Week 206 – January 6 – 12, 2020
Grandma Carol is in town this week! She brought Grandpa Darrell (aka Grandpa Grumpy) for a few days as well. He’s staying until Tuesday, but she is staying for almost two weeks!
Grandma Carol ordered you some princess decorations to make your bathroom more comfortable for your potty training journey. Now you love just hanging out in the bath tub. I bet it works in the end and will help with potty training!
Week 207 – January 13 – 19, 2020
You have been going through a little angry faze the past month or so. It’s especially bad when we have visitors, but I think it’s just from the fact that you get over-stimulated. It’s only really bad when it’s time to get ready for bed. Again, I think that you’re having so much fun with Grandma Carol that you don’t want it to end.
Grandma Carol left on Wednesday, but we celebrated your birthday before she left. You and her made a cake and she got you a few presents.
We toured a pre-school for the first time this week. I can’t believe we have to start looking at schools for you. You’re growing up! This place was nice, but a little far from home. You loved it because they had a lot of toys and are more of a “play-based” school. You actually cried when we had to leave.
You and mom went to see Frozen 2 on Saturday. It had been a while since you and mom had mommy/daughter time, so I know this was special for your mom. You loved the movie and had a great time – you even managed to spend almost $40 at the concession stand 
This week you went with me to deliver Meals on Wheels Sunday. I usually go by myself, so it was extra special when you said you wanted to go with me! The reason I stared doing Meals on Wheels was so that we could do it as a family. I’m hoping that you will remember these trips and understand that we are more fortunate than most and we have to do what we can to help others. It was freezing cold, but you did a great job and had fun! After every stop you would ask “Who is next?” and “What do they get?” and then you would tell me what you wanted to carry. It was a lot of fun and a special time!
Things you are saying:
- “You never let me finish what I’m saying!”
- “You are saying everything that makes me mad!”
- “Duh!”
Week 208 – January 20 – 26, 2020
Little Houey started wearing his patch this week. It’s not going to be easy but it’s necessary to make sure his eye is strong when he’s older. He’s taking it pretty well and doing a great job. I think it’s harder on your mom than it is on him.
We visited pre-school #2 this week. This one was closer to the house in New Albany. It was nice; a little smaller and not as fancy as the one we saw last week. The teachers were nice and If I had to choose today, we would have you go there. It’s still crazy and sad that we are looking at schools for you. You are growing up way too fast! I’m excited for all that you will discover and the friends you will make, but it’s still sad.
We went to grandma’s house this weekend to celebrate your birthday. You wanted a Paw Patrol birthday with blue cake and blue icing. Link and Heather came over on Saturday and we had pizza and cake with ice cream. You and grandma made the cake together earlier in the day. I know she enjoyed sharing that moment with you! I was just a little upset you didn’t save me any batter to lick! Your gifts:
- Butter Beans Food truck
- Barbie car and trailer
- Anna and Elsa costumes plus an Elsa wig
- Frozen LEGO jewelry case
- Furry jacket with ears
Week 209 – January 27 – February 2, 2020
I can’t believe you are turning 4! It is amazing how much you have grown and how much your personality is shining through. If you ask your grandma, she would say you are a spitting image of your mother at this age. We started your birthday with breakfast at Bob Evans, then we went to Build-a-Bear, and then we had dinner at Chuy’s. What a great day!!
Some of my favorite moments from this past year:
- You taking everything so literal. For example – if you fall off the chair, we will ask are you ok? Did you hit your head? You will then say “I’m ok. I didn’t jump off the chair and try to bang my head!”
- You took a picture with Urban Meyer at one of the OSU basketball games.
- We took you to see Disney’s Frozen on Ice.
- We took a trip to Indianapolis as our last trip as a family of 3.
- We took you to the memorial to watch tiger woods golf.
- You became a big sister on July 11, 2019 when we welcomed your brother Houston to our family. You are a great big sister and i can’t wait to watch you two grow up together.
- you fell in love with pickles and popcorn while we watch movies
- You love helping me clean around the house!
Week 210 Feb. 3 – 9, 2020
You reached a milestone this week in the bath. You finally were brave enough to hold your breath and go under water. Now you can’t stop doing it! You plug your nose, and right before you go under, you say “bye!” – it’s cute!
Week 211 Feb. 10 – 16, 2020
Not much went on this week around the house. We had the death stomach bug. It got all of us but Lil Houston. It was something we picked up in Sandusky as like six other people in mom’s family got sick as well. I tried to go to work Monday morning but can only last until 10. It got us good as me and your mom we’re down for the count
Week 212 February 17 – 23, 2020
We are just now recovering from our sickness! You and Houey still aren’t fully recovered as you both still have the poops pretty bad.
Now that you are 4, one of the cute things you are doing is referring to things you did when you were 4. “ I tried these when I was 4” “Remember when we played this game when I was 4”
Week 213 Feb. 24 – March 1, 2020
We celebrated my 37th birthday this week. Yikes!!
You picked out a few thing for me from the Dollar store, which is my favorite thing about holidays and birthdays. You got me a blue star balloon, happy birthday balloon and a Spider-Man puzzle. I loved it all! We have done the puzzle at least ten times. You also wanted to make cupcakes with me. When you woke up in the morning you were so excited to look at the back of the box and tell me how much of each ingredient was needed. You were also excited to both wear our aprons! We had fun!
We didn’t go out to eat on my birthday because of lent, so we decided to go to Chuys on Saturday. We did this so we could fully enjoy dinner, but Houston had other plans! He was super fussy and was hysterically crying the whole time. We had to pack up our food and take it home. Later that night he had a HUGE poop, so he probably just had a belly ache during dinner.
We also got you a potty training piggy bank to hopefully help with potty training. Every time you go pee, you get to put two quarters in the bank and every time you go poop, you put four quarters in the bank. In the end, you get to pick out a BIG toy!
Week 214 March 2 – 8, 2020
You did a great job potty training this week. Me and mom were so proud of you! You only had one accident and I think it’s because you were spinning with the chair and got excited. You started riding your bike again and are improving every time!
Week 215 March 9 – 15
It’s been a crazy week! I started working from home this week. There has been a crazy and very serious coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 is a deadly flu-like virus that started in China and has now made its way the United States. Some doctors are calling it a once-in-a-lifetime event. People are panicking buying up all the essentials at the grocery store. Your mom had to go to the store at 6 am just to get what we needed and some extra toilet paper. The stores are out of toilet paper, paper towels, canned foods, meats, and bread. On Sunday, the governor of Ohio shut down all bars and restaurants to dine-in customers. We can only order carry out or delivery. Schools have been canceled for at least three weeks. March madness has been canceled. All major sports have been delayed or canceled. The NCAA has canceled all spring championships.
It’s weird, but hopefully it ends soon!
On a good note- you are doing a great job with potty training. You are having a tough time with pooping in the toilet, but peeing is going great. You skipped right over the paw patrol potty and started using your Minnie Mouse seat on the big toilet.
Week 216 March 16 – 22
Things are getting crazier with the Covid-19 virus! For the most part, the city has been shut down. We only leave the house for basic essentials. This is like nothing we have seen before.
On Sunday, the state was officially put on lockdown, meaning that we can’t leave our homes unless it’s an essential need. This includes medical, food, groceries, and gas. We have been pretty much on lockdown since this all started, so it’s not much different for us. The government is taking drastic steps to try and stop the spread of the virus.
- “Can I call her Patti too?”
- “For the love!” You got this from your mom!
Week 217 March 23 – 29
Things are still weird with the coronavirus outbreak! This is basically week 2 of the lockdown. Your mom has been doing an amazing job making sure we have all the essential items we need and are well fed. She’s also being creative and making sure you stay entertained.
On the brighter side, Houey officially started crawling this week! Watch out, because there is no stopping him now. I have my work-from-office set up in the guest room and you have taken a liking to hanging out in there with me. Some times you struggle with being quiet when I’m on a video or conference call, but it’s ok! You also want to be on the camera when I’m having a video call with my team. It’s cute and they all love seeing you! I built you a fort on the guest bed so you would have something to do. This is especially useful when you need to hang out with me while I do work and your mom needs time to do her prayers and have some alone time.
You have also been doing an amazing job with potty training! I’m going to say that you are now officially potty trained!! It was a struggle for a while, but it is true when they say kids will start potty training when they are ready – no sooner! That was so true with you. It was frustrating at times, but we knew you could do it! You’re cute when you go: take off your clothes, get your stool and seat, go pee and/or poop (look in the toilet to see if you pooped), flush, get your quarters (2 for pee/4 for poop), put them in the potty piggy bank, spray, wash your hands, put your clothes back on. It’s a long process, but worth the time!
You are also finally getting into your scooter and Elsa bike and getting better every day!
Week 218 March 30 – April 5
The world is still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. So we never forget, here are the crazy things happening:
- Schools closed the beginning of March and will not re-open until the fall
- All bars are closed and restaurants are drive-thru or take out only.
- The zoo and other activity places are all closed.
- Lots of small businesses are shut down and probably will never open again.
- We have to wear masks to the grocery store.
- Social distancing is implemented, which means we have to stay 6 ft. away from other people.
- We really haven’t socially interacted with other people since February. Only from a distance or via Facetime.
- All sports have been canceled and all the talk now is whether or not seasons will be finished or if MLB and college football will even have a season this fall.
- It’s hard to find toilet paper and sanitizer wipes at the grocery store. We have to look at social media sites and see who reports on stores that have stuff.
We did have some nice weather and were able to spend time outside. Your mom made a really cool chalk obstacle course outside for you. We also had a virtual game night with Cristina, MR, and their families. Lots of fun!
