Excuuuuse Me?

Total showdown at the Bennett house last night. Bennett was out of town, Honey was in town, and she and little D stayed up till 9:00 while I went to the YMCA. He was as kind and happy as a clam...and then it was time to go to bed. He has been giving us such a hard time for about the last month about going to bed, staying in bed, and not waking me up at the butt crack of dawn. However, Monday and Tuesday of this week were surprisingly easy.

Then there was last night. He had not seen Honey in a while since she was in New York, so that could have been part of it, but I really believe he was just seeing what he could get away with. He kept coming out of his room, and usually when I ask him to go back and get in bed, he does. Or I walk him back in and this happens a few times, but it's not the biggest deal. Last night was different. He would walk out, I would ask him to go get back in bed, and he would say "No. I'm not going to."

This happened about 8 times and I tried everything I usually tried like "Oh, I see that you are not a big boy. I guess you cannot go to the Monster Truck Jam because that is just for big boys." To which he would respond "Okay. I don't want to go..." Or: "Davis, do you want me to give your big boy bed away and get you a baby crib?" "Okay. Yes." He would say.

I was calm for the first 10 rounds. Because honestly, I was kind of surprised and curious, and I wanted to see what he would do. We were both pushing each other's buttons, I guess. It went as far as Honey saying "Okay. I guess I have to go home. I cannot play with Davis anymore because he is not listening to his mommy..." This would usually prompt tears and crying and promises of good behavior. Last night he calmly said "Okay."

Finally, I got mad as he stood in the hall just singing "happy birthday" while I looked at him and said "Do. Not. Walk. Into. This. Room." I have told him before that I would lock his door if he cannot stay in his bed and that has always been enough to get him to stay put. So, after exhausting every effort, including taking away the toy Honey just brought him from New York...I walked him back to his room, gently pushed him through the door, and pulled it close.

And then...I held the doorknob. He went to open it and when he realized it was "locked" he went BERZERK. Crying, screaming, throwing himself on the floor. He tried about 50 times to open the door and each time he realized it wasn't opening, he got amped up a little more. At the point where he started to retch (don't feel bad for him- this doesn't take much to get him to this point) I said "DAVIS. ARE YOU READY TO LISTEN?"

"Yes mommy, yes mommy." I walked in and he said, while sniffling and trying to catch his breath "I need a hug. I don't wike that mommy. I will be a good boy. I will not be naughty."

So I gave him a big hug and I talked to him and said "Davis- that is what it is like to have the door locked. If you keep getting up, I will lock the door, and it will not matter how much you cry, I will leave the door locked until morning time. But if you stay in bed, I will leave the door unlocked. I don't want to have to lock the door, I want you to listen and be my nice boy..."

"Okay mommy. I will stay in bed. I will listen. I don't wike that."

And that was that. Tough love, man. Sometimes they need it.

Separately, I got this sweet note from Holden's teacher after I sent them an email yesterday asking how she was doing since she cried so much when I left yesterday:

Sorry Sam that I didn't get your email until now.  Please always feel free to call the center and talk with us....I don't want you wondering what is going on.  It is hard to leave when she is crying, but she really had a good day yesterday.  We stayed in for the morning, so less transition time and painted which she enjoyed.  Still adjusting to the one nap schedule, so does seem very tired for nap...goes right to sleep and truly wakes up refreshed, ready to eat snack and play outside. She is adjusting well and we are so happy to have her in the classroom.  Every day will get even better as she learns the schedule and we create bonding time. 

Happy Thursday!

My Morning

So I guess it's going to be one of those days? A quick look at my morning:

Woke up to a crying baby, which never happens. Holden has a stuffy nose and a cough, poor thing...

Packed them up to go to school, got halfway to school and realized: my cute purple pants have a stain on the left leg and dirt on the right leg. Like I don't wash my clothes. Awesome.

Dropped Holden off at school, and she was much happier and more explorative this morning than she has been. Braver, I guess. But OH how she cried when I left. I could hear her on the way to the car. Almost broke my heart.

Found out that their school is closed again on the 18th. Geez Louise, I feel like they take a lot of liberties with days off. Going to have to figure that out.

Got to work, just to realize that I left my wallet at HEB last night. Called around, re-checked my car, only to find said wallet jammed under a car seat with a STINKY BANANA.

Lets hope I am surprised by how much better the day gets.

Also...Somebody Stop Me

I cannot stop buying cute clothes for Holden. Not because she's my favorite...I don't have a favorite (most days)...but because a: there are so many cute girl clothes and b: she lets me choose what she wears every day (t-shirts and track pants not included).

Shopping for Holden might be more fun than shopping for myself! So, just sharing a few cute and recent finds for Miss Holden Eloise.

A one-of-a-kind vintage pillowcase top from Averie Lane Boutique.

A little batik sundress from Global Mamas, made by female artisans in Ghana. Two different looks- two great finds. Can't wait to get them in the mail. Happy Tuesday.

I Love My Home

So last week, Davis was really pushing our buttons. So difficult. And that's why I didn't write too much about him- if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, right? This week, he is back to his sweet little self and he has said some things I don't want to forget.

Last night, after picking him up, I told him we were going to go get daddy and Holden and go somewhere to eat. We don't do this very often on school nights, usually we go home because Holden goes to sleep so early AND...Davis loves to be at home. To this point, he immediately said: "No. I need to go to my home first. And play." So I explained that we would go eat, and then we would go home and play. To which he responded frantically: "No! I want to go home first. I LOVE my home."

S: "Oh Davis, that's sweet. What do you love about your home?"
D: "I love about my home my toys. And my room."
S: "Is your home your favorite place to be?"
D: "Yes, I love my home best than Target."

Also, the other day, he got himself in BIG FAT trouble by throwing a fit and hitting the TV when I turned it off. I rarely have to get mad or yell at Davis, but this really pushed me over the edge. "NO SIR. YOU DO NOT ACT THAT WAY..." I said while pointing my finger at him. His attitude shifted from an angry tantrum to fear and panic. I walked out of the room, so mad...and he sniffling, sobbing, walked into my room and looked at me, sort of leaning in to me, wanting to hug me, but not sure if I was still so mad...and he said "Can....you....sniffle sniffle...make me happy again?"

Last night, I told him that B and Bennett are going to take him to the Monster truck jam on Saturday. He quickly said "OH! That sounds fun..." and we talked about it the rest of the night. He asked a million questions and this morning, the first thing he said was "Is it Saturday?"

Also last night, while lying in bed, so quietly...he whispered "Nazli". I said "What did you say?"
D: Miss Nazli. I love Miss Nazli. (this is his new teacher, her name is said like "Nozz-lee.)
S: You do?
D: Yes, and Miss Hillary. Oh and I forgot Miss Mari. I love my teachers. And my school.
S: "That's so nice, Davis. Do you tell them? And act so nice for them? Listen to what they say?
D: Yes, and do my jobs.
S: What jobs do you do?
D: Do my mat roll, and do my shoes.

I have to remind myself of the phases. Three is emotional. Up and down. But overall, he is a sweet little boy. Last night at dinner, I was talking to Holden, she was really hungry and we had just finished the bread at our table, so I asked the waiter for a little more bread and then looked at Holden and quietly said "It's coming, Holden. It's coming." Davis looked at me and said "She can have some of my bread, mommy." So smart, and kind, for a three year old.

Holden wasn't so sure about going back to school today. It was hard. She is so sweet and tries so hard to be happy. She would smile, but with this look like "Am I okay?"

I saw this little quote on pinterest the other day- and it really struck a chord with me. I'm trying to think about it, and act on it, every day.

Have a good day.

My Girls

So I took Holden to school for a couple hours on Friday afternoon...just so she could ease into it. She whimpered a bit when I left her, but when Bennett and I went back to pick her up, she was all smiles. She looked at us, smiled, then kept right on playing.

This morning was a little harder. All the little bitties were there and you know, they climb right up in your face, and I think she was just a little overwhelmed. She sat in my lap and would occasionally whimper, turn around, and cling around my neck. It was hard. She is so sweet.

I drove away feeling fine though. This time around, I KNOW she will adjust. I KNOW the school and the teachers are great. And I KNOW this is just part of life- learning to get comfortable in new situations.

AND, I just got a call from her teacher, saying she was doing wonderfully. And that she is/was exhausted and fell right asleep at nap time. I bet she goes to bed early tonight.

So that is an update on Holden.

Next up, my weekend with Katie. Gosh, it was SO.MUCH.FUN. I'm sad it's over. I always know that I love being with Katie, but I am still always surprised by how much fun we have, and how great it is to be with someone that knows me SO well. We got there at 11:30, drove down to La Cantera for lunch at Z Tejas, talked all through lunch, talked all through walking around La Cantera, talked on the way to get our nails done (Bennett surprised me and booked pedicures for us- so nice. Totally speaking my love language. What a guy.) Talked through the pedicures, then through dinner, after dinner, and all the way until 3:00 a.m.

Then we woke up the next morning and talked until we left. Okay- so the one thing that I left out is that when we weren't talking, we were L.A.U.G.H.I.N.G. Katie is funny. FUNNY. Also, we sort of thought my car was stolen that night, but that's a different story.

The high notes:
- just catching up. hearing about ohio. hearing about being back.
- picking out outfits for our little girls at this little Danish boutique.
- busting the neighbors for partying too loud.
- panicking about aforementioned stolen car.
- wearing great (uncomfortable) high heels to dinner and ending up at The Cheesecake Factory. Ha.
- reminiscing about funny events/stories past.

I told Bennett it was GOOD. FOR. MY. SOUL.
I love Katie.

The only picture I got, from my time with Katie, was this:

And that is appropriate. On the way there, I talked to my grandma, and she said something like "I'm so glad you get to spend time with Katie. Act like little ladies..." And I said "No promises, Nanny. No promises." Ha.

Here are some pics from Super Bowl Sunday...which was boring, by the way. Except for the halftime show. Holy legs, Beyonce. And dance moves. And everything.

 

As you can see, Davis was really getting into the action shot.

 

Yes, we were shirt and pantsless in early February. God Bless Texas.

 

This was one of Holden's Christmas presents- she was brave enough to use it yesterday. She would sort of walk around it...I mean, she could walk if she wanted to, so it was kind of funny.

 

And the money shot.



Beyonce

Makes me want to be a better woman. Mainly, she makes me want to be, Beyonce.
That is all.

Friday = Weigh Day

Lost another pound this week. Down about five since we started the challenge. Bennett is down like 10, of course, but oh well.

Just took the beans in for well check appointments, both are in great shape, yahoo! Davis is in 75% for both height and weight, and Dr.Frank projects he will be 6'. Little Tiny, on the other hand is in 25% for both height and weight.

Ooh, boy, does she remember the doctors office. She whimpers and cries the moment we walk in.

And poor little D has a double ear infection but swears his ears don't hurt. He was pretty crabby last night and came and got in bed ON me at 4:00 a.m. so I am glad he will have meds today.

Happy Friday.