So Many Thoughts

When wondering thoughts are in my head, I don't sleep well. Even if they're strange, unrelated, not that important thoughts...and so in turn I choose to share them on my blog. Sucks to be you? There may or may not be a logical turning point to this entry.

Alexys must have been going through  growth spurt last week. She ate and ate and slept and slept. And now her pants are too short. Interesting that while I expect that kind of behaviour in a baby, I didn't with a toddler...and I found myself frustrated and angry and impatient. Another lesson learned in motherhood. The lessons really never end. She didn't nap today and ate next to nothing. And she was an angel. She went to her first real birthday party for a little girl at school and I fully expected meltdown time when it was time to stop playing to eat dinner. And then I expected a meltdown when the little girl opened her presents instead of Alexys getting to. I expected a meltdown when the little girl got to blow out the candles.

Instead Alexys participated, listened, and didn't break down at all. No tears. A success in my mind.

Alexys keeps blowing my mind - with the person she is becoming and how much she knows. They are doing name and number recognition this month at preschool. When they come in for the day, we're supposed to accompany them and they're supposed to find their "nametag" to hang on the wall. All I said the first day was "Alexys, where's your name - it starts with an A." And she found it first time. And then the second day I said, "Alexys, find your name." And she did. Not a guess, not just a random point - but an actual, yep, that's my name, decision without trouble. I don't think I taught this to her. It wasn't intentional if I did.

She also has a puzzle that is the alphabet. Like each letter or 2 letters are a piece. Her and her friend were playing the other day and he was just jamming pieces in trying to make them fit. Alexys seriously rolled her eyes, took the piece, said "It's an L" and put it promptly into the spot. I haven't really spent that much time teaching her those things - we've watching YouTube videos with the alphabet on them. I take it she learns from there. I tested her the other day and I'd say she knows 20 of 26 letters to recognition...I was so worried she was behind because her speech was so different than the other kids - and yet, she seems quite ahead of at least half her class at school...and she's just 3 (versus a lot 3, 3.5, or almost 4). I'm very proud of how much she retains and knows.

And I'm not bragging...because I don't exactly remember teaching her. Or maybe I did, but it wasn't intentional :D Again, thanks YouTube and Wind and Tide *grins*

The attitude Alexys has developed lately is something else - she is SO going to be the greatest 22 year old I've ever met. Or maybe even before that. If we don't kill each other. She's me all over again...except better. She's persistent, determined, and demanding. She does not give up...as you might have guessed from my drag her across the mall story. She knows what she wants and how to get it. There is foot stomping and "I don't cares" that fly in abundance.  She's slammed a few doors and she will throw a fit like no other to get what she wants. Way beyond her friends. She has no embarrassment factor. It's a good thing I'm just as determined. And yet, at the same time, she is very well behaved most of the time - especially in public (save for our mall growth spurt day) and for others. I get compliments on her behaviour all the time...which I promptly laugh at, but then am relieved that she IS retaining the way of how she is being raised. It's a sigh of relief for sure. While I make her out to be this crazy, bratty kid sometimes - she's so not...I just feel it necessary to get those moments off my chest the most.

Indeed. She is observant. She takes everything in. Constantly (as apparently demonstrated by her knowledge of things I haven't taught her). She doesn't forget a thing. You can't trick her or tell her later. She doesn't fall for that. She picks up on people's lies. She is always quiet at first - when she is around new people or a new environment. She takes it all in before she roams or attacks. She becomes familiar. I know that's normal, but it's different than when I watch the other kids. She is so sweet hearted...she truly cares if you're alright and if you're okay. She rubs my back when I puke (yes it happens still once a week or so). She's started to rub my belly, kiss it, and tell me she'll be a big sister. She thinks it's a girl for the record. She's moved on that it's not Nemo...which is what I got at first.  Her imagination is brilliant - the conversations and storylines she creates for her princess dollies are unbelievable. She is coordinated and beautiful.

I love her.

Well, this has turned into an Alexys update, but she's one great kid and I felt that I should reflect on that after a good day. A day with moments of peace, smartness, and cuddles. Very little bad or anything like that. I just want to cuddle her and love on her always. And I will...but this is such a precious age that is sometimes overwhelmed by us forgetting 3 isn't very old - we expect them to act older than they are and get mad when they fail. I don't like that and I try to not act that way...but I'm only human.

Anyways. Blabbering now. Much to do tomorrow. MUCH to do tomorrow. Lots of work, a blog project (not on this one - a paid project for a company on a private blog), and family dinner. I leave for Edmonton on Thursday for 4 days to judge synchro regionals. I will see Anne. That is a different blog though.

Point is. It's bed time.
kortney elise xoxo