All because mommy wanted a crepe

This afternoon (now Thursday afternoon) left me with feeling of,  "I'm the worst mommy!"

I decided to treat ourselves to some crepes, just me and the girls.  Food trucks are quite popular here in NC and I had yet to check one out.  We were at a park close by to where Parlez Vous can be found each Thursday and it was early enough that I could still get the girls home and ready for bed in time. So off we went to try these much spoken about crepes.....Emma had already told me she wanted strawberry pancakes.

We started with a savoury crepe...I had ordered their La Florentine....feta, tomato, baby spinach, caramelized onions with balsamic vinegar and some chicken as an addition.  We found a nice spot to eat, and while eating I noticed alot of bees....just kept shuu-ing them away a little worried about the kids getting stung.  Once we were done  Emma wanted her strawberry pancake so we went back to order this, and then I decided to sit elsewhere..hopefully bee free.

Turned out not so bee free.  While we were all eating, Addi starts crying.  I thought she had had enough and wanted to give me her crepe, she was holding it in the air....Emma was devouring the crepe practically climbing in my lap to get another bite... Then I saw a dead bee on Addi's chest.  I freaked out and immediately I grabbed her and checked all over her body...nothing....no sting visible but she had to have been stung if she was crying and the bee was dead...then I saw Addi put her hand to her lip and there it was this swollen little lip, she had been stung on the inside of her lip.  I had no idea what to do, unsure if she'd have any allergic reaction, and if she did what to do, how much time I had to do whatever I needed to do....is the sting still in her lip?  how long till it needs to be taken out if it is still there?  All the quesitons that go through your mind...  Addi would not open her mouth so I could not see or feel the sting.  Emma was so cooperative and obviously sensed the emergency, as she listened to me, stopped what she was doing and moved toward the car, buckled herself in and I guess she was anxious as she kept asking what happened mom?  I just told her we had to go, we had to go and she had to do as I say.  Such a good girl.

Thankfully I noticed a childrens clinic in the center we were at, but this center is full of one ways, so what should have been a minute to get there, took me 5 minutes, which seemed like an eternity!

Eventually after checking in and a nurse FINALLY walking to reception, we got to see a Dr, who wasn't at all phased about what just happened, like it's something he sees everyday and I had no need to panic or worry the way I did!  Just checked her mouth, not even feeling for a sting, then gave a dose of benedryl and an a pain reliever and sent us on our way.  The good thing about this all, is that I at least know Addi is not allergic to bees and if Emma or Addi get stung again, I know now what to do!  Man it was a scary moment!

So a very cooperative Emma, and a now calm Addi, we get back into the car and are ready to go home.  As we get into the car and all buckled in, Emma very sweetly asks, "Can I eat the rest of my pancake now?"
Such a patient big sister!

my baby's swollen lip :(

September 20, 2012

This morning I woke up feeling a little chilly, snuggling under the covers to keep warm, then driving Emma to school, I noticed the leaves are starting to change color - can you believe fall is almost here already?  I love the cool temperatures in the morning and at night - at last we can turn the AC off and breathe some good fresh air!  But it is a little sad that our summer has come to an end. 

Such a strange feeling day, feeling happy about the cooler temperatures and seeing my girls first thing in the morning - greeted with their happy smiles and snuggles. Then dropping Emma off at school I got a little choked up AGAIN seeing her so happy to go to class, wash her hands and get started with her day, not looking back to see me, just moving on - I just love how she's adapted to her new routine and looks forward to her Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Anxious as my Kungs is in hospital waiting to have a small procedure done to help with blood flow in his good leg, in hopes they don't have to amputate it.   Relief that our kitchen update is coming together and almost done, my hands are pretty much healed now and I have 2 more weeks of a heavily restricted diet (which I will admit I've broken once or twice, maybe 3 times).  Always things going on, but right now I just want to send good vibes and prayers to my Kungs in hopes that his small procedure goes well and doesn't have to endure any further complications or pain.  Also to give my Pops strength too as she goes through all of this stress and worry, not easy on an elder person.

While driving home from dropping Emma at school I thought I best give a little update on little Addison before summer comes to an official end.  I've been so bad with this.  Since I last blogged about her, she was 9, then 10, now almost 11 months old!
I said to myself I'd be good about her updates and wouldn't be that neglecting mom that gives Addison the second child syndrome complex.

10 months old

Addi, still so different to her sister, a feisty little thing, always on the move, cheeky, talkative and can bring on the tears so fast - but when I see those fake tears I can't help but melt and just pick her up to wipe those tears away.  Forever clingy onto my leg, always wanting to be carried by me, even if daddy is carrying her. 

She's developed so much since the last time I gave an update.  She's feeding herself spoonfuls of yoghurt and  pureed fruit (I can't believe this child didn't like purees in the beginning, only chunks of food, and now loves the purees - so backward).  She loves to feed herself by hand too, so much easier for me as I can put everything on the food tray and just leave her while I see to other things - she's such a loud eater, you can hear her chews and sucking as she eats without any teeth - quite funny actually.  She'll shake her head, no-no, if her mouth is full and you try feed her another spoonful of food.  And now when she's had enough to eat, she'll say or sound, "All Done" and has started to use the sign for all done which looks more like a clap.
She has also started to sign "more" - which looks like she's just happy and waving her hands.  The things only a mothers knows, hehe!

So from crawling, she's not only pulling herself up, but cruising and at times letting go of things to stand for a few seconds on her own.  She's using her walker more and more.  Can put things into and take things out of containers, she understands the concept.  Even with the second child it's mind blowing how quick they learn.  I think I'm more blown away by the fact that she's learnt all this on her own, I haven't given her half as much attention as I did with Emma to help her reach her milestones. 
I do know that Addison hasn't yet accomplished a lot of things that Emma was able to at her age, but it's funny how it's not such a huge worry as it was with the first - ensuring that they can do what the books say.  To be honest I haven't look at any books about developments since Addison.  I'm definitely more low key with Addi - poor child, hope it's not a bad thing.

trying to climb up everything

Addison loves the stairs, crawling up the stairs with so much confidence now - actually when she's ready for bed, she'll start making her way up.  Other times she'll knows she's not allowed but will still look back at me and smile...like it's a game.  She still takes a break now and again, not realising she can't just sit back.  There are days when Addison makes it to the stairs while I'm in the kitchen and I just hear Emma, "I got you Addi, I got you"  and I quickly run to see whats happening and Emma is spotting Addi up the stairs with her little hands by Addi's butt - like she'd really catch her - but oh so sweet to see Emma's caring ways.  When they reach the top of the stairs Emma will pull Addi by the arm and say, come on up Addi - Addi just smiles.
I love how every time Addi's face lights up when she see's or hears her big sister - so much love and admiration it feels.  The excitement in Addi's squeals when Emma jumps and does silly things to make her laugh.  The conversations they have at the dinner table just by making funny sounds and copying each other....too funny, they really feed off each other.

I cannot believe Addi is going to be a year in a couple of months.  Time has really flown with her.

Well thats it for now....definitely more updates to come....

Daddy and his girl at Jordan Lake

Family Portraits

I thought I'd share an album I made, I forgot to add the description to the post and can't seem to do it after the fact.

We had a few family photos taken back in June by photographer Heba Salama. Addi had just started to sit and Emma close to reaching 3 years old. With Addison fairly new at sitting and uncontrolable with her rolling, we were always having to stand close by (3 of us) just incase we had to catch her - little nerve wrecking when she was sitting or laying on concrete.

A beautiful day though and so wonderful to capture more of the special moments with our girls!

Family Portraits

Click here to view this photo book larger

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Emma and Kung Kung

This video is from January, so cute to watch.  Came across while going through old photos...

 

 

Emma loves her Kung Kung and seems to have good memories of him....

 

A while back we went Forest Hills Park, when we arrived she immediately said that we had come there with Por Por and Kung Kung, then asked where the frogs were because we heard frogs the last time and we had told Emma they were in the river.

Then yesterday I went to Estes Park and when we arrived there she also said, we came here with Kung Kung.

I asked who else...she said Por Por...I was hoping she'd also say Saamie and Uncle BaBa, but she did not.

The last time we took Emma to that park was when the family came to visit (January).

I'm amazed by her memory.....

Looking back at the photos and videos from when Addison was a newborn I cannot believe how much Emma has grown, and Addison, feels like just the other day, but almost a year that Emma was speaking so unclearly and looked like such a baby! Addison was shedding skin so badly and looked like a worm (best word that came to my mind).

I almost can't remember Emma at the stage she was when Addison was born, everything around then seems like a blur.

Boy I'm blogging alot about Emma these day...Addi - your turn is coming...

Just some rambling...

I just got off the phone with Emma's teacher, Jarin.  On Thursday at pick up Jarin had mentioned that Emma was doing a puzzle and one of the other kids tried to take it away from her so she started to cry.
They couldn't believe how she cried and how tenderhearted she is.  They said they love the cuddles so don't mind that at all.  Because it was pick up and it was so busy with all the parents there, I decided to email the teacher to follow up on that incident, just to see if she had any advice on how I can encourage more sharing at home, which always seems like a challenge with Addison and other kids we might get together with. 

Jarin called and spoke about Emma and how sweet and adorable she is, how great she's doing at school, always on the move (they couldn't get over how she ran around the playground really sweating, going on the swing, playing in the sandpit - yes the sandpit!!! and popping bubbles), taking interest in every station in the class, coloring so beautifully - using all the colors and talking about the colors, taking out the ABC puzzle, lifting the E and saying E is for Emma.  Listening so well and understanding everything - really made me smile to hear all this and so reassuring that Emma is enjoying school until she has to share a toy or wants a toy from another child.  They cannot believe she just turned 3 and doing everything that she does.

Jarin said she'll learn, and they encourage expressing themselves with words, so they will be working on that during the school year, also that most kids will snatch or grab when they want something, Emma just cries, which should hopefully get better once she uses her words more.
This made me all teary, but I know it's all about learning and getting used to this new environment.

Jarin also spoke about how confident Emma is, and they could not believe that on the 2nd day she walked into the classroom without looking back.  I told her how I wanted to cry and felt unloved - and her comment was, well it just means you're doing something right at home!  really??

This touched me and made me happy.  There are days when you shout at the kids and regret shouting over spilt milk, when you chose to wash the dishes instead of catching imaginary fish and jumping into the boat (couch) to avoid the shark, just because you want to get the stack of dishes out the way so you don't have to do it later, even though your child is pulling at your ankles to play with her, not just one but two, the other is pulling to be picked up - at the end of the day you wonder did I give the kids enough attention during the day, and were those dishes so important - although probably more important for my sanity.
I know the family is always telling me what a great job I'm doing with the kids and I'm doing my best even though I do feel worn out most days. It's been a tough few months, juggling everything, trying to make sure the kids needs are seen to from feeding to playing, teaching, doing fun activities etc etc just everyday life.  Overall hopefully spreading my time out enough to give the kids all the attention and love that they need, but after todays call, I think I am. Today has been an off day, my energy levels are low and have felt like doing nothing.  So I think it was just words I needed to hear.

Emma, despite the sensitive soul you are (let's hope that sharing things get easier soonest), I'm so proud of who you are today and what you're still to become!  Stay as bright and silly as you are! I'll do my best to be the best mom for you!  I love you so much my munch!

2nd Day of Preschool

Emma's 2nd day at preschool this week and she was so good!  We made sure to leave early and took a slow drive to school - so slow and relaxed that mommy missed the road to turn into the school.  Emma noticed the school behind us and said, "My school!".  Oops....so I carried on driving until I could find a good place to turn around, as I'm driving Emma was saying, "Mommy, go back, go back!"  I told her I wasn't concentrating and was going to turn around.
When I finally turned around she said, "Mommy wasn't concentrating!"  Clearly she wanted to go to school today. 

When we got to school she was eager to get out the car, we were still a bit early and the doors only open at 9am, so we waited around until.  Walking to her class, Emma said, I want to go to my classroom.  So we went upstairs, gave kisses, dropped Emma's snacks in the snack box, gave the teacher the pot plant we had to buy (Emma was excited to show this to Miss Jarin), and then hung up Emma's backpack.  After that Emma walked straight into her classroom and didn't even say goodbye!  I got all choked up and wanted to unleash the tears but I kept walking thinking...My little girl is getting so big, she's doesn't need me anymore!!!!  Maybe she doesn't love me as much as I think!!  haha, silly thought I know.

But still, huge milestone it feels, it's so relieving and sad at the same time, that she's comfortable in her school and with her teachers and doesn't always have to have me by her side, she's becoming so independent.

Now we have some Addison and Me time....got home just intime to put her down for nap, and I get some quiet time to do......shoo...so many things I can do....eat breakfast, see what issues they're talking about on Dr Phil while eating (I can't believe I just put this on my blog - I am not a fan of this show), put on washing, make a few phone calls and then blog some.....

This quiet time is nice - although short lived, as now Miss Addison is up and we get to have some one on one time.....duty calls.....

First Day of Preschool

Today, September 4th, was Emma's first day at Preschool.  What an exciting day for Emma.
We've enrolled Emma at Epworth Preschool and she's attending 2 days a week, from 9am - 12am.

Last week Wednesday we had school orientation which gave us the opportunity to meet Emma's teachers, the school Director and the rest of the staff.  Then that Friday Emma's teachers organised a Popsicle Playdate, where all the kids from the class came to the school and were able to get aquainted with their teachers, Miss Jarin and Miss Cammie, fellow classmates, a chance see their classroom and run around on the playground.  A great way to slowly ease the kids into their new surroundings.

receiving a popsicle from Miss Cammie

out of all the kids Emma was the messiest, wish I got a pic

Emma's Classmates

making herself comfortable in the reading corner

Emma loves her puzzles

Then today for their first day they split the kids up ito 2 groups and only had each group come an hour at a time, so Emma went from 9:15am - 10:15am this morning.  Driving into the school and seeing everyone making their way to their classrooms got me a bit choked up, but I'm glad to report that there were no tears from Emma, nor from Rod and I, and Addi.  All the kids with their totes and backpacks, so sweet to see.  I just couldn't and still can't believe we're here already with Emma.  Hard to let go of her after having her at home with me for 3 years. 

Emma was excited about her first day which helped the process.  The night before I had her choose her backpack that would be her school backpack, then she helped pack her spare clothes and I ran her through why she needs the spare clothes, underwear and shoes.  Then on the way to school we spoke about what was going to happen at school and Emma seemed to be happy with that.  She was excited that she could show her daddy her classroom.  I was so happy that daddy was in town for this BIG event!

So on orientation night we were told about their kiss and go policy.  They prefer that the parents don't linger and be out of the kids sight as soon as possible.  If your child invites you into the classroom to see something then of course we're allowed in, but otherwise it's into the classroom, say goodbye, kids wash hands and start playing.  If your child cries or you're wondering how she's doing, you can ask one of the other teachers to go upstairs and pop her head in the classroom to check that your child is doing just fine.  Obviously all the rules that were spoken about on orientation night were forgotten on the day, so we lingered a little longer than we should have that the teacher had to signal to shoo us away....oops!
As I was walking down the steps I was just waiting to hear her cry, but nothing....sheew...drop off successful. So happy to see Emma happy in her classroom with her teacher and not one tear!

After the hour, which was nice to run a few errands and get a coffee, Rod went in to pick up Emma, they were apparently still busy in class with storytime, Emma had the chance to hold the class mascot which is a ladybug - she was pretty chuffed about this role and then when it was time to leave, she did not want to leave.  So thats definitely a good sign that she enjoyed herself.
Also on orientation night they spoke about dressing the kids, that it's not a fashion show, and the kids must wear clothes that expect to get dirty and most of the materials they use are "washable", and boy were they right, not only their clothes but their hands too - Emma already came home with paint-stained hands....a nailbrush is now on our grocery list.

Thursday will be the first day of the full 3 hours - so that will be interesting to see how that goes.  Knowing Emma she'll love it just as much and just be so happy to be listening to stories, getting to paint, draw and do puzzles.  She slept so well today at naptime I was in the bedroom down the hall and I could hear her snoring, I can only imagine how well she'll nap on Thursday afternoon. Jinx!  Lets see how I do since it'll just be me this time dropping Emma off at school....

Here are some pics from today.....

so excited to go to school today

 



backpack just as big as her

 

greeting Miss Jarin

Finding where to hook her bag - by her name