Hard Times

Dear Parker,

Last week was really rough.  I started musical rehearsal in addition to the pep band games.  I didn't get home until 7:30 two nights and 10:00 or after the other two.  It's really taking it's toll on you.  I feel horrible about it.  On top of that, your ears still aren't better and you got the flu on Tuesday night.  Luckily, your Aunt Lauren came to stay with you since neither of your Moms can really afford to take another day off of work.

This week isn't shaping up to be much better.  Mom and I are going on a date tomorrow night (which we really need to do, but isn't going to help you any.)  Tuesday, I have rehearsal.  Wednesday, you are getting your tubes, Mom is leaving for her conference in Chicago and I have rehearsal, so Nancy is coming over.  Thursday, I have rehearsal, so Aunt Lauren is going to watch you and then Friday we have to go to Michigan for Aunt Kimber and Uncle Steven's baby shower.  It's just going to be busy and hard since your Mom will be gone for half of it.  I am praying that these tubes help you feel better and that the procedure and recovery is easy for you.

Yesterday, you had an extremely hard day.  It started off by you kicking and hitting me over cheese and crackers and it was just all downhill from there.  It was the worst you have ever behaved in your life.  Luckily, it was (relatively) short lived in that it last only for the day.  After dinner, I got brave and took you out (again - the first trip was a DISASTER) and you were wonderful.  Now, it could be because you were tired or because I promised you 30 minutes of tv if you were good since you had lost tv previously in the day.  But, whatever it was, you figured out how to be a good little girl again.  I think you mostly don't feel good and miss me and just don't know how to deal with that.

We had a much better day today.  I'm glad that the "terrible twos" we experienced yesterday don't appear to be a permanent thing.  Tonight you wanted to listen to "Annie" and spent quite some time running around the loft singing with the cd and attempting the dance moves to "Hard Knock Life."  It was hilarious.  You've also been very into reading your own books lately.  The books we read frequently, you can pretty much say verbatim.  If you forget, all you need is a couple of words and you get the whole page.  Books that you aren't as familiar with, you just make something up based on the pictures.  I think it's so cute.

You are still taking good care of your babies.  I can't wait until you have babies in your life to actually help take care of.  You will be such a good cousin and, someday, big sister.

I love you Parker.  Let's get through this week together.
Love,
Mommy

Snow Day (Part 1)

Dear Parker,

We are currently in the middle of an ice storm, so we all had a snow day today. Although you can't tell from these pictures, you were driving us a little crazy today.  You were not always listening and had one really good tantrum over a pair of clean socks.  "2" is proving to be rather challenging.  On the bright side, we did have some great times.  You played for a long time this morning with your babies and your animals.  With a quick glance, it's hard to find you in the photo! :)  You love to take good care of your babies.

 After you got dressed a BEAR showed up, so you got on your horse to chase it down and squish it.  Below is your "There's the BEAR!" face.

 This is just you bein' cute.

At your request, we were looking at "baby" pictures and movies of you today and I can't believe how little you were even a year ago.  You are growing up so fast.  You say the funniest things and are getting to be so smart.  (Too smart for your own good, often.)  Monday night you began proposing compromises. "Let's compromise!"  You generally come up with good compromises so it's hard for me to say no.  You are so creative and have such a vivid imagination.

We visited Grandma and Grandpa over the weekend and you loved playing Super Capes with Uncle Steven and Grandpa.  It makes me laugh because you are just completely happy running around with your cape and chasing the villain "Super Scary."

Alright, well this was such a mish-mash post.  Out of order, not making much sense...yeah well.

Regardless of my writing skills or your trying nature lately, I love you more than you know.

Love,
Mommy