All aboard!
I *think* we are getting potty trained! We have had several days in a row wearing underwear during the day with no accidents, even at school, and even pooping in the potty. I don't want to jinx it by declaring it a done deal, because this kid keeps us on our toes in all other areas, and I expect her to hold out on us with this too. But, so far, so good.
It helps that she can't wear pull-ups to school. She went through 3-4 school days with 1 or 2 accidents a day, and then a couple of days with no accidents at all! Once she went to school, we just went all underwear during the day at home too. It's been messy, but less and less messy every day.
She seems to have an enthusiasm for it lately, which is good. It just gets a little pesky when we're out in public and she wants to use the potty several times just for sport. She just trickles out a little pee and then she wants to do the whole routine of getting toilet paper, flushing, washing hands, and in the process she touches every surface available. It's gross, just thinking about all those nasty germs!
Then, ten minutes later she wants to go again, because she can! Who am I to rain on this parade? It's all part of the process, and soon she'll discover that going to the bathroom is quite dull and only done when really necessary. Until then, lots of hand sanitizer.
The pull-ups at night seem kind of silly now, because she often wakes up dry. She waits until morning to pee in the potty. I'm keeping the pull-ups for the time being, because sometimes she sleeps in my bed, and I don't even want to think about an accident there. It has happened, but only once, and once is quite enough of that business.
It's a pretty cool milestone unfolding around here. All parties are excited!
Now, to get rid of that binky...
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
Halloween Report
Halloween was a huge production this year. It had ups and downs. I'm thrilled to be able to experience this through the eyes of a 3-year-old, but, oh, man, the life of a 3-year-old can be dramatic, exhausting and a little spazzy.
Highlights:
- Hunting for and carving pumpkins!
- Super fun preschool party with all her new classmates and her new best friend, Miss Heather
- The spooky soundtrack that Daddy played. She loved it so much she woke up the next day asking repeatedly for the "ghost songs". They creep me out, but this little lady can't get enough.
- A and J decorated the house and yard with vampires, bats, ghosts and lights
- Making cookies together for Daddy!
Lowlights:
- Under no circumstance would she don the adorable bear costume we got for her. Not when she's at a party with all of her other dressed-up classmates, not with the promise of trick-or-treating (and candy!), not with me dressed up in my bear costume, and certainly not when J tried to beg, plead, bargain, cajole and otherwise influence her. She wasn't having it. "No, I'm good.", she would say. Uh, ok...
- Thus, no going around the neighborhood "scaring" the neighbors in our bear costumes, as planned. More of a bummer for me than for her, clearly.
- Way. Too. Many. Sweets.
- Squirrels munched on our pumpkins! What the hell?
All-in-all a fun and interesting experience. I'm up for many more years of Halloween with my favorite original, headstrong and hilarious girl.
Highlights:
- Hunting for and carving pumpkins!
- Super fun preschool party with all her new classmates and her new best friend, Miss Heather
- The spooky soundtrack that Daddy played. She loved it so much she woke up the next day asking repeatedly for the "ghost songs". They creep me out, but this little lady can't get enough.
- A and J decorated the house and yard with vampires, bats, ghosts and lights
- Making cookies together for Daddy!
Lowlights:
- Under no circumstance would she don the adorable bear costume we got for her. Not when she's at a party with all of her other dressed-up classmates, not with the promise of trick-or-treating (and candy!), not with me dressed up in my bear costume, and certainly not when J tried to beg, plead, bargain, cajole and otherwise influence her. She wasn't having it. "No, I'm good.", she would say. Uh, ok...
- Thus, no going around the neighborhood "scaring" the neighbors in our bear costumes, as planned. More of a bummer for me than for her, clearly.
- Way. Too. Many. Sweets.
- Squirrels munched on our pumpkins! What the hell?
All-in-all a fun and interesting experience. I'm up for many more years of Halloween with my favorite original, headstrong and hilarious girl.
It's November. Finally!
Last month was a doozy, particularly the last week of it.
I made it through two hosting two toddler parties with house guests, school photos for the first time, doctor visit + flu mist, ridiculous lack of sense and miscommunication on multiple huge budget projects, Halloween - parties and battles, and first day of preschool. Where to begin?
Two parties is a shit ton of money and work, I'm not gonna lie, but after it was all done, it was the right call. The parties were smaller each, and more pleasant. The girl enjoyed herself at each one and was able to really spend time with people. The elders require a more formal host situation, and my friends require more social time, so this way I could do both.
I don't know if I'd do it again because I was double dog tired afterward, like, exhausted to the max. When I was cleaning up after the second one, and J was kicking back watching football and he sauntered into the kitchen announcing that he was hungry, he nearly lost his life. It's not good to be pushed that far, by any means, but the overall experience was more enjoyable for A, and that's the reason for the season. In the end, I'm happy if she's happy.
School photos went awesome. We had the expected clothes battle, but finally agreed on something adorable (a new sweater from her Aunt Amy). She smiled at the right times and looked like a little angel.
She loves going to the doctor for some reason, and she didn't even flinch or frown when they poked her finger to test for iron. She even thanked the nurse afterward.
On her first day of preschool, she didn't seem nervous at all. Not like me who was trying to remember a million details and forgetting half of them. We had been talking about it all week, and once we got into the school, she just marched right into her class and didn't look back. The report was that she had a great time, fit right in, marched down the hall as the line leader, took a two hour nap (WHAT THE HELL???) and made lots of friends. She was happy to see us, but she didn't want to leave either until we promised she could come back.
An overall positive week, but I'll be happy to have no significant milestones next week. Unless she decides to potty train. I'd be up for that one!
I made it through two hosting two toddler parties with house guests, school photos for the first time, doctor visit + flu mist, ridiculous lack of sense and miscommunication on multiple huge budget projects, Halloween - parties and battles, and first day of preschool. Where to begin?
Two parties is a shit ton of money and work, I'm not gonna lie, but after it was all done, it was the right call. The parties were smaller each, and more pleasant. The girl enjoyed herself at each one and was able to really spend time with people. The elders require a more formal host situation, and my friends require more social time, so this way I could do both.
I don't know if I'd do it again because I was double dog tired afterward, like, exhausted to the max. When I was cleaning up after the second one, and J was kicking back watching football and he sauntered into the kitchen announcing that he was hungry, he nearly lost his life. It's not good to be pushed that far, by any means, but the overall experience was more enjoyable for A, and that's the reason for the season. In the end, I'm happy if she's happy.
School photos went awesome. We had the expected clothes battle, but finally agreed on something adorable (a new sweater from her Aunt Amy). She smiled at the right times and looked like a little angel.
She loves going to the doctor for some reason, and she didn't even flinch or frown when they poked her finger to test for iron. She even thanked the nurse afterward.
On her first day of preschool, she didn't seem nervous at all. Not like me who was trying to remember a million details and forgetting half of them. We had been talking about it all week, and once we got into the school, she just marched right into her class and didn't look back. The report was that she had a great time, fit right in, marched down the hall as the line leader, took a two hour nap (WHAT THE HELL???) and made lots of friends. She was happy to see us, but she didn't want to leave either until we promised she could come back.
An overall positive week, but I'll be happy to have no significant milestones next week. Unless she decides to potty train. I'd be up for that one!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Famous Bath Time Sayings
Here are some super fun things I've heard in the bath lately:
Can you brush duck's teeth, and octopus's teeth too?
(Putting some soap on the washcloth) I'm going to wash the cloth's hair!
(Jumping up and down on the mat after getting out of the tub) I'm a cuddlebug! I'm a pickle!
And, my favorite dialog, maybe of all time:
A: What can I do in the tub? Can I poop in the tub?
Me: NO!
A: Can I hop in the tub?
Me: Uh, no. Absolutely not.
A: (hanging head in mock sadness) Oh. (brightens up) Can I meow in the tub?
Me: Yes! You can meow all you want to!
No meowing. End of conversation. Just fact finding I guess.
Bath time is a real party around here!
Can you brush duck's teeth, and octopus's teeth too?
(Putting some soap on the washcloth) I'm going to wash the cloth's hair!
(Jumping up and down on the mat after getting out of the tub) I'm a cuddlebug! I'm a pickle!
And, my favorite dialog, maybe of all time:
A: What can I do in the tub? Can I poop in the tub?
Me: NO!
A: Can I hop in the tub?
Me: Uh, no. Absolutely not.
A: (hanging head in mock sadness) Oh. (brightens up) Can I meow in the tub?
Me: Yes! You can meow all you want to!
No meowing. End of conversation. Just fact finding I guess.
Bath time is a real party around here!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Just Let Me Get Through The Next 9 Days
There is so much going on right now that it's hard to even collect my thoughts. Most of the big events revolve around A. We're preparing for her first launch into the world, and we are all three amped up and anxious about it.
She said goodbye to her beloved babysitter this week, as she'll be starting preschool at the end of next week. I don't think she knows that she won't be going over there regularly, like she's done for 2 1/2 of her 3 years in this world. She doesn't know what it's like to miss people, or experiences. She has no idea what she's in for, but she knows something is different.
I wish that situation could just go on forever, because it was perfect. I knew she was being cared for by someone who loved her, and she had the great fortune of getting socialized with two other great kids who just happened to be her second cousins too. But schedules change, situations change and evolution is necessary, so we're moving on to something new.
I think she's ready for preschool. I think she's going to do wonderfully in a structured environment, learning all kinds of new and exciting things, with lots of other kids to learn to get along with. But, honestly, we are anxious for many reasons.
She's been having some crazy outbursts lately. Lots of bull-headed resistance to regular, every day things, like, putting on pants, going outside, or staying in her damn bed at night. Not to mention, her sleep pattern is just messed up. Still waking up in the middle of the night, still staying up as long as she can. She's killing us, but she's also not getting enough rest, hence the out-of-control behavior. Luckily, this usually happens in the afternoon, so hopefully she'll be home by the time the cork pops off so her preschool teacher doesn't know that we are failures at getting our child to sleep.
Preschool is a place where time is limited, so what's going to happen when she decides she doesn't want to so something different at that particular moment? Will she freak out, or will she adapt? We shall see. I'm pulling for her. Is she going to read out loud at the top of her lungs during quiet time, or is she actually going to give her teacher a break? Yikes. Hopefully they won't throw my little monkey out of the zoo for insubordination. I don't know any other zookeepers that can make the time commitment we need.
Another milestone coming up is her third birthday. This year, two separate parties. One for family, that should be small and civilized, and one for friends that's going to be a wild rager. I don't know why I can't control myself with the old guest list. I feel like I need to go big, and it makes my life way, way more difficult. What was I thinking? (How can she be three already???)
And then there's school picture day (Will she let me comb her hair? Will she look at the camera? Will she insist on dressing like a crazy person?), her three year wellness check up at the doctor (No shots this round), and Halloween (they're taking bets in Vegas as to whether she will wear the bear costume that she asked for and that I spent a good deal of money on).
Things are hectic and stressful at work, and I'm not sure how I'm going to pull all this off. I will, for sure, and it's all going to be exciting and fun. But I'm gonna need a serious nap on November 2, and I'd better get it.
She said goodbye to her beloved babysitter this week, as she'll be starting preschool at the end of next week. I don't think she knows that she won't be going over there regularly, like she's done for 2 1/2 of her 3 years in this world. She doesn't know what it's like to miss people, or experiences. She has no idea what she's in for, but she knows something is different.
I wish that situation could just go on forever, because it was perfect. I knew she was being cared for by someone who loved her, and she had the great fortune of getting socialized with two other great kids who just happened to be her second cousins too. But schedules change, situations change and evolution is necessary, so we're moving on to something new.
I think she's ready for preschool. I think she's going to do wonderfully in a structured environment, learning all kinds of new and exciting things, with lots of other kids to learn to get along with. But, honestly, we are anxious for many reasons.
She's been having some crazy outbursts lately. Lots of bull-headed resistance to regular, every day things, like, putting on pants, going outside, or staying in her damn bed at night. Not to mention, her sleep pattern is just messed up. Still waking up in the middle of the night, still staying up as long as she can. She's killing us, but she's also not getting enough rest, hence the out-of-control behavior. Luckily, this usually happens in the afternoon, so hopefully she'll be home by the time the cork pops off so her preschool teacher doesn't know that we are failures at getting our child to sleep.
Preschool is a place where time is limited, so what's going to happen when she decides she doesn't want to so something different at that particular moment? Will she freak out, or will she adapt? We shall see. I'm pulling for her. Is she going to read out loud at the top of her lungs during quiet time, or is she actually going to give her teacher a break? Yikes. Hopefully they won't throw my little monkey out of the zoo for insubordination. I don't know any other zookeepers that can make the time commitment we need.
Another milestone coming up is her third birthday. This year, two separate parties. One for family, that should be small and civilized, and one for friends that's going to be a wild rager. I don't know why I can't control myself with the old guest list. I feel like I need to go big, and it makes my life way, way more difficult. What was I thinking? (How can she be three already???)
And then there's school picture day (Will she let me comb her hair? Will she look at the camera? Will she insist on dressing like a crazy person?), her three year wellness check up at the doctor (No shots this round), and Halloween (they're taking bets in Vegas as to whether she will wear the bear costume that she asked for and that I spent a good deal of money on).
Things are hectic and stressful at work, and I'm not sure how I'm going to pull all this off. I will, for sure, and it's all going to be exciting and fun. But I'm gonna need a serious nap on November 2, and I'd better get it.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Photo Show - Pumpkins & Animals
It's Fall! Best season of the whole year. Sweaters, boots, changing leaves, holidays, birthdays and pumpkins. Here are some photos from a pumpkin patch and animal farm we enjoyed today:
Behold the Rooster!
Mr. Peacock
Two Day Old Piglets
Gimme Some Food!
The Search
I don't know. Maybe crows were scared.
Pumpkin pile
More pumpkin pile
Thanks to Jessica for the great idea. We really enjoyed Fairbank Animal Farm and Pumpkin Patch!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Everything You Say
The sleep is looking better. We've had a few nights in the last week of sleeping through the night. Yay!
The behavior is looking better. More sleep = more happy all around.
We are now deep in the phase called Monkey See, Monkey Do, with a subtitle of Monkey Hear, Monkey Say.
For the most part, it's nothing but super cute. Seeing her do really sweet and affectionate things based on how she is treated is very encouraging. She holds her toddler mirror up to us and we see that we are actually doing some things right! We are making progress toward the main goal of raising a good human. Yay!
We also see behavior that I hope continues forever. She is the best helper around the house. We can't unload the dishwasher, do the dishes, sweep the floor or unload the groceries without her coming running from the other end of the house to help. And, she's actually pretty helpful! Keep it up, little lady. Mama likes a good helper, and Daddy's not always into it.
She is hanging on every word, even when we think she's not listening. We talk a lot around here, to each other, and to her, and she seems to have a great ability for language. She talks - all the time. She talks in full, multiple word sentences. She talks in past, present and future tense, in first, second and third person. She sounds out the letters of the alphabet. She can spell her name. Every day she says new words that we have no idea where they came from. Strangers can even mostly understand what she's saying. It's amazing, and impressive.
She has also repeated some words, in the correct context and with maximum impact, that she'd better never say in preschool or in front of anyone else. Words that bring deep shame into the hearts of her parents, who know it's wrong, but let them fly in front of her anyway. Words that will get her, and definitely her parents, the wrong kind of reputation. Words that leave us speechless, and that leave her extremely satisfied because she knows she just got away with it. She's a smart cookie, and the child of a couple of soon-to-be-reformed trucker mouths.
The first time the words come out in her sweet little voice, it's all we can do not to laugh because it's so adorable. But we can't encourage this, right? We are such hypocrites already. I've started to really watch it, and J has too. It makes language a little less fun around the house (cussing is fun!), but it's worth the sacrifice to raise a polite little person. We want her to start out that way, anyway.
The behavior is looking better. More sleep = more happy all around.
We are now deep in the phase called Monkey See, Monkey Do, with a subtitle of Monkey Hear, Monkey Say.
For the most part, it's nothing but super cute. Seeing her do really sweet and affectionate things based on how she is treated is very encouraging. She holds her toddler mirror up to us and we see that we are actually doing some things right! We are making progress toward the main goal of raising a good human. Yay!
We also see behavior that I hope continues forever. She is the best helper around the house. We can't unload the dishwasher, do the dishes, sweep the floor or unload the groceries without her coming running from the other end of the house to help. And, she's actually pretty helpful! Keep it up, little lady. Mama likes a good helper, and Daddy's not always into it.
She is hanging on every word, even when we think she's not listening. We talk a lot around here, to each other, and to her, and she seems to have a great ability for language. She talks - all the time. She talks in full, multiple word sentences. She talks in past, present and future tense, in first, second and third person. She sounds out the letters of the alphabet. She can spell her name. Every day she says new words that we have no idea where they came from. Strangers can even mostly understand what she's saying. It's amazing, and impressive.
She has also repeated some words, in the correct context and with maximum impact, that she'd better never say in preschool or in front of anyone else. Words that bring deep shame into the hearts of her parents, who know it's wrong, but let them fly in front of her anyway. Words that will get her, and definitely her parents, the wrong kind of reputation. Words that leave us speechless, and that leave her extremely satisfied because she knows she just got away with it. She's a smart cookie, and the child of a couple of soon-to-be-reformed trucker mouths.
The first time the words come out in her sweet little voice, it's all we can do not to laugh because it's so adorable. But we can't encourage this, right? We are such hypocrites already. I've started to really watch it, and J has too. It makes language a little less fun around the house (cussing is fun!), but it's worth the sacrifice to raise a polite little person. We want her to start out that way, anyway.
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