My Little Runner

Hello My Love, 

Our Cake

We've had a very busy week this last week. You have been the best little helper ever, by the way. We made a big cake and lots of candy lollipops for one of my friend's baby shower and we went to Austin for Mommy to run her first 5K race. We got to see Aunt Kelly and you got to play with Jules at the baby shower too. It's hard to see you growing up into a little adult, I still see you as a baby but I know you aren't anymore. You have your own opinion about everything! And, you aren't afraid to tell people what you think either. I hope your behavior lately is an indication that the Tyrannical Threes are over...what do you say? You've been so polite and haven't been having nearly as many meltdowns, it has been wonderful! 

Running Buddies-Our 1st Run

Guess what?!? You seem to like running with me. Last Monday I asked if you wanted to go for a walk and off we went. While we were strolling down the street you started to run so I ran with you. The next thing I knew, we had gone about 1/4 mile down the road. I don't want to push you or force you to run so I let you take the lead when we go: you say run, we run...say stop, we stop. We have gone out a couple of times, for about a mile each time. As a matter of fact, we may go out a little later this evening. You are sooo cute running down the sidewalk cheering for me on or yelling, "I'm going to beat you!" One evening while we were eating dinner with Daddy you told him, "I'm going to be a runner like Mommy when I grow up!" It was the best compliment I have ever gotten. You see, I want to be a great example for you and I know that eating right and exercising are very important. The other thing is that I don't want you to have to go through the same battles with your weight and self confidence so it means a lot that you want to emulate my healthy habits. It's great motivation for me to get out of the house and work out, so you can see that I make time for it no matter what. You are the best little cheerleader too. You were at the finish line at my race and hearing you yell "Go Mommy! Go Mommy!" was the best push to get me to the finish line.You were a little sad that you couldn't run the race with me. There were some kids in the race, so maybe next year we can do it together, what do you think? 

2010 LIVESTRONG Challenge-Austin

What a Nice Weekend

Hey Goose,

     This weekend was so much fun. We shopping together on Friday to get a gift for a birthday party we went to. You were so cute at the store, pointing out things you wanted us to buy for Evey and looking at some cute clothes. We got you a new outfit and you look freaking adorable in it. You got to spend some time with Daddy while I took a quick nap. You helped him pick up after Apollo and mow the grass (though, I must admit that it looked like Daddy was doing most of the work while you bounced on the trampoline.) You have been picking flowers for me everyday too. I’ve had shot glasses full of ground cover flowers and other weed flowers all over the house for at least a week now. So, thank you so much for my flowers! They are beautiful.

          Saturday we went to Evey’s 4^th birthday party. I’ve known Evey’s Mommy for a long time, but you hadn’t met Evey yet. You guys were SOOO cute together. After you got over the “I’m Shy’s” that struck when we first walked in, you had a blast. There were water balloons, helium balloon faces, a Tinkerbelle piñata, and the pièce de résistance, the HUGE water slide. You and Evey were fast friends, even trying to climb the slide holding hands. At one point Evey tried to hug you and you both fell down. It’s strange to watch you making friends. I’m so glad you can be so social and outgoing. I love that you seem to walk in to a situation and adapt, or even take charge, almost immediately. It’s amazing to see this almost grown up side of you, an Isabella who introduces herself and asks for help and is sweet and polite. Evey’s Mommy and I decided that we are going to have to get you girls together soon so you can play together. You were so pooped from all the fun you had at the party that you zonked out in the car about 5 minutes after we left and then we back to sleep after we got home.

 

     Sunday we had a nice quiet day at home. You and I cleaned up the house: we did the dishes and several loads of laundry. Thank you so much for all your help, baby. I don’t know how I would be able to get all those socks matched up without you. We danced in the kitchen while I was making dinner last night; I think that may have been my favorite part of the weekend. I turned on my iTunes and we danced and sang like crazy ladies all around the kitchen. Honey, Honey and Single Ladies are still your favorite songs to sing and dance to. 

Hello My Love

Hi Goosey,

     I'm starting this blog just for you. I'm going to try to keep it updated and add pictures and funny stories about you (so I can blackmail you with them later). You know I have pictures of you everywhere and I love to tell people all the silly things you do, now I can put it all together and hopefully remember more of the great things that we do together. I wish I had started this sooner, but we will have to be content with the thousands of pictures and your baby book for all the time before this.

     I can't believe you are almost 4 years old! Where did all the time go? As I type this you are watching Chuggington and munching on your cup of blueberries. You love eating fruit, especially bananas, strawberries, and blueberries. Every time we go to the grocery store you remind me to buy bananas. We made lots of fruit and yogurt popsicles this summer. You are hungry, hungry hippo these days too. I think you may be going through a growing spurt, your Daddy and I can't seem to keep enough food coming to you. I am very happy that you enjoy healthy foods, though. We still have pizza, burgers, and chicken nuggets, but your favorites seem to be a little better for you: fruit, carrots, baked chicken and boiled eggs. This week your most requested food has been grilled cheese sandwiches.

     Being an only child has made it a little more challenging for you to learn to share. When you were going to school you had friends and had to share with them there, but now that you are staying home with me there aren't so many people to practice with. Katie has been staying with us a few days a week lately and you've had to share a little more than you'd like. I'm sorry, I know it's hard to understand now but we will keep working on it. The upside to being Mommy's only is that we have lots of time to work on other stuff together, just the two of us. We have been learning letters for the last week or so. You are doing so great with recognizing letters, finding words that start with specific letters, and even starting to trace and practice writing. I even found some worksheets with your name on them so you can trace your name till you can write it out all by yourself. You have lots of numbers down already, you can count to about 15 and you can recognize up to the number 8. We are making a book of shapes and starting our Halloween activities. I'll try to post some pics of your amazing crafts and "homework" as you call it. You also love taking pictures so I'll be able to show off your photography skills too!

     Three has been a rough age for all of us. Your sweet, laid back toddlerhood has given way to a super dramatic, tantrum prone preschooler. It's very hard for you to not get the things you want exactly when you want them. I try my hardest to be patient, I know you will grow older and I will wish you could still be my little goose. I am glad that the majority of the potty thing has been settled out. You were doing so well and then all of a sudden you started having potty issues. Daddy and I tried all kinds of things to get you back on track, but in the end we just had to give up. Once we decided that we would just let things be, you got back on track. And, if it means that I don't have to clean up accidents, I'll give you stickers every time you go potty until you turn 18! When you turned 3 it seemed as if your personality changed overnight, I wonder if that will happen with 4. I wonder all the time what you will be like as you grow. I wonder how our relationship will change and evolve as you get older. I can't wait to find out and I don't want to find out...it's strange to be a parent.

I love you Isabella!