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.