Bluebirdbaby

20/52

this week you:

• had your very first ballet recital in a big theater with hundreds of people watching. you were so spectacular! you ran off the stage into my arms and said, "oh mama! i didn't want it to end! i can't wait for next year!" we were SO proud of you!
• tried grilled eggplant for the first time. you didn't like it...
• watched one of my favorite kid movies "The Sandlot"
• dressed up as a flower fairy for your friends birthday party. you looked pretty sweet :)

19/52

this week you:

• had your first gallery opening. you were shy and proud and a little embarassed by all the attention, but you had a fantastic evening!
• had more desserts than i think i've ever let you have before. so much celebrating!
• had some real, honest, heartfelt conversations with me before bed. it's different talking to you now that you are older. you have so much to say, and you feel everything so greatly.
• told me you wished your "Baba" lived next door.
• went on secret mother's day errands with mark and had a blast
• told me i was the best mama in the world and you never wanted to let me go. aw.

18/52

this week you:

• grew an inch...i think
• learned a duet on the piano that my mother taught me when i was your age
• fell asleep in my arms one night because you wanted "extra cuddles." i saw the baby in you that night.
• enjoyed our family movie night and requested bacon, watermelon, carrots, and popcorn as your movie buffet dinner.
• were so excited about our new fruit and lilac trees that you spent all afternoon watering them and caring for them.
  
• had your ballet pictures done before the big recital and you did so great. i'm very proud of you.
• started writing a new book. i can't wait to see the finished product!

17/52

this week you:

• watched "The Swiss Family Robinson" for our family movie night and loved it
• made mark buy a coconut because of the above movie, which he had to drill and then hammer open. after all that work, you wouldn't even try it!
• had your first trip to the beach in your bathing suit. we thought you were crazy, but you and your friend were actually swimming in the ocean. you didn't want to leave!
• found a spotted salamander under a pot on the side of the house. it was black with yellow spots. we had never seen something like that in maine before!
• played the piano for hours, making up your own songs and putting on concerts. you also made me play so you could sing all kinds of funny songs.

16/52

a week late...again....

this week you:

• learned "etude" on your violin. you are so excited about the Bach minuets next!
• got four postcards from mama and mark when we were in california
• helped mama shovel loam into our new gardens
• picked out some lovely nasturtiums to plant in our pots for the front steps
• ate loads of fresh pineapple and berries
• had your first dunk in the galvanized tub with hose water. brrr!
• played in the pile of dirt with your horses for hours

15/52

this week you:

• were so settled. it was lovely to see you be yourself again.
• played all the time. for hours. mark and i disappeared upstairs to work for a bit and you were completely fine playing downstairs. normally you won't let us leave your sight!
• ate so much food. maybe it was due to all the physical activity we had?
• biked 3.5 miles while i ran. you really made me run fast! i was so proud of you.
• made funny faces every time the camera was pointed at you.
• cleaned up all your toys every day, made your bed, and put away your clothes without being asked.
• got roller skates. it took you a little while to get used to them, and you are still practicing, but you think they are the best ever!
• painted a huge horse for an art show next month. it looks so good.
• learned more about banking and saving money and spending and wise choices. i was proud of you.
• kicked mark's butt at monopoly. park place AND boardwalk?! no way...

14/52

this week you:

• had a sore throat :( you drank lots of hot honey tea and ate honey sticks
• made a horse barn out of a cardboard box
• told me you are so very tired. i hope you get your energy back soon
• rode your bike for the first time this spring
• told me "mama, everyone gives you their shrunken clothes because you are tiny. like me." ha!
• and right after that looked in the mirror after your bath and said, "mama, i find it so funny how when my hair is wet it looks all stringy and departed." i told you that you're a funny little girl and that made you smile.
• fell asleep petting the cat who the night before got stuck in your room and left you a surprise on the carpet
• did such a fabulous job practicing your violin

 

13/52

this week you:

• dyed easter eggs outside in the sunshine
• ran around in sandals that still fit you after two years. such tiny feet you have.
• asked for a bath because you said it would make you feel good. i thought that was cute.
• had a rough time sleeping. you woke mama up many nights for various things.
• played your violin for family who came for easter. you sounded marvelous and we all clapped and cheered!
• ate almost an entire bag of potato chips while on our errands. the "party size" bag!

12/52

we're a little behind on the 52 project! what a busy week! so here is last week:

this week you:

• played baseball outside. a lot. you are becoming a very good catcher and have always had a great arm.
  
• did such a fabulous job in ballet. i love how athletic you are.
• started reading a new chapter book.
• were told that an alligator named artie lives in the cookie jar. you think it's really funny. he guards our cookies.
• requested shrimp in your lunchbox, which mama thought was pretty neat. you almost ate them all, too!
  

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11/52

this week you:

• went on your first plane ride
• journaled...every single day while we were away
• impressed everyone with your awesome style and wonderful behavior
• got really really reeeeaaally bored at the Hirshhorn museum and traveled from couch to couch to lay down
• ate SO.MUCH.FOOD while on vacation. seriously! why can't you do that at home?!
• started a new chapter book called "Twig"
• got to ride on a merry go round twice while in DC
• made fast friends with the musicians from barnaby bright and didn't want becky to leave! she thought you were pretty awesome yourself.
• decided that walking is really tiring and even if it gets you someplace cool, you still wanted a piggyback.
• decided the cheetah's at the national zoo were your favorite. they reminded you of our cats.
• promptly made your own zoo upon returning home, which you made us tour for $1 each...

(Above photo is from the Hirshhorn Museum, and taken with my iPhone!)

10/52

somehow i got a week behind (?) on the 52 project! so i'm doubling up weeks...

this week you:

• ate an entire fritatta by yourself. we were proud.
• found a bunch of your old 3T clothing that STILL fits. yes, you are quite petite!
• ran 3 miles in your new shoes
• finished up reading Mary Poppins
• watched Oliver as a treat. you really loved it. and we enjoy our monthly family movie nights.
• recorded a new music trio with mark and i. i also interviewed you which was hilarious!

and just for all you camera lovers out there...this photo was shot at an ISO of 16,000...yes...SIXTEEN THOUSAND! no noise reduction either. amazing, eh?!

9/52

this week you:

• fell at a friend's house and cut your upper lip
• could NOT stop saying how much you loved us (that is so nice)
• had a fabulous violin lesson
  
• had a playdate with a friend and painted your nails, then had a sword fight (wet nails and sword fights don't go well together!)
  
• got really serious while at ballet...you were so focused!
• smiled. a lot.

i'm really enjoying her 52 weeks...who are you loving?

 

8/52

this week you:

• were in a fabulous mood. happy, bubbly, your old self. it was wonderful.
• giggled with your whole body so much it made us erupt in laughter constantly.
• had your first ballet class after a long break. you were so good, despite not knowing what the others were doing. so focused and concentrated and you were so excited. you looked beautiful.
• started walking on your heels to crack us up when we were out on our adventures. you had mark and i almost in tears it was so funny!
• enjoyed many treats while out and about...maple syrup steamers, smoothies, hot chocolates. you enjoyed all of them.
• made your own leather bracelet complete with your own stamp designs.
• decided you wanted to start selling your artwork and paintings online.
• seemed to express complete joy and love at being here with us.
  
• fell asleep in the car which hasn't happened in years.

7/52

this week you:

• had a really tough time transitioning from being in school to being on vacation. lots of moments were just no fun at all, but we made it through.
  
• i think finally understood that you have a choice. in everything. but most of all how you react to life.
• insisted on using your last $10 to buy "jeggings"...yes, i kid you not. jeggings. and you love them.
• took your little stuffed mouse on a hike through the woods and dropped him. we looked everywhere and raced miles back to find him along the path. but he was gone. then, miraculously, we found him at the head of the trail. someone was looking out for you that day.
• made mark chase you around the house with a broom, pretending to be a mouse all night.
• had a lovely dinner with aunt carrie and uncle bryan. you love them so.
• wanted me to curl your hair with my new curlers. we did and you looked so beautiful.
  
• had me bowling outside using our recyclables (olive oil cans are perfect as pins). it was so warm! we were hula hooping and dancing and racing and laughing.
• drew me the most fantastic picture which i am going to frame and hang on the wall. i hope you always draw like this.
• worked out with me one morning. you on the treadmill, me with weights. then you did push ups. you love being active, just like your mama.

 

 

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5/52

4/52

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6/52

this week you:

• played the horse in a school play. you were great. then you switched to your totem animal (the bear) and were great again!
• were "bored" more than i've ever seen you before. you weren't really content with your toys, art supplies, or anything. you just wanted to watch movies, which mama doesn't really let you do all that much. 
• are completely and totally obsessed with the beatles. you rush in the door and immediately put on one of their albums. we dance and sing. your favorite is "dizzy miss lizzy" because that's your nickname.
• woke us up at 6:30 a.m. because you were reading so loudly in your little bed in the bell tower. you love to read.
• wrote me the sweetest little note and stuck it in my bag before i went off to work. it made me cry.
• declared you wanted to have your very first sleepover at a friend's house...we're working on it.
• were a little off. your mood was a bit down, and your appetite just didn't exist much. you had us worried, but i think it was just a passing phase. possibily fighting something off.
• celebrated your first valentine's day at the church. we made a heart shaped pizza, a flourless chocolate torte, and you got a special gift from mama.

 

5/52

This week you:

• woke us up at 7 a.m. with running shoes in hand, begging us to tie them so you could run on the treadmill
• got sick of asking us to continually tie your running shoes, so you learned to tie them yourself
• learned how to do push ups and crunches and thought they were all pretty awesome. you want to run in a 5k with me this summer
• wrote m and i the sweetest little note saying how much you'll miss us and drew a cute picture of you thinking about us
• worked on a book about a horse. you walked around with the little notebook m gave you and a pencil for two days straight. and you read it to us over and over again.
• found the most beautiful flower girl dress when we went shopping on sunday. you are so excited to be our little flower girl and you are asking us so many questions about love and getting married. you are quite thrilled about the whole thing.
• witnessed the biggest snowstorm you have ever seen. you made two caves and a giant snow slide.
• you were constantly hungry and i swear all we did was cook for you, even though you only ate a quarter of whatever it was you asked for.
• wanted to hang one of your paintings you did for m. you tried it out all over the house. we still haven't settled on a spot.
• you finally had a playdate with one of your bestest friends (and now our neighbor) and loved it. you look up to her so much and she's the best role model ever.
• started knitting me a scarf. so sweet.

 

4/52

this week you:

• made the most amazing "pegasus" drawings. i put one on the fridge that you drew me that says "love for mama" on it. it makes my heart smile everytime i see it.
• you decided that my make up is really awesome. you wanted to wear some glittery eye shadow and you tried to straighten your hair just for fun. you are already beautiful and i told that. i said make up is like wearing fancy clothes...it's just fun.
• i was sneaky and recorded you dancing to a hip-hop song. you caught me and had a fit. so i had to delete it. but it was really, really good. you have some amazing moves.
• because of your amazing moves, i've decided i really need to hook you back up with ballet and tap. so mama is looking around...
• you made mark and i stand at the door and wave and blow kisses goodbye until you and your papa were out of sight. we did, then we turned to each other and said how much we missed you.

 

3/52

this week you:

• had yet another tummy upset and stayed home from school. you felt better by dinner and helped me make a fritatta. you were not excited about the spinach i made you put in yours.
• you finished one of my large paintings. you've been painting for the last three days straight. you got up at 6 a.m. today to paint. you finished three before we even opened our eyes.
• you practiced your violin quite seriously. you made me make three videos of different songs you played, but had to make sure you made no mistakes. if you did, you made me start over.
• you suffered through a dinner of homemade mac and cheese, bacon, and pureed squash with lots of butter and maple syrup. it took you an hour. it was hilarious. a simple, delicious meal, but my little picky eater couldn't handle it. you eventually finished after you realized we wouldn't budge, and yes...you eventually did get that frosted oatmeal cookie.
• i realized just how beautiful and grown up you are this week. your long hair, your big blue eyes, your tiny, petite little body...you are so wonderful. mark thinks you look just like me, and move like me, and sound like me. sorry about that :)
• you woke up at 4 a.m. this morning. and stayed awake. you were in our room at 6:45, but we told you to go back to sleep. you didn't. so we got up, made pancakes, bacon, eggs, coffee, and tea and crawled back into bed (after you insisted on BREAKFAST IN BED!) and ate and lounged. it was a good sunday morning afterall...
• this was the week mark realized JUST how much energy you have. it's limitless. and rather nuts. but i'm used to it.

happy weekend, friends...xoxo

52 Week Project: Week 2

Second week of 52

this week you:

• got really excited about cooking. you made your own fried rice and marinated tofu. then you asked to know how to make a salad for mark and i, so you could surprise us some night. so i taught you my favorite dressing recipe and how to mix and cut everything up.
• you got the stomach bug and stayed home from school on friday. by saturday you were better and acting fine. you have always had such a strong immune system.
• we watched one of my favorite childhood movie together as we snuggled in bed, both sick. you cuddled with me and thanked me for being such a good mama.
• you stayed in your jammies longer than you ever have before and suddenly exclaimed "why on EARTH am i the only one still in my jammies?!" and then you went and changed. it was cute.
• your second grown up tooth is growing in, but you don't have any other loose ones yet

52 Week Project: Week 2

i stumbled across the 52 week project and really thought about it. i do try to protect the little one's privacy, and she has control over what goes on here and what doesn't when it comes to her. i showed her this project and she immediately said "yes mama! let's do it!"

and i couldn't think of a better way to document her growth over the next year, and the little tidbits about her that change so quickly.

so we are jumping in a week late, but here we go:

 

this week you:

• learned a new song on your voilin (Andantino) and you got really focused when you practiced
• you asked for a baby sister and when i said they don't just get dropped off on the doorstep, you put your hands on your hips and said, "well, NO mama! you grow them in your belly!"
• you said the best part of your saturday was wandering around the flea market
• you spent two whole hours pretending to answer business calls from clients on your pretend phone because you are a photographer and do a lot of food styling too
• you slept one whole night in your bed (let's try for more of that, okay?!)
• your hair keeps getting darker and darker. now it reaches down to your lower back. i really love it that long.