In a couple weeks, Ella and I will once again take to the skies. If any of you have been following my blog for a while, you’d know that little miss wiggly pants is a frequent flyer. She has taken six plane trips in the last year, the shortest being two hours and the longest fifteen.

And here I am, about to embark on yet another. Okay, there are some changes. Ella is now going to have her own seat – amazing what a few hundred more dollars can do! She turned two in October so it isn’t an option. The other change is that she will probably behave very badly. She doesn’t... more

This “Love Thursday” is devoted to all the mothers who think they are disorganized, forgetful, ineffective and confused. I know you are out there and can probably relate to the events of my yesterday.

At last my babysitter was available – I hadn’t had a minute away from Ella for two weeks. Showered and dressed, I ran out the door to my hair appointment, arriving at the right time on the wrong day. Not to be deterred by one little mix up, I decided to get some other errands done.

First I darted off to have a blood test that was only six months overdue. Oops, I... more

Ella is terrified of doctors. She is also terrified of buildings that look like they may contain doctor’s offices, and walking into any office can be a nightmare. A trip to my accountant induces a meltdown!

Today we spent four hours in the car getting Ella to a pediatric ENT to have her ears checked. We were no longer impressed with our local ENT’s short, mumbled responses to our questions, and less than impressive treatment options. “Tubes again,” is about all we can get out of him.

I was expecting Ella to start screaming the instant we got out of the car... more

This year many children being adopted from Guatemala are coming home older than they have been in the last couple years. Although anyone getting to bring their child home is initially just plain grateful that the adoption is completed during these turbulent times, it is good to be aware of challenges that come with an older child.

The older the child, the more traumatic the adoption will be. Crying, tantrums, eating and sleeping issues are common responses to this huge change in their life. Some children may refuse to be held or touched by one parent or the other and seem inconsolable.

This is heartbreaking for new parents, but it is generally temporary until your child learns... more

Today I came to the realization that the terrible twos are a dress rehearsal for adolescence. The temper tantrums, picky appetite, mood swings and love-hate relationship with everything are none other than previews for the “big one,” when our wonderful children become rebellious adolescents.

So I’m digging around in my rather empty memory bank for some of the skills I mastered getting through adolescence with my three boys. Patience, a sense of humor and not taking anything too personally were always good choices, but alas, it appears that girls are much different than boys. There is often such intensity in their responses!

For example, when my boys didn’t want to eat something,... more

Socialization doesn’t always come easy to two year olds, and that “sharing” business seems to be a sore spot with most of them. Ella is still on the learning curve in this department. Somehow all the toys she ignores for weeks become incredibly important to her the minute another child touches them.

So today when her little friend “C” arrived, she cheerfully greeted her and then for the next half hour proceeded to take every toy out of her hand with a big smile on her face. “C” let out a high pitched scream or a growl each time this happened. I was convinced... more

No, I'm not pregnant (and at 54 and menopausal that would be pretty much a miracle), and unfortunately hubby is not going to agree to start another adoption. I also didn't win the lottery so I can't donate a few million to the orphans of Guatemala.

But, no less earth shaking in my world: Ella has a Guatemalan born cousin and is finally going to meet him in two days! Last year, September 2006, my wonderful niece and her equally wonderful husband finally got to bring their adorable little boy home from Guatemala. It was a long bumpy road for them, and the whole extended family let out a huge sigh of relief when he was home in their arms.

I was incredibly excited... more

I’ve written about Ella’s sleeping issues off and on in my blogs. Tonight while lying beside her in our bed waiting for her to fall asleep, I reflected on how my personal experience co-sleeping with Ella has evolved in the last five months.

A little history here: Ella slept with her foster mother for the first seven months of her life. I completely supported this. Some adoptive parents buy portable beds for the foster mothers in Guatemala so their children will learn to sleep alone. I liked to think of Ella lying close to her foster mother and feeling safe.

When we brought... more

Not unlike many SAHM (stay at home mothers) I love getting out and having fun with Ella. Nothing beats a change of venue for a toddler and a weary toddler’s mom.

Once a week for the last year Ella and I have been participating in Kindermusik, a musical program for children with their parents. I understand that although the materials for these programs are similar nation wide, the success of these classes varies depending on the teacher’s patience and enthusiasm. With a teacher who fits this position like a glove, our classes have been... more

Although I’m not working outside the home at present, Saturday morning always feels like a day I need to kick back and rest. No running to preschool, kindermusik, grocery stores, post offices and banks; no making or taking annoying phone calls ( I heart caller ID). I also have a strict rule: unless it is life threatening, anything I didn’t get done during the week is NOT done on the weekend but carried over to next week.

Today before Miss Ella woke up, I’d finished my cup of java (always followed by a complimentary caffeine induced hot flash and/or hot sweat),... more