Are you a bad mom if...

Your daughter falls out of the crib?

We should have lowered her crib mattress.

A few days ago, Alyssa attempted to stand on her feet and get the remote off of the end table. She had only done it a few times and we thought nothing of it, since she didn't do it anywhere else and the only time she would stand up was if there was a remote for her to get.

Yesterday morning, Gary and I awoke from dreamland by a big THUD. We both instantly ran to the bedroom (of course the THUD followed by loud screaming and crying). Yep, she somehow fell out of her crib. Gary and I vowed not to tell anyone. (Well anyone in real life that we would have to listen to make fun of us everyday).

Gary's mom called us about two hours later (that same day) to let us know that last THURSDAY, she was pulling up on the crib and almost tipped herself over. Umm, thanks for the warning...

It is funny how we hadn't seen the standing up in the crib yet though. And needless to say the crib mattress is now lowered to the lowest possible setting.

Even though Alyssa is fine and showed no sign of even falling after about a minute, Gary and I still feel horrible.

I didn't think it would be so hard

I thought the transition from bottle to cup would be no problem. Alyssa doesn't even notice when she doesn't get a bottle. And even the other day when she saw another baby's bottle, she didn't seem to care. Piece of cake, right?!? WRONG!!!

First of all, she drinks water or juice great out of a sippy cup (stopper in and any cup offered) since she has been about 9 months old.

She is being sooo stubborn with drinking milk out of the sippy cup. I have taken away all bottles except the night one (and only because she won't drink any milk all day, so I feel she needs to get some in her). She will take one sip and throw the cup. Even when she doesn't get the bottle at all.

I have tried not giving her water or juice and she still won't drink the milk. I have tried SEVERAL different types of sippy cups and I have tried diluting the milk with a little water to make it easier to drink through the cup. Yesterday, I tried with taking the stopper out of the sippy to see if that helps, but it doesn't. Now when she throws the cup, the milk gets everywhere because there is no stopper.

UHHH...I just don't know what to do. My step-dad got snippy with me and asked me why I was taking the bottle away from her and there is no reason she still shouldn't drink out of a bottle. Am I wrong here? Should I continue with trying the milk and the cup or should I go back to bottles??

Here kitty, kitty

The past couple weeks Alyssa has really taken notice to our two cats. It is actually quite comical. She will crawl as fast as she can and repeat "atttty" - which traslates into a combination of cat and kitty - atty!

I should describe my two cats. First there is Casper. He is quite an energetic and very friendly little cat. He has always taken a liking to Alyssa. When Alyssa was immobile, he would come an purr near her. She would grab his hair and skin and he would just sit there patiently for her to let it go. Now that Alyssa is mobile, if she comes anywhere near him, he runs. He doesn't even give her a chance for her to get near him anymore. (smart kitty).

My other cat, Noah, isn't as social as Casper. Usually when company comes over Noah hides. Noah would NEVER come close to Alyssa. I actually think he dislikes her very much. I think was pissed when we got a second cat (Casper) and I think he is even more pissed that we brought home a baby. Now that Alyssa is mobile, he will lay in a corner and when she comes crawling, he won't even move.

Noah will just lay there until Alyssa comes up screaming "attty" and she goes and pats him. Now her pats are somewhat like a small slap, but I really think she is trying to pet him. One time he got mad and swatted his declawed paw at her hand. She turned to me and cried (real tears) as if he bit her hand off. I told Noah to be nice and I told Alyssa to be nice. So what does Noah do? He moves from the living room to the kitchen. You idiot, she is going to come and get you again.

So, this has continued for the past couple weeks. Alyssa is no longer bothered by Noah's paw taps. Today, Noah snipped. Yep, he stamped her arm with two of his teeth. No blood, but a little red. I felt so bad for Alyssa. I yelled at Noah and comforted Alyssa. I don't know what to do now. Gary said he was going to kick the shit out of the cat, but when Gary got home 6 hours later, the cat would not remember why he is getting the shit kicked out of him. Gary was so mad and said that the next time Noah does this he is out.

Is this right? I mean, I remember getting stamped by my grandma's dog. How much abuse is an animal supposed to take? I think they are both at fault (Alyssa and Noah), because her pats can get a little rough and Noah shouldn't stick around long enough to get so mad.

Thanks

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for my sister, Kathy. I know she would probably kill me if she knew that I made mention of her and her situation over the internet, but luckily for me, she doesn't know about this website.

Kathy is dealing as best as she can right now. She just felt that this was her time and her boyfriend were really ready to have a baby. She actually talked about trying again in a month or two. Which, maybe I am old-fashioned, but I thought was strange. I mean, the pregnancy was something that happened, not something she "tried" for. I know she didn't try to stop it, but she didn't try to conceive either. I can feel for her heartbreak and understand the desire to have a baby, but shouldn't she TRY to get married first? Or at least TRY to get engaged first? I just don't understand why she would try to commit to a baby (on purpose) before she committed to her boyfriend and their relationship.

I feel it isn't my place to say anything, and if that is what she finds comfort in, I can't take that away from her right now. But, am I wrong in thinking that way?

I spent this afternoon at the ER

Keep your thoughts with my sister. She is currently going through a miscarriage right now. The doctor at the ER said that she hasn't lost the baby yet, but she thinks it will be within the next day or two. She is devastated and my heart is breaking for her.

As I said before her previous pregnancy was ectopic, and this was just an unexplained miscarriage.

So, if you could, please keep your thoughts with her for the next few days. Thank you.

The tree came tumbling down...

We did it. We had our huge monster tree cut down!

It feels weird. I know you probably ask, how? When I type on the computer and look to my right, there is a window. Outside that window was our monster tree. It provided shade. It provided comfort to protect our house. It provided a barrier between our house and the highway that is behind our house. (Well, a bigger barrier than our privacy fence). So, that means that we can hear the traffic a little more. I am somewhat sad...Sad for all of those reasons and sad because we spent so much money out of our savings to cut down that tree.

It will be sooo worth it though. Soon, Gary and his dad will begin to build us a garage. A place to store Alyssa's outside toys. A place to put our cars and our outside possessions. Our shed isn't doing the job since our lawnmower was stolen last summer. (our brand-new lawnmower....grrr). A place to put all of the extra stuff in our spare room to make room for one more in the future. It is definitely a good thing. Oh yeah, and won't it be so nice to not have millions of leaves to rake in the fall....oh yes, I almost forgot about that one.

It is just hard to see the good, until that is here. I am really hoping by the end of the summer, we have a garage. It would be so nice to not have to wipe snow off of my car this winter. Ever since I have been able to drive, I have had to wipe snow off. And, snow sucks!!!

Birthday Bash of the Year

Alyssa's birthday party was yesterday. We rented a hall and about 50 people showed up. It feels as if Toys R Us has exploded in our house.

Alyssa had a good day. She was very crabby at first. She wouldn't let anyone hold her but her dad. (Not even her mama). After about an hour and a half, she finally became comfortable enough to roam the floor and eat her cake.

Some great pictures that I just have to share...

Here is Alyssa in a hat that I knew she would hate. But, I went ahead and spent about $5.00 on it anyways. Yes, a huge waste of money, but at least I got one picture...



Alyssa's Care Bear cake. No, I didn't make this. It was store bought. I am not Betty Crocker, that is for sure.

She had her own little cake to smoosh. She cried through the entire Happy Birthday song. She didn't know what to think of the cake. Nothing that big has ever been placed in front of her.

But then, she had fun. After all, it was sugar, and we were letting her touch it and put it into her mouth.

And I think this is her favorite birthday present she recieved. Thank you, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Jeff and cousin, Benjamin.