That’s how long Miss Geneva has been blessing our lives.
After (scroll down to see what I’m talking about):
Do you like her new haircut?
Before:
She does (despite the serious face in the last picture- she was just fascinated with the blow dryer). And I do because it stays out of her face.
I often have to remind myself that the sassy, sweet, confident, funny little person occupying (lots of) space in our house is just two years old. One year ago, she was barely walking and barely speaking but now she is doing Yoga poses, singing long songs with actions, and reciting books from memory. At night, she sometimes requests that we leave her nightlight on so that she can look through books before she goes to sleep and she’ll listen to long stories without pictures for as long as my throat can stand it.
Two! As in an “infant” just 5 months ago.
Is basically just my favorite. I seriously don’t even know how to handle how stinkin’ cute, funny, and witty she is.
I mean, seriously. Is there anything better than a toddler in giant cowboy boots?
What about a big brave girl on a horse?
Really. Really.
Whew! Covering three months in two days!
One of the most amazing things about Geneva lately has been hearing her speech and language come along. She is often quiet for the first two minutes after meeting someone new, sometimes prompting them to ask if she talks. I always enthusiastically confirm and in my mind think to myself, “constantly” or “too much”. That seems crazy to say, but living with Geneva is constantly answering questions, confirming realities, or reassuring her. Sometimes it is choosing not to engage in silly arguments.
Something cute she said last night during our discussion of friends: “I Geeva’s friend because me loves me.”
(She used to call herself “Aweeva” but now she can say the soft “G” and says “Geeva”.
“I’m raining.” = I’m crying.
“macaroni nut” = cashew. Often said as “I want a macaroni nut.”
This is an incomplete sampling of about 5 minutes this morning:
This morning: “No, you don’t tell me to shush.”
“Here you go. It’s yours now.” (when giving me a napkin)
“You like this, Stell-Belle?” and “Don’t give it to her.” (referring to her breakfast this morning)
“What-choo doin’, mommy?” – often repeated over an over in a hilarious manner.
“I want to eat your oatmeal, please.”
to Stella this morning: “Sit down with me. How are you?” “Let’s sit down again.”
*Added Tuesday morning 8/23:
Here is a conversation with Geneva this morning that is a pretty good example of many of the exchanges we have daily:
Scene: Geneva is digging through our bathroom cabinet while I am putting on makeup this morning. She finds an electric toothbrush.
Geneva: “Is this my toothbrush?”
Me: “No, actually it’s daddy’s toothbrush.”
Geneva: “No, actually it is Daddy and Geeva’s toothbrush.”
(and then, of course, she proceeds to brush her teeth and then the floor with the shared toothbrush)
*Added Tuesday afternoon 8/23:
Scene: Geneva sitting in her high chair, watching me pull a sticker off of a water bottle.
Geneva: “Did you rip it?”
Me: “Yes”
Geneva: “That makes me kind of sad.”
First I am truly sorry for the delay in the update for a trip I took well over a month ago. While I have been particularly busy lately, I have no excuses for my tardiness.
Anyway, with Tori, engaged in classes, Geneva and I thought it would be best to steer clear of the studying, grumbling Mom and go somewhere cooler. We headed north to visit my mother and family in Pennsylvania.
After a long day of flying and some much needed recovery we set out bright and early for Hershey Pennsylvania, home of the Hershey Chocolate factory.
I had spent many happy moments there in my younger years and was excited to share that experience with Geneva. Our target was Hershey’s Chocolate World; an exciting place equipped with a ride, build your own chocolate bar experience and 3D movies.
We rode the ride and Geneva loved it. It had dancing cows and happy songs and G was on cloud 9.
Later, Nonna took Geneva to make her own bar, where as you can see, she also had a blast.
We LOVED Chocolate World!
Later we went to Lake Tobias and saw tons of cool animals. Geneva even got to go on her first safari with her Aunt Mary, Uncle Denny and her cousins Nicole and Ashley.
After Lake Tobias we headed to Nana’s house in Williamsport where we were able to celebrate summer with family and friends. Uncle Frank had two fabulous get-togethers including an amazing clam/lobster broil and a fabulous Fourth of July party.
(Little Miss would not look at the camera during the annual cousin photo).
After the Fourth it was back to Harrisburg to see Mary Catherine off and spend more time at Hershey with Uncle Denny, Aunt Mary, Nicole, and Ashley. I even got to see my good friend Dan from China.
Later we took G to the Land of the Little Horses where she got to ride a pony!
G also got to bathe a horse.
Later in the week we went back to Hershey for more fun. Including a trip to the zoo. It also rained and it was the first rain we had seen in a year due to the horrible drought plaguing Midland. It was a beautiful sight.
Later we went to a gem mine where Geneva got to mine for gems and a fabulous tempanyaki dinner.
The trip was so much fun. We loved seeing our family and our wonderful relatives. Thank you to all for making everything so wonderful.
Love,
Greg and Geneva
This morning as I was finishing my breakfast and Geneva was in her playroom, I heard this: "Are you coming, mommy?" The obvious answer to this sweet question was yes, of course. How could I resist? To take this a little further, once in her room, she showed me where to sit, where to place my oatmeal bowl, and which books she wanted me to read to her. Love my little bossypants ;-)
Here is my sweet sunshiny girl this morning:
Soon- I will do lots of updating on what little miss has been up to! :)
