Mommy's Little Bookworm

Dear Maizy,

You are quite the bookworm and I LOVE it.  Some evenings or weekends when I am doing house chores and you are in your room playing I peek in on you quite frequently, especially when you get all quiet, and there you are just sitting on your floor reading your books.  You love your books!



I think you look so grown up in this picture :(

At night when I get home and we play you will hand a book to me to read to you.  You have your favorite book already!  It's a darling little animal book that has pictures of tonz of animals and their mommies too.  We look at every page and I make a different sound for every animal!  Even the rabbit!  The fish, monkey and bee sound always make you laugh.  We read this book over and over, but I LOVE every minute of it because we get to cuddle and usually you are too busy to cuddle, so I soak it all up.  And even though I make a different sound for each animal when you see an animal on t.v. or other books you make the "Rrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaarrrrr" sound, regardless of what animal it is, it's freaking adorable!!  

I adore that you love to read.  I get the biggest kick out of watching your eyes and long eyelashes as they move across the page and look at all the detail.  You truly are a little bookworm and quite the smarty pants.

You are getting quite the extensive library.  Grandma Annette started you a collection of the awesome Little Golden Books, but you can't read those until you're a little bit older.  You like to tear the pages out of the books if you can and either eat the pages or rip them up and hand them to me.  So cute!! 

Here are a few of your fave books. 



This book came from Grandma Donker's house.



I bought this book at Gardener Village for you when you were just 2 months old.

I can't read this book to you without crying!

You got this book from Cousin Tom and it's just darling!

I also bought this one at Gardener Village and it's quite cute.

We bought this for you on our second trip to Hogle Zoo, it's adorable!



Never stop reading.

I love you very much!  Thank you for being you!! 

Love,

mom

Say What!?!?

Dear Maizy,

You are such a blast to be with.  Your father and I get the biggest kick out of you.  You are talking a ton lately.  Well what I mean by talking is you will quote a phrase one of us just said, but then you don't repeat it and we don't hear it again ever or maybe a day or two later.  Then you also have your own language too and that I can't quite understand yet, but I LOVE hearing you talk.

The other day we were waving goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Glen.  You said "bye bye baby"  as they were walking away.  No one besides me heard you, but when I was saying it again for you to repeat it - you didn't.  You did the same with your dad.  He was saying "oh yeah" and was telling me how you could say it and did all day long, but you wouldn't repeat if for me, not for him, not for anything.  It just cracks me up because someone will say, "Maizy just said (insert word here)."  And then you don't say it, so I usually didn't end up believing that person, but now I have experienced this for myself.  I get it.  You just say what you want, when you want.  I love your independence though. Never lose that.

You are also continuing to be quite the little climber.  Sunday night you decided to try climbing on the coffee table and you did it!!  You climbed and stood on it, not safe, but it made for a great photo op. See...............

You were so proud of yourself as we were too!  It was the cutest thing.  I love watching you accomplish something that you really want not only is it amazing, but you won't stop until you accomplish it!



I can't get enough of watching you grow, learn and explore life.  You do it all with a big smile and such determination.  I love you baby!  Thank you for being such an amazing little girl and giving our lives so much!

K now check out this pic!  This was taken on 9/26/10 exactly a year ago from yesterday. You had just gotten out of the tub. Look at how much you have changed and grown. Crazy!!

I love you!

Love,

mommy

Lucky Stars

An oldie but a goodie for sure. xoxoxo

Dear Maizy,

I thank my Lucky Stars for your EVERY day!  You are a really,  really good baby and I know this.  We know this.  We are LUCKY!  You were an easy pregnancy for me.  You were an easy birth - seriously!  All those medical and bed rest issues were my own not yours.  You rarely cried and you rarely cry now.  You are beautiful inside and out.  You are happy.  You laugh.  You smile a ton.  You are SOOOOO smart.  You are well behaved.  You are super adaptable - no binky, from breast milk to formula, to sleeping with me to sleeping in your own crib, doing things on your own and preferring it.  You are just downright awesome!!  Grandma reminds me.  Strangers at the store remind.  Your father and I remind each other.  Believe me honey we know we are truly blessed with a beautiful, perfect, wonderful gift from God.  You are such a HUGE joy in our lives and those who have the pleasure of meeting you.

I told your Grandma today at lunch that when you are older and you experience a bully - because you will, everyone does, it's part of life and other's will be jealous of you - it will be hard not to put the smack down,  literally.  You are SO special to me and I will protect you with all that I am. 

I just want you to know that I really do thank my lucky stars that I am your mother and get to be forever and that I am the luckiest mommy ever.  You are just truly so amazing.  I wonder why and how I got so lucky.  I didn't know I deserved the best gift that God can give.  Sometimes, and I not joking, I have to pinch myself that this is not a dream.

I love you sweet girl!

Thank you to you and my lucky stars!!

Love,
mommy

p.s. Your daddy and I are going to Park City overnight Saturday to Sunday while you stay with Grandma and Grandpa Glen and I am already missing you.  UGH!  But we all need these nights to play and have fun!  Then we will really appreciate our time together.  Love you!!

Maizy and a baby goat

Dear Maizy,

Look at this ever-so-adorable picture of you and a baby goat at the Utah State Fair.



I was anxiously waiting for a week for this picture.  You look freakin' adorable!!  The goat was quite cute too and was super soft.  When the picture was over you tugged at the little goats ear - you precious thing you!

You are growing so fast and doing new things everyday.  Like these for example.

• You climb over this HUGE box we have blocking the stairs.  Nothing stops you nowadays. 
• You quote your dad and say "oh yeah!"
• You scream!  Yes, scream.  When you're tired, happy, hungry, mad, sad or excited.  You scream!
• You pretend to dress your self by putting every article of clothing you come across on your head.
• You still continue to give me open mouth kisses when you're in the mood.
• You LOVE the tub and try to get in it every chance you get.
• You LOVE your Grandma Shelly since you two are starting to spend more time together.
• You are still a CRAZY sleeper.
• You still get a kick out of Dora the Explorer and that is ok with me she is cute, smart and entertaining.  I get it.
• You love walks and playing at the park.
• You are super friendly
• You have the most beautiful smile and eyes that light up the room
• You are mine and I am yours FOREVER

I love you my sweet girl!  I hope you're having a great day!  I miss you a crap ton while I am work.

Love you!

Love,

mommy

Fun, fun and more fun!!!

Dear Maizy,

You are frickin' adorable, funny and s.m.r.t.!!!  You now know to point poke people's eye and say "eye".  It's the cutest thing ever and you can poke my eye all day just so I can hear your cute little voice.

On Friday night we just hung out at home. 

Saturday we went to Oktoberfest with Grandma, ate lunch, we drank a few beers and you entertained us.  We have it on video but you found one of these

In the hall at Snowbird and walked around with it.  It was hilarious!!  You were even cracking yourself up! I will post the video if and when I figure out how. 

We didn't stay there too long since it was kind of chilly and frankly, there isn't a ton to do besides drink. 

Then we went to Grandma's house, ate Chinese take out, watched the Utah Utes CRUSH BYU - YAY!!!, played and went home about 11pm.  It was a great fun filled day!

Sunday we stayed home and played!!  I just cherish every minute that we get to play.  When I say play that means we play with your toys, throw a ball back and forth, read books - Oh how you LOVE to read your books.  You have 3 animal books but 1 that is your favorite!  We read it over and over.  We make the animal sounds - you are a pro at roaring - and talk about all the animals. 

You have these gorgeous eyes with beautiful long eyelashes and I love watching them get bigger when something excites you and watch them as your eyes move across the pages of books.  I even love them when you look at me as you are doing something you are not supposed to do, such as - play with the electrical sockets, climb on stuff you're not supposed to and putting things in your mouth!

You crack me up at least 100 times a night.  You are too cute.  We play this thing where you hand me something and I say "thank you!"  Then you hold your hand out for me to hand you something, sometimes I give you the same item back or if you're not supposed to have it I hand you something else and you say "thank you!"  It's our favorite thing to do besides bath time for sure!!

I love you sweet girl!  I miss you like CRAZY while I am at work.  I think about you a gazillion times.

Love you!

Love,
mommy

Summer Lovin'

Dear Maizy,

If I could just stay home with you all day and play to our hearts content I would.  I LOVE and cherish every moment of our time and especially weekends together.

Friday I got home.  Your dad was spraying off the porch, I went inside to get a drink and came out to see this...........

And this

And this, and this and this.

You love the water!!!  Then after your diaper was soaked we took your bottoms off and that was quite hilarious and adorable.  I have to say, you have the cutest little bum.  After the sun started to set I grabbed a big towel, wrapped it around you and we went inside for more water fun, but this time it was warm water. Bath time!!!  I love bath time with you.  You get bubbles, all your bath toys, you like to sit under the running water and have it run down your back and you are even getting more adventurous and daring and like to lay on your tummy in the tub! SO CUTE!!!! I love all the little moments you and I share.  I also got a little emotional and realized how thankful and grateful I am that we have the luxury of warm running water, in a nice, safe, warm loving home.  As a mother you want nothing more than to take good care of your children and we have provided ourselves a life where we can do just that, but that is also because we are given that opportunity.  I started thinking of those mom's in Somalia where they can not even provide their children with clean water to drink let alone to play in.  Kind of sad when you think about it.  Girl we are lucky in SOOOOO many ways!

After the bath we played some more had a yummy dinner, relaxed and went to bed. 

Saturday was slept in a little.  Got some coffee, dressed and we hit the road for downtown Salt Lake's Farmer's Market.  We got a tremendous parking spot, loaded you in the stroller and went to the event.  You were dressed Oh So Cute and you were Oh So Good.  You stayed and chilled in your stroller the whole time and just took it all in. The day was beautiful and luckily it wasn't super hot.  We walked around.  We sampled cheeses, peaches, breads, noodles and we even bought a chocolate croissant to share. YUM!!!  As I was feeding you I noticed you are getting 2 molars - one on the bottom and one on top.  OUCH!!  So we sped up the process to get you home and get you some medicine.  But you were still in such a good mood even though I was sure you were hurtin'.  You would sporadically wave at friendly faces. Get a kick out of all the dogs that were there and it was just so much fun being with my super awesome family!!  I love you and your father SOOOOO much and love when we go out and about!

After the Farmer's Market we headed home for nap time.  We all crashed!  We woke up just in time for Grandpa Frank's visit.  He had to work and since it's so close he came over right after.  He was just watching you play and commented on how busy and funny you are.  You were just blabbin' away and going from toy to toy, person to person to climb all over and play with.  After Grandpa's visit we got ready again and headed back downtown for the Greek Festival We arrived and got right in the long food line but luckily it moved fast.  While we in line we were spotted by our friend Nahum (he attended your first birthday party).  We got food, drinks and then went out by the Greek church and ate.  You really liked the food I gave you.  You are such a good little eater.  After you were done eating you wanted to run and play!!  You kept going up the stairs of the church.  We finally did go in the beautiful church.  Then there really isn't too much to do there but eat.  Then we headed over to Todd, Sara and Christian's.  They always get the biggest kick out of you.  We didn't stay too long since we all had a good, full day! We got home and crashed!

Sunday we slept in a little.  Dad made us a yummy breakfast off cheesy eggs and toast.  I cleaned and got all caught up on our laundry.  You and I played ALL day!!  I LOVE days like this.  The three of us walked down the street where there were a butt load of bronze statues for sale.  They have been on the corner all week and I couldn't wait to take you to see the huge 7 foot fake bear, elephants, lions and monkeys.  We walk down there and you were like "eh?"  I was more into it than you.  Then after we walked back, dad went inside and you and I continued our walk and went to the park.  I put you in the swing, we went down a few slides and then you wanted to go back in the swing.  I love you!!  Dad smoked some salmon he bought the day before and you were totally diggin' it.  You really are a good little eater.

I can't get over how much you know and learn.  You climb the stairs up and down like a champ.  You are super hilarious.  You try to dress yourself.  You comb my hair and yours.  You are talking (babbling) a lot more.  You LOVE your books and observe each page before turning it.  You like to feed yourself with your hands.  You are starting to cuddle a bit more.

Monday you had to go with your dad to get the tire fixed.  Look how freaking adorable you are.

I hope that you love your life as much as I love mine.  I want to make sure that every day is a good day for you.  Tonight we are going to the Utah State Fair and we are SOOOOOO excited for you to see all the animals and just have a great night!! 

I love you sweet girl!!

Love,

mom



Mommy's little comedienne!!

Dear Maizy,

You are hilarious!! And I love you.  This has been a great, but very, very busy crazy week.  I like busy but not crazy - well not this kind of crazy.

Anywho, last weekend was great!!

Friday I got home and we played! 

Saturday dad worked, so we played but stayed in our jammies all day!! And I mean all day!  Dad got home and commented - "hhhhmmm jammie day huh!?!"  Yes indeed it was.  We bummed around, cleaned a little, took a nap - Yes!  Went to the store in our jammies - don't judge! I LOVE taking you places.  We talk, you wave randomly at people, we eat the samples and just get to be together.  Then we relaxed and had a yummy dinner made by yours truly.

Sunday we played, drove G-pa Frank's truck to his house for him, Grandma Donker picked us up and we headed to Grandma Shelly's for your belated birthday party. Grandma was out of town and had to care for her daughter after surgery, so that's why it was almost a month later that we were celebrating. We even sang Happy Birthday to you of course.  We had SOOOO much fun. We played outside, ate yummy food, ate the yummy brownies I made and decorated for your birthday, then opened your presents!  You got spoiled of course. You played and played and played!  You did not want to give up. 

Monday we had the day off so we hung around, played and cleaned. I just love every minute I get to be home with you.

You are getting more and more hilarious too!!  Lately you have been putting things on your head, walking around and cracking up!! Therefore it cracks us up!  You will put a blanky on your head and walk around, it's super adorable and hilarious!! I think this stems from countless games of peek-a-boo.

Your dad worked all this week, so Tuesday and Wednesday you and Grandma Donker hung out.  Thursday and Friday you were with Grandma Annette, Sienna and Aunt Jenn.  You have been going to bed by 9pm since we are getting up so early and that is fine by me since I go to bed shortly after you.

I am really looking forward to the weekend. Another jammie day, sleeping in, playing at the park, going on a walk and lounging all sound pretty good to me.

You love to make your dad and I laugh.

You have also started handing us random things then putting out your hand to hand you things.  I usually kiss the inside of your hand then hand you something back.

You LOVE to be pushed around on the train Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Glen gave you for your birthday.

You love to eat mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese.

We are supposed to take your bottle away now that you are 1.  You only use it at night and nap time but I think this might be hard for all of us.

You have a tangled blanket that Grandpa gave you that you are getting attached too!!

And you love, love, love your bath time!! So do I for obvious reasons.  Love your face!!

Love you sweet girl!

Love,

mommy



Bees, bees and more bees!!

Dear Maizy,

We went to the last Salt Lake Bees game of the season.  We met Todd, Sara and Christian there.  Christian always likes seeing you and playing.  He said "she is my favorite little one."  It's all really quite cute.  Sara chased you around for a few and even gave you some blue and pink cotton candy!! You are so freaking adorable.  She gave you a big piece and you took your little index finger, pushed it all in your mouth and said "mmmmmmm".  Garsh I love you!!

There was a few people walking around promoting a new haunted house in town.  This guy approached us and you weren't even phased by his ugliness!  You always seem to see the good in people/creatures/monsters.



We didn't stay at the game too long before heading to the clubhouse. Grandpa Frank was there and he was real excited to see you and was kissing you!  It's cute to see you two together.  We stayed there for a few.  You walked around a bit and explored and was passed around by a few ladies that were there.  You made everyone's night.  I am the luckiest woman in the world.  I have a super amazing daughter a tremendous partner and a wonderful family! 

Life is great!

Thank you for all your bring to it.

Love you!!

Love,

mommy

Interesting Day!

Dear Maizy,

Monday's are always hard for me because I miss our weekends of sleeping in, playing, no routine and just doing whatever we want.

Well your dad sent me this picture, yes, this very picture.

And I said, that better be spaghetti sauce (we did have spaghetti the night before).  Well it wasn't.  You were playing in the downstairs hall way on the tile floor, tripped over a blanket you were playing with and hit your mouth on the tile floor. SAD!!!! Your dad ran up to you and held you while you cried for a minute.  Luckily, this picture looks worse than it was.  Not saying that it didn't hurt because I know it did, but you still have all your teeth and just a small split in your lip.

I was sad that I wasn't there to comfort and care for you, but I know that you are in good hands with your father.  I was ready to fly out of the office and come home to you, but wouldn't you know it, I was the only one in my department that day!

I got home and you were your super typical happy self.

You are mom and dad's little tough girl.

Love you!!! 

Stuff, stuff and more stuff.

Dear Maizy,

This has been one amazing week and I still haven't even talked about last weekend. 

Friday - I came home from work and we just hung out and recouped from the Lupe evening the night before.  I love getting home and getting on the floor and playing with you.  We also have been very good at bath time before bed, it helps us both unwind. 

Saturday - we woke up had pancakes for breakfast, got ready for the day and dropped you off at Grandma Shelly's house for your very FIRST sleepover.  You father and I debated back on forth on whether or not to let the sleepover take place.  It's not that we don't trust Grandma, because we do, we were just nervous and scared for the unknown. But as you can see we all survived and you and Grandma had a joyous time.  Grandpa Glen was in Mexico, so it was just you 2 spunky girls.  Your father and I attended a JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes) Fundraising event and then went out for a drink with Grandpa Frank.  We were spent!  Came home and went to bed early dreaming of you!  We missed you with all our heart!

Sunday -  Grandma was not "done" hanging out with you so she sent your father and I to a movie.  We went to Brewvies to see Our Idiot Brother - great flick.  Then I came up to Grandma's to get you.  Then we got home, BBQ'd and had a lovely evening.  Our weekends always go by too fast!!!

Monday - here too soon!  Went to work, came home, had dinner and played.  Then had bath time and put you to bed.  You had an interesting day.  (see the post about it)

Tuesday -  I had work, came home and played for a few then Grandma Shelly did a surprise visit and brought us some treats and played with you for a few.  You sat on her lap for 1 1/2 stories.  I love watching you and Grandma Shelly build a relationship.  You two adore each other and make one another smile!   On this evening you also grabbed my keys and put them up to the door knob - smarty pants!!

Wednesday - I took the day off work - YAY!!!!! I do love my job, but a day to sleep in a little and be with you is like heaven on earth!!  We woke up and you woke up naturally - I really despise having to wake you up!  We got ready and went to your 12 month check-up.  Your doctor was thrilled to see you!!

You are 18 pounds, 28 inches tall and are in the 20 percentile for your age.  Developmentally you are in the 15+ months.  You have a better vocabulary, are more mobile, more creative and just all around smarter than most kids your age.  Well this is not news to us, we knew this already of course.  You are freakin' amazing. 

You play really well with your toys,  you throw stuff really well and FAR!  You comb your own hair, you understand what we are telling you, you smile at everyone and everything!  You LOVE animals, especially dogs.  You know how to come down the stairs just as well as you go up them.  You say up, baby, mommy, daddy and thank you.

Your doctor warned us that since you are ahead of schedule that you will be going through your terrible two's sooner!! YIKES!!  I am glad that she gave us a heads up though or I am not sure that would have crossed my mind. 

After we met with the doctor it was time to go get your vaccines. S.A.D.  It was SUPER SAD!!  You had to have 4 shots.  2 in each leg. I watched this time and I wish so badly I didn't.  They just stab you with those monster long needles, it was the saddest thing I've ever seen. You cried, oh boy did you cry and rightfully so!  You did that cry where it takes your breath away and you turn purple, SO sad.  If I could have punched the fat nurse I would have. 

After the shots we headed to Grandma's work where everyone finally got to see you.  They haven't seen your darling face since you were about 6 months old -  too long!!  Everyone got the biggest kick of you.  You smiled, scrunched up your face and melted everyone's heart. One of Grandma's co-worker's even gave you a miniature Care Bear - very cute!

Then Grandma treated us to Little America for brunch.  You were making all the old people smile!!  Our waitress loved you.  You had mac n cheese and fruit for lunch, some crackers and you even drank your apple juice out of a straw!!! There you go..............being amazing again!!  You are such a good little girl and so very well behaved.  You stayed in your high chair so well. 

Then after breakfast I ran in the store while you slept for a second with dad in the car.  Then we got home and you stayed awake ALL day!  You finally crashed about 4:30pm while you and I lied by each other on the floor and watched Tangled. 

Thank you for an amazing day! Week!! Month!  Year!

Love you!

Love,
mommy