First off, Kevin and I had a wonderful anniversary. He surprised me with tickets to the musical The Light in the Piazza which played at the Buell Theatre. We both really loved the musical, and apparently, it was one of those things that people either really love or really hate it. We knew a few other people that went to see it, and there were definitely mixed emotions on it. Granted we do are not regular theatre-goers, so we weren¹t sure if our opinion was because we didn¹t have all the knowledge that someone who frequents the theatre does. Like, was the setting changes too slow, the lighting not right, etc. However, our good friend who has annual passes to the Buell to see a wide range of productions said that he too liked the Piazza. So, we weren¹t completely off our rockers because we really loved it!
Some Brooklyn news to share -- When I took her to the doctor for her 15-month check-up last month, her doctor informed me that she is developing at the level of a 2-year-old. I knew that my lil¹ girl was very smart, and I felt like she was advanced as far as what she is capable of doing, but to hear her doctor say that, really meant a lot to me. I am so proud of her and how interested and determined she is to learn new things.
Kevin and I have realized that she is watching everything that we do -- she tries to put on her shoes like she sees us doing, she tells her doggy to get down when he jumps up on her highchair after dinner to see if there are any scraps left over, she walks around the house on her cell phone (one of our old ones) talking and walking all around. It has definitely put a question in our mind when we do things like drink directly out of the milk carton do we really want her doing that? probably not, so we better not.
She did surprise us one night though -- I was making dinner and Kevin was doing something in the one of the cabinets. Needless to say, we both had our backs to her for a moment. I heard a trickle of liquid, but I wasn¹t sure where it was coming from. I turned around and saw her holding a pitcher full of Kool-Aid. She had grabbed the pitcher plastic, thank goodness! off the kitchen table and was trying her very best to maneuver it over to us. By this time, Kevin whipped around to see what she was doing. The pitcher proved to be more than she could handle, so down went the pitcher completely full of Kool-Aid. She had this shocked look on her face, I started laughing and Kevin looked at her and shrugged. She shrugged back at him, completely in disbelief, as I ran up the stairs to get some towels. Both of them were still in the same transfixed positions when I returned. She literally just stood in one spot, barely moving as I cleaned it up. When I was done, she came over to me and gave me a hug as to say she was sorry. I told her that accidents happen and that it was okay. Needless to say, Kevin and I learned a big lesson -- Keep things in the middle of the table because our daughter is TALL!
One more thing to share -- We have started teaching Brooklyn to fall asleep on her own. Up until now, we have either cuddled with her, rocked her or walked around with her to get her to go to sleep for both naps and bedtime. She has taken many of naps with us laying in our bed, or laying across us in the rocking chair. I must admit that we have really enjoyed holding her, breathing in her sweet scent, getting to gaze down at her beautiful face, watching as her chest moves up and down, watching as her hair turns from straight to curly as she is a bit of a sweaty sleeper, listening to her little snore, watching as she drifts off to a heavier sleep as her pappy (pacifier) falls out of her mouth and watching in amazement at how still she is after all she is usually so busy running around playing. While those times will be missed so much, Kevin and I both feel that it¹s time for her to learn how to fall asleep on her own. Please say a prayer for all of us that it¹s a smooth transition, as this family does not believe in the cry-it-out method, but instead helping her learn through encouragement, human touch in the form of back rubs and support.
Showing posts with label Princess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Princess. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Molly Molar
EXCITING NEWS!!!
As I was brushing Brooklyn's teeth last night, I noticed something sparkling and pearly toward the back of her mouth nested in her top gum. What could it be!?! A molar! Holy cow! Kevin and I had NO idea that she was growing one of those yet. She hasn't been sleeping too well at night and is a little extra sensitive about anything entering her mouth - basically main symptoms of teething, right? But, we both thought she was getting another tooth on the bottom to bring her duo to a trio. And, guess what, as I continued brushing, I found another molar, same position just on the other side.
That means, she now has six teeth on top and two on the bottom. Her toothy smile just keeps getting better and better, and I must admit, her new teeth - even though not fully in - are so adorable!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Loving my new status….
Ever since leaving my past job in late October, I’ve been enjoying my new status as PTSAHM…that is Part-Time Stay-At-Home Mom.
At my past job, I worked 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, but then you factor in about two hours of drive time, a one-hour lunch break and I was really away from my baby girl 11 hours per day. I left around 7 in the morning and didn’t return until a little before 6 every night. It was awful. When you add it up, I was away from my daughter 55 hours during the week, when there are only 120 hours in the 5-day work-week, and realistically, 45 hours of it I have to account for sleeping. This left me with 20 hours to spend with her. After doing this for the first 10 1/2 months of her life, I couldn’t take it anymore.
When I went to college, I experimented with management positions as I was the managing editor of my college newspaper my senior year, and worked as an editor my sophomore and junior years as well. I really liked managing people, the budget and the content of the newspaper. It was really a lot of work, with a lot of late nights, but it was so worth it. And, it is why I never scheduled any early morning classes on Tuesdays – I mean getting home after 2 a.m. on Monday morning and then having to watch a taped show with a few friends before going to bed at like 3 a.m. some mornings, getting up at 7:30 a.m. to make it to the 8 a.m. class wasn’t something that thrilled me! In fact, my junior year, I was pretty much a shoe-in to be managing editor, when a former student who decided to transfer back, swooped in and got the job, based on the fact that she was a senior. The reasoning behind the decision was she was a senior and I was a junior. They didn’t want anyone holding that position for more than a year. I was really angry and heartbroken. I was so ready to step up and show what I had to offer in a position like this. But, I had to wait a whole year before it could be my turn to prove what a good managing editor I could be.
I guess it’s all about the power of being in management and getting to know what goes on behind the close-door meetings that excites me. I liked to be over other people and have the opportunity to hire and fire. I know, I sound really power hungry, but that really is what I thought I wanted.
But, then I take you forward to December 2005, when my precious daughter entered my life. All aspirations of becoming a manager and ruling the world, in my mind, faded. They were gone. The only thing that I really, truly wanted to be was a good mom. A part of me really desired to be a stay-at-home mom full time, but I knew that I had to add to our household income, and I was at peace with that. However, there were days when I was driving to my old job that I would cry the whole way there because I really felt like I was sacrificing too much and getting little back in return. I was only getting 20 hours with my daughter and instead was spending way too much time with my co-workers who were nothing but a batch of nasty, deceitful women who were out to get you. So, with much consideration, praying, discussion with my husband and a long interview process by my current company, I quit.
Now, I get to be off with my daughter 2 whole days, just me and her. I work really close to home, so my once 11 hour days are cut to a little over 9 hour days, but the biggest difference is…I am only gone 27 hours during a week. It was not my doing that allows this opportunity for me – it’s my boss’. She came to me after I had been here for a few months, and after we were toying around with the idea of me adding a 4th day, and she said that she wants to keep me at part-time because she feels it is very important that I get to spend as much time with my daughter as possible. I am so blessed to have such a great boss!
So, as I first stated, I am loving being a PTSAHM. I get to do so many fun things with Brooklyn including a Wee Ones Gymnastic class that we just stared yesterday, along with walks, eating lunch together, taking the occasional nap together, playing together and having some really good Mommy and Brooklyn time. I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity, and I am in constant awe that God has gifted me such an amazing daughter and has allowed me to work part-time to enjoy life’s little moments with Brooklyn.
At my past job, I worked 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, but then you factor in about two hours of drive time, a one-hour lunch break and I was really away from my baby girl 11 hours per day. I left around 7 in the morning and didn’t return until a little before 6 every night. It was awful. When you add it up, I was away from my daughter 55 hours during the week, when there are only 120 hours in the 5-day work-week, and realistically, 45 hours of it I have to account for sleeping. This left me with 20 hours to spend with her. After doing this for the first 10 1/2 months of her life, I couldn’t take it anymore.
When I went to college, I experimented with management positions as I was the managing editor of my college newspaper my senior year, and worked as an editor my sophomore and junior years as well. I really liked managing people, the budget and the content of the newspaper. It was really a lot of work, with a lot of late nights, but it was so worth it. And, it is why I never scheduled any early morning classes on Tuesdays – I mean getting home after 2 a.m. on Monday morning and then having to watch a taped show with a few friends before going to bed at like 3 a.m. some mornings, getting up at 7:30 a.m. to make it to the 8 a.m. class wasn’t something that thrilled me! In fact, my junior year, I was pretty much a shoe-in to be managing editor, when a former student who decided to transfer back, swooped in and got the job, based on the fact that she was a senior. The reasoning behind the decision was she was a senior and I was a junior. They didn’t want anyone holding that position for more than a year. I was really angry and heartbroken. I was so ready to step up and show what I had to offer in a position like this. But, I had to wait a whole year before it could be my turn to prove what a good managing editor I could be.
I guess it’s all about the power of being in management and getting to know what goes on behind the close-door meetings that excites me. I liked to be over other people and have the opportunity to hire and fire. I know, I sound really power hungry, but that really is what I thought I wanted.
But, then I take you forward to December 2005, when my precious daughter entered my life. All aspirations of becoming a manager and ruling the world, in my mind, faded. They were gone. The only thing that I really, truly wanted to be was a good mom. A part of me really desired to be a stay-at-home mom full time, but I knew that I had to add to our household income, and I was at peace with that. However, there were days when I was driving to my old job that I would cry the whole way there because I really felt like I was sacrificing too much and getting little back in return. I was only getting 20 hours with my daughter and instead was spending way too much time with my co-workers who were nothing but a batch of nasty, deceitful women who were out to get you. So, with much consideration, praying, discussion with my husband and a long interview process by my current company, I quit.
Now, I get to be off with my daughter 2 whole days, just me and her. I work really close to home, so my once 11 hour days are cut to a little over 9 hour days, but the biggest difference is…I am only gone 27 hours during a week. It was not my doing that allows this opportunity for me – it’s my boss’. She came to me after I had been here for a few months, and after we were toying around with the idea of me adding a 4th day, and she said that she wants to keep me at part-time because she feels it is very important that I get to spend as much time with my daughter as possible. I am so blessed to have such a great boss!
So, as I first stated, I am loving being a PTSAHM. I get to do so many fun things with Brooklyn including a Wee Ones Gymnastic class that we just stared yesterday, along with walks, eating lunch together, taking the occasional nap together, playing together and having some really good Mommy and Brooklyn time. I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity, and I am in constant awe that God has gifted me such an amazing daughter and has allowed me to work part-time to enjoy life’s little moments with Brooklyn.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Lullaby
For my precious, now 1-year old daughter...This song describes how I feel about you perfectly!!
"They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up"
"They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up"
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Christmastime, shopping and the making of Dummy Shoes
December is by far the best month of the year. Christmastime has always been my favorite time of the year. I love going shopping and working hard to pick out just the perfect gift for everyone on my list. I love anticipating their faces as they unwrap their present to see what they got this year. I'm like a little kid on Christmas morning, as I wake up around 5 a.m. wanting to get everyone up and together to start our day. It used to be about finding out what Santa got me, or what that special present under the tree that had my name on it was, but now it has turned into an excitement for the family time and getting to see those faces behind the wrapping paper that excites me the most.
This past weekend, I got a good portion of our shopping done and got some presents wrapped and under the tree. I love the way the lights on a Christmas tree twinkle at night, and how the bows from the presents glow under the tree. It's such a pretty sight. And, so far, Brooklyn is doing great at not bothering the presents, even though I know she has her eye of a couple!
We started out our shopping extravaganza on Saturday with taking Brooklyn to see Santa Claus. We got into the monster line that wound around Santa's Village in the mall. Brooklyn, who is learning to walk (she can walk about 6 feet and then she falls down), was really interested in the decorations that were along the path (reindeers, trees, lights and fake snow). I finally picked her up, to her dismay, and pointed through the trees to the man sitting in the sleigh all dressed up in a red suit. She pointed at him and said "Ohhh.." By the time it was her turn, and she got a better up-close view of the man she had been watching for the past 20 minutes, she was intrigued. But, the minute that Mommy sat her down on his lap and moved away, her intrigue turned to a scream followed by tears and a runny nose. She was completely terrified. She didn't not want this stranger holding her. She didn't understand what was going on, and even though she is pretty good with other people holding her, she didn't want to have any part of this at all. I immediately grabbed her and she grabbed ahold of me, and the photographer told Kevin and I to sit down next to Santa, and he would take our picture. Brooklyn was still very scared though as she didn't want to wave bye to Santa or even glance in his direction.
As I got in line to pay for the CD we had made with the photos, the man in front of me looked at her and how her face was tear-stained and her nose was red, and he said, "It's okay honey, in the next couple of years, you will like it so much better once you realize what Santa Claus does." But, I don't know. I was never too fond of sitting on Santa's lap and Kevin called Santa "Dummy Shoes." The day after Thanksgiving as my mother-in-law and I were shopping, she explained the meaning of Dummy Shoes. Kevin called anyone who wore a mask of any sort a Dummy. And, after reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and how the illustrations showed Santa standing in the fireplace, the phrase Dummy Shoes came about. So, if liking or not liking to sit on Santa's lap is in the genes, I will say that Brooklyn won't be too fond of him, even as she gets older. Only time will tell.
We got one really cute photo before she got really scared and started crying. We'll end up taking her back next year, I am sure... maybe she'll learn to like the guy.
This past weekend, I got a good portion of our shopping done and got some presents wrapped and under the tree. I love the way the lights on a Christmas tree twinkle at night, and how the bows from the presents glow under the tree. It's such a pretty sight. And, so far, Brooklyn is doing great at not bothering the presents, even though I know she has her eye of a couple!
We started out our shopping extravaganza on Saturday with taking Brooklyn to see Santa Claus. We got into the monster line that wound around Santa's Village in the mall. Brooklyn, who is learning to walk (she can walk about 6 feet and then she falls down), was really interested in the decorations that were along the path (reindeers, trees, lights and fake snow). I finally picked her up, to her dismay, and pointed through the trees to the man sitting in the sleigh all dressed up in a red suit. She pointed at him and said "Ohhh.." By the time it was her turn, and she got a better up-close view of the man she had been watching for the past 20 minutes, she was intrigued. But, the minute that Mommy sat her down on his lap and moved away, her intrigue turned to a scream followed by tears and a runny nose. She was completely terrified. She didn't not want this stranger holding her. She didn't understand what was going on, and even though she is pretty good with other people holding her, she didn't want to have any part of this at all. I immediately grabbed her and she grabbed ahold of me, and the photographer told Kevin and I to sit down next to Santa, and he would take our picture. Brooklyn was still very scared though as she didn't want to wave bye to Santa or even glance in his direction.
As I got in line to pay for the CD we had made with the photos, the man in front of me looked at her and how her face was tear-stained and her nose was red, and he said, "It's okay honey, in the next couple of years, you will like it so much better once you realize what Santa Claus does." But, I don't know. I was never too fond of sitting on Santa's lap and Kevin called Santa "Dummy Shoes." The day after Thanksgiving as my mother-in-law and I were shopping, she explained the meaning of Dummy Shoes. Kevin called anyone who wore a mask of any sort a Dummy. And, after reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and how the illustrations showed Santa standing in the fireplace, the phrase Dummy Shoes came about. So, if liking or not liking to sit on Santa's lap is in the genes, I will say that Brooklyn won't be too fond of him, even as she gets older. Only time will tell.
We got one really cute photo before she got really scared and started crying. We'll end up taking her back next year, I am sure... maybe she'll learn to like the guy.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Our little princess is going to be a 1 year-old in less than a month. As I said in my very first post when Brooklyn was turning 5 months old...where does the time go? This year has been the fastest year of my life and by far, the year where I learned the most. My sweet, precious daughter has taught me so much: patience is a must; how to get up and have the entire house cleaned by 9 a.m. (after all we were up, so why not!?!); mid-afternoon baths are so much fun; pulling things out of the dishwasher (dirty or not) is a much better game than her new ball popper; nothing is better in life than a wet kiss and little arms stretched around your neck in a hug; how DVDs, video games and books all look much better tossed on the floor as opposed to on the shelf; baby gates are really made for tossing toys and pacifiers over for Mommy and Daddy to chase rather than keep some little person safe; sippy cups are to be tossed on the ground after you are done taking a drink; mirrors are meant to play peek-a-boo with ourselves and see just how cute we really are.
I remember when we first brought her home from the hospital and she slept all day long and at night Daddy would swing her back and forth in her carseat to help her fall into a slumber. I remember when she first learned to hold her own head up and now she has learned and enjoys shaking her head "no" and nodding her head and her whole body "yes." I remember when she first learned to crawl and how she didn't know she could go anywhere she wants and now she leaves the family room and heads up to the living room all by herself. The time really does go by fast. And, seriously, where did our daughter go that just laid there and slept all day!?! She's turning into a toddler - that's where she went - and she's taking Mommy and Daddy along for the ride, and boy, are we glad she is!!
I remember when we first brought her home from the hospital and she slept all day long and at night Daddy would swing her back and forth in her carseat to help her fall into a slumber. I remember when she first learned to hold her own head up and now she has learned and enjoys shaking her head "no" and nodding her head and her whole body "yes." I remember when she first learned to crawl and how she didn't know she could go anywhere she wants and now she leaves the family room and heads up to the living room all by herself. The time really does go by fast. And, seriously, where did our daughter go that just laid there and slept all day!?! She's turning into a toddler - that's where she went - and she's taking Mommy and Daddy along for the ride, and boy, are we glad she is!!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Zoom, zoom, zoom...
Boy, time sure does fly when you're having fun! I had all last week off while I was in transition from my old crummy, far-from-home job to my new fantastic very-close-to-home job. I could not be happier about the change I decided to make and the fact that I got to spend a whole precious week with my beautfiul, loving daughter. We had some really good mommy and daughter time. I got the taste of what it would be like to be a stay-at-home mom, and I loved the taste, but don't mind working now that I found the right job for me. I couldn't be happier now...a beautiful daughter who gives me hugs and kisses all the time, a wonderful husband to share all the ups and downs of life with, very supportive and loving family and friends and a job that I don't have to talk myself into going to. Life is sure amazing when you get a few moments to treasure without having to rush somewhere or meet a deadline that someone else set for you.
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