Well, that's a first.

I've heard of this happening to parents. But it hasn't happened to me. Until today.

I went to get Maya from her nap. Typically, she has everything from inside the crib thrown out of the crib. Blankets, bears, baby, NUK, pillow. Sometimes socks, sometimes not. And she's usually doing laps around the mattress crawling or walking, pointing out everything in her room when I walk in the door.

Today was no exception. Except there was something else thrown into the mix on the floor. Her diaper. Luckily, just a little wet.

That's the last time she goes down without pants.

It's a little too ironic

Just about two weeks ago, my Grandma's house burned down. No one was home in the duplex at the time, so reasons for the fire are yet unknown. My Grandma sold the house almost two years ago to move into assisted living, but for me, it was still hers.
Today I got my first copy of the Renville County Register, the local newpaper of my hometown. On the front page was a picture of the house, that I remember being built, ablaze. I remember my Grandpa walking around the house checking the progress of the home being built still just a frame of 2x4's. That was somewhere around the summer of 1986 (?). I have lots of memories of their home; of Christmases, cardplaying, sitting on the patio, meals, games, and family. Always full of happiness, always a popsicle in the garage freezer, always a can of pop in the fridge, always an enjoyable place to be, that was Grandma and Grandpa's house.
So, where is the irony? The reason I have the subscription is because it was my Grandma's subscription. Rather than my parents getting two a week, my dad had the address switched and it's now sent to me.
I'll be having a glass of wine for Grandma tonight.

Close to crying

I was so frigging close to crying today. Not for sadness, not for lack of sleep, not for losing my mind...it was because Hayden read to me today!

Hayden has been going to a wonderful, I repeat wonderful preschool for just about two years now. I know he's been learning just from day to day things; counting, sounding, singing, general stuff. Typically I ask him what he did in preschool that day and he says, "nothing" or "just {fill in the blank}." His teacher always gives me a little rundown of the day, what he did, how good he's doing, etc. I am always amazed at what she says because he never continues at home! He'll talk a little about it, show me his letters and sounds. And in a matter of minutes, he's done. I am totally okay with that. He's four, I get it. The attention span of a four year old is short. So when he doesn't want to continue, I stop.

BUT!!! Today!!! He READ to me! I was literally almost brought to tears!! He was so proud of himself. More proud than I have ever seen him! He has this little book that he has been working on at school called, "Mat" and today he brought it home. I knew he'd been working for a couple days on reading this book, so I thought, okay, he has it memorized. Well, he may have it memorized, but I could tell he was really reading it. He was sounding out the words, stumbing a couple times, but actually reading. He was really looking at the word, putting the sounds together and forming a word. He was making the word 'mat' into a three syllable word to a one syllable word. (Insert me singing a trill here.)

So, typically, he shows me what he does at school and he's over it. I tell him he has to show Daddy when he gets home. He was so excited to read to Daddy when he got home that Daddy got read the book in the bathroom.

I am a proud, proud mom today.

She's 18 Months already

I'm feeling guilty for not starting this blog the minute Hayden was born. Why? See the last how many posts! Since "day one" I've taken both the kids' pics every three months for the first year, every six months for next two and then onc ea year following. So that's: 3 mo., 6 mo., 9 mo., 1 yr, 18 mo., 2 yrs., 2.5 yrs., 3, 4... And seriously, I am so anal about when they turn each specific age, they have been taken on the day they turn that age or at least the day after. Not before.
But, because I started this blog when Maya was a baby, it feels like all I do is post about her! Hayden is a great kid. Cute, smart, funny, and wonderful. But, because he has gone through all the changes that Maya is just starting, he gets left behind so to speak.
Kids change so much up until they are 3. Hayden is four and hasn't changed all that much in the last year. Know what I mean?! Maya has gone from just sitting up to crawling to walking to running to climbing and on. Hayden is learning like crazy, but to look at him isn't a big change.
So, without further rambles from my guilty self, here are Maya's 18 month pictures. I wish I had the cd for Hayden's pictures from the past. I would so do a comparison of the two.
Sigh.

Daddy's Girl

Miss Maya is such a Daddy's girl, it's not even funny. I get a little jealous throughout the day.

She wakes up in the morning, calls for me to get her. I go in, pick her up and the first thing she says, "Daddy."

We have pictures scattered on shelves, walls and the fridge. She goes around the house throughout the day and finds pictures of Buddy, points and says, "Daddy" to each one about 8 times. Each.

She sees a GMC truck out and about and says, "Daddy." Never a Chevy, Ford or Toyota, just GMC. Smart girl.

We went to the grocery store and were by the hot dogs. She starts yelling, "Daddy!!" She's pointing to a package of hot dogs with the Arizona Cardinals symbol on them. Buddy has a bunch of tees, hats and a jersey that he wears often.

Also at the grocery store today. Walked by the Bud Light display. You got it, "DADDY!!"

Now, does she do this when I am not home? Buddy has yet to answer yes to that question.

Mission: Maya's Room=COMPLETE!

I have had an itch to re-do Maya's room for a little while now. I didn't want to do a complete overhaul, cuz I still liked the color. I just wanted some minor changes. Last week I finally came up with something; a new crib skirt. Upon completing that on Thursday, it wasn't going to be enough. So, I made window panels and a valance, did some stenciling (which I do not recommend on textured walls, UGH), threw together two pillows and a mini pillowcase, put some bling onto the stencils and re-did the vinyl phrase above her crib. What I ended up with I love!! It turned out so cute. Plus, it didn't cost much at all!! The black fabric was leftover, I had just enough to do everything you see. I only had to buy the yellow (only a yard) and the pink (3.5 yards), the stencil templates and the curtain rod. Not too shabby!!!

This is before:And after!:
The border is gone and I added stencils on each side of the mirror and a light pink one underneath. Hard to see, but it's there.

Blinged up!

Pillows and pillowcase. The pillowcase is only 16x12 and is little and adorable.

Cribskirt that got me going! Love it!

I started with just the panels and felt something was missing. I added the valance. I wish it was just a hair wider, but I didn't need to get more fabric, so I am good!

I could not find a better phrase for above her crib. I looked, but kept going back to this and it is PERFECT!!

Now, I am on the lookout for a cheap-o lamp that I can vamp up and a few little accessories. Other than that, I think I done ok. :)

Quiet Please

I'll set up the scene:

I am watching 30 Rock and Hayden is playing his DS with the volume UP. Buddy is in the chair eating ice cream and really nothing else.

Me: "Hayden, will you turn the volume down please?"

Hayden does, but minimally.

Me: "Hayden, please turn it down more, I can't hear what I am watching."

Hayden: "Fine, I will."

Still not enough.

Me: "Ok Dude, please turn it down more or go get your headphones. I can't hear what I am watching."

Hayden: "Well, go upstairs and watch it in your bed then you won't hear it at all."

Laughter all around. Little stinker.

Who is this kid?! I like him...ALOT!!

I don't know what has happened to my son the past few days. Since Sunday, something has changed. He has been a complete delight! We didn't realize it until Sunday evening. Buddy and I were just sitting there and he says, "Man, Hayden has been so good today." I was in total agreement.

Monday morning I was upstairs getting ready and I heard him get up and start down the hallway. I said a "good morning" and went on to tell him to go back to his room to get ready for school. His clothes were laid out and ready, he just needed to change. I dread this every morning he has school. It's always a 25 minute process of whining, complaining, not wanting to wear that shirt or those pants. This morning, he brought his clothes into my bathroom to get dressed and just did it. Not a peep, not a frown, just did it. Huh. I thinking, "did we somehow drug him yesterday? Cuz this isn't my kid. No way."

The day progressed beautifully. He was just such a nice kid. Talking nice, being nice, playing nice, listening, eating, just being a gem.

Tuesday came in much the same. He put up a minor stint in the bath and then the shirt I picked wasn't cutting it. But, after a very brief talk, it was over. Again, a perfect kid. What the?

Today was the same process getting ready for school. Easy.

I don't know if he's just realizing things and a lightbulb went off in his head, but this kid is just wonderful. We are doing the stickers on the calendar again this month and his reward will be a new DS game. So, maybe that's sinking in? I don't know, but I am keeping this guy!

He's been just the quietest mouse and then out of no where, he's all, "Mommy? I just love you." Seriously!! The last three days he's said this to me and Buddy. He's having fun conversations with us. Playing so good with Maya and cleaning up without a complaint. I am wracking my brain, trying to think of everything he ate, touched, or smelled to find the source of what entered his body so I can KEEP IT COMING!

He's been a joy again today. Went to Target and he never asked for a thing. So, we got Starbucks. Me a coffee, Maya a water with a straw (can't leave her out) and him a "special" chocolate milk in a Starbucks cup with ice, whipped cream and a cardboard sleeve.

I am just breathing sighs of relief and enjoying this new little man. Cuz, who knows, he might be gone tomorrow.

Maya, Miss Maya

I made Miss M's 18 month appointment today. Where did the time fly off to?! Almost 18 months and simply the sweetest, cutest, hilarious curly-topped little girl.

Miss Maya has brought smiles to our faces every day. Whether it's a horrendous, crappy day or just an ordinary one, she as this ability to just look at you and make you smile. It could be her just walking away and you watch her little bowed toddler legs move her forward. Or it's her little head tilt to the side with her blue eyes just piercing your heart. Maya starts her days with a smile, literally, and typically ends them with one too.

She's starting to talk more and it's glorious! I ask her questions and she can answer yes, more of a YA, but it's the same. She has begun saying "no" and shakes her head at the same time. I carried on a conversation about her lunch today and every question was answered. She happily says puppy, alot. Puppy to the tv, books, Prada (our pup) and any four legged creature that goes in front of the house. Buddy has begun the task of teaching her names of cars. Ferrari has been the only success thus far. "Mommy and Daddy" have long been in her vocabulary, Mommy being her first I must say. Hayden is getting more of a "dada" word, but I know who she means. She was saying "Grandpa and Grandma" when they were here. Grandpa was more of a "bumpa" and that is perfectly acceptable. "Done" is a big one, but it sounds more like "un". Love the talking and her pronunciations. Hayden has "lost" alot of his cute ways of saying things, so starting again is wonderful.

Miss M has taken a very strong love of purses. As I type, she is carrying around a rather large faux Louis V that she found in the closet. She has a couple toy purses she does like, but most of her time is spent with the "real" thing. She inherited a purse of my Grandma's as we were cleaning out her apartment. This is her go-to bag of the moment. I tell her to get her purse and that's the one she gets.

The purse fetish is not her only. She's a shoes girl. Before she knew where her nose and ears were, she knew where her feet were. I kid you not. She cries when shoes are taken off her feet in stores after trying on. She hasn't mastered the word, but tell her to find her shoes, she knows the location. She is for sure her Mommy's girl!

She dances to anything. Commercials, my singing, football game music (did that make sense?), in her carseat to the radio, to whatever is coming through the iPod, basically to any form of music she hears. Even when it's silent she breaks out the moves. I say she's dancing to the music in her head.

The best thing I love about her is how much she has wrapped her daddy around her little finger. Hayden and Buddy are buds. They can play Wii, wrestle, work in the garage and talk cars together. Maya and Buddy are complete. Had Maya been a boy, I don't think Buddy would feel the completion I see when he watches her. We say every day that she couldn't be any cuter; in her actions, looks, personality, playfulness. She got a tea set for Christmas and I undid the packaging. Buddy played with it with her. She looks at pictures throughout the house ALL DAY and points and says "Daddy" over and over and over. We were doing laundry this morning, a load of mine and Bud's stuff. All the shirts she saw that were his, "DADDY" was proclaimed! There is a song by Carrie Underwood, "All American Girl" that I cannot sing outloud in the car because I seriously tear up and start to cry when I hear it. I think of Buddy and her. Seriously, I tear up!! The song isn't how our life with children has gone, but the meaning behind the father/daughter relationship is wonderful.

So, my little baby is one month away from the big 18 months. She's happy 98 percent of the time, only crabby when hungry or tired. Her laugh is adorable. Her hair baffles me every day. Her cheeks are still pinchable. She dances perfectly. Her blue eyes are envious. Her personality is amazing. I am so FREAKING LUCKY to have this beautiful little girl as MINE!

Tickets, get your tickets here!

Hayden asked me yesterday if we could go to Minnesota to see Grandma and Grandpa. I said yes, someday. He wanted to go TODAY! I explained to him that we don't have tickets and we needed to buy tickets in order to go on the plane.

Hayden: "we already have tickets."

Me: "nope, we don't."

Hayden: "yes we do. When Daddy and I went to the Cardinals football game we used tickets. We have those tickets. They are tickets so we can use them for the plane."

Somewhat Merry Christmas

I felt a bit sad this Christmas. It was our first Christmas that we stayed home in Arizona and didn't fly home to Minnesota. Yes, I said home twice for two different things, but Minnesota will always be home to me. Arizona is where we live and each year is beginning to feel more like home. See what I mean? Buddy didn't have any vacation left from work, so the hard decision was made to stay put. It is very hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit when then air isn't freezing cold, white doesn't blanket the ground and we don't have to bundle up before setting foot outside. The house is decorated because I really enjoy that part of the process. At night it does feel more festive because of the tree and banister and other spots are lit up. Still, it's hard being away from home.

Christmas Eve day, we spent outside in the front yard cleaning up the yard, trimming the trees. After getting all dressed and ready for church, we headed out. Now, Christmas Eve is always the one day of the year I do feel like I should be in church. I love to sing along, listen to the prayers, watch all the little ones in their dressed up cuteness and reflect on the year past. So, I was looking forward to going to a church where I hadn't been to Christmas mass before. Well, the place was beyond packed, bursting out the doors; people standing in every nook and cranny. We tried to settle into the crying room, but once in had to stand in the back against the wall and couldn't even see the alter. There was no way we'd be able to even somewhat enjoy the service standing with both kids, so we left. Oh, we weren't the only ones heading to our car, there were quite a few who had the idea too.

Once home, we let the kids open one gift they had gotten from some friends and luckily they were toys that kept them busy until dinner. Dinner came and went and onto gifts from ourselves to ourselves. Hayden was in heaven with his loot, Maya still has that unsure thing going on about opening gifts. She likes to rip the paper, but doesn't quite get that there is something underneath it. All in all, we had fun, enjoyed our little family and called it a night by placing cookies out for Santa, sprinkling the reindeer food on the front yard and heading to bed.

Christmas morning was a thrill with both kids getting a new four-wheeler/quad. Hayden's is still a smidge big, but he's a growing boy! Maya LOVES hers and knows to push the button to get it going. We opened gifts from Buddy's side of the family and had a low key day of relaxing, playing with the new toys and eating.

It was a good Christmas looking over the last two days. I did find myself reminiscing in my head of Christmases past. Ones from years and years ago as well as the more recent ones of our little family. I found myself getting teary thinking of Christmases with my Grandparents. I remembered where the trees were, piles of gifts, the food, cookies and all the family. I missed seeing my nephews and nieces open our gifts to them and the caos that comes it.

It wasn't the first year I spent the holidays away from home, it was the second. But it was the first one my parents didn't have the grandkids around. Luckily, thanks to the Minnesota Gophers, they are coming down tomorrow for a week and that alone has made being without close family here at Christmas easier. We will be able to celebrate with them and my brother and sis-in-law even though it's a few days late.

I hope everyone did have a wonderful holiday whether you were snowed in, without family or with all of your loved ones. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Is it tomorrow yet?

The morning started out crappy, got horrid, got better, got horrid again, went back to crap and then things calmed.
The day for me started good. Up to a hot pot of coffee, let the dog out of her kennel and enjoyed the coffee, news and computer time. And then I went to wake up Hayden for school.
His preschool time has switched from 8:30 to 8 now. Long story and hoping I don't ever have to tell it because my fingers are crossed that it will go back to 8:30. Anyway, went to wake him up. Got his clothes out and told him to get dressed. It's 7:28 (or so). By 7:45, he is NOT completely dressed, he's complaining about his shirt and is just being a putz. I have myself and Maya dressed and almost ready by this time. We head downstairs with Hayden complaining still, but wanting to finish getting dressed downstairs.
I look in the living room to see a massive wet spot on the carpet where the da*# dog has decided to piss. She had been trained, but that's another story I don't have time for. The point is, I am so fricking sick of cleaning up dog pee.
Hayden is whining, I am livid and soaking two towels with dog wiz and it's 7:53 am. I still have to get shoes onto 6 feet and do H's hair. His undershirt is backwards which requires removing the shirt we have fought over, turning around the other, putting on the outer and buttoning it. Which, by the way, just about starts another whine session because HE wants to button. But, luckily I convinced him that that will take tooooo long.
Luckily, the preschool is literally 2 minutes away, so we are out the door at 7:59. But, have to put Maya in her carseat, which isn't always easy. Got to school and get a whine session about how we forgot to get his sweatshirt! What?! When did this come up? I tell his teacher I am praying and have my fingers crossed that the time will get switched back to 8:30. :)
I get home, have to get Maya breakfast and myself breakfast and shampoo the carpet because there is no way I am going to spot treat that lake!! I have to clean up toys, move furniture and vaccuum before I can consider shampooing. Can't just shampoo the one area, might as well do the whole dang room. This is all completed by 8:35 because I still need to get to the gym which I am not going to miss cuz I need to get some frustration OUT!
The rest of the morning and the afternoon goes without incident. Get Hayden from school and he has a WONDERFUL ornament he made to go on the tree. Pretty much made the morning's antics disappear. Both kids get fed, the dog is let outside to run off some steam and then naptime comes. Aaahhh. Hayden vegged on a Mickey Mouse Christmas movie and I relaxed a bit. We even went to the park to have some fun outdoor time.
Then comes dinnertime. Buddy's home, I start the chopping and Maya moves in on me screaming her head off because it's "feed me time". Buddy gets her involved in something. The dog is out enjoying the family. Somehow everyone is in the kitchen checking out what I am making. I am trying a new recipe using some leftover turkey from a couple nights ago. Then, for some reason, the dog gets scared over something and pees on the tile. Buddy catches her, doesn't yell at her, just gets her to stop and tells her to go outside. She comes over by me, Buddy approaches and she starts peeing AGAIN! Buddy gets a little madder and says no, she moves, pees again. Buddy picks her up, she continues peeing and he lifts her over the COUNTER, SHE's STILL PEEING!!!
Dinner is literally thrown down the drain and we had to order takeout.
Onto after dinner... I'll be quick, I see this is a long one. Takeout was Chinese. Maya got a hold of Hayden's sweet and sour sauce, dumped it on the fabric kitchen chair and floor. My day pretty much started and ended using the carpet shampooer. It's starting to be one of the best purchases, ever.
I'm on glass of wine number 2.

A Sticker a Day?

We are trying something with Hayden. He's been such a little you know what, that we figured a threat may be just the thing to get his butt in gear. What?! That sweet little face is a little pain in the rear?! Yes, it is.

Hayden isn't always bad, he can be a sweetheart, great helper and just a wonderful little boy, but right now, the bad is outweighing the good. Unfortunately. So, I thought of a little calendar and sticker idea with the idea of this: Every day Hayden is good, doesn't excessively whine, eats well, cleans up, gets dressed without a fuss, bathes without a breakdown, etc, he gets to put a sticker on a calendar before he goes to bed. If there has been too much yelling, threatening, and disciplining on mine or Buddy's part...you got it, no sticker.

It's pretty amazing that a little piece of paper with a sticky side to it could make all the difference in the actions of a 4 year old. We started this on the 4th of this month, today is the 10th, it's been 7 days. So far, 5 stickers. Yesterday, he lost it before noon and he had preschool in the morning. I was with him a total of an hour and a half and he lost it. He was really bummed about that this morning and today has been a better day.

I think it's working. Our threat for this month is pretty simple and I think that's why it's working. I won't divulge, cuz some may think it's pretty harsh. But, since it's our kid and we are the ones who have to put up with him, we're sticking to our guns. Yes, it does have to do with what he may or may not receive for Christmas. I'll leave it at that. Sorry.

We are going to keep it up through the months. Hayden seems to like the idea of doing something special at the end of the day and he does have to earn it. Keeping fingers crossed that this is the making of an even greater kid.

From Bad to Much Better

Yesterday was a day from hell. I was a cheerleader in high school and I don't remember yelling that much in one game than I did the whole day. Both kids for some reason decided to channel the devil and act like complete hellions. Hayden simply was a snot; back talking, making a mess, whining non-stop, just simply being a brat. Maya only took a 1 1/2 hour nap, cried waaaayyy too much, kept getting in front of me in order to try and be held, and pulled a sassy attitude. I didn't think a 16 month old could have an attitude, but she can.

To top off the day, Buddy didn't get home until 6 when he's usually home around 4. Those extra two hours kicked my ass. But, once he was home, things cooled off slightly. At least made it so I could clean the kitchen and get some laundry done.

Of course I was unable to fall asleep. I was still up at 10:30 when Maya started to cough, bad. Usually she just falls back asleep, but this time she didn't. She didn't start crying, but I could tell she was not happy. I went to her room and tried to get her to fall back asleep. She was really stuffed up and with a NUK, that doesn't work. I got my Eucalyptus Scentsy and plug-in warmer to see if that would clear her up. (It really does work!) It worked for about 15 minutes. She coughed again and had it with her bed.

Maya isn't a cuddler. Major bummer as a Mom. But, when I got her out, she just hugged onto me like she was saying, "Thank you Mommy. I just want to be by you." Talk about melting my heart! Especially after the day we had. I grabbed her blanket and bear, the Scentsy plug-in and headed to my room.

I put her down, turned on the TV, plugged in the warmer and joined her. She looked at me like she was saying Thank You. I laid by her on my side, she got squirmy and I thought, "oh crap, she thinks we're going to play." Nope, she just moved over closer to me, laid on her side, cuddled in and we, for lack of a better word, spooned.

We laid like that for awhile, watching an NCIS rerun. This made my day so much better. All the crap that happened through the day just melted away. It was so good to just lay there with her, snuggled up with the scent of Eucalyptus filling the air. Aaahhhhh.

She had no fever, just stuffiness and cough. I've got the same problem at night. We're just both getting over the same crud.

Fingers crossed for a good day today...

Thanksgiving week...

This week always goes entirely too fast. My parents have been coming down to visit this week for the last several years. They get here on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and leave the Saturday after. They left today.
We cram in visiting my brother's house, shopping, playtime with kids, shopping, outings, eating and shopping into one week and it's never long enough. There is always great anticipation by Hayden and then he can't get enough of Grandma and Grandpa. Maya was all over them this year! I think they both memorized her books in the week they were here.
This is a short post, I am tired from a day of decorating and sewing and have a crappy cold. I always, always enjoy my time spent with my parents. But, it is always so dang hard when they have to leave. I can't hold back tears, I can't hide my sadness. It really sucks living so far away from my family.
There, that's it. That's pretty much the reason for the post. I don't have pictures to share. I always seem to forget the camera when they are here, just too much to do.
I'm just really sad to be so far away from 'home'.