Last Tuesday we started a Mommy and Me toddler preschool program at Mulberry School in Los Gatos. You were quite keen to get in there with your baby, but wanted to stop and pick a flower on the way.
Shy at first, you warmed to the scenario in the first half hour, but still wanting to make sure I wasn’t going anywhere without you. There was so much to explore: a cooking station with much more food and supplies than you have at home; sparkling pink playdoh with cutters and rollers; a huge playyard outside with shopping carts, swings, gardens, a giant sandbox with halloween colored rice, tricycles, dolls, a snack table (with little cups so you can taste apple, orange and grape juice to compare flavors), a music area with drums and rattles, and so many fun things to do.
We reconnected with Mrs Fiona and toddler Sophia, 3 days younger than you, from our hospital group. We also met another mommy named “Jules” and her daughter “Gregory” or “Greggie” for short (her maiden name).
You were saying “scoo” by the time we got back in the car to go to Grandmas for the afternoon. “Scoo,” with a wide smile on your face and rosy-red cheeks.
Today we have lost a dear friend, Sister Mary Gene, on the afternoon of her 92nd birthday. She is one of your grandma’s longest-time friends, from the Sisters of the Holy Names Convent in Los Gatos.
She delighted in reading your blog and would always send loving feedback after I’d post. She had you as her screensaver and, a few times, I think, caused some upset at the convent by printing your blog and stripping all the color toner. I’m hoping she’s reading this from heaven and I’m even considering taking the password off. Sister Mary Gene celebrated 4th of July with us (photo above) and brought you a bunch of balloons… which you dragged all around the yard clutched in your hands, with a huge smile.
We saw her on the 25th in the hospital, and she looked as good as could be. She enjoyed the card of you… ‘from you’.
I look at her face here, and all I see is a life well-lived, a happy woman, who right up until the end had a mind that was razor-sharp, and a heart of gold.
We’ll miss you, Sister Mary Gene.
But as Grandma says, “You’re home now”.
A big dinner party for your mommy’s 45th birthday. Daddy bbq’d a 19 lb turkey, and made a lovely dinner for 20 friends. We had Grandma and Grandpa; Stef and Chuck; Lewis, Clarissa, Abi and Katie; Katherine and Pete (just back from Tibet), Heather and Nolan, Tania, and Marianne. You love the helium balloons. Abi tried to bring you down from the castle and you collided foreheads and there were a few bumps and tears.
You inherited mommy’s favorite long time friend, Skunk on my birthday. Just as I was, you are fascinated with him. He needs to take a brief trip to the surgeon however, as his innards are coming out. Your favorite animal is Lambie Pie, a gift from Aunt Myrna (mommy’s cousin). He is with you every night when you tuck into bed.
Funny new thing you do…
Nodding. We ask you, “Do you want to go to the park?”. A quick nod of the head and ‘uh!’ you reply. Or, “Do you want to go for a bike ride?” A nod of the head and you point to the top of your head. Yes, you need your helmut on.
Dancing. Mostly spinning in circles. Then you get dizzy and have to stop, and sometimes you fall over.
Playing by yourself. Good imaginative play with your dollhouse, stove or animal friends. I can work in the kitchen now and you’ll happily entertain yourself in your room. I peek my head in and you’re feeding Mr. Longears or cradling your dolls, Emma or Abba.
You have a new Learning Tower (we call it your ‘elevator’), which is for you to climb on to get up to counter height in the kitchen. Much easier for mommy to cook now, as you can get up and down and you’re a big help preparing food.
A long time ago, before I met your daddy, I did some life and goal planning with a life coach named Amy. She continues to inspire me. I’m thankful for the inward looking she encouraged me do because I may not have pressed on and pursued my dream of being a mom. This is something she sent me today. Maybe one day you’ll find something inspiring in this video, too.
Never be afraid of going after what you want.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Unknown
Courage doesn’t always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
“I will try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
Be who you are and say what you feel because
those who mind don’t matter and
those who matter don’t mind.
Dr. Seuss
The Great Pumpkin Patch — aka, R0doni Farm in Santa Cruz — it was a wonderful day with Grandma and Grandpa Robbins. You liked to push the pumpkin wheelbarrow, and also liked trying to balance yourself on top of the pumpkins. It was a windy day but that didn’t slow you down. You knew exactly what to do with the giant pumpkin and witch cut-outs. At home, the pumpkins are outside the door. Every time you go outside now you point at them and say “pum-pa!”.
A family excursion to Gilroy Gardens had you laughing all day long. Even though you fell asleep just 20 minutes before we got there. Still a bit jetlagged from the Toronto trip. The carousel is by far your favorite ride. “Mare, mare” you chirp, pointing at the carousel on our way out of the park. You’re exhausted but not too tired for just one more ride. You were not a big fan of the ferris wheel. We only covered about an eighth of the Gardens… good thing we have a pass through the end of 2010.
Canadian Thanksgiving. A time for thanks-giving and family gathering… so we decided to fly in unannounced to surprise your Oma and Opa in Caledon. They were indeed very surprised and their reaction was one I’ll always remember. You walked in with Jackie and Jamie, with mommy behind you. Opa saw us first. “I don’t believe what I’m seeing!” he exclaimed. Oma turned towards the door, and just looked plain confused. Who did Jackie and Jamie have and who is that woman who looks like Jules (with short hair… I had just gotten it cut). Within moments we were all gathered in a big family hug. We had a delicious turkey dinner — Oma’s a great cook — including Opa’s bbq’d turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more, and finished off with pumpkin and blueberry pies. This is the pumpkin turkey decorating that you did, an annual tradition at Oma and Opas, as is the scavenger hunt.
Cousins Avery and Isaak and Jackie and Jamie all stayed overnight, and you loved having so much attention!
We remained in Caledon for a visit from Saturday until Tuesday when it was time to pack up and come back home to Daddy. We managed to pull off quite a surprise… Opa said as we were leaving “It was the biggest surprise I’ve had in my life!”. A wonderful and memorable thanksgiving.
The flight home was a long and bumpy one… we hit the first big storm of the season in California. You screamed for about 30 minutes and mommy became one of those people that other people who don’t have kids scowl at. Four hours into the flight you finally fell asleep. I closed my eyes and smiled peacefully.
Well I couldn’t wait until Christmas. A girl should have a dollhouse. It’s not properly furnished yet but we’ve done well in appointing it with what we have. Some building blocks that serve as tables and beds. It’s inhabited by a family of seven including a mommy and newborn, daddy, brother, sister, grandma and grandpa. The rooms will get furnished one day and it’s great now because you don’t really care!
Your daddy’s been on a camping trip this weekend but got snowed out, and is on his way home now. You started a cold the day he left. Mommy’s slept total of about 4 hours over the last two days, and missing my nighttime tag partner for these kinds of occasions. Grandma came over for several hours to help the next day. I feel so sorry for you, all stuffed up and we’re not allowed to give you any cold meds, which have been pulled and are all under new review with the FDA. So it’s honey, tylenol and thoatsoother tea, and some naturopathic warming vapor rub for your back. Thankfully, tonight you’re doing much better.
In the bath this evening, you clapped your hands together and exclaimed “Pop!!”. This is your way of telling us you need to go potty. Sitting there, dripping with suds from the tub, you went tinkle… then happily climbed back in the tub. I was so proud of you. You are often waking up dry in the mornings and able to hold it for long periods.
As we ate dinner tonight, your food was a little too hot. You hold it up on your spoon in front of your mouth and blow on it to cool it down. “phhhh” “phhhh”.
Your new little miniature grandma and daddy dolls sat with you tonight and you rather enthusiastically shared your bedtime snack of buttered toast and milk with them. (“But-ta” you say as mommy prepares the toast.) You like to share. At meals you will often hold out to me in earnest whatever it is you’re munching on. Though sometimes you yank it back as a look of mischief spreads across your face.
