Team Ferdig

Tonight P had a private swim lesson.  This coming weekend she has her last meet of the season and we thought a little bit of technique could help her get a little faster.  It was her first lesson with Laura and it went really well.  

But the highlight of the night was when Gemma went over and asked P if she wanted "wa wa?" and brought over the water bottle to the pool's edge and fed it to P.  Dave and I looked at each other and our hearts melted.  We both almost started crying.  

Gemma gets into all of P's swim practices.  She is so excited.  She runs to the edge of the pool and cheers her on.  It's sweet and wonderful.  She's part of the team.  Today she is side lined because of her age but tomorrow Gemma will be in the pool as well.  Until then she is absorbing all the things P is being taught. 

First Sleep Over

P had a friend sleep over for the first time ever. He is a classmate. We've had him over to the house a few times. He is so sweet and kind. His family just moved here in January from Spain.  We've connected on some of these common Latin roots.  

It's interesting to have a friend over. Her buddy is so independent and different than P and they are both basically the same age. P would not do a sleep over right now.  She also still wets the bed at night. She's very independent in other areas but the night time routine is not one that she would let go of. And, she still crawls into bed with us anywhere between 3-5am.  There are moments I wish I had more freedom to go away. But for the most part I'm glad we still have that closeness. 

Well, we'll see how well everyone makes it through the night. 

Jubees Birthday

Yesterday was Jubees 36th birthday.  I'm horrible with sending cards out on time. Peanut and I decided to take pictures and send him a note via email.  I love this one of her.  Her spark and funny bone have not gone away.  That I am grateful for. 

Gett'n Dooown!

A little someone has found her independence! Today Gemma started getting down off our bed very confidently.  I love it!  I taught her how and helped her out for about two weeks maybe, and today she finally went for it without me being around..or so she thought. It was pretty wild to see and fortunately I had my iphone right next to me in bed.  

Notes to G

Dear G,

Yesterday you started clapping.  It's not a big deal but it's just so cute to see you do it!  You clap at things you do and you clap for others.  I just wanted to remember the day you started clapping! 

xo

Mama

Notes to G

Dear Gems, 
Today you fed me for the first time. I gave you a piece of banana and after taking a few bites you took it and fed it to me. I think this is so exciting.  I don't know why but I do. Well... actually I think it's exciting because I feel it shows you have an awareness outside of yourself.  It also tells me you are mimicking my actions; I fed you, you feed me.  I think it shows signs of empathy...although I'm not sure you quite fully understand the feeling hunger outside of your belly.  I found this small action as a sign of huge development.  

I love watching your little details.  For example, I like watching you move your food around and pick different things out. I wonder what's going on inside your little head that makes you do what you do. Your experience in life is very limited so I wonder what primal, unaltered part of your brain makes the choices it does. 

This week you decided me feeding you was no longer going to work.  You have always wanted to take the spoon out of my hands, even when you were still having trouble directing your own hand in any direction at all.  I've tried to let you feed yourself chunks of food.  However, with things like yogurt or apple sauce I can't do it or else we'll end up with food on our walls.  This week it was chunks or nothing.  You are very independent. I like it. I hate it.  It means my services could be rendered not so useful in the not so distant future.  

But for right now my services are quite needed and I really enjoy getting to watch you find your path and make your choices even when it's just between a banana or an O. 

Notes to G

Dear Gemma, 
This is the face you make when you are beyond excited.  When I pull out a food you like you make this face and your feet start moving a mile a minute!  It's the most amazing thing to watch.  But then you want what you want right away and if I haven't peeled that mango in 10 seconds flat you get mad!  Oh, the squeaking and shrieking and crying that follows is pretty harsh.  But the excited face is well worth it!

I love you my Gemma.
xo Mama