Take a bite

Look at this face. At the age of 22 months she has officially been kicked out of her first school, for biting. It's been a rough few weeks to say the least.

When we decided to go to K*yfield with Mia I had concerns about their policy on biting. After having gone through biting with C as a toddler in Cincinnati, and experiencing their approach, we felt it was harsh to kick a child out for bitting. But, we also felt it would be best for C to go to school with her cousin. So, we let it go.

Then a little over a month ago, our sweet, loveable, fiesty little girl started getting bit at school. We didn't freak out because we knew kids at her age bit. They are learning to talk and can't say when they are upset or angry or whatever.

Then R started biting. And biting. And biting.

From the start we weren't pleased with the way her biting was being handled or how we were being addressed about it. But we kept trying to work it out. She wasn't biting at home so it was dificult for us to deal with her "behavior problem" that they said she had. It was frustrating.

Ended up that she was biting the same kid. We asked her to be moved away from this child to another room three times and they wouldn't. After meeting with them, having them try to put her in "time out" for biting numerous times, having her sent home for biting, etc. they kicked us out.

Talk about having a meltdown. That is how I was the day I picked her up for biting and they refused to move her to a new room and told us we had a week to find her a new place.

I was pissed. I was sad. I was angry at them for handling the situation so poorly and for not even thinking about our other child who would have to leave her friends and her cousin. Sure, we could have kept C at one school and send R to another, but why would we? They have labeled our child who did what most kids her age do. They had shown they couldn't handle a difficult situation well.

So, thankfully, we found a new school for the girls. Both of them. A school that handles biting more in line with our views. And interestingly enough, after a week there, she hasn't bitten once.

In the end, after all the tears and anger, everything happens for a reason. R was trying to tell us something wasn't right and this was the only way she could tell us. Sure, she's still struggling with aggression, but most kids her age do. We'll work through it like we did with C.

We love our little R...biting and all.

So much going on and so little time

I need to sit and spend some time updating all that is going on with the girls but for now we'll use just pictures.

Sista

Miss R has taken to calling C - Sista. I think this is in part because I'd always say, There's your Sister. It's super cute.

They really have taken to each other which is nice. Sure there's some tackling and boundary setting with regards to whacking your little or big sister over the head with toys, but for the most part all is good.

I like watching the two of them play together. C likes to be very Mommy-like with R and does try to take care of her. It's super sweet and I hope it lasts.

Teeth

Yesterday Miss C went to her new dentist here. She'd been before but this was the first time she was actually getting her teeth cleaned. We talked about the visit before she went. Even looked at pictures of the office online before she visited to prepare her because you just never know how it's going to go.

I had to work so SP took her. She did pretty well considering but totally DID NOT like the flossing. I am still trying to figure that one out because she freaked out again last night when I showed her how to floss my teeth. I think she believes the floss will get stuck between her teeth or something. Who knows really but it freaked her out.

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone. If I ever find my camera I will post pictures. Until then, the written word will have to do.

Miss C was amazingly funny about Christmas this year. Her excitement and genuine belief in Santa and his reindeer and all that entails was sweet and make the holiday more fun. We are encouraging her to be gracious for the gifts she receives and talk to her about those who don't get gifts. We also discussed that Santa does not always get you what you THINK you should get even if it's on your list. That Santa gives you what he thinks is best for you.

I loved seeing sparkle in her eye when talking about leaving cookies, milk and something healthy for Santa and then her reaction on Christmas morning when she saw Santa had eaten some of what she left. She loves everything she received and clearly knows which things Santa got her.

Miss R was thrilled about the holiday just based on the sheer excitement around her. She didn't get what was going on, but loved, loved, loved searching for our elf Buddy every morning leading up to Christmas. She has been playing with so many of C's old toys that we didn't have to get her as much but still wanted her to experience the fun of opening presents. And she did.

It was nice this year to wake up in our own house, with our girls, and have our own Christmas memory. I look forward to many more years of Christmas memories with the girls and SP.

Holiday pictures

Lovey

R sure is a lovey little girl. It's not uncommon for her to grab you around your neck and give you a big hug. When she wants to kiss you it's typically in the form of her forehead coming toward your face.

She's smiley and happy and a true joy to be around. Somewhere along the way she's realized her sense of humor and does all kinds of things to make you laugh from playing peekaboo to showing you the food in her mouth.

Her oddest habit and funniest is that she picks between her toes with complete enjoyment. As soon as her socks come off there she goes between her toes picking whatever is there. It's hilarious.

I hope this sense of humor she has lasts forever.