Sunday, September 27, 2009

"I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller!"

Remember that song? I don't even remember who sang it, if sang is the right word? Maybe rapped, spoke...
Anyway, I always think of that song now because of Jenna.

She doesn't quite get the "when I'm older". She associates being taller and bigger with being older. Everyday she will say things like:
"When I get taller, I'm gonna play soccer ball."

"When I get taller, I'm gonna play football."

"I'm gonna play baseball when I'm bigger."

Just another cute way to see the world through a toddlers eyes!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Dear Jenna, Month 33

Dear Jenna,

You are now 33 months old, closer and closer to being 3! I am a few days late writing this letter, but it seems that's just how my life has been lately. We've been busy at home and I'm just getting to it now, that also explains why the photos in this post all came from my blackberry instead of my nice Canon Rebel camera. Oops!



This month we've been conquering potty training. You all the sudden decided you were ready. While you are doing great with number 1, it's a bit more of a challenge with number 2. You are doing great and really enjoying the treats that come with it! You love wearing big girl underwear and we love it too!

You continue to be a social butterfly and are quite popular at school. You've also taken to your loss of your front tooth. It's just added to your character and charm! You still talk about it time to time, but always with a smile on your face.

Like I said, we've been busy this month, from visits from family, to events, to gymnastics class, to just life! You are a go getter and defiantly keep busy and on the go.



You're so excited for Fall when the leaves change and then for winter, which means it your birthday and Christmas. If you had your way, you will have 45,648 presents for your birthday. Everyday you see something you love and let us know you'd like it for your birthday.

You used to be content watching whatever cartoon was on the Noggin Network, now you always want "something else". We fight daily about Sponge Bob Square Pants. Why you want to watch that show, I don't know! You still like snacks just as much as always, but have taken to having expensive tastes. I know this is partly my fault, but it really is your grandma and GG's fault, because they made me that way too! You love Ghirardelli dark chocolate, cashews, and coffee! Are you 2.5 or 30?



As I always say, I love you so much! You make me laugh everyday and bring joy into our lives! You are a happy, confident, smart little girl. You will always be my baby!

Love always,

Your Mommy

Friday, September 11, 2009

I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

I think it FINALLY clicked! Jenna has been wearing big girl underwear the last three days! She has been doing great with hardly any accidents. She finally just decided to do it.
We've been working with her at home, and daycare has been great with her too. She is totally motivated by the treats and sticker charts!
I am so proud of her!

This morning I think I witnessed one of the ONLY times it's acceptable for her to show a BOY her underwear! Her friend Wyatt at daycare also is newly potty trained, and they ran to each other this morning and showed each other their big boy/girl underwear! Here is how the conversation went:

Wyatt: JENNA!!!

Jenna: Wyatt, I have on big girl underwear! (she pulls her shorts down and shows him) It's Tinkerbell underwear!

Wyatt: WOW! Look at mine, it's Elmo underwear! (he then shows his underwear to Jenna)

Jenna: WOW, that's awesome Wyatt!

The teacher and I just stood there and laughed that this is one of the only times and ages where this is acceptable!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Honey!

We celebrated Erik's 31st birthday over the weekend with lots of family and lots of cake! Jenna was the most excited one and made us all get in the spirit. We had balloons and all had to wear birthday hats! Here are some pictures! She LOVES parties, which worries me a little bit!







Happy Birthday Honey!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

The cold hard truth

As a parent, one of the things you want most is to always be able to protect your child. I find myself telling Jenna a lot, "It will be okay, Mommy's here." "I'll save you!" "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
As much as I'd like to believe this is true, it's just not possible to ALWAYS be there, and we learn that with their first fall, scrape, bruise, etc. It's the COLD. HARD. TRUTH. I joke about it, but she really can't live in a bubble.

Of course, we went through this a couple of weeks ago when Jenna fell at school and had to have surgery to remove her tooth. I wasn't there to protect her.

Most recently, our smoke detectors went off at 2am! I ran right away to get Jenna, she was crying, screaming, and shaking, she was so scared. I felt so bad, I wanted to cry for her. When I got her calmed down and my heart rate returned to normal, I felt bad that she was so scared. It was just a false alarm (battery) and everything was okay, but she's been talking about it for the last two days, so I know it really scared her.

So, I've come to the conclusion that although I won't be able to always save and protect her, I WILL ALWAYS be there to comfort her. Through the years she will have more injuries, and physical and emotional pain. It's part of life and I know she will (hopefully) learn from these situations and I won't always be able to stop them from happening or protect her.

Jenna - I promise I WILL always be there to comfort you and be there for you, to try to remind you how much you are loved and how truly special and great you are!