Growing up and feeling down (sort of)

Growing up

Part of Daddy's job on this blog is to report Miri's updates from her doctor's appointments. Just over two weeks ago she had her 2 year appointment, and she is getting big! Height is 33in (25th percentile), weight is 22lbs13.5oz (20th percentile), and just for good measure...head size is 46.5cm (30 percentile). So when I say getting big...I mean big for Miri! She is still a little munchkin compared to others her age, but it doesn't seem to phase her! And it certainly doesn't phase Mommy and I! It makes it that much easier to pick her up and throw her over our shoulders when she's being "a 2 year old".

 

And speaking of being a 2 year old, Miri is no longer a 1 year old! She had her 2nd birthday party 3 weeks ago. It was a small "bash", but most of her favorite people were there! Of course Mommy and Daddy were there...and yes, Bear, Lambie, and Baby Sandie (all the usual suspects) were there too. But more importantly, both sets of grandparents were there as well! Whenever we are able to assemble Gammy & Grandpa R. and Gramma & G-pa B. (who came all the way from South Carolina) in one room, Alli and I consider Miri's "mind blown" (it's hard to contain THAT much excitement). Anyways, a great time was had by all at her zoo themed ("themed" used loosely) party. We started off at...well...the zoo! It was a beautiful day, so animals were out and very active. And Miri had her first ride on the zoo train. Lunch at the zoo, where Miri feasted on one of her favorite delicacies..."hot gog" with "hot gog bun". Home for nap, followed by presents(!!!), spinach & artichoke mac 'n' cheese, and birthday cake decorated with some of her favorite zoo animals. It was a great day and Miriam is really becoming a BIG GIRL!

Feeling down

As Allison mentioned a couple blog entries ago, I lost my job at the end of May. It was really tough on us, but there was one great thing that came out of it. I got to be a stay-at-home dad for the summer! Miri and I had a ton of fun and had a lot of bonding time. Of course we wish Mommy could have also been off with us all summer...but she was too busy working tons of extra hours (including Saturdays) to take care of us while I was job hunting (and playing with Miri). What a great mommy and wife! But back to us...Miri and I had tons of fun this summer...going on bike rides, playing and picnicking at all the parks in Germantown, doing arts and crafts, building forts, play dates with Erich and Maddie, events at the library, going to the zoo, playing in the water, etc. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a tough job being a stay-at-home parent...making sure Miri ate/slept well and on schedule, having little to no adult interaction for days at a time, cleaning the house during short naps, etc...but the fun definitely out-weighs the not-so-fun!

"Feeling down?", you ask. "I don't understand why you would name this section Feeling down." Well, I'll tell you. My days as a stay-at-home dad have come to an end. I guess you could say I'm SAD about no longer being a SAHD. Get it? Man, I am creative.

(Sort of)

So that brings me to the last section of this blog entry. Although I am feeling down about no longer getting to spend day after day with my wonderful, hilarious, smart, beautiful daughter, I am feeling up (hence the "Sort of" feeling down) because I am now back to work. It is a huge weight off our shoulders, and I am completely grateful I was not out of work for much longer than I was. We definitely made some cuts this summer (not ramen noodles and powdered mac-n-cheese kind of cuts, but certainly some cuts), but it could have been much, much worse. Just happy that's all over with. Things are starting to get back to normal. It's tough to be back to work, but things could be tougher. And, one of the benefits of my new job, is that I'll be working from home so will get to see my girls a lot more! Yay for me!

Miri's turning 2

 

Our sweet baby girl will be 2 in a few hours.  I can't even tell you how sentimental it's making me.  I feel like I kind of took her first birthday in stride, but this year, it's really hitting me that she is growing up.  She still was such a baby at her first birthday, and although she'll ALWAYS be my baby girl, this year on her birthday, she's really not a baby anymore.  Seeing her grow and become her own little person is honestly the most amazing thing I've ever experienced, but at the same time, I sometimes just wish I could freeze her in this moment.  Especially right now.  She's becoming spunky and smart and independent, but she still thinks her parents are the greatest things since sliced bread, and she is so affectionate and loving and asks for snuggles and hugs and kisses about a million times a day.  At any rate, I have decided to share a list of Miri's current "favorites" to be able to look back on in another year (or 5 or 10 or 30) and remember exactly who she is at this moment in time.  This year, I am answering for her, but my plan is to try to do a similar "birthday questionnaire" on the eve of her birthday every year from now until she's 18 (or until she refuses to do it).

 

 

1. How old are you?  Miri actually answered this one herself.  See picture above, and imagine her little voice saying "One!"

2. Who is your best friend?  Mommy and Daddy (yes, I answered for her... but I think it's true!)

3. What are your favorite things to do?  Dance, read books, jump, swim, "snuggle in the big chair"

4. What is your favorite color?  Purple

5. What is your favorite food?  "Hot gog and hot gog bun", macaroni, fruit (especially blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and, recently, watermelon)

6. What is your favorite toy?  Books, dolls (especially Baby Sandie), puzzles, coloring and stickers, water table

7. What is your favorite book?  Anything we currently have checked out from the library, Winnie the Pooh Animal Encyclopedia, DOG by Matthew Van Fleet, Pat the Bunny, Time for Bed Little Red, Snappy Little Farm

8. Where are your favorite places to go?  Gammy and Grandpa's house, the zoo, the library, anywhere she can swim

9. What is your favorite snack?  "Booty" (aka Pirate's Booty white cheddar cheese puffs)

10. What is your favorite dessert?  ICE CREAM!

11. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Every night, Miri makes sure she has:  Bear, Cookie, Elmo, lovey, "flower geekut" (translation- flower blanket), "other geekut too" (pink and brown circles flannel blanket)

12. What is your favorite song/ music?  ABC song, Laurie Berkner "Rocketship Run" album, personalized Elmo album, Walking Walking Hop Hop Hop song, Hurry Hurry Drive the Fire Truck song, and.... "Rumour Has It" by Adele (hearing her sing that is sooooo cute!!!)

13. What is your favorite thing to wear?  Miriam is not demonstrating strong clothing preferences yet... but she always asks to wear "sandal shoes." 

14.  Trademark phrases:

• "MY DO IT!"
• "I got it, dude!" (We tried to teach her "You got it, dude" but she made it her own!)
• "Snuggle in the big chair?"
• "Hey kids, wanna play with Miri?"  (She yells this out the window if she hears kids playing outside)
• "Hi people!" and/or "Hi kids!"  (when out in public)
• "Is that a ____?"  (asked about 10 million times a day... and it always is whatever she is asking if it is... we don't know why she even asks!)
• "Mama/Daddy happy?"  (so sweet that she likes to check and see if we're happy)
• "Eat hungry!!!"
• "Miri/Mama/Daddy fall night-night"
• "No, my walking!"  (if you try to hold her hand or pick her up to carry her somewhere when she wants to walk)
• "NO WAY!"
• "Hey Jason!!!"  (oddly enough, she doesn't ever refer to Mommy as "Allison")

We love you so much, Miri-boo!  Can't wait to see what you learn this next year!!!