she did it - she finally said it...

Mama! I'm so happy. I've been waiting, for a while now. One simple word that sounds so good.

Anna's slow grasp of talking has always been my one big concern. My nephew, Jackson, is 9 days older than Anna and has been talking for a long time. My BFF's, Tara, kids are major early talkers. Anna has always been able to understand what we're telling her. She is incredibly curious. I've been worried and confused about her slow progress to say intelligible words. We read, talk, and question, and read, talk, and question some more with her. I don't use baby words; baby words bug me. She understands what we say. She can communicate her wants and needs.

I sometimes think it's because she was born a month early. I sometimes think it's just who she is - she progresses at her own rate just like every other kid. I sometimes think there's something wrong with her hearing which is what makes it hard for her to say the words. I sometimes think it's no big deal bc she's still on track for the pediatrician's milestones.

I don't want her to struggle with school. I really don't care if she's in the "high" group. I was never in the "high" group, and I turned out just fine. B didn't even have a "high" group at his school - it was too small, and he turned out just fine. I don't want to compare her to others since she's her own person with her own strengths and weaknesses. I just don't want something to be wrong and we're missing it, putting her at a disadvantage.

Here are some of her commonly used words:

• Mama :)
• Dada :)
• No!
• uh-oh
• Shelby (elby)
• Santa (she likes the Polar Express)
• dog
• bone
• ball
• duck
• various animal noises
• hi

I thought of a few more:

• out
• up
• one (sometimes two)
• whoa
• yuck noise

Words have power. She'll like them once she understands their power. Just look how I melt when she says Mama.

I am thankful for:

1. Anna saying "mama"

2. delicious blueberry muffins for breakfast

3. my mom got back from her vacation safely

Tears, Tears, and More Tears!

I don't know if it's yet another stage (Anna goes through all of them, I think), or being an only child used to attention from B and me, or just Anna, but she cries a lot. Real tears, fake tears, sad tears, angry tears, whining tears. Tears. Tears. Tears.

Tears if she wants to be picked up.
Tears if I don't read the right page of her book.
Tears if she doesn't get the snack she wants.
Tears if I shut the bedroom door.
Tears when bath time is over.
Tears during diaper changes (though it's getting better).
Tears because she's pulled away from something dangerous but so tempting.
Do you get it...tears for any and all moments of the day.

This is just one of the many reasons she needs a sibling. She needs a little patience and understanding. Just not yet. I'm not ready. We're not ready.

The tears don't frustrate or annoy me. I just think she's so silly. Most kids throwing tantrums are - just silly.

Depending on the situation, I:

• comfort her
• ignore her
• change what I'm doing to make her happy
• talk calmly to her to explain the situation - this one totally doesn't work, but I give it a good try

Tears are just a part of motherhood. I'm thankful for them if it means I get to spend time with Anna. She's my girl.

Today I am also thankful for:
1. funny pictures that people paid for on Ellen - laugh out loud funny
2. a new book (for me): Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
3. a little extra sleep time this am

Have you ever wondered?

Why does our interstate highway system start with 1 on the West coast and end with 95 on the East coast? Our country was started on the East and moved West (I know, not counting the Indians).

I've always wondered that. Well at least wondered it for a long while.

Why would I be wondering that for a long while?

Because I like a good map. I'm quite excellent with directions. I like making maps in my brain. I like making all the roads connect to make a big picture. I like having several ways to get somewhere, even if I always take the same one. I like when it makes sense.

I can make the maps in most places I go. Except in Seneca Co. Ohio where all you can see is farms, homes, barns, and cows. The roads are named with numbers (State Route this, County Rd that, blah blah blah). It's a place where there is some imaginary line where the towns change but only locals can distinguish a farm in one town to a farm in another. It all looks the same to me. I can get to a few select places. I've not been able to make a big map. It's quite annoying.


Today I am thankful for:
1. sunshine.
2. a big fat long nap today.
3. a funny baby - she likes to put her feet in my face so I say, "Ew, stinky feet." She actually does have smelly feet. Poor girl.

Like Uncle - Like Niece

I'm eight years older than my brother, so I remember a lot of things about him growing up. One of our (my family) favorite things to reminisce about with my brother when he was little was that he would say "yes" by shaking his head and saying "na."

I can't tell you how cute it is that my baby is now saying "na" for yes! For a long while she would just shake her head for a yes, but the past few days she's been saying "na". I just love it. My dad and brother were happy to hear that too.

Today I am thankful for:

1. getting back into a work routine

2. seeing my students

3. hearing Anna say "na"

Present in the Moment

Cabin fever was setting in big time after staying inside during a snowy Monday and Tuesday. Anna and I finally got out of the house today.

Anna's been running a low grade fever (99-100) consistently for the past few weeks. I didn't think it was a big deal bc she's getting all 4 eye teeth in right now. But yesterday, she had green snot all day. Then this morning, her temp was 100.5, so I decided to take her to the doctor. Sure enough...ear infection. She's taking amoxicilin for the next 10 days. It makes me wonder if I had been working if I would have been as concerned, if I would have taken her to the doctor??? She probably would have been ok. My mom told me a lot of ear infections can clear up on their own, but still. I like working, I need to work, I want to work, but moments like these make me wonder if I spend enough time paying attention to things when she can't tell me herself. It's not guilt that I feel, but maybe just a moment to reinforce that I need be sure to give her my attention when we're together at the end of the day and on the weekends. You know, be present in the moment.

Speaking of being present in the moment...I'm just going to accept that we are extending our school year. It is what it is - extra days with my baby, time to relax, time to watch the Today Show and learn about the Olympians. It's inconvenient, yes, but not the end of the world.

One more thing - Favorite Olympian: Seth Wescott - gold medal snowboard cross. He seems really down to earth, and not cocky at all.

Today I am thankful for:
1. getting out and about today
2. a healthy dinner - my simple version of stir fry with lots of veggies
3. getting some work done at school today while Anna was at day care (after the dr. appt.)

We will sleep like kings - I hope

B and I have noticed that our bed isn't so great anymore. I feel like I'm sinking; he feels the springs. Needless to say, we aren't getting a great night sleep and are ready for a new bed. Since Anna frequents our bed what seems like every night for an hour or so, we decided to go for the king. I predict that she will continue to get in our bed as she gets older, so king it is. We got it at Macy's during their Presidents' Day Sale. It is scheduled to be delivered on March 6 - so exciting!


Now a few small issues:

1) We don't have any sheets, covers, or a comforter for this big bed. We have REALLY nice sheets for our queen size bed that we got for wedding gifts. We aren't willing to give up the high thread count, so we'll go piece by piece until we have a whole set.

2) I don't know how I want to decorate the bedroom (or the rest of the house for that matter). I had a really clear vision with our other house, and I've got nothin' for this one. I think I'm being torn - "simple and classic" or "bright and fun"? The house says "simple and classic" while my taste is telling me "bright and fun." What is a girl to do? Probably defer to husband, who will say "simple and classic." Duh.


Simple solutions:

1) We will buy one nice set of white sheets now.

2) I will search for some comforter and other sheet options and ask for those for Christmas.

Here are some I like:
pottery barn - woodland
pottery barn - monreale paisley
pottery barn - quilts in daffodil, sandalwood, or soft green
pottery barn - silk quilt in any color
pottery barn - organic quilt in any color
pottery barn - pearl embroidered in any color but sandalwood
pottery barn - floral vine (not available in king, but maybe later???)

bed bath & beyond - camilla
beddingsupperstore.com - mandarin ok, so this one is a little pricey, but still cool
beddingsupperstore.com - harmony
westelm - pin tuck in white, natural, seaspray, or clay
westelm - pleated voile in any color

We'll see what's available when the time comes.

Today I am thankful for:
1. B stayed home from work today (for a mental health day, to escape the bad drive, and to be with his two favorite gals).
2. Anna got out of the tub without a fight and tears!
3. I found my little weights to go along with 30 day Shred. I was using soup cans which was considerably easier, but I need the weights to make some changes in my body.

A snowy day off

We are off school for Presidents' Day. We would have been off school because of the snow. It took B almost an hour to get to work - I-75 was not cleared off as it usually is. It wasn't a very pretty morning, but it's kind of lovely now: everything covered in white with the sun shining down. It's going to snow more they say. I guess it might be a snow day tomorrow.


Anna has been entertaining me this morning. She's funny. She loves to climb; the past few days, she loves to climb up to the dining room table - there's candy up there from Valentine's Day. She likes candy; I can't really blame her. Today she tore open 2 Pixie sticks and got a little sugar out of each one bf they closed up from getting soggy. I helped her finish them off - we like cherry flavored sugar. Then later I saw her working on a Laffy Taffy wrapper. I didn't think she would be able to do it, but she was thinking outside the box and chewed through the middle, rather than the end. We shared a little strawberry Laffy Taffy - we like strawberry flavored sugar, too.

My other favorite part of the morning was watching Anna do a somersault. I know she's been trying, but this morning with Shelby by her side, she did a perfect 10 somersault. She didn't know I was watching. It was like her own little moment. I let her have it for herself. I can cheer her on for future somersaults.

Today, I am thankful for:

• being in a warm house with soft blankets while it's cold and snowy outside.
• seeing Anna's somersault.
• B getting to work safely.
  
  

I am thankful for...

After staying up late to write the post about Nie Nie last night, I was lying in bed thinking how I should be aware of my blessings each day. So, I'm going to start something new: at the end of each blog post, I will write at least 3 things I'm thankful for. If I don't blog that day, I will do it at the end of the day, while I lie in bed, before I fall asleep.

I am thankful for:

• Valentine's Day brunch at Cracker Barrel. Oh, how I love those biscuits with honey.
• Anna's love for learning new things.
• Bryan's and my love and commitment to one another.

I LOVE...

I was reading PW's I Love post, and thought it was a great idea for a Valentine's Day post. I'm sure my list below is not going to be all things I love, just the ones I can think of at the moment.

I LOVE...

• Bryan
• Anna
• my family - mom, dad, step mom, grandparents, sisters, brother, cousins, you get it
• the beach
• sunshine
• warmth
• blankets - super soft ones only, please
• my wedding pictures
• pictures of Anna
• Anna's green eyes
• that Anna's hair is the same exact color as mine
• Anna's laugh
• my laugh
• my mom's laugh
• babies
• kids
• thinking of baby names (even though I'm not pregnant or trying to be pregnant)
• experiencing pregnancy - especially month 7 for me, when I felt kind of like my normal self
• hotels with great beds and continental breakfast
• my honeymoon in Hawaii
• fruit
• cookies
• candy
• breakfast food
• latex foam pillows
• good songs
• great singers
• 80s music
• 80s movies
• romance novels
• children's books
• romance movies
• comedy movies
• a great book that you can't put down on a lazy day
• blogging
• finding other interesting blogs to read now and again
• the internet
• naps
• safety
• a really cute outfit that fits perfectly
• jams
• yoga pants
• teaching - most days
• sleeping in
• shopping - ALL BY MYSELF
• Ohio State Football - especially when I'm at the game
• singing Carmen Ohio at the end of the football games
• catching up with friends
• coloring
• drawing
• the library
• museums - any kind, but especially The MET in NYC
• Garden Salsa Sun Chips
• baking
• massages
• pedicures
• watching Anna learn new things
• listening to Anna sing
• walks with my family
• old family stories
• paint colors
• a great kiss
• laughing
• being a wife
• being a mommy
• being a daughter
• me

blessings

Like I said in the previous post, I was looking at PWs favorite blogs. I clicked on Nie Nies, and instantly recognized her as the young mother I saw on an Oprah several months ago. I used to DVR Oprah everyday, but as Anna has gotten older, and I'm a little farther from work, I don't have quite as much time for Oprah anymore, so I let her go, and watch endings and clips when I'm home to see it.

I think I was meant to see this one. I think things, little, big, and in-between, always happen in their time, for a purpose - sometimes we search for that purpose, sometimes it all makes sense right away. Seeing this Oprah was a little thing with a big purpose. It made sense right away. It has stuck with me since I saw it.

Nie Nie is my age (maybe a year or two younger), has a loving husband, strong faith, and 4 beautiful children. She was severely burned in an airplane crash. She said this about her time in a medically induced comma during her interview: "I was with someone who told me I could choose to live and have a hard life, you know, embarrassing at times and painful. Or, I could just stay there, and there's lots of work I could do there too. But I thought of my children and my husband, and it was easy. An easy choice." I learned more about the plane crash and her recovery here.

She suffers with pain that most of us could never imagine. She struggles with the most basic of tasks - showering, preparing lunches, bathing her children. She's thankful she gets to be with her children and husband doing those basic things - even though she is in pain.

If you watch the video of another mom that visits Nie Nie to get a wake-up call on her blessings of being a mother, you'll see that her kids want her to hug them after their baths, and she can't. She can't hug her children. I cry just thinking of the horribleness of that. My dad taught me life is not fair, but this is beyond not fair. I hurt for her.

I keep her in mind when I think, "OMG, bath time again?," or "I don't want to pack stupid lunches," or maybe, "can't dinner cook itself tonight?" Nie Nie is thankful for these moments with her family... I am blessed to be able to do these simple tasks with relatively low difficulty and no pain. I am blessed to spend this time with a wonderful husband and beautiful and sweet daughter. I am blessed to be able to hug my wonderful husband and beautiful and sweet daughter.

I have a blessed life.

do you love it?

I was looking at PW's favorite blogs and I found this one, Living Locurto, that has links to free downloads of all sorts of things - including blog layouts, like the ones on Aqua Poppy Designs. I chose this one, and I'm liking it. There was a close second choice though.
Since the layouts are free, I can change as often as I like. Golly, life is great.

What does a monkey say?

Last night we ate at Steak N' Shake, then drove over to look at Ashley Furniture (we're always looking for the perfect bedroom suit - we've been living together for 6 years, and still haven't found one. I think I have a pickiness problem.) Anyway, we drove past Monkey Joes, so I ran in to get a brochure. We checked it out, and decided to go after nap time today. My mom came down to visit, so she went with us.

It was only $5 for Anna to get in - adults are free. It's a little more for 2 and up kids and a little more for weekends, but very acceptable for me. There was one big bounce house for 3 and under, so we spent some time in there (parents can help and go on every bouncer - which was a must for Anna at this age.) We also went on the two big slides multiple times. B and I took turns bc it's fairly exhausting to help her climb up the big slides. I did have a panic moment when I was standing in the corner of the 3 and under bouncer, and Anna never came back around to go on the little slide. I started looking around for her, and she wasn't there. I was screaming to B and my mom, "I can't find her, she's not here, where is she??????" Do you know what it's like to be stuck at the back of a bouncer, trying to run out and find your baby who might be lost in a sea of crazy children hopped up on icees, cotton candy, and bounce house fun all while your husband and mom are not understanding that she is LOST, NOT IN HERE WITH ME, WHERE IS SHE???? I finally got out of the bouncer and looked in the next bouncer over, and there she was, having a great time. You do wear matching bracelets that are cut off when you leave, so that gave me a little calm, but I was still freaked out. We were there for 2 hours and we were all tired by the end. We will definitely go back - it was very fun.

B and I went to test drive cars after that while my mom stayed with Anna. We have to give the Venza back at the end of February, so we are looking at SUVs so we have a car with some space. B will drive the civic, we will turn in our IS, and I will drive the SUV. We are deciding between a Highlander and a 4-Runner. I liked both. The Highlander is a smoother ride, more like a car, but the 4-Runner looks really cool. I'd be happy with either. We're going to look into prices a little more, figure B's discount, and go from there.

For the rest of the night - Olympics!

the things that make a mommy happy

It was time for Anna to get ready for bed. I took her diaper off, and like many nights, I told her to sit on her potty. She happily ran her naked little hiney to her little pink potty and had a seat. She sat and talked, checked her potty, sat and talked some more, and finally got a little tiny bit of pee-pee out. Yay!!!!!!!!! We gave hugs and kisses, shouts, hurrays, ran and told daddy, and gave her 2 chocolate chips as a reward.
That was great, but...
this was greater:
I got her diaper on after our miny celebration, then she squatted, pulled on her diaper, and said, "ewww, ewww." After a minute, I realized she had to go potty. I told her to go to her little pink potty and sit down (with her diaper on bc it was too late). Then she stood up and looked in the potty (my bad - no pee pee bc of the dumb diaper). I took her diaper off, and it was full of pee pee! MY BABY TOLD ME SHE HAD TO GO PEE PEE, GOT ON HER POTTY, AND WENT!!!!!!!

This is so exciting to me. We still have to work on the poopy thing, but this was a major step tonight! I'll continue to look for her signs of telling me she has to go.

3 for 3

So as you may know, I bought my exercise stuff, and I actually exercised -3 days in a row! I did the long yoga workout Monday, the level 1 30 day shred on Tuesday, and the short yoga workout today. I'm pretty sore from the 30 day shred, so I took it easy today. It feels good to have an evening routine with exercise started : eat dinner, clean up, pack lunches, get Anna ready for bed, eventually put Anna to bed (usually around 7:30), then do a video workout, and take a quick shower if I do 30 day shred. I'm just trying to get started this week. Next week and after, I will do 30 day shred Monday-Thursday, and yoga or wii fit 1 or 2 days on the weekend.

My goals from exercise:

1. better blood sugars
2. lose a few pounds
3. gain some energy
4. be able to do 10 real push-ups
5. have better posture
6. maybe even wear a cute bikini this summer

My Sweet Girl

Update on Anna's latest and greatest:

• kisses mommy, daddy, and Shelby goodnight
• kisses her baby goodnight with a "shhh shhh"
• turns her cd player on at night
• is sleeping through the night again - yeah!!!!!!
• spins
• runs
• sings - with motions
• colors
• "reads"
• points to things so I can name them
• counts to 2
• wears grown-up shoes around the house
• likes sunglasses
• actually sits and listens to stories
• runs around the house playing chase - with us or the dog
• gives bye-bye hugs and waves to her friends at school
• walks up and down stairs while holding my hand
• eats well with a spoon
• helps bring the dirty dishes to the dishwasher after dinner
• helps clean up her toys
• points to all her body parts
• helps wash herself in the bathtub
• plays with Mr. Potato Head, snap dolls, little people, babies, puzzles, and blocks

Love her.

Baby Steps

I went shopping tonight after dinner - yeah for me! I wanted to go tonight because I'm not sure what the weather will bring this weekend, and I wanted to get a few things. I've already proclaimed my love of by-myself-shopping, so needless to say, I was so very happy.

Anna's shoes keep falling off when she walks, so I think they are too small on her. I got her two pairs to try from Kohl's. I also had to pick up a bday present for Tyler, one of my eating club's sons. While I was there, I happened upon the sale rack and a red Columbia jacket screamed out to me, "you've been searching for me for many years, and here I am - on SALE. You know you want to buy me and take me home to show B. He will be thrilled you spent money you didn't intend on spending." And guess what, he was so excited I bought myself a coat...sike. But really, I've had that lame purple one for as long as B and I have been together. It's still nice, so I'm sure someone in need will appreciate it; I'm tired of purple, it's so not me. Happy bonus when I left Kohl's = $20 Kohl's cash!

Then I went to Target for my exercise videos: 30 day Shred and two yoga videos. I'm so very proud of myself. I also got a yoga mat, which I've been wanting for a long time; I thoroughly enjoy yoga. I got a couple other things I needed - and all with gift cards. I promise I will begin my exercise routine this weekend. :)

I haven't forgot

I still haven't started exercising. It's not good, 'cause now, my pants are starting to get tight...YIKES! I'm tired all day. My sugars aren't good. I hate to admit this, but B might be right :( Exercise is probably just what I need.
OK, here's the plan:

• go shopping!
• ok, really - I will get the Jillian Michael's DVD (and some new shoes for Anna)
• exercise for 30 minutes after Anna goes to bed
• I don't know how many days a week. Starting is the first step.

I wish she was ready for potty training.

So I got to daycare and Anna was lying calmly on the changing table getting her diaper changed. I was in shock - it's been so long since she's done that for me. Her teachers told me she is good for them during diaper changes, but it was still something to see for myself.

Here's a typical diaper change at our house:

• we go in her bedroom after she acknowledges she has a poopy diaper
• I put her on the floor on a changing pad - no I can't put her on the changing table because baby with no fear will turn and kick herself off in a matter of seconds
• I get her undressed with lots of screaming (Anna's screaming)
• I get her diaper off when she then proceeds to try to flip, kick, get up and run - really any movement that makes cleaning her bottom difficult
• I put the diaper under her, and try to hold her down without hurting her, while she's kicking, screaming, and crying (because, yes, diapers are so horrible)
• I finally get the diaper on.
• I comfort her, because that's what she usually needs after a tantrum (I read that that is a good thing to do with the children that need it?)
• She gets dressed and goes on with her day - leaving me exhausted

Why does she do it?

• she's fiercely independent
• she likes to play games and get me going
• ?????

What I've tried (one at a time, or some combo):

• sticker rewards
• food rewards
• coins for her piggy bank rewards
• eye-to-eye talking
• calm rational talking
• firm tones
• yelling and screaming
• rewards work better, but not great

Why I haven't potty trained her yet?

• she doesn't have a word to tell me she has to go
• she doesn't have a big discomfort with a dirty diaper
• she doesn't quite get it when she has gone while she happened to be sitting on her potty
• daycare doesn't really start potty training until she's 2 or older
• I don't think her bladder is controlled enough yet

I hope I can get her trained this summer, but I know Anna, when she's ready she'll be ready, and not a moment sooner.