Don't have a heart attack...

Actually *I* will have one if any of my readers are still tuning in to this blog. It's been dark for so many months now. I lost the blog bug back in April/May, and...brace for it...I haven't even read any of my usual blogs either! There, I said it. So shoot me.



So....err...isn't my little girl getting big?

Diversion didn't work? Oh well, can't blame a gal for trying.


I'll just start with this: It feels good to be sitting here typing and looking at the swaying leaves outside, thinking of what to share with you. I must say though that it's very difficult to share these days, as blogging seems to have become quite a dangerous pastime of late. Who knows what little quip said off the cuff will come back to haunt me? Should I just throw caution to the wind and take the leap? You'll have to stay tuned for that, b/c for now I truly don't know.

I do know that the best blogs are those that do "take the leap" and let it all hang out, so to speak. I've never been a good risk-taker. For instance, we were just in vegas and I cringed at my hubby putting a $25 chip on the table. Need a say more?

I can fill you in on how Lizzy is doing. She's an amazing talker now and can even sing a few songs. Let's see, she usually goes in this order:

1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
2. Rock a Bye Baby
3. Frere Jacques
4. then the english version: Are You Sleeping?

Other favorites she likes to sing too:

1. Backyardigans (pirate treasure songs are her favorite)
2. Wiggles (although not so much these days)
3. ABCs

She likes Doodlebops songs (especially Bird Is the Word), but doesn't really know any by heart yet. She can't sit through one of these shows though; gets up after about 5 min into it. Which is great, b/c I can't stand any of it either, other than an occasional song or two. I just don't see the value in that show at all. At least for a 2 1/2 year old.

Oh she's growing so fast!!

And I'm starting to think that I am ready for #2. FINALLY. You'll be the first to know when that happens. sorta.

ok, not really, but I'll pass it on when it happens, k?

In other realms, I haven't done anything with my mother's group so far this year. but I'm still signing up for next year. go figure. Chalk it up to really wanting it to work, and I'm giving it one last try. sigh. There are actually some really nice women mixed into the...well, the not so nice ones. I am always shocked when some of the mothers remember me and say hi while at the park. It's embarrassing sometimes b/c I don't always recognize them. (Gee, maybe I need to try a little harder...ya think?)

One of my better mom friends just up and moved several states away (btw, I'm in CA folks, so several states is FAR out here)...anyway, that was a very sad time and it really affected me. I was just getting to know her better and looking forward to hanging out more, etc. Then...poof! gone. What's worse is that Lizzy always asks where her daughter is, and I have to try and explain that she's not here, she moved, etc. Not the easiest thing for a 2yo to understand.

On a better note, she IS understanding more & actually using the potty these days. YAY. I still can't get her to do #2 in there though. (sorry older Lizzy if you're reading this) and oh man, it's hard not to get frustrated by that. any advice on how to get there? I know I'm ready! :)

Well, I don't want to sit and type through her whole nap--she takes such short ones. I've got to get my bathroom cleaned and maybe, just maybe, do a quick run. Both are sorely needed!

relfection

Elizabeth's 2nd birthday is in a couple of weeks. It's amazing how quickly this year has passed. And she's such a little girl. I can no longer look at her and think "baby." She's Elizabeth, not "the baby" or whatever. I even find myself wanting to correct people from calling her a baby. To me, she's so clearly not one anymore.

I often think about having another baby. We want one, but when is a good time? I don't want to wait too long, but I also would like to be ready for another little hungry person around here.

Granted, I think I could manage a baby better all the time, especially now that Elizabeth is talking more. She understands so much of what is said and really tries to communicate. She says 2-3 word sentences, some of which is understood, but mostly not.

It's quite hysterical sometimes, trying to understand her. I love this: her Ds sound like Gs; and her Ls sound like Ys; so, the word "LID" for example comes out sounding like "YIG." I feel like I'm in the Da Vinci Code, the way I constantly have to decipher her. so funny.

At the same time though, I want to appreciate how very special and fleeting this time is, because sooner or later it will be gone and only a memory. And she will be talking up a storm. in perfect english! and I will be left to think, "where's my cute little baby that said 'yig' and 'gaga'?"

I guess I'm going to have to get used to this sort of thing. Saying goodbye and hello to new stages, new abilities, and new growth. I'm constantly amazed at how much I've grown and learned since becoming a parent. so much that I can't imagine living an entire life not going through this wonderful journey.

What are some things you've learned (about yourself or life in general) as a parent that you never would have known otherwise? I'd love to hear your stories.