The girl who cried wolf!

Jenna is now smart enough to know a little about cause and effect. In the morning when I get her out of bed, this is usually part of our discussion:

Jenna - I sick

Me - Oh really, what's wrong honey?

Jenna - I sick

Me - what hurts?

Jenna - I sick, eye hurts! Stay home, watch cartoons!

She has figured out when she is sick, she stays home with Mommy or Daddy and does not go to school. This is becoming an everyday attempt. The thing is, she really does enjoy daycare!

Kid Wisdom Cards

Most of us have been around a kid when they say something so funny, you think it should be on a greeting card! Well...now's your chance. My cousin, and one of my best friends, recently started a web site called Kid Wisdom Cards.

Drop by to look at the cards she already has available and submit the funny things your kids have said for a chance to get the quote on a card. Also, from every card she sells, a portion of the proceeds go to held fund after school programs in Chicago (where she lives).

I know I have read some of the best posts about kids and their creative, funny thoughts. Please go share yours!

And the awards go to...

Thanks so much to Jen over at Following the Footsteps for my first blogging award! She gave me this award to support and encourage me in the blogging world! She truly is a support to me since she designed my new layout!

Now for the rules. Which are kinda confusing and long, so that is why it has taken me a while, not because I'm not appreciative! Also, this will be a little challenging,normally I would have given it to Jen, but she already has it and then I would have given it to The Tale of Two Coins but Jen already gave it to her too!

1. Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand then "Pay it Forward" by extending your "Helping Hand" to 5 additional bloggers in support and encouragement for their efforts.

2, In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog or blog author with a link for others to visit.Each recipient must show the Emblem and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him.

3. Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.

4. If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll, Technorati Favorite list, or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.

5. Add your name to The Helping Hand meme and don't forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.


I am happy to pass this award along to:


1. I used to be Witty! Lyndsay is one of my best real life friends and she is the one who got me started on blogging! She is a great writer and her posts make me laugh every day!

2. Another Online Mom. This is a great blog and her 30 days to a more beautiful you is great! She has two beautiful kids too!

3. Kiss My Cheek - Amber is so funny and always has great stories and posts! She is an awesome single mom!

4. INfertile Myrtle - I recently started reading this blog and she is so honest about her infertility and funny in her day to day posts! She is approaching her 100th post!

5. Too Much Information - This blogger writes often about her beautiful daughter who has special needs. Her story is touching and honest. She is so sharing her story to help others!



Blogs I'm giving the Helping Hand award with support and encouragement ( and really because I enjoy reading them) are below.

1. Jamee and Jaime - This is my cousin's blog, she just started it and I can't wait to read more about her CUTE kids! Jamie - welcome to the blogging world.

2. Sadiebug and her Mom - Sadie is a sassy little girl with lots to say, thanks to her mom!

3. My Rambling Thoughts - The Rambler has a great sense of humor and LOVES American Idol. She does a great recap after every episode too!

4. The King and I - she is so funny and has some great posts. She is crafty too.

5. Sunshine and Rainbows - This is a funny blog about life with lots of girls involved, and sometimes a husband! I love her blog design too!

Okay, I think I am done...Enjoy!

I cannot imagine...

Oh my God! WARNING...this is a very sad story, but I cannot get it out of my head.
Please pray for this family. I cannot even imagine! I know this is rare, but these are the times I wish so badly that I could be home with Jenna everyday. That poor innocent little boy! I am going to give Jenna an extra hug and kiss today! Please do the same to all the kids you love!

Dear Jenna - 25 months

Dear Jenna,

You are 25 months! That last month went so fast! Maybe this isn't the best time for me to write this, I have been home all day with you since you have pink eye and an ear infection. You only napped 40 minutes and have asked for "snacks" at least 75 times!

I am still amazed when I look at you sometime and see how big you are. I see a little girl. You continue to learn and grow every day. The things that come out of your mouth are sometimes so funny!

You like to test the limits lately, a couple of examples: Last night you got out your crayons and coloring book. Your dad and I were talking for one minute and heard you say "Mama, I making a mess!" I looked and you had colored the Ottoman instead of the paper. That resulted in a time out which you now tell me "two minutes" and then proceed to do your fake cry. The thing is you know when you are doing something wrong, you even tell me while you are doing it!

You also like to climb on the arm chair of the couch and straddle it, which I know will result in a fall. This morning when you did it I looked at you and said, "Jenna, what does Mama say?" and you replied with, "Don't worry Mama!"

Where did you even learn to say that!? You also love to dress up and pretend. It is so funny to see you using your imagination, like how Swiper the Fox (from Dora) is hiding in your toys and sleeping.

You also have friends now. You talk about Evan, Kate, Myra, Dani, Jackson and Wyatt. You still enjoy cartoons a little too much and always want to be watching something. Lately your favorites are Diego, Dora, Backyardigins, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny.



I feel so lucky to be your mom and you make me happy everyday! I look forward to continuing this journey with you. Happy 25 months honey!

Love always,

Your Mama

Let's Hope He's a Gentleman!

Today I was dropping Jenna off at school (daycare) and one of her favorite friends, Jackson and his mom came in.

I should back up a bit...whenever she talks about school and her friends she mentions Myra and Dani (her teachers) and then Jackson and Wyatt. Jackson and Wyatt are her two best friends in the class. Okay - I am little concerned that they are both boys, but whatever...

So, this morning Jackson comes in and Jenna got excited and said "Hi Jackson." He then said hello back, smiled and hid in the comfort on his mom's leg and coat. His mom then tells me that every morning she asks Jackson if he had any dreams and he ALWAYS says "Yes, about Jenna!" EVERYDAY! He also says she is his girlfriend!

Then Miss Myra (the teacher) says "Oh, they are so cute, sometimes their cots are next to each other during nap time and Jackson always reaches out to make sure Jenna is still there!"

Oh great, so now they are sleeping by each other too!?!? I think Jackson is a great kid...but I'm a little worried about this. I hope he's a gentleman in training!

More than we bargined for!

This evening started out like most evenings in our household. Snack, dinner, play, cartoons, bath...

Bath time is where the "incident" happened. We were innocently enjoying bathtime, "swimming" and singing the ABC's.

Then this conversation occurred.

Jenna - My butt hurts.

Daddy - What happened honey?

(Jenna smiles)

Mommy - Her butt hurts because she just pooped in the tub!

Daddy - What?! OKAY - time to get out!

Warning - TMI!

Maybe for most parents, this happened way before the two year mark - but this was out first time. We were "bath time poop virgins!"

Notice Anything Different?....Extreme Makeover!

My blog just received an extreme makeover! I'm so excited, I have been wanting to get a cute updated look and now I have it!

Doesn't it look great!? I love it, and it is all thanks to Jen! She is so talented and generous with her time. Thanks Jen, it's great!


I look forward to my new blog look and I hope you all like it too! Okay, now back to my first assignment and homework for my online class for my Masters! Happy Sunday everyone!

The Little Dictator

"A Little Dictator", that is what my grandpa called Jenna on New Years Eve! So funny and so true! For a little squirt she is a bossy little thing!

She usually insists and prepares for a tantrum tells you something instead of asking. She does do pretty well with please and thank you though.

And she is getting detailed with her demands requests. Not only does she need a poptart but now she needs a brown sugar poptart. The strawberry one simply isn't acceptable.

After having two weeks off of school and daycare we are all trying to get back into the routine of life. She has had a really hard time getting back to school and liking it. Yesterday she cried and had an overall grumpy day. This morning when I asked her to get her coat on, she started saying,

"No, sorry Mama! Stay home, watch cartoons..."

When I said that we had to go and I was sorry she then said,

"Ok, go to store!"

This was her way of saying she would get her coat on and we could get in the car but we better not be going to school!

As a mom, this is a hard thing, it sends me in a funk all day when she is so sad to go somewhere that she usually enjoys. One of her favorite teachers (and sometimes babysitters) was there this morning and she still didn't want to go. She does this cry/pout thing where she looks up over her glasses at me and her lip quivers. Ugh - daggers in the heart!

Finally she was content leaving me, but only to go see Oreo, the class guinea pig! I see where I rank!

I honestly don't know where she gets the bossy thing from, okay, maybe I do a little bit...

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone celebrated with friends and family as 2009 approached us. Time flies and it's hard to believe it is January again.

January marks my four month anniversary of blogging! I started it to document stories and thoughts for Jenna, but it has turned into more. I really enjoy it. It will be a great memory for our family as Jenna gets older, as I often write about her.

I have come to find I really enjoy blogging and reading other blogs. I also would like to get more savvy, techie and creative with my blog. Some of the layouts and headings I have seen are so cute, I need a blog makeover. If anyone knows of any good sites or easy ways to improve my blog...please share!