NO NO NO

So for about the last two or three months Becca has been saying no to pretty much everything she doesn't want to do.
Sometimes this is helpful because it's in answering a question. But most of the time it's aggravating because it's being ornery and not listening to directions.
Well we have taken a whole new level of No in the Briggs household.
Her just plain No, is now "No Way". It's a standard answer now for everything.
Ready to go? "No Way" Becca pick up your crayons "No Way" Are you ready for bed? "No Way"

Now where did she get this? I thought about it, maybe someone at day care says it too? No. Cause she started it on Monday when we were home by ourselves...ahh that's it, monday after the sunday football game and my parents visit.
When Daddy sees something that is unbelievable to him, or hears a story that he can't believe he says "Noooo waaaay" Me I say "stop it"(like I did at Daddy's proposal).
Alot of people say "Shut-up"
But she attributed No, No way, and now our life is full of No Ways.

Last night we showed her pictures of her from the hospital when she was born, and she really enjoyed it. I don't think she really got it but she liked saying "Baby Becca"
And yesterday she peed in the potty THREE times!!! Twice at school and once at home! Her teachers think that because her BFF in class is now in underwear, Becca is trying to be just as cool. When she went at home though it was great but she wasn't thrilled. We were reading a Mickey book, and she peed and I stopped mid-book to praise. She looked at me like I was crazy and asked to continue the book. We finished the book then I again started the praise freak out, all she wanted was to read the book again...and again...and again. Finally she stood up, and could have cared less. I chalk it up to another Eeyore moment for our serious girl.

Tonight we'll try for more potty and hopefully my "Yes Way" will catch on!

The great balance

I have been struggling with finding the right balance lately.

The right balance between, teaching lessons but also just allowing B(and myself honestly) to be herself and freedom in choices.

Bigger than that is the balance between work and home. Everyday when we get home, I have to start dinner right away, feed the dogs, let them out, get B drink ect. There is little time to read a book, build blocks, rock baby dolls. This leave B in a complete and utter despair. She dosen't get it, that you have to cook, to be able to eat. She is contantly pushing me away from the stove, taking my hand pulling me to sit with her. The biggest hearbreak though is when she brings a book to the kitchen says read please and I know that if I do, everything will burn or be inediable in some fashion. Lately she has resigned to putting her head between my legs, and pushing until I can barely stand. Her tiny little body being stronger than I give it credit for, but her will is the strongest of all. She is persistant, and will continue to whine, cry, moan, throw tantrums, until I know that she has missed me, and she needs some TLC from a mommy who's been gone 8+ hours. The whining has to be the worst and I think she knows I feel that way, she uses it the best.

I have tried to let her be involved in the cooking process, but she is still a little young to be there with raw things, and utensils, and was completly freaked by the cracking of eggs.

I have tried snacks, that seems to work for about 5 minutes, since she's a human garbage can, and then she refuses to eat dinner.

Last night was a low for me, she walked in the house and said "mickey please" so I went in the living room and turned on the t.v. I promised myself that my children would learn self play without television. I promised myself they the first thing we did everyday would not be turn the tv on. This is not a practice I will be making a habit. BUT, I have to admit, it was NICE. I got dinner started, dogs feed, let out, dinner finished, dishes put away before she even realized what was happening.

Sadly enough Mickey dosen't last longer than 28 minutes.

With that part of the night behind us, Matt finally home, dinner on the table. I found myself again trying to balance. Balance teaching a lesson of not playing around while we are eating , but still allowing her to be silly and funny and herself.

I think I finally found that balance after dinner when I let go of the need to clear the table right away, and helped her try on shoes that she found waiting to go up to her room, rain boots from Ella. She loved them...until she discovered the sherpa crocs, which she loved even more.

And then it was bedtime, and the great balance continues another day.....