Clean up on aisle 3!

I found white footprints on my floor for DAYS - but after a good dozen sweeping, mopping, and steaming combinations - I think I finally got that doggon' powder cleaned up.  Thanks to my cleaning fairy - we knocked it out. :)

And yes, I'm grateful the mess did not include paint, vaseline, lotion, etc.

It snowed at our house last night!

Remember a month or so ago when THIS VIDEO went viral?  A mother videoed the aftermath of an entire bag of flour spread around every nook and cranny of her home by her adorable little boys who were still playing in it - all in a matter of  minutes while the mother was in the bathroom.  I think every mother was either horrified by it or rolled her eyes at the mother for 'letting' it happen. What struck me was how calm the mother was.  I was certain I would have blown a gasket if it were me.

Well, APPARENTLY, when you are in the situation yourself, you are struck dumb (both literally and figuratively) and are fearful that if any sound escapes you, it may set off a subsequent explosion which would surely cause you to become either institutionalized or jailed. 

How do I know this, you ask? Well the 'snow' at our house last night - wasn't snow. It was BABY POWDER and it was INSIDE our house minus three very fortunate rooms which seemed to escape the havoc.  I am still stupified.

Gianna had an emotionally challenging day yesterday, but we had seem to have turned the tide around later in the afternoon.  She was playing dress up in a beautiful ballerina costume and was dancing to classical music. I started making supper, which didn't require too much effort. In less than the time it takes a small pot of water to boil is all it took for the 'snowstorm' to do it's damage. 

I am almost always hightly attuned to the sounds of my child and my home and quickly know when something is awry. As I was browning my meat, I heard Gianna's hysterical giggling as she quickly approached the kitchen.  As I turned around (this all plays out in slow motion, of course) she appears in the kitchen trailed by multiple clouds of smoke -- skipping all the while with a gleeful expression and the bottle of baby powder I used FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SHE WAS BORN after her bath earlier.

It was at that very moment, I became mute.  I calmly took the bottle out of her hand and escorted her to laundry room where I keep her high chair (which I now use for time out).  I was hoping that she had only just begun the powder rampage close to the kitchen, but that hope was quickly shattered as I entered the fog-filled living room. And then I got a glimpse of the hall which led to what I could not even begin to imagine.

HOLY freakin' COW! My room was covered, but certainly not the worst of it. The bathroom was like a WINTER WONDERLAND. It was still floating in the air as I tried to imagine how many hours it would take to clean up this horrible joke of a mess. 

It was EVERYWHERE: in the toilet, on the toilet, in the bathtub, in both closets on the picture frames,  And don't ask me how there was still powder left in the bottle!  Apparently powder fills space very differently when let out of it's container. 

First I stared sweeping - one room at a time.  That should help, right? HA!  Then I dry-mopped. HA! Then I had no other choice to add water to the mix....I wet mopped. Double HA!  Four moppings and a regretful steam-cleaning later - it is STILL NOT CLEAN.

Gianna spent a good hour in her high chair last night as I cleaned.  She peed on herself and I let her sit in it for about 20 minutes.  I thought that was the safest place for her. "I don't want to sit in the chair anymore, Mommy!"  My calm response:  "Well, I can relate. I don't want to be cleaning powder of my floor, furniture, clothes (she got in my closet too!) all night long either."

She asked to go straight to bed at 6:30pm.  I obliged. She raised a little cain when I put her down and I started crying.  She started sobbing and sobbing and saying, "I am SO sorry, Mommy.  PLEASE forgive me. You HAVE to forgive me. You're my MOMMY!"  Heartbreaking.

So, it's the next day. I've been cleaning for another hour and I've yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm sure I'll be finding powder in unusual places for a good long while.

The funny thing is, Gianna is not the kind of kid who tends to things like this.  I'm pretty good about removing temptations or keeping them out of reach. (Apparently I was a little lax after bathtime yesterday.)  She's gotten into small things like make up or nail polish but never made enormous messes. From what she told me, she saw the powder and wanted some for her hands. When it came out in cloud form I think it was novel and fun and she got caught up in it. Who knows?  Even this morning after our little chat and another apology she told me, "But powder is so much fun!" 

My guard is up, little girl! Don't mess with MOMMY!!!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I was shaking my fist at the heavens last night. It was a hard enough day with this little hiccup.  Grief had already left it's mark on us throughout the day.  I was another kick in the gut and reminder that Iain is gone.  It's hard because he'd have been the one I would have called; who would have found it both appauling and hysterical; who would have told me to leave the mess and rest until he got home; who would have helped clean it - or at least offer to; who would have calmed me and held me and made it all better - or bearable; who would have told the story for years with a sympathetic smile.

  Now it's just me - and my blog. :(  I miss him. 

I sure hope he's enjoying this little show from the other side.

Picasso in the Tub

You know how it is:  you're reading blogs or magazine articles and you come across creative ideas that would have never crossed your mind, otherwise.  Well, I was reading about great ideas to use with toddlers and was thrilled to shake up our routine a little bit.  One idea was to strip the kids down to their diaper/undies, put them in the bath, squirt some finger paint on the ledge, and let them have at it. 

The idea was particularly appealing since we've been trying to ready our home to put on the market and I was in need of some uninterrupted time to clean out my bathroom and closet.  

She didn't stop giggling the entire time she painted.

Once she was done painting (actually it was me who was done) then I filled the tub with water and and let her play in the disgusting colored paint soup.  I then drained the tub and let her take a real bath - to actually get clean.  It gave me an hour and a half to do what I needed to do.  That was entirely worth the little bit of mess it made.  I was smart enough to flip the shower curtain over the rod to keep it safe, but didn't account for the fact that my daughter would find such joy in clapping her paint filled hands and watching paint splatter to kingdom come. I still had to wash my shower curtain and Iain evfound paint splatters across the bathroom yesterday.  It still was totally worth it.

The way she mixed the colors, made it look like she was covered in blood.  These photos would be completely disturbing - if she wasn't smiling in them. :)

Joy to the World ---- STILL!

This past December,Christmas music was a big hit with Gianna. I'm talking a BIG hit.  She learns lyrics very quickly and her repertoire grew at a rapid pace.  I wanted some good Christmas music that was created for children and happened upon this little CD set I found at one of those music kiosks at Target. 

123 Favorite Christmas Songs

It's a 3 CD set for less than $10 and I'm telling you it's the best Christmas music I've heard....with the broadest range - from secular to religious - and very culturally diverse.

So why am I writing about this in February?  Because Gianna is STILL begging me to play Christmas music.  I accommodated her through mid January, but I felt I had pull the plug at some point.

So, the playing of the Christmas CD's has ceased - but the Christmas music has not.

She still belts out her favorite Christmas tunes everyday. Still,

.

I guess we'll be super prepared for next Christmas season.

Fleeting Fad

As a baby, Gianna took an occasional pacifier.  If we were trying to quiet her in public or she had a hard time settling her, we'd use one.

Last week I found an old pacifier when I was clearing out some baby items.  She got a hold of it and popped it in her mouth.  She thought it was an accessory....and had it in her mouth for a good 30 minutes.  I would have taken it out sooner, but I was enjoying the quiet. (So sue me.)

Don't worry....it was just a quick fad.  It passed.

Seeing Red

Every time I hear stories of toddlers vandelizing their homes with markers and crayons - I'm always amazed how we managed to escape that means of creative expression thus far.  I'm sure it has a lot of it has to do with the fact that I have all those fun tools out of sight and reach ~ and most of the time I'm watching her like a hawk (or at least listening for her.)

Today, our streak ended. Sort of.

I'm happy to report that Lewis Land remains unscathed, but my parents' house is where the streak ended (or began - depending on how you look at it.)

My mom offered to watch Gianna for me for a few hours today, so I could get some things accomplished.  I was a little wary of leaving her through nap time - mainly because of all the irritating sleep issues we've experienced lately.  My mom called me to tell me she had just put her down and she was quiet. Yes!

Well, about an hour or so later, my phone rang.  I saw it was my mom and answered by saying, "I'm on my way."  Her response:  "I hope you like red."  Oh heavens.  "What happened?" I asked with dread in my voice.  She said, "You'll see when you get here."

When I arrived, G was in her high chair with a sheepish grin.  "I red." 
I didn't see any red on her face - but as my eyes scanned her body I saw the damage. Streaks of red marker all over her clothes, her hands.  "What happened?" I asked my mother.

Memaw's Testimony:
"Well, I put her down, told her a story and said I'd be back when she woke up.  I left the room and she was so quiet.  An hour later when I heard her stirring, I went in to check on her.  MARIA! YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT!  She emptied my drawers, there was paper from my desk EVERYWHERE and she decorated the entire room with a red marker (still missing)."

My poor mother, with red eyes to match the marker mess, escorted me to their bedroom. Every cleaning product she owned was on the counter.  I didn't take any pictures, but my mom said later she wish she would have.  You know how it is - it's only funny after you start talking about it.

I spotted a Magic Eraser and bottle of Oxyclean and I got to work.  I managed to get it all of the wall, almost completely off the upholstered chair,  most of it out of the carpet, all of it off the wooden desk, Pope John XXIII's face is now red-free, as our my mom's prayer books, bible and picture frames.

Now how is it that when I pick up a marker, it usually dries out 90 seconds after I start writing?  I'm just so grateful it was not a black marker....and not my house.....and not on my watch.  :)

If it makes you feel any better, Mom, I got a whole lot done while she was at your house!

As for all the red artwork....maybe you can just consider it an early Valentine's gift for you! :)

After the little episode, I had to run an errand to Target.  Gianna calls it the "red store." 

Fitting for the day, don't you think?

Here's G's testimony: (Ignore the finger in the nose.)

Apparently there's a trend developing...

 I wonder if there are tryouts for the toddler version of Flashdance?

The girl's got moves....

...and an insane energy level ~ neither of which her parents share.  Happy Monday.

Family Trip....

Not our family.

The Dollhouse Family

It seems Gianna thought they should get out and go on a little field trip.

The Aquarium is where they ended up "to see the fishies."

Apparently they brought along some of their belongings.

Well, all of their belongings.

Maybe they have plans to re-decorate.

Hmmmm....

This is how I found Gianna's dollhouse family this morning.

Looks like someone's having fun in Lewis Land.

(The dad  cracks me up!)

No clue

I have ablsolutely no clue how this 20 month old...

...managed to break another TiVo remote.

Iain opened it up and found...

M I L K.

 Yes, that's right...MILK.

There was no milk to be found in the vacinity.  Heaven only knows how the munchkin managed this one.

Oh, and that "exposed" remote in the above picture was brand new because SOMEONE

deemed it necessary to chew the rubber numbers off the first remote....

Fun times.

Lately...

....she enjoys playing by herself. 

There's lots more pretend play.

She even pretends that she didn't climb upon her toys to sit and play on the coffee table.

She's actually been climbing less often, so I've tried to not make such a big deal about it....instead

 of correcting and fussing (which got me nowhere)....

...now I remove her from her perch and redirect her. 

(It still gets me nowhere.........but much less stressful for the both of us.)

I wouldn't want to squelch that determination and pride now, would I?

(Plus, it allows me to take pictures of her antics with  a little less guilt.  Tsk. Tsk, Mommy!)

Climb every mountain...

...and chair, and table and bookcase, and rocking horse, and toy (typically used as a step up.)

It looks like we'll be in the same room at the same time for this fun phase.

Brave New World....

Oh....the exciting life of a 13 month old. She's really into discovering every inch of her newly expanding world. She's recently got super-excited about the discovery of her closet....and takes great pleasure into emptying it to the best of her abilities. The other day she took every one of her bows off the hanging bow-holder and left a trail from her room to the kitchen.

And then there's the whole climbing thing... And, yes, the fantastic great big bowl of water right on her level!

I'm all about letting Gianna explore her world even if it means a little extra work for me. One thing I have been a stickler about, however, is the doggy door. There are two doors: one that goes from the kitchen into the sunroom and one that goes from the sunroom to the outside. As persistent as she has been over the last four months, I have managed to keep my curious toddler at bay.
Until today.
I was doing something in the kitchen and she was playing nearby the fridge (by the doggy door). I heard it open and close, but then saw Max. (it's got little magnetic strips so you can hear all the movement.) No worries. Then I heard it open --- but it didn't close. I turned around to catch a glimpse of the cute little polka-dotted bottom of find my brave little monkey fearlessly forging through the doggy door to explore new territories. So, as any good and discipline-minded mother would do, I grabbed my camera and got these shots.

Then I sternly called her name and she flipped around to look at me. Boy, was she ever scared of me.

She was SO scared, in fact....

....that she darted toward the next door.

She almost had a taste of sweet freedom.

But Mommy got hold of her senses and put down the camera and had a little "chat" with her very brave daughter.

Sidenote: One little discipline trick I learned from a dear friend who studied child development, is if you have to raise your voice, or wag your finger, or give a bold, "no, no, no" ---- it's often better to direct it at the object (in this case the door) instead of the child. Basically, you're saying the child is not bad, but the action is bad (or in this case dangerous.)

Well, after I sternly scolded the doggy door and removed her from that area. She walked around a bit and then toddled straight back to the door. I thought for sure she was planning on another exploration attempt. But to my surprise, she bent down to the door. and shouted...."nyo, nyo, nyo!" And later, when my husband returned home, she greeted him, and then made a bee-line to the doggy door and gave the door a good fussin'.

At least she KNOWS it's wrong. Whether or not she tries it again...........that's a different story.