Thankful Thursday

It's that time of week again.................Thursday (where did this week go).  Here are the 5 things I am thankful for at this moment.

1.  The quote "Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, well, we simply continue to fly......on a broomstick. We're flexible like that."  I read this on one of the mommy boards I frequent and it just made me laugh...........because it is so true.

2.  Lady Gaga last night.  It was an unbelievable show.  I love what she stands for.  She wants everyone to be their true selves.  Her song Speechless came on and everyone sat down.  It was so amazing that I wanted to get up and dance.  I looked around and nobody else in our section was dancing, so I wasn't going to.  I then thought, "wait, this is exactly what she doesn't want to happen".  I got up and danced.  By myself.  It was freeing!!

3.  The 10+ years I spent with Sebastian. 

4.  How excited Gwen gets when she sees us after daycare.  She stops what she is doing and comes running over to us with a huge smile.  It can cheer up even the grumpiest of moods.

5.  My mother.  She makes me laugh and always knows the right thing to say, but she doesn't sugar coat anything.  She always supports me.  She is not only my mother, but my best friend.  I hope I have that kind of amazing relationship with Gwen someday.

Goodbye and Good Luck.......

.....to our big furry baby.  You will always be loved and you will always be missed.

Love,

Mom, Dad, Gwendolyn, Kaiser, and Stella

Moments Only Heaven Can Send

Today, while reading some of my favorite mommy blogs I came across a posting about Mama Kat's Writers Workshop.  I decided to Google it and it looks like a fun addition to the blog so I decided to give it a whirl.  It will be a great way for Gwen to go back someday and learn a little more about her mother.  So, here we go.

Post a picture and a description that fits into this quote for you:
“How far to heaven? Just open your eyes and look. You are in heaven” -Shankar

I have not shared pictures from Gwen's birth with anybody but my mother.  This was taken the moment Gwen was put on my chest after I gave birth.  It was at 4:40 am on Monday October 13, 2008.  I never shared these photos.  Not because of how awful I thought I looked, but because I truly believed that I didn't have that moment when Gwen was born and that you would be able to see it in my face.  The moment that everyone talks about.  The moment where in one glance you fall madly in love with your child.  This picture tells a different story.  I see nothing but that moment.  These are the moments that only heaven can send.

::Disclaimer:  Mike forgot the camera so all pictures from the birth were taken with his Blackberry::

Thankful Thursday

I notice that a lot of mommy blogs that I read have Thankful Thursdays.  I have not been keeping up with Wordless Wednesday, but at least I can type a quick ditty on Thursdays (even though I am cheating this week and will back date this entry since it is Friday).  I believe it will keep my life in perspective and keep the focus on the good things, not just the bad.  The reason I want to start now is that Mike has been out of town for the week and I have been a single WORKING mother and it is hard as hell.  So here are the 5 things I am thankful for right now:

1.  Mike.  I didn't realize how much he does to help out around the house and with Gwen (even though I tell him he isn't helping me, he is doing it because it is his house and his child too) until he was gone for a week.

2.  My friend Colleen.  I couldn't imagine going on this journey in life without her.  Our lives/souls are parallel and I know that she will always listen to me even though I may sound neurotic.  She isn't a judgy-mcjudgerson and I love her for that.

3.  Gwen's love for her crib and the toys/books in it.  I couldn't wait to put her to bed each night this week.  I was so exhausted.  I am so happy that she loves her crib so much that she'll play for hours at a time without a peep.  It saved me.

4.  Turkey and Goat Cheese lasagna.  I made a batch on Monday.  Gwen and I ate it all week.  I even used paper plates.  The less I had to do the better.

5.  My remote control to my alarm clock.  I put my alarm clock across the room so I would be forced to get up to turn it off.  Mike got a new one with a remote.  I was able to snooze 5 times this morning without moving a muscle.  I fell back asleep with it in my hand.

Our Visit Through the Eyes of Grandma & Papa!

For the first time ever we have a couple guest bloggers...........my parents came out for a few days to spend time with us.  Here are their thoughts from the trip:

From Papa:
We had a wonderful time visiting our daughter and her family.  Gwendolyn is everything that Courtney said, and more.  We had a great time at the zoo and Gwen especially liked the elephants.  We enjoyed our dinner at Panzanos, with Gwendolyn.  Tomorrow will be very hard for Cheryl and I to leave.  I can't wait for the rest of the family to see her when they come to NY in August.

From Grandma:
Gwendolyn looks just like her father but acts just like her mother.

Potty Training

I am in no rush to start potty training Gwen.  She just started walking so I want her to focus on that for a while.  Plus, I am not one of those people who find diapers all that bad.  I think "wiping" her will be disgusting.  Anyway, as all the parents out there know, going to the bathroom, alone, is something of the past.  I either have a pet or a child in there with me.  Well yesterday Gwen wanted to sit on the potty.  With the lid down, and her clothes on,  I sat her down.  She then wanted toilet paper.  She took the toilet paper and "wiped" herself.  

We aren't going to buy a small potty because that is disgusting.  Instead we are going to buy one of those small toilet seats that fits right on a regular toilet.  We may do this sooner than later to get her used to it, now that she knows where she sits and what she has to do when she's done.

We'll see how she does.  I am not holding my breath for any breakthroughs.  I am assuming everything with this child will be a struggle since everything has to be her own idea or it won't get done.  She's head strong and independent like her mother.

Gwen's No Good, Very Bad Day

What is it about people falling?  Isn't it hysterical?  I laugh whenever anybody falls.............even Gwen. 

Gwen had a bit of a rough day today.  Her swim diaper leaked onto the hardwood floors.  We turned our back and heard a thud.  We turned around and there was Gwen lying flat on her back.  She slid in her own pee.  I laughed. 

Then as we were playing with her before bed, she face-planted into her dresser.  Yep, you guessed it right, I laughed.   I pick her up and there is blood smeared on her face.  The laughing stopped and I freaked out.  I couldn't figure out where all the blood was coming from.  Turns out she cut her gums.  Minutes later she was running around like a mad woman, so I knew she was okay.

How do I stop laughing at people that fall?  It isn't good and I feel really guilty............but it's just so darn funny.

Mommy's Little Girl

I get to paint Gwen's toes once a week..........and she likes it.
I put pink necklaces on her........and she runs to the mirror to see.
I get to put her in dresses and skirts........and she loves it.
She lets me do her hair......most of the time.
She mimics me putting on makeup.....and now knows how to use everything.
I love having a little girl.......but mostly, I love MY little girl.

Happy Birthday Daddy!