Pure Mayhem

This afternoon was one of the rare times where I wish I was a working mom.  Charlotte didn't nap which generally means the afternoon will be rough.  Today was terrible.  I wish I could say I responded calmly to the multiple disasters Charlotte created, the outright defiance, or the whining.  But I don't think that's true.  I know to appreciate Matt's job and his ability to come in and take over.  So I am thankful that I'm currently sitting on the couch while Matt does the bedtime routine.  Also, I have a new episode of Downton Abbey waiting for me on the dvr.  So at least the day will end well. 

Cailin's word list

13.5 Months
-Milk ('MMMMMilk!')
-No
-Mine
-Mama
-Mommy
-Dada
-Charlotte ('Ch-chet')
-Please ('eeeee')
-Teddy
-More
-Water ('wa-wa')
-Dog ('dog-dog')
-Cat
-Meow
-Cow
-Mooo
-Cookie ('kee-kee')
-Uh-oh
-Up
-Help ('elp')
-Bubble
-Hi
-Bye
-Plop (meaning "throw me on the couch, chair, sofa, etc)
-Weeee (for swings and slides)

At a glance: Charlotte 2.9

2 years 9 months
- Just got her ears pierced
- Often speaks like a 64 year old woman
- Needs reminders to use please
- Says Thank You without prompts
- Loves school
- Enjoys dance class, loves her teachers
- Is trying to sort out Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Arlington, and Boston geographically
- Loves to run
- Still says "Holdyou Mama/Dada" though she knows how to use pronouns
- Wants a baby boy.  Badly.
- Sings Twinkle Twinkle and God Our Father at bedtime
- Her favorite person other than Mama, Dada, and Cailin is Vovo.  Without question.
- Is sensitive.  Empathetic.  Resilient. 
- Feels stressed when routines are drastically changed (ie preparing for a move)
- Will tell you she's "Two and a (h)alf."  She doesn't say Hs
- Spends Saturday mornings making pancakes with Daddy
- Bites her nails
- Can't go very long without seeing her family
- Obsessed with her blue/yellow clock
- Refuses to sleep under covers
- Favorite tv show is "Dora Explora"

Resolutions

 

I vowed to make my resolutions on New Years Eve. Instead I watched Season 2 of Downton Abbey (and I can't say I regret it). But it's ok because I knew I'd have time on New Years Day. It still didn't really happen. And Jan 2nd threw me for a loop so I still haven't finalized resolutions. But here's what I've got so far.

1. Do not wish away the year. Embrace it: Get up and get moving when in a funk. Show the girls we have control over our days.
2. Prepare our hearts and home for baby boy: Keep space for another child; Pray for 'him' and wait for guidance*
3. Become more educated on world events: Read 1 Economist article/week; Listen to NPR
4. Educate the girls: Teach Charlotte all letters and sounds; Teach Cailin colors and language
5. Increase quality time with Matt: Read a book together
6. Keep track of substantial family events: Write down events on sticky notes and stick in a jar to read at the end of 2013.

*If you haven't spoken to me or Matt lately, then number 2 begs the question "Huh?!" We've felt called to adopt. We've believed we should and would do this since before we were married. And for some reason it surfaced again in the second half of 2012. Charlotte began to talk about Baby Boy as soon as our Baby Girl began to show signs of growing up. We could try to have one ourselves but that doesn't seem like what we're supposed to be doing right now. We don't have a specific plan on how to go about doing this but we are preparing for when things are made clear to us. It's exciting to know this could happen and it's a huge test of faith. This challenges every controlling bone I have in my body to just sit and wait. But we will.