Pasta bowl

[Mama's note: Meisje has discovered that she can pick up her bowl to finish whatever is in it (like Papa drinks the milk out of his cereal bowl). It's quite cute, although this video of her turning pasta sauce upside down on her head meant she went straight into the bath after dinner!]

Meisje and her shadow

[Mama's note: Last weekend we went to the zoo and Meisje discovered her shadow. This video doesn't do justice to just how cute she was, but it gives you a little flavor of the cuteness. She is saying, "March, march, march" as she is marching around - that's what they do at day care to go from one place to the next.]

Apples Apples Apples!

Last week at day care we talked about apples all the time, drew some apples, made apple muffins, rolled apples for fun, ate lots of apples, ate applesauce ... Apples Apples Apples! That's also the newest word I say that Mama and Papa understand. And this weekend, we had more fun with apples because we went on a trip to where there were some to pick off trees ... and music to listen to, and a hayride to go on, and a toy train to climb on, and hay piles to climb on ... so much fun!

Mama said to tell you she will post pictures soon.

Sentences :D

Meisje is sleeping peacefully in her bed, but I had to take the chance to tell you about her newest endeavor ... speaking in sentences. Yep, that's our little one. She comes home talking and talking and talking all the time. For a couple of weeks now, we suspected that she was speaking in two word sentences, although I was never quite sure. Now, I am.

Two clear sentences came out tonight: "My sit" as she pointed at the rocking chair in her bedroom and wanted to sit down.

And when I asked her where her Papa was and told her that he was in the kitchen, she pointed to the kitchen and said, "I see Poppy?" and walked in to see him.

SO CUTE. (and makes me so proud :)

This morning at day care

So, Mama has told some of you how I have been quite clingy when she drops me off at day care, crying and sad, and not wanting her to leave. Well, this morning, I decided it was okay to stay there. When Mama put me down to fill out that paper she does every morning, I walked right over to the table where all my friends were sitting eating breakfast and waited for Enna (M's Note: Jenna is on of her teachers, but Meisje calls her Enna") to get me a chair and some cereal. I looked over my shoulder once at Mama standing near the door - I wanted to make sure she saw me and saw how good I was being - and off she went. We have so much fun every day ... singing and playing and reading books and running around ... and I like my new friends. So, today, at least, it's okay for Mama to take me to day care.

(M's Note: Finally! This was the first morning since she first went there a month ago when she didn't scream and cry and hold onto my legs , not wanting me to leave! That makes it a lot easier on me and a much nicer start to my morning, too!)

Sigh

Mama's note: I sure miss the days when I was a graduate student and writing my dissertation - LOTS of free time to write on a blog. Okay, so I ONLY miss the free time, I don't miss the stress, the work, and the wondering if I was ever going to finish. But every time I log on to this site and realize it has been WEEKS since I wrote or gave Meisje time to write, I feel SOOOO guilty.

Sigh.

I'm here now. I should be folding laundry. Actually, I should probably be sleeping.

New words for Meisje: Bubbles, outside (which means she wants to go play in her sandbox, most likely), please (which comes out as peaaas).

She actually says hi on the phone now (talked to her Oma today), but doesn't stick around to hear anything in response.

Her new day care is going really well. She is learning so much (like how to use other words, such as "No" and "Mine" :P). Seriously, though, she seems to be having a lot of fun: dancing, singing, reading books, doing art projects, going on walks, and playing with her new friends. I am VERY happy with the change and feel very happy having her there.

We're off on a big trip this week ... off to my best friend's wedding. Meisje and I fly down on Wednesday and Papa follows on Thursday. We'll see how the flight goes with only me to keep her occupied. Meme and Grandpa are really looking forward to our visit, as are Aunt and Uncle, and cousins). I am looking forward to a couple days off from work (already, and the semester just started!) and am so excited for the wedding! Hope the hurricanes stay away!

Off to take Amish friendship bread out of the oven, make my lunch, and go to bed. Hopefully Meisje will write again soon.