2.28.2011

Monster Version 1.1

Climbing... and proud of it.

One year and one month...
and you certainly have grown into 
and overtaken your nickname... 
Eva Monster.

You climb everything and anything.
As your daddy likes to say... you dominate.

This month, another big girl thing happened...
and a big mommy thing too.
You decided you were finished nursing.

Funny how I was so worried.
Just a month ago you wouldn't even attempt a sippy cup...
refused it even.

Then a week later you loved it.
You went to nursing just twice a day.
Once in the morning and once at night.

Then, last week you cut it to once a day.
I always had heard the before-bed session was the hardest...
not for my monster.
You were asleep before i een realized that you skipped it.

You are just like your daddy.
Breakfast is the most important meal.
So last week we were just doing pre-breakfast nursing.

Then, one morning instead of signing "milk", you signed "eat"...
So, I hurried downstairs and gave you a banana.

That was it...
you were finished.

I thought you might have a residual nursing session request  here and there...
nope...not a single one.

You are so determined.
You are constantly working away at something.
If you can't do something the first time...
you try and try again.

You scare the living daylights out of us on a daily basis.
We are constantly trying to think ahead of you...
to keep you from killing yourself.

There have been multiple barriers, chairs, gates between you and the stairs at this point.
We are the parents at the hardware store searching...
for fasteners, hardware, latches, locks...
in lumber, electrical, plumbing, deck and fencing.

"What are you building?" they would ask.
"Oh, nothing... just trying to keep our daughter off the stairs."
Then, on cue, you smile at them and they would think I am joking.
"Ha ha ha!" they laugh.
And I pick up a tube of construction adhesive and ponder....

You are fearless.
See that bruise and knot in the middle of your head?
Yeah... we have no idea how it became.
You didn't cry or even complain.


You practice things.
Once you figure something out...
you do and redo until you have it down perfectly.
I guess so you don't get many of those nasty bumps.

You laugh.
A laugh that is impossible not to join in.
It is a loud, jolly, straight from the heart, belly laugh.
It draws strangers over from other iles in the grocery.
It makes you teary eyed...
and us too.

You are so loving.
One of our favorite things is how you seek us out...
grab us and pull us in close...
for an amazing hug and kiss.

You are the best monster....
ever.
The Paper Mama

11 comments:

rachel said...

OMG, I LOVE this. LOVE it!

Erin said...

What a big girl! She sounds like she's so much fun :)

Unknown said...

One of these days we have to get Teagan & Eva together...oh can you imagine...haha!

Unknown said...

I'm your newest follower! Your little Eva is so cute! I think she's about the same age as my little girl :)

fiddlehead said...

Oh so sweet! great shot and beautiful words.

Candace McClintick said...

This is so sweet! I don't know if there is anything more adorable than those tights--well maybe your words. :)

Jules said...

What first struck me is, What did I miss?? Eva is "signing'?

This was a beautiful rendition of a day in the life....

pve design said...

She sounds just like my monster. (We even refer to her as Monster) - she is a fiery determined gal.
Love this, thanks for sharing so many of my same observations and challenges as a Mom.
I am a breakfast gal too.
pve

from mel said...

I have a feeling our kiddos would love playing together. Climbing and dominating. It's a busy life now. Gone are the days of sitting in the middle of the floor playing/and or fussing with toys surrounding them. I guess this means they are toddlers, hey?

Ashley Elliott Photography said...

wow, what a smart and strong little girl you have! that's great that you have her signing, I hear that really helps out but havn't done it myself:P, great job and beautiful pic:D

Photography said...

Oh the cheeky face!