Rainy 'Jamas Day

A Nothing Day

To kill time and to get out of John's way so that he can work on his paper (due next week)... Mutti and I took the girls to the mall. We had lunch and Aidan and I rode the carousal. The rest of the day was spent doing nothing.

Being a Princess!

Miss Aidan is turning into quite a girl!

Black Friday 2008

We didn't have any intentions with shopping today but it turns out John, me and Aidan ended up gone until dark. Ainsley stayed with Mutti because she needed a nap. We went to Home Depot, Lowe's, Petsmart, Steve and Barrys, Target, and Walmart. Then we went and bought a live Christmas tree. It was a busy and tiring day. Aidan was losing it as soon as she got home. We barely bought anything and I feel it was mostly a lot of waste of time. Aidan did see the train and Santa in the mall though and we'll be taking her and Ainsley back. She started to throw a tantrum because she wanted to "ride train" and "See Santa... PLEASE!" but I told her we needed to bring Ainsley with us. She says "Oh, mommy, forgot DeDe?"

BTW- the tree we bought is over 9ft tall, wide, and very beautiful. However it has a large crack up its trunk so we're not sure if it will live long. We're debating on taking it back...

Where's the Thanks?

Today John, the girls, and I went over to the in-laws. It was an OKAY time. When I say okay I mean... it was pleasant... not overly exciting.. no stimulating conversation... but okay. The girls seemed to enjoy themselves. Aidan is becoming more relaxed around them all. I derived most of my pleasure in the visit watching the girls and how the others were with them. Only Uncle Patrick freaks her out still. (which he probably always will because he has no clue how to interact with them) There was only one issue and that arose because Patrick was handling Ainsley roughly by the arms (yes, hurting the one that was broken). She was crying and I rushed in to save her. Apparently, later, Patrick was "given a talking to" about being more gentle with the girls and not being so rough... yadda yadda. I'll believe that when I see that. Anyway... as I said it was okay.... nice. It seemed weird to me however... everyone separated and went their own ways to eat... there was no prayer or anything. I would have thought on Thanksgiving.. everyone could eat together and give thanks for SOMETHING. My Aunt Nancy, a Jehovah Witness, said on Thanksgiving their family gets together for a big meal but it's NOT Thanksgiving because they are not celebrating anything.... Well what's the difference? I can't remember the last time I went to a Thanksgiving "celebration" and actually celebrated anything.

All dressed and ready to leave!



Ainsley sitting with Nana



Aidan reading with Grandpa Curtis

Random Updates

Today I let Ainsley finally get down and go. She has been in the best mood I've seen in awhile. I didn't realize how keeping her caged made her so cranky until I let her out. All day Ainsley has been standing and letting go and taking a few steps. The last few days... we've been practicing with her.. going back and forth from person to person or sometimes couch to person. So far she can go 5 steps without falling. Since its been a month I figured it would be okay for her to use her arm. I still cannot wait until the 4th when she gets the x-ray. She is so happy about it all and is so PROUD of herself when she stands or walks. Her face just lights up and she "claps". Ainsley's "clap" is so adorable. She taps her spread fingers together very lightly and soundlessly. Aidan, at her age, actually clapped the standard way. I think I like Ainsley's way better. :-) Something that amazes me is how kids naturally have pride. Somehow it is inborn to us to recognize when we've done something well and to feel proud about it. I would have guessed it would have needed to be taught.

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Ainsley is working on her second tooth...'bout time.....

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Aidan was very happy to have "DeDe" back to play. She would holler out... "Mommy... DeDe can play with me! DeDe play!" (in happy-high-pitched-little-girl voice)

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I finally got the oil changed today. I went to the place up the street. Boy did it need it. I am happy to not see that "Main. Req." light on. Next, I need to get it detailed.

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I was feeling like a yuppy again today. (and realized I think yuppy is anyone with money) Everything around here seems to be expensive and frequented only by "well-off" people. I sat around with all these fru fru or professional looking people as young, spoiled teenage boys worked on our cars. They were all Lexuses or other expensive and nice looking things.
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I'm going to get a shower now.

Nagging

Something had been nagging me from inside my head lately but I haven't been able to put my finger on it until tonight. It's about Aidan. We all know Aidan is advanced. She speaks in complete sentences, knows her alphabet, is starting her sounds of letters, is counting, etc etc. However, I do push it. In my eagerness and pride I push. I'm not horrible about it... but I surround her with educational, educational, educational stuff. I also am always asking her to tell me what this is or that... or I like to sit her down and try to engage her in "learning" games. The nagging feeling is telling me to stop.... to slow down and let her explore things and play with imaginative things and let her do a lot of art projects. The other stuff can wait a year or so. I realize that the only reason to have her learn it all this early is so that I can show her off... well.... it's true. And is it good for her? That is what runs through my mind. We encourage her to show off and in front of her we talk about how smart she is and we show her how pleasing it is to us for her to be smart. But... I think that might backfire. She might turn out to never do anything she's not good at because she's used to the praise and feels like a failure. Or, possibly, she'll even out with other kids her age and then have issues because she's "not smart" anymore. Anyway, I think all the emphasis on her intelligence can have a lot of negative side effects and I and all the others need to adopt a relaxed attitude about her "being gifted." That way, she'll be praised for being Aidan.. not for being smart. I'm going to try. This doesn't mean I wont still introduce educational things... just not start lessons... etc ever day. This week I went as far as buying a notebook to keep her finished "worksheets" in. Worksheet? She's Two! What am I thinking?

Lists

For Aidan's Xmas list she's getting ....

from us:
My First Dollhouse
Geo Trax train set
what I'm telling everyone else to get:

1) leap frog word builder for the fridge (though I doubt anyone will get it since it's educational...people only want to buy the fun toys)
2) tonka bounce back racer
3) magna doodle

For Ainsley's Xmas list she's getting...

from us:
Waffle blocks
bath tea set
??????
from others:
books

Yeah, don't we have such LONG lists!!! The truth is we don't know what to give. Apparently Aidan loves the Elmo LIVE but there is no way I can (or will) spend $60 bucks on it.

Sunday Dinner

John and the girls and I went out shopping today. I gave John the option to just stay home and chill but he said he'd like to go out. Soo, we went to Toys R Us and bought some of the kids' presents. Aidan now has her dollhouse and a beginning set of Geo Trax. Ainsley has a bathtub tea set. (yeah, we're having trouble with what to get her) Russell and Cole now have a skateboard. Because money is so tight at the moment we're pulling "a George" and only buying for kids this X-mas. I'm unhappy about doing so... I enjoy giving things to others... but.... oh well. Afterward, we headed to the in-laws and stayed for supper. It was a good time. Maureen was over-the-moon with having everyone there. John and Andrew had some bonding moments.

It amused me because they look more alike now considering they both are growing a beard. There did, however, seem to be a lot of tension when it came to Angel. I think perhaps its weighing on her being around them all the time. Her and Andrew kept arguing as well. Oh, speaking of which, after asking... I was informed that basically Angel's family was going to be getting her practically everything.... so it's unneccessary for us to do anything for them. Well, okay. I'll wait until the novelty has worn off and then get them something..(when Conner is older and needs older things)

Failed Yard Sale

Today we were supposed to have a yard sale. Unfortunately when we got up (after 3 hours of sleep) it was only 20- something and Mutti canceled it. It stinks that we stayed up all night for nothing. John stayed up as well but only because he was writing a paper that was due today. Well, since we weren't having one ourselves we decided to drive around and see how the other sellers were doing. Aidan even went shopping and picked out a little plastic golf set. It was only a dollar but she played with it all day. ~Proud Mommy Alert: when she spotted a toy with letters written all over it... she crouched down and started reading them out loud. The shocked faces just make me and Mutti so proud!!!!~ The rest of the day was spent hanging out and sleeping.



Aidan playing with her golf set.



Goofing around with Daddy!

Aidan loves to Paint!

Muddled Brain this Morning

I had a really bad dream this morning. It's left my brain in a fog. Ugh!

What a Cutie!

At the Fort with Aunt Nancy

Busy Busy

My Aunt Nancy is here visiting. It's fun having her here. Today we went to the Savannah Book Festival at Forsyth Park. We didn't buy anything though because much to our sorrow... the books were all full price. I was so disappointed. Money is so tight and I was hoping to find some good deals. Anyway, afterward we grabbed some lunch and toured downtown Savannah. The girls never had a nap except perhaps a ten minute nap here or there. They are such good girls. Even though they have a strict schedule they don't fall apart when off it. Right now they are deep asleep. I wonder why? Ha Ha
Oh, and I got the primers in the mail a day or so ago. They were a good buy and I'm so glad to get them. Aidan and Ainsley will definitely be using them.

B.T.W.

Aidan....

• You now know all the words off of Meet the Sight Words 1. (I didn't realize that until I saw you say them all while we were up at Bridgett's.)
• We're moving on to Meet the Sight Words 2 with review of 1. You do not, however, really see the point in knowing them... that understanding of why you should know a word is beyond you yet.
  
• You know all the numbers 1-10 and presently, you're working on actual counting. Give it a few more weeks and you'll have it.
  
• There seems to be no interest in learning the alphabet song. (huh!)
• In a few days we will receive in the mail your very first start of a phonics program.. the primers for the Explode the Code series. I do not expect you to be able to do them at all but I want them for ideas and to "plant seeds" as Mutti says.
• I will be starting tomorrow with VERY loose teaching. I mean, I've always taught you things but there is to be a time every morning when you and I do "school" together. Yes, hunny, I know you're two but it wont be hard. For example... we'll use only one color to color a picture, color and draw and cut out one shape until you know it, start trying to trace things like lines etc for hand coordination, practice with scissors, play counting games, etc etc. I'll be going with the flow most of the time. My philosophy is to have no expectations and just enjoy watching you learn. Seriously, this won't be a big thing... it's just I shall be making a more structured effort.
• You totally speak in complete sentences. Sometimes it takes us (your daddy, me, and grandma) back the sentences you come out with.
  
• You are SOOOO 2! You are pushing every button you can to get a reaction out of us. You like to act really silly when you're supposed to be doing something (ex. falling on the floor when you need to get dressed) You are being mean to the animals or Ainsley to see what we'll do. You also have a "leave-me-alone-I-want-to-do-it" attitude at times. You're disrespectful with speaking to us but I don't take it badly because you don't know it's disrespectful. (ex... you told me today to "GO MOMMY... SHOO.. get Out ...GET OUT!! ) As I said and I'll reiterate.... you are Soooo 2!
• We're working on the whole manners things.... making you stop interrupting adults while they are talking, using "ma'am" and "sir", asking and telling things nicely, etc etc.
• Aidan, you're still a wonderful big sister. You play with "De De" while she's in the play pen... with her being hurt... she needs to be immobilized and so you'll ask to be put in it too. You still worry over her and make sure we are taking care of her properly. You have no issues with telling us what De De needs at any given moment.
  
• There are some jealousy issues at times
• You love playing with your baby dolls, you LOOVE to color, and you watch too much TV.
• Now, you can put a puzzle together that isn't slotted for each piece
• You are an extremely loving, affectionate little girl. I love your hugs, I love you mini beaver grin, I love your spirit.
  

De De... oops, I mean, Ainsley....

• You are working hard on vocalization .. esp since you have to stop with the physical right now. At this time.. you say "mama", "hi", "bye bye", and yesterday you started saying "da da" I hear more consonant sounds out of you every day.
• Holy cow, Ainsley, can there be a more happy, lovey, smiley girl? You make my heart whole with your infectious happiness! You are such a joy! I am so glad to have you.
• It is hard on you to not be able to move. Though you stay mostly in a good mood... it's obvious you want to be down and exploring
• Well, you were starting to walk. When we went up to Bridgett's you were just starting your first steps... obviously that is on hold right now.
  
• I worry like crazy about your arm. Sometimes I clip it to your front but it doesn't seem to stop you from using it. I just don't see how it can knit back together when you use it all day. I don't let you crawl or anything but still. I really cannot wait until you can get another xray
• Ainsley, you copy hand gestures now... like waving and raising your arms above your head. You even copy the "more" gesture.
  
• There is such an understanding look in your eyes... like you understand everything and are amused by it all... like you're waiting for the rest of the world to catch up
• You and your sister seem to be linked somehow... you "talk" to each other and crack each other up. You also have started annoying Aidan by grabbing and taking. She's now got that sibling tone..... "De DEEEEEE!"
• Girl, you are an instigator! If Aidan is in ya'll's room at night.. then you'll stay up and play and keep her up. We now have to stagger ya'll with the bed times. You go first.
  
• Unfortunately, we've gotten in the habit of giving you a bottle during the night. We are going to stop that when your arm feels better.
• I can't believe you are almost ONE! Didn't I just have you? OMG!
• Say goodbye to both the bottles and pacifier. They both shall be going soon. As will the formula (yay... HaPpY DaNcE!)...... say hello to milk baby!
• Oh, Ainsley, always keep the smiles..... and yes, I like your mischievousness... you remind me of me. How can I not love that?
  

Big Step

I went today and am glad. Aidan didn't necessarily "have fun" but it was a good visit. She enjoyed the arts and crafts session and played with all the toys. It was good for her. I almost did the "hide away from the world and refuse to join it" but I didn't. Go Me!

Deliberations...

Tomorrow I've signed up for a playdate with Aidan at someone's house. The problem is that I'm still sick and mornings are the worst for me. I cannot make up my mind whether or not to go. Decisions...decisions....

A song of Happiness

I had some sleep Yaaaaayyyy!
I feel better Todaaaaayyy!
I hate being all sick!
I hate this annoying cough!
I cannot be
a good Mommy
when I feel so yick!

She's Broked!!

Okay
So, things have been crazy. After the visit at Grandma's I realized that Ainsley's arm was hurt. She wasn't using it and nursed it all day... it just took me a long time to click in my head. I checked it out really carefully and nothing seemed broken or dislocated... so I figured it was just a pulled muscle. Monday, I was careful and she didn't use it much. Tuesday, a nurse friend of Bridgett's came over and checked it out.. said it was probable just pulled. Yeah, well, Tuesday night I took off her clothes to give her a bath and saw an angry red line along her collarbone and it was raised and I could feel movement when she moved. Needless to say... she had broken it. I didn't know!!! So, Andy came home early and took us to an Urgent Care. She had an x-ray done. Yes, it was broke. Mutti drove up that night.. got there about 3 am and we left later that morning. I took her to a pediatric orthopedist who basically said there isn't anything to do about it but keep her from being active. Sigh. I'm a little mad at my husband because this was one of those things I kept saying Don't do.. she'll get hurt... and it came true. I haven't been the most careful all the time though so I'm not being to hard on him. I just hope it teaches him a lesson. I'm sad however. My baby is hurt and seeing that x-ray, her little bone all split, made me sick to my stomach. She was also just starting to walk and now that must be put on hold until it heals. (she cannot fall on it) So, stupid though it may seem... I won't be able to brag that she walked at 9 months because of this and that bothers me. Aren't I just ridiculous??

Just visiting

We went to Grandma's house today. Brandon, his friend Brad, and Brad's girlfriend came as well. The biggest surprise was Uncle Ricky was there. I cannot remember the last time I saw him. It must have been ten years ago. Because it was such a pretty day, the kids played outside. Bridgett and I even got out and played frisbee. Ainsley was not a happy girl however. She has an upset stomach and was too tired. So, my happy baby came across as a cranky monster. LoL. I had fun. I like family events and it was pleasant. I was sorry to see John go though. I do so love him even if I was getting a little tired of being around him.... The funny thing is that he's WONDERFUL whenever we come up here. He's just a butt-head when we're home. Ugh!
I think my Aidan is having fun visiting. I'm glad she's "getting out of the house."

Daddy holding the cranky baby!

Our new football player!

The Girls Spinning!
Aidan wanting to play too!

Circus

Andy, John, and I took the five kids to the Shriner's circus down the road. Ainsley stayed home with Bridgett. Aidan was so happy and excited she'd stand up and bounce. She was very excited to see the animals. When the bear came out she wanted to go and hug it. HA! During intermission, we went into the rings. Russell, Kensie, and Cole rode the elephant. Carly took her picture with the bear, (a really stupid picture not worth the money), and Aidan rode a pony. By the way, she LOVED it and did not act scared AT ALL. She laughed and squealed! I don't know if it was because she saw the other kids doing it for awhile or because she loves animals... but there was no hesitation. There was only one sticky part and that was because I wanted a photo of Aidan on the pony. Since I walked with her I gave the camera to John. His pictures were so bad none of them came out and it didn't occur to him to use the video feature. (which would have been ideal) I was mad because I was disappointed but I did get over it soon.

Halloweeen

Aidan had a blast this Halloween. The child did not want to stop trick-or-treating. I kept trying to convince her we had enough and she'd say "No... candy!" She'd also hold on to her 10 pound bag like a life-line and wouldn't let anyone else carry it.

We somewhat got left behind by all the others so John and I just took her and Bit alone. We waved hello when we saw the others.

It was kind of nice to do it alone though. We had the family moments before and after but we still got to just enjoy our little girl do it by herself. Besides.. we get a lot of attention when Aidan comes up by herself instead of being in a big crowd. I want her to have to talk to others and have attention from others. She was very very good about talking to them. She'd say things like "Happy Ween" and "Happy Candy" then always say : "Thank You"

I was a bit surprised to see her talking but I think it is because she knew that's how you got the candy and because she saw all the other kids do it. One thing true about Aidan is she'll do things if other kids are. Ainsley however just slept in the stroller.

She was so adorable in her outfit (and very photogenic I might add) but she hadn't slept the whole trip up so she couldn't hang. At least she was with us though. She didn't "miss out" haha