So Much....

So Mommy has been behind on updating the blog...a lot lately. The busy schedule of the season is partly to blame, on top of the fact that I've feel like we've been running around like crazy. As most know, Daddy came home on Tuesday. It was a great day for us. Caitlyn thought it was so neat to see the boats and everything that went along with the submarine coming home. Everything was going great, until she saw Santa standing on top of the boat as it came in. From that moment on, she was on a lookout to make sure that A) he was no where near her and B) that Mommy wasn't trying to get her near him. So when it came to our first hug, somebody of course had mentioned Santa not but a minute before, so Caitlyn was more worried about that then Daddy. After all the comotion died down, she was loving up on her Daddy. She even had her first debut on TV!! They interviewed Mike and Caitlyn got in on the scene. It was a great moment to say the least.

Adjusting to Daddy being home has been a little hectic. As much as she loves Daddy, and will love him up with kisses and wants to show him everything, Mommy still has to do everything. Only Mommy can get her out of her carseat or push her in the store. Not the end of the world, but it is something I hope passes pretty quickly, not only for my sake, but for the sake of Daddy's feelings. He seems to be taking it pretty well though. So one day as a time for us.

Santa came and brought Caitlyn so much. Wrapping paper was no match for Caitlyn. First, all the bows came off, and then, piece by piece, every gift was ripped open. Santa's only mistake was putting the box that came with six pairs of shoes in the front. We were mesmerized by it and of course, had to put on a pair that matched. And of course as the day went on and the outfits changed, the shoes did too to match. Such a girly girl. But it went great and she is still enjoying all the gifts that were sent her way. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to make this Christmas so wonderful. We all appreciate it.

I promise to post some pictures later once the camera battery is charged. I know, bad Mommy. Caitlyn sends her love to all!!

A Birthday Movie!

Thank you Allison!!!!

Caitlyn's 2nd Birthday

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We had a wonderful day!! Some friends joined us to open gifts and eat cake. Caitlyn had a great time. Mommy still cannot believe her baby already turned 2!!!

Only My Child

There are many people who laugh when I say my child is evil or stubborn or just too darn smart for her own good. I forever will know better. Take for example a maybe 45 minute part of my evening today. It started off innocently. Caitlyn asked for some M&Ms in her coffee cup. And yes, she has her own coffee cup that she painted, so she carries it around and thinks that only M&Ms can go into this cup. So I gave in and gave her some. I go sit down, then look at her as she is staring at me, going "ow, ow" while she is trying to shove a red M&M up her nose. I quickly snatch it away against her better wishes and try to explain ever so nicely (aka without screaming) that we do not put things up our nose. She stalks off and wants to go sit on the kitchen counter. Yes, that is one of her favorite things. For some reason, she thinks it is only fitting to eat at the coffee table (she has chairs that sit her up perfectly by it, so I don't mind) or on the counter. She had some of her dinner with her, and I didn't think anything of it. Mommy at that point hears the microwave turn on. Mommy takes her time to go turn it off, I mean, what was the worst she could have done, put her dinner in there? But, that was a duh Mommy moment, because I opened the microwave door to the smell of burning plastic. I had received a free computer game in the mail. Did you know that a CD can melt in less than 30 seconds? I do now!! So I remove her from the counter, once again ever so nicely tell her no, and I return to the living room. I hear the fridge door open, which is not uncommon since Caitlyn likes to pour her own glass of water, and I hear her say "eggs." Little did I know (once again, I believe this is a trend now) that maybe, just maybe, I let her bake a little too much with me. She brought me an egg. Fair enough. No harm. Then she turns to the coffee table, hits it down, and cracks the egg right on the table. I clean it up, returning to the nice no conversation I have had with her several times by now in the last 30 minutes. She walks away (bad Mommy for not following) and next thing I hear is her once again saying eggs, while she is cracking them in the garbage this time saying "no mess." Mommy has to appreciate that one....although there went breakfast. lol. So for the few of you left that still doesn't believe me that my child is evil, stubborn or too smart for her own good, I dare you to challenge it. :D

My Child Is Strange!

Every kid has their quirks. It's bound to happen. Caitlyn is borderline crazy. Instead of having a lovey, such as a blanket or a stuffed animal, Caitlyn has decided that balloons are the way to go. Unfortunately for Mommy, every store seems to have all their balloons that they own blown up and on display. Me, trying to be a responsible Mommy, tries to explain to her no, we can't have every balloon. That also means I usually have a screaming, temper tantrum throwing, stubborn, and bullheaded toddler staring back at me saying "BALLOON!" Don't get me wrong, I do give in occasionally. I mean, how can I pass up a thing that costs a $1 and allows me to shop in peace. Maybe not the best tactic, but sometimes necessary. But I do try to hold my own. Somehow, and how I do not know, Caitlyn somehow possesses some special ability to have others say yes when Mommy says no. And I'm not talking about the Grandparents. I'm talking about perfect strangers who think it is so cute that she wants a balloon and look at me with a look in their eyes, like how can you say no. I want to tell them, take that back, I do tell them, that we already have one (or two) at home or in the car because she likes to take them with her, and that she doesn't need any more. At this point in time I also want to add that she sleeps with them and showers with them, which also means Mommy showers with balloons. Maybe it's the holiday spirit in them, or Caitlyn puts some spell over them, I don't know, but it never fails. Someone, if not Mommy, gets her a balloon. This week alone we have come home with 6 balloons. Mommy has bought 2. She just loves her balloons. Luckily the good mylar ones last for a good time, but those basic ones bite the dust pretty quickly. Who knows, maybe this phase will pass quickly. It could always be something more strange that she is in love with. I don't know. But thank you to all those lovely people who spoil my child. I really do appreciate it. But I can't help but secretly wish they would all pop one night so I can take a shower without them. Of course I would instantly go get her more, but just one shower...

Cookies with Santa

I took Caitlyn to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens to paint a plate and coffee mug for Santa. Caitlyn being an old pro at painting pottery went right to it. She loves anything artisitc, such as painting, singing, dancing. And anything in which might end us in the emergency room, like jumping off of things to "fly" or randomly walking into walls and tripping over things because she is so clutzy. It was bound to happen. She is my child, poor thing. But she had a fun time at NBG and now I have something to keep for years to come.

December Swimming

Yesterday we had a lovely game playdate for the Mommies in our Mommy Network at Jennifer's house. As I've previously stated, Jennifer's house is kid heaven. The kids do not go without or have any wants. Take example yesterday. It was a chilly 45 degrees out with wind. The weather you cuddle in the house wearing your sweats. Well, what did the kids want to do? Swim. Yes, swim. So, as to not disappoint, the kiddie pool was brought in and the kids went swimming. It made my day, and hers. At least I know she is having a fun filled childhood. She's healthy and happy. That's all I could ever ask for. :)

1...2...3...JUMP

This fairy might not fly, but she sure tries!

Talking to Daddy

Finally, after a month and a half, we finally heard from Daddy. Only 17 more days until he gets to come home. We are so excited. What was even more exciting was the phone call we got at 7am. I knew instantly who it was, so I answered and a wave of joy and comfort came over me. Caitlyn was still sleeping at the time, but before long she must have heard me and she woke up. I grabbed her up and brought her into bed with me, still enjoying hearing Mike's voice. Caitlyn being as smart as she is, (and also stubborn), said "phone, phone" meaning she wanted the phone. This is not unusual for her since everything is hers now, and she is in love with talking on the phone. Anyway, I told her to wait a moment, since Mike had to go, and told him she wanted to talk really quickly. Mind you, I hadn't yet told her who was on the other line. I handed her the phone, and she said clear as day "Hi Dada" and continued to tell him something that I didn't understand. It melted my heart. She knew instantly. I told her that soon daddy would be home and she kept saying "soon, soon" and smiling. She misses her Daddy but she really has dealt with this well. I can't say it would be this smooth in the future, but we won't ever have to know.

That is our other good news. After this deployment, we will only be away from Daddy for one week at the end of January and a couple of days in February. That is it. We get to have him all for ourselves. We finally get to celebrate both of our birthday's together, anniversary and we even get New Years this year! On top of it, we just found out Mike got advanced to 1st class, so woohoo Daddy. Caitlyn is so much like her Daddy and I know she is truly blessed to have such a wonderful father in her life. I can't wait to see them reunited on the pier in a short 17 days. Please don't let me forget the camera!