Anniversary

I began my blog last year at Mothers Day. Since then, I have posted 200 entries and have tried to capture Franny's wonderful personality and spirit, through our day to day routine and adventures together. She brings so much joy to our life, and it delights me to be able to share them on this blog. Although when I initially compare Franny to one year ago, I think how dramatic the change in her is, on second glance I see she is the same amazing little girl--the sparkle in her eyes is the same, as well as her adventurous and gentle spirit. She touches our hearts everyday and we are so blessed to be able to call her our daughter.

May 14, 2006

May 13, 2007

Happiness is Mothers Day

Park! Kids! Play! These are a few of Franny's favorite words.

Everyday, Franny requests a trip to the park. She loves climbing, swinging, sliding, hanging on the bars, and chasing the ducks. She especially loves to be around other kids, and be where the most action is. Being very outgoing, Franny will attempt to befriend pretty much any little kid--mostly ones her age--to make her trip to the park more fun. Sometimes, there will be a toddler that will reciprocate her advances to play, but it is surprising to me how many little kids refuse. Of course, this breaks my heart, but Franny's spirit is usually only momentarily hurt, and then she is off again, on the search for fun and adventure. She is amazing.

Friday, I took Franny to our neighborhood park, which turned out to be a very fun trip. It was sunny but cool, and the ducks and geese both were out with their new ducklings and goslings, which was very intriguing for Franny, and everyone was friendly, including the older kids. Then, as we were leaving, we ran into little Graham and his mom, who we know through some of Franny's activities. We ended up staying another 20 minutes, as Franny followed her friend around and they climbed, swang, and played on the teeter totter. She was ecstatic, and it made our trip so worthwhile and fun.

It's interesting to see how her focus has changed in such a short time. A year ago, or even less, she would play but barely pay attention to the other kids around her. Now, she clearly wants to play with them. While most of the time she just wants to play, a lot of the time she is also observing, absorbing, and learning from the other kids, and will then dive into her new found activity and mimic their play. It will be fun to see how much she learns when she starts preschool next month. Regardless, I know she will love just being around more kids!

Best friends

Franny's doll is very important to her. Everyday, Doll--as we call her--becomes more and more involved in Franny's routine. They eat, sleep, and play together and are increasingly inseparable with each passing day. I don't recall being so enraptured with dolls myself, so it is fascinating to see Franny develop such an incredible relationship with her. In the last six weeks, three newborns have joined their older siblings in Franny's playgroup. She has been very intrigued and acutely observant of these tiny newcomers, which has further impacted how she interacts with Doll. She is definitely still her playmate, but now is also becoming her baby--changing diapers, putting on clothes, feeding, burping. I am hoping that Doll will actually help Franny in her transition as she adapts to the homecoming of her baby brother. We'll see!

Today, I bought Franny a "big girl" chair to replace the rocking chair in her room. Given her relationship with Doll, I couldn't resist getting a matching chair for Doll, as well. Franny loves it! And, actually, I do too!

Ride 'em cowgirl

What the cowgirl rides when the horse isn't available...

Mother and child reunion

My hospital stay and bed rest took me away from Franny for two weeks. She really did well adjusting to the situation, although it was clear she knew things were out of the ordinary. She was surrounded with people she loved who tried to make each day as close to her routine as possible.

While the hospital was not fun, the hardest part of the two weeks was being home but not really be able to resume life. When she slowed down, we did read books and do puzzles but that was about all we were able to do. She seemed to know I wasn't able to play or do the things we usually do together, as she seemed to just play around me, which was nice since I didn't have to say "I'm sorry, Franny, I can't do that" but at the same time it was very hard since I definitely wanted to! The hardest days were ones where Grandpa played with her all morning, she took a nap, Grandma played with her in the afternoon, and then Daddy swooped her up and took her on an afternoon excursion, coming home just in time for dinner, books, and bed. It was very difficult to going from the one she's with the most to the one she's with the least.

Fortunately it was short-lived, and we are back in our routine and I can do all the things I did before. I am taking it easy and have slowed down a lot, as I need to take care of Franny's little brother, too. But it such a tremendous joy to be with her as a full-time mom again! In just those two weeks she changed so much--I don't intend on missing anything else!