The Tweedles

Dearest Beatrix.

You’re 44 months old now and such a little lady!

You love to dress yourself, and you tend to go for a very monochromatic looks, if you commit to a colour for the day, you commit!  Down to your underwear and socks.  I love it!  You have your own little rules that you abide by.  I don’t always understand them, but you’re pretty sure that they’re rock solid, like if you’re wearing a shirt with an owl on it, you want pants with a bird, but not any other animal, because they won’t match.  If you’re wearing a shirt with stripes, then you need striped pants, but sometimes I can convince you to use a colour from the shirt for the pants.  Sometimes.  I guess we all have our ideas, like I won’t wear beige and grey, I don’t think they match.  Heh.  We are related after all.  You’ve also started picking out Hudson’s clothes, mostly so they match yours.  I think you lament that he doesn’t have more pink outfits.  I’m not sure though how much longer he’ll let you pick out his clothes though.  He’s starting to have opinions too.  You still love shoes and you try, often, to convince me to buy one of each colour of shoes, I guess to make your monochromatic look really work.  I am persistent too though.  You have plenty of shoes!  Although we did buy you some rainboots recently.  You love to wear them and want your pants tucked in, or pulled up so that you can see the pony on your boots.

This month you’ve been complaining of pain in your legs at night.  I’m pretty sure it’s growing pains.  I’m so sorry!  I had them when I was little too and I remember how much they hurt!  So together we’re trying to get you to get more calcium into your diet, I hope that helps.  Also, my beautiful girl, you are going to have long legs.  I’m so happy for you.  Already I can see how long they’re getting in comparison to the rest of you.  It’s making for a conundrum for pants for you since pants that are long enough fall off your waist, but ones that fit your waist are many inches too short in your legs.  (You can wear Hudson’s 18 month pants, comfortably, they look like capris on you.)

This month we went to Disneyland again, this time for my birthday.  We had so much fun.  I think it’s a family favourite place to go, and I don’t care that so many poele think that Disney is horrible.  I love watching you have so much fun there!  And I have a great time too!  For my birthday lunch we had lunch at Ariel’s Grotto, so we could see all of the princesses.  You were in awe, again.  We took lots of photos!  We didn’t get to see Mulan this time, which was disapointing, but we did see Belle, which you were excited for.   During our trip we also went and saw Tinkerbelle which was exciting, she spent a lot of time chatting with you and Hudson, it was really sweet.  Also during this trip we realized that you were tall enough to ride the Matterhorn!  You were so brave and such a trooper!  I screamed and you did not!

While we were in Southern California I went to a conference and you adn Daddy and Hudson went to La Brea Tar pits, and you had so much fun!  You learned about a lady who fell in to the tar pits thousands of years ago, and you have not stopped talking about it.  You’ve educated everyone you’ve come across about the lady who fell into the mud trying to save an animal, but she didn’t get out, she died too.  Your preschool teachers have asked me what you’re talking about, and I’ve had to explain to them.  They thought it was funny.  (after they explained to all of the other students that they don’t have to be scared of mud)

One day at home I was putting away some eggs and on a whim I gave you an egg for an egg baby.  I explained that you need to take care of your baby because it’s very fragile.  Hudson promptly lost his baby and you dropped yours within ten minutes.  You were pretty sad and I put the egg away, we’ll try egg baby again in a couple of years.  (I found Hudson’s egg a couple of hours later.)

We had a really scary day this month when there was an angry man at his job and he shot some people then ran away.  He car jacked a lady and shot her too, and why this is extra scary is that this was close to your preschool.  Luckily the teacher found out before school started and cancelled school for us.  If you would have gone to school that day I would have been so nervous.  We spent that day at home, with the doors locked and I hugged you and Hudson a lot that day.

Since it’s football season again, Daddy has been watching more football and you’ve been watching with him.  So to teach you more about football Daddy took you to a Stanford game.  You wore your Stanford cheerleader dress and went to the game.  Daddy said that you had a great time, and the photos show just how adorable you were waving the little pom pom you got there.

Finally this month was Hudson’s playgroup’s annual party and you were there too.  I hired Andy Z to preform for the group, and you loved it!  He was amazing and really engaged the children.  We ended up buying a cd and he signed it, and you ahve asked to listen to it every single day since then.  You especially love the “Sticky Bubblegum” song and the “Scarecrow” song.

Sweet girl, it’s so exciting to watch you grow up into such a big amazing girl.  I love you so much!

love forever and ever,

Mama.

Trixie!  You’re 43 months old now.  Practically an old lady!  Well maybe not, it would be nice if you slowed down with the whole growing thing, but I don’t think you’ll agree.  You told me recently that you want to be 18.  I was floored.  How about let’s just aim for 4, okay?  Maybe stop at 4?  No?  Didn’t think so.

Busy busy month!  You started two preschools this month.  Stratford started first.  It’s the more academic school, where you do worksheets and learn about composers, artists and such things.  So far you like it.  It’s strange though, you don’t know anyone there, but by all accounts you like it.  I think you’ll let me know if you don’t like it, and we’ll reassess.  You never cried when I dropped you off, and I was careful not to linger so I wouldn’t get sappy.  Hudson did not like leaving you though.  I guess there had to be some tears after all.  Later in the month you started CCNS, which is the co op preschool, and you love it there.  We know lots of the kids there and lots of the parents who are working.  Lucky for us every day that you are there we know one of the parents who are working so I get lots of reports back on you, and you are enjoying every minutes by all accounts.  To get you ready for CCNS I took some of the pet feeding shifts so we went to the school a few times so you could meets the pets and get acquainted with the school.  (This school has chickens, rabbits, fish and rats, you’re in little girl heaven with all of the creatures, I’m not so sure of the rats.)  As much as I don’t want to admit it, it looks like Daddy and I made the right choice to put you in school and not home school you for preschool.  I”m not sure what we’ll do going forward, but for now, when the curriculum is all about play, we’ll leave it how it is.

I guess in conjunction with school (more Stratford than CCNS) you’ve leader to spell your name from memory, but you get a little confused.  You decided that you wanted to be called Beatrix at school, and are still called Trixie outside of school, so this is where you are confused, you want to write both names at once, so it comes out ‘Betie’, I’m temped to call you Betty just ’cause it’s so cute!  (I recently learned that a new trendy diminutive of Beatrix is Bixie… I think we’ll stick with Trixie.)  In any case, Beatrix has a lot of letters, so I’m impressed that you even try!  YAY!

A little while ago there was a lightening storm, and we were driving through it, and you were so amazed by the lightening.  It was the first time you’ve ever seen lightening and it was an impressive show.  Lots of people from around here haven’t seen lightening in a long time, so this was a pretty memorable storm.

This month marked the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, so we had a talk about what happened and why we were remembering that day.  I kept the details pretty light for you, but I figured that it should be mentioned.  I was worried that you would fixate on the gory details, but you didn’t.  We talked about heros and how firemen are brave and that’s what you went away with, which I think is appropriate for a 3 year old.

We went on a couple field trips this month.  We went to Half Moon Bay and a really fabulous beach.  You helped Leland and Jet dig a big hole and made friends (again) with Aria.  It was really cute to see you and Aria helping each other up the trail on the cliff to get back up to the parking.  Neither of you would let go of the other’s hand despite the really steep terrain, then at the top, you both ran away, holding hands, which thankfully slowed you down!  Then for the rest of the time we all hunted for lady bugs, and had a great time finding them.   Another field trip we went on was apple picking.  We had so much fun!  We went with Leland’s family and had a great time.  Lots of apples were picked, and eaten.  Then we went for lunch in Capitola and to play on the beach.  It’s really fabulous to live in California in the fall, everything is really amazing.

Finally this month, we started you in soccer.  I bought you some very tiny little cleats and shin guards, you are ADORABLE in them!  And you love soccer, so much!  I hope we can do more soccer classes, but it looks like it might be hard next session, I think when you are 4 there will be more classes for you.  I can’t wait until you are old enough to play mini rugby.

SO my sweet Betie, Betty, Bixie, Trixie, Beatrix.

you’re amazing, and I love you so much.

Love always and forever,

Mama.

Dearest Trixie,

Sweet girl!  I can’t believe that we’re well into the 40 months!  You are so big, so amazing, so beautiful and most of all, so smart.  I am so lucky!

As always we’ve had a busy month.

We went to the dentist and I was so proud of you, so proud.  You kept your mouth open without any complaint as the dentist poked around your mouth and cleaned your teeth.  I’m not sure if you remember, but your first visit was pretty horrible, you cried so hard, I had to turn you upside down so the dentist could peek in on your teeth.  (Since you were crying with your mouth open she could see in.)  You were also so impressed that you got a little toy from the dentist, I think I could take you every day, you were so chuffed!  So the good news is that your teeth are great, although you do have a small calcified spot, so we have to keep an eye on that so it doesn’t develop into a cavity.  As a result we talk a lot about the little bugs that like to eat teeth, so you’ve more careful with your brushing.  (Can we talk about at the alarming rate that you go through toothbrushes?)  The dentist confirmed that your teeth are awfully crowded.  I really hope you won’t need a lot of crazy orthodontia later in life, but I think you will, I”m sorry.  If it’s any consolation your brother is going to need it as well.

In preparation for preschool I thought I’d send you to gymnastics camp, which was a full day camp for a whole week.  It was your first time to be away from a parent for an extended period of time, and you did well!  You were the youngest in the class, so it was hard for you to keep up and paying attention for that long was hard for you too, but you did well.  You were so proud to take your own lunch with you each day, and I even bought you your own lunch box and sandwich holder.  They made you look so tiny!  At camp  you did crafts and gymnastics, it was rather perfect for you.  I didn’t send you every day of the week, just a couple days, but I think we’re ready for preschool!  You’re so excited!

We’ve been to Great America a lot this month, we’re making use of our season’s passes.  We saw “Snoopy on Ice” and you loved it.  And the big news is that you’re finally big enough to get on the medium kid rides, not quite tall enough for the big kid rides, but you can get on the 35 inch and higher rides.  (just barely, but still!)  The first ride you did was one where the ride went up a pole and dropped down and slowed at the bottom.  Sadly because there was another Mama on the ride, and it was the last ride of the night, you had to ride without me, and you were totally fine.  Not even a little bit scared.  I was shocked, although we all know I am a total chicken when it comes to rides.  I think our favourite thing at Great America (besides the merry go round) was going up the tall elevator and seeing the fireworks from above them.  It was pretty amazing.

Some bad news this month.  Through a misunderstanding between Daddy and I the garage was left open and Daddy’s bike was stolen.  We were all upset, but you took it pretty hard.  I guess you are old enough to understand what it means to have someone steal something.  In some good news though, Daddy’s on the hunt for a new and more wonderful bike, so we can take lots of family bike rides again.

As always you’re cracking me up with your quips.  You asked me: “Do spiders have bums?  Where do they pee pee?”  HA!  Most days I just wish I could record everything you say to remember it all.  In my, totally unbiased, opinion you are so witty and smart.  Also you voice is adorable, you have the perfect little kid voice.

So I was pretty sure for a while there that you were on the other side of the terrible 3s.  I was wrong.  You’re still firmly planted in them.  Some days we have a lot of struggles and some days are blissfully easy.  I know it’s all a part of learning and we’re learning together.  Sometimes I need to remind you that I’m learning all about being a parent just like you are learning all about being a kid.  It’s hard I know.  We just have to remember that we love each other and that hugs and kisses do help.  Luckily we’re not short on those and give them freely.

Finally, a small milestone but an important one, you let me do your hair with no fuss.  I am in Mama heaven!  I love having a little girl with long hair.  I do maintain though that if keeping your hair neat becomes an ongoing issue we’ll have to cut it.  You’re pretty adamant though that we not cut your hair, so lots of braids, ponies and clips.  I love it.  Also you call ponies ‘poi-nies”, adorable!

Sweet sweet Trixie, you’re amazing, stunning and perfect.  I am blessed.

I’m the luckiest Mama, ever.

Love always, and forever.

Mama.

Trixie!  You’re 41 months old now!

This month started while we were in Canada.  To celebrate, or rather just because we were there we went to the Royal Terrell Museum and on the way to it from Grandma and Grandpa’s house we picked up your cousin Tessa to go to the museum with us.  You were in heaven, it’s your favourite museum and you got to spend more time with your big cousin, whom you adore.  On a side note, when I see you with her I am always shocked and how tiny you are.  Because I mostly only see you in the context of you and your brother or peers, you’re smaller than everyone else, but not that small, but next to a big 7 year old you’re tiny!  Also becasue she’s older I can really see how young you are.  Sometimes I forget and I ask so much of you, and you, being the big girl you are, deliver!  Anyhow some friends met us at the museum too, so we had a great time with April and Ameila as well as Tessa.

Luckily for us, while we were there they had “Black Beauty” on display.  You were amazed!  You said to me with a breathy, in awe voice: “It’s so beautiful!”  Sweetie girl, you made me so proud.  You saw beauty in bones!  My tiny little geek!  Just around the corner from Black Beauty (which we looked at for a long time) was a palentologist sitting and working so everyone could watch.  You want to watch him for a long time too.  I think you might have an idea of what you want to be when you are older.  The rest of the museum was as amazing as ever for you.  I love that you’re not scared of the dinosaurs, but rather in love with them and you just find more and more wonder whenever we go there.

Soon after we got back from the museum we had to leave Calgary, we went to Kelowna to go and have our pictures taken of you and Hudson and with Mama and Daddy.  It was a pretty spectacular photo shoot, and lucky for us my friend was the photographer, she was able to get some pretty amazing photos of you and Hudson (and Chachi).  Also in Kelowna we visited with Auntie Kelly and Uncle Rob and cousin Liam.  You had a great time with them as always, and while we were there we decided that Auntie Kelly and cousin Liam would come home with us for a little trip of their own.  But first we went to Vancouver to visit with some friends and they came over to drive with us later.  While in Vancouver we visited with my friend Sharilyn and her kids Jacob and Lola.  Jacob is a big 3 year old like you, and you two had so much fun!  We celebrated Canada day on the beach, which was great fun.  You didn’t like the mud though, and when the ground was really sticky you were upset by that.  Mostly you liked to dig in the sand and build castles with all of the kids.

Finally after a little visit in Vancouver we went home with Auntie Kelly and Liam.  It was a long drive, but you handled it like a pro.  Also everyone was happy that the new van has a DVD player in it!  We put it to good use on the trip!

When we were home you had a great time playing with Liam for the few days that he was here.  There was some growing pains for him and you, since he’s not used to being around kids all fo the time and you’re not used ot being around him all of the time, but all in all you two did great.  I really love how you guys are going to be such great friends, even though we live so far away from them.

Also this month you’ve started to pick up some more vocabulary that’s worth mentioning.  Words like: gross, freaky, freak, freaked, actually (pronounced octually) the ever present moooooooommmmmm, said in the most exasperating tone.

You and I have had a few funny exchanges too.  My favourite was:

Trixie: “Mama, why do you have crack in your eyes?”

me: “They’re not crack, Love, they’re wrinkles.”

Trixie: “No Mama, thy’re cracks from when I am naughty!”

A while ago you were “reading” to yourself:  ”3 little kittens find their snow hands and go outside…”.  You were reading 3 Little Kittens and their mittens.  You’re such a little Californian girl.

This month we’ve been to lots of birthday parties, so often during our weekly family brunch you and Daddy would make a birthday card.  I’m sure we looked funny at the table with all of our stickers and card stuff, but you had a great time, and I think Daddy did too!.

One of the parties we went to was for Nadia, who turned 5.  She had her party at a farm and you and Hudson had so much fun.  You loved the ponies and the goats, and spent so much time on the pony ride.  There was also a bounce house that you enjoyed playing in.  Also this month was Sylvia’s first birthday, and we helped her to celebrate too.  You love Sylvia so much, it’s really adorable, then often after we spend time with Sylvia you remind me again how badly you want a little sister.

Another fun field trip we did this month was to the Cal Academy in San Francisco.  You spent a lot of time looking at the snakes, again, not afraid of them at all, totally mesmerized by them.  We also saw some of the amazingly large fish that they have there!   The biggest hit of the day though, was rolling down the hill on the front lawn of the museum.

Finally sweet Trixie.  You’re amazing.  Every day you do something I just sit and am amazed by, be it just watching you sleep and seeing your sweet little rose bud mouth mumble in your sleep, or watching your amazingly long eyelashes flutter.

I love you so much!

Love,
Mama.

Dear Trixie,

This month you are 40 months old!

As we launch into summer we had some exciting news for you.  After trying for a few months to get pregnant by going to the doctor a lot and taking lots of scary medicine, I finally got pregnant!  It was exciting for everyone in the family, and Daddy and I couldn’t help but tell you that you were going to have a new baby brother or sister.  And you were so excited, you’ve been asking for a baby to come and we’ve talked about where babies come from, (the mommy cell and the daddy cell join together and eventually they grow into a baby in the Mama’s tummy).  However, the baby didn’t make it and I had a miscarriage.  And the most difficult part of all of this was explaining to you that there won’t be a baby.  You were crushed, and very curious about where the baby went and if you could see the baby.  Daddy and I explained to you that the baby died and that it was very small so you wouldn’t be able to see it.  Luckily you were okay with that answer.  You still ask about the baby, and still want a baby sibling, but you understand what happened.  Next time we’ll do a better job of waiting to tell you.

Because I was pregnant and because we need another car that could hold a carseat we decided to get a new minivan, you and your brother came to see all of the vans and had a great time sitting in them all.  While we were checking out one van you and your brother were playing in the front of the van and somehow one of you managed to drop a small paintbrush that Hudson had into the vents of the van.  It’s a good thing we eventually bought from that dealership!  After looking at a lot of different vans we finally settled on the Toyota Sienna, and we made sure it had a DVD player in it so you and your brother could watch movies on our long trips, because sure enough days after bringing the van home we took a long, long trip up to Canada.

On our way up to Canada we made a few stops to see some sights, we saw Mount Rushmore and you were amazed by the big heads and we went to Yellowstone National Park.  You loved Yellowstone!  You told us that the giesers were like a volcanoe, and you squealed when Ol’ Faithful erupted.  You are such a little nature girl!  While we were in Canada you had a great time visiting with family that you don’t see often, we went to Winnipeg to see your great Auntie Saundra and Great Uncle Joe, then we went through Brandon and say your Great Auntie Joanne and your Great Great Auntie Babs.   Auntie Babs is my Great Auntie and I was so thrilled that you got to meet her, she is my Grandpa’s sister, and they look so much alike.   While we were in Calgary we got to visit with lots of friends and family, you had a lot of fun.

Also this month you’ve started to drop your nap, which makes for a very tired Mama at the end of the day.  I guess that it’s okay that you’re dropping your nap since you’ll be going to school in the afternoon 2 times a week, and you can’t nap at school!  Luckily your brother still naps so you just have some quiet time and I can still manage to get some things done, with a little peace and quiet.  It’s still a work in progress though, and you have napped through a few of your afternoon ballet classes, so we’ll see come August when school starts how you are faring with the no napping.

This month was Daddy’s birthday, and you choose his cake.  He had an ice cream cake from Cold Stone, but more importantly it had characters from Finding Nemo on it.  You’ve just watched that movie and are a little obsessed with Nemo, which works well with your obsession with Ariel and all things Little Mermaid.   I think you were much more excited for Daddy’s cake than Daddy was!  You also helped to make Daddy some birthday cards and actually wrote your name in the and the word “Daddy”, everyone was so proud of you!

Little love, I adore you so much!  You are turning into such a little lady!

love, always and forever,

Mama.