What Happened and Where I've Been

It has been far too long since I have posted anything. I have missed blogging but I was in too difficult a place to even begin to think about adding one more thing to what needed done in a day.

Postpartum depression hit me harder than I had even imagined it would. I had to go on a higher dosage of medication for my Bipolar in order to help slightly. Even then, it only helped mildly. Every day I would get up and go through the motions of "being Mom." During the first few months with Popeye, Fuss turned into one of the worst children I have ever seen, but only to me. Hubby was still working nights and bedtime turned into a 2-hour scream-fest from Fuss. Nothing worked. Nothing helped. And no one understood.

In mid-January Hubby started working day shift for the first time since Fuss was almost a year old. She doesn't remember having Daddy home with her except on nights off, so this was a HUGE change for her to have him home every night. It only helped a little though. At least we were then able to split bedtime routine (story by Daddy, song by Mommy) and care for Popeye a little bit. It still didn't help. I just kept sinking deeper into a pit I felt I would never be able to claw my way out of.

I went into rages. I would cry daily, sometimes multiple times a day. I called those I thought could help only to hear, "You should have had them closer/farther apart" or "I told you it would be hard." No one listened. It seemed the only person there for me was Hubby. Goodness knows how he managed to survive me during the past 6 months! I was barely able to do it myself. I HATED myself. I hated that I couldn't care for my kids the way I wanted to. I even hated my children. There were so many nights I cried myself to sleep wondering why I had even decided to have kids in the first place. I kept pushing on thinking that I would make it through somehow. Hubby never failed me. He stood by me more than I ever deserved, supported me, loved me through it all.

I finally decided to see a professional counselor after Fuss spent one day unusually tearful. She was crying and whining over everything. That night at bedtime (I was a little clearer than I had been in a long time after an increase in my meds that was still small enough I could continue to breastfeed), I asked her what was wrong with her. She said, "I don't like it when you're a mean Mommy. I'm afraid of you." I'm afraid...of you. The words echoed in my head and I broke down. I promised her that I would work on me and try to be a better Mommy and that I was sorry.

That's what finally brings me out of that pit and toward the light, so to speak. My daughter saved me and I started seeing a counselor. Some days the counselling goes really well and others we get distracted talking about his kids or random nonsense, but it has been enough to start turning things around. And just in the last month, it's like something clicked for Fuss and she changed. She has been SO much better recently. She was always wonderful with Popeye and never had an issue with him, but her defiance towards us was ridiculous. Now that I seem to be doing better, I think she is starting to turn around too.

No one knows just how desperately I wanted my babies. But no one knows just how desperately hard it was trying to hold on to me and keep my own head above water. Hubby is the only one who can come close to understanding because he's been there through it all. I hope my honesty here will be able to help someone else. I'm always willing to lend an "ear" whenever needed. I am just thankful Fuss felt secure enough in our bond that she was able to talk to me.

If you've read this far, I thank you for sticking around. I intend to get back on all those reviews that I had lined up in December and January and, hopefully, get a couple of giveaways going as well. :)

Cloth Diaper Store Thanks Mama Bumkins Art Smock #Review

I was sent a few items from Cloth Diaper Store Thanks Mama about 2 weeks ago. I will be posting the reviews of the other items pictured separately. First, a little bit about Thanks Mama:

"Thanksmama.com is family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living"

The one that was used immediately was the Bumkins art smock pictured in the middle of the photo above. I actually hung it still in the package on Fuss's art easel. It took all of about 5 seconds for her to see it and come running to me, "Mommy! What is this!? Is it for me?" LOL. She naturally asked where it came from and I told her it was sent specially for her. Naturally, she HAD to take it out and put it on immediately!

 Here is the picture of the original packaging...which lasted all of 10 minutes. Fuss took it out and tossed the plastic in the trash. I'm just glad she had been "helping Daddy work on the truck" when I opened the package! (For the full line of prints and other bibs and smocks just click here. Seriously, they are AWESOME!)











And here is Fuss sporting her brand new smock standing in front of her easel. The smock has pockets in the front which are great for storing crayons or markers...or even tools for helping Daddy out (yes, she did that too).

I love the fact that it is made of a waterproof fabric just in case they spill something. Fuss actually dumped a half a bottle of chocolate milk down her chest shortly after finishing her project on the easel. She also had dry erase marker on the front of the smock.

So what happened? Well, all I had to do was toss it in the wash on cold delicate cycle with the rest of Fuss's clothes. I pulled it out before the dryer and hung it to dry. Easy peasy! The best part? The dry erase marker came off the front (we had a little bit of color residue on the back side, which was probably my fault) and ALL of the chocolate milk washed off, and out, of the smock. The pocket, which had been full of milk, didn't even have a trace left on the stitches inside! Honestly, if it hadn't been soaked in milk I would have been able to simply wipe the smock with a damp cloth to get it clean.

Fuss insists on wearing this smock now nearly every time she plays with her easel. It is easy for her to slip on and the Velcro closure at the neck makes it really simple for her to fasten herself. It also ties securely at the waist. Overall, I think this is a great product and a great investment for your little artist. I only wish it also came in a long-sleeved version. Or at least 3/4-length to help protect long-sleeved shirts.


Be sure to head over to Thanks Mama and check out their other great products! You can use the code "5off" to get $5 off your order of $60 or more just for being a follower! :) And head over to the Thanks Mama Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Google+ and show them some Crunchy love! Then, be sure to hit up their BLOG for some awesome tips and weekly giveaways!

Below are a few more shots of Fuss modeling for me. She was so thrilled to be able to model! LOL.

Stuffing crayons in the pocket.

Fuss's First Sleepover!

I'm so excited to say that Fuss had her first sleepover with Princess and Charlie in preparation for my delivery. If I happen to go all the way to my due date (HA!) then my MIL will be with my SIL in Aruba for a week and won't be available to come grab Fuss at the drop of a hat. The day I was crying to Blondie about this, because that is what we hormonal pregnant women do, Blondie volunteered that she and Dagwood could watch Fuss for me...and since they have car seats, they can even come grab her at the hospital in the middle of the night if necessary. That was a HUGE relief, however, Fuss has always had a hard time sleeping away from home. It didn't matter if she was staying with my mom or my MIL, she would start screaming around bedtime and scream for an hour nonstop! She had never stayed with anyone who wasn't family. So, we decided to give it a shot this weekend.

I feel like I had 1,000 pounds lifted from my shoulders! Fuss stayed ALL NIGHT and only fussed a little tiny bit! She did wake up once when Charlie started snoring and Blondie was able to sing her favorite lullaby and put her at ease enough for Fuss to go back to sleep! She even woke up at 8:00 which is her normal time!

We also are going to try letting her stay with Farmer and Farmer's Wife and their 2 boys (almost 5, and 3) since they live literally 5 minutes from the hospital I plan to deliver at. If things go as well as they did with Blondie, then Hubby and I have (at minimum) 2 other options for Fuss when I do go into labor.

Naturally, there is always my Mom and I plan to have her on-call too. The problem with her is that she lives the farthest away of all. :( It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get from her house to ours. Besides, I figure my mom will want to be in the delivery room with me anyway.

Things are coming together slowly for everything else. And Blondie and Farmer's Wife are throwing a Baby Sprinkle for me on November 9th which I am really excited about!

"Mommy, you have a scratch!"

Fuss and I were doing our normal bedtime routine of cuddling in my bed watching "Bubble Guppies" in our jammies (well, I was in a sports bra and pajama pants because I'm a human FURNACE tonight!) and she looked over and said, "Mommy, you have a scratch!" I asked her where it was and she ran her finger across my C-section scar. "Right there."

I giggled, but I told her, "That is where the doctor took you out of Mommy's belly." She smiled this big, shocked smile with wide eyes and asked why. "Because you got to big to stay in there anymore." She thought that was hilarious! A few months ago she had asked if the doctor was going to cut me open to get the baby out. I'm not sure where she picked that up from, but I answered her question as best I could with an "I don't know." She has yet to ask how the baby ended up IN my belly, but I'm answering as much as honestly as I can.

It was just so innocent and sweet that I had to share!

Don't Eat the Toothpaste!

Yes, I actually said this this morning. Fuss has decided that she likes brushing her own teeth. I don't mind. Really. The problem is that since she doesn't want us in the bathroom with her, she can get into mischief...like eating toothpaste. Hubby is at least partially to blame on this one though. He started her new-found ability to put toothpaste on a toothbrush and brush her own teeth. It is usually helpful, though.

That brings me to my next thought of the day: WHAT am I going to do with 2 children!? Some days (especially recently) I feel like I can barely keep up with Fuss. So, how am I going to manage when #2 makes his appearance? I am currently working on Fuss picking up and keeping her/baby's room neat, so that should be a little help. She has been potty-trained for almost 2 years now, so that's not a concern. But what about everything else? The times when she needs something and I'm nursing the little one and can't get to her? Fuss has the shortest span of patience I have ever seen! (We have been trying to work on that too, but it isn't going so well.) My MIL has suggested we read books to her while I'm nursing and I'm hoping that will help some.

Then, what about me? Am I going to have enough patience to survive the 2. Will I have the energy to keep up with them? And, mostly, will I be able to function with my Bipolar?

Of course, these are questions that will eventually answer themselves. I really have no control over the Bipolar, but I am working on the rest of it and I hope to be able to say "YES! I can handle this!" sometime in the near future. As I enter my third trimester, I have a few fears about how we will manage in a 2-bedroom house and just manage life in general.

Kids Fly Safe - CARES Harness Review and #Discount Code!

From Kids Fly Safe:

CARES Overview

CARES Child Aviation Restraint System is designed specifically for aviation use for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. These youngsters are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to protect them and provide the safety they require during airplane travel. Their bodies cannot withstand the jolts that are common in routine air travel, much less emergency situations, and they flail forward or slide beneath the seat belt if they are not held securely in place.

• CARES is the first and only harness type Aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat.
• CARES is an elegantly designed belt-and-buckle device that works in conjunction with the regular airplane seat belt and provides young travelers the same level of safety as a car seat.
• CARES weighs just one pound and fits into a 6″ stuff sack! It is easily portable, simple to install, adjustable to every size airplane seat, and usable on any window or center seat in the airplane, except in the emergency exit rows.

***I removed the recommendation that you check your car seat as luggage as car seat safety technicians will tell you that "If it's checked, it's wrecked" meaning it would need replaced and considered unsafe. Thousands of people do it, but I chose not to.***


I received the CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) for review and I was so excited to be able to try it out! Hubby, on the other hand, was not convinced. We took the car seat (Graco Argos in case anyone is wondering) with us on the plane as well because we were going to need an actual car seat in Cali during our trip there. As is stated in the name of the product, this is an aviation-certified restraint system. It is not, however, usable in a car. If we had a seat waiting for us in Cali when we landed, we would have probably only used the CARES harness while in flight.

When I opened the box, I noticed the great little carrying case they had. Honestly, it has everything in it you need. As you can see in the next photo, it comes with the CARES harness, a user's manual, and a DVD for those who need an actual visual aid. There is plenty of room in it to add a few small items or just wrap it up and stuff it in a purse or other carry-on (we used Fuss's).

The harness itself can be a little intimidating when you first unwrap it, but the instructions are SUPER easy to follow and very clear and concise.



There is a BRIGHT RED strap that goes around the back of the seat. I think that was my least favorite part of the harness, personally, because it actually takes putting the tray table of the person behind your child down to allow the strap to slip down behind it. I was lucky on the flight when I tested this out that no one was behind the seat I used. The seats were also VERY slick and I had a small amount of trouble getting the strap to stay in place long enough to tighten it. However, I did NOT put the tray table back into its "upright and locked" position before attempting tightening, so that may have contributed to my problem.

The shoulder straps are very easy to use. There are 2 loops at the bottom that you slide the "male" end of the airplane seat belt through. You then buckle the belt as you would on yourself and tighten the lap belt down. Lastly, you tighten up the chest/shoulder straps and click in the chest clip. (And, yes, I realize the lap belt is not quite where it should have been. We were trying to get pics without disturbing the other passengers! lol)

Honestly, what I loved the most about the CARES harness is that all of the arm rests are accessible and functional. With the width of most (if not all) car seats versus the width of the standard aircraft seat in all likelihood you will not be able to use the arm rest closest to the car seat.

Given the fact that the FAA actually recommends ALL children be given their own seat and properly restrained (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/), it only makes sense to use either their own, familiar car seat OR another device certified for use as a restraint. I actually appreciated having a real harness to strap Fuss in with because she was very well-behaved since she was used to that sensation. We were all buckled during our flights unless we were up to use the restroom. Our longest flight was 5 hours and Fuss was perfectly content with being in her seat during that time.

I admit, I wish we had had a seat waiting for us in Cali as it would have made life much easier! We would have had an easier time boarding/deplaning. We never had a single problem with ANY of the flight attendants or airline employees when taking our seat on board. (I will provide several links showing why this was most likely the case at the end of the post.) Had we had another seat available that I would have trusted with the safety of my child, I would most definitely have used the CARES harness exclusively while we were flying! It doesn't take any longer than it did to put her car seat on the plane. And, like I said, there would have been MUCH more room for the 3 of us to travel. Bonus: She couldn't kick the seat in front of her while in the harness like she could while in her car seat.

As you can see in the picture below, Fuss was thrilled to be sitting in the "big seat" and wearing her harness! (Again, it wasn't perfectly positioned because we were trying to do this quickly while disturbing the fewest number of people. The row behind us was unoccupied with only 1 occupant behind that row, so we went back there to do pics). Since this is good for 22-44 pounds and Fuss is only about 34 pounds right now, we will be able to use this for quite a while to come! ****Be sure to scroll to the bottom!****

 

As I said before, the FAA strongly recommends ALL children be in their own safety seat while on board. The only problem with that is most people won't purchase another ticket unless required to (which for most airlines is age 3). The airlines don't require it because they are afraid people will stop flying or opt to drive to their destinations instead. Unfortunately that leads to children being ejected from their parent's laps/arms as was the case in the Asiana Airlines flight on July 7. Source

For more information on flight safety, please see the links below.

For all Crunchier by the Day fans, Kids Fly Safe has offered an awesome 20% DISCOUNT with code DAY713. 

I hope you all continue to travel and fly safely with your toddlers! :) 

From Kids Fly Safe: 

http://kidsflysafe.com/2013/01/10/should-car-seats-be-mandatory-for-infants-on-planes/

http://kidsflysafe.com/2012/08/02/why-its-worth-buying-toddlers-their-own-seats-on-a-plane/

http://kidsflysafe.com/2011/01/02/should-child-restraint-devices-be-mandatory-in-planes-part-1/
http://kidsflysafe.com/2011/01/02/should-child-restraint-devices-be-mandatory-on-planes-part-2/
 

Air travel links: Thanks to Car Seats for the Littles on FB
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/
http://carseatblog.com/6599/airplanes-carseats-and-kids%E2%80%94what-you-need-to-know-pt-1/
http://carseatblog.com/6635/airplanes-carseats-and-kids%E2%80%94what-you-need-to-know-pt-2/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=spYWuO20fCM
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/60d70126cf679d5a8625723b007841e7/$FILE/AC%20120-87A.pdf
http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2010/101215.html
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/108/5/1218.full
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/air-passengers-children-564.htm

ABCmouse.com #Review

I contacted Jill from ABCmouse.com a few weeks ago in the hopes that I would be able to let Fuss have something new to try while we were on either of our trips (California and New York) this month. While we were in Cali, we weren't able to spend much time on the computer, however, she played a little bit. When we returned home I found a great way to entertain Fuss while my sitter is out of town and I still had to work!

ABCmouse.com has this really great section on teaching basic computer mouse movements! Fuss is only 3-1/2, so she still doesn't quite have the hang of using the actual mouse. She does, however, LOVE her Daddy's touch screen computer! This makes it really easy for me to pop on my headphones, listen to dictations, and type all while still keeping an eye on her (sitting just a few feet away). Fuss could literally spend HOURS on this site if I let her! She is on Level 1 of Pre-K and each level is tailored to build upon each lesson.

Step-by-Step Learning path

Below, is a screen shot showing the parent's area where you can monitor your child's progress and add multiple children as well. Fuss hasn't yet managed much actual progress on the lessons, but she adores the colorful and fun games.

As you can see, the site is fully customizable to your child and their interests. Fuss loves learning with the music and fun alphabet songs. She has also started tracing letters with her fingers on the screen. I think her favorite part is when she receives tickets (yes, they actually fall down the screen from a "dispenser" into a basket at the bottom) for completing the requested activities. She will literally yell, "Mommy, I got a ticket!! Yay!" as she is bouncing up and down in the chair. She also counts them as they drop! Even better? She can buy things with her tickets such as dresses for her avatar or fish for the fish tank.


I am so glad I was able to do this review and am pleased to say that I am also giving away a 1-year membership to ABCmouse.com as well thanks to Jill! I definitely plan on keeping up with this site, especially since Fuss now asks, "Can I play ABCmouse.com?" on an almost-daily basis! I think that, alone, speaks for itself!

Please go HERE to enter the giveaway and be sure to check out the site and "Like" ABCmouse on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Great Post! The Most Important Thing You Can Teach Your Toddler

I happened across this site today called The Inklings of Life and as I was scrolling through skimming the page, I saw The Most Important Thing You can Teach Your Toddler. I read the story about her 2-year-old getting lost in a store (heart attack for any parent!) It has a happy ending, don't worry. ;)

This article got me thinking, though, about the things we teach our toddlers. There are obvious things: ABC's and 123's, first names, ages. But what about the not-so-obvious things? Things like last names and, maybe more importantly, names of those who care for them. My MIL started teaching Fuss my name as well as Hubby's before we did. I think that was mainly because she calls Hubby by his first name as she does me. One day, Fuss just asked who "Michael" and "Tara" were. Now she knows our names very well and if asked she will tell you. She also knows the names of MIL, FIL, my Mom and Step-Dad. She gets a little confused now and then, but has it pretty well down-pat. I think, though, in addition to teaching names, a toddler also needs to know WHAT to do if they are lost.

I actually told Fuss that if she ever loses Mommy or Daddy in the store that she is to find a grown up and ask for help. I always tell her if she is lost she needs to tell someone, "I have lost my Mommy and Daddy. Please help me." Oddly enough, I had the occasion to test this out in Target one evening. She happened to be dragging behind and I slipped around the corner before she noticed. I listened and I hear, "Oh no! I've lost my Mommy! Please help me!" (I actually chuckled when I heard this, but it made me proud at the same time.) At that point, I peeked around the corner and she ran to me. She then says, "Mommy, I thought I lost you! I'm glad you're back!" I then received a HUGE hug!

It only takes a little bit of repetition to teach them things like names. And, generally, if they start calling you by your first name and get no response (or a "Who?") they quickly correct themselves to Mommy or Daddy. I am really glad Fuss knows our names and knows what to do if she gets lost. Fingers crossed we never have to actually go through the motions of finding out how effective it is.

The only other thing I am trying to slowly teach that could help in the future is 9-1-1. We are not practicing it and she doesn't fully understand the idea of an "emergency" but I know she will get there.

Do you teach your kids your real names and the names of those who care for them on a regular basis? Why or why not?

When Did This Happen?

Seriously, wasn't Fuss just a baby yesterday!? Tonight I just spent, at least, 5 minutes explaining to her why we don't unroll the ENTIRE roll of toilet paper when we potty. I have tried the "don't do it" thing, but that did not work. So, tonight, I reminded her of the "Love the Earth" DVD with Elmo that we own. She has watched it a million times. I told her to remember Elmo wasting water down the drain. She said she remembered. I took it 1 step further, drawing on the "Lorax" for inspiration here: Toilet paper is made from trees and unless you want all the trees to go away, we don't waste toilet paper. Do you want trees to go away? (No.) Okay. Then please only use a little bit and don't waste. (Okay, Mama)

Really?

That worked?

I guess we'll have to wait and see for sure, but I was really amazed at how much of it she understood.

I really want to know when my baby turned into a bright little GIRL! It was probably those same aliens that stole my baby and replaced her with a tantrum-throwing toddler. I think they enhanced her and sent her back again. lol. Of course, we all know the tantrums are going to last another year at least, so not sure what kind of prank the aliens are pulling on me.

AAAhhhhh! #TripPlanning with #Toddlers

Anyone else have this problem? We have just found out the official date for my BIL's wedding. Yay! So excited!! The problem? The wedding is in California and we are in West Virginia. 5 hours. In a plane. With a toddler. Actually, after driving 9 hours (which inevitably turns into 10 because around hour 6 Fuss decides to potty every 20 minutes) to my Dad's, a 5-hour flight shouldn't really be all that bad. My dilemma there? The car seat. I have a rather bulky seat, but it is an awesome seat for the price and goes up really high in weight limits. The issue is that it might be too wide at the base to fit in the airplane seat correctly. The average seat width is somewhere around 17.2" (Source) and my seat is 20.8" wide. I asked on a Facebook group what the solution would be and the answer was to lift the arm rests. Okay, I can manage that. What about the weight of the seat carrying it through the airport? (It weighs about 15 pounds.) Well, I can cart it. My other option would be getting a new, but cheap, car seat for the trip. Bonus: That second seat would end up going to my MIL for use when she baby sits Fuss. The second seat is only about 1" less wide, but is 4 pounds lighter!

Secondly, we have to consider entertainment for Fuss. She gets bored easily and when she gets bored she, well, fusses. She will either scream or fight or wander. (Insert reason #1253 for taking car seat here.) On the other hand, it is only 5 hours. I don't want to be "those" people with the screaming kid, but I don't want to have to lug around more than necessary. She HAS to be harnessed according to FAA regulations. So, I can probably take some crayons and some snacks, but what else would you take on a plane ride for a 3-year-old?

Once I get all the planning sorted out in my head, I will be a LOT less stressed about this. Of course, I don't have just 1 trip to plan. Hubby and I also have to plan a trip for my baby sister's graduation! These events will be just a couple weeks apart, so that should be interesting.

Have you traveled with your kids? What did you do to entertain them?

Wordless Wednesday

Fuss and Beast

Happy Birthday, Fuss!

On this day, 2 years ago my amazing daughter was brought into the world. She was tiny, but feisty and came out swinging (literally).
Despite the nursing difficulties and the acid reflux, we made it through that first year. Despite my depression and Fuss's fiery nature, we've made it through year 2.
I don't pretend to know what lies ahead of us. I don't pretend to be the perfect wife or mother. I do, however, know that I will always be devoted 100% to my fabulous Fuss and her daddy. Wherever our road leads, as long as we face it together, nothing will stop us!

I Never Thought I'd Say...

"Don't lick the dog!" I mean, seriously!? Fuss was petting our Beast and he licked her hand. She giggled and said, "Tickles." No big deal. I turn around for a second and when I turn back to her she has her tongue out leaning closer and closer to Beast. I yelled, "Don't lick the dog!" and she stops and stares at me like "who me?" Hubby was working on putting up a grid for a drop ceiling and he scoffed/chuckled/gasped all at the same time. He said, "I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth."

That got me thinking about all the other things we say to our babies/toddlers that we never thought we'd say. Things like "Don't play in your poop" or "If you put it in the potty, it's gone forever!" The latest one was when Fuss threw her baby doll down the stairs at Daddy: "Don't throw the baby down the stairs! That's not nice!" Yep. Those exact words came out of my mouth. I have to admit, one of the better ones is during tantrums and she bangs her head off something then cries because it hurt: "Hurts, doesn't it? That's why you don't beat your head off things." (I know, I'm mean.)

What are some of the stranger things you have said to your kids? What were the circumstances behind that wonderful phrase?

Toddler Bed Turmoil

We did great until Wednesday night. Fuss would go to bed, cuddle a little with Mommy, and go to sleep with me right there (in the bed) with her. Wednesday, she woke up at 4 a.m. and WOULD NOT go back to sleep!! I finally climbed in bed (hers) with her and she fell asleep a little after 5. She was awake again at 6 and Daddy brought her to bed with us.

Thursday, she wouldn't go to bed until after midnight. She then proceeded to wake up every 3-4 hours crying. Luckily, I was able to give her the pacifier and she would stop.

Friday, she went to bed on time but was very restless.

Saturday, we had friends visiting so she missed her "normal" bedtime. (Let me add here that she had also nose-dived from my couch to the coffee table around 1 p.m. and had to be taken to urgent care. We were told to check her for signs of concussion every 2 hours. I am NOT waking up a sleeping kid to shine a flashlight in their eyes, for crying out loud!) Fuss finally went to bed around 10 p.m. An hour past her usual bedtime, but not bad. However, I didn't have to worry at all about waking her every 2 hours to check on her...she woke up every 45 minutes until almost 2 a.m.! I passed out at that point from sheer exhaustion after being up cleaning with a Fuss running around since 8 a.m., 2 doctor's visits, and then checking on her for hours straight. Daddy stayed up late to get ready for work, though, so he kept an eye/ear out for her for a few more hours.

That all brings us to tonight. Sunday. Daddy went back to work. Fuss decided she wasn't going to go to sleep tonight. She cried for me to cuddle in her bed. She cried to "go potty." She cried for water and for food. She threw the binky JUST so she could go get it. 9:30 this started. I decided she was going to lay down and I held my hand on her gently but firmly so she couldn't wander anymore. She cried for "Mommy" even though I was sitting beside her. At 9:45, I walked out. I couldn't handle the crying any longer. I shut the door and I left. Fuss chased me and started banging on the door, screaming at the top of her lungs. She lost her voice due to the screaming and the sore throat she's had for the last 4 days. I listened to some music on headphones to calm myself before attempting anything else. She cried for 15 minutes straight, alternately banging on the door and trying to scream. I feel like complete sh*t.

Finally, I give up. I go in and get her. She tries talking to me asking for "Binky" but her voice is so frail and raspy she can barely get it out. Yup. Mom of the year material. I end up rocking her. I got her calm and sat down with her in my lap on her bed. Next, I put her butt on the bed but keep her head close to my chest. Then I put her down on her pillow with my arm still under her head. I slide off the bed to sit on my knees on the floor. I think to myself, "Great. I hope I don't get stuck like this all night." As I slide my arm out, my sleeve gets stuck under her head and pulls her slightly as I move. Her eyes pop open and she grabs me. So, I put my hand on her hip and start patting her butt. She calms down slowly. I can finally move my hand away from her face. Pat, pat, pat, pat. I pull the blanket up over her and finally stop patting but leave my hand in place for a few more minutes. When I am sure she's out, I slowly start to move away from the bed. I have to crawl because my legs are too numb to walk. Across the room to the door I go. Turn the knob. Step out quickly (on my still-wobbly legs) and close the door quietly. SUCCESS!! It took 20 minutes but I got her to sleep!

I'm not really sure if I'm going to survive this whole sleep transition thing if it keeps up like this. I thought the Dora sheets would help her see it's awesome having a "big girl" bed and she'd want to stay there. I was wrong, apparently. She loves being in it in the day time, but won't nap there, and the second we mention bed time, she freaks out. And I wonder why I'm getting gray hair at 29.

Wordless Wednesday

Toddler bed!

Today was the Day

I took Fuss out to Wal-Mart (or Hell-Mart, however you choose to see it) this evening to pick out her new bedding. She is in her toddler bed now, so she gets to make the "big girl" decision of how she wants her room decorated! I put her in the buggy (shopping cart for those non-hillbillies) and wheel her over to the shelf of sheets.

She immediately points to Dora and yells loud enough for the rest of the store to hear, "DORA!!!!"

Then I tell her, "You can pick out your sheets for your bed, for 'Fuss's' bed. Which ones do you want? You can pick one: Fairies, Princess, Dora, or Minnie." I pointed at each one in turn. This is met with a very intense look and a "Hmmm." She studies them carefully. I see her look at Minnie, but her attention doesn't stay there long. She looks at the Disney Fairies. Same story. It's all down to the Disney Princesses or Dora.

She looks at me, pointing, and asks, "Princess?"

My reply? "If you want Princess on your bed, you can get it. It's going on YOUR BED. So, are you sure you want Princess? You pick."

She stands there another few minutes. I can see her thinking this over and looking from one to the other, back and forth. "Dora?" she says.

"If that's what you want, you can have it. You pick one: Dora or Princess."

"DORA!" she yells, not quite so loud this time, as she points to the Dora sheets.

"Are you sure?" I ask her. She responds with a smile and a nod and repeats Dora. "Okay, we'll get Dora!"

Yes, I actually had the above conversation with my not-yet-2-year-old. She had actually picked the Dora set out online before we went to Wal-Mart and HUGGED my laptop going "Awwww, Dora!" the second she saw it. Do I believe she understood everything I said to her? Not quite everything, but it was enough that she knew she could choose for herself. I admit, it was really interesting watching her make the decision when she could see the prints right there in front of her. Online, she could have cared less about the princesses. In real life, it was a completely different matter! Not to mention, as we walked through the rest of the store, she would point to Disney Princesses and go "Princess!" just as often as she would point to Dora. Apparently, this was a really difficult decision! In another couple years we will probably be changing her room to princess stuff from Dora, but for now she's happy (and hugged her sheets on the way out of the store) and that's all that really matters.

**And, in case you were wondering, last night Fuss slept in her toddler bed all night! She didn't wake up at all until almost 9:30 this morning. Of course, the second she woke up today, I heard "Mommy" and the patter of little feet running to the door. Her door was not latched, so she opened it and ran to her kitchen to play. Nap time wasn't quite so easy, though. She got up twice before I finally rocked her to sleep and placed her in the bed.

Goodbye, Baby...Hello, Toddler!

Okay, I know officially that Fuss is already a toddler. She's past 1 and walking. However, she was still in her crib. I figured as long as she wasn't climbing out, I wasn't going to transition her to the toddler bed setting (we have a convertible crib that goes all the way to a full size bed). She was great until recently. A couple weeks ago she started pulling herself up on the railing. Then, she would try to get her foot up over the railing. No big deal. She couldn't even potentially reach.

But in the last 2 weeks, she has gained another tooth AND at least 1" in height. I didn't think anything of it. Until today. This morning Fuss pulled up and put her foot over the railing on her crib! Had I not been standing right there, she would have fallen on her head. Joy. Now it's time to get the side rail out and set up her toddler-stage bed.

Personally, I am NOT ready for this. I am not ready for Fuss to get out of bed on her own in the middle of the night and come get mommy and daddy. I am not ready for her to be up at God-knows-what-hour in the morning running through the house. *I* am not ready. But she is. So, as usual, we follow her lead.


Now, to convince Daddy it needs done today....

Daylight Savings Sucks

You heard me right. I think DST sucks! It was originally designed with farmers in mind so they had an extra hour to work their crops. Sadly, in our tech-heavy world, we don't really have much need for the extra time to work the land like before. It really has lost much of its intended purpose. Now, it has been "modified" so we have a better grasp on saving energy. Really? How does this really help in the long-run? Especially since we are now turning to Hybrid and Fully Electric cars. Um...does anyone else see the irony? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for using less power and reducing greenhouse gases, I just don't think THIS is the way to do it!

I really wish the person who decides when DST begins and ends could have a newborn and/or a toddler. In all honesty, I wish good ol' Ben Franklin (who first came up with the idea of DST) could have had the responsibility of running a household and caring for children disturbed by the time switch. Yep, I AM that vindictive. To most, I'm sure it seems petty. A no-brainer. However, when throwing a toddler into the mix NOTHING is as easy as it used to be.

CASE IN POINT: Fuss woke up around 2 a.m. coughing. I ended up with her cuddling in my bed for about an hour before putting her back in her crib to ramble around for another 30-45 minutes before finally falling asleep again. Mommy normally is up until around midnight, so this means I got only 2 hours of sleep before she woke up. Awake another 2 hours, then slept when I realized she had passed out. She proceeds to wake up at 8 a.m. for the day. Logic tells us she should have slept until at least 10 a.m. since her normal waking time is 9(ish). That. Did. Not. Happen. Daddy comes home at 7 a.m. after working a full 13 hours (due to the time change) and needs to sleep for the following night's work. Joy. Mommy, exhausted, puts in a DVD for Fuss for quiet time so Daddy could sleep. We go to a birthday party (just me and Fuss) for my cousin and we're there for a couple hours. Craft show. Home. Fuss is very clumsy all day due to lack of sleep (and her refusal to nap), gets a bump on her head...again. We finally chill in the evening watching Disney movies prior to bed. Fuss starts her "I'm not tired! I'm gonna run and jump and play and go crazy!" routine an hour and a half before bedtime. Forty-five minutes before bedtime, she's rubbing her eyes. I ask who she wants to take to bed and she says "puppy" then asks for her binky. She was completely out in less than 5 minutes. And we still had 15 minutes before bedtime. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. I just hope she sleeps all night tonight!

So, again, WHY do I hate DST? 1) It really messes with our schedules here in regard to Fuss. When her schedules are messed with, we have a Super Fuss for about a week. 2) It makes it that much harder for my dear hubby to work nights. The poor man was a zombie this morning. 3) It's just a freaking pain in the butt! I hate having to go around my house and change every stinking clock! 4) Parents don't actually get an extra hour of sleep. Babies wake up at the SAME TIME even when the clock says otherwise. *Put that on a sticky note in your reasons NOT to have children yet column.* ;-)

What are your views on DST?

Toddlers and Tantrums

Yesterday was an interesting day. As was today. Why? Because Fuss took full advantage of the fact that she is (nearly) 18-months-old and decided it would be fun to throw tantrums at every possible moment. Not only that but, apparently, she has undergone a growth spurt recently and is SUPER clumsy! I am not joking when I say that I'm amazed she doesn't have a concussion after the last 2 days. She has slid and fallen into a chair, walked into a door, thrown a tantrum and hit her head on the ground while falling down limp, and tripped on her own feet and fallen into the coffee table! The worst part is that this isn't even remotely a complete list of all the things she's done the last 2 days alone. My mother-in-law always says, "God made them with short legs for a reason." Looks like she was right! LOL.

For the tantrums, we have had battles over hand-holding (which led to her going limp, slipping from my grasp, and banging her head on the floor in the mall), leaving a store, going IN a store, going the "wrong" way according to Fuss, and food. It amazes me how many things can seriously set her off. You would think that when I give her the food she requested she would be happy, right? Not in Toddler Town. By the time you have it prepared, she no longer wants "pasta." Now she wants "cicles." *sigh*

We also had a battle today over whether she was actually going to come with me to go home. Yup, right in the middle of JoAnn Fabrics I walked away from my 18-month-old daughter because she refused to hold my hand and walk with me. Before you go all psycho, though, I was only about 10 feet from her and within eyesight...including within eyesight of this very angry-looking old woman who must have thought I was THE worst mom in the world at that particular moment. What happened? Fuss got called by her first and middle name in a firm voice and I told her, "Let's go!" She came running to me. No muss, no fuss. We even left the store with her tagging along peacefully. (Contrary to your belief, Old Woman, I am her mother and I DO know what I am doing!)

Tonight, we endured yet another joy of toddlerhood: pushing bedtime. Fuss actually took a nap today for an hour and a half, so I didn't mind too much. However, it is exceedingly irritating when you are putting your little one to bed and she goes through a list of things to stay awake (already): Daddy? He's at work. Potty? You don't need to go now, you just went. Eat? You just ate. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, DOOOONNE! I am learning that some nights I just have to hold her still in my lap until she gives up and passes out.

So, what are some of the lessons you have learned since becoming a parent? This is by no means an all-inclusive list! LOL. I will be posting soon about the loss of naps and how that has affected our household. What a crazy journey parenthood is!