Blue Mermaids and Peacocks!

I have come down off the ledge about Daisy. The past few days have been a lot better. I need to manage my expectations about her, and realize that what she is going through is just a phase...and if we stick it out, things will get better (trust me, they can only get better!)

In the meantime, I took the girls with me to Petsmart and bought an arsenal of chew toys for Daisy (the good kind) and interviewed some doggie trainers. I think a lot of my frustration with her has to do with me being in my third trimester! What???!!! Yep, that's right, third trimester. And I am feeling it.

Today we had a great time with Daisy. I forgot my camera (ahhhhh! I get so mad at myself when that happens)...but basically Mr. M stayed home while Ginger napped, and Paprika and I took Daisy on a long walk/adventure around the neighborhood. Paprika walked Daisy, and I swear, those pictures would have been some of the cutest EVER if I'd actually had my camera with me. We ended up at Paprika's elementary school, and Daisy had the best time frolicking in the grass while Paprika played on the playground. It was perfect...if even just for that moment.

Summer is chugga-chugging along. Paprika turns FIVE on Tuesday. I have been an emotional basketcase about it. Crying one minute and then laughing the next. Again, I think it has something to do with third trimester hormones...but also, I think it's normal when your baby is all of a sudden turning five and heading off to real school.



For the past month, Paprika, Ginger, and I have had a picnic lunch pretty much every day outside Paprika's new elementary school so Paprika can get comfortable with her school before her first day. Juggling two kids, it is not always a perfect picnic (especially when sharing is involved). Haha! That's just life. So, last weekend, I took Paprika by myself and we had the best time. We laid down a blanket in the grass behind her classroom and talked about everything under the sun.

Paprika's favorite topics of conversation are: Halloween, her birthday, and Christmas...all in that order. This year she wants to be a blue peacock for Halloween (I'm already scouring Ebay for the perfect costume)...and she wants to have a BIG mermaid party for her birthday. Paprika really wants to be a real mermaid when she grows up.

So, at our picnic, we talked all about her birthday party. She gets to invite five guests because she is turning five. I am a little worried that five guests is going to be too much for her sensory-wise, so I am crossing my fingers that all goes as planned. Should be interesting! :-)

That night, after our beautiful picnic together, I spotted this mural when I went on my date with Mr. M. It reminded me of the magical mermaid party we have planned for Paprika. I think I am as excited as she is! Now, I just have to get everything together for her party next week. Eeek!

Free Puppy To Good Home!

Daisy is now three months, almost four months old. We have passed the honeymoon stage, and now we are in the "Ohmygosh, how could we have been so naive" stage?

She is a very typical puppy, and we are waiting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but realizing that it might take a very long time to get there...and with a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and me being 6 1/2 months pregnant, it is just a lot to handle.



I have called a few trainers to talk to them about what we should do - but the truth is, how much is just typical puppy stuff that we need to wait out and how much is trainable?



The girls love Daisy - but it is very hard to let them be around her because Daisy wants to jump up and play and ends up knocking Ginger over, or nipping at Paprika, which causes screaming and crying. It's a love/hate relationship, I think.



I know you're all saying, "I told you so!" and maybe you did. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and that's what I'm feeling today. She is just so darn cute, though. Sigh.

We need a puppy intervention, pronto. In the meantime, anyone want to take our puppy off our hands for the next 12-18 months? I'm just kidding...sorta. ;-)

Happy, Happy!

Today was Mr. M and my 8 year wedding anniversary. Eight years ago tonight, we exchanged vows at my grandparents' church in Indianapolis, followed by an enchanted reception at my Aunt Laura and Uncle Kevin's house. Our wedding was small - 50 guests - and it was totally perfect for us. I can't help but smile big when I think of that night and how magical it all was.

Tonight we had a little date down at the beach, followed up by dinner out at a grown-up place while Grandma Pat stayed home and watched Paprika and Ginger (and Daisy!) We talked about everything good that's happened these past eight years, skipped over the bad, and had a good laugh (and I might have even cried once or twice...pregnancy hormones!)

I never take any of my time with Mr. M for granted...it was just so good to look back at our 11 years together (3 dating + 8 married) and just enjoy those memories together for an evening. So much time these days is spent in the moment that we hardly ever get the chance to look back and reflect...



Speaking of the here and now, I had a doctor's checkup today for little Pavenzia. I am now 26+ weeks pregnant with her. The doctor had some concerns today about my fluid level, so I had an ultrasound and got to see her little face. It was such a precious moment. The fluid level ended up being fine, and so it was a good appointment. I am so grateful for those! Can't believe in 3 months I will (hopefully) be holding her in my arms. It is hard to believe...we are so very excited to meet her (even though I feel like I already know her!)



Grandma Pat came down on Sunday to help us with the girls and she leaves tomorrow. It has been great having her here, and she has been such a help. Thanks, Pat!



Paprika is undergoing some medical testing at the Children's Hosptial, and so Pat watched Ginger while Mr. M and I took Paprika to her first appointment. Paprika's appointment was on Monday, and everything went really well. We have to go back a few more times, but so far, things are looking positive, which is just wonderful.



On Sunday, we celebrated Grandma Pat's birthday. Paprika picked out the cake and the candles. She was so proud of herself! Ha! :-)

I have a ton of photos and stories to add...just fun and funny things that have happened in the past week. I will be adding those over the next few days! Right now we have an appointment to watch Season 5 of Friday Night Lights (we started watching Season 1 on Netflix a few weeks ago...and well, we are addicted). I can't wait to see how it ends...shhhh..don't tell me!

Until next time! :-)

Trying New Things!

I know I have mentioned Paprika's eating issues before, and that she sees a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Feeding Specialist once/week. Paprika is what you'd call a Problem Feeder - which is different from a Picky Eater. A Problem Feeder will eat less than 20 foods, will not tolerate new foods in proximity, and will basically starve themselves before touching or trying a new food. Picky eaters will eat usually more than 20 foods, and are more flexible in their food experiences. Here is a short article about the differences: Picky Eater or Problem Feeder?

When we first started working with our OT back in April, Paprika had about 5 foods she could eat. Each food had to be just so, and any deviation would cause complete rejection of the food. It was really frustrating, to say the least.

The process of expanding her diet has been arduous, but one thing that has really helped us has been her "homework chart." Basically, it is just a chart and for every new food she tries, she puts a stamp on the chart. She will note if it is salty or sweet, juicy or dry, and if she likes it (hint: she never does!) We aim for two new foods/day. Once the chart is completed, Paprika gets a special toy or reward.

When we first started the homework chart, all Paprika had to do was allow the food item on her plate. Then, we moved up to getting her to lick the item. Now, she has to touch the item, and put a bite of it in her mouth (and then take it back out of her mouth) to get a stamp. Basically, the goal of this is to break her out of her rigidity a bit and get her comfortable with new (food) situations.

At one point, I pushed things a little too far with this. She had really been wanting a special Barbie mermaid doll, and I told her if she ate/swallowed a bite of strawberry, she could have the doll. It was a little like an episode of Fear Factor watching her try to eat the strawberry. About 45 minutes into her anxiously looking at the doll, then back to the strawberry, she took one bite. But it was a little too much, too fast- and she had a horrible, gagging fit and almost threw up on the table.

So, now we take things more slowly! ;-) What can I say, I am learning, too!

I think any child - problem eater or picky eater - could benefit from a food reward chart like this. We have tried everything in the past (including all those books like The Sneaky Chef and Just Take A Bite) - and honestly, nothing was working.

It is very slow going, but the rewards are worth it. Despite her restricted diet, Paprika has a fairly healthy diet, all things considered (thanks largely to Ovaltine shakes and S'mores flavored Luna Bars). She is in the 90th percentile for height and is overall physically healthy.

But one of the things I really want for her is for her to be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods, and not be imprisoned by her very narrow, rigid food choices. I know it sounds like a simple thing, and to some it probably sounds crazy...but if you've experienced something like this, then you know what I'm talking about!

So, here's to trying new things. Our Food Homework Chart is really helping us, and I will keep you posted on how it progresses, and if you try it with your kids, let me know how it works for you! :-)

Christmas In July!

Last week, we had Christmas in July. Paprika wanted to get out all the decorations, do a full-fledged Christmas tree, hang up the stockings, bake the Christmas cookies, and wait it out for Santa to visit us.

I appeased her by letting her decorate the orange tree in our backyard. Have you ever seen a more festive orange tree, especially in July?



The girls had a great time decorating the tree, and it took up a good part of the afternoon. I was planning on getting rid of these glass ornaments anyway, so it was a good excuse for that...you know, when Daisy (the puppy) came crashing by a few hours later...just like I figured she would! ;-)



But it was fun while it lasted! :-)



Paprika's still got swim lessons every day - which means most days we just hang out in our suits until sundown. As you can see, she is a big fan of my shoes! Ha!



We spent part of the weekend in Newport Beach visiting old friends, and swimming in the pool at their swanky hotel. Good times!



I hit the 25 week mark with Pavenzia. Yes, I am a fan of sunscreen. Why do you ask?



I have really started to feel pregnant these past few weeks. Lots of kicks from the inside to remind me who is growing in there! I am getting bigger, which slows me down a bit. My blood pressure is freakishly low right now (80/40), which means I am dizzy and on the verge of fainting most of the time. The doctor says to just take it easy, rest, and drink lots of water. Easier said than done, but I'm doing my best! ;-)



Sunday we went to the "Requarium" (Paprika still calls it that). It was sooo packed, I could have sworn there were a billion people there. Paprika made drawings of the sea life, and Ginger had a great time checking out all the feesh!



When the crowds got to be just too much, we went out to the Long Beach Harbor, and Ginger chased the birds:



Then we had a picnic under a shady tree in the Harbor, and the girls made a jungle gym out of the modern art.



Who knew sculpture could be so much fun?



We have been enjoying our lazy mornings, complete with messy hair over a leisurely breakfast.



And long afternoons of playing the yard. Ginger, at all of 25 months, has dropped her one nap of the day. So, no breaks for me! She is following in her big sister's no naps after age 2 footsteps, what can I say?



Now that August is here, we are in the homestretch before school starts, and it is all just a little more sweet knowing that our summer days are numbered. Paprika is really excited about school starting, which makes the next phase just as exciting, I suppose. Even so, I sure will miss our lazy breakfasts, days of swimming, and playing until sunset in the backyard. Even in this place where summer lasts forever, there is still something so sweet about August afternoons.

Till next time, friends!