Holiday Blur

Dear Parker,

Well, we survived.  We hosted our first Thanksgiving for both sides of our family and we made it through. Actually, it wasn't so bad.  The food was good - you had an amazing time with all of your relatives and it wasn't nearly as awkward as it could have been.  Since I haven't been good about writing things immediately, I have to sort of bullet my memories - so here goes.

Things (some good and some not-so-good) from Thanksgiving Break 2010
*You being the head of a train that went throughout our house - the things we will do!
*Saying that you are going to take a train to Russia!
*You carefully going through each of your ornaments
*You helping me put up the family tree
*You getting (another) ear infection and screaming all night Thanksgiving night
*Your motivation in relation to Santa increased significantly
*Telling us that you wanted Santa to bring you 2 babies
*Your bizarre love of a plastic M&M ornament on our tree

That's all I've got for now, Bits.  It's going to be a very busy couple of weeks.  I hope you hang in there. I love you very much.  I'm going to do my very best to not get stressed out and enjoy ever second of the Christmas season.

Sleep well tonight, baby.
Love you
Mommy

Shy

Dear Parker,

A week or so ago, you watched "Once Upon a Mattress."  We have watched it several times since then.  This morning, in a very packed pre-Thanksgiving Meijer, you were singing quietly to yourself. "Hey nanee, nanee, nanee."  Then suddenly (just as in the movie) you lifted your head up really high and sang, "I'm SHY!!!!!!!!" at the top of your lungs.  I laughed so hard!  You are too funny, little girl.

I'm excited because we bought you a couple of Christmas presents today!

Only two days of school for you and Mom before break - three for me - but I'm still excited!

I love you so much, ParkerAlyse.

Love,
Mommy

Things I love about you

Dear Parker,

Lately, you have been very "2" and I have not been handling it as well as I should or could.  I come home from school; my patience is gone and I have very little left for you.  Today, I promised myself that I would NOT lose my patience with you.  I made it, but you certainly tested me with a couple of tantrums and then not listening and bed time, which resulted in you going to bed without a story, which is apparently the worst punishment ever.  Anyway.  In between tantrums, we had a great time.  Here are the things I love about you and the way you are right now.

* The way you pump your little arms when you run
* The fact that you have to run everywhere because everything is urgent!
* That you are getting much better at pretend
* That you take ALL your babies to "Meijer" to get "groceries" but end up having a picnic instead
* That you made your Mom and I rush to the back door to look at the sun setting
* That you ask to watch musicals
* That you got a sticker at school last week for wearing your listening ears when no one else was! (Too bad you don't employ them at home!)
* The way you talk with your hands
* That you ask us how our days were
* That you hold on tight around my neck when you give me a hug
* That before anyone leaves you insist on a hug, kiss and high five (from both hands) from the departing person to everyone in the room

I love you so much little bits.  I'm getting really excited about Christmas with you!
Love you,
Mommy

Whiny McWhinester

Dear Parker,

I took you to the doctor on Monday and she said you are just fine.  Yea.  But, also what the heck?  You are in such a funk.  You are whiny and clingy and tantrum-y.  It's all pretty horrible.  I love you so much, but I don't handle this kind of behavior very well.  I think part of it is that I deal with behavior like that all day at school and I just have nothing left when I get home.  I feel horrible about it.  I just don't know what to do.

You have incredible stamina and will scream FOREVER.  I feel bad because most often you are screaming because you want me to hold you.  Part of me thinks that you are two and need to be more self-reliant than you are.  The other part of me thinks that you will only be little once and if you are asking for affection, who am I to deny you that?

I dunno, baby.  It's a quandry.  I love you so much.  No matter what.  We'll get through this.

Love,
Mommy

What's up?

Dear Parker,

I'm not sure what is going on with you, but something isn't right.  It has me worried.  Maybe it's your ears. I don't know.  What I do know is that ever since Saturday you have been super clingy, super tired and just in general wanting to sit around and watch tv.  Sunday morning, you feel asleep on the bath mat waiting for me to be finished in the shower and then you fell asleep again in the middle of pep band rehearsal.  We decided that I would stay home today to take you to the doctor and you again, fell asleep on the bath mat and have now fallen asleep in our bed while watching Sesame Street.  It's only 9:30.  Something is definitely wrong.  I'm worried.  I'm scared that it will be your ears again.  I'm scared that it won't be your ears and we won't know what's wrong with you.  I'm just in general, nervous and worried about everything surrounding you lately.  I just want you to be your normal, happy, funny self.

I miss you and I hope you get better soon.  We will leave soon to go to the doctor.

I love you so much baby girl.
Love,
Mommy