Attitude

Dear Isabella,

As you get closer and closer to the 30 month mark, I'm noticing a change in attitude. While these changes are not always pleasant, they are indeed humorous. For example, last night you told your babysitter, Krislyn thay you were not going to go to bed and that you were waiting up for your mommy. Well, you went to bed before we got home. Today, we were sharing an apple and you told me that I had eaten enough... twice.

You are a very determined girl and you know exactly what you want all of the time.

Potty Training

Dear Isabella,

Potty training is in full swing at the Shory house. You've been wearing disposable Pull-ups for the past few months, but now you are wearing big girl panties. You are excited by this new development, but a little annoyed by my constant question, "Do you have to go the the bathroom, Isabella?"

Potty training has made me a little sad. This seems like the last step from babyhood to girlhood, and I'm just not really ready. I think sometimes you feel the same way. We've been playing "baby" a lot this summer. I wrap you up in a blanket, carry you around, and you say, "Goo goo! Ga Ga!" We both giggle and laugh at this game of pretend, but I wouldn't be lying if I didn't admit that these moments always make my heart ache just a little bit. Yes, I love the sweet, spirited little girl you are becoming, but I also feel like I'm losing my baby.

When does the fun start???

Dear Isabella,

My last day of school was Monday, and here it is Wednesday night... and we've still had almost no fun. Well, if you call driving around running errands, watching repairmen come work on the house, and watching me type lesson plans for my Upward Bound classes fun, then we've had our fill. I promise that things will slow down soon and we'll play.

Jewelry

Dear Isabella,

You have discovered jewelry, and you have decided that more (not less) is more in a big way. Last night we met Daddy at Arby's for a quick dinner. You wore earrings, a necklace, a couple of rings, a tiara, and heels (all plastic) for the occasion.

Today you wore two long (and very large) necklaces to pre-school with one of your rhinestone headbands (crowns). It all looks fantastic with your cotton dresses.

Confession

Dear Isabella,

Being a mommy is wonderful, amazing, fulfilling, and all consuming.

However, sometimes being a mommy is tough. Sometimes you just feel like you're going to pass out and that you can't handle much more. This is when I think it's okay to cheat a little, so I'm going to confess a few things. Please consider these "tips" for when you are a mommy. I certainly won't judge you.

• Always read bedtime stories, but when you are super tired, read only the first and last sentence on each page. If you're really, really tired, secretly turn a few pages at once. Your child will always pick the longest books when you are the most exhausted.
  
• Eat in a restaurant. No shopping, no cooking, no cleanup.
  
• Give your child a bath, but make it really quick and don't bother to wash his/her hair. If you're really tired, skip the bath and bring your child in the shower with you in the morning. Wash his/her hair tomorrow.
  
• Turn on Sesame Street of Dora the Explorer. While your child is watching, you can sneak a peak at a magazine or catch up on email.
• Use disposable diapers.
• Schedule a few nights out each month with girlfriends. Giggle and do something you love to do.
  
• Spend time with your husband. This will renew you and help you both remember that you are a team... and in love.
  
• When your child won't go to sleep, take some work or a book in the nursery and just sit there until he/she falls asleep. I love hearing your calm breathing at the end of the day. If it seems like it's going to be a really, really long night, bring in a glass of wine.
  
• Put a daybed in your child's nursery. On sleepless nights, you can just sleep in your baby's room. I sleep in your room a couple of times a month. Daddy often takes naps with you.
  
• Exercise! Run, dance or whatever you need to do to blow off a little steam.

I've been typing as you sleep, and I think that you've finally given up.

I'm going to finish my glass of wine in the tub as I read some trashy magazines.

Good night, Isabella.

I love you.

We made it!

Dear Isabella,

Well, today was my last day of school for the 2011-2012 school year. It was also your last day of M-F classes at Oak Ridge Nursery School. You and I are both going to be busy on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June. I'm teaching at UT and you will be going to nursery school on those days. I'm excited for the break from our daily routine, but I'm also glad that we're going to have some structure...at least for a few days. We've already discussed the fact that we will be "playing like crazy" on our free days.

It's been very, very hot for the past few weeks. I hope the whole summer isn't so hot.

I love you.