Mommy’s Helper

By Carmen

A few months ago I started giving Annley chores to do around the house.  It drags the chores out longer for me but Annley is learning how to help.

When I first decided to have Annley start helping with the chores, I was worried it would turn into a power struggle.

Then I remembered that she is an attention seeker.

All I have to do is give lots of praise and do a couple of cheers and she is more than willing to help.

Her chores include;

Laundry- loading the washer, putting clothes in the dryer, taking clothes from the dryer and putting them in the “big chair” and now we are working on putting her clothes away.

Dishes- Unloading the silverware and other unbreakable dishes.

Cleaning her room and play area.

So far she is more than willing to help feels very proud that she is helping.  I am going to enjoy eagerness to help while it lasts.

Do All fish Wear Clothes?

Last night while I was giving Annley a bath she started pretending like she was swimming.
She was also talking about one of her favorite movies, Finding Nemo.

Annley: "Mommy, I a blue fish. I Dory, I wimming"
Me: "You are? Are you swimming in the ocean?"
Annley: "Yes, I Nemo, I a naked Nemo!!! Naked Nemo!"
Me: "Haha....really? Is Nemo naked?"
Annley: "Yes"

Hmm...I thought fish were always naked but I guess its just Nemo.
I can't remember when I've laughed so hard because of Annley.

U

By Carmen

Annley and I have been working on the alphabet for months. She’s been able to recognize all the capital letters for a few months so now we are working on lower case letters and letter sounds.

This morning she spotted an umbrella and started shouting “UMBRELLA”.

I spotted this as a learning moment and asked her what the word umbrella started with and emphasized the Uh sound.

She looked me, smiled and said “U!!!”

I was soo much more excited than she was.

Part of our time spent on learning our letters and letter sounds is spent here.  She loves this website.

What a Night!

By Carmen

Last night I had more energy than I have had in months.  I was quite productive too.  I managed to wash and fold 3 loads of laundry, make a deer roast, clean the kitchen, make 3 different desserts and make some bean bags and arts and craft projects for Annley.

This put me going to bed around 1AM.

I was planning on getting a good night’s rest after such a busy night.

Sometime around 2Am I woke up to the feeling of something cold and wet dripping on my shoulder.  This is a very startling experience to have at 2Am.  Then I heard Annley very cheerfully say “good morning mommy”.

This sent my mind reeling. 

How did my under 2year old make it out of her crib and into my bed?

Did she climb out and make her way to our room and somehow into our bed?  If so, how did she manage to get a bottle of milk?

Was I so tired that I just didn’t remember getting her, the milk and then putting her in bed?

I finally woke Tyler up and asked her how Annley made it to our bed.  He said he heard her calling for me and when he went into her room she popped up said “good morning”.

When I found out what time it was, I scooped her up and took her back to bed.  At 3:30 she was up again with no intention of going back to bed so I brought her upstairs and turned on movie hoping I’d be able to sleep.

Unfortunately, she wanted to play.  She finally settled down around 4:30 to watch her movie and by 5 :30 she had fallen asleep on me. She tossed and turned but stayed asleep until7:45.

Apparently, staying up late last night was a bad idea. 

Maybe she just preparing me for the sleepless nights that are to come with having another baby.

Delicious

By Carmen

Last Sunday Tyler surprised Annley and I by announcing he was making cookies.  I didn’t even know he could make cookies :)

He asked if Annley would like to help.  She was very excited to help pour all the ingredients into the bowl.  She even got to help with the eggs. Daddy must have been feeling very brave.

The Chocolate chip M&M cookies were delicious. We ate them all before I got pictures of the finished product.

Making Small Talk

By Carmen

Annley has recently started making conversation.  Sometimes with people.  Sometimes with her toys.

Here are a few examples;

Holding her Ariel toy
Annley: "Where is Prince Eric?"
Me: "We don’t have Eric but Ariel can play with the farmer."
Annley: (gives me a look of confusion) "NO!" (and walks away)
Apparently Ariel is too good for the farmer.

Conversation with herself playing with her ABC magnets
Picks up the letter 'G'
"What is this?  Is it a W?  No  Is it a O?  No  Is it a G? Yes  YAY!!!  You did it!"

Her Latest Phrases
Come here fella
Wear this one
How bout this one?
I don’t know
Please help me
Tag, you're it
I’m going to get you
Sit on your bottom
Come back
Stay there (usually directed at Cooper, Nana’s dog)
Read it to me, please
Going to Nana’s house!
Go see Jeepers, BJ and Cooper
Meeska, mooska, Mickey Mouse! (the password for Mickey's Clubhouse)

Holidays

By Carmen

My laptop died sometime at the beginning of November. I can’t believe how out of touch  have felt the last two months.

I’m going to do a quick recap from the holidays.

This year hosted Thanksgiving at my house.  I loved it.  I learned how to make cornbread dressing and how to cook a turkey while the men learned how to fry a turkey.

The month of December was pretty busy this year I because in addition to the usual hustle and bustle of the season we celebrated Christmas twice this year.

We had Christmas in the middle of the month with my parents and brothers as well as Tyler’s parents.

 

Then we flew out to Washington state to have Christmas with Tyler’s siblings. Thanks to Melissa for letting us crash with you for a few days.  We enjoyed everyday you were there.

To see more pictures of both Christmases click here.