Chloë's Corner (Blog)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I'm Cute as a Button














Mommy and Daddy (or Bobert as I often call him) took me and Baby Lysander to the Duke Gardens Saturday. As we were watching the ducks bathe and frolic in one of the ponds, some passersby offered me some bread for duck food. I fed one of the ducks right out of my hand and it surprized me when it "bit" me. We had a great time.

I now know all of my colors, can work many different types of puzzles, and can build blocks over half my height. I love Dora and Diego more than ever and only started watching television two weeks ago. I beginning to count and so far, I can say one, two, three, four, quatro, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten... but maybe not all together at once. I am also beginning to sing my ABC's. I am able to "read to Mommy" some nursury rhymes. I can nearly sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. I also love Wee Willy Winkie, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Little Jack Horner, Pussy Cat Pussy Cat, and Little Boy Blue.

Sometimes, when Mommy and Bobert tell me how much they love me, I tell them I love me, too! It's great. I love everybody. I frequently ask about my Grandma, Papa Chris, Nana, Papa Frankie, Charlotte, Kiki, Rylan, Brandon, Matilda, and Adelaide. I also ask about my favorite puppydogs Happy and Temberdog.

Ok, time for pictures!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

My Little Brother, Lysander

So I have a new little brother and that sure enough makes me a big sister. You can visit his blog to find out more about his grand entry into the world. He's a pretty silly little boy and keeps me entertained - just watch him when he sleeps!
Just prior to meeting him, I woke up to my Nana and Papa and they put me in high spirits by reading lots of books to me and talking about our upcoming beach trip in August. After then, shortly after meeting him, my Grandma and G-Papa came down. I got to try on all my Grandma's jewelry (as usual) and then, even gained access to her purse when she wasn't looking (probably going gaga over the new baby, no doubt). I found a cool pair of shades in her accessory bag and decided that since I was now a big sister, I could try out a new look. I tipped up my nose a bit and peered through the gap to compare the view of the hospital room with vs. without glasses. Turns out, it's much cooler to look through the shades. I'm ready to join the Garden Club! As a big sister, I have taken an immediate interest in Lysander. I bring wipes and diapers whenever Mommy or Daddy is changing him and I try to comfort him whenever possible, usually by singing "Oh My Darling". Would you believe that he likes my rendition of that folksy song?! I ofen find that I'm not able to help out as much as I'd like, so that's when my dolls come into play. I've been taking terrific care of them for months. I even bottle-feed and am a master of the bottle prop! Sometimes, after a long day, I do feel that taking care of the baby and the dolls is about to cause me to pull all of my hair out of my ponytails! It's a tough job, but I'm up for it! I must say, my sense of humor keeps me on top of my game and therefore, I think it's appropriate to point out that my little brother is sleeping in what was once my pink carseat in the photograph below: Lysander's arrival has afforded me the terrific opportunity to stay home for a few weeks with Mommy and Daddy. That has been some-kind-of-wonderful! I also get to see lots of visitors, including Cousins Charlotte, Harrison, and Matilda (who is also now a big sister to Adelaide, another cousin); Aunts Andrea, Jennifer, Liz, and Tember; Uncles Chris, Eric, Eric, and Jon; and of course, my beloved grandparents Nana, Papa, Grandma and G-Papa. One of my highlights has been frequent trips to the Museum of Life and Science. In the video below, I demo the drums and other unique percussion instruments.
If you visit my brothers blog, you'll see that we also enjoyed trips to Duke Gardens. I also got to enjoy lots of water sports, including simple pleasures such as playing in the tub and kiddie pool at my home. My bunny rabbit robe-towel has been with me since my first baths. And if you think I look happy in the pictures above, check out the ones below! I do enjoy having Lysander around and when he's not immediately visible, I find myself wanting to look after him and asking my Mommy and Daddy about him. Also while my little brother was busy sleeping and growing, I enjoyed some extra time dancing with Daddy! At the end of the video (fast forward if you must), check out my enthusiastic farewell!I've also had plenty of time to interact with Mommy. We've been reading books and practicing language! I know these are some long video's, but you might enjoy this one of me opening my car window with my big left toe.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Horray! Matilda came to Play!

I have been busy adjusting to being a big sister to Lysander born last week! I'm doing a great job, but I have moments where I like to spend time with kids closer to my own age. Matilda is 18 months and 5 days old and she and I had a blast today reading Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton and then, hammering a table with our bottles of apple juice. I look very forward to telling you more about my little brother, but here I'm simply having a fabulous time playing with my cousin who expects a little sister, Adelaide, to be born in the next two weeks. Matilda and me in my little fairy tent:

Matilda and me playing copycat:

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

I'm So Much Fun


I love life! I wake up in the morning and smile and greet my momma and daddy and bring them so much joy. I love cosleeping and have no concept of the idea that they may actually try to get me into my own bed some day soon. Momma has a baby in her belly and I'm very friendly to it, kissing it at times and even talking to it. I love other children, big and small and am just the sweetest little lovebug to just about every creature I come across. I don't kill little creatures by stomping on them because they all have what I have, this little lifesource that gives us spunk. Daddy took me to Mommy's workplace a couple of nights ago and I enjoyed wearing a colorful hat. Sorry for not keeping up with the blog... the highlights are:
1) I am growing tall tall tall
2) I hardly get sick at all these days
3) I have a gorgeous sweet smile
4) I love to laugh and have a great sense of humor, even after bumping heads with Mommy or Daddy
5) I love playdough, putting together the alphabet puzzle, playing with the girls across the street, calling cats, and calling Daddy Bobert!
6) I also like to make trains out of cans and anything else I can line up!
7) I can make a variety of animal sounds on command (gorilla, lion, tiger, duck, pig, cow) and I can mock alligators and elephants.
8) I also am throwing balls at/into targets now which is great fun!

Here I am!!! Me, Myself, and I and all my joy!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Circus Act

I went to the circus on February 8th with my good friend, Melena Rosa! We had a fabulous time together, but both had minor meltdowns during the clown act. When the animals returned to the arena, it got fun again and as we were leaving, we performed a little circus act of our own with parents keeping a close eye on us! After the circus, Mommy noticed whenever a picture of a horse or elephant appeared in a book, I would point to it and declare, "That was fun!!!" speaking of course, with reference to the circus! If you look at the flash 2:53 into the video, you'll see the shot (flash) featured in my 2009 Valentine! What fun!





Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2008 Year in Review

2008 was a busy time for me! I learned how to crawl, walk, run, and talk! I had my very first birthday which was "one"derful and got to spend plenty of time with my parents, cousins, grandparents, friends and neighbors!

No one can believe how nurturing I am with little ones and how I care for my dolls! I feed them, wash their faces, cover them with blankets, and pat and caress them!

I dress and undress myself! I even practice using the potty. I know whose shoes belong to whome and like to help around the house. I sweep, put my toys away, and sometimes, and even like to point out crumbs to Mommy so she can help keep the place clean! I teach Daddy about shortcuts on his computer keyboard and have become very-savvy with electronics. I LOVE taking baths and playing in the tub! I can quickly spot the moon and stars in almost any bedtime story and I know that spiders and ants belong outside!

Also in my repertoir of skills I have discovered magic! Every time I laugh and giggle, somebody smiles, no matter how bad their day! It's my little way of making the world a better place. I greet strangers and their eyes light up with joy! Sometimes my parents wonder if the world would be a better place if it were run by children!

I also revealed my hemoglobin stash and stopped hiding it. The doctors never figured out where I kept it and I'm not telling! But Mommy and Daddy are no longer fretting over my health and are confident I'm as strong and vigorous as the determined little girl I know I am.

Now, on to recapping the events leading up to this!

CHRISMAS, 2008!

We put up the Christmas Tree on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving! Many of it's branches were low enough for me to reach so I managed to hang a few ornaments! The advent calendar was out all month so I sampled chocolate from it and hid many other items behind it's many doors! Mommy bought me a few animated musical toys that brought the season to life for me - a Land of Misfit Toy and Rudoph and Frosty stockings!

I got to ride on the NC Museum of Life and Science Santa Train. We "travelled" to the North Pole where I was greeted by Santa and Ms. Claus. It was a really cold night and I didn't really know what was happening at the time, but while leaving the museum grounds, Mommy could tell from my mumblings that I was contemplating that I had just met Santa Claus, one of the most magical of characters!

Santa was everywhere I looked it seemed - in front yards, on stockings, clothes, cookies, and wrappers! It became easy for me to recognize him by his white beard and red suit. Christmas lights were a joy to discover as well and whenever I spotted a house adorned in light and color, I shouted "WOW!" and Mommy and Daddy cheered! 'Tis certainly a fun season!

Nana watched me on Christmas Eve and we played and laughed all day. She painted my toenails red to my delight and by night, the house was filled with food and laughter as all my nearby cousins, Uncles, and Aunts floated in for a celebration of the season! Grandma, Gramps, and Happy (my favorite puppydog) brought good Charleston cheer from West Virginia and even stayed a couple of nights! When I heard Happy was coming, I actually started dancing and clapping! She is my favorite dog and I love giving her smooches!

Cousins Brandon, Charlotte, Kyralia, Matilda, and Rylan celebrated the evening with us and we played lots of games and opened lots of presents together. We later went Christmas Caroling around the neighborhood but only caroled t0 three houses since the hour was late when we started.

I woke up on Christmas Day to another celebration of the season and a dollhouse, complete with furniture and lots of dolls to play with! Daddy got into the Spirit of Pretend and made a stuffed bunny play the make-believe piano. I was a little peaved the piano didn't have palpable keys, but once I realized it was all for pretend purposes, it was all the more fun!

The day after Christmas, Uncle Jon, Aunt Jennifer, and Cousin Harrison Lyle joined in the fun and we had another giant feast and opened yet even more presents! It was a fabulous time!

THANKSGIVING, 2008!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Moosemont! I got to play with Cousin Harrison's giant Tonka trucks and he got to ride my shiny red tricycle throughout the house! Uncles John and Chris, Aunts Andrea, Jennifer, and Elizabeth, and Grandma and Gramps really went out of their way to talk to me! I love being the only little baby girl in the family - it makes me feel special!

Harrison and I also got to share time on the Rocking Horse, an classic antique rocking horse that is sturdy enough to hold Daddy. We took turns rocking on the horse and Gramps and Grandpa saw that I loved it so much, they let me take it home to North Carolina. The horse is featured in my Christmas Card since I smile quite genuinely when I'm in the midst of a ride!

Aunt Elizabeth dressed me up in some super cute and ultra warm winter garments (pink knitted hat, scarf, and gloves) and convinced everyone to go for a long walk to the entrance gait. It was a third of a mile each way and I did it all by myself in the cold. I decidedly expressed a preference to hold the hand of my Gramps and the hand of my Grandma in lieu of Mommy's. This delighted Mommy even though I flat out turned down her offer of a hand. Half-way back, I learned how to do the kick-walk and Gramps and Grandma would pick me up and swing me.

The driveway is amazing as it is on top of a narrow mountain ridge that falls off sharply on either side. I walked over to the ridge a couple of times as the night came down and was amazed by the site (lights from the city shining up from all directions). I was so amazed I learned two new expressions... WOOOOOWWW! and WOOOOOOAH! No matter what I said, it seemed everyone was delighted!

HALLOWEEN, 2008!

There were many occassions to dress up Halloween! I actually had two costumes, but can only be seen pictured in one, the ladybug outfit. The Anne Geddes Flower costume was fun for a while but I am not comfortable in it for long since it makes me feel clostorphobic!

Mommy and Daddy selected Jackolantern templates online and then, Daddy ended up carving both pumpkins because Mommy had no idea how much strength it required.

I went trick-or-treating with Cousins Charlotte, Kyralia, and Rylan in our neighborhood and got the hang right away of knocking on the door and extending my little lamb basket for goodies. I was the first to knock on the door several times and the host would answer and then, smile as he or she looked down to discover me way down below! I didn't master the "trick or treat" request, but they seemed to understand me just fine! The idea that I could knock on a door and get these shiny wrapped goodies was fascinating to me! At first, I didn't even realize I was collecting candy!

On Saturday night, we celebrated at Cousin Matilda's house and got door prizes for dressing up!

GENERAL AUTUMNAL HAPPENINGS, 2008!

I went to the NC State Fair in October and got to see lots of animals, ride lots of rides, and eat lots of goodies. Mommy and Daddy were surprized to learn that I am NOT a fan of cotton candy! That stuff looks so weird it's scarry. I did love the animals and danced to a lot of music that was playing. Daddy had broken his foot in late September so it was difficult for him to amble around but Mommy was able to keep up with me. I enjoyed seeing Cousins Charlotte, Kyralia, and Rylan at the fair but we only spent enough time together to ride a few rides and compete over a few toys!

I got to rake some leaves with Mommy in the front yard! I helped her load the leaves into trash bags and that was so much fun!

BEACH TRIP, 2008

The annual family beach vacation at Duck was a blast this year! I got to play in the pool, sand, and ocean! I must say, I'm not incredibly fond of sand yet, but the water play was great! I went on long rides in the stroller and had a great time out of daycare all week! A fun time was to be had by all at the Cousins' Party! We fingerpainted, placed stickers, made cookies, colored, and found fish all throughout the house! Next year, I want to fly a kite and do some extraordinary site-seeing. I brought back a Christmas a sand-dollar, a lighthouse bulb tree ornament, a pair of sponge-bob shoes that I picked out myself and a couple of pairs of crocks, one orange and glittery and the other blue/purple tie dye. I also got a pair of shades with orange crab collapsable shields and a mini-beachbag! I did discover salt water taffee and love it!

SUMMER, 2008

In early to mid-August, we made a trip to Moosemont and hung out with family for the weekend. I got to spend some time with Cousin Harrison.