Say What!?

Oh wow, its been a while since I've posted. So much to catch up on...
However, this post is just going to be a "Say What!?", so I don't forget them.

So here goes.
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Sometimes I look at Mady and tell her, "I love you with all my heart and soul!"
So yesterday, she looked at me and said: "Mommy, I love you with all my heart and snow!" 

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Mady is a good sleeper. She prefers certain things though. Like, a dark room, noise maker of some fan sound and her blankey. She isn't the best car sleeper. She has to be pretty tired to sleep in the car and it has to be a long car ride for it to happen.

So on the rare occasion when we need her to sleep in the car we will say to her, "Close your eyes, lay back and relax."

So the other day she told me: "Mommy, close your eyes and belax." 
Be-lax. Kind of like "be relaxed", I guess.

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I love how observant Mady is becoming. If I paint my toe nails for have a different dress on, she notices. Everything.

So the other day I was attempting to get up off the floor and had been battling a sore/twisted knee and I guess I grimaced in pain and Mady said: "Mommy, are you ok? What's the matter?"
I said: "Oh, Mommy's ok, I just have a sore knee right now."
She said: "Mommy, daddy can protect it and make it all better." 
SO SWEET!!

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Mady's BFF is a little girl named Moriah. I have blogged about them in the past.
They are fun together.
We have a CD that sings the Old and New Testament books. The old testament ends with "Zechariah Malachi".

Mady has gotten it in her head that "Zechariah" sounds like "Moriah", which it does rhyme at the end.
So she would often sing: "Moriah avachaif". Made NO SENSE to me, until I finally listened closer to what she said. She was singing, "Zechariah Malachi." So I finally corrected her that that was not Moriah's name.
Then she told me: "Miss Stacy say, "Moriah Faye". Which is actually Moriah's name. So funny. She knew all along, but just liked the rhyming. Haha.

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This isn't really a "Say What!?", per say, but something to be noted for future reflection.
Mady really loves music and has memorized all of her CD's and can sing every word.
I just love it. She sits in the back seat and sings her little heart out. When she is playing she will often sing to herself. She also often asks me to STOP singing, so she can sing....that is not as cute...but boy, she loves to sing.

Her latest favorite is Shane and Shane's "When I think about the Lord", also one of my favorites. She loves to let out a big "SHOUT" after the "It makes me want to SHOUT!!" I can fondly remember singing this song as a new believer. So fun to hear my daughter sing it now.
God is good!

Say What!?

Lately my precious 2 1/2 year old (yes, 2.5 yrs OLD!) has been full of interesting things to say.
She loves to tell you EVERYTHING that is on her mind and a lot of times she will tell combine it all into one BIG LONG sentence, barely taking a breath. Her thoughts may seem disconnected because she is literally telling you everything she can think of because YOU are listening. You ask her about one thing and you will get an EAR FULL about 20 things!! Such a fun age.

Here are her funny Say What's!? lately:

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When we go to the grocery store we ALWAYS have to say hello to the Lobsters in their tank. She loves to watch them swim and see their tentacles and big claws. She almost always calls them "CRABSTERS". She combines crab and lobster. I hardly correct it because I love it.

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Mady has taken a real interest in Weddings and Brides and Grooms, Husbands and Wives lately. Maybe because she is going to be in a wedding in June and we've been talking about that lately. Or maybe because she loves to look at some of our wedding pictures and see Mommy in a pretty "Princess dress". Who knows. She will also identify my friends by their names and say who their husbands are. Hilarious.
For example. She'll say: "That's Ms. Mewissa (Melissa)." 
                      I'll say: "....and who's that (pointing at Melissa's husband, Joe)?"
                      She'll say: "That's Mr. Joe, Ms. Mewissa's husband." 
So cute. So after that I will say, "Yes, there are married. They are husband and wife."

And here is where the "say what!?" comes in....
So for 'Mady Speak' she will often say : "Wusband" or "Wivesband" for "Husband and Wife".
I guess its just easier to combine it. Haha. Kind of like "Bennifer" for Ben and Jennifer. Hilarious.

Here is another wedding one...
When she see's a picture of a women in a wedding dress she will say: "She has her wedding on!" 
Haha! Makes me want to say: "Yes, she's getting her wedding on!" Like "She's getting her groove on!" :) 
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The other day Mady and I were having a hard time. She was disobeying frequently and I was having to talk with her and discipline her. She kept disobeying and we kept having to repeat it. So finally I just put her in her crib for a time out (I am not a huge proponent of these, but sometimes you both just need a little break and breather). So after her "breather" I went into her room and she smacked herself on the leg twice and with a very serious face said: "I disciplined myself Mommy." 

OH MY GOODNESS! I had to hold back the laughter, because she still was unrepentant and just skipped right to consequence! It was hilarious. These are the moments that make you smile even in the midst of difficult training. Thankful for these moments.

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 The other night we were driving home in a bad storm, really hard, loud rain. It was kind of scary, thankfully we were close to home. When we were stopped at a red light, it literally looked like we were in a carwash with the amount of rain that was coming down on our car.

I looked into the back seat to see Mady's reaction to the BUCKETS and SHEET of torrential rain streaming down her windows and she said: "Mom our car's melting!" 

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With Easter right around the corner we've been talking a lot about Jesus and his death and resurrection. I have mainly read her the Jesus Story Book Bible stories about this and she has really gravitated towards it. Especially the picture of Jesus on the cross, crying.  I try to then point her to the fact that HE BEAT DEATH! because he was God and turn her to the very happy ending, without losing the seriousness of the cross. Its a VERY hard balance for the tender conscious of a two year old!

Anyway. We've been saying things like "Jesus died for your sins and can give us a new heart."
and "Jesus took the penalty/ (or punishment/ discipline) for your sins." "Jesus has made it possible for you to know God fully and be with him forever." Etc. Etc. SIDE NOTE: It is very hard to explain the gospel to a two year old. I feel so bad at it. Thankful the Holy Spirit is the ultimate shaper of hearts. Just saying.

So in light of all of this....I was putting Mady to bed tonight and she had just recently been disciplined for something and she was repenting. She said: "Mom, I was disciplined?" 
"Yes Mady you were."
"I die on a cross?" 

I about DIED when she said that! "No sweetie." How do you recover from that!! Haha. I hopefully did a good job of explaining that. Glad her wheels are turning though. Thankful.

Happy ALMOST Easter! 

HE IS RISEN!  

Say What?!

So my girlfriend has a little girl that is a day older than Mady. She and Mady are BFF. Well, as BFF as you can be at this age. They play really well together. Its fun to watch.

Today we had a play date with "Riah", as Mady calls her. Her actual name is Moriah. We are into nicknames over here.

Anyway. "Riah's" Mom told me that her daughter calls "Church" = "Jesus". Haha!!
So she said that while they were at "Jesus" last week "Riah" took a tumble and fell.
Later, like typical 2 year olds "Riah" was recounting the fall to her mother and said: "I fell at Jesus?" 
Haha!!
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When Mady and I ride in the car I try to use that time to pray out loud with her. Usually during short trips. It passes the time and I don't have to listen to "The Wheels on the Bus" for the thousandth time. I like it for short trips because it keeps my prayers short and focused for the little one.

So today, we were driving along and we prayed for a few people I wanted to pray for and then I asked her who she wanted to pray for next.

She said: Daddy 
Of course, lets pray for Daddy! We did.

Then I asked again, who else she'd like to pray for when we were done praying for Daddy.

She said: Bucky
Bucky is our DOG! Yes. So what did we do? We prayed for Bucky.

Then I asked for someone else we could pray for.
And she said: God
 My first thought was "God doesn't need us to pray for him." But, of course the 2 year old, unbeliever in the back seat is not going to understand that....so I turned it around in praying THANKSGIVING for Jesus, to God.

Just thought that was funny, but good. Never a bad thing to thank God for Jesus (who is one in the same, but different. Trinity doctrine is also dictated for the longer car rides. Haha) 

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Now that Mady is a bit older we have begun to really delve into different Bible Stories with her and at length. Ask her good questions and help her make connections. She loves her "Jesus Story Book Bible". We pick a different story each day (most days) and read and discuss. She has requests for favorites like "Jonah and the Whale" and "David and Go-yiaf" .....that is her favorite right now.

So tonight, while I was reading "David and Go-yiaf" we had a funny, but great "Say What" moment.
There is a line in the story that basically says: "My God is SO GREAT!" David to Goliath.
So usually when we read this I start to sing the "My God is SO BIG, SO strong and SO mighty" song. She loves that.

So tonight she sang it after this part in the story and if you don't know that song it goes like this:
"My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do, for you!"
At the end of this....Mady added: "there's nofin' my God cannot do, for YOU DAVID!" 

Brought a tear to my eye. Bryan and I both looked at each other and praised her for this connection.
So fun to see when your kids "get it".

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Mady Speak

Toe Nails: "Poe-nails"...yet if you point to a toe and ask her what it is, she will say "TOE"....but the nail is "POE". Haha!

Really/very good: "Vrrlly good"  Her own combo of "really" and "very".

"Say What!?"

I have so many "Say What!?" moments lately.
Its funny how their verbal development happens in spurts.

Lately, it seems that Mady is discovering adjectives/ adverbs.

Now, I am no English major.
So please don't judge whether I am describing what she is saying is actually an adjective or adverb. I think in some instances it may be both or one or the other. Hah!

Anyway.

She will say things like:
"Thats really, really fun." Emphasis on the word really.
"That is very, very tasty." Emphasis on tasty. 

I really, really like this very, very much!! Its just too darn cute...especially when she says it very serious with her glasses down on her nose and eyes peering at me over the top of them.

She is a character. Here are some of the new adjectives I've noticed her saying:  beautiful, incredible, awesome. When she uses them they are usually preceded with either "really, really" or "very, very".
Mady has also started to express her opinion more. Like I will ask her: "Would you like to have a grilled cheese for lunch?" and she says to me: "No, I not want that." Or, I will say to her its your nap time and she argues: "No Mommy, not yet. Pwayin' time now. For a few minutes." What!? Who do you think you are Little Missy? These moments have proven to be good opportunities to teach obedience and forbearance. For both her and I!!!
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Bathroom Say What: 

As I was getting her out of the bath tonight she told me that her hands were "prickly under there." 
Which meant her hands that were under her towel where "wrinkly".

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She loves to watch me put on my make up. She almost always has to hold one of my blush brushes and pretend to use it. I love this. I remember doing this with my grandmother, whom I adore.  The other day Bryan was home when Mady was with me in the bathroom and he asked her what Mommy was doing. 

I was expecting her to say: "Mommy puttin' on make-ups." ...because she does know that is what it is called. After all she pretends to participate and has done this for over a year now...but today she said: 

"Mommy's paintin'!"  Haha! Is she trying to tell me to lessen up on the eye shadow??? Haha. Maybe. 

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We were coloring the other day and she drew a horizontal line and she said: "Look Mom! It's a STRAIGHT 'S'!" Hilarious connection...and she is kind of correct on that.

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More Mady Speak: 

"Woodles": Noodles 

"Cherr-Ritter": Cheerleader

 

 

"Say What!?"

Mady is enamored with the story of Jonah.
It could be because we have a very good "boy friend" named Jonah, that we play with and see a lot.
Or it could be because we have a children's version of the Story of Jonah among her little "library".

Either way. She constantly talks about Jonah and the whale.

The other day I asked her what place did God tell Jonah to go to?
To which she should have said: Nineveh 
My child's answer: "Cinnamon " 

Not quite Love, but you get major points for making your mom and dad laugh until their were tears in our eyes!

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The other day we were running to our car when it was raining and Mady proclaimed:
"Mom! Its drippin' every-where!? " 
Almost in a tone of disbelief. So precious.

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Refrigerator = Fridger 

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This is a GROSS one. (You've been warned)
Mady and I recently came down with the Stomach bug.
I woke up Thursday morning with a bad stomach ache and actually got sick before Mady even woke up. I was nervous to expose her to my germs but had to be Mom until Daddy came home from work.

To my surprise, the Stomach bug also visited Mady. She apparently vomited on one of her blankets in the wee hours of the morning. She was calling for me over the monitor like normal and I went in and saw all her stuffed animals and other blankets on the floor (out of her crib) unscathed by the vomit.

She looked up at me and said: "Mommy, I sleepy so good!" 
To which I said: Good Honey. Getting closer now I could smell that she had gotten sick.
She immediately picks up her only remaining blanket and says: "Ewww yuck! Sicky all over it!!! " 

I love my little clean girl. What a dream. She had removed all other things as to not get "sicky" all over them. (Don't be fooled, they still got washed).

Poor Daddy didn't fair so well.  The surprise she left in her crib at nap wasn't as tidy.
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"Say What!?"

So here are some random Say What!? moments, as of late:

"Pooter" = Computer

"Manna" = Mady .......   Not quite sure why she is calling herself this these days...but she is now "Manna from Heaven", as we joke.

"Mr. Man" = A replacement title for a man she does not know or has forgotten their actual name.

"Popsy" = Pops, her Grandfather, Bryan's dad. He is Pops to the other cousins but "Popsy" to Mady.

"Annipiyar" =  Caterpillar

Lately she is obsessed with the following: Stuffed animals, stuffed animals and stuffed animals. Mothers them, rocks them, feeds them, spanks them, kisses them, puts diapers on them and puts them to bed. She is really enjoying playing more and more alone and using her imagination. She sings songs and has full blown conversations between "characters".  This is where I hear a lot more "Say What!?" moments that I am sure I am forgetting now, so maybe check back and I'll be adding more to this list. 

Say What!?

Christmas Version

My daughter, oh my daughter.
She is the inquisitive type.
Always asking questions, always listening (even when it seems like she is not).
She is a sponge.
Absorbing it all.

Some days I am amazed when I over hear her singing every word of "How Deep the Father's Love for Us", "Gather Round Ye Children Come" and others like "The Doxology", "Jesus Loves Me" and even some Disney favorites like "I just can't wait to be King" and "Hakuna Matata". She loves music and constantly is singing.

The comprehension does not stop with the songs and their lyrics. She actually listens as I attempt, in my meager ways to bring the gospel into teachable moments. There are many moments in being at home with her that guide to a natural gospel conversation (especially in the midst of discipline). Learning sin, repentance and forgiveness is essential in any good time of correction.

However the fun parts of my "job" is when I can see and hear her make these connections without my prompting.

The other night when I was putting her to bed. She has given up the rocking part of our bedtime routine....{tear} I have since started laying her down, rubbing her back and praying with her. As I have stated before, this is the sweetest time of my entire day. Now granted, lately she insists on singing 8 thousand random songs and will often yell over my singing if she doesn't want to hear "my" song or listen to my praying for her (sheesh)....however, we have nights where we have great conversation and I can really listen to her heart as she pours out the random thoughts, there in the quietness of her room. Just me and her. This is where she is like me. I do this to my very tired husband most nights. He usually has to tell me "your therapy session is over, go to bed"!  Hah!

Anyway....I digress.


As I finished praying with Mady she began to talk...(I wish I could remember verbatim how it went...but this is the gist)


Mady: Mommy....I sin?
Me: Well, yes sweetie you do. In God's Word Romans 3:23 tells us that all people sin.  Even Mommy and Daddy.
Mady: Jesus... sin? 
Me:  No baby. Jesus didn't sin because He was God. He took our punishment for our sins. He was perfect. We are not. This is why we ask God to forgive us when we disobey. God loves to see you repent and turn to Him. He wants it to "go well" with us and that is a big reason why He gave us Jesus.


I was not prepared to have such deep theological conversations with my two year old!
I love her little inquisitive nature.
I am so glad that God is redeeming our hardest moments as parents (in having to discipline) and using it to draw their little hearts to himself.
Only the Holy Spirit can evoke those kinds of questions in the heart of a 2 year old.

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We have, like many other people our Manger scene out.
We like to play with it and talk about who every one is.
My awesome M.I.L. got Mady the Fisher Price Manager Scene (and I will say I may have been even more excited than Mady to get this one).  I am obsessed with it!!! Its so so so cute.

Mady adores it and carries the little people every where.
She has her own versions of their names.

Joseph: Joefish
Mary: Meery 
Wise Men: Wise Ben
Lamb: Yambs
Angel of the Lord: Angel of the Yord or Princess Gurl Angel

Lately Mady has enjoyed playing with a few Tiger figures my brothers gave her and continually adds them to the Manger Scene. In case you didn't know. There was as Siberian and Bengal Tiger in attendance on the night of our Savior's birth. Also....and if she is feeling into it....Pumba, the Worthog from the Lion King, can also be found admiring our baby Jesus. 

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Having a toddler this year around the Holidays has made me contemplate the whole idea of "Santa" even more. I am thankful for a friend of mine posting this link to an awesome blog about their families interpretation of how to handle this in a God honoring way in their home. Makes you think.....(I am not saying what she is says is perfect and should be done...just saying it makes you think)

Thankfully, we don't have to really delve into this for another year or so. Mady thinks Santa is Moses. True story. We went to the mall the other day and she saw him and we asked her who it was and she said: "Moses!" Big difference from last year when she thought Noah was "Ho-Ho". Haha.The confusion isn't just with her, but in my hear too, as I think about our kids and the real meaning of Christmas. I am going to truly pray about this....but the more I think about it. The more it makes sense.

Lets exult Christ this season (and every season of our lives)....but especially in light of his miraculous virgin birth. Which lead to a perfect, sinless life and perfectly, painful death on a rugged cross....to save a perfectly imperfect sinner, like myself. So that I can experience paradise with Him forever and ever. "Gaining from His reward"....and all because He cares for me and making His glory known in this truly GLORIOUS picture of true LOVE. ......

...so YES, lets over shadow that with a large, glutinous, fictitious man that most people mistakenly view as "god"...lie to our kids so they can be overly showered with gifts they won't care about in a few days to only have to "un-do" our lie, years later and explain ourselves in saying we "just wanted them to have a great Christmas"....but wait....isn't it all about Jesus anyway. Isn't that why we spend half a second (like I did as a kid) in the dreaded Christmas Eve service. Bearing with all the other families that will think on the cross just long enough to feel good about God and thus feel then worthy to receive their over indulgence in things they don't need anyway......uhhhh!

Exhausting and UNNECESSARY.  Just saying. 

This post wasn't supposed to be a rant....sorry.

I am loving this time of year with my 2 year old. So much fun and excitement. I love telling her about the true Christmas Story.
The one that actually happened.
I love telling her the truth of the Gospel. He is my delight and I want Him to be her's too.

Say What!?

Mady had her first introduction to Popcorn the other day. Which surprises me it has taken me this long to share this tasty treat with her. It is my a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e favorite snack....maybe even food. I will go to the techy-est of guy flicks if it means I can have a bag of popcorn (hold the butter). I know I am weird.

Anyway. Its a great snack and not too bad for you, if you buy the right stuff.

I have won Mady over. She loved it!
The best part....which is the "Say What!?" moment was later in the evening she asked for more popcorn by saying: "More acorns please Mom?" Translation: "More popcorn, please Mom?"
Acorns/ popcorn. Pretty close, if you ask me.
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So the other day, as I was explaining all the things we had to do that day to Mady while getting her dressed and ready to go. We basically had to run a few errands. I used the word "errands"....not thinking that she had no idea what that meant. But actually thought that I was talking about my friend named "Erin" who is mom to her friend "Tim" and "Baby Justin".

So as we walked into the Bank, to run errand number 1, Mady asked with much excitement: "Where is Erin and Tim?" I didn't actually put it together until today...that she thought the word "errand" was my friends name, "Erin". Sorry baby, next time I will have to be more specific and really speak clearly. 
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Whenever I am feeding Mady and she has a last bite to finish I will say: "Last one."
or
when we are reading books, or playing something and she has to finish up soon I will say "Last one" again.

Mady has figured this out. So now, when I am about to say it....she likes to say it for me.
However her version of "Last one" is "Last more". 
You can tell that she actually wants "more" of whatever it is we are doing, but knows its actually the last "one"...too funny. I also love that it is all the while spoken in the same exact tone that I use with her. What a little Mama she is. I already fear how she will boss her siblings around one day. Hope not!
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The last "more" story (hah) comes from something that actually happened today. I decided, don't ask me why, but today I decided to wear my HUGE fake pearl earrings while we ran some erins errands around town.

If you know my daughter, you know that she notices everything and LOVES jewelry.

I was carrying her into the Library for Story Time with she turned to me and noticed my earrings.  She immediately touched them and said "Earrings!!!" 

Then it was (and I am not making this up)...."Princess Mommy, getting marriages!" Translation= "Princess Mommy, getting married!" This basically means (translation of the translation) that when she looks at her princess books she notices that all the Princesses have on earrings and look like Brides (or are Brides) depending on which story and what "scene" the picture is depicting. Even if they are not getting married and its just a "Prince and Princess lived happily ever after" type ending, I usually add "They got married and lived happily ever after". I am all about not putting the cart before the horse, if you know what I mean.

So, now Mady associates all things Princess's with Brides and Earrings with both Brides, Princesses and Marriage. So sweet.

So yes, my darling. Mommy is a Princess Bride and I am married to your Dad, the Prince....and one day, your Prince will come for you and you too can wear Earrings on your wedding day.

"Say What!?"

One evening while Mady was in her bath she was naming all the body parts while I was washing them.
It went like this...

"Mommy wash eey foot...eey yeg....eey bottom....eey agina (bet you can't guess what that part is? hah) and eey arm...." and so on...you get the point.

The best one, and the one that gets the "Say What!?" award was...."eey bobo"....translation= "Elbow"!

So cute!!
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Another "Say What!?" moment comes from a dear friend of mine as she recounted a story about her little one.  It was too funny and I just had to post it 1.) because I love this gal (like a sister) and 2.) I cannot get enough of her little guy and want to remember him forever! I did get permission to share their moment.

One day, while my friend and her son were going about their day.....she was overcome with affection for her little guy (as us Mommas often are) and reached down and gave him some love and said:

"I LOVE YOU!"

To which he responded: "I spank you because I love you!" Hahaha!!!

She said she immediately felt like maybe the only time she says "I love you" is after she has to discipline him....but I can tell you that is not true. She tells him a lot! She also knew that wasn't the only time she shared her love, but I can totally relate. Having a 2 year old means lots of instructing your child's heart in prayer, love and discipline. I am encouraged to hear that he is connecting those two important things: discipline comes because we love you and don't want you to stay the disobedient little rascal that you can sometimes be! I wish my little rascal would verbalize that to me!

LOVE THEM BOTH!

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Say What!?

While my dad was visiting we took Mady to the zoo and he bought her a cute little Tiger Purse while we were there. She loves purses and all things girly right now, so this was a perfect gift for our little girly-girl.

The next morning I asked her what she was playing with and she said: "My Tiger person!" 
Translation: "My Tiger purse". 

To be sure I heard her right, I said: "Mady what is this?", while pointing at her Tiger purse.
To which she said and with full confidence: "Tiger PERSON!" 

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Bryan's cousin faithfully serves us well by giving us her daughter's hand me downs. We love them and think they are very special because we know and love who used to wear them. She always has the cutest stuff, including fun Pajamas. Especially Halloween ones.

So since Halloween is right around the corner we've been putting Mady in the Halloween PJs at night.
The other night I put her in some cute ones with a little black cats and pumkins on the pants.
While I was rocking her in her dark room I noticed they were glow in the dark pants. Little outlines of cats and pumkins were neon on Mady's little legs.

I showed Mady, to which she said after intensely staring down at her pants: "Mom, turn eey yight off!"
Translation: "Turn the light off Mom.", while pointing to her pants.

She thought the glow in the dark could be controlled by a switch! So precious. Love that little mind so much.

Say What!?

This say what post belongs to my ADORABLE nephew, Layton.


He's 4, the big cousin.....
and every bit of Mady's obsession!
She adores him.

I adore him and the fun things that he says. I work the 4 year old class at church (which has also been a "Say What!?" post) and it makes me smile every time I spend time with these kids. They are starting to make sense of things and ask good questions. I just love to hear how they put it all together.

This "Say What!?" moment is from lunch, after Mady's birthday party. I was sitting down at the table with Mady and Layton. He was teaching Mady the letter sounds and we were examining the table top catties (the thing that holds the sugars and salt/ pepper etc.).

He was studying the pepper shaker and looked up at me and asked:

"Is this Dr. Pepper?"
Haha!!! "No, buddy. That is just Pepper."
So, so precious.

My father in law also shared a fun story with a "Say What!?" moment.

He said Layton and him were sitting watching the World Series and my father in law asked him:
"Hey Layton, what are we watching?"

Layton said, after he thought for a moment: "The World Serious!"

Oh.my.goodness. I cannot wait to hear what Mady comes up with at 4. So fun. My sister in law must laugh and smile all day!
Can't get much cuter than that. Love my nephew(s). Fills my hearts desire for boys quite nicely....wish we lived closer at times so I could have even more time to spoil them with them.

Say What!?

This post will be full of random "Say What!" moments I am trying to desperately remember before they go away. She is changing so quickly that her little mistakes are only cute mistakes for like a week, or even a few days before she figures out the correct way to say what she is trying to say.
So here goes lately:
                                                                                                                                                                     

When I read to Mady and we are done with one book and about too move on to another I always ask her what books she wants to read next with a couple of choices.

I may say something like: "Okay Mady, we just read your Penguin book, what book would you like to read next?"

Then I offer a few suggestions she can choose from. I usually say: "How about...." (while dragging out the how about part, kind of in the 'I am trying to decide' tone)

"How about....'Night, Night Moon book', or 'I Love you Mommy' book?"

So now, when we sit down to read books or do anything, Mady will offer her choices. Only she says:
"About...." instead of "How about...". Her "About" sounds just like the tone and pitch (and even dragging it out) of my "How about..". Hilarious. Definitely one you have to be there for, but totally worth documenting for my own personal amusement.

Its so cute because she will say: "About we go walkin'", then she walks to the door and says: "Okay!!!" Answers her own questions these days. Or, another example: "About....watch eey show gether??" Translation: "How about we watch a show together?"

She loves to pick and choose our activities and I love how she phrases things just like I phrase them to her. So sweet.
                                                                                                                                                                     

Did I mention that I am no longer "Mommy" or "Momma", but rather "Mom". Bryan is also "Dad" instead of "Daddy" or our favorite, "Dadda". We also used to have a brand name, "Momma-dadda". Haven't heard that since about 18 months. So crazy how quickly their language develops at these ages.
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When we read a book about all different dog breeds I try to teach her the differences between each breed. When we get to the "Boxer", which is what our precious Calvin is she usually says: "Bucky- Yamb-Chop", which is what we call him sometimes. Except her word "Yamb, is actually "Lamb". Don't ask why we call him that, but we do.

I know we have problems!
Anyways...

Now when we get to the Boxers she tries to say that they are "Boxers" and it comes out "Boxs-kers".
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So I used to have pre-warn Mady when we'd go places that people would probably come up to her and say how pretty she was, or how cute her hair was...but mainly it was warning her for the "WOW, I cannot believe she has glasses and so young!". And, these well meaning people were usually right in her face about it. So....it took some prepping before Mady was okay with this invasive-ness! Can you blame her? So, I'd warn her before grocery store trips and other outings that it was okay if someone came up to her when Mommy was there to compliment her or ask about her glasses. Just be kind and say "Thank you." Usually, even if they'd ask about her glasses they'd always compliment her in some way. People are just curious. I get it. It was sweet of them to sugar cote their curiosity with a kind remark about Mady. I appreciated it....because the questions do/did get old, and it kind of freaked Mady out when people would do this. So pre-warning was necessary for sometime, now she is used to it and generally pretty kind to people.

Okay, all that to say.....

I also "pre-warn", or rather teach Mady how to interact with others when they ask her things. I'm sure I am not the only Mom doing this. How else do they learn social graces?

For instance... (and this is where the "say what!" part comes in) when we are at the play ground by our house, I generally try to meet the moms and interact with the kids too. Its really something we try to be consistent about to reach our neighbors and our community.

So I used to tell Mady, when she really started becoming verbal: "If someone asks you your name, you say 'My name is Mady' ".

Of course usually its the parents asking the names to each other's kid and my child usually answers their question of : "What's your name?" with : "Names Manny" translation: "My name's Mady". ...which if you say that back to yourself (forgetting her pronunciation flub) she really should have just said in response to their question only her name....but, how funny that she follows her Momma's instruction to a T and tries to say: "My name's Mady.", instead of just answering with "Mady". I love it.

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There are million more stories like this, I am sure I am forgetting. I love celebrating each stage and change in their little personalities. It goes so fast. I remember my nephew going through all of this and thinking it would be forever before Mady did/ said these sort of things....but here we are! Crazy!
God is good to bless us with this little girl to love and laugh with.

"Say What!?"

Ok, so this "Say What" post is actually NOT about my child.
It is about a kiddo from my Nursery class last Sunday. I help teach the 4 year old class. If you know anything about kids, you know that the ages from 3-6 are hilarious when it comes to what comes out of their mouths. Both hilarious and sometimes terrifying! Hah. I cannot imagine what Ms. Mady will say :)

This story was just too funny to not put in my "Say What!?" section. Couldn't pass it up.
I will neither confirm, nor deny that this child is the son or daughter of an elder of my church. Which makes this story even more fun!

We were teaching the Story of Babel.
Teacher explained what different languages were and how the Lord caused the people to speak in different languages to fall into confusion. She even demonstrated in Spanish. Of course none of them understood what she said in Spanish. To which she said:

"You didn't understand me because I was speaking in a different language! I was speaking Spanish."

This certain little someone then stated, with full authority: "I speak NORMAL."

As if that wasn't funny enough....there is more.

A little later we were reviewing Catechism questions. This little someone was asked:

"Who created you?"...."God." 
"Prove it." (Which means, 'what is the scripture reference that tells us this') To this he/she said: "I can't!" Ok, haha. Hilarious....


"What else did God create?" : "HORSES!!" Hahaa!! Yes, true, but not quite the answer we were looking for. How about "All things!"
And again, "Prove it!" : "I can't!" 

Oh, my goodness. I love kids! I love their little hearts and the words that just pour out of their mouths! Never disappointing. This little person knew the correct answers, but his or her first responses were too funny!!

Say What?!

First Story

The other day I was pushing Mady on the swing at the park and we were reviewing 2 of the catechism questions that she knows.

"Who made you?"
"What else did God make?"

Very simple and strikes up good conversation to be thankful for "all things" that can be visibly seen as we swing. So we started naming things....

"Thank you God for the birds, trees, people, playground" ....etc.

Then, she said: "Thank you God for Mommy!" so sweet, melt my heart.

Then she said: "Thank God for Manny" (she means herself)....then she immediately said, "Manny a bwessin' " translation: "Thank you God for Mady, she's a blessing!"

Haha.

Good thing she is listening when we pray, but now we must teach a humble heart. Haha!!

Second Story

I was feeding Mady her breakfast one morning when she looked up at me and said,
"Hank you too much, Mommy!" Translation: "Thank you so much Mommy!"

Third Story
This one is a little PG-13. Ha.

When Mady woke up from her nap the other day she said her usual:
"Good mornin' Mommy, sleepy so good!!" Translation: Good morning Mommy, I slept so good!"

This after noon she decided to examine me. She said "Wats dat?" to my shirt and tank-top.
Then she pointed at my bright pink sports bra and she said: "Wats dat?"
I said, "Momma's bra". With no other explanation.
She then states: "Momma's boobies".....
"Yes, Mady, thats right!" Haha!!! Wow.  

 

Love those silly things that come out of her mouth and the conversations that we have. They really do understand more than we think. 

PS. Our household is paci free!!! Mady and I had a conversation yesterday about how babies need paci's and big-girls do not. To which she said: "Manny dunn-it need paci, I big-gurl!"

We are running with it! Two sleeps later and she has not asked for it. Yay.

"Say What?!"

My child, if you know her has not ceased to let her voice be known since about 9 months. I have video of the child saying words she had recently learned, at a young age over and over because she could. She likes her voice and she lets it ring, constantly. We do love it, but are prepared that our next children may not have a chance to "find theirs" because hers is so prominent.

So, I 've been encouraged from some friends and family to start a section of the blog that is all about the funny things Little Miss says....because, well its often quite comical, embarrassing and worth remembering. Since my blog has a better memory than I...thus begins the "Say What?!" posts.

A quick 'Say What!?" story to kick it off...

  

1. The other day I was cleaning her bathtub and she was watching me. When I was finished she looked at her tub and said:

 "New bathtub!"

I'm thinking, "really Mady? was it that dirty!!" Even later that evening as she was getting her bath, she was sitting in the suds talking about her "new bathtub".

Many more stories to come....but for now, this is one I could remember off the top of my head! So fun to see the world through your toddlers eyes as they verbally articulate what they are learning! I love being a mom to such a funny little girl!

Sweet Words on my Thankful Thursday

I just have to share this story.

Wednesday is my night to work and before leaving I was supposed to give Bryan instructions on when to give Mady her medicine for her ear infection. Well, of course I forgot. So naturally, he did too.

So, instead of letting her miss a dose, Bryan and I decided that it would be best to wake her and give her it and then put her back to bed. I know this sounds unusual, but we have a very good sleeper on our hands; we knew she'd go right back to sleep.  Especially since during the recent storms and tornadoes we have had to wake her several nights to take her to the basement. She wakes right up and is ready to play! She is a very light sleeper, but, as soon as the warning lifted we would go and lay her in her bed, awake and she'd fall right back asleep without a peep. We are lucky, and thankful.

I check on her every night before I go to bed. Its beautiful to watch your child so peaceful. Watch their little chest rise and fall. See them so cuddled and snugly. Safe and warm. I love it. One of my favorite times to pray over her is while she sleeps.

So when I went in to give her her medicine she was in a very deep sleep. She didn't even wake when I was rubbing her back! It was hard to wake her from such a good dream, but she finally woke. As soon as I noticed her head pop up I picked her up and said: "Honey, its Momma." I didn't want her to be scared. It horrible being awaken from a deep sleep.

As soon as her face met mine she said, in the sweetest, little, girl voice you've ever heard:
"Momma meece you!" = Translation, "Momma, missed you!"

be still my HEART! Exactly what I wanted to hear after being away from her for the evening at work. I love these moments. I love my girl. I love children. Praying the Lord gives us many more, with many more reasons to have sweet words to share on this Thankful Thursday. Happy Thursday!

and yes, she went right back to sleep. :)