Conversations with my 3 Year Old: Classrooms and Babies

Miss NK the Teacher

NK and G were playing Saturday and all I heard was "Grant, do this. Do that. Stop. Sit down. Stand up. No, Grant." 

Me: NK, don't be so bossy or Grant will not want to play with you.

NK: But I am the teacher!!

Me: Well, you don't have to be so bossy. Grant won't want to be in your class.

NK: Why. Would. He. Not! Want to be in my class?! It's a beautiful class. I have books, and chairs and toys. It's a beautiful class mama!!!

Bahaha!! She was so offended that I would even mentioning the fact that Grant would not want to be in NKs class and her as a teacher!!

Babies

NK is sitting on the couch with a baby under her shirt.

A second later she looks up so surprised.

NK: Mama!!! This baby just popped out of my tummy!!!

(maybe I need to watch a little less TLC and discovery channel around the house...)

Grant is 1!!

Grant turned ONE on March 20!  I can't believe how fast his first year went by.  I can't help but feel that he got "gipped" a little bit because I was in school and super stressed for most of his first year.  It's all for the best though.

I had to work on Grant's birthday this year, but bought him a "smash cake" from Harvey's.  He DUG IN.  He LOVED it! I sent cookies with him to "school" that day for his little class to celebrate him, but they called around lunch and he was running fever and had some diarrhea (they are supposed to be sick on their birthday right?  I think that is an unwritten rule somewhere.) We celebrated as our small little family of four.  It was perfect.  I held him tight before bed that night.

A few weeks later we had a "Construction Themed" party.  It was SO cute.  It was supposed to be outside at the playground at the state park.  It rained CATS AND DOGS that day though!  We were in a dry spell, so even though it altered his party a little, we were grateful for the rain.

We got Grant a big dump truck and he LOVED it.  He wasn't walking yet, but he pushed it around and sat in it.  His favorite was sitting in it and letting others push him.

He got another smash cake at his party and tore into that one too.  He is such a happy baby boy.

Grant started walking about a month after his birthday.  I know it's terrible, but I can't remember the exact day?  He had been taking "steps" for months.  Probably a good 3 months, and then it was just like one day he realized he could really walk.  He never did fall.  I think that is why I  can't really remember, because he started with a step, then a couple days later two, then three, then walking from the sofa to the loveseat, then running through the house over a period of several months. 

He is still small.  In the 6th percentile for height.  We also found out he was anemic shortly after his first birthday... so he was on iron.  But looking at him he has little fat rolls on his legs and arms.

Grant nursed until he was about 14 months old.  He got to where he would just nurse on one side, and only in the mornings.  It was a sad day when he didn't want to anymore :(:(

He is in size 12 months shirts and size 9-12 month shorts/pants. He is in size 5 shoe now.

Grant is ALL BOY.  He hits.  He loves to eat.  He plays with tractors and loves all things trucks and dogs.

He is also still a Mama's boy.  In the same though, he cries when his Daddy leaves him.  He loves to ride on the Ranger.  He adores both of his Papas (and the feeling is mutual.)

He is sleeping all through the night.  As a matter of fact, on the weekend he will sleep until 10-10:30?????  I can lay him down in his crib at 8:30-9:30 and he goes right to sleep. (He is not sleeping in our bed, thank Goodness.... Because I don't know how much more we could fit in our bed.)

He loves milk and is a cookie monster.

Grant also has a TEMPER.  Whew, he can get mad.  When he gets mad he hits me or himself.  He will also grunt until he is real red in the face.  I can also roll his bottom lip out farther than any other baby I think.  I know I shouldn't laugh, but it is funny when he does it.

He can say hey, bye, dog, mama, daddy, Papa, and this.  He isn't talking a lot, but I know it will come.  He knows what a lot of things are, because if I tell him to go do something, or get something he does.

Grant,
You are a sweet boy.  And so handsome.  It has been so much fun watching you grow.  I can not believe you are over a year old.  Your first year went by so fast.  I am so proud of you.  I can't believe you are considered a toddler now.  You will always be my baby though.
I love you a bushel and a peck!
Mama

Norah Kate is 3!

Better late than never.... right?  I am way behind on my blogging.  Between finishing my Master's, studying for NP boards, and starting a new job.  It has been so chaotic.  I hate that I have let myself get so behind on blogging though, because I thoroughly enjoy it.

Norah Kate turned 3 on December 29.  We had a small family birthday party at a local pizza restaurant.  I did a manicure and a pedicure on her.  My sister came to visit.  We baked cupcakes.
After her 1st birthday, I have since shied away from having a big party on their "birthday." I feel like if I do that, then I can't truly enjoy their day.  It is selfish, I know.  But I want to enjoy my babies all to myself on their birthdays.



Then (almost TWO months later!!!) I had her 3rd Birthday Party.  (I felt like a terrible mama, but it seriously was make or break time studying for my NP boards!!).  It was worth the wait though!!  She wanted a "Frozen" birthday.  Which was super easy to decorate for with the time of year.

 



We had her party at the local gymnastics gym.  The kids had a blast. 

Ever since then, NK keeps asking when she will get another "Frozen Birthday."  I have a feeling that she will put in for another Frozen themed party this year too! Haha!

Clothes:  NK is still wearing a 2T-3T clothes.  She weighed 30 pounds and was 3ft tall at her 3 year check up.  She is perfectly "average" size in all her percentiles.  She wears a size 9-10 shoes. I usually buy things a little "big" because I hate her only being able to wear something for a month or two before we outgrow it.  (I must admit, it is nice not having to buy a new wardrobe every 3-6 months.)  And with her having two older girl cousins we get beautiful hand-me-downs!

School:  NK started going to "school" (daycare) again in January.  Her and G are in the same "daycare" which makes it nice, but the daycare also has a 3K and PreK.  They get to go outside and have a schedule.  She is learning tons.  She really is such a smart girl... she also has a smart mouth which is starting to get her in a little trouble ;)
She knows her colors, shapes, she can count to 20 and is "reading."  She picks up a book and pretend reads.  It is so much fun listening to her imagination.  She also is huge into pretend play.  She plays with her babies and is all about being the "mama" or the "teacher."  I love sitting outside her room and listening to her talk to her babies.  I must say---she is a bossy little thing.  (I don't know where she could get that from?)

She likes:  Her daddy to tell her bedtime stories (We started telling her make-believe stories about a princess names Tiana.  That is a request every night now.)  Being bossy with her brother.  Swinging.  Eating candy.  Swimming.  Letting Hoss out to go potty.   Painting/coloring/crafting.  Going to Chick-fil-a.  Reading books.  Playing mama or teacher to her babies.  Peppa Pig.  Sleeping in Mama and Daddy's bed.
 
She doesn't like:  For me to pick out her clothes.  Grant playing with her toys.  For me to leave her at school (she is still clingy, which is ok with me.)  Sleeping by herself.  The dark.  Being told "no."  Being told "be quiet for just a minute."

I told her the other day to be quiet for just a minute (because she had chattered and asked questions since her feet hit the floor).  She told me, "No, Mama, I am talking." (Bahahahha!  I know, Baby,  hence, please be quiet!!)

NK doesn't forget ANYTHING.  I almost feel bad, because if I ever discipline her, she will bring it back up the next time.  Which hurts my heart a little, but at the same time, it is important to me for her to mind and be respectful.  She is very strong-willed and "spirited" if you will.  Very stubborn.  And I am a control-freak (I will be first to admit it).  So we bump heads often.  She also has NO patience.  None of this is unexpected though, for her to just be 3. I handle it the best way I can.  Sometimes I am not as patient as I need to be though, and I pray for God to help me raise her the best way.  It's hard, you know, wondering if you are doing a "good job" as a parent....  There is no "perfect" way to do anything, because each situation, child temperament, and home life is different.

I learned a while back to quit comparing my situation to everyone else.  What I do, in regards to raising my kids, may be different than what someone else does.  Because, I work full-time, and I am by myself with the kids most evenings because Matt works late.  Therefore, my kids may not be in bed at 7:30 every night.  If so, then they wouldn't get to see much of me or Matt.  And they may eat fastfood one night and sandwiches another because I am too tired to cook when I get home.  I may be more strict with my kids, because I the main one home with them so I need for them to half-mind for my sanity.  Then there may be times when I just let them eat the dang cookie because I don't have the energy to battle the falling-in-the-floor-kicking-and-screaming fit that would most likely follow  or because the cookie is the perfect distraction while I get supper started.  There is no perfect manual for me to follow.  I just have to pray and follow my heart.  I try to show them as much love as I can, all while encouraging a balance of respect and independence.

As exasperated as I may get with her, I can't help but have pride in that sweet, stubborn girl.  When I watch her work through a task (assuming she doesn't fold to the frustration of not being able to do it at first), I am in awe.  I know, that her strong-willed, determined personality is going to help her become a strong, independent, confident young woman, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Norah Kate,
You did it Baby Girl.  You put up with Mama while she finished her Master's and studied for her boards.  I love you so much, and I am SO proud of you.  Your teachers at school always have wonderful things to say about you (I believe you are a favorite of theirs, which I completely understand why.)  You are smart and beautiful.  You know what you want and don't usually settle until you have it.  It's exasperating, but it's just like me.  I believe we are truly cut from the same cloth.  You love your baby brother and are quick to tell someone he is your baby.  You are a sponge and I pray that your Daddy and I are doing the best job of raising you right.
I love you a bushel and a peck,
Mama