Category: SAHM I am

The minute we arrived at our destination, it decided to rain in sheets! Tatum and I were drenched, but that did not stop us from our fun day.

Before we left the house, however, she surprised us with a little present in her potty. Her choice to go! She grabbed about three books and plopped down. (By the way, this is why I (the germophobe) disinfects library books when I get home because I’m sure there was another little one who had the same idea with this same book)

A little bit of everything was the mantra of the day, and honestly, I think each piece of her brain was firing on all cylinders.

Her emotions were flying high when I left her in the Kids Klub at the gym. Usually, she wants three or four hugs and kisses and is FINE, but today, she wanted about five, and as she continued to cry a bit, knowing I ALWAYS come back finally said, “I love you, mommy,” and walked off with her friend Mac.

When I returned, it was a different story. She had a crowd of about three girls (all about six years old) surrounding her on the carpet and she was reading them a story aloud. When she stopped, she said, “Mommy, this is Hannah and ‘Lina (for Angelina), and…’what was your name?’ and Janie.” OK, my girl is 2.8 and she’s running the show and being the social queen. Plus, she’s entertaining them with a  book.

Now only sprinkling, we headed to a makeup swim class for some more neural connections…and of course some social time to talk to the instructors and thank them for all they do! She dove in and rolled on her back then on her tummy three times without Kylie’s help. Yahoo!

On our way home, she wanted to read another book, so I let her read I Want My Hat Back, and we both had a laugh. There is a running debate about the bear and if he ate the bunny who took his hat? Or did he just sit on her….hmmm. 

Finally, it was time to boost that hippocampus which is an area of the brain involved in learning and memory. She practiced her guitar along with Laurie Breckner playing her guitar.

She seems to like “I’m Gonna Catch You” the most, but the side effect is that I’m singing it in my subconscious all day long. It’s like that commercial you can’t get out of your head.

No day can be complete without a little building, so of course we had to build some kind of tower. Tot was more interested in the little truck with a hook and talking to the little girl next to her, but either way, it was fun for me to stack some legos.

It was a WHOLE day engaging the WHOLE brain.
Coti play usually ends our day, but since it was so stormy out, he was hiding in Tatum’s room in the corner.

Whatever God has in store for this amazing child, I have no idea. What I do know is that her LIGHT WILL SHINE wherever she goes, and that she will be a blessing to others. If she can remember that as her purpose, then I know she will be a successful, happy person!

 

Project “draw the babies” has come to a close.

If you know Tot, she has two little friends who go everywhere with her. She used to only have one, but then she found the “backup” baby, and the rest is history. Now, it’s Baby 1 and Baby 2. (Baby 1 is on the left)

It was so fun to unveil the final product to Tatum. Moreover, I found a verse that coincides nicely with the concept of this love. See, these babies are so precious to Tatum, and she reaches for them when she is sad, hurt, down or just needing a boost.

(What you will notice, is Baby 2 has lost a tinge of her nose. Her “nose job” required some scissors to catch the stray thread. Now, her nose is just a bit thinner.)
This is so much like God’s LOVE which never ends; it’s steadfast! Psalm 36:7 says it best.

We discusses where to hang them and although over her crib seemed logical, we both agreed that thematically, they belonged near the other white frames.

She was right.

 

I had just gotten her out of bed, and she instantly wanted to play on her piano. She wanted me to sit right next to her, and when I attempted to hit one of the buttons, she sassily screamed, “No!” I immediately got up and walked out of the room and told her I did not appreciate her attitude. She would need to try again. I proceeded to go into my room.

After about a minute, she begged me to return to try again, and she sat herself on the carpet, closed her eyes, sitting indian style and said, “God help me.” She looked at me and said, “Mommy I need to try again and I need to pray for help.” Melt. I told her she should just say, “No, Thank you,” if someone touches it and she doesn’t want them to.

Next thing I know, she is sweetly saying, “No thank you” when I touched it. The whole experience was a learning experience for both of us. Her ability to honor me and the grace I give her to “try again” is the fuel that keeps her making the right choices and grow.

Focused and ready to take on the day, we went and visited Ms. Barb at her new Preschool. She will be going for about 2 hours 2 days a week. While there, she met a friend, Bren, and they decided to paint.

I love their philosophy about not having commercial toys but more real life stuff. The play is authentic and teaches them to be more imaginative. She’ll start in about two weeks, and although I’m sad to not be with her a bit during the week, I know she will love it. I also know that she will have many opportunities to not give up but to continue to TRY AGAIN!

 

Did I make the crucial decision not to return to my job. What has become is beyond description.

I remember the fear that overtook me when the next day came. What will I do with her all day? How will I teach her? How do I do this without a steady income? Can I be a good mom to her? What if…blah blah blah. The questions were never ending, however, I KNEW deep in my soul it was the best thing I could ever do.

My daughter is someone I want to be with every minute of the day. Yes, a 2.7 year old is actually pretty fun, and although sometimes I want to throw up my hands and hide, I cannot imagine any other way. Moreover, the relationships she is building is what I notice the most; not only with me, but with Coti!

She adores him. He just had a minor surgery on his teeth yesterday, and she even cried when she couldn’t play with him for one day. Cried! Today, she just couldn’t stop hugging him.

So back to what happened a year ago today. We actually went on a play date to Scottsdale Fashion Square last year, and returned this year with some of our same mommy friends. But now? They are the best of our friends. Robert and Jennie; Timoree and Forest; Elizabeth and Nicholas; Kristin and Ellie (her other 4 were at their grandmas);  Nicole with Sammy, Logan, Kenzie; Lori and Avery; Alicia and Adorra. Linda Fox came to support us all. We missed having Janette and Levi there, but we made up for it by sitting on the duck like old times with Levi. (she had her babies enjoy instead)

I would not trade my life for anything. This next year will be again in God’s hands. I cannot wait.

 

I was having a nice conversation with my mom, and it seemed very quiet. Too quiet. The usual Tot noises were not occurring. She had asked me for a paper towel and the spray bottle. Little did I know she’d be cleaning the oven!

I sneaked up on her only to see her then cleaning the drawers!

I had to overlook the fact that she had sprayed half the bottle all over the floor and herself, but my little cleaning machine had cleaned the whole oven!

I needed to capitalize on this motivation, so after she got dressed, I showed her the Bissel. She jumped on the chance to clean not only my room but her’s as well.  Aah..if this is the life that is to come, I’m in GOOD hands.

The day came to unveil the…tada….!Tot School lap books! I’d been working on them as discussed in prior posts and I think they came out pretty well. Tot chose the Veggie Tales theme first..

We did colors, shapes, and “Where are the Veggie” prepositions.

Dora because she’s awesome. (muy bien)The Hungry Caterpillar

Word World So, I get it..I’m a bit over-excited. But I sure enjoy watching her have fun while she learns.