Thanksgiving Festivities

The hives faded just in time for the holiday weekend, thank goodness. We spent Thanksgiving morning at nana and poppy's house with Mia entertaining everyone (as usual). In the picture above, she's licking the lipstick candy nana gave her. We left there at Mia's naptime hoping she would go to sleep in the car on the way to mimi and papa's house. But, we ended up feeding her lunch in the car. I think she's decided she's no longer eating if there are more than three people in the room - food has become a lower priority. She also never took a nap that day; this was a first. We tried to put her down but gave up after 35 minutes. I was actually a little scared of her that afternoon. She was really good for not having a nap, but the slightest thing would set her off. Wanting to avoid a major meltdown in front of the entire fam, we pretty much did whatever we could to keep her happy. The cousins also helped entertain her (pictured above). She went to bed at 6:30 that night and slept until 8 the next morning. And, I think Andrew and I both were asleep by 8 p.m.

On Friday, I took Mia to her first parade. She loved the cars honking their horns and the high school bands and dancers. It was a small parade - but we did get to see Elmo (another favorite) and Santa. She also scored a piece of bubble gum - another first. I wouldn't let her put the whole thing in her mouth, so she held the wrapper and sucked the bubble gum juices through it. She seemed completely happy doing this - the fun lasted about an hour.

Last night, I decorated the Christmas tree. I left some fun, non-breakable ornaments for Mia to decorate the bottom half of the tree this morning and was excited for her to wake up and see the lights. Note to self - feed child before engaging in what's-supposed-to-be-a-fun-activity. She liked the lights but wasn't interested in decorating the tree. She hung one ornament - one! But, to her credit, she was starving and ate a HUGE breakfast. Apparently Christmas decorations are lower on the totem pole than food. (And, don't ask why it looks like Mia has the Michael Jackson kind of skin disorder in these pics - must be my camera settings.)

Oh - and we also started the full-blown potty training yesterday. I bought some training pants. We went to Andrew's parents' house last night for dinner, and she went through three pairs of them in a matter of an hour. One accident was in the car seat (always pleasant); one on mimi and papa's bedroom floor (sorry guys) and one on Aunt Lisa's lap (an all caps SORRY). Why is it that Mia tells us she has to go potty in her diaper but not in the training pants? I'm giving this one week. After that, I'm throwing in the towel - and the training pants.

Spots, Spots Go Away

We woke up this morning to Mia COVERED in red bumps (double-click on the pics to see why we were alarmed). I thought she had the Chicken Pox. Mom mentioned it might be the Measles. Either way, it didn't look good. The bumps seemed to grow in a matter of a few hours. The thing was, they didn't seem to bother Mia. She wasn't running a fever and wasn't picking or scratching at them. I called the doctor's office when they opened, and they were able to fit Mia in pretty quickly. Poor thing - I felt like I had a little leper in the waiting room. It was completely crowded and all of the parents kept staring at her (because the bumps are also on her face, ears, hands, etc. so it's not like you can just cover them up). I stood in the middle of the room because I knew what the parents were thinking - don't let her near my child and don't let her touch anything in the room. So, we went back to see the doctor, who brought in another doctor just to make sure her diagnosis was correct. Turns out, Mia had an allergic reaction to the UTI drug she's been on for 10 days. I know - it's weird this happened after she finished the medicine and not while she was taking it. But, the doctor said allergies build up over time and that's why it took so long. The good news is the bumps should go away in the next 72 hours. And, she's not too uncomfortable. She scratches every now and then and we're allowed to give her Benedryl, but it seems like it looks a lot worse than it feels. Thank goodness.

Potty Time!

Last week was rough. Mia got a UTI, which made it very painful when she had to go to the bathroom. On top of that, she's not old enough to go in a cup, so the doctor had to catherize her to get a sample. (Which, BTW, did not end up working. So, if you're given the option to do the bag instead of the catheter - TAKE THE BAG!).

On the positive side, she's fully aware now of when she has to go potty. She tells us all the time - and anyone else who will listen. Her new favorite word is pee pee because she gets a reaction (mostly laughing) from every one when she says it. So, upon my mom's request, who's been saying for a while now that Mia might be ready for potty training, I got her a potty. And, guess what? She went pee pee in it! We were getting ready to give her a bath last night and she said "pee pee." So, I put her on the big toilet upstairs (not her little one), and she went right away! And, then this morning, she finished breakfast and said "pee pee" again, so I put her on her little potty, and she went again! I couldn't believe it. She also likes to take the toilet paper and stuff it between her legs - it's what she does to pass the time until she goes :) Here are a few cute pics of her on her new potty with a pacifier that she found in a toy box that she thinks is funny to suck on (I know, she'll kill me in 10 years when she sees these). I just can't believe this is happening. I'm not sure if I should go full-force into potty training (she's 18-months-old) or if we should just take it slow. Any advice?

Halloween Fun Part 2

We got invited to a Halloween party on Saturday by one of Andrew's high school friends who has a little boy the same age as Mia. The only catch was we had to dress up, too. (Well, that's what we were told. But, once we got to the party, only the relatives of the hosts were dressed along with us.) We're not the dress-up kind of people, but I have to admit it was fun. Andrew borrowed a mullet wig from one of our neighbors. It was priceless. Mia was scared to touch it - it looked like road kill when we first got it. I had to "style" it a bit. I went as a cowgirl. Or "preppy" cowgirl as my sister said when I told her what I was wearing. I have to agree. My Nordstrom cowboy boots and skinny jeans don't exactly scream "down on the farm." But, I'm glad I went preppy and not hideous since WE WERE SOME OF THE ONLY ADULTS DRESSED UP AT THE PARTY. (did i already mention that?)

Mia wore her cute little ballerina outfit again (with a new onesie because the orange lollipop she sucked on for two hours on Halloween stained the first one). They had a moon bounce, which she loved. (At least once I got in with her. And, that was quite a feat getting that big hat through the little opening in the moon bounce.) And, she got to eat all kinds of fun, healthy treats like corn dogs, a gummy ear and bread that looked like fingers.

Happy Halloween!

Mia had the best Halloween. This was the first holiday where I felt like she really got it. She was so excited by the end of the night - it could've been the candy, but I'm pretty sure it was authentic.

First, we had a pumpkin carving with our neighborhood friends. You'll notice our pumpkin looks a lot like Gonzo from The Muppets (you were right, Sarah). It actually was supposed to look like a witch. Stick figures are about the extent of our artistic abilities - and it shows.

Then came Halloween. Mia was a ballerina - or "tiny dancer" as our neighbors called her. I know she's mine - but she was pretty darn cute. She had a tutu and leg warmers and I put her hair up in pigtails for the first time.

She was a little timid during the first few trick-or-treats. But, she quickly caught on and soon knocked on doors all by herself. She got a tootsie pop at the third house we visited, and it lasted more than two hours. She also had her first candy bar - a Kit Kat. And, she loves Sweet Tarts. I actually used those tonight so I could do her hair again in pigtails. She's not a fan of that process - she hardly has any hair so I have to pull it tight to get it all up in the rubberband. So, I put Sweet Tarts on the vanity, and she ate them while I did her hair.

Tonight, we went to another Halloween party. I have a hilarious picture of Andrew because we had to dress up. I haven't downloaded them yet - stay tuned.