Moving to where?

So after celebrating the big 0 1, the law was laid down and Anjalie had to pack her things an head to her own room. I felt bad at first, I mean, she did spend 12 months sleeping in the same room with us, but I new it was time for her to go. So the night came and I waited for her to be really tired before I placed her in her bed, in her room. I closed the door and returned to our room. I listened to the monitor intently to see if she was ok, she was talking to herself and soon after the air was silent. She was fast asleep. I figured she would wake up in the middle of the night and cry for us, but she didn't, there was not a peep from her. I think I was more worried that she was because she work up in the morning with a smile. Needless to say, I have been fortunate in dealing with life's moments. Not all mothers are lucky to have children that experience things so easily. I've heard tons of stories where things didn't go as smoothly and I felt so horrible for the parents, but I've realized that I should not have to apologize for my experiences. The Lord places us in situation he knows we are capable of handling, these situations make us tougher as parents, so when the big stuff does happen we are equipped to deal with it. So what would I have done if she did not take so well to the move? Well I'd have removed all the toys she use to have in the crib and placed her sleep teddy with her blanket and musical sea horse in there only (all sleep time materials needed). Each nap she took would take place in her crib. I would work up to an overnight in the crib until I know she's comfortable there. Now don't get me wrong, there are going to be times when the water works are turned on and you heart is wrenching because you just want to hold her and kiss her and make it all better, but having a 25 year old attached to your hips isn't a great picture plus what kind of functioning adult would you be raising. Some parents would say "Well I let my son/daughter sleep with me till they were 10 and they are fine." To that statement I would reply "What type of marriage do you and your husband have? Do you get that alone time? When was the last time you and your husband cuddled at night with your 10 year old in bed with you?" We would to love to have our children close to us all the time but we as parents have to be confident in the way we raise our children. I miss my daughter when she sleeps (which is a little weird) but every night before i close my eyes I place her in God's hands and I know he's protecting her, and believe that he ultimately knows what's best for her. On that note, I wanted to say that our hearts go out to the families that were affected by the devastion in Aurora, Colorado. Angels have been called home for reasons unbeknownst to us, we can only hope that they were needed to watch over others. I pray they are able to take this tragedy and turn it into a positive event to show that from the darkness light always prevails. Till next time...

Who am I?

When I became pregnant I found that even though I read every possible book there was available I still felt lost in a sea of baby products and what the do's and don't's were for baby. I didn't know where to go or who to get advise from. So I decided to create a blog discussing things I've encountered and sharing my experience with others. I do not claim to know everything and I am not paid to endorce an company, its just plain experience. So who am I? Well I'm a mother of one little girl. She just turned one and it's a new adventure. She's a busy bee and I find myself going down for naps from time to time. I'm also married to an amazing man and even though sometimes he acts like a man, he's still a gem. I'm a teacher and I also tutor students in all areas but my specialty is Reading. I believe reading is very important and should be nutured at a very young age. Most children can read on a second or third grade level by the time they are readybto graduate hig school but suffer tremendously when it comes to comprehension. If you read my blog and learn nothing from it remember when reading to your child, ask your child questions about what you or they read. And I don't just mean questions that they can go back in the book and find the answer to, but critical questions where they have to really think about the question. Not all questions will have a specific answer and maybe open ended which result in having several differs answers. I hope this helps, till next time!

Anjalie is one! Now what?

My daughter turned one last week Wednesday. It was proud day for me and my husband and even though we did the big "who ra" in Trinidad with all her family, I still felt guilty that we werent going to do anything huge on the actual day. To say the least she got ballons and her very own, homemade cupcake with sprinkles (which she ended having an allergic reaction to) but to say the least it ended up being a special day. I know she will have no recollection of this day, I think it was more for me. So after that day passes, now what? We are programmed and by now have become experts in what our children need to grow. Either formula or breastmilk, puréed food, maybe some cereal and that's about it. Now that she's turn one it's a whole new ball game. I have to start transitioning her to whole milk at least 16oz a day. My daughter barely drinks 6oz twice a day how am I going to manage that. She's becoming the most pickiest eater and only wants to eat snacks. On the upside she love drinking from a straw and drinks anything. All I have to say is when your pregnant you were judge of what was good or bad for you and your baby. When your bundle of joy is born its pretty much cut and dry as to what to feed your baby. Once they turn one they become little people that you now have to really monitor and teach how to be good eaters which in turn will affect them for the rest of their lives. Anybody got a handbook for that????