Travel, the outdoors, potty, attitude, friends, and surgery, oh my!

Over the holiday season grandma paid us an extended visit and we also flew to NC to spend Christmas with my family. Mia loved boating and playing with her cousins. Mom and Dad loved having the extra help. Flying went relatively well – effortless on the way there, but she decided she had enough for the last half of the trip home… challenging.

We spent Thanksgiving in Seattle at an AirBnB and were fortunate enough to spend the holiday with Chris and his family. While the weather didn’t cooperate, it was great to get out of the house and see some new things. Mia loved all the donuts, long walks, aquarium, and attention from Dom.

We’ve continued to do lots of hiking and head to the indoor pool now and then. One habit that’s been formed is not getting in the car after school. We spend so much time exploring every afternoon that various parents have asked if we live in the neighborhood. On one hand I want to get us home (especially when it’s 20 degree and windy), but on the other I can’t bring myself to tear her away from exploration.

While we’re not quite there based on time elapsed, we have a two year old on our hands. Perhaps a little earlier than average, we did no-pants potty training over an extended weekend, and it took! We’ve not yet figured out #2 or sleep time, but we’ll get there. We have as much learning as she does when it comes to noticing the signs, having changes of clothes available, and bringing the portable potty places. Also a little earlier than average is ATTITUDE. Our favorite word is “no,” and our favorite phrases are “not yet, but soon” and “I don’t like that.” Our negotiation skills are very well-practiced.

One of the cooler developments is recognizing friends as… friends. She names her school buddies, looks forward to seeing them, and on a recent coffee trip we ran into one and chose to spend the morning at the playground with her.

After countless ear infections and stubborn colds, we were also able to have ear tubes put in. The difference was night and day. Post-op she was angry as hell, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. She’s in school a lot more and generally happier. Poor kid basically had a cold for the past year.

Baby sister is appreciating all the hugs and love she’s getting from Mia. We’re down to a little over three weeks until our due date… Mia is still very strongly attached to Rebecca so our fingers are crossed she can handle the upcoming changes in step.