Was Lost, but Now Found

I can't believe I forgot to post this one, but remember back to our losing Little People? Well, within that week, they were dramatically found. I was getting ready to pack up the barn; it would be rendered useless without the Little People and their animals. As I was looking around the family room for other toys to join the darkness of a box in storage, I saw a baby wipes container, and I had a premonition it was not as empty as expected. When I opened it up, I was greeted by Little People and their animals! When my little person woke up from her nap, I had to apologize for the fifteen minute reprimand against throwing things into the trash, but she didn't care -- she was excited to have her friends back again! True forgiveness!

Flossing Teeth...Young

Floss. We know we should do it. And generally, I'm a good flosser. I love the clean feeling in my mouth, and even better, love knowing it's good for the pearly whites!

Unfortunately, I had to visit the dentist for some repair work today, and speaking with the hygienist, I learned that I should be flossing my 2-year-old's teeth. Guess you're supposed to start flossing as soon as the teeth touch; 95% of young flossers have healthy teeth & gums. She told me to lay my toddler on my lap; that way I could use my hands, with the floss, to control her and her mouth. Sounded great . . . in theory.

I was so excited to try it out once we got home. And my toddler was excited to try out floss. But that lasted only 10 seconds. We tried diversion, with the mirror, with counting her teeth. Yeah. So I'm wondering when was the hygienist's last time flossing a 2-year-old's teeth.

Anyways, tonight, with my husband's help, we will be flossing!

Confessions

Today the little one and I went out for lunch with a friend of mine, a very kind and patient friend, wise beyond her years -- she's in her early twenties, newly married, and no children and extremely gracious to those who do have young children!

A half hour into our meal, my little one makes her declaration that she's "all done," meaning everyone should also be all done to move on to other things. After all sorts of distractions, she winds up in the lap of my friend, and they play with her iPhone and its various apps, games, camera, and video -- this is new and exciting because my little one's parents have low-tech, cell phones that you see in "old" movies. Reaching her expiration and needing a nap, we say good-bye and part ways.

Upon reaching the house and getting my little one out of her car seat, she says, "I like Bri." Aw. So I repeated her sentence, and she followed up with, "Fun phone."

Mysery Solved

I'm not sure I like the resolution to this, among other cases, either.

We've been looking for our little people for a few weeks now. Yes, literally looking for little people, the Fisher Price Little People and some animals that were housed in their red plastic barn. Since they're little, I thought maybe they were shoved under furniture or hid behind another larger toy, but my little informant fessed up that they were thrown in the trash. Hmm....how did I not notice Little People and their animals in the trash can, and how did I not notice my little person putting them in the trash can? My twenty minute conversation with my little person, filled with "I put in the trash," "Oh my goodness," "I angry," and gesturing towards the trashcan leads me to believe that she threw her Little People and entourage, along with two missing little balls, into the trash some time ago. I even bought this special trash can to keep her out, but guess curiosity is her best suite.

I'm not sure my point of not throwing just anything into the trashcan got through to her, as she proceeded to talk about other random happenings. Oh well, at least I have closure about our missing Little People.

Good Mommy Day!

Some days, it's horribly difficult to be the mother of a 2-year-old, and other days, like today, it's incredibly wonderful to be the mommy of a 2-year-old!

We had a bit of a rough morning, and I was frazzled. The baby I was watching was over-tired and stubbornly fighting sleep, meaning he was Mr. GRUMPY! We were invited to a play group at a park, and I had serious doubts -- could I manage two without a double stroller? Urged to flee the confines of home, we packed up. My little one was excited to go to the park and go on the slide, and Mr. Grumpy was still GRUMPY -- my little one even exasperatedly called out his name to stop his fussiness! Attempting to work on making patience my virtue, as I drove, I'd ask my little one how Mr. Grumpy was doing and whether his eyes were open or closed. She replied, "Open, close. Open, close." I figured it out. He ended up taking little cat naps for the next 2 hours.

But my little one ended up being Miss Angelic. She waited patiently as I loaded up Mr. Grumpy into the stroller, and she walked beside the stroller from the car to the park. She played contentedly, and when I decided it was time to leave, she didn't fuss or fight. She even gave me the goings on of Mr. Grumpy's eyes on the way home -- "Close."

Looking forward to another good day tomorrow....at least, I'll have this one to remember, if something goes awry!

A Proud Mama

Yesterday, and all through the night, was a trying one. As I was battling with my first, horrible sinus infection, my little one was battling the urge to rest! Forgoing naps and even dinner, she chose to go to bed early, but then proceeded to wake up at 7:00 PM, 9:30 PM, 11:00 PM, and 12:30 AM, yelling, "MOMMYYYYYY" -- and for the first time in about 2 weeks, I had gone to bed early at 10!

Even as I'm recovering from the disappointments of yesterday, I remember the sweet spirit my 2 year old can display. I'm blessed with a very active and opinionated toddler, yet one with a very caring nature. It took her longer than I desired, but she now says and signs, "Please" and "Welcome" -- hasn't quite figured out "Thank you!" She knows most of her colors and can somewhat care for a baby!

I'm proud and blessed that she's in my life, and that I have the opportunity to help her discover her gifts and talents, to positively channel her energies in order to help others and make this world a better place.


This is an entry to the Proud Mom contest to win $50. Sponsored by UPrinting event ticket printing services.

We're Empty Nesters

In the literal sense! Remember our little flighty "neighbors" that brought their new family to our door? We watched the faithful mommy and daddy bird get most of their eggs into furry hatchlings (or whatever baby birds are called), and three little furballs became just like their parents; one by one, they flew away. Since our stairway is right in front of the door, my little one would often ask about the birdies as she went up or down it, and yesterday as she was descending, she asked about them. So I opened the door to look at our last birdie, and we must have scared him into taking the great leap to freedom -- we got to watch him discover his ability to fly! And I didn't get a picture of them all grown up! I always figured I'd have tomorrow. Guess that's why people say the kids all grow up so quickly!

And now we have an empty nest. Kind of. As I took the picture, I saw we have an unhatched egg, and the other unaccounted baby that never made it to flight -- several weeks ago, I noticed a scrawny hatchling hanging outside of the nest, and my husband thought it was alive. Not sure if it was the runt and was taken away or just died, but it didn't hang around too long.

There are many joys and sorrows in each family. Some children never are able to make it to full flight because of physical, emotional, or spiritual obstacles, but many do and we celebrate in that. So congrats especially to those celebrating graduates!

And I'm back to cleaning up this nest and the mess they left behind.

Happy Mother's Day!

As a child, when Mother's Day would come, I'd draw a picture, make a card or craft, or buy something kinda cheesy for my mom. But now I'm on the other side of things, and just the thoughts of being Mom is overwhelming.

We got in around midnight from a 12-hour drive back from the beach -- and part of my Mother's Day present was have a chauffeur (my husband) provide a safe and comfortable commute even through heavy rains. After resting a little bit, we were able to enjoy our time at church and with our friends there, and top it all off with lunch at Champps and Starbucks -- yes, my 1/2 price Frap!

I felt like I was able to have a quasi-out-of-body-experience, and just watch my energetic daughter run around the yard, up on the deck and to her faded Little Tykes slide, back down to pick dandelions, with my husband herding her around pitfalls and exits from our property! Even with the two-year-old tantrums, exhaustion, and lack of Me-time, it is precious to invest in the lives of my family. What a privilege and honor to be called Mommy!

And here's an uplifting and inspiring media piece to bless moms!

Supportive Care

What a day! The little one hasn't been feeling well lately...the runny nose, congestion, slight cough...but I figured she either has a cold or may be developing seasonal allergies. She doesn't let anything slow her down though, up and running, interacting and playing with others, and eating as normally as a toddler eats. But today, she began "the runs" -- we went through 5 diapers and 3 pairs of pants in one hour. Ugh. So we trucked to the pediatrician's office... a little early. Turns out no matter whether I arrive early, on time, or late for her appointments, we always wait... a LONG time -- at least an hour from when we park the car to when we restart the car.
And I waited a long time to find out she has something viral. So lots of "complex carbs, bananas, and yogurt." The doctor must think I'm an idiot because I asked, "There's nothing we can do" to which he replies, "Supportive care."

The highlight to the visit, besides needing to be grateful that all she needs is "supportive care," was what she looked like when the doctor entered the room -- something like this:
The doctor and his med. student were totally amused! And she even wanted to share her sunglasses with the med. student (She's not too fond of the doctor!), but still they both appreciated the gesture! After that though, she was back to her normal self, making the doctor really work for his pay, with her flailing arms and kicking legs, and of course, the crying!

What should she be doing now?!?

Every time I take my little one for her well-checks, the doctor usually blows me away with various questions about developmental milestones. According to my answers, she’d appear average or slightly below average (even though her mommy things she's the smartest baby in the world -- slightly biased)!

At her one year check up, the pediatrician asked if she could use a fork and spoon. At that point, she didn’t own a fork and wasn’t allowed the opportunities to handle her spoon in conjunction with food -- her mother is a bit of neat freak, emphasis on "freak."
But that very same day, I did go out to buy her a plate, fork, and spoon, and at dinner, we tested to see if she could handle eating with utensils.

Success! (Well, kind of!) I've been faithfully laying out her fork and spoon, filling her plate, and lending a helping hand to load both fork and spoon, but I think she has her own ideas! Often the wrong end of the fork would be in her mouth -- guess that rubber tip is good as a teething toy too! Other times, she'll take her food off her fork and proceed to eat with her hands instead! So can she use her utensils? Yes, for the most part; she's not the most skilled user right now. Will she use her utensils? No. Sure hope that's normal.

Expanding vocabulary

I’m so excited about better communicating with my little one! I’ve heard and read about teaching your baby basic sign language to communicate, but my 15 month girl can answer simple questions…for the most part – some times she just defers to saying “no!”

It started about a month ago, when I jokingly asked her if she wanted to take a nap, and she replied mater-of-factly, “No.” I thought it was cute, and would randomly have her perform her little “trick” for others! It’s not that she enjoys saying “No;” she’s can also say, “Yeah,” and “Good,” but sometimes her pride gets to her, and she simply doesn’t answer, especially if the question concerns a nap! But now I can ask her if she’s full or wants more food, and she’ll tell me, as long as it’s a yes or no answer! Simple things are so exciting and fun!

So now we’re working on expanding vocabulary, and one more word for the week, “Touchdown!” (Yup, Dad likes that one!)

The New Chef?!?

I'm usually domestically challenged -- I aim to prepare healthy and balanced meals, but I don't cook from scratch and create one-pot meals, with perhaps one side dish and no more! Yes, I'm a stay-at-home-mom, but I really don't like cooking! With admiration, I desire to be like those moms who thrive in the kitchen, find organic products on discount, and grind their own whole wheat flour.

But recently I've been reading more interesting and simple recipes, and last week I tried a Garden Ratatouille (which turned out great, except that the little one decided she didn't want any part of it). This week, I made my own cornbread -- move aside Jiffy mix; when I was shopping for corn meal, I opted for the most expensive, organic meal with germ -- I think that's good -- and could purchase that because I was saving so much with coupons on my other products -- I digress.
I also indulged in making my own protein bars and granola bars; protein bars were a grand success -- granola bars were a failure, but I do have lots of crumbly, homemade granola to top my yogurt...homemade yogurt. Yes, a couple of days ago, I decided to make my own yogurt in the crock pot, and in spite of my nervousness about whether the cultures would work, I'm thrilled to report success! Unfortunately the little one does not like homemade yogurt...I think it's too tangy for her -- so if you have suggestions on how I could get her to eat more and also on how to get my homemade granola bars to stay together as bars, I'm all ears! But I'm realizing that it is reassuring to know what all the ingredients went into creating what I'm eating, and perhaps I'm proudly one step closer to being a mom who can thrive in the kitchen, find organic products (on discount) and know how to use them, and grind my own whole wheat flour!

UH-oh

DA-da

UH-oh

el-MO

I love hearing my little girl talk! Every day, she surprises me with a new word or action...or even both! Her new thing is giving high-fives, and she'll even try to get one from the cat. Kitty's not much into giving high-fives -- she's just chillin' on the carpet when my girl runs up to her, left hand forward saying, "vive" (she hasn't mastered the "f" sound yet ...and she doesn't know that the cat can't give high-fives.). Quite endearing even if the sounds are off or the accents aren't on the right syllables, and somehow, in that little brain of hers, she still figures it out. Amazing.

Getting Shots "Like a Big Girl"...or Not

Baby girl went for her 15-month well visit, and she's a tiny thing -- for the past 3 well visits, the doctor's said, "She's just petite." I don't know why he keeps reminding the barely 5 feet tall mama that her girl will probably be petite.

I knew Baby girl would be getting a few shots today, unfortunately. I did get the doctor to hold off on the chicken pox, at least for a few months; I'm not really seeing the need for the chicken pox vaccine and would like to research it a bit more -- what are your thoughts on it?
Anyway, the nurse comes back with some kind of booster, the MMR, and the flu vaccines, and she proceeds to inform me that Baby girl will take them in her arm since she's now a "big girl." I look down at Baby girl, and she has tiny arms, unlike her chunky thighs, which were made for shots. So the nurse explains where the shots are administered in the arm, and I attempt the "hold" position (horribly, I might add, that the nurse asks if she should get someone else to hold my baby. Um....the child will be screaming as is, and to have a stranger hold her?!?)

Anyway, she's still my baby -- she got her shots, in her thighs.

Stop It!

I'm just not right in the head much too often! On Saturday, I had to go to the post office to get a package, and since I'd be out, I decided to run to CVS and Meijer to make quick trips.

Baby girl and I make it just fine to the post office and to CVS, but Meijer was difficult...and it wasn't the store's fault -- it was mine because I forgot it was Labor Day weekend. No big deal ... because I figured out how to use the $5/5 Kraft cheese coupon and get the $5 catalina without buying 10 blocks of chunk cheese (we decided that we cannot possibly eat 10 blocks of cheese without growing our own antibiotics in the process.). But I didn't realize that coupon would be a blessing and a curse; unbeknownst to me, the manger has to approve the coupon, and as I waited, the baby girl decided to dig in her bag of no-no tricks again -- she had opened the bag in the Nabisco aisle. We did make it out of the store just fine, and thankfully the perfectly breezy 76F degree temperature and sunshine helped to level out my chemical imbalances and mood.

But oh, I hugely fail to realize that I no longer can make quick trips! Why can I not remember this!

Mom-5 : Baby-0

In an earlier post, I documented my goal to exercise at the gym, placing the baby in childcare, 2-3 times a week. Previously I struggled with my own excuses and also the strong protests of my one-year-old, embarrassed to even try childcare, but I'm doing it! Since my post, we've made it 5 times, and I haven't had my name called over the loud speaker!

And the little one is so much better! (You experienced moms knew she'd come around!) Today there was only one childcare worker with 5+ kids, two of them 1 and under, and she's was already holding a baby; as I dropped my girl off, I somewhat discouragingly thought I'd have to take her home early. So I decided to peek in on her 6 minutes later, not 10 . . . and she was actually playing! I continued to exercise in view of the monitor, and sure enough, she'd toddle around, this tiny frame, with dark hair and white shoes! When I picked her up, I got the great report: she cried for a minute, but didn't need the reassurance of the childcare worker, unlike her previous times, and got it together and just played and explored! I'm so proud of her!
Now if I can only get the baby fat off my belly...

It doesn't get any easier...

Last Thursday, I was living it up, eating Cheesecake Factory Kahlua-tastes-so-awesome-that-I-can't-remember-the-name-cheesecake for 90% off and catching up with a friend. Recently she's been more deliberate about losing weight, and I briefly described the difficulties/excuses I've had with exercising regularly -- the irony of eating chessecake and discussing exercise! But she said those words...."You know, it doesn't get any easier." Yeah, I know that, but I don't really want to believe it!

Before I was married, I would go to the gym 3-4 times a week, and I enjoyed exercise and the way I felt during and after exercise. During my first two years of marriage, and even though my entire pregnancy, I was still at the gym 2-3 times a week, still proud of my accomplishments, though not too grand. After my daughter was born, I was at the gym 1-2 times a month (on a good month), and I'm not satisfied with that.

Finding time and wondering how my baby girl will do in the childcare is tough for me. I make all sorts of excuses about where I'd like to go for the day, and often the gym is neglected. But those excuses come after wondering 1. how will my daughter do in childcare and 2. how will the employees of the gym react to her. But I think she's been making progress as she's gotten older. . . now that she's one.

So last night, I decided that I WILL go to the gym 2-3 times a week, even if every single time I hear my name, followed by "Go to childcare," echo through the gym and hope no one notices that I'm sheepishly going to get my crying child.

You know you're a mommy when...

Note to self: do not wear silky fabrics with a toddler in hand.

We were able to attend a beautiful and classy wedding this weekend in DC. The church actually had a handicapped accessible area where we were seated, which gave the kids an extra pew's depth to walk/crawl about. My little one and her counterpart did well during the ceremony -- surprisingly it's a bit of a blur to me now, but I don't remember any major meltdowns, so I'd consider it a good day! But mommy moments never take a vacation. As my friend and I were seated at the reception and talking, we noticed little stains on the bottom of our dresses...little handprint smudges of mashed up cheerios and milk and drool. The culprits: the two 13 month-olds. Still wouldn't trade it for the world....even though I have yet to launder my dress...

What's that smell?!?

You know what this is about! Smells...it could only be...of course, the number 2! But is it possible to smell the stench when it's in another room and the door is closed?!?

I put baby girl down for a nap this afternoon and return to checking my email, listening to her play, talk, and then cry. The crying is for one of two reasons -- 1. she doesn't want to sleep and will do anything to get back to playing with me or 2. she's done #2 in the privacy of her room. I know we've done the dirty deed for today, so I'm figuring she's just fighting sleep, like she often likes to do. So I finish checking my email and move on to creatively wrapping a present -- I actually found a gift bag to fit, but was planning on stamping a brown grocery bag and using that for gift wrap so I don't have to go out and buy some! But then my nose detects something odd -- some times I think I hear things or smell things -- motherhood has made me somewhat delusional. But I decide to check on her anyways, knowing that if I'm wrong, we might lose our nap time. As I crack her room door open, my senses confirm my delusions, and I'm left wondering about the power of that smell!

***Update: she's clean and asleep....and I have a few moments to myself! ***

Friends =)

I had the opportunity to get together with friends today, and it's just amazing what positive interaction does for one's heart! We were made for interaction. The big girls had some girl time to just sit and talk as the little ones played. And I took a moment to sit back and watch the kids play -- a couple of three-year-olds finding new uses for old toys, with the two-year-old trying to keep up, the one-year-old dabbling in everything, and the 11-month-olds enthralled by all the excitement happening around them.
Some times I like to just take little break and observe, almost letting my mind capture the moments like a camera. And now as I clean up and prepare for tomorrow, these little snapshots bring much joy. I'm so thankful for my friends.