Annnnd... Today It Happened! She has cried, whined, complained, avoided, yelled, baby talked, ignored, and been silly all in an effort to NOT do anything I've asked of her. Over the last few school days she has tried little by little to weasel out of doing actual school work. She's happy to do science projects and nature walks but refuses to write anything about what she's done. I yelled, A LOT, today. A few minutes ago I banished her to the backyard b/c she wouldn't stop crying/screaming "I need to build baby doll furniture NOW! TAKE ME LOWES NOW TO BUY WOOD! I HAVE TO BUILD IT MOM! NOW!" I told her we would do it this weekend and she made up all sorts of reasons why we wouldn't be able to build it this weekend. And we went to the park today for an hr and walked around walmart.
She got plenty of sleep last night and actually slept through the night. I had absolutely no delusions that she would be the perfect homeschool kid. I'm actually surprised that she's held off this long. Now, I can't help but wonder...is this the new, old normal.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Saturday, January 07, 2017
You're Gonna Do WHAT?
For 7 years I have been so lost on my journey of motherhood. I've prayed and prayed for God to reveal why he made me Taylor's mom. There is no way that I was the best choice God had for her. I was impatient and angry all the time. I honestly felt like at times I was killing her soul. I wanted to change, to be a better mom, I just didn't know how. But, as with every trial God was there, carrying me and bringing me through the storm. Finally, this fall the skies began to part and he put a calmness and peace in my soul that I have have cried and prayed for for so long. My prayer was answered in the form of medicine. It was determined that I had low serotonin so my doc gave me a low-dose SSRI and slowly but surely my life (and the lives of those around me) began to get better.
This clarity enabled me to see the pain and frustration in my child's eyes when it came to school. That's when I finally gained the confidence and energy to research homeschool. Yes, I was thinking of pulling a strong-willed, academically challenged child out of a perfectly great school to bring her home with me 24/7, 365, and become solely responsible for her education.
The school was doing all they could but Taylor was still struggling with reading and math had become exceedingly difficult for her. I had mentioned the idea of homeschool to allow her to work at her own pace and she loved it. One random day on the way too school as she was sitting quietly in the back seat, she looked over at me and said, "Mom, if daddy says no to homeschool, can I do the second grade over again. I think it would just make me feel better." My heart split in half, right down the middle in little jagged pieces, and fell like ashes on a dark, cold prison floor. I had to get my baby out of the pressures of standardized testing, common core curriculum, and the taunting of hateful children. After months of research, prayer, conversations with other homeschool (hs) moms, and several discussions/debates with daddy, he gave me the okay to purchase her curriculum. She finished out the school year and at Christmas break I officially withdrew her from 2nd grade.
We officially started hs'ing on January 5th, 2017. My goal for the first 2-3 months is to help Taylor regain some of her confidence in herself. Her confidence in herself is just so beaten down that she refuses to pick up a book because she think's it's too hard for her to read, regardless of the difficulty level. My challenge will be lovingly getting her to not fear difficulty or failure. I plan on doing this by beginning slow and small. She needs to experience success after success after success and that will take patience and determination on my part. I chuckle as I think back up to my first paragraph. Why did God make me Taylor's mom? Because he knows how blasted determined I can be and that is exactly what she needs. Somebody who isn't going to give up or give in to her. She needs to know that she is safe and that I am on her side. I cannot wait to see my little worn down baby girl blossom into a strong, happy, confident young lady.
I cannot even begin to fathom how long and hard this road is going to be. So, that's why I have chosen to come back to this blog. I need to be able to see the progress we've made on those hard days when I feel like a complete failure. I'm going to need reminders why I chose to do this. I mean I had it made. Both girls were in school and all I had to do was lead a bible study on Friday and keep the house picked up. I had my days to myself and it was AMAZING! I loved it! But, God had other plans. So here we go, on another journey.
Ashlyn also wanted to hs but I told her she had to finish kindergarten. I needed to get Taylor's routine established and get the bumps ironed out before I doubled my load. We did a few pretend homeschool days and during one of those days T began to throw her usual "I don't wanna do it" fit which means screaming and arguing. Ashlyn was covering her ears and told me there was no way she could listen to "that mess!" I told her that this is why I needed T at home first. If at the beginning of 1st grade if she wants to try to hs we will try it but not until 1st grade. She understood and agreed. Bless her little heart. She, too, is so smart.
This clarity enabled me to see the pain and frustration in my child's eyes when it came to school. That's when I finally gained the confidence and energy to research homeschool. Yes, I was thinking of pulling a strong-willed, academically challenged child out of a perfectly great school to bring her home with me 24/7, 365, and become solely responsible for her education.
The school was doing all they could but Taylor was still struggling with reading and math had become exceedingly difficult for her. I had mentioned the idea of homeschool to allow her to work at her own pace and she loved it. One random day on the way too school as she was sitting quietly in the back seat, she looked over at me and said, "Mom, if daddy says no to homeschool, can I do the second grade over again. I think it would just make me feel better." My heart split in half, right down the middle in little jagged pieces, and fell like ashes on a dark, cold prison floor. I had to get my baby out of the pressures of standardized testing, common core curriculum, and the taunting of hateful children. After months of research, prayer, conversations with other homeschool (hs) moms, and several discussions/debates with daddy, he gave me the okay to purchase her curriculum. She finished out the school year and at Christmas break I officially withdrew her from 2nd grade.
We officially started hs'ing on January 5th, 2017. My goal for the first 2-3 months is to help Taylor regain some of her confidence in herself. Her confidence in herself is just so beaten down that she refuses to pick up a book because she think's it's too hard for her to read, regardless of the difficulty level. My challenge will be lovingly getting her to not fear difficulty or failure. I plan on doing this by beginning slow and small. She needs to experience success after success after success and that will take patience and determination on my part. I chuckle as I think back up to my first paragraph. Why did God make me Taylor's mom? Because he knows how blasted determined I can be and that is exactly what she needs. Somebody who isn't going to give up or give in to her. She needs to know that she is safe and that I am on her side. I cannot wait to see my little worn down baby girl blossom into a strong, happy, confident young lady.
I cannot even begin to fathom how long and hard this road is going to be. So, that's why I have chosen to come back to this blog. I need to be able to see the progress we've made on those hard days when I feel like a complete failure. I'm going to need reminders why I chose to do this. I mean I had it made. Both girls were in school and all I had to do was lead a bible study on Friday and keep the house picked up. I had my days to myself and it was AMAZING! I loved it! But, God had other plans. So here we go, on another journey.
Ashlyn also wanted to hs but I told her she had to finish kindergarten. I needed to get Taylor's routine established and get the bumps ironed out before I doubled my load. We did a few pretend homeschool days and during one of those days T began to throw her usual "I don't wanna do it" fit which means screaming and arguing. Ashlyn was covering her ears and told me there was no way she could listen to "that mess!" I told her that this is why I needed T at home first. If at the beginning of 1st grade if she wants to try to hs we will try it but not until 1st grade. She understood and agreed. Bless her little heart. She, too, is so smart.
Monday, February 23, 2015
First day of the rest of our life
February 17th, 2015, wasn't just our 8 year wedding anniversary...it was the day I've been waiting for for 5 1/2 years. Taylor was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, specifically proprioceptive deficits. You see, we don't actually have 5 senses - we have seven.
Our sixth sense is The Vestibular System explains the perception of our body in relation to gravity, movement and balance. The vestibular system measures acceleration, g-force, body movements and head position. Examples of the vestibular system in practice include knowing that you are moving when you are in an elevator, knowing whether you are lying down or sat up, and being able to walk along a balance beam.
Our seventh sense, the one Taylor has problems with, is called Proprioception. It is the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement. This sense is very important as it lets us know exactly where our body parts are, how we are positioned in space and to plan our movements. Examples of our proprioception in practice include being able to clap our hands together with our eyes closed, write with a pencil or crayon and apply with correct pressure, and navigate through a narrow space.
Taylor cannot run with a normal runners stance. One of her feet is always in contact with the ground instead of being "in-flight" at some point in her stride. She cannot catch a ball without looking where are arms are and she usually misses. She cannot regulate her volume but complains about other loud noises and bright lights. She is emotionally immature for her age and is unable to to accept disappointment or loss, regardless how insignificant the item may be. For example, when a plain yellow balloon popped, she got so worked up over losing her balloon that she threw up over an hour later and three days later is asking about getting another balloon.
Her ability to make sense of parts of her life that were hard to understand has manifested itself behaviorally and emotionally. Defiance and emotional outbursts are usually the order of the day in our home. She has cannot manage her disappointment which immediately sends her into a state of code-red rage. When she cries and her nose runs she blows it everywhere and slobbers all over the place. She reminds me of the old cow in Old Yeller who stumbles around with rabies. This is over something as small as losing a toy or going to time out.
As a baby, when I would find myself, scavenging the internet and crying to every friend and family member I had, I would eventually come to realize that she was experiencing a growth spurt. Last week I found myself in a therapist office in tears and not wanting to take care of my little girl anymore because it had just gotten too hard and I didn't have the tools to teach her how to deal with the life she had been dealt. Heck, I couldn't deal with it! I've heard preachers say that sometimes God delivers us from things and sometimes he delivers us through them. I didn't think either was going to happen to me. You have no idea how hard these times are for SPD families. These growth spurts are literally hell on the whole family. Taylor spirals into turmoil, I quickly fall in-line, then dad and eventually Ashlyn. Pretty soon we are all angry and unhappy. But, in a few months the sun will start to shine again and things go back to normal. Well, I think now we are experiencing a growth spurt.
But what makes this time different from all the rest is her diagnosis. We are now in OT therapy once a week. At her eval, her OT said that today was her birthday, our birthday! There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it is a long, long tunnel. But each week, each month things will get better. God is delivering us through this. And that is how I will get through this, not by focusing on myself, but putting the focus on the Cross. By leaning on him and trusting him to be the giver of strength and salvation.
My favorite verse (and chapter) is Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
PS. My anger for her pediatrician for not only MISSING all of the signs but for just not hearing me is something I am working on. Her OT said that she has doctors sending her babies! Granted, Taylor's issues are not that severe but I cried to him, in his office, for 5 years! I took her in for "behavioral counseling" 3 separate times. Please, take it from me! PARENTS, YOU ARE YOUR CHILDS ONLY ADVOCATE! NEVER STOP FIGHTING FOR YOUR KID!!!
Our sixth sense is The Vestibular System explains the perception of our body in relation to gravity, movement and balance. The vestibular system measures acceleration, g-force, body movements and head position. Examples of the vestibular system in practice include knowing that you are moving when you are in an elevator, knowing whether you are lying down or sat up, and being able to walk along a balance beam.
Our seventh sense, the one Taylor has problems with, is called Proprioception. It is the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement. This sense is very important as it lets us know exactly where our body parts are, how we are positioned in space and to plan our movements. Examples of our proprioception in practice include being able to clap our hands together with our eyes closed, write with a pencil or crayon and apply with correct pressure, and navigate through a narrow space.
Taylor cannot run with a normal runners stance. One of her feet is always in contact with the ground instead of being "in-flight" at some point in her stride. She cannot catch a ball without looking where are arms are and she usually misses. She cannot regulate her volume but complains about other loud noises and bright lights. She is emotionally immature for her age and is unable to to accept disappointment or loss, regardless how insignificant the item may be. For example, when a plain yellow balloon popped, she got so worked up over losing her balloon that she threw up over an hour later and three days later is asking about getting another balloon.
Her ability to make sense of parts of her life that were hard to understand has manifested itself behaviorally and emotionally. Defiance and emotional outbursts are usually the order of the day in our home. She has cannot manage her disappointment which immediately sends her into a state of code-red rage. When she cries and her nose runs she blows it everywhere and slobbers all over the place. She reminds me of the old cow in Old Yeller who stumbles around with rabies. This is over something as small as losing a toy or going to time out.
As a baby, when I would find myself, scavenging the internet and crying to every friend and family member I had, I would eventually come to realize that she was experiencing a growth spurt. Last week I found myself in a therapist office in tears and not wanting to take care of my little girl anymore because it had just gotten too hard and I didn't have the tools to teach her how to deal with the life she had been dealt. Heck, I couldn't deal with it! I've heard preachers say that sometimes God delivers us from things and sometimes he delivers us through them. I didn't think either was going to happen to me. You have no idea how hard these times are for SPD families. These growth spurts are literally hell on the whole family. Taylor spirals into turmoil, I quickly fall in-line, then dad and eventually Ashlyn. Pretty soon we are all angry and unhappy. But, in a few months the sun will start to shine again and things go back to normal. Well, I think now we are experiencing a growth spurt.
But what makes this time different from all the rest is her diagnosis. We are now in OT therapy once a week. At her eval, her OT said that today was her birthday, our birthday! There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it is a long, long tunnel. But each week, each month things will get better. God is delivering us through this. And that is how I will get through this, not by focusing on myself, but putting the focus on the Cross. By leaning on him and trusting him to be the giver of strength and salvation.
My favorite verse (and chapter) is Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
PS. My anger for her pediatrician for not only MISSING all of the signs but for just not hearing me is something I am working on. Her OT said that she has doctors sending her babies! Granted, Taylor's issues are not that severe but I cried to him, in his office, for 5 years! I took her in for "behavioral counseling" 3 separate times. Please, take it from me! PARENTS, YOU ARE YOUR CHILDS ONLY ADVOCATE! NEVER STOP FIGHTING FOR YOUR KID!!!
Friday, January 09, 2015
A Year Later
So, we transferred to Mississippi back in June 2014. We still have the house in NC.
Taylor is 5 and Ashlyn will be 4 in 3 weeks. Taylor is in Kindergarten which has been excruciating. Mississippi has adopted the "popular" federally backed Common Core State Standards. It is way to rigorous for small children and demands too much of their limited attention span. The standard is asking of kindergarteners what would normally be expected of second or third graders and their young minds just aren't made to process that complex amount of information at such a fast pace. Okay, that's my soap box about the public school system. I very seriously considered homeschooling her but decided against it. Here is why...
Taylor's behavior has deteriorated drastically. Life with a strong-willed child is never easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy but if I had to chart the last 3 months there would be dramatic descent into the pits of hell. Don't get me wrong, I love my little girl...I just don't love her behavior! After going back through my posts and a barely noticeable comment by a friend, I think I have narrowed her behavior down to a growth spurt. I guess the good part is that unlike when she was a baby, they keep getting farther apart. I remember saying that if I start pulling my hair out - it's a growth spurt. Coincidently, a friend of the family, who hasn't seen Tay since Thanksgiving mentioned when she saw her recently that she had really grown. Well, it just so happened that I marked Tay's height around the first of November and sure enough...almost 1/2" from Nov to January. Growth Spurt!
As I sit here trying to figure out where to start first with her list of behavioral challenges (for posterity), I quickly realize that the site probably has storage limitations and I will eventually need to go to bed.
1.) Accidents - (Taylor, I apologize in advance!) She is still having potty accidents. Yes, at 5 1/2 years old. When she is playing she refuses to take the time to go potty. On the other hand, if I ask her if she has to go she says she isn't sure. If I ask her if she has wet undies, she says she doesn't know and has to go check. It happened tonight but she knew that she dribbled when she was playing with her barbies...alone. She just refused to stop playing! (Not lazy ~ Strong-willed)
2.) Anxiety - Every time she is told to do something she doesn't want to do or is asked to do stop doing something she wants to do she freaks out. She turns her lips down, raises her eyebrows, puts her hands out and shakes them up and down, and begins to hyperventilate saying or screaming, BUT! BUT! BUT! From here it is all down hill, quickly. Her volume spikes to unbearable levels and it is hard to get her to calm down. I mean hard! Bedtimes are especially difficult. Every single night she has a meltdown when going to bed. Tonight I came up with the idea of scratching her back in the living room and the telling her I would finish in her bed. She loves this and it always relaxes her. I have my fingers crossed.
3.) Negative Thoughts - This scares me. The other stuff is frustrating...this scares me. She says things like, "I just wanna die!" "I don't like myself but I don't know how to change!", "Nobody likes me!". You can see why this is so disturbing. I try to speak God's truth into her. God has GOOD plans for her! (Jeremiah 29:11) And everything will be okay. (Romans 8:28) I just keep praying and trying to speak positive things into her life.
4.) Sensory Issues - This is the area where I have seen the most improvement. She is actually trying new foods on occasion. However, she is also cutting out healthy foods that she was eating, most recently eggs. She still hasn't eaten a vegetable since baby food which she actually used to love. She obsesses, I mean, OBSESSES about sweets. Almost every morning she wakes asking for ice cream or cookies, or something sweet; which yes, we do have because dad has a sweet tooth. This is a tough battle for me because sweets aren't necessarily my thing. I could take them or leave them.
She will now let me put her hair in a pony tail but no headbands. She still will not wear jeans or any pants that snap or zip. We still have issues with shoes and socks. And she is hyper-sensitive to what her clothes look like. She likes to mix and match crazy, I mean CRAZY, things. I have never picked this battle and still don't unless its a weather issue or matter of appropriateness. Oh, and she also hates brushing her teeth since she just lost her front two bottom teeth. She lost the first one in October on the way back from Disney Land. The second she lost last week. Her gums are a bit puffy but she still has to brush her teeth and she hates it. I have to hold her head and do it for her. This does not go over well.
5.) Attention Problems - She is a talker at school which isn't a big deal until she talks while the teacher is instructing. This happens about once a week. When she gets in trouble she has to move her behavior clip from green to yellow. If she brings home a yellow several things happen. 1) No sweets for the entire day, 2) No screen time all day, 3.) Ash and I don't have lunch with her at school on Friday, and 4.) She doesn't get to pick out a small toy over the weekend like she would if she stayed on green all week. So, yellows are a big deal at our house! She has only gotten in trouble for two different things: talking and defiance. She refused to finish her worksheet. Now, worksheets are not Taylor's favorite way to learn by far. So for her to keep her attention focused to finish an entire worksheet is a major feat. Her teachers usually make her stay in for recess to finish her work. I agree and disagree with this. (big sigh!)
This takes so much out of me and Brodie emotionally and the chaos has naturally had a negative effect on Ashlyn. We (mom and dad) are so exhausted that we have regrettable chosen not to fight most battles (instill discipline) because we are just so tired of fighting. (I know, I know!) Ashlyn has turned into a little monster...a cute monster though! The whole family just has to hit the reset button. We are a mess. But please, don't tell anyone! (wink)
So to help get us all back on track we are getting Tay some help and I am also getting someone to help me get a handle on my own anger issues. We need some tools in our tool box to get this ship back on course. I have a feeling that as time passes and she grows up, we will occasionally need some help recalibrating our parenting skills and her behavior.
We love our girls and want to give them the best chance at success possible. But dear Lord...it is HARD! I tell ya, if having kids has taught me one thing is my need for Christ! His words are my foundation and if it wasn't for that I can't say how bad off we would be now, seriously. He really is our solid rock!
Taylor is 5 and Ashlyn will be 4 in 3 weeks. Taylor is in Kindergarten which has been excruciating. Mississippi has adopted the "popular" federally backed Common Core State Standards. It is way to rigorous for small children and demands too much of their limited attention span. The standard is asking of kindergarteners what would normally be expected of second or third graders and their young minds just aren't made to process that complex amount of information at such a fast pace. Okay, that's my soap box about the public school system. I very seriously considered homeschooling her but decided against it. Here is why...
Taylor's behavior has deteriorated drastically. Life with a strong-willed child is never easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy but if I had to chart the last 3 months there would be dramatic descent into the pits of hell. Don't get me wrong, I love my little girl...I just don't love her behavior! After going back through my posts and a barely noticeable comment by a friend, I think I have narrowed her behavior down to a growth spurt. I guess the good part is that unlike when she was a baby, they keep getting farther apart. I remember saying that if I start pulling my hair out - it's a growth spurt. Coincidently, a friend of the family, who hasn't seen Tay since Thanksgiving mentioned when she saw her recently that she had really grown. Well, it just so happened that I marked Tay's height around the first of November and sure enough...almost 1/2" from Nov to January. Growth Spurt!
As I sit here trying to figure out where to start first with her list of behavioral challenges (for posterity), I quickly realize that the site probably has storage limitations and I will eventually need to go to bed.
1.) Accidents - (Taylor, I apologize in advance!) She is still having potty accidents. Yes, at 5 1/2 years old. When she is playing she refuses to take the time to go potty. On the other hand, if I ask her if she has to go she says she isn't sure. If I ask her if she has wet undies, she says she doesn't know and has to go check. It happened tonight but she knew that she dribbled when she was playing with her barbies...alone. She just refused to stop playing! (Not lazy ~ Strong-willed)
2.) Anxiety - Every time she is told to do something she doesn't want to do or is asked to do stop doing something she wants to do she freaks out. She turns her lips down, raises her eyebrows, puts her hands out and shakes them up and down, and begins to hyperventilate saying or screaming, BUT! BUT! BUT! From here it is all down hill, quickly. Her volume spikes to unbearable levels and it is hard to get her to calm down. I mean hard! Bedtimes are especially difficult. Every single night she has a meltdown when going to bed. Tonight I came up with the idea of scratching her back in the living room and the telling her I would finish in her bed. She loves this and it always relaxes her. I have my fingers crossed.
3.) Negative Thoughts - This scares me. The other stuff is frustrating...this scares me. She says things like, "I just wanna die!" "I don't like myself but I don't know how to change!", "Nobody likes me!". You can see why this is so disturbing. I try to speak God's truth into her. God has GOOD plans for her! (Jeremiah 29:11) And everything will be okay. (Romans 8:28) I just keep praying and trying to speak positive things into her life.
4.) Sensory Issues - This is the area where I have seen the most improvement. She is actually trying new foods on occasion. However, she is also cutting out healthy foods that she was eating, most recently eggs. She still hasn't eaten a vegetable since baby food which she actually used to love. She obsesses, I mean, OBSESSES about sweets. Almost every morning she wakes asking for ice cream or cookies, or something sweet; which yes, we do have because dad has a sweet tooth. This is a tough battle for me because sweets aren't necessarily my thing. I could take them or leave them.
She will now let me put her hair in a pony tail but no headbands. She still will not wear jeans or any pants that snap or zip. We still have issues with shoes and socks. And she is hyper-sensitive to what her clothes look like. She likes to mix and match crazy, I mean CRAZY, things. I have never picked this battle and still don't unless its a weather issue or matter of appropriateness. Oh, and she also hates brushing her teeth since she just lost her front two bottom teeth. She lost the first one in October on the way back from Disney Land. The second she lost last week. Her gums are a bit puffy but she still has to brush her teeth and she hates it. I have to hold her head and do it for her. This does not go over well.
5.) Attention Problems - She is a talker at school which isn't a big deal until she talks while the teacher is instructing. This happens about once a week. When she gets in trouble she has to move her behavior clip from green to yellow. If she brings home a yellow several things happen. 1) No sweets for the entire day, 2) No screen time all day, 3.) Ash and I don't have lunch with her at school on Friday, and 4.) She doesn't get to pick out a small toy over the weekend like she would if she stayed on green all week. So, yellows are a big deal at our house! She has only gotten in trouble for two different things: talking and defiance. She refused to finish her worksheet. Now, worksheets are not Taylor's favorite way to learn by far. So for her to keep her attention focused to finish an entire worksheet is a major feat. Her teachers usually make her stay in for recess to finish her work. I agree and disagree with this. (big sigh!)
This takes so much out of me and Brodie emotionally and the chaos has naturally had a negative effect on Ashlyn. We (mom and dad) are so exhausted that we have regrettable chosen not to fight most battles (instill discipline) because we are just so tired of fighting. (I know, I know!) Ashlyn has turned into a little monster...a cute monster though! The whole family just has to hit the reset button. We are a mess. But please, don't tell anyone! (wink)
So to help get us all back on track we are getting Tay some help and I am also getting someone to help me get a handle on my own anger issues. We need some tools in our tool box to get this ship back on course. I have a feeling that as time passes and she grows up, we will occasionally need some help recalibrating our parenting skills and her behavior.
We love our girls and want to give them the best chance at success possible. But dear Lord...it is HARD! I tell ya, if having kids has taught me one thing is my need for Christ! His words are my foundation and if it wasn't for that I can't say how bad off we would be now, seriously. He really is our solid rock!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Ashlyn's 3rd Birthday Snow
What a great 3rd birthday present...SNOW! Taylor, Ashlyn, Sandi and Charlie...and Momma played in the snow/ice yesterday and today and had so much fun. Regretfully, Ashlyn missed her nap today so she was pretty ill this afternoon. She still cries, "Hold Me, Momma!" It's so pitiful, God love her! Taylor actually talked her into walking into a ditch full of frozen ice water up to her knees. Then she cried because it was cold! Really, sister!
We are going to wait until Granny Mary gets here from Chicago to have her birthday party so today was pretty boring. We've been frozen inside for the last couple of days so tomorrow a GREAT friend of mine is going to keep the girls for a while so I can catch my breath. Being a mom is getting easier in ways but now Ashlyn is trying to test her boundaries and picking up her sisters bad habits. But overall, I am finally now ENJOYING being a mom. I really didn't think it would ever happen.
Preschool has been very good for Taylor. She is also taking a dance combo class: tap, ballet and tumbling. All of her teachers constantly praise her on her compassion, leadership skills and intelligence. It's so gooooooooood to hear them sing her praises because I don't get many opportunities to see all that goodness at home. On occasion she'll really impress me and boy do I make a big deal of it. I try to spend as much time with her as I can, just holding her and loving on her. She really enjoys it when I brush her hair when I am getting her ready in the morning. She'll often say, "Momma, keep brushing." She is such a sweet heart. I just don't know why she doesn't (or won't) show that beautiful side of her at home. Ah well, we are constantly working on it.
The other thing we are working on is her tee-teeing in her pants. When she's 27 she's gonna kill me for writing this! LOL! But she absolutely does NOT CARE if she wets her pants. She is playing and she isn't going to stop for anyone or anything...even to go potty. And now Ashlyn is doing the same thing. I've tried not saying anything and hoping it goes away, putting her back in pull-up's, spanking, nothing works. The minute I told both of them today that if they even so much as dribbled one drop in their underwear, they were getting a BAD spanking with a belt - Ashlyn didn't have anymore accidents. She was scared! Taylor, she didn't care! She got like 5 spankings in one day. I explained to her every single time why I was spanking her, how much I hated spanking her, but that she HAD to stop having accidents and I didn't know what else to do. She just didn't care. Now, when she was getting a spanking, of course she cared. But an hour or two later...yep...she didn't care. Another spanking. All day long! Seriously!!! But I am just not going to give up. She is not going to keep doing this. It's nasty and she has to learn.
But, winter is at it's peak and we will soon be sliding into spring. It is so hard to believe that we only have about 4 months left until we have to move. I'm excited and a bit sad. I just can't wait to get a place so I can start imagining our family down there. I've been gone for so long that I'm guessing it will be a little weird going back to live. But Brodie's job is going to be so good for him and I am really excited about that. Watching the girls get to know their family and so much more. Four more months.
We are going to wait until Granny Mary gets here from Chicago to have her birthday party so today was pretty boring. We've been frozen inside for the last couple of days so tomorrow a GREAT friend of mine is going to keep the girls for a while so I can catch my breath. Being a mom is getting easier in ways but now Ashlyn is trying to test her boundaries and picking up her sisters bad habits. But overall, I am finally now ENJOYING being a mom. I really didn't think it would ever happen.
Preschool has been very good for Taylor. She is also taking a dance combo class: tap, ballet and tumbling. All of her teachers constantly praise her on her compassion, leadership skills and intelligence. It's so gooooooooood to hear them sing her praises because I don't get many opportunities to see all that goodness at home. On occasion she'll really impress me and boy do I make a big deal of it. I try to spend as much time with her as I can, just holding her and loving on her. She really enjoys it when I brush her hair when I am getting her ready in the morning. She'll often say, "Momma, keep brushing." She is such a sweet heart. I just don't know why she doesn't (or won't) show that beautiful side of her at home. Ah well, we are constantly working on it.
The other thing we are working on is her tee-teeing in her pants. When she's 27 she's gonna kill me for writing this! LOL! But she absolutely does NOT CARE if she wets her pants. She is playing and she isn't going to stop for anyone or anything...even to go potty. And now Ashlyn is doing the same thing. I've tried not saying anything and hoping it goes away, putting her back in pull-up's, spanking, nothing works. The minute I told both of them today that if they even so much as dribbled one drop in their underwear, they were getting a BAD spanking with a belt - Ashlyn didn't have anymore accidents. She was scared! Taylor, she didn't care! She got like 5 spankings in one day. I explained to her every single time why I was spanking her, how much I hated spanking her, but that she HAD to stop having accidents and I didn't know what else to do. She just didn't care. Now, when she was getting a spanking, of course she cared. But an hour or two later...yep...she didn't care. Another spanking. All day long! Seriously!!! But I am just not going to give up. She is not going to keep doing this. It's nasty and she has to learn.
But, winter is at it's peak and we will soon be sliding into spring. It is so hard to believe that we only have about 4 months left until we have to move. I'm excited and a bit sad. I just can't wait to get a place so I can start imagining our family down there. I've been gone for so long that I'm guessing it will be a little weird going back to live. But Brodie's job is going to be so good for him and I am really excited about that. Watching the girls get to know their family and so much more. Four more months.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
School & Dance
Hey Guys,
Sorry about the size of the Blog Picture! I took this with my phone and iPhoto is horrible so I can't reduce the size of the original pic, just the viewable portion of the pic. So aggravating!!!
School is in full swing and nothing could have been better for Taylor. God truly moved mountains for us that Tay could go to this particular school, for free, and ride the bus. As hard as it has been for her to get up some mornings she has always been eager to get to school. All I have to do is say, "Taylor, you are going to miss the bus. Please hurry!" The routine has been good for us all. Taylor is the last person to get on the bus in the mornings at 8am and the first person to get off the bus in the afternoon at 3:20. I have to sign her on the bus and off the bus every day. I love the security at this place!
After I get Taylor on the bus, I load Ashlyn up (Mon & Wed) and she goes to Pre-PreK. She is attending the school where Taylor went last year so she is familiar with both teachers and the facilities. However, she is starting to get some anxiety about me leaving her in the morning. She will start to whine so I'll hug her for a bit and her teacher will peel her off my leg and she'll be fine before I am out of the door. I don't know that she is learning much but the socialization and independence from me is good for her. Plus, I get 3 hours on Monday just for me!!!
I was asked this summer to be a leader in a bible study that I have been attending for four years now. This requires 3 hours on Wednesday while Ashlyn is at PreK and then I take her with me and she stays in the nursery on Thursdays. If anyone is interested the bible study is called Community Bible Study and it is an international study and they even have a prison study as well. This was the lamp that God used to light my families walk with Christ. I cannot say enough about it.
We went to Mikes Farm yesterday and got pumpkins again this year. It was so much fun! I have added some pic's to drop shots.
Sorry about the size of the Blog Picture! I took this with my phone and iPhoto is horrible so I can't reduce the size of the original pic, just the viewable portion of the pic. So aggravating!!!
School is in full swing and nothing could have been better for Taylor. God truly moved mountains for us that Tay could go to this particular school, for free, and ride the bus. As hard as it has been for her to get up some mornings she has always been eager to get to school. All I have to do is say, "Taylor, you are going to miss the bus. Please hurry!" The routine has been good for us all. Taylor is the last person to get on the bus in the mornings at 8am and the first person to get off the bus in the afternoon at 3:20. I have to sign her on the bus and off the bus every day. I love the security at this place!
After I get Taylor on the bus, I load Ashlyn up (Mon & Wed) and she goes to Pre-PreK. She is attending the school where Taylor went last year so she is familiar with both teachers and the facilities. However, she is starting to get some anxiety about me leaving her in the morning. She will start to whine so I'll hug her for a bit and her teacher will peel her off my leg and she'll be fine before I am out of the door. I don't know that she is learning much but the socialization and independence from me is good for her. Plus, I get 3 hours on Monday just for me!!!
I was asked this summer to be a leader in a bible study that I have been attending for four years now. This requires 3 hours on Wednesday while Ashlyn is at PreK and then I take her with me and she stays in the nursery on Thursdays. If anyone is interested the bible study is called Community Bible Study and it is an international study and they even have a prison study as well. This was the lamp that God used to light my families walk with Christ. I cannot say enough about it.
We went to Mikes Farm yesterday and got pumpkins again this year. It was so much fun! I have added some pic's to drop shots.
Monday, August 05, 2013
About Time!!!
Yes, it has been almost a year since I have written. Nothing much has happened. LOL! Just kidding. A LOT has been going on and quite frankly I have just had more important things to do. So, here is what has happened.
Ashlyn is now 2.5 yrs old. At her last checkup on Feb. 4, 2013, when was 34.8" tall (75%) and 27lbs (50%). Her nickname is "Goat." Because she will eat anything and climbs fearlessly on everything. She is suffering a mild sprained ankle thanks to a dive off the slide on the swing set! And she is just now breaking her last set of molars before her 6yr molars come in.
This summer she has gone through a marked growth spurt. Not only her body but her cognitive/behavior skills as well. She was always a very laid back kid but now she adamantly fights for her place in the pecking order of the household. She can and will do everything her big sister does. She is still very clingy and extremely jealous anytime I show affection to Taylor. "That's MY MOMMA!" she'll say. I quickly correct her but she doesn't listen. And she will not hesitate to correct anyone who calls her "baby." She remarks, "I"m NOT a baby anymoora." LOL!
One thing that is very interesting to me is that loud noises scare her. In fact, she just scares easily, period. If she is next to me and I call out for something, it will scare her and she cries. What makes this quirk so annoying is that we live in the flight path of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point where the famed HARRIER trains. To this day, it is the loudest aircraft EVER. Oh, and the train tracks are right behind the house, too! LOL! Ah, the joys of city life.
And Taylor, sweet 'ole Taylor. She just went for her 4yr checkup 2 months ago and she was 43.1" tall (101%) and 50lbs (101%). Yes, my kid is off the charts! Her peditrician said she was the size of a 7yr old which makes sense because I am buying her size 7's & 8's for the fall school year. She's in PRE-K! LOL! She is getting her 6yr molars in now and complains a little about it but not much.
As most of you know, she has just about killed us. Not only is she smart has a whip, she has behavior issues that make me want to slit my own throat! I have taken her for behavior counciling 3 times and each time her doctor says SOOOoooo non-chalanty, "Oh, ha ha ha, she's just a strong-willed child! She'll be fiiiiine!" HA! Goes to show you what he knows. The whole time I'm sitting there bitting my lips thinking, "She ain't gonna be fine! I'M GONNA KILL HER! Or she's gonna kill me, or something. Either way, there is no way on earth we are both making it out alive!" But as God promises, He does work all things to the good of those who love him. I just found out today that she as been accepted to a "hands-on" Pre-K program where she can go for free because it is funded through a grant from the state AND she'll get to ride the bus just for Pre-K kids only. This facility is amazing. It is geared towards children who need help with social and behavioral issues but the also accept "typical" children to balance out the class. There are 12 kids to 1 teacher and they will teach her how to manage her "hard to deal with" temperamental traits such as: low adaptability, intensity, distractibility, and low sensory thresholds. She is a frustratingly picky eater. She craves sweets and the TV like she's never gonna have them again, ever. She is not potty trained and she turned 4 two months ago. (Ashlyn is already trained.) Right now these aren't "diagnosable" type traits but they make for a difficult child. My favorite book, "The Difficult Child" calls these types of children "Mother Killers" and they certainly are. What makes it all so much worse is that I have no support system (family close by). Well, we do have very good friends at church that will watch the girls on occasion but its not the same as that family support system that I consider so valuable to your sanity as a mother.
Both of the girls are so beautiful and stepping back from the monotony of my day-to-day trials, I am so blessed to be the mother of these two amazing and inspiring children. The play so well together which was one of my major concerns. They are also both in swim lessons for two weeks this summer and Taylor will be swimming by the end of the week and Ashlyn (aka. Bitty) will go under but hates it. Since she is so clingy we are doing a mommy-n-me class but Taylor is almost swimming on her own. It was so crazy. Last Thursday she was crying with so much anxiety because she did not want to go under. But about 5 minutes before we left to for our lessons she just completely changed her mind. She said, "If I wanna be a life guard like Daddy I have to swim underwater so I am going to do it!" Well, alright Sister, you do it! And, just like that, she did. That was the 5th proudest day of my life. My marriage, my girls, my salvation, and Taylor swimming!~ I cried the whole lesson!!!! It was great!
Brodie and are hanging in there. We are so tired all the time, but who isn't these days? This is our last year here in North Carolina, which I am very sad about. I love it here. We have a great church family and you cannot beat the weather. There is a very tiny chance we could stay here for 3 more years after next summer but I highly doubt it. Brodie is in the process of trying to decide if he wants to stay on the Warrant Officer ladder or move over to the Lieutenant ladder which goes up a lot higher than the one he's on now. I know he'll choose Lt. but for now I am just being the good wife and saying "Yes Dear and I understand honey" every time he talks about "all" the reasons he should stay where he is. He's so predictable! (wink).
Well hopefully this gets me back on track to updating my family blog for those very few of you who actually read this stuff. Also, since Taylor is starting school full time in the fall I will have a lot more time to actually sit down and do this since Ashlyn still takes naps.
See you soon! R
Ashlyn is now 2.5 yrs old. At her last checkup on Feb. 4, 2013, when was 34.8" tall (75%) and 27lbs (50%). Her nickname is "Goat." Because she will eat anything and climbs fearlessly on everything. She is suffering a mild sprained ankle thanks to a dive off the slide on the swing set! And she is just now breaking her last set of molars before her 6yr molars come in.
This summer she has gone through a marked growth spurt. Not only her body but her cognitive/behavior skills as well. She was always a very laid back kid but now she adamantly fights for her place in the pecking order of the household. She can and will do everything her big sister does. She is still very clingy and extremely jealous anytime I show affection to Taylor. "That's MY MOMMA!" she'll say. I quickly correct her but she doesn't listen. And she will not hesitate to correct anyone who calls her "baby." She remarks, "I"m NOT a baby anymoora." LOL!
One thing that is very interesting to me is that loud noises scare her. In fact, she just scares easily, period. If she is next to me and I call out for something, it will scare her and she cries. What makes this quirk so annoying is that we live in the flight path of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point where the famed HARRIER trains. To this day, it is the loudest aircraft EVER. Oh, and the train tracks are right behind the house, too! LOL! Ah, the joys of city life.
And Taylor, sweet 'ole Taylor. She just went for her 4yr checkup 2 months ago and she was 43.1" tall (101%) and 50lbs (101%). Yes, my kid is off the charts! Her peditrician said she was the size of a 7yr old which makes sense because I am buying her size 7's & 8's for the fall school year. She's in PRE-K! LOL! She is getting her 6yr molars in now and complains a little about it but not much.
As most of you know, she has just about killed us. Not only is she smart has a whip, she has behavior issues that make me want to slit my own throat! I have taken her for behavior counciling 3 times and each time her doctor says SOOOoooo non-chalanty, "Oh, ha ha ha, she's just a strong-willed child! She'll be fiiiiine!" HA! Goes to show you what he knows. The whole time I'm sitting there bitting my lips thinking, "She ain't gonna be fine! I'M GONNA KILL HER! Or she's gonna kill me, or something. Either way, there is no way on earth we are both making it out alive!" But as God promises, He does work all things to the good of those who love him. I just found out today that she as been accepted to a "hands-on" Pre-K program where she can go for free because it is funded through a grant from the state AND she'll get to ride the bus just for Pre-K kids only. This facility is amazing. It is geared towards children who need help with social and behavioral issues but the also accept "typical" children to balance out the class. There are 12 kids to 1 teacher and they will teach her how to manage her "hard to deal with" temperamental traits such as: low adaptability, intensity, distractibility, and low sensory thresholds. She is a frustratingly picky eater. She craves sweets and the TV like she's never gonna have them again, ever. She is not potty trained and she turned 4 two months ago. (Ashlyn is already trained.) Right now these aren't "diagnosable" type traits but they make for a difficult child. My favorite book, "The Difficult Child" calls these types of children "Mother Killers" and they certainly are. What makes it all so much worse is that I have no support system (family close by). Well, we do have very good friends at church that will watch the girls on occasion but its not the same as that family support system that I consider so valuable to your sanity as a mother.
Both of the girls are so beautiful and stepping back from the monotony of my day-to-day trials, I am so blessed to be the mother of these two amazing and inspiring children. The play so well together which was one of my major concerns. They are also both in swim lessons for two weeks this summer and Taylor will be swimming by the end of the week and Ashlyn (aka. Bitty) will go under but hates it. Since she is so clingy we are doing a mommy-n-me class but Taylor is almost swimming on her own. It was so crazy. Last Thursday she was crying with so much anxiety because she did not want to go under. But about 5 minutes before we left to for our lessons she just completely changed her mind. She said, "If I wanna be a life guard like Daddy I have to swim underwater so I am going to do it!" Well, alright Sister, you do it! And, just like that, she did. That was the 5th proudest day of my life. My marriage, my girls, my salvation, and Taylor swimming!~ I cried the whole lesson!!!! It was great!
Brodie and are hanging in there. We are so tired all the time, but who isn't these days? This is our last year here in North Carolina, which I am very sad about. I love it here. We have a great church family and you cannot beat the weather. There is a very tiny chance we could stay here for 3 more years after next summer but I highly doubt it. Brodie is in the process of trying to decide if he wants to stay on the Warrant Officer ladder or move over to the Lieutenant ladder which goes up a lot higher than the one he's on now. I know he'll choose Lt. but for now I am just being the good wife and saying "Yes Dear and I understand honey" every time he talks about "all" the reasons he should stay where he is. He's so predictable! (wink).
Well hopefully this gets me back on track to updating my family blog for those very few of you who actually read this stuff. Also, since Taylor is starting school full time in the fall I will have a lot more time to actually sit down and do this since Ashlyn still takes naps.
See you soon! R
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Punkin' Patch
We had so much fun today at Mike's Farm. We decided to go get our own pumpkins for the very first time. Our "punkin' gettin'" has been spotty over the years so we decided to do it right this year. We took a one hour drive out to the country, which felt to Brodie like we were half way to Mississippi! I was really afraid we were going to drive up to some old man's house and cut us a punkin'. No Way! This Mike fella did it up RIGHT! There was all kinds of great stuff to do and look at. There was also a LOT of people there. Whew!
Today the farm just so happen to be hosting my Dad's favorite event of all time I do believe - An Antique Tractor Show! So Dad, this post is for you! You can oogle over the pic's on the dropshots page. They did have the most boring race I had ever seen in my life, though. A barrel-pushin' race with a tractor. The guys had to push a barrel down the field without going out of bounds and the one who had the best time won. It was not that exciting so as soon as the rain stopped we hopped on the hay ride which took us back to the pumpkin patch.
This was the very first hay ride for the girls and Taylor LOVED it. Ashlyn didn't really care. Daddy and I loved watching the girls expressions. It was priceless. We went from this big open yard where everyone one was gathered down the shady path overgrown with lots of good smelling trees and vines. At one point there were trees all around us and our path got very dark. Taylor described it as "Spoooooky! He He He!"
We pulled up to the muddy field and everyone jumped out and began to scour the field for the very best pumpkin. Ashlyn just wanted to find a good patch of dirt and play in that. She succeeded! Taylor and Brodie barreled off into the muddy field tripping over vines and pumpkins all the way. Dad found a good big one and I spotted the one I wanted from the sidelines (watching Ashlyn draw in the dirt with her little finger). All of a sudden Taylor got a huge smile on her face and said, "There it is!" She had found it. Her perfect pumpkin. It was just a little bit bigger than her hand and she was so proud. Daddy showed her how to carry it so she wouldn't drop it and then she came running towards me as fast as the vines would let her. It was so sweet.
We got back to the farm and piddled around a little while longer. We stopped into what was set up to be an old homestead from 100+ years ago. Brodie told the girls, "Here girls, lets go look at where your Momma grew up!" I even had to laugh at that. As I snapped picture after picture of things that seemed absolutely ridiculous to my husband (who is from California) he said to me smiling, "You are loving this aren't you!" "Well, shoot yeah!" I said!
A little while later daddy announced that it was time to go. Taylor and I almost cried real tears! Ashlyn and dad were tired and hungry so they had been ready for a while. We packed up our pumpkin's, all our gear, and loaded up to go back home. What a great day!!!
I can't wait until we go get our Christmas Tree!!!
http://www.mikesfarm.com
Today the farm just so happen to be hosting my Dad's favorite event of all time I do believe - An Antique Tractor Show! So Dad, this post is for you! You can oogle over the pic's on the dropshots page. They did have the most boring race I had ever seen in my life, though. A barrel-pushin' race with a tractor. The guys had to push a barrel down the field without going out of bounds and the one who had the best time won. It was not that exciting so as soon as the rain stopped we hopped on the hay ride which took us back to the pumpkin patch.
This was the very first hay ride for the girls and Taylor LOVED it. Ashlyn didn't really care. Daddy and I loved watching the girls expressions. It was priceless. We went from this big open yard where everyone one was gathered down the shady path overgrown with lots of good smelling trees and vines. At one point there were trees all around us and our path got very dark. Taylor described it as "Spoooooky! He He He!"
We pulled up to the muddy field and everyone jumped out and began to scour the field for the very best pumpkin. Ashlyn just wanted to find a good patch of dirt and play in that. She succeeded! Taylor and Brodie barreled off into the muddy field tripping over vines and pumpkins all the way. Dad found a good big one and I spotted the one I wanted from the sidelines (watching Ashlyn draw in the dirt with her little finger). All of a sudden Taylor got a huge smile on her face and said, "There it is!" She had found it. Her perfect pumpkin. It was just a little bit bigger than her hand and she was so proud. Daddy showed her how to carry it so she wouldn't drop it and then she came running towards me as fast as the vines would let her. It was so sweet.
We got back to the farm and piddled around a little while longer. We stopped into what was set up to be an old homestead from 100+ years ago. Brodie told the girls, "Here girls, lets go look at where your Momma grew up!" I even had to laugh at that. As I snapped picture after picture of things that seemed absolutely ridiculous to my husband (who is from California) he said to me smiling, "You are loving this aren't you!" "Well, shoot yeah!" I said!
A little while later daddy announced that it was time to go. Taylor and I almost cried real tears! Ashlyn and dad were tired and hungry so they had been ready for a while. We packed up our pumpkin's, all our gear, and loaded up to go back home. What a great day!!!
I can't wait until we go get our Christmas Tree!!!
http://www.mikesfarm.com
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
First Day of Preschool & Update
Taylor's first day of preschool was a great success...considering. Considering what? Well, the night before. She woke up at 3 a.m. wanting to watch TV and drink some chocolate milk! I tried for an hour and a half to get that girl back to sleep and finally around 4:30 she passed out. Ugh...
During devotion time at school she just laid down on the rug and didn't participate because she was SO TIRED! But, she loved her school and her teacher. She is going to a Christian school and one of her friends from our church is going to school with her. I am so happy about this! School is also giving me more time with Ashlyn. I feel so terrible because when Taylor was Ashlyn's age she could do different puzzles and other "academic" type things. I just haven't had the time to spend with Ash. But now we are going to start working on a few things. Also, if Ashlyn takes a nap I HAVE MOMMY TIME! Which is why I am doing this right now. YAY!!!
Taylor is growing into such a big girl. She is such a good girl too. She plays well with Ashlyn and loves her little sister very much. Bath times are the exception. Tay loves to take up the entire tub leaving little room for sissy. But, that is a small thing.
Ashlyn had her 18 month checkup a few weeks ago. She was 25 pounds!!! Lemme tell ya, she's a solid 25 pounds too. She is yapping up a storm now and is saying quite a few words. She said her first sentence to her daddy the other day. "This is my cup!" LOL!!! She's pretty territorial but she has to be I guess.
Taylor's 3 year checkup went great. She passed all her eyesight and hearing test with flying colors and got NO shots. But, next year will be horrible. She gets her kindergarten vaccines. Dr.'s say it's the worst. Ugh! He told me to make sure Brodie comes with me. Wonderful...
Well, we are all doing great! Summer is coming to an end and I can't believe I'm saying this because I love the heat...but good riddance! All it has done is rain, rain, rain! Maybe we'll get some snow this year!
During devotion time at school she just laid down on the rug and didn't participate because she was SO TIRED! But, she loved her school and her teacher. She is going to a Christian school and one of her friends from our church is going to school with her. I am so happy about this! School is also giving me more time with Ashlyn. I feel so terrible because when Taylor was Ashlyn's age she could do different puzzles and other "academic" type things. I just haven't had the time to spend with Ash. But now we are going to start working on a few things. Also, if Ashlyn takes a nap I HAVE MOMMY TIME! Which is why I am doing this right now. YAY!!!
Taylor is growing into such a big girl. She is such a good girl too. She plays well with Ashlyn and loves her little sister very much. Bath times are the exception. Tay loves to take up the entire tub leaving little room for sissy. But, that is a small thing.
Ashlyn had her 18 month checkup a few weeks ago. She was 25 pounds!!! Lemme tell ya, she's a solid 25 pounds too. She is yapping up a storm now and is saying quite a few words. She said her first sentence to her daddy the other day. "This is my cup!" LOL!!! She's pretty territorial but she has to be I guess.
Taylor's 3 year checkup went great. She passed all her eyesight and hearing test with flying colors and got NO shots. But, next year will be horrible. She gets her kindergarten vaccines. Dr.'s say it's the worst. Ugh! He told me to make sure Brodie comes with me. Wonderful...
Well, we are all doing great! Summer is coming to an end and I can't believe I'm saying this because I love the heat...but good riddance! All it has done is rain, rain, rain! Maybe we'll get some snow this year!
Thursday, August 02, 2012
18 months & potty training
So for a few weeks now I've been letting Ashlyn run around without a diaper because she is showing interest in the potty. Two days after her 18 month birthday she used her lil potty for the first time.
When I got her out of her crib she had a poopy diaper. I left a diaper off of her because she kept saying "pee pee". She drags her potty to the middle of the floor and sits on it so I start singing the ABC song to keep her on it. She jumps up and down a few times and then gets up and runs. She turns around and points to her chair, "uh oh. Pee pee". I looked in there and she pooped! WHAT! She did it! Yay, Ashlyn!!!
When I got her out of her crib she had a poopy diaper. I left a diaper off of her because she kept saying "pee pee". She drags her potty to the middle of the floor and sits on it so I start singing the ABC song to keep her on it. She jumps up and down a few times and then gets up and runs. She turns around and points to her chair, "uh oh. Pee pee". I looked in there and she pooped! WHAT! She did it! Yay, Ashlyn!!!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
17 months in 4 days
Ashlyn is alllllmost a year and a half. So hard to believe. She is starting to change so much. Just this week she has started really babbling, trying out different combinations of consonants and vowels. It's so funny. She is also getting her upper molars. Her teeth have made her so miserable her entire life so to know that we are on the down hill side of cutting teeth is so reassuring.
p.s. Just noticed her bottom canines coming in too! Ugh...
She is really fighting her sleep now. She doesn't think it's fair that sister gets to stay up and she has to go to sleep. So, it's like wrangling an alligator every night at bedtime. But she'll eventually get so upset that she just gives up. Poor thing.
Also, she is the most clingy baby I have ever heard of. Which makes it hard on me during the course of the day with managing Taylor and my own chores. She rides my hip most all of the day. It's either that or put her down and let her scream. Then I have two screaming babies. So, my back is now pretty much ruined. (Oh Lord, thank you for blessing me with my children...but couldn't you have provided a live in Nanny too?) :)
Taylor is also hitting her 3's head on with a punching glove! She whines ALL THE TIME! Brodie and I take turns exclaiming our warnings of running away and not coming back until she's 30! She wants chocolate milk.
NO! Not in THAT sippy cup. (Uh, what was I thinking!)
She wants HOT milk.
"No, I wanna do it." So I pick her up and she punches in the time on the microwave. After the beep I get out her milk.
The screams begin again, "NO I WANTED TO GET IT OUT!"
"Taylor, you'll spill it."
"No I won't."
"Okay, Fine. But be careful."
"Ugh! Taylor! You spilled it!" "Get the rag."
She takes her hot chocolate milk and runs off while I am on the floor wiping up milk.
Repeat this about 500 times a day and that is what our lives are like right now. However, the thing to remember is that it is hard for her too!
But everyone once in a while she will say the most sweetest thing and it just melts our hearts, then we look at each other and wonder where our kid went! LOL!
Taylor is so tall and beautiful. Ashlyn is getting so pretty as well despite the fact that she looks JUST LIKE HER DADDY! (just kidding honey!)
Oh, and Taylor officially tried to kill Ashlyn last week. She had a cloth belt wrapped around her neck twice and was pulling up on it when Dad walked in. Ash was a strange shade of blue and purple. Dad set sister free and even now she has little purple bruises under her neck. Poor baby!
Pray for us...we need it!
p.s. Just noticed her bottom canines coming in too! Ugh...
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Taylor's 3rd Birthday
I know every parent says this every year their child has a birthday, but I can't believe she is 3 already. We invited her friends, rented the most obnoxious bounce house this neighborhood has ever seen, and pimped everything out in Dora The Explorer. IT WAS A SUCCESS!
She had so much fun (and food) that she threw up in the bounce house! YES! In the words of one of our friends, it's not a party till someone pukes in the bounce house! She must have bounced in that thing for 3 or 4 solid hours. Ashlyn didn't know what to think of it but she had a blast too! Sandi and Charlie are huge fans of house parties as there is not one Dorito crumb left in the back yard.
Taylor got so many wonderful gifts and we are very thankful for those who gave them. I have no idea how we are going to top this next year!!! Any ideas???
She had so much fun (and food) that she threw up in the bounce house! YES! In the words of one of our friends, it's not a party till someone pukes in the bounce house! She must have bounced in that thing for 3 or 4 solid hours. Ashlyn didn't know what to think of it but she had a blast too! Sandi and Charlie are huge fans of house parties as there is not one Dorito crumb left in the back yard.
Taylor got so many wonderful gifts and we are very thankful for those who gave them. I have no idea how we are going to top this next year!!! Any ideas???
Friday, May 25, 2012
So, I guess it's been a while!
I haven't written in so long that I almost forgot my password! Really, so sorry about that.
What has prevented me from updating the pictures and blog is sickness. The girls have been trading viruses since Easter. All four of Ashlyn's molars have also decided to come in at once. She is such a momma's girl and will not tolerate me putting her down, much less being on the computer and not letting her play on it too. To let you know how badly I feel about not posting more often, it is 10:20pm right now and I'm exhausted but I wanted to get this done.
I wish I could say that intrigue lasted but that was not to be the case. We are now only left with, "But I don't want to!" So, needless to say, getting Taylor to do anything she doesn't want to do is a struggle. I usually bargain with Dora (her favorite cartoon this month) or anything sweet; popsicles, ice cream, cookies, etc. That usually begrudgingly gets the work done.
She has officially completed her first year of pre-school. It has been so good for her. She is so smart and needs to be challenged. She gets bored so easily and school is a constructive way for her learn, make new friends, and burn some energy. Because she was only 2 (pre-school normally starts at 3) her teachers cut her some slack, realizing that she wasn't able to hold her attention as long as the other kids, and they would let her play a little more than the others. But this next year much more will be expected. Yes, of a 3 year old. She wants to be an astronaut (or should I say a rocketship). She is fascinated with rocketships, planes, helicopters, etc., and since we live in the the flight path of the Marine Air Station she is in heaven.
She and Ashlyn are really starting to develop a relationship now. Taylor is a good big sister but we are really have to work on being a kind, loving, sharing sister. I told her if she wants to have a good sister, she has to be a good sister. The sweetest thing in the world is when we are riding in the car and I hear them laughing at one another, I look back to see them holding hands. Uh, my heart!
What has prevented me from updating the pictures and blog is sickness. The girls have been trading viruses since Easter. All four of Ashlyn's molars have also decided to come in at once. She is such a momma's girl and will not tolerate me putting her down, much less being on the computer and not letting her play on it too. To let you know how badly I feel about not posting more often, it is 10:20pm right now and I'm exhausted but I wanted to get this done.
TAYLOR RENEE
Ah, my Taylor. Her birthday is next weekend (June 2nd). She'll be 3 years old. Tay is a good girl but is so strong willed. I will ask her to pick up her toys and she'll look at me and say one of two things: 1.) But I don't WANT TO! -or- 2.) That's not my job, that's your job! "WHAT???" I asked her laughingly. I have to fix this NOW! So, I gently grasped her tiny, innocent little hand and led her around the house.
- Do you see those dishes? That's my job.
- Do you see supper on the stove? That's my job.
- Do you see the trash in the trash can? That's Daddy's job.
- Do you see that vacuum? That's my job.
- Do you see those toys? That's YOUR job.
She looked at me as if she had just discovered her place of importance in the family. "My job?" she asked. "Yes Taylor. We all have a job. We are a team. Momma, Daddy, you and Ashlyn. We are all a team and we have to help one another."
I wish I could say that intrigue lasted but that was not to be the case. We are now only left with, "But I don't want to!" So, needless to say, getting Taylor to do anything she doesn't want to do is a struggle. I usually bargain with Dora (her favorite cartoon this month) or anything sweet; popsicles, ice cream, cookies, etc. That usually begrudgingly gets the work done.
She has officially completed her first year of pre-school. It has been so good for her. She is so smart and needs to be challenged. She gets bored so easily and school is a constructive way for her learn, make new friends, and burn some energy. Because she was only 2 (pre-school normally starts at 3) her teachers cut her some slack, realizing that she wasn't able to hold her attention as long as the other kids, and they would let her play a little more than the others. But this next year much more will be expected. Yes, of a 3 year old. She wants to be an astronaut (or should I say a rocketship). She is fascinated with rocketships, planes, helicopters, etc., and since we live in the the flight path of the Marine Air Station she is in heaven.
She and Ashlyn are really starting to develop a relationship now. Taylor is a good big sister but we are really have to work on being a kind, loving, sharing sister. I told her if she wants to have a good sister, she has to be a good sister. The sweetest thing in the world is when we are riding in the car and I hear them laughing at one another, I look back to see them holding hands. Uh, my heart!
ASHLYN KRISTIN
Ashlyn's walking is the funniest thing I have ever seen. She is so wobbly. She trips on the carpet! Poor thing, I feel so bad for her because she falls all the time. Sometimes she'll just give up and lay there on her back for a minute. It is hilarious. But what is really terrible is what I mentioned before. All four of her molars are coming in right now. She is so miserable. All I can do is give her ibuprofen and pray for her. Taylor barely had any teething problems at all but Ash has been teething since she was 2 months old and it really hurts her.
She is finally starting to say a few words. Her first word was Dada at 14 months. After that was Uh-Oh. She says that all the time! Then came Thank You, bye bye, bad bad, (still no Momma), sister, Sandi (yes, she said the dog's name before mine) DaDa Bad Bad, and just this week it came. Momma. She says Mi Mi and MaMaMaMaMa, but never Momma. She has said it twice this week and she is a few days shy of 16 months. I had to wait 16 MONTHS for her to say momma! But let me tell you, what a precious sound it is. Both girls have such sweet voices.
Her attitude is also funny, but will not be for long. That girl has a temper! Whew, she's a screamer. You take her toy and she will get so mad and scream to the top of her lungs! Like I said, funny...now. But what is the funniest thing is when she steals something from Taylor. She'll wait until Tay isn't looking and run over and swipe the toy. As soon has she hears Taylor scream out in protest, Ashlyn will kick it in overdrive and ruuuuuunnnn just as fast as her little wobbly feet can carry her, right into the safety of her momma's arms. LOL! I try so hard not to laugh and then try to be as fair as I can to both girls. Remember, when I take this toy away from Ash she is going to scream too! I guess I need to start investing in a hearing aid now. I hear they're expensive!
TOMAS RAPHEL KABALO
Tomas is our new African baby. Yes, we have adopted a little 5 year old boy from Tanzania. Well, before you freak out, we have not really adopted him. We send his village money every month through a program call World Missions. Tomas has 8 brothers and 2 sisters. I am going to write him my first letter this weekend and I am really looking forward to watching the seeds of God's love grow a half a world away. God has blessed us so abundantly and it is time we start giving back and this is just one of the many exciting ways that we have begun to pay it forward.
p.s. If anyone is wondering, we still have 2 more summers left before we are scheduled to transfer. We have no clue where that will be.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Cute Things Taylor Said
Since I have like 2 seconds to write something, I thought I'd share a few cute things Taylor has said.
The Moon - We were getting out of the truck one night and I said, "Oh Taylor, look! THE MOON!" She was in awe. So in her complete 2 year old innocence she starts jumping up grabbing for the moon. She finally realizes it is too far away and she says to me so pitifully, "Mommy, I can't reach it." Oh, my heart!
The Scary Panda - So, who knew Panda's could be scary. I mean come on, it's a panda! Well, Taylor thinks there is a scary panda in her room. So now I have to "lay wit' me a 'lil bit" until she goes to sleep.
Potty Training - When she sits on the potty and can't go she says, "There's no more tee-tee left."
Ashlyn - NO! NO! ASHLYN. YOU IN BAD TROUBLE!
The Moon - We were getting out of the truck one night and I said, "Oh Taylor, look! THE MOON!" She was in awe. So in her complete 2 year old innocence she starts jumping up grabbing for the moon. She finally realizes it is too far away and she says to me so pitifully, "Mommy, I can't reach it." Oh, my heart!
The Scary Panda - So, who knew Panda's could be scary. I mean come on, it's a panda! Well, Taylor thinks there is a scary panda in her room. So now I have to "lay wit' me a 'lil bit" until she goes to sleep.
Potty Training - When she sits on the potty and can't go she says, "There's no more tee-tee left."
Ashlyn - NO! NO! ASHLYN. YOU IN BAD TROUBLE!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
This has been a very busy few weeks. First was Ashlyn's bday, then Ryans bday, Valentine's day, and finally our 5 year anniversary. Well, God had a plan for our family while life has been happening. Ryan and I have chosen to COMPLETELY give our lives to Christ and we were baptized today, on our 5th anniversary weekend. We also became members of our church. We have a new happiness in our life and a deeper love for one another than ever before.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sorry It's Been So Long
Hi Everyone,
I am sorry it's been so long since an update. I have not been feeling well lately and when I do have enough energy to do something I try to pick up the house.
Taylor is loving school and potty training is slow but steady. Ashlyn has 8 teeth. She has four on top and four on bottom. She is transitioning out of her baby stage an into more of a toddler stage. This transition has not been easy for her. She fights her sleep and cries a lot but she's just frustrated. We do what we can but growing pains are a must for us all.
Ashlyn will be a year old on Jan. 30th. It has gone SO FAST. She isn't walking yet but tries very hard. She says DaDa, BaBa, and PaPa very well. Still no MaMa yet.
I am loading a few new pics on dropshots. Enjoy.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Scary Monsters & Teeth
Scary Monsters - Two nights ago Taylor came out of her room around 10:30 fussing about a scary monster under her bed. I told her she needed to get daddy because that is what dad's are really good at. Well, that wasn't good enough. After dad swept the room, she still wanted mommy. So, I peeled myself out of bed and tried to "reason" with her. There were no more scary monsters in her room, daddy scared them away. Well, she informed me that I was wrong. THERE WAS a scary monster in her room. Okay fine. So, I told her about mommies secret scary monster weapon...MONSTER JUICE! Spray a little monster juice under the bed, in the closet, around the window and BAM! No more monsters. (Secret scary monster juice is really Glade Spray!) Monsters don't like that sweet smell if you didn't know. I wound up having to lay with her till she fell asleep.
The next day at nap time she was convinced that the scary monster was still under her bed. I told her that was just ridiculous because scary monsters don't come out at nap time...DUH!!! LOL! She said he was now in the wall. I convinced her that was impossible by talking to her like she had lost her mind. It worked! No worries at nap time.
Then bedtime was here again. Now the scary monster was gone and she wanted him back. "Where's my scary monster mom. I want him to lay right here by me." Really, Taylor. I told her she was outta luck because daddy ran him off and mommy sprayed monster juice she she wasn't gonna be seeing monsters for a long time. The next day we were playing with her baby dolls and she grabbed her purple puppy dog named Violet and said, "Oh, there's my scary monster. Hi monster! Come lay with me." Seriously, Violet was your scary monster...a purple puppy named VIOLET! Oh Geez Tay. LOL! How little minds work. Anyway, no more scary monster talk since. Thank goodness.
Teeth - As for Ms. Ashlyn. She's had her two bottom teeth since she was 4months old. A few weeks ago the bottom right one came thru. As Brodie was putting Ashlyn in the car on Thursday to go to the airport to fly to Chicago, he said to me, "Ashlyn's two front teeth are in!" I said, "What!" After all, I'm the mom. I get the privilege of seeing these things first. Well, not this time. Since he's crazy anyway, I went around to verify his absurd statement. Son-of-a-gun, he's right! YAY ASHLYN!!!! So, 3 teeth coming in at once. 5 total.
My little girls are growing up so fast. Maybe we should try for one more. Hmmm....maybe. ;P
The next day at nap time she was convinced that the scary monster was still under her bed. I told her that was just ridiculous because scary monsters don't come out at nap time...DUH!!! LOL! She said he was now in the wall. I convinced her that was impossible by talking to her like she had lost her mind. It worked! No worries at nap time.
Then bedtime was here again. Now the scary monster was gone and she wanted him back. "Where's my scary monster mom. I want him to lay right here by me." Really, Taylor. I told her she was outta luck because daddy ran him off and mommy sprayed monster juice she she wasn't gonna be seeing monsters for a long time. The next day we were playing with her baby dolls and she grabbed her purple puppy dog named Violet and said, "Oh, there's my scary monster. Hi monster! Come lay with me." Seriously, Violet was your scary monster...a purple puppy named VIOLET! Oh Geez Tay. LOL! How little minds work. Anyway, no more scary monster talk since. Thank goodness.
Teeth - As for Ms. Ashlyn. She's had her two bottom teeth since she was 4months old. A few weeks ago the bottom right one came thru. As Brodie was putting Ashlyn in the car on Thursday to go to the airport to fly to Chicago, he said to me, "Ashlyn's two front teeth are in!" I said, "What!" After all, I'm the mom. I get the privilege of seeing these things first. Well, not this time. Since he's crazy anyway, I went around to verify his absurd statement. Son-of-a-gun, he's right! YAY ASHLYN!!!! So, 3 teeth coming in at once. 5 total.
My little girls are growing up so fast. Maybe we should try for one more. Hmmm....maybe. ;P
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Impressive
So, Taylor is 2.5. She's been in preschool for a little over about 2 months. In the last 48 hours she has SHOCKED ME with what she has learned.
Last night we were getting our books to read at bedtime. She walked to her bed with a stack of 5 books. She placed each one on the bed one at a time. With each book she put down she counted, 1, 2, 3, etc. I have never seen her count an item. She can count to 12 by herself but counting items is new. Then, book number 5 fell to the floor just as she counted it. She said, "Oops, almost!" Now I was really impressed. "Almost" isn't tangible, it's a concept. I said, "almost?" She said, "Yes, almost." It is so amazing to me that her little mind has already figured out the concept of almost, not quite, but almost. Crazy to wrap my mind around.
THEN...tonight in the bathtub I was talking to Brodie on speaker phone while I bathed the girls. I was talking to him and trying to keep Ashlyn from drowning herself and I caught, "America, one nation..." What? Wait. I didn't just hear the Pledge of Allegiance....did I? So, I stayed quiet for a few moments and sure enough. My baby girl recited the ENTIRE Pledge of Allegiance. I immediately texted her teacher. She says they say it everyday. I was shocked. And now I can't wait till tomorrow!
Ashlyn started crawling last week. She is all over the house now. I left her playing in the living room while I switched my laundry. When I came back in the room she was gone. (it's okay, don't worry) I walked down the hall and she was crawling into our bedroom to play with a basket of toys in there! LOL! This evening Ashlyn and Taylor were playing "Crawling Peek-a-Boo". Taylor would crawl down the hall and turn the corner. Ashlyn would crawl to the corner and peek her head around. When Taylor would see her she'd scream and crawl really fast past Ashlyn and into the living room. When Taylor passed Ashlyn on her way to the living room, Ashlyn would turn and follow her sister. They were laughing so hard. I think they are gonna make great playmates. I was so worried about this. I think it's gonna be okay! Having two girls is so great! I'm loving being a stay-at-home mom!
Last night we were getting our books to read at bedtime. She walked to her bed with a stack of 5 books. She placed each one on the bed one at a time. With each book she put down she counted, 1, 2, 3, etc. I have never seen her count an item. She can count to 12 by herself but counting items is new. Then, book number 5 fell to the floor just as she counted it. She said, "Oops, almost!" Now I was really impressed. "Almost" isn't tangible, it's a concept. I said, "almost?" She said, "Yes, almost." It is so amazing to me that her little mind has already figured out the concept of almost, not quite, but almost. Crazy to wrap my mind around.
THEN...tonight in the bathtub I was talking to Brodie on speaker phone while I bathed the girls. I was talking to him and trying to keep Ashlyn from drowning herself and I caught, "America, one nation..." What? Wait. I didn't just hear the Pledge of Allegiance....did I? So, I stayed quiet for a few moments and sure enough. My baby girl recited the ENTIRE Pledge of Allegiance. I immediately texted her teacher. She says they say it everyday. I was shocked. And now I can't wait till tomorrow!
Ashlyn started crawling last week. She is all over the house now. I left her playing in the living room while I switched my laundry. When I came back in the room she was gone. (it's okay, don't worry) I walked down the hall and she was crawling into our bedroom to play with a basket of toys in there! LOL! This evening Ashlyn and Taylor were playing "Crawling Peek-a-Boo". Taylor would crawl down the hall and turn the corner. Ashlyn would crawl to the corner and peek her head around. When Taylor would see her she'd scream and crawl really fast past Ashlyn and into the living room. When Taylor passed Ashlyn on her way to the living room, Ashlyn would turn and follow her sister. They were laughing so hard. I think they are gonna make great playmates. I was so worried about this. I think it's gonna be okay! Having two girls is so great! I'm loving being a stay-at-home mom!
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
9 Months & Halloween
Hi Everyone,
Ashlyn was 9 months old on the 30th. She is SO BIG. We go today for our 9mo checkup. I'll update later with her stat's. She was 27" long and 19.6lbs. She was sick last week so she probably lost a pound or two.
We had such a good Halloween. This was really Taylor's first "real" trick-or-treat. The first Halloween she was only 4mo old. Last year she was quarantined with a 103 degree fever. This year...she was a butterfly. Well, it was a Tinkerbell costume but she called herself a butterfly. We smashed Ashlyn down the pumpkin outfit that Taylor wore her first Halloween. I mean we stuffed that child down in that sack. Poor girl was hot and couldn't straighten out her legs but she was CUTE! Ashlyn finally passed out about 8pm (and was up at 5am, no idea why!). Taylor ran around on a sugar high till 10pm. When I was putting Ash down Brodie said that Taylor was running around the house and then just flopping down on her belly. She did this several time. To "try" to unwind her, I took her on a long walk last night with the dogs. Everyone loved it. Oh, and this was her first time to play with glo-sticks. She kept wanting me to take them apart. She loved those too. Taylor had lots of fun and got too much candy. All in all, it was a smashing success!
Ashlyn is trying so hard to crawl and pull herself up. She actually pushes her self up off of the floor in a yoga Mountain Pose. Her bootie is all the way up in the air and her hands and feet are flat on the floor. She's crazy strong. She flops all over the floor and is pretty mobile that way but she just hasn't crawled yet. She also isn't making any real words but is very vocal. She is getting so big and I can really tell that she is developing her own sense of will and independence. It's scary. I don't want my little baby to grow up and it is going by way too fast. But I tell you, God has truly blessed our family. We are so happy.
Taylor is growing by leaps and bounds, especially behaviorally. I cannot tell you what an improvement I have seen since she started school. She is such a nicer person. We still have our days because she's 2, but I am just so impressed and relieved that she is growing into the little person I had prayed for. I look at her now with such love and completeness instead of anxiety and impatience. (This is due to a lot of work on both our parts.) She asks for hugs and kisses all the time. Well, she ask's for them from me. We are going through a, "Daddy, GET" phase. She doesn't even want Brodie in the same room with her. I talked to my neighbor about it who has 2 girls a little older than Taylor and she said it's normal. Her oldest went through that too. I can't wait till she grows out of it. It can be pretty hurtful to her dad. But really, that is our only struggle right now. Well, that and she's 2! LOL!
We are VERY EXCITED to be gearing up to take a trip to Chicago. It will be Ashlyn's first plane ride and Taylor's 3rd. Can you imagine, 2 yrs old and already 3 plane trips.
Oh no, she's awake...gotta go!
love you.
Ashlyn was 9 months old on the 30th. She is SO BIG. We go today for our 9mo checkup. I'll update later with her stat's. She was 27" long and 19.6lbs. She was sick last week so she probably lost a pound or two.
We had such a good Halloween. This was really Taylor's first "real" trick-or-treat. The first Halloween she was only 4mo old. Last year she was quarantined with a 103 degree fever. This year...she was a butterfly. Well, it was a Tinkerbell costume but she called herself a butterfly. We smashed Ashlyn down the pumpkin outfit that Taylor wore her first Halloween. I mean we stuffed that child down in that sack. Poor girl was hot and couldn't straighten out her legs but she was CUTE! Ashlyn finally passed out about 8pm (and was up at 5am, no idea why!). Taylor ran around on a sugar high till 10pm. When I was putting Ash down Brodie said that Taylor was running around the house and then just flopping down on her belly. She did this several time. To "try" to unwind her, I took her on a long walk last night with the dogs. Everyone loved it. Oh, and this was her first time to play with glo-sticks. She kept wanting me to take them apart. She loved those too. Taylor had lots of fun and got too much candy. All in all, it was a smashing success!
Ashlyn is trying so hard to crawl and pull herself up. She actually pushes her self up off of the floor in a yoga Mountain Pose. Her bootie is all the way up in the air and her hands and feet are flat on the floor. She's crazy strong. She flops all over the floor and is pretty mobile that way but she just hasn't crawled yet. She also isn't making any real words but is very vocal. She is getting so big and I can really tell that she is developing her own sense of will and independence. It's scary. I don't want my little baby to grow up and it is going by way too fast. But I tell you, God has truly blessed our family. We are so happy.
Taylor is growing by leaps and bounds, especially behaviorally. I cannot tell you what an improvement I have seen since she started school. She is such a nicer person. We still have our days because she's 2, but I am just so impressed and relieved that she is growing into the little person I had prayed for. I look at her now with such love and completeness instead of anxiety and impatience. (This is due to a lot of work on both our parts.) She asks for hugs and kisses all the time. Well, she ask's for them from me. We are going through a, "Daddy, GET" phase. She doesn't even want Brodie in the same room with her. I talked to my neighbor about it who has 2 girls a little older than Taylor and she said it's normal. Her oldest went through that too. I can't wait till she grows out of it. It can be pretty hurtful to her dad. But really, that is our only struggle right now. Well, that and she's 2! LOL!
We are VERY EXCITED to be gearing up to take a trip to Chicago. It will be Ashlyn's first plane ride and Taylor's 3rd. Can you imagine, 2 yrs old and already 3 plane trips.
Oh no, she's awake...gotta go!
love you.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Dropshots pics & Other Stories
Hi,
I FINALLY found an SD card that I had lost. It had some pic's on it and I just added them to dropshots but you'll never know unless you go back to these dates and check.
Look at September 19th, 20th, and 22nd. Please keep in mind I am neither photographer nor model...nor hair dresser! LOL!
How did I find such a tiny thing in a house of chaos and clutter you ask? Well, I asked myself the same thing. "It's gone, " I resigned. But just when all hope was lost, Taylor never ceases to amaze me.
I was putting Ashlyn down for bed and Brodie wasn't home. I left Taylor in the living room watching a kids show that she can NEVER peel herself away from, not even for a sucker! So, as usual, I assumed she'd be fine. She always is. As I put Ashlyn in her bed and covered her up, I heard a loud CRASH!!! "What was that?" I wondered, praying it didn't wake Ashlyn up and Taylor was bleeding.
When I get into the living room I see one of my $200 lamps lying on the floor and Taylor is starring at it saying, "Mommy, Mommy. I broke it!" First of all, good for her for telling the truth. Secondly, there was glass everywhere from the bulb that had shattered. And as I leaned down to pick up the lamp, guess what I saw. Yep, that little, tiny, white SD card! Yeah, Taylor! She found it!
Now, of course she got scolded for touching the lamp that she has been told a bazillion times never to touch. But, I told her she was a good girl for telling mommy the truth, not that she understands "truth" yet.
Now, onto the other stories topic. Taylor, yes beautiful, precious, Taylor, has been so unbelievably hard to deal with lately. She is openly defying me, just trying to push her boundaries. I scold her, swat her, give her time out...nothing is working. She just isn't minding, she's blatantly doing what she knows is wrong. I know this because as soon as I reach for the wooden spoons she starts doing right again. So, I know it's not a communication thing. She's just testing me.
Well, last night momma got fed up with being tested.
Now, I warn you, the next part is hard to read for those of you who sympathize with her and not me!
Taylor and Ashlyn were in the bath together. The entire time I kept having to tell her to be careful, watch out for sister, don't splash sister, give Ashlyn room, etc. She was just acting up and doing this to get attention. Yes, it's for attention, I know this. Anyway, I got Ashlyn out and put her to bed while Taylor stayed in the tub playing. After I put Ashlyn down, which only takes about 10 minutes max, I went back in the bathroom with Taylor. I tried playing games with her, talking to her, getting her to talk to me. She was only interested in doing what SHE wanted to do, and that was flipping like an alligator in the tub, splashing as much water on the floor as possible. I had told her and told her...AND TOLD HER to stop splashing water on the floor. I didn't care if she spun, just don't do it so hard. All I needed is one more mess to clean up. Well, stopping splashing just wasn't on her list of things she wanted to do so she kept on. And then, it happened. She splashed so hard that water flew out of the tub on right on my head, soaking my entire pajama set. OH MY GOD! HAVE MERCY ON THIS CHILD CAUSE IT IS ABOUT TO GET BAD IN HERE!
I jerked that naked baby up out of that water and gave her a hard lick with every word, "I. TOLD. YOU. NOT. TO. SPLASH. WATER. ON. THIS. FLOOR!" She commenced to crying like her life was over. I was so angry that I walked out of the room and went into Ashlyn's room to calm down. I stayed in there for a few minutes and listened to her sob the entire time. Her cry went from, "Ouch, she just hit me...and it hurts!" to..."my feelings are really, really hurt. why did she do that?" So, I felt bad for her. I don't ever want to hurt her feelings. I went back in there and gave her a big huge and kissed her. I explained that she had not been minding mommy and I couldn't take it anymore. When I tell her to do something she had better mind me or she would get a spanking just that bad. Now, I wouldn't really do that but lemme tell ya. It must have put the fear of God in her because she has been the BEST KID today! I mean I couldn't ask for a more well behaved child. She even opened all my doors for me today! LOL!
So, I guess every once in a while you still have to remind them whose boss, in what ever way works for your child.
And yes, we are both okay now.
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