Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Remember what we were dealing with??

These delicious two fingers.

Well, as you know, the dentist had recommended warned me that if she didn’t stop, her bite would be needing major surgery. $$$$$$.

And as you remember, we started the ceasing process. What incentive would she chose?

Drum roll…..

Yes, folks. A Peppa Pig backpack.

Now, she did not stop immediately. It was H.A.R.D! She thought she could stop, but each night, she went right back to her fingers. She would even hide it.

During the week, we received a card and pic from her dentist, Dr. “Vee.” This was a kicker!

Finally, I had to tell her that it had to come from her! She had to want to quit.
When she would stop, she’d be so proud of herself!!

It’s been 3 days since her last sucking. She just holds Baby to her lips and for her, that fills her need.

And there is much rejoicing with her new Peppa Pig backpack.

I’m so proud of her. She set her mind to it and accomplished a goal.

Putting Tatum in school requires a whole lot of brain space. There are many different dimensions to consider.

First, there’s the aspect of what is the best choice for her needs for Preschool. I tend to work backwards. Where will she be going to college? High school? grade school? Kinder? Ok, not really, I’m more focused on where I want to put her in Kinder because where she goes is where I’d like her to stay through high school (if that is possible!) That means the choice for Kinder is driving much of my decisions. BUT, how can I know this so early in the game. More later on this topic.

That leads me back to next year with Pre-K. Now, she will be turning 5 in November which means she’ll be on the older side of Pre-K and then Kinder. They have the option at PFT for her to attend from 9-2:30/ 5 days a week. When I was offered this my heart fell into my stomach. It was a reminder that she could possibly be gone for most of the day! Is she ready for this? Shoot, am I ready for this? Gut says, NO WAY JOSE! But, it would be good for her in some ways. She’d receive science and Spanish in the afternoon.

Well, I am in the process of interviewing the teachers and praying a ton about what is best for her next year. I am also interviewing and touring schools for Kinder so I know what to be prepared for in 18 months. Here in AZ, there are a PLETHORA of choices! It’s ridiculous really but a huge blessing.

All this to say that I am experiencing choice overload. The different routes are all good, so picking the “best” one is really an unknown at this point.

So, I’m back to Pre-K and how LONG I want her to go. 4 days a week 9-12? 5 day a week 9-12? (She currently attends 3 days 9-12). Then do I choose 5 days 9-2:30?

Next, Kinder? What will I choose? The point is that this next year is the last year I have a choice to keep her with me for most of the day. I want to SAVOR that!

I have to put my needs aside, yes, but I do know that with this next year being the last opportunity to soak in Tot Time, I may opt for the 1/2 day.

 

Prayers will continue as these choices continue to evolve!

Every morning, I take Coti around the block, and Tatum waits for me in the kitchen. She usually brings down some random occupiers like Lego guys, a soccer ball, a microphone, or a load of books. When I return, she is nowhere to be found!

Or is she? Two teeny tiny feet give her away every time, and she continues to keep me guessing.

The next morning, 

 

HI mom.

Doug caught on to the hiding game, and this time Baby got to be the hider.

Baby! How in the frito did you get up there!? Peek a boo!!!!

There is no telling the shenanigans this Tot or Baby will get into!

I don’t often take pictures of Tatum when she is like this:

But, this is the classic Tot look. Fingers in mouth and baby’s nose rubbing her nose.  It’s her happy place. And honestly, those fingers are inserted into her mouth more often than not.

It has been ADORable  cute for a long time, and it still is, but not only is it inhibiting her ability to have manners at times (she inserts her fingers in her mouth when appearing to be shy) and it is also ruining her teeth.

Actually, today, the dentist said that it is going to hurt her new teeth as they grow in because they’ll grow out, and she won’t be able to bite down straight. EEK! Dr. “Vee” looked her straight in the eye and shared this with her as Tatum started to slightly blubber. Dr. Vee said she would give her a prize if in 6-months she’s finger lickin’ free.

This brought on the ideas….I told her I’d give her until Friday to decide what would be a new toy she’d like to have if she could stop.

We conversed about it in the car… (note the “coffee” cup. It’s an empty cup of nothing. A mommy-alike gaff)

Then she showed me her pretend binky.

Well, maybe. Then maybe if she could just try putting baby to her nose and putting her knuckles at her lips. She was successful ALL DAY.

Tonight? We shall see. Quitting this habit is going to be good lesson for her.

She can do it a little at a time everyday.

Stay tuned….

When I am at a stoplight, I often reach back to hold Tatum’s hand. Just having her in my presence gives me joy.

Well, right after this, she said, “Mommy, I don’t want you to go.” I was curious because I wasn’t going anywhere! We were together all day; she then waxed eloquent about how she did not want me to go anywhere away from her ever again. I then threw it back at her and then said, “Well, I don’t want you to go away from me anytime ever.”  She smiled and we had a moment.

Later we headed to the park for our usual. We had not ridden the carousel or the train for eons, so we revisited this memory.  First, we had to swing since she is such a pro now.

Then she announced that she wanted to ride the carousel by herself, but I had to be right next to her. DEAL!

Well, I think she changed her mind based on her face and pronouncing, “Mommy, get on!”

And I caved…

You see, I am finding that this little light of mine has changed me. She has made me appreciate the finest moments in life…the mundane. THIS is where the “fun” of life really exists because you are just

TOGETHER.