Tiny Dancer

Sam has started dance class. It is so fun to watch. She is really shy during class but hopefully that will improve. She is the youngest one in the class. I can't wait until the recital, it will be so cute!

This week has been nuts, I will try to add a little more content next week.

Beautiful Girls

Lately I often find myself looking at Samantha and thinking how beautiful she is. I'm not usually corny and flowery about anything at all, but I can't help thinking of this all the time. I think she is just the sweetest thing sometimes. She's also been very sweet to Ella lately. She was holding her hand on the way home from Lake George. Very cute. Then I can't help having a flash forward to when she's 15 and I'll still be looking at that beautiful face and she probably won't be so sweet all the time. Sometimes I wish I could stop time, just for a little while.

First Day of School

Sam had her first day of school last Thursday. She did great. She didn't shed a single tear, and she didn't have any accidents while there. Ever since we've been playing school and I am her teacher. She learned what tall and short means. They read her a book about race cars. And they went for a walk while holding onto a rope. That is what we learned about her first day.

Ella Grace

August 23rd, 2008

Come back?

Well I'm contemplating coming back. I've been without high speed internet for the past several months (the horror, I know) and we recently got high speed internet at the restaurant. So I might be able to post from time to time. Let's see what have we been up to? Working at the restaurant, having fun with Samantha, and patiently awaiting the arrival of our new baby. Did I say patiently? I meant I'm trying to be patient considering the fact that I was told I would be induced last Monday and then that was changed to probably next Tuesday. So, patient, maybe not soo much. Hopefully the next time I post I will have a new little one to post about. Samantha wants to name the baby Sally.

Potty Training

Even though I said no more blogging, a quick note about potty training. Samantha is on day 3 of wearing underwear and only wearing diapers to bed. So far she has had one accident, during naptime. Things are going pretty well. Last night at 10:30 Samantha called me into her room to say she had to go potty. I honestly didn't really think she had to go. But since I didn't want to tell her that I brought her into the bathroom anyway. Well she did have to go, she went and then told me she was done. I was very impressed with this. Hopefully things will continue to go well. We'll see. She doesn't have to go to the bathroom very often and most of the time when I ask if she has to go she'll say okay and sit there awhile. But when she initiates it, it happens a lot quicker.
Any potty training advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Break Time

I tried to get back into blogging, but it just isn't working for me. I'm taking an indefinite break from blogging. Sorry.
Maybe I'll be back someday. I'm sure I will, just not sure when.

Easter Recap

We had a very nice and low key Easter. Samantha got a little chocolate bunny when she woke up in the morning. She was very excited that the Easter Bunny must have been in her crib. Then we went downstairs and had breakfast. She got a Easter basket from Googie and Pop pop. Then my parents came by and she looked for eggs and got a basket from them and found a basket from the Easter Bunny. She was much more interested in the candy then all the gifts the Easter Bunny spoiled her with. She got her purple ballerina that she's been wanting, lots of Backyardigan books, and Tasha and Uniqua beanie babies. Along with a few other things, like candy of course. She actually took a 2 hour nap after eating all that candy. I guess it's tiring work looking for those eggs. She was really cute. She was so focused on picking up eggs that she stood right in front of her easter basket twice and didn't even notice it. Then we tried to go to the easter egg hunt but I had the info wrong. Oh well. My parents came back over about 5 and we had a really nice dinner. Tim spoiled us. We had spetzle, sheusheudo, and veggies and salad. It was a very nice quiet Easter with Samantha. She had so much fun. Here are some pics, the one of her and half of Tim is my only one with him in it. Oh well.

Happy Easter

This is what we did Easter morning.

Toddler Music

I was introduced to the They Might be Giants music for kids. It's great for kids and adults. I was actually getting kind of into it. The 123 CD is so much better than most kids music. Samantha was into it too for about a week. Now every time I turn it on she says, I want the Backyardigans CD on. Of course, I listen to her. They're her CD's to begin with any way. I must get away from the Backyardigans. I don't mind the show once every few days, or the toys. Or the fact that my child calls me Tasha 20 times a day. But I can't give up my car music too. I live in the country, nothing is less than a 20 min drive. I need to get better music on in the car.

By the way, look who I'm taking music advice from? This is the outfit she insisted on wearing yesterday.
I'm hoping if we let her get her creative outfits out of the way now by the time she goes to school she'll want to wear normal clothes.

My Little BumbleBee

Here's Samantha in one of the three Halloween costumes she had last year. She refused to wear the first two. This is one of the ones she refused to wear. Now apparently she loves it. She found it because I was about to give it back to the person I borrowed it from. She was very cute "buzzing" around the house in it.

We've been busy, I've got a lot on my mind and having been finding it hard to get the everyday stuff done today and yesterday. Instead I am spending my time thinking and thinking. Fun, I know.

But I have to get in gear. This weekend is Easter and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Samantha reacts. We already did a trial easter egg coloring. We'll do some more tomorrow probably because I work on Saturday nights. I'm excited for Sunday morning when she "looks" for the Easter eggs and gets her easter basket. I'm hoping it will be warm because I want to hide some plastic eggs outside for her to find with little treats in them. I'm looking forward to it. She has been talking about the Easter bunny for awhile now. Tim will make the traditional Cocheo dish Shushedu (I'm not sure of the spelling on that). And I'm going to figure out something to make Easter morning, probably a frittata or something like that.

Have a fun holiday, if you celebrate it.

Randomness

Wow, I've waited a little too long in between posts. Sorry. Let's see, what's been going on? Samantha loves her playgroup on Mondays where I drop her off and leave her for a few hours. She barely says goodbye to me. She does still yell Mommy and come running when I pick her up which I love, of course.

Here she is in one of her favorite outfits. The heart turtleneck is her favorite and I don't know what we'll do when it's too warm. Luckily it's only 34 degrees today so we're in luck. Spring is not here yet. I'm hoping for it to be warmer in the next few weeks. I hate cold Easters, I really want to be able to have a little outside Easter egg hunt. I'm hoping it will be warm this weekend.

Samantha is obsessed with picking her on clothes out. She is attached to only a handful of things and they must be worn ALL THE TIME. God forbid if they're dirty. No wonder I'm always doing laundry. I need to go get her some new pink shirts for the spring. If a shirt doesn't at least have some pink in it we're in big trouble. She also must always be wearing one of the necklaces that you see in the picture and I'm lucky on days I can get her out of the house without a tutu on.

Two random pieces of news, I just ate way more M&M's than I should have in one seating, so much for my lowish weight gain pregnancy. I don't want to get on the scale next time. And I completely forgot it was our 10 year (since starting dating) anniversary. It was about a month ago and we haven't even mentioned it. I think I'll bring it up when he gets home later. This summer we'll be married for 5 years.

I'm So Big

Yesterday I was cleaning in the kitchen and Samantha was playing in the bathroom, which is right off the kitchen. For some strange reason she loves to play in the bathroom. Don't worry, the toilet is closed so it's not that bad. But there's a little window seat type thing that she can sit on and she brings her toys in there. Anyway, back to my story. She calls,"Mommy I'm so big". Never a good sign. I walk in and here she is, standing on the counter next to the sink. I had to laugh, and then tell her how dangerous it was. Then it was no more playing in the bathroom. This is what I saw when I peeked in the bathroom.

No before you go saying I'm a bad mom, I swear I was steps away from her. Sitting at the kitchen table going through things, for those of you who know our kitchen. These things can happen in seconds with a 2 year old. And it will not happen again, so be assured grandparents I won't let her play in the bathroom.

Big Girl

Samantha is getting so big and so independent lately. Today she went off to the "Mommy's Morning Out" program with no problem. Some kids cry and want their moms, not my child. She marches right in, takes off her coat, and starts playing. She barely takes the time to say goodbye to me. She was very excited when I came to pick her up so that always makes me feel good. We went to the grocery store today and she insisted on walking the whole time, no shopping cart for her. Note to self: possibly go grocery shopping while she's at Mommy's Morning Out next time, my shopping might go a little quicker. Honestly though I don't mind her slowness. Although at times she is "as slow as molasses" as my mother would say. Most days of the week we are not in a rush to get anywhere, and we are lucky for that. It's these moments with her that I need to remember, because they will be gone all too quickly. I would love to see the world the way she does, so exciting at all times, and sometimes with her I do get a glimpse of it the way she does.

Here's a pic of my little ballerina. The tutu goes on as soon as she wakes up and often doesn't get taken off until bedtime.

Prenatal Update

A doctors visit reveals:
- A lowish weight gain (Yipee b/c I've been heavy on the desserts lately) 5 pounds less at 16 weeks than my last pregnancy.

- Anemia - Not the end of the world, hoping to get my levels up.

- Weekly visit to the dr to get blood drawn until my levels are up. (Yuck).

- In 4 weeks I have to drive 1 hour to go for my level 2 ultrasound. (That's what you get for living in the country).

By the way, am I really getting one of these relatively soon?

First TV Appearance

PBS Kids is filming a TV show today at our local bookstore. Sandra Boynton, who I didn't know is a local author, wrote the book and they will be singing songs, reading, and putting on TV someone reading to the kids. On the CD is Kevin Bacon and Laura Linney and other local actors. It's call the Blue Moo. They wanted 40 kids for the TV show and they were worried they couldn't get that many out here in the country. Well I ran into someone yesterday and they have 40 reserved already and who knows who else will show up without reserving. Thank goodness we reserved so we can get our free book and CD. So we're going to get there early since they'll be so many little people there. And I'm going to make an effort to pick out my daughters outfit myself, instead of arguing with her over it. Oh yeah, and I'm going to make an effort to brush her hair, all the way through. Sorry mom, but she really fights me over it. Don't worry she'll look cute.

Set your VCR's everyone.

Preschool Time Already?

I was at story time yesterday when someone asked me if I would send Samantha to preschool in the fall. I replied I think so. If you want to send your child to preschool in this area, especially if they're not quite 3 yet there's only one school you can send them to (Sam doesn't turn 3 until Dec). You have to act fast. The woman told me well you better call now, there's a huge waiting list and if you wait until the summer to sign her up she'll never get in. I was in shock. I'm not even 100% sure yet about preschool or if it should wait until Jan, or wait until she's 4. When I see how social Samantha is, she loves story hour, and loves to yell out the answers of whats on the pages. She loves to learn and is struggling at times, but trying so very hard with her colors, shapes, ABC's, and 123's. Those things make me think it would be good for her. So I called feeling kind of stupid, are you really asking about September in the first week of March? Well the director of the program didn't seem to think it was stupid at all. She said, oh yes, come in within the next 2 weeks to fill out an application and she should be in. It's not set in stone, and I don't have to pay anything until she goes. So I'll sign her up and we'll see in August what we'll do. Right now I'm saying 2 morning a week. Oh, the one thing is, she has to be potty trained. No problem, right? Isn't that what people think unless they're actually on a deadline and then it becomes a problem. We'll see. That gives us 6 months. Surely she can be potty trained in 6 months (we say with our fingers crossed).

More Paci Talk

Ways the Internet Says to Get Rid of the Pacifier:
- Have the Paci Fairy come and leave the child a gift the night they sleep without it.
- Give it to a baby. (Tried this, didn't work really.)
- Poke holes in it, or cut off a small amount each night.
- Go cold turkey.

Hmmm... do we try them all? Cold turkey, won't work, I'm sure of it. The baby thin didn't work, but it is a little less now. The Paci Fairy is kind of like the giving it to a baby, so I can't see that working. But there is a present involved, so maybe. Hmm.. this is on my mind way too much these days.

Oh, and an update from Night #2. Sam again went to sleep fine and then 20 minutes later woke up wanting me to hold her. I finally gave in, gave it to her, and she put her head down and went right to sleep. I went in 20 min later and took it from her. She slept until 8 this morning. No night wakings. She just needs help falling asleep obviously. I'm not sure how to get her to do this on her own.

Operation No More Paci - Night 1

I have been saying since Samantha's 1st birthday that we need to get rid of the paci. It's not that bad, it stays in her crib and she only uses it for sleeping. However, it bothers me. Now, here we are past her second birthday and she still has 5 pacis in her crib at all times. So the other day when Samantha said she didn't need a paci and was a big girl, I jumped on the chance. We decided to give the pacis to Baby Marley, one if our friends. Samantha was a big girl, it didn't bother her at all when we handed them over to him. In fact she said, I'm a big girl. You're a baby. It was very cute and I was very hopeful of our first night without them. I pretended that I gave them all away, but I did save two and hid them away for safekeeping. Naptime when by great, she went to sleep without it and didn't ask for it. Then came bedtime...

Samantha laid down in her crib and didn't ask for it. Then in 20 minutes the crying began. "I want to hold you mommy". Over and over again. I went it, we talked, and she had to la back down. This went on for about 45 minutes until she actually asked for it. "Where's my paci?". I told her she gave it to Baby Marley because he needed it. She wasn't buying it. I wanted to stay strong and not give in. She's too old for it. Tim, however, had different ideas. As we stood in the hallway outside her room arguing quietly about what to do, she was still crying, although still not asking for it more than once or twice. Tim claims I'm mean, and like "torturing" our child. He actually used that word, obviously I disagree. But last night I gave in. When I finally gave it to her after an hour she took it, rolled over and went to sleep.

After she was asleep an hour I went back in and took it away. My doctor told me to do this, I don't know if it will help or not. Any thoughts, anyone going through this? Is Tim right, is it no big deal since it's only at night and in the crib? As a sidenote she also went down for her nap today without it. Progress? I'd like to think so, but really, who knows?

Mom's Morning Out

We have something at the community center near us called Moms Morning Out. You drop off your toddlers at 9:30 and they stay until 12. They give them snack and play with them. Today I dropped off Samantha for the first time. I was a little nervous. She knows the building because we go every Wed. for playgroup. The people who watch them for this program are the same people who watch them at the Wed program. And she knew almost all the kids there. So I wasn't too worried. Samantha did great. She had fun, and fell asleep as soon as she left there. I think we might do it more often. Oh, and it's only $4. A pretty good deal, and a good way to get some errands done on your own.

Ballerinas

We have a obsession with all things ballerina lately. Samantha wears a tutu daily. Today we went to playgroup with a tutu on (sorry mom). I think that's one of those things my mom wouldn't approve of. But I decided if she goes to school and wears something weird she'll get made fun of. Now, she's two, so I might as well let her do it. As long as its weather appropriate. Now, my point with this post is I want to get her something cute, ballerinaesque for her Easter basket. And I found these cute pettiskirts. I'm in love with them. However, they're $72. That sounds insane to me. How do people spend $72 on something for a 2 year old. Does anyone know where to find something similar? Or equally cute for a little ballerina?

Imagination

It is so amazing to me that sometimes when I take out my camera Samantha will run and say no and I cannot get a picture. And sometimes she looks like this, so cute. I swear, she is 2 different people living in 1 body.

Sam is obsessed with the Backyardigans. She gave us all a Backyardigan name and uses our new names all the time. Tim is Tyrone and I am Tasha. As soon as she wakes up in the morning she starts calling me Tasha and it doesn't stop. At times she still does call me Mommy of course. But lately I'd say we are Tasha and Tyrone a little more often than Mommy and Daddy. She can sometimes take this new game a little too far. At a party my parents had she was giving almost everyone names. Of course there weren't enough Backyardigan names so she branched out to Dora and Diego names too. And she remembered about 20 peoples names and called them it all night. She's tough on this too. She doesn't let you be who you want to be. She has a name in mind for everyone and it is very hard to get her to change her mind. And no, I swear my kid doesn't watch a lot of TV. She's very lucky if it gets turned on for 1 30 min. show a day. I don't know how she got so obsessed with this, but she did. It's pretty funny. I should really videotape her doing this so we can laugh about it when she's older.

Oscars

I thought the Oscars weren't so good this year. I was actually annoyed that I stayed up to watch them. I could have been reading my book or checking email or sleeping. I don't know why No Country for Old Men won everything. I didn't like it. I didn't watch it all because I thought it was just a guy basically killing everyone. Maybe I should give it another change since everyone else obviously liked it. John Stewart was funny at times, he's a pretty good host. I just wanted some feel good movies to win. I don't know why there were so many dark movies this year. I loved Juno, Michael Clayton, Gone Baby Gone, and The Bucket List. I still haven't seen Atonement. Any thoughts on the Oscars anyone? I did think Katherine Heigl looked great, although she strangely seemed very nervous. Who else? Nobody else really stood out to me. The lady who wrote Juno is a strange dresser. Oh and the Michael Clayton chick who won, she looked much better in the movie. That's it, all my thought, I wasn't impressed this year. Wondering what my mother thought, since she's a Oscar fanatic.

Busy

I know, I've been a terrible blogger, I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure not many people are still reading, you've given up on me. We've been busy, Tim has taken a lot of time off this winter, he's gearing up for opening his restaurant in June and he's been working only 2 1/2 days a week since January. Once May comes (or probably earlier) he'll be working 6 or 7 days a week so it was nice for him to have some time off. However, it means I have been gallavanting around with him instead of doing my normal stuff. We've been to visit his parents, his friend, his brother, and then we got company here. I'm looking forward to doing nothing in the month on April. We're staying close to home for Easter which I'm very happy about. We also found out we're expecting a new arrival in August which we're very excited about. We'll find out if it's a girl or boy in early April so I'll need some help then with names. Here's some cute pictures and I promise to think of more things to say soon.

These pictures are from Prospect Park zoo we went last week when we visited Peter in Brooklyn. It was the perfect zoo for little kids, the Bronx Zoo is a little too big for 2 year olds.

Cousins

My First Meme

I got this from another blog I read sometimes, try it, and pass on the answers.


1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Wait tables - for Tim at his restaurant.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't remember my resolutions, probably eat better and exercise. I ate better at times, and I exercised at times.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my best friend Danielle, my friend Kari, and a few other friends.
4. Did anyone close to you die?

Umm.. I don't think so, not that I can remember.
5. What countries did you visit?

Mexico.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

More patience, less stress, more money, more quality time with friends.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Nothing too exciting, the normal dates. 7/12 our anniversary 12/18 Sam's bday and 9/22 Katie's wedding
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Bring a good mom to Samantha and a good wife to Tim
9. What was your biggest failure?

I guess I could be a little more easy going, less controlling.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No.
11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmm. I don't think I really bought anything too exciting. Tim's car, I guess, but that's not mine.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Everyone in the families.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

None
14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, rent, Mexico trip.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going to Mexico, Samantha's 1st Christmas that she's bigger and understands.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Tomorrow, and Frosty the Snowman.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?

happier, about the same, and richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Being spontaneous.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating?
20. How did you spend Christmas?

With everyone, as usual, running around to see everyone in the family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

I fell in love with my family (as always) Aww, how sweet, right?
22. What was your favorite TV program?

CSI shows
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No
24. What was the best book you read?

Good question, but I'm not sure.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Music Together? Lame, I know, but it keeps our car rides quiet.

26. What did you want and get?

The bag I wanted, new boots.
27. What did you want and not get?

A volvo, and a dyson.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Don't remember the last time I went to the movies.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

When on a date night to Great Barrington, 28.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Nothing.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Comfort and fashion together.
32. What kept you sane?

Samantha, and Tim. Hair cuts.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
 not sure
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
 environmental issues
35. Who did you miss?
 old friends who I don't see often.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
 Kari and Jenni, and most of my new mom friends.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Live for the moment, don't take anything for granted.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Change by Blind Melon