Here we are today! Helping our friend SB pack up and move to Buffalo. We are very sad she’s leaving and will miss her but we think she’s gonna be very happy up there with her family!

We love you SB! Your Long Beach family will always be here when you come back! We will be missing your sauce an Mac and cheese until you get back!

Here’s our ETC photo today…

I’m keeping this post short and sweet because little A is sleeping & I have a zillion things to do.  Like clean up after her.  and after me.  and after mister LK.

My goal of today is to get through it without jumping off a bridge!  I think that’s a good goal to have!  Mister LK is coming home early to help me.  He’s sort of the best.  Most of the time.

Needless to say, ETC couldn’t have come at a better time!  Perfect for making me remember the good days when A and Mommy get to run around, be silly and laugh all day!  Instead of “No A…, No A, No A, NO AAAAAA”!!!!

My silly girl!

Here we are @ Epcot!  

A has had a great time since she’s home from vacation!  Summer is really here – it’s very hot – and A is loving it!  She is a very good girl when we’re out and about & she’s been staying up way past her bedtime!  Thankfully she sleeps in!

The most amazing thing that has happened lately is that she is understanding everything I’m saying to her!  It was like magic…one day I was talking & watching my words go in one ear & out the other…the next day, I spoke…and I actually saw it register with her!  She did what I asked!  (please pick up the baby and bring it to Mommy).  This also works the other way, she hears the word “No” and realizes now that she isn’t going to get her way…she freaks out!

I’m reading a lot about temper tantrums and how to handle them.  I’m not sure I have any choice but to ignore them, which is just frustrating, but seems to be the most effective.  It’s also a little embarrassing in public, but either the people who are staring have kids and are empathizing, or don’t have kids but one day will….and they’ll think back and say…”wow…I get it”.

The one thing I’m having the most trouble with is aggression & hitting.  I am also going with the remove her from the situation & ignore it method, but it’s not really working as well.  She’s been hitting me or her Daddy, Gramma, Aunties etc.  Not other kids.  Yet.  I can tell she’s frustrated sometimes, but other times I think she’s just figuring out what she can do with her hands because she laughs.  I don’t.

Any ideas?!

I hope everyone has a great ETC day!

We’re back from Disney!  Our Memorial Day weekend was amazing.  Our trip was full of fun people, fun with our family, and lots of sun.  It was Florida in the end of May.  HOT.

A loved Disney.  I know that she won’t remember any of it and that she probably doesn’t remember any of it already, but I got to see my baby girl blow kisses to every little puppet in Its A Small World.  That is priceless!

There aren’t too many photos of me and the munchkin or even us as a whole family because we didn’t have anyone to take the pics for us, but here’s one the other LK snapped while we waited on line for the Peter Pan ride!

Look at that relaxed girl!!! WHO IS SHE??????

No worries – she’s back to her normal self…all nutty and “spirited” 😉  I’m happy she’s spirited…its better than the alternative of her being a dud!  She’s giving me a run for my money, and I am ready to play lady!

Sending well wishes to Emily & hoping she is feeling better!

Embrace!

Last week we missed ETC due to my Mommy-brain condition that hasn’t subsided yet.  13 months later and I still have that crazy CRS* side effect.  By the time I realized it was Thursday….it was Friday!

Here’s me and miss A in Islamorada!  We will be back in Florida this weekend at Disney/Orlando.  We’ve been in Florida all May.  I’m not complaining, so much, but A isn’t exactly the best behaved on the airplane!  I’m praying she is good on this trip…since we will be traveling with all of my husband’s coworkers, I would like for A to make a good first impression!

I love my little girl in the warm weather…I think seeing her thighs & tushy make my day better everyday.  I wish they made the screaming more tolerable 😉

Had a great birthday spent with my girls…we had a quick dance party, did arts & crafts, were ladies who lunched, and ended the night blowing out the candles with people I love.

Cousin S & A hanging with me on my birthday!

A’s 1st Passover seder was a success.  It was a messy, funny, roasted success.  I agree that deciding to host a seder for 12 people the day after you have a big 1st birthday party for your daughter in your house was not the smartest thing to do….but we pulled it off and had a good time too!

at this point I was about to pass out from exhaustion...but A was still going strong and chowing down on the applesauce...with her hands!

I am so happy we had our family & friends here for the holiday.  next year we’re doing A’s bday way before or after Passover.  I learned my lesson!

A is turning 1 on the 21st.

How crazy is that???  This year flew by so fast…I know everyone says it…but that’s because it is so TRUE.

We’re having her party on Sunday…but her Grampa & B can’t come because they will be in Florida for the holiday already.  To save A’s hurt feelings, we’ll photoshop their faces into some pictures later 😉  We celebrated at their house this Friday before they left.  (Thank you Auntie H for making that happen!!  Yea…)

A starting her tradition of keeping her birthday going for weeks...just like her Mommy!

Today A hasn’t stopped screaming at me since she woke up!  Today is one of the days that test a mother’s strength.  I know I’ll get through it, but with a headache, it’s just that much harder.  Is it teeth?  Is it strong will?  I don’t know….

She barely let me take a photo with her today.  She wanted to play with the ant trap instead.  Fabulous huh?!

I’m thankful for her daily naps so I can take a break today!

She’s going to see this photo one day and think…”Wow Mom…you look stressed out” and I’m going to answer her.  “Yes honey…you were being a real pain in my @$$ that day!!!”

Thanks Emily for motivating me to capture ALL the moments …good & bad!