STACKING CUPS (29 MONTHS, 1 WK)

Momma noticed that S has been able to nest the stacking cup together in the bathtub. Momma got them when S was 13 months old. It's been great watching her get better and better with them.

I LIKE IT; YOU DON'T LIKE IT (29 MONTHS, 1 WK)

S often says, "I like it; you don't like it" when she wants something. (It's her way of saying "mine" or "I do it.") Sometimes, it's a song or a book that she wants but doesn't want momma to sing or read to her and wants to sing or read herself. Sometimes, it's hugs or kisses from either momma or daddy. She'll tell momma that she loves daddy: "momma don't love daddy; I love daddy." It changes day to day what she likes and you don't like. Sometimes, it's annoying. Often time, it's a cute experession.

PS. While riding her trike around the neighborhood, she noticed that some houses have pumpkins in the front. She said the following: "Some houses have pumpkin. Some houses no have pumpkin. We have a pumpkin. We are special." Very good observation!

PUMPKIN (29 MONTHS, 1 WK)

Momma and S made a jack-o-latern Sunday afternoon. Momma had S help draw a face on the pumpkin. S drew the eyes and momma drew the nose and mouth. Momma took the pumpkin out on the deck to gut it and carve the face. S was fascinated by it but also "grossed" her out. While momma was gutting the pumpkin, she kept dry heaving and saying "gross." Momma had to lead her down the steps to the lawn to see if she would throw up. Finally, when momma got to the carving part, S kept saying that the pumpkin was scary.

Daddy had to take S away. Daddy said he asked for a funny pumpkin, not a scary one.

SWIMMING (29 MONTHS)

S is swimming again. Momma, daddy and S joined the new gym in the neighborhood and it has a swimming pool. S has to wear a life jacket since swimming wings are not allowed. Today, daddy took S swimming while momma was on the elliptical runner.

PS. Momma bought S a (yellow) kazoo to occupy her while shopping. S enjoyed it so much she played it all through the store, to the other shoppers chagrin.

BIG BEND PICTURE (29 MONTHS)

This is a picture of all of us (momma, daddy, S, Uncle Joe and Aunt P) at Big Bend.

I MISS MOMMA(29 MONTHS)

This past Tuesday was S's second time at the gym's daycare. She was upset immediately when she realized momma was going to leave. One of the caretakers held her while momma left. After 25 minutes on the treadmill, momma got a page. S had been sitting there quietly crying. Later, when momma asked S why she was crying. She just said, "I miss momma."

TALIA NO CRY(29 MONTHS)

Last week, Talia spent Wednesday evening with Sarah. (Momma and daddy swap date night with Aunt Fiona and Uncle Nigel every Wednesday.) Talia was having some separation anxiety and was crying in the car seat on the way to S's home. S turned to Talia and told her, "Talia no cry; momma always come back for you." It made momma feel happy to know that S realize that S's momma always came back for her.

PS. Talia stopped crying when momma said we were getting pizza. Or, maybe it was because she was ready to stop crying.

LOVE (28 MONTHS, 4 WK)

S often tells momma and daddy that she loves them. Momma melts when she does. Last week, after coming home from the park, S walked into the living room and hugged Ollie, her Octopus-shaped chair. Then, she told it she missed it and followed up with "I love you Ollie." Momma couldn't help laughing. Apparently, she and daddy aren't the only special ones in the house.

TOP MOLARS (28 MONTHS, 4 WKS)

Momma finally feel the molar popping out on S's rights side. Maybe, this is why S is so whiney and grumpy?!

WHEN I GROW UP (28 MONTHS, 4 WKS)

On the potty tonight, right before bedtime, S stated that she and momma had vaginas while daddy had a penis. Momma confirmed this. Then, she stated that when she got bigger and bigger, she's going to get a penis too, like daddy. Momma tried to explain that only boys and men have penises and girls and women have vaginas, but eventually gave up and agreed. Daddy responded, "Good luck" to her.

BIG BEND (28 MONTHS, 4 WKS)

Momma, daddy and S had their first camping trip: Big Bend National Park! Everyone survived the ten hour drive (to and back). Surprisingly, S was great on the long driving trip! (Watching hours of Sesame Street and Brainy Baby and three lollipops helped.) On the way there, she kept saying that she was going hiking with Aunt Phu and Uncle Joe (who we met up with in Marathon).

Upon arrival, we set up camp and went on our first hike. It was approximately five miles round trip to see the Window at Chisos Basin. S slept on the way there but walked most of the way back on daddy's backpack. The next day S triked twice around the Window View loop, ~1/3 mile. We spent the afternoon evening just hanging around camp with Aunt Phu and Uncle Joe. On the last day, we hiked up Boquillos Canyon trail (~3/4 mile roundtrip) before we headed home.

We all went to sleep around 8pm and were the first to wake up around 7 am at the campgrounds (thanks to S's internal clock). Sleeping in the tent was easier than expected with the comfort of an air mattress and extra layer of clothing for everyone.

S's favorite thing was probably eating pancakes for breakfast and hanging out with Aunt Phu and Uncle Joe. Now that S is a camping pro, Daddy, momma, and S next camping trip is Nov 1 at Ink's Lake.

P.S. Here is a video of S jumping in tent, courtesy of Aunt P. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkn4IuE3Awg

THREE (28 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

S seems to be able to count up to the number three. Yesterday, she counted three penguins on her Sea World shirt.

CAKE FOR MIMI (28 MONTHS, 2 WK)

Mimi's birthday was October 2nd. S called up Mimi to wish her a happy birthday. Then, she asked momma if Mimi was going to have cake and candles. She followed that up by asking if momma could take her to buy it. Daddy brought S to buy a cake for Mimi to give to her Sunday night.

S has gone so many birthday parties in the past year that she associates cake/ cupcake and presents with birthdays now.

P.S. Picture of S helping blow out Mimi's birthday treats.

GIVE TO SARAI (28 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

When S doesn't want something, she says "Give it to Sarai." Sarai is her cousin, one year younger. She applies to logic to clothes that are too small for her, or something she doesn't like, like the Elmo's World videos. (She's scared of Mr. Noodle).

TOP MOLARS (28 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

S top molars are coming in. There are huge bulging bumps in her mouth. She's a grump and contrarian. Last Wednesday night, she woke up every hour. Today, S grumped from naptime through dinner time. There's nothing for momma and daddy to do but wait them out.

PS. Today, S figured out how to climb the small dome playscape at the Sendera Neighborhood park (during Paul's 2nd Birthday party).

MOMMA SICK (28 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

Daddy took care of S during most of the weekend (Friday evening and Saturday) since momma was sick. S surprisingly had no problem playing with daddy and letting momma sleep. Happily, daddy and momma noted that S is getting use to bedtime with daddy only! Momma got some much needed sleep. Hurrah!