My Daughter's Future?

Tonight we decided we wanted wings for dinner. You cant just go anywhere when you want wings so off to H.ooter.s we went. Yep, Grace came with us. And she made buddies with the waitress who gave Grace the above pictured balloon.

Hubby says that he will escort her to and from her future job. Just to meet all her friends of course!

HAHA!

Shaking in my Heels!

Once we gave notice at ‘Gha.ni’s, I started planning Grace’s new preschool schedule immediately.

Would we stay with the same drop-off/pick-up schedule? The hours are longer at this place so we could change what we do. But should we?

What will she wear on her first day at the new place? Isnt that silly to think about? Just one of those things that crossed my mind.

Payment is weekly now, not monthly. Is that good? Wonder how long that will take to adjust to.

This morning, I called the new place…let’s call it GP from now on (as in Grace’s Preschool)……to talk about tomorrow. See, her start date isn’t until May 12 but we get one free trial day to test it out and for us, tomorrow is that big day.

Grace is actually pretty excited. She has mentioned over and over again that they have lots of books and a play kitchen and they do circle time and they even have bikes outside! She is ready to go.

I am terrified of tomorrow.

Will she make friends? Will they like her? Will she cry when Hubby and I walk out the door? Will she even care that we walked out the door? What if she cries during the day---those people don’t know her yet. What if some other little snotty nosed kid is mean to her? Does she even realize that making this change means her day care friends wont be there in the morning now? What about her daily blueberry muffin she is used to each morning at ‘Ghan.i’s --- does she know that GP may or may not have that tomorrow?

She is excited but me, the mom who is supposed to hold it together and be strong and know how to handle it all……yep, that me……terrified of tomorrow.

I think I will just hide behind the sunglasses so no one will see the tears in my eyes.....those of fear and those of sadness as my baby goes to preschool!!!

3 Week Notice

Normally, I head to the gym at 5:00AM (or thereabouts!) and then go to the office. Hubby does the morning routine with Grace and drops her off at day care. I do the afternoon pickup.

But today was different. We both did the morning dropoff.

And when we arrived at daycare, we gave Afg.hani our 3 week notice. Grace is starting preschool on May 12.

I made Hubby do all the talking this morning so I wouldnt start crying. Tears did come but they were minor and I was able to keep myself together.

There are so many emotions wrapped up in this daycare transition. Sad because Afghan.i has been so good to Grace and to us for the past 4 years. Anxious about the transition because Grace has only ever known Afg.hani's day care. She started there when she was 13 weeks old and has grown up with Afgh.ani and the kids at day care. Excited because of all the new experiences Grace will have at preschool. She is pretty psyched that there is a book corner, circle time, and the best of all.....bikes on the playground!

We really lucked out when we found Afg.hani 4 years ago. As a new mom, I was scared to leave my precious baby with someone while I worked all day long. But from the first time I met her, Afgh.ani was so loving and gentle with the kids. As an infant, Grace spent her days cuddled in her arms or playing with the other infants at the house. It was as close to being at home with me as possible.

You hear the horror stories about bad daycare situations all the time. But ours was perfect. Grace was surrounded with a second family for the first 4 years while we were at the office. Hubby and I both could rest easy knowing they treated her as one of their own children and that she wsa safe there.

But it is time to move on. To go to preschool. To be a "big kid".

Bad

Bad Mommy. Bad kid. Bad dog. Overall, a bad day!

Actually, the day was going well until 2PM. The phone rang in my office and all my work on a conference marketing piece was shot to he.ll. By the bossman. Whatever. After a 30 minute discussion about the term "Hot-lanta" (apparently he has NEVER heard that term used in relation to that specific GA city---WHAT!?), I won and the postcard will be printed as I designed it. HA!

I left my Blac.kberr.y on my desk. In my office. Too far away to run back to pick up tonight.

And then I picked Grace up to go to the mall. Hubby and I planned for a family outing to the mall for the specific purpose of getting me prescription sunglasses (these are the frames I am getting---they rock!). I was going to have to manage my eye appointment on my own with Grace and Bill was meeting us for the glasses purchase.

We never made it. I had to cancel the appointment.

Grace flipped out. Crying. Screaming. Sitting on the ground kicking. Causing the biggest scene every where we went in that mall. She hasnt done that in a long time and this was a bad one. So bad that at one point I simply stood in front of her as she screamed and cried wondering what to do. All I could think about was how much I just wanted to go home. I was at a complete loss. I felt like a bad mommy---wanted to just walk away in that moment and not knowing what to do with my own kid!

For the first time in a LONG time, I found a pay phone (yep, they still exist!) to call Hubby. I cancelled my appointment and walked back to my car with a screaming 4 year old trailing behind me. Completely mortifying.

I have never been so upset and genuinely mad at my daughter. Once home, I handed her over to Hubby. She ate dinner and went right to bed.

Well.................while she was eating dinner, I sat on the couch. And looked at the floor where I saw Cinderella. She was missing her left arm. It was in pieces all over the place. Damn dog!!!! This is the 2nd Bar.bie doll she has eaten in the past month. Every other day or so, she picks something to chew....at least it wasnt the trash like it normally is. But it was NOT what I needed this evening.

As Hubby put the kid to bed, I went to the Evi.l Emp.ire (you know, the store that starts with W and ends with -Mart) to replace the doll. After the day I had today, I had no intention of starting tomorrow with a tantrum over Cinderella's arm.

And to end it all, the Capitals lost Game 7...because they got a penalty during overtime. STUPID hock.ey players.

ARGH---I need a glass of wine. We will try the trip to the mall again and I will pray that this day never ever repeats.

To Houston and Back

I am still exhausted from the trip to Texas this weekend but we had a blast! I just cant seem to type this morning so I leave you with a picture post of the trip. For the full rundown of the trip, visit Grace's website...there is a much longer post in the journal and a TON of pictures to enjoy!

Her first plane ride. Grace loved to watch the planes come and go at the airport.

The hotel had an amazing pool complex. The water was COLD but that didnt stop Grace from swimming all day long on Saturday. She has the sunburn to prove it---bad Mommy forgot suntan lotion!!

On the way to the wedding...all dressed up. Dont forget the pink backpack full of toys to entertain her!! A must have on this trip.

Clearly, Grace had a good time at the wedding. Exhausted but she was so good. Even asleep, Grace never let go of her flower the bride gave her at the reception.

A Well Child

Every year at birthday time, parents take their kiddos to the doc for the Well Child Visit. Typically, they are pretty uneventful appointments......if you dont count the 10 minutes you spend in the waiting room followed by the 25 minutes you spend twiddling your thumbs in the exam room. The only exam room in the entire place with no kids books in the magazine rack on the back of the door. But hey, this mom found the popsicle sticks (docs like to call them throat suppressors or something technical like that) and a marker in the bottom of her purse. So that gave me 2.97 minutes of peace until Grace was bored with that game. But oh the marker---the life saver. By the time the doc came into the room, Grace had decorated the paper on the exam table with this Life Saving Marker---there were triangles, letter A, circles, and scribbles everywhere!!!

The check up went well. Grace is skinny and tall...that we knew and simply confirmed today. She was good during the exam...listened to the doctor and no whining. Fantastic.

Then came the doc's question for me.....you know, the "So, what questions do you have for me?" one. I spent the entire day trying to think of something to ask. Grace has been pretty good this past year and there wasnt anything abnormal or weird or new going on with her. I only had one question about her eyes. Every once in awhile, I noticed that one of her eyes goes out - meaning she seems to have a lazy eye. No biggie--I had one as a child. But I didnt really think it was a huge deal, just an annoyance.

Apparently, that is not the case. You can go blind from a lazy eye!!!!

Yep, we are heading to the pediatric eye doctor next week. To check her for lazy eye (and no I am not using the technical term). And then, maybe a trip to LensCr.afters for some kiddo glasses.

Always something when you are a parent, huh!? Treatment for lazy eye falls mostly on DAILY parental responsibilities. FABULOUS.

Sad Sad Day....with a dose of Happy!

The sun is shining and the temps are actually pretty nice outside. A perfect day to call in sick and sit on the back deck with a glass of wine all day long.

But on the other hand......the all-black outfits of everyone in my office, the empty bank account, and the realization that we dont have a choice in how poor we feel today is the focus today. 'Cause today is Ta.x Day. Bah-humbug!

Normally, we spend weeks working on our taxes. Pouring over every single little piece of paper, trying to find all the deductions we can, and watching the little ticker on the top left corner of the screen turn from green (yea---refund!) to red (oh, nope, we are poor!).

It was red last night. And depressing.

But in the end, there is a glimmer of hope for us. 'Cause next year we will have a great deduction that we have never had before (maybe we will actually get a refund next year---imagine that!!!). Interest. Yes, that is right. After 4 years of dealing with my mother-in-law's estate, we signed mortgage papers this week.

WE ARE HOMEOWNERS!!!!!!

4 Years Old

Happy Burthday Grace.

We love you more and more every day. You are our Princess and we cannot imagine our life without you. This year has past so quickly and you have grown up so much. I miss my baby but I am so excited to see the little girl you are turning into. I love you with all my heart, Grace Marie.

She adores the Big Mouse.

The paper crown was a little big but she made it work.

Birthday cake at home with the infamous "4" candle...the one I forgot at home during the birthday party that my mom is still upset about. I mean, how can a little girl have a good party without a number candle?! I can already see the therapy bills over this one!!! :)

And please enjoy a little bit of the Big Mouse himself. I wouldn't want you to miss out on it if you werent able to come to the party this weekend.

Time Flies

These are the last few days of having a 3 year old - this weekend Grace turns 4.

I remember the day I found out I was pregnant....the 13 days that I waited past her due date....and especially the moment she was born. I remember like it was yesterday.

I also remember how hard it all was in the beginning. Long nights, long days, not knowing what I was doing, being so afraid of making a mistake, and being so tired.

Nothing has changed inthe past 4 years. Nothing.

I have all those fears still. And the days and nights havent gotten any shorter.

The only difference is that now I have some experiences to look back on to figure out how to deal with issues as they arise.

Lately, we have started dealing with a topic we havent encountered ever before...sleep issues. Most of my friends with kids of any age have dealt with the sleep issues.....we never have. Grace slept 6 hours each night starting at 5 weeks old. Since then, she goes to bed at 7:30PM and wakes up around 6:30AM during the week. Perfect schedule. Until now. These days, she cries and cries and cries when we leave her room. At least 30 minutes of the evening are spent with her various requests.....a drink of water, potty, a book, another blanket, etc, etc, etc. But she doesnt really need or want these items...she wants to stall!!! Tonight, I went upstairs after 10 minutes of screaming up there---the story I was told by Grace was this: Swip.er (from Dor.a) lives in her dresser and he is going to try to bite her unless I rub her back and go night-night with her. After awhile, I came downstairs and now its quiet upstairs.

I guess what I am trying to say is that whatever stage you are experiencing as a parent is hard. And then you look back a few years later and even though you remember that it was hard, its okay cause it hasnt gotten easier....the topics just change.

Wonder what is in store this coming year?!

Beach Bums

We spent the weekend in VA Beach. And I want to go back. It was cloudy, cool, drizzled on and off all weekend but we had a blast!

Grace played in the sand, made a friend at the playground (she isnt even 4 yet but seems to already know how to pick up little boys!), and hung out with the Hubby's family. All in all, a great weekend.

Hubby and I even got all dressed up for a charity event with the VA Beach SPCA. Silent Auction with great food and a fabulous bar! A real adult evening out...imagine that!!!! And I left very successful at the Auction. Here are a few pics of the weekend....enjoy!

Digging in the sand at VA Beach. By the end of our beach time, she was COVERED in sand. Good thing we brough 7 changes of clothes for our 2 days at the beach!

The VA Beach Aquarium has an Alligator exhibit right now, including an Albino Alligator. Really weird looking!! I LOVE this picture.

And this is what an almost-4 year old looks like in the car after 3 hours on 95 North. She is mad at Daddy and not talking to Mommy. And it was the only 10 minute time period that Mom and Dad could enjoy some quiet during the entire car ride!!

I Am SOOOO Ready! UPDATED

I am not normally a fan of The Tod.ay Show. Not that I dont like it but I am not home during the week when it is on so I am not a viewer. But today, the ENTIRE show is being recorded for my viewing pleasure this evening.

Why you ask!?

'Cause NKOTB is reuniting and the announcement comes on the show sometime this morning! You can watch a video of the guys on People.com today as well!



Yes, I am a complete dork for being so excited but oh well. As a kid, NKOTB was my first "band crush". My friends and I used to have New Kids Days at school; we all had to wear our New Kids t-shirts and anything else we had that was NKOTB related. It was insane! I remember going to their concerts in DC thinking that it was the best moment in my life. There is a picture somewhere at my mom's house of me in my acid-wash jean shirt, my I Love Jon NKOTB tshirt with the matching tee-tie (remember those things!?), and side ponytail. I thought I was hot---Mom even let me wear lip gloss!!!

And today, I taught Grace how to sing Hangin Tough!!! My work is done!

Seriosuly though, I am thrilled they are reuniting and I WILL go to that concert when they tour. Apparently there is a new single this spring and then a tour later on! I am saving my dimes now to get those tickets.

Oh, I am purchasing THIS today in celebration. And pre-ordering THIS as well.

UPDATE: Here is the video of The To.day Show with NKOTB. I can't wait!!!!!

29

...it's feeling a little old to me today.

But I already received the best present ever......Happy Birthday sung to me by the cutest almost-4 year old. So precious.