letters

Dear Puddin Pop,

Yes.  I am the boss of you.

I know you were super tired tonight at bed time, and didn’t really mean what you said but, yes, I am the boss of you.

When you spoke those words, “You not the boss of me”, part of me wanted to laugh, part of me wanted to cry. I knew immediately that you had heard those words from your brother, who was probably saying them all day to his older, bossy friend, but I was still surprised.  Part of me was sad that, at two, you would be so upset with me and want to push me away.  Part of me was so proud that you were standing up for yourself, even if it was against me. 

I love you more than anything and only want the best for you.  It is my job to make sure you get everything you need…including sleep. My heart aches that you had to go to sleep so upset with me.  I’m sorry for telling you that you would need to make your own breakfast in the morning since you think you are the boss of you (even though this didn’t seem to phase you at all).  I will, of course, make your breakfast in the morning.  I will also do my best to make sure that you are provided with the skills and knowledge to someday actually be the boss of you.

For now it will be my job.  Not one I take lightly. 

Sweet dreams,

Mommy

Darling Puddin’ Pop,

I know I’m always telling you how proud of you I am.  It’s the truth.  You amaze me every day with all the things you do.  I am especially proud of your independent spirit and your willingness and insistence on doing things for yourself.

We are still working on the potty training thing.  I’m taking my cues from you.  No stress.  You just let me know when you have to go, and sometimes you just go by yourself.  We’ll continue to work on the whole pulling up of the pants.  I’ll also continue to remind you about not needing to completely disrobe before going potty and the unacceptability of staying that way after your done.

Two nights ago you awoke and came to let me know you needed to use the potty.  Way to go!  Last night you did the same and I was once again so proud.  By the 7th time in one hour (no lie), at 1:00am, I was begging you to just go in your pull up.  I’m sorry for that.  Mommy was just super tired and and the couple of drops you tinkled hardly made it worth it for me.  But it’s really not about me, is it?  I’m glad you made me get up and take you.  I’m even more elated that it didn’t last more than an hour and thankful that you weren’t getting a UTI.

I hope you will be able to sleep better tonight… in the bathtub… next to the potty.

I love you,

Mom 

Darling Puddin’ Pop,

Up until a couple months ago, you would not even eat bread.  Not toast, not a sandwich, a roll or anything.  Then we took you and Boogie to feed the ducks and you decided if it was good enough for them, you would try it.  The ducks didn’t get much bread from you on your first duck feed outing, but you ate 2.5 hamburger buns.

Now you have a bread fetish.  Every night, just before bed time, you want a piece of bread.  Nothing on it.  Just a plain piece of bread.  This hasn’t really been an issue, until this last week.

The boys are already in bed or upstairs trying to go to sleep.  I’m dropping EC’s or chatting with my Mommy’s group, and you are watching “Wonder Pets”, enjoying your bread.  Then you ask for help.

me: “Help with what sweetie?”

you: “The Bread.”

me: “What’s wrong with the bread?”

you: “It’s stuck.”

me: “It’s stuck?  You mean it’s stuck to the plate?”

you: (with your finger wedged up your nose) “No, it’s stuck here.”

Yes, my precious Angel.  On two occasions this week you have stuffed bread up your nose.  And I’m talking STUFFED!

I pinch your opposite nostril and tell you to “blow”, after three or four tries a large, slimy bread booger comes flying out and lands across the room.  Mommy says “Please don’t do that anymore, it’s dangerous and icky.”  You smile and say “There’s more.”

We repeat the step above and launch the second bread booger that was so far up I couldn’t even see it

Two days later  you apparently needed to check out the size of the other nostril, because you stuffed IT!

I love you.  Please stop stuffing bread up your nose, it grosses mommy out!

Dear Boogie and Puddin’ Pop,

Not only do I love you both more than words can say, I am delighted that you (mostly) enjoy each others company as well.  I hope you are always close and cherish each other.  Your relationship is just starting and now that you can both verbalize your feelings, you seem to “sneak” off and do things together.

While many kids these days are hooked on TV and video games, you both would rather be outside.  Don’t get me wrong, we watch TV and play video games on the Wii and the computer, and some days for more time than we should, but if it’s not raining, you want to be outside running, riding bikes or just hanging out.  I took this picture of the two of you today while you were fishing.  I hope you can have lots of fishing trips together.

All My Love,

Mommy

Puddin’ Pop, 

OMG!  you were way too cute today in your first dance class.  It’s a Pre Dance class with no Mommies allowed.  The girls are all 2-3 and you were so independent and ran right in.  It took poor Miss Tracey about 15 minutes to get the girls settled and “off their mommie’s legs” and you waited patiently, running and exploring the room.  Some Mommy’s were sad that their girls were okay, while others were frustrated that their’s wouldn’t let go.  I felt nothing but pride as you entered the room enthusiastically and got ready to participate.  You had so much fun and I so enjoyed watching the joy in your eyes.

You are my pride and joy (and your brother too) and I am so glad to have this time alone with you (Boogie is in Kindergarten) to watch and help you grow.  I hope you continue to be independent and “sassy” and always remain true to yourself.  I love you with all my heart.

Mommy

PS~ Sorry I have no pictures, the one way glass made it difficult and none of them showed up without the white lines from the glass.

These are the letters to Puddin’ Pop.  They started before she was born.

Dear Baby,

We just found out about you yesterday and are very excited to welcome you into our family in May ‘06.  You have the best big brother a baby could get and Boogie is ready to move out of his room so you can have it.  I’m looking forward to growing with you over the next 36 weeks and can’t wait to meet you.

                                                                                               I love you already~

                                                                                                      Mommy

My sweet baby Girl!

We just found out this week that we are being blessed with a girl and couldn’t be more excited.  Your brother thinks we should name you Charlie, but that could be because he just watched Willy Wonka.  19 weeks to go and you are already quite active in mommy’s belly.  I can’t wait to see you my precious angel.