Daddy Day-Care & other strange happenings

These past two weeks I’ve gone back to school. Mia is enjoying time hang’in with Dad. It’s been more an adjustment for me, I think, but Mike has had to make some adjustments too. He goes to the store and tries to deal with the paperwork as quickly as possible and then runs his errands. They are home by 10:30 or 11:00 and she’s down for nap till almost I’m home at 4 p.m. She greets me with a squeal and hugs and kisses me. She is so loving. Elliott will be home mid week from MSU and will take his turn bonding with Mia. I’ll be able to take some half-days and finish up my school year in just a couple more weeks. It’s been really nice to know Mia is enjoying time with her Dad and that Elliott, too, will be able to have his time as well. She seems to know who she belongs to and who’s stranger.

We finally finished her room. For many months I would not dare think of a nursery. I claimed it was because I didn’t know her age and couldn’t buy a crib. But actually I think I just was afraid that it never would happen. Well now our arms are full and we have a beautiful baby who needs her space in the household too. Once again the maternal instincts have kicked in and have demanded the nest be fluffed. What fun I’ve had pulling together this niche. We’ve moved Ethan upstairs to share with Elliott, while Michaela has moved over and has and bright purple palace fit for a princess. Our Mia now has pale pink walls adorned with ladybugs and her Chinese calligraphy. We’ve even put in new carpet and it feels wonderful.
At Christmas-time we weren’t sure we would have our baby or not and now our life is complete. She is walking, talking and is so vivacious and alert. Her sleep pattern is beginning to settle down a bit. We attribute much of her nighttime awakenings to her teething. She is 20 months old now and is now cutting eye-teeth. We are so pleased with her progress and you she see how pleased with herself she is too! With every new step forward she seems to be so eager to learn more. We are especially glad that her relationship with Michaela is starting to blossom. They are really loving each other’s attention now.

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Showers of Blessings

He has done great and marvelous things for us and we are rejoicing this Spring season of new birth.
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth"....Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praised to our King, sing praises, For God is the King of all the arth; sing to him a psalm of praise. (psalm 47: 1-2, 6-7)

Progress is Good? Right?

For the past three weeks we’ve had a Physical Therapist come as part of an Early Intervention Program to help Mia get caught up in walking and crawling. The first week was almost as painful for me as it was her. She struggled to get up from her belly onto her knees and push up on her arms from her chest. If she did manage to assume the correct crawling position she would soon fall flat and sprattle-legged. Lauren, her therapist, showed me correct ways to help her during the week. The whole crew has been praising her as she stands from a seated position, as she takes a few steps and as she squats to pick things up from the floor. For too long she has been content to let us do things for her. It was apparent that she was not progressing and that she needed to be pushed to do things for herself. During one session, Lauren saw that Mia wanted an object and pushed it further out of her reach, wanting her to go for it. Mia looked to me to help her out, but I was only to cheer her on. She became furious and soon was throwing a tantrum. For ten minutes she raged and I could only sit by and watch. I left the room at one point, frankly to get my composure, and she quieted down. It was obvious a lot of her anger was focused on me. I am her helper, why wasn’t I helping her? Since then I think Mia has begun to see me in a different light and not demand me to do so much for her. I struggle with that. I want to ease her pain, but in so doing I am preventing her from becoming stronger. Therapy is helping me a lot too! We’ve seen Mia progress tremendously in just the past few days even. Lauren came today and was amazed at what she can do. As I was cooking in the kitchen and Mike was watching her, he motioned me into the living room. Mia had cruised around the room and had started climbing the staircase. She was half-way up! This afternoon Michaela wanted to hide Easter eggs (we’d never got around to it yesterday L) and Mia was pulling away from my fingers, which she usually grasps tightly, and walking in the cushy grass long distances. Kitchen cabinets are now of great interest also! Oh my, progress is awesome but are we ever fully prepared for the consequences? I am amazed at the confidence that has come to Mia almost overnight. Maybe, just maybe she’ll want to sleep tonight. Please Mia? Please!

Citizen Mia