October 2010

Dear Makaia,

Every time I write you a letter, I always seem to want to start off with how much you are changing! It's sounds redundant, but it is true. The last few months, I have been cherishing all your little moments, wanting to bottle them up and save them. Some days, you drive me so bananas that I don't know what to do, and other days I get tears in my eyes just watching how sweet you can be. Several weeks ago, you started telling me, "Thank you for dinner, Mommy." I especially love how you get giddy when you have a present for me (a leaf, rock, or a picture you colored just for me.) You have this amazing ability to melt my heart in a single instant.

One night, Daddy went to the store and you took a spill in the hallway. You wanted Daddy to help you up (you always want the person who is not there!) When I explained that he'd be right back, I was able to calm you down, you got into the shower like normal and let me bathe you. I got you out and started to put the towel around you when suddenly you heard Daddy come home. You started crying again and immediately went (naked and wet) into the hallway, then proceeded to lay down in the exact spot that you fell on 20 minutes prior, until Daddy could get you...just like you originally wanted. Nobody will ever say that you aren't determined. You never lose sight of your goal! Much to the dismay of your exhausted parents.

Music class with your Halloween costume on

You picked out your costume all on your own this year!

I am pleased to announce that you are completely diaper free, even for naps! It's been a process and I am so glad potty training is over!!! You are very good at it, and rarely have accidents. The poo-poo thing was a tough sell for you! We offered up expensive toys, candy, you name it, with no results. I would be in the store with you and showing you toys in exchange for you doing the deed. You would just put the toy back on the shelf and say "no thank you, I don't want go poo-poo." It got to the point where everywhere we went you would point out all the things you could get "if just go poo-poo in potty. that's all. yeah." So, then I would bring out the broken record and make my "poo-poo speech" and offer to buy it. Your reply: "NO"
Fortunately (or unfortunately) you got a severe case of constipation which resulted in a trip to the doctor (more on that later) and some uncomfortable treatments that served up some major toddler drama around here. The one bright side is that you decided that the potty isn't so bad and you haven't worn a diaper since.

Now for that doctor's visit. You are a very healthy kid so you are rarely taken there. In fact, the last time you were there was almost a year ago. I was shocked when we pulled into the parking lot and you suddenly started crying. You are extremely perceptive, but I was really surprised that you knew where we were. So getting you out of the car was pleasant (not) and the second we stepped foot in the office, you started screaming, "I DON'T WANNA GO DOCTOR!" and the crying never really stopped from that point. I immediately thought two things: Is this really happening to me right now, and this day has the potential to go down as one of the worst ever. I then apologized (through your screaming) to everyone in the waiting room, who all gave me heartfelt looks that told me I wasn't the only one this has ever happened to. Once we walked into the exam room and you saw Dr. Hansen waiting for us. Oh boy! The screaming started up again and you threw your head back near the door frame and came within inches of needing stitches. Then you put your hands up blocking our entry through the doorway.
Dr. Hansen: "She's so excited to see me today!"
Me: "Oh yeah, she's thrilled to be here."

We got through the visit (although, I'm still not certain how) and survived. Until the next great adventure!

With Aunt Heidi at the beach

Every morning you want to go to the beach to build sandcastles. One weekend, it was raining but we went anyway so Daddy could check out the surf. When we got there, we didn't have the heart to tell you that there would be no sandcastle building that day. So...we all bundled up and sat there for 30 minutes (in the rain) so you could build your sandcastles.

You are LOVING your ballet and tap class! You are so girly and love wearing your tu-tu! All the parents are amazed at how you walk on your toes all the time. Your teacher jokes that it takes years of training for a ballerina to get that kind of toe-point. I am just glad you enjoy it so much and love seeing you smile. When Daddy gets home from work, you like showing him all of your moves that you did in class that day. It is so cute!

You refuse to let me help you into the car. You like doing everything by yourself.

Dancing

Practicing your tip-toes

My petite little cupcake

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

You have been boycotting baths lately. You only want to take showers. You seem to love having the water fall on your head. You also are afraid of the drain when the tub is full, but not while in the shower. This makes no sense to your father and I, but we go along with your ever-changing requests.

You and Quack-Quack

For awhile, you wouldn't go anywhere without "Quack-Quack" (a gift from our friend Mike and his Mom.) You still love him but have been favoring your blue Care Bear and Mickey Mouse lately. Some of my favorite moments are when you wake up in the morning, grab your "flavor-of-the-month" stuffed animal and crawl into bed with me to watch Sesame Street. Your curly hair is all disheveled and you look so haggard, but happy. You always say the funniest stuff in the morning. The other day you looked at me with wide eyes as I was waking up and said, excitedly, "I'm ready go Sea World." Followed by the most adorable grin.

Leave it to you, instead of playing with the instruments at music class, you organize them by shape/color instead.

Sea World is one of your favorite places on Earth. They have a dolphin show that you have pretty much memorized and you try to put on your own performance at home. The dolphins are your favorite, as well as the penguins.

Eating yummy ableskivers with Daddy in Solvang

In your pink princess dress at a friend's wedding

You love to read

A cute picture of Daddy giving his princess a flower

For the first time since you were born, I left you alone with Daddy for 3 days while I traveled up to Lemoore to help Aunt Heidi. I would call in for reports and the two of you seemed to have a lot of fun. You pretty much got away with everything that weekend (isn't that what Daddies are for?) and the hammer fell pretty hard when the sheriff (me) returned to town. Daddy was pretty wiped out from the whole thing!

Happy family of 3. Well...happy parents and a kiddo who was forced to pose for a picture she didn't want to be in.

We love you sweetheart and are so proud of you!

Love, Mommy

This video will show you how you walk on your toes!