heard in bed

Dear Della,

This morning we were laying in bed together (my favorite way to wake up). We were looking at a little book that Granna had given me years ago which was difficult for me because I didn't have my glasses on.

"Wets wead dis witto book."

"Ok, we can read a few pages."

"Five, fow, fee, seconds..."

I love you,

Mama

guts and insides

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we spent the day together enjoying the final days of summer. We went to the library, had lunch at Hollywood Burger Bar, purchased a used/new to you raincoat and cat rain boots, visited Children's Garden and played in the fountain at Jamison Square. By the time we met Daddy at the Lucky Lab, I was exhausted but happy.

You were so happy to be in the fountain. You basically threw your boots off and ran into the water screaming. You informed me that you were screaming because you were having fun. I spent most of the time reading my book and glancing up every 2 or 3 sentences to scan the throngs of children in search of your blue polka dotted swimsuit. I enjoyed watching the crowd too as almost everyone had a smile on there face, kids to adults.

At the library, we found the normal kid books, but we also found an anatomy book from the " 'dult " section. I picked it up for you as you have been talking about how babies breath and eat with your classroom at ChildRoots.
The first thing you asked, "Is there any pee?". You have since seen a cross section of a vertebrae that has the spinal cord in a yellow color. That will forever be known to you as pee. We took it into school today and you proudly showed it off to Teacher Jessica and Harry. On this picture, you informed him that it was, indeed, pee. He responded that it was the same color as pee. He is so good about just reflecting your thoughts and comments. But, of course, I had to say that, "No, it is just the inside of the back bones, blah, blah, blah." I don't think you really care what it actually represents. You also really like looking at the hand bones, putting your hand on it and noticing that the picture is "vewy tiny".

This comes on the heals of watching a Magic School Bus episode that shows the inside of a kid's digestive track. You have always been so fascinated with the Magic School Bus books, and I find it fascinating that you like science so well. It has reinforced my decision to change your preschool. You often tell me that you like your old school better and that "everyone hates you" at your new school. Well, you never talked about a snail's big foot (we even brought one in that is still living in your room) or uterus' or looked for potato bugs at your old school.

I love you,

Mama

to be frank

Dear Della,

We have been hanging out on our own this week as Daddy has been at his bike repair class in Ashland this week. Here is an excerpt from our conversation tonight:

"Tomorrow is going to be Mama's day,"

"Yeah! Now, I won't hate you!"

Thanks my dear. I aim to please.

I love you,

Mama

what else?

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we had a fun afternoon on Uncle Benny's boat on Lacamas Lake. I don't think you really knew what to expect when I told you where we were going.

Once we were all in the boat with pfd's on the kids, we went puttering away from the dock. Then, Uncle Benny opened it up and you started screaming. With joy! You were so happy to be going fast. You asked for your sunglasses. Once you had them on, you sat in the chair smiling, shaking your hair a little in the wind and screaming. " THIS IS SO MUCH FUNNNNN!", you yelled.

You weren't as excited when we stopped and through the anchors down as you liked "going fast". But, Aunt Jen inflated the "Island Oasis" which is a hug raft that has a section cut out and a net at the bottom for little people to swim in it. You played on that and in the lake with me and on the ladder at the back of the boat. You cried for awhile "acuz my wife jacket is toooo tiiiggghhht". But, my operation Ignore It worked out well and you stopped.

It was very relaxing, and I was able to enjoy playing with cousin Sammy as well. When we got back, Ben treated us to dinner at the Moose Lodge. It was too bad that I forgot my camera though.

Here is an excerpt from our conversation on the way home:

"Why we onwy do two fings today?"

"What do you mean?"

"We onwy go on the boat an' go to dinnaw. Why"?

I love you,

Mama

introductions

Dear Della,

This morning on the way into school you were BERY hungy. "What do you have for me?", you inquired. "Goldfiss, almonds, raisins, milk?", you continued. I gave you some goldfish but mentioned that we should save the rest until after school as you are always hungry then. I also added that they should be having snack when we get to school and you could eat then. That didn't seem to pacify you.

Once we got to school, the other kids were eating bagels and cream cheese. I pointed it out to you, but you immediately turned your nose up at that and ran off to play.

I heard you talking to Kennedy and mentioning how you both have flowers on. I went over there to say goodbye to you. Here is what you said:

"Kennedy, Kennedy, meet my mom." You gestured with your hands just like adults do and made it seem like a true introduction.
"Here is Cailan. He is so funny."

I love you and the entertaining way you speak,

Mama

sophisticated nose

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we had a nice day lounging around the house and cuddling. It was kinda cold and raining all day plus, I have to admit, Mama will more than a little hung over. Thanks JennRenn! For once, Della, you were more than willing to sit on the couch with me most of the day! How lovely for me.

Anyway, you came into the bathroom after I had been in there for sometime. I see you cover up your nose and you announce, "It stinks in he-uh! Spray somefing!". It did but I found it funny that you were commenting on it. See, you just learned how to breath in through your nose when asked to smell something. We have been working on this concept since you were about 1 and you learned the sign for flower which is sniffing through your nose. Only for you, it has always been exhaling.

You also should not caste stones about bathroom etiquette. You see, my dear daughter, you have taken to wiping your nether regions on the bathmat or shower current if you do not properly wipe. Which is most of the time. This reminds me of story by David Sedaris, but in his tale they had brown towels. We have white, white bathmat, white shower curtain, white washcloths. Some of the aforementioned linens now have mysterious brown marks on them. I am trying to alleviate the use of bleach in our household but it will make an appearance when I wash these tainted items. Your dad may never be able to use them again.

I love you anyway,

Mama

PS - I should also mention here since this post is about the potty that you have spontaneously stopped using your "seat" on the toilet. You now sit on it like a big girl without any prompting by us. This is perhaps why you have been having trouble with the whole wiping thing as you have to balance yourself on the toilet with both hands.

the wine-o

Dear Della,

Here is a snipit from our conversation on the way home from school today:

"I can't drink wine anymore."

"Why?"

"Acuz I have babies in my belly. Two babies."

"You do?"

"Yes, they are crawling in my belly. A boy and a girl. Their names are Henry and Della. So, I can't drink any wine with you."

Some time passes as we drive then,

"I don't have babies anymo'ah. Let's go inside and have some wine."

So, I am sitting here typing this having to fight you over how much of my wine you are drinking. "Just a couple of sips", I say as you try to gulp it then blow as hard as possible on my new soprano recorder.