Tonight, Olivia got up for her nightly routine, and I heard her in the bathroom singing this song:
“S-U-C-K spells suck. Suck. Suck. Suck.”
WTF? and WTH did she come up with that?
“Want Mytar, mama, want Mytar!” Sophia requested early Sunday morning.
“Mytar, what’s that baby?” I asked her.
“MYTAR!!!” She was extremely adamant about “Mytar” so Bill and I did our best to decode.
“Monster?” Bill asked.
“NO Daddy! MYTAR!” she retorted.
We went back and forth for at least five minutes, trying to figure out what she was talking about. Spouting off every “M” word we could think of that she could be looking for. She responded to each and every one in frustration and just kept repeating “NO! MYTAR!”
By this point she climbed on the couch and started digging behind the cushions.
“Mytar, peasss mama, mytar!”
Suddenly it hit me. She had been playing with a little matchbox race car earlier that morning.
“Do you want your CAR Sophia?” I asked her, digging it out of the couch and holding it up for her.
“YESSSS Mama! MYTAR! Than-yew!” she smiled as I gave it to her.
So for future reference. MyTar= My Car.
Today, we took Olivia to the library and she was able to obtain her very own library card.
Our library’s only requirement is that the person who gets the card is able to write their own name. Olivia can, and did. She did so well getting her letters in the tiny boxes. She also had to sign her name on the paperwork (bureaucracy starts early, eh?). Then the librarian gave her a felt tip marker pen and wanted her to sign the back of her (plastic) library card. She started writing a very LARGE “O”, so I tried to direct her so she wouldn’t obscure the bar code. That’s when the librarian said “She’s supposed to write it herself, but since I’ve seen her do it twice that’s okay.” As if he was giving us a break. I smiled as kindly as I could and just said “well, I was trying to keep your bar code scannable.”
I’m probably overreacting, but it seemed kind of anal on his part. She’s three. I mean, I’m sure he’s not used to three year olds filling out paperwork to get their own library cards, but we thought it was a reward for her learning how to read, her rite of passage. Plus, writing letters and numbers that aren’t as big as the page is a new thing for Olivia, and she’s still learning.
After she got her card, she gripped it tightly and said “No mama, I want to hold it, that’s okay” when I asked her if she wanted me to hold on to it while she searched for books (and yes, I did want to break down and sob about how my baby was growing up, but I held it together). We went to the Children’s Library wing and I almost fainted. It was bigger than my hometown library. It was glorious and I just let Olivia take the lead after asking the (very sweet) Children’s librarian where we could find the books for children who were just learning how to read. She pointed us in the right direction and then said “And all of our classic storybooks are under the big tree.” Sure enough, there was a huge tree in the middle of the wing where there were shelves full of all sorts of children’s literature.
I know it sounds incredibly hokey, but it was magical, I really don’t know how a child wouldn’t want to read after visiting the library. We looked around a bit, Olivia chose one of the only Dr. Seuss books we do not have (Fox in Socks) and then we wandered over to the big tree to see what we could find. After my suggestion, Olivia decided she wanted to read more Fancy Nancy books. I couldn’t remember the author, so I told her we could go and ask the librarian and she would be able to help us. So with her little hand in mine, we walked over to the librarian’s desk and I told her that she needed to ask, so she said (so sweetly):
“I’m trying to find Fancy Nancy books, please.”
*melt*
They were so helpful (at this point another librarian had shown up) and gave us the three they had on the shelf. The librarian was so excited that she had any available, because apparently they are very popular. I asked them how many books we could check out and they told us “50, but please don’t do that” and laughed. I told them that wouldn’t be a problem because, really? 50?? 50?? That’s a little ridiculous, no?
I asked Olivia how many she thought we should take home, and she said “I think five is a good number.” So we counted what we had (four) and I asked her how many more we needed to get.”ONE!” she answered. So our search continued and the librarians pointed us to the new release shelf, where we found one called Dinosaur vs. Bedtime that looked promising.
I took photos of the whole event. Her filling out the paperwork, getting her card, searching for books, finding them, etc. etc.
I’ve decided that it is going to be something for Olivia and I (or Olivia and Bill) to do weekly. Time will tell if Sophia will join us again, as she was crabby today, but we’re not sure if that is due to the close proximity to lunch/nap that our trip had or if she is just not as content looking at all the things the Children’s Library has to offer since she wasn’t given the free range that she is used to at home.
So, interwebs, I was wrong: I DO want her to visit the library as much as I did as a kid–I’ll just be sure she has enough books on her shelves to satisfy any longing or desires for her own books.
Balance. Balance is key.
Plus, it may be the only way to get her to pronounce library correctly. For now, we’ll visit the “Lie-Berry” and hope for better pronunciation in the future. She’s got enough going on in that gigantic brain of hers.
Lately, Olivia’s poop schedule has been a bit later in the evening. She goes to bed at 8, but gets up around 10 and says she needs to go.
Never fails–for the past few weeks, it’s been a 10 o’clock poop session–(if anyone has any advice on how to change that, PLEASE let me know).
So tonight, right on time, she came out at 10. JUST as I was getting up to go pee. Since we have one bathroom I decided (stupidly) to let her go first, because well, you don’t want to make a three year old wait.
I say stupidly, because it takes her awhile. And I REALLY had to pee. So badly, that after a few minutes that I was considering going outside.
Before heading out in the rain, I decided to ask her how far along she was in her endeavor. Unfortunately, I asked the following question: “Olivia, where is your poop at?”
The answer I got?
“Floating in the toilet!”
Okay, maybe I am a little, but I can’t help it!
Olivia, who turned three on October 4th, 2009, is READING. I spoke of her abilities earlier, but she is actually reading full books, with minimal help from us in sounding the words out! I’m so freaking proud of her I don’t know what to do.
The obvious answer is to buy her more books. Which is probably what I’ll do once we weed through the ones that are tattered and need new homes. The girls have lots (and LOTS) of books, but I want to continually foster a love of reading, and nothing says “Wooohoo, let’s read!” like a new (or gently used) book. We are also thinking it may be time for her first library trip.
I have been hesitant about library books for many reasons, mainly that I don’t want my children to ruin them and possibly because I spent the majority of my time in the library as a child. While I have so many fond memories of sitting, cross-legged on the floor, searching the shelves for something I had not yet read, I also envied children who had shelves of books and always wanted tons of my own. I hated having to give them back after falling in love with them. I was a re-reader and probably checked out “The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” (and all the other Pippi books available at our library) at least 20 times in my life.
My mom laughed when I told her that and said “Well, when I was growing up, I always wanted more Barbies, so I guess that is why I always bought you lots of them.”
I found that incredibly sweet. We want for our kids what we didn’t have, or felt we were lacking.
We will just have to find a healthy balance between buying and borrowing. After all, I want them to understand they can’t have EVERYTHING, but it is so hard to NOT spoil them when we are talking about books.
I try to keep all of their hardcover classic books on a high bookshelf and they have to ask to read them, because I want them to keep them always, so maybe they can read them to their children. Hopefully I can help save them a small fortune on books (not that I mind, but giving them a leg-up on all things is sort of my parental duty ;o).
Some people have commented that they worry about Olivia and how she may become bored when all the other children are learning their letters and numbers and she is reading in Kindergarten. I always tell them we will cross that bridge when (and if) we get there. I worry about her being bored and acting out, but Bill pointed out that it is our job to teach her to occupy herself or how to handle herself when she is bored, because that’s kind of an important life skill–there will be times in life when you are bored. You can’t start acting foolish because of that. Logic: Bill’s got it. Plus, we can always supplement what she is doing with enrichment activities and teaching her things at home.
But, I’m getting WAY ahead of myself. She’s three. She still needs to play and get dirty and have reading be a fun activity for her, not a chore. Last night, she started getting frustrated because she had chosen a LONG book to read and it was taking her awhile (The Cat in the Hat is kind of long, ya’ll). I looked at her and said “You don’t have to finish reading this, I can read it to you–reading shouldn’t make you sad or angry, reading is fun, not work.” She perked up and said “Oh, it is fun, and I want to finish.
And finish she did.
Sophia is 18 months old today.
We celebrated her half-birthday by going to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. Olivia and Sophia decided on Quesadillas, which Olivia pronounces “CASE-OF-DEE-AHS” and all four of us shared the pineapple upside down cheesecake. Yum. I may need to figure out how to make that one at home. Sophia preferred eating the whipped cream, which she deemed “Tase-T”.
After lunch, we took the girls to the Build-A-Bear Workshop to finally use a gift card Sophia was given for her birthday. I don’t know why I was so surprised, but both girls chose the same animal: A frog. The girls had them stuffed (Soft for Sophia and Medium for Olivia, per her request), a heart inserted and then we “washed” them. Before we named them we decided we may need to get the frogs something to wear so we knew which frog belonged to which girl. Neither wanted clothes, but they did want shoes. We spent almost as much on a pair of stuffed animal shoes for the frogs as we do on actual children’s shoes. But–they were pretty cute and there was a 20% off deal if you made two animals, so I felt I could justify the accessories.
The naming ceremony proceeded and Olivia wanted to name hers “Bear” and then “Build-A-Bear” and then finally settled on “Ribbit”. Sophia liked the name “Hoppy” so that is what we christened hers.
So, without further ado, the newest members of our family, who both took a turn being unceremoniously pushed down the new slide Santa brought the girls for Christmas:
Hoppy wears sparkle-y red shoes.
Ribbit wears silver shoes. Olivia told me she wanted a matching pair. As do I.
Sophia is growing up incredibly fast and seems to be learning so much every day. Currently Sophia:
- Can count to fourteen–and understands what comes next even when we aren’t starting from one.
- Sings the ABC song and can point out the letters “G” and “O” without much trouble.
- Understands the difference between letters and numbers (usually).
- Knows the colors “Yellow” and “Green” , and is working on the others.
- Loves music and sings lots of songs from Yo Gabba Gabba (among others). Every time the show comes on, she throws her hands in the air and squeals “FAVE-IT SHOW!”
- Speaks in 4-5 word sentences on a regular basis and can tell you exactly what she wants and how she wants it.
- Asks lots of questions and usually follows up most of our explanations with “BE-TUZ WHY?”
- Loves to cuddle.
- Knows what a horse, cow, sheep, pig, dog and cat say (among others).
- Loves to dance and knows how to “Get The Sillies Out” .
- Tells knock-knock jokes.
- Plays pretend and likes me to smell “flowers” because they smell like peanut butter.
- She LOVES peanut butter.
- Has finally figured out how to get down the slide by herself. She had been having problems figuring out how to get her feet from under her…Friday found her figuring it out.
- She adores her “sit-stir”.
I’m sure there is a lot I am forgetting, but Sophia is such a sweet girl, I can always count on her for a terrific hug, kiss and nuzzle (aka Eskimo kiss). I am definitely enjoying watching her grow, even if it is a bit bittersweet.
Happy Half-Birthday Baby Girl!
I offer you a FLINK.
Oddly Specific: The strangely particular website peculiarly exacting signs.
Funny signs make me giggle.
That is all :o)
“Clunk…clunk…CLUNK.”
After about 5 minutes of hearing that I finally decided to go investigate.
I was greeted by the sight of Sophia in her pajamas, sitting on the small froggy potty we had used when potty training Olivia, thumbing through Too Big For Diapers and swinging her feet in front of her, knocking the front of the potty.
“Sophia, what are you doing?” I asked her, trying not to giggle.
She looked up at me and said, simply:
“Poopin’”
“Really?” I was laughing pretty hard at this point. “That’s quite impressive considering you are still wearing your pajamas.”
I asked her if she would like to try it without her diaper and pajamas on, and she said “YEAH!” (which is why we had the froggy potty down in the first place, she has been showing some interest recently).
After I finished undressing her she looked at me with her impish grin, said “I NAKED, I NAKED!” and promptly plopped herself on the potty and grabbed her book off of the floor.
She didn’t do anything, but it seems as if she is testing the waters.
Silly monkey.
Olivia is potty trained (with the exception of wearing a pull-up to bed) and she rarely has an accident. We’re so very proud of her and gladly take her to the potty whenever we are out and about and she utters those six words “Mommy, I have to go peepee!”
Today we went out to the mall close to where Bill works (about 30 minutes from home) to walk around and we ended up checking out two different bathrooms.
After Sophia declared “Daddy, WANT CHEESEBURGER PEEAASS!” we decided to eat at Red Robin (yum steak fries) and I made the horrible mistake of forgetting to ask Olivia if she needed to go to the bathroom before we left.
So obviously, about 15 minutes from home Olivia says those six little words.
“Okay baby, daddy will find us a bathroom really soon–can you hold it?”
Indeed she could.
We happened to be driving surface streets and were in an area that was just strip mall after strip mall–barely any major public restroom areas we like to go (ie: fast food places, gas stations or the like). Finally we saw it: The 7-11!
We had been driving for about 5 minutes so by this point I am carrying her in quickly to get her to a bathroom. I ask the guy behind the counter if he has public restrooms and he says he does, but someone is using them right now. So I think “Okay, I can wait–I hope.”
I ask Olivia if she is okay and she nods and says “I won’t peepee on you, mommy.” Then she laughed at me and started reading signs in the store.
The bathroom was in an area deigned “Employees Only” but it looked like a public restroom (with a unisex sign that said RESTROOMS), so I waited just outside the “Employees Only” door (that was opened slightly). I had been talking to Olivia when I noticed another employee appeared at the entrance to the “Employees Only” section, and just kind of stood there. Over his shoulder I noticed the bathroom door was open.
“Um…can I go to the bathroom?” I asked him.
“No, we don’t have a bathroom.” He said, smiling like a moron.
“Uh…” I am looking at him and then just kind of look at the bathroom door, wide open. It suddenly dawned on me what was going on.
Dude had obviously been in there awhile and had made it stinky and was probably embarrassed to have anyone follow him in. I weighed my options.
I knew Olivia had to pee. BUT I also didn’t want to get in an argument about the state of his bathroom in front of my (VERY impressionable) three-year-old before we were given permission to use the bathroom. PLUS I really didn’t know what kind of state it was in.
“Is the bathroom out of order?” I asked him.
“Huh? Oh yes, yes, it is out of order.” he says, smiling (again, kind of like a moron).
So I hoof it out of the 7-11, scowling but trying to keep Olivia from knowing I was upset. “Can you hold it just a little bit longer baby?” I put her in the carseat, and tried explaining the situation to Bill through my clenched teeth.
Luckily, there was an AM/PM across the street so we scooted over there and Olivia and I rushed inside and I ran to the big RESTROOM signs only to find it encased in yellow CAUTION tape and signs on the doors to both bathrooms saying “BATHROOM OUT OF ORDER”.
At this point I am ready to take her outside and let her pee on the ground by the car, but as I was rushing out going “Oh NO Olivia, the bathroom is out of order, can you hold it a little longer?” the WONDERFUL gentleman behind the counter said “You can use it, you can use it!”
After ducking under the caution tape and expecting the worse, I was pleasantly surprised that the bathroom was fine except for a very slow flush and some leftover pee in the bowl. Could have been much worse. Olivia did her business, we washed up and 10 minutes later we were home.
Sometimes diapers are just SO much easier.