Category Archives: Arianna

Going cold turkey

Posted by Misty Mom on 24/06/2011 1 comments

2 days ago I decided on the spur of the moment that Arianna’s potty training (PT) MUST start now. All this time I had been putting it off because I didn’t want to traumatise her coz apparently PT shouldn’t be forced and should be done when the child is ready. Sadly, I must have missed my cue coz although we had tried pull-ups, it worked once. And that once was the only time she said that she wanted to change her nappy coz it was wet and I told her that it was coz she wee-ed and she needed to do it in the toilet. Since then, she stopped telling me about the wet pull-ups and we went downhill from there.

While a lot of parents are finding it hard to get their kids to poo on the toilet, that is not the problem here. I have no issues getting her to poo on the toilet but she had in the past, flat out refused to even sit on the toilet because to her toilet meant poo and you dont do that several times a day (in her mind). So everytime I tried to get her on, it was a losing battle on my part. She’d carry out and scream and cry…until I gave up. It wasn’t until 2 days ago that I decided that its going to stop and PT must start and I kept to my word.

Yesterday, we went cold turkey. O, I forgot to mention that the other reason why I thought now would be the best time was because she had begun taking off her nappy and pants on her own, and putting her panties on for fun so I decided to make full use of the situation. After all, if she can undress and dress herself, that makes things a wee bit easy! :) Anyway, yesterday morning after changing out of their PJs, I told Arianna she wasn’t putting on any nappies coz she was a big girl and had to wee in the toilet. At that time, to her everything is, ‘Ok Mum’ coz she didn’t what was going to happen.

I wasn’t surprised that not long after, she wet her pants and was most destressed about it but I told her that it was alright, just change into another set. She wet herself 3 more times before it was time for arvo nap and she had had enough. lol She pestered me to put her into a nappy but I told her no coz she’s a big girl and only time to wear nappy is to bed. Still not happy but she accepted it.

Today, I did the same thing (made sure I washed those long pants last night in case it happened again today) but this time, she actually told me, ‘Wee is coming Mummy!!’ while holding on to her front. So I quickly got her into the toilet to wee but not without a lot of crying as well coz she just didnt want to do it on the toilet but this time, I forced her on, crying and all, and she wee-ed!! ^.^ O, how I praised her and told her what a good girl she was, clapping and if I could, I would have done a jig as well! lol And yes, all this while she was still crying of course. lol

But after that first time, we were set to go. About 15 mins later, she told me the same thing and we rushed into the toilet, and although she was just a smidgen upset about getting on, she still did. And about 1hr later, again she told me and this time she actually said, ‘This is fun!’ O.o I had no response to that BUT I think she has finally recognise the feel of what it feels like when you need to wee which is simply excellent!! I even got KR to clap and praise her so she was most pleased. :)

I reckon the light at the end of the super dark PT tunnel is getting brighter. ^.^

The SHELL

Posted by Misty Mom on 22/06/2011 None comments

I suppose it’s all a part of growing up. Arianna aka the poop police, has never missed a nappy changing session, be it Brandon’s or KR’s. Not too sure what’s so interesting about the whole thing but apparently it is an exciting moment if there is poop, otherwise it’s “Never mind….next time”. lol Gets me laughing all the time!

Yesterday, she suddenly realised that Brandon’s bits are different from hers. We refer to our privates as bits – I reckon it’s more kid friendly and can be used for a long time coming. Anyway, it was as if a ton of bricks hit her and she went, “Hey, bubba’s got a shell!”. I very nearly burst out laughing but I didn’t coz she had her serious face on and it was not a laughing matter, you see.

So I in turn, with much difficulty trying not to laugh, explained to her that he is a boy so his bits are different to a girls. I told her that Brandon and daddy is the same, while KR and herself are the same as Mummy. She looked at me, digesting it for a bit, I could literally hear the clicking going on in her head by just looking at her eyes.

After awhile, I said, “Is that ok?” and she with this new found knowledge said, “Yes, thank you Mummy” and hopped off the bed. I reckon she is still in doubt but coming to terms with it coz today, she still called it a shell while I was changing Brandon but at least she wasn’t too surprised. She’s funny, that kid. :P

And bubba loses out

Posted by Misty Mom on 10/06/2011 None comments

There are times when I wish I could just pack the kids off and sell them on eBay, the girls especially but on other days, I get fits of laughter just listening to the various (sometimes one-way) conversations that take place right before my eyes. This happened not too long ago while Arianna was having some apple as we waited for roadside assistance. Our car broke down when we were on the way to Beresfield to visit my aunt.

(While Brandon was watching Arianna very intently)
Arianna : O dear! Sorry bubba, you got no teeth. No apple for you….

Lol Poor kid wasn’t sure what to say to that, he wasn’t amused that he wasn’t getting a piece of whatever it was Arianna was having and he did make an attempt to inform me that it was most unjust. :P Arianna on the other hand, enjoyed every bit of the apple. And KR….let’s just say that if I ever needed someone to chew and spit bits of apple all over the floor, I know who I can totally rely on to do a good job of it!

Government hospitals are the same everywhere

Posted by Misty Mom on 08/06/2011 None comments

On Monday, Arianna was not her usual self. She woke up fine and all but by 1.30pm, she was complaining that she was cold and asked for a jacket which I obliged coz it is winter. Then she asked to go to bed which was so unlike her but I wasn’t going to keep her up. One Energizer battery kid running around is more than enough for me so she had her milk and went to bed. This time, she was crying and saying, ‘So cold, so cold!’ and I was beginning to get a bit scared. So I changed her into her onesuit PJs and threw on a doona and she went to bed, straight away.

I checked her temp and it was alright, slight fever with I dealt with by giving her some Panadol. After she woke up, she seemed a lot better and almost fine. She was eating and all. But since we couldn’t bath the kids in the tub, there are some leaking issues that has to be taken cared of, we all got bundled up and went to MIL’s to bathe.

Right after her hot bath, as I was changing her, she started saying she was cold again and this time, I could visibly see her shaking. Lips slightly blue – I was really scared now so I mentioned it to Ted without MIL hearing else she’d freak out. Ted said perhaps she’s just feeling cold after the bath but I wasn’t 100% convinced. Anyhoo, she was whinging and carrying on at MILs that by the time we reached home, she was like a dead fish. So limp and lethargic and apparently very hot so Ted decided that it was best to take her to the medical centre.

But it was already shut by the time they got there – that was slightly after 10pm hence they made their way to the Westmead Children’s Hospital. The last time we were there was when Arianna sort of dislocated her elbol and we thought it was the shoulder and it took forever to get looked at. I was praying that it wouldn’t take long.

Apparently my prayers were not answered and it was only at 4.30am or so (YES, in the MORNING) that it was finally their turn. OMG….I just cannot imagine what it was like for my poor baby waiting so freaking long to get checked out. And poor Ted, after work we rushed over to MILs and all and then had to deal with this crap. OMG….just unbelievable!! I couldn’t sleep a wink so I was up waiting for them. Poor Arianna must have been so hungry! But Ted told me that she was running amok at the hospital around midnight and she was looking fine! lol :P That bit was funny…but he also told me that she finally crashed on the sofa just before being called so she was very upset about being woken up. Poor thing!! She handled it very well for a child who was not well and I am so proud of her.

After waiting around for about 6hrs, Ted was told that it was most likely some UTI and some of the symtoms were running nose when she didn’t really have one and the fever too. So yesterday, we managed to get a wee sample and sent it off to the lab. We’re really hoping for some good news.

Today, she is 96% her usual self and I know this from the fact that she has begun terrorising KR again, screaming and playing more but she isn’t drinking much milk and since they were both out in the cold so early that morning, I’m sure her cold was due to that. And now, I’ve been infected….sore throat and stuffy nose. *sigh* I hope Ted doesn’t get infected coz there’s the long weekend coming up but if he does, it’s really nothing new. :P

“I am robot! I am robot!”

Posted by Misty Mom on 18/05/2011 1 comments

Arianna is absolutely facinated with robots. I reckon it all started with Lazytown’s Robbie Rotten when he turned himself into a Soccer-bot. (Me remembering this just goes to show that I’m watching too much kids shows!!) Since then, every other thing or day, she goes robot crazy.

In Kulim, she stuck a basket over her head and went about the WHOLE beeping and clicking, and sounding like a robot, and now this :

Working on her blocks
Buzy piecing her blocks together to form…

Mummy in block form
ME! ^.^ Cute little thing that she is….

And then, I asked her to build another one and she did this :

Arianna in block form
This is herself. And there is a difference….apparently her hair isn’t that big as mine. lol :P

Aaahhh, my little baby is growing up so fast! We are now seriously thinking about sending her to child care so that she can learn to intereact with other kids and well, just to let her socialize. She’s not turned 4 yet so I’m hoping we didn’t leave it too late. I’m glad that we got KR to keep her company so while they are good to keep each other company, too long together and they are at each other’s throats! Will have to get stuck into it pretty soon though….

Proud of her work
Arianna….turning 4 in August. :)

I love medicine!!

Posted by Misty Mom on 13/04/2011 None comments

There is a bug going around these days and on top of the silly weather we’ve been having, it was no surprise that Arianna caught the cold twice in a month! Poor thing had a snuffly nose and all. Needless to say, poor KR copped it too but thankfully, not the second time around. She had a couple restless nights but nothing too bad. And I thank the Lord that Brandon got scot free! Except for a slightly wet nose, he was good. Thank you loquid gold!! As for me, I escaped the second round too. Phew!!

When you’ve not been sick for a long time and suddenly you do, man….everything is just painful!! While I was sick like a dog, I kept thinking of the poor girls and how they must be suffering. But somehow they dont seem to show it or perhaps they dont know how. I had a bad throat and those Strepsils were no help at all. In fact, I think it made my throat worst!

Anyway, the one good thing is that I don’t need to worry if I need to medicate Arianna. She is one VERY willing child to take medicine. She looks forward to it too!! >.<

Me : Arianna, please finish your lunch so that we can take medicine ok?
Arianna : YAY!!! Medicine!!! I love medicine, Mummy!! YAY!!! I love medicine!!
Me : ??

But with KR, you’d have to coax a little before she takes the medicine and even that, she does it most unwillingly. Since that time, the girls have been getting their Vit C chewables to help boost their immune system. But I think nothing beats freshly squeezed oranges which I have totally run out off. And it’s days like these I wished that I had my bloody driving license!! Arrrggh….sometimes I really do myself in! :/

Face painting

Posted by Misty Mom on 04/04/2011 None comments

We went shopping at Westfield Parramatta on Saturday after I got my new glasses adjusted and were very lucky that there was a fairy doing free face painting for the kids! ;) Arianna had never gone for one and I was so surprised that she was eager to try it out. In fact, she did not even hesitate when the fairy called her over to sit down and pick something she’d like to get painted. It really took me by surprise.

face painting4 @ 02042011
When I saw this, I thought she had picked a clown face and I thought how befitting it was…she really is a clown for most times!

But apparently she picked a cat face. :P

face painting3 @ 02042011
This kitten is mighty pleased with her new look. :P

But I have to say that I was a little concerned with the black color they used coz its on her lips BUT I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt because they SHOULD know that these are kids they are dealing with, hence proper safety and care should be taken into consideration where the ink is concerned. Then again, Arianna is old enough not to lick stuff off purposely so it’s all good.

face painting2
Daddy showing her what she looked liked and she was tickled with the ‘mask’.

When we got home, the paint has smudge a fair bit and she asked to wash it off which we gladly did. And then she asked us where the cat had gone….we told her, “It got washed down the drain!”. LOL :P She thought it was funny too…so don’t worry, there were no stressed out kid hurt from this response. :D

Another particular child

Posted by Misty Mom on 07/03/2011 None comments

This is what happens when I have nothing to blog about….I start to bloghop (a bit) and then something I read reminds me about something I can blog about! :P

I read on Kara’s blog that she’s got a particular kid. Guess what? Arianna is my particular kid!! And the similarities between these 2 children from across the globe is scary…… O.o While Arianna doesn’t arrange her veg like this (she’s more of a meat eater these days), she’s VERY particular about her pillows. They have to be arranged a certain way and her bed toys ie chicken, Fish, Small Bear, Tiny Bear and Duck, has to be arranged on her left in a certain order. If I get it wrong, she’ll be sure to tell me about it and correct me instantly. The same goes for her toys during playtime.

Omg, she can get REALLY anal fussed if I move her pram away from the spot she put it in, even though it’s right smack in the middle of our livingroom. >.< And if she had left her teacup with the spoon in it, woe be the person who removes it from the cup….your days are numbered, my friend! Be forewarned…..and I don’t need to say that that child has the memory of a hundred elephants!

While that would be excellent once she starts school and all, but for now….I have to be wary of what I say else she’ll remind me continously. It’s like that, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” thing all over again! A classic example :

Me : You can have some jelly beans after naptime.
Arianna : Naptime first, then jelly beans. Ok Mommy?
Me : Ok…. (Before I can take my next breath….)
Arianna : Jelly beans please Mommy?
Me : Naptime first, then jelly beans, Arianna…I just told you that.
Arianna : Ok Mommy! Naptime first, then jelly bean.
Me : Correct..later
Arianna : Later…Naptime first, then jelly bean. *Here’s where I start rolling my eyes*

The moment her eyes open and she’s not even out of bed yet….

Arianna : Jelly beans, Mommy?
Me : ????

As for KR? Aaahh….sometimes I wonder how is it possible that they are related! :P

When sticker(s) met Arianna

Posted by Misty Mom on 10/02/2011 None comments

While I was suppose to be doing something else (something about electronic cigarette or rather), as usual, I got distracted and started going through my Flickr account and chanced upon this pix.

I reckon it’s absolutely priceless….well, at least to me it is since she IS m kid! lol :P This is what happens when you mix (sort of) stickers with kids…..

CIMG0321
Yup! You get a “sticker-ed” kid…and mind you, Arianna loved sticking all those Simpson stickers on her face too! Thought it was funny, and well…she was right! :P

Sisterly bonding

Posted by Misty Mom on 20/01/2011 None comments

The girls are growing up so fast that I can’t believe Arianna is turning 4 this year and KR will be 2 in April!! O.o How the heck did that happen??? And omg, Ted and I will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary!! O.O Crikey….imagine that. :)

Anyway, with the girls growing up together like this, I am seeing the advantages of having a narrow age gap between children. While I am suffering (in silence) because of the narrow age gap when it comes to disciplining (we forget and tend to treat KR as if she was almost 4 when she’s really a lot younger) and dividing attention fairly, one of the advantages I noticed is that they can play nicely together (when they want to). And Ariann being the elder one, she seem to have taken it up on herself to be the teacher so she teaches KR what she knows. It’s really very cute when she corrects KR about animals and letters. lol :P I’ll have to look up the video. This is them coloring together – one of those precious few moments of happiness before the fighting starts on who gets what color! :/

Coloring together

Coloring together

Coloring together

I wonder what it’s going to be like when Arianna has another little to handle?? LOL Dividing anything 3 ways means a smaller portion for her and mind you, she’s got a bit of kiasu-ness in her!!