Curious Georgia Paige MacDougall

Dear Georgia,

I am sorry I have not written anything to you in so long.  I think about it all the time.  I can’t believe how big you are growing, how much you are learning and the things you say!  You are a lot of fun to be around, well most of the time that is!

We had to put our cat Tigger to sleep at the beginning of the year.  She had cancer and was very old.  You really loved her and it was the first time we had to talk to you about death.  You didn’t really get it but will tell us “Tigger dived.”  Somedays you still think she is coming back home.  You went through a period recently when you would like to pretend to be a kitty.  You even asked me to take off all you clothes one day and when I asked why you told me you wanted to “feel your kitty fur.”

You have been asking me for the past three days to go to the store and get a baby brother.  You were very disappointed we did not get one at Costco the other day.  A month or so ago you figured out how babies were made “mom, you put me and Charlotte in your mouth.”  I thought that was a pretty good guess.  What you put in your mouth goes into your belly, right?  Sorry sweetie, no baby brother (or sister) right now.  You really love your sister Charlotte.  You don’t like that she plays with your toys or can take things away from you but you don’t ever seem want to go anywhere without her.  You are very excited about her first birthday tomorrow and want to get her a ball and a Sandra Boynton book. Everyday you have been asking me “is it Charlotte’s baby party yet?”

You love to be around kids (your best friend at church is Aaron Clark), read your devotionals at night, listen to “pooh stories”, eat Lucky Charms, color/draw, dance/sing (with your “warm leggers”).  You still take a nap (most days) and are completely potty trained.  You have started to start to say prayers before bed. They mostly consist of “Dear Jesus” then a lot of words I don’t understand followed by “in Jesus name Amen.” Your favorite TV show is “Little Einsteins.”  Oh and you have some “friends” called the Arders. You have been talking to them for the past 2 weeks and I still can’t figure out who they are.  All I know is there are 10 of them, they live in the TV and they are coming to Charlotte’s birthday party on Sunday. The other day when you were suppose to be taking a nap I heard you yell “wake up arders and find my hair clip”. Speaking of TV, you think that I can lift you up and put you in the TV. You know your ABC’s, colors and shapes.

There is so much to say about you. I will have to save it for another day.

I LOVE YOU!!!

Today was a beautiful fall day. The air was crisp and cool with a slight brisk wind. The trees are starting to change all different colors. I love the transition seasons (spring and fall) and only wished they lasted longer anymore. Soon winter will be making her way into Chicago so we figured we better get out and enjoy this nice weather. Your dad and I have always wanted to go to The Morton Aboretum in Wheaton and we talk about it every year but never go. Today we are going and you are coming with us!

We arrived at the aboretum (which is 1,700 acres of land and nature) and deceided to go to the Children’s Garden first thing. They have lots of fun things for kids to see and learn about nature, plants, water, etc. There was a lot of tents outside of the garden where you could buy fall themed items or food and there were a lot of children dressed up in their halloween costumes.

You’ve been walking now for about a month and are getting around quite well. Of all of the fun things to do and people to see at the Children’s Garden, all you wanted to do was walk. You loved to walk on all of the different types of surfaces they had there: paved, gravel, soft, stone walkway, mud, and wood. You loved the inclines and at times just wanted to keep going up and down the same walkway. First you wanted to hold my hand but then you were off on your own not even looking back for mom and dad. You didn’t want to stay still to play with any toys or exhibits they had, to get your picture taken, have a drink or to even just rest. Whenever we picked you up to go to another area, you cried. When it was time to leave, you cried. (Is this the same baby who was having separation anxiety this whole week?) You just wanted to keep exploring and walking. We didn’t see much (well really nothing) at the arboretum but we let you lead us and show us what you wanted to see.

In the end, we all had a great day. Nothing would have ended the day better than a cup of hot coco or hot apple cider. You’re still a bit young for that. Maybe next year.

Well today is Father’s Day and all dad really wanted to do today is go out to eat and then relax at home. You presented yourself to dad this morning in your beautiful green dress (that you later pooed on and then had to wear your jean dress instead). You always get so excited to see dad and often can’t keep your eyes off of what he is doing. He really liked the card, magnet and peanut butter chocolate covered malt balls you picked out for him.

Papi and Grandpa joined us at Braxton Seafood Grill in Oak Brook for Father’s Day buffet brunch. You had a lot of fun seeing all the people and eating off of dad’s plate. You had some noodles, ham, eggs, watermelon and about 6 bites of key lime pie (dad said it was his day, so he could do what he wants!). You were in a great mood and as always everyone thought you were so adorable. We then took a stroll to pick out your drapery rod for your room. You were having so much fun in the stroller without being strapped in (again dad said it was his day and he would keep an eye on you). Well, you eventually fell out of the stroller but didn’t cry much and didn’t have any injuries!

We spent the rest of the afternoon at home because it was 97 degrees outside today. You are crawling more now than scooting and you have started to get up on your knees. Pretty soon you will be standing. You had fun playing with your toys, chasing Tigger and saying “da da”. Dad watched a T.V. show on building a tree house. He can’t wait until we have our own house and can build you a tree house. He is hoping you will want to help him build it!

When asked about his first Father’s Day, dad had to say “So far it is great! Georgia has been very nice to me.”