2011...

Here we come!

Friday Letter #10 - The Evolution of Your Hugs

Dear Liza,

One of my most favorite things about being your mama is your hugs. Your little arm found its way around my neck just before your first birthday. In the dark next to your crib, I whispered a song against your cheek. You reached around and patted my back. It was my first hug from you, and I will never forget it. A few months ago, you started showing your enthusiasm for your things by squeezing them in a bear hug, squinching up your nose, and making this sweet growling noise. Daddy used to ask you for a hug and a kiss before bed each night, until recently when you surprised both of us and asked him first. You've also begun spontaneously hugging our legs when we're busy doing something up at our level and our arms are out of your reach.

Bitsy, the most amazing thing about watching you grow is how you make sense of the world without any formal teaching. Nobody taught you how to hug. We just kept hugging you. You must have thought it was an important life skill because you've figured it out.

Lucky us!

Love and Hugs,

Mama

This post was inspired by FridayLetters.com's question #157.

Perfecting Her Cup Skills

Happy Halloween!

With love from our little jack-o-lantern

What a difference a year makes!

Staying Cool

"Cool" happens to be her word of the moment, and it's ridiculously cute to hear her use it multiple times a day.

Dress!

While she was a crawler, Liza never wore a dress. It was just too frustrating for her. Now that she's walking, a whole new wardrobe option has opened up to her. She loves to wear dresses and requests them on many mornings when we're picking out her clothes. 

Using a Straw

Liza loves to drink out of a big girl cup like mama. She is especially fond of using the neon bendy straws she found in the pantry. And when that gets boring, playing in the water is always a fun time!

Just Right: A Tale of New Shoes

Now that our girl is walking, it is time for some shoes. Mama went searching for the perfect pair. It turned out to not be such an easy task. The first pair were way too big. The second pair in the same style fit pretty well, but were way too slippery for our new walker.

Mama remembered what her favorite little Roy girls used to wear and tried those next. Way too big again! We decided to keep them, because Liza couldn't bear to part with them, and she'll eventually grow into them (in a few years). Daddy refers to them affectionately as her "moon boots".

Try #4...same style, smaller size. Ladies and Gentleman, we have found the glass slipper. Liza adores her new "yoosh" and would wear them to bed if we let her.

The moral of this tale:

We love Zappos for their fast and free shipping.

&

We love our Daddy who will make numerous trips to the post office so Mama and Liza don't have to.

Coming & Going

This Week You...

...spent some more time in the water. You're definitely feeling more comfortable and have been working on kicking your legs, splashing your hands, and watching Mama and Daddy blow bubbles.

...fell in love with G.I. Joe, much to your Daddy's delight. You've been carting the little figures all around the house and have even taken them swimming!

Can You Find the "I"?

Baby Signing Time

Liza is loving the "Baby Signing Time" DVDs. They help her wait more patiently while Mama is preparing meals. She's picked up a few of the signs and approximates a few others. She also has added some new spoken words to her vocabulary, and Mama has a whole new repertoire of catchy tunes to get stuck in her head!

At the Gym

Liza had her first experience playing at Jump Up today. Pure glee is the only way I can describe her reaction. I've never seen her smile for such an extended period of time.
She loved it (and so did I)!

Dear Liza,
Today Mama did something that was hard for her.
We went to Jump Up...even though I knew there'd be kids there whose mamas aren't as germophobic as I'm used to, and even though I was pretty positive that they rarely disinfect the place (at least to my standards), and even though I was sure we'd have to take off our shoes and walk around barefoot. But, I took you anyway because I know that places like this are part of what's fun about being a kid. And, at the top of my wish list for your life is "fun".

It was all true. I wasn't fond of the smell. There were little pieces of dirt all over the carpet (which, miraculously, you chose not to eat!). The equipment was worn and visibly dirty, and there were a couple of older kids who were drawn to you and all your baby cuteness. One girl in particular couldn't seem to help herself and gave you an excited squeeze. Twice.

You climbed & you smiled. You crawled & you smiled. You squealed & you smiled. You loved the attention of those bigger kids, and
You. Smiled.
For seemingly the entire 30 minutes.
Thank you, Bitsy.
It was pure JOY watching you, and I'm so glad I didn't let my fears get in the way of your fun.
Love, Mama

"Hello, Shadow"

It's amazing to witness a moment of discovery. I've had the privilege of watching many of those "light bulb" moments during my time as a teacher. Seeing my own child make sense of her world though...

JOY times ten.

Liza discovered her shadow today. I was lucky enough to be there to watch.

Easter Ducky

Grandpa & Nana sent an Easter ducky for Miss Liza this week. The box arrived after she was in bed, so I strategically placed the duck in the playroom for her to discover the next morning.

It was love (and squealing, laughing, pointing) at first sight.

Liza can say "duck" which is quite possibly the cutest thing ever.

Well, almost as cute as her cradling her Easter ducky like a little mama.

Thanks, Grandpa & Nana!

The Birthday Party

Liza loves animals. I think it's a prerequisite for being little since it seems that a plethora of the board books available are of the animal variety. So, we decided months ago that we'd do a farm party complete with balloon animals and overalls for the birthday girl. The balloons were a huge hit, especially the chicken. Liza has pretty much given up barking for clucking these days.

My sister and I had these same silver candle holders for our birthday cakes. We're carrying on the tradition. Though we're a chocolate loving family through and through, I decided on white cake and white icing for Liza and added chocolate chips and sprinkles for the rest of us.

The singing was a bit overwhelming for her as evidenced by the serious expression on her face.

She knew just what to do with that icing, though, digging right in with her pointer finger.

Yum!

Birthday Train

Liza has figured this present thing out for sure! She needed lots of help at Christmas to open her gifts and really wasn't interested in much other than eating the paper. Just a couple of months later, though, and she's ripping the paper off trying to get to the good stuff inside.  Thank you Grandpa & Nana! She loves her new train!

Puzzle Time

Liza is opening a few birthday presents a day. She's much more interested in the process than she was at Christmas. Aunt Erin & Uncle Brian sent this cool fruit puzzle which she absolutely loves. Her favorite part is taking all the pieces out. We'll keep working on putting them back in! Thanks, E & B!

Happy Birthday, Liza Claire!

Slipping out of bed this morning, I whispered, "It's time to go get the birthday girl!" I pulled a sweatshirt over my head, socks onto my feet, and as I left the room, Lee raised his head and said, "Happy Birthday to you too, Mama!". 

Yep, it kinda feels that way, like I'm sharing in this party.

No one told me the magnitude of emotion I would feel in the days leading up to the anniversary of your birth. I never realized how momentous an occasion it would be for me. But here I sit, with tears streaming down my face. We did it! We made it! I am so happy to be here celebrating you, celebrating me, celebrating us!

Thank you sweet girl...

For being patient with me while I fumbled along learning how to be your mama. For greeting me in the morning with your bubbly personality. For making us laugh over and over and over again. For wrapping your soft little hands around my neck when I sing to you before bed. For listening to our favorite books and giggling at all the parts I know you will.  For your contagious enthusiasm for life. For bringing so much JOY to our family. 

And, most importantly, just for being you, our little birthday girl. 

More Puffs, Please!

First, a little housekeeping...it's getting harder and harder to capture this girl on camera. She's in constant motion and is very interested in the camera. The moment I think I can catch her she's speed crawling toward me to rip it out of my hand, hence the quietness around here. I'll keep trying, of course, but you'll have to bear with me and the long spaces in between posts. 

Perhaps you've heard me lament about Liza's resistance to solid foods. She's her mother's daughter and has a phenomenal gag reflex. We've turned a corner, though! I could not be more excited for our girl. With the help of a fantastic cookbook, "Top 100 Baby Purees" by A. Karmel (Thanks, Misty!!), Liza is gobbling up her food. We've even added chicken to her repertoire. She's also becoming more interested in finger foods. Puffs (like Cheerios for babies) are her favorite do-it-herself snack these days. Even though I was prepared to puree it, it's looking more and more like she'll be able to handle a whole cupcake for her birthday next week! 

Mama & Daddy are so proud, Bitsy!