READING (34 MONTHS, 1 WK)

S knows all the sounds to the various letters and has surprised momma and daddy a couple of times by pointing to letters and making their sounds. So momma has been trying to sound out words when reading, but mommaa realizes that S may be a sight reader.

She has memorized a series of words so that when momma points to it she says what it is, like "yellow, big, or dog." In fact, she can just recite back/ memorized several of her favorite books. If momma or daddy pauses in reading, S will finish the sentence and often recites the next series of sentences. Momma can't tell if this is something to marvel or dread at.

WHAT S CAN DO (34 MONTHS, 1 WK)

Now that S is almost three, momma thought it would be nice to write down all the things she can do for prosperity sake....

- put on her clothes (shirts, panties, pants, socks & shoes) but occassionally puts the shoes on the wrong foot
- can take off all her clothes but occassionally need help with the shirt or dress
- can use the potty and still needs help with wiping occassionally
- can wash hands, but often just plays with the water while the tap is running
- can put her clothes in the hamper
- can pick up her toys but often requires momma asking several times and participate
- can use eating utensils but they still occassionally frustrate her than it's finger time
- can open and close the locks on the doors
- can trike and scooter well
- knows colors, shapes, and alphabet and its sounds
- can sings and makes up crazy lyrics
- can have a two way conversation
- can use the words: please, thank you, and your welcome
- knows her bedroom routine, but still dawdles
- can name her friends: Talia, Paul, Olivia & Tess (even though Tess has moved)
- knows her cousins: Sarai, Lillian, Matthew, Miranda, and Ariana
- can ask questions, especially "why"
- can occassionally help around the house: empty the dishwasher, wash vegetables, & put clothes in washing machine
- can buckle herself in the carseat, but often only does the top buckle
- can count to 30, but really understands up to 10

- can spell her name, mama, and daddy

There's probably more but momma can't remember them all...

CURIOUSITY (34 MONTHS)

S curiousity has grown by leaps and bounds. She wants to understand the world around her and is willing to sit and listen to explanations. So far, momma and her have talked about the different continents and landscapes, animals in Texas, bird's feet, and S absorbs the information like a sponge and asks for more. What fun momma is having!

TANTRUMS (34 MONTHS)

S has been having more tantrums than normal for her; some of them have been followed with feet pounding, screaming and crying. They occur when she wants something NOW, like pancakes for lunch today. Momma has been having a hard time figuring out how to handle them, but ignoring them or responding with "no" consistently has worked the best so far. Althought momma admits, sometimes, she just gives in...

Momma guesses she was lucky to have such a terrific two year old. The three's may not be as easy as the two's. Who knows... this may be just another short phase...

BALLS IN TREE (34 MONTHS)

One of the things that Om Ngoai did to entertain Sarah was to throw some of her balls up as high as possible in the trees. By Tuesday afternoon, two of the three balls were stuck high in the trees in the backyard and couldn't be gotten down. Luckily daddy got them down again, after some effort.

By Wednesday afternoon, all three balls and the yellow plastic bat were stuck high in the tree. When daddy saw that, he was incredulous. After much more effort than the first try, all three balls and the bat came down on Sunday morning.

OM NGOAI (34 MONTHS)

Om ngoai was in town this week visiting. Om Ngoai, momma, and S went to the Little Buckaroo Ranch on Tuesday and the LCRA Water Festival on Wednesday. She had a great time at both.

She enjoyed petting the animals at the ranch but her favorite was probably combing the minature horse hair on the ranch. She was willing to sit and wait patiently for her turn to comb. At the water festival, she used a large bubble wand, had her face painted, and did some arts and crafts, but her favorite part was petting a snake. She talked about it non-stop to daddy, momma, and om ngoi.

On Wednesday night, S asked what she was going to do with om ngoai the next day. Momma said om ngoai was going to go home. She didn't understand why he didn't want to stay and play with her. So, S must have had a good time with him.

LITTLE GYM (34 MONTHS)

S has been doing Little Gym since she was 16 months old. She loves it, but the one thing she struggles with is the "red mat" time where everyone introduces each other, does an activity together and kids try to follow direction. She's great at following direction, but she's overwhelmed by the number of children on the mat. She prefers to have momma carry her during the "red mat" time than participate. Momma usually carries S if it's walking time, but draws the line and running or jumping time on the red mat.

She's now in the Super Beast class, there is at least one activity during the "red mat" time that the instructors ask for the kids to do it without the parents. She prefers to sit and watch them before she participates. Once she gets a chance to watch them, she has no problem running in and joining them. Momma's not sure if S needs some time to get comfortable first or just needs some time to figure out what's going on. Unfortunately, sometimes, she joins in at the very last minute and is disapointed that it ends so quickly.

Happily, momma is seeing S open up more. One day, she won't be momma's velcro baby anymore.

SOME OF MOMMA'S FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS FROM S(33 MONTHS, 3 WKS)

- That was fun!
- I had fun with you momma.
- Where is daddy? I miss daddy.
- I have lots of friends.
- It will be okay momma.
- I need a break.
- You can do it; I know you can.
- Ask nicely!

IMAGINARY FRIEND (33 MONTHS, 3 WKS)

S has imaginary friends. She has an imaginary baby sister, probably an influence of her friend Talia. Her little sister often is napping or needs momma to feed her. In addition, her friend Dora Dora has come to play twice. The first time, S said, "Dora's coming to play. She's at the door. Can you let her in?" Momma doesn't know what to make of it and hope it's just a temporary phase.

P.S. S is afraid of Dora's backpack, map and Swiper.

WHY (33 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

S's favorite question is "why?" She wants to know where her friend Tess is and why she moved to Dallas and where is Dallas. She wants to know why things are what they are. Even though she continues to ask why after an answer is given, daddy and momma can tell she's processing the answer. Sometimes, momma catches her explaining why to her animals. And, sometimes, all the "whys" exasperates momma.

In combination with the "whys," S's imagination is growing by leap and bounds. In the car last week, she wanted the car to jump over the giraffes that were in the middle of the road. Often, she pretends to jump over caves or animals in the house.

POTTY PARTY (33 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

After two or so months of being consistently dry, momma threw a party potty for her. Her friends Talia and Paul were invited. Everyone had cupcakes and juice and ran around in the backyard. Momma and daddy are so happy this day has come. S goes to the potty by herself when she needs to. Mommy and daddy still help out, but S makes all the call herself now. It's been a long process and momma, daddy, and S are happy to reap the rewards.

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (33 MONTHS, 2 WKS)

S has been waking up in the middle of the night and staying awake for an hour or two for at least the past couple of months. Sometimes, she tosses back and forth. Sometimes, she carries on a monologue. Sometimes, she asks for milk and a snack.

Typically (previously), S wakes up once or twice at night. Often, momma picks her up, hugs her, and puts her in bed and she falls asleep instantly. Sometimes, momma lays with her for a little bit and she falls back asleep. Often time, S would fall asleep instantly even after going to the potty.

Momma thinks sometimes S is uncomfortable and doesn't know how to go back to sleep. Other times, momma suspects that S doesn't want to go back to sleep. Momma will just have to accept this new sleep phase and learn not to be grumpy at 2 o'clock in the morning. Eventually things will get better! (They always do.)