Tara Talk

I figured it was time I start recording some of the things that Tara says. She cracks us up everyday and keeps us wondering "where in the world did she get that from?". Tara has lots of different experiences due to her babysitter schedule. When I went back to work when Tara was 6 months old, she had a different babysitter every day of the week. It sounds crazy and was at times but I don't regret any of it. I wanted Tara to be with family and spend time with her grandparents. George's mom does not work and devotes all of her time to her grandkids. My mom has Thursdays off (with the exception of once a month in which case she works in Almont and there were times when my mom would take her to work with her). My cousin volunteered to watch her on Mondays (the only day she had off) and my other cousin who didn't have college classes on Fridays wanted to watch her on the weekends she was home. So that only left Tuesdays and every other Friday. One of my girlfriends who has a son about a year and a half older than Tara agreed to watch her on Tuesdays and of course my dad wanted his time too so he took her on the Fridays my cousin couldn't watch her. It ended up working out wonderfully and I think it helped Tara become more social and not so clingy to me. This school year worked out much the same except for Tuesdays in which case my girlfriend had college classes but my cousin was able to pick up the extra day and all worked out again! I hope it all goes as smoothly next school year, however, there will be an extra child for everyone to care for! I had thought about splitting them up a few days a week so Tara has some time away from her sibling and doesn't feel overshadowed by the new baby. We all know how new babies can suck up attention, especially from the grandparents. However, I am not sure I will be able to keep up with the scheduling! Anyhow, the real reason I wanted to write was to document some of the things Tara says that crack us up! I am sure you will agree!

-Before I tell you this one you should know that Tara has recently learned how to unlock and open the front door. We try to keep something in front of it so she can't get to the door but this is the door that Yager (our dog) uses mostly so sometimes it's hard to remember to put something in front of it. The other day Tara somehow got away without either one of us knowing. George found her in the garage. For those of you that have been to our house know that to get from the front door to the garage you have to walk around the front of our house. When I asked her where she went she simply replied, " I just went outside mommy. It's SO sunny out!" She was right, it was sunny! (also, no judging allowed! I am sure some of you have done worse!)

-Yesterday I wanted to go for a walk and George wasn't home so I had to take Tara in the stroller. Except she didn't want to go in the stroller. She said, "I need to walk by myself. You take the stroller." She isn't quite old enough to walk down our back dirt road without being confined. I tried to convince her to get in the stroller. I even bribed her with ice cream cake at Aunt Tanya's house. Also, she was wearing her bike helmet at the time. I have no idea why she wanted it on but she did. She is also carrying a cow bowling ball that she got for x-mas. These things she needed to have for some reason. So I took the stroller down to the end of the driveway, thinking she might change her mind and get it. No such luck but when we got to the end of the driveway she stopped me and said, (while holding up one finger) "I have a good idea". I was just cracking up because I have never heard her use those words before. Her good idea was to walk by herself and not get in the stroller. Needless to say, we ended up getting in the car and driving over to eat some ice cream cake!

-We have been talking about going to the zoo to see all the animals.  Tara told me she would see some elephants at the zoo.  I asked her what else she would see and she replied "Uncle Matt".   Yeah, we might see him there!  One morning she woke up and immediately asked if she could go to the zoo and see Uncle Matt!  Pretty funny!

-I can't forget where Uncle Kyle lives!  It's not at the zoo but in the "Dirty South".  Of course, this wasn't something she came up with on her own.  It came from some coaching from her father!  Uncle Kyle really lives in Tennessee.

-Over Memorial Day weekend we went to a friend's house to just hang out.  I was telling Tara who would be there and she asked "I go to see my friends?"  Again, I just love how she is connecting everything!   We also went to a BBQ at my Aunt and Uncle's house last Monday and she asked again if "her friends" would be there.  

-Whenever it's time to take a bath, a nap or go to bed she always says "I not go to ___ ame-more (anymore)!"

-My parents took Tara up north with them the Thursday before Memorial Day and then I went up Friday after work.  My dad told me this story:  "We stopped at Meijer in Midland to get a few grocery items.  Tara was sitting in the back of the cart snacking on some turkey and ham lunch meat and repeating everything I was saying.  So naturally I had to take advantage.  (I may have added that in myself)  I said to her "Top of the world Mom!" (with hands outstretched) and of course Tara repeated it shouting and standing up in the cart! "  My dad said he was laughing so hard he could barely push the cart anymore and people around were laughing with them.  I am glad she makes other laugh too!

-Sticking with up north stories...Tara felt she needed some more mommy time and therefore would not sleep in her crib and insisted on sleeping with me on the pull out couch.  (George had some important things to do at home so he didn't come...)  The next morning I could hear that she was awake but was hoping she would go back to sleep if I pretended not to hear her.  I tried to sneak a peak at what she was doing and she caught me!  As soon as I opened my eyes she was right there to say "Peek-a-boo Mommy!".  

I will continue to add some of my favorite sayings as she comes up with them or as I remember them.  She makes me laugh everyday and I hope she keeps her cute personality!

I will also try to add some pictures once I have them all organized.  (maybe even some belly pics!)  My computer crashed and I am still trying to recover everything and get it organized (on my external hard drive this time!).  I had to recover all of my pictures and they are in no particular order.  It may take all summer to get them categorized again.  I love pictures and therefore have a ton!  I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend and I am looking forward to more sunny days!