A week at Sandals

So as I said in my last post, Shaun and I spent a week at the Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We had a fabulous room with two awesome butlers (yes, butlers) all week long.  The view wasn't quite what I was hoping for, but it was still amazing.  The food was unbelievable, and if you ever get there, tell Verna I sent you for one of her totally amazing Bloody Marys.  I love the Caribbean and I really hope I don't have to wait another 5 years to get back! 

Next up... Christmas Eve-Eve soiree at our casa!

We're Back!

Photos are uploaded and I’m working on editing whenever I have time; yesterday was spent digging out from under the mountain of laundry and this week is dedicated to preparing for Christmas.  I hope to have another entry complete with photos ready to go soon… so be ready for the tale of our trip to Jamaica aka Paradise, aka the week I got hooked on the Bloody Mary, aka look out for the crazy Rastafarian mosquitos from Hell.  It was epic! 

 

Starting to breathe again

Tonight after two quizzes, a discussion question and two assignments, I laid back on the floor and took a deep breath. 

I am a final exam away from completing a semester.  100 multiple choice questions.  Only 55 of which I need to get write to still get an A in the class. 

My Christmas cards are addressed and ready to send off tomorrow after I get my holiday stamps.  Just a few more days of rushing around and then I get to relax for a week.  I can not wait.

Is it Saturday yet?

Another Breakthrough

Aside from the holiday loveliness that happened in our house this weekend, Kayla decided to treat me by suddenly deciding that she wants to go to the potty at home.  Saturday she went twice, and Sunday she managed to keep her diaper dry until all but nap time!  She still needs to be reminded sometimes, but more and more she looks at me and says “I want to pee pee on the potty mommy!”

 

This morning she sat on the potty before we left for the day and as she sat there and tried, she looked up at me and said “are you going to be proud of me mommy?”  I had to hold back the tears.  As little as 3 or 4  days ago, she would ask “can I have a gummy bear?”  Knowing that my pride and acknowledgement is her primary motivator is a really awesome thing.

 

Even though she didn’t go for me this morning, she still got lots of hugs, kisses and “I’m proud of you’s.”    

It's beginning to look a lot like...

It's finally starting to feel like the Holidays around here.  Yesterday we went up to Elizabeth Farms to pick out our Christmas tree.  Kayla helped decorate this year, putting her first ornament on the tree:

It was so much fun being able to have her help this year rather than decorating while she was napping and surprising her when she woke up.  After a busy morning and a yummy dinner, we settled in to watch Rudolph together.  Once Kayla was in bed, we completed our evening with hot chocolate and "It's a Wonderful Life."  I just love this time of year.  

Happy Turkey Day!

Before we get caught up in the flurry of family visits, turkey and stuffing, being surrounded by those who know us best and love us anyway... happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.  Wishing you the best and to be surrounded by those things that your are most thankful for.  I know I will be. 

Poor sweetheart

Kayla came home from daycare today and the first thing I noticed was her eye...

(Incidentally, does anyone else find that the bathtub is the easiest place to photograph their toddler?  I feel like I have an inordinate number of bathtub pics, but it's about the only place where she's contained and will sit and look right at me for more than 3 seconds.)

The incident report said that she was accidentally scratched by one of her friends.  Honestly, I can't believe she didn't do it to herself... I'm still a little edgy about trimming her nails thanks to being reminded that I hurt her one time.  

Quickie Update

It's been a crazy whirlwind of a fall so far here in our house.  We started by decorating our porch:

Then we went to the pumpkin patch:

Then it snowed and we stayed in our jammies and snuggled.

Then we went trick-or-treating.

I've been so busy with work, school, home and family... looking forward to my semester ending (just 4 more weeks!) and getting a little bit of a break.  More on that later though.  For now, the laptop battery is about to kick so I'm going to call it a night.  Promise to be back soon this time!  I have recipes stored up for posting and I'm going to attempt a 30 day photo challenge while in between semesters, so hopefully all 3 of the blogs will get a little sprucing up next month!

Been Busy...

I've been meaning to blog about our trip to the pumpkin patch and the rest of our fall/Halloween plans, but haven't had the time.  I promise, I'll be back soon.  I just need to recover and catch up on all of my school work first...

Friday Confession

I've been brooding this week.  A lot. 

Kayla was very excited to see me when she got home from the Manheim Farm Show Tuesday night.  She had news.  Not only did she actually smile for school picture day, she went potty for the first time at school that day.  Awesomesauce, right?

My initial reaction was joy.  I hugged and kissed and told her how proud I am of her.  And as I was squeezing her for the 37th time, it hit me like a ton of bricks. 

I missed it. 

My kid used the potty for the first time, and I wasn't there.  Someone else got to tell her what a great job she did before I could.  I wasn't even there to find out when she got picked up from school.  Grandma knew before I did. 

Working mom's guilt is such a bitch.  And a fickle one at that.  In my head I know that I'm just not cut out to be a SAHM.  I'm ready to go back to work and have interactions with grown ups again after just a week at home with her.  But in my heart of hearts, I wish that I could be one. 

I shouldn't be too sad.  She's 27 months old today, has been in daycare for 25 of those months and this is the first milestone I've missed.  I was with her when she crawled for the first time.  I was right behind her when she took her first solo steps.  I discovered her first tooth.  I was there when she said her first word. 

So why does this bother me so much?  There's no shortage of firsts to come - but now I have to wonder how many more of those will work keep me from witnessing?  Seems kind of unfair.  But then again, life isn't fair, is it?