Dear Lily (Three Months) and Dear Rose (Thirty Months)

Dear Lily and Dear Rose,

What a wonderful month!  July was full of delightful experiences, lots of love and lots of laughs!  Lily, you are now 13 lbs., 2 oz.  Growing so big and strong!

At the beginning of the month, we traveled to Dubuque, IA to see lots of family.  We stayed at Grandma Jan's house and had a lot of fun all camped out!  Rose, you and I shared a big air mattress together, while Daddy slept in the bed and Lily in her bassinet.  Rose, you would wiggle around at night and put your head on my pillow.  While it was nice to hear you breathe, there were many moments when you would kick me!  Everyone enjoyed seeing you both and spending time with us!

It was incredibly hot and humid during our trip to Iowa, too, so we spent a lot of time indoors.  We did make a trip to the National River Aquarium and Museum, and spent lots of time with Grandpa Barry, Aunt Carolyn, Uncle Chris, Aunt Lisa, and cousin Jake.  Aunt Sarah came for a visit too, and we saw Uncle Joe and Aunt Katie and cousin Lucia before they left to go visit Aunt Katie's parents.

One of the highlights was playing in the "sprinkler" that Grandpa Dewey rigged together - the hose turned upside down, propped up against two bricks and set to a gentle spray.  Rose, you were a little nervous about this at first, but when Dad and I ran through it with you, you became a big fan!  Lily sat with Grandpa Dewey and watched us run through!  The ice cream truck came by and we all had a tasty snack!  Uncle Chris and Aunt Lisa and cousin Jake brought up their inflatable pool and we loved sitting in it, cooling off.  Even Aunt Sarah joined us!

After we came back to Minnesota, the fun continued.  We celebrated Bastille Day with some french food on an outdoor patio; Lily and Mama visited food trucks with our friend Ross; and Rose, Lily, Mama and Aunt Sarah went to a very cool splash pad!

Rose, you had your very first dance class.  You wear a little pink dress with a floaty piece covering your midsection and bottom and big girl ballet shoes.  You love the shoes!  Your first dance class, you were a little unsure of what was going on.  The other girls danced and you carefully observed them.  I am so proud of you for just going and being in the room and trying something new!

We had a play date with Eva, and Elisabeth and Evan, and Grant, too.  We went to story time at the library, and played at a gymnastics gym.  Rose, you were able to try out all of the different elements - you played on the parallel bars, jumped off of a balance bar into the foam pit, and bounced on a trampoline.  We've been busy and have had a ton of fun!

The summer Olympics in London, England started a few days ago and we (well, Daddy and I) are enthralled, as is the rest of the world.  Rose, the Olympics holds your attention for a few minutes and you point to the TV and say "water" and "pool" during swimming, but you would much prefer if we would turn on your beloved Caillou.

Lily, you have begun to laugh hysterically at random things, which is so beautiful!  Rose, you are speaking a lot more and it is wonderful to hear your voice and your observations about the world.  Mama's heart is so full of love and joy with the two of you, it couldn't be any better!

We are looking forward to August now.  More dance classes, a visit from Uncle Luther, Lily's Red Egg and Ginger party, and the state fair!

I love you both very much and look forward to the spending more time with you both!

All my love,
Mama

Dear Lily (Two Months) and Dear Rose (Twenty-Nineish Months)

Dear Lily and Dear Rose,

Mama here.  I am writing to the two of you because whew! life is busy with the two of you!  I would not change a single thing, except the possibility of more sleep.

I'll start with you, Rose, since it has been a few months since I wrote to you.  You are now a little over twenty-nine months old.  Your world was just turned upside down two months ago, with your sister's arrival.  I have to commend you, though, beautiful daughter, for learning to share your Mama and Dad with her.  In this past month, you have become more loving towards your sister, kissing her, touching her, and wanting to help with caring for her.  We have diapered many of your stuffed animals and the reports from Montessori indicate you are very much into baby play there - feeding, rocking, putting dolls in strollers, diapering, and loving up on the play babies.  You and she will become good friends, I think, in the future, and I truly hope that you will take care of her throughout your lives.
 

Something else I want to tell you Rose, and I hope you remember for a long time:  we went to an indoor play place and it had all of these fun things to climb on, and slide down, and jump on, and run around in.  You enjoyed being there, and you were a great explorer.  And then you saw the large climbing and exploring tower.  You were interested and excited by it, and as you went up, you were very nervous.  Cautious, you tried climbing over a bridge and the first time, it took you quite a while.  I cheered you on from below.  After that first try, you were more and more brave until finally you were flying over that bridge and scooting down the net slide to see me again!  I was so proud of you.  I love seeing you try new things, testing them, to see if it's something you can do, something you want to do, and once you try it out, you go at it with gusto!  I love that about you, Rose, and I hope you carry this curious and brave spirit with you throughout your entire life.

And now, you, Lily.  Well, two months old!  Tomorrow is your two-month check-up and we anticipate  a good weight gain as you are growing out of your 0-3 month clothes (your newborn outfits are a thing of the distant path!) We realized that you will need to be in larger diapers shortly, too.  In this past month, you were much more alert and awake, taking in the world around you.  You spend more time awake during the day (punctured with lots of naps and eating, of course) and you started to sleep longer stretches (YAY!) at night too; five-six hours is more common and Daddy and I are very grateful for this.  You are able to roll from your tummy to your back during tummy time.  Your eyes are so big, Lily with a gigantic smile to match.  You coo and talk to me during the day too.  You make us all laugh with your squeaks and snorts and toots.   Rose delights you.  You watch your big sister very intently and are fascinated with her.  We love that you are so into your big sister!  You are a great baby and are so easy-going.  Mama is so happy to have you in our lives.

And together now, girls.  June was a wonderful and busy month for us! During the second weekend in June, your cousin Jake came up from Iowa, along with your uncle Chris and aunt Lisa.  Grandpa Barry and aunt Carolyn came up too!  Along with your cousin Lucia, uncle Joe, and aunt Katie, and aunt Sarah we had Farberfest and spent some great time together!  Rose, you and Jake had a fun time together, playing, laughing, and dancing.  We were so happy to see so many family members together.

We also celebrated Father's Day with Daddy too.  We spoiled him with some nice gifts (Rose you made a guitar for him, with your handprints) and had some brunch together.  Later that afternoon, uncle Joe and Daddy went to a movie tougher and then we all had dinner together, with aunt Katie and Lucia too.  It was a nice day.

We've been busy too, with lots of playing and exploring.  We are excited to travel to Iowa in July to see more family and we are making plans for Lily's red egg party in August.  This summer is flying by so quickly and we are so happy to be enjoying our first summer together as the four of us!

All my love,
Mama

Dear Rose - 19 months

Dear Rose,

My little snugglebun!  What a great month we have had!  We returned from our Hawaiian adventure, recovered from the jet lag, and have enjoyed the last part of August.

On the first weekend in August, we held our annual Farber-Lau BBQ!  Lots of friends, family, and neighbors came to enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon, and we ate delicious food, hung out on the hammock, and talked to everyone.  You had a fun time, running around with all of the other kids, and eating yourself silly.     

You have more words now; my favorite one is cheese!  You say it like this, "cheeeeeeeeeze" and get so excited whenever we offer you some.  You are also saying "shoe" and "doggie".  Tonight we went to the park and you said "play!" very clearly.  We have spent some time on the front porch, too, with the sidewalk chalk and bubbles.  You are learning how to blow bubbles, but they mostly drip on to you!

We have been spending more time in water together, too.  You are sometimes nervous in the water, but it appears that each time we go to the pool, or hang out in the "warm" tub, you become more confident.  We are signed up for swim lessons this fall, Rose!  I hope that you learn to enjoy the water, and how to be safe around it.  The water can be so much fun to play in!  I want you to feel comfortable and confident around it and in it. 

You and I went to Como Zoo and Park and had a great time visiting all the animals.  It was the first time I recall you actually noticing the animals, pointing, talking about them, and showing your excitement to see them.  After the zoo, we went over to the Como Town, where they have rides and you rode the little cars - twice! and the tea cups, too.  At first, you were not sure what to make of this thing, but then, once it started, you were smiling and enjoying the ride.

Sweet Rose, let's enjoy this fall - the fair is coming up, and apple picking, and lots of fun!
All my love,
Mama

Dear Rose - 18 months

Dear Rose,

Today you are 18 months old.  18 MONTHS OLD.  You have been with us for a year and half!  Amazing.  I was just telling Uncle Luther last night that one year ago, you were just beginning to sit up by yourself.  And now, you are a walking, running, whirling, talking, screeching, laughing, giggling, tiptoeing delight.

Behold you in the sink/tub at 6.5 months old (above) and you in all of your rolling-around-on-the-floor-18-months-old-glory (below). 

Oh, Rose.  What a month you have had!  We traveled to Hawai'i and you had a nice time visiting your Ni-Ni  and Uncle Luther.  We were able to see lots of other family and friends and it was a wonderful trip.  You survived TWO epic travel days (each about 23 hours long!) in order to get to Hawai'i and back, so you are becoming a very seasoned traveler, for someone so young.  Daddy and I are very proud of you.  I hope that as you grow up you enjoy traveling and seeing the world.  Daddy and I promise to do our best to share with you wonderful, delightful places, and to create happy memories with you around the world.

You are talking a bit more, Rose, uttering random and various words "Hi" "Bye" "Water."  You continue to babble at us, as if you are telling a very long, detailed story.  We find it infinitely adorable.

 Our friend Mairi from Canada came to visit us over the fourth of July weekend.  We loved taking her to our favorite spots in the Cities, and you enjoyed visiting the Sculpture Garden at the Walker.

Your love affairs with slides and melons continues. 

 

Oh my sweet Rose, curious, strong, smart, opinionated, nibb-able, Rose!  What fun will we have this new month?  I look forward to our upcoming adventures!

All my love,
Mama 

Running with Joy!

Watch for it (starts at :19):  after Rose gets off of the slide, she runs back around to climb back up.  That wiggle waddle walk she has makes me giggle and my heart so happy to see her run with such joy.

Dear Rose - 17 months

Dear Rose,

You are now 17 months old.  A big, wonderful, curious, powerful shining light of joy!

Summer has arrived finally in Minnesota and we are having a ball enjoying the warm weather!  It also means that the hammock is out in the yard and you LOVE it so - lounging around with us, swinging in it, and crawling back and forth in it.  We love that you enjoy it so much!

 We've been exploring different parks and you are enjoying them too.  This photo of you amazes me - you look like such a big girl!

 Summer time also means ice cream! 

 And melon!  Lots of honeydew and watermelon.  You eat them up so fast.  It is not unusual for you to eat half of a honeydew by yourself!  Your appetite continues to astound us:  we've watched you eat two hot dogs in one sitting, too! 

 You mimic us a lot now, too, Rose.  You are so observant, and try to do what we do.  You talk on the phone, you like to push the buttons on our laptops, and one day, you were out with Dad at the store and you insisted on handing the cashier the credit card, and taking the pen to sign the receipt! 

 You love slides! And swings!  And just being outside.  We love it with you too. 

Teething still continues, too.  You had a rough bout a few weeks ago - two of your molars came in and you were again miserable, drooling, chewing on everything.  You are now up to 8 teeth, though!

Oh, Rose, how can we slow down time?  You are so big, so smart, and growing so fast.  I try to take each day and savor every moment with you.  It seems just like yesterday you were a little wiggly baby, and now . . . now, you are my big toddler.  You are so in love with the world, and I am so in love with you, Rose!

All my love,
Mama

Moments of Gratitude

"Gratitude is the better part of joy."  -- Oprah Winfrey

So today has been filled with moments of gratitude. 

Moment #1:  I wrote an e-mail today that was a little, ah, snotty.  I paused before hitting send, and had an uneasy feeling.  So, I revised it.  And, thank you, Universe for watching out for me; if I had sent the original e-mail, there would have been a BIG mess.  Lesson learned?  Listen to your gut.

Moment #2:  I rode my bike, with the trailer, to Rose's montessori to pick her up this afternoon.  When I got there, Rose's teachers apologized for how dirty she was - again.  Rose likes to play in the dirt.  And I replied that it was fine!  I said a little thank you for a place that Rose loves to be, and allows her to explore fully, without worry of how messy she might  will end up.

   
Can you see the mess?  I love this! 

Dear Rose - 16 months

Dear Rose,
16 months old. Certifiable toddler. In fact, you began the leap to the Toddler Room this week. You are getting bigger, stronger, faster, and opinionated. This world makes you laugh out loud and you have discovered that you can make other people laugh too. You are smart, Rose, so smart. You know when someone is talking about you (you become quiet and lower your head a little bit, so you can listen to what they say about you). You love books, too. Your words are slowly coming up. You say Dada quite a bit, and you know what the doggies say: “Woof!” You can mimic us: the other night when we were outside in the front yard, you were digging your little hands into the large planters and I said, “What are you feeling, Rose? Are you feeling the dirt?” You said, “Dirt!” and continued to dig.

We celebrated Mother’s Day earlier this month. It was a wonderful, gorgeous day and I had a lot of fun celebrating being your Mama. You and Daddy took me to Haute Dish for a very nice brunch. You were content to lounge in my arms in the booth during the meal, and then wanted Daddy to hold you, so we took turns. Towards the end of the meal, you turned into Super-Crank! and so we quickly finished up and headed out. You gave me some beautiful diamond stud earrings (Daddy did a good job picking them out) and I enjoy wearing them and thinking of you.

Rose, I am so grateful to be your Mama. Since the day you were born, my life has taken on new meaning. During my pregnancy, I knew that life was about to change, but I just did not know how or what it would look like or even the magnitude of what we were about to get into with you. The last 16 months have been incredible: each day is a new adventure and each day is filled with joy and challenges. Even on those long nights where you won’t go back to sleep, I am still oh-so-grateful to be a mom, YOUR mama, and I know that these days are way too short to complain.

Mother’s Day also made me grateful for all of the wonderful women that are in our lives, Rose. I hope that you are able to meet some of them someday. I have been so lucky to have had so many women who have shown me, whether they knew it or not, how to be a Mama. Moms are special people, and so are the women who are Grandmas, Aunts, Sisters, and Friends. I did not realize how much they taught me, until you arrived. You had to be here, so I could be your mama.  And it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. 

Ok, my little Rosezilla.  I look forward to more of our adventures.  You are our joy, our light, our beautiful baby Rose. 

All of my love,
Mama

The Easter Bunny Cometh

Oh Easter.  Oh Rose.  Oh Peeps.  Oh what a great day!

 

Also, I think Rose rocked the Bunny dress, don't you?