Ellie you are about to be a big sister. I am so excited for you...and I think you are too. You are turning into such a big girl...I can't believe you are potty trained...sleeping in a big girl bed...singing to daddy and I and having conversations with us.
I have to tell a funny story before we forget. This weekend I had practice and you were having daddy daughter time...
Daddy said to you:
Ellie are we buddies? No.... Ellie are we friends? Nooooo Ellie am I your daddy...nooo...well what am I....You're a grandma!! You laughed so hard and so did daddy. It was officially your first joke.
You are bringing us so much joy and laughter these days but I am getting teary thinking you wont be the baby anymore. You haven't been a baby for quite some time now but having a baby coming soon puts that more into perspective.
You amaze us every day with how you think and how you view the world.
Your recent say is ahhh perfect day. You seem to day it when you are happy and at the end of the day. It warms our hearts more than anything....every day seems to be a perfect day to you. If only we all looked at life like that....for that day no matter what happened it was a perfect day...because you got to live it.
I always hope you view your days as a perfect day...and continue to bring laughter to everyone you are around.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Those four little words...
The last two weeks have been a big set of changes. You are now in a big girl bed, daddy finished the attic for a play room, we have been trying to potty train and no more "passie" at bedtime. That is a lot of change little one....but you are always up for a new adventure and we knew you could handle it.
With all of these changes we are trying to encourage you to especially go on the potty like a big girl....and then the phrase started...
"I can't do it"
First of all...I really hope you learned that at school and not at home...those four little words are like nails on a chalkboard to me. At two years old you attack everything with such exuberance and excitement; those four words should not be in your vocabulary yet...(well I would like to say if ever).
But they are and we are trying to correct it. I don't care that you don't go potty every time on the potty...or listen to everything we say (as much patience as it takes I love that you already know what you want in life 90% of the time) ....BUT we will always expect you to try....and not take the easy route with I just can't do it. I find those four little words hold so many people back in life...including myself (although I am certain I could not do a marathon well for sure I do not want to do one :)
So this morning we changed the "I can't do it" to "I don't want to" You may not want to take off your minnie PJ's or brush your teeth or get your hat on before we go out the door....but you can do those things and from now on it will be teaching you to say "I don't want to" instead of "I can't do it"
Your stubbornness and strong will makes you who you are....and I love every piece of it...even if I do have to take deep breaths and say "I can parent you." :)
With all of these changes we are trying to encourage you to especially go on the potty like a big girl....and then the phrase started...
"I can't do it"
First of all...I really hope you learned that at school and not at home...those four little words are like nails on a chalkboard to me. At two years old you attack everything with such exuberance and excitement; those four words should not be in your vocabulary yet...(well I would like to say if ever).
But they are and we are trying to correct it. I don't care that you don't go potty every time on the potty...or listen to everything we say (as much patience as it takes I love that you already know what you want in life 90% of the time) ....BUT we will always expect you to try....and not take the easy route with I just can't do it. I find those four little words hold so many people back in life...including myself (although I am certain I could not do a marathon well for sure I do not want to do one :)
So this morning we changed the "I can't do it" to "I don't want to" You may not want to take off your minnie PJ's or brush your teeth or get your hat on before we go out the door....but you can do those things and from now on it will be teaching you to say "I don't want to" instead of "I can't do it"
Your stubbornness and strong will makes you who you are....and I love every piece of it...even if I do have to take deep breaths and say "I can parent you." :)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Yet?
Dear Ellie,
Part of every adults life is about knowing what you like and what you don't like...telling people things you do or don't do. For example, I am frequently telling people that "I don't drink coffee" or that "I don't ski."
There isn't any reason why I don't do these things...I just never started, so, that pretty much means I just don't do them.
On the contrary, right now, everyday you are still learning new things, even though you are at the age where you have a great understanding of the world around you. The beauty of this is that there isn't anything that you "don't do", but rather it is just something that you don't do yet.
It may seem like a trivial difference, but it is not. Typical adults have a dismissive attitude, things they haven't done are just not part of their lives and almost certainly never will. You have the opposite attitude, things you haven't done are just new opportunities to learn or try new things.
A perfect example was tonight at dinner. After seeing me eat with chopsticks tonight, you did your best to do the same no matter how difficult it was :-)
As I watch you and learn from you, I aspire to have an attitude more like yours. In fact, I think we all should take this attitude more often. Imagine how interesting and fun you life would be if you always answered questions like "No, I don't do that...yet"
Love,
Daddy
Part of every adults life is about knowing what you like and what you don't like...telling people things you do or don't do. For example, I am frequently telling people that "I don't drink coffee" or that "I don't ski."
There isn't any reason why I don't do these things...I just never started, so, that pretty much means I just don't do them.
On the contrary, right now, everyday you are still learning new things, even though you are at the age where you have a great understanding of the world around you. The beauty of this is that there isn't anything that you "don't do", but rather it is just something that you don't do yet.
It may seem like a trivial difference, but it is not. Typical adults have a dismissive attitude, things they haven't done are just not part of their lives and almost certainly never will. You have the opposite attitude, things you haven't done are just new opportunities to learn or try new things.
A perfect example was tonight at dinner. After seeing me eat with chopsticks tonight, you did your best to do the same no matter how difficult it was :-)
As I watch you and learn from you, I aspire to have an attitude more like yours. In fact, I think we all should take this attitude more often. Imagine how interesting and fun you life would be if you always answered questions like "No, I don't do that...yet"
Love,
Daddy
Thursday, January 10, 2013
10 Commandments
Mommy's 10 Commandments that I made for myself...I need to remember these!!
1. Be content in the moment
2. Be grateful
3. Remember the big picture
4. Pray
5. Work toward your goals/don't just want them
6. Say no when it blocks your priorities
7. Accept who you are and where you are
8. Do what you are passionate about
9. Remember you cant always make everyone happy.
10. Don't forget to have fun.
I think it's important to get back to basics sometimes and focus on what you stand for and if what you are doing aligns with those beliefs.
1. Be content in the moment
2. Be grateful
3. Remember the big picture
4. Pray
5. Work toward your goals/don't just want them
6. Say no when it blocks your priorities
7. Accept who you are and where you are
8. Do what you are passionate about
9. Remember you cant always make everyone happy.
10. Don't forget to have fun.
I think it's important to get back to basics sometimes and focus on what you stand for and if what you are doing aligns with those beliefs.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Proud of You
I don’t really have a lesson for you...I just have to tell you how proud I am of you Ellie. This weekend we went to Old Chicago for dinner. It was not that long ago that we couldn’t take you out to eat because you would cry and cry....We had a wonderful dinner with you. You said “please and thank you” to our waitress....said “pass” when you wanted some food on the table and said “scuse pease” when you were finished. Then sat nicely and colored until we were done eating. You are turning into such an amazing little girl. You already care about others so much....especially animals. You LOVE having fun...playing chase and running around. I look at how happy you are at this age and I pray that you can be this happy and find the little things in life as enjoyable as you do now.
I’m so proud of you honey and don’t ever forget that. LOVE YOU more than you'll ever know!
I’m so proud of you honey and don’t ever forget that. LOVE YOU more than you'll ever know!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Attempting to Fit In...
This post is meant for when you are 12. The hardest battle you’re ever going to fight is the battle to be you, just the way you are in this moment. We cannot find ourselves if we are always searching for, or morphing into, someone else. In this crazy world that’s trying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self. Be your own kind of beautiful right now, in the way only you know how.
Right now you know exactly who you are. And you are 2 years old. You know when you are hungry, when you are in trouble, when you are tired, what you want to do and how you want to do it. It really is so beautiful. You never think about what others think about what you are doing. You do what you want when you want to (unless mommy or daddy say otherwise).
I wish I could live more like this. I have gotten better but continue to struggle with this one. The truth is we get wrapped up in being concerned with what others and what the world thinks about what we are doing and how we are doing it.
It's amazing to see you play with other kids. You are so confident and fearless. If you want to swing you go and swing. If you want to wear a purple shirt with bright pink pants....well that is what you wear.
When you are older and comparing yourself to others...whether it be looks, grades, accomplishments etc...just remember God made you exactly how you are supposed to be. Go with your instincts and never look back.
For now I am learning from you on how to do exactly what you want to do while still being compassionate and not self centered :) It is a balance to find but one that is rewarding if you do.
For now enjoy every second of playing on your playground the way you want to.
Right now you know exactly who you are. And you are 2 years old. You know when you are hungry, when you are in trouble, when you are tired, what you want to do and how you want to do it. It really is so beautiful. You never think about what others think about what you are doing. You do what you want when you want to (unless mommy or daddy say otherwise).
I wish I could live more like this. I have gotten better but continue to struggle with this one. The truth is we get wrapped up in being concerned with what others and what the world thinks about what we are doing and how we are doing it.
It's amazing to see you play with other kids. You are so confident and fearless. If you want to swing you go and swing. If you want to wear a purple shirt with bright pink pants....well that is what you wear.
When you are older and comparing yourself to others...whether it be looks, grades, accomplishments etc...just remember God made you exactly how you are supposed to be. Go with your instincts and never look back.
For now I am learning from you on how to do exactly what you want to do while still being compassionate and not self centered :) It is a balance to find but one that is rewarding if you do.
For now enjoy every second of playing on your playground the way you want to.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Accepting CriticismI believe learning to accept constructive criticism is such an important part in growing as a person. With being a dancer and now coaching, it was ingrained in me how important it is to not take constructive criticism personally, but to take the advice and grow with it. This took me a long time to learn and I am still learning it. In my professional life I now see how some (women especially) take criticism so personally. This knee jerk response, to any type of suggestion, inhibits them from doing better work and possibly even becoming a better person. It is easy to keep blinders on and believe that your way is the right way ( I often like to believe this) but never forget it most likely isn't the only way. A beautiful thing about the world we live in is that we are all made differently. God made it that way for a reason. Opening yourself up for suggestions or criticism isn't always easy, but it is essential for growth. I find the more centered and confident I am with myself and my life, the more open I am to peoples suggestions and thoughts. If you know your beliefs and values, it is easier to listen to someone else's perspective and opinions. Always take time to reflect on how you can become a better you and what that path looks like and feels like to get there. Love you Miss Ellie....XOXO
To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness.”
Love, Mommy
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