Precious Moments

I'd been feeling rather down on myself awhile back for not keeping better track of special days and events in the lives of my little girls. I hadn't thought of a creative way to present it, I just wasn't organized enough when Susannah was born, and I just found time kept getting away from me.

Well, Susannah is talking quite a bit now and doing the most funny things, so Julian came up with a great idea for me to keep track of these things. It's simple and doesn't require much time at all.

I opened up a Google Document and I just jot down the date and a quick line or two when something special or particularly cute and funny occurs. I've also been able to track the milestones for Caitlyn really well. I can write down when she's getting closer to doing something. I find it a bit easier than trying to decide the actual first day she does something. She's been repeating 'mama' and 'dada' lately, but I'm not convinced that it's accurate to record this time and these words as her first words so I just write that it seems like she's trying to say stuff, and I'll journal more as we go! Not an ingenious or overly complicated plan but it's working fantastic and I'm so excited to have these things written down. I figure that I can go back later and figure out some creative way to present it nice and pretty! At least I have the information recorded now. I also find typing makes it easier too since I can type much faster than I write.

Here are a few excerpts, for your enjoyment.

Susannah (my eldest - she's 19 months)

July 7, 2008
Today you did a couple of funny things! You were playing on your own for awhile and I noticed you were rather quiet. Often this means trouble. On this particular occasion you were playing with Elly (stuffed beany Elephant) and changing her diaper. We have a little change station in the living room, with a basket full of diaper changing needs, vaseline, lil goats cream, diapers, etc. You've gotten into the vaseline before and have been told not to touch it on various occasions. Well, when I noticed how quiet you'd become I thought I should check out exactly what you were doing. What a laugh your dad and I had over this! You had Elly laying on her back with her legs open and you were putting vaseline in Elly's "private" area! I took a picture of Elly just so you could see. What a hoot!


For dinner tonight we were having hotdogs and corn, and you wanted to keep drinking from daddy's glass. Well he let you and you were doing really well with it, so we gave you your own plastic cup to try. You did well with it for awhile and then your dad and I looked over at you again and you were busy soaking your hotdog in it, and then eating it quite happily.

July 8, 2008
Dad bought himself some mini-wheats for breakfast, so I thought you may like them. Cereal is your favourite. You especially like to lift the bowl and drink the milk. Most often, you don't even wait until the end to drink the milk. Well apparently you don't like mini-wheats. When I looked over at you, you were taking them out of your bowl, one at a time, and placing them on your tray. When you noticed me watching you, you said, "I drink" and proceeded to lift your now empty bowl and polish off the milk! Then you smushed all the mini wheats. You're too much!

I was putting some clothes away in your room today and I heard you singing in the other room. I walked over to listen and you were singing "Jesus, thank you," or should I say "Jesus, cake you".

July 9, 2008
Today you told daddy that you loved him, unprompted. This was a first. I'm waiting for my turn.

Caitlyn (she's my 8 month old)

July 1, 2008
We had company over tonight and you were so much fun, as well as a bit of trouble. You waved quite a bit for our guest during dinner. It's really funny because you smile so big while you're doing it, and it looks like you're revving up a motorcycle. I just love it. Your sister waved more like the queen when she learned.

You seemed to have a rumbly tummy tonight because you cried out every time we put you down to sleep. I got you up for a bit and you sat on the floor and played ball with me. You were having so much fun, and you could catch the ball quite well.

July 2, 2008
Aunt Jan and the kids were downstairs visiting today and when they were leaving you waved (imitating me) and said "bye" or at least it really sounded like it!

July 8, 2008
You're getting closer to crawling every day. I put you in the crawling position today a few times and you can stay in it and rock yourself a bit. I'm excited for you to start moving, but a little nervous too! You're starting to get the hang of your sippy cup a lot better now. You've begun to tip it up more. My little girl is growing up.

You had your second eye appointment today at Sick Kids. You did pretty well, everyone commented on what a happy baby you are. You were pretty set against them putting drops in your eyes though. You screamed and thrashed and tried to keep your eyes shut as best you could. You're a feisty one! You were great as soon as they were done though.

You've also started to become very possessive of toys. You scream very loudly if Susannah or I take a toy or juice cup from you.

July 10, 2008
It seems to your dad and I that you are starting to say some words. Dada and Mama in particular. You repeat them, when we sound them out for you. It's so adorable. We're not one hundred percent sure that it's not just a fluke every time, but we'll see as time goes by I guess.

Well that's that! I'm really loving this. I find that it's helping me to really delight in my children as well. Amidst a busy, bustling day, it's really great to just take a second to sit and type something cute or funny. It helps me gain perspective when I'm stressed and I can just thank God for the joy he's given me in my lovely children.