Thumbelina

Wow...it's been a while.



Because I know you've all been wondering - I no longer have a thumb-sucker. And it was all for this...Barbie Thumbelina (Thumbelina - ironic huh).By Friday she'll have enough 'dollars' saved to buy one. She is so proud of herself. And I'm proud of her. I still catch her with it in her mouth when she's deep in sleep - but those moments are getting more rare. Hopefully after she stops for a while, that will stop too. Now...the new problem - putting EVERYTHING in her mouth.


So, yesterday I stayed home from work sick. And, I kept Carlee and Eli home with me (I'm not sure how smart that was).



Here was Carlee's prayer at lunch:


'Jesus, thank you for my mommy staying with me all day today. Please Jesus, let Jenna come play in my playhouse with me. And I love my mommy and I love my daddy. Amen'.


Not glad I didn't feel good...glad my sweet girl was home with me.


And, Eli - my little man. He's pulling up on everything and every-once-in-a-while gets brave enough to let go with one hand. He crashes into things, crawls under things and bangs his head, falls off things...and never cries - just keeps on going. Is this a sign of things to come? Carlee was, and is, afraid of everything - no risk taking, nothing dangerous. I love this little guy.

Last thing...I would love to hear pre-school opinions/suggestions? I'm considering a couple of scenarios for Carlee. I was told last week that to be where she needs to be to start Charleston kindergarten (and not be behind) she needs to do 4-day pre-school (full days). Thoughts/opinions?

Thumb-sucking update

Saturday was the official day - and she did really well! We went to Wal-mart and picked out a new fuzzy pink blanket. Then, went to the toys and took a picture of the toy she wants to buy when she's "done" sucking her thumb - Barbie Thumbelina. I took a picture of it with my phone so she can see it when she needs a reminder. She said bye to her "silky" Saturday night...but by nap-time on Sunday she wanted it back...really bad! I thought I might cave...but nope. And, she made it through.

On the way to church yesterday morning she said "mommy, I'm proud of myself for not sucking my thumb". Me too, Carlee. Me too!!!

Growing up

So, my little girl is turning into a big girl. This weekend we will begin trying to "help" her stop sucking her thumb. Except for when she's sleeping, she usually only sucks her thumb when she has her "silky" (if you'll remember, after she lost "bumpy" she moved on to silky). So, several weeks ago she stopped taking silky to Ms. Amanda's. But when she gets home she makes a bee-line to her bedroom, grabs silky and sticks that thumb in her mouth. It's almost funny...has to get a little fix.

So, Saturday we're going to have a ceremonial putting silky away - and we're going to Target so Carlee can pick out a new "Big Girl" blanket for her bed. Then toys-r-us to pick out her "goal" toy. So, every day she doesn't suck her thumb she gets to put a dollar in her can - When she gets $20, she gets to buy her toy. She is sooo award driven...so I think this will work...I hope so at least.

And so...she's growing up. Last night she requested Dora before going to bed...which she calls DURA - thanks to my mom. So here was our exchange:

Carlee - Can I watch Dura?
Me - Yes, but you say it DORA like Door-A.
Carlee - Mom, really. I say it how I want to say it You say it how you want to say it.

And that was it.

Good times.

Prayer for my mom

Please say a prayer for my mom this week. She's an amazing, amazing woman and has unbelievable strength. and faith. She really is strong. But, beneath it all, I know there are tears in her heart. I know she misses my dad terribly and wishes he were here so she could enjoy life with him. My heart hurts for her...and it hurts for me and my sisters. He died 7 years ago March 3.

Most of you already know the story...If not, I wrote about it last year. It's long.

The cool thing is that Jenna was born 3 years later on March 4. I think my dad had something to do with that. We can be sad on Tuesday, then we celebrate on Wednesday!