My Girl is a BIG Kid!

For a while now, Ive sorta felt like this blog focuses on the things Grady is doing and the things Whitney and Grady do together, but rarely have I stopped to take the time to remind myself of all the funny things Whitney is doing on her own.  

She's such a big kid now.  Gone are all signs of toddler and baby.  My girl is a really awesome BIG kid. 

She cracks herself up and still has the BEST laugh on the planet! People still turn to see where her laugh is coming from at Disney or a restaurant or a park.  I have witnessed her laugh and happiness put smiles on the faces of strangers wherever she goes. 

She has grown SOOO much in the last year.  Figuratively, literally, physically, emotionally.  She's just so grown up.  I look back at these pics from last year and think "she didnt SEEM so small back then....so why does she seem so BIG in comparison now?!"  

Whitney makes friends wherever she goes and is always looking to have fun.  She adores Awana at our church on Wednesday nights and has remembered her Bible verses each week with great ease.  The best part? Not only does this three year old smarty remember her verse, but when we ask her "what do you think that means?", she is often REALLY close to explaining the concept and expanding the meaning in her own words.  

The right answers seem to come to her easily.  Whether its math or sounding out words or recalling something we talked about months ago. She just remembers EVERYTHING and really doesnt realize how smart she is.  

I am blown away EVERY single day by something she says or something she remembers.  Something that sets her apart from other three year old girls is that she can be reasoned with. :) Just about 99% of the time, when on the verge of disappointment or when a meltdown feels imminent, we are able to get down on Whitney's level, look her in the eye, explain the situation in her terms without bribery (95% of the time), and she is able to understand and work it out.  Whether she doesnt want to leave Mac and Gramps house, or the rare occasion she doesnt want to go to church, or if she is just showing the typical impatience of a three year old, she can still pull herself together and make things work.  

She absolutely LOVES her stuffed animals and has TONS of favorites.  She plays with Little People and her Disney "guys" (the plastic figure sets from each movie) all day but has favorite stuffies she brings to bed each night.  When she has a rough day, she straightens up instantly if she hears that her bed will be emptied of all "guys" if she doesnt chill out.  She cries when she thinks her stuffed friends have hurt feelings.  For example, one night she lost all her guys from her bed because she wasnt behaving.  As she fell asleep, in the saddest cry youve ever heard, she said, "Jingle? Im sorry Jingle!! I know you miss me! Im sorry! I will behave and you can sleep in my bed tomorrow, Jingle! Dont be saaaaaaad...." sobbbbing. She felt HORRIBLE that her poor Jingle dog had to sleep on the shelf. 

Whitney has proven to us that she is happy anywhere and can learn from many different types of teachers.  She had great teachers at her preschool last year and we really looked forward to her being in Ms. Lori's class at the same school this year.  Unfortunately, at the beginning of the school year, Ms. Lori's class only had 5 kids and we felt Whitney needed a bigger class.  We moved her next door to another preschool that has an excellent academic reputation and a larger class size.  Whitney has done great at the Academy since August, and really likes her teacher and teacher's aide.  

After four months at Academy, we are missing Lakeside.  Big time.  Nothing happened.  Nothing went wrong.  We just miss the Christian curriculum and loving environment at Lakeside.  We miss Ms. Lori getting down on her knees to give the kids hugs.  We miss going to chapel every morning and singing praise songs and watching all the kids "dance".  We love listening to Whitney's prayers at night, as she would model them after the prayers she was hearing at school.  Academy just doesnt have that.  And to be honest, I am certain she couldve learned all the same curriculum (And MORE) at Lakeside.  So, now that we realize what we had...we are going back.  And Whitney is over-the-moon excited! 

Ms. Lori's class has doubled in size and they are welcoming Whitney back with open arms.  I loved, loved, loved the mommies from Lakeside and liked knowing that Whitney was with kids she could relate with and grow with and laugh with and learn with.  I am not sorry that we left because we learned a lot about Whitney as a student and a friend in the process.  We also realized what a great thing we had...and sometimes you have to step outside in order to recognize that the grass isnt always greener.  

We didnt take the decision lightly, and I wouldnt recommend moving schools mid-year if ya dont have to. :) In fact, I was very determined to keep our kids in ONE school...make the right choice the first time and stick with it....never move them around, etc.  But Whitney is extreeeemely adaptable and goes with the flow.  She is THRILLED to be headed back to Lakeside on Monday.   

I sorta knew we made the right choice when we drove by Academy on the way to church on Sunday, and Whitney waved and yelled, "Bye Old School!" before we had even confirmed our decision! And then when we asked Whitney if she would rather be in Ms. Lori's class or Mrs. Cardona's class and she thought about it for a split second and said, "Ms. Lori!" I said, "Wont you miss Mrs. Cardona?" And she said, "Welll.....yeah, but Ms. Lori will be happy to have me in her class and Mrs. Cardona will be okay." lol

Whitney is still a HUGE help with her little brother and is very understanding when he needs me right away.  Now that he is mobile, she is quickly learning about the true meaning of "sharing" toys.  She has brought Grady toys from day one, allowing him to sit next to Snow White or lay next to Violet on the boppy.  But now that Grady is mobile and can choose what toys he wants to play with, she is not the one calling the shots....and that is new for her.  She can spy Grady eyeballing a toy from across the room and instantly decide that she HAS to have that toy, its her "favorite!" toy, and she will share it when she is done.  Sigh.  Im being gentle about it now, and I can see the wheels turning in her head ("If Mommy lets Grady play with this Mickey toy...then I bet she is going to let him play with that Minnie toy next....and if he's allowed to play with that Minnie toy and those Little People and those blocks and.....when is Mommy going to draw the line?! Is he going to be allowed to play with EVERYTHING!?") so Im pointing out the things that ONLY she can play with (her dress up stuff, jewelry, her kitchen, puzzles, etc.) to remind her that she is the BIG sister and she can still do things that her baby brother cant yet.  She is willing to share most of the time, but sometimes I have to remind her that the Leap Frog table and the ball popper are "baby toys" so if Grady wants to play with them, she has to step aside and play together nicely or move on. 

Side note: I love these girls.  They are some of my very favoritest people on Earth. Mandi is FINALLY done with school and on to wedding-planning mode.  And Danielle is FINALLY back down in Florida and married to Eric's Uncle Eddie.  Ive missed seeing them and LOVED the opportunity to get together with them for a girls' night a few weeks ago

I was also lucky enough to drag along my two favoritest neighbors and friends, Summer and Julie.  I LOVE when my worlds collide and people I know from one place end up "hitting it off" and getting along with my friends or family I know from other places.  This night was so great and much needed.

How does this relate to Whitney?  Whitney still has the same besties she's had practically since birth. And just as Im grateful for MY good girlfriends, I am extremely grateful for Whitney's good girlfriends. Faith, Avery, Emma, and Natalia are all in preschool now, so our playdates are scheduled well in advance or very last minute.  Regardless of how much time has passed, Whitney and these girls all fall right back into place.  They all have their disagreements ("No, *I* get to be Ariel now!!") but they all work it out and hug and move on.  I have said it before and Ill say it again.  It helps that these girls all have awesome mamas who I ADORE! So that helps, too :) 

There is a lot of construction going on outside our neighborhood, as another community of homes is being built.  When we pulled out of our gate recently, Whitney gasped as she noticed a HUGE piece of land had been cleared.  Where there used to be dense woods and deer crossings and darkness, there were now several bulldozers and wood chippers clearing the land, the sun shined through brightly, and clearly there were no animals in sight.  Without missing a beat, Whitney says, "Mommy. I dont think the Lorax is going to be very happy about that. I think he will say, 'Save the trees! If you dont save them, who will?!'"  

I am guilty of leaving the TV on throughout the day. I justify it by leaving it on Disney Junior in the playroom. Most of the time Whitney ignores it or will let me know if Nick Jr comes on at the end of a DVR'd movie.  She sticks with her favorite shows and movies as background noise.  Occasionally I wont get to change the channel when one movie ends so she is stuck with Nick Jr for a minute. And part of the reason I am not a Nick fan: 

When my parents bought Whitney her pet caterpillar/butterfly a few months ago, she was soooo excited! She knew what it was before my mom even had to tell her.  She said, "I know! Its a butterfly kit! He is going to become a butterfly! I saw that on the commercial!.........but you have to be 18 years or older to order."

We couldnt stop laughing.  

Whitney was being especially silly and wild one night after dinner and Eric jokingly said, "Whitney, dont be so high maintenance."  She turned on her heels and said, "HEY! Im not HIBERNATING!" (HI-bernating and HI-maintenance must sound alike in her silly head.)

She is a whirling cloud of energy, bouncing from room to room and one imaginary scenario to another.  She LOVES to pretend.  She was Snow White for a LOOOOOOONG time.  Then she moved to pretending to be Violet (the Leap Frog puppy).  And we cant forget her Peter and Wendy stage.  She is currently pretending to be Mary.  You know.  As in, "Mary and Joseph"...."away in a manger...", etc.  We'll see how long this lasts.  :) 

With election season came a few good Whitney funnies.  One day right before election day, Whitney randomly said, "Im Whitney and I 'proved this message!"  (I said I leave the playroom TV on Disney Junior. Other TVs are fair game.) 

Gosh, I am amazed at how much she has grown since her last school picture.  (And Im also reminded that we will get super cute school pictures again at Lakeside yeah!)

Eric cooked a yummy breakfast this past weekend and after chowing down, Whitney hopped down from her chair, patted her belly, and said, "Daddy! You made such a yummy breakfast! Now I have a belly like Santa Claus!!" 

And she has started telling us "Mommy, you make the best _____ Ive ever had!" (chicken nuggets, milk, eggs, etc) 

As we drive past the construction site outside our neighborhood, Whitney frequently (9 out of 10 times) says, "There's Miss Mandy's construction trucks!" because there are countless CAT tractors, backhoes, bulldozers, etc. and Whitney knows my friend Mandy works for CAT. :)

Whitney aims to please and often asks us, "Are you happy, Mommy?" "Daddy, are you happy?"  She asks it when she knows something just made us proud or happy, and I love that she values our opinions and respect.  

Looking back, Whitney was so little last year when she made the Thanksgiving pecan pies for Eric's family's dinner.  She loved it last year and, not surprisingly, she remembered the experience and couldnt wait to bake pies with her Daddy again this year. 

Last year she just got to stir the bowls a bit and pour some water or oil.  This year? This year she is a big kid.  Our big kid cracked the eggs! Herself! And only got one itsy bitsy piece of shell in the bowl (eric fished it out).  She was soooo proud of herself! 

Aahhhhh....she was such a baby! 

Im hoping she remains interested in baking and cooking and look forward to baking Christmas cookies or making treats together for her class.  Im hoping to start a tradition this year if time allows.  She likes looking at my Pinterest with me, so Im planning to let her pick out which treat we should make.  

When we finally decided to move Whitney back to Lakeside, she said, "YEAH! Im going back to.....WATERside!!! Im going to be in Ms. Lori's class!"  Water? Lake? Whats the difference?!

While she knew we were hoping and praying she could go back to Lakeside, we also explained that we had to hear back from the director to see if there was room in Ms. Lori's class.  Whitney said, "Oh yeah! Because Ms. Marti will have to ask Ms. Lori what table I am going to sit at. I think she will sit me next to Matthew." And then proceeded to tell a story about something Matthew said back in August. She remembered, verbatim, what he said and the silly tone he used. 

Whitney REALLY loved making our "Tom the Thankful Turkey" this year! Each morning I would ask her "What should be put on Tom's feather today?" and sometimes she would think about it for a little while and other times her answers were immediate, or she would want to put up three feathers at once.  Without fail, Whitney chose PEOPLE in our lives. She easily couldve been thankful for her toys or her favorite food or her favorite princess.   

But this girl loves her people. :) And she can quickly tell when people love her back.  She had never met our friends Sarah and Ryan in person, but she knew her Mommy really loves them.  So when she met them in person, she gave hugs and big smiles and was sooo excited, shouting, "They're HERE! They're HERE!!"  She couldnt wait to get their names on Tom's feathers! She just KNOWS good people when she sees them :)

And now its time for tree decorating! 

If there is anybody Whitney loves more than anyone on the planet, its her Mac and Gramps.  She would live at their house if we would let her!  At least one day a week she asks if we can go to Mac and Gramps' house when I pick her up from school.  When the answer is no, she usually says, "Oh. Why not? Are they golfing?" :) Because surely golfing is the ONLY acceptable reason they cant chill with her all day long!

Whitney has really been into Jingle, the Hallmark dog that interacts with his books.  We laid on the couch and watched the TV movie starring that special pup last week.  She was sooooo excited!!! I was eating up those cuddles! 

Whitney absolutely LOVES her cousins.  LOVES.  Lynzie and I remarked how special their bond is, especially considering they dont see each other too often.  But with all the talk of upcoming family time, Whitney grows more and more excited to spend time with her cousins.  I remember getting excited to see my cousins in Ohio a few times a year, so its fun to see Whitney experience that, too.  I love that we see each other every couple of months and that the kids all fall back into place.  

Eric and I are continually reminding each other of the funny way Whitney says certain words.  Im sad to say that Whitney can now pronounce most words accurately.  But we still get a few slip-ups like "Mommy, Grady's sound machine makes a noise like your heart beep!" I hope she always thinks its a heart beep instead of a heartbeat. :) 

Lately, as I watch her little brother grow and learn new things each day, I am reminding Whitney of when she learned to crawl and stand and babble.  She laughs and thinks it so funny to imagine herself that small and unable to talk.  We've watched a lot of her old videos on youtube, and she cant get enough! 

Most days, I still cant believe I get to be this little girl's Mommy.  We talk about her birthmom a little bit here and there when the timing is right, and Whitney reminds us that she grew inside Ms. T's belly and Grady grew inside my belly and Jesus grew in Mary's belly.  I think she sort feels like its not important who's belly she was in or why she was in T's belly and not mine.  She is certainly smart enough and inquisitive enough to wonder WHY and WHY NOT about everything else in life, so I find it a little funny that she just has never bothered to ask why she is here and not with Ms. T.  Im certain it wont remain that way forever, and Im happy to share age-appropriate answers when the questions finally arise.

  She is just this HAPPY, sweet, silly, hilarious, healthy, smart, adaptable, AMAZING little person who fills our lives, and so many lives, with so many laughs and smiles and such a deep joy and affection and faith.  She is going to go far in life.  I dont care if she cures cancer or if she stays home with her kids like I do. She will be a complete success in whatever she puts her mind to.  If we could bottle her laugh and an ounce of her happiness, we would be millionaires.  Because Whitney Faith has life by the horns and a bright future and an outstanding attitude that can only lead to a lifetime of happiness and success. 

 We love you, Whitterbug! To the moon and back....and around the block. ;)