After The Tenth..... When The Fun Really Begins

As of tomorrow, I can't use my favorite phrase any longer, so I'm going to use it now, while I still can. I constantly find myself amazed by what Macy does...whether it be an unusual but impressively long tantrum or doing something like reciting the ABC's, counting to fourteen (we haven't quite made it to fifteen yet), or using her potty. It is during these moments that I find my self saying, "wow...and she's not even two yet."

I have to admit that I often times forget that she's really still a toddler and have to stop my long drawn out lecture, where I'm trying to explain the reason why she can't have what she's asking for or demanding. But it is hard to remember this small fact, when she's constantly doing these advanced feats. (Well I think they are advanced..but I'm not really up on my early childhood development studies)

Here she is showing off her language skills. (We have to hide the fact that we are filming her because if she realizes it, she just wants to hold the camera and stops performing.)

Tomorrow morning when I wake up, I will officially be the father of a two year old.

Happy Birthday Macy!  

Please note that your mommy and your sister and your doggy and I love you very much and even though this year's birthday present won't be nearly as cool as last year's, we still love you just as much. (If you don't remember last year's present, here is the video to help refresh your memory.)

The good news is that thanks to Laney, I don't have to stop using my second favorite saying yet: "She's not even ONE yet"

This week in our house is Manner's Week. Macy has figured out a way to melt my heart over and over. We had been working on getting her to use the word "Please" and to ask nicely for things and it is paying off. Now when she wants something, there is a 50% chance that she'll fall on the floor crying and screaming but that means there is also a 50% chance that she'll ask for it. (Please note that these percentages are not the result of any scientific study and are just one guys feelings)

We haven't quite gotten her to use please without being prompted, but she's not even 2 yet (at least not for another three days); which has been on of my favorite things to say recently. It is usually preceded by Macy doing something new and surprising. The things she knows, hover around the line between impressive and scary. For example, when she demands that daddy pick her up, I just have to look at her and say, "how do you ask?" and she will respond with "please", using her cute little high-pitched voice, coupled with a tooth-ful smile.

As if asking nicely for things isn't enough, what really gets me is after you do what she asked, she will often look at me and without being prompted, say "Thank you Daddy". How can you beat that?

So now it is my turn to return the favor..Thank you Macy, for making me smile and for making the stresses of a long day disappear when you yell out "Hello Daddy" as I walk through the door.

From what I hear, it is bound to happen and we are probably lucky to have gone so long without it...and ER visit. But alas, our luck has run out and we've now been initiated into the "I rushed my child to the ER in the middle of the night" club. Everything is fine, but mean old daddy got everyone in the house sick.

Thanksgiving vacation I caught something and eventually passed it on to the girls who gave it to Annie. Strangely enough, we all reacted differently, but in the end we were all sick. (I got a sinus infection and had to rush to the doctor to get antibiotics, Macy seems to just have a runny nose and Annie doesn't have the runny nose but feels crappy nonetheles) Since Laney is the smallest, she seemed to take it the worst and developed croup. I've experienced few things scarier than listening to your almost 7 month old (I know....how could that be???) daughter wheeze as she struggles for air and then breaks into a fit of coughing which sounds like a seal is hanging out in the house. They say the croup cough is distinctive and who ever "they" may be, they are right on this one.

We are now a number of days sine our visit and she's still suffering, but the cough seems much more normal and the wheezing stopped. It all came on so quickly and the croup portion fortunately seemed to pass as quickly as well. Through the whole ordeal and between coughs, Laney seemed ok. I guess I should qualify that statement since I wasn't actually with her at the hospital. We had to make the tough choice to let Annie go with Laney while I stayed home with our sleeping Macy. It didn't seem fair to drag her out of bed just because I wanted to go with them.

Well all is not bad. While we were heading back to Florida at the end of the Thanksgiving vacation, Annie noticed that Laney had cut her first tooth! Go Laney...