Five More Minutes

Dear Evie,

You didn't want to take shower today. So Mama had to grab you and be firmed with asking you to take off your clothes. It took soooooooo long for you to take off your underpants and shirt. It's not because you don't know how to do it, but because you just didn't want to take shower. After your clothes were off, you immediately jumped onto the toilet seat and told Mama you needed to pee. I was already in the shower and you were still on the toilet, probably 5 minutes already after I was in the shower. I knew you were not really peeing. You just wanted to delay your time in the shower. I had to count. When I did that you said, "five more minutes!" Ha ha...it's funny to think because that's what we always tell you when you are doing something (playing usually) to remind you that you have that much time to enjoy what you're up to at the very moment. And now, you're telling me the same thing. It sounds cute. I do not know if you really understand how much time a five-minute is, but you never had a problem agreeing with us when we tell you. Well, Mama waited for "five minutes" and hurried you after to take a shower.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Big Girl Puts Dress On

Dear Evie,

Been days that I have written you a letter. Mama has been so busy lately. So sorry.

Well tonight, did you know that you put on your Princess Jasmine nightgown all by yourself? I didn't ask you to. You just grabbed the dress while Mama was busy cleaning the humidifier. You caught my attention by asking me, "Mama, is this right?" I was very surprised and quite delighted to see that you were trying to put the dress on all by yourself. You were able to put two holes in the right place. Your left arm was still working its way in to the other hole. I had to keep encouraging you, telling you that you can do it. I just couldn't stop praising you. Well my dearest one, you were successful with your goal. I saw how pleased you were. You were so proud of yourself.

Do you know that you are very good in putting on your underpants and shorts? Yup! You've been doing it by yourself for months now. You learn so fast. You are such a brilliant student. I am the most proud teacher.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Welcome New Bed

Dear Evie,

Tonight, you officially slept in your own, new, Tinker Bell bed. You woke up a couple times and started to cry, wanting to sleep with Dada and Mama on the big bed. I do not know how you really feel. But you were such a good girl. You didn't give us a hard time. Even if you whimpered a little bit, you stayed in your bed the whole night, woke up in the morning in a great mood.

You are turning into a big girl. Mama missed you last night in her side though. I missed the touch of your skin against mine. However, there are things that need to be changed. They're not bad though, I guarantee you. Mama is still happy that even if you're in another bed, you're still very close to where we are at night.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Leo is Not Anywhere

Dear Evie,

You woke up this morning a little bit sad. Dada was preparing your milk while you were seated on the kitchen chair. With a sad voice and sad face, you said, "Leo is not anywhere." You've been looking for Leo for almost two weeks now. There was not a day that passed that you didn't mention him. We tried looking for Leo, but we couldn't find him. Dada and Mama don't know where he is. But it seemed like, it makes you a little bit upset that you haven't seen him in a while now. So Dada decided to get the extra Leo figure that he kept in the garage. When he showed it to you, you have this delighted, but embarrassed smile. You were so happy. We saw it in  your eyes. The whole day today, you didn't let go Leo off of your hands except when you ate. You were even holding him even when you took a nap and went nite-nite. It's surprising how much you missed Leo. Now that you have a new Leo, we're hoping that you will not lose him.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Kitty in Bed

Dear Evie,

There's a kitty in the bed this afternoon while you were taking a nap—Crichton! He was laying beside you, keeping you company. I think Crichton cares about you. Lately, you were having a great time playing with him, chasing the kitty cat around the house, giving him hugs and kisses. Sometimes he needed to hide though. Probably just needed a time to rest from playing with her very energetic friend.

When you opened your eyes, you smiled. You were happy to see him there. You talked to him for a little bit. What did you talk about? Whatever it is, Crichton liked it.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

"My Butt is Ticklish"

Dear Evie,

We dropped by at Kmart before going home today. You were very excited even if you're tired. You accompanied me in the "baby section" while your Dada was talking to the manager to express his appreciation of one of their employees for helping him out with an item through the phone. I was busy looking for baby stuff. You were busy looking for toys. Then you blurted, "My butt is ticklish. I need to go pee-pee." Haha! That was really funny to hear from you. Funny but so cute. Thankfully, I saw Dada coming and told him about you needing to go pee-pee, and you went.

I didn't expect to hear that from you when you feel like you need to go pee-pee. I usually hear you say "My butt is warm." I am so proud of you. Lately, you have been telling us when you need to go the restroom when we are outside the comfort of our own toilet at home. You are growing and learning so fast.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Up on Stage

Dear Evie,

I was very amused when I saw some of your favorite toys on top of the stacking cups. You called me to get my attention, "Look Mama! Look!" You were so proud of what you just did. Your pride was very obvious in the tone of your voice and the look in your face. I was surprised to see that Superman is included in the group. Well, you like Superman but not as much as your Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse figures. Just by looking those toys on top of the cups, it look to me like they're ready to perform in their own respective stage. I wonder what each one has to showcase. I know for sure that Quincy will play the instrument that he's holding. Perhaps the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse friends will dance and sing "Hot Dog." Ariel might sing too. How about Stitch and Superman? Hmmm...not sure about that.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Miss Santa Claus in the House

Dear Evie,

You slept with the Santa hat on in your nap today. You just went crazy with the hat after you found it in the closet while your Dada was looking for his cap. You wouldn't take it off of your head. You're very cute though. I know it may sound bias, but I noticed that you look so much cuter with hats, whatever kind they are. You can actually be the perfect model for hats, what do you say? :)

I love you with all of me,
Mama

"Oh, another egg!"

Dear Evie,

JESUS is risen!

Today was a very exciting day for you. You woke up in a very good mood. Dada and Mama couldn't wait to reveal the surprise we prepared for you last night—egg hunting! It was more of Dada's idea and effort. Last night while you were asleep, he hid various eggs inside the house, the back and front yard.

Morning came, you walked through the living room and was so delighted to see one egg, two eggs, three eggs, and a basketful of presents. The amazement in your face was priceless whenever you discover what's inside the egg: candies, coins, teeny-weeny toys, bills. I love it each time you exclaimed, "oh, another egg!" everytime you found another one. It was the cutest to hear today. After you have checked your presents and found all the eggs inside, we led you outside to find more. Mama and Dada's hearts were in great delight to see you so happy with this very simple surprise we prepared for you. "Evie's happy," you told us. You also said, "Thank you for the crayons."

You melt our hearts.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Ding Dong for Breakfast

Dear Evie,

Sometimes Mama has to break the rules. You woke up so happy this morning. You were talking so much while you were on the toilet for your morning pee-pee ritual. I was sitting on the edge of the bed with Dada still laying, and we were just amused of your talkativeness so early in the morning. After you were done, you just passed by us and said "I have to walk," ushering yourself to the living room. Few seconds later you came back to the bedroom and was talking in a very low, soft voice, "I want Ding Dong." I guess you were talking in that manner because you knew that ding dong is not breakfast food.  I asked you several times what you wanted just to confirm if that's what you really feel like eating after waking, and you talked in the same tone of voice. Your cuteness was so irresistible, you just made my heart smile. So today, Mama indeed trashed a rule. You showed me where the ding dong was. It's funny you remember your Dada munching the snack last night and you wanted some but was not able to convince us because it's nite nite time. It's funny that ding dong was the first thing in your mind when you got up.

Well, I gave in to your request. I know it's not the right food for breakfast. But sometimes you know, Mama can't be that stern with everything. You had ding dong and hot milk first thing in the morning. The glee in your face, the cheer in your smile are enough for Mama not to feel guilty for giving you mixed nut snack.

You had pancake and orange juice after an hour or so. Now, that's the right breakfast food for Evie. I want to let you know that the mixed nut snack you had this morning is not going to happen anytime soon. Maybe not even after a year.

I love you with all of me,

Mama

Doctor's Visit

We took her to her pediatrician. She has runny nose and has been coughing since yesterday. Her breathing is a little bit heavy. Just to make sure that nothing serious gets into her lungs, we decided to pay a visit to the doctor. I'm glad that when my husband called, the doctor was free after 30 minutes from the time we set an appointment.

When we arrived at the doctor's office, she insisted that it's Mama's doctor and not Evie's doctor. But she knew that the place where we were is her doctor's place. She just didn't want to deal with doctors anymore after her one night stay in the hospital.

Thankfully, nothing to be worried about got into her lungs. The doctor still prescribed her an oral steroid which she has to take once a day for five days. We're also giving her albuterol every four hours and her preventive medicine. She's doing great today, full of energy. Her breathing's better. We start to worry everytime she gets a cold and cough. Going back and forth to the ER is no fun at all. Much more a stay.

Snowy, Kiki, and Pee Pee

My day with Evie today started with her cuteness. She found her matching mittens and hat on top of the box of her winter clothes that I was sorting and was wearing them the entire morning. I bet the mittens will no longer fit her in this year's wintertime. I had to help her put it on as she was having a difficult time. Having her winter outfit on, she told me that it's "snowy." Poor thing, she only sees snow on TV but not in the middle of the desert where she lives. Maybe one of the winter days, we can go up to the mountains so she can see a real snow (me too!).

Later today she found the broom in the kitchen and rode on it exclaiming, "I fly in the sky like Kiki! I'm like Kiki!" Kiki is a Japanese animation character who is a witch that has a broom that can fly. She saw the movie once but didn't really finish it because of some distractions. It's just amusing to me how she remembers the character's name, her broom, and imitates her.

I had a rough time with her early evening. She had a pee-pee accident. She peed on the kitchen chair. Been three days now that she has had few accidents in her underpants. She gets to the toilet too late. Her stool and underpants are already soaking wet before she's able to sit in the toilet. I believe she gets too busy playing and when she feels that she has to go, it's only a matter of seconds and can no longer hold it for just a few seconds that she needs to get there. Before she peed on the chair, she was running all over the kitchen, and right after she climbed onto the chair, that's when I heard the gushing of fluid. I thought she spilled the water in her glass. I got so upset because not too long ago, we just talked about her peeing in her underpants. I snapped. I had to take her to her room and let her stay there for minutes. Of course she was crying while I was dealing with my high emotions to subside. I felt more bad because I snapped and not because she had an accident. I am a mom, and sometimes I have these "not smooth" days with my girl. But that never change my love and adoration for her.

Mama Wants to Eat Evie

My daughter's giggles are one of the most pleasing sounds to my ears. I get to play with her a game called "Mama wants to eat Evie," wherein I nibble her face, neck, fingers, hands, and arms and pretend that I am snacking every bit of her. She is very ticklish, so she would burst into these deep, gut-giggles. Listening to the music of her laughter wants me to do it more. I just can't get enough of them. Seeing her face crunches, eyes close, and wide grin, is a beautiful sight. The great thing about it is, she enjoys it as much as I do even if the ticklish feeling gives her goosebumps. I love playtime with my little one. It gets rid of my wrinkles and waters my heart with joy.

"My Name is Evie, Not Babe"

Evie was sitting on my right in her big girl's chair (regular chair) as we enjoyed munching the yummy french toast and bacon her Dada made for breakfast. Suddenly, she waved at me and said "Hi Mom!" I replied, "Hi babe!" "My name is Evie, not babe." I cracked into laughter hearing my daughter told me that her name is not babe. I call her babe most of the time. I actually call her different terms of endearment and "babe" is just one. But I was surprised that this morning she declined to be called my "babe." Oh well, we both just laughed together as we finished our last bites of breakfast. She's my funny little chipmunk. :)

Cotton Candy, Snow Cones, and Oreos

Evie had a great time at our church's picnic today. She got to enjoy various sweet treats the church prepared for everyone: cotton candies, snow cones, and oreos. It's her second time to have cotton candy. The first one was a long time ago. She couldn't figure out how to eat the fluffy treat. She would just lick it with her tongue so her Dada showed her how to eat a cotton candy. Her next sweet treat is a snow cone. This is her first time to have snow cone. She chose strawberry flavor (which seemed to be the most popular flavor among kids in the picnic). She loves ice, so the snow cone was a hit. However, when the ice started to melted, most of the liquid were dripping on her dress. She also got to try my blue berry snow cone and consumed everything. Getting her a hot dog for lunch didn't work at all after she saw the oreos on the table. The quantity of sugar she had during our stay in the picnic just made her so hyper. She was running all over the place and trying to chase the frisbee that the teens were playing with.

Today is a great, fun day for her. She got to hang out with her friends Olivia and Kaitlyn, played in the field, and enjoyed her sweet treats.

 

Snowbear Wants to Eat French Fries

Dreaming together as friends.

Evie took Snowbear with her to McDonald's today. Snowbear is a teddy bear that her Nana gave her months ago. From the moment she got "him" (she said Snowbear is a boy), there was not a night or a nap that she doesn't have the teddy with her.

I didn't expect her to take Snowbear to McDonald's. When we were still at home, she said that Snowbear wants to eat french fries. We usually leave her teddy at home when we go out. For some reason,  she decided to bring him to the "go play" (that's what she calls the play area in McDonald's). For the whole time she's in the play area, she's carrying the toy with her. I thought that when we arrive at the place, she will completely forget Snowbear because of excitement and getting so overwhelmed with the play area. But I was wrong. She was holding him and never let him slip off her hands.

Later when we got to K-Mart to pick up some stuff, she cried because her Dada refused to let her take the toy with her. So we gave in and let her carry Snowbear. I am surprise how attach she is with this teddy bear now. Hopefully we will not lose him or else she would be so upset.

"Cocoon." - "No, Racoon."

"Cocoon." "Racoon?" "No, co-coon." I am trying to say the word slowly in syllables so that she will get it. "Can you say cocoon?" I ask. "Racoon, " she utters. "Can you say coo?" I request and she got it right. "Coon," finishing the word and saying the whole word "cocoon" again. "No, racoon," she insists. I explain to her the difference of a cocoon and a raccoon so that she will be able to differentiate the pronunciation of each word. But she still pronounces it the way she wants it to.

I am reading to her the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" as she gets ready for her afternoon nap. There's a page in the book showing the caterpillar's cocoon and that's where the "pronunciation battle" starts. A scenario like this often happens where she insists on something she thinks in herself is right. Whenever I am caught in this situation, I prefer to stop arguing with her because I never win. Disagreeing with a two-year old leads you to defeat, most of the time. And today is another day where I just have to raise the white flag, specially that she's about to take her siesta.

My Enthusiastic Little Sous Chef

It'd be cuter if she wears a chef hat.

It's so funny to see Evie runs towards the kitchen and yells "I'm gonna make pancake!" when she hears the clanging of fork and glass bowl. I am breaking an egg to prepare french toast for breakfast. She immediately grabs the big chair towards to counter so she can get involve with what I am doing. She demands for her yellow spoon that she uses to stir the mixture but I couldn't find it. I give her the whisk instead and let her stir the mixture while I pour in the ingredients. She loves it and I delight watching my enthusiastic little sous chef so happy and enjoying preparing food for everyone.

Isn't she the cutest sous chef ever? :)

Dinner Grace from a Tiny Voice

Evie led our dinner prayer last night for the first time. Her Dada and I we're actually surprised that she didn't refused to say grace because everytime we tell her to say a prayer she would give us this shy grin, bows and shakes her head. Last night it she got the courage and will to do it. Well of course, I had to dictate her the prayer and she repeated after me. After we prayed, there was this very beautiful feeling in my heart. As a parent, knowing that my child is learning and getting to know Jesus, gives me the feeling of pride and joy. She may be small and her voice may be tiny, but everyone in heaven heard her prayer so loud and clear.

Chipmunks for the Sick Girl

Evie got a Chipmunks DVD that she had been requesting for days now. Her Dada bought it yesterday at Walmart. It's more of a "special treat" for her. She was not feeling good again yesterday morning. She threw up several times within 2 hours keeping us awake until five in the morning. She had diarrhea later during the day. We couldn't exactly figure out what she ate that caused her stomach upset. Last Saturday, she threw up too, but only once.



When she woke up from a long nap, I whispered that Dada's got a surprise for her. That smile on her face. She immediately demanded to watch it. I tried to let her hold the DVD so I can take a picture, but she was not in the mood. She was enjoying the movie so much and was dancing. With the energy she had with all the dancing, she didn't look like she's sick. Happy to see that despite the "not-feeling-so-good" Evie, the Chipmunks movie made her day. Thank you Dada!

Paint My Day

Evie's Dada brought home a watercolor kit today after picking up Dunkin' Doughnuts and Starbucks for breakfast. He dropped by at Michael's just to grab her something that will make her day special.

She wasn't feeling well today. She threw up all the milk she had this morning. We woke up twice last night because she was gagging and felt miserable. We don't know what caused it. It could be the food that she ate yesterday, or being around with sick kids, or probably just an overactive gag reflex.

The smile on her face after she found the painting kit laying on the kitchen table was priceless. She loves to paint and is very happy that she is getting a new one. Her Dada said that it's a treat for her because she's not feeling well. Dada paints her day with happy, bright colors today.

"Hey Girl!"

It's amusing and heartwarming seeing my daughter today approaches girls playing in the McDonald's play area with her "hey girl!" greeting. It's amazing to think that at her age right now, she's very gregarious. She always takes the first step to make friends with other kids when we go to her favorite McDonald's. And today, she reaches out her friendly personality to almost all the kids in the play area. We noticed that she's more fond of befriending girls who are bigger (older) than her. Don't really know the reason why. Perhaps, she thinks of them as big sisters. Right after she approaches them with her "hey girl" signature line, she waves her hand, waits for them to respond, and sometimes just start talking to them. I wished though that the girls at McDonald's today were more responsive and friendlier. She would be more happy.

The girl on the right is one of the big girls she befriended with her "hey girl!"

...as if she knows what she's doing :)

"Come Here Cotton Tail Rabbit" (3/23/12)

"Come here cotton tail rabbit, Evie hold your tail!" Evie is yelling to the cotton tail rabbit that she sees over the fence of our backyard while standing up on the armrest of a chair and holding onto the rails. There are two rabbits lurking around the bushy area behind our backyard. One is chasing a bird, and the other one seems like just wants to spend his time with us. Our presence does not make him run away at all. I'm thinking, he must have smelled the pretzels that Evie threw on the ground for the rabbit to eat. He's probably is just waiting for us to go away so he can grab his salty, crunchy treat.

Her Dada called while we're outside and she's telling him all the things she sees in the backyard. She is telling him that a rabbit is chasing a bird, the rabbit is hungry, the rabbit wants pretzels, there's a squirrel behind the bush, and everything that she can think of.

I am glad I take her to our backyard today. She's the happiest. Seeing the cotton tail rabbits and talking to them makes her day. Simple things that grant her heart with grand joy. A mother's heart rejoices.