Irelyn {April 2015}

In no particular order :)

-April 21st- pooped in the potty for the 1st time!  You totally acted like it was no big deal.  So funny.  You aren't potty trained yet but we do sit on the potty to practice, and sometimes you happen to go.  I'm pretty sure you recognize the sensation.

- Whenever we ask you to do something you don't want to do you say "I don't" or "I didn't".

-Daddy asked you the other day, "Irelyn, do you live in Kansas?"  You replied, "No, I'm right here daddy!"

-You love to request princess songs at bedtime when I sing to you.  Usually it's "Elsa" ("Let it Go" from Frozen) or "Belle" ("Tale as Old as Time" from Beauty and the Beast).

-You will eat anything if I say "It's a BABY carrot!" (or insert any food item).  You like little (baby) things :)

-When you talk about things in terms of size, big things are "daddy" and little things are "baby"

-Some days you say "I no go to preschool tomorrow Mommy" and some days you are ready to go.  Overall I think you like being with playmates all day, but those drop-offs are sure heart-wrenching most mornings!

-You are very polite and use your "please" and "thank-yous" with very little prompting from me.  You also ask "May I be excused please?" when you are done eating.

- You like to serve everyone in the room when you are playing kitchen, you are good at offering everyone something "Want some Daddy?"

- You have had this thing with "The Moose" and being afraid of "The Moose".  We don't know where you picked up on a this, but you talk about it often!  Grandma had to carry you around their backyard the other day because you were scared of "The Moose" in the woods.  You like to talk about foxes too.  Lately you have wanted to read any book we have that talks about foxes.

- When we are in the car, you often point out what all the buildings are: "Daddy's work" (sometimes it's Daddy's house!), "preschool!", "Church", "my house" (or "Irelyn's house").

- You have started to separate yourself from your blankey the last couple months.  We no longer carry it everywhere we go.  You just don't need it.  The one time we do need it is every morning at preschool.  It helps you transition at drop-off.

- You like to sleep with your Elsa doll at daycare and your "Tickle-Horse" at home (he has a tickly tail that you rub on your cheek.  He's a little frazzled looking!).

- You like to pray and you can say the "God is Great" prayer all by yourself.  In the mornings on the way to work and daycare we say a prayer in the car, you have started insisting on saying prayer first "I pray mommy!"  and then when you say your prayer you say "Mommy pray now".  At meals you usually request the "Bum-Bum Prayer" that Mommy taught you :).

- When we drop Daddy off at work he asks if you want a kiss or a high five, sometimes you want both!  So sweet.

- You get TONS of compliments on your hair everywhere we go!  I don't blame people, I sort of wish I had your beautiful curls too!

You are getting SO big little girl, you don't even look like a toddler anymore!

Can't believe you're old enough to start Head Start next year, oh my!  

Love my curly-haired spunky little girl!

Great-Grandma

This afternoon I got a call from my mom that my grandma was not doing very well.  She has been a little up and down the past couple weeks, but yesterday seemed to take a turn for the worse. We're hoping things start looking better but it is hard to tell.  She is one strong gal!

I went back and forth on whether we should drive up to visit tonight.  I told my mom that I might come after I got Irelyn down for bed.  I picked up Irelyn from daycare and we drove to Dillons to get gas.  

Before I got out of the car Irelyn said to me "Go to Goessel Mommy?"  

Thinking I might have misunderstood her I said "What did you say baby?"  

"Goessel Mommy.  Great-Grandma."

I was floored.

I hadn't mentioned anything to Irelyn about Great-Grandma not feeling well or about going to Goessel to visit.  She was in bed yesterday evening when DJ and I were talking about it.  The only time Irelyn has ever mentioned going to Goessel is every Sunday morning, because we always go on Sundays.

She decided for me.  I took that as a sign that we should go see Great-Grandma tonight.

We stopped by the house to get diapers and pick-up DJ.  

When we got into the car Irelyn said, "Drive fast Daddy."

It was obvious Grandma wasn't feeling very well when we got there.  I'm glad we went to visit, and I'm glad we all went- we cherish every moment we have with her.  It is such a joy to watch my baby girl and my grandma interact.  

Irelyn was not fazed by the fact that Great-Grandma was lying down, not sitting up, or the sounds of the oxygen machine.  She saw her great-grandma, the person who gives her undivided attention and the occasional cookie, plays pillow-catch, and allows her to slather her with copious amounts of lotion (because nothing is quite as fun as squeezing lotion from a tube)!  Irelyn even fed Great-Grandma some blueberries after she had some trouble grasping them.  Love their sweet relationship.

We are praying she gets better, but I do not know what tomorrow holds.  I have a feeling God was speaking through my little angel tonight.  

Irelyn {2 1/2}

Sweet Little Girl,

You are 2 1/2!  

Which is exciting and sad.  You are moving up to the Preschool room at daycare and out of the toddler room in January.  Can I still call you a toddler please?!  

You are getting to be such a big girl in so many ways.

Exerting your independence... meaning you tell us "NO!" a lot more than you used to, even when we know you mean "yes".  Giving two choices or re-directing you is still working pretty well most of the time- unless you're overtired from refusing to nap (yes, you are starting to FIGHT sleep... didn't we sleep train you once already?!).

You are:

Size 4 diapers

Size 5 shoes

24 month-2T pants

2T- 3T shirts 

Your hair is down past your shoulders and is still curly but it's not as tightly curled as it was when it was shorter.  You love having long hair, and you usually have an opinion on how Mommy should style it for you (bow, no bow, pig-tails, braids, "Mommy brush it" or "I brush it").  

Things you love:

Milk (you would live off of milk if we let you)

Cheese Crackers

Applesauce

Pancakes

Boots 

Dresses

Accessories (earings, necklaces, bracelets, bows, etc... everything girly!)

Horses- you basically adore animals in general, but horses still seem to hold a special place for you.

Books-  your attention span is amazing when we read.  I can read a 5-10 minute long story and you will sit through it enthralled, and then pick out another book right after!

Blankie- Thankfully, you accept any soft blankie.  As long as you have a blankie- you are set.  You have two light cotton blankets we rotate for daycare and home that you love to wear around your neck like a scarf (accessorizing!).

Your vocabulary has exploded the past two months!

We have loved to hear you learn new words- I have stopped trying to keep track of what words you know, because you are constantly surprising us when you say things.  You have several phrases that you use constantly.  These are a few we hear frequently:

"I got it"

"I hold it"

"I run fast!" or "Run fast Mommy!"  You are going to give your daddy a good race one of these days.

"Put a bandaid on it!"  Usually followed by... "All better" or "Mommy kiss it!"

"Mine!"

"There it goes!" You like saying this when you see the garage door go up and down

"Aster did it."  Already blaming the cat for things! 

"Mommy I hold you."  I love that you say this, you want to hold mommy not the other way around :), melts my heart every time.

"The li-birdy, books!" You say this every time we pull into the parking lot in the morning, since our building is right across from the library, so cute!

"Good morning Mommy!" You say this when I come get you out of your crib in the morning, you are a morning person.  Go figure.  Daddy and I are NOT morning people!  If I have to wake you up you will literally bounce up from your sleeping position and give me a smile!  

"Princess Elsa, pretty-pretty hair (insert: braid, dress, necklace, etc)"

You LOVE Princess Elsa.  You sing "Let it Go" every day and ask to watch the Youtube video on the computer.  You dance around with your arms spread out, you actually know a lot of the words though you mispronounce some of them.  Recently you've branched out into "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman".  You've never seen the movie- just the singing clips- but you are in love.

In general you say "pretty-pretty" when you see something pretty.... because pretty things need more emphasis.

You are starting to remember things really well, especially people and places.  You like to ask about your aunts and uncles and cousins.

You learned this past weekend that Easton and baby Ellie live in Oklahoma, which you pronounce "'lahoma".

We also talk about the kids in our daycare class and the teachers.  I love that for the most part you look forward to going to daycare every day and talk about the people you are with there.  Sure makes this mommy feel better!

Cute conversation at bedtime:

Me:  Okay Irelyn, it's time to lay down now and go to sleep.

Irelyn: No (whispers)

Me: Why not?

Irelyn: I'm scared

Me: What are you scared of?

Irelyn: The moose

Me: Where is the moose?

Irelyn: Moose (whiney voice)

Me: You don't have to be scared baby

Irelyn: Cuz Mommy's right there.

Me: That's right baby, Mommy's right here :)

Irelyn {15 Months}

Here's what happens when a stay-at-home mama starts a job.... blogging just doesn't happen.  Hopefully I can play catch-up with Irelyn's monthly posts over the holidays!  15 months... finally :)

15 months, October 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 15 months!
Stats from you 15 month check-up:
Weight: 20.2 lbs.
Height: 30.7 in.
-You got four shots at your appointment which went okay, but then they had to do a blood draw to test for iron levels and that was NO fun.  SO many tears!  You cried as soon as the nurse came in the room!  I think you subconsciously remember all those heel pricks you had as a newborn :(.
Here's what you've been up to this month:

- You've learned three new signs this month: "water", "ball", and "fish"!

-Started piking your body like you're about to do a somersault, and you peek between your legs!  The world looks so different upside down! (Sept. 9)

Using Dan as a backrest... he really didn't mind :). 

-You have started wanting to wear your ballet slippers, you get SO excited when you have shoes on your feet.  The problem is you kick your little feet together (like Dorothy) and the shoes come flying off!

*Twinkle Toes *

-I took you to the library to check out books for the first time (Sept. 10).  You were kind of upset that Mommy didn't put you down to crawl around, but you did like looking at the other kids in the children's section and trying to socialize with them!  The librarians thought you were pretty cute- especially when they were checking out the books and every time the scanner made a beeping sound you got SO excited!  When we got home you would have NOTHING to do with the new books from the library and only wanted to read your own books (which Mommy has all but memorized)!  Such a goofball! 
-You have started trying to talk more.  You say "hot" when you see a coffee mug and "up!" when you want to be held!  It is so fun to hear you talk!  You always whisper your words and jabber loudly :).

Peek-a-boo... someone likes to hide behind the curtains! 

Playing with magnets

Someone LOVES Barney :)  TV distraction while Mommy makes supper.

"Where's baby's eyes?"  POKE!

-You have never been a super snuggly baby, but you have started giving really good hugs!  You even patted mama's back while hugging me, it was so sweet!
-You got your 3rd tooth (2nd on bottom) (Sept. 24)
It's been a busy month baby girl!
We love you bunches Ladybug!
Love,
Mommy

Irelyn {14 Months}

14 months, September 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 14 months!

At 14 months you are:

-Signing for "book" (Aug. 13)

-You LOVE pointing out your belly button!  You also like to try to find other people's belly buttons by lifting up their shirts... oh dear!

-You are learning body parts- you know "belly-button", "nose" and "toes" :)

-Putting food on your own spoon
-You like sitting on the recliners like a big kid :)

-Almost said "paper", Grandma took you to get the newspaper and she was telling you about the paper and you tried repeating it!
-You are getting into EVERYTHING!  You like to dump your toys and help "organize" papers!

-Say "uh-oh" ALOT (started Sept. 3)!  It is so cute!  Although, sometimes you drop things on purpose just to say "uh-oh"... like throwing your sippy cup off the high chair... hmmm.

-Daddy had to go back to work this month, you miss seeing him everyday.  We are working on getting back into our school-year routine!

-You still love love love your animals and dolls! You give them lots of hugs :).

-You are still crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything- no walking yet!

Window gazing while sucking you thumb = multitasking! 

You like to play piano, but Mommy has to keep you away from the sheet music!

Major hat-hair after a hot afternoon walk in the back-pack!  Look at that frizz!

Hanging out with Uncle John and Daddy :)

It's been a busy month little girl!

We love you ladybug!

Love,

Mommy

Irelyn {13 Months}

13 months, August 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 13 months, a TODDLER!  How did that happen?!

It never ceases to amaze me how much you change in a month!

Here's what you've been up to:

-Crawling everywhere!

-Will crawl the opposite direction very quickly when I call you!  Sometimes you even "Shoo" me away and get VERY upset when I try following you! Defiant!

-We had your birthday party on July 27th

-Feeding food to your dolly- you share your Cheerios :)

-Eat like a bird

-Stand up on everthing

-You've started trying to climb on furniture

-Throw a fantastic temper tantrum (can be quite demanding!)

-Want to whine instead of using sign language!  Goober.

-You got your first tooth on July 14th!  Mommy noticed it in church!

See that little tooth?!

-You love to eat olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, mixed veggie puree, graham crackers and cinnamon rolls.  You still hate eating watermelon, I'm hoping your taste will change for it as mama LOVES watermelon!

Eating cinnamon rolls with Grandpa

-Drink milk and water, you really like cold water and generally it MUST have ice (can we say "Diva"?!)

-Wants to eat everything off of our plates and not your own

-Sometimes you say "mama"

-Babble talk frequently with inflection

-Like the TV (never thought I'd let my kid watch TV... jokes on me!), Barney, Arthur, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood are your faves

-Love playing with the Kindle or keyboard... you are mastering the touch screen

-Dance to music by swaying your hips or swinging your arms back and forth!  So cute!

-Like to play peek-a-boo and still love to be read to (you would sit for books all day if I let you!)

-LOVE dolls, especially your Carter's  "First Doll" from Grandma... sometimes you insist on taking "Dolly" with you to the high chair to eat- then Mama has to sneak her into the washing machine!

Carrying Dolly everywhere!

-Suck your thumb (right thumb) throughout the day- you used to just do it at night

-You have finally attached yourself to your blankie (fleece froggy) and lovey (bunny).  When I give you either you will instantly suck your thumb or rub them on your face for comfort!

-Fight naps but not bed-time

-Generally sleep from 6:30pm-7:00am with one 1 1/2 hr. nap during the day

-Eat with left hand more than right

-Like it when people clap... you'll join in a few seconds later

-BIG mama's girl when you're tired, hurt, or not feeling well

Mama cuddles :)

-Point to everything!

-Follows verbal directions well- you understand a lot of what we say.

-You have also started trying to dress yourself- putting your pants on or pulling your shirt over your head.  You help me dress you which is nice :).  You love clothes so sometimes Mommy lets you pick out your own outfit from the closet- you get pretty excited!
Love having a little girly-girl!

Dan is your buddy :)

Love you Ladybug!
Love,
Mommy

Irelyn {12 Months}

Irelyn, 12 Months Old, July 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 12  months old!

It is hard to believe you are ONE already.

One year ago we were in the hospital, awaiting your arrival.

Everyone was impressed that you decided to come right on your due date!

Mommy has a hard time looking back at those pictures, they make her miss her little peanut!

Of course, you are still tiny according to the pediatrician.

At your 12 month appointment we found out you are only in the 5th % for weight!

She told us to add butter/ peanut butter to your bread and give you full fat cheese and yogurt since you eat like a bird.

At 12 months:

Height: 29.6 in.

Weight: 17.12.8 lbs. (5th %)

Teeth: No teeth yet! Eight months of on and off teething and no teeth to show for it!

Diapers: Size 3 sposies, still on mid-settings on the cloth dipes

Clothing: 12 month

You have had a busy month.  We went on a "camping" trip to Oklahoma with Grandma and Grandpa B., Auntie Elissa, Uncle Dustin, and Easton.  It was a four hour drive and you did surprisingly well- despite the fact that you didn't nap very long in the car!  We stayed in cabins so it was pretty easy to keep you on your sleep schedule.  The best part of the trip for you was getting to swim in the lake and the salt water pool at the resort.  You LOVE swimming and seem to have no fear of the water- even when it splashes in your face you don't care!  You liked it when Easton was near so you could play with steal his trucks and motorcycles.  You also seem to have a fascination with his pretty hair and wanted to pull on it when he got close :).  At this point you weren't sitting up and getting down on the floor by yourself very well so you spent a lot of time doing "spin-cycles" and looking longingly after your cousin as he ran around.  It was a lot of fun to get away and spend time with family!

Grandma time on the porch :)

Cars!

Hanging out on the porch

Splish-splash!  Your little legs were moving the ENTIRE time in the pool!  Little fishy!

Weee!

Daddy kept sneaking up on you and making you laugh!

Tether ball time!  We have a video of this because Easton was laughing hysterically the whole time!

Some other exciting milestones from the past month:

- Signing for "milk" for the first time (June 13)

- Sitting up from a lying position (June 20)

- Saying "mama"- although I think it was a fluke and not in regards to me! (June 22)

- Sitting up in your crib (June 30)

- End of June you mastered sitting up and lying down without hesitation, as well as pulling yourself up on everything and attempting transitioning from things.  You also bend your knees now when you go from standing to sitting instead of just plopping down on your bum stiff-legged.  We have to watch you when we leave a room because you will try following!  We are now in official baby-proofing stage!

Pool time

Daddy-Daughter Love :)

We spent your actual birthday in the car driving to Uncle John and Auntie Andi's wedding in South Dakota.  I felt bad that you had to spend your birthday strapped in a car seat for 8 hours, but you did okay and only got really fussy when it was close to nap time.  Unfortunately you have a hard time falling asleep in the car seat and usually will not sleep for very long once you are asleep.  At least you no longer scream at stop lights like you did as a newborn (silver lining)!  We drove up with Grandma and Grandpa B. and stayed with Grandma's Aunt in Freeman, SD.  

Reading her first birthday card from Grandpa and Grandma

The scrapbook sleeves were a hit!  Thanks for the idea Nancy!

Opening your first birthday gift in Freeman, from Great-aunt Lois!

A book!  You love it!  It is now your official bedtime story book :).

Grandma and Grandpa watched you during the rehearsal dinner Friday.  They gave you your first birthday cupcake, and we hear you simply picked a few sprinkles off to eat! You stayed with Gma and Gpa while Mommy did wedding flowers Saturday morning.  Grandpa held you during the ceremony and you did great despite the outdoor heat!  I was so proud of you for letting other people hold you too!

Rehearsal, they are so cute :)

 Daddy's Aunt Lois and cousin Alexi did great entertaining you for awhile!  We stretched your bedtime to about 8pm when Gma and Gpa took you back to the house to get you in bed.  It was so nice to have extra hands to help with you!  You rode back with Mommy, Daddy and Pa-Paw and did great!  I was glad I had a bag full of "new" toys and books for you as each toy only last about 5 minutes, ha!  Daddy also spoiled you and got you your first Happy Meal at McDonalds- of course you barely ate any of it and only wanted the toy :).

Irelyn and Alexi

Grandma time!

Hanging out with Great-aunt Lois!

Someone had an obsession with the balloons!

Daddy time!

Cake!

First dance

You are such a goofball and love making people smile!

Ducky face!

Reading with Great-aunt Clarice

Bunny cuddles with Pa-Paw

Water!

Uh-oh, bucket head!

ALL smiles! 

Baby girl you are the LIGHT in our lives and we cannot imagine our lives without you!  You are a joy to everyone around you!  On your first birthday it is amazing to reflect on the meaning of your name that we so carefully chose for you, and how you have grown into it.  We named you Irelyn Nadene- a combination of "Irene", meaning "peace", and "Lyn", meaning "waters"- Nadene means "hope".  It is amazing to see how your name fits you so, a wonderful peaceful (most of the time!) little lady who loves the water and brings hope to everyone around her!

Happy FIRST birthday Ladybug!

We love you!

Love,

Mommy