Here's to You, Kid

I don't have any layouts or other projects to share with you today, however I do have some great news to share on the home front: today was a momentous day in the potty training department! Holy cow, I'm so happy, elated, surprised proud of Miss Maren!

What she saw in the pot scared her, poor thing, so she cried, but the look of absolute pleasure on her face when her daddy and I praised her for such a job well done was worth it. Of course, a treat (chocolate) for doing such a big girl thing helped too!

My MIL mentioned on Monday when we picked the girls up that she thought Maren would be easier to potty train than Addison (she echoed my own suspicion that I think she doesn't understand the concept of it yet, therefore she isn't ready). So, with a renewed vigour, we're trying (yet again) to consistently potty train. I think Maren is absolutely ready. To tell us continually that she's got to go (#2 mind you), must mean its about time. And she did it! Now to make #1 in there, and we'll at least have a foundation to work from!

Here's to next time, and the time after that!

***

341* moving forward
342* that the whole situation thing was dropped last weekend
343* for some more temperate weather
344* a day for myself
345* a clean vehicle
346* growth
347* friends
348* popcorn twists
349* the impromptu game of 'eye spy' we played on the trip home from grandma's
350* new words and phrases we've learned
351* hearing Addison singing new songs (ie. head and shoulders)
352* how she's turned 'twinkle twinkle' into rap (LOL)
353* favourite summer time tv shows
354* that 'who's going to be who' is totally backwards, once again
355* that Addison is such a clown
356* that Maren is so sweet and tenderhearted

Unexpected Rainbows

During our visit to the immunization clinic yesterday, I mentioned to the nurse that I'm slightly concerned that Addison isn't courageous enough to walk on her own yet. We're a few short months away from 2, and she still desperately clings to either mama or daddy's hand in order to move from place to place; and if our fingers aren't available, she opts to crawl.

And yet, I know she can do it. She amazed us a month ago at her cousin's baptism, when uncle was holding her hands and suddenly let go- she didn't realize he wasn't there anymore, and she walked straight to her auntie. I've tried replicating that action since, but have failed each and every time. Any time she's standing against a wall or a door or couch- anything, really- I encourage her to walk to me, and I can see she wants to, but her fear quickly overtakes her and she sinks to her knees and crawls instead. Or, she'll stand there and reach as hard as her little body will allow her for her mama's hand, but when she can't reach it, the outcome is the same: sinks to her knees and crawls.

Then, there are times like this morning, where I went downstairs to check on my little ones, as I was busy upstairs putting things away and tidying up. I tried sneaking up on her, because I could see her from the top of the stairs, and she didn't see me right away. Nope, didn't work. So, instead, I began praising her again: she was walking around with her walker. And, what really impressed me, was that she's learning to turn it or push it certain ways so that she's free to keep walking (like she's up against the wall and can't go any further).

Oh!

She made my day. I am so proud of her for little things like that. Well, really, it isn't little at all. For her, its HUGE. And, I hope she continues practicing with her walker. Maybe one day soon, she'll feel confident enough to begin walking without it OR her mommy and daddy's fingers.

Having said that, little lady continued to blow me out of the water at lunch time today. She's trying to mimic mommy saying, "all gone" when their lunch is finished (she's soooo close!) and she's trying out her sisters name: it comes out "Mi Mi", but she's trying!

Yup, she's definitely going to be talking circles around her sister- in no time flat!!

***********************************

~ 178 ~ coming upon her and seeing her practicing walking

~ 179 ~ McDonalds french fries

~ 180 ~ Mac Chicken Cacciatore (tonights supper)

~ 181 ~ Mandarin Oranges

~182 ~ and how much she likes them!

~ 183 ~ the cute little Christmas shovel that's beckoning the season to begin, gracing the steps at my front door

~ 184 ~ discovering its raining again, and seeing a subsequent rainbow

~ 185 ~ Such mild weather for November

~ 186 ~ an anticipated visit from my parents this weekend

~ 187 ~ Butterscotch confetti

~ 188 ~ ok, Christmas baking of all kinds, shapes and forms (and flavors)

Don't Blink or You'll Miss It!

~41~ watching as she so quickly is catching up to her {slightly} older sister

~42~ the sweet, rubbery sound of a sucky being vigorously worked out during nap time

~43~ listening to two angelic girls telling their mama tall tales throughout the day

~44~ spending the majority of the day with my dear MIL

~45~ a grocery shopping trip sans kids

~46~ a renter to stay in our house in manor and provide us with a little more income (yay)!!

~47~ learning to sign "more", even if it's just a hand gesture right now and nothing more

There You'll Be

It's been three long years since we gathered with them last; it was at Gwynne, and husband and I were still dating. It would be that Christmas morning that he placed that beautiful, glittery, white gold promise on my finger.

Three summers later, we are back, gathered in a large circle- during the day, wherever there is shade; at night, around the campfire, swapping news, jokes and spreading many hearty laughs.

This time around, there were two little ones in tow, two new boyfriends, new fishing licenses, and a new campsite (to most of us). There was no tv (my most favorite part of the weekend), although there was lots of playing on cell phones (I am guilty of pulling it out every so often as well); they were a handful! The first day, we let them run around- I am so PROUD of and impressed with little maren for the amount she WALKED. There was no crawling of any kind all weekend. JUST walking! Then, we got smart and kept her barefoot. It hurt to walk on the gravel, so she stayed on the blanket we spread out for them to play on. She played really good there.

Miss Addison also BLEW me away--she was not afraid of anyone there. She would willing go to anyone that held their arms out to her. And, she would sit with them, laugh at them, and squeal every so often in delight. When she wasn't being cuddled by someone, she played happily on the blanket too.

At the close of this weekend, there are # things that I've learned:
1-we WILL take the kids camping again
2-less tv equals better quality time together
3-four days is exhausting! (with children this age, at least)
4-hail is ridiculously LOUD in a fifth wheel trailer!
And lastly--
5-no more heating bottles on the stove; the microwave is the way to go!!

Not Over

You are still suffering, poor, sweet girl.

It just seems like one thing after another keeps popping up for you, making getting better a little harder to achieve. Boo!

Daddy and I braved the awful weather and driving conditions to bring you back to the doctor to learn that your ear infection is still angry looking; we're going to keep giving you medicine until Friday. Tomorrow was supposed to be the last day. I mentioned the diaper rash you have, and after looking at it, he said that its fungal in nature. Which would explain how angry it looks!  And, sweetie, I am soo sorry for the pain I put you in every time I clean you up and put cream on your rash. It feels hot to my fingers, and I am certain it doesn't feel nice to you, either.

I watched you all afternoon and this evening while you took your bath, and I am certain that even sitting is not desirable to you; instead of sitting on your bum in the bath, you stayed on your hands and knees, and any time I tried setting you down on the floor so I could do something, you would instantaneously break down in tears. (And, I am soo thankful you have tears- I was worried you were dehydrated from all the diarrhea you've bee having- its why we brought you back to the doctor in the first place. As soon as he began assessing you, the tears sprang into your eyes. Thank goodness!) Mama doesn't even know how to hold you so that you're comfortable. Diaper rashes are one thing; ones as bad as this are a totally different ball game, and I do not wish them on anyone!

You're still fairly irritable and cuddly; you had a hard time getting comfortable with me, but you looked pretty comfy snuggled up on your daddy's sturdy chest this afternoon. I'm glad he had the opportunity to spend time with you like that. He's been so busy lately, he hasn't seen much of you or your sister for the last couple of days. And, I'm glad you had the opportunity to spend some quality time with your daddy. I know how much you love him, baby!

Miss Addison- I am soo proud of you! For the last two nights in a row, you've slept so good! Bed time was at 7:30 and its now 10:15, and you haven't woken up and cried (or screamed) once yet! Normally its usually within an hour or two of putting you down. You are soo amazing!

BUT, you are awake now. You must be hungry!

Mending

We've weathered your first flu bug together, and I think its made you realize that mama doesn't just have time for your sister.

When daddy came home from work this afternoon, and he held out his hands to you for a little snuggly hello, you ignored him and began fidgeting with the locket around my neck. Daddy was a bit surprised. I have to admit, so was I. Daddy is your hero!

Maybe, after the last three days, mama's become a hero in your books, too. That makes me proud.

And relieved. A part of me was (is) afraid that on some level, you're going to think or believe that I like you less than your sister. Its insecurity, I'm sure it is, and its a hope. I hope you don't grow up believing that, because it isn't true. Just read through my blog and you'll find it isn't true.

I think you are finally beginning to feel better. There is color in your cheeks again, your busy, easily distractable personality is coming back to life (though there is no twinkle in your eye yet), and your sweet smile- scrunched up nose and squinty slits for eyes- is on its way back. I fed you formula tonight and you held it down! 6 ounces of it! That's remarkable, considering earlier this afternoon you weren't even able to hold 2 ounces of pedialyte.

In the morning- cereal!