Thankful - Day 16, books

As the daughter of a librarian and avid avid reader, I couldn't help but to grow up loving to read.  My mother kept a full library stocked with books for us.  And when I was sent to my room to clean (often messy due to the hundreds of books spread around the room and not on the many shelves she provided), you could usually find me hiding on the floor in the closet, reading a book instead of cleaning my room. 

I raise my kids the same way.  They both love to read (and have been known to get in trouble at school for reading instead of doing work).  They also have hundreds of books and are always on a quest for more.  Over the last few years, time has become very precious.  Even more so with the addition of Chloe to our family.  I haven't made time for myself, to read.  Which is sad given how much I really do love it.

A couple of months ago I picked up a book and haven't been able to put it down.  Well, not just that first one.  But books in general.  I devoured it in two days (it was a quick/easy read - the first Sookie Stackhouse book).  But I wanted more.  And more.  And more.  In less than two weeks I zipped through the rest of the published Sookie Stackhouse series.  And then I started searching for more.  I zipped through the Stephanie Plum books.  And looked to friends for recommendations. 

Now that first week, I neglected way too much.  Dishes?  Let 'em sit in the sink, I need to know what is going to happen next.  Dinner?  Let's order pizza, mom's reading.  Oh wait, use paper plates!  I don't want to have to wash plates ... mom's reading.  At least I've gotten past the neglect part.  But, I am determined to not let go of reading again.  I'm watching far less TV, and I believe that is a good thing.

My dad asked what I wanted for Christmas and I told him Barnes & Noble gift cards, for books.  I'd decided that my gift to myself would be a Nook, and I would need gift cards to load up on ebooks.  In true Dad fashion, he went much farther than that.  He asked me more details on the Nook (he'd never seen them), and ordered it for me that day.  And also in true Dad fashion, he could not wait until Christmas to give me my gift.

So, I now have my Nook, loaded with about 160 books - enough to keep me busy for quite some time!  And that makes me truely happy.

Today, I'm thankful for books, the ability to read them, the wonderful authors that provide the stories, and my Dad for giving me this great Christmas gift (and giving it to me early).

Thankful - Day 15, work Thanksgiving feasts

Today I'm thankful that I do not have to bring my lunch to work.  More than just the food, I'm thankful that I get to sit at a table and break bread with my co-workers as we celebrate all we are thankful for this year.  But of course, there is also the food.  Who doesn't love a potluck???

Thankful - Day 14, my home

While it may have it's problems, I am very thankful for our home.  Not only does our house provide a roof over our head that (mostly) protects us from the weather outside, it provides a home for my family.  Not everything in the house is the way I want it, there are certainly parts of the home in need of repair.  It was never brought back 100% after Katrina.  My husband isn't exactly a fix-it kind of guy.  The broken drawer in the kitchen has bugged me for two years.  But, despite it's problems, it provides something I always wanted for my kids when I was younger.  A childhood home to call their own. 

When I was growing up, my parents rented.  My dad's job was one that was supposed to include transfers every couple of years.  That is the way it worked at DEA.  So they rented instead of buying, never knowing when they would have to move.  But, he was something of an anomaly.  We never had to leave the city where he was first assigned.  After my parents divorced, my mom bounced from one apartment to another. 

I was jealous of the kids who had a house with a yard, with a home that they lived in their whole life.  I wanted to be one of those people who would go back to their childhood home as an adult and look back at the walls with fond memories of a life growing up between those walls.  You know, like you see in the movies?

Not that I didn't have a great childhood.  My mom provided more love than you could even think possible.  She did her best, and gave us so much that my childhood was rich.  But having a home that I could look back on as the place I grew up was that one little thing that I always wished for, and am thankful that I can give that to my kids.  (and maybe ... just maybe they'll appreciate it).

Thankful - Day 13, for my family's good health

Today I am thankful that our family is blessed with good health. 

Generations

The word Generation is not a bad word.  I always viewed it in a positive light.  It brings together groups of people with a common interest (age?  not really an interest, but go with me here).  Hearing the term growing up, I thought of older people when I thought in terms of generations.  Though I didn't necessarily associate the word with "old".  But now ... I'm not liking it much.

In my teens, I wasn't a huge fan of the current/pop music of my day.  I listened to Classic Rock, mostly.  The classic rock station (was it 92.3? - they all change so much but I'm thinking it was 92.3) played rock of the 60's and early 70's.  At the time, I said that I was born 10 to 15 years too late.  I was all about the "classic".

Recently as I was driving to work, I noticed a Classic Rock billboard.  Woohoo! nostalgia.  So, I turned off the CD player in my car and tuned the station to the Classic Rock station I saw advertised.  Apparently, I had missed the "Next Generation" on the sign.  The music playing was not what I knew as classic rock.  It was music that came out after I became an adult.  Wrong.  Just plain wrong.  Classic rock is music that came out BEFORE my time.  Music that came out when "old people" were young.  Now, what is advertised as classic rock came out when I was an adult?  That almost sounds like they are calling me old.

Then, I hear the station id/self-advertising commercial.  And do you know what they said?  "This isn't the classic rock your dad listened to".  Ummmm...it's not even the classic rock I listened to.  I can't possibly be outside of the demographics for a classic rock station, can I?  Seriously.  I'm not that old.

This didn't just happen.  My first experiences with being called old came about during my pregnancy with Chloe.  I was of "Advanced Maternal Age" and got lots of extra ultrasounds and tests.  The doctor (the specialist who specializes in old mom's) used that term a LOT with me.  Advanced Maternal Age.  It doesn't make me feel better.  It doesn't smooth the "you're OLD" sting that comes from the words.  I know what advanced and age mean.  It means I'm one of those chicks who should be too old to have kids but refuses to recognize it.  It means I'm OLD.   

I always assumed that I would age well.  I wouldn't move into my 40's kicking and screaming.  I know age is just a number and not a state of mind.  If I ignore it, I can pretend it isn't there.  Unfortunately people around me keep reminding me.  I'm not a spring chicken anymore.  No matter how much I feel like one on the inside (deeper inside that bones and joints because they do a great job of reminding me that I'm getting old). 

Pass the cane and the jello, please.

Thankful - Day 12, that quiet hour I get before everyone else wakes up

Today, I am thankful for that hour where the house is so quiet, before everyone wakes up.  That hour I can spend alone, accomplishing a few little things in the house before starting to wake the rest of the family.

Thankful - Day 11, modern conveniences

As a day that I must so often spend cleaning, I usually find myself thankful on Sunday's for conveniences such as indoor plumbing, washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, etc.  Without them, my 'chores' would leave me with no time for anything fun!

Thankful - Day 10, this beautiful day at the zoo

Today was my company's picnic, held at the zoo.  The weather was just beautiful!  I got to see some folks that I don't normally see in our little section of a building of the company's multi-building campus.  The sun was shining and it was abnormally warm for a mid-November day (even for the south).  It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Thankful - Day 9, my job

Today, I am thankful for my job.  I work with great people, for a great company, and in this economy we've held firm, considering.  I enjoy my work, and the people I work with.  I also like that paycheck too...

Thankful - Day 8, my best friend

I met my best friend in 4th grade on the play yard at school.  She taught me those hand clapping games/songs that young girls will do.  I turned out that we lived just a block away from each other.  Well, it was a block away and a quick walk if you cut through the hole in the fence behind some apartments.  Otherwise, it was a long walk around that block.  Or seemed to be to me as a 9 year old.  Thankfully, her sisters kept that hole in the fence open despite efforts from the apartment maintenance crew to keep it closed up.

We did everything together in those early years.  Her family became my family and my family became her family.  Through the years, there may have been times when we hung out with other people more, but never once has anyone else been my "best" friend.  Desi is always there, and always has been.  No matter the time between visits or talks and no matter the distance.  Even with moves to Texas, Washington, Alaska, and back to Washington, Desi remained my best friend.

It's now been over 31 years, and I still have my childhood best friend as the person I can go to when I need my friend.  No matter what, she's always been there for me.

Love you Desi!

Thankful - Day 7, our baby girl Chloe

I am thankful for the burst of joy and energy that Chloe brought into our lives.  I am thankful that my sons are getting to experience and enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a toddler.  I love the giggles, squeals and laughs that burst out of her as she waddles across the room at breakneck speed, in that awkward run that can only be managed by a toddler in a bulky diaper.

I love the way she calls for her brother Philip "bibop" (or something kind of like that) and Zachary "Yak!" (always at top volume), and the smile that erupts on her face when she sees or hears her brothers.  Or the tight squeeze hugs that she gives them, hanging on to their necks as if hanging on for dear life. 

I am thankful that we have the opportunity to experience these early stages of life in our house just one last time. 

Thankful - Day 6, My Son Philip

Continuing with my theme of being thankful for one thing each day leading up to Thanksgiving ... today I am thankful for my son Philip.  His playful nature and dry wit provide me with laughter and a great many smiles.  He also allows me the opportunity to work on an important skill ... patience. ;)

Thankful - Day 5, Zachary

I am thankful for my oldest son Zachary.  My first born son is caring and kind.  He is extremely empathetic.  He teaches me to view the world through different eyes.  And I love watching the good young man he is turning into.  Sure, I want to ring his neck at times.  He doesn't always listen and he has a tendency to leave dirty socks on the floor.  But, he is a good kid and I can overlook those things (well - I don't FULLY overlook them, I point them out ;) - but I know that they are insignificant in the big picture ... just don't tell him I said that!!).

Thankful - Day 4, My Mom

Today I am thankful for all of the gifts my mother gave me over the last 40 years.

It started with life.  But she did not just give me life, she taught me how to live.  And how to love life. 

She taught me how to love life.  And how to love people.  She gave me passion for life.  Passion for learning.  Passion for music.  Passion for helping. 

She was a giver.  She gave herself to everyone around her before she would lift a finger for herself.  It was just her nature. 

I'm thankful to have had such a wonderful mother, and to have learned so many valuable lessons from her before her time here on earth was done.

Thankful - Day 3, My Husband

Today, I am thankful for my husband.  He is not perfect.  Far from it.  But I'm rather imperfect myself.  He loves me and puts up with my flaws.  He is a great dad to our kids.  He works hard.  He inspires us.  He is smart and I'm thankful for the great intelligence that he passed on to my babies. 

Thankful - Day 2, the weather

This is my absolute favorite time of year.  I love the chilly mornings of the fall, followed by cool but mild afternoons.  I love both the sunny but cool days, but also the dreary-ish gray days of the fall and winter.  I love the trees that are losing leaves.  Though, having some true fall colors in our trees would be nice, it isn't exactly colorful around here in the fall.  But, even so, I love the fall in the deep south. 

As I walked out of my house this morning the air without the stiffling humidity and choking heat felt great.  It is invigorating.  It makes me smile.  And makes me feel at peace.

I'm thankful that I live in a part of the country that has this fall-like weather for most of the winter.  We avoid most of that nasty, brutally cold of the northern winters - we really just have an extended fall.  I like it like that.

Thankful - Day 1, the dentist

So, in following along with several friends on Facebook, I am going to post something that I am thankful for from now until Thanksgiving. 

For my first entry, I must say that I am thankful for the dentist and for dental insurance.  This was extremely important today as I broke a tooth last night.  Doing something really simple and stupid.  I was eating an olive.  When I bit down to remove the salty goodness of the olive from the pit, I did not think that I bit that hard.  But I heard an obnoxiously loud crack. 

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach and wished as hard as I could possibly wish that the noise came from the pit cracking and not my tooth.  I promptly spit the pit into my hand and saw that I had no such luck.  The pit was perfectly in tact.  I ran my tongue along the tooth and sure enough, I could feel a very distinct (and somewhat large) line from the top of the tooth to the gum line.  If I moved my tongue across the top of the molar, I could feel movement in the tooth.  Ugh.  Not good.

So, this morning I started asking around for a dentist.  I love my previous dentist but had issues with the billing practices and needed a dentist who will bill my insurance company and accept that billing as payment for what is covered under insurance.  My dentist requires me to pay everything up front including the covered amounts.  With high daycare expenses, I don't have that kind of cash flow.  So, I called a dentist recommended by several co-workers.

The tooth was broken and he removed the broken section.  It can be saved and I have to go back next week to start the process of getting a crown.  That is an expense I really needed right before Christmas.  BUT - I can get it fixed, and will have it fixed.  And in the end, I am grateful for a dentist who got me in to the office on such short notice and is fixing my broken tooth!  And I'm very thankful that I have insurance that will cover half of the cost.

Where does the fear come from???

So much for my renewed blogging ... I got a bit sidetracked with my mom's passing.  But life is starting to return to normal and I'm going to continue to work on blogging consistently.  

Halloween is this weekend.  And we've got plans.  Chris doesn't realize the extent of it yet.  We'll do the annual civic association Spook-To-Do at the club, where the kids eat hot dogs and chips, and have a costume contest.  Then, the neighborhood kids spread out from there to do their trick or treating.

I'm decorating our front yard for Halloween for the first time ever.  I have tombstones, spider webs, skeletons, etc.  The kids are excited.  We got some stuff the night we picked up their costumes and I got a bit more on my own.  I'm setting up a table in the front yard and a few friends will be over for some snacks and drinks while the kids trick or treat and we hand out candy.  But, I am now starting to get worried about how Chloe will handle the evening.

For the first time in her life, I've seen fear in her face.  Real fear.  She's never shown it before.  Now all of sudden, some things make her afraid.  Things that kind of should, I guess.  But what I find funny is how she knows to be afraid of these things.  What is it that makes them scary?  How does a toddler learn that black creepy things and spiders are scary?  No one told her she should be afraid.  She hasn't been attacked by a 6' spider. 

Tuesday night I took the boys to get their Halloween costumes.  Zachary went with Harry Potter.  I was happy with that.  But, Philip, is all about the scare/gore factor.  And the chainsaw.  His most important criteria was that his costume had to look like a chainsaw could go with it.  He wanted that pretend chainsaw more than anything else.  So, he picked a costume that looks kind of like this: http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/bleeding-skeleton-child-costume/ (not that exact one).

When we got home, I had the kids try on their costumes to make sure that everything fit ok.  When Chloe saw Philip in full dress, she ran and screamed.  She was truly afraid.  I felt so bad for her.  Philip took off the mask and she was ok, but as long as he was wearing it, she stayed on the other side of the room and kept telling him no. 

The funniest was tonight.  I was working on her costume.  It's a witch ... and to make Halloween fun for Chris ... he got to have a hand in it as she is going to be a Christine O'Donnell witch, complete with tea bags hanging from her witch hat, and "I am not a witch...Vote for me" on her hat.   The costume is supposed to look something like the costume here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/14409838/reduced-to-sell-clearance-funky-witch?ref=sr_gallery_19  Except I'm going for more black with wine and ivory mixed in.  And without the flowers.  She'll wear a black onesie top, with the tutu over it, a witch hat, and black shoes.  Cute, right?

So tonight I'm working on the tutu and wanted to try it on to see how many more sections of tulle I needed to add.  This is what it looks like so far.  Just a clump of black, wine, and ivory netting.  That's it. 

But she hated it.  She pushed it away, said no, and made that same fear face that she did at Philip's scary mask.  She wanted nothing to do with it and ran away.

Getting her to wear it will be interesting.  I may find myself out at the store Sunday in search for a cheerful princess instead.  So much for Chris's political statement.

It makes me wonder where this fear comes from.  We didn't "teach" her to be afraid of black netting.  Or of a skeleton face.  Sure, the costume face it is scary - but I know WHY it is scary.  I know that it is a bone of a face with blood on it and can rationalize as to why this might possibly be scary.  But, she hasn't learned that yet.  She's never seen this before.  Where does this instinctive fear come from?  And why?

Numb. Just Numb.

I got a call around 1:40 from Council on Aging who manages the once a month house cleaner and the meals on wheels service that she gets. They said that my mom had a medical issue and that I needed to call the neighbor and gave me her number. The neighbor did not have my phone number and did not know who to call. She found the council on aging paperwork on the table and thought that they may have an emergency contact (good thinking). So, I called her and got a fast story from her. Basically something like "I was here getting your mom's grocery list and turned to leave. I heard a noise and went back into the living room and she was collapsed. The paramedics just left and are taking her to Kenner Regional hospital - you need to get there now."

I knew it was bad and went through tons of scenarios on my drive there. I called Chris who was just walking into his last class of the day (3 hour class). He ran to find a sub and started driving to meet me. When I got to the ER, they brought me to a little room with some chairs to wait for someone. That told me it was really bad. Id been brought to her in several emergency rooms (and my husband when I dropped him off at the door to park when he went in for kidney stones). I'd never been brought to a little room before - always to the patient or told to wait in the waiting room until they could bring me to the patient. I sat for about 5 minutes, preparing myself and starting to tear up before they came in the room.

When the doctor and nurse came in, I was weirdly calm. They told me that my mom had passed away.  While I got a few tears, I answered their questions and stayed really calm. They said that her heart had stopped. The EMT's had gotten a very faint pulse briefly but never got a real good pulse back. Then in the ER, they worked but never were able to get her heart started again. They are not sure yet what exactly happened. She had diabetes that she didn't take care of. She had high blood pressure that she decided was better and had stopped taking the medication. She smoked 2 cartons of cigarettes a week. Two Effin CARTONS a week!! That's a lot of nicotine, tar, and smoke. She was highly at risk for heart attack or stroke. They will know more when the autopsy is done. Did I already say that? I think I'm rambling. I can't remember what I said already.

Anyway, Chris got there right after that. I started sobbing uncontrollably for a bit. They let me stay in that room as long as I needed. At first I said that I wanted to see her, but in the end, I backed out. The tubes had to all be left in until the coroner came. I just didn't want to see her like that. I hope that doesn't make me uncaring. I just didn't want to remember her like that. You know?  She as a lively vibrant woman.  Not what was left on that table with tubes.

The hospital and the coroner both needed her social security number, name of doctor, last time she saw him (no idea - maybe 2 years??), and the funeral home. I haven't figured out what funeral home. I found paperwork after nearly two hours of searching that had the rest of the info.

My mom had a very strong idea of what she wanted. Of course she made no actual plans for this. But she knew what she wanted. She wants to be buried in Arkansas in an old family plot that is basically full. My grandmother is next to her first husband because she wanted to be with "the baby" (how sad that I don't know "the baby's" name - she was a stillborn that my grandmother had before my mom was born). The baby has a very small plot at my grandmother's feet. There is space there that would fit an urn with a marker over it. But it is not a real/full space. I don't know if they will just squeeze and urn in there like that. Are there rules about that? If not, I don't know what to do. Several people have suggested scattering ashes over the plot but Chris said he doesn't think that is allowed.

After my grandmother passed, my mom talked about this a lot. She was going to call the funeral home up there and discuss it and make sure that was ok. Like most things, she never got around to it. So I have to call them tomorrow, and then find a funeral home here and call the coroner's office with the information. I know she will be cremated one way or the other.


Now, it is 5:15 am.  I have not slept.  The alarm goes off in 15 minutes.  I think I will reset it for later.


Yeah, I'm rambling.


My sister is going to come tomorrow morning and take the cat. That's a relief. My mom (against our better judgement and advice) got a new cat. Hoarders shouldn't have cats. It's bad. Nice cat though, and sweet. But my sister (who lives with my dad, remember) and my dad have a combination of 4 cats. Now they will have 5. I told them my 2 were enough and I couldn't take another. I felt bad, but I really just can't. but now, they will become cat people.


l';'';;; my ; key is broken. It's falling off. I never glued it back on.


As frustrating as my mom could be, she was loved. I'm getting lots of calls. Her friends knew who she was and got frustrated with her not taking care of things. But, they loved her. She was a wonderful caring person who would do anything for anyone (but herself).


The thing I will miss most is talking to her twice a day.  Every weekday.  We talked my entire drive to work and back every day.  And she called me after every big play that the Saints made to say "did you see that??".


I'll miss you mom.  Lots.

They really are.

To answer the question from yesterday.  After waking up on Saturday and making breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and diced mango for everyone, relaxing and taking the morning slow ... I have decided that YES, weekends really ARE all that.  I just wish they were longer.

Weekends - are they really all that?

The weekend is upon us.  I’m always excited for the weekend to start.  I have visions of relaxing.  I have visions of accomplishing a ton around the house.  You know, all of those things that I don’t do on weeknights because I’m too tired from work and from dealing with nightly homework/dinner/etc.  So, I start planning out my weekend.  And realize that I need 3 weekends to get it all done.

I want to do something fun and different with the kids.  I also want to cook a bunch of things for the freezer.  I have kind of run out of cooked meals, and some weeknights it is just not possible to cook a respectable meal.   I need to clean house and get organized for the start of next week.  I need to pack up some outgrown kid clothes.  And I need to go through the adult closets to bag up un-needed clothes for a trip to Goodwill (or someone who will take these things off of my hands).

After reading a couple of Eric Carle books to Chloe last night, I decided that I want to try Tissue Paper Collage Art.  I think it would be fun for the kids and doesn’t seem like it would be THAT hard.  Of course, I also think that building a house doesn’t seem that hard either.  You know, you put down some concrete, you hammer some nails into wood, put in insulation, nail up some sheetrock, throw on a roof (shingling looks rather simple, line them up and nail into place, right?).  Stack the bricks on the outside with cement looking stuff between them.  I can stack blocks.  Learned as a toddler.  Can’t be much different.  Right?   I could build a house.  Really.  Ok.  I know that I over-simplify and have way too much confidence in my abilities.

That makes me question the tissue art thing.  Maybe I've got too much confidence in my crafting ability as well.  But I found an article on eHow that confirms it is “surprisingly simple”.  Hmmm…maybe the kids and I will try it this weekend.  Or maybe I will add it to the long list of things I’d like to do … one day.  http://www.ehow.com/how_4719162_tissue-paper-collage-art.html

I want to take the kids out to the park with my camera.  I don’t do that often enough.  But, I don’t think it will be cool and dry this weekend.  So maybe not.  I’m liking air conditioning a bit too much to hang out in the park. 

My freezer is lacking cooked meals.  I usually have some cooked meatloaf in there.  You can usually find gumbo, spaghetti sauce and meatballs, and a lasagna or two in my freezer.  When I cook things like that, I cook extra to freeze.  Every now and then I get a wild hair and spend a full Saturday cooking “for the freezer”.  Some of my ideas I get from those Once a Month cooking websites.  Of course I love cooking too much to avoid it completely.  But with the hectic schedule, an active (and hungry at 5 pm) toddler, homework, and early bedtimes - weeknight cooking is not fun for me these days.

I got the stuff to make Chalupas.  I haven’t made that in a long time, probably because I associate it with autumn/winter meals.    I am guessing that the fact that I picked up the ingredients indicates that I am fully ready for fall weather to set in.  Or really, I’d be happy with a New Orleans winter (fall-like weather to you northern folks).  Chalupas is one of those freezer meals.  Huge pot, a lot left-over, eat one meal and freeze the rest in family meal size containers.  Even though the weather is all wrong I will make it this weekend.   I also got the stuff to make a bunch of meatloaf.  And enchiladas.  And a pork roast.

Then, I need to clean house.  It gets trashed all week and by Friday is in desperate need.  We actually do not have our normal huge pile of dirty laundry to deal with this weekend.  But don’t let that fool you.  Instead, I have a sofa covered with clean clothes that must be folded and put away.  No one puts away their clothes.  No one.  If you get your kids to do this, please send suggestions.

In the end, my weekend does not seem so relaxing, does it?  Maybe I shouldn’t wish for them.

Toddler Talk

As kids grow up, we tend to forget the little things that toddlers do to make us laugh daily.  Or at least we don't think about them often, shoving the funny stories to the back of our mind as we deal with daily homework, school projects, work, bills, and other not-so-fun crap that takes up our lives.

Chloe is in the full-on toddler-talk mode.  We understand a lot of what she says.  But not all.  There is a lot of jibberish in there that puts a perplexed look on my face.  There are clear words that anyone would understand.  And words that we know what she means but would have you shrugging your shoulders. Sometimes she starts with a few words we recognize and goes off on a 50 syllable rant that must mean something.  Because her facial expression shows that she means business.

Some examples (and translations):

KI-KI (long I, or eye sound).  That's kitty cat.  Ki-Ki.  Of course she uses KI-KI for any small animal.  See our cats?  She excitedly starts yelling "KI-KI, meow.  KI-KI, meow".  See a puppy dog on a leash on the sidewalk?  "KI-KI.  KI-KI."  Me:  "No Chloe, that is a puppy dog.  Kind of like a kitty cat.  But different.  It's a dog."  Chloe:  "KI-KI.  KI-KI. KI-KI."  Me:  "Dog."  Chloe *while clapping*: "KI-KI.  KI-KI. KI-KI."  Me: "OK."

Yak.  That's Zack.  Her brother.  She is trying to say Philip.  She watches me say it and moves her mouth slightly and then stops.  Then she turns towards Zachary and says Yak over and over again.  Philip gets his feelings a little hurt.  It isn't his fault that his name is harder to say than Yak.  I try to stress to him that this is in no way associated with the amount of love she has for him.  It's about mouth formation.

There ya' go, and Thank you sound very similar.  I can distinguish usually by the gestures that accompany the sounds.   I get a "ta-ya-go" when she hands me something, and a "tank-a-yo" when I hand her something. 

Quite clear are "MINE" and "NO".  We hear those two lot these days and they often go together.  It is very clear.  And the accompanied gestuer is usually her grabbing whatever item she is referring to and pulling it very close to her chest.  Everything belongs to Chloe.  Her books.  Her shoes.  Her toys.  The boys' toys.  The cat. The remote.  My phone.  Chris's phone.  The shampoo bottle.  The boys' books.  Pretty much anything she can grab with her two little hands. 

Everything round or somewhat spherical is a ball.  Including watermelons, onions, oranges, apples, and even actual balls. A trip through the produce section of the grocery store is comical.  Shoppers around us laugh as she excitedly points to everything that looks sort of like a ball (most produce) and screams "ball" at the top of her lungs, obviously very excited and happy. 

Of all of the toys she has, her absolute favorite things are books.  She will hand us a book to read, saying "book".  We read the book to her then hand it back.  She puts it right back into our hands "book".  Again and again.  Sometimes we read the same book 15 times in a row.  Every now and then she is specific on the book.  She calls the book "Hug", "Bobo" (the name of the baby monkey in the book) and it is a favorite.

Sock and shoe are both pronounced clear as day.   They are usually followed with "side" which means outside.  She loves to go outside.  We don't usually hear just 'side', it is more like "side side side side side side side side side side".  Each syllable louder than the last as she stands at the door trying her best to turn the knob.  That reminds me.  I need to put that stupid door knob safety thing on the door.  Not looking forward to that.  Because it is almost as much mom-proof as it is baby proof.  Frankly, I think they figure out it rather quickly while I still struggle to open the stupid door.  It's embarrasing.

This morning, for the first time, Chloe said Go To School.  It was more like "ga ta cool".  But I knew what she meant.  Only because she was repeating what I'd said when I asked her if she was ready to go to school.

That's just a glimpse.  There are many more words coming out of her mouth daily.  She makes us laugh.  A lot.  A whole lot. 

Moving back to Blogger

I've been absent from Blogger for several years.  For a while I moved my blogging to Myspace because I was spending more time there, and most of the people who would care to read anything I wrote were on my Myspace friends list.

But that kind of fizzled out as Facebook took over my social networking time and I no longer posted on Myspace.

I realized recently that I am no longer documenting little things that are happening in our life.  I liked doing that, even if just for me.  It gave me a place to go back and look at the little things we so often miss in life.  As Chloe is growing and doing all of those cute toddler things, I'm not documenting.  I need to do that.  And I'm going to do that here.

If you want to see what you missed from mid 2007 through sometime in 2008 when I stopped blogging on myspace, go here:  http://www.myspace.com/virgothruandthru/blog?page=6

Or you can just pick up where I am now and follow along here on Blogger.