Happy belated Mother’s Day! We spent Mother’s Day with my parents and brother/sister-in-law and had a great day! I even got an unexpected gift—my old “Going to Grandma’s” suitcase. Avery has now assumed possession of it, but it was fun to see a “blast from the past” that I so vividly remember. I’ll post a picture of it soon. Here's the latest update on Avery and Romey:
Avery
Avery’s last week of school is this week. Today is her last Tuesday (in the building) of her first year of school. The school year has gone by very quickly, and it was fun (interesting) to reflect on the last several months during parent-teacher conferences. I’d be lying if I didn't admit that I walked into the conference feeling a little nervous. I get little tidbits of Avery reports during drop-off/pick-up but not a full-length discussion reviewing a sheet of paper with various check boxes and notations. In true Susan-fashion I broke the ice by saying something stupid, muttering, “Well, we’re going for the most-improved award! Did we get it?” Thankfully, the teacher had (has) a good sense of humor.
The report was fairly in line with what we expected: Avery loves school and loves to play at school; Avery needs to work on sharing and playing nicely; and Avery needs to work on listening and following directions. The teacher said that Avery used to listen 5% of the time, and is now listening 75% of the time—AWESOME! I was delighted to hear that she had improved (not happy about the 5% part, but not totally surprised either). We’ve got our “to-do” list for suggested summer activities, and are already looking forward to four-year-old preschool. Have I mentioned yet that I’m utterly heartbroken that the school year is already over? I’m excited for our summer activities, but am disappointed that our Tuesday/Thursday routine will be changing.
Romey
Romey is now seventeen-months old. Romey has become a little more “dramatic” by sticking out her bottom lip and giving a sullen look when she’s not pleased. If she’s told no, she puts her hands over her eyes, and makes a pitiful fake crying sound. Our response is usually a muffled laugh as we walk out of the room. And, as expected, as soon as we walk out of the room, she stops crying. Hmmm.
Romey is also giving “kisses”, waving, playing peek-a-boo, and following commands (get your cup, bring mommy a book). She’s still lagging in verbalizing objects, her needs, etc. Romey is difficult to “motivate.” For instance, if Romey wants the ball I’m holding, and I tell her to say ball, she’ll whine for a moment, but then decides to move on to the next toy. Her body language conveys, “Forget it, Mom. I’m not saying ball. You can keep it.”
Romey is still a hopeless tag-a-long, is shy, loves her pacifier (stay tuned), and loves to cuddle. I’ve never met such a sweet, un-assuming kid.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Lesson Learned
I learned three very valuable lessons this morning:
1 – To never allow Romey to eat an entire can of mandarin oranges.
2 – To never hastily diaper Romey.
3 – To take Avery’s word when she says that Romey has a dirty diaper. And this is important for any mother of two (or more): when the older child says that the younger one has a dirty diaper it is not because he smells it (maybe) or because the older child is tracking the younger one’s bowel movements. It is because the older child can SEE it, and that, in effect, is reason enough to move quickly.
Wow, did Romey ever have a blow out this morning, made worse by the fact that I was blissfully unaware even though Avery kept telling me that Romey had a dirty diaper. All moms have been there—a major diaper blowout. Of course Romey was wearing her shoes and managed to get them good and dirty as well. These shoes are the fairly typical type of toddler shoes with lots of indentation grippers on the soles. After the aforementioned indiscretion, I flipped over Romey's shoes and had a choice to make: salvage or toss? I chose to salvage, and proceeded to use a toothpick to clean out my daughter’s shoes. Did I mention that the indentation grippers are heart shaped?
As I picked through her shoes, the following thought came to mind: I’m so glad my daughter has shoes. I’m so glad that her digestive system works. I’m so glad that we can afford mandarin oranges (not saying that mandarin oranges are expensive, but I think you understand). Most days I’d be wallowing in my mothering duties hating these types of tasks. I’m not saying I enjoyed it, but it was quickly over, the shoes look great again, and we were on to the next thing.
Perspective is such a valuable commodity. I’m glad I found some today, and am hoping that I wake up with a generous portion tomorrow too.
1 – To never allow Romey to eat an entire can of mandarin oranges.
2 – To never hastily diaper Romey.
3 – To take Avery’s word when she says that Romey has a dirty diaper. And this is important for any mother of two (or more): when the older child says that the younger one has a dirty diaper it is not because he smells it (maybe) or because the older child is tracking the younger one’s bowel movements. It is because the older child can SEE it, and that, in effect, is reason enough to move quickly.
Wow, did Romey ever have a blow out this morning, made worse by the fact that I was blissfully unaware even though Avery kept telling me that Romey had a dirty diaper. All moms have been there—a major diaper blowout. Of course Romey was wearing her shoes and managed to get them good and dirty as well. These shoes are the fairly typical type of toddler shoes with lots of indentation grippers on the soles. After the aforementioned indiscretion, I flipped over Romey's shoes and had a choice to make: salvage or toss? I chose to salvage, and proceeded to use a toothpick to clean out my daughter’s shoes. Did I mention that the indentation grippers are heart shaped?
As I picked through her shoes, the following thought came to mind: I’m so glad my daughter has shoes. I’m so glad that her digestive system works. I’m so glad that we can afford mandarin oranges (not saying that mandarin oranges are expensive, but I think you understand). Most days I’d be wallowing in my mothering duties hating these types of tasks. I’m not saying I enjoyed it, but it was quickly over, the shoes look great again, and we were on to the next thing.
Perspective is such a valuable commodity. I’m glad I found some today, and am hoping that I wake up with a generous portion tomorrow too.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Unexpected
A couple weeks ago a friend casually invited me to our church’s Women’s Retreat, and I sort of bristled at the idea. I was happy to promote the retreat to others, talk it up, but wasn’t looking to “enlist.” I had been in 2006, and loved it, but wasn’t actively pursing the retreat because a lot of my close friends weren’t going. I do love to be alone, but, like most, find comfort in being surrounded by friends.
And, yet, there I was—an opportunity to go on the retreat, and I couldn’t bring myself to say no. I had been feeling burnt out by the ordinary day-to-day stuff, and the idea of a break from it all sounded incredibly attractive. Along with some respite, I was also looking forward to getting back in touch with God. I'm the first to admit that my default status is being a fair-weather Christian, and knew that some time alone with God was desperately needed.
And so I went, and I’m so glad I did. I went on my own, and thoroughly enjoyed the car ride alone. I roomed alone, and returned alone, and absolutely, positively loved it. The silence, the peace was just amazingly therapeutic and rejuvenating.
And, although I didn’t know who would be there, I was delightfully surprised to see some people that I hadn’t expected on seeing. I sat in a room on Saturday evening with three women that I casually knew and talked about life—where we've been, where we’re at, what we’re up against, and where we’re heading—and I absolutely loved it. I love being surprised by a moment such as that one. I didn't expect it would happen, and yet I was so glad it did. More so, I'm so glad I didn't miss it. God was there—not just Saturday night, but the whole weekend—and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to re-connect with Him. I feel challenged, I feel different, and I feel more alive. It’s amazing what a "timeout from life" can do for your soul.
And, I’d be remiss to not acknowledge that the weekend “worked” because Dan happily took the reins, and totally embraced the idea of a daddy-daughter weekend. I loved coming home and seeing and hearing that everything had gone well. I can not say it enough—I was (am) impressed with Dan.
Aside from my recent retreat experience, we rounded out April by celebrating Easter with Tom and Sydney, taking the girls to an Easter Egg Hunt, celebrating my 32nd birthday, and taking Ro to a specialist to check out her umbilical hernia (we’re going to give it more time to take care of itself).
As far as "year 32" goes, it doesn’t feel much different, but I am becoming more aware that I’m not getting younger (duh!) and nor are my loved ones; being/becoming healthy/healthier is mission critical; and pondering who I am, and who I want to be (and what God says about this too). Big stuff, big discussions—a little heavy for a birthday conversation, but certainly what is on my mind. More on this soon, but for now, enjoy some recent pictures of the girls!
A cuddle moment.
A "I wish I was Romey!" kind of moment. I love her expression, and her blonde hair blowing in the wind. I can still hear her giggling.
And.....a serene shot of Avery. She is a beautiful girl......
........but, can, at times, have a phony smile!
And, yet, there I was—an opportunity to go on the retreat, and I couldn’t bring myself to say no. I had been feeling burnt out by the ordinary day-to-day stuff, and the idea of a break from it all sounded incredibly attractive. Along with some respite, I was also looking forward to getting back in touch with God. I'm the first to admit that my default status is being a fair-weather Christian, and knew that some time alone with God was desperately needed.
And so I went, and I’m so glad I did. I went on my own, and thoroughly enjoyed the car ride alone. I roomed alone, and returned alone, and absolutely, positively loved it. The silence, the peace was just amazingly therapeutic and rejuvenating.
And, although I didn’t know who would be there, I was delightfully surprised to see some people that I hadn’t expected on seeing. I sat in a room on Saturday evening with three women that I casually knew and talked about life—where we've been, where we’re at, what we’re up against, and where we’re heading—and I absolutely loved it. I love being surprised by a moment such as that one. I didn't expect it would happen, and yet I was so glad it did. More so, I'm so glad I didn't miss it. God was there—not just Saturday night, but the whole weekend—and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to re-connect with Him. I feel challenged, I feel different, and I feel more alive. It’s amazing what a "timeout from life" can do for your soul.
And, I’d be remiss to not acknowledge that the weekend “worked” because Dan happily took the reins, and totally embraced the idea of a daddy-daughter weekend. I loved coming home and seeing and hearing that everything had gone well. I can not say it enough—I was (am) impressed with Dan.
Aside from my recent retreat experience, we rounded out April by celebrating Easter with Tom and Sydney, taking the girls to an Easter Egg Hunt, celebrating my 32nd birthday, and taking Ro to a specialist to check out her umbilical hernia (we’re going to give it more time to take care of itself).
As far as "year 32" goes, it doesn’t feel much different, but I am becoming more aware that I’m not getting younger (duh!) and nor are my loved ones; being/becoming healthy/healthier is mission critical; and pondering who I am, and who I want to be (and what God says about this too). Big stuff, big discussions—a little heavy for a birthday conversation, but certainly what is on my mind. More on this soon, but for now, enjoy some recent pictures of the girls!
One of the "best" (or at least the funniest) of me and the girls on Easter Sunday.
Ro munching on some cookies from her Easter basket. Gosh, she's cute.
Dan trying to impart his love of Sushi to his daughter. It worked.
A cuddle moment.
A "put the camera down and tend to me" moment.
A "I wish I was Romey!" kind of moment. I love her expression, and her blonde hair blowing in the wind. I can still hear her giggling.
More giggles.
And.....a serene shot of Avery. She is a beautiful girl......
........but, can, at times, have a phony smile!
Monday, April 6, 2009
A quick update
I’m so glad last week is over. We sure know how to stack a week! Here are some of the highlights:
*Ro had her fifteen-month well-check doctor's appointment, and it went fairly well. Due to the fact that Romey shot up three inches in three months she unfortunately hadn’t gained more than two ounces of weight (not concerning, but hopefully “not a trend,” as the doctor put it). Ro also isn’t communicating "with words" (only babbles, grunts and points) so she needs a speech evaluation. We’re shocked that she’s not saying “Avery”—the word she hears the most often! And, to top it off, Ro’s umbilical hernia hasn’t sufficiently closed so we’re going to see a specialist. All in all it was a good doctor's appointment, and these concerns are all very, very minor so we'll just tread our way through it until Romey has an indented belly button and is telling us to "be quiet!"--one of Avery's favorite "parental phrase" that she uses on Dan and me.
*Avery had spring break last week so we headed to Bloomington for a few days. We ran a lot of errands, saw my parents’ new house, and my mom even took the girls for portraits (something that I just don’t do—see below). We ended the week with a fun pool/pizza party at my parents’ hotel (my Dad had meetings in the suburbs Friday and Saturday), and then a Menning clan celebration at Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House (delicious!).
And now, it’s another week, and I’m grateful that the calendar is relatively clear! Yeah!
Have a great week!
A cute candid of Avery and Romey
*Ro had her fifteen-month well-check doctor's appointment, and it went fairly well. Due to the fact that Romey shot up three inches in three months she unfortunately hadn’t gained more than two ounces of weight (not concerning, but hopefully “not a trend,” as the doctor put it). Ro also isn’t communicating "with words" (only babbles, grunts and points) so she needs a speech evaluation. We’re shocked that she’s not saying “Avery”—the word she hears the most often! And, to top it off, Ro’s umbilical hernia hasn’t sufficiently closed so we’re going to see a specialist. All in all it was a good doctor's appointment, and these concerns are all very, very minor so we'll just tread our way through it until Romey has an indented belly button and is telling us to "be quiet!"--one of Avery's favorite "parental phrase" that she uses on Dan and me.
*Avery had spring break last week so we headed to Bloomington for a few days. We ran a lot of errands, saw my parents’ new house, and my mom even took the girls for portraits (something that I just don’t do—see below). We ended the week with a fun pool/pizza party at my parents’ hotel (my Dad had meetings in the suburbs Friday and Saturday), and then a Menning clan celebration at Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House (delicious!).
And now, it’s another week, and I’m grateful that the calendar is relatively clear! Yeah!
Have a great week!
Romey
A cute candid of Avery and Romey
Avery
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