lamo mama

Dear Della-

It is Halloween today and I just dropped you off at your school. We had a fun ride in as you used your snake to shield your eyes from the sun. Normally, you scream like a vampire when the sun hits your eyes which would have been appropriate for today. You were also singing and saying things like "Yeah, wee wee beebee" (baby).

But, my fun came to an end when I realized ALL the kids in your class were dressed up for Halloween. At first I thought it was just the teachers, but then a dinosaur ran up to me, a skunk said "Hi Della" (Amelie) and there was a chicken, lady bug and so many others. I felt so bad! Teacher Jackie made me feel better by saying you were dressed up with the stars on your shirt.

When I was leaving, I noticed the sign on the gate saying, "Don't forget to wear your costumes tomorrow!". Well, you weren't at school yesterday so how was I supposed to know?? I suppose you will always feel emptiness surrounding dressing up now.

Mama

hoboism

Dear Della-

It is Halloween season and you have not begun to fully grasp what this means. I have shown you the house up the street that maniacally decorates their yard but you were only moderately interested which is fine with me.

Last year, you we dressed you up like a monkey which went over very well. My coworkers coined you Drunkey Monkey. This year Dad decided to have you be a Hobo. I was sceptical at first but supportive. We found clothes for you at Value Village some of which you will continue to wear even after the festivities. Who knew that I would find such cute bargains?

On Friday, Dad's office held trick-or-treating for the employees children. I picked you up early from daycare then went over to see Dad. Got you dressed in your overalls, complete with hand sewn patches, a flannel shirt, a hat from the JLo collection and your boots. We put some makeup on your face to give you that unshaven look and Dad even got you carnations to wear. Dad also painstakingly cut a branch off the maple tree, sanded down the knots and ends to protect you from yourself and put on a bandanna at the end to hold your stuff. Just so you know what a great Dad you have, he even dressed up like a Hobo himself. Whatta guy.

You had fun going from office to office with your friends, Sophie and Marlee. Sophie showed you how to pick the candy and you picked up on it quickly. You liked to choose just the right one and put in your bucket that I got from a kid's meal at Jack in the Box. Classy, I know.

I think you enjoyed the stairs at the office just as much as the candy gettin' just to put it in perspective for you. I know that next year and each consecutive year will bring more excitement to this holiday. For now, I am just happy that you have not figured out what "candy" really means to a kid. Your dad and I know the power candy holds, as do our friends, since none of your candy made it through the weekend.

Mama

i smell now

Dear Della-

I am sitting here at my desk on a beautiful Friday morning diligently trying to get lots of work done as I arrived late and will be leaving early for trick-or-treating at Dad's office. I am having trouble focusing as I keep getting wiffs of "yak" mixed with Febreez. It is not pleasant. I wonder if it really is the smell of puke or if I now associate that with Febreez since your dad and I have used it many a time to cover up your regurgitation (in the Westy, on our bed). Yuck, as you would say.

This morning, when Dad brought into bed, I thought I detected the acrid scent of vomit but I dismissed it as coming from the mattress. Upon closer detection, I realized you had dried puke in your hair. I wondered if you had thrown up in the middle of the night. I asked Dad about it and he confirmed it after closely inspecting your crib. A shower was definitely in order.

After a full wicked scrubbing in the shower with Dad, he dressed you in overalls for your Hobo costume and your orange rabbit shirt as it was "Black and orange" day at school. We continued on with our morning routine with "yummies" and "o" at the coffee table while you sat in your chair and watched Dragon Tails.

I was about ready and was in the middle of drying my freshly cut and colored hair when I heard a big crash. I knew exactly what happened and ran into the living room to find you splayed out on the floor, above your chair, crying. You have gotten a nasty habit of standing up in your chair and it keeps falling backwards. Should we continue to let you learn the hard way or should we take away the chair for awhile?

Anyway, I picked you up to hug and reassure you. Then, you threw up all over my shoulder and leg before I moved you and you continued to throw up on the floor. While I felt bad for you, I was actually more concerned about 1. my hair 2. my clothes 3. your clothes 4. cleaning up the mess 5. being late 6. you being sick.

Well, I managed to salvage my pants and your Hobo overalls by spot cleaning (because you have to wear them this afternoon) and spraying with Febreez followed by a bout in the dryer. Now, I am second guessing that decision. Maybe your teachers won't smell the foulness of barf.

Mama

sleepin' together ain't all it is cracked up to be

Dear Della-

Last night, at about 3a, you woke up crying and calling out, "Mama?, Dada?" which, in it self, is not abnormal behavior for you. You usually wake up in the middle of the night wanting reassurance about once a week. We tried calling back to you with, "it is still ni-night, Della", but to no avail. Dad got up and did whatever it is that he does while I went back to sleep.

Some time later (time loses reality at 3a), you really let us know you were unhappy and seeing how it was my turn, I managed my way to your room. I picked you up to find your whole front wet so I changed your diaper and clothes in the dark. You pointed repeatedly to our room which I interpreted to mean you wanted to sleep with us. After justifying it with you by saying that you couldn't sleep on wet sheets, off we went. I thought it would be nice to have your warm body sleeping next to me.

The reality was that you insisted on sleeping on my belly but could never find a good position. Down, up, turn your head, nose right next to my neck, flip around, none of it worked. After, I am guessing, about 1/2 hour, I assume you finally went to sleep because we woke up at about 7a which felt pretty good. But, I hope we are not doing it again anytime soon. I love the idea of sleeping next to you but it is not good for any of us. Besides, this is how you looked after waking up this morning.

Actually, it was crazy hair at at school today...

Mama

PS-We had fun carving the pumpkin with you tonight and appreciated your help trying to clean it out with the spoon.

holding hands

Dear Della-

We had a lot of fun this weekend doing a variety of things like getting pumpkins and going to OMSI (thanks to our friends, Katie and Gwynne) to watch an intense film on Dolphins (intense in that the screen was HUGE). My highlight was seeing you holds hands with your cousin, Michael, and Marlee. Here is a picture of you with Michael. You have become quite a hugger/kisser and like to give loves to other little people.

While at OMSI, you kept saying "buhbye" but once we starting watching the dolphins that quickly turned to "whoa" and "eeeeee" when the dolphins were talking to eachother.

I also wanted to add that you are now officially obsessed with "Bop" which is your version of Mary Poppins and you have started walking around with your 2 fingers crossed. You are also enjoying "Gow, gow", "gaw, gaw" and "wah, wah" for cat, bird and dog and boy do you like your apples.

I love watching you grow, my little squirt.

Mama

Soda tastes good

Dear Della,

I just poured myself a glass of diet coke and I have to say that some days are made for soda. When your mom and I go to the hospital (the same hospital where you were born!) for lunch, we always get a soda. The cups are brown and feel like flimsy styrofoam and you can get 16 oz for less than $1. The best part about hospital soda is the bendy straws. I love those kind of straws!

I went to Justa Pasta this afternoon to pick up lunch for your mom and me. I had caesar salad with a lot of garlic and now my mouth feels stinky. I have a toothbrush in my drawer, so I could brush my teeth but right now I think stinky breath is funny. Your mom had lasagna and we didn't know that it was made with goat cheese. She did not think that was the best cheese choice and I agree. A little bit of goat cheese goes a long way.

Your teeth

Dear Della,

I just wanted to write and say how much I love your teeth. I have a picture on my computer of you laughing with your mouth wide open and I can see your top teeth and it is so CUTE! Your mom and I have had many discussions about how cute your smile is....it seems to me that you keep getting cuter and funnier. Your mom told me about your weekend activity of keep-away. Did you learn that game at daycare?!

It is a beautiful afternoon and I am so happy I could walk outside at lunch. I hope you are enjoying the fresh air on your playground as well.

~ Jen*

Out to eat

Dear Della,

Today Laika's Finance Team went out for lunch. We went to McMenamins and 85% of us had tots. We talked a little about Napoleon Dynamite, but none of us stuffed leftover tots in our pockets.

Your mom told us about pressing wine (or pressing grapes) and the fruit flies that accompany this activity. I hate fruit flies...their so tiny and so persistent. Speaking of flies, one ran into your mom's head during lunch. Maybe that fly needs glasses.

I wonder what you'll be doing this weekend. Do you have a pumpkin on your porch? I have pumpkin seeds in my snack drawer.

~ Jen*

Grapes taste good

Dear Della,

I hear you and your parents are picking grapes this morning. Did you enjoy the time outside in the sun? Did your mom have you wear a harness?! This morning at the bus stop my hands were freezing. I didn't think I would need to wear my gloves in October, but I guess I do. I saw some gloves at Walmart for $.79. That's very inexpensive. They are probably very poorly made.

I think you are a lucky girl to have a country outing with your parents. Did you eat somewhere special for lunch?

I'm listening to Ricky Martin as I work. When your mom reads that she might roll her eyes!

~ Jen*

New format

Dear Della,

Today your mom moved the blog over to Blogger. It is going to give us some better options for posting and it's FREE!

I have been eating a lot of Halloween candy this month. Some of my favorites are Runts and Twix. My friend Grayden is going to be a Power Ranger for Halloween. I remember last year you were a monkey. I remember when your mom bought the costume and I thought it was SO cute! What are you going to be this year?

~ Jen*