But here's a run-down, sans photos or cool videos, of the recent happenings at the Saso house:
Halloween
This Halloween was quite eventful. Maria had been having a good time practicing saying "trick-or-treat" (sounded more like "chi-cha-CHEE!"), and saying "BOO!" everytime she passed a ghost decoration in our house. She was enjoying Halloween... that is until the big day finally arrived.
I attempted to dress Maria in her adorable bee costume at about 9:00 that morning to go to the stroller shape-up class we'd been attending. The costume was so cute - a black and yellow striped leotard with a yellow tutu. She loved it 2 months ago when I bought it at a kids' re-sale shop. Everytime she passed it hanging up she would enthusiastically say, "BUZZ, BUZZ, Mama!" She loves the Laurie Berkner song, 'Buzz, Buzz' - so I (mistakenly) thought the costume would be a home run, no doubt in my mind. WRONG! That morning, she refused to let me put it on her. And when I finally wrestled her into it anyway, thinking that she'd get over it once it was on, she threw a tantrum for the record books. She flailed around on the floor, yanking at the cute little tu-tu. She actually ripped a piece off in the process...
Fifteen minutes and a pacifier later, we were off to stroller class dressed in the cute little Halloween sweater Nonna had gotten her. Oh well. There has still the evening, right? Ha ha, mama.....
So when daddy came home later that night, we took the costume over to Nonna's and attempted the it once again, while mommy, daddy and Nonna cheered her on and tried all the distractions we knew. (I'll attach the video or link to it here when it's available). I promise this video will come back to haunt Maria in her teens!
Bottom line: we put Maria's adorable costume on her giant bunny, and dragged bunny along with us trick-or-treating. It was pretty funny explaining the story at each doorstep - we got some laughs! But by 7:30, we were all pooped and ready to go home. What a day!
Maria's first haircut (Nov. 20, 2007 - age 21 months)
Needless to say, after the Halloween fiasco I wasn't planning on the haircut going smoothly. I just knew Maria wasn't going to wear a smock or actually sit in the same spot for more than 10 seconds. I prepared myself for a battle: I brought every bribe I had in my arsenal along in the diaper bag. I was ready!!!
Based on numerous reccomendations, we went to the Hairy Elephant, a kids hair salon, in O'Fallon, where"Miss Erica" eased Maria right into the routine. First she lured her into the elevated "jeep" with an Elmo video (have I mentioned she's obsessed with Elmo?). Then she gave her a bubble wand and bubble juice to blow at Elmo and mommy. And Miss Erica started spraying her head with water, combing, clipping it up, and cutting. "What?!?" I thought, where's the meltdown? Maria didn't budge! When she started to squirm about 10 minutes into the haircut (about 9 minutes and 50 seconds longer than I thought she'd sit!), Miss Erica gave Maria her very first sucker, and Maria was sold! She sat for the rest of the 15 minute process, and even let Miss Erica put in TWO cute little pony-tails (Mommy has only achieved that feat once -about 6 months ago.) I was so excited and proud, you'd think she won an Academy Award! I beamed all around the store, buying her some new bath toys and bows, spending almost as much as I pay for a haircut, once the shopping and generous tipping was over. We immediately called Daddy when we got into the car, and mommy bragged all the way home about how great the first haircut experience was. Maria even allowed them to take a picture and they gave her a certificate with a few of shed curls attached. (I've tried to upload it today with no luck...)
Anyway, I'm as proud as a peacock of my little girl and her patience today. I guess I just don't give her enough credit...
Later that day...
We got home from the fantastic haircut experience, and Maria was exhausted (or so I thought). I popped her in her crib, with the paci and blanket and closed the door behind me as always. I jumped online to check my email, and heard the loud THUD and scream. Yep, she had quietly crawled out of the crib and fell onto the floor. Not knowing how she landed, I went into panic mode. Did she have a concussion? Broken ribs? Dislocated shoulder??? I gently poked and patted every inch of her, and decided I thought she had a bump on the top of her head. WHen she said, "No Mama!" to my poking, and requested Elmo, I was a little reassured. I called her pediatrician anyway, and they gave me things to watch for and check. I wanted to keep her awake to watch for signs of a concussion, so we watched Elmo (AGAIN!) and Maria proceeded to laugh, dance, and sing in all of the usual spots. She was getting tired (it was 3:00 by this time), so I layed her down, cracked the door, and turned up the monitor, listening to her every breath. I even made some extra noise to rouse her a few times throughout the nap, and she responded. So, for now, I'm going with the idea that she is OK. But I haven't been that scared in a long time... I 'll let you know if Family Services comes knocking at my door!
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