21 months

Another month gone and almost another year. Greta has had a busy month and her vocabulary and intelligence I feel has grown immensely.

Her top 10

1. Finally got 2 more teeth

2. Knows her colors 

3. Learned to tolerate Santa Clause

4. Loves to sing and dance

5. Loves to jump. Even got to jump and her own trampoline at grandma's. 

6. Still loves food but hasn't been eating as much.

7. Enjoys playing with miller and sitting on him. 

8. Got to ride a pony for the first time.

9. Repeats everything I say. Word for word. 

10. Is very independent and stubborn as can be. 

Through it all, love her more each day.

Nightmares

Pretty sure Greta was having bad dreams last night. About 2 she woke up crying "mommy! Need baby Greta." (Which is one of her dolls she takes to school with her). 

I find baby greta... Give it to her and she wants to be picked up. So I pick her up and rock her back to sleep. Try to lay her down and she screams. So I decide to just keep rocking her. She continues to twitch and whine in her sleep. Then we fall asleep in the chair. 

About 5 she decided she want to sleep on the couch which is where I've been taking her when she wakes up so she doesn't wake up Ryan. Then we watch George and try to fall asleep but don't. Long day for all! 

Hope tonight is better. 

Camera disaster

At my work Christmas party I realized my camera was broke. After searching and searching, I found out there is only one Nikon authorized camera repair shop in Michigan and it's about an hour from home. 

So last Monday I take it in (plus my old one that broke in Alaska. Good news they can fix both. Bad news takes about 2 weeks, so after Christmas. What??? 

So I decide to find a cheaper point and shoot to hold me over. I research. I read reviews. I find the one. I get it 3 days later. And try and try to get it to take good pictures and it just doesn't. Not sure if it's me. But I've tried every setting, read the manual and still crappy pictures. 

Well today I got the best Christmas gift... My cameras are ready!!! Just in time for Christmas! Yeah!!!

New teeth

Finally getting some more teeth! The second on bottom right pooled through on Friday and tonight I felt the second one on the top left. 

Look out now!

Santa Take 2

We attempted to see Santa at Bronner's but Greta wouldn't even go in the same room.  But much to my surprise at Day Care's Holiday party... Greta said she wanted to see him!  What??  No way!  I didn't push it, but at the party, we went into the room where Santa was and luckily there was only 1 other family in there.  So we started by coloring a picture.  Then Santa asked if she wanted to sit on his lap. And she said no.  So Santa went to her but very calmly and talked with her.  She even took a candy cane from him and let him hug her!  Holy progress!!

Making Christmas Cookies

I had a brilliant idea this morning after church that it would be a lot of fun to make Christmas cookies with Greta.  And actually it turned out pretty good.

Greta helped me dump everything into the mixer.  Only one mishap when she put her hand in... luckily her spoon she was trying to help mix with got caught and prevents major damage.  But nonetheless, didn't get cookie making off to a good start.

Then we let the dough chill while we went to have lunch and do a little shopping.  When we got back I thought she'd take a nice long nap and I'd have all the cookies baked and the frosting ready.  Well only 30 minutes later, I wasn't ready but up she was.  Luckily I did get 3 dozen baked and then let her role and cut out the rest (and no these cookies didn't make it into the cookie pans).

Then I made the frosting and we went to work.  I gave Greta a cookie with just green frosting and told her to put the sprinkles on it.  And sprinkles she did!  I then told her she could eat it.  Biggest smile I think I've ever seen!  She then proceeded to lick.  Add more sprinkles.  Lick.  Add more sprinkles.  Bite. And repeat.

She then wanted to eat every cookie we decorated but I quickly stopped that.  She did a good job decorating them and adding sprinkles.  They are very colorful and yummy.  Just wait, you'll all be getting some!  But I did separate the ones I will make Ryan and I eat and the other safe for family.  

Great memories made today!  

Away in a manger

Every night i sing away in a manger... Usually several times as its a favorite of Greta's right now. 

Well today I had a proud mommy moment. As I finished getting ready for church and Ryan put Greta's shoes on I heard the sweetest thing ever... "Away in a manger no bed. Little Jesus lay down head. Stars sky. "

Best feeling ever that's she 1) listening and 2) remembering. 

Peed on the potty

Greta had a big day at day care... She peed on the potty two times!!! Yeah!! Getting closer to potty training! Can't wait!

Christmas Tree Adventure

So this year we decided to try a new Christmas tree farm... And it was a lot fun. Tree wasn't so cheap. But Greta got to ride a pony! And despite the look in her face, loved it. Kept saying ride horse. Round. Round. 

Then greta and Ryan held a bunny. She was so sweet and cute with it. And the rest of the day, it was "hold bunny. White bunny."

Well we forgot the stroller, but luckily for us, you could drive around and look at the trees. Eventually after driving after for 10 minutes and getting a little frustrated (well I was)... We found a section of nice big trees. And the one I picked out actually wasn't too tall, which it usually is.

So Greta  and Ryan went to work cutting it down. With a hand saw... I say that because several had chain saws... Really?? The truck is like 6 inches. 

We also kept with tradition and ate at Applebee's. Odd tradition but we started it and have to stick with it now. 

Finally starting to feel like Christmas. 

Eczema

I knew almost since Greta was born she'd have excema... And she does. And the first time it's infected :-( Poor baby! She's got 2 bad spots on her back and some on her legs starting to look bad.  So off to the doctor we went - now antibiotics and steroid cream. Hope it clears up soon!

Jingle bells and snowmen

The cutest thing... Greta is learning jingle jingle bells. I'm going to try and record it but she just keeps singing ... Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell. I just have to laugh. Makes me remember all the cute singing videos my sister Mary would make of the kids. 

She also has a small obsession with singing Hallmark snowman. She likes to push the buttons and then dance. 

There's nothing sweeter!

Successful work trip

A work trip is never fun since it usually means I have to leave Greta. But this last trip was very successful!! Lots of new leads, lots of press coverage, lots of tweets and retweets. Plus my picture made pull-up banner. 

Pretty cool, huh?!?

20 months

A little late I know... But it's been a crazy week. Every day that goes by I say I cant believe how much she's changed. And I know she's not really a baby anymore... Especially since she told my mom that she's a toddler. Lol

Her top 10

1. Loves music and singing. The one day she combined - Jesus loves me, rain, rain go away and the wheels on the bus. Quite the mash up!

2. Can really jump! Gets both feet off the ground and all. Actually has some ups!

3. Got kicked out of day care for biting

4. Is quite a dancer. Words can't describe her moves.

5. Can count to 12.

6. Can recognize her G

7. Had her first sleep over at Grandma's

8. Can put her coat on. Super Greta style!

9. Loves the snow but not being cold.

10. Locked herself in the pickup.. But was smart enough to unlock herself! 

I love my sweet, stubborn, sassy toddler!

Thankful for God's Blessings

Greta's new favorite book is Thankful for God's Blessings. It has 2 twins - Alex and Zoe. We read it every night something 3 or 4 times. In the book Alex is sad, until the Little Angels cheer him up by showing him all the blessings God has given him. 

This book for kids continues to show me that I'm not always as thankful as I should be. I get mad when things go wrong or upset at things. But really God has truly blessed me with all he had provide me with. 

A loving, determined husband

A healthy, beautiful daughter 

A loving, caring and supportive family

A good job that helps provide a good life

A roof over my head

A kitchen full of food to eat every day

And so many more.

When i think about all these things it's hard to feel sad about things. 

So my thanksgiving resolution is to be more thankful for all God has given. As the book says - all our blessings come from God! So thank you God! 

Farewell Joey dog

A very sad day on Tuesday and we let Joey go on to a better place. We saw the signs and as much as we were selfish and wanted him to stay - we was suffering and tired and it was time. 

We got up in the morning and Greta read Joey a book and book and then gave him a hug and said night night Joey. 

So we loaded him and Greta up.

Dropped Greta off at day care and off to the vet. Joey's vet is a wonderful man - the staff as well. So sympathetic and caring. Joey was in his glory as he had more milk bones than he probably gets in a year. So with his head on my knee, Joey peacefully went to sleep. The vet reassured us it was time as he said he didn't even put up a fight and now she's with the Lord. I so agree. 

Back at home, Miller searched for him and has been following me around like a lost puppy. Greta keeps asking' where Joey?'  She loved him and he loved her. We all did. And just as I write this she saw his picture and said Joey. Awh the love of a girl and her doggie. 

We miss you Joey! 

A random update

Gretas doing great. Learning so many new words and songs and most of the time is an absolute joy to be around. Other times it's a good thing I love her so much and she's cute. 

Work is insane. We are preparing so what will probably be our biggest medical show of the year. I've spent many late nights after Greta has went to bed working and trying to catch up. Although I still feel like I'm drowning.  

With a crazy amount of work also trying to figure out how to use up my 7 days of vacation - not even counting the ones at Christmas and the ones I'm already planning to carry over. Ugh!!!

Bathroom not done but close. Counter is in but not vanity so we have that going. Plan to do some serious cleanup this weekend. 

Ryan got his new car today. He's like s is at Christmas :-)

We have snow!! A couple inches. And it's freezing. Good news... Day care said Greta loves it! 

Okay. That's all. 

Counting

So I count with Greta a lot. The stairs. I'm books. Food. Anything we can count. And last week at school they did counting. 

Well this weekend we discovered she can count to 12! She was sitting in the hallway in our room while we worked in the bathroom and just rattled them off. Crazy!! She then did it a count more times. Definitely won't do it in command but can totally do it. 

Very proud mommy moment.

Picture doesn't quite go with it but this was Greta writing.

First movie night

We had a first last night... All crawled into bed and watched Frozen. Now it was like 6:45 but that's ok. We had pjs on and everything. 

Greta only made it til 8 and then I put her down and she started to fade. Ryan and I finished it with a big bowl of popcorn.

Greta seems to like the movie. Think Ryan and I enjoyed it more. 

Dinner meltdown

Well it happened. After more than 19 months I guess it bound to happen. 

We went to out fav local brewery for dinner. They have great sandwiches. Well I must have brought the wrong kid home from day care because the one at dinner with us was not the normal Greta. She threw her food - multiple times. Cried and yelled. Threw herself to the floor. 

By far not my proudest mommy moment. Despite endless attempts to get her to stop. We paid and left. And I finished dinner at home.

Not sure what that was all about but we had a similar instance today. Tired? Yes! Teething? I think. Cranky? For sure!! 

But still love her to pieces! 

This was her melt down today at home.

When will the biting stop??

Greta had been doing good at school.  No biting anyone, and even got bit herself a couple times.  But then Thursday happened!  I got a call from day care about 10:30 in the morning, saying I needed to come get Great because she bit 2 kids very hard.

After picking her up, I learend that it's a space isseue at day care. She doesn't like kids getting too close to her.

Also when she gets frustrated she goes straight to attempting to bite me. And after many trips to sit in the hallway and long talks (which for Greta time is like 2 minutes), I hope she's leaned her lesson.

I also doesn't help that shes in the "Greta do it" phase.  Everything is " I do myself." "No mommy, I do it." Which I'm glad she is trying to do things herself, but she's still only 19 months and there are unfortunately or fortunately lots of things she still can't do. So my new strategy is "teamwork." And it seems to be working.

Still trying to figure out this biting thing and hope she outgrows it very soon.

 

A couple free hours

Don't get me wrong... I absolutely love being mom and being with Greta... but this Friday, I have some free time while Greta was at day care and went to Target.  Now target is the place you go for 1 thing and come out with a full cart.  And yes that happened to me.  What did I buy?  A bunch of stuff I don't need, but the great part I spent over an hour in there just walking around looking at things with no one saying, Mommy.  Mommy.  Eat.  Goldfish.  George.  Out.  Walk.  Help. I push.  Mommy.  Mommy.  Greta do it.

Oh my!  It was glorious!!  I will probaly take back most of what I bought because I don't really need it, but it was just the time spent. 

Master bath remodel

After years of talking about it - we pulled the trigger and started the master bath remodel. Ryan and I had vacation to burn so we decided it was a great time. Ryan started demo on Saturday and has been working like a dog since. I've only helped a little. Very lucky I have a hubby who's such a hard worker and so handy!!

Before

Day 1

Day 2

Day 4 or 5 - I lost track

 

Day 6ish (finished Friday night at 2:30 am - yikes)

 

Lost track...

 

Strong willed child

So I saw this on facebook and it struck a cord... I have a strong willed child.  Not that I am at all surprised since both her mommy and daddy are (LOL).  But she is and I love her for it.

But the article says it well, "Strong Willed Children Are a Blessing, Not a Curse."  From the article... "They were constantly testing my patience. It was their way or the highway – or at least a lot of screaming and other such nonsense if their way was not granted. I began to wonder if strong will was a genetic trait."  A wise woman once told her, “They have some spunk, which means that they will accomplish great things.”

http://www.momsflyinglessons.com/strong-willed-children-are-a-blessing-not-a-curse/

Freezing with mom

For no one else would I sit out in barely 40 degrees to watch a not so good football team. But for my mom I did!! We braved the freezing temperatures and luckily got to watch Michigan win. Even cooler my tweet made the big screen.

School pictures

Greta got her school pictures taken while I was in Belgium. Didn't turn out too bad... even without her headband and with a rash.

19 months

Wow! When did it happen that greta is growing up so fast. She's now closer to 2 than 1. It was a great month and here's her top 10.

1. Moved to the blue room at day care. 

2. No more pacifier at day care (trying to figure out how to stop it at home)

3. Talks and talks and talks. I swear after the first day on her new room she was talking more. She eve gets 3 word sentences out.

4. Favorite song is Greta, Greta, jump up and down! She ten tries so hard to jump up and down. More spins in acid me and stamps. But the cutest thing ever!

5. Has a slight attitude... At least she knows what she wants and its afraid to tell you.

6. Loves Curious George.

7. Dressed up as a cupcake for a Halloween party at day care.

8. Has the best laugh and giggle and cheesy smile.

9. Is all about "Greta do it." Look out now! 

10. Pushes my buttons, challenges me and makes me love her more each day.

Will update the picture when I get my computer fixed :-(

Acts of kindness

I'm no saint but I like to help people when I can and its so refreshing to see other people doing the same. Was great to see a young man give up his seat on the bus for an older woman.

I'm going to try and add to this list when I see something. 

Beet harvest 2014

One of my favorite things about being a farmer's daughter is riding in the sugar beet harvester with my dad. There's nothing like it. Growing up we all loved it. My friend Jenny and I would spend hours out there riding in the tractors and the trucks to the factory. Great memories there. Going to try and find a picture of us.

And now as an adult I still love it. It's. A great time to just sit and ride and watch my dad be the amazing, brilliant, hard working man that he is. As technology and farming advances it is hard to imagine everything that he needs to think about and worry about and know about. I was in awe with his new harvester and all that it could do.  Everytime I looked down I saw something new. Incredible!

What was even better this time was that Greta also got to ride with dad and experience the same joy of farming. I think dad loved it more. She kept saying Papa. Ride big tractor. Sugar beet. Precious!

So here's to all the hard working sugar beet farmers out there, especially my dad. Thank you for all you do.  For the hours you work. The dedication you have. And for giving us the best sugar in the world!

Belgium bound without Greta

LWell it finally happened. I knew it was bound to happen but was hoping it wouldn't. I got told to go to Belgium for a couple big marketing meeting. To say I was nervous, anxious and down right freaking out is understatement. I felt guilty for leaving, mad because I had to go, sad because I would miss her and nervous to be on a different continent if something were to happen. 

Good news... I survived - thank goodness for FaceTime and texting pictures and videos. Greta survived - in good hands with daddy and grandma. And the meetings were actually somewhat useful and I got a waffle.

Here's hoping I don't have to go back for a while or that she and Ryan can come next time.

Dropped plate

At dinner last night Greta was helping clear the table like she always does. We'll this time she dropped one of our black plates and horrible crying and tears preceded.  Unfortunately at the time we thought the noise just scared her and didn't think much of it. Then as I was giving her a bath I saw the poor little black and blue big toe. Felt horrible!!! Should have put ice on it or something. 

She's a trooper though and I got her calmed down pretty quickly. Then it was boo boo... Toe... Plate. Very sweet but I'm sure it hurt like crazy!

The big move to the toddler room

If I haven't been saying it enough, Greta just isn't a baby any more - despite my efforts to keep telling her to stop growing.  Yesterday she made the move to the toddler room.  And the first day was great!  They said she had a good time painting and playing with the other kids. They even said as they were singing songs, one called out each kids name during the same and she keep saying Greta!  Greta!  Anxiouly waiting for her turn. 

Also after I picked her up from school, I swore she was already talking more and more clearly.  Crazy how fast it's happening.  I just hope and pray it's a good transition.

Also great news... no pacifiers in the toddler room... so that will help a lot in trying to break her habbit.  I wasn't sure how to do it, but this will be a great start.  I think after my next trip I might start working on it at home.  But we'll see... she's pretty attached to her pacci at night and in the car for long trips.

Happy Birthday Evan!

In honor of Evan's 5th birthday we packed up and headed to Fort Wayne for the weekend - always fun! 

Saturday, we headed to the putt-putt place for the party - where there was pizza, cake and ice cream and a bounce house!  So fun!  I even had my fair share of time in there with Greta - who after not being so sure about it at first, ended up loving it.  We bounced and bounced and there were many tears when we had to get out. 

And Evan is a huge batman fan, so I dressed Greta up in a batgirl outfit for the party.  And since she's a ham, here's her cheese face!

 

I also love seeing her play and interact with Colin and Evan.  They are so cute together.  

We played outside lots too. Greta even helped push Colin on the swings.  And she wasn't even trying to push him out - lol.

 

A great time had by all!

Our beloved Joey

It's been a rough couple weeks around house with Joey... we've watched him slow down, work harder to get up and down the steps and now start losing control of his bowels.  I'm not sure how much time we have left with him and that breaks my heart every time I think about it.  Its breaks my heart even more that Miller won't have him around anymore and neither will Greta.  She adores him.

Here's hoping we can make the last bit of his life a memorable one.

Marti Gras baby

My last trip was to New Orleans... so of course I had to bring back from beads and fun glasses that I got at the conference... and Greta had a great time with them.  She even put them on Miller!

Happy birthday to me

I got home late Thursday night (my birthday was Friday)... Greta started to wake up about 7:00 am and I snuck into her room, and said Hi baby!  And with the biggest most beautiful smile, she looked up and me and said Mama!  Like mama you're back, you're really here!  It was the best birthday present I could have ever imagined!

Due to bad weather, we couldn't go to the zoo like we wanted (Ryan and I both took the day of).  So we went to lunch and then bought a new ceiling fan for our room and then came home and played  Greta took a great nap... and since it was my birthday I decided to as well!  Then we headed to Mac's - our favorite birthday place because you get a free meal.  Greta was great!

So another year older, another year wiser.  So what have I learned...

• Being a mom is the best thing ever - I can't even remember life without her.
• Being a mom is the hardest thing I've ever - but I can't remember what I did without her.
• Life isn't about waiting for that perfect moment, it's living every moment like it could be your last.
• Sometime you just need to jump in puddles or jump in a pool with your clothes on or laugh so hard it hurts.
• Traveling is always harder on the mommy than the baby.
• How much you can get done during a nap is an art.
• I get more done before Greta wakes up in the morning than most do in their entire day - dishes, laundry, lunches made, emailed checks, some emailed replied, pick up, and who knows what else.
• Change is inevitable, it's what you make of it and how you grow from it that matters.
• There's always more to learn.

Traveling again

I love my job but hate traveling.  Right now I'm in New Orleans and in two weeks, I had to Belgium for what will be the longest time I have ever been gone from Greta.  When I think about it, I cry, my stomach starts to hurt and I want to throw up.  Moms should never have to leave for the kids for this long. 

18 months old

Wow has time flown!  I definitely don't have a baby anyone.  She continues to grow and amaze me more everyday.

Top 10
1.  Repeats everything I say - amazing the words she can get out.
2.  Is starting to put 2 words together to make little sentences.
3. Is a biter :-(
4. Loves, loves, loves her baby dolls.  She loves to get up close and say "Hi" in the sweetest way ever.  And got to hold a little baby at day care... they ladies said she was in her glory!
5.  Can eat and eat and eat.  Sometimes I think she eats more than me.
6.  Still only has 8 teeth.  The 4 font and the 4 molars.
7.  Loves sports :-)  Says football, touchdown and boom (when people get hit). And enjoys kicking the ball and golfing.
8.  Is very independent - or wants to be.
9.  Is a little ham
10.  Has so many facial expressions.

Love her more each day!

18 month check up update... she's perfect (of course).  We saw her new pediatrician, Dr. Frei and it went well... didn't even have to get any shots.

Weight: 28 lbs. 5 oz (95th percentile)
Height: 34 1/2" (98th percentile)
Head Circumference:

Feeling like a bad mommy

Greta had a pretty good week.. until Friday.  I was on a conference call and Bemis Farms came up on my phone... I thought oh no, she's sick!  Well I would have taken that over the call I got.  Greta bit another kid... this time so hard that they had to call to make sure she was up on her vaccinations because it broke the skin... through the kid's shirt.  Then after, said "Boo Boo.  I bite!"

I was mortified!  I didn't know what to say.  Miss Jeanette also said she had been very aggressive again today, being grabby and hitting.,  Again, mortified!  So after a long talk with her teacher and then again after school, she said to just keep reinforcing that teeth are for eating and not biting people.  Ugh! My kid has turned into a little vampire.

That little stinker is smart though... as we drove home and I talked to her about it, I could literally see her ignoring me and not answering.  Then she did the same at home.  She knew what she did was not nice.

I don't want to have the kid that's the biter and definitely not the parent of the kid who hits other kids.  I know kids bite, and she's at that age, but I still feel horrible and embarrassed.  And completely clueless what to do.  Trying to reinforce the positive.  Give her lots of love.   If all else fails, I may attempt to bite her this weekend so she knows how it feels but really don't want to have to do that. Let's hope this is just a phase and passes quickly.

Such a ham

Greta is saying for many new words and doing so many new things.  She can be quite the card!

Her favorite word is "alright."  And says it with some sas!  Allll-right!