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.