Writing from work

Short and sweet, People.

A colleague had me read this wonderfully illustrated book. It's full of sarcasm about every day life and perfectly worded for each amazing animal photo. It's called "Tomorrow" and you should totally check it out. I'm still smiling!

Hey.. She's learning!

This weekend I've noticed a few new things McKenzie must have picked up at daycare.

She's totally doing the motions to "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes!" She is pretty aggressive about it, too. She bangs her knees and says, "knees." You see in an 18-month old's world "knees" is the code word for the entire song. So, picture a lot of head banging, shoulder swinging, and knee slapping- while screaming.. KNEES! Have you pictured it? Good. Hysterical, huh? Too bad I haven't been able to capture this new cuteness on film. Yet.

She's also perfected the word MINE. Everything is hers. And now she is no longer afraid to let us know. Mine. Mine. Mine. The remote? Hers. The TV? Hers. My toothbrush? Hers. Amazing that this little person controls the household with one little shout of a four letter word. I should have reminded her that four letter words are forbidden here at home.

She's still perfected the art of the drop-off scream. Each morning I drop her off she clings to me, cries her little heart out, and makes it known that she believes her little world may be possibly coming to an end. Thankfully, her daily report cards tell me she is doing well after her morning fits. *Sigh*

Just remember that old saying, "This too shall pass!"

Weekend Rambles...

What can I say, it's been an exhausting weekend. I forgot all too quickly how fast working wears one out. Kenzie has been passing out in random places, too. Apparently, she, too, is feeling the affects of this new schedule. She's had a fever off and on all weekend as well- I've had a majorly sore throat for the last two days. Wonderful daycare/work funk. Lovely. She seems to be adjusting to daycare. Each day her progress report reads something positive- except on Friday it read: "More easily upset" But I really think that was from the starts of her not feeling well. She still finds humor in "yelling" at us upon our afternoon arrival. Gee, thanks! What a way to make your parents feel worse, kid!

We did have some sort of good fortune on Saturday.

My right front tire has been going flat slowly. We kept filling it with air, but our "tire pressure low" light came on nonetheless. Thursday I come out of work and my left front tire was to the rim- flat. I tried to move it out of the handicapped spot I had it in when I realized it may be flat- but I saw sparks flying as it was THAT low.Anyway, today we took in to our dealership. Mainly because we needed an oil change and it's covered under a package we bought when we bought our car a few years ago. Well, when we first bought the car we also bought a "roadside hazard" package, too, for the tires. We mentioned it to the dealership and they said the tires were covered since they were leaking air for no reason. So when I drive I am a bit "curb" happy. More than once I'll admit. I was crossing my fingers that they wouldn't notice that I bent the driver side rim- from one of my happy moments. They did, though. I bent BOTH front rims horribly and it was IMPOSSIBLE for the air to stay in the tires. It's an 800 dollar plus job(2 new tires, 2 new rims)- but my dealership wrote: " Driver ran over objects dropped by semi on the interstate" I totally didn't ask them to do that!! Sooo it WAS covered. Sooo for an oil change, 2 tires, 2 rims, a fixed break light that was out.. 21 bucks!! And that was only because I replaced the air filter!! WOoo Hooo! Once less cost for us!

It's been a busy weekend and I am sure an even busier week. Ahh, 3 more weeks and we're in Ohio for vacay! Woot!

McKenzie: You're 18 months old today.

Oh, little girl. Today you're one and a half years old. Half way until you come roaring into your terrible twos(a tiny secret- you're already practicing)!

You've changed drastically over the last few months. You're taller, heavier, smarter, and a bit more, erhmm, "bratty."

Your vocabulary is exploding daily and you managed to repeat several phrases and sentences over the last few weeks. Your favorite, "give that to me!" You've been a demanding child since utero, and I didn't expect for a second your toddler hood would be any different.

You still love your blankey and pacifier. You MUST have BOTH while having your diaper changed first thing in the morning. Even if you've managed to pee on them during the night you become infuriated at the prospect of me washing it.

You love to chase Bayleigh and offer her your toys to "chew." Bayleigh has destroyed her fair share of your offerings and this upsets you. I wish I was able to rationalize with you a bit more so you'd understand that Bayleigh is a dog and playing gently with your stuff isn't in her nature. So, until then, we'll have to deal with the constant temper fits.

However, your biggest milestone EVER came today, on your 18th month birthday. You went to daycare for the VERY first time. You were hesitant. I was hesitant. Somehow we both survived. With lots and lots of tears in between you survived.

Though you may not understand now, please know that our separation is for you. Everything I do in life is for you. Soon daycare will be the "cool" place to be and Mommy will still be working and attempting to make your life's needs and wants a bit easier on all of us. So, though today my heart broke as I left you crying for me- know that I am always, always, always, here for you. My heart is yours sweet girl.

In closing I cannot believe how much you've changed from the day we first met, 18 months ago. I cannot believe my heart is capable of loving you anymore- but each day I do. You complete our family in a way that I never imagined possible. Through every temper fit, milestone, excitement, and heartbreak- Daddy and I love you that much more. I wish I had the words to explain how much- but words are inadequate my sweet baby girl.

We love you to the moon and back.

18 month stats

Today Kenzie had her 18 month visit.

She's 24lbs, 8 ounces(56%)(lost a bit from last visit- doc said this was normal..) 34 inches(95%) and her melon is 19 inches(89%)

Developmentally she's right on target and she had three shots today including the MMR(we delayed it from 12 months).

Sleep or lack thereof.

So McKenzie has forgotten how to do this. For nearly a week she's fighting tooth and nail to lay in her crib and drift off into a peaceful slumber.

I try to remind her that sleep is needed not only for her health, but her Mother's sanity. I need her to sleep.

I attempt several times and she screams, "Mama.. Mommy... Mama!" How can I not get her.

Up until this week she napped easily after lunch and went to bed around 8PM without waking. Now she wakes like a newborn, fights bedtime until well past 9 PM and her naps are later and later, too.

Phase? I sure hope so!

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.