Bedtime and more...

As a lot of people know, bedtime has been an issue for Meghan and me. Even though she had her own room and her own bed, she slept with me while we lived at Grandpa's. When I bought the new house, she got to pick out some stuff for her room because she definitely was going to sleep in her own bed. She did pretty good and it wasn't too much of a transition, but the thing was I had to lie down in her bed for a half-hour to an hour. Not fun and a waste of the little time I had in the evenings to do stuff when she was sleeping. Laundry? Picking up toys? Get my drift? For a while now, she's been going to sleep all on her own, but with a definite routine. Here it is:

1. Get jammies on.

2. Brush teeth/use potty (sometimes she refuses this just to use it as a stall tactic later!) HA!

3. Read books. She tells me that she wants me to pick them, but then I never pick the right ones. Lately, she flips through the pages, and I swear she looking for the longer ones! Hallway light must be turned on as we head to her room and left on until she's asleep.

4. Tuck into bed with "critters." These in order on her bed: Cinderella (Build-a-Bear from Claire's bday party), Baxter (Bear brought back from a fire trip of Greg's), Tulip (Webkinz #1), Horse (another Greg gift), mini-horse (from horse bday party), Doggie (from the school carnival) and finally the most important of all....Kitty (who is looked pretty yucky b/c she goes pretty much everywhere!) Lately, Quack Quack (Webkinz #3) and a bunny get put up on a pillow next to her too. She also has her princess pillow and her High School Musical Troy pillow. Oh...lastly, Brown Blankie gets laid on top of her and she snuggles up.

5. I give her hug and kiss #1 and we say our special little good night sayings. I love that part. It's special between just me and her. I say a part and she fills in the blank. :)

6. I leave.

7. She calls me back for a drink. (even though I may have asked her earlier if she wanted one)

8. I give her a drink and leave again.

9. Called back for just one more hug and kiss.

10. Give hug and kiss and leave.

11. Called back to remind me to tuck Becca (baby doll) to bed.

12. I tuck Becca in and she's yelling out just a few more times "Love you mommy. See you in the morning!"

13. I repeated it back until finally all is quiet...ahhhh.

I know someday I miss these times when she just doesn't want to leave me to go to bed, so I try to cherish every moment.

Now for the more part.....
A few thoughts on how lucky I really am. I have an amazingly beautiful daughter, who's hilarious and bright. I've got a great home, with the most amazing "neighbor" ever! :) He treats me with the utmost respect and makes me feel special. Meg adores him and he is amazingly patient with her, answering all of her questions about what he's doing and why. He's taught her and given her many experiences that I'm grateful for. I've got the most supportive family ever that I can count on for just about anything. We spend lots of time together and have lots of fun. I have a job that I enjoy (much more in just 4 weeks) and a super building and faculty to work with. When I think about some of the painful, sad things that I have friends going through right now it makes me sad for them, but at the same time, I realize I need to count my blessings more and more each day. I'm doing just that right now.

Hmmm...a future bargainer???

OK...so Meg has officially learned the technique of bargaining. Tonight, we were back jumping on the new trampoline (YEAH!!!) and it was time to go up to the house. She first asked to swing before heading home. Here's the conversationg that ensued:

Me: No, we don't have time.

Meg: Please Mama, just a little bit.

Me: No.

Meg: How about 10 swings?

Me: How about 1 swing?

Meg: No, 6 swings?

Me: No, 2 swings?

Meg: Ok Mama, you gotta deal! (You can just picture the big cheesy grin on her face!) HA!

Seriously, how does she pick up on this stuff? I can see it now, "Mom, I need a car for my 16th birthday. No Meghan. Please mom, how about a Corvette........"

Blowing out the candles

Birthday Time!

Yep....yesterday was 04/14/08....Meg's 4th birthday. Wow! What a day it was. I took the afternoon off so we could spend it together. We went to lunch at El Rodeo (her choice) where she enjoyed her cheese dip and cheese quesadilla. She also remembered from Uncle Ryan's birthday in September that he got to wear a hat and had ice cream put on his nose. She requested that, so they brought her out a huge dessert. She was cracking up and loved every minute of it (I didn't have my camera....grrrrr!)

After lunch, we came home and had a little siesta. She, as usual, wasn't tired but slept for two hours. She was totally energized when she woke up. She was probably the most hyped up that I've ever seen her. We noticed Greg outside working on her playhouse shortly after we woke up (yes, I napped too!) so we went out to join him. We took the bright purple paint and went to work painting. She helped and actually did a marvelous job. I was shocked that she had less paint on her than what I had on me! HA! I left shortly after that to go pick up her My Little Pony cake and some chocolate ice cream. She suckered Greg into swinging her the entire time I was gone.

After dinner, everyone came over for opening presents and cake and ice cream. She was so funny to watch open her gifts. At one point, she stood and wiggled her butt as fast as she could...looked like a little duck. All in all, it was a super day. She just loves her new Leapster from Mamaw and Papaw and her High School Musical sleeping bag from Greg. I'm sure she'll get lots of use out of both of them this weekend while we camp. I'll be sure to post pics after we get back.

I'm headed off now to enter in my (**ahem** I mean HER) new Webkinz duck. She hasn't quite decided on a name, but I can still enter in the code so I can have all that extra cash to "buy" stuff with.

Zoo Pics!

St. Louis Pics

Children's Museum Visit

Easter Fun!

March Fun!

Faces of Meghan

Tons of stuff to share...

As usual, it's been a while since I've posted. Life's been busy. I just finished taking a class today to become a certified mentor to new teacher. Woo-hoo..it's over. It really ended up being quite a bit of work, so I'm glad it's done. I have decided in the mean time to go back and finish up my master's degree. I dread the course work (and paying for it) but I really need to get it done for salary reasons. I found an 18 month online program which will be fairly intense, but really the best thing. I can do it at night after Miss Thing goest to bed, so I won't have to spend even more time away from her at class. I think Greg may try to stay as far away as possible (which isn't far since he lives so close!) since I tend to get somewhat (he'd probably say a lot) crabby when I'm stressed.

Let me try to fill in the blanks of the past few weeks. Spring time is slowly, but surely, trying to arrive. We are absolutely thrilled to be able to get back outside and start swinging again. Meg's playhouse finally arrived (after a little griping at my dad and brother) so we've begun working on it. Since it does need quite a bit of work, I'll wait to post pics of it. Meg has requested to paint it purple, so I'm sure that's what it'll be as long as she doesn't change her mind. Last weeks was spring break from school. We had a busy three days home. Monday was a visit to the Children's Museum here in Indy. Her favorite part was by far the water table and sand area. Tuesday was pics with Claire and Kate. They all had their American Girl dresses on from Grandpa and had their dolls with matching dresses. Sooooo cute! Wednesday was lunch with Michelle, Bryce and Kynsey. On Thursday, we left for St. Louis. We had a blast (see pics for a brief trip summary). Meg loved going up in the "Awch" as she called it. Me...I wasn't thrilled about riding up in the tiny capsule and then being stuck up in the air so high, but I pretended like I was calm about it. We stayed up just long enough for a couple of pics, then headed right back down in the teeny tiny capsule.

As for new phrases...here's a few of my favs from recently:

When being asked a yes or no question.....she responds:
"Well....I'm gonna have to say N-O, no" or "Well....I'm gonna have to say Y-E-S, yes!" Cracks me up!

Tonight when I asked her to get in the shower, she told me "I'm not too sure about that!"

She told her dad about our trip to the zoo and said "It was lots of walking, but luckily I had my stroller!"

And the funniest...she announced as we walked by the donkeys at the zoo in St. Louis..."Look Mom...there's an ass! Did you know ass means donkey?" I just about fell over. That was also one of the first things she told Greg about her trip..."Guess what Gweg? I saw an ass at the zoo!" HA HA HA!

It's hard to believe that just four short years ago, I was impatiently waiting to meet her. My how time flies! She asked me the other day what I would do if she would have stayed a baby. Part of me longs to cuddle with the tiny baby she was, and hold her and rock her to sleep again and the other part loves how we can actually have conversations together and enjoy so much together. Such a mix of emotions I always feel when it's birthday time. I never realized how bittersweet growing up is for a parent.

Bubbles!

Spring???

OK...so today we "sprung" forward on our clocks! Now, if the stupid weather would just cooperate. We are definitely ready to be outdoors enjoying some fresh air. This weekend was a busy one..here's recap:

Friday night-A rushed taco dinner at our house, then we headed off to see the boys' science fair projects at their school. We left in a few snow flurries, but by the time we hit the interstate, it was really coming down and the wind was horrendous. We made it safely, took a look at their work and all the other parents **ahem** I mean kids' work and headed home. Afraid of the idiots on the highway, we took the back way, which just so happened led us past Frosty Boy in New Pal...and, of course, what does everyone (or at least all of us) want while in the midst of mini-blizzard???? ICE CREAM!! Yep, Greg even walked up to the window and stood out in the weather waiting on it. Delicious!

Saturday- Sort of slept in (7:30AM) got up had a nice breakfast, then decided I had cabin fever. Greg came over to take us out to run a couple of errands. We ended up at my parents as Greg was going to plow drives if necessary. After a while, we ended up having a bite of lunch there, then came home to play out in the snow. We bundled up and headed out to the yards to play. Then we decided we needed to check out the woods and creek. We've been watching erosion in action back at the creek and it was amazing to see the progress on Saturday! Saturday night was dinner at Ponderosa w/ my whole family and our gang. (It seems like all we ever do is eat!) After dinner we headed back to Greg's. Everyone ended up totally enthralled with the Wii. Lisa actually took off Sunday morning and bought herself one, she was so excited about it.

Sunday- Claire and Kate spent the night, so the girls were all up around 6AM (7AM since we sprung forward though) We had breakfast, played around our house, then Greg's for little bit and went out for Sunday dinner. Chicken and noodles today...MY FAV! (Here we go, eating AGAIN, no wonder my pants fit like they do!) The boys did some sheep stuff and Papaw kept everyone entertained outside buidling snowmen in the horse lot. (Penny and Peggy are too sure about the snow people staring at them.) Of course, I had to get outside and join the snowball fight. Lots of fun, but I"m ready for that spring weather! Sunday night was "clean out the fridge to fill up the kids night." (Yes, the kids were hungry AGAIN!) Meg was pooped, so bedtime was easy tonight. We had some nice snuggle time in the rocking chair before she drifted off.

Tomorrow is a big day. I'm observing in a preschool to see if it seems to be a good fit for her next year and she has a speech evaluation after I observe. It's a neat program. She would be a "typical peer" in a special needs preschool, so that's why they have her speech evaluated. They asked if I had speech concerns...ummmm...not really, except that sometimes she talks so much she can't take the time to breathe or eat! HA HA HA! I guess they only accept "social" kids to encourage the postive interaction. I think she will pass that test. :) It's getting really scary at the thought of her being school aged. Sigh...that's another reflection post for another day. I need to head to bed....I doubt I could be so lucky to get a delay in the morning.

Sunday

Skinny Milk Anyone?

It's official.....Meg has been brainwashed by Greg! HA! She will no longer drink "my" skim milk. :( Here's what happened:
We were having dinner one night and everyone agreed to drink milk. At the end of dinner, Greg told me that dinner was great, but that I could keep my milk. The next week, he ended up coming over with a half gallon of 2% milk. She tried it and decided that she just loved it.


Now, I'm stuck buying two different kinds of milk. The other night she announced to us that she did not like drinking Mommy's "skinny" milk and only likes Greg's. HA! If only drinking that stuff would make me skinny!

Messy Room Pic

Funnies from the weekend

For those of you that know Meghan personally, you know that she's quite observant. I turned on the tv last night and there was ice skating on. We started watching, then she looked up at me and said, "Gee Mama, I bet she's cold!" Yep, you're right Meg! Ice skating would probably be cold, so it doesn't make a whole lotta sense that those little girls are out there skating around in practically nothing! HA!

Then another funny from tonight. She and Greg's boys were quite busy...ok, maybe wild is more the correct term, but anyhow, they were playing. I was making dinner (tacos) and Greg was hanging w/ me in the kitchen. It's amazing how we can just ignore the total chaos around, we tend to not get worried, until they become silent. That's usually when some damage is being done. When they got ready to leave after dinner, I asked Meg if there was a mess in her room. She very sweetly said, "Noooooo Mama." I knew something was wrong. As we walked around the corner I saw her sitting in there and she said, "Welllllllllll." It was the cutest expression on her face in the midst of a DESTROYED room! I told her to sit still and got the camera. Didn't quite capture the expression, but you get the idea!

Zippety Doo Dah

Story and pic for the day!

I was in the kitchen getting ready to bake cupcakes for the gang, when Meg walked in. She'd been helping some and watching some tv. As she walks in she says, "Maaaama am I pretty? I immediately thought, "Of course you're pretty!" but then realized something was up. When I looked up at her I saw this gorgeous face:



She'd been in the bathroom making herself prettier. Super idea Santa to bring makeup for a 3 year old! HA! Her face was stained pink the rest of the day, but it didn't really matter since the only public place we went was Home Depot. Who really care what ya look like there when surrounded by a bunch of tools (in more way than one!) This is yet another way this child brightens every one of my days.

Okay week....

here we come! This should be an easy one to handle. Today was a holiday, tomorrow I'm out at my interesting training, Wednesday is a half day, and Friday is a UA day, so I'm finished teaching at 10:45AM. I think I can handle it (as long as I can manage that whole day with kids on Thursday!) He...he...he....

It sounds like Meg had a topsy-turvy kinda weekend with her dad, bouncing from here and there, which I hate. I hate that she isn't provided with stability and nuturing, but there's nothing I can do to change it. As I'm told often by Greg, it's not worth it to waste my energy on being upset about it. I know he's right and I really try to let it go. She was kinda sulky this morning. She was very clingy and wanted lots of hugs. She told me about a nightmare she had that I wasn't coming back to pick her up. It nearly makes me want to cry, but I just try to reassure her that I will always be there for her to give her what she needs. She definitely perked up and became herself again when the boys came over and picked us up for a trip to Home Depot. We had a very fun afternoon. She was worn out when it came time for bed. I figured it would be a difficult process tonight, but with her being so tired, it wasn't all that bad. She did beg to sleep in my bed and for me to lay with her, but I was able to use tomorrow night's ball game as a bargaining tool. So, we're headed off to do some cheering tomorrow night. What fun!?!? Hopefully the morning clothing fiasco will even be tolerable. We've got clothes all laid and they are even next to the vent so they aren't "cold clothes" in the morning.

Morning Review

Well...the clothes thing worked...for the most part. Just a minor problem, with the temperature of them. Apparently they were "cold" clothes. Don't really understand what that means, but it definitely created tears. Not horrible screaming ones, but tears indeed. The other issue today was that fact that I didn't have chocolate cereal. Again....no idea what that is, b/c I rarely even buy cereal.

Good news though...she did agree to wear her new tennis shoes. She wore them all day and even admitted that they felt good! Yeah!

It's a weekend without Meg. While I feel like I've been stressed all week in the mornings, I hate when she's not around it's just not the same. It'll be a busy weekend though. I'm sure Greg and I will spend "our" time together, which is nice. We need that alone time for "us." I also HAVE to go to school and try to get caught up and then, as always, there's work at Chicago's. Hope it's busy....Mama's got bills to pay. If only I had another wedding ring set to sell! HA HA HA! Happy Friday to everyone!