A Little Late - But These Pictures Are Incredible

I've been busy, busy and Jia has been busy, busy but I wanted to take a moment to post some incredible pictures her Aunt Lisa took at the Children's Museum. Best wishes to all.

Easter Bunny Says Must Eat Chocolate

How is it that the Easter Bunny came but I'm the one eating all the chocolate? Like I didn't KNOW that was going to happen - Jia doesn't even GET much chocolate! It makes her kind of kooky. We've had a wonderful holiday. I took a couple of days off to enjoy spring break with the cousins. We traveled to Washington DC and visited some sites. I have so much to say about our time together that I will post that in a different post. I'm tired, trying to eat dinner and get a few pictures on the blog. Thanks to Laura and Natalie for the tips on sleep. I looked desperately at T one night and asked for room darkening shades. Remarkably they seem to have made all the difference for Jia's sleep issues. Ah, the simple solutions. Light outside? Playtime. Dark? Sleepy time. We'll see how long this solution lasts. As with all things children, every day is a different experience. As these pictures will depict, Jia loves her chocolate almost as much as her mommy loves a martini! I love this little bugger more than I can express.

p.s. Thank you Cindy - Jia LOVED her duck and the bubbles and froggy. :) This was a very thoughtful thing you did - as usual.

Life as Mom

Occasionally I get really impatient with Jia. It is usually only at bedtime. We've changed our sleeping arrangements and I now lay down with Jia in the big girl bed until she falls asleep and then I get up and have the only time of the day that truly belongs to me. I sleep with her in the big girl bed so we wake together. I get between an hour and a half and two hours to myself each day and this in the evening. This time is precious to me. I've given up my formerly "precious" morning time and now only have that 1-2 hours every night. Lately Jia has needed less sleep and wants to go to sleep closer to 8 or 9 pm. We have to get up at 5:30 ish on work days and I'm an early to bed kind of person so that means in my pre-mommy days I'd go to bed at 9:30 or so. I really struggle to stay up much past that. I came downstairs at 10:20 pm last night after finally getting Jia to go to sleep. Tonight I asked T to come up and help me at 8:30 because she still was not asleep. Thank goodness for him. It bothers me how impatient I get with her. It's not her fault she isn't sleepy. It's not her fault that once she's asleep and I try to creep out of the bed she sits up and cries. But I really struggle with not being frustrated with the whole situation. Once she's old enough not to pull at my legs and cry and whine when she's tired (this usually starts around 6:30 or 7pm) then I'll not stress so much. But I can't get dinner going or do anything I need to do when all she wants is to be held and suck her thumb (signs she's tired - right? I mean she's fed, watered, etc. - yes, I know she's not a plant mom, heh heh) . So I take her upstairs for bath, reading and snuggle bedtime but she lately has begun to think this is now super play time with mommy. Any suggestions? In the meantime, here are beautiful pics from last weekend. I feel soooo guilty when I feel frustrated with Jia. She is such a beautiful, delightful, easy-going child. I think I just need a mommy's night out, which I haven't had since we became a family. I believe it's time for Daddy to take over nights for a while.