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Week 203: Birthday, Walking, and Snow December 18, 2007
The big even this week was Mandy's birthday --one year old. That's just ...inconceivable. I don't know when this happened. The event was largely low key, with just Geralyn's parents and godparents coming over. And we invited Samantha, who actually did a fairly good job of not inserting herself into the middle of everything. Mandy got gifts, though she was more enamored with the tissue paper and wrappings and did her best to try and choke on them.
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Mandy also got cake --delicious cake-- placed on her high chair. After a few experimental proddings and smushings, she figured out what it was for and actually did a pretty good job of moving it from tray to hand to mouth. Better than her sister did at that age, and also unlike Sammy the next morning there was no gigantic puddle of pink vomit for her to wallow in before we ran in to the nursery to see what all the retching sounds were about. I think that had something to do with the fact that we only gave Mandy one small piece instead of the like half a cake that we let Sam maul. See? We're getting better at this!
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Mandy is also getting better at things, come to think of it. The other night I stood her in front of one of those walker things and after a brief outburst that I took for "What the HELL, man?" it clicked for her and she started walking forwards. This utterly delighted both of us, and we both giggled like the little girls one of us really was. I know it's not a competition between me and Ger, but I'm glad that I got to be the one to see her do this for the first time. She gets most of the other good ones, and seeing a kid hit a milestone like this creates a bond that I'm glad to have. It will serve our relationship well when she tries to walk over me later. After, no doubt, receiving thorough coaching from Sam.
Speaking of Sam, she had a great weekend. Or at least so she claims and I'm inclined to believe her. We got a ton of snow on Friday and Saturday, but we nonetheless wanted to get out of Ger's hair while she prepped for Mandy's party. So Sam and I went to the store where I procured a snow shovel and Sam's first sled. Then we went to the mall and saw a movie, and I'm guessing that the combination of a 10:00 a.m. showing and the blizzard was the reason we had the entire theater to ourselves. So I encouraged Sam to try out as many chairs as she liked and talk as loudly as she could. This is probably not good practice for the next movie we attend, but who cares?
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When we got home Sam tried out the new sled. You know one of the great things about being three with a sled and six inches of snow on the ground? Even the smallest incline is a death-defying hill and the most exhilarating ride imaginable. Sam also helped me shovel the driveway, and by "helped" I mean "threw snowballs at me and giggled while I did all the work." I finally retaliated by dumping a huge snow shovel's worth of powder on her head, which caused her to somehow shriek and laugh at the same time as it worked its way down into her clothes. After that we went inside, changed into dry clothes, and had hot coffee/chocolate. It was, you see, a totally awesome day.
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Parenting
Tags: Amanda, Parenting, Samantha, Snow
Comments
Posted by Todd on December 19, 2007 12:03 PM:
I am SO jealous of your snow! We've been discussing a trip up to Big Bear or somewhere in the nearby mountains so that the kids can see their first snow. Emma's been saying she wants to build a snow man.
We'll have to make sure she doesn't see these pictures!
Posted by Jamie on December 19, 2007 12:19 PM:
I actually like Fall and Winter weather and snow makes for great photo ops. It's summers that I hate.
Posted by Ger on December 19, 2007 7:09 PM:
Snow is OVERRATED. It looks pretty, but only right after it falls. Then you have to bundle up in layers to go out in it - boots, coat, hat, gloves, scarf. Then she only lasts about 15 to 20 minutes once we're out in it. Then, of course, you have to shovel it. No, I would definitely prefer mild, 72 degree weather year round any day! : )
Posted by kristi on December 19, 2007 10:24 PM:
I'm with Ger - overrated indeed!
Happy Birthday to Mandy! One!!
Posted by Todd on December 19, 2007 11:11 PM:
Oh, I know all about snow. We lived in Rochester, NY for 4 years and averaged 100" a year. Great fun for a boy from Georgia!
I remember our first big snow. I was all excited about it and expecting school to be closed and Marla to have no work. Alas, not so. Even with so much snow on the roads that the plows couldn't get down to the actual street we all drove to work!
So, enjoy your snow!
PS - The cake is a lie!