Category Archives: parenting

a weekend in the life of …

So, what did you do this weekend?

I wish I had a cool, awesome answer to that question. Really, I do. But we didn’t do anything super exciting.

Friday night consisted of an all-out meltdown in a local restaurant. It was a fabulous representation of just how crazy life with a 2-year old can be. There were tears. Kitty, Tags and Pa all went flying across the table. She tried scaling the back wall of the booth. Screaming? Yeah, we had that, too. The waitress asked if she could bring her something to eat to settle her down. Ha! Don’t worry – little one and I went for a short walk outside to calm down and came back just in time for dinner. Thankfully, I didn’t have to eat in the car, as she had settled down by then. If there’s one thing I won’t do, it’s sit in a restaurant with a screaming child. It’s just not fair to everyone else.

Saturday and Sunday were, thankfully, much less eventful. I was allowed to cut about 3/4 of our yard, though not without criticism. What is it with men and the stripes in the yard? The first thing my dear husband says when I turn off the lawn mower is, “Your lines aren’t straight.” Gee, thanks. My response, “I can save you an hour and cut the grass with non-straight lines, or you can do it yourself. Your choice.” Ehem.

We went to the farmer’s market, which had a few more vendors this week than last. Yippee! We met our neighbors across the street. We put the first rail on Lil’s big girl bed – the second one will arrive on Tuesday. We also celebrated a family member’s birthday – happy day to our very own fabulous Brum Brum!

All in all, it was just the type of weekend I like. Time to get things done (Though there’s never enough of that!), quiet time (I rested next to little miss on Sunday while she napped, which is always awesome.), and a little time out and about, too.

It’s not always grand things that make life so rich. Sometimes it’s just the little things that make me smile!

So I ask again … what did you do this weekend? Hope it was great in your own unique way!

ramblings of a mama …

Just some mom stuff that I want to hold on to … I understand if you don’t make it through until the end!

Really, I had no idea parenting could be so incredibly rewarding! Up until around 5 months was a serious adjustment period for me. After that, as each month passed, I swore it would be the best. Almost 2 years later, that trend has continued and I’m still saying the same! The best just keeps on coming.

I’ll share a picture of Kitty soon. I hadn’t realized just how much personality he had until today, but he’s as much a part of our family as we are! He’ll jump on your head and refuse to get down. He’ll tuck himself under the covers and go ‘ni-nite.’ He even eats off your dinner plate! My favorite is when he licks my face. Okay, you may have guessed it – Kitty is Lil’s most favorite stuffed friend! Did I trick you?!

Under the old oak ... With Kitty comes Tags. Instead, I should really say with Tags comes Kitty. Tags is Lil’s blanket. It’s a Taggies, and thankfully it’s not the specific blanket itself, but the concept of the blanket with tags that she’s so attached to. We were able to successfully introduce a second Tags in a different print for Lily’s birthday, so no worries if the original Tags needs a ‘bath.’

I got a good laugh twice tonight over donuts. I think I’ve mentioned it here before – I am 100% obsessed with Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee. I’m not even going to try to hide it anymore – it’s true. Well, I go there so often that Lil now knows the location. I picked her up this evening and had to pick up the dry cleaning on our way home. At the traffic circle by the Dunkin’ Donuts, she started laughing, put her hand up to her mouth, and giggled, ‘Donuts?’ OMG. So we went home and headed out again. Truthfully, we were headed to Dunkin’ Donuts to pick up coffee beans (And no, I did not get an iced coffee! Talk about willpower!). About a mile from the house (and maybe 3 miles from Dunkin’ Donuts), she asks as we make the first of 5 turns to the store, ‘Donuts?’ I’ve created a monster.

She hates wearing her bike helmet. We went to the park tonight and took her bike for the first time. I don’t think she actually needs a helmet as it’s a tricycle, but I want to start the habit now so we don’t have to fight her later. I’m beginning to question that decision, though I know it will take a lot for me to change my mind. The Mr. even stood behind me on this one, taking her off the bike when she removed her helmet. We’ll see how things progress – I wonder if she’ll get used to it?

Buses are the coolest thing. She knows where they are on our way to and from places, and she points every one of them out. If it’s not there, she asks, ‘Where bus? Where go?’ And when they are there, she shouts, ‘Bus!’ and then proceeds to tell the bus ‘Bye bye, bus!’ as we drive away. I love it. She also likes to point out trucks (large pickups and tractor trailers), tractors (Yep, they’re often road vehicles around here.), and the ‘choo-choo.’ Same rules apply to the train – almost every morning, I hear her say as we pass over the railroad tracks, ‘Where choo-choo? Where go?’ Melt my heart.

I guess that’s about it. If you’ve lasted this long, two thumbs up. And if you didn’t, well, you wouldn’t be reading this anyway, but I’d tell you that it’s okay – it’s my mom (Er, she calls me ‘mama.’) moment, so I don’t expect you to be interested. No worries!

Before I go, I’ll share a quote I ‘borrowed’ from a friend’s FB status today – seems to fit life as it stands right now:

“When you stress out about the little things, you miss out on the best things.”

Cheers!

to my girl …

I get so sentimental when this day comes around each year. Granted, this is only the second (Or third, depending on how you look at it.) time we’ve been here, but both times have been full of such joy that I really feel my heart could explode at any second. I fight back the tears of joy throughout the day – tears that come from memories of that day.

I think about that day two years ago and try to remember what I was doing at that very moment. I have a rough timeline in my mind, and I know for SURE what I was doing at 2:00pm on Monday, May 11, 2009.

Holding our beautiful, brand new baby girl.

Happy birthday, Lily Rose. I’ll never be able to express, through words or actions, just how much you mean to me. Sometimes looking at you takes my breath away. You’re beautiful, with an amazing spirit. Your joy and laughter make me smile, and the sound of your voice reminds me of just how much you mean to me.

May you have a life full of happy days. When bad things come your way, I hope you have the confidence in yourself to tackle them head on, letting the things that don’t really matter roll right off your shoulders.

And I hope the strong connection you have with your dada lasts a lifetime. You’re truly a daddy’s girl if I’ve ever seen one. Does it make me sad sometimes that you don’t want to sit with me and fall asleep? Sure, but I know dada loves you as much as I do, so I manage. I know you love me, so I don’t worry.

I love you, sweetheart, and I’ll always be here for you. Thank you for showing me what love truly is – it’s because of you that I’m more patient, more kind, and more understanding. You make my days sunny and my spirit bright.

Happy birthday to you, my sweet Lily Rose!

another mom moment.

I had another mom moment this morning when I reached into my purse to grab my keys … and found other surprises left by Lily! These are the moments that make me smile – being a parent is so amazing!

Mom moment.

attitude twos.

Maybe I’m jumping the gun a bit and haven’t quite gotten to what people call the ‘terrible twos,’ or perhaps it’s a matter of perspective, but I think ‘attitude twos’ better describes what’s going on in our house these days. Our sweet little girl has figured out that she has an opinion and even better, that she can voice it. And believe me, voice it she does. The tasks that were so simple in the past have suddenly become difficult.

  • Instead of eating what I make for dinner as she did before, she’d rather eat chips.
  • Instead of running to the bathtub when it’s time for a bath, she’s running around the house screaming ‘No!’
  • Instead of wearing the shoes we’ve chosen for her, she’d rather wear her rain or snow boots.

We’re learning through this. On many things, I simply won’t budge. She will not eat chips and only chips for dinner, and bathtime is bathtime – no questions asked. But hey, if she wants to wear her rain boots in the morning, so be it. I simply send her sneakers along for the day and we avoid an early morning meltdown – for both of us. This morning was the first time she didn’t want to get out of bed, and she refused to get dressed. It was … interesting.

In some instances, we’ve let her decide between one thing or another – it really seems to help. A big one is bedtime. We typically let her decide if she’d like to walk up to bed herself or be carried. I read somewhere that providing your child with two choices, both of which get you to your desired result, can be helpful. Either way, she still gets to bed, it’s just the ‘how’ that she’s deciding. She’s involved and we’re happy – it’s a win/win.

This parenting thing has certainly got elements of both art and science. Every child is different, but those who have been there before seem to have some good recommendations that have worked. What tips do you have to make it through these days?

little feet.

Here’s my confession.

I.
Hate.
Feet.

I’ll leave it at that. However, there’s just something about little feet that melt my heart. I know, it makes no sense. These little feet have been cruising for about 9 months now, and oh how I love to watch them go.

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already?

I know. I know. I could be considered insane, for sure. Our daughter’s birthday isn’t until mid-May, and I’ve already started planning. I’ve made lists, ordered a few party supplies, kicked off the design of her invitation, brainstormed on a theme, and started looking for a bakery for her cake.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I don’t ever want her special day to be something I threw together on a whim. Then again, how early is too early to start planning something as ordinary as a 2-year-old’s birthday party? I swear I don’t have too much time on my hands, but my mind is always going. On overdrive.

Okay, I’ll admit it. It’s crazy.

cheese!

I had my tripod out this past weekend. Lily was walking around the tripod, turning every knob she could find and having a great time. It was pretty funny to see her so engaged with something that’s so basic to me, so I sat down to observe. As she’s turning and swiveling, she looks up at me and says, ‘Cheese!’

Seriously? I have never, ever told her to say ‘cheese’ while taking a picture. I don’t tell anyone to say ‘cheese;’ it’s just not my style.

I really don’t know where she gets this stuff from! Someone along the way must have told her to say ‘cheese,’ though I can’t figure out who. I’m pretty sure she made the association herself between ‘cheese’ going with the camera, and the camera going with the tripod. I’m blown away – the mind is such an amazing thing, and to watch it grow and develop is a gift.

I love this life.

so many new words.

I don’t want to forget these things. Seems like there’s at least one or two new words every day. I love watching her learn; teaching her something new and observing as the understanding takes place. The best is when we actually get to witness the light bulb come on – when things become crystal clear for her.

Here are some new words …

  • ‘juish’ (juice)
  • Shrek
  • shoe
  • sock
  • brush teeth
  • ny-night
  • balloon
  • up
  • down
  • ‘uv you’ (love you)
  • like
  • ‘ten-key’ (stinky)
  • ‘core’ (color)
  • ‘nack’ (snack)

… to add to the old words …

  • milk
  • cheese
  • ‘ma pa’ (paci)
  • ‘ma ba bu’ (my baby)
  • ‘ou’ (where)
  • done
  • hi
  • ‘Bran-pa’ (Grandpa)
  • ‘Bran-ma’ (Grandma)
  • airplane
  • choo-choo
  • ‘iss’ (kiss)
  • bye bye
  • ‘shesh you’ (bless you)
  • ‘da du’ (thank you)
  • ‘oon’ (moon)
  • bird
  • ‘gee’ (geese)
  • cow & mooo
  • ‘shish’ (fish)
  • woof woof (both describing the dog and the noise they make)
  • Huck (our dog’s name)
  • sit (She loves to shout ‘Huck, sit!’)
  • ‘ibby’ (Libby, Brum Brum & grandpa’s dog)
  • ‘key key’ (kitty kitty) & mow (meow)
  • ‘ba pak, ba pak’ (‘Backpack, Backpack’ from Dora the Explorer)
  • Awww!
  • ‘ket’ (jacket) & hat
  • ‘side’ (outside)

I know I’m forgetting lots of them, but that’s okay.

‘no, you got them.”

Shrek has officially taken the place of the news in our house. And cartoons. And prime time. And everything else you can possibly imagine.

Lily loves all 4 Shrek movies. And we’re just thankful there are multiples we can use to mix things up a bit. It’s always on. It’s all she ever asks for anymore.

So what happens after you watch something over and over and over? You start to learn the details – the order of scenes, key phrases, the characters. We’ve learned, through practice, that this even happens with little ones.

We were watching Shrek 2 last night. The scene where Shrek and Donkey are walking through the woods began – Shrek accuses Donkey of purring, and Puss in Boots drops from a tree limb. He begins his attack on Shrek, and at the end of the attack, Donkey kicks Shrek to try to get rid of Puss in Boots.

Donkey: “Did I miss?
Shrek: “No, you got them.”

Justin and I almost died laughing when Lily said, exactly on time with Shrek, “No, you got them.” Neither of us helped her with that! Needless to say, we played that part about 25 times to hear her say it time and time again.

Yep, parenting just plain rocks.