Mamazen

37 months

My dear Lucy Mae,

You are 37 months old, you're a pretty cool kid, I must say!

  

You've recently taken an interest in your hair, You like to be edgy, the funkier the better.

You also have an interesting take on fashion. 

 

You are quite inventive, here you've come up with a new type of pillow. It didn't go over well. 

 

You like building with legos. It's either a castle or a robot. Either way, it's cool. 

 

 

You are concerned for everyone's safety, just like a good middle child.  You are also really into tormenting your big and little sisters… just like a good middle child. 

 

 

 

School started! Just like last year, you accompanied Ruby to her first day of class. You were (again) bummed that you didn't get to stay but don't worry, your time is coming!

 

You love making your baby sister laugh (or cry, but that's another story) She thinks you are fantastic (or a terror)

 

You and Ruby do lots of 'projects' together. Sometimes you both do the same thing but usually you're both just crafting at the same table. It's incredibly awesome, and messy and perfect. 

 

You love the park, you would go every day if we could! Swings and slides and running and climbing, you love all of it!

You also love being silly. 

Bathtime is another favorite part of your day. We put food coloring in the bath and have pool toys and you guys have a blast. Not sure how clean you actually get but whatever, childhood isn't about being clean. 

 

You're still sleeping with Mabel and I. As much as I wish you were back in bed with Ruby, I know this is where you need to be right now. Most nights you spend half the night smashed up against me, *sluggling" I don't really sleep well, but that's ok, cause you were pretty traumatized when I spent a month in the hospital with your baby sister. I have the rest of my life to sleep alone (ok i probably won't for several years to come) and I know you'll choose to sleep somewhere else when you are good and ready. 

YOU STARTED PRESCHOOL!!! You are going to an amazing school called Runabouts. It's all about the important things you need to learn when you are three… 

feeding chickens with friends, getting dirty, climbing stuff and building stuff

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making tea for friends, singing songs, and navigating new relationships. (I kinda wish I could go there)

 

This month you figured out how to pedal your bike and actually start moving. Then you were instantly uninterested. Go figure. 

 

This picture is entitled "The Rasmussen Kids album cover #1: the coral years"

 

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The most exciting development in your whole life this month was riding the MAX TRAIN. We went out on the trains for the opening of the orange line that goes across the Tilikum bridge. Your mind was BLOWN.  

You sat with Ruby and your Nana and watched everything go by, and you wanted to transfer to every train you saw. 

It was a fantastic adventure.

You even made a new friend, in true Lucy fashion. 

 

We went on a mama date to the Children's Museum. You LOVE this place so much. Your favorite thing is to go to the grocery store and buy groceries and ring them up.  You also love going to the grown up grocery store and doing the same, mostly because you like to push the cart or ride in the car-cart. 

We finally checked out the new outdoor exhibit at the museum

You did exactly what a 3 year old should do there… you jumped in mud puddles. 

My darling Lu, you are a quintessential 3 year old. You are loud and demanding and rigid and whiny. You are delightful and funny and charming and sweet. You are learning how to push and set boundaries. You are equally amazing and exhausting. In one moment you can be hilarious and coy and then next you are screaming to get your way. You are exactly how you should be at 3, and I am trying to be exactly the mother you need right now, flexible and firm, loving and forgiving, creative and reliable. I don't always meet all those needs but I'm learning and trying every day. Since the day you were born you have taught me how to be a different mother than your big sister needed and likely different than your little sister will need. You are your own amazing person and I could not love you more. 

All of my heart, Mama

THREE!!! 36 months

My sweet Lucy Mae, 

You are THREE years old. How is it possible that you are growing up so fast? 

This month (on 7/17/15) you were a glitter fairy in your cousin Kelcie's wedding. You were so excited to be in a fancy dress and wings!

 

You practiced...

 

And practiced!

On the big day you were spreading the love!

 

You rode the trolley! (just like Daniel Tiger!)

You were a big sister AND a little sister  

 

And you were absolutely beautiful in your outfit, just like your sisters. 

You kissed the bride, and then you were TERRIFIED to walk down the aisle. I had to carry you and toss the glitter for you while you sobbed into my shoulder. Ruby was a glitter tossing machine, and it all worked out just fine. 

But at the reception you were a dancing queen! You danced until it was time to drag all of the crying children home to bed, and a good time was had by all. 

 

We went to the zoo with Grandma and your cousins

 

 

 And then out for dinner (and beer)

 

 We had several heat waves so you spent a lot of time in the water.

 

 You helped Mabel have her first sink bath. 

 

 And shared a shave ice with Ruby at the street fair.

You and Ruby also spent a long time doing an obstacle course at the street fair, it was so much fun! 

 

 

You and Mabel took your first of many baths together with her being able to sit up in the tub. You thought it was the bees knees!

 Even when she splashed your face (which currently you don't like)

 

 You and Ruby love to put on "shows", singing or dancing or telling jokes.

 

Mabel likes to watch.

 

 Sometimes you are a little mean to your baby sister, you will push her over or hit her on the head with toys. We are all trying to work through this, with as little trauma to both you and mabel as possible. 

 

For my birthday you gave me a manicure. It was quite sweet!

 And a card you made with Isaiah. I love you so much, Lulu!

 

Then we went out for sushi and had a great time!

 

For your birthday we had an EPIC Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Party.  

 

 

with face painting by Happy Paints

 

 

 

And Pigeon t-shirts made by Nana for all of us.

 

I made some boxes into a bus... 

 and put on a puppet show! 

 

 I made you a pigeon cake

 

 

 

that you were SO excited to share with your friends

 

 

You were given many thoughtful and awesome gifts, some of which you played with right away!

 The party stretched on till dinner time so we made a second meal and then you took a bath with your remaining friends before crashing HARD for the night. 

 

You slept with your pigeon and your new pigeon blanket (which you have slept with every night since then too)

 

 

It's hard to believe 4 years ago I was recovering from a miscarriage and you were just a box of wishes in the form of paper cranes

 

And now here you are, real and awesome and full of LOVE

 

Lots of love. 

 My sweet sweet Lucy Mae, you are rambunctious and challenging and brilliant. You push my buttons and your boundaries. You stretch my patience and my heartstrings. You can be the kindest sweetest kid, and also the most irrational three year old on the planet.  Your smile could launch a thousand ships and your hugs could melt the biggest glaciers. I can't believe you are my kid, that I am lucky enough to be called mama by someone as outstanding as you.

Happiest birthday my love, Mama

35 months

My Darling Lucy Mae,

You are 35 months old. 3 is approaching SO FAST (although you are already THREE in so many ways)

 

You so desperately want to be a big kid, you want to do all the things the big kids do, even when it scares you. You'll try to do big things and then change your mind and you get SO disappointed that you can't keep up. "When's MY TURN, mama?" soon enough my sweet!

 

 

Taco Tuesday lived on, alternating between Amy's and our house. Lots of fun was had, and lots of tacos were eaten. 

 

You have become an expert crafter. You love cutting and gluing and coloring and most of all, painting! "I made it for YOU mama!"

 

 

You are such a love. 

And you LOVE grocery shopping, no matter where and no matter with whom, you always want to go!

 

You helped prep lego minifigs for Ruby's epic 9th Lego Birthday Party

 

And you helped prep food and cakes.

Then you enjoyed the spoils, getting a rad arm painting 

 

and rocking out in the back yard

 

 

And generally just loving your sister's party. 

 

Also, the playhouse is completely finished. 

 

It's amazing. 

 

 

You practiced 'floating' in the pool.

 

And explored many things at your favorite park.

 

 

 

You also enjoy wearing your baby like I wear baby Mabel. It's the best. 

 

You are SO funny. You love going on 'dates' with mama or daddy. You make the silliest faces and tell funny jokes. 

 

We went cherry picking. 

 

You were a mess. 

 

 

We went to the river. 

You were a mess. 

 

 

Super Lucy and Emmet and Wyldestyle went to the fireworks. 

 

It was AWESOME. You called out what you were seeing and all the colors and it was the coolest thing ever. Then on the way home all of the children fell apart and we all wished we were sleeping much sooner than we were. 

 

 

We went to OMSI. 

 

 

 

The three of you were very silly trying to fit into lockers. I thought it might be a good babysitting device but then I realized maybe not. 

 

Especially since you are all giant sharks and quite scary. 

 

 

You love going out into the garden to see what's growing and you ask when we can pick it and eat it. 

 

 

You also really love playing IN the playhouse now that we have it set up as a kitchen. 

You'll all play restaurant or grocery store. it's pretty sweet. 

 

 

We went to Auntie Bug and Uncle Jason's for Grandpa's birthday. You practiced your somersaults.

 

You were pretty good at them!

 

You also practiced eating marshmallows. You were also really good at that too.  We went in the hot tub and slept in a  tent and it was a grand adventure. 

 

 

Your outfits for Kelcie's epic wedding arrived, so one day you all tried them on, and danced around in them. 

 

You all looked pretty adorable. 

 

 

Especially when wearing minnie mouse ears and kissing each other. 

 

Lu, you are such a sweet empathetic kiddo. When i get upset and shout at one of the other kids (or you) you get frustrated and say "Don't talk to him like that!" or "can you please ask nicely!?" (you say that even when i DO ask nicely) When someone else is sad, you are always concerned about what is happening. You care how others are treated, and you have a kind heart. 

Your favorite books right now are the Pigeon series by Mo Willems. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Pigeon Finds a Hotdog and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. We read them every night before bedtime, and if I make a mistake you quickly correct me. You have some favorite lines that you will often say randomly throughout the day like "I have dreams you know!" (when i won't let you have a popsicle instead of breakfast) or "huh, needs mustard' (which always makes you giggle over and over and over). You are so funny, and so silly. It's absolutely delightful. 

 

My darling Lu Bear,you are almost THREE! You are becoming one heck of a three year old, you are emotional, and demanding and obstinate. You are sarcastic and smart witted and you sometimes scream to get your way. You can have these long and fun conversations with me that can be about everything and nothing all at once. You demand hugs and kisses and give them out freely to those you love. You are truly a delightful kiddo. 

Next up: LET'S PARTY PIGEON STYLE! 

I love you sweet potato, Love mama

 

34 Months

My Sweet Lulu,

You are now 34 months old, three is approaching fast, and it sure shows. You are asserting yourself in the world, in the family and everywhere. When you know what you want, you work VERY hard to make it known, sometimes with an ear piercing scream. When you ask for something, and are told no, or "not right now" you demand it again, or you scream "YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!" which doesn't work, but you keep trying. Sometimes you scream so intensely that the veins on your neck pop out. You're like a mini hulk. LUCY SMASH. 

We hosted a party for your buddies Gabe and Chloe (ok they are Ruby's friends but you make friends with everyone)

 

 

You were so stoked to run with the big kids.

 

 

You're still into sleeping in the closet. I never let you stay there but you like to curl up and fall asleep sometimes. Usually you wait until I'm done rocking Mabel to sleep then we read your favorite books (of this season) Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus (and Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog and Don't Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late) 

 

One day you were super mad at me because I wouldn't let you have a popsicle.  

 

Ruby consoled you. 

 

And then all was better. Sisters are the best.

 

 

We went shopping for veggie starts for the garden with your friend Daniel and his brother baby Joel (or Jewel as you say). You and Daniel were pretty funny together. 

 

 

Then you and Ruby helped plant everything, including seeds!  

 

And new strawberries! I don't think a single strawberry made it inside the house, you two ate them all straight out of the patch. Same with the raspberries and blueberries, but then again, I'm growing them for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to a party where you roasted marshmallows, alone, by the fire, when no one was looking. You sneaky little monkey. 

 

 

You and Ruby also helped feed some baby goats. It was pretty exciting.

 

 

You're super into playing in the kitchen. This was breakfast, blueberries and bacon.

You are also quite a comedienne, you look for any opening to be silly, funny or throw in a sideways remark. You are mature beyond your years when it comes to timing and sarcasm. I wonder where you get it. 

Daddy taught you a new song, and you are so adorable singing "Shake shake shake, Shake shake shake, Shake your booooTeeee." Somedays I almost explode with the sweetness.

Daddy started building your new playhouse! It's been an exciting ride, watching it all come together.  

 

You have enjoyed it from the start. 

 

You've also helped as much as you can.

 

The day the walls went up you and Ruby were up there as soon as possible, playing with dolls and blocks. 

 

Then he built stairs so you could get up and down safely. 

 

But who needs safety when you can have...

 

A SLIDE!!!!!!! 

 

 

We did some berry picking. Strawberries...

 

 

 

Raspberries  (and blueberries too) 

 

 

We went to Art ala Carte and it was so much fun we bought a membership. I think we will spend many days here in the winter! 

 

You've also been into painting. This was your blue period. 

 

We started a new tradition with some friends, Taco Tuesday! We get together on Tuesdays at someone's house and… eat tacos. It's pretty great. 

 

One day you read Dragons Love Tacos to Cormac. He was pretty impressed with your reading skills. 

 

One Taco tuesday you and Cormac had a pants less tea party, as you do. 

 

That's what happens when you let toddlers drink too much. 

 

Celeste and Ted and Max and Shoghi come often too. 

 

You guys set up a picnic in the playhouse and everyone ate lots of tacos. 

 

 

When we go to Trader Joes you love to push your own cart. It's fun, until we have multiple kids then I feel like I brought  my own circus to the store… which I kind of did. 

 

 

One day you took out the tools and decided to "work like daddy" on the scooter he made for Ruby when she was a baby. 

 

You didn't succeed at taking it apart, thankfully.  

 

 

 

 

Our friend Gabriel came to stay with us for a while. You love having a 'brudder'.

 

You follow him around like you're his shadow. 

 

 

We went to Augie's birthday party. 

 

You and Ruby LOVE Augie. Well, we all do, but you pretty much think he's the bomb. 

 

 

And you couldn't wait to eat the cupcakes. 

 

 

It's summertime so we have spent a lot of time at different parks. 

 

You want to be a big kid so bad, and it's so adorable to watch you try and keep up. 

 

My darling LuBear, I cannot believe you are almost 3. It feels like just yesterday you were in my belly and we had no idea who you were, and now here you are and you are SO LUCY. You are in a hurry to grow up, always saying how you want to be a big kid or you are a big little kid. 

You are a wonderful little sister, in that you love Ruby so much, and you are equally annoyed by her and annoying to her… just as a little sister should be. You are an amazing big sister, you try to make mabel laugh when she is sad, you bring her toys or a burp rag when she spits up, and you try to wake her up EVERY TIME I GET HER TO SLEEP.  (please stop that, by the way) You love your sisters so very much, it makes me so happy that you are all growing up together and that I get to watch it. 

 

My sweetest middle girl, I love you more than sunshine, I love you more than moon shadows, I love you more than blackbirds. Slow down, just a little bit and let me savor the amazingness of 2 for just a *little* bit longer.

All my heart, Mama 

 

 

 

33 months

My sweet Lucy Mae,

You are 33 months old! You are such a joy, and quite a funny child. So funny that I'm going to share a few of your antics here.

One thing you've been doing is saying "papahiya!" with a karate kick. It's hilarious and adorable and never ceases to make me laugh. 

One day while you were with Isaiah and Brittney, you had your finger in your nose (a common thing with 2.5 year olds) and Isaiah asked you to take it out. You replied, "I'm picking my nose, ISAAAAYA, just gimme a second!" everyone laughed and then you had to keep saying it over and over and over to make us laugh again.

One morning while we were getting ready to go run errands you said "Maybe we take the white car?" I told you we were taking the blue car and you said "Maybe we take a bar?" with the funniest shoulder shrug and eyebrow lift. Right now you are SUPER into cliff bars (specifically the chocolate brownie) and going to run errands or the park usually means a snack in the car… of a bar. You'll do anything to get your hands on one.

You've finally figured out how to say your "L's" so instead of being Ucy, you are LLLLLUCY. It's pretty great.

You also play this cute game about who loves whom. "Max loves Kelcie! Isaiah loves Brittney! Kailie loves MEEEEE!" Everyone loves you, Lu. Everyone.

When you are scared by something (like a butterfly, or a slightly frightening character in a movie) the easiest way to ease your fears are to say "oh but he's a nice guy, he's your friend!" then the next time you see that guy you say "Oh yeah, he's a nice guy, he's my fren!" 

One day there were some ants crawling around on the table (as is apt to happen in Portland in the springtime) and you said "No ants! Get out of here! This is not your house! This is the RAPSEN house!" I laughed so hard, and so long and every time you see an ant, or a fly even thinking about coming in our house you shout it at them too. 

 You carry your backpack EVERYWHERE, even though it's bigger than you are. 

 

 You and Ruby like to pretend you are dogs and cats when out in the neighborhood. It's hilarious, tho once you actually crawl through dog poop you won't be laughing. 

 

 We went to the Autism walk with Augie's family. 

 

 You rode a chicken. And some other rides that you hated. You really wanted to do bumper cars with Grandpa but you are still too small. You were pretty sad. 

Then we went out to dinner with Augie and his family, and you LOOOOOVE Augie. "I luff Audie! Audie my FREN!" You are such a lovely kid, everyone wants to be your friend!

 

 

Then the next day you got sick. SO SO SO SICK. Norovirus. Barfing, everywhere. After you stopped barfing you wanted a popsicle. Then I cleaned up popsicle barf. EVERYWHERE. 

 Once you finally started feeling like eating, you ate. and ate. and ate. Including making me get up from bedtime and get you a snack. 

 

 We went to a play date at what will be your new school in September, Runabouts.  Your friend Kiran came to play and we had snacks and ran around like crazy outside. It was awesome and you can't wait to go to school and hang out with Elsa every day. 

 

 You've been spending lots of time in your pjs. Sometimes all day. Can't blame you, pjs are awesome. 

 You also spend lots of time loving Mabel. "Oh Mabel, I LUFF YOU!" it pretty much explodes my heart into a million pieces every time. 

 

 You are Ruby have a daily love affair. You wait for her bus every day "Where's my ROOOOBEEE? I miss her! She's my best FREN!" then 10 minutes after she gets home you two are screaming at each other and not wanting to share or take turns or whatever. Just like sisters are supposed to. 

 

 You have a new favorite park. You call it Green Park because of the green slide. 

 But the slide isn't the only thing you love. You LOVE watching the skaters at the skate park. I sense you've got a little skater in you. 

 

So after watching the skaters one day, you decided to try Ruby's scooter. We got her a bigger scooter so you inherited her old one and after doctoring it up with some Olaf stickers you were set to go.  You were a little scared but you did it with some practice. 

 However you both ended up ditching your scooters and walked to the playground. 

 

 Then you built a fort over the climbing structure and made beds. 

 Then Ruby decided you guys would sleep out there so daddy set up a tent.  

She lasted all night. You came in before bedtime and slept with mama. 

 

 

 You have this *one* curl that kind of kills me. You look like a little Oompa Loompa.

 Well you HAD that one curl. But you asked for a haircut so I took you to visit Khat, and you happily sat, and sat and sat.

 You were totally calmed by getting your first major cut. It's sooooo relaxing in Khat's chair!

 Then you looked SO CUTE! You kept saying "I'm so beautiful!"

 Yes, Lu, even with your grumpy face, you are SO beautiful!

 

 You found a drill at your friend Kiran's house and promptly decided to do a project "just like daddy!"

 

You've developed an affinity for the closet. Sometimes you just play on your 'blue phone' in there, watching Daniel Tiger or doing puzzles while I nurse Mabel to sleep. 

 

 Sometimes you fall asleep. 

 

 But you always end up in bed with mama. Or ON mama. 

 

My sweet darling Lucy, you are SUCH a lovable kid. You love your family FIERCELY and the same with your friends. You love sharing Mabel, but you remind everyone that she is "my Mabel". Everyday you wait for "My Ruby" to get home from school (and you end up fighting and screaming at each other too, just like sisters should) and you say "I luff her! I miss her!" It warms me to my very core. You are loving and funny and kind. You get whiny like any 2.5 year old but you are quick to 'use a different voice' if we ask you. You know what you want, and how to get it, but you're also willing to bend a little when you can't have exactly what you want, when you want it. You are quick with a laugh, and also quick to scream your head off when you are mad. In short, you are exactly who you are supposed to be at 2.5.

I love you more than sliced apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top. I love you more than a perfect cup of coffee. 

All my heart, Mama

 

32 Months

My dear Lucy Mae, 

You are now 32 months old. You are just an amazing kid. You are a quintessential two year old. You ask "why" ALL THE TIME, and "what are doin, mama?" You are curious about everything and everyone around you. When you see kids crying or sad you want to know what happened, even though most of the time you are too shy to go talk to them. You also want to "do it by-my-self!" all the time. Wether it be going potty, or getting dressed, or carrying your own plate to the table, if you want to do it your way, and we do it for you… oy, there it hell to pay. We are starting to just ask you how you want everything done to avoid the sadness, or anger that ensues, because generally you are a really joyful, fun kid and if we can help you have an easier time, well that's what a parent's job is. 

You learn new words every day, and the way you say them is… hilarious. Like papaya, you say "papa-Hi YA!" it's so cute I might die. You ask me hundreds of times a day "whats dat mama?" and when I reply you almost always say "Ooooooh!" As if to say 'of course it is!'

You've learned how to jump off of things with both feet and no hands. You aren't brave enough (thankfully!) to do it from great heights, but I am sure you will get there sooner than mama is ready, just like everything else. 

 

 

You and Ruby has spent a lot of time playing together doing play dough and legos and bubbles. She likes to teach you how to do the hard stuff. She has occasionally shared her precious ponies with you, which is quite a treat. 

 

 

We drove out to Forrest Grove to play with your friend Rowan and meet his baby sister Matilda. You were very worried that they would play with "MY MABEL" so you were pretty protective of her at first. Then you got down to playing.  I don't have a picture with Rowan in it because he wasn't wearing pants, that happens, you know. 

 

 

 

Ruby taught you how to blow dandelions and I'm SO happy about it. Ok, truthfully it's a nightmare for the garden but it's so beautiful and sweet, that I just suck it up and live with the weeds. 

 

 

You both love to push Mabel around in the stroller, and she loves it too, until you start fighting about who gets to push, then it's no fun for anyone.

 

 

 

We took a trip to the Children's Museum with Kailie and had a blast. You face painted, played in the grocery shopping area, and performed a show as two giraffes.

 

 

You have been spending two days a week with "My-saiah" your wonderful manny who has been part of our family for almost 6 years now.I am going back to work soon, so this month has been a warm up for all of us. He brings his play mat and you (and Ruby when she's not at school) wrestle and jump and do yoga.  You also go to the park and for walks and play outside. You're a pretty lucky kid. 

 

 

You have *completely* mastered the potty! You don't need any help (except wiping with a deuce) and you are SO proud of yourself. I'm pretty proud of you too.  You've also decided you don't need the potty seat because 'I a big kid, mama!' Oh yes, you are and it's happening all to fast!

 

 

 

 

Because I am about to go back to work, I have been trying to take you on a date once a week and have Isaiah stay with Mabel so you will feel safe and secure when I do have to be gone 3 days a week at work. We've had boring dates like doctors appointments and grocery shopping, and fun dates like finding new parks and going out for yummy lunches.

 

 

 

 

You got sick this month, you had a fever for a couple days and did nothing but lay on the couch and watch TV. You slept a lot and snuggled often. You also hardly ate which is not like you at all. I wore you on my back as much as I could because you just wanted to be close. 

 

Once you felt better we got back out playing and running around. You are so brave, trying new playground equipment and mastering most of it the first try! 

 

 

We went to the zoo with your friend baby Tommy, and since you are older you showed him how it all works. 

 

 

At sleepy time you insist on putting your hand in my shirt. Since you nursed for over 2 years, I'm not surprised that you are still attached to the boobs, and it's so sweet and comforting. Every night you say "i need to put my hand *right* there!" and then you do.  When you were sick you would cry and cry until you could snuggle into this position and then *boom*, you'd be asleep.

 

 

Speaking of sleep, you still are sleeping with me. I don't mind and your dad is getting pretty good sleep in the other room with Ruby so I guess we will stay this way until summer time. Some nights you end up trying to steal my pillow, but most of the time you crash hard and sleep till morning, when you wake up and find your 'mimi' (pacifier) and play on your 'blue phone' (iPod)) till you wake me up or till you (stealthily) sneak out of the room to find Ruby and Daddy.  

 

Some mornings you desperately want to snuggle Mabel so you wait till I open the blinds and then you say "It's wake up morning?!" and I tell you yes and then you get your baby sister snuggles. It's pretty sweet. 

 

EASTER!

 

You were both SO excited for the Easter Bunny to come and hide the wooden eggs we dyed! you placed them outside in your empty bucket and then raced upstairs for bedtime. However you both kept looking out the window for him. Finally you both went to sleep so the EB could get to work. 

 

EB left some magic eggs outside the bedroom doors and left his footprints for you to follow to the baskets! You both loved your easter treats and surprises. 

 

It was a little chilly, but that didn't stop you from going on the best easter egg hunt ever, over and over and over. 

 

 

 

Every day after school you and Ruby enjoy a homemade popsicle, you like to sit on the porch swing and wait wait wait for her bus. 

 

 

We went to a new park and walked to the pond to watch some baby ducks. 

 

You two are so in love with each other, it makes me so happy to know that you'll always have that. 

 

You found a "big hole" and had to explore it too. 

 

 

 

My sweet, loving Lucy Mae, you are SUCH a delightful child. You are funny and kind and so full of love. Your excitement for life is contagious and you are downright funny. You can be ornery and challenging but it rarely lasts for long. I am so lucky to be your mama and so grateful you are my sweet middle child. I love you more than I can say.

All of my love, Mama 

30 months, Two and a half years.

Dear Lucy,

You are now 30 months old (well it was a while ago but I started this one and intend to finish it!). TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLD! I know some people call them the terrible twos, but quite frankly, I think you're delightful (although sometimes you are a bit of a fascist and a dictator.) 

This month daddy, grandma and Ruby went to Maui and it was just you and Mabel and mama. We had some good times, and some tough times. 

 

You picked out your own underpants, "ANNA ELSA UNERPANTS! Are dose Ucy's?" Yes, apparently they were

 

 

You have a very cute butt in underpants. You've only had a few accidents and it's usually when you fall asleep in the car or are tired in general. 

We went to visit Auntie Bug and Uncle Jason. You got a manicure and had your hair done. 

And you taught Uncle Jason how to do the marble run. 

And you read stories and played with Kailie. She taught you to do somersaults!

 

You also visited Uncle Jason at the firehouse, but you were sleepy and clingy so you wouldn't get near the firetruck. However since then, every time you pass a fire truck you say "it's Uncle Jason's fire truck!"

Then we went to Nana and Gpa's house. You ate. A LOT 

 

You wore your frog dress and went to the park with Gpa.

 

 

And you read books and played with Nana. A LOT. 

And we took naps. 

 

And you loved on your baby sister. 

 

 

 

 

 

A LOT.

 

Then we met Auntie Bug and Kailie at the AC Gilbert house (which is kind of like OMSI) in Salem.

You made tea and soup for a Panda.

 

He thanked you with kisses. 

 

 

And Auntie Bug taught you how to go down a tiny slide.

You mastered it. 

 

You've discovered bandaids. You like them. A LOT. You also discovered counting. Not just rote counting but 1:1 correspondence counting. It's SO amazing to watch you do it. You're one smart cookie!

 

You're a very fashionable toddler. You love this chicken dress that Nana made for Ruby. Ruby wore it once and it just wasn't her style. You love it. I do too. 

 

 

 

Still with the whiskers and now with ponytails and sunglasses. ADORABLE. 

 

Style: you have it. 

 

You love love love your baby sister Mabel June (Mabel DOON is what you call her). You want to check on her and kiss her and hug her all the time. You also occasionally scratch her, or bite her. I think you're just needing more and more one on one time with mama, and since I can't put the baby down, you get jealous. 

 

So we're working on doing stuff just you and me, and every night no matter what I snuggle you to bed. 

 

You've developed a fondness for babies, and baby wearing. You even kiss her head like mama kisses MJ.

 

You picked out your own backpack for our upcoming trip. It's bigger than you are, and it lights up and annoys the hell out of me, but you love it and take it everywhere filled with all sorts of random things. 

 

 

You've started making silly faces. It's the best thing ever. 

 

You and Ruby have tea parties at least 2-3x a week, it's so much fun!

The guest list is always very diverse. 

My dear sweet Lucy, you are such a delight. You bring joy to me and everyone around you every day. You can be challenging (as all humans can be) but in general you are a pretty sweet kid. You love your family, you love your friends, and you love life. I'm so lucky to get to be your mama. 

All my heart, Mama

 

 

 

29 months

My dear Lucy,

You are now 29 months old, and I'm late yet again. I guess we should just get used to it. 

You are so much fun lately, full of hugs and kisses and you make the funniest faces.

You have discovered "Frenchy Beer". One night you were sick with a fever so Ruby went to the store with Daddy. When she returned she held up two bottles of sparkling cider and proclaimed "LOOK LUCY!!! FANCY FRENCH BEER!" (which you calld Fancy French BEARD) and a new tradition began. Now you both call it frenchy beer but we have it with dinner a couple of times a week, often in fancy glasses. It's awesome.

We went to Zoo Lights, FINALLY! It wasn't a super cold night and there was no rain so it was a great time. 

You loved the penguin house. 

Overall lots of fun was had, until we were exhausted and ready for bed. 

You met Santa. You were not impressed.

You were however impressed by the fact that we turned your seat forward facing! We would've left you rear for another year except the only way to do that left NO space between you and Ruby and there was a LOT of squabbling. 

Now you both face forward, sing Frozen songs together and get along... most of the time. 

You, like Ruby LOVED all things Christmas. The lights, the festivities, the family time, the FOOD.

Baking cookies for Santa was a huge hit.

As was leaving them out for him.

And Santa brought you exactly what you asked for (a mermaid shirt)

Christmas morning was a joyful time of gifts and kisses and coffee. 

And candy. you were honestly more thrilled with your stocking stuffers than anything else!

One of your favorite gifts was a hand painted stool from Auntie Kasi. It's a little tippy so you have to step right in the middle but oh how you love it. You keep it in the bathroom so you can get up and down from the potty on your own (yeah, you do it all by yourself now!)

Ruby got face paints for christmas. She turned you into one of the lost boys from Peter Pan.

Bangarang!!!

You're still very much a mama's girl, espeically after I spent a month in the hospital with Mighty Mabel. You can hardly stand to be apart from me for more than a couple of hours. I'm sorry baby, I should never have to be apart from you for that long ever again. 

You love your sisters, even when you're having a rough day, you love them. One day you were really needing mama snuggles, and Mabel would not be held by any one else, so to the rocking chair we went. 

Sweetness ensued.

So much loving sweetness between you three. (untilthere is not)

We went to the children's museum. 

You pretty much loved everything.

especially shopping in the grocery store! You love playing in your mini kitchen, pretending to make soup and cakes and tea. You're quite the mini chef and restauranteur. 

You also love the swing, asking me to 'set timer!' for you and Ruby to take turns "first Ruby first Ucy!"

You love books and reading and can't get enough of them at bedtime (which may be a bedtime stalling tactic) We try to limit to three, but don't always stick to it.  When i pump, and you come hang out with me (one of your favorite things to do) you like to read "Coco the hungry croc" because there's a puppet in the book and playing puppets is one of your favorite things right now! you try to make them all sleep, so you can shout to wake them up, or you make them taste your fingers and ears, or pretend to be sad so you cn cheer them up wih your hugs and kisses. 

You are still very attached to your mimis (pacifiers), we have a rule that they are only for sleepytime, but I find that you sneak around with them anyway. Getting rid of them is going to be tough, but when you're ready I know you'll do it. 

You have the sweetest little voice. One thing I love hearing you say is "well?!" 

"Lucy, what are you doing"

"well?! I doing yegos mama!"

Speaking of legos, you LOVE legos and building stuff. you are just learning but it's so fun to watch you try and keep up with Ruby. and I love the way you say 'yego'

Another comedic thing you said recently, I asked you where daddy went and you said "work, to get some money". Well, it's true, and it's pretty funny. 

You have mastered scissors. You love getting a big piece of paper and just standing in the middle of the room snipping it into smaller and smaller pieces. Next you get to learn how to use a dust pan.

You are SO tall. You are 1.5 inches taller than Ruby was when she was 3! and you're not even 2.5. You're solidly in size 3T clothes, and even some of those seem small. I am sure you will be taller than me when you grow up!

My darling Lucy, you are getting so big, and yet you are so very small. When you want to be rocked to sleep I do my best to make it happen because I suspect those days are coming to a close. You are such a lover, free with hugs and kisses and 'I yove you!' You are also TWO AND A HALF and all that comes with it. You want to do everything your self, and if you don't get things exactly the way you want them, all hell breaks loose. But over all, you're a sweet, sweet potato and I could not love you more. 

All my love, Mama

 

 

28 months

My Darling Lucy,

Today you are 28 months old. This letter won't have many pictures because it's been a busy month, with Mabel being born and coming home. But you've done and learned a lot so I will tell you all about that. 

First of all, you LOVE being a big sister. LOVE

Any chance you get to hold Mabel, kiss Mabel, watch her nurse, or help change a diaper, you are all over it. 

While Mabel and I were still in the hospital, you took advantage of some of the fun things they offered for siblings. You and Ruby loved the holiday decorations

You met (and were a little scared of) this little droid named R2D2. Your dad on the other hand was beside himself with joy. 

On Friday afternoons you and Ruby  went to the art class for siblings. You loved it, because just like Ruby, you love doing projects and making stuff. 

On our first night home, you and Ruby insisted that Mabel and I snuggle with you to fall asleep. My heart has never felt so full and happy. All three of my daughters in one bed!

Like I said, you will do ANYTHING to get a chance to hold Mabel. 

You and Ruby have been having quite a love affair. Perhaps it's because you're learning to be a big sister from her, but you have (a little) less contention and arguments with each other lately. You also snuggle a lot and desperately want to sleep next to each other (tho it's hard to get bedtime quiet when you are 'snuggling')

You've been sick the past few days (as have I and Ruby and your dadddy) with a mild virus. Fever, ear ache, misery. Fortunately you started feeling better last night, and today seem right as rain. Ruby on the other hand is still in bed, and will miss another day of school tomorrow. 

This past month your language has completely blown me away. Your sentence structure went from 2 to MANY words. You are so good at telling us what you need, and when you don't know the word  you keep trying till we all figure it out. You are singing ALL.THE.TIME. You love to sing Frosty the Snowman, Let it Go (from Frozen, oh how you love this song, and you are very dramatic when you sing it), Twinkle Twinkle Lucy Star (yes, that's what it sounds like), Itsy Bitsy Spider and a few others. 

You know a few of your letters, which is also mind blowing. You definitely know O and L (for Lucy) and R (for Ruby) and possibly a few others. You can count to 5 and sometimes 8, and can rote count to 4, but not consistently. I'm pretty sure you will be reading EARLY.

Your favorite thing right now is to 'Waptch pump!". If I even mention that I need to pump you MUST be there, even when you had a fever you would get out of bed to watch me pump. One day when I was stil in the hospital with Mabel you insisted that I pump on while we facetimed. The nurse thought that was hilarious. Oh well, they did feature pretty promimently in your life until recently.

I believe this is the last time you ever nursed. You would ask to "taste" Mabel's nanas and latch on for a minute or two. I had no intention of ever tandem nursing but then you kept going throughout my whole pregnancy, nursing to sleep even on the night my water broke. I had figured that if you needed to keep nursing to transtion into having a baby sister easier I would just do it. And then all hell broke loose and you didn't see me but for a few minutes each day. I will admit I cried many nights in the hospital thinking you were sad, or angry or just missing the nanas. So when you would ask for a taste, I was happy to let you. Then one day, you said "Ucy all done nanas. Mabel no share nanas with Ucy." And just like that, you weaned. On your terms, with your big, loving heart, you gave all the milks to Mabel. I am simultaneously filled with joy and pride and sadness. You talk about the nanas all the time, but usually in relation to your concern about when Mabel needs them, and if it's time to pump.

Oh my sweet Lucy Mae, you are such a joy to experience. You are funny, and loud, and mischevious, and so very loving. You like to make trouble, pushing boundaries until someone has to intervene, with a look on your face like "come at me, bro!" You are two with a capital TWO. Demanding to have what you want, when you want it, and how you want it. But at the same time, you are relatively flexible and understanding for a two year old. Even when you are really pushing MY buttons, you are still pretty cute, and extremely loveable. You like to choose your own clothes, wipe your own bum (oh yeah, you're pretty much 100% potty trained, which is awesome!) and do everything yourself. If I so much as consider putting the seat on the potty, Oh my I don't hear the end of it. You aren't just angry, you're downright OFFENDED. I try not to laugh, but it's pretty funny. 

Thanks for making this difficult transition from 2-3 kids a little easier, with your wit and your love and your open heart. Thank you for being such an amazing human, and for making my job of being your mama a little easier (tho yes, somedays you make it damn hard too!). Thank you for choosing us to be your family, for choosing me to be the one you want to pick you up and rock you to sleep. Thank you for being the best Lucy  you could possibly be. 

I love you with all of my heart, Mama

 

27 months

My dear sweet Lucy, 

You are  27 months. It's been a bit of a wild ride this month, as your baby sister Mabel June decided to show up 5 weeks early, so Mama has been a bit preoccupied.  I'll tell you more about her in a bit, but first we will talk about you!

 

We took a trip to the Children's Museum. You LOVED it. We spent most of our time in the Wizard of OZ exhibit. You liked the farm area the best. 

Painting/crafting with Ruby is always a fun time for you. You are quite a neat painter, untill you decide to paint your hand, or your leg. You have been making pictures and saying "for Boppa!" or "for Nana!" or "for Daddy!" none for mama yet, but I can be patient. 

 

We went to OMSI with Catherine and Cormac and his new baby sister Flannery. You had so much fun, and I was shocked to see that despite being 8 months younger you are almost as tall as cormac, and he's tall for a 3 year old. SLOW DOWN WITH THE GROWING, PLEASE. 

 

 

HALLOWEEN CAME!! we carved a pumpkin together.

 

You were pretty proud of yourself.

You and Ruby both loved it!

Then it was DRESS UP TIME! You went to one party as Buzz Lightyear, Ruby was Tinkerbell

 

You also spent time time at home ROARing like a Dragon (or dinosaur, I can't remember)

 

But for actual Halloween you were a "Muh-Maid". Your Nana made you a fantastic costume (a skill you will come to LOVE, your Nana can sew ANYTHING). For weeks before Halloween, you kept saying "Ucy, Haweeen muh-maid!" and you were a fantastic mermaid! 

 

It didn't take long for you to get the deal with Trick Or Treating. You never said "trick or treat" but you said  "Ucy! Haweeeeen! Muhmaid!" at every door. You were quite charming. 

 

 

You are ridiculously cute. I almost can't stand it. 

 

We took out your sister's light table (your Nana made this too, I tell you, she can make anything) and you love love love it!

 

 

 

In preparation for your new baby sister, we had to move all of your and Ruby's clothes around. So you got a new dresser, with your name on it! 

 

So, at 33 weeks (most babies stay in mama's tummy for closer to 40 weeks)  my water broke (which means the place little Mabel was growing in was starting to show signs that she might come early, and I had to go and lay in a hospital bed with Doctors and Nurses watching over me and baby. 

You and Ruby would come visit me every day, sometimes coloring, sometimes just snuggling, always bringing me joy and kisses. 

I missed you SO SO SO MUCH. Not seeing you all day every day has been the hardest part of it all.

But your Nana has been staying with you, so Daddy could come back and forth to the hospital to see me and get everything ready for Mabel's early arrival. It was a slightly rough transition to all of a sudden have mama gone all the time, but you adjusted just fine, and are LOVING all the time with Nana and Boppa. 

I don't have any pictures of it, but I have been told that Boppa is your homeboy now, and of course he is completely smitten with you. (who isn't?)

While I was on bed rest in the hospital you learned how to do sock puppets. 

 

And most nights when leaving you were SO sad that I couldn't leave with you. One night you kept saying "Ucy stay, mama's bed?"  Let's just say I cried a lot that night. 

 

So as I was saying, your baby sister, Mabel June came early. REALLY early. Like 6 weeks earlier than her expected due date. She is small but strong and healthy. Because she is so small, she has to live in a special hospital for babies called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (or NICU for short). This is a really special NICU because Mabel gets her own room and someone can stay with her every night so she doesn't have to be alone. Daddy stayed with her for a few nights until I could leave the recovery nurses after my surgery (all three of you girls were born via Cesarean section surgery. You like to look at my bandage and ask me if it's an owie and if it hurts. It is, and it does but that's how babies are born for some mamas) and i would come over every chance i got (when I wasn't resting and trying to heal) to snuggle and nurse your baby sister.  now Daddy is home with you and Ruby and Nana and I am here with Mabel until she is ready to come home. You asked me today to come home with you, and my sweet sweet girl, I really want to. But your baby sister is small and fragile and she needs mama SO much right now. It's so important for her to get as much time in my arms, on my chest and at the breast right now because those things are so healing and will help her grow so much faster. 

I am grateful that you get to come visit as much as you can. You had a cold for a few days so I would meet you in the atrium or the cafe and we would have snuggle and play time. You did get to meet Mabel one time before you got sick tho.

You showed her how to nurse, and when you did, she did a better job! She is still really tiny and nursing or drinking from a bottle is hard work, so she gets most of her milk from a tube untill she gets stronger and her neurologic system (her brain) figure out how to work together. We still try all the time anyway, it's good for both of us. 

You visited again today and my heart swelled to the point of bursting.

You only asked for a 'taste' and then you said the rest was for baby Mabel, but if you need to nurse occasionally to transition to being a big sister I will totally support you. 

You've only been a big sister for 6 days and yet you seem to be a natural. You were so gentle and soft and curious. You wanted to talk about her eyes and her ears and her hair. You kissed her so sweetly and worried that she wasn't getting milk. You are no longer the baby, and yet you are still MY baby. In the two weeks I have been in this hospital you have grown up SO much. Nana is helping you learn to go pee in the potty and wear underpants. Your language acquisition and conversation skills are taking a huge leap. Your understanding of the world around you is just amazing. 

My dear sweet Lucy, I love you so very much. Tonight before you left, after I had put Mighty Mabel back in her bed you climbed into my lap and we held each other for a very long time. It filled my heart to the brim because I have been missing you SO much these days and the short visits I get with you are never enough. Soon enough Mabel will be bigger and stronger and we will come home and you can spend all day every day looking at her, and learning to be a big sister, whatever that will mean to you. I look forward to snuggling you on the couch and reading books with you, watching you build at the light table or cut paper. I have no doubt that our first few weeks home will be challenging as we will have to get used to a new normal, but you have proven to be such a delightful child, I suspect you'll take it all in stride. 
Thank you for becoming my middle child, for filling the bookends between your sisters with laughter and kisses and wonder. Thank you for changing the way I see the world and for your beauty and heart. You are an amazing little person and I adore every inch of you. 

All my love, Mama