Brienna's First Halloween

For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that I do not like the Halloween celebration at all. But that's simply because now that I am older I know what goes on at night surrounding our community. I remember every year I would dress up as a princess or fairy, go to Halloween parties at a friend's house and have aton of fun. (Girls like dress-up.) In fact, the one year I chose to copy my friend and dress up as the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizzard of Oz, I thought my mother was going to croak right then and there. I actually think that was the one year I didn't have much fun.

This year I was faced with the first hard decision for Brienna's sake - should I let her participate in a safe environment for Halloween? I wasn't thrilled that it had already come time to make that decision, but here it was. Her daycare class had a Halloween party. They kids each got snacks and drink and had the chance to wear their Halloween costumes. I was knotted up becuase I hate Halloween so much, but I also invisioned my child going to daycare without a costume and looking dejected because the other kids would be wearing costumes and she wouldn't have one. Come to find out - she was the only child in her class that actually brought a costume! Ironic isn't it? Ha ha ha But she still looked so cute!

Tonight Mom and I dressed her up after dinner and took her to the neighbor's house to show off her costume. She had a ball picking out her own candy - like she knew what she was actually grabbing! The hardest part came when it was time to get the costume off of her! I have never seen a child so attached to clothing before.

Now that the Halloween ordeal is over for this year, I'll put the costume aside and remmmber it as a fun night for Brienna. Maybe next year we could start a new tradition of having the kids a Halloween party at our house. That may be a whole other story for next year!

Signs of the Times

For those of you who have hung in there with me over the last month or so with Brienna - I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!! For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about - September and the first half of October have been very difficult months for Brienna.

Four weeks ago we changed daycares. I took her from a home environment and put her in an educational facility that all of us absolutely love (except Brienna). Every morning we go through the same ritual - we get up, get dressed, go to school, pitch a fit and maybe kick a teacher or two, and all of us are shaking our heads saying, "What on earth!" When it's time to go home, she's in the worst mood - whiny, crying, and screaming. Needless to say she's gotten more pops and free passes to Iggyland than any child should get in one month's time. It's like she hit the "terrible two's" seven months early!

The daycare teachers say that she does very well after she's left and that it may be that she's doing it for our benefit - to see how far she can push our buttons. I will be the first to admit that I have taken more pity on that child when I leave her (thinking I am hurting her feelings and have doomed her to culture shock of being in a class room forever). I have cried over that child when I left and even thought about putting her back with the Dawson's. (I have to tell you I am VERY glad my mother is as involved as she is!) We haven't moved her and we aren't going to move her. Why?

Well, as of Friday (the 19th) she's back to being her old self - very cuddly, funny, giggly, playful, and my favorite - verbal. The only thing that hasn't changed is her morning fit pitching. This week I finally decided that when she pitched a fit at daycare, Mommy would simply let her fling herself to the floor and scream into the carpet. Mommy wouldn't pick her up, console her, or tell her it will be ok. These things I have been doing to no avail - she's still fit-pitching. So, the free passes to Iggyland are the next trick to try. I'm hoping all goes well in that department.

11/6 Update
I just had to share that things are going much better at daycare. This morning I dropped her off and we went through our normal crying spell, but the teachers have found the perfect calmer. They open the door and carry her just outside the door and they watch the birds on the playground. Seriously, once her back is turned from where Mommy is or where Mommy left her, she was fine! She loves to dance in class, is starting to eat well, and is enjoying her days at Appletree. Thanks again Mom for making me stick to what I knew was the best choice!

The BEST Outing Yet!

On October 15th, Patrick, Momma and I took Brienna to the North Carolina State Fair. I think it was first for all of us - and it was a blast! We got up early and had breakfast as a family (which rarely happens with all of our schedules). Mom insisted that we take family photos before we got in the car for the three hour drive. I know I promised to let you approve the photos of you on my blog - but this is payback for making me pose for so many pictures that day! (Don't worry - not many people have my blog address - yet!)

When we got to the fair, Brienna was wide-eyed and ready to explore. We put her in the stroller and pushed her around the farming equipment. I really enjoyed looking at how far our farmers have come with their equipment. It was fascinating to see old John Deere "machines" from the 1800's! Brienna enjoyed looking at the carriages and surreys.

When we left, the ponies caught Boo's eyes. (Gee, I wonder who she got that from!) She stood at the fence and watched the pony ride for almost twenty minutes. She giggled at the other children and of course my first thought is that she was too little to go riding horses. Omi didn't think so and jumped right over into the line and made a way for Boo to ride the ponies. Brienna road for half a lap and decided she was done. So we then went to Kiddie Town where we found a carousel for her to ride. When she was on her horse with Omi, she cried but as soon as it was over she was begging to go back on. I took her and in the chair (preggy's are limited). She liked that ride and cried when I took her off! She has a hard time making up her mind!

We also took Boo on her first Farris Wheel ride. She now has the title "Dare Devil" in our family. She loved looking out over the bars, standing up in the middle and holding onto the bar, dancing and trying to walk between all of us. While she was discovering her lack of fear, I was discovering my forgotten fear of heights. I haven't been on a Farris Wheel in years and I suddenly remembered why it had been so long. Omi and Patrick got a great laugh at the difference in me and Boo. She would stand up and I would fuss at the closest person to her for not holding onto her at all times - which was mostly Patrick.

All in all we had a wonderful day. The evening was topped off with the Josh Turner concert! It was so much fun! The music was loud and the lights were bright, but Brienna clapped and "Yayed" with the rest of us. I never told Momma this, but up until that Monday morning Patrick was trying to talk any of my friends who like country music into going to the fair so that he didn't have to go to the concert. Funny thing is that he enjoyed it just as much as I did! Overall, I think this was the best family outing we have had thus far. I'm looking forward to future trips with the family. And yes, this would mean more cheesy grin family photos!

Aches and Ails

I'm sure by now everyone knows that Brienna has a cute, affectionate, yet cheesy personality. This past week she was ill with a croupy cough, congestion, and a virus that literally took her from her funny mood to her achy, I-wanna-cuddle mood. And she had no mercy for anyone who hurt her feelings - she held grudges all day long if you hurt her feelings once! Who knew a seventeen-month-old knew how to get mad and stay mad!

She also became Mommy's little girl (and there are no objections here!). Anyone who knows my mother, knows how much she adores her grandchildren. Well, the fact Brienna always wanted me just put Mom over the edge. After all - Omi is the favorite at our house. All of a sudden, Omi isn't the favorite anymore and Brienna made no qualms about letting everyone know she wanted her Mommy.

Omi stayed home with Brienna most of the week so she did get her fill of baby. I'm sure they had a better time than Brienna let on, but once Mommy got home she almost ignored everyone else. Ever since she's been a Mommy's girl. Isn't it funny how when a baby is well they pick and choose people, but when they are ill or have a boo-boo they run to Mommy.

I have come to find out through this experience that Mommy's are special to their children. Mommy's are supposed to have a special healing power over little bumps and bruises, make you feel better when you are ill, give you a special love when your heart aches, and have all the answers to the questions you can't solve on your own. My mother is living proof of that - she's always been my special weapon against and aches and ails of the world. She's even been my saving grace when I had no clue what to do about Brienna from tummy aches, to fevers, to baby games of playing favorite. I'm a great Mom - simply because I had the best Mom.