Christmas is over

Well another Christmas has come and gone - Kate had a good day even though she is still under the weather. Her favorite presents seem to be the ponies - two plastic ones that she painted herself and the stuffed pony. Bucky - that's the new stuffed pony - came to the movies with us this morning. We took her to see The Tale of Despereau - I wasn't sure if she would really like it. The storyline is a bit complex for her but she seemed to follow well enough and liked it. She still talks when we take her to the movies but mostly she is quiet and just watches. A couple of times she asked "Where's the princess?" and "Where's Despereau?". I figure it is a rated G movie and little kids talk - what are you going to do?

Todd got his new ipod so he is very happy - it fits in the speaker system we already have from the previous ipod so we are happy about that too. I got new slippers - my old ones were pitiful. Plus a kit on learning to crochet and a book about Barack Obama.

With her stuffy nose, Kate is still having sleep issues..getting to sleep is her problem, after that she is fine. We figured out a couple of things. One, she still needs physical activity even though she is sick b/c otherwise she is not tired enough. Two, the stuffy nose keeps her from sucking her thumb and therefore from falling asleep easily. Nothing else really soothes her like thumb sucking - she is lost without it. We made a plan - extra meds at night before bed, steam her in the bath, and we bought a humidifier for her room. She took an hour to get to sleep last night but then slept very well and wasn't up until 7 am this morning. She is just a different child when she is not sleeping well. Nap is a whole other problem - the last 2 days Todd has put her in the car to get her to sleep. Yesterday we let her nap in the car, in the garage (window and door open). Today he just brought her in and put her in her bed. He said it took 8 mins in the car before she fell asleep.

We didn't take many pictures yesterday - mostly we got Christmas on video. One of these days I am going to figure out how to get it off the video tape and onto the computer so I can burn it to DVD. I plan on sending the DVD to my mom - I know she would love that.

I'm so tired!!

Not sure what else to write - the title says it all. Ever since I started working full-time again, I haven't been able to find time for the YMCA. When I don't exercise, I get very sluggish. I would like to go after work before I come home, but I feel guilty about being away from Kate any longer than I have to. I get home between 5:15 and 5:30 pm and her bath starts at 6:30 pm and lights out by 7:30 pm. If I go to the gym, I would miss family dinner. In the past, I've tried to get up and go before work but I am so NOT a morning person. Once a week on Saturday is just not enough. Thank God for the holiday this week - hopefully I can get in some more exercise.

Kate is sick - AGAIN! I could just shoot myself. She has basically had the same cold off and on since the beginning of October. Her ped says it is normal b/c of her age and being in preschool. She gets 3, maybe 4 days, of feeling well and then the runny nose starts again, becomes a stuffy nose, and then drainage that causes her to cough. I feel so bad for her.

Work is slow this week and my boss is out of town. Going to take it easier this week.

Still having Jack-in-the-box toddler at bedtime syndrome. Some nights are great - she doesn't get up at all or only once. Tonight she won't stay in bed for nothing. There is nothing we can threaten or punish her with - she cares about nothing. Her ponies are her favorite toy. I tell her "get out of bed again and I take a pony away." So what does she do? One minute later she comes to the door of her room, all 3 ponies in hand, and says "here are the ponies, you take them."

Bath time and really the whole evening ritual are mostly unpleasant - she is constantly battling us over everything. Doesn't want to get in the bathtub, doesn't want to get out of the bathtub, doesn't want to brush her teeth, doesn't want you to comb her hair, have to chase her around the room to put her lotion on and PJs - Ugh! I wonder if all two year olds are like Kate or if other parents have "better-behaved" children. You ask her a question and she ignores you. Tell her to wash her hands, take off her shoes - she pretends she doesn't hear you. Todd is better at "tricking" her into doing what we want - me, not so much.

Kate in the box toddler is up again - gotta run...

It's almost here

Very excited about Christmas this year b/c Kate makes it so fun. She sings Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She knows 90% of the words and will sometimes combine songs to be silly, like Frosty with a shiny nose. We went to Toys R Us today, a place we rarely go, and got a couple last things for Kate. We picked up a stocking stuffer - paint and brush all in one set with 4 colors - and Goodnight Moon board-game plus Madagascar puzzle. I can hardly wait for her to open her gifts. She is also getting a "soft pony", ie Webkinz brown Arabian and Todd picked up a paint your own pony set. Oh, and Grandma got her an A to Z Zoo with 26 animals figures. I think she will love it.

We saw Yes today with Jim Carrey - a must-see, very funny movie!!

Finally a moment to breathe

Been wanting to post for a few days now but had a take-home final exam for one of my classes. It was due tonight. Turned it in a couple of hours ago so now this semester is finally finished. Only 5 more semesters to go....

Been taking lots of Airborne in the last 24 hrs...came home from work yesterday with a slight fever, sore throat, and runny nose. It is no wonder - Kate has been sick off and on (mostly on) for about 5 weeks now. It is just crazy. The poor child has a cough that won't go away. Before that it was stuffy nose. I feel so bad for her.

I like being back to work - it feels so normal to be in an office setting again. On the other hand, I am busier now and I sure do miss Kate some days. Weekends are just not long enough. I am glad for the month break until school starts again - I will have more time for her in the evenings and weekends. My company is great - nice people and laid back about things. I can connect to work from home so I can opt to work from home once in a while. My boss suggested I take off or work from home on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas. I wasn't even going to ask to be off since I am so new. She told me I should.

Sold my first Mary Kay at the office - my boss bought Satin Lips. Trying to make sure everyone at work knows I sell MK - can't hurt to get some new customers.