionally back tracking to explore the landscape or rejump a ramp or pick up a box he missed.

Almost 3 years ago, I found a shirt on clearance at Target labeled "Mr. Happy." I joked with my mom about buying it for David. (anyone who knew him as a baby would have laughed too. He was a MISERABLE baby!) My mom suggested I buy it, knowing that I wanted him to become that as he grew up. How appropriate! David is truly one of the happiest children I know now. He is always full of laughter and joy! I love my little boy!