I will keep this short because I am ready to tear my hair out over it.
Miss S refuses to potty train. I have tried just plopping her in underpants...they al had to be washed from pee and poop and it didn't really seem to phase her that she was wet/dirty.
I tried bribes of candy and chocolate...no interest. So I tried cookies. No interest. She will plop her little bum down for 2.8 seconds and demand her treat...then scream and cry for more.
I sing songs. I cheer. I sit and go potty with her.
She has zero interest in actually using the potty (though she will sit on it and sing).
She has also taken to telling me that "it's stuck" as soon as she sits on the potty. She makes a face and says, "Ooooooo! It's stuck!" The end. No more trying.
We watch Potty Time. We have the watch. We read potty books. I have tried telling her that she is such a big girl, she doesn't want to wear diapers like a baby! She tells me she wants diapers. I get her new undies and make a big stink about them, she tells me, "No potty in *signs underwear*" Yay! She gets it...except not so much.
I know I am not the only one, but for some reason we are receiving a lot of "Get the 2 year old potty trained" pressure, and I was SURE that by end of summer we'd be done with diapers during the day...SO...back to underpants tomorrow (it was laundry day) and here is hoping that they stay dry.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Sunday, 15 July 2012
2 Years Later
It has been hard to keep up lately, school is always busy at the end of the year, and with 3 separate birthday celebrations and her cousin's Christening (as well as a concert on Canada Day for mom and dad), Miss S has been busy!
I keep looking at my baby, my toddler, and thinking, "There is no way she is already two years old."
I mean, how the heck is it possible that it has been two years since I held my newborn? 2 years (more now, 2 years and 2 days) since I looked at my pregnant belly convinced I would be pregnant FOREVER. 2 years since my life changed completely and motherhood became my number one priority and job. Of course, Miss K was in my life and my number one, but in a different way. She's my big girl, now practically a teenager, Miss S was the first person to ever be MINE, to be dependent on ME...sometimes it still amazes me.
So, update time.
Miss S talks nonstop. Some of it is still babble, some only the people who see (and hear) her daily can truly understand, but, for the most part, she is nonstop chatter from the moment she opens her eyes until they close for sleep.
She LOVES "Toy Story". LOVES. She got spoiled for her birthday and now has Woody, Jessie and BullsEye as well as a cup and plate, backpack, book/figurines and carrying bag all dedicated to Toy Story. The only thing she MAY like better is Signing Time. We watch one or the other ALL THE TIME. Occasionally I can get her to watch "Tangled," but not for the princess...for the HORSE. And it's usually a hard sell...
She eats everything. Sushi, chili, asparagus (which she actually asked for dessert once), salad, curry. Tomatoes, mushrooms and onions are the only things she will pass on (unless they are in a sauce or soup), otherwise, she is the easiest kid to please (touch wood...please do not let me jinx it).
She RUNS everywhere. She never sits still. She jumps and hops everywhere, off stairs, onto stairs, on and off of rocks, down the hall. She has one speed- SUPER SPEED, and she is either motoring or sleeping. No in between.
She is resisting potty training, but next week I am ditching the diapers and putting on underpants outside and praying that she will prefer the potty to peepee pants. She loves watching Potty Time...just not doing it. OR, she will want to sit on the potty just as I am about to go...and will then sit and sing and kick her legs until I am ready to burst.
She is picking up new words every day, and I am amazed at what comes out of her mouth. Soccer, kick, party, cake...she hears them once and out they come!
She counts to 10...not all the time, she has to be in the mood, and sometimes she skips right to 10 because she likes the sign, but she counts! She will also tell you she is 2 and hold up 2 fingers.
She is learning the ABCs (song and signs) and loves looking for t
I keep looking at my baby, my toddler, and thinking, "There is no way she is already two years old."
I mean, how the heck is it possible that it has been two years since I held my newborn? 2 years (more now, 2 years and 2 days) since I looked at my pregnant belly convinced I would be pregnant FOREVER. 2 years since my life changed completely and motherhood became my number one priority and job. Of course, Miss K was in my life and my number one, but in a different way. She's my big girl, now practically a teenager, Miss S was the first person to ever be MINE, to be dependent on ME...sometimes it still amazes me.
So, update time.
Miss S talks nonstop. Some of it is still babble, some only the people who see (and hear) her daily can truly understand, but, for the most part, she is nonstop chatter from the moment she opens her eyes until they close for sleep.
She LOVES "Toy Story". LOVES. She got spoiled for her birthday and now has Woody, Jessie and BullsEye as well as a cup and plate, backpack, book/figurines and carrying bag all dedicated to Toy Story. The only thing she MAY like better is Signing Time. We watch one or the other ALL THE TIME. Occasionally I can get her to watch "Tangled," but not for the princess...for the HORSE. And it's usually a hard sell...
She eats everything. Sushi, chili, asparagus (which she actually asked for dessert once), salad, curry. Tomatoes, mushrooms and onions are the only things she will pass on (unless they are in a sauce or soup), otherwise, she is the easiest kid to please (touch wood...please do not let me jinx it).
She RUNS everywhere. She never sits still. She jumps and hops everywhere, off stairs, onto stairs, on and off of rocks, down the hall. She has one speed- SUPER SPEED, and she is either motoring or sleeping. No in between.
She is resisting potty training, but next week I am ditching the diapers and putting on underpants outside and praying that she will prefer the potty to peepee pants. She loves watching Potty Time...just not doing it. OR, she will want to sit on the potty just as I am about to go...and will then sit and sing and kick her legs until I am ready to burst.
She is picking up new words every day, and I am amazed at what comes out of her mouth. Soccer, kick, party, cake...she hears them once and out they come!
She counts to 10...not all the time, she has to be in the mood, and sometimes she skips right to 10 because she likes the sign, but she counts! She will also tell you she is 2 and hold up 2 fingers.
She is learning the ABCs (song and signs) and loves looking for t
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
"Catch"up
Wow...it has been a LONG time. I've clearly been busy! I have been back to work more frequently with a part time placement, and what that evidentially means is that I have an abnormally clingy child, yes, I said it, child.
21, now almost 22 months old. 2 years ago I was nearing the end of my pregnancy, only 2 months to go, feeling great (albeit bloated) and eagerly awaiting "Eggo's" arrival.
Let me catch you up.
Miss S is starting to talk... A LOT. She signs most of her words, but she is quickly picking up more and more words every day. Her favourite word is "siiiiiiiide"! There are two versions. "siide" or "ow siide," which means "outside," and "siiiiiiiiiide," which means "slide.
I caved and bought a Little Tykes slide for our yard because Miss S + the "siiiiiiiide" = hours of fun. HOURS. The first day we brought it home she played, and played...actually, to back track, she screamed because I made the mistake of bringing her to go pick the slide up. She kept her hands on it the entire ride home and tried to climb it while we put it together. Then it was time to play...and play... and play. Luckily she can now climb up herself to slide down, because it was a long 2 days while she mastered that skill. Now I can garden or read and have a cup of coffee while she "siiiiiiiiides".
The first evening, after we went in for supper (Miss S screaming and crying), she stood at the window and cried, then sat in her high chair, looking out at her "siiiiide" and cried. I shudder to think of it.
She puts her own boots on, often on the wrong feet, but she puts them on ALL BY HERSELF every time! She brings her little rainbow boots (which she wears ALL THE TIME because they are 'booows" aka rainbow boots, anyways, she brings her little boots to a corner, leans against the wall, and slips her little feet into them.
She puts her hands (and other small objects) into her pockets, coat, sweatshirt and pants pockets. Yes, I have yet another set of pockets to check. Thanks Daddy for teaching her that.
She picks me flowers (dandelions mostly, but they are fabulous flowers to pick out of the lawn).
She signs "I love you," two ways actually.
She sings the chorus to the theme songs for Signing Time, Potty Time and Baby Signing Time and will ask for specific movies of each of these.
She LOVES Toy Story 2 and now has a little plastic Woody and Jessie that she carries around. She says "Toy Story" and asks to watch it...number 2 is her favourite, but she will tolerate the others. Funnily enough, we only ever get to the part in "Toy Story 2" when Woody gets fixed and she gives up, we generally watch the other half later.
Sorry, I know, not an overly exciting post, but man, my kid amazes me. So much has happened, I couldn't even begin to write it all out! She eats hummus, and cabbage. She holds the dog's leash while we walk. She tells (signs for) people to "share' when she wants something and says "tan tee" (thank you) when you give her something.
She is loving and snuggly and just all around wonderful. She recognizes people in pictures, and her new favourite thing is to look at pictures on the iPad (or photo albums) and hear all about the pictures.
Oh, can't forget her new favourite dolly friend. Daddy loves her. She used to be my dolly, Miss S has adopted her and Daddy has named her "Creepy Connie."
Here is why......
I think Connie gets up to mischief in the night because of pile of lonely socks has grown since she has joined our family. Perhaps she is using them for some sort of evil scheme? Or a craft? T seems convinced she is up to no good.
21, now almost 22 months old. 2 years ago I was nearing the end of my pregnancy, only 2 months to go, feeling great (albeit bloated) and eagerly awaiting "Eggo's" arrival.
Let me catch you up.
Miss S is starting to talk... A LOT. She signs most of her words, but she is quickly picking up more and more words every day. Her favourite word is "siiiiiiiide"! There are two versions. "siide" or "ow siide," which means "outside," and "siiiiiiiiiide," which means "slide.
I caved and bought a Little Tykes slide for our yard because Miss S + the "siiiiiiiide" = hours of fun. HOURS. The first day we brought it home she played, and played...actually, to back track, she screamed because I made the mistake of bringing her to go pick the slide up. She kept her hands on it the entire ride home and tried to climb it while we put it together. Then it was time to play...and play... and play. Luckily she can now climb up herself to slide down, because it was a long 2 days while she mastered that skill. Now I can garden or read and have a cup of coffee while she "siiiiiiiiides".
The first evening, after we went in for supper (Miss S screaming and crying), she stood at the window and cried, then sat in her high chair, looking out at her "siiiiide" and cried. I shudder to think of it.
She puts her own boots on, often on the wrong feet, but she puts them on ALL BY HERSELF every time! She brings her little rainbow boots (which she wears ALL THE TIME because they are 'booows" aka rainbow boots, anyways, she brings her little boots to a corner, leans against the wall, and slips her little feet into them.
She puts her hands (and other small objects) into her pockets, coat, sweatshirt and pants pockets. Yes, I have yet another set of pockets to check. Thanks Daddy for teaching her that.
She picks me flowers (dandelions mostly, but they are fabulous flowers to pick out of the lawn).
She signs "I love you," two ways actually.
She sings the chorus to the theme songs for Signing Time, Potty Time and Baby Signing Time and will ask for specific movies of each of these.
She LOVES Toy Story 2 and now has a little plastic Woody and Jessie that she carries around. She says "Toy Story" and asks to watch it...number 2 is her favourite, but she will tolerate the others. Funnily enough, we only ever get to the part in "Toy Story 2" when Woody gets fixed and she gives up, we generally watch the other half later.
Sorry, I know, not an overly exciting post, but man, my kid amazes me. So much has happened, I couldn't even begin to write it all out! She eats hummus, and cabbage. She holds the dog's leash while we walk. She tells (signs for) people to "share' when she wants something and says "tan tee" (thank you) when you give her something.
She is loving and snuggly and just all around wonderful. She recognizes people in pictures, and her new favourite thing is to look at pictures on the iPad (or photo albums) and hear all about the pictures.
Oh, can't forget her new favourite dolly friend. Daddy loves her. She used to be my dolly, Miss S has adopted her and Daddy has named her "Creepy Connie."
Here is why......
I think Connie gets up to mischief in the night because of pile of lonely socks has grown since she has joined our family. Perhaps she is using them for some sort of evil scheme? Or a craft? T seems convinced she is up to no good.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Baby's 4 Letter Word
Until I had a toddler, I never thought I would ever tire of hearing the word, “Mama.”
Then my baby became a toddler and started chattering nonstop. The chatter I love. It is so endearing and sweet. The excited, “Mama!” I get when I come home, or the snuggly, “Awwww, Mama,” I get when she comes in for a hug and kiss, I love. What I don’t love so much is the shrill, persistent, “MAMA” I have been hearing for the past week or so.
MAMA!!
Yes baby?
MAMA!! MAMA!!
Yes baby? I’m listening.
Gorgy Mama! Mama! Gogry Mama!
Oh yes, I see.
MAMA!
MAMA!
MAMA!
This will go one for what seems like hours. I cannot simply acknowledge her voice and smile, I must have both eyes on her, both hands empty, and all attention directed at her. Even if she is simply showing me the same picture in the book over and over...or pointing to her socks, shoes, dolly...whatever.
MAMA!! MAMA!
I was putting on a youtube video of laughing babies for her, she thinks it’s funny, but she freaked when I turned to look at the computer to load the video.
MAMA! Daydy Mama! Daaaaaaaydeeeeeeee!!
(Daydy is pronounced like “baby” for those not in the know.)
“Mama” has suddenly become a demand, a very loud, very shrill demand. If I try, I can look on the bright side and think, Well, at least she wants to share every moment, every little thing with me. At lease “Mama” to her means she will be acknowledged and praised.
I would just like to point out to you, baby girl, that “Dada” is just as effective. Particularly when I am in the bathroom or tub.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Baby vs University
A girl once barfed in my hair while out with friends...There are some parallels to university and motherhood that I never expected.
It is inevitable that you will not make it through motherhood without being thrown up on at least once. You will also have to wash vomit out of your bed sheets unexpectedly at 3am, and while I never had to wash urine or poop out of my sheets as a university student (but I know people who have...), you will be doing that as well. Often more than once a night.
You will also have vomit in your hair, and it wont be your own.
You will feel overwhelmed sometimes.
You will miss your mom.
In university you are out with your friends. You interact with adults on a regular basis. You drink lattes and discuss current events. You easily pass judgement on the mother with a screaming toddler in Starbucks, rolling your eyes and thinking, "I would never allow my child to behave like that."
In motherhood you occasionally get to go out with friends with babies. The adult interaction you do get is generally to discuss baby paraphernalia...or poop. Or, if you have returned to work, you talk about work...and your baby. You give the mother with the screaming toddler a sympathetic smile as your own toddler throws her sippy cup on the floor and screams for a cookie. You glare at the 20 somethings who don't step aside for the stroller and toddler you are dragging out the door.
Funny how egg meeting sperm can change your life so completely. How someone so small and delicate can make you so strong. How in a moment, your life changes forever and everything before motherhood truly seems so small and far away. Not insignificant, because my university years were anything but, just small. Like a speck in the grand scheme of things because being a "momma" is forever. It is life changing. It is my reason for getting up and going to work, my reason for being a better person.
It is inevitable that you will not make it through motherhood without being thrown up on at least once. You will also have to wash vomit out of your bed sheets unexpectedly at 3am, and while I never had to wash urine or poop out of my sheets as a university student (but I know people who have...), you will be doing that as well. Often more than once a night.
You will also have vomit in your hair, and it wont be your own.
You will feel overwhelmed sometimes.
You will miss your mom.
In university you are out with your friends. You interact with adults on a regular basis. You drink lattes and discuss current events. You easily pass judgement on the mother with a screaming toddler in Starbucks, rolling your eyes and thinking, "I would never allow my child to behave like that."
In motherhood you occasionally get to go out with friends with babies. The adult interaction you do get is generally to discuss baby paraphernalia...or poop. Or, if you have returned to work, you talk about work...and your baby. You give the mother with the screaming toddler a sympathetic smile as your own toddler throws her sippy cup on the floor and screams for a cookie. You glare at the 20 somethings who don't step aside for the stroller and toddler you are dragging out the door.
Funny how egg meeting sperm can change your life so completely. How someone so small and delicate can make you so strong. How in a moment, your life changes forever and everything before motherhood truly seems so small and far away. Not insignificant, because my university years were anything but, just small. Like a speck in the grand scheme of things because being a "momma" is forever. It is life changing. It is my reason for getting up and going to work, my reason for being a better person.
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
20
20 months ago I had a newborn. 20 months...unreal. We currently have a "don't pay for 20 months" plan on our new bedroom furniture, it seemed like a long time when we made the purchase, but suddenly it feels like another 20 months could fly by us once again.
This time last year my baby girl wasn't even crawling yet. She was scooting and rolling, but not crawling, never mind running around the house.
This time last year my baby girl wasn't talking. We had a few signs, but other than "MAMAMAMMAMA" and "DADADADA," no "real" words.
This time last year I was shopping in the baby section, the toddler section of the store seemed like another world. Now I look at what she was wearing this time last year and the little dresses and pants look like doll clothes. How did my baby get so big?
Almost two years have passed since our family went from three to four. Almost two years since we brought our squishy newborn home and rocked to to sleep in my grandfather's cradle. Almost two years of late nights and early mornings; of diapers and car rides; of giggles and tears. It's amazing what 20 months means to me now. It is so significant, we are truly exiting the baby stage and entering toddlerhood. In no time at all we will be leaving toddlerhood behind and will have a preschooler. It's not that far off, because in another 20 months, when we are making our final payment on the furniture we just set up, Miss S will be getting ready to turn FOUR and start school.
20 months of love and snuggles and big baby kisses. I can't wait to see what comes next.
This time last year my baby girl wasn't even crawling yet. She was scooting and rolling, but not crawling, never mind running around the house.
This time last year my baby girl wasn't talking. We had a few signs, but other than "MAMAMAMMAMA" and "DADADADA," no "real" words.
This time last year I was shopping in the baby section, the toddler section of the store seemed like another world. Now I look at what she was wearing this time last year and the little dresses and pants look like doll clothes. How did my baby get so big?
Almost two years have passed since our family went from three to four. Almost two years since we brought our squishy newborn home and rocked to to sleep in my grandfather's cradle. Almost two years of late nights and early mornings; of diapers and car rides; of giggles and tears. It's amazing what 20 months means to me now. It is so significant, we are truly exiting the baby stage and entering toddlerhood. In no time at all we will be leaving toddlerhood behind and will have a preschooler. It's not that far off, because in another 20 months, when we are making our final payment on the furniture we just set up, Miss S will be getting ready to turn FOUR and start school.
20 months of love and snuggles and big baby kisses. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Friday, 2 March 2012
The Sweetest Sound
I feel as though I should give my little darling a more loving, motherly post today, because at 4:30 this morning, I was not feeling motherly. I wasn't even feeling human. Being woken by hysterical screaming that even a big hug and kiss can't fix...SUCKS.
But this is a happy post, because I just spent 20 minutes putting Miss S down. She was snoring in 5, but I couldn't help but hold her close, listening to her stuffy nose snores, feel her warm body in my arms as we rocked in the chair, soft music playing gently in the background. It was one of those movie moments, you know the ones. The moments you see in the movies all too often that make motherhood look easy and give the impression that sleeping like a baby is actually a good thing.
It was the sweetest sound, my baby's breathing, the piano in the background, the soft creak of an old wooden rocking chair. It was one of those moments that made it seem like 4:30am didn't happen. A movie moment that washed away the stress of the day, the ache in my head, the exhaustion in my eyes. These moments are fleeting and it makes me a little sad to think that one day soon, she wont want me to hold her in my arms as she falls asleep. These are the moments that make me grateful for all that I have and all that Miss S is, terrible toddler moments and all.
Night night sweet baby. See you when the sun shines (and not a moment earlier please).
But this is a happy post, because I just spent 20 minutes putting Miss S down. She was snoring in 5, but I couldn't help but hold her close, listening to her stuffy nose snores, feel her warm body in my arms as we rocked in the chair, soft music playing gently in the background. It was one of those movie moments, you know the ones. The moments you see in the movies all too often that make motherhood look easy and give the impression that sleeping like a baby is actually a good thing.
It was the sweetest sound, my baby's breathing, the piano in the background, the soft creak of an old wooden rocking chair. It was one of those moments that made it seem like 4:30am didn't happen. A movie moment that washed away the stress of the day, the ache in my head, the exhaustion in my eyes. These moments are fleeting and it makes me a little sad to think that one day soon, she wont want me to hold her in my arms as she falls asleep. These are the moments that make me grateful for all that I have and all that Miss S is, terrible toddler moments and all.
Night night sweet baby. See you when the sun shines (and not a moment earlier please).
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