Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
               Well, it's just me all by my lonesome tonight. Mama is in Lexington setting with Granny at St. Joseph's for the night and since I have to get up and go to work in the morning you are spending the night with Mamaw & Papaw. I'm sure you'll have big fun down there; You always do.
      Daddy really needs to get in better shape. You made Daddy dance with you to Elvis tunes the other night and my legs have been two big fat trunks of pain ever since. Daddy loves dancing and playing with you. We need to dance more often. It's very good exercise for your fat ole' Daddy. When we were dancing you stood on the couch and plopped down on it and I started to pick you up and toss you into the air and you fell back on the cushions. You simply adored that little game. It nearly killed your Dad though. I was so out of breath. You didn't want me to stop and being as how you are spoiled rotten I didn't. Mom came home and I told her about it and I mentioned the word 'plop' in describing what went on and you jumped up on the couch and laid down on your back and reached for me and said "Plop". You knew what I was talking about when I was talking to Mom. That's the name of your new game, plop.
      I am off next week as I'm sure I have mentioned. I am looking forward to going to Gymboree with you and Mama. She says you always have such big fun when you are there. I plan on taking the video camera. I hope that doesn't distract you. I have big plans to work on the yard while I'm off as well. Mama isn't going to get as much time off as she had originally hoped for because a fellow that she works with is taking his vacation the same week that I have to take mine. Your Mom isn't even going to get the whole day off the day we all go to Disney Princesses on Ice. Oh, have I mentioned that we are going to Disney Princesses on Ice. I don't remember mentioning it at all. Maybe I have but I don't remember it if I have. I just checked the blog archives and I didn't see any mention of it at all. Well, we are going to see the above mentioned show next Saturday morning. I hope you like it. You may be a little too young for it but maybe not. We'll see. You do love your princesses, especially 'Rella' as you call Cinderella. You have a Disney Princess night gown that you just love. You even want to wear it over whatever you are wearing at the time. Maybe you've seen picture of yourself wearing the pretty pink gown over a sweat suit.
      Update on Granny's condition; We found out that she does not have congestive heart failure. The crappy Woodford County hospital misdiagnosed her. Mamaw demanded that they give Granny an x-ray because she was in so much pain in her hip. They assumed that the crappy Woodford County hospital had already done an x-ray; they hadn't. It seems that when an 89 year old lady falls down that it would be standard procedure to have an x-ray done. St. Joe's told us that she had crushed her hip. Well, it turns out that that was also a misdiagnoses. She had fractured her pelvis and she also has an ulcer. Everybody in the family is having grave misgivings about just how knowledgeable the local medical community is. She's going to have to go to a rehabilitation hospital for awhile after she gets out of the regular hospital. The family will be moving Granny from her apartment into her new house that she will be sharing with Aunt Linda this Friday. At least with Granny being in rehab it will give everyone time to get her new house set up real nice for her before she moves in.
      Well, I am going to close out this post. Daddy loves Rebecca!
Dear Rebecca.
                        Hello my sweet little baby bird. Right now (hopefully) you are taking a nap in your room. We went to the store this morning to get some milk and juice. You have a big time at the store driving in the buggies that have steering wheels and look like cars. You always like going to the store. You tell everyone "HI!" in your cheery little voice. Everyone always thinks you are so cute. Everyone is right. You are such a friendly little baby. You always flirt with my boss too. You think he is so funny for some reason.
      This morning Mommy was a little frustrated. Not really with you but just that I couldn't get anything done because you were right under my feet. After everything eventually got done and I sat down in the chair and you came over & were so very sweet to me I felt terrible. You climbed up in my lap and kissed and hugged me and gave me sugars all over my head. You are so sweet. Mommy's do get frustrated sometimes. Even though it's not their kid's fault, 99.2% of the time.
      You had a Lunchables just a minute ago and you thought that was big fun. A Lunchable is a package of meat, cheese, crackers & a treat. Kids get them for, well, lunch. You had big fun stacking the crackers with turkey and cheese. Then you would eat a piece and shout "YOOK!" which is LOOK! and I would look and tell you that you were Very Cool. You are so silly.
         Yesterday we went outside to play for about an hour because it was very warm. You insisted that I come over and touch the fence. You must have thought it felt funny or something. I came over and touched it and when I did I acted like it electrocuted me. I shook and said "zzzzz!" and you laughed and giggled at that so hard. You got to pet the lady's dog (the one that lives behind us). It's very cute. It's a little bitty schnauzer, I think. She named it Peanut. We don't see too much of the big dogs since they killed your baby puppy, Mimi. The woman behind us said that lady put a sign up for people not to touch, speak to, or feed the dogs. I thought that was weird. Anyway.
        After Daddy got home yesterday we had a supper of hot dogs and macaroni & cheese. You of course had to have "Chips!" -You love chips, and we eat the baked ones, because they are better for you. You had been hungry so you ate a whole hot dog and half another one and some chips. You are sort of particular like Mommy because you won't eat the end of a hot dog. I don't care about eating the end of a hot dog but I am particular about other things when it comes to eating. Mommy really hates beans. Sad but true. After supper we played with you a lot in the floor. We kept playing a game where we would bounce the ball over the top of you and we'd say "Monkey in the Middle!" and you would say "Minnle!" and laugh. We'd stop and you'd bring us the ball and lay down in the floor again. It was big fun for all. Daddy and I finished watching a show we'd been working on looking at since he got home after we put you to bed and then we watched Supernanny on TV. Dad & I aren't very good at watching TV without Tivo. We kept trying to pause it and run it through commercials. We've spoiled ourselves. Even you know that your Oobi comes from the sacred curvy black 'mote.
         Well little one, I am going to close out this blog because I want to lay on the couch and rest some. I am going to spend the night with Granny tonight and I reckon you are going to get to spend the night with Mamaw, because Daddy has to get up for work in the morning. Never forget that no matter how frustrated Mommy gets, you are the light of my life and I could not imagine my world without you. I love you more than anything on this earth. Mommy loves Rebecca!

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
                  You have just laid down for the night. I really don't understand what goes through your head at times. I was in the kitchen cleaning up and you were nowhere around. I finally finished up in the kitchen and decided it was time for your bed so I go in search of you. I find you lying in your bed with your sippy cup watching Oobi on your television. I turn off Oobi and you were still okay but when you figured out that this was bed time you started crying your eyes out. It was obvious that you were very tired but you just didn't want to sleep.
      I left work a little early yesterday because your Mom decided she wanted to go see Aunt Mary & Papaw Lawrence. We headed out but didn't even get out of Versailles before we decided that we really didn't want to go after all. It's a good thing we didn't go because later that evening we found out that Granny had fallen and was in bad shape at the hospital here in Versailles. The three of us went out there to see her. All of Granny's children were there, Louise, Donny, Mamaw, Mike and Linda; Aunt Lynn was also there. We were there too, of course. The doctor there said that she had a mild case of congestive heart failure and that she should be transported to St. Joe's in Lexington. Today when we the cardiologist saw her he said that it was not congestive heart failure but that she was bleeding in her stomach. We are going to get a third opinion and find out what actually is wrong with her. It's always so scary when Granny takes a tumble like that.
      You had some big fun this evening. Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney came by to visit, actually they came by to use my cable internet to plan a Walt Disney World Resort Vacation because their dial-up is super slow. Anyway they brought the whole brood and you had big fun playing with all of them. I sat in the office with Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney while you played with the kids. You call Allison by Sissy, you call Jon by his name and you call Jacob by Jon's name too. I have no idea why you do that.
      Potty training is going about as well as can be expected. I don't think that your mom & Dad are all that good at potty training. Your mom looked up some information on the internet and we were doing a few things wrong but we have rectified those issues. Maybe we are pushing you a little bit. According to what I have read on the internet and from what Aunt Lynn told me, most children aren't potty trained until they are two and a half or even older. Well, we will see how you do.
      You had another big day at Gymboree this past Thursday. Your Mom said there is a girl in there that is somewhat of a bully. This little bully girl took a ball away from one of the younger and smaller boys in the class. The little boy was fixing to tune up and cry and you saw all of this go on. Mom said that you walked right up to the bully girl and took the ball away from her and returned it to the smaller boy. You have always been such an empathetic child. Even though all the books say that you don't yet have the social skills to feel empathy at your age. I think that's a load of crock. I have seen what an empathetic little girl you are. As a matter of fact Mama still cons you into giving her hugs and kisses by pretending to cry. You see that Mom is upset and you rush to her with a hug or a kiss. You don't rush to her lately as you used to because I think you are catching on to her little game. You do give kisses a lot more than you used to though. And whenever you want to be picked up you con us into doing by opening your arms and saying "Hugs". How can any person with an ounce of heart turn down a hug from such a cute little toddler so you always get your hug and when we are bent over giving you a hug you lift up your feet off of the floor and you automatically get picked up. You little con artist. I reckon you got that from your dear ole' Mom.
      Well, speaking of your dear ole' Mom she will be getting home any minute now so I will close out this post in my usual way. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
               You're playing with the light switch here in the computer room/office. You're working on off and on. You think it's a big deal being able to turn the light on and off. You are such a cutie. Mama is at work tonight. I just finished balancing our checkbook. Before the web one could only balance their checkbook once per month because you had to wait for your statement in the mail but now you can access your statement on the internet at any time and balance your checkbook as often as you like. I try to balance the checkbook twice a week. That way it doesn't get to a big job. Instead of thirty five transactions at the end of the month we have three or four to balance. Of course before we started using Quicken and the online statement we were lucky to balance our checkbook every three months. I know that sounds very irresponsible and it was. I am proud that we are finally on top of our finances and we know exactly where every dime goes.
      You are talking so much these days. You tried to say peanut butter yesterday. It didn't sound anything like peanut butter but you gave it a good try. You did more or less nail the word jelly though. You are going to have to learn to hand us stuff when we ask you to though. If we ask you to hand us something and you don't right away we speak to you in a stern voice and then you end up tossing whatever it was that you had in the air. That's going to have to stop.
      Mama said you used the potty three times today. When you go pee-pee in the potty you get bubbles and when you go poo-poo in the potty you get bubbles and a sticker. You have yet to get a sticker. You do love stickers. I don't know why toddlers love stickers so much.
      You are still having a wild time with the light switch. I am going to close out this latest blog and we are going to go in the living room and bask in the comforting blue glow of the boob tube. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Monday, March 20, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
            Where to start? This has indeed been a long week for the both of us. I am sorry I have not had a chance to post a blog to you here lately. Mommy has done her best to tend to you while you've been sick. In doing so I let everything slide around the house here and I am just now whipping it back into shape. I don't like to live in a very dirty or messy house. It's rather odd because before you were born I just assume not have to get up and do anything. I guess it was maybe because I felt like my life had no purpose so for what purpose should I get up and do anything? Well, anyway, now you and Daddy are my soul purpose and I can honestly say everything I do is for the two of you. I love you both so very much.
      Monday night you were very sick and you were up and down all through the night. You couldn't sleep at all. You layed on the couch with your head up on two pillows and a blankey covering your diaper-clad body (I had taken your clothes off, you were running a pretty high fever, 101 I think) and whined "Help You" a few times. I felt terrible because I had no medicine to help you. We went to Kroger at 3 am and got some Vick's Vapor rub, A Vick's plug in to go in your room, some cold medicine, and some Vapor bath. We came home and got you into the tub. You splashed a bit in the tub but you really weren't up to it. I got you out and dried you up and rubbed you down in the Vick's. I layed you on the couch while I got your plug in ready for your room. I plugged it in and put you down in nothing but your onesie and socks. You finally went to sleep. While I was at Kroger I left a note for my boss that I would not be in the next day. Neither one of us had it in us to do any hard labor. Not that my job is hard. It's just that I knew I would be exhausted. Even after you went to sleep at almost five in the morning, you only slept until about nine. Then you were up again. I just felt so terrible that there wasn't much more I could do for you. I gave you cold medicine and kept you cool and dry and wiped your little runny nose on my shirt tail for the next few days. It's been a week today and you are getting much better. You are still a little snotty but we are getting it under control. That's what shirt tails are for.
      I did indeed get off at 7:30 last night. I brought you home a half-deflated Kroger balloon and a little rabbit that I spent a buck fifty on. He's a bendy rabbit. I tied the balloon to the rabbit's ears and you had big fun making the rabbit and balloon "Hop". Periodically the balloon would hit me and I would act like it knocked me out and you would laugh your little head off. You thought that was really funny. We did that for about a half an hour before Daddy and I put you to bed. You went to bed really easily last night and Daddy and I stayed up and watched a TV show together and then we made our way towards the bed as well. You have such a good Daddy. He takes good care of you while I am at work. I have absolutely no worries about you at all with him; I am so glad we don't have to use a baby sitter we don't really know or Day Care. We are lucky enough to have SIssy babysit for us when we need it. She is a good baby sitter. I think we will be letting her baby sit for you some in the first of April.
      As Daddy mentioned before, you and I went to church yesterday morning. You wore your little melon colored outfit that said "Pretty" on the front and "Hippy" on the back that Mamaw got for you. You looked incredibly adorable in it. You got several compliments. And you had a good time playing with the toys in the nursery. Instead of crying when you saw me, you didn't even want to leave. You are getting to be such a big girl.
      Like I said I have been working on getting the house back into shape today so you've been playing with your toys and from time to time watching your shows. I told Daddy the other day that I have no problem getting toys for you because you actually play with them. He agrees.
      Well little girl, I am going to sign off with you now. Remember I love you always, Monkey!

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
                  Finally and mercifully this 2005-2006 University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball season has come to an end. Just a few moments ago the Cats were narrowly defeated by the number one seeded UConn Huskies in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They did better in their final game than I had expected of them. I was sorely disappointed in the entire season. It sure would have been nice to actually defeat Uconn who are ranked second in the nation. I can't wait for next year. It has to be better than this year.
      The women's team, on the other hand, is having their best season since sometime during the seventies. I watched them play their first round game yesterday on ESPN2. I had never seen them play. Maybe when you get old enough and if you show any interest in sports we will go watch the women's team together; Then again if you have no interest in sports that would be perfectly honky-dorey as well.
      It's just you and I this afternoon. Your Mom is at work right now. She gets off tonight at 7:30. As soon as I finish here we're gonna get you into the tub. It will be a little early but I would like to have all of that stuff done before your Mom gets home so we can all relax a little before we have to hit the proverbial hay. You are watching Jack's Big Music Show on the boob tube in the living room right now. You do love your Jack.
      You and your Mom went to church this morning while I stayed here and helped Papaw tear out a big ole ugly bush on the side of our new house. You are throwing a fit at this moment because you want to go find your Mommy. You brought me your Jacket and are getting terribly upset that I will not put it on you. You just threw your jacket down and grabbed it up again and proceeded to have one of your very rare hissy fits. I am ignoring your fit while not ignoring you. You keep handing me your jacket and I keep taking it and telling you that we are not going anywhere and handing it back to you. I finally put your jacket out of sight and you seemed to have calmed down a bit. You are probably tired and miss your Mommy. I just gave you a "I've been Krogering" sticker and you are now a happy camper. Your Mom wanted to quit her job early next month but I think she's going to work a little longer so we can afford to get you a playhouse and a dog for your birthday.
      Well, you are in the living room and you sound like you are upset again. I am going to close this out and start your bath. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
            It's been a few days since my last blog, I know. As you may have noticed neither your Mother or I post very much during the week and if we do it's usually a very short one. I have been so busy at work this week. We are working down on unit 18 and it's been running like crapola. You have been very sick the past few days. You have been a snotty headed little girl. You haven't been too fussy though. You've had trouble sleeping and you have had your fussy moments because you have been tired but that's to be expected.
      We've started potty training again. I hope you are more receptive to it now that you are a little bit older. I think we started you a little too early last time.
      Well, I'll post again this weekend and I'm sure that one will be longer and more in depth. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
               Hello my little sweetie bird. You and Daddy spent the entire evening together while I was at work tonight. I don't have to work tomorrow which is the reason I am up so late tonight. I came home and watched a show with Daddy and then I came in here to post this blog. Daddy went to bed already. We are going to try to go to church tomorrow morning. That all depends on how late you sleep. Poor Momma is sleep deprived. No wonder Momma is always so Jumpy! Anyway, I wanted to tell you about this past Thursday when you and I spent a fabulous day together.
         We got up early Thursday morning and made our way to Gymboree. No speeding tickets this time, however. That is a good thing. We got there and you set right to playing. You love Gymboree more than chocolate ice cream. They have all kinds of fabulous slides and climbers and balls and barrels that we roll you in. You even get to ride a big rocking horse. And of course you love the other kids. This past Thursday you introduced yourself to a little girl named Shelton. You looked at her and held your hand to your chest and said "Becca!" I think your name is now Becca, you picked it and no one else. Poor Daddy hates that. After you introduced yourself, Shelton blew you a kiss. You all played together for a few minutes before you both got interested in your own things. You ran into the room and said "Friends!" when we got there. I thought that was so cute. Whenever it is time to go though, and the teacher pulls out Gymbo, you try to find a place to hide. You don't want to leave. You'd stay at Gymboree forever if I let you. The last time we were there the teacher hid Big Gymbo and Little Gymbo and told you guys to find them. You passed right by Little Gymbo, pointed at him, then took off flying trying to find a place to hide.
      After Gymboree we were supposed to meet Daddy for lunch and I told you on the way down the Elevator that we were going to eat with him. He called us in the car though and told us he was almost half way through his early Lunch and not to come. I took you to McDonald's after that and you kept asking for your Dear Old Dad. I know he mentioned that to you; I think it is sweet. You really wanted to see your Daddy. After lunch and picking up my pay check and depositing it, I put you down for a nap here at the house because you were completely exhausted. So was I, but I couldn't seem to get to sleep. I knew that I would have to be up in just over an hour. You, however, slept fabulously. I had to get you up from your nap to get you dressed to go back out to go to the Pediatric Dentist over in Hamburg. Your Pediatric Dentist's name is Rodney Jackson. He is a big black man. He is nice and you seem to like him unless he is trying to look at your teeth. Hamburg is really far over on the other end of Lexington and I was really concerned about making it to work on time after your appointment so I called and asked Jon to trade Thursday for Friday with me. Honestly I didn't want to have to rush back and in the process hurt myself. Mostly, however, I wanted to continue to spend the day with you. In the dentists office you had a poop and I had to change your diaper. For some reason you always poop at that office. There and CiCis. I took you into the bathroom and you reached out and touched the wall and told me it was a house. I informed you that it was an office and told you to say office. You said "Offith!" Which was really cute. I got you all cleaned up and you thoroughly enjoyed playing with the toys in the dentist office. Then it was your turn and we went back to see the Hygenist. She put some cleaner on a brush and called it a tooth tickler. She let you feel it on your hand first. You smiled at that. You did not smile, however, when she put it in your mouth and began to clean your teeth. You screamed like a Banshee. You had no idea what was going on. I think it scared you a little bit. You kept yelling for a toy because I had told you that you would get one if you did well at the dentist office. You did really well all things considered. After all, you are only a baby. And they know that. You hugged me up and snuggled deep into me when I let you up from getting your teeth cleaned. Then Mr. Jackson had me lay you back down so he could count them. You didn't like that at first but he started to count them using the ABC's and that seemed to calm you down. You did indeed get your toy afterward which was a pink bracelet and you also got to pick out a sticker. You got Dora and Boots of course. If they had any Oobi though, I am willing to bet you would take him in a heartbeat. I am planning on getting you an Oobi cake for Easter. I hope you like it. I thought I might just get Oobi with Bunny Ears but I found a picture of Oobi, Kako, Uma and Grandpoo and I think I will get that put on there and make Grandpoo the one with the silly bunny ears. Anyway, back to Thursday.
      After the dentist we met up with Daddy over where we were and discussed eating somewhere. I suggested Chick-Fil-A and your Dad really did not want to eat there. I did however because we had a coupon from the dentist so you could get a free kid's meal. In addition to that I like Chick-Fil-A. Plus they have a toddler area where you can play. You really had a big time in there, I tell you. We all had a good time even though Daddy complained all the way through dinner. And I was a little upset because like an idiot I lost your coupon. By the way, I am kidding about Daddy complaining through dinner.
      In the toddler area at Chick-Fil-A some little girl was trying to tickle you to no end. She wasn't getting her desired response. There were tons of squealing little girls in there and you squealed just as hard and loud as any of them. They all were going up the big kid slide and you wanted to follow right behind them. It frustrated you a little because you couldn't, but you still had a grand time. Some of them pretended to squat and hide and then so did you. That tickled your Dear Old Dad.
        After Chick-Fil-A we came home and watched you play in the living room floor. I played a lot with you and so did Daddy. You were really tired so I gave you a bath around seven o'clock and you watched one of your shows. By then it was nearly eight and I know you were exhausted because so was I. You hadn't had a chance to finish your nap and I hadn't even had a chance to take one. I got you in bed and Daddy and I sat up only a few minutes after. Then we took ourselves to slumber town. It was a fabulous day with a fabulous girl.
         Today before work was just as fun. You were packing shoes over into the middle of the living room and I told you to go and get your shoes. You promptly yelled "Shoes! Shoes! C'Mere Shoes!" And I got so tickled at you. I said "Well, where are your shoes?" That's when you walked over to the basket we keep all the shoes in and blurted out, while waving, "HI SHOES!" You are so FUN-DY. Fundy is the word you use for funny. You are just the sweetest silliest girl I know.
         Well little girl, that's all I have for tonight. I am going to let Daddy tell you about the peanut butter incident since he was here and I wasn't. I love you, Baby Bird!

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
                  Good morning to you, little Rebecca. Mama told me to be in bed by four this morning but our bank website came back with some funky numbers when I tried to balance the checkbook. I last balanced it a few days ago and according to what they said we had lost $75.01 in the three or four days since I last updated our balances. I have been up ever since trying to find that $75. Apparently there was some kind of screw up on their end because after I downloaded my numbers for the twelfth time I got the numbers I expected. I knew we couldn't have screwed up that bad. I was a little worried though. That kind of money can make a big difference in a poor man's bottom line. Anyway, I also screwed up my backup disc somehow so I had to set up a new one. I had planned on balancing the checkbook which usually takes three or four minutes, writing you a nice long blog and looking at some television.
      After I got home from work today and your Mom left for her job, you & I went out in the backyard and played on your swing set. You had a whole lot of fun out there. Mamaw came to see us before she went over to Granny's. We decided to head on over there with her and hang out there. Aunt Linda was there with Leah and Lucas's new puppy named Sasha. I really didn't care much for the puppy because she was a pitbull. I loathe pitbulls. They are stupid, ugly and vicious animals but you seemed to take a shine to her and since she was only six weeks old I let you play with her. Oh, you had a big ole time with that future plague on society.
      You went to the dentist this past week but I'm gonna let your Mom tell you all about that because she was there with you and I was at work.
      You did do one thing this past week that melted my heart. You have started giving us more & more kisses and we get a bedtime kiss after we lay you down every night. The other night Mama kissed you good night and you thought that I wasn't going to try to get mine so you looked up at me and said "Daddy kisses". Well, needless to say, I stepped up for my kisses. That made me feel so good. Another thing that made me feel good this week but also a little sad. I was supposed to have lunch with you and Mama Thursday before your dentist appointment and after gymboree and Mom told you that you were all going to have lunch. I had to take an early lunch that day so I didn't get to eat with the two of you. You asked about me all day long, according to Mama. Y'all went to McDonald's and you asked, "Daddy eat?"
      Mama had to tell you that I wasn't going to eat with you all. You asked about me at Kroger and some other places that you stopped that day. Eventually when your Mom was putting her check in the bank you asked her if "Daddy home?"
      Once again she had to inform you of some bad news. I was still at work. You started to cry and whine at that. It makes me feel good that your were so excited to see me but I wish we had gotten to eat lunch together. I love seeing you and Mommy in the middle of my hard work day. It always recharges me and makes me happy.
      Well, I'm gonna let you go for now. I know Mama has been wanting to post a blog for the last few days because she had so much fun with you Thursday and she wants to tell you all about it. I'm sure she will get to it this weekend. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
            Mommy is up a little late tonight because she decided to paint her fingernails & toenails and now they aren't dry. So that means I can't go to bed just yet. I don't think my fingernails are all the way dry so this will just be a short little note to let you know how cute & sweet and smart and pretty you are.
      You are just precious. All week long you have been saying "Ball and Sissy, Jon!" Which I am assuming means that you want to play ball with Sissy & Jon. And just tonight when we put you down for bed I got a kiss and when Daddy went to leave you said "Daddy kisses!" You made your poor old man's heart melt at that one, little girl. You already have him wrapped around your finger.
         Well little one, that's it for me, because I think I just smudged a wet nail. I have to go fix it. I love you, baby bird!

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
                  We spent most of yesterday at Granny's apartment, you and I. We both had a rather pleasurable time. I took your Oobi\Jack DVD with us and you enjoyed visiting with Granny, Mamaw and Aunt Lynn but as always you especially enjoyed seeing Papaw. Aunt Lynn went out and got us salads from McDonalds and an ice cream for you. Later that evening we all had more salad and super supreme pizza from Pizza Hut.
      Granny fractured her pelvis a few weeks back I'm sure I mentioned in an earlier post. I had to help Aunt Lynn and Mamaw get her into and out of the tub for her shower. You watched all of this with a great deal of concern on your precious little face. It really was a physically painful event for poor old Granny and you didn't like that at all. Later that night I tried to put you into her tub for your bath but you threw an ever loving fit. You didn't want anything to do with such an evil tub that would hurt Granny in such a way. I gave you the shortest bath in your life and got you out, pronto. I would never have put you in that tub if I had known that you were going to have such a negative reaction to it. After Granny got out of the tub and back into her bed you kept wandering into her room and chatting her up in an attempt to cheer her up. I'm sure you did. You are such a ray of sunshine that how could your countenance not cheer someone up?
      Granny played her Harmonica for you later that evening. She kept complaining that the harmonica was so old that it had lost a note. I remember playing with that harmonica when I was just a wee lad. You loved the music Granny was playing for you. You danced up a jig to the good old gospel tunes that Granny was playing and we all laughed and clapped along with you. I remember my great grandfather, Alonzo Bowman playing his harmonica for me when I was little. Only I remember a tune about a monkey and a train. I have no idea why I am remembering a monkey and a train in connection with my own Papaw's songs. I could be remembering it all wrong. Mamaw is afraid that you will not remember Granny. I do pray that you do remember her and know the love she has for you. Granny has always been such an important part of my life. I grew up next door to Granny and Bambi Dee so they are almost as close as my own parents. I feel towards her much the way you feel towards Mamaw & Papaw.
      You've taken to doing a very cute thing lately but for some reason I don't think either your Mother or I have mentioned it. Whenever your Mom wants to know if you need help she will ask if she can "Help you".
      Now whenever you want help from one of us you will not say "Help me", you say instead "Help you".
      We both think that is so cute. Of course you are the cutest little girl around. I was bragging on how smart you are today when Aunt Lynn told me that it was not smart to brag on my child so much because you would always do something to make me look like a fool after I have talked you up so much. I know that I see you through a parental perfection prism and that you are not perfect. You do have quite the temper and you can be bossy and impatient. All traits inherited from your Mother. You will be a very successful lady when you grow up though, I have no doubt. There will be problems when you get into your teen years and I'm glad that they are many years away at this point but I'm just enjoying these carefree years when you can do nothing wrong; or almost nothing. You punched your Mom hard in the nose this morning and hurt her feelings so bad that she actually cried. That was not a very nice thing for you to do and we had a talk about it.
      Well, that's it for today. I'll close out this post as I always do. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
                  I'm up way too late. It's actually Saturday morning but because I haven't been to bed yet it still feels like Friday night.
I didn't go in to work yesterday. I am having issues that would make the lack of timely and immediate bathroom breaks a very big issue, if you know what I mean. I took you and your mom to Lexington today for your dentists appointment. We were a little early; a week early in fact. It's not until next week.
      We went to eat at an Italian place called Johnny Corino's. We all liked it well enough. I got the lunch special of unlimited soup, salad and bread. I filled up on bread so I didn't get but one bowl of salad and one bowl of Italian chili. Your Mother had chicken fettuccine and you had regular fettuccine. After we ate we went to check out a portrait studio called Portrait Innovations. I think we are going to take you there for your next set of professional photos.
      We then went next door to Coldstone Creamery and had some very expensive ice cream. I wanted to get some sprinkles on your ice cream but your Mom told me that the leading cause of choking in toddlers was sprinkles. I have no idea where she pulled that little factoid from. It was very tasty but not tasty enough for what we paid. We were the only people in there most of the time so we let you wander about. You had big fun in there.
      After that we went to Babies "R" Us and purchased a cute little dress for this summer, a pair of shorts, a cute little white top and an Easter dress. We also purchased some baby proofing items. We spent more than I wanted to while we were there but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. You had a majorly nasty stinky diaper that we discovered at the ice cream place but I told your Mom to wait until we got to Babies "R" Us because they have a real nice changing room as you would expect. After you had your diaper changed I set you down on the floor and you took off running all about the store. I followed right behind you and we both had some big fun.
      We had planned on going to Garden Ridge to browse but we were all getting a little tired and we still had some groceries to get. We went to Wal-Mart and bought a whole bunch of groceries. You got real fussy while we were there but all in all you were a good girl today. On the way to Wal-Mart you heard a dog barking and informed us that "Papoo got dog".
      That was so cute. You are such a smart little thing. Your Mama tells me that you are the smartest child at Gymboree. Anyway, we finally arrived back home and I bathed you while Mom unloaded the groceries. Everything was going along quite nicely until I laid you down to dry you off and get you ready for bed. You hollered for your Mama. SO I called her in and she finished you up. You tried to fight us when we laid you in your bed for the night but we finally won that battle. Mama said you were just too stimulated to relax.
      We got your twenty month picture yesterday, oh by the way you were twenty months old yesterday. I can't believe I got the perfect shot on the very first picture. Your mom put your hair up in real pig tails today and they were just the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life and they stayed up all day too. Your Mom says that she thinks they are less uncomfortable for you when you get them put in than a pony tail. I like the pig tails better anyway.
      I have been working on your blog all night. I put up your twenty month picture, chose pictures for your twenty month photo array, added the twenty month picture to your second year photo array, chose and published some 19 month pictures to your online photo album and did some major work on the lay out of your online photo album. I have been a busy little camper this early early morning.
      Well, that's about all I have for you this evening. I'll let you go for now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Dear Rebecca,
                  This is just a quick little not to let you know that you and I have had yet another wonderful day together today. You are the most precious little thing I have ever seen. We got to Gymboree early today - way before the teacher, and you pressed your nose up against the glass to get in. You hollered and wailed wanting to go in there and play with all those pretty play things. There was another Mom and child waiting and we were trying to talk to each other but you kept making it known that you wanted IN. The child's name was Ari. Ari kept looking at you like you had lost your mind. He was two months younger than you, though. One day when he remembers what all is in that room he will react the same way you did. I bet anything.
      We went to CiCi's pizza for lunch after our visit to Gymboree. I always have to wrestle you out of Gymboree. They bring out Gymbo (that's the Gymboree clown mascot) and sing a good-bye song and you take off flying looking for somewhere to hide. You're so cute. You are good at the activities, too. Most of the time you are doing to activity or game before the teacher has even finished explaining it and then you run off to play somewhere else. We really enjoyed our visit to CiCi's and our visit to Gymboree. I love hanging out with you. You're Mommy's very best buddy. I love you, Rebecca!