Mercedes - 34 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

For the past nearly YEAR, you've had some issues sleeping. At first, it was just bedtime (and naptime). Out of nowhere, you didn't want us leaving you alone. Prior to that, you always went to sleep by yourself, in your room alone. Then out of nowhere, you wanted back rubs. And us to sit on your floor until you were asleep. The sneaking out of your room got more and more difficult, but we put up with it, because frankly, the idea of letting you cry made us both heartsick. THEN, when your sister was a couple of months old, you started waking up each and every night. And wanted to sleep with Daddy. He was sleeping on the couch with you and the dog, and I was sleeping in bed with your baby sister and really, none of us were getting any sort of quality sleep!

A week or so ago, we decided enough was enough and you had to start sleeping in your own bed for the whole night and going to sleep on your own without a witness sitting on the floor. You cried that first night. And woke up a LOT. But we reassured you constantly that we are ALWAYS here for you, but you needed to be a big girl and stay in your own bed. And you did it!

Now you go to sleep with no complaints, and stay in your own bed for the whole night. We are so proud. And happy that we are all getting better sleep. Your mood changed instantly. Of course, you still have tantrums and demanding, defiant moments - but of course, you ARE nearly three. I don't see that changing any time soon ;) But you wake up happy and cheerful and remain that way for much more of the day, thankfully. It makes that difficult night of crying all worth it.

Now, we just need to fix your sister!

Love,

Momma

Alexis - 6 Months Old

Dear Alexis,

You are officially more than halfway to your first birthday! It's been the most amazing six months - watching you develop your little personality (so unique, and quite different from that of your big sister) and become a real part of our family has been amazing. You are sweet and cuddly and smiley and happy and very, very vocal. I love hearing everything that comes out of your mouth - fake coughs, growls, squeals and all. You've been sitting up unassisted for a while now, and just recently have discovered you can worm your way around on your belly (mostly backward!). You will get up on all fours and rock back and forth, but you haven't exactly figured out the crawling thing yet. It won't be long!

No teeth yet, but you did achieve another first this past week. Your first trip to the ER. Fun. You had croup, and it's sticking around as a lovely cold, which has made you fairly miserable sleep-wise. You are still lovely and smiley when you can be, but all you want to do is sleep on me, sleep with me, sleep sitting up in my arms. Poor muffin. I do love the cuddles though - I'll take 'em when I can get 'em!

Thanks for making the last six months such an adventure in our little family of four. You've completed us all in ways we never thought possible.

Love always,

Momma

Mercedes - 33 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

I always said that I would let you toilet-train yourself. Or rather, instead of toilet training, we'd think of it more as toilet learning. I didn't want to go through months of pressure and accidents and rushing to the bathroom every hour to catch all of your bodily fluids. We've had potties around the house forever, and you have certainly understood the basic concept for months. You've even had a few random pees and a poop on the potty, but they were basically flukes. As time passed, and all of your little friends became diaper-free, I started wondering when it would actually really click for you, and if I should push it more.

And then... two weeks ago, in the midst of us all battling a nasty gastro bug, you decided that you were done with diapers and wanted to wear underwear from now on! You were pee-trained instantly, and haven't had an accident since. Poop took a little longer, in large part because of the aforementioned gastro bug (ew). But it's safe to say, you are now completely diaper-free! (Well, except naps and nighttime - although you are holding your pee for remarkably long periods of time and waking up dry more often). We are so proud of you. You are so proud of yourself, as you should be! And I am immensely pleased that I followed my gut and let you figure it out on your own. I knew you would :)

Love,

Mommy

Mercedes - 33 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Just wanted to share some more gems from recent conversations:

Me: Mercedes, I love our conversations.
Mercedes: Mommy, I love your conversations too!

Mercedes: Daddy, do you have a tail?
Andrew: Uhhh, no.
Mercedes: Oh. Just a front tail.

Mercedes: Daddy, you look like a very nice girl-lady with your hair.

Yesterday we were at the park, and you were fascinated by all the dogs that wanted to come say hello to Duke. After one of them walked away you said "Mommy, what was that doggie's name?" I said I wasn't sure and you responded with "Ummm, I think his name is Frixie!" Sure sweetheart, sounds perfect.

Halloween was a week ago, and you totally rocked it. You LOVED dressing up as Princess Leia (again) and although most other kids had no clue who you were, the parents did and they LOVED you. You did such a good job walking around our entire street with Daddy, saying trick or treat and thank you at each house, and admiring all of your loot when you got home. It's so much fun sharing holiday traditions with you - picking and carving pumpkins, dressing up, decorating. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Love,

Your ever-amused Mama

Alexis - 5 Months Old

Dear Alexis,

You officially sit! And are very very proud of yourself for it :) As are we!

Love,

Mommy

Alexis - 5 Months Old

Dear Alexis,

It's hard to believe that you are already five months old. You are such a character, it's so much fun to watch you develop into your own little personality, entirely separate (and different!) from your big sister. You are MUCH louder - screeching, yelling, growling, fake coughing - and also very, very easy-going. Happy and content and vocal, you are a delight to be around. We all love you so much, probably Mercedes most of all. She loves to sit with you, and bring you toys, and help change your diaper and entertain you. She'll dance and sing for you and you will giggle hysterically, which brings me to tears it's so darn cute. You are rolling and squirming up a storm, and just yesterday, you decided you wanted to try sitting on your own! You end up leaning forward a lot, and you most definitely aren't steady, but you are getting there! It's 'almost' completely unassisted, and that's pretty darn amazing.

Love,

Momma

Mercedes - 32 Months Old

Dear Ceecee,

Sometimes, you say the most hilarious things to us, and we can't even attempt to control our laughter. Sometimes it's not a nice thing you say, and I have NO idea where you'd EVER learn language like that (oops), sometimes it's something innocently funny, sometimes it's something so sweet and complex that it just blows my mind and makes me laugh. Having you fully verbal is truly amazing. Here are some of your recent gems:

Mommy: yawning really loudly
Mercedes: Mommy don't 'rawr'! There is no dinosaur here!

Duke: (rolling around on his back)
Mercedes: Duke! Go back to puppy school! I don't want to see your penis!

You also love to tell Duke to "kick rocks!" and you frequently say "oh my GODDDDDD" or "Jeeeeee-sus" when you are exasperated (I'll blame those on your father).

We have a broken kitchen chair that yes, I broke one day while I was pregnant with your sister. The other day you asked Daddy about the broken chair and he said "Why is it broken?" and you said "Because of Mommy's fat bum" (not nice, but hilariously true unfortunately!)

I never want to forget how sweet and funny and hilarious you are at this age. It's something new and awesome each and every day.