Altercation Over A Book

Yesterday I came home from work and learned that our sweet little Gwen got written up at daycare.   Turns out there was an altercation in the library over a book.  Gwen shoved another kid which caused them to fall and split their lip open.  I laughed when I found out.  I was actually relieved.  After her getting bit at daycare 3 times in 2 weeks, I was afraid that she was being bullied by all the boys (there are only 2 girls in a room of 10).  Turns out she's not! 

I tried taking a picture of the Incident Report, so I could post it, but it didn't come out well.  Here are some details:

Nature of Incident: "Gwen pushed another child while standing in the library causing that child to cut their lip."

Action Taken: "I redirected her away and talked to her about using her words so friends don't get hurt"

The actions taken is my favorite part.  Hopefully next time she will think about using her words rather than shoving someone.  Um, she's not even 2.  I know that Gwen gets very upset when she gets in trouble, so hopefully being "talked to" will be enough so that this is only a one time deal.

Thankful Thursday

It's that time of week again.  I am actually in a great mood because after today I don't have to be back at work until September 7th.  As an added bonus, I get to spend a week in NY with friends/family.  I have a lot to be thankful for:

1.  That I am finally feeling myself again.  For weeks I was struggling with awful shoulder, neck, and back pain.  It caused a dull headache that lasted 3 weeks.  Normally when I am stressed I will get tension headaches, but nothing like this.  I went to get a massage (and have another on Friday), I have been to the chiropractor twice, and have made sure I exercise everyday.  It's nice not feeling pain all day!

2.  Getting lost in watching Gwen learn/do new things.  The other day she was coloring at her little table.  I just sat and watched as she picked up the crayons and said what color they were.  She then scribbled frantically on the white paper.  I just love watching her learn as she plays. 

3.  The fact that Gwen is very girly girl.  The other day she said Mommy and ran upstairs and picked out a nail polish so that I could paint her toes (it's always PINK!).  She also helps me put on my makeup in the morning and when I am done doing her hair, she says "pretty".  The other day at daycare when I picked her up she was playing dress up and had on a dress and was carrying a purse.  I was no nervous about having a butch/tom-boy.  I am thinking she won't be it.

4.  Being able to laugh with other women, over sick men.  Men are seriously the worst sick people in the world.  Mike got sick this week and had what he calls "the stomach flu" with no barfing or anything.  IMO, he had gas.  He was wondering around moaning and complaining that he couldn't get comfortable.  He was all hunched over.  I was in full blown labor and didn't even know it, and didn't act half as pathetic as he has been this week.  It's funny because every woman I talk to has a story about their sick husbands.  One friend even said that she is mean to her husband when he is sick, because he is so annoying.  Yep. 

5.  That I only have to spend 2 more days with our nasty dining room carpet.  This carpet is light beige and has stains everywhere.  The dog had diarrhea on it.  The dog and cats have barfed on it.  Sebastian peed numerous times on it.  There have been spills.  It is just so gross and is the bane of my existence.  It will be ripped up on Saturday when we get hardwood floors.  I wish it were like "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" so that I could watch, via web cam, as they rip it up.   It will be so wonderful to not have to look at the carpet each day.  Kind of like euphoria!

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Thursday

Yep, it's that time of week again.  I seriously can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by.  I feel like I just wrote my last Thankful Thursday.

1.  Free health care through Microsoft.   Gwen hadn't been feeling well and developed a terrible cough, so I figured "it's free, I'll take her in.".  She has a common cold and I have learned that she can now take Benedryl.  As an added bonus, the pediatrician looked at her belly button and it has healed!!  I now don't have to take her to the pediatric surgeon!!!  Good day thanks in part to free health care.

2.  My free trip to Athens.  I am going to work out of the Brussels office for 2 weeks so that my company will pay for my entire trip to Athens to see Colleen.  I am so thankful that they are doing this for me.  It will be a long/crazy 2 weeks, but a fabulous experience.  I also get to see my BFF who I haven't seen in 5 years!!  I am so excited.

3.  A weekend with no plans and nowhere to be.

4.  Gwen being able to wipe/blow her own nose.  Today she had the sneeze of all sneezes in the backseat.  There was snot everywhere.  I didn't know what to do so I handed her a few tissues.  She cleaned herself right up.  That could have been disastrous.

5.  Gwen already starting to pick up/clean up after herself.  She takes rags and wipes down the floor, the counters, the table.  She picks up her own toys and brings me her dirty dishes when she is done.  She also loves to throw things in the garbage.  You just have to watch out because sometimes she comes back with random stuff from the garbage.

Thankful Thursday

How is it Thursday already?  This has been quite a busy week with Mike gone again.  It's amazing how hard being a single working mother is.  I have so much respect for women who do this full time.  I have a tough time for a week here and there.  Mike is in for quite a treat when I head to Europe for 2 weeks.

Here is what I am thankful for:

1.  Gwendolyn's pure and innocent love of her mother (aka ME).  She now calls me mommy.  She loves giving kisses and hugs.  When I pick her up from daycare she comes running full speed and lets me smother her in kisses.  Most of all she says her version of "I Love You". Those are 3 words I will never get sick of.   Her smile lights up a room and even now I still get excited to see her in the morning and after daycare.  She's the love of my life and obviously I am one of the loves of her life (she loves her daddy too!!).

2.  Nachos.  Seriously.  I love nachos. 

3.  The feeling you get when you are excited about something.  I fly to NY in a few weeks and I am just so excited to see my family and have my family spend time with Gwen.  It's that anticipation that lets you know you are alive.

4.  Target Brand Sudafed.  Works just like the real thing at half the cost.  It saved my day today.

5.  Bad movies.  I worked from home yesterday and Fear was on.  I got sucked in.  Why are bad movies just so good?  In my opinion it's because it is a mindless release from the real world.  You don't have to think.  You just sit there and get entertained. 

Wordless Wednesday: Gwen's Mug Shot

Summer Fun

We have had a great summer.  I can't believe it is already August.   Some highlights (with pictures) were :

• Gwen ate corn on the cob for the first time and loved it
• Grandma & Papa J brought a sprinkler for Gwen and she had so much fun playing in it
• While my parents were out for a visit we took Gwen to the zoo. She got to ride the carousal for the first time and loved the elephants and giraffes. 
• We realized that nice dinners are a thing of the past.  Gwen isn't a fan of sitting still when there is so much world to see.
• Swimming every weekend of course