Track star in training

After school today, Ellie and I went to watch Tom and his team at their track meet. Ellie loved climbing up and down the bleachers and clapping for the runners. Tom said he could hear her all the way across the field yelling, “Running! Go! Hi, Daddy!” He was able to take a break in between races to come sit with us. Ellie graciously shared her crackers with him.Unfortunately, those crackers reappeared on the way home. I heard the noise from the back seat, you know the sound, the one we all dread, and looked to see Ellie covered in vomit. Is there anything worse than trying to clean puke out of the nooks and crannies of a car seat? Buckles? Ugh. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it was just a combination of motion sickness and too many crackers instead of the stomach flu. Poor kid.

Ellie is still doing great without her crib, although she insists on sleeping on her little Disney couch each night. Also, we had an incident the other night where I went in to check on her long after I thought she was asleep and I couldn’t find her. Then I heard a noise coming from the closet. Yep, she was hiding out. So naughty.

Newborn essentials

One of my favorite people (is that grammatically correct?) is having a baby! She went to Target to register, but grew too confused by onesies to get the job done. She asked me for the top 10 things she would need for a newborn. I emailed her back a few, but I thought I would pose the question to my fellow mommybloggers: What is the one thing you could not do without?

My choice? The Boppy.

Not only was it a lifesaver for nursing, but it had many other uses as well (but it's really not supposed to be used for sleeping!).

Big girl bed (updated)!

Ellie woke us up this morning shouting, "Mommy, help me!" But since she can't say her L's, it sounded more like "Mommy, hep me." Tom went in there to find her straddling her crib rail. She was pretty high up considering I had turned her crib around in a vain attempt to keep her from climbing out. I decided not to risk a broken arm/leg/head, so I converted her crib into a daybed (will post pictures tomorrow). I was a little worried about her playing in her room instead of sleeping, but when I put her down for her nap she slept for over two hours! She had slipped out of the bed and was sleeping on her Disney princess couch that unfolds into a little mat. It was very cute.

In keeping with the new big girl theme, we bought Ellie her own meal when we went to dinner tonight. Normally, Tom and I just feed her off our plates. Then, we went to Barnes and Noble where I bought Ellie a new book using my educator's discount (whoop!). We kept her out later than we normally do in hopes that it would be easier to put her down. Sure enough, she happily lay down in her new big girl bed after we did her nighttime routine and I haven't heard a peep from her since. Surely, it can't be this easy, right?

Update: Not only did Ellie sleep the whole night in her actual bed, but she slept in this morning later than she ever has before!

Rants and cupcakes

Valentine's Day should be banned at high schools. Today has been awful. I had an incident with a kid during my first period class. It got to the point where he was causing such a disruption and was refusing to leave the room that I took out my cell phone and called his mom. Yes, I called a high school kid's mother right in the middle of class. Unfortunately, she didn't speak English. The rest of my classes weren't much better since the kids were all jacked up on candy.

Usually, I like teaching. I teach the at-risk kids and they are challenging, but for the most part, I think I have built a good rapport with them. But then I have days like today and it makes me really, really miss my old librarian gig.

So, after dropping off cupcakes for Sabrina and Rosie, I came home, put in an Elmo DVD for Ellie, and proceeded to eat THREE cupcakes. I really meant to only eat one, but there were three in the container and, you know, I just had a bad day.

Ellie mania and heart-shaped cupcakes

I am exhausted. Ellie has been waking up screaming the past few nights. Nothing we do seems to calm her except taking her out of her room and rocking her back to sleep. But when we try to put her back in her crib? The whole process all over again. I'm praying tonight will be different.

Nights aren't the only problem around here. Every morning it is a struggle to dress Ellie. She thinks it's a game and runs giggling away from me. I pretty much have to tackle her and maneuver her wriggly body into her clothes. Don't even get me started on the shoes and socks. This morning I grew frustrated and informed Ellie that she could either put her pants on or go to time out. She happily walked over to her time out chair and sat down.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! I tell people that I don't get into V-day, but if this is true, then why did I spend my whole evening baking heart shaped cupcakes?

Clearly, I have no cupcake decorating skills, but let me just tell you, these cupcakes have a cream cheese/chocolate chip center that is amazing. Mmmmm. Happy Valentine's Day!