Since Dotty did not go to school most of last week she was not super thrilled to go back to school Monday morning. It was a tough day...it was hard on Dotty too. She woke up saying "I am not going to school." That should have been my first clue...but like most mothers I tend to be clueless from time to time.
After begging, demanding, and then finally tricking her into getting dressed (I told her I wanted to pretend that she was my baby and dress her like a baby...she is a sucker for anything "baby") we headed to school. As soon as we pulled up to the door Dotty's hands flew up to close her eyes and her mouth flew open to scream "I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!" Again...I thought this was just a minor detail and continued on like it was all going to be fine.
After prying her out of the car I took her over to the park where her class was already playing (seeing as how we were 20 minutes late). Even Presley tried to help by offering to play with Dotty (sometimes Presley can be helpful...when she wants to be or feels like she might get something out of it...keep reading). Dotty was having none of it though. She was not wanting to stay.
I pushed her in the swing. I helped her climb on the tires and after I had been there for 20 minutes (now really late for work and pouring in sweat) I told Dotty I just had to go. BIG tears came then and the death grip around the neck followed by knockout punch of Dotty saying "Please don't go Mommmy. Please. Please. Don't leave me." Kids really can be cruel at times.
Luckily Dotty's teacher saw that I was still in the park and that Dotty was crying (and I was close) and she came to rescue me. She took Dotty from me and told her all about the wonderful things they would be doing at school that day. I left heartbroken and worried all day that Dotty was crying. When I saw her later she told me she "had a wonderful day at school". I wanted to reply "Good. I was a WRECK!" but instead I just hugged her and said I was so happy she did.
Presley Side Note...Presley was really trying to help me in the park with Dotty and I was amazed at her patience, her sympathy, and her caring nature. Of course when I went to leave the park I found out why.
Presley: "Jill, will you pick me up today from school when you come to get Dotty?"
Me: "Well I don't know. I will ask your mom and if she says yes then I will."
Presley: "Okay. Tell Mommy you want to pick me up so I can play at your house with Dotty." All said with an angel's smile.
Me: "I will call you mom. I promise."
When my mom called Keri to tell her Presley had wanted me to pick her up so she could play with Dotty Keri informed Mom that of course Presley wanted me to do that...Presley had a dentist appointment that afternoon. Needless to say Presley did not go home with me that afternoon.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Helpless...
Being the parent of a small child, even one that can talk, is a hard job when your baby is sick. While Dotty can talk and say almost anything (and sometimes she says too much) she is still too young to tell me exactly how she feels at times. This is true when her feelings are hurt, when she is sad, when she is tired, and especially when she is sick.
Last Sunday Dotty ran a high fever in the afternoon and then before she fell asleep she threw up all over me and her and the chair we were sitting in. Luckily (for me and Dotty but not necessarily for her) Mom was over at the house and was able to clean up Dotty while I cleaned up me and the chair.
Monday Dot did not run a fever and she played pretty good but she was still tired. Tuesday I sent her to school but she came home with a slight rash (the doctor said it was from having the fever) and she still just did not seem to be herself.
She went to see Kathy and Gary on Wednesday. She had missed them so much and was really looking forward to the day. Kathy said she was good (although I think Kathy would tell me she was good even if she was totally terrible) and they had a great time. By 4:30 that day though Dotty was cranky and very weepy. She said her eyes hurt (which Mom and I assumed it was a headache) and then she fell asleep. She slept from 5pm that night until 6am the next day. Of course she got up from time to time to fuss, change a diaper, and take a sippy but I was worried at how long she had slept.
Thursday she was still saying her eyes hurt and she was still very crabby and crying a lot. She went with Ruth Ann to go home to see Tony and I was glad to hear she got better in a hurry and is still doing very well today. Sometimes the best medicine is just being with your Daddy.
However, I still felt so helpless during the week. When Dotty would cry and seem so weak and sad and sick I just felt so lost and useless. All I could do was hold her and pat her and whisper to her that it would be alright...even if I wasn't sure what to do to make it be alright.
As a parent that is the worst feeling in the world. To see your child hurting, sad or sick and to know you can't do anything to help except for just be there for them, hug them, and love them. I know many times in Dotty's life she will get sick again (and I thank God every day for how healthy she is) and I pray that my hugs and kisses and loving words will help in any way they can.
Last Sunday Dotty ran a high fever in the afternoon and then before she fell asleep she threw up all over me and her and the chair we were sitting in. Luckily (for me and Dotty but not necessarily for her) Mom was over at the house and was able to clean up Dotty while I cleaned up me and the chair.
Monday Dot did not run a fever and she played pretty good but she was still tired. Tuesday I sent her to school but she came home with a slight rash (the doctor said it was from having the fever) and she still just did not seem to be herself.
She went to see Kathy and Gary on Wednesday. She had missed them so much and was really looking forward to the day. Kathy said she was good (although I think Kathy would tell me she was good even if she was totally terrible) and they had a great time. By 4:30 that day though Dotty was cranky and very weepy. She said her eyes hurt (which Mom and I assumed it was a headache) and then she fell asleep. She slept from 5pm that night until 6am the next day. Of course she got up from time to time to fuss, change a diaper, and take a sippy but I was worried at how long she had slept.
Thursday she was still saying her eyes hurt and she was still very crabby and crying a lot. She went with Ruth Ann to go home to see Tony and I was glad to hear she got better in a hurry and is still doing very well today. Sometimes the best medicine is just being with your Daddy.
However, I still felt so helpless during the week. When Dotty would cry and seem so weak and sad and sick I just felt so lost and useless. All I could do was hold her and pat her and whisper to her that it would be alright...even if I wasn't sure what to do to make it be alright.
As a parent that is the worst feeling in the world. To see your child hurting, sad or sick and to know you can't do anything to help except for just be there for them, hug them, and love them. I know many times in Dotty's life she will get sick again (and I thank God every day for how healthy she is) and I pray that my hugs and kisses and loving words will help in any way they can.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
4th of July 2010...
I hope everyone had a happy and a safe 4th of July this year. I know we all did. The celebration started on Friday July 2nd at Dotty's school. The kids put on a parade for all the parents that lined the sidewalks to watch at their little ones waved their flags. Dotty's class was decked out in streamers and face paint and all waved their flags proudly.
After the parade, the students and the parents had a hot dog picnic in the park. Tony and I then took Dotty to another park to see the prairie dogs and play on the slides and swings. We all had a great time and made it until the rain started coming down. Then Dotty and I went to visit my dad who was having a short stay in Kell West Hospital because of an infection that showed up in his leg (don't worry...he is home and doing great).
Sunday, July 4th the Nichols family had hot dogs and hamburgers at Granny and Gang's house so I went to watch Dotty and Payton shoot off fireworks. Dotty just did the sparklers with some help from Patti but that was more than enough fun for her.
The best part of the whole evening was when Dotty was playing with her sparklers and Payton started one of those "fountain" fireworks behind Dotty (a safe distance away of course). The fountain basically just spews out sparks and changes colors. Then at the end it shoots out these balls that make a loud screeching noise as they go up in the air. Well when that thing started screaming Dotty's eyes got so wide, her mouth flew open, and her arms started shaking.
Now Tony and I were up on the porch a few feet from Dotty and she was facing us. Howard and Patti were standing right beside Dotty. Once Dotty got up the urge to run to someone she headed straight for Patti...and Dotty still had sparklers burning in her hand. Patti started backing up and all of us were yelling at Dotty to drop the sparklers. She finally did and Patti grabbed her...we were all laughing and Dotty did too once she calmed down. I don't know who was more scared...Dotty of the noisy firecracker or Patti of the sparklers Dotty had in her little hands as she ran toward her!
Needless to say Dotty was not too big on the firecrackers that made a lot of noise for the rest of the evening. In fact, she did not make it through Payton's entire firework show. She had a lot of fun though and that moment when she got so scared and ran for it is one I will remember forever. I just wish I had my camera going then....I could have been on the next America's Funniest Home Videos show!
After the parade, the students and the parents had a hot dog picnic in the park. Tony and I then took Dotty to another park to see the prairie dogs and play on the slides and swings. We all had a great time and made it until the rain started coming down. Then Dotty and I went to visit my dad who was having a short stay in Kell West Hospital because of an infection that showed up in his leg (don't worry...he is home and doing great).
Sunday, July 4th the Nichols family had hot dogs and hamburgers at Granny and Gang's house so I went to watch Dotty and Payton shoot off fireworks. Dotty just did the sparklers with some help from Patti but that was more than enough fun for her.
The best part of the whole evening was when Dotty was playing with her sparklers and Payton started one of those "fountain" fireworks behind Dotty (a safe distance away of course). The fountain basically just spews out sparks and changes colors. Then at the end it shoots out these balls that make a loud screeching noise as they go up in the air. Well when that thing started screaming Dotty's eyes got so wide, her mouth flew open, and her arms started shaking.
Now Tony and I were up on the porch a few feet from Dotty and she was facing us. Howard and Patti were standing right beside Dotty. Once Dotty got up the urge to run to someone she headed straight for Patti...and Dotty still had sparklers burning in her hand. Patti started backing up and all of us were yelling at Dotty to drop the sparklers. She finally did and Patti grabbed her...we were all laughing and Dotty did too once she calmed down. I don't know who was more scared...Dotty of the noisy firecracker or Patti of the sparklers Dotty had in her little hands as she ran toward her!
Needless to say Dotty was not too big on the firecrackers that made a lot of noise for the rest of the evening. In fact, she did not make it through Payton's entire firework show. She had a lot of fun though and that moment when she got so scared and ran for it is one I will remember forever. I just wish I had my camera going then....I could have been on the next America's Funniest Home Videos show!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Duh!!!
Sometimes kids say the funniest things and sometimes parents say the dumbest things.
The other night Dotty and I were playing "restaurant". It was late and I was tired but Dotty was not tired so I was trying to be a good patron and pretend to be enjoying my plastic corn on the cob and watermelon feast.
After a few minutes Dotty decided that I needed to go outside and come in again. I guess my acting skills were not up to par and Dotty thought my "play eating" needed fine tuning. Thus she demanded I "take it from the top".
So I stood in the doorway and was instructed to "call" for a table. I held up my thumb and pinkie to my ear (the universal pretend phone) and stood waiting for Dotty to "pick up" her phone (an actual phone that is broken but she plays with). After several rings (I guess the restaurant was either too busy or loud to hear my "brrriiinngg" noises) Dotty finally answered "Hello, Dotty's Restaurant. How may I help you?"
Me: Hello Ma'am. I would like a eat at your restaurant.
Dotty: Okay. When are you coming?
Me: Do you have a table available for me now?
Dotty: We only have one table but you can have it.
Me: Okay. What are you serving to eat tonight?
Dotty: (after a long pause and a confused glance in my direction) Food.
And that right there was my "Duh Mom" moment. I laughed so hard. I am not sure if it was that funny or I was just that tired but I started laughing and could not stop. After about 2 minutes of me rolling on the floor laughing so hard I started crying, Dotty got tired of playing pretend restaurant and decided it was bed time. I am sure she thought I needed the rest more than she did but either way we headed for bed...me still giggling as we went down the hall.
Food...Duh Mom!
The other night Dotty and I were playing "restaurant". It was late and I was tired but Dotty was not tired so I was trying to be a good patron and pretend to be enjoying my plastic corn on the cob and watermelon feast.
After a few minutes Dotty decided that I needed to go outside and come in again. I guess my acting skills were not up to par and Dotty thought my "play eating" needed fine tuning. Thus she demanded I "take it from the top".
So I stood in the doorway and was instructed to "call" for a table. I held up my thumb and pinkie to my ear (the universal pretend phone) and stood waiting for Dotty to "pick up" her phone (an actual phone that is broken but she plays with). After several rings (I guess the restaurant was either too busy or loud to hear my "brrriiinngg" noises) Dotty finally answered "Hello, Dotty's Restaurant. How may I help you?"
Me: Hello Ma'am. I would like a eat at your restaurant.
Dotty: Okay. When are you coming?
Me: Do you have a table available for me now?
Dotty: We only have one table but you can have it.
Me: Okay. What are you serving to eat tonight?
Dotty: (after a long pause and a confused glance in my direction) Food.
And that right there was my "Duh Mom" moment. I laughed so hard. I am not sure if it was that funny or I was just that tired but I started laughing and could not stop. After about 2 minutes of me rolling on the floor laughing so hard I started crying, Dotty got tired of playing pretend restaurant and decided it was bed time. I am sure she thought I needed the rest more than she did but either way we headed for bed...me still giggling as we went down the hall.
Food...Duh Mom!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wet and Wild...
This past Thursday Dotty got "Wet and Wild". Actually, that is how I remember the water park from about 15 years ago but now it is called Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Although Dotty just called it the "water park". Tony, Dotty, and I spent around three and a half hours floating in the Lazy River, splashing in the Wave Pool, and playing in Captain Hooks Lagoon.
The park opens at 10:30 and we were there pretty close 11:00. After getting Dotty in her swimsuit and spraying us all down with SPF 55 we were off to find some fun in the sun. We started in the Lazy River and Dotty loved "swimming" in it. At first she didn't have her floaties on and she wanted us to let go of her but after a few times going under (just for a second) she was convinced she couldn't swim without the floaties.
But before we went back to the locker to get the floaties we hit the Wave Pool. Dotty loved seeing all the people and the big waves but I think she liked it best when the waves stopped and she could play "shark" with Mommy and Daddy in the BIG pool.
After the Wave Pool we took a quick trip to Captain Hooks Lagoon that is geared for smaller children. There were slides to go down and a "boat" to climb and lots of water spraying everywhere! Again, Dotty had fun just swimming in the water. While we were there we played Dora, Diego, and Boots all trying to get past Swiper...this girl has quite the imagination. (By the way I was Boots...some stranger was designated Swiper.)
After that, I demanded we go reapply sunscreen...I would hate to get a single tan line or 10 more wrinkles...and so we headed back to the lockers. Dotty got sprayed down as did Tony and I and we grabbed Dotty's floaties and headed back. Dotty really loved the Lazy River and the Wave Pool with her floaties on because then she could really "swim" ALL BY HERSELF...my child's new favorite phrase.
To end the day we tried to find the one (and only) big ride that we could all go on together. The "Bubba Tube" was it. This ride consists of an 8 foot raft that will hold up to 3 people going down a slide with 2 large bumps in it. After an hour of waiting (and Dotty getting a tad fussy) we boarded the blue tube and slid down the orange bumpy slide. The 10 second ride was great fun. Dotty's face was priceless and I was so proud of my "big girl" going down a big slide.
Dotty was pretty worn out at that point (she had been up since 6:45 that morning...so excited to go). So we changed clothes, found a sippy, and headed to the car. We got to the car at about 2:30pm and before we could load all our stuff and get down the aisle in the car Dotty was out!
Dotty woke up this morning and when I asked if she was ready to go to school she said "No. I want to go to the water park!" I bet we will be going back next year!
The park opens at 10:30 and we were there pretty close 11:00. After getting Dotty in her swimsuit and spraying us all down with SPF 55 we were off to find some fun in the sun. We started in the Lazy River and Dotty loved "swimming" in it. At first she didn't have her floaties on and she wanted us to let go of her but after a few times going under (just for a second) she was convinced she couldn't swim without the floaties.
But before we went back to the locker to get the floaties we hit the Wave Pool. Dotty loved seeing all the people and the big waves but I think she liked it best when the waves stopped and she could play "shark" with Mommy and Daddy in the BIG pool.
After the Wave Pool we took a quick trip to Captain Hooks Lagoon that is geared for smaller children. There were slides to go down and a "boat" to climb and lots of water spraying everywhere! Again, Dotty had fun just swimming in the water. While we were there we played Dora, Diego, and Boots all trying to get past Swiper...this girl has quite the imagination. (By the way I was Boots...some stranger was designated Swiper.)
After that, I demanded we go reapply sunscreen...I would hate to get a single tan line or 10 more wrinkles...and so we headed back to the lockers. Dotty got sprayed down as did Tony and I and we grabbed Dotty's floaties and headed back. Dotty really loved the Lazy River and the Wave Pool with her floaties on because then she could really "swim" ALL BY HERSELF...my child's new favorite phrase.
To end the day we tried to find the one (and only) big ride that we could all go on together. The "Bubba Tube" was it. This ride consists of an 8 foot raft that will hold up to 3 people going down a slide with 2 large bumps in it. After an hour of waiting (and Dotty getting a tad fussy) we boarded the blue tube and slid down the orange bumpy slide. The 10 second ride was great fun. Dotty's face was priceless and I was so proud of my "big girl" going down a big slide.
Dotty was pretty worn out at that point (she had been up since 6:45 that morning...so excited to go). So we changed clothes, found a sippy, and headed to the car. We got to the car at about 2:30pm and before we could load all our stuff and get down the aisle in the car Dotty was out!
Dotty woke up this morning and when I asked if she was ready to go to school she said "No. I want to go to the water park!" I bet we will be going back next year!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Good Days...
The day starts off so much better when Dotty is excited about going to school and doesn't beg to NOT go or look so sad as she enters the classroom. Today I picked Dotty up from Papaw (Dotty stayed the night with Tony) and at first Dotty said she didn't want to go to school but it was not a large protest...just sort of said in passing.
We drove back to our house to get some toys for her to take to school (we had time to kill anyway) and by the time we got to school Dotty walked in to her class and seemed happy to be there. What a relief!!!
I was able to leave her school not feeling guilty, not feeling like a crappy mother, and not in tears...all of which was wonderful!
I hope Dotty has a "wonderful day" as she usually does. To be honest I can't wait for the time to come when I get to go pick her up!
We drove back to our house to get some toys for her to take to school (we had time to kill anyway) and by the time we got to school Dotty walked in to her class and seemed happy to be there. What a relief!!!
I was able to leave her school not feeling guilty, not feeling like a crappy mother, and not in tears...all of which was wonderful!
I hope Dotty has a "wonderful day" as she usually does. To be honest I can't wait for the time to come when I get to go pick her up!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Be careful what you say...
I have always been told to be careful what I say. That words can never be taken back...both the good and the bad. Once you say something you can always ask for forgiveness or try to explain why you said it, but you can never erase those words from the mind of the one(s) who heard them.
Many times in my life I have said things out of anger, hurt, fear, foolishness, sorrow, etc. that I have wished I was able to take back. I have often apologized for my words, but I have also had them repeated back to me a time or two which is always a reminder to me that once I have said them...there is no taking them back.
I learned this lesson again with Dotty. I wasn't the one who said the words but I saw first hand how much words can impact everyone who hears them...even those who the words are not aimed at.
Last week, Presley was having a rough day and she was tired and cranky and she had quite the meltdown and threw a rather large fit. Now Presley is almost 5 and her vocabulary is larger than Dotty's and during her fit Presley said the words "I hate you" to me and then said "I hate my family". All of it was said with tears flowing and feet stomping...a full blown fit.
Now I knew that Presley didn't mean those things, but I made her go sit in Timeout any way and told her that was not a nice thing to say to me or about her family. Like most temper tantrums the whole episode was over in a matter of minutes but a the damage had been done.
Little did I know that Dotty, who was also in the room, was watching wide eyed all that her cousin (who she loves and adores) had said and done. She took in the whole show but said nothing at the time. A few days later though Dotty gave her new knowledge a spin.
Dotty was getting tired and not wanting to do as I said and so with great emphasis and just the right mean look on her face Dotty told me "I hate you." I have to say it broke my heart.
I knew my baby did not hate me and really didn't even understand the full meaning of the phrase but she said it. Then we I calmly told her that was not nice, she said it again. She said it numerous times until I told her to go sit in Timeout.
I was trying to not make a really big deal out of it but I was hurting inside. I don't want my baby to hate anyone...especially me. And I don't want her to say things like that. I know she doesn't understand totally but it still hurts.
I should also say I am not mad at Presley. I know kids hear these types of phrases from tv or other kids and there is no way to shield them 100% from such a thing. In fact, I was glad I knew the exact source where Dotty heard the phrase and knew how it was being used. I still didn't want her to say it though.
I talked with Tony about it and I am sure we will figure out a way to handle it if it comes up again. I hope it is a passing thing but only time will tell. I am sure I will have many more moments like this in Dotty's life. I am glad to have been reminded once again that children have big eyes and ears and they are watching everything we do and say...even the things that are done and said around them.
Many times in my life I have said things out of anger, hurt, fear, foolishness, sorrow, etc. that I have wished I was able to take back. I have often apologized for my words, but I have also had them repeated back to me a time or two which is always a reminder to me that once I have said them...there is no taking them back.
I learned this lesson again with Dotty. I wasn't the one who said the words but I saw first hand how much words can impact everyone who hears them...even those who the words are not aimed at.
Last week, Presley was having a rough day and she was tired and cranky and she had quite the meltdown and threw a rather large fit. Now Presley is almost 5 and her vocabulary is larger than Dotty's and during her fit Presley said the words "I hate you" to me and then said "I hate my family". All of it was said with tears flowing and feet stomping...a full blown fit.
Now I knew that Presley didn't mean those things, but I made her go sit in Timeout any way and told her that was not a nice thing to say to me or about her family. Like most temper tantrums the whole episode was over in a matter of minutes but a the damage had been done.
Little did I know that Dotty, who was also in the room, was watching wide eyed all that her cousin (who she loves and adores) had said and done. She took in the whole show but said nothing at the time. A few days later though Dotty gave her new knowledge a spin.
Dotty was getting tired and not wanting to do as I said and so with great emphasis and just the right mean look on her face Dotty told me "I hate you." I have to say it broke my heart.
I knew my baby did not hate me and really didn't even understand the full meaning of the phrase but she said it. Then we I calmly told her that was not nice, she said it again. She said it numerous times until I told her to go sit in Timeout.
I was trying to not make a really big deal out of it but I was hurting inside. I don't want my baby to hate anyone...especially me. And I don't want her to say things like that. I know she doesn't understand totally but it still hurts.
I should also say I am not mad at Presley. I know kids hear these types of phrases from tv or other kids and there is no way to shield them 100% from such a thing. In fact, I was glad I knew the exact source where Dotty heard the phrase and knew how it was being used. I still didn't want her to say it though.
I talked with Tony about it and I am sure we will figure out a way to handle it if it comes up again. I hope it is a passing thing but only time will tell. I am sure I will have many more moments like this in Dotty's life. I am glad to have been reminded once again that children have big eyes and ears and they are watching everything we do and say...even the things that are done and said around them.
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