First Airplane Ride! March 4-7, 2011

March 4-7, 2011

“O” went on her very first airplane ride! We got a children's book from the library (written by Mr. Rogers himself!) with 1970s photos about going on an airplane. It had pictures of kids/parents packing, walking at the airport, security x-ray, waiting in the chairs, sitting in the seats, buckling up, the pilots, getting food, the bathrooms, etc. We read it every night during the week before we left on Friday to go to California. It really helped...she held my hand when walking around, and was SO excited about looking out the windows at the airport that she didn't even play with her special, new airport/airplane toys. We got snacks at Starbucks (as shown in the book, minus the "Starbucks", just a snack bar was shown). Each plane that drove by the window she asked, "is that our plane!? I want to get on!" or when looking at someone waiting near us, "him the pilot?". As soon as we got on, she sat down in her window seat and put on her buckle (thanks Mr. Rogers!) She checked out the tray table, the armrests, and loved the snacks. Flights really are exciting through the eyes of a 3 year old! She chattered THE WHOLE FLIGHT. I told the people in front, "sorry, at least it was only an hour flight!". They laughed and said she talked like their 8 year old, couldn't believe how well she spoke and the things she talked about.

The first meeting with Uncle Jeff was not so good - she got scared (was in the bathtub when he said 'hi') and she cried and wanted him to "go away". She insisted that he didn't live there, but that he had his own house. However, I knew she was intrigued with him because she kept asking where he was and wanted to see him. She also said later, "him a nice guy".

Before we left for California, “O” got to meet her cousin, Samantha, who was visiting from Illinois. The pictures of them in the red car and with Patrick are attached. After that, she kept playing (and still does) that she was Samantha. "My Samantha!" So we have to say, "oh hi, Samantha!".

She did really well at the shower in CA, was a real trooper with so many people. Kept asking everyone, "what's your name?". She was Rachel's little shadow and now wants me to include her in all of the family names at night time when I say, "who loves “O”" (I list everyone she knows).

“O” LOVED swimming in my parents' jacuzzi. She was so brave and put her head under the water several times. Can't wait until summertime! We're going to be in the pool everyday - a few times a day I'm sure. We're going to sign up for swim lessons through Chandler Parks and Rec.

Adopting a 3 year old means that we miss some of her "firsts"...first words, first steps, first solid foods... however, we get to have lots of firsts still...here are a few:

-first airplane ride!

-first time flying an RC airplane (thanks Pop-pop!)

-first time to sabbath school (which she liked..she wanted to shake the bells for every song and stood up to dance while the rest of the kids sat in their chairs to sing. She can't help but move when she hears music!)

-first time pooping in her own toilet! (which she LOVES and will do over and over again, 3x in a row!)

-first time pedaling her trike (2 weeks ago!)

-first time meeting her forever cousins

Here are some funny sayings that she uses a lot: When asking her if you can do/have something, she'll say, "of course!". She uses "probably" and "actually" a lot when talking, very adult-like (thanks to me, I didn't realize that I say those words so much!). She calls Cash "Cashy-boy". When she means to say, "what's that?" she says "who's that?" so it can be confusing sometimes to know if she's talking about a thing or a person. Her favorite fruit: strawberry/ favorite vegetable: green bean/ favorite veggie food: choplets (she discovered them this weekend at my parents' house).

-joni