Posted on 12 June 2011 by: Mama
Dear Mabel…from mama
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- This is why mama decided I’m ready for you to sit at your own table…well, that YOU’RE ready to be at your own table, really.
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- First try at your own table…chair is too tall
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- Ahhh…just right! Mama took your table and chairs to Lowe’s, so they would cut your table to “Mabel-size”
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- Eating yogurt by yourself in your Mabel-sized dining table
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- Drinking milk out of your GLASS. Doing so well.
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- Before mama assigned it for eating, it was a reading “chair”; we’re working on getting you a special rocking chair just for reading books!
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- This is one of my favorite looks, though hard to explain. You like to glance at me out of the corner of your eye, to see if I’m noticing you at the moment.
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- After DADDY sneaked some chocolate, he put the wrapper in his trash. YOU came along and found it…and LICKED the excess chocolate off the wrapper. You inherited this from Abuela.
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- Blue-eyed beauty with her innocent-chocolate-licking face.
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- I love sneaking in and seeing you sleep.
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- Always the climber…on top of Daddy’s printer, at this time.
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- Reading books with mama
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- Mama made herself a comfy top for playing on the floor with you
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- Daddy modeling the bonnet I made for you
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- I can take off my shoes!
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- See, mama??
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- Walking into Trader Joe’s with daddy
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- Shopping at Trader Joe’s with daddy
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- Mabel modeling the capri pants mama made her
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- peek-a-boo!
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- Mabel in bonnet-action
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- Look at my vest from Aunt Mindy!
Dear Mabel–
Daddy traveled to Chicago this week (for just one day). You and I had so much fun, I had to write Daddy a letter to tell him all the things you learned. Daddy loved his letter so much, he asked that I write more. Today, I write one to you!
Currently, you are wanting to take only one nap/day, but not quite ready to get there. I’ve had to put you to bed at 5:30 pm because you’re so tired. You’re sleeping at 9 am for 30 minutes, and then 45 minutes to 1 hour at Noon or 1 o’clock. Mama’s goal is to push your nap back to about 11, and you’ll hopefully sleep 2 hours once we get there. We’ll have so much fun when you’re down to one nap/day, since we’ll get to go places that require longer driving (like mama’s co-ops. wheeeeeee!)
Lately mama has been deciding how to direct you and help you grow and flourish in your own little body, in our home. Daddy even gave mama a blessing to help mama clear her head. Mama is feeling very peaceful about setting up a Montessori-style home. In fact, mama is super excited to do it!! I’ve made lists and lists and lists (I got that from Grandma…) of how we’re going to get there! Already, you are sitting at your own little dining table in your own Mabel-sized chair drinking out of a glass and eating off your plate. Next up, silverware! It’s been fun to have you help me prepare your food. When you’re ready, Mama will teach you how to wash your dishes and put them away. Montessori can be summed up: “Teach me to do it Myself” And dear Mabel, that’s what mama and daddy will do!
We went to the park (as we do nearly daily), but your favorite activity was occupied (the swing), so I placed you in the sand box. The sand box intrigues you, but you’re more interested in the things that don’t belong there. Such as, the dead wasp that you were intent to dissect. Next came the little green worm (caterpillar?) that you desperately wanted to put in your mouth. Mama tried and tried to show you that it was alive, and to observe it. Apparently the flavor of it is all you could think about. Mama gave him a new home in the grass. Then, your swing was free, so mama pushed you in the swing for about 30 minutes. Pure bliss.
You adore your friend Lexie and offer her hugs each time you see her. Lucky for you, she knows sign-language as well, so you two can share signs. Lexie associates you with “table” and signs “table” when asking to see you. You adore playing in the water with her at her house, or eating pancakes at your house. No matter the activity, you two trade places following each other around. For being 8 months different in your ages, you two are quite a pair!
The last few days, mama has realized that you might be ready for potty-training…at least the beginning stages. You are well-aware when your body has passed something, and call to mama. When time to change your cloth diaper, you love to hustle up your stairs and lay on your mat. You are a wonderfully obedient girl, so eager to help mama and learn. Very appropriate for the Montessori teaching style!
You have a single book that you will *only* read with your daddy. It is called “My First 100 Words”; you sign “more” constantly when daddy reaches the last page. When mama reads it to you, you quickly become disinterested. When mama sits at the computer, you call sign to mama that you want to be on my lap—over and over. Sometimes when daddy comes to get you in the mornings, you ask for mama. When daddy leaves for work, you ask for daddy. Upon hearing “bye,” not only do you wave “bye-bye,” but offer kisses to all who will bow their cheek to you. Even people we’ve just only met. You are very loving and offer hugs to many who stand still long enough—although, you did tackle your friend Evie to the ground while she was trying to evade your hug. You won.
Your favorite toys are stacking things and opening/closing either mama’s or daddy’s wallet—after emptying them completely. I fully blame you for my missing temple recommend…ha! 😉 We are lucky that Lexie’s mama, Mrs. Mueller, is my dear friend, and a former kindergarten teacher. She offers lots of suggestions and advice of new fun things for us to do. Including your swimming lessons—from which you just graduated!! You have really taken to the water, and couldn’t be happier in there. Your teacher, Miss Karen, is constantly surprised at how calm you swim underwater and how much excitement you show for each new activity.
Dear Mabel…we are so grateful you have joined our home. We hope to always lead you, guide you, and walk beside you in righteousness.
Love, mama and daddy.
