No Pants

I don't know if it's the OCD gene from her father, her stubbornness from both of us, or just being a difficult toddler – but my 3 year old is insisting on going commando. She insists that all underwear give her "wedgies" and no amount of adjusting will convince her otherwise.

After weeks of trying new underwear, different pants, being firm with her, bribing her, and eventually pleading with her, my mom finally told me to just let it go. "Pick your battles honey, if its not going to hurt her, its probably not worth it. The more you push, the more she'll push back". She was right. But with Miss Bella, there are so many battles to choose from. My sweet baby girl is wonderful in hundreds of ways – she's smart, has a funny little sense of humor, loving, and can be sweet as can be when it suits her. She is also ridiculously stubborn, extremely vocal when it comes to not getting her way, a professional tantrum thrower, has a bit of a violent streak, and can swing from mood to mood with not much notice. I love her spunk, but sometimes I just have to breathe ten times, close my eyes and repeat "this is just a phase, this is just a phase". A phase that started at about 13 months and is still going strong, but I'm not giving up hope yet.

So where was I? Oh yes, my daughter being the Britney spears of her daycare and refusing boycotting underwear. (Since she's also very curious about boy/girl differences right now, I am a bit worried – but that's another story). So okay, I can let this go, fine don't wear them.

Now she refuses to wear pants. We try on EVERY SINGLE PAIR OF PANTS she has, and she insists that each of them is either too small, too big, or gives her a wedgie.

And now even putting on her socks is a 10 minute ordeal as she insists they "aren't right" or are "on the wrong foot" (WTF???). My dad is watching her this week and I get a call beginning with "Okay, what's up with the socks thing?"

I've tried telling her to fix them, to pick out different pants or different socks, and no matter what approach I take, it always ends in a complete meltdown. Last night she spent 35 minutes at the top of the stairs yelling down at me to fix her pants, while we all just ignored her.

I am a veteran parent. I've been doing this for over twelve years. I've been stumped before, but who would've thunk it would be undergarments that would finally have me beat?

Cupid comes in unexpected ways

My (almost) 12 ½ year old daughter gathered her family in our bedroom yesterday and had everyone sit down. She then opened up a battered shoe box and reaching inside, handed us each a bundle, sometimes wrapped with notebook paper, or stuffed in an old reused gift bag, whatever she could find. She literally bounced with excitement and couldn't stop grinning. She had my husband and I open ours first and inside my notebook paper bundle was a gold colored locket and a letter saying how much she loved me and that she's sorry if the picture inside isn't perfect since it was hard to get it in there, but she hopes I'll wear this little picture of her so she knows she's always close to my heart.

My husband's gift was a tiny stuffed dog that lit up with rosy cheeks when you squeezed him and he barked "I Woof You!", plus a letter that began "Dear Dad…" Since my husband is her stepfather this meant more than anything. That little puppy will have a place of honor on his dresser for years I know.

For her siblings it was little toys she'd picked up for them, or as in her sisters case, a hat and purse of hers that her younger sister had always wanted. She had saved her allowance, and at some point that neither my husband nor I can figure out (and she's not telling), she bought these gifts without any of us knowing. She said "I hope you like it mom, I know its not fancy or anything, but yeah, well I hope you like it…." Oh my Kaia Marie, its worth to me than any fancy thing in this world.

To top things off she then called her three year old sister over, and knelt down and whispered "Bella, do you remember what we made for momma and daddy? Now its time to give it to them" And my toddler marched over all grins and handed us a valentine her big sister had helped her make for us, on which her scribbles could barely be made out to read "I love you mommy and daddy". Plus we found out she'd had Bella make a valentine for the daycare lady and her grandparents.

I looked at my daughter, on the verge of teenager-hood, and maybe soon to be at that age where she will pull away from me, and my heart just about burst with love and pride for this child, my child. I must have done something right to be lucky enough and strong enough to have raised a girl with such a huge heart. I grabbed her face and hugged her and told her "No one, no one in this world has a bigger heart that you do baby girl. You heart just shines" She got embarrassed as she always does when she does something like this, the praise is always brushed aside, since I really don't think that's why she does this. I wish I could somehow have her see herself through my eyes at a moment like that, because I really don't think she realizes what this means to me and what an example she is setting for her younger brother and sisters.

And so there it was, my Valentine's Day moment. Completely unexpected, unmanufactured, and perfect. Flowers, shiny gifts or cards – I don't need a thing today, cause I already feel that warm and fuzzy feeling all the way to my toes. And a shiny gold colored locket to remind me all day long how lucky I am.

cold

Nothing is more depressing than February in Minnesota -- Its freaky cold, like that type of cold that makes it hard to breathe, where any part of your body exposed starts to ACHE after just a few seconds.  And by thismonth, I'm so sick of winter, I have moved past cabin fever into winter depression.  But today is supposed to warm up.  That will help, but once it really warms up, then comes the SPRING THAW.  The worst time of year for an owner of two (large) dogs.  Approximately 4-5 months of frozen poop layered in the three foot drfits of snow in my yard....just waiting to melt into a yard covering sludge.  Awesome. 

I know Valentines day is this month...but I personally feel that it is probably the most unromantic month there is.  Besides above-mentioned winter blues, its too cold for any real loving.  My giant fleece sleep pants, fluffy socks that make me look like I have muppet feet, dry winter hair and skin, and my old red bathrobe = COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE, not sexy.  Plus I just don't have the motivation to shave in the winter....which I'm sure doesn't help.   Ugh.  And since I haven't had a cigarette since new years -- I've gained like 10 pounds.  When I mentioned this to my sweet husband, his response was "at least you'll be warmer in the winter".  Huh.  Thanks.  Apparently he HAS been listening to my never ending complaints about the cold. 

Anyway, other than hating this month and this state, things are pretty decent.  Every day is pretty much the same right now, so not much new going on, but here's a few tidbits:

• Very concerned that Anjolie's eyebrows do not seem to be growing back.  Upside is, I no longer burst into laughter every time we have a face-to-face conversation.  And she doesn't seem too bothered by it, and hey they are HER eyebrows. 
• The kids started hip hop dance class.  I think its quite cool that with three kids from different sets of parents, and when Chris and I have no musical talent, somehow we ended up with such talented kids.  Kaia plays the drums, and can sing damn good, and is the choreographer extraordinaire.  Eddie can dance like you've never seen, and can sign his little butt off.  Anjolie is an amazing dancer too, loves to sing, and can write like somehow three times her age.  Now when are my talented little midgets going to make me a millionaire?  
• Eddie started Cub Scouts.  So cool to see him bonding with his daddy over pinewood derby cars and power tools. 
• Chris loves his job!  YAY!! I hate mine!  Boo!!!  Okay not always....today...yes.
• I lost part of a tooth eating wasabi peas.  No cavity, it just broke.  You can't REALLY tell, but my husband still delights in calling me his hillbilly wife.  
• I got my new ring!!!  My kick ass hubby got me a new wedding band and ring setting for my diamond -- I turned out to be allergic to my last one (yellow gold) and he surprised me.  And he even got down on one knee to give it to me since he forgot the last time.  Before you go "awwww" I should mention we were sitting at the coffeetable eating subway with the kids.  Still adorable though :) 
• Bella insists her nipples are her "other bellybuttons".  She also is boycotting underwear since it gives her "wedgies".  *Sigh*  That child is the single most stubborn person I have ever met in my life.  

I tend to ramble.  I got some ramen noodles to slurp down, so there you have it.  February (kind of) sucks.  Bring on the spring thaw!   

I suck at this

I have the attention span of a mosquito.  I really wanted to keep up the blog.  I still do.  I still might.  *sigh*