Conversations With Palmer

While carrying you downstairs after nap today:

Mommy: Is Palmer the most handsome boy in the world?
Palmer: Yike Dommik daddy (like Dominic's daddy).

I think you miss your buddy Dominic. We have the following conversation numerous times daily:
P: Where Dommik daddy?
M: Dominic's daddy is at work.
P: Where Dommik mommy?
M: Dominic's mommy is working, too.
P: Why?
M: Because that's what they do during the day.
P: Where Dommik?
M: Dominic is at school.
P: Why?
M: Because that's what Dominic does during the day.
P: Oh.

Conversations with Georgia

While walking down the aisle at Target today...

Georgia: puts fingers in her ears MOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Mommy: Yes, Georgia, I can hear you.
G: CAN YOU HEAR ME?
M: Yes, I can still hear you.
G: CAN breath YOU breath HEAR breath ME breath NOW?

At this point other shoppers were staring and we had to have a little conversation about the inappropriateness of the conversation. It was a little like shopping with the Verizon spokesdude.

Beautiful Girls!

The Arteest

Posin' With Pumpkins

Obligatory October Pumpkin Patch Photo

'Hey Palmer, What's A Dinosaur Say?'

"RWAR"

First Pedicure

I've always felt it was pretty unnecessary for really little girls to get pedicures, but we had so much fun! I love having someone to do girly stuff with. We won't be making this a regular occurrence, though.

You Woke Up This Way

Palmer Wasn't Scared At All of Thomas

Sickly

Last week you were sick. Fever, puking, blisters in your throat. It was one of the worst bouts of sickness you've had. The most worrying symptom was your inability to eat. I think you wanted to eat, but it was too painful. You lost so much weight. A week later and you're still noticeably lighter.

You tested negative for swine flu and strep throat, so we have no idea what it was. And that's all I have to say about that.

Conversations With Georgia

Today we went for a bike ride. It consisted of you two riding your bikes down the hill and then me carrying your bikes back up the hill. It was it a great time (read sarcastically). Anywho, while I was laboring back up the hill we had this conversation:

Georgia: Mommy, we're holding hands.
Mommy: I see. That's very nice.
G: We're holding hands because we're friends.
M: Yeah.
G: I'm Palmer's friend and Palmer is my friend.
M: That's very nice.
G: Palmer, we're friends.
_______________________

Georgia: Daddy, look what I can do! (excitedly showing off that you can now flip the bird)
Daddy: (reluctantly) Wow that's great. Go show your mommy.

I LOVE THIS BOY!

Conversations With Georgia

While watching "March of the Penguins:"

Daddy: Georgia, are you going to marry a penguin when you grow up?
Georgia: No, they bite.

Poser

New Hobby

We've been hanging out at the new homestead lately. It's fun to watch the progress.


Daddy, Georgia and Palmer in the fireplace.


View of the living room from upstairs.






Trying to make your brother pose in his room.


Georgia's Room!!!!


Kitchen and living room.


Master bedroom


Living room


Looking through the windows at the backyard.

Marshall's Birthday Party

You two didn't participate much in the scheduled fun at Marshall's birthday party (with the exception of the cupcakes), but you had a good time nontheless.

Terrified of Elmo

We're always looking for fun activities when daddy works on the weekends, so I was so excited to hear that Elmo, your favorite red monster, was going to make an appearance at a local toy store. You couldn't wait to go see Elmo, and then when you actually saw him, you couldn't wait to leave. You were both so scared that you were shaking. I have a feeling that Santa pictures are going to be a challenge this year.

Girls' Night Out

You recently joined me at our friend Stacy's baby shower. I think the highlight for you was getting to drink out of a wine glass. I couldn't convince you to try the punch, but you were happy with ice water.

It was the first time we had ever done anything like that. Usually we're with brother or with daddy and brother. We don't get a lot of time to hang out, just us girls. It was so much fun to do girl stuff with you, and gave me a glimpse into the fun stuff we'll get to do as you grow.

Exhausted

Backyard Swingset

Our New Digs

This is what our new house currently looks like:




While we were there a dump truck brought a new load of dirt. You two were terrified of the truck and clung to your daddy shivering with fear. You haven't stopped talking about dump trucks since.

The Closest We Got To Snapping a Photo of Both Kids With the 'Sold' Sign

3.5y and 22m

We have had a very busy summer, so I've been slacking on the blog. Here's why: we decided to build a new house, which meant that we had to get our house ready to put on the market. We squeezed all our house prep into two weeks before heading up to KC for a visit. While in KC, daddy's studio was robbed and we sold our house. So now we're in the midst of filling out police reports and packing and moving to KC to stay with nonny and papa for a couple of months while our house is being built.

Meanwhile, you've been growing.

Georgia, you are still more beautiful than I ever could have imagined a daughter of mine to be. You still throw your fits, but not as often or as long. Now you're in a very loving phase making unsolicited declarations of your love for us. I think you're figuring out that being sweet to mommy and daddy helps you get your way.

You're exceedingly curious about our plans for the day ("mommy, where are we going to go after nap?") and about anything, for that matter ("why? mommy why? WHY? MOMMY, I SAID WHHHHHHY?"). Fact is, sometimes I don't know why, and most of the time I just don't care why.

You're still big for your age. While only 3.5 you're already wearing size 5 clothes. I can now shop for you in the little girls' department instead of the infant/toddler section. Sigh.

Palmer, you're at a tough stage for me right now. I've never met a child more bothered by teething. Your inability to express your feelings also frustrates you, so you've become a rather accomplished fit thrower. I don't like it. You've evolved from a sweet, loving baby into a screaming, fit-throwing toddler. But there are still glimpses of the real Palmer. You'll give a hug to anyone when you're in the mood. I have a feeling that once you get all your teeth and you figure out how to express yourself you're going to be back to your normal self.

With a constantly sore mouth you're not much in the mood for food these days. All you drink is milk. Literally. I was beginning to worry that you weren't eating, but you don't seem to be losing weight and I'm sure you'll eat when you decide you're ready.

My favorite physical feature about you now has to be your hairy legs. Your little legs are covered in blond hairs. It's thicker than your sister's. I chuckle every time I see it.

Conversations With Georgia

While reading "The Three Little Pigs" at bedtime tonight:

Mommy: And the big bad wolf huffed and puffed until he was out of breath, but he could not blow down the brick house.
Georgia: Why was the big bad wolf out of breath?
M: Because he huffed and puffed too much.
G: One time (breath) when I was a little bitty baby like (breath) like Jackson's baby sister (breath) I was out of breath too (breath) because I ate too much.
M: Really?
G: Yeah.

WARNING: Extreme Cuteness

Our friends Lauren and Noah came to visit so we went out to their grandparents' house to see them. We had a really fun time, and it made me wish they lived closer. You and Lauren had the same swimsuit on and requested a photo. It is one of the most adorable photos ever and makes me wish I had taken the photos with one of our good cameras instead of my crummy old point and shoot.




Then you celebrated by doing a little dance.

Conversations With Georgia

While putting you to bed last night:
G: Mommy, I don't want to sleep with my eyes closed.
M: Well how do you think you're going to fall asleep?
G: I'll sleep with my eyes open.
M: You will, huh?
G: Yeah. I don't want to sleep with my eyes closed.
M: Why don't you give it a try?
G: NO! I want to sleep with my eyes OPEN.
M: Oh yeah? Well how's that working out for you?
G: silence

21m

You are currently the same age your sister was when you were born. Wow.

Conversations With Georgia

You have become interested in bubble gum lately and convinced your daddy to buy you some at the supermarket last weekend. Little did he know that simple purchase would result in an hour-long fit last night after I refused to give you another piece. You swallowed the first.

When I tucked you in last night you talked again about bubble gum:

Georgia: I had bubble gum today.
Mommy: Yeah, did you swallow it?
G: No.
M: Did you throw it in the trash?
G: No.
M: Where did it go?
G: In my belly.
M: You swallowed it?
G: No. I put it in my belly.

Obviously I need an anatomy lesson.

19m, 20m, 21m

You’ve had a lot going on lately. The biggest thing is that you started school. Oh how I love Tuesdays and Thursdays! As much as I love you and your sister, it’s nice to have a break and do grown-up things. Your teachers are wonderful, and they’re constantly telling us how sweet you are. Your favorite activities are reportedly outside play time and art projects. You don’t much like drop-off time, but you’re always happy when we pick you up and your teachers say you don’t cry long when we leave in the mornings.

You’re teething like mad and have been biting a lot. Last time I picked you up from school your teachers said that you bit three of your classmates. They aren’t as worried about it as I am. They say it’s a phase many children go through and you’ll outgrow it.

You’ve learned how to run and you now spend more time running than walking, making it challenging to keep up with you. It also results in a lot more bumps and bruises. You enjoy dancing around the living room with your sister. Jumping and somersaults are also new skills.

You are absolutely obsessed with the movie Cars. We watch it numerous times daily. We have a copy of it for the house and for the car. You have Lightning McQueen sippy cups, a pillow, blanket, die-cast cars and haulers, pajamas. It’s likely bordering on an unhealthy obsession, but you enjoy it so much that we can’t help but support it.

You’ve had a vocabulary explosion lately. Everyday you surprise us with new words. Interestingly, you still don’t say your name. Some of your newest words include:
dee = Lightning McQueen
ni ni = night night
ot = hot
at = hat
Bee ba = baseball
Da da or dor da = Georgia
Bite = bike or bite
B doh = pit stop
No nee = morning
Di di doh = dinosaur
Bubby dah = puppy dog
Mac = mac (from the movie Cars)
Bobble = bottle (sippy cup with milk)

Longest sentence to date: don ee bee ba at = I want my baseball hat

Helloooooo Hollywood!

Palmer Fought the Kitchen Table

The table won.

4th of July Party on the 4th of July

We went to a friend's house for some July 4th fun. We were having a grand time until we noticed Georgia was warm. A quick temperature check showed a fever of 103. We watched a movie for a bit and then headed home early.

Palmer was still wanting to party when we got home.


Sissy wasn't.


Two days later you were diagnosed with the flu.

4th of July Party

We had a fabulous time at the Grey Rock Golf Club's 4th of July festival. It was actually on July 3rd, but we went anyway.

Running around on the practice putting green.


Investigating the hole in the putting green. Future greens keeper?


Watching the band perform.


I was in charge of the camera and brother, so most of the photos I took that night were of him. Plus, he was rockin' the 'hawk that night so he was especially cute and photo worthy.


You spent much of the evening pulling a wagon around the fairway.


Spying on some big boys playing catch with a football.






Dang, you're adorable!




Daddy had a talk with Georgia about the fireworks and how they were going to be bright and loud and that you didn't need to be scared. You still freaked out. Good news: we beat traffic.

4th of July Parade

We joined you at your school for the annual 4th of July parade. I was looking forward to getting some pictures of each of you and your friends, but once you saw your daddy and me you didn't want to have anything to do with your friends. Your daddy walked the entire parade route with you, which was about a block long in the school parking lot.



This is the first shirt I've ever purchased for you in the girls' department. Not the baby/toddler department, the girls' department. Sigh...

Sick House

It's 5:21 a.m. I've been awake since 3:30 with a fever. At 4 you woke up puking. We've since bathed you, attempted to get some food in your belly, changed your sheets and tucked you in to your bed with the slide. You're so hot I can hardly stand to touch you. You're the saddest, most pathetic, most beautiful sick person I've ever seen.

Your brother has a horrible hacking cough. He keeps coughing in his sleep. He might cough until he vomits. At least that's what he did yesterday.

It's 5:23 now. I'm exhausted and helpless and crying. Why isn't the doctor's office open yet?

Belly

Posin'

Pooped

He's A Hard Workin' Man

Runnin' Circles With Keira

Shoulder, Knee and Toes

Bubble Bliss

Best Purchase I've Made All Summer

You two love your lawn mowers. You enjoy "mowing" the grass, sidewalks, carpet, tile and anything else you can run over.

Little Wedgie

Two

has become a very relevant number in our house recently. It's the number of times Palmer has bitten someone at school PER DAY this week. We are now proficient at filling out incident reports. It's the number of teeth that you have coming in right now. It's the average number of times we get up with you in the middle of the night because you are a horrible teether and need comfort. It's the number of times your sister has thrown a screaming fit in a busy public place in the past 18 hours.

And I'm hoping it's the number of hours I will get to sleep while you both nap today. You two are wearing me out!

Things I Found in Palmer's Diaper Today

Other than the obvious, I was greeted today by a crushed up blueberry muffin and a live fire ant. Must be my lucky day!

Palmer's First Day of School

Today was your long-awaited first day of school. We got you dressed, 'hawked your hair and gathered out front for a commemorative photo. Sure wish I would have known there was a little person finger print on the lens before I took the photo...



I called midway through the day to make sure you were okay. The director told me you didn't nap and that when she looked in on your class during nap time you were sitting at a table doing an art project, quite pleased with yourself for getting out of a nap.

Your teachers fell in love with you, just like we knew they would. Your daily report said your favorite activities were art and playing outside. Your teacher wrote: "Palmer had a GREAT first day! He had a few sad moments but they didn't last long. He loved* doing art and kept giving everyone kisses. YAY!"

* your teacher wrote the letter "o" in the word "loved" as a heart (L-heart-O-V-E-D). She is very young and enthusiastic and full of energy. Bless her.

You darted toward us when we came to pick you up. Sister likes her new role of dropping you off and picking you up from your class.

Tonight you were so tired that you fell asleep before finishing your bottles. I think school is going to be good for all of us.