Party Time

I think Mikayla is hyped up on candy and sweets! I took pictures this morning. One of the pictures is so funny because she was giving her "look." The first picture is of Mikayla and I. I even wore a Halo on my head, but you can barely see it in the picture. The kids at school really enjoyed it. Enjoy!!!!!

Doctor In Training

I never did tell everyone that Mikayla does have a costume- well, sort of. She is going to be wearing little pink scrubs that have "MD" on the front, and on the back it has "Doctor In Training." She does have the little medical kit to go with it. Hopefully she won't try giving anyone a shot (hahaha)! She'll be comfortable at least. She doesn't mind wearing the scrubs. We tried them on the other day to decide between 2 sizes, and she just kept them on and played outside. I already had to wash them. Good News- they held up fine and I didn't even have to iron! Hopefully they won't give her too many sweets tomorrow. I did my duty as a mom, and I made sandwiches. They wanted someone to bring something that wasn't junk, so I signed up. Mikayla hardly ever gets to eat candy, so the aftermath from tomorrow should be interesting. Really the only time she gets candy is when the nurse at the Doctors office gives her one after they've made her mad!

It's Almost Wednesday!

Last night Mikayla did not want to go to bed. I said several times, "It's time to get on the bed," and her response (in the sweetest and most determined little voice) was "No!" She has that word down pat. There were a lot of laughs this past weekend at Mikayla saying that little simple word that she has now mastered. This morning she did NOT want to get up. Without even opening her eyes she was crying "Nooooooo." Of course it broke my heart, but she was fine by the time I got her out at Daycare. I made the mistake of putting her on the stool while I signed her in, and when I tried to take her down she simply said, "No!" It didn't surprise me, but the whole point in me dropping her off is to get to work. I had to take her off the stool and carry her into the room. She didn't get upset. She just looked at me with this very pouty face.

As I posted yesterday- some kid at Daycare was diagnosed with some contagious disease. Apparently for the time being they are checking the kids hands for bumps before the parents take kids home from Daycare in the afternoon. I guess that makes me feel better. I was actually told this afternoon, as they checked Mikayla's hands while I held her, "she's good FOR NOW." That part wasn't too reassuring.

As for me- I was observed today, which I think went very well. Another teacher (the teacher who is now teaching my old position) came in this morning and told me that kids had actually said to her, "Are you going to be mean like Ms. York was?" I actually had one entire class stay inside during their entire recess to practice getting in line today. I told them that if they were going to take my class time because they were not following directions when I said to line up then I would take their time. I bet that class will get in line like they are supposed to next time. If they don't then I'll take another recess. I'd rather be known as a mean teacher at the moment, while gaining their respect than to not have their respect because they think that I don't have control of the classroom. Believe it or not- I really believe that students thrive when there is structure. I do believe there can be "controlled chaos," but there are too many classrooms that just have chaos.

A Little Updating

Mikayla and I went to Haynesville this past weekend. We had a pretty good weekend. It was good to go to Haynesville and great to see everyone, but I think we get more rest when we get to sleep in our own beds at home. Mikayla was really restless Friday and Saturday night, which meant I didn't get much sleep.

Last night Mikayla actually bit me. She smiled after she did it, but I had to get onto her. IT HURT! She was hugging me when she bit me! I'm sure she's learned it from being bitten so many times (happened again last Thursday).

Today I found out that someone in Mikayla's class at Daycare was diagnosed with that Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (or whatever it's called), so now I have to be on the lookout for that.

Tomorrow I am getting observed at school, so lots of stuff to do. The first picture above is from this weekend when Mikayla fell asleep in my lap. The other picture is of her sitting in her rocker at Mimi and Pop's.

Ears are Clear

I finally got Mikayla to go to sleep, so I'm about to enjoy a very hot bath! I need to relax every once in a while. I wanted to let everyone know that Mikayla's ears are clear. We saw the doctor this afternoon. If she gets another ear infection any time soon though tubes will be recommended. This is my shortest blog, but I am exhausted. Have a great Thursday!

Chuck E. Cheese

My school had a fundraiser from 3-9 at Chuck E. Cheese, so I took Mikayla when I picked her up from Daycare. She had a blast, and I enjoyed getting to just have fun with her and with some of my students. Angela and I were always scared of the person dressed as Chuck E. Cheese, and I figured that Mikayla would be too(is scared of Santa Clause). I saw Chuck E. Cheese from a distance, and I expected Mikayla to start crying. She didn't though. She started waving (still at a distance), so I decided to push my luck and told her to go give him a "high five." To my amazement- SHE DID IT!!!! I was so proud. I couldn't believe it. I am ashamed to say that I didn't have my camera. I don't take it to school with me, and I didn't go home before picking Mikayla up. You'll just have to take my word for it. I'll get a picture next time.

Asleep With Coat On

Absolutely precious- I did just go in there and take it off without waking her up!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Mikayla must love to wear her rain coat because she does not want to take it off. She got it off the chair and then wanted me to put it on her. I put it on her about 2 hours ago, and she refuses to let me take it off!!!! Of course she looks adorable in her PJ's and rain coat.

I believe Mikayla has gotten over the last ear infection. She hasn't been pulling on them, which is a good sign. I take her back to the Doctor Wednesday afternoon, so I'm crossing my fingers for great news!

I'm sorry for not posting as much lately. I switched positions at school, so that has occupied a LOT of my time. I'm sure things will settle down once I get everything organized.

Entertainment at PTO Meeting

Mikayla is soooo adorable, and every time I take her somewhere I am reminded of it. As a teacher, I was expected to be at the PTO meeting tonight. Well, as a single mom I don't exactly have someone who could just stay home and watch Mikayla. The only option was to take her, so I did. I dressed her in some of her cute new Fall/Winter clothes and took a bag of puzzles and books for her to entertain herself with. Of course I also took a snack too (which she was trying to feed others). She didn't just entertain herself. She entertained everyone at our table, and I'm sure most of the other people heard her. She was naming all the things in the books and even making animal sounds. It didn't help that the School Counselor was sitting next to me getting her to make some of the sounds that she thought were cute and then laughing at her! For some reason she really enjoyed hearing Mikayla do the sound for the sheep. Laughter just eggs Mikayla on. Other teachers were holding their arms out to Mikayla and she even let a couple of them hold her (not exactly typical of her). Mikayla didn't just sit at the table- she was sitting ON the table. People were looking at me and whispering "she's adorable!" All I could do was smile and say "thank you." I guess I enjoyed showing her off, but that shouldn't surprise anyone!

When we got home Mikayla cried when I took her shoes off. I put her PJ pants on, but she refused to let me take her shirt off (she had already had a bath when we got home from Daycare and had clean clothes on). So, you'll see in this picture of her sleeping that her clothes don't match. She also insisted I put her shoes back on. So, she fell asleep in non-matching PJ's and had on a pair of shoes! I could not resist taking the picture.

To the Doctor

Mikayla had a restless night last night, which meant I also had one. My goal is to be in bed by 10:00, which means this will be sort of short. If there are typos or something doesn't make sense just ignore it- I'm exhausted from Mikayla and changing positions at work (another long story for later).

Two weeks ago I had taken Mikayla to the doctor for congestion. He told me she had ear infections, and at that point she wasn't even pulling on her ears (it's the sign that always tells me she has problems!). The last few days she has been pulling on her ears, and she STILL HAS THE EAR INFECTION!!!!! They gave her another shot today and different antibiotics. They asked me about past ear infections. She has had problems in the past, but not in the last couple months. She has to go back to the Doctor next week, and at that point we may be sent to an ENT specialist for tubes if still having problems with ears. This particular doctor doesn't just jump right into wanting to put tubes, but he said today that they don't want her to have more speech development delays, hearing loss, or other problems from ear infections. They also don't want to keep loading her down with different antibiotics, which I agree with. I was told that when they are sent to the ENT that tubes will definitely be recommended. He said I could say no, but I honestly figured the days of tubes in her ears were coming. So, we'll see in another week. If she gets worse I'm supposed to go ahead and take her back before next weeks appointment.

Lost Her Cookies

This will be short and to the point! I'm ready to go to bed. Basically Mikayla ate too much too fast and then drank milk. She is constantly asking for food, and apparently I'm going to just have to say no! She was laying on her bed watching Barney about to fall asleep, and then I heard her crying. I was beginning to enjoy a hot bath. I made it in there (wrapped in a towel) right as she began throwing up. Not only did it get on her (she had already had a bath), but it got on the comforter. As if that weren't bad enough it went through the comforter onto the sheets. I have done 3 loads tonight! Mikayla felt perfectly fine after she lost everything she ate. She actually came into the kitchen saying "cracker!" I couldn't believe it. I guess her stomach was empty after everything that came back up. She is now asleep thank goodness. I ended up enjoying another hot bath later and now am going to bed. Good night!

"Mikayla, put that back!"

I have realized that I say "Put that back!" a lot to Mikayla. Typically at some point in the day Mikayla goes through these moods where she just tries to find everything she can that she isn't supposed to have. So, I say "Mikayla, put that back!" First, she usually freezes right where she's at to see what's going to happen. She may also give you this look that only Mikayla can give (she gave it to the Daycare teacher this morning). If I start counting (1, 2, 3) by the time I get to three she is taking off running and throws whatever it is down. I guess she thinks that if it is no longer in her hands she is no longer guilty. I have to watch it because sometimes she throws something she really shouldn't (like my glass of tea!), so in that instance I have to just quietly sneak up on her and take it from her!

Mikayla is now telling me "back." For instance, I gave her her juice out of the fridge, and she no longer wanted it, so she said "back." I now know she understands the concept that "put it back" means to put it where she got it from. She has learned a new word to say, but it has also helped me to realize that I really need to watch how I say things to her. She is now at the age where she really doesn't say what you want her to say when you want her to say it, but eventually it will come out of her mouth!

Shopping Day

Today we went shopping for Fall/Winter clothes for Mikayla. Mimi, Red, and Auntie came to go shopping with Mikayla and I. Mimi and Red both bought Mikayla some clothes at the LA Boardwalk. We shopped at OshKosh, Gymboree, Carters, and the Children's Place. Red got her some really cute leopard print clothes from Gymboree, but the Children's Place had the best deals. We should've gone there first! People tell me how she is always dressed so cute, well this Fall/Winter won't be any different. We got some really cute clothes, and even better we got GREAT DEALS! Mikayla slept through the first part and then was in a pretty bad mood until we got her some icecream at Coldstone. She enjoyed her Strawberry Shortcake Icecream. She's at the age where she doesn't want to ride in the stroller, but she's still not quite big enough to listen and stay with me. We actually even thought she might wear one of those backpack things (tried it a couple months ago) that you can hold onto them with, but that did not go over very well at all. She actually screamed when we tried that. That thing got taken back! Anyways...we really enjoyed having Mimi, Auntie, and Red come to spend the day with us. Hopefully we can get all rested tomorrow for a busy week.

Maybe just a rough week?

Mikayla got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning. She got mad even with me trying to put socks on her feet. We made it to Daycare with no shoes on, so I took her shoes and braces in with me to put them on. She did okay, but as soon as I put them on she started holding her hands up for me to pick her up. Normally she doesn't cry when I leave her. The Occupational Therapist called me around lunch time to say she had seen Mikayla today and that Mikayla just didn't cooperate to do any Gross Motor Skills stuff. She said Mikayla normally says, "No" but she can get her to do it without crying. I then called the Daycare around 2:30, and the director told me Mikayla had been off today. She had slept for less than an hour and was cranky. I had an inservice today till 5:15, so I was later than normal picking her up. She seemed to be in a good mood when I picked her up, but things changed once we got home. She was very uncooperative. She did eat dinner, but absolutely refused to take a bath....I mean screamed her head off. I wiped her off with a rag and put her PJ's on. I decided to just let her watch Barney and play with her blocks on her bed. She was asleep by 7:00! Tomorrow Mikayla isn't going to Daycare because I don't have school because of our fall break (still go back on Monday). Maybe Friday will be better. I'm just hoping she doesn't wake up before 8:00!!!! :-) I guarantee whether she wants to or not she will have a good bath in the morning.

Another Ouch Report

Mikayla has an enemy apparently, and her little enemy is being kicked out of Daycare. She was bitten again today, and definitely more severely than yesterday. The culprit bit someone else today too. At least the little boy will no longer be there. Mikayla's arm looks pitiful. The picture doesn't do it justice. From the picture you can barely see the complete set of teeth marks on her. There were also scratches around it. There are no words to describe how it made me feel, and I honestly was about to cry when I saw her.

She also got her new shoes in today. We had to try them out tonight to see if the braces put red marks, but so far no red marks! She seems to be adjusting well!

Ouch Report

As soon as I walked in to pick up Mikayla the Assistant Director told me she had an “Ouch Report” for me to sign. She then informed me that Mikayla had been bitten! Go figure. Yesterday I write about how Mikayla hasn’t gone through that and then the next day she was the victim! I’m not really sure how it exactly happened. I just know she was taken by surprise because she was bitten on her back. She never even saw it coming. The report said that she cried. No duh!!!!! The assistant director said the little predator must have thought she was going to taste sweet. Hahahaha. I do know that the child who bit her was not the one who bit someone yesterday when I picked up Mikayla. When I looked on her back I didn’t see a place, so we made it through the first attack at the Daycare!

She's Already a Princess but Still Needs a Costume!

Mikayla was asleep around 7:30 tonight. As far as I know of (if they told me the truth) Mikayla had a great today. She wasn't even wearing food all over her when I picked her up. Now that I think of it- she didn't even have a drop on her. I wander if she actually ate! She rarely turns down food, but it has happened a few times. She was playing outside when I picked her up. One of the teachers was getting onto another little girl for biting a little boy. They looked like they were Mikayla's age. Mikayla has never bitten anything but food. I'm wishfully thinking that she never does! I doubt we make it through our terrible 2's without ever biting someone.

I really am proud with how Mikayla has been. I guess it's been a few weeks now that Mikayla has made it sleeping in her bed the WHOLE night. There was one night that she slept with me because she just didn't feel well and we were lucky to sleep at all! I am finding that I am getting more rest- once I actually fall to sleep anyways. As I'm going to sleep I lay there thinking about all the "what ifs." It's hard because she is on the complete opposite end. She is doing great and is doing so great that when Auntie came to visit me I made Auntie sleep in my bed with me because there was no way she was going to kick Mikayla out of her own bed. I figured it was easier for Auntie to sleep with me in a Queen size bed than to sleep with Mikayla in a full size.

I now have the dilema of finding Mikayla a Halloween Costume! Mikayla doesn't like anything poofy or it would be easier to find something (she will cry if you put poofy on- and refuses to even move!). I'm needing a 2T for her and a lot of stuff is 2/4. She doesn't need a 2/4- she needs just a 2!!!!!! She gets to dress up on the 31st for Daycare and I certainly don't want my baby being the only one not in a costume. So, I'm on the hunt. If you have ideas let me know!

The picture below is from last year! Her shirt said "Who Needs a Costume when You're Already A Princess." It's true, BUT this year she really does need a costume. In the picture you can see that she is looking over at something- it was me. Last year at this time Mikayla wasn't walking. I was so afraid she was going to just fall out of the chair that I couldn't move far from her. She has grown so much since then!

What else can she get into?

I keep stuff put up around the house so that Mikayla can't get into trouble (at least not danger anyways). I know that if I don't want her to have something I have to keep it out of reach....which her arms seem to be really long when she really wants something. I don't think Auntie has learned that lesson. Mikayla first put Auntie's shoes on- which is no problem, but then she got Auntie's Oakley Sunglasses. The shoes gave her just the boost she needed. Mikayla is very resourceful! Of course she was as cute as a button, so I snapped pictures!

Loves to Be Naked

Tonight after Mikayla's bath I made the mistake of drying her off and then putting her down. She was running around naked and loving every minute of it! (You would think I would've learned my lesson after she peed on the floor twice before- haha) I managed to catch her and put her on the bed, and that is when I took this picture. Every night I look at her and am reminded of how adorable she is and how much I love her. I think I love her more and more every day- if that is even possible!

Sour Face

Survived Shriner's

We are back from the brace fitting. Mikayla is now napping. We did a lot more of sitting and waiting than anything else. Mikayla did much better than I expected. It didn't bother her at all when they put the braces on. She actually seemed to like them (probably not for long). I think she liked them because they have little bumble bees on them. Last time her braces had white straps- white and toddler don't go well together. I have to order shoes to go for the braces, which will probably take about a week to come in. She'll only be able to wear the braces around the house until the shoes come in. Hopefully this will be the last braces we have to order. I'm going to think positively! I'll try to put some more pictures on here tonight.

My Little Princess

We made it through the night without our favorite blanket, but as soon as I got to the Daycare this morning I grabbed the 2nd blanket and put it in my car. The imposter must have worked okay because I found her this morning laying on top of it. Mikayla is already asleep. I know why she's asleep so early- because she woke up an hour early at nap time. The Director said she woke up and said "hey".It was partially because she is so congested. I can't do anything else about it. She is taking antibiotic and congestion medicine, but she is doing better I think. Her nose isn't constantly running. It's hard when your child is sick and you've done all you can do. I wish I could be the one sick and her be completely well. She won't go to the Daycare at all tomorrow because her appointment at Shriners is at 11:00. Maybe it won't take the full day and we can come home and relax. Wishful thinking I guess!

The picture down below wasn't take today. It was taken a couple weeks ago, but it shows you a picture of her with her favorite blanket. You can see the love! She actually has 2 of them that are EXACTLY ALIKE!