She's Going to Kill Me When She's Older!

I've been keeping a record of some of the funny things that Leah says and does. Since I'm running a bit short on time today, I thought I'd share a couple recent incidents that I recorded. Enjoy.

*Leah is obsessed with going naked these days. While eating dinner at Arby's, she spilled chocolate milk on her shirt. As soon as we got home, she wanted to take off the shirt since it was dirty. I helped her remove it, and while I was applying stain stick to it, Leah promptly removed her pants and panties. Freed from the burdens of garments, she proceeded to run laps through the hall and living room until it was time to go upstairs. Of course, when Scott told her it was time to go up to bed, Leah took off running again.

Me: “Leah, it's time to go upstairs with Daddy.”

Leah: “Okay. I run one more time, and then I go upstairs.” Then I watched as her naked butt took off toward the living room one last time.

Me: “Okay. Once more, and then upstairs.” I could not stop laughing at her exhibitionism. Too funny.

*We've started taping Leah's diapers on since she enjoys taking them off during her rest periods. During one of her rests, she started crying because of her dirty diaper, so I went upstairs and changed her. Apparently, when I put a new diaper on her, I didn't tape it on properly.  Maybe 20 minutes later, I went up to get her up for good, and what I saw, was not a good sign.

The door to her room was shut, and Leah's diaper was in the hall. Still, she couldn't have done that much damage in such a short period of time, right? Silly me.

I opened the door, and there sat a naked Leah on the floor. “Did you pee on the floor?” I challenged, hoping that she hadn't (that's why we had to start taping the diapers on in the first place).

“No, I pooped!” she exclaimed proudly.

“You pooped? Where?”

“In the dog bed!” And there, in her toy dog bed, was her masterpiece.

Family Day

Saturday morning, Scott and I took the kids to Old Mine Ranch to break from our usual weekend routine of hanging around the house. Leah and I had been last year, and she enjoyed herself, so I figured she'd have more fun this time since she's a year older. 

Honestly, I don't know if she enjoyed herself more or not. She was a bit hesitant to feed the animals (unlike last year), go on the moonbounce, and play in the tunnels (though she didn't play in those much last year). Plus, much of the time she walked around with her hands folded in front of her (which has taken the place of her sucking her thumb when she's overwhelmed or nervous). Despite her demeanor, she loved running in her "fast running shoes" and painting her pumpkin (as well as mine and Scott's).

We asked if she was having fun, and she did reply, "yes", but her actions suggested otherwise. Then again, she does take some time adjusting to new places and situations. After all, when I first took her to the Sprayground, she spent most of the time glued to me, but on subsequent visits, she freely played in the fountains. Maybe if we had been at OMR for a couple of hours, she would have felt more comfortable.

In spite of the lack of outward enthusiasm, the morning was well spent there. Besides, it got us out of the house on a beautiful fall day and allowed for some fun time together as a family, which was really the purpose of the outing.

 Hunter enjoyed the sites and sounds. Not long after this, he was sound asleep.

 Feeding the sheep with Daddy's help. Scott fed more animals than Leah did.

 One of the highlights for Leah was the pig. I don't understand this obsession, but at least it made her happy.

 Why decorate the pumpkin when you can color on the table?

At work on her masterpiece.

God's Grace

This fall, as part of Community Bible Study (CBS), I'm studying the book of Job. Now, I've read this book several times, but being a part of a community with lecture, homework, and discussion has broadened and increased my understanding of this important book. The overarching themes are "God is just," and "God is sovereign", both of which are initially difficult to comprehend considering the intense suffering Job experiences. (Keep in mind, though, that Satan -- not God-- inflicts these sufferings; however, God allows this to happen.) After all, how could a just God allow suffering? (This is a question common to many still today. Though that's not the focus of this post, do remember that we live in a sinful world; sometimes pain/ trials are necessary so that we may grow; God is bigger than our experiences.)

Both themes are so appropriate personally now. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that currently my life is being challenged on a Job-like scale: my health, my family, and my home. Thankfully, I haven't been discouraged in the midst of these trials. Instead, I've been frustrated. Frustrated that it's one more doctor's appointment. Frustrated that it's one more house project. I'm just tired of dealing with "one more thing".

When I mentioned the uncanny parallels between my life and Job's to a friend, I alluded to God's sense of humor and timing, but she said it better: it's more like God's grace that I'm studying Job at this very time. What a spot-on assessment, for if I weren't studying this book at this time, then my attitude might have been a bit different. I'm sure I still would have been frustrated, but I might also have adopted an Eeyore-like, "woe is me" attitude of self-pity. Thus, instead of focusing on God and what I can learn from this/ how I can grow, I'd wallow in the uncertainty of some of these problems.

This isn't to say that being frustrated is acceptable. Rather, I should be re-directing my thoughts toward God's provision, sovereignty, and grace. He's allowed these trials for a reason. I might not know what that reason is, nor may I fully understand the purpose, but through these, I can cling to Him and the Truth that I know about Him. That might be what He wants to remind me of.

Nonetheless, I can "rejoice in [my] sufferings, because [I] know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5).

Still a Princess?

Leah has officially entered the terrible twos. Ugh. My sweet, OBEDIENT little princess frequently (as in DAILY) tests my patience and challenges my authority. All too often, this means that I hardly feel (or act) like the queen; instead, the dragon that guards the castle emerges baring her teeth, lashing her tongue, and blowing fire. Not a pretty or welcoming picture. Despite my attempts to rein her in, she persists at the prodding of Princess Leah. 

Apparently the Princess is exercising her independence -- everywhere. At Target. At the grocery store. At church (though not in her class... I think not, anyway). At the photography studio. At home. Counting and time outs are the activities du jour. Even fun activities morph into discipline sessions. 

Case in point: We were playing outside the other day, and Leah found a stick. No big deal, since she often plays with them. The problem arose when it was time to go in. 

    "Leah, it's time to go inside. You can put the stick on the box or on the driveway, but you can't take it in."

   "I play with it one more time, and then go inside."

  "No, it's time to go inside now." At this point, Leah ran, determined to play with the stick "one more time". Ugh. Guess who emerged from the castle? Certainly not the queen in all her refinement.

Sometimes I feel as if these battles outweigh the sweet and funny moments with the Princess. Thankfully, when the King comes home, I can observe his interactions with the Princess, and am often reminded of her pleasant and endearing disposition (why is it that she complies with his requests?). 

Case in point: Leah tried on the Viking hat (fuzzy hat with horns) that Scott received for participating in the Warrior Dash. Her comment: "I a moose." 

So, is she still a princess when her behavior is most un-princess-like? Of course. Maybe the better question is, am I still a queen when my behavior is most un-queen-like?

Thumb Sucker No More

Well, she's done it: Leah no longer sucks her thumb. Hurray! Breaking the habit was no easy feat for Leah or us, but she has been free of the habit for almost a month now thanks to some persistence on our end (well, mostly Scott's).

Scott has been lamenting Leah's bad habit for some time now (as in, ever since she was an infant). Knowing how some babies become dependent on the pacifier (which isn't always handy -- no pun intended-- or in reach), I never minded her sucking her thumb. (Read: I didn't want to constantly run into her room at night to replace the pacifier every time it fell out.) I figured she'd break herself of the habit eventually, I just never knew it would take us to do so.

Just before Hunter was born, we began the monumental task of breaking the thumb-sucking habit. First we tried the stuff you apply to the thumb (so cleverly named "Thumb-Suck Stop"). Yeah, that didn't work too well. We'd apply it; Leah would stick her thumb in her mouth and pull it back out. Then she'd try again, and leave it there (the stuff never lasted). 

Before investing some serious money in a solution, we tried wrapping her thumbs in tape and band-aids. Neither worked. She'd just pull and pull until they came off. Guess this was going to be a bit more difficult than I had thought.

The next tactic? Gloves, but not just any gloves. These were special gloves that Scott found on-line (did I mention that he's the one who really wanted her to stop?). Leah's princess gloves (as we called them) are fingerless except for the thumb, and button around the wrist to preclude their removal. They worked initially, but then Leah managed to pull the thumbs off. (Talk about persistent!)

Scott was determined to break Leah of the habit; he even considered ordering a $75 plastic glove contraption! But before doing so, he had one more trick up his sleeve: an attack on multiple fronts. So, that first week in September (remember all the rain?), we hit Leah's thumbs with a triple threat: thumb-suck stop, gloves, and Gorilla tape around the thumbs. Oh, the tears that ensued! The first couple of nights, Leah cried and cried, unable to console herself since her source of comfort was hidden under three layers. Scott or I would lay with her until she fell asleep. Trying to help her settle her mind one night, I told her to listen to the rain. What a blessing that we had it that week! Listening to the rain helped; the following week, Leah even told me that she wanted to listen to it (too bad I couldn't help her out). Of course, I'm making it sound as if Leah was "cured" overnight, which is hardly the case. It took her several nights to fall asleep without the tears or our company. Plus, she'd wake up crying several times during the night, prompting a comforting hug and snuggle from me or Scott. Even now, she still wakes up once during the night (and she's not wearing the gloves anymore). 

So, thanks to some persistence, lots of praying, and a reward from Grandma and Papa, Leah has officially broken the habit. We're so proud of her, and we tell her daily. (How could we not when she tells us each morning, "I didn't suck my thumb!"?)  Guess this is just one more sign that my baby girl is growing up.

Cozying Up

Today is dreary, dismal, gray, rainy... and absolutely perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and a book. So please excuse the brevity of this post; I have other things to take care (that is, if the kids will let me).

Vacation

The kids and I took a much needed vacation back in August. Notice I didn't include the husband. While Leah, Hunter, and I were playing with my in-laws, Scott was competing in a hockey tournament in NYC. (For those who might be wondering, no, his team didn't make the play-offs, but Scott did have a good time, despite the exorbitant cost of EVERYTHING in the city.)

My mother-in-law (Mel) picked up me and the kids the Saturday that Irene hit VA. Thankfully, we made it home (to NY) ahead of the storm. Aside from being without power Sunday morning until Monday morning (thank goodness for access to a generator Sunday night!), the trip was fun and uneventful. Below is a recap of the week:

*Monday: A chance to relax at Mel & Roger's. Great Grandma was there, too. Leah entertained us with her mad dancing skills. (See video; my apologies for the side view.)

*Tuesday: The Syracuse Zoo. We met up with my sister-in-law and nieces, but since they arrived earlier, we only saw part of the zoo together. We spent all day there, though we hadn't planned on it initially. Despite not having a nap, Leah did remarkably well. (She crashed on the way home.) If you were to ask Leah what her favorite animal was, she'd tell you the colorful horse. No, it wasn't an actual animal; rather, it was a statue outside of the farm animal exhibit. 
  That night, we cooked hot dogs and s'mores over the fire pit. Leah helped me roast a hot dog for all of about 10 seconds before she running off and joining her cousins as they played in the yard. As for the s'more, well, she wasn't that interested in it as a whole. Apparently (for I didn't witness this; Roger filled me in), Leah separated the s'more, ate the chocolate (that's my girl!), sampled the graham cracker, and then pulled off the marshmellow. She wasn't sure what to make of the sticky mess (she's used to eating them straight out of the bag), and after pulling it apart, tried rolling it between her fingers to get it off. 


*Wednesday: Frog Pond. This is basically a farmer's market that also has some farm animals on site (pigs, goats, calves, chickens, ducks, bunnies). Prior to our trip (to NY), Leah had been talking about seeing "piggies and cows" at Grandma and Papa's house, so Mel thought a trip to Frog Pond might satisfy Leah's desire. While there, she had a chance to play in the corn box (similar to a sandbox), as well as pet the pigs, goats, and calves. The chicks gave her a fright; Leah stuck her hands on the coop before I could warn her about them, and I think one might have pecked her fingers. 

*Thursday: The Discovery Center. This was so cool! I only wish there were something like it here. Basically, there are different exhibits set-up to resemble real-life locations/ centers (i.e. fire station, grocery store, restaurant, etc.). My sister-in-law and nieces joined us, and Leah loved running around with Kate and Mila. Talk about a place where a kid's imagination can run wild! Thanks to a busy morning there, and a late lunch, Leah took a good nap upon returning to Mel's. 


*Friday: A chance to relax at home. Mel and Leah made sugar cookies. Leah helped cut them out, and later, helped decorate them, too.  Of course, the best part about making cookies with Grandma was eating them, which Leah was more than willing to do. Friday night, Scott arrived. Scott, Leah, Hunter, and I had a chance to relax and reconnect as a family since Mel & Roger had a wedding to attend. The four of us spent some time outside; Scott held Hunter, while Leah and I ran around the yard (or at least between the rocks and the flowerbeds). We then enjoyed a dinner of hot dogs and s'mores cooked over the fire pit (though, again, Leah didn't help with the roasting, nor did she eat a roasted marshmellow). 


Time flew while we were there; before we knew it, Sunday had arrived and it was time to head home. Our week was so busy yet relaxing, that it was hard to leave. But I guess leaving home always is.

 Watching a music video... over and over and over again.

 Papa and Hunter get some much needed cuddle time.

 Ms. Teresa bundled Hunter up so that he wouldn't get too cold. Notice the sweater sleeves. 

 Grandma, Leah, & Hunter enjoying lunch at the zoo.

 Leah enjoyed watching the penguins.

 An authentic tiger roar (blaring from hidden speakers) accompanied this statue, and was loud enough to frighten Leah. She wasn't too sure about getting on the tiger's back.

 Milking the cows at the zoo.

Future baker and pastry chef.

 "Mommy, take a picture of me on the phone."

 Leah & Mila in the fire truck at the Discovery Center.

Enjoying a cookout in Grandma & Papa's backyard.