I think she's on to me

See that face? A depressed toddler. I think she understands that in a few short days she'll be left in a daycare while her mother attempts to earn a living to be able to continue to dress her ridiculously cute.

My Mommy guilt is REALLY eating at me. I mean seriously.. in a few weeks daycare will be the NEW cool thing to do for her, but until then I am sure I'll have to pry her off my legs and leave her crying at the door for me. (Note: If she leaves happily, this will be comforting to me- so if my ridiculously cute kid happens to also be a prodigy and is reading this- please, please, go happily).

I've never, ever, left her for this long. Ever. I know lame, right. I do really enjoy being around her the vast majority of the time. Despite the fact that she is suffering from Toddler Syndrome and fusses, whines, and throws-fits for most of her wake time.

In a few short days her little world is going to change drastically. She'll no longer nap in her crib during the week. Instead she'll nap on a mat(best of luck to her teacher)! No more highchairs, but toddler sized chairs and tables(Again, good luck)! Healthy, hot lunches- most of which she'll surely turn her little picky stubborn nose up to at first. They even suggest we use the sippy's they provide since they cannot wash hers in the room. So, her straw cups are left for home only.

Ahhhh. I am assuming I'll go to my first day of work with black streaks from my mascara. The joys of motherhood. Working motherhood.

Personality in photos

Goofy

Curious


Uncooperative

Ahhh, toddler hood. It's almost like raising Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde. Her little personality is flip-flopping worse than a politician. I presume the teenage years will be so much worse. I can hardly wait.

Daycare bound

What a day!

We first viewed the Kindercare daycare. They were about 60 dollars more than the average day care a week in our area.

I was expecting to be JUST as impressed with the programs, class-rooms, etc, that I was with their website and the program directors. She implied that it was this beautifully organized, creative learning plan. It was pretty "typical."

So I headed to another daycare that I thought I LOVED. Bounce houses, slides(in the classroom), ball pits. Loads of fun. I left assuming this would be her daycare; however, I had this unsettling feeling afterward. So after googling the daycare it had 0 good reports and a lot of the reports were left about exactly what I was uneasy about.

The room was HUGE and they had about 25 toddlers in the room with a few teachers. ALL the teachers were teenagers(18, 19ish) and my heart left me with thinking they'd be doing what teenagers did and my kid(and many others) would be playing alone...

So after a few more duds we found our PERFECT center. Price is a bit above average for the area(but still quite less than the first center) but the teachers were "mature" and VERY interactive with McKenzie and their own students. I'd show the website but it list the address so that's a no go. ;) I love, love, love it. I love how they opt to use positive reinforcement to timeouts. She'll have 3 healthy snacks a day there and 1 hot lunch(better than her cold sandwiches here)! One of my favorite parts? It's at a Church(though not affiliated with that particular church) and they teach a non-demoniacal Christian curriculum. So, lots of blessings before meals, songs about Jesus, etc. Yay.

Now we pray that McKenzie adjust well.

Lazy days

Wouldn't it be nice to sleep ALL day while nosey neighbors snap photos?

Still doubt the power of prayer?

On Tuesday I prayed like I've never prayed before about gaining financial security. On Wednesday A job I applied for in March called me out of the blue to interview. Thursday I interviewed and today I got the call that I was hired for the position at significantly MORE money than we originally anticipated.

I start May 26th. Please pray we can find a perfect daycare for McKenzie and she transgresses well into it. It's a nerve wracking concept. My sweet little baby is going to daycare.

Ironically I booked a ticket to visit family in Ohio in late June through early July. I mentioned this paid for trip after I was offered the position and was told it would NOT be a problem!


And if that wasn't enough for the doubtful minds- today I get a letter from a loss recovery company. Apparently, the state owes me money from an old electric bill deposit. Sweet. I'll take "free" money. Reminds me of the NBC show, "You might be rich!"


Now time to shop for some closed toe shoes for school for Kenzie and some work appropriate clothes for me!

Weekend Ramblings

Yesterday McKenzie woke earlier than normal and within an hour of being up started screaming and shoving her finger in her ear. She was arching and screaming so loud and nothing I did consoled her.

I decided to take her to the ER(her doctor is closed on Saturday) and she had a severe infection. Oddly enough we were in and out in less than an hour. I speculate that her screeching and screaming caused them to hustle a bit more. They put numbing drops in her ears and she nearly instantly stopped crying got down and explored the exam room. She's on antibiotics for ten days. Thankfully she loves the taste this time and I won't have to pry her mouth open like I had to do a few months ago.

Last night we took my Mom out for Mother's day dinner at the Cheesecake factory and brought Kenzie with us. She was ridiculously well behaved considering we waited over an hour to be seated. She loved the Mac and Cheese and this was the first restaurant that I have noticed didn't have a children's menu.

At home McKenzie said her first sentence. She's been practicing with combining words for a few days: "Hi(insert name)!" and "What's that" but last night she very clearly said, "Give that to me!" and has said it several times since. She also has been VERY strongly attempting to snort like a pig. However, she just breathes very heavy and it's quite entertaining. She woofs like a dog now, too.

Mother's day today and Duane let me sleep in until nearly 10AM. What a treat! Kenzie feels 100% better and life is good again today.

It's like Barney on Acid

Kenzie has never paid much attention to the television. The real world is much more important. However, Duane showed her this show. Yo Gabba Gabba gets her attention and she follows the simple direction of the show. I, however, really believe the producers are on Day 1 of a REALLY bad acid trip.

The show changes a scene every millisecond. We DVR it and she watches it in the evening with Daddy. It's their "bonding" time together.

*I added a better link. Apparently, I should watch the YouTube videos before I post. The original post(hence the warnings) had been modified and some freaky stuff added to it. I assure you this is NOT in the regular show. It's freaky enough by itself.