Awakenings

I prefer to call milestones "awakenings." It makes more sense to me. It just seems as if when babies are born their brains are asleep and as they grow, it wakes up. For instance, when they learn they can see you and smile. There is finally a connection there that tells mommy "hey, I see you...finally....and I can do something that shows I am coherent." Rolling over, crawling or scooting, walking, eating on their own - all awakenings. It is so cool to see them figure those things out too - I love it when they wake up.

Currently for P, it is all about communicating effectively. She is starting to understand manners are manners because they get you somewhere. The latest on our list has been saying "excuse me" when you want someone's attention. She, being the egocentric 3 year old that she is, would just get louder and louder when she wanted your attention. It is still a work in progress...but, I am very proud of her when she remembers on her own. little sweetie.

This, though, was one of those awwwe moments. I was in her room getting her ready for bed. This was our conversation:

P: mommy?
me: yes, my love?
P: can you do me a favor??
me: of course, what would you like? (giggle, giggle, smile, awwwwe in my mind)
P: could you get me a glass of water?
me: yes!

I went downstairs just smiling to myself because she had never asked for a "favor" before. What is up with that? That part of my daughter's brain about communicating effectively is starting to stretch in bed. Now, I know the shades aren't up yet because she still screams and yells, but the alarm clock is going off for sure. She said that she was mad at me today because I was mad at her for dumping dog water all over the floor. She said that Ethan did it first and that I should put him in time -out and that is wasn't fair. WHAT? Who are you? Has my child been abducted and an alien child is using her body as a host? NOOOO. She is just growing up. :( No really, I am very happy about it and think it is uber cute most of the time.

Mother's Day

I have been a mother for 3 years, and it is still weird when I get a card or a gift on Mother's Day. This year hubby gave me beautiful flowers, some cash to go shopping for new clothes (what? tired of my ratty t-shirts and man pants?), and a lovely card. He said he didn't like the pre-arrangements and actually picked each flower out himself. Seriously? What a guy. Not sure what I did to deserve him!!

My mom and my sis-in-law gave me something "hinting" at something too. D gave me some Slimwear lotion that is supposed to reduce cellulite and my mom gave me a grilling basket for vegetables. hmmm..what are they trying to say?

This year we went out for a nice brunch at Confluence Park. We had table by the window so we could overlook the river and see the downtown skyline. The day was beautiful, so the view was lovely. After brunch we visited the cemetaries where my Grandmother W. and my Grandma B. are buried. We always leave flowers and visit the "greats" too. I love cemetaries. They are so peaceful and beautiful . Watching P and her cousie Annie run through the graveyard was very cute - and I think the actual feeling of quiet and sadness lifted. Almost as if the spirits were happy to see children run and play...I dunno, it was really cool. Grandmother W. is buried out in Reynoldsburg and Grandma B. is buried at Union Cemetary by Riverside Hospital. I always felt that Grandma B. was close when I had my two children - and I know that they both visited when I had them. But, that is another story, another day.

After we went to the cemetaries we went to mom and dad's to hang out and have a cookout. P and bubbies made Grammies a bird bath and got drenched when they filled it with water for her. I was thinking about making one for myself, but seeing how the children loved to play with it and play in the water, I think I'll wait until they are older. I would hate for it to break and then the wee ones get injured by sharp terra cota pot pieces.

Today I am tired. I wish I got a nap yesterday. :)

Happy Birthday Peyton!

My daughter is three years old. Three! She has changed so much each year that it is difficult to keep up with her. I am currently dealing with the fact that she wants to do everything herself and has a difficult time taking "direction." Me being the control freak that I am has a hard time letting her do her own thing and make her own decisions. I need to lighten up. I want to have fun with my evolving neanderthal, not be in a battle over wits or clubs. Hubby tells me that the art of offering choices is a study that should not be ignored. Friend Heather recently reminded me that being a "yes" parent makes life much easier and your child much happier. Mix the two together and I shouldn't have to face another time-out, right?! Well, I am currently practicing both mixed in with a little, or a lot of my own no's, stops, don't do thats, and not nows. Hopefully my recipe for discipline will turn out like a french silk pie and not a cowpie. Cross your fingers for my success in parenting a three year old.

It just is so baffling to me how much I need to change. It makes sense, I mean she is changing by the minute and I need to keep up and be sure I am doing the most I can for her at her developmental stage. For one, I don't have to be her only entertainment - she pretend plays and has fun by herself reading or playing, and that is hard for me because I like her needing me. I know she still needs me immensely, but it isn't the same. Since she is getting the hang of potty-training that is one more area where my help will be a memory....not so sad about that, but to think I'll never be changing Dora pull-ups again in the near future makes me tear up a bit.

Miss P is such a sweetie when it comes right down to it. I am very lucky to have her as my daughter. She holds a very special place in my heart that noone else will - and I will never give up the key. Her determination, imagination, intelligence, and kindess amaze me everyday. She loves her family, her friends, and her two stinky dogs. Everyday she HAS to wear princess shoes and a dress. Many times I have had to bribe her into thinking a shirt is a dress or into wearing a skirt because it is like a dress. She complains if I sneak veges into her quesdillas, but will munch on raw carrots and inhale broccoli like it is going out of style. I think it is the whole "what pleases me today attitude." Every little princess at three has it, I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Peytie-pants. Mommy loves you more than the use of her arms and legs.