The magic of Two

Two, oh wonderful two.

In the past few weeks things have gotten a lot better.

I don't know if Em is getting easier or I'm getting more tolerant of two year old behaviour. I think we've mastered the game of getting along. . .. . . for now. I spend most of my days jumping from one activity to another and laughing at what comes out of her mouth. Bill Cosby is right, children do say the darnedest things.

I decided it was time to do fun things so we are taking classes at Musikgarden and SANCA circus school. Em really enjoys both and it gives us "fun time" out of the store. . . . something we both desperately needed!!

Every night when we get home Em heads out to the chicken coop to say hi to the chickens. Tonight she informed me that she was their "Fairy God Mother" and she was going to "grant their wishes with magic!" I don't know if she's casting a spell on Penny. . but these two seem to be having a conversation. (Penny is the chicken)

We've been making our own bows and the bigger the flower the better!

This is Em's favorite.

I actually took a day off today (gasp) and spent the day shopping. I got this hat/glove combo for a whopping $0.47 and this raincoat (size 5T) for $3.99 I love deals! Em instantly put on her new clothes, went into the side yard, and demanded I take her picture.

Here she wanted me to take a picture of her "esop-a-gus"

and here she's just being cute!

A day in the life with Em

Em's grasp of language boggles my mind. Here are a few conversations and situations that made me chuckle.

Today we went to the grocery and I gave Em the coin change. She quickly put it in her pocket and said, "This is for my savings!" I then asked, "what are you going to spend your savings on?" She replied, "a nice gift for you mama."

Em has a ladybug nightlight in her room. The other morning Em stated, "The ladybug has a red light. The red combined (yes she said combined) with the ceiling makes pink stars."

Today I was doing dishes and Em was in the backyard. All of a sudden I hear "Mama I need help!!" I ran outside to see her standing in the dog yard, holding a bag, standing above a pile of dog poop. I asked, "What are you doing?" Em replied, "I'm picking up poop, but I don't want to touch it!" I laughed. I then informed her that picking up poop was my job, but I appreciated the help. She replied, "I am a responsible pet owner and I want to help you, mama. because I love you!"

Em, "Mama! Come here. Take my picture in my new pajamas that Grammy gave me and send it to Grammy. Grammy would like that!"

Totally random statement while walking the dogs. . . .Em states "I used to live on a tractor, one day when I was old. I used it to feed the cows and horses hay." Um. . . .. reincarnation?

Emma wanted to drink my coffee and I informed her that she wasn't old enough. I told her when she got older she could have coffee too. She replied "Mama, I don't want to be young anymore. I'm old now!"

Em still loves to crawl in bed with Mazie. This morning I overhear, "Mazie is sweet. She is my bestest friend."

Em went to the salon with me and got a red streak in her hair (it was vegetable dye and is already washed out). Every morning on the way to work Em reminds me, "mama, I want to go back to the salon. I need more red hair!"

Now that it's nice out I've been setting up her easel out back. Here she is painting the flowers on the stoop. "My masterpiece!" she declared when she was finished!

Trips

Another reason for my blogging absence is that Em and I took a trip back east to visit my family. Em is a great travel partner and overall our flights weren't that bad. . . well not as bad as I thought it would be on two 5+ hour flights with a two year old.

Waiting for our flight to Reagan International Airport

Em was exhausted when we finally arrived and quickly fell asleep snuggling Grammy.

I don't know who looks more content in the photo.

We didn't do much while we were there except sit around chatting, eating, and catching up. I have decided that's what one needs to do on vacation. . . NOTHING. I'm not used to doing nothing, so experiencing the pure void of responsibilities was really hard to do but very much welcomed and appreciated.

Oakley the wonder dog. He is the best dog on the planet.

The Ramey/Anderson/Schroeder ladies.

Pam (Tooey) and Em in her new tutu and heels. Em put on her outfit and proclaimed "I'm a lady!"

Chad was dead set on getting Em to say "Virginia is for Lovers!" For the most part he got a blunt stare and a closed mouth.

Em showing off her new tutu on mom's birthday.

Her ballerina pose!

I brought a giant suitcase of toys, books, and art supplies to keep Em busy while we were hanging out. Did Em want anything to do with these items? Heavens no. Em was content to play with Pam's stash of reading glasses, a bucket of rocks, and two wooden wine racks.

We had a great time and I am happy that we were able to get away for a bit. My battery has been recharged and I'm ready to hit the ground running.

Another day. ..

After my last post I've felt a bit stifled.

Every time I've approached the computer I run through my list of things to post about.

Emma didn't do this today.

Emma didn't do that.

Emma asserted herself this way.

Emma is two and showing herself.

Today I wanted to join the circus.

Honestly how does one follow up such a heart warming touching post. . . . there's no way I can post "I take it all back .. . . . I didn't mean it! My child is a monster. . ."

Well. . . my child isn't a monster. She's two. I have to constantly remind myself that even though she communicates as well a 3 year old, she's emotionally a button pushing, limit testing, whining, bundle of terrible twoness. Don't get me wrong. We have good days. We have bad days. Some days the good outweighs the bad and some days the bad. . well. . .that's about all there is. Some days I hold onto her completely asinine statements, aka imagination, as a way to give me motivation to keep on trucking.. . . to make it another day. . .to embrace my previous post.. . to enjoy my child.

The other day we were on a walk and this was our conversation:

Em: The sky is purple

Me: Where? I only see blue sky.

Em: Over there. By my rocket ship.

Me: Rocket ship? Who's on your rocket ship?

Em: Me and mama. We're flying to the moon. To look at the stars and planet earth.

Okay. . . planet earth?? Really? When she says stuff like this I have to remind myself that she's barely 2. These are the days that make the hard days worth it!

Blessed

For those that know me, know that I never wanted children. Don't get me wrong, I loved other's people kids, but I loved giving them back. I had no desire to change diapers, deal with tantrums, or have to explain to others why my house looked like romper room. I prided myself on being fun-loving, care free, and hanging out with friends. I spent every moment fulfilling the proverb of eat, drink, and be marry. Kids didn't fit into that formula. My maternal clock was broken.

After years of proclaiming I didn't want a family one day I told my husband that we'd let fate decide for us.

Well fate found us. I got pregnant.

I hated being pregnant. I was indifferent about having a child. I believed that the maternal fairy had missed me and I was bound to be one of those mother's that wasn't hard wired to be a mother. I made no secret of this. I told everyone. My mom tried to ease my worries by telling me I'd be a great mother, but I didn't believe her.

I often wondered why I didn't have those happy pregnant feelings that I read about? Why wasn't I excited to meet my little cooking nugget? I was horrified with myself because I wasn't like all of those women I read about. . . I wasn't ecstatic about being a mom. I was so scared I wouldn't like my child that I spent many nights awake worrying about it.

My indifference melted the day my little nugget decided to enter this world. My love for Emma is something that I can't explain. I had worried endlessly for nothing. It was love at first site.

I feel I have been totally blessed because I really like my kid. For 9 months I worried about not being maternal and after she was born it just clicked. Everyday she wakes up with a smile on her face and an insatiable curiosity. She is an easy going, happy to be doing what ever, ready to take on the world kind of girl. . . . and I can totally relate (about the taking on the world part, not the rest, ha!) I am one of the lucky ones in that I get to spend my days with my child and I wouldn't give that up for anything. I am not religious, but I thank God for the gift of Emma.

Why am I blabbering you ask? I am writing this as a reminder for when she hits puberty and I question my decision to have a child. . . I am writing this as a testimony of my love for my child. There is absolutely nothing in this world like it.

So on that note. . my camera died so I purged the pictures from my camera phone. Enjoy!

Em using a dog bed as a nest!

My three greyhounds

Lady Gaga has nothing on Em
Grandma hats are all the fashion!

This one cracks me up. . .she was having an "art show". . .what's the art, and what's the show, who knows. . . hence the reminder of how much I love my kid. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have my hands full!

Order and Schedules

I never imagined that my life would become so routine. My life is one big schedule and all of those living around me must adhere to it or else.

Or else what?

Last night I got stuck at work and ended up running a little late. That little bit late turned my world upside down. The dogs were underfoot. Em was cranky and demanding. Mazie cried incessantly. Tucker was extraordinarily grumpy. Everything was out of whack. I was at whits end and was ready to just walk away .. . . .but I persevered. I stuck with it and everyone got fed, bathed, and into bed. After it was all said and done I finally sat down and I swear the gigantic sigh I released could be heard in all of Georgetown.

Wow!

Laptop finally in hand, a big glass of tea, and quiet. Quiet being the optimal word. . . . .it was heavenly.

This got me thinking. Could 30 minutes really set our entire lives into complete and utter upheaval?

The answer was yes.

After evaluating our daily routine I realized that we get up within 15 plus or minus the same time every morning. We do X, Y, and Z (I won't bore you with the details, because it would be just that. . .boring) then walk the dogs. We go to work, we do X, Y, and Z then go get coffee. We work all day, come home and immediately walk the dogs and then do X, Y, Z.

This got me thinking; who is this X, Y and Z and why are they running my life?

Well, after ruminating about it for hours and hours, I determined that X, Y, and Z have become my good friends. X, Y, and Z got things done.. X, Y, and Z are order. X, Y, and Z was predictability. X, Y, and Z was sanity. Most of all X, Y, and Z have given me peace.

I never thought I would live by the "book" and have schedules dictate my life, but I have found that disorder in our household is very unwanted. X, Y, and Z keep me and all of the beings in my life sane. Thank you order, schedules, and predictability, because of you I am happy!! I will try never to stray from you again!

The case of the missing remote

Last night I got ready for bed, crawled under the covers, and reached for the remote. To my surprise the remote was not in its place. It was gone!! I spent over an hour searching in drawers, under furniture, on top of furniture, and in the deep dark cracks of every inch of my house. To no avail .. no remote. This wouldn't have been a problem, except Comcast keeps themselves in business selling replacement remotes. . .because you can't change the channel without one. A crock if you ask me.

This morning when Em woke up I asked, "Em did you take mama's remote from the bedroom?"

No answer.

While we were eating breakfast I enquired, "Hey Em, did you hide mama's black remote?"

No answer.

As I got her dressed I said, "Em where did you put the black remote that was in the bedroom?"

Again, no answer.

I started brushing her hair and informed her, "Mama spent an hour looking for her remote last night, did you put it somewhere?"

No answer.

I believe she was avoiding me. . . . .



While brushing her hair she got mad at me and started squirming and crying. I told her to be patient and informed her that I was getting quite frustrated. As I put her down she looked at me with her big blue eyes and says, ""Mama no frustrated! Follow me!"

With that, she turned around and trotted into my bedroom. She walked directly to the tv stand, pushed the vcr flap (we have a combo vcr and dvd player) and yells, "Silly Remote. Its Hiding!!"

Okay, she was right, how can you stay mad with something as asinine as that. I knew I smelled a rat! A little rat named Emma!

the look of an angel. . . see the halo?