7 Fragments...

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Esmé's Mommy here...

We're procrastinating on our "E" Adventures post still, so I've decided to play along with

and

again and give you 7 fragments of STUFF...

1. I've been reading up on potty training again, and am reassured to find out that it typically takes 4-6 months to get the potty training thing done. Though technically Esmé is completely trained. She knows what to do and how to do it. She did it perfectly for three days straight. She just chooses not to at this time. And we've got plenty of power struggles going on without making this another one...
   
2. So we're using Pull Ups, which are way expensive. And tell me who on earth decided it was a good idea to put two varieties of designs in one package? Because Esmé refuses to wear the Pull Ups with only 1 princess on them. She MUST have the Pull Ups with 3 princesses on. Why settle for 1 when you can have 3??? So we're stuck with half packs of expensive Pull Ups that we can only sneak on when she is too tired to notice...
3. Remember me saying I'm curious about ARCs - Advance Reader Copies of books that get distributed free in exchange for reviews? And I LOVE free books. So I've been researching how to get these, and you'll start to see a few book reviews on this blog from time to time. These will generally be children's, parenting, and/or Christian themed. I've got three reviews lined up already and have been blessed with three excellent books - one picture book, one pre-teen book, and one written from the perspective of a 15-year-old. I'm excited about getting Esmé involved with book reviews already (yep - she's been interviewed for the picture book!), building up her library for future years, and being exposed to different genres and types of books that I wouldn't normally pick out myself.
4. I just got 3 new books in the mail today! And 4 free magazines. And a free activity booklet. And a free DVD. And some free microwave steam bags. My kind of mail day!
5. After some pipe cleaners stuck into an outlet and a burnt out fan, we've finally put in the outlet safety covers. I fear it's too late, however. Esmé has been fascinated by them and "helps" me by taking them out for me.
6. Is it possible that Esmé is outgrowing naps already? I've been pushing her bedtime later and later (like 10 or 11 p.m.) to keep her from getting up before 7 or 8 in the morning - I kinda like a little sleep myself. On Tuesday she didn't really get a nap, so she went to sleep at 8:30 p.m., but then she was ready to go for the day at 4 a.m.! Help! And I treasure that naptime so much!
7. Ahh - the challenges and joys of motherhood! As much as I complain about all the new stages and dangers she puts herself into, I am so proud of my big little girl who smiles and chatters and argues convincingly with everything we say! If we call her a monkey (or anything else), she insists she's a "girl." But if we call her a girl, she insists she's a "boy." Anything for a good argument. Now we've just gotta learn how to work with her to get things done OUR way!

Have a blessed weekend!

Naptimes (or Lack Thereof)

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Esmé’s Mommy here.

Now I’m betting I’m not the only parent who spends some days counting down the hours and moments to naptime. All the work I need to do, or just the need for a little "me" time, is pressing on my mind.

So what do you do when the baby will NOT go to sleep? I may have a schedule for Esmé, but she’s made it quite clear that it’s not HER schedule as far as sleep times are concerned. Some days she skips morning naps, other days she skips afternoon naps, and sometimes she just takes forever to fall asleep at night. And some days it’s a combination of the three, or all three.

So I have a couple of options: 1) take her out of her crib and let her play, 2) sit close to her crib and keep her stocked with books and toys, or 3) leave and let her cry.

(All you perfect parents out there – trust me – letting her cry does NOT result in her taking a nap eventually. I will not tell you how long I’ve left her in there for fear of incriminating myself, but if she’s decided not to sleep, she DOES NOT sleep.)

I’m doing my best to avoid option 1 for her own best interest. If I’m feeling like a good Mommy, I go with option 2. But some days I just HAVE to go with option 3 for my own sanity, or so I tell myself.

So I go to work or try to relax with the sobbing soundtrack in the background. For some reason, it’s never as productive or restful as I’d hoped.

And when I finally decide it’s time to commute her prison sentence, I walk into the bedroom to the most heartbreaking face in the world. But here’s what I love:

The moment she sees me, the tear-streaked, snot-nosed face brightens and smiles peak through. As she reaches for me, she gives me the hugest, sweetest hugs and kisses and smiles. It’s as if she is saying, "Mommy, you’re the best Mommy in the world. I love you SO much. I’m SO glad to see you."

No grudges, no guilt trips. Just love.

Why couldn’t all of us forgive and forget like that?