Its been awhile....

It's been over a year my little one since I've written to you. Well today made me want to write again.
After being sick for 6 days today I finally felt well enough to attempt chores and errands. Of course Daddy got sick and we left him at home.
I dropped you at your sitter's (Elizabeth's)  for a few hours.
Later when i picked you up i took you to baskin & robbins. I love that place!!
It holds a lot of warm memories from my childhood, and i hope it will for you. It's not really about the ice cream, although that makes out considerably better, but about that special twenty minutes that my mom took out of her day to be with just me. I know a lot of kids don't get much one on one time with their parents alone. I hope we can expand to things like crafts or reading the same book and talking about it, or having philosophic discussions, or pedicures and manicures. 😉
Anyway back to today....
So we're sitting enjoying our ice cream (you with vanilla and chocolate sauce, me with fudge brownie and hot fudge), and you look up at me and say " I love you so much".
I melted.

I can't help but think that in 10 or so years you probably will never say that to me. I hope it's not true, but I'm expecting it....
Kinsey please read this in ten years and tell me that you love me so much.
Cherishing  the moment,
Your momma,
Heather Jo

Princess tantrums.

Oh, these are no good.  No good at all. On one hand i have been expecting these for quite awhile and so its not a big deal. On the other hand you are so big that it makes controlling you a lot harder. I have found that a pleasant face and tone even oif the qords themselves are still harsh works a lot better on not overwhelming you and having you ahut down as you are still behind in communication.  But given all the struggles you still are the one cpnsistent thing to bring me pure inadulterated joy in life.
I love you.
Love, your momma,
Heather jo

My disobedient little angel:

Kinsey Jewel, You are testing me for sure right now. My back and my patience are wearing thin. Tomorrow could be a different story, but for today I'd love for someone else to take over. You are even testing Grandma and Grandpa! Please learn the difference between "Yes" and "No" instead of saying no to everything. Please learn to eat what we offer instead of just asking for "noodles" or "chicken". Please understand that I'm doing my best and always trying to improve and do what's best for you and our family. Please grow up and still be my baby at the same time.
I know you can't, but I wish.
Love,
Your Momma,
Heather Jo

Pee-Paw

Just a couple of days ago (the 7th) was your Daddy's 35th birthday. He took you up to Portland to visit your grandparents (his parents) and Aunt Emily (his sister), I had to work so I didn't see you for almost 2 whole days!
So as usual you obsessed with both the dog and cat, and telling everyone where your eyes, nose, mouth, and cheek are on your face. So much so that you let Jack the dog lick you all over while you said "Nu!" over and over again, which is your word for tongue.
That made me giggle when your Dad told me that story. But what made me almost pee myself, is when he told me you are now calling grandpa "Pee-Paw". So we pulled out the new calendar Aunt Carol had made, and sure enough when I asked you who Grandpa was you very certainly said "Pee-Paw!"
You are so cute I can barely stand it!
Love,
Your Momma,
Heather Jo

Whooo's a Night Owl? Kinsey that's WHOOO!

Oh my sweet little Kinsey Jewel,
You are the epitome of strange sweetness. I love you.
You will be 3 in just 7 weeks and you are still taking 2+ hour naps. Which is working out great for Daddy, cause he needs naps too. :)
However at night you are so funny. You are excited to go to brush your teeth, have Daddy sing to you, and go to bed around 9:30- BUT you talk and jabber to yourself until 11pm! Combined with how slow you wake up in the mornings and after your nap I think you might take after Daddy and be a night owl. Too bad. I was looking forward to when you got a little older leaving Daddy behind early on Saturday mornings and having Mommy-Daughter time. . . drinking hot cocoa, chatting, getting our nails done, going for a walk in the Fall sunshine, and things like that. . .
I guess we'll have to find another time to do those things. :)
In addition to this certain quirkiness, I have noticed that you are getting so much stronger and decisive with what you want to do and when you want to do it. You grab my hand and pull hard...to get me to come where you want me to go. I love that you have your mind made up, and are determined to get your way. That will help you later to not give up when things get hard. However we have many times when you are NOT happy when I refuse because I have to get ready for work, or get you dressed or just need a minute to myself. HOWEVER:
I love that you want to be with me.
I love that you get excited about learning new things.
I love that you are starting to understand WHEN to say "Please" and "Thank you".
I love your adorable face.
I love your cute little bottom.
I love your crazy hair, and that you are always trying to brush it out of your face.
I love your pudgy hands and arms.
I love that little gap between your two front teeth.
I love that you close your eyes when you're swinging.
I love that you kiss me while smiling.
I love how you look at Daddy with joy in your eyes.

I love you so much Kinsey Jewel. Remember that always, no matter what happens.

Love your Momma,
Heather Jo

Wake Up Call

Every morning I awake with the sunlight and drowsily drink my coffee, watch some Criminal Minds reruns, and do my bible study. Then as time ticks away closer to when you start to awaken, I do the rest of my morning routine...showering, dressing, dolling(hair & makeup), lunch-making, and bag-packing. All the while I am awaiting a familiar sound. Your wakeup call.
When I hear, "Nooooo...sahwee"... I know you're ready to face the day!
If I go in before that I risk 30-60 minutes of grumpy princess, and let's face it- neither of us enjoy that. If I wait too long, then you start kicking the wall, throwing all your blankets out of your crib, and jabbering incessantly.
Its a tricky balance sometimes. And everytime, you make me chuckle and shake my head. . . . what a funny little princess I have.
Love, Your momma,
Heather Jo

2 Years, 6 months, and counting...

Here we are 3 years and 3 months after your daddy and I learned that you were growing inside me and were to bless us with your presence in just 8 short months.
You are 36.5 inches tall, and 37.5 pounds!
I have been cleaning out your closet like crazy the past couple months. I'm just relieved that summer is upon us so I don't have to throw out pants that are too short!
Although I'm not sure how much of that is a problem, because most of them don't fit around the waist.
We had some family pictures this weekend, which you cried through. So the finished product has you with sunglasses on to hide your puffy cranky eyes, and a snot smear on my shirt sleeve. :)
Oh well, I suppose that's typical.
Your Momma,
Heather Jo