1-17-2000
Eliza was born during Christmas vacation here in Pocatello, Idaho during the time Jason was going to school at Idaho-State University. I was working full-time at the colleges day care “Early Learning Center” as a substitute. You were due at the latest- December 25, 1999 so my last day of work was December 17th, same day as Jason’s last final.
Dad and I have just been having fun together-knowing we won’t be going out much after you come. . . at least not spontaneously for a while.
Christmas time we went no where and visited no family or friends long distances. Christmas day came and went. Still Pregnant. One of my friends, MeriAnn, gave me caster oil and by the 4th day of being late (Wed. Night) I took the oil out of the cabinet and set it on the counter to take Thursday morning. I wanted you here so badly!
Dad and I had just come home from a date of walking the mall we had been walking the malls w/ all the Christmas shoppers for a week trying to get you to come. And we went out to dinner at Apple Bees. Jason ordered grilled chicken and steak and I got vegetable fijita. We shared with each other and were pretty spicy. I didn’t digest any of it because that night going into labor caused me to get rid of everything in my system. No throwing up though. We got home at 8pm after the restaurant and I started to whine while Jason was reading an Emma and Joseph book he had gotten for Christmas from my mom. He wasn’t paying any attention to me. I began bouncing around and then looked at one of our kitchen chairs. I stood up on it and jumped off like dad’s mom told me to do.
I sat down and began working on baby announcements. Contractions started and with each one I looked up and happily said to Jason, “I’m having one!” He wasn’t too convinced or thrilled at first because I’ve been saying that for weeks . . . but I ended up saying that about every 4 minutes and finally he began noticing me.
I decided to take a bath to relax and refreshen myself. I told him, “After my bath we’re going to go to the hospital.” Jason started getting anxious as they were coming faster. Jason was by my side the whole time after getting out of the tub.
Jason had a bus watch and a piece of paper timing the contractions as he sat on the toilet. He was calm but kind of jittery. Jason gave me a blessing - I know it was that which made me relax and go with it.
Contractions got to the point of having to stop whatever I was doing and lean on Jason or the dresser. We forgot to call the hospital before we left so we ended up in the waiting room for a few minutes. The nurses weren’t in any big rush because I didn’t over-react with each contraction. They also asked if this was “my first”.
When they finally checked me I was at a 3+ so they we’re a bit surprised and decided to call the doctor. I heard them talking amongst themselves of how good I was doing with handling contractions.
I was having awful diarrhea. I did most at home but still had to run back and forth from the bed to the bathroom. I had to have my IV in me and my monitoring belt on me all the time which got annoying. It was tight and heavy as if I wasn’t so uncomfortable already.
My water broke while on the toilet . . .well most of it so I trickled the rest during labor. The nurse told me you urinated in uterio so they had to watch you closely. She also told me to “stay on the bed and stop running to the bathroom- It can be cleaned up”.
The woman who gave me a IV did a terrible job. She had to keep re-doing it. I was bleeding everywhere and had a huge bruise on the top of my head for weeks. It was sore any time Jason held it. She also grabbed it rudely as I pulled away for a contraction to hug Jason. Rather than just waiting for it to be over she offensively said during my contraction, “you can’t pull away from me - The next one you have keep your hand right here!” I almost said “you’ve never gone through labor have you?”
The doctor came in when I was a 6. I was having to do the pelvic tilt exercises because you were posterior (sunny-side up) where I would lean on the back of the bed. All Jason could do was watch. His touch was so helpful and encouraging. He was always next to me and expressing encouraging words telling me what a good job I was doing. I realized at one point I had to do this myself. Instead of turning to Jason for my burden to take away, I had to pray to my Heavenly Father. It was amazing how strong I felt the Spirit during my 2-day stay in the hospital and even a week after I brought her home.
Anyway, I was through with the exercises and the Dr. Came in at about a 6. His name is Dr. Covlin, who wasn’t my regularly seen (Dr. Breese) doctor. He came in later during postpartum and said “What’s the big idea delivering when I’m out of town?” He claims he’ll “get the next one”.
But Dr. Covlin came in and asked how I was handling the pain. I can’t remember how I answered. I was lying on my left side kind of out of it. He obviously didn’t know my birthing plan because he began offering drugs. Jason told him I didn’t want any. He insisted I would like it. I asked if it would make me incoherent because I wanted to remember everything. He said no it would just relax my muscles. My legs were shaking lots at that time and my back was killing me. Not only because of back labor but from me tensing with each contraction. He said he’d give me the lowest dosage right through my IV. It was a combo of Statol and Fennergan.
I don’t remember how or when it kicked in but I do remember feeling a difference. I wasn’t as tense and the hardest part of the contraction (the peak ) wasn’t as hard. About an hour later my eyes opened wide and I “woke up” sat up and YELLED “I have to push!”
All the nurses stopped and ran over to me. A nurse checked me and said I was at a 9 ½ and to run and get Dr. Covlin. A nurse took one leg, Jason took the other. I held under my thighs. They told me to push. I pushed - but I push incorrectly. I asked them how I should. She answered vaguely so I asked is it like I’m having a BM. . .do I push exactly with those muscles. She said, “Yes, like a very big BM” The doctor arrived and we tried again. 3 pushes later you arrived. (After about 12 min. of pushing.)I wanted to keep pushing but they told me not to. “Let her come out herself” they said. The doctor flipped your face up and the nurse directed my hands under your little, bony, arm pits and lifted you up onto my tummy. You looked like a little Asian baby. You kept your eyes closed and just screamed!
You were taken away shortly and they asked if we wanted to guess your weight. Ja said 8lb. And 3-5oz. I said 8 even. They said 7lb which surprised me then continued and 15oz.-which confirmed my guess. Then I wasn’t too surprised. They gave you to me again this time all wrapped up in a blanket. You quieted down and dad call Grandma and Grandpa Petersen first. They were so excited and surprised because they didn’t even know I was in labor.
They already knew you were a girl though. I told her you were 7lb and 15 oz and she said “Oh that’s perfect!” I told her you were beautiful and thought new-borns were supposed to look ugly but you were just beautiful! Everyone who was you said so too. I was hesitant to ever put you next to anyone else’s baby because you got everyone to flock to you and drool and comment over you. I’m not just being biased either-there were many new borns in our ward too, full of young married students on campus just starting families. So labor started at 8pm and you arrived at 2am. 6 hours.
It was unbelievable how strong the Spirit was with us after you were born. We took you home with us New Years Morning even though I was supposed to have come home New Years Eve. Obviously we didn’t take you on the road that night-They were nice to not charge us extra. The Spirit was so strong in our home with you there! You were our definition of an “easy baby!” Mom Harris had a crock-pot of cheesy potatoes waiting there for us which I was sooo grateful for. I didn’t know what to do with you when we got home. Should I put you down or just hold you? You rarely cried except when something was wrong. The only frustration was getting us so often at night just because you’d rather sleep on “on” me not necessarily because you were hungry.
It was so nice having mom come to help! She made meals, cleaned home, tended you so I could sleep, bathed you, took pictures etc. I need to go help you out no matter what! Ever since you’ve been born, you’ve had your eyebrows up!
Everyone came to see you!
Steve & Merium, Grandma and Grandpa Petersen drove from Alberta, Canada, Grandma and pa from Colorado Springs, and mom and dad flew from Maryland as well as Christy. She was going to Ricks College. Needless to say our tiny apartment was cramped after Neil, Shirley, Jessica and Natalie Harris drove up from Montpelier ID as well.
Mom was great and so helpful! She cooked and cleaned and stayed up long hours at night with you! One night I ate cauliflower and you were NOT happy! Poor Grandma Petersen you’d better thank her for that night! It was sad having her leave.
5 months old
We fight each other all the time. You have decided you like the bottle better than me-But I know what’s best! Anyway we fought for about 2 months before you realized you weren’t getting a bottle - just me. I had to constantly be pumping to keep my milk supply up and feed you that for a while since you wouldn’t take me. You were impossible and I had gotten almost dry that I almost gave up. You had formula supplemented tons of times after you took all I had . Eventually with tons of patience and time at 5 months old you like mommy again. I shed lots of tears over that trial but I learned not to make assumptions or critique bottle fed baby’s moms anymore because it takes TWO to eat.
June 13, 2000 (6 ½ months old)
You’ve had lots of nicknames I’ve realized. Right now it’s sweet-heart and Squirt Bottom. Dad like call you that because when you “go” we hear a squirt and that’s funny to him. When you were a new born it was “Sweets” People caught on and called you that too.
You’re lots of fun now. Always doing new things. My handwriting keeps getting knocked because you’re kicking my arm. When I get you after you wake up, you get soo excited! It’s call your swimming motions because your feet kick and arms go up and down like a fast snow angel. We’re just enjoying you right now. No stressors even when you cry. Your so good, I take you everywhere.
A month ago I took you to a sign Language Convention of mine for 4 days overnight. Another woman - my classmate Anita took her little boy Ethan 10 days younger and everyone was cooing over you telling me how well behaved you were. I said I know. We’re planning on taking you to Dad’s Seminary Simposium in a couple months.
We have no toys for you so you play with kitchen tools. Makes no difference to you. Your favorite is a cup holder and a bg clip. We moved when you turned 4 months to a 2 bed room apartment from our 1 bedroom apt. and LOVE it! It’s much bigger and we are sane again. That was the time we had to bane your binki’s because I couldn’t keep getting out of bed to put it back in your mouth as easily anymore when you woke up in the middle of the night. You had this idea you couldn’t go to sleep with out it. The first night we tried no binki and you screamed 45 minutes. Now you don’t scream at all when I put you down for a nap or bedtime.
July 22, 2000 (7months)
You now recognize us. You hate babysitters. All you do is scream the whole time and you won’t eat or nap. We went to Maryland for a week and you did finally get used to everyone in your face. You did really well in car rides and stroller rides. The plane ride there wasn’t too bad but flying home took 2hours longer because of delay and flying against wind current. That was no fun for anyone on the plane. I had to lay you on your back on my lap and let you scream yourself to sleep. Everyone was looking wondering why I wasn’t picking you up.
Anytime I walk by you at home you throw down your toy, look me in the eye and whine. You just want me to pick you up. I leave the room, you do the same thing.
August 17, 2000
You’re 7 ½ months now and are giving kisses. You love doggies and / or anything that even looks like one. You grab stuffed animals and rub your face into them. We have stray cats in our yard so I take you out to see them. When you notice them you get so excited and gasp wide-eyed sitting straight up. You know the word “doggie”.
September 18, 2000
Your first word is official. “Ma-ma” You’ve been saying it for a while but I didn’t think you knew what it meant. You say “mmmmmmmma ma” whenever your tired.
You’ve been teething for a long time but still nothing!
We call you our garbage disposal because you’ve been focusing all so hard on picking up the tiniest piece of trash or crumb possible. I have to vacuum 2 times /day so you don’t choke too often.
You definitely know how to get around- not by crawling though. At 8 months you are scooting around on your bum- all over the place scooting even right out the door! You fell head first down the 1 foot step and got 2 bruises from the cement. I called the doctor to see if I should take you in but you were fine.
You’re Sooo cute! Whenever music is playing, you dance a little by bobbing your head but what is super funny that dad and I laugh at is your “leading”. You put your left arm up by your head and bounce it. Dad says it’s to the beat. It looks like you’re leading music. I guess it’s in our genes.
Your 2nd word is “Ow”. In a very high pitched voice over and over and over again.
8 ½ months
When you are about to take a bath you know it’s coming and you act so funny it’s hard to describe. You look at the tub and then you grab hold of me with every limb- including your jaw and hyper-ventilate. You then look back and the tub then turn back toward me and do the same thing again.
Your feelings are very sensitive. When daddy or I put you on the floor to play, we have to be sure we do it “lovingly” or you will think we are mad at you and will look at us and cry. This isn’t any ordinary cry it’s a “you hurt my feelings” cry as your eyes weld up with tears and you actually say “Whaaa!”
Favorite thing to do when you’re having fun playing is breathing fast and saying “goo!”
9months
Thanks for being such as easy baby and giving me such as easy pregnancy. After being VERY sick for about 4 months it was smoother from then on. You had personality from the start in the womb and we really enjoy you. You smile very easily with mom and dad and others you know well. It’s a joy to try to get you to laugh because it’s so easy and when we want to see you smile we just call out your name.
For strangers you’re just the opposite. Your eyes get big and you mouth closes and you just stare. You don’t play like you normally do and won’t smile at them. Sometimes you cry if they pick you up and I’m standing right there. You eventually got used to my family because fi and when we ever see them it’s for a long while at a time but you still treat dad’s family as if they were strangers because it’s only a hour at a time every other week or so. When they or strangers see you they always comment on how good you are because you just stare. Or they ask me if you’re a happy baby because you aren’t smiling.
Your favorite game: You learned 2 games in the last week. Peek-a-boo while you hang onto the couch you put your head down and when you lift it up I say “There she is” you smile and do it again and again and again! Another game that I’m sorry I taught you is watch mommy pick up my sippy cup. You throw it on the ground in your high chair and I pick it up over and over. You laugh and do it again. You’d do it all night if I let you.
October 11, 2000
About 9 ½ months old now you love to hold my fingers and walk. If I put you down afterwards you cry and don’t want to be on your bum. You want to “walk” It’s a lot quicker than scooting on your bum.
You love to eat cheese. If I put a variety of finger foods in front of you you’ll pick out and eat just the cheese.
Any time I lay you down to change your diaper you cry. I have to distract you and give you a toy to hold.
Still no teeth and you don’t crawl the standard way and you don’t pull yourself erect. You don’t even roll over. But you are very pleasant to be around with your laugh and smile and how you get so excited when we open the car to get you out of your car seat.
November 10, 2000 10 months old
You’re our cheese girl- I give you cherrios and cheese and you only pick out the cheese. You stuff each piece in your mouth until their gone but then realize your mouth is full and spit them all out - then do it again- gross!
You actually started snuggling now. You can sleep with dad but snuggle with mom when you get hurt or scared.
You won’t take a bottle anymore. You did once when you were sick but I can’t leave you with anyone for too long with anyone else. You do like your sippie cup.
Your white/blue fuzzy blanket is your favorite. You hug it and go right to sleep with it. You’re finally pulling yourself up on furniture and have ONE top tooth!
January 27, 2001 13 months old
You have 4 teeth now. 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. You’re still a super easy baby and make us laugh and bring us lots of joy. I’m back in school and you go to a friends home 3x’s a week. Monday -3 hours, Wed-2 hours and Thursday 1-hour. It makes me sad. When I get you out of your car seat you look at me and wave bye bye. You don’t really like to see me leave either. You don’t wave you just cry. You’re so cute right now just sitting on our yellow couch looking out the window. I’m expecting our 2nd baby so even though you’re easy, it seems hard just because I’m so sick! I try fighting it now instead of letting it beat me while I lay down.
You don’t know much about the T.V. but you DO know about the phone. You take anything with buttons. Usually the calculator and put it to your shoulder saying “hi, hi”over and over.
You love blowing on my cheek so that it makes a funny noise. We both laugh and you do it over and over.
I switched you to the bottle about 1 month ago and it was harder for me than for you. I’m glad I did it though. I sing to you in my glidder before you go to sleep and you hum along with me. I always rub your tummy too and if I’m not, you’ll take my had and rub your tummy with it.
I think this has been your funniest and cutest age. Even though you are loud when you “talk” and squeal and WANT something.
I love how you give kisses so often now. You blow on mom’s cheek so that it toots. Your favorite person is me!
You can wave bye bye, clap your hands, pat your mouth to make a ba-ba sound. You make messes too.
January 28, 2001 Sunday
Your first steps! We video taped it. You figured out you could stand on your own and away you went about 8-12 steps at the most at one time.
One of your favorite activities are playing on the couch with me. The couch was put together so that it’s 9-10 feet long because I’m sick with your sibling and need to lay down more often.
Note from dad: “Oh Eliza- you just took your 1st real steps today 7-8 of them! We are so privileged to watch you progress. You sure are lucky to have a mom that loves you so much. I hope that you’ll always appreciate her as much as I do!! I love you princess!! You bring me lot of joy (and mom too) - Love, Dad.
February 14, 2001
It’s Valentines Day today. We sat down to eat a special lunch and dad said “Let’s say a prayer” You were on my lap and no sooner did he say “our dear Heavenly Father” you squealed out and folded you arms too! Your eyes were square on dad as you tried to figure out all he was doing. I interrupted Dad and said excitedly “look!” We said 4 prayers after that just because you would fold your arms. When we’d say “Amen” you clap your hands and smile and do it all over again! We are going to “officially” start family prayer now out in the family room in the mornings and evening as a whole family!
We got our “Professional” family photos back today from Walmart and Dad was SO proud of his family. He kept adoring your one year old photo and couldn’t wait to come home so he could put a family wallet sized in his wallet. Even though he was late for class he got the scissors out anyways! I’m going to get our family pictures done annually at Walmart AFTER Christmas because it was so cheap. ($4.15/ whole package)
February 20, 2001
I was paying the life insurance bill when I realized I had accidently thrown out the return mailing envelope. I didn’t think it was a big deal and I would just make up my own. I felt strongly “No, you need to find that envelope.” I double checked the address that would be shown in the open window and thought, “No I’ll just copy this address exactly on my own envelope.” I felt again, “No you need that envelope.” So I grudgingly went over to the trash can thinking, “Fine!” I shuffled around a couple papers and no sooner did I find the envelope, I found my keys in there too. What a relief I listened to the spirit. It was one thing to find baby Jesus in there a couple month ago but now my keys today! Throwing them away would have been worse than anything because I would have stressed out what could have happened to them? Maybe someone stole them and we have to switch all the locks! My church keys, mail key, house and car key were on that ring- Obviously, you love to put special treasure in that green trash can.
July 16, 2001 18 months
Boy do you learn fast. Your communication skills are wonderful because you have a talent for sign language and people.
You did well your 1st time in Nursery. Dad told me he was going to be sad not holding you through Church anymore. I’m in Primary so he usually has you. From the Primary room I could see him checking on you through the 2 way Nursery window. He sure does care about and love you!
We delight in your personality! When you want something you take my hand and lead me to it. It’ didn’t take you long to find out that food comes from the fridge. When you pass gas you say, “Tink-y” meaning Stinky. If you are, you take my hand into the bedroom and lie down for me to change you.
You got weaned off the bottle this week. You said, “Ba-ba” and made the sign for milk so I gave you a sippy cup. You looked at it, looked at me and went to go lie down on the couch with your blankie like you always do. You had a hard time sipping it while lying down so you looked at it and said, “Uh-Oh.” I helped you with it. Now when you ask for “Ba-Ba” and I give you the sippie you say, “Da-Du” which means thank you.
One day I was sitting on the toilet and you handed me a piece of T.P. I said thank you and just held it. You took it back from me and “wiped yourself” (with clothes on) then made me move to put it in the toilet. I guess we should be more careful about you watching us when we use the bathroom.
Whenever you hear a car pull up to our apartment parking lot you scream out “Da-Da!”
You don’t have any problem telling me or dad, “No, no” If we aren’t getting you something you want, you throw yourself on your hands and knees and cry with your head on the ground.
All day you give “kisses.” You look up at me about every 15 minutes, pierce (not puck) you lips and say “Mmmmmmm” until I give you a kiss and we say, “Mmmmma!” together. You have to kiss before you got to bed, and I just love every minute of it!
You can say: “Pretty (Di-Di) Uh-Oh, Ma Ma, Da Da, Daddy, Doggie, Stinky (Tinky) Yeah! No no Eye, Bottle (Ba Ba)
August 27, 2001 20months
You love to say “dia” or “I-dia” Who knows what it means but you go around the house saying “Idea” or “Dea Dea” (It’s a happy word)
You are out on the alert of bees now. You got stung on your thumb by one and now any bug is a “bee.” You go and grab a small book and walk around the house wacking furniture when nothing is there because you’ve seen me swat at house flys.
You can’t even remember scooting on your bum. I’ll bet you are always walking on your tip toes. Maybe I’ll ask the doctor about that.
The baby is due in 2 weeks and we’ve been telling you there’s a baby in my tummy. I don’t think you realize one is really coming because you point to your own tummy too and say “baby”. I really do love it when you point to MY tummy and say, “baby” and then give it kisses with an “Ahhh.” You don’t always like the tummy getting in the way when it’s story time.
You’re such a polite little girl. You always say thank you even when it’s not needed. I’ll turn on a movie or answer the door, or turn off a fan and you’ll say “dank-you.” Lots of times you’ll just say “Mmmm-mmmm” and whine until we remind you once to say please and you say “Peas” the rest of the time.
You’re getting really girly lately-which is good- we love it. It’s so cute. You want your hair done and finger nails polished every. Jewelry is fun for you to play with too as you always need to be “pretty.” Although when you say it, it sounds like “baby.”
You’ve gotten pretty good with sign language and have realized everything has a sign. You sign:
Daddy, milk, book (used to be “shoes” upside down), more, food is your index finger tapping your chin while saying, “boof”. So impressive and adorable!
You’re a very good and obedient girl. You don’t need much discipline. Your punishments are just mom or dad doing it for you . . .such as asking you to come here or get off the stairs or out of the road. We ask you and if you don’t we count to 3 meaning we get up and get you off or whatever and because your so sensitive it makes you cry which is enough punishment. We don’t need to do anything more. Thanks for being so easy. I don’t have to worry about your running off because you’ll test your limits just by the parking lot.
You love babies and recognize when you see one even if it’s your same age. Also, everything on 4 legs is still a doggie.
The things you do during the day make me laugh. Whenever I blow my nose you come running up to me wanting my tissue to throw in the toilet. We both tell each other thank you. I think you’re perfect. Just now I gave you my hair pin and your went running to your cinderella jewelry box to put it with the rest of your little treasures like coins and buttons.
We got you presents for when your sister comes. Hope you handle it well not having my FULL attention like you’re used to having.
September 30, 2001
Well, it hit us. . .Hard! I don’t know whether it’s Emma’s birth or just the terrible two’s but it’s a constant battle between you and either daddy or I. I’m at my wits end and don’t know what else to do. It’s your way or no way. You’ll starve before you give into wearing a bib, night-night time is no pleasant routine anymore because you won’t let us hold you so we just end up putting you in your crib with a hug and you still screaming. You used to eagerly want to brush your teeth and read “one more book.” Now, I can hardly get your PJ’s on. I know you’ll grow out of it as your such a sweet girl but something has GOT to change! Maybe after you accept Emma and when I can get a routing going, things will be better.
October 1, 2001
Today I got a long laugh. Jason was teaching drum lessons so his jazz tapes were playing loud. You wore yourself out by running from wall to wall over and over for ½ hour while clapping your hands and bouncing according to what kind of music was playing was how you danced.
21 months
You still say “Dea, Dea” but I’ve never heard anyone say “no, no” as much before.
You said your 1st worded phrase tonight!! It was “Baby Emma!” I was so thrilled and so glad you love her. Your always asking to hold her either by putting a pillow on your lap or laying down on the couch with her lying next to you. You give her kisses and crack up when she roots for your mouth. You get upset every time I’m about to nurse her though. You run to me and say “no no” pull her heard off me and take my hand for me to get up. Then you point to the swing or the bouncy seat for me to put her in there.
22 months
Oh, you’re so pleasant to be around - again. You love your sister Emma and love playing big sister or “mom” for that matter. When she cries you tell her, “Shhh Emma” but with a concerned tone of voice. When we say family prayer, you tell her “prayer” and fold her arms for her. We continue saying it but you spend the whole time make sure Emma’s arms are folded.
You love “helping me” with dishes and make a huge mess with the bubbles. I love it!
You make me laugh! You’re such a dainty and polite little girl! Whenever I’m in the shower, you hand me a towel. When I’m nursing you hand me a nursing pad. When I’m in the bathroom you hand me T.P. and when we’re about to go bye bye, you get me a pair of shoes! Dad thinks that’s pretty special.
Bed time is a pleasant thing again. You love listening to “Brite Dreams” as your bedtime songs as you sleep. You like “Little Baby Toes” the best.
March 18, 2002 27 months
We get such a kick out of you Liza. Everything revolves around you. From shopping to Family Home Evenings, it’s all for you now babe. Emma just crawls around the floor while we have fun with you (and make her laugh) Tonight I said eat a tiny bite of sweet potato and you can have more ham. You’re a meat lover and that ‘s all you were eating for dinner. You took the small bite, swiped the ham from my fingers then spit out your potato and popped in your ham. I smiled and shook my head. Dad was just leaning back in his chair laughing hard. Soon you joined in with him.
Dad always says, “She’s her daddy’s girl” because of how you eat. You love eating meats and cheese by the bulk and you stuff the whole piece into your mouth whatever size it is without taking small bites.
You love feeding your fish-you remember more that once/day. You squeal when he eats it. His name is “ish”.
You’re potty training and use your own little potty. You have the BM down but sometimes forget pee. When you go you jump up and say in a VERY high pitched voice, ‘Look! Candy Candy!’ pulling me to where the candy is kept. Then you point as if I don’t know where it is.
You’re very polite. You say please and most often, Thank you. When you first wake up you want daddy.
Emma has become more fun to you since she has a sense of humor now. You like to bury under blankets with her and giggle. I wish you wouldn’t keep trying to pick her up by yourself though.
Favorite foods: Tater tots, canned peaches, mac and cheese with hot dogs, applesauce, oatmeal, cheese, cheese, cheese, and meats.
Even though you can’t talk much at all yet you can still say your own prayers. You can say prayers and amen ‘amersh’ is how you say it. But I can’t even understand what you’re saying in the middle.
Everything is ‘marsh’ which means more. And ‘A-mersh’ is amen.
Your bedtime routine is always: say family prayer, read books, brush teeth, sing songs, say personal prayers. If we don’t get it just right you remind us or get upset. Or you just fall asleep when signing while we’re rocking you in my maroon glider. You love to sing, dance, watch tv in the mornings, help me bake cookies or cake, take walks outside, read books. Actually you love them all the same whatever we’re doing, you love. You even like cleaning up.
April 1, 2002 Letter from dad:
Tonight, Eliza, you did the cutest thing. At the end of FHE we sang “Popcorn popping on the Apricot tree.” We shook Easter eggs full of candy while singing it. Mom was saying, “stop - go -stop- go” and we would stop singing and shaking or start singing and shaking accordingly. Pretty soon you caught on and started copying and then saying your own, “stop-go -stop-go.” We were all getting kicks out of it, especially when we came to the part of “it wasn’t really so, but it seemed to - and then instead of yelling out “stop” you accidentally yelled out “be!” and we all laughed and laughed even you giggled lots too. We sure love you!!
May 7, 2002
You’re our little angel. That’s what I call you. You’re so special. Today you picked dandelions for me from outside. You made sure you found every one and picked some on a steep hill risking yourself just to get it. That’s why you’re my angel. I hope you have a daughter just like you.
I can still take you anywhere. I can’t believe how well behaved you are naturally. I’ve never experienced the “terrible twos” only the terrific two’s. When we leave a store and even if you have a store item in your hand, you can put it down and leave it without yelling or even blinking an eye. You sure get lots of positive reinforcement.
A couple days ago, I looked down at you sitting on the floor giving your stuffed teddy dog a blessing on his head! I couldn’t understand what you were saying except for the Amen at the end. Your hands were positioned perfectly and you kissed it afterwards. You remembered your blessing given to you a week before when you were sick. We had all gone to Utah Hoggle Zoo that day and being outside in the sun made you dry cough worse. Dad gave you a blessing with Brady Darrington and the next morning (sleeping in until noon) you were better. I bet you realized that.
Your new hobbies ALL THE DAY LONG are painting your fingers and toe nails as well as finding ants on our kitchen floor along the edges. You pick them up and show me. I just smile and tell you good job and you know after that to run and put them outside. You used to be afraid of them calling them “bees” since on stung you last summer when you bent down to pick it up. You literally would freak out running and screaming so I picked up the ants telling you how nice and pretty they are. Now maybe I shouldn’t have intrigued you SO much because you try keeping them and holding as many as you can until it grosses me out.
July 10, 2002 2 ½ years old
Our little book worm! That’s what you and I do all day. 1st thing in the morning (after prayers), before nap, after nap and before bedtime. Even if I need a nap, I’ll put Emma to sleep and just put you in your crib so you’re safe with some books and you’ll be happy and content in there for hours reading your books outloud to yourself.
Dad’s gone for these 2 months to officer training camp in Texas. We’re living in Nana’s basement apartment while I look for housing. You and I have shared my bed on numerous occasions and of course reading all the books you own, but also taking naps too. Sunday naps only, so you won’t get your feelings hurt when Dad replaces “your spot” in the bed when he returns. I’ve enjoyed it very much.
You’re into “babies” right now. Baby animals, baby vegetables, and your dolls and shadow box figurines. You say, ‘be-be’ and do the sign and you tilt your head and say ‘ahhh, dewt’ (cute).
We really adore you. You answer to most things if it’s not a yes/no question it’s ‘Oh’. Even if I’m reading you a book or the scripture stories. You smile and pretend your conversing and understanding and say ’oh’ with a tilt of the head and a smile.
Your dad just loves you to pieces and misses you lots while he’s gone. He’s already written you letters and sent you 3 red roses. I wonder what you’re remembering about him when we pray for him and when you get thing in the mail from him. Here’s a letter he wrote you from Texas. It came with a paper made rose. And a picture of our family. An arrow points to you that says ‘daddy’s little sweetheart, Eliza.’ Me and dad are holding hands and Emma is in a high chair:
July 5, 2002
To my oldest daughter,
Sweet Eliza, you are my little rose. The leader of all our children. I miss you. I miss hearing “Da-Da” when I come through the door. I miss holding my little sweetheart on my lap. I just want you to know that I love you SO much. Keep taking care of Mommy- okay? I love you - Love, Daddy.
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Sweet dear Eliza
I love you
So sweet and pure
Precious and clean
Sent straight from heaven
A future Queen.
Little Eliza
Me and mom love you
Just continue to be yourself
and your journey will remain true.
Love, Daddy and mommy
P.S. I miss you- I will see you in a little over 3 weeks . . .Kisses!!!
You’ve always done very well in church. Since a tiny baby you’d sit on our laps content as a lark and not need many different kinds of toys to keep you entertained. You’d fall asleep in Dad’s arms after I nursed you or drank your bottle. I’ve never bought a new toy so the ‘toys’ you have are usually household appliances like a big mixing spoon or film canisters. Now we just need to bring one thing a week and your entertained with it the whole time. Today it was a coloring book and crayons.
The Nursery leaders say you are just so good. They can’t even believe how well behaved you are. You LOVE nursery too. I have to follow you in there to get a kiss and hug goodbye cause you just run the whole way there after Sacrament mtg. If you have a toy in your hand when you go in, you’re so anxious to share it with everyone in there.
At Easter time (age 2) you would share you candy with me and dad. What 2 year old share their candy? I didn’t.
July 4, 2002
We had lots of fun. I went with Stephanie Smith and her husband and kids. They are military at USUHS too and have 2 girls the same ages as me. You had fun with Abby going on Moon bounces and fair rides. We had hot dogs, lemonade, gatorade, icecream sandwiches. I wished Dad could have been there with us cause he would have been so proud of you climbing around and us to slide down on the moon bounces. When the fireworks came you stared for a long time. Then pointed at them, looked at me and said ‘POP!’ I said yes you’re right.
August 15, 2002
I flew out to Texas to meet Dad and make the drive back home to Maryland with him. It was fun to drive and talk all day, eat out and have hotels each night. Now that Daddy’s home, you love him putting you to bed now. You pull his finger around to have him look for fireflies with you. We went to K-mart together and he bought you a huge purple bouncy ball you were fond of. You giggle the whole time. He spoils you now that he had a chance to miss you.
When he first walked through the door when he got home, you were in your crib just waking up from your nap. You stared at him at first and didn’t know what to think. He gave you a mini treasure chest with a key that held candy necklaces, bracelets and a candy watch that we had bought on the way home. You felt pretty special so you forgave him for leaving immediately and welcomed him back.
So now that daddy’s home, we’ve moved you in with Emma in a “big girl bed.” Emma still sleeps in the co-sleeper and we know she’s going to need that crib soon. You love it now especially sleeping horizontally and having a huge cover over you. Whenever it’s nap time though, the both of you never sleep, just play. You either climb in with Emma or give her toys and make your room a mess. I’ve never gotten mad at that though because you never come out until I come and get you. Even first thing in the mornings! I just hear you both talking so I come in and say morning prayers. Even today. I put you both down for naps so I could go to the store for an hour. Dad slept the whole while YOU babysat by just staying and playing in your room with her until I came home an hour later. So responsible! Best baby sitter I ever had to stay in your room and give Emma toys!
Last week the Sacrament bread was passed to you by the boy and you took a piece and gave it to me. Then another and gave it to dad and one to Emma last before you ate one yourself. You even do that kind of sharring with your candy. . . too perfect!
Whenever you start a sentence you begin with Ummmmm.
Your beginning to potty train yourself . . .again. We moved here and you reverted back to diapers and just recently all by yourself you’ve been taking off your diaper to go- especially in the mornings.
November 20, 2002
We just moved into our new town-home 5 days ago here in Gaithersburg about 20 minutes from mom and dad’s house. Your completely potty trained. One day you said you wanted to wear panties to bed so I would let you, but then I would sneak in an hour later and put a diaper on you. I did this for 2-3 weeks but one night forgot to. You woke up dry and from then on you always went in your little toilet. That was in September. You decided when you saw your friend in panties, then with in a week it was done!
You love our “new, new” home The first day you told me “Mommy home” which meant you wanted to ‘go home’. But that was when it was chaotic and messy.
Every morning when you wake up you stay in bed and just want for me to come in and say ‘Good morning, ready to get up?’ Or you call out ‘mommy!’ But you’ll never get up out of your bed after we put you there the night before until we come and get you. Even for naps or bedtime. Once we put you there- you stay put. Why are you acting too perfect? I tell you all the time, ‘you can get up in the morning all by yourself.’
Whenever you do something wrong (pushing Emma is basically the only thing that’s deliberate and worth punishment) You need to stand in the corner. You rarely need to -probably 2x’s /month. Anyway I tell you first , don’t do that again or you’ll have to stand in the corner. You either say ‘okay’ and don’t do it again or if you do it, you get up and stand there without me even looking at you. The other day I heard Emma cry from the other room, came in to see you in the corner (with your nose to the wall) with Emma on the ground. I asked you if you pushed her and you answered yes. Then of course I told you, you were a good girl with a kiss. When your punished there’s never any yelling as you do it willingly choosing which corner you want to stand in! It’s only 20 seconds long at the most. Where do you come from to be so compliant?
Your such a sweetheart and my special friend– and you know it!
We just got a 50 gallon fish tank from the lady I visit teach. It’s your job to feed them 2x’s /day. You want to feed them every 2 minutes though.
December 21, 2002
You turn 3 here pretty soon! We’ve emphasized your B-day more than Christmas (except FHE is the Christmas story) You love this story with the visuals and signing “Away in a Manger” and “This is the stable . .” while we point to the nativity set I have. It’s my expensive one but I can trust you with me there because you’re so gentle.
Your favorite toy is still your barn yard animals. Even at bed time we have to sing about them. It all started when I would sing “how much is that doggie in the window. And would switch “doggie” for each animal so you would learn the different sounds but now you’ve insisted going through every animal as each person in the family. So it’s “how much is that Liza cow in the window? Emma cow. . .mommy cow . . .in the window? It’s very funny. You tell us what animal and person. Me and dad sing the question and you make the sound for it. Dad’s is a low moo Eliza and mom is high pitched and Emma’s is a “Waa waaa moo” Your favorite is the horse, donkey, sheep then cow.
We got you (and Emma) a kitchen set with food and plates that I found at a rummage sale for Christmas so we’ll see how you like that. I was sure fun getting you things. You’re a very grateful girl.
ANY time you see a McDonalds you say “Mommy, ice daddy” Which means you’re referring to Dad taking you out to icecream there on dates, and you usually come home with a balloon or something too. We pass lots of McDonalds in the car and you never miss one to point it out to me.
January 29, 2003
Today you were looking forward to it becoming dark because that’s when dad was coming home to take you out. You even took a nap willingly so you could be awake tonight. This time you said you wanted a PINK balloon and one for Emma too. You like it tied to your bed post. I think daddy spoils you.
You say your own prayers by yourself now. It sounds something like this: ‘He-aber, ta-two Emma, Ta-two Daddy, Ta-Two mommy. Pease night-night. Ama - (Amen)
February 25, 2003
Your prayers have now changed for the last 3 weeks to “Howisa, Howisu, Howisa, Howisu over and over and over. We don’t know what it means but you’re very persistant about it and me and dad must smile until you say “Christ, Amen.”
April, 30, 2003
Now your prayers are “Thank you for food, Heavenly Father, E-Christ, Amen”
Today you were sitting on the floor with my pan “making pancakes” when you out of the blue said “because mommy, well Jesus makes me happy”. I responded with, “Jesus makes me happy too.”
We found out ‘It’s a boy’ a few days ago and told you but you said “no a girl.” I said Emma what do you think it is- she echoed you and said “girl.”
Daddy called today and I said ‘Liza want to tell daddy Jesus makes you happy?’ You said “Yeah but I talk to daddy and tell him something.” I gave you the phone and first thing you said was “I Sick!” (I guess you had a little cold)
June 16, 2003
After family prayer you had your own personal prayers. In them you said, “Help me at the doctors office tomorrow. I can be brave; and that it doesn’t hurt. You repeated all the above with adding on “And that it doesn’t hurt for mommy” as you pointed to me. You are nervous about going even though it’s just a check up and you won’t believe me when I say it won’t hurt or it’s just cold or just tickles.
You absolutely love going to Primary. It’s Monday and you put a dress and church shoes on and asked if we could go to church. You sing the songs around the house and talk about ‘your friends at church.’.
Today you brought in a worm and wanted to keep him in a cup of water in the fridge.
3 ½ yrs. old
Your biggest phrase: “I can do it myself!”
Daddy went to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs for 5 weeks. It was very difficult for me in such pain with your brother. You stepped up to the plate though and would cook hot dogs in the microwave for you and Emma when I couldn’t even get off the couch.
You’re still the sweetest little 3 year old I ever did meet. Very sensitive and aware of others feelings. Dad was showing me his fingernails after his summer experience in CO. You were listening and ran upstairs and got him 2 bandaids. He wore them too.
After he came home, you ran downstairs and threw on your dress-up clothes with hat, gloves, purse, shoes and all and looked at him waiting for a response. Of course he dramatically gave it.
July 2003
You go and “hide out” in your room with Emma, sit in the maroon glider and read books to her. She just sits and can listen for hours at a time.
At nap or bed times you lie in bed and sing ‘little bunny fu fu’ over and over again because it makes Emma laugh EVERY time you sing the ‘boppin’ him on the head’ part.
July 21, 2003
You said your first Primary talk today all by yourself. On the way to church I asked what are you going to say in your talk? (I’d been asking you that all week and anything you said, I replied with good job) You told me “But I already said it!” So I said, I’ll have to wait? You said yes.
It went like this which was exactly what you made up from the beginning with out any probing from me and it was exactly how you rehearsed to me all week: My name is Eliza Myrle Harris. I love my daddy and I love my mommy, and I love Emma and Emma love me. And thank you my friend not hurt my feeling and thank you my friend not hit me and I say these thing in the name of Christ, Amen. There was a lout reassuring “Amen!” from the primary audience and then you sat down next to me on the stand beaming swing your legs.
July 28, 2003
You don’t like water wings because their too tight so I got you a life vest and now (now that summer is almost over) you can swim all by yourself with it! You laugh and kick your legs the whole time while excitedly saying how you can swim with out touching the ground and all by yourself!
August 29, 2003
You collect worms all summer. Last night you looked in your shadow box and said “oh mommy, my worm died!” I find them all over the house dried out. You look out the window and say mommy will you open the door so I can get the worm?
October 10, 2003 Almost 4
For FHE we had a lesson on plan of salvation. Baby Isaac has just been born so we wanted to make it a teaching time of where he came from. You said when asked where did he come from? “Mommy tummy!” Where did Mommy come from? Heaven. Where did Daddy come from? Heaven. Where did you come from? Heaven. Where did Emma come from? Ummmm . . .the golden plates.
October 11, 2003
Today mom Harris came over to surprise us for Isaac’s blessing. She was playing the piano so you would dance for her. You came up to dad and said “look when I dance I shaking my butt when I dance” Liza, it’s bottom sweetie, it’s not butt. “Okay, I shaking my butt and my bottom.”
October 13, 2003
For FHE treat I asked you what we should have as your favorite. You said, Ice cream with a straw. (Milkshake)
November 2, 2003
Yesterday was fast Sunday so I asked if you wanted to bear your testimony. You nodded yes. I said do you want mom or dad to bring you up. You said “I want to do it all by myself” I asked what you were going to say. You told me and I was surprised to say the least. Dad asked what is she going to say? I told him he’ll just have to wait and find out. He took up and you ran up there to the microphone by yourself and said: When I sick, I got blessing and now I feel better, say these things name of Christ, Amen. I cried while I watched you and then Dad picked you up and bore his.
The story of you getting sick happened 2 months ago when you had a high fever of 103 and it kept peaking to 105. We kept almost going into the ER but decided to have our Home Teacher come over to bless you with dad. The got better by the next morning but all through the night you kept having bad dreams of bad guys putting fire on you. You were really hot. Tylenol just wouldn’t knock it out.
Another bad dream you had a while ago that you continue to bring up sometimes is “The movie on the wall” with bad guys getting you. I think it’s the movie Ice Age that my friend let you watch (in Spanish!) while she was watching you at her house. You’re not used to that intense movies since all we have is My little pony and sing alongs.
November 3, 2003
In your prayer this morning you said Thank you Isaac cranky and thank you Emma grumpy. (They were too!)
Last night you and dad were running laps around the house and dad got all sweaty and asked should I take off my shirt? You said “Dad don’t take off your shirt or I will see your little tiny breasts” Me and dad laughed.
December 11, 2003
We woke up with snow on the ground and you said, “Hey but it’s not Christmas yet! Silly snow, it thinks it’s Christmas but not yet! Haha!
You’re such a happy delightful girl always happy! If you’re sad you explain why with your hads and with your words instead of whining or screaming.
January 16, 2004
You loved having your Birthday the same time as Jesus. So in your prayers it’s always been, “Thank you for Christmas and my birthday” for the last month. You got 2 cabbage patch dolls and 2 fur real toys (and cat and a kitten), a doll house from Nana, a full chest of dress up clothes from Grandma Harris. You try sleeping with all of them every night.
Right now I’m sick so you put a sticker on each of my hands and one on each of my feet and made me a necklace at nana’s house yesterday. You gave it to me and said this is cause I sorry I brake your things so I give you this so you will be happy. I wear it all the time as a reminder (to be happy even when you brake my things)
January 20, 2004
This morning after dad had family prayer and gave us hugs goodbue to go to school, you stood up and said “okay mom, here’s the deal. Me and Daddy and Isaac already ate breakfast, but you and Emma did not, you didn’t. So first you both have to go eat some breakfast and then feed the fish and then wash the dishes. I will help you to wash the dishes.” With each thing you made a hand gesture as if you were doing it. You’ve turned out to be such a little mommy. You also told one of my piano students mother that there’s only 1 big girl and 2 babies in the family.
January 29, 2004
It’s been 2 days since Grandma Lund died. We haven’t told you, but this morning you woke up and said,
“I had a good dream.”
“What was you dream?”
“Mom, Heavenly Father and Jesus are not with just one person, there’s lots of people. Then Heavenly Father and Jesus come down with lots of people and they had the golden plates.”
“Who had the golden plates?”
“Just a boy that grew up a little like daddy, and Satan.”
“Satan had the golden plates?”
“No, Satan was just there.”
“Was Satan happy or sad or was he mean?”
“No, he couldn’t not do anything. He couldn’t do nothing. But there was just someone there.”
“Who was there?”
“It was just someone, she wearing a white dress and she’s not sick anymore.”
“Is she happy or sad?”
“She’s happy and she’s with Heavenly Father and Jesus.”
“Is it grandma?”
“No, just someone that I know.”
I called mom and told her this story, saying, “But she didn’t say it was Grandma.” Mom said, “That’s cause she’s young Shan.” After getting off the phone, I decided to ask you what she looked like.
“Was she young or old?” I asked you.
“She’s young and she could breathe. I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to stay there because I like Heavenly Father and Jesus. I wanted to help them make everything.”
“What were you making?”
“Just everything. Clouds and trees and grass. They said I can help them so I went up there and I did not want to leave.”
“Did you see grandma?”
“No, it was someone else. She was pretty with long hair and it was white. She was just my friend. I just know her–Okay!”
I got out the family reunion picture of grandma Lund. Is this who you saw? You wrinkled your nose and said no. You then pointed to yourself and said, “I saw Liza, but I wasn’t wearing that yellow, I wasn’t, I was wearing a pretty white dress so I could help Heavenly Father make everything.”
The power didn’t come in Eliza’s words, but through a feeling through her words. After I told Jason about Liza’s dream he said, “Last night I prayed, asking if Grandma Lund could visit Liza if that was all right, since she is her name’s sake.”
I asked you last, “did you give her a hug?” You answered, “no, not yet.”
It was just last night in bed I cried for the first time over this. Maybe grandma didn’t want us to mourn over her anymore.
Thank you Liza for you purity to be able to give us this message. I think that’s special she chose to come to you- her great-great grand daughter with her same name.
February 9, 2004
While it was nap time, you lied in bed with me telling stories. One was, “Emma plays with toys so funny that it was the funniest ever that I ever was in the whole world my whole life!” Your arms reaching outward with a smile on your face and a big laugh.
February 28, 2004
You’re clearly into “germs.” You talk about them frequently. Your answer to many things is “No! There’s germs!”
You love school that even when you threw-up you wanted to still go. You had the stomach flu for the night so you missed church Sunday. You ate a whole bag of popcorn then said you tummy hurt. You threw up about six times that night but each time you got it into our big silver bowl. Each time I ran into your room. You were so sweet you wiped your mouth and then said “I’m okay mommy.” Probably because I’d grab you and hold you tight as you puked and were tired of it.
March 2004
You go outside with a spoon to dig up “wiggly worms”. I’m pretty low on spoons now. While you bring them into the house, Emma still freaks out tremendously over them.
You’re excited to do gymnastics again. You practice saying that word and don’t stop moving while you’re there.
You’re very aware of when others are doing wrong and tell them so. Our friends neighbors or Emma especially.
Your prayers consist of “Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for us and our family and the sink, name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Occasionally you’ll ask that you won’t have bad dreams.
March 2004
I gave you a bowl of Cheerios this morning the same time you were sneezing and then when you finished you said, “mom, I didn’t say thank you because I was blessing you.”
You have gymnastics today and can’t stop giggling then you have lunch with grandma and Uncle Brian at Chuck-E-Cheese.
You put both your cabbage patch dolls into the corner because “they disobeyed you and woke up your dog”. I tried getting a picture of it but our camera was broken. When I went to get the camera I came back to see you sitting posed with all your dolls and stuffed animals around you and on your lap ready to say cheese. You said they could come out of the corner because they were “gently sorry”. Your now asking them “Why did you fight and disobey?” At least you were asking them in a gentle tone of voice instead of yelling at them because it’s a reflection of myself when you play with your babies and I watch that.
April 28, 2004
You’re always hanging on the curtain rod.
1-‘09
You have been very repentant and honest in all you do. You’ve been coming up to me out of the blue and telling me things that happened a year ago like “when I was doing my flash cards, I only did it 2x’s and not 3x’s. Did I repent?”
I said, “Emma, you’re in Spanish because you have a gift for language, and words.” You responded with (listening in) “Yeah, I don’t even know what transoctal means.” Silence followed then we all laughed.
5-‘09
I left the Sunday dinner in the oven while we went to church. A whole chicken surrounded with potatoes and carrots. By the time we came home the potatoes and carrots were burnt so we just ate the chicken. You said, “Mom, I can’t eat this. The scriptures say thou shalt not live by meat alone.”
“Mom, I’m growing up. I don’t want a lot of friends at my party, I only want a few to talk with.”
June-‘09
We celebrated your 91/2 birthday party in place of your 10 year old friend party on Friday after school was out. We’ll do that from now on. It was a lady bug camping party. We set up the tent and fire pit in the backyard. Then we released 3,000 lady bugs, passed out bug catchers and bug keepers and let you all have at it! The neighbors came out and came over to help since there were so many! We had nature trivia afterwards to earn fake $ to buy goodies, dinner, s’mores, rootbeer, ladybug cupcakes, hotdogs, hot tamales, popcorn, and chips. The goodie bags were all the goodies they bought with the fake money plus the bug catcher with their new pets. You and Emma slept in the tent that night and got rained on through the whole night. You were both determined to stay out there though.
October 2009
We were at stake conference and I had started my period and didn’t know about it. I had a spot on the back of my dress and you told me, “Mom, you’re egg came out!”
November ‘09
You started piano lessons at the start of the school year. You are flying through it! The teacher is thrilled and amazed. You’ve already passed primer and level 1A books so she gave you a 1B book for Christmas to start even though we only have 3 weeks until the Christmas recital. I guess she’s got great faith in you to pick a song and learn it fast by then.
December 7, ‘09
You blew everyone away with your expert playing at the recital. There was definetly a difference in the other students (who had taken from her for years). You have a gift: rhythm, weight of pressing and lifting the keys, and legato playing instead of staccato which is typical of children first learning.
February ‘10
“My mother instincts are taking over!!” What? “I’m just feeling like I need to play with my dolls and stuffed animals all the time!”
Letter you wrote to me:
“I do not feel like I am getting any extra attanshion like Emma does. I did not say sorry or hug Emma because I forgot to. Please don’t be mad at me. I have many bad days and have no one to confort me like Emma does. I don’t get much extra attenshion and would like some. I had no idea that Emma belived me when I said she was fat. I hope that you will forgive me someday. Don’t tell any one about this letter! (not even dad) I have bad days at school too! I was really scared that dad thought I did not want to help Emma because he stood in my doorway not saying anything after I told him that I did not apologize to Emma. From! Eliza. “
I told you I was proud of you for writing down your feelings. We discussed how I could give you more attention. You can always ask me to talk in my bedroom with the door locked. I will stop and do that.
You got your email privilages are put on hold for a while. At least until we move and are in Hawaii. This is because you weren’t following the 2 rules of 1)asking to get on the computer in the first place and 2)ask an adult to come and look at what you have before you push ‘send’. We found out you were sending emails to people you didn’t even know innocently. Obviously, we gave you armor (rules) that was too heavy for you to wear while going out into the battle field (internet). I think it’s hard to avoid dangers when the age and maturity doesn’t even know what the dangers are to avoid. We’ll re-evaluate later. Meanwhile, at least you’ll know better how to raise your children in a technology world. We didn’t have this growing up to parent off of. You’re doing a great job as the oldest guinea pig though. In the meantime, enjoy being a kid without the pressures and responsibilities that come with adult privilages. I think after a few weeks you’ll feel more free and less burdened with it. Just like gymnastics. It’s a good thing that you love but we took a break from it in the winter season. You enjoyed the break but then enjoyed going back when it was time. To every season . . .
August 2010
10 yrs. old
We are living in Hawaii now. I can home one day from leaving you and Emma here alone. Emma was sitting close to you watching your every detailed move in shaving your legs. First thing Emma said when I walked in was, “See Liza you took too long now I won’t be able to shave mine!!” You were laughing and laughing and showed me how smooth your legs were. I told Emma about them growing back prickly and black so she was able to change her mind about shaving but I did buy you some shaving cream because I figured if you were going to do it, you should do it right.
Your bunny cookie has fleas. We took him out of his cage to clean it and you were holding him. Next day you were inside reading and a flea jumped off you and landed on your book. I told you to run upstairs and shower immediately. I found a flea in your bathroom and took your sheets to be washed but I eyed a flea on your sheets as I threw them in the washer. Needless to say, I freaked and called the professionals. They sprayed down the house and yard so we stayed out for 4 hours until 9pm. Ben was sooo tired.
It’s still your dream to own a farm. You speak of it consistently. You said the other day, “I can have lots of children that way and get more money instead of having more kids and having less money!” You make lists of planning with the kinds of animals you will own. I think you were born in the wrong era like me. But at least I know God is in charge of that.
By Eliza Harris
My Pet Died
I will never forget that day… It was a Thursday. My pet rabbit
died. I fed him something poisonous by accident. I feel like it’s
all my fault.
This is how he died: We have an avocado tree in our backyard.
(anything from the avocado tree is poisonous to rabbits, but we did not
know this.)
One day a branch fell off the tree and my rabbit started nibbling
and playing with it. My mom suggested that I put it in his cage so he
could eat it. (to keep his teeth filed.) I agreed. That night I put the
branch in his cage.
During the night he ate the whole branch and the
next morning I found him dead. At first I did not believe it, I felt like I
hated the world, about a month later I got another rabbit.
Sept. 30th 2010
It’s been difficult. Above is the essay you wrote in school. You haven’t gotten another rabbit like you have stated in the essay. I am waiting for time to heal you a little. It’s been almost 3 weeks since his death. We have moved here to Hawaii at the beginning of July. Public school had just started but we weren’t worried because we were home schooling for 5th grade. I had purchased all the materials back in Maryland to save on shipping. I had read and heard horror stories about the schools here so it was settled to home school. After 2 months, I was feeling unsettled. Still not in a routine, still not stabilized in consistency with people, schedules or family I began to look outside myself. I did a lot of praying and wondered what He had planned for me and not just what I had planned for me. We all went to the elementary school and took a walk around it. Surprisingly, we all admitted we felt calm and good about you and Emma attending. We spent a week getting the doctor to fill out forms and buying school supplies. That week of preparing, Isaac came inside to tell me, cookie is sleeping. I got scared and rushed outside. Sure enough, he had already been dead for a while as his body was stiffening. I tried to rouse him and called the emergency vet to no avail. I went upstairs to tell you. I gave the missionaries the casserole dish and sent them away. Dad came home and built a box for him to be buried in. We had a small service in the dark, in the gulch behind our house. 2 days later on Saturday, we celebrated Isaac’s birthday. That Monday was your first day of school as the new girl. On Wednesday, we had Emma’s birthday here. What a whirlwind of emotions. You went through the denial stage for a week. You complained of a stomach ache all the time and had a very difficult time eating anything. A week after full of crying and sadness, but I was relieved it wasn’t full of diarreah or despair. The following week. . . .anger. You are mad everyone. You are refusing to fast on Sunday for anything or pray. You knocked the hymn book to the floor in church when I handed it to you. You’re struggling with not knowing anyone and losing your animal friend at the same time. You will remember this time the rest of your life. If taking care of animals is your passion, this will give you experience and knowledge about them even more than most of the books can write. The knowledge of avocados being poisonous is very rare. But you have it. Not only that, but you have experience with compassion, empathy and tenderness. Those are Christ-like characteristics if you can just get through this time. I don’t condemn your anger stage. It’s a process to go through. You had all the changes you could have that were possible in all about a few weeks. This is going to mold you. I just hope I am in tune enough to not miss a moment of opportunity for good to you.
After a long 3 weeks we went to the pet shop and got you a new black bunny named Paki. He is bringing you much joy.10-30-10
I called up all the girls in your primary class to see if they wanted me to take them to Haunted Lagoon. We had fun on the long drive down, stopped at taco bell and rode in a canoe ride to watch the scary people dressed up on the bank. They even went in and out of the water. That couldn’t be good for their health on a chilly night. We invited all the girls but only 3 could come. Then, last minute one of the girls couldn’t come and I was worried about having an odd number. With 3 girls, someone is bound to be left out and it’s probably going to be the new girl (you). SO I called someone else on the way out last minute to see if I could take their girl. Thankfully I could so there was now an even 4 girls again. . .Whew. One of the mom’s came with me to keep me company. I initially did it to give you a jump start bond with some new friends but I ended up making a friend in the process too!
You came home one day with a white lop-eared bunny in your bike basket. I was surprised to say the least and you told me you found him on the way home from school on public property. Dad was gone for the month so I said you could keep him until we find the owner. I went to great lengths to locate the previous owner. When I related the story to a lady at her doorstep of how we found her bunny, she replied that she had let him go on purpose and that she was too old to care for him anymore and to keep him. I guess I had no choice but to get another cage on craigs list and own 2 bunnies.
Christmas 2010
You recieved a barbie mermaid, 2 church dresses including a moo-moo, my jewerly box I had as a little girl, a light up rainbow white bear, a farming coloring book, set of Mystery Camp girl books, daddy locket, horse set, chinese checkers and goodies in your stocking. Nana got you an american girl doll horse. For your bday you got: 2 fairy dolls that light up, horse books, AGirl glasses, watch, alarm clock and a kindle from Nana.
We also got the faming game, bed bugs and a couple wii games for the whole family.
You came home happy you made the jumprope team!
You came home so excited that you made the track team. Everyone in 5th grade tries out at recess time so you were thrilled.
4-17-11
Now that you've spent some time here, I think you're getting better adjusted. You're a happy, carefree free-spirit. You love you play outdoors, and laugh. You don't take life too seriously, which I believe is a good thing at this age since middle school may force you to anyway. We've had some transitional cross-roads recently. Paki was very frisky, bit you 3 times and is very violent with Cloud, so we gave him to someone on craigslist. You got to meet her which I think reassured you a bit. After asking you if we should give him away and not getting a straight answer, I decided that was my answer. To be the bad guy and say to, so that you don't put anymore blame on yourself than you already have with cookie's death. You asked, "Do we have to give Paki away?" I replied with a firm, yes. . .although in the back of my mind I was open for resistance. I recieved no resistence so moved forward. You have enjoyed the white bunny you found much better as you can focus more on him now. He's just what you needed and I believe Cloud has been a gift from God.
The intermediate gymnastics class had a chance to try out for the pre-team as they were looking for some more students and you made it in to that. You will have some competitions, matching team leotard and go 2x's per week now but I think it will be something you can have a confident identity with.
You have become better friends with Paige McArthor and Miya. They are good girls and I'm glad you are fitting in better in this new area.
The school year is almost over and your class is learning about Sex-Ed. I went to the parents meeting to watch the video and came home to tell you about it. After hearing I asked if you wanted to be there. You asked with who? I said your whole class. You freaked out about you sitting next to Brian and Tristen and not wanting to in front of all of them. I can understand that as when I was 5th grade they separated the genders. They are also having you go up in front of the class room to take a pad home with you too. Why go through such a humiliating day?
5-9-11
It's the end of the year for your 5th grade. You had your track day. About 8 Elementary Schools arrived at the outdoor area on a field trip with their school's rep to run. You ran the 50 meter dash and got last. I felt awful for you and wanted to go up and give you a hug and tell you I was proud of you for making the team which was competitive enough and for going out there in front of all and giving it your best shot. We were gone to Idaho for a whole month of your training anyway which only gave you a couple weeks practice, which wasn't fair for you. It was a gloomy day for you as you had to face everyone at school after the race for the rest of the day. Gratefully you made the gymnastics pre-team the very next day.
You emailed your teacher about a couple boys named Brian and Tristen bothering you in your class. Brian said F-you to you and you emailed your teacher the incident. She asked you if you wanted to move your seat and if so would that encourage you to attend the sex ed? You thought about it and replied with a 'thank you for your concern. This has only been the first incident Brian has done that. I would like to move my seat. I guess I will be at school tomorrow.' I guess you'll read this later but Ms Ibonia and I had been talking over the phone and kinda planned the whole thing but wanted you to take decision making upon yourself and email writing yourself too. I'm glad you still took that responsibility as I just facilitated you doing it but you faced up and followed through. Good job!
