Busy Bees!

The title of this post hopefully serves as a partial explanation of the large gap between posts. Between daycare, work, school and a second job, we collectively have a very busy life right now. And, we really haven't had much time for pictures either, but what we did capture is priceless!

When we were hit by the remnants of a recent hurricane, Delanie donned the raincoat for the first time since we got it back in March. Delanie is starting to get the concept of different things - she is beginning to understand what a coat is, and how we put it on, for example. But, of course, we can't reason with her when she disagrees and throws the raincaot back off, which has happened since this pic was taken.


The second pic is sure to be one for the memory books, Delanie saying "Cheese" for the camera and flashing a million dollar smile (of sorts).

The third pic is Delanie in her Wipigaki shirt (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa). She really likes wearing big shirts to bed, which I also remember loving as a kid. Of course, she has had to wear pants the last week or so.

And the last pic is one of Delanie with her hair in a pigtail, wearing a sophisticated toddler combo (Thank you Great Grandma Clemons!). She looked like she was 4 years old that day, complete with the jeans and matching purple socks. What a doll! Of course, I thought about posting the picture I took two minutes prior, with her throwing a tantrum on the floor because she couldn't hold my camera.
And if there is one common thread in these photos that sticks out to me, its that mop of hair. She refuses to let me put it up, I was only able to do so recently because I used sophisticated diversion tactics (a Signing Times DVD). Typically, I show her what barrettes look like in my hair, then I put them in hers. Only to find that I am headed into the door of her daycare, and I am the only one wearing fuschia bunny barrettes in my bangs. Hairstyles do not last past the 20 minute drive.

This week, as seen below, I started using the adult ponytail holders. The hold the hair much better, and they are much harder for Delanie to pull out. They have held up well so far.

Her hair is at an awkward in between stage. We have cut the bangs a few times, but only found that other hair migrated to her eyeballs. So now we are attempting to grow out the bangs in hopes that it falls perfectly to the sides of her head.

Hair aside, Delanie had a pretty rough week. It was a week of reflecting for me, because it can be so difficult when we have so much going on to slow down and take care of things. I also was thinking about how I thought parenthood would go before reality hit. A few examples:

Before having kids: I fantasized about sick days. My child would wake up with a few sniffles, I would tuck her in on the sofa, and spoil her with ginger ale and crackers. We would snuggle up and watch Disney movies all day.

My reality check: As I am taking Delanie out of the car at her daycare, she throws up all over me, her and the car. She is stripped naked in the parking lot, then we head home. I spend half my day doing laundry and cleaning the car seat, while I am also tending to Delanie, who happens to be full of energy and a case of the "grumpies."

Before having kids: I would surely be able to "train" my children to sleep in until 9 and then we would leisurely eat breakfast as a family.

My reality check: Delanie is sitting up in her bed, wide-awake, at 4 am. She is crying for her "milk." After 45 minutes of attempts to get her down, we give in and get up with her. She gets her glass of milk and drinks it before I can even make her breakfast.


Before having kids: I thought that my daughter would easily entertain herself for hours on end, so I could do the house "stuff."

Reality Check: I had so much going on this week, and no spare quiet time, I brought long to-do lists with me to work. I had phone calls and electronic bills and even personal emails that I had been bad about responding to. It is mind boggling to me that a building with over 600 kids is quieter than a household with 3.

Of course, this humor doesn't take away from all of the wonderful time we have with Delanie, and now that Friday is here, we are all so happy!