Teenager in Training

Today was a stay-at-home and catch up on the housework day. We've been running for 4 days and needed today to get some things done. Back at Christmastime Murry was fascinated with Santa and she loved that Santa Claus movie the other day. Last night Mamaw sent it home with us. That was 104 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning time for me. Thanks Mamaw! Ok I did have to stop to get her a drink and a snack halfway through, but you can't ask much more of an 18 mos. old kiddo. Then of course I feel guilty for leaving her on her own for most of the day and so we played with the little people after I finished up as much as I could. The house was getting out of control a little bit. Why does motherhood have to come with such guilt? Most of the time I can just let it go, but every once in a while it really gets to me. Today wasn't one of the bad days. After we played for a half hour or so, I went back to doing housework. And believe me it's gotten waaaaay better for me since she was born. When she was first born I felt guilty about everything, but now I realize that I have to retain some of my own idenity so as not to go crazy and that taking care of me makes a better mommy for my baby girl. And giving her a clean house and food is part of the whole Mommy business. I think at first I though I'd fill her every waking hour with fun and learning. Have I ever come a long way, baby! lol

Anyway, not much new here today, so I'll give you the short list

1. Murry is digging the shower/bath thing. I told her we were taking one after breakfast and as soon as I took her out of the highchair, she ran screaming "BATH" to the back of the house.
2. The little people castle has some stairs......she was making the little queen go up and down the stairs. She'd say "up the stairs to see Papaw"......"Ok down the stairs to see Mamaw" and making the little people go downstairs. LOL--this cracked me up. Over at Mom's house, Mom's living room is downstairs and Dad's living room is upstairs and she doesn't get to go up there much since there is no gate. She will stand at the bottom and holler at the guys.....Paaaapawww and Uncle Ricky....Daaddy........ This is just one of those sweet things I want to remember.
3. She also now think her Daddy is leaving everytime he asks for a kiss. This is because he's been gone soooo much. But it'll be over soon. It did not exactly make him all giddy with happiness that she keeps asking if he's "going bye-bye" or "go to work" when he asks for a kiss. :(
4. We've been practicing counting to 5 and tonight she did it all by herself for the first time while D was getting her ready for bed. I don't think she has it down completely, but it'a start. I just can't believe the pace she is learning new things. Whew!
5. She is really starting to enjoy talking on the phone and thinks she has to talk to everyone....but I don't let her. She loves to talk to the grandparents though. And a little sidenote---she's really missing her Nana, and has been asking about her everyday. She talked to Grandma Sherry today.
6. One more......the short list keeps getting longer huh? Tonight she came in carrying her little people castle and I saw little muscles in her arms......my baby is growing up so fast...............*sniff, sniff*

I'll leave you with this quote that I read last night about motherhood in the book Mojo Mom. Oh and I'm too lazy to go look up who said it..........but it's a good one!

The days are long, but the years are short.

So true, So true.