Miranda's 3rd Birthday Interview 2017

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Interview, 4/24/17
What's your name? Miranda Clou-fer
What's my name? Mama
What's my husband's name? Dada. 

How old are you? Um, two.
Aren't you three? Oh, free, I think.
How old do you think I am? Um, I don't know.
How old is Dada? Um, I don't know. Is he two? 
I'm 38, and Dada is 37. How old Jame is? 
6. How old Grandma is? 
Hey, are you interviewing me now? How old great-grandma is?
93!

What is your favorite food? My favorite food is oatmeal. (But I asked again later and she said, I think yogurt.)
What's your favorite breakfast? I think oatmeal I said.
What's your favorite lunch? Just carrots.
What? Are you a bunny? I don't eat bunnies! Yuck!
Don't you like sandwiches for lunch? Peanut butter sandwich but not cheese in it. (Peanut butter & jelly sandwich, not a cheese sandwich)
What's your favorite dinner? I think, orange juice, I think. Actually, I think I like milk for dinner. (Usually does not cooperate with eating dinner unless it's mac n' cheese or pizza, but we make her eat a lot of chicken.)

Helping herself to clementines.

What is your favorite animal? I think Lambie.
What is your favorite color? Um, I think, pink!
What is your favorite book? Um, I think Caterpillars ones. (She makes me read Doc McStuffins books almost every night.)

What is your favorite song? I know which one, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star one.
What is your favorite toy? I think Lambie.
Do you sleep with any toys at night? Well, I think Doc McStuffins and Lambie. (Toys she sleeps with rotate. But she did recently sleep with them.) 
What is your favorite game? I think naked run!
What's your favorite sport? Find eggs outside. (Egg hunt with grandma.)
Well, do you like t-ball, soccer, running, or swimming? I think I like swimming most.

Maybe she'll come around on t-ball because she's got a great arm.

What is your favorite show? I think Doc McStuffins. 
Which is your favorite movie?  I like Doc McStuffins ones. (There is no Doc McStuffins movie. She likes Room on the Broom and the original Ghostbusters best.)

Are you funny? No, you are funny.
How do you know? Cuz you are. Cuz you are silly I think.

She is funny. 

Who is your best friend? Grandma is.

With her bestie.

Do you love me? Yes! 
Do you love Dada? Yes! 
Do you love James? Yes!

What do you think love means? I think love means, I love you.
Do you want to get married one day? Yes.
What do you think the person that you marry should be like? Um, I don't know.

What's your favorite thing about Grandma? I think I love her.
But what do you like about her? When she gets my toys.
What's your favorite thing about Nana? I like when she visits. She justs puts makeup on me. (Took me a long time to understand her word for "visit.")
What about Bob? What I like about Bob, I like when he visits.

Nana and Miranda's new makeup set

What do you like to do with Dada? Play games with him.
What do you like to do with Mama? Love you and play checkers with you. (I have never played checkers with her. Though we have done some Candyland.)
What do you like to play with James? I play with him.
But what do you play? Cuz I don't want to play Castle of Illusion, just doctor. (Castle of Illusion is a Kindle Disney game.)

Good buddies.

What do you like to play with Grandma? Play doctors.
What do you like to play with Nana? I don't know. 
What about makeup? Oh, I like to do makeup but Nana puts the makeup on me.

What do you like to play with Bob? I don't know. 
What about the tent? Did Bob go in the tent? I don't know about that.

Bob playing with Miranda in the tents

What do you want to want to be when you grow up? I think, a doctor I think.
How come? Cuz, I want to help everyone, I guess.
Do you know what Dada's job is? What? (I explained. Maybe she'll know next year.)

What do you like better the beach, the library, the aquarium, or the playground? I think the playground.
How come? Cuz, I love to be out there.

What else do you think I should ask? Oh, what? Why Grandma gets toys for me?
Okay, why do you think Grandma gets toys for you? Cuz she loves me.

Okay last one, what do you think the meaning of life is? What do you think life is for? For rescuing someone.

The little one is a wise and I love her so much.

Miranda's 2nd Birthday Interview 2016

James's 3rd Birthday Interview 2014

Miranda in a Toddler Bed!- March 2017

Miranda never escaped her crib and though it is seemed liked a good idea to keep her in the crib as long as possible, lifting her in and out was getting a little tough. I've often regretted that drop-side cribs are no longer considered safe or legal.

I was expecting her to try to abuse her new freedom, and I figured it might be a two-parent job to keep bringing her back to bed at night. Kevin has Spring Break this week so it was this week or when his classes were over in May. But since we'll travel in May, this seemed like the smarter week. Also, it was the beginning of Daylight Savings this weekend so we could kill two birds with one stone.

Converted the crib to a toddler bed on Saturday

Lots of stuffed animal friends and dolls

She loved her bed and didn't attempt to escape on the first night at all, but she did greet us in in the morning in our bedroom for the first time ever. The second night went less smoothly as she got up by accident, confused about what time it was and was scared that it was dark and she couldn't see anyone, but I brought her back to bed and she went back to sleep. Surprisingly, it's been pretty smooth sailing since then. It's been easier than I remember the toddler bed transition with James, though James did it about 8 months earlier in his toddler career because he escaped.

Testing it out.

She keeps asking me, "I a big girl now?" Almost, baby girl. Almost.

Miranda is Two and Half 2016!

Miranda is two-and-a-half! A month ago... but you guys, it's hard to remember to do these things the second time around. Miranda has been chatting a lot more, even at Mommy n' me where she used to be so shy she wouldn't talk or sing.

1. What's your name? Firanda. What? Viranda.
2. What's my name? Mama
3. How old are you? Miranda. Are you two? Yeah. Are you three? Yeah.
4. How old am I? Mama. (Same answer as six months ago.)

5. What is your favorite animal? Pink elephant on my head.
6. What is your favorite color? Pink. I mean purple and pink. Purple and pink.
7. What is your favorite food? Nanas and treats. (Bananas and treats.)

   What's your favorite breakfast? Dirt.

   What's your favorite dinner? Dirt.

8. What is your favorite book? Pink. (She does have a bunch of pink books she carries around because of their pinkness. She also loves her Dora Princess book.)

Who me?


Miranda loves driving at 2.5 years old

9. What is your favorite song? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

10. What is your favorite toy? Bunny and babies.

11. Do you sleep with anything at night? Milk and books. (This is true, but I take them out of crib when she falls asleep.)

12. What is your favorite TVshow? Big Friend. (True. She also likes Goldie and Bear, Masha and Bear, and Lego Ghostbusters.)

13. What were you for Halloween? DocMcStuffins!

14. Are you funny? Yes.

15. Who is your best friend? The bunny and the babies.

As you can see from some of her answers, Miranda wasn't terribly cooperative this time around so I couldn't ask her about her thoughts on the meaning of life like at her 2-year-old interview.

Miranda is Two Years Old- and Interview- 2016

Miranda is two years old! She loves books and cartoons. Her favorite books are about Team Oomie Zoomie or Dinosaurs, or in one case, both. Her favorite cartoons are Minnie Mouse, Team Oomie Zoomie, Bubble Guppies, Big Big Friend, and Paw Patrol.

Miranda, a week before his second birthday

A year ago, Miranda turned a year old, and we had her first birthday party as a joint 4th birthday party with James.  I compiled a picture from each of the first 12 months of Miranda's life. Two weeks later, Uncle Andrew moved to Japan!

 
Miranda at her first birthday


Sayonara Uncle Andrew!

Miranda turned 13 months old  and said about 5 words: dada, tickle-tickle-tickle, mama, go, and yesh (yes). (At this age, James said mama, dada, no, and leche).

James at 13 Months, May 23

When Miranda turned 14-months one of her favorite books was "Dinosaur Versus the Library," and she still loves dinosaurs.

Miranda at almost 14 months, June 19- James's Nursery Graduation

Miranda turned 15 months old, and was already over half my height. She could say about 8 words. She started insisting on using a spoon or fork to eat her food. Miranda was sort of the ring leader back then, and James would follow her around imitating her.

Almost. got. it. July 16 (Old house)

Shortly after Miranda turned 15 months, we moved to our first house!!

First day at the new house- no furniture yet, July 31

At 16 months Miranda started having typical toddler tantrums. She also fell madly in love with books. Her favorites were Potty, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Dora and the Rainy Day, the Belly Button, and ¿Dónde está el ombliguito?

Pretending to read out loud, August 12


At our local beach, September 6

By the time Miranda turned 17 months she had started chatting quite a bit and understood most of what we said to her. She demanded to sit at the dinner table without the baby chair. She yelled at James to "Go back!" one day when she wanted him to get back and not take her toy.

With her favorite ladies, September 12... almost 17 months

October 10

Shortly after she turned 18 months, she celebrated her first Halloween. At 18 months she said: Dada, James, milk, no, yes, stuck, up (to be picked up), go!, book, ball.... Mama (infrequently). She repeated a lot more words than that.

Back when they were twinsies, October 21

Miranda's 2nd Halloween at 18 months old

 

Being pet by Olivia at Mommy N' Me.

Shortly after Miranda turned 19 months old, we celebrated our first Thanksgiving in our own house!

Thanksgiving 2015, Miranda is 19 month

Miranda turned 20 months old and we spent Noche Buena and Christmas morning on Long Island with my mom and Bob, and some days after Christmas with Kevin's family in Cape Cod. And we celebrated New Years Eve together.

Christmas Eve at home, Miranda is 20 months old

Being tickled by Nana


Opening presents with James


Grandma Ruth reading Miranda stories


New Years Eve

Miranda turned 21 months old and started saying two or three words together at a time.  We celebrated Valentine's Day and Kevin's 36th birthday.

Pointing out the birds in our feeder


With Aunt Melanie and Uncle David


Snow storm Juno!

Valentine's Day with Grandma 2016

On February 20, she turned 22 months old. We celebrated my 37th birthday, then St. Patrick's Day.

My 37th birthday

At 23 months old, we celebrated Easter on Cape Cod with Kevin's family. Miranda got her first real haircut. She also went to her first (primary) election.

James, Great Grandma Ruth and Miranda at Easter

First haircut at 23 months

She turned two years old and celebrated her joint birthday with her brother. She's such a smart funny girl. We love you so much, Miranda!

Miranda's 2nd birthday party with family

Rocking her new raincoat.

Miranda Interview, 4/27/16

What's your name? No.

Who's that? James.

Who am I? Mama.

Who is that? Dada. 

Who are you? Me. I am me.

How old are you? Do you know? No. (Two)

What is your favorite color? One.

That's a number. What's your favorite color? Pink.

What is your favorite animal? Sheep.

What is your favorite food? Prepes. (Pretzles.)

    What's your favorite breakfast? Dedios. (Cheerios.)

    What's your favorite lunch? Pretzles. (Usually wants peanut butter and jelly every day.)

    What's your favorite dinner? Pasta. Chee. (Pasta and cheese?)

Do you love me? Yeah.

Do you love Dada? Yep.

Do you love James? Yeah.

Do you love Grandma? Yeah.

Do you love Nana? Yep.

What is your favorite book? ...

Do you like books? Yep!

What is your favorite song? Itsy Spida. (Itsy Bitsy Spider)

What is your favorite toy? Itsy Spida.

Do you sleep with anything? Yeah.

What do you sleep with? Bed.

What toy do you sleep with? Pig. (Sleeps with a pink bunny that she calls Bunny. Has no pig toy.)

What is your favorite show? Big Big. 

Big Big Friend? Yeah.

I thought you liked Team Oomie Zoomie the best? No, Big Big Friend. (Starts singing song.)*

Are you funny? Noooo.

Who is your best friend? James is.

What do you want to want to be when you grow up? You.

You want to be me when you grow up? No.

What do you like better the beach, the library, the Aquarium, or the playground? Beach!

What do you think the meaning of life is? Cheese! Hot chocolate.

Is there something else I should ask you? Nope.

Caught "reading" in her room, April 21

* Obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins (musical cartoon), Team Oomie Zoomie (math cartoon), and Bubble Guppies

Miranda's First Haircut! 2016

Miranda doesn't really have enough hair to justify a haircut still but the back has been consistently longer than the front - and I've already trimmed it myself once with limited success. Now that she's turning 2, we figured it was time to get a real haircut just to neaten it up. She was scared so she sat on Kevin's lap while I took pictures and she made her pouty I'm-scared-but-will-be-brave face throughout.

Miranda: I do not like this, but I will be dignified

I guess dignity is out too then,

Kevin points out the angry birds on her smock.

• James's First Haircut 2013

Miranda Talking at 22 Months 2016

Unlike walking, talking doesn't have a "first day" which makes it tricky. When a baby says her first word you're never sure if she really means it or not. And then random words start coming and then disappearing, then two related words together... finally three... and then she's talking!

Puppeteer, February 10

 

Frog whisperer

At the beginning of January she was 20 months, Miranda said "no more jump-jump" while jumping on the bed to refer to the song No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. By the end of January we were having "one word conversations" where she would communicate a lot of answers and requests just using one word at a time. She also says "delicious!" when she eats something she likes. So adorable.

Drawing with her brother

By February she had gotten it together to actually say "No more monkeys." But over the last two weeks she's started talking for real. She uses three or more words at time, often making little sentences. She started making little word phrases: "See? A dinosaur! Roarrrr!"

Then and February 23 she reused and reorganized the Monkey song words she knew. When Kevin asked if she wanted a bath, she announced, "NO MORE BATHS" and ran away. And on her 22-month birthday, she started telling knock-knock jokes! Really bad ones, but still! I'm impressed.

M: Knock, knock.
E: Hi.
M: Mama, KNOCK KNOCK.
E; Oh, who's there?
M: Sheep.
E: Sheep who?
M: You! (Maybe she meant ewe? Haha. Unlikely. But maybe?)

Also, since she can now make requests, I know her favorite TV shows are Little Einsteins, Bob Zoom, Umi Zoomi, and Bubble Guppies, in that order.

Funny Yogurt Face

The only other thing going on with her, which is unrelated (or maybe not?) is that this month she stopped sleeping through the night. We started with gentle methods. Then we started to panic and tried to Ferberize her for a week. Since that was not working at all, I backed up entirely and started bringing her to the guest bed in her room. This is also not working well at all. I will implement Plan C when I return from Richmond.

Gets a blanket for naps and nighttime sleep now.