Kidnap

I know you are wondering if I went and kidnapped my sister yesterday. No, I did not. I did go pick her up about 10 this morning and returned her a little before 2. No, that isn't that much time but we had breakfast, Starbucks, and played with Alice.

Alice woke up early this morning...a certain mommy had gotten out of the bed, and it seems my child is a bit Santa like. She knows when I am sleeping and she knows when I'm awake. She fell asleep in her Aunt Lindsay's arms. It was too sweet! I then subjected my sister to looking at a few of the cute baby clothes I had bought.

We took Lindsay back to Scrooge's house. I got out to say goodbye and took Alice out too. Alice kept screaming and crying when I would take her from Lindsay and put her in the car seat. I thought she didn't want to be in the car, so I would take her out. But she didn't want me...she wanted Lindsay. Of course this made Lindsay start crying, and me as well. So all three of us were hugging and crying in the driveway. We finally said goodbye and left.

Alice "drew" Lindsay a picture this evening, and I used that as a good excuse to go back to see her for an hour. Alice was all over her Lindsay again. And we had a repeat of earlier in the day when we left.

I can honestly say that every time we part, it never gets easier. And now that Alice gets caught up in that, it really makes it more difficult. It breaks my heart to see her upset like that. I swear she said, "don't go" to Lindsay. I'm just hoping that she will move back here soon. I don't know how many more "don't go's" any of us can take.

Christmas Wrap-Up and Bah-Humbugs

Christmas was so wonderful this year! Alice doesn't really "get" Santa, but she does understand toys. I was up very late Christmas morning getting things ready and set up.

We slept in until almost 10, which was really nice. Alice immediately saw her table and chairs from Santa and sat down. She hardly moved from there for the next half hour or so. I got started on our annual Christmas brunch of monkey bread. Sean made sausage, and my Dad (whom I wasn't sure would come) and sister came over to eat. We then put on Christmas Vacation and watched Alice open presents. She was a bit timid at first, probably because I spent the past day or two telling her to leave the wrapped presents alone. Apparently, she had too many gifts because she got tired of opening stuff and only wanted to play with her phone that Lindsay got her (it was a whole purse, keys, phone, accessories thing). So we helped her a bit in opening the last few presents. She loves all of her toys. The phone is a big hit, along with the bakeware and pots/utensils, cleaning stuff, and her table. She has started climbing on to the table *sigh*. I didn't take any pictures, as I can't find my camera, but Lindsay did and I will "steal" them from her later to show you guys.

We went to my brother's for Christmas dinner. It was very lovely. The food was awesome, per usual. Alice actually ate three deviled eggs (well the filling) this time. Last time, she wouldn't touch them. We then opened presents. Alice had the whole thing down, and did awesome. She got a new bath toy, frog blanket, and magnetic letters and numbers (yay!). The baby even got some stuff from my brother and SIL.

Alice slept on the way home (a little more than an hour) and was up until well after 1 this morning. Sean let me sleep in today...I didn't get up until about 11. I took a muscle relaxer and pain pill last night as I was hurting very badly and could barely move. I'm thinking I need to buy a recliner to sleep in at night. It is getting very difficult to get comfortable in bed and also to get out of bed.

I was hoping my sister would be able come up and stay the night with us tonight. She has been in town since Tuesday evening, and leaves early Tuesday morning. I have seen her for about 5 hours total. Apparently, our father is a total Scrooge. He complains about not having any "alone" time with her, but then he goes to a Christmas Eve party and drinks with "friends" and then goes to spend the day today with other friends to watch the Colts game. Meanwhile, leaving her alone but with orders that "she has to stay the night there, and if your brother or sister want to hang out they need to come here". I have no qualms with going there, but I was really hoping she would be able to come up and stay a night/day with us, I was hoping to go outside and play in the snow with Alice. I am just so upset and angry with my dad. He doesn't have his priorities right, and he is also upsetting my sister and me. I mean is she on house arrest? Is this some kind of conspiracy that my brother and father cooked up to keep her from spending time with us? Sorry...I had to get this out before I call and tell him how I feel. I'm not sure whether I feel like crying and punching something. And I really don't like that I'm feeling like this at all after Christmas. Bah humbug!

What A Day

I had my 28 week appointment and glucose tolerance test this morning. Fun stuff! I don't remember feeling that sleepy last time. I thought I was going to fall asleep driving there (15 minutes after taking it!). Nor do I remember being that hungry (I didn't eat beforehand this time-no time) or feeling sick to my stomach. The nurse (whom is new and I wasn't sure I liked her) brought me crackers and water right after drawing my blood. So sweet! I also don't know why they need 3-4 vials of blood to do a glucose test?! Hoping I pass and don't have to do the three hour!

I then raced home and got Alice. Sean didn't have to work, so he fed her breakfast and gave her a bath. He was getting her dressed when I walked in the door. Then Alice and I drove up to northern Indiana to do Christmas with her (ex) stepmom, sisters, step-sisters, aunts, uncles, and all of their families. What a blast! ALL of the cousins (on that side of his dad/stepmom's side) were there! Eloise, Marielle, Phoebe, Lilly, Sylvie, Olivia, Paxton, and Alice! How exciting to see all of them together. And then the opening of the presents. Wow! Alice took forever to open her presents, but was super excited about the Little People doll house that she got from Sylvie (the kids draw names and buy for each other-that way we aren't going broke getting each kid a gift) and the book and puzzle from Yia Yia (Sean's stepmom). Then we hung out and played for awhile and headed home.

We are going back up tomorrow for Christmas at his Aunt Oly's with a lot of the same people. I am in the process of making a chocolate mousse torte for dessert. Seriously, you guys have to try this if you like (especially love) chocolate!

And here it is almost 11 pm and I just remembered we haven't eaten dinner. I threw a pizza in and we will eat in a few minutes. And yes, Alice is still up. She slept the whole way home (a little over two hours) so she is still up.

Frustrations

I had a whole other post in mind for today, but that can wait. I took Alice to get her booster of her flu shot today. I called earlier in the day to see if the doctor could check her out (she was to see the nurse), but I got their answering service so I left a message. She has been tugging at her ear and I wanted to make sure it wasn't an ear infection. She is getting ready to cut more teeth, so that is probably what it is, but I wanted her ears checked just in case. Why make her suffer until Monday? (I know I could find an immediate care if need be)

Well we never got a call back (apparently I will get a call tomorrow!). We showed up for her appointment and I told the receptionist what was going on. Her response, "We won't be able to do that today, as she is to see the nurse and only the doctor can do that and we don't have any appointments left for today. I can get you in tomorrow." Okay. Fair enough...though I did call and request her doctor to look at her. I explained that we couldn't come in tomorrow as I had an appointment and we had to leave town immediately afterwards, but I'd keep an eye on it and we could come in next week if need be. She proceeded to give me evil looks like I'm some bad parent. Alice ran off and played until we were called a couple of minutes later. The nurse had to help get her out of the play house, as she kept running out of my reach. We proceed to the room and get her shot. I asked the nurse about a few questions/concerns. We proceed to leave when I remember our co-pay. I go to pay and the guy (who schedules visits-he isn't the receptionist) is shocked that we have a co-pay on nurse visits. Umm, yes. They like to nickel and dime us. We always get a bill after seeing the nurse! So I'm paying (and juggling Alice between arms) and the receptionist makes some snide comment about "your mommy isn't letting you run everywhere today". To which I said something about not being able to hold her for long periods of time. You know having back problems, spd, sciatica, and being pretty pregnant and all. And yes, sometimes she does run everywhere, but I always follow her and grab her (when she gets away from me).

So I'm irritated with the receptionist mostly. She is rude, appears to not like children OR adults, and never smiles. Heck, I'm not sure she even looks at people...though apparently she remembers me and my "bad-ass" child whom I let do whatever she wants, when she wants, wherever we are (I don't). And the $10 co-pay doesn't irritate me, but you couldn't get a doctor to take 10 seconds to peek at my daughter's ears? Really? I saw ALL rooms open and no other patients in the place, so don't give me some BS story about having no openings. So now I'm contemplating finding another pediatrician, just because of this rude lady (who appears to have sandpaper on her toilet seat). Which is a shame because I do like her pediatrician. Unfortunately, I see more of the support staff than the doctor.

What do you think? Am I over-reacting (you know those pregnancy hormones obscure things sometimes-you can tell me if you think I am. I won't get mad *wink*)?

16 Months

Alice turned 16 months yesterday. I should have posted this yesterday, but better a day late than not at all (like the past few months-bad mama!). What a month we have had!

This past month:

•Alice has gone from four teeth to ELEVEN! This has been over the past six weeks, but still. All eight front teeth and three molars. I think some more will be coming through shortly.

•Alice has really started talking and babbling. She has been saying quite a few words for awhile now, but ever since I have been home with her she has been really quiet. This past month, she turned that around. Some new words this month: GO! NO (usually to the kitties), Dye (bye- though it is getting closer to a b sound each time), Hi, ba (bath or banana depending upon what time of day/location), tow (towel), and caan (candy/cookie- can you tell she has gotten her fill of Christmas goodies?)

•She has started blowing kisses. Just the cutest thing ever!

•She will pat/rub your back if you cough or choke. She will also hit her belly if she is "choking".

•Her fascination with books has really hit a new level. This pleases me immensely. She will sit and "read" them on her own and actually sit and let you read to her also!

•She is not a picky eater, though hasn't been very fond of most vegetables except carrots. This past month, she has been "over" carrots (thank goodness! I was so sick of them!) and has been loving broccoli, peas, and green beans. Though still not a fan of asparagus or Brussels sprouts, I'm sure that will eventually change. I mean who doesn't love "baby cabbages"?!

•She is climbing everywhere and everything! She moves chairs to assist her with this, if need be.

•We got to play in the snow for the first time. I don't think she is a fan of the coldness of the snow, as she screams and has a pained look on her face when it touches her skin or Marty!

•She is extremely clever. Whether it be moving chairs (see above) or maneuvering her body under the gate to get to the cat stuff; not much can deter this little lady! See the picture below. I had to lower the baby gate to the bathroom because she was sliding under it...she couldn't get her head through after I lowered the gate. Haha!

Unexpected Plans and Badness

Sean forgot quite a few things for work today. Snow boots, tool belt, and his phone. He remembered all of the goodie boxes (made snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, crack cookies, chocolate and vanilla dipped pretzels, turtles, an peanut butter chocolate candies - which i slaved over all afternoon/evening yesterday) for the guys though! So Alice and I went to meet him and drop his things off. We got there shortly before their lunch, so we hung around and ate with Daddy and a few of his co-workers. I hadn't showered yet, so I felt like a bum, but oh well. It was nice to have some time with Daddy.

Badness...where do I begin? Alice STOLE a few snickerdoodles last night when I was making the goodie boxes. Lately, she has been climbing on and between the couches. Tonight she been climbing into a box that is on an end table. Frustrating. This child does not listen. She also has no fear. I think it may be time to introduce time-outs.

Santa!

So we went to the Legion to see Santa. They had hot dogs, chips, and cookies for the kids. Alice liked the bun and chips mostly. Then we got in line and sat on Santa's lap. This years picture is awful. I got better pictures on my phone. I can't believe I paid for the picture! Oh well.

So here is last years picture, which you didn't get to see.

And this years...I cropped it a lot. Most of the picture is to the left and of the tree. Gee, thanks! I could have taken a picture of a tree for free. To top it off, even Santa is not looking at the camera. Alice looks like she is about to cry, which is redeeming.

And then the two pictures I was able to snap.

Sorry that last one is blurry. Someone was trying to escape from Santa.

And another picture I managed, before she tore the tulle skirt in her dress (she kept climbing up on this platform and every time she stood up, she'd catch the bottom of her dress). Maybe I can fix it before Christmas.