Shock & Awe Parenting

My adorable crazy headstrong little cherub toddler hates being changed. She actually dislikes any kind of change, but especially the clothes/diaper combo. In the morning Ray and I usually have to hold her down and force her into clothes. Afterwards it usually looks as though we just went to battle.
This morning as I was going to get her up Ray says "Shock and Awe. Remove her from bed and while she is still groggy... change her, quick." This strategy he learned from the one-on-one battles he had to contend with last week while momma went to work early.
Well, shock and awe... works! (I added a little twist though)
... here is my email to Ray this morning.

Good Morning Love :)

If you shock and awe Maddy AND sing Wheels on the Bus during the morning change she complies. :)

Parenting Flaws

I want to be the best mother I can be for Maddy, for Ray and for me. I try and remind myself that most parents do not feel like they are doing an incredible job at raising their little tots. That it is human nature to not feel enough. I think that is what keeps you on your toes, wanting to be better. There are constantly decisions you make for your child that seem less than stellar. I love to work, but I hate that she in daycare. I need my sleep, she sometimes does not care. :) There are hundreds of people that will tell you what she "should be doing" at such and such an stage.
"She should be crawling by 6 months." -Maddy did not move her rear-end until 9.
"She should definitely be walking by now." -Maddy refused to walk until 14 months.
"Why isn't she talking more?" -I still don't get everything Maddy says.
So I try and remember not to worry, that she always gets there. She will be sleeping in a big girl bed before we know it... and I have never seen a 16 year old refuse to use the potty. :)
Everyone -God willing- gets there.

I am so Grateful for You

A- Always smiling (unless she is not.)
B- Best friends with Lily
C- Cuddles with Malty before she pushes him off the couch.
D- Daredevil toddler
E- Eagerly awaiting her birthday
F- First one to wake up.
G- Gives awesome kisses
H-Has to have what is on YOUR plate.
I- Incessantly asks for Dora.
J- Jabbawockee
K- Knows how to hum the alphabet
L- Leaps outside at the first chance she gets.
M- Mysteriously knows how to work an Ipod.
N- Negotiates extended story times like a 10 year old.
O- Only wears socks with Hello Kitty shoes.
P- Pouts the minute she thinks you are not agreeing with her.
Q- Quietly plays with her dolly.
R- Races momma up the stairs.
S- Samples everything at the grocery store.
T- Teases Malty every chance she gets.
U- Understands everything
V- Very excited when dadda gets home.
W- Watermelon is her favorite.
X- X-rays are her Mimi's job.
Y- Yikes- she'll be three!
Z - Zazzy

Harvest

I am pretty sure Maddy's favorite season is Summer. She loves to play outside. All the time.
Fall, I think, might come in a close second place though.

Dadda went to the Red Sox Game Friday night. Momma & Maddy's Friday night? Playing in the sink...

Saturday Uncle MA-tt and Lauren came over to bake cookies and decorate pumpkins.
And Sunday we celebrated Mimi's birthday and then went to visit Nana Pam. Since Papa is in Minnesota for a week I was convinced Maddy would freak out once we got to Nana's. I was sure she would insist on seeing Papa and then throw a fit when he didn't appear, but I think Nana was thinking ahead and surprised Maddy with a Halloween Dora candy bucket and coloring books.

We are also going to plan for a Spring Yard Sale. This past one was kind of a dud. Although it was a great excuse to hang out and catch up with everyone. We turned it into more of a BBQ or rather, Pizz-A-Que.

More Band-Aid Talk

Conversation with Maddy when I picked her up from school a few days ago...
Maddy: Mama! Mama! Mama!
She then sees Malty.
Maddy: Malty! Malty!
As she goes to do her normal "I want to squeeze the life out of him to show how much I love him" routine I quickly pull him away and try to explain that Malty has just been neutered.
Mama: Oops, Maddy be careful Malty just went to the doctor.
Maddy: Oh Man!
Mama: Malty has a boo-boo. Let's be very gentle with him.
Maddy: Oh Man!
I can then literally see a light bulb go off over her head.
Maddy: Malty needs a band-aid! Band-aid! BAND-AID! BAAAAANDD-AIDDDDD!

Bedtime is for the Birds

Maddy refuses to sleep in her room again. Re-freaking-fuses. Mommy is a little frazzled.

Happy Anniversary to the world's greatest husband! Ray surprised me last night with a card and a weekend getaway this November! How did I get so lucky?

My Kind of Bonus

Papa brought some new accessories over for Miss Maddy on Saturday...

I was scanning through all the snapshots from the weekend and discovered a few Ray took while I was cleaning the house in a complete manic frenzy tidying the house for company.

Maddy loves her puppy...

But, loves her juice more...

Watching for Nana & Papa

After our guests left and the last summer night of 2011 drew to a close Maddy...

was exhausted.