Dear Lord

Thank you for blessing me with a baby that sleeps. Anytime. Anyplace. I think he does what babies are supposed to do. His big sister? Not so much.....at least not when she was a baby.....

Allison's First and likely LAST dance recital

This past Father's Day weekend, we embarked on what I would consider a rite of passage of parents with daughters. The infamous dance recital! It was very pink, purple and adorable. Sad thing is I think it was our last. I was a "career" dancer if you will, forcing my parents to endure years of dance recitals. Allison is a more one and done. She didn't enjoy it, she really didn't. It was hard to have her not enjoy dance as much as I did, but I recognize it and I am just trying to encourage her with her other pursuits. At this point, he other pursuit is gymnastics. She will be taking a Level I class this summer with 5-8 year olds. Yikes! So I digress, here are some pictures from her recital. I have a video too that I'll end up putting on my me site. She did an amazing job and honestly was the only dancer to actually (imagine that) dance. It was precious and if it's the last, at least it happened!

In need of a chill pill

Allison has been sick, nothing and I mean nothing stresses me out more than my baby girl being sick. I lie in bed thinking the worst--sometimes my medical background isn't a good thing--and then I realize I'm not sleeping, and the mind starts.....where's the dog? Does he have to go to the bathroom? Do I smell pee? Please no poo in the bedroom! I should sleep for the baby, the baby needs sleep, the mind goes round and round. So frustrating. Allison's fever returned today which means no school for her tomorrow. I'm fortunate in the fact that my mom will be here in the morning, then Connie, then Brent in the afternoon. I'm lucky but insert mommy guilt here. This is always tough with working part time. I know the good mommy in me needs to get out of the house, but she's sick and frankly when she's sick, I'm the one she wants/needs/asks for. The worst. I'm thankful that she's not sick a lot because frankly I think I would have quit working!
Speaking of work, I checked my work email today which I typically do at least once a day, only to find an email from my boss's boss. Never good. Even worse, it was a forward from the President of the hospital. Double score. So the stressed out momma in me is now convinced that my job of the clinical coordinator is now toast. Totally irrational.
Then there's the sickness. I can't get sick. I don't want to be sick. I mean who does. But nothing and I mean nothing can hurt this baby in my tummy. Please God no. Again, I'm irrational. Or as my adoring, concerned and supportive husband put it, "Stop being psycho". Helpful advice as always, B.
Dinner is done for tonight, phew. And I've already informed the family that Brent has bedtime duty and I am taking a bubble bath. That's as close to a glass of wine that this momma's gonna get.

Calgon take me away!

Death by Why

We have entered the Why stage. Oh, it's painful. I can't say one thing without being asked why. Even the simplest things, like why is an eyebrow called an eyebrow? Who knows? But my toddler thinks I should and do! Why is asked for eating dinner, standing on furniture, jumping on the bed, rolling the window up/down in the car. It's enough to drive you crazy. I don't want to say, "Because", but honestly for some of the why's I can't come up with an answer. We are off to Baltimore to the Inner Harbor and Aquarium tomorrow. Yeah! or as Allison would say, Why?

Toddlers and Religion

This past Saturday was our goddaughter, Stephanie's First Holy Communion. Brent and I have sort of gotten away from going to church on Sundays--it's the whole lazy, we have a baby excuse. Lame, I know but we are working on it! I have talked to Allison about God and that he is responsible for the sun, moon, grass, etc. Just trying to keep it simple. I told Allison we were going to go to God's house on Saturday because he was having a special ceremony for Stephanie and her friends. Purposely avoided the whole bread / wine thing, we are not ready for that.
We were walking into church on Saturday, a bit nervous as to how this was all going to go with Allison in church and Allison in her 2 year old way announces that she does NOT like God and does NOT want to go to his house. Your natural reaction is of course to drop your chin to the ground in shock, but to her, God is just another guy with a lot of jobs and she didn't feel like hanging out with him. We got her into a pew--she thought it was neat that they had the Holy Water for "me to play in". Um, no.
She was awesome during the service. It totally helped that the church was full of unruly kids and toddlers and there was A LOT of singing.
Half way through the service, she looks at me and so sweetly and innocently asks, "Mommy, where's God? We are in his house and he isn't here". I didn't know what to say, just wanted to hug her. Allison is now talking about God and telling us that he is a big guy with a lot of jobs and that she sat on his lap. But God doesn't talk very much because he is too busy.
Precious.

Easter 2009 and the WHITE HOUSE !

Easter 2009 far exceeded any expectation I had! I was ready with the usual pretty dresses, hats (I guess Easter bonnets is more appropriate!) baskets and goodies. We had all that, but then Brent landed us Easter Egg Roll tickets at the White House and the game changed! I was definitely more excited than Allison! We got up very early, as Alli would say, "we were up before Mr. Sun!" and drove to Brent's cousin's house. This is where we picked up the rest of our gang--Wendy, Alex and Stephanie. We headed to Brent's office to park the car and walk to the White House. I decided not to take Allison's stroller. I knew it would be a struggle to keep her in it and what a hassle pushing it around the lawn. And like every other good American, I couldn't do that to the President's yard, how rude! :) We got into line around 7:15--they weaved us around like Disney. You know where you go up and down aisles but really don't make any progress, but you think you are because you are moving?!? Then we went through security--they went through everything and rightfully so, even my wallet--like where the greenbacks are. I made a joke to the officer and asked if they were going to count my change--got a dismissive look and quickly realized not funny. Then we were off to a group waiting area--felt like cattle being herded!

Finally around 8:05 in the AM, we were in!! We had mapped out our visit--we had timed tickets and only had two hours. Had to make the most of it! First things first was the dance stage. The Imagination Movers really got Alli dancing. She had SOO much fun. This is also when I pressed some weird button on my camera and it highlighted the green. Weird. Good for St. Pat's but not this!

Then Mommy wanted to go to story time. Not because the whole reading thing but because of the reader! Yummy Josh Dumeil (?sp) from Vegas and previously All My Chilldren. I honestly don't remember what story he read, I just sat there and enjoyed the yummy eye candy. I know Allison tried numerous times to leave, to which I told her to "Listen to Josh, I mean the story......". After that we headed over to color our Easter Egg. That was a lot of fun--Allison managed to spill her dye all over her jacket, and me for that matter. Next I wanted to head to the Easter Egg Roll. After sizing up the line, there was no way my toddler could hang with it. So, I quickly told Allison to put her egg down and start rolling it as fast as she could. There. My child rolled an Easter Egg on the White House Lawn. Mission accomplished.
Next, we hit the craft area. We made a princess crown, jump rope and Allison created some-don't-really-know-what -to-call- it thing out of an egg crate. It was cool, they just put a bunch of art supplies down and let kids make whatever they wanted. And she did!
Allison asked to get her face painted. My heart sank as I looked at the line that stretched for at least 75 people deep. I told her we would have to stay in the line a long time but we could do it if she really wanted to. Such a trooper we were in line for about 40 minutes. ((Put a wrench into my other plans, but oh well, it's what she wanted!!)) She ended up getting a bunny on her cheek. She mentioned to me that Barack Obama will have her over again for more bunnies on her cheeks. Hope so.
While we were in line for face painting we got to boogie down to Fergie, also known as Josh's wife. Allison still talks about dancing to Fergie!
Once our time was up we left the lawn and got our wooden egg and then it was back to the office. We hung out with Daddy for a little bit, had a snack and then out to lunch with Wendy, Alex and Stephanie. We got home around 1 pm, Allison went straight to bed and slept until 5 pm. Yup, 5 pm.
It was an awesome morning and what an opportunity for her! And Mommy, I mean Josh Dumeil, come on! :)

Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer!!

We rolled the dice and took Allison to Dora the Explorer at Warner Theatre. We were definitely anxious because Allison hasn't been to anything like that before, so we weren't sure how she would react and if we would waste our money or not! But typical Allison was a true trooper and had so much fun. We metro'ed down -- Allison loves the metro! And then walked to the theatre. It was a true production and had lots of opportunities for audience participation. Allison was right there waving her star, yelling "Swiper, no swipin'", and singing along with the songs. When the show first started, I looked at Allison and saw pure joy. She was so elated and animated. I cried! Brent looks over at me and told me that I was the only one crying at Dora! Once I explained to him why I was crying, he could totally relate. We are looking forward to our next show!

SNOW, at last

We got some snow Sunday into Monday and it was so much for fun for us! Well, actually me not so much Allison--she didn't particularly enjoy being bundled up so she couldn't move ((after I was done I was just waiting for her to tell me she had to go potty!)) and the wind, didn't like the wind! But we went out and attempted to make a "snowfriend" (she's so PC and she's only two!)
Brent came home early to shovel--awesome and he and Allison were back outside. She definitely enjoyed this more than the first trip! She helped Daddy shovel the driveway, the front walk and then they made their snowfriend and rode around in her car. Too cute. I'm glad I got some use out of her snow suit! :)

Potty Update

I have spent all day trying to think of a catchy title for this post--you see what I decided on! I was thinking "talk from the toilet trenches", PeePee, BM, TMI, the potty papers...and then I figured most folks aren't as obsessed with toileting as much as I am at this point in my life!!
All in all Allison is doing VERY WELL!! She had her first full day of potty without Mommy on Tuesday and they called me at work to let me know that she had gone three times, stayed dry all morning and then was dry after her nap. What a rockstar. She did end up having some accidents at the the end of the day, but what a fantastic start. It helped my mommy guilt that she did okay without me there too, I was a hurtin' when I dropped her off......
And today she did well as well, she went for me twice and had three accidents. She is really starting to make the connection for potty time and then getting to the potty. She almost always comes up to me running and holding her bottom and sure enough it's time to go.
As far as my iPhone goes (this for you JEN!!)......here's the scoop. On Saturday, Allison would not sit on the potty for any length of time. I tried singing songs, reading books and nothing worked. I had just talked to my sister in law, Jen and she was sharing with me some of her stories with her kids and she said it would be easier now if they could just sit and play their DS's on the potty. That got me thinking.....the App store, they have an App for everything so it's worth a shot! Sure enough there it was toddler trivia. She was mesmerized, played it and played it. Sat on the potty, did her business, all was well. It never even dawned on me that it could and eventually would fall in the toilet. I was with her when it happened, I just calmly looked at her and said, "oh dear, that's not good". I took a deep breath, gently removed her from the potty and without hesitation stuck my hand in the toilet. Gross, yes but I did just clean them on Monday.......and it was Monday, so not so bad. And it was dead. Brent was able to call me on it later in the day, what a tease! We think it was it's last effort. It's still unresponsive.
So having kids is expensive we all know this, but who says potty training would cost you $400!! Oh, and I had the service plan for the iPhone, but guess what?? It doesn't cover water damage. This wasn't damage, it was a drowning..........
I am including a picture from Saturday with Brent, Allison and Buddy. Buddy is also learning to go to the potty. He is doing well also! ;)

Potty Training is not for wimps!

Brent and I have decided to start potty training Allison this weekend. I have NEVER spent so much time in the bathroom, even as a teenager. It's an interesting experience. I found myself totally second guessing our decision to try and potty train her this afternoon. She has yet to go to the potty. We have had two accidents. She is definitely holding her peepee. Which worries me since I don't want her to get a bladder or urinary tract infection. Right now, we are using the potty training doll (her favorite teddy bear, Buddy) and lots of rewards--cupcakes, M&M's--the works. I even gift wrapped "potty presents" for her. She knows we have these things and she tries so hard to go and nothing. It's sad. I keep going through the checklist reminding myself that she has ALL the signs of readiness. This is awful. I just held her on the potty today and gave her big hugs. She isn't resisting or crying. She actually runs to the potty to say she needs to go! I even went as far as downloaded a toddler game for my iPhone. I wanted to try anything or everything for her sucess. Fingers crossed we are going to keep moving forward with our current plan.

I couldn't say it better myself! Really!

Allison and I went to the National Museum of Natural History on Monday with our friends Jen, Luil and Fiona. Jen also has a blog and she talked about the day and did a much better job than what I was planning on. So check out her blog on the right, Familia Santiago. I am going to post some pictures. We had a blast and Allison is still talking about the dinosaurs and telling me that they aren't scary!

Luli's 4th Birthday

Allison attended Lourdes' (Luli) birthday party this morning. She had a lot of fun. She made a police man badge (that was the theme) and ate pizza (two slices) and of course birthday cake. Two LoCo sheriff's showed up to surprise Luli and show off their patrol cars, but Allison was too scared to visit. So, we hung out in the family room until everyone came back inside. Then for a few moments she became brave and we went outside, then the Sheriff's turned on the sirens briefly and we were back inside in a flash. Allison had a lot of fun and all the way home she talked about the party and blew her whistle. She was very excited to come home and show her Daddy all of the good stuff she got at the party.
By far the funniest thing for me was when she sat down to eat her cake. Please note in the picture, she has the ENTIRE piece of cake on her fork. It was too cute. I also enjoyed the fact that as she sat on the floor eating her pizza she was lady like and kept her ankles crossed.

Allison and Cheerios

All the experts and Mom's say that kids go through phases, but currently Allison is going through Cheerios. It's insane. About a box (the big mamma jamma) a week. We are up to three bowls for breakfast (adult sized). It's also not the only thing she eats, I always offer juice and fruit in the morning. She downs that too! On the mornings that I don't work, I'm all up for a big breakfast (we are both big on breakfast). I'm all ready with the homemade French toast, Blueberry / Banana Pancakes, eggs, the works. What does she want? A friggin' bowl of Cheerios. And if you have ever eaten with a toddler, you are better off just eating what they have. I decided to test that theory this AM, I made blueberry pancakes. I'm so over the Cheerios. But she was still all about cheerios.
The other thing that kind of grosses me out is the weird noise she makes when she eats them. It's somewhere between a gulp and a slurp. The only other time I ever heard it before was when I was nursing her. It alarmed me slightly then, but it's a little odd and gross now.
Allison is doing her best to pull us out the recession with her Cheerios consumption. Perhaps Brent and I should buy General Mills stock.

When I get older, I can.......

We all now that all attempts are made to slow things down with Allison. Time is definitely my enemy! She is starting to recognize that in life there are things that I do that she can't do. You know the basics--wiping her own butt and driving a car to name a few. She has started a list of things that she can do when she gets older. When she thinks of one, she starts listing all and everything. It's too cute. Here's the list:
"When I get older, I can.....
Drive a car
Drive Mommy to see Dr. Ben (that's her pediatrician)
Get things out the oven
Hold heavy boxes
Walk walk Bailey (we either walk (short walk) or walk walk (long walk) the dog--weird Booker lingo!)
Wear a collar around my neck (ok, that one scares me)
Push the leaves ( I think that means raking)
Open the door
Use the buttons (refers to my car remote)
Go to the store
Use a credit card
Drink coffee (I don't even drink coffee)
And last but not least, Bailey gets a nod.
When Bailey gets older, Allison says that he can eat goldfish and raisins.

My toddler rocks!

Happy New Year!

I guess Brent and I are officially lame parents. Next is CNN 24/7 and NPR in the car. Obivously we don't have big plans for the new year tonight, I think we are frankly exhausted from the past four months. I am really enjoying stressing about what to make for dinner versus are we going to have a place to live come December? Oh, much better!
Allison is in the throws of the terrible two's. I saw her pediatrician and he recommended 1,2,3 Magic. It's a book about discipline for kids 2-12. I have read most of it, and what a joke. She just looks at me (after I have said 1,2,3 naughty spot) and says 7,8,9 Mommy! I guess these things take time!
There is one new behavior of Allison's that is both maddening and highly entertaining. She has little schizo episodes. Please bear in mind that I am not making light of any mental illness, but my toddler has episodes! One moment it's rock Mommy a nano second later it's no rock Mommy. Then read the book Mommy pause no, don't read the book Mommy. Milk Mommy no milk Mommy only water. Pink pajamas no pink pajamas brown ones no brown ones pink mommy pink! All day long. After awhile, I just laugh, what else is there to do?!?
I am really looking forward to the New Year and all it's promise. I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and healthy 2009! Hi Samantha and thanks for reading my blog! :)

Told myself I wouldn't do this.......

Allison had her two year birthday pictures today and Christmas pictures. We had them done at Portrait Innovations. It was awesome. A welcome change from the dreaded Sears Portrait Studio!! And I walked out with all of my pictures, no extra trip--bonus! I told myself I wouldn't share these pictures until her birthday, but gosh they are too cute not to share. So, I am posting some of my favorites--we have about 70 pictures, so I have about 70 favorites. I can't get over how all of a sudden she looks like a little girl......makes my heart happy and sad. Please note the previously mentioned cupcake sweater!

All things cupcake

Yesterday I spent happy hours (Allison's nap time) making one large cupcake on posterboard for "Put the the candle on the cupcake", think pin the tail on the donkey minus the tail and donkey part. Next, I attached 1/2 cupcake wrappers to construction paper for the craft. Allison saw all of my crafty projects and wanted her birthday yesterday. I also got her a sweater with a cupcake on it. Of course I did! I showed it to her yesterday and she said she wanted to go downstairs, sit at the table, and eat it! Thatta girl.

Strange bed fellows

Allison is now sleeping with her beloved trash truck shirt and a pair of pajama pants. She also wants to sleep with Funny, Madeline, Butter, New Lovey, Old Lovey, etc. Unbelievable. But the fact that she cradles her trash truck t-shirt is just hilarious. It's the same shirt she is wearing in the potty in the pantry video.

Potty in the Pantry

Allison isn't potty trained, but she thinks she is and she decides to "go potty" in the strangest of places. This morning, she chose the pantry.

Late Night Conversations

Brent and I alternate, or at least we try to, with putting Allison to bed. Something about rocking in the dark she says the funniest things. This week's conversations include Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson all coming to her birthday party. Then we have an in depth discussion on the smell of BM's and we reviewed EVERYONE's habits and that everyone has stinky BM's. It's hard to keep a straight face!
She is now asking for a brother and for a big girl bed and pillow. I think she will get the bed and pillow first! Allison has told us that her brother's name will be Johnny Boy and actually she wants two. As in two brothers. Much easier and cheaper to buy a new bed and pillow. They don't go to college. I guess the pillow could, but still no tutition.