Two and a half years of Grace

March 10, 2018

My dear Big Girl,

This girl just pooped in the potty
for the first time!

We've (almost) reached a milestone: potty training! While we're still working on consistency with #2, you are pretty darn good at peeing in the potty, and you take it very seriously.

We’re so proud of you, Grace! You are such a brave little girl – you faced something really scary and overcame it. You kept trying. You are truly amazing. Now, you are quite proud that you wear “underwears,” like some of your friends at daycare (and you can name all the friends who do).

Like most of your milestones, watching you meet this one has shown us so much about who you

Chose this outfit herself!

are. You are earnest, and you want badly to do a good job. You are fiercely independent, often choosing to go in the bathroom alone and shut the door, and insisting on doing all the steps yourself. You are responsible – you get up in the morning and go about your Grace business, then at some point remember and say aloud, “Oh! I go potty!” and run to the bathroom. Then you narrate all the steps, diligently making sure you are doing the best you can. You have a strong sense of self and solid self-esteem, congratulating yourself and celebrating when you do well, and recognizing but not getting too down on yourself when you make a mistake.

And through all of it – you are every day more funny, smart, kind, helpful and imaginative. Earlier today, you suggested we have a dance party in the bathroom after you finished your business. You are at the age now where imaginative play is really apparent. You love to pretend that our bed is a boat, and you get the whole family in the boat with your paddle, and we all become characters from Moana, who are trying to catch fish and get away from monsters (it appears we have an infestation at our house - they were also in the potty, apparently, until I made a monster-dispelling wand for you, and now that situation seems to have mostly cleared up). 

Helping mom in the kitchen

You are in love with the hand puppet daddy made up, “Batti” (there is a Daddy Batti, a Mommy Batti, and a Baby Batti, which is you), and you will take Batti and stroke him and put him to sleep and tell him you love him. 

You’re a kind and compassionate big sister, stroking Isaac’s head and telling him, “It’s all right,” when he cries, and informing us of what his need is (“Isaac wants milk.”). 

You make up songs – and demand I do the same at bedtime, as you request songs about various things you are thinking about, and I do my best to deliver. You think often of your friends from daycare and include them in our songs and games. 

You have taken an interest in helping me in the kitchen. You pull over a chair (by yourself, of course – if I help, you push it back where it started and do it again), and stand right up where you can see. I let you dump things in bowls, stir, or sometimes, even sauté. We talk about the colors, and I give you taste tests (you always like things better right out of the pot). Then you rush off to your play kitchen, put on your apron, and make dinner for everyone, reminding us to be careful because, “It’s really hot.” Sometimes, you even help me with the dishes, either washing or putting away. I’m so grateful for your help!

Watching the Nutcracker and dancing
(she said, "I need my dress!" so she could twirl).

You love Thomas the Train so much, and especially you love Gordon, and are learning his token phrase, “Oh, the indignity!” which is of course adorable. You like to play with your wooden train set with daddy. And of course, your Thomas shirt: you have this shirt that is for 12-18m size, but you want to wear it Ever. Single Day. Nothing else will do. And you believe this shirt will protect you from any inclimate weather, any monsters, anything. No surprise, it's what you were wearing the first time you successfully pooped on the potty... but it makes sense, since you wear it ever other day. And as soon as it is clean, you take off what you're wearing and put on "My Thomas." (Yes, we have purchased other Thomas items, but your favorite remains the one that is too small.)

Snow bunny LOVES the snow

You also love to watch “E-I-O,” which is what you call this bunch of nursery rhymes with little animations. You know SO many songs, and always know the right time to sing them. You are very enamored with my ukulele (which you call a violin) and with my old, plastic recorder (which you call an oboe), and increasingly interested in dancing. Miss Kerri says when the lady comes who does music at daycare, you do so well. “She doesn’t just do it. She gets it,” she said. You’ve got a song in you, kid! Let it sing! I can’t wait to hear more of the tune as you grow older.

In short, my Grace, I think you’re tops. Every day with you is a joy and a delight. Thank you for being your wonderful self!

                                                                                                Love always,

                                                                                                Your mama