Take some pity on parents with "that" child..

Everyone has been there whether they have a child or not. You're in a store, a doctor's office, anywhere and you see parents struggling with a child who just won't sit still, be quiet, who just want to do what THEY want to do. Most adults look at those parents and think "wow, they can't control their child, seriously what is their problem?" Well today, in the past, and in the future we have that child. I like to think that Gabriella is just spirited and we are not failures as parents. Maybe it's just the age, who knows. But sometimes she just wants to be herself with no restrictions.

Today we went to the store to get a few things I forgot (or was unable to get) at the commissary. It wasn't a good day to start out with. The yelling and constant questioning of everything that was happening started early. It was 80 degrees (and very humid) by 9am and there's a chance of heavy rain this afternoon. So we were at the store in the morning and Gabriella wanted to walk. No matter what I did she wanted to walk. So I played let's make a deal after she tried to buy everything in sight. If she touched anything or walked away from me she would go into the cart. If she just looked and stayed near me she could walk. She thought about it and decided it wasn't a bad deal. She did get in the way a lot and I said a lot of apologies but we were doing all right. Then she saw some 4th of July hairbows that wouldn't stay in her baby fine hair unless I glued them. She picked them up about 15 times, but she put them back. For some reason I let it slide just to keep moving (I know everyone around me was thinking "what is wrong with that mother, tell her kid no" which FYI I had been saying) and on. Well she grabbed something else and I informed my rule, into the cart she went. Then came the screaming, crying, kicking, and all around show for all the people around. I'm sure people were wondering why I didn't just take her home and try another day. The truth is she would've done the same thing. She does it when we go to the commissary too. She's at an independent stage where she wants to "help" and doesn't realize helping is not picking up whatever she sees fit to buy. We're getting through it, I followed through with my punishment of staying in the cart for the rest of the shopping trip, and even though we made a scene we got through it.

So now when other kids are making a scene I take a look at the parents. If they're trying I give them a break, because I definitely was trying today. I wasn't about to explain that Daddy was away, Gabriella misses him, etc. But I also couldn't explain that I have a sweet little girl that carries her Daddy doll everywhere, has tea parties on Grana's blankie, and wants to cuddle all the time. But just in case you got the wrong idea, here's a sweet image to keep in your head!

We love visitors, not so fond of goodbyes..

Gabriella's Nana and Gaga (aka Mommy's parents) came for a short visit and left today. It was to give mommy a little break, and give Gabriella some extra playmates. She loves them and has a wonderful time with them (as does Mommy) so it was great...until the goodbye. Unfortunately with this military life this sweet little 2 year old seems to have developed an abandonment issue. But we'll be okay, we always do.

While Nana and Gaga were here we did some fun stuff. Some shopping, lots of playtime, out to breakfast this morning, and grocery shopping. Oh and Gaga made Gabriella peanut butter bread for lunch yesterday. I'm not sure if you've seen the commercial where the grandfather makes the granddaughter a peanutbutter sandwich and writes their initials in it. Well my parents think it's very sweet (as do I) so Gaga did that for Gabby yesterday. She thought it was pretty darn neat that Gaga made her lunch. I thought it was pretty darn sweet and the best part? When Gaga thought he was done at one piece that they shared. Gabriella reached over with her sticky hand, tapped him on the shoulder and said "More please Gaga!"

Above are some pictures of the sweet event. Note the concentration while the peanut butter's being added (and then eaten).

So while grocery shopping today Gabriella turned into that child. Half way through the store she refused to be in the cart, wanted to run up and down the aisles, refused to listen to her Nana or Mommy and it was just chaos. So much for thinking this parenting thing is doing any good. We made it out in one piece, but not without running through the doors twice with items not paid for (don't worry, we didn't actually shoplift, and nobody noticed anyways).

Ah well, she can be sweet. We're both currently sitting here with stickers sitting here on our faces, courtesy of Gabriella. Oh wait, only Mommy has stickers on her face.

When did I become "Mom"?

When Gabriella first started talking I was "Momma", then it gradually became "Mommy". I liked this, was happy with this. Now Miss Diva is changing it to "Mom". Not all the time mind you, just when she really wants something, or if I may not be answering her right when she expects me to. It starts out with an annoyed "Mom." Then turns into "Mom, Mooooom, MOM!!" I think soon it'll be that wonderful teenager voice with "MOTHER." Every time she goes into the whiny mom voice I tell her my name is Mommy. She doesn't appreciate that, but if she's still calling Ricky "daddy" I'm going to be Mommy darn it.

Speaking of Daddy, our Daddy doll is a hit! Everywhere we go someone mentions it. We were at the park yesterday and a mom and her friends were asking about it. Their husbands are all on the same submarine and they were talking about fundraising to get them for ALL the kids on the sub. I thought it was pretty cool! The funny Daddy doll moment of yesterday? The women in the Christmas Tree Shop who asked if it was REALLY Gabriella's Daddy on the doll. My response? "Uh yes, I don't carry a random mans picture around and say it's her father. Thanks though." Her husband quickly escorted her away.

Not much else going on. Gabriella's Nana and Gaga are coming for a visit today. She is SO excited. She wanted to call and wake them up this morning at around 7am. That's an improvement since we've been up since 5am. This should serve as a warning. If I have your phone number programmed into my cell you could get a phone call some morning from a sweet little girl. You could also get a prank call from us. That means I grabbed the phone a moment too late (oops!). Just remember it was all with the best of intentions.

Long time no update..

So we've been busy.. and life got the best of us. We've had Gabriella's first birthday, and her second birthday. We've done lots of teething (pretty sure there's a whole set in there now, if not we're missing just one), walking, running, talking (full sentences now), potty training and "terrible" twos. Gabriella can be a sweet baby girl, or very trying for lack of a better word. I say that as lovingly as possible, and also as she just climbed on the table to tell me she really is finished with dinner.

She's very inquisitive and "why" is one of her favorite words. Daddy is away right now so here's a picture of her with her stand in. It's called a daddy doll and came from http://www.daddydolls.com/ It's an amazing website that you can order a doll with a picture of a loved one that can be carried around everywhere. This way while Daddy's at work, he still can be with Gabriella. It's helping with transitions and making it a bit easier.

Hope all is well with everyone and I'll try to update more often!