Transitions...

Transitions are hard for everyone, especially children. I am glad I cannot remember the years when my nuk, diapers, big wheel and pre-cut foods were taken away from me. But here I am working on my favorite pastime (being a mom) and doing to my dear Sweet Pea all those things that I cannot remember. All the while I'm hoping she also does not remember.

I know she is only going to be two in a few days, but somedays it feels as though she is going on 5 or 6. Sweet Pea is an independent little girl that loves to challenge herself; mind and body. She is the type of person I wish I could be, but now as I am taking away some of her comforts I hope she does not loose any of her "spit & vinegar". I have to remind myself daily that she is not even two and that I need to back off and not have expectations (except that hug when I pick her up from daycare). And yet I put her and the home through the following; because it makes sense because I have the week off. Really, maybe I should have backed off.

So, here goes: a week worth of transitions for mom, dad and Sweet Pea!

Transition #1: Sweet Pea has been working really hard on using the big girl potty for the past 2 months now. Yes, she saw her cousin using her potty chair as a step stool to the big potty and decided she too is going to use it only as a step stool now! But, she is getting closer to being out of her diapers. I just wish someone would have warned me that it takes more diapers during toilet training than as an infant! Sweet Pea will NOT put a diaper on twice; even if it is dry. Once in a while we can trick her by folding it back up and putting it on the shelf; but other times she has a spidey sense and knows that she wore it before and does a crazy spin move and refuses to wear that one. All I can think is "that $0.25 is coming out of your piggy bank girl..." We are of the opinion Sweet Pea is too determined to change her mind so we let her choose diaper, panties or naked (except when we have guests then there is no naked). I know maybe I should just take away the diapers all together, but sometimes she wants them on. I keep reminding myself one thing at a time. Or 4, if you are reading this post.

Transition #2: Holidays...need I say more??? As a parent we have all heard about Christmas hangovers; and no, it is not the type that involve too much scotch or egg nog. It is where the kids are all so out of whack that it wears on the parents (luckilly the weather here in MN has been nice enough to get the kids outside whenever they want!).

Transition #3: Daycare-this is a biggie right now in our house! First, we decided to change providers for Sweet Pea. [another post someday] Second, I have the week between Christmas and New Year's off work. This means that not only is she not with her usual friends, but there is no steady schedule and for those of you that know schedules...uff da. Third, Sweet Pea starts her new daycare right after being at home with mom for a week! Good luck to the new provider!

Transition #4: Big girl bed! Yup, mom played the stupid card and decided "hey, I have the week off let's take the side off her crib and make it into a BIG GIRL bed!" Ugh, what was I thinking! I just hope tonight is not the same as last night (at least I don't have to get up for work till Tuesday). Sweet Pea went to bed just fine last night, but at 3am I heard her over the monitor. She was at least singing; so I kept dozing and listening for any cries; when all of a sudden there rose such a clatter (ok, just a cry) that I got up to see what was the matter. Away to her room I flew like a flash rushed through the door and listened for a gasp! But all I heard was a "hide, hide, hide" then an "owie, owie, owie" through the darkness I saw a pile of blankets next to the transition bed (her crib without the one side) and her little voice coming from under the mattress! She was hiding-under the crib! I chuckled to myself and thought for a second that I should let her figure out how to get out, but I decided to be a good mom and pull her out. Oh my; she was then awake until 5:30! Dad came to the rescue and got her back to sleep until 6:30 when Sweet Pea decided it was time to get up! Needless to say, there was no nap in her BIG GIRL bed just a big fight so now she is sound asleep, hopefully for the night. Let's all wish her sweet dreams (and momma & dadda too.)

So, wish this busy mom luck (for the benefit of the whole family) with the transitions and I'll try to remember that change is inevitable and the best way to do it successfully is smooth transitions. And although a piece of my heart dies every time Sweet Pea offers up the best/worst pouty lower lip because of a change I initated; it is more than likely she won't remember the transitions that seem to turn our household upside down.

First Post

Here you all go! It is the first post on My Flea Market Life!

Flea markets, a mish-mash of items for whatever wants, needs, or possible uses you could ever have.

I've always been jealous of those friends and family that have only one or two hobbies. I have tried multiple times to par down my interests so I could better excel at one or two, but when I try, I see something new I want to work on and BOOM-another interst (even worse since I found Pintrest). So, my life is a flea market! I have so many things that I enjoy: being part of a great family, crafting, cooking/baking, reading, playing sports, working out, fishing, visiting with family and freinds and so many other things. So, don't expect a blog all on decorating cheaply, or baking & cooking, or raising a family or playing sports. Just enjoy my posts on the new things I learn, do, see or even possibly partially complete.

Please accept my apologies for mis-spellings, poor use of punctuation and my run-on sentences. I write like I speak and I speak how I write.

Thank you for viewing my blog.