a girly girl & her mommy

our little girl is the perfect mix of girly girl and tomboy. she LOVES getting dirty, picking flowers, killing bugs, etc. but she also loves to wear her pretty dresses. this one is still a little big, but i couldn't resist the cheesy matching mommy shot after we were ready for church on Sunday.

by the way, by the time we picked her up from nursery, all of her accessories (except her shoes) were in her tote bag.

she has also become quite taken with having her nails painted. After her most recent "pedicure", i decided my toes needed a touch-up, too.

Mother's Day 2008

If you read both blogs, yes this is the same pic. I am a "terrible" mother and a) did not dress my daughter warm enough today... the day grew colder as it progressed b) did not take a picture for Mother's Day with my sweet girl.

As soon as Bear's favorite CD came on in the car on the way home, she began singing along. About 2 minutes later, she was still singing, with her eyes closed. She clutched my Mother's Day rose and seemed determined to stay awake.

Sleep won. Thankfully my camera was in the car.

Something I will not take for granted...

while today has been filled with one toddler challenge after another, I just finished reading Caroline's blog, and how she is STILL fighting the whole sleep thing. I think Emmy and Maddie must be sending some tricks her way, much to Steph an Ashley's chagrin...

and that brings me to this. While my dear friend is hoping #2 will be the polar opposite in sleep patterns of her firstborn, I am hoping that my second child will be just like his/her big sister in the sleep department.

our little daredevil

we went to the playground today, and this time we were able to stay and play a while. yesterday, our efforts were thwarted by rain, thunder, and even some lightening in the distance.

hannah's confidence in her physical abilities is growing, which scares me a little. she ran straight to the slide, and looked like she wanted to run down it, but she slid. once she actually sits down, she still hesitates a tad, but then she wants to do it again. she is a pro at climbing up the steps on the play gym. and today, she showed that she is capable of climbing up 7 or 8 rungs on the ladder before needing mommy's help. mommy stayed right there, of course. when her leg slipped at the point where the ladder curves toward the top, she just exclaimed "almost!" and kept trying. she would have fallen through if i had not been there. she also wants to hang from bars, but doesn't quite have the grip.

"sweaty" sleeping beauty

dear hannah-bear,
i couldn't resist peeking at you tonight. i cringed as the door hinges creaked, but proceeded to peek my head in. you were buried under your comforter, your little feet and ankles poking out from underneath, the rest of you curled into a ball in the corner of the crib. oh, you already seem to sleep like your mommy. the air conditioner is struggling to keep up, yet you long for the comfort of your blanket. as i untucked the comforter from around your head, you stirred. your curls glistened with natural styling products even in the dark. i pulled the covers back, prefering to risk your waking to suffocation. (i highly doubt that would happen, but still...)

so far, you sleep like me, your mommy. you roll all over and wrap the covers around your body preferring their even in the midst of a warm night. i wonder what other similarities we'll share as you grow up. oh, how i want you to stay little! can we just somehow skip the angst stage where you are embarrassed to be seen with me? i love that you freely plop in my lap for story time and cling to me when you are unsure about a stranger. i love that your bed, in your little corner of our home, is a haven for you. i love how you will rock with one of us in the big chair, but when the time comes and you are ready to sleep, you climb off our lap. then you walk over to the crib, and wait to be put in. it shows me that you are comfortable there. your daddy and i have done our best to provide a safe home for you, and you apparently feel safe and secure going to sleep in your bed. are you aware of the time passing, i'll be there to greet you (sometimes grumpily)? or are you just so focused on needing that rest that you must go to sleep right then?

last night was a little different. daddy is away, your routine was a little out of whack after you fell asleep during our walk, and you awoke around 11 p.m. i tucked you into my side of the bed, and you kicked and i squirmed until we found just the right arrangement and both of us fell asleep until 5:30. nights like that are rare for us, since you are so blessedly independent. but it shows that sometimes cuddle time is good for everyone! i didn't have to listen to you whine through the monitor, and both of us were comfy. you made me moan first, then laugh as you awoke so cheerfully, nibbled my nose and poked my eyes, identifying each part of my face. these are the moments i don't want to forget as you grow up.

i love you, hannah eileen. sweet dreams!