Challenge Complete

Ok so Im sure for most parents teaching their children how to do simple things like how to pull up their pants, change their shirt. Wash their hands and so on, is a simple task. Well as I find many of them have been simple the one I couldn't for the life of me was try and teach Layla how to rinse her mouth and spit out the water. No matter how many attempts to show Layla how its done, she would simple drink the water. I started with water because I didn't want her to ingest mouthwash. Who would want to drink that anyway?! Up until recently Layla would drink her water any time she had to rinse and me trying to show her how to do it was driving me nuts. How do you explain to a 2 year old she needs to "spit" it out. Poor L had no idea what "spit" meant. Its almost like trying to teach a second language to a person who isn't fluent in anything but Chinese. Thankfully we are at a point where Layla is able to speak more. I love being able to communicate with her. Even though sometimes what she is saying just doesn't make any sense. She is getting so big now is in full swing of the Why? phase. Although, the question Why? to a simple thing like Why is the grass wet, can only bring up so many answers. Because Grandpa just watered it. Why? Because the grass is thirsty... Why?   Cause it hasn't rained in a long time... Why? Because this is California where it lacks rain. And of course the whys continue. I am only come up with so many answers before shortly I run out of reasons. I guess thats what being a parent is all about though right? Teaching you child or children the mysteries of life. Obviously California not raining that much isn't a mystery. But I look forward to finding out the many mysteries of life with Layla no matter how many answers I have to seek. Or lessons I have to teach. Teaching her how to spit has been a highlight of my mommy career so far because I never thought I would I would be teaching her to spit. How lady like! Here is a couple snap shots of just how good she is getting! Hehe 

 

                                     

Playing Tourist

You never really realize how much there is to see here in Southern California when you live here. You definitely take for granted the beaches, the attractions and everything else that is clearly right out your back door. Another thing my sister wanted to check off her list of things to do this summer was to be a tourist. She wanted to head to Hollywood and make a day out of it. See the stars on the sidewalk and go to Kat Von Ds tattoo shop. Griffith Observatory was last on the list of things to do that day. We even got to sneak a peek at some of Hollywood's top actors as they strolled the red carpet for a movie premiere.

Disneyland with Auntie Melissa

Every time my sister comes to visit we try and do as many things to keep her entertained. This summer like last we chose to do Disneyland as one of our main highlights. I am not sure who likes going there most. My sister, Layla or myself. I will not try and even argue that one. I think the only reason I love going there is because I get excited for Layla. Just to see the look on her face is priceless to me. We took my nephew as well who loves it just as much but usually sleeps a good deal of the time and he is really hard to shake out of it (trust me we've tried) Here is some of the pics I took 

A new day

As a mother you always hate when you are sick

When you can't control how you feel

It ties you to the bed

Being a mother is a full time 24/hour job and you don't get a break

When you become a mother you are second place

Your wants, needs and desires for anything extra now come last

Which is fine. I knew that would be a requirement when I took on this position

What I didn't know or realize is what it would be like when I got sick

Now as thankful for my mother as I am I still come to realize

that as hard as it is to be a great parent. Its even harder to succeed at being a great

parent when you are sick. When I am sick, I am down. And thats where the trouble comes in. 

Baby L still needs 3 meals a day with snacks in between. Her favorite tv shows and or Disney Movies

She still wants to cuddle and still has to go potty. She still is clever and wants to get in to all the stuff she

usually does. Nothing changes. And as bad as I feel for being sick, I feel even worse for not

being able to answer her simple requests. I can't wait for my sickness to be gone just enough so that I 

can function again. And when that new day comes, I get to switch roles because by then...someone else is sick. This time round Layla hasn't caught it just yet. And I hope she doesn't. Its not fair to put a little toddler though it. I would gladly take 2x the sickness on my body then hers. And when I look at that little face, I know she is worth it. 

Visitors

He came to visit. Not a planned visit, and he didn't stay long though thank god! 

I caught the stomach bug.... 

It was horrible! 

As usual on our way to the weekly Thursday night movies in the park, I started to feel funny.

Not funny ha-ha but funny Oh No!

I couldn't get comfortable about half way through the movie. 

Then I realized about 15 minutes before the movie was going to end that I was going to be sick. 

Now I didn't want to ruin anyone's movie let alone have anyone worry about me if I chose to head for the car. So I sat up from the stretched out blanket on the grass and waited. 

I waited to see if I would feel better. No one had noticed the nervous look I had on my face. How could they?! It was dark. 

So I knew that finally I had made it though the movie without disturbing anyone. Just then I asked my mother to push Layla back in her stroller to the car for me and I darted for the car. Just in time to water the bushes! This lasted for about 9 hours. Then on top of it I wasn't able to sleep for the rest of the morning constantly having this horrible feeling in my stomach of am I going to be sick again or no?

By the time I was able to get to sleep I slept for hours... Until almost 5pm. My body felt like it had been thrown out of a car on the freeway, and then ran over by two semi trucks. Seriously

So here I am now, light headed with a half headache that only comes when I stand up. Thank God for my mom cause I have no idea what I would do about Layla if I was sick and on my own. I hope for Layla's sake that when the time comes and I am on my own that I will NEVER be sick! One good thing about this visitor is that I lost 2 pounds! Im sure it will find its way back to me at some point! 

Yes this visitor feels like a deadly one at times, I am just hoping Layla doesn't catch whatever it was.