And we are back...

Due to a nasty broken arm (me) and the inability to type effectively one-handed, I haven't updated the blog since...well, too long.

So quick recap for you...
One afternoon, about 2 1/2 weeks ago, I came home with Emmy after work and proceeded to go into the house. Well I tried, Em choose to run down the driveway and into our road. I chased, I tripped, I fell and I broke. Yet again.

I went to work the next day and then went to the ER to get it X-rayed. I waited in hopes the pain and inability to straighten my arm really were good things. Turned out they weren't. Who knew.

So for the next two weeks, I wore an obnoxious neon pink cast on my left arm. It was casted in a way that my left hand was utterly useless for typing, but I could hit the shift key with my pointer finger. Have you ever tried to hit control-alt-delete with one hand? It is quite difficult and my first hurdle to logging onto my computer at work. That one task took me a few minutes every morning, let alone putting my headset on with one hand. My coworkers chuckled profusely at that one.

But I did it. Two weeks of hunt-and-pecking (as I was typing one handed) and I still managed to answer my fair share of calls. However, On Thursday, when the cast came off, I was happier than I was the last time. LOL

My arm is still sore, but I can type again and I am getting all healed.

Spring! FINALLY!

Bubbles!

Now, we have poop!

I cannot say that I have been so excited about poop before! Emmy went poopie on the potty without any prompting from Keith or I. In fact, I was at my computer and Keith was in the kitchen when the poopie-in-the-potty occurred. Emmy started yelling about poopie and when I got to her, she was pointing in her potty. Sure enough, there was some poop in there. That's one less yucky diaper we had to change!
Emmy seems to be getting the hang of this despite my absolute fear and pessimistic view that I could be successful in potty training Emmy.

Who am I kidding, our daycare lady is to thank for this more than us. LOL She's the pro!

We have pee-pee on the potty!

After 3 weekends of half-hearted potty training, we have actual progress! Emmy went pee on the potty today for the first time! She had pulled her own pants off and was sitting on the potty in her diaper. We removed the diaper and a few minutes later, we had progress! Yay Emmy!

Toddlerhood is fun...

99% of the time, that is. The other 1% Emmy seems to do everything she can to ensure Mommy goes bald.

Yesterday, Keith and I both had errands we needed to do. Both of us wanted to do them on our own as Emmy wouldn't enjoy them, or they could be done much faster without her. Since Child Protection frowns upon leaving your 2 year old home alone, a compromise was made. I would take Emmy with me for my errands, and Keith would take Emmy to visit Grandma so I could have some alone time. Sounds good, right?

Our first stop, the grocery store, went amazingly well. Em was pretty well behaved, and when she was bored of sitting in the cart, she walked either beside me, or helped me push the cart. She was downright cute at times, I would give her something to put in the cart, she would run to the back, put it in, run to the front of the cart and say "ready!" All in all, it was a good trip, she listened, and we got everything we needed.

Halfway home, I realized I forgot something, so we had to make a quick stop at the drug store. Emmy walked beside me and all seemed good. We went down the baby aisle. At the end of the baby aisle, Em discovered a bath toy in the shape of a frog. If you haven't been informed of this little toddler gem, Emmy calls frogs, "Fuc*" So, imagine if you will, my toddler yelling, in her not-so-quiet 2 year old voice, "Fuc*! Fuc*! Fuc*!" For the record, she LOVES frogs, so she's very excited about this bath toy.

As I quickly correct her, I look around to see who is in the general vicinity. There is an elderly gentleman who is looking quite amused at my child and 2 mom's with kids who are looking rather horrified. Maybe they were empaths and were channelling how I was feeling at that moment? Probably not. I quickly usher Emmy out of the aisle, get what I need and head for the checkout. Emmy wasn't happy about leaving her dear frog, and this was the beginning of the end of good behavoir.

We got to the lineup for the checkout. Twice Emmy veered towards the door, so I had to grab her. Twice, kindhearted people decided to take my place in line even though I was 2 steps away. Thanks.

Emmy darted once more, this time making it out past the security devices. She was carrying a box of Kleenex, which set off the alarm. Nice. Apparantly, there is a lot of Kleenex theft that they put sensors in them.

Now the alarm is going, I had dropped my purchases when she darted, so my pads and feminine hygiene products are all over the floor, I grab her by the hood of the coat (she was heading out the automatic doors), and try to grab her. She falls onto her back, and I go to pick her up. She is screaming and crying, and generally makes it sound like I am beating her instead of trying to pick her up. May I mention the alarm is still going. Hey, store clerks, I've tackled the would-be-shoplifter, you may turn it off now.

As I have Em on the floor in front of me, she bootkicks me in the face. Not hard, but enough. She was trying to get away and she did almost suceed with that ninja move. I get her up, I securely grab her hand and calmly pick up my soon-to-be purchases. The alarm is off now, my dignity is gone, and I don't dare to look around.

I get to the checkout, pay for my purchases, and Emmy and I leave the store.

We get home and Keith gives me this funny look. Apparantly, all over my cheek and chin were perfect replicas of Em's bootprint in dirt. Lovely.

Oh, and for the record, I didn't get my time alone. LOL

Emmy versus the toddler bed

As our lil monkey girl has been stressing me out with her climbing out of her playpen and falling to the ground, we introduced Emmy to her toddler bed on Sunday.

Day 1 - at 11 pm, she got out of bed, toddled into my room, and woke me up. She was up until nearly 4 am, with us alternating who was putting her back to bed.

Amount of sleep gotten by parents: 3 hours combined.

Verdict: FAIL

Day 2 - she slept until 3 am, when she awoke, and cried at the baby gate we used to keep her in her room.

Amount of sleep gotten by parents: 4 hours each


Verdict: Improvement

Day 3 -

I went to bed early in hopes to get more that a few hours sleep. Em cried a few times, but never got out of bed. I was so surprised I actually lifted the comforter off her to make sure she was there. This, of course, woke her up, as she promptly told me, "I wake up! I wake up!"

Amount of sleep had by parents: Pretty much a full night with a few wakeup's.

Verdict: Pass

Fingers crossed for tonight!

Monkey girl strikes again

My child is part monkey, I swear.
At a year she could climb out of her crib on the lowest setting, and she couldn't even walk yet!
She climbs everything, from her highchair to the couch where she takes great glee in crawling along the back of it. We don't tend to mind the highchair climbing as it is quite nice just to ask her to get in her highchair, and she does. However, she is responsible for a few of the grey hairs I 'Nice and Easy' away every 4-6 weeks.

This morning, as I was sleeping, quite contentedly I might add, Monkey girl managed to climb out of her playpen and come running into my room. One moment, I was in blissful dreamland, and the next, there was a toddler pinching my toes and saying 'Wakey Wakey, Mommy!' as she ran out of the room giggling.

At first I thought Keith must have let her out, but as I could hear him snoring away downstairs, I realized that she had once again shown off her skills at climbing.

Why I fear taking my 2 year old out...

1. Her new word is "Clock" but she can't say the "L" sound.

2. Complete strangers in grocery stores who happen to be wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans and a jean jacket(Keith's usual attire) are called "Daddy". Loudly. Repeatedly. Not Daddy, Emmy. We live in a mill-city, there's not so many suits at Save-On Friday nights.

3. The fits, oh the fits. For the record fellow shoppers, I AM doing everything I can to calm her, and NO glaring at me like I am doing something horrible to make my kid act this way is not HELPING. She's two, rational behavoir is not mandatory yet.
(Emmy is hit and miss shopping, Friday was bad so we made it quick, the Friday before, she was absolutely angelic the entire trip. There was nothing noticeably different in her behavoir before entering the store.)

***
On a completely different note, Emmy learned today that she is tall enough to reach the light switch on the stairway going upstairs, AND the one in our bedroom. Guess who spent a good hour today just turning the lights on and off, then giggling hysterically about it? Very cute to watch her discover this, but was not cute when I made her stop for a bit. LOL She had 2 baths today (oooh it was a nasty-diaper day AND I gave her Ravioli for lunch) so she ran to our bedroom after each of them.

Just say no

Keith and I often joke that Emmy won't be lured into any wrongdoing by friends since any question you ask her, she answers with no. This is not a new occurance, and I cannot blame this on her being 2, she has always done this since she learned to talk. It's like she just didn't know there was another answer besides no, as she says no even when she means yes.

However, our little girl has gone and changed on us again. She will now, on occasion, nod her head yes in answer to a question. This is a step in the right direction as my ego couldn't take too much more of the no's. Especially to the "Do you love Mommy, Emmy?" I got a nod today, so I'll take it.

However, this new development means she may be open for influence by the friends she hangs out with. Daycare kids - I am watching you! LOL

Em's Second 2nd Birthday

We went to visit Keith's family today for Emmy's second 2nd birthday celebration. Grandma, Auntie Lorna, Cousin Jenna and family friend Joan were there. Uncle Sheldon and Cousin Jamie were snowmobiling, so they weren't able to be there. Auntie Lorna made Emmy a cake (and it was very tasty!).

As I look at the pictures, I realize I didn't get any of the family with Emmy, or even alone for that matter. Sheesh. Well, you will just have to take my word for it that they were there.

Emmy was spoiled by everyone, but most importantly, she was surrounded by most of the people that love and care about her. I couldn't ask for a better birthday present for her.

Emmy's birthday Dance

Emmy's Second Birthday

The day Dora invaded our house Part II (Emmy's birthday)

Yesterday, my lil Emmy turned 2. I still can't believe it. I know I will be saying the same thing when she is 20, but let me dwell here.

It was a Dora themed birthday, completely by chance. We bought Emmy a Dora & Diego Aquadoodle, Keith, who ordered Em's cake on his own, chose a Dora cake, and my Aunt Trudy sent a gift for Emmy that was a Dora sit-and-spin. Add in Em's Dora couch, and my house has officially been taken over by the cheribic lil 'toon.

Did I mention Emmy is 2???

We had a small birthday with just the 3 of us, and on Sunday, we will celebrate with Keith's family. Last year, I wouldn't allow cake and this year she is getting 2...oh my! LOL

Here are some pictures of her birthday, she had so much fun with her new toys. Video's will be in a seperate post.

Have I mentioned my lil baby is 2???

Emmy versus personal responsibility

Morning-haired Emmy, complete with yogurt on her shirt.


My daughter, the cute child she is, has started dropping things on purpose and then saying, "Ut oh!" or "Ohhhhhhh nooooooooo!" in her little melodramatic toddler voice. The first 20-30 times, it was funny, but then I decided I should be the parent here and discuss this with her.

This morning, when she awoke, I went into her room to get her. She was playing with her "Quack Quack" (a stuffed duck that quacks - it's all about originality in this house, I tell you.) She stood up to allow me to pick her up out of her playpen, turned around, and dropped Quack Quack over the side, onto the floor. "Ut ohhhhhhh" said Emmy. "Sucks to be Quack Quack," I thought. I picked Emmy up and put her on the floor so she could pick Quack Quack up herself. She toddler-runs over to Quack Quack, picks him up, and promptly drops him, on purpose, onto the floor. She then says, "ooopsie" which was the first time she has said that. Darn you child for dropping a new word when I am trying to make a point!

So, after making a big deal about her new word, I sat her down and discussed how when she drops an object by accident, it would be appropriate to say, "Oopsie" or "Oh no" but when she drops things on purpose, well, it just isn't appropriate. We discussed the difference between 'on purpose' and 'accident' so she was clear on the meanings of both.

(I chose not to discuss copying my word when I drop something by accident, and it shatters all over the floor, like the applesauce yesterday. Emmy has heard that enough, and I am awaiting the day she adds 'Crap!" to her vocab-not to mention the occasional other spicy words that I try really hard not to say. No need to confuse the child.)

But, I digress. Emmy and I had a good conversation, and I was sure Emmy understood the issues at hand. We high-fived on it, and went on our merry way.

About 10 minutes later, Emmy was eating her yogurt in her high chair, said "Ut Oh!" and then proceeded to drop her yogurt over the side of the tray.

Hi square one, nice to see you. I think we'll be here for awhile.

I am such a nerd.

Keith bought me a Sirius satellite radio a few weeks ago. Hundreds of choices of stations, and what do I listen to? The 80's station. Yup, I'm pathetic.

I actually meandered off the station today to listen to some comedy. I heard the funniest line, then I had to turn it off 'cause I was laughing too hard and thought I would crash my car. The line? "Glitter is like the herpes of arts & craft supplies."

Yes, I know, I have to get out of the house more. LOL

Sour Grapes

When grocery shopping, I often see people 'taste-testing the produce. This annoys me as technically, it is stealing. They aren't paying for the grapes they are popping in their mouths.

However, maybe these people are just smarter at the world of fruit picking than I am. I bought grapes, without sneaking any, for a whopping $8. Price of fruit sucks in the winter here. I brought them home and they are absolutely inedible. They are sour, face-puckering so. Even Emmy, who LOVES grapes, took one, chewed it twice, and promptly took it out of her mouth and gave it back to me.

I bet the taste testers don't end up with 2 lbs of sour grapes! LOL

I miss you, my Mommy

New Words!!!

Whenever I seem to think Emmy isn't talking as much as she should be, she certainly goes out of her way to prove me wrong. New Emmy words and phrases (some on the video's I have shared): I have spelled then as she says them, so no mocking the spelling! LOL
Oj Juice (orange juice)
No (not new but VERY prevalent in Em's vocab these days! LOL
Mommies (sadly, this refers to both Keith and I, I think we goofed her up when I was immobile!
mys (mine)
Da-Dow (Dora and/or Diego - she refers to both by this name, kind of like the Mommies LOL.
Na-Night (Night Night) and she gives me a wave as she heads up the stairs to bed.
Feeshies (Fishies)
Ahhhh Man! (whenever she drops something...I say this all the time. lol)
Mys Mommies awwwwwww
I miss you (Can you break my heart a bit more Emmy??? LOL)

We still can't understand a lot of what she says, but we are slowly being assimilated into 'Emmy-ese".

"Da-dow" aka Dora

How quickly we forget...

Keith and I were chatting last night about how much Emmy has changed in the almost-two-years since she was born. Keith mentioned how he used to make Emmy giggle by swinging her back and forth in his arms. I replied, yes, back when she was in her brace. "Oh yeah," said Keith, "the brace! I totally forgot that she was in that!"

And that, my friends, is parenthood in a nutshell. It's not that Emmy's time in the brace was forgettable, it's just that it doesn't define her. Every moment of our time together, she gives us a new memory and eventually 'life in the brace', while overwhelming at the time, gets pushed away as these new memories and experiences fill our minds and hearts. Toddlerhood is SO full of change, some days, I feel like I am unable to keep up.

Remember Chucky???

Emmy found Keith's copy of the book of Child's Play. (By found I mean she climbed up her highchair and emptied the bookshelf that is hidden behind it of course)
She looked at Chucky on the cover (thankfully the least scary picture of him I have ever seen) and said, "Baby". That's one scary baby, Em.

For the record...

Still sick.
Still sound like a 15 year old boy whose voice is changing.

At work yesterday, I was the front counter person. Meaning I had to call #'s all day to call the clients to the front. Luckily, today they took pity on me and gave me a non-speaking role. LOL

I went to the medical clinic tonight and a nice doctor took pity on me and prescribed me an antibiotic. He is quite possibly my best friend EVER. lol

The one where Jan gets sick

Remember that Friend's episode when Phoebe caught a bad cold and got her 'sexy' voice? My life kinda resembles that episode right now. Well, except I don't sing in a coffee shop and I am not best friends with anyone named Monica, Chandler, Joey, Ross or Rachel. So it's not an exact match. LOL

My life resembles that episode because a) I have a bad cold ala Phoebe in that episode, and b) Keith keeps making me do my 'cute' laugh that I only apparently get when I am knockin' on death's door. Who knew feeling so crummy could actually UP my cuteness factor? Not me. Apparently, he's able to ignore the constant nose blowing, moaning and my hoarse whisper of a voice I have left. But, I do have a cute laugh apparently. I can assure you though, unlike Phoebe, I will not be trying to 're-catch' this cold once I am better.

For the record, all three of us are sick, so I shouldn't whine too much. Em got it first, then I got it, and Keith, who was holding out finally succumbed to it on Friday. I however, am the only one who lost her voice, so I can whine about that. Should make work interesting tommorow. Wonder how quick I can learn shorthand?

Happy New Year!

As I prepare myself to welcome in 2008, I can't say I am terribly sad to say goodbye to 2007. The past year has been the hardest year emotionally for me in my entire life, and not just because of Maddie, although she is obviously a big piece of it.

However, with the bad, came some good. Which is good, 'cause otherwise I would have been booked into the looney bin by now!

The Bad

• My father's addiction to gambling and where it has lead my parents
• Maddie's Pregnancy (by this I mean the blood pressure issues/Vertigo/sickness)
• My water breaking at 18 weeks
• Maddie dying at 18 weeks 1 day
• Delivering Maddie's body at 19 weeks 1 day, after a week of induction.
• Having my online friends fighting and a split of the baby board I was part of since I was preggo with Emmy
• Breaking my ankle, and being immobile for 8+ weeks

The Good

• The knowledge that my parent's are safe from their own demons for the time being
• Still being able to remember what Maddie's movements felt like. Little tip-taps.
• The fact I can remember Maddie's death and birth without crying, because it really is okay. Sure, I still get a twinge in my heart when I think about her, but my grief is not all-powerful and overwhelming like it was in the beginning. I will always miss her, but it's missing 'what could have been', not something I had any control over.
• Having such wonderful friends and family that stood by me when I was not the nicest person when dealing with my grief. They stuck through it, and are here today. I can't even begin to express how that makes me feel.
• Breaking my ankle so I had an excuse to quit a job that was absolutely life sucking. If I was mobile at the time, I would have jumped for joy!
• Getting my dream job a few weeks later
• Feeling like I am contributing, like I am a valued employee - it is such a confidence boost.
• That my lil family unit is happy, healthy and safe. We have a roof over our heads, lots of food to eat, and we are warm, comfortable and together.

There are more good than bad, and with my new job, I have felt so much positive energy run through me. These are the happiest days of my life (outside of when Emmy was born of course!)

I wish all of you a beautiful new year's, may you be happy, safe, and be surrounded by love. Thank you for reading my blog :-)

Distracted Emmy Dancing!

Dora Takes Over Christmas

Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas, my friends

I wish each and every one of you the happiest of Christmases, and hopes for a joyous new year. Yes, even you, person who left the 'not so understanding comment' on my blog a few weeks back. For you, I wish you peace and love in your heart.

Take joy in those you love, and whom love you back this holiday season. I know I will be.

The Timbits made her do it...

Timbits:From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Timbits is the brand name of bite-sized doughnut balls sold at the Canadian Tim Hortons restaurant chain. Timbits are sometimes referred to as "doughnut holes", as they are often assumed to be made from the part of a full doughnut that is "cut out" to make a doughnut's hole. Timbits are in fact made from separate balls of dough as many of the menu's doughnuts do not have holes. The treats were introduced in April 1976, shortly after Tim Horton's death in 1974, and are now available in a selection of varieties that differs from store to store. Some of the most popular flavours are chocolate, jelly-filled, honey dip, and apple fritter.

I love Timbits. I am Canadian, therefore Timbits are a part of life. I occasionally, (and I do mean occasionally) let Emmy have one or two as a treat. Take that, those people who say I am too strict with her diet. LOL

This evening, as I made my way home from shopping, I decided to bring a treat home for Keith and Emmy. So I stopped at Timmies, got two Iced Capp's and a 20 pack of Timbits.

Since Emmy is Canadian, she too loves the Timbit. In fact, the child knows the box they come in, even though she may have only seen it a time or two. So, imagine her excitement when she sees Mom with the box of holy goodness in her hand. She goes WILD. I do mean wild. It was like she was possessed, she was talking in her new 'funny voice' a gravelly version of her normally one which sounds slightly demonic. She chased me around wanting access to the box o'goodness. If I hadn't of given her one, I am not sure what would have happened. I might not be here today.

She got 2 in total, and I went to put the box away. She FREAKED. This was the beginning of an hour-long tantrum complete with throwing herself on the floor, and alternatively sucking up to either Keith or I, whomever she thought would give in to her first.

We stood strong, although hard to do when she is so upset, but I did not want to teach her that crying will get her everything.

And this is why there will no longer be any Timbits in this house. Wah.

Silent Night...

Emmy was so exhausted last night, she fell asleep before dinner, before bath, before diaper change. She slept through Keith taking her to bed upstairs, and slept through the night. She awoke at 8:15 this morning. She's been fighting a cold (still!) and teething again this week, poor kid.

Em's first tobbogan ride

The weather warmed up this week to a balmy -5, so we were able to take Em outside for some fun in the snow. It had been hovering around -20 and colder, so this was a welcome trip outside.
Keith took Em up and down our driveway in her toboggan. She was squealing and giggling, and Keith keeps talking about how we need to take her out tommorow (his day off). I think he had as much fun as she did. We didn't take her out in the snow at all last year since she was so

young. She's able to walk this year, which she finds facinating in the snow.

Grocery Shopping with a Toddler

I may attempt this again when Em is...umm...8? Then she won't be a toddler anymore and all will be good????? LOL One can hope.

Some examples of the trip: (most of which amused me, except when she was being baby with attitude lol)

"Oj!! Oj!!!" Everytime she saw a box of Mandarin oranges in someone's cart. It's Christmas time, everyone has oranges in their cart.

"Hi yooooou" to everyone she found interesting. She says it like Blue from Blue's room, since she apparently watched that show too much. It's quite adorable, but the kid wouldn't sit on Santa's lap without crying, but will talk to perfect strangers! LOL

Produce section was full of Em saying, "Nana Nana!" (banana's) which she wanted that moment. Of course, I couldn't give her one since you pay by the weight, so she kept trying to grab them in the cart.
Same as above when I bought Mandarin Oranges except of course, she said "Oj"
Same as above when she saw the apples "Abble! Abble!"

The cutest thing was when we were in breads, and another Mom parked her cart beside ours so her baby could say hi to Em. They were adorable together, although Em tried to climb out of our cart to go visit the new friend. lol

I should mention that these carts don't have seatbelts, so I am always wary of having her in them anyhow.

By the dairy aisle, off came her boots.
By the toilet paper aisle, off came her coat.
By the frozen food aisle, off came her socks.
By the bread aisle, attempts to remove her shirt which were blocked by me, much to her dismay.

Even with all this, it was fine till checkout. Then Em freaked out, started crying, wanting to be held (hard to do when you have to bag your own groceries) and generally being a snot. She whipped off most of the clothes that I had redressed her in, and constantly tried to climb out of the cart. I am guessing she was just overstimulated, as once we were out of the store, she was perfectly fine. That, or she devised a plan in her mind to stress Mom out in a hurry!

Bad Santa

Em visited Santa yesterday and promptly started crying. We are so mean. lol

Silly Emmy! LOL

Training today

I spent the day in a seminar about detecting and reporting child abuse. As I tend to be emotional when kids are involved anyhow, I found it so hard to watch the 'examples' of it on the slides. Who could do that to an innocent child? Or in the cases of neglect, who could be so 'busy' or self-aborbed that you aren't watching your own child? I know that there are times when I am trying to get dinner going that I am not 100 % watching Em's every move, but she's in a gated off, childproof area. It took 5-10 minutes to do. It's not hard.

We brought them into this world, and it's our job to take care of them until they are grown. Parenthood should never be taken lightly. A quote I read somewhere, "It's easier to raise them right than fix a broken adult."

My girl...

New Pictures

Now you might be saying, "What the hell? It's your kid laying on the couch! Why take a pic of it and post it on your blog?" Well, because I can, that's why! LOL Actually, these were taken the other night as Keith and I were commenting how big Em is getting. She climbed up on the couch after her bath, covered up with the blanket, and was content to lay there, watching the movie we had on.

They grow SO fast! Everyone says it, but until you experience it, you just don't get it.

Proof: Emmy one year ago

Notice the lack of hair & teeth!
Emmy from last night with her big 'cheesy grin' she gets whenever the red light goes off on the camera:



How much do YOU change in a year??? LOL

Halloween 2007

There was no trick or treating for Emmy this year, but we did hand out candy until Keith got home from work (gotta work on that candy Karma for when Em does start next year). I felt *slightly* bad motherish for denying her, but I did have valid reasons. 1. She wouldn't be allowed to eat the candy, 2. As I am in a wheelchair, I wouldn't be able to take her up to the door, and I would miss her first trick or treating experience, and 3. I personally don't believe that kids should be trick or treating if they can't SAY IT. Now, if said child has older siblings who would be out anyhow, then that is an exception to my rule. LOL For example, my neighbour brought by her son (3) and daughter (1). The son said trick or treat so it was all good. LOL

Now, I didn't deny Em everything. After Keith came home, we went to Grandma's house where she was in a bad mood (Emmy, not Grandma!) and then to Auntie & Uncle's house where Em started crying 'cause Uncle put on a scary mask. Good times, good times.

Here are some pics from Grandma's house

Neither here nor there...

I completed my first week of work, and I LOVED it. I wasn't prepared for how much I would miss Emmy though, which is funny since we hadn't spent the weekdays together for a while. Still missed her like crazy! I would hear a toddler in our waiting room, and my thoughts would instantly go to her.

Speaking of Miss Emmy, she is continuing to grasp new words. Today was "nana" as I got a banana for her. Pretty simple stuff, but I love when she surprises me!

Finally, (this is a short entry as Desperate Housewives is coming on!) it is my Mom's birthday today. All day I have thought of her, and I do hope she doing okay where she is. At the very least, I know she is being taken care of.

My lil chickadee

She did it! She did it!

Miss Emerson FINALLY slept through the night. Mind you, she was up till 10:30 because she fell asleep in the car while we were doing errands, therefore having boundless energy when we got home. So, it's not a complete victory, but still was damn fine to wake up at 7:30 am without having that 3 am wakeup!

Em is 20 months old today. I can't even begin to verbalize how I am feeling about that. 20 months. Where did it go?

Love you, Mom

Em has said this phrase to me the last two mornings when leaving for daycare. Now, I say it to her every morning, and we wave frantically to each other (it's quite funny to watch) before her and Keith leave. However, the addition of that one phrase from Em has made my week. Do I think she knows what she is saying? Nahh, I think she's just repeating since I've said it to her everyday for the past 20 months, but for some reason, it just doesn't matter. It makes me happy just the same. :-)

For the record (for anyone who is still counting) Emmy has STILL not slept through the night since I hurt myself. She wakes up around 3 in a panic and won't calm down till she is sleeping with one of us (usually me). At least she will go back to sleep once she's with us, so it could be worse.

Pictures of my ankle (I warned you!)

On Tuesday, my cast was removed and, surprisingly, not reattached. I assumed I would have a cast for 6 weeks. However, that leads to arthritis, according to the Ortho Doc. I have been a bit fearful as I have this broken ankle that I am not allowed to put any weight on for 4 weeks OUT IN THE OPEN. Em hasn't been curious at all, but then, she didn't seem to notice my cast either. I guess we can take 'observant' off the list of skills my daughter possesses! lol

I've managed to not hurt it so far, and am actually much happier without the cast. I was able to soak in the tub last night for the first time in 3+ weeks. If the darn water hadn't of gotten cold, I would still be in there. It seemed to be slightly less work for Keith as well, which is nice. Previously, he had to help me to the downstairs shower, put towels down, help me into the chair that is in the shower, then clean up after me. I pretty much did everything for my bath.

3 1/2 more weeks till I see the Orthopedic surgeon again and I start putting weight on it.

For those not-faint-of-heart, here are some pics of the cast-less ankle.

She's got the upper hand today!

Now, I will preface this with the fact that I love my darling girl more than anything. However, today, I was seriously considering shipping her off to someone.

Em is still in daycare during the week while I heal. As I will be returning to work soon, we felt it was better not to disrupt her routine. As well, since I am operating with a broken leg, I'm not much fun for her these days. So, she goes off and plays with her friends and I sit at home and moan my state of affairs (the broken leg and an absessed tooth this week).

Today, however, is Saturday, which means Em is at home with me all day. Alone. Keith is at work. Normally, its a bit difficult to take care of her, but not impossible. Then today happened.

Before 10 am, Em had

• Put her dirty sock in my glass of iced tea
• Had 2 poopy diapers that she fussed and moved like a snake through
• Knocked over the aforementioned iced tea
• Acted like we gave her copious amounts of sugar (we didn't)
• Would not listen to the simplest command that I KNOW she understands
• Took the cordless phone and hid it in the living room (I know she didn't purposely hide it rather just dropped it when her 20 second attention span ran out).

This is all before 10 AM! I discovered the phone was missing when Keith called to check in. Boy was that fun to find. I knew I had to find it as he worries when I don't answer. (You know, since I fall all the time, break bones, etc LOL) So I knew I had to find it before he started worrying too much! She didn't go to sleep until nearly 3 pm (normally noon) so I can officially say that she's had a day. However, she will probably sleep till when Keith gets home, so the whole 'sole responsibility thing has been lifted from my shoulders. Then he can return my wheelchair to me (she wheeled it across the room) and my walker (she moved it from my reach). lol However, I just need to look at her smiling face and I'm done. I wonder if I can claim abuse? My toddler is abusing me LOL

On another note, we FINALLY sold our Jeep today. The credit card company will be happy with that payment! LOL

She is so funny!

Gosh, I am loving toddlerhood. Well, I would love it a teensy bit more if she could get food into her mouth without smearing it all over, or picking her nose, or sleeping through the night. She hasn't slept through the night since I fell down the stairs. Poor kid, she's probably traumatized. Hell, I'd be scared seeing my ass rolling down the stairs towards...um, well, me.

Cute recent things from Miss Emmy.

1) "Oh noooooo" complete with hands over the ears. This was particularly funny after she purposely dumped a bag of Cheerios on the floor.

2) Teaching her to go down the stairs on her bum like Mom does these days. She runs over to the stairs, sits on the bottom step, grins and claps (wanting you to clap for her). I give her a clap and a "yay" since you are only this age once, and hell if I am ruining her self-esteem even though she didn't do anything! lol

3) she loves when Daddy gives her rides in my wheelchair. Strollers? Not so much, wheelchairs, she loves.

4)She talks SO much. I cannot understand 80% of what my own child is saying. This is sad.

5) Her mad determination to rid herself of clothing and then try to put it back on unsuccessfully.

I love being a Mom!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What I am most thankful for this year can best be described by the picture above. I am thankful for the blessing of having Keith as my partner and Emerson my daughter. I feel like my dreams came true when each of them arrived into my life. Keith has been so much of a help since I broke my leg, I honestly don't know what I would do without him.

There are many other blessings in my life that I am thankful for this year. I am thankful for the friendships I have, the reconnecting with aunts and cousins, health among all that I care for.

I am thankful for this new job opportunity, for the chance to show what I am made of. I cannot wait to start. Oh wait, yes I can, I am still injured! LOL

I am even thankful for where my parents are at the moment, as it means they are safe.

So many blessings zip by us daily. I know I don't always recognize them, or give them the credit due. So, here's to life and its many blessings. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

House O'Stairs

You know, there was always a reason I didn't love this house quite as much as Keith does. There are stairs EVERWHERE. Seriously. Since Thursday, I have been restricted to the living room and the kitchen, since every other room requires some stair tackling to get to. If you just think I am being lazy, come here, I'll break your ankle and you can see how awesome it feels. Or how sexy it feels to use a wheelchair commode since the bathroom is up 14 stairs. The same 14 stairs I fell down and got me into this mess in the first place. Life is fun.

On a much less whiney note, I have been offered a new job. Not only does this new job pay over double what I was making, it is something I have wanted to do for years. I start October 22, and although I won't be healed yet, the office is wheelchair accessible which means NO FREAKING STAIRS! Between my parent's crap, losing Maddie, and breaking my ankle, I seriously thought I kicked puppies in my past life or something. It's not been a stellar year.

The casualty of my injury was my ankle of course, and my former job that I have been working at for the past few months. There are 2 small flights of stairs to manoever which has kept me away. (Oh, and the throbbing pain when my foot isn't elevated. So, I quit this morning. I'm sure I am not their favorite person right now, but what could I do?

My blog is sadly lacking in pictures of my munchkin. Last week she was injured from her fight with the 4 year old at daycare and resembled Rocky, and then of course I broke my leg. However, I will take some new ones tonight.