Frustrated!

I am trying to figure out what is wrong with this Blog.  Every time I try to share my posts on Facebook, the summary is not showing up.  I have done a ton of research and everything I try is not working.  I have tried updating meta tags, checked all settings and have even reverted to putting all my settings back to default just to see if I can erase the problem.  I have now narrowed it down.  I have gone back to older posts and when I share them...the summary appears.  So somewhere along the way maybe I entered info or pressed a button and now jacked it up.  Hence me trying to erase all my updates to the page.  I don't understand what is wrong with these postings, but supposedly a bunch of other bloggers are experiencing the same issue.

If anyone has any kind of advice, please let me know.  The frustration this has caused me has pushed me away from sharing what is going on in our family.

Bilingual Toddler

A child beginning to explore language is such an exciting time and a huge milestone! I remember my baby girl’s 1st word like it was yesterday (mommy) and it is so hard to believe that was well over a year ago. Since then, she has added so many words to her vocabulary. She is now concurring phrases and putting small sentences together. Everyday she surprises us with something new!

Since she was in the womb we have read to her and have made it a point to continue to do this. She loves books! Something else that we have been doing since she was an infant is describing and telling her about her environment around her. I will drive her to daycare and explain to her what I see outside the windows and we like to sing songs on our commutes as well. (I am an awful singer, but she doesn’t seem to mind)

Her daycare Mom-mom is originally from Puerto Rico, so she speaks fluent Spanish and English and is all-together an amazing woman! She speaks Spanish to the kids and introduces them to this at such an early age (Ella was 7 weeks when she began watching her). She has even told me that Ella understands more Spanish than some of her grandchildren, haha! Not sure if this is true, but it sure made me feel good.

When children begin to figure out words, you sometimes have a hard time deciphering what they are saying. Try throwing some Spanish into the mix too. Man, she is probably saying so much more that we cannot understand.

I am so proud and thrilled that my daughter is learning both languages! In today's world, we really need to have a better understanding of Spanish. Having Ella say “beso” when she wants to give kisses, “arriba” “suve” “pipa” are just other examples of her Spanish vocabulary. Dude…she is only 20 months, this is impressive!

Mark has an understanding and can speak, but me….oh, boy! I am awful! I really need to pull out Rosetta Stone and begin learning myself. Dora and Diego will not be enough to keep up with this kiddo. : )

Been too long...

Well, well, well....so much has happened in the past 60 days that it would definitely take a few posts to catch up.  I started neglecting the blog once Mark had his back surgery, but I am happy to report that he is back in full force now.  It was so hard for him during recovery to not be able to hold his baby girl and they day he was released by the doctor's, he came home and picked her up.  I never saw such a look on his face before, ok maybe once....the day she was born.  Pride, happiness, relief, and adoration all wrapped up into one ear-to-ear smile. 

He is doing awesome and is back at work.  Even went back to a promotion, YAY! And Ella is so thrilled to have her healthy Daddy back to play and chase after.

Running on E

There are couple meanings to that title.  First reason - I am literally so exhausted that at any given moment I could probably fall asleep.  Second reason - Ella is what keeps me motivated....her smile, her laugh, and that sweet little voice.

It has been a week since Mark's back surgery and he is doing totally awesome!  He is up and moving around (limited still) and of course still knows how to get me busting a gut laughing with his jokes.  Although he is getting around, he is still not able to drive, bend, twist, lift or even sit for longer than 15 minutes straight.  Needless to say...things have been CRAZY busy for me! 

Mark had made the comment joking around, "See...I actually did things around here to help out!"  And you know what...he really is such a HUGE help with Ella and the house.  It's sad that his injury a few months back is what opened my eyes even more.  I always knew he was amazing  and did more than the average guy would do, but man...this is hard!  Mad respect for single mothers and fathers.  : )  

We have had a lot of offers from family and friends to help out and we appreciate it so much!  The funny thing is, I wouldn't know what people could do to help.  Haha!  It's the cleaning, cooking, errands, grocery shopping, work, daycare preparation and more.  Yes, I am the mom who prepares and portions out my child's food for the whole day.  Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are prepared for her to take to daycare the night before. This may not seem like a lot, but when your the sole person doing it?!  Nuts!

One of the hardest things is explaining to Ella that daddy cannot pick her up when she stretches her arms up and says "Uppy Uppy".  I know it breaks Mark's heart, but I keep reassuring him that it is only temporary and that before he knows it...Ella will be chassing him around trying to keep up with him. 

Mark goes to his post surgery follow up on the 19th and hopefully we get some great news.  I am just hoping for a safe and healthy recovery for him.  Ella and I pray for his recovery everynight!  He will also find out what his rehab schedule will be like.  That's maybe an opportunity that we can accept some help from family and friends. Oh and best believe when Mark is feeling better...we are going out!  Maybe a free babysitter would be a nice way to assist us.  Haha....wishful thinking!

Everyone loves the Classics!

This morning Ella wanted me to follow her and she led me straight to the bathroom.  The seat was up so I quickly put it down so that curious hands do not end up in the bowl.  When I did that...I got yelled at.  Ella said, "NO, Pee Pee".  So, I hurriedly pulled down her pj's and held her over the toilet.  She wiggled and wanted down, so I grabbed her potty and sat her on that.  That wasn't exactly what she wanted.  She got up and ran bare-bottom into her bedroom and came back with a book.  Disney Classics was her book of choice and it was pretty heavy.  Ella grabbed my hand and sat her dupa on her potty with her big book on her lap.

I propped the book up with the Listerine bottle to access the camera.  : )  And I love the one sock on, one sock off.  She sat here for a couple minutes, but did not go.  Still....step in the right direction.

Happy Birthday ODB!

March is crazy ridiculous with Birthday's in our family.  We have cousins, my mom, myself, brother-in-law, nephew, a brand spankin' new niece, and the main topic of this blog...my husband!

Today my OLD man turns 30.  He is 5 days younger than me, and for those 5 days...he busts me about being old to the point of no return.  This year he has called me "Oldie Hawn", "Oldilocks" and much more...Haha.  This morning I made sure to wish "Todd Oldman" a Happy Birthday.

I always try to make sure his day is special and rememberable.  Last night, I had to start preparing his birthday dinner.  As most know, I do not fair well with meat but the husband is a Chef and I have to make him something special.  I picked him up 2 Filet Mignon (pronounced Mig-nin).  I had to start the marination process last night, so unfortunately I had to let him in on the surprise.  He asked me how I was going to prepare it.  Lol.  Hint:  If a Chef asks you how you will prepare and cook something...just ask them how they would do it, cause that is really what they are getting at.  So, the Mignons are marinated to Mark's liking and I am sure he will be watching over me while I cook them.  Which is absolutely fine with me!

After he fell asleep, I decorated the house with balloons and signs and finished up this morning by placing out his presents.   I love celebrating his birthday more than my own.  Without a doubt, it is better to give than it is to receive.  After a relaxing dinner and special sweet dessert, this old couple will be retiring for some much needed sleep! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARKY!  We love you so much!

and Ella

Splish, Splash, Ella is taking Baths!!!

This is a HUGE thing for us!  Since she has been able to stand, she has refused to sit down during bathtime.  Even if I tried to sit her down, she would scream bloody murder until she was standing again.  So showering it was...I even went out to get a detachable shower head so it was easier for all.

We had to go about this in small steps.  For a while, Ella didn't like the wide space in the tub, so we had to put her inflatable ducky tub inside the big tub to take showers.  A couple weeks ago, I got rid of the ducky and she was showering in the big girl tub.  I started gradually introducing the concept of sitting so that she can play a whole lot easier.  Finally, on Tuesday she sat the majority of the time and had a blast.  We splashed each other, she gave kisses to all her bath toys and even had fun with her squirty toys.  Until it happened...she tooted and scared herself.  Haha, right as it happened she started saying "Uppy Uppy".

The next night we tried again and she has been hooked ever since!!  Now when I ask her if she is ready for tubby time, she makes a b-line for the bathroom while yelling "Tubby. Tubby, Tubby Time".  It is truly awesome!

Tubby time is fun, but so exhausting!