The Safa, The Papa and The Dadee

Happiness is having a houseful of your loved ones. Charlotte has taken to calling everyone by name with the word THE tacked on the front. So, the Safta (Savta - Grandma), the Papa and the Dadee are all home with Charlotte and her Eema. They are amazed at her speaking ablities and how mature her language has become. I'm amazed every day.

I'm TWO today!

"I'm dancing with the bayoon (balloon) ...dancing all around".
She is enjoying her special day

That's Odd

It is amazing to hear the soundtrack to your life's conversations repeated by a two year old. As I misplaced my keys this morning I lamented that they must be in a coat pocket in the closet. "That's odd", Charlotte commented. Do I say that?! I must. When something is just not right or a little off... THAT"S ODD.

Nice to Meet You

Upon returning home from work on Tuesday I was greeted by a huge hug at the top of the steps by our front door. "Nice to Meet you, Eema" Charlotte said with glee.

How happy I am that she is enjoying her time with her babysitter and has no resentments toward me for leaving to work:)

Sounds Good Eema

As I was dressing Charlotte I described our schedule for the day: a trip to preschool and then a new supermarket. Charlotte listened intently and said "sounds good, Eema". Thank you for your approval little human!

What kind of animal is this?

As we're watching Shrek a new part of conversation became part of Charlotte's life. A question - What is this? Charlotte has been speaking like a pro but questions like "What kind of animal is this?" have not graced our world.

Tell, me...what kind of animal would you say Shrek is? I told her that Shrek is not an animal - he is an ogre and not real.

Ah, the questions have begun!

And she says "Goodbye Eema"

After all my worries and excuses for delaying a babysitting day; Charlotte only says "Goodbye, Eema" and goes off to play with Rachel today from 8:45am til 12:30pm. Good for her! I think I had more confidence in her going easily into a babysitting situation than I did for myself. Ah, my little girl, she makes me proud:)

Out of Town

Daddy is out of town for eight days. Upon my suggestion he taped himself reading stories on our camera's mpeg capabilty. Nothing is sweeter than hearing Charlotte say "I Love You TOO" when David tells her he loves her on the video.

Charlotte knows that Daddy is in Arizona and has announced this by saying "Adidona" and "Daddy is with Jim". It's better that she knows he is out of state than think he is in his office for eight days. He'll be home soon and we'll be soooo happy.

Sticker Too

In our semi-quest to potty train without the harshness of actually training we're giving Charlotte a sticker each time she request and then goes pee pee on the potty. So, this morning when I went pee pee Charlotte announces "Sticker for Eema too". I told her that I did not get one when I went. Then she says, "Sticker for Dadee pee pee only".

Admit to our mistakes

A parent tries to do best by their child and find all the right answers to parenting. Well, I'm sure that I made a big mistake and knew it for a while before changing the situation. Sunday will be Charlotte's first babysitting experience. Jeanette, our Tuesday/Thursday babysitter did a stint with Charlotte and David last week. Tomorrow, Rachel will be here with us for a couple of hours. Sunday will be a first: babysitter and Charlotte alone.

David and I waited so long for this little tiny human and we just never felt like we wanted to be without her. She sleeps so well and allows us evenings together without a peep. Nonetheless it would've been good to teach her the resiliency of being with someone else besides us earlier than close to her second birthday. DUH!

All the yummy apples! 

A Different View

One year creates an entirely different view of our now annual apple picking trip. Last year Charlotte was not even walking...picking apples in our arms from a tree. David has decided that this will be a Fall activity to show Charlotte that nature is all around. Daddy is always trying to teach Charlotte wonderful new things.

Charlotte heard that we were going apple picking and later asked "peice of cheese?". Interesting, she associates apple picking with a trip to the supermarket...where she usually gets a piece of cheese at the deli counter. Well, now she knows where apples REALLY come from: the orchard.

Could this be TRUE ?

http://www.hoosiergazette.com/News/Sept2004/news001.htm
JUST FOUND OUT ON: Oct 14 that this is indeed NOT TRUE...wrote to Kinsey myself.

Love them so much 

Sounds from the Back Seat

More sounds from the Back Seat:

"Poor little bunny took a tumble". "All better little bunny".

Bunny Says...

Before Charlotte was born David and I made her a bunny at "Build-a-Bear". This bunny has been in Charlotte's bed since her birth and over those two years has remained a "bedtime only" friend. So, this past weekend we went to "Build-A-Bear" and made her a bunny cousin. She named this playtime friend - "Hebrew".

Today, from the back of the car I hear a tiny voice giving life to Bunny. Charlotte said........

Bunny says "I dance with Eema." Bunny says "Tick tock, I'm a little coo coo clock."
Bunny says "I go home now."

First Poop

In astronomy, when a telescope is used for the first time it is called "First Light". So, when Charlotte let out an enormous fart on the toilet I thought we were experiencing "First Poop" but nope. Better luck next time. For now it is only peepee.

Will fill in on the weekend's events of visit with Aunt Dara and Uncle Adam at a later date.

All Wet

It is amazing that a conversation about being WET can last from home all the way to synagogue (about 12 minutes). Let's see if I can recreate the discussion that began as Charlotte marveled at the raindrops:

"Car is wet. Balloon is wet. Charlotte is wet. Shoes are wet. Daddy is a little wet. Eema is a little wet. " and on and on and on.

Ah, the amazing source of intrigue created by a little rain.

Wish You Were Here

Listening on Charlotte's "baby monitor" as she lulls herself to sleep with conversation is quite a treat. Last night's tales of woe included:

"Eema loves Charlotte. Daddee Loves Charlotte. Charlotte miss Eema and Daddee".

Oh, how I wanted to go in there and give her a hug.

Additional Guidance From Tiny

Okay, again I ask..."Who is in charge here?"
She stands by the door and asks, "READY GUYS" and now has added...."LET'S GO" with a great big smile and no harm intended.

Her joy is directed at all people, things and outings.
We are blessed and led by a little happy girl.

Charlotte in Charge

"Ready Guys?!" she calls out from the back seat as if SHE is in charge.And we were off to Home Depot to buy some stuff and boy did she havefun. Charlotte seems to have fun wherever she goes. We're so lucky.

Tiny Belly/ Big Belly Ache

Isn't it sad when the tiny belly in your tiny human is in MAJOR pain?! Gas sucks. Poor kid. And her mom threw out the expired symethicone drops. Didn't use 'em once when she was a baby and found them looming in my diaper backpack - unused and expired. Gotta get some from Osco tomorrow.

Learning to Whisper

Synagogue can be an interesting place when your toddler enjoys speaking and her voice echoes loudly in the main sanctuary. It's good that we belong to a synagogue that is encouraging its young families to attend and bring their kids. Charlotte continues to enjoy her Jewish experience and exclaims things like:

"Lady singing Torah".
"Door open for Sukah soon".
"Ready to kiss Torah". Etc, etc, etc.

G-d bless her, keep her and teach her to whisper:)