Happy Father's Day 2013

Bryon,

If Lauren could write, I know that she would want to wish the BEST Dad in the world, the happiest of days.

You have overwhelmed us all with your patience, love and commitment to being a Father and a friend to our little girl.  Lauren adores her "Daddy" in every way, and over the last three years you have shown yourself to be all of the things that a Father should be.

Thank you for sharing this journey with us and for loving us like you do.

Happy Father's Day!

Lauren and Sydney

First Day at Preschool

It's here!  The official start day of Lauren's 19+ year public education.

Although we've had a wonderful experience at her in-home daycare it's time for baby girl to learn boundaries, a schedule, how to share, how to potty and how to pick-up.  Oh!  And a few new phrases in Spanish won't hurt either.

Sending a toddler to preschool today is much like sending them off to college.  Required items include:  Two sets of sheets for nap time, a pillow, a teddy bear, two sets of play clothes, diapers, wipes, a water bottle, sunscreen, diaper cream, swimsuit, a towel, water shoes, tennis shoes, and every other kind of shoe that you can think of.  Top if off with a new "owl" backpack (this one's for you Aunt Coni), and we were set to go.

Lauren had a great first day. There were no tears at drop-off (for Lauren or her Mom). She enjoyed playing on the slide, made one new friend, and had fun mixing colors to create the color purple.  According to her new teacher Lauren ate, used the potty, picked up her toys and took a 1.5 hour nap (although I'm not sure I believe it).  Then we were off to McDonald's to celebrate with ice cream.

This is the beginning of a new adventure.  We are so proud of you Lauren!

The deep thinker

"Look Dad.  A Rolly-Pollie for breakfast"

 The backpack weighs half as much as Lauren

Entering the doors to higher education

Success is spelled "I-C-E C-R-E-A-M"

A Mother's Day Letter to Lauren

Dear Lauren,

On this Mother's Day Eve, we spent the evening with some dear friends and their three week old baby girl, Katherine Kendall.

As you were holding her, it occurred to me how quickly the time has gone.  How you were once that small, and yet I only have pictures to remind me. 

This Mother's Day, you are now almost three years old and yet I feel like I’ve loved you forever. I now completely understand how my own Mother feels.  A complete longing to be near you child, and the reminder that our journey together is going all too fast.  I hope I can do as well by you as she did for me.

Being a Mom is not always easy.  But the days are more blissfull than not, and I thank God every day that our path to parenthood brought us to you.  Had I known, I wouldn't have shed a single tear.  There is no doubt you were born to be ours.

Words don’t even begin to express how much more beautiful you make our life together. As you grow and take in this world around you, know that you are loved today and EVERYDAY all because you’re you! Sweet precious little you.

All my love,

Mommy

Bedknobs, Broomsticks and a BIG GIRL Bed

Well we did it. 

After spending almost three full years trying to keep our child captured (aka: safe) in her four-sided crib, Lauren now has her very own BIG girl bed.

It seems like just yesterday that we waking up every 30 minutes to keep her from rolling over. 

The fear, excitement and anticipation of this big day was tremendous.  Lauren is growing up and this transition HAD to be really special. 

So after eight hours of hard labor, we removed the front of her crib to create a toddler bed.  We toggled all of the furniture to the walls, ensured all of the electrical outlets were covered, removed chocking hazards from the drawers, added some fun new decor, organized the closet, added more lighting and bought Lauren a bright pink flashlight to keep the scarey monsters, shadows and bugs away.

Lauren just LOVES her new room.  She loves her big girl bed.  And her new pillow and decor.  She loves that she can access her books and toys.  And she is thrilled that she now only has "three walls" in her box (crib) instead of four. 

She loves it so much that she's failed to take a good nap since Friday.  She refuses to go to sleep until after 10 p.m. And thusfar has slept most everywhere in her room EXCEPT her bed. 

Night #1 - Lauren is found asleep face down on the floor using a book as a pillow. 
Night #2 - Lauren is found asleep half way on her bed and half way on the floor. 
Night #3 - Lauren is found asleep on the diaper changing table atop her dresser.  Say what?
Night #4 - We can't remember where she slept as we are both too tired now to notice.

The upside is that we will stay strong!  That we will not re-assemble the crib and admit defeat.  That this too shall pass.  That we can sustain on coffee until she goes to college.  Oh, and at least Opus the cat loves the bed.

Happy Easter!

Well the bunnies are all packed away, the Peeps are all consumed, and our family has just finished up the most wonderful Easter holiday. Joined by Grandma Susie, Aunt Coni and Uncle John, we had a great weekend filled with dying Easter eggs, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and TONS of candy.  Blessed.

Lauren and Mommy dying Easter Eggs.  No, that's not red wine in my hand people.

The Annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  

Mommy and Daddy have been hosting this event 

long before Lauren arrived and wondered 

if we'd ever have a child of our own to enjoy it.  

The look on Bryon's face shows how blessed we feel.

Look Daddy. More CANDY!

Lauren has been working on making "good choices" 

to earn a Princess Castle. 

Some days are better than others, but the Easter Bunny

 did indeed deliver! 

"I may not be able to run 

from this Easter outfit but I sure can hide"

St. Patrick's Day 2013

Lauren got to go to her first St. Patrick's Day Parade last weekend and it was a huge success.  

Her favorite parts were...

Skipping her afternoon nap

Green Shamrock Antler Hats

Being with "big kids" who think she's as cute and adorable as we do

Getting to stand in the middle of the street without Mommy and Daddy yelling at me

Dogs, horses, marching bands, dancers and CLOWNS

Candy falling from the sky!

The Week in Review

Dress:  

• Preferred - Diapers and warm clothes for a Midwestern winter
• Actual - Running around naked, wearing big girl panties (un-potty trained) and insisting on only wearing shirts with pockets.

Playtime:  

• Preferred - Baby dolls, coloring, Play-doh and reading books
• Actual -  Eating the Play-doh, coloring the walls, and ripping up and/or eating her books

Diet:

• Preferred - Protein, fruits and vegetables.  
• Actual - Chocolate milk for breakfast, Pink cupcakes for lunch, and Smarshmallows before dinner (yes "marshmallow" now begins with the letter "s").

Sleep:

• Preferred - In bed by 7:30 p.m., asleep by 8:00 p.m., awake at 6:30 a.m.
• Actual - In bed by 7:30 p.m., asleep by 9:00 p.m. (wearing Santa socks), awake at 5:00 a.m.  The time change will not be welcomed!

Verbal:

• "I'm not a baby. I'm a big girl".  Next sentence "Quit calling me a big girl, I'm a baby".
• "Daddy when your hair gets really long then I will put in in braids for you".
• "Momma, can I have your boobs so I can play with Opus?" (NOTE:  Boobs is actually my bra which I've instructed Lauren is NOT a cat toy)

To be continued...