family

First of all, it feels so weird writing “preschooler” instead of toddler. They say time flies… and it totally does! Liv is definitely a little person with unique preferences, and a very strong opinion about what she’s in the mood for. 😉 Every day it’s a blessing to watch her grow, learn, evolve, and surprise…

When a friend or family member has a newborn baby, I’m always excited to stop by and take them a meal or some snacks and goodies. Some of my favorite baby meals are here, and here are two items that usually make an appearance: Mother’s Milk tea and lactation cookies. When Liv was first born,…

  “I love you more than lollipops and marshmallows.”   Me: “You can be anything you want to be when you grow up.” Liv: “I want to be a doctor. No, a robot.”   “Let’s go shoot some ladders!” (= play Chutes and Ladders. I think she thinks chute is “shoot,” because play basketball fairly…

    [Pointing at a bush] “Oh, that looks like holly! Holly makes me JOLLY!”   Me: “My little noodle!” Liv: “I’m not a noodle. I’m a girl.”   Tom opens the door to the pantry, where Livi commonly hides, and finds her with the honey jar. It’s open, and she’s dipping her finger into…

  “Patience means waiting without crying.” We were waiting in line, and Livi started to fuss a bit (saying she wanted to leave and pulling on my hand). I asked her to please be patient, and she said, “Ok. Patience means waiting without crying.” (I later find out that Tom has been telling her this…

    Girl at the car repair shop: “Where did you get those beautiful eyelashes?!” Liv: “Disneyland.”   [Another moment of realization that she is indeed my heart walking around outside my body] “Oh, I JUST LOVE sleeping! Sleeping is the best.”   [As we’re walking out the door to leave] Me: “Bye dogs. Bella,…

    Me: We’re going to the store. Liv: For what? Me: Chicken and coconut milk. Liv: Ohhhhh that sounds WONDERFUL.   (Pointing at Bella) “Bella, you are NOT A HUMAN.”   Livi’s yoga teacher: What are you going to be for Halloween? Liv: I’m going to be a bumblebee! Yoga teacher: Oh, so cute!…

  “You want some grass, goat? Eat it. You like it?”   Me: “Look at the pretty HULA FLOWER!” Livi: “That’s a hibiscus.”   “Do you know what ‘popcorn’ means? It means ‘I love you’ and ‘good morning.”   Liv: “Who got this for me?” Me: “Nana did!” Liv: “Oh Nana. She’s a cute girl.”

  Girl at Disneyland: “Do you like Princess Elsa?” Livi: “I AM Princess Elsa.”   (Hugging me) “Mom, I forgive you.” Me: “You forgive me? For what?” Livi: “For Bella.” (What?!)   Me: “Livi, do you want to go back to Menchie’s?” Livi: “NO. I don’t like the ice cream man!” Me: “I don’t think…

    (Touching my hair) “Mom, I like your ponytail. It’s so cute.”   (Looking down at my deformed pinky toe from breaking it so many times) “Oh no, mom. What happened to your toe? It hurt?”   (While I’m steaming cauliflower) “I smell something. Stop that smell!!”    “Livi, do you want French toast…

(and by that, I mean the simplest kind with no-frills, minimal tying, and awesome cuddly time with baby) When I was at Tiki Port with a friend this past weekend, she asked me about babywearing. It made me realize a couple of things: -We’re definitely past that stage now… and it already feels so long…