Why?

I don't understand why I have such a difficult time standing up for myself.  What's the deal with that?  Why do I feel guilty asking our landlord to get with the program and fix all most of the problems with our apartment.  It's their duty as a landlord to take care of their properties.  These aren't things that we caused - issues that were existing when we moved in last month.  It shouldn't bother me the way it does, and for that reason I sent an email today asking them (nicely) to take care of it.

And it's not just that - what happened to make me give in so much?  Am I too much of a people-pleaser?  I don't feel like one, but am I really the one to ask about that?  I don't think I'm a perfectionist, but I've had multiple people over the years tell me that I am. 

I'm quite sure I have a backbone - I stand up pretty straight, so I know there's one in there.  How do I bring it out in the open? 

Happy New Year.  Here's to hoping for a stronger will, at times.

A Short Conversation

The girls and I spent most of this past week at my parents' house in northern Idaho.  While we were waiting for dinner to be ready, Tooty was playing with Grandpa.  And she was talking up a storm!  My favorite part of the conversation went as follows:

"Yeah.  And tomorrow I'm going to school."

--Really?

"Yes.  I will wear panties and go to school all day.  Tomorrow."

-- What kind of school?

"Playground school." 

--You have to be big to go to school.

"Yeah, tall tall up to the ceiling.  Like a giant."

Right before we left Michigan, we took a day trip to check out Grand Haven.  We had heard it's a great place, and it was beautiful.  While we were driving around, Tooty pointed out a playground and asked if we could stop.  I told her no, and that it was a school playground so only kids who went to school could play on it that day.  And when she said she wanted to go to school, we told her that she needs to start wearing panties first - unfortunately, that's where her interest in potty training ends.  She doesn't care about it unless she can go to school...hopefully it won't take 2 more years!

Tomato Face

There weren't too many foods that Tooty wouldn't eat when she was first learning to eat.  The only major exception that she didn't like EVER were tomatoes.  But she was so cute when she would put them in her mouth that we loved to give her a few - the way she scrunched her face up looked like she ate something sour.

We learned a few weeks ago that Cupcake makes the same face - although it was her first experience with baby food sweet potatoes that did it. This is Cupcake, for those who may not know:

 

It shouldn't be so enjoyable and funny to tease one's children.

Maiby Says...

We went to the Nativities Around the World the other night at our church; as Tooty says, we saw the "Atbities".

And she is often telling me that she "gafot" something when she can't remember.

Loving the 3-year old vocabulary!

Two vs. Three

Why is it when your kid is 2 it's terrible?  We are having a MUCH more difficult time with three than we ever had with two...not fun.  It probably doesn't help with the added stress of moving and Daddy still looking for work, and it's so cold outside we don't want to go anywhere so we spend a lot of time together in the living room or kitchen.

But it seems that once Tooty hit 3 in September that things have been even more difficult - her stubbornness has multiplied by at least 3, she's more defiant, she tunes us out so easily now (but mainly that's when she is bugging Cupcake and being told to not touch her head), and it's tough.  But there are still times every day (hooray!) that we know she is still our sweet girl who is so tender and loving.

I just wish I knew how to keep those times from out-numbering the other times.

Good Things

It's been just under a month since I last posted (and by just under a month, I of course mean 1 day less).  We've had a lot of things going on and one of those has been me neglecting the internet and blogging.  Daddy quit his great job where we were living in Michigan and I was spending time with him rather than online much.  We are back in Idaho where we went to school, since it's a lot less expensive to live here and we won't have the same income.  Daddy is looking for work and we are enjoying spending time together as a family.

And it's a good thing that we all get along well, since our 3 bedroom that we rented sight-unseen is TINY...it's basically a 2 bedroom that was remodeled into 3, with the addition of a hall.  The bedrooms are so small, it feels like we are back in the trailer we lived in when we were first married.  But the price is right. 

We just got home from seeing the Holiday Light Parade on Main Street.  It was great.  Big Sister was scared of the first few entries (the police car and the fire engine) due to the flashing lights and siren noises.  But after Daddy showed her there was candy being thrown out and Mommy showed her that it's fun to wave at the people in the parade, she really warmed up to it. 

Tooty Sings

Tooty is getting better and better at singing.  I don't know how much she participates in nursery, but at home she is singing up a storm, and making up more and more of her own songs.  Last night, we took a video of a song my mom taught me when I was little:

Let's Sing a Song of a Bear

Real Dreams

Cupcake is now 6 months old.  She is a really good sleeper, but still wakes up about once a night to eat.  For the past week, when I hear her crying, I get out of bed and go help her - either with a bottle or to replace her binky.  And then she cries again.  That's about the time I realize that I didn't get up a few minutes ago - I dreamed it.  It's really tough to remember what time I actually feed her (if it was 3 am or 530), since I imagine myself getting up and it's so darn real.

Needless to say, it feels like she wakes up about 4 times a night.  It's not my favorite.

Trying Hard...

So we are facing a difficult situation right now - I can't really go into it, and I apologize for bringing it up.  But we've made a decision about it, prayed about our decision, and feel confident that our decision is a good one.  The problem has now become rethinking and doubt. 

We are trying hard to stay focused on the decision and that things really will work out, just like we feel they will, but when we stop looking at the big picture and think about the details that will inevitably follow and crop up unexpectedly, we start worrying and wondering if we really did make a good decision.

So here's to letting go of the doubts and holding on to our faith that we made a good choice.

ArtPrize

Last Saturday, Cupcake and I went to downtown Grand Rapids for ArtPrize.  It's an annual event there, and I wanted to check it out since I've never heard about it and it's supposed to be awesome. 

Well, it is.

Every year, artists from all over the world can contribute artwork, which is then put on display for 2 weeks in Grand Rapids.  There is a vote (I'm not sure if it's a popular vote or how that works, but I know the public can pay $5 to vote), and the winner of the competition is given $250,000!!!!!  Anyone placing in the top 10 gets a monetary prize (the lowest being $7000). 

This year, the winner did a LIFE-SIZE pencil sketch of a 1921 American calvary.  It's amazing.  You can check it out here, but of course seeing in on the comp is nothing compared to in person.  My favorite one was in the same location, the Grand Rapids Art Museum.  I wish I knew the name of it, but I forgot.

But I did take a picture, but you will have to wait for it because I used my regular-film camera and not the digital.  So as soon as I fill it up, I will post pics of the ones that I liked best.  **I only went to a little over a dozen venues, so there is no way that I saw even one quarter of the entries. 

Private Journal

I'm following the advice and example of a friend of mine and putting a journal online.  It's not super personal, just info about me that doesn't need to be for anyone to read.  If you're interested, let me know and I'd be happy to add you to the list.  Post a comment or email me.

Let's Play A Game...

...of Catch-Up!

I wish I could say that I haven't posted because things have been so hectic and crazy and I'm so exhausted from all the running around we have been doing and just haven't had time, but that would be a big, fat lie.  Things have been busy, but I've just been procrastinating and then three weeks have passed and I had better get back into it before I lose the handful of people that read this.

September is always a busy month for us, as well as an exciting one.  Three out of four people in our family have their birthday during September.  But first, Labor Day. 

I have never lived somewhere that had so many parades as they do here in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.  Seriously.  If there is a reason to have a parade, at least one town will do it.  It's great.  On Labor Day, there is a big rig parade, celebrating all the hard-working local companies that employ so many.  This is how Tooty spent the whole time.  She was really excited about it until the trucks actually showed up and were honking.  She promptly covered her mouth and wouldn't move her hands until we assured her the whole thing was over.

 Next came her birthday...the big 3!  We had a couple of her friends from downstairs come over.  I didn't want to make a big cake, so I gave her the option of several shapes and she chose a star with chocolate frosting.  It was delicious.

 And of course, at age 3, a birthday is all about the presents.  She received 2 presents in the mail the day after the party.  Here are two pictures that express her feelings:

 She kinda liked it.

During FHE a couple weeks ago, we sat at the kitchen table rather than on the couch and Daddy asked me to define a term that we were using.  I think he didn't know how to explain a goal to a toddler.  While I was explaining it and we were coming up with goals for each family member, Tooty reached over to Daddy and held his hand the entire time.  She said they were "best friends".  So, so cute.  Especially since she is such a Mommy's girl.

 We went to a county fair the next week - on $1 day.  $1 per person for entry, $1 for each ticket for rides, and 1 ticket per ride.  So we coughed up $2 so Tooty could pick a ride.  We narrowed it down for her after we discovered that the one I wanted to take her on (the giant slide) had a height restriction for her. 

 So she chose the car ride.  She chauffeured me around the line.  I'm in the back seat.

Daddy and I enjoyed our birthdays.  They were pretty much just like any other day.  Which in a way was a bit disappointing.  My sister and mom called on my birthday, and my mom and his dad called him on his.  I'm not saying that I need a big to-do about it.  And it was our choice to not have a party.

Tooty and I made a tree for the slider door.  I cut out the leaves and had her draw a line down the center of each one for a vein.  She really enjoyed it and did a great job matching colors - red crayon for red leaves, orange for orange, etc.

 Here she is at the PumpkinFest parade - I told you they pick anything to celebrate with a parade.  It was a little chilly and sprinkled a few times, but we had a great time.

Cupcake has been losing her hair.  I thought since it hadn't happened in the first 4 months that

we were good to go and she would keep those beautiful so-dark locks.

But, alas, it was not to be.  At least she still has the sticky-up hair.  And her mullet in the back.

But we still need to document that.

 

 

For those who may not know/remember how nice and dark and thick it was, here she is heading home from the hospital:

 

And as further proof, a pic from July (showing she still had it at 3 months):

She Turned Me Into a Liar

I was talking to my mom on the phone the other day and she asked me something about Tooty.  I remember I assured her that Tooty has NEVER kept anything under her bed.  I swear - it's always been spotless under there, unless a stray toy somehow was pushed or rolled under there.  Well, the next day, I found out that she was apparently listening to my side of the conversation:

 

Sorry for not telling the truth, Mom!

Good Sister

 

This girl loves being a big sister.  She already knows how to bug and poke and laugh while Babygirl cries, BUT she occasionally is simply loving....here she is sharing a book while I cook.

If Only...

If only it were this quiet and peaceful every time I cooked dinner...

 

Don't let these girls fool you...it's often filled with torment, crying, and threats of time-out.  But the one day (in a million?) that it's like this, it's heaven.

My Girls

My last post contains a real, unmodified picture of Cupcake...I don't have the slightest idea how to do much more to a picture than crop, get out redeye, and possibly change the color (mainly to a different shade, like sepia or blue or something).  She is standing up against the couch and we had about 1 second to take the shot.  But I only had to do it once.  We did it with Tooty, too, when she was the same age.  I know that because it's right before Daddy was deployed.  

She has better foot placement.

I can tell these girls are going to be great friends.  Tooty reads to Babygirl all the time, or shows her pictures, or just torments her.  They both laugh and laugh together and Babygirl has put up with a lot, which I'm sure is the case with most babies who have toddlers for siblings.  I took the chance the other day to let them sit alone on the couch the other day for a picture.  It worked out well.

Can't you tell they are such good friends?

 

Tooty participated in the summer reading program at the library, which was AWESOME!! Each child is given a pencil and a paper to fill out (it's a picture of something and each section of the picture represents 15 minutes of reading).  When your paper is filled, you bring it back and trade it for a prize.  We just did one sheet, which each total 5 hours of reading.  That is a lot when you are 2.  Here is Tooty with her prize, a color-changing water bottle!!

She was super excited.  Can you believe that's the bottom prize?  I don't know what the rest were...I think I overheard a couple kids talking about reading enough to get the t-shirt, and possibly a beach ball.  What a great program!  We are signing up next year for sure.

Look What I Can Do!!

Dancin' Fools

Fun Weekend

Daddy, unfortunately, has been working like a madman for the last while...it's too bad he doesn't get overtime, because he has put in 2 14-hour days and several over 10.  Kinda crazy. 


But we decided to go all out on Saturday...we went out to lunch and then headed to Nelis' Dutch Village, a local place that celebrates the Dutch history of our town.  The best part?  It was FREE!!  I love when military people are shown that kind of gratitude!  So instead of just getting Tooty in free with her pass from the library summer reading program, we all did.  


But I forgot the camera, which is sad, but since the price is so good for us, we might head back before they close for the season and bring the camera this time.  


First we watched some Dutch dancers, and one of them is one of my MiaMaids from church!  I didn't even know she worked there, and I looked up and there she was.  


Then we checked out the carousel, then the swing ride (and Tooty was big enough to ride in a swing right next to me), and then this crazy cart ride that wasn't electric - she had to do the work, but luckily the girl running the ride gave her several big pushes to get around the track.


We also took a look at the goats - we didn't take any for a walk (a super popular attraction there), but we looked at them for a little while.  They attach the goat to a leash and people of all ages take a stroll around the park with them for as long as they want.  It reminded me of one of my aunt's who had a goat that she used take on walks along with her dog.  Except that goat was really chubby and these were not.  They also had some super cute baby goats - SO SMALL!!  


Those are the main attractions that we checked out - we had already been to the shops (since they are free anytime, Tooty and I went with her grandma's when they were in town).

Windmill Island Gardens

We live in a city that was settled by the Dutch hundreds of years ago.  There is a lot of stuff around here that relate to Dutch things, and we spent Saturday afternoon at the Windmill Island Gardens (which, incidentally, was featured in FamilyFun magazine right before we moved here).  It was great.  We didn't stay long, and didn't check out everything, mainly the big 6-story working windmill that's over 200 years old, and the shops and river.  They also have a merry-go-round that is really old, and is now just for kids.  Tooty loved it!!  Here's some pics of her riding the horse.  One of the best things about this place is it's free if you live in the city - all you do is show your local driver's license at the gate and drive on in...saved us about $20, and we are happy to go back anytime!

Videos of Tooty

 

Here is our song from FHE on Monday.  We did it slow and she did great, but wanted to try it fast fast fast!

And here is her washing her hands, which turned into "putting on my makeup".

She Plays Favorites

For the past 2 weeks, Daddy was out of town with the Army for his annual training.  During that time, I tried and tried to get a belly laugh out of Cupcake, but she wouldn't comply.  This was taken right before he left - and as soon as he got back, she complied with another big laugh session just for Daddy the first time he changed her diaper.  So who's her favorite parent?  It's no mystery to me!

End of the Binky?

Not quite.  

 

I've decided it's an old wives tale that cutting off the tip of a binky renders it undesirable.

Tooty's binky is on the right, and it has been in this condition for months!

Baby Girl's binky, on the left, is there so you can see that we have cut off  more than an inch, and Tooty

still insists on using it.  I don't even think it can get any farther into her mouth than her lips.

Tooty's new favorite activity?  "Washing her hands."

She heads into the bathroom with a stool so she can reach the tap and the sink 

and will play for about an hour in the water.  Usually it's not too bad,

but last week we had the wettest bathroom and the wettest girl yet.

Notice the lighter shade near her ankle?  That's the only 

dry spot to be found that day.

 

I don't typically allow her to change her clothes after playing in the water, 

but I did relent that day.

And speaking of binky's....

when I took Tooty in to bed the other day, this is what I found.

Her favorite sleepmate taking a nap and sharing her binky.

Such a loving girl!

If she can't sleep without one, why should anyone else have to?

Talking Crackers

Last night as we were finishing dinner, Tooty was eating the remaining few crumbs of a graham cracker.  She picked up the last one and said, "It's crying."

Your cracker?

Her misses her daddy.

Where is he?

In my tummy.

You better eat her so they can be together, then.

And she promptly stuck the piece in her mouth and chomped down.

Belated Wedding Present

It's been almost 4 years since we got married, and we thought that the last wedding gift we received was when I was pregnant with our first baby (which was great, since we were able to buy the baby swing that we wanted).  But it turns out that was wrong - we received it last month.  And it's a beauty, so I just have to share it with you. 

When one of my great-grandpas moved into the house he owned for 50 years, there was a chair in the attic.  I have no idea what it looked like back then, but for many years, it lived in my mom's garage in the form of an empty, unattached frame.  And when we were planning the wedding, she said that she would get it reupholstered if there was enough money left over from the wedding budget.  Well, it may have taken a few years to actually happen, but we now have a beautiful antique rocking chair!

The colors are beautiful, and the fabric has a great sheen to it.  We love it.

Thanks Mom!!

After Dinner Conversation

While I was cleaning up the dishes and leftovers after dinner tonight, Big Sister informed me that she ate two apples and they were swimming around in her belly.

Site Change

So our last blog address was one letter off from a site in Japanese, and we had been getting more and more comments in Japanese on our blog that linked to inappropriate websites, and since I can't read Japanese, I assumed that the site we were close to was no appropriate, either.  So here's our new place - good job finding it.  Gold star for you today!