I LOVE this girl…

She’s silly, she’s funny and she’s mine! If I only ever have one child, I am truly blessed that God thought enough of me and Stephen to loan us Emily. Every day, even with it’s struggles and stesses, I find myself thankful. Thankful that I get to be this girl’s mommy. It is a challenge. There are some days that I really want to pull my hair out or find a corner to go suck my thumb in but it’s worth it.

She cracks me up! I should post more about some of the funny and cute things she says. I know it would make at least one person smile!

Here’s a few just from the past day or so:

Emily woke up very cranky from her nap yesterday. I put on some cartoons for her to help her wake up. There was part when they were singing about wiggling your body. I asked Emily if she wanted to wiggle. I could not understand what she said. I asked her again. “No thanks, Mommy. I resting.”

Last night we went to dinner. After dinner, she was able to slide her little butt through two chairs. She stood in front of our table and started shaking her money maker saying “I did it!!! I did it!!!!” It was so funny!!!!!!

She also sings about her best friends. Babby, Lucy, any toy she happens to have with her.

My mind is blank now. I usually am full of stories.

So I’ll just leave you with a few pictures.

My little breakfast buddy

All you need is friends

PS- Sorry the last two are sideways. I am too lazy to change them right now.

Cheap Entertainment

Wooden puzzle: $1
Watercolors: $1
20 – 30 minutes of entertainment: PRICELESS

 

I was perusing through Michael’s the other day. And I mean perusing. I was by myself, no one was bothering me, asking me for fruit snacks, going through my wallet. It was nice! But I digress. They have this nice aisle where everything is $1-$3. I found some really cute stuff that I need to go back for. On Sunday, I picked up a wooden puzzle and some watercolors.

I brought them out today so I could get a few things done before we met Grandma. The puzzle is cheap and broke a bit when Emily tried to break it apart but it was a dollar. The best part was that Emily had a great time painting it. Ok, so she enjoyed smearing the watercolors together. You got me! The whole watercolor concept was kind of lost on her but that’s ok. The puzzle turned out cute? and she had a good time. And I got the dishes done without a helper.

And that’s worth a thousand cheap puzzles to me!

I should mention…

I should mention that we have been going through the “I do it” stage for MONTHS!!! Her strong will has just gotten stronger! Emily is way too much like her daddy. She has to do things her way and the hard way. I have heard stories about Stephen when he was little and Emily is just as headstrong. I better get used to it and hope the teenage years are smooth. HAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I love my little girl more than anything in the world. She has taught me patience. Something I am still working on but getting a little better at!

Will I survive??

I do it.

Me. Me.

I try.

I can!!!!!!!!

I DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does this phase normally start now?? One of the girls I work with said she thought it didn’t start until 2 1/2 or 3. Well, we aren’t there yet!

How long does this phase normally last? Because I am not sure I am going to survive it!!!

It ranges from putting on clothes, coats, putting lids on cups, getting in the car seat and putting on shoes. And EVERYTHING in between. I could make a list a mile long of all the things that Miss Independent feels she needs to on her own.

I just have to take a deep breath and let her try. And help her out when she asks for help. She’ll never learn to do anything if she doesn’t try to do it on her own. It’s just frustrating and time consuming.

So until this phase is over, I need to make sure I am stocked up on paper towels, can count to 10 and have lots of extra time! Give me patience and strength.

Pocket Matching

I found this cute game in The Toddler’s Busy Book. I had been meaning to do it for some time with Emily but never got off my rear to get it ready because it takes a while to prepare.

• Items needed:
  Gift wrap or fabric in 4-6 different patterns and colors
  Scissors
  Posterboard, file folder or cardboard
  Glue
  Clear contact paper
  Utility knife
  Small index cards or pieces of some type of heavy paper or cardboard

Cut a pocket from each piece of gift-wrap. Glue it to the large piece of posterboard, leaving the top of the pocket open. Cover the posterboard with the contact paper. Slit open the top of each pocket with the utility knife. Cut gift-wrap rectangles that will fit in the pockets. Flue them to small index cards. You can cover them with contact paper too if you prefer.

Then it’s time for your todder to match!

Emily really likes this game, although it isn’t much of a challenge to her. I guess I should have done this quite a while though!

Stuck in a rut…

I haven’t had many entries this month. I am not really sure why. I think I am just stuck in a rut. A blah rut. Ever get like that? I am running out of ideas of things to do with Emily. I am tired and running on fumes.

I think part of it has to do with the weather. One day it will be nice and spring like and the next it’s parka weather again. Doesn’t do much for the psyche that’s for sure. There’s only so much gloom a person can handle before they find a corner to hide in.  **Here’s to spring. Hurry up!!**

What else is going on? Emily is officially cutting molars. Officially this time. Tooth buds poking through the skin and everything. What does that mean? A toddler who can go from sweet and cute to mean and grouchy in 2.5 seconds. A toddler who is clingy and needy. “I want you Mommy. I want YOU.” A toddler who would rather have her mommy even though her daddy is standing right there with open arms. And a mommy who is tired. A mommy who loves her little girl more than life but a mommy who needs some personal space!

We are also starting the very beginnings of potty training. We had a good run about a month ago poops in the potty. (You know you are a mom when you openly talk about pooping and peeing on the potty.) And then we went out of town for the funeral and stinks went back to the diaper. I shouldn’t even be talking about this! Jinxing it. Yesterday I put on a pull up. She had 2 accidents during the day. I am not sure how today went. She did go potty twice at the gym but now she’s at grandma’s. So we’ll see. I am not expecting her to be potty trained in a day but you have to start somewhere. I was hesitant about using pull ups and I might not for the long haul but so far so good. MM’s are wonderful motivators. Stickers and pennies- not so much! Wish us luck!

Last Friday Emily went on her first playdate without me. I was kind of sad in a way. A good way though. She has never been anywhere without me or family. She’s with my mother-in-law sometimes once a week for playdates and she has stayed with my sister before. But she has never gone anywhere else without me. My friend Julie has two children really close to Em’s age. C is one of Em’s best friends. It’s so cute when they see each other. Julie had one kid less on Friday at the gym so she asked if Em wanted to come home and play with her and C. Of course Em started jumping and squealing (when did she turn 12?). I couldn’t say no! I trust Julie 150% but Em had never been away from me. She did GREAT! She didn’t want to leave when I got there to pick her up. Obviously, I don’t give her enough credit! I stayed and chatted for a bit. When I told her that it was time to go home for a nap she said “No. I sleep on C’s bed.” Nope. Not ready for a sleep over! Nice try kiddo!

So that’s it in a nutshell. Hopefully the weather will turn and this blah will go away. Send me some energy would you?

Birthday Wishes for my hubby

Stephen celebrated his birthday yesterday. His 33rd birthday to be exact!

We met his parents and sister for a birthday lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Yum! Afterwards, we came back to our house for ice cream cake and presents. Poor Stephen. He had a hard time really knowing what he got because presents were being passed out by the present police. Open a present, no looking to see what it is, open another present. If you take too long the present will be opened for you. Apparently, we need to work on patience with the toddler! Otherwise by the time my birthday rolls around she’ll just open them herself!

By the time we were ready for cake Emily was at melt down. We attempted a family photo but that was a joke! Poor girl was a mess. I rocked her and read her a story before we ate. She looked at me and said “I need a nap mommy”. And that, my friends, is when you know your child is tired. When she asks for a nap. She didn’t even want cake!

We played a couple of games that Stephen got for his birthday while she napped. All in all, I think it was a good day. I hope Stephen had a wonderful one!

**********************************************************************

Stephen,

I am so lucky to have a husband whom I love with all my heart. You are always there for me. I am truly lucky to be married to my best friend. I wish you lots of joy and love throughout this coming year. I love you with all my heart.

How do I begin to tell you how honored I am to have you in my life? It was a dream come true the day I became your wife. You are my best friend in the good times and my rock during the bad times. I know you will always be there for me no matter what. You are the reason for sweet memories and a promise of a bright tomorrow. I never knew I could fell this loved until I became your wife. Every day is a gift and I am lucky to have you in my life.

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

They don’t know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I’ll wait for you I promise you, I will

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I’m lucky we’re in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
                         – “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Poor, abused puppy. No one ever pays any attention to her…

Birthday boy

Our attempt at a family photo

Valentine’s Day fun

Valentine’s Day. A made up day by the greeting card company? Maybe. A day that companies try to make you buy stuff to show your love? Maybe. I spent my day with the two people that I love the most and that’s Valentine’s Day to me.

Stephen had an awesome deal from Build a Bear workshop. A free animal. Now who could pass that up?? Not us! Hindsight tells us that maybe we should have waited until Monday though. It seems like everyone and their brother had the same idea that we did! The line for BAB was at the door! Unfortunately, Emily is at the age that if you tell her you are going to do stuff and actually go to the place there is  no turning back. So we waited. And we waited. Emily built a bunny named Ruby. She calls her “Maximus Ruby” for short. She had a giggle box. And that makes Emily laugh. Even though we had to wait a long, long time, it was worth it. Emily had a good time and it warms our hearts to see her happy. Happy, not spoiled mind you.

Stephen and I were lucky enough to spend Valentine’s Day alone. We had originally planned on a quiet evening at home with Miss Emily. But Grandma and Papa had other plans. They wanted to take their “valentine” out to dinner. Us turn down free babysitting?? No way!

They ended up at Bob Evans while we went to TGIFriday’s. The service there can never be beat and the food is yummy. After dinner we went to see a movie. I know- so cliche’. Dinner and a movie. Know what I say? Cliche’ smiche’. We haven’t been to the movies we saw “The Corpse Bride” while on vacation in 2005. It was nice. I got to choose the movie so I chose a chick flick. What’s better than a funny chick flick on v-day? I am sure Stephen could have thought of something! We saw “He’s Just Not That Into You”. It was a cute movie.

All in all, it was a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I got to spend time with my two favorite people in the whole entire world. Life is good!

My sweetie and I after a long day

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

I hope your day is full of love and happiness!

Many people think that Valentine’s Day was made up by the card companies to make money. I used to say that when I was single. To me, Valentines Day isn’t about flowers and chocolates. It’s a day about love. I tell my husband and daughter daily how much I love them but Valentine’s Day is a day all about love and sharing. It’s about sharing our lives together. It’s about being blessed…Being able to share this day with my friends and family- people who bring me love and joy on a daily basis.

“Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile.”

Yummy in my tummy!

Surprisingly we only had one foodie session for Valentine’s Day. White chocolate dipped reduced fat Oreo’s. Yummy! This was one project she had fun doing! We took many of the cookies to work to share with friends and coworkers. Cookies at a gym?? Mwuhahaha. At least they were reduced fat.