21 Months

You crack yourself up

It is starting to get weird to refer to you in months Eliza. When I say 21 months, people look at me like I am crazy and have to think about it. My reasoning...you aren't 2 yet, I don't want you to be 2 yet, but you sure aren't 1.5 any more. I just don't know what to refer to you as, 1.75???

You are changing SO much lately, I feel like you are growing up so fast. You are saying a lot of 2-3 word phrases. My favorite is "I Love You". You have been saying it for a while but now it is audible to people besides me. I have come in the room and found you telling Zander that you love him, it melts me.

Here are a few new words:

• Ketchup(you dip EVERYTHING in it, currently you are dipping apples, yuck)
• Bless you
• Prayers
• Welcome(when someone says thank you)
• Super
• Good(when you eat something you like)
• Football(you ask me to turn it on and I LOVE that)
• Church
• Minnie Mouse(your obsession)
• Dance
• Ginny(your dance teachers name)
• Head and Shoulders(the dance you do at class)

I am sure some of these are repeats, but these are the ones I hear all day long.

You have been having trouble sleeping lately. You wake up about 1130 crying to eat. I take you to the kitchen and you don't want to eat anything. I am starting to feel some swelling on your molars, I am thinking maybe those are coming in and that is your way of expressing the pain.

You are doing great with potty training still. You only use a diaper at nap and night time.

You are still pretty thin. We are in 12-18 shirts and dresses and 9-12 pants. The 12 month pants fit in length but you need little suspenders for your tiny waist. I bought ahead when clothes were on sale last winter and I think you will miss out on wearing quite a bit of it, all too big...who knows, maybe you will fit in them next winter.

You are doing great at swim class again, you get upset if you have to go under water but we have a talk about how you are a big girl and can do it. Then while you are under the water you look for fishies...you say you see them!

Dance class is blowing me away! You go in there like you own the place. Your coordination has improved 10 fold since starting class. You love to come home and practice. You do log rolls around the family room and line things up to jump over them. You even grab your bears to dance with them. You have made a friend at dance named Abby. I went to highschool with her mom. I hope you two can become friends.

I gave in and cut your hair on the 26th. I only cut your little rat tail in the back, but I did cry. Your hair looks so much better though, I am glad I did it.

You have been SO funny lately. We were at the park the other day and it was really windy. You put your hands up and kept saying "woaaaahhh" and walking backwards like the wind was blowing you. I about died.

Your first time on a big girl swing

 

Lately it is getting cold here and you love to tell us that you are chilly. Your favorite thing to do is climb inside my robe or sweatshirt with me. You poke your little head up through the head hole and just lay on me. You think you are so funny.

This was after mommy cut your hair and straightened it

I know Papa watches over you everyday

Eliza Marie you are my joy. You are my best friend. You are the reason I strive to be a better person everyday.

I Love you

Playing Catch Up

Being sick is never fun, but I never realized how hard it would be when you have a kid. Eliza is good playing on her own, but if she sees me lay down she is a magnet to me. It took a few days but we are both feeling better.

This past week has been crazy. We decided to take our house off the market on Monday. Things were slowing down and we decided we wanted to start concentrating on other things. We figured we will put the house back up for sale in the spring.

On Wednesday our realtor called. Someone who had looked at the house wanted to come look again and put in an offer. I didn't know what to say or do. Of course I want to sell the house, but we had already canceled out deposit on the land, and I had moved on from the thought. Well, I decided to let them come. I was feeling as though there was a reason it was all happening. After being sick for days though the house was in less then stellar shape so I cleaned while I bribed Eliza with Angelina Ballerina.

As of now we don't know what their plan is. They are attempting to get preapproved(again) to make an offer. As of right now, I am not putting much weight on it. To be honest I am not really interested as we were moving on for now.

On Tuesday we went to swim class, we got all the way there, 45 minutes away, to realize I forgot all of our swim stuff at home, my brain was still sick I guess.

Wednesday I took Eliza to dance. I wasn't sure how it would go but I couldn't have been more proud of her. The first week, she was really upset, last week she walked in then started crying so I came in with her and sat in the corner to watch. This week she ran in all by herself and never looked back. She looked out the window and waved to me but just kept on dancing. It was such an amazing moment. She was so proud of herself, and so were Mark and I.

The biggest news of the week came today. I have set up a date for my Ashermans surgery. Mark and I discussed it and after much research, and great advice from AS friends, I have decided to travel to Boston for the surgery. One of the top surgeons in the US works there and it is worth it to us. With Ashermans you really only get one chance at a good surgery, so we are going for it.

In October Mark and I will drive out there. Luckily it is a quick surgery, he does it in office and you don't have to be under anesthesia so I will be able pack up and come right back home. Hopefully just about a 36 hour trip.

I am sitting here right now counting the hours until bed time. I am exhausted and Mark is working late tonight so I am a single mom for the day...who knew the few hours he is home really changes my day. Not discounting what he does, just never realized 2 hours was a big deal!

So that was a very quick update on the week we have had. Hopefully I will have more information on it all soon! 

While making dinner she asked if she could rub my feet...I couldn't break her heart and say no.

She went on her first carnival ride

Just watching Doc McStuffins

Just playing with stickers

Loving on her Ike Ike(Great Uncle Mike)

Loving on her friend after dance, they both wanted to wear their hoodies

Stlin' in her all red and white Minnie Mouse outfit

Quick Check In

We are having a busy and tough weekend. Eliza and I are both not feeling well. Hers is just a runny nose..whether it is teething, allergies or an illness I don't know, but I am so sick of kleenex!! My whole life I have come down with Strep Throat every Feb and Sept. Well, it's September and guess what I have! UGH. I am not 100% sure that is what I have, haven't gone to the DR, but I started antibiotics hoping to get it out of here quick!

Hopefully we will be back and going in the next few days, so much has been going on!

Talk to you soon!

Fall Fun

Well, technically it isn't fall yet, but the days are getting cooler and the nights are welcomed with open windows.

I just LOVE this dress on Eliza. I would love to know how to sew like this. I have been given some contact info of local seamstress' who would be willing to teach me, just need to find the time!

We bought this dress from Chloe's Closet Originals at a local festival that comes each year. I just LOVE their stuff. Their is a cute little shirt that goes under it, but it is a little too warm for it right now. Can't wait to wear the whole outfit together!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I welcome the cooler weather, I am not a heat person. There are so many crafts for fall as well, I have been going  Pinterest crazy. I am also going to try to get a group of ladies together to do a craft night. I have wanted to do this for the past few years but never got around to it. I am hoping to do this for each season/holiday.

Do you have a fun craft for fall? Would love for you to share it in the comments below!

Dance Dance Dance

 

Well, it didn't go well. There were a lot of tears, a lot of screaming, and a lot of scared looks.

Daddy came to watch

When we got to dance class she was very excited. She was watching the big girl dancers in another room and met up with her friend Abby. She was silly and happy.

Then it was time for class...the little girls all lined up and went into class, the door shut. I hid, hoping she wouldn't notice I wasn't there. Then the looks started and the panic. Then I could hear her "potty! potty!"...her escape word. Any time she doesn't want to do something or is scared she says she has to go potty.

A few minutes later the teacher's assistant was escorting Eliza out saying she needed to go potty. I had failed to tell them of her escape plan. I took her to the side and let her calm down then took her back in. I was trapped. When I would try to make it out the door she would turn on the water works. I decided to just stay in there.

She did fairly well, but anytime the teacher talked to her or came near her she would climb up me like a monkey. I have the scratch marks to prove it...note to self, file her nails before class.

I would stand by her then slowly work my way back to the wall. She even held this little ones hand, she actually refused to let go of it. It was really sweet

Luckily, Mark came to watch and was able to still get some photos of her. They let her and Abby stay in class afterwards to get used to it and have some fun...they sure did.

This definitely was not the dance class experience I pictured. Her stranger danger is on high alert lately. We are going to try again next week, hopefully she will feel better. We went to watch some of the older dancers today and they even let Eliza into the class room she uses to hang out and feel comfortable...they won her over with a new sticker too!

Still A Battle

I have not mentioned it lately, mostly because there is nothing more to talk about, but I am still battling with my Asherman's Syndrome.

Mark and I still have not set a date for my surgery but we know it will be this year. With the insane amount of money we had to pay for my last procedure, and Eliza's eye surgery, we met our deductible in 2 weeks.

I am so confused on which DR to use. I have the DR who diagnosed me who comes highly recommended by my Aunt, I have an AS friend who used her and liked her, and she is very nice. Then there is another DR my AS friend recommends and likes his bedside manner and his staff better. I just don't know who to choose.

With AS you kind of only get one shot. Yes, you can have follow up procedures, but your first surgery is going to set the tone for how your body reacts.

I recently wrote a letter to the OBGYN that caused my AS. I haven't sent it, and I am not sure I will, but it felt good to get out how I was feeling. I don't want anything from it, I just want them to be more aware of the risks and hopefully prevent this heartache from happening to someone else.

Seeing Eliza interact with kids more, and babies, really makes me long for a sibling for her. She is so sweet and compassionate, she has so much love to give. I feel like she is at the age that will really blossom with a brother or sister.

I have friends who have had two children since I had Eliza, and I have some who say they aren't ready at all for the second, but I am. I am ready to be mommy to 2, to buy Eliza "big sister" shirts, and to see all the love she can give.

I am ready...

20 Months Old

Eliza, you turned 20 months old last week, sorry I am a little late. This past month has been another great month. Unfortunately, you became sick for the first time. You had Hand Foot and Mouth, it was a disaster. You were so pitiful, I enjoyed the extra snuggle time though. We went to the DR and they did say you are 23lbs and 34 inches. Tall and thin just like me.

You are talking up a storm. It seems like over night you learned to talk. You say full sentences, but I can only decipher a few words. Here are a few new words:

• Mouse
• Monkey
• Come On
• Lock
• Shower
• Rain
• HEY
• Popsicle
• Cheese
• Apple
• Grape
• Banana
• Yuck
• Popcorn
• Oatmeal
• Ike Ike(Uncle Mike)

 You say so much it is hard for me to remember everything.
This month you learned that my name is Kalyn and daddy is Mark, you also learned what city you live in. You know the dog is Z and the cat is Pritt.

You love to say Hi to people when we are out in public. You have a bit of stranger danger when people come up to you though. You usually scream that you have to go potty, that is your escape route.

You are having a bit of a rough patch at swim class lately. You are terrified to go under water, you used to be a champ.

Daddy bought you a stroller for your babies and you love taking them for walks.

You have also discovered Minnie Mouse and Doc McStuffins. I am starting to think of one of these themes for your birthday.

You are still doing great with potty training. You wear big girl underwear except for bed time or if we are going out of the house for a long time.

You are still a champ at sleeping. You usually sleep from 8-8 each night and take a 3 hour nap during the day. I really can't complain. You still sleep with a pacifier which I desperately want to get rid of, but so far no luck.

You are the best little girl in the world. Your laugh is infections and your smile is contagious. You make this world a better place just by being here. I pray everyday that the Lord watches over you and uses you to teach others of his love.

I love you my Prin

I Hope You Dance....

Eliza starts dance class tomorrow. We decided to stop doing gymnastics and try out dance. There is a local gymnastics facility that allows you to drop in during open time so we will keep on it that way a few times a month.

Dance...I danced growing up but stopped after a few years, I always regretted it. I love dancing, I am not good but it is just so fun. Eliza loves to dance around the house, specifically on the couch or bed, they are her stage. I figured a dance class would be a good outlet for her.

I am pretty sure my vision of dance class, and what will really happen is quite different. I think I forget sometimes that she is only 19 months, not 4. I picture her in a perfect pink tutu(check), her hair in a bun(yeah, not long enough) and perfect posture. Lining up against the ballet bar, a beautiful arabesque and a cute little wave at me through the window.

I could get her to pose like this right?

I am a wreck. This will be the first time Eliza goes into a class by herself. With swim and gymnastics I am at her side. On Wednesday morning Eliza will walk into the class without me. I have no clue how she will do. I know I will have to keep my emotions in check so I do not worry her. Once that door closes, the tears will flow.

I hope the other moms understand. This might not be their babies first class(I am assuming Eliza will be the youngest) so hopefully they remember this feeling.

The feeling isn't sadness though. It is an overwhelming since of pride. My baby out there doing something out of her comfort zone, out of my comfort zone. Trying something new.

I want to give her the opportunity to try whatever she wants(OK, no toddlers and tiaras though). I want her to have a passion, whatever it might be. I want to be the mom front and center cheering her on. I want to encourage her, practice with her, and giver her all the support she needs.

I just want her to be happy.

So here goes nothing, a new adventure in the books, a new first, and my baby growing up just a little bit more...

Found this on pinterest, I will be doing this with her first dance shoes!!