In Progress

I have just not been motivated to blog for the past few days. I don't know what it is. You know how I love to talk! I guess a lot is going on, but nothing much is going on at the same time. So, I decided to share a few things that are "in progress." The first one is a little depressing and involves poop. Yes, I said it. Poop. While a few years ago this would have been an inappropriate subject for conversation, as soon as I became a mommy, poop suddenly figured large in my life. Well, for the past few months, it has taken an even larger portion of my time and thoughts. LB is having a lot of trouble doing it. At first we thought it was purely psychological. Her doctor recommended prune juice, graham crackers and then Miralax. They made her lose control of her bowels. We were left with no option but to use glycerin suppositories every three days. Yes, we've been doing this for a couple of months. It's terrible. She hates it and gets so upset and then it causes her a lot of pain to actually go. She always looks so betrayed. Well, the doctor is ready to take action. Tomorrow my baby girl has to have a barium enema. Yes, you read correctly. My two year-old has to go through this. Can you imagine? So I have begun to educate her on her digestive system. I know this sounds crazy, but it was my dad's idea. Take it up with him if you disagree. It does seem to be helping some. I explained how it all works and then we practice how she will lay on the table. At the very least, she will know what is happening when it starts. Hopefully, tomorrow we will have some answers.

Okay, now on to the happy stuff. I've been working on some sewing projects lately, but I can't show them all to you. I've been making some gifts and I don't want to give away the surprise. However, I can give you some peeks. In a week or so, I can give you a full look at what I have been working on. I'll also photograph some really cute fabric that I got to make a skirt for LB. I'm excited. It will be my first, so it should be interesting. I made both without patterns. I guess I sew like I cook, huh?

Finally, I have a progress report on Molly and her training. Having a puppy is sort of like having a newborn. Everyone has an opinion or advice. There are different schools of thought on raising and training a puppy. People can bristle if you don't agree with their method. We're taking a course at PetSmart with some success. Our trainer described her teaching style as comparable to the Waldorf style of teaching children. I thought this was amazing, as I am a proponent of such alternative forms. However, when my mother-in-law visited this weekend, she informed us that Molly was running the house and our lives. She made a few suggestions about teaching Molly that she is not the leader of the pack. So, we've settled on a combination of the two methods. This might sound contradictory, but I think it is really going to work for us. We've already seen some improvement in her behavior. She was already ringing a bell to go out, but now she isn't pulling as much when we walk her and isn't mouthing my hands and arms as often. She can also "sit" and "shake" and does fairly well with "take it, leave it." Now we're working on "stay," as we continue to work on the other skills. I included a cute picture of LB and Molly on our way to training. Check back tomorrow for a special feature!

Ugh.

I feel yucky today. I had a headache last night before bed and woke up this morning with some sinus pressure, a headache and absolutely no energy. Hence the "ugh." All I have wanted to do all day is curl up under a blanket on the couch with a cup of tea and sleep. Alas, I am a mommy and don't get sick days. I guess I set myself up for this. I mean, you feed a child, change her diapers and read and play with her every day and she comes to expect it. Demand it in some cases. Then there's the dog. She insists on being walked and fed as well. So, I haven't gotten much couch time today. I guilted myself into doing some dishes and sweeping too. Oh, where are the carefree days of my youth? To be honest, I have no desire to return to my youth. I just like to pretend that I do. On a brighter note, Brennan and Molly (the toddler and the dog) haven't been arguing as much today. Brennan did hit Molly with a book and sippy cup, but, fortunately, Molly didn't throw a water dish back at her or anything. This led to a conversation with LB about hitting and how we should never do it. She seems to make a distinction between humans and other animals that we will have to work on.

I did spend some time today fantasizing about gardening this summer. Last summer was our first in our house and I was on some meds that made me very heat and sun sensitive. Yes, it's probably the one you're thinking about. Anyway, I couldn't stand being outside much and the gardens suffered from it. I would plant something and then neglect it. I have big plans for this summer that involve the Amish greenhouse in Jackson, Ohio, a lot of weeding and, hopefully, not much water. I'm trying to think about water conservation and plant things that don't need a lot of it. Last summer I put a lot of lavender, russian sage and sedum in the front gardens. We're on a busy street and those plants get hit with a lot of dust and sunlight. They did well last year, but didn't grow quite as much as I would like. I was checking out High Country Gardens (http://www.highcountrygardens.com/) today, a company dedicated to xeriscape gardening and came across these little gems:

Silver-Edged Horehound
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/70450/



Silver Nailwart
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/74878/



Legacy Buffalo Grass
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/27050/



I could definitely get away with the first two, but I don't know about the buffalo grass. I'm not sure that my neighbors would approve. I'd like to maintain good relations. Then again, I do really, really like it.

So LB and Molly are both asleep. I think I'll try to follow their example.

I Asked Politely

Long, long ago I asked LB not to turn into a two year-old. I asked politely, using my "good manners" and pleading tone. Well, she's gone and done it. She turned two in November, and now I'm really feeling it. She lulled me into a false sense of security with her nearly perfect behavior for the last few months. Then, about three weeks ago, it began. I know what you're thinking. I've read all of the parenting mags and books. I know she's testing her boundaries, becoming more independent and frustrated because she can't do everything she wants to do and doesn't know how to express this frustration. It can still be a nightmarish reality. Don't get me wrong. I adore her, worship her even. But she and the puppy are driving me absolutely bonkers! They taunt and tease each other and then act like best friends. Seriously, they argue. I can't explain it, but they do. So, all day today I hear the dog chasing the toddler and then the toddler chasing the dog. Then the toddler decides to yell repeatedly, "that's mine, that's mine, that's mine." The dog backs off and is stunned to see the toddler grab her bone and head for the kennel. Obviously the toddler's attitude is "what's your is mine and what's mine is mine." I guess I'm going to have to ride it out.