I Still Have a Blog? (Brianna 21 Months)

Oh man... when life gets crazy the Brianna updates are the first thing to go.  There have been a TON of changes over the past month! Shoot... after typing that I just checked and it has actually been TWO months since posting.  I suck.

This past week and weekend were pretty crazy.  Last weekend we went ahead and purchased a family pass to the zoo and I'm really excited.  This visit was the first time that Brianna really "got it".  She was soooo excited about every single animal (we skipped the insect and reptile stuff... because they aren't my favorite) and she was upset every time we moved on to the next exhibit.  I had to keep telling her that we were going to see more!!! She would look at me and sign "more" and say "animals!".  She also loved seeing all of the other kids.  We had about thirty different people tell us she looks exactly like Shirley Temple.  We are getting that comment more and more the older she gets.  Someday Brianna may actually get to hear about who that is.  And if she is anything like I was when I was little... she won't like it!  Oh well... she is perfectly BRIANNA to me.  Another funny fact... she still says "Anna" if you ask her what her name is.  She loves to make people laugh and knows how to do it.  She makes silly faces.  When you ask her how she is she says "GOOD!".  Sometimes she'll say it if she overhears someone else asking me how I am.

This month she has learned how to watch television.  This is sounds terrible but its true.  Until now she liked Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney but it would just be on in the background and she would occasionally dance to the music.  Well... I figured out her one true television love is actually a show called Chuggington.  She will sit and watch the entire episode.  She hasn't sat that still ever.  She really prefers to sit in my lap while watching (I try to limit it to one or two episodes a day) but I have Beene able to use that time to get other things done.  Yes... I am admitting that I have and will again use the television to babysit my little girl.  I haven't paid much attention to the concept of the show but have picked up things here and there.  Michael really likes it too so he will sometimes watch half an episode with her (Brianna's attention span is longer than his).  Sunday morning when we were all cuddling on the couch watching Chuggington I asked Michael if he thinks Brianna understands that Chuggington is a place and not a person (train).  Michael looked at me and exclaimed  "it is!?!?!".  Too funny.

SO... also at the zoo Brianna got to combine her love of trains with her love of the zoo.  Every time we had to stop for the train to pass she stopped and got super excited.  Like as excited as I would get if I ran into Ryan Gosling at the zoo. That excited.  We didn't ride the train this time but we will definitely be doing that soon.

In other exciting news, I put up all of our Christmas decorations and tree up this weekend.  I had to do it during nap time so it may be the fastest I've ever accomplished this task.  When she woke up from her nap I had Michael get her out of her room so I could take a video of her seeing the tree and decorations for the first time.  It is priceless.  She was so excited!  There was even clapping!  Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Christmas and this is going to be the best Christmas season yet.

Some other Brianna facts at 21 months (which she will be tomorrow):

• She still loves music and has started singing- her favorites at the moment are Jingle Bells and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  
• She tells me when she doesn't like  a song I have playing in the car and asks for me to change it.  If we don't find something she likes then I get stuck with that darn Chipmunk Christmas CD playing... UGH
• She yells "GO" when the car stops... I have no idea where she gets that :) 
• She hugs and kisses everything she loves
• She isn't a very good eater these days but still loves her milk... the child would live on snacks and milk if I let her... 
• She still is obsessed with books and they continue to be her favorite "toy"... If she is playing by herself she gets a book out and jibber jabbers like she is reading it.  and the words come out like a song... just like how I read them! I need to get that on video
• The child forgets nothing... seriously. 
• We still have to have a kiki (blanket) everywhere we go
• She still takes a pacifier at nap time and bedtime (i know, I know)
• She can operate my iphone better than her Aunt Kimberly... she can unlock it and scroll through the apps to find hers... she can also flip through pictures and watch videos of herself and laughs
• She will say full sentences occasionally and puts four words together often
• I love her more than life

That is all for now!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fall TV!!!

Fall is my favorite season, hands down!  I love the crisp cool air, colorful trees, clothes, and scents!  I also love that all of the new Fall TV shows start!  I used to watch a lot of the new shows because I didn't want to miss out... but now with limited time (toddlers are busy) I've found myself waiting to see what's good and going back to watch it.  I also am finding myself watching more sitcoms-- thirty minutes is a much more manageable time commitment-- even though they used to drive me nuts.  I still hate laugh tracks!!!  

New Girl is definitely my favorite new show from last year.  I find it hilarious and it makes me happy!  In an agreement with the bestie... she requested I start watching the new season of Once Upon a Time in return for her tuning in to the new season of New Girl.  Last night I watched the recap of the first season and the first episode of season 2.  Oh man was that confusing!  What did I like???  It was beautiful... the costumes, the scenery, the people.  It felt like I was watching a huge movie production.  It was very creative and I found myself thinking... how do they come up with this stuff?  And there are plenty of love stories... that did pull me in.  What didn't I like??? I'm not sure I can get into fantasy.  I never liked Harry Potter or Twilight.  I don't get into any of the vampire stuff that everyone is talking about.  I do like the Hunger Games but in my mind... that could totally happen.  It is kind of already where our society is heading.  I just don't like "make believe".  But I'm going to continue to watch because I figure it might grow on me.  And it will make the bestie happy... and if the bestie is happy, everyone is happy.  

Grey's Anatomy is back but will never be the same. Why, Grey's, why?  McSteamy was my favorite... and now he is gone... and that makes me so sad!  It was bad enough that he lost Lexi... oh well... I guess they are together now :)  I've decided if Owen and Christina can't work out their issues I may be unable to watch.  I'm sure they will miss me.

Real Housewives of Whatever.  I've been a fan since Bravo was available in the Cincinnati area.  I don't know how much longer I can take it though.  It really stresses me out.  And I want to shake those people sometimes and scream "I'd like to give you some REAL problems!".  How about you donate more of your money to charity instead of all that plastic surgery, spray tans, and hideous clothes.  

I'm excited about Revenge being back on.  But I still have three episodes to catch up on from last season.  See what I mean about no time?  

Brianna has her favorite shows as well... but I'm not really sure how their seasons work... mainly because I don't know that they have seasons.  I have about 15 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes on my DVR in addition to a couple Barney (her new favorite), Elmo, and Doc McStuffins (my new favorite) episodes.  These shows hold her attention for maybe five minutes but a lot of times we have them on in the background while she plays and she dances when there is music.  

There is a downside to Fall tv... other than not having enough time... and that would be that Fall and October coincide.  This means that you have to be careful when you turn on the tv... scary movies and shows are all over the place!  This isn't good for a girl that is scared of everything and has night terrors.  They should just make a scary channel that everything scary is on... that way it would be easier to avoid.  Don't see that happening!  I'm kind of obsessed with Dateline and even that scares me!  

What is everyone else watching?  

Almost 19 Months

My Sweet TODDLER

 So in some previous posts I have struggled with the fact that my baby is no longer a baby and is now a toddler.  This past month has made it even more clear that she most definitely is a TODDLER and I have to accept it. 

 My sweet girl, now loves to say NO.  My sweet girl, cries when it is time for night night.  My sweet girl is starting to put THREE words together.  

 This sweet girl asks for help when she needs it.  She loves having a picnic... outside or in the living room, it doesn't matter... it is still fun.   She is showing a lot of interest in the potty so this sweet girl may not be wearing diapers for much longer.

 We couldn't love her more.  She loves her Mommy and Daddy and her Grandmas and Grandpas.  She loves Shirley, who watches her when Mommy is at work.  She loves animals, music and Mickey Mouse.  She loves her binkie and kikis (pacifier and blanket) and her stuffed dog named, JoJo.  She loves her fish tank in her crib and we have trouble in the house when the batteries begin to die.  She loves milk, raisins and tortilla chips.  She loves bath time and brushing her teeth.  She LOVES accessories... bows, bracelets, shoes, lotion, dresses.  

The tantrums are beginning... but she is still 100% sweet and pure and soft hearted.  We love you, Brianna!

Another Gushy Post

I'm in such a "gushy" mood right now.  I'm feeling incredibly blessed, thankful, and happy at the moment.  

I went out of town for a conference this week and had to leave my little family at home to fend for themselves.  Now, I'm going to pat myself on the back for just a second.  I have Brianna on an amazing schedule and I had the house stocked with her necessities before leaving.  Even with all of the preparations made and the excitement of some fun time away from home there were a few tears shed as I left the house.  

Brianna was able to stay in her normal schedule with our neighbor allowing her to play with her toys, go back and forth between houses, and nap in her bed.  Shirley, Michael, Peggy and my mom all called frequently to check in on ME which made me feel loved. They knew no matter what I would be worried about her so I received frequent updates and it was perfect.  

And I was able to enjoy picture updates from Michael and Peggy (MIL) that were proof that she was doing just fine (crazy hair and all): 

So that left me alone... for three night, four days... to relax!!!  I went to Louisville for the Kentucky Rehabilitation Association (KRA) conference.  My work twin was unable to stay with me so I was left in a hotel room by myself.  I drove down Tuesday evening and worked with my Job Placement Division to prepare for our pre-conference that was Wednesday morning.  I'm already on the board but that night they talked me into taking office.  SO that will be interesting in the next two years.  I will have some big shoes to fill!  

My Cozy little room:

The conference itself went great, there were a lot of great sessions and it was fun to hangout and network with other people in our profession statewide. 

And then there is always "The Loot" of course...

In the evenings, after checking in with home, I spent reading, watching a movie or two, got a pedicure (where they also wax eyebrows... which I wasn't sure how I felt about that- but took advantage anyway), did a little window shopping and SLEPT!  

Until this trip I felt like every time I had to go out of town it was really hard to get back into the swing of things again when I returned.  This time has been totally different.  I feel refreshed and so happy to be home.  I'm so excited about spending this weekend with my family... even though the schedule is crazy already.  

I'm so incredibly thankful for a job that allows me to do this and my amazing family and friends which make an amazing support system that allows me to be gone as well.  And I'm also happy to report that Brianna didn't hold a grudge and was more concerned about the necklace I was wearing when I got home than anything.  Nothing can get between my girl and pretty accessories :)  

AIM

I had a revelation recently that compared AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to Facebook.  I think I joined Facebook sometime in 2006.  I could probably login to find out for sure but that is somewhere in the ballpark of six year that this silly social network site has been a part of my life.  I was thinking... what did we do before Facebook?

Then I remembered our little "away messages" on AIM.  You could say what you planned on doing that afternoon.  Some people would update after each activity throughout the day while others would leave a simple song lyric up for everyone to ponder.  

AIM WAS our Facebook!  How funny is that?  I remember that little ping every time someone would login.  I remember "hiding" myself so that other people didn't know I was online and could see who was on and what they were posting.  Isn't that kind of what Facebook is?  

I have been thankful that we didn't have Facebook and Twitter when I was a teenager.  There is too much angst and emotional trauma at that stage in life.  A teenager doesn't understand that those emotions are temporary.  They don't realize that people really DO understand how you feel and some of them very well could be just as intelligent as you are.  

I'm currently reading "Where I Belong" by Emily Giffin and there is a lot of talk about the 90's and music.  I saw a post by the Blue Eyed Bride after she finished this book and the time period was taking her back as well. While transferring music from an old computer to my MacBook Pro this weekend I was listening to some old school Dashboard Confessional that took me right back to undergrad.  Isn't it funny how some songs can make you feel EXACTLY how you felt back then.  That's okay... thinking about pulling up old Facebook status' telling the world what those feelings are... that makes me cringe.  This officially makes me old.  But to be fair, I've always been conservative so only half of my cringing can be blamed on age.  

I get the fun job of helping clients clean up their act all of the time.  I see them realize... "Wow.  I probably should have put all of that out there."  And by then, there is usually not much you can really do about it.  

Now on to the REAL problem... what the heck is going to be out there by the time my little sweet Brianna is twelve?  It scares the bejezzus out of me.  I think I'm going to start praying for guidance now.  Maybe in eleven years I'll be able to deal with what is to come!  YIKES!

Heroes

I wasn't sure I wanted to post about this but it has been on my mind so much that I thought I would just get it all out here. 

Warning: The post is a little graphic (and sad)

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and as I was leaving and getting on the ramp to the interstate I turned the corner and saw a big van lose control and flip over.  The lady in front of me and myself pulled over to the side and waited while the van crashed on the cab that the driver was sitting in.  I immediately picked up my phone and dialed 911.  I sat in my car and talked to the dispatcher.  I literally could not move.  I was shaking.  I couldn't get myself to run over to the van to check on the driver.  Quite honestly, I was too afraid of what I would see and was worried I wouldn't be able to handle it.  

Luckily two more cars pulled over and two men ran over to the van and pulled the man out of the passenger side window which had obviously shattered along with all of the other windows.  The man wasn't moving and had a pretty serious head injury.  Another woman pulled over and came running and telling us she was an RN.  She helped elevate his legs and apply pressure to some of the bleeding.  The man was conscious and aware of everything around him.  

After the police and ambulance were dispatched I hung up the phone with 911.  I didn't feel like there was anything else I could do.  Once the police arrived I gave my name and phone number in case they needed a statement and shakily got back into my car and went on with my day. 

But I have been unable to forget what I saw.  What I saw was something that happened in the blink of an eye.  I saw everyday heroes come to this man's rescue.  They didn't hesitate, they ran and did what they could do to help.  Once the man was rescued from the van, I saw grown men hold this strangers hand in an attempt to provide some amount of comfort in this nightmare he was experiencing.  

I'm frustrated that I wasn't strong enough (emotionally) to pull that man out of the van.  But I'm so thankful there are people in the world that are... and do.  

This scenario has been happening a lot recently.  Michael actually saw a car accident about two months ago and the man died.  I still don't think he has recovered from seeing that.  A relative of my cousin has been dealing with recovery from a car accident for months upon months dealing with surgery upon surgery, rehabilitation and fighting with insurance companies trying to get the benefits that should be given to him without question.   

I pray for all of my family and friends and am incredibly thankful for each moment I have with them.  I pray for their safety and my own and try to remain as aware of my surroundings as possible and be alert at all times when driving.  The least we can do is not text while driving, obviously have someone else drive if you've been drinking, and maintain your car so that it is as safe as possible for you and your family.  

Okay... I'm hoping to have less nightmares now that I got this out!  Hopefully I'll be back with a more uplifting post soon!

Labor Day 2012

Last time I checked Labor Day was supposed to be the day you take off from "Laboring".  Last time I checked, every single holiday has turned into "Labor".  Which is why I'm happy to announce this year the Lee family is boycotting Labor Day celebrations.  

Every holiday that comes around emails start going back and forth between families.  When each celebration will be, where they will be held, who will be attending and what you plan to bring.  Sounds like fun, right?  In theory, yes... its a blast and we love having friends and family to celebrate with.  But when you consider that most of the time we have THREE family gatherings to go to, sometimes all in one day, it is utterly exhausting!  

The first problem is travel time.  Each location is 45-60 minutes away from the last.  The next problem is a toddler that doesn't get a nap.  The third problem is this tired Mama chasing a toddler in homes that are not baby proofed.  

I also have gotten the sense that some family members are less than thrilled about hosting these days.  I totally get it.  Family gatherings are expensive and a TON of work.  I try my best to clean up after my little family but I know that the bulk of the cleaning is left with the hosts after all of the people are long gone. 

So this year Labor Day will be spent at home.  I hope we don't hurt anyone's feelings.  With all of the holidays coming up in the next few months we will have plenty of time for celebrations and family time.  

I plan to spend my four day weekend loving on my baby girl and doing fun things with my little family.  If anyone would like to visit us, they are welcome to!!!  You can come to my baby proofed house and we can relax and hang out with Brianna as she plays with her toys after she takes a nap in her crib :)  We will all be much happier that way!