Your jibberish is sweet, honey

A few things that have made me happy lately are...

• Seeing Eliza's pony tail swing back and forth as she chased after Grandpa on a walk, playing tag.
• Spotting Eliza and her Oma jogging in place while playing a Wii game together in the living room -- Hilarious!
• Writing in my journal consistently again!
• Watching the second season of Pushing Daisies on DVD, especially since our satellite is disconnected and Pushing Daisies is BRILLIANT. "Our love is heartier like two blind fish swimming in a volcano at the bottom of the ocean."
• Listening to general conference talks on my IPOD during my commute!
• Baking desserts!
  
• Lying in Eliza's bed with her while reading her bedtime stories about getting to be a flower girl and getting Eliza's arm around my neck hugs!
• Cuddling with Finnegan while I work on my laptop!
• Eating extra sharp cheddar cheese with green apple slices. Yum!
• Hearing Reuben say my NAME!!! and having him reach out for me to hold him! and watching him and Eliza playing and cracking up over the weekend!
• Feeling the ocean waves crash and splash on me while Eliza squealed with exuberant glee in my arms.
  
• Seeing family that I've missed SO much at NC outer banks over the weekend! (pics to come)

Musings on MOM

I always knew that I wanted to be a mother. I was over-joyed when I found out that I was pregnant with Eliza. It felt like a gazillion Christmas mornings combined when I finally got to hold Eliza in my arms when she was my newborn babe. I have fallen madly in love with this little girl, Eliza Mae.

~~~

I'm not going to lie and say that I've loved every minute of being a mom- cuz seriously guys, if you just factor in the amount of POOP and other bodily fluids that you have to deal with as a mother and nothing else, you know there are moments that aren't pleasurable. There are also tears and frustration, stress and bewilderment.

BUT ... she's worth it!

I love my momma! She's my best friend and confidant! I value her wisdom, virtue, kindness, patience, and guidance-- I could go on and on. She's a beautiful woman who has faced many a challenge and hardship and persevered with such admirable strength and faith. My hero.

~~~

This mother's day was hard for me. Not just because Eliza refused to take a nap and had a tantrum during most of dinner. But it was hard. My mom and other dear friends and family helped me pull through it, though.

I want to be better at seeing all of the good things in my life, instead of the sad or bad ones that seem to overshadow me sometimes. I hope that the tone of this blog is a reflection of that effort!
~~~

My mom and I went to a store the Saturday before Mother's day. As I scoped out the little girls' dress section, Mom took Eliza to another part of the store and let her pick out a present for me! Hehe. Thanks, Mom!

Mom said that Eliza kept saying that she wanted to get me something funny, that would make me laugh. She came up with several colorful necklaces, a "silly" shirt, and a Purple (of course) gift bag that reads, "You look funny when you dance." LOVED IT!

I know this is tardy, but THANK YOU to all the moms out there and all the mother figures who have helped nurture and guide me! ESPECIALLY my mom, my Oma, my Grandma Ruth, my aunts- Aunt Joan, Aunt Barbara, and Aunt Mer, and many other strong women who have helped me in ways they may never know!

Okay, I'm done with the sappy sentiments! Sorry if this post was sort of a stream of consciousness!

First Day(s) of School!

That's right, Eliza started pre-school on May 3rd! It may seem like really random timing since the school year gets out at the end of May. However, Steve started working full-time, so we needed a more full-time gig for Eliza! She started at this WONDERFUL montessori school that Abby actually went to about 13 years ago! So Eliza has the same teacher that Abby did! Isn't that cool? (Eliza always runs "laps" around the front lawn before she gets in the car in the morning! She's always rarrin' to go!)

2nd Day of School-- Tinker Bell lunch box included:

She looks sooo grown-up to me!! She's done really well transitioning to this new schedule and environment. Her teacher continues to reassure me that she is doing great and said that Eliza is a very loving child. Eliza cried several mornings during the first week but now walks into her classroom like a pro and gets to work!

It was funny today when we went to the library. We walked to the section that has puzzles in it, and there were puzzles left askew on the ground and shelves. Eliza saw the mess and said, "Somebody didn't clean up their work!" Yay for Montessori method! Already sinking in! I love how it teaches kids to be independent and take pride in the work they are capable of doing!

This summer Eliza will get to spend time in one of her montessori certified teacher's homes along with some fun-filled days with her Aunt Abby on the days that we're working!!

Steve and I really had to scramble to find child care for Eliza. It has taken quite some footwork, and I've been picking Eliza up at 2pm every afternoon and trying to do more of my work from home. I feel like we were very blessed to be able to start at the school that's so close to both Steve's and my job that has such an enriching and nurturing atmosphere, and that I finished school just DAYS before Steve started his full-time job. I appreciate that my hours are flexible, and that I get to be home all day with Eliza on Monday's and Friday's still!!

I know Heavenly Father is watching out for our family and helping us make things work! Recently in Relief Society, one of the discussions brought up the dilemma that faces many mothers who work but still want to be home to nurture their children. It reminded me of how grateful I am for personal revelation, and the opportunity that I have had to be a full-time mom and part-time worker since Eliza was ~5 months old. Financially, it might not be feasible for me to always work part-time, but I certainly cherish the time I do have with my girl!

It's OFFICIAL

I Graduated!!

Dr. Arlene Andrews & I (+ Eliza who was totally DONE with the ceremony stuff)
(I was Dr. Andrews' graduate assistant this year. She is AMAZING-- one of the foremost authorities on child welfare policy and director of the Swk Ph.D. program! I learned a lot from her this year!!)

The Hooding took place on USC's historic horseshoe. It was a little hot but GORGEOUS! State Representative, Anton Gunn, was our keynote speaker. He was AWESOME-- alumnus of our program back in 2001.

'Cuz it's a Hood, right?!

Go Team Meldau!
Pictured above are my 3 top supporters/coaches/fans. I LOVE THEM SOoo Much and could NOT have made it through this last year w/o them!!!

Robby was reallllly, sweet and sent me this edible arrangement to congratulate me. I have ALWAYS wanted one of these- a bouquet made of edible fruit?? Best Idea EVER!

And we went out to EAT-- cuz that's how you celebrate in A-M-E-R-I-C-A!

So I am now an official, professional licensed, employed master of social work GRADUATE.

Hello, World!
-Amy Meldau, LMSW
*This post represents my official graduation announcement because I am poor and now have to begin to pay back my student loans*

Children can have mental illness too!

The first full week of May (May 2-8, 2010) is designated as

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (Green Ribbon Week).

This week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the triumphs and challenges in children’s mental health and emphasizing the importance of family and youth involvement in the children’s mental health movement! The theme for 2010 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is “Promoting Positive Mental Health from Birth to Adulthood.” Please join us sending out the following messages:

• Mental health is essential to overall health and well being
• Serious emotional and mental health disorders in children and youth are real and treatable
• Children and youth with mental health challenges and their families deserve access to services and supports that are family driven, youth guided and culturally appropriate
• Stigma associated with mental illness should no longer exist.

Below you will find links to a schedule of events for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and Week, a Children’s Mental Health fact sheet, a flyer to our 2nd Annual Photovoice Exhibit and directions to the exhibit (in that order).
http://sharedwork.org/8460/files/16520/9380/cmhw-events.pdfhttp://sharedwork.org/8460/files/16520/9381/CMHW%2BFacts%2B2010.pdfhttp://sharedwork.org/8460/files/8460/9380/cmhw-events.pdfhttp://sharedwork.org/8460/files/8460/9393/photovoice-Directions-2010.pdf

Pictured with some of the people I love...

Abby and I at Pine Island for Eliza's bday.
Mom and I after a session at the Columbia Temple last week!! Joyous!

Right before Robby drove off to DC (early in the morning, hence Abby and my pj's).

Abby and Me before she left for her high school PROM. She's GORGEOUS!

Mom ordered us to do a weird one, but I'm glad we did. Check out Abby's eyes- awesome!

Some of the people I wish I had pictures with from this last week:

1. Dad: He is often the one taking the pictures and isn't crazy about being in the pictures.
2. Katy, Reuben & Aaron: Felt their absence. Eliza started crying today saying she wanted to go to Reuben's house. Yesterday when we skyped with Katy, Aaron & Reuben, I had told her that we would visit them soon, and apparently "soon" meant TOMORROW. So when today rolled around... there were tears. Now I have to tell her that we're going to see them but not for a LONG time. "Long" = ~month for a 3 yr old (She's 3!?)!
3. Many more dear friends and family that live far away or I somehow was not able to STEAL a pic of!!

Exeunt.

THREE Years Old!!

A Short History of Eliza Mae's Birthdays:


3 yrs. old!

2 Years Old!

One Year Old!

1 Day Old

Negative a few days!

___________________________________________________________________

We had Eliza's 3rd bday, a princess party, at our lovely Pine Island on Friday, April 30th.

The best day of the year!

Eliza was ready to jump in the lake within 5 minutes of her Arrival.

Oh, the beauty of Lake Murray. We love the beauty of the South!

Here's Eliza with her little friend, Sophia! They had a lot of fun together! Eliza was a lucky girl to have about 7 little friends and their parents come to party with her!

It got really windy at one point which made lighting the candles a challenge! We had a couple guys make a wall and managed to pull it off long enough for Eliza to blow all of her 3 candles out! She was sooo cute! I think we got a video of it on Dad's ipod, so maybe I can post that later.

These were some adorable Zebra cupcakes that Steve made for the party! Pretty impressive! He said that he went with purples stripes for the zebras per Eliza's request! Pretty sweet dad (literally, sweet, as in the sugar in the cupcakes, get it? ;)). My mom made a scrumptious and adorable princess cake, but I didn't get a good pic of it. :(

Here is Eliza on Saturday morning after opening up a birthday card from Aunt Joan and Uncle Dean that had some pretty awesome stickers in it. She's enjoying them with her whole body here!

Thank you everyone for you kindness and generosity on Eliza's birthday!
She was ecstatic about this birthday and was going around the house singing, "Happy Birthday to me!" hehe.

I sure am grateful for my spunky little girl! Her legs have gotten so long, and she is no longer the chunky little baby I used to carry around in my sling! She's totally a little girl now, although she occasionally informs us that she does not want to be a big girl or grow up when it comes to following some rule like pulling up her panties all by herself or not using her pacifier. Haha.
Where'd my baby go?
Here are three of my many favorite things about Eliza:

1. I love how much she loves to read books. Every night she cuddles into me as we dive into our books about her most recent fascination- bugs, bats, zebras, birthdays, death, Heavenly Father, the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon, families, school, fairies, etc. etc. etc. It's a special time for us!
   
2. I love how much of a "go-er" Eliza is. She LOVES to be on the go, exploring new places, being outside, and playing with people. She's no homebody! "I want to go somewhere" is a statement she makes often. She's so much fun these days, and lots of times our days together seem like a fun vacation-- the zoo, the children's museum, playgrounds, libraries, play dates, swimming, nap time (okay, that's my fun vacation item), and much more. I think that since Steve and I split up the week, it makes it so that we can get more of our executive or administrative responsibilities done on the days that Eliza is at the other parent's house-- which leaves us a lot more of a chance to focus our undivided attention on Eliza fun!
   
3. I love what a cuddle bug Eliza is with me. She's not really like this with many, but I love it. She LOVES to cuddle in the morning when she's waking me up at 6:30 am in the morning, or when I wake her up from a nap. She often just climbs into my lap to be rocked in a silly way or take a break. Even though she's getting big, she still knows how to be really sweet and cuddly. One of my favorites, though, is that when I pick Eliza up, she yells out, "Mommy!" and comes running to me to give me a GREAT.BIG.WARM.HUG. This kind of hug should have a different word to describe it because it's just that awesome.

I love this kid! Happy Birthday, my girl!