To sleep, to sleep perchance to dream . . .

Well, Clara continues to fight her naps now that she is in the toddler bed. Some days she takes them, others she won't. Lately, she's been falling asleep on the floor of her room, wherever she happens to be when the waves of exhaustion finally capsize her fighting body. Yesterday, she fell asleep by the door (she generally bangs on it in attempts to be released); the other day, I found her asleep by her rocking chair. When we move to a (rental) house next month with all hardwood floors, I am hoping she'll quickly discover that the bed is preferable. Even though it is frustrating, this is one stage I take comfort in because I know a lot of "normal" kids do this (right?!). While Clara has some deviant, aberrant behavior that is sort of off the normal child development route, I am grateful that at least some of her behavior is neurotypical.

Just call me Calamity Jane.

What do you mean I can't take my nap on your bed?

Spring is coming!

Spring is on its way, as is evidenced by these flowers that pop up every year near where we live. Too bad the batteries in the camera died so we couldn't take more pictures, but we got a few cute ones of Clara.

Isn't my dress pretty?

Let me in to my secret garden

Daddy can always make me laugh!

What's your problem?

I see you!

But Daddy, I don't WANT my picture taken!

Music!

Okay, so I heard Ingrid Michaelson for the first time a few weeks ago, and I am definitely adding her as one of my favorite vocalists. She reminds me of the light and easy style of some of my other favorites: Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall, etc. I don't know very many contemporary artists, but when I do come across one I like, it's very gratifying to connect with music that strikes a chord with me (pardon the pun!). I don't own an iPod, and it's a good thing I don't or I'd be spending our student loan money downloading obscene numbers of mp3s. I confess I did download Michaelson's "The Way I Am" (part of my good intentions for Valentine's Day for Michael that didn't come to fruition), but I don't regret spending the 94 cents on Walmart.com because I could listen ad nauseam.

Happy (?) Valentine's Day

Well, this Valentine's Day wasn't the most stellar, perhaps, of all our Valentines since we've all been under the weather. A lot of my good intentions for Michael fell by the way side as I was not feeling up to doing much. However, Michael went out and got a chick flick--what a man!-- (Becoming Jane) and made dessert (chocolate pudding layered with Cool Whip and mini Oreos) and I made crepes with strawberries and sausage for dinner. It was a relaxing night, which was good. I toyed with the idea of not even celebrating Valentine's Day anymore and celebrate our "half-anniversary" on February 23rd instead (everything is so overpriced on the 14th just because all the businesses know they can take advantage of the guilt and pressure of those in relationships!) but I decided I'd honestly feel slightly gypped (sp?) if we didn't celebrate Valentine's Day. I told Michael I don't want him buying flowers in Valentine's, though--he can buy them for me later! (Maybe when we are solvent he can buy me flowers then). Anyway, here is a pic of our dinner last night.

Opposition in All Things

I am trying to appreciate Lehi's reminder that there must be opposition in all things: currently I am being reminded of the opposite of health. We have all been pretty sick for the last several days--Clara with a cold, then Michael with the flu, now me with the flu (and Clara actually probably has the flu but can't tell me whether her muscles are achy, but she has had a fever). We even all got flu shots--the first year ever for me and Michael, and I don't recall having gotten the flu in a few years. But, I am trying to convince myself that we have gotten a milder form because of the shot. I am trying not to get worried for Clara next year in Mother's Day Out twice a week--getting all sorts of stomach, flu, cold bugs. It just builds up her immunity, right? Right?! On a positve note, however, we have all been pretty healthy this season, so I need to count my blessings. Michael is a great nurse and is very conscientious--bringing me ice water, cough drops, taking care of Clara, etc. etc. I'm glad we have strong bodies so we can fight this off. I'm trying not to feel guilty for letting Clara watch copious amounts of Dora, Blue's Clues, etc., but neither she nor I are up for doing much.

Discipline . . . HELP!

This is just another example of one of those things you think you have totally down pat--before you have any children. I am at my wit's end trying to figure out how to stop Clara from hitting and from saying "shoo!" to us and strangers alike (which, as you can imagine, is extremely embarrassing). The hitting: we've tried tons of things, but what seems to be working is spanking. However, I feel like I must not be spanking hard enough because she still hits sometimes, or at least threatens to. Or she'll kick or push or poke or whatever she knows gets me annoyed. It's never hard--just enough to show she knows she's being disobedient. I used to be SO anti-spanking and could hardly imagine a justifiable reason to spank. I am not sure I'm doing the right things, but I am trying dang hard! As for the "shoo"--she wouldn't have kept saying that if I hadn't said, "Oh, we don't say that to people, we say that to flies." Since then she's said it more and more, simply because I brought attention to it so she knows it's something that gets under my skin. I've thought about putting vinegar in her mouth or soap or something, but then do I do that out in public, too? I've tried to ignore it, but it's really hard, and should I ignore something that is very disrespectful and not acceptable?

Happenings

Clara loves her daddy so much. I honestly could not ask or even dream of a better father for my children. Here's one of Clara and Michael dancing.

I did Clara's hair in pigtail braids for the first time. It is so much fun to do her hair! If only it would stay cute for more than a few hours. . . sigh.

Clara is now in a toddler bed (!). There was really no reason to move her from her crib because she slept great in her crib and generally still took naps there. However, I just wanted a change because since her development has been slower I feel like we've been in the same stage for ages. She has done pretty well in the bed, although she doesn't take naps in it very often anymore (although she's taking one right now because she's been sick). When I go in after her "nap time" is up, I often find her in some snazzy dress-up get-up, such as the one pictured below. What a nut. (Note the lovely diapers by her feet as well.)