12.28.13 - Saturday

You got up and played today--play dough; painting; My Little Ponies. You ate soup and giggled and wanted to have a book read to you.

Why is all this remarkable and worthy of blogging? Because this has not been the pattern the last few days for your behavior. You, my dear, have had the flu. And a miserable case thereof.

It all started with an innocent trip to Austin to visit "The Cousins" and Great Grandmama and Papa. One after another, children fell ill. Nothing super major. A few very tired days with a fever, and then they were up and running again. Baby Q got it after about the fourth day there. And finally, Saturday morning, just as we were getting up to leave for the airport to go home, you caught it.

Of course, after perfect flights to Austin and from Austin to Houston, we got stuck in Houston. For six hours. Five of which you slept, and slept, and burned hot, and slept. Finally we got home, and this same pattern of sleep and burning and not eating or drinking much continued for several days. As we had seen the pattern play out already for several other children, we figured we'd let it run its course. But it wasn't following the same pattern.

In the meantime, Christmas Eve rolls around and Christmas Day. You'd rather nap than open presents. Such lethargy. 

Finally, Boxing Day. You wake up cool and happy, ready to play. We encourage you to not overdo it, but we're excited to finally see some normalcy. Then you took a nap and woke up hotter and sicker than ever.

Enough was enough. You and I went out in the car to a walk-in clinic at CVS. 15 people in line ahead of us, at 15 minutes a visit, we were looking at over 3 hours of waiting. And you burned on. The lady next to me saw me looking up other walk-in clinics and told me she had just found Target's clinic had no wait. So we took off for the Target clinic. 30 minutes later we were finally being seen. Except they took your temperature and said, "sorry. She's running 105.5. We can't deal with that here. Go to the ER."

So after two hours, we wind up in the ER. Diagnosis: flu and an ear infection.

Two days later, you are, mostly, happier. Still coughing and recovering, but feverless, and happier. And that, my dear, is the best post-Christmas gift I could have from you.

09.21.13 - Saturday

Always a new challenge to be faced. Today was a discussion about rudeness and how it is actually possible to be friends with more than one person at a time. Surprisingly, my big girls and I have had several discussions about how it is possible to have more than one best friend as well. So apparently this isn't just a three year old thing.

09.17.13 - Tuesday

Swimming today. I coaxed you into practicing kicking and doggy paddling and also standing on your own in the shallow end (not on the stairs). When I say coaxed, I mean it took some substantial talking you into it on my part. But then you really got into it in the end. Baby steps, little Blue. We'll get you swimming well someday!

09.03.13 - Tuesday

My little introvert. You take nothing by storm but are always deliberate and contemplative in your actions. Which frequently means that you won't participate in activities that you would actually find a lot of fun unless you've had time to mentally prepare and get excited about them. And even then, often you have to experience it multiple times before you really dive in willingly.

For example, riding in a golf cart! You would have nothing to do with the ride in the golf cart from the office; although, you did look wistfully after it when it drove off. Cautious little Blueberry, don't miss out on some life adventures from fear. How do I teach that to you?

08.09.13 - Friday

Happy Birthday baby girl. Three years old today. You are growing up so quickly--charming and silly, imaginative and bright, loving and stubborn. I love you.

Your birthday morning pancakes!

Blowing out the candles--three years old today.

"Mine! My present!" The brother and sister relationship in its early years.

Auntie Joy came out all the way just for your party

Birthday cake wishes

Rainbow cake

Ponies meet Doggie

07.10.13 - Wednesday

I never know what you are, little girl. It makes for a very confusing existence.

Some days you are a Kitty Cat (and daintily crawl across the floor).

Some days you are a Sea Turtle (and creep along the floor on your belly).

Some days you're a Puppy Dog (and bark in response to any question asked of you).

And other days you're not just a Sea Turtle but a Leather Backed Sea Turtle--and woe betide me if I dare call you anything but Leather Backed!

I get in trouble if I call you Silly Rabbit, but I can call you Silly Kitty (or Sea Turtle or Puppy Dog or occasionally Whale).

And always you rescue the Tree Frogs.

07.05.13 - Friday

We've taken a new step the last week or so. You've always been a difficult kid to get to sleep, my little Blueberry. This hasn't changed as you've gotten older. However, I think we've found a new way to conquer nap times with little fighting--and for this, Mommy is very thankful.

You see, dearest, you get very cranky in the afternoons when you have no nap, especially when we're on duty and you're having constant stimulation. But you don't like to take naps--they make you mad.

So we've compromised. You are learning the fine art of quiet time: reading books or coloring in your bed. And guess when, you've wound up sleeping about half that time any ways! Love a good compromise ;)

Mommy's can learn to.