A Long Time

It's been nine months. A LONG nine months and a lot has happened. The biggest thing of course is the birth of Roo's little brother, baby Calvie. Our newest edition arrived the evening of September 24th and life has been complete chaos since. You know when they say it is twice as hard with two kids? They lied. It is WAY harder than that. Regardless, we are enjoying ourselves and our new expanded family. Welcome Cal!

Disney

At the end of February Roo and I went to visit “Miss. Tracey” in Orlando. She talked about it for weeks before we went, telling all of her teachers “I go see princesses.” It was a girl’s only trip and Roo received the princess treatment the whole time. We had a blast.

Upon arrival, Tracey’s nanny picked us up at the airport (along with her girls Ella Grace & Anna Catherine) and we headed to the barn where Tracey was having a riding lesson. Up until this point Reagan has been scared of horses whenever she has gotten close to them (I am assuming she is overwhelmed by their size). We watched Tracey ride Zee, her horse, for a little bit and then Ella Grace walked us up and down the outdoor paddocks to visit all the other horses at the barn. Roo was actually excited to see them and not scared at all. Once we had completed our walk, we wandered around the barn grounds visiting all the barn cats and dogs until Tracey’s lesson was done. Then Tracey brought Zee over to meet us and Roo didn’t even flinch. It was so cool watching her get over a fear. She even helped groom Zee’s legs, neck and cleaned the tack, all three girls did. Very cute to watch the three little busy bee helpers.

On day 2 we headed to Disney. Before heading out all the girls had their hair and makeup done, then each got to pick out a princess tiara to wear. Tracey had given Roo a Cinderella doll as a gift, so of course she picked the Cinderella tiara. These girls were ready to go. Once we got to Disney, the first thing we did was show Roo Cinderella’s castle, then we headed to meet the princesses. Roo got to meet Cinderella, Belle and Princess Aurora. She was so happy, but I think a little overwhelmed. Nonetheless, she greeted each princess with a smile, got a hug and then got her picture taken. She felt like a princess and I even got her a princess autograph book for all the signatures. Next stop- meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse. I though she’d freak because every time she gets up close to the characters she starts shaking, but she was so happy to meet Mickey and Minnie she blew them kisses. The last characters we met were Tigger, Pooh & Eyore, that is when she freaked out a little bit. It was way past nap time and at that point I think she was just done. In fact, she fell asleep in my arms as we were in line for “It’s A Small World.” We also rode a couple of rides, but with three kids under 5 it takes a LONG time to get around the park. At the end of the day we headed to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to stay overnight.

The lodge was cool and we had all kinds of safari animals right outside our window, but let’s just say our stay was less than great (I think Tracey is still arguing with Guest Relations at Disney about it). Besides the room accommodations being less than impressive and horrible food, Reagan woke up at 1 AM throwing up all over me and Anna broke out in some kind of crazy skin rash. We couldn’t get out of there fast enough. We spent the rest of day 2 recovering at Tracey’s house, Reagan slept most of the day. So unfortunately we didn’t get to go to The Animal Kingdom. Maybe next time.

On Day 3 Reagan announced that she wanted to meet Curious George so we headed to Universal. We got to see a couple of shows- Barney and the animal show, but the biggest thrill for Reagan was meeting The Man in The Yellow Hat. There was a performance and then kids could line up and meet several different characters. She was so excited to meet Curious George, but I think the actual size of his head freaked her out. Thank God for The Man in The Yellow Hat, he helped her recover and we got a couple of great pictures. She is still talking about meeting them.

Day 4 and it was time to go home. We all had a great weekend with very few complaints. Reagan was sad to go home. In fact once we got home and had to get back to our regular routine on Tuesday she freaked. During breakfast she kept asking Kerry, “I go Disney?” Kerry said “yes, some day, but not today” she threw herself on the floor and preceded to cry inconsolably for what seemed like fifteen minutes. I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. She finally recovered and we went on with our day as usual. It is a good thing my best friend from college lives in Orlando, because I think we are going to have to go back pretty soon.

Ice Skating

This year (courtesy of Auntie Court), Reagan has officially taken up ice-skating. Not consistently, but I think we have gone 5-6 times this winter and Roo LOVES it. She has her own pink skates (with a coordinating monogrammed skate bag of course), and a couple of skating outfits. She only lasts on the ice about: 30 most times and if I am on the ice with her, forget it. So typically if Court is around I watch with pleasure from the waiting room. She has gotten pretty good and for the most part can “march” on her own for a few feet at a time. She could probably go further if she wanted to, but she is only 2 ½, I guess my expectations can’t really be that high. Maybe next year she will be ready for lessons…what am I getting myself into?

More Firsts

So my New Year's resolution of being better about updating this hasn't really become a reality, but the truth is, I am doing the best I can. And on that note, here is my latest update:

For most of my two year old’s life I have eagerly anticipated most of her “firsts.” Sitting up, rolling over, first tooth, first foods, crawling, walking and first words. One particular first seems to have escaped my attention…potty training. I can’t say that I dread this particular first, but I do think maybe I have been avoiding it. You sort of get used to diapers…especially the smell (although I am not sure my husband would agree). Plus, in my opinion as a family on the go, I find diapers somewhat convenient and am dreading the need to constantly stop for potty breaks. So, it is not like I am avoiding it, I am just procrastinating a bit.

But I have soon discovered that daycare slows for no one. Their job is to help your kid develop and potty training is no exception. So potty training has commenced at daycare and we have begun to follow a sort of regimen of our own at home. But, clearly my child is not all that interested.

She has a potty, two in fact. Elmo stays downstairs and her singing potty stays upstairs. Bribes have been purchased—jelly beans (for when she goes potty), supplemented with occasional chocolate, marshmallows (for when she tells us she has a “poopy”) and stickers for her “rewards” chart. In addition we have several sources of toddler reading placed in our bathrooms for Roo’s potty entertainment. Always present are Elmo’s ABC’s, Lila Ladybug and Moo, Ba, La, La, La (which by the way is almost ALWAYS requested).

This potty training takes a lot of patience (which by the way I don’t have) and time (which I don’t have much of either). Roo is always saying “I do it” and it takes what seems like an eternity for her to pull down her pants. And if I dare try to do it for her, a full on toddler breakdown begins and there is not a snowball’s chance in hell that she will try “going.” So I am stuck in potty limbo, trying to patient and encouraging, yet ready to pull my hair out. And this is only the beginning…

The Big Day

Roo had her 2nd birthdy party on September 26th and we all had a blast. At least looking back. I think the two weeks leading up the event almost killed us, but on the day of, all went smoothly.

A bunch of stuff arrived on Friday and everything else had been purchased in advance, so we were as prepared as we could've been. Activities included a Tigger & Pooh bounce house (of course featuring "Roo"), a spin art machine, bubble machine, pizza & cake.

The bouncy house went up around 9:30 AM and Roo was fascinated by it. She and Auntie Court watched it go up and couldn't wait to get inside to check it out. The company didn't even come and pick it up until after 5 (past the original reservation time), so we all got plenty of bounce time in (even the adults). If anyone in CT needs or wants a bouncy house, check these guys out: www.superfuninflatables.com, there were GREAT!


Grandpa & Grandma McCoy let Roo open her presents before the guests arrived. She loves "my baby," but refuses to give her a name. I think she walked around with "my baby" and her new baby stroller for the next week. She wore a path in our hardwood floors.


Guests arrived promptly and most of them headed straight to the bounce house. Daddy and Uncle Anthony also go some adult bounce time.

Uncle Anthony and his daughter Marissa arriving.

Beckett and Corey, friends from school.

Roo, Beckett and Madeline having a blast.

Roo & PJ.

"Bounce-a, bounce-a, bounc-a!"

Miss. Ashley, Roo's teacher arrived early and along with Auntie Court helped supervise the bounce house. Thank you both! Not sure what we would've done without you. Grandma McCoy helped with the spin art machine, which was a great activity for toddlers. I bought smocks at an art supply store and each child was able to make their own creation, just by squeezing paint. Super easy for everyone.

Bounce house chaos.

The second favorite part was the pizza & ice cream cake. Everyone gathered on our back porch, where we had kid's tables and chairs set up. All the kids and parents were able to fit and it was really fun watching them. Kerry even got on the roof to take pictures and thankfully didn't fall off.

Pizza party.

Creative cake courtesy of Daddy.

Yummy ice cream cake.

Once the kids started leaving, most of the neighborhood families hung out, played in the bounce house and drank a couple of beers until nap time. Then I had to drag Roo upstairs reluctantly because she looked like she was going to pass out since her nap was way overdue.

We even wore Roo's friends out. Sleepy James.

Birthday girl only slept for an hour and as soon as she got up looked out the window to make sure her bounce house was still there. We played in it until it go too cold and had to go inside.

Bouncing with Mommy.

After nap bouncing.

By the end of the day, with an exhausted Miss. Roo.

Great day overall, and I am so overwhelmed by the generosity our friends and family..thank you all for coming and helping to keep the toddler chaos to a minimum. I kept saying my only goals were for Roo to have a great day and to wear out her friends. Mission accomplished!

26 Days Until...

Miss. Roo turns two and 22 days until her birthday party. All the arrangements are made and Daddy did such a great job designing her invite I had to blow it up bigger for everyone to see. The Tigger and Pooh bouncy house is reserved, tables, chairs, spin art machine, coordinating plates and napkins have all been purchased. Not much left to do but distribute the invites, order decorations and a cake. Should be a blast and since Roo is obsessed with bouncing ("bounce-a, bounce-a Mommy)" the bouncy house should be a big hit. Can't wait!

Peas for Breakfast

Yep! Strange, but true. Miss Roo requested frozen peas for breakfast the other morning. She is a big fan. Of course she only ate 3 and then "all done Mommy." I am going to just keep pushing the veggies and hope for the best. If that means she wants them for breakfast, who am I to argue?