Monster Mama

Tonight while wrestling (literally) Hannah to bed she screamed at me, "You are a Monster Momma, Go downstairs!"

I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing.

You see, it all started when Hannah moved from a crib to a big girl bed several months ago.  Pre-Big Girl Bed bedtime was a beautiful thing.  Hannah would curl up with her ba-beak and paci and would float off into dream land peacefully.  When she gained freedom we ran into problems. Suddenly she was out of her bed, tearing up her room, dragging everything out of her closet, and drawers and climbing furniture so she could "see what up there."  Lately things have gotten worse.  She now leaves her room and wanders through the upstairs.  Here are just some of the things we've found her doing:

1. Wiping her bear's bottom with an entire roll of toilet paper in the bathroom because "he went poop."
2. Sitting on top of Blaine's bed (with him sleeping in it) stacking books from his shelf all around his body.
3.  "Reading" after taking hundreds (or something like that) books off her own shelf.
4.  Slapping Blaine in the face, while he was just falling asleep.  I can assure you this did not end well for her.

Nearly every night we battle her for a good 30 minutes but most of the time it lasts an hour plus.  We put her in time out, take toys away, and put her back in her bed so many times every night I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

For the last two nights I have had a new strategy. After prayers and kisses and all that sweet stuff I leave her room once and stand outside the door.  The first time she gets out of her bed I put her back in and stand, arms crossed, next to her bed and every time she sits up or attempts to hit or kick me I gently lay her back down on her pillow.  Not only am I standing guard but I don't answer any questions she asks nor do I speak to her.  She doesn't like this... not one bit.  Here are my favorite sayings from the last few nights:

1. HG gets into downward dog position and before I can lay here down she says, "You like this Monster Mama?  Yes or No?  You like this?"
2.  Rolling around her bed, "You like this way?  Yes or No?  Answer me!"
3.  Go downstairs Monster Mama!  GOOO!
4.  Muttering to herself, "Mama is so mean to me.  Daddy holds me down.  Brother hits me.  I get out of my bed."
5.   My feet are cold.  I don't want a blanket.  My feet are cold.  I don't want a blanket.
6.  I hungry.  I need some vanilla yogurt.  No... cereal.  No... a banana.  My feet are cold.

All in all we've had more sucess with this than with anthing else we've tried.  Last night I only had to stand in there for 20 minutes and tonight it was about 25.  Not bad considering most nights we're up there for an hour or longer.  Monster Mama is on a mission... wish us luck :)

And then there is Mister.  Three years ago next week we put Blaine on a Gluten Free diet hoping to get some relief from his sleepless nights and unexplainable aggression.  After just a week on a GF diet Blaine was sleeping through the night and has since that day.  Though he still had his struggles we also noted fewer emotional outbursts and lengthly tantrums.  We've talked several times about introducing gluten back into his diet for a test-run and finally did it this last weekend.

Let's just say that today was Mister's last day on gluten... again.  Gluten free is the way to be for our Mister.

David noticed that his behavior was significantly different (worse) just a short time after consuming gluten but I was in denial mainly because I would love for him to be able to eat like everyone else.  I was looking for changes in his sleep and since we didn't have any problems the first night I was hoping and praying that we were in the clear and then last night I got my answer.  I don't know what time it was but I heard the screams - the same screams we heard so many nights when he was on gluten before.  He screamed our names and I ran to his bedroom.  He was sitting up in his bed, terrified of something but he didn't know what.  He cried and screamed and when I told him I would lay with him he calmed down but then after an hour he was not able to fall asleep so I brought him to our bed.  I thought for sure he would fall fast alseep but he didn't.  He tossed and turned and sat up and just couldn't fall asleep and then after not sleeping in at all, he was a disaster.  Exhausted and full of gluten he was an emotional mess this morning.

He enjoyed eating gluten.  He even said "Gluten is not treating me too bad," so it was hard explaining to him that it would be short lived.  He doesn't see his sleep problems and behavior like we do so he doesn't quite get why he can't eat gluten.  He always thought it was going to make his stomach sick and now he knows it doesn't... so please pray that this next transition goes well and he goes back to GF with no problems.

We have one more family day together before David goes back to work and we all get back to the grind.  And as I write this, it's almost 2013!  I can't stay up that long though so g'night :)

Blaine and his Jumpin' Jordy's card.  (The only
bounce house in our area.)

The next few pictures were taken at the Discovery
Museum in Ft. Collins, CO.

HG and her new baby "Siri"

Happy New Years! 

Happy New Year and Home

I know I'm late but "Happy New Year!" from our home to yours.  We just got back from our trip to Michigan after a pretty uneventful (but always challenging) day of travel.  We spent New Years Eve at my parents house where we dined on some yummy fondue.  My favorite was the venison and salmon.  Blaine enjoyed cooking his own food and Hannah at whatever we put on her tray but her favorite was the shrimp.  Oh, and perhaps you're wondering why our children never have clothes on?  Undergarments were their vacation-wear for sure and pajamas were mine and David's.

This is my cousin Mitchell who Hanny attached herself to.

A lollipop bigger than Blaine's head.

Why Blaine sat on the counter to watch his movies, we don't
know.  Another thing about being on vacation - you can watch
movies wherever you like... in your undies!

Oh good - he's actually got shorts on.

Mister bowled a couple times.  He's really good.

Snow!

This is Hanny's great-grandmother.  My mom's mom.

"Seriously?  You think I believe that?"

Here HG is trying on clothes that I wore when I was her age. 
My mom saved half a dozen dresses of mine and the outfit
I came home from the hospital in.  That is what HG is holding.

mini-me

Back to reality tomorrow.  David actually has to work but the kids don't have school so I am not going back until Monday.  We had a great time on our vacation.  Thanks to my parents and brother for hosting us, letting us take over the couches and remote, doing our laundry, and spoiling us with great meals.  David and I enjoyed two date nights while we were up there so that was special.

As far as resolutions go I just want to live for God one day at a time.  I accomplished nearly 80% of my 2011 resolutions/goals and this year rather than make a list I'm just going to keep it simple.  We have so much on our plates right now that I kind of just want to make it through these hard times and find out what God has in store for us.  At this point, when I look at the daunting list in front of me I can't possibly make any resolutions.  Of course there are a lot of things I want to do this year but I'm going to focus on the important things.  For instance:

- Blaine and Hannah will need a new day-care situation beginning March 1st.  We have two months to find a nanny/school/something for both kids or I'll be staying at home on a permanent basis.  And ultimately, helping Blaine find a place to belong and a program that will help him is a top priority.

- Keith, my beloved boss and our mentor, will face the end of his life in the next month to two months.  Having to figure out our day-care situation while I am attempting to take care of important matters at my job is not exactly ideal.

- Possible (drastic) job changes this year.

- Blaine turns 4 and Hannah turns 2 (wow).

- Taking care of my health and staying healthy.

Oh, I could probably go on but these are the big ones.  Like every year I think this will be a 'big' one. 

Happy New Year Y'all :)

Jessica and the Crew

Top 10 in 2010 & Top 11 in 2011

Because tomorrow is Monday and my first day back to "normal" after a long vacation it sort of seems like the new year is beginning tomorrow, though I know it officially started yesterday.  I've never been much for New Year's resolutions but I did spend some time today reflecting over the last year.

Here are my Top 10 Life-Changing Moments in 2010.  Warning: they are not all happy moments, but it's not always good things that change our lives for the better.

* Celebrating Blaine's 2nd birthday.  There were a lot of changes in Blaine's world this year, after turning 2 - he went from having a nanny to a Montessori school and he has welcomed a little sister into his world.  Begrudgingly... but he did it.  I am proud of this little man and cherish his life more each day.

* Finding 5 year old Julian's body in the bushes near our home.  Recently we found out that he was beaten to death by his father's girlfriend and then thrown out of her car into the bushes.  When I found him I was 6 months pregnant and pushing Blaine in a stroller.  David and I attended his funeral and I was able to meet and hold his parents in my arms.  I've never felt more connected to a stranger than I was to Julian's mother.

* The birth of our precious baby girl, Hannah Grace.  She is the happiest, most laid back and easy-going baby I've ever been around.  She is sweet, (virtually) always happy, and makes me smile, regardless of my mood.  She brings great joy and a sense of peace to our lives.  Also, Hannah's birth story was a remarkable experience for me.  I've now given birth to two perfect children - completely naturally without the use of medication.  This time around I had a Doula and that made a huge difference.  I certainly am proud of my body!

* Becoming a more established and giving member at church.  I've jumped in this year with serving others and joining a small group.  I am now meeting weekly with a group of women - their presence in my life has been life changing.  Sharing my life with these women has helped me grow in a lot of areas and I look forward to 2011 with them.

* My friend, Molly (and her husband, Jason) losing their 2 year old son Aidan.  This loss has rocked me in a way that I will never forget.  There are things that I pray fervently for and this remains one of them.  Molly and Jason have been in my prayers and thoughts every single day since Aidan's departure to heaven just a few short months ago.  The loss my friend has experienced has caused me to look at life in a new way.  I am much more grateful for what I have and my faith runs much deeper.

* Celebrating 4 years of marriage to my best friend.  Though we've been attached-at-the-hip for almost 8 years now, our 4 year wedding anniversary marked the most special day in our lives together.  David is a phenomenal father and a terrific husband and I look forward to walking through 2011 with him by my side.

* Working for Keith and Andrea Miller has been a highlight of my life since I started working there (it will be 4 years in February).  I have changed so much as a person and my writing has improved just from working with these two wonderful people.  I love my job and actually look forward to going to work each day.

* I am thankful to the 12-Step programs and how they have brought healing to my life and in the lives of the people closest to me.  Because of anonymity I won't say who has had their lives changed, but if it were not for God and the 12-Steps of AA, I would not have some very important people in my life.  I am thankful for what this program has done to help.

* Friendship has been an important theme in 2010.  I prayed long and hard for some real, authentic friendships here in Austin over the last year and God has blessed me with more than one!  I am so grateful for these women and their families and their presence in my life.

* And I cannot think of one more BIG thing that has changed my life in 2010, though the common denominator in the previous nine moments is God.  He has really worked on me this last year and I can feel my heart changing each day that I allow Him in.  On to 2011...

And my top 11 resolutions... goals... aspirations... in 2011 are:

* Cultivate and strengthen my relationship with God through loving others more authentically and doing His work here on earth.

* Lose the remaining baby weight... 15 pounds to go!  (We already joined the gym - now the hard part.)

* Help Blaine be more successful in life.  We are starting out 2011 by going Gluten and Casein Free.  This is going to be a huge change for our family (more later.)  We hope that this dietary change helps our little man.

* Volunteer at least 4 times this year.

* Relax on the weekend more.  I need to slllooowww down.

* Go on one date per month with David.

* Celebrate Hannah's first year of life. 

*  Read more than 3 books, which is what I read in 2010.  (Relaxing more would sure help me here...)

* Talk with old friends on the phone more often.  I miss these girls and want to hear their voices.

* Support David as he grows in all areas of his life.

* Dang! - here I am at my last one again and my plan was foiled.  I can't think of one more thing I want to do this year that would actually be feasible.  Hmmm.  Maybe I can work on actually writing blog posts that come together in the end...?