Mia Isabelle: 3 Year Update

Dear Mia,
How can you possibly be 3 years old? Wasn't it just yesterday you were this tiny little bundle of squishy love/screams? All of a sudden you've become my most favorite person to hang out with. So curious, kind, energetic & loving, with a true zest for life.
Lately when you think you're in trouble you'll ask, "Daddy, are you happy?" You started taking ballet classes & appear to be as much of a natural as a 3 year old can be.  You love hunting for "spines & cones'"aka & pine cones. You got a little pink Vespa tricycle for your bday that we have just started practicing on this spring.  You keep asking to have a chicken party for your next birthday. You got your 1st board games at your bday too!! We've been playing The Squirrel Game & Doc McStuffins Operation almost every nite. You also love play
doh & sidewalk chalk.

I thought the transition from crib to bed would be atrocious but you handled it like a champion. Its actually more of a battle to put you to bed than when you were in the crib. At least for now. You watched your 1st movie, Frozen, with mom on Easter Sunday. You love singing Let It Go but I think you're starting to like Do You Want To Build A Snowman even better. Now I'm all excited to have you watch all my favorite Disney movies!! Today you watched Toy Story 2 wearing your Buzz Lightyear jammies. I've been excited to share these moments with you since before you were born Mia baby!!!!
All of a sudden in the last couple months you're a HORRIBLE eater!!! Sometimes you eat so little throughout the day I don't know how you have any energy.  The only things you'll eat on a regular basis are waffles w peanut butter, oatmeal, berries & mac & cheese. Oh and cake anytime, anywhere. Like mother like daughter.

You are super articulate & we have he cutest conversations. Just the other morning while driving to Nana's before  work you asked,  Mom? Am I growing bigger? Will I walk on stilts? Do I have to join the circus? One of the only verbal concepts you've haven't mastered is the concept of tomorrow or yesterday. You always say last morning. "Mom, I don't want to to take a bath, I took one last morning. Hahaha We read books every nite before bed but I am not sure that you have one specific favorite. In the top 5 would definitely be Little Critter My Trip to the Hospital by Mercer Mayer, King Jack & The Dragon by Peter Bently , any Fancy Nancy & One Fish, Two Fish.

You have always been petite & are still on the tiny side. Weighing 26 lbs you're only in the 5% for weight. At 36.5 in tall you're in the 11%for height. You wear mostly 3T & a size 7 shoe. You're very capable of being pee potty trained but still have no interest in anything else. Lucky for me you still let me pick out your clothes, although if it was up to you, you would wear your bird dress everyday.  When you're stubborn streak comes out I point the finger at daddy & grandma. When your contrary streak comes out I point my finger in the mirror & at grandpa!!!!!

We love watching you grow & are so lucky to be on the receiving end of your endless hugs & kisses. Choose happy my sweet baby girl.

A Big Girl Bed & a 1st Haircut

We've had some big milestones this week & I've been so busy at work/tired from vacation I've slacked on sharing them:( While we were in Vegas my parents decided they wanted to buy Mia a big girl bed. I was super hesitant at the idea since bedtime has been a nightmare recently. I thought for sure she would NEVER go to bed. The whole time we were in Vegas, I didn't text my parents at all. I honestly didn't want to know if she wasn't sleeping or if he was crying all the time. I figured they would call if there was an emergency!  To my surprise my mom said Mia was perfect. She slept in her new big girl bed perfectly every nite. Sooooo, Damon decided to convert her crib at home into a toddler bed. As you can see she's in heaven. She loves it & has slept perfectly every nap & night since. No hour long battle, screaming & whining. The 1st nite I said," Ok Mia, it's time for bed," she crawled in, covered herself up & said, "ok you guys can leave now, just turn out my light." Both our jaws dropped!

Next up, Wesley Crush got his 1st haircut. Damon's always been in charge of the haircuts at our house. Both kids were Shaggy so off w Daddy they went. I was at the gym and Damon sent me a pic of Wes screaming & crying big crocodile tears. It was all I could do not to get in my car & drive to the hair place. poor guy:( It turned out perfect. It doesn't even look like he got it cut, but its actually WAY shorter all the way around. So handsome.

Finally, a big dose of sibling love.!! When they were in the tub she said, "Mom, guess what? I think we're going to be friends forever!!" 

Happy 3rd BIrthday Mia Isabelle

Here are some of your thoughts on the morning of your 3rd birthday. Daddy, Wesley & Mama love you so much. You are the firecracker, puddle jumper, whirl wind in our house. We wouldn't have it any other way!

3rd birthday party pics here.
3rd birthday portraits here.
Mia's 2nd birthday interview here

Vegan Friendly Chili & the Cutest Gpa Sweater

I volunteered to make dinner on Saturday, a rarity for sure. When I told Damon what was on the menu......he ordered pizza. HAHA No hard feelings, more for me & I got to add mushrooms.  DELICIOUS Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili adapted from this recipe at The Simple Veganista .  I'll spare you pictures of the ugly quinoa. Here's Mims enjoying th 50 degree warm up. How adorable is this Gap sweater I snagged at OUAC?  She's gna steal your grandpa's style...

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
• 1 can (15 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes
  
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1 large sweet pototo, diced (with or without the skin...I leave the skin on)
• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 box sliced baby bellas YUMMMM
• 5 - 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (my new obsession)
• 1  tablespoons chili powder (lowered amount bc I was afraid of over powering the potato)
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• a few dashes of garlic powder
• a few dashes of onion powder
• sea salt to taste
• 4 cups (32 oz) vegetable broth
• Serve w/ avocado & sprinkle w cilantro 

In large pot heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, cook until soft and they start to turn brown. Add garlic, cook for another minute or so. Add  tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder, cook for 2 more minutes stirring constantly. Add tomatoes, liquids, beans, mushrooms and sweet potato, stir until combined. Add quinoa, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover slightly ajar and cook for 30 - 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

We've been using the Melissa & Doug responsibility chart to practice manners & such. She got a little confused but was sooooo proud!!  "Mom, can I get a smiley face for using my imagination today? Sure, baby what did you do? I said Please & Thank you." HAHA There may have also been an unfortunate raking incident with her unicorn. "Mom, my crouch hurts..." 

Mia Isabelle: 30 Month Update

Last week we went for Mia's 2.5 year check up. I didn't even know this existed until I called the pediatricians office to beg them for a flu shot this week & they told me we needed to come in. You bounced between excitement & nervousness. It went from,  Let's go see the fish tank to I don't want to get a shot. That seems to be a classic representation of your mind set right now. You 'll ask for a glass of milk, we hand it to & BAM, shrieking, thrashing, I don't want milk. I can physically see you trying to control & manipulate situations.

You are 35 inches & 24 lbs, in other words suuuuper skinny!!! You are starting to wear some 3t, size 6-7 shoes.As much as you like to do things independently getting dressed isn't one of those.  You don't have much interest in picking out or putting on your clothes, unless its pjs at night.  I've been teaching you Right from Left by Saying, Rightie, Leftie, get into your home, when we put on pants. You can almost count to 20 perfectly. Usually around 16 there might be a mistake. You know our address by heart.

For the most part you are well behaved & extremely polite, great with thank yous. It has been amazing watching you become a big sister. Even after 7 months you're still obsessed with Wesley, constantly squeezing and chatting with him. It cracks me up when you say, "my little chunky Wesley, you're so cute & chunky." HAHA You've had 3 hair cuts, daddy has taken you every time.

There isn't much to say about your vocabulary, since you can basically converse like an adult & repeat any word we may try & teach you. You still sleep through the night amazingly well, although this past month getting you into bed has looked like a bad episode of Super Nanny. Screaming, thrashing, hitting your hid against the back of the crib.  Thank goodness you are still in your crib or you may never have gone down on those nites. With any difficult situation my inner voice always tells me , this too shall pass. Just like all the rest of your challenging behaviors (like crying 8 hours a day as an infant) the nite time battles seem to be waning

You love Dora, Diego & Daniel the Tiger.  You know how to use the ipad, better then I do & bring up Netflix like a pro.  You have several different apps that you play, Endless Alphabet is one of our favs.  Your most favorite thing in the world has to be playing outside.  You love splashing in the puddles, rock collecting & racing around the playground making friends. If you see a new friend you'll say, Mom, ask her name. I try to encourage you to ask.  It amazes me how you thrive in every new situation and remember details months later.   

Potty training is not happening & I know its my fault. I need to spend three days putting you on the potty every 30 minutes but I'm too lazy.  I keep hoping I'll wake up one morning & you'll be all about the potty but so far you r content with pull ups. #momfail  I have no idea how much I should be pushing you, the pediatrician doesn't seem concerned so I'm really not either.

You're super affectionate lately, especially with me. I get like 20 unsolicited I love you mamas (melt) every day. You've been waking up between 630-700, & getting into bed w me. You'll say, Let's snuggle in this cute raspy voice. I don't ever want to forget.

We love you so much Mia. You are the storm cloud & the sunshine in my every day.

Pumpkins Not Mermaid Tails

When we told Mia we were going to the pumpkin patch she started crying and said "BUUUUUTTTT I need my mermaid tail."  She thought we were trick or treating & wanted her costume. It has been HIGH  drama at our house lately. Oh the tears and tantrums, so worth it for a magical evening!!!

Pigeon Roost is heaven for toddlers!! Farm animals, swings, slides, tractors....This is our 2nd year & I am so in love w the experience. So glad my mom was able to come.  Now I just need to learn to shoot action shots in a non blurry way or I may never get a good picture of my girl again:(

Around Here

I've neglected my blog a little this month bc I've been working on our 2013 Shutterfly Family Book!!  It's SUPER EASY, digital scrapbooking & I'm obsessed!! So far I've made Mia a First Year baby book & a 2012 Family book. I printed them 12x12 & they turned out gorgeous. I highly recommend!!!

1. The girls enjoying warm fall days!!!! 2. My Super  Man at the American Girl store!!!! 4. Before the American Girl store we pigged out on treats at le chocoholique:)  4. A chilly morning, always looking for bumble bees. 

5. A few weeks ago as I walked out of her room she said, Mom, I love you more than ice cream!!!!  6. Elle & Mims being silly.  7. My Crushy & I at Blendon Woods. 8. My blue eyed charmer  9. Great time management skills I have, huh? 10. Mom, were fishing!!! 11.  One happy, one hiding. 12. She used to be timid on slides. Now she doesn't even want me to catch her at the bottom:(