My Baby?!

She just doesn't look like a baby anymore!

I knew it would be fast...but this is fast redefined.

Sass!

Miss Chitlin' is the queen of being three. She is just so darn good at it!

Here are some 'anne'cdotes.

The other day Chitlin' was a great helper.

-TANGENT -

As any parent of a silly one knows: help can be easily misinterpreted.

Three-year-olds have a way of turning Put the dirty underwear into the hamper into putting the dirty underwear on their heads, running in circles while screaming: "Bambi Grass! Bambi Grass!" at the tops of their lungs.

-END TANGENT-

After successfully completing one task she ran to me:

"Mommy, mommy! I did what you asked me to do!"

I responded wild with glee:

"That's wonderful! Does this mean I can count on you?!"

Chitlin' replied:

"No."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chitlin' was painting her fingernails with her child safe polish,

She loves the finger part, but just like her father, she does not want her toes to be touched.

Ever.

I was teasing her and asked her if she was going to paint her toenails.

Her response:

""No. And I don't intend to."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reading Winnie-the-Pooh + a city walk =

"Mommy, I think my tummy is trying to tell me something."

Pause.

"Yes. My tummy is saying that it needs something."

Another Pause.

She shrugged her nose in that scrunchy disapproving face that she learned from me.

"Mommy, my tummy is definitely saying that it needs some ice cream. Yes. My tummy needs ice cream."

Big Smile.

"Mommy, do you want to go get some ice cream?"

Grass

Chitlin's Christmas present from Santa (who is NOT real) was a much awaited and very coveted garden-growing-play set thingy. She also received cash; and purchased (to no one else's shock and my dismay) yet another plastic planter grow set thing with a hideous little twiller-whatever on it.

The fixation with nature, grass, flowers, growing, seeds has lasted for quite some time. DH and I recently recalled how it has always been a very large portion of her play and has been around since infancy. Is this part of who she has always been and will always be?! I have always tried to curb her play and play dollies - she's never much cared. To see her nurture her beloved plants with such care and caution while never forgetting any necessary step -it amazes me!

Here are the events as they unfolded:

The sprouts began...

...and grew

...taller each day

...until they fell over!

Here's an under-the weather Chitlin' giving the grass a cut.

I saw a show about city farmers the other day...in the future a 10 story building the size of 1 city block could (potentially) feed up to 50,000 people. I smiled thinking of the little dear all grown up - still tending her plants in the city. Then fear struck. I do hope the G-pa with the medicinal green has not had too much of an influence on this grass fixation...and I truly pray she sticks to cat grass only!

She speaks

Parenthood is filled with so many awe-filled moments of sheer perfection.

There are the moments when silence permeates and in a bit of serenity (AKA: she's sleeping) and I am able to let my heart swell full with love.

There are also the moments of joy when she emits the unprompted "I love you so very much!" Chitlin' has such a way with words and her timing is impeccable. (That's code for I really need to watch my mouth a whole lot more...)

As each of the days pass, I rejoice in the beauties of small moments like these that are no longer novel in their happenings. I have thankfully forgotten what life was like before Chitlin'. I still take too many pictures, over-teach, and brag entirely too much...but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Then, there are those humbling experiences that just make you go hmmmm.

The other morning, Chitlin' woke up slowly. We went to the rocker in the living room to cuddle her awake. She rested peacefully in my arms for several minutes. I gently stroked her hair. I breathed in her sweet smell. Life was good - just perfect.

Suddenly, Chitlin' sat up facing me on my lap. She took her small, soft hand began stroking my cheek. She looked into my eyes. She whispered, "Mommy,"

I responded, "Yes, dear."

She kissed me, pressed her cheek to mine and said:



"Do you like to poop?"

Excuse Me?

I have a small hearing issue that makes life interesting but this one really got me.

Chitlin' began repeatedly saying what I thought was:

"I love sex."

Here's the tail end of the experience.

Happy New Year!

We rang in 2010 in the Baggage Claim at LAX.
It's great to be home.
With 2 hours of sleep I pulled myself out of bed this morning to take in the Pasadena Rose Parade. I have to do such things for her sake: she lives in Pasadena, she loves flowers and we are blessed with the best way to do the parade.










For the 2nd year in a row, Chitlin' and I went to Chelsea's & Tony's for Rose Bowl: Couture Edition. Great company, yummy wafflles, beverage selections of juice, champagne (mimosa!), coffee, AND terrific seats on Colorado Blvd.!

She's a future Rose Queen!

Tomorrow we begin the Garden Girlz project.

Mother-Ship

Haha!
And you thought this entry was about Chitlin'!

I used to love watching the film Parenthood and my favorite part was when Steve Martin was beginning to make out with Mary Steenburgen and said:"Now, talk to me about shopping..."

The Mall of America is the Mothership and yesterday I was called home. It was a transcendent spiritual experience - pure heaven.

No (at least open) judging please...I am aware of how disgusting and pathetic this entry is. Please allow me to elaborate on the nature of my over-consumerism yet again...I am American, you know. - Wait, I'm in Minnesota. The last scentence should really read: Don-cha' know there? (in a nasal voice).

I have definitely had many an experience throughout my life and I have tried many things, but there's just nothing like the shopping high to pacify my palate.

The glory of purchasing a bag that is 85% off and not paying any sales tax -well it just puts a feeling of extreme satisfaction deep within my heart.

I did have a learning though: I am officially old.

It's been a few years since I've been to the country's largest mall and the time in between has led to some drastic changes.

In 2004 (or so) Jobi bounded through the mall hitting stores like DEB, Forever 21, Rainbow, etc. buying cheap slut clothes. Yesterday each of those stores were passed

That's not entirely true. I walked in to a few of my old shops, saw that 98% of the shoppers were the ages of my students, and that most of the shirts had words on them. I suddenly heard this song and I had to turn around and leave.

So I will admit it (much to Jen's chagrin).
I am entering curmudgeon-hood and am only buying certain brands of things...and they are most definitely old people things.

Here's a list of stores shopped in yesterday:
Aerosoles (Made a purchase)
Chicos
Coldwater Creek
Nine West (Made a purchase)

And the stores I entered because Chitlin' exists:
Carter's
John Deere (shudder)
American Girl Doll Store
Barbie Store

I am embarrassed. I really am. But I want quality, comfort and lasting style.

Translation: I had a kid and purchases must survive her antics, my body changed and hoochie pants just do not have the same hang that they used to, I have old people aches, and each purchase must last WAY longer than the style as I have no clue the next time I will get out shopping again.

For those of you that only read for Chitlin'

She had a fun time meeting characters that she didn't really know beforehand.

She is now a big Sponge Bob fan.

And cheers to the husband that gave me the wonderful anniversary present of shopping alone!