I Can't Believe She's Not This Little Anymore

Last week, Little Red turned 3 when I wasn't looking...

On Samantha's 2nd Birthday

May 10, 2012

Dear Samantha,
Today, you turned two years old. One hour ago, to be exact. I still can't believe I pushed out all 10+ pounds of you over two years ago and here you are today, a beautiful, happy, silly, wonderful little girl. I know that if I don't write you this letter right now, before anything changes, I will seriously regret it. Because oh my goodness. I could keep you like this forever. 

You are incredible. Every day, you are a joy to be around. I know you are supposedly entering the "terrible twos" but in this house, we laugh and know how much worse the terrible threes are, so we are going to enjoy every single second of you RIGHT NOW that we possibly can.  

You are super funny. You thrive on making other people laugh - your Mama and Daddy, Lily, "Buh-buh" (Jacob), or any random person you pass in your day. It's like you've established your role as #3 is the clown. That is how you have decided you will make your mark and get attention - by making other people happy. How on earth did we end up with all this wonderful silliness? What a bright spot to my day every day.  

You are super smart. I remember feeling this way when Lily was little, that she "never missed a trick." Even if you can't communicate everything that you're thinking or that's going on, you certainly understand and will put in your $.02 in your own way. A word here, a gesture or "eh...eh" with a pointer finger over there. Nothing gets past you, even when we try =) I'd say you're too smart for your own good, but it IS for your own good and I love it.  

You are super charming and social. You know how to work a crowd, just like Jacob at your age. You look people in the eye and charm them. Strangers. Ladies in the grocery store. Anyone you meet. You will have a conversation with them, sometimes without saying a word. Just with facial expressions and glances and gestures. You love to point me out to people and proudly exclaim, "Mama!" just to make sure everyone knows. If anyone asks your name, you tell them, "Mine!" which is fine by me. If I had two rowdy older siblings, I'd be staking my claim as much as possible, too.  

You are polite. I never thought this would be an attribute I'd call out for someone your age, but it's always surprising to me. When you ask for something, you say, "Please." When someone is in your way, you say, "Scuse me!" When Lily and Jacob help you get something, you say, "Dank do." I'm not quite sure where you came from but I'd like you to hurry up spreading your politeness to the other two ;)


TWO MONTHS LATER...
July 14, 2012

OK, so I never actually finished your letter. Add it to the ever-present and escalating mommy-guilt... That also means Jacob never even got a 4th birthday letter (don't even get me STARTED on how I feel about that), so I figured I'd better finish this and publish it before it stays in DRAFT status here in blog-land forever.

A couple things have changed in the last couple of months. Your place in the household has expanded. You are now not just the "class clown" - you are also LOUDEST. You enjoy making sure everyone knows your every thought. It's hysterical, and completely random. One minute, you're sitting there quietly doing something (like puzzles...you could do puzzles ALL DAY LONG. Or coloring.), the next minute, you are TALKING AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE for someone to come PLAY! with YOU! do PUZZLE! SIT! PLAAAAAAY! I guess you've learned that Mama cannot be in three places at once, and this is how you compensate...

Your favorite word at your second birthday was MINE. Then you went through a NO phase, which was actually quite humorous, but we were happy to see the new favorite word quickly become YEAH! I don't think we've ever had a kid use the word YEAH as early or extensively as you, but it's hysterical. Especially with your trademark, "Uhhhh..." in front of it. Like you have to think really hard before you answer. "Samantha, do you want to go play outside?" - You: "Uhhhhh YEAH!" Oh my goodness, you are the cutest thing ever.

Your whole vocabulary is awesome. You know and say soooo many words, it's always surprising to me. Especially since you follow behind two former delayed speakers, so we didn't really have high expectations. And you have no trouble communicating all those words. LOUDLY. Repeatedly.

You have also become more TWO. Yes I know I said it's nothing compared to bring THREE and I still stand by that, but don't grow up too fast, kiddo. I'm glad you're still sweet and silly and I can take the infrequent lay-on-the-floor-screaming tantrums because, really? That's all you got? No telling me how mean I am and whining about how you're not gonna listen EVER AGAIN? Because that is way worse. The floor screaming is just funny and cute in comparison. Like, "Oh look, she's trying..."

You still love your sister more than anything, and she has quite seriously developed her role as your 2nd mommy. She helps you with anything and everything you could want - so willingly and graciously. Just happy to be needed. She talks to you like you're still so little, and looooves when you need her help. You will let her do most anything with you, because you totally trust her, and she has earned that trust.

And in the last year, we've seen your brother change from someone you couldn't quite peg (because honestly he didn't really notice you existed, and when he did, he wasn't always super gentle) to your little partner in crime. Oh the giggling that goes on between the two of you when I'm not looking! Every night, you beg to sleep in "Bubba's bed! Bubba's BEEEEED!" and lay down beside him on his pillow as if the visual will help convince us. I'm so glad you two have developed this silly, sweet, goofy relationship - where he asks if you want to be involved, if it's ok to dump water all over your head (of course, Jacob! anything you want, Jacob!) - let the hysterical laughter commence - and I look forward to seeing how it grows.

And between you and me, I'm not sure I've seen any of the other kids have daddy so thoroughly wrapped around their little finger. I think it's safe to say it's a combination of your easy-going personality (who wouldn't want to spend time dawdling behind everyone else with you?) and his getting softer with each baby. ;) He puts you to bed every.single.night. No joke. I think it started with his helping me out physically as this pregnancy progressed, and has morphed into one of the highlights of his day - just Daddy and Sam, quiet and whispering and giggling in your room, tuning out the chaotic shrieking preschoolers just outside the door, who may or may not interpret, "Put on your pajamas," as, "Run around naked with your shirts on your heads."

Again.

All this to say, we love you so much, Sam I Am. We are so incredibly blessed that God gave us YOU as our number three - we couldn't imagine this family without you keeping us all entertained!

Mama

PS I may add pictures to this. Someday. For now, I'm just happy you got a letter!

Sam's 1st Birthday Cake

Years from now, when Samantha's complaining about being the 3rd child and not getting any of the special things the 1st or 2nd child got, let it be known that her Mama made her A Cake. A pink cake. With strawberry icing (same as Lily's 2nd birthday cake) and loooots of strawberries.

To match Sam's hair, of course.



Eying up the cake.







Excited to take a bite.




Mmmmm.......



I can't be sure, but I think she liked it ;)

Sam's First Birthday Party

1st cupcake...1st taste of chocolate...



I think the face says it all!

Lily Boeple Turns 4

The Boy

People have started asking me what Jacob could use for his birthday next month. Yes, my sweet little boy will be TWO just NEXT MONTH. Oh my goodness, how did that happen? So I thought I'd put together a list before baby madness completely takes over and his birthday is completely forgotten:

- Rain jacket
- Rain boots
- Beach towel (preferably with a hood)
- Bath towel (ditto on the hood)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat

This list was much longer in my head the other day... will add more as I remember, so check back.

And for those of you asking what we could use for the new baby? We have a list at Babies'R'Us!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lily!

I can't believe my tiny little baby girl (well, was she ever really TINY?) is three years old today. That's just ridiculous. Overnight, she's this big girl that can carry on conversations and use the bathroom unassisted like an adult and watch a whole movie on the couch and snuggle in bed with me early in the morning after Daddy's left for work.

I'll post birthday pics soon, but in the meantime, I thought I'd post Lily's birth story, because it occurred to me that I never posted it here. Enjoy!

(Click here to see Jacob's birth story.)

Happy Birthday, Jacob

I can't believe it's already been a year since our sweet boy arrived:



9lb 5oz of chubbiness:



And lotsa dark, fuzzy hair:



And look at him now...



Happy birthday, little man.

Happy Birthday To Me

It was my birthday a few days ago. I won't tell you how old I am now except to say that next year I'll be 30. Ryan took me out for a wonderful Thai food dinner. The steamed seafood ravioli appetizer and Pad Thai entree were probably the best I've ever had...and I know my Pad Thai.

My ginger ale tasted extra special in this funky asymetrical glass:



Then, Ryan took me to my favorite dessert place for my favorite slice of cake: chocolate raspberry mousse. He got a big slice of cherry pie with whipped cream. I wish you could tell how huge Ryan's coffee mug was in this photo. Almost as big as his mouth.



Yes, that is the man I love with all my heart. Thank you for a perfect birthday dinner. And my perfect birthday present:



I call this picture "Butcher Block Love." Nothing says Happy Birthday like solid oak and the smell of fresh polyurethane. You know how to please me, baby.

Lily's 2nd Birthday Party

My Sweet Lily,



Yesterday* you turned two years old. I still can't believe I'm saying that. Wasn't it just last week that you and I spent an intimate 31 1/2 hours together in labor?

Last Saturday, you had your second birthday party. In attendance (at your party, not your labor) were your Oma and Opa; Grandma and Grandpa; Grosse Oma and Grosse Opa; Aunt Lori, Uncle Jay, and cousins Kirsten and Jeffrey; Aunt Heidi; and of course Mama, Daddy, and Jacob. Quite a smaller party than last year - but also quite less work and just as much fun.

[The Babelfish just translated Grosse Oma into "Large Granny" - I hurt my tummy laughing so hard.]

You wore your new purple jumper over a white longsleeve onesie and white tights with your fuzzy brown thrift store Mary Janes, which have been your favorite shoes lately. Those and your boots. Any boots, especially with handles. You could walk around the house in your boots and snow hat all day, happy as a clam.

Pants optional.



Your Opa held you on his lap and snuck you sweets while your Mama finished making the cake. It was a white Betty Crocker box cake with homemade strawberry frosting. This was my first time ever making frosting or stacking a sheet cake, and thankfully, your Aunt Heidi supervised. Together, we made you a cake that was super tasty, and - by the way you shoved every last crumb into your mouth (and asked for seconds) - I'd say you approved.



This was your first real present opening experience. Sure, you've already celebrated two Christmases - barely - and one birthday, but this was the first time you were really old enough to get the hang of things. This was probably the first time you were encouraged to rip anything, and after you got over your initial, "Seriously? Just tear? I won't get yelled at?" you were off and running.



Nothing made me happier than watching the excitement on your cute little face each time you spied the next gift peeking out at you beneath torn paper. After opening each present, you wanted to unpackage and play with it instantly, which was super-gratifying for the gift giver.



If your audience "ooh"ed and "aah"ed, you did likewise, and it was the funniest thing coming out of your mouth. When you opened the dress from your cousin Kirsten, you wanted to put it on instantly, then walked around so proud of yourself, patting your chest, like, "Look at me! I'm so pretty!" And you were ;)

When you opened a card with no present (just that un-fun money stuff), you quickly tossed it aside and said, "Done!" which was hysterical. You sure you don't want it? OK, I'll take it.





When you opened your Aunt Ilse's card that played music, a huge grin spread across your face and you started bopping your head from side to side. I'm so sad the video of your presents stopped RIGHT before you opened this card!



Then came cake time. I was a little leery about you blowing on the cake with your cold after much throwing up the previous week (by me) from another infected birthday cake. So we took the candle off your cake and held it out for you to blow. The only problem was, you didn't realize how hot the little flame was and put your mouth right up to it, hurting your poor little upper lip a little.



But the hurt was immediately forgotten the moment you tasted your cake. You little stinker. Just the year before at your first birthday party, you were trying sweets and sugar and cupcakes for the very first time. Now you're an old pro talking about "Tate!" (cake) and eating seconds!





You have grown up so very much in this past year. You are tall and skinny like a string bean - like your daddy! Your little bald head is now covered with long, blonde hair. I'm so happy that I can finally put clips in it now, so there's no WAY you can be mistaken for a little boy like when your hair was short, no matter how much pink you were wearing.

You are funny and silly. You love to show off and make us laugh. You love to dance with Daddy and read books with Oma. You say, "I love you!" when we tuck you in at night, and it makes my heart melt when I think of how much we love you back. Sometimes you wake up at night, and I'm so happy for the chance to slip into your room for an extra hug and a kiss, to tide me over 'til morning. You are becoming affectionate. You give kisses freely and hug your friends when they leave.

You always think I'm talking to your Oma and Opa on the phone. No matter who it is, you ask, "Oma? Opa? Awake? Asleep? Home? House? Seeeeeee?"

Your best friend is your cousin Kirsten. You ask about her constantly, and so many things remind you of her. "See these boots I'm wearing? They're Kirsten's." Or, "See the pantry? We hid in there together and shut the door and knocked and giggled loudly until you found us."

OK, so you can't say all that, but when you point at the pantry and say, "Tay-tum?" Mama knows what you mean. It's amazing how much (I think) I understand you. With just a word, or a point, or a glance, I know exactly what is going on in that little head of yours. Where your train of thought is going or from where it has come. That's probably why you didn't feel the need to start talking...because Mama already understood.

Lily, I promise to always make an effort to understand. To give you extra hugs and kisses and your "ra-ra-ra-ra" (pacifier) when you need them late at night. To listen when you're trying your hardest to tell me something and I just don't understand. To laugh when you're running around in your bib, snow hat, and rain boots, all of which you've put on yourself just for my amusement.

You are an amazing, sensitive, sweet, fun-loving, inteligent, busy busy busy little girl. You can't know how much I love you or how blessed I feel every day to have you in my life.

Much love, Mama

Read last year's Letter to Lily

*This letter was started December 20th...but things got a little hectic.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lily

Birthday Party Video

This past Saturday, my little girl had her second birthday party. What a sweet little family party! I will post my favorite pics later, but for now, here is a video of her opening Tante Ilse and Uncle David's present (sorry it's sideways). Everyone is laughing at the beginning because she just opened a card and when it didn't DO anything and wasn't a toy, she quickly announced, "Done!" (You can catch the end of her Grosse Opa saying, "...Nothing to play with!" and Lily saying, "Back! Back!" as she tries to put it back in the envelope and move on to the next thing.)

Lily's 1st Birthday

Today, our little Lily turns 1. Right about now, actually. This time last year, the doctors were placing her on my chest, cleaning her off, cutting the cord. I was staring in awe at this little tiny person who just came out of me and was suddenly all mine. "Hello, baby, do I know you?" "Surreal" can not even begin to describe how that moment feels. Especially after going through 31.5 hours of labor together.

She's napping at the moment. Or pretending to be napping. Sometimes she likes to fake us out, but, hopefully, she's getting some shut-eye, because we have lots planned today. We need to go to Borders and look at some books, she has her 12-month pediatrician appointment (hopefully, they'll tell us she's big enough to use her forward-facing car seat!), and hopefully we'll get to Costco and Toys'R'Us to compare the rocking horses and double wagons...one of which will become her birthday present, and the other might be for Christmas. If we have time, we'll head to Babies'R'Us for some desperately-needed magnetic cabinet latches. She's figured out how to remove the ones that never properly wrapped around the nobs.

After her nap, I'll change her out of her cozy pajamas and into the adorable outfit I bought her yesterday for her birthday. It's from a new store at the mall I discovered while Ryan was getting his haircut called "Crazy 8". The clothes are adorable and not super-expensive. Her long-sleeved knit dress was $12 and her matching tights were $2.50 - those are both sale prices, of course. Similar items at Gymboree or Baby Gap would have cost at least twice as much. And as a mushy, "Awwww, it's her only first birthday!" Mama, I might have been suckered into spending twice as much.

Thank goodness Ryan needed a haircut and I needed to kill some time.

So here are the words Lily knows when you say them and ask her to point to them: light (this was first and only applies to HANGING lights, like pendants and ceiling fans - she identifies "light" with the fixture, not the actual light itself), kitty (she knows they say, "Meow!" but has never attempted to say it herself), balloon (there are still a couple hanging on from before her party Friday night), juice (her sippy cup), duck or duckie (she attempts to say, "Quack!" although it sounds more like, "Gak!" - I think this might technically be her first word), Cheerios (this applies to either the container or the actual Cheerios themselves), clock (so far, she only knows the one in her bathroom).

I'm pretty sure she knows who Daddy is, but we still have to get her to point at Ryan when asked where's Daddy. "Mama" was one of her first sounds, but I still don't think she associates it with me. She says it a lot while she's eating, which is guess is OK, because she certainly ENJOYS eating and probably gets Mama from Mmmmmm, which she says a lot at mealtime.

Words we're currently teaching her to understand: bottle, Oma, pacifier, and Coke. Ryan is teaching her this one. It applies to all 2-liter plastic beverage containers. I thought he should teach her something a little more generic, like soda, since it could be Sprite or Dr. Pepper or rootbeer or whatever in the bottle, but he was insistent it should be Coke - and he doesn't have the opportunity to teach her as many words as I do - so I'm going with it. Coke it is.

She knows she's supposed to clap when we cheer, "Yaaay!" or clap ourselves. Though the other night, Ryan pointed out that she seems to think you take turns clapping, because she always starts after we stop, which is pretty funny. She also knows to wave when we say, "Hi" or "Bye" or when we're waving. Sometimes, she gets too excited and starts clapping instead. She learned both these things at the same time and probably thinks they're interchangeable. Silly girl. If you rest your ear to your shoulder, she'll do the same thing with a big grin - it's the sweetest little thing you've ever seen. And if you stick your tongue out at her, she'll stick hers out right back at you. I've found this is a handy trick for getting her to show you what she's snuck in her mouth behind your back.

She's always been very touchy about getting her face cleaned after a meal, but lately I've discovered that if I tell her what a good girl she is while wiping her down, she sits still a little better and fusses a little less. Hooray for positive reinforcement. She definately knows what "No" means. Or using that same tone of voice when we say her name. She'll stop what she was doing - or about to do - and look back at me. I'll raise my eyebrows and maybe shake my head, and that's usually enough. Sometimes, we have to do this a few times, but she listens pretty quickly. By now, she knows what is and what isn't off-limits in the house.

It's funny to watch her test me. She'll go towards something she knows she shouldn't touch, put her hand out towards it, then stop and look back at me with her eyebrows raised, as if asking, "How about now? Is it OK if I touch it this time?" I shake my head or raise my eyebrows back, and she knows and stops. It's amazing. Every day, I realize the importance of consistency with her and how well she responds to it.

Little does she know I'm figuring this all out as I go along...

Lily's 1st Birthday Party

Dear Lily,
This weekend, we celebrated your first birthday.

The party went by in a blur. Similar to our wedding day, I wish I could rewind the weekend and take more time to just sit down with you and enjoy it. To explain to you why all these people are here just for you. To hold you on my lap and give you a big squeeze, whether or not you'll sit still long enough to take it. I'm your Mama and it's my right to try.

The timing of your naps worked out perfectly. You fell asleep at 10:30 a.m. for a party that started at 11:30. By noon, your Oma and I snuck upstairs to wake you up — it was your party, after all, and we didn't want you to miss it! We put on your pink corduroy dress from your Grandma over a long-sleeved white onesie, and paired it with your pink tights and white socks and pink/brown Marie Janes. You looked like the sweetest little girl ever.

You were such a happy girl at your party. You smiled and played and charmed the socks off all the guests. You showed them your new tricks: clapping and waving and sticking your tongue in & out after I did it first. Every once in a while, you would stand up and do the twist, eyes and mouth and hands wide open in excitement.

Your favorite "toy" at the party was all the helium balloons. You get so excited whenever you see them when we're out, I figured for just one day we could take a risk and get you your own balloons to play with. All the fun you had pointing at them then shaking and chasing them around!

You cried twice during your party, both times because you got hurt. The first time, another little boy pushed you over and you banged your head on the carpet. You cried for a little while in my arms until we gave you a balloon — then all was forgotten. The second time, someone was trying to readjust your party hat that said "I'm 1!" and they accidentally snapped the elastic against your face. You had a big red line across your cheek and chin the rest of the party, and burst into tears every time we tried to put that hat back on you. You sure have a good memory.

You weren't too interested in opening your presents. I tried to get you to help me rip the paper off, but you're a gentle girl and would rather play with the shiny strings or go off and play with your toys. We couldn't get you to stay with the presents for too long before you'd wander off again, so your Daddy and I ended up opening most of them for you instead. Little David and Laura sat right next to me the whole time as we opened presents, and your cousin Kirsten was also interested to see what was being unwrapped. Boy, did you get lots of good loot!

You ate your first cupcake ever at the party. You, our little healthy, organic baby, had never had anything like that before. Your Aunt Lori and your Grandma made them at our house the night before (with some help from your Mama and your Aunt Heidi). You were still pretty shaken up about the elastic incident, but one taste of frosting and your eyes widened and you said, "Mmmm!" and that was the end of the crying! We put you in your highchair and you had fun squeezing the cupcake through your fingers, eating off the icing, and stuffing the cake into your mouth. You were a complete mess by the time you were done, which says you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.

I still can't believe what a big girl you are, how happy you are, and how easily you smile. You love to be smiled at (and smile back), to point at things and be told their names, to talk to your toys, to be teased, to be chased, to have attention in general. You are sensitive and thoughtful and silly and playful all at once. You are so pleasant to be around and so curious about everything going on around you. We have to place you in the corner with your back to the wall when we go out to eat so you're not twisting around in your seat looking at everything going on behind you the whole time. You never miss a thing!

This curiosity is what complicates nap time. We can't make ANY noise, or you spring to your feet and cry, reminded that you're in your crib in your room, and we're outside having so much fun without you. Your Daddy and I have gotten quite good at staying very quiet while you're sleeping, but when guests are over, all bets are off. Sometimes they wake you up at the slightest noise; other times, you can sleep through a party going on — like your own party! — we just never know what kind of nap it will be.

Lately, I've been ovewhelmed with how much I love you. I just look at your sweet face and your sweet little smile, and my heart does flip flops. I never knew being a mom would feel like this. It makes me excited and yet scared out of my wits all at the same time. What if something happens to you? What if God's timetable for us to be your caretakers is over before we're ready? I don't know what either of us would do if that happened. You've filled a spot in our lives in a way I never thought possible — can you see why we were so eager to have another little one?

I guess all we can do is be completely thankful for every minute we spend together — even those bleary ones at 2 a.m. — and for the wonderful year we've spent getting to know you and watching you become less little baby and more silly little person. I can't believe how quickly a year went by! I look forward to watching you grow up and grow into a woman of God. Thanks for such a wonderful first year, my little munchkin. You couldn't possibly have two parents who love you more.

Much love, Mama