Sunday, May 24, 2009

Goodbye pacifier!

Ella has been pretty attached to her pacifier since she was weeks old. Since she's now 2 1/2, we've been thinking we should probably wean her off it soon. It's been a long time since she's had it other than bed time, nap time, or if she's really feeling sick. So we haven't been too worried about it. We leave it on her dresser when she's not in bed and lately we only give it to her when she asks for it. A few nights ago we tried to hide it, but she asked for it repeatedly so we gave it to her. The following night, she didn't ask. So I grabbed it on our way out of their room, figuring we'd give it back to her if she asked for it. But she didn't. And she didn't ask at nap time the following day or at bed time the next night. It's only been a few days so far, but she was feeling pretty miserable part of one day (part bad reaction to a mosquito bite and part constipation) and didn't ask for it then either. So I think it's gone for good!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Prettiful

Ella has been calling things prettiful. After my shower yesterday, with no make up and in shorts and a tank top, I walked into the girls' bedroom to get them up from their naps. Ella came out of the closet and stood in front of me and said, "Mommy, you're so prettiful!"

Steve is running again!

I can't believe I forgot this bit of news earlier. Steve is running again. We both want to be healthy and fit. The bit of extra weight he's carrying is affecting his energy level and making him feel older than he is. So he started getting up a few mornings a week and jogging/walking. Since it's been a while since he ran regularly, he's easing into it and going every other day. But I'm very proud of him and the effort he's putting into this. I'm not sure I'd work out if I had to get up early to fit it in!

Xie xie, a toddler bed, and graduation

Some noteworthy things have happened recently and other things that I just want to get down on "paper" before I forget. First, we bought Ella a toddler bed. Now, we have two cribs and one converts to a toddler bed. But I found one in great shape at a garage sale and figured we may need two so after a call to Steve, I bought it. So we promptly took apart Amelia's crib, moved Ella's crib to the spot where Mia's crib had been, and put the toddler bed where the crib had been. Ella did GREAT that first night. She had this big grin on her face and seemed so happy. Amelia didn't sleep as well, but she takes longer to adjust to things than Ella does. The next morning Ella wanted me to lift her out of bed - she hadn't realized yet that she could "escape" on her own. So during nap time, I heard the door creak open and slam shut repeatedly. Not cool, but Mia got upset every time I entered the room. We have a vent between our rooms that you can look through, so I peeked through there and saw this: Ella would open the door, walk into the closet, close the door, knock, let herself into the room, and greet Amelia. Then she'd do it again. Since we had a gate in the doorway to the hall, I wasn't too concerned and made a mental note to get another latch for the closet door. Then yesterday, I was sitting in the living room shortly before my work out during nap time. I'd grown accustomed to feet pattering back and forth overhead. But then, out of nowhere, Ella walked into the room. She made sure I saw her and wordlessly turned around and headed back upstairs. I was a bit dumbfounded but I could smell she was dirty. So I grabbed a diaper and wipes and followed her back upstairs. Both bedroom doors and the bathroom door were closed and the gate was resting against the wall next to their bedroom door. I seriously stood there, trying to remember whether or not I had put the gate up when I left their room. I did, I knew it. I changed Ella's diaper and checked Mia's. Ella stood up and said, "Thank you, Mommy. That's much better." And then she walked back over and climbed into her bed and laid back down. She was ready for her nap but she came to get me so I could change her diaper first!

Then there's the time she got upset with me and shrieked, "Mommy JANE!!!" Jane is Amelia's middle name. And another time she asked for crackers and upon getting them, said, "Xie xie, Mommy." I had to look it up to be sure, but that's "thank you" in Mandarin Chinese. She picked it up from Ni hao, Kai-lan. She's also been asking what the Chinese word is for plenty of other things. She asked what the Chinese word was for stairs. I told her I didn't know. So she made one up (gau coo) and taught it to me! Today she asked again and I said I didn't know. So she said it was "wah" and proceeded to say, "now say it with me: wah. Let's try it again: wah." So I would say it and even Amelia said it. She cracks me up.

Amelia has had a few milestones too. She's repeating more and more words. We now brush her teeth too. And she can climb onto the couch all by herself. The last one makes me nervous, since she hasn't figured out that she needs to be careful or she might fall off. She has also discovered coloring, at least until she tries to eat the crayons.

I just want to add quickly here that they aren't always so cute and sweet. Ella is deep into being a two year-old and has started throwing the occasional tantrum. And Amelia is much more high-strung and has a temper, so she's been throwing fits too. Not fun. But it's part of parenting.

We also had a surprise party for Doug's 50th birthday. Becky organized pretty much the whole thing and it turned out really well. He was surprised and very touched.

I bought Steve a grill as an early birthday present. We've used it once so far and plan to use it again this weekend. The weather is getting really nice, so we've been outside more. The girls love to be outside. Amelia isn't a big fan of grass yet. Last night I picked a few flowers before coming back inside. For anyone that doesn't know, I am a mosquito magnet. I think I was outside for maybe five minutes and I got EIGHT mosquito bites! Plus I get huge welts - hot, red, and some of them the size of dimes. Not fun. I need to remember to cover up better next time.

And the BIG news - I graduated! I think everyone came except Zech, so I had a big cheering section and Steve had lots of help with the girls. They did well. I was hooded (that thing is itchy and kept sliding off my shoulders) and I got my diploma case (the diploma is coming in the mail). Dad sat with the trustees and was in full regalia. Mom sat with the trustee's wives so she had a good position for pictures and she said the other wives were excited to have a graduate to cheer for and take pictures of. Afterward we all went to Pizza Hut to celebrate. Annie graduated in the morning ceremony with her BA in Music Education. Now we're on to the job search part. Annie has a few leads (and interviews) with schools out of state. I'm searching for a supervisor so I can apply for my LLPC and begin applying for jobs. I'll probably do part time for a while, basically to cover the payments on my loans and begin accumulating hours toward my LPC.

Speaking of tantrums, I think it's nap time...