Kentucky Camping Trip

About a week and a half ago, we set out for the Renfro Valley in Kentucky. This was a good spot as it was centrally located between Andy's family and us. We packed up our car after church on Sunday and started to make our trek west. We knew that we probably wouldn't make it that day since we didn't leave until noon and the drive was just shy of 11 hours, minus stops. Around 9:30pm that evening, we were somewhere in West Virginia. Bella was getting really antsy and we knew it was about time to stop. The problem: we were driving through the mountains and there really wasn't anywhere to stop for another 50 miles. While I'm doing my best to keep Bella calm, she starts coughing. . . her face loses all color. . . she starts gagging. . . and before I know it she has thrown up all over herself. This was her first time ever throwing up. Now she's really upset. Andy does his best to find an exit. We end up at a run-down gas station and get Bella cleaned up. Thankfully, she was feeling better after that episode. We got in the car for another 30 miles and found our hotel. The next day we finished up our drive and arrived at the KOA campground where we'd be staying for the week.

One of the first things we did was check out the pool. Bella hung out on the steps for most of the time. She was really proud of the fact that she could get in and out of the pool all by herself.
That night, the camp had some country singing as the entertainment. Bella had a blast dancing to the music.Jacob and Bella having a little snack before bedtime.We spent much of the next day at the lake. Bella thought it was fun to walk in the water.Tim and Laura brought their canoe, so we were able to get out on the lake a little bit. I think Andy did most of the work in actually moving the boat. I did my best but am the first to admit that I do not have much upper body strength. We went into town one day. The kids had fun running around on the grass of a local college. Craft time at the camp! The kids made little snack packs.Our last day there went a little differently than planned. The camp accidentally double-booked our cabin/campsite. They tried to accomodate us in a local bed and breakfast, but that didn't work out. We decided to just drive up to Lexington (which gets us all 1 hr. closer to home) and get a hotel. We found a nice place that had a heated pool, which we spent a lot of time in. Before we could check into the hotel, we stopped to eat at Cracker Barrel. Here are Bella and Jacob while we waited for our table. Bella, Tyler, and Jacob in the hotel room that night. Sibling photo: Andy, Laura, and TomCousins: Bella, Jacob, & Tyler (minus Charlie)Kids and grandkids. As I looked through these photos, I realized that the next two photos are the only ones that we took of baby Charlie.
The whole family. Tim's sister Vickie was with us and she was nice enough to take this photo.
Time to say goodbye: Jacob and Bella giving hugsBella and Tyler tried to hug. Just a moment after this photo, Bella fell on top of him.We pretty much parted ways after this. The drive back went well and it sure felt nice to finally get home. We're staying put in New Jersey for a month-and-a-half and then it's off to Texas for a Benetti family vacation!

Outdoor Fun

We went with some friends to the Philadelphia Zoo on Wednesday. With the cost of tickets for the three of us to get in equaling half of a family membership, we decided to get one. Now we can go to the zoo for free anytime we want during this next year.

Bella really liked this turtle statue.You can't pass up these little photo opportunities.
Milking a pretend cow.
Another family picture - two in one day!Today we were invited to the shore for some fun with church friends.
Bella loved the beach. Except for the time when we had to leave the water, she was so well-behaved all day.Later in the afternoon, we went on their boat. (Earlier in the day, the guys went out fishing in this boat while the ladies stayed at the house/beach). Bella found the radio, turned it on, and started dancing. That's what she's doing here.
She also enjoyed pretending to drive. Don't worry - we never left the dock.
Andy was out of town this past week. It's so nice to have him back. I wasn't feeling the greatest for the past two days and I don't know how I would have survived if it happened while he was gone. We're heading out to Kentucky tomorrow for a family camping trip. I will probably return with lots of fun pictures!

Things seem to be going better *fingers crossed*

Since my last post, I've made some modifications to my and Bella's day. When I have more planned for her, she's in a better mood which tends to mean fewer behavior problems. We've been to the park a lot, played in the little pool a lot, went out for ice cream, did some art projects, play dough, etc. Usually I don't have to try so hard to entertain her, but it seems to be helping with our issues so I'll keep it up.

I've also eliminated her afternoon nap. We've been in a transitional time with that and it seems that on the days she'd nap, we'd have some bedtime battles. I'd much rather battle during the day when I have energy than at night when I'm tired. So far, the no-nap has been working out well. She goes to bed (and stays in bed) at 8pm and wakes up around 8am. I'll take it! In place of naptime, we're doing quiet time. I tried to have her do quiet time in her room, but she seems to think she's being punished. Soooooo, I've made the whole house have quiet time for at least an hour every afternoon. I'm still working on getting that time to be what I want it to be, but it's coming along.

Today, I got lots of random hugs and kisses from Bella. That did wonders for me. She does love me. It was hard to believe when, just a few days earlier, she threw her Care Bear at me for no apparent reason. She did an unprompted, "thank you, mommy" after I put her shorts on. That was nice.

While I'm sure we're not at the end of this issue, I appreciate these little pieces of encouragement along the way.

Here is Bella playing in her little pool. These are from last week, but had I taken pictures this week, they would have looked exactly the same. It's not the biggest pool, but that didn't stop Daddy from taking a dip as well.
We bought Bella a tube for when she goes swimming in the big pool. She loves her fish and wanted to wear it that whole evening.

Don't let this sweet face fool you. . .

It has definitely not been all fun and giggles around here this past week. We are seeing sides of Bella that we have never seen before. I mean, I thought I'd seen her tantrum in the past, but in comparison with what she's been up to lately, those seem so mild. I almost don't recognize this child. It's been rough. I wish I could blame it on an ear infection or teething, but I can't - it's just the phase that we're in. There has been a lot of deliberate disobedience, strong-willed behavior, and power struggles. Time-outs used to work beautifully for us. She doesn't stay put now. I'm pulling out all of my Super Nanny moves on her. I'm exhausted. I know that this is normal two-year-old behavior, but it's hard not to feel inadequate - like I'm doing something wrong. I mean, it just feels like I must have done something wrong for my child to act that way. I have to keep reminding myself that it's less about her behavior and more about how I respond to it. This has probably been my toughest parenting week yet. I'm saying "I" a lot here. Andy's dealing with this too, but I've been having a harder time with it - it has me in tears. Maybe this sort of thing is just tougher on moms - especially when you're with the child 24/7.

Bella is definitely a persistent child. If only she could use her powers for good. . .

Long time, no blog

Bella and I have been back from Wisconsin for over a week. She did really great on the trip home. These are some pics that my mom took of Bella at the park one of the last nights we were there. She was being such a ham that evening. Just before climbing the steps, she'd pose for a photo - cheesy smile and all. We have about ten similar-looking photos.She went on the big slide all by herself. The was the first time!This tube led to another big slide.The internet on my computer hasn't been working this week. I have more photos of Bella to share, but can't easily access them. The weather has been really hot this week and so we've been spending a lot of time in pools - Bella's little pool and a friend's big pool. Bella loves the big pool and even swims by herself (with a tube around her and mom close by). It's so cute to watch her kick her little legs. She just loves the water!

Tonight we're taking Andy out to Outback Steakhouse for Father's Day. Should be yummy! Happy Father's to all of the Dad's out there!

Lori's Graduation

Since this was the main reason for our trip to Wisconsin, I thought I'd share some photos from Lori's big day!

Here she is before the ceremony with our parents. . . . . . and with Grandma Helen. . .
. . . and with me & Bella (who was clearly not in the mood for a photo).
The two graduates: Ryan (Lori's boyfriend) and Lori
Later on at the party, we got a photo of Grandma Helen with all of her granddaughters.Me and Bella!We finally got her in the picture-taking mood.Cake time. Yummy!Congratulations Ryan and Lori!