Miss Sassy Pants

Well, I hate to say it or even think it but my baby Munch is growing up (sniff, sniff). Munch has a case of serious, full-blown, incurable independentitis.

"Me do it!"

"Me can do it!"

"Go away now!" (When Hubs and I tell her that this is rude to say, she just adds please at the end of the command)

"Babies wear diaper. Me big girl now! Me wear big girl underwear."

"Me use big girl potty." Yes, we finally bid a ceremonial farewell to the little potty last night.

"Ook at me. Me princess now."

These are some of the more common proclamations we hear from Gi day in and day out. Miss Sassy Pants insists on doing most things by herself now. When we shower with her, she demands to soap and rinse herself. Forget about helping her to eat...she ain't gonna have any of that business. Munch goes through about 10 changes of clothing a day endlessly opening her drawers and closet looking for different pieces of clothing to wear for a few nano seconds. Her favorite change of clothing is her underwear. If she is silent and in her room, you can bet that she is rummaging through her underwear drawer looking for her next princess underwear to try on. When we have to use a public toilet, she doesn't want Mommy or Daddy to hold her in place anymore. A new habit of hers is to tell Hubs and I how we are driving. She's like a back carseat driver critiquing our turns, speed and position of our hands on the steering wheel. And she has deemed the stroller obsolete refusing to get in unless threatened with the dreaded time-out. Oh boy, what's next!?

My New Fave Hangout

Happy birthday, Olivia!

Munch couldn't get enough of this horsey ride.

I asked Munch if she wanted a vanilla or chocolate cupcake. She yelled out purple... a.k.a. the cupcake with the purple frosting on it.


posing with live Chuck E, Karley and Nicollette

having a blast on the dance floor with her school buddies

giving the automatronic Chuck E a hug

testing out the Bob the Builder ride

going round and round on the Tele Tubbies ride

Gi gave Barney (her fave character) several kisses as she rode his choo choo train.

fantastical helicopter ride

Munch was invited to a classmate's birthday party this past Friday at a local Chuck E Cheese. Boy, did she have a rocking good time! Not ever having been to this kid's hangout before, Gi was in awe. She couldn't believe her little eyes at the amount of rides and games right at her finger tips. After using up the tokens that were given to her by her classmate's mommy, I had to shell out another $10 worth of tokens for Munch to get her fill of Chuck E Cheese fun. After all the excitement, I asked my Munch if she would like to have her birthday party there also. With beaming eyes and a ready smile, she nodded her head eagerly. We'd like to thank Olivia and Miss Martha for including us in the birthday celebration. We may just have to continue the fun in August when Munch turns three.

My Second Easter Egg Hunt

This is Munch last year at her first egg hunt. Beside her is BFF, Brea.

Munch is waiting patiently to be let loose for the egg hunt.

Munch spots more eggs.

That bucket is getting fuller and fuller.

Munch is searching for more goodies.

Sweet Aubrey gives Munch one of her eggs.

Munch was doubly excited to go to school today for today is Easter egg hunt day! Upon arriving at school, Munch, with her Dora bucket in hand, ran to her classroom anxious to find her share of Easter eggs filled with candy. Mommies and daddies were allowed to stay for a bit to take pictures and to help out. Wishing all our family and friends a happy Easter!

This and That

We are officially back in the water! The temperature has been in the 80s lately so Munch and I ventured back into the pool yesterday. The water temp was still a little on the cool side but nothing that kept us from splashing around and having fun. Sassy Pants hasn't lost any of the skills she learned from ISR.

Gi put this ensemble together and begged me to take a picture of her. She is getting quite adapt at putting on her own clothes and shoes including socks. This girl can't wait to put on her big girl panties every day. Her eating skills are getting more coordinated too. She looooves to feed herself. Munch is also learning to bathe and shower herself. The operative phrase nowadays is "ME DO IT!"

Potty Prowess

Gi still has her occasional accidents but has basically mastered the potty at this point. Lucky for us she is using her potty for #1 and #2. We still have her sport a diaper when she naps and goes down at night...sometimes she wakes up with a dry diaper, other times not. So we are not going to push the issue until she consistently wakes up dry. With this new sense of empowerment, Munch is now fascinated with public restrooms. She revels in giving Hubs and I false alarms when we are out so she can check out what the nearest restroom is like. Insisting on doing everything herself, she is most peeved when a public toilet is automated. Today at the Whole Foods bathroom stall Munch persisted on flushing the toilet herself even though she witnessed the mechanism going off by itself. She demanded to know where the flush handle was. How do you explain to an obstinate 2 1/2 year old that some things just work by themselves? Anyway, Hubs and I are very pleased with her progress. Way to go, Munch!

Easter Show

Can you see Munch in the midst? Ms. Deborah is getting Munch and her classmates ready for their Easter show performance. Everyone got two maracas to shake along to Jesus Loves the Children. Munch is a seasoned professional now!

Progress in Potty World

We are into our third week of potty training and relief has finally come to this blundering mom. Gi, for the past two weeks or so, has consistently used the potty at home for both bodily functions. In fact, Sassy Pants, goes to the potty just so she can climb up on her step ladder to wash her hands. Gi has pretty much issued an edict that our help is not needed. But I have found ways to spy on my Munch when she is doing her "big girl" thing. This is just to ensure that Munch doesn't throw another entire roll of tp into the toilet and then try to flush it down. Gi is also now comfortable with using public toilets. She loves the child size toilets in the family restrooms at the mall the most. With only having to use two diapers a day (one for naptime and one for nighttime), the diaper budget is getting some much needed relief. We are very proud of you, Munch!

Confessions of a Target Mom

Let's face it. I am what my husband accuses me of being sometimes...a hypocrite. Since my late twenties, I've patronized Target for most goods. I can't count the number of times that I smugly told Hubs (usually with his eyes rolling) that I will never ever step foot again into Walmart because of their shoddy employment and retail practices. But since taking on the role of stay-at-home-mom, pinching pennies and saving dollars have become priority one. Yup, after years of blatant disregard for this giant retailer, I walked through their colossal automated doors several weeks ago in search of size 2T underwear for my Munch. I didn't know this but 2T panties can not be found anywhere in this universe except at Walmart. But my retail infidelity didn't stop there. I also picked up a couple of pairs of "short" jeans for under $17. You see, my friends, affordable comfortable jeans in short lengths are hard to come by when you are 42 years old with a belly circumference that is larger in proportion to the length of your legs. So I caved in. Wait! There is more. I have since gone back for a step ladder for Munch to use in the bathroom. And lastly, in pursuit of a good deal, Munch and I had our hair cut at the Walmart "family salon" just yesterday. We both walked out of the salon for under $25...yeah we look a little like Dora the Explorer but so what. I still adore my Target but exclusivity will probably not be in our future anymore.

Me and My BFF

posing with Tigger

Cheese!

sharing a ride

sharing a snack

Family Time

We had a lovely evening last night with the G family. Munch had a blast with Alissa and Maya. All the girls helped to make their own pizza, took a dip in the pool and enjoyed a dessert of "dirt and worm." What more could one ask for? Life is good.

The Potty World Continues

Okey dokey, we are into our second week of potty training. I still have a full head of hair and Gi is not permenantly scarred by my inepitude yet. The reward system is in place and working well. We have graduated to gummi bears and accidents have become more and more infrequent. Hallelujah, there is a merciful potty god after all! We called in the big guns this morning. BFF, Brea, stopped by with her daddy for a brief playdate. And along the way, Munch got to witness again how a big girl (Brea) uses the potty. Now Munch only wants to use the "big girl" potty (toilet). Thank you, Miss Kim, for sending Brea and Mr. Todd over!!! Hang in there, Munch, you're doing great despite your panicky mama. I'll survive this yet with a little hand-holding and the proverbial promise that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

As the Potty World Turns

What's more arduous than running a marathon without shoes and water or more grueling than mowing an overgrown weedy lawn in 98 degree weather with 100% humidity? Potty training a two and half year old, my friends! In my 42 years of life, I can't recall taking on a more difficult task...a task that requires infinite good cheer, everlasting patience and a small fortune in 2T princess and Dora underwear. Munch is on board finally but still has daily accidents galore to keep life interesting for Mommy. Spot cleaning has become a way of life in the D household. How long will this transition take? Surely the potty fairy will come to my rescue soon and transform Munch into a potty champ before I pull out all my gray and thinning hair.

Limbo to the Gumbo Limbo

waiting for the feeding at the stingray tank

photo op with Smurtle the Turtle

Munch on top of a turtle sculpture

posing as turtles with BFF, Brea

making the rounds with Brea

hugs

Brea, Gi and Ami-Mei

Gi met up with her BFF, Brea, and some of her mei mei friends at the Gumbo Limbo nature center today for their annual turtle festival. We all got a dose of turtle and habitat awareness along with some fun kid-friendly activities. The Gymboree area, out of all the activities available, was the biggest hit for Munch and the mei meis. And we couldn't ask for better weather...sunny with a cool breeze blowing. To commemorate the fun day, Munch came home with a turtle bag after getting her card stamped by all the appropriate vendors there.

Happy Birthday Ami-Mei!

This is Munch at Ami-Mei's birthday party last year. What a difference a year makes!

Here is cutie-pie, Ami-Mei (in black) one year older.

Sunny, Gi and Alex chowing down on birthday cake and juice.

There's plenty of room for cake if you ask Kai, Sunny and Gi.

Another mei mei has turned four! This time it was Ami-Mei's turn. Gi had such a wonderful time bouncing in the bounce house, blowing bubbles and throwing balls around that she didn't care one bit that her tiny, size five feet were encrusted with dirt. She did all of this without being glued to Mommy's legs which is amazing. Is my baby growing up too? Anyway, we must thank the P family for such a fun-filled afternoon. Happy birthday, Ami-Mei!

Prayer Leader

Last week I noticed that Gi's daily preschool report stated that her job for the day was prayer leader. So I ask Munch how she liked being prayer leader at school. She mumbled a bit, clasped her two little hands together under her chin and uttered something that sounded like "God farmer." Perplexed, I ask "God farmer--- is that what you said?" She nods enthusiastically. "Do you mean God's family, Gigi?" She also nods eagerly to this. Stumped, I drop the subject matter. Later on that evening, I share with hubs that Gi was prayer leader in school. Being the cheeky monkey that he is, he finds this quite amusing and pumps Gi for details. Gi shares with him the same thing that she shared with me earlier that morning. Hubs is clueless as to the words that she is saying except for the word God. So without further hesitation, he jokingly instructs Munch on what to say should she be prayer leader again. The exchange goes something like this at the dinner table:

Hubs: "Gi, say dear God tickle tickle thanks for the pickle." (Hubs is a Mike Myers fan)

Munch: "Tick tick naanew pickle."

Hubs: "Good, good, good! Now if you can't remember that you can say dear God rub-a-dub dub thanks for the grub."

Munch: "rub rub dub dub."

Hubs is so pleased with himself that he continues to instruct Gi during her bathtime now. What will this man come up with next??!! Let's pray that Munch doesn't remember any of these irreverent mantras that her daddy passed on to her.

Fever Be Gone

Munch is feeling much better and dictates, as usual, that Daddy be her tubmate at bathtime.

Oh boy, nothing like a running fever to make any new parent feel inadequate. Munch had a fever since Tuesday night and it finally subsided yesterday. In the last few days, the rascalina gave regular proclamations of "me tired" and "me rest now." This never happens! My child never ever in a million years admits to being tired or sleepy. This bug that she caught must have given her a real run for her money. And as an added bonus, the ped discovered that she also had swimmer's ears. Now it's seven days/twice a day of antibiotics drops in her ears which require her little body to stay still for five minutes for each ear. Five minutes is a lifetime for an active toddler! Just five more days of this parental torture...I know I can do it, I know I can do it, I know...Sorry I digress. Anywhoo, Gi is fever free now and back to her normal, happy bouncey self. I am thankful.

Open Wide

Ok, can I brag a little? I'm sooo proud of my Munch. She did a bang up job at her first dental visit yesterday! Hubs and I prepped her the night before by reading lots of books on going to the dentist and also some role playing with a small flashlight and toothbrush. On the morning of the visit Munch was still full of apprehension but didn't whine or cry. Dr. Debby's office ushered us in to see a short feature on a friendly dinosaur going to see his dentist. Munch thought that was the bomb and it was smoother sailing from that point on. Plus a Snow White toothbrush (from Dr. Debby) and a new princess dress of her choice (from Mommy) helped to grease the process along. After a thorough examination by Dr. Debby, we found out that Munch's teeth are very close together which would require extra diligence on our part when it comes to flossing. Gi also has an overbite which may require orthodontic attention many years down the road. Lastly all her teeth have come in or are 2/3 of the way in. Nothing to worry about now. Going in again in six months for her first cleaning, x-ray and flouride treatment. Now Mommy can rest easier also.

Little Miss Sophia

the B family visiting from San Diego

the two "sisters" enjoying some after dinner play at the table

Hmmm, I think these two are up to something.

holding hands having a grand ole time

taking a break from all the running fun

playing peekaboo with Miss Yinghong

Well, we had a most wonderful afternoon today. We got to meet up with the B family as they journeyed their way down to Key Largo. Sophia and Munch are from the same orphanage (Hanchuan) and were adopted at the same time. In fact their birthdays are only a week apart. Miss Sophia is full of smiles and giggles and hit it off right away with Munch. After dinner both girls ran and shouted their way through the mall holding hands and giving each other hugs and pats. What a sight to see the two "sisters" interacting so well! Hubs and I so enjoyed catching up with Sophia's mommy and daddy. Although our time together was short we cherished every minute of it as we are always grateful to see our travel group families.

More Gi-berish

"Me pa-gina hurt." Munch announced this shortly after putting on her big-girl unders. Yes, we are still easing our way into potty training.

" Brea friend and Sammy very naked!" This was one of Munch's response when I asked her who her friends were.

"Me no ike goooshi." Hubs asked me if I wanted sushi for dinner. Munch promptly responded for me.

"Me no feel well." This is Gi talk for I just woke up and want to be held to my satisfaction.

"Me have boogers, Mommy." No explanations necessary.

Gi-berish

Scene One
The three Ds venture down to the Sawgrass Mall in search of bargain deals. We find a shady parking space, load up and walk toward one of the main mall entrances. I walk ahead a bit with the stroller while hubs casually stroll behind me with Munch. Within 10 feet of reaching the mall entrance, I feel something wet and gooey fall on my head. I look up and see a flock of pigeons flying by. Yup, I got fresh bird poop plastered to one small section of my head. Hubs confirms my unlucky encounter and proceeds to clean my hair with wet wipes (don't leave home without them). Gi asks us what we are doing. I tell her that Daddy is cleaning bird poop from my hair. Gi looks up at me pointing her little finger and loudly asks, "You you you you have bird poop in hair?" I answer in the affirmative which, apparently, doesn't satify Munch for she repeats the same question several more times to the delight of fellow shoppers walking by.

Scene Two
Munch and I are in Kindermusik class. Ms. Caroll Ann, our delightful Kindermusik teacher, notices Gi's cute Jamaican dress and asks her where she got it. Gi, looking momentarily stumped, eyes her teacher, looks at me then quietly announces that she got it "from my room." This literal answer to the teacher's questions puts a smile on the adults' faces in the room.