2008 Football Season

Since I may not get to go to another Aggie game this season (see previous post), I thought I would post some photos of the games I have seen so far. I have really had fun! I got to see and pet Reveille twice. She is handled by the guys in E-2, which was Daddy's outfit when he was at A&M. I also love to watch the military fly-overs at the beginning of the game and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band play and march at halftime. I am class of '29!

Timing is Everything

Before the "meltdown"

I may have only been around a short time, but I already have some things figured out. Tantrums should be sandwiched between periods of exceptional behavior. That way, parents enter the tantrum phase with the WE HAVE THE BEST BABY IN THE WORLD mentality (see the letter Mommy wrote me last week!) which results in a period of bewilderment before you are disciplined...and leaves them forgetting all about the episode. I think it is brilliant. I practiced it this past weekend at the Aggie football game. We happily entered the stadium, anticipating a great game. By the middle of the first quarter, I changed my mind. I don't know why - I wasn't hungry, thirsty, tired, etc. -I didn't need a reason. Mommy spent the rest of the game trying to calm what she termed the "meltdown" by walking around with me, going outside the stadium, even breaking out the emergency Elmo video. Nothing worked. The following day, I was back to my normal self. I must have given Mommy 500 kisses and not so much as a whimper crossed my lips. I sang, I danced, etc...She again thinks I am wonderful!

Naked Girl

My new skill for today is undressing myself. When Mommy went to get me from my nap this afternoon, this is how she found me. Cute tush, huh?

20 Months Old

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

Today you are 20 months old, and I realize that my days of calling you my "baby" will soon have to be replaced with "little girl". Truth be told, it should have probably already happened, but I will hold on to each stage as long as I can, even if it is a bit too long, before I send you to the next.

This was an exciting month because you started school! It is actually just an opportunity for you to play and explore with children your age, but it has been a big step for both of us. You handled the first couple of weeks much better than I did. I know this because I watched you like a hawk from the observation room next to your classroom! As my breath became shallow upon leaving you, I could see that you were fine. I always watch with pride as you so easily adjust to new situations and are so friendly to those around you. As content as you are being with others, you still can't wait to see me and run to me with open arms. It melts my heart to see your face light up when you see me!

You have become quite the "Mommy's girl" and want me to be the one to do things for you. You oblige your daddy and others occassionally when they want to hold you or read a book to you, but you usually want me. You are so kind and don't want to hurt the feelings of others, though, so after telling them no, you blow them a kiss to let them know you care about them...you just want Mommy right now. I know there will be a time (say it isn't so!) that you won't want/need me as much, so I am relishing every second of this time.

Love,

Mommy

Cheesy Grin

During the first year of my life, Mommy probably took 10,000 photos (only a slight

exaggeration). This second year has been different, mainly because I am now able to walk. Most photos so far this year are of my back because I was on the move or close-ups of my face because I was trying to get the camera. The camera looks cool and is something kept out-of-reach, so I really want it. During the last week; however, I have once again accepted having my photo taken and have learned to say, "CHEESE!", so now my photos show me with a lovely crinkled, squinting face. Be careful what you teach me to do, Mommy!

Doctor's Appointment

Yesterday I woke up from my nap with a fever. I had no symptoms of illness, and the fever went away on its own in a couple of hours. That seems like no big deal, but to a first-time mom who's always a bit paranoid of germs, falls, bad food, choking hazards, etc...it seemed like something that needed to be checked out by a doctor. Even though I seem to get at least one shot every time I go to the doctor's office, I still love it there. They have really great toys in the waiting room, and usually at least one baby I can try desperately to touch while Mommy tries to restrain me. She understands that the other mommies are also paranoid. All I understand is that there is a baby, and I want to see/touch/kiss/hold/feed him or her. Today during the visit, the doctor walked in, and I did my happy dance. I proceeded to hug her and kiss her while she examined me. She could find nothing wrong with me and even said I was the "wellest sick child" she's even seen. Before we left, I went from person-to-person blowing kisses and waving bye-bye. I am sure Mommy seemed a little nutty, but as she says, you can't ever be too careful with something so precious (that's me!).

By the way, I am up to 24 1/2 pounds and still really tall. The doctor kept saying, "She's so tall!"

Good Manners

Normally when I sit down to eat (or rather, play with my food), I place my napkin in my lap because that's what I see Mommy and Daddy do. At dinnertime yesterday, I fooled them! I tucked my napkin under my chin. They were confused about how I learned to do that. Tonight, Daddy helped my effort by tucking my napkin it in the collar of my shirt, just where I wanted it. It was a further reminder that I am constantly watching and learning from those around me.

A Favorite Time

When Daddy gets the newspaper on Sunday mornings, he takes me with him. In addition to getting the paper, we might play in the yard or examine our surroundings by looking and listening. Today, we visited the dogs next door and looked at some ants crawling on the sidewalk.

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many Dolls

As you know, I love dolls. Yesterday in the mail, I received my first American Girl doll catalog. I am not sure who put me on the mailing list, but I thank them. When Mommy showed it to me ( I have no doubt if Daddy had been the one going through the mail, it would have never reached me), I squealed with JOY! I quickly grabbed it, went and sat in my chair and examined every page. Daddy says when I start to "dog-ear" the pages, he and Mommy are in big trouble.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

I may look like my daddy, but I act like my mommy. One way this is true is our sleeping habits. We are both very much like the princess from the Princess and the Pea (which is Daddy's favorite book to read to me because it talks about being kind to everyone) when it comes to having our sleep environment "just right". For Mommy this means having her sleep mask, really soft sheets, the temperature just right and a substantial, yet cool, blanket (just a sheet won't work, which confuses Daddy). For me it means being zipped up in my sleep sack, being in my own bed, with a minimum of eight binkies spread about, Maggie, my pink and white dog, my satin pillow, and Flower, my sock puppet. Neither of us sleeps well or easily in other conditions.

Imagine the shock Mommy and Daddy felt when they discovered me sleeping on the sofa, mid-evening last week. It had been my first full day of school (a whole 2 1/2 hours) and apparently it was exhausting.

Swim Lessons

I have been taking swimming lessons now for about a year. I have to admit I am a bit bored with them. Swimming underwater for ten seconds is the goal, which I did several months back. We go through stations that help with water acclimation and the necessary skills like good kicking and pulling our arms. I have started to watch the older kids instead of focusing on my task. The teacher has taken to bribing me with the swim doll. I get to swim to her and then hold her while I do my stations. There are some activities I like at the end of class. Each baby gets to spin around on the floaty, while everyone sings the bye-bye song, and most importantly, we get to go down the slide. I go straight into the water and Mommy lets me bob to the surface like a cork before she gets me. The new mommies gasp at this! Mommy tells me that I can move up to the next class when I am two. While she usually is in no hurry to rush my aging, this is one area of exception. When I move up to the next swim class, she will be able to stay on the sidelines (and dry). When she talks about that, there is definite excitement in her voice!

My BaBa

My BaBa was just here for a visit. She came to stay with us because Hurricane Ike was threatening her area. Fortunately, he took a turn and her house was spared. She still has memories of Hurricane Carla in 1961, which really damaged her house.

I like when BaBa is here. I like it mainly because I can feel how much she loves me. Some added perks: She rides in the backseat with me. She makes the best macaroni and cheese. I don't even have to work at eating it because she feeds me! Her purse is always filled to the brim with interesting items. She has great jewelry to play with, tug on, etc...

She went home today. I'll miss her!

Three Miracles

Eating out has been difficult for my family. It has been difficult on me because I do not like to be confined to a high chair and because there are usually many interesting people with whom I would like to visit. It has been difficult for Mommy and Daddy because they want me to sit in my high chair, and they want me to leave those interesting people alone. Therefore, most of our meals are eaten at home. We did; however, decide to go to Waterloo recently, where they have outdoor seating with a play area. Lo and behold, I played independently in the SAND PIT (miracle one) while Mommy and Daddy ate their meal with no interruptions (miracle two). Once they were finished, I was so famished, I sat in my high chair and ate my meal with no prompting (miracle three). Mommy was even able to have two adult beverages (which she would count as miracle four!).

My New Potty Chair

The UPS man delivered a large box last week. Mommy said it contained something very special, and she let me help her open it. Inside was this cool pink seat she called a potty chair. We placed it in the bathroom, and I practiced sitting on it. Mommy explained what it is for, but it sounded like she was speaking a foreign language. Instead, I prefer to use it to hold my stuff. So far, Mommy has found my monkey, a spoon and a $10 bill (I won't disclose the source of my income...it leaves Mommy and Daddy guessing). Yesterday, I removed the insert, placed it on my table, and used it as a cup holder.

The Difference Between Girls and Boys

Thanks to my friends Nash and Vaughan, I have a dump truck, complete with a driver and blocks. I am certain their intention when they gave me this was that I use it like a dump truck should be used...to haul rocks to "job sites", etc... Instead, I use it as a bassinet for my dolls. I absolutely adore dolls. I wake my dolls each morning with a kiss. During the day, I hold, feed, swaddle, dress and talk to them. At night, I place them in their cradle (or dump truck), cover them with a blanket and say "night-night".

I Love Birthday Parties

Yesterday was my friend Richard's birthday party. We have known each other for a year, so he is one of my oldest, dearest friends. The party was held at The Little Gym at 2:00, which we all know is also known as the all-important NAP TIME. Mommy claims to not be rigid with my schedule, as evidenced by the fact that she is most happy to put me down for a nap anywhere in the broad window from 1:50 - 2:10. Anyway, much to Mommy's surprise, I napped early and was raring to go the party. After Mommy got lost, which she claims was Mapquest's fault, we arrived at the party. In true social butterfly form, I first greeted the ladies at the front desk, then the grandparents sitting outside watching before I entered the room where the other kids and their parents were playing. The birthday boy looked most handsome in his new, cool glasses! Also there were my friends Tripp and Caroline. We played on the gym equipment, sang songs and just generally ran around until it was time for the really important stuff - cupcakes and ice cream! I left the party with a box filled with favors and one important question - WHY CAN'T I EAT CUPCAKES FOR EVERY MEAL???

Accessorizing

As of late, I have really enjoyed accessorizing. I carry a purse most places I go, which Mommy fills with neat things (in a weak attempt to keep me entertained). I also like to try on and wear shoes...mine, yours, it doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter if they match. Today I decided my pool floaty makes a great necklace. Not only is it attractive, but it helps cushion the blow when I fall.

The Toddler's Creed

This was posted on the bulletin board in my classroom. I am so glad they understand me there.

The Toddler's Creed

If I want it, it's mine.

If I give it to you and change my mind, it's mine.

If I can take it away from you, it's mine.

If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

If we are building something together, all the pieces are mine.

If it has your name on it, it's mine.

If it looks just like mine, it's mine.

If it's mine, it will never be yours, no matter what.

First Day of School

Today was my first day of school, and it was fantastic! When it was time to go, I put on my backpack (which was empty because I don't really have school supplies yet other than diapers) and headed to the car. I was too excited about being there to be sad that Mommy and Daddy were leaving me, so I just kissed them bye and sent them on their way. They actually didn't go far - just to the observation room next door, where they watched me the whole time.

Two other students, Zoe and Benjamin, were also there. I was definitely the loudest and most active one. I greeted them with a double-handed wave hello and a little dance. We played inside with the water activity center, the kitchen and the slide before we went outside to explore the playground. As soon as I saw it, I noticed a problem...SAND! Anyone who knows me knows I don't like to have sand (or gravel, or leaves, or dirt, or rocks, or...) on my hands or body. Given that, I stayed mostly on the paths. I did somehow get sand on my hand at one point and promptly went to Amy, my teacher, and had her dust off the grit.

At the end of the hour (yes, only one hour today...I think more to help the parents acclimate than us!), I was happy to see Mommy and Daddy and ran into their arms. Starting next week, I'll go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12. Mommy, I really like it there, so I don't want to see any more tears from you!