Gone Baby Gone

Sunday was a big day here at the Palmer house.

Little miss went and grew up on us and headed off to nursery.

I just realized that someday that sentence is going to be adjusted slightly to read "Little miss went and grew up on us and headed off to college."

Oh my.

Stella got to wear her cowgirl boots from Great Grandpa and Grandma Gunter.

For over a year they have been sitting in her room, waiting for her little footsies to grow into them enough to show them off around town.

They were a huge hit.

I am sure the pretty little thing running (literally) around in them didn't hurt their cause.

Our first day of nursery was a smashing success, and I left church feeling like I had learned more than how long it takes to circle the building while chasing a toddler.

Everyone is a winner when the kids like nursery.

The kiddos enjoy snacks and toys, while mom and dad enjoy the fulfillment that comes from a little spiritual enlightenment.

Besides her first trip to nursery, Stella has also recently enjoyed her first trip to the splash park.

It took a little while to completely warm up to the water shooting out of the ground, but after a few accidental hits in the face she was ready to enjoy herself.

At eighteen months Stella is a 26 pound, 32.5 inch ball of energy and emotion.

She can go from sheer joy to an utter meltdown in 2 seconds flat, and can tear through our small apartment in what seems to be even less time than that.

Making messes in the bathroom is one of her favorite morning activities, along with watching "shows" on TV.

I feel like the television is suddenly on far too much in our home, but since she very rarely sits and watches an entire show I guess it is ok.

I think the guilt associated with kids and media is always going to be a part of parenthood in this day and age.

Some of Stella's favorite shows are Baby Signing Time (still)- referred to as baby, Curious George- aka ooh ooh, aah aah,  Tangled - known as dough dough, and Cars- which is simply called vroom.

Sister loves playing with hats, shoes, and necklaces which leads me to believe shopping will be a favorite past time at one point or another.

She still eats like a champ with some of her current favorites being cheese, blueberries, and tomatoes.  Don't let those choices lead you to believe she is still not a toddler.  We have recently gone on too many vacations full of treats and juice which leads to daily requests for both now.

Her vocabulary continues to improve daily and she will usually repeat everything we ask her to say.

Some of our favorite sayings would be I love you, I got you, Seriously, and the naming of every person and animal in our family.

Some of our least favorites would be Duh mom (thanks a lot Aunt Taigen), NO!, and anything that measures above an appropriate decibel level.

She loves to count to ten as long as she doesn't have to say one or eight, and often can often be found counting things out in the form of two, five, nine.

She can also be heard saying some form or another of the ABC's and singing songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on The Bus, and Popcorn Popping- actions included.

Don't be fooled, this painting activity lasted about 1 minute before she was trying to apply the paint as eye makeup or use her saliva as the moistening agent.

Other favorite activities of the girl include playing with Gigi the giraffe, Ellie the elephant, or Baby the baby.

Reading books and going to the library are favorite ways to pass the time, as well as any activity that can be done outside even if it means her little face overheats and her hair is covered in sweat after about 3 minutes of sunshine fun.

I really can't believe my baby is gone.

In a way it is a good thing since I am going to be blessed with another one here shortly, but I already find myself missing our time together.

Sure moments are frustrating and I have a long way to go in becoming the most patient, loving mother I can be; but I know that once Little Sis is here our time spent together just isn't going to be the same.

I read the following quote in this month's Ensign on Sunday:

 

"Give your child a compliment and a hug; say, 'I love you' more; always express your thanks.  Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.  Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on.  It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of 'what if' and 'if only'...

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family.  One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows.  Let us not put off what is most important."

I couldn't help but think of my sweet Stella as I read that quote.

I know as well as anyone that we are never guaranteed tomorrow, and that no matter how much you show and tell someone you love them you will always wish you had done it more when you are no longer afforded that opportunity.

I am excited to watch my love as a mother grow as we bring another sweet daughter into our family, but for now I want to focus more on what I have today.

A sweet little toddler who makes my world go round, who makes me want to laugh and cry all in the same moment, and who most importantly loves me despite all my faults as her mother.