My Princess is Two!!

To say that this past year has been amazing, educational, wonderful and exciting, just doesn't seem to cover it all. I have to say that though Layla is the one taking in this new world and learning new things every second, I am learning just as much! Watching her learn and grow has been such an experience for me and I truly believe that there is nothing like this experience as a mother. I feel so blessed to have this little person in my life who can help me to see things through her eyes. She has such an honest and innocent view of the world and sometimes I forget how beautiful and fun everyday things can be. Layla is my daily reminder to enjoy life and to take time to experience things with her not just because I'm there, but because it is the experience together that makes it a worthwhile memory.

I can see that the time that I spend with her and the moments we share are what builds a childhood full of happiness. With every passing year I fall more in love with motherhood!

Ok, down to brass tacks...Layla has completely blossomed into a full on little person in the last few months. Here are the major points...

Language:
There has been an explosion of new words in her vocabulary and she can actually converse with you. She is much easier to understand and takes the time to ensure that I know what she is talking about (lots of hand gestures and when all else fails, she shows me the physical item she is talking about). She still has quite a few words that are part of her own language (not exactly English), but I know what those mean (almost 99% of the time, poor Matt is not so lucky). I spend more time with her than anyone so interpreting her gibberish is a skill I have worked hard to acquire. She knows body parts, colors, numbers, food, and a plethora of other things that would take a year to write. I'm very proud to have such a verbal daughter.

Clothes:
Or lack there of, I should say. Layla has reached that fun stage where she would much rather spend time in her birthday suit than any of the super cute clothes I have bought her. Don't get me wrong, my girly girl really does enjoy an adorable outfit, and believe me, she knows when she looks particularly cute. However, at the end of the day (usually around dinner) she wants nothing more than to strut her stuff in the buff. At least I don't have to worry about her stripping down in public...yet.

Tantrums Are All The Rage:
We have reached that wonderful age where Layla has suddenly realized that she has an opinion and WILL be heard. The tantrums have begun and the time-out mat is getting good use. It's exhausting but unfortunately, it's probably my own fault. That little girl has inherited all of my stubborness and then some! She can throw herself on the floor and kick and scream with the best of them. My love of motherhood is truly tested in these moments, but its nothing a few minutes of deep breathing (on my part) in my closet can't cure :)

All Things Princess:
That pretty much sums it up. Layla has fallen for the Disney princesses. At the moment she is obsessing over Cinderella and Belle. She loves the movies and the books and everything that goes along with princesses; the dresses, jewelry and sparkly goodness! Keeping that in mind, I planned a princess themed birthday party at Gymboree for Layla's 2nd birthday. Of course her presents from us included a princess chair as well. The party was a ton of fun, Layla's friends and cousins were there and the good people at Gymboree keep everything moving so I didn't have to do anything but show up with a cake. It was so much fun to watch Layla revel in a celebration in her honor.

All in all, Layla is doing very well! According to her doctor, we are doing everything right and she is developing into a lovely little girl. I am so proud to have such a smart, outgoing and beautiful daughter, without whom I would certainly find myself completely lost. Matthew and I are two of the luckiest parents in the world...I feel confident that he would agree :)

Making Friends is Hard, Even When You Have an Uber Cute Kid (see picture below)

They like us! They really like us!

Ok, so I'm not that pathetic, but I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with Layla and I (or maybe just me, because truthfully, there could never be anything wrong with that sweet girl).

It's not like I don't have friends. I do. I just don't see them much and it's a completely different dynamic now that I'm a mommy...to be expected I suppose. But I was seriously lacking in the Mom-friend department, which directly effected Layla's circle of friends (or lack thereof). All of my mommy-friends unfortunately, happen to live in other states, not ideal for regular play-dates.

So I made it a point in the last year to join a class or two and meet some Seattle moms so that Layla could socialize a bit and I would have the chance to talk to other moms about all of the stuff that comes with kids. There is a LOT and it's so helpful to bounce stuff off of other people who are going through the same things.

I quickly learned that making mom-friends is not like making regular friends. There are a lot of factors to consider when meeting other parents. Do your parenting styles match-up enough to where you won't drive each other crazy? Do you have similar values? Do they care that their child is eating wood chips under the swings? All of these things matter and must be considered before you can decide if you want to hang out. So it's a process, and when you meet initially you spend a lot of time just watching each other interact with your respective offspring and hoping that you're not sitting in a room with some crazies.

Luckily for Layla and I, after doing some scouting, we have found absolutely AMAZING friends that we are getting to know. The kids are all super sweet and well behaved. They all get along really well and have a great time together. It's been especially entertaining to watch them all try to learn each other's names. The moms raising these fabulous kids are equally fabulous and have been so much fun to hang out with. They are also a huge resource of information and are totally empathetic when I have to show up 20 minutes late to hang out because we couldn't find a shoe...

Yay for cool mommies who get my spastic-ness!

The Mean Poop

Is it possible for a toddler to be maniacal?

Ordinarily, I would say the answer to this question is no...but really, when you review the evidence, I think that may be exactly what they are or at least my toddler is. She even has a cheeky little maniacal laugh to accompany this behavior.

Now, for the most part, I would say that I have the sweetest, most lovable child in the world who wants nothing more than to make her Mommy and Daddy happy (and of course, I am completely biased), but she does enjoy torturing us with her stinky poop!

Layla is getting to the point where she is very interested in the potty (hallelujah!) and therefore, has started to tell us when she is going "poo poo." It's great that she is moving in this direction because I'm so ready to be done with diapers after 22 long months of them and the added joy of changing the diapers of a kid that is completely on solid food. It's a WHOLE other ball game when they get on solid, regular adult food. Let's just say it would be much more enjoyable for everyone involved if it were to go straight into the potty.

However, despite the fact that Layla is going to be potty training very soon, she seems to be taking a little too much enjoyment in seeing her parents change her particularly stinky diapers. She has an evil little laugh that she busts out when she's extra aromatic. She's adorable of course so the evil laugh is quite entertaining!

Now let's hope she doesn't hold this against me out of embarrassment as a teenager :)

One Simple Word

It is amazing to me that a little person who has spent a mere 20 months in this world has so completely figured me out that she can melt my heart with a single word...

Every night after reading to Layla and rocking her for a few minutes, the last words I utter before laying her down for the night are "I love you." We have had this routine for months, since she was 4 months old to be exact. I love that time with her, just Mommy and Layla, in the quiet, without any distractions, frustrations or stress. I had been so used to never hearing anything in return other than typical baby cooing. Even when she learned to talk, she somehow knew that bedtime was our quiet time and so she never said much. It was simple and I was happy to know that the last words she heard from me before falling asleep each night were "I love you."

About a week ago, Layla and I were on our own for the first time while Matt traveled for work. It was only a couple of days and though I was not looking forward to it, I knew we could manage. I did my best to ensure that our days were very normal so that Layla would not be too upset by Daddy's absence. I, of course, was feeling the stress of having my hubby away and I think my little, intuitive girl picked up on it much more easily than I would have liked. As that first day wound down and we went through our bedtime routine, my mind was elsewhere. Then as I laid her down and told her I loved her, she smiled up at me ever so sweetly and said "too."

I don't think any word will EVER mean so much to me and that is exactly what I love about being a mommy.

Busy Bees on These Lazy Summer Days

Summer officially begins tomorrow and so many people (mommies, in particular) are looking forward to a summer without schedules, classes and plans. I apparently have not been doing my job throughout the year in ensuring that we had schedules and classes to attend. Honestly, outside of our once a week Kindermusik class, we didn't have any daily activities planned besides the always exciting laundry and cleaning.

So of course now that the warm weather is on it's way (hopefully) and everyone else is taking a break from day to day structure, that's exactly what I'm diving into. Our beloved Kindermusik class has ended until the Fall so we set up an email list with everyone from our class. We are making an effort to have semi-regular outings with the kids. We have also joined a toddler swim class and are going to a weekly story-time at the library in our neighborhood.

If that weren't enough, I am going to make an attempt to get myself in shape. Not exactly an easy task when you have a 20 month old attached to your leg. So in hopes that paying for it and having my cute little girl with me will serve as motivation, I have joined a Mommy Caravan class. It's basically a stroller jogging class for mommies and their little ones.

I'm looking forward to jogging with other out of shape moms and only hope that there are no serious athletes signed up...no one wants to look more pathetic than necessary while working out. In preparation of my new class, we purchased a jogging stroller over the weekend and of course tested it out at Alki. I came away from that experience with the knowledge that jogging strollers are great for jogging, but do nothing to increase my lung capacity...bummer. Ah well, at least Layla enjoys it :)

So here we are with our summer packed full of activities and a trip back to Chicago planned (see a future post, to learn of that inevitable disaster, haha) and I am more than happy to be very busy. Layla certainly seems to be enjoying the activities and kid interaction, or as she would call it "babies!"

Stay-At-Home Irritants

So I know that because I have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom, my work environment is a little different from those that work outside of the home. Granted, I don't spend every waking moment in my house, I flit about from the grocery store, to Target, to Kindermusik and back to the grocery store, but I would consider my "office" to be my house. I enjoy that I have all of the comforts of home and feel very fortunate as well, it is wonderful...most of the time. However, I have come to realize being home during the day all week long certainly has it's drawbacks.

Let's start with the fact that everyone, including but not limited to; delivery people, lawn maintenance workers and even all those hoodlum teenagers getting off the bus, assume that these houses they are working around, delivering to or walking past, are empty all day long. I am here to tell you - that is NOT the case! Ok, so maybe the teenagers wouldn't care either way (I was one in the not so distant past, so I remember how they operate), but everyone else needs to get a frickin' clue!

Everytime you slam your tools on the ground, yell to your co-workers on the next block or stand there screaming into your cell phone while holding a running leaf blower (less than 10 feet from a row of houses) you are disturbing the stay-at-home moms like myself. Of course, I have inevitably just put down my very irritable toddler for a much needed nap in order to get a few minutes to myself to complete a thought or just get from one side of a room to the other without a small child attached to my leg. So to all those people outside my house, do you have any idea of how obnoxious that is? Or how much self control it takes to keep me from flinging myself out my front door to ram that damn leaf blower down your throat?!

By the way, just a note, leaf blowing in the pouring rain or when the sidewalks have been freshly salted due to ice, is... REALLY NOT NECESSARY!!!!

I digress.

I know this is not just me...any stay-at-home mom with small children would agree, I'm sure of it. But if you don't believe me, go test this theory on a woman who has been watching the Disney channel all morning while doing laundry, cleaning and trying to wrangle a very stubborn 18 month old, I dare you...

Getting back to the point, I understand that it is not your fault that the idiot builder who chose the windows for my home decided to go with absolutely no sound insulation even though these houses are practically on top of one another. I also understand that you are just trying to do your job. All I'm saying is that, when you come into my "office," show some respect and keep it down!

I'm a Wuss at Weaning

Let's face it, I as a middle child, am completely averse to change. I can own that, however, it is probably not the healthiest thing when it comes to my daughter. Change is a part of life, a good part and no child can grow and learn without change...obviously. So here in lies the problem, I am having trouble with each new milestone that brings Layla further from that tiny newborn who needed me for everything, toward a very independent toddler who wants to explore and do more and more for herself. Of course, that is exactly what is supposed to happen and I want nothing more than to raise a strong, independent woman who can take care of herself...I just don't want it to happen so fast.

This brings me to the subject of weaning. I had originally planned to wean Layla at one year, but when the time came I just didn't feel ready to be done. I know for a fact that I am having more trouble than the average Mommy because this could very well be my only chance at nursing a baby and that bonding experience is second to none. So, I'm a wuss. I have made excuses and pushed back my deadline repeatedly. I know that there is nothing wrong with nursing after a year, as a matter of fact, they now recommend that you nurse to two years of age. My problem is that my darling little girl has a mouth full of very sharp teeth...and she uses them. Though I am not fond of being a chew toy, I have pressed on in hopes of continuing the nursing process as long as possible.

However, the time has come and after several months of eliminating nursing sessions and replacing them with a bottle of whole milk(and slowly eliminating those), I have finally concluded my 16 1/2 month journey of breastfeeding my baby. It was a very sad thing for me and I know that in the days to come it will be sadder still, but it was for the best and hopefully the prevention of a serious injury by my saber-tooth toddler (I also have no desire to be one of those creepy moms that has a six year old climbing under their shirt in the middle of a play date at the park).

Layla of course has taken it all in stride and is completely oblivious to the fact that I have been agonizing over this for months. She simply puts her adorable, chubby hand to my face and smiles, letting me know that all is right in her little world...and that's all I need.

Playing Catch Up

So clearly time management is not my forte, but is that really a surprise to anyone? So much has happened in the last few months that I hardly know where to begin. The holidays were of course super busy and by "busy" I mean stressful!

Thanksgiving was a quiet affair at home with Layla and Matt which was nice and exactly how I prefer our holidays spent in Seattle. The entire month of December was devoted to preparing for our Christmas celebration here and then travel prep for the actual holiday back home in Chicago. We went overboard on presents for Layla, but I think that is allowed and to be expected when you have one child and she is just so darn cute! She loved all of her presents but nothing that we got her compared to her little pink car that she can "drive" around (which really entails us pushing her). Even now two months later, nothing makes that little girl happier than taking her out to "drive." Of course with all the rain that we get in the winter, sometimes it's hard to find the time to get out, luckily Daddy doesn't mind letting her cruise around the living room and kitchen :)

Our trip back to the snow and frigid temperatures of Illinois was not exactly what I would call relaxing. The stress of travel is something that I thought would improve with Layla's age...sadly that is not the case. Crossing two time zones and changing Layla's surroundings every few days in order to stay with all of our families was disastrous! She had a lot of trouble sleeping and was crabby as a result. Of course it was wonderful to see our family, but making that trip is not as easy as it used to be. I think in the future we will need to stop all of the bouncing around and just stay in one place and go hang out with everyone during the day...shouldn't matter where we sleep anyway, right?! It's just getting too difficult and I certainly won't be able to do that if we have any additional children.

When we arrived back in Seattle, we managed to bring a terrible stomach flu bug with us. I, of course got it first and the worst. I spent several days praying to the porcelain gods before it moved on to Matthew. He was really only seriously sick for one day and then Layla got it. Once we were all feeling better we tried to get back on a normal schedule and headed back to Kindermusik. We started the new session and Layla is now the oldest in her class. She seems to enjoy that and has really come out of her shell. Unfortunately, she also got sick from one of those little drool buckets in class and we spent another week recovering.

Thankfully, everyone is currently well (for the moment) and I am starting to get things done that have been on my to-do list for ages. Next up is the battle with the insurance company. Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned...