Her final days as the "only child"

Before reading this, please know I am absolutely thrilled about having a second child.  It has always been my dream to have two children - I would love to have a boy and a girl, but I am not the deciding factor in that.  Two kids has always seemed like the "perfect" balance - two parents, two children, our house and cars are the right size...I am so excited about TWO kids.

BUT, this week since I have been off, and had tons of time to "think," has been so emotional.  Allie Parker has been our focus and our world, since the day she was born.  Given we have zero family down here, it's the three of us, all the time.  We don't have the luxury of grandparents to pick her up from school or stay with her when she is sick - it's me and Ben, that's it.  The three of us see the good, bad and the ugly of one another but I would not trade it for the world.

There is something about this whole transition that makes me feel so guilty for Allie.  I know adding a second child (in the end) will be awesome, as it adds someone to play, learn and grow with, but I am so worried about her looking at me (especially) as someone who brings something home that changes her world forever. 

I know this will pass, as Monday is right around the corner - I just always want Allie to know how much I adore and love her...a mother's love sees beyond the fits, tantrums and difficult times.  I see the happiness, joy, love and true character she adds to the world. 

Looking to the future (and the positive side!) - I cannot wait to see the similarities and differences in my children.  Allie was born after 8 short hours of labor, she was a chunky monkey with dark brown hair, a very easy newborn who slept amazingly well starting the day we brought her home from the hospital.  She came into my life 30 days after losing my mom...needless to say, she has helped me through a lot.  She has always favored Ben and his side of the family.  She is intelligent, witty, unbelievably loving and overall, a true joy.  What will this child be like????

Jack Walker Brossett

I've blogged and talked about my work partner, Edith, several times and how we are both pregnant and due less than two weeks apart.  My official due date is February 3 and Edith's WAS February 16...UNTIL she went into labor Monday night.  :)

Neither of us found out the sex of our babies and we have definitely been the "talk" of our doctor's offices given the irony of our situation.  Edith is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.  We had a lot of success last year at work and it was a blast sharing this pregnancy journey.  As sad as I am that it's coming to an end, it will be even more fun raising our kiddos together as they will be 6 days apart.

At 7:02 pm on Tuesday, January 22, sweet Jack Walker Brossett made his appearance.  Little man was 5 lbs. 15 oz. and 20 inches long...he's a cutie!

New headboard

I posted a couple months ago that I re-did our master bedroom.  We bought a king size bed during the summer, and at the time I could not find a headboard I truly "loved."  With RCR's appearance less than two weeks away, I finally kicked up my search and found one over the weekend...here's a pic!

- Carmen

Our new "reward" system

I think I've said it 8 million times - Allie can be an extremely difficult child.  It's her way or the highway.  It's Allie's world and you just have to find somewhere to fit in it.  When she is sweet, the kid makes me want to clone her...when she's a fit throwing toot, I question my sanity.

We started a new reward system around the house this weekend that seems to be paying off...for now at least. 

I bought some frilly miniature pom-pons at Hobby Lobby (purple, pink and sparkly silver) and she now gets one pom-pon when she does something positive.  Now "positive" in our house may be different that those reading (again, Allie is difficult) but situations that can lead to a pom-pon are not arguing or throwing fits, helping me unload the dishwasher, using her manners, picking up her shoes, etc.  There are many different things she can do to earn one.  When she gets a pom-pon, it goes in a little pink cup we have and after a day or two, when the cup is full, she gets a reward.  Saturday night I ran to Walgreen's and out of nowhere I found the cutest prize, 1/2 price, with 5 items in it - 3 pairs of frilly dress-up shoes and 2 tiaras.  When the cup fills up, she gets to choose one prize out of the box.

This morning Allie received her first award (and she slept all night in her "big girl bed" which she also gets a treat for, so she actually got two).  I was so proud that SHE was so proud of herself.  She immediately picked out a pair of pink frilly heals and the most decorative tiara in the box, and insisted on wearing them to the car to school, putting them in her cubby once she got there, then when I picked her up this afternoon she had to put the shoes and tiara on before leaving her classroom.  Again, it makes me happy to think we might have figured out a way to not only positively discipline her, but to also reward.

- Carmen

"Allie-isms"

I told myself last week that I have got to start documenting the funny stuff that comes out of Allie's mouth, so what a better way than to blog about it.

Just a couple from this week:

"You don't understand me."

"You not listening to me."

"Who are you talking to, mom?"

"Please fast forward mom, I don't like this part."

"Where's Minnie momma?  Where's Goofy?  Where's Donald Duck?"  (when watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)

My child has definitely gone from a "broken English" speaker to now complete sentences which means she is growing up on me...fast.

- Carmen