Beach babe

E and I watching the waves

She wanted to write an "E" in the sand

Tuesday Blog Hop

http://www.onelittlemister.com/2010/07/to-top-tuesday-blog-hop.html

To- The-Top Tuesday Blog Hop

Nurse Mommy

E is recovering slowley each day.  Most mornings she wakes up happy and talkative then slowly into the afternoon her mouth starts hurting and she becomes tired.  She is doing a great job of dealing with the pain and annoyance of her restrictions.  She has been obsessed lately with Toy Story 2.  We watch it like 5 times a day!  I can't wait for this whole process to be behind us. 

E trying to hid from the camera.  Getting ready to leave the hospital.  The diaper on her arm is protecting her from trying to pull her IV out. 

Post Op

Wednesday morning E had her surgery (tonsils and adenoids removed).  It was awful.  How else can you describe what my baby went through?  Right before the surgery they tried giving her a sedative (liquid red medicine) which she fought.  So then I had to go into the OR with her and hold her while they put her to sleep with gas.  The image of my baby asleep and limp get transferred to the bed is an image I'll never forget.  Then we sat in the waiting room for the longest 45 minutes.  Thank GOD everything went smoothly and was right on time.  I was so excited I got to see her the minute they  finished until I saw the state she was in.  She still half asleep, her body was moving and she was crying.  She wasn't recognizing that it was me holding her so she was fighting it.  Then the nurse said she had to give her some morphine.  So after the first (yes I said first) dose she woke up and still was crying in main.  So fifteen minutes later she got her second dose of morphine which finally calmed her down.  I just held her and kept whispering in her ear "Mommy's here.  Mommy's here" over and over and over.  I'm not sure who I was trying to calm her or me.  After that we got transferred to her room where we would stay through the rest of the day and till Thursday morning.  We got the shitty end of the room which meant I  we would be sitting and sleeping in a recliner chair.  E was in and out of naps and not a happy camper.  She wouldn't drink and fought every nurse who tried to give her medicine.  Not to mention she had an iv in her arm which had to have a diaper over it to keep E from trying to remove it.  We basically got 2 hours of sleep that night in between the nurses chatting loudly in the hall, monitors beeping, our baby neighbor sharing our room crying every hour, and nurses walking in and out of the room. 
I was so excited to get up and leave Thursday morning but the doctor kindly said E was not allowed home until she started drinking more.  So I said E if you want to go home you better start drinking.  And she did.  Not a lot but enough to allow us home.  So now we are ending our second night at home and boy is good to be home. 
I feel so lucky and blessed that her surgery went well and that E is recovering wonderfully.  I am so thankful that it was only a "small" surgery and is other wise healthy.  But, at the same time was stressful and hated every minute of watching my baby go through what she did.

You are my sunshine

I love the sunshine.  I love the warm sun, the bright flowers, all the activities you can do on a nice day.  Everything about a sunny day I love.  Apparently those thoughts don't fall far from the tree...

We ran outside after a random drizzle storm to see a rainbow (right behind her)

She's had an interest in playing baseball

Baking sugar cookies

do a "trick" in the grass

I just saw that my last blog was a few weeks ago! I got so side tracked with reading my daily favorite blog posts that I forgot to update my own. 

I've had a stomach ache for about 2 weeks now, and I'm pretty sure it's because my daughter is scheduled for surgery next month.  She is finally having her tonsils and adenoids removed to hopefully cure her Sleep Apnea.  How can I not feel nervous and anxious over it?? 

What's new with me you ask? Well, I've put myself back out there.  What does that mean?  I'm finally ready to move on from my divorce.  I've basically been wearing sweat pants and throwing my hair into a pony tail for the last 2 1/2 years, and I forgot how much work it is to actually do my hair and wear regular clothes.  But it sure has boosted my confidence and made me feel good about myself.  I think what is most important is that I've learned to be by myself and to be ok with it.  It was really hard for me to learn that I don't need to be in a relationship in order to be happy. 

Anyways, I started reading Eat Love Pray.  I'm only on page 40, but I have a feeling this book will be an inspirational one.  That's all for now!

Stars and Stripes

Love this adorable picture. Funny thing is it's outside Coco's because E was tired of sitting!

                                              Can you believe we had to wear sweatshirts on the 4th???

I'm wishing, I'm wishing...

Finding myself again

Ellie and I have an amazingly close attachment.  Which is good and bad.  Last summer around 18 months she began to realize we we're not "one" that we were two separate people because I had to go to work and she had to go to preschool.  It was a tough summer but we did it!

  Now, at 2 1/2 where she is spending a few hours twice a week with her Dad I've found myself thinking what do I do without her?? I mean I am used to spending all my time and energy with my daughter.  Whatever she wants to play we play, wherever she wants to go, we go; whatever she wants to eat, we eat.  But I think in the process I've forgotten again about being my own person.  I rarely go out because I feel guilty leaving her when it's my "days".  But the more time she's been spending with her Dad, I've come to realize it's okay to be happy while she is temporarily away.  It's ok for me to wander around a store and actually be able to try things on.  But more than that I've come to turns with missing my baby but still being able to be happy with my own time.

Summer Lovin'

We went to my bestie's Engagement Party.  I loved this bright flower dress E was wearing

Here we are.. not the best lighting.

E's favorite part was the cake! The fork obviously wasn't shoveling it in fast enough.

I can't beleive how much E is talking now.  I just love how she can actually tell me what she wants for dinner or what things she wants to play with.  It is the best.  She's been spending more time at her Dad's house, so I have just been treasuring every moment with her.  We both just love summer time.  We can't get enough of the beach and swimming.  I have a feeling this is going to be a really great summer!

It's time to have a talk

The other night before bath time I told my daughter to go potty before she does into the bath.  So she did, but then she stands up lifts up the seat pushes her belly out (as if she's trying to pee like a boy).  I said, "Um E what are you doing?".  Then she turned around and said, "Mommy open this" (pointed to her belly button).  I said, "E that doesn't open that's your belly button"  and tried so hard not to laugh!  She thought that if I "opened" her belly button a penis would come out!  So then it turned into a prime time for a learning experience as I told her about boy and girl parts! Oh the things that come out of a two year old. 

Life's a Beach

We went up to a beach for the day.

They had neat little Tide Pools.  What a great experience for her.

E just taken in the ocean. 

By the end of the day she was my little surfer girl!

Sugar and Spice

We attempted to decorate cookies the other day.  E decided she'd rather eat the sprinkles than put them on the cookies.

She licked every last bite.

Then she asked her cousin for some of her sprinkles to eat.

My little girl made up of sugar and spice!

How much can we protect our children from?

I would say that I'm an over protective parent.  I can't help it! What parent wouldn't want to prevent harm from happening to their child?  Sometimes I feel like I exhaust myself trying to protect E from every upset in her life.  Part of the problem is when she spends time with her Dad she doesn't want to.  But you can't explain to a Two year old that you don't have a choice.  It's a horrible feeling watching your child be hysterical and there is nothing you can do about it.  But, back to trying to protect her, yesterday she was standing on the couch about to jump off.  I went to catch her before she hurt herself and in end I ended up hurting her:

See that big scratch on her cheek? Yup that's from my nail.

It was bleeding and I felt so bad after.  I mean would she have even gotten hurt if I just let her jump off of it?  Maybe she would have hurt herself a little but realized that it hurts and is not a good choice to make?

Well, you can't win I guess.  But besides that how cute is her dress?  It's from Children's Place for 4th of July!

Guilty Pleasure: RHOFNY

Actually I love all the Real Housewives including RHOFNJ.  But back to RHOFNY.  I was so ready to veg and watch the reunion last night.

Bethenny:  I love her.  I'm all about sarcasm and everything that comes out of her mouth is hilarious.  I think she is so blunt and, sometimes I wish I could speak what was on my mind!  I am extremely jealous that 12 days after having her baby she is practically back to her skinny self, when 2 1/2 years later and I'm still not!

Jill:  She is a lost cause.  First off I didn't think she looked that great.  Then she wouldn't own up to any of the things the girls confronted her about.  I do feel sorry for her that she's gone to far with the whole fight and everything.

Alex:  This is the first season I like her.  I think as Bethenny stated in her new show "Bethenny Getting Married" that she is more "normal".  I'm also glad that she too is finally saying what she feels.  I think it's great she isn't letting the other girls bully her anymore.

Ramona:  I actually like her too this season.  I think it's great she owns up to when she is wrong.  She looks great with her new hair cut and I'm always waiting to see what comes out her mouth!

Sonja:  I think she is a great fit for the group.  She is so fun and is the vixen of the group!  I loved how she calmed everyone down at the "crazy island". 

Luanne:  Seriously? Singing?.. I don't even have anything to say about her!

Kelly:  I have to agree with the other girls that something is wrong with her.  I think Sonja pointed out that she doesn't deal with emotions and wow is that true.  She always says the wackiest off the wall things.  I hate how mean she is to Bethenny. How awkward was it watching her do the photo shoot with the girls in St. Lucia??

Anyone as addicted as I am?

D-D-Dora the Explorer

After E had been stuck in her bed for close to a week when she was sick, she became obsessed with Dora.  Now, I have mixed feelings about her watching TV.  I don't want her to become addicted to watching every day however come 5:00, Mama needs a break!  I guess I'm okay with her watching the 30 minute show. 
  I do think there are some positives like the interaction and the movement they ask the kids to do, and of course the Spanish.  E tells me now, "Come on Mommy, Vamonos! Let's go".  Love it.  But, the stories are so far fetched.  With dragons, witches, magic, and flying.. for preschoolers? Well I guess their imagination has to start some where. 

Oh, thanks to those of you who emailed me that you couldn't leave a comment.  It should be fixed now!  I need to get back to blogging more often and putting up more pictures.  That's my self-improvement for the week!

Princess attire

E is so lucky to have so many grandparents in her life.  Including one that is an amazing seamstress.  Her Great-Grandma made her some Princess dresses and a cute rag doll with matching dresses!! Of course E wanted to wear it to school today.

I can't believe how big she looks!

My First Blog Award!

I am so excited! After the awful week my poor daughter has had being sick I got some great new from Heligirl that she's give me my first blog award.. The Trendy Blog award!!
I'm so honored she picked me! Her blog is amazing.  She has beautiful pictures, posts from the heart, and she will inspire you with positive discipline techniques.  You have to check her out!

 So here is how this award works:                                   • To receive this award, promise to share this with 10 other
                      BLOGS that you think are Trendy too.              • Post about your award in your blog.       • List your Top 10 Trendy Blogs.                  • Leave a link to the Trendy Blog Button. Pick up for blog award button at Trendy Treehouse I am passing on the awards to these 10 fabulous women whose blogs I adore: 

1.  As the Forest{e} Grows

2.  Style by Mommy
     
3.   Molly and Mommy 
      

4.  ShowmeMama                

                                                     
 5.  Hushmama

 6.  Life with the Lebeda's

 7.  Fabulous Fun Finds

 8.  A Blissful Nest

             

 9.  Ladybug Soup

10.  LA City Mom

Whirlwind of a week

Wow what a week it's been.. oh wait it's Thursday it's not even over yet!  Monday night, E came down with a fever which isn't so great since Wednesday she was supposed to have her tonsills and adenoids taken out.  But instead she came down with Bronchitis and a fever that lasted a good 36 hours.  Then the Bronchitis triggered her Asthma, so then she needed a steroid, an antibiotic, a nebulizer with breathing treatments every 4 hours and not including Motrin needed for her fever.  Oh my poor baby. 
  Finally today the fever broke.  Despite the hyperness that is a result of the steroids she is acting more like herself.  I am just thankful she is recovering and on the mend to get well.  But, let me tell you I feel like I need a vacation (ya right), ok a spa day (I wish), ok fine, some sleep and maybe an hour out to myself to recover from being nurse all week. 

I wear my heart on my...necklace!

I am in LOVE with my new necklace(and anklet) I ordered from this creative Mom.  She makes amazing handmade and custom jewelry.  I love that you can customize it to make it your own.  I picked a heart, s sparrow bird, and my daughter's name initial "E".  Here is my necklace and anklet:

Picture by Suzie, creator of http://www.loveyoudesign.com/

Check out her beautiful handmade designs

Little Mommy

She's such a good little mommy.

Now when we take walks, E insists on pushing her baby in her stroller.  She even puts a blanket over the baby as if she's sleeping.

Mama's Girl

mm. E picked out a Cotton Candy cupcake for dessert.  YUM.

We saw the cutest turtles in a pond outside the resturant we went to dinner.

Cute!

E made me a handprint heart at school

This would be great if only E was looking

Just between me and you

I try to make my blog rounds every night.  I catch up with my favorite blogs.  After reading a few blogs tonight I think I'm realizing that one of the reasons I find blogging as my outlet is because it's candid and raw.  I feel inspired reading other Mommies blogging about common depression, anxiety, etc.. that often occurs once becoming a Mommy.  It inspires me to be more open, and write from the heart. 

It's comforting reading different blogs and being able to relate to them.  Whether it's parenting, surgeries, disorders, shopping, or whatever!  I think in "real life"  Mom's are hesitant to tell what they might tell online.  I mean who doesn't want to appear to be happy and have the perfect life?  I'm just thankful some people out their have gone through the same things I have and are brave enough to admit it. 

Mommy loves her little girl

Hope everyone had a great Mothers Day.  I got a hand print frame from E( I don't know about you, but I can never have enough hand prints from E).  Then my Mom got me a gift certificate for a massage!! SCORE!

My princess is also turning 2 1/2.  I'm freaking out.  Mostly because she's getting so big and I want her to stay this size forever!!

Here is a poem I found that fits perfectly.

A daughter is love in a bright pink bow

A bundle of happiness all aglow
A tomboy in jeans with a tear streaked face
Crying because she has just lost a race.
Then all of a sudden, no longer small,
She's a vision of loveliness dressed for a ball
A dreamer, a schemer, no two days the same
What is a daughter...It's more than a name
She's a pleasure, a treasure, a comfort each day
Loving and sweet in her own special way
She's a sense of contentment felt deep inside
Bringing a lifetime of pleasure and pride!

--unknown

Any 1/2 Birthday ideas?

So E's  2 1/2 Birthday is coming up next week.  When I was a child we didn't do anything special, but I've always heard growing up cute stories that other families did.  Does anyone have any cute ideas or traditions?

I wanted to do something special because she's my little princess and because she's at the age where she understands what a birthday is and well, why not! 

Post- it- Note Tuesday

One autonomous 2 year old girl

E is starting to let me(yes, it's her choice) put a pony tail in her hair! I'm so embarrassed on how messy her bookshelf looks! I swear it's usually very neat and orderly. 

E asked me to pull out her dress up box.  It was so funny she was dancing only by the mirror so she could check herself out.

E picked out her own outfit as you can tell.  We had a great morning at the park.

Chit-Chat

First off, did you hear about the Children's Tyleonl and Motrin Recall?  I found 3 bottles that are on the recall list.  Here is the website to check out your's at home.  http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/new_recall.inc


I bought E this cute reversible Ariel swim suit today with my coupon.. it came to $ 13.00.. not bad for Disney's prices!

Winner of the Giveaway and Disney Store coupon

Here is the winner of the Shushybye Book and CD : info@babybumpdiaries.com


USE:    FACEBOOK20 for 20% off Swimwear   @ Disneystore.com till May 2nd.

Mothers Day Wish List

First of all, as lame as this sounds I can't believe I now have over 50 readers!! I really thought that no one reads my blog and that it would never happen! So thank you to all of you.  Now, I created a wish list for Mothers Day of things that I would LOVE.  I have no partnerships with any of the items, just purely found them from what I like to call Online browsing. 

Paper Source

How cute is that? I am constantly writing down things E is saying.  This is perfect!

Etsy seller:  Simplyaprons

I am so girly and LOVE aprons!

Esty seller:  Bragaboutit

I think this ring is so adorable! I want it!

http://www.dermalogica.com/

Since I can't afford facials anymore..this is the next best thing.  And my favorite brand.

http://www.1800flowers.com/

UMM... Who doesn't LOVE flowers?

It was actually really hard coming up with items just for ME.  I kept wanting to add things that I want but that really for E.  I can't help it!

To Do List Tuesday