Personal Holiday

Yes, we are still in the land of the living...or as I like to call it back from the Twilight Zone. I used up my 'personal days' last week I think. My own mini-vacation from cooking, cleaning, laundry, and even taking care of my child (I use that term loosely in case there are any DHS employees reading this by chance). MC woke up last Monday not feeling well....then the rainstorms hit. I didn't even need to go to the grocery store (again, cause and effect of the lack of cooking). We never left the house last week! MC helped me out too by sleeping alot (I blamed it on the weather at first, then not feeling well, teething perhaps, then chalked it up to a growth spurt).

So this morning, I decided it was time to get back on schedule. Last night, MC was so fussy I put her to bed early at 7 pm. I missed the Pilates class because I woke up at 9 am! 9:15 am I decided I better go check on her since I haven't heard a peep. You can imagine the thoughts that run through a mother's head. Maybe she fell out of the bed and hit her head, maybe she has respiratory problems. I had to WAKE her up from a dead sleep at 9:15!!! 14 hours and 15 minutes and she was STILL asleep. I called Mom (who by the way is on her way with Dad to New Hampshire) to ask if something was wrong with MC. She laughed and said, "Like mother like daughter!" Then I reminded myself that I could sleep almost 24 hours back in the day when the time called for it. Who's complaining, right?

We had Ladies Night here Saturday. I can't tell you how much fun it was to hang out with JUST girls/other moms with no kids, eat ice cream and chocolate, talk, and ATTEMPT to watch a good movie. We attempted, but we just couldn't stop talking (and I mean that in a good way). At 11:30 pm, it felt like a slumber party! Again, personal days are the BEST! :)

A New Look

I got a new "look" tonight. I thought I had seen them all. This one broke my heart and I just need to get it off my chest so to speak:

Mati Claire saw me refilling her humidifier so of course went running into her room to play with the water in the base of it. I yelled from the sink, "do NOT play in the water Mati Claire!!!" Which I knew she was going to anyway. A few seconds later I went into her room and found her wiping the water all over the wall (near outlets I might add) so I REALLY yelled at her. Yes, I spoke before I thought and "in the moment." She then looked up and gave me a "look." It was the sweetest, most sincere tears welled up sorry look and said "I didn't know" while holding her hands up...as if it were a question. The words came out in a studder because she was about to cry and she tucked her bottom lip in...and in a tone that I've never heard. The "I didn't know" was of course not true...she knew alright. But that's not what got me so upset. I hope I never see this look again. I over-reacted a bit, but the scene still needed some discipline. I immediately started crying myself.

Then I was reminded of Sunday School this past week. Mr. L was referring to our parents telling us as children that a spanking would hurt them more than us. As children, we don't get it. For the first time, I understand. I didn't even spank her. I was so upset that I couldn't! Like I said, I had never seen that look on her face before.

She has the "Allen" look and her "Matt" look (all of which have something to do with the eyebrows), and I've even seen a glimpse of Aunt Rachel for one split second. But this one was ALL Mati Claire... and it broke my heart. I can't tell you how many times I told her I love her before putting her to bed.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

This new-found conversation capability has really thrown me. Here was our conversation on the way home from church Sunday:
Me: Did you have fun in church today?
MC: It was okay.
Me: Just okay?
MC: Yeah. (in a sorrowful voice)

Simply Beautiful

Check out Mati Claire's new high-chair cover made by the wonderful Trendy Stitch -er Mrs. Pamela aka Simply Schoggen. 'Sew' pretty! Trust me, there will be NO spaghetti or taco soup touching this one. Love it! Thanks, Pam!

Okay Okay. I know I have to redeem myself after the last post! That picture was actually unintentional. Someone told me that she would get me back later in life. So here's a better picture of my sweetie. She has quickly learned to pose for the camera now and say "cheese!" New words of the week are "peek-a-boo" and "cookie" (prounced kinky). Who knew I had kinky cookies??? ha!

I probably won't post at all this week since I'm working 3 FULL 12 hour days! What was I thinking? I worked 2 1/2 days this week, and I have spent all day getting caught up on housework...not cleaning...just dishes and laundry. The toys have exploded in my living room and I can't seem to pick them all up before they return. I am quickly reminded of why I decided to stay home. I didn't work at all in February and most likely won't in April after this week. Old habits die hard.

Cousin Kendall came over to play today. They are hilarious together! I think MC was so excited to have company that she didn't know what to do...so she went crazy! Kendall was nice considering MC did not like to share! Any tips to teach that talent?

Who says?

Dr. Russell says I'm just physically mature for my age! ;)

How times have changed!

This is by far the best $25 I've spent in a long time (courtesy of Amazon.com). However, I don't recommend it without an air pump. I told Matt he had no idea I was full of that much air! I've had a headache ever since blowing the Jump-O-Lene up! But worth it. It doubles as an inside trampoline or ballpit. MC loves it! She wakes up in the morning saying "ball...ball...ball? ball."

The time change threw us for a loop Sunday. I had a baby shower in Brandon Saturday night and didn't get home until 11 pm...forgetting to change my clock...therefore waking up much later than we thought on Sunday. How can only 1 hour make such a big difference??? Then I got to thinking how times really have changed around here. I can have almost a real conversation with MC, I can "rest" my eyes on the couch while she plays, and she minds me for the most part. I wake up to "Mommmmeeeee." It's gone from Mahi to Ma to Momma...now Mommy. Love it! I can't believe she turned 20 months old Sunday. She's growing up so fast.

Happy Anniversary to my parents yesterday...they've been married 36 years! Matt and I are so lucky to still have parents together today. My parents married 6 days after my Dad's birthday, and we got married 6 days after Matt's birthday! I think time doesn't change everything!

Been Awhile

Yes, it's been awhile since I've last posted. Sorry. Gigi is here and we are staying busy!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Have you ever sat in front of your child wondering 'it's been awhile since I've noticed actual progress' ? And it's probably because you see them all day everyday that you don't "see" them growing even though they are leaping inches every month! You know what I mean? Example: I was feeding her lunch the other day thinking to myself that she hasn't really taken any big steps lately (in the sense that I was referring to). Then the next morning I went to get her out of her crib and she's taken her shirt off without unsnapping it and it's still right-side out (hmmm...), she has a ton of new vocabulary words, and she has imaginary friends! It's like she grew up overnight. All in 1 day! It's amazing.

She talks to her bouncy ball. She talks to "someone" sitting in the chair. She tells everyone in Hobby Lobby "hi...bye". And I do mean everyone. She has not shut her mouth in 2 days. She talks to anyone who will listen and if no one will, she'll talk to her toys. They listen well. Her word for the day yesterday was APPLE! I mean ap-bul. Today, it's COW. I mean COOOOOWWWWW. It now has about 3 syllables. Seriously, she attemps to say whatever you tell her to.

Anyway, I know yall probably don't care about this stuff. But it's so exciting for a first-time mother! If I can get a video of her talking to the ball I will try to post that...it's hilarious.

Mom and I made a delicious meal last night. We went to Fresh Market, and bought fish! I am NOT a fish eater - unless it's fried catfish. So I kept an open mind and I'm still attempting to diet. We bought tilapia and orange roughy. Put it in a skillet of olive oil, lime juice, and basil! Delish! I baked some asparagus and converted Mom into an asparagus-lover! Added some brown rice. For roughly $15, we had dinner for 4 in under 25 minutes. That's like $4 per person that would have cost close to $50 at a nice restaurant! What's for dinner?