I’m going to start blogging more, but in the meantime, I think I need to document some of the GOLD that is Delaney right now. To be honest, Delaney has been a challenge the past six months and is testing us in every way possible, and for that I’ll forever be grateful. It wasn’t until recently that I finally came to understand that parenting isn’t just about parenting children, it’s about parenting yourself. (I stole this concept from a podcast I’m listening to). Raising a child is so intense in so many ways that go far beyond the intense physical work. Parenting is not just correcting, advising, comforting and teaching your child how to be a good human, it’s doing all those same things for yourself. I am Delaney’s role model and it’s my job to uphold the standards that I’m putting on her and for that, I am so eternally grateful for the gift of motherhood. That and of course these cute, adorable, hilarious kids I get to call my own.

But back to Delaney, she is so funny. She is still our little creature of habit, incredibly funny and loving, slow to warm up to new people, places and things, the ever-present line leader in all scenarios, has the best balance of any child I’ve ever known (ever since she was tiny), is cautious but brave, reserved yet wild, intensely thoughtful and observant, highly sensitive, empathic to others, competitive, joyful, and with every passing day is showing us her confidence as a strong girl. Delaney loves fiercely — especially Owen Buddy — and her best friends at school. She tends to have several best friends and definitely seems to do best and gravitate toward being in small groups of two with her friends both at school or on the playground. She doesn’t love big groups of anything and will seek out one person that makes her feel safe, whether it’s a specific friend or family member or even acquaintance. Once she’s comfortable, she’s open, free, crazy, funny, and loving.

Current favorite things she does or says:

• Wrong sayings: Head four (forehead), What is this is for? (what’s this for), I men (I am),  Sewl (school), Swirl (squirrel),
• Obsessed with Anna and Elsa and wants to pretend all the time. She is always Elsa and dictates all the things you (or whoever is playing Anna) has to say, which is usually “Say ‘Elsa! Where are you?’ or ‘Elsa, come back!'” and wants a cape and an Elsa braid every day
• Still loves Moana and Elena of Avalor (princess kick around here)
• Her favorite colors are pink and purple — and sparkles. Everything in her life must be one of these things and if they aren’t, she will either pretend they are or refuse to use or wear said item
• Loves “Sfinning dresses”
• “Banastics” is her favorite activity on her favorite day of the week
• Started sleeping in her big girl bed a few days ago and loves it. Loves her room and her pink bed.
• Learned how to pick Owen up and gets her giddy laugh that she can hardly control when she does it
• Is almost 40 inches tall! Somewhere around 33lbs I think.
• Gives Daddy running hugs before work
• Says “You’re not my best friend!!” and stomps away when she’s told she can’t do something one too many times — definitely has some threenager in her:)
• Will give up her nap in the next month
• Loves to sing, dance, perform, and make believe. Also loves sports, but typically doesn’t give something too much of a chance when she isn’t naturally good at it (sound familiar, Jordan Burke??)
• Has a new trick on her scooter and goes faster and faster on it every day
• Foods: She tries new things now that Owen eats and is very proud of herself for her newfound love of broccoli, salmon, shrimp, Pad Thai and…that’s pretty much it but we’re proud of her too!
• Loves the Pinkalicious series and we’ve reinvigorated our love for library book borrowing