The Ballard Bunch

So I'm having a new issue with our favorite almost-2-year-old.

Tate's always disliked going to nursery, but usually I've been able to let her cry it out for a few minutes and then she has a blast. We've found it works best if Beau drops her off - she has less of a separation anxiety with him than she does with me at this point.

Keep in mind, the first couple of months we were in this ward she did BETTER than she ever had, so I had high hopes for her improving her attendance record. After the new year hit, however, she had a major change of heart.

She's discovered a lovely talent of making herself throw up. Don't ask me where she learned this (I'm one with a very strong stomach and hardly ever get sick - even when pregnant). When she was a baby, she would occasionally get so mad at us (in her crib, for instance) that she would cry so hard she'd kind of gag, but nothing more than that ever.

It all starts pretty calmly when we take her in, she whimpers and cries a bit as we talk her through it and show her the toys. Then, after she's able to take it in and realizes that we are, indeed, leaving her alone starts to totally freak out. We know the puke is coming when she starts this forced cough thing. The first two weeks she covered Beau enough that we all had to go home and re-shower. This week we thought it would be smart for me to try and take her in (maybe she'd do better with me now), but the barf eventually came. And as soon as I had cleaned her up in the bathroom and gotten her coat on to go home, she was running around and playing like nothing ever happened. She's figured out the sure-fire way to get out of nursery.

I was especially bugged with her yesterday because she barfed on me (I know that's unfair - I kind of laughed when she got Beau the first time). I decided that I needed to find a way to help her understand that doing that was not "ass-eptable" (thanks super nanny).

I brought the girls home and made Tatum stay in her room with no toys or TV until it was time for church to be over. She sat and read books for the entire hour and a half, with some resistance, of course. I'm not sure what else to do. I really, truly think she's intentionally doing this to get out of going. At the same time, I can't take her back in covered in puke or stripped naked because she soiled her clothes. What's a mom to do?

HELP!

I have always laughed at how Collin (Shannon's little boy) lines up items. Yesterday, we had our own experience with "organization". Tatum brought out several (note the number of Dora dolls...) of her dolls & stuffed animals and put them to "nigh nigh" on the coffee table. She then had the bright idea of getting each a burp rag for a blanket. This picture was mid-organization - when we were done, she had lined up about 8-9 of them and given them each a blanket. She was a proud mamma and kept telling me to "shhhhhhhhh".

I just discovered that I had a ton of cute pictures of Hayden on our digital camera and wanted to share them. There are quite a few, but they're so cute!!!

Here is Hay in Tatum's baby doll stroller. She LOVES sitting in this thing, but doesn't get to too much because once her sister catches wind of it, she wants to whip her around the house. I'm not too comfortable taking that risk, though!


We're attempting the solid foods and she's quite the mess maker. She is really resistant to the spoon idea, but loves putting anything in her own mouth. Today we were trying sweet potatoes and then she had a biter biscuit (loves those). Back to the days of cleaning out a high chair, darn it!

Usually this forum is for me to post news about my kids and new cute pictures for all to see, but tonight I'm writing about something much different and very sobering.

Last night, a young man entered a local shopping area and opened fire on several unassuming people. Several people were killed, and others were hospitalized (many of which were related to one another). Families were kept locked down while police searched the mall for signs of more trouble and to make sure that the way was clear for survivors to return home. Children were separated from their parents in the chaos, only to be reunited some time later. Those lucky enough to escape unharmed, were then treated (as would be necessary in this situation) as if they could be a suspect and were searched and carefully released out into the cold night air.

All because one person decided it was his right to inflict pain on others. His reasoning? I don't know that we'll ever really know. Was he treated badly by his family or his community? Was he teased or bullied? Did he need a friend to help keep him tethered to what is right and good? I can't help but think that there is a lot more behind the reason than we may ever know. And in some strange way it makes me sad for him. Don't get me wrong - he made a choice and should be accountable for it in all ways - but where did his life take such a sad turn? Could it have been prevented?

Maybe it's because I'm a mom now or maybe it's because I live near the location this horrible event took place, but I've been really affected emotionally by this tragedy. I can't stop thinking of how many times Beau and I go out to dinner with the girls and how we've completely taken our safety for granted. How many times I'm at the grocery store and assume that everyone there has the same simple goal as I do - to feed my family - not to rob the cashier next to me for 50 bucks. I think of the times that my kids are buckled in the backseat of our car and how safe I feel knowing they are restrained, unaware of the guy in the next lane that's had one too many to drink. I think of the vulnerability that we all live with because of the right every person has to make our own decisions, no matter their intent.

I guess for me, it's finding the balance of sympathy (for those affected by this and other tragedies) and personal peace (letting go of my current lack of comfort). I can't let the what-if's guide my life - if I do, all the crazies out there win. I'm sure it will come with time for all of us, but something like this inevitably instills a sense of caution in us all. The best thing I can do is be my best - in my relationships with my family and friends - and take reasonable caution where possible (I'll still buckle my girls in the car, no doubt). I just pray that this wave of uncertainty passes quickly.

My heart and prayers go out to all those affected by these events. I hope that we can all take them to heart and really pay attention to the way we treat one another. You never know how your attitude can change the intent of a stranger.

Thanks for lending me the soapbox. I already feel much better! For those of you not familiar with the story, here is a link to catch up.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=890580

Today I took the girls to get pictures taken - Hayden just turned 6 months old over the weekend and Tatum is going to be 2 next month, so I figured now was as good of a time as any (didn't hurt that I had a killer coupon). Anyway, here they are for your viewing pleasure!

My brother Jeff is here for a week of fun with the girls. I know my mom is dying for pictures, so here are a few to tide her (and the rest of you) over!

When Jeff picked my mom up from the airport a few weeks ago, he had a similar sign for her. We thought we'd surprise him with one of his own (drawn by Beau & Tate).


We had to make a trip to the mall and met up with Shanna and the kids. They were so well-behaved, that we caved and let them ride the carousel.