Welcome to Parenthood

This right here is exactly how I feel like my life has been for the past week and half.



A big old mess. To start off and I'm going light, very light on the details, basically I know you really don't want to know all the details and I've got to keep a little dignity. Bottom line (no pun intended, he he) this past Monday I had to have a little surgical procedure performed on my bottom. Something was there that didn't need to be there and now it's not there. Hallelujah! Little did I know how painful the recovering of such procedure would be....especially while caring for a two year old. Thank goodness for Ryan.

I'm only telling you this because one would think that you couldn't have anymore than one pain in your ass. (I'm full of butt jokes. If I didn't come up with it on my own, someone else has said it to me.) So, my rear is on the mend and I think things are looking good then Saturday hits.

Ryan had gone to the grocery store, on his own, I didn't even drop any hints. He just went and got all kinds of goodies and he announced that he was in charge of dinner. Sweet! He baked some rolls, diced up some potatoes to grill and marinated some meaty steaks. When it was just about time for the steaks to come off the grill, I look over at Madison as I'm heading out the back door. She's standing in her kitchen where she had just vomited, totally freaked out and yelling "Mama!"

I totally freak out and yelled "Ryan!"

Some people may not know this about me but I don't do well with the bodily fluids that escape out of one's mouth. No one likes it really but I just freak. I knew that one day the time would come when Madison would be sick and I'd be faced with my fear. I always wondered how I would do. Well, now I know.....um, not bad. Could have done better as a Mama but not bad.

Again, going to spare details because as you can imagine it wasn't pretty. In the course of about 3 hours we went through four pairs of pajamas, three quilts, numerous washcloths and two changes of sheets on her bed. I will give the little gal some credit. She learned really quickly to make it to the potty and I'll have to say she did look pretty cute standing there with her two little hands resting on the seat. Poor little thing. After Dr. Pap saved us with some medicine, Madison crawled up into our bed and totally passed out.



Needless to say, Ryan's delicious dinner didn't sound too delicious anymore and we did not get to enjoy a single bite.

Before this weekend I might have considered Madison a giving person and now I can say that she is definitely a giving person. She gave Ryan and I both the little bug she had in her belly. He and I were both down and immobile all day on Sunday. Thankfully our family was there to save us and assist us with Madison. She was sure to thank the ones who helped us out and gave them a gift too. This morning I learned that Ryan's Mom, Aunt Laura, Grandma, my sister and my nephew all got the bug from Maddie too. I feel terrible and I'm pretty sure they might screen their calls from us for awhile. Don't blame them one bit.

To make matters just a tiny bit worse, Sunday was Ryan and I's six year wedding anniversary. Yep, we celebrate hard baby. He on the couch, I in the bed both all hopped up on whatever medicine was in Madison's suppositories. Yeah, I said it, suppositories, I've already told you I'm on a roll with my behind. And yeah, we totally took our kid's medicine.

So, yes, it is finally official, Ryan and I have been welcomed into parenting. It ain't official until you have to deal with the vomit. Bottom line: you can have more than one pain in your ass, literally. (see told you I was on a roll.) My life has been so nuts that I haven't even taken the time to pick up this stupid frog. It's been sitting there at the end of our bed all crouched down like he's about to hop up on your leg as soon as you walk by. He freaks me out every time he catches my eye. I've continued to let him frighten me instead of bending over (because that hurts and I'm afraid I'll pop a stitch) and picking him up. Stupid frog.



Well things are totally looking up now because after I took this picture I picked up the frog and all three of us are feeling much better, can't say so much for some of our family members. We now have some packing to do because we're about to go on "Bacation". If you ask Madison where were going she says "Ala-ama!" She lost a consonant in there but we're going to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We've never been there before but they've got golf and the gulf so we're all happy.

Bye for now!

What's going on in your crib?

Last night was a big night for us. All three of us...Mama, Daddy and Madison. Last night we took Madison's bed from this....



Her crib, the one she's slept in since day one lying perpendicular to the mattress instead of parallel, until of course her legs got too long and we had to turn her around. And because of those growing legs and growing body we also had to lower the mattress. Slowly but surely it got to it's present height of about a foot off of the floor. This is the same crib that she chewed on while she was teething. I'll never forget walking in and seeing her face speckled with white paint all while smiling so brightly. Those teeth marks will forever be ingrained in that wood. This crib, the main focal point of a baby's room. The focal point of her room is now no longer a crib. With the assistance of Madison, Ryan transformed Maddie O.'s crib into a toddler's bed.





Our toddler couldn't be more excited about the change. Miss Independent has gained another ounce of independence in her life. She now can climb into her own bed.



Days before the toddler rails were delivered on our front porch, Ryan asked me "Are we really going to do this?" Of course I told him "Yes." Rather matter-of-factly and so sure that it is something we have to do if we are ever going to get her out of diapers at night. The child is potty trained except for we've been putting her in a diaper at night. This transition is something we had to do because she needs to be able to get up if she has to potty. My reasons were good, the timing as far as her being ready is good, all things were in alignment so we moved forward.



I never, in a million years, thought it would hit me like it did. Once she fell asleep, after not coming out of her room at all, not even once, I crept into her room to see our little toddler. I stood there looking over her, then knelt down beside her bed, placed my hand on her little belly and that's when the tears began to fall. I wept because it hit me so hard that our baby girl really isn't a baby anymore. She's a toddler through and through. As time passes and we reach new milestones the memories of her being a tiny baby all curled up in our arms seem so far away.

I went to Ryan and totally freaked him out because he was all relaxed on the couch watching TV and here I come walking in with tears streaming down my face. He was oblivious to the breakdown I just had in Madison's room. He took me in his arms and said "Come on, let's go look at her."

There we stood in Madison's room, in each other's arms. Madison sleeping peacefully, me balling my eyes out and Ryan simply stated "She will always be our baby girl."

This I know is true.

Oh the time....

To begin, I have to say, Daylight Savings Time is awesome. I've never been one to care, I've often wondered, but never cared why we practiced Daylight Savings Time. I think it has to do with the farmers or something. Who cares really, it's not as if I would have a say in the matter anyway. Since I've become a parent I've greatly enjoyed the time changes. I'm particularly loving it now because it's dark in the morning the entire time while I'm getting ready for work. Thus, Madison remains asleep and I am able to get ready in peace. There's no "I need some milk." "I need to watch Dora." "Dry my hair" "I need some lipstick too." Although, I must say it is pretty cute watching her play with my make up and imitating every move I make. But atlas, peaceful mornings have returned.

I will say though she has stated "It's not dark outside." While I'm rocking her before bedtime. I just simply state nope but it will be. Ahh, the simple answers we are able to give two year olds. I do realize this will soon end.

I've also realized that it's kind of nice that Madison has no concept of time. Whenever we tell her it's time to do something she bargains by stating "Four minutes." She has no idea how long or short four minutes is and I have no idea why four is the magic number. But every time, no matter what we say it's "Four minutes."

Madison, it's time for bed.

Four minutes.

Madison, it's time to take a bath.

Four minutes.

Madison, it's time to go inside.

Four minutes.

Madison, it's time to rub mommy's back. Wait. Just kidding.

We entertain her bargain and announce when there is two, then one and then when time is up. Surprisingly she is ready to go after the four minutes have passed.

***************

I just have to share an all time favorite picture of Madison. This is her in her swing that hung from the tree in our front yard. This picture was taken May 30, 2010.



And her she is tonight.....

 

Same tree and same kid but a new swing and a bigger kid.



It was time to replace her swing and it was such a bittersweet event.



I'm loving her so much now with her beaming personality and ability to speak her mind but oh man how I miss those little chubby baby legs. Whew! I've got to admit that just looking back and comparing these pictures is tough. It sure does pull on a Mama's heart strings.



Daddy also had his heartstrings tugged a little tonight....him and his little gal had a little golf lesson. First, Ryan showed Madison where he was going to hit the ball. His intent was for her to watch the ball.



He then told her to stand in her spot, don't move and just watch the ball. She said "OK Daddy."



We then heard the whoosh of the club cutting through the air and the ping of the club head hitting the ball. Then Madison yelled out "Oh man! Where'd that ball go?"



I'm telling you this kid is a hoot! After Ryan hit a few balls and showed her how it was done, it was Madison's turn for a swing of the club.



We've got a prodigy here folks.

 

The weather is supposed to be beautiful all week so hopefully we'll get some more practice in. So, for now.....goodnight!

Breaking News

Our girl.....Madison Olivia.....

 

This fun loving, super sweet, ornery, dramatic, playful, silly, animated, goofy, smart girl....



Yes, this one right here has been agonizing for weeks over if she was going to get into her first school of choice.

 

Alright, actually it was me who was doing the agonizing. This girl right here didn't worry one ounce over her admission into school. Well, we finally got the email, the confirmation we've been waiting for, drum roll please........

She got in!

Madison was accepted to the Center Grove Montessori School!



We are over the hills excited around here. Not only is it super convenient, the school is located right behind my office, but the school is so awesome. If you don't know much about Montessori schools, Google it. They are completely hands only, kids learn at their own pace, set their own goals, teach one another and guide their only learning. It is right up Miss Independent's alley.



Her first day isn't until August so she's got all summer to goof off, be a kid, then it's time to get to business. Just kidding....sort of.

Switching gears.....the weather in Indiana is so off the wall. Yesterday we woke up to snow on the ground and this evening we were outside playing because it was sixty degrees. We take what we get around here and we enjoy every moment.

 





She tried riding her tricycle again tonight. Being that she is so tall it amazes us that her legs just don't quite reach yet to get the peddles all the way around.

 

"I can't do it." she exclaims.

 

So, we move on. On to motorized vehicles.



Where she went in circles in the neighbors yard because she hasn't quite figured out the steering yet.



Our little outside gal was certainly disappointed when I told her it was time to go inside but quickly got over it once I turned her bath water on. The joys of a two year old....disappointments come and go with the drop of a hat. Distractions are everywhere and sometimes work to our benefit. It's time to tuck our little gal in so I must go. Goodnight!