What's happening?

Miss C has quickly adjusted to her new room at the daycare. There are no more tears when I drop her off. She walks in and right to whatever activity is taking place in the room. I am impressed with all the things they do and how much she is exposed to help her learn and grow. Everything is a learning opportunity, even eating the tips off of markers.

One of the things I like about this class is they keep a journal of what she does every day. It's nice to get a little glimpse into her day and to have that record for her in the future. Today the highlight was she jumped off the steps in the muscle room. Jumping has been one of her latest activities. She loves to jump but her feet don't get off the ground. So jumping with Miles in the muscle room was a big deal.

One of the things I know she loves but makes me nuts is that they play outside every afternoon and I typically find her in the sand box. The girl loves the sand so I find her almost daily covered from head to toe in sand. It's everywhere and because it's been so hot she's all sweaty and it sticks to her. When we get home and I take off her shoes sand goes everywhere. Sand...ugh. I know she is enjoying herself but sand is everywhere.

But sand aside, we can definitely see our baby is no longer a baby. She is a thinking, comprehending, strong willed being who continues to amaze us with her understanding of what is going on around her and her willingness to engage in live without fear. We can communicate with each other now and it's a two way exchange. I can say, I love you and she will say it back. Sure it's a jumbled mess that only her mom can understand but I am sure this won't be the only time when her mom is the only one who gets her.

First High School Football Game

One of the highlights of our weekend was getting to go watch my nephew's football game in Ft. Thomas. Sam plays freshman football for St. X in Louisville and they had a game up here on Saturday. It was great to see him part of the team and to get to spend some time with family.


Our ride to the game. Miss C held onto monkey the whole ride.

Hanging with Aunt T.

Playing on the field with Cousin Em.

Crashing out on the ride home.

Last week

Last week was a little nuts around here so I didn't have time to write. It was Miss C's first full week at the day care and it was filled with a lot of new adventures and challenges.

While at day care for the first half of the week Miss C played hard and there were very few tears after the first day. She colored many pictures. Everday she played outside and came home sweaty, sandy and tired from all the activity. I think she likes the structure and routine that is part of this new toddler room. Not to mention all the new exciting toys and learning opportunities.

While at home, it appeared to be a little different story. Monday it was freaking out when her new sitter came over. It wasn't the first time Katie had watched her so her reaction was shocking. She was so distraught and exhausted we put her to bed having barely eaten dinner. Tuesday there was crying or hitting (sometimes me, sometimes herself) and an early bedtime.

Wednesday was the first day of my vacation and I took her to the daycare so I could run some errands and go to the spa. I picked her up early and Miss Amy came to watch her. There was still a little adjustment when she saw Miss Amy too but nothing like Monday.

Thursday we learned that a lot of her behavior was likely less about the change to the new room and more about the fact she was getting sick. She puked about an hour after I dropped her off which was also about an hour after SP left for his ball trip with his friends.

She was a sick little girl who ended up running a fever and wanting nothing more than to be held by her Monja. This was made more challenging because a) my car died in the driveway and b) I had no way to jump it because I couldn't get to SP's car because his friends had parked in the driveway and didn't leave their keys. Had to call a tow truck, get a jump and then lug my sick baby to get my car fixed so I would have a vehicle.

What followed was a road trip to Louisville where she thankfully slept and I was able to then get some help from both sets of parents. Since she wanted to be held non-stop 24/7 there was no way I would have made it without someone helping. Made me really wish I was home especially with SP being gone.

So long story short...my vacation was a bust other than a good day at the spa and the fact that I was able to see my high school friends for a bit. But more importantly, Miss C is much better.

Pool time

Village

You know, that VILLAGE everyone talks about that it takes to raise a child? I need my village. Can you tell me where someone finds a village? Preferrably not the dung hut, live with your in-laws, slaughter your pet goat for dinner kind of village. Something less smelly and more this century would be good.

Food glorious food

• Picked Miss C up from her new room.
• The staff told me what a great day she had. She slept on her cot, washed her hands like a big girl and just overall did well.
• Her daily report said she ate all her lunch and colored with crayons.
• Got her in the car.
• She started screaming before we got on the interstate.
• Screamed for a good portion of the ride home.
• Slapped her own leg a couple of times in frustration that I would not climb into the back and retrieve all the toys she had thrown.
• Briefly consoled her with a good rendition of 5 Pockets by Joe Wise.
• Got home.
• Daddy made dinner.
• Miss C signed she was hungry but refused to sit in her high chair.
• Sat her in her seat at the dining room table.
• She ate a little and then proceeded to throw the rest.
• Her fork flew across the table.
• Cottage cheese flew on the floor.
• A clump of rice hit her Dad.
• She refused to eat.
• We moved her away from the table.
• Put on her PJs.
• She grabbed her paci and blankey.
• Still wouldn't eat.
• Ate a bite of cottage cheese, then spit it out and threw it.
• Ended our attempts to feed her dinner.
• This day care transition is wearing us out.
• We will survive.

This is it

Tomorrow is Miss C's first full day in her new room. Today I gathered up all of her stuff and it was like a reminder of how far we have come in the last nine months.

She no longer uses her paci while at day care. Miss Panda, that went from home to her crib when she first started, no longer hung on her crib and was tucked in her box. The clothes we brought for outfit changes no longer fit her and the bibs are too small. Everything is for the infant Miss C, and she is no longer an infant.

I didn't cry today when I dropped her off. I didn't get sappy with the teachers. Miss C gave them their card and gift cards that we got them, but I tried not to make a big to-do about the change. Better for her, and better for me I think.

It will be weird tomorrow taking her upstairs to her new room. I won't want to leave her. I will again struggle with my decision to being a working mom rather than a stay at home mom. We'll get through the newness together. I know she'll adjust far more quickly than I will but seeing her thrive and grow will help me get through it.

Happenings

Miss C is taking two week 2 of her transition to her new room much better than last week. She hasn't cried when I dropped her off or picked her up. I am still talking up the Penguin room on our way to the day care and she hasn't cried NO! NO! NO! when I mention it which is good.

Each day her time in the new room is extended and now she is there from 10 to nap time after lunch. She's playing hard with the bigger kids and when she makes it home she is wiped out. Tonight she went to bed an entire hour early because last night she was up until almost 9:30 for what we think was a combo of a belly ache and tooth ache because her incisors are still coming in.

As predicted her vocabulary is increasing rapidly being around the kids who are talking more. Each day it seems like she is saying more and trying to same more. We may end up with our hands full once she starts full fledged talking but for now I am loving her ability to communicate with us.

Transition status

This week began Miss C's official transition to her new room with the 18 mos to 3 year olds. The week started off with her clinging to me and crying like she had just been poked in the eye with a sharp stick. It ended with her not wanting to get in the car seat to go to day care.

In between that she spent a couple hours each day in the new room with the new kids and new teachers. She played outside and did some of the things she normally would do, but she also started learning to drink out of a cup with and to have a more structured day. There were moments where she didn't want to go to her new room but once she was there she was ok.

The week was rough for us with the transition because she came home exhausted and well, our basement got two inches of water and work for me was crazy busy with me having to be there by 7 every day. We managed but I can say all of us were ready for the weekend to arrive.

By yesterday afternoon Miss C doing a little better so I am hoping things get even better next week.

Her moves

Two of the most hilarious things Miss C is doing right now is trying to snap her fingers and jump up and down. The jumping does not involve actually getting her feet off the ground but she bends her knees and moves her arms like she's going to leap as high as Michael Jordan any second.

Her snapping goes along with her dancing. At first I couldn't figure out what she was doing because she'd wrap her fingers around her thumbs while dancing then flick her thumbs. I finally figured it out.

This afternoon she hung out with me in the driveway playing with (and eating) chalk. She loved all the colors and particularly enjoyed coloring her dad and me. When the chalk got boring she went around the yard picking up gumballs and sticks and putting them in a plastic bag.

Oh, and SP calls those shorts her Daisy Dukes but after she was rolling around in the dirt in her nice clothes I decided to put something on her I didn't care got ruined.

Pictures

Miss C likes to crawl into the laundry baskets and help fold clothes.


If you look closely you can see the mulch that covers her teeth. She thought eating it was hilarious.

Oh so innocent as she sits in the flower bed covered in mulch.

Here's our girl heading to bed with her blankey and Elmo.