Busy Busy Day in a Busy Busy Town

*First, an apology for the typos . I type too fast and have no figured out how to go back and edit my blog. So hopefully everyone gets the gist of what i'm trying to say. And now....

Ok, Busy Busy day in a Busy Busy Town. Yeah, we had a busy day today. Busy Busy Town by Richard Scarry is Madeline's new favorite book. She calls it the cat book because there are cats in it. I think its pretty cool b/c I used to love those books when I was little. I took it out from the library, but I'm going to have to get her her own copy.
So our day... I took her to the library this morning for some train table action. There was quite a few kids there for one of the library programs. At 10 o'clock, they all left to go into the room, and Maddie yelled " Bye! See you soon! Have fun!" All the librarians were laughing.
Then she fell in love with a little blond haired boy at the train table. She kept trying to show 'boy' (as she called him , ha ha,) her trains, or get him to do a firetruck puzzle or do building blocks with her. When he showed little to no interest in her, she upped her game. She followed him around, trying to hug him. I was dying ! She really has never done that before- usually she could take or leave ( mostly leave) most other kids there-she took a liking to Boy and that was that. It was so funny to watch.
Then we had to rush home to eat lunch. I joined a Mothers group and I had signed her up for an art project today. It took place during her disappearing nap time, so I wanted her to eat and then have her fall asleep in the car. That would suffice as her nap. She was interested in the art project for about 7 minutes( impressive!), and then wanted to go next door and play with toys. She would not let me leave though... she's really having bad separation anxiety.( if anyone can give me tips on how to help me with this, I'd appreciate it). So we finished up her art project and left.

Nexy stop: Target. It had been a day and a half since I was there last.

Then when we got home, she and Greg played outside with sidewalk chalk, the soccer ball, she helped him pull weeds, blew some bubbles, and she played in the shed- (which she thinks is her house). She spent a good two hours out there. I LOVE SPRING!!!! Actually, I really don't, but I am loving the longer days and the warmish , non rainy weather. The winter, though not really cold here anymore is l...o...n...g, so yay !!!! for spring.

The best part of a busy busy day ? Now Maddie is a sleepy sleepy girl. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Its Official - She Likes Dirt

Madeline and I visited Samantha and Emma on Saturday. Or, as they are known in my house"sammyemma'. One word. The three of them got in the wagon and asked me to pull them( !!!) I tired, really I did, but even Maddie was saying " faster!". I'm no Uncle Greg, I just pulled them around in a circle once or twice. And then sat down because I was about to have a heart attack. Note to self: get.in.shape.

So what i discovered, although its not too hard to figure out, what I discovered is Maddie likes dirt. She likes playing with a shovel in dirt. She likes pouring dirt on her pants. She likes getting dirt on her hands. And I'm pretty sure she likes eating dirt. She also was digging (pun intended-ha ha) the baby worms. When it finally stops raining here , I'm going to embark on my first season as a gardener. I think it will be something I like, it kind of runs in the had a nice garden already set up. Basically, all greg and I were to do last fall was cut everything down, and then this spring we wait for it to grow again. Sounds easy enough right? Well, yesterday he was raking up leaves and pulling some weeds, when he calls me outside. " uh, i think I just pulled out the flowers. Weeds don't have bulbs at the end of them right? " So the score for those of you keeping track at home: Greg and Jessica as Green Thumbers- zero. There is no competition, we're going to beat ourselves, I'm sure. Maybe Maddie can save us...

I *almost* surrender

Almost... but not quite yet. I refuse to believe my ever-challenged napper is giving them up for good at 2 years old. I ignore the fact that she'll only nap for 3 out of 7 days, and sometimes those naps are while we are driving somewhere. I silently tell the Nap Gods" See?!? I told you so!" when she naps for 3 hours.
But more often than not lately, after about an hour of hearing her in her crib jumping up and down, I know I have to give in. I know when I open the door and see her socks off ( that is the unversal sign for " I'm not napping , mom" in this house. I have no idea why- but once the socks are off, I can kiss naptime goodbye) that she won. There will be no nap. So then I implement the poor man's equivelant of nap time- Quiet Time. Its not as effective as nap time, but it will have to do. Usually it involves her monkey blanket, her monkey lovey, a paci and the couch. Oh and the TV- Calliou, Curious George, Max and Ruby... I try to tackle my 'to-do' list , but usually I end up snuggling with her. Look at her, how can I resist?


I am loving the way she plays with her baby doll. This particular doll has no name, but she's always crying and in need of comfort. Madeline will ask her " Us a matter, pookie?" and say " awwww" as she hugs her. Its so cute She has also been known to manhandle baby doll as well.
Thanks for stopping in!

Julia's Grace

As some of you may know, I may have mentioned it once or twice- ha ha, I belong to Toddlers Board. It started out as a great place to get tips on how to get Madeline to nap, or ideas for dinners, or to ask if we should rent this movie or that movie. Very quickly it turned into something more than that. It is a diverse group of women from all over the country- some outspoken, some conservative, but many of us have become very close. We share in each others joys and heartaches, laugh at stories about toddlers( and now a lot of infants again) and talk about mundane stuff ( and some stuff that I'm just not willing to put on my blog- its not dirty, just gross). Some of these women I have 'known' since planning my wedding back in 2003/4. Greg will make fun of me for checking ' my board' so often, but I really look at it like I'm talking to friends. That I have never met in real life. I know it sounds funny, but its the truth.

I don't want to betray confidences, but our topics have ranged from sos and so's mothers' cancer to work vents to politics to religion to movies to books to just about anything. But obviously our main connecting thread is our children. And thats why this week has been a tough one, to say the least. One of our members gave birth at less than 24 weeks gestation to a beautiful little girl, Julia Grace. If you'd like to read her story, click on this link http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewMyStory.do?method=executeInit
( I'm sorry I can't make it fancy. Stupid Vista)
Everyday , we'd hear about what fighter Julia was, defying odds, gaining weight like a champ, and there was even talk about her coming home. Heartbreakingly, unexpectedly and just not fairedly, Julia lost her battle this week, 1 week after her original due date. It came as such a complete shock. I have been at a loss for comforting words for her family, her mother whose strength seems super human. I feel like the only thing I could do is give a big hug or a shoulder to cry on, but she is halfway across the country. And it just wouldn't feel like enough.
This is where my girls stepped in though. Within 24 hours, there a March of Dimes Team created for Julia- Julia's grace, t -shirts being made and money being pledged. Even some of the young children offered their easter egg money . The goal is $5000, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we surpassed it. Unfortunately I will not be able to do the walk that is near me, but I will pledge money. ( If you are interested in finding out more about Julia's Grace March of Dimes walk, click here. Again, nothing fancy, just click)
http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?SeId=516603&si=

This beautiful, strong girl will not be forgotten. She was only here for a short time, but she touched so many lives. A cliche has never been more true.

My Big Girl

Yesterday, I took Madeline to the bookstore for storytime. As expected, she did not sit still for the story-choosing instead to play with the train table and stuffed animals. She did walk right in front of the story teller to make the ladybug stuffed animal clap his hands-er... wings?- and say " yay!" after they had completed a song. When it was time to go , I was prepared for a Grade A Madeline Tantrum- kicking, screaming, what I call 'Dorf'-ing ( remember those commercials for "Dorf Golfs", with Tim Conway playing a little person byt kneeling on his knees? Sometimes Maddie will go limp and drop to her knees. I call it 'Dorfing'. Its standard fare for a tantrum)... but she was SO GOOD. I asked her to put the stuffed animals away... and she did, without crying, without running back to them, without screaming. She put them back and said " bye bye, An-muls". And that was IT.

Then I took her to Trader Joes. I was going to be in and out because I just needed one thing. I told her if she would hold my hand and stay close, she didn't have to go inthe cart. As we passed a cart, I thought better of it and went to get one." No Mommy, I walk" she told me. Not whining, but matter of fact , like " Don't worry mommy, I'll be good, we don't need a cart" and she was , once again, so GOOD. Held my hand, never wandered off, stayed by my side.

I know it seems like a small thing, but I was so impressed with her yesterday. She's getting so verbal . We're able to carry on conversations- I think that has greatly reduced her frustrations...

Whatever it is, I'm more in love with her than ever.

Easter and Some Maddie Happenings

Less than 10 feet away sits Maddie's baby book. And right next to it is a journal I've kept for her since I found out I was pregnant. Neither has been updated in quite some time. I always mean to. And I always say to myself " Ok, at 23 months she started[fill in the blank] I'll remember that" . But the truth is I rarely get around to updating it. Thats why every once in a while I'll post Maddie stats or Maddie Happenings...like I'm about to do here.







It is very interesting when your child starts speaking a lot because you get to hear what you sound like. She's forever imitating Greg and I . All day today she was saying " Hi schveed-ee "('hi, sweetie') which I must say to her a lot. She's had some class of word explosion, stringing together 4 or 5 words , and I can seriously hold a conversation with her. It happened overnight ! I ask her about her day and she tells me that we went to the library, or she she went down the slide, or that Daddy was home.







I am also amazed at what I deem to be her artistic ability. She tries to make an "m" , and I may be crazy, but I think she's actually done it a few times. She also makes a circle that resembles an actual circle. She knows all her colors and shapes. Her scribbles are tiny and deliberate. My father is a good artist, possibly she inherited that from him ? Who knows, but its pretty cool to watch.







As far as physical stats, she's heavy and likes to be carried. Thats all I know- ha ha! She's probably about 33 lbs and seems taller everyday. She's getting a lot better at holding my hand and staying next to me in public places, which is good b/c she'll only stay in the stroller for about -oh -3 minutes.











And now... Easter.

Bubbles in bed while you open your basket....

Easter was really nice. Maddie enjoyed the easter egg hunt... but seemed a little disappointed in what we put inside.

" Goldfish? I get those everyday. I thought I was supposed to get chocolate?"

Poor girl, we put raisins in another egg.

Easter breakfast - Bunny Choclate Chip Pancakes ! ( Almost makes up for the raisins in aforementioned egg)

And one of my most favorite pictures of Madeline and Samntha. I am loving the way they are looking at each other. Here is Miss Emma trying to tickle maddie, despite what it may look like ...It was a very nice day, depsite the cold and the kids really wanting to go outside in the cold. Easter is in April next year, thankfully!

Random Stuff

- I sliced my middle finger this morning with a knife. Right on the tip, you know, where no bad aid will ever stay? I'm headed out to buy those liquid bandaids when the Cat gets up

- Madeline has become increasingly picky about food. There are about 3 things she will eat now. My old standbys( rice and tofu, which she loved, Squash and pasta ~all so easy to make) are just not cutting it anymore.

-Greg and Steve's birthday was this past Sunday, so we had them over for cake. Maddie was so happy to see her cousins, Samantha and Emma. They ran around screamed, played and screamed some more. You'd think she'd be exhausted by the end of that day,huh? Nope, she was in her crib for about an hour saying" Sammy ....Emma....ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

-This Sunday was also daylight savings time. Its always a brain twister for me to try and figure out 'well, Ok, we lose an hour of sleep, no, we wake up earlier, but its really five instead of six???". Before I had a child, it was no biggie. Its huge when you have a child, especially one that wakes up early. So I only had her nap for a short period that day, hoping she'd go to sleep earlier... yeah that didn't work. Today is Thursday and I think she just got the time difference down last night*knock on wood*

- The plus side of daylight savings? I love being able to take madeline out in the backyard after dinner. Love it. Its not so cold anymore, we can get away with bundling up a bit and heading out. She loves it.

"Cubba Dis?"-I hear these words all day long as Madeline points to various things in the house ( She means "what color is this?" , for those that don't speak TwoYearOld-ese.) Apparently, I say this to her a lot *shrug*

- I took her to a new playgroup this morning at our local church. It was nice, but I got the feeling they really discourage running around when its supposed to be circle time. All the other kids sit and sing songs. Maddie wants to run around. I got a few looks , but she's TWO. What do they expect? Nevertheless, I talked to some really nice people, so we'll give it another shot.

-I had a really bad toothache last week, went to an emergency dentist appointment. Guess what it was? No really guess, b/c they didn't know either. So I have to go to the oral surgeon on Saturday. Figures my tooth hasn't hurt since then. Doesn't that always happen? its like on the day you go to get a haircut, that day your hair looks perfect. I'll go to the appointment anyway b/c i want to know whats going on in there. I need to get on the dental ball, you know?

- Speakign of haircuts, I'm gettign mine cut next week. I am 90% leaning towards getting a short cut. My idea of short is different from most people's- I'm talking like shoudler length, just past shoulder length. So I'm off to comb through some mags to come up with some ideas. I am so over long hair. It always ends up in a ponytail anyway.