Call Me Crazy

Does it make me crazy if I left poop in the toilet for hours waiting on my camera to get there so I could take a picture of it?  What if it was Summer's poop?  It was.  When we got home Friday, I saw her grunting...and we all know what that means -- poop.  So, I took her to the toilet and took her diaper off.  She pooped a little, but then got tired of sitting there doing nothing.  I know she is probably too young to potty train, but it can't hurt to start trying.  I don't know if I have written about this before or not, and I am too lazy to go back and check.  So, if so just bare with me.  Anyway, it was exciting for me to have her actually poop in the toilet.  Of course she did not finish her business there, but it is a start.

As you can see, I posted the pics from Florida.  Enjoy!

Bragging Rights

Summer won the "diaper derby" today.   All three of the girls finished before the other two kids -  Summer, then Liliana, then Katelyn.  It was fun.  I ended up using a balloon and an empty cup to entice Summer to the finish line.  As soon at they said "Go," she took off for me.  My camera did not take the pictures fast enough.  I think I might have gotten one shot while she was crawling.  She was fast!  Liliana was not far behind her, but I think she might have stood up at the start or something.  It went by really fast so I am glad we video taped it so we can watch it again later.  The first place prize was a $25 gift card to  Babies R Us.  Second and third places got a $10 card. 

Summer and I both had suckers from one of the booths.  Almost all of the booths were giving out candy, but no really good candy.  I am kind of glad though because the last thing I need is more junk food. 

I haven't really got to play with Summer today because she went down for a nap as soon as my mom dropped her off this morning.  She woke up right before we had to leave for the contest.  When we got home, I made us some spaghetti and put her to bed again.  I think she will be up soon and then it will just be a few hours before she goes back to bed.  Her naps are becoming shorter, I think.  Sometimes she naps for a long time, but sometimes it is only about an hour.  I hope she keeps taking two naps for a while longer, although I know one day it will stop.  I hope I did not just jixn myself by saying that. 

I am looking forward to playing with her a little while this evening before she goes off to bed.  I hope she is not up at the crack of dawn tomorrow!  I do love her, but I don't want to play at 6:00 in the morning.  Should I tell her that?  LOL

A Trip to the Beach

We got back from Florida yesterday.  It was a long ride, but Summer did good the entire ride.  There were no (that's right zero) crying spells - - YEAH!!! 

 I think we all had a good time in Florida, but I found out I am the only beach lover.  Summer does not really like the sand and the ocean was too cold for her so I didn't even attempt to get her in that.  I did carry her out to the waves, and we did get hit by a semi-big wave which splashed water on our faces.  We did not get really wet though. 

I, however, did enjoy the beach and the ocean.  Although it would have been a little more fun to have someone go into the ocean with me.  I am not even sure if Clint touched the ocean.  I think Amanda and Amber might have gotten into the ocean one day, but it wasn't really Amanda's thing either.  I guess that is one thing the two sisters have in common; they both dislike sand.  I am hoping that I will be able to change Summer's mind when we go back in the July.  If not, she will have the pool to swim in with her cousins and grandparents...and of course me.  But, I hope to be on the beach for a couple of hours every day...along with my dad and brother, I hope. 

I got a little bit of a tan in my three days on the beach.  My back and buns got burned the second day because I was practicing Jazzercise on the beach...and I put on sunscreen a little too late.  So, I did not get to lay out on my back on the last day.  I did enjoy the weather.  It was perfect - not too hot, but warm and sunny...not a cloud in the sky.  Heaven on earth!  Enough about me...

One night Clint and I pushed Summer up the beach in her stroller after we went to eat dinner.  We had to carry the stroller over the soft sand on the beach, but when we got to the packed sand at the shoreline it was smooth sailing.  Summer had popcorn shrimp for the first time.  I broke it up in to smaller pieces for her...since she still has only two teeth.  Afterwards, I found out she could've been allergic to shellfish, but luckily she was not. 

Summer was a pretty good girl the whole trip.  I tried to keep to her regular sleeping schedule even though there was an hour time difference.  It worked out pretty good.  She slept all night every night and was up shortly after 6:00 CST every morning.  She took her naps.  Although they were not as long as usual, she woke up happy.  She likes to play a game with her bear when she wakes up.  When we would open the door to her "room" (aka coat closet...LOL), she would usually be standing with her bear in her hand.  Then when we would go for her, she would fall down and laugh.  She would tease us a couple of times and hand us the bear.  She did not always want to immediately get out.  It was cute. 

She is cute!!!  She really lights up my whole world.  Every day is a new experience.  She learns things and does more and more every day.  It is truly amazing to watch her grow.  Yesterday, she said "shoe."  She still does not say words on call, but she is learning new words all the time.  She knows a lot more words than she can say. 

Summer and Amanda spent some quality time together on our trip which was very nice.  Amanda and her friend entertained Summer almost the entire ride --both ways (about 16 hours minus naps).  They had her laughing which made them laugh.  That is probably the most time they have ever spent together, or ever will for that matter.  The girls also "played" with Summer for a while every day.  Summer listened to music with them in their room and showed them how to dance.  They briefly spent some time together on the beach, Summer screaming the whole time.  Did I mention she did not like the beach?  They took her for a walk so Amanda could shop for a bathing suit.  I was very happy with the time they got to spend with each other.  It felt good to see them having a good time together.

Okay, so that pretty much wraps up our trip.  Of course I left out a few details, but they have nothing to do with Summer!

P.S.  Pics to follow on Monday I hope!

She said that?

Today Summer and I were sitting in the floor playing with my sister when Summer said, "Jazzercise!"  At least that is what Erin thought it sounded like.  I'm not sure that was actually what she said, but it would be cute if she did.  Of course, you could read a lot of words into all the jabbering she is doing.  So she could've really said anything and we just turned it into Jazzercise.  She is a Jazzercise baby though seeing as how she started in my womb...LOL.  Plus, she gets to go a couple of days a week with me.  She is in the nursery during class either playing or crying...hopefully the first, but every day is different.  She was alone with the babysitter today, so it was not a great day for her...no friends to play with.  She was also ready for a nap shortly after we got there.  She woke up at about 6:15 this morning.  Thankfully, she sat in her crib and played until about 7:30.  That is when I got up.  I was not ready to get up at 6:15 when Summer did.  I wish she would've slept later because that just made her tired earlier (during Jazzercise)...

Sometimes I feel like I start rambling on here and say too much about nothing.  I guess that is why I don't have a lot of readers...LOL. 

Summer got some new toys which Alicia dropped off yesterday after we went to Playgym.  She really likes them and I can tell they are helping her to stand up better already.  I wish I would've gotten them a long time ago like Alicia did, but I did not.  Lili took her first steps last week!  Summer likes to walk behind her car, but she still cannot stand up on her own or walk.  That is okay though because I am not sure I am ready for her to walk.

I am really enjoying her right now.  She is a lot of fun to play with, and my life would not be as fun without her in it...at least not this kind of fun...LOL.  Sometimes I miss all my freedom because now my life is full of responsibility.  I also miss the relationship (time alone, vacations, spur of the moment plans ) Clint and I had before we had her.  But, she is worth it.  She really is a bundle of joy...and smiles.  I hope she never loses her smile, but I have a feeling the teenage yearswill bring about a new attitude.  I CAN wait!

New Clothes and Stuff

I laid Summer down about 10 minutes ago and she is still not asleep...she is now...I hope!  She was in there talking, then she started screaming so I went to check on her.  I did not open the door, but just stood there waiting for her to make another noise.  And she has not....I think she finally gave it up. 

Summer is always standing in her crib when I come into her room in the morning.  She is usually a happy girl, and I sing her a good morning song.  Most of the time she just trying to look at everything but ME!!! I guess it is because she gets enough of me the rest of the day. 

I would like to go to the park today to walk, but Clint is not here to go with us.  I really don't think I want to go alone.  I thought about calling Selena to see if she wants to go because I think she is in Chattanooga today.  I really want to enjoy being by Coolidge park and everything.  I just wish they had a playground.  Any ideas on how to get the government to pay for it?  With all the new meter money they will be collecting for the parking, I wish they would give the kids some slides and swings to play on.  That would be perfect!

Selena and I both went to a consignment sale this morning and got some shoes.  Summer got 4 new pair - all of which are too big!  Well, she got a pair of white sandals, size 3W, for the summer which fit okay.  I wouldn't really say they "fit" though.  Oh yeah, she is a toe curler...all.the.time.  I don't know what is up with that, but I hope she grows out of it.  Willow also racked up in the shoe department.  We found some good Stride Rite shoes for the girls for really cheap - $5 or $10.  They are normally $30-40 minimum in the stores so I figured I better get them before someone else did.  Summer has a wide foot, so I have to buy her wide shoes....which they had...YEAH!  We also got a few clothes in 18 months.  Summer already has short and shirts for the summer, if they are not too small.  12 months shirts are not really easy to put on her, so I just decided to skip it and jump up a size.  It is no fun trying to put a shirt that is too small on a baby!  There is just something about putting the arms in that Summer DOES NOT like!  I need to figure out how to make that more fun.  Oh, and lets not forget those diaper changes.....

Speaking of diaper changes.  Here's one to remember.  I tried to get Clint to change a poopy diaper yesterday and needless to say he did not finish it.  Seriously, he has poopy diaper issues.  He will start and then when I walk into the room, because he "needs my help," he will walk out and leave me to finish.  He had to "throw" the diaper away.  He DOES do that!  He is the trashman around here, and he is very good at his job.  Thankfully, he can handle the pee diapers fine on his on.  He only needed help on that once when he put a diaper on backwards.  How you do that, I don't know.  However, it was a long time ago...9 or 10 months.  It really seems like a long time, but then at the same time it does not.  I can't believe my baby will be one in less than two months. 

Okay, so she is talking again.  I don't know if I should go get her and just skip this nap or keep typing.  I really wish she could say "Mama."  But, she can't!  Now she is making blowing noises and jabbering.  So, maybe I'm not going to get a break after all!  Maybe I'll take a nap, but first I need to eat. 

Time Away From Mom & Dad

Well, tomorrow is my big day.  I have a test at 9:00 a.m. and an audition following that.  I think I am ready for the audition, but I am not so sure about the test.  Thankfully, I am a pretty good crammer.  Of course, you would've known this yesterday had I not deleted my entire post!  Okay, so enough about me.

Summer is staying with my mom while I am gone to Nashville.  Clint is still out of town, so I will be going alone.  My sister was supposed to keep her Friday night, but she and her kids are sick, so my mom gets the pleasure of watching my baby for two whole days!!!  I hope she enjoys her as much as I do.

I do enjoy her nap times though because that is ME time.  Sometimes I think about taking a nap, but that is really the only time when I can get anything done without having an attachment to my hip...LOL. 

Today we are going to Baby Gym at 10:30, as usual.  Lili and Alicia are supposed to be there so it should be fun.  I put Summer down for her nap about 30 minutes ago so she should be rested by the time I have to wake her...hopefully!  Last week, she was tired at the end of the class because she did not get her nap out.  I hope she wakes up on her own around 10:00; that would be perfect. 

Last night we went to Alicia's house for a playdate with Lili and Katelyn.  They are both so cute.  It is fun to watch all the girls playing together and compare them to each other.  They are all unique in the their own way.  I think Lili will be the first one to walk even though she is the youngest.  She is the only one who stands up in the middle of the floor without any help.  We practiced for the diaper derby, that the girls are all entered in, while we were there.  We did it three times, and each time a different baby won.  Lili is the fastest...she crawls on her hands and feet -- no knees!  So, if she does not stand up during the contest, we think she will win.  However, she does stand up quite a bit so Summer could still pull it off.  It is exciting to think that they will all grow up together and have playdates and be friends just like their moms are. 

MAD!!!

OKAY, I JUST WROTE A WHOLE POST AND IT IS GONE!!!  SOOOO, MAD RIGHT NOW!

My dilemma: two homes

Summer's fever is finally gone...I think.  She has not had one since she got up yesterday, so I am thankful for that.  That being said, we did not go to the doctor today.  She is still "clingy," but she seems to be feeling fine.  I talked to my friend Alicia today, and she said Lili has started the clingy thing too now.  I know it is just a phase, but it is a phase I am ready to be out of. 

There is a diaper derby in two weeks at a kids expo.  Alicia, Kelly and I are entering our girls in it in hopes that one of us will have the fastest crawling baby.  We are going to practice on Wednesday night when we all get together at Alicia's house.  It should be interesting.

Okay, so this post is kind of about me and my "problem."  If you can call living out of two houses a problem, and I think you can.  Because first of all, I never have enough clothes at the condo.  I am always wear clothes back to my house which leaves me with slim pickings here (yes I am downtown and it is a weekday).  This seems to keep happening and it is starting to get on my nerves.  Like today, I have four shirts to choose from...make that three, I got one dirty already.  One is an old t-shirt, one is a tank top, and the other is a pink top.  I really want to wear the pink top, but I keep thinking, "If I wear it now, I won't have it to wear the next time I am here."  Okay, so this is probably a lame thing to complain about, but I have nothing better to do right now...I am waiting for Summer to get up from her nap.  I know all I have to do is pack up more clothes and bring them down here, but that is also becoming a pain in the butt--loading and unloading the car every time I come down here.  It used to just be on the weekends, so it wasn't that bad, but now it seems like I am down here a couple of times during the week too. 

Also, there is a food/milk dilemma.  Trying to keep two houses stocked with food is not my idea of fun, but I have to do that too.  Then there is also laundry at both houses.  Oh yeah, the floors need to be cleaned at both places too.  I could go on, but I won't.  My princess is up and I must go to her! 

Ughhhh....Appointment Needed

I think Summer has an ear infection.  She still had a fever this morning, 101.7, and that seems to be her major symptom.  I will have to call the doctor in the morning so we can go in and get her a prescription.  My sister called me last night and told me that the reason she took my nephew to the doctor, who has two ear infections right now, was because he kept running a fever.  He is on an antibiotic and I assume that is what Summer will need.  I wish it would go away on its on so we wouldn't have to give her medicine, but it does not look like it is going away.  She is currently down for her 2nd nap of the day.  She was kind of fussy, so I put her in her bed and she went right to sleep. 

We went to the aquarium this morning with her cousins.  Then I ran by McDonalds to get them some lunch.  Leah shared her fries with Summer who happily ate them up...well she dropped most of them on the floor, but she did try to eat them.  I finally took them all away so she would eat her turkey rice dinner.  Otherwise, I don't think I could've gotten her to focus on me instead of the fries.  I gave her some strawberry milk today, but she still has not drank very much of it.  I guess I will just keep trying. 

I better get back to the kids.  Who knows what they are into? 

Summer Fever

Well, I really do have summer fever, but my Summer also has a fever....ughhh.  Last night it was 102.3 when we got home from eating with some friends.  So, I gave her another dose of Tylenol, a cool bath and put her to bed.  Her cheeks were red and so  were the back of her arm and her "love handles" (aka gluteus medius).  She woke up after about an hour so I stripped her down to her diaper and let her lay on me for about 20 minutes.  I put her back to bed and checked on her a few times during the night.  At 4:30 a.m., I woke her up and took her temp again - 101.5.  So, I gave her more Tylenol.  When she woke up around 8:00, her fever was gone and she was happy as a lark.  She let me look at her gums really good which she has never really done before and was very playful while she drank her bottle.  That lasted until about noon when it looked like her fever was rising again.  I gave her some Tylenol around 3:00 while we were at the Creative Discovery Museum with my niece's and nephew because she felt hot.  When we got home, I took her temp again and it was around 101.  So, she took a cool bath with Leah  while the other two took a bubble bath in the other room. 

While they were all occupied, I made us a broccoli and cheese casserole which I tricked them all into eating...at least a bite or two each.  They also had leftover pizza and fries from lunch.  I've got two down and two to go.  Jonathon went to bed first, then Summer.  Leah and Faith will be going to bed hopefully in the next 30 minutes or so. 

Anyways, I am not sure what is up with Summer.  I did not see any signs of any teeth coming through her gums so I don't know whether to chalk this up to teething or not.  I just hope that her fever will go away and not come back.  She does not really have any other symptoms other than a little congestion which I think everyone has right now due to all the tree pollen.  I guess it is that time of year -- SPRING!!!  I can't believe it is here already.  I was surprised to see my flowers blooming outside our gate the other day.  It won't be long and we will all be by the pool.  I can't wait!