Back On Track

Well the Christmas hustle and bustle is over and today was a "normal" day for me and Lilly. We went to visit Babcia, visited a friend, got lunch, Lilly took a nap, we played with baby dolls, went for Mommy's allergy shot, then came home and played with Daddy and ate dinner. Then it was bath and bed for Lilly and relaxing time for Mommy and Daddy.



After I update this blog I am headed to bed with 2 books! One is a fictional book I'm really enjoying by Ann Packer called "Songs Without Words." The other is a parenting book titled "1-2-3 Magic" which I'm really excited about. It is a very popular book to help parents with discipline (been around for years and years) and we all know I need help. I think Lilly is wonderful but I feel like I'm not consistent and am always trying different strategies. This book has a wonderful concept behind it that the child learns to do the right thing and you (the caregiver/parent) don't have to argue, fuss, get angry, raise your voice, nothing!!! I just have to be consistent and tell Lilly, "That's one" (meaning her first chance to do the right thing) and if she continues, "That's two" (her second chance to make the right decision) and if she still repeats the behavior (which she will at first for sure) then I say calmly, "That's three, take 2" and Lilly will have a time-out of sorts for 2 minutes. I'm not angry, she's not being punished, but she's being removed from the behavior/activity for a short time. Then when that 2 minutes (because she's almost 2 years old) is over there's NO discussion! Just resume playing together or whatever we were doing. Eventually the kids learn after hearing, "That's one" to correct their behavior. I'm excited to have a plan because that's what I was looking for. And this is loving and calm and I won't get all stressed out and upset with her. Wish me luck.

We had a wonderful visit with my friend Krissy and her family yesterday! She was in town from Minnesota for Christmas visiting her family. I love when we get our girls together but it's so bitter sweet because it's a reminder that she doesn't live here anymore and we could be spending a lot of our days together if she did. But I'm thrilled to get many visits like this one. Savannah was so cute and while Lilly said a lot of "MINE" to her, she didn't know the difference since she's younger and Lilly still did some sharing. Below are some pictures of the girl's together.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know we did and now it's time to recover!

Trumpeter

Lilly and I went to Daddy's school's band concert. Lilly was very good (as we were expecting her to sit for approx. 45 min and listen to a 5th and 6th grade band). Later that evening when we were home and I was cooking dinner I found Lilly looking at a trumpet ornament on the Christmas tree. I love that ornament because it was my mom's and on our family's Christmas tree growing up. She proceeded to take that one ornament off and practice blowing it as she'd seen in the concert. I thought that was so cute! This child has a GREAT memory (thank goodness because mine is horrible). So I grabbed the camera and was able to capture it.

Ode to Sandy...

Sweet Lilly

Yes, so I'm a bit behind on the blog (thank you Krissy for kicking my butt into gear) but I've been very busy trying to decide how I'm going to survive motherhood. My sweet and precious Lilly Belle - oh my goodness what will I do with you??? Some of you know that I've been struggling with how to discipline Lilly effectively. I still haven't come to any grand conclusions but I have however devised a plan that is somewhat working.

The problem: Lilly loves to be disciplined. Rather Lilly loves to spit and hit and then watch my reaction and she looooves any negative discipline (time-out, anger (on my part), and/or frustration (on my part).

The solution: I will ignore all repetitive, purposeful, negative behavior UNLESS it involves another child in which case I will apologize (for Lilly) then remove and redirect her.

My fear: That other mothers will think I'm total slacker mom and that I'm not punishing my child for her behavior (i.e. spitting which is her favorite passtime). I really want to stand at the top of a mountain and yell to all that can hear, "I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN UP HERE! I HAVE TRIED TIME OUT, YELLING, IGNORING, REDIRECTING, SWATTING, AND EVERY OTHER DISCIPLINE UNDER THE SUN!" but of course I will not do that. Instead I will be secure in my decision and continue with my plan of action.

I never knew parenting a "spirited" toddler could be so much fun. I'll tell you this - there's never a dull moment.

But let me end on this note... Lilly is sweet, witty, charming, fun, and happy. So she likes to push the envelope every now and then. I can deal with that.

Failure Mom

Today has been a bad day. I feel like the biggest failure ever! And I want more kids... Maybe I'm not cut out for it?? So today Lilly had nursery school. Five minutes before we were supposed to leave I remembered I was supposed to bring in a bag of marshmallows today so we left in a hurry and I stopped by 7Eleven thankful that they had a bag. Then, we made our way to the school. As we arrived I saw many moms in the parking lot carrying food and gifts. It crossed my mind that maybe this was the last day of school before Christmas and I panicked since I am the room mom and collected money for gift cards for the teachers and did not bring them (or buy them) but I quickly dismissed it knowing that the public schools have school next Friday so Lilly must too.

As I walk into the classroom I ask one of the moms if this is the last class and she says, "No" so I breathe a sigh of relief. Shortly after another mom walks in wearing a Christmas sweatshirt and Christmas ball earrings. Then I look around the room and see all the days activities are Christmas activities... So I ask another mom and she does in fact verify that this is the last day of class until January. Shoot!!! I am panicked and don't know what to do. So I confide in a couple of the moms I'm friendly with and they say, "Run home and get it" and I'm thinking several things... 1. I do have 2 cards for them that I bought but 2. I didn't get the Visa gift cards yet! (I thought I had a week) and 3. how the heck am I going to pull this off?

With the urging of a few moms I leave my precious Lilly in their hands and run out the door. I run to the car and figure I'll just go the nearest bank and buy the gift cards then hit a CVS and get 2 new cards and then go back to the school all the while acting as if I ran home and the gifts were all neatly prepared and left by accident on my dining room table. And to think this is all taking place in a church. I did not forget to say a prayer of forgiveness!

I run to the bank, tell the old lady I need 2 $40 gift cards as fast as she can get them (which was NOT fast enough) and then I drive like a maniac to CVS and get the SAME 2 cards (I really really liked them and took the time to pick them out a few weeks back!) only to realize I left my wallet in the car. I ditch the cards, run to the car, run back into CVS, find the cards, pay for the cards, run back to the car, sign the cards and put them neatly under the gift boxes. Then I book it back to the church. This took me 37 minutes!

I find the kids/parents in the little gym as the kids are having indoor recess. I confess to the teacher that I had to run "home" for their gifts since I thought we had school next week. She was sweet and hugged me and said, "You shouldn't have done that" and the other moms were smiling (thinking to themselves 'what a screw up' I know it) and then I grab Lilly and give her a big hug.

About this time I'm feeling like the biggest failure on earth. I was a teacher for God's sake! I was organized and good at my job and now I can't even handle the responsibility of buying 2 gifts and bringing them to Lilly's school??? I'm on the verge of tears as it is rehashing how stupid I've been when I find out that 1. Lilly "didn't even miss you" and 2. they went to the fireplace in the foyer of the church and sat around the fire and sang Christmas carols. So now I start crying and have to move away from the moms so they don't notice. I missed the best part of the day and Lilly didn't have her mommy with her for such a wonderful occassion.

I pull myself together, thank the moms that took Lilly with them and let her sit between them, and try to move on with the day. It's not going to be easy for me to get past this but I have to and a lesson was learned. I have to be organized in my mommy role.

I also vow not to sign up as room mother again.

We Can't Get Enough!

Ok, we just can't get enough of Santa! Lilly L-O-V-E-S Santa Claus! Tonight we had dinner with Santa at The Pop Shop in Collingswood, NJ. We met Braden and his mommy Amanda there for dinner. Again, Lilly was the very first child to sit on his lap. The Santa's are getting more and more pitiful looking but hey, Lilly doesn't care! She went right up and sat with him then went back 2 more times. The third time he said, "Hi Lilly, how are you?" and she said, "HO-HO-HO". It was so cute.

Lilly had an english muffin pizza and french fries. She also got a pink balloon and a candy cane. She loves candy canes. It was my bribery tool for her to stay in the high chair. It only worked for a short while. Then she got out (yes she can climb out of the high chair on her own no problem... if there's a will there's a way) and ran circles around the restaurant. At least everyone was smiling since she would say, "Hi, Bye" as she went past each table. I didn't want to go after her because I knew it would turn into a chasing game and an even bigger scene so I just had Amanda catch her as she made her way around. It wasn't too obnoxious -- it stayed on the cute side.

Lilly's not going to know what to do after this Christmas season!

Christmas Fun

We had a very Christmas-y Saturday! Lilly had breakfast with Santa, then we picked out our Christmas tree, and then we decorated it! In between there was wrapping of presents and Christmas music. We had a great time. Lilly is older so she had more fun and is more aware than last year. She has sat on Santa's lap 3 times! Once at the mall, once at Target, and once at the Santa Breakfast. She LOVES Santa! She was actually the first one on his lap at the breakfast. We captured our day in pictures. Ho Ho Ho!

Let it Snow!

We got a couple inches of snow! Just enough to bundle up and go play at the park. Of course Lilly wanted to swing so she did. It was FREEZING! I don't think she has my genes when it comes to body temperature (thank goodness). She doesn't get cold very easily (thank you Andy). We went to the lake and looked for the ducks - - - "Where'd it go?" she wanted to know! I explained that they fly south for the winter but don't think she understood!!

Still enjoying every minute at home with Lilly. She's so much fun. She could even skip her nap and I'd be okay! She's like my little buddy. So cute and fun.

Crazy Girl

Lilly loves to take a risk and she's very physical. We love to watch her do all of her "tricks" though I get very nervous at times. Lilly is such a great baby. She's so happy all the time and is so much fun to be around. I really cherish my time at home with her. Her current phrases are "Where'd it go?", "Help me please", and "Got me!" Life really is great!!!

First Hot Chocolate

Lilly had her very first hot chocolate yesterday! She was hesitant to try it but after Mommy showed her how yummy it was she drank some and then wouldn't even share! It was so cold outside and Lilly insisted on going to swing at the park. So Andy and I walked her over to the park on a 32 degree day with the wind blowing. She got right in the swing and swung and swung until Andy and I couldn't take it anymore!!! She must have her daddy's blood because I'm always freezing cold. She was fine! But when we got home I made her hot chocolate and she loved it. The start to many more hot chocolate memories!

Home Again

We're glad to be home from Thanksgiving and back to reality. It was a great time and Lilly will miss her cousins and mommy's family. Being in VA is so wonderful and brings back so many memories for me. Maybe one day we'll live there again.

Lilly wants everyone to have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

No More Laptop

Ok, Lilly killed my laptop. It's dead. She won't give me the time to do things on the computer in the basement. So tomorrow, when Andy's here with me, I'm going to put some pictures on and write a new entry...

For now Lilly's still very sick :-( and I'm taking care of her and Stephanie and her girls are here visiting for the weekend!!!

Sicky Baby

Poor Lilly. Yesterday I took her to the pediatrician for her cough and ends up she has a bad case of bronchitis and needed two nebulizer treatments in the office then more at home. Yesterday she was very very sick. She was only awake for approx 5 hours the whole day (as opposed to her usual 12 hours of awake time!). I felt so sorry for her. Then last night she was up having great difficulty breathing. It was very scary. But today she is doing a little better. She does not like having the nebulizer treatments but settles down after a few minutes.

I took these pictures with my phone so they're blurry. The first one is at the doctor's office where she was so sick she fell asleep during her 2nd treatment. Poor baby.

Yummy

Lilly was very very quiet while I was cleaning up from lunch. I decided to stop and investigate. Quiet is usually not a good sign. Good thing I did because she apparently decided she wanted another chicken nugget but would eat it with her knife (it is a real butter knife but it's child sized at least!!!). But she was creative! Stabbed the chicken with the knife and was eating it like that while watching Dora. I took the picture but then removed the knife.

The Culprit

I'm pretty sure this is why my laptop is broken... for good.

Computer Down

In case anyone visits this blog and actually cares, I have not posted all week because the power cord to my laptop broke and I wasn't able to use it. So I'm back up and running now!

My Little Helper

The mums have seen better days so Lilly helped me take them to the trash on trash day. She would not accept help. She also helped me rake the yard though there were hardly any leaves. All the leaves are still on the trees! It's beautiful but I know what we have in store...lots of raking.

Tadpole

Ok, I know these are nudie shots but I have to show you what my darling active child does in the tub these days. She's learned to float on her back w/out hands (hard to capture the shot), all sorts of spider man moves, and the last shot is a picture of her hair. It's actually long in the back!!!

Caffeine Please

Daylight Savings Time... I'm not a fan. Of course I didn't go to bed until after midnight (new time) sometime and at 5:03a.m. (and yes I have proof) I was woken to the glorious sound of "Mommy, Mom-Mom, Mommy" and she was wiiiiiiide awake. I told her it was night-night time and showed her how it was very dark but instead she got in bed with me, grabbed the remote and hit the "On" button. Then she started with the "Pooh, Pooh! Backpack, Backpack (Dora)" but all we could find at that ungodly hour was Sesame Street. Thank God for Sesame Street! This may have been a morning where I actually used Andy's help but he's been away since Thursday so there was no help in sight. By 7a.m. I was showered and dressed and Lilly was dressed and fed. I was standing in the kitchen wondering what on earth I could do on a Sunday morning at 7a.m. when it came to me - WalMart!

I hope all of you enjoyed your long day and were more productive than I was.

Halloween Pictures

Ok, the Halloween pictures have arrived! I have to say I will not buy the disposable digital again because the pictures look a bit funky if you ask me but hey, I captured the day and that's all that really matters! In fact the Fed Ex guy came today (scheduled for Monday) to deliver my new upgraded digital camera but of course we were at school for Lilly. Figures. They'll redeliver on Monday. I don't know if I can wait (2 days without a camera???) so it says I can pick it up tonight after 5pm if I want but it looks like it's far away. Will have to investigate further.

Anyway, happy belated Halloween.

Determination

I just want to be on your level Mommy!

Lilly always needs to get on top of something!!! She climbs climbs climbs. Today she felt the need to read her book on top of the ottoman. And yes, she put the stool up there, climbed up with the book, and took a seat all by herself. Hey, you gotta give the child credit. She's determined.

No Camera!

Ok, it's Halloween and my camera broke!!! I can't believe it. I can't live without my camera. So today I called Canon and they offered me an upgrade for a cheaper price (more than half off). Or I can have them fix my camera for $60 less than the upgrade. No brainer there - we got the upgrade. So Monday I'll have a new camera but until then I had to go to CVS and get disposables! They had 1 digital disposable and one old school wind up camera. I bought them both and so I can't share any Halloween pictures until I get them developed! Can you imagine I'm upset because I have to get film developed?! Boy I've gotten spoiled.

Lilly had a very busy day! She had music this morning (and was the only child not dressed in her costume). I could hardly live with myself during the class. But they didn't mention for the kids to wear their costumes so I put her in a Halloween shirt and hair bow. Note to self: On Halloween Lilly can wear her costume to any class she takes. She had fun and Kaitlyn was under control! I lost sleep over it last night. When we walked in Kaitlyn's mom came right up to me and said, "We've been talking all week about how 1 hug is enough for Lilly" and I told her (what I'd been rehearsing all week) that Lilly would love a hug from Kaitlyn before or after class but not during. I was so proud of myself. I finally stood up for my kid. And Kaitlyn was good and didn't try to hug Lilly but once and Lilly (as I had taught her all week) put her hand out and said, "No" very firmly and Kaitlyn backed off. Who would think that a 20 month old would understand it when you told them, "If someone tries to hug you and you don't like it just tell them no and put your hand out for some space." It sunk in!

Lilly came right home from music and went to sleep. I had everything ready for her when she woke up to get into costume and go up to my former school for the Halloween parade. But as Murphy's Law would have it, she didn't wake up until it was over. Every other day she sleeps about 1.5 hrs but today it had to be 2.5 hrs. So when she woke I got her dressed in her ladybug costume and we went and visited everyone during their class parties. I miss my job! I wouldn't trade staying home for anything but I can still miss teaching can't I? Lilly was a trooper. Let everyone poke and prod her and then we came straight home to trick-or-treaters at our front door. I reapplied her face make-up, we waited for Daddy to come home, and then off we went for Lilly's first trick-or-treating Halloween. And we didn't even use the wagon. She walked the long block (.6 mile) and went door to door with her little pumpkin saying, "Please!!" It was too darn cute. We got lots of video and pictures (on the old school cameras). Can't wait to share them.

After trick-or-treating we went over to our friend's house for their Halloween party. Lilly helped pass out candy at their house and ate dinner. By 7pm she was laying sideways in Andy's arms so we headed home and to bed she went. Jacked up on candy and raring to go it took both of us to get her to sleep but by 8pm we had success. I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!



WAIT! A friend from music emailed me these pictures! They're not great but they're something... Lilly at music class...

Boo to You

Has it really been five days since I posted?? Wow, life is keeping me busy.

Well Friday Lilly's nursery school celebrated Halloween. She dressed up in her ladybug costume and enjoyed seeing her friends dressed up, making pumpkin cookies with icing and a raisin face, painting a pumpkin picture, singing Halloween songs, and making pumpkins out of playdoh! We tried to get some cute shots of the kids but with eight 20 month olds it was very interesting. I think 6.5 made it into the picture. Lilly held tight to two little boy's hands like we told her to and didn't move (she does follow directions!).

She's getting so big and so grown-up. We can't believe it. I hope everyone's gearing up for a fun Halloween.