Caged Animal

Vanessa has felt cooped up. She of course has spells of losing all control when she's bubbling over with energy. We've remained busy building obstacle courses at home but she still grows tired of being surrounded by the same walls day after day. We long for spring so we can feel free for longer periods of time. Until, we're thankful for community resources like Open Gym/Tyke Time. Vanessa gets to run long distances, jump on things made specifically for jumping (although one might argue whether or not couches, chairs and mattresses were made for that), bounce, roll and tumble.

It gets pretty busy and there is lots of chasing and helping toddlers and preschoolers develop social skills, but it always pays off for us to go. We went this morning and now she's playing calmly as I share this. Several days this week she was feeling so frustrated that she would just throw her toys around like a mad woman, so her current play is a much needed and greatly appreciated change.

Going Back

We definitely feel Hilliard is our home, but even so, we sometimes go back to where Mommy and Daddy spent a chunk of their life. Anytime we go back, we're sure to try and tag on haircuts from our favorite female barber. Here Vanessa is beginning to feel the connection:

And then of course, we HAVE to stop and see our cousins. Ben is showing Uncle Adam his really cool phone. Hannah and Zach are teaching Vanessa games. Andrew was there, but Mommy forgot to take a picture because she was too busy chasing Vanessa. (Maybe Uncle Thom and Aunt Diane have a picture filed away of him from this day . . . ? [hint])

Here the adults and girls are getting their practice for future dances and balls. The princess court is quite sweet and adorable and they demonstrated an amazing amount of patience while having their pictures taken.

A trip is never complete, though, without Lorobi's. Daddy begins drooling over the thought several days in advance of the visit. It always hits the spot and we can never have too much. Vanessa is developing a love for it as well. (For those who don't know -- Betz blood consists somewhat of Coca Cola, Lorobi's Pizza and Buckeye football. We still have a few years before Vanessa needs to develop her fondness for Coke. Yes, it'll be a milestone.)

Bunny

One morning a couple weeks ago Vanessa came up with the idea that she could play Mommy Bunny to Baby Bunny. She went on a mission to find all the necessary things. It just so happened that she had on an outfit that matched her bunny ears. She noticed. :) She went all over the house with Baby Bunny -- walking her, feeding her, etc.

Then, as she grew tired, she thought for sure stroller could take a nap with her. We talked about how hard it would be to sleep with a stroller in the bed. She was determined to try . . . so she worked and worked until she got it positioned just right. "See, Mama?! It works. Stroller can sleep with me."

Commercialism

Vanessa loves the FreeCreditReport.com commercials. She hasn't seen too many commercials in her lifetime, since we haven't been able to have the TV on much over the last year or so. It was just too disruptive to her mood and/or play. She'll now let me watch the news without going crazy. :) This morning she stopped what she was doing to watch the commercial. She said, "I have to watch this man sing his solo. See him, Mommy?"

This commercial was followed by a Hot Wheels commercial. She drooled over the race track. "Ohhhhhh . . . I have to have it, Mommy," Vanessa said excitedly.

Vanessa is learning that like in the store, we can look and talk about things, but we don't necessarily get it or buy it. It's a hard lesson for toddlers, especially since they're surrounded by tons and tons of commercialism. We never want her to be labeled commercialized!

An Excellent Notion

I don't know where you're at today, but Vanessa dressed herself and went to the beach. And she took an umbrella for the bright sun.

She's never been to a beach, but with all the snow, I like her thinking!

A Pattern of Our Hearts

Of course this is just one layer -- Mommy and Daddy have layers patterned for each other, too.

One of Vanessa's favorite songs is Lovely, Love My Family by the Roots. We catch the video at the end of other favorite TV shows. (Yo Gabba Gabba is just too weird for me. And I don't like how it sucks Vanessa in like the pattern in this post.) :)

"Mommy . . . let me say it this way . . ."

" . . . I need a treat!" Vanessa waited patiently until she was able to choose a sucker. She then added, "Thank you, Mommy. I appreciate it very much." Smiles.

COSI

Cause [we're]

Only

Scrupulously

Impulsive

We were blessed to receive a COSI membership for Christmas. The gift was extra special since Vanessa's first time visiting COSI was with the extra thoughtful givers of the gift.

Our first time using the membership was last Thursday, and it was perfect for breaking Vanessa in for a year of endless visits. She enjoyed the Kidspace in a different way this time. She ran wildly from thing to thing, and, like with her last visit, was thoroughly exhausted by the end.

The only other time Vanessa had gone to COSI was with Cousin Celia, Uncle Andy and Aunt Jenni, in March of 2008. Their cherub legs were extra cute in the water table. Their smiles were contagious. And the photo op with the kids' med flight helicopter was irresistible!

We're trying to dig out!

Miscommunication?

That's not what I had in mind when I asked if you wanted to put on socks . . .

And a moment ago when we were having a discussion regarding the potty, Vanessa looked at me very sternly and said with a nod, "Mommy, beeeee . . . patient." I must not get it. :)

Monday Absurdities (for Daddy)

One extra joy with the blog is that Daddy can check in from work and feel extra connected to what's going on at the homestead or with Vanessa. Ideally Monday would be the best for sharing off-the-wall kinds of things regularly, but I can't always promise extra moments to post pictures and share. So if something seems extra random, perhaps the opportunity presented. (What is she doing right now? She's licking syrup off a plate while it drips into her lap.) :)

This morning when getting Vanessa from bed:

Mommy: "Are you ready to get up?"

Vanessa: "I can't. My wings are stuck together."

(I'm assuming she was playing Ming Ming from Wonder Pets.)

And Vanessa getting ready for the day . . .

(She's putting in her contacts. And putting on face lotion. She let me brush her hair and put some in a ponytail. It now looks cute since the hair on the sides of her head are beginning to grow more.)

And before coming downstairs, we spent an extra ten minutes rolling her hot rod Matchbox car back and forth under the bathroom door . . .

2 ½ Cups

A little dash of this and a little dash of that . . . but in our family cookbook, no recipe is complete without Vanessa. We'll take however much we can get!

So I could've went with a picture of her cooking or baking, but I figured we've had a lot of those. Plus, these are cute . . .

She turned 30 months today. Isn't it funny how some people want you to round but other people are interested in the exact number of months? We decided to appease both groups. And certainly there are some who could care less of either . . . do we care? Naw -- we love every smidgen of Vanessa and enjoy sharing with those who are interested. (But to those who don't care, you can click on the "Next Blog" at the top of the page to attempt to find something that might interest you. Have fun.) :)

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Funny things from today . . .

Vanessa: "I'm going to play in the sink."

Mommy: "Let's not Vanessa. Not right now."

Vanessa [Said while walking from bedroom to bathroom, as if she's going to the sink anyhow.]: "Too bad!"

[Vanessa stops and then calls back into the bedroom.] "Ask me if I'm using my listening ears."

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[Later that evening Vanessa is spazzing at the dinner table.]

Vanessa: "All done?"

Mommy and Daddy: "Not yet Vanessa."

[Vanessa props her leg on the table to entice Mommy and Daddy to dismiss her from the table. She rubs her leg up and down.]

Vanessa: "Looooooook . . ."

[Mommy and Daddy ignore the behavior since she's not hurting anything . . . and it's kind of cute. Vanessa eventually stops her attempt.]

Vanessa: "Mommy, I'm going to get down and hit you."

[Vanessa persists with this statement until getting down from her chair and contemplating what might happen if she hits Mommy. She looks at Daddy and Mommy and decides against it.]

A Soothing Blanket

I love to play in the snow at night . . . most people are indoors and ordinary sounds are replaced with soft sprinkles of peacefulness . . .

Approximately 11 inches so far . . .

Violinist or Fiddler?

She could be either. I always think of Pa Ingalls and Charlie Daniels when I think of a fiddler. (And my mind often wanders to Fiddler on the Roof because we're all the time watching the Wonder Pets' spin on it and love it!) When I think of violinists I think of people like Joshua Bell and Vanessa Mae. Right now our Vanessa is more familiar with music that is most often associated with a "violinist." But I can't help to think she has the energy to be one crazy fiddler -- I can picture her wildly playing the Devil Went Down to Georgia.

Vanessa has been known to identify instruments while only listening to music. And a violin is just one of her favorites. She loves Kiki (from the Fresh Beat Band) who plays many string instruments. (And although I can't see her, Kiki is often here to play with Vanessa. They're best buds!)

Shoot . . . I'm merely amazed Vanessa can hold her electronic violin under her chin using one hand, and while holding the bow in the other hand! She does all the positioning of things on her own. She won't let me help. As she would tell you, "I can do it ALL by myself!

rub-a-dub-a-dubby

Vanessa loves water -- pouring water, drinking water, bathing in water, swimming in water, etc. During these colder temps and while working in the kitchen, she often plays in the sink. We spray it with some type of disinfectant first. (Have you seen the Dateline episodes on germs?! Those will make anyone OCD!) And then we fill it with water and throw in some toys. She also likes playing in her pirate blow-up lagoon. (I've yet to take a picture of this.)

One morning last week Vanessa was playing at the sink. I was at the stove with my back to her for only a second; listening closely for any crazy thing she might be trying to do. I heard a little rustling of her diaper (nothing out of the ordinary) and when I turned around, she was sitting in the sink and announced "Look Mommy, I'm a rubber duckie!" (Daddy looked at the pictures and was thankful that in recent months he added sink supports.)

She also likes to go swimming on the floor, on a cushionless couch, and in the bathtub. Sometimes she insists on dressing for it. Hope her interest sticks around long enough to practice in a real pool this summer!