Fall is in the air

A couple of weeks ago, we had a really warm, sunny day. I took the opportunity to introduce Ivy to the fine art of leaf jumping. She couldn't get enough of the leaf pile that we made. Don't you wish you could still be completely entertained by a pile of leaves? Ahhh, to be two again.

Long Time Gone

Ivy and I were at my mom's for the past month..... it was absolutely great for everyone involved, I think. Ivy and Mom got a chance to spend lots of time together, Grandma got to see Ivy often and I didn't have to be home alone in Toledo while Nathan was out of town for work.

Last night, we were at my Grandma's eating supper before the drive back to Toledo. There is a little xylophone there that Ivy plays and sings with. She was singing and I wanted to take a video, but as usual, as soon as she saw the camera, she just wanted to look at the pictures on it. I told her she had to sing first, and here is what followed.... (sorry for the poor quality, there isn't much light in Grandma's living room)....

On my own

This weekend, I went to Mom's house without Ivy. This is one of very few times that I have spent the night without her. I think the only other times this has happened were the two trips I took to visit Nathan in Oklahoma and the weekend I went to Cincinnati for a bowling tournament.

The difference in this trip was that Nathan was the one taking care of Ivy, not one of her grandmas. I don't know why, but this actually made me miss her more. Like I was missing out on some special, private family time that I will never get back. From the reports, they played all day both days, which must have been fun for Ivy. I really felt like she probably didn't even miss me.

But alas, she did. You should have seem the little booger when I got home last night. I opened the door and she said, "Mommy's home!" and ran as fast as her little feet could carry her through the living room, dining room and kitchen and grasped my knees in a big bear hug. She probably gave me at least five more ginormous hugs before we fell asleep in the big bed together that night.

It's good to know you are missed. And loved.

Is it a full moon?

Ivy has been so different lately. It's not all bad things, just not her usual way of being.

• Anything having to do with sleep is evil. Nap time? Screaming for at least a half hour sounds like fun. Bedtime? See above. I hate letting her cry. It rips me apart. But I just don't know what else to do. I think that Operation Toddler Bed is commencing. It's the only change I can think to make.

• She is a little OCD with some of her toys. For example, I bought her the Fisher Price Little People Palace probably six months ago and she hasn't touched it. Yesterday, she played with it. All. Day. Long. She played with the king who came with it. She drove a fire truck and train in and out. It didn't matter what she was doing, as long as she was playing with that pink castle. Oh, and it had to be on the couch. She spewed fire if I tried to put it on the floor. Today, she has been carrying around a bucket of "people" all day. A little pink bucket I have tried to contain her Weebles and Little People in seems to be super glued to her palm. Once again, it doesn't matter what she is doing with said people, as long as she is playing with them on the couch.

• Eating is always a surprise. I know this is a typical toddler-ism, but one day she'll only eat hot dogs (she literally had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner once... I couldn't get her to eat anything else) and the next day she declares, "No like it!

Seriously, is it a full moon? I know life with a toddler is adventuresome, but one mommy can only handle so much.

Cute story of the day

This story is far better in person, but typing it out will have to do.

I was on the phone with Brandi earlier. Ivy was cooking in her kitchen, and I was sitting at her table, eating whatever concoction she served. Under my breath, I said to Brandi, "God, she is too damned cute!"

Ivy solomnly looked at me, slowly nodded, and whispered, "yes."

(The picture is from 9/9/06, at Alex's birthday party. Ivy was taking the first swing at the pinata. I think the look on her face is priceless!)

Really a toddler

Look at that face. There is no denying that the girl is growing up.

24 months

Dear Ivy,
Yesterday you turned two. I was at Walmart doing a little shopping while you napped and the was a little girl in line behind me. I struck up a conversation with her mother, asking how old she was. I learned she was eighteen months and I responded that I have a little girl at home that turns two today. The lady came back with a comment that caught me off guard. She said I was pretty calm to be having my baby turn two. I was calm. It was nowhere near as dramatic for me as your last birthday. Maybe that's because every day with you is such a joy and an adventure that your birthday became just another day. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. I think it just means that every day is special to me and I cherish it. I don't need it to be a birthday to realize how lucky I am and how special you are.

I don't know how it's possible, but I think toddlers must know when they turn two. It was like a switch flipped and you went into terrible two mode today. Hopefully it was just an anomily and won't be an every day occurence. You are usually so fun. You repeat everything we say, so you've helped me clean up my language. You always have so much to sayand are, at times, really bossy. "Play, mommy." "Mommy. Sit. Couch." You have always known exactly what you want and expect everyone to accomadate that. That hasn't changed. At times it's frustrating and downright annoying to not be able to do what -I- want, but I really can't complain. I have a beautiful little girl who wants me with her. It can't get better than that.

You still love to read stories. You are so smart! I know I am biased, but you really do seem advanced. You know all your colors, can count to somewhere in the teens, recognize the numbers 1-9, can say the alphabet and even recognize some letters. I should send a thank you note to Playhouse Disney and Nick Jr.

I have never been as happy as I am being able to stay home with you. It was the best decision I've made. Sometimes I miss interacting with adults, but the happiness you bring to me outweighs that ten fold. I can't wait to keep helping you grow and learn. I love you baby girl.

Love
Mama

Random Thought

It is not the best idea to try to decorate a cake at midnight. Especially if you suck at doing it in the first place. I think my best option is to wait until morning, even if that means Ivy will be up to "help".

New Template

Don't fear, I haven't changed it for good. I love my old theme on here, it is so perfect for my girl. It has Ivy all over it and the colors match her bedroom, and, coincidentally (or not so much) my website. I've been getting a little bored with it lately, though, and I'm sure you have too, as you check here daily for an update that HAS GOT TO COME SOON, DARN IT, IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS!!

Have no fear, Ivy's birthday is Sunday and if I don't post for that, then I really will win the award for World's Worst Mom.

Addict

So, now I am addicted to making video montages. I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to, right? I think it's just such a fun way to share all my pictures in one shot (no pun intended.) So, without further ado, here are pictures of Ivy from the Sandusky County Fair last Wednesday.


Sandusky County Fair 2006

Video Montage

A woman on my September Mommies group sent us a copy of a montage she made of her kids.... it was absolutely beautiful. Her work really made me want to make one for Ivy, so I did. You can see it here:



Ivy Lynn - Two years go by too fast

Counting

I know, I know, I skipped the monthly post (like that's never happened before) but I felt the need to share this video right now. I took down some of the older videos so hopefully the blog will load a little faster. Anyway, here is a clip of Ivy counting. She usually gets to ten with a little help, but yesterday she was not interested. She was in a mood... didn't want her picture taken, didn't want to count, didn't want to do anything I wanted her to. Watch carefully for when she flips me the bird (and don't worry, it wasn't intentional.)




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Already obsessing over her butt......

Ivy loves butts. I try to convince her that it isn't called a butt, it's a doopah. I just don't like the word butt coming out of that beautiful face.... but she repeatedly says butt. She points out her butt when you are changing her diaper. She points out her butt at random times during the day. She even points out butts on TV and on her toys.

Today, she did the cutest thing, though. As much as I don't like her saying butt, I literally laughed out loud at this one.

She has a green bucket that was an Easter basket from Brandi. She wears it as a hat a lot of times and also likes to use it as a drum. Nathan was sitting on the glider and wanted to drum on it with her, so he said, "Ivy, bring me your bucket." She walked her diaper-clad booty over to him, turned around and smacked her bottom. "Butt! Butt!"

Tell me the kid isn't smart? Or absolutely adorable?

Twenty one months

Dear Ivy,
I can't believe how big you are getting. Soon you will be two... TWO. I just can't wrap my mind around that.

Cheryl and Andrew stopped over today while they were out walking their dog and Cheryl commented that you don't look like a baby anymore, but a toddler. I've thought that for awhile, but to hear someone else say it puts it into perspective. You are a little sponge, soaking up new things every day. Each day adds new words to your repatoire, new things for you to do. You love to watch Blue's Clues and even sing the words to some of the songs. Although I don't like that you watch it so much, it's a great way to bribe you to do things.

You dance all the time. You dance while you brush your teeth, you dance to music in the car or on TV. You make everything you do fun. You are also getting a little bit of an attitude, which you displayed often today. Not to point fingers, but I think you learn some of it while mommy is at work. For example, you say "mine" entirely too much. Not only do we always encourage you to share, but we never say that something is "mine", but say "That's Mommy's" or "That's Daddy's". I guess good things and bad things come from being around other kids.

Mommy only has four more days of work and then I will officially be at home with you. All. The. Time. I'm really excited to not miss anymore of your growing years, but I am also nervous that life will get too monotonous. With summer coming, I hope we will spend lots of time outside and at the park. I also want to see how you handle storytime at the library, and am considering investing in Kindermusik.

Well, pumpkin, Mommy loves you. Keep being such a doll.... you brighten my darkest days. You've helped show me why I'm here.

Love
Mama

Singing

Lately, I've noticed Ivy likes to sing. She'll sing when she plays her xylophone, or she'll just sing to herself. Here is a video of her singing with Nathan. We were all playing in the basement and she kept parroting his singing. I thought it was far too cute to not take a video of.





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Nineteen Months

Dear Ivy,

Yesterday you turned nineteen months old. I look at you now and see a child where my baby used to be. You are changing so fast and in so many ways. Mobility is now a non-issue for you. Now that you have completely mastered walking, you've taken to running, walking on your tiptoes, walking backwards, and (my personal favorite) spinning in circles. You spin yourself dizzy then sit down and try to get back up. I think I laugh harder than you do, but you seem to find it fun.

You are signing and talking like crazy, too. I think you know every sign on the first three Signing Time videos (I wish the library would hurry up and get the rest of them!) and you are constantly jabbering. Today you said "yellow" (lellow) for the first time. I am always floored when a new word comes popping out like you've always known how to say it.

You love Elmo and Blue's Clues. I never wanted to be a parent that sits their child in front of the TV all the time.... but it's so hard when you come up and ask for particular things. You say "LALALALA" for Elmo (that's from the Elmo song), "coos coos" for Blues Clues (plus you do the little movement that Joe does on the TV when he says Blues Clues) and "DOODOODOODOO" for the Doodlebops. At least you know what you want. And when we say no, it's the end of your little world.

You are sick again. Last month you were sick, we beat it and you were back at the doctor's yesterday. While I really like Dr. Amy, I'd prefer to not see her so often! You are really congested and your chest is "junky", so we have to give you breathing treatments, Pediapred (a steroid to help you fight it off) and Singulair (to hopefully prevent things from getting worse or coming back once you kick this round). I hate giving you so much medicine, but I hate seeing you so miserable as well. I feel guilty that you are sick all the time, like maybe I'm not a good enough mommy or maybe it's something genetic. I know it's not my fault, but I can't help the guilty feelings. I think that's part of my job as a mommy.

Even when you are sick, you are a happy girl. You give everyone hugs and kisses. When I say everyone, I mean everyone.... from me to Daddy to the animals at Trina's, to the dirty clothes pile, you are definitely a giver. Who could refuse love from you, though? Not even the dirty clothes.

You've had a rough time sleeping ever since you spent a week with Grandma. I'm hoping this is just a phase, and I'm REALLY hoping it ends soon. You cry every time we put you down for a nap or bedtime. It's such a heartbreaking cry, too. It physically hurts me to hear you scream like that, but usually all it takes is one or two "Ivy, you're alright, go night-night"s and you lay down and go to bed. I don't understand why you need that extra reassurance, but I will gladly keep giving it you you.

I love you, honeybear.

Love,
Mama

Potty Time

I can vividly recall barging in on my mom in the bathroom all the time as a child. I guess it's just something kids do, and upon having a child, I accepted the fact that I would never again get to use the bathroom in peace. Little did I know exactly what was in store....

Last night I was using the bathroom before leaving for a staff meeting. I hadn't seen Ivy much all day, so I didn't protest when she followed me into the bathroom. She proceeded to get a single sheet of toilet paper off of the roll. "How cute," I thought, "she knows what the toilet paper is for." She then started to try to put the toilet paper in the toilet, with me still on it. At least, that's what I thought she was trying to do. She repeatedly shoved her little hand between my legs and I repeatedly coached her to put the paper in the potty. After six or seven times, I finally realized what she was actually trying to do was WIPE for me! I suppose she figures we do it for her, she might as well return the favor. Thanks, but no thanks, kid. I do think this is just one more sign that it's time to get a potty chair for her, though. I can't even fathom that she is old enough to start potty training, but the signs are there.

New Knowledge

It seems like every day Ivy starts doing something new. A few days ago, I was reading her the Care Bears book she got from Grandpa and Grandma Bergkessel (is that what you guys want her to call you, Jan?) for Christmas. On the back of the book, it says "This book belongs to Ivy Lynn Ritchie." Of course, she wants us to read that page to her, too. Whenever we start reading, she starts pointing to herself. She knows that -she- is Ivy Lynn Ritchie and that the book is -hers-. I wonder when she will learn to say "mine." Then the fun will start.

Sixteen Months

Dear Ivy,

Mommy's late again. I kept thinking about what to write and how I always write the same things.... that you are beautiful, intelligent and funny. Well, those really aren't horrible things to be, so I guess I shouldn't complain that I have to keep writing them!

You are growing up so much! Mommy got the Signing Time! videos out of the library so we could start trying to do sign language with you and you picked it up so quick!!! You can sign more, please, banana, cracker, bird, full and cheese. You also have your own sign for all done. Lately, though, you are starting to talk. I mean, you still jibber jabber -all- the time, but there are words thrown in there, too. Actually, to prove what a little overachiever you are, you are skipping to phrases pretty quickly. You say hello (which comes out as "hewwo" and is the most adorable thing in the world), puppy (or "duppy"), kitty, here ya go, uh-oh, thank you, go-go-go, mommy, daddy. You call Trina Na-na. It is so fascinating to watch your little mouth try to make words. It seems like every day you come up with something new. I have so many stories I should be writing on here for you....

You are walking EVERYWHERE now. You even kick it into turbo sometimes. You really need to start practicing for Brandi's wedding. I can't believe you are going to be a flower girl already! I'm not too sure you will actually make it to the alter, but I know you will look like a princess while attempting it. I can't believe how worried I was about the walking and talking thing. I just have to keep remembering that you are your own person already and you will do things on your own schedule.

I love you I love you I love you. Sometimes I get tears in my eyes just watching you.... I love watching you grow up, but miss the little baby you used to be. Every night I wonder what new and wonderful thing you will learn tomorrow...

Love,
Mama