The parenting newsletters I get refer to children Anneke's age as a preschooler, but I thought she was still a toddler. It's safe to say she vacillates, which seems quite developmentally on-target. Speaking of development, I've fallen behind on tracking hers, either in a baby book or on this blog. I think I'll live to regret that. So: new feature! Monthly updates! Next month with better photos. I've also slacked on taking pictures. This one is from the Apple-Tasting at Portland Nursery. I dressed her in the cutest outfit she would let me choose for her, but it was raining so hard it was all we could do to trudge from tent to tent sampling apples and apple products, let alone get out the camera.
Here goes:
What she loves: her crayons and her water colors, and any arts and crafts. Nightgowns and all things princess--and this is with very, very little exposure to the all things princess that little girls are bombarded with. Beautiful, sparkly skirts and dresses. her rubber duckies. dancing to "church music," otherwise known as the choral music station on Pandora (hmmm. so weird. who started her on that?). getting bread at church (communion as snack time. oh, why not? ); sitting in her rocking chair and reading books.
What she does not love, and may actually hate: oh, the usual. sharing. time-out.
New developments: lots more pretend play these days. She pretends she on an airplane, and packs her luggage into a big papier-mache vase. She pretends a whoopie cushion contains an entire princess outfit for me, and she has me select each pretend item and helps me put it on. Tonight she was pretending to be a dog. With all the babies around, including the one in mommy's tummy, and with all the new "big girl" things she's doing like using the potty and riding her tricycle, of course she loves to pretend to be a baby. And secretly I love it when she does, too. Oh, and sometimes she uses the potty. I am still fairly confused about potty training. But based on what I've heard and read, I'm trying to not to pressure her, a la T. Berry Brazelton, while offering a treat when she does use the potty. I figure at 2 1/2 she's still got some time to figure it out.
Quotable quotes: "I love you, little Mama!"; "I want to get all cozy!" (i.e., be covered up); "Mommy (0r Daddy), are you frustrated?" (asked when I am, indeed, at the height of irritation, frustration, or just plain old mad). "Hi, baby!" "Good morning, baby!" (said to mommy's tummy).
Where I'm at: Working two days a week has been an adjustment--not nearly the load of working three days a week, or full-time, I realize, but just an adjustment. I have to be more planful and intentional about our time together because there is, in fact, less of it. Yet our days together can't and don't need to be all about keeping her entertained. If I don't get up early enough and have some kind of loose plan and structure to the day, I feel like Anneke ends up being shortchanged. I haven't hit the grieving period I know will come about it not being just the three of us anymore--I went through it with Dave before Anneke was born. But I know that's also on my mind on some level when I think about making the most of our time together. I've always, always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, and I still love being home with her.
Also, I do not get that child outdoors enough. We're both pretty happy being inside reading books, but there's definitely such a thing as too much of all that.
Serendipity: we ran into one of Dave's cheese buddies at the bakery in town, and I dared ask if he knew of any good spots for finding chanterelles (this is kind of like asking someone where their favorite fishing hole is). He said that, as a matter of fact, he was heading there now! We promised not to reveal the secret spot and dragged our poor child on a long, steep hike. It was kind of a chanterelle death march. As it turns out, it was late in the season and many of the mushrooms we found were shriveled and not worth picking. But I really, really don't know a better way to spend time in a damp, loamy Pacific Northwest forest.
Lest we burn too many calories, there was apple oven pancake for breakfast. 
Can you see the ladybug? Because Anneke can, and she first spotted it on a brisk beach walk, from probably three feet away. She has quite the radar for airplanes and lady bugs. 
There was a beach fire and smores. 
