Saying Goodbye

About a week ago, Adam and I told Kenly that we were not going to give her a bottle after bath. She cried huge tears and moaned so mournfully that we decided to give in to a bottle that night. The child had not been given any warning. I went to the kitchen, poured her milk into the bottle, and warmed it slightly. Sitting cuddled in my arms, she grabbed her bottle and said, "This makes me happy."

Starting that night we concocted an elaborate tale about the Bottle Fairy. We explained that the bottle fairy would come the day after she turned two. After all, two-year-olds are big girls and big girls don't need bottles anymore. Kenly showed mild interest in giving her bottles to the babies who needed them, but she wasn't chomping at the bit to give up the bottle.

The 9th of August finally rolled around. We celebrated her birthday with a trip to the playground, a few last presents, and a trip to the Cracker Barrel for birthday dinner. Kenly wanted to get pancakes and her very own cup with orange juice. The folks at Cracker Barrel sang Happy Birthday to our girl, and she beamed with pride.

I gave her the last bottle. She kept saying, "This is my last bottle. But, I a baby. Mama, I a baby." It was all I could do to keep from crying. I won't every feed my baby a bottle again. I won't every hear that sweet suckling noise again. I won't be guaranteed a five-minute, peaceful snuggle with Kenly every night from now on.

After her last bottle, I cleaned up every last dirty bottle and packed them away. I couldn't have her seeing a single bottle in the house. I couldn't have one easy to get to, because let's face it, I'm weak. If she started begging and pleading, I'm more likely to cave if they are easy to access. The bottle fairy came and left her four wooden puzzles for her sacrifice.

Last night in the bath, she said, "No bottle tonight." She was being so brave that I was convinced that my fervent prayers for a smooth transition had been answered. As I was drying her off, she started whining, "I want my bottle. Fix a bottle." All through the hair drying process she was crying, "I want a bottle. Bottle. Bottle. She bring 'em back, right?" She had no tears, but I could tell her little heart was breaking. I was dying inside, but I kept my composure.

We went to look for bottle, and she discovered her present. All of a sudden, getting rid of bottles was really cool. We let her explore the puzzles for about 20 minutes, and then we continued the bedtime ritual. There wasn't a tear or moan after she discovered that the Bottle Fairy rewarded her. Phew!

We'll see if we are as lucky tonight. Tonight's bedtime ritual has no built-in distraction. I'm not holding my breath.

A Little Reassurance

Adam and I went out on a date tonight. A real live date with a paid babysitter involved. I've been telling Kenly all week that Miss Ashely was coming to play with her on Sunday. Kenly was really excited when Ashely got here.

The date was lovely...Iron Man 2 and Mela's for dinner. Nothing says love like a blow 'em up movie and some Indian food.

When we got home, Ashely said all went well. She said Kenly got upset at bedtime. She gave her a bottle and then told her goodnight. This is what she heard from Kenly's room....

Kenly: Mama be back. Daddy be back. It's okay. Mama be back. Daddy be back. It's okay. Be good girl.

Ashely went back in the room to comfort her when she upset herself repeating her little mantra over and over.

Ashley: Kenly, do you want me to stay in here while you fall asleep? Mama and Daddy will be back. It's okay.

Kenly: Uh-huh. Sit in chair. Mama and Daddy be back.

Ashley: Yes. If you close your eyes and go to sleep, Mama and Daddy will be back.

Ashely said that in just a few minutes she was asleep.

What a good girl. What a good babysitter.

Taste How Sweet

Me: Kenly, what do you have?
Kenly: Apple. Holding out a plastic apple for me to see. Ta'se it.
Me: Feigning incredible enthusiasm. For me? How nice of you to share. Pretending to eat the plastic apple.
Kenly: With great conviction and a head nob to boot. 'licious.

Dance Fever

Kenly got a laptop computer from Grandma for Christmas. It plays music when you hit the space bar, and Kenly loves to dance to all of the songs. Last night she had a 20 minute dance session that left her winded and wobbly.


She also likes to "stand on her head" these days so that she can do somersaults. She'll be doing them by herself before long, but for now she needs a little push.



Look out...I think we should sign her up for So You Think You Can Dance?



As this video ends, I ask Kenly where she is going. The video cuts off before she answers. She yells rather loudly, "Juice...Juice." I guess all that dancing and somersaulting made her thirst.

Simple Pleasures

Oh the simple joys of a care package from The Great Pumpkin (AKA Nana and Papa). Kenly loves to explore new clothes and say, "Ooooh." I think she's going to like clothes, shoes, purses...and all things shopping. Look out Daddy.

Don't forget about the fun of spending a little quality time in a "bok."
Or taking a little time to watch some LaLa and to be a complete couch potato.
Oh the joy of an occasional TV coma so that Mommy can get a shower. Believe it or not, she never moves.
Cooking with Daddy is a great simple pleasure. Kenly loves being a helper in any way that she can. Does that mean she inherited her parents' tendency to try and please?
I love watching Kenly enjoy the simple pleasure, the finest things in life. Perspective is handed to me daily simply by watching my 14 month old princess.

Mia Hamm?

Kenly picked up this huge soccer ball a few weeks ago and brought it to Adam. He put it on the ground and started kicking it around. Kenly squealed, got really excited, and started kicking and dribbling the ball all on her own. Adam just showed her how to do it, and she is now an addict. She can't get enough. If she sees any ball, she wants to dribble and shoot. She'll even give you a high five when she's proud of herself.

She bounces with joy when Adam screams, "GOOOAAAALLL!"

Do they have a soccer league for 14-month-olds? The quality is grainy because I shot the video on my cell phone, but you'll be able to get the picture.

1-2-3 Wheee!

What's faster than a speeding bullet? What just zoomed past your head at the speed of light? Why it's Kenly? Can't you hear the squeals of glee? (Sorry for going all Dr. Seuss there at the end.)

What's the best part about being a princess?

Kenly has a princess cell phone. When you press a button, it asks, "What's the best part about being a princess?" Well, I think I know (at least for Princess Kenly that is).

1. The best part about being a princess is having Mama or Daddy give you a bottle or a sippy cup. A princess does not hold her own bottle/cup.

2. Having your Mama feed you Cherrios like grapes as you recline on the couch watching VeggieTales. Rest assured, for all of you who are wondering, this will not become a habit. When the princess feels poorly (or she's cutting five teeth at once), I tend to pamper her. I do wish I had a video of her in repose, but you'll just have to imagine the princess in all her splendor...glazed TV stare and all.