Grown-up lady

I just had to post this so I would remember it...

This morning, Millie brought me a piece of paper that is actually some artwork that she created in 2009 (I'm currently going through the big stash of papers that she has made in the last year). So she handed it to me and I said thank you. Then I told her to go put it away.

And she said, "Where shall I put it?"

Did that grown-up word "shall" just come out of my 3-yr. old daughter's mouth? I couldn't believe it.

Too slick for a 3-yr-old

This post is from Mawt Maw (Debbie):
I had asked her to clean up her room and she came out and asked if I would “help me clean up the mess in my room.”

I said “sure” and went in to help. I looked up and Millie was “WATCHING” Mawt Maw clean up, while she stood on her bed. I asked her what was her clean up song, thinking that would get her more involved. I started singing “clean up, clean up, everybody share,”

and Ms. Millie said, No, Mawt Maw, it’s clean up, clean up, one person clean up.” It took a few repetitions before it dawned on me!

One Busy Lady

Yesterday morning on the way to church, Millie talked the entire way. She told us how she and her "dad" Landon were going to have 16 kids. She also told us that she was going to be tired and how they were all going to sleep in her room, but that her "dad" wasn't too happy about that.

She also told us that if they got out of their bed, then she would spank them (sorry, she's heard that before and it works for us). She said that when she goes to work, her dad would keep the kids and vice versa.

She's only 3 yrs old and she's already planning her future. Of course, she's just role-playing what she sees and experiences everyday. But it's been fun listening to her tell a story. And she's so sincere, in the process.

Vocabulary has increased

It seems that just within the last few weeks, Millie's vocabulary has grown exponentially. You can carry on a conversation with her and actually understand everything she says. We will be driving down the road and just say big words, and then ask her to repeat them. And she will do her best.

One of her recent big words is "Veterinarian." And she says it very clear. Pretty good for a 3 yr. old.

And last weekend, I took her cousin, Caiden, who is a month older, and Millie to Leapin' Lizards (an inflatable jumping place) and as we were driving down the driveway, the car brushes against the crape myrtle branch. Caiden said, "What was that?" And I said it was a crape myrtle. And Millie asked Caiden, "Can you say crape myrtle?" Too funny. Think she's heard that a time or two?!?

Everyday is the potential for a learning experience. And we are always trying to broaden her horizon.

Southern drawl

On the way to church yesterday morning, Jacade and I were holding hands. So Millie said, "I want to hold (short pause) y'all's hand." I love that Southern drawl!

Where is Jesus?

Saturday morning, Millie went with Mawt Maw to see her cousins, Sara and Will, play basketball. On their way to Jackson Mawt Maw got a little lost. She called several people but no one was answering their phones (incl. us). She and Millie had a conversation and it went something like this:

Mawt Maw: "Oh, dear. I don't know which way we are going."
Millie: "Oh my, Millie and Mawt Maw are lost. Millie Bear and Mawt Maw Bear are lost."
MM: "Let's see if we can find our way. Hopefully God will help us find our way."
M: "I pray God to find the right way."
MM: "I think we found the right way."
M: "I say a prayer for you."
MM: "Yes, you did. Thank you. We found the right way."
M: "Yea...... God is in my heart and Jesus is in my heart too!"

What a great memory. Millie and I are now working on more scriptures too. I talked with her teacher and she said that they do a lot of praying, which I have noticed Millie doing more of. It's awesome!

I have to brag on Millie for a second

This morning, I gave Millie a Hershey's kiss and she enjoyed it. But I overheard her saying as she looked at the paper from the kiss, "What does this say? Come near to God and God will come near to you."

I was so excited and proud. That verse is from James 4:8 and I've been working with Millie to get her to learn it. So obviously, she has learned it.

I'm so proud of her!

Progress Report: Millie's 1st week

We saw Millie's teacher last night at church and asked how she did last week. She said that she did great, that we had done a great job with her and that she was so sweet. So she has apparently adjusted well.

On a side note.... The three of us were walking to Sunday School yesterday morning and as Jacade was walking into the Butler Building (where the cafeteria is) Millie asked, "Is Daddy going to lunch?" I just laughed and said no.

What Millie said.....

Just wanted to record what Millie said the other night; it was too funny!
Mawt Maw was holding her and told her, "Millie, I'm going to eat you all up!"
And Millie said, "No, no, then Mommy and Daddy wouldn't have Millie."
How cute is that?

Role Playing

Last night, Millie was trying to tell Jacade something as he was walking into the bedroom (and not paying attention) and Millie kept saying, "I'm talking to you. I'm talking to you." Like, stop walking and pay attention to me while I'm talking to you!

And then when I was getting her ready for bed, she told me to stay on the couch while she went to brush her teeth. She said, "Stay here. I do by myself. You hear me? Say yes ma'am." And I've been trying to work real hard with her about using her manners, so she was just repeating me, I guess.

Millie asked her first "why?" this morning

Jacade and Millie had to take me to work this morning because Jacade's truck is broken (as of yesterday). Millie noticed that the sun was up, but that the moon was also up. And I've told her that when the sun comes up, the moon goes down, and vice versa. So she looked over at the moon and said, "The moon is up. But the sun is up. Why is the moon up too?" And Jacade tried to explain to her about the earth being on a different axis. And she was fine with that.

But it's funny that she is now starting to really comprehend things that we tell her. And she is just so hungry for knowledge. I know this is just the beginning of all the "why's".

She also said this morning while she was eating her Cheerios in the car, "Y'all want some?" OMG, she just said "y'all!"

Not wanted...

Last night, Millie was saying good night to Daddy and I went into our bedroom where they were. I came in and sat on the edge of the bed, and below is our dialogue.
Millie: Go.
Mommy: (with shocked look on my face) To where?
Millie: To the kitchen.
Mommy: What do you want me to do in the kitchen?
Millie: Clean up.

Thanks Millie. I then asked Jacade if he had told her to say that and he said no, and then told Millie - Good Job!

Millie says....

Yesterday morning I was getting clothes for Millie to wear that day and she came into her room where I was and said, "I love you. I love you Mommy." My heart just melted. I said thank you to her and she smiled her shy smile and tilted her head. So sweet.

Do you know your ABCs?

Millie does. Well, she can pretty much sing the whole song, although sometimes she gets a little sidetracked. We are still working on identifying the letters by looking at books but I just started teaching her the song last week.

Two Biggies

Last night, before Millie took her bath, she undressed herself and took off her diaper. She then said, "I want to poop in the potty." Fine with me. So she climbed up there and sat there for awhile. Then she had "that look" in her eyes and yes, she did it! I was so proud of her! I think we are on our way because she has been using the potty a lot more lately.

And then before she went to bed last night, I was rocking her and I asked her, "Millie, would you like to go to the potty before you go to bed?" And she replied, "No thank you." Whoa, was that for real?

Later on, checking to make sure that wasn't a fluke, I asked again, a little while later. And again she said, "No thank you."

God Bless....

At every meal, Millie says the blessing. Last night when she said it, she started looking around the table and said, "Bless Mommy's food, Daddy's food, Mawt Maw's food, Mommy's sweet tea, Daddy's sweet tea, Mawt Maw's sweet tea," and then Amen. It was so funny. But she was definitely sincere.

God is good, God is great!

We've been teaching Millie the food prayer when we sit down to eat every night. We all hold hands (typically) and Jacade and/or I will say each part and get Millie to repeat. Last night Jacade said, "Millie, why don't you say the prayer tonight?"

So she said, "God good, God great. Jabber, jabber, jabber. Food. Thank You. Amen." It was so cute.

Stay tuned for a video of it. Definitely want to record that moment. So sweet.

What Millie's been up to lately

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I've been meaning to, but life just keeps happening!

Millie just keeps growing up. She is talking very clearly and understands a lot.

Last night she really surprised me. I was going to scramble her an egg for dinner while I fixed us some tuna, but she wanted to try the tuna. So I gave her a small piece, expecting her to spit it out. No. She asked for more. WHOA! And then I was eating some homemade beef jerky that was a little spicy. Of course she wanted to try it and she liked it too. So for dinner she ate albacore tuna (plain), corn off-the-cob, and 3 dried plums.

She spent the latter part of last week and the weekend with Nana and Papa. And they bragged on her saying that she slept so well and ate just about everything put in front of her. We think that they just gave her ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner, b/c a lot of times, she pushes food away at our house. And she hasn't been sleeping that great either. Of course, she is a smart baby and she's probably figured out that once she starts fussing and crying, someone will be there to pick her up (shame on Daddy and Mawt Maw). Just kidding, I have gone in a few times too.

And Nana and Papa taught Millie a cute little game (if you want to call it that). She thinks it is so funny. What you do is, you act like you are falling asleep. And then Millie says, "Wake up!" And you wake up, all excited and refreshed. She just laughs and laughs!!

She still won't eat cherry tomatoes, although she ate one-half of one yesterday. But she does like chicken now (finally) and now loves, drum roll please.....BROCCOLI! Nana and Papa got her to eat it first and now she loves it.

She likes to take your nose and then asks you if you'd like it back. Of course I want it back. I would look awfully funny without it and would miss out on so many smells.

She still loves to read books. She just got a few for her birthday. She especially loves one of her new books, Silly Sally. Silly Sally, walking backwards, upside down. On the way, she met a pig. A silly pig, they danced a jig. On each page, Millie has to turn the book upside down so she can look at Silly Sally right side up.

I'll post more things later. Got to get back to work!!

Happy Birthday Millie!

I know I am late in posting this (and Marshall, you're going to get to see some new photos) but Millie celebrated her 2nd birthday last Thursday!

Wow! I can't believe she is already 2 years old. Where did the time go? Out the door and down the street!

She is doing so many things now and talking so well. Of course, when we went to the doctor, she wouldn't say a word. Go figure. But she is repeating everything we say. Hard words too. She is not doing her sign language as much; hey, she can talk! But she still does some. We are busy pointing out everything to her. And she doesn't forget a thing.

What she loves right now:
reading/looking at books
playing outside
going to the park
dressing/undressing herself
her babydolls
listening to music and dancing
running
jumping

What new foods she is eating these days:
She actually likes broccoli - we call them trees
most beans
grilled cheese sandwiches
spaghetti (sometimes)
pizza
cereal bars
most all fruits

A sense of direction

One day last week, I had picked Millie up from school and on our way home, we drove by one of our friends' house on Maple Street. Right as we were driving by, Millie pointed out the window and said, "Doug's house." WOW! How did she know that? I told her, happily, "Yes, that is Doug's house."

On Friday evening, she and I went to Jackson for the Relay for Life at the park. Millie's first babysitter, Melanie, is a cancer survivor. As we are driving to Jackson, we passed the High Falls Road on the right, and as Millie pointed to the road, she said, "Church." She really does pay attention to where we are going. I was impressed.