Life Improves Momentarily

I'm going to quick write about how it's going better, quick before we take two steps back. :)
We have been having Evangelistic meetings this whole past week. That means church every night, and while I haven't gotten there eeeeevvvery night, I think we did pretty good. I was kinda dreading it. Sunday morning wears me out! Why would I want to go more than that? let alone every night!?!?! Well, I am glad to report that G is actually kinda enjoying it, and has gotten much better at sitting still for small periods of time and actually looking at a book quietly by herself for a little bit!! Every now and then I realize that my child has been sitting nicely and quietly, and I heard a few consecutive sentences from the speaker uninterrupted!!! I smile and look proudly at my well behaved little girl sitting or standing beside me. :) One thing that may have helped is that I am trying to be more proactive. I took her to MD the other night before church and had her run and run and run in the playground. that was before it got soo cold! The last few nights I just got there a few min early and had her run laps in the basement before going up to sit.

One thing I may have learned (just in case it doesn't last long) is that she is able to obey better, if I smile at her while telling her what or what not to do. I don't know if this is typical and I'm a slow parent, or if this is unique to her, or if it's because of her fight or flight tendency. Either way, a child who responds the way you hope they will is much more fun to be around, so I will be smiling more!!

Anyone else have crazy cold weather!?!? this morning at 8 my weather app said 19* and it said it feels like 2*!! A few days ago we were going outside with a light jacket! BBRRRR!!

  

The other day, I settled into the sofa figuring I would soon have a little girl bouncing on top of me, but, lo and behold, she picked up my book instead, settled into some cushions and pretended to read! The book she chose was ummm, interesting... I thought maybe she was self diagnosing?

Oh yes, I don't want to forget! she has learned her full name! "Umbreya" Kate Landis. The last two are very clear. I told her my last name is Landis too, and grandma's name is Landis and .... anyway, after going through a long list of people with the name of Landis, she somehow must have decided that anyone with the name of Landis also has the name Kate! When I asked her who gave her the pretty thanksgiving card, she says 'Grandma Kate Landis!!" and yes, Ginny, I got it on video.

Another thing that has/had been going better is morning time. She sleeps in her own bed till sometime in the morning ( anytime between 4-6am) then comes and climbs in with me. I was getting sooo frustrated because she was coming over but now settling down and going back to sleep. Lately (holding my breath) she comes over, I lift her in bed and cover her and we both go right to sleep! no kicking! no wiggling or odd noises, just blissful sleep! Understand why I can right a nice positive blog post?! I'm getting some sleep!

We went to Hershey to see my niece, the children's wing is so nice for children, she loved running around trying all the colorful things.

In the Parking Garage elevator. 1st time she could see outside and see we were actually going up and down. SHe loved it! We may or may not have gone up and down multiple times.

Favorite pastime