It's amazing the amount of imparted knowledge you forget as you raise your child. I don't know how many people told me to take a look at what I said or did in front of Kaitlyn, because one day, that was going to be parroted back to me. I remember solemnly nodding and agreeing with it. But then I got forgetful and thought, how much could a two year old POSSIBLY be able to remember and say at the appropriate time? She's still trying to learn to string sentences together. I know all you parents reading this blog are shaking your collective heads right at this very moment. Here's how your lessons have been reinforced and never ever forgotten again.
SHUT UP
Now, before you get all riled up, know that I don't say this to TIC or her daddy at all. My momma taught me it was a bad word. I do, however, say it to the dogs when they are obnoxious about say, a leaf blowing across the sidewalk. One night, TIC said something that was not nice. To show her that I didn't think it was nice, I started fake crying. Her response?? "SHUT UP, MOMMY!!! NO MORE TEARS!!" I said "TIC, that is not a very nice thing to say to mommy." "SHUT UP, MOMMY, SHUT UP!" I mean, honestly, I was impressed with her correct usage, but wow! We made up in the store after I gave her the silent treatment until she said "Sorry", but I have sincerely tried to limit that phrase around her.
REWARDS
I am happy to proclaim TIC 100% potty trained. I think it was relatively easy once she got the hang of it. We have a stockpile of glow bracelets to reward each "poop" in the potty. I still announce when I have to go to the bathroom to continue to promote success in that arena. One night, I announced I was going to the bathroom. When pressed by TIC, I admitted to needing to poop in the potty to which TIC asked "You need a glow stick, Mommy??" While I should have explained that Mommies like stuff like Prada bags and Gucci sunglasses, I instead declined the offered glow stick mostly because it would have required explanation and while I am proud of my ability to poop in the potty, I don't think everybody else needs to know. ;-)
TEACH YOU HOW TO TREAT ME
I'm not really sure why TIC asks me for things any more. I'm very lucky in that she's very respectful when I tell her she can't have something and she needs to put it back. However, if it's something she REALLY wants, the conversation goes like this:
TIC: "I have this candy, mommy?" (nodding her head)
she doesn't get the response she seeks fast enought
TIC: "I have this candy, mommy?? G'head? G'head?? Okay, mommy? Okay??"
by this time, she's hoping the subliminal messages will work and I'll say yes
Me: "Okay baby, go ahead"
TIC, with a big, beaming grin on her face "THANK YOU, MOMMY! THANK YOU!"
I swear, you'd think I starve the kid!
That's all for now folks! Huge thanks to those of you who read this and came out for Brent's birthday. He had a great time, I enjoyed seeing everyone and was happy we were able to pawn leftovers off onto almost all the guests!
Until next time, my nugget of wisdom to you: Reward yourself for going poop once in awhile. ;-)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Oy vey
So, I realized that it's been awhile since the last blog post. Things took a very scary, and sometimes tragic, turn in the animal health department. My days (and nights and weekends) have been consumed with keeping cats alive or getting them healthy enough to adopt. The benefit is that I realize I have been incredibly blessed with relatively healthy fosters until this point. The downfall is the amount of time spent on these guys. In the end, it's definitely worth it, but the journey has been very slow, extremely painful, and unbelievably expensive. Would I do it all over again? Yes I would. Are there things I would do differently? Absolutely. Am I ready to say I'll sign up again? Not a good time for that question. Come back in a year or two or ten.
On the TIC front, we've done a lot of really cool things. We went with our favorite boys (Josh and Jeremy) to see Disney's Toy Story 3 on ice. Kaitlyn was so excited about everything! Seeing the boys, going to an event. She literally sat on the edge of her seat the entire first half. As an adult, I felt like I was truly able to appreciate the effort that went into the show. As a parent, that place is a RACKET! I refuse to divulge just how much we spent on food, accessories, etc, but good golly miss molly, I swear someone could have bought a clunker for what we spent! Midway into the second half, we were all ready for the show to be done...even the actors seemed to be phoning it in! But we had a wonderful time and have the million dollar posed photos to prove it.
Halloween was a hoot! TIC's school had a Halloween party that daddy attended. The children were confused as to why their parents were there and they were not leaving. I watched on the web cam, and even though there is no sound, I can assure you TIC was VERY vocal about her annoyance. Once the treats and candy started being distributed, there was a different tune. I can definitely relate. A little chocolate goes a long way towards improving my mood! The whole shebang was awesome because it gave TIC a prelude to the main event, so when it was time to go Trick Or Treating, she hit the bricks like an encyclopedia salesman! She was gonna get her canday wasn't about to let anything stop her. Uncle Chris and I were the ones who took her around and there was minimal collateral damage to the other children that we celebrated with brownies!
Brent's big 4-0 is coming up so we're in battle mode until that passes. Mom is coming up to help out with party planning and preparation, so no posts for a bit (unless I get bored at work, in which case, all bets are off). Speaking of work, I will be starting a new position with the federal government on 11/29. I won't advertise said position in this blog, but if you're curious about it, send me an email and I'll be sure to respond.
That's all until I get my hands on a scanner to show you the story that is Kaitlyn's school pictures. Let's just say someone inherited her momma's attitude.
On the TIC front, we've done a lot of really cool things. We went with our favorite boys (Josh and Jeremy) to see Disney's Toy Story 3 on ice. Kaitlyn was so excited about everything! Seeing the boys, going to an event. She literally sat on the edge of her seat the entire first half. As an adult, I felt like I was truly able to appreciate the effort that went into the show. As a parent, that place is a RACKET! I refuse to divulge just how much we spent on food, accessories, etc, but good golly miss molly, I swear someone could have bought a clunker for what we spent! Midway into the second half, we were all ready for the show to be done...even the actors seemed to be phoning it in! But we had a wonderful time and have the million dollar posed photos to prove it.
Halloween was a hoot! TIC's school had a Halloween party that daddy attended. The children were confused as to why their parents were there and they were not leaving. I watched on the web cam, and even though there is no sound, I can assure you TIC was VERY vocal about her annoyance. Once the treats and candy started being distributed, there was a different tune. I can definitely relate. A little chocolate goes a long way towards improving my mood! The whole shebang was awesome because it gave TIC a prelude to the main event, so when it was time to go Trick Or Treating, she hit the bricks like an encyclopedia salesman! She was gonna get her canday wasn't about to let anything stop her. Uncle Chris and I were the ones who took her around and there was minimal collateral damage to the other children that we celebrated with brownies!
Brent's big 4-0 is coming up so we're in battle mode until that passes. Mom is coming up to help out with party planning and preparation, so no posts for a bit (unless I get bored at work, in which case, all bets are off). Speaking of work, I will be starting a new position with the federal government on 11/29. I won't advertise said position in this blog, but if you're curious about it, send me an email and I'll be sure to respond.
That's all until I get my hands on a scanner to show you the story that is Kaitlyn's school pictures. Let's just say someone inherited her momma's attitude.
Friday, October 15, 2010
What's yours is mine, but what's mine is NOT yours
Daily, I'm reminded of how dumb my toddler thinks I am. I require constant explanation for things a person with even minimal intelligence would not. Today is a classic example. I am putting on her clothes. She says "My unnerwear." I playfully say "No, MY unnerwear." This goes back and forth a couple of times until the underwear is successfully in place. Kaitlyn stands up on her turn to say "No, MY unnerwear" and pats my butt instead and says "Dis Mommy's unnerwear." That pretty effectively ended THAT game.
Of course, some of the stuff TIC comes up with is downright cute. We are working on her saying "Excuse me" instead of "MOVE!" I find it to be a polite way to achieve the same effect as "MOVE!" Especially with the animals, when accompanied by a subtle nudge, the desired result is obtained. TIC, however, has made a new phrase that she thinks is far more effective. Instead of saying "Excuse me!", she will say "Move me, Tino!" And the speech mistakes are adorable! "Weabe it awone!" (leave it alone). Very cute, but definitely makes us realize we perhaps use that phrase a little too much! Amazing what kids pick up!
Tomorrow we're going to paint pottery with a friend and her son, who happens to be one day older than TIC. Here's hoping that we come out the same color we started (no red, purple or blue please) and that we'll be invited back. :)
Have a great weekend!
Of course, some of the stuff TIC comes up with is downright cute. We are working on her saying "Excuse me" instead of "MOVE!" I find it to be a polite way to achieve the same effect as "MOVE!" Especially with the animals, when accompanied by a subtle nudge, the desired result is obtained. TIC, however, has made a new phrase that she thinks is far more effective. Instead of saying "Excuse me!", she will say "Move me, Tino!" And the speech mistakes are adorable! "Weabe it awone!" (leave it alone). Very cute, but definitely makes us realize we perhaps use that phrase a little too much! Amazing what kids pick up!
Tomorrow we're going to paint pottery with a friend and her son, who happens to be one day older than TIC. Here's hoping that we come out the same color we started (no red, purple or blue please) and that we'll be invited back. :)
Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Appreciation
I think it's easy to not appreciate what you have right in front of your face. Advertising, neighbors, our own wants and desires make it easy to want more, or at the very least, something else. My friend Hira keeps reminding me that the grass isn't always greener, and it's generally true. But buying into the American dream is far easier than making the payments on the American dream.
I'm blessed to have friends in varying life stages: single, engaged, married no kids, married and pregnant, married with kids, married kids are out of the house, etc. It's so easy to look forward to the next stage of your life instead of appreciating where you are now. "I can't WAIT to have children" or "I can't wait for baby number 2" or "I can't wait to be retired." Friends whose children have left the nest often tell me to enjoy the moments spent with Kaitlyn as they happen instead of looking forward to the next "phase", whatever that phase may be. It's hard. You feel like you've been in this "phase" forever and want to know what life will bring next.
I could go on and on about the things I wish I did before I (got married, had a kid, etc). What I will say is that I hope that people reading this blog feel like they are living their lives to the fullest and that they are enjoying life as it comes. Seize new opportunities for travel and doing new things where you can. You never know when your life might change in ways that will prevent those things and you never know what doing new things will open you up to.
Onto the fun Kaitlyn stuff. This morning, when Kaitlyn woke up, she decided she wanted to build a castle for Elmo. Since her lego supply is limited, it didn't take long for the construction AND the demo. The next item on her agenda was a castle for Mommy. Blink and you would have missed the magnificence that was my castle. The "boom", aka gun, hung around for much much longer. Priorities! LOL
The cat population in the house continues to dwindle much to the relief of the hubster. Opportunities have presented themselves for me to acquire additional cats, but I have been able to resist thus far. We've lost three in the past three weeks, so I think I'm sufficiently traumatized to the point that I need a break. TIC is THRILLED to be surrounded by kittens and has started to hone her vet skills, but the rest of the household needs a break and it shows.
I have accepted a tentative offer for a new position with the federal government. It's contingent upon me receiving certain clearances, but I'm excited about the opportunity. I'd tell you more about the opportunity, but then I'd have to use that fun little mind erasing laser. Since TIC was last seen using it as a toy for the kittens, I'm ill prepared and therefore can only speak in vague generalities. However, just know that it's a COOL job in Washington, DC supporting some pretty important people.
Next month is Brent's 40th birthday and retirement party! If you'd like to receive an invitation, please let me know. The date is 11/20. In lieu of gifts, Brent is asking for donations for the Wounded Warrior project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Fisher House (www.fisherhouse.org). We are fortunate that we didn't need the services of either organization, but Brent feels very strongly about supporting others who weren't as lucky as we were.
Whew! That took all my brain power for a Friday. I'm ready for a nap!!
I'm blessed to have friends in varying life stages: single, engaged, married no kids, married and pregnant, married with kids, married kids are out of the house, etc. It's so easy to look forward to the next stage of your life instead of appreciating where you are now. "I can't WAIT to have children" or "I can't wait for baby number 2" or "I can't wait to be retired." Friends whose children have left the nest often tell me to enjoy the moments spent with Kaitlyn as they happen instead of looking forward to the next "phase", whatever that phase may be. It's hard. You feel like you've been in this "phase" forever and want to know what life will bring next.
I could go on and on about the things I wish I did before I (got married, had a kid, etc). What I will say is that I hope that people reading this blog feel like they are living their lives to the fullest and that they are enjoying life as it comes. Seize new opportunities for travel and doing new things where you can. You never know when your life might change in ways that will prevent those things and you never know what doing new things will open you up to.
Onto the fun Kaitlyn stuff. This morning, when Kaitlyn woke up, she decided she wanted to build a castle for Elmo. Since her lego supply is limited, it didn't take long for the construction AND the demo. The next item on her agenda was a castle for Mommy. Blink and you would have missed the magnificence that was my castle. The "boom", aka gun, hung around for much much longer. Priorities! LOL
The cat population in the house continues to dwindle much to the relief of the hubster. Opportunities have presented themselves for me to acquire additional cats, but I have been able to resist thus far. We've lost three in the past three weeks, so I think I'm sufficiently traumatized to the point that I need a break. TIC is THRILLED to be surrounded by kittens and has started to hone her vet skills, but the rest of the household needs a break and it shows.
I have accepted a tentative offer for a new position with the federal government. It's contingent upon me receiving certain clearances, but I'm excited about the opportunity. I'd tell you more about the opportunity, but then I'd have to use that fun little mind erasing laser. Since TIC was last seen using it as a toy for the kittens, I'm ill prepared and therefore can only speak in vague generalities. However, just know that it's a COOL job in Washington, DC supporting some pretty important people.
Next month is Brent's 40th birthday and retirement party! If you'd like to receive an invitation, please let me know. The date is 11/20. In lieu of gifts, Brent is asking for donations for the Wounded Warrior project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Fisher House (www.fisherhouse.org). We are fortunate that we didn't need the services of either organization, but Brent feels very strongly about supporting others who weren't as lucky as we were.
Whew! That took all my brain power for a Friday. I'm ready for a nap!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Don't ask me, I don't know what I'm doing!
When I do homechecks for people adopting puppies from HART (the rescue group I volunteer with), they often ask me for tips and tricks on housebreaking their puppy. I tell them the best advice I can give is to not ask me for tips and tricks on housebreaking their puppy. Seriously. It took us two and a half years to housebreak Noelle and I'm STILL not convinced she's 100% housebroken. Either that or she's just spiteful and I choose to think the best of people...and dogs.
Now, I recognize it's unfair to compare housebreaking Noelle to potty training Kaitlyn, but it feels a little bit like the same routine. Yeay! Lots of forward progress! Lookit that! Poop in the potty! Lookit that! A whole day with no accidents! Next day, five accidents! I had to go buy underwear in a bulk pack of 100 so that we can make sure we have enough "unnerwear" to cover us through two days. An exaggeration, sure, but man, this potty training thing is kicking our collective butts! And you can say to her "Kaitlyn, the pee pee goes in the _____" and she will very nicely finish with "the POTTY!" Same with the poo poo. She wants to do well, she wants to wear the unnerwear, but she most DEFINITELY does not want to stop what she's doing to go potty. Unless what she's doing is boring (like waiting for mommy to finish her conversation or going to bed earlier than 10 pm) in which case she has to go RIGHT NOW and as OFTEN as possible!
On a medical front, TIC had a massive ear infection in the earlier part of last week. What I thought was her eardrum bursting was her eardrum pushing out her tube with a big fat "ptoooie!" A follow up with the ENT yesterday recovered the tube (I have it stashed securely between two dixie cups...yup, we're high tech) and cleared fun gunk out of TIC's ear. And I mean FUN! And brought tidings of comfort and joy. Prognosis is we're looking at another set of tubes, within the not too distant future. I don't know what the issue is (genetics) but I'm seriously over this nonsense! And I'm guessing TIC is too, but I could just be projecting.
TIC also learned a very important lesson this week: If you hold your hand out without giving anything in return, you will continue to have a very empty hand. We encountered a fat toad on our walk one evening. I goaded her into trying to pick it up. Her version of picking it up was to walk towards it with her palm outstretched as if hoping the toad would decide to jump nicely into the palm of her hand! The toad did not comply, but I don't think TIC was too disappointed. In truth, I'm not entirely convinced that it wasn't just a way for her to appease me and that she really DIDN'T want to pick the toad up. I get. I don't want warts either! ;-)
Until next time...don't ask me! I don't know what I'm doing. At all.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Conversations with Kaitlyn
I'm stealing the title from my friend Julie, but these are some snippets of conversations I've had with Kaitlyn so I can't think of a more appropriate title.
The proper name for a movie burned onto a disc:
Me: Kaitlyn, can you put that piece of paper back into the DVD case?
K: No, MY paper.
Me: No, Kaitlyn, the paper belongs to the DVD?
K: Paper goes to DBDB?
Me: Yes, the paper belongs to the DVD.
K: No DBDB...my paper.
Promises, promises:
Me: Kaitlyn, you can have the toy when you poop on the potty.
K: Poop on the potty?
Me: Yes, you need to poopoo on the potty and you'll get the toy.
K: I poopoo on the potty mommy. I promise.
(C'mon...how cute is that??)
In TJ Maxx:
K: I have a booger
Me: Kaitlyn, you have a booger?
K turns to look at me with her finger up her nose: Yeah, I have a booger (giggle)
No shame in admitting we are struggling with pooping in the potty. We put the "product" of the accident in the potty and then dispose of the underwear or pull-up. The following conversation happened after putting the poop in the potty.
K: Put poop in the potty?
Me: Yes, Kaitlyn, mommy put the poop in the potty.
K: I DID IT! COME SEE MOMMY! POOP IN THE POTTY!!
Me: *Sigh* Yes, baby, there is poop in the potty
(How do you explain the difference?? LOL)
The proper name for a movie burned onto a disc:
Me: Kaitlyn, can you put that piece of paper back into the DVD case?
K: No, MY paper.
Me: No, Kaitlyn, the paper belongs to the DVD?
K: Paper goes to DBDB?
Me: Yes, the paper belongs to the DVD.
K: No DBDB...my paper.
Promises, promises:
Me: Kaitlyn, you can have the toy when you poop on the potty.
K: Poop on the potty?
Me: Yes, you need to poopoo on the potty and you'll get the toy.
K: I poopoo on the potty mommy. I promise.
(C'mon...how cute is that??)
In TJ Maxx:
K: I have a booger
Me: Kaitlyn, you have a booger?
K turns to look at me with her finger up her nose: Yeah, I have a booger (giggle)
No shame in admitting we are struggling with pooping in the potty. We put the "product" of the accident in the potty and then dispose of the underwear or pull-up. The following conversation happened after putting the poop in the potty.
K: Put poop in the potty?
Me: Yes, Kaitlyn, mommy put the poop in the potty.
K: I DID IT! COME SEE MOMMY! POOP IN THE POTTY!!
Me: *Sigh* Yes, baby, there is poop in the potty
(How do you explain the difference?? LOL)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Labor?? What Labor??
For Labor Day weekend, the Shoup House was abuuuuuuuuuzzzzzzz with activity. Nothing new there. Momma took the term "Labor Day" to heart and labored...all weekend long! To escape the madness, Daddy and Kaitlyn went to see a really cool live butterfly exhibit at the Smithsonian. It was so "live" that butterflies could actually land on you and we have pictures to prove it! It was also, so "live" that by the time they came home, Daddy and TIC both were ready for long naps! But when she woke up, the Toddler in Chief was excited to tell me all about the butterflies.
Sunday night we attended a barbecue at a neighbor's house. I was unsure of how TIC would do because 1) she was cranky from her late nap, and 2) there were no children to distract her. She did great and sat in the patio chair and ate her dinner like a little lady. What surprised me was her intense interest in the corn on the cob. She's been eating corn for awhile, so the concept of corn was not new to her, but eating it off the cob is. Brent broke off a piece of his cob and she chowed down like we had never fed her before. By the end of the night, I think her cob was cleaner than mine! I wasn't even considering giving her corn on the cob until she was like 30 and I could be assured that she wouldn't fling corn stuff everywhere, but apparently she's ready and I better assume my seat on the bandwagon.
Monday brought us a playdate with classmate Allison. TIC was a gracious hostess and showed off all that her basement had to offer. I think she was excited to have someone her size to play with and she and Allie are good friends at school As the playdate wore down and Allie and her mom went through the motions of going home, I noticed Allie didn't have her shoes. I asked TIC to get Allie's shoes for her. TIC located the shoes, brought them to Allie and gave them to Allie's mom who was very surprised. She clearly is unaware of Kaitlyn's obsession with matching shoes to the right person! The entire rest of the world can be chaos, but Kaitlyn will know where everybody's shoes are. She's coy about it. When you ask her "Kaitlyn, where are your shoes?" She'll reply with an instant "Ionno" and shrug. However, less than a minute later, she'll give you the location and you'll be on your merry way. This clever child of mine...I'd better be careful whose house I let her loose in. She'll have their shoes catalogued in no time.
Sunday night we attended a barbecue at a neighbor's house. I was unsure of how TIC would do because 1) she was cranky from her late nap, and 2) there were no children to distract her. She did great and sat in the patio chair and ate her dinner like a little lady. What surprised me was her intense interest in the corn on the cob. She's been eating corn for awhile, so the concept of corn was not new to her, but eating it off the cob is. Brent broke off a piece of his cob and she chowed down like we had never fed her before. By the end of the night, I think her cob was cleaner than mine! I wasn't even considering giving her corn on the cob until she was like 30 and I could be assured that she wouldn't fling corn stuff everywhere, but apparently she's ready and I better assume my seat on the bandwagon.
Monday brought us a playdate with classmate Allison. TIC was a gracious hostess and showed off all that her basement had to offer. I think she was excited to have someone her size to play with and she and Allie are good friends at school As the playdate wore down and Allie and her mom went through the motions of going home, I noticed Allie didn't have her shoes. I asked TIC to get Allie's shoes for her. TIC located the shoes, brought them to Allie and gave them to Allie's mom who was very surprised. She clearly is unaware of Kaitlyn's obsession with matching shoes to the right person! The entire rest of the world can be chaos, but Kaitlyn will know where everybody's shoes are. She's coy about it. When you ask her "Kaitlyn, where are your shoes?" She'll reply with an instant "Ionno" and shrug. However, less than a minute later, she'll give you the location and you'll be on your merry way. This clever child of mine...I'd better be careful whose house I let her loose in. She'll have their shoes catalogued in no time.
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