I had a hard time deciding what Abby should be for Halloween. I'm sure she would be fine with anything, but I wanted it to be something that fit her. I loved the idea of her being Cookie Monster, but she's not big in Sesame Street yet, and I was afraid that she wouldn't want to wear the cookie monster hood, making her then just a blue blob. (I also was concerned about the temperature, because it has been known to be hot on halloween).
I thought about making her a cat. She loves cats. But I didn't like any of the cat costumes I saw.
She recently has become interested in watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She asks for "Minnie Mouse". So it seemed fitting to dress her as minnie mouse.
She did great wanting to wear the costume. She even knew she had to keep the ears on. We practiced for weeks to say Trick or Treat.
She got good experience the day before at Daycare. They did a dress up day and trick or treated from classroom to classroom. She seemed to enjoy it and was ready for Halloween.
We got dressed in the costume a little early. I was afraid it would be on too long and she would want to take it off before we even got to Brown Avenue, but she did great. We had to dress in layers because it was chilly. But she didn't seem to mind the extras.
We started at First Baptist, trunk or treat. It was more for show and tell than for candy getting. Shirley had a great time taking her from car to car, showing her off. She enjoyed riding the train around the parking lot. I was impressed that she patiently waited her turn. Then she got on with no problems and rode around without a peep.
We walked up Brown Avenue to a few houses. I wasn't going to bother going to all of them. I just wanted the people who know her to see her. She was very shy, but smiled and seemed to enjoy it.
She loved getting candy in her pumpkin and enjoyed eating it at the end of the night. Joejee also enjoyed eating the candy that she got.
Its fun watching her grow and enjoy these holiday events more. Its making me very excited for Christmas.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
T-I-G-E-R-S
Every year, the rowing alumni plans a weekend to get together. Last year, after the Georgia game was a disaster with Abby, I opted out. But this year, I was determined to go, and show her off.
I worried leading up to the day that she wouldn't be able to handle it. Its a long day for anyone, and I couldn't imagine how it would be for a toddler. The game was a 3:30, so that meant she probably wouldn't take a nap.
She did sleep some on the ride there. It took us just under an hour to get there, so she did get some sleep in. Thankfully this year, the weather was nicer to us. It was cool and breezy. We were able to get by with pants and long sleeves and be comfortable.
Abby learned quickly where all the sweet snacks were at the tailgate. She ate more cookies, cupcakes, and brownies that day, but she was being content, so I let it go.
She travelled well from tailgate to tailgate. She looked so cute in her cheerleader outfit. She got many comments from many fans.
I was worried that she wouldn't like the noise in the stadium. But, she did very well. She even started to dance to the music of the band. She would clap along and jump up and down.
I could tell she was tired, but she was holding on. She would put her head down every once in a while, but the noise would start up and she would perk up.
We ended up leaving around 8, and she was asleep before we even got off campus.
I couldn't have been happier at how good she was and how easy she made it. Joejee was also there to help and that made it easier too. Abby really enjoyed having Bubbie along for the adventure.
It makes me thankful that I have the ability to do something like this. It isn't that far for us so its easy to get up and go. And we have many friends who are there, so we can spend the day travelling around and not feel tied down to one place.
I'm already looking forward to next year!
I worried leading up to the day that she wouldn't be able to handle it. Its a long day for anyone, and I couldn't imagine how it would be for a toddler. The game was a 3:30, so that meant she probably wouldn't take a nap.
She did sleep some on the ride there. It took us just under an hour to get there, so she did get some sleep in. Thankfully this year, the weather was nicer to us. It was cool and breezy. We were able to get by with pants and long sleeves and be comfortable.
Abby learned quickly where all the sweet snacks were at the tailgate. She ate more cookies, cupcakes, and brownies that day, but she was being content, so I let it go.
She travelled well from tailgate to tailgate. She looked so cute in her cheerleader outfit. She got many comments from many fans.
I was worried that she wouldn't like the noise in the stadium. But, she did very well. She even started to dance to the music of the band. She would clap along and jump up and down.
I could tell she was tired, but she was holding on. She would put her head down every once in a while, but the noise would start up and she would perk up.
We ended up leaving around 8, and she was asleep before we even got off campus.
I couldn't have been happier at how good she was and how easy she made it. Joejee was also there to help and that made it easier too. Abby really enjoyed having Bubbie along for the adventure.
It makes me thankful that I have the ability to do something like this. It isn't that far for us so its easy to get up and go. And we have many friends who are there, so we can spend the day travelling around and not feel tied down to one place.
I'm already looking forward to next year!
HFM
We have been doing so good about not getting sick. But, its getting to be that time of year.
Two of Abby's classmates had been out, so I knew something was up. And we would most likely catch it.
And, we did.
I got a call Friday morning that Abby wasn't well and I needed to come get her. They said she was fussy and had several sores in her mouth.
Ewww...
So I knew it was probably Hand, Foot, and Mouth.
I left work. Called the pediatrician on the way and left a message, wanting to know does she need to come in, or what should we do.
I have to say that I'm very pleased with the pediatricians office. They are always very good about returning your phone calls. It takes me 20 minutes to get from work to the daycare and she called me back before I got there.
She told me, it sounded like HFM, and at that point there wasn't anything we could do except let it run its course. Since the blisters had already shown up, the virus was out of her system. We just needed to make sure she was drinking and wetting. She could have ibuprofen as needed for discomfort.
I picked Abby up and she seemed herself. She was excited to be going home with Mommy. She had been drooling a lot, but she's cutting her eye teeth, so I suspected that's what it was. I never looked around her gums, but sure enough there were several red spots. She was a little warm, but no fever.
She ate lunch at home and took a good nap. She was peppy and perky the rest of the weekend. She didn't show any signs of blisters on her hands or feet. Although they say it could take a few days to appear, so I keep checking.
She didn't like eating her pizza or ketchup, but everything else seemed ok to her. She did show me she had a new ulcer on the side of her mouth. I encouraged her to drink her milk to soothe it and try to chew on the other side.
Its just one more thing we can mark off that we've gotten. And that we've survived.
Two of Abby's classmates had been out, so I knew something was up. And we would most likely catch it.
And, we did.
I got a call Friday morning that Abby wasn't well and I needed to come get her. They said she was fussy and had several sores in her mouth.
Ewww...
So I knew it was probably Hand, Foot, and Mouth.
I left work. Called the pediatrician on the way and left a message, wanting to know does she need to come in, or what should we do.
I have to say that I'm very pleased with the pediatricians office. They are always very good about returning your phone calls. It takes me 20 minutes to get from work to the daycare and she called me back before I got there.
She told me, it sounded like HFM, and at that point there wasn't anything we could do except let it run its course. Since the blisters had already shown up, the virus was out of her system. We just needed to make sure she was drinking and wetting. She could have ibuprofen as needed for discomfort.
I picked Abby up and she seemed herself. She was excited to be going home with Mommy. She had been drooling a lot, but she's cutting her eye teeth, so I suspected that's what it was. I never looked around her gums, but sure enough there were several red spots. She was a little warm, but no fever.
She ate lunch at home and took a good nap. She was peppy and perky the rest of the weekend. She didn't show any signs of blisters on her hands or feet. Although they say it could take a few days to appear, so I keep checking.
She didn't like eating her pizza or ketchup, but everything else seemed ok to her. She did show me she had a new ulcer on the side of her mouth. I encouraged her to drink her milk to soothe it and try to chew on the other side.
Its just one more thing we can mark off that we've gotten. And that we've survived.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Biological Warfare
Gene and I were at an event Saturday night. A friend of ours came up to talk to us. We are in several circles together, we see each other often, we've even vacationed together. But, we aren't BFF's, but good friends.
He, of course, thinks Abby is an angel. And asks about her all the time. So he asked when we were going to have another one. I tell him we seem kinda busy with the two that we have. He then tries to say that doesn't count. Abby needs a sibling. And I tell him, she has one.
And then he says it...
You need to have another biological child.
***record screeches***
Excuse me?
I look at Gene and he is just as dumbfounded as me. So he can see I'm upset. That this man thinks that Joejee isn't MY son. So Gene tries to smooth things over and he repeats the same thing to Gene.
WTF!
Just because Joejee isn't genetically Gene's, he is still his son 100%. And this educated douchebag should know better.
But wait.. it gets better.
So then he starts joking with us say, "It wasn't that bad was it?" Suggesting maybe my reasoning for not bearing more children was related to Abby being a bad baby.
At that point Gene walked away. Making an excuse for something. Just to get away. I needed to too.
No, Abby was not a terrible baby. But getting there was a terrible experience. One I'm not willing to do again. Or even get on and "see what happens". And there are several other reasons on why we are choosing not to have more. And it's none of anyones business.
I know his wife would be appalled if she knew what she said. She couldn't have biological children herself. They went down the fertility road, but never went past the front gate because it was decided that her step children were enough for her. I know this because she's shared it openly with a group of women years ago.
Not many friends know of our struggles, and that's something that will change as time goes on. Those wounds are healing, so I'm getting more comfortable with sharing. But it still hurts to be reminded of it.
He, of course, thinks Abby is an angel. And asks about her all the time. So he asked when we were going to have another one. I tell him we seem kinda busy with the two that we have. He then tries to say that doesn't count. Abby needs a sibling. And I tell him, she has one.
And then he says it...
You need to have another biological child.
***record screeches***
Excuse me?
I look at Gene and he is just as dumbfounded as me. So he can see I'm upset. That this man thinks that Joejee isn't MY son. So Gene tries to smooth things over and he repeats the same thing to Gene.
WTF!
Just because Joejee isn't genetically Gene's, he is still his son 100%. And this educated douchebag should know better.
But wait.. it gets better.
So then he starts joking with us say, "It wasn't that bad was it?" Suggesting maybe my reasoning for not bearing more children was related to Abby being a bad baby.
At that point Gene walked away. Making an excuse for something. Just to get away. I needed to too.
No, Abby was not a terrible baby. But getting there was a terrible experience. One I'm not willing to do again. Or even get on and "see what happens". And there are several other reasons on why we are choosing not to have more. And it's none of anyones business.
I know his wife would be appalled if she knew what she said. She couldn't have biological children herself. They went down the fertility road, but never went past the front gate because it was decided that her step children were enough for her. I know this because she's shared it openly with a group of women years ago.
Not many friends know of our struggles, and that's something that will change as time goes on. Those wounds are healing, so I'm getting more comfortable with sharing. But it still hurts to be reminded of it.
Accidental Poop
We are in the beginning phases of potty training. I think she is really ready, but I'm having a hard time finding a weekend where we can commit to it. I think she will be quick, but I want the freedom to not have a commitment at all to deter us.
But, we practice on the potty a lot. She knows she gets a treat if she pee pees. And she is learning that she doesn't get the treat if she doesn't pee pee. Before and after bath, we practice on the potty. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she just plays. Tuesday was a play day. Before the bath, no success. After the bath, she was a little more focused. I could tell she was trying hard. She would bear down and then pop up and exclaim she pee peed, only to show me an empty potty.
Then it happened....
I could see her pushing hard and I heard it. She popped up and looked at the potty. What she saw was frightening to her. But I was overly excited. Abby pooped in the potty! And, she had no idea what that brown stuff was. She was genuinely scared of it. But I continued to do the potty dance and get excited. I told her she gets two treats (M&M's) for going poopy on the potty. She gladly took those without further question.
I thought about it after she went to bed. Why would she be scared of poop? I realized, she had never seen it before. She poops in her diaper. We lay her down, clean up her bum, and toss the diaper away. We don't show her the poop. She's never played with her poop (knock on wood). So I guess I would be startled too if I saw a little brown squishy thing in the potty when I was expecting liquid.
I'm hoping she won't be scared it anymore and this will make potty training even easier.
But, we practice on the potty a lot. She knows she gets a treat if she pee pees. And she is learning that she doesn't get the treat if she doesn't pee pee. Before and after bath, we practice on the potty. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she just plays. Tuesday was a play day. Before the bath, no success. After the bath, she was a little more focused. I could tell she was trying hard. She would bear down and then pop up and exclaim she pee peed, only to show me an empty potty.
Then it happened....
I could see her pushing hard and I heard it. She popped up and looked at the potty. What she saw was frightening to her. But I was overly excited. Abby pooped in the potty! And, she had no idea what that brown stuff was. She was genuinely scared of it. But I continued to do the potty dance and get excited. I told her she gets two treats (M&M's) for going poopy on the potty. She gladly took those without further question.
I thought about it after she went to bed. Why would she be scared of poop? I realized, she had never seen it before. She poops in her diaper. We lay her down, clean up her bum, and toss the diaper away. We don't show her the poop. She's never played with her poop (knock on wood). So I guess I would be startled too if I saw a little brown squishy thing in the potty when I was expecting liquid.
I'm hoping she won't be scared it anymore and this will make potty training even easier.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Memory
The other night Abby and I were hanging out. All of a sudden she starts screeching "eeeee" "eeeeee"
"Mad-son.. eee.. eee.."
I asked her, "Madison says eeee?
And she repeats herself.
So I ask again... "Does Madison say eeee?
And she shook her head yes and made the awful sound again.
Ok kid.. you're just weird.
So when I dropped her off the next morning, I asked about it. The topic came up and I took the opportunity to clear things up. They told me that Madison does screech when she sees her cousins get off the after school bus. She doesn't do it any other time, but she does it every time she sees them.
I couldn't believe Abby was telling me a true story. It seemed really strange, but I was impressed that she remembered something. Or that she could tell me about something that occurred that day.
I guess I need to start paying more attention to the things she says!
"Mad-son.. eee.. eee.."
I asked her, "Madison says eeee?
And she repeats herself.
So I ask again... "Does Madison say eeee?
And she shook her head yes and made the awful sound again.
Ok kid.. you're just weird.
So when I dropped her off the next morning, I asked about it. The topic came up and I took the opportunity to clear things up. They told me that Madison does screech when she sees her cousins get off the after school bus. She doesn't do it any other time, but she does it every time she sees them.
I couldn't believe Abby was telling me a true story. It seemed really strange, but I was impressed that she remembered something. Or that she could tell me about something that occurred that day.
I guess I need to start paying more attention to the things she says!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Can't really complain
We have seem to fallen in to a well oiled routine. Days come and go, and when I look back, its hard to believe so much time has passed.
I'm continually amazed at how much Abby changes day to day. Her vocabulary is becoming more and more diverse. She is making sentences. She can communicate. We can communicate. Its still difficult at times, but I'm learning to speak toddlerese as she is learning to speak English. She asks for hugs which I will always stop what I'm doing to give because I want her to always to want to give them to me.
She is full of life. She loves to imitate things. She makes animal sounds. She dances to music, or when she sees dancing on tv. She plays with her toys and is creative. She loves to read books. Lots and lots of books.
She is learning to follow commands. She knows how to clean up. Her chore is to help get Woody food. She loves to place his bowl on the ground. She knows dirty cups and plates go in the dishwasher.
She is beginning to show interest in the potty. Most of the time she can sit on the potty and go. I've started to reward going potty with M&M's. I just got a new box of diapers, so when this one gets near the end, I might think about going cold turkey and potty train! :/
She still is a good eater. Although her tastes change from day to day. Last week she couldn't get enough yogurt. This week, she won't touch it. But she loves toast with jelly. She still loves green beans. And cookies. She is a cookie monster. Although she is learning that you can't have all the cookies you want. I do know that when she asks to give Woody a cookie, that she expects to get one too! Sometimes its ok to spoil your dinner, right?!?!
And, knock on wood, she is a great sleeper. Because its starting to get dark earlier, or she is getting more worn out, bedtime has crept back up to 8:15, and slowly moving closer to 8:00. (Which I really enjoy!) She has had no problems collecting her loveys, saying good night, and going to bed. She might roll around in the bed for a while, but she never says a peep. Very rarely does she wake at night, and then it just takes a paci to put her back to sleep. We've also found giving her some extra time to wake up in the morning also helps her mood. She enjoys hanging out in the bed with Daddy watching "artoons" like a big girl.
Its not perfect all the time. We don't live in Utopia. She is becoming comfortable with the terrible twos. She can have a fit. And its usually over nonsense. Its funny to watch her collapse on the floor or shed tear after crocodile tear. She knows what time out is and sometimes when she's upset she will go to time out on her own. We hug it out afterward and she goes on with her day like nothing has changed.
Being a parent it amazing. Its not always easy, and its not always fun, but I'll take it.
I'm continually amazed at how much Abby changes day to day. Her vocabulary is becoming more and more diverse. She is making sentences. She can communicate. We can communicate. Its still difficult at times, but I'm learning to speak toddlerese as she is learning to speak English. She asks for hugs which I will always stop what I'm doing to give because I want her to always to want to give them to me.
She is full of life. She loves to imitate things. She makes animal sounds. She dances to music, or when she sees dancing on tv. She plays with her toys and is creative. She loves to read books. Lots and lots of books.
She is learning to follow commands. She knows how to clean up. Her chore is to help get Woody food. She loves to place his bowl on the ground. She knows dirty cups and plates go in the dishwasher.
She is beginning to show interest in the potty. Most of the time she can sit on the potty and go. I've started to reward going potty with M&M's. I just got a new box of diapers, so when this one gets near the end, I might think about going cold turkey and potty train! :/
She still is a good eater. Although her tastes change from day to day. Last week she couldn't get enough yogurt. This week, she won't touch it. But she loves toast with jelly. She still loves green beans. And cookies. She is a cookie monster. Although she is learning that you can't have all the cookies you want. I do know that when she asks to give Woody a cookie, that she expects to get one too! Sometimes its ok to spoil your dinner, right?!?!
And, knock on wood, she is a great sleeper. Because its starting to get dark earlier, or she is getting more worn out, bedtime has crept back up to 8:15, and slowly moving closer to 8:00. (Which I really enjoy!) She has had no problems collecting her loveys, saying good night, and going to bed. She might roll around in the bed for a while, but she never says a peep. Very rarely does she wake at night, and then it just takes a paci to put her back to sleep. We've also found giving her some extra time to wake up in the morning also helps her mood. She enjoys hanging out in the bed with Daddy watching "artoons" like a big girl.
Its not perfect all the time. We don't live in Utopia. She is becoming comfortable with the terrible twos. She can have a fit. And its usually over nonsense. Its funny to watch her collapse on the floor or shed tear after crocodile tear. She knows what time out is and sometimes when she's upset she will go to time out on her own. We hug it out afterward and she goes on with her day like nothing has changed.
Being a parent it amazing. Its not always easy, and its not always fun, but I'll take it.
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