Twenty-one Months

My dear Amalia,

My sweet baby, no longer a baby, you are a big girl toddler, complete with big-girl independence, a strong will, tantrums, silliness and love.  Twenty-one months now, and what a twenty-one months it has been.

You have been having some potty success, which is astounding to me, although we are still a ways away from being declared potty-trained.  I know I’m not supposed to use food as bribes, but you just adore M&Ms so much that the promise of getting an M&M often convinces you to try when you might otherwise have refused.  I started using chocolate chips, and now you think any kind of chip is a chocolate chip.  Now, when you ask for a tortilla chip, you say ‘chopit chip!’ 

You love to have ‘pretties’ in your hair, mostly because your sister requires one in her hair at nighttime to keep her hair from being tangled, so you want one, too.  Your hair definitely needs something during the day.  I have a hard time knowing what to do with your hair.  It is getting long, but constantly falls in your face from way back on your head.  You also have several curls, but only right in the back, which makes a little bit of a rat’s nest if I’m not careful.  We usually put a barrette in to hold the hair off your forehead.  I’ve tried little pony tails on the top of your head, as well as piggy tails, though you aren’t very patient getting them put in and think it hurts a lot.  It is adorable, though!

We went to the zoo the other day, and you had a wonderful time.  You loved watching the animals, and spent 20 minutes chasing a tortoise around that the zookeepers had brought out for kids to touch.  You loved that tortoise, and endeared yourself to the zookeepers and even were able to say ‘tortoise’ and ‘Tobin’, the tortoise’s name.  You also fed kibble, one at a time, to a zebu, a type of domesticated African cow.  It stuck out its long, slobbery tongue to lick the kibble out of your hand each time, and you thought that was so wonderful.  The other kids wouldn’t go near it, but you had a great time.  You fed a giraffe, watched the lions, asked for ‘more otter’ and helped feed pelicans. 

You still love other people, and get so coy and happy when entertaining others or meeting new people.  You love to be the center of attention, and are so silly.

You have also gotten really clingy to mama, even though you really love other people.  You want me to be with you whenever possible, and will say ‘Mama’s turn’ when somebody else tries to help you with something.  Apparently, when you get home from daycare and are waiting for me, you sit by the door and say, ‘Mama’s coming.’  You clutch onto my shirt, grabbing ahold of the fabric and not letting go.  When we rock to sleep at night, you try to pull my shirt away from my chest so you can lay your cheek on me skin to skin. If I try to put you in your crib before you are ready you say, ‘Rock a minute’ to try to get me to hold you some more.

I love you so much, my sweet baby girl.  You are so incredibly amazing, and I am so excited to watch you grow. 

Loveyouforeverandalways,

Mama

 

20 months

Poor baby girl.  I've been at about your half-month mark for awhile.  Again, you are still 20 months old, so it still counts, right?

My dearest Amalia,
You are quite the girl.  You are such a stinker, with extra spunk and love and silliness.  When you are doing something you aren't supposed to be doing and someone asks you, you say, "No, nothing!"  You love to tickle and laugh and climb all over everyone and everything.  You are running, running, running, and trying so hard to jump.  You can't get either foot off the ground, but it is hilarious to watch you try.  You love to instigate arguments with your sister, and you absolutely love to play with her.  Tonight you were playing school and having snack time in your room together.  Sofia had put a bib on you and Stitch and you both had set up all your animals with food in front of them.  You absolutely love to play pretend and always want to do exactly what everybody else is doing in exactly the same way.  You won't accept 'broken food' and need to do everything yourSELF.  Put on shoes, take off shoes, put on clothes, take off clothes, climb into your chair, your car seat, your crib, eating all your food.  You are so independent and I just love watching you take charge of a room.  You are engaging and charming and so sweet and silly and wonderful.
We stopped nursing this month, actually right about your 20 month day, but you aren't giving up asking for it.  I feel guilty every time I say no, but we're both doing fine. We get plenty of snuggles, and you drink lots of chocolate milk now.  You also started really using the potty this month!  Still wet and dirty diapers, but when offered to use the potty, you will often say 'sure!' and have peed and pooped many times on the potty.  Especially with Ms. Carrie.  She even gave you and temporary tattoo as a potty chair success reward!  We're still working on it, but I'm so proud of you.
You really miss your daddy.  You often ask to watch the DVD with his pictures, and get so happy talking about him or seeing pictures of him.  You gravitate to men more now than you ever did, and I think you are really just missing your daddy.  You point out all the men and daddies that you find, and it breaks my heart a little bit every time knowing that you will never see your daddy again.  I just want you to know how much he loves you, angelita.  You hung the moon for him, my sweet.  He will always be in your heart.
I'm so proud of you my sweet, silly, sassy child!
Loveyoualwaysandforever,
Mama

19 months

I'm a bit behind, but she's still 19 months, and by george, I'll get this written.  There's so much to remember.

Dearest Amalia,

Nineteen months, and you are quite the little stinker, lover, sweetheart, and instigator.  You want to do everything your "SELF" and are really quite talented at figuring out how to get what you want.  You eat so well with utensils, put of lotion, brush your teeth, and attempt to put on socks and shoes (though you usually break down and ask for help with that one).   You have become quite adept at removing your socks and shoes, though, which is often less than helpful when I think you are fully footed, we try to head out the door and I look down to see your bare feet.  You are so silly and so loving and just love to be in the mix with everybody, usually entertaining them.
Before going to bed, Sofia and I always say one thing we are grateful for that day before turning off the light.  One night, after getting Sofia tucked in, you and I started to rock.  You lay your head against my chest and said, "Papa, Me, Roscoe, outside."  It was like you were telling me what you were grateful for, too.  You still adore doing chickens with Grandpa every day.  Then you said, "Daddy, me, home," closed your eyes and went to sleep.  I like to think of you remembering him and loving him, and it makes me happy that you are grateful for him, as well.  He was so grateful for you, my darling.
Your language is getting better, clearer and longer every day.  Sometimes you burst into long soliloquies where there are only a few words I can understand.  I find you reading books in your room quite often, and when you see me watching you, you say "Readin'!"
I love you so much, my dear.  Thanks for all the smiles and hugs and kisses and laughter you have brought, most especially this past month.  You mean the world to me.
Loveyoualwaysandforever,
Mama

18 months

Somehow even though life as we know it has ended, time keeps marching on.  Amalia is now 18 months old.  A full year and a half.  A milestone her daddy didn't live to see.  I'm dying on the inside, but because I've kept up these monthly things until age 2 for Sofia and we're getting close with Amalia, and I don't want to stop now.  Maybe some day I'll feel strong enough to write about what we've been through in the past week, but right now I can't.  I want to write about how incredible my baby is, instead.

Dear Amalia,
First and foremost, you need to know how much you are cherished.  Adored.  Loved.  Your daddy and I (and so many more) absolutely love you to your core.  You are our delight, are darling, our precious.  Now you are one and a half years old.  A wonder to me.
You started speaking in sentences this month.   Putting together words, communicating your needs and opinions so very well.  You can identify colors and almost every body part.  You also started coloring this month.  You so carefully pick up a crayon,  tell us its color, and scribble it all over the paper.  It is precious.  They don't even end up in your mouth!
You are continuing your quest to be a big girl, and like to eat with proper silverware on proper plates with proper cups.  When you are done, however, you take that proper plate and dump it right on the floor, whisking all the pieces of your dinner off the table.  You have very strong opinions and get quite upset when your words aren't understood by everybody.  You ask for pretzels, pickles, olives, chocolate, cookies, eggs, bagels, bread, broccoli and so much more by name.  Your new favorite food is ketchup, and you use anything as a vesicle to bring it to your mouth.  You call Jamie "Yaya's Haymee" and love to wear "Bampa's HAT." You climb on the rocking chair in your room and launch headfirst into your crib, which you call "Hareeb."  You sing to your babies as you rock them, and always think they have "Stinky butt!" and require a diaper change.  You love to play with the iPad just like the grownups and request "Seesh (fish)", but insist on pressing the button, which removes the fish, getting you frustrated and requesting them again.
You are always so joyful and just light up around other people.  You make every person in the room feel like the most special person on Earth with you hugs and kisses and coy smiles and flirty behaviors and darling "Hi"'s.  You love to do goofy things and be around people that you can make laugh. You had an entire room of grown-ups captured by your 'power', copying your every move.
We love you so very much, sweet baby.  Through all of this, you've brought smiles and joy, happiness and routine, something that at times, just doesn't seem possible.
Loveyouforeverandalways,
Mama

*I started to write this two weeks ago, but only finished the last part tonight.  Still, it is pretty close to her actual 18 month day.  Now, to find time and energy to take some 18 month pictures before she hits the big 1-9...

Mi amor

I love you.  That is all.  I hope you can feel it still, that you could always feel it.  Through the pain, through everything, I hope you could always feel my love for you.  Siempre.

17 months

and, at 17 months, we have a drama queen!

Amalia,
One month closer to a year and a half!   You are quite a little pistol, my love.  One minute you are giving kisses are hugs and loves, and the next you are banging a little people toy over my head, or Sofia's head, or Daddy's head.  Sometimes, we are uncertain whether you are coming in for a kiss or a bite.  You can throw spectacular tantrums, throwing yourself on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.  Then, two minutes later, you are offering me a pretend cup of coffee saying, "Cof-ffee?  Tank tu." You love to be a big girl, and were so proud the other night when you got to put the spoons onto the table for dinner.  You have definite opinions and think that we all should share them, too.  Sofia also has opinions, and yours often differ from hers.  The two of you are 'frenemies.'  She won't let you play with her, takes things away from you.  You hit her, pinch her, bite her, pull her hair, and won't let her play with what you have.  Every morning when you wake up, you call for Sisi, and though she's still having a rough time adjusting to you being your own person and no longer a baby, she is always looking for you, too.
You got to see your cousins Anika and Reni today as well as Aunt Johanna in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It was such fun to see all the cousins togheter, and thoguh there were many hard times, having you all together even though you live so far apart was so wonderful.  You called Reni, "Baby" and loved playing with both Ani and Reni, getting into mischief, and just having a good time.
You are my social baby.  You are always saying "Hello" to everyone we see, and can charm the pants off of everyone you ever meet.  You are just so sweet, and get so charged up by being with people, especially groups of people.  There isn't a grown-up or a child who you won't talk to and smile at.  You simply love other people.
I love you more and more each day, my girl.  I am so honored to watch you grow, and to snuggle you each day.
Loveyoualwaysandforever,
Mama

16 Months

And it is now January, a full week after you officially turned 16 months. Sorry, baby girl.

Amalia,
You are now 16 months and in full toddler mode.  You are constantly on the go, wanting to do everything by yourself and do everything your sister does.  You enjoyed your second Thanksgiving surrounded by lots of family, giving everyone hugs and kisses and delighting them with your giggles.  You love groups of people, which always astounds me because Sofia has always been so shy in big groups.  Not you, however.  You gain your confidence quickly, and usually allow people to hug you and talk to you and enjoy your silly self.
You got to experience snow again, this time as a toddler rather than a baby.  You're not so sure about that cold white stuff that comes from the sky.  The first time you saw it snowing, you looked up at the sky, thought about it a minute, and then declared "Milk."  Walking in snow isn't the easiest, especially for a tippy toddler wearing big boots, and you are often tipped over trying to stand back up, which gets snow in your wrists (baby mittens are tricky to get to stay on).  For now, you've decided to forgo walking in the snow altogether, and will try to insist that somebody carry you.  We're working on it.  You seem to have daddy's warm blood, and prefer to be in a warm room next to a fire with hot chocolate rather than skating out in the cold.  We took you ice skating this month in Minneapolis with Tio Gerardo, and while you enjoyed being pushed around on the all-too-awesome ice sled thing, once your fingers got a bit nippy, you really wanted to be back in the warm house.  Daddy obliged (twist his arm, why don't you) and you were happy as pie drinking chocolate milk and eating a warm chocolate chip cookie.  Which, by the way, is your favorite word to say, "Chocolate."  You request chocolate milk in the morning, and have discovered where and when there might be chocolates present (which was often recently due to Christmas and Advent calendars) and will ask so politely for "Chocolate.  Please?"  You even learned to differentiate M&Ms and now ask for them by name.
One of the best things about you right now is your words. You are so darn verbal and your voice so sweet and perfect.  The words keep bubbling out of you, with new ones almost daily.  It's amazing to watch you learn about language, and such fun to realize that you are telling us what you need.  You know so many animal sounds, and will point to the animals in a book and make their sound, and for many of them, say their name as well.  You say "Nope" as your standard answer to anything and can request to nurse by saying the proper name.  You used to say "Nuh", but now it has a definite R and S sound, making it an unmistakable "Nurse."
You have thoroughly enjoyed Christmas preparations, and gotten yourself involved in everything, much to your sister's dismay.  Sofia likes to have things a certain way, you and are often intent on destroying whatever sense of order she has imposed.  You grabbed our cinnamon rolls before they were ready to go in the oven, leaving finger-shaped holes in them.  You ate handfuls of gingerbread dough, and spilled the red hots and M&Ms all over the floor.  You grab ornaments off the tree ("pretty!") and absolutely love having the family sing "The 12 Days of Christmas".  In harmony.  I didn't much care for that carol before this year, but now I can picture your smile and joy at hearing it.  There is a page in the book we have that has two dogs and a woman stringing popcorn for their tree.  You will find that page and stare at it for a long time ("Puppies!"  "Popcorn!")
You are a stinker.  You like to run away from me when I'm changing your diaper, and love to be chased and tickled.  You like to take whatever toy your sister has and make off with it.  You are a love. You give the best hugs and kisses, and love to be cuddled.  You say "hi" and "ciao" and "bye-bye" and "night-night" and "bear."  You love to wrestle your sister on the floor and don't want to left out of anything.
You are so special, little lady.  I love you to the moon and back.
Love,
Mama

15 Months

Amalia,
We find ourselves once again at the 25th of the month, adding one more month to your tally.  I have to tell you, I'm not sure how or when it happened, but there is hardly any baby left in you.  You are all toddler.  A funny, sassy, sweet, pícara, happy, studious, observant, goofy, loving, incredible fifteen-month-old.

The way you talk and use your words is astounding.  I've lost count of your words, and you add new ones daily.  One of your favorite things to do is read books with animals in them, and make the animals' sounds.  You can do frogs, hens, roosters, chicks, donkeys, dogs, cats, mice, birds, owls, sheep, cows, horses, turkeys, pigs, ducks and probably more that I've forgotten.  You have distinct words for all the members of your family, and often the first word you say in the morning is "Sisi".  You ask for milk and water, say please and thank you, can say popcorn, cheese, apple, bread, bean, and I swear you asked for broccoli the other day.  You are constantly asking for a book, and can request Maisy by name, as well as Babies on the Move (you say Mooove).  I love your darling little voice.  Today you requested to brush your teeth quite insistently.  You can identify your eyes, nose, knee, ears, mouth, teeth, hair, belly, hands, feet and toes (with words for most of them).  You can say shoe and baby, kitty and nurse, all your most favorite things.

You dressed as an elephant for Halloween, and were a little unsure about the hood on your head.  You enjoyed walking with your sister, though, and would say "trick or treat" at each house and hold your bucket for candy, with help of course.

You learned how to stack a tower of three blocks this month, and I was so proud.  You would clap your hands after creating your tower and were so proud of yourself.

 You explored at the Children's Museum this month, especially enjoying the water and ball rooms.

 You love doing anything that makes your feel big.  You sit with your sister, you want to do everything yourself and the way that the grown-ups do it.  You are smiley and so independent.

 You absolutely love to read, by yourself or with anyone with a lap to spare.  You will ask for "Melmo" on tv and in books.

 You got to see snow again, this time walking by yourself and exploring the world around you.  It was hard for you to stand back up after tipping over because of your boots and mittens, and weren't crazy about that cold, wet stuff on your fingers.

 You are snuggly and lovely and happy and so much fun to be around.  You've also been biting, which is less fun, though you always laugh, thinking it is really funny.  You grab things from Sofia, pull her hair and pinch her face.  You also hug and kiss her more than anybody, and love to wrestle with her on the floor and play any game that she or you imagines.

You are wonderful, my peanut butter.  Happy 15 months.  I feel so fortunate.

Love,
Momma

14 Months

Eeek!  It is nearly Halloween, which means it is nearly the 31st, which means I missed the 14 month mark by nearly a week!  Sorry, Mali!  :)

You, my dear child, are no longer a baby.  You are all toddler, and you want to be all grown-up.  A few weeks ago, you started throwing a fit when we tried to put you in your booster seat at dinner time.  Eventually, I gave in to your crying and let you eat on my lap, and then I let you walk around and eat from your tray without actually sitting.  After a few days of this not-so-great arrangement, I finally figured out that perhaps you just wanted to sit at the table with the rest of us.  Lightbulb!  We found a booster chair that sits you right at the table.  And you love it.  You make a mess, you dump your plate of food onto the table, you toss your spoon and fork on the floor, you grab the food off of our plates and try to touch the hot pots on the table.  And you are so proud.  It is working wonderfully.  What a big girl.
You also make many animal noises. You can neigh, moo, meow, woof, baa, cluck, and quack.  Your vocabulary is always expanding, including milk, backpack, Sofia (which is now definitely a Seesee), apple, banana, sit, please, baby, uh-uh (complete with with head shake) and so much more.
You love to read stories, and are quite picky about which book you want to read.  If it isn't right, you will throw the book and go pick another one.  Your favorites have flaps to lift, babies to look at, or animals to imitate.  "Book!"  is a common cry around this house, and you'll often push your sister off a lap to get your very own story time.  You will also pull her hair, pinch her face or hit her.  To be fair, she takes your books or takes your spot on Mama's lap, too.  Other times, though, you two are the sweetest to each other.  You give each other kisses and hugs, wrestle together on the floor, play babies, puzzles, books, animals and dollhouse together.  You have tea parties with your dolls and roll the ball to each other on the floor.  You love your sister above all else.
You are also adjusting to having Mama be at work.  I started a long-term subbing position this month, and while you are enjoying your extra time with Daddy, you miss Mama terribly.  You are waking up a lot at night, perhaps to have extra rocking and nursing time with me.  It could also be related to the molar that just popped through the upper right side, or the cold you have been fighting.  Either way, I'm still tired.
You are a very funny fourteen month old darling.  We love you so much, sweet girl.
Love,
Mama

Goodbye, Jim.

I nursed Amalia to sleep for her nap this morning.  I've been trying not to do that, and instead we rock and she cries.  Today, she's sleeping on my lap, and that darling little snore on the milk-drunk face while her long legs are falling off my lap and my feet are falling asleep are completely mesmerizing.

The world lost a great man today.  A man who lived every second of his life.  A man who was successful in every possible way.  He owned a successful business, was great at and loved his job.  He was an incredible father to three wonderful boys.  A dedicated, loving and thoughtful husband.  He loved photography and frisbee golf.  He loved nature.  He loved babies.  He was a music aficionado and always found the best concerts.  He could make any experience more exciting in its retelling.

It was so sudden.  My heart is breaking, especially for his sons, almost-daughter-in-law and wife.  His father, sister, and brother-in-law.  His nephews and niece.  They are an incredible family, one I was blessed to experience as babysitter many times in my youth.  I still can't believe he's gone.

I'm not the best at keeping in touch.  I have good intentions, but all too often, days, weeks, months, even years will pass where I haven't talked to so many of the people I love.  I hadn't even seen Jim since June.  His death is my kick-in-the-pants to call my friends, to make plans, to hold my kids tighter and always tell the people I love that I love them.  Today may really be the last time we get the chance.

Michelle Obama!

Not only did we get tickets to the event to see Mrs. Obama on Friday, we got VIP seats!

I got a message on Thursday telling me that the doors would open at 1 pm, and to wear Packer green and gold for the event.  Dad was the lucky ticket-holder number two, so we left home just before noon in our Packer t-shirts, planning to get there by 1.  When we arrived at Alexander Gym, there were lines everywhere.  So many people!  We finally found the end of the line we thought we had to stand in, when a volunteer approached us and asked if we were together as a party of two, and if she could talk to us for a moment.  Turns out, they were looking for Packer-decked people to be on the stage behind Michelle herself!  We were escorted to a much shorter line, where secret servicemen gave us directions.  After getting through security, we were put up on wooden bleachers directly behind where Michelle would be speaking.  Woo Hoo!  We weren't allowed to take pictures during the speeches, but we got to hear Russ Feingold and Michelle Obama, from up close!  It was so exciting!
I'm fired up and ready to go!  Ready to reelect President Obama on November 6th!

FLOTUS!

I've got tickets to see Michelle Obama on Friday afternoon!

The girls and I went to get tickets at 4 o'clock in Appleton.  Naively, I thought I'd be out of there, get groceries and be home in time for dinner.  Ha HA!  The line was much longer than I anticipated, and we waited for two hours before finally making it close enough to see the building front when we were told the tickets were all out.  They took our names and said they'd call if tickets became available.  Because it was already past six by this point, I took the girls to dinner and started heading home.  We were going to make it at just about bedtime.  I got a call while in Greenville saying we had tickets and asking if we could pick them up tonight.  I turned around, trekked both kids back into headquarters, and have my tickets in hand!  My girls are such troopers.  We got home about 9:00, but both of them had been sleeping since we left Appleton (the second time) at 8.  They both popped into bed without a problem.  And now I get to see the first lady!  I have two tickets, and there is a discussion about who my number two is going to be.  Who will win, Mom, Dad, or Sarah?

First Month, Second Year

Amalia is 13 months today!  and all of a sudden she isn't much of a baby anymore - she's a toddler!  Sniff...sniff...

Dearest Mali,

Happy thirteen months, baby girl!  You have always wanted to be big, and little by little you are getting there.  We are so proud.

You are walking.  You started taking your first steps just after your birthday, but just this week, you've been using your feet to get you places.  You have been practicing and practicing, and now prefer walking to crawling.  You can crouch down to pick something up and stand back up by yourself.  If you lose your balance a little bit you can regain your footing without falling.  You always look so proud of yourself whenever you are on your feet.

You are also starting to climb.  You can get into your new wagon, the baby cradle, the chair by the fireplace, your little rocking chair, and the kiddie chairs, and can even get back down all by yourself.  You are attempting higher climbs and are so persistent.

You've been eating lunch at the kids' table; you look so grown-up.  The first time I let you eat there, you had such a surprised and happy look on your face.  You always want your own utensil when we eat and practice using it, though mostly it just bangs against the table.

You are a talker.  Your list of words keeps growing, and I'm not sure I can list them all anymore.  You know what a sheep says, and how to cluck like a chicken.  You search the house calling for grandpa and get so excited whenever he gets home and holds you in his arms.  You always want a bit of whatever anyone is eating, and will ask for it by saying, "Me?"  Sometimes you'll follow that with "Peese?"  or "Dat?"  I think you are trying to say Sofia, though I can't recreate the sound you make.  Sort of sounds like 'sisi', but not quite.

Right now, you are a teething monster.  You wake up many, many times a night.  You are drooly.  Your nose has a constant curtain of boogers.  I can see the swollen gums where your one-year-molars will be, and am begging those little guys to pop out soon.  I need my baby back!

You have a temper!  Still.  and More.  When you don't get your way, you tend to scream.  Then hit.  Then throw your head into the carpet and wail.  It is quite the performance.

My little boogie-baby, I love you so much.  Your giggle is infectious, and the games you play hilarious.  You bring so much joy and love to this family.

Loveyouforeverandalways,





Mama

Big Girls!

Big week for the Parra girls!  Sofia is continuing to improve her reading skills, and Amalia is continuing to improve her walking skills!  Mama is so proud.

Here is big girl Sofia reading a story the other night before bed.  She has never seen this book before, and really enjoyed its story.

Here is fully-fledged toddler Amalia walking!  She's still a bit tipsy, but is starting to prefer it as a method to get around, and is so obviously proud of herself.  

As my sister just posted (Johanna), the days are long but the years are short.  How very true.  I'm really not sure how I have one daughter who can read, and a second one who can walk.  

First steps!

Just a quick post to remind myself that Amalia started walking this week!  September 12, Julio, Sofia, Sarah and Grandma were in the living room, and Sofia and I were cuddling in the chair by the window while Amalia stood by the coffee table.  She let go of the table and turned toward us, and instead of dropping to crawl as she normally does, she took two steps to reach us!  We all cheered and clapped and she took steps between Julio and me, and Mom and Julio several times before tiring and refusing to do it.  The last two days, she has tried a few times, but mostly decides it is too hard and gives up and crawls.  True walking is coming soon, I know it!  She is so funny - her little top half goes so much faster than her feet and she really has to concentrate to balance.  Usually, she doesn't concentrate and tips right over because she is in such a hurry to get to where she's going.

The Big K

Today my biggest baby started kindergarten.  I'm not sure why it is such a bigger deal than 4K, since last year was technically the start of her school career, but it just feels bigger.  I think it feels bigger to Sofia, too.  She is in the big elementary school which houses all the kids through fourth grade.  She eats in a big cafeteria.  The playground isn't fenced in.  There are six kindergarten rooms.  She has to find her bus out of a big line of yellow school busses (eventually - we brought her and picked her up today, and will probably do so tomorrow as well).

Sofia woke up very excited.  I had to wake her up to get ready in time, but she was cheerful and cooperative and got her clothes on without trouble.  She actually ate breakfast and was ready to take First Day of School pictures with time to spare.

Sofia bounded outside talking about playing with Sofia D on the playground at recess and telling me that she didn't want to sleep at rest time.  I assured her that was okay.

The whole family piled into the car; an extra-special thing because Daddy actually had today off.  We made it to the school in plenty of time, waved at the crossing guard who wished Sofia a happy first day of school, and headed to the classroom.  Sofia started to get a bit quieter at this point.  She took off her backpack, removed her rest towel (a Hello Kitty find that she is extremely excited about) and attempted to hang it in her cubby.

Couldn't reach.  Daddy tried to help her, but she wanted to do it herself.  She found a way.

 Then, it was time to head to the classroom.

Somebody's a bit nervous.

Yet still excited!  Because Kindergarten!  Yippee!  We discovered that even at 7:45 kids are supposed to wait in the gym until they are dismissed to their classrooms.  There were tons of kids, all lined up in rows by grade.  The kids in the first line looked a tad concerned.  By the time we got to her classroom, Sofia decided that she would rather just go home.  When Mrs. Yaeger asked the kids to find a seat, she grabbed my leg and burst into tears.  "I want to go home with Mommy and Daddy!"

I wanted to scoop her up in my arms, tell her it was okay and that I'd take her home and she'd never have to do anything scary ever again.  But I didn't.  I gave her a hug and a kiss and walked as fast as I could out of the door.
I worried about her all day.  The phone rang at about 10 am, and I was sure it was the school calling to say that she hadn't stopped crying and they needed me.  It wasn't.
I knew she would be fine.  I knew as soon as we left that she would go with the flow and be just fine.  It didn't help my heart.  3 o'clock couldn't come fast enough.
We went to pick her up, my little nugget.  She burst through the door, smile on her face.  She said she had a good day.  We went to Dairy Queen to celebrate.  I had to pry a bit, but got her to tell me a little bit about her day.
She went to sleep singing a little ditty about school.  I think it will all be alright.

ps.  She fell asleep at rest time.

The First

Amalia's first birthday.  After a year of so many firsts, this amazing child is one year old.

Dear Amalia,

One year ago (and a few days now), we finally evicted you from your snug womb and welcomed you into our arms.  My feelings at your birth were pure amazement and love - one of the best times of my life.  Similar feelings, in fact, to how I felt on your birthday, amazed by this little girl who has so blessed our lives.  I love you so much, sweet darling.  Happy First Birthday.

You have the silliest personality.  You love to laugh and make us laugh.  You wrinkle up your nose and laugh out loud.  You love to pull up shirts and tickle belly buttons.  You flirt with everyone you meet, giving kisses and high fives and giant happy grins.  You also love potty humor and get the silliest laugh when you are dirty.

You are learning so much.  You try to climb into everything, and are very persistent.  We watched you try to mount one of the child chairs, failing, failing, and trying again.  You figured out what didn't work, and kept trying until you found a way that finally got you on top.  You then tried to sit on your bottom, and while trying to turn, you tipped the chair over.  Though you bopped your head, you did not fuss, only got up and tried again.  You love to talk and are so very vocal.  You copy everything you hear, and have many actual words.  You say hi, bye, Mama, Daddy, Papa, Grandpa, guau-guau (Spanish for a dog barking), cluck like a chicken, baa like a sheep, uh-oh, poo-poo (for when you have dirty pants), muchacha, respeta (complete with finger point).  You also have many words that we don't understand, but it is obvious that you are saying something important.  You love to explore, to try things out.  You brush your hair with a brush or comb, put phones to you ear and say Hi, and even blew out your candle on your first birthday cake.  Then you ate the wax.  It was apparently delicious.  

You adore your sister.  She is starting to get more jealous of you now that you can crawl and always want the toy she is playing with and often pat her vigorously or pull her hair or knock her towers over.  Sometimes I allow her to go to her room and shut the door to play without having her set-ups destroyed.  You will still follow, then sit outside her room trying to call her.  You just love to play with her.

You have many favorite foods.  Just about any food, actually.  You can't have eggs, though, making baked goods difficult.  We concocted your birthday cake with banana instead of eggs, and it was delicious.   I think you approved, too.  Bananas are still your special favorite, but you also drop just about anything for a big carrot or a cherry tomato.  You love pasta and cucumbers, black beans, rice, chicken, and pumpkin soup.  I don't think we've found anything you've refused.  Nursing is still one of your favorite things to do, and you get so happy and excited every time.  I love nursing you, too, and I think we'll continue for awhile.

Your teeth are growing, changing your gummy grin to a toothy one.  You have this adorable space between your front teeth (which appeared in July - the left one before the right one).  Around your birthday, the teeth next the top teeth broke through (the left before the right), making your tooth count six.  With those six chompers you can eat just about anything.

Amalia, this year has been incredible.  I'm love every day with you, my love.  You are the happiest, silliest, lovingest, smartest, greatest baby.  I am so very blessed to be your mommy.  I love you so.  

Love you to the moon and back,

Mama

A Whole Handful

My little baby turned five this week.  She gets to hold up a whole hand when asked how old she is.  She starts kindergarten in two weeks.  She's five.  I remember so clearly the instant she was born, and how she grabbed my hands and looked in my eyes, how perfectly she fit into my arms.  My beautiful baby, a five-year -old, a school-aged kid.  Oh, how I love her so.

Dearest Sofia,
Happy Birthday, sweetheart!  You love your birthday more than any other day in the year, and were planning this one back in February.  I love how excited you get - it is infectious.  You get that excited about lots of things, most of them much more mundane than birthdays.  You jump up and down and get your true smile stretching clear across your face and radiating through your body.  You get that excited about things like picking fresh garden tomatoes or that Amalia is playing with you, or that you get to take a bath.

You are so loving, my dear.  You always want to be on my lap, holding my hand, being as close to me as you can.  You give great hugs and kisses to Mommy and Daddy and Amalia.  You can be quite picky about who you give your love to and when, however.  Sometimes, you just don't want to say hello and be polite.  New situations and people you don't know very well always take you a bit of time to adjust, time when you like to be quiet and hiding, studying and gaining confidence.  Usually, if given enough time to warm up, you love people, especially in small groups or one-on-one.  You love to play and invent games and squeal and giggle.  You tend to get close to a particular person and want to spend all your time with them.  In Venezuela, you absolutely adored Julio's cousin's 12-year-old daughter Natascha, always playing happily with her.  You love to spend time with people you know well.  You are not as fond of visitors you don't know, even if they know you.

You are so smart, sweetie.  You are reading books now.  You ask such insightful questions, that I don't usually know the answer.  You want to look it up, to know, to understand.  You are so very curious, so anxious to find out how the world works.  You want to know why, always why.  How?  Your knowledge of the natural world, and of words and sounds are far beyond most kids your age.  I love how you always want to know, and always have a question.  More than one question, actually, and most of them are fantastic.  I can't wait to see how you do in school.  You loved 4K, getting to know other kids your age, playing on playgrounds and with friends and reinforcing knowledge that you already had.  According to your teacher, you did wonderfully in the classroom, but are a little bit slow.  Pokey Parra, in fact.  Not a surprise, as you do the same at home.  You always find something new to interest you, and can be easily distracted.  We registered for kindergarten on your birthday, and get to meet your teacher and see your classroom next Thursday, in preparation for your first day of school.

This year, you learned how to be a big sister.  Just nine days after your fourth birthday, you became a big sister with the birth of Amalia.  From day one, you have adored that role.  You always want to hold her, to hug her, to play with her.  You are enjoying now that she can respond and play with you, though that also makes it harder.  You are having some issues with jealousy now that she can share your toys and is starting to walk and talk.  Sometimes, you wish you were still a baby, though I remind you (and you remind me) that you are still and will always be Momma's baby.  I really love how much you love your sister, how you want to be helpful, and how much the two of you love each other.

You are my star, my first-born, my joy, my frustration, my pride, my darling.  I am so blessed to know you, to love you, to call you my daughter.  Happy fifth birthday,  honey.

Love,
Momma

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It is now August I don't even know except that it is past the 16th and before the 25th, and I have not written Sofia's fifth birthday letter.  I will do it, and before Amalia's birthday, but I am much too tired right now.  We arrived home on Wednesday the 15th at 1 pm after leaving Venezuela at 6 am on Tuesday.  Thursday the 16th arrived very early.  She was spoiled with balloons and cake and presents and a birthday breakfast of strawberry pancakes and whipped cream (to which she brought a basket of cherry tomatoes, leaving her pancakes untouched).
Until tomorrow (hopefully tomorrow), when Sofia will still be five.

Earthquake

and now, it seems that there has been an earthquake and heavy rains, closing both ways into Merida.  As in, no traffic in or out.  Ay, Dios.  They are hoping to open at least one lane today, so hopefully by tomorrow, when we need to get through, roads will be open.  All I know is that we HAVE to be there by Monday night, and we HAVE to leave Tuesday morning.  For reals.  No more rain.  Not more earthquakes.  Open roads.  Please, please, please.