Redneck Spa & Resort

Welcome the Gilbert Redneck Spa and Resort. The $10 pool and $10 sprinkler set have been a big hit this weekend. Eric made it about as "in ground" as possible. He did a great job hiding the hose for the sprinkler under the rocks as well. We want to avoid all out tpt-ness! We also like to refer to the sprinkler as the "water feature". The sand box has been relocated to the side yard. It's time for some water fun this summer! Since we don't want to break any laws in regards to water in the Arizona desert, we got a small pool and a small sprinkler set. She is loving it. We are getting a kick out of our redneck backyard too! Next thing you know she will be swimming naked...oh wait...she already did that! Whiskey Tango!

Defeated

I took Claire to the splash pad at the mall today. She was so cute and got right into the action. THEN....the running off started. She just walks right out of the play area and off she goes. She loves to see me chase her. I really hate when this "game" starts. I feel so defeated as a parent because I can't get my kid under control. I know she is a toddler and more than that she is my beautiful gift from God. However, I am human. As a dear friend of mine so nicely put it....just because I am blessed to have my little girl doesn't mean I am not allowed to get frustrated and need a break from her. And that I don't need to feel guilty when I feel those emotions.

I am just trying to keep my composure today. Part of me wanted to have a big ole meltdown at the mall. Instead we left quietly. We didn't speak on the ride home. I got her out of the car and took her inside. She gave me a big hug and asked for an apple. I never spoke to her. I just cut up the apple then held her while she ate. I put her down for a nap. The only words I uttered were 'I love you' as I put her in her crib. I didn't want to say anything else for fear I would regret those words.

I haven't used my blog as an outlet like this in a while. I have been posting pics and just giving a run down of the fun things we have been doing. So consider this a reality check. Pictures are great and they capture great moments but on the other side of those pictures is a strong willed toddler and a mother who is still very green at being a mom! It's always a learning curve being a parent!

claire at the splash pad @ san tan mall

No more bottles!

I truly could not have ever imagined that Claire would just decide one day that the milk in the cup was OK without blood, sweat, and tears! NEVER! Any time I tried to put milk in a sippy cup she would spit it out and say politely,"thank you!". Thanks but no thanks basically. For Claire it was milk in a bottle and water in a cup. I had a plan that was to begin this Monday actually...cold turkey except for the night bottle. I was prepared for some rough days but so far she hasn't even asked or cried for her bottle. Not even the night bottle! I am in shock and so happy!

We are also working on the soothie right now. After she wakes up in the morning and after her nap she drops her soothie in the drawer in her bedroom dresser. The first day that I took the paci from her was terrible. The next day I let HER put them in the drawer and that was the turning point! She likes the praise and me telling her what a big girl she is. The first 2 days she would go back into her room and yank on the drawer knob wanting to get it back out. Day 3 she stopped going back. We are on a roll. I must say that it was a big crutch for Eric and I too. It was so easy to pop it in her mouth when she fussed at the grocery store. We gave it to her at restaurants so we could eat peacefully. She loved it and we hated to see her cry. We are all hanging in there though!! It's really nice not running around the house at bedtime (cursing under out breath!) trying to find where she stashed them during the day. We were always losing them. I am so glad that part is over!

In other events....Eric and I went to a wedding Friday night for one of Eric's co-workers. We had a great time. We got dressed up and really enjoyed some baby free time! When you don't get alone time much you tend to go over board at any chance you get. Let's just say I am pretty sure I was doing the Kevin Bacon "Footloose" dance at one point. I am not sure if it's normal to wake up sore after attending a wedding. This means one of 2 things....I am old or I danced my ass off!!! I am going to say both. Fun was had and that's all that matters.

date night pic. i look extra blonde!


































claire and her sippy cup WITH MILK IN IT!!!

Easter, museum, and more

We have been going steady since last Saturday. That is when the Cox family arrived in town. It's been non stop fun. We went swimming (in the heated pool), we ate, we drank, we visited the Museum of Natural History, and most of all just enjoyed our time together. Claire has a powerful way of bringing the family together. Being the first and only niece of the family has made her a very special girl in the Cox family. Everyone wants to spend time with her. She is a very lucky. I feel over the past 18 months I have learned so much about Eric's family in a way I would not have without Claire around. I appreciate them very much. Tonight the last of the siblings will leave and then it will just be us again. It's so quiet when everyone is gone. Claire especially will miss her aunts and uncles. She is crazy about them all! The good news is that one of her uncles will be moving here soon and her Aunt Carolyn also invested in the house so she will be down a whole to visit. YAH!

Daddy date

Today we went downtown for a lunch date with Daddy! Claire was SO excited to see him. We had so much fun. The Arizona Center downtown has a fun garden area with water fountains and beautiful landscaping. She ran her legs off and so did we! She left the house all clean and pretty and came home with pistachio ice cream on her face, grease on her dress, and dirt on her tennies. That's a sure sign of a good time!

Claire has definitely been giving us so much joy lately. She always does but she is at this place where we can really see her taking everything in and learning more everyday. It's wild and so amazing. We are in constant awe! With the good comes the bad though and tantrum, screaming, and hitting have come with the package. Time outs are working well and I know in time she will find better ways to express herself when things aren't going her way. I just hope it's sooner than later! The high pitch squealing screams are not cool! She comes by her expressive personality honestly and I see a lot of myself in her. Funny and frightening!

Monday

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Gotta love a little girl shopping. She insisted on carrying my purchase today. Such a big girl these days. So she thinks! Her hair has a been a little crazy lately. Guess it's her Julia Roberts circa '91....wild and curly! I love the curls.

It was yard work mania this weekend for Eric and I. It is the first time we have done yard stuff together. It was quite a hoot and a good bonding experience. Sounds strange but working together to accomplish something can be fun! I have been pretty much obsessed with desert landscaping these days. I have been removing some plants and adding new ones. It's more of a project than I realized. I am proud of myself though for getting out there, digging up dirt, and raking the rocks! If I can't move my body this week you will know why!

Spring time

smelling the flowers...don't tell her they are fake:




















waiting for the Easter bunny to get to work:




















after her easter party:




















us at the party:




















I have been trying to pick one day a week to have "girl's day". We put on our pretty dresses and go out for the afternoon to shop, play, and have lunch. Today we had girl's day and went to the mall to see the Easter Bunny. She wasn't crazy about him up close but liked the idea of him from afar. Yesterday was the Easter party with her baby buddy group. She had so much fun finding eggs and playing. I didn't think she would get the whole egg hunting thing but she caught on pretty quick. We have had a busy and fun week.