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

Week in Review

Dear Parker,

This week has been hard.  Mommy got sick on Tuesday night and was out of commission for about 24 hours.  It was horrible.  Then, your Mom had tons of work meetings and wasn't home at night much.  You, however, I think had a decent week.  It was busy, though.  Thursday night was the Fall Festival at your school.  You had a blast.  In fact, as we were driving away, you asked to go back.  On Friday, you had a party at school as well as a costume parade.  You apparently had so much fun that when Mom picked you up you were still in your costume because you didn't want to take it off!  Friday night, you spent the night with Aunt Lauren and Uncle Stu and were not happy about leaving there either!  Today, we went to the Children's Museum Haunted House in the morning.  I didn't really know what to expect from it or from you.  You, atypically, wanted to stay in the stroller the entire time.  But, you weren't scared.  Now, it was the lights on, friendly version, but still.  We then played in the rest of the museum for awhile.  Tonight, you were SO excited to go trick or treating.  I tried to get a picture of you on the porch with the pumpkins (which, in true slacker fashion, we did NOT carve) but you wanted nothing to do with that.  Instead, I got this: " A lion says ROOOAAAARRRRR!"

You walked a good way and said "trick or treat" and "thank you" at EVERY house.  (Mostly without prompting)  After every stop, you would say, "I going trick or treating."  After we came back you wanted to sample a small portion of all your candy.  We finally settled on some M&M, Smarties and a sucker.  You also wanted to sit on the porch and pass out candy.  So we did.  You were super cute.

Things are going to get ridiculously crazy soon, kiddo.  I hope you know that we love you lots.  I'm very much looking forward to Christmas break.  (I know that's a bit down the pike, but I can't wait!)

Happy 3rd Halloween (WOW!).

I love you,

Mommy

A true test of parenting

Dear Parker,
This weekend has been really hard.  Saturday, we were driving to the Pumpkin Festival with your friend Sadie and you vomited all over the car.  It was some serious puke. We brought you home, cleaned you off, got you dressed and you puked again.  At this point we decided it was a virus and not choking on your phlegm which you sometimes do.  So, Sadie and her family went home and we resigned ourselves to the fact that we would not get to go to homecoming or do anything fun.  I felt bad for you because you kept asking to go to the Pumpkin Festival amidst your puking.  I also felt bad for myself, however, because I wanted to go to Homecoming and see my friends, who I don't normally get to see. I feel horrible that I even felt sorry for myself.  You were so sick.  Over the course of the day you puked 6 different times.  It was terrible and through it all, I was still a little bummed.

Today, you are doing better, but we still stayed home just to make sure.  I'm going crazy from being in this house for 2 days straight.

I feel guilty, Parker.  I'm sorry that I was thinking of myself when you were so sick. I love you very much and I hope that you are able to have a great day with your Mom tomorrow.

I'm sorry I'm not a better Mommy.
I love you,
Mommy

I puked

Dear Parker,

This weekend was supposed to be really fun.  Our friends from college and their daughter were coming to stay with us for Homecoming weekend.  You and Sadie had fun playing last night and today we were going to go back to the Pumpkin Festival.  On the way, you puked.  A Lot.  And you said, "I puked."  You were very upset that it was all over you, your clothes, your car seat.  So, we aren't going to the Pumpkin Festival.  We aren't going to Homecoming and our friends went home.  I feel bad because you kept asking to go to the Pumpkin Festival and because your Mom and I really wanted to go to Butler to see all the people we don't get to see very often.  But, you are sick.  (Or at least were sick....hard to tell at this point.)  So, we are staying home.  I hope you feel better soon, baby.

I love you so much.  Feel better.
Love,
Mommy