A Test of My Strength

So today I went with Julie to her 6 week OB appt. after having Jaida to watch the baby for her. What am I an idiot? A masochist? What on earth was I thinking? Why did I go to a place where most of the women boasted swollen tummy's and proud husbands? Although, as an aside- Gabi- in her usual blissful innocence brightened my day, yet again. Julie showed Gabi a picture of the Dr. holding Jaida after delivering her. Later, Gabi said to us "So, was Jaida mailed?" Julie replied "No, what made you ask that?" and Gabi said "Well you said she was delivered." Isn't that just priceless?!?!?

SNOW DAY

Even at the ripe old age of 31- nothing quite ignites that inner child in me like a SNOW DAY!!!! When the phone rang at 6am--too asleep to comprehend what was going on- as soon as I heard the word "closed" I was suddenly WIDE AWAKE, too excited to fall back to sleep! There is just something about the promise of a "free day", a day that has not been planned to the brim with details. Ahhhhhh, I sit here enjoying my coffee, checking my email, listening to Gabi play. Ahhhh. All is well with the world.

Things I Never Knew I'd Say

Since becoming a parent, I am sometimes suprised at the words that come out of my mouth to form sentences. I've decided to jot down a few, and will add more as I recall/compose them!

In no particular order:

"Even if you finish all of your dinner, you still can't have a tampon for dessert."

"It's not nice to step on people's heads."

"I really don't know why Gram's purse doesn't match her bra."

"No, the dentist won't be looking at my "coo-coo"

"Strawberry Shortcake will be so proud that you pooped on the potty, let's call her!"

Labor and Delivery

Two nights ago I spent HOURS sitting with Gabi cooing phrases such as "You are the bravest girl I know, you can do this," and "Push, Gabi, push it's right there, I can see it!" Finally, exhausted and no closer to "delivery" I put her into a warm bath. Within minutes she was on the potty succesfully "number two-ing"!!! The next day--not so good. She danced around poor Gram and Pap's from 9am-2pm crying and unable to sit on hard surfaces because she was in so much pain witholding. Finally, a flustered and helpless Gram offered her relief by saying "Just go in your pants." Within a minute, she was a new person with fresh underpants! Last night, we gave her 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia per Dr's instructions (Yes, I call the Dr. about EVERYTHING!) Today, again Gabi painfully danced around Gram and Pap's for hours. At a physical for Gram, a consultation with her Dr. provided the suggestion of a "magic diaper" with the bummy cut out and decorated by Gabi. My child was happy to put Dora stickers on a cut up diaper but had zero intentions of wearing this on the potty or anywhere for that matter! Well, later this afternoon--thanks to the suggestions of my mom and Alyssa (and the adorable gift of a thoughtful student)--today we had official "delivery!!" On the ride home Gabi with her Eagle eyes spotted a sparkely new nail polish in the van (from Shavaughn to Gabi). After learning that I would present her with this gift as a reward for using the potty sucessfully she raced to the bathroom and let out a bowel movement that she had been holding onto painfully for about 5 hours! As I type, she JUST earned herself a new lipgloss!!!! WOO HOO!!

"Please Let Me Have a Belly Like Santa"

It's official- I am a terrible mother! Gabi is 3 years and 4 months old. I have let this go on for much, much too long. I knew it was time, when I read that I had written the same thing in the 2 year update to Cole, as in the 3 year. So- I consider Gabi to be fully potty trained- she never has accidents and always knows when she needs to go. The problem is that she will only make #1 in the potty. For #2 she gets a diaper and brings it to us. She does her business, and moves on. WELL- I know I have let this go on for too long. It is SO HARD to break her of it! This is much much harder than losing the binky. So- we are going cold turkey- no more diapers. It is SO HARD!! She cries. She dances around squeezing cheeks for hours. We talked about why she needs to get the "poopy" out- that it makes her belly big and hard and sore. She begged and pleaded with me to just let her "have a santa belly"- to not force her to poopy so that she could keep her belly big like Santa. She tried to tell me that she has a baby in her tummy, that's why it needs to be so big. She told me she wanted a big belly like me! This kid is full of so many excuses- each one sweeter than the next! How do I stay firm when she is so stinkin cute?!?!?! (no pun intended)

Gender Confusion

So- when I was "pregnant" with Gabi, I was drawn to girl clothes. I purchased several on-sale items through the waiting years: 5% were gender neutral, 5% were male, and yes, 90% were female clothes. I hoped for a girl (although I would have told you that "a healthy baby" was all that mattered). Anyway, this time around I am drawn to male clothing-- which by the way-- WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO GENDER NEUTRAL NEWBORN CLOTHING? Seriously, gone are the greens and yellows. Now there are blues and pinks. Or, if it is a green outfit it will have a truck on it, or a flower. Makes my impulse shopping extremely difficult, I'll tell you that! So, yes back to my original point- I have been looking mostly at male clothing this time. Is it an instinct? Is it a sign? Idk. I guess only time will tell.......

To be 3 Again....

Long story short: last night I spent 5 hours in the ER b/c of a kidney stone. So, I was given this painkiller that contained a "narcotic". WHEW! I don't remember much, but I DO remember feeling completely on the same level as Gabi. I was laughing and joking with her- thinking the whole while- "Wow, I really get her." Words sounded funny to me, and I shared that with Gabi. She agreed. We laughed so hard. She made me laugh. She had my full attention. I need to remember this. I want to listen to her more. I need to spend more time being 3 again, until she turns 4.....