For those who have talked to Lexa on the phone as she wanders and shows you things. This is what it looks like from our end. In this video, she's showing Opa her fish candy.
Today was a nice warm break and Lexa and I played outside. While working on the driveway, Lexa was happy to distract me by tossing snow at me. When she said it was her turn I was a little leary. Water on her face or cold snow has never gone well. I have to say she surprised me, even when a little fell inside her scarf! That game was getting old and the snow was a little chunky....and I had a shovel in my hand. What more was there to do but make a fort!?
I plan on working on it a bit more. Lexa decorated it after this picture was taken by sticking her colorful pinwheel in the side. It didn't go up easy, I had the foundation row down and a little girl came along and stomped on it. In her defense, she didn't really know what I was doing and she loves to make paths and walk them, but my feelings were hurt non the less. I pouted for a bit and considered not going on, but this Momma persevered.
Later in the day Ashley and Lauren came knocking to ask if we wanted to play outside. There were fresh warm muffins needing to be tasted, so we invited them in instead. Poor Mark....
If you look close enough, you'll spot him under the stuffie pile.
I'm relieved to say, the last three years of pictures are safe! I've been concerned that they'd be lost if this ole computer decides it's too tired to go on. There was no back up... until last night... I worked until 2AM to condense and compile folders that would fit on DVDs, there are now 8 DVDs jam packed of adorable Lexa pics and videos!
Once Ali got used to the snow last year, she loved it! This year is special and I consider it her first real snow because this year she can do more than kick it, she can PLAY in it! The weather turned so quick! The day before it was in the mid teens, but forecast was calling for snow on Sun and true to forecast, it started in the wee hours and snowed for most of the day.
This year Ali made her first snow angel, I'm sure one of many to come. So far I'm guessing she's up to about 20 or so!
First taste of snow
Want some?
Princess Snow Angel
We came in for some popcorn and hot chocolate! Ali insisted on making popcorn.
When we finally got moving (around 10AM), we went to visit Jessica and Jack. I dare think we overstayed our welcome but Jessica is a breath of real air and our conversations, although scattered, are always enlightening.
We finally made it home around 2. Although Ali wanted to come in a flake out for a bit the draw to play with "my friend Ashley" won out. Up the porch she went, knocked on the door and was rewarded with a big hug from Ashley and the two of them traipsing to the back yard to play. As it cooled off, and after Ash got dad's permission, they both came in to watch Pink Panther
Ashley's great with Alexiss and wants to be the big sister. Ali's more than happy to sit and have her hairbrushed. Dinner time was creeping close and our little princesses were still having fun so I asked Ashley if she wanted to stay if her parents said okay. They said okay!
The sat at the small Dora table and ate...and wiggled...and giggled...
It's going to be a post extravaganza today! So much to catch up with; thanksgiving, playing with friends and all around cuteness.
We spent Thanksgiving with Uncle Ron and Aunt Gail. Great food, great people and a great new adventure. Gail gave us the treat of a lifetime, Ali's first horse ride! Dad was more nervous than the horse even.
Gail went up ahead and when we got to the gate.
Gail was soothing Bailey. Poor Bailey was ansty without her herd within
sight. We all patiently waited to see if Bailey was going to allow us
the opportunity, it all respectfully rested on her shoulders. Gail
finally felt that Bailey wasn't bothered enough to call it off.... What a
magical memory!
Introductions and Salutations
Up she goes!!!
The first few rounds with Dad hanging on
Around and Around they go
Ali was a natural at posting. Definition: To rise and fall in rhythm with the horse's movement
at a trot. Posting helps the horse stay in balance and the rider from
bouncing on the horse's back causing discomfort to them both. What a treat for all of us, even Bailey!
It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend, special thanks to our wonderful host and hostess!
Sorry to keep you all waiting to hear about Ali's birthday. It was two days of cooking for an hour an a half of party. heh. It was a good day. Today is the first day I've felt like we've not had to run around to get something done, today.. is a good day. :D
Right off the start we were celebrating Ali's special day. I had the camera ready to go and Mark had rigged up Ali's bedroom door with balloons.
Uncle Ron and Aunt Gail had given Ali her birthday present early. The card had a picture of a cake in the shape of a three with flowers on it. I was determined, if nothing else, Ali would get her cake! I found hard icing flowers that looked the same as on the card on ebay, and Pinterest had a link to instructions to build a number three using round cake pans. It's been a looooong time since I've baked a cake, so Saturday morning after I followed the pictures on the box to add the ingredients and I poured the batter into one round cake pan. Can anyone guess what happened? Anyone? Well, if I had kept going with the directions I would've seen I should've used TWO round cake pans. Whatta mess! I was still determined, so into town I went to get some oven cleaner and another box of cake mix. Voila! Special thanks to Mark for cleaning the oven as I got Ali down for a nap.
I think I did pretty well, all things considered!
A few days prior, we received a parcel from Gramma and Pops, a parcel full to the brim and super heavy. Ali and I Skyped with Gramma and took what felt like the entire afternoon to upack all the goodies. It was a treasure chest that included a tailored princess dress with a wand and tiara to go with it, a tutu and tons of toys and fun goodies and more more more!
After a visit with Courtney and Leroy and before the guests arrived we had a short condensed cupcake celebration with Oma and Opa.
Then it was time to celebrate with friends! Madison and Lily, and Ashley and Lauren. Uncle Matt and Cindi came for the night too!
It was so fun celebrating Ali's birthday with her. It's a gift to share growing up with her and with all of you too. Ali has grown into a caring, curious lively little girl. She's the first to offer comfort when anyone close cries or hurt.
Today was Ali's first day of preschool and all went well. She's been looking forward to school since I volunteered to be on the board. Mind you, going to sit and play during a board meeting isn't the same as going for school, which Ali realized today.
I was there the whole 2 hours, but I was outside the room helping to process paperwork and forms. Ali was there the whole 2 hours, but she was outside the room for the beginning...until she saw the other kids leave the room to go for a tour. Her leaving them was her decision, but them leaving her... she'd have none of it. So she ambled off after the group and was content from there on in!
Yes, I got her a little sophisticated, I dare say nerdy, outfit for the first day. I cute blouse sweater vest, in pink of course, and a pink and black plaid skirt to match! Notice the new smile? It's her photo smile.
These are too cute not to share. She just gets cuter and cuter I tell ya. She was even kinda cute tonight, the second night of not wanting to go to bed. One more hug, one more song...
I got her to sing a song for you! It's the swing song, and one I made up on the fly at the beginning of the year. She likes it...
This one is Ali helping Momma knit her scarf. If you miss it..it's got hearts on it.
"It's my favorite".... everything is Ali's favorite this week.
"I'm Dora Fluttershy Cat" or "I'm Princess Fluttershy Cat"
Today we went to the splash pad park in Strathmore, if only I tried it out earlier in the summer!!!! We weren't planning on it, so Ali put her pretend towel on my shoulder and ran off in her clothes. By the end of it, she was totally soaked, so our Princess Fluttershy Cat rode home nekkid!
Sorry for the whoosh of wind, it's been a windy day.
Other parents always warned me, just when you think you have a handle on things and habits... they change. I appreciate the warning but maybe they should've been a little more selfish about telling me the ripple effect. I didn't realize I was such a creature of habit until Alexiss came along. This week we're on again/off again napping and it's making me absolutely crazy! Mind you, the no nap time usually means poop time.. and sometimes that's more of a break... she takes a long time and is content hanging out in the bathroom with books or the iPad. Today after making peace with the fact that a nap wasn't going to happen...I'm content trying to catch up on dishes. I really need to learn to just go with the flow... being a parent would be so much easier. I do try to remember and respect that she's an individual with thoughts, wants and desires instead of a "mini-me" happy to tag along and do what I want her to.
This past week I was talking to another Mom about "when our kids grow up", it started with her saying that her daughter is creative but also very smart. Being creative and artsy doesn't really cover the bills like, say, being a Dr. I just hope when our time comes, I have the love and strength to let Ali be her and be who she wants be.. and just be happy for her. She does love to create, she loves music, she's smart and mechanically inclined, she's active and has been kicking a soccer ball since before she could walk.
On a good focused day, Alexiss surprised me with a well thought out intended drawing (above) of her going for a walk. I was mesmerized at how good it was. See.. when she takes a nap and eats well, she can do anything.. now that brings me back to nap time or lack thereof... *sigh*
We went into the community hall for the town's Easter do. Alexiss may have gotten the concept of finding eggs and candy, but was distracted by the play ground equipment. We were the last ones to leave! During the breakfast, sermon and kid's group I was overwhelmed at how well behaved Ali is. Then we regrouped and off she went exploring with Dad, it was too sweet not to get a video of.
Here's a common sight, bunny ears (pig-tails) in disarray, no pants and stuff strewn around her. She was having fun unpacking an Easter parcel from Oma...and dontcha know, she had to try on all the clothes... at once!
We had lots of fun with Gramma on Skype, with laptops, there's really no limit...well, you can hug a screen, but it's just not quite the same.
I'm still getting by one day at a time and there's nothing sweeter than a sleeping child, for a few reasons, some selfish. This week Ali and I were hit with a stomach flu but she was such a trouper and managed to understand the concept of a puke-bucket. Poor girl. I can't say enough the wonders of Gatorade and Pedialite for stomach ails, I swear it helps ease that horrible upset tummy feeling and speeds up the last few hours of feeling unwell.
After practicing downstairs and in the house, today Ali's shiny Radio Flyer made it outside for a test ride. Look at her go!
unfortunately there was a little spill, I give you Ali's first bike owie.. complete with pout. She babied the hand all day, holding it up and not using it. Funny, after her bath I didn't put the band aid back on.. and she's totally forgotten all about it.
Today I had to go to work to get my badge and key for remote access replaced. Mark stayed home with Ali. You see, usually I'm good at tracking things in Ali's hands and watching where they fall. Not this time. A friend made me laugh when he called her a magpie, picture her picking up shinys entranced with them and wanting to save them for her own. I looked EVERYWHERE! Cupboards, the drawer at the bottom of the stove, drawers, even shoes.. one by one. Meh, it's a good way to clean a house I suppose.
Today I had a moment when I took comfort in hearing a co-worker tell me that by reading my blog, she can tell I love Alexiss and she likes the Mom that I am. It's refreshing to have a few Moms to talk to honestly about motherhood. Thanks Brenda!
Tonight (and every night) I'm still toying with the idea that there's SOMETHING I can do to get Ali to sleep through the night. The other night the equation was; shirt top tucked in (which is a silly part of the equation, but at this point, I'm not leaving anything out), light off, door closed, snack and I didn't open her door before I went to bed to check on her. Part of that equation was me getting sore and tired and putting Ali in her bed before she fell asleep on me in the rocking chair, it was obvious she wasn't comfortable on me as much as I wasn't comfortable with her on me, it lead to an all out tantrum (a long tantrum)...but you know what!!!?? She slept through the night!! Yes!!! In HER bed!! ALL night!!! First time in months and let me tell you, it was blissful! I wasn't willing to repeat the tantrum part, but repeated the rest last night because I thought I'd hit the jackpot, without the tantrum... no go... sigh.
Tonight, no other mother could tell me I'm doing the right thing and have it hit my heart, as I tried to repeat the part of the equation I wasn't willing to yesterday and get Ali to fall asleep in her bed instead of on me in the rocking chair. She doesn't know to close her eyes and she's horribly stubbornly good at playing like she doesn't understand. So we went through the horrible process of the tantrum, me telling her if she didn't lie down and close her eyes or I was going to leave the room, her still not closing her eyes, me leaving and closing her door, her crying.. me going back in. Trying to reason with a two year old that she can do it, she's a big girl.. and the magic words.. she's super! Before Ali, I was a firm believer in the cry it out way to teach a kid to sleep, now with Ali, with those cries... I'm not so willing anymore, besides, really... what else do I have to do that's so pressing? So, we'll try again tomorrow in her bed. And honestly, I'd have to stand at her door and hold the door closed.
Today I realized the kid show Max and Ruby has lots of truth in it. Max, the young, barely speaking, bunny repeats the same word and want through the episode, Ruby, the care giver and older sister tries to thwart him.. she repeats herself a lot with a bit of a spin...but you know.. she doesn't loose her cool and in the end.. they both get what they want and are both happy. Don't ask me about their parents, seems they aren't around, and Ruby still plays with dolls, so she can't be that old. Maybe bunnies child services or bunny culture is a little different.
Today (and yesterday) I've been craving a cucumber snack in the way (I think) of dear ole Dad... salt on a plate and dip and eat.. mmm mmm
Today, on camera, I captured Ali's silly smile when you ask her to "smile". This is something we just discovered, but we figure she's trying to smile like Momma and doesn't quite have it right. Adorable!
Excuse the long video, I thought she'd interact more, but she just wanted to sit and watch Max and Ruby with Daddy.
I have a post mulling about our smart little Ali, counting to 10! Yes, she does!
But, we're sick this week and I've been spending all my extra brain cells (during Ali's short naps..cuz I'm just numb after bedtime) and she's rousing already from an early bedtime
But, I just can't help but share the cutest ever video of her...
Now, off to take care of her and get some sleep myself...
I think I have to resolve to face facts... Alexiss just isn't a good sleeper. In talking to other Moms with multiple kids, it's just the way it is sometimes and Alexiss isn't a good enough talker to tell me what's going on yet. I've tried food sensitivities, I've trying different down time lengths, different bed times. I've left her lamp on with a soft blue light in it, I've tried darkness, I've tried white noise.. no noise...I even tried putting the sweater I was wearing over her for a blanket last night, thinking it would have my smell and comfort her a bit. Silly, yes, but it tells you how creative and open minded I'm being.. and tells you just how many things I've been trying.
I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve, but I just may have to get it in my head that this is the way it's going to be and be thankful for the good nights, and try to help Alexiss through the rough nights. Getting to sleep can be a problem, but for that, there's a method, it's the staying asleep that I'm out of ideas for. So I'll continue with walking her back to her room and settling her back in and I've got to work on my own sleep pattern and insomniac ways to sneak in a few more hours each night.
I don't want to start asking her what it is that's waking her and use specific words to
put ideas in her head, I'd rather wait until she can voice it and make
me understand. It could be something like a noise, a light.. a dream. Who knows.
The phrase of the week, "Uh oh, wot happend?" with a cute shrug of her shoulders. That's not a spelling mistake, that's exactly how it sounds. She even did it last night on one of her waking spells, half asleep. She drifted off quickly after, making me wonder if this is kinda like a wakeful sleepwalking thing.
We have snow, yes, SNOW! Alexiss refused to go out for a few days when it started. I even brought in a bowl of snow to show her and let her explore the newness of it in the comfort of a warm house. No go. She went as far as to move away from the bowl of snow and look at it in disgust. heheheheh. Now she has fun going outside and kicking the snow, there's been a few chilly puddles to jump in to. When she gets cold, we come inside for a "hot juice". I get a coffee or tea and I've been treating her to a little mug of Latte. The best part of the cold was always coming inside for a hot chocolate and feeling the warmth radiate to all my cold parts.
This is my second week home with Alexiss on an almost full time basis and we haven't killed each other yet. Although, Alexiss has shown talent as an interrogator, using sleep deprivation as a tactic. Poor girl, poor me, she continues to wake through the night, although it seems she's transitioning from a 3:00 am wake-up to a 1:00 am wake-up, and yes, the transition meant a few nights with both! I used to be able to catch up on weekends but she's started crying or making her way to the closed bedroom door and it's enough to stir me out of sleep, after a few attempts I've given in to just waking up.
We tried potty training last week with a successful morning and not so successful afternoon. Instead of adding the trama of making it a fight, I relented and we're back to diapers. Mind you, I'm fortunate enough that she's been pooping in the toilet for months. Part of me relenting was to ensure she doesn't revert into pooping in her diaper as well. I know it seems a little early, but she's really not enjoying her diapers anymore. Oh well, I thought I'd give it a go and... it didn't. We'll try again some other time, when she's watched Elmo's Potty video a few more times and we can sing the songs together. heh.
Thanks to Pinterest.com I've had some fun things to do... for Alexiss and for Mark. There's all kinds of home organization ideas, Do it Yourself projects and great ideas for kids including crafts and sensory play. A few weeks ago I had no idea what "sensory play" was! It was just play-doh, messy fun and exploring! They have a name for everything these days, even visiting friends is now "play dates". The moms around here must think I'm so out of touch!
Yesterday we had fun playing with baking soda and colored vinegar, fizz fizz fizz.
Well, I know we announced upon her birth that she's a girl, and sometimes she is.... when it comes to hair and getting nail polish on her toes, her untaught love of pink, but sometimes the tomboy comes out and the rocks go into her pockets, the dirt goes onto her face and anything gets climbed. What a great balance!
Oh.. and I'm sad to say "belbows" is now "elbows". It's tough, I know as a parent it's my responsibility to grow her and let her grow, she can't say "belbow" forever! I mean, what would her first boyfriend think!
We had company a few weekends ago, Mark's good friend Ryan, his wife Linda and their 21 month old, Violet! What a fun weekend, doing nothing and everything. We went to a park in Strathmore and played in the leaves.
Whew, so much to tell, but I don't want to ramble too much, I mean.. you poor people have to READ it all! So, now onto pictures and maybe, just maybe I'll get better at updating more often with little tidbits. Like last week, when she was at Bev's, I guess the toy of the day was the shower! Alexiss and Aurora would get into the shower and pretend to wash, then get out and giggle. Of all the toys.... the shower! Or how last week at the grocery store, she was getting fidgety, so I gave her a noisy box of alpha pasta to shake shake shake... and when that got boring, without me catching on, she opened it and started to munch on the uncooked pasta. She was thoroughly enjoying it... and the cashier got a kick out of it too, even amid the A's and B's that fell to the floor! And I swear... I had just fed her before we left! Or the night Mark left the cap to her bottle on the night stand, upon her 3:00 wake-up, she so coyly pointed to her bottle cap and shrugged her shoulders, bewildered as to where her bottle was. I couldn't help but indulge her in a little night time snack after laughing.
Okay, now I'll give your poor eyes a break and a treat!
As a family, we saw the last of summer out with a bang.... and boy and I tired!
I bought Alexiss some early birthday presents to help keep her busy, a small tote for water play and pouring practice indoors, some play doh AND some washable finger paints. Whew... then all the walks and trip to the park on top of it all!
We've been sleeping through most nights again but trying to figure out just what the reason.. is a hard thing to nail down. It could be the full piece sleepers again, it could be that the nights have cooled, it could be drinking more water during the day (which means less at night), it could be less outside time now that I'm home more, it could've been teething, it could've been growing pains. Who knows, but whatever it is.. I'll take it.
Smart as a whip that little girl! She can pick out what she wants to watch on netflix, play DJ on the iPad and is starting to communicate well as far as telling us where to sit beside her as she plays, and telling me what she doesn't want for breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks.
My modified work schedule.. didn't work. So I'm finally taking life by the horns and resigning to start the business from home that I've had in my head for 4 or 5 years. A woman in the neighborhood refinished her barn into a meeting/arts and crafts building and has been looking for a knitter for a few years, so... here I go! A local yarn store it is! I've got the room visualized, the furniture picked out and know some of what I want to stock, and the flyer is made for the drop in knitting nights at the refinished barn (no where near enough room at home). On Friday Alexiss and I went into town to talk to the woman that's done our taxes for years, about what I need to do to get registered and a license. When I tried to give my notice at work, my bosses wanted to discuss if they could offer me a leave of absence instead, I'll find out more on Tuesday, but either way... come the end of Sept I'll be a stay at home, work from home Mom. It's been a tough year and I've held tightly to the old me while trying to incorporate the new me and the new life, it's okay, but I know I don't have the brainpower to play and have fun, let alone grow as a person. So I finally realized it was time to let the old go and grasp the new for all that it's worth. The store doesn't need to be super successful, just enough to bring in some extra money and give me a grown up outlet. I sure hope I can manage being a full time mom again, it's the toughest job out there and I do tend to sometimes get impatient with the constant demands. Hey, who knows, maybe I'll even get to mop the floor more often!
Oh my goodness! Pinterest! Need I say more? Okay, for some of you.. probably. It's a website with a simple concept, people create albums and "pin" everything and anything from pictures to how they'd like to refinish a room, to do it yourself home tips, gardens, hair and nails.... quotes.. you name it, you can pin it. I've found so many great ideas for the house and for play ideas for Alexiss, and home made recipes for bubbles, toothpaste and playdoh with koolaid coloring. I've been spending way too much time looking and pinning, but honest... it's all good stuff!!!!
Okay, time to sweep and mop as Alexiss naps. This is the second thing on my to do list so I better get going.
Here's our fun filled action packed day yesterday. Alexiss helped me clean out my yarn stash, I made a "de-stash" basket so people can trade old yarns they don't use or need, kinda the same as "take a penny, need a penny" trays. Then we went to play at the park, then home to finger paints!
Alexiss has been more clingy since returning home from my short trip alone to Ontario, Mark, try as he may, cannot lure her away from wanting to be with me. She's so cute, smiling more and more everyday, and its' getting easier and easier to play and make her laugh. I swear she's on the verge of talking, it seems more and more she's showing that she understands what I ask her and mimics short words back.
We took a few videos and pictures to send to Gramma to help her feel better while eating, cuz that's the only time she stays still, and while out at a nearby out of the way run-down park with a geocache in it!
A handful of laundry. Boy will this video come in handy one day!
A handful of food and a big smile.
on the way to geocaching...
A handful of a geocache container wandering around a nearby out-of-the-way run-down park.
Some random pics, the other little girl is Lauren who comes to our house for care with Olive on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fridays.
Sorry John, she wasn't super picky on the doughnut and chose a cookie instead. We tried.. and hey, I finally got a chance to upload the pics for you!
