Lisa Bonnema

Mom. Writer. Speaker.

Let’s Talk About It: Duh!

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Sometimes the things that come out of Emma’s mouth take me back because they are so right on. It’s even better when she has that “tone” that tells me she clearly thinks I should have already known the answer to my question.

A few examples:

* Emma is notorious for putting things in her mouth (still!). One day, her cheeks looked a bit “full,” so I asked her what was in her mouth. Her reply: “Spit.”

* In the middle of playing “people,” Emma decides she must take her socks off, N.O.W. When I ask her why, she replies, “So my feet can breathe.”

* Kendall is nearing the fireplace ledge for the zillionth time, so I am a little annoyed and tell her, “No, no, no Kendall!” Emma steps in: “Mommy, she doesn’t know any better.”

Yeah, I am pretty sure I’m going to be put in my place more than a few times as these years go by. (Somewhere my mom is grinning from ear to ear.)

Let’s Talk About It: Heaven

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So the other day, Emma and I are driving in the car, and we start talking about Heaven…

Emma: When I go to Heaven, Mommy, I’m going to give Jesus and God a big hug.

Me: That will make them very happy.

Emma: And it will be a party, right, Mommy?

Me: Yes it will.

Emma: And all my friends and family will be there!

Me; Well, sure. But it’s your job to tell them about Jesus to make sure they are there with you.

Emma: I will, Mommy. And then all my family and friends will take an airplane to go all the way up to Heaven.

Me: Sure, sweetie. Something like that.

My Poor Second Child

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I haven’t written Kendall a letter since her very first one at 10 weeks, and I feel horrible. I just kept putting it off because I didn’t want to throw it together, but now she’s 10 months old.

So I will be writing a letter soon — before the big 1 year letter — but I wanted to get some things down before they are replaced with new cute memories. So here is a VERY random list of some things Kendall…

  • Thanks to her reflux, she “slept” in her swing for the first 3 months of her life.
  • For the next 2 months, she “slept” in her papasan until we bravely put her on her stomach.
  • She has a favorite purple blankie and a binkie at sleepy time, and she instantly knows what those two things mean.
  • She was practically sitting up by herself at 4 and 5 months because of her reflux.
  • At 6 months, she could roll herself up into the sitting position from the ground.
  • She started crawling on Father’s Day.
  • She began standing shortly after that and quickly got the courage to move from one object to another
  • At 9 1/2 months, she was walking.
  • She’s only received 3 vaccinations so far. (We are spreading them out. We didn’t do this with Emma.)
  • She has a permanent bruise on her butt from all her falling. And at least one bruise on her head at all times. They do not stop her.
  • At 10 months old, I finally gave in. She is on Prevacid and wouldn’t you know it, she is sleeping!
  • She has found her voice and is currently screaming as loud as possible at all times — happy, content, sad or angry.
  • She can say Ma-ma, Da-da, Ba-ba, and Hi (although she doesn’t really knows what she is saying all the time.)
  • Her reflux keeps her diet bland — prunes and rice cereal for breakfast (so she poops!), lunch and dinner options include Earth’s Best peas/brown rice, green beans/brown rice, pears, and pears & wild blueberries. As her meds kick in, we’re attempting yellow and orange veggies again.
  • She would prefer to feed herself solids, but it’s been difficult finding things that agree with her tummy.
  • She hates wearing a bib and tears it off the first chance she gets.
  • She will not hold still for a diaper change unless you REALLY distract her.
  • She must carry something at all times. Even if it is larger than her.
  • If there is music, she is usually bouncing.
  • She randomly stops in the middle of walking to squat. Sometimes in search of food, other times, well, not so sure..
  • She giggles at the drop of the hat.
  • She loves to play peek-a-boo.
  • She melts my heart with one look. (I know I’ve said it before, but it’s oh so very true.)

    • Fashion Friday: Total Sweetness

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    I know this outfit isn’t all that “fashion-forward,” but it absolutely screams Kendall to me. I know she’s only 9-months-old, but I can already tell she’s going to be my “girlie-girl.” I am not a pink, bows, and ruffles kind of mom, but for some reason, I am finding myself a little more willing to go in that direction for Kendall. She’s just such a sweetheart and so sensitive, that the frilly, girlie stuff just seems to fit her.

    Emma, on the other hand, is my busy little “Tom boy.” She is active gear all the way. Dresses that are “flirty” are okay, but anything else feels silly. Of course, she still dons the occasional princess dress during playtime, but as far as her everyday “style” goes, we keep it simple and a little more trendy.

    I’m interested to see if I’m on target once they start revealing their own styles. I’m hoping that if they stick to what I’ve started, maybe they’ll be less fighting in the teenage years over clothes…

    Yeah right.