Tag Team Reading

The Kitty Whisperer

Night Night

I didn't realize just how many new CUTE pictures I had to share until I sat down to put them on the blog. This girl makes it easy! We've had a couple more good potty experiences. She'll say absolutely anything except "thank you", "I love you" and "Carina". Yesterday as Kenny ran through the living room she said "Crazy Kenny". She has also taken to saying "Oh boy" after Daddy. Her new favorite anatomy word is "pits" and she loves to pretend to put on deodorant (weird kid). This week she is loving spoons, plates, stickers and candles. If anybody on TV has a bike or ball she immediately runs to get her own. This morning while I was working out she did some jumps and squats with me. She keeps my life exciting and joyful!

Peter is still bringing home the bacon so that I can stay home. Being in a supervisory role has its own set of challenges and he's learning as he goes. I met up with two good friends last night and I realized there are quite a few mom friends of mine whose husbands are in grad school classes at night or whose jobs keep them away overnight. I know those are great opportunities for those men and families but I am very thankful to have Peter here with me now. His emotional support, help around the house and most of all his quality time spent with Carina are so precious to me.

Not much new with me - my life revolves around Carina girl. At the library yesterday she had a meltdown because I was trying to help her play a computer game and wanted to sit on the stool behind her. She wanted neither and I came to the realization that she not only expects the universe to revolve around her she also expects to be in control of it, haha. I certainly don't want to set the precedent that she has the final say on what happens around here but she is so young to understand that message. Today she was upset because she wanted something out of our bathroom cabinet and I didn't know what she was saying so I asked her to calm down and help me understand what it was and she did stop crying so that I could lift her up and she could point to the sunblock (which apparently is "baby pits"). I think she is learning that she doesn't have to cry to get what she wants but it must be terribly frustrating to not be understood all the time - I get that. So this is my latest parenting dilemma.

But aside from Carina I'm in the beginning stages of planning a weekly small group with 3 lovely ladies. Peter put Carina to bed last night quite successfully (also this week she has put herself to sleep twice with no crying at all!) so I think we can all handle a weekly night out for Mom. I'm also planning on working a temp job for 2 days this week just to bring in a couple bucks and get out of the house. I don't know that I'll be making a habit of it but I do have some very excellent and generous individuals lined up for child care (you know who you are - thank you!). That's all the news from here. I think I'll go take advantage of Carina's nap time and relax a bit!

SNOW!

Yesterday Carina and I spent the morning in our jammies and then after nap time went out to play in the snow and build a snowman. What a terrific day! Today we had a really fun play date and despite all the exertion Carina didn't nap at all. However she surprised us by pooping in the potty a SECOND time tonight! She said "Good poo poo!". That girl makes my heart explode.

Opposites

Carina "reading" from her Winnie the Pooh's Opposites book. Our little smarty :)

Carina's Busy Schedule

Who knew a toddler could be so busy? I mentioned in my last post that I had found a few free activities in which Carina and I could participate. This week we went to story time Monday morning (Peter came along because he had the day off), toddler yoga Wednesday morning, a different story time last night and then sing & play this morning. I don't know who has enjoyed it more, she or I! It has been terrific to have Carina around other kids and I've appreciated getting out of the house. I even made friends with another mom this morning which isn't an easy thing for me considering how shy I tend to be around new people.

We've been happily booked solid and I don't know if it's coincidence or not but Carina is napping well again. We've seen quite a few 2 hour naps and that is just fabulous. Plus she has been sleeping in till 7 or 8 in the morning most days. Yesterday and today when I poked my head in to check on her she was just happily sitting up chilling in her crib. As far as eating goes she has been eating better as long as I don't restrict her to specific meal times or her high chair. I wait to see if and when she is hungry and just feed her then. We're both much happier that way.

Obviously Carina has been sticking to my resolutions for her. I've been doing well myself. Still working out 3 mornings a week. Still journaling every day. I need a new devotional so that resolution is lacking and I'm working really hard to be a nicer person. Yesterday I definitely failed on the being a patient mom one. I got so frustrated when Carina threw a tantrum about having her nails clipped. So far today I've been better though :)

Totally random thought but one I'll throw out there anyway - we bought Carina a snowman ornament this week at 60% off. It's completely adorable and I thought it would be a good representation of this year's Christmas since that was one of her favorite words the whole holiday season and she says it so, so cute *snowmaa*. I really debated if we wanted to start buying her an ornament every year. She gets one from at least one of her grandparents but growing up Peter and I each received ornaments from our parents every Christmas and I love looking at all of mine when I put them on the tree each December. So my compromise (because I'm such a penny pincher) is to buy one every year on sale after Christmas and maybe give it as a Valentine's gift or something. Keep the tradition alive or whatever, haha.

Happier New Year

Carina has been a bit of a challenge recently. Her daily nap continues to be one hour or less. She is eating poorly and her mood is miserable. She clings to me constantly and sometimes still continues to fuss despite my attention. My best guess is that she has a molar or two coming in. Two broke through on the right side of her mouth months ago and we've been waiting for the left to catch up. I sure hope at least some of this is a phase. I want my happy little girl back.

So in addition to Carina having a happier new year my other resolutions include the following (I actually started these the 1st of December to give myself a jump start):

-Daily journaling (which reminds me, must do tonight!)

-Daily devotions (not a fan of my current book, must find better one soon)

-3 x weekly workouts (break in that Wii Fit!)

-Be a nicer person in general (stop using words like 'hate' and 'stupid')

-Be a more patient Mom (semi-related I've found at least 3 free weekly activities to take Carina to and I am SO excited!)

May your eyes and arms be wide open to God's blessings in this new year!