10/30 Rainy Day

9/30 Expensive Taste

Gosh. I’m a slacker. I admit it.

I was so busy yesterday that I forgot all about posting!

But I am making up for it now.

This car buying business has been so stressful! I just can’t seem to make a decision. I wish I loved a particular car that I could afford…that would make my life a whole lot easier.

Chloe was rather partial to the show room fully loaded Cadillac Escalade whose front end is almost as tall as I am and costs close to what I paid for my house! I told her that she was officially disqualified from having an opinion…

8/30 That Child...

So Chloe can be a very stubborn child. She pretty much likes to do what she wants to do, when she wants to do it. And she doesn't take too kindly to being told what to do. She prefers things to be her idea.

And I've never met a child who could ignore quite the way she does. It's more of a matter-of-fact ignoring rather than a defient ignoring. You could totally scream at her and she won't even respond in the slightest. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say she was deaf!

Sometimes I really do wonder if she's just completely ignoring me, or just super good at tuning everything around her out.

So last night she's sitting on the living room floor playing with all her horses. I ask her to come over to me so I can change her diaper and put on her pajamas. She continues playing with her horses. I ask her again, with a slightly raised voice. Still, nothing. I ask her again, and again, she just continues playing, never moving a muscle in any kind of acknowledgement that I said anything.

This is a daily occurance.

So out of pure frustration, I walk over to her, get down two inches from her face, and say, "CHLOE, WHY ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME!?!? WHAT DID I ASK YOU TO DO!?!?"

Finally she looks up at me. I'm still two inches from her face. She just gives me this blank look, reaches forward and gives me a kiss, and then goes back to playing with her horses.

Gosh. I know I should have not let her do that, but how can you be made at that???

Picking Strawberries

6/30 This is harder than I thought...

Blogging every day, that is.

Have I mentioned that Chloe very rarely takes naps these days?

Throughout the week when I am working, she is known to sleep until 10am. Sometimes later. So it's a little understanding that she doesn't nap.

But let me tell you, it's a different story anytime I am at home when she wakes up. Every day I look forward to possibly being able to sleep in a bit. Or at least be up a little bit before her so that I have time to shower. Nope. She's up by 8-830 on those days. And it's not just the weekends. I wasn't feeling well this past Wed, plus I had some shopping to do, so I took the day off work. Sure enough, I hear her little voice at 7am.

I guess I can't complain too much. It is pretty cute to be woken up every morning by, "Mama? Mmmaaammmaaaaa! Mama!".

That girl.

5/30 Apology

Gosh. I don't really have it in me to come up with a good post.

I've been dealing with the insurance company all day. If you want to know which insurance company NOT to ever do business with, let me know!

So Chloe has started making this face. It's so funny to me. She just randomly will walk around doing it. She scrunches her nose up like a pig and then will do it over and over again. She especially likes to do it when I'm about to take a picture...


Chloe is such a stubborn child. You can ask her to do something, she'll start to do it, then realize she is listening and put a stop to it. This next video will illustrate my point:



I finally got to her to somewhat cooperate, but it involved bribery. And it didn't work for long, as you can see...

4/30 Picture Drop

It's so hard to get any decent pictures of Chloe these days. If I'm not RIGHT there, she's getting into something she shouldn't be. Or else she runs and hides when I have the camera. Or more often than not, she's not dressed. This girl. The second she gets into ANY residence, she's trying to take her clothes off!

Anyway, here are some from the day!

3/30 Adventures in Car Shopping

Last night I wasn't feeling too hot. I felt really achy like you do right before you get the flu. Only I didn't know if it was from the flu or the car accident. I felt bad enough that I emailed in a sick day for today last night. I was quite excited to see what the morning would bring...

Fast forward to this morning at 6.30 am. I wake up. I lay there for a second contemplating whether I have the flu. Nope, doesn't seem like it. Instead I'm pretty sure that I have a killer kidney infection.

My first thought? Well, my wallet is MIA, therefore no insurance or HSA card. Out of luck there. I need to go car shopping. Only no driver's license or source of cash. Ok. All this is going to make my day a little inconvenient, but I'm willing to work with it. So my mom comes by and we pack up Chloe and take off.

Stop #1: License branch for a new license. Rather painless.

Stop #2: Chevy dealership. Checked out a Malibu and somewhat looked at the Impala. Both cars were decent. Chloe was a pretty big hit running around like crazy. (I'm not sure how they felt about her putting handprints all over the demo cars...)

Stop #3: Nissan Dealership. Checked out the Nissan Altima.

Now. This is where I bought my last car in January. I was VERY unsatisfied with their service. I ended up paying an additional 1,500 for an extended warrenty/roadside assistance that was supposed to be included with it. The sales guy only gives me one key and when I inquire about a second, tells me that its the type of key you can take anywhere to get copies made. Turns out not. Then they want to charge me an additional $100 for a second key. After arguing, I get them to agree to give me one for free, but the service guy never gets back to me with a an appointment. Last, a few weeks back I lock my keys and cell phone in my car. Along with my above mentioned roadside assistance paperwork that I paid an additional 1,500 for. So I call the dealership for the number and they give it to me. Only it ends up not being the right company, so I end up having to pay $70 for someone to unlock my car.

But I digress. So the first salesperson who walks up to me asks me if he can help me. I tell him I'm looking for a car and have been VERY unsatisfied with their customer service in the past, so he's going to have to pull off a miracle for me to buy from them. We'll see.

Bad Salesguy #1 certainly wasn't happy about me working with someone else.

Anyway.

Stop #3: Lunch

Stop #4: Ford Dealership. Checked out the Ford Fusion.

Stop #5: Volkwagen Dealership. Checked out the Pasaat. Which I do love. But happens to be at the VERY top of my price range, if not over.

Stop #6: CVS Minute Clinic. Which I love. Hopefully they have made me better.

So that's how we spent our day from 9-4. Chloe was such a little trooper. I must admit that I brought the previously blogged about Sponge Bob CD. And I played Best Day Ever! over and over again. Just to hear hear sing...it makes me laugh that much.

So question: Which of these cars do you like the best? I pretty much don't care. I'm a little disappointed that I can't line each of them up side by side to look at in person at the same time. I know you can do it online, but it's just not the same...

2/30 Best Day EVER!!!

Not really.

Well, unless maybe you are Sponge Bob and Chloe.

Chloe LOVES sponge bob. I don't know why. Even more than Dora, if you can believe that.

A while back I happened to buy a Sponge Bob CD to listen to in the car. Turns out it had a music video hidden on it. Not just any music video mind you, but the music video for Best Day Ever!

I have to admit it's one of those catchy songs that you find yourself bobbing your head to, then look around and make sure nobody was watching...

Anyway--Chloe LOVES this particular song. She always sings along to it at the top of her lungs. Unfortunately she only knows the chorus real well, the rest of the song she mumbles through.

I apologize for the crappy video quality, but I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was basically recording her in the dark. And I just mainly wanted you all to hear her sing anyway. Not sure if it's just because I'm her mom, but I find this absolutely hilarious. (Don't worry, I spared you the whole video and trimmed it to only include the very last chorus... :) )

(Oh. And she obviously got her singing ability from me.)

1/30 Potty Time

Gosh! Can you believe it's June already!?!!?

So I've been thinking a lot about potty training lately. Only I have no desire to start until she at least shows a little bit of interest. And I'm content to wait until then.

But that doesn't mean I'm not encouraging her. We went out and bought the Potty Time Elmo Doll. He says random phrases and praises you when you get him to the potty on time. He apologizes if he doesn't make it. And we bought the Potty Time Elmo DVD and watch it every few days. We talk about going potty a lot. But she has no interest in sitting on the potty chair or anything. So whatever. We'll wait.

We're shopping at the store today and I decide to let her pick out some panties to start with. She picks out a pack of princess and a pack of Elmo. The following conversation ensues:

Me: Chloe, do you know what these panties are for?

Chloe: What, Mama?

Me: They are for when Chloe goes potty in the big potty like Elmo.

Chloe: Like Elmo!

Me: Yes, like Elmo. And you won't have to wear diapers anymore!

Chloe: No Diapees!

Me: That's right, no more going potty in the diaper.

Chloe: I no go potty in diaper. I potty on Mama! Ha, ha, ha!

(She is in fact correct. When I got home from work she was napping. When she finally woke up I went up and got her...she was only wearing her diaper. We went down and watched TV for a few minutes while she woke up. She was sitting on my lap. All of a sudden I felt like I peed my pants! At first I thought I was imagining it, but sure enough, after a few seconds, I jumped up...my shirt and pants were soaked! I laid her down on the couch while I went and through my clothes in the dryer and my mom changed her diaper. She was in that dazed-I-just-woke-up state. What do you do???)

Anyway.

Me: That's right. You did. You should not do that!

Chloe: It's ok Mama. Accident's happen.

Me: (At a loss for a response) That's right baby...

Elmo would be proud.

So much excitement!

So...this has been quite the week.

Thursday, the 28th, Chloe and I celebrated her Giving and Receiving Ceremony anniversary. Most of you know, but for those of you who don't, that was the date Chloe officially become part of our family. Or at least legally. I considered her officially part of our family long before that! ;)

We had a nice low key celebration at our neighborhood Fazoli's. Classy, huh??? But it was good and Chloe loved it. She's such a fan of Italian food and I felt like I could bring her in there and not have to worry about her getting out of control. And it's a good thing, because boy, did she make a scene. She COULD NOT leave her bunny at home. Now, this isn't just any bunny. It's one of those Easter bunnies that play the ridiculously annoying banjo type music. But she loves it. And dances like a crazy child to it. ALL THE TIME. This dinner was no exception, much to the enjoyment of other diners!

But we had a good time and nice little celebration!



In a little not so exciting news, remember this past January when I got a new car? Possibly not, since I probably didn't blog about it. Well, no worries, as it is no more.

Friday morning Chloe and I left to drop her off at my mom's before work. Now, we're driving down a BUSY two lane road. We're driving along, when out of nowhere, a car pulls out of a housing addition right in front of us. I slammed on my brakes, but there was nothing I could do but hit him.

Luckily, nobody was hurt other than some minor scrapes and bruises. Chloe's neck has a huge seat belt burn around it, my knee and hand is bruised, I have a seat belt burn across my chest, a small scrape of my head, and other random soreness all over. But nothing serious. The guy who pulled out in front of us was completely fine.

The cars, not so much. I'm going to post some pictures, which don't look too bad. But apparently when an airbag explodes, they usually end of totaling the car, as the air bag itself is a $5,000 repair. Or at least that's what the insurance adjuster is claiming.

Speaking of which, I'm pretty impressed with the lady handling the claim. It was the other guy's fault, so we are going through his insurance, but they have been great. I was in a rental car by Friday evening and they have already made plans to total the car and purchase a new car seat for Chloe.

In all seriousness, I have a few points I would like to make:

1)Seat belts. An absolute must! We always were ours, and so do most of the people I know, but I'm just sayin'...

2)Air bags. Awesome. I've always heard how horrible airbags are. How the explosion can do more damage than just not having them. At least for me, that absolutely was NOT the case. It all happened so fast, but I remember instantly being grateful for it being there. And it did not hurt me at all. I can't imagine if I had slammed into the steering wheel without the air bag.

3)Car seats. Having Chloe in the car with me was probably one of the scariest moments in my life. Right after it happens, all is quiet in the car. I jump out and open the back seat, and when I look in the car, I can't see Chloe. The car seat is literally tilted forward against the driver seat, so all I can see is the back of it. I push it back, not knowing what I was going to find. Thankfully, she seemed fine and I got her out of the car. It still makes me sick to my stomach to think about. We had the seat installed correctly AND it was tethered in with the clip to the car. But 1)The back seat belt didn't lock. 2)The part of the seat that adjusts the length of the tether strap didn't hold. Not sure where the blame belongs, the car seat installer, the car, or the car seat itself. Either way, it has convinced me not to scrimp on a car seat. It could have been very bad. It's definitely made me more aware of whether car seats have been crash tested, what the rating it, etc.

So we went out and got a Britax Marathon. But sure if the insurance will cover it all, but spending the extra money was worth it to me to have peace of mind.

Ok...end of my public service announcement.

Funny story: We get out of the car and Chloe is HYSTERICAL. Understandable. She's attached herself to me and will not let go. Doesn't want the paramedic to check her or I out. But then the firetruck came. And instantly, her hysterical crying turned into screams of excitement and laughter. And she was excited the rest of the time! That girl...

I wish I would have had enough sense to take pictures at the actual scene, but I was a little shaken up and not thinking to clearly. But these pictures were taken Friday night when I went down to get the rest of my stuff out of it. The wrecker service place had cleaned it up a lot, but I think you can get the picture...:









Anyway, so that's been our week.

Last piece of news. Before I forget, my goal is to post everyday in June. I'm severely neglected this blog recently, and that has to stop. No excuses. So you guys are here to hold me accountable. So look for a post EVERYDAY.

On to some pictures:

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there! Sorry this is a day late!

I can't believe it's been two years since I first laid eyes on Chloe in an orphanage in Vietnam. I'm not sure that there's really anything that can top Mother's Day 2007.

In the last two years, Chloe has grown into quite the remarkable little toddler. I wish I could say she's easy-going, laid-back, and well behaved. But as we all know, she's none of those things.

She's a ball of energy, strong willed, and very, shall I say, spirited. She knows what she wants and doesn't have a problem letting you know.

To say she's going through a challenging stage would be a huge understatement. But it's funny...looking back, I'm certainly not surprised by her personality. I'm sure that everyone who traveled with us will agree...you could see that little personality coming a mile away!

But even with all of her challenges, I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world! I love you baby!

Mother's Day 2007

Mother's Day 2008

Mother's Day 2008

Picture Post

Emotional Mess

I admit, I'm an emotional mess.

And I think it's completely Chloe's fault.

I'm not kidding either. It's crazy. It comes out in so many different ways.

My feelings get hurt very easily. Like, I know at the time that if I just give it some time, it won't bother me any more, but still it doesn't change anything. Does that make sense? Anyway, I'll cut Chloe some slack there, I can't blame it all on her...maybe it's partly due to being a girl.

But that's not the bad part.

I used to be able to watch all kinds of movies. I was a big fan of scary movies. I mean, I watched Saw I, II, AND III. No problem. Not so much anymore. Only happy endings now. I only want to see things that end nicely. I was so excited to see Changeling. And then I finally saw it. And it was awful! I'm sure that Pre-Chloe, I might have thought differently, but I seriously sat through the whole movie trying to convince myself that there would be a happy ending. I waited. And waited. And waited. There wasn't. I didn't like it.

Here's the worst part. I'll be watching my regular shows. (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, House, etc) And the if a part comes on that's even remotely sad, out of nowhere I'll be in tears! A character has cancer. I've known this through several episodes. But still, EVERYTIME, when they talk about it, I end up in tears. And I'll be in tears the whole night! I could seriously drown in my tears! It doesn't matter if there ends up being a happy ending, the sad part gets me EVERYTIME. Which is bad since most movies/TV shows go through a sad part before the happy ending. (I'm glad I'm watching these on my own!)

Anyway, none of this happened pre Chloe. So my only conclusion is that motherhood makes you an emotional mess. I'm just sayin'.

Ok...that's my vent. I'll leave you with some pictures:

How big is this girl looking!?!?!