Keeping It Together

As most are aware I have a habit of laughing at inappropriate times- call it a coping mechanism, quirk or perhaps hysterical turrets- but it runs in the family.  My mother, sister and I cannot make it through a drive-thru window together and definitely need to be separated at church.  There are certainly far worse conditions than the inability to control one’s laughter; however I have recently discovered that uncontrollable laughter and parental discipline are no laughing matter.

As we approach the three and half year mark with Lila I think we may have missed the “terrible twos” (unless I just blocked them out) and are making up for it with the “defiant threes.”   Full of attitude and moxie our little girl seems to find triumph in drawing lines in the sand- new ones every day. The wardrobe line has become one of our most challenging. We are currently in the refusal to wear tights, leggings, socks and jeans, as they have all been deemed too tight, and would prefer to wear a flowered “princess” sundress at all times stage.   This closet crossroads creates manic mornings of begging Lila to “help mommy out” and just when I think I am gaining the upper hand- she does it- squinches up her face, crosses her arms and then erupts into a full foot stomp rant of how her pants are hurting her “bussy” or her toes are “not right” in her socks- and I am really so frustrated and late and there it is- I laugh- I really don’t want to and it makes it worse because Lila’s response is, “mommy, that’s not funny!!” And that’s the funniest part.  So I bite my lip.

 

The Dress

I am beginning to think that I often revert to laughter with our daughter because she is a funny little girl- full of imaginative play- including the “delivery” of her baby from beneath her shirt and elaborate musical serenades conducted from the toilet - she is a performer.  We went to our church holiday fair last week and while Lila was terrified of Santa she had no fear of the goofy magician complete with his real snake – so fearless that she raised her hand high and succeeded in getting herself called up on stage to assist.  Whether it be the magician at the fair, the owner of the local store or new friends at a party- Lila just dives right in with her “nice to meet ya” forward march. 

Boil water

 

 



A Little Magic

More Magic

We have become the proud parents of a spitfire - and now are job becomes to control her fire- and to fan the flame enough to keep it glowing bright. 

 

 

What’s new:
Lila is 37.5 inches and 29.5lbs. We are in full-princess mode- Disney’s Sophia the First rules our house. Doc McStuffins is not far behind- not sure why Disney hasn’t figured out the princess/doctor character yet. Lila is in the young pre-school at Palisades – they are up to the letter “E” and number 4 and Lila has a composition book with weekly homework. They took their first field trip to a local farm/orchard last month and are headed to Disney on Ice this week. Lila has begun to take a computer class at school and continues to enjoy gymnastics at the Little Gym.

Drama of the season: Lila’s made bead necklaces at school- their teacher instructed the class not to put the beads up their nose- of course our ever-curious daughter couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Which led to an interesting evening at Urgent Care ending with Daddy blowing the bead out of hysterical Lila’s nose (thank you Google for the tip).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three and Counting

our sweet flower girl

August 2013

Dear Lila,

A happy belated third birthday to you our sweet girl. I begin your letter a bit late this year as it comes on the heels of a tale of two weeks- the best of weeks followed by the worst.  We kicked off your birthday with a party at school and a Mexican dinner – a day filled with dozens of red velvet cupcakes, presents and revelry.  Our celebration continued up on Cape Cod for our family vacation with Grama and the Rizzos  – a picturesque seaside escape, highlighted with more birthday wishes, dancing on the boardwalk and beautifully lazy days.  We returned sun-kissed and relaxed, grateful for a few days at home before we went back to our routine.  The last day of vacation was spent hiking up in the Palisades- high in the cliffs under a canopy of green, we gazed upon the Hudson and even freed a caterpillar caught up in a spider’s web and stumbled into our own Wonder Pets episode when we helped un-stick the wings of a maimed butterfly who had encountered the same web.  When that butterfly flew away into the sky with her re-claimed wings the moment almost felt too perfect and appropriately fleeting.

 

 

sticky wings

liberated

It was that same night of that seemingly perfect day when I went to check on you as you slept, and was surprised to find you burning up with fever.  Day One of the worst week.  We are lucky that in your three years you have had nothing more than the usual colds or coughs- and nothing that lasted more than a day or two- only once having to visit the doctor.  But this time was different- your fever would not subside and on day three sores began to break out in your little mouth- your doctor diagnosed you with an “echovirus” – and instructed us to keep you on pain reliever and lots of fluids.  By day four we could not get you to eat, by day five it was difficult to even get you to drink  as your mouth was so swollen.  The doctor assured us it would pass in a few days.  We struggled to get you to sip water and vanilla milk- often through the tissue you refused to remove from your mouth. 

As our vivacious little girl it was heartbreaking to see you so exhausted, spending hours in your bed or on the couch watching movies, stripped of all of your energy and unable to eat.  But by day seven, and day four of no solid food, you suddenly asked for a pancake- and just like that you were back!  As with the best and the worst of times we look back on them and realize how grateful we are to have these bookends to remind us that the daily routine delivers a familiar sweetness in its happy medium. 

So we celebrate and are grateful for every day. You have grown so much this year and continue to thrive in your daily routine of school- ready to graduate from the Old Toddler’s classroom into the Young Preschool room this fall- and of course it seems like just yesterday we took you to the nursery.  We will head back to the Little Gym in a September where you will begin your new season of gymnastics, with a side of dance, no longer with Mom or Dad in the room- you are on your own to explore and learn new skills.

This year has been full of milestones, we said goodbye to diapers last winter, and as I look around your little girl room with a closet full of dresses and cabinet filled with board games and art supplies, I realize we have indeed segued into full little girl.  You have discovered movies, your favorites being the Toy Story trilogy, Tangled and Rio- a diverse little library reflecting your ever-evolving personality.  While still petite, you continue to amaze us with your food consumption and never shy away from new trying new things, especially at restaurants- this year you have added- sushi, lobster beignets and chicken fried rice and to your repertoire.  Favorites continue to be, Mom’s quiche and chicken Milanese, veggie burgers and of course pasta and pancakes.

birthday celebration with Henry and Jack

We cannot think back on the year without remembering a storm named Sandy and the path of destruction she left in her wake.  I know as you grow older we will talk about this epic event that brought so much heartbreak, literally to our front door, including the devastating damage to your school.  We have all learned so many lessons and are proud to be residents of a state that is indeed “stronger than the storm.”   

So on this late summer’s eve, as I reflect on the year we have had, I continue to be in awe of your sweet disposition and vivacious spirit.  Your cup runneth over with affection and you are never short on hugs, kisses and love.  You met your cousin Stella for the first time shortly after Sandy and you immediately assumed your little mommy role.  When we were together in Virginia earlier this summer it was clear that you two little girls have quite a special relationship and I can’t wait to see you grow up together.  You are blessed with amazing cousins just like Mommy.

a sweet duet with Stella

I feel your velocity shifting, literally as I find myself chasing you, but also as your direction evolves to a new uncharted course.  You take us down new roads every day- some bumpy, some smooth, some familiar but most brand new.  Thank you for your sweet smiles, contagious laughter and for bringing unbridled joy into our lives every day.  As we sing every night- now in duet- “you are my sunshine” and “you are my best.”  "Thank you very much"!

 
We love you to the moon and back (which is very, very much)

Your Mom and Dad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three's Company

As we approach the three year milestone for Miss Lila I find myself more attune not just to her

evolving persona but that of our little family. As a rapidly evolving toddler, our little girl is now an active participant in our daily routine – and all of its peaks and valleys- the little squabbles and all of the familial dynamics no longer go unnoticed - finely tuned Lila doesn’t miss a beat.

 

We took a trip last week back to the “family homestead” and encountered a bit of unexpected drama- nothing we won’t get through- but what was new to us was Lila’s reaction – to both what was spoken and what was felt. Like a little barometer the atmospheric pressure was measured and delivered via Lila’s demeanor.  As our daughter now asserts herself into this triptych of our family balance beam the shift affects us all.  We wax and wane to her beat.

 

 

This little seismic shift in our family has adjusted my focus not just to Lila but to Greg.  An amazing father since day one, I now observe a new side of my husband as he evolves into a more mature protector of his little girl.  Still there to swing her so high in the swing and to read her favorite book each night, but also to talk to her about what keeps her up at night and both what “bothers” her and her latest obsession- whether it be Superman, baseball or DocMcStuffins.   This fatherly evolution is a joy to watch and to quietly observe and overhear. 

Parenting a spirited three year old is indeed a thrill ride bookended by patience and pure bliss.  Lila and I are lucky girls to have our great cuddly bear of a protector who regrettably leaves early every morning while we are still in bed but rushes home to us each night.

Happy Father’s Day to the best husband and daddy we two girls could ever have. 

First Game of Catch

What’s new:  Lila and Stella had a fabulous time together on our family trip- Lila is such the little Mommy to her “sister/cousin” Stella- and while just one, Stella seemed acutely aware of Lila’s every coming and going- we look forward to a lifetime of adventures with these two best buddies!   Growing Lila is well into polysyllabic territory and phrasing—“I have an idea…”, “Do me a favor…”  “Actually Mommy…”

 

Best Buddies

 

Lila is quite curious about hospitals, ambulances and doctors- hence her favorite show- DocMcStuffins on Disney.  Aunt Liz gave Lila her first stethoscope she bought when she was a nurse!  Lila loves to give check-ups.  Lila also entertains us all with the “One, two, three- blast off!!"

Favorite foods:  turkey sausage, pasta, watermelon, Mommy’s chicken Milanese, asparagus.

Lila weighs 29 lbs and is 36.5” 

Homeward Bound

In Love with School

We have been house hunting for the past two years- maybe a bit longer, suffice it to say plenty of time for me to have succumbed to “house-puree”- the condition upon which my brain is no longer able to organize one more of the multiple listing reports we receive daily.  As the 3-year horizon begins to come into focus for our little girl, as does the increasing pressure to provide her the space she needs to grow.  A room of her own, room to roam, and sidewalks that never end.

Here we go again...

Our weekend was largely devoted to a trip up to Westchester and a drive to Connecticut to squeeze in a quick view of two more “potentials” before attending a toddler birthday party. In the past Lila has shown no sign that she has any comprehension as to why Mommy and Daddy keep dragging her through these strange homes and just seems to wonder why she can’t take home the toys she finds on our tours.  Today was a bit different as our Westchester realtor encouraged us to visit a school her son had attended when he was young.  So after touring yet another home that while seemingly perfect online, was much less so in person, we stopped by this little school.  As we walked into what felt like a very large family home, centered around an enormous open kitchen, none of us wanted to leave, especially Lila.  Maybe it was the homemade French toasts sticks on the counter, complete with bottles of syrup the owners had tapped from their own trees, the buzz of children literally being butterflies, (the curriculum “theme’ of the week) or the warm school owner/director who took Lila’s hand and escorted her into a butterfly dance with the group, but Lila seemed to just fit right in and throughout the day has asked to go back to "the school.  As I tucked her in tonight we talked about houses and how we are going to find “our house- the right house,” Lila responded with, “I want to find my favorite and I want to go back to the school.” 

A well-deserved celebration

Happy Birthday Kylie!

Through all of our searching, what has caused me much consternation is the pressure of finding the right learning environment for Lila.  We have been so blessed with the nurturing environment at Palisades- to the point where I have contemplated how I could possibly continue to bring Lila to her school when we do finally move- sure an extra two hours in the car in NYC commuter traffic- clearly a wine-induced fantasy.  This weekend I was reminded how resilient children are and how grateful I am that Lila is thriving at Palisades and we now have a place that feels really good should we be lucky enough to find a home that will become a favorite to us all.  It feels close.

What’s New:  Lila’s “Mommy playing” has evolved- Greg and I, and anyone else lucky enough to be at our house, are now put in the role of “baby” and Lila (often in my heels and bag) acts out the picking up from school routine. Lila continues to be quite the songstress and has added “You are my Sunshine” to her young repertoire.  Also new, while pointing at her eye, Lila will say. “I’ve got my eye on you.”  Lila's new favorite snack is popcorn and she continues to love to help in the kitchen and can crack her own eggs with 90% "shell-free" results. This year Lila called her Valentines "Talenties."  Funny:  This morning Lila came into the kitchen holding her stomach then after clearly faking a dramatic sneeze into her arm, dramatically declared, " I don't feel good..."
Stats:  Lila is 27lbs and 35.5 inches and has just graduated to a size 7 shoe!

It Happened One Night...

At least that is how it seems. So here it comes again, that familiar tune about how fast it all goes- the tune that seems to be continuously looping in the background of our daily life.  I am certain it took a bit longer but it seems as if we woke up one morning to a little girl.   Call it a triple or maybe even a home run for within the past month we have said goodbye to diapers, the high chair and bibs and hello to first ballet shoes and a great big personality!  Lila has gone from baby to little mommy of her dolls and stuffed animals- her “old” diapers are now cinched tight on teddy bear bellies  as they are put in their place for story time and flash card lessons.  These are great days for stealing moments to slow it all down, peak around the corner and watch.

Along with all of the new milestones to celebrate we also have become acquainted with what I like to call the “2 and half sass.”  The Academy Awards will of course be announced at the end of the month but Lila is definitely a front runner for best dramatic performance by a toddler.  Life is hard for this little girl – between the angst of naps, tooth brushing, hair combing and getting dressed Greg and I are clearly the most horrid of tormentors.   When asked to do just about anything, Lila replies with the now standard, “5 minutes,” a casual directive once given by Greg now forever parroted.  And the other standard reply to,  “Lila wash your hands” or “Lila time to take a bath,” “No, I did that last night.”  Of course as 2 and a half year olds have no concept of “last night” or “5 minutes” we do our best to laugh and to teach her that “5 minutes” goes by quite quickly and that we should bathe daily.

The drama continues as Lila seems to have developed a bit of an affinity for performing.  Thanks to Guitar Bob at school, dance lessons, a new ukulele and the toddler channel on Pandora we are the proud parents of a pint-sized travelling minstrel.  And while I do wish they had written a few more words to the old standby, “B-I-N-G-O” at least the girl sings with gusto and seems to have rhythm.  I half expect her to burst through the bedroom door one day strumming away on her ukulele (perfect size for a “mini-guitar”) singing the “the hills are alive….”  or perhaps “Piano Man” as she has positioned her microphone on top of her mini piano to better facilitate her vocal amplification while tinkling the ivories.

 

So while getting dressed and out of the door every morning, along with many other things, takes longer and are mini-battles, I keep reminding Greg that she is testing her boundaries- we just need to move soon because we need more space for all of this performing!

What’s New:  At her 2.5 old check-up last week Lila measured in at 26.6 lbs and 34.5" inches.  She officially transitioned to the big girl potty in early January and even wakes up to tell us when she needs to "go".  At 30 months Lila transitioned to the "Old Toddler" classroom at school and loves all of the new challenges and lessons- practicing letters and numbers.  Lila’s favorite movies are “Rio” and “The Great Muppet Caper” and she has just recently discovered Mickey Mouse.  Lila will play for long stretches in her kitchen, coloring, playing with her instruments and acting as little mommy- complete with putting her dolls in time out.  Lila continues to have a great food curiosity and we do a lot of prep on the floor- making lasagna, pizza, casseroles and of course cookies!