How to Trash a Room in 10 Minutes Flat - and Other Fun Things on a Saturday

We've been doing some work around the house - well, Terrell has been doing a few things around the house. He painted Jia's bathroom a lovely yellow and we've designated a room just for her toys (one of many really, heh). He painted the playroom lavender and it looks great! During the process we moved some of her toys into her room and you'll see from these pictures it took about 10 minutes for her to completely trash the place! She was very excited when her dad painted her bathroom and still - 2 weeks later - she always says "WOW" when we go in for bathtime!

These are just a few fun pictures of her around the house. I hope all is well with all and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. A special note to say happy birthday to Jia's LaLa! She's 31 again!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

51!!!!!!!!!! Amazing! I love you both so much - thank you for everything.

One year ago I made a post celebrating my parents 50th annivesary so I thought it might be fun to show pics of Jia from that time. The change is truly remarkable! Wow!

You will also see the baby Jia walked around our house this week. She got the mommy, daddy, and baby Dora from her Grandma and Papa's house. She was running around with what I thought was an empty baby stroller. Perplexed, I got a bit closer and saw what you see in these pictures.

Halloween - et al

Sorry for the delay in posts! All is great in the household. We had a wonderful Halloween with the in-town cousins. Jia was a duck! Some of the moms/dads said - "wow, what a cute chicken" - whatever - all I could think was - have another glass of wine! She's a duck, for heaven's sake! She thought it was amazing that you could go up to a door, ring the bell, and someone would hand her things! We've had a rough few weeks with various illnesses - but she is presently healthy and has always kept that wonderful sense of humor of hers. Kept me and her LaLa on our toes but she's a-ok now.
Jia also loves playing with her kitchen here at home. She cooks and cooks. She likes to cook with her babydoll on her hip! Wonder where she got that idea. She also loves to draw now and we often find her quietly sitting and drawing and humming and talking to herself. Pretend play is huge - she makes up elaborate scenarios with her prince and princess at their little castle. In short, she is a delight and makes us so very happy. Enjoy the pictures!

Like Daddy Like Daughter

I love these pictures! I hope you do too. Jia loves the computer - I know - what 2 year old isn't fascinated by a computer - but still I love these pictures because they so well represent Jia's joy and curiosity about just about everything. And she looks as happy and intense to be sitting at a computer as her dad always does! She's not so happy about shots, of course. We were lucky enough to find an H1N1 shot for Jia after tremendous diligence by the mom and LaLa and just hope enough will be available in 21-28 days for the second shot. Meanwhile, we are being incredibly diligent about keeping her as safe as possible from exposure. There is lots of Purell in this house, in my purse, in my car. I'm down right paranoid I guess. Anyway, Jia is doing great as are we. She LOVES school. She is so much fun to be with - even with her crazy, wild energy! I love this age!

Feral

I looked wearily at Terrell this evening after bringing Jia downstairs. It was 9 pm and the bedsheets were soaked. Moments earlier I had tiptoed off to go to the bathroom believing she was soundly asleep. I returned to find she had dumped an entire cup of water onto the bed. I said to him "she's wild" and he replied with one word -"feral". It actually made me laugh at a moment when I was not feeling like laughing. But he's right. She's 28 months old and she's feral. We parents may attempt to domesticate these developmentally exploding creatures but it's for naught. She is just plain wild. And she's loving and sweet and make your heart hurt in love with us and we her. I actually said "dammit Jia" when I rushed to her side at the sweet call of "mama" and found the entire bed wet - to include her. Oh, patience is hard found at these moments. But she looked up at me and gave me that silly grin and I felt the horrible f bomb floating in my head melt away like warm butter. Life is good.

Good Morning

All is well in our world. Jia has been enjoying school very much and seems to be more active in every way! Just wanted to put up a post to say hi to the dad who is sailing and wish him lots of luck in the race! Can't wait for you to get home! These are some misc. pictures from the summer when the Illinois cousins were in town and one from this morning of Jia taking her temp. She has a cold - comes with starting school I guess - but every sniffle and cough makes me nervous of course. No fever so hopefully just a cold with accompanying goopy nose and cough. Have a great weekend!

Going Private

I've decided to restrict blog access to invited readers only. If you have been invited and know others who would also like to be invited please send me an email or call or let me know on facebook and I'll be happy to respond. Thanks to everyone who has followed!

Kissing Llamas, Flying Elephants and Cock-a-Doodle Doo

No, it's not a drug induced dream but rather a trip to the Virginia State Fair! It was more fun than this family of three has had in a very long time. The mom got to see hunky lumberjacks throw hatchets and Jia kissed a Llama. How much better can it get? I had never been to the Virginia State Fair and I'll admit to a little skeptism but it was a truly great day. I even laughed out loud at the last part where we lost our car in a sea of 5000 vehicles parked in a vast farmland of chirping crickets and car alarms as wayward fair attendees in similar plight tried to find their way home. After the kindness of a stranger, aka a state trooper picked up T and drove him around for 20 minutes, we too found our way home with just memories of hot dogs, fries and fried dough - and, of course, a friendly llama.

p.s. - and before you ask, yes, the first picture is of an adorable Alpaca.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my wonderful mom's birthday! I hope you are having a fabulous, relaxing, sunny, beach filled day! We love you!

Some Recent Cute Moments Caught on Film

Nothing to say so much, just want to share some recent, wonderful moments at home.

First Week of School!

Jia completed her first week of school this week! It is a warm, inviting Montessori school which she knows well as she accompanied her cousins to this school for drop off and pick up all of last year. The teachers also know her well and welcomed her with warm arms into the Toddler Cottage. All of that said, the week didn't always go so swimmingly! She was very needy of me and panicked and cried inconsolably every time I attempted to leave the classroom. The first week is an orientation week with reduced hours each day. She will eventually attend 3 hours a day, 4 days a week. Her dad and I stayed close to her the first day (these are the pics I'm attaching) and the next day I tried to leave. Oh no, none of that! The teachers tried and tried to console her but to no avail so I returned to the room. The third day I again stayed in the room the entire time. Finally on day four her LaLa (Aunt Lisa) took her in. Lisa will be introducing her to the room each day this year and be there for pick up as well so we thought maybe this would be a better transition. Anytime I am around she absolutely panics if I'm not in sight but she seems to do much better if I'm not even around at all. She did slightly better but did cry for me even with Lisa with her - she's no slouch, she knew I was there somewhere! But after being given her "bankie" (she carries around one of her dad's t-shirts at all times for comfort) she calmed down and Lisa was actually able to leave the room for about 1/2 hour. Baby steps, right? Lisa really is like her second mom so she is able to get great comfort from her. I was there to scoop her up once school was over.

We'll see how it goes next week! I'm confident she's ready for school since she is so very social and incredibly bright and curious. It will just take a little time to adjust to the new environment and schedule. I can't be happier with the warm, caring teachers who will teach Jia and the other kids seem great. Hopefully she'll soon make good friends and cry to leave rather than to stay! This was an emotionally draining week for Jia and the mom. It is so hard to hear her cry for me - by the time I left for work in the afternoon I'd felt I'd already run a marathon! I know this is an important part of creating flexibility and independence and properly launching our beloved daughter, but boy it sure is tough!

We're Home - A Recap

It was relaxing, exhausting, stimulating. Vacationing with a 2 year old is an experience only parents with a 2 year old can understand! Jia had a great albeit unsettled time. New stuff was cool, new stuff was not so cool. We visited the beach most days for 45 minutes max, we spent a great day in Savanna, we watched 4026 hours of Dora (thank you Aunt Lisa for the DVDs and Kitty for the DVD player - none of us would have made it out with our sanity without them). These pictures reflect T's beach experience versus MY beach experience. He'll read this and say - ''what?" "huh"? Jia grabbing my leg at least proves I was there too!

More Fun Pictures from the Beach

We're having a blast! The place we're staying is lovely and very, very comfortable. It overlooks a pond and just across the street from the beach - just a short 5 minute walk to the beach. There is a sign that says there is an alligator in the pond and that we should be sure not to feed it. Ok - I guess we can follow those instructions! We haven't actually seen the alligator yet and that is ok with me too! We've been on the go constantly and have been really enjoying our long awaited and much needed vacation! Here are some fun pictures - hope you enjoy them as much as Jia enjoyed the chocolate ice cream cone that was almost as big as she is!

Bring On The Waves

So - the first time we visited the beach Jia basically wanted nothing to do with sand, wind, water or waves. Now she is like- BRING IT ON! We are having so much fun at the beach. If only it could go on and on and on. But we still have the week and we have many adventures ahead of us! Enjoy the pic, we have a VERY slow connection so I'll update as possible.