Because of the loving advice I received last week from Mom, Jenna, and Grandma about my relationship with Callie, she and I have been able to make the very most out of the time we had alone together this week.
We arrived home from our trip on Tuesday night, and Callie decided to go with me to take Leslie and Julio home to Salt Lake. Wednesday while Zach was at work, Callie and I took walks around Logan doing small errands. Thursday was a day that was a little cooler so we had a picnic lunch under the tree in our front yard and spent the rest of the day relaxing. Zach was able to stay home from work on Friday so we did a project together, which we couldn't have completed without volunteer-Callie to help!
Today began with going to garage sales with my mom first thing this morning. I wanted to find Callie a dresser for her room so we have a place to put the clothes I have for her (so she doesn't have to pack a bag when she comes; I want her to feel like this is another one of her homes and not just a place she visits). Later, we went to Hyrum Dam and had fun playing at the beach with my sister and her family, then my sister and her sweetie decided to go on a date night, so we took care of her son Isaac tonight (he's 2). Callie took on the big-sister role quite easily and was wonderful at it; however, at bedtime she reverted to her actual age, getting up to dance around and play because Isaac was in the same room. Gotta love little-kid sleep-overs! :)
As for the potty-training thing, it's still touch and go, but I am TONS more patient about it.
Thank you, Mom, for your advice to simply tell her that I'm sad when she uses her diaper instead of the bathroom, and to place restrictions on her activities later that day when she does use her diaper.
Jenna, I've thought a lot about setting the tone of the relationship she and I have together, especially with her potty training.
And Grandma, she really does pay a lot more attention when I talking with her kindly and patiently rather than being frustrated and yelling.
I know I'm still only a part-time mom, so it's probably easy for me to talk about being patient and not yelling and..., but, as y'all know, I've been struggling with our relationship, especially emotionally, and, again, I TRULY appreciate all of your words of wisdom and experience for times like this week when we don't just take her home after 48 hours. Callie and I have both noticed and been blessed by the difference.
One final note to you, Mom. Last night and this morning I was interchanging the names Granny and Grandma when talking with Callie about going garage-selling with my mom this morning. When my mom came, I told Callie that Granny was here, and she was visibly disappointed when she saw my mom and not you. She loves my mom too, but I know she really misses you.
That's it for now because I'm exhausted after such a busy day and week.
Love to you all,
Deb
The colors are changing...
