Tatiana spent most of the day at Adventure Kids yesterday because Scotland was working.  She was eating when I arrived.  Then she walked to the front all bright-eyed.  She was just looking for someone to play with.  Then she saw me, and said Mommy Mommy!  The way the doors are, they can come to us, but the adults can't get to the back with the door being already opened.  So, she came straight to me.  I asked her about her day, but all she wanted to talk about was the bag of goldfish she was eating.  She really loves those things.  I hadn't eaten yet.  So I gave her the option of going home or the McDonalds across the street.  She chose McDonald's and she had lots of fun.  She is really enjoying playing with other kids.  Then we went home and we were going to use the swing but it was dark and the swing was wet because the sprinkler had been on.  So, we played inside. She is getting even better at talking and communicating. She helped me clean potatoes for mashed potatoes for me to take into work today.  It was fun.  She looked so cute on the helper tower. Last night, she fell asleep quickly.  Of course, she never naps at Adventure Kids. 

We'd had a nice Thanksgiving visit at mom and dad's.  The highlights for me was her giving her Grandpa a big hug Friday night, and her playing jewelry with her Gram on Sunday morning. 

Lately, she has requested to read the book "up high".  It is the bible from Terri.  Of course, it is adorable that she asks, and I've gotten it down several times.  But, she gets bored and flips the pages looking for pictures.  It is more a kid's Bible than a toddler's Bible.  She flips the delicate pages a little to fast. 

Gram wrote:

" We all went to ELKS for Sunday breakfast .
Tatiana was Belle of the Ball . She wore a pretty dress with red velvet top & full skirt bottom with black doggy print. She loved to twirl around to show her pretty full skirt of dress.
People loved her Squeakers shoes too."

Gram wrote :

 

"Tatiana & Susie & I set up my precious manger set & decorated my big tree.

Not all ornaments ended up at bottom of  the tree. Tatiana told her mom to hang angel ornaments up high & also airplane ornaments etc. We worked as a good team .Gram unwrapped ornaments. Susie fluffed tree & hung higher ornaments as Tatiana wanted. Tatiana had fun hanging lower ornaments herself.She really enjoyed looking at & admiring each ornament.

We had our family Thanksgiving a week early due to MENSA RG on Thanksgiving weekend.
We had Lasagna & Garlic Bread & Lettuce salad with Bleu Cheese crumbles today.

Of course , a good bottle of red dry wine too."

More Gram

 Gram posted :

"As Susie said  on her post of 11-12-12 = my heart was so full of love to talk & giggle & sing with Tatiana on first phone call last night."

Then when they called back because Tatiana said " More Gram" = I was so HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! Did I say that I was HAPPY?
We sang 'Mary had a Little Lamb " & said "ABC's" together.
Then Susie said it was time for Tatiana to brush her teeth & go to bed = Tatiana did not want to end our phone call. But I told her that Gram needed to brush her teeth & go to bed too. That sounded fair to her.

I LOVE BEING TATIANA'S Gram !!!!! "

Tatiana has started to figure out the concept of "weekend".  As in I am home with her for two days and then I go to work.  Last night after lights out I was doing something I just started doing the last couple of days.  I was holding her on my shoulder during lullaby.  She was trying to figure where daddy was, and what mommy would be doing.  I told her daddy was probably sleeping, and I'd be going to sleep too.  But, I think what she was really talking about was where I'd be in the morning, i.e. working. 

We had a really great day yesterday except for right when we got back from church.  I'd asked her if she wanted to go to church, or stay home.  She wanted to go.  Unlike normal, I wasn't the first parent in the nursery.  I peered around and one of the adults was spinning a top and she was giggling with delight.  The tops were made so that you could stack them upside down.  He helped her stack it on top, and the tower fell.  That was when she saw me, and came running.  I love it when she does that.  Then he started to clean up the tower and she ran back to help.  She is so great! 

Because we did it two weekends in a row, Tatiana expects a cookie after church.  She runs down the hall going "cookies cookies".  Then I let her wander around the fellowship hall.  We ended up sitting on some stairs to a stage.  Two little girls came to sit with us.  A 6-year-old and a 2-year-old.  They were both wonderful kids.  The 2-year-old ran to check out the plant.  Tatiana looked at me to see if she could.  I nodded.  They thought that was great.  Then the other little girl checked out the other plant and Tatiana followed.  Then Tatiana ran to me and the other followed.  They were imitating each other and giggling loudly.  It was wonderful.  The daddy of the 6-year-old introduced himself and said it was time to go.  I decided it was time to go to, and Tatiana did NOT want to go.  She was saying "No Go" as we were leaving.  That got a bunch of smiles on the way out the door.  She was not happy at all when we got home, then she settled down. 

That evening I made some phone calls.  At one point she was talking to Gram and I had to hang up to make some calls before 9pm.  Then I was playing with Tatiana who was bouncing in Tigger.  She pointed to the phone on the floor and said "More Gram."  So, we called Gram again. 

On Saturday we talked to my Grandma, and Tatiana sang the alphabet song and counted to ten.  I was looking online and that is really advanced. 

LOVE ME

Gram wrote:

Tatiana called us. YEAH!
We all had fun talking & giggling. She would hold items up to phone for us to see.
Then when it was time for Tatiana & Susie to go change her diaper = we all said "Goodbye".
Tatiana said a sad goodbye to us.
We told her that we loved her. She replied back " Love Me ".

Phone Call

Gram wrote :

" Gram & G-Daddy called Tatiana . We loved to hear her giggling & doing a lot of talking. Tatiana even held phone up to Yogi's ear to hear us! LOL!
She talked about  "my broom". We are so glad that she loves this birthday gift. Gram even sang a silly song & Tatiana wanted me to sing again !!
Gram & G-Daddy were smiling from ear to ear as we talked to our special Tatiana. "

Gram = I sing a song that I made up ." Order order in the court. .Tatiana is the Queen ."

On Sunday morning I found a little baggie of clothespins in the drawer.  I had been keeping an eye out for some because playing with them is good for her fine motor skills.  I brought them to where we were playing and then looked around for something to attach them to.  I found a paint stirring stick.  It worked really well.  I started out holding the stick for her, and then she wanted to hold it.  A little bit later she said "Mommy, Mouth!"  She was putting the clothespin in her mouth.  LOL, so much for fine motor skills.

We had a really great weekend.  She enjoyed the crafting class until about the last 10 minutes.  At the very end I was sitting on the floor and Tatiana was in my lap.  There was a little girl who just turned 2 and had cried throughout  class.  While Tatiana was in my lap, the crying girl through her arms my neck.  She totally ignored that Tatiana was there and planted her belly on Tatiana's face.  I got her moved around so that she was on my left thigh.  Tatiana was fine with it, and the little girl sat there calmly.  Scotland said that she corrects other kids when they call their Daddy "Daddy".  She points to Scotland and says "Daddy".  So, maybe it made sense to her that another kid would want to sit in my lap. 

She has started to count things!  I don't know where this comes from.  She has trouble in the transition to six.  Then she gets 8, 9, 10 right. 

I also think she is the neatest one in the family.  I had her help me clean the floor of my closet and she kept commenting on the "mess".  A bunch of hangers had fallen on the floor and I had helping put them in a bin so we could take them to the laundry room. 

State Fair

We went to the State Fair yesterday.  I took the day off work.  We all had a great time.  I think the only thing Tatiana didn't like was that there weren't many places for her to run around without being at our side.  At about nap time she started to cry and wanted one of us to carry her.  We had hoped she would nap in the stroller, but there was too much going on.  When we got to the Girl Scout building, she became happy and gave up on the nap.  Mommy got very tired that afternoon.  The last place we went was the petting zoo and she really liked that.  Particularly since she could run around on her own.  She didn't want to pet the goat at first, but when Scotland got her to do it, then she wanted to pet not only the goats but all the animals. 

She fell asleep in the stroller on the train ride home with her hand holding my index finger.  She started out sucking her thumb and then as she fell asleep we watched it slowly fall out of her mouth. 

When we got home Mommy was so tired she crawled in bed.  I didn't want to fall asleep, but it felt good to be horizontal.  She spent some time with Daddy, then I heard him ask if she needed to poop.  She said yes.  So he got her on the potty.  While she was sitting there, he went to get a book for her, and she pooped in the potty.  I came to see and cheer.  I was just leaving the bathroom when I heard her pee.  We did lots of cheering.  I think she had been holding it until then. 

I went back to bed, and she brought me some books for her to read.  She brought her red book with several Seuss type books, and the yellow book with the Seuss body parts books.  She really likes The Diggiest Dog from the red book and The Eye book from the yellow book.  I read a little bit, and she "read" some too.  Then she started The Belly game by lifting up her dress and saying "belly" and smiling at me. We were giggling and having fun and that brought Daddy.  We ended up doing what we called a "family tower"  Scotland rested her head on my back, and Tatiana crawled on top of Daddy.  Then she rolled off which meant that she had to have her belly tickled.  It was so funny, she would be on her back and Scotland would wiggle his hand above her belly saying "I am not tickling you" and she would stretch her belly up to get him to tickle her.  Then it was toothbrush time and Scotland took care of the nighttime routine.  That is the first time he has done it when I was home since we started this routine. 

Giggly Phone Call from Tatiana

Gram wrote:

"We had a giggly call from Tatiana to Gram & G-Daddy.
She was very talkative & giggled a lot! Especially when she farted. She put BIG smiles on our faces ! "

Tatiana was very cuddly yesterday.  Someone else might have called it clingy, but I was really enjoying having Tatiana in my lap.  I am really glad Scotland's big project is done.  All of us have really missed our family time.  When I woke Tatiana up from her nap, Scotland was already gone.  She spent lots of time in my lap.  She also likes to be carried places.  The State Fair will be nice.

She really loves to point to a page and have mommy draw something.  Last night she got out a page she'd had me draw cats on before using a yellow crayon.  This time she wanted to add a face.  She started to do it, but I don't think she liked how wiggly the line was. 

Tatiana did some color sorting last night, and it was entirely her idea.  I think that is advanced for her age.  She was eating some of the little soft mints with the little beads on the bottom.  She took out all her pink mints and only the pink mints and put them on her table.  Then she made them so that all the beads were on the bottom.  She was so proud of herself.  About that time, she peed so I had to change her diaper.  She wanted to take all her pink mints with her.  She was even willing to let me turn on the lights since her hands were full. 

Hallmark Christmas in September Party

Gram Wrote :

I am EXHAUSTED!
from  our local Hallmark Club " Christmas in September " Party. This year we had the most prizes ever = 68 prizes!
I display & make raffle ticket bags for each prize .It is a job!  Susie has always helped me . Tatiana
went to her first one at 3 months old for Christmas in September party.  Then last year she was 12 months old at Christmas in July party .We seem to alternate between having in July or September.
She had great fun this year at 26 months old. She was hit of party & liked helping with tickets etc.

So Tatiana has perfect lifetime attendance at Hallmark parties .

 

Sept 18th

Tatiana had her RARE preschool class yesterday.  Scotland said the teachers raved about what a wonderful kid she is, and that she is advanced.  They said the only bad thing is that she is so quiet.  I think that is because she knows she can't quite pronounce things correctly, so when she says them she says them quietly.  Like when someone is uncertain of the spelling, they make their handwriting bad for that word.  She did a really impressive coloring page.  She stayed inside the lines and used different colors.  Pretty impressive for a 2-year-old. 

She has been very clingy the last few days.  I was exhausted on Sunday because she was so demanding of my attention.  She wasn't being bad at all.  She just really wanted to be right there with me. 

She has two favorite dolls. "Big Baby" that is the doll that used to be mine.  Unfortunately, it's head always seems to turn around the wrong way.  "Little Baby" which is the Huggims Madame Alexander.  One nice thing about "Big Baby" is that she can wear newborn clothes. The last couple of days she read a book to her babies.  It was very cute. 

When we've gone outside lately, she loves to squirt each other with with her bath/pool toys.  She has this little orange fish that is great for that. 

June 19th

Tatiana is so amazing.  When I am putting her PJ's on, or should I say, assisting her into her PJ's, when we are doing a sleeve of the PJ's I say "Where is the thumb?"  It seems to cause her to keep her thumb in so that it doesn't on the sleeve.  I haven't been doing it that long.  Last night for some reason I didn't say it.  When her hand went through, she said "Thumb". 

For the last three nights, I added something to PJ time right before I hand her to Scotland.  We both really enjoy it but, it gets her excited, so I will have to find another time for it.  When I put her PJ's on, she is standing on the diaper table.  Then we dance to "Dance little baby".  It started out with me just lightly singing it.  She grabbed me both bra straps and swayed me back and forth.  She always asks for more. 

Last night, my camera was broke and he was working on it at the Dining Table.  Tatiana wanted to see what he was doing, so she climbed onto his back and was looking over his shoulder.  I really wish I could have taken a picture of it.

September 12th

Yesterday, Tatiana went to Adventure Kids for the afternoon.  Which means she didn't get a nap.  When Scotland got to there to pick her up, she was having her diaper changed.  When that was done an older girl was leading her to the front.  When she saw her daddy, she started to cry and ran to him practically pulling out the little girls arm.  An older girl (I don't know if it was the same one) asked hopefully if Tatiana was coming back tomorrow. I played poker that night so I didn't see her.  Scotland said she was very tired.  For nighttime books she ask for Ferdinand, Mama Duck, Butterfly but then halfway through Butterflyshe said "Farm".  That means she was very very tired.  I wanted to run into her room and pick her up and hug her when I heard that. 

Monday she had a very busy day.  In the morning she had her first swim class in a long time.  She also started the RARE class.  It was a no-parent preschool class.  It is geared toward kids like Tatiana who don't go to preschool or daycare but still want the good parts.  The teacher was surprised that she'd never been to a class like that before.  She knew almost all of her letters.  It was the middle ones she had trouble with.  Scotland got a little video of her in class on his phone.  I meant to send the camcorder with him, but I'll do that Monday and he can get a video of her through the window. 

In the swim class, the teacher said she is ready to do the class where the parent doesn't get in the pool.  But there is a minimum age.  Scotland said in the past the mommies in the class commented to him "I wanted my husband to come to the swim class but he didn't want to because he thought he'd be the only dad."  Then in later classes every kid had daddy come at least once.  I think that is good for the other kids, but sad that the daddies would be concerned.  Tatiana is so lucky.

We all had a fabulous weekend at mom and dad's.  The highlight for me was when Tatiana and her Gram were playing with Tatiana's pom-poms.  Gram was doing cheers and throwing the pom-poms in the air.  Tatiana was saying "more more".  They were also tickling Tatiana's belly with the pom-poms.  They were both laughing and giggling, and I don't know who had the most fun.  Another highlight was playing bumper inner tubes in the pool.  When we'd bump Tatiana would say "Ka Boom".  I got cute video of it.  I also had Tatiana in my inner tube for a little while so that Gram could see her smiling face.  When it came time to pack up, Tatiana got in the pool with her Gram and Grandpa while Scotland and I packed up.  That worked out really well because we were able to run around and get lots done.  They played "tidal waves" in the pool.  Tatiana bounced up and down with her arms on the front of the inner tube and made big waves.  When they demonstrated her face was alight. 

Gram's Birthday Weekend

Gram wrote:

"We celebrated my birthday this weekend. Oh how fun it was. It went too fast!
It started on Friday Sept 7th at the ELKS . Tatiana & Susie & scotland came to join us at the ELKS.Her other grandma = adpoted Grandma ,Martha = got to see Tatiana first when she came to ELKS.
We dined there & Taiana enjoyed herself. Of course , she is center of attention.
Loved it also that she wore her Squeaker shoes.She was dressed so pretty!
Tatiana enjoyed putting coins in red piggy at ELKS . The money helps a childrens fund.
Then Susie would open bottom of bank & tatiana would readdthe money.
MrRocknRoll played that night. Tatiana enjoyed light show before show start. One of musicians made a cute comment about her Squeakers shoes = She needs some WD-40 .LOL!
Band member gave her a pink Care Bear ". We all enjoyed the show & Tatiana liked clapping at end of each song.
We left at about 9 because it was Tatiana's bedtime.
On Saturday am = I awoke to cute little voice saying Gram Gram ! Then us 3 girls went thru huge present box from Martha & Elizabeth.She enjoyed every item & would say "Oh Wow"!
We then went out back so Tatiana could feed bread crumbs to wooden duckies."

Labor Day weekend update

This weekend she told us about two of her poops.  The first one, I had to hussle but it landed in the toilet.  We flushed the toilet and then we said 'Bye, Bye, Poop."  Then a little later she wanted to sit on the potty, but also be by Daddy.  So I took the potty to the kitchen.  Nothing happened.  Then last night while I was showering she was without a diaper since it was only a little bit of time from when her bath ended until her nighttime diaper got put on.  She told her daddy "Poop" and he asked if she wanted the potty, she said Yes.  But, she insisted on getting a book first.  While he was running around looking for the potty (it was still in the kitchen)  She said "Done", and she was.  Scotland was not happy with me for not returning the potty to the bathroom.  Tatiana did fine though. 

The little sneaker sure is smart.  Yesterday evening she wanted to go Outside.  We'd been out in the morning and it was too hot and miserable in the evening.  At one point she clearly asked for Apple Juice.  She was already drinking Berry Juice which she seemed to have enjoyed.  But, I thought, OK.  I was pleased she was able to ask so clearly.  So, we went to the kitchen, which involved opening the baby gate.  When we got to the kitchen she said "Outside" and made a beeline for the doggy door.  Then she ran to the swing and tried to get me to swing her.  Talking about it later, we think that had been her plan all along.  She also did something else devious.  When Scotland takes a shower, she wants to get in too.  She loves her baths.  Scotland showers and shaves, rinses out any hair and dirt, puts down the bath mat, and then Tatiana can come in.  During that time, it is my job to distract her and not let her get naked until he hollers that he is almost ready.  It is always a bit of a struggle because she is so eager.  Last night, her diaper was wet when Scotland got into the shower.  So, I changed her diaper, and we took off the rest of her clothes.  About 5 minutes later she very clearly told me her diaper was wet, and it was.  I think she tried to pee just so that she had an excuse to get the new diaper off.  About that time Scotland was almost ready for her. 

We had the first video skype call with her Gram and Grandpa.  I thought it went rather well.   The part I thought was cute, was that she wanted to show her fish cards to her Grandparents.  She held up each card.  She would hold it up really really close, but she has done that to me when she is reading me a book.  I guess the logic is that if it is really close, you can see it REALLY well.

Saturday we played with her flashlight.   I turned the lights out in the nursery and pointed at some things in the room.  When I pointed to the plant hook in the ceiling and told her it was a "hook", she looked at it very intently.  She was also interested to hear the name "curtain".  Later she had the flashlight, and hook and curtain were two things she pointed out to me.  Later she pointed out both ceiling hooks in the kitchen. 

Mommy Catching Up

Yesterday evening was mostly Tatiana and I.  Scotland was doing some fantasy football thing requiring lots of concentration and it was time-critical.  He had some time with us while I ate.  Tatiana and I playing in the living room and just when I was thinking "I should get the new clothes ready for the wash" Gram and Grandpa called.  So, I got the phone and the hamper with Tatiana's new clothes.  The clothes were still safety pinned to the hanger and many still had the price stickers on.  Of course Tatiana was interested in what I was doing.  She started to tell her grandparents about the great clothes she found.  What was hysterical was that she would hold her favorites right next to the phone to "show" them.  So, I described what she was showing.  Except for buttons and bows she mostly dressed herself.  I think it was a big help that the clothes were her size or a little big.  Sometimes I had to explain that she couldn't wear that dress over that sweater.  Then she would say "off" while pulling on the sweater.  She particularly loved her ladybug shoes.  We had a great time on the phone and they got to hear her say some things.  Then when we were saying Good-Bye, Tatiana started to cry and say "Wait Wait Wait."  She cried and cried.  I told her that we would be visiting her Grandpa and Gram "soon".  Then she stopped crying.  Then she wanted to do something.  So I told her I would follow her.  She went towards the kitchen and I thought she wanted to play on the swing.  As she was going through the kitchen gate she started to say "Dallas Dallas Dallas".  I then figured out that she thought we were going to her Grandparents "soon" as in "5 minutes".  When I stopped, she said "Gram house?"  I then had to re-calm her down.   We went back to playing dress up.  Then we read some books. 
    When she went to bed, Scotland told me about her day.  It was her first day for a long bike ride.  Scotland had taken her around the block once before to get her used to the idea.  Yesterday morning they started off by going to the library singing thing.  She did very good.  She was wearing her squeaker shoes.  I asked if the other kids were jealous.  She said they didn't seem to notice, but the mom's were jealous.  Then they biked to Genghis Grill.  She had an absolute ball on the bike.  When they went downhill she said "weeeeee".  She pointed out all the water she saw.  Not just the creek, but every puddle.  She also said Hi to everyone they passed.  She seemed to like going faster than she normally can.  She did really well at Genghis Grill.  Then they biked home and she had fun again.  When they got home she didn't want to take off her helmet.  As soon as she was free and inside she ran to the bedroom.  The door was shut, and she went to it and said "Mommy" and insisted he open the door.  Scotland thinks she wanted to tell me all about her bike ride.  Scotland told her I was at work.  Then she walked to the closed nursery door and leaned her helmeted head on the door and said "bed".  She slept very soundly. 

PHONE CALL FROM TATIANA

Gram posted :

"I had a GREAT phone call from Tatiana this morning! She handed a phone to Susie & obviously wanted to call somebody.
When Susie asked about who she wanted to call = Tatiana said Gram !
We talked a little & she giggled. That brought Dallas to the phone because I had it on speaker. He wanted to lick the phone."

Monday evening

We had a wonderful evening last night.  During the day Scotland worked over at Ty's, so Tatiana was at Adventure Kids.  Which means she didn't get a nap.  They got home just after I did.  She was a little cranky saying No to things like little mints that she really wanted.  The rest of the night she was fine.  Her naps are important, but I am glad it doesn't completely ruin her evening when she doesn't get one.  The rest of the night she was fine.  After dinner we were in the living room and Tatiana and I created the Bounce Game.  I had been sitting with one leg tucked under me and the other leg hanging in the air.  Tatiana climbed up onto my calf and I bounced her.  I kept my foot up so she wouldn't slide off.  I bounced her for a long time.  She giggled and had such joy in her face!  I kept doing it even after my leg got tired.  Then she went to her daddy and said "Bounce Bounce"  so he bounced her on his leg for a bit.  Then he got down on the floor and he picked her up with one foot so she could "fly".  He had to convince her to let him pick her up with the leg in a brace.  She's learned to stay away from that one.  Then she came to me to make her fly.  A little after 8pm Scotland hand started to hurt really bad and he got a headache, so it was just Tatiana and I.  We played with her pink ball.  She is getting pretty good at kicking it to me when she is about 3 feet away.

Then it was toothbrush time.  She really wants to use mommies toothbrush.  For the first time, she tried to spit in the sink.  It was hysterical!  I spit in the sink, so she should spit in the sink.  She also climbs up onto the wooden highchair by herself.  She brushes her teeth, while I brush my teeth.  I still try to sing the toothbrushing song.  If I am not rushed, I like to read her several books.  I've learned to make sure I have water otherwise my voice starts to go.  Last night the Pig book had walked off, so we read the rest of them.  The Farm book is always last.  I song to her, then went to the hallway.  She only said "Momma" once.  Yogi would like to stay in Tatiana's room guarding her. 

I almost forgot to mention, she is using a lot more two word combinations.  For example when she was in her crib she said "My Milk!"

Wednesday

Tatiana has really started to sing lately.  Her musical toys just has the instrumentals, but the musical playing cards have voices.  When she knows the words she does pretty good at singing.  Her favorites are "Lollipop", I think it is from the 50's, the Handel one, and last night she was singing along to "Ring of Fire".  I was really amazed at what a good job she did.  I had to take it away from her to start toothbrush time.  If she knows the words to a song from one of her musical toys, she will sing along too.  If we sing the words, and she doesn't know them, she pays very close attention.  I felt a bit silly singing along to 'Swanee River' because except for those two words I don't know any of the song.

Lately, she has been requesting the "Babies" book first at bedtime book reading.  She really loves that book.  She loves to point out what the babies are doing.  She gets really happy.  I have to be very careful with the book because it was one given to me when I was 1 year old by DeeDee.  It has already been taped once.  After Babies, she wants Ferdinand.  Then it varies among "Mama Duck", "Piggy" and "Butterfly."  That is what she calls, "Little Quack plays Hide and Seek", "If you give a Pig a Party" and "the Lamb and the Butterfly".  The last book is always "Good Morning Farm".  She is so funny when she doesn't want to go to sleep, she doesn't want that book because she knows it is the last book.  But then I tell her if she doesn't want that book, then it is time for me to turn off the hall light.  She really says No to that.  Othertimes when she is really reading to go to sleep she will request "Farm" early.

Monday

Tatiana woke up really really early this morning.  When I got back from walking Yogi, I heard "Mommy Mommy!".  I was shocked.  It made it hard to leave.
She didn't get a nap yesterday, and what really stinks is that Scotland didn't even get much work in because Ty wasn't ready for him until 2pm. 
When I got home from work she was in her high-chair and she said "Mommy Mommy  Home!" 
She wanted to go straight to "side" (outside), but Scotland had just finished making dinner so we ate first. 

Lately when we go outside, she wants to go straight to her swingset.  I love that.  I don't mind being outside so much when we are the swings.  When Scotland first put in my swing seat, Tatiana didn't want me to sit in it.  She wanted me to sit next to her and push her.  I think it was that she didn't like the change.  Now, she wants me to sit on my swing.  Then she puts one of her things into the swing and straps it down (with my help).   Then, SHE pushes the baby swing.  It is soooo cute.  She is starting to get the idea that she can stay put and push it when it comes to her.  Although she is usually impatient and rushes to meet it.  Monday night it was the basket that the sand toys came in.  Then she wanted in my lap.  I love that.  She was in my lap and I was gently swinging.  The sprinkler came on, so we had to go inside.

When we were in the living room, she was playing with one of her cards.  It was Handal.  She was doing a reasonable job of singing along with it.  I got up to get the video camera, and I thought I was home free when she continued to sing.  But, as soon as she saw the camcorder, she stopped singing and wanted to see it.  It was very disappointing.  But, it was so neat to hear her.

Thursday

I was disappointed when I got home and Tatiana and Scotland weren't there.  He was still at his mom's working on her garage.  They got home about 8:00pm.  She wanted to go "Side" (outside).   Then she wanted to go on her swing.  It got a crack in it recently, and the whole thing started to really fall apart.  So, we removed the swing and Scotland is going to buy another swing today.  Scotland had to shower and normally she likes to get in the bath.  But this time we started to read books on her bed, and when she was offered the chance for a bath, she said No.  She wanted to stay reading books with me.  She was on the bed with her back resting against the comforters.  I laid down on the bed on my back and held the book so that we could both see it.  She picks out the back and hands it to me.  Her new favorite word was "mess".  She knows what it really means too. 
Bedtime was a little off kilter because Scotland had though that his mom would still have some of the good milk, but she was out.  So, I had to refill her milk mid-book reading.  Sometimes just after I turn out the light and start to sing to her, she only wants Daddy.  Last night was one of those nights. 

Wednesday

Scotland and Tatiana went over to Judith's so that he could work on her garage.  I had a thought.  If Mom and Dad lived closer they would probably be wishing their house wasn't so ship-shape.  When he was dressing Tatiana he told her she was going to see Grandma.  Tatiana wanted to go out the front door and then she looked expectantly for Judith's car.  She protested getting into Scotland's car.  Probably because she thought she would miss Judith.  Then to make it worse, they had to go to Home Depot first.  But that is a bit like a playground for her. 
At Judith's she had a good appetite.  She ate all sorts of stuff especially the little-bitty pancakes Judith made.  This weekend I am going to try to make a bunch and then freeze them.  They had lots of fun and Tatiana swam in the little blow-up pool that Judith had.  There is also a sandbox. 
We were very happy to see each other when they got home.  Scotland took a shower and then Tatiana had a bath.  She had lots of fun.  I had to take her out because she continued to drink the bath water after I told her not too.  I am really enjoying this Love and Logic discipline method. 

Monday - got test results

We finally got the test results.  She definately needs the Growth Hormone.  The original plan was to test now and then test in another 6 months.  But, her numbers were so low, they are skipping the second test.  A second test would have been 10times as awful. 
I thought I was prepared for it, but I wasn't  Now we have to decide which of the 4 medicines our insurance allows to pick.

Second birthday party

Tatiana had lots of fun at her party! 
I had to do all the party prep Friday night and Saturday morning.  I'd planned on spreading it out for the week, but I was a little sick and was tired in the evening.  Good thing Scotland did the grocery shopping. 

More people came than I thought.  Everyone came that said they would, and I wasn't expecting that.  I was glad Christian was able to come.  The kids played so nice!  Also Scotland had finished the wonderful swing set and many people were gathered together to help lift it.  The best part of the party came when someone (might have been her Grandpa) said there was a Rainbow outside.  It was the best/clearest rainbow I have ever seen.  Then her Grandpa noticed that it was even a double rainbow!  My special girl got a double rainbow at her second birthday party. 
She was very good with opening her presents.  What she got is written down somewhere.  I will have to enter it here. 
She did not want people to leave!  Particularly her Grandpa.  Mom and Dad were the last to leave and she got really upset when her Grandpa moved the car away from the curb, even though her Gram was right there. 
That night I had to carry her to brush her teeth because she didn't want to stop playing.  Then when I took her shoes off, she held onto them and insisted they go in the crib with her.  We think she thought that her new stuff would disappear and she wanted to make sure her squeaky shoes would still be there in the morning.  When she'd put the shoes on, I'd been surprised that they seemed to fit.  Then Sunday morning when I put them in the shoe drawer, I discovered that the tissue was still balled up in the toes.  She is really going to enjoy those when they fit her.

Gram's Comments on Second Birthday

Gram wrote:
" We ALL had a great time at Tatiana's Second Birthday party! She was the Belle of the Ball !
She enjoyed everyone being there & opening her presents. She even helped hand out cake to her guests.
I think that we ALL especially enjoyed the party because it was in the comfort of Tatiana's own home. She enjoyed her family & friends at her house!
One of Tatiana's presents from us was a set of Squeakers shoes. She wanted to put them on immediately. When she started walking = we could here a squeak/squeak.Then we realized that it was her shoes.We were so thrilled that she even took them to bed with her on her Birthday night.
It was a special treat to not only see a rainbow on her birthday = but it ended up being TWO rainbows.It proves that she is EXTRA SPECIAL!
We loved it that she wanted to go home with us & followed Grandpa to our car."

Gram wrote : " I want to add a memory from Susie's 2nd Birthday party. She was so fascinated by her 2 candles that she did not want to blow them out! LOL!"

Friday the 6th

Scotland and Tatiana went to Ikea on Friday.  She was the belle of the ball.  She wore her stretch black velvet dress and her pink polka dot sun hat.  She stood up in the cart and gave everyone the Regal Wave.  She had everyone ooh'ing and aah'ing. 
Scotland said when they leave the grocery stores, she says GoodBye and she usually gets about a dozen Byes back.

new sleep schedule

We have been changing her sleep routine lately.  This is what we do now:

First we tell her it is Toothbrush time.  Most of the time she walks to the bathroom with mommy.  Occasionally, she runs away giggling.  When she runs it is often to daddy, and he snags her and gives her lots of kisses.  If her diaper is wet I change it first. 

Toothbrush Time:  She sits in the wooden high-chair in front of the bathroom sink.  She has a cup that we store her three toothbrushes in.  I remove the toothbrushes and half fill the glass when water and then give it to her.  She usually wants a drink of water.  Then I hand her the toothbrushes and she puts them in the water.  This is usually fascinating for some reason.  Sometimes then she starts brushing her teeth right away.  Other times I have to prompt her.  Occasionally I have to do it for her, which involves screaming and crying.  She gets the option to do it herself, though.  When she brushes her teeth I sing, "1 2 3 We brush our teeth.  1 2 3 Mommy loves you.  (repeat)"  She often changes brushes.  Then when she is done she hands me all the toothbrushes and she gets to pour the water out into the sink.  She likes that.  Then we use a washcloth to clean up the little water spilss from the highchair.  I pick her out of the highchair.  If I made her put a toy down for during toothbrush time, she does NOT let me forget it. 

Next we put a nighttime diaper on.  It is basically an ordinary diaper with one of the extra pads on the inside.  Then she picks out her PJ's.  She loves that.  She hugs the PJ to her and then gives me a hug. 

Next we put the PJ's on.  We do the arms first and I say "Where is your thumb?"  If she isn't thinking of it, it sometimes gets caught in the arm of the PJ's.  Then she puts her hands either on me or the wall and lifts one foot at a time.  Once the feet are on, I zip her up.  Then we hug. 

I turn the lights off in the room and turn the hallway light on.  I put her in the crib on her purple pillow and give her the milk.  She usually drinks a little but not much.  Then I sit on the floor in front of the crib and read her some books.  The rule is that I can't read unless she is lieing down.  Even mid-book, I stop reading.  I read three or maybe four books.  Sometimes during the book reading she hands me her milk.

I have given her a choice for the first book, but she has always chosen "Ferdinand the Bull".  I like that book.  It is somewhat long, but it keeps her interest.  When it talks about Ferdinand smelling the flowers, she makes a smelling noise.  One of the pictures is of the bull's back legs and hoofs.  She labels that as a "Horse".  It looks just like a horse's back legs so I agree with her.  She also like to label the Bumblebee. 

For the second book, I give her a choice.  She has either picked "If You Give a Pig a Party" or "Little Quackers Hide and Seek".  She calls the first book "Pig" and the second book "Mama" or "Mama duck."  With the Pig book she sometimes just listens and she sometimes likes to label the animals in the book.  With the Duck book she often likes to point out the Mama duck.  There are also several pages in a row where the last words are "Who will I find next?"  Tatiana likes to say the "next".  If I am reading four books I ask her if she wants me to read the other book, and she has always said Yes. 

For the last book I always read "Good Morning Farm".  It was one of my books that Mavis and Thilmer gave me when I was 3.  The story is a dog goes around and says Hi to all the animals, and there are photos of baby farm animals.  She really loves it.  The pages are very delicate and she has accidentally torn a couple of pages while turning them. 

Then I stand up and mostly close the door.  I stand in front of the crib singing her a lullaby and occasionally stroking her back.  Sometimes she says "No no no" because she knows that after the lullaby I will be leaving.  Then as I leave, I tell her that she should rest and that later Daddy will come in to say good night. 

Then I leave and close the door. 

For right now, she gets upset at this point. 

When Scotland goes in, he talks to her and sings to her and calms down.  Occasionally about a half hour after settling down she has screamed because her diaper is wet.  She gets a quick diaper change, and then back to bed. 

It has been a little while since I updated the blog. As usual, my first thoughts are, "Tatiana is so amazing."
Yesterday evening, she really really wanted to play outside. Scotland and I were making dinner. She went out the dog door. She removed all the hold-down straps on the cover to the sandbox except for the two corner ones. Then she got the swimming pool which was upside down on the patio and got it right side up and moved to it's place next to the fence gate. The pool is so much bigger than her, it was really something to see. The she got the hose and stood there trying to figure out how to make the water go. At that point, I went out back. I removed the nozzle on the end and turned the water on. She stood there and filled her own pool! While I was out there, I also removed the two corner straps on the sandbox. Then I wound up the cover. It is so amazing that she did all that! Then she put all her toys from the sandbox and tossed them into the pool. She played in there for a while. Then she wanted to play in the sandbox. So she tossed all her toys back into the "Box." The sandbox play lostly involved her holding the turtle form and mommy putting sand in. Then she patted down the sand and put the turtle on the seat. She doesn't understand yet that it will look prettier if she doesn't turn it over until the last minute. So, sometimes they look like turtles. Sometimes like mounds of sand. She created about two dozen turtles. Then she wanted to swing, which I thought was great. We did the ABC song/game. For the first few letters she said them at the same time as me. Unfortunately, it started to rain, so we had to go inside.
Scotland had taken her to Central Market that day. At the playground, there was a little boy that thought Tatiana was wonderful. Tatiana wanted nothing to do with him. He told Scotland he was "four and three quarters". Scotland thought that was funny.
I got the biggest "MOMMY" when I got home. I love that.

I want to write down how our evening went.
I got home and she was sitting in Scotland's lap under her purple pillow.  She was very mellow.  I was halfway in the room before she saw me, so I picked her up.  She gives me shoulder several big happy pats.  I always like to hear how Tatiana's day was.  Scotland said she was very excited because both Sage and Emily visited.  Tatiana ran back and forth between them.  Emily put her down for her nap, and she went right to sleep.  Scotland made pesto chicken that was pretty good.  While he was getting the chicken out of the oven.  Tatiana and I played "Belly" on the Master bed.  I try to kiss her belly and she tries to wiggle away, while giggling.  She has added a twist lately.  When it gets to be too much, she gives my shoulder a little push and says "down".  Then when she is ready for more, she gives me a little tug toward her, and then I go for her belly again.  This time she also gave me a few raspberries on my belly.
We ate the chicken and Tatiana ate a little food, but she'd eaten fine earlier in the day.  Then Tatiana and I went round and round the fireplace.  We have such fun.  At one point, she actually got far enough ahead of me that we was behind me.  I said, "Oh no!  Tatiana is too far ahead.  I will never catch up!" then I slowed down.  Tatiana laughed and laughed when she "got" me from behind. 
After a one hour show, Tatiana and I went to play in the sandbox.  She sure does love it out there.  She even got on the swing which made me happy.  She wanted to run around in the yard, but I thought the grass was too high. 
Then Tatiana went inside and I took a shower and Tatiana took a bath.  I think she wanted me to stay in the bathtub with her.  When I get her out of the bathtub I put her on the bed to dry her off, and that leads to belly kisses.  Scotland came in and joined in the kissing.  It didn't last as long as it normally does because we'd belly kissed earlier. 
I forgot to mention that the first time we were on the bed, Tatiana went to play with the stuff on my nightstand.  I told her "No" that everything on the nightstand was just for mommy.  She stopped and processed that. 
Then Tatiana and I played more round-and-round the fireplace then it was time for PJ's.
The last couple of days she has handed me the toothbrush so that I can do it.  Instead of sitting her on the edge of the sink, I am using the wooden high chair.  She sits in that.  I still sing "1 2 3, 1 2 3, we brush our teeth.  1 2 3, 1 2 3, Mommy loves you!"  When it came time to actually put her PJ's on, she wanted to skip right to the dancing.  But I told her she had to have her PJ's on for dancing.  She sang along a little bit too.  Then I handed her to Daddy.  He said she went down very easy.

Tatiana is so great.  She gave me a couple of Eskimo kisses all on her own yesterday.  She also gave me "Butterfly" kisses.  Scotland taught her that.  Where you bat your eyelashes really close to someone. 
Yesterday afternoon I was working from home in the living room and we were also watching TV.  Tatiana kept bringing me books, and I had to pass them to Scotland.  Then when I stopped working, I sat down on the floor with her.  At least she didn't try to insist on going in the backyard.  We've had a lot of rain lately. 

Phone Call With Tatiana & Susie

Gram wrote : "Last night Susie called us & we talked a short time. Then Tatiana came home from Central Market with Scotland.

She ran inside the house & said “Mommy Mommy “ !

We enjoyed her happy sounds playing with her toys. Then she said “book”. Susie  read “B’ & “C” books.

She said  a bunch of words = Dallas & Gram & Bye & YoYo & Mommy.

We really enjoyed Tatiana & Susie singing diaper song. Tatiana has the sweetest voice!"

This is actually the second time she did this. 
Last night I was holding Tatiana and she was drinking her milk.  I was nuzzling her cheek with my nose.  She stopped drinking milk, and gave me an eskimo kiss!  It was really wonderful.  I was very happy.  I told Scotland, "Look at this!" and then we did it again.  I think because it was making mommy very happy, she did it several more times.  And her eyes would light up when she did it.  It was magical.

The first time she did it was a couple of days ago during coo-coo time.  I don't remember what started it.  After, I just had show Scotland what she did.  Then I handed her to him, and they eskimo kissed too.

I forget something from yesterday.  It was near PJ time but not quite.  Tatiana wanted in my arms then she pointed toward the bedrooms and said, "Books".  We went in the nursery and I sat on the recliner.  She sat on the floor and read a couple of books (studied the pictures intently, sometimes telling me what something was).  Then she brought a couple for me to read.  She seems to really really want to read.  She points to all letters and calls it a "B". 

Scotland played his last soccer game last night.  Tatiana and I had a nice evening together.  Spent lots! of time in the sandbox.  It was cooler because of the storm coming, so I didn't mind.  I got her to bed without a problem.  At 11:30pm it was really really loud and Tatiana woke up.  I moved some blankets and pillows to the mancave floor.  I changed Tatiana's diaper (she often pees when she is scared).  Then I laid down on the floor and laid her on the pillow next to me.  The second I did, she fell asleep.  Yogi laid down behind me but very near.  I don't know if she was being comforted or helping to comfort Tatiana.

Scotland came home and took over.  The thunder stopped for a little while and Scotland put Tatiana in her crib and crawled into bed.  It was loud enough that I was a little scared and glad that Scotland didn't have to go back to Tatiana because she stayed asleep.
I had been thinking about getting one of those baby pools.  Yesterday morning while walking Yogi I found one in the street.  It was about ready to go down the storm drain.  So, I dragged it home.  She hasn't played in it yet.

Today is May 24.  I will update what Tatiana's life is like lately.

Yesterday I picked her up at the Adventure Kids.  She had woke up early, and had taken a nap before she went to Adventure Kids.  Scotland took her to the one near my work, where we hadn't been before.  So, he checked it out.  While he was walking around, Tatiana went off to play.  At one point, Tatiana walked into the room Scotland was checking out and she pointed to him and said "Daddy" then wandered off to play some more.  That really gives us confidence that she likes it there.  I picked her and she was still playing.  In the car I said, "Mommy loves Tatiana"  She said, "No".  I said, "I do!"  She is just saying No to everything now.  Sometimes she repeats "No, No, No, No" each time saying it different, like she is trying to figure out how many different ways there are to say it.  We had a nice evening.  I took her to the library and then we played in the sandbox.  When we came inside she wanted to play the game I call "closet".  Tatiana created it.  Mommy and Tatiana go into Tatiana's closet and Tatiana opens and closes the door.  Yogi stands outside wagging her tail wondering what we are doing.  Closet can last for a long time.  She fell asleep easily and early. 

The day before Scotland took her to the playground.  She wanted on the swing, and only the swing.  Scotland played the "ABC game" with her.  Scotland made it up.  You say "A" as you give her a push, and on the way back she says "A", you say "B" ...   A little boy tried to join in and she gave him a withering look as if to say "This is MY daddy".  Then the electricity went out at 5:30pm.  So, we went out to eat at Panda Express.  Then we went home and stayed in the backyard.  It was light enough.  Around 9pm the bugs started to get bad so we went inside.  By the time I washed the sand off her using the master bathroom sink, and changed her diaper, the electricity had come on.  She was tired, so we went straight into PJ time.  She still doesn't like having her teeth brushed.  When Scotland had her in the mancave she started making a long OOOOOOO sound.  He couldn't figure it out.  Then he realized that somehow the kitchen CD player turned itself on, and it was playing the Old McDonald song.  Scotland couldn't really hear it, but Tatiana could.  So, I guess her hearing is fine.  She loves the Old McDonald song.  She does the O in EIEIO and the animal sounds. 

The day before that, Tatiana started doing something new while we were in the living room.  She took my finger and then she led me around and around the fireplace.  Yogi didn't know what to think but eventually after a few "good dogs" while she was laying in the marble hallway, she stayed there.  We went around and around and around. 

Yesterday was Wednesday, so Judith was with Tatiana when I got home.  Tatiana ran to greet me.  I love that.  When Judith left, I pushed Tatiana on the swing. Then she climbed out of the swing.  I sat on the big people swing.  She climbed up to sit on the swing with me.  I love that.  I had to put Mr Turtle and Mrs Rabbit and Rabbit Baby on the floor to make room. 
Scotland said he didn't mind if I was the first to play in the sandbox with her.  So, I got the sandbox toys.  Tatiana started playing the dirt/grass with the toys while I removed the cover from the sandbox.  Then, I put her in.  At first she didn't know what to think of it.  She would hold up her feet to tell me that there was sand on them.  I put my feet in the sandbox to let her know that was OK.  Then she pryed up up my toes as a way of saying, "get your feet out of my sandbox."  So, I sat on the toy box and put my feet on the other toy box.  Then I went in to heat up some leftovers for me.  When I came back out Tatiana pointed to where I had been sitting and smiled at me.  How could I turn down that invitation?
Then I got some food in her.
She had sand in her diaper, so Tatiana took a bath.  The bath was surprisingly short.  I think she was eager for the belly kisses she gets while I dry her off. 
When I put her diaper on, she picked out her PJ's even though I didn't ask her too.  She was tired even though it was only 9pm.  We did PJ time.  Then went to the mancave.  At one point I was lieing on the floor, Tatiana was sitting in her blue upholstered chair right behind my shoulders.  She got the books about reading time.  She started to read it to herself.  She'd say "Clock", then turn the page and say "Clock" again (every page has a clock on it).  Some pages she would say "Dog woof woof".  Then she started to read to me.  She would say "Clock" and then stick the book right in front of my face.  I'd say "Yes, Clock" even though I couldn't see a thing because the book was so close to my face.  But, it was very cute.  Also that she recognized that it was a clock, since the only one that had been labeled for her was a Dr. Seuss one, which looked funny. 

Tatiana is so amazing.  Yesterday we were in the kitchen.  She opened the lid to Yogi's food and was digging in there.  I said, "That is Yogi's food."  Stressing the Yogi part.  Tatiana said, "More" and did the More sign language.  I looked and Yogi was out of food.  Isn't that sweet!  So, I filled up Yogi's food bowl.  I think if the container had been more full Tatiana would have given Tatiana food herself.
Later I changed her diaper, and we both looked in the bathroom mirror.  I pointed to her in the mirror, and I said "That is Tatiana".  She said, "Tot tee"  That was the first time she used her name.  Scotland was getting an MRI when this happened, and I told him about it when he got home.  He said he had been pointing to her in the mirror and using her name hoping she might start to say her name.  But, she hadn't said it yet for him. 

Scotland told me that during the day they went to the mall.  When they were in the playground a little girl Tatiana's age assumed that Tatiana was much younger and took her by the hand to the various places to play.  Tatiana went along with it.  Then one time Tatiana didn't want to go where the girl wanted to lead her, and she said something like "Don't want to".  Scotland didn't hear the actual words.  The little girls eyes turned into saucers because she didn't realize Tatiana was old enough to talk. 

Wednesday

We had a nice normal day.  Judith watched Tatiana while Scotland was working, so she was there when I got in.  Tatiana was happy to see me.  I love to hold her when I first get home.  Judith and I chatted.  I had to use the restroom and Tatiana came in.  She wanted to sit on her potty and read - just like her Daddy.  I just love to watch her turn the pages and study the pictures.  Sometimes she will comment on what she sees like, "balloon". 
When Judith left we went out back on the big swing and she sat in my lap. 
Then we came inside and Tatiana played in the bedroom.  She loved looking though the office supply box. 
We spent a little bit of time in the living room.  She sat in the red racer and I pulled her around. 
She was ready for PJ Time.  She sure does love to pick out her PJ's.  She also loves to pick out which bottle/cup to use.  I was surprised that she picked out a pale one instead of a brightly colored one.  When I had her to Scotland, he settles her in his lap and say "nigh nigh" and she will say it back in that little voice of hers.

Weekend

We had a great weekend. I got to spend lots of time with Tatiana.  I'd really missed being with her the previous weekend.   That reminds me of something Scotland told me.  He said when I was gone, and they walked through the garage, Tatiana would point to my car and say "Mommy".  She knew that if my car was there, Mommy should be home.  This weekend I probably pushed her on the swing 4 or 5 times.  On Saturday morning, she even wanted to get out of the baby swing and instead sit in my lap on the big people swing.  I love that.  Lately when I push her on the swing we do the alphabet.  I push her and say "A", on the return she says "A".  She can't properly say all the letters but she is trying. 
On Sunday while Scotland was playing soccer, I put Tatiana down for her nap.  She went down earlier than normal, I think because I'd woke her up early by coughing. I was tired and laid down on the bed in there, and read.  Tatiana had been asleep for about a half hour, when the TV in the living room turned on.  I was turning it off, when she woke up.  She didn't want to go back in the crib.  I think she'd remembered "Hey, I can get mommy to hold me while I nap."  But I didn't.  When she calmed down I laid her in the crib and she went back to sleep. 
She has been eating very well lately.  She has a gastro appointment on the 17th and an endo about a week later.  I am worried, but it will be nice to know for certain. 

blowing nose

We have all had a cold lately.  Scotland told me that the other day she walked to the toilet paper dispenser.  Turn off a piece, and blew her nose with it!   He didn't tell me the rest of the story until I asked, but then she tore the paper into little tiny pieces.   This is what reminded me of that:  (Mom told me by Skype) 

• Judith had left big broom in her kitchen. I think something spilled while Tatiana was there &  Tatiana got the big adult broom & swept that spot & did other areas of the kitchen. I wish Judith would have taken a picture of that.

Wednesday

Scotland did some work yesterday, so Tatiana was with Judith when I got home.  I could hear her playing when I walked in the door.  The first thing Judith said was, "Too bad you weren't here 5 minutes ago"  I thought I'd missed something cute.  Judith said that 5 minutes ago Tatiana was asking for me.  She knew that it was time for mommy to come home.  I got home about a half hour early because I'd left at the crack of 5pm.  Any earlier just seems wrong.  Tatiana was very happy and she really wanted to be held, but she wanted me to stand so I would move around, and she wanted something to play with.  Judith said she'd had a wonderful conversation with my mom.  Talking about Tatiana, of course.  Judith said, "I think your mom loves Tatiana as much as I do."  I think she'd started to say, "almost as much" and then she realized how silly that would be.  We talked for a little while longer, then Judith left.  After Judith left, Tatiana was willing to go into the backyard with me.  She hadn't been while Judith was there.  I sat in the swing and she played in the yard.  Then we went to the library.  She loves the library.  One nice thing about that play area is that the kids that come there are good kids with attentive parents.   Some older kids were putting on a little puppet show.  One kid had a dog and the dog said "I hate marshmellows".  The other kid had a shark and the shark contradicted everything the dog said, so the shark said he liked marshmellows.  I was wearing a peasant skirt and she loves it when I do that.  She sometimes grabs the skirt and leads me where she wants to go.  Then she looks up at me with this great big smile.  She also likes to wrap herself in the skirt and play peek-a-boo.  We got home and she played a little bit but was ready for PJ time.  She was very happy all evening, but she waited for Scotland.  When he got home we were both on the mancave floor sharing a pillow. 

sick

We have all been sick the last few days. When I got home, Tatiana seemed to be feeling better. She was active, but still a little warm. Monday night she had a temp of 100.8. She did not want to go to sleep. Then she woke up at 5:30am. I went to get her. She wanted Daddy. She even threw herself back in her crib saying "NNOOOOO" when she saw it was me. She struggled, but I changed her diaper. It was extremely wet. I got her some milk. She kept calling for her Daddy. I thought I would sit in the mancave with her like Scotland would. That was a bad idea. She squirmed out my arms and ran to Daddy. He got up with her. She was so wide awake by that point that it took her a long time to go to sleep

Comments about Easter Weekend Photos

Gram wrote : 

Comments from friends about these photos of Easter Weekend:

Gram Reading Teddy Time

Teddy Time 2

Tatiana with Duck Easter Basket at ELKS Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Tatiana  ready to find more eggs

Tatiana in stroller

Tatiana taking photo of Dallas

Tatiana & camera

Dorothy wrote: “You are so lucky to have that little girl.  Do I detect some curls in the back of her head.  Reminds me of someone.....  She's a doll.”

Marta wrote: “SHE IS REALLY GROWING!! A FEW MORE MONTHS AND SHE'S TWO. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE.”

Marnie wrote: “She is just growing into the most beautiful young lady, and too, too fast!

I see Susie in her so much.  She is so precious.  I'll be she is so spoiled in the best of ways!!!  Love you and keep up the good work. LOL”

Mary Knight: “She is so cute and getting so big.  What a treasure.”

Jan : “ Can't wait to see her.”

Lisa Moreland: “She's a cutie!”

Carol Mansfield : “ the one where the book is down and you can see her face next to yours is perfect.  the times we live for.  what a wonderful pic.”

Ann Watson : “This will be an Easter you will always remember.
Thanks for sending the cute pictures.’

Vickie Allen : “So cute!!!!!!!”

Sweet daughter

Scotland told me a story from Friday.  They were at the playground in Central Market.  There were brothers, a boy about her age and a 4-year old.  The older brother was being a little rough with his little brother.  Not mean and not enough to require the mother to step in.  Scotland said the mother was watching.  But, enough that it bothered Tatiana.  Tatiana stepped betweent the brothers, held out her hand palm out to the big brother and said "Stop!"  My heart got all gooey and proud when Scotland told me.

Wednesday

Tatiana was at Adventure Kids yesterday.  I looked through the window and saw her playing happily.  I like to pay before she sees me, because when she sees me she realizes she misses me and cries.  She was happy to see me.  When the worker was getting her diaper bag, Tatiana pointed to her milk sippy cup.  She knew that had to go too.  She is so smart.  She didn't have a nap, so she was very tired.  She fell asleep in the car, so I ate at a drivethru to kill time so she could sleep.  We got home and she was very tired.  She really wanted to sleep, but she knew it wasn't the right time.  I had to use the restroom, so of course she went with me.  The toilet paper roll on the dispenser was empty, just the little bits that stick to the roll.  She tried to help by tearing off little bits of toilet paper and handing it to me.  The bits were about the size of a fingernail.  She is so helpful.  She also seemed to grasp that the toilet paper went in the toilet, and she couldn't get into the big people toilet, so she added little bits of toilet paper to the potty.
Then she wanted to play in the bedroom.  I laid on the bed and watched her.  She wanted to come up by me.  We sang songs.  She seemed to like doing the "falling down" part of the Red Roses song when she had something soft to land on.  Then we played in the living room.  She was really good for PJ time, and she only wanted one book.  When I turned to TV to a Pippi show she got all excited.  She pointed to the TV and said "Pippi" a few times. And she moved her hands to the intro song.  She fell asleep pretty easy. 

Easter

We had such fun over Easter.  The highlight of the weekend was the Easter Egg hunt.  We got there just in time and Tatiana had her own little area to hunt for eggs.  She 'got' the idea right away.  I think I had almost as fun as she did. 

Friday night when we'd gotten to her Grandparent's house, they were so happy to see each other.  Scotland and I were able to unload the car while Tatiana spent time with her Grandparents.  Over the weekend she spent lots of time playing on her table and chairs in the kitchen.  She really loved the magnetic standing doll.  She even knew that the crown goes on her head and the wand goes on the hand.  Since she has probably never seen a crown or a wand, I thought that was amazing. 

Sunday night she went to bed pretty early, she'd only had an hour of nap.  Last night during PJ time I was reading her books.  She decided it was time to go to the next step and walked to the mancave. 

Easter Weekend

Gram posted :


"Tatiana & Susie & Scotland were here from Friday night  April 6 till this afternoon  April 8.
We had fun & went to Easter Egg Hunt at Elks on Saturday .It was a gorgeous day.
Besides the candy in eggs that she found = she also received a big Easter basket from ELKS with toys & candy inside. Scotland blew bubbles  from bubble maker that was in basket while we were at ELKS yard for Tatiana.
Then we went home & played Shanghai & spoiled Tatiana.
We were amazed at how talkative our little granddaughter is now.
She loves to bring a book to you to read.

We gave her a Easter basket . I had fun filling it with a super soft bear & I put a new drees for Tatiana on the bear.Of course I put in a book about duckies & counting. Being that she loves peanut butter = we gave her Reeses candy bar.

A highlight of the weekend was the time that Grandpa & Tatiana & I sat on our patio. We sat in our rockers & Tatiana sat in a childs size lawn chair.
We had fun. One time I said = we are sitting here & watching the grass grow.
Immediately Tatiana pointed to the grass.

On Sunday afternoon = Tatiana & Susie & I were sitting in front computer room.
We were taking photos with our cameras & camcorder of Tatiana.
Then she took her mom’s camera & tried to take our photos. She held it up correctly & looked SO cute!
When she went to take my photo = I said CHEESE. Then after that every time that she held camera to take our photo = she said CHEESE in her sweet little voice. What sweet memories!"

weekend

I had a great weekend.  On Saturday my two favorite people brought me flowers.  In the afternoon, I was on the big people swing and Tatiana was playing in the backyard.  The sage in the herb garden was flowering.  Tatiana brought me sage flowers!  She had to make several trips to get a little pile.  I loved it.  When Scotland got home from working at Chuck's, he brought over some Roses and Azaleas that Marcia had offered from her garden.  Scotland had no way of knowing I love Azaleas. 
On Saturday evening, Tatiana and I were eating some Spree candy.  You have to limit how much she has of some things because she will fill her mouth like a chipmunk.  I wasn't giving her anymore because I thought she still had some in her mouth.  Then she said "Please".  Her first. 
She is saying so many words now.  She said her second two word combo.  "More Cheese".  That is my girl. 
Sunday afternoon she was a little cranky, and I think it was because we hadn't turned the A/C on, so I did that. 
Sunday evening, Scotland took a shower.  When he does that, he likes to get clean and shave, and then Tatiana can come in.  As soon as she heard the water.  Tatiana wanted her clothes off!  She wanted in the shower.  I slowly helped her take her clothes off.  I thought she would run to the bathroom.  But, she got distracted by a valentine's diaper cover.  She was trying to wrap the diaper around her monkey doll.  It wasn't working well because the diaper could have been a tent for the monkey.  While she was squatting there, she peed on the carpet.  That was mommies fault.  I didn't fuss because I don't want her to get the idea that peeing outside her diaper is a bad thing. 
Speaking of clothes, on Sunday afternoon I was trying to get her to take a nap.  She wanted to play in the crib.  I was laying in the bed.  She pulled some shorts off the clip on the door.  She did a really good job of the beginning part of putting them on.  She put her feet in the right legs and got it up to about mid-thigh.  Then she couldn't figure out how to get them up the rest of the way.  After naptime, I saw her try again.  I told her to bring me the shorts and we would do it together.  All I did was pull up the back while she pulled up the front.

Tatiana is sick! 
When I got home last night, she was wearing one of the pretty pretty dresses I bought at the consignment sale.  She was in Scotland's arms, but she ran to greet me.  Then she wanted to rest on my shoulder.  We went to the backyard, and I swung on the big people's swing while she was on my shoulder.  We stayed out there for a long time.  Then I brought her inside because I was hungry.  The rest of the evening, she cuddles with either Scotland or I.  Eventually Scotland noticed that she had a fever.  We tried to take her temperature, but even using the underarm method, she eventually wiggled too much.  We could tell she was over 100, and under 101.  Later we got a good reading at 100.8.  She wasn't really interested in eating.  She liked to hold her bottle and take sips here and there.  We looked up what to do, and basically we were supposed to keep her hydrated. 
...
Scotland just called, she already has a normal temperature.  I am sooooo happy.  I had looked in on her before I left for work.  She was breathing normally.

We had a good weekend.  Last night, the three of us went to Home Depot.  Scotland had modified a design he found online for a sandbox.  It will have a sunshield and a tarp cover for the sand.  It will also have a box for storing her sand digging toys.  Just as we got into the store, Scotland forgot something in the car.  As soon as Tatiana saw the carts, she knew we needed one, and she knew she was going to push it.  Boy, was she on a mission!  I knew we needed lumber, and that was where she was going so I didn't fight it.  While we were wandering around looking for the right stuff, we parked the cart and both held her hand.  That was really great.
 
When she was in the mancave after PJ's, she wanted something that wasn't there.  She wandered off, then came back and grabbed Scotland's hand and led him to a pillow that she couldn't get herself.  Scotland thought it was so neat he had to tell me right then.

Sunday morning, Tatiana and I were in the big people swing.  We often do that on weekend mornings, just sit and cuddle on the swing.  She gave me a big smile, and I saw that she had three canine teeth!  I think the fourth is coming in now.  I sure will be glad when that is done. 
She is saying so many words now.  She said elephant this weekend.  It is often so light it is hard to hear.  At one point she brought me a photo from the fridge of her Grandpa, Ty and me.  I pointed to me and asked, "Who is that?"  She said "Mommy".  I pointed to Grandpa, and she said something, I couldn't quite catch what it was.  I pointed to Ty, and she said something then too. 

I came home, and she ran to greet me.  I just love that.  She looked amazing.  She was wearing a black velvet dress with a red ribbon around her waist, and the skirt was this neat white and black fabric with tulle underneath.  Scotland said she'd looked even cuter during the day because she was wearing black and white cowprint diapers, and she lifted her skirt to show them off. 
Scotland and Tatiana went to Yoga class to find out it was cancelled.  They'd left a message on the home answering machine.  They walked around, and went up and down the stairs.  They still had time to kill, so Scotland went with Tatiana for the first time to the indoor playground at the mall.  She had fun.  There was a 2.5 year old that wondered why Tatiana didn't want to play with her.  But, Tatiana doesn't often play with other kids yet.  She loves to be nearby. 
At lunch, she walked backward to the bathroom.  She got lots of attention.  About 2pm she got cranky, so they went home and she got a good nap.
When I got home, she wanted to spend lots of time in my arms.  That was OK with mommy.  She also brought out several clean diapers and were using them as blankets for her dolls.
She asked for the doggy music box to be played.  I started it twice while we cuddled.  I tortured Scotland with my made-up lyrics. 
"How much is that doggy in the window
I would really like to know" (repeat) 

Wednesday night I put Tatiana to bed. In the evening, she took a bath. I just love watching her in the bath. Every other time I have been able to slip a little bit of hair combing here and there, so that it is done by the time she is done. Not this time. I think it was because I was having such fun watching her, that I started late. Near the end, she wanted the shower curtain pulled out. Then she started to shovel her bath toys in between the curtain and the wall of the bathtub. I think she was cleaning up her toys. When she was done, she lifted her arms to tell me she was done. I hadn't been prepared for her to be done. Normally I get the towel ready and then open the drain. I let her play until the water is mostly gone, by which time she is ready to be held. Since she started it, the towel was still hanging on the rod. She reached over and started to pull on the towel. She knew bathtime, then mommy holds you with towel. Then I always lay her down on the bed, and make sure she is dry. Then I give her lots of belly kisses. Then I put her PJ's on. I let her pick out which PJ she wants. She was pretty mellow when we went to the mancave. She watched Star Trek in the cruck of my arm. In fact, I thought she was asleep and I put her in the crib. But, no. Then we both laid down on the mancave floor and she fell asleep.
Earlier in the evening, we'd had a great time playing hide and seek in the backyard.

I just love it when she gets all excited when I come home.  Scotland said she was all ready to get her nails clipped when I got home.  She was even willing and was holding out her foot.  Then I come home, and that was all that mattered.  Lately, when you are holding her and she is happy, she wants to bounce up and down.  Scotland said she was very happy today, but she only got a 45 minute nap.  During that time he got the backyard mowed and sprayed with nasty chemicals.  Tatiana really wanted to go out back to play, so we went to the playground.  She had lots of fun.  As we arrived there were some preteens hanging out on the equipment, talking.  The black girl said to Tatiana as we walked up, "Ohhhh, she is so cute!"   Then she said to the white girl, "She looks like you did at that age".  The white girl said, "No, my hair was never that blonde and I was never that cute."

Later in the evening, we were in the living room.  Her new black shoes are too big and my favorite black shoes are too small.  So, her new black shoes were on the floor in the living room because she walked out of them.  She put them on ALL BY HER SELF.  Scotland kept saying they were on the wrong foot.  I said they were so big, it didn't matter. 

"Not Baby"

Scotland said Tatiana was talking to an older girl (not the same girl as the other conversation).  He didn't hear what the other girl said, but Tatiana clearly replied, "Not baby!"  She gets that from other kids even her own age because she is so small.  The other kids say, "Oh, what a cute baby!" and want to pet her.  I don't think she likes it. 

I am worried about her lack of words.  I hope I will be able to look back and laugh at how silly my worry is.  But, I looked up when they do early intervention for lack of language progress.  According to them, her progress so far is in the normal range.  Plus, I try to remind myself that she lost a couple of months to that ear infection.  But, there is a huge time range between "your child might start doing this now" to "worry if she isn't doing this now".  Two word combinations is a milestone that is encouraging for her to do now.  She really seems to be trying to figure out books, so I don't think she is dumb.  Sometimes I worry that her hearing isn't good.  Then I call her name and she looks at me.  I guess I was just hoping to be having conversations with her by now. 

I opened the Birthday/Easter box from Terri.  It had a box of thin mints on the top.  I do love that smell.  I called Terri right away.  Tatiana saw me eating a mint and she wanted some.  She didn't used to like chocolate, but she loved the thin mints.  I started out breaking off little pieces with my teeth, then I gave her her own.  They were very good. 

That was Sunday evening.  On Sunday afternoon when she woke up from her nap I asked her where she wanted to go.  She didn't say anything but she walked to the garage door and looked at me expectantly.  I guess she knew she wanted to go somewhere in the car.  We were going to the library, but they had closed for the day.  So we went to the mall.  There were too many kids at the playground.  She was really happy to walk around, but she got very upset when I wouldn't let her climb up the escalator. 

Thursday

I had to work late, so I got home after 7pm.  Tatiana came running down the hallway making happy talking noises.  She wasn't really saying words, but she was telling me how happy she was to see me.  It was so nice to hold her and play with her. 
At PJ time, when she was done with coo-coo time, she started to point to her books.  She wanted to pick out a book.  I let her pick out a book, and I told her I would read it to her when we got her PJ's on.  I think I will add that to the PJ time.  I should probably put the too-old books away.  She picks out the books without pictures, and then doesn't like them.

Wednesday

Tatiana was cranky during the morning swim.  It might be because the instructor is new.  Scotland does not like her as well.  But, then she had a great afternoon.  When they got home at 2:30pm, Scotland put her in the crib awake, and she fell asleep.  When she woke up they got Scotland's car from the machanic.  I was waiting for them when they got home.  Scotland had to leave right away to go to soccer, then he did some work in Ty's commercial building.  Tatiana and I had a great evening.  I just love watching her play.  Mommy had a hard night though.  Tatiana didn't want to go to sleep until Daddy came home, so she stayed awake until midnight.  Mommy was very very tired.  Fortunately Scotland said he got a lot of work done.  I think I was up in the bathroom when Scotland got home, so I told him about her wanting to wait for him.  He said that when she woke up from her nap, her first word was Mommy?   Then she walked to the bedroom.  She seems to have figured out that if I were home, and not with her, napping would be the only place I would be. 

Scotland and Tatiana showed me the Yoga positions last night.  She gets this adorable smile.  They do a version of the hocky-pocky.  She sometimes stuck the wrong hand out, but she still did it.  I clapped a bunch when they were done.  She'd had a good nap yesterday afternoon.  That always makes the evening nice.  I gave her a bath.  She played for a long time, then asked to be picked up when she was done.  One good thing about bath time is that I can give her hair a good combing.  She is so focused on playing that I can spend lots of time on it.  Scotland said that at Yoga she had a conversation with another girl.  The other girl's name is Caitlan and is about a year older.  I really look forward to having a conversation with Tatiana.

Weekend

Friday night:  Tatiana kicked the soccer ball all the way down the hall and back again.  Daddy cheered. 

Sunday afternoon, Tatiana and I went on a walk.  She started to reach for her diaper.  It was wet and poopy.  I decided to just take it off, figuring she wasn't going to do anything else before we got hiome.  We got to the end of the block and Yogi came galloping by.  I picked Tatiana up, and carried her home so I could get a leash.  She was so patient!  I got Yogi back in the house, Tatiana cleaned up and we started the walk again.  Then I had to go to the bathroom, as in right then!  So, I tucked her under my arm again, and we went home.  She didn't struggle or complain.  After that we decided to just play in the backyard.

Sunday Scotland left to play soccer and he was so focused on not forgetting to take something, he forgot to give me a good-bye kiss.  So, when he got home I demanded a kiss before anything else.  I was holding Tatiana.  She gave me three kisses on the lips to make up for it. 

Sunday evening all three of us went to the driveway and helped Scotland clean out his car.  I tried Tatiana on her tricycle.  Not tall enough yet.  Then I noticed that the seat could be moved forward.  So I did that.  It required a screwdriver and a wrench.  Tatiana wanted to hold the screwdriver.  She is such a helper!  I tried her back on the tricyle and she still wasn't tall enough, but really close.  She liked to sit on it and turn the handles and make Rhoom Rhoom noises.