Day At The Park

The first warm day we had we were out to the park. It was interesting to watch Rebekah; she who was so confident playing in the park last summer was not so sure this spring. I think it may have been the dramatic change of height. It took us a while to get back in the swing of things but we got there. I had my cell with me so I documented the park experience.

Up at the big slide

Stretching

Running away from mama

Came back to talk to mama

testing out the big swings

enjoying the beautifully warm day

First Chocolate Bunny

Mom came home from Frank's with a gift from Frank to Rebekah. It was a chocolate bunny. Her first.  Rebekah knew what it was and just what to do with it.

I made her wait till her daddy got home to eat it and then I would only let her eat a few bites at a time. Rebekah was pretty smart though and each bite would get bigger. She loves her chocolate bunny and can't wait for more!

Jumpolene

It's been such a cold winter. I'm using that as my excuse. We've been stuck inside and my toddler needs to get all her energy out. To that end I bought something called a Jumpolene.

In my defense I didn't realize it was going to be the monstrosity that it was. It was a total beast to set up.  Before I set it up I asked mom if it was going to be okay. It will be big, I said. If you don't want it, I understand. We can take it back or wait until it's warm enough. But mom, being the very supportive grandma she is, said it was okay. Little did she know....

We had to use an air compressor to set it up. It took a long time. A very long time. Rebekah was not a happy camper when we were finished. At one point mom was holding the air hose, I was pinching the thingy to let the air come in better all while holding a crying Reka. Totally not worth it - at that moment. 

When we finally finished she didn't want anything to do with it. That soon changed.  

She loves to jump and bounce in there.

Falling on her back is one of her favorite jumping moves

Striking a pose with her jumpolene

The End of the Binky

After Rebekah turned a year old I made a goal to stop the binky during the day and just have it at night.   Around 18 months I talked to the Dr. about if I needed to get her off completely. Dr. Tighe (who I LOVE) said it's probably a comfort, even a stress release thing for Rebekah and she would let her keep it.  

We continued to allow the binky at night, however I began to notice Rebekah's front teeth coming forward. When she was two I spoke to the Dr. again and she basically said, what kid doesn't get braces these days? I agreed. It really was a comfort thing and I wasn't ready to fight against it. 

But I noticed the teeth more and more. Then I took Rebekah to the dentist for her first visit. He said he would get rid of the binky as soon as possible. So... I began the process.

The first night was awful. Even though I had prepared her, Rebekah asked for the binky. Where is it? I need it. Where did they go? etc and so on. I kept telling her they were gone because they were hurting her teeth. She would say, "OH NOOOO!" and cry and cry and cry. It was truly "wheeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth" and she did in fact refuse to be comforted. It broke my heart and I almost faltered in my decision. However, I knew that if I gave in this time the next time I tried (for I would have to ween her eventually) it would be that much harder. She would wake throughout the night looking for it. Then she would say "oh no" and cry and cry. I comforted her the best I could but there was not helping her.  

That morning was awful too. Usually she wakes so happy and ready to play. Not that day. She was still crying. I started to cry too. I finally got her distracted and we began to play. We went to reading time at the library and it seemed like she was back to normal.  

I intentionally kept her up later than usual so she would fall asleep quickly with her nap. It was still tough but it was better than the night.

And that night was better too. Rebekah has started taking deep relaxing breaths out to help her calm down. As far as I have seen there has been no other substitute for the said binky.

And so we continue on. I took a picture to remember her baby moments but honestly, I never want to see another binky again.  

*It's been about a week since I wrote this. Rebekah is doing much better. I think we may have won the battle. Some have told me that Rebekah will replace the binky with something else: chewing on blankie, a stuffed animal, sucking thumb, etc. To my knowledge she hasn't replaced it with anything except the deep breaths. Oh, and she says "mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy" a lot now - especially when she is trying to go to sleep. And she is also really clingy too. Maybe I am the binky substitute....

Gaining On Me

Going to be taller than me in no time.  Just saying....

It's All About The Tone

I use to go to the edge of the stairs and call upstairs for Don. I had to stop that because my little parrot started following suit. However, it didn't help and she continues to call her daddy "don" sometimes.  However, it is not just "don" it's "DOOOOOON!!!!" I really wanted to get this on video, but this is the best I have been able to get. 

Just in case it isn't clear, here's approximately how this video goes:

Me: What's my name?

Reka: Lizabeth.

M: What's grandma's name?

R: Vi

M: What's daddy's name?

R: DON. His name is DON!!!

Green Bowl

Who needs toys when there's a green bowl in the house?

Monkey Joe's

Its been so cold lately that I am struggling to keep my little toddler busy. So, the other day I texted a friend that has a little girl Reka's age named Anabel. She suggested we all go to a place called, "Monkey Joe's."  I had no idea what that was but it was outside the house so I was game.  

Rebekah had a blast!  First she had to get use to it - which involved me carrying her up those stairs you see in the picture below (keep in mind Reka is 32 pounds of toddler). Then I ended up going up after her keeping my hands are her waist to help her up. Finally she was able to follow Anabel up alone. Then she lead the way.

Reka climbing out with Anabel behind

Reka sliding down the slide

We spent a good hour or more. Rebekah's face was starting to get flushed. She was just getting over a cold and she woke early so I decided we should go home. Rebekah finally agreed with the promise we would return someday.  

She worked up quite an appetite - ate the whole sandwich and drank a whole bottle by the time we got half way home.

What a fun day with my little girl!

Gifts from Grandma and Frank

Recently Rebekah has figured out puzzles.  That doesn't really explain what happened.  One day she was still working it out and somehow overnight she got it.  She started doing full puzzles and nothing could stop her!  

To celebrate, grandma found some good buys and brought home some more fun puzzles.

Rebekah really likes the alphabet one. We sing as we set it up

The completed puzzle

I LOVE a good USA puzzle! This one is AWESOME!

  However, it has no Long Island.  Hmmm.... 

Another good surprise came from Frank.  It was a frog.  

Rebekah named him Frank the Frog. He is never far from her reach.

You can't tell, but the book is a book about frogs....

Pudding

She had a bit of a cold and I was trying to get her to eat something.  So I tried pudding.  

Love my little pudding covered girl.