30 Months

We started the weekend of her 30th month Christmas tree shopping and with seeing Santa at the mall. I always loved Christmastime but now, seeing it through her eyes brings it to a whole new level, layered with so much more meaning.

The second weekend, we went to our local bookstore for a mini-photo shoot offered, free of charge. For younger readers, a bookstore is what was around before amazon. It was close to her nap-time, but she was still as good as gold. As a reward, the photographer gave her some fruit snacks. She was munching on them as I was shopping, and she kept putting her finger in her mouth. Finally, she said "Ouchie" and I asked her to open her mouth, and looked inside. I moved what seemed to be a chunk of fruit snack on her lower left side, and noticed a molar poking through. It was her gum that I moved. We went home and for the first time, she willingly put ice on her ouchie, resting an ice cube in a bag on her new molar.

I never want to forget "Breakfast with Santa" that her daycare hosted. I arrived just before Santa stopped in each classroom to say hello. All of A's classmates were sitting Indian style, and after giving her a great big hug, I sat next to her in time to see him open the door and come in. The kids stood up, and swarmed to him. Baby A was hopping up and down with excitement, and he gave her a high-five.

We all filed into the church that her daycare is connected to, and Santa was there waiting, with a wrapped book for each child. This was our second run-in of the season with the man in the red suit, and she no longer cries! She approached him and I was able to snap a few cute pictures. This is a 180 degree change from last year, when she was terrified of him.

Also unlike last year, she no longer cries when I leave the house to go somewhere. I was getting ready for a Christmas event with my running friends and she asked "Going, Mommy?" When I told her I was going to see my friends, she was fine with the response and didn't cry at all. I still do not like being apart from her, though. Don't get me wrong, it is nice to carry on an adult conversation without being interrupted, but bringing her is my preference. Hearing this, a dear friend of mine who does not want to have kids chided me, texting "You need nights out and a break from her!" But that's the thing, I do not feel like I ever do. I spend close to 40 hours away from her with my job as a school counselor, and when I'm off work all I want to do is be with her.

Merry Christmas!

Her communication and sentence-speaking abilities are through the roof now. It's so nice to know what she wants, and have some insight into what is going on in her mind. "Beast take a bath! Beast stinky." Just the other day, she started singing the ABCs song - and surprised us by getting through the whole thing! A few letters were approximations, but she knew it even though we have not really been practicing at home. When she gets out of the car, she will often point to the 'Suburban' lettering that is at her eye level and start singing "A, b, c, d, e..."

Her sense of humor is also developing in the cutest ways. One Saturday, she went on a bike ride with Daddy for hot chocolate. As she was drinking her cup, it started dribbling down her face. Daddy said "That's not really how it works..." to which she responded "Shhhh! Quiet."

A few weeks before Christmas, we stayed at the "Wolf Hotel" again. Within a few minutes of arriving, there was a lour vacuum-cleaner noise in the lobby. She quickly got next to me and hugged me tight before realizing that snow was falling. She was so excited, but not nearly as excited as when she looked out the window and saw all of the water slides. Just like last time, the huge blue one was her favorite, and she wanted to go again and again...sometimes 10 times in a row!



The build up to Christmas has been so magical - my favorite year...ever. The magic that I felt as a child anticipating Christmas has nothing on this. I've really never been more excited for Christmas.

This year, she is asking Santa for a "Lil' baby. And cars."



And we were able to have Christmas morning twice! On Saturday, my Dad and brother arrived early for a big pot of coffee and a breakfast of eggs, sausages and toast like Mom used to make. Then, we dove into all the presents! Her last present was very large swing-set in the back yard which we worked diligently to keep hidden. Although we purchased it on a black Friday deal, we didn't have the two day installation start until Thursday. We put up paper on the sliding glass door so she could not see out, and didn't let her into the back yard, which she usually has free access to. Then, we wrapped it in red and green paper. It is larger than the one at the local park we walk to regularly, and I hardly slept that night before because I was so excited! A separate Christmas posting will follow.

On Christmas Eve, which fell on a Sunday, we flew to Oregon to spend a week with my husband's parents. I love how cold it is up there, and the chance of snow. On her first Christmas, we received a very light dusting on Christmas Eve, which helped make up for all of the years I tried to will away the 80 degree southern California sun.. It feels like Christmas there, and I love the unstructured days and relaxing with his family.

Things I don't want to forget about this month:

• Driving and singing "Last Christmas" while she yelled from the back "Mommy, don't sing!"
• Her nurturing a baby doll that was mine as a child, wrapping him in a blanket and carrying him out to the car in the morning, or asking for ice for his ouchie.
• Morning snuggles, after she wakes up and comes to find me, and feeling her breath on my face.
• How "poop" is always plural: "Trevi has poops!"
• Her pointing to her Beauty and the Beast gingerbread house and modestly telling her cousin "See beast castle? So beautiful! I made it."
• Dad had to dress her one morning, because I was running late, and she wasn't having it. After her finished, she was upset with him, and did not want to kiss him at the door as we left. As I stepped a few feet away, she cried "No, I kiss Daddy!" and we went back for a big smooch.

29 Months

I never want to forget my lunch visit with Baby A on October 30th. It was a Halloween lunch, and I was the only parent there. This is because parents weren't invited, but Ms. Anka said I could go anyway. I sat next to her as she chowed down on her mac 'n cheese out of a clear cup with a jack-o-lantern face drawn on the side. She had seconds (and thirds!) of her mac and took some bites of her boiled carrots. They also had a "candy corn" fruit cup with oranges at the bottom, followed by pineapple chunks and topped with whipped cream. As I sat next to her, she spontaneously hugged me and kissed me and randomly announced to other kids "That's my Mom!"

When she was done, she threw away her cup and plate, washed her hands and went and got a paper towel, which she threw away when done. Ms. Heather was getting the cots out and she went and laid down. I went over and knelt next to her, to tell her I love her and say goodbye. "When you wake up, we're going to go trick-or-treating with Tommy! Remember, Mommy loves you when she's with you, and I love you when we're apart. I love you all day long." She didn't cry, and didn't get up or tell me not to leave - she understood. But her bottom lip was quivering, and she looked like she was on the verge of crying. I stayed even longer, covering her with her blanket and patting her back.

I also never want to forget her reaction to seeing someone dressed up as the Beast on Halloween. We were at a city event at a local school, and I was holding her on my hip. A lot of adults and children in costume were milling about, playing free games and waiting for the costume contest to start. I didn't realize what she saw, but her whole body shook with excitement, and she buried her head in my arm. Assuming she was afraid, I looked for her reaction and was surprised to see a huge grin on her face when she lifted it up...before she shook again, and buried her head once more. Scanning the room, I saw what was she did: The Beast! I asked if she wanted to go see him and she did not. But as soon as he left, she could not stop talking about him. "Beast! Big guy. Saw him!" Up until this time, I was planning to just have Belle make an appearance at her party in May. Now, we realize we need Beast there too, so of course I had to book him.

She had a lot of fun trick-or-treating with her cousins. She really had the concept down this year; knocking, waiting, exclaiming "trick-or-treat" and usually saying "thank you!" after she was given candy. We went to twice as many houses as last year; our street and the street behind us. She walked most of it but by the end was tired and had me carry her.

By the next day, she had forgotten about her stash of candy. It came in handy when she decided a few days after that to start potty training.

Baby A surprised and impressed us by initiating potty training herself this month. They had been taking her for a few weeks at daycare when she asked on Saturday 4th to go potty. We were all in her bed winding down and looking at a Halloween LED projector that we picked up on sale. "I go potty!" she announced, before walking into the bathroom and trying to take down her pull-ups. She went for the first time for us, at home. This was followed by multiple days in a row of dry diapers all day - even at daycare, and even during nap time. Just like stopping the bottle, potty training has been a breeze with her and effortless. And just like the completion of other milestones, it brings with it a twinge of sadness because she's growing up. Most impressive to me was when we were out at Olive Garden and she asked to go potty, and went!

Just because breaking the bottle or potty training have been easy as pie it does not mean that she is toddler tantrum free. They may be few and far between, but still not fun. Her latest phase is "No, MY do it" for many things, including getting into her car-seat and strapping herself in. She does a pretty good job, but it takes an extra 5 minutes or so. She's fine as long as she gets to do it. But after picking her up from school one day, I asked her to get in and for some reason, she didn't want to. I gave her a warning and counted to three. She didn't budge, and so I had to follow through with putting her in. Fitting an octopus into a coffee cup would have been easier, and It wasn't fun for either of us. But, she learned that if she doesn't get in, I will put her in. From a behavioral standpoint, you have to follow through on what you say you will do.

Toward the end of the month, I went to LA for a night of karaoke. I felt a bit guilty leaving just after 7pm and wondered how she would do with Dad putting her down. Not only did she not cry when I left, but around 9pm, she told Dad "I go bed," went and laid down on her bed and fell asleep after just a few stories. Receiving the update while I was still out helped lessen the guilt.

We had another play-date with her best friend Tommy that weekend, at We Rock the Spectrum in Laguna Hills. A franchised kid's gym, they geared toward kids with sensory processing disorders (on the spectrum) but to me, it just looked like a regular gym. The husband and wife who run this franchise were very helpful and energetic. We were there for a special event with Marshall from Paw Patrol and it was nice because they limited it to 25 kids, so it wasn't too crowded.

The week of Thanksgiving only included just one full work day, plus a half day for me. We hosted Thanksgiving at our house, and A loved helping me make the creamed corn, and Daddy make the salad. The date was extra-special because it fell on our 4th wedding anniversary, and our 6th year together. I found myself reflecting on our time together and how thankful I am that he came into my life. I realized that I love him now more than I did on our wedding day, though back then I never would have thought that was possible. In those first few years of marriage, we endured the loss of my Mom, multiple rounds of IVF, a cancer diagnosis and surgery (melanoma, for me, possibly a misdiagnosis?) and a miscarriage in the beginning of my second trimester. But all of these (okay, well most of these) tragic life events only served to fuse us together in a more solid way. We are less likely to stress over smaller things and try to infuse more meaning into smaller things, like cooking together.



The five day weekend was incredible. We worked in a Disneyland morning (Autopia for the first time!), but mostly just relaxed at home and decorated for Christmas. We bought our tree and started listening to Christmas music. And since our anniversary was the day before my husband's birthday, I surprised him with a sitter for baby A for the first time ever and we had prime rib at Gulliver's. She was with her babysitter for 3 hours and not only did she not cry when we left, but she played and did not even ask about us while we were gone! It's nice having this first time out of the way, and knowing we can use a sitter again in a month or two and not feel guilty about it. It helped that the girl who watched her was a teacher at her daycare, so she knew her.

The month ended with her being a potty-training pro. On her last day of daycare before the break, her teacher Ms. Anka told me to send her in underwear the following Monday! Potty-training was effortless, and initiated by her. My little trick-baby strikes again!

28 Months

I visited her daycare on my lunch break and she was sitting at a table with 6-8 other little ones, playing with play-doh. She wanted to get up when she saw me, but I sat on the floor beside her instead. I was so impressed with her fine motor skills. She was rolling the play-doh into 'snakes' and learned to roll a plastic pizza cutter/wheel while I was there. She quite pleased with herself, and would cut a piece and then give me a high-five.

She loves wearing her blue Disney Elsa princess dress, and loves to wear it to daycare with sneakers. I never want to forget dancing and twirling in the kitchen with her, as I made breakfast and we listened to "This is Halloween" from the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack. Daddy came out and said "look at my girls!" as she approached him for a dance.

I read in monthly developmental milestones that she would start playing independently for up to 20 minutes at a time and like clockwork, she started! She loves little houses and figures, and can often be overheard speaking for them and putting them to bed.

We packed a lot of fun into this month, starting with a weekend at the Monarch Beach Resort (formerly the St. Regis) in Dana point. 

We also went to Zoomars on one of the first days they opened, before the crowds. She rode a pony all by herself for the first time, holding on to the saddle and being led away from me. She loved feeding the guinea pigs, chickens, lamas and goats and rode the train. She also loved the huge vat of corn, and stayed in there for close to 30 minutes before decorating her pumpkin that we got to take home.

We bought a 15 foot trampoline this month and she absolutely loves it! Her friend Tommy came over one weekend to jump, but mostly, she wants me in there with her and I oblige. Dad also takes her in while I have my piano lessons every Friday afternoon.

The Long Beach half marathon was my first half since becoming a Mom. I signed up for this race the day I learned that our 4th IVF did not work. It happened to fall on the 3rd anniversary of my Mom's death and I was reflecting on Mom a lot during my run, and missing her like crazy.  I thought of how she would not be at this finish, like she was at so many in the past, but then my thoughts turned to who was there: my amazing, precious little girl. The relief and thankfulness I had when I thought of how fortunate and blessed I am to have her was overwhelming. As I was running, I decided she would be a little race bandit, and cross the finish line with me. It's easy to focus on what we're missing out on when we loose someone so important that we hold so dear, but we need to remember what we do have. I could not ask for a more amazing little girl and cannot imagine my life without her in it. I feel as if my life really began when I became her Mom.

This month we also went to a local fair, Centennial Farms, another pumpkin patch, the Long Beach Aquarium and Disneyland. Although officially fall, the month ended with some days near 100 degrees. Little A continues to pick up new words weekly, if not daily. One day when I picked her up at daycare, I asked her to say goodbye to everybody. "Goodbye everybody!" she proudly exclaimed.

We purchased new baby chicks and a big project for the end of the month was a large coup for them on our side yard. I'm really impressed that my husband did most of the work, with help from his cousin Kevin. The end of her 28th month left us with Halloween  looming, and a lot to look forward to.

Things I don't want to forget about this month:

• When she toots, she says "That's me!"
• Crossing the finish line of the Long Beach half holding her hand.
• One windy morning, her saying "Wolf outside! Huff, puff! Scary."
• Hugs and kisses for Trevi, just because.
• Asking for a baby from Santa.
• On a run, telling her Grandpa was coming over and her asking "Glennie too?"

Dear Mom

Mom,

It's been three years since you left this world for Heaven. That is where you are, right? I routinely ask for a sign that such a place exists and that you're up there. I don't usually get one, but somehow, my faith still grows stronger. While the pain of loosing you way too soon could easily cause me to be upset with God or distance myself from Him, it has only served to pull me in closer. I am closer to God today than that day you left our world because I find comfort in the idea of eternity, and being reunited with you again. And because it's a good way to live, and to raise your unbelievably amazing granddaughter who says "Nana. My Nana; Heaven" any time she sees your picture. Did I tell you? She will be going to Catholic school, just like you did.

There isn't a day that goes by that my heart doesn't ache for you to see her and hold her; for her to know you. You adored children, and I knew since a young age that you would relish being a Nana. I also knew that I needed to wait until I met the perfect husband, and could dedicate myself fully to being a Mom, like you did for me. Sometimes, I wish that it hadn't taken me quite so long to find him, but I know I wouldn't be the mom I am today if I were a decade younger. In His timing, right? He needed to make sure that as a Mom, I was ready to be as selfless as you were.

Printed in the OC Register for Mother's Day, 2007.

There is so much that I miss about you being here. Almost every day, I whisper "I miss you, Mom" when no one is around. The list of what I miss about you is too long to list, but what I miss the most is the pure joy and love that you infused into my life. I miss my best friend, and your laughter. Your always upbeat attitude is why I called you every day, often more than once. I'd call you on my way to work, on the way home from work and sometimes, also in the evening. When something went right, you were the first person I called, and you were also the first person I called when something went wrong. I called because I wanted to, and never out of a sense of obligation. No matter the topic, I always felt better after talking to you, and our conversation always involved a good laugh.

You were my strongest supporter, and always so proud of me. Last night as I was falling asleep, I was thinking about the time I moved into that super tiny studio apartment in Redlands, by the YMCA. We were shopping in a newly discovered ritzy thrift store (that sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?) down the street, and you proudly told the older volunteer that I just moved into the area. Unimpressed, she didn't really react, but you had a huge smile on your face as you browsed the racks that just did not go away. When I moved to "the OC" as you called it, you were so happy for me even though it hurt us both to only see each other a few times a month.

The anniversary of loosing you is tough and always will be in some way. Months ago, I signed up for the Long Beach half marathon without realizing it fell on October 8th. At first I felt bad with the idea of not visiting your grave today, but quickly realized that it would be time better spent, because going to your grave would be even more upsetting. You wouldn't want that. Plus, you're not there anyway, and I know you would understand. Running remains my panacea, and the race is a good way to honor your memory. You came out to countless races to support me, Dad or Glen over the years and even participated in a few. 

Huntington Beach distance derby - 2011

Mission Inn half, 2010

My 3rd LA Marathon, 2005

My little race bandit

Today, running alone, I thought of you at all of the races you came out to support me in. Running isn't a spectator sport, but you loved being there and cheering everyone on. It made me sad when I thought of how you would not be at this finish, my first distance run since having Baby A. My thoughts then turned to the miracle that she is, and seeing her at the finish line. And then, to me someday being at her races. I thank God every day that He gave me her, just as I thank Him every day for having you as my Mom.

It is because of your love that I am able to love her so fully and completely. You taught me how to love myself, how to love my daughter, and how to love my husband.

While I was driving to Zoomars with A this week, I reached over and pretended that I was holding your hand. I thought of you there next to me, knowing that this would be a trip we would surely make together, and imagining how much fun you would have with her. We would talk and sip our coffee, engaged in conversation interrupted here and there by "Look at me!" and love every second of it. I very much felt your presence, riding in the car with me without trying or realizing. While it did not actually feel like I was holding your hand, I still remember the smallness of your hand in mine and what it felt like, just as I still know your hug, or what it feels like to walk next to you with our arms around each other's waist. Thinking back on it now, it very much reminded me of how I felt your presence while riding the train to Reading to meet your sister Anna and see where you grew up. In both cases, it just happened, without me trying to imagine it first. 

Is it wishful thinking to think that it really was you there with me on the drive? Yes. But that doesn't mean that you weren't. Maybe sometimes I do get that sign I'm always asking and hoping for, and just discount it because I'm such a doubting Thomas. Either way, I enjoyed it. 

The love you gave me is enough to last a lifetime, and enough to transcend generations. A is so loved by me, because you loved me so. And one day when she's an amazing Mom, it will all be because of you. If I'm not around to see it, I hope I can watch from above, like you're doing now. And I hope that she will also still be able to feel my presence, too, especially when she needs it the most. 

One of my biggest fears since your death has been loosing our close connection and our bond. But the love I still feel from you is woven into the very fiber of my being, and can never be broken. All I have to do is close my eyes and I can feel you next to me like the day we sat on the pier, your love warming me more than the sunshine ever could. 

I love you eternally, Ma. I hope that I still make you proud, and give you a smile that doesn't easily dissipate. You will continue to do that for me, all the days of my life.

27 Months

We started her 27th month preparing a place outside for her chickens. Outside, you say? Aren't chickens always outside? Yes, except for the first two months, which we learned after we purchased them. And by two months, they were so big that they almost filled their cage. We have them in a coup on the side of our house, but try to let them roam the backyard a few times a week. Baby A loved trying to catch them, and it is so cute how they always stick together! We were very sad to learn later in the month that Nemo is a rooster. We are not allowed to keep roosters in our neighborhood due to a noise ordnance, but luckily the store will re-home him for a fee. We also got on the wait-list for a hen, so that Dory would not be all alone.

Baby A is becoming increasingly aware of her environment, and will usually say "It's cold" when we leave in the morning and "It's dark" at night before bed. Her best sentence so far was "Mommy, I go plane Portugal pppeassse!" She has also learned to say "Not appropriate" which we are really having fun with. When prompted, she will sternly and enthusiastically tell just about anyone "Not appropriate!"

This month brought with it the return to school, and an increase in my mileage as training for the Long Beach half marathon. Baby A is doing really well with both of these. A year ago, she cried in the beginning of the new school year at drop off. Not this year! She walks right in and either starts playing, or sits at the table to finish her cup of milk. I sometimes need to reminder her I need a hug and a kiss! This allowed me to work back in some lunch visits, which I stopped doing last year when my leaving upset her. She made the transition to the "big playground" when she moved up into the 2 1/2-3 year old group. I have been able to visit her a few times when she's playing out there and after a few "Mommy has to leave in 5 minutes" warnings, she offers up a chipper "Bye Mommy!"

Leaving her for my long runs has also been easier than expected! For at least a year, my Dad and brother have been coming to visit every weekend. Although my Dad is enrolled in college full time and very busy, they never miss a weekend. When I tell her that "GranpaGlennie" are coming, she often lets out a squeal of excitement, and runs around repeating "GranpaGlennie!" I had the idea to let them watch her as I was increasing my mileage to 6. When that went well, I ran 8 the following week. She asked for me once, Glen explained I was running and she went back to playing. Since then, I did a 10 mile run (since I'm slow, this takes nearly 2 hours plus drive time!) and have plans for a 12 miler. Before this, she had never been left with anyone (other than at daycare) before! When training is over, we may even utilize them for a day-date.

One of my favorite things about this month is that she has started to sing "Beauty and the Beast." It is just about the sweetest thing ever. She most often does it at night time, when I am laying next to her in her bed, and get out her book by the same title. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme...beauty and the beast.

Fourth anniversary gift!

We bought her a 15 foot trampoline and she has been using it every day. She exclaims "Look at me!" as she's bouncing. She's often out of breath and always smiling. I love that it is such great exercise for her! While she's playing, I have an opportunity to practice piano. 

Piano? I've never played an instrument in my life, but signed up for weekly lessons in our home. I thought we could replace the un-tunable, un-fixable one we had later on. But my husband bought me a beautiful one off Craigslist and had it delivered before I knew what hit me. There's no backing out now! While A is too young for lessons, it is important to both of us for her to grow up with me playing. I want to be a little ahead of her and be able to teacher her. And, if later on in life she finds something difficult or challenging I can tell her that it's not nearly as tough as learning piano at my age! Forget about reading music, my fingers are just not used to moving independently of each other.

This month, A gave up her bottle completely, without even noticing or caring for the first few days. She had her last bottle on 9/17 and at the time I didn't know it was her last, or I probably would have cried. She was already only down to one in the evening. The next night, it was getting late and she had not asked for one. I asked my husband Should I give her that thing which we do not speak of, or skip it? He suggested skipping it, and so I did. The next night, the same thing happened; she did not mention it. After a few days, she did cry once or twice in the evening and ask for it, along with a very persuasive "Peeease?" but I remained strong. As it turns out, getting her off the bottle was a lot tougher on me than it was on her. Real evidence of her no longer being a baby. 
Is it possible to feel nostalgic about last year? I realized recently that I'm not able to watch baby videos of her without getting tears in my eyes or actually even crying! While I am enamored by the toddler she has become, I just miss that baby so much. Not just any baby, but her as a baby. And I know in a year or two, I'll be looking back on today and missing the toddler she is now. I just wish that every year with her lasted a decade, and that she would not turn 3 until 9 more years from now.

Alas, that's not how it works, and a huge part of what makes this time so precious. Plus, when she was a baby, she couldn't make faces like this:

Things I don't want to forget about this month:

• Her excitement to me bringing Beast to daycare to pick her up.
• Tuesday evenings at Round Table
• "Beast so funny, Mommy! Funny guy."
• "Watch me!"
• Surprise visit to her daycare on 9/26 when she was rolling playdough into a snake and cutting it with a pizza wheel.
• When I'm driving, she will say "catch it" about a bus, or other car.

26 Months

Her 26th month started while we were in Oregon, with her exploring the property and what is a very large house, compared to ours. She is able to go upstairs now while I'm still downstairs or vice versa, without me worrying. We loved seeing her ride her pony, though some days she was more tentative than others.

Her language is developing rapidly, and she has started (sometimes) speaking in complete sentences. The cutest example of this was when we took the Gator up to the Orchard to let Trevi run loose. All of a sudden, Trevi came bolting, and we quickly realized she was chasing a deer. When we returned to the fire that was being built by the lake, she was excited to share with anyone who would listen: "Big deer! Trevi chased it!" 

We really enjoyed our 2 1/2 weeks in Oregon, and stayed for 3 nights at the Valley River Inn, where Baby A was able to swim in the "big pool." There were a lot of VIP family members with us there that we rarely get to see, like Aunt Nancy and Uncle Leonard from Michigan, Uncle Don from Pennsylvania and my Uncle TJ and Auntie Bex from D.C. Once everyone left, Baby A was able to have some quality time with her Grandma, and enjoyed showing her things and riding on her lap. Almost a month later, she is still asking about "Gramma."

No matter how much fun you have, it's always nice to be home. Baby A demonstrated her appreciation of being back by ransacking the place. Although we came in on a late flight and she had not napped, she had fun pulling most of her toys out and rediscovering them with vigor. The very next morning "GranpaGlennie!" came to see her and she was so excited. She ran through the house exclaiming "GranpaGlennie!" over and over. We worked in a Disney trip where she met the princess for the first time (the verdict is still out on this one) and a few days of not doing a lot before staying at The Great Wolf Lodge.

She started with the yellow slide on the left...

...and ended up tackling this blue one!

The Great Wolf Lodge was amazing. Only 6 miles from our house, I would go every month if I could. But it's expensive, so I'll settle for once or twice a year instead. We were there for three full days. On the first day, she was afraid to go down the yellow slide on the left. She went to the top all by herself and sat down, but as I was waiting at the bottom to catch her, she reached her arm out and said 'hand.' She was not budging. An employee staffing the line at the top saw her and walked over. Oh good, he's going to help her down the stairs I thought, picturing him carrying her back to me. Instead, he gave her a gentle push and she screamed and cried the whole way down. It was just what she needed, because 5 minutes later, she wanted to go again. 

On day two, I went up with her and the worker at the gate asked her what color she wanted to go down. She gave them a blank stare and I answered yellow for her. To my surprise, on our second trip up (Daddy was waiting at the bottom) she exclaimed "RED" to no one and everyone in particular. From then on, she went down the red slide. It was the first time I have ever really felt proud of her! Not that she hasn't done amazing things before, but milestones such as walking may be awe-inspiring, but they are also expected. This wasn't, and I was so happy she overcame her fear so quickly. 


After the red slide, she went down an even bigger enclosed slide again and again. That's the thing about this age - they love repetition. We spent the morning at the water park, and went back to the room for her to nap. GWL has a lot of fun activities sprinkled throughout the day, like crafts, story time and morning yoga. They also have different restaurants, and ice cream shop, bowling alley and kid spa that has mommy and me packages (I can't wait to us this when she's older). After nap, it was back to the waterpark. It feels too hot and humid when you walk in (it's always 84 degrees) but after you've been in the water, it's perfect.

"Beast, Belle coming too?"

On day three, my best friend Andrea joined us with her husband and son, "cousin Casey." Daddy was great-wolfed-out, and left around noon but we stayed until almost 8:30 pm. After more trips down the bigger slides, she kept asking to go down the big, blue slide. "Blue slide! I go der!" Assuming she would not be allowed, I asked a worker who said she could. Auntie Andrea waited at the bottom, as we climbed several flights of stairs to the top, figuring she would back out once we were up there. I asked a second worker who was at the top if she could go, and she said she could. She didn't back out, but I almost did! We were about 4 stories high, and the slide was not enclosed! I was even a bit hesitant to follow one she was down.
 
I couldn't believe that she did it, and then wanted to go again. It was the proudest I have ever felt, and we couldn't wait to tell Dad!

That weekend, she had her first "real" friend's birthday party at our local zoo. I love seeing her interact with Tommy. We also joined them at adventure playground in Irvine, before I returned to work that Monday. She was supposed to start back at daycare the following week, but my husband unexpectedly had to fly to Oregon. I was planning to readjust her sleeping schedule (she had been staying up until 10pm and sleeping in until 8) and visit daycare. But on the first day and the whole first week, she was fine! Her teacher said it was like she never left. 

First day back to daycare!

I started increasing my mileage this month to train for the Long Beach half marathon. While I still push her in the stroller for some 3 mile runs, there's no way I would want to go any further. That's where "GranpaGlennie" came in! They come every weekend to visit anyway, so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity. She had never been left with anyone before. Yet when it was time for me to leave, she really could not care less. She gets so excited when they are coming for a visit, and was in the middle of pulling out toys to show them. When I returned an hour later, they said it went really well. So the following weekend I ran further and drove to the Back Bay to run, instead of leaving out the front door. I was gone almost 2 and a half hours, and they're ready to watch her again next weekend!

Things I don't want to forget about this month:

• "My go there!"
• "Beast coming too?"
• Her excitement in telling people things. "Deer! Big deer! Trevi chased it" or "Grandpa! Saw owl. Big owl!"
• "No, my do it."
• Told Dad "I love you Dada" while he was carrying her, completely unprompted.
• Watching Beauty and the Beast and saying "Love" when they dance.
• Saying "You're welcome" after I thanked her for giving me a flower.

Perpetual Love

I do a lot of thinking on runs. I'm not sure if its the increased oxygen to my brain, lack of the usual distractions, just a way to pass the time, or all of the above, but sometimes a good, hard run helps me see a previous problem in a new light.

It was late afternoon and close to 90 degrees in Oregon when I headed out the door. My preference for running would be first thing in the morning, but these days I am at the mercy of her nap time, unless I want to push 50 pounds (30 for her, and 20 for the stroller). I headed down the rural road, thinking of Mom the day that I got the call she had a 3 cm tumor in her brain four years ago. They didn't yet know if it was cancerous or benign that day I headed down the same road, killing time waiting for the second phone call which was everything I feared. 

My thoughts then drifted to her one trip here to the property in the spring of 2014 after she had been fighting her battle with the metastatic brain cancer, and how I told her we would bring her grandchild(ren) here. She was undergoing chemo, had blurry/double vision in one eye and was so weak that she slept in (something she had never done my whole life) and often sat to help prepare meals, like cabbage rolls.

She didn't want to come, really. She wanted to stay home. But I wasn't going to go if she didn't, because I didn't want to miss out on any time with her. And it was important to me for her to see it and know her grandchild(ren) would own a piece of it someday. I can be annoyingly persuasive, and do have a bit of guilt in asking her to come. But, I'm glad she did because she did enjoy herself here (like feeding the horses, here) and I have memories with her here now.

All of these thoughts were going through my head, and making the loss of her much more painful than usual, as usual. I have a tendency to do this periodically, and make myself feel guilty for what I did or didn't do. But on this run, something shifted, and I thought of my love for Baby A, and how much that love is reminiscent of the love Mom and I shared. Since it is so rural, I was able to speak out loud to Mom, without fear of another runner or cyclist whizzing by and questioning my sanity. "I guess the baby we lost needed a Nana up in heaven more than Baby A needed a Nana here on earth." 

I thought of how it seemed that my Mom's soul, or at least part of her spirit, is in Baby A, and how maybe that was why she had to go.

Far-fetched, and not likely. The idea that Mom's soul is in Baby A and we are sharing the same love and it will be repeated for eternity - just the two of us,  was comforting but not realistic or even plausible enough to entertain. A recycled idea from a book I read as a teen, The Bridge Across Forever, where two souls continually found each other over time. The brief but impossible thought that maybe Baby A really is my Mom and we will go on in this pattern for all of eternity was too far fetched and probably goes against most religions except the ones believing in reincarnation.  

I then thought of all the questions I would ask Mom if she were here. Was I as attached to her at Baby A's age as she is to me? And I immediately knew the answer: I was.

Then a thought so overly simple, but profound came to me and I clung to it because so few things make the pain of Mom being gone seem less, and I need to hang on to the ones that do. The love Baby A and I share is just like the love Mom and I shared. In this way, the love Mom and I shared is not gone. The love has just changed and transferred to a different relationship, but it is still here. It is here between Baby A and I because it was there between Mom and I. The love that she gave me and I am giving to Baby A can be given to her children and their children and go on for all of eternity.

This. This made sense to me. And it makes me feel better about the loss of my best friend and closest confidant...if anything can. Even now, days later, when I revisit it, it is like a warm, comforting memory that I enjoy thinking about. Instead of thoughts of Mom being gone and me raising her without a Nana, Mom is manifested in the time, love and patience that I give to her. 

I have previously thought of all the gifts that Baby A is missing out on because my Mom is not here. Mom gave me something small for every holiday. Lip gloss disguised as fancy chocolates for Valentine's Day; a potted clover for St. Paddy's. Not just presents, but presence. When Baby A excitedly Squeals "Granpa! Glennie!" a part of me is sad, because that sentence would have started with "Nana!" Or, I think of how few things of Mom's I have to pass on to Baby A. Not even her gold cross that she wore in her final days, likely stolen by our house cleaner. But this counters all of that.

Mom gave me the most precious gift of all in giving her unconditional love to me. For 37 years, she loved me with every fiber of her being and put the needs of my brother and I before her own. Not out of obligation, but because she loved doing so. She was fun, caring, optimistic, always happy and patient. What would I prefer? Having that, or a house full of items or nice jewelry to pass on to her? Some may have material items, but less love or more judgment instead. Mom was rare, with a laugh that was contagious, and the patience of a saint. She was the strongest person I have ever known, but you would never know it because she was so sweet. She endured a lot, without ever complaining, and always looked on the bright side of life.

The gift of her unconditional love is mine, but only for a time because I am more of a steward for it. It was intended, maybe from the beginning, to be passed down to Baby A. I have been able to bask in the glow of it, but in being given such a precious gift comes the great responsibility of passing it on. 

Perhaps its being in such a rural setting, out amongst the beauty of the world, or surrounded by 100ft(+) trees, but feeling small out here is part of the allure.  Although it may sound strange, being small brings me comfort in a way. The comfort comes from the idea of not being at the center of the world like we think we are when we're younger, but rather a link in a chain. A chain where my mother is on one side of me, and Baby A is on the other. In this chain, the force applied (pulling or pushing) does not not all pile on me. Instead, the force is shared by those before me, and those after me. So, even if the force is intense, I don't bare the load alone. I am surrounded by those I love, and they help share burden.  

The burden of losing mom is more than I thought I could bare, before I was faced with it. I never imagined being able to survive and function after losing my Mom, and perhaps I would not be able to do half as good of a job if I were not linked to Baby A. Every day, I find a way to channel the pain, and change it from hurt to love to give to Baby A. This ever-present loss keeps me keenly aware of the finiteness of life, which nudges me to enjoy the heck out of her, and build a relationship like what I shared with Mom.

The pressure from losing mom (hurt) transcends the here and now. It is more than a moment. It is more than the past, or the future. It is a force that must go on, it must travel down the chain, through me and beyond. But, as time goes on, I am finding out that I have the ability to control the pressure. It does not have to be as I originally perceived it (hurt); I have the ability to decide what I pass down the line.  

In Oregon, the idea that moments, memories, and values can transcend one life is obvious and apparent. This place, where I look forward to returning to before I have even left, will be here for Baby A. As she grows older, she will know that Oregon is where her loved ones spent time; a place that her Grandma Swanek calls heaven on earth. She'll have childhood memories of spending every summer and Christmas here. Unknowingly, she travels paths my Mom walked, or sits on a bench where Mom sat and I can almost feel her presence. She'll see where our initials are carved and so are hers, or hear us splashing in the waters and running down the hills, chasing Trevi and laughing like Mom and I did. I hope that when I'm gone, she too will realize that the moments, memories, and values will go beyond her and link her to her loved ones. I hope she'll know that I am still with her, especially when she remembers our love and bond, or sees it reflected in her love of her own child.

25 Months

Her 25th month started as we entered our summer vacation, with two months off together. 

This month, she developed a love of the "big pool," baby chicks, wearing her backpack, going on the teacups and down slides with her arms up, fostering dogs, riding on the back of Daddy's bike, Playmobil, lobster tail, estate sales, running, Eggo waffles and play-dates with friends.

We started two weeks of Mommy 'n Me swim at a local high school. Dad came a few times, and Grandpa came one day. Every weekday at 9am, she went in the "big pool" with me, her teacher and one other boy. In the first week, she learned to kick her feet while being held horizontal. While she can float on her back in our spa almost by herself, she remains reluctant in the pool. By the end of the second week, she learned to reach her arms out while being held horizontally while kicking. The teacher gave her a certificate of participation, of which she was very proud. She showed Dad, and we put it on the fridge.

Right around Mom's birthday, we bought two baby chicks. Baby A is surprisingly gentle and very loving with "Nemo and Dory." Only a few days old when we bought them, they need to be inside with a heat lamp for 2 months! This means they had to go on our road trip to Oregon! One is a Polish standard, and the other is an Americana, or Easter-egger, which will lay blue eggs.

With the results of our last IVF being negative, I started running again. Sometimes, I ran while Daddy pushed Baby A in the stroller. Instead of just taking off on my own and not seeing them until I finished, I doubled back a lot. Each time I did, Baby A gave me a high five. This also helped me check and make sure she didn't fall asleep. Even a 10-20 minute snooze on our late morning walk will throw off her nap. She was dozing off one day with less than a mile left. So, we asked if she wanted to run with Mommy and she was very excited. She held my hand and was giggling, saying "Running!" Daddy snapped a few pictures of us, which I would like to share but they just look like "before" pictures. I'll wait until I have some "after" pics to put them next to - haha. I'm not always able to run, which is a bit frustrating, because consistency is key. I've been having periodic pain in my arm pit since the lymph node removal. Sometimes, I'm planning to run and can't because of a painful, red bump that lasts days. But we take it in stride.
We fostered two dogs, which she loved right from the beginning. She would wake up and say "Puppy?" and loved carrying BamBam around.

Baby A was a big help gardening this month. A few mornings per week, we would wake up and go outside first thing, while it was still overcast. She sat on her little table with a waffle, scrambled eggs, and fruit while I started gardening. Before long, she was right there helping. I had white flowers in the front planter that completely took over and were awful to try and get out. I softened the ground, put on gloves and pulled with all my might, only to have them snap off at the base, leaving their roots for me to dig out of our clay-like soil. Frustrated, I said these flowers are.....difficult. She looked up at me and clear as can be said "difficult?"

We had a lot of play dates. We Play Loud, Pretend City and the Discovery Science Center with Tommy, Big Air Laguna for Toddler Time with the Kelly's, Huemann's, and Soules, and our local park with Olivia from down the street.

On the 22nd, we flew to Oregon. She requires her own seat now, and is supposed to be in it for take off and landing, which I didn't realize. They didn't catch it for take off, so when the flight attendant told us that on the descent, we were not prepared. She cried and protested as they moved her to it, and wriggled herself free by the time they had moved on. The second flight was much better, because I prepped her for it. 

She is developing such a personality and sense of humor. She kept looking out the window of the plane and saying "Dinosaur! Look Mommy, see it? See it?" But when I asked her if it was real she had a sly smile and sometimes said no. I'm not sure if the mountain ranges below really did look like dinosaurs with her imagination, or if she was just trying to joke me. Either way, it was as cute as all get out.

The week before Oregon, we took away her morning 7oz bottle, leaving just one in the late afternoon/early evening. In typical Baby A fashion, it was as easy as pie. She actually didn't even seem to notice and only mentioned it once every other day or so. I need to nix the second one sometime soon, but am more reluctant because it is another sign that my little baby is disappearing right before my eyes.

We were in Oregon a few months ago, and it was amazing to see her show that she remembers certain things about it like where the horses are, and demonstrated memory of riding them "Mommy, ride horse, peeeeasse?" Her cousins were already up here, and a few days after we arrived, Auntie Bex and TJ flew in from DC. 

Our days up here are very full with the longer daylight. Some mornings she was out exploring the property with me by foot or in the Gator before the house awoke, and ended the night around 9:30 pm with a ride on the back of Daddy's bike down the long winding driveway in the cooling night air. One of my favorite things to do is ask her which way she wants to go, and just follow. When her Dad and Uncle Pat and TJ were dredging the lake and she said "Mommy, clothes off" her way of asking to go in the water, in the water we went. It is only up to my knees at that part, the whole reason they are dredging, and she loved picking up pebbles or inspecting moss. After some reluctance and wining, Trevi even joined in and hopped around in the cool water.

Things I don't want to forget:

• Sitting on the front bench and watching the moon rise.
• Riding our bikes for ice cream. Daddy ordered a root beer and Baby A pointed at the can and exclaimed "Beast!" When we saw a bull dog on the can, we understood.
• "Big pool!" 
• She prefers the live action Beauty and the Beast over the cartoon now and will sometimes say "Beast, scared!"
• Beast! Castle.
• "Mommy watch! Under!" Going under the stream of water from the hose as I was watering out front.
• Asking "Scat sound, Mommy?" when she heard uncle Pat doing target practice.
• Holding my hand while she sat in the passenger seat of the Gator.
• "My tractor"