AC's Christmas 2013

Anna Claire had an amazing Christmas this year. I feel so blessed for both of our girls and to have what we need to provide for both of them.

Grandma and Freddie spoil Anna Claire rotten and we are so blessed to have them in our lives.

They bought her new Twinkle Toes boots and new Crocs! She loves them and needed new shoes desperately since she just went through a huge growth spurt. 

She loves her new Matilda Jane outfit. She sported it at school today and was so prissy strutting into her classroom!

AC in her new MJ outfit. She asked me to put her hair in rollers last night too. Too cute!

Anna Claire also received a portable DVD player with headphones for the car. How much are we going to love having that on long trips?? Amazing.

She loves her Sofia the First doll and movie from Grandma. We've already watched the movie several times. Grandma also told me she's pre-ordered the new Frozen movie for Anna Claire. She will be so excited when that comes in.

Grandma and Freddie also bought me a GoPro video camera. I so needed a good video camera for home movies of the girls and this thing is amazing. I can't wait to play with it and see all that it can do. I could not ask for a better gift than one to capture memories of my babies!

Anna Claire received many other gifts from her grandparents, more than I could possibly list. She absolutely loved everything.

Anna Claire got the Stuffie, Mooshka, Flutterbye Fairy, Leappad, microphone, and princess dresses she asked for from Santa.

We got her a new children's Bible, wordless book, Frozen playset and Soundtrack, Frozen art set (it's amazing), and artist's manikin. She loves the art set and manikin!

This Christmas has been so crazy we forgot to buy cookies or dough for Santa. AC was ok with it. She said, "Let's just leave him American cheese."

Loves her Frozen playset

Larry asked me to take this one...good call. Our two girls playing with their favorite gifts in the same shot.

Loves her Leappad, Mooshka, and Sofia dress from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Clint.

I can't say enough positives about these Cinderella and Belle dresses from Santa. They are machine washable. They're soft and comfortable. They are beautiful. So much nicer than the Disney ones. I want to get the other ones for AC and Madeline eventually.

Anna Claire is 4 1/2 :)

I did a photoshoot for Madeline's 3 month birthday today, so of course Anna Claire wanted one too for her 4 1/2 birthday!

Our photogenic little girl!

I love this smile and sweet face.

Favorite.

Looking less like a baby and more like a little girl.

We're working on an art project where we need a cut-out of her with her arms up. These were our attempts.

Cutie pie.

I'm an artist like Daddy.

Today Anna Claire was doing some artwork and said, "I see pictures in my head and I have to put them on paper. I'm an artist like Daddy."

:)

First Time Christmas Caroling

Not counting the times she sang carols for dance at nursing homes, this was the first time Anna Claire or I went honest-to-goodness Christmas caroling. I define this as bundling up and enduring the cold, walking from house to house and singing in a group.

We went with our small group leader and their kids, and some of the teachers from The Red Barn.

We did it up right with hot chocolate, lots of layered clothing, song books, and "candles" to light our way. We froze, but it was worth it!

AC and Lucas - small group buddies!

I want to go to Signature and Walking Horse.

Anna Claire is without a doubt her Meme's grandchild. She has that same caring spirit and always wants to do for others. I wish I could say the same about myself, but I am more selfish than I would like to be.

This morning before church, Anna Claire had a giant stack of papers that she had already plowed through, with art complete on each one. I said, "You sure have been busy. What are you going to do with all of that art?"

She said, "We can take it to people who don't get cards for Christmas, like Signature."

I asked her if she'd like to go somewhere like Signature or Walking Horse, and she said, "I want to go to Signature AND Walking Horse."

So that is on our agenda tomorrow! So proud of this little girl with her servant attitude at such a young age.

The Nutcracker

After seeing how much she fell in love with this nutcracker, I bought her a little one as a souvenir. She's carried it with her everywhere today. She told me this afternoon she wants to marry the Nutcracker one day and that he will turn into a prince just like he did for Clara. :)

I can't tell you how much fun it was to watch Anna Claire at The Nutcracker Ballet. She was beyond thrilled to go to the ballet and to watch her facial expressions during the show was priceless.

I told some friends we were taking her and they worried she would be too young to enjoy it and that it would be boring for her. Not the case at all! She loved every part of it. I am so glad we made the choice to take her this year. In fact, I can't imagine a more magical age than this age...the age where Santa and the Easter Bunny reign supreme. The Nutcracker is right up there for her now.

Grandma and Freddie took us and it was a wonderful trip and experience. They even rented a van so we could all ride together. It was all so thoughtful. We loved sharing this special night as a family.

"Billing Statement Enclosed"

Anna Claire and I were in the kitchen making cherry Jell-o when out of the blue she said, "Billing statement enclosed."

I just turned and looked at her and said, "Why do you say that?"

She pointed to a piece of mail on the counter and said, "Well that's what this mail says right here, see? 'Billing statement enclosed." It's right there!"

Oh yeah, she can read anything. I forget sometimes!

Ellie's Birthday...On Stage!

Ellie's family created a stage for the girls to perform on and they were able to use real microphones!

I really thought Anna Claire would be too shy to get on stage, much less to perform. Boy was I wrong on both counts! She really belted it out and knew all the words to both songs!

All girls dream about being a star on stage and today their dreams came true! Thanks Miss Bracey!

AC has tons of makeup at home, but she has never done makeup with her friends before. They had a ball.

We just let them go to town with it. Why not? It washes off. ;)

So cute to watch them. I'm so glad Miss Lisa made me go in.

Not sure how well you can tell from this picture, but Bracey made little nail polishes out of marshmellows and microphone cake pops. The ice cream cone for the microphone's base was filled with skittles. So cute!

Here's the food spread. She made star-shaped pizzas since our girls got to be stars today!

Taking a Candy Basket to Granny

I've been trying to think of ways to teach AC what the holidays are really about, but then she teaches me: 


Anna Claire and I were talking one day last week about her friend Amy's granny going to Rehab. Granny broke her hip, just like Meme, and had to have surgery to have it replaced. She's in rehab now to help get her up and going again.

A few days later she asked me again to tell her why Granny was in rehab, so I did. I explained that she broke her hip and had to have surgery for it just like Meme.

Then she declared we would go visit Granny, take her flowers in a vase, and a candy basket just like meme had. Anna Claire was very specific about the kind of candy that needed to go in the basket: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Trident gum, and little boxes of raisins. She said that way Amy can have some candy whenever she visits her granny.

Well, how could I say no to such a request? We went out to see Granny on Friday and it was a really nice visit. I think we all enjoyed it. 

For Anna Claire and me, it had been several months since we'd been to a rehab or nursing home, and I think we've actually missed it. When you go somewhere every day for months, it becomes a big part of your life. I enjoyed seeing some of the nurses and techs who had helped my mom when she was there. 

Granny asked us to please come and see her again and I do think we will. She did tell Paige, Amy's mom, that she was horrified that we saw her hair in such a state. I think she looked great though!

Tough Love

My number one priority for the past few weeks has been to make sure Anna Claire feels loved. Important. Valued.

For those who follow my blog regularly, you're already aware how proud we are of Anna Claire's kind and loving heart. She is the most compassionate and considerate child that I know, and possibly the most compassionate and considerate person. That is why it is breaking my heart to watch my child go through this terrible phase where she questions her value in our family and going to great and surprising lengths to vie for our attention.

We realized it could happen, but after the baby had been with us for a couple of weeks, all was going so well, I really thought we were out of the woods and dodging that bullet.

Week 3 seemed to be the turning point, where the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head. It started with potty accidents at school. Anna Claire has been potty-trained since she was two, and has not had an accident in over a year, but the past few weeks has had several.

She also started throwing tantrums, throwing down in the floor, screaming inconsolably for no apparent reason.

The hardest to take though has been her blatant disobedience. We will ask her to stop doing something and she will look us right in the eye and do it again. We will ask her to do something and she goes about her business as if we have said nothing. Who is this child?

Well, Larry and I have talked about this and talked about this. What should we do? We know WHY it's happening. What we don't want is for her to feel like she's being fazed out or any less important. That's what's so tricky. Because at the same time, what hasn't changed, is that we're parents who have very high expectations for our child's behavior. We don't want to lower the bar.

So far, our solution, though risky, has been to crack down. We have started taking privileges away, and also offering incentives. We didn't let her play in her soccer game Saturday because of unacceptable behavior. It was harder for us than it was for her. She made peace with the idea after several hours. But what it accomplished, was showing her we meant business.

Now we only have to threaten to take something away and she straightens up out of fear that we mean it.

Anna Claire has also spent more time in time-out the past few weeks than she has her entire childhood. I'm using it because it's necessary and effective - it gives her space and time away from the baby. Time-outs seem to happen most often when I'm nursing the baby. Baby sister is getting big time attention, and Anna Claire acts out, just to see what I'll do about it.

Anna Claire can be too rough or too affectionate with her baby sister. Madeline is so tiny, and I am in super-protective-Mommy-mode. Anna Claire will pull the baby's arms (too hard, in my opinion). She has thrown a paper wad at her head. I've caught her several times waking the baby from a deep sleep. She has waved chopsticks in the baby's face. She has laid on the couch by me and the baby, kicking like a bucking bronco, almost kicking her sister in the head.

Anna Claire was my little helper, present at all diaper changes, baths, and feeding sessions, but I have found it easier, better for and safer for all involved, if I can take care of these tasks myself. For now. The baby is too small, and I've learned the hard way that the baby is safer, and Anna Claire is a much happier child when I can take care of these tasks when she's not around as often as possible.

The past few days have been much better and happier for all involved. I started following Larry's advice: don't get angry, just take care of the behavior...it's just our job.

And I was getting angry. I was angry that our sweet little girl was turning into someone I didn't recognize and I was scared of it becoming permanent. I didn't want to lose that sweetness. But I realize now it's not lost. I saw it today. She just needs constant reassurance, hugs, kisses, and time with us. Validation that nothing has changed about our feelings for her. It's not going to be an easy road, but it is getting a little easier each day.

October Randomness

Couldn't wait to try her Halloween costume on when it came in the mail.

Ready for Trunk or Treat

Tractors at The Red Barn...they were important at age 2, and continue to be :)

Fall pictures at The Red Barn

Loves holding her baby sister.

So attentive! Love our sweet helper.

Our Little Helper

We are only three weeks into being a family of four, but my gut feeling based on our experience so far is that four years is the ideal age difference between siblings. At least for our two girls.

There are two main reasons for this:
1) Our four-year-old is ready, willing, and able to help in so many ways that a younger sibling could not.
2) The four-year-old isn't so much older than the newborn that she is disinterested.

How Anna Claire helps with the new baby:
Before Madeline was born, I envisioned Anna Claire fetching diapers and pacifiers for me, but I couldn't have imagined how many ways she would actually help out.

Anna Claire loves to hold the baby on the Boppy. This is so helpful to me when I just need five minutes hands-free to pick up the room or pack the diaper bag for an outing. Anna Claire is so gentle with the baby, and Baby Madeline seems to enjoy it as well. I have also read several baby books in the last few months that all express how important this cuddle time is between siblings when the baby is first born for them to effectively establish a close bond.

Anna Claire helps bathe the baby. So far we have only given "sponge baths," but I allow Anna Claire to do most of the bathing, then I go behind her once she's left the room and re-bathe where she may miss and area or step. Anna Claire is made to feel she's doing it herself.

Anna Claire always attends diaper changes. She's not changing diapers, nor does she want to, but she she is so helpful during. She will go fetch Butt Paste or Aquaphor for me if the change is in another room. Most importantly and enjoyably for both girls, Anna Claire entertains Madeline during the change. She talks to her and they look at one another in the mirror. She also turns the lamp on and off for me at the changing table. And it's her job to make sure Madeline's paci makes it to and from the nursing station.

I am wowed at how much Anna Claire is helping with chores. She is clearing the kitchen table after dinner all on her own. We've never asked her to do it. She just started doing it after the baby was born and has been taking care of this for us ever since! She's also picking up all of her toys after bath and putting them away, as well has hanging up the wash cloth to dry and peeling the non-skid fish from the bottom of the tub after bath. Anna Claire also gets snacks herself, or will run downstairs to fetch something for me or relay a message to Larry for me.

She is embracing being more independent these last few weeks, and it couldn't have come at a better time. We were helping her with so many things, admittedly more than we should help a four-year old. I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but before the baby, we were still dressing her for school, brushing her teeth, putting DVDs in for her, and assisting her with handwashing and going potty. Now she is doing these things for herself.

A new baby would entitle any older sibling to be difficult, emotional, jealous, or to act out. But I feel so blessed to be on the other end of the spectrum...that we have a big sister so willing to be an active participant in caring for her baby. She loves her so much!

Sisters

I did a series of the girls together shortly after Madeline was born. This one is my favorite. I see AC working through the jealousy and growing to love her little sister. <3 br="">

Disney Heroes and Princesses on Ice!

I remember having a conversation two or three months ago at small group about Disney Princesses on Ice coming to Bridgestone. When I found out the date, I was so disappointed. It would be the weekend after my due date. There was no way Larry and I could take Anna Claire, but I knew this would be an event that would be so special and exciting for her. The only way I figured she'd be able to go, was if someone else could take her. And Larry and I are not the kind of parents who ask other people to do favors for them. We never want to impose. So, I accepted Anna Claire would just have to miss this event. If we never mentioned it to her, she'd never know what she was missing.

Then, a few days ago, I got a phone call from our friend Paige. Her little girl Amy is one of Anna Claire's best friends. Paige apparently won 4 tickets to the show, had an extra ticket, and wondered if Anna Claire would like to go! What a blessing and answer to a prayer.

 The girls are at Bridgestone as I type this, and Paige has already shared a few pics:

Happy princesses. So sweet!

Sweet girls having a ball.

Popcorn!

Back in the car now. Headed for McD's!

Proud of her cookies. The first thing she showed me when she got home as well. ;)

At McDonald's, Anna Claire shared that she got apples but didn't eat them. Also, apparently the Eisemanns pick their pickles off their burgers. Miss Paige said Anna Claire politely asked for their pickles and was delighted when everyone handed them over to her. She loves pickles!

Anna Claire was hoping they'd get to play at Amy's house for a little while afterward! Looks like she got her wish. Paige shared with me that Amy was nearly in tears when Anna Claire had to leave.

When I asked Anna Claire about the show, she kept mentioning Ursula trying to take Ariel's voice. She said she was really scared of Ursula. She reacted similarly when we saw The Little Mermaid play at the Roxy.

Otherwise she seemed to really love the show. She has been asking us about ice skating. I wonder if you can rent ice skates in her size at the rink near Centennial. Maybe an outing we make this fall or winter. :)

She also shared that they watched Princess and Popstar movie in the car on the way back. We don't have a TV/DVD player in our car, so I'm sure that was way cool to her!

Larry and I are both so grateful to the Eisemanns for taking our sweet girl. And I'm in agreement with Paige that getting to go together made the day even more special for both girls. Anna Claire loves Amy so much!