Farm Labor

We had a fine day yesterday. Kiva took a 2 hour nap in the afternoon too, but woke up full of zest and fun. We picked lettuce for dinner and she remembered her garden shoes, even though they were put away. We had to put on mine and hers before we went to our farm. Had a lovely hot tub soak to recuperate from our farm labor.

Kiva's language is just taking off. We have long conversations now, and she knows to repeat herself or try to speak louder or clearer when Grammie doesn't understand or hear her. Lots of pretend activities with the stuffed animals too, as her imagination takes off. She has the set of mice that Joy made, and one is "grammie", one is "baby". We spent a lot of time putting them down for naps yesterday in little beds (with pillows of course). She is very tender with them and gives them little loving pats as she tucks them in.

I'm so proud of her riding the horse the other day. She was proud of herself too. [Joan]

Bompa owie?

Kiva was an adorable angel in the Dentist's office. Played with her toys, ate her snacks, sat in every one of the chairs and charmed the nurses. She was concerned about Ken going in to see the Dr..."bompa owie?", but was reassured by us that he would be fine.

Reproachful Looks

Kiva and Ken are hilarious together. We went to Sears this morning as a trio to buy a new toaster. All went well until we were just ready to pay and leave. Kiva began howling to be walking without hand holding, and since she headed for the escalator immediately that was not allowed. Ken immediately said "you pay, I'll take her to the car" rescued his little darling from mean grammie and was on his way, with reproachful looks from both of them. When I caught up with them at the car, Kiva was behind the wheel (no motor running) playing with all the levers and steering wheel, a mini mint in her mouth, and indulgent bompa standing by. After we got home they walked around outside for a while then bottle and nap (by then it was 1130). She is sleeping peacefully, but did require a supplement to her bottle (gave her 8 oz to begin with) when she requested pathetically "mo ba ba" before she could go off to sleep. [Joan]

all done seeping, more bompa?

Kiva just seems to be thriving both physically and mentally. Today I got a five word sentence!!! (the girl's a genius). I put her down for a nap at the usual time...about 11:15, she drank her bottle and then decided she wanted to get back up. She called me, and when I went in she said "all done seeping, more bompa?" Tooo cute, especially since she hadn't been sleeping at all. I told her it was nap time and rubbed her back for a while to ease her into sleepytime. She was so funny when I started to rub her back, she moved around until she was just right and perfectly comfortable, first one arm this way, then that way, then her head this way, then that way. When she was sure she was comfortable, she gave a big sigh, and settled in for back rub enjoyment. Reminded me of getting settled for a massage. Didn't take long till she was zonked out for an hour and fifteen minutes nap. [Joan]

I working

Kiva helped me do the dishes in the bathroom sink. She loves helping, and yesterday was following Ken around the kitchen with her tape measure, telling me "I working". Very funny, and also interesting that she has got the right usage of "I". [Joan]

all done bye bye

Kiva is in a fey mood today. Lots and lots of hugs and snuggling, playing her music books and singing....life is sooo hard for grammie. heh heh heh. Kiva ate a good breakfast and at around 920 I was going to take her with me to the store and go to the pet store next door to look at the hamsters, fish and so on.....our little mini zoo. She wanted to go, then turned into a solid board when I tried to put her in the car seat, shrieks of protest, no no no. Went back into the house, loud sobs she wanted to bye bye, back to front door, won't put on her jacket, back to the living room, tears, wanted to go bye bye, back to the front door, won't put on her jacket "all done bye bye". What a funny little drama queen she is. It is such a struggle to be two years old. I decided she needed a rest to regroup so fixed her a bottle and she is contentedly snuggled in her bed. :-) [Joan]

No MOM

Kiva sprung out of bed this morning at the mention of your name, then headed for the door in her nightgown :-) !
Her new thing to tell me now is, "No MOM" Doesn't matter what I've asked her to do, that is her response :-) I kind of thought I'd be Mommy till she at least a little older :-)
The other thing she is playfully saying is, "you get back here" I must say that a lot with out realizing it. She'll say it then run for me to chase her…..she's a hoot. [Vanessa]

Miss Independence

Kiva is too funny today. Tried a few temper tantrums and when they didn't work, went on her way like nothing had happened. She was very angry that I was helping her down the stairs. Two steps below her was too close. I had to be three steps down. She was yelling and waving me away until I got far enough away to suit Miss Independence. She also spotted the halloween candy bowl which thankfully is almost empty with the help of our construction staff, and set up a hissy fit for chocolate. Since it was 9am the answer was no, not until later, and after a minute or two of yelling (watching me carefully from the corner of her eye), she went on to play with her toys. Kiva is in a good mood, ate a good breakfast of scrambled egg, and has been busy measuring things with her own pocket tape measure. Also carrying her baby around on her hip, or pushing her in the shopping cart. Helped granpa pick lemons in the yard and fed the dog. Very loving too, lots of hugs. [Joan]

My Bompa

Kiva has learned a new gambit. When she doesn't want to take a nap and I start rocking her to sooth her, she starts sobbing for "my bompa" which usually works. In he comes and picks her up. [Joan]

Bananas

Kiva actually used the potty last night!!! She was very pleased with herself and of course I screamed and went bananas, she thought that was a riot. So, she's making the connection….very exciting! [Vanessa]