I tried to take Noelle to the Frist Art Museum here in Nashville today, they were having a free admission day. The first thing we did when we got there was try to use the potty, since we're in training. Noelle was refusing to go, and I told her if she didn't go, we'd have to go home. Since I said "tried" in the first sentence, you might guess we didn't get to stay.
So we left, and when we got in the car Noelle asked me for a snack. I told her no, because I remembered that I had not washed her hands after the potty attempt. Gross, I know, I'm a bad mom. So she says "I can wash them!" and proceeds to LICK HER HANDS. So disgusting. Hopefully this little story has made you feel like going to wash your hands right now.
If you see this text then you need to update your flash player.
Noelle and I got McDonalds today due to our kitchen being completely blocked off while the hardwood floors are redone. In her kids meal she got a Polly Pocket doll that came with a little thing that is pretty hard to open for a kid. She asked me how to open it, and after I explained it to her and showed her she said, "Oh! So if I want to open it, I ask Daddy!"
Why not? She already asks Daddy to do lots of other stuff.
andy matthews - August 04, 2008 12:08 pm
on July 14 2008 at 09:20 AM
by: Andy Matthews
File under:
Noelle Jordan,
Andy
It always amazes me when kids "learn" to be sneaky.
The other night, Noelle was having a rough time going to sleep. She kept calling for me and calling for me with these silly requests. "My blanket is on the floor.", or "I can't find my picnic basket." or my favorite "baby doesn't have her shirt on.".
Anyway, I finally got really fed up with her and told her not to call for me again unless you're scared, or hurt, and to just go to sleep!
Next morning, what do I hear? "Daddy...I scared. I'm scared Daddy" in the happiest, most cheerful voice you've ever heard.
Kidsitellyou!
The other night, Noelle was having a rough time going to sleep. She kept calling for me and calling for me with these silly requests. "My blanket is on the floor.", or "I can't find my picnic basket." or my favorite "baby doesn't have her shirt on.".
Anyway, I finally got really fed up with her and told her not to call for me again unless you're scared, or hurt, and to just go to sleep!
Next morning, what do I hear? "Daddy...I scared. I'm scared Daddy" in the happiest, most cheerful voice you've ever heard.
Kidsitellyou!
I didn't take any pictures today. Deal with it. :)
2:45 AM - Noelle is crying, this is the first time she's woken up since we put her to bed at 7. I go in and she says she needs medicine for her stomach. I take care of her and head back to bed. Not too long after, she starts calling for Daddy and it sounds scarily like her calling for him in the morning. Awake and chipper. I finally go in and tell her Daddy and I are SLEEPING and she needs to go back to sleep. Lots of crying, asking for the hall light to be turned on. I finally turned the light on around 3:30 and she got quiet.
8:00 AM - She wakes up! We were actually starting to get a little worried. We're very impressed, and I'm especially happy because it was my turn to get up with her this morning.
9:30 AM - We leave for church, a little early so we can stop at Target on the way. Noelle enjoys running around looking through the dollar bins.
10:20 AM - We drop Noelle off in her class. She brought the invitation from Sky's birthday party with her to show her friends. She loves it because it has princesses on it.
12:15 PM - Andy picks Noelle up from her class, and she has the run of the church for a while before we head out to go eat lunch. We stop at Las Palmas on the way home to eat some good Mexican food. Noelle orders her own rice.
1:40 PM - Back home, and time to take a nap! She falls asleep right away.
4:30 PM - Wake up - almost 3 hours! Her lack of sleep is finally catching up to her, maybe.
5:00 PM - Our friends the Daugherty's arrive to reclaim their fish we've been watching while they were out of town, and to pick up their share of the CSA veggies. Noelle is very sad to see Nemo go. Sorry, though, we will not be getting a fish of our own.
5:30 PM - Watching Little Bear while Andy and I make dinner.
6:15 PM - We enjoy swiss chard pie and strawberries for dinner, Noelle says, "This is really good!"
7:00 PM - Andy goes through the routine to put her to bed, but then she says she needs to use the potty. He needs to get to work so I offer to take her. It turns out to be a stalling tactic, but I can't deny her trying. I just bought a new pack of diapers today and I'm vowing that they'll be the last ones I will buy for her. She's ready, it's just a matter of biting the bullet and jumping in!
7:30 PM - She's finally in bed, hopefully she'll fall asleep soon.
8:45 PM - Or, you know, she'll keep talking for hours. She just wanted me to make her last "week in the life" post a little bit longer, I guess. I hope you enjoyed it!
2:45 AM - Noelle is crying, this is the first time she's woken up since we put her to bed at 7. I go in and she says she needs medicine for her stomach. I take care of her and head back to bed. Not too long after, she starts calling for Daddy and it sounds scarily like her calling for him in the morning. Awake and chipper. I finally go in and tell her Daddy and I are SLEEPING and she needs to go back to sleep. Lots of crying, asking for the hall light to be turned on. I finally turned the light on around 3:30 and she got quiet.
8:00 AM - She wakes up! We were actually starting to get a little worried. We're very impressed, and I'm especially happy because it was my turn to get up with her this morning.
9:30 AM - We leave for church, a little early so we can stop at Target on the way. Noelle enjoys running around looking through the dollar bins.
10:20 AM - We drop Noelle off in her class. She brought the invitation from Sky's birthday party with her to show her friends. She loves it because it has princesses on it.
12:15 PM - Andy picks Noelle up from her class, and she has the run of the church for a while before we head out to go eat lunch. We stop at Las Palmas on the way home to eat some good Mexican food. Noelle orders her own rice.
1:40 PM - Back home, and time to take a nap! She falls asleep right away.
4:30 PM - Wake up - almost 3 hours! Her lack of sleep is finally catching up to her, maybe.
5:00 PM - Our friends the Daugherty's arrive to reclaim their fish we've been watching while they were out of town, and to pick up their share of the CSA veggies. Noelle is very sad to see Nemo go. Sorry, though, we will not be getting a fish of our own.
5:30 PM - Watching Little Bear while Andy and I make dinner.
6:15 PM - We enjoy swiss chard pie and strawberries for dinner, Noelle says, "This is really good!"
7:00 PM - Andy goes through the routine to put her to bed, but then she says she needs to use the potty. He needs to get to work so I offer to take her. It turns out to be a stalling tactic, but I can't deny her trying. I just bought a new pack of diapers today and I'm vowing that they'll be the last ones I will buy for her. She's ready, it's just a matter of biting the bullet and jumping in!
7:30 PM - She's finally in bed, hopefully she'll fall asleep soon.
8:45 PM - Or, you know, she'll keep talking for hours. She just wanted me to make her last "week in the life" post a little bit longer, I guess. I hope you enjoyed it!
It has been a fun week...thanks for sharing it with us! I'm sure it was a lot of work...but we have loved it...are you sure it's over?!
Mom B - July 06, 2008 09:58 pmUnless you want to come for a visit and do the daily report yourself, it's over. :) I'm tired just reading about all this stuff!
Jaime - July 07, 2008 06:17 amI've vowed "this is my last pack of diapers" for at least 5 packs now. Yes, Jeremiah has been ready since shortly after Christmas! I've just been too lazy to do it with him. However, we only have a couple of diapers left, so this may be the week.
Mindy - July 07, 2008 03:32 pm
Here's the breakdown for today...pics are here
6:10am - "Daddy? Daddy? Daddy? Daddy? Daddy? Daddy? Daddy? Daddy?" Why on earth does she wake up this early? I know that she CAN sleep in because she used to wake up at 6:45 - 7 every morning so something must have changed. Note to self: Must tape aluminum foil over windows to simulate total darkness.
6:20am - Noelle lets the dogs outside with me every morning. Lately she's been very crabby when she wakes up, see entry above for reason, even though I KNOW she's still got to be tired.
6:25am - Noelle gets stickers as a prize for helping me with the dogs and puts them on paper. She loves everything about stickers; they're some of her favorite things.
6:45am - Noelle eats breakfast while I do laundry. I gave Jaime a "1 week of free laundry" coupon for our anniversary. She decided to cash it in this week.
7:00am - Noelle plays in the living room while I eat breakfast.
7:45 - Noelle asks for "a cat video" while we're in the office. I had already told her she couldn't watch a show because we're getting ready to go visit our "farmer friends". Youtube.com is the greatest invention for entertaining children...within seconds I find thousands of cat videos and we're watching one. 10 minutes later we've watched 2 "funniest cats" videos and one "funniest dogs" video and then it's time to leave.
7:58am - We head out to pick up our CSA produce from our "farmer friends". Lately that's been the Saturday morning routine for Noelle and I. We get up, eat breakfast, and then go pick up our "groceries".
8:20am - Noelle enjoys helping me count our veggies, and weighing them. Cher and Eric (the farmers) have learned our names and greet us as we walk up. As we're leaving, Noelle asks me to roll down the window so that she can say goodbye to them. It's cute.
8:55am - Back at home and Noelle plays in the living room while Jaime gets ready. Kate Truss is coming over at 9:30 for play time so we've got to get ready.
9:30am - Kate gets here and the girls start playing. They get along surprisingly well considering they usually fight over everything.
10:30am - While the girls are playing in Noelle's room, Jaime and I both notice that Noelle is a hidden instigator. Noelle would do, or say, something to Kate. Kate would start whining and Noelle would instantly start "shhh"-ing Kate to keep her from tattling. Instantly thoughts of Noelle doing this to younger siblings spring to mind.
12:30pm - Jason and Shannon Truss come to pick up Kate. We pass some time after they leave by reading, or playing.
1:15pm - Getting ready to head to a pool party for one of Noelle's classmates from Parent's Day Out. Should be fun.
5:15pm - We just got back from the party. We weren't quite sure what to expect but we ended up having a good time. This little girl, Sky, and her family live in a very wealthy part of Nashville and so the party was quite over the top. Gourmet eats and drinks for the adults, along with a real life snack truck in the back yard. An in-ground pool and lots and lots of people. Noelle wanted to swim, but both Jaime and I forgot our swim gear. So at first I sat on the edge of the pool with Noelle and let her play on the steps. Finally she wanted more than just swimming on the edge, so I bit the bullet and jumped in with my shorts. We stayed just long enough to see Sky blow out the candles, eat some cake, and then we left. Noelle was cracking Jaime and I up on the way home because she was so tired she wasn't talking straight. This child is going to bed EARLY tonight for sure.
6pm - Jaime and Noelle have been laying down watching TV, resting. Now they're having smoothies before bathtime.
6:15pm - Bathtime for Noelle...trying to wind down the day and get her drowsy and ready for a LONG sleep. As she's walking into the bathroom, Jaime starts laughing and proceeds to tell me that she shared a straw with Noelle for the last part of their smoothies. Noelle says in a rough whispery voice "don't drink after me mommy...my sick" even though she's not sick...silly billy girl.
6:45pm - Finally it's bedtime and a well-deserved rest for mommy and daddy. Luckily it's my turn to sleep in tomorrow morning.
7:00pm - Noelle's asleep by 7pm for the first time in 4 or 5 months.
WOW! What a full weekend you had. Lots of parties and good stuff to do. That is super!! I'm soaking up the blog for the last couple of days....Thanks Mommy and Daddy for keeping us Grandmas and Grandpas (aunt and uncle included) in the loop for the hour by hour(almost) of your lives. Kisses and Hugs for that!
grammy - July 06, 2008 03:59 pm
Today's pictures here.
6:30 AM - Wake up. I have to get up too, because we have a special morning planned. We eat breakfast, have some playtime, and try to keep Noelle occupied while we pack up our things.
8:20 AM - We all pile in the car, along with a cooler full of snacks and drinks, towels, and a change of clothes.
9:00 AM - We arrive at the Harpeth River for a canoe ride! Rain is in the forecast, but we decide to press on anyway.
9:45 AM - We're finally in the canoe, heading down the river. The sun comes out pretty early into our trip, so at least we don't get rained on. The water was really low today which meant Andy had to get out several times and push the canoe over the rocks. That worked out well, though, because it gave us plenty of opportunities to stop and get snacks out or let Noelle play and watch fish under the water. It was a tiring trip, but we all had a great time.
12:30 PM - Back into our car, we head to Vanderbilt to meet a friend who is letting us borrow a bassinet for the new baby. Noelle has a minor freak out, I'm sure because she was tired and hungry like we all were.
1:30 PM - Lunch at Arby's on the way home from Vandy. Noelle charms the staff there as she often does.
2:15 PM - Home and straight to bed. Noelle puts up a little fight but soon she's out. I take advantage of the time to nap along with her.
4:00 PM - Noelle is up from her nap. I'm still asleep, but she and Andy play and watch a show.
5:30 PM - We're off to a 4th of July party at our friend's house, where we start to worry that Noelle might be getting a little sick. She's mentioned her stomach hurting a few times throughout the day, and she won't eat anything for dinner. She's also not really playing much with the other kids. It's possible that she's just tired, of course. I know I didn't feel much like being social after our long morning.
8:00 PM - We are home again, and straight to bed again. Lots of drama involved in getting her to bed, and I'm sure it's not over because the fireworks are starting soon.
9:30 PM - She cries out that she is scared, there are tons of fireworks going off around us, so lots of booms and bangs that she's not used to hearing after bedtime. Hopefully she'll either get used to it or it will slow down as the night goes on! There's not much you can do about fireworks on the 4th!
Jeremiah was TERRIFIED of the fire works. Although pitiful, it was kind of cute. He would cover his face with Guy and beg to go inside. Eventually, mom ended up inside with him! Overall, we had a great day with perfect weather. You better be careful with this daily report thing... you're going to spoil the grandmas(and the aunt and uncle)!
Mindy - July 05, 2008 10:28 amWe considered taking Noelle to see fireworks, but she was just too tired as it was. I'm sure she would have had a similar reaction! And yes, grandmas, you get two more days of this (Andy is doing today) and we're DONE! :)
Jaime - July 05, 2008 12:20 pm
Today's pictures here.
6:30 AM - Wake up, calling for Daddy. By the time he gets in there, she has turned on her light and has her rain boots on. She goes to play in the living room while Andy lets the dogs out and checks e-mail.
7:00 AM - Bathtime, since she missed it last night. She's in there whining about not liking "that soap." She's been wanting to use our shampoo instead of hers.
7:45 AM - Daddy leaves for work
8:40 AM - We leave for school. They have music class and a flag art project today.
2:50 PM - Mommy AND Daddy pick up Noelle from school - Andy came home early because he wasn't feeling well, so he came with me to school. Noelle was thrilled to see him there. On our way out, she was running on the sidewalk and tripped, hit her mouth against the ground and probably bit her lip. We had to head back inside to clean her up, then went to get a popsicle so we could get some ice on it. Ouch.
3:30 PM - We arrive at the Sprayground, where some of our friends met us to play in the water for a while. Noelle loves the water!
4:50 PM - Home, where we open Noelle's half-birthday present from Uncle Jon and Aunt Mindy. Noelle had a great time playing with her new Aquadoodle and water paint book, and had Andy read her new book about 5 times in a row.
5:30 PM - Dinnertime, we had waffles, eggs, and apples, all of which she tried to eat with her fork. With the apples, this resulted in a little bit of apple in the eye.
6:00 PM - A guy from Sears arrives to give us a quote on finishing out our kitchen. Noelle is supposed to be watching a show, but every few minutes she pops up and tries to talk to Ronnie. She tells him what Dora is doing, tells him about her new toys, asks what he's doing, and just says hi.
6:45 PM - We try to put Noelle to bed. She gets upset because she wants to say goodnight to Ronnie. He is very nice about interacting with her, which we appreciate!
7:45 PM - Noelle calls me in and I see that she has taken the top off her water cup and spilled the water all over her bed, pillow, and animals. I change the sheets, get a new pillow, and remove all the wet toys, and put her back to bed. I think she's finally going to sleep now.
Today's pictures here.
6:30 AM - So much for sleeping in. It's going to be another cranky morning, I think.
7:00 AM - Cereal and strawberries for breakfast, but after Andy brings in his tuna, chips, and cheese (GROSS!) she wants some of his breakfast. She's definitely his daughter in that area. Lots more whining ensues.
7:40 AM - Andy leaves for work, we do the usual watch a show while Mommy showers, have some playtime, etc. At one point she asks me to stop reading my Bible study book and get on the floor to dance with her. I happily oblige.
9:15 AM - Leave for Bible Study. Noelle sees someone in a yard we pass and says he is sneaky. Making conversation I ask if she is sneaky, she says no. "Is Daddy sneaky?" "No, he's a good Daddy. He's a good Andy, too."
12:10 PM - Driving home from church. I heard her say she was ripping a book, so I reached my hand back and demanded she give it to me. I said firmly "We do NOT rip our books." She said "I don't like that attitude. We need to speak kindly to our friends." Ugh. So I told her we have to treat books kindly, too. Also, she thinks we're falling every time we go around a big curve, and today she asked me to tip the car back over, and thanked me when we got past the exit ramp and straightened out.
12:30 PM - Lunchtime. She eats SO SLOW, and I try to hurry her along because I'm tired. She asks if she can play in the grass after her nap. Sure, I say.
1:00 PM - Naptime, I'm hoping for a long one today since she only slept 9 hours instead of 11 last night.
2:55 PM - Waking up. A very respectable nap, but I can always use longer. The first thing she says is "Can I play in the grass now?"
3:10 PM - Playing in the grass. This requires her rain boots, apparently.
3:20 PM - It's too hot to be outside, she decides. We come back in, and she gets to the business of being cranky. I decide to pull down all her books and have some reading time. I read my book, she reads hers. Every minute or so she asks me what a certain character is doing in her book or what a book is called, even though she absolutely knows the answers.
4:00 PM - After the 5th time of her asking to watch a show, I agree. Followed by more reading, playtime, chasing Duncan.
5:35 PM - Daddy is going to be late, I'm going to go insane, so we make some popcorn. Noelle says "I love sharing popcorns with you, Mommy." She wants to eat the unpopped kernels, I tell her they are too hard, she tries anyway then spits it out. She says she can't wait to grow up so she can eat the kernels. We've been talking about baby teeth vs. grown up teeth, maybe that's where she got this idea?
6:15 PM - Andy is finally home, Noelle tells him, "Mommy was waiting for you to get home." Noelle and Andy go to get a pizza, the first place they go is closed so they go somewhere else. They head next door to a grocery store while they wait, Noelle finds a random Jell-O packet and runs around yelling "I have the Jell-O!"
6:40 PM - Dinnertime, finally. Noelle says "I love eating dinner with you." "I'm so glad that we're friends."
7:55 PM - Bedtime. It's supposed to be a bath night, but it's too late for that.
8:45 PM - Noelle calls me in because she can't find her water cup. It's next to her pillow, where it ALWAYS IS. Kids, I tell you.
Oh my word...that girl is unbelieveable!! "I don't like that attitude. We need to speak kindly to our friends."
Mom B - July 02, 2008 08:41 pmI had to giggle about the curve on the exit ramp. Reminded me of Blade when he was 3 - 4 and we lived off Haywood Lane. Never failed getting on and off the exit ramps "going up! going down!" Enjoy the fun...
Ruby - July 02, 2008 11:16 pmYep, she sure is her Daddy's child alright,never stopping for a minute. The "I don't like that attitude..." is priceless. Jaime, this is so much fun reading and seeing how you spend your day.
Grammy - July 03, 2008 11:42 amI forgot to tell you the photos you are taking are awesome! You have a good eye for the great photo opportunities. Keep it up for as long as you can. How about a photo of you and Baby Mattie!?
grammy - July 03, 2008 04:06 pm
See pictures from our day here.
4:20 AM - Noelle wakes up crying because her teeth hurt. She sometimes lies about this specific symptom because she likes Tylenol, but I doubt she'd make it up at this time.
6:10 AM - Wake up time. She woke up crying, obviously not enough sleep. Not enough for Mommy and Daddy either! She's in a crabby mood about pretty much everything Andy tries to do. I get up after a while because she's crying, plus Andy found a tick on Duncan and needed my help to get it out.
7:15 AM - Breakfast is served, Noelle is still having a fit about everything.
7:40 AM - Daddy leaves, I try to turn on a show to go shower but she asks to sit with me. Since this is the first time she's wanted to be sweet all morning, I indulge her and read while she cuddles up with me and watches part of a show, then I quickly go shower. I pack her a lunch for school, go to put it in her bag, and see a note that water play starts today. I hurry to get her swimsuit on and put on sunscreen, label and pack a towel and plastic bag, we're running late!
8:46 AM - As we're walking out the door for school, Noelle reminds me to bring the camera. One day of blogging and she already gets what I'm doing! I forget my purse and forget to take any pictures anyway.
9:05 AM - We arrive at school, where I remind Noelle to listen and obey. Last week her teacher talked to me about Noelle giving one of the other teachers a hard time and having to be taken out of music class because she kept saying she didn't want to sing that song. While she's is at school, I go home and do a bit of cleaning, go to a Midwife appointment (all is still well), get my hair cut, eat lunch, and relax a bit.
2:55 PM - I arrive at school for pickup, she runs to me in the hallway as usual. Her teacher said she had a good day, so that makes me happy! She loved water play time, as I knew she would. I got a note that she had fallen down on the playground and noticed several scratches on her shoulder. Ouch!
3:05 PM - We went to Dragon Park after school, where Noelle enjoyed playing with a new friend she met named Ezra. He was 3, and they had a blast together. He was too cautious to climb any of the ladders, so Noelle would start to climb one and say "meet me up here, Ezra!" and he would run to a ramp or stairs to get up to where she was. It was really cute.
4:50 PM - We're finally home, where I let Noelle watch Dora while I clean up and take a break. Then I clip her nails, which for some reason she actually requested that I do.
5:35 PM - Daddy is home! Playtime/fussing/getting ready to go to our friend's house for dinner.
6:10 PM - We head to the Carter's house for a sort of Community Group reunion. Noelle had a blast playing outside with all the kids, pulling some of the girls around in a wagon, and having a picnic dinner. The Carter's were kind enough to have babysitters there so we could all enjoy ourselves.
8:00 PM - Noelle is not paying attention as she runs through the house, and she crashes face first into a bench. We all hear it and see a bruise forming within seconds. Poor little girl! She cried a silent cry for a bit, then a freaked out cry for a good long while as I held her. After she calmed down, though, it was like nothing had happened. Straight back to running around the house.
9:10 PM - We finally make it home, and it's bedtime! Just a few hours late, but maybe that means she'll sleep better tonight, maybe even sleep in tomorrow! A Mommy can dream.
It wouldn't have been a Brandenstein community group if the kids didn't get all up in the adults business throughout the night, even though we had babysitters.
Andy Matthews - July 02, 2008 10:08 am
I've decided to blog a week in the life of Noelle. Starting today, my goal is to document the week's daily activities in words and pictures to have as a keepsake for us and to give our family and friends a glimpse into our everyday lives. One picture is posted here to the right, the others you can see on our Picasa Web Albums page here. I hope you enjoy it! Mondays are long because we have no planned activities, so sorry for the novel!
6:45 AM - Noelle starts calling for Daddy and won't stop saying his name until he opens her door. She helps Daddy let the dogs outside, they play a while and have breakfast, and Mommy gets to stay in bed until 7:15. I sit with Noelle until she finishes breakfast while Daddy gets ready for work. She can be a slow eater, because the girl talks.
7:40 AM - Daddy leaves for work, lots of "I love you, Daddy!" and "Have a good day, Daddy!" I turn on a show while I get breakfast, and another while I take a shower. This morning's choices were Dora the Explorer and Pinky Dinky Doo. She started watching a show in between that happened to be on TV called Lazy Town, but a few minutes in pronounced that the show was "too grouchy."
9:30 AM - I suggest that we go to the zoo, and she likes that idea so we gather up our things and head out. We went to the zoo's playground first, which is a rare treat because it tires me out to have her run around in there. It's a huge wooden castle style playground, lots of little passageways that are hard for a pregnant woman to get through!
12:15 PM - We left the zoo and I was feeling lazy, so we stopped for lunch at Burger King. She basically orders her own lunch, telling the man she wants milk and chicken nuggets.
1:30 PM - Home for a story and naptime. At 1:45 I hear her light switch on, I go in to put her back in bed. A minute later she keeps calling out "Mommy! Can you hear me?" I go in again, she says her baby doll would like to swing with her after nap. I say okay, she finally goes to sleep.
3:15 PM - I hear baby doll fall out of bed, which wakes up Noelle. Naptime was too short.
3:20 PM - Swinging on the front porch. Sans baby - I guess she changed her mind.
3:30 PM - I decide to try watercolor painting on her little table outside. She's slow to warm up to the idea, but eventually gets very into it, so I decide to strip her down so she can paint her arms, legs, and tummy. This was followed by bathtime, as you might have guessed! I added some bubble bath to help get all the paint off faster. Then another episode of Dora while I clean up from the painting project.
5:20 PM - Daddy gets home, playtime until dinner is ready. I leave at 5:40 for a meeting, so thanks to Daddy for logging the rest of the evening!
5:50 PM - Dinnertime. Noelle gets a time out at the end for playing with her "big girl cup" of milk which led to spilling it. During the time out, Andy hears crying alternating with "Daddy?" from Noelle's room. He goes in to find her arm stuck in her changing table cabinet at the elbow. He semi-sternly scolds her about putting her arm in the cabinet, but when he extracts her arm he hears "thank you daddy". "Thank you." "Daddy, thank you." and can't help but laugh and hug her.
6:15 pm - Noelle finds an invisible bug friend she names "Corty" whom she keeps with her the rest of the night, even taking him to bed with her.
6:45 pm - Andy reads Noelle and Corty a story, then puts her (them?) to bed.
10:00 PM - Crying, but we don't have to go in there!
10:18 PM - Crying again, we do have to go in there. I hope she sleeps the rest of the night!
THANK YOU! This is what I like, it feels like being there with you (and wishing we were). Hugs and kisses to Noelle from Grammy.
Grammy - July 01, 2008 05:08 amMarvelous...even though I read this already, it's even better with the changes you've made. What a great idea, the documenting.
Andy Matthews - July 01, 2008 08:12 amHow fun! Love the pictures! Miss you guys!!
Mom B - July 01, 2008 10:59 am
I have to admit that I get really tired of my child's imagination sometimes. The amount of time I spend speeding up the car because a dragon is behind us, rolling down the window at a stop sign so she can pet a hippo, making up activities me and the monster I'm leading out of her room at naptime are going to do, eating invisible food, and especially being told I'm doing it *the wrong way* is more than I ever thought possible. It is all so real to her, though. This morning she went to get her baby doll a snack in the living room, and when she got out there a song was on tv. She ran back to me in the bedroom and held out her empty hand, saying, "Can you take this for baby? I'm going to go to the living room to dance." I couldn't believe that her imaginary snack had so much importance to her that she had to deliver it before stopping to dance.
Don't get me wrong, I love that she is creative. I guess the imagination itself is not what sometimes wears me thin, it's more that I have to have a role in it. I would love for her to imagine all day long if I didn't have to do it, too. It's just been so long since I imagined. A friend of mine suggested that I use a technique from improv comedy to handle imagination, which is to "accept and further." Accept that what Noelle is saying is true, and take it up one more step to add to the story. That really does work for the most part, if I'm doing it purely for fun and not with an agenda. I guess that most of us just lose that ability to look beyond what is really there and imagine what could be.
I'm in a Bible study going through the book "Strong Women, Soft Hearts" and the chapters we've read so far talk about how we lose our passion and our hearts because of pain and other life experiences. I tend to not try things or put myself out there often because I fear failure or rejection, among other things. Pain is a part of all of our lives, and it is only when we begin to accept it as our companion that we can have true joy and peace. Today in my group we talked about how God pursues our hearts, and how it makes us feel that he cares for us in that way. I shared that I so often try to protect my heart by not letting it carry me away, but although that might help me hold onto every piece of my heart, it's a dead heart that I'm holding. Whether we choose to give our heart away to follow a dream, and risk failure, or we choose to "protect" it by keeping it locked up, we are going to lose heart either way. God desires for us to give Him our heart, and promises that we will be even more wholly ourselves if we do so. He wants us to be fully ourselves and fully alive, the way he created us to be. Only through pouring our heart out to Him can we be our true selves, and do and be what He planned for us.
The author writes that if you follow your tears, what causes you pain or stirs passion inside of you, you will find what is dear to God and how you should live your life. When you are raising children, it can be easy to just put off your dreams until "later." When they go to school, maybe I'll do something for myself. God wants me to realize, though, that my life is now, and he desires for me to live it. Being a stay at home mom is not just a thing to get through. God never gets tired of my imagination, in fact He has dreams that are so much bigger than mine I can't comprehend them. His call for us to be childlike in our faith is something I hope to understand more every day that I spend with Noelle. I hope she never stops imagining.
Dear Jaime, I had been up most of last night "wrestling" with God. I have experienced quite a few major changes in my life in the past year and a half. Your line from the book you are studying about pain robbing us of our passion and our hearts were words from God for me. I have lost my passion for what I am doing and am at a loss as to what passion I do have. It has left me feeling very out of sorts and am seeking counseling to figure out how to get my passion back. I have been praying about it, but know I am not totally surrendering myself to God in this regard. Just wanted to let you know what a God incident that my searching for a music program in Florida somehow brought up your website/blog whatever this is. It is so wonderful that you have created this website as I know it must be a wonderful combination of journaling, creativity and a tool to help you have an attitude of gratitude for the blessings you have received - especially through your daughter. I'm assuming you screen your comments and am just fine that this not be posted for public view. Just wanted to thank you for sharing what you did today. Peace and God's continued blessings to you.
Suzanne - June 26, 2008 07:53 am
on June 16 2008 at 07:57 AM
by: Andy Matthews
So Father's Day was this past weekend and I had a great time. This is only my third one (as a Dad myself) but this was the best one. We had lots of good food, I got to spend lots of time with Noelle and Jaime (and the coming baby), and I even got lots of time to myself. All in all it was a great weekend in general, but even better as Father's Day.
Saturdays are Jaime's day to sleep in, so when Noelle woke up at 6:45 I jumped out of bed and went to get her. She was in a great mood so we talked while I got her dressed. You might recall that the Matthews' have joined a CSA program (think farmer's co-op), which we share with Brad and Heather Daugherty. Sat is the day that Eric and Cher (from Bugtussle farms) are in Nashville, and it was the Matthews' turn to go pick it up.
Noelle and I headed over to pick up the produce, singing and laughing and talking the whole way. When we got there she helped me collect our goods, and even helped me weigh the peas. After we got back in the car, I decided that Jaime hadn't had enough chance to rest, so Noelle and I sacrificed our time and went to eat at Fido's.
All in all, my weekend with Noelle was great. We had so much fun playing and talking and laughing. It's a special blessing to have a child who's so good-natured, and bright, and clever. I'll leave you with this little story about Noelle to tie it all back together. We planned on calling both my dad, and Jaime's on Sunday and so we trained Noelle to yell "Happy Father's Day" on cue. "Okay Noelle, when they pick up the phone what do you say?" "Happy Father's Day!". "That's right Noelle...good job." Right before we called Jaime's dad, Noelle let's out a huge toot. Jaime looks over at her and says "Noelle...what do you say?" to which Noelle responds loudly "Happy Father's Day!!!"
I hope everyone had as good a Father's Day Weekend as I did.
Saturdays are Jaime's day to sleep in, so when Noelle woke up at 6:45 I jumped out of bed and went to get her. She was in a great mood so we talked while I got her dressed. You might recall that the Matthews' have joined a CSA program (think farmer's co-op), which we share with Brad and Heather Daugherty. Sat is the day that Eric and Cher (from Bugtussle farms) are in Nashville, and it was the Matthews' turn to go pick it up.
Noelle and I headed over to pick up the produce, singing and laughing and talking the whole way. When we got there she helped me collect our goods, and even helped me weigh the peas. After we got back in the car, I decided that Jaime hadn't had enough chance to rest, so Noelle and I sacrificed our time and went to eat at Fido's.
All in all, my weekend with Noelle was great. We had so much fun playing and talking and laughing. It's a special blessing to have a child who's so good-natured, and bright, and clever. I'll leave you with this little story about Noelle to tie it all back together. We planned on calling both my dad, and Jaime's on Sunday and so we trained Noelle to yell "Happy Father's Day" on cue. "Okay Noelle, when they pick up the phone what do you say?" "Happy Father's Day!". "That's right Noelle...good job." Right before we called Jaime's dad, Noelle let's out a huge toot. Jaime looks over at her and says "Noelle...what do you say?" to which Noelle responds loudly "Happy Father's Day!!!"
I hope everyone had as good a Father's Day Weekend as I did.
WOW, you packed a lot into a weekend! Sounds like you and Silly Willy Noelle had a great time. I love how you fit perfectly in the role as Father! Hugs and Kisses to all. MOM
Mom M. - June 18, 2008 05:57 am
Noelle loves bugs, she has no fear of them and will stop everything to just watch one walk by. If she has one on her body and it flies away or falls off, she continually asks what happened to it and looks around for it. One day recently she found a ladybug, and the only way I could convince her to put it down and move on was to let her find it a "home." She's definitely not a girly girl when it comes to bugs.
Just now we were out in the pool and a moth fell in and of course was dead. She picked it up, asked all kinds of questions about it, then asked if she could touch the wings. I said sure, and she sweetly said, "Aww, it's gonna be okay buggy" as she pet the wing. Then she said, "Can I rip his arms off?"
Just now we were out in the pool and a moth fell in and of course was dead. She picked it up, asked all kinds of questions about it, then asked if she could touch the wings. I said sure, and she sweetly said, "Aww, it's gonna be okay buggy" as she pet the wing. Then she said, "Can I rip his arms off?"
on April 23 2008 at 07:17 PM
by: Andy Matthews
Jaime and Noelle had a funny moment just now and I thought I'd share it. Noelle was in her room, in bed, while Jaime and I were in the living room. Noelle had pulled out her new underwear and put them on over her diaper, but then asked for "another pair". Jaime went in there to deal with her. As she was getting ready to leave the room, they had this conversational exchange:
Jaime: I'm not coming in here again.
Noelle: Okay, I call to Daddy.
That made Jaime and I both laugh because how smart is that? She realizes that she can at least attempt to play us off each other.
Jaime: I'm not coming in here again.
Noelle: Okay, I call to Daddy.
That made Jaime and I both laugh because how smart is that? She realizes that she can at least attempt to play us off each other.
Ah, yes... and so it begins! Jackson does this quite often these days as well. He likes to ask the same question of both of us, hoping for a different answer from the second. It's amazing how early they figure out how to get what they want! Miss you guys!
Jonathan - April 24, 2008 04:25 amKatrina does this, too! She asked me to open a bag of snacks for her the other day, and when I said no, not now, she replied, "My Daddy open it!" Thankfully Ryan was in earshot and heard the exchange, although that doesn't always happen ... Scary, isn't it, how they learn things we never intentionally teach them?
Lexa Herbert - April 25, 2008 07:40 amBoy did she learn from one of the best, many a times Andy went to Mom to get his way, but I guess that's why we love him so now and even then.
Dad - May 01, 2008 12:10 pm
A few months ago I had the realization that Noelle's Parent's Day Out program does not run through the summer. I at first thought maybe I could handle it - a summer with just me and Noelle, getting together with friends, doing all sorts of fun summery things. Then Spring Break came, and I realized I am not cut out to be with a toddler 24/7 for weeks at a time. I began looking right away for a PDO Noelle could go to for the summer. Surprisingly, there really aren't many around. I'd resigned myself to a hodge podge of possibilities, one of which was acting as a sub at a PDO, hoping that parents would go on lots of vacations and want to sell me their days.
My friend Heather mentioned a school called Belmont Weekday that had a summer program, but said that they had their daughter on a wait list for some time. I decided to contact them anyway, and they actually had a spot for us! We went to check it out on Monday, and we both really liked it. Noelle actually threw a fit when it was time to leave. Later I was talking with her about it and asked if she liked it and wanted to go this summer. She said "yes, can we go?" and practically went to get her shoes on.
The teacher in her room mentioned that this summer they will do a lot of water play with sprinklers and baby pools, lots of outdoor play, and a less structured environment than during the school year. I think it will be a perfect place for Noelle. I only hope that she's willing to go back to her old school when fall comes around!
My friend Heather mentioned a school called Belmont Weekday that had a summer program, but said that they had their daughter on a wait list for some time. I decided to contact them anyway, and they actually had a spot for us! We went to check it out on Monday, and we both really liked it. Noelle actually threw a fit when it was time to leave. Later I was talking with her about it and asked if she liked it and wanted to go this summer. She said "yes, can we go?" and practically went to get her shoes on.
The teacher in her room mentioned that this summer they will do a lot of water play with sprinklers and baby pools, lots of outdoor play, and a less structured environment than during the school year. I think it will be a perfect place for Noelle. I only hope that she's willing to go back to her old school when fall comes around!
I'm really excited about this new program. I think it's gonna be really good for her, and it sounds like Belmont has great activities.
andy matthews - April 15, 2008 02:55 pmHey Jaime! I just found your blog from Jennie Brewer's website. I love blogs! This will be a fun way to hear what's going on with you guys, since we never seem to have time to talk long at church. I'm excited!
Tiana - April 18, 2008 11:57 amGlad you found us Tiana...do you have a blog as well?
andy matthews - April 22, 2008 01:35 pm
We made pizzas tonight...but not just any pizzas...they were tortilla pizzas and they couldn't be easier.
Take a large 10" flour tortilla, spread some spaghetti sauce on it. Sprinkle cheese over the sauce, then add your favorite toppings. We used pepperoni on one, and sliced red peppers and bacon on the other. Sprinkle some dried italian herbs over the toppings, cover with more cheese, and then bake in the oven at 450 for about 12-15 minutes.
If you're lucky, the edges will get nice and crispy but the middle will still be a little soft and chewy. They were very good, and cost maybe $2 apiece.
The best part was that Noelle helped me make them! She stood on her learning tower and helped me sprinkle cheese, and put on pepperoni (ate more than she put on of course), but it was a fun time.
Take a large 10" flour tortilla, spread some spaghetti sauce on it. Sprinkle cheese over the sauce, then add your favorite toppings. We used pepperoni on one, and sliced red peppers and bacon on the other. Sprinkle some dried italian herbs over the toppings, cover with more cheese, and then bake in the oven at 450 for about 12-15 minutes.
If you're lucky, the edges will get nice and crispy but the middle will still be a little soft and chewy. They were very good, and cost maybe $2 apiece.
The best part was that Noelle helped me make them! She stood on her learning tower and helped me sprinkle cheese, and put on pepperoni (ate more than she put on of course), but it was a fun time.
We are into the 12th week now, and we heard our baby's heartbeat at my appointment on Friday! It was quite a relief. It always takes so long to find the heartbeat, I was starting to get worried. After my midwife finally locked onto it, I just couldn't stop crying. She's letting me come back in two weeks to hear it again, which I am very grateful for.
Other than the anxiety, I am feeling pretty good. Not too tired yet, no morning sickness, I have a good appetite. The only thing I'm dealing with is allergies, and I am just coughing a LOT. Noelle always says, "You sure have a bad cough!" Paired with the over-sensitive gag reflex that comes with pregnancy for me, that coughing has led to a little bit of throwing up.
Yesterday morning I ran to the bathroom during a coughing fit and threw up, and of course Noelle followed me. She stood watching for a while, and then she took several steps back and said, "Don't throw up on me, Mommy." Child, if I had a dollar for every time you have thrown up on me, we could all go have a very nice dinner.
For about 15 minutes after that, every time I coughed Noelle tensed up, looked at me with a concerned face, and with a serious voice said, "Are you throw-upping?"
I haven't gained a pound yet, I'd imagine the above events probably play a role in that! Hopefully I can find some kind of remedy for all this coughing soon.
Other than the anxiety, I am feeling pretty good. Not too tired yet, no morning sickness, I have a good appetite. The only thing I'm dealing with is allergies, and I am just coughing a LOT. Noelle always says, "You sure have a bad cough!" Paired with the over-sensitive gag reflex that comes with pregnancy for me, that coughing has led to a little bit of throwing up.
Yesterday morning I ran to the bathroom during a coughing fit and threw up, and of course Noelle followed me. She stood watching for a while, and then she took several steps back and said, "Don't throw up on me, Mommy." Child, if I had a dollar for every time you have thrown up on me, we could all go have a very nice dinner.
For about 15 minutes after that, every time I coughed Noelle tensed up, looked at me with a concerned face, and with a serious voice said, "Are you throw-upping?"
I haven't gained a pound yet, I'd imagine the above events probably play a role in that! Hopefully I can find some kind of remedy for all this coughing soon.
We need to get you fattened up girl!
andy matthews - April 01, 2008 02:28 pm
for the "Cutie-bomber". She is considered cute, hip, and will charm you with her smile and friendliness.
We went to the playground yesterday and Noelle introduced herself to another little girl by saying "This is Noelle." I've heard her say it before, but never realized where she got it from until yesterday. When Jaime and I are with Noelle and we meet someone for the first time, we introduce Noelle by saying "this is Noelle".
Makes perfect sense doesn't it?
I had plans to go to a play place with some friends today, but after a rough morning and late start out the door, then a few wrong turns, I decided it was not going to be worth my time to drive way out there. So, I happened to be near a place called the Adventure Science Center here in Nashville, and although I thought Noelle was probably a bit young for it I decided to give it a try.
I was right, she was too young for it. She wasn't even tall enough to do most of the stuff, and there were places I didn't want to let her go because I was afraid I'd lose track of her. I think she had a good enough time, which she usually does when she's able to run around and touch a bunch of stuff.
After that we came home and I spent 45 minutes trying to get her to sleep. At this point it was 1:45. I had mentioned to Andy earlier the idea of maybe taking her to a movie, but I definitely wanted to go to a matinee (which around here ends at 3) so I told him that it wasn't going to be today unless she woke up at some ridiculous time like 2:30. The last matinee was at 2:55. I laughed, because there's no way she'd only sleep 45 minutes. Right? RIGHT?
Wrong. I kid you not, at PRECISELY 2:30 on the dot, that child woke up. Apparently she wanted to go see a movie. On the drive there, she yawned and said "My tired!" UGH!
I don't remember what my first movie was, but I know I was older than 2! Noelle's first movie in the theater was Horton Hears a Who, and she did really well. At first she sat in my lap, then she sat next to me while I put my foot on the corner of her seat to hold it down. She doesn't weigh enough to keep it from folding back up!
At the beginning of the movie she kept talking loudly, asking "what's he doing? who is that? where is that going?" and she got a little confused by the surround sound. She kept turning her head and looking for where it was coming from. Then about 10 minutes in, she said "I don't like this movie" and I thought I was in trouble. I was already planning the conversation with the ticket booth to see if I could get my money back. But, she settled in, and I pulled out some snacks, and she watched the whole movie. During the summer, there are some local theaters that do free movie mornings, and now I know I can absolutely take her to those! I was pretty proud of my little 2 year old.
I was right, she was too young for it. She wasn't even tall enough to do most of the stuff, and there were places I didn't want to let her go because I was afraid I'd lose track of her. I think she had a good enough time, which she usually does when she's able to run around and touch a bunch of stuff.
After that we came home and I spent 45 minutes trying to get her to sleep. At this point it was 1:45. I had mentioned to Andy earlier the idea of maybe taking her to a movie, but I definitely wanted to go to a matinee (which around here ends at 3) so I told him that it wasn't going to be today unless she woke up at some ridiculous time like 2:30. The last matinee was at 2:55. I laughed, because there's no way she'd only sleep 45 minutes. Right? RIGHT?
Wrong. I kid you not, at PRECISELY 2:30 on the dot, that child woke up. Apparently she wanted to go see a movie. On the drive there, she yawned and said "My tired!" UGH!
I don't remember what my first movie was, but I know I was older than 2! Noelle's first movie in the theater was Horton Hears a Who, and she did really well. At first she sat in my lap, then she sat next to me while I put my foot on the corner of her seat to hold it down. She doesn't weigh enough to keep it from folding back up!
At the beginning of the movie she kept talking loudly, asking "what's he doing? who is that? where is that going?" and she got a little confused by the surround sound. She kept turning her head and looking for where it was coming from. Then about 10 minutes in, she said "I don't like this movie" and I thought I was in trouble. I was already planning the conversation with the ticket booth to see if I could get my money back. But, she settled in, and I pulled out some snacks, and she watched the whole movie. During the summer, there are some local theaters that do free movie mornings, and now I know I can absolutely take her to those! I was pretty proud of my little 2 year old.
How funny! Mindy and I took Jackson and Jeremiah to see Horton yesterday! It was Jeremiah's first movie, also, and he did really well. We had the row to ourselves, so we let him walk the row and peer over the seats to watch the movie when he wanted to... we didn't even have to fight him to make sure he didn't venture into the aisle. The boys loved it (both the movie and the popcorn)! Can't wait for the day when we can do these things together!
Jonathan - March 22, 2008 02:07 pm
Noelle has been in bed for a little over an hour, and I've had to go in there 6 times so far. She is being so unreasonable tonight. She's just overtired - we had a long morning walking around Cheekwood Botanical Garden, and she barely napped at all after. So here are the reasons she has called me in there tonight, in order:
1. I don't like this pillow
2. I need more water
3. My foot hurts, can you rub it? That one doesn't hurt anymore, can you rub the other one?
4. My poopy (which was true)
5. My sock is too hard (to put back on, I discovered. Why was it off I asked? "Because I wanted to see my foot.")
6. Can I have warm water? (child prefers it warm at night)
So my child is officially a weirdo, and I am officially DONE going in there. Of course Andy is at a meeting, so I'm dealing with the irrationality of my toddler solo. Good grief.
Edited to add number 7: I fell out of bed. Not unreasonable, by any means, but WHY? For almost a month after we converted her crib she stayed put night after night, and this past week she's been falling out all. the. time. So I had to go in there again. NO MORE! :)
Edited again to add number 8, at 9:30 PM: I don't like it. "It" turned out to be her socks, they were too tight she says. Then when I was about to leave, she cried again that her throat hurts. That seems to be her current favorite symptom. The fun never ends around here! When is Andy getting home???
1. I don't like this pillow
2. I need more water
3. My foot hurts, can you rub it? That one doesn't hurt anymore, can you rub the other one?
4. My poopy (which was true)
5. My sock is too hard (to put back on, I discovered. Why was it off I asked? "Because I wanted to see my foot.")
6. Can I have warm water? (child prefers it warm at night)
So my child is officially a weirdo, and I am officially DONE going in there. Of course Andy is at a meeting, so I'm dealing with the irrationality of my toddler solo. Good grief.
Edited to add number 7: I fell out of bed. Not unreasonable, by any means, but WHY? For almost a month after we converted her crib she stayed put night after night, and this past week she's been falling out all. the. time. So I had to go in there again. NO MORE! :)
Edited again to add number 8, at 9:30 PM: I don't like it. "It" turned out to be her socks, they were too tight she says. Then when I was about to leave, she cried again that her throat hurts. That seems to be her current favorite symptom. The fun never ends around here! When is Andy getting home???
and you think I should be a parent. aren't you cute?? i love you jaime, and am praying for you (and the fam, and the new addition). Keep your head up!!
*sara* - March 18, 2008 08:36 pmOk...I can't help but laugh...I seem to remember another little girl that cried if the seams on her socks were crooked because "my socks hurt!" I know it's not fun, but she IS adorable!
Mom B - March 19, 2008 07:12 amLOL!! And how many kids do you want? Sounds like she has a new game, "Bedtime 20 Questions".... Hang in there..you WILL look back on this (some day in the future) and laugh too.
Mom M - March 19, 2008 10:09 amAnd I thought Andy was a load, I can't wait till we come up and I have my turn.
Ron - March 20, 2008 04:59 am
I was sitting in the office while Noelle watched a show, and the dogs started freaking out. Then I heard Noelle say, "Enough! It's just the neighbor's dog!" She's definitely heard us say something similar a time or 100. That dog is always out and about, the owners don't seem to care much about him. He chases cars, follows walkers, and is just generally a nuisance. Today he was in the middle of the road right in front of our house, with his face stuck in some kind of fast food bag. And the owner was right there at her mailbox, so she had to have seen him. I know they don't seem to care about him, but really? Letting him eat out of a random trash bag while you watch? So I went out and yelled at him to stop. Argh.
Noelle should be glad she made me laugh this afternoon, because I was certainly not laughing when not an hour into her nap today I heard her playing the harmonica. Awesome.
Noelle should be glad she made me laugh this afternoon, because I was certainly not laughing when not an hour into her nap today I heard her playing the harmonica. Awesome.
It's okay if I let Noelle watch TV for the entire day, right? I mean, we went to Kindermusik this morning and she'll eat lunch and take a nap soon, but the rest of the day? It's just one day, right? Let her watch tv while I try my best to stay awake on the couch?
Yes it's ok! One day of TV won't hurt her...wish I could be there to let you rest without taking care of her!
Mom B - March 07, 2008 12:53 pmSometimes, I get Ella to sit with me on the couch, put my arm around her and fall asleep. Her brain isn't going to rot, so I say, watch away!
Heather - March 07, 2008 02:25 pmOf course, you don't want this to happen ... http://xar.us/gallery2/v/2006/October-2006/Kitchen-Mess/ (what happened when Ryan fell asleep while watching Katrina :) )
Lexa - March 07, 2008 03:40 pmOh no! Well see, that's why we have a gate locking her out of the kitchen. At least it all looked edible!
Jaime - March 07, 2008 03:49 pm
This morning we discovered the possibility that maybe our early waking, sleep hating toddler has actually been being kind to us after all. Relatively, at least. Andy woke up at 6, running late for Men's Fraternity at church. He opened our bedroom door and noticed that Noelle's light was on. (We recently got her a lightswitch extender for this very reason, hoping she'll turn her light on and play a while before starting the "DAAAAADDY!!!! WHERE ARE YOU??? ARE YOU COMING???" calls). He tried to be quiet getting ready, but she still must have heard him and started calling out to us.
When I went in, I asked her how long she had been awake, and she told me 10 hours. Now that's obviously not true (although pretty funny), but it does make me wonder, maybe she wakes up much earlier than we think and entertains herself for a while. One time when my parents were here and sleeping in her room, they said she talked quietly to herself for almost an hour before requesting their attention. So I suppose it could be worse if indeed she is entertaining herself for a while and STILL asking for us before 6:30 every day. I swear, I am going to have the only teenager in the world who doesn't like to sleep. I just can't see it ever changing at this point.
When I went in, I asked her how long she had been awake, and she told me 10 hours. Now that's obviously not true (although pretty funny), but it does make me wonder, maybe she wakes up much earlier than we think and entertains herself for a while. One time when my parents were here and sleeping in her room, they said she talked quietly to herself for almost an hour before requesting their attention. So I suppose it could be worse if indeed she is entertaining herself for a while and STILL asking for us before 6:30 every day. I swear, I am going to have the only teenager in the world who doesn't like to sleep. I just can't see it ever changing at this point.
Andy leaves on Thursdays at 5:45 AM to go to Men's Fraternity at our church, so it's all me those days when Noelle gets up.
This morning I woke up at 5:57 and heard Noelle at her door (the gate was latched) saying cheerfully, "I'm not tired!" Ugh. I reluctantly went and got her, and she said, "I'd LOVE some breakfast!" before I said anything to her. I told her it was still time for sleeping and brought her into bed with me.
I thought it was working, because she was quiet for about 10 minutes, but at 6:11 she whispered, "Mommy, I want Noelle's pillow." When I told her daddy's was fine and to go to sleep, she said, "Do you want some breakfast? Come on! It be fun!" No, my child, mommy thinks sleeping would be fun. I was about to tell her so, when she told me she was poopy. I guess it was time to get up then! What a lovely start to the day. At least she has school today.
This morning I woke up at 5:57 and heard Noelle at her door (the gate was latched) saying cheerfully, "I'm not tired!" Ugh. I reluctantly went and got her, and she said, "I'd LOVE some breakfast!" before I said anything to her. I told her it was still time for sleeping and brought her into bed with me.
I thought it was working, because she was quiet for about 10 minutes, but at 6:11 she whispered, "Mommy, I want Noelle's pillow." When I told her daddy's was fine and to go to sleep, she said, "Do you want some breakfast? Come on! It be fun!" No, my child, mommy thinks sleeping would be fun. I was about to tell her so, when she told me she was poopy. I guess it was time to get up then! What a lovely start to the day. At least she has school today.
Noelle is currently going through some terrible phase (I hope) where she wants one of us to sleep in her room with her for all naps and bedtimes. She's also waking up multiple times a night, not just the one time in the evening that we've come to expect. I've already done this "laying on her bed until she falls asleep" thing once before, when she finally started sleeping through the night at 13 months. I don't want to go back there.
It drives me insane, but it's either lay down with her for 15 minutes until she falls asleep, or put her in the crib and leave, then come back a zillion times because she's crying or has climbed out of the crib or both, THEN lay with her for 15 minutes. And neither is as bad as her not napping at all.
Just now I was laying with her, and she started messing around with her pillow. She would turn it this way and that way, put her head under it, etc., and finally she sat up. The rule is that I will stay with her as long as she's laying down, so I told her to lay back down. But she said, "I don't know what my pillow is doing!!!" So I laughed, went and fixed it, and she was asleep just moments later. Goof.
It drives me insane, but it's either lay down with her for 15 minutes until she falls asleep, or put her in the crib and leave, then come back a zillion times because she's crying or has climbed out of the crib or both, THEN lay with her for 15 minutes. And neither is as bad as her not napping at all.
Just now I was laying with her, and she started messing around with her pillow. She would turn it this way and that way, put her head under it, etc., and finally she sat up. The rule is that I will stay with her as long as she's laying down, so I told her to lay back down. But she said, "I don't know what my pillow is doing!!!" So I laughed, went and fixed it, and she was asleep just moments later. Goof.
Welcome to life with a two-year-old! :( Katrina went through this in July, when she was 26 months (about Noelle's age now, right?). She would try everything to get out of bedtime and naptime, including vomiting. Ugh. A coworker and our babysitter both told me that their kids went through it at two, too, and that it passes in 2 - 3 weeks. And it did! A trick Ryan's mom taught us that really worked for us: take a dining room chair in her room and sit there, but facing away. Read a book, do a crossword puzzle, whatever, just avoid direct eye contact and use a firm but reassuring voice that you are there and that she needs to rest. Good luck! I hope this passes soon.
Lexa - January 30, 2008 05:16 pmThis isn't scripture, but it should be, "And this too shall pass!". That means the good times and the bad, so enjoy each moment even when it means getting up at 5:45 with your two year old. She will be 12 before you know it and you wish these days back again. Kiss her for me and tell her Grammy loves her.
Grammy - January 31, 2008 06:08 am
...to a MONKEY. Within the last few weeks Noelle has learned to climb out of her crib, and does so at least once every pre-nap time and sometimes before falling asleep at night. Last night she got quiet pretty fast after we put her to bed, and Andy commented on how she must have been tired. I said, "Or, she got ou..." and looked toward her room, and there in the hallway was Noelle. As much as she loves climbing, I guess it was just a matter of time before she conquered the crib.
This morning, I woke up at 6:45 to see a little girl standing in my doorway. She insisted that she did NOT climb out of her crib, but evidence suggests otherwise. She told me that, "I was reading a story with Nacho!" Thankfully she didn't wander throughout the rest of the house! I pulled her into bed with us for a few minutes, although she wouldn't really lay down, but it was a sweet glimpse of times to come. I know this is just the first of many times we wake to find her in our room. I think we'll hold it off a little while by latching the gate to her bedroom, though!
So this afternoon we're heading to the store to buy a bed rail for the day bed that's already in Noelle's room. We will give her a few days trial on that before taking down the crib for storage. My mom tells a story of me having a rough night on a big girl bed and her threatening to bring my crib back in, to which I cried, "Okay!" I can't see Noelle having that kind of attachment to the crib, but we'll leave it just in case.
It's very bittersweet to think about taking down the crib. Noelle is getting too big, too fast, for one. Also, that crib was meant to hold Charlotte, and taking it down is just the last piece of that dream for us. But we won't need it for at least 9 months, so it just makes sense. And finally, I'm sure that keeping Noelle in that daybed isn't going to be much of a picnic either. Should be fun! My crazy little monkey is about to get a big girl bed.
This morning, I woke up at 6:45 to see a little girl standing in my doorway. She insisted that she did NOT climb out of her crib, but evidence suggests otherwise. She told me that, "I was reading a story with Nacho!" Thankfully she didn't wander throughout the rest of the house! I pulled her into bed with us for a few minutes, although she wouldn't really lay down, but it was a sweet glimpse of times to come. I know this is just the first of many times we wake to find her in our room. I think we'll hold it off a little while by latching the gate to her bedroom, though!
So this afternoon we're heading to the store to buy a bed rail for the day bed that's already in Noelle's room. We will give her a few days trial on that before taking down the crib for storage. My mom tells a story of me having a rough night on a big girl bed and her threatening to bring my crib back in, to which I cried, "Okay!" I can't see Noelle having that kind of attachment to the crib, but we'll leave it just in case.
It's very bittersweet to think about taking down the crib. Noelle is getting too big, too fast, for one. Also, that crib was meant to hold Charlotte, and taking it down is just the last piece of that dream for us. But we won't need it for at least 9 months, so it just makes sense. And finally, I'm sure that keeping Noelle in that daybed isn't going to be much of a picnic either. Should be fun! My crazy little monkey is about to get a big girl bed.
it was good talking to you today! I am sure that you miss Charlotte every day and taking down the crib will be tough...but know that you're in our prayers...and i'm sure you'll have use for that crib again someday!!
*sara* - January 28, 2008 06:14 pmAh, your little girl is growing up. Be glad that she didn't start this as young as her daddy did. I never thought about what the impact would be on you and Andy putting away the crib & putting away your dreams of/for Charlotte. That such a mundane task should have such a effect is something most of us would not even consider. You will be in our prayers as you prepare to move into this new phase. I will also continue to pray that God will bless you and Andy soon with more children. Love and hugs.
Grammy - January 31, 2008 06:18 am
on January 24 2008 at 07:39 AM
by: Andy Matthews
File under:
Noelle Jordan,
Andy
And hasn't been for quite a while. But just because she can speak well, doesn't mean that she can carry on a conversation. Or at least that's what I thought until I talked with her on the phone last week. I got a call from Jaime early one afternoon, "There's a little girl here who would like to talk to her Daddy."
So Noelle gets the phone and we proceed to have a real conversation...for real. I asked her a few questions bout what she had done that day. "Did you go to school Noelle? Yes. What did you do at school? I saw Lola. Did you eat lunch today? Yes. What did you eat? I had pickles...and...carrots...and hot dog...and pears."
At that point I started laughing, but only to cover up my amazement. I've known that Noelle's verbal skills were far in advance of many other kids her age. but up until that day I had really treated Noelle as more of a talking parrot. I'd ask her to repeat words that I said, I'd ask her basic questions, and I'd try to get her to tell me what things were on flash cards, or in books. But now I realize that my little girl really is growing up. She's not only carrying on conversations, she makes up stuff on her own. She's using logic, she's saying funny things, and she's even lying.
Anyway...I just wanted to brag on my little girl. She might not have as much hair as other kids her age, or even HALF her age, but she can talk circles around them...and she's MUCH cuter.
So Noelle gets the phone and we proceed to have a real conversation...for real. I asked her a few questions bout what she had done that day. "Did you go to school Noelle? Yes. What did you do at school? I saw Lola. Did you eat lunch today? Yes. What did you eat? I had pickles...and...carrots...and hot dog...and pears."
At that point I started laughing, but only to cover up my amazement. I've known that Noelle's verbal skills were far in advance of many other kids her age. but up until that day I had really treated Noelle as more of a talking parrot. I'd ask her to repeat words that I said, I'd ask her basic questions, and I'd try to get her to tell me what things were on flash cards, or in books. But now I realize that my little girl really is growing up. She's not only carrying on conversations, she makes up stuff on her own. She's using logic, she's saying funny things, and she's even lying.
Anyway...I just wanted to brag on my little girl. She might not have as much hair as other kids her age, or even HALF her age, but she can talk circles around them...and she's MUCH cuter.
You know, Noelle is pretty cute, although I think that mine is just as cute. I was thinking that it will be weird when Noelle has a lot of hair and gets ponytails, etc. I can't even picture it! Someday, though....
Heather - January 24, 2008 07:38 pmI can remember a few years back, yes a few year and I can remember that far back, a little boy was doing about the same thing and boy what a proud Dad I was, so I know exactly what you are going through now. I love you all 4.
Pappaw - January 25, 2008 11:56 am
Waking up from her nap today, Noelle and I had this conversation:
N: Can you take me to the pl
N: Can you take me to the pl
That's hilarious! She's a clever little one. :)
Tiana - August 07, 2008 06:00 pmDinner last night was a hotdog from Costco ... in the van ... on the way home. I'm a worse mom. Katrina was being awfully quiet, so I looked in the rearview mirror to see her wiping her hotdog on the bottom of her shoe because her shoe was dirty ... and you guessed it, she then popped that piece of hotdog in her mouth. I would have pulled over but we were in rush hour traffic and I likely would have cause a multiple-car crash. I'm expecting her to develop a fever, vomiting, etc. any moment now.
Lexa - August 07, 2008 06:07 pmIf that is the only "gross" thing she ever does you will be lucky! A little dirt never hurt anyone! You certainly have your hands full :")
Carol - August 08, 2008 06:49 amWe were blowing bubbles on the porch yesterday, and Ella wanted to wipe off her hands, so she wiped them on the dirty, sandy ground. Then, she asked for a snack :) Gotta love it!
Heather - August 08, 2008 03:49 pm