Life with a 3 Year Old

Everyday there are things that remind me that I should have made different choices in my past so that I could be better prepared to deal with a 3 year old.  Things such as:

• Majoring in Theater vs. Psychology-one would think that out of all the children psychology classes I took, I could utilize things I learned.  Nope, should have majored in theater, I play pretend more then I face reality.
• On the same note, I should have studied improv- at all times you have to be able to think on your toes.  No longer does “because I said so” work.  With a 3 year old, not only do they want to know why, they want to know why to the why!
• Life is a game-especially to a 3 year old.  It doesn’t matter if it is just eating your dinner, if they can turn it into a fit of giggles and laughter, they are going to.
• Goodbye sweetness & Hello to sassiness-I have had many people tell me I tell it like it is a lot more then I used to.  I actually got told today at work, I am not nearly as much of a pushover.  I am proud of this fact, seriously, it was kind of a problem.  My question is, does it all begin as a 3 year old?  We still have moments of sweetness, but there is a lot more sassiness.
• Independence-I am not talking about the upcoming 4th of July either.  I am talking about everything from getting dressed to “I do it, Mommy” to buckling herself into the car seat (which by the way, she does, but doesn’t ask for help until you are completely buckled in yourself and you have to turn into a combination of Gumby and Stretch Armstrong just to get her buckled in safely)
• There is a pecking order in my house-It goes as follows: Mommy & Daddy, Gracie, Daisy & Harley.  I did not choose this.  It has been mandated by the princess in our house.  Gracie has made it her life's calling to boss the dogs around. 
• Realizing that she is no longer a baby-WAIT!  What?  I have no idea what you are talking about!  My daughter, who no longer fits into 3T jeans, talks non-stop, has a little bit of an attitude, and only gives hugs and kisses on her terms, is not a big girl.  She is still a baby, right?  Ok, I will give you toddler…maybe.  Denial, maybe?
• My life has never been more exciting, fulfilled, and happy-I thank God everyday that I have a little girl to make me laugh and give those hugs.  That I have a loving husband beside me that makes each day even better because I get to share it with him.  It might be just a little crazy, a lot chaotic, but my life is just right in my book!

Father’s Day, Cupcakes, & Catch Up

Father’s Day 2011

Dear Gracie,

Did you know that you have the best Daddy in the world?  There are a lot things that make your Daddy super special.  First and foremost, he loves you so very much.  You are his world.  Your Daddy is your hero.  He goes to work everyday as a soldier, a hero to our country, then comes home and becomes a hero to his little girl.  Daddy loves to spend time with you and Mommy.  We love to laugh and watch you grow up.  You are becoming a big girl right before our eyes.  It is bittersweet, but we have the time of our lives watching you growing up.  No matter what, your Daddy will always be there, loving you, even when you are spreading your wings.  Just remember that you have a very special Daddy.  You are one lucky little girl!

Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes!

Ok, I have not shied away from the fact that I have an easy job.  That doesn’t mean that it is not rewarding or it is not important.  It’s just that it is not the most challenging  job I ever had.  Having said all of that, I have never had a job that has allowed me to bake or do fun activities like we do at this job.  We had a very small version of a cupcake war.  It was so fun!  Basically, we made 3 different flavors of cupcakes and built a display.  Jamie came through with the display.  I definitely lucked out having a friend who majored in set design in college!  So here is the breakdown:

Theme: Candy Shoppe (name Sweet Grace)

Flavors: Lemon Drop, Caramel Vanilla, & Lemon Drop

Results:  I totally rocked it!  I got 1st place!!!!

Catch Up

So, it seems like I was not the only one that seemed to be lagging behind in posting, which just means we have been busy with our families.  Honestly, I have started focusing on getting into the gym.  This means that I am just simply EXHAUSTED by the time I get computer, I can’t put one thought together.  Ha! 

There is really nothing new going on.  Gracie is still pulling new things out of her cute little mind left and right.  Her favorite thing to do now is when she is feeling like “come on guys!” she will put one hand on her forehead, take a deep breath, shake her head, and say “well, what are we going to do about it!”  It is so funny!

Here is my favorite picture of the week.  Gracie has been all about her puppies lately and the puppies have been attached to Gracie!  This picture is worth a thousand words!

Things my daughter says….

• So Gracie is giving me a lesson on how to spell her name. Picture a crossword type puzzle. She asks me to find the letter "r". So I point to "x" and she says nope that is not an "r". I asked her what letter it was....."not an 'r' mommy!" lol...crack me up! She was right....ha ha!
• I am sitting here listening to Gracie giving her Daddy the business. She has been so SASSY to him all weekend, especially today. It is hilarious, although I am sure Matt doesn't think so. Right now, she is telling Daddy that she is not sleeping in her bedroom because "she don't have to!" Out of the mouth of babes.....
• Gracie just informed Daddy that she was going to call his mommy. I am still laughing....
• Adriana is sad because I had to use her “a” in my name.  She will get over it.
• Chill out, Mommy, it will be ok
• She thinks if she gets in trouble, she pulls a fast one by saying she wants her ________________ (fill in the blank with Grandpa, Grandma, Nica, PJ, Grandma Beth….you get the idea!)
• Ummm, I am probably not going to clean my right now…..or later.

All In Two Weeks

It never fails.  It was such a busy week in the Cunningham household:

• Gracie started a new school
• We had a visitor
• FINALLY had the chance to get a early summer photo shoot in!!
• After all of that we got some much needed down time!

So, first off, Gracie finally got to start her new school.  She loves it!  I am so glad I made the decision to move her.  Especially after she acclimates herself to all of the new kids and teachers.  She already has gotten better about being dropped off.  We have less tears and the guilt trips have pretty much stopped. 

Aunt Joy or as Gracie calls her “Nica” came into town on Thursday.  It was a great weekend spending time together as a family.  Matt had duty while she was here, which kind of stunk.  However, it did give us ladies a good excuse to spend time together for a girl’s night!  Saturday, we did our photo shoot at the park.  Gracie was in the mood to take pictures and it hadn’t started getting to hot yet, so that was great!

The rest of the weekend, we all just spent time together and played with Gracie.  Gracie definitely keeps us entertained.  Let me in on some of the things that come out her mouth:

“Daddy, I am not playing with you!”  Meaning, I am done with how you are acting and your attitude.

“Daddy, what did I say?” Scolding her Daddy after he did not listen to her.

Matt was explaining to her the “no no” spot.  He told her that only Mommy and Daddy along with doctor’s at doctor appointments.  She informed Matt that cats and dogs have no no spots too.

She has also been spending a lot of time putting her babies into timeout again.  You can always tell when she spends more time there or at least gets a reminder that she she doesn’t use her listening ears, she has to go to time out…her poor babies suffer!

Gracie also when to the dentist for the first time and she did GREAT!  She sat there and let the dental assistant clean her teeth and the dentist count her teeth.  I had to take a HUGE mommy pill.  She wanted Daddy to go back with her and not me.  There was a sign saying only one parent at a time, so we gave her the choice.  I thought for sure she was pick me…talk about a reality check!  But in the long run, they let me go back too, so that was great.  I wasn’t allowed to take pictures but I did snap a secret one.  You can tell I was doing it fast because something happened during the capture and there is a line across it but either way, I documented it right!

Other then that, we have been going to work and enjoying the hot weather.  This next week the lowest it is supposed to be is 101.  Yeah, we are in triple digits for the next 7 days.  I am just glad we got our cooler fixed so it is nice in the house!  Here are some more pictures I have taken through out the last couple of weeks.  I promise to check in later on this week and not leaving you hanging again!