I need the moon

We have been having fun! Last night we went to an outdoor concert and picnic with Grams and some friends. Man, did those girls DANCE! They sure do like to move, and they had a super time. The adults had a good time too. It was quite a walk from the concert area to the parking lot, and even though we left early, the girls had a late night. It got dark on our way back to the car and the girls noticed the moon. Made me wonder if Baby had seen the moon. I know she has, but she isn't often up late enough to see it. Anyway, she was quite taken with it and kept repeating, "I need moon, I need moon, I need moon!" We brainstormed about ways we could reach it...a ladder maybe? An airplane? A lasso? I finally told her that maybe she could ask Daddy when he came home to see what he could do about it. Sorry, Hubby! I may have told her that you might be able to do a few other things when you get home, too. Oops.

I hope I never forget

...all the silly things like

• singing and dancing naked in front of the mirror after bath
• wearing winter boots in the summer
• and rain boots in the sum
• "Mommy, turn around, turn around, dance!"
• "No, I do it"
• "I need James Taylor"
• "Just a little bit more" (milk, crackers, whatever)
• Elmo walks
• "I need game"
• "I need car panties" which are of course little boy underpants
• Fierce hugs and kisses (She loves rough, as I like to say. If a 2 year old hasn't knocked you down when you've picked him/up from school, you're missing out.)
• naming our favorite things from the day
• listening to her talk herself to sleep
• "Hear that noise?"
• "Mommy, you like oatmeal (or whatever)?" Then hearing the inflection in her voice as she is astounded and says, "You do?!"
• "Mommy, you need chocolate candy?" Uh, yes is always the answer to that. Although it's a little more funny than just that, because she asks me that after I visit the ladies room. Ha ha! Don't we all wish we still got chocolate candy for that?

Fun Weekend

So, I took a moment and fell apart and then had to get it back together again. Ah, such is life, huh?

We've had a fun weekend! Friday we had another trip to the sprayground with a friend, and Saturday we spent the day at the in-laws. Nothing like a day at the pool with someone else making all the food and watching Baby to put a little life back in ya!

And today after church we had a fun birthday party for a school friend. I did make a mistake at the party, tho. I can't ever seem to get it right. Whatever I assume about the food situation is ALWAYS wrong. I'll either feed Baby a meal just to take her to the party where there is pizza and burgers (which of course she'll rapidly consume) or I'll tell her to wait for party food and it turns out she'll eat cake and ice cream for lunch. Which was the case today. I guess I shoulda known...12:30 is sorta late for lunch for a bunch of toddlers. She was the next to last kid to leave the table...had to get to the bottom of the ice cream cup before she'd go back and play. I don't blame her. I was starving when we got home!

Well, this is the last week of my "summer". Good thing I've got all sorts of things lined up. 2 play dates, a walk and lunch sans Baby, and a concert in the park. That should keep me busy. Would hate to have a spare moment, ya know?

Falling Apart

Right here, right at the end. I'm falling apart. I'm a mess. It's like the little engine that could got right to the crest of the hill and gave up. What I'm saying is...it's not over yet, folks. I'm running out of steam and I still need your prayers! Today hasn't been that much different from any other day to prompt this writing, it's just that I finally decided to share. I've been feeling like this for a few weeks now. Like the end is in sight, but it's just not here. And it seems so long away. I know that's odd since it's only a few more weeks and we've made it OK for the past year, but I think I've held it together for as long as I can. One more day gone, only 30ish to go?

I just love a 2 year old!

When I'm not fuming or rolling my eyes at how sssssllllllooooowwwwwlllyyyy Baby moves, I'm totally cracking up! She is so silly! I'm not sure if I even have a great example, but I catch myself hundreds of times a day choking back a laugh because I don't want her to know I'm giggling. She's been practicing sitting on the potty (and being fairly successful), but tonight she was having a fit for some reason. Her little tiny pants were around her ankles and she was all but falling in (because she refuses to use the potty insert...just another quirk), so she's griping the sides of the seat, SCREAMING until her face is red, "NO!!!". No, what, is anyone's guess. I wasn't even asking her to do anything, go anywhere, or say something. It was just too silly looking!

Another quirk she has...when she throws a fit I usually just sorta look at her and let her do her thing until she calms down after awhile. As soon as she is finished, she'll look at me and say, "I was crying." Yeah, ya think?

And if I'm not chuckling at Baby, I'm just shaking my head in sheer awe at the level to which I've stooped. For dinner tonight was a serving for each of us of that awful easy mac crap with a side of veggies. Steamed broccoli for Baby, raw carrots for me. Seriously? Easy mac in a microwavable cup?! You open that stuff and it just smells of chemicals. Then you mix that powder in and it gets all gummy. If it wasn't so delicious I don't know how I'd choke it down! I don't think I'll continue buying it, though. I'll at least get the box instead of those cups. Those little white pellet things and that plastic cup have got to cause cancer somehow. They'll tell us in about 15 years.

This morning I set off the alarm. It's good to do that every now and again to make sure they are monitoring it. They are.

Today came real close to how I always envisioned motherhood. Not that it was a extra super fantastic day, or anything. I just always thought that having a young child would be like having a really small pal to bop around with and do all sorts of fun things together. Turns out it is, plus a whole lot of other stuff I never considered. But this morning we actually had a pleasant trip to the mall together including play time and lunch. And this afternoon Baby ran around the yard playing with her toys. The reason both of the activities are significant, is because instead of me being stressed out and trying to get her to sit down, be quiet, run around without me, etc...she did all of those things on her own! Still can't explain why dinner was such a disaster. Mmmm...

News on the Hubby front. Things are happening! By that I mean the long process of returning home is beginning. He'll move into alternate housing (read: tent) within a few days. Then after about 2, maybe 3 weeks he'll get outta dodge (read: The Iraq)! Then after some time (week?) he'll leave wherever it was that he went after leaving The Iraq (read: some US friendly Middle Eastern country). Then he'll get somewhere in Texas (read: Ft. something or other, doesn't matter, family not encouraged to come). He'll be there for awhile...3, 5, 7 days?...before appearing at my door. See, it's all so exact, huh?

No, I have a sister

Baby has some interesting news for me. There are several kids in her class that are getting new siblings in the fall (and for those of you interested, Baby is NOT one of those), so she has been learning about brothers and sisters. I asked her if she had a baby brother, and she said, "No, I have a sister." Very matter of fact like. The sister even has a name, which coincidentally is her own. Could this be an imaginary friend?! I dunno, but it's cute and funny. And it's gone on for several days. I wonder if there is something Hubby needs to tell me...mmmm?!

Speaking of brothers. I actually DO have a brother. Big Brother and C were here visiting for a few days from Denmark (as you may remember). I've heard of toddlers flushing all kinds of crazy things down the toilet, but I did not expect for Big Brother to. We hear from the family room...oh, no! Oh no! Oh no! Big Brother had (accidentally) flushed his sun glasses! Phunny, and gross! We thought they were gone for good (I sorta thought the plumbing was gone for good, too), but he managed to fashion some sorta hook thing from a hanger and grocery bag (?) to fish them out. Ew. You wouldn't catch those on my face again.

Ah, it's cooling off around here...only in the mid 90s! We may even venture outside today.

Yes, I realize

that Baby is wearing suede, fur-lined boots, and it's about one thousand degrees outside. I'm just happy she is wearing shoes! She obviously picked them out and put them on herself, and in true fashion, I just rolled with it.

Her spots are clearing, and so I figured it was about time to get out and about. We've already made a trip to the Y, and we're planning on spending the rest of the day visiting Baby's great grandfather. Whew, I hope we stay cool!

Spots, yikes!

So, Baby had these weird spots yesterday, and I didn't think too much about them until we went outside and they started springing up all over her body. Then I took her inside and gave her a bath and talked to the nurse who didn't seem too concerned. I thought it might have been the skin so soft I slathered all over her the other day to keep mosquitoes off. Anyway. This morning we were on our way into the Y for some much needed yoga for me when I took a good look at her...she was COVERED in these freaky spots! All over! Not a rash, not bites...just spots. Ew. So, I begrudgingly did the responsible thing and didn't take her into the childcare to infect all the other children. Instead we had a Saturday morning trip to the doctor. Ick. It seems that Baby has a freaky virus...just some weird virus that has morphed out of her skin. It sure is a good thing that Baby is normally healthy...I'm no good at this sick business. It slows us down! So we had to cancel our swim date and back outta going to see my brand new nephew (thought we should probably keep our freaky spot virus out of the maternity ward, right?) and likely have to stay home from church tomorrow, too. What are we going to do?! Doc said it should calm down within a day or two. Whew! Stay tuned to see how creative I get with this staying home business.

So grown up

How does it happen? How is it that suddenly Baby starts talking in full grown up sentences? The other day on the way to school Baby told me that, "Only teachers open doors." I would have to say that I think that's a pretty good idea. Speaking of opening doors, Baby is about to start opening ours. She already unlocks the deadbolts and turns the handle, but she just can't quite turn it far enough yet. Yet. I figure by the time Hubby comes home she will.

Here is something cute Baby has been doing for about a month now...feeding the dog! Not the big dog outside (she's been doing that for awhile). The little dog inside. She does the whole thing. Opens the food bin, measures out the correct amount, and pours it into the dish. She also asks me if the dog needs a pill. You may remember the dog being sick last fall. Well, now she is on a daily medication, and Baby knows it! Teaches her responsibility, right?

Other things Baby has learned...the days of the week! She just started singing them the other day. I had no idea she knew that. So smart.

This week we've had just a little outdoor time, but we've mostly been inside because of the heat. She is starting to play with her toys and entertain herself more now, which is both cute and helpful. Tomorrow we're going to the swimming pool! Fun, fun.

Mommy, I kiss it

I hope you all had a nice July 4th! We made a trip down to visit my parents and had a good time. I'm excited that this is the last holiday we'll have to celebrate w/o Hubby. At least the last one for awhile. On the drive home I managed to get a raging headache. We stopped to have lunch and I had to put my head down on the table. I kept telling Baby that my head hurt. And twice she said, "Mommy, I kiss it? I kiss your head?" I know I've said it before, but she is just the SWEETEST thing! Between the kisses and Excedrin, my head did get better. I even managed to ask for some help from one of my friends, so I had someone at home ready to play with Baby while I rested and unloaded the car, etc....It's so nice to have a support network!

Wipe it off!

So, here's another funny from Baby. Often when I kiss Baby (usually when she is already upset), she gets really angry with me and tells me to "Wipe it off, wipe it off, Mommy!". Ha ha. So, I have to wipe my kiss off of her.

And I forgot lazy parenting technique #478...leave dirty breakfast dishes in the refrigerator while running out for the morning so the ants won't get them. Seems like I had a bit of an ant problem. I think the ants are under control now, but I still find myself putting breakfast dishes in the fridge so I don't have to look at them!!!!

OK...off to work on the 6th and FINAL chair!