Mama's Back

I had two business trips, each around a week long, within three weeks of each other, and while they were both great I am happy to be home. The destinations allowed me to combine both trips with visits to family and dear friends, which worked out well...at least in my opinion. I know Seth was happy for me to have the opportunity, but of course it left him to be a single parent for a bit longer. My parents helped give him a break both trips by taking Norah for a few days, and luckily he has the flexibility to work from an office that is down here closer to Norah's school.

But I got home last Thursday, and I'm happy to be here, ready to get focused on getting a few more things done before baby #2.

Pregnancy Update (29 weeks)
Overall I feel great and all is going well. One of my biggest issues has been sleep. For some reason, and in reality maybe it isn't even pregnancy related, I have had quite a few restless nights. I also tend to wake up quite early in the morning and am unable to go back to sleep.

Unfortunately, this has impacted my workouts because I am choosing to sleep in a bit more when I can rather than working out. It would be okay here and there, but as often as it has happened I realized lately that I have had to choose between the two enough that overtime I have missed way more workouts than I would like.

Workouts have also been affected by work since the past two months I have been working at home several evenings a week, which often means getting to bed later. Hopefully that will change now that these trips (and associated conferences) are over.

Otherwise I really feel pretty good. The baby is super active - way more active than I remember Norah being. The movement doesn't wake me up at night, but sometimes it makes it difficult to fall back asleep. Around 9PM every evening seems to be a particularly active time, but I feel her off and on throughout the day.

I can hardly believe that I am almost 30 weeks pregnant. It will be here before we know it!

Meanwhile, Norah is doing really well. Some of the behavioral challenges we were having recently seem to be much better. Unfortunately she has completely reverted back to her crib, so we'll have to figure out how to make that transition at some point. She continues to show very little interest in the potty, but I hope to start pushing that a bit more as well.
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Last weekend we had fun hanging out with friends Lisa, Dave, and Tyce in our backyard. Tyce is 9 months younger than Norah, but is getting old enough that they are really starting to interact more. They had a blast playing in the water, on the swings, and on the tricycles. Seth and I commented to each other once again about how functional our backyard is. It could use a little love in some areas, but is perfect for just hanging out.

Big Girl Bed

We have officially started the transition to Norah's "big girl" bed. She has seen the beds set up in the third bedroom for over a month now, and we have been talking about how they are her beds. I told her that when they are put together they will be bunk beds, just like TJ and Luka sleep in at their house and the lake.

Last weekend I painted one of her walls, so she slept in the third bedroom to avoid the paint fumes. This weekend we set up her bed (only one since I can't help Seth lift the second one on top). We left her crib in the room in case she wasn't comfortable with the transition.

It was all set up by nap time and she was nearly cheering for her nap so she could sleep in her new bed. The wild card in the situation is that we had been rocking her to sleep for her naps. We got into that routine a while back after she consistently wouldn't fall asleep on her own, but seemed to obviously still need the sleep. We were never really happy with the arrangement, but made it work for a while. I had decided that with this transition I really didn't want to do that anymore.

So, we laid on her new bed together to read stories and for about 10 minutes afterward. We talked about how she needs to fall asleep just like she does at school (where they all simply lay on cots and eventually fall asleep).

I call the nap a success. She was quiet (but awake) for 30 about minutes and then started crying. I went in to talk to her again about closing her eyes and falling asleep. She was quiet for another 15 minutes, cried for 20 minutes and then fell asleep for a little over an hour. So who knows whether the struggle was related to her new bed or falling asleep on her own, but I was happy that she at least eventually fell asleep.

When I went in to get her, the quilt was smashed up in one corner, the sheets were all over the place, she had moved two throw pillows from the bottom of her bed to the top, she had managed to pull the pillow from her crib up to her bed, the back of her hair was literally soaking wet with sweat, she had crease marks all over her body, and she had a massive poop.

It wasn't a super pleasant awakening for her.

I later asked her whether she wanted to sleep in her bed or crib that night and she said, "In my crib. I go poopie in my bed." But then the closer we got to bedtime the more she said she wanted to sleep in her bed.

Another wild card in the situation is that Seth and I had plans to go to dinner to celebrate his birthday, so we had a babysitter coming. Not great for Norah's first potential night in her bed. So we told her multiple times that she could sleep wherever she wanted (which we would have done even if we had been there). Turns out she chose the crib.

So, we'll see what happens tonight!

Pictures of the room will be coming soon, but we're not quite there yet. In the meantime, here are some that we took yesterday.

Two Years Old

Dear Norah,
Happy birthday! You turned two last week and it still blows my mind. These two years have passed by so quickly, and all of a sudden we have an independent, talking toddler.

Just before your second birthday, we entered a new phase. You suddenly know what you want, when you want it, and who you want to do it. You have always had opinions, but they play a bigger role in our lives now. This probably happened more gradually then I remember, but it feels like we had almost an overnight change.

Your daddy and I find ourselves constantly trying to find the right balance between recognizing your opinions and needs and reminding you who is in control. On many occasions we have realized (in hindsight) that you "played" us. For example, we sometimes give in too easily in an effort to avoid a meltdown. (Typical rookie mistake!) This, in combination with your current mommy phase, is keeping these first-time parents on their toes.

After one particularly difficult streak, your daddy and I made some decisions. It was time to agree on specific, common action and language that we would use in an attempt to control a given situation. You are now given a "last chance" to put the book away/come in the house on your own/get in your chair by yourself/etc. When given your last chance you are warned that the alternative is for mommy/daddy to do it for you. This approach sometimes results in a meltdown, involving your head on the floor and bottom up in the air, and when that happens we simply leave the room to let you get control of yourself. We prepared ourselves for this type of reaction and while it is difficult at times we realize it is the right thing to do. We know you feel better when you understand the boundaries and the action we are taking is simply meant to remind you what they are.

Though we are working through the new challenges of your strong-willed personality, we feel that eventually it will serve you well in life (at least we hope).

And besides, you're not ALWAYS challenging. Most of the time you are a pleasant, fun, eager and silly child. Your sense of humor is starting to come through more and more - like when you put your chin on your chest and look up at us through the corners of your eyes. It makes us laugh every time.

You are very focused on vocabulary, learning new words every day. Just yesterday I taught you that "diesel" trucks are loud and you later passed this new information on to daddy. You recently started using words like "this," "that," "almost" and "still." One day on the way home you informed me, "Daddy no home yet." It is such a joy to observe your development and marvel at your new words.

We sense that you would have been ready to start potty training a month or two ago, but since you will not be trained at school until you move into your next class we have not forced it. We put you on the potty whenever you ask, and within the past few weeks you have gone twice.

You have recently shown more of an interest in dolls. You like to pretend play with them and your other stuffed animals. You frequently tell us that they are crying because they fell down, and when we suggest that you give them a hug and kiss to make them feel better you quickly do just that. You sometimes put your dolls on the potty or tell us they need a diaper change. Your infatuation with lions (or "roars" as you call them) continues. You typically have at least one close by and search for a lion sticker in the box at school almost every day.

Besides the dolls, you enjoy coloring, singing ABCs, doing puzzles, and playing with one particular toy that is wooden food held together with velcro that you cut into pieces with a wooden knife and cutting board. You also know how to count to 10 and have recently mastered a handful of basic colors. On the way to school you frequently point out, "red truck" or "yellow school bus!"

You love the outdoors! The weather has finally cooled off enough for us to be outside more. We are taking advantage of our play scape in the backyard as well as the park that is a few blocks from our house. You also enjoy walks and runs in the jogging stroller. In fact, last weekend daddy took you for a 7-mile run and you were content the entire time.

Your bedtime is around 7:00PM, and you sleep until between 6:30 and 7:00AM. You nap consistently from  12:00-2:00PM at school, though it is slightly less consistent at home.

We are afraid you might be a slightly picky eater, though also sense it may be somewhat typical for your age. We are doing what we can to continue introducing you to new foods and encouraging you to at least try what is on your plate. You love breakfast--pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, fruit, peanut butter toast--and eat everything they put in front of you at school (including a second breakfast right when you arrive). Supper, however, is often small and sometimes skipped all together.

Daddy and I love your good bye routine. You give us a big hug while saying, "Ahhhhhh," a zerbert on the cheek, and a kiss on the lips. This is often followed by another hug.

Sweet little Peanut, you can definitely give me a good challenge, but I will gladly take them on because along with them I get all of the good stuff, too. And there is plenty of good stuff! You make me laugh every day and I am thoroughly enjoying watching you grow and develop.

I often ask you, "Do you remember that mommy loves you?" If there is one thing I want you to know, it is that I will ALWAYS love you unconditionally.

Love,
Mommy

Recent Pictures

Here are some photos from the pumpkin patch with the cousins and Norah's 2nd birthday party. At her party we were happy to be able to take advantage of our new back yard. There was almost a constant stream of kids going up the ladder and down the slide. When they weren't on the slide, the kids were on the swings, in the sand box or on the ride-on toys in the drive way. We were hoping for a relaxing few hours with friends and family, and that's what we got.

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate!

Oct 17, 2010

Happy Birthday Norah!

A Lesson about Time

When I was putting Norah to bed tonight I started talking about her birthday. I asked her how old she is going to be and she said, "Twoooooo!" I think her teachers have been telling her that, because when I asked her for the first time a week or so ago she knew the answer.

Anyway, I was explaining to her that we would be celebrating and started listing off everyone who was going to be here:

Me: Luka is going to come to help you celebrate.
Norah: La-la!!!!! (big smile.) Tee-yay!!! (smile continues). An-Lii! (Aunt Li.) Tot! (Scott.)
Me: Yep - they're coming, too. And Tyce.
Norah: (huge smile) Tyce!!! Lala and Day? (Lisa and Dave)
Me: Uh-huh, Lisa and Dave will come too. And Sarah. And Jessica.
Norah: (more smiling) Sarah. Jessica. (She actually says their names pretty clearly.)
Me: It will be so much fun. And Connor is coming.
Norah: Connorrrrrrrrr!
Me: Yep, and Maya, and her little sister Yana.
Norah: Mayaaaa!!!!
Me: That's right - everyone is going to come to help you celebrate your birthday.

There were a few moments of silence (never more than a few), and I very innocently told her we would sit in the chair for a few more minutes and then it was time to get in bed.

She looked at me quite seriously, and slowly, very slowly, her bottom lip started coming out and she got the saddest little look on her face. Before I could figure it out she said, "La-la??"

My bad! You have no sense of time and you thought I meant everyone was coming TONIGHT! Oops.

The next person she sadly asked about was, "Day??"

I tried explaining, in any way I could possibly think to, that they weren't coming tonight, but in a few days. I felt terrible. And she never really got over it. She cried off and on, and there was frequently a, "La-laaaaa" mixed in with the tears.

On another note, she has really continued to develop on the verbal front. She is putting more and more "sentences" together like:

"I no like it pasta."

"Mommy hep-ooo shoe school." (She means mommy will help me with my shoe when we get to school.)

"Daddy apple work" (Daddy is taking an apple to work.)

A few that really make us laugh every time are:

"Daddy tum." (Daddy come.) It is typically accompanied with a wave of the hand.

"Roar top." (Telling her lion to stop.) Especially funny since it can only do what she makes it do.

The other thing we have noticed is that she says, "Mm-hmm" for yes sometimes, which is pretty cute from a 2 year old. I'm sure it comes from my attempts to vary my responses the one million times a day she demands one for something she is saying.

Please tell me it's just a phase

One thing I have been meaning to blog about is Norah’s current Mommy phase. I have read that it is quite common at her age, but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with in the meantime. I will say, however, that compared to some of the stories I have read we really don't have it very bad at all. 

Seth and I have had several conversations about whether we (particularly me) are doing anything to encourage the behavior, but neither of us feel that is the case. We are trying to find the right balance of recognizing her emotional needs, staying sane, and not giving in too much. 

One of the biggest challenges with this phase is bedtime. If I am around she wants me to put her to bed every night. If Seth tries, she cries and cries and cries for Mommy. Not pleasant for anyone. It is simply not feasible for me to do it every night, and plus it would rob Seth and Norah of quality time together at the end of the day. 

We toyed with trying to get into an every other night routine, hoping that she would quickly catch on and become comfortable being able to rely on the consistent switch back and forth. 

After gimping along for a little while a night came when I had an evening event. I told Norah I was going bye-bye and that daddy was going to put her to bed. She went through the normal routine with Seth without one mention of mommy. 

Two nights later I went “bye-bye” again. She didn't bat an eye when I started walking toward the door. In fact, she was more concerned that I didn’t have any shoes on. So I put them on and walked out. I stood outside for a few minutes (until I started to sweat) and came back in. 

Two nights later I went “bye-bye” again. This time I didn’t even leave. We told her I was going, she gave me a hug, kiss and zerbert and was very content to march down the hall with Seth. 

While we were in Goshen we told her that mommy and daddy were going bye-bye one night and that grandma was going to put her to bed. She did fine throughout the routine, but wasn’t settling down. I went in after 10-15 minutes of crying in an attempt to keep her from getting too worked up. The first thing she said to me was, “Mommy no bye-bye.” Oops...busted. 

So for now Mommy has an evening event approximately every other night that requires Daddy putting her to bed. I’m not sure how long this will last, but we figure a little deception in this case won’t hurt her in the long run. 

And just like that...it's over

We’re back! I feel like I spent so much time planning for our vacation, and now it's all of a sudden over. Despite the fact that the time really flew by, we had a great trip to Chicago and Goshen visiting family. Unfortunately I was sick with a fever for several days, but we made the best of it.

I was a little worried about the plane ride with Norah, but based on the fact that the 3rd person in our row on both flights fell asleep, I’d say she did pretty well. I definitely suggest snacks and new toys from the Dollar store for anyone attempting a flight with a two year old anytime soon. 

We both worked today and we’re slowly getting back into the swing of things on the home front. Here are a few pictures ("few" is relative - get ready to scroll). 

Mom and dad dug this gem of a tricycle out of the trash. A few replacement parts and it is in mint condition!

After dropping Norah off with my parents, Seth and I spent a few days downtown. Seth enjoyed some good photo ops.

We got to spend some time with great grandma and great grandpa (grandpa's brother Robert happened to get in on the action as well). Norah wasn't sure about grandpa's "horsie" but really took to grandma. 

We also got to see Seth's grandma several times, as well as his aunt Faith and uncle Rod who were in town from Colorado after a trip to Turkey with Seth's parents.

We enjoyed "showing" Norah the GC campus. Always brings back a lot of memories...

Whoopsie daisy. 

Class of 2027? 

Aunt Faith and uncle Rod with Seth's parents.

Back in Chicago with Mimi and Papa.

Coloring with aunt Greta.

Enjoying the fresh air...eating breakfast with Papa on the balcony.

P.S. I'm thinking there may be a haircut in Norah's future this weekend. She's partying just a little too hard in the back for our liking...

A Serious Case of Bed Head

I'm not sure what happened Sunday night in Norah's room, but it must have been good times!

Fun with Bubbles and Boots (not together)

I gave Norah a bath recently with the jets and the bubbles were out of control. The tub was not even half full of water, but the bubbles were up to her head. She had a blast with the "jet skis," as she calls them. Now every time we take a bath she asks for "jet skis."

I purchased some boots (and new sunglasses since her last pair broke) the other day and as you can see Norah loves them. Here she is the first time she tried them on.

And this is her with them on this morning. They were sitting outside of her bedroom door and she squealed with delight when she saw them. Her sunglasses were with them, so she suited up and pranced out to the living room to greet Seth for the morning. It gave him a good giggle to start off the day. (Unfortunately the boots are going back because they don't seem very comfortable.)

This morning we were playing outside after a very hot and sweaty (for me) walk. Norah put her hand on my arm and said, "Mommy, arm." I said, "Yes, what about my arm?" She responded, "sweaty." Huh - had no idea she knew that word, though I suppose it an early word for any kid living in Texas. I read that at her age kids can add a new word to their vocabulary every 90 minutes, so I guess I should stop being surprised when she pulls words out like that. She is also stringing more words together: "I wiping my nose," and "I don't want it, muffin." 

We're preparing for a trip to Chicago and Goshen next week. I've been picking up some things here and there that will hopefully provide some entertainment - silly putty, stickers, silly bandz, a little notebook with colored pencils, etc. It will be interesting to see how the flight goes...