A Grand Adventure is Bound to Happen

Prove it!

2008-07-01T18:15:00.004-05:00

Today in the car, Jenna and I were talking about the babies we know and reminiscing about when she was a baby. It turns out my memory is a bit clearer on those early events in Jenna's life than hers is.

When Baby Talia's name came up, Jenna told me that Talia was growing bigger and that "she really likes to play with me". One of the last times we got to see Talia was on Father's Day when she was baptized. I'm not sure why Jenna recalled this particular event, but I could tell she was deep in thought (i.e. it was quiet in the back seat).

Finally she asked, "When can I get bop-a-tized?"

I reminded her that she was baptized when she was a little baby, just like Talia. Jenna (of course) doesn't remember this and I could tell was a little suspicious that it had occurred without her knowledge. Do you think she'll believe me if I show her pictures? :)

A beautiful end to a wonderful day

2008-06-29T08:40:00.004-05:00

This was the beautiful sky that kept us company on the way home. For the first time in my life, I actually pulled over, got out, and took a couple of pictures. It was too pretty to pass up.

The Tire Swing

2008-06-29T08:37:00.001-05:00

Not only does Gwen have horses at her place, she has a TIRE SWING!

Let's go for a ride!

2008-06-29T08:13:00.017-05:00

Can you believe my little one rode a horse? She was fearless and absolutely loved it! This is Jack. He is the biggest horse in the family. We watched while Gwen got him ready for a ride. She even had a child's saddle to put on him. She taught Jenna the correct way to climb on and helped her up.

And off she went. Here is Gwen's friend Jeff leading Jack and Jenna on one of many loops around the yard.

Then it was Mommy's turn to try. Gwen also taught me the right way to climb on and off. Let's just say that it was not nearly as effortless as it looks when Gwen does it.

After our practice on the lawn, we then went on a short trail ride. Jenna and Gwen rode together on another horse named Dollie. (Sorry, Dollie, I never got a picture of you!) I got to ride Jack all by myself. He did some "talking" while we were getting ready. Gwen tried to convince me that he was just concerned about leaving his girlfriend, Coca. I'm no fool. Clearly he was saying something similar to "get a look at this city kid on my back!" And then I think I heard giggling. :) The truth is, Jack took good care of me. I hope someday to go on another ride with him, I enjoyed that adventure!

A trip to the country

2008-06-29T07:55:00.019-05:00

Yesterday we were invited to our friend Gwen's house. You see, Gwen's horse had a little filly about a week ago and Jenna couldn't wait to meet the "baby horsey". On our way to see them, we stopped by the grocery store and Jenna picked out an apple to bring to Coca, the mommy horse. She was so proud of herself and held on carefully to that apple the whole ride there.

Here is Gwen and the new addition, Coquette (I hope I spelled it right):

Peek! We see you!

Jenna was thrilled when Coca ate the apple she brought. Seeing little bitty Jenna next to that big horse was so amazing. As you can see from these photos, mommy and baby didn't stray from each other. Coca kept a watchful eye on us, and her little one, but was very patient with us intruding in on her space and letting us visit. She is a very good Mommy.

A good question

2008-06-27T10:44:00.002-05:00

Jenna spotted a framed picture on top of the entertainment center last night. The picture is her ultrasound picture and shows a great profile shot of Jenna in utero.

"What is that?" she asked.

"That is a picture of you before you were born when you were in my tummy," I told her.

She looked carefull again at the picture. Then she asked,

"Was it dark in there?"

2008-06-22T21:48:00.003-05:00

Papa and Jenna had plans today. They were going to go to the grocery store. Afterall, Jenna told me, "Grandma needs cheerios." Really, was there any question now - this was obviously a serious matter.

I'm told that just prior to leaving, a trip to the bathroom was suggested. We try to encourage Jenna to go potty before we leave the house - Grandma and Papa have the same rule. Jenna, however, did not have this part of getting ready to go in mind.

Papa: "Jenna, go in and try to go potty before we leave."

Jenna: "But I don't have to go potty."

Grandma: "Just go in and try."

Jenna (getting increasingly irritated) "I don't have to go potty!!!"

Papa: "Just try, then we can leave."

Jenna: "I don't have to go potty!! There isn't any potty in my body!!!"

"Jenna, ..."

It was at this point, Jenna lifted up her shirt and looked at her belly and demanded, "Look, there is nothing down there!"

You can share my love

2008-06-22T21:45:00.004-05:00

On the way home today....

Jenna: Mommy, I'm so glad you are here.

Mommy: Aww, that is so nice to hear honey. I'm glad you are here too.

Jenna: You can share. You can share my love.

Mommy: I would love to share your love, Jenna. What a nice thing to say.

Jenna: Where is my red balloon?

(The moments: fleeting, but wonderful.)

In case I was confused....

2008-06-22T21:41:00.003-05:00

Jenna is currently in her bed. I don't think sleep is far off, but right now, she is singing and talking and yelling "Mommy!". As long as I answer, she will continue to yell. There is a part of me, though, that always gets a kick out of what she will say next.

I choose right now to ignore her pleas for my attention.

Now she has switched from "Mommmmmmyyyyy!" to "It's Jenna!"

You know, in case I wasn't sure....

Three years...from the pool

2008-06-21T21:01:00.013-05:00

Two years ago!

Last year!

This year!

An afternoon by the pool

2008-06-21T20:50:00.000-05:00

Jenna would like to welcome you to an afternoon by the pool.

First, a little lunch.

Last one in is a rotten egg!

(and no, we did not wait the obligatory hour between lunch and swimming. Gasp!)

Jenna splashes, Parker tries to "catch" the water. The two of them could do this forever.

I dare you not to smile at the giggles...go ahead, just try. :)

The neglected child

2008-06-21T20:45:00.000-05:00

Parker must have her frisbee when she is outside.

Must. Have. Frisbee.

It isn't negotiable.

And this, my vast readership, is what the poor creature is stuck with.

Father's Day

2008-06-21T20:38:00.006-05:00

We had such a wonderful Father's Day. We spent the morning with Grandma's side of the family (and spent much time adoring Baby Talia) and enjoyed a wonderful brunch. The afternoon was spent taking advantage of the splendid weather. The best part was, we were all together.

In the middle of the sunny bliss, a water fight began. Oddly enough, Daddy and I got the wettest. All of this was accomplished amidst fits of giggles.

Jenna didn't have the coordination or the desire to ruin her water balloons by throwing them at a person. She preferred to throw them on the deck and watch them explode. Silly girl. :)

Serve and Protect

2008-06-10T21:53:00.007-05:00

Tonight, Jenna was sitting at her table playing with the police cars Daddy gave her. She proudly told me that all the police cars were standing in a line.

"Nice job, Jenna. Are they all waiting to go help someone?" I asked her.

"No, Mommy, they are going to McDonalds!"

and then I watched her move each car forward and order a Happy Meal.

First (Real) Haircut Day

2008-06-10T21:46:00.004-05:00

I took Jenna to my new hairdresser today for some help. Jenna needed a little trim and Mommy needed some advice on how to handle all the curls while minimizing the frizz. She had never had her hair cut before - at least by someone who knew what she was doing. She was so good, sat very still, and loves her "beautiful haircut".

Mmmm...cupcakes!

2008-06-10T21:43:00.003-05:00

Daddy and Jenna made chocolate cupcakes together on Saturday. Despite all the taste testing, they really did have some left to share. Yummy!!!

One of my favorite Mommy Nights

2008-06-07T11:31:00.009-05:00

Last night we took Jenna to the carnival - it comes to town this time every year. Jenna has been talking so much lately about her visit last year, I knew she'd be thrilled to go. Last year, she rode the merry-go-round three times and would have stayed on a painted horse or painted zebra all night if we would have let her. I knew that was the first place she'd want to go last night - and that is what she did.

After buying tickets at the booth, we walked the short distance and she picked out which animal would be her best choice for the first (of what I thought, many) rides. Atop a zebra with chipped paint, she held on to the pole and smiled at me standing next to her. And then the merry-go-round began to turn, that familiar music playing. We'd only gone around twice when she frowned and announced with disappointment, "I'm done."

Uh oh. There weren't other rides for little ones we were really comfortable with. They were either ones where she'd have to ride by herself (we were not convinced she'd do that) OR the ride and/or attendant looked scary and/or wanted.

The entire time, Daddy and I kept looking at the Ferris Wheel and then at each other. Should we? Would she like it? Which parent would go with her? I've always loved the Ferris Wheel, but....

Many years ago, we took Kyleah on a much bigger Ferris Wheel in the Dells when she was Jenna's age. It was well maintained, perfectly safe, and seemed like a great idea while we waited in line. We all got into the round cart with a small canopy type roof, it had two seats and a floor in between; a safey bar all the way around. But, like most three year olds, Kyleah refused to sit still. She wiggled and squirmed and tried to stand and look over the edge of the cart while we both had visions of her falling to certain doom. That ride seemed to never end...while we tried not to panic.

With a deep breath, I unbuckled Jenna from her stroller and we kissed Daddy "goodbye" and got in line. "You have to sit very still" I told her, perhaps a bit too sternly. We gave the scary looking (wanted?) attendant our tickets and got into the purple cart. He pulled the safety bar down and it snapped in place. And then the big wheel began to turn.

She. Loved. It. !!!!!!!!

She squealed and laughed and smiled the entire time. "I love this ride, Mommy" she yelled over and over with the wind blowing through her hair. My face hurt from smiling so much sitting next to her. During one revolution, she let go of the bar and tried to peel my hand off her little thigh. I took the hint and loosened my grip. :)

We ended up going back for another Ferris Wheel ride before we left. Daddy was still having flashbacks of the Dells, so I got the chance to go with her again. Pure joy!

I won't ever forget it.

2008-05-30T19:40:00.008-05:00

I'm pretty sure any mom of a toddler will tell you that how tired a girl is and how many time outs she receives are directly proportional. Jenna doesn't get many, but I always know that if she is tired, her patience and listening skills dwindle.

Tonight she received a time out not for the half-hearted kick at the dog. She received a warning for that. It was the second half-hearted kick at the dog that sent her to the terrible, dreadful, boring end of the hallway.

After the fake crying stopped, it got quiet. Very quiet.

So much for thinking about her actions. :) I guess she needed it.

The last words of the day

2008-05-26T22:17:00.003-05:00

When Jenna goes to bed, I sit on the couch with my laptop and do what she calls my "projects". I turn off the tv and listen to her sing and talk to her stuffed animals. I especially love the songs. More often than not, she calls to me right before she falls asleep.

"Mommy? Can I leave my eyes open? All day, all night?"

"Yes, you may." I yell into her.

and then it's quiet. :)

Happy Memorial Day!

2008-05-26T22:07:00.003-05:00

Today was a beautiful day with bright sun light and the bluest of skies. As we drove, Jenna spotted a mailbox on the highway with red, white, and blue foil streamers on it. The sun glinted off those streamers making them sparkle and shine.

"They put those on there because today is a special day. Today is Memorial Day." I told her.

"Oh," she said with wonder in her voice. I could almost hear her little brain soaking in the knowledge I was sharing.

And then a few minutes later:

"Mommy? Does Papa know it's Oreo Day?"

2008-05-26T21:43:00.007-05:00

Want to know what stumped me today?

Gum.

Jenna has had gum before, but she just doesn't 'get it' and it always ends the same way.

Ever tried to explain to a three year old what gum is?

We went to my work today to take care of a few odds and ends. During our fieldtrip, Jenna visited with my friend Sue in the dispatch center. Sue gave her baseball cards and two sticks of gum - things she proudly showed me when she got back to my desk. When we got in the car, she asked for her gum. Knowing how this has gone in the past, I secretly tore her piece into two smaller pieces and gave her one. Then I chewed the rest. :)

A mere block away from the police department parking lot, I noticed that Jenna wasn't chewing anymore.

Mommy: Where is your gum?

Jenna: In my tummy. (said in a way that clearly meant, "duh, Mommy") (at least it wan't in her hair...)

Mommy: Honey, gum is a treat that doesn't go in your tummy. Gum is a treat that you chew and chew and chew and then when you are done, you spit it out.

Jenna: Because it's yucky?

Mommy: No, because that is what you do with gum.

Jenna: But its in my tummy

Mommy: That's okay, it won't hurt you in your tummy. Next time, just chew and chew and then when you are done, spit it out.

Jenna: I want to try again.

Sadly, I was out of gum.

Another birthday request...

2008-05-21T20:31:00.002-05:00

Tonight during snuggle time, Jenna informed me of another item she'd like for her birthday. Afterall, it looked cool on the commercial. Mind you, her birthday is in March.

Tonight's addition to her gift registry?

A gallon of paint from Home Depot.

(She didn't mention a color preference.)

2008-05-17T21:13:00.004-05:00

As I am blogging tonight, Jenna is in her bed where she is supposed to be falling asleep. I am enjoying the songs and the commentary. This was the exchange moments ago:

Jenna: Mommy? (I estimate that she says this single word 1,569 times a day)

Mommy: Yes, Jenna?

Jenna: When it's my birthday, can I have a Jack in the Box?

Mommy: um, sure

Jenna: Thank you, Mommy.

and now she is singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

We're back!

2008-05-17T21:03:00.003-05:00

My apologies to bloggerland. Thank you to Aunt Julie for the polite shoves back toward my Jenna blog responsibilities. We've been doing just fine. I'm learning a bit about the "trying threes" around here. From talking with other Mommies, I know that what is challenging us is far better than what some three year olds are doing to their parent's sanity, but it is challenging none the less.

My best day to report about is Mother's Day. This was the first Mother's Day that we've all been together - that is 10 years where schedules just didn't fall right. Usually one or the other has to work and usually Kyleah is with her Mommy. This year, the four of us were all together - what a wonderful Mother's Day present. I was showered with home-made cards and gifts and flowers at work. Daddy also treated me to a Starbucks gift card (yum!!!). We spent the day with family and fussed over Baby Talia a lot! (also a favorite part of my day) Jenna continues to be enthralled with that little one and still talks about how cute she is and "I think she really likes me".

Bubbles!

2008-05-17T21:02:00.002-05:00