6 days later.....

Yesterday, my mother's old cell phone that I had been using just died while I was in the middle of a conversation. I took the phone to the verizon store to see if the technician could revive it. I was told sympathetically, "The phone was dead because the battery was warped." I called my mom and explained what happened. She replied, "I am going to find that phone when I get home." I just said, "Okay." But secretly thinking that she is not going to find it because Tarisa and I looked for it every where we could think of.

This morning prior to leaving for work, my mother began looking for the phone. 10 minutes later she exclaimed, "I found it." "Where?" I asked. And she pointed behind the baby's booster seat.


I did think to look under the seat but not behind it. The reason that I could not hear it vibrating was because NyCee turned the sound off. I really did not want to buy a new phone. It was not so much the phone as all my contact information in the phone. Well, another episode of "NyCee's Antics" has a happy ending.

Play Pals

Watching NyCee and Mocha has become a source of my daily entertainment. There are times when they play with a ball together,


watch tv together,

enjoy a game of tug-o-war together,

chase each other around the table and the house,

play a made up game that only those two understand,

or get on each other's nerves to the point where NyCee pushes Mocha away.

Poor Mocha, she doesn't even realize that she is being momentarily rejected.

Bedtime Challenge

Okay, so my daughter is no longer on the bottle. WAHOO!! YIPEE!!

WHATEVER! Because now, she is not going to sleep until 9:00 or 9:30p.m. What is up with that? (Her Tesa's answer is that she is not sleepy so I should just let her stay up. I think NOT!)

The routine has not changed. She gets a bath at 7:30, we read our bedtime bible story, she has a cup of milk, and then she should go to sleep. YEA, NO! She whines and whimpers, and tosses and turns, and laughs and get out the bed several times.

At this point, I am just ready to give her a bottle of water if it means she will be sleep by 8:30p.m. She is cutting into my "Happy Silence" time.

Yep, still lost

Day three--No cell phone.

Still battling a cold.

This is why I don't get sick. I can't stand the snotting, coughing, sneezing, and over all icky feeling. Besides the fact, I am still baffled with the fact that I can't find my cell phone. If I weren't sick, I wouldn't have fallen asleep and would have been watching my daughter. Thus, my phone would not be lost. Understand my logic about not getting sick?

I did not purchase a new phone because I am still holding out hope that I will find my phone. Instead, I opted to use my mother's OLD phone. I can't text or even press 1 button to get my messages.

I am really more pressed to have my phone because I have been sending out resumes so that I can return to work before the end of the year. I can call the phone to check the messages but I am comforted with knowing that I have a phone to use rather than no phone at all.

Lesson of hardknocks number 11, 983: Never let your toddler play with anything of value. Especially a toddler that can't talk!

Lost

Yesterday I was feeling a bit under the weather. You know the cold-like symptoms of stuffy, achy head, runny nose and nasal congestion. (Isn't that an oxymoron?) Anyway, I was just feeling really bad. In an effort to keep my little tater bean quiet, I let her play with my phone. I have learned to lock the keys as she has called my husband and my mother a couple of times. Anyway, because she was quietly watching "The Backyardigans" I dozed off. When I woke up, she was on the floor reading a book to Mocha.

A couple of hours later, I realized that I hadn't seen my phone. In a foggy haze, I have searched every low place that I could think of. Under and in the couch, under the tables, the stove, and refrigerator, in her toy bin, under the bed, in the trash, etc. Of course, I called the phone several times but the problem is that the phone is on vibrate and low because I can not stand to hear some one's phone blaring in public places. When the baby went to bed, I called it in an effort to hear it vibrating some where. I have no idea where it is! I asked NyCee and Mocha both if they knew where it was but they just stared at me.

"Smooches to all my adorning fans."

The weather in Michigan has been unseasonable warm. So I decided to take advantage of it. NyCee and I went to the beach which is about a 15 minute walk from my parents house. Initially, I wanted her to run through the sand and put her feet in the water as she has never been to the beach. (She generally goes to the pool when we are in ATL.) But she put one foot in the sand and clung on to me for dear life. No matter what I tried, she would not get down and put her other foot in the sand. Needless to say, we did not make it any where near the water.

We then resorted to plan b which was playing on the jungle jim and basically letting her run around to burn off any energy that may try to rear its ugly head at bedtime. She ended up loving the swing. She smiled and laughed as the wind blew across her face every time she went forward and backward. Of course, it was a challenge getting her off the swing when it was time to go home.

More and More Independent

In an effort to combat my desire to give NyCee a bottle to stop her whining at night, I have hidden the bottles in the garage. Instead, I have decided to put into practice an idea from my Grandma Martha. She suggested that I give NyCee a cup because it will make her feel like a "big girl."

So tonight, after bathtime I gave her a cup of warm milk while we read a bible story. After the story, I turned off the light and she whined and whimpered for a few moments, gave several good nights kisses and smiles, then she gave in and went to sleep.



I have realized that my reluctance to let go of NyCee's bottle was for me. It seems that she is growing up so fast that I want to slow down the process. I was the same when it was time for her to stop nursing. The more independent she grows, the less she will need me. I just want her to remain that little girl in her exersaucer forever. I guess that is only in my memory now.

Breakfast at Grandma's House

My mother is a candy-a-holic. She could eat candy all day-every day. Normally, NyCee is not given candy. My mother knows this. Before NyCee was a thought, I told my mother that my children will not eat candy. Well all that has changed since being at grandma's house. NyCee has had more sugar in the past month than she has had her entire life.

This morning I walked into the kitchen and saw my mother giving NyCee a piece of candy. It was 9:45am. Granted, she had breakfast around 8:30a.m. but honestly! And I asked, "Ma, why are you giving her candy at 9:45a?" "Because she wanted it," she innocently replied. Well I guess it's okay as long as NyCee wanted it. WRONG! My mother's rebuttal, "The candy hasn't hurt her and it's okay to have candy at grandma's house because that's what grandma's are for."

Where do I go from here?

I have spent most of the day pondering over the decision of, "Where do I go from here?" Everyone keeps asking me if I am going to return to flying. There is a part of me that misses that life so much but I know that it would be too hard on the baby for me to be gone for 4-6 days at at time. Additionally, I am at the point where I want my career to go in another direction. I dream of the corner office with the picture window over looking the lake and my name etched on the door: Dayna Carlisle Thompson, Director of....

Of what? I have been in the airline industry for nearly 10 years. I love it. I miss it and I want to go back to it. But the problem is that airlines have strategic locations for their headquarters and in order to advance the way I want, I would have to be in one of those locations. So what is the dilemma? The only airline that fits my desire to not live in the cold and snow is in Tempe, AZ. That is too far away from my family as I have to think of the baby. I could bundle her up and brave the Minnesota cold and live near my cousins who have a daughter that is only 3 months older than NyCee. But WOW! Talk about snow and cold.

Now that I have completed my undergraduate work, I feel that I should put the degree to use. And in 12 months, I will add another diploma to my list of pedigrees. I have decided that I will pursue my Ph.D if for no other reason than to keep my loans in deferment until I find a job that will allow me to start making the payments. HA! But I like the sound of Dayna Carlisle Thompson, Ph.D. (smile)

I know that the sky is the limit and I can do anything that I set my mind to. Thanks to my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have always been successful in any endeavor that I have attempted. I guess I should take this two week break from school to think about the direction of my career instead of veggie out in front of the tube watching Lifetime Movie Network & Playhouse Disney.

Toliet Monster

I caught NyCee playing in the toilet water today. We had a long talk about the reason one should not play in the toilet. Afterwards, I realized the talk could have been summed up in two words: THAT'S NASTY!

That's all folks!

After spending three (3) years at a two (2) year community college and twelve (12) years at various four (4) year institutions across the country, I am proud to announce that I have completed the requirements necessary for my Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resources Management.

WOW! I have had many adventures along the way and seen wonderful sights in this country and others. While I would not trade-in my years as a flight attendant, I have recognized that it would have been much smarter to complete my formal education before chasing that dream.

I will start graduate school on October 1, 2007 and will begin looking for work soon. I know that many people are wondering where I am going to move next. I don't know yet. I have a couple of places in mind but wherever I go, I must be sure that NyCee will continue to flourish and be afforded a good education. It is no secret that I HATE LIVING IN ATLANTA and often times say that I wish I had never gone there. Lately, I have realized that I can't regret that decision because that path led to Tater Bean and friends whom it would not have met otherwise. But now that she is here, there is no need to continue to torture myself by living in a place I can't stand and am miserable. Enough of that--moving on.

I will not receive my diploma for several weeks but it was great to turn in the final assignments and see the final credit total posted.

GPA: 3.8
Honors: Dean's List and Magna Cum Laude graduate

Quiet Morning

After waffles and syrup, which I let her have for the first time and she thoroughly enjoyed, she laid on the floor and quietly watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

AH! A little bit of quiet goes a long way.

I've been played

I thought that Operation: No more bottle was a failure. Actually it wasn't. In fact, NyCee doesn't need a bottle at all. She has been playing me this entire time.

She stayed with her aunt this afternoon while I attended a workshop at the university. Around 1201p I received a call from Tarisa telling me that NyCee has been playing me like a fiddle. Tarisa stated that NyCee had her lunch, a diaper change, and was told to lay down on the bed for her nap. In anticipation of a repeat of the day before, (the 1 hour scream session) Tarisa laid NyCee down a little early. Well, that was actually unnecessary. NyCee whimpered a little and then fell fast asleep.

Tarisa did not even take the bottle in the room. So basically, I have been played. That little girl is quite the slickster.

Operation: No More Bottle

Operation no more bottle: failed.

Naptime: a 1 hour scream session

I broke down and gave her a water bottle. Then I gave a bottle with a goodie--milk.

After all that drama, she still did not take a nap.

We will try again at bedtime.

Save Lids to Save Lives

Every year, Yoplait yogurt and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation team up in an effort to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. As many of you know, my cousin Cari found out that she has breast cancer. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy of her left breast on Friday, September 7, 2007. Cari is 34 years old, a wife, and mother of three.

I have two friends whose mothers are breast cancer survivors and one aunt who lost her battle with the horrible disease. I know that we have our favorite brands of items but please take the time to support Yoplait in this cause. I have for years. It's simple. Just buy Yoplait yogurt with the pink lids, wash the lids and collect them until the expiration date. There is no need to mail them in every week. The lids are being collected until 12/31/2007. The foundation will contribute 10 cents for every lid received for breast cancer research.

Every contribution will make a difference. Thank you for your support.

Catch 22

When NyCee was about 12 months old, I attempted to get her off the bottle. However, her father could not stand to see her cry or listen to her whine so he incorporated it back into her daily routine.

Thankfully, I have managed to get her down to only using the bottle twice a day: at naptime and bedtime. In an effort to really get her to kick the bottle habit, I only allow water in the bottle. She is not allowed to have goodies such as strawberry milk, juice, fruit water, or any other beverage that she enjoys. She actually does very well drinking out of her cups and juice boxes. So where is the dilemma you ask? Why not just pull the bottle cold turkey? Because she is now drinking about 16-24 ounces of water a day. (She may have two bottles at nap or bed time before going to sleep.) I can't get her father to drink that much water in a week or month even. I don't want to pull the bottle and she reverts back to her "juice" which is actually flavored water because plain water is good for her. Her skin is healthy and glowing. She is full of energy and spunk. However, I don't want my child to be 2 or 3 years old still using a bottle.

Here we go again: another first time mother dilemma.

"Stop that runaway pooch!!"

Every morning around 8:30a Mocha is let out to relieve herself and get some exercise. She is on a leash until she completes her business and then she is free to run around the yard. Normally, she runs around for about 30 minutes and then sits on the step until someone opens the door for her.

Today, I noticed that she was out for an extended period of time without whining to come back in the house. I walked out to the fenced yard and noticed that she was gone. I kept calling her name and she did not respond. Now, NyCee was in the house so I am torn between finding Mocha and catering to my 17 month old who is inquisitive and busy. I am in a panic because I don't know where Mocha is and all I can think, "My father is going to kill me for losing Mocha." As soon as I came back in the house to put NyCee's shoes and begin canvassing the neighborhood, the neighbor knocked on the door with Mocha in tow. He stated that Mocha was in the front playing close to the house but she was going toward the street so he thought he should bring her back.

Now, I was trying to figure out how Mocha got out of the yard. Apparently, she has been sliding under the fence door and playing in the front of the house. Then, she slides back under the door and waits to be let in the house at the back door where she was let out. That Mocha is a sneaky little dog!

Summertime Scar

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was hoping for much, much later but nonetheless, here it is.....

NyCee's first summertime wound. While playing outside, she was running after her toy and tripped on a crack in the ground. She fell on her face and scratched the area above her eye. It is very obvious as everyone who sees her asks, "What happened?" I attempted to explain how she fell but I still get the "look" as if I had something to do with her fall.

I was sitting on the porch reading and she was clearly in my view. The next thing I knew, I heard the screams and shrieks of pain. Her granny came running out of the garage asking what happened. Everyday, her granny picks up her and kisses her boo-boo.

I know that I am being silly and over dramatic about the scar but I didn't think that her first scar would be so obvious. Why couldn't it be on the knee like most wounds which are easy to hide?