The Sky is Purple

....And other things my 2 and a half year old will argue with me about.

Well I must say that I expected for my daughter(s) to argue with me.  For one, this seems to be a mother / daughter right of passage.  Also, she is my daughter and if you know anything about me, I can argue with the best of them.  However, despite knowing that children are all different, I assumed this would begin at a much older age of at let's say 8ish.  Once again, each day is a new lessons in motherhood.

It would be one thing if this arguing were just limited to things like "Here is your shirt to wear today.  No, I want to wear that shirt."  Though we have plenty of this, what really throws me off is conversations such as this:

Helaina:  Mommy, will you cut my eggies?
(I start cutting the eggs)
Me:  Would you like your peaches cut also?
Helaina:  Yes
2 seconds later
Helaina:  DON'T CUT MY PEACHES!!!!!!!!!! WAAHHHHHHHHH
Bawling ensues for the next 12 minutes after I explain that I can not put the peaches back together.

Or one of 'my favorite' and more regular occurrences:

Each time we go to the potty (which is always "I don't have to go or I don't want to go" but that's another argument), I try to pull her pants to her knees and keep them there for expediting purposes.  To which her response is always to pull them or kick them off and cry "I don't want them on."  So in an attempt to keep some peace around here I have been trying to concede and pulling them all the way off to which you can guess her reply is "I want them on."  SERIOUSLY?????

When I step back and try not to take it personally,  I can see through some mature vision that it's merely her exploring her boundaries and learning different ways of communicating.  I must also consider that moving is hard on anyone and I can only suspect, earth shattering for my little people.  She is also 2 so there is that to contend with.  However, I'm not totally convinced that the terrible 2's are just a label that relatively new parents came up with until they realize that it is Effing hard raising children and by the age of 3 you become numb and stop putting titles on everything to cope. I digress.

Once again I can attest that Chris and I are pretty strict with her.  In this life long science experiment I call raising children, it's hard to tell how things are going to turn out.  Maybe we are too strict and this is her response.  Maybe it doesn't matter what we do and she is just predisposed to turn into (dare I say) minnie me.  I once again take a moment to semi - publicly apologize to my parents, teachers, & anyone else I have offended during my adolescence.  All this being said at the time of the offenses, I am bewildered that a 2 1/2 year old is purposely arguing with me.

Side note of Potty updates:  I suppose it depends on what you deem potty trained is to call it.  She only wears underwear and has been for a long time.   She will go 7 - 10 days without accident and then have 3 to 4 days with an accident every day or even 2.  If I'm really honest, it depends how on it I am.  I set an alarm for every hour and a half, based on advice from a friend with 4 kids (she's got to know something, right?).  When I am completely dedicated to the alarm, no accidents.   I'm panicking and envisioning me texting her in high school with, "it's time to make shi shi"  I know this is completely over dramatised but seriously, How do they make the transition?  How do they learn how to hold it?

Enough of my belly aching.  Despite all the everyday junk of dealing with these outbursts and cleaning  Minnie Mouse or princess underwear, we are still able to squeeze in some pretty great times.  Mimi (Chris' mom ) just came for a visit!  Chris and I scored tickets to go see a taping of our favorite (and only) show, The Voice.  We found out on a Monday and Mom was on a plane and to the rescue by that Friday (show on Saturday).  It was my first time away from the girls for 8 hours!!!!!!  Chris and I had some much needed couple time and really enjoyed watching the show.  We also got to spend the rest of the week with her and we had a grand ol' time.  Mimi never disappoints Helaina with her endless ability to play "bus" and other ridiculous silly things H likes to do, over and over and over again.  She also got some QT with the littlest grand baby Indi who took to her quite properly. We ate 'some' food, saw some sights and tried to wiggle every good moment we could out of her visit.  She was also instrumental in me not going postal as we moved apartments during her trip.  Mahalo (or maybe muchos gracias may be more appropriate now) to Mimi for making the trip.

We are settled in our new apartment which is a change from our last.  We have half the room we did at the last place, it's got paper thin walls and it's quite the party community -- which would have been cool if I was 10 years younger and If I did not have 2 kids.  However, It is thankfully on 1 floor which is great since Indi is training for the 2027 Olympic team with her scotching all over this place.  This girl hasn't found her knees yet but can get around fine with out them by just pulling herself there with her arms.  It's impressive and also would be scary if we were still in a tri-level apartment!   We also are located in a section of town that has a wealth of yummy restaurants.  They also have 8 really nice gas grills on property which we have gone without for WAY too long.  Time to step up the exercise regime with all this food!  The pool is also just the right temperature and great for swimming with the girls on all days (except Sunday Fundays for obvious reasons in a party community)

In other news.....Chris and I got each other an anniversary / birthday gift of a new, big girl/boy camera.  I LOVE IT!!!!  I take lots of pics with my iphone but this thing is the bomb digitty.  This camera is seriously great cause it makes my pictures feel professional.   If you don't think so, keep your opinions to yourself cause' perception is reality.  :p

This weekend we had a wonderful family outing to Underwood Farms in Moorpark.  It's about an hour drive from here and we went for the "You Pick 'Em" experience.  I love watching Helaina experience things and understand how they work and this was one that was sure to be of value.  It ended up being so much more as well.  They have the little kid market cornered with tractor rides, all kinds of animals, bouncy houses, all a whole slew of other things that kids love to do.   We watched an animal show but tried to stay focused on our intended visit.   Helaina was all business when it came to picking raspberries.  She was serious and shockingly, she didn't ask to or attempt to eat any during the trip!  She did however smash a few in her hands and pick a few of the other things we picked without direction.  As a result we brought home some really, really really small beets but overall, my assessment was that she would make a great farmer (Or anything - says her mommy).  And continuing with my mainland sticker shock, I must report that we got 2 heads of fennel, a 1/2 lb of raspberries, a head of swiss chard and 6-9 gold and red beets ALL FOR $8.99.  That's dollars people! I can't wait to make food this weekend with her that we picked and watch it all click in her ever growing brain.  We also took the opportunity to take the long way home down through Malibu since we may not have another reason to get over that way.  It was not as I expected but still neat to see.  WHAT all those people do for a living to live in those houses I will never know.  Driving home PCH was a nice way to end the day and to increase the girls ability to be in the car.  (we could have driven around Oahu twice with the amount we were in the car today).

If you love beets like me, this looks like mana.

She was probably contemplating if I got 'the right' wagon or not

Yes, I did take this picture though the subject makes it easy

Oh and this one which is my FAVORITE picture so far!

Chris had to one up me with the great pictures.

Look at her intensity.  Pick those berries girl.

Indigo wants in on the action

It wasn't me

Chis patiently explaining how to pick the beets

Helaina going rouge

 I'm sure it looks plenty big to her

The girls are interacting more and more everyday which makes me smile from ear to ear.  They make each other laugh and have a bond that is unmistakeable.  I love watching it unfold! We are in the middle of booking several trips and visits to friends and family.  We hope to see you soon and you always have a place to stay here.  Much love to you!  Now for some random picture love.

twins?

 'modeling' play doh.  notice the clutch

I took a chocolate cooking class and if I come
to visit you, your going to be in chocolate heaven

If only the swing weren't so dirty this picture would rock

my artist

My other baby

that is one tight hug

First This and That

This is the first time that I have had multiple blog entries so close in a very long time.  No, I do not have more time than I once had, I actually have a lot less.  (small note that I have no idea how my dear friend Nikki has 4 boys, including twin infants, and does several blog entries per week!!!!!) These girls are keeping their momma busier than ever.  However, we had a few too many "firsts" this past month and I didn't want to forget them.  I was not keeping a blog when Helaina was itty bitty so I have forgotten some key events.  I don't want that to happen again with Indi or for the firsts that H continues to have.


Helaina has moved into a big girl bed.  And when I say big, I mean B-I-G.  It's only a twin but it's tall!  OK.  It's probably normal size but when you move your toddler into the big bed for the first time, it might as well be a bed sized for Yao Ming.  The transition has been a bit rough for her -- or at least that is what we are chalking 45 minutes of crying / screaming / I need some water / I have to go potty / there was a noise / Can daddy check on the cat :  put downs every night -- could be all the change as well.  We tried to put Indi and H in the same room but we nixed that after 5 nights of relay crying sessions. Incidentally, Indigo is doing great for night sleeping.  To entice Helaina's transition we got her an Owl bed set from Target.  She loves them but Hooooo wouldn't?  I do hope it passes sooner than later or you might find mommy and daddy in the crazy house. (that is an official crazy house - not the one we are in already).

She looks so cute in the bed - especially
when she stays in it.

Helaina also got her first shopping buzz.  I usually shop for her but shoes are the one thing she has to try.  I prepped her on the way there.  "There may be shoes you like or think are pretty but Mommy needs to pick the right shoe for you based on price and need etc......."  Chris and I try very hard not to spoil her.  I believe we tow a fairly tight line with her, especially for a two and half year old.  You would not know any of this information if you witnessed her in the store.  She acted as though she was trying out for toddlers and tiaras!  "I don't like that one, I like this one, I don't want to try that one on......etc....." all in a nails on chalk board type voice.  She finally compromised when I explained that she wouldn't be getting any shoes and our shopping adventure was coming to a quick close.  The only pair of shoes that we own that fit her is a pair of hot pink crocs.   (though she would be fine wearing these every day)  We needed to get a pair or two of something she could "dress up" and one for proper playing.  Our third store ended us at Nordstrom Rack in a desperate last ditch effort.  We scored with 2 pair of shoes for a total of $35!!!!!!  She signed off on the sneakers when I used the boots as bait.    Mommy left with a deal buzz and Helaina left as one happy customer!

 She ended up liking the sneaks so much
she is wearing them at breakfast with her nightgown.  - doing "the drinking
part" of cereal which is her favorite part.

And speaking of food, we let Helaina have her first french fries.  As I am writing this I can envision people in two different camps gasping "Huuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh" for two different reasons.  My more conservative eating readers may be shocked that we "gave in" when they unknowingly came out as part of her dinner and Chris and I reluctantly agreed to let her have 10 to 15.  The rest of you may be confused on why she hadn't had this yet (or ice cream, candy, cupcakes, cake etc...).


As suspected, our carb loving girl thought they were the best thing on her plate.  The truth is, we know this won't kill her but we are trying to instill some great eating habits from the get go.  Once you open the gates, it seems like there is a million opportunities to binge eat on fat and sugary delights.  With every passing month as she becomes more aware, we have had to make decisions on either bettering our diet to match one that we found acceptable to hers OR letting her indulge.  So far, we have chosen to better our own eating.  Before I make myself to seem "angelic,"  I must confess that there are times where we eat "terrible things" after she goes to bed however, those are few and far between and have minimized over time when it began to feel like sneaking.  For now, we all have healthier diets and plan on letting Helaina indulge in more sweets starting at 3 (on her birthday).  For now, she will have to hold onto her fry experience and hopefully keep loving some of the veggie dishes mommas been trying to serve up.


The biggest first of this month for Helaina's first hair cut.  I'm not talking about her first professional trim or a first big chop off of hair.  I'm speaking of her the first time a scissor has ever touched the girl's hair.  Bless her sweet self, she did not have a genetics chance in Hades to have lustrous locks.  So at age 2 years and 7 months, she got her first cut.  It wasn't too long it just needed a little shape.  It actually turned out pretty good especially for an amateur (me) and a toddler client.  I channeled my mom's inner hair stylist,  some of what I learned watching while working in hair salons and my Jersey background.  All in all, it looks a hundred times better and will hopefully grow a bit faster with most of the dead ends off.

Before  - Very "Wispy" looking - AKA Uncle Frank (thanks E)

During:  She does look a little frightened

This reminds me of a picture we have of my brother getting his
first cut from my mom at age 3.

After - There is not much this cutie pie couldn't pull off
 - says her mother.

Indigo may have some trump cards to throw on this month of firsts.   She is officially spinning and rolling faster than the moving truck that picked up Kristen Stewart's things.  (love you my Twilight Fans).  She is also sitting for a minute or two at a time.  There is this weird thing, at least for me, that suspends belief of your child's milestones.  I can't bring myself to say, "She is officially sitting" until much later when everyone else will say, "She has been sitting for months"  I try to qualify it but I think it's just me trying to slow things down.

Indigo is also pulling up her legs into the crawl position and has begun pulling herself to the furniture.  Wo Nelly my world is about to change.  She also is doing baby push ups and putting herself in plank position.

Not a great picture but definitely shows the future Yogi

Making sure her sister is not going to "hug" her over

My job is not easy right now but at least Indi generally stays where I put her.  Hmmm.  Where will she end up when I run off to help Helaina on the potty or sneak off to change the laundry?  Thankfully we are moving to a one floor unit!


Random Photo Love:

Bunny eating baby eating dolly

Loving on the daddy guy on his birthday!

Crawfish festival in Long Beach.  Yes Indi is back there.  

Fear the crawfish

 

Pure delight