February 25, 6 years later

This morning Scarlett said, out of the blue, "Daddy is a pretty good daddy.  I love him."  I concur.  Happy anniversary to my Charlie.

Valentine 12K

Thanks Adelina for this, it makes me laugh.  Obviously, Jon's hair is why.

The morning before Scar's birthday party, Charlie ran a 12k that he and Jon also ran last year.  I was excited for Scarlett to see him finish- it's a small race so it wouldn't be overwhelming like the marathon, and I think she'd like to cheer on her daddy.  But I woke up that morning and couldn't find the car key, Charlie had taken the other key which I did have a key for, and I was feeling frantic.  So I carried her up to the max station, took the train, and didn't make it downtown until after the race was over.  Scar liked the train, and she liked the hot chocolate we drank at the finish, and the many many packets of peanuts that Charlie brought home from the race.  And we found the key, locked inside the car.  I think it fell out of my pocket while I was in the passenger seat.  So overall, it was a good morning, mostly.

A tale of two shoes

Our friends Rex and Karen ran a 25K trail run this past weekend.  They are always doing awesome and inspiring things that make half marathons and Hood to Coasts look like an afternoon in the hammock.  Karen explained that sometimes, after a long trail run, you just throw away the shoes.  So I asked for pictures of their shoes this weekend, because that sounds very badass, and indeed it is.

Before

25K later

Scar's favorite shoes are her pink squeaky shoes with flowers on them, and even though the squeaker in one is missing and the other barely squeaks, she still loves them and insists on wearing them always.  The soles are torn up.  At the park, they get hidden pieces of sawdust in them.  She doesn't seem to care, but it's a little embarrassing to be her mother and to feel like I'm not outfitting her in a proper pair of shoes.  But for her birthday, my parents got her a new pair- brown with pink flowers.  Now, she's squeaking loudly again. 

Birthday Party, age 2

On the morning of her birthday party, Scarlett spent some time sitting in a box, with a pile of blankets and some books.  Don't be fooled by the closed eyes- she was fully awake, and loving it.

That morning, we didn't talk about the party.  We have learned that telling her about fun afternoon events, like zoo trips and cousins coming over, makes for an almost nonexistent naptime.  So she took a long nap and was excited to wake up to friends coming over, and snacks, and presents, and her most favorite thing- people singing happy birthday.  We did it twice, because there was a recording snafu the first time around.  

Next year, we have to find someplace else to have her party.  Our house isn't big enough for all those kids, and they'll be bigger next year, plus there were three pregnant bellies.  Maybe a nice February pool party is in order.

2 year stats

Height 33 3/4 inches
Weight 29 pounds

My mom says at 2 years I was:
Height 33 inches
Weight 28 lbs 12 oz

2 years

Dear Scarlett,

You will probably not remember your second birthday, so I am remembering it for you.  We had a fun, smile-and-snack-filled day together as a family. 

You woke up late and happy, we read books in your room and then after a few minutes, after you had shaken the morning sleepiness, we walked out into the living room and your new wagon was waiting.  You spent a good chunk of the day in the wagon, tucked under blankets. 

Cousin Esther and Aunt Sally came over for waffles and you ate one full waffle plus some of Esther's. 

We went for a wagon walk even though it was cold.  Back in our driveway, you splashed in puddles and giggled, and I was very glad there were puddles on your birthday. 

Daddy set a fire and we read books on the couch.  After naptime- which took forever because you spent the first half talking to yourself and assorted teddy bears- we went to the bakery for birthday cookies.  We ate sushi and the cookies, though you mostly wanted miso soup and to play.  I asked what your favorite things are, and you said 'to build a house'.   

You played pretend nap with your cousins, you played with marbles, you read books.  I think today encompassed many of your favorite things, and you were happy, at least I hope so. 

When we check on you before going to bed, you are always sprawled out in your crib, taking up more space than I expect, as though you've been replaced by a bigger and older version of yourself.  I love love love you.  From, Mama

On Her Birthday Eve

We went to the indoor toddler park at the community center.  She and Esther climbed in and out of 50 different plastic kid cars, wagons, and tricycles.  We had a really long trip to the park.  We ate leftover birthday party food.  She capped the day with a bath in special blue water and some reading of her new books.  Tomorrow morning, she wakes up to a wagon filled with teddy bears and new books.  Here she is after her last bath as a less than two.

Winter

What she says

S- "I want to take bath now."
Mom- "Your bath water is running, eat dinner first."
S- "I want to take bath with food in my mouth."

Things about us lately

• Scarlett likes to eat her breakfast standing in her tower at the kitchen counter, while Charlie does dishes.
• She won't sit at the dinner table for long.  She'll eat a few bites, then get up to go change a baby's diaper or find stuffed animals to put on the table.  "Watching you eat" she says.
• Bedtime routine is the bath, then teeth brushing and a final sit on the potty.  Then I lotion her up, put on her jammies, play some 'this little piggy' with her toes, Charlie comes in and holds her while she says goodnight to all the trinkets on her shelf.  Then I get to sit with her in the comfy red chair and read books.  Her favorites lately are Frog and Toad.  I'm amazed and excited that she will sit through those books.
• Pretend napping.  She likes to lay down on the floor and ask for more blankets- more, more, more- until she is under this huge pile of 15 blankets.

Pretend napping, with books

Pretend napping, with cousin

• Fires.  She loves to have Charlie make a fire during the day and sit on the couch next to it, flipping through books. 

• Headbands are IN at our house.  I think it's because Hope wears them.  Before Scarlett noticed Hope in a headband, she wanted nothing to do with them.
• She calls the climbing board at the park 'tater tot'.  She calls Peek A Boo 'Winnie The Pooh'.  
• She is almost two years old.  

Big Deal Day, part II

Three days in a row, three successful #2 trips to the potty for Scarlett.  Will she one day be upset that I was writing about her bowels on the internet, where anyone including potential suitors can read it?

There was also one non-potty, but she was still in her bedtime diaper so I consider that a win.  I'm thrilled, I hope this continues, because washing all those diapers and folding them and cleaning out the diaper pail- none of those are my favorite activity.

To celebrate on Sunday, I took Scarlett to the coffee shop.  She wore her big girl underpants.  She had hot chocolate, and picked out banana bread from the pastry case.  She doesn't know that cinnamon rolls are better, and that I would have given her anything she wanted.  We sat at the coffee shop and she nibbled and talked about her big girl underpants.  My little baby isn't a little baby anymore.  Usually this makes me sad, but not today.