So, this has kinda been a crazy week. I think that writing about it will help me (and others) laugh at the situations. The decision was made last Thursday to put my dog, Sammie, down. She has been a fabulous dog for over 14 years (I got her for my 12th b-day). It was a super hard decision, but the right thing to do. We had an appointment for 10:45 on Monday morning. So, Sunday was a stressful day. I ended up not going to bed until Midnight. Johanna, who has been sleeping through the night for 5 months, decided to wake up crying at 1:20 am. She was fine as long as I was holding her. Not Brian, but me. She ended up not going back to sleep until 3:30 am. This would not be that terrible except that I am no longer used to not sleeping . It's been too long. It was so NOT FUN! As much as I miss her being little, I DEFINITELY DO NOT MISS being up in the middle of the night. Props go out to all the mommies who are still in this stage. I forgot how much it sucks!
So... Monday was a rough day with Sammie. However, it was actually even more peaceful than I imagined. We buried her in a place that she loved and said our good-byes. She was the BEST dog in the world and will be greatly missed. I'll attach some recent pics.
Then, Tuesday came. I had to teach two lessons for school, so I was pretty stressed. I was thankful to get a better nights rest. PRAISE GOD!! My first lesson went well. I was on my way to a middle school for the second lesson when things started going south. The directions we had were TERRIBLE. I had never taught there before. Luckily, my friend Renee and I drove together, so my madness was not experienced alone. We gave ourselves 20 minutes for the 7 minute drive, and ended up late. The prof was not pleased, but we got to our classes in time to start. The lesson went well, and I thought my drama for the day was over (yeah right, my middle name is drama). I got back to campus, to drop Renee off, and proceeded to lock my keys in the car WITH THE CAR RUNNING!! AHHH! I needed to pump still and drive home to get Johanna from my sister's house. Luckily Renee was still there. I used her phone (mine was locked in the car) to call information to get the University's Emergency Assistance number. The lady automatically connected me. It rang, and then, much to my dismay, the University's automated snow line picked up (lets us know if there is no class b/c of weather). Whoever had that number linked as Emergency Assistance is a special kind of STUPID. SO, i ended up calling a professor (thanks Dr. Owens!) who got me the number. It took them 40 minutes to get there (thanks for staying Renee!). I still had to pump, and was already an hour late to pick up Johanna. Luckily, my awesome sis didn't mind (thanks!).
Now we're getting to the good part. So, I pulled out of the parking garage and waited in backed- up traffic to turn left at a stop sign. I was about 9 cars back. When I was about 6 cars back, a silver car pulled up behind me with some ______( insert your own word for freaking annoying and rude member of the female gender) in it. She started honking her horn like it is going to help people turn left into traffic at a faster pace. Eventually it is my turn, and as I am waiting for the road to be clear, she keeps honking her horn at me and waving her arms. Well, for those of you who know me, I don't get super mad real easy. I may get annoyed, but it takes A LOT to really get me going. Well, this lady picked the WRONG day to mess with me. After we both turned, I looked in my mirror and could see she was still mumbling like I had done something wrong (which I hadn't unless you count waiting on traffic to turn left so that I don't die). Well, that was the drop of water that made my bucket overflow. I caught her eye through the mirror and started going ape crazy yelling at this lady and waving my arms around. I will refrain from repeating what was said for the PG audience that may be reading this blog. I was ready to get out of the car and throw down! I think that the yelling and such scared this lady enough as she turned away, lowered her head, and left me alone for the duration of our shared road experience.
This should go as a lesson to us all. We never know the kind of day other people on the road are having. So, be careful or you might unleash the rage of an crazed mama!
For some reason I feel like I have been avoiding a new post about Johanna. I guess part of me feels like if I write about how much she is growing up, then it will be real. For the first time I am beginning to understand why parents always say that time flies. I've had people tell me not to blink cuz if I do she will be graduating from high school. The crazy thing is that tears are streaming down my face as I write this. Am I still allowed to claim hormones??
At the same time, seeing her grow and develop brings immeasurable joy! She never ceases to amaze me and has developed quite a little personality. She has been throwing toys on the floor for awhile now. Brian and I are trying to teach her that we are not going to always be her personal toy fetchers. So, our rule is that we will pick it up and give it back once. If she throws it again, tough luck sista! Well, one day about three weeks ago she was sitting in her high chair playing with a set of links. She immediately threw them to the floor and looked at me like "okay mommy, I know you are going to get those for me cuz I am sooooooo cute!" I gave them back to her after I told her that if she dropped them again I wasn't going to pick them up. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm positive that she knows what I mean when I say this to her! So... as soon as I give them back to her she throws her arm to the side so the toy is hanging over the edge (very dramatically I might add). She kept her eyes on me the whole time. I reiterated to her that I wasn't going to pick it up again. While still looking at me she let go of it except for her pinky (also very dramatic). She proceeded to smile at me for about five seconds and then she released her pinky allowing the toy to fall to the floor. I looked at her still smiling face and said "mommy is not picking it up." Then I proceeded to barely be able to stifle my laugh as I headed in to the kitchen. Lord help me because my child is going to be like me.
She is getting more and more hair everyday (finally). She has been crawling backwards for awhile (on all fours) but can make some forward motion. She likes to scoot around in circles and LOVES getting herself back to a sitting position from on her tummy or crawling. Thank heavens we lowered the crib awhile ago. I went in to get her after a nap a few weeks ago, and she was sitting up!! Now that she is quite mobile, she has discovered plenty of things to get into. Needless to say, the DVD towers were quickly removed from our living room. She still wants to try and touch "no-no's" like remotes, the stereo, or other electronic equipment, but is quickly learning what is off limits and is exhibiting some early self-control.
She is still saying "mama," but has officially added "dada" to her repertoire. I usually only here "mama" when she wants something or when I am taking to long to start feeding her (it only takes about 5 seconds after I lay her on the nursing pillow, but I guess she learned about patience from me!).
I have been spending some time going through old clothes (she has pretty much outgrown the 6-9 months stuff and is in 12 months clothes). I can't believe how big she has gotten, but I also can't believe how small she used to be. I remember when she only used to sleep when one of us was touching or holding her (for the first six weeks of her life). Now she'll only sleep if we leave her alone in the crib or a pack-n-play if not at home. I would love to just be able to snuggle her again as she drifts off to sleep. She will still give some snuggles, but mostly she wants to play or be put down to explore. She is the love of our lives and she is growing up too fast. I am learning to enjoy every second and not be anticipating the next milestone. I want to enjoy her where she is. She is perfect. So beautiful and precious.
Mommy and Daddy will always love you more than you'll ever know- no matter what. Always remember that
** The pic with a bunch of kids in it is my friend Erika and her three kids (all one and under!). Johanna is on my lap (in the browns outfit) checking out baby Vaughn next to her. He is less than two months older than her, has a great family, hmm... definite potential there!! All of these were taken in September. I have some cute videos too, but I can't figure that out. If someone knows, please tell me!!!
Run down of recent fun-filled events...
- Fair trips with Brian and Johanna to eat tasty treats (2 trips to be exact). Watching all the creepy people actually somehow made me feel really good about myself- isn't that sad
- Another fair trip with my friend Monica to eat MORE tasty treats. She's pregnant and should not be eating alone. What else could a good friend do? (hehe!)
- Visit with good friends Shawn and Erika from Lexington, KY and their three kids (all under age one...it's a long but fun story!)
- Birthday party at my sister and her husband's new place for my adorable niece Raquel, who turned two. The party included many tasty treats including cake and ice cream!
- Trip to Cedar Point with good friends Matt and Amy from Wooster and Scott and Erin from Lexington, KY (The new ride is pretty sweet, but I think the magnum is still my fav.) which included more tasty treats (like dip 'n dots)
- Brian took Scott and Shawn flying while Johanna and I visited Erika and the kiddos again. This also included fattening tasty treats.
FYI- All of this took place in just over a week (plus I still had school and work etc...)
Plans for the next few days...
- Lose the ten pounds that I feel like I gained
- Sleep
- Pretend to get schoolwork done
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Sleep
I will post some pics as soon as I get my hands on them all (I forgot my camera most of the time).
*Important note- Johanna is REALLY almost crawling now. She has been doing a form of army style crawling for a bit, but now gets up on all fours and rocks. She also lunges forward off all fours and can crawl backwards on all fours. She is still working on the forward thing!
