Christa's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 7/28/03 -------------------- 7/24/03 7/4/03 6/13/03 5/6/03 4/27/03 4/23/03 4/15/03 3/17/03 3/12/03 3/6/03 3/3/03 2/24/03 2/19/03 2/18/03 2/14/03 1/25/03 1/15/03 12/28/02 12/23/02 4/10/01 3/3/01 1/17/01 1/10/01 4/4/00 3/28/00 3/15/00 3/8/00 3/5/00 3/1/00 2/23/00 2/16/00 2/9/00 2/2/00 1/26/00 1/18/00 1/13/00 1/12/00 1/5/00 -------------------- Christa's Introduction

March 28, 2000

Yep, we've definitely hit the "lovely" twos ... and she's not even 2 yet. I'm finding this age to be a real kick in the pants, both good and not so good. Her antics are entertaining and she's such a little lover ... always kissing and hugging me. Alexandria is a very independent little girl. I'm glad that she's that way ... I just need to keep reminding myself of that when she's in a full-blown tantrum because I won't let her watch Elmo at 3:00 a.m. (Yes, their love affair continues.)

For the past week, Alex has been in a funk of some sorts. It could be any combination of things. Her schedule has been disrupted by a long vacation, shuffling around with the other half of the parent unit, getting over being sick, changes at her daycare etc. Diaper and clothing changes are an all out battle most of the time. I've tried giving her choices, distraction, and even bribing. I have bruises on my arms from her thrashing about when she has shoes on. The past couple days of getting to and from daycare have turned us into a wreck. Alex screams and cries getting into the car, in the car, up the front walk of daycare and then stops, almost magically, once she's inside. She then happily sprints off to play, but gets upset when I leave. It's the same way coming home. I can't read her. She'll start crying when we leave ... but doesn't want me to hold her. While in the car, she'll have her arms stretched out to me, crying out my name ... but as soon as I make a move to touch her, she says NO and cries some more. Last night when we finally got home, she sprawled out on the living room flood crying for 15 minutes. I just left her there for the most part. I stayed within eyesight, and would go to her every few minutes to see if she wanted to be comforted in some way. Finally, she wanted up in my lap. I held her and cuddled her, talking softly. After that, she was fine. Please say this is a stage they go through! I'm beginning to get a complex!

Our vacation down to California was wonderful. It was sunny and warm so we spent a lot of time outside (a novelty for us Oregonians!). We also had her dedication ceremony at my church. Alexandria was quite the ham. As we were standing up in the front of the congregation, she was squirming and laughing in my arms, so I put her down. She planted herself right in the middle of the aisle with a big smile on her face. A few people started snickering which in turn got her laughing ... and then, got everyone else laughing. Within a few moments, it was a cycle of laughing. Alex was in her prime. She had her audience. She was posing, doing things to get a laugh ... just working the crowd. It was a great ceremony. Short and to the point. My best friend sang a little diddy for Alli (thanks Jess!) and some of my friends tagged along for the occasion. My mom's group sang and my mom played the piano (thanks!). One of the highlights for Alex was my mom letting her play the organ after church. Alex even pretends to turn the pages and plays with her fingers, instead of her whole hand. I like to think that it comes from watching me play at home all the time.

Classes started this week for me again. I'm taking yoga ... something I've always wanted to take. My doctor told me that I need to do something for me, to eliminate some of the stress in my life b/c it's affecting my health. My dad, the self-called "Expert on Stress", said that I need to do something that wasn't work, school, or Alli *gasp*. So yoga it is. I'm also planning to escape to my aunt's beach house a few weekends this term while Alli is with the other parent unit. I want to drag out my neglected paints and brushes and plant myself on the back deck to paint the seascape. Aahhh ... ... I can already hear the ocean now ...

Now that I've written a book, I hope everyone is happy and healthy!!

As ever, Chandra ~~+~~ Alexandria

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