Think you got it all figured out? Surprise!!!

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!

 

Puddle Season is definitley NOT Potty Season!

One word of potty training advice I've NEVER seen mentioned.. ANYWHERE! 

If it's puddle-season... maybe it's best to wait a bit. Wet cold pants from puddles just make warm wet pants inside seem less of a show stopper and less of a motivational tool. Do they really stop to think of the source? if it's just cold puddle water or pee? I think not. 

I'm serious, the impact just doesn't have the same weight. We had a few great days last week and then as the warm weather and puddles appeared... so did the puddles on my carpet, the tile floor, the chairs. And I witnessed for myself that those indoor puddles are not made of the same stuff as the outdoor puddles, it is NOT sloshy boots being upturned to dry out.

So potty training is again on hold temporarily. Oh, she still has fun peeing on the toilet during each diaper change, I'm just not brave enough to give her time between diapers without the looming thought and anxiety about those indoor puddles!

Skype is AMAZING!

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.

Little Pink Rydinghood

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.

The lion sleeps tonight!

Yesterday Mark surprised me with flowers and Ali and I sat and looked..and smelled in their beauty. Upon teaching her that the big orange ones were daisies (gerbra daisies), she caught onto their names quick. When we got to the pink daisy she yelled out that it was "Mickey!". See the connection. Daisy Duck must surely mean Mickey is around! Hehehehe

After two weeks of bliss, the sleep situation got much worse. I've now moved a futon mattress into Ali's room....and we sleep. Ahhhhh

The computer is in for some much needed TLC leaving me with the iPad...so this is gonna be short, but I could't resist telling the daisy story!

Outside!

Inside's a bore,
who wants to watch Momma do chores?
Finally outside! I'm NOT going in
Despite my tummy rumbling.
Outside! Outside!
I must stay and play!
Four hours later, what a nice day!

Yep, four hours outside today...doing not much of anything...visiting Meow Meow, walking, shovelling, swinging and saying hello to a few neighbors. The temperature has been hovering above 0 and with the sun it's been quiet toasty.

I've got the sniffles, my hips are killing me....now to enjoy a lemongrass tea, an episode of Fringe and I'm calling it a day.

I SAID...

She's sooo cute sometimes! Last night she was trying to say something and I just wasn't getting it. I have a habit of repeating back what she says, when she doesn't get mad... I know I've got it right. Well, didn't the lil bugger look away and roll her eyes! And a few days ago, she was saying what I thought was fork.. turns out it was frog, she corrected me after a few "frog" "fork?", "frog", "fork?".... "RIBBIT!". I guess she got her point across. lol.

Ali's making me laugh more and more these days, her personality is really coming out and she's been such a big girl sleep wise that we're both getting more sleep! The trick was letting her fall asleep in her bed instead of with me! Who would've known! Here I am cataloging the temperature, which blanket she used, what she ate, what jammies she wore, even making notes of tucked in vs non-tucked in shirts, when all along it was about her being disoriented waking in bed when she knew she fell asleep on me! We've had a few rough nights and she's usually up once, but that's a far cry from being up two or three times each night. I tell ya, sleep does something for a mood and patience!

The weather has been sooo beautiful, we've been hovering just over 0 and with the sun shine it's pretty toasty. I'm running out of bribes to get her to come inside!

Me: "Toast?"
Ali: "No toast"
Me: "Melon?"
Ali: "No melon"
Me: "Hot dog?"
Ali: "No hot dog"
Me: "Hot juice?"
Ali: "No juice"
Ali: "NO HUNGRY!!"
Me: "Watch Kipper?"
Ali: "No Kipper"
Me: "Wanna show Rex your rock?"
Ali: "No Rex"
Me: "Come on Ali, Momma's gotta pee and I'm hungry."
Ali: "No hungry"
...so I cross my legs and wait for her, she quickly realizes with all the suggestions, that she really is hungry.
20 min later...
Me: "You ready?"
Ali: "Bologna Sandwich?"
Me: "SURE!!!" with a big smile

Mark, Ali and I attempted geo-caching this past weekend. It must be a case of cabin fever and looking for something to do outside, the problem is... the snow! I wasn't feeling much like digging in snow to find it, so our outing turned into a walk instead. Here's Ali looking like a pro with the GPS

Alberta isn't the best packing snow for snowmen, but today we managed to make a few small snowmen!

The first one, Ali declared "Daddy", then we had to make "Momma", then of course, "Ati". Meow-Meow (pronounced mow-mow) was following us around and we almost had to make a Meow Meow snowman too. He's a neighborhood cat that loves company and is super sweet and social. He lives in a house in the neighborhood, well, in the heated garage, his owner isn't home much and he comes out for pets and cuddles often. His real name is Gumba, but Olive started calling him Meow Meow, and it's stuck.

Here's some favorite pics from a trip home. Copies are being printed out and sent to Nana, Gramma and Papa and Oma and Opa...and probably more too!

and you know what I've learned in the last week? Nothing beats a good tickle to get us both laughing together!