I have a blog. I remember now...
It is so nice to finally have the cat out of the bag about our new and upcoming adventure. It has been so hard not to blog or talk about all of the things we have been going through in preparation for our move to Saudi Arabia.
Just writing what I just wrote still doesn't seem real to me. I don't think it will seem real until I am sitting at my kitchen table in Dhahran, drinking my morning tea, looking out the window at the passing camels and the miles and miles of endless sand... just kidding.
Actually, Saudi Arabia is a very modern country and where we will be living has most if not all the immenities an American city would have. I think most, upon hearing about our news, immediately imagine just that - a bunch of camels and sand. I know I did when Paul first introduced the idea to me. But after months of researching and learning more about it, I'm a bit ashamed at my sheltered, unknowing mind.
How happy I am that Madeline, and our future children, will have the opportunity to grow up with such a view of the world. They will know all races and cultures; they will know many different countries and what they have to offer. Their goals and their ideas will expand beyond the normal child's because of all they will see and do. I am so unbelievably excited!
So these past few weeks we have been trying our best to get everything ready for the move. With the move date moving up we don't have the extra few weeks I was originally planning on. So little, important, things like spending one last day with friends or scanning in all of our pictures etc. may possiblly not happen. I am hoping this week I can finish up getting all the things we wanted to get to take over with us and finish deciding what will come with us in our suitcases, what will go in our air shipment, and what we will wait for and will come in our land shipment.
We really don't have a lot of stuff. Paul and I have never really been pack rats like most people. We hold onto the most cherrished things, but have let go of a lot of things that just cause clutter. If I had known two years ago this would be where we were in a couple of years we never would have bought the house or all of this furniture. Thankfully some friends have been able to take a lot of our things and help us out with getting rid of stuff.
So the house is now up for sale. The jobs have been notified. Most of the things we are not taking our out of the house. There is still a ton to do, but we are going to make it and I am excitedly hopeful that all will go smoothly and that in two weeks I will be writing on my blog from my living room in Saudi Arabia!
More later...
3.29.2010
3.23.2010
Dear Family and Friends,
Paul has landed the dream job of a lifetime!! The job is with Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world, and it means we will be moving to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
We have spent a lot of time planning, and thinking, and praying, and to be completely honest, I have had nothing but good feelings about this change in our lives. So I hope that you can contemplate this decision we have made and be happy for us. Also, please realize we have not lost our minds. On the contrary – our minds are expanding and opening up for new knowledge and adventure!
This change in our lives will make a huge difference. Some of the major benefits for us (and there are MANY) are that Paul will have normal working hours and we will be able to spend more time together as a family. I will have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and do some of the things I have always wanted to do but haven’t been able to like painting, ceramics, exercising, service projects etc. Paul starts out with a significantly larger amount of vacation time, which means we will actually be able to visit our families and friends more than we get to now. The company offers free medical care in Saudi and the choice of health insurance when we are in the states. Madeline will get the best education at some of the finest schools in the world and the company even offers to pay for private school after 9th grade anywhere in the world if we so choose. We will get to travel all over the world!! I never imagined I would leave Utah, let alone the U.S. but now Asia, Europe, Egypt, Africa… these places are all possibilities within our reach!
A little background on the past several months:
October, Paul’s friend mentioned the job opening to him on a business trip. Paul came home, told me about it, I had my initial reaction, we talked some more, did some research and it sounded amazing, so Paul applied for the job. We heard back rather quickly from Aramco and in November, Paul had an interview over the phone with a group of engineers he will be working with. A month went by and we were told that the job might be put on hold, so we gave up on it and moved on. Then all of the sudden we heard from a man who works there. He and his wife wanted to speak with us on the phone to answer any questions we might have about life working and living in the Dhahran compound.
Paul got a phone call for a second interview and flew down to Houston for a face-to-face interview on January 23rd. Five days later an offer was extended. Paul accepted the offer. Lots of paperwork and phone calls... On March 8th, Paul and I flew down to Houston for an orientation and Visa medical testing. While there, a woman who had lived in Dhahran for past 25 years (her husband is now retired and they are living in Houston, TX) told us more about the community, the company, the history of Saudi Arabia and the people there, and she answered any questions we had about the whole thing. It was a nice, quick and informative trip.
We will be living in Dhahran, SA in a compound where about 11,000 + people (employees of Aramco and their families) from all over the world are currently living. Inside the compound are a hospital, schools, a grocery store, parks, a lake, a golf course, a gym, salons, and restaurants - pretty much everything you need to live a comfortable and happy life. But you can also leave the compound and venture into the local towns where they have everything from local markets with meats, herbs, fruits and vegetables to massive malls with department stores, an IKEA, and more. Also, the company owns a bunch of beaches along the Persian Gulf that we can go to anytime we want.
Life in and around the compound is more like life here in the states, somewhat safer because everyone in the compound works for the company or is a spouse or child of a company employee. Women are able to drive and wear their normal clothes in the compound and in a lot of the Easter province areas- with conservative style of course – which is no problem for me because I am not one to walk around in a bikini or show my goods to anyone. Many of the women wear baggy, conservative pants and ¾ “ sleeve shirts outside the compound and have been fine. It was recommended by the woman in Houston that I wear an abaya if I go into the capital city because it is the law. Most women just throw on the abaya (a long black gown-like thing) because it is easier. I don’t mind respecting the culture.
Saudi Arabia has some different laws and strict rules and is a very conservative country, but the people of Saudi Arabia are very kind and it is actually a very beautiful and modern place… not what the media portrays it as. We have done a lot of research and talked with several people over there these past few months. Paul and Madeline and I are in more danger living here in Memphis than we will be in Dhahran.
As we learn more about it we will share more information with you if you are interested in knowing. We will still have access to the internet and hopefully facebook. I plan to blog as much as I can once we get settled. I am sure I will have tons to write about, which makes me even MORE excited.
Why didn’t we say anything before now???
Paul and I were assigned a relocation advisor after he accepted the offer and she has been helping us along the way with getting all the needed paperwork completed and getting our visas. It was strongly stated in all of our letters and conversations with the company that they did not want us to change ANYTHING about our current lives until all of the contingencies (background checks, health certificates, visas, etc.) had cleared. This makes perfect sense. We apologize for not telling some of you sooner, but that is our reason for not saying anything until now. Paul didn’t want to cause any problems with his current job if something didn’t work out.
Up until Monday morning (the 15th), we had planned on leaving at the end of April, but they apparently need Paul desperately and want him over there as soon as possible, and since all of the paperwork has now cleared, they moved the date up to April 8th (Happy Birthday to me a 15 hour plane ride woo hoo!) I am taking the date selection as a good sign – a gift to me: a new and wonderful exciting life experience.
So, we are currently in a state of hopeful positivism and are speedily completing everything we need to complete before April 8th. We have to put our home on the market, give notice at our current jobs, get all of kitty’s paperwork done and arrange for her to fly over with us, get rid of a lot of stuff, buy a lot of stuff, sort all of our things into shipment piles (what we will take with us on the plane, what will go in our air shipment, and what will go in the land/ocean shipment) and inventory all of it. Thankfully the company covers the cost for a packing/shipping company to come to our home and pack all of our things and they are paying for our flight to Saudi Arabia.
We realize this is a huge change and a bit of a shock, but it doesn’t change the fact that we love you and you are our friends and family. We hope, once all is settled, to be able to hug you and see many of you MORE. Once we arrive in Saudi Arabia it will take several weeks to get settled and get everything hooked up so we may be out of pocket for a while (hopefully only a few days). If you have any questions or just want to talk please email us, as we are trying to get everything in the house sorted and ready for packing. Our Comcast email addresses will soon be cancelled, so please begin emailing us at our Gmail addresses.
We love you!
Paul, Edith, Madeline, and Kitty
We have spent a lot of time planning, and thinking, and praying, and to be completely honest, I have had nothing but good feelings about this change in our lives. So I hope that you can contemplate this decision we have made and be happy for us. Also, please realize we have not lost our minds. On the contrary – our minds are expanding and opening up for new knowledge and adventure!
This change in our lives will make a huge difference. Some of the major benefits for us (and there are MANY) are that Paul will have normal working hours and we will be able to spend more time together as a family. I will have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and do some of the things I have always wanted to do but haven’t been able to like painting, ceramics, exercising, service projects etc. Paul starts out with a significantly larger amount of vacation time, which means we will actually be able to visit our families and friends more than we get to now. The company offers free medical care in Saudi and the choice of health insurance when we are in the states. Madeline will get the best education at some of the finest schools in the world and the company even offers to pay for private school after 9th grade anywhere in the world if we so choose. We will get to travel all over the world!! I never imagined I would leave Utah, let alone the U.S. but now Asia, Europe, Egypt, Africa… these places are all possibilities within our reach!
A little background on the past several months:
October, Paul’s friend mentioned the job opening to him on a business trip. Paul came home, told me about it, I had my initial reaction, we talked some more, did some research and it sounded amazing, so Paul applied for the job. We heard back rather quickly from Aramco and in November, Paul had an interview over the phone with a group of engineers he will be working with. A month went by and we were told that the job might be put on hold, so we gave up on it and moved on. Then all of the sudden we heard from a man who works there. He and his wife wanted to speak with us on the phone to answer any questions we might have about life working and living in the Dhahran compound.
Paul got a phone call for a second interview and flew down to Houston for a face-to-face interview on January 23rd. Five days later an offer was extended. Paul accepted the offer. Lots of paperwork and phone calls... On March 8th, Paul and I flew down to Houston for an orientation and Visa medical testing. While there, a woman who had lived in Dhahran for past 25 years (her husband is now retired and they are living in Houston, TX) told us more about the community, the company, the history of Saudi Arabia and the people there, and she answered any questions we had about the whole thing. It was a nice, quick and informative trip.
We will be living in Dhahran, SA in a compound where about 11,000 + people (employees of Aramco and their families) from all over the world are currently living. Inside the compound are a hospital, schools, a grocery store, parks, a lake, a golf course, a gym, salons, and restaurants - pretty much everything you need to live a comfortable and happy life. But you can also leave the compound and venture into the local towns where they have everything from local markets with meats, herbs, fruits and vegetables to massive malls with department stores, an IKEA, and more. Also, the company owns a bunch of beaches along the Persian Gulf that we can go to anytime we want.
Life in and around the compound is more like life here in the states, somewhat safer because everyone in the compound works for the company or is a spouse or child of a company employee. Women are able to drive and wear their normal clothes in the compound and in a lot of the Easter province areas- with conservative style of course – which is no problem for me because I am not one to walk around in a bikini or show my goods to anyone. Many of the women wear baggy, conservative pants and ¾ “ sleeve shirts outside the compound and have been fine. It was recommended by the woman in Houston that I wear an abaya if I go into the capital city because it is the law. Most women just throw on the abaya (a long black gown-like thing) because it is easier. I don’t mind respecting the culture.
Saudi Arabia has some different laws and strict rules and is a very conservative country, but the people of Saudi Arabia are very kind and it is actually a very beautiful and modern place… not what the media portrays it as. We have done a lot of research and talked with several people over there these past few months. Paul and Madeline and I are in more danger living here in Memphis than we will be in Dhahran.
As we learn more about it we will share more information with you if you are interested in knowing. We will still have access to the internet and hopefully facebook. I plan to blog as much as I can once we get settled. I am sure I will have tons to write about, which makes me even MORE excited.
Why didn’t we say anything before now???
Paul and I were assigned a relocation advisor after he accepted the offer and she has been helping us along the way with getting all the needed paperwork completed and getting our visas. It was strongly stated in all of our letters and conversations with the company that they did not want us to change ANYTHING about our current lives until all of the contingencies (background checks, health certificates, visas, etc.) had cleared. This makes perfect sense. We apologize for not telling some of you sooner, but that is our reason for not saying anything until now. Paul didn’t want to cause any problems with his current job if something didn’t work out.
Up until Monday morning (the 15th), we had planned on leaving at the end of April, but they apparently need Paul desperately and want him over there as soon as possible, and since all of the paperwork has now cleared, they moved the date up to April 8th (Happy Birthday to me a 15 hour plane ride woo hoo!) I am taking the date selection as a good sign – a gift to me: a new and wonderful exciting life experience.
So, we are currently in a state of hopeful positivism and are speedily completing everything we need to complete before April 8th. We have to put our home on the market, give notice at our current jobs, get all of kitty’s paperwork done and arrange for her to fly over with us, get rid of a lot of stuff, buy a lot of stuff, sort all of our things into shipment piles (what we will take with us on the plane, what will go in our air shipment, and what will go in the land/ocean shipment) and inventory all of it. Thankfully the company covers the cost for a packing/shipping company to come to our home and pack all of our things and they are paying for our flight to Saudi Arabia.
We realize this is a huge change and a bit of a shock, but it doesn’t change the fact that we love you and you are our friends and family. We hope, once all is settled, to be able to hug you and see many of you MORE. Once we arrive in Saudi Arabia it will take several weeks to get settled and get everything hooked up so we may be out of pocket for a while (hopefully only a few days). If you have any questions or just want to talk please email us, as we are trying to get everything in the house sorted and ready for packing. Our Comcast email addresses will soon be cancelled, so please begin emailing us at our Gmail addresses.
We love you!
Paul, Edith, Madeline, and Kitty
3.12.2010
Madeline's Monthly Message: Month 18
Dear Madeline,
You are now 18 months old. You do all those fun, dangerous, patience-trying, active things most 1 1/2 year olds do. When people say the "terrible two's" it must be an approximation... more like the terrible 16 month to 2 1/2's. Not that life is terrible with you... you are just easily erruptible, quick to tantrum, and fearlessly adventurous - which can be scary and terrible.
You love to climb things. You climb in and out of your toy bin. You climb the gates we have up. You climb chairs. You climb into the bathtub. Most of the time I leave the bathroom door shut so it's not an issue, but there have been a few times we've forgotten and I will find you sitting in the bathtub playing with your toys.
You like to jump lately. Actually, what you do is, you do all the motions as if you are jumping but your feet don't leave the ground. You also like to spin in circles. We spin a lot together.
You love to be in things... cupboards, bins, bags, boxes, wagons - everything really except for your stroller and your carseat. Anything where you are buckled down for safety is hell on Earth to you.
You are very good at stiffening your midsection and thrusting your head back if you don't get what you want. You have also perfected going completely limp. I admire your courage and adventurous spirit, but at times these two bodily functions have lead to boo boo's - both big and small - and I will be glad when you are through this stage. If you are in a safe spot, like on the pads or on carpet, sometimes we just watch your little fish out of water impression and let you get our your frustration.
Most of the time you demand to be carried everywhere, usually by me. Sometimes you will want your Dad to carry you. You stand in front of us and get this look on your face like, "hellooooo please pick me up, pleeeeasseeee" and you moan. I've been trying to teach you to say "Up!" when you want to be picked up, and you have said it many times before, but when I want you to say it you start laughing because you don't want to do what I tell you to do. I usually pick you up because when I do I get the most amazing hugs and kisses and who would avoid those? Only a lunatic, that's who. If I don't pick you up, you thrust your body down to the ground at my feet or hold onto my legs. If I walk around you, you get up, run in front of me, and do it again. I try not to laugh because I don't want you to think I am mocking your pain, but it's quite entertaining.
You like to do everything by yourself. I try to let you do as much as you can by yourself and most of the time you are okay with my help, but sometimes if I happen to pick up your clothes or throw away a diaper you immediately start a tantrum or start screaming.
You still love to read and we read as much as we can.
As a toddler, you are truly testing our patience... when we are tired there is a lot if "Are you kidding me?" or "Are you serious?" statements. And you have spent some time in your room when we can do nothing to control you.
Your scream is the most unbelievable, piercing, high-pitched scream imaginable. You like to scream for fun in the grocery store, in the car, and especially when you chase kitty around the house. You like to scare her and chase her.
You love to play peek-a-boo and be startled by me. Sometimes I hide behind a wall or around a corner and I jump out at you and you scream and laugh and laugh.
We play "where is Madeline?" a lot, because now you like to hide. Most of the time it's not a very good spot - like putting your hands over your eyes or a book on your head - but sometimes you hide in a cupboard. You always give yourself away by saying "mom" over and over.
You like to pick your nose. You laugh and use TWO fingers whenever I tell you not to pick your nose. Sometimes you push them in REALLY deep... I think you are experimenting. So I try to distract you with other things when these little nose-picking moments begin. So far, no bloody noses.
You still love watching all of your movies... Elmo, the YBCR movies, and now you love watching Tae Bo. Ever since your Dad and I did it one day in front of you, you like to pull it out and watch it sometimes. You are doing very well with words... to list them all here would take forever, but some common words are: Mom, Dad, dit-dit (kitty), baby, ball, up, dat (cat), dog, num num, dink (drink), book, ice, eyes, Hi, Bye, and No. You say "no" a lot... even when you mean yes. You love talking on the phone. You hold anything up to your ear and talk like it's a phone. The other day you were doing it to a measuring cup.
You love shoes. You pick out which shoes you want to wear each day. You also like to put on momma's shoes now.
You are a outdoor person and will go outside whenever you get the chance. Putting you in the car to go somewhere is always a challenge because you'd rather go on a walk or play with your ball in the driveway and you don't understand why you can't do that.
You love your balls... you have a pink one, a dora ball, and a small whinnie the pooh ball... you also like dad's basketball. You are very good and throwing and kicking and we are working on catching.
You eat well. I have been trying to give you vegetables your whole life (my bad for starting you on carrots and pears) and you have been rather resistant. I started drinking green smoothies and one day as I was making one I set a pile of raw spinach on your tray. You actually started eating it!! You loved it. I’ve noticed you like RAW vegetables more as opposed to cooked – which is unbelievably awesome to me because raw is better for you anyway. I can’t wait until you are old enough to eat without me having to cut everything up.
You do love eating WHOLE pieces of fruit rather then cut up. You like to munch on whole apples – I think you feel like a big girl when you do it like mommy and daddy do. You love regular milk. Once in a while I give you some juice, but you mostly drink water and milk. I am going to try and give you almond or rice milk to see how you like it – when I can find it. You definitely do NOT like soymilk. You love cereal. Your favorite seems to be honeycombs.
Your cousin Christina came down for a visit the week of March 2nd and you loved having her around. She helped me SO much with you, which was really nice. We had a good time with her. We visited the Children’s Museum of Memphis,
went to see the Mississippi River (her first time AND yours actually), went to the Yale road park, and hung out here at the house drawing and watching or favorite movies. It was a lot of fun having her around and you miss her. For several days after she left you would stand at the bottom of the stairs and yell for her to come down.
This month was also the first time you and I spent a night apart. We have NEVER been away from each other for more than 8 hours since you have been born. Your dad and I went somewhere out of town and I left you in the trusted and angelic hands of your Aunt Misty.
She took great care of you and you had a wonderful time playing with Brooke. I wasn't worried about your care, but I did miss you. I talked about you a lot - I hope it didn't bother your dad - and I only cried once when I was in the airport. We were on one of those moving walkways and I started thinking about you and tears began to well up in my eyes... I had to quickly ask your dad to distract me with sometime. He was like, "Ummm, oh, look at that paining on the wall over there!" Of course, this just made me think about how much you love to paint and draw. Am I pathetic, maybe. So I love my child... sue me!
You still breastfeed but we are starting to wean slowly. I had an opportunity to wean you cold turkey when you had your sleep over at Misty and Brooke’s house (going 34 hours without nursing you), but it was too painful. My right side (the only side we use now) felt like a bee had stung it. Anything that touched it caused severe pain. I think a gradual wean will be more to my liking. So now, you are nursing before bed and when you wake up in the morning. Your heaviest is in the morning so that will be the last feeding time we wean.
You love your dollies… you like me to swaddle them in a blanket for you and then you rock them back and forth and start to moan (your way of singing rock-a-bye-baby). Sometimes you carry them upside down, but you are learning. I always tell you that you are such a good mommy, and you smile and smile.
You are a very social little girl and you love little children. You still laugh a lot, especially when you hear someone else laugh. We were shopping the other day and a group of people in the parking lot were laughing and talking near our car as I was unloading the groceries. You immediately started doing your fake laugh and all of them turned to look at you. They all came over and started talking to you.
Another time at the store recently you were out of the cart (your dad was with us) walking around and you discovered a small family (a mom and her 4 kids) and you literally followed them around the store because you love little kids so much. You ran right up to them and started interacting with them. I left for a minute to get some things and later found you and your dad in the dog food isle with them.
We are working on getting you in a predictable routine in the evenings now, something we should have done a long time ago. I think it will make a huge difference in your sleeping habits. At nighttime when you wake up you either cry or you say, “Mom?” It is SO cute when you say “Mom.” I really love that you recognize me as your mom and that you love me so much.
I am learning a lot from you about parenting and about what kind of a person I need to be. I think these past few years I have sort of lost my "mmph!" for life. I don't care for myself like I should and I think I stand back a lot from the things that are happening around me. I don't take a lot of chances. But with you I am realizing first - that I am your main example of how to live, and I want to be a good one; second - life isn't about sitting on the backburner and waiting for things to happen; third - keepings things simple is GOOD; fourth - Don't sweat the small stuff; fifth - All you need is love... and Madeline you shine with love and happiness. You are truly a gift. I love you tremendously.
Love,
Momma
You are now 18 months old. You do all those fun, dangerous, patience-trying, active things most 1 1/2 year olds do. When people say the "terrible two's" it must be an approximation... more like the terrible 16 month to 2 1/2's. Not that life is terrible with you... you are just easily erruptible, quick to tantrum, and fearlessly adventurous - which can be scary and terrible.You love to climb things. You climb in and out of your toy bin. You climb the gates we have up. You climb chairs. You climb into the bathtub. Most of the time I leave the bathroom door shut so it's not an issue, but there have been a few times we've forgotten and I will find you sitting in the bathtub playing with your toys.
You like to jump lately. Actually, what you do is, you do all the motions as if you are jumping but your feet don't leave the ground. You also like to spin in circles. We spin a lot together.
You love to be in things... cupboards, bins, bags, boxes, wagons - everything really except for your stroller and your carseat. Anything where you are buckled down for safety is hell on Earth to you.You are very good at stiffening your midsection and thrusting your head back if you don't get what you want. You have also perfected going completely limp. I admire your courage and adventurous spirit, but at times these two bodily functions have lead to boo boo's - both big and small - and I will be glad when you are through this stage. If you are in a safe spot, like on the pads or on carpet, sometimes we just watch your little fish out of water impression and let you get our your frustration.
Most of the time you demand to be carried everywhere, usually by me. Sometimes you will want your Dad to carry you. You stand in front of us and get this look on your face like, "hellooooo please pick me up, pleeeeasseeee" and you moan. I've been trying to teach you to say "Up!" when you want to be picked up, and you have said it many times before, but when I want you to say it you start laughing because you don't want to do what I tell you to do. I usually pick you up because when I do I get the most amazing hugs and kisses and who would avoid those? Only a lunatic, that's who. If I don't pick you up, you thrust your body down to the ground at my feet or hold onto my legs. If I walk around you, you get up, run in front of me, and do it again. I try not to laugh because I don't want you to think I am mocking your pain, but it's quite entertaining.
You like to do everything by yourself. I try to let you do as much as you can by yourself and most of the time you are okay with my help, but sometimes if I happen to pick up your clothes or throw away a diaper you immediately start a tantrum or start screaming.
You still love to read and we read as much as we can.
As a toddler, you are truly testing our patience... when we are tired there is a lot if "Are you kidding me?" or "Are you serious?" statements. And you have spent some time in your room when we can do nothing to control you.
Your scream is the most unbelievable, piercing, high-pitched scream imaginable. You like to scream for fun in the grocery store, in the car, and especially when you chase kitty around the house. You like to scare her and chase her.You love to play peek-a-boo and be startled by me. Sometimes I hide behind a wall or around a corner and I jump out at you and you scream and laugh and laugh.
You like to pick your nose. You laugh and use TWO fingers whenever I tell you not to pick your nose. Sometimes you push them in REALLY deep... I think you are experimenting. So I try to distract you with other things when these little nose-picking moments begin. So far, no bloody noses.
You still love watching all of your movies... Elmo, the YBCR movies, and now you love watching Tae Bo. Ever since your Dad and I did it one day in front of you, you like to pull it out and watch it sometimes. You are doing very well with words... to list them all here would take forever, but some common words are: Mom, Dad, dit-dit (kitty), baby, ball, up, dat (cat), dog, num num, dink (drink), book, ice, eyes, Hi, Bye, and No. You say "no" a lot... even when you mean yes. You love talking on the phone. You hold anything up to your ear and talk like it's a phone. The other day you were doing it to a measuring cup.
You love shoes. You pick out which shoes you want to wear each day. You also like to put on momma's shoes now.
You are a outdoor person and will go outside whenever you get the chance. Putting you in the car to go somewhere is always a challenge because you'd rather go on a walk or play with your ball in the driveway and you don't understand why you can't do that.
You love your balls... you have a pink one, a dora ball, and a small whinnie the pooh ball... you also like dad's basketball. You are very good and throwing and kicking and we are working on catching.
You eat well. I have been trying to give you vegetables your whole life (my bad for starting you on carrots and pears) and you have been rather resistant. I started drinking green smoothies and one day as I was making one I set a pile of raw spinach on your tray. You actually started eating it!! You loved it. I’ve noticed you like RAW vegetables more as opposed to cooked – which is unbelievably awesome to me because raw is better for you anyway. I can’t wait until you are old enough to eat without me having to cut everything up.
You do love eating WHOLE pieces of fruit rather then cut up. You like to munch on whole apples – I think you feel like a big girl when you do it like mommy and daddy do. You love regular milk. Once in a while I give you some juice, but you mostly drink water and milk. I am going to try and give you almond or rice milk to see how you like it – when I can find it. You definitely do NOT like soymilk. You love cereal. Your favorite seems to be honeycombs.Your cousin Christina came down for a visit the week of March 2nd and you loved having her around. She helped me SO much with you, which was really nice. We had a good time with her. We visited the Children’s Museum of Memphis,
went to see the Mississippi River (her first time AND yours actually), went to the Yale road park, and hung out here at the house drawing and watching or favorite movies. It was a lot of fun having her around and you miss her. For several days after she left you would stand at the bottom of the stairs and yell for her to come down.
This month was also the first time you and I spent a night apart. We have NEVER been away from each other for more than 8 hours since you have been born. Your dad and I went somewhere out of town and I left you in the trusted and angelic hands of your Aunt Misty.
She took great care of you and you had a wonderful time playing with Brooke. I wasn't worried about your care, but I did miss you. I talked about you a lot - I hope it didn't bother your dad - and I only cried once when I was in the airport. We were on one of those moving walkways and I started thinking about you and tears began to well up in my eyes... I had to quickly ask your dad to distract me with sometime. He was like, "Ummm, oh, look at that paining on the wall over there!" Of course, this just made me think about how much you love to paint and draw. Am I pathetic, maybe. So I love my child... sue me!
You still breastfeed but we are starting to wean slowly. I had an opportunity to wean you cold turkey when you had your sleep over at Misty and Brooke’s house (going 34 hours without nursing you), but it was too painful. My right side (the only side we use now) felt like a bee had stung it. Anything that touched it caused severe pain. I think a gradual wean will be more to my liking. So now, you are nursing before bed and when you wake up in the morning. Your heaviest is in the morning so that will be the last feeding time we wean.You love your dollies… you like me to swaddle them in a blanket for you and then you rock them back and forth and start to moan (your way of singing rock-a-bye-baby). Sometimes you carry them upside down, but you are learning. I always tell you that you are such a good mommy, and you smile and smile.
You are a very social little girl and you love little children. You still laugh a lot, especially when you hear someone else laugh. We were shopping the other day and a group of people in the parking lot were laughing and talking near our car as I was unloading the groceries. You immediately started doing your fake laugh and all of them turned to look at you. They all came over and started talking to you.
Another time at the store recently you were out of the cart (your dad was with us) walking around and you discovered a small family (a mom and her 4 kids) and you literally followed them around the store because you love little kids so much. You ran right up to them and started interacting with them. I left for a minute to get some things and later found you and your dad in the dog food isle with them.
We are working on getting you in a predictable routine in the evenings now, something we should have done a long time ago. I think it will make a huge difference in your sleeping habits. At nighttime when you wake up you either cry or you say, “Mom?” It is SO cute when you say “Mom.” I really love that you recognize me as your mom and that you love me so much.
I am learning a lot from you about parenting and about what kind of a person I need to be. I think these past few years I have sort of lost my "mmph!" for life. I don't care for myself like I should and I think I stand back a lot from the things that are happening around me. I don't take a lot of chances. But with you I am realizing first - that I am your main example of how to live, and I want to be a good one; second - life isn't about sitting on the backburner and waiting for things to happen; third - keepings things simple is GOOD; fourth - Don't sweat the small stuff; fifth - All you need is love... and Madeline you shine with love and happiness. You are truly a gift. I love you tremendously.
Love,
Momma
2.24.2010
They're Baaaack.
It was so nice not seeing a spider since it has been cold these past few months, but it warmed up this past weekend and I saw three of four spiders on our garbage can. Today I was getting ready and as I went to pick up one of my towels off of the floor this HUGE spider comes running out from underneath it. I hurried and picked Madeline up and put her on the bed, and I went to get Kitty, hoping she would take care of the situation.
I bring her into the room and she doesn't even TRY to get it, she bolts into the corner of the room and hides behind the nightstand. Kitty has been quite the wimp lately - whenever someone comes to the door she runs underneath Madeline's crib... I am seriously considering removing her "bug patrol" and "guard duty" status from her list of lifetime career paths, and replacing them with "scaredy-cat" and "cuddler".
I bring her into the room and she doesn't even TRY to get it, she bolts into the corner of the room and hides behind the nightstand. Kitty has been quite the wimp lately - whenever someone comes to the door she runs underneath Madeline's crib... I am seriously considering removing her "bug patrol" and "guard duty" status from her list of lifetime career paths, and replacing them with "scaredy-cat" and "cuddler".
2.22.2010
I Want My Life Back
I just spent a good 10 minutes staring at facebook. I learned nothing from it. I gained nothing from it. I was annoyed several times at farmville and sorority life posts and do I really need to know that a girl I knew in high school and haven't spoken to in 15 years just made herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Is it really important that I take that quiz about whether or not my choice of shirt color determines if I am sexy or not?
Is there something missing in my life that makes it so I spend so much time looking at the same homepage of facebook over and over, refreshing it and checking my profile and then refreshing it again, hoping for something, anything, to make the day a little better? Looking at my life and all of the wonderful people I know and the wonderful opportunities I have, I wouldn't imagine so.
When did I become one of those people? Where it was important for me to get 205 friends on facebook. I remember the day I broke 200... it was like I had just received the Medal of Honor. I almost made myself a certificate of completion and hung it on the wall, I was so excited.
When is it bad?
It's bad when you start wondering if that girl at the register at the grocery store you go to once a week, the one who always waves at and talks to your daughter, Gina or Tina something, is on facebook. It's bad when it's the first thing you do in the morning - check facebook - even before your morning pee. It's bad when your living room is piled up with laundry that needs to be folded and your sweet little girl is crying at your feet because she wants your attention, but you have to refresh facebook just one more time. It's bad when in the middle of posting this blog post - I stop to check and see if there is anything new on facebook.
It's nice and all because everyone and their mother and their dog and their mother's dog is on there... so if you wanted to make an announcement or find a long lost person you probably could do it on facebook. But I have crossed over to the inappropriate phase and a change needs to be made.
I don't think I will check facebook again for a while.
Is there something missing in my life that makes it so I spend so much time looking at the same homepage of facebook over and over, refreshing it and checking my profile and then refreshing it again, hoping for something, anything, to make the day a little better? Looking at my life and all of the wonderful people I know and the wonderful opportunities I have, I wouldn't imagine so.
When did I become one of those people? Where it was important for me to get 205 friends on facebook. I remember the day I broke 200... it was like I had just received the Medal of Honor. I almost made myself a certificate of completion and hung it on the wall, I was so excited.
When is it bad?
It's bad when you start wondering if that girl at the register at the grocery store you go to once a week, the one who always waves at and talks to your daughter, Gina or Tina something, is on facebook. It's bad when it's the first thing you do in the morning - check facebook - even before your morning pee. It's bad when your living room is piled up with laundry that needs to be folded and your sweet little girl is crying at your feet because she wants your attention, but you have to refresh facebook just one more time. It's bad when in the middle of posting this blog post - I stop to check and see if there is anything new on facebook.
It's nice and all because everyone and their mother and their dog and their mother's dog is on there... so if you wanted to make an announcement or find a long lost person you probably could do it on facebook. But I have crossed over to the inappropriate phase and a change needs to be made.
I don't think I will check facebook again for a while.
Last Thursday
This past Thursday we got to watch our good friend Brooke while her mommy took care of some things. We love when Brooke comes over. She is such a smart, sweet little girl, and when it comes to building blocks she is very talented and serious...
Brooke needed some quiet while she was designing her futuristic tower for corporate. Madeline was ready for Spring Break.
Madeline was like... "come on Brooke, let's go throw the ball" And Brooke was like, "Could you take the picture already?"
When Brooke's mommy got home we went out in the backyard and threw the ball around for a little while and the girls tested out the swing...
Our cute friends!
There was a moment while I was cooking when Madeline fell over and started crying (this happens a lot) and I went running toward her, like I usually do, but Misty was already next to her helping her up and hugging her and telling her it was okay. Madeline quickly stopped crying and smiled and started playing again. I just sat there for a minute so happy in the realization that I have a true friend here. A true friend who loves my baby and who I can trust.
Brooke needed some quiet while she was designing her futuristic tower for corporate. Madeline was ready for Spring Break.Madeline was like... "come on Brooke, let's go throw the ball" And Brooke was like, "Could you take the picture already?"
When Brooke's mommy got home we went out in the backyard and threw the ball around for a little while and the girls tested out the swing...
Our cute friends!Then, while I finished making dinner and Paul layed on the couch not feeling very well(not the best weekend for our guy), Misty entertained the girls with reading books and playing.
There was a moment while I was cooking when Madeline fell over and started crying (this happens a lot) and I went running toward her, like I usually do, but Misty was already next to her helping her up and hugging her and telling her it was okay. Madeline quickly stopped crying and smiled and started playing again. I just sat there for a minute so happy in the realization that I have a true friend here. A true friend who loves my baby and who I can trust.Misty and her little family have always been there for us and I love them so much. I really cherrish all of the times we have had together. We have experienced a lot of firsts together and shared some very special moments as new mothers and friends. I am so thankful for friends like Misty, Michael, and Brooke.
Last Wednesday
Last Wednesday we had a quick and fun visit from Paul's parents and brother who were in town.
It's always really nice to see and talk to our family (in person), and I am really excited that Madeline is getting more comfortable with people... meaning, it isn't taking as long for her to warm up. Also, I think she recognizes her family when she sees them because I show her pictures all the time.
We miss and love our family!
It's always really nice to see and talk to our family (in person), and I am really excited that Madeline is getting more comfortable with people... meaning, it isn't taking as long for her to warm up. Also, I think she recognizes her family when she sees them because I show her pictures all the time. 
We miss and love our family!
2.16.2010
A New Pretty Thing For Me.
Ever since we've lived in this house I have wanted a pretty something to hang above my sink. The other day I was at the Hobby Lobby (one of my most favorite stores ever) and I found this...
Isn't it pretty? It's actually meant to be out in a garden, but I thought it was so nice for above my sink I got it. It was missing a few flower jewels so I got it half off too!! I was extremely excited. I look at it whenever I pass by my sink and I actually keep the kitchen sink area a bit cleaner now because it looks nicer with my iron butterfly.
Isn't it pretty? It's actually meant to be out in a garden, but I thought it was so nice for above my sink I got it. It was missing a few flower jewels so I got it half off too!! I was extremely excited. I look at it whenever I pass by my sink and I actually keep the kitchen sink area a bit cleaner now because it looks nicer with my iron butterfly.
2.14.2010
Awwwwww
[ Click on picture (above) for the ultimate valentine viewing,and push play below for the best valentine dance and song in th world... ever.]
2.12.2010
Madeline's Monthly Message: Month 17
Dear Madeline,
Seventeen months has now gone by and it feels like you have always been here. I don't remember life without you. I'm sure it will be that way when we have more children too - but just between you and me - I will always remember these times with you. No other child we will ever have will have had the experiences you get to have with us, being our first. I will always remember and cherrish these times... when it's just you and me waking up in the mornings and dancing and singing in our pajamas; when we have breakfast together and clap when you get a whole spoonful of cereal in your mouth ALL. BY. YOURSELF!; when you take a tubby for as long as you want creating works of art on the bathtub walls with your tubby crayons or finally get brave enough and realize you can actually lay on your belly and kick your legs AS WELL AS do it sitting up; when sometimes - it's okay to just read books for 3 hours and take a tubby around 1:00-ish.
You are growing up. You have an opinion about everything and no longer blindly follow direction as a baby would. You're looking more like a little girl. There is still some cherubic angel baby chub there, but it's spreading out as you sprout those long, never stop moving, legs.
You love to play. Your favorite things to do most days are play with your pink ball and your yellow Dora ball. You are very good at throwing and kicking.
You run really fast and enjoy playing peek-a-boo and tag around the house.
You still get into everything. You have your favorite drawers and cupboards because you know what is in them. I finally moved some things around, but you are now getting tall enough that you can get on your tippy-toes and reach INTO drawers. So I need to make some more changes.
You love helping me. You like to sweep and vaccuum and especially do laundry.
I realize this won't last, so I am enjoying it. I will keep praising you as you do it and clapping and telling you how "cool it is to do laundry" until you get smart enough to realize it's work, which will probably be next month at the rate you are going.
You are very loving toward your dolls and stuffed animals.
You sometimes rock your baby doll and raise her high above your head as if you are throwing her in the air like your dad does to you.
You are very good at stacking blocks and rings and putting shaped pieces into containers now. You understand so much. I can ask you any question and you usually understand what I am talking about.
You are talking more, but still refer to most things as "dih or dee". You now say, "Thanks!" whenever we give you something - food, a book, anything really. It's usually whenever we hand you anything. Your dad said thanks to you one day and it caught on.
You're still a picky eater, but I am trying to get you to enjoy fruit smoothies. It's a new thing I have been doing for myself and think may be the only way to get greens into you and your dad. Whenever I have one I give you some with a little spinach or kale blended in it. I still try to offer you beans or broccoli etc. on a regular basis, but you won't have it... yet.
You love to wear your dress shoes.
Every day I let you pick which shoes you will wear for the day and you always pick your red or pink dress shoes.
Some new words/statements:
Whoa! Wow! Oooo! Thanks. Uh-oh.
You like to try and pick up kitty a lot. You pull her tail sometimes and hug her to much. Laying on top of her isn't a favorite thing you do so she sometimes will lightly bite you or hiss at you. Most of the time you don't care, but the other day it hurt your feelings and you started chasing her around the house screaming a high-pitched tone. That's how you annoy her... you follow her around the house screaming at her. Through it all, she still loves you and wants to lick your hair and lay by you when you sleep.
We're still nursing. This month I am going to start weaning you, for real. It's time. There was a day this month when I was really tired and you wanted to nurse. So I layed you on my lap, like we usually do, and you started nursing, and then you started doing what you always do - where you stick your foot in my face cause you thinks it's funny if I sniff it and say "eww" and then you get up and start standing, or twisting or going upside down (all while still attached) - and I literally felt like I could stand up and you'd still be attached just spinning and spinning in a circle (like I said, I was tired) but you are getting so big now it's just starting to feel a little unnatural. Don't get me wrong, when you are peaceful and sleepy it's still nice. It still reminds me of when you were an itty bitty baby, but these moments are rare.
I'm learning now that I have to be strong. I always knew we would have a close bond and a good relationship. It's hard to let go of these moments as you change and grow. I guess life really is a series of weanings.
We were getting our taxes done a couple weeks ago and there was a little baby boy sitting on and crawling all over the floor. You were fascinated with him - you love other babies and children - so you went over to him and tried to share your snack with him. He had a snack of his own and wasn't interested. He pushed you and you fell down. The look on your face was a look of utter despair and heartbreak. You couldn't understand why this little person would push you after you offered to share with him and you spent so much time smiling at him.
Why can't we all just get along? I don't know. Why can't people be kind and loving instead of cruel? Is it human nature? Maybe he thought you were trying to take his snack? Maybe he thought you would push him (his mother so desperately apologized and offered excuses like "he has an older brother at home and they push each other all the time blah blah blah")? I don't know... these are the lessons we must learn in this life. How do we deal when people are cruel to us? Do we shut them out and stop communicating? Do we forgive and forget? Do we get even? Do we allow their life situations (such as being a baby) to excuse their behavior? These are decisions we all must make for ourselves.
We hope to teach you forgiveness, patience, understanding, and to look out for yourself and be brave. It's okay to walk away. Don't let people walk all over you and stick up for yourself, but remember to show compassion. This is deep stuff.
You think that if you yell for your dad he will appear. No matter where we are, if you wonder where he is you will start yelling for him. "Daaaaaaaaaaa! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadaaaaa!" at the top of your lungs - and you have some awesome lungs. You started yelling for him in the craft store the other day while we were waiting in line to pay for some things. You did it for a good minute or two. I kept saying, "he's at work Mads, he's at work," but no matter, you kept yelling for him.
You love grocery shopping, especially the produce department. Your dad got it in your head that you can pick up your very own fruit or vegetable every time we go. So, I let you do it while grocery shopping the other day and you ate half an apple before we got to the register. I didn't even notice. When I looked up at you and saw you with that big red apple you opened your eyes wide, took a big bite and said, "MMmmm num num." I laughed for a good 5 minutes.
We now know for a surity you are NOT one of those submissive, mild children from dreamland people talk about. When you don't get your way you are a bit whiney and the tantrums are ferocious. You flail your arms and legs about and thrust your head and body to the floor. You scream and cry at the top of your lungs. Sometimes we just sit and watch you and look at each other (me and your dad) like, "what just happened?", and then, if it continues, we gently set you in your crib or in your room until you settle down. I've been trying to talk to you. I believe you are very smart and that you understand me so, with much appreciated advice from my momma, I've been saying something like, "I love you! I can see that you are upset. It's OK to express your feelings. You can be angry in your own room. When you are done I hope you will come and tell me all about it."
I make mistakes. I'm not perfect. Some would say I don't let you console yourself enough. I run to your side too fast when you fall or freak out too noticeably when something bad happens to you... do you notice this? Is that why you are quick to cry? What can I say? I'm a new mom. I'm learning too. Sometimes when you tantrum I lose my temper and I yell. Sometimes I just put you in your room without saying anything. Sometimes, I just ignore your tantrum, and you then run after me and throw yourself on my feet. We're growing and learning together.
I still love you with every fiber of my being... I always will. Even when you are at your worst, I am proud that you are my child.
You love hats
and keys, and Elmo, and ice. You love to brush your teeth. You love to dance and sing and read and run and hold hands and go for walks. You love to exercise with mommy, when I do it.
You love to draw and paint and help mommy with the house. You love to go outside and especially love being with friends.
You are so amazing Madeline and I am so proud of every single little thing you do. Thank you for always reminding me what a gift life is. I love you so much my beloved daughter.
Love,
Momma
Seventeen months has now gone by and it feels like you have always been here. I don't remember life without you. I'm sure it will be that way when we have more children too - but just between you and me - I will always remember these times with you. No other child we will ever have will have had the experiences you get to have with us, being our first. I will always remember and cherrish these times... when it's just you and me waking up in the mornings and dancing and singing in our pajamas; when we have breakfast together and clap when you get a whole spoonful of cereal in your mouth ALL. BY. YOURSELF!; when you take a tubby for as long as you want creating works of art on the bathtub walls with your tubby crayons or finally get brave enough and realize you can actually lay on your belly and kick your legs AS WELL AS do it sitting up; when sometimes - it's okay to just read books for 3 hours and take a tubby around 1:00-ish.
You are growing up. You have an opinion about everything and no longer blindly follow direction as a baby would. You're looking more like a little girl. There is still some cherubic angel baby chub there, but it's spreading out as you sprout those long, never stop moving, legs.You love to play. Your favorite things to do most days are play with your pink ball and your yellow Dora ball. You are very good at throwing and kicking.
You run really fast and enjoy playing peek-a-boo and tag around the house. 
You still get into everything. You have your favorite drawers and cupboards because you know what is in them. I finally moved some things around, but you are now getting tall enough that you can get on your tippy-toes and reach INTO drawers. So I need to make some more changes.You love helping me. You like to sweep and vaccuum and especially do laundry.
I realize this won't last, so I am enjoying it. I will keep praising you as you do it and clapping and telling you how "cool it is to do laundry" until you get smart enough to realize it's work, which will probably be next month at the rate you are going.You are very loving toward your dolls and stuffed animals.
You sometimes rock your baby doll and raise her high above your head as if you are throwing her in the air like your dad does to you.You are very good at stacking blocks and rings and putting shaped pieces into containers now. You understand so much. I can ask you any question and you usually understand what I am talking about.
You are talking more, but still refer to most things as "dih or dee". You now say, "Thanks!" whenever we give you something - food, a book, anything really. It's usually whenever we hand you anything. Your dad said thanks to you one day and it caught on.
You're still a picky eater, but I am trying to get you to enjoy fruit smoothies. It's a new thing I have been doing for myself and think may be the only way to get greens into you and your dad. Whenever I have one I give you some with a little spinach or kale blended in it. I still try to offer you beans or broccoli etc. on a regular basis, but you won't have it... yet.
You love to wear your dress shoes.
Every day I let you pick which shoes you will wear for the day and you always pick your red or pink dress shoes.
Some new words/statements:
Whoa! Wow! Oooo! Thanks. Uh-oh.
You like to try and pick up kitty a lot. You pull her tail sometimes and hug her to much. Laying on top of her isn't a favorite thing you do so she sometimes will lightly bite you or hiss at you. Most of the time you don't care, but the other day it hurt your feelings and you started chasing her around the house screaming a high-pitched tone. That's how you annoy her... you follow her around the house screaming at her. Through it all, she still loves you and wants to lick your hair and lay by you when you sleep.
We're still nursing. This month I am going to start weaning you, for real. It's time. There was a day this month when I was really tired and you wanted to nurse. So I layed you on my lap, like we usually do, and you started nursing, and then you started doing what you always do - where you stick your foot in my face cause you thinks it's funny if I sniff it and say "eww" and then you get up and start standing, or twisting or going upside down (all while still attached) - and I literally felt like I could stand up and you'd still be attached just spinning and spinning in a circle (like I said, I was tired) but you are getting so big now it's just starting to feel a little unnatural. Don't get me wrong, when you are peaceful and sleepy it's still nice. It still reminds me of when you were an itty bitty baby, but these moments are rare.
I'm learning now that I have to be strong. I always knew we would have a close bond and a good relationship. It's hard to let go of these moments as you change and grow. I guess life really is a series of weanings.We were getting our taxes done a couple weeks ago and there was a little baby boy sitting on and crawling all over the floor. You were fascinated with him - you love other babies and children - so you went over to him and tried to share your snack with him. He had a snack of his own and wasn't interested. He pushed you and you fell down. The look on your face was a look of utter despair and heartbreak. You couldn't understand why this little person would push you after you offered to share with him and you spent so much time smiling at him.
Why can't we all just get along? I don't know. Why can't people be kind and loving instead of cruel? Is it human nature? Maybe he thought you were trying to take his snack? Maybe he thought you would push him (his mother so desperately apologized and offered excuses like "he has an older brother at home and they push each other all the time blah blah blah")? I don't know... these are the lessons we must learn in this life. How do we deal when people are cruel to us? Do we shut them out and stop communicating? Do we forgive and forget? Do we get even? Do we allow their life situations (such as being a baby) to excuse their behavior? These are decisions we all must make for ourselves.
We hope to teach you forgiveness, patience, understanding, and to look out for yourself and be brave. It's okay to walk away. Don't let people walk all over you and stick up for yourself, but remember to show compassion. This is deep stuff.
You think that if you yell for your dad he will appear. No matter where we are, if you wonder where he is you will start yelling for him. "Daaaaaaaaaaa! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadaaaaa!" at the top of your lungs - and you have some awesome lungs. You started yelling for him in the craft store the other day while we were waiting in line to pay for some things. You did it for a good minute or two. I kept saying, "he's at work Mads, he's at work," but no matter, you kept yelling for him.
You love grocery shopping, especially the produce department. Your dad got it in your head that you can pick up your very own fruit or vegetable every time we go. So, I let you do it while grocery shopping the other day and you ate half an apple before we got to the register. I didn't even notice. When I looked up at you and saw you with that big red apple you opened your eyes wide, took a big bite and said, "MMmmm num num." I laughed for a good 5 minutes.We now know for a surity you are NOT one of those submissive, mild children from dreamland people talk about. When you don't get your way you are a bit whiney and the tantrums are ferocious. You flail your arms and legs about and thrust your head and body to the floor. You scream and cry at the top of your lungs. Sometimes we just sit and watch you and look at each other (me and your dad) like, "what just happened?", and then, if it continues, we gently set you in your crib or in your room until you settle down. I've been trying to talk to you. I believe you are very smart and that you understand me so, with much appreciated advice from my momma, I've been saying something like, "I love you! I can see that you are upset. It's OK to express your feelings. You can be angry in your own room. When you are done I hope you will come and tell me all about it."
I make mistakes. I'm not perfect. Some would say I don't let you console yourself enough. I run to your side too fast when you fall or freak out too noticeably when something bad happens to you... do you notice this? Is that why you are quick to cry? What can I say? I'm a new mom. I'm learning too. Sometimes when you tantrum I lose my temper and I yell. Sometimes I just put you in your room without saying anything. Sometimes, I just ignore your tantrum, and you then run after me and throw yourself on my feet. We're growing and learning together.
I still love you with every fiber of my being... I always will. Even when you are at your worst, I am proud that you are my child.
You love hats
and keys, and Elmo, and ice. You love to brush your teeth. You love to dance and sing and read and run and hold hands and go for walks. You love to exercise with mommy, when I do it.
You love to draw and paint and help mommy with the house. You love to go outside and especially love being with friends.
You are so amazing Madeline and I am so proud of every single little thing you do. Thank you for always reminding me what a gift life is. I love you so much my beloved daughter.Love,
Momma
1.26.2010
Digging For Gold.
While driving in the car the other day I glanced to the passenger side and noticed Paul picking his nose. The following conversation commenced:
Edith: Do you need a tissue?
Paul: Nah, I'm good.
Edith: It sure looks like you're digging for something in there.
Paul: There's nothing there.
Edith: Ya sure? Looked like you might be digging for some gold.
Paul: There is some gold in there.
Edith: Really? Why aren't we using it? We could really use some gold.
Paul: We are. It's my brain. I'm using it to provide for my family and make good decisions.
Edith: Nice. Well, leave that in there.
Edith: Do you need a tissue?
Paul: Nah, I'm good.
Edith: It sure looks like you're digging for something in there.
Paul: There's nothing there.
Edith: Ya sure? Looked like you might be digging for some gold.
Paul: There is some gold in there.
Edith: Really? Why aren't we using it? We could really use some gold.
Paul: We are. It's my brain. I'm using it to provide for my family and make good decisions.
Edith: Nice. Well, leave that in there.
1.25.2010
Who Are You And Where Is Madeline Olivia?
She hadn't had a nap yet and I had just stopped her from eating cat food - yet again. So she decided if she couldn't eat cat food she would rip all the tissue out of the tissue box - yet again. So I stopped that, and she ran over to the drawer in the kitchen - that one drawer she always tries to get into that has birthday candles in it - and she grabbed a handful of candles. So I stopped that and I said, "Madeline! No! Stop it right now!" and she turned and walked into the cupboard and fell on her bottom... that. made. her. MAD. Thus the tantrum began.
My beautiful, sweet, loving, always hugging and kissing her momma, little dolly girl, Madeline, threw the worst tantrum she has ever thrown today. She's thrown many tantrums before, but this one was a doozy! It was like watching an angry hyena get electrocuted while swatting and kicking wildly at bees and screaming a piercing, high-pitched scream that causes blood to leak from your ears.
So I picked her up. Set her in the crib. And left the room. She fell asleep.
My beautiful, sweet, loving, always hugging and kissing her momma, little dolly girl, Madeline, threw the worst tantrum she has ever thrown today. She's thrown many tantrums before, but this one was a doozy! It was like watching an angry hyena get electrocuted while swatting and kicking wildly at bees and screaming a piercing, high-pitched scream that causes blood to leak from your ears.
So I picked her up. Set her in the crib. And left the room. She fell asleep.
Needless to say, we have some good times ahead of us. HA!
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