We have had some ups and downs over the last week and a half, so let me start with the good stuff...
* Potty training - a major success! We have not had one accident since Thursday. Bri has even gone to potties outside our house without any problems. She went on the potty at the birthday party with all that excitement going on. She is a rock star! I can't tell you the weight that has been lifted off of me. I have been stressing about it and it wasn't horrible at all. Tough, but not horrible.
* Language - Briana is doing so well now with speech. The sentences that the speech therapist told me would eventually come are now coming. She talks all the time (in sentences) and I understand about 90% of what she is saying. Another big load off my mind.
* The weekend before last (on Saturday), Doug and I worked in the yard. It was a beautiful day. Briana decided that the mulch was about as good as sand (as you can see below). I was surprised at how much Briana wanted to help us in the yard. I trimmed some bushes and she helped me pick up the branches.
We did some really hard work...
Then on the Sunday before last, we took Briana to her first movie - M@nsters vs. Aliens. She had a blast eating popcorn and did great through the opening previews. Once the movie started, she got nervous and wanted to sit in my lap. No crying or complaining, she just sat quietly and held on to me. About 45 minutes into it, she asked to go to "mama's house" (meaning she wanted to go home). The movie was a little too scary for her and was a little over her head. I didn't mind leaving at all. It was pretty scary for a two year old.
This was the best part...
Then we ended up looking a little like this...
Now for some of my concerns...
* Briana fell down the stairs yesterday. I was cooking dinner and called Doug and Briana down to eat. Briana can walk down the stairs by herself, but she is never unaccompanied because we need to make sure she walks down slowly. Remember - Briana's only speeds are fast and faster. Doug was following Bri down the stairs and she started to go down way too fast. At the third step, she started losing her balance and started walking very fast down the stairs. About the 4th step to the bottom, she completely lost her balance and fell - doing a flip to the floor. All I heard was the thud. She started to cry and Doug and I dropped everything to run to her. She was fine, just scared. I was shaking more than she was. I am always so worried about accidents. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to my precious baby. I waited so long for her and I love her so much - I can't even go there in my mind. I can't always protect her and that scares me to death. I am hoping this incident will teach Briana a lesson about walking on the stairs slowly. Well, at least I can hope.
* Talking - well now that Briana can do this, she can say that she doesn't like things. She'll say "I don't like ...", even when she does like something. I think she says it just because she can. She is finally able to express an opinion. All the "I don't like's" though are getting a little annoying.
* Story time - I still don't understand why she doesn't like it anymore. We stopped going a few weeks ago, but I asked Briana again about it today. She said, "I don't like story time." I asked her why and she said it is too noisy. It is an answer, but we go to noisy places all the time and she doesn't have issues anywhere else. She is the most outgoing kid on the planet. I worry that it might be because there is structure in story time and that Briana doesn't want to have to pay attention to something she is not interested in and/or do what everyone else is doing. On the other hand, she loves gymnastics class and has to follow the rules there. But, gymnastics is something she really likes. I worry that she will not like going to school in the fall. She is going to have to deal with it because she is going. She needs the structure and she needs to do what she is told (by someone other than me and Daddy). I hope she pleasantly surprises me - just like the potty training!
So those are the ups and downs. I am so happy about our accomplishments, but I am still have some concerns to tackle. I guess that is what parenthood is all about.
We had a very nice time visiting with Doug's grandparents in Michigan over the weekend. It is hard to believe they are both in their late 80's! They looked great! Unfortunately, it rained every day we were there, so we really didn't get to spend much time visiting the beach on Lake Michigan like I had hoped. Briana really enjoyed meeting her great grandparents. The trip was fun, but it is always nice to be back home.
The first picture was taken in April of last year. The second picture is of Briana today. I can't believe how much she has changed in a year. My baby is growing up. Sigh...
On Sunday, Doug, Briana and I went to the High Museum to see the Terra Cotta Army exhibit. It was really amazing. I felt it was important for us to see this integral part of China's history. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed to be taken. :( Briana was fascinated by the exhibit (which actually surprised me) and pointed out lots of things. We hit the very last day of the exhibit. I am so glad we made time in our schedule to see it.
Entrance to the High.
She is so proud of herself.
This is a blast!
Our little artiste.
More laughing!
And a shot of a building in Atlanta.
When we go back to China one day, we will definitely be stopping in Xi'an to see the Warriors where they were discovered.
We have a shorter, sassier haircut going on here! On Wednesday, I got Bri's hair cut to her shoulders. It is really cute! She was a champ at the salon again! As you can see in the first picture, she was rewarded with a lollipop. :)
On Friday morning, we met Lisa and Maisie and Kathy and Chani at a coffeehouse for some coffee/tea and girl talk. It had been way too long since the three of us had gotten together. Having busy girls with busy schedules, it is kind of hard to get together. The girls had lots of fun stringing together candy necklaces (ok to be honest, Briana pretty much just ate her necklace) and walking to the restroom. Who knew walking together to the bathroom holding hands could be so fun? Well, now I know!
We have had some ups and downs over the last week and a half, so let me start with the good stuff...
We did some really hard work...
Then on the Sunday before last, we took Briana to her first movie - M@nsters vs. Aliens. She had a blast eating popcorn and did great through the opening previews. Once the movie started, she got nervous and wanted to sit in my lap. No crying or complaining, she just sat quietly and held on to me. About 45 minutes into it, she asked to go to "mama's house" (meaning she wanted to go home). The movie was a little too scary for her and was a little over her head. I didn't mind leaving at all. It was pretty scary for a two year old.
Then we ended up looking a little like this...
After we attended Briana's friend Kaitlyn's birthday party on Saturday, we certainly do! It was one of the cutest parties I have ever been to. There is an adorable small store about a half an hour from our house that sells adorable "girlie" items and also hosts princess tea parties. I didn't even know it existed! I'm glad I do now! Right after we arrived, all the kids were dressed up in princess and knight costumes. The girls had their makeup done. Sparkles and glitter galore I tell ya! The whole theme of the party was pixies, magic, princesses, fairies, etc. Briana loved every second of it. In the above picture, Briana is showing off the glitter on her arms. What a fun idea for a birthday party!
I'm a princess, Mommy!
I even picked out my own crown!
Making a grand entrance.
Drinking "tea" (it was apple juice).
Posing for a group photo. Yes, Briana decided it was more fun to have her back to the cameras.
Yep, here is my queen bee. And this is how we have been walking around the house the past week - in t-shirts, socks and princess panties. This week, while others have been enjoying spring break, we have been potty training. We started Monday afternoon and have been in full mode ever since. The first day and a half was rough - I won't lie. Lots of piddles, accidents, not wanting to sit on the potty very long, etc. Then Wednesday, things started to click. In the past two days, we have had only one or two accidents. Bri has stayed dry and is learning to hold her bladder. She prefers to go on the big potty, but she has gone on both the big potty and in her little potty. She isn't really telling me yet that she has to go on her own, but when I ask her (which is ALL the time - so exhausting), she complies and goes almost every time I ask her to. We still have a little ways to go on training, but I cannot believe the strides we have made in just one week. This is a child that only peed in the potty one time ever (on her baptism day). Now she is truly a "queen of the throne". LOL!!!
Voila!!!
We want to wish everyone a wonderful Easter and Passover!
Doug, Briana and I met our friends Amy, David and Emily Grace at B@hama Breeze on Friday night for some good food and good music out on the patio. Emily Grace is quite the dancer - she has some serious moves! LOL! Briana was very shy at first (yeah, I couldn't believe it either) and didn't want to get up in front of everyone. But as soon as she saw Emily Grace having fun and getting her dance on, she wanted to be a part of it. Once they got to dancing, there was no stopping them! The girls had the best time!
Then some other kids joined in...
Then some ladies joined in too!
Bri and Daddy.
Amy and David.
Us!
And I want to say some more "CONGRATULATIONS!" First I want to say a HUGE "Congrats" to this gal and her family on the referral of their beautiful and amazing new daughter/sister! I am over the moon with excitement for you! I can't wait to meet her!!!! Another big congrats to Lisa on the referral of her beautiful daughter Tate! I am so happy for you! And lastly, Steffie has her handsome son Andrew in her arms! Congrats Steffie!!!
