eighteen months

Dear Jules,
Unlike most other months of your life (well, except for the first couple), this month has seemed to take FOREVER! You've started preschool, started talking a mile a minute, and become very attached to mommy. I can't even remember where we were or what we were doing a month ago because life has gotten so crazy!

It has been a good month though. This month you learned to jump. Where your feet actually leave the ground. You've learned to tip-toe. You've really learned to color. (On coloring books, the couch, coffee table, and Mama's sewing machine.) You've learned to run. You've learned to turn the stove on. (Ugh.) You've almost learned to drive your Barbie Jeep. You've learned to say words as you sign them. You've learned to give Eskimo kisses. You've learned how to ask to call Da or WaWa. You've learned to say "Stop!" or "Go!" at red lights and green lights although occasionally you get them confused. I am constantly wanting to exclaim, "You're so smart!" before I remember that I shouldn't tell you that. :)

The most heart-breaking thing I've ever had to deal with was taking you to preschool and hearing your desparate cries of "Mama?! Mama!" when I left each day for the first five days. When I would pick you up you'd have a splotchy red face and would make a beeline for me at the door. I felt so horrible, guilty, and depressed each day. Now that you're finally used to going to school I am sleeping better and worrying about you less. Plus I am getting a little work done. :) You walk on in your room each day after giving me a short kiss and go about your regular routine of playing in the little kitchen. When I pick you up I can tell that you haven't been crying and you smile at me and come over to be picked up. When I ask how you day was you tell me about dancing in music and swinging on the playground. I am so glad that you seem happy with school now.

I've been trying to keep a list of all of the words you know as you learn them. I started this when you were about fifteen months old and kept meaning to post it. As time has passed the list has grown exponentially and I can't even keep up with it anymore. Just yesterday you added "dollhouse", "school", and today you added "Jules" to your regular vocabulary. There's also no mistaking that by far your favorite word/phrase is getting to be a firm "No, no, no!"

Your potty training isn't going very far. You still poop and pee on the potty, but sometimes you resist it and you regularly wet your diapers. You still sleep very good even though we're lucky these days if your nap lasts even an hour and a half.

I have the most fun watching you play these days! It's amazing how much longer you can entertain yourself now. You've started some pretend play by feeding the babydoll a bottle or spooning some "food" into Elmo's mouth. You even lay down on the pillows on the couch and pretend to sleep making "shhhhh, sssssss, shhhhh" noises.

You go for your next check up next week and we'll find out what the doctor thinks of your development. I'm not anticipating anything out of the ordinary since I know you're already perfect.

Mama held a newborn baby the other day and remembered how tiny you once were. You've come a long way, Baby. I know that you'll only grow more, but you'll always be my little DoodleBug baby and I love you more every day.

Love,
Mama

squee!

We went to visit some friends from college this past weekend. The visit included lots of driving, including hours in the car with an 18 month old, and the smell of an absolutely beautiful 6 week old baby. Mmmmmmm. Topics of conversation included (of course) the life changing event of having babies, mutual friends, work and well.... life. We met some other friends for dinner at PF Chang's and the little girl was so much better behaved than I had expected her to be. Especially after such an abbreviated nap.

Needless to say after working hard at a yardsale, running over six miles on Saturday morning, and all that traveling and visiting on Sunday we had an exhausting, but wonderful weekend. How are you?

finally

Finally.

Maybe.

Maybe feeling like blogging a little. We'll see. Stay tuned.

First Day of Preschool

*sigh*

Jules went to preschool this morning. She has recently become very clingy and started a pretty bad separation anxiety phase. I knew it would be rough. She was OK when I dropped her off - just went on in and played only hesitating once to check and see if I was still around. I cried when I left and asked where the room was for the crying mothers.

When I picked her up she was crying (along with EVERY OTHER KID IN THE ROOM). It was so sad. They said she cried off and on all morning. I assured her that I always come back for her and we went to McDonald's afterwards and she was pretty excited about that. We talked about the day with lots of enthusiasm and excitement. I haven't told her yet that she has to go back tomorrow.

I hope she adjusts pretty soon or I am going to have an ulcer from all the anxiety of leaving her. I consider myself to be pretty strong about this sort of thing and I didn't really expect to be so worried about it. Oh well. Maybe I will adjust soon too. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

nuggets

My girl starts preschool tomorrow. I'm going to be a nervous wreck. I really didn't think I was going to be upset at all about it, but then I went to preschool open house this morning and now I am super nervous. Come back later for an update.

I am eating chocolate fondue tonight with my mom, sister, aunt, and cousins. MMmmmmm.

Later in the month we're going to visit two sets of friends who just had their first babies (both named Addison). Whhheeeee! I love babies! Four people in my mom's group are pregnant and I get to host the baby shower after Christmas (or not if my husband's reading this). I'm not going to mention any names, but I also have at least two relatives who are TTC or are already preggo.

Still running, but sucking at it. The 10k is in two and a half weeks. Ugh.

Working on making hair bows and a halloween costume.

Stressed out with lots of work and reading to do. Need more time.

what i did over my labor day weekend

before climbing the stairs to the slide at the playground

Daddy cleaning little J's mouth off

having fun swinging

taking a rest on the elephant

looking at a picture of great grand-mother

riding in my new Barbie Jeep

visiting Mama Lou

trying out my new ballet shoes

smelling Memamma's flowers

visiting with Uncle Kevin

this is a fun test to take

Can you distinguish between fake and real smiles? Find out here. I got 15 out of 20 - much better than I thought.