Marianna's Favorite Song/Dancing Clan

Much to my dismay a few months ago my husband bought this "lovely gem" (heavy sarcasm) of a song.  My daughter loves it.  When I have music on she'll head to the computer and search it out to play it if I don't hide the mouse from her.  Here she is dancing away (joined by later by her brother) to the Gummy bear song.

It should come with a parental warning label saying:
WARNING:  Be prepared for extreme annoyance.

Funny Faces

Marianna being entertained by Photo Booth so she'd leave her brother alone.  He unfortunetly got a little distracted himself.

Doctors Visit and the Change in Perspective

Marianna adores her doctor and the office in general.  This has been a happy occurrence since our first visit last year.  Dr. E is friendly, patient, and makes really cool bird noises.  Following each appointment with the doctor's office each bump, cough or ache Mari receives should result in a visit to the doctor-at least according to her.

Mari's four year check up with the doctors was a much anticipated event.  She'd get to step on the scale, sit on the table with the hand/foot print paper, and play with the blocks.  She'd also be getting shots and this was part of the excitement.  Anticipation for shots might seem a bit strange in a four year old.  This lack of normal trepidation is easily explained stemming from two things.  First, Marianna had not received any shots since her two year old check up because none were necessary last year.  As a result she had no immediate memories to draw on regarding how painful shots can be.  Second, after watching the PBS kids "Sid the Science Kid" episode about the flu vaccine.  While I appreciate the shows writers attempt to lesson the fear around shots, it doesn't show how painful they can be.  As a result I had a little girl that I knew was going to be sorely (quite literally) disappointed.  In a futile attempt to prepare her I was gently reminding her that the shots can hurt.

The day of appointment arrived and Marianna followed her normal routine once we arrived at the office- she headed directly to the huge fish tank to watch the fish.  When her turn arrived to head back to the exam room Mari chatted animatedly as the nurse weighed her, took her height, and checked her eyes.  She also talked excitedly about the fact she was getting shots.  Then it was our turn to wait to see the fantastic Dr. E.  When he arrived she told him she was getting bigger, showed him the "Ponyella" book she'd brought, and cooperated with his requests as he checked her development.  And listened for the birds as he checked her ears.  She had a great time like she always did.

Finally the nurse arrived with her three shots and my little girl got a painful shot.  She sat cooperatively as the nurse cleaned her legs, examined the really neat Littlest Pet shop stickers to cover her little owies she'd get, and then laid down while I "hugged" her to keep her in place.  I could tell when the first shot was injected- the tears came, the expression of "owy," and her body bucked.  This day was a double edge sword.  My poor little girl not only received painful shots, but was disappointed.

Now when I ask her if she wants to go to the doctors she says no she doesn't want shots.  I find myself assuring her that we don't get shots every time we go to the doctor.  Only sometimes.  It saddens me that this change has occurred.  I remember Aiden at the same age getting excited about doctors visits.  And then that event when they associate each visit with a dreaded shot.  The question of wether or not they'll get one.  Rather than being a place to go and feel comfortable and happy, the doctors office is that place to possibly go and get hurt.

Quiet time, Birds, and a Great Story

Marianna has quiet time every day.  You know the time where she is supposed to play quietly in her room and but I hope she'll take a nap.  More often than note she dashes my hopes and play's quietly.  Usually after and hour or so quiet time is over and she's able to "get up."

Since she's gotten her big girl bed I frequently find her standing on it staring out the window.  Friday was one of those days that the window held more attraction than the toys.  She kept calling me in to her room to look at the birds outside.  After few times of jumping up to go see the birds I eventually told her to quiet down.  When it was time to get up she very excitedly came out of her room.  With arms flapping, her face animated she proceeded to tell me that she'd seen the "bee" birds with the really fast wings and long beaks (using her hand from her nose out to indicate long beak).  I quickly figured our she meant hummingbird.

Aiden came home just after finishing her story and she proceeded to tell him she'd seen a mamma, daddy and baby hummingbird outside her window.  Aiden asked her what color they were and she proceeded to explain that they were black with green and had orange beaks.  She then indicated again by flapping her arms that their wings go really fast.

Aiden later asked me if she really saw hummingbirds and I told him I didn't know, but, it might have been possible.  I thought that people started putting out nectar feeders in February.  If not his sister had a great story to tell.

Marianna's Birthday Part 1

Here's some photo's from Saturday's celebration and opening presents on her actual birthday.  I thought I had had a video but it turns out I bumped the button and didn't record like I thought.  Enjoy!