Happy Hannah = Happy Mommy

Success!! We met up with Nana and Papa for lunch today without any fits! The car ride there was pleasant and Hannah did not mind the radio station that I was listening to. (She has been protesting songs lately) I thought I might take advantage of the cheery mood and stop over at Ross.... holding my hand (wow!) through the parking lot, I kept praising Hannah for being such a big girl to hold mommy's hand all by herself. She was so good that we walked through the store together- her little 2 yr. old self following me around. This is the first time I have ever tried this- usually she sits in the cart. Once again, I continued the praise for being such a good girl. I thought, hey maybe we can even make it through Target, since I did not find what I wanted at Ross. After changing a poopy diaper and making my own pit stop we successfully shopped our way through Target with Hannah in the cart. I found what I needed and we went home! I just couldn't believe it! Two stops AND lunch without any fits, screams, outbursts, or tears. I think I have decided to not go out for a while and let this good feeling settle for a while... :)

Amazing Moments

I have been working very hard on Hannah's "big girl" room. We painted the walls purple and I stenciled a cupcake pattern for a border. I have been searching high and low for anything with cupcakes to add to the theme. Most of the things in there are created by me. It's been fun!

So after much debate over "twin" size bed vs. "toddler" bed we decided on the toddler bed for a few reasons. 1) CHEAPER 2) we already had a mattress from the crib- which the baby won't need right away anyhow 3) the new room is a little small so we thought the toddler bed would fit nicely and 4) between Hannah and the new baby it will get a lot of use!

We ordered the bed online and I have been faithfully checking my email to see when it would arrive. If we had it shipped to Walmart it would be free instead of shipping it to our house (about $20 more).

Today was the big day! The bed arrived and Matt picked it up after work. I could hardly wait to have the final touches done in her room. It did not take very long to put together (to Matt's relief) and Hannah would periodically come in to check to see "ready, Daddy?".

We put the new mattress with the new polka dot sheets on the new bed and "WA LA!!' it was complete! To encourage my excitement it all looked perfect! Hannah came running into the room right after her bath and was very thrilled to see her big girl bed ready. She could hardly wait to test it out. Little did I know what was coming...

I have not really been an emotional person. She has had her "firsts" and I smile proudly, take pictures, and journal about it leaving the tears behind. BUT tonight was (almost) a different story. Here she was all cuddled up in her pj's, tucked into her new bed, and she has the biggest smile on her face. We got out a story to read as we do each night and she wanted to read it all by herself this time. Then when it was time for prayers she closed her eyes and began-- all BY HERSELF. It sounded a little like this "Dear God, Love Mommy, Love Daddy, Thank you. Amen". I couldn't believe it. Usually we say a few things and she repeats some things and then she says Amen. But not tonight. Tonight Hannah was a big girl.

That's when I was almost brought to tears. But that's not it. As we closed the door we heard her say, "Big girl now." TOO cute. It's moments like these that I want to wrap up into a bottle and save to take out again another day. What a blessing from God. I love being a mommy.

The Troubles of Being Two

Lately life as a mommy has been more difficult. As Hannah grows into her personality more each day, the grumpiness, crankiness, and pushing my buttons has come right with it. I love her so dearly but I will have to say that I wish there was a fast-forward button invented so that we could slide right through the tantrums that come with not getting her way.

It's becoming a learning experience for Matt and me. We have learned the "counting to 3" technique... the "time-out" technique... and the not so fun "spanking" technique. I am also learning to just be patient. These times will eventually go away... right??? Of course it all comes with the cute looks that have developed- she thinks it may work to squiggle out of a spanking and right into getting what "Hannah" wants. So this is where I have learned perseverance and consistency. And just plain holding my foot down when it comes to belief that she shouldn't be acting one way or another.

It's all worth it to me. Raising our child to learn discipline and obedience will definitely be worth it. This is what I tell myself during screaming fits in the car and crocodile tears in the store.

But she's still cute.

Hannah Turns 2

Elmo came to wish Hannah a Happy Birthday!

Hannah opened presents... played with Maggie and Asher... and ate lots of cake!

What a great birthday for her!

The famous Heath Bar Birthday Cake-- YUMMY!!! Everyone's favorite!

Look at how tired she was- totally asleep by the time we got home. How sweet...

Family Vacation in SC!

YAY Boogie Board!

Grandpa and Hannah strolling along...

Touching one of the MANY starfish we found on the beach! (mostly in the water)

"Up" mommy! "Up" daddy! She loves to hold our hands and swing her.

Beach Babe already...

Here we are at Hilton Head Island! Hannah had an absolute blast! Of course, so did Grandma and Grandpa J! Each day we woke up and headed straight for the beach after breakfast. Hannah found spots on the beach where the water stayed in a little canal at about 1 1/2 ft deep and she could splash around to her heart's desire! She loved digging and making "sand castles" too. She approached the ocean a few times but wasn't a big fan of it until the last day! There was no wind and hardly any waves. Grandma brought her right in and she loved it.

One day we took an excursion to see dolphins- I highly recommend it! It was "guaranteed" to see them and we definitely did. Hannah loved it and now she recognizes all pictures of dolphins. That afternoon we spent some time shopping and enjoying the beautiful island.

It was such a blessing to be able to spend time with my parents and sister and Aaron. They really got to see how much Hannah has grown. It's hard to explain the cute little things she does. I can't really describe her personality with words. I hope we are able to start a summer vacation tradition!

No New Posts...

So I have tried to put up new pictures of Hannah- some of the beach vacation we took to Hilton Head Island, Bucky and Grami's 50th anniversary celebration, and summer fun- but NO luck. I thought I could manage my way through this "easy" blog but I guess not! What a bummer!

When I try to put up pictures for a new post, nothing happens! I click on the photo icon and wait and nothing!

Maybe my other half will be able to assist me. I hope so! Sorry everyone!