Snow Day!

We woke up this morning to a full -fledged snow storm! I was shocked, as I haven't been paying any attention to the weather forecast lately. Normally I would NOT be happy about a snow storm on March 31, but I am today because it was so bad that Monte couldn't get to work! The snow plow didn't even go by until 2:00 this afternoon.




Isabella is a total cling-on to her daddy when he's around! It's so cute to watch, she has to do whatever he is doing. He's been studying like crazy for his upcoming insurance licensing exam on Friday. He took his crop insurance exam about a month ago and passed, that is what his background is in. So he is nervous about his upcoming propery/casualty test since he has no background in that. He was glad to get an extra day of studying in today, but Isabella was never very far away!

The Weekend

My parents decided to make a trip out here, they came yesterday evening and left this afternoon, it was so good to see them. My mom makes it out here quite often, but my dad is usually busy with farm work, so I was glad he could come out this time! They brought Isabella this toddler table, which she is very excited about, and I love it because the top lifts off, it's got lots of storage in it. They also brought A LOT of new clothes for Isabella, I'm so excited! My mom (the bargain shopper) hit an awesome sale, she brought me two huge bags of clothes, size 12 months - 4T!

She got in on an end of winter clearance, and bought each complete outfit for 70 cents to a dollar! Is that amazing or what! They're all just as cute as this little camo outfit, but Daddy likes this one the best. This outfit, along with 4 others she got, is size 12 months. Now I'm freaking out a little because I went shopping for some summer clothes for her a couple of weeks ago and bought all 24 month clothes! If she doesn't go through a major growth spurt, they are going to be way too big. I don't know if I should take them back or not, it's so hard, it seems like every brand is different (some run small, some run big). Speaking of clothes, here is a picture of Isabella in her Easter dress, size 6-9 months!

I actually feel like I got a lot accomplished this weekend (believe me, I usually don't get a lot accomplished in a weekend). I've been in a complete spring cleaning mood lately. Friday night I cleaned out our bedroom closet while listening to Lorie Line radio on Pandora.com. It was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. Listening to Lorie Line makes me want a piano SO bad, I also got to play at my sister's last week, I can't wait until we can buy one someday. I don't think it will be anytime soon, though. I got rid of a garbage bag of my clothes and a tote full of purses (purses are my weakness, although diaper bags and big tote bags are slowly taking that over)! And now the once pathetic looking closet with things thrown every which way looks so wonderful, and nicely organized that I leave the closet doors open just to admire it! I also cleaned out Isabella's toy box, I packed up all her really "baby" toys (rattles, teethers, etc.) Sniff, sniff . . .

And today, after my parents left, I got to work on Isabella's closet. It was in the worst state of any of them! I should have taken before and after pictures. I knew I had to do it on the weekend while Monte was home, because she was a little too much "help". I finally had to shut the door and not allow her to come in, then it went a lot faster. It often seems like she was just a tiny, little baby, but yet today while I was packing away all of the baby things, it felt like forever since we used them. I found our Baby Bjorn carrier, which hasn't been used since last summer, and Isabella found this pacifier she used as a newborn. We thought it would be funny to take a picture of our big girl with her baby stuff before packing it away to hopefully be used again someday. Doesn't she look like a big, goofy giant!

Kissing Cousins

Moving in for the kiss!

Later in the day, they were at it again.

Two pigtailed girls.

I thought this was just too cute! They both wanted to sit in the rocking chair, they started hugging and kissing. They were doing it for so long I had plenty of time to grab my camera. I talked to my sister last night, she said ever since we left, Rachel has been walking around the house saying, "Anga?", "Baby?", just like she is looking for us. We are missing her too!

What a Day!

Do you ever have those days where you have all sorts of things you want to get done, and it ends up being the most unproductive day ever?! Our internet has been down for the past few days, so I called right away this morning. I literally spent Isabella's entire 3 hour morning nap on the phone being put on hold and talking to IT support. I finally asked if someone could come out, and they told me I had to bring our computer to them (for those of you imagining me carrying a pc AND a baby into the phone company - not to worry- it's a laptop:) ). So when Isabella got up, I loaded her and the computer up and spent a good chunk of time waiting at the phone company where I was told our computer was fixed. I got it home, only to find we still had no internet. So I spent more time on the phone, and finally the guy said, "Why don't I just come out." Yes, thank you! All of this took place over a period of 8 hours, so that was my day. But now we have the internet again, and for that I am thankful.

Packing Up

Isabella and I have been enjoying the past few days at my sister's house. Both the girls are sleeping now so I just packed up and we'll be leaving after lunch to go home. I think I speak for quite a few moms when I say that as fun as it is to go somewhere, it's always good to get home and get your child(ren) back into their routines and their own beds. The first night away is always the hardest for us. We had a long, fun day at Monte's sister's for Easter. Isabella didn't get any naps until the car ride here to my sister's in the evening. She had a hard time settling down and didn't get to bed until 9:30 (she goes to bed at 7:00 at home)! And my sister was the one who got her to go to sleep (Isabella LOVES my sister). And why is it that the later a child goes to bed, the earlier they wake up?? I knew she would be getting up early, but she was up for the day before 5:30 a.m! I am definitely not used to that, I was borderline comatose for the rest of the day. In fact, I fell asleep rocking my niece a few hours later!

The cousins are having so much fun this time! I can't believe how much my niece talks (she's only two months older than Isabella). We thought Isabella could say a lot, but Rachel says everything - honestly she can say any word you ask her to, it's amazing! She even says Isabella (Bella) and she calls me Anga. It's so cute to watch them play, they just sit on the floor handing toys back and forth to each other, and as each one gets handed a toy they say "thank you". Precious. Of course there were also a couple of spats over a doll stroller and a big, fat lip for Isabella (although that had nothing to do with Rachel, just her own clumsiness led her straight into the path of a rocking chair). And they must be really wearing each other out, because after our first night here, they've both been sleeping a lot. And taking naps at the same time - it's glorious!

First MOPS

Isabella and I attended our first MOPS meeting today. I was quite nervous with the thought of leaving her all morning at the little daycare they have there. We have never left her with anyone other than family members and Sister. I didn't know how she would react, but that little girl made me one proud mama! She just stood there with wide eyes as she watched other moms leaving as their babies were crying, and I was just sure she would do the same. I was waiting for it, but nothing happened. She just stood there and stared at me as I left (she was probably in SHOCK). When it was time to go, I went in there and she was playing so nice. I asked one of the ladies how she did, and she said she was great. I asked, "Did she actually play with any of the other kids?" And she told me that she played with them great, and that she must have older siblings at home. I couldn't help but laugh. She also said they always knew what she wanted because she would come up to one of them and do her signs (apparently she ate A LOT while she was there:) ).

Anyway, it was a good day, I'm glad I decided to go, and I think we'll continue to go. I met lots of nice SAHM's. And the best part was that I met a lady from our town (MOPS is in a bigger town about 20 miles from us) that said there's a group of 20+ SAHM's that get together with their kids every morning at the park during the spring and summer! That's a lot, considering how small our town is. I doubt we'll go every single day, but it definitely will be fun!

Cure for a Mullet

Update

There hasn't been a whole lot of blog worthy things going on lately. We are now in the midst of winter again, as our few days of spring type weather are gone! It snowed all day yesterday, and I guess the roads were pretty icy. This morning we woke up to a few more inches of snow that fell in the night, and are now snowed in, since the snow plow just went by and made a nice, tall ridge of snow at the end of our driveway. I don't think I can scoop it all out, so Monte will have to park on the street and snow blow when he gets home tonight. I was thinking of making some edible play dough for Isabella to play with today. Since we were also snowed in yesterday, we spent the majority of the day doing this. She's at a fun age where she really likes to "help". Whenever I cook or bake now, she sits on the counter and watches me and helps stir. I moved her book nook out to the kitchen for the day, since that's where we spent most of our time yesterday. I want to get a book shelf for all her books, but yet I also like having them in the basket, that way I can just move the basket to wherever I am.

She's getting to be such a big girl, she picks up all her toys and books and puts them away whenever I ask her to (and she loves getting praised for it)! She also learned the sign for "help me" and I'm still not sure if that's good or bad yet, because now she needs help with EVERYTHING. And now, if she says she needs help and I won't help her because I know she can do it herself, she comes over to me and gives me a big smooch on the cheek and does the sign for I love you. So of course I think that's THE sweetest thing ever, and in turn help her with whatever she wants.

As far as an update on this (yikes, I have a lot of links today) we haven't had any problems since that night. I sat down that very night and read the book, Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood (the website is here) and I have to say it changed my entire outlook, I am SO much more relaxed now, and don't get frustrated at all. My mom and sister-in-law introduced me to the concept, the school where my mom teaches put on a Love and Logic workshop. I realize Isabella's young, and she'll have more tantrums to come, but this book gave me exactly what I needed, the tools to prevent and deal with tantrums and misbehaviour.

We have a busy rest of the week with Holy Week activities and Easter, then I will be taking care of my niece again next week, so I may be away from here next week. Isabella and I will be back just in time to work at our Church Festival next Friday, I just picked up the work sheet and see my job is a waitress! Hmmm, that should be interesting to do while toting Isabella around, or trying to watch her as she maneuvers around the crowd. It's during the day, so Monte will be at work and everyone else I know in this town also has to work at it, so she'll have to come with me. I'm not sure why they're having it on a weekday.

She's getting harder to keep track of

Yesterday, my mother-in-law came down and met us for lunch and shopping at the mall. Isabella likes being in the stroller, and did really good. But after a while she just wanted to get down. This was our first trip to the mall since she started walking, and that girl is hard to keep track of! She was walking all over, making googly eyes at all the old ladies. She was carrying her blanky the whole time, and tripping over it, running into things, falling down . . . Needless to say, she and I were both exhausted by the time we got home.

One of those mornings

Do you ever have one of those mornings where you feel like it is physically impossible for you to get out of bed, and you're just sure at one point during the day you're going to pass out? This is me, this morning, I'm always tired in the morning, but I haven't felt like this since Isabella was a newborn. I'll take it as a sign I need to start getting to bed earlier, and for now, I think a nice big cup of coffee is calling my name.

Cheese is a Funny Word

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From Sweet Baby to Tantrum Throwing Toddler

. . . and all in just one day! I remember at Isabella's one year checkup, the pediatrician said babies start throwing tantrums right around one year. It was hard to even imagine my sweet baby doing something like that. Well imagine no more, Angela, today was the lucky day! We spent the majority of the day outside, having a great ol' time, and a certain someone was having so much fun that when it was supper time she decided she was NOT going to go inside. This was her first time of really, deliberately being naughty. And to be honest, I'm emotionally drained right now. Of course in my brain (which tends to completely overreact and which I claim to have no control over all the overreacting) I'm thinking Oh my gosh, she threw a tantrum, what now, we have to get this under control NOW, I don't want her to be an out of control girl, that turns into an out of control teenager, blah, blah, blah). I know - like I said, I overreact, I am aware and thank goodness I have Monte to keep me grounded! I talked to my mom about it, and she said we shouldn't have punished her, that she is too little, and that we just need to redirect her because she's at an age where you can very easily distract her. We will try that next time (hopefully there won't be too many next times). Also, I think I better start reading this book that has been in my "need to read" pile for quite some time. Anyone else have any good advice?

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Finally! A wonderful day outside! Isn't it funny how 41 degrees in the fall feels SO cold, but in March you think it's so warm you don't even wear a coat. Don't worry, Isabella still had her winter gear on. :) Our neighbors have a swing set that they don't use because their kids are grown, they were going to take it down, but decided after Isabella was born that they would leave it up for us to use. How nice! So she and I went swinging today for the first time since this past fall. We don't have her baby swing up yet, so she sat on my lap in the big swing. It was so much fun, she just giggled the whole time. Then she had her first experience blowing bubbles, I wish I had a video. Every time I would blow bubbles she would gasp, like it was the greatest thing she had ever seen in her life! And the best news of all - it's supposed to be even nicer out tomorrow!

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More Indoor Fun

First of all, I can't believe we actually did this. I'm not exactly fond of anything that I know is going to make a huge mess. But things change when you have kids, and I'm getting much better about "letting things go", or maybe I should say I'm getting more relaxed about this whole parenting thing, messes can always be cleaned up, right? While I do love this age, I also find it a little hard to come up with things to do. She's not into really baby things anymore, yet still too little for a lot of activities. I can't wait to do "crafty" things with her as she gets older. This was our first attempt at finger painting. Since I knew she would try to eat it, I made a package of instant vanilla pudding and used food coloring to tint it. I taped construction paper to her high chair tray, and away she went. The pudding worked great, it dried nicely overnight, and is now proudly displayed on the fridge. (The first of many to come, I'm sure) :)

What?! I can put my hands in this stuff!

Mmmm, delicious!

Thanks Mom, this was fun!

Ready for Spring

The last couple of weekends have been beautiful, temperatures in the upper thirties. Almost all our snow melted this past weekend, and we got to take Isabella outside to play. Now this morning we woke up to this scene out our living room windows. I do think that falling snow is beautiful, but to me it's a little bit more beautiful around Christmas, and not as much in March.

I was trying to think of some activities I could do with Isabella, since we have been stuck inside so much. She loves to go for stroller rides, and I was seriously considering going "mall walking" today, but that's an almost 30 minute drive and I already have to go to town tomorrow, so it would be a waste of expensive gas! So I came up with plan B. I know, it's weird, but hey I'm desperate and Isabella loved it, and I still got a little excercise out of the deal.

One vehicle was gone and I moved the other one outside, and Isabella went for a stroller ride in the "dirty, needs spring cleaning" garage. We did several "laps" around, and she and I both enjoyed it!

Staying Home

I was flipping through the stations tonight trying to find something to watch while working out (unfortunately a rare occurrence these days) when I came across this show. I was intrigued, and decided to watch it. I realize this is a bit of a hot topic, but after watching this it's no wonder some people look down on stay at home moms. Let me just say I am not criticising working moms, I was one and know some wonderful moms that have to.

The point of the show, in their own words, is that women give up their dreams and put their life on hold to have children. According to the show, these women get to see what they missed out on by having kids. They let the women have their dream job for a week, and at the end of the week they decide if they want to continue working or stay at home. In tonight's episode, the woman ended up taking the job to become a fashion designer. She kept saying how now she finally felt fulfilled, also her husband said he knew there was something missing in her life, something he couldn't ever give her. I think this must be how the majority of society thinks. Why does society make women feel inadequate for staying home? And what about the women like myself whose dream is to stay home with their children and don't feel their lives are being put on hold? I think I'm in the best time of my life right now, I don't want it to end!

Annoyed

Seriously Mom, do you have to take my picture again !

She's all girl

Since Isabella doesn't need this anymore to get around, but she still likes trying to carry all her trinkets, I made her a little purse/tote last night. She even brought it to Church with her this morning with her rosary and some books in it.

Monte and I were talking yesterday about how different it's going to be if we ever have a boy (and I hope we do). Isabella loves to watch me get ready, do my hair, put makeup on, and then I pretend to put a little blush on her. She loves having her hair brushed (the little that she's got :). And she spends a good portion of her day playing with her baby dolls, feeding them, patting them, hugging and kissing them, making sure they are covered up with blankets, etc. Like I said, hopefully we'll add at least one boy to our family someday, but if that's not in store for us, I will gladly take more girls as well! And for now we'll just keep on playing babies and doing our hair! :)