Grandma Full Weekend

Dear Maizy,

We hung out with Grandma's all weekend.  Friday after work I got home and you and dad had been at the park most of the afternoon having a blast!  We just hung out in the backyard for a few. Then we went in and had dinner, played, you watched some Dora and fought going to sleep. 

Saturday morning daddy went to work so it was just you and me kiddo.  We took the car to drop it off for an oil change then Grandma met us there and we went shopping!  You were SO good - as always.  We dragged you everywhere and you didn't complain once!

After Grandma picked us up we went to Pier 1 Imports to get Grandma Donker a birthday gift.  There were some kids running around the store and you wanted to play too.  Come to find out they were an acquaintance of mine's children.  They were SOOOO cute with you.  The girls name was Daisy and she was all about you.  They took your shoes off and tickled your feet, carried you around, got the biggest kick out of the words you said and they even wanted to take you home with them.  You were sad to leave them but we had to finish shopping.

Then we went next door to Children's Place where Grandma bought you some darling, darling hot pink sandals, then a cute outfit - stretch pants that look like jeans and a yellow t-shirt with skull and crossbones on it. After that store we drove downtown to lunch.  The place we wanted to go was closed so we walked down the block to Barbacoa.  You were having a blast standing up, eating, playing with your food, taking sips of all our drinks, laughing, and just being so dang cute and happy!  Grandma and I were getting the biggest kick out of you.  Plus you looked super cute in your outfit and new shoes - black pants and a zebra balloon style shirt with pink and white flowers around the collar.

After lunch we got back in the car and you fell asleep.  I rant into Target to get some b-day cards while you and Grandma were in the car.  Then I ran into Petco for Grandma to get dog food for her dogs then when I came out to the car you were awake.  Grandma woke you up!  She was trying to make your head more comfortable and you woke up, so we all went into Home Depot.  We were getting Grandma Donker a planter full of plated flowers for her birthday.  we found the pot we wanted and put it in the cart with you and then you climbed inside of the pot!! We were laughing hysterically!!! We were both super sad that we left our phones in the car and didn't get a picture.  Bummer!!

After Home Depot we went home, ate dinner, and hung out until daddy got home.  You are totally diggin' hot dogs lately, so that is what you had for dinner.  

Sunday morning you didn't wake up until almost 11a.m.  You are so freakin' adorable when you wake up.  The first thing you asked for when you woke up was M&M's.  Grandma gave you some the day before and you were loving them, so I gave you a few while I made french toast for breakfast with strawberries.  I have to say the french toast was quite tasty!  I gave you syrup to dip it in.  

But somehow the syrup got in your hair, all over your chair and clothes!  So I carried you while you were still in your chair up to the bathroom for tub time!!

You had blue M&M all over you. 

After tub time I got you dressed in your new cute outfit, cleaned up the house a bit and watched Dora with you until Grandma Shelly came and picked us up.  We were headed to Grandma Donker's to celebrate her birthday!  On the way there I had you sign Grandma's birthday card and you did such a good job.  You take your drawing very seriously and you get very detailed, it's really cool to watch you.  On the card was an elephant with a polka dot skirt and you colored in the polka dots so carefully and was very methodical. Then after that you fell asleep for the rest of the car ride which was good considering you didn't have a nap all day.   We made it to Grandma Donker's house after a stop at the store to get her a birthday cake.  Grandma and Grandpa were SO excited to see you!  We played with your zoo and animals while the Grandma's ran to pick up Chinese take out then you wanted to go outside so we played in the dirt for a few.  Then the G-ma's got home and we had dinner.  You were hungry and ate a ton!  You are a growing girl!  Then you were done so Grandma Donker turned on a show for you upstairs.  We were all convinced you were going to fall asleep, but you didn't.  You were getting kind of grouchy and you wanted nothing to do with me.  You just wanted your Grandma's.  Seriously you would yell if I came near you and swat me out of your way. 

Then we had cake and ice cream and sang Happy Birthday to Grandma.  You got a kick out of all of us singing.  It was time for us to head over where dad was home waiting for us.  We got home and you made up for being grouchy earlier and cuddling with me.  You were SO super tired but you kept fighting it and wouldn't go to sleep.  Daddy put you to bed again for a second time at 9:30p.m.  You were loopy tired. 

Thank you for a fabulous weekend and for being so fun, cute, easy going and wonderful.

It's Monday and I am missing you liek crazy.  You are home with dad today and I know you two are going to have a wonderful day together.

I Love You!

Love,
mommy
 

Life Lessons

Dear Maizy,

As your mother I have taught you and will continue to teach you all kinds of things, some small, some big, but you have also taught me so many things and continue to teach me every day.

For example, you have taught me to live more spontaneously.  You don't plan things and just go with the flow and we tend to do this on the weekends and I LOVE it.  Plus we've had things planned before and you've decided to take a nap or be a pill, so we change plans.  I wasn't sure if I would ever adapt to living like that, but I have and now I wouldn't have it any other way. My favorite and best days are when we have no plans and we just go where the wind takes us.

I love and admire your sense of adventure.  You are always trying new things and will try and try again until you get the outcome you want.  As adults we restrict ourselves from trying new things and don't even try because we don't think we can do it, well how lame is that.  I have become more adventurous for sure since you've come into my life.

I can't get enough of watching you imagine and create things.  You have an amazing imagination and that is a great strength!  Never let that go away. Keep imaging and creating.  You will go far in life with this trait.  Imagination drives our dreams and the curiosity to chase them.  Go get them babe!  I have definitely regained my imagination since admiring yours.

I love how you want to play 99% of the time.  It reminds me that life is fun and exciting! It just comes natural to you to play and as I've gotten older I forget how great it feels to let loose and play around.  There doesn't have to be a purpose for every thing we do and you remind me of that. PLUS when you play you laugh and giggle and that is my favorite sound in the whole world. Nothing better than being silly with you!!

You begin everyday with a smile and I LOVE it.  Seriously, it brings tears of joy to me when I go get you out of bed in the morning and you are just smiling and chatting away.  Life doesn't get any better. It reminds me to smile and just be happy!

You have taught me to enjoy life's simple pleasure.  You don't need the newest and greatest toys to have a good time or be happy.  You can have a blast with a paper sack and nothing else.  Life is full of simple pleasures and those are the best!!  you remind me of this all the time.  The other night we were all playing and laughing and I thought it wouldn't matter if we lived in a huge mansion or a shack.  We are happy!  It doesn't matter where we are.

I thank you for all these life lessons and can't wait to see what else we teach each other and for that I thank you!  I thank you a million times!

Our weekend is about to begin and I can't tell you how super, duper excited I am!!!  Woo hoo!!

Love you sweet girl!

Never change!  Keep your enthusiasm and that gorgeous smile.

Love,
m




You at the park yesterday picking flowers.



You at the park today with dad.

Sassy pants!

Dear Maizy,

As of 4/26/2012 12:20:11 PM MST
You are 1 years old.
You are 20 months old.
You are 89 weeks old.
You are 621 days old.
You are 14,918 hours old.
You are 895,081 minutes old.
You are 53,704,871 seconds old.

Can you believe it?  I can hardly.  You have grown so fast and so much.  I know I say that all the time but it's just a weird thing to grasp.  I always think what if I never let you sleep - would you never grow and stay this way forever?  I would LOVE that. I think.  Well not really, but this is a fun, fun age.  You are changing every.day!!  It's insane.

Just think you say and learn at least one word a day. Yesterday I heard you say two.  You said "fine!" and just like that.  You were being sassy back to your father.  You weren't cooperating at dinner and dad said "fine, have it your way" and you responded with "fine!" Really!?!?  Wow sassy pants. 

Then you were eating a sucker and said "taste" as you shoved it in my face for a taste.  I've never heard you say that before and you even used it in the right context. 

You say so many words I can't keep up. 

You still love to color and draw. I love watching you do that because you get so into it.  It makes me wonder if you'll be an artist when you grow up but you definitely seem to have an artistic side to you. 

You enjoy sitting and flipping through the pages of your books.  You look at each page and it's like you're studying them. 

You love bath time still.

You LOVE being outside and I don't blame you.  You love to dig in the dirt with your pail and shovel at Grandma's, it's the cutest thing ever. 

Your hair is growing quite long and it curls in the back.  It is just this beautiful golden color but in some lighting it looks strawberry blonde - even other people have commented on that.  Please just promise me you'll never dye your hair!! 

You are still such a good little eater.  You will always at least try something and spit it out of you don't like it, but I admire you for at least trying different things.  You LOVE dipping your food in sauces and even ketchup (gross! I despise ketchup).  You point to whatever it is you want to use as a dip and say "dip, dip" and point to your plate. 

Every time you're in our bedroom playing you will find a pair of my underwear and out it on over your head and wear it around your neck!  It's awesomely entertaining.  Just last night you were in our room watching t.v. - that's your favorite place to watch your "show" - you came downstairs to check on us while we made dinner and you had my undies around your neck.  I just love you!

You are starting to hit people - not random people but me, your dad, Grandpa Glen - anyone that comes towards you for a kiss or hug and if you don't feel like it you swat them.  I am not quite sure where you learned that, but let's hope it's just a phase.

Your favorite shows are Dora the Explorer and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  These are definitely shows that I approve of, but Dora is definitely your all time favorite. 

I sure love your face!  You definitely brighten my days.  Thank you for being such a good, good girl!

Love always,
mom

Look at you!!  you were just a few hours old here.  I remember how soft your skin was, how quietly you breathed, how peacefully you slept. This seems like yesterday. I have been permagrin now for 20+ months.    xoxoxoxo

Busy as a Bee!

Dear Maizy,

We had an awesome, super, fun-filled weekend.  You are saying more and more.  You are also speaking your mind more and more too - maybe not always with words but definitely with actions.

Friday you were home with dad.  You two had a great day!  After your bath you went outside to enjoy the sun for a few.

Friday night I got home from work and was super excited to see you and was rethinking the evening plan's.  Your father and I had a date night planned with some friends.  We really wanted to stay home and relax as a family, but I had already cancelled on my friend earlier in the week, so we decided to go.  We took you up to Grandma Donker's where you would be spending the night.  She was SO excited to have you overnight and spend time with you.  You two have quite the awesome relationship.  Plus Grandpa Donker was there too and you two have grown quite fond of each other, it's cute.

So we took you up to Grandma's so we could hang with these yay hoo's. Your dad and I actually had a pretty good night out with friends.

Saturday morning your father and I woke up and we both had been dreaming of you!!  Your dad was dreaming you were saying the alphabet for him and I was dreaming that you and I were driving around looking at animals. We are silly!!!  But we obviously missed you and thought about you a ton. 

I called Grandma to check on you and you were still snoozing!  At 11a.m. So she told us to take our time before coming to get you since she was going to feed and bathe you once you woke up.  Your father and I decided to go to breakfast.  Then we went to get you.  We couldn't get there fast enough.

You were excited to see us I think, I hope.  You and Grandma and Grandpa had fun.  Even though you stayed up until midnight!!  Grandpa commented on what a good girl you are and how you never cry. This I know.  

We got you in the car and we were off to go find a park for you to play in since it was such a beautiful day!!!! We found a park and got out to play, but it was crowded and really wasn't that fun of a playground. We drove around and found a park at an elementary school and we were the only ones there, it was AWESOME!!!  You were having a blast.  You even walked up the slides all by yourself.  You are becoming quite the pro at the park.  Then another girl came to the park with her parents and she was lame.  You were so cute though you said Hi!  And was showing her all around the playground.  Luckily she didn't stay too long. 

After the park we went home to relax!!  It was super nice to do just that!  You fell asleep on the way home.  Then daddy BBQ'd us a really yummy dinner!  We had chicken, bacon, blue cheese sandwiches!!  YUM!!  You like blue cheese!  That kind of surprises me since it's such a smelly cheese.  We ate dinner outside on our new little table Grandma Shelly bought us.  You were in your highchair and you wanted down, even though dad and I were still eating,  you were getting so impatient that you started yelling "help! help!" We started laughing because we have never heard you say that before, then you started saying "pleeeeeeeeease"!  It was so cute and comical, so we let you down from the table.

Then Sunday we woke up and it was not only beautiful outside but HOT!!  Dad got the soap and water out to clean off the patio.  You decided to help him. 

What are you wearing you ask?  Well when you woke up as I was changing your diaper you grabbed this shirt and put it on over your head and wore it around. After you two cleaned off the patio we got your pool out and ready for you to swim in.  YAY!!  The water was freezing so we dumped a few pots full of hot water.  We also let you swim naked!!  You were in heaven.

You were having a blast getting in and out of the pool, pouring water in and out of the pool and playing with your bath toys.  It was such a great day to sit out and enjoy the sun with you.  I got butterflies in my stomach of excitement for the awesome we are going to have.

After a few hours of playing outside it was time to come inside and take a nap.  After your nap we played, snacked and relaxed. Then dad made a yummy dinner of pork ribs - delish!  We sat outside again, it was beautiful.  I just love my little family.  You bring so, so much love and happiness to our lives.  Your dad and I seriously crack up at and with you.  We're constantly saying "did you hear her?"  "Did you see her?"  Because you are always saying and doing something new and funny. 

I am always super sad to see our weekends come to an end, but then I am reminded that every day with you is a good day!

Thank you for being so fun and cute!  Check you out!

Check you out!  These pics were taken exactly a year from each other.  I wish the other one wasn't so blurry, but can you believe how much you've grown!?!!?

Love you babe!

Love,

mommy

Awesome

Dear Maizy,

I got home from work last night.  You were sleeping, but I needed t run to the grocery store and you are my little shopping buddy.  I went in to check on you - you were awake!! YAY!!  I changed you and out the door we went.  It was such a beautiful night.  You were fun as always at the store.  We weren't gone long, so we got home fixed dinner and hung out.  Then we all hung out in the t.v. room and played.  Then I said "awesome" and you kept saying it.  We were cracking up!  You say it SO freakin' cute!  "Awesome, awesome!"  You would say it over and over again.

Then we had to return a movie so we walked as a family to the convenience store to return the movie.  I am so very proud of my cute and happy family.  You were just loving being outside and I was just loving every minute of being outside, pushing you in your stroller with your dad and holding hands with him.

It was a fabulous night.  Tonight daddy and I are going out with some friends.  We are having mixed feelings about it.  We are dropping you off at G-ma Donker's house for a sleepover and we are going to miss you like crazy!!! We would much rather just stay home and be together but this sort of stuff is good for all of us or something like that.  Grandma is just ecstatic to get you overnight.  She LOVES you SOOOOO much and has missed you this week.  The last time she saw you was on Tuesday and I know she misses you and I am sure you miss her.  I love that you and her have this great relationship.  Most children don't get to even meet their grandparents let alone a great grandparent.

I am going to go pick you up first thing Saturday and we are going to have an amazing weekend together.  I just know it. 

Love you!!

Thanks for being so AWESOME!!

Love,
mommy

you and dad playing outside 4.19.12

LOVE

Dear Maizy,

I LOVE you so much!  But what exactly does that mean?  I've been thinking about this a lot lately.  The thing that brought it up is that I have been thinking about love and how I love a lot of people and they may not always love me back or maybe they don't know how much I love them or maybe they have a funny way of showing it.  I  want to clarify a little bit just in case you ever wonder or doubt that I truly love you.

I LOVE you so much that I am going to make you do chores and to take care of the things you do have.

I LOVE you so much that if any one makes you uncomfortable or hurts your feelings I will address the issue. Boys don't tease you because they like you.  They tease you because they are jerks and they need to know they can't get away with it or that it's ok because it isn't.

I LOVE you so much that I will stay up with you for hours on end getting your homework and school reports done.  I want you to succeed and I love you so much that I will help you in any way I can.

I LOVE you so much that I am going to teach you to work hard for the things you want.

I LOVE you so much that I will stop what I am doing to read you a story, get on the floor and play dolls with you or whatever you want.  My phone calls can always be continued and the house work will always be there.

I LOVE you so much that I will cook and bake for you.  Nothing shows love like a delicious, homemade cooked/baked good in my mind.

I LOVE you so much that I will obey all traffic laws while I have you in the car.  I definitely drive different with you in the car as opposed to being alone.

I LOVE you so much that I will always share my opinions with you whether you want to hear it or not.

I LOVE you so much that I will work 5+ jobs if I have to so that you can attend a school that you have word hard academically to attend.

I LOVE you so much that I will attend all of your class activities, performances and recitals I possibly can.

I LOVE you so much that I will try my hardest to make our home beautiful, clean and comfortable.

I LOVE you so much that I am going to teach you to appreciate and love the outdoors.

I LOVE you so much that I am going to teach you to be kind, patient and smile.

I LOVE you so much that I will listen to what you have to say.

I LOVE you so much that I hope you know you can always sit on my lap and cuddle no matter how old or big you are.

I LOVE you for you and all of you.

I hope this helps in case you are ever in doubt or unsure.

Thanks for being so easy to love!

Love,
mommy

BAMF!!

Dear Maizy,

You are such a bad ass.  Pardon my french but you are.  I just can't get over how clever, smart, witty, happy, beautiful, fun and easy going you are.

Friday I got home from work about 7 p.m.  You and dad were on the back patio drawing with sidewalk chalk.  You two are quite the artists.  Then we hung out, had dinner, then we all lounged on the couch and played video games.  I am not sure if I mentioned it or not but we bought a Wii and it's pretty fun!! And addicting. 

Saturday morning we slept in.  YAY for sleeping in.  We were all SO tired from our busy, hectic week.  We woke up and daddy fixed us eggs and cheese - YUM!!  I cherish our meals when we all get a chance to sit together at the table to talk and laugh.  Meal time with my parents and sis was also my favorite time growing up.

Then we got ready for the day.  You insisted on wearing your "hat".  You have been wearing your "hat" around the house for some time now.  Which I find very interesting since you refuse to wear a headband or anything else on/in your head/hair for long.  Your "hat" or helmet, as I like to call it, is the top to a toy.  You wear it while playing in your room, your head has since grown and doesn't fit like it used to,  so you hold the "hat"  with one hand and play with the other, it's all very entertaining and awesome to watch. So we, including your "hat", got  in the car and went on an adventure. 

We met Uncle Paul for minute at a house that he and daddy are working in.  You and I walked around while they wrapped up some last minute details.  We were in a really fun neighborhood with big trees and lots of flowers.  We walked around for about 30 minutes then it was time to go.  We were on the hunt to get you an outside play thing - a thing to climb on with a slide.  You were SO awesome while we dragged you around town.  We went EVERYWHERE!  Wal-mart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Toys R' Us and Shopko.  You eventually fell asleep. We ended the adventure at Harmon's to get stuff for dinner and treat ourselves to some gelato!!  Yum!!  We got you the mango sorbetto which you devoured!!!

We finally made it home - no play thing in hand, but a tummy full of gelato.

Then we just played around, ate a delicious dinner, played some more then it was bed time.  Our days definitely go by way too fast!! Insert sad face here.

Sunday morning your dad went to work early so it was just you and I kiddo.  We slept in again - woo hoo!!

When you woke up you needed a bath since your diaper leaked, so in the tub you went.  My two favorite moments of the day - getting you out of your crib with your messy hair and scratchy little voice and then bath time.  I love watching you interact with your toys, play in the water, we just sit and talk.  I love it!! 

During your bath you said "potty" jumped out of the tub and went potty, pee-pee to be exact, on your Dora potty.  I was SO excited and proud.  I even cried a little.  YAY!!! Then you jumped back in the tub. See you are a total BAMF!!

Then we went downstairs and I fixed us a yummy breakfast of chocolate dipped strawberries, cheerios and sugar/cinnamon wheat tortilla chips - which could also be dipped in chocolate. 

Then we started cleaning the house, it was a disaster!!  You were a big help while I cleaned.  you helped me throw stuff away and kept your self busy while I did the dishes and laundry.  Thank you for being such an awesome girl.  At one point you got bored with me and went and played in your room by yourself.  I would go spy on you and watch you play.  You have such a creative mind.

Throughout the day you said some new words.  "Shelly" for Grandma Shelly. "Morning".  Then I said "shit" and then I heard you say it, I didn't make a big deal of it and started saying "shoot" instead.  Oops!!!  Now that we have been playing video games and swear more because of it we have to seriously watch it!! 

Anyway, I was in the kitchen at one point and you were in the living room watching a show and they said "What's your favorite color?" And you responded "Green!!"  I couldn't believe it.  You little smarty pants!!!!  Plus that's my favorite color and Grandpa Frank's. 

I got a lot done on Sunday thanks to you.  You were so awesome and entertained yourself so I could get stuff done.  I did take breaks to come snuggle with you on the couch, read you a story or two, draw and play with some toys. 

Then we had dinner.  You had noodles and green beans - my heck you LOVE green beans.  Then I ate a spinach salad.  You LOVED the beets but didn't care too much for the mushrooms or dressing. 

After dinner I went to change you and you needed another bath.  Your diaper leaked again!!
That's ok.  I love bath time. Then you said "shower" so you were sitting in the tub with the shower going.  You were loving it.  Well when the water starts getting cold bath time comes to an end.  I got you out and got you in your jammies.  I laid you in my bed and turned on a movie for you and you were out!  You were pooped babe!!

It was an awesome weekend and I hate to see them end.  Seriously.  I experience a little anxiety every Sunday night.  Ugh!

You are such a special little girl.  You make my heart melt with your smile.  You make me laugh every day!  You make my days brighter.  I love you more than I can ever, ever put into words.

Thank you!

Love you!!

Love,
mommy