Fun Night!

Dear Maizy,


Last night was a really fun night.  I got home from work and we went right outside.  You had already been playing outside most of the day with daddy but now it was my turn to play outside with you.  There were a couple of buckets on the patio that had water in them.  The water was completely warm.  It all started with you putting your "shovel" - a yellow toy square you take to the park to dig in the sand - into the bucket with water and filling up your other bucket.  This kept you entertained for well over an hour!!  I also gave you the plastic coke bottle from the coke I finished and a few measuring cups.  You were in heaven!!  And so I was just watching you play, concentrate and learn.  Plus it was a really warm night so I soaked up some sun before it set.


Check you out!

Your hair was in your eyes so I put a headband in so you could see easier. 

So the headband didn't last long, so I put a barrette in to keep your hair out of your eyes and that seemed to work much better!

You are such a smarty pants!  You are also SO strong, no seriously,  once you had water in those cups you  would  pour the water into another container they were quite heavy.  You were just having a great time.  I also joined in the fun too!


So your nose has been running like crazy and it's never done it this bad before.  I think part of it is allergies since both your father and I have allergies and your eyes are also a little red and watery at times.  We also think it's because your molars are coming in too.  You will chew on anything to see if it makes your teeth feel better.  We have been giving you some medicine for the allergy related symptoms and also pain reliever for your teeth, but you never once complain, fuss or cry!  I just feel bad for your poor nose. 


Plus last night in addition to me wiping your nose as much as you would let me, it was getting a little sore around your nose so I put some vaseline on it. You also got a mark on your forehead from trying to get out of the patio chair on the side and slipping your head under the arm rest - ouch!  Then you burned the inside of your leg from climbing up and down the chairs all night, so I put some neosporin on it last night and it was better this morning. Oh my gosh girl!!!  You should see your arms, legs, forehead and back!  You have bruises, scratches and scrapes everywhere!!


After we played outside we went in for dinner - Taco Tuesday!!  It was delish!!  We used ground turkey and you were loving it!  You really are a good little eater and you always at least try it to see if you like it.    


Oh I want to mention too that you say "thank you"  really well and very often.  I LOVE IT!!  Not only are you freakin' adorable you are polite too!!!


Last night was a super wonderful night!!


Thank you for all you do!


Love you!


Love,
mommy

What to say? What to say?

Dear Maizy,


i have so much to write about today.  I can't seem to focus on what I really want to talk about.  Well you of course, but what?  AAAAHHHHHH!!


Ok well let's make it simple and talk about this morning.  This morning we had an appointment at the clinic.  You are 34 inches tall, 22 pounds and 4 ounces, your iron levels are perfect and you talk really, really well for your age.


You are int he 11 percentile for your height and 21 percentile for your weight, but honestly this means nothing to me.  So you are small - whatev!!  You are big in brains, personality and kindness and that is where it really counts.  Your doctor told us that as long as you are happy and healthy your size does not matter.  I just take all the number mumbo jumbo with a grain of salt!  They had to prick your finger to get some blood to test your iron level.  You didn't even cry when they had to do that and you were completely cooperative.  I am so very proud of you.  The nurse put a band aid on you but I think she put it on there too tight because a few minutes later you asked me to take the band aid off.  You are my little tough girl!!


Ok what else should we talk about?  Um!  Well you pretty much say every word out there.  You copy whatever we say - good and bad! We have definitely toned down on the bad words.  It's a little tough some days but it's good though because we shouldn't talk like that anyway.  


Now what?  Oh I went over night to Lava Hot Springs with some girls from work.  We had a fabulous time.  It was relaxing and nice to use the shower and restroom alone.  I was only gone from Saturday to Sunday, but my heart ached for you.  I know it's good for us all to get a break from each other once in a while, but I missed you and daddy a TON!!! Daddy kept sending me pics of you throughout the day like this one.

As much as I love seeing pics of you it made me even sadder.  You two always have a great time together though. You really have the best dad! He has taught me SO much!  I look at other dad's and can just see that your dad blows them out of the water.  I hear stories from other mom's and I can't related with having a lazy partner or one that is not so hands on.  You dad is Ah-Mazing!!  He is not afraid to change your diaper, feed or bathe you, you two can play like no one's business, you crack each other up, he knows how to care for you better than I do.  When you were born I stopped reading emails and books about how to parent and just followed your dad's lead and look how freakin' awesome you are!!


Next weekend is Father's Day and I can't think of a gift or way that I can afford to show your dad just how much we love and appreciate him.  But then again your dad really isn't into materialistic things, so that makes it easier and cheaper.  


What else can I talk about?? Oh your Aunt Brittany called me while I was in Lava, it was so wonderful to hear her voice and know that she is ok.  I miss her like CRAZY!!!  I feel bad that she is not here so that you and her could be close.  When she does come back from Alaska in July she is going to die at how big, smart, funny, lovable and busy you are!


Oh and that brings me to another topic.  Siblings.  I keep wondering and thinking if I should have a sibling for you.  I am really, really torn on this for SO many reasons. You are perfect, so your sibling would have a lot to live up to.  My health - blah, blah, blah.  I almost died giving birth to you but I didn't so I just need to really find out the consequences with my health to have another baby.  Do I really want you to be an only child?  That is a tough one for me, it really is.  


the thought has been on my mind a lot because if I am to give you a sibling it should be sooner rather than later.  Yikes!


I know you would be the best big sister in the universe.  I have no doubt about that.  I wish you could tell me what you think would be best for you because I sure don't know. ; )


Yesterday when I got home from Lava a girlfriend of mine that I drove with met you and dad up at Grandma Shelly's for a BBQ.  There was a family that was invited that has 5 children.  I was a little skeptical at first of the kids, but they were all so cute and pretty well behaved.  I mean boys will be boys - right!?!?  The older kids were used to little siblings, so they were patient and cute with you and included you while they played.  I love watching you interact with other kids.  At that moment I was like "Yeah, I am going to have another baby!"  Now that it's a new day I am not so sure.  UGH!!  Decisions, decisions! 


I love you honey!


Thanks for everything you do for me and our family.


Love,
mommy

Week in Pictures

Dear Maizy,

This week is coming to to an end and what a great week it was!!

Sunday we got home from Lava and unpacked a little and just relaxed.  You took a nap, ate dinner, then watched some of your shows.  I watched them with you.  Then it was time for bed so I joined dad downstairs, so we locked up the house and put stuff away.  Dad came up stairs before I did and yelled to me "you have to come see this!!" This is what I saw

Yep!  You found some lipstick and within 2 minutes this is what you looked like.  Luckily you didn't get it much else besides a blanket I had on the bed.  You are so dang cute!!


I may have mentioned that we are doing a new menu type thing during the week and it has worked beautifully!  we always jsut ahve a hard time deciding on what to eat for dinner and this has helped A LOT!


Meatless Monday,  Taco Tuesday,  Waffle Wednesday,  Turkey Thursday, Fun Friday - we can go out to eat, order take-out, pizza, make nachos or just whatever we want! Saturday is open to whatever we are feeling and then Sunday is always for a nice dinner.


Monday we had a delicious veggie stir fry and ate outside.

Anyway, Tuesday night I went shopping for everything and didn't get home until 7ish then we had beef tacos for dinner - yum!  You loved the avocados, cheese and taco shells.  After dinner we played and had a great night.  


Waffle Wednesday we made some yummy waffles that you helped make and we topped them with yummy crispy baked chicken.  YUM!  You are such a  great, great helper!!

Thursday you spent the day with Grandma Donker and since dad was working late Grandma Shelly picked me up from work and then you at Grandma's. You were so cute and excited when we got there to pick you up.  We hung out for a few at Grandma's and played in a big box she had there - you LOVED it!! I pushed you around in it then Grandma Shelly played peek-a-boo with you and you were laughing SO, SO hard!!!  It was freaking adorable!!  Then Grandma had to go to a cell phone store and I knew that would be no fun so you and I went to the party store next door and had a blast!!  See.......................

This is you babe, all you!  You grabbed the lei's and put them around your neck, found the hat, put it on and you  were ready to go!

All you!  You kept saying "pink, pink!"

Ok this one was all me.  I wanted to see this hat on  you!  Super cute!

Then Grandma came back and met us in the store and we walked around a bit more.  You saw a purple balloon that was blown up that you wanted and he store clerks just gave it to you for being so dang cute!  Then Grandma bought you a princess crown and wand you had your eye one.  Then we got in the car and headed to go pick up turkey sandwiches for Turkey Thursday!  I turned around to check on you while we were driving and this is what I saw!!

You may not look super happy but you were!

We got home and dad pulled up around the same time.  We all went in and ate our dinner together in the living room.


It was another fantastic day to our awesome week!  I love you so much!  You make my heart melt day after day!  You are starting to give more loves, more often and you are continuing to learn every day and copy just everything we say - that's good and bad! :)


Oh and one thing that you have been doing lately that brightens my day over and over.  You say "look Mommy!"  if you want to show me something cool.  "Come on Mom!"  When you want me to follow or join you. "Here mommy!"  When you want to give me something.  I just love every time you call me mom and when you yell for me!  I am flattered to be called mom by such a beautiful, bright, smart, tender heart-ed little girl! 


Thanks for letting me be your mommy!


Love you!


Love,
mom

Sleep Schmeep

Dear Maizy,

This has been such a great week, with so many awesome things taking place. Some little. Some big. 

Monday your dad had the day off and was home with you.  All you wanted to do was lie in front of the t.v. and watch your shows and you wanted dad by your side all day.  He called and told me and warned me that nothing was going to get done around the house, but I understood and so did you dad.  You just wanted to rest and enjoy being home from our busy, busy weekend. We get it.  I got home Monday night and we had a really yummy dinner that we ate outside. It was actually hotter in our house than outside because the a/c is a big piece of crap.

Anyway, it came time for bed.  You went to bed about 10p.m. and this was my chance to go to bed too, but I stayed up and read.  I finally went to sleep about 11:30 - UGH!  Then I woke up to you screaming and daddy was going into your room when I asked him what was going on he said he wasn't sure but this was your third time waking up like that in the last hour and a half.  Sad!  So you heard my voice and asked for me so daddy brought you into bed with us. 

You were still crying so I rubbed your belly and you calmed down a little bit then I was rubbing your forehead and you seemed to relax a little bit more.  Daddy went to sleep as you and I talked quietly.  You would count to 14 for me then you would start to fall asleep and then wake back up and would name off animals and the sounds they make.  Then you would start to fall asleep so you would play with my hair.  Then you would relax even more and start to fall asleep so then you would name all of yours and mine facial features.  You would fall asleep and I would move then you'd wake up and start talking. Point is - you would not stay asleep!!!  We did this until about 5 a.m.!!  As much as I was tired I was enjoying every moment.  You rarely do this so I was patient and just trying to soak in everything that I could.  My alarm went off at 7 and I wanted to cry!!  I turned off my alarm and woke back up at 8 a.m.  I felt like a zombie but you seemed to be sleeping well.  I was jealous!

But even though you looked super comfy and sleepy you woke up about 8:30a.m. as I was getting ready for work.  I took yo downstairs, made a bed on the floor for you, gave you some snacks and turned on your cartoons.  You are liking Mickey Mouse Clubhouse these days. I continued to get ready but was trying to think of every excuse to stay home.  Ugh!!  I decided I would rather save my PTO for a day when we have a plan for something fun.  Anyway, I made it to work about 9:30 a.m. and felt so TIRED and just loopy. 

You stayed up from 8:30a.m until 3:30p.m. when you asked daddy for a nap.  not sure what was going on there kiddo but you did not want to sleep! You were awake by the time I got home from work and the grocery store around 7.  we had a great rest of the night and a yummy dinner for Taco Tuesday!!

Thanks for being you!  I love you!

Love,

mommy

Lava Hot Springs

Dear Maizy,

We had such a fabulous, fun filled weekend, it all started Friday the second I got off work.  Woo hoo!  You spent Friday at Grandma Donker's.  Daddy picked you up after work then you two met Grandma Shelly and I for dinner since Grandma Shelly picked me up from work.  We had to rush through dinner since your dad and I were going on a movie date!  We went and saw Snow White and the Huntsman and it was a really good, entertaining movie.  You went to Grandma's to play and get spoiled.    

After the movie we picked you up from Grandma's.  You had a blast at her house, came home in a new outfit and with a toy - like always!

We got home and packed for our trip the next day!  Woo hoo!!! 

Saturday we woke up early, got some coffee and went and picked up our rental car. Then we loaded up the car and was on the road by 10:30 a.m.  YAY!! 

You were a rock star on the drive, but 2 hours is your drive time limit.  I don't blame you. We did get out and take a break after an hour and it was like pulling teeth getting you back in the car. 

You did pretty good once you were in the car, but the last 10 minutes of the drive nothing would make you happy except to get "out, out!"  as you tugged at your buckle of the car seat.   

We finally arrived in Lava.  We took the traditional drive down main street and then up to Grandma's house.  Your dad went to Lava once when he was really young, so this was like a first time for him too.  We stopped at the grocery store and got some munchies and stuff for lunch.  Then we walked around the town and checked out what was going on - not much.  

We went and checked in to our hotel - they let us check in early.  Woo hoo!!  We walked in and the first thing you did was jump on the bed!!  Then I came and joined you!  That's what hotel beds are made for, right!?!?!

Then we all relaxed and ate yummy sandwiches and fruit.  You were liking this eating in bed thing.  We even had a cute little fridge that you knew how to help yourself too, it was just your size.  We have video of that if I am not able to post it here.

You were getting a little sleepy, so we thought it was safe to get back in the car and it was - you zonked out  - while we drove the 21 miles to Soda Springs. 

When we got there we checked out your great-great grandma, great-great grandpa's and your great-great-great grandma's headstones.  Grandma and Grandpa Donker went up there for Memorial Day and decorated their graves and the flowers were still there a looked lovely.  Then we woke you up and walked over to go see the geyser since it was about to erupt.  You weren't too impressed. 

Since we were getting eat alive by mosquito's we got back in the car and went to the grocery store - the same store I would go to with my Great Grandma Ferguson when I was younger.  Soda Springs really is a cute little town too. We went down their little main street that has a drive inn, a little bar, a haunted museum, hotel and movie theater. 

We headed back to Lava, it really is such beautiful land.  Your dad "ooooed and aaaahhhed"  every time we passed a place he could have fished.  That is another reason we have to go back to Lava is so daddy can fish - while we sleep in!!

When we got back to Lava we just hung out in the room for a bit, then we made dinner in our room in hopes that you would go back to sleep for a little nap because you were quite tired.  After dinner we hung out and you had no intentions of going to sleep, so  we got up and walked around.  We stopped at the ice cream parlor and got my fave - Playdough!!  Yum! Yum!  We walked back to our room and you were super tired at this point. Then you and I took a shower and now you were really tired!  You and I laid down while dad went to get him a snack at the gas station down the street.  As soon as dad left the room, it was dark and quiet  you were out! 

You slept great!!  Didn't wake up once.  You and I woke up around the same time.  You were just looking around - "Like where are we? Oh yeah I remember now!"


Your dad and I discovered that you are a good little vacationer within a 2 hours radius from home!  Other than that we'll have to fly everywhere!!

We had breakfast - corned beef hash - and you loved it!  Then we just packed up, got in our swim suits and headed out.  We stopped at the park where I would play as a kid.  You loved the slide and the swings but you weren't too fond of the merry-go-round like I thought you would.

Then we walked across the street to Sunken Gardens.  This was one of my favorite things about Lava.  I had to go there EVERY TIME I was in Lava.  I loved the flowers, the smells, the caves, the cool breeze and the view of the hot pots. When I was a child I told every one that is where I wanted to get married and I still do.  The poor gardens aren't kept up like they used to be but it seems like they are working on it.  You still a great time running along the path, smelling the flowers and checking it all out.  You are SO dang cute.  You would say "come on" and we would follow you up and down the paths. 

After the gardens we went to the pool and would you believe that I didn't get any pictures at the pool.  I feel so, so, so horrible!!  Anyway, when we got there you were SO excited.  We got your life jacket on you and jumped in the water.  You were squealing with delight.  You liked your life jacket a lot better than having me hold you the whole time or putting you in your fun palm tree tube thing.  You took advantage of the freedom and floated around.  You even went down the slide!  You didn't freak out when you went under water and popped back up.  A couple of times you would climb up the slide then just sit up there while a line would form behind you, it was quite funny. You were so happy and loving life.  I was too!!  I was trying to take it all in.  I love that you are my daughter.  You are perfect in every possible way. 


Then unfortunately our trip had to come to an end and we headed home.  We were all sad.  I love just having the freedom to do whatever we want, without a care in the world except for having fun!  I enjoy our little family SO much!!


Love you!


Love,
mommy 

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Dear Maizy,


Last night was a lot of fun.  As soon as I got home we loaded up in the car and headed back into town.  Daddy dropped you and I off at my friend Tristian's house while he ran errands. Tristian  and I used to work together.  I got her fired - long story with a great lesson - anyway, she found it in her heart to forgive me and I am so very thankful that she did.  


Anyway, the purpose of our visit was to go visit her and meet her new baby, Dexter.  He was born on April 6, 2012 and can I just say he is super cute!?!?!


I was kind of curious how you would do with a baby, but like always and with everything you were a rock star!! I held him and you seemed pretty cool with that.  You came and sat right next to us.  I pointed out his cute little toes to you and you kissed them - my heart melted!  


Then you lost interest and explored his toys and room a bit.  You even tried out his bouncer!  Tristian was getting the biggest kick out of you and all that you could say.  


When Dex was in his bouncer you gave him his binky ever so gently, but not before trying out the binky yourself first.  Tristian is and was so easy going and laid back about it all, it was me who was freaking out.  Then you kept giving him his toys and placing them next to him and you even helped bounce him in his bouncer.  I was worried you were going to give him whiplash, so I showed you how to do it gently.  

I am not sure if you will be a big sister one day, but I know whole-heartedly you'd make a fabulous one. 


Dad picked us up and we were driving home as I was telling him all about our visit and how awesome you were with baby Dex.  Then dad turned around while driving  and said "Oh Maizy"  and you yelled back "I LOVE YOU!!!" Yep! You said "I love you!" for the first time.  It was so freaking adorable and brought tears to our eyes.  You kept saying it all night, ok, maybe we kept saying it to you so you would say it back, but regardless it was so cute and tender.  The funny thing was every time you said it, you yelled it!! Ha ha ha!!


You are something else babe! You are truly amazing.  We love you tonz and tonz.  


This weekend we are going to Lava Hot Springs and we are so super excited to take a mini trip as a family.  We are going to have a blast.  I spent all my summers growing up in Lava and I wish that you could have the same experience, but since it's not possible since my Great Grandma passed we will just have to go there as much as we can.  


You are going to swim in the same pool I spent many, many hours in.  Enjoy the same ice cream parlor I did.  Anyway, I could go on and on but this trip means a lot to me. YAY!!


I can't wait to tell you all about it and have lots of pictures capturing the great times.


Thanks for letting me be your mommy!


Love,
mom

You got your hair did!

Dear Maizy,

Your hair is getting super long and it's been discovered, by your father, that you can now wear it in pony tails and all sorts of ways.

Your father has done your hair super cute 3 times now. 

This is you today!  You and dad are hanging out and obviously having a great time!

I think you look too grown up with your hair done.  You're growing way too fast.

Look

It looks like you are mid-sentence and ready to say something like

"Damn I'm cute!"

Yes, yes we know that. 

Dad just called me at work and told me that you were kind of having a rough day.  As of late you like to shut the door to the bedrooms, sometimes shutting us out, sometimes not, anyway, you pinched your fingers once last night and twice today all in different doors.

Then you were playing with my stand up jewelry box, which is a big no, no for this reason exactly -  it came crashing down on you. 

OUCH!!!

Dad said you cried for less than a minute I believe it since you are such a tough girl, but I can't wait to get home to cuddle you and kiss your owies better!

Sorry that happened babe!

And just in time to go meet some friends of mine tonight for the first time. 

Love you!

Love,

mommy