Oh, What Do You Do in the Wintertime?

There has been a particular Primary song that has been stuck in my head the last week or so. I think it has something to do with the fact that I am dreaming of the sun warming my back, the soft grass under my feet while doing a cartwheel, or playing with my family in the lake. So to bring a little warmth during this cold and lackluster time of year, I dedicate this blog to summer.

Please read in the tune to the song "Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?" in the Primary Children's Songbook#245

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when you are stuck inside?

Do you sing while you ride,

or dress dignified,

or lay at your cousins' side?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when all the world ain't green?

Do you peel tangerines,

or read magazines,

or build your first snowman high?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when all the world is wet?

Do you get a new pet,

or with grandma sit,

or learn at your best friend's side?

Is that what you do? So do I!

A few quick notes since Reina's 2nd birthday in January is that she can officially count to ten in three languages: English, Finnish, and Spanish (actually to fourteen in English skipping twelve). Reina can also, not only say the letters of the alphabet but knows what sound each of them make...yes, even the hard ones like l, n, and x! Mummi and her assistant Elaine have been working with her and the other children on letters/sounds, music, and languages. We feel very blessed that Reina has had such a great place to learn during the week. In fact, tonight Reina was reiterating one of the Spanish videos to me that teaches colors and she clearly sang..."purple- murado, yellow-amarillo, red- rojo, blue-azul, white-blanco, tatata..." and ended with a "pose" just like the lady on the video. Wish my eyes were a video camera so I could capture these memories forever! Let me tell you, kids can learn ANYTHING if you make a song out of it!
I don't remember if I have already posted this, but recently I have gotten back into doing yoga a couple times a week and I showed Reina a few poses such as bridge, downward dog, and plank. I only showed them to her once as she copied me and since then if I call out the poses she will go into them- all from memory! So of course I am a proud mama, as all those mamas out there are proud of their own children- and daddies too :) Rightfully so.

Reina Turns Two!

If you are reading this post for entertainment, there is a WARNING ALERT that this may be boring unless you are in love with our little girl. I want to keep up with Reina's development as she reaches new ages and phases of life! So here is where she is at as of her 2nd birthday (1.8.2011)

Height: 36 inches= 94% average percentile (taken 1.12.2011)

Weight: 28.3 lbs.= 71% average percentile (taken 1.12.2011)

Vocabulary: She can speak in many complete sentences, and can speak as well as a 3 year old (in my opinion of course). We are able to understand ALMOST everything Reina says. As of now she can say most letters except for "R" as she calls herself "Meena". This is kind of cute though because it's a mix of "me" and "Reina"!

Songs: Still LOVES singing the "Bumblebee" song and "Rock-a-Bye Baby" when it's time for bed. Often she will sing songs that I haven't sang to her before or haven't sang in months....must be from nursery or Mummi's. Reina can sing the majority of the ABC song....correctly. Just this last Sunday she was singing the ABC song to a young woman at church during sacrament meeting (quietly in the back rows) and sang it well except for the LMNO part in which she chattered her teeth instead. Paul and I, and the young woman were laughing under our breaths! I am pleased that she can sing in-tune! I cringe when someone is out-of-tune or off-rhythm (but maybe we will have a child who lacks this ability so I learn to tolerate it)! I think she may be an alto like her Grandma Guinn as her singing voice is somewhat low. I am noticing more and more how much she takes after her Grandma Guinn! They are also alike in that they both love to read, don't like to eat the same thing two days in a row (leftovers), are friendly and polite (Reina always says "thank you" and "your welcome"), concerned if someone is sad or hurt (Reina will say "You alright?"), similar body frame and hair, like things to be put away in their place, and witty.

Favorites: As soon as she gets to Mummi's house in the morning, she puts on her Minnie Mouse dress that apparently no one else DARES to touch as she has claimed it and then asks for "moosik" (music) to dance to. When Reina wants to do her own thing she grabs a book, draws or paints with watercolors. She is becoming quite the pro at making circles! Reina still loves to wear boots, always has to have her coat/shirt buttoned or zipped, and reminds me that she needs a hat on to go outside. On Saturday mornings she spends time with daddy watching "Yo Gabba-Gabba". I think daddy likes the show just as much as she does! This is the only t.v. watching she does, and maybe a little Sesame Street some mornings. And most recently, Reina likes to go to bed with a hard, plastic miniature dollhouse size computer desk! Silly girl!

More funny stories: Recently she has climbed out of her crib at Mummi's house during naptime, and only twice at home. Luckily this had ended. During one of those occasions at home, Paul went to her room and peaked in. She was pulling a hanger up around her waist and when she realized daddy was watching she quickly pointed to her bottom and said "a poo-poo" (she knew that there HAD to be a reason why she was up and out of her bed).

Other landmarks: She still continues to go potty on the toilet #1 and/or#2 at least twice a day, but doesn't love to do it like she used to. We haven't pushed her too much with potty-training as it will happen at her pace. Still likes to eat healthy foods like cabbage soup, broccoli, celery, fruit, eggs, rye crackers and chicken...surprisingly she has never been a fan of mac & cheese, potatoes and some other kid favorites. Reina can put puzzles together quite fast for her age. I can take two puzzles and mix up all the pieces and she can put them all back in their place (of course we're talking about the baby puzzles, not traditional tongue and groove kind). She can somersault completely on her own and can count to12, skipping some numbers here and there...

We celebrated her birthday a week early since my oldest sister, Tarja and her children Reagan, Kamryn and Ethan were in town from California and had a multi-birthday party with my sister Sanni's family as well. I sure wish Reagan and Kamryn lived closer because she LOVED to play with them! I would definitely hire them to babysit!

We feel grateful to have a happy, healthy girl. This is all we asked for, so anything beyond this is an outpouring of rich blessings. We thank our Heavenly Father daily for her and pray for more.

Goodbye, Hello

Dear 2010,

Thanks for a TOUGH year! We knew that you would be difficult, but didn't know that you would be so LONG. You have been difficult for us as a family and hope that all of our hard work and commitment will pay off with your younger brother 2011. We do really appreciate the joy we have had with seeing Reina grow and advance. She has been such a blessing! We can't believe how wonderful, smart, funny, silly, quick, witty, determined, entertaining, and pretty she is. She could be labeled "Miss Personality" as she DOES have a bucket of it and continues to spill over with more. We have been blessed to have a wonderful family who has helped us with our difficult situation of being apart from each other 5 days out of the week; a roof over our head and the BEST learning center with her Mummi (my mom's childcare center). And also for my job. I do love it and don't want to give it up, but will gladly do it if we can be together as a family. Our fingers are crossed and our prayers are going out daily for a better 2011. We have grown this last year and are ready for a little TLC. So PLEASE tell your brother 2011 to give us a break!

Thanks again,
Paul, Aliisa & Reina

P.S. I know this letter may sound a little harsh, but we are more blessed than ever to have this sweet little girl. She is the best Christmas gift we have ever received, so thank you (even though we got her from your older brother 2009) :)

Potty-training...an Easy Task?

Okay, so most of you know how our Little Love is potty-training herself right now. It began when she was almost 19 months old on our trip to Finland. Her extreme love of red currant berries that grow wildly in Finland were visited multiple times a day- every time we went outside! She ate her belly full of 'em (great source of vitamins), but they also caused extreme diaper leakage. It got a little old constantly changing diapers and outfits so her aunt suggested she start potty-training. Hey, we had all the time in the world so might as well! First time she tried it, she went. Beginners luck? Second time she tried it, she went. Fluke? Third time, nope. Darn it! So it was hit and miss for the rest of the trip but she did go at least once or twice a day. Since then we haven't made a big deal about going. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes at Mummi's daycare, sometimes before bed, we would give it a shot. We've gotten a lot better about it the past few weeks because she isn't just sitting on the potty "for fun" anymore. She is recognizing when it's coming. If she says "Poo-poo" she really has to go! I know, long story for a LITTLE feat, but a BIG feat for us "new parents". So we are pretty much used to her going #1 easily and even #2 occasionally, but today was a BIG leap! We were at church in sacrament meeting and she says, "Poo-poo". I could already smell something so I take her out to change her diaper. Nothing there! They obviously don't have little potties at church and she didn't like the big potty when we tried it once before so we went back to sacrament meeting. Just 30 seconds later she says again, "Poo-poo". Paul decides he's going to try putting her on the big potty. I'm thinking, "Good luck, she hates the big one."

Paul and Reina both come back with big smiles on their faces. Here's a recap of what happened: He walks in the men's bathroom. He puts her on the BIG TOILET and is holding her armpits so she doesn't fall in. She adamantly says, "No daddy" and pushes him away as she's holding onto the big seat all by herself. She doesn't even want him in the stall so she says, "Bye-bye daddy." He closes the stall door (to humor her with privacy). About 10 seconds later he ask if she went potty. She replies, "No." He looks behind in the toilet and sees that she did go. He exclaims, "You went poo-poo!" "Yeah," with a big grin on her face!

I'm crossing my fingers that the last two Costco boxes of diapers that we have already bought will be the last? Probably not, but we are excited none-the-less.

P.S. She went both #1 and #2 again in her potty before bed :) Sweet dreams!

I need to give thanks to daddy for taking her potty on the weekends when mommy wants to sleep in; Mummi for taking time out of her busy day to "sit on" with her; and Grandma Guinn for helping out and giving great ideas from experience.

Our Halloween 2010

We went to my brother and his families house in Coeur d'Alene for Halloween as a 3rd year tradition. It was so much fun seeing the cousins play together! Especially Reina and Miia. They got along so well!I know...a little late, but still managed to get pictures up before Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

You're 21!

I was laying in bed with my husband...a rare and wonderful occasion and realized that Reina has just turned 21 months yesterday! She totally acts like she is at least 2 1/2. I am hoping she already went through her "terrible two's" when for about three weeks she was into saying NO and hitting mommy in the face. By the way, this was during our Finland trip (although 48 hours and VERY little sleep can do this to most people, even 19 month olds). Since that bout of being hit in the face and told NO, she really has been a sweetheart! She still goes to her Mummi's childcare center and LOVES the action! Some of her best friends are 2-4 year olds: Abigail, Peyton, Ethan, and Trevin. Just yesterday they did some leaf imprints with paint to welcome the fall. When they have music time she takes center stage and really gets big and loud (definitely takes after me in this area). One day they were running back and forth in a race and Reina has learned that if she doesn't go all the way to the end, she can turn around and have a head-start to reach the finish line first! She has always been very coordinated, but since our Finland trip her vocabulary has really taken off. She understands everything we say, and can say many words. What's funny is that she kept saying "No fat, no fat." Paul and I could NOT figure out what she was saying for the longest time, then realized she was saying "No that, no that." Mummi reminds the kids "We don't do that," instead of "No" so she was just interpreting that phrase. We haven't been pushing potty-training but if we remember and feel like it, we ask her to go potty and at least half the time she does make something! In fact, grandma Guinn was getting Reina ready for bed one night and Reina told grandma "potty" and put herself on it and actually went! And last night we put her on (thinking it was just for fun), and much later when we got ready for bed realized there WAS pee in the potty! We didn't even realize it to congratulate her on her achievement! I'm thinking she will potty-train herself (knock on wood). So she has really increased in her vocabulary, molars, and sweetness! She gives scrumptious hugs and kisses, and always wakes up in the morning by talking and singing with her books. Some of her favorite things are shoes, especially boots, doggies, Dr. Laura soup (family joke), music and dancing, books, wrestling with mommy and daddy, coloring, anything outside. She still doesn't have enough hair to get into a ponytail, so she always seems to have a ball of fuzz at the back of her head. We think she is just perfect! Here are the most recent pictures of our "Sweetstuff" (20 months old):

Back to our Roots

So we had the chance to go to Finland this summer! Well, at least Reina and I got to...Paul was busy at our chiropractic office. He probably would not have enjoyed having seven women in one house though. Infact, he could only watch about 15 seconds of some videos I took of the family because it was all in Finnish! I plan on putting together a little picture album for Reina to look through this week so that she may remember at least some of her relatives who live in Finland which include Reina's great-grandmother Isoaiti (this is not her name; it means big mom), Reina's great-aunt Marjatta, and her 2nd cousin Simo and his dog Pimu. She LOVED Pimu! She's a little white Ceasar dog (you know the one from the Ceasar brand dog food) who is playful, obedient, and never bites...perfect for a 19 month old who likes to grab her face. It was funny to see how Reina would watch Simo and his girlfriend Mervi give commands to Pimu, then imitate orders to Pimu.

I have already written details about our trip for our family memoirs, so I will give all of you who read this the pleasure of just seeing pictures of our trip and avoid the boring details. Enjoy! One thing I have to point out is that Reina really enjoyed the sauna. Finland is where saunas originated from. While people are building their homes, they build the sauna first so that they can use that while they are still in the process of building their homes. They go to sauna year-round, and even jump into the lakes when there is a couple or eight feet of snow! This type of attitude is where Finns live the phrase "SISU"....look it up.