Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Quick Takes

Once again, I have random thoughts floating around in my head to share with you all. 

1.  My first appt with the OB/GYN is one week from tomorrow!  I'm so anxious to make sure everything's ok.  I know I'm pregnant as I have several symptoms that are letting me know there's a new life growing inside me but it's just going to be nice to have confirmation and maybe see a little heartbeat on the ultrasound!

2.  I called two women to get estimates on cleaning my house.  Yes, I'm caving.  Yes, it makes me feel like I'm not capable of doing my "job".  To be honest, most days I don't even have the energy to just clean up the playroom after Maddie goes to bed.  I just want to crawl into bed as soon as she's down.  Unfortunately that can't happen.  And since I don't have much energy, it takes me a good 2 hours to do the straightening up/cleaning that should only take about 30-45 minutes.

3.  Maddie is getting cuter and cuter every day.  I took her to the chiropractor with me again this morning and didn't even put her in her stroller.  She's comfortable there now.  She smiles at people istead of screaming.  She plays very nicely with her toys and crayons and I actually get to close my eyes and relax while I'm getting my heat therapy. 

4.  Maddie has started singing!  Her favorite songs to sing include:  ABC's, E-I-E-I-O, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider, 3 Little Monkeys, and several from Yo Gabba Gabba.  I can tell what song she's singing when she's singing any of these.  There are some other tunes she's been trying but I haven't figured them out yet :)

5.  Maddie has started "reading".  She has several favorite books that we've read over and over and OVER AND OVER again.  She now has parts of them memorized so it's cute to hear her reciting parts of the book as she looks through it.  Those books include The Foot Book, Daddy's Girl, Who is Coming to our House, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Polar Bear, Polar Bear and Crunch Munch. 

6.  Maddie's bed time issues are fading....ahhh, sweet relief.  She still stands up when I leave the room but she's not screaming anymore, just cries for about 30 seconds.  I guess that perseverance is paying off!  I had a nice chat with my sister-in-law the other day (thanks Jennifer!!) that helped me make some decisions on what to try.  I started giving Maddie her lunch earlier so she goes down for her nap by noon (most days) and she gets up by 3.  Then I've pushed her bedtime back by an hour :(  It's working for her, but it's making me more tired (see #2).  I also think one of Maddie's issues was hearing a train go by.  We were up in her room this evening and she kept hearing the train (it's several miles away but she still points out the "choo choo" sound when she hears it).  She has a fear of things she can hear but not see.  I need to start paying attention to see if a train goes by around 7, the time I used to put her to bed.  We'll see if that was one of her problems...

7.  I think that's it!  My brain is empty now...  :)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Any Advice?

Let me start this blog off with a few super cute things Maddie has done lately...

First, I'll tell you the story of "condensation".  One morning (I think last Thursday) Maddie looked out the window and saw that the patio was wet.  She said "raining?"  I told her, "No, sweetie, it's not raining, that's just condensation".  As soon as it came out, I realized that that was much too big of a word for a 19 month old...I should've just agreed that it was raining :)  Well, she repeated "condensation".  I was amazed!  I had her repeat it 2 or 3 more times to see if it was just a fluke or if she could really say it...she could really say it! 

The next couple of days it was raining so Maddie got to wear her super cute little rain coat.  She loves her rain coat and wants to wear it everywhere now :)  It rained for 2 days, then the third day I told her to come get her jacket it on.  She said "rain coat?"  I told her, "No, you don't need your rain coat, it's not raining".  She replied with "condensation", very matter-of-fact like.  It was so cute, I just picked her up and snuggled her and laughed!  What a smarty pants...

Within the past two days Maddie has decided it would be a good idea to carry the cat.  The cat doesn't think that's such a good idea, nor do I.  So when I tell Maddie not to pick Audrey up, she replies with "I sorry Audrey".  Then she pats her on the head and says "good girl".  Maddie also likes to point out when Audrey is purring (which is almost always) then she puts her hand on Audrey's neck so she can feel the vibration.  She laughs and thinks it's the coolest thing!

The newest, coolest big girl thing is that she's trying to walk on her tippy toes.  I caught her doing it a few days ago but she was saying "knees, knees, knees" and I told her, "you're walking on your tippy toes". She was not happy that I saw her doing it and had a fit...I left it alone.  Today she was walking on her toes again but she wanted me to notice.  I made a big deal out of what a big, strong girl she is and she was extremely happy :) 

Now...what I need advice on.  For the past week or so Maddie has been SCREAMING at the top of her lungs when I put her to bed.  Our routine hasn't changed; well, it changed when she was teething a few weeks ago, I went in to comfort her and to give her motrin or orajel.  Since then I haven't done anything differently.  We go up, have a bath, brush teeth, get a diaper, lotion, pjs, clean ears, read a book, talk about our day and what to expect tomorrow, rock in the chair and sing a few songs, then we say goodnight to the world, close the blinds, say goodnight to the sandcastle, the seashell and the crab and we turn off the light.  We give hugs and kisses and I put her to bed.  I cover her up with her blanket and tell her "have sweet dreams, love bug, I love you, Mommy will see you in the morning".  Then I walk out and close the door (we've always closed the door since she was an infant since we have a cat).  Lately as soon as I put her blanket on her she starts to get up from her pillow to stand up.  I tell her to lay down on her pillow to go night nights but she just screams.  I tell her I love her again and blow her a kiss from the door.  When I close the door she starts screaming "mommy, mommy, hold you, hold you".  When I get to the bottom of the stairs I turn the light off which makes her scream harder.  It only lasts for about 5 minutes, usually less, but I hate that she's screaming like that.  Seriously, I'm afraid someone will walk by and think I'm abusing her!  I've taken out the trash after putting her to bed and you can hear her outside...

Here are my concerns:  Is it possible that she's suddenly developed a fear?  Is she afraid she won't see me again?  Is she afraid of the dark?  I don't want to just ignore her when there's obviously something wrong, but I don't want to become a "hostage" to her, rocking her every night or sleeping with her.  Has anyone had this happen with their child?  If so, what did you do?  Please don't tell me you slept with your child...I can't do that one :)  I just feel terrible that she's going through this and I don't know what to do.  I know she feels safe in her crib because she reads in there and plays in there.  She doesn't wake up acting afraid in the mornings or after naps, it's just when I put her down.  At naptime she cries a little, but it's nothing like she does at bedtime.  Could it just be her age and a stage she's going through?  Is she having too much fun to go to bed?  AAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhh....it's driving me crazy! 

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Week 7

Today begins week 7 of pregnancy #2.  I've been amazed that I've mostly escaped morning sickness so far. Yesterday I had one of those "nothing sounds appetizing" days.  I didn't know what to eat and anything I thought of kind of gave me a gag reflex.  I managed to force down a banana for breakfast.  For lunch I just wanted a burger so we stopped at Jack in the Box.  It was pretty yummy but I should've avoided the curly fries!  For dinner I had a hot dog and some sour cream and onion chips (my only craving so far).  I drank lots of water and then decided to make some homemade chicken broth.  I had thawed out some chicken thighs and legs but hadn't gotten around to cooking them yet and I didn't want them to go bad.  Well, I put the chicken, some veggies, water and seasonings in the crockpot and turned it on.  I went to bed early (even missing the news at night which I normally like to stay up for).  When I woke up through the night to use the bathroom (thanks again to pregnancy...I used to NEVER wake up through the night!) the chicken broth was smelling good and I couldn't wait to taste it in the morning to see how it turned out.  Then I woke up around 7...the smell of the chicken broth was not so good at that point.  I ate a few crackers so my stomach wouldn't be empty then I just stayed in bed for a while.  When I got up I had to go running to find some gum.  I found some good pepperminty gum that is strong enough to block out the chicken smell :)  So now I'm just waiting for the crockpot to cool down a little so I can stick it in the fridge (that'll smell nice...).  I still want to freeze the broth to use in recipes but I don't think I'll manage to eat the chicken.  I guess I can go ahead and shred it off the bones (if my stomach will allow) and put it in the freezer too.  Hopefully I'll be able to eat chicken later in pregnancy, but I think it's off limits now.  I even had an aversion to chicken when I was pregnant with Maddie.  I wonder what that's all about...

In happier news...did you know by the beginning of week 7 that baby already has its own distinct blood type?!?!  All the major muscles are already developed, arm and leg buds are developing but you can't differentiate fingers and toes yet and facial features are becoming visible.  The baby is about the size of a raspberry this week :)  Aww...what a little sweetie!

We're still going through all the emotions of a second pregnancy...happy to be giving Maddie a baby brother or sister, scared of taking care of a toddler and an infant at the same time, worried financially and just generally afraid of the unknown.  I know everything will work out, God won't give me more than I can handle...but I guess it's normal to worry about all these things right now.  We've started talking baby names already and I'm pretty excited about that.  I'm not sure if we're going to share the name as early this time as we did last time...we've got to keep you guessing!  :)  We welcome your suggestions, though!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Cheers!

Back in October we took our first family vacation to Cozumel, Mexico.  While we were there we taught Maddie to tap our glasses together and say "cheers".  It was really cute and other vacationers thought it was funny.  Well, Maddie is STILL doing it!  Only the "cheers" doesn't stop with cups...when Maddie notices we have two of the same things, we have to do "cheers".  When eating dinner, Maddie will point out what's on my plate and hers, then she'll hold up her broccoli (or whatever other kind of food she chooses) and say "cheers".  Then she waits for me to tap a piece of my broccoli with hers.  Sometimes it's just our forks or spoons, one time it was our plates.  Maddie got a toy vacuum for Christmas and when I get my vacuum out, she brings hers over to do "cheers".  My new favorite is when we brush our teeth together in the mornings.  She puts her toothbrush in her mouth, pulls it out, points it toward me and says "cheers".  Then I have to take my toothbrush out of my mouth to tap it with hers.  She thinks it's the funniest thing!  I feel like I'm missing some items we do "cheers" with...but I think you get the point :)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Burrito Casserole

This is one of my newest favorites!  Eric even liked it and he doesn't like sour cream :)  I just froze some for the first time so I'll update later when I reheat it from the freezer...hopefully it'll be just as good.  I'm a little concerned about the cheese, I probably should've made some without cheese to freeze.  Then after it's reheated add the cheese.  But we'll see!

Burrito Casserole

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (I used 96% lean ground beef and there was no need to drain the grease)
1 can refried beans
2-3 C shredded taco cheese or cheddar cheese (the first time I made it, I used cheddar.  The last time I made it I used colby cheese since that was all I had)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 oz sour cream
1/2 chopped medium onion
1 package taco seasoning
6 lg flour tortillas (I made my casserole in a 9x9 so I only used 4 tortillas)
hot sauce (optional) (I didn't use hot sauce since I was also feeding this to Maddie)

Brown the meat and onion, then drain off the grease.  Add meat back to pan, add taco seasoning and refried beans.  In a searate bowl combine soup and sour cream.  Put 1/2 C of sour cream mixture spread over bottom of a casserole dish.  Break of a few tortillas and lay them over the sour cream mixture.  Add about 1/2 of the meat mixture over tortillas.  Add hot sauce if you like.  Repeat layers to your liking.  Add cheese to top of the casserole.  Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!  I made mine in a 9x9 because I like nice, thick layers...but this could easily be made in a 9x13 and would be just as delicious!  I hope you try it, it's definitely a favorite in our house!  Maddie even likes it, but because of the bit of spice the taco seasoning adds she says "boo boo" after every bite and then has to have a drink.  It was pretty cute :)









Thursday, January 14, 2010

If the Shoe Fits (or not)

Maddie's latest obsession is wearing my shoes.  This actually started when I was back in PA visiting my grandparents during Thanksgiving.  Maddie put on Pap Pa's shoes

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2938549&id=813238743&op=1&view=global&subj=575621788

(I have no idea if this link will work...sorry if it doesn't!)

Then Maddie started wearing my shoes if I happened to leave them out around the house.   And to be honest, I leave my shoes out a lot...just ask Eric! 






These crocs are pretty tricky but somehow she manages...barely :)


Now she has progressed to bringing my shoes out of the closet to wear.  Shoes that I haven't worn in FOREVER have been spotted in random places throughout the house.  What a mess!  Every couple of days I go around with my laundry basket and hoard all the shoes back to the closet.  Now I'm trying VERY hard to keep the closet door closed!  She might need a few pairs of dress up shoes for her birthday this year...although I'm a little concerned with the hard plastic ones, she'll probably slip and slide all over the tile floors in those...

Random Maddie-isms

Right now Maddie is "dribbling" a ball around the house.  I guess she's destined to be a soccer player...she is running behind the ball and kicking it just lightly enough to get it to move, but not so hard she loses control of it.  She's running along saying "running" "running".  It's so cute!

The other night while I was cleaning out the litter box Maddie was peaking through the door saying "sand castle" as I scooped the poo.  See...there's a reason she's NOT allowed in the laundry room!  I can just picture going in there to put some laundry in and finding Maddie building a sand castle in the litter box...

On Tuesday we went to the zoo (as you may have read here).  I had given Maddie some fig newtons and when she finished eating them I said "here, let me clean your face, you have cookies all over it".  She replied with "I sorry" in the sweetest voice.  I think she's trying to figure out when "I'm sorry" is necessary because she's been saying for a lot lately.  It's so sweet that she's learning to be polite :)

Maddie has been becoming more and more aware of the dark lately.  I don't know if she's developing a fear of the dark, or if she just notices that it's dark.  If we happen to be out driving after dark (which isn't often) she will continue saying "dark" until I acknowledge that it is, indeed, dark outside.  I point out the lights from the airplanes and she thinks that's cool...it makes me wonder if we ever go somewhere where you can actually see the stars at night if she'll think it's just a bunch of airplanes heading to the airport for landing...

Maddie is getting so good at singing her ABC's.  I keep trying to get her on video singing along with her the CD, but as soon as she sees either the video camera or my cell phone she wants to see "Maddie".  I REALLY hope I can get it on video soon!!  It's just so adorable.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

RIP iPhone

I did everything I could...but despite my best efforts my iPhone didn't make it.  Sunday night there was a terrible accident and the poor, helpless iPhone tragically fell into Maddie's bubble bath.  I grabbed it out immediately and tried to resusitate it by turning the power off and drying it off.  Over the next several days the iPhone stayed in a bed of rice in hopes of a full recovery.  I was able to get it to respond to simple commands and even managed to get it to take a few short videos at the zoo yesterday.  Today has been touch-and-go.  This afternoon I had to power it down...What a short life for such a good phone :(

Maddie's Big News

The emails have all been sent to our family breaking the news so now it's safe to get the word out to everyone!

















Maddie is SUPER excited when I ask her if she's going to be a big sister...even though she doesn't really understand what that means just yet.  I tell her that mommy will grow a baby in her belly and then that baby will come to our house to live with us.  I ask her if she wants mommy to bring a new baby to our house and she says "yes".  Thank God we have some time to adjust because I'm sure if I brought a baby in the house right now she'd be less than happy about it!  She does well when I hold a baby at our playgroups but she likes to be right there with me, I guess to make sure the baby doesn't get too comfortable on HER mommy.

We're only 6 weeks pregnant so this is REALLY early to tell everyone.  But we didn't wait to tell when we found out we were pregnant with Maddie so we thought we'd go ahead and share this news too.  I've actually known since January 3rd but I was waiting for this precious t-shirt to come in before we broke it to everyone.  It's amazing I was able to keep this quiet for 10 days!

My first appt with my dr is on February 4th so we'll keep you updated with appts and such as we progress.  For now I'm feeling pretty good.  I'm not too nauseous just yet, I feel a little queazy if I have an empty stomach but once I eat something and sit down for about 5 minutes I'm fine.  The only thing that makes me want to lose my lunch is changing Maddie's dirty diapers!  I'll definitely have to keep a supply of trash bags in her trash can just in case!  In the meantime I'm trying to get Maddie out to do more things in anticipation of the nausea I'm sure I'll experience at some point.  Yesterday (as you might have read) we went to the zoo.  I want to take her again next week.  I also want to get her to the children's museum and to the aquarium again.  I just feel like one day we're going to be cooped up in the house because I'm not feeling well so I want to get her out to do enjoyable things before that time comes!

So, I guess that's it for now.  We're SO excited to be adding another baby to our family!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

It seems like it's been FOREVER since Maddie and I last went to the zoo.  She was beyond excited to go this morning!  And I'm so glad I took her...she was so full of herself, enjoying every minute at the zoo.  She's such a big girl now and I let her walk as much as she wanted, even at the end of the day as she was stumbling from being so tired, she kept on walking!  I did put her in the stroller to eat her lunch ( I LOVE that our zoo lets us bring in any outside food and drinks we want!) and a few times when we had a longer distance to walk.  Other than that she walked and was so proud of herself for it!  Some of the things Maddie enjoyed today:  her first Sea Lion show (she LOVED when they jumped out of the water!), seeing the baby giraffes (we have 3 that are 2 years old or younger), watching the elephant rub against its scratching post (especially when he was scratching his butt...that got the biggest laughs!), chasing after random birds at the zoo, seeing the helicopters fly overhead (the largest medical center in Texas is right by the zoo so the life flight helicopters were coming and going all day), telling the lions to "wake up", watching the flamingo take a bath (with soap...according to Maddie), riding the carousel (Maddie cried and said "up down up down" when it stopped), playing at the children's zoo playground (she pretended to be Dora as she crossed the bridge), petting the goats and brushing them and even trying to pick up "rocks"...it wasn't rocks!  She also really enjoyed the interactive things at the zoo today.  She liked pushing the animal sounds buttons at the children's zoo barn and turning all the animal fact boards to see the pictures and the "M"s...all letters are "M" these days.  Here are some pictures from our day!
Maddie enjoying her picnic lunch


A fun action shot


Kind of striking a pose, kind of trying to avoid having her picture taken again...


Such a happy girl!


Taking a water break


Learning all about the zebras


And learning some more...


...and more


Looting some snacks out of the stroller


Checking out the zebras...she wasn't all that into them today


But she was LOVING the flamingoes!


And she passed out within 5 minutes of being in the car :)

Friday, January 8, 2010

Chiropractor Update

I've graduated to seeing the chiropractor only once a week now!  YAY!!!!  Thank God we can finally start saving some money...At the office I'm down to adjustments and heat therapy only.  No more electrodes or traction table, more on that later.  I have to do my stretches and exercises on my own 5 days a week and go in to see the dr. once a week.  That's it :)  Unfortunately I'll have to continue doing those exercises the rest of my life...blah blah blah.  But at least that part is free and will keep me out of the dr. office in the future.

I'm still not feeling 100% in my back.  I have quite a bit of pain left but it's manageable and I am sleeping better. 

So, that's it for now, just wanted to give a quick update!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Tall Tall Tower




















This took place about 10 days ago and I'm just getting around to posting it.  I was so amazed when Maddie was able to stack 7 blocks on each other!  I don't know what's considered "normal" for a 19 month old, but I didn't think she was capable of 7 blocks...

Friday, January 1, 2010

A New Year of "Firsts"

Last night as I was putting Maddie to bed I was talking to her about how great 2009 was for me being her mommy.  Then I started telling her about all the things she had to look forward to in 2010.  It was so exciting to think ahead to the future...

Maddie will turn 2 half way through this year.  It's hard to think I'll have a 2 1/2 year old as we get ready to ring in 2011.  wow!  This year we're looking forward to another visit from Uncle Guy, we're looking forward to a trip (HOPEFULLY) to Disney World (a first for both Maddie and me!), we're looking forward to more trips to the park where Maddie will be able to be more independent and Mommy can sit back and watch her play :)  We're looking forward to lots more trips to the zoo and many long days at the pool.  We're looking forward to traveling to visit family again...and Maddie being in her very own seat on the airplane!  YAY for Mommy!  2010 might be the year Maddie starts "school" (mother's day out) and maybe, JUST maybe Maddie will become a big sister (don't hold us to that...)  :)  2010 will be the year that Maddie starts talking in complete sentences.   It might be the year we say goodbye to diapers!  This will be a year full of fun for Maddie and Mommy.  We got some really cool toddler art books for Christmas and I'm so excited to start some activities from them!  I just want to watch her imagination continue to blossom.  

At the end of 2009 here are some of Maddie's "favorites".  My plan is to compare this list at the end of 2010 :)  Should be fun...

Favorite TV shows:  Yo Gabba Gabba, Dora the Explorer
Favorite Movie:  Monsters, Inc
Favorite Foods:  Cheese and bananas (and cookies and candy if we let her...)
Favorite bedtime book:  Just in Case you Ever Wonder by Max Lucado.  Her favorite book changes pretty regularly, this is the CURRENT favorite :)
Favorite toys to play with:  Her Fisher Price tea set and her stuffed dogs, her Yo Gabba Gabba gang bathtub toys.  Since Christmas her new favorites are her kitchen and all the food that she got to go with that. 
Favorite non-toy activity:  coloring...whether it's crayons or sidewalk chalk
Favorite song:  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Favorite cereal:  Froot Loops
Favorite "guilty pleasure":  Drinking coffee with mom and dad :)
Favorite place to go outside of our house:  Library storytime
Favorite person/people to see outside of family:  Miss Alli and Jonathan

That's all I can think of for now :)