Diggin'

I swear I didn't teach her this, and of course, Carey's never done a crude thing in her life. So we blame the unwashed masses at daycare.

Grandma!

Greta was very excited for Grandma Pandillo's visit yesterday. We told her when she went down for her nap that Grandma might be here when she woke up. First thing she did upon waking was go to the guest room and ask, "Grandma?" No, honey, they're still on the road. Let's go to the bookstore and maybe they'll be here when we get back. 90 minutes later, back from Barnes & Noble, she bounds up the stairs and into the guest room. Grandma? No, probably around dinner time. I-95 is a bitch on Saturdays. Well, they made it in time for dinner and stuck around for a nice breakfast this morning with Aunt Kathy. As you can see from the photos, snapped in about 1 minute at the diner, she really likes her Grandma P.!

Fun-Doh

Poor Play-Doh. I'm sure they patented the name, but not the recipe. Greta has something called Fun-Doh. Same colors, same consistency, same vaguely salty smell. She made shapes with it yesterday using our cookie cutters.

Greta Loo-Who II

Anybody remember this photo from Dec.? Carey returned to the hairstyle today. It lasted for about an hour. Midway through the drive to daycare, Greta pulled it out, said "Here you go," and handed it to me in the front seat.

Jump Bunch

Every Tuesday from 11:30 - 12:00 I join Greta at the CDC for Jump Bunch at the gym. She and five other kids, ages 18-months to 3 years, enjoy a half hour of organized gym time. Greta hasn't mastered the "jump" part of Jump Bunch yet, but she tries very hard: she bends her knees and pushes up, but doesn't get her feet off the ground. It is very amusing to watch.

The teacher, Melissa, introduces new exercises each week, making exercise a fun experience. There are lots of high fives and applause, as everyone gives their best effort. Until today, I was impressed by how well Greta followed directions and tried to mimic the adults...unfortunately this morning she realized the disobedient boys who wanted to run around the gym carrying their red dots instead of standing on them were actually having a better time, and she decided to follow them whenever they bolted for the opposite end of the gym. She has the most devilish little grin...which unfortunately I couldn't capture on camera since I was trying to get three little kids back onto their dots!

Class ends with each child getting a purple handstamp, which smells like grapes. Greta makes sure Mommy gets a stamp, too. Then it's back to her classroom for naptime. Click here for pictures from the class we had today!

Satisfying Sunday

Greta had a great day yesterday. She enjoyed eating a banana-cinnamon bun-bacon breakfast, reading a new book from AK, washing dishes with Daddy, playing at the tot-lot pre-nap, and running around buddy Jay's playground post-nap. (I planned to post more pictures, but Blogger isn't cooperating...sorry!)

All the fresh air helped her crash hard at 7:30, but unfortunately it also gave her a slightly runny nose, which resulted in a lot of coughing during the night. I didn't have the heart to wake her up to take her to daycare, so I called in late to work today (a benefit I'm sure to miss six months from now!). She slept until almost 7:30, and I dropped her off at 8:00. She kept asking for Daddy this morning, but I think she understands he took the train to see Aunt Sara, Max and Esme. I told her she'd get to see him Wednesday morning, and she said "o-tay, Mommy!" Then tonight when I picked her up, she said "Daddy train, daddy coming." I told her "Not yet, but soon." I'm sure we'll go through the same routine tomorrow, so hurry home, Daddy!

Bad girl & her big girl bed

We outsmarted ourselves this weekend. Baby No. 2 is due in 16 weeks, so we thought it would be a good time for Greta to move from crib to toddler bed. Toys R Us had a sale, so we picked one up last weekend. Saturday we put it together. Greta was EXCITED! She climbed all over it while Mommy tried to work the allen wrench, she spoke longingly of her 3 1/2 year old friend's bed (Sadie bed!), she even played fort with Daddy under the partially dismantled crib.

Fast forward to nap time. 11:45, post lunch, baby girl is tired. She wants her blanket and she wants to rest. Upstairs we go. Coax her into the big girl bed, pull the blanket over her, put up the baby gate in her doorway. She lies still for about 3 minutes, then gets out of bed and starts exploring. Doesn't cry, doesn't call for us by name, just checks out every nook and cranny of her room. For 2 hours. Forgets she's tired. Her room looks like the FBI went through it.
First time she hadn't napped since birth.

The crib is back together in its rightful corner of the room. We'll try again in a month or so.

Pop quiz

Greta's stuffed animals and dolls are:

A) Praying
B) Sleeping
C) Dead

I'll post the answer Sunday morning.

Fresh paint

To those who read this blog just for the latest goofy Greta story, indulge me. We just had most of our rooms painted and the grandparents keep asking about the colors. So in the tradition of Flat Stanley, here's a glimpse of Greta with each new wall color.

Counter-clockwise -- that's the erstwhile dining room, now Greta's romper room. That darker green continues all the way down the stairs to the garage exit. The blue is only in our master bath. The light green starts below the kitchen counter in Greta's romper room (the wall facing the dark green wall, above), then continues throughout the dining and living room and all the way upstairs to the hallway. It doesn't seep into any of the bedrooms.

Sleeping with Mommy

In the first 21 months of Greta's life, she slept in our bed maybe three times. It's a figure we're particularly proud of, because we know plenty of parents who let their kids crawl into bed as soon as they express any displeasure in the crib. Of course, it has made for plenty of long nights where one of us (admittedly, usually Carey) is rocking Greta back to sleep or even falling asleep with her on the futon in her nursery.

Well, not anymore. Greta now prefers the "big bed" in our guest bedroom/office. She begins the night in her crib and sleeps quite soundly until some random time between 2-5 a.m. Then she calls for Mommy and they move together to the "big bed." We're telling ourselves that it's an interim stage between the crib and a "big girl bed" all her own. In fact, we bought a toddler bed last weekend and plan on assembling it this coming weekend. Between now and then, though, this is how I find my wife and daughter when Carey's alarm goes off at 6:15.

"Diaper do, diaper day"

That's what it sounds like to me anyway. Perhaps Carey can spell it more phonetically. It's a little saying she started using months ago. Jabberwocky, really... something akin to the French 'c est la vie,' but more sing-songy and child appropriate.

Well, wouldn't you know it, Greta was listening. This weekend at the most random moments -- sitting in her car seat and staring out the window, munching on a handful of Cheerios, chasing Jinx around the house -- she would simply belt out, "DIAPER-DO, DIAPER-DAY!" Then she'd change the cadence and the order -- "DIAPER-day, diaper-DO!" She wasn't looking for validation or anything. Just repeating what Mommy has said a hundred times.

This is why Daddy hasn't used a curse word in 22 months.

The photo is unrelated to the story. Greta chilling out watching Elmo learn about farm animals this morning.

Saturday frolic

Trying something new that my co-worker Will uses in his son's blog. Pretty cool, right? Click Get Your Own and you can be as cool as us.

Published!

For those of you who don't subscribe to Parenting magazine (motto: What Matters to Moms), we're overdue in sharing this: Greta was published in the March 2007 issue! It came out a few weeks ago, but I just got around to scanning it. Carey submitted the "Mom's Tip" in January, I think, and an editor followed up with her via e-mail and requested a photo of Greta! Our friend Dina in L.A. was the first to notice it. So kudos to her and read her daughter's blog, Ella's World (which badly needs an update, Dina, dear).

Greta's favorite landmark

No question, it's Iwo Jima, that glorious bronze tribute to the five Marines and Navy hospital corpsman who planted the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle for the Japanese island in World War II. We drive by it daily, to and from daycare. Months ago Carey taught her to say "Jima!" and now she also says "flag" and "windy." It's a nice little marker during the drive and it lets us know she's awake in the backseat.

So yesterday Carey is leaving daycare with Greta in tow and they walk by a desk that has a display of tourist brochures. The same desk they've walked by for months. But this time Greta stops and says "Jima!" The other parents making their way to the exit turn and stare. Did that little girl just say "Iwo Jima?" Yes she did!

And of course, Greta had to show Daddy the brochure this morning. We perused it during our morning nosh of Fruit Loops. Forgive the dark cell phone images. There wasn't any daylight coming through the windows yet.

Flying high

This is how Greta reacted when we told her she was going to have a little brother.

XX or XY?

Thanks to everyone for playing, but we've decided to keep it a secret until baby arrives in July.

KIDDING!!!

Aunt Kathy & Sara are correct. It's a boy! Neither ultrasound in the previous post shows the penis, though. That dark bit on one of the images is his calf. But we did get this good "money shot." In fact, given the angle, it looks a little like a third leg. That's my boy!

Needless to say, we're both very excited and love the idea of a matched set. It worked for my folks, after all. And I'll admit to the sin of pride -- Robert F. Merrill's branch of the family tree won't end with me.

It's a _______ ?

How's this for bloggy interactivity? Here are two of our 3D ultrasound photos today. The technician said we could buy stuff for one gender and not worry about keeping the receipts. His way of saying he's quite certain, I guess. We'll reveal the gender to all about 24 hours from now in a subsequent post. Until then, it's our secret to savor.

In the meantime, please post a comment with your guess and your reasoning. Oh, as for the genetic screening, everything checked out OK. One in 7,000 for Down's syndrome and other chromosone abnormalities ruled out as well.

Second Snowman

Just so Grandpa Jerry and Uncle Michael won't worry based on the previous post, and they can rest assured their snow sculpting legacy will continue, here is Greta the Great with our finished snowman (note how she has mastered the art of applying Oreo buttons!).

Second snowfall

Fat flakes and moist air made for perfect snowman conditions this afternoon. Carey takes this snow art thing very seriously. Blame her father-in-law and uncle, I guess. She's sorry about the eyes that wouldn't stick. They were dried cranberries. And after this photo she added Hershey kisses eyes, stick arms, and a red construction paper mouth. (Hint: click the image for full resolution.)

Daddy's in charge!

Carey's having lunch with some old friends from Dover she hasn't seen in awhile. So Greta and I had the run of the place after breakfast. The first thing she did, with no prompting from me, was try on one of Mommy's bras:


An hour later, it was lunch time. I asked her what she wanted to dip her ham and cheese into -- ketchup or mustard? "MUSTARD!" was the decisive reply. That's my girl!

Friday at post time

Sorry no new photo the last couple of days. Greta's been a little sick. Not sick enough to keep her home from daycare (we've decided to do what other parents do, which is syringe her with Motrin an hour before drop-off and pick her up at 4pm with a mild fever), but enough to make her less photogenic. A weekend of rest is probably just what the doctor would order, if we weren't too busy to run her to the doctor. While you wait for a new image, surf on over to Elmo's World and play any of the games. That's what Greta would want you to do.

"Aunt Kathy!"

Sorry, Grandma, Grandpa & Grandma, the first full name of a relative that Greta has mastered is Aunt Kathy. Yes, I know it's because she doesn't see her grandparents more often. (Hint: Priceline.com, what are you waiting for?)

We try to see Aunt Kathy -- Greta practically barks the words, by the way, emphasis on the KATHY! -- at least twice a month and take advantage of her babysitting offer every few weeks. Last Saturday, she came over for breakfast (and to receive her Valentine). Carey snapped this pic during the post-breakfast book reading session. (Vickie, note the stethoscope, which based on her last check-up has definitely helped Greta deal with her fear of doctors -- thanks!)

Shhh... we're restin'

That's what we say to Greta when it's 5:30 a.m. and not a single of the 200 windows we can see outside our balcony are lit. It's also what we say when we're feeling a little under the weather, as we were on Monday. She played through it all, but you could tell she was a little "off." But she's smart and took advantage of the Merrill Household Rule: If you're sick, there's no limit on TV time. Or as Greta calls it, "Elmo time!"

On frozen pond

We couldn't let a week of sub-zero temperatures stop us from feeding the birds this morning. The ducks and the geese are smart enough to stay out of the cold, but the seagulls turned out in full flock. They got a special treat -- leftover blueberry pancakes from Sunday's breakfast. I'm trying to be more like Matthew Gilmore and think about photographic composition, so I took this shot.

Greta bakes bread

Mommy & Greta made banana bread again on Saturday morning, but this time, after the loaf cooled, Greta had her way with it. Here is how a child eats bread if given no other guidance.

Pitchers and catchers report

Sorry for the delay in posting. I was in New York on Thurs. & Fri. and was so busy that I didn't even have time to write something to accompany this photo, which Carey took last Wed. Sorry, also, that it's out of focus. The Sony Cyber-shot remains something of a cipher to my beloved.

Anyway, if this doesn't look like my son, then I'm not named Robert.

Snow Day!

Despite the federal government only operating on a two hour delay this morning, my office closed (with minimum manning) just as I leaving a message from Greta's daycare that I would be a little late because the CDC didn't have enough caregivers for kids and were not going to accept any more! I had planned to stay at the CDC with Greta until another employee showed up, but instead we headed home (much to Greta's delight!).

We bundled up and headed out to play in the snow with our neighbors, Alexandra (almost 4) and Aiden (almost 2). Greta seemed to enjoy pushing a shovel and dusting off their yard ornaments. After a half-hour of "parallel play," the rain/snow/ice combo that fell last night proved sticky enough for us to make Greta's first snowman. I had given it raisin eyes, but she preferred Oreos to match the buttons. As you can see, she also enjoyed a mid-morning snack of Oreos, too. She still ate a great lunch of fish sticks, tater tots and corn, and is now napping with visions of snowflakes dancing in her head. Post nap, we plan to walk to the corner coffee shop with our neighbors for a little Valentine's Day treat. What a nice, unexpected day off for us both!

Happy Valentine's Day!

As Rob mentioned in an earlier post, Greta and I hosted 18 people (12 adults and 6 kids) on Sunday for a Valentine making party. We made more than 100 valentines for the local VA hospital as part of the USO's Miles of Smiles campaign. We also provided a bunch to the USO for delivery to patients at Walter Reed. It was a lot of fun, although I think we more than maxed our little townhouse's oxygen capacity.

When we finished the "official" purpose of the party, the kids made Valentines for relatives (Greta's grandparents and great-grandparents should be getting them in the mail today or tomorrow). Here she is with her Valentine for Aunt Kathy (which we'll hand-deliver this weekend) and some extra Valentines we made yesterday when the government closed at 2 p.m. for snow and we had an unexpected afternoon together.

Greta is a HUGE fan of glue stick and fingerpaint now, so you can expect even more crafts with upcoming holidays!

God Bless Aunt Judy

Greta LOVED vegetables as an infant. Pureed green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes... she would eat anything. Then, at 15 months, she finally cut a tooth, and started refusing any solid veggies. She finally warmed up to corn, and recently we learned she'll eat fresh carrots if we grate them. But the girl needed more green in her diet! Until tonight, every time we tried to sneak a piece of broccoli onto her fork, she would pick the piece out of her mouth and flick it onto her tray with a "You can't fool me!" look on her face. This evening, however, she tried Aunt Judy's famous chicken-broccoli casserole, and hand to God, she couldn't shove those little broccoli florets into her mouth fast enough!

It was hilarious watching her discover new flavors -- Cream of mushroom soup! Cheddar cheese! She was enjoying her dinner so much that she didn't even cry when I dashed upstairs to grab the camera! Looks like I'll be making this dish much more often, which will probably please Rob, too. Her recipe doesn't just fill our stomachs, it warms our hearts.

Anticipating Easter

We ran our usual errands with Greta on Saturday morning. Started at Panera's, a popular bakery here in the mid-Atlantic, then checked out kitchen countertops at Lowe's, then went to Michael's to shop for Valentine's crafts. (Carey promises to blog later about the shindig she hosted this weekend -- 8 adults, almost as many kids, and lots and lots of glitter!) Anyway, Greta wouldn't leave the house without one item, pictured here, on her head.

Swimming in February?

Alert Al Gore! Global warming is definitely real. How else to explain Greta Corleen Merrill in a bathing suit on Feb. 10?!?

OK, turns out the parents of best buddy Jay are members at a recreation center in Falls Church, Va., that has an enormous pool. A wader for little kids, a 3 1/2 ft. section for adolescents, roped off lanes for adult swimmers, and a deep end for divers. Greta had a blast being back in the water for the first time since Sept. We're definitely going to enroll her in a course this spring. 30 minutes every Saturday for 8 weeks at our local rec center.

Brush art

The kids in Fort Myer Child Development Center room 106 got into the watercolors yesterday. Greta came home with this masterpiece, which we're told she painted using a brush! I'm very proud of her, but her grandfather will be ecstatic.

Little doctor

All week long, I haven't been able to pick Greta up for fear of snapping my vertebrae. Most of my time at home is spent on the couch with a heating pad. Greta's been a real sweetheart watching Daddy struggle to get around. Tuesday morning, after Carey went in to get her out of the crib, she asked about me, and Carey told her Daddy has an "ou-ie" (pronounced oww-ee) on his back. So Greta went to the bathroom and got me a Band-Aid, which she presented to me in bed. On Saturday, when the pain was particularly intense, Greta got out her doctor's kit and went to work on me. She used the blood pressure sleeve, the stethoscope, and even a syringe! Thankfully, she practiced on her stuffed bunny first. None of it works as well as the muscle relaxant and Motrin, but it's nice to know that Greta realizes her true purpose even at such a young age: To take care of her parents when we're old and feeble.

Grandpa is Canada's choice!

For those to whom my father doesn't forward his snow sculpture photos, here's the front and back view of the elephants his team carved last week in Quebec. The original block of snow was 10' high, 12' deep and 18' long. Once again, they won the People's Choice Award!

Shopgirl

This photo's a couple weeks old, but I was scrolling through my cell phone pix and stumbled across it. Going to the mall with Greta is not as easy as it once was. She doesn't like to ride in the stroller anymore, and she likes to carry all the bags. Fellow pedestrians seem to get a kick out of it, but all I see are dollar signs. Being a fashion plate will be expensive.

Birthday brick

One of Greta's favorite things lately is working in the kitchen with Mommy or Daddy. Last week we washed dishes together, with her standing on a step stool. Today, she did something better: pushed a kitchen chair over to the counter so she could easily stand up and bake blueberry muffins with Mommy. When the muffins went into the oven, Greta pitched a mini-fit, so Mommy decided they'd bake a cake -- from scratch. But not a real cake. Greta got to pick the ingredients. They started with some flour, no need to measure anything, added a cup or two of water, stirred it into a paste, emptied the sugar bowl into the mix, and added a packet of Quaker Oatmeal. They stirred and stirred, with Greta licking the spoon in between. Then they poured it all into a mini-loaf pan at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.

The result? Something that looked, to me, like a brick of organic soap. The oatmeal gave it a rough texture, good for exfoliating. I didn't dare taste it, but Greta declared it her "birthday cake," and had a few bites for dessert tonight.

Bird chasing

My back was feeling strong enough this morning (thank you Motrin, thank you muscle relaxant!) to take Greta down to the river. She walked the longest part of the dock for the first time, chasing seagulls.




Didn't want to feed them, because the enriched white, 99 cent bag of hamburger rolls was too good for her not to eat.

Back pain

I know this is Greta's blog, but it's also an easy way to communicate to friends and family. Your humble blogger is incapacitated with back pain. I woke up Wed. with a slight twinge in my lower back, but figured it would loosen up throughout the day. Made my planned trip to New York, and I don't think the train ride or the hotel bed were very good for it. Struggled through yesterday with the help of some Doan's back pills and a ThermaCare heat wrap, and am now back home resting and hoping the doctor can see me today. I've never felt more like an invalid in my life. My boss, who has sciatica, says his doctor told him back pain is the closest men can come to child birth. If that's the case, you women are freakin' heroes.