March/April update

After Makaia's birthday, I a spent the next 2 months completely immersed in the planning and development of our yard. It was a ton of work, but well worth it! In March, John started traveling a lot for work. That was a major adjustment in our house! Makaia misses her Daddy terribly when he is away, and I don't get a break so it has been tough on everyone. We have grown accustomed to it now, but there were many mornings of tears and plenty of tantrums along the way. She is a Daddy's little girl for sure! She even calls John her "best princess." Speaking of princesses, she is obsessed with them. And all things ballet.

Finding Daddy's jacket after he left for another trip.

She loves to color!!! Her new favorite color is blue. Pink got the boot last month. haha!

Making popcorn with Daddy

High on toe at ballet class. I still don't know how she gets that high!

Hana and Kukoa came to visit and all three snuggled up together in Makaia's room. Precious! Especially since it is very rare that Kukoa lets Makaia come within 5 feet of him.

Easter. She couldn't wait to hunt for eggs this year!!!

A few funny things she has said this month:

I went to kiss her one night and she says, "Mommy, no more kisses tonight cuz that costs money." I think she had been overhearing too many of my landscape conversations!

Me: "Makaia, I love your sweet smile."

Makaia: "I thought you loved my bum-bum?"

Me: "You are right, I do LOVE your little tooshy and your smile."

February/3rd birthday update

Dear Makaia,
Well, as you can tell, I am extremely behind on my blog updates!!! Yes, I am writing your February letter in September! It is not out of laziness. We have just been incredibly busy. In February, amidst all the craziness from moving, I was busy planning your birthday. I thought I would make it easy on myself this year (no hand-painted party favors, etc.) and do pizza and a bounce house at our community park. That was before the forecast called for flash flood rain storms! We had no other choice but to move your party to the garage. The same garage that was still half full of boxes and furniture yet to be unpacked. I nearly killed myself that week trying to get the garage cleared out to look somewhat decent to have your party in. I don't recall ever being as exhausted as I was that week. You are super into ballet and dance so that was your party theme this year. We tried very hard to make the garage look cute for you, and somewhat succeeded. Every single person that attended had a hand in helping us in some way. It definitely took a village to pull the new party plans off.

Valentines Day 2011. We got some roses for our sweet valentine!

Your dutiful Daddy worked a 14 hour day then stayed up until 1am baking ballerina cookies for your party.

The birthday girl is 3!!!

Your ballerina cakes! They even had edible glitter on them!!!

The garage party. It was as cold as it could get in San Diego! Mommy threw in a last-minute hot chocolate station for the guests to keep warm.

Opening gifts in the "living room" Mommy tried to create in the garage

Going after your ballet shoe pinata

I can't believe how old you are! Oh, almost forgot...another reason why I can't update the blog as easily anymore...a week before your birthday, you STOPPED taking naps!!! That was a difficult realization for me. I lived for those quiet moments by myself, just to regroup. I tried to instill a "rest your body" time but ended up getting interrupted every 10 minutes. One time, you called me up to your room because you had a booger on your finger and needed me to take it (really!) and another time, I came up to find you in bed with your ballet shoes on. You told me, "Mommy, I can't rest my body because I need to come downstairs to dance!" I also heard you one day just laying there singing All You Need Is Love (your dance recital tune), which was pretty hysterical.

Love you sweetheart. Happy belated birthday post!

Mommy

More new house

So, we have window treatments up on all but 5 windows. Whew! Master bedroom is all done and we have interviewed 1 of 3 landscape designers for the backyard. We have a huge to-do list and it never seems to get any smaller! I want to post pictures of some things we have done on the inside, but I need to actually take some pictures first :) There is so little time to get things done during the day, especially since I am simultaneously planning for Makaia's birthday. We are 2 rows of boxes away from being able to park at least one car in the garage. The funny thing is, I kind of just want to throw all of our old stuff away and start over. I suppose it's because this house is brand new and I don't want anything yucky or dirty in here. Didn't expect to feel that way. It also could be that we are so exhausted from moving and have learned to live without all the stuff that is still in boxes, that I'd rather not deal with it and just chuck it. I will post some interior shots soon, so stay tuned....

Letter to Makaia

Dear Makaia,

Well, we are officially six days away from your 3rd birthday! I can't believe it. You are definitely not our little baby anymore, something that you remind us of every single day. You are a strong-willed kid and have been telling us lately to "just listen" to you (we crack up because you use so many hand gestures and facial expressions while you sit there and try to reason with us...like you are actually going to change our minds so you can have things your way.) You love telling us how things "ashually" (actually) need to be and "no, no, no Mommy, this is the tooth" (truth)...

You love watching gymnastics on TV then practice your somersaults on the floor and couch.

Something new you have been doing is demanding to dress yourself. This has made getting out of the house each day the equivelant of climbing Mt. Everest. The other day I put a blue dress on you and you took it off because you wanted the pink one. I think if I allowed you to buy your clothes, they would ALL be pink.

Today, I put you in bed for your nap in jeans and a cute pink shirt. I came downstairs to start this blog and saw you on the monitor being restless. I could tell that sleep was not on your agenda so I told you to stay in bed and rest your body. Then I saw you get up and move around your room. An hour later you came downstairs and said that you were done resting your body. I took a second glance at you...What?! Ummm, you are in a completely different outfit! You changed all by yourself! Look at you big girl. I called Grandma and she just laughed at me and said, "Oh, Sabrina. You're in for it now. Not only is Makaia a big girl, but now she realizes it. That spells trouble." The jury is still out between Daddy and I on what will be tougher, age 3 or age 13. We have figured that, either way, you are going to be a challenge for us.

At your 1st dance recital. We couldn't get you off the stage!

Telling the crowd your name and age

Tap dancing (second from right.) Not sure what happened to my shy kid at the recital, because a limelight-loving kid took her place that day.

That's you in the middle, high on your toes. You are a dancer like Grandma for sure!

We have been in the new house for a month and a half now. I'm still trying to unpack because, although you are settled in, you don't like to be left alone for a single second. If I go into the garage for a box, you get paranoid, so that has made things a bit difficult around here. I also can't go up or down the stairs without you because you think I am leaving you somehow. We really have to get over that soon, sweetheart. That is going to drive Mommy crazy! You love our new neighbors, and I love them too. Joselyn and I trade off taking you and Gibson off each others hands. It's so nice having someone to leave you with if I need an hour to go run a quick errand (without you.) Although I LOVE being with you, sometimes us Mommies just need an hour break to re-gain our sanity. You love playing with kids your own age too, so that's what has been so great about the new neighborhood.

You have said some funny things lately that make me laugh out loud...

When it was raining a bunch recently, you looked out the window and said, "Wow! Mommy we need a bellela!!!" (umbrella)

You also think that your vitamins are candy. I always tell you that you can only have one a day. The other day you told me, "I not feel good, I need some vitamins all day!" Yes, I bet you would love to have some candy all day. If only Mommy would allow that!

Last but not least, we got rid of your pacifiers for good yesterday! We have been preparing you for weeks to "give" them to baby Ellie around the corner. You picked out some cute onesies and booties and a bag you wanted it all to go in. Then you placed all your paci's in the bag and you carried it over to Ellie's house yourself. It felt like a walk of passage for your father and I. Are we really (finally) getting rid of these things for good? We were nervous about you freaking out, but you were such a big girl and we were so proud of how you handled it. Zach and Laura were expecting us and they showed Ellie each of her presents. She smiled at you, which I am sure made you feel good. We walked home and that was the end of that. You did wake up this morning saying, "Where's my paci's?" Then you looked out the window and said, "I gave them to baby Ellie!" You seem to be okay though. Whew!

I love you sweetheart,

Mommy

Building the new house

Here are some pics of the new house when it was being built. What a process!

Standing in the courtyard/backyard on the side of the house
John in the garage

Standing in the back of the house in front of the garage

Picking out our granite for the kitchen

Front of the house

Pictures from the last few months

I retrieved our camera cord from a box and wanted to share some pictures from the last couple of months...

November

Makaia's artwork from Sunday school. The teachers said she was very meticulous about where she wanted each tissue paper to be placed on her tree. What? Our kid? hahaha. That's our girl :)
Saying goodbye to all of our belongings. One month later, when they delivered the containers, Makaia recognized them and says, "OUR STUUUUUFFF!" then started listing all of the items inside that belonged to her, "my table, my toys, my chairs..."

After days of travel, we get to Heidi and Kyle's in Lemoore. The next morning, Makaia puts on her backpack and says, "I'm ready to go!" She got used to being carted from city to city.

December

While we were "living" in Fresno, these are the gingerbread houses that Grandma and Grandpa took her to make. They said that she didn't want any help and knew exactly where she wanted each candy to go. She was really proud of them :)

Our last night living in the hotel, when my mom was visiting. This is how we ate meals each day! Thanks to John's boss, we were on the top floor and got free breakfast and dinner in the concierge lounge every day!! The meals were nice, but living in a hotel with a toddler was no picnic.

Christmas! She loves music :)

January

"Snow Day" at the new house. Since we never see snow in San Diego, our community had some trucked in for a neighborhood party.

Makaia's new buddy, Gibson, from across the street.

Helping Mommy get ready to paint the master bedroom. It's now complete and I have already told John that the downstairs is going to be professionally done. I'm not picking up another paint brush! HA. Painting Makaia's room and our room nearly did me in.

Reading to Elmo. It's so funny to listen to her talk to her animals!!!

New House

Sorry for the lack of updates. Our internet just got hooked up this week and we have been so busy! Makaia and I got really sick with the flu, on top of trying to get this house put together. The inpatient part of me wants it all done right now, and the illness really slowed me down!

We closed escrow on Dec. 23rd!!! We threw everything into the garage and promptly left for Fresno to celebrate Christmas. We were not looking forward to another car adventure (see previous post) but it was nice entering my parents' house that was all decorated for the holiday. We returned to the new house several days later and started our immense amount of work. We still don't have window treatments on most of the windows. I painted Makaia's room 3 times in search of the right color. Her room is almost done, finally. After getting over a nasty flu, I painted the entire master bedroom last night, only to hate the color. I will be re-painting tomorrow. At this point I would give ANYTHING to not paint another wall in my life. My whole body aches!

We absolutely love our house, the community, and our neighbors. On weekends, you can see so many people walking around with their kids. We have several parks within walking distance. We recently had my parents, sister, and brother-in-law visiting and everybody had their own space without feeling like we are crowded. My kitchen is huge, so that is probably our favorite thing about the house so far. We also love having more than 1 bathroom, the fireplace, and double-pane windows...all firsts for us :) I also love walking in the door and smelling the "new house" smell. I don't want to cook anything because I don't want to mess up that new house smell, hahaha.

Makaia had her first dance recital last weekend and it was hilarious. Turns out our shy little girl loves the limelight. I will update more soon, with pictures.

Most importantly, thank you all for praying for us while we waited to get this house. We appreciate all the good thoughts and well-wishes. xoxoxo

Out of Control

Dear Makaia,

I am writing you this letter from our hotel room while I watch you nap next to me. This last month has turned your world upside down and I am praying that God will finally put us in our own home by this time next week (that would be 2 days before Christmas.) This is not the holiday season that I had envisioned and that makes me SO terribly sad! You are at an age (almost 3) that you really understand what is coming up, and I had so many amazing Christmas things planned for you that will now have to wait until next year. You, Daddy, and I are all having a tough time with this transition and, sweetheart, we have already made a promise that next year will be different! You will be waking up in your own room, in our own home on Christmas, with a beautiful tree, lots of decorations, and holiday traditions. We will not put you in your carseat as we bounce from one location to the next.


We moved out of our rental home the day before Thanksgiving (the only home you have ever known) and were supposed to be in to the new house. We have since found ourselves homeless, while we wait, and wait, and wait to have the deal close. Buying a house has been the most stressful thing we have ever done and the mortgage industry is so ridiculous right now. I'd like to say that you have been a gem through all of this, but then I would be lying. At first you were brilliant, while you watched us put all of the things you know in boxes and (literally) watched them being carted off on trucks to storage. I can't imagine how tough that was for you, especially since you were largely ignored for the better part of a week so Daddy and I could get it all done. We also left behind our neighbors that you love so much. Don and Susan even came to get you from next door to feed you while we packed. We will forever miss your walks around that street! You had your little routine and all the neighbors loved coming out to see you on our walks! Amy said she keeps thinking we will re-appear and is sad when she realizes we won't be living across the street anymore.

You will notice that there are no photos in this letter...Mommy left the camera connection cord in a box and it's deep into the storage container so we won't be seeing it again until we get our belongings back.

Let me recap for you where we have been:

November 24th: Finished moving out of the house. You and I drive to Orange County while Daddy spends the night on the wood floor so he can finish cleaning the place.

November 25th: Thanksgiving with the Roux family in OC

November 26th: make the long drive to Lemoore. Pull up to Aunt Heidi & Uncle Kyle's new house at the same time they drive up in the moving van. They ask us to help unload (you can imagine our excitement after spending several, tiring days moving ourselves...with a toddler at our ankles.) For a split second, we consider turning around, but think better of our actions.

November 27th: Put you in the carseat again for another trek to the middle of nowhere for my cousin's wedding. "Makaia, please be a good girl for this hour-long car ride." Followed by, "Makaia, please sit still for this ceremony" and "please sit still and eat your meal at the table." By the 3rd one, you were pretty much ready to say, "F&$% this! I want to dance, run, scream, play, and not listen to a single thing you are saying to me!" That ordeal was followed by another hour-long car ride back with only 1 ounce of scenery...the Corcoran State Prison outside our car window.

November 28th: We say our good-bye's to Daddy as he goes home to San Diego to work (while living in a hotel) and you and I settle in to Aunt Heidi's for the week with no internet or TV, and Freezing cold temperatures. Plus, it's Lemoore! One morning we went outside and you said, "phew, Mommy what that smell?" Me: "That's moo-moos sweetheart. That's what a bunch of moo-moos smell like. Welcome to the Central Valley, lovebug!" Grandma set up princess sheets at Heidi's to make you feel comfortable in your ever-changing surroundings. At one point, you take your crayons (don't worry, Mommy only buys the washable ones) and use them on Heidi's new walls, carpet, and TV. You're a little artist with a naughty streak! We go one town over just so we can step foot in a Target. On the way there I see a billboard that says "Homelessness is Real!" I am laughing. Darn right it is!

December 3rd: We bolt Lemoore in search of civilization and head to Grandma and Grandpa's in Fresno. You spend the next week terrorizing the dogs and wreaking havoc at every turn. You are missing Daddy and he is missing us. I am wondering when this nightmare is going to end. We find a great park there and go 3 days in a row. They even had ducks that we got to feed.

December 10th: pack up the car (that we are living out of...sooo not easy to do with you.) Drive to Orange County. By the way, the car is so full that I have to take things out to even get you in your seat! We FINALLY get to see Daddy again after 2 weeks. We stay at Papa Pat and Gamma Gayle's for the weekend.

December 12th: Head to San Diego, where the temps are nearing 90! in December. Ahhh, it's good to be home in the sun! We spend the night at the Sauls' house (Thanks again to Dan, Melinda, Olivia, and baby Lucas for taking in the stranded.) You have a blast playing with Olivia, and for the first time in weeks, I don't have to hover over you because their house is totally kid-proof.

December 13th: Check into the hotel so Daddy can work. We love being together and we get to have our own little space. I have taken you to all your favorite spots (SeaWorld, etc.) and you went back to your dance class that you love. Your behavior has gotten better just being at "home" in San Diego. This past week we also went to the new house, and you are already comfy there! Spent one more weekend in OC this past week and now we are back in the hotel for a few days before (fingers crossed) we can move in to the house. This is the last move we will make for a looong time!


You will be 3 in two months and we've heard it's a tough age. Now we believe it! You are fighting for COMPLETE control of yourself and all things pertaining to you. Your father and I stand back and can't believe that such a tiny person can be so smart and defiant! Also, from the moment we moved out of our house, your rare potty accidents have turned into into a much more frequent thing. As in several times a day. We know that things have been strange for you so we have dug deep to find some extra patience. We all have breaking points and there have been moments lately when I don't know if I can make it through one more tantrum! Then I lie in bed hours later thinking about how fast you are growing up and your sweet/great moments roll through my thoughts. Then I feel bad about losing my mind over your tantrum.

I hate to make a list of "negatives" but at this point, the list is too hard to ignore. The "positive" ship has sunk this month! Maybe Santa will bring it back to me :)

We love you sweetheart! Thanks for bearing with your folks during such chaos.
Mommy

Halloween

My favorite phrase this month...

Me: "I love you pumpkin", or "Hi pumpkin"

Makaia: "I not pumpkin, I'm Makaia!"

Trick or Treating

Going over the loot, and choosing what she wants. This was much better than when we started out that night....she had some trouble understanding why we couldn't eat the treats after each house.

Our pumpkins

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!