Memories

As I was rocking E back to sleep during her nap today, I find myself thinking back to another nursery 20+ years ago. That nursery was so much different than this one. Where this one is carpeted with brand new matching furniture and all the works, the other had a wood floor. It was painted white with wood paneling acting as wainscoting. There was a maple secondhand Jenny Lind crib with Teddy Beddy Bear bedding purchased by grandpa and grandma. A mobile and decorations on the wall made by me. The washer and dryer where in the closet.

As I continue to rock E, I try to remember if I did this with her brother. Did I put aside all the household chores just to rock him to sleep? Did I take the time to baby him as I find myself doing for her? I can remember the important things like his first birthday, first time to play in the snow and the puppy he got for Christmas. I just don't know if I can recall the everyday things that were just as important.

Is it the fact that I am older and know that she will be the last baby I have that I make the time now that I should have made then or is it true that you have a favorite? Can you really love them both, but still love one more? Maybe it is connecting with one more than the other? Not looking for an answer just some deep thoughts I had today.

Watch What You Say...

I see that my resolution to keep up my blog this year has gone by the wayside. I guess I'm in the majority of people who break their resolutions within the first month of the new year.

This past week, one of the daycare workers ask if I had noticed that E was more vocal this week. Of course we had. This morning, I look at her as said "Are you stinky?" E looks right at me and says "Stinn-ky!" It's official, I have to watch what I say around her or I may get a surprise from my little angel.

Uh Oh!

I had my first big boo boo. I was sitting on the couch playing with my brother. We were playing with the expired coupons momma gives me. I'd give them to brother and he beeps them like the cashier at the store. I dropped two of them over the edge of the couch. When I went to get them, I feel. I hit momma's carrier for her laptop with my mouth. I bit my upper lip and split my gums open between my upper two teeth. I was bleeding. It hurt so bad. Momma let me put ice on it and gave me popcicles. Momma is worried about my teeth.

E's Gift From MIL

In case I have not told you, H's mother does not know how to choose age appropriate gifts. However, that is another post. This year for Christmas, MIL got E this doll (ages 3+) that has shoes and socks that can be removed:




It doesn't look annoying. However, looks can be deceiving. When you push this doll's chest, it sings "Mary Had a Little Lamb." This in itself would not drive you crazy except for the fact it sounds like a munchkin. Try listening to that 1 billion times a day.


Today, I noticed that E is way too quiet. When I look over, she is trying to put the doll's shoes on her feet. Picture shoes the size of nickels being put on her big toes. I couldn't get to the camera quick enough. However, I did get a picture of her trying to put the shoes on the doll's feet.




I'm sure it is just a matter of time before these shoes either get lost or are eaten!!!

Merry Christmas

Last year E was too little to enjoy Christmas, but this year was a whole different story. She was a joy to watch as she would unwrap her gifts. She loved tearing the paper. It was funny to watch as pieces of paper would come loose from the package, she would bring it to us to throw away. After the package was unwrapped (or almost unwrapped), she would ooh and ahh about what was in it.

Here are a couple of pictures:

The best gift she received as from my parents. My father made her a cradle for the Cabbage Patch Doll he and my mother got her. My mother also crocheted her a blanket for her doll.

When E first opened the gift, she pulled out the blanket and the doll. After she discovered the cradle, she put the doll and the blanket back and tried pushing the cradle back and forth across the floor. After she figured out the cradle rocked, she did this:

Scared me to death. I kept waiting for her to fall out.

Merry Christmas!

Random

These pics were taken earlier this month when E visited Santa at mommy's work. She was not happy. She flirted and played with everyone until it was time to visit Santa. At which point, she got next to him and just stared. When I tried to put her on his lap, she threw her head back and started flailing her arms and legs and screaming at the top of her lungs. Of course, that shot was missed. These are the best shots (Mommy is cropped out).

There are only 4 days until Christmas

And the first time in years, I am behind the eight ball. Christmas cards to pick up address and mail. Last minute Christmas gifts to purchase. My holiday baking has yet to be started. Am I a victim of the shortened holiday season or a casualty of the “not enough hours in the day”. You can decide.

Today, we finally got a family Christmas picture taken as well as a picture of the kids together. Trying to get everyone’s schedule to mesh is a major undertaking. But we did it.

The picture below was taken a few days ago.


Tonight we took E to see the Christmas lights on one of the local houses. This gentleman has set his house lights to music. He has about six to eight Christmas carols that the lights flash and blink with the music. E would sit the in car just oohing and ahhing as the lights blinked. She would clap after the songs. She definitely will be into music when she grows up!

What a Way to Start The Day

It's nothing like having a little excitement to get your day going. The day started with E waking up at 4:30 a.m. At which time, she refused to go back to sleep and wanted to start her day. After getting everyone up and dressed for the day, I went to start the car. Surprise, I was greeted with sleet. I come back in the house and get E's coat on her and start out the door. E is so distractable. Between her brother and the sleet, I can hardly keep her attention. I finally get her next to the car where she loses her balance and hits her head on the tire rim. I heard the klunk. I fully expected to find blood when I picked her up. Luckily, this is all I found.

Isn't it amazing that 20 minutes later, she is all smiles. What made matters worse is when I reached the daycare, she was asleep. I started to panic when she wouldn't wake up at first. Sheesh. This evening, it is just a little scrape.

Poor Ms. Dot

Dot is M's cat. She's about 8 years old. I've been trying for the last few days to catch E "making nice" with Dot. Okay, maybe "making nice" is not the word for it. We've decided that Dot must think it is heaven when E is at daycare.

I love that our cat is so patient with E.

Fall Festival

Here are a few pictures from tonight's Fall Festival at the church. We are opting not to observe Halloween with E. I know unconventional, but that would be us. The theme for the 3 and under room was the story of creation. Here we are getting our flashlight for the "Let their be light".



Here we are looking at the duck pond for the third day. She was more interested in the ducks than the cereal bars we were trying to hand her.
This continues on through all six days...... The last is the day of rest. Here is E just hanging out with the stuffed animal chairs.


Here we are going through her loot.....

E enjoying a cereal bar (ignore the red eye).

She had a great time. Everyone we know thinks she looks like me. Whatever....

Morning Glory

Here's our little morning person. How did I end up with a morning person. No one else in this house can function before 8:00 a.m. and that's only if the caffeine is being passed around. This is what she is like every morning. It seems the daycare gets her best hours!

How could you not fall in love with a face like that?

Preparations

Tomorrow is the Fall Festival at the daycare. I spent last night baking pumpkin bars (thanks dumps for the recipe) and putting the finishing touches on a gift for each child in E's room. The blue bottles are for the boys and green bottles are for the girls. I think they came out okay considering it was a last minute idea.

Has it really been over a month...

How did that happen!!!

It has be brought to my attention that the sun has rose and set many a times since my last post. I'm such a baaaaad mommy. Let's see....where to start. E had her 1 year pics taken earlier in the month. Here's are a few....

Me and my dog.


These are mine, right?

I can read.

Just for giggles, here we are violating child labor laws..

Just think....If I could get the older child to do this, I'd never have to clean house!

E's First Boo Boo

E has her first official boo boo. She hit her left eye on the lower shelf of the coffee table. There's a small cut on the side of her eye. It will probably be black and blue tomorrow.

Future Fourbucks Customer

Check this.....E is sharing H's Strawberries and Cream from Fourbucks! That will kill the budget!

Storytime

For the past few months, we have been reading to E. We have known for a while that she enjoys it. However, she wants you to read the same story over and over and over. Well, I thought I'd be smart tonight. I sat on the floor in front of the couch. After finishing the story, I slid the book behind me and under the couch. E got up to look behind me for the book. When she couldn't find it, she threw a huge tantrum and started slapping me. I really thought she would just go get another book, but no. I did make it up to her. I read her 2 more stories.

Anyone Belong to the Geoffrey's Birthday Club?

If you don't, your child gets a birthday card in the mail from Geoffrey Giraffe (ToysRUS). When you take the card to the store, they give your child a mylar balloon and a crown to wear. We did this on September 5th and that silly balloon is still full of helium. Picture this, E is pushing her push toy across the living room while holding the string attached to the balloon in her little hand. I'm going to try and a get a pic to post later. Pic added. This is the one where the weight is in the push toy.

She's Walking.....

sort of. Everyday E gets a little braver. Today was 6 steps on her own. Little stinker likes to wait until we are not looking before she tries to take those steps. Holy Moly...where did that sweet little baby go!!!

Speaking of baby steps...we're almost a month into a new college year and we may have a son that is still making a passing grade. "KNOCK ON WOOD".

Finally.....

after a month of waiting, receiving the wrong item, 4 phone calls to WallyWorld.com, 4 first level support techs, 2 supervisors and a call to Bentonville, the carseat finally arrived. Who would have thunk it. The best call was the last, so I'll just give you a recap to that call

August 17th - Ordered said carseat on August 17th from WallyWorld.com

September 3rd - Received email that said carseat had arrived at local store (Have to luff Site to Store Shipping)

September 4th - DH goes to pick up carseat....Not carseat - mahogoney chair (luff to see that straped in the back of the mustang)...local WallyWorld refunds payment....Call to St Louis...they place new order and agree to pay for shipping to house

September 7th - Check website...item shows as backordered on invoice, however, the actual website shows the item available....call WallyWorld.com....item is taken off backorder and will be shipped September 9th

September 9th - Check wesite...item shows as backordered again....DH calls....item is taken back of backorder and will arrive by September 12th.

September 12th - No Carseat...Item still backordered.....Call WallyWorld.com...

First level support answers..."How can I help you"

Me: "You can try, but I'm sure I will need to speak with your supervisor."

Support and I go through the story above in detail

Support: The order will be fulfilled and shipped by September 15th.

Me: "This is the same story I have heard the last 3 times we have called....Item will be shipped in the next 3 days...Can I speak with your supervisor?

After being on hold 15 minutes, Tina gets on the line....Same Story from Tina as the one above with the exception of the fact I told her I'd like a tracking number for the carseat..Tina cannot provide...

Me: Can I speak with your Supervisor?

On hold 5 minutes....Tina gets back on line "All of our Supervisors are busy....Why don't you call back later

Me: "No, I can hold until one is available."

On hold 5 more minutes...Tina:"I'm sorry but all of our supervisors are busy...I can give them your name and number and have them call you"

Me: "No, I have all evening...I'll wait"

On hold 10 more minutes...during this time, I have DH call the Corporate Offices in Bentonville and explain our story to Ben who is now trying to fix the problem from their end....

Tina get back on the phone: "Our supervisors are still busy and we need to assist other customers, I'll give them your name and number and have them call you.

Me: "Tina, my husband is on the phone with Bentonville explaining to them the problem we are having with WallyWorld.com, can you please explain to your supervisor that we have your corporate office on the phone and I am giving your supervisor the opportunity to address the situation before I turn the problem over to them."

It's amazing how quickly a supervisor can make themselves available....Ms. Martin hears the whole story (which I add the whole issue about my child's safety and still being in the infant carrier), apologizes, does a quick search to see if the carseat is available anywhere in a 250 mile radius of the house and if it is offers a cash card for gas. No such luck. Tells me she is going to check with the distribution center that normally sends out the carseat to see if the model is available in a different color and call me back on Monday the 15th.

September 15th - Ms. Martin calls explains that the carseat is not available and she is still trying to fulfill the order.

September 16th - DH calls, carseat is waiting at the house. Exactly what we ordered.

I'm not sure if WallyWorld.com fixed the issue or Bentonville. I really don't care just as long as E is safe.

Better Late Than Never

It's been over a week since I last posted. What can I say life happens. E still is walking. Birthday came and went and she is a standing fiend. However, her new trick is to hold my hand as we walk past the windows at the daycare and wave hello to the other babies. It is so cute.

M is working and going to class. I think he is going to class. Let's hope so as I may have to hurt him if he is not. You would think the boy would have his exit strategy in place. I mean he is 20 years old. Hello. I love him, but he can sure tempt my patience.

DH's work is slowing down. He will be laid off for a week coming up. This is week number two in September. The positive is that we have "honey do" lists out the wazoo that need to be done. The negative....that paycheck is gonna be missed. He's got several more weeks in the coming months were they will not be working. Nice!

I'm still working on kicking my cold as well as juggling hundreds of other things. This evening's project was sidetracked. However, I am back to editing 1st Birthday Pics. Watch for a new blog with pics!