rule of thumb... 21 days

I've been told that the rule of thumb is that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit. The habit that I'm working on is Grace's, and it's been happening since birth... thumb sucking. She always loved her thumb and wasn't stopping without intervention. After scouring the internet about 6 months ago, I decided to try Mavala STOP. It's a clear polish that you paint on the nail. It's terribly bitter - trust me, I've tried it myself - and people swear by it. It definitely worked on Grace, although I wasn't the most consistent about applying it, so she fell off the wagon again and again. At her last dental appointment, I found out that she has already caused a high palette that may require treatment in the future. The dentist also told Grace that "if you're old enough to come to the dentist, you're too old to be sucking your thumb." Grace told me very assertively, "Mommy, I have DECIDED! I am NOT going to suck my thumb ANYMORE!

For 21 days now, I have painted her thumbs everyday. She doesn't mind it anymore; a non-thumb-sucking friend of hers even asked to have her own thumbs painted when she was over. Hopefully, the "rule of thumb" will hold true for this thumb! I'm not taking any chances though (we've come too far!), I'll keep painting for a while longer! :)

ewww, boys!

Mommy: "Grace, you have to go to bed because tomorrow Meredith and Noah are coming over to play with you."

Grace: "I think Noah just likes to go bye bye."
(translate to: I'll take Meredith, but Noah can take a hike.)

Mommy: "GRACE! That is not nice, you'd better be sweet to little Noah."

Grace: crinkles face "But Noah's a BOY!"


For the record, one of her best friends at school, sweet Benjamin, is a boy! Noah's quite the sweetheart too, sorry little guy!

adjusting...

Baby Marion has brought so much joy to our home... along with a little jealousy and confusion for Big Sister Grace. There are a few things Grace doesn't understand...

Why does Marion sleep in your room? Marion needs to sleep in her room!

Why is Marion still awake? Marion needs to go to bed too.

What is Marion doing with your boobie?

It really sunk in for me yesterday morning. We were still exhausted from getting up with Marion over night. Grace came in our room to wake us up but didn't climb into bed as usual. She then left and went into the kitchen. After a few minutes, Jeremy went into the kitchen to find Grace sitting at the kitchen table feeling down. She told him that she thought we didn't love her anymore because we hadn't gotten out of bed. I was absolutely crushed... talk about breaking a mommy's heart!
Since then I've been trying my hardest to give Grace lots of individual attention and to do things just for her.
Yesterday we had a "fancy lunch." Jeremy and I wore our Snow White and Prince Charming costumes from Halloweens past. We had lots of Grace's favorite foods and drank real tea from her new tea set. I've also been leaving Marion at home with Jeremy and picking Grace up from school.
Surely this will pass and soon Grace won't even remember life as an only child. ;)

it's a phase

This month Grace has begun what is hopefully just a phase. She is scared of all sorts of things. Between lovebug season and Halloween, the scares are everywhere we turn. Today it crossed the line! It interfered with our shopping! ;) We were approaching a home decor shop when Grace noticed a stone lion right outside the door. She could go no further. It seemed to be true fear... there was crying, shaking and pulling. I quickly pulled out my phone to get a very quick (and from a distance) picture of the culprit that sent us home...


as we walked back to the car, Grace told me

"we need a lion tamer at our house... because I very very scared of lions."

Where does she get this stuff??? I couldn't help but laugh. Sorry babe, a lion tamer just isn't in the budget right now!

Update: Jeremy, unaware of the story, noticed the picture on the computer and said "Cool lion." Yeah, if he only knew.