Wednesday, September 28, 2011
"So, fall asleep love, loved by me... For I know love, I am loved by thee."
Being goofy before bedtime and getting ready for books. While mommy gets anxiety about the upcoming bedtime
And bedtime was a success! She was so sweet as I was rocking her a few minutes before I put her in her crib. She rested her head on my shoulder and looked at my face as she touched my eyes, my nose, my mouth and my hair. I got two "I dont want to" as I walked out of her room and not another peep since
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Changes
I have been really bad about blogging lately. I think it is a combination of a lot of different things. The three of us are really trying to find a new family balance with Tom in law school. A month and a half into the program and we are, without shock, discovering that work and school take up ALL.of.his.time. He is at work all day, at school three evenings a week, and all the time he is home is taken up by homework. LITERALLY. Ella and I have been staying very busy and staying consistent with her routine. By the time she goes to bed at night, Im exhausted and just want to veg out. Im feeling pretty ok with our new 'normal'. On the other hand Im seeing some of the effects of Tom being gone in Ella.
There have been a lot of changes in Ella's life the last two months. The two older kids (siblings) that have been at the sitter since the day she started have moved on to a kindergarten placement through school. When those two left, a few more new kids started, babies. Also, around the same time, school started for her at the sitters. AND at the same time Tom started school, which means he is away from her the majority of the time.
Ella is very observant and I know she notices all these changes. She asks me every morning and every evening if Im home with her or if Im going to work. She does the same with Tom just trying to sort out this new norm and who is where when. She also asks the sitter each day, starting around lunch, who is picking her up.
Since 6 months old Ella has been an amazing sleeper. She always went down happy (may have chatted with herself a bit) and went to sleep with no issues and slept through the night like a log. Since 6 months we have been very consistent (i mean no expeception to that rule) with once we put her in her crib, she is in there for the night, and no matter what (well ok unless she ends up sick in middle of night) we do not go back in. This has always worked in our favor, until recently that is. Around the time there were changes at the sitters and changes with Tom being in school there was also changes in her going to bed. We still do same routine of bath, books, bed. Around the time of all these changes in her life Ella started fighting bedtime. She is still fine up until the moment you put her in her crib. Then she starts complaining about the blankets, or saying dont leave me, or saying she cant go to sleep, or this or that or this or that. You name it. I know it is her way of trying to delay bedtime and hoping Ill stay and give in. Well we havent been. We give her a few more hugs and say Im sorry but its bedtime, its time to go to sleep, and Im going to leave.
Typically after literally 30sec to 2 min she realizes we arent coming back in and goes to sleep. Last night was the exception. She cried for one minute and then was quiet for another 20. Then she started with knocking on her crib and yelling knock knock. This lasted another 30 min. Then she started in with mamma in a calm voice which after another 30 min becaming increasinly agitated. I finally broke my number one rule for the first time ever and went in there. She had been carrying on too long. I told her its time for bed. Of course that started the whole crying cycle and the whole "I cant do it" cycle for another 20 min or so before she finally calmed down and slept. I dont know whats up. Well I do know its due to all the uncertainty and changes that have been going on. I guess I just didnt anticipate for it to last this long. I feel helpless in that all I can do is continue to be consistent with her and keep having conversations with the sitter so she is consistent at naptime. Its hard on all of us. I hate that Ella feels upset, I hate that we feel upset, and most of all I hate that I cant fix it.
There have been a lot of changes in Ella's life the last two months. The two older kids (siblings) that have been at the sitter since the day she started have moved on to a kindergarten placement through school. When those two left, a few more new kids started, babies. Also, around the same time, school started for her at the sitters. AND at the same time Tom started school, which means he is away from her the majority of the time.
Ella is very observant and I know she notices all these changes. She asks me every morning and every evening if Im home with her or if Im going to work. She does the same with Tom just trying to sort out this new norm and who is where when. She also asks the sitter each day, starting around lunch, who is picking her up.
Since 6 months old Ella has been an amazing sleeper. She always went down happy (may have chatted with herself a bit) and went to sleep with no issues and slept through the night like a log. Since 6 months we have been very consistent (i mean no expeception to that rule) with once we put her in her crib, she is in there for the night, and no matter what (well ok unless she ends up sick in middle of night) we do not go back in. This has always worked in our favor, until recently that is. Around the time there were changes at the sitters and changes with Tom being in school there was also changes in her going to bed. We still do same routine of bath, books, bed. Around the time of all these changes in her life Ella started fighting bedtime. She is still fine up until the moment you put her in her crib. Then she starts complaining about the blankets, or saying dont leave me, or saying she cant go to sleep, or this or that or this or that. You name it. I know it is her way of trying to delay bedtime and hoping Ill stay and give in. Well we havent been. We give her a few more hugs and say Im sorry but its bedtime, its time to go to sleep, and Im going to leave.
Typically after literally 30sec to 2 min she realizes we arent coming back in and goes to sleep. Last night was the exception. She cried for one minute and then was quiet for another 20. Then she started with knocking on her crib and yelling knock knock. This lasted another 30 min. Then she started in with mamma in a calm voice which after another 30 min becaming increasinly agitated. I finally broke my number one rule for the first time ever and went in there. She had been carrying on too long. I told her its time for bed. Of course that started the whole crying cycle and the whole "I cant do it" cycle for another 20 min or so before she finally calmed down and slept. I dont know whats up. Well I do know its due to all the uncertainty and changes that have been going on. I guess I just didnt anticipate for it to last this long. I feel helpless in that all I can do is continue to be consistent with her and keep having conversations with the sitter so she is consistent at naptime. Its hard on all of us. I hate that Ella feels upset, I hate that we feel upset, and most of all I hate that I cant fix it.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Pizza, Playtime, Presents, and Pals
Nicole, Madeline, and Allison came over today to make pizzas and play.
I put all the toppings in bowls and got premade pizza dough from Whole Foods
Girls with their dough
Putting on the sauce
Putting on the cheese
Putting on the toppings-tomatoes for Ella
Enjoying their pizzas
I made a pizza for Nicole and I. With sauerkraut of course
We havent seen Madeline since before Ella's bday and they brought Ella a gift of a big coloring pad, paints, stickers, and a Dora book that has a wipe off crayon. Right up Ella's alley and actually entertained her the whole time I was making dinner tonight!
The girls eating a banana for dessert
The girls showing each other their chewed up bananas. What else would you expect from toddlers :)
While the pizzas cooked the girls played, Allison slept, and Nicole and I were able to catch up. Ella was so excited this am that her friend was coming over. Everytime the dog barked she said "Are my friends here". Ella had a few moments today where she had a difficult time sharing. Most of our time spent with other kids is away from the house and she always does such a great job. I guess being in her house with her toys is a different story. Thanks Nicole, Madeline, and Allison for coming over! Also, thanks so much for the awesome gifts!
I put all the toppings in bowls and got premade pizza dough from Whole Foods
Friday, September 23, 2011
Please Share
This vlog (video blog) was shared with me this week by a co worker.
I am extremely moved and affected by this simple video with such a powerful message. Ive watched it at least 10 times and have been brought to tears each time. I currently work for the autism center at Children's and my role is to support and work with families who received a diagnosis that day or maybe even 5, 10, 20 years ago. I see families react to this diagnosis on a daily basis in their own time and their own way. I believe that is part of why this video affects me the way it does but my emotion is brought to a whole nother level for the simple fact that I too am a parent. And who wouldn't want their child to be the best they can be, no matter what that looks like.
(you'll need sound for this one)
Like Lou's cards say-please affect change. Whether its the simple act of educating yourself and others about Autism, donating, or writing your congressmen. There are so many myths, stereotypes, and incorrect ideas of what autism is. It's a spectrum disorder therefore not all diagnosed are like Rainman or "trapped inside themselves". A great resource for information is autismspeaks.org
Last, please share this video
I am extremely moved and affected by this simple video with such a powerful message. Ive watched it at least 10 times and have been brought to tears each time. I currently work for the autism center at Children's and my role is to support and work with families who received a diagnosis that day or maybe even 5, 10, 20 years ago. I see families react to this diagnosis on a daily basis in their own time and their own way. I believe that is part of why this video affects me the way it does but my emotion is brought to a whole nother level for the simple fact that I too am a parent. And who wouldn't want their child to be the best they can be, no matter what that looks like.
(you'll need sound for this one)
Like Lou's cards say-please affect change. Whether its the simple act of educating yourself and others about Autism, donating, or writing your congressmen. There are so many myths, stereotypes, and incorrect ideas of what autism is. It's a spectrum disorder therefore not all diagnosed are like Rainman or "trapped inside themselves". A great resource for information is autismspeaks.org
Last, please share this video
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
Ella made doughnuts with grandma on Sunday morning.
First they got out the dough and Ella used her finger to poke a hole in the center
Put sugar in the bag to shake the doughnuts in
And then put cinnamon with the sugar
Cooked the doughnuts
Put the doughnuts in the sugar and cinnamon to shake
Voila
Yummy
Everyone enjoyed the doughnuts
First they got out the dough and Ella used her finger to poke a hole in the center
Cooked the doughnuts
Put the doughnuts in the sugar and cinnamon to shake
Voila
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Catching Up
Im really behind on blogging so youll have to bear with me as I catch up the next couple days.
Ella and I headed up to Botkins on Sat. We met Grandma Joyce at Ft Loramie Harvest Festival.
Ella checked out some old tractors and school bus
Ella got a flower painted on her face
She got a princess crown
I had my cousin Gina put a feather in my hair. Mine is yellowish and brown striped, very thin, and is the same shade as my hair. Blends well. I got talked into letting Ella get one. Hers is very thin and well hidden
We went down the big blow up slide
Saturday evening we headed out to Kirk, Tonia and Emma's to play and see their new puppy. we didnt stay long because for only the second time in her life, Ella decided not to nap.
Ella and I headed up to Botkins on Sat. We met Grandma Joyce at Ft Loramie Harvest Festival.
Ella checked out some old tractors and school bus
Ella got a flower painted on her face
She got a princess crown
I had my cousin Gina put a feather in my hair. Mine is yellowish and brown striped, very thin, and is the same shade as my hair. Blends well. I got talked into letting Ella get one. Hers is very thin and well hidden
Saturday evening we headed out to Kirk, Tonia and Emma's to play and see their new puppy. we didnt stay long because for only the second time in her life, Ella decided not to nap.
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