Ross Turns 3!

Believe it or not, Ross turned 3 this weekend.

(I'm still in disbelief myself...)

This year we decided on Monkey Joe's for the party...

...which ended up being PERFECT! I didn't have to do a thing. Seriously. Nothing. And, believe me, with little, baby Gram around, I wouldn't have had any time to do anything anyway! It was exactly what I was hoping for! :)

And, from the looks of things, Ross had a pretty darn good time!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. 

We love you SO much!

Ross's First Day of School: Age 2

My favorite color is: Pink

My favorite toy is: my phone 

(which can be created from any toy or trinket around the house, in fact I'm carrying one now!)

My favorite food is: ice cream

I really don't like to eat: vegetables

My favorite TV show is: "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" 

My favorite animal is: a monkey

My favorite book is: "Biscuit Goes to School"

My favorite song is: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

When I grow up, I want to be a: a baby...hold the baby (which I took as a mama?)

What really makes you happy? Popscicles 

(or my phone, or the baby, or Biscuit...really anything that I'm holding at the time) 

Ross did FABULOUS! After the series of pictures we took of her, Grady and I both kissed her told her our good-bye's...and, it was at that point we both clinched our fists in fear, not knowing how she'd react...but, she simply smiled and said, "Okay!"
And, that was it.

No tears or screams (from either of us)...just, "Okay!"

I thought I was in the clear, until I picked her up...
A couple mothers and I waited outside the door for the teacher to open the door...most of the kids had started piling up at the door anxious for their moms...but when I looked inside the room, Ross was just sitting there...at that big, giant table all by herself, with her bookbag on her back...smiling. She jumped up, yelled "Mama!" and ran to me.
I don't know if it was her...or the hormones...or what...but, I lost it.
She just looked so sweet...and so innocent sitting there. There was nothing I could do to control it.
So, I had to scoot out of there fast- before it got any worse...

When I talk to her about school, she always has a smile and gets very excited. She clearly loves it!
I'm just so thrilled for her... and for who she is. I just feel so grateful for the little person she's becoming. She is certainly one special little girl.

Meet My Class Day

Next week Ross starts school. The real deal.

I know what you're thinking...it's just preschool. But, oh my goodness! She has a folder and centers and sits at a table...it's the real deal, okay.  

I caught myself holding back tears as the teacher was explaining everything to us.

I guess I'm THAT mother- the one I used to always giggle at, crying and taking pictures of their kindergartener...I mean, how can you not? When she used to be this...

...and now she's clearly...not.

I guess I'll get past it...

Until next year, at least.

Never Underestimate a Toddler.

Toddlers are a whole new world for me, really. I'm pretty familiar with the 5 year old mind, but a toddler...I have a lot yet to learn.

Currently, Ross is 28 months old. And, if you haven't done the math yet, that's less than 2 and a half years. It's hard to tell how much a 28 month old actually picks up...what words she understands...what conversations she can clearly comprehend...

until she tells you.

Underestimation #1: Straightening Up!
As with all children, Ross has begun whining...with full force. Her whole body gets into it. From her voice to her face and her head to her legs...they're all flailing around. She's very passionate about it.
And, well, as with any mother, there's only so much I can take.

The other day after several very animated whines, I simply said, "Ross, you don't have to get upset about it. Can you just talk to me?"
And, I promise you, with no exaggeration, she stood straight up, looked very serious and restated her complaint in a normal, rational voice.
I literally froze in disbelief.

Underestimation #2: Stereotyping
I don't ever recall pointing out what boys should do or what girls should do...in fact, at times I feel like I've gone out of my way to completely avoid her recognizing these typical stereotypes. However, somehow she's picked up on them.

The other day Ross and I were reading a book about numbers. One page had a picture of a pair of green boots and a pair of pink socks. She all of the sudden pointed to the boots and said, "Boys wear those boots." Then pointed to the socks and said, "Boys don't wear those. Girls wear those socks."
Again, I froze in disbelief.

Maybe it's with that that I should take a hint...
maybe I've just been underestimating her for way too long...

maybe it's that she's ready for a lot more...

Plug Free!

YES! You heard me right! Pluggie Plug free!

I have been more anxious about getting rid of these things than potty training and bed transitioning combined! But, it finally happened! 

Originally, my plan was to cut them, and tell her she had gotten too big for them..."they just don't work anymore." And, in fact, for weeks now I have been prepping her..."Ross, soon you'll be too big for those pluggies..."

However, God shined his light on me yesterday morning when Ross woke up with no plugs. They had all fallen behind her crib, and the second I walked in the room to get her she said, "Where are my pluggies?" 

"They must be gone, Ross." And that was it.

Later, at nap time (after discussing the idea with Grady) when I put her in her bed, she asked again, "Where are my pluggies?"

"Ross, they're gone. Do you know why?"

"Why?" (listening very intently)

"Because you've gotten too big. They all went to the tiny, little babies."

(smiling) "Oh."

And then I gave her her stuffed dog (Suzy) and blanket...and that was it.

No cry. No fuss. No nothing.

She did ask again at bedtime, but I told her the same story, and she was fine. Slept the whole night. Fine.

I wish I could describe to you the relief this has brought me...but I'll never come close. 

With that being said, that was probably the last bit of evidence that she was ever a baby...and I can't help but be sad about that...

                   

Ross's First Haircut

Okay. This is a bit embarrassing. 

Ross has been in desparate neeed of a haircut for months and months now...but it's taken me this long to convince her father of that.

A BEFORE shot...trying not to be nervous.

First blow dry.

First braid.

And, first manicure.

An AFTER shot...hair and nails.

I can't believe how great she did! 

And, I really can't believe how big she looks...

2 Years Old

I'm still in disbelief over it.

I swear to you, I can still feel her in my arms as a newborn...barely even able to open her eyes.

I knew I should have savored those moments a little longer.

And now, here she is...running and playing and doing all the glorious things little girls just do.

I plan to revel in these moments as well...while I still can. 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ross!