Clear Epic

Prayse came home from school today with another Ouch Report. This is the third time in the past month that she has gotten bit. They do not tell us who the child is (which I understand), but it is the same kid.

What do I do? I know that kids are kids and there are times she’ll be bit or get into a fight, or be the one fighting or biting. But give me a break. Three times in the past month!?!?

I brought it up with the teacher on staff in the afternoons, although it happened in the morning. I understand that they cannot discipline and that they show Prayse the affection and attention first. But I need a plan to get this to stop. It makes me feel better that the Mom of the other child was upset and gave her a “stern talking to.” But at this age at 15-16 months the kid had no clue what they were talking about 8 hours after the incident.

I plan on talking with the main teacher on Monday to understand more about the situation, is it a personality thing? Is there something that P is doing to antagonize that we can be working on at home? SOMETHING has to be done. I cannot allow my child to keep getting bit. And I do not want her to think that it is okay to bite, which at some point she’s gonna get pissed and just bite back. And honestly, I don’t blame her.

So I need advice, I need advice on how to talk w/ her teacher or what to say, I need to know what you all have done in this situation. And you lurkers? I know you’re out there b/c I see the IP addresses and the hits Can you delurk for this one to tell me what you’ve done?

Thanks friends!

See, the thing with guilt is that it is not just one emotion, it is multiple crappy/bad feeling emotions all tied up in into one. When you feel guilty you are also most likely feeling sad, and if you’re like me, a bit anxious.

 This has been an extremely long week. Yes, I know it is Tuesday. Doesn’t matter. Work and life and emotions and everything else has come crashing down. I couldn’t disconnect tonight. I couldn’t let it go and focus on what mattered, Prayse. I picked her up, came home and we had dinner together. We even fingerpainted for the beginning of a child/parent class project (how fun! her first “homework”). Then we came to play and I even turned on the TV. I never turn on the TV, I typically just play with her and that’s what I focus on.

Not tonight, I was trying everything to not think about work and even just watch one of my shows that has been DVR’d for a few weeks now. At the end of the evening I looked at Prayse sitting there w/ blocks, grooving w/ the music that was on TV and thought, “What in the world are you doing Tiffany? She is so precious and you have lost tonight.”

I don’t even know why tonight mattered so much. I really don’t. Prayse will not be traumatized by this one night. I hope that it stays with me however. She is so much fun right now. I feel like we are building up such a great relationship. She loves to climb up on my back and go for a ride. She is starting to communicate more and more. Last night? I was the funniest person in the world. Truly. Just by balancing a block on my nose I was the coolest Mama evah. Prayse had a belly gut laugh going on which had me in stitches too.

When she gets hungry she takes my hand and walks into the kitchen. When she wants to go upstairs she climbs the stairs, checking to make sure I’m following. She’ll bring books into my lap and cuddle up. She sometimes even sits past when I read the title We have dance partys nightly, to any beat. We even make our own music.

And my favorite? She has learned how to whisper. We’ll be walking around the house and she’ll pull me down to her level and start pointing and whispering about something that is super important.

Again, what is it about tonight? I feel I missed out on great memories and special moments. I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to be able to walk away from my job and disconnect. Physically? Done. I don’t even bring my computer in from the car until after P is asleep. I choose not to have a Treo or Blackberry so I won’t be checking email. But mentally? That is where I need work. I mentally need a break from work. Today’s like today I want and need a job when I leave, I leave. I can be a good Mom, I can be a loving wife.

With the Republican National Convention on TV Raymonn and I were watching a commentary show this evening when citizens were calling in and telling who they were supporting and why. It was actually pretty comical. One guy told the lady to “hold on” he had another call beeping in. Down right funny!

One caller made me upset however, she was criticizing Sarah Palin for accepting the nomination because she has kids. She feels that she won’t be a good Mom is she is busy running a country. This caller even went so far as to ask why she even HAD five kids if she wasn’t going to raise them. Good grief. That’s a little harsh isn’t it?

I have not decided who I’m voting for yet, but I will say this. To be given the opportunity to make history is well… historical. Now you all know how I sometimes struggle being a working Mama and feeling like I don’t get the time I want with Prayse. I can imagine it would be magnified x 1,000 being the Vice President of the Free World. But to be given that chance to be the first woman in the USA to hold that high of an office? Sarah Palin has the opportunity to break through an incredibly thick, double-paned glass ceiling. As a woman, and as a Mom, I’m proud of her.

For the caller that stated “You only have one shot at being a Mom, you can run a country at any time.” Uh… no, you can’t. Sorry lady.

It was hot (again) today and since I kept Prayse in all day yesterday I decided to take her to the mall and let her play in the indoor play center. She had so much fun the last time I thought I’d let her run off some energy. There was a little 18 month old there who kept following her around and trying to give her hugs. She would always run off until one time he was going in for a kiss. All puckered up and everything. Prayse watched until he got close to her lips and then shoved him! Now, we don’t condone shoving, but she was just protecting her personal bubble. Daddy would have been proud!

There were also a couple of nine-ish year olds who first of all in my opinion should now have been running around and playing in this place. They were way too old and didn’t look out for all of the other toddlers who the thing was built for. I seriously wanted to ask them where their parents were. So I was watching as this nine-ish year old was trying to convince my one year old to get out of the car that she was playing in first. She gave him “the look” and just stared at him like he was crazy. It made me so proud. He kept looking at me and I knew he wanted to make her move but wasn’t about to push it.

His friend quickly informed him that in fantasy land the blue car was actually the POLICE car and that he needed to jump in the red car with him so that they could make their get away. I then watched this kid “pretend” to punch in the car windows of the police car, throw the invisible policeman to the ground and get in “speeding off.” This didn’t surprise only me, his friend watched him and commented, “Now you’re really gonna get arrested.” (which actually did make me smile).

But oh no, this kid was not done. He got behind Prayse and pretended the car was speeding off, shooting behind him yelling “Die Policeman! Die! Die Policeman! Die!”

Ahem, time for Miss P to find some other place to play.

Seriously?? I’m sure every single generation played their version of Cops and Robbers. This does not surprise me. But isn’t the cop supposed to win? Aren’t the cops the good guys? Someone give these kids a clue, it is NOT cool to hurt people and kill in make believe. Make believe so quickly becomes reality as evidenced in Von Maur, Omaha last December. (Granted, I know there were a ton of other factors in that instance, there always are).

It reminded me of this spring when Prayse, Raymonn, and I went to the park. We saw two young boys playing and one grabbed the others’ wrists to hold behind his back. The first young guy asked, “What did I do wrong?” To which the other replied, “I’m the FBI. You are a terrorist and you are under arrest!”

I walked away with tears in my eyes because that is what our kids see and the world that they live in. At least in that case, the good guys won. The kid today? Scary.

Because I’m a photo/video whore tonight and so proud of my babe. Sorry it’s sideways, just turn your head.

We had a fun surprise Thursday evening when my parents called and said that they were leaving their Branson vacation early to come spend some time with their granddaughter. We actually met up with them at daycare and it was party central from there. Seriously, when those two are around I am old news.

My dad and I were leaving to run to the store and P came running from the kitchen with her arms up. So naturally I bent down for a hug. The turkey fell to the ground crying! I had apparently gotten in the way of her getting to her Grandad. Good grief! It is awfully cute though so I can’t complain. Here’s the sweetest picture I’ve seen all day. This defines her loving relationship with those two. She has them both wrapped around her little finger!!

We went to the State Fair which was a blast. We are not the family that goes out and does stuff. Ya know what I mean? I see pictures of my friends taking their babes to the swimming pool, the water park, the beach, the strawberry farm… all that fun stuff. Us? We went to the mall once to let her play on the indoor playset when it was 100+ degrees outside. Party like rockstars we do (or don’t).

Here are a few more. She was so into watching the pigs, lambs, baby goats, cows… when we would say “MOOO” for the cows it brought instant giggles. So of course I said it 100 times and probably annoyed everyone around me. Who cares though? It got a giggle! Here she is just chillin looking at the animals:

Dang she is gorgeous. I know, I know we’re not supposed to say that. It’s all about how smart she is, how hard she tries, how fun she is… which I tell her all the time. But let’s face it, Raymonn and I? We make cute babies

There was an exotic petting zoo at the fair. For the life of me I can’t remember this animal. I think it’s a llama??

Not sure what this fella was, but he was super cute!

Can someone tell me why they have an animal that bites in a PETTING Zoo?? Exotic or not, what parent wants their kid bitten by a zebra? This guy was mean too. He kicked the poor donkey right in the ribs while we were standing there.

It takes about 100 shots to get a decent picture of Prayse and myself.

She’s a bit of a socialite. The other 99 look like this:

We also went and watched a dog show (she can look, just can’t touch). Prayse was more entertaining than the dogs. Before the show they were playing music and she would jam out. She’d raise her arms in the air and go to town!

This next one isn’t at the fair obviously, but I had to show you. My Mom bought these jeans for Prayse and I remarked in the store that they were waaaaaaay too long. We were going to have to roll them. So today I put them on her to see how much we’d have to roll them or how long we’d have to wait for her to wear them… Much to my surprise:

The picture is a little fuzzy but doesn’t my baby look like a little girl?? Those pants are none too long really. And she looks so grown up in them. I am loving every single minute of every day with her. She learns something new every day. This weekend she has started whispering in my ear. I’m not sure what she’s saying but it is really important. She has also found her belly button and thinks she should lift up her shirt to show everyone!! As long as that stops by the time she’s a teenager I’m okay with the fact I caught her trying to climb up IN her crib today (which is a new one) and she takes the stairs both up and down like a pro.

Time flies my friends. Time flies.

I’m feeling adventurous and trying to work on my blog w/out the hubs help… this should be interesting!

(and by etc… I mean all of you colds, viruses, allergies… you SOB’s),

Be nice to my baby. Quit picking on her! You are big, she is little. It simply is NOT a fair fight.

We have dealt with the five ear infections (three doubles) in the past nine months, we have acknowledged the peanut, milk, egg, and dog allergies and are moving forward. But you go in and throw in the Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease and for what? For kicks and giggles? Do you enjoy this? What? Is HFMD just icing on the cake for you? Is this the cherry on top?

Good grief! Please, I am begging you, give her a break. She’s a good kid, she even laughs and plays right through this snafu. But as her Mama, I have limits and you are pushing them! Leave. Her. Alone.

Prayse, Princess, PERSONALITY!

Hee hee

Dear Ryker,

It is hard to believe you are ONE YEAR OLD already! I remember your Mama being pregnant and just how excited we all were to meet you. You felt the same way because you sure were in a rush to get here! Five weeks early dude? You were giving us all a scare as we just prayed for you to keep being patient one day at a time

But you arrived and you were perfect! Tiny, but perfect.

I’m throwing in a couple of pictures of your first friend. I know she looks a bit on the gigantic side! But keep in mind she had six weeks on you (and four pounds from day one… imagine six weeks later :O )

Don’t worry, I didn’t let her roll over on you!

And a few to prove that my child is not abnormally gigantic:

Even if you aren’t 100% appreciative of her full on body hugs… you’ll still be good friends I think

Hee hee! Happy birthday buddy. Give your Mama a huge hug from Miss Prayse and Aunt Tiffy. Love you!