Just so I don’t forget them, here are some other adorable things you have been doing:

Words:

Mama El i pant (for elephant)
Op PE pus (for octipus)
KO la Kok (chocolate)
PT (tv)
Happy Day! (Happy birthday!)
Ah kan (Hakon)
Biz a bet (Elisabeth)
Mak (Mark)
Nana (Grandma)
Papa (Grandpa)
sippers (slippers)
seepin’ (sleeping)

Dress up with Daddy’s hat and gloves

You love to:

*”Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy”
*Do sumer saults
*Play in the snow
play at the Strong Museum
*Read books! You read many of them yourself – Opposites, Brown bear, Mr. Brown can Moo, Time for Bed… so many more!
*Carry bags and other heavy things – as you grunt and say “HEEEEAAAAAAvy” : ) It’s so funny!
*Watch PT – (however, we were starting to become addicted to it, so we began limiting viewing time to 15 minutes with a timer, and we are trying to do as few “sessions” as possible. Yesterday you didn’t watch any “PT” and today, only 15 minutes during fingernail cutting. You really don’t seem to mind a bit. You ask, “PT on?” We answer, “Not right now,” and we find many other fun things to do. All good.

Sleepy Daddy

You love to eat:

BRA KA Lie (broccoli- sounds sound sweet)
[not sure] (blueberries)
On NE Toast (honey toast)
AP Po Juice (apple juice)
Bubbly juice (bubbly juice, aka gingerale)

Just got word from daycare that you fell and hit your eye on the corner of a table… OUCH!! Ellen said that though “it looks nasty,” there is no sign of bleeding and you were quickly up and playing around. Whew… We’ll take you to the doctor tonight anyway, just to make sure… You have an appointment at 5:40pm. I have to teach tonight (it’s my first day of classes), but Daddy will be happy to take you.

I so wish I could be there to hug you when it happend. And I am very grateful that it doesn’t appear to be serious.

I’ll post an update soon… I love you Peanut.

Pictures from a day or two later:



Update:
You’re fine. The doctor only spent about 10 minutes with you and Daddy and said you were fine. It will look nasty, and we should make sure it doesn’t get infected, but otherwise you’re good to go. Daddy also asked her to look at your ears (because last year you had quite a few ear infections), and the doctor said your ears looked perfect. Nice, huh? Thanks God! (I’ll post pictures soon.)

Yesterday’s day care report said this:

The activities you did as a group: muscle room, play dough, teddy bears, farm animals and barn, babies and puzzles
The big book you read was “Up, down, All around.” The note also says, “Maya loves the book called ‘I love you stinky face.'”
Songs: Jack in the box, Jack and Jill, Opn them, shut them; Where is thumbkin?; 3 monkeys; If you’re happy

“Maya had a great day today. She loves when we get the play dough out. Maya was climbing a lot in the muscle room today. Maya also loves whenever we have small circle time and sing our songs. She is such a sweetheart.”

Getting ready for a walk in the snow

I hear that you just woke up… I”m going to go snuggle with you.

Love you peanut!

Neighbors Laura and Alan checking in…

We went shopping yesterday – on the day after Thanksgiving – CRAZINESS.

We did find a couple good deals, but I’m not convinced it’s worth the chaos. I couldn’t find you and Daddy for 5-10 minutes, and we were in the same section of the store!!

Anyway… one great find was a pair of black boots for Mama… You found a new playmate with the VERY cute kid in the mirror! Check it out!!

And the result of our boot shopping effort?

New Boots for Mama! Thank you!!

A trade off –

You went over to Marlie’s on Saturday to play while Daddy and I watched the sad Michigan – Ohio State game….
Getting ready…

At Marlie’s…

Then Marlie came to our house on Sunday while Marlie’s mom ran a bunch of errands.

What a treat for all of us!!

today is a very sad day and a very happy day.

Your great grandma Elloise passed away last night in her sleep.

This is a picture of the three of us last labor day (September, 2005).

Your Uncle Mark wrote this about her:

Elloise Segebarth (one of my three special Godparents) passed away this morning after 92 years of amazing life in which she touched so many kids. She was a very special lady who taught elementary school for almost 50 years – including starting me off from Kindergarten through 2nd grade!! She lived across the street from us in Lowden, IA and had me reading some before I was even in Kindergarten. I remember one time when (at school) I asked if I could make a swamp in a sink for a plastic alligator I had. I don’t think I must have been very clear because after clogging up the sink with a first class bog made of lots of dirt, grass and sticks, I got a first class reprimand! She was an amazing lady who had a profound impact on my life. It may be awhile in our way of counting, but some day we’ll be celebrating a new and better life together!!

Though you share no blood, you inhereted SO many of her best qualities! Her spirit, her energy, her sweetness, her awareness of others. Grandma Elloise helpd my Mama raise me from when I was born until I was 7! She taught grades K-4 in a two-room country schoolhouse with your Grandpa (Grandpa taught grades 5-8 and was the principal). She taught me to read, she showed me that I was loved, she made me feel safe, she taught me how to laugh, she inspired my creativity, she taught me how to get along with others, and one of the things she did BEST – she role-modeled what it meant to be a strong, spirited woman in a world that often wanted to silence women. These things, and so much more, formed me… and helped me become the person God is making me into today. And likewise, I hope I am supporting the development of these characteristics in you – You and I inherited much from Elloise Ida Williamina Segebarth. We are truly blessed.