Welcome Caelyn Elena!

She's HERE!!!

Date: December 3, 2009

Time: 4:05am

Weight: 6lbs 12oz

Length: 19 3/4 inches

Labor Time: about 14 hours

Interesting Labor Fact: went from 4cm to 10cm in 2 1/2 hours... gotta love pitocin... best part was: I SLEPT through most of my labor... gotta love the epidural MORE!

All about Caelyn: she's a GREAT baby... she's on a very regular eating schedule, she gained an ounce before her first appointment with the pediatrician (very rare)... she already has a nickname, we affectionally call her "Baby CaeCae" ("K-K")... she has a head of wild, thick black hair (yes, even more than her big sister had)!

Chloe's First:

Fruit-By-The-Foot! And, yes! It's Gluten Free!

Spider Family

Finding myself sans-Halloween decorations this year, I had to employ my creativity and on-hand stock of craft supplies... Let's call it Halloween Decor - on a VERY tight budget... Once I got out of the initial funk of missing my cute and extensive Halloween decoration collection I found that my new collection provided so much more than just visual appeal. My new spider collection is not only cute but, I will have lifetime memories of making our spider family with my cute small family. Thanks Tom and Chloe for helping me remember what's most important!

Halloween

What we lacked in creativity for Halloween, we tried to make up in enthusiasm. Somehow, I just don't see how this picture does our enthusiasm any justice. Perhaps it was my complete reluctance to walk my little flower princess around the block to do some trick-or-treating. Sorry; even a short walk at 8 1/2 months pregnant seemed to carry marathon like consequences.

By the way: my baby bump is a golf ball and my handsome companion is a golf-pro...

A MUST share

Last night I gave Chloe a wash cloth to wipe up some water she spilled on her pajamas before bed. She wouldn’t let me take it from her before she went to sleep. So, figuring no harm could come of sleeping with a wash cloth, I relented. I checked on her a half hour later and found this: So many questions…

Monster Ploys

Chloe is 2½ and is exhibiting the classics symptoms of the plague known as the “terrible 2’s.” It’s forced me to reevaluate some of my parental schemes (trickery, bribes, praise etc) and lead me to some unconventional techniques. I affectionately call them “Monster Ploys.” I know; an explanation is necessary:

For whatever reason, Chloe likes Monsters. I think it’s because she adores the book The Monster at the End of This Book or maybe it was a recent viewing of the movie: Monsters, Inc. Either way, monsters are a new source of amusement for her. And, so I have decided to capitalize on the opportunities her monster infatuation presents. Here are a few of my new –seemingly highly effective- parenting techniques:

1) Monster Treats: Dinner time is can be a definite source of frustration. Some days she eats great; others – well – require more creativity (to put it nicely). So, the thought came to mind: MONSTER DESSERTS! In order to get Chloe to eat her dinner, I told her I’d make her a Monster Ice-Cream Sandwich. At first she was reluctant but, did eat! And, the fruits of her labors presented themselves in the cutest Gluten and Lactose Free Monster Ice-Cream Sandwich. WHICH SHE LOVED!

THIS, OF COURSE LEAD TO:

2) Monster Baths: Is simple; just add green bath crystals to her bath water. I considered food coloring but, thought better. The last thing I need is a GREEN toddler. But, the bath crystals seem to provide the appropriate amount of “monsteriness” and they DESOLVE. Instead of saying “its bath time” and then wading through the inevitable whines – and, my favorite – running away naked… I say “it’s time for a MONSTER bath” and she’ll get in herself.

With the success of these two Monster Ploys, I’m madly searching for more ways to “monsterfy” all the have-to’s in life that my dear Chloe makes SOOO much more difficult than necessary. Like: Monster Socks, Monster Car seat, Monster Toothbrush, Monster Hair Dresser, Monster Vegetables (I may pull out the food coloring for this one) and Monster Naptime etc…

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Fun at Bonka's Cabin

Labor Day weekend we got to travel up to my Dad’s cabin. Chloe had a great time playing with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and Cousin Ryder. Her uncle Brian and uncle Tyson attempted to show her the fine skill of air hockey. Not quite sure she got the hang of it but, she looked cute!

OCD Already...

In September we took Chloe to the small water park in the San Tan Village mall. She LOVED it! It took a couple minutes for her to warm up to the idea of playing in the water but, once she got the hang of it – she really had a blast.

That was UNTIL six leaves scattered on the fake grass underneath a tree caught her eye. In an instant, her time of play and enjoyment became a mission to rescue, bathe and neatly arrange these stranded leaves on a bench near where we were sitting. At first the pattern was cute and amusing, and then it became curious and slightly concerning.

Until there were six neat leaves on the bench, one by one she would:

1) pluck the leaf from its precarious position on the grass 2) rush it with the utmost immediacy to the fountain of water 3) give that poor dirty leaf a very thorough bath 4) then walk it calmly over to the bench 5) methodically place it in its proper position 6) if at which time, the leaf did not appear sufficiently clean, it would immediately repeat steps 2-5. 7) retrieve the next poor leaf and repeat

I had to let her finish her mission, I respect OCD tendencies. But, once she was finished – I rushed her away. As she was engrossed in this pattern, I was frantically searching the premises for more unfortunate leaves and found MANY. What was meant to be a quick 45 minutes at the water park could have turned into an evening of OCD related indulgences; I can’t subject my 2-year old to that…

Instead I treated her to dinner at In and Out Burger (our new gluten-free favorite – cheers to a fast food company that appreciates food allergies and a very YUMMY special protein-style cheeseburger)!

Almost Betty Crocker... Almost.

Chloe and I tried our hands at home-made bread making. I don’t know if anyone else in the world experiences this but, I have HUGE anxiety issues when it comes to cooking or baking something for the first time. I obsess over the ingredients, the instructions, the EVERYTHING… I feel so out of sorts and out of control. And, this was no different when trying to make my first loaf of gluten-free bread. But, instead of being a total control freak about the process, I decided to have Chloe help me. Even though, I’m pretty sure I said a thousand times, “don’t touch that, it’s hot!” “let Mommy help you crack the eggs” or “let’s wash your hands again” we managed to make (or at least set-up the bread maker properly to make) a small perfect loaf of gluten-free bread. And, we had a great time bonding in the kitchen. Double Success! Now, as for the bread – it DEFNINTELY looked more perfect than it tasted. There’s something so disappointing about gluten-free recipes; maybe it’s the mixture of brown rice four, tapioca flour and xantham gum… I know: who’s heard of such ingredients? Blech! I’m still searching for the PERFECT GF Bread Mix…

Dancing...

There just don't seem to be words to describe...

Nanny 911 Candidate?

Who would have thought that a two-year old could have so many vices? Arg! Chloe has grown attached to a few things I’d like to get rid of: Chapstick, Binky and the word “NO!”

Many years ago, as a teenager, I was warned about the addiction to Chapstick. I laughed. And, now – I’m kicking myself. Chloe is OBSESSED with chapstick. It started out as an occasional request; which has now morphed into this: “I need chapstick.” If her request is ignored she’ll have a quite dramatic meltdown. Last night I allowed her to possess a tube of chapstick, which she had stolen from my purse; and during the 20 minutes or so that she held it – she put it on, no less than 10 times. Somehow, I managed to sneak it away (ah! The brilliant undercover ops you learn as a parent). I wonder how quickly she’ll find another tube. Note to self: 1) google “chapstick addiction” 2) hide / relocate all remaining tubes of chapstick.

The fights over chapstick have been minimal in comparison to those over the Binky-boo. That’s right, Chloe still has a pacifier. A couple months back her Dad and I resolved to kick the binky habit… But, like many resolutions – we FAILED. ARG! Thankfully, on most days, I’ve whittled her “need” for the binky down to just night time (yes, she tells me she NEEDS binky-boo). But, we just can’t seem to kick it out completely. I know, this is mostly my problem. But, as a parent – I’m weak. There’s only so much screaming I can take before I just say to myself: “what’s an extra hour with the binky?” I credit most of this weakness to working full-time and being pregnant – admittedly, there are days that I wish I had a binky too (okay – being dramatic – but, clearly it helps her unwind – I’m looking for a figurative binky – which preferably does not include drinking or smoking – ewww).

She’s no exception. Just like every other 2-year old, Chloe LOVE the word “No.” She says “No” to everything! On especially bad days, I find myself arguing with her “No’s” By the end of the conversation, I’m flustered. And sometimes find myself starting the argument: “Well, I’m the mommy…” HA! It’s about that time I figure, she’s got me beat. And, my only recourse is time-out (which, honestly, is more for my sake than hers). I guess that’s what I get for being so stubborn: fate would have it that my child would be MORE stubborn than me. I’m open to suggestions on how to strike the word “No” from her vocabulary…

At any rate, I’m developing a plan: WAIT IT OUT! This must just be the norm for 2-year old girls. Meanwhile, I’ll just sit wondering if maybe I’m turning into a likely candidate for “Nanny 911…” OR wondering if I should just kick up my own chapstick, binky-boo and “No!” habit… That’ll teach her.

Shoes

Of course, fate would have it that I’d be blessed with a daughter who LOVES, LOVES, LOVES shoes. I have NO idea where she got it from (sarcasm definitely intended). The problem is: she LOVES my shoes. I can’t keep Chloe out of my closet. And, for whatever reason, she is attracted to my highest high heels. While, I’m in favor of her learning how to walk in heels at an early age – figuring it’s easier to recover from a rolled ankle at 2, instead of 15 – I need to teach her some of the cardinal rules in borrowing Mommy’s Clothes:

1) Don’t.

2) If you do: be sneaky. Always return “borrowed” item(s) in the exact condition and to the exact location from whence you borrowed.

3) Rock it. If you get caught wearing the “borrowed” item, at least wear it better than mommy – chances are she’ll get flustered and tell you to keep the item.

Disclaimer: Admittedly, I adapted these rules from “borrowing” clothes from my sisters. Sometime with permission; Sometime without. Sorry Ami & Mandi (not really).

Chloe Has Celiac Disease

Over the past year, Chloe’s pediatrician had becoming concerned over her failure to gain appropriate weight. At her “2 Year” check up, she had significantly fallen off the curve for weight gain, in comparison to her height and head circumference. Her doctor ordered a series of blood tests. The blood tests came back with a strong indication that Chloe has Celiac disease. Celiac Disease is a life-long autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. So, what’s gluten? Everything! Kidding: it’s a form of protein found in many grains including wheat, barley and rye. She had endoscopic surgery a couple weeks ago to confirm the diagnosis. The pictures from the endoscope were disturbing. My poor baby had sores lining her small intestines: no wonder she hasn’t gained any weight – her body can’t absorb anything. The good news is that a couple months on a gluten-free (GF) diet should allow her body to heal up, and then all we have to do is maintain a GF diet. Which, sadly, is easier said than done! But, we’re making it work.

This is a picture of Chloe eating her last "Gluten" Birthday Cake.

Thanks to Mom and Alex for the wonderful gift of the bread maker; now, whether I like it or not – I’m going to become the Betty Crocker of the Gluten-Free diet – who I NEVER aspired to be.

As a special plea: please keep your eye out for any products that are specifically labeled “Gluten-Free” or recipes that are GF. Thanks!

Baby "Caelyn"

Last Wednesday, I had an ultrasound appointment and found out that I’m having a baby GIRL! Yeah, for girls! The funny part is that I had myself CONVINCED that this baby was a boy! Why? Only because this pregnancy is the utter opposite of my pregnancy with Chloe! That’s right: little-to-no morning sickness, less fatigue, carrying SOOO low, great (too good) appetite, more back and leg pain. But, alas! It’s a little girl and she’s healthy and I’m healthy and everything’s going good. She was quite the ham during the ultrasound, she wiggled and moved so much – it was hard to get a good picture of her. And – like all girls – kept covering up her face with her hands (and feet :0)! ). Guess I’m really in for it. I already have a diva in-the-making at home, guess I’ll have to make room for two divas!

PS: Tom and I have decided to name her “Caelyn” (like Catelyn without the “t”). We’re just looking for a middle name, any suggestions?

Big Sister

Yep! Chloe’s already practicing to be a big sister. I caught her a couple weeks back changing her baby’s diaper. I forgave the use of 50+ wipes just because it was so cute! I wonder if she’s really going to be this helpful when the baby arrives.

My Little Girls

This blog is dedicated to my two little girls: Chloe and Baby "Caelyn." It's all about them, and maybe a little about me...