Monday, August 30

First Day of Preschool

Already? Already. Bear is officially a Montessori student.

The worst part was she wasn't even sad to see me go. We went into her room, she ran off and became engaged in her surroundings and when I left she didn't even tell me bye. Glad she jumped right in, but it hurts not to feel needed.

Seems lately she doesn't need help with anything anymore. She goes potty by herself -- including taking off her diaper, getting up on the potty, flushing and washing her hands -- she won't let me help her down the stairs, she always want to try putting on her shoes herself first and she even buckles herself into her car seat.

A lot of the decisions we've made, we did with the intent of raising an independent toddler. Does anyone ever regret not being needed?!? I'm only half kidding -- this is going too fast!

It was also Daddy's first day of school today -- well his first in many years. I took the day off for the occasion. After they were both done for the day we celebrated with lunch at Rudy's and a walk in the East Village. It was quite delightful. I took some photos, but I'm too tired to get up and get the camera right now so they'll have to wait.

After we got home, we all napped. Add popcorn and a movie for dinner at home = quite close to perfection.

Saturday, August 14

Cheerleader In Training


Friday, August 13

On parenting a toddler

We're definitely there. That terrible, horrible stage everyone talks about. My child throws a fit about EVERYTHING. Yesterday I needed to go to the grocery store, but I convinced myself that since I'd had a very busy week at work, i wanted to just come home, unwind with some snuggles and spend some quality time with DD.

I get home to her all worked up and screaming because she didn't want to wear clothes. I ask her if she'd like to go to the park and feed the ducks which she did. But it took multiple meltdowns and two trips to "the chair" (lol - where she goes to cool down after a tantrum) before i could get her dressed. Still no shoes on. Went to the garage all pumped about our ride, she puts her helmet on and by the time I get done switching the trailer from the Hubby's bike to mine, she doesn't want to go anymore. I try to get her pumped up again but she just lays on the garage floor crying. ::deep breath::

Calmly take her inside, put her in her chair again. Let her cool off. Soon she's calling for me. I go in and try to engage in conversation, play, anything but she won't have it. Wants to go outside. We go back outside. She cries because she just wants dad (he's mowing). I try chalk, the slide, a make believe picnic -- all a no go.

Ask her if she's like to go to the store and help me get stuff for dinner. She does. While she's in a good mood I grab what I need and out the door we go. Tantrum while we try to get in the car. Ask her if she'd like to buckle herself. More crying. Sit her down, buckle her, get in, drive to store. Crying ceased. Pull sling out of backseat. Crying commences. Ask her if she'd like to walk. "Ya." She walks. Nice guy offers us his cart, she cries because she wanted to put the quarter in (Aldi). I reassure her she can help me get it out when we're done.

Enter store. Able to engage her most of the way through the store by asking her to choose between items, put things in cart, etc. She made good choices and I even let her pick out some ice cream for later, which she was very excited about...until she realized it was for later and not NOW. On the floor screaming again. Ask her to help me put the groceries on the belt. She get up (screaming of course) and runs straight to the only open line, closes the barricade and says "NO". People laugh. I go to retrieve her, she runs. Holding up line. Let her hang out on the other side of the register while I unload. She comes back and says "sorry. ice cream?" "We can have ice cream later honey." More screaming.

I pay. Cashier sarcastically calls her a big helper. She happily helps me bag groceries. Walks out to the parking lot. We load groceries into car, take cart back. She helps retrieve quarter. Tantrum getting back into car seat. Shoves quarter in her mouth because she's mad I me. I have to forcefully retrieve the quarter. More crying. Get home, put her outside with dad and retreat to the kitchen to make dinner alone.