Hello Angel Bird

Let me see what updates we have in store for today. Miss Margie went on vacation for a week at the end of June, and gave me the name of a fill-in babysitter to use. So I called her (Miss Judy) and took you over there at lunchtime one day so you could meet her before the week came that you would stay with her. So all that went very well. You loved going to Miss Judy's house. She only keeps a few children of which you are the oldest. Miss Judy is a little older than I am, and she is a very serious and quiet person who seems to be very careful with everything. She also has a 2nd job, so she leaves in the afternoon and her teenage daughter and Miss Judy's husband take over watching the kids. I wasn't so thrilled about that arrangement, plus I am totally a food nazi when it comes time to feed you. Miss Margie understands me, but the thought of having to break someone new in on what to feed you isn't so thrilling. So I am very happy with the status quo, and I love Miss Margie. But the bad news is you fell in love with Miss Judy's house. A part of me thinks it's because it's so much quieter over there than at Miss Margie's. Sometimes it's like a zoo when I go to pick you up. Whew.. I would be frazzled too. Ever since you spent that week with Miss Judy, you haven't been as happy at Miss Margie's house. I have to admit, I have thrown you for a lot of loops lately. You spent that week at Miss Judy's, then a couple of weeks later I had an out of town trip planned for the weekend- so you had to stay with your daddy a little longer than usual. He decided to take you to Houston, and his mom (your Nana) decided to keep you over an extra night, when we had planned for you to spend the night with Miss Margie. It got pretty confusing, and your father is not the easiest person to schedule things with. He mostly does his own thing, so I always get a little bent out of shape when plans change at the last minute. So far you have been great and a real trooper. But, once again I have noticed the agression is a little higher and you aren't as sweet as usual this week. I am hoping with this weekend together we can solve that problem, but unfortunately I'm going to throw you for another loop here pretty soon and you will be going to Houston again soon. My travel schedule should slow down after the summer, and I promise we'll get more of a normal routine. Bear with me, my sweet angel!

We moved Dreaded Twinkle Star from the cabinet in the living room to the laundry room. You are so obsessed with Twinkle Star! I have no idea how you became so terrified of it. And you are also wondering about monsters and nightmares. I came up with a pretty good thing to tell you- so far you've gone for it- and I must say it's pretty much true. I've been telling you the reason I got us a brand new house is so we could build it from the ground up and make sure there are no ghosts, monsters, or nightmares ever allowed in. So there!! The ghosts part was for my benefit, hahha...

I've also noticed every time you spend a few days away from me, you get diaper rash and respiratory trouble. You have not been sick at all for over a month, and you have REALLY been a sweet angel.. but if we're apart for a few days it all changes. And it takes a long time to get everything back on track. I've also had to start negotiating with you over things. I must say, you are a tough little negotiator so far! Part of me is grumpy about that, but the other part is impressed. I can only hope I will always be able to hold my own with you.. and I better keep taking my vitamins! You're a smart and tough little girl!

I bought us season's passes to NRH2O in an attempt to work through this problem of getting your hair and ears wet. You also dislike being splashed. So far we have been to the water park 3 times. i can't wait to take you again!! I was hoping to go this weekend, but it looks like rain so far. The first time we went, I couldn't even talk you into wearing your swimsuit until you noticed EVERYONE was wearing swimsuits. You totally had to warm up to the idea. Then, it took about 30 minutes for me to talk you into putting your feet in the water. Then, it took over 3 hours for me to get you to walk up to the big Choo Choo train. I wasn't in any hurry, and if I do say so myself I was being an awesome mom that day! Hahha! You went at your own pace, and we did whatever you wanted to do. It turned out your favorite part of the water park was the small pool with the very gentle fountains. You played with those for a really long time. We also floated down the endless river, and that turned into a little bit of a fiasco because we were sitting on the inner tube and I had a hard time stopping and getting off while I was holding you in my lap. That was hard!! We had to go around about 3 extra times before I figured out how to stop us. LOL!

A few weeks ago you tested out a new name for me, instead of "Mommy" you were calling me "Mom." I didn't care for that very much. It was all just so serious and grown up, like I was in trouble every time you said my name.

It's almost your big day.. you are about to be 3 years old my love!! I have also scheduled a drs appointment for you on Monday. I found a new doctor I want to try. I hope I like him, because I seriously hated your first pediatrician's office. They didn't even keep the floor clean in there. Gross!!

I love you angel!!
Mommy