Hunt

We went to two Easter egg hunts on Saturday. We have another one this Saturday. It's egg hunting season around these parts. I have to remember Lucy isn't as well versed on these holiday traditions. Many times she gets overwhelmed, nervous or frightened. But Saturday's run-in with the Easter Bunny left her completely baffled which I caught in a picture. I had to zoom in on her face. It's priceless. 

We have to beef you up for big hunt this Saturday. Westminster City Hunt isn't for sissies. Your first hunt of the season, you were passing up eggs that weren't the right color (pink or purple). You refused to pick up any blue or green or yellow or orange eggs and when I picked it up for you to put in your basket, you freaked. "Only pink and purple eggs!!!" That won't fly when prizes are on the line and I don't think the mayor only stuffed the pink and purple eggs with the good stuff.

Jesus has risen... or will rise... let the hunting begin!!!

What the heck is that thing?!?!

Mmmmmm plastic eggs... of all colors. Lucy doesn't discriminate.

Post egg hunt sugar high.



Waiting patiently for a cracker.



Tooth and dimples.

Notice the green and yellow eggs are left untouched by your diva-self.



For some reason I LOVE this photo. I think it's Lucy's somewhat disgusted expression. 

And after I posted a picture in the last entry, I thought I had seen one like it before. Except when I found the photo, it wasn't of the same child. Sisters, perhaps?

Adjusted

Lucy has proved to be one of the most difficult tasks of my life. I'm not kidding. This kid since conception has been difficult. She was an angsty baby. Notice the use of past tense. Lucy has been adjusted.

One of the reasons Lucy has been a hard baby for me is she always seemed to be in pain. Even when she was rested and fed. Maybe it was acid reflux or allergies, cue the pediatric allergist appointments. Maybe it was neurological or connected to that weird jaw wink, cue the pediatric opthamologist. Maybe it was her immune system and propensity to asthmatic conditions and enter the nebulizer. But everything was a temporary fix. I could take care of the tiredness or hunger or acid reflux or dairy sensitivity.

This kid was driving me insane. I would hold her for hours and hours. She would scream if I put her down to play by herself. I understand Lucy is more sensitive and introverted than you are Nora. I understand shy and to increase her processing time to help her comfort level. Something in my motherly instincts was telling me she just wasn't right. Oh she smiled and played and would reluctantly leave my side if torn away. But she abnormally sought out comfort from me.

I met a baby with glasses at our Wednesday storytime on March 14th. She had never attended our class before. I haven't seen them since, I wish I have so I could thank them. I struck up a conversation with her mom about her glasses since this will be a real possibility for Lucy. Long story short, this mom's baby sounded exactly like a Lucy, irritable and uncomfortable for no apparent reason. Her brother-in-law recommended that she take her baby to a chiropractor. She thought it was a lot of mumbo-jumbo but was desperate. She said it changed her baby completely.

Hmmmm, the wheels in my head were spinning. I was desperate. I was at the end of my rope, not having a full night's sleep in over a year since the third trimester of pregnancy. I live in a fog. I went home for lunch a did some Googling. I had never heard of an infant chiropractor before. Turns out, most chiropractors will treat infants. I called an office right around the corner from our house. They asked how soon I wanted to be seen, not sure of the wait, I asked for as soon as possible. "How's 5pm today?"

We met Dr. Jeff and Lucy was a bear. Typical. He explained to me that c-section babies do not get the chance to have a natural alignment from the birth canal. Makes sense. Lucy would not go to Dr. Jeff or allow him to even touch her. So he had my lie on my back on the table and put Lucy on my tummy facing me. He picked her up three times by her feet. Lucy loved this since she thought it was a game as she would blast off into the air and come back down with her arms outstretched to me. Then Dr. Jeff took this baby actuator thingy which felt like someone gently flicking you. It barely felt like anything. He tapped Lucy twice on the back of her neck and said see you back on Friday. The last thing I said to him before he walked out the door was, "Will this help her?" And he gave me some mumbo-jumbo about the body's ability to heal itself from within once it's in proper alignment. Huh uh. It looked like he didn't do anything to her. And these visits were not covered by insurance since Lucy was under 12.

So Wednesday night at 5:30pm we left the chiropractor, weird since 8 hours before I had never heard of infant chiropractic adjustments. By 7pm Lucy had started her transformation. I put her down on the floor and she crawled away from me. She crawled all around the house. She played by herself, she went to your father and Trish and Kevin next door. She even sat contently with Kevin in his chair for almost 10 minutes. That night she slept 11 hours straight. Thursday she woke up and she was like a completely different baby. Yes, she was still shy and yes, she still needs more processing time. She still startles easily. Those are a part her personality but whatever pain she was feeling was gone. She was happy. She began to talk and make noises like never before. She now says Dada and da for dog and sssssss for cat and mmmmmmmmm for mom and huhhuhhuh for Nora. It's like she was awoken from a haze. People immediately notice this shift: the caregivers at the gym, Ms. Patti, friends at a playdate. Everyone commented on how happy and alert she had become overnight. Thursday night she slept 10 hours. Her naps were becoming longer too.

It couldn't have been this easy. It looked like Dr. Jeff did nothing at all! We saw him that Friday and Lucy was like a different baby. She smiled and waved at Dr. Jeff and let him pick her up and play. This is the same baby who wouldn't leave my arms two days ago. He flicked her with his actuator thingy a few more times.

HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?!?! It took me 8 months of Lucy's life to find her some relief. I feel horrible that she was in pain. Lucy is now adjusted and doing quite well. Her transformation has been remarkable. We are even doing a testimonial for Dr. Jeff's website. He says that her story is one that should be shared. He says he has seen his fair share of miraculous recoveries in his practice and Lucy is one of them.

Who knew a chance encounter with another mom would lead me to seeking out non-traditional forms of treatments for my angsty baby? Who knew all that mumbo-jumbo was true? I'm glad my mind and my heart were open. I'm so thankful for Lucy's sake.

Now if there was only a cure for teething.... infant acupunture perhaps?



Can you see the tooth that has been the bane of your existence this week?!

So in conclusion to my winding tale, March 14th 2012 will be the day that Lucy became adjusted. Take it how you will. 

Three!

Today is your official third birthday. Yesterday we had a ginormous party at a local bounce establishment. You had so much fun, I cannot even begin to describe your excitement and enjoyment over the entire day and days leading up to the party. For being freshly three, you are quite the social creature. You appreciate a good party and always seem to know how to have a good time. I feel so honored to be your mom. You are so very loved by so many. Sometimes I am in awe of how easily you make friends. How readily you love. How open your heart is. In your mind, there is always room for more.

Nora, your pure elation and joy was worth the stress of having a party. The planning, invites, food, favors and general logistics. The up-to-2am pink princess castle cake baking and decorating. The gasp on Saturday morning when you opened the fridge and saw it for the first time was absolutely priceless. The way you cheered and ran up to hug as family and friends arrived at your party was adorable to watch. The way you squealed with delight over each bounce adventure and gift. The way your face glowed with gratitude and awe as we sung happy birthday. It was worth it. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

But yet, today, your actual birthday was the exact opposite of yesterday. No party, no family and friends, no hoopla, no big celebration. We chilled out in the living room all afternoon together. Sometimes we played or painted together. Sometimes we just sat near each other and did our own thing. We munched on party leftovers... like the 50lbs of cake! We went to Panera for breakfast. We Skyped with Janice and Ed for almost 2 hours!! Wowzers! We had a dinner picnic on the back deck and then 6pm church and then 7pm frozen custard at the Cow . But in short, we really didn't do anything spectacular or overly exciting for your "real" day of birth. And you know what? I would have done it all again in a heartbeat.

It was wonderful and joyous celebrating with all our family and friends and having a blast at a big party. We all enjoyed it, even Lu! But we also enjoyed our mellow day too. Parties are great fun and definite perk with an overly-social three year old but it feels comforting to know that 'just us' is also satisfyingly fun (and whole lot cheaper too!).

In the three years (and forty weeks) since I've known you, I am constantly trying to remind myself that you haven't been around forever. You weren't always in my life...but it sure feels that way. You always have been, always will.



Becca and Nick did face painting for your guests!



Four boxes of cake mix, four cans of frosting, three princesses, four chocolate covered cones and whole lotta love and sprinkles!!!



The family, plus Ashley. Who is close enough to family to be included.

As if you didn't get enough presents, Daddy bought you an authentic Dora backpack with map. You're in love.

Crazy bouncing kid.

You picked out that party dress from the store, all on your own.

I made those chocolate covered pretzels again! YUM!

Parachute games!

Space Balls face paint + sugar = a very giddy Daddy



A birthday party wouldn't be complete without a creepy Nonni picture!
 Lu's face is priceless.



What more do you need on your birthday than your sister and best friend to celebrate with you?

And just so you know today didn't pass without us recognizing it is your birthday! That's what the hamburger card (and real hamburgers) are for!


Happy 3rd Birthday NVJ! What a ride it's been and it certainly isn't slowing down anytime soon! In fact, I think I see some hills and twists and turns up ahead. Here we go!!!!

Teddy!

Teddy turned 1 on February 21st and of course he had a party! We are very lucky that Teddy moved to DC from California at 4 months and now we get to see him pretty often! He might appear to some as a concerned little fellow, but he is quite the delight. He is very determined and he loves to explore and investigate his world. I wish we could see Teddy everyday. But we have to settle for about once or twice a month. Both you and Lucy have a good time playing with Teddy and I think he enjoys you two as well.

Happy 1st Birthday Teddy! A year ago you accomplished something the Marcot's hadn't seen since 1945, the birth of a boy!!! But now you are so much more; you are Theodore James, a very insightful little boy who will always be loved and cherished by his family.



I made those chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles!

The 1st birthday shot no one ever takes... the clean up!!!

Taking a Leap

I am going to keep this short tonight. Three posts in three days... let's all clap for me! Well Lucy can b/c she learned to clap today!!! (See video at the end of the post) This follows her new ability to wave and drink out of a cup. Hooray.

When I picked you up from Ms. Patti's this afternoon, you were enthralled that today only happens once every four years. This concept is amazing to you. When I thought about it, last leap day in 2008, you weren't even in existence. You weren't even a glimmer in our eyes. Heck, you weren't even on the radar of "someday." Now four years later, you exist and are telling me that there are actually 364 and a quarter days in each year not 365, as generally assumed. Who did I give birth to?!?!

So you, Nora are two and three fourths years old and Lucy is just a plain three-fourths on your first leap year. Next time in 2016, you will be almost 7 years old and in 1st grade!!! And Lucy will be 4 going on 5. Crazy to think about.

Happy Leap Year Day my loves. Hopefully we will enjoy the next four years together.

And just because we should remember how I butchered Lu's beautiful thick hair: the pictures...


Before. She was actually crawling into things b/c her hair was in her eyes.
My heart was in the right place.



Then the blunt cut resulted in a very bowl-esk style. Sigh.



I put her hair up in pig tails to soften the blunt cut.



And the pacifier only lasted a couple days before she gave it up.



My First

I have spent alot of time lately talking about Lucy and your relationship with her. But, Nora, you will always be my first born. Your unquenchable thirst for adventure and knowledge and homework is exhausting to me but invigorating to you. Just today, in about 2 minutes I taught you how to write  the number 3. You already write 1s and 2s with pretty good accuracy. You were struggling writing 3s with those tricky curves. But motivated with a piece of sidewalk chalk, you were so thrilled with yourself and your new found talent that you spontaneously jumped up and hugged me so tight.

You asked to go outside this afternoon while I nursed Lucy into her nap. I allowed you to go outside with the door open so I could supervise from the couch. Once I put Lucy upstairs I came out to check on you. For a moment I panicked when I didn't see you. Did you fall into the pond? Did someone come into the yard and take you? Then there you were swinging on your own, singing to yourself. You looked like you could have been 6 years old. You are so independent, always have been. You are wicked smart, always have been. You are my first born, always have been. I have loved you from the moment we heard your heart beating away.

Nora no amount of toddler angst and baby jealously will change my love. Believe me, there has been alot. You are so funny, so full ideas and imaginary friends. Yes, we have had Kailee (sp?) appear and she even eats dinner with us. She eats all her chicken nuggets. You have such a rich imaginary world and can play inside that world for hours.

You love to sing and dance and count. You are obsessed with writing, drawing, matching games, patterns. You are crazy about opposites. You are proficient at letters, numbers, colors and shapes so Ms. Patti started you on opposites which you have just devoured. Now you love to make predictions while reading. You use clues from the story read to a mid way point to then predict what will happen. You have this uncanny ability to make very logical and creative predictions. Even our librarian who runs storytime was impressed. Your father keeps telling me not to be surprised by these developments. But I tell him kids your age and even older aren't even potty trained and you are figuring out patterns and making predictions! Ms. Patti and I can't keep up with the way you tear through concepts. You also have about 10-15 site words that you recognize including: mom, dad, dog, spoon, girl, Nora, toys. A few others I can't think of.  You have blown through the pre-writting to start on letters and numbers.

I seriously can't keep up. But I try. I don't think I am remembering half of what you are able to do now. Oh yes! Recently you have created a pretend language. It sounds like non-sense but you actually use the same non-sensical words each time. I get so aggrevated at you for talking this made-up language. It's obnoxious but creative too. I thought only multiples did this. Who knew a single kid would make up a whole language. Maybe I should start you on Spanish or another language known by more than just you.

Your sense of humor is great fun. You are absolutely hilarious and love jokes. We're always laughing at something usually stupid like butts (heehee). You have your likes and dislikes. You get yourself dressed / undressed. You pick out your outfits and for the last 6 weeks or so you have refused to wear pants. Instead you love to wear tights or leggings with skirts. Sometimes, you're mean to Lucy or Marta or even me. Ok, you are mean to me alot. For some reason, you feel the safest with me to fall apart.

And don't go away thinking "wow, I was a wonder-child and great at everything!" That is far from reality. I hate to break this to you Nora, but you're not very physically coordinated. Throwing or kicking a ball with aim is quite a difficult maneuver for you. You aren't the fastest or best at obstacle courses but you still give it a good try. You also become an over-emotional mess when you are even slightly tired. The whining. Oh I can't take the whining some days. Next month you'll be 3 years old. I don't know what to expect but even if I did make a prediction, I would probably be wrong. You are an endless surprise and just when I think I have you figured out you go and surprise me all over again.

You live your life with such intensity and affection that even if the slightest amount remains for your adult life, you will be one incredible grown-up. You already are one incredible kid.



You earned an ice cream cone and of course you requested: PINK!

My absolute favorite recent picture of you.

Charmer

So Lucy is coming into her own. Figuring things out day by day. Just yesterday, she finally took a pacifier as a soothing tool. After thousands of hours of crying now she decides to use one. She also has been teething like crazy and after a month of symptoms we have two buds. Not teeth, just white bumps on her gums that will soon be teeth. 4 weeks of misery for buds? Hopefully the teeth will appear soon.

You and her now play purposefully play together. This morning I was awoken at 7:30am by a squealing Lucy who was getting excited by your reading stories to her. Lucy clearly knows what she is doing. She started waving hello and goodbye. She becomes so thrilled with herself her whole body tenses and wiggles and her legs kick furiously and her face scrunches up in a stinky face. Then. She snorts. It's priceless. We all get her going so she will snort for us.

Oh Lucy how we have all fallen under your spell. At first we all loved you because you were helpless and needed our affection. Now we have fallen in love because of your personality. You have become quite the charmer. Jaw wink and all (see picture of cookie eating).

In tragic news, in a moment of exasperation, I cut Lu's hair. Never again. It looks horrible. I gave my child a bowl cut. I was not thinking clearly and just did it by myself while she was crawling around. Ugh. I am trying to get a good picture of the mess I made for posterity sake. But mark my word, I will never ever cut my child's hair again. I will pony up the $20 for a professional.

And my whole "two posts a week" thing never really panned out. Maybe, if I post for the next two days, I can make some ground in February. Next month someone turns three.... oh dear.