Kids Say the Darndest Things

This morning, Mommy and I took a walk up to the school where Mommy taught kindergarten for six years. We timed our little visit so that the kindergarten classes would be at recess when we arrived. Those kids sure do know a cute toddler when they see one. They were all over me like flies on a pie!

Mommy really wanted to take pictures of me with my new fan club, but she accidentally left all of our "Bug's Life Photography Release" forms at home. Therefore, you'll have to forgive the lack of multiple subjects in the following pictures (we waited until the kindergarteners went inside to take them).

When Mommy was a teacher, she would come home with some of the best stories ever. If she's being honest, Mommy has to admit that hearing unintentionally hilarious statements is one thing she misses about teaching full time. Here are a few chuckle inducing quotes she's overheard in her years as a kindergarten teacher:

"Are you going to lemonade* that for us?"

"It's really froggy outside today."

"My mommy says that Santa isn't real and all ya'lls parents are liars!"

"Oh Moss...you're so cooooool!" (from a clearly delusional child)

"My big brother says you're hot."

"I don't know how that hole got in my shirt. I did not cut it with scissors this morning.""Oh no, you caught me doing my secret booty dance."

"I won't be here tomorrow. I'm taking the Polar Express to the North Pole."

(After a class discussion on nicknames.)

(And spoken with great enthusiasm.)

"My nickname is Douche!"

"Mrs. Moss, she was about to tattle on me!"

*Can you guess what word this student had confused with "lemonade"?

Great Outdoors

Being outdoors is just about my favorite thing to do in the world. So you know I took advantage of the beautiful weather we had around here today!

This morning, Mommy and I met Kelly and Cooper at a nearby park for a playdate. Cooper looked so cool in his sunglasses and ballcap...and he even kept both of them on the whole time we played together!

Cooper and I enjoyed talking to each other, attempting to eat wood chips, and watching birds and airplanes fly overhead.*

The only part of our playtime I didn't enjoy was when Mommy wouldn't let me walk close to the street. Talk about stifling discovery!

Dont' worry, though. I did manage to eat some dirt from under the wood chips faster than Mommy could stifle that discovery!

When Daddy came home from work, he took me outside to play some more. In my opinion, a leisurely wagon ride is the best way to unwind at the end of the day. Seriously, you should try it sometime. I'll even let you borrow my wagon.

This picture may not have been taken outdoors, but it was just too cute to pass up!

Mommy ordered these bloomers for me the week before I was born. They are actually size 0-6 months, but they still fit! Isn't that crazy?

*Do you hear a lot of airplanes at your house? Cooper and I both hear lots of airplanes all day long, and our mommies were wondering if other little ones do, too.

Family Feud

Daddy is a Mac.
Poppy is a PC (seeing as he works for Microsoft and all).
Mommy is currently a PC, but will be converting to a Mac when her desktop kicks the bucket.

Poppy knows that the die has been cast for me in the Mac/PC war, but that hasn't stopped him from trying to change the future.

Check out this shirt he bought me from the company store.

And this super cool water bottle. (It's actually designed for mixing chocolate milk, but I'm not allowed to drink that yet. I'm satisfied to watch the little spinny guy make a tornado in my water!)

Add a "bing" ball cap, and you've got yourself one branded baby! Better change quick before Daddy gets home!

Sunday Best

Hope you had a great Palm Sunday today! I know I sure did. Today was one of the best

nursery days I've had in a long time. That may or may not have had something to do with the fact that it was Mommy's week to volunteer in there.

Mommy and I noticed lots of parents carrying these crosses when they came to pick up their little ones. We were able to pick one up after service, too. We found out that they are African palm crosses and were hand-woven by villagers in Tanzania. This one will be added to our cross wall, where it will remind us of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his subsequent death on the cross, and the redemption that his death brings to those who believe.

On a more playful note, I have almost decided that sunglasses are an acceptable accessory. It probably doesn't hurt that every time Mommy puts them on my face she tells me how cool I look.

And, really, who can blame her?

Bunny Love

As a little girl, Mommy never really had a transitional object (or lovie) that she was attached to. She was much too serious for that kind of thing. Daddy, on the other hand, did. His lovie was a yellow blankie named "Fufu".

Mommy thinks that lovies can be instrumental in helping little ones navigate tough times in life, so she would really like for me to have one. The trouble is, there hasn't really been any one object I am crazy about (unless you count my thumb). I do like my horsey, dolly, blankie, and Gloworm...but in my mind none of those things are "carry all around the house" material.

There may be one stuffed animal rising above the others, though. His name is Little Nutbrown Hare and he's a character from Sam McBratney's book, Guess How Much I Love You.
This guy has become my good friend over the past few days. Auntie even taught me that he goes "hop, hop, hop". I have appropriately renamed him "Op".

Could this be the elusive lovie Mommy has been searching for?

Or am I better off not being attached to an object that can be lost?

Poopy Day

You wouldn't know it by looking at this picture, but today was a really poopy day.

Literally.

Mommy should have known it was headed that way when, shortly after breakfast, she felt something a little wettish on the seat of my pajama pants. She didn't worry too much about it, though. She just changed me out of my jams (and dirty diaper) and put me in this cutie outfit...

which only lasted until I woke up from my afternoon nap with another big mess. This time, my shirt, pants, back, and carpet were all victimized.

Since I had to be changed again, Mommy put me in the most sensible outfit I own.

I think she was just playing dress up with me, though, because after a few minutes we were back in my bedroom doing another wardrobe change.

I've had a fever (again) since Monday afternoon, so it's quite possible that today's blowouts were the result of some sort of yuckiness in my body. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a bit less eventful.

Daddy certainly hopes so. He's taking care of me while Mommy subs in a third grade class.

Weaning is Such Sweet Sorrow

*Warning: This post may be TMI for many of my regular readers. I'm lookin' at you, Poppy.*

Mommy has always known she wanted to be a breastfeeder. However, when (about 4 months into her pregnancy) she found out the AAP recommends breastfeeding for one year she just about fell over! That was about 9 months longer than she was anticipating.

By the day my birth came around, Mommy felt mentally prepared for 12 months of nursing. She and Daddy had attended a breast feeding education class at our hospital, and Mommy had finished reading the chapters on breastfeeding in a few of her baby prep books. The lanolin cream, breast pads, Lily Padz, double electric pump, nursing tanks, nursing bras, and Booby Tubes were all ready to go. Nothing was going to get in the way of my milk mama!

Nothing but sharp pain, engorged breasts, and a newborn's voracious appetite, that is. All these things (plus plummeting post-baby hormones) brought Mommy to tears faster than a newborn heart rate. I distinctly recall hearing Mommy blubber on and on to Mimi about how there was no way she could keep this up for 12 months. Absolutely no way.


But (as Mimi so wisely predicted) nursing became less and less arduous with each passing day. By the time I was two weeks old, Mommy was able to make it through each nursing session without even a wince. At six weeks, Mommy actually used the word 'easy' to describe breastfeeding.


The weeks and months flew by, and before we knew it the weaning season was upon us. Mommy was prepared for some rough days and nights (because I looooved to nurse), but was pleasantly surpised at how well I did each time we dropped a feeding. The transition from breast milk to cow's milk was nearly seemless.


For me, anyway. Not so for Mommy.


It turns out she misses nursing a lot more than she anticipated. (She also misses her nursing figure... vain as that may be.) I've been completely weaned for almost a month, but Mommy sometimes wonders if she should have held on to one last feeding for a little longer. Especially when I look at her, look at my rocking chair, and make the sign for "nurse". She does a good job of putting on a brave face as she signs back "all gone", but I know that she wishes she still had something left to give.

Sunday Best

I couldn't believe it when I looked outside this morning and saw a light blanket of snow! I guess no one told Old Man Winter that his time is officially up.

After our worship service, my family went to lunch with some friends from Mommy and Daddy's young adult group. Let me introduce you to two of them. Here we have Eddie and Trish.

These two both have exciting, dramatic stories of how they came to faith in Christ. Trish and Eddie's lives have been inspiring to Mommy and Daddy as they have gotten to know them over the past year. We are all super excited about their wedding in just 6 weeks!

I have already figured out that my Auntie lets me get away with waaay more than my Mommy! I had a blast chilling on the table and sticking my hand in Auntie's glass of water when she let me sit at her end of the table.

Here's the whole gang. I promise that Ronak doesn't really look that scary in person. All of the "men in black" were in rather goofy moods today, actually.

I was exhausted after our little lunch, so I decided to take a 3 hour nap this afternoon. When I woke up (in just about the best mood ever), Daddy and I enjoyed some board book time. Here we are reading one of my favorite library books, "Oh, David!" . Mommy and I just love the "Diaper David Book" series. Daddy, on the other hand, thinks the main character is a little scary.

This picture is actually from Friday, but I really wanted to share it with you. This was my very first time to meet baby Leila (or Leila Bell, as we call her). She is about the same size as my baby doll, so Mommy was in "hover mode" whenever I got close to her. She must have thought I was going to try to put her into my doll stroller, or something.

I can't wait until Leila Bell and I can really play together. We are going to be great friends!

New Toy

Mommy and Daddy got a new toy this week. They've been saving up all of their unexpected (Christmas, payment for odd jobs, etc.) money for a Canon Rebel, and they were so excited to finally have enough to make the big purchase.

Here are a few random shots they've taken.

Check out the snot and drool detail in this one.


Mommy and Daddy really want to make the most of this fancy camera...they have a whole lot of learning to do!

This pic is just a plain 'ol iPhone shot, but Mommy thinks it's too cute not to share. This is my new favorite way to "help" Mommy or Daddy when they are pushing my stroller. So much more fun than riding inside!

Dancin' to Dave

Mommy captured some of my smooth dance moves on camera yesterday. We were on an Easter dress expedition to TJ Maxx, when I heard one of Daddy's favorite bands playing over the intercom. Maybe muscial tastes runs in the genes!

Lest you think that Mommy and I spend all of our free time shopping for Easter dresses, I offer the next two pictures as proof of other pastimes.

We met "Aunt" Tara, Ian, and Preston at the library for Infant-5 Year Old Story Time yesterday morning. The librarians read an Irish tale, a book about a lucky hat, and a book about creatures you may find in a garden (they were apparently a little thin on St. Patrick's Day books). We also learned a few fingerplays. After the books were read, the bigger kids decorated 3D shamrocks. Mommy has decided that we need to stick with Baby Bookworms for now. The books at this general storytime were just a bit too long for little ones like me.

Later in the day, I noticed this huge red boa clip amongst my collection of bows. Mommy saw me eyeballing it, so she stuck it in my hair and took me to the mirror to check myself out. Doesn't it look fabulous?! I liked it so much that I left it in my hair for a whole 5 minutes before ripping it out. Unfortunately, Mommy thinks I still need to grow into this one before it can make it's public debut. Maybe it'll be proportionate by the time I go to prom!

Happy St. Patricks Day...

from the little Irish Bug.

Bet you never would have guessed that I have Irish blood!

A Few of My Favorite Things: Kitchen Edition

Yesterday I noticed that I do an awful lot of oohing and ahhing when I am in the kitchen, so I thought I'd share some of the attention grabbers I see in there every day. I'm sure they will fascinate you every bit as much as they do me.

This is our chicken cookie jar or, as I like to call it, our "bawk, bawk". My Great Nana Guth gave this to Mommy, so it's very special.
This is my new favorite sight in the fridge. It's not the milk that excites me (I don't even drink that watered down 2% stuff), it's the cow. I talk to her just about every time Mommy opens the refrigerator door.


Now this is pure yellow magnificence! I would eat one of these at every meal if Mommy would let me (taking after my good friend, Preston). Just about everytime we walk by the fruit bowl, I reach out my hand and say "nanananana".

And here's a pic of how I like to top off every meal. As soon as my meal tray is lifted off my high chair, I check my bib pocket for leftovers. If I'm lucky, I'll find one or two extra pieces of nananana.

Easter Egg Dress Hunt

It's hard to believe that Easter Sunday is just around the corner! The grownups in my church (along with countless other believers around the globe) are marking the entire Easter season with prayer and fasting. I even joined Mommy and Daddy the other night in our church's prayer room for a time of corporate prayer...although it's quite possible that I was more of a distraction than a partner in prayer.

Easter is truly the most important celebration of the Christian faith, and it should be approached with great humility, gratitude, and sincerity.

There is also a more frivolous side to Easter, though. And this frivolity is (perhaps unduly) near and dear to Mommy. I'm talking about the frivolity of the Easter dress.

As you can see, Mommy and Easter dresses go way back.

(Aren't Auntie's rubberband hands adorable?)

(Maybe I shouldn't complain about the bows Mommy puts in my hair. It could always be worse.)

This year, Mommy's not so concerned about an Easter dress for herself. She'll probably forgo that treat for another year or so. She is, however, looking for a special dress for moi'.

In order to keep up with her New Year's Resolution to pursue a life of simplicity, Mommy started her search right in my own closet. I do have one dress that could work for Easter Sunday, but when Mommy tried it on me today it was still way too big. So, it was on to Plan I (for internet).

This adorable blue Strasburg bishop sure did catch Mommy's eye. With a $90 pricetag, though, that's all its gonna catch!

Here's another cutie blue bishop. This one, made by Rosalina, is only half the price of the Strasburg dress. Unfortunately, that still puts it a couple of Hamilton's out of our price range. Looks like we'll be moving on to Plan E (eBay)!

Another New Habit

Thank you so much for all of your comments and emails about teeth grinding! Mommy and Daddy have instituted a two part plan to keep the grinding at a minimun. As soon as I start rubbing those teeth together, they:

1. Sing the "Itsy, Bitsy Spider".
2. Give me a straw to chomp on.

So far, those two things have been enough to satisfy me. I'll let you know if they're still working in a week or so!

Since I shared one of my not so cute habits with you, I thought I should also share a super cute (according to Mommy) habit. Wednesday afternoon, I held one of Mommy's shirts in my hand as I walked around her room. It reminded Mommy of how Auntie would carry around a blankie when she was a little girl. Unlike Auntie, though, I'm not partial to one object. My family has since caught me hauling around Daddy's shirts, Auntie's scrub tops, and my own sweater and dress. Could this be the foreshadowing of a future laundry helper?
Mommy sure hopes so!

Sunday Best

Today was such a beautiful day in the North Texas area...it is apparent that spring is upon us! Since we've has such a great weather warmup, Mommy thought she should get this little outfit on me one last time.

Unfortunately, there was no warmth in my heart for the nursery today. I cried and cried as soon as Mommy set me down on the nursery floor to play. The tears didn't stop flowing until I fell asleep on a volunteer's shoulder 45 minutes into the service.
Looks like Mommy and Daddy thought my clingy stage was over a little prematurely!

After church, I played in the backyard for a few minutes. Being outside is just about my favorite thing ever.

Check out Mommy's white legs. Someone get that woman some sun!

Scrape, scrape, scrape

Uh oh!

I have picked up a new habit over the last few days.

One that sets the nerves of Mommy and Auntie on edge.

One that sends shivers up Daddy's spine.

One that all three hope disappears just as quickly as it developed.

What could this new habit be?

Teeth grinding. Of the loud, incessant variety.

I know this habit bothers and worries the grownups in my house, so I thought I'd ask all of you for advice. Any thoughts on what Mommy and Daddy can do to help me kick this habit?

So far, they have tried telling me "no", giving me a teether to chomp on, gently squishing my cheeks, putting a finger in my mouth, and distracting me with whatever happens to be nearby.
Straws seem to be the most successful distraction.

Any other ideas?

Because mommy just has to get this out of her system...

"There's a carrot top who can barely walk,

with a sippy cup of milk."

For the record: My parents don't normally make me walk around in such a state of undress. We had pasta for dinner, and the only way I can eat pasta is nakified. I offer the spaghetti sauce on the outside of my diaper as proof.

(Still Climbing) Back in the Saddle, Again

This little Bug is most definitely on the mend!

My body has been fever free since Sunday morning, so now I just have to get over the residual effects of three days worth of high temps.

Just what do said residuals entail, you ask?

Extreme fussiness, clinginess, and early-wakingness...we're talking up-for-the-day-at-4-in-the-morning early.

Needless to say, everyone in my house is quite exhausted (which is why Mommy wouldn't let me update this blog for a few days).

Thanks (again) for all of your prayers! I know I'll be completely back in the saddle in no time.

Speaking of saddles, check out my new one. Mommy and Daddy were hoping to get a little more use out of the infant seat, but my length necessitated the move up to a convertible carseat ASAP. If you're wondering why I'm still rear facing, I can give you two reasons:

1. I'm still not 20 pounds, which is the minimum weight for forward facers.

2. Rear facing is 5x safer than forward facing. Five times!

Mommy and Daddy are going to keep me RFing for as long as possible. You can find two of the websites that helped them make the RFing decision here and here.