Not a lot of new news on the sleep/potty-training front. We DID manage to get Gracie to go to sleep without us in the room... though I hesitate to say that because that will sure enough cause it to change tonight, and she'll need us in there again. It did take one good night of crying... on her part and on mine... but we might have rounded that corner. A little benadryl here and there never hurts. Hey, I did see her nose running a little. Just a little. And, we did manage to get about 3 nights in a row where she didn't wake up screaming, "DADDY DADDY DAAAAAAAAADY!!!" Why is it that even though she screams for him, I have to go up every other time?! Anyway, we did get three good nights of sleep until last night, when I, out of habit I suppose, woke up at 2:00. And could not, would not, go back to sleep. I tossed and turned and tossed some more, till finally at 4:30 I drifted off. For 15 minutes. I was awakend at 4:45 to, "DADDY DADDY DAAAAAAADY!!!!" Now, granted, it was his night to get up with her. But since I was already going on 4 hrs, 15 min of sleep, I thougth I'd do him a favor and go check on her. That, and I felt a little guilty that my tossing and turning woke him up for about an hour straight. Anyway, I got her back to sleep in under 10 minutes, then went ahead and got ready for the gym. In my dilusional state I figured I would feel worse not working out, and getting just about an hour more sleep, than working out on 4 hours of sleep. So off I go to the gym, and feel nauseous the entire time, but determined to get though it and try to squeeze in a nap sometime later in the day. When the girls were babies I used to joke that I was so tired I felt nauseous. Jeff never believed me, but I swear that's how tired I was. Anyway, I did manage a 30-minute cat nap today between dropping Lainey off at school and picking Gracie up, and I felt like a new girl!! I went grocery shopping, played with the girls, I'm writing... amazing what a little sleep can do!
I have already warned Jeff that I will be taking a little white pill to help me go to sleep tonight... immediately after dinner... and am looking forward to hopefully one more good nights sleep before its my turn to get up again. But I really do feel like we're making progress in Gracie's quest to keep us sleep-deprived, and I see an end in sight!
As for the potty training... that's about as far away as I thought the sleeping was at this time last week. She has made it clear that under no circumstances is she giving up her diaper, even going so far as to almost being able to change it herself. (Bad, I know!) But the kid has to be potty-trained to go to summer camp, so she's getting trained one way or another! I'm hoping one of the grandparents will offer that up as her birthday present... hint hint!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The terrible 2's blues!!
When, oh when, will Gracie be potty trained? And when, PLEASE when, will she stop waking up at night... for hours at a time?! As they say, this too shall pass... or shall it?
The girls are alike in so many ways... sensitive to a fault, emotional at the drop of a hat, best friends and worst enemies (already). And yet, they are so completely different in so many ways. When I was in the depths of sleep-deprivation despair with Lainey, I thought it would never end. Will she ever sleep through the night? What seemed like forever was actually only 6 weeks... at the 6-week mark she slept through and never looked back. Fast forward two years to potty training time. We decided one weekend to give it a shot, and she did it. Piece of cake. And while friends would tell me of their kids getting out of their beds at night to come crawl in bed with them... I was slightly envious to have one of these little slumber parties as Lainey, in 4 years, has never even seemed to know you could get out of bed in the middle of the night. Kinda funny when we think about it!
And then we have my head-strong second born! At the 6-week mark with her, I just knew she would follow in her sister's tiny footsteps and come through for us. Didn't happen. With each passing week, I went to bed each night with hope that *this* would be the night. Not only did it not happen at 6 weeks, it didn't even happen at 6 months! Try a YEAR. That was a looooong year! And potty training? Don't even think about it. As we are approaching her 3rd birthday, I hear the grandparents and family's questions (to her, always) more and more frequently, "When are you going to stop wearing diapers?! When's your mommy going to potty train you?!" Believe me, I'm so ready to stop buying diapers its not even funny. Do you know how many cute clothes I will be able to buy once my diaper/wipe budget is gone? Unfortunately, we have tried but have had zero luck. I've done exactly what we did with Lainey... bribes of m&m's, promise of popcicles... but to quote Jeff, "She doesn't give a sh*t about rewards!" Its true, she couldn't care less. She wants the candy, but she doesn't care to work for it. She'd rather go without. Its funny to an extent, but it is getting frustrating. And the whole idea of being able to get out of bed that Lainey STILL doesn't know about? Not only does Gracie know about it, she's a pro at it. We're on week two of her getting up either before she goes to sleep to just sit and look over the banister, or get up in the middle of the night and scream at the top of her lungs for me to come get her and either lay down with her or get into bed with me. I feel like I have a newborn again! UGH!! Except this one talks back!
Jeff has reassured me this all will pass... she will not go to Kindergarten in diapers... and she will sleep alone once again... and I know he's right. But you know how when you're deep in the trenches of these situations you don't think they're ever going to end? Like this is your life for the rest of your life? I'm feeling that way just a little right now. Luckily, Gracie has the funniest sayings, cutest smile, and is one of the two best huggers I know. That buys her some time... and some patience from me. She'll need it!
The girls are alike in so many ways... sensitive to a fault, emotional at the drop of a hat, best friends and worst enemies (already). And yet, they are so completely different in so many ways. When I was in the depths of sleep-deprivation despair with Lainey, I thought it would never end. Will she ever sleep through the night? What seemed like forever was actually only 6 weeks... at the 6-week mark she slept through and never looked back. Fast forward two years to potty training time. We decided one weekend to give it a shot, and she did it. Piece of cake. And while friends would tell me of their kids getting out of their beds at night to come crawl in bed with them... I was slightly envious to have one of these little slumber parties as Lainey, in 4 years, has never even seemed to know you could get out of bed in the middle of the night. Kinda funny when we think about it!
And then we have my head-strong second born! At the 6-week mark with her, I just knew she would follow in her sister's tiny footsteps and come through for us. Didn't happen. With each passing week, I went to bed each night with hope that *this* would be the night. Not only did it not happen at 6 weeks, it didn't even happen at 6 months! Try a YEAR. That was a looooong year! And potty training? Don't even think about it. As we are approaching her 3rd birthday, I hear the grandparents and family's questions (to her, always) more and more frequently, "When are you going to stop wearing diapers?! When's your mommy going to potty train you?!" Believe me, I'm so ready to stop buying diapers its not even funny. Do you know how many cute clothes I will be able to buy once my diaper/wipe budget is gone? Unfortunately, we have tried but have had zero luck. I've done exactly what we did with Lainey... bribes of m&m's, promise of popcicles... but to quote Jeff, "She doesn't give a sh*t about rewards!" Its true, she couldn't care less. She wants the candy, but she doesn't care to work for it. She'd rather go without. Its funny to an extent, but it is getting frustrating. And the whole idea of being able to get out of bed that Lainey STILL doesn't know about? Not only does Gracie know about it, she's a pro at it. We're on week two of her getting up either before she goes to sleep to just sit and look over the banister, or get up in the middle of the night and scream at the top of her lungs for me to come get her and either lay down with her or get into bed with me. I feel like I have a newborn again! UGH!! Except this one talks back!
Jeff has reassured me this all will pass... she will not go to Kindergarten in diapers... and she will sleep alone once again... and I know he's right. But you know how when you're deep in the trenches of these situations you don't think they're ever going to end? Like this is your life for the rest of your life? I'm feeling that way just a little right now. Luckily, Gracie has the funniest sayings, cutest smile, and is one of the two best huggers I know. That buys her some time... and some patience from me. She'll need it!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Letter to Me
Oh, Amanda. What were you thinking? I know, you hadn't been out in a loooong time and got caught up in the fun of it all. But, really, did you have to go so overboard?!
For starters, what happened to the 2-drink limit you were going to abide by? "I'm having only 2, and not staying out late. I want to feel good on Saturday." Not so much. I will give you credit that on drink #3, you offered to share with a friend. That was one of the only good decisions you made that night. The two drinks you had after that one you shared ... not the best road to go.
And couldn't you have eaten just a little more over dinner? Friday night was not the time to watch your waistline. Your two slivers of quesadillas were hardly enough to absorb all the alcohol that was flowing. And so much for the waistine... since you had nothing in your stomach that night, you woke up so hungry (and hungover) that you tried THREE different fast-food places to try to feel better. A hamburger, fries, bean burrito, breadstick, and one asian fried dish later... still no relief. So much for that whole "greasy food" theory on curing a hangover. And so much for your diet.
And by the way, dehydration does not look good on you. Sure, you tried on Saturday by drinking loads of gatorade and a gallon of water. Sorry that didn't work out for you. Next time, try to follow that rule you used to follow of drinking one glass of water for every margarita you have. It will pay off the next morning.
I will give it to you... you made a few choices that night that should be commended. You did pop into *a club* to dance with random strangers so you could sober up a little. The dancing won't get you a pat on the back, but not ordering a drink while there was a smart idea. That thirty minutes of going without definitely helped you out. And another good choice that night.... wait, I can't think of any. At the very least, you learned some lessons:
1. You are no longer 21. You shouldn't pretend you can handle to drink like you are. Your 30 something body just doesn't recover like it used to.
2. You really should get out more. That way you won't feel the need to party like its your last night out forever.
3. There is absolutely no need to ask every guy at the bar to take you and your girlfriends' picture. One is more than enough. If you all don't look good in it, that's okay. You're drunk, you're all a little squinty-eyed anyway.
4. After you've had what you said would be your limit, STOP. To be specific, don't think it would be the greatest idea ever to go to yet another bar. The one you're at has all the fun you need.
5. Last, but not least, you remembered how much fun it is to go out with your girlfriends and just let loose. So... do it more often, but with a bit less intensity. Oh, and you've learned to not plan a night out when you have to tutor the next morning. Graphing linear equations is a bitch when you're hungover.
Take care, and come back and re-read this before you go out again!
For starters, what happened to the 2-drink limit you were going to abide by? "I'm having only 2, and not staying out late. I want to feel good on Saturday." Not so much. I will give you credit that on drink #3, you offered to share with a friend. That was one of the only good decisions you made that night. The two drinks you had after that one you shared ... not the best road to go.
And couldn't you have eaten just a little more over dinner? Friday night was not the time to watch your waistline. Your two slivers of quesadillas were hardly enough to absorb all the alcohol that was flowing. And so much for the waistine... since you had nothing in your stomach that night, you woke up so hungry (and hungover) that you tried THREE different fast-food places to try to feel better. A hamburger, fries, bean burrito, breadstick, and one asian fried dish later... still no relief. So much for that whole "greasy food" theory on curing a hangover. And so much for your diet.
And by the way, dehydration does not look good on you. Sure, you tried on Saturday by drinking loads of gatorade and a gallon of water. Sorry that didn't work out for you. Next time, try to follow that rule you used to follow of drinking one glass of water for every margarita you have. It will pay off the next morning.
I will give it to you... you made a few choices that night that should be commended. You did pop into *a club* to dance with random strangers so you could sober up a little. The dancing won't get you a pat on the back, but not ordering a drink while there was a smart idea. That thirty minutes of going without definitely helped you out. And another good choice that night.... wait, I can't think of any. At the very least, you learned some lessons:
1. You are no longer 21. You shouldn't pretend you can handle to drink like you are. Your 30 something body just doesn't recover like it used to.
2. You really should get out more. That way you won't feel the need to party like its your last night out forever.
3. There is absolutely no need to ask every guy at the bar to take you and your girlfriends' picture. One is more than enough. If you all don't look good in it, that's okay. You're drunk, you're all a little squinty-eyed anyway.
4. After you've had what you said would be your limit, STOP. To be specific, don't think it would be the greatest idea ever to go to yet another bar. The one you're at has all the fun you need.
5. Last, but not least, you remembered how much fun it is to go out with your girlfriends and just let loose. So... do it more often, but with a bit less intensity. Oh, and you've learned to not plan a night out when you have to tutor the next morning. Graphing linear equations is a bitch when you're hungover.
Take care, and come back and re-read this before you go out again!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
I'm starting to think...
... there's a reason most moms drive suv's. As I just got my hands on a cute, sporty, make me feel young again car... I have to ponder what I was thinking. Three days into it, and I think I've got it...
Was it when I hadn't even pulled out of the driveway and I felt little feet kicking the back of my seat? I didn't dare tell her to stop; she'd just kick harder. Scoot my seat up any closer and I'll be sucking face with the steering wheel.
Or was it when we were in the car for about 4 hours out of the day yesterday and Gracie cried for oh, 4 of those hours? All her short 3 years knows is "watching movies" while in the car. The new sporty car has no movies. Bummer for her. Even bigger bummer for me and anyone else within ear shot.
I know, it was when I pulled into the girls' schools and realized that suv's outnumbered cars 20:1. There's gotta be a reason for that... and I'm quickly learning why!!
Was it when I hadn't even pulled out of the driveway and I felt little feet kicking the back of my seat? I didn't dare tell her to stop; she'd just kick harder. Scoot my seat up any closer and I'll be sucking face with the steering wheel.
Or was it when we were in the car for about 4 hours out of the day yesterday and Gracie cried for oh, 4 of those hours? All her short 3 years knows is "watching movies" while in the car. The new sporty car has no movies. Bummer for her. Even bigger bummer for me and anyone else within ear shot.
I know, it was when I pulled into the girls' schools and realized that suv's outnumbered cars 20:1. There's gotta be a reason for that... and I'm quickly learning why!!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
About 2007
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Ran a 5K... two in fact.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make them last year, didn't make them this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Two anyones. One had a sweet little boy, one had a sweet little girl. I'm jealous!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, was a good year there.
5. What countries did you visit? Does Vegas count? That's all the traveling I did. Oh, and San Diego.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? free time... and no guilt when I get free time!
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Mmmm honestly my memory is so awful... I don't remember a lot! Lainey's second week of school, when she got out at the carpool lane instead of me walking her in... I do remember that moment. But the date??... I don't even remember the month.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? The 5K's felt REALLY good.
9. What was your biggest failure? "Failure" sounds kinda harsh.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just minor knee, ankle, wrist "injuries" working out. I must be getting old.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My ring is pretty cool.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Lainey's good manners. Gracie's working on it!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Though it doesn't affect me personally, Ms. Unfitney Spears. And her little sister... geez!
14. Where did most of your money go? The girls, and I have proof. I opened an account to use on things I buy for them... I'm cutting back in '08!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Oooooooh do I get THAT excited anymore?!
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Lips of an Angel, Hey There Delilah
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? The same. Very content.
b) thinner or fatter? nip. tuck. thinner.
c) richer or poorer? I'm working more, I'd say richer. And yet I'm spending more, so poorer. About the same I guess.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Writing in my girls' journals. I really slacked this year.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Computer time.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Three Christmas with families, and Santa. Christmas overload!
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? I have 3 loves...
22. What was your favorite TV program? This would be hard. Desperate Housewives, LOST, The Office, and of course Big Brother... (back in February... yea!)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I actually don't HATE anyone.
24. What was the best book you read? Reading Eat, Pray, Love. That's all I've started, and I'm sure I'll be trying to finish it at the end of '08.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Wiggles aren't quite as annoying as I once thought. A few catchy tunes. (If you can't beat em, join em.)
26. What did you want and get? New floors.
27. What did you want and not get? New floors that don't scratch.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Did I see any? Bee Movie is all I can remember, because I saw it last.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 34?! Ouch! Dinner and margaritas, what else?!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less stress!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Same as last year... I do the best I can not to look my age...
32. What kept you sane? Tequila.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Keith bumped Tim down my list.
Ran a 5K... two in fact.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make them last year, didn't make them this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Two anyones. One had a sweet little boy, one had a sweet little girl. I'm jealous!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, was a good year there.
5. What countries did you visit? Does Vegas count? That's all the traveling I did. Oh, and San Diego.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? free time... and no guilt when I get free time!
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Mmmm honestly my memory is so awful... I don't remember a lot! Lainey's second week of school, when she got out at the carpool lane instead of me walking her in... I do remember that moment. But the date??... I don't even remember the month.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? The 5K's felt REALLY good.
9. What was your biggest failure? "Failure" sounds kinda harsh.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just minor knee, ankle, wrist "injuries" working out. I must be getting old.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My ring is pretty cool.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Lainey's good manners. Gracie's working on it!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Though it doesn't affect me personally, Ms. Unfitney Spears. And her little sister... geez!
14. Where did most of your money go? The girls, and I have proof. I opened an account to use on things I buy for them... I'm cutting back in '08!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Oooooooh do I get THAT excited anymore?!
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Lips of an Angel, Hey There Delilah
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? The same. Very content.
b) thinner or fatter? nip. tuck. thinner.
c) richer or poorer? I'm working more, I'd say richer. And yet I'm spending more, so poorer. About the same I guess.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Writing in my girls' journals. I really slacked this year.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Computer time.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Three Christmas with families, and Santa. Christmas overload!
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? I have 3 loves...
22. What was your favorite TV program? This would be hard. Desperate Housewives, LOST, The Office, and of course Big Brother... (back in February... yea!)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I actually don't HATE anyone.
24. What was the best book you read? Reading Eat, Pray, Love. That's all I've started, and I'm sure I'll be trying to finish it at the end of '08.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Wiggles aren't quite as annoying as I once thought. A few catchy tunes. (If you can't beat em, join em.)
26. What did you want and get? New floors.
27. What did you want and not get? New floors that don't scratch.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Did I see any? Bee Movie is all I can remember, because I saw it last.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 34?! Ouch! Dinner and margaritas, what else?!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less stress!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Same as last year... I do the best I can not to look my age...
32. What kept you sane? Tequila.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Keith bumped Tim down my list.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
happy new year!
Okay, so I'm a day late on the happy new year wish. Where is all that free time I thought stay-at-home moms had? Wherever it is, I'd like to find it! Seems there is always something to do. Anyway, as for new year's resolutions, the only one I've made is not to make any this year. By next week, I probably would have forgotten them anyway. I just don't think I can work out anymore than I already do (not that I go above and beyond, but I can get out of bed at 5:30 only so many times per week!) ... I have no time or energy to keep the house any more clean... and my diet is just about as good as its gonna get(as I'm not yet willing to cut back on wine or margaritas... though I am trying to keep it to a weekend event.)
That being said, there are a few changes with the girls I'm trying to do, and though its only day 2 its going okay! I bought into the new cookbook hype of the "hiding veggies" in your kids' food so they'll eat healthier. After just two days, Lainey has had more veggies in her little system than she's had in 3 years (basically, since she gave up jarred baby food. Pickiest eater EVER.) Although I've tried 4 recipes, Gracie has yet to eat any of them. Not that she tastes any veggies in them, because she won't even try. Stubborn, stubborn little one. I'll get her... if Lainey will eat what I'm fixing, anybody will. The latest was a fruit dip... with carrots inside. Lainey helped me make it, and I just told her the orange stuff was a special, secret ingredient. Luckily she didn't ask to lick the spoon before the chocolate was added or she would have turned up her nose for sure! All in all, its going well. Hopefully we can keep it up.... yeah, its only day 2 so we'll see!
Moms of toddlers will probably get what I'm trying to do... there's only so many chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches I can serve without feeling guilty! If its green, my girls won't go near it.
Anyway, 2007 was a good year, but I was so ready for it be over. I'm looking forward to 2008... not really sure why as lots of things are up in the air (are we moving? are we trading in the car? will lainey do okay in kindergarten? will i keep tutoring)... but I'm still excited to see how it all turns out.
Here's hoping you all have a great 2008. And I'm toasting a big ole glass of wine that I can keep on tricking my kids into eating carrot-filled fruit dip!
That being said, there are a few changes with the girls I'm trying to do, and though its only day 2 its going okay! I bought into the new cookbook hype of the "hiding veggies" in your kids' food so they'll eat healthier. After just two days, Lainey has had more veggies in her little system than she's had in 3 years (basically, since she gave up jarred baby food. Pickiest eater EVER.) Although I've tried 4 recipes, Gracie has yet to eat any of them. Not that she tastes any veggies in them, because she won't even try. Stubborn, stubborn little one. I'll get her... if Lainey will eat what I'm fixing, anybody will. The latest was a fruit dip... with carrots inside. Lainey helped me make it, and I just told her the orange stuff was a special, secret ingredient. Luckily she didn't ask to lick the spoon before the chocolate was added or she would have turned up her nose for sure! All in all, its going well. Hopefully we can keep it up.... yeah, its only day 2 so we'll see!
Moms of toddlers will probably get what I'm trying to do... there's only so many chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches I can serve without feeling guilty! If its green, my girls won't go near it.
Anyway, 2007 was a good year, but I was so ready for it be over. I'm looking forward to 2008... not really sure why as lots of things are up in the air (are we moving? are we trading in the car? will lainey do okay in kindergarten? will i keep tutoring)... but I'm still excited to see how it all turns out.
Here's hoping you all have a great 2008. And I'm toasting a big ole glass of wine that I can keep on tricking my kids into eating carrot-filled fruit dip!
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