Garynation

You know, since the beginning, Aliza has been a difficult baby. I mean really, she cried for 4 months straight. And there was nothing that would stop the crying. I know we were talked about when we went places. What mom can’t calm down her own child? ME!! With this girl, NOTHING worked. I was embarrassed about it, all the time. Even around family. I was paranoid, nervous, uneasy, even panicky. If someone held her and cried, they of course, gave her back to her mother. But the crying didn’t stop. Even I didn’t know what to do. I went to the doctor and tried every little trick in the book. After 4 months, it did finally stop and there was peace. And it’s nice, but for one thing. The attachment. To me. I know I held her a lot during the 4 month crying phase, but I really tried not to. I even had to remind people that watched her to put her down and use the swing. It *usually* worked. But now, I guess I am paying for it. This girl LOVES HER MAMA!! Which I absolutely love. I love ...

As I get to watch my hubby learn, experience and dig into this daddy gig, I of course think about my own dad and his influence throughout my life. I think most of my earliest memories are from playing sports, and being coached by my dad. My dad coached every sport I ever played. Starting with t-ball and YMCA basketball on an 8 foot goal, to volleyball, basketball and softball through 8th grade. There weren’t many more involved dad’s than mine. He was at every single game I ever played, coach or not. I still remember the last game that he ever coached and the last game I ever played with him as my coach. 8th grade softball. It was in the summer after my 8th grade year. In high school, in order to coach, you had to teach at the school. Since my dad is not a teacher, that was the end of his coaching days. I was hardly into the game because I knew what this game was. The last time for my dad to pitch me a ball, the last time he’d tell me what to do, and how to do it. It would be the last ...

She was so happy tonight, she made dinner so much fun for us (or me at least!) Hi drool!! And these are Aliza staring at Marielle – sometimes she can’t keep her eyes off her sister. It is so cute, I love it! Even staring at her and laughing during a bite!   Sometimes I can’t stop staring at this little girl!!

Does she think she is a model or something?   So funny!  

Man, can this girl eat!! That was pork tenderloin, salad and broccoli. She ate every bite… Yep, she licked the plate too…Crazy girl!

We had the party a little early because some of our family would be out of town on her birthday weekend, so it was last weekend. I still have a few weeks until my big girl really turns 2! I started the day with a little apprehension because when I was planning the party, I had not yet quit work and didn’t have a consistent nap schedule. Now that I am home, Marielle naps from 1 to 3 everyday. What time did I schedule the party? You guessed it, 1 to 3. I was really scared a melt down was bound to happen, but we got really lucky and she did great! We even went next door for another birthday party – Marielle’s best friend, Paige, who turned 3. Anyway, the party was a hit! Almost everyone that was invited came and even 2 of her friends from daycare made it! I was so excited for Marielle to see Eloise and Emily – the only other girls that were in her class. Marielle’s cousins came and several other of my friends who have young kids. We had about 13 or 14 kids all together and at least 30 a...