Out with the Old

Not ending the year the way I might've planned...


Little person climbed in bed with me, after daddy left for work.

We got up at 8.

"It's light out Mommy. It's morning! Get up!"

Sore throat. Stuffed up nose.

Used saline spray cold formula with menthol and echinicea.

Fed my daughter graham crackers and nutella for breakfast.

Stuck her in front of a Scooby Doo movie at her request.

My breakfast: a cup of coffee with caramel macchiato creamer.

Surfed the net, checking email, browsing FB and blogs.

Snuggled Yosi for a little bit.

Started taking down all the Christmas decor.

Yosi helped take ornaments off the tree.

Yosi hugged the tree "I love you Christmas tree".

Popsicle snack for Yosi.

Yosi got distracted. Ordered to play in playroom.

Kept begging for lunch.

Finally, relented @ 11:20.

Ate spaghetti-o's, hot dogs, and chunk pineapple.

40min later she was begging for more to eat.

Nose and throat keep feeling worse, ears hurt pretty bad too.

Wishing doctor would've prescribed antibiotic.

Sorted out decor stuff to pitch and throw away.

Assigned Y to pick up books in playroom.

Saved the nativity for last. Kinda didn't want to put it away. Dunno why....

Sorted out craft supplies in playroom.

Sent Yosi to time out for getting sassy when I asked her to put away a couple more books.

Yosi relieved from time out.

I sat down to check email again and browse FB (pointless).

Yosi shouts she needs to go potty. Okay, she can handle this herself.

Eerie silence.

Grudgingly, get up.

See wet spot on the bottom step.

Suspect the obvious. Child appears, naked, at the top of stairs.

Instruct child to bring me wet clothes.

Put kid in bath.

Removed kid from bath to poop.

Removed kid permanantly from bath to poop again.

Pissed.

Feeling nauseated and annoyed with sunshine and grass and trees denuded of snow blanket.

Wanting to just be alone. And sleep. Or just be alone.

Wipe kid's butt. Instruct to go upstairs and dress.

Child returns dressed in pink dress with sparkly Jayhawk and purple leggins with white polka dots. Precious.

Immediately begins begging for food. Ate just 1hr ago!

Put her off.

Asks what time it is. Time for her to be quiet and stop pestering.

Continue to browse FB and feel miserable and cranky.

Tell kid to bug off.

Kid ignores me and stays, petting my arm and cuddling. I let her.

Kid continues full press for food.

Finally relent to food begging. Give chocolate pudding.

Drops dirty spoon and empty cup on floor.

Obeys instruction to get cloth and clean up mess.

Feeling REALLY wrung out. Wish this would stop. Ears Hurt.

Instruct child to wash face. Uses dirty cloth, smears more pudding on face.

Instruct to wet clean cloth and wash face.

"First I gotta go potty!"

Dread that this will lead to yet Another mess.

Got up and got the kid's face washed properly.

Decided to take her to the playground.

Got dressed.

Helped her get socks and shoes and jacket and hat and mittens on.

Out the door and into the car.

Changed the CD to Bright Eyes.

Drove to the park.

"This is just what I wanted!" she chirped.

Out and running.

Down the slide, on the jungle gym.

The merry-go-round.

Rocking purple t-rex.

Each and every one of the 4 bouncing animals.

Swinging, in the baby swing- soon enough she'll be too big.

Stopped the swing bc she spied a big stick.

Used stick to draw in sand.

Suddenly she realized she needed to go potty.

ugh. of course, the bathrooms are locked for the season.

Should've made her go before we lef... but, oh well, she woulda fought that too.

Let her do "one more thing"- the balance beam.

Promised to come back after using the toilet @ Walgreens.

Tried to drive carefully.

Arrived and opened the car door to find her guiltily examining her wet pants.

Decided to just go home. Crying ensued. Tiredness ascertained.

Got off wet clothes. Directed upstairs to put on pants.

Followed, helped, put in bed, to much prostestation.

Definitely tired.

Promised we would go back to playground again tomorrow, if weather is nice.

5 min later- up there again, helping to blow nose and reinstruction to lie down.

15 min later, found at bottom of stairs. Threatened spank.

5 min later, heard scratching sound.

Shouted warning...

Found at top of stairs. Gave the spank. Returned her to bed.

Wishing this did not have to be such a fight.

Small one Finally sleeps.

Mommy becomes computer zombie.

Emails daddy. Informed I snored ALL night. Wonder why.

Looks at Awkward Family Photos. Reads comments on daddy's blog.

Considers nap, realizing that quiet somehow resulted in unstuffing nose.

Tries, for, like 5 min. Stares out window at ceiling front porch-natural wooden slats.

Listens to sound of puttery 2 cylinder motor in the distance. distracted.

Finds lying down makes nose feel stuffier and mouth breathing makes throat dry.

Wanders to kitchen for water, Ibuprofen and snack.

Settles on a marshmallows and peanuts covered in peanut buttery chocolate, a gift made by a friend.

Thinks about preparing luminaries for this evening, or just bringing those jars inside, left there since the Christmas party 2 wks ago.

But too lazy.

Listens to the motor.

Watches bent over but still spry looking old man cross the street with plastic bag in hand.

Worries, for no reason, that he might be headed to my house.

When he reaches the curb, he bends over and picks up something and puts it in bag.

Crosses side walk and toward our house. Disappears momentarily.

Then reappears, walking on sidewalk, to the east, away.

Surmises that he is noble and is picking up trash.

Admires his saintliness.

Types.

Finishes marshmallow tasty thing.

Thinks about more treats.

To kitchen, procures peanut brittle, by same friend.

Thinks how nice it was of friend to spoil us, even though we're not terribly close.

Thinks how it might be nice to be accompanying that friend and my sister and other friend to hotel this evening...

Mostly for the swimming. Yosi would like that.

But David would not.

And it would be a little drive.

We've already planned to stay home.

And besides, I wouldn't want to impose.

I like peanut brittle, but not how it sticks in my teeth.

Still thinking about this evening.

Kind of sad, being so disconnected from friends.

Read a little Relevant article, about a documentary director.

Remember how I like documentaries.

Look for the movie by the director in the article, but it's not available for instant play.

So, I take the first Natn't Geographic suggested- The World's Most Dangerous Drug: Methamphetamine

It's appropriate, because

a couple of years ago a meth lab blew up a few blocks from our house, and people died, including children.

I don't know alot about this drug- how it works, is made, its demographic, etc...

I watched about 2/3rds of it before Yosi woke from her nap.

Peeking around the bookcase in the study, looking a little abashed.

I told her she could be up from her nap and she shyly came to my perch on the couch where I lifted her onto my lap for a hug.

I soon noticed that she was wearing a different pair of pants than I put her to bed with.

I ascertained the obvious. But I asked. I received the news I expected.

I didn't get mad.

I went upstairs and found the wet pants and panties, tidily wadded in the dirty clothes corner, and took them to the laundry.

Started a load.

Y: I won't wet my pants any more today"

Me: I hope not. That is a baby thing to do. If you keep wetting your pants you won't get to do big girl things."

Supplied a snack, as requested.

We ate together: honey wheat pretzels, marbled cheddar, peanuts, a tender juicy pear.

Y: I don't know how boys get their bottoms in their pants.

That was an interesting little conversation.

Me: What do you mean?

Her: How do they get their bottoms in their pants, after they go potty?

Me: Just like we do.

Her:No they don't!

Me: Do you mean, how do they get their penis's in their pants?

Her: Yeah.

Me: Well, it's really not that much different than how we pull up our panties. They just pull up their underwear over their penis, and it's comfortable.

Her: I saw daddy pee when I was a baby. I just sneaked in.

Me: *trying not to laugh* oh yeah? ... Have you seen any other boys' penises?

Her: No. Just Dad's.

Me: Okay.

Moving on.

Brought her remaining snack out to LR.

She wanted to watch the movie I was watching.

I briefly deliberated, then deciding she probably wouldn't get most of it and that it would be a good snuggling opportunity, I agreed. There was only about 10min left anyway.

Afterall, aren't we supposed to open the discussion about drug use at a young age?

I should know better.

It opened up on the scene of police officers making meth for demonstrative purposes.

Her: What are they making?

Me: Bad medicine.

Her: Why? Are they bad guys? Is he a good guy? Is he going to make all the bad medicine go away? Why do the people want the bad medicine? Why are they sad?

I answered them as we went along. I think I gave pretty simple non-threatening/non-scary answers.

Her: I liked this movie.

Me: We won't be watching it again.

Her: Can I watch Dinosaur Train?!

Me: Sure.

Will I make this (adult movie viewing with her) a habit? Absolutely not.

But I'm going to try to not regret this episode either.

She's moved on.

She's been restocked with pretzels and is reveling in Dinosaur Train.

Daddy's home.

I got a good hug.

I paused DT but she wouldn't get up, and figured out how to turn off the pause.

Just loves DT that much.

After 2nd episode was over, Y was required to get up and hug Daddy, who was nobly folding laundry, before another episode was started. (The episodes are 12 min long).

During ep.3 Daddy finished laundry, Mommy got up for a snack and invited Daddy to read this log.

I ate more peanut brittle, even tho I still hate how it sticks in my teeth.

I gave the computer to David, and pick up Relevant mag again.

David suggested I post this to my blog. He found it amusing. Thinks others might also.

I was slightly suprised- I thought he wouldn't want others to hear about his penis.

She watched ep4 of DT.

Then it was over. But she thought she heard she could watch "just one more..." *hear whiny voice*

She was assured that this would not be the case.

She stomped and hit my arm.

She was instructed to go to time out.

She refused. "No."

She was instructed twice more, with the third instruction being accompanied by a warning, that if not obeyed, it would consequence in a spank.

It consequenced in spank for the back talk

And time out, for the whining.

She expressed understanding.

After time out:

"Can I go sit by dad?"

Of course.

"Daddy, teach me to drop stuff."

Daddy choosing a pizza to order. Advises small person that she already knows how to drop things.

Erupts in whining and tears.

Small person advised to stop.

Threatened with time out.

Adults ingnore fit. Fit soon stops.

Small person amuses self by sitting and flinging back and head against couch a few times.

Parents decide on pizza.

Small one obtains permission to go along on Pizza Pick Up with Daddy.

Y: Can I have ROOT BEER?!

Me: Yes, when we get pizza.

Y wonders if Mommy will miss her when she's gone.

How to answer?

Me: *holding little face between hands* Of course...

Y: You can come if you want to!

Yes, I will miss her, for the 25 min of glorious blissful quiet while I have the house ALL to myself.

I will look forward to seeing her again.

Will I cry? No. Will I think about her every second she is gone? No.

I'll know she's not here tho.

Yosi wants attention. She meows. "Meowww, meowww, meow-meow meow-meow"

Daddy hugs and tickles her.

Her: Mommy if you're real cute I'll take your picture when I get back.

Me: I would take your picture even if you weren't cute, but you are. Remember what we talked about is even more important than being cute or pretty?

Y: Listening and obeying?

Me: Yes, that's good, and loving Jesus with your heart.

She's distracted, otherwise I may've added the Dora line: Being kind and brave and helping friends.

I dunno why, but I like that little summary from Dora, of how to be a princess.

Pizza is ordered, but being NYE it will not be ready for 45min.

David washes the 6 dirty dishes.

Yosi and I remove the magnet reward she got for not whining earlier in the day.

She doesn't seem too devastated.

I stand holding her. She informs me that my armpits stink, so I need to use that deodorant I have.

She's just trying to manuever a way to get to smell it herself (the deodorant) cause she's a scent junkie.

Then she'll want to wash her hands with a smelly soap and put on lotion and create all kinds of havoc in the bathroom.

I don't feel like it.

I'd rather have smelly armpits.

She swats at the reward chart and knocks off a magnet.

I put her down. And pick up the magnet.

Head back to the LR. D hugs me from behind, and Y hugs his legs.

We laugh as Y hangs on while we try to walk, connected to the LR.

I sit and type and blow my nose and keep an eye on the Bean jumping from wooden trunk (coffee table) to couch, over the 18" gap.

"Did you see me?!" was asked at least 5 times.

Yes. I did see. I should...

Instructed to stop. Obeys (with threat). *sigh*

Y is so excited about getting to leave the house. Bouncing around everywhere.

"When are we going to leave to get pizza?"

Not soon enough.

I'm looking up where to recycle our nudy Christmas tree and our many strands of half-functioning lights.

Now's the time to buy traditional replacements on discount.

But, I have my eye on those LED kind "99% more efficient, last up to 50,000 hours, are extremely durable, and create very little heat." Of course. They're trying to sell them to me. They will give me a rebate for sending them my old strands.

Finally, boots on the wrong feet, coat on, hair all over the place, bouncing Bean and Daddy head out the door.

"Bye Mom! Hope you have a fun day!"

You'd think we were parting for 24 hrs, instead of 24 min.

Nose still stuffy. Eyes keep burning. Breathing thru mouth.

Typing. In the quiet. Ears ringing. I can hear the computer fan humming.

I need a tissue. (I am NOT crying. *guffaw* As if!)

They're back. 10min later.

David's so glad I gave her that whistle.

He's talking about the Oscar Meyer one. It was his as a kid.

She found it in her kitchen stuff earlier today.

I knew she was bringing it along.

I didn't stop her.

I now wish I had. She blew it RIGHT in my ear!

Pizza time!!

Hawaiian Chicken and Pepperoni with green peppers.

I cut a 1 pc of Hawaiian Chk into 6pcs for Y. And gave her about 6 oz of root beer.

Mountain Lightning, left over, but unopened, from the Christmas party, was the adult beverage of choice.

Yosi said she didn't like her pizza. Picked at her pizza. Chose peices the she would eat.

Ultimately ate about 5 total bites.

Her pizza looked mutilated. This is cited as the final cause for not eating it.

My kid just dislikes "good" food.

Ie: potatoes, pizza. These are American staples. I think they're pretty widely available in Guatemala too, so I don't think it has anything to do with her ethnicity.

She asked for water and alternated sips of water with her root beer.

Water won. I poured out the remain rootbeer.

She wanted a treat.

Normally I would say no. But it's a holiday.

I gave her a cracker covered in chocolate on one side and butterscotch on the other, courtesy of the same friend who made my marshmallow and peanut brittle.

I ate too much pizza. 3 pcs. ugh.

I couldn't drink all that lizard pee (aka: Mtn Lightning).

I made myself a big mug of Theraflu.

David set up Memory.

I played.

David won. Yosi tied me.

Bedtime came with preventative Ibuprofen for Yosi. "Grape, yay!"

We did a joint bedtime.

Technically its my assigned night (as I would typically be working today), but my energy is fading quickly.

We read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and the story of Moses freeing the Isrealites from Pharoh, in the the Jesus Storybook Bible.

David covered her up, and I finished up with my standard lullaby set: Barney's "I love you", "Jesus Loves Me", and "God is so Good". She wanted more, but I begged off bc my voice is so tired and my head's all a muddle.

So. here I am.

Eyes half open.

Wondering if I should post this. if I even have the energy.

Torn btw falling asleep on the couch and bolstering what energy I have left enough to at least watch "Slumdog Millionaire" with David.

Already, David has had to put her back in bed. She's crying about it. With any luck she'll cry herself to sleep.

It is quiet upstairs.

We have changed our minds.

"Princess Bride" it is.

10 min in, I'm feeling like I may make it through, even to watch "Slumdog".

We'll see...

I'm going to just leave you hanging with the suspense.

I'm tired of doing this.

Cheers
to
The last day of 2010.