We’re Back!

19 Oct posted by pattyanne

I’ve been missing this space! I keep thinking I need to ‘catch-up’ and then I feel overwhelmed, and then nothing happens… So here is a little recap from this fall.

We’re all taking a break from pickling. Baby Elisabeth loves snuggling with Grandpa!

Riding bikes is a new favorite activity. It’s chilly here, so we’ve been getting bundled up. Elisabeth loves her hats, and in Minnesota, that’s a good thing.

At the Minnesota State Fair there was an area in the cow barn for kids to try milking life-sized cow replicas. Well, Elisabeth was too small to care about milking this year but she was very interested in cow hoof anatomy. She positioned herself on the cow stand (the cow was securely bolted to it) and compared the front and back hooves.

Elisabeth was having a great time until the local “cow barn busybody” said we couldn’t allow our daughter to play on the cow. Technically, she wasn’t on the cow but we removed her anyway for fear of getting hauled off to Fair Jail. Every real cow in the barn then had to suffer through the temper tantrum that followed.

This was right after the cow episode. Elisabeth had made a full recovery from her temper tantrum when she tried her first Icee.

The family took a little trip up to Duluth this fall to see the leaves and explore Lake Superior. Indie and Bear joined us too! Both of the dogs and Elisabeth took a little dip in the lake. If you’ve ever been to Lake Superior, you know it’s really cold…

Playing at the park

We also had our neighborhood block party this fall. The fire department brought a truck for the kids to check out. The big kids even got a chance to try the hose. The resulting puddles provided hours of entertainment for the little kids.

After some time away from writing I have a lot of new story ideas and can’t wait to share them with you. Stay tuned!

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Filed Under: Around the House, Exploring, Parenting

Terrible Two’s

5 Jul posted by pattyanne

I haven’t been able to muster any energy to write in quite awhile. My current state of exhaustion has everything to do with the terrible two’s.They are really terrible.

Elisabeth lately insists that she wants to go outside to play at 4:30 in the morning. Sheesh. It’s a good thing she’s cute.

However, there is a new strategy in place as of today. The plan is to first redirect her attention to anything else. If and when that fails, which I know it will, then we ignore the tantrum, in another room.

Perhaps we’ll build grandpa another workbench? Elisabeth thought that was fun!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on surviving the terrible two’s. Please share. Please…

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Filed Under: About Me, Parenting

Miss Independent

4 May posted by pattyanne

Our adventure today took us to Waldoch Farm for some flowers and of course, a visit to the barnyard. Elisabeth loves the animals and pointed out each one and signed what it was.

I also got in trouble because I was hovering a bit too close.

Not pictured: Me talking to the hand

Hovering is a habit I developed to keep track of Elisabeth’s ears. She’s still losing them from time to time. However, in this situation she doesn’t have a lot of experience with chickens and I didn’t want her to get pecked. Guess what happened exactly 10 seconds later.

Elisabeth quickly recovered and visited with the sheep. All fingers remained safely on her side of the fence until she tried to climb in.

Maybe I have a little 4-H’er on my hands?

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Filed Under: Exploring, Parenting

Cookie Anyone?

5 Mar posted by pattyanne

It was miserably cold and windy this morning, the dogs didn’t even want to go outside. We have been really spoiled this winter so I really shouldn’t complain…

Well, by nine o’clock this morning Elisabeth had requested three wardrobe changes. THREE. It wouldn’t be so bad if she a) picked up her mountain of clothes and b) stopped twirling for just one minute while I help her put on the next outfit.

It became clear that we needed to get out of the house today. Our field trip landed us at the mall before the stores opened. It was a great time to be there, Elisabeth couldn’t dart into the shops and hide in the racks of clothing. She did sneak into one store today, but was distracted by a mirror. This made her easy to catch, I even had time to snap this photo.

We had so much fun walking and even more fun snacking. Elisabeth even offered me a bite of her cookie!

She quickly changed her mind…

I guess I should have gotten my own.

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Filed Under: Parenting, Photography

Comparison: The Thief of Joy? {A Blog Hop}

3 Mar posted by pattyanne

Welcome to the Blog Hop Comparison: Thief of Joy? where bloggers from all over the world are invited to share their ideas about Theodore Roosevelt’s quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Do you agree of disagree with Teddy’s POV? Please share your unique perspective.

Linking in to the Comparison Blog Hop on Dangerous Linda and Everyday Gyaan.

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Is It or Isn’t It?

Once upon a time, before I became a mother, I would have said comparison is never a thief of joy.

We compare apples and oranges, dogs and cats and basically everything that exists. When those comparisons are made one usually isn’t indicating that one fruit or pet is better than the other. They are just indicating their personal preferences.

However, now that I am a mother I’ve experienced a few situations where comparison was a thief of joy. It wasn’t a good feeling, it hurt and I walked away feeling like a failure. However, being a mom for almost two years has given me some time to learn how to deal with these situations.

Some thieves of joy and how I handled them:

Thief #1: Baby Development Books- “Your baby is supposed to be doing this by X age.” I know these are general guidelines but reading these and seeing how far behind my baby was made me feel like I wasn’t doing anything right. After a conversation and some encouragement from my parents I decided to get rid of the books. I have no regrets. Guess what? My baby has done everything she’s supposed to do on her own schedule.

Thief #2: The Shopping Mall Mom- “Oh, our kids look about the same age! Is your baby saying such and such? Because my baby is already saying three word sentences and modeling!” I tell her, Elisabeth isn’t really doing any of the things your kid is awesome at but she has a long attention span for learning, she’s been using her potty chair since 18 months, she signs over 60 words in ASL and she can walk in high heels. I think it’s important to share some things Elisabeth is good at while acknowledging the accomplishments of the S.M.M.’s child too. I feel like that way I’m not walking away feeling bad and the S.M.M. isn’t feeling like I was trying to one up her child.

Thief #3: The Low Talker- I simply won’t repeat some of the mean and insensitive comparisons these people have made after seeing Elisabeth wearing her hearing devices. Guess what, I heard you and after that first guy, I’ve rehearsed some comebacks. Low talkers everywhere, you will walk away wishing you had just kept your comments to yourself.

Life with Elisabeth is amazing and she brings so much joy and energy to my life, even when she’s cranky. When I look at her, nothing else matters. She is her own person and will do things when she’s good and ready.

So, can comparison be a thief of joy? Sure, but I prefer to find a way to quickly deal with those thieves and move on. Focusing on the negative comparisons is also a thief of time and that time is something we can never get back.

Is there any room for comparisons in parenting? Certainly! I am fortunate to have a number of friends and family with kids around Elisabeth’s age. We love comparing what our kids are up to but it’s never a competition. It’s great being able to share in the joys and challenges of being a parent.

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Filed Under: About Me, Hearing Loss, Parenting

A Little Artist

23 Feb posted by pattyanne

Elisabeth has had a little cold so I’ve been trying to keep her busy inside. Her favorite toys and games are getting old. She really just wants to go outside. I’ve noticed her not-so subtle hints like putting on her coat and pounding on the patio door.

I had to pull out all the stops. It’s time to paint.

A few weeks ago, I found a piece of artwork in the garage. It was up at our old house but it doesn’t really fit the décor here. I moved it to the garage sale/donation pile. After a second thought, I realized I could upcycle the artwork and make it into something we wanted.

First, I painted over the original print with white paint that had primer in it. I let it dry and hauled it in for Elisabeth to make her own masterpiece.

I chose the colors and dabbed some paint for her right on the canvas.

She was so excited!

When she decided she was done, I cleaned her up and wiped off the frame. In hindsight, I should have just covered it with painters tape.

She disappeared for a moment and then came racing back to the kitchen crying. Apparently, I missed a smudge of paint on her forearm.

This was a really fun project. I admit I was worried about paint everywhere and the clean up, but it went really well. Now I’ll be on the lookout for great frames that could use some updated artwork.

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Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Parenting

My First Updo and a Walk for Talk!

20 Feb posted by pattyanne

Elisabeth finally was able to sport her very first updo! She had it up for about half the day and then grew tired of her little pigtails while we were at the Children’s Museum. I spared my kiddo this time, so there were no crazy haired photos taken…

Of course her favorite thing do do is play in the water! Then there is me, the helicopter mom. I have to hover from side to side to be certain a cochlear implant device doesn’t go for a dip. I do this all while trying to snap a few photos. I couldn’t take it anymore so I had to take them off while she was playing at the water table.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the new addition to the sidebar…Elisabeth is raising money for her new school, Northern Voices. Chris and I enrolled her in January after she turned 18 months old.

We had previously been using the school district for all of Elisabeth’s services for speech and sign language. We were also taking her to the U of M once per week for speech therapy. Chris, Elisabeth and I just loved all of her teachers and providers. They worked so hard for her and helped teach Chris and I the right things to do at home. However, after she received her second cochlear implant we felt like she needed more help with speech. Our district suggested checking to see if Northern Voices would be a good fit. We took a tour, heard the kids talking and were just amazed.

Northern Voices School teaches children who are deaf or hard of hearing that have hearing devices how to listen and speak. Elisabeth has already made so much progress and it is exciting to hear her vocalizing. She is making so many new sounds and even saying a couple of words! It’s remarkable. The best part is she loves to go to school. Every morning she’s ready with her coat on waiting at the door to get to school.

Back to the fundraiser, our family is walking a 5K in May to support Elisabeth’s school. If you’d like to make a contribution you can do so through Elisabeth’s fundraising page, donations are accepted online from just one dollar on up or you can walk with us. There is also a link on that page if you want to read more about Elisabeth’s school.

Meanwhile, we’ll be training for our walk. It’s been awfully nice here so we were out almost every day last week. Maybe Elisabeth will be able to walk the whole 5K. I’ll bring the stroller just in case, because I know I can’t carry her that far!

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Filed Under: Exploring, Hearing Loss, Parenting

Dolphin Signs

19 Feb posted by pattyanne

Elisabeth loves to see animals and the fish. We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the aquarium at the Minnesota Zoo lately.

These were her favorite fish, she followed them all over their giant tank and was sure to point where they were so I wouldn’t lose sight of them either. After thoroughly exploring the aquariums, we bundled up to walk on the Minnesota Trail. We then headed back to the aquarium to warm up and have a snack. Elisabeth gobbled up her apple sauce and raisins and went to say goodbye to the dolphins.

She walked up to the window all by herself and she started signing something to the dolphin. She talked to her for a few minutes, all I could make out was “fish” and a “goodbye” wave. I wish I would have taken a video of it. Watching her talk to the dolphin melted my heart, it was so sweet. After the conversation was over, Elisabeth toddled back over to the bench where I was sitting and climbed up and asked for her coat. She was ready to go home after our fun-filled winter morning.

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Filed Under: Hearing Loss, Parenting

New Shelves

6 Jan posted by pattyanne

I’ve been busy around the house with projects this week. The bookshelves for Elisabeth’s room are finished! It’s a good feeling to cross something off the list.

These are the Ten Dollar Ledges plan from Ana White. She has so many great plans on her site and they are all free, so you cant beat that. I’ve also built longer versions of these shelves for our living room. My plan is to line the shelves with framed photos. I have already placed the frames on the shelves; however, they’re not painted and there are no photos in them yet. Don’t worry, it’s on the list.

Here’s Elisabeth’s room before:

Here it is after:

Chris and I want her to have access to books and I thought these shelves offered a great way to display her favorites. I love that she can easily replace the books herself because it’s a little early to do that with a traditional bookshelf. These shelves will grow with her too, right now she can reach the two bottom shelves. The third can be reached from the crib which is nice because she likes to read to her stuffed animals after a nap.

Let’s read!

Also on Design Dazzle

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Filed Under: Around the House, DIY, Parenting

Twenty Twelve

1 Jan posted by pattyanne

The start of the new year is always exciting for me. Rather than making resolutions this year I am focusing on my vision board and a list of things I want to try and accomplish. Elisabeth acted out her list, I think she wants to do some farming.

Chris and I rang in the New Year with crab claws and a movie, I wasn’t able to stay awake until midnight. It was a good thing though, Elisabeth was wide awake at 5 a.m. So, after a little nap, we headed to the Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul for their Noon Year’s Celebration.

First, we took a quiet stroll though the Conservatory too. Elisabeth pretty much had the run of the place, she held still only a few times for me to snap her picture.

It’s so fun watching her explore, walking all by herself and looking but not touching the plants. Each time we visit a place we’ve been before, she shows interest in different things. There’s never a dull moment!

Elisabeth had so much fun at the party, her favorite part was the beach ball drop. She was kinda miffed that she couldn’t get down to catch her own ball in the huge herd of people. She got over it real quick when I caught a flower covered ball.

That frown turned upside down as soon as she realized that was her ball to keep.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you peace, love and joy in 2012

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Filed Under: About Me, Exploring, Parenting, Photography

We’re Back!

Terrible Two’s

Miss Independent

Cookie Anyone?

Comparison: The Thief of Joy? {A Blog Hop}

Is It or Isn’t It?

A Little Artist

My First Updo and a Walk for Talk!

Dolphin Signs

New Shelves

Twenty Twelve

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