Friday, January 07, 2011

29 months… ALMOST!!!

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(eating noodles with chopsticks on New Years Eve)

It was the best of times… and the worst of times.  Tate can be so adorable, yet can make a grown mommy cry.  Her language is exploding, so is her stubborn behavior. 

Today Tate traded roles with me… her idea… she was Mommy and I was Tatey.   She handed me her little pink play cell phone instruction me to talked to Nana.  While on the pretend conversation she prompted me to ask what Nana is doing and how Nana is feeling.  Then she says to me… “ okay sweetheart, it’s mommy’s turn” while holding out her waiting open hand, to which I obediently handed over the pink fake phone.

The role playing went on with her telling me the plan for the day.  “Mommy has to work and Tate will play at Lindsay’s (sitter) house.”  I acted excited with the prospect of playing with some of her friends who will be there.  Hey, I am trying to spin this into a positive thing, hoping to avoid the whiney Tate who would rather stay home with me.  I hear my words exiting the mouth of my 2 year old.  “ Okay,  Tate, look at your feet.  What do we need to get on?” To which I say shoes and quickly put them on.  “Good girl!  Now what do we need to put on?” to which I act like I do not know…. she says “your coat!”  So quickly Mommy and Tate were able to leave the house and walk across the street to Lindsay with Tate (me) carrying Mommy (Tate).  Tate remained in her mommy role until I left Lindsay’s stating the Mommy always comes back and for me to be a good girl for Lindsay.  I guess this is the way Tate hears me.  CUTE!!!

Fun FACTS on my 29 month old girl….

  • Not sure if she is left or right handed.  She switches hands with every task.
  • Is obsessed with “liptick” and will smear chapstick on her lips until she is nothing but a grease fest.
  • LOVES everyone and everything.  Recently she discovered two bruises on my knee.  When she was told that they were bruises, she replied “Oh I love bruises!”
  • The same accident that caused the bruises (tripping over the dog in the dark) also caused a HUGE PAINFUL sore between my two breasts.  Tate has showed (or attempted to show) everyone she sees with an added “Poor mommy” as she shows and tells what happened.  If you happen to be in our home, she will take your hand and walk you to the scene of the accident.
  • Cailou has replaced her love for Elmo.  Barney had a quick appearance but thankfully this was a quick love.  She stated the other day that her best friend was Cailou.  I am sick of the giggle of Cailou and hoping she changes her likes quickly.
  • Her number ONE favorite book  is Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann. Coming in as a close second (third, fourth) is Sandra Boynton’s books Blue Hat, Green Hat, Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! and Barnyard Dance.

I will be posting some pretty great things on me soon.  Somehow news about Tate is so much more fun to report than what I have to share.  My stuff is adult stuff with less hilarity and fun.

The snuggle puppy, Mesa, is not doing well.  She had a long outing with a friend right after Thanksgiving and what started as a tired limping dog has escalated into sedations, x-rays and a consult with an orthopedic veterinarian surgeon.  Not sure if she will need surgery but I hate seeing her so sad.  Poor girl can hardly walk and when she does she is on three legs.  Tate has been so gentle with her snuggle puppy.

Sunday, January 02, 2011

2010……… A YEAR IN PICTURES…

January 17 mos..

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February 18 mos..

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March 19 mos..

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April 20 mos..

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Easter was spend at Tate’s Auntie Kelly in Tampa where she was spoiled and loved by her Florida family and friends.  My little fish got to experience the beach for the first time.  Sadly there was a cold snap earlier in the month causing the Gulf of Mexico to be too cold for swimming.  This was the month that Mommy decided NO MORE LAP CHILD for long flights. 

May 21 mos..

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My cute American-Chinese-Norwegian girl celebrating her first official Norwegian Independence day (May 17th)… A dream coming true for me.

June 22 mos..

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Adding her own style to her outfits.

July 23 mos..

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Crazy FUN times with our bloggy buddies were flying into SLC from all corners of the States…. Lisa and Maisie from Atlanta, Catherine and Hannah from Canada, Mary Mia, Ro and Ree from California and Donna and Lauren from Arizona.  With local buddies Tiffany, Eliza and Sollie, we all rented a house in Park City for a few days…  Six mommies with 8 active kids under the age of 5 year old.  CRAZY FUN!!! 

August 2 yrs..

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Celebrating her 2nd birthday… adding her own flare to her dress with the tutu.

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September 25 mos..

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A quick flight to Phoenix brought a lot of fun times with friends Donna/Lauren and Julie/Tess who were visiting family.  SO MUCH FUN!

October 26 mos..

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November 27 mos..

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Helping Mommy make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving feast.

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Tate was missing her traveling Nana and Gramps so she made Potato Head stand in grandparents.

December 28 mos..

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Fun time playing with the Little People Nativity set… LOVES her baby Jesus.

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Snuggling with Santa.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

“Mewy Kismus”

Tate sings Santa Clause is Coming to Town” and “Jingle Bells”

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Wishing all a MEWY Kismus from Tate….

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

FROM TATE’S MOUTH TO MESA’S EARS……

 

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“I yuv Mesa.  Mommy yuvs Mesa.”

Then she turns to me and asks “Mommy, does Gwamps yuv Mesa?”

To which I answer “YES!”

Pleased with this answer she turns to Mesa and continues “Gwamps yuvs Mesa, Nana yuvs Mesa.”  She then throws her hands in the air with enthusiasm and says “evwebody yuvs Mesa!!!!”

My sweet yuving girl!!!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

MISSING OUR NANA AND GRAMPS!

Tate’s Nana and Gramps are enjoying 10 days in sunny Florida with Auntie Kelly.  The first few days of their absence went unnoticed.  She was “too beezee” to chat with them on the phone.  As time passed she started asking about them.  Wishing to go “pway with Gwamps”.  In the spirit of this wish, she constructed Nana and Gramps to pway with them.

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Both Nana and Gramps enjoyed dancing to Christmas music, little chats and stories and even a few “sawee” for dropping arms, loosing legs, or feet.

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Potato head grandparents are sharing a snuggling night sleep with Tate. 

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Only four more days until Nana and Gwamps come home….  Hurry home we miss you tons!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Today it happened…. and it broke my heart

The hurtful words “you don’t have a daddy”.

I knew this was going to happen ONE day, but not today.  Tate is a few months over two years old and the little girl who said it to her is almost four.  Way too young for one to say to an even younger girl.  Not just a girl but my baby girl.

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When I started down this road as a single mommy, I knew that it would be hard.  Emotionally, physically and financially HARD.  The knowledge that someday I will have to explain her beginning circumstances of abandonment and why she does not have a daddy.  Two hard questions that I want her to understand but not have it define who Tate is.

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Brilliant beautiful Tate. 

Not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the joy she brings into my life.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ …..

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Tate loves bugs.  How appropriate she was given this sweet bumblebee fairy costume by Tess …

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Dorothy and the Tin man are the kids Tate plays with all day long while I am at work or school.  I could not have asked for a better situation for my sweet bug.  I am lucky to have her loved so much by my neighbor and friend Lindsay.

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Tate was asked to bring her costume for daycare today so they could go trick or treating to the kids grandma and daddy’s offices. She loved it!    blogit

It’s going to be a cold rainy night on Saturday, when UTAH celebrates this Halloween….  Not sure if I can make this sweet bee fairy outfit warm enough for Tate or if I will have to have her go in a furry tiger jumpsuit thingy.  Either way, this is officially her first Halloween trick or treating— last year she was a bit under the weather and we stayed in and handed out candy.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

FUN WITH A CELL PHONE

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Tate loves her cousin Smiley….  Smiley LOVES Tate.  This is a win win situation and I LOVE IT!  Tate is quite a little character.  One of the countless things I love about my little girl.

  

 

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Counting the days until this weekend….

I work 7 days a week.  Some week days are 8-5 with Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-8.  On Tuesday and Thursday you will find me in University classes finishing up (done in December!) my special education teaching credentials and working on a possible Masters (if I am not too burned out).  SOOOOOO many of my short days and evenings off seem to be taken with obligations out of my control… Parent Teacher conferences, IEP meetings and team meetings.  One of the late evening (Parent Teacher conferences) has provided me with a Friday off and by the grace of God, I will be not working my job at Continental airlines on Saturday and Sunday.  Just the idea of a three day weekend at home makes me giddy with all the possibilities of spending time with my girl.  Time together that both she and I are in desperate need of.

Autumn is in the air…. Cool evenings, hints of blazing colors in the mountains.  I will scoop up my two year old sweetie in my arms and make the most of this season and the natural beauty that surrounds us.  

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Picture thanks to our friend Leanne

We will miss our summer fun but will be embracing what the new adventures this Autumn will bring.

Monday, September 20, 2010

THANKING THE MOON

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I pre-ordered the new Grace Lin book THANKING THE MOON, sight unseen.  I KNEW that this book would be amazing… and man of man, it is!  Tate cannot stop looking at the illustrations.  I swear she has been busy looking at this since she first walked into the door 30 minutes ago.  Besides the amazing illustrations, the information was present short, sweat and understandable.  Especially to two year old Tate.  The back area gives more of an adult description of The Moon Festival.

A mesmerized Tate and a more informed mommy give this a HUGE thumbs up.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

Little Miss Tate and I are heading to Phoenix to visit our buddies Lauren and Donna..

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We will be meeting up with Tess and Julie who are coming into town for Julie’s parents 50th anniversary!  Julie and Tess were not able to make it to this year’s to our Utah bloggy bash, so it will sooooo much fun to see them.

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(Tate, 10 months just home from China with her China sister 3.5 yr old Tess)

I cannot wait for Tate to hang with these girls and for this mommy to be able to relax and visit with Donna and Julie.

There are plans to do a little cooking out of the Pioneer Woman’s recipe book.  Cannot wait!!!

Friday, September 03, 2010

FASHION FRIDAY

 

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A little Toddler glamour, Tate style.  Fairy princess Rose bud dress, multi colored striped leggings and sparkly (noisy) princess shoes.  The crowning glory is the mess of a unkempt hair.  This was a day I picked my battle put a clip in and let her have messy hair.

Monday, August 30, 2010

This is my “GO TO” meal….

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I am loving the fresh veggie frittata.  What is not to love?  Fresh veggies which are plentiful right now, eggs and a dash of milk.  Within 30 minutes we are eating a healthy veggie full meal.  Tate is totally all about eating this.  She loves veggies and eggs.  I am back in the classroom this week and having a little leftover is perfect to eat on the run.  Sorry McD, I will no longer be joining the long breakfast line on the way to class.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

FASHION FRIDAY

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Ever since Tate turned two she has definite opinions on what she likes to wear. This is what happens when mommy lets her dress herself. Starting at the top, polka dot nightie, ruffled skirt, the ever present blue tutu, turquoise leggings and the final touch, straw cowboy hat. Oh my little stylin’ fashionista!!!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Pee Pee!!!

It was bound to happen… and so it did.  While getting ready for bed tonight Tate announces she needs to go pee pee so off she heads to her potty, sat down and pee peed.  Not sure if I am ready for this but I guess Tate thinks it is about time. 

Every day there are new and exciting fun times with a two year old and I LOVE IT!

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Do you recognize theses shoes????  Take a guess…. Mostly too cute not to post sorry it has nothing to do with the subject.

Monday, August 23, 2010

CORN!!!!

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My girl just LOVES herself FRESH corn.

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The aftermath