The Case of What are You Doing?'s

Last week, I was using my cook book. The whole morning Alissa had been asking her famous question- " Mom, What are you doing?" So I had already been bombarded with that question by the time this situation had arrived. Alissa had gotten a hold of my cookbook and ripped out a page. Alissa- "Mom, What are you doing?" Me- " I am using tape on the holes. I am doing this because you ripped it out and now it won't stay in the book. I am putting the tape here so it closes the holes and keeps it in the book. And please don't ask what I am doing because I just gave you an extremely thorough explanation." Alissa- "Mom, what are you doing?" *sigh*......

Long Overdue

Man, I have seriously been slacking on the posts. It's terrible. A lot has been going on- or at least it feels that way. Alissa is so big. I can't believe how big she is. Here's the latest scoop:

-We're potty training. Gummy Bears have served as a well deserved reward. We have to be careful because EVERYTHING seems to have peanuts in it. She is severly allergic to them. And she LOVES the gummy bears. We have had pull ups for quite some time because she has figured out how to take off her diapers. We did buy "big girl Dora's" (toddler underwear) awhile back. She did show interest but then it faded. Well yesterday...she undressed, put underwear on (the right way), and put her shorts on. I was so impressed!! No accidents from 5pm until bed. That's about 4 hours!!

-Alissa loves blue. Her favorite color is hands down- blue. Her favorite shirt is the blue bike one. It's a shirt that I will take a picture of to show her when she gets older. I really should frame the shirt. She will wear it every day if she has the option.

-Alissa can count to 14. She does get tripped up when she gets to 7-9 ish. But 10 she gets right back on track.

-Alissa loves outdoors. She will spend every waking minute outdoors if she can. She is a water bug too. Any pool she can find...she is in it.

-Alissa also had her 1st hair cut. Not too much, but a trim to even it out. I did save the hair =)

Chris and I are here too. We're looking into getting Chris a 2nd job and putting Alissa into day care. We both need a change of pace for now and I think it would be good for Alissa to make some new friends.

Mother's Day

I am really blessed as a wife and mother. This year, from a mother stand point, I am totally enjoying Alissa. She is walking, talking, and her personality is in full bloom. She says full sentences for the most part. Her first full sentence was" Mama, ho-dee caw caw me." Interpretation...Mama- I want to hold the bird. She is completely fascinated with birds. She loves the outdoors and is my little cuddle bunny. She loves her mama. She is a daddy's girl though. While she loves the mama comfort side..she enjoys the daddy time as well.

From a wife stand point I have been blessed this year. I received lillies at work and then suprised the following day with a hair appointment, escorted by my hubby. He showed up at work and told me we needed to leave RIGHT NOW. He had everything all set up for me. Work already knew as well! I'm honored that he thought to pamper me this year. I do have an amazing husband!! He knew me well enough to know that if he didn't drag me there I wouldn't have made the appointment myself.

Life is going good...just seems like it's going way too fast.

Here's the most recent picture...Alissa and me on on Easter Sunday.

So Frustrated

Lately I have been a ball of frustrations. First is with Alissa. Potty training is going down right horrible. I guess I'm used to dogs and with a treat...it's easy rewarding. Alissa has shown interest in the potty and would have great waves of success. Lately...it's wishy washy. There are times where she'll do great and then others where she screams to sit on the potty and yells.."NO POBBY NO POBBY". *sigh* I know it takes time but I feel like no progress is being made. Another one of her newest "tricks" is de-robing. When you put her down for a nap or for bed...she will take her pants off, take off her pull up and go to sleep. Most of the time, she'll pee on one side of the bed and sleep on the other. It's getting so tiresome. As much as I try I can't get her to sleep with at least her pull up on. Last night I went in her room twice and put it on. The second time to find a bed full of pee and a sleeping daughter. So...stripping the bed and washing her sheets has happened 2 times a day for the last few weeks. The dr's office game me a good idea that we will try. We are going to try putting on a footed sleeper, but cutting off the feet. We will put the zipper in the back and hopefully she won't be able to undress. I don't mind her sleeping in just her pull up..but she won't keep that on.

The second frustration is with work and where I'm at. I so want to be a photographer. I have had 2 opportunities to buy a decent camera. So...I began praying about it. I didn't get the answer I wanted to hear. The Lord is telling me to be patient. I am where He wants me at the moment and everything will fall into place in His timing. He has given me to versus to mind lately...Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. and Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It's comforting to know God is in control...but as an impatient human...I want the end product now!! LOL. So, I will keep plugging along and trust that His timing is perfect. He knows the desires of my heart.

I know I have been bad at posting lately, but I will put up some updated posts and pictures soon!! For now..here's one of Alissa about a month or so ago. We were playing with our best friend Joel and wearing his hard hat!

I love it!!!

There's a new site that I have fallen in love with (Thanks Ali!). It's Hip2Save. Check this out. GREAT stuff! I know I haven't posted much lately..and I will update shortly. PROMISE!! But, in the meantime...you HAVE to check this site out. Great free deals!!

Dreaming Only Gets You So Far

I have finally gotten serious about doing this. I have dreamed and loved for so long...but I figured enough is enough. Dreaming only gets you so far. So...here I go!! Check it out. I'm starting to adventure. Anyone interested in getting shots done for free, let me know. If you like the pictures and want to order...that's the cost! If you don't care for it...then no obligation! Click the link below to see some samples of what I have done so far. Much more to come!!! Deborah Ann Photography

Feelings of Failure

I'm struggling with feelings of failure...yet in my heart I know I did the right thing. Alissa has been without a binky for a week now. The week started out as any typical person would expect- extra night time cuddling, and some night time crying. The first night was typical...a 1/2 hour of crying. But she made it and slept through the night. Day 2 her nap...only about 15 or so minutes and then for bed the 2nd night...silence. Not a peep. But, from there- things got progresivly worse. I would have to pretend to fall asleep in her rocking chair to get her to settle down and relax. Then she would wake up in the night crying and wouldn't go back to sleep. One time this last week she wouldn't stop screaming at 2:30am so I brought her in our bed to sleep. Habits were beginning to form that had NEVER been there before..and needless to say they weren't good habits. The list kept getting bigger and she became more troublesome and unhappy. I had been struggling with the idea of giving her back her binky but I didn't know if it would be good to do so.

Last night, after talking with my mother in law, I decided to give it back to her. She slept so soundly and peacefully. My decision was weighed on this...Alissa has had super smooth transitions into doing everything. When it was time to go from the bottle to a cup..that was no big deal to her. That transition happened in one afternoon and she never looked back. When I weaned her from nursing (at 18 months), that happened in one weekend and she was completely okay with it. She totally forgot about it. The only major transition I had a "problem" with was having her go to sleep on her own. That took 2 nights of crying. But, by night 3...all was quiet and has been ever since. Taking the binky away just didn't seem right...nor did it feel right in my gut. She doesn't carry it around with her all day. it's just strictly for nap and bed time.

For the last week, Alissa has been crying when she wakes up. Her moods during the day are terrible. This morning...she was a totally different child. She woke up talkign to herself (as ususal) and all smiles. This is the girl I know.

I feel like I failed at a task..but I just don't think she's ready. My gut says this is okay.

My husband brought up some valid points... She's almost potty trained (we're in pull ups full time), she knows 80% of her ABC's and is starting to recognize them on paper, she knows how to count to 2, knows what 2 really means and how many they are, and knows that 7,8,9 go together in counting order. He said don't feel bad if this is taking her a bit longer because no two kids are the same.

I do understand and I agree...just hard struggling with the inner feelings...