Our House...

Our House...

is a very.. very fine house.

With two cats in the yard.

Life used to be so hard.. now everything is easier because of you.

Love that song... just makes you want to La.. La.. La la la la la la la la..la la la.

OK.. so I'm getting punchy here.

It's been a pretty busy week around here and next week looks even crazier.

I'll try and bring every one up to speed before dawn breaks.

Eeek.. yeah.. sleep would be nice. ;o)

~

Lets start with some photos.. I know that's really why you all tune in.. to take a peek and check our progress.

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Sunday AM

A chilly morning.. Tamara models one of her lighter coats.

As you can tell... I use the world model loosely. She's hard to catch.

A custom made fleece embroidered coat and hat set. She really does look adorable in it.

Sunday after noon.

Darren (Appleton) & Kelly's son Brydon turns 6

So off we go to Tamara's first kid Birthday Party.

She seems to get the concept. Singing, gifts, cake. ;o)

Below Tamara is annoyed as she wants to ride little brother Brody's train but she's not heavy enough. No traction :o( wheels just spin when she sits on it.

Ah... finally something she can play. Elfun. She has it at home.

Playing with Brody & friend (name escapes me)

It's a DOG.. it's a dog... IT"S A DOG.... DOG.

Tamara runs for cover. She has decided she doesn't like dogs? Too bad Joy the resident yellow lab is a sweetie.

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Tamara talking to Auntie Jay

"OK... Mama How are you doing this?

Your lips aren't even moving."

How to freak out your 3 year old.

My sister and I sound very much a like on the phone. Over the years we have fooled children, husbands and even parents. ;o)

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Tuesday... Class picture Day at pre-school.

Tamara and one of her new friends on the play ground.

Tamara playing with the kids. After my hair dressing assignment was completed I went to take a peak at what Tamara was up to. I found her playing a form of "Peek a Boo" through the play house window. The Play house was filled with classmates that were laughing hysterically. Yup.. yup... she may become a stand up comic?

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Wednesday... Tamara finds her US embassy flags and starts waving them around.

Wednesday eve. Mommy has a pre-school committee meeting. Daddy puts her to bed. She cried when I left. When it was time to go to sleep twice? And waited up for me anyway.

One of the ladies on the committee gave her a play house. To be delivered the next day.

Thursday... After pre-school Tamara stalls taking a nap.

She and Daddy dead head Mommy's flowers as an excuse to stay up.

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Tamara's New House

She loves it. I call it a starter home. What I'd like to do is build a miniature of our house for her in a few years. Complete with a front porch and two car garage for her pink convertible and jeep. Which she still needs..lol. Something that looks like a 2 story but actually would be one. An open floor plan with an eat in play kitchen, living room. It needs to have a full size door at one end. My thinking is when she out grows it I can turn it into an awesome potting shed. When she's all grown up and has a real house of her own complete with children. We can then convert it back into a play house and have it moved. Or we can leave it here for the grand kids. ;o) Cute and practical idea.. no? OK.. I will have to check about permits. Our town requires one every time you sneeze so I imagine a 9 X 18 ft. mini house will create some interest down town? Especially with the tax man. Daddy thinks I'm a little crazy but I'm sure if Tamara says "Daddy please" which I'm sure she will he'll cave.

Tamara checking out the windows.

Climbing the back half wall.

Her first house guest. "Come in Daddy"

"OH NO.. Mama Daddy's stuck"

"Stand Up Daddy"

Time to go. Tamara gives Daddy a hand.

"Daddy's stuck again... Push Tamara... Push" Too funny. lol

You have to admit. Daddy is a good sport.

~~

OK... Here are a few more pictures of the lingering flowers in our garden. We had a breach in our deer fencing this week so Bambi pretty much wiped out most of the fall color. Grrrr.

Question.. does anyone know what this plant is? We have a few on the property. They grew in wild. They're pretty cool looking but I can't figure out if they're poisonous? Before I rip them out I thought I'd ask.

Rose of Sharon.. still blooming. Later then usual this year.

Hydrangea tree. So heavy this year ..it's dripping with blooms.

Roses... what's left is going strong.

Geraniums hanging in there... barely.

More Morning glory. Late start this year.

Oh yes... Today.

Today I'm sitting at my desk trying to sort through / delete / catch up on email and out of the corner of my eye I see a black object moving across our front yard.

A BIG FAT BLACK BEAR ... following the outside of our deer fencing. Crosses our driveway, walks through our abhor into the neighbors yard. Eeek! Luckily Tamara was napping at the time. But it does concern us. If I had to guess he's about 400 lbs. That's a pretty big bear. Not that size really matters. Lets face it a 200 lb bear is a problem. That was the 2nd sighting this week. The first was Tuesday night when he went after our neighbors trash can. Jersey black bears are pretty savvy. They actually do learn the trash collection schedule and once they get a taste of take out.. they come back for more. Usually follow the same exact path. I remember about 5 years ago there was a bear that would walk up our road at 4 pm every day. You could set your watch by him. Anyone have some Black Bear repellent?

Below is a picture that Bruce managed to snap of his butt. lol. Gotta love that zoom. ;o)

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So Our house never seems to have a dull moment these days. With the pitter patter of tiny feet it's an adventure.

Tamara is becoming more independent every day. I'm told by the pre-school staff that's very normal for her age. She wants control. She wants her opinion to count. Sometimes not always. She tests boundaries constantly. Which I know is normal.

We've experienced our first "real Tantrum" Eeek! Wow... lol. Today she also decided not to wear her shoes while we were at Target. So I picked them up and put them in the cart behind her. She didn't like that response much so she whips off her socks and tosses them. Grrrr.. ok. socks go in her shoes in the cart. That lasted about 10 minutes until we got to the shoe department and she wanted to try on a pair of sparkly pink sneakers. She's a cutie ... she's got Daddy wrapped around her pinkie and knows exactly which buttons to push with Mommy. Yup... I'd say we've bonded. We're just like any other family with a 3 year old.

~~~

All my life...

All my life...

I've tried to make the best of it. To look for the pretty side of life.

The fun side. After all.. life is short.. even if you live past 100... if you live it well... it will never be enough. So it's important to live in the moment if you can. To preserve the memories.

I remember when I was single. You know BB (before Bruce). My Dad asked me what I was doing as I was always on the go. I told him "Gathering memories... If it's true that our lives flash before our eyes when we pass? I'm gathering memories. I'm buying myself another 5 minutes."

I hope we can pass this along to Tamara. To not sit around and wait for the pretty side but go find it. Sometimes her quest may take her far away? Sometimes she will find it in the simple every day things that surround her.

As Summer ends and Fall begins I find myself looking forward to the leaves changing, our first snow fall, Christmas and yes even New Years. Tamara's first everything. I think it's pretty safe to say she's never stood knee high in changing leaves or freshly fallen snow. You know the kind that squeaks when you walk. This will be her first year for Santa, a Christmas Tree. Wow... this should be interesting being that our house starts to resemble Christmas City every year. New Years... hum... what does one do when you have a 3 year old for New Years?

One of the amazing things about having a young child is seeing everything through their eyes again for the first time. Sort of like having your life flash before your eyes but not having to check out to watch.

All my life... I can remember wanting a little girl. A live little doll I can play with, dress up, teach about life, share and pass down my many wacky ways. Scary isn't it. lol

All my life... I've had this extra love stored up waiting for her.

Now that our daughter is home it seems like she always has been a part of us and we a part of her.
~~

This week we had a few beautiful crisp days. Perfect for walks and taking pictures ;o)

Below ... my Morning Glory is still blooming.

New camera takes pretty good close ups no?

Tamara hangs out with Mommy & Daddy as we check things out on the property.

Can we feed the fish now?
Daddy is trying to get her to hop side ways. She learned how to hop forwards this week. It's amazing. Guess I'll have to teach her how to skip? Don't think Daddy knows how?

Happy to report the man does not skip. ;o)

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A quick trip to my parents house for lunch on Friday.

Tamara's after Dido's remote. Never did get it from the KING of remote controls.

Grandma & Tamara enjoy the garden and feed their fish.

Tamara looking so small in her sweater coat among the flowers.

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Tomorrow.. pre-school pictures.

I was asked to help out and be the official hair dresser for the kids.

Hum... pony tails for everyone. ;o) Ha... just kidding.

Should be interesting to see what Tamara does when Mommy starts grooming 14 of her class mates.

~~~

Yummy Yummy Yummy...

Yummy Yummy Yummy...

I've got love in my tummy.

~

It's the little things. It's Daddy teaching Tamara how to eat an Oreo properly.

Daddy's personal childhood favorite. His comfort food. ;o)

Over the years I learned not to stock the pantry with Oreos... they don't last for long around here. Anyway.. it's the little things we take for granted.

We've had to teach Tamara many little things. She catches on almost instantly. Whether it's a toy she's never seen or a yummy new food.

So while she'd never seen an Oreo before and needed to be taught how to play with toys. She does do many other things that I imagine the average 3 year old doesn't.

~

Below Tamara gets a lesson on the Proper way to eat Oreos.

First we twist them apart...

And then we eat the cream from inside.

Your turn.As you can see Oreos were a big hit. Of course Daddy would have preferred the full size cookies ;o) ... for training purposes of course. Ha...
~~

OK... 4th Day after Pre-school.

Tamara plays outside with Daddy.

"Throw the ball Daddy..." Taking a breather...
OK.. all rested time to play...
What about my Messy hair Mommy?
She is a cutie.
Still loves school. Her teachers say she's doing great. :o)

Yay! ... Yahoo!

~~~

What I wouldn't give....

What I wouldn't give...

to have photos like these.

Photos at age 3 lining up to go in after recess. Or in action at pre-school.

As many of you know I'm somewhat of a photo buff.

Hate to miss a photo opp... especially when it's our baby girl. Fleeting moments that pass so quickly. An ever changing.. evolving little lady. So quick to turn her head... I've already updated my camera equipment once and am still struggling to get "the shot".

From the very first day Tamara didn't appreciate getting her picture taken. Some days she humors me but more then not she turns her head, turns her back to the camera.

Sometimes she seems to get annoyed.. like a starlet with the paparazzi.

But I know that some day she will appreciated having them all to look back on.

Someone asked recently how many photos I take a week. If I'm on a roll.. hundreds. But I also know that it takes 20 or so to get a decent photo of a 3 year old and hundreds to capture that perfect smile, look... moment. Perhaps I'm trying to make up for the lack of photos during her first 3 years? It saddens me to think that we will probably never have a picture of her as an infant. HUM... Now there's a challenge. Wonder of one exists? Somewhere in some file cabinet? Hum...

~

Day # 3 at pre-school

Mommy came 10 minutes early and was able to zoom in from afar.

She's pretty cute to watch with the other kids.

Coming in from play time outside.

On the inside.. Tamara on a mission. She was so focused she didn't notice me until the flash.

Then came running. A little pre-mature so I sent her back into the class room to sing their class song. Too cute. ;o)

Yes... I think we have a leader and not a follower. Yay!

I am told by her teachers that she plays very well with other children. Keeps them honest... makes sure every one plays fair. She understands cause and effect and when given a choice actually processes the pros and cons before choosing.

Pretty smart cookie no?

~

Tuesday we took her to the Cranial specialist at the Children's hospital. This guy reminded me of "House". Fun but very good and very direct. He has a team of Doctors on his staff like House and the conversation during the consult / exam made me think I was on a Hollywood set. If there's ever another writers strike these people could easily write the script. The Doctor told us she's developing extremely well. No signs of any delays accept her speech which everyone expects she will be fine. After all English is new to her and she is still 3.. home 3 months. Her soft spot is actually a good thing for now. We will be having a catscan soon.. just waiting for the pre-authorization from our insurance carrier because of her age she will require sedation. Not thrilled with sedation but we really need to do this as they will most likely be able to give us a better picture of not only her future but her past as well.

~

Oh.. what I wouldn't give... to have so many pictures of my toddler days. When I was Tamara's age pictures were something reserved for holidays, birthdays and weddings. Not too many people did what I'm doing now. Documenting every look, glance, breath she takes.

~

A Berry Good Day...

A Berry Good Day...

Yesterday Tamara had her 2nd day at pre-school and yes Mommy left this time.

She clung to me for 10 minutes or so as I encourage her to join the other children who were already there doing puzzles waiting for class to start.

I told her "Mommy will be back soon.. be a good girl.. have fun."

Gave her a big hug and kiss and left.

Well not really I hung out in the foyer.. asking every parents who walked passed me how she was doing. Most of them went back to spy for me. lol

They said she did occasionally look to see if I was there but she was ok.

So after 20 minutes I went home. I called the school about an hour later to see how Tamara was and they said "Great!!! She understands everything we tell her. She went potty by herself and just washed up for their snack break. She's fine .. having a great time with the kids."

When I picked her up 2-1/2 hrs later the kids were playing outside. As soon as she saw me she came running over for her hug and kiss lit up like a Christmas tree. Then she put on her baby backpack which I had picked up from her baby locker and ran back to her little friends who were still playing. I called her and again she came running only this time she hung on for dear life. I had to carry her all the way to the car.

Yes... she really likes school. We're relieved .. yet a bit sad.

Our baby is growing up too quickly :o(

~

Below Tamara is ready for her 2nd day at school.

She was about to get her princess backpack.

After her nap there was a chill in the air so Mommy had her put on a sweater. Once Tamara saw the hat she insisted on wearing it. Daddy was mowing the lawn on his tractor. Tamara loves to watch.. sometimes he even lets her sit on it.
Tamara sitting on the tractor with Daddy.
Boy was she surprised when Daddy took her for a spin around the yard. She loved it.

Mommy was close by just in case although they were going extremely slow. Which was good.

No cuts, bumps or bruises for her and no heart attack for Mommy.

Yeah... I'm over protective by some standards.

Yes... it was a Berry good day... why Berry?

Did you notice her strawberry outfit.

Is that cute or what?

Tamara is so much fun to dress. She's such a girly girl.

~~~