Daily Battle

It is a battle that we have everyday in our house.  Getting Camille to take her vitamin is a daily struggle!  We have tried different brands, flavors, shapes, you name it.

I don’t understand it.  When we started giving her a vitamin, she loved them, she’d even ask for another one.  Then, all of sudden, she decided that she didn’t like them anymore. I’ve tried bribing, yelling, ignoring. … nothing works.  Doctors say don’t worry about a daily vitamin if  kids get a balanced diet, well sometimes that happens and sometimes not so much. (see ”you did what?” post)  Ideas? I’d love to hear them  

xoxo,

Tracy

Beach Babes!

The beautiful summer days, here in northeastern Ohio, make forgetting about the long, cold winters pretty easy!    We are lucky, there are so many beautiful places along the Lake Erie lake shore.  For those of you who are regular blog readers, you know that Camille and Olivia Kiska, Newschannel 5’s Paul Kiska’s daughter, are little friends.  We decided that our families would take in some  of  the natural beauty of  our area together.  Oh, what fun the two little ones had on the shores of Lake Erie

A bucket, a couple of cups, and some sand.. a wonderful recipe for summer fun for two 2 year olds.  It is always so much fun for us to watch the two of them together.   They get so excited to see one another, each and every time.  It’s like they haven’t seen each other in years. 

For just being 2 years old, they are so sweet to each other.  Olivia, or as Camille calls her, Liv fell down and got a boo-boo, she was crying.  Camille was very concerned about Liv and told her ” You’ll be okay.”

Olivia looks out for Camille too.  It’s amazing to me that these little ones show so much emotion and have such empathy for each other.  It is truly so sweet   

xoxo,

Tracy

Fireworks!

This year is the first time that Camille got to see fireworks!  We saw them last week , then again this holiday weekend.      

 We didn’t have to go far to see the fireworks where we live, we can see them from our backyard!  It was late by the time the colors lit up the sky and Camille was starting to get tired, but as soon as the fireworks started, she lit up too! She loved them.  I took some vacation time this weekend and we did a lot of family stuff together.  We had a great weekend. I hope you did too

xoxo,

Tracy

Sweet Dreams

It’s the simplest things that Camille does that make me smile.  The other night, we were saying our prayers before she went to bed.  After the prayer,  she rattles off a list of people that she loves and wants God to protect.  My parents, my sister, me, my husband, various animals, little friends, etc., you get the picture.  Anyway, at the end of the list ,  a surprise!  She added her stuffed animals and favorite toys.  She has a small menagerie of snuffed animals in her room, she has names for each one, as well as her favorite toys.  It  just brought a smile to my face  and was a great way to end the  day   

xoxo,

Tracy

You Did What?

Let me start by saying that I am lucky that my husband can cook and take care of Camille when I’m not home.  I am well aware that there  are plenty of husbands who don’t know their way around the kitchen. But, with that said, I still can’t believe what my husband fed her for dinner. 

It was Father’s Day and we all had a very late lunch before I left for work.  So, she wasn’t starving when dinner time came and it’s a good thing    My husband decided to feed her tater tots and hard salami for dinner!  I couldn’t believe it when he told me, it took a minute to sink in! What’s even more amazing, I told a few dads that I work with here at newschannel 5, Curtis Jackson and Paul Kiska , and they  didn’t think there was anything wrong with the dinner selection! Are you kidding me?  They all thought it was a balanced meal with protein and carbohydrates. Like I said, I am lucky my husband can take care of a toddler, but I guess I am going to have to cook more or at least start leaving a menu to follow!  Once again, this makes me realize that moms and dads parent differently, not better or worse, just differently

xoxo,

Tracy

Spills and Stains

It’s my fault.  I should know better than to put anything white on a toddler.   Since, the warm weather arrived I have been doing battle with stains.  I don’t think there is a day that passes  that I am not scrubbing  some stain out of Camille’s clothes.  Last night, it was ink.  I do have a tip for that, hair spray. It seems to work pretty well.

I have a problem with ice cream, chocolate milk, grape juice and spaghetti sauce.  A seasoned mom told me , the key is getting the stain out is treating it as soon as possible.  It does seem to work.  But, sometimes, by the time I get home, well the stain has already set.   My husband tries.  But somethimes he either doesn’t notice the stain or gets water on it but doesn’t use a pre-treater.  So, once again, I am waging war on stains and spills.  If anybody has any tips, please send them my way

xoxo,

Tracy

Thanks, Dad

When I think of my dad;  hard working, kind hearted, and patient come to mind.  My dad is soft spoken and mild mannered.  My dad has always been my biggest supporter.  When I think back to my childhood with my dad,  summer vacations, silly family jokes and special traditions come to mind. My sister and me are still the center of my dad’s  world.  But, now, someone else has moved into that universe… Camille. 

Camille is the apple of not only her daddy’s eye but her pap pap as well.  I wanted a baby, very badly, for a very long time.  My mother made it clear that she wanted to be a grandmother.  My dad, on the other hand, never said  much.  I never really thought about it until after Camille was born.  My father was thrilled!  

He carries pictures of her in his wallet, on his cell phone and saves her voice mail messages.  Even at her worst terrible two moment, Camille can do nothing wrong.  That’s when I realized, my dad never said anything about being a grandpa because he didn’t want to hurt my feelings, if  God didn’t bless us with a child.  Even as an adult, my dad was protecting me.  He’s done it all of his life.  I am a daddy’s girl and now I’m watching  one grow up in front of my eyes

 

Because of our work schedules  my husband has the chance to spend quality time with Camille.  I can see that daddy-daughter relationship growing.   When I was a kid my dad and me watched football on TV.  I remember those Sunday afternoons like they were yesterday. Last night, Camille cried because she thought she wasn’t going to be able to snuggle with her daddy and watch a little baseball.  Watching my husband with Camille and my dad with Camille is something special. As a mother, it tugs at my heart.  My husband is a wonderful father to Camille, although she does walk all over him     My dad is a great dad, I should have known he’d make a terrific grandfather.

To all of you dads and gradfathers, I wish you a Happy Father’s Day!  To those who have lost a dad, know that people are thinking of you today too.

To my dad, thank you and I love you.

xoxo,

Tracy

Kids With Cancer

I did a story today about a little girl, 5-year-old Taylor Nelson, who is fighting cancer.  She was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just 3 years old.  Taylor and her family live outside of Youngstown and for 2 years have been traveling to the children’s hospital at the Cleveland Clinic  for treatment.   The family uses their lap top to communicate with family and friends when Taylor has long visits at the hospital.  In the midst of dealing with Taylor’s cancer, her family is helping others. The family decided to donate 4 lap top computers to the pediatric oncology department so other kids can do the same.  Taylor’s parents are amazing!  I often wonder how parents who face illness or tragedy with a child find the strength to carry on.  Taylor’s mother told me it is Taylor who gives her strength. The family is asking anyone who would like to donate old computers, DVDs, or even coloring books to consider donating the items to the children’s hospital at the Cleveland Clinic pediatric oncology unit. Taylor still has more treatment to go through to hopefully beat this cancer.  Children should not be fighting cancer,  they should be playing childhood games . Tonight, my heart and prayers are with all of those little ones who are battling cancer.

Here is the address if you would like to donate:      

The Children’s Hospital/The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Pediatric Oncology

9500 Euclid Ave., S20

Cleveland, Ohio 44195

xoxo,

Tracy

Anything But Routine

My husband and I had some time off recently.  We celebrated our wedding anniversary and had some much needed family time.  With us being with Camille around the clock, she was definitely off of her routine.  Boy, did she let us know it.  We’ve been very diligent, since she was a baby, of getting her on a schedule and keeping to it.   The downside is.. she is very used to it and when it changes she’s not sure what to do. 

Overall, she was really good, and we had a great time with her. If you ask her if she had a nice time with mommy and daddy she says “OH YES!”  and THAT makes it all worthwhile. We had a lot of fun and made lots of family memories and that is what is important to me.

I’m not sure if it was harder for me or for her when I left for my first day back to work.  She kissed and hugged me probably a dozen times    She was just getting used to that new routine and then it came to an end   

xoxo,

Tracy

Looking Put Together

No matter where we go as a family, it is always the same routine.   My husband is dressed and ready.  I get Camille dressed and now she’s ready. 

Then it’s my turn.  I look at the clock, and of course by now we are running late.  So, I am running around trying to find something to wear.  I end up picking out the first thing that I can find, getting dressed as I am running out the door and  putting my make up on in the car as we drive toward our destination.  Each time, vowing that I will allow myself some extra time.  I know, I am not alone in this situation.  I have had this discussion with my neighbors, friends, my mother.  For me, there just isn’t enough time.  I guess I could get up earlier, be more organized, or clean out the closet. I just don’t know how some of you moms do it.  You looked so put together.  What’s the  secret?

xoxo

Tracy