Halloween Recap.

I don't even think that I could put into words just how excited Gwen was for all of her Halloween festivities.  Words just wouldn't do it justice.

Wednesday she dressed up for her class party and the parents were invited back to class for the last 15 minutes for some songs and pictures.  They. were. ah-dorable.  And of course, we cried.  She was so happy to see us there, and was so sweet singing the cute little Halloween songs.  I wanted to freeze time.  I just wanted to bottle up all of that innocence and keep it forever and ever.

She was so proud to show off her Green M&M costume and share her treats with all of her classmates. She definitely did not want the party to end.

The only way that we got Gwen to bed that night was to promise her Trick-or-Treating would happen the next day.  She was pumped.  And to be honest, so was I.

The next day, she rocked her Green M&M shirt, all day, waiting not so patiently for Daddy to get home from work.  Every car that she heard, she squealed thinking it was him and time to go.

When he finally got home, she made sure he put on the pirate "costume" {a hat, eyepatch, and sword from the dollar store} we got him and that I put on my witch "costume" {a headband with a witch hat attached from Michael's}.  We headed out the door and downtown to get down to business.

She had a blast.  Ok, well not at the first few houses.  I don't think that she realized that she had to talk to strangers in order to get the candy... WHICH I can't say that I was mad at.  {That's right baby, don't talk to strangers.}  But, after the first few houses, she got the hang of it and loved every minute of it... ESPECIALLY the houses that were giving out M&M's.  Seriously, they are like crack to my kid.

We trick-or-treated for about an hour or so, until her bag was overflowing, then headed home to give out our own treats.  

Cutest part?  She loved that JUST as much.  She would RUN to the door, grab handfuls of candy and say things like, "I love your Princess costume."  "Wow, that's a cool costume."  "Look, it's Superman!"  She was totally in the spirit of things and it couldn't have made our night any better.

We ended the night with one too many pieces of candy, and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  Seriously, perfection.

It only validated all my feelings about being away from Gwen on Christmas.  I just can't.  She is just going to be TOO much fun this year.  My sister-in-law said it best, her excitement makes it THAT much better and fun.  It really does.

That's A Good Plan.

We are now in the second week of preschool for Gwen, and {knock on wood} it's going great.

Last week, when leaving Gwen, we told her that we were "going to the store" and that we would be coming back for her right after.  She accepted our offer, and has been great since.

Today, when walking into her school she said to me...

"Mom, I'm going to school?"

"Yes, baby."

"And you go to the store?"

"Yup."

"Then I'll miss you, and then you come get me in a little bit?"

"Of course, I'll come get you in a little bit."

"Ok, Momma.  That's a good plan."

Ugh. Heart. Melt.

She's so excited to go, and I am excited to let her go, but it's nice to know that she's just excited to see me when I pick her up.  Good thing college is a loooong ways away, because I need to get it together before then!

Gwen celebrated her birthday at school today with cupcakes and Sophia the First party napkins that she picked out herself... and she was extra smiley when she walked out today.  She wore her birthday crown proudly, and was even more proud of the "I was a good helper today" pinned to her shirt.  

I couldn't be more proud.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday Baby Girl!

You are such a smart, sweet, beautiful, loving, funny, little girl with the BIGGEST personality.

You amaze us every single day, and we continuously feel blessed to have you in our lives.

You bring more joy to our world than we could have ever imagined...

You are simply amazing.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than anything in the whole wide world.

Happy Birthday Princess!

Gwen's Three Year Old Post.

Today {a week before she actually turns 3}, we went to the doctor for her three year old well visit.  We needed paper work filled out for her preschool {which she starts on her birthday! ahh!}

Let's just say, that my child may be 90% her father, but she most certainly inherited my hatred for doctors/doctors visits/shots/etc.  Lucky us.

Let me give you the rundown...

For the past few months, Gwen has become accustomed to doctor's visits meaning "Going to the baby doctor" to "check on Mommy's baby belly."  So, when I told her that we had to head out the doctor, that's what she expected, and when I told her that no we were going to her doctor... she flipped.

Now, it's been AWHILE since she has been to the doctor, so I am not sure what she remembers or what she associates with it, but let me tell you, it couldn't be good.

"No, Mommy, I don't wanna go for me.  Go for you!"

"Ok, sure."

Then we got to the office, and she panicked a little more.  I kept saying, "No worries, baby" all while singing the Doc McStuffins "Time for a checkup"  song a few times, which made her giggle.

We were called into the examination room, filled with cute pictures of animals that she named as she glanced around.  The nurse walked into the room with us, took down some info, then asked for Gwen to get on the scale.  As I picked her up and tried to put her down, she SCREAMED and began to cry.  She was so scared!  Of the scale!! 

I hugged and kissed her, and told her that I just wanted to see how tall she was, and after a few minutes, she unwrapped her legs from around me, and stood on the scale, with tears streaming down her face, lip quivering, like a sad little puppy.

I picked her back up and we sat together playing on the iPad, waiting for the doc to arrive.  Thankfully, she was still calm when the doc walked through the door, she said hello and gave her a smile.  I sat her on the examination table, while the doctor checked her heartbeat {she was a little nervous, but did fine}, and said "ahhhh" as she checked her throat {not a problem}.  Then the doctor tried to check her ears... holy crap, did that freak her out!  She was WAILING and squirming, screaming "Noooooooo."  I literally had hold both her hands in my one hand, squeeze her to my body and hold her head with my other hand as the doc sneaked a peak.  And shit, we weren't even to the "bad" part of the visit yet.

The doctor informed me that she needed to have a TB test for school. {Effin' awesome}  And wanted to know if I thought we needed a nurse to assist.  

Ummm, yeah.

So, the doctor returns, with her regular doctor, Dr. A {LOVE him!} to administer the 2 second test.  His gives me the usual rundown, "hug her and kiss her, so she doesn't look" and does the test...

Do you know those  children, the ones who are screaming BLOODY MURDER in the Doctor's office?  The ones who are scaring the living shit out of all the other kids waiting their turn??

Yeah, that was my child.

Dr. A says, "Okay, love you bye."  And hauls ass out of the room, leaving me with my distraught kid, lol.  

I think I promised everything but a pony to get her to stop crying.  

She finally did, we gather up ourselves, and headed for the door.  Stopping to pick up a "lolli" at the front desk, and then my child was normal again.  {Who knew?!}

It was eventful.  To say the least.

Turns out though, Gwen is great.  Dr. A said that she is "mature" for her age.  That she is right on track.  That she seems very bright and talks very well. {Proud Momma, here!}  She's 33 lbs and 40 inches tall!  She's cleared to start preschool next Monday, and hopefully won't have to go back anytime soon.  

I know you may be tired of hearing me say this, but I cannot believe that Gwen is going to be THREE.  I could cry!  I wish I could stop time.