Week 31 Year 2

Hello my sweet,

It is very true that now is the time you start to imitate us a lot! Which is funny, cute and terrifying all at once! For starters, this past week you started to make this sound and I'm assuming I make it a lot but it sort of sounds like you're clearing your throat but in frustration. Makes me stop and think for sure! You also say, "Of course!" which I say a lot in response to you and you shake your shoulders up and down just like I do! Not that I don't already but I will certainly have to be more mindful of my behavioral habits in the future!

We started the week off with a mellow weekend! Ms. Caroline hung out with you on Friday so your daddy and I could go see a play!

She said you guys watched 3 princess videos, the Minions movie and made it to bed by 8:30pm with no tears! What a rock star you are!

Speaking of plays...I have been cast in August: Osage County! It's the first play I've done since before you were born or before I was even pregnant with you! I hate that I will be away so many nights coming up but my weekends will be free until early November and I even though I have battled taking on this task, it's important for you to see my pursuing my dreams! That is for sure something I'd like to see you imitate!

Saturday we did our gymnastics thing and you rocked it! For the first time you listened to the coaches and let them help you! You even did a handstand! Then we went to a local school fall festival with some of your friends.

Swinging with Hazel

 You were so proud of your self climbing on these monkey bars! I was too! And then you slipped and bumped your head! You recovered quickly and I think you were more sad about not finishing then the actual injury!

You'll get there baby! Keep climbing!

On Sunday after your nap, I asked if you wanted to go to the TN State Fair or would you rather chill out and watch a movie and well...the Minions it was and some much needed couch time!

It has been homecoming week at DCA and we went to the parade and pre-game festivities! I am so in love with DCA and the entire community it creates! So far, I think you do too even though we still haven't quite found our groove at drop offs yet!

 This little girl came to sit with us (Savannah) during the parade. You weren't so sure about that! You did not like to share my lap! She's in the 3yr old classroom.

 She took the phone and took your picture. I think this sums up what you thought of her!

 Here is Ms. Tiffany, one of your teachers!

 The DCA Wildcats!

 The most beautiful blonde Snow White there ever was!

I love you precious,

Mommy

Week 30 Year 2

Hey babe,
I'm going to make this one short since my last entry was super long!

You've been doing well at DCA! Like I said before, we haven't conquered the drop off and your teachers say that you are sad after nap time. They have been so sweet! They let you bring in a "buddy" (stuffed animal etc) that you can carry with you for comfort! Love that!

Meerkat was buddy #1!

I had a weekend in Atlanta with my girlfriends, Alli & Kylie so you got your daddy all to yourself! You two were non-stop! You did lots of playing, lots of shopping, a bit of laundry AND you went to Sasha's 2nd birthday party!

This picture melts me! The bond that you two have is so sweet, tender and sincere! Even when you argue!

I love you both more than I could ever explain in words,
Mommy

Week 29 Year 2

My sweet baby girl,

It has been a whirlwind lately! Time has been flying by! 

Things have never been the same at Bambini since the "bee incident". It just hasn't felt right and honestly I have never really like it at the "big school". It's just not a great environment for toddlers. It has a sense of chaos because of all of the ongoing construction and the rock/boulder garden design overall.

So after talking with some friends and a little research we decided to take a tour of Donelson Christian Academy on Friday after noon (9/4/15). It was awesome AND they had ONE spot open!Your dad and I went first at lunch and then after I picked you up from Bambini, I decided to swing you by there to see if they would let you check it out too! And they did and it just felt "right"! It's an amazing school that goes through the 12th grade and has so many wonderful options about it! We really loved that you wouldn't be stuck in one room all day. Your day/week is full of all types of activities throughout the school!

They have a gorgeous playground with swings and slides and perfect for your age! The first time you laid your eyes on it you said, "Let's check it out!" We decided to take the weekend and think about it!

The rest of the Labor Day holiday weekend was full of go go go fun fun fun! Starting off with a trial Mommy & Me gymnastics class at Universal Gymnastics in Mt. Juliet! We learned about them from Mollie/Jaime when we went and watched one of Mollie's classes last week and you said you'd like to try it so we did! You did pretty good. Timid and a bit unsure at first, you wouldn't make any eye contact with any coaches or other classmates but you and I really enjoyed playing on the mats and balance beam and just went you started to let loose the class was over. (Not pics because...well I'm doing it with you!) However, you decided you wanted to go back, so we signed you up! After the class we did some shopping (oh Shopkins! - that's an entire blog entry), followed by some lunch with Mollie & Jaime, then swimming, then crafting, then home for a nap!

Sunday was like a second Saturday since we didn't have to go to school/work on Monday! Daddy had a ton of yard work to do (someday we'll be able to help him) so you and I decided to go see a real MOVIE!! We had so much fun! It is technically your second movie but your first movie with me!We got there way too early and played the "crane" game and won a Minion on our 3rd try!! You were a little scared of the crane but you were so excited to get your hands on "Kevin"!

Ready for some "Inside Out"! That was the name of the movie but after 15 minutes of previews and then a 10 minute short film "Lava You" (so sweet) we only made it about 30 minutes into the actual film! Lesson learned...show up late for the movie and skip the previews. We still got to enjoy each other, laugh and eat some popcorn!

Then it was on to "the shops"! We had a ball! riding the "boat" merry go round!

Then the carousel! 

Then the Lego shop!

Somehow I let you talk me into the elaborate Rapunzel tower set that is for 6 to 12 year olds! Psst...it was awesome! And you haven't even "crashed" it yet!

 We were just about to walk out the door when Dave & Busters caught your eye! Since we were on a roll, we decided to "check it out"!

I kid you not when I say on the FIRST game, you won over 2000 tickets!!! It was so funny! You had no idea what was going on but you thought it was hilarious that paper was coming out of this machine!

 

Over 2100 tickets later and $27 dollars we came home with "Alex" from the "zoo movie" (Madagascar)

We were exhausted but it was a blast!

The next morning we slept in (thanks for that by the way) and decided to take a family trip to the zoo! We had originally planned to go to the lake with our village but then remembered that you can't be in untreated water while you still have your ear tubes!

The zoo was great and PACKED! I mean FULL of people! We rode the carousel 3 times in a row and played HARD on the playground! By the time we did all of that you wanted to go see the "bahs" but it was getting close to nap time and we promised you that if you would go home, nap then when you woke up we'd go back. Of course thinking you'd forget...

I love this series of pics! It looks like you're riding a bucking hippo!

Best giggle ever!

We go home, it takes FOREVER to get you to go to sleep! You lay in your crib and sing for at least an hour! I'm seconds away from coming to get you but eventually you calm down and fall asleep!

I give you the "medicine" song!

 After 2 hours (ish) you wake up and the first thing, I mean literally the first the you say is "pet the bah"? Gotta keep your promises, right?!? So back to the zoo we go! This time just you and I because daddy went to meet up with some friends!

 

After much discussion and prayer, we felt like the right thing to do was to start you at DCA! It was a sudden move and a shock to everyone but again, it just felt like a "God" thing! This is the place for us! Seriously, for the first time EVER and everyday since then, I leave you there with peace in my heart! Drop offs are still a little tearful but not anywhere near as traumatic!

Your teacher (Ms. Tiffany) sent texted this pic to me with a note that said, you were having a great day!

This is our "homework" folder! Loving DCA!

On Wednesday we voted! A civic duty must and I want it to be something we do together for a very long time! 

 So there you have it! You're in a new school...I know...I know...this is your 3rd one (technically your 4th but the first one doesn't count) but we just want you to be in a place where your safe and getting the best care possible!

Oh my heart...I love you more than the moon and the stars,
Momma

Week 28 Year 2

Hey baby,

I forgot to tell you that along the way you turned 2 and half years old! 2 and A HALF!!!!!???!!! You are growing so quickly! You have the quirkiest personality! You have a great sense of humor! You use sarcasm very well! You are not a fan of crowds. You like quiet and are okay with loud environments that you can see and access! I find you so fascinating because to be totally honest, we are very different and it doesn't bother me in one but but has presented a challenge in getting to know you and how to approach different scenarios!

This weekend was all about celebrating Daddy! It was his birthday weekend!! It started on Friday with a date night for the two of you (I had a theatre opening).

You two are loving the Legos right now! (And surprise eggs!)

Then Saturday, we let Daddy sleep in and you and I spent the day shopping and visiting with Jaime and Mollie & Max! We visited Mollie during her gymnastics class and decided we'd like to try it out this coming weekend too!

The two of you girls played so well together this time around! Jaime & I were both blown away!

Then Sunday was the big day! You and I got up early and decorated the house, wrapped presents and started a homemade chocolate cake! (p.s. it was awful but we all pretended to like it! It was chocolate after all) Then we took a family outing to see a musical called "All Shook Up"! An Elvis soundtrack set to the story line of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". Once again you were a champion 2 year old but go antsy at the tail end! It was very nice of your daddy to agree to see it. I know he was cool with it but it was exactly his "idea'! Best Daddy Ever! Happy birthday!!

We are so very lucky and blessed baby girl! Your daddy Steven Michael Miller is truly the most wonderful man, husband and father that would could ever ask for! We love him so much! Happy 42nd birthday Daddy-O!

Loving life,
Mommy