Trust me Ernie

Conni didn't want to finish her dinner tonight. The only problem was all she had really eaten was the cheese that went on her mashed potatoes. So we were the mean parents and told her she had to eat something else. As you probably guessed it, the tantrum ensued.

Conni pushed herself quickly back from the table (as she does most every night). We have tried to warn her to be careful or she will tip over, but she still does it. Tonight, however, the chair caught in the grout and backwards she went. The poor girl smacked her head HARD on the tile.

Dave and I starting moving as we saw her tip, but she was still buckled into her booster seat. I got her out and scooped her into my arms and headed straight for her blanket and our cuddle chair. (I'm such a coddling mom!) With some loves and kisses and a sippy of milk, we got her settled down. Then Daddy suggested some comfort ice cream.

While Dave was scooping the ice cream, Conni brought her Ernie doll from Sesame Street into the kitchen. We watched to see what she would do: she took Ernie to the spot where she tipped and smacked her head and jabbered to him. About all we understood was "crash" and "cry" and then she kissed his head. I'm sure she was telling him, "Trust me Ernie, if you aren't careful you will crash and hurt your head and it will make you cry." So cute!

Goings-on of late

I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately. Things have been crazy busy at home. Here's a run down of our goings-on of late.

Conni:

Conni is still growing bigger every day and adding new words all the time. Her recent growth spurt makes it hard to find shirts that are long enough to cover her tummy. I have a feeling this is the beginning of a life long battle. Conni is starting to use three words or more in sentences - like "Dad, jump me please" and "Mommy, help me door" etc. Its so exciting to watch her learn more and more verbal skills. I love right now how she says "Mommy" - so much personality - I'll add some video if I can catch her saying it.

Conni is very excited for Christmas! I don't think she completely gets the whole thing yet, but she loves looking at Christmas trees (both at home and at my parents house). If the lights aren't turned out we get a "Mom/Dad, tree lights please!" She will just sit on the floor and study it. She is also very excited to play with a little wooden nativity set I painted years ago (with Renee and Tami!) We are going to the Festival of Trees this week and I will let you know how she does visiting Santa!

Conni also loves the snow! We went sledding for Thanksgiving up at my grandpa's cabin. She had the biggest grin on her face coming down the hill! We are going back after Christmas again and she is excited! I have a couple short videos I will try to get up too.

Patti:

Patti has a new calling: Young Women's President! I got called the beginning of November and I've been busy trying to get my counselors and get organized. We were finally sustained last Sunday. My former president and secretary were amazing and took care of YW In Excellence last night. I can't say enough how grateful I am for Cindy, Katee, and Allison and for how much they have done for our YW. I am excited with my new presidency and it will be fun to see what we have coming up!

I am keeping busy at work and trying to spend more quality time with Conni. I have also been getting most of my Christmas shopping done - only a couple of people left to buy for! What a relief to be able to enjoy the Christmas season without having to go out and brave too many crowds!

I am very exicted for Christmas with Conni and hope that we can teach her the true meaning and make some lasting traditions and memories.

Dave:

Dave is as busy as always at work, but getting a lot done. He was released as Scoutmaster since I was called as president. He has been an amazing support thru the stresses this last month and he is so wonderful! He is excited with the prospect of Daddy/Daughter night once a week while Mommi does YW stuff. He is also trying to work around the house, but takes plenty of time to spend with his girls too. I have been able to get some fun videos of he and Conni just playing or spending time together the last few weeks and its been great!

Anyway. Hopefully I will get the videos uploaded and share our Thanksgiving with you. It was fun to see most of our families and share in traditions and celebrate everything we have been blessed with.

And, with all the snow that has fallen, I can officially say "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!" I'm so excited!!!!

Flu bug or bad dinner?

Sorry if this is TMI for anyone, but it was a first and there were some cute things I want to remember. If you have a weak stomach, I won't be offended if you stop here. :)

We had a "fun" night at our house last night. Conni woke up around 1:00 fussing and I rocked her back to sleep, but it was a fitful sleep. Around 2:00, I heard her fussing again and figured she might have a low-grade fever and need some tylenol to make it thru the night. (This happens every once in a while.) But when I went in, I was met with a "wonderful" smell.

Conni had thrown up, and she was mostly upset that she had it on her hands. Once I figured out what was going on, I thought for an instant about trying to clean it up myself. But then my gag set in, and I went and got Dave. Since we got married, whenever one of us is sick, Dave always has to clean it up or I make a worse mess. :)

Dave was instantly out of bed and ready to help - my sweetheart! He told me this was one time he didn't mind having a cold cause he's so congested it didn't even phase him. We got Conni stripped down and I put her in the bath tub while Dave tackled her room. Obviously her bed needed to be changed, and she had got some on the floor. Conni also had got some on our rocker - that's where she goes to wait for me when she doesn't feel well.

After I got Conni bathed, she went into her room while I ran to get some clean jammies (of course, this would happen when I haven't got the laundry folded and brought upstairs!) While I was gone she stood in her room jabbering to Daddy, telling him what happened. We got Conni in fresh jammies and got fresh bedding on her bed. Dave had everything cleaned up in Conni's room and went to take care of the laundry.

Conni found her washcloth from her bath and took it into her room. She immediately took it to the rocker and started wiping it down, knowing that it needed to be cleaned up. Then she picked up her dirty diaper and took it to the garage.

Once she was all cleaned up, she was happy and didn't seem to be feeling sick anymore. I was so proud that she recognized that things needed to be cleaned up and that she went right about doing her part. Then we cuddled and I got her back to sleep, and she slept thru till morning without anything else.

I stayed home from work with her and so far nothing else has come up. So hopefully, it was just a bad dinner (chicken) and not a bug. She's napping now and seems to be on her normal schedule. And I am so grateful to my sweet husband who doesn't get upset for being woken up at 2 am to deal with this kind of stuff!

My Little Reader

As usual, Conni woke up before I was finished getting myself ready this morning. As usual, she got out of bed and started playing. I heard her saying "cat, car, dog" and stuff like this. I went in to get her and she was sitting in our recliner reading one of her alphabet books. It was the C and D book - hence cat, car, dog, etc. I was so excited! I love that she loves to read! I know I've posted about her reading before, but it was so fun to hear her "reading" out loud! Hopefully we can keep this love of books going strong!