On this episode of estesfamilyof3...

My baby is napping. If I'm lucky I have one hour to myself. I know, Zach thinks I should nap while she does and he's right. However, I LOVE my afternoons when she sleeps just a bit and I can do something ADULT like check my e-mail, write a new blog, look for a new recipe (I'll post tonight's below, I made it up) or just sit and listen to R & B Soul, lol. Ok, dont usually do the last one but today I just wanted some music while I sit and sip my water and enjoy my hour. If I'm REALLY lucky she will sleep for 2 hours. But, since that happens MAYBE once a month, I will not press my luck and will GET ON with this post!

OK, we visited my parents in Arkansas this past weekend. It was a lot of fun and we took Bailey to see the horses at the place my little sister, Monica, volunteers. One of the miniature horses bit Zach and it was funny because he told the horse "you bite my baby and I'll bite you." Zach is so protective of Bailey. He loves her so much and it is so sweet. I will have to post pictures later because we didn't have our camera and I'm waiting for my mom to send the pictures to me (which means I should probably ask her for them). HAHA.

Looks like I'm going to Arkansas again this weekend because Zach's principal asked him to go to a conference in Saint Louis tomorrow through Saturday. So, after I sub his afternoon class on Thursday, we are headed back to mamaw and papa's house. Later, she will call them grandma and grandpa I'm sure. But for now that's what she can pronounce :)

Feels like I have so much to say. I guess I'll keep going. I downed almost an entire tube of orajel last night. My tongue and throat have been hurting for almost a week and I have actually been a little concerned because it's not a pain I've ever felt before. However, I feel really silly talking about it so I haven't said anything here. But, it feels like I inhaled bug spray or something. My throat is my main concern because it doesn't feel like a cold but the more I drink, the more it hurts and I DON'T mean Alcohol. I don't drink! I just mean anything I drink really hurts it more. I think I burned my tongue on some coffee the other day. Usually though the pain doesn't last a week. I'm going to give it a few more days and if it doesn't go away, I'm going to the doctor. It's just strange and I have a weird feeling about it.

My child is still "testing" me. I have started time-out because when I spank her she growls at me. I ADORE my baby. All of you know that. But she has DEFINITELY hit her "terrible twos" about 7 months early. She's VERY trying right now. I feel lost and discouraged. I know it's just a phase but it's so hard for me to know what to do. As an educator of older kids, it's easy to discipline. They know what they can and can't do and they know what happens if they break the rules. Bailey doesn't even know the rules yet. She still doesn't sleep through the night. Last night she was awake THREE times. And, this is NOT unusual. I think I would be a better mom and be able to cope with her new discoveries of "defying" me if I could get more sleep. Again, I adore her. She is by NO means a bad kid. She's fun, playful, sweet, and adorable. But, she has discovered how to irritate mommy. She LOVES to put the dog food into the dog water and watch it "grow." Yeah, I know, funny that my 17 month old has figured this out. She also will run from you if you need to take something away from her. AND if she wants something she can't have, she SCREAMS. I've learned to ignore it and she will stop after about 30 seconds. So, I know she is doing normal toddler stuff I'm just always too tired to know what to do. Please pray for me. Before school was out I HONESTLY felt like I was going to lose it. My mind, I mean. I honestly was scared because I was becomming so depressed, tired, moody, emotional, and not myself. Then, we had a weekend and summer school started. If Bailey doesn't start sleeping better I just don't know what I will do. Physically I am having a hard time. I love her so much and it's not her fault she won't sleep. I'm going to try again, Lillie, to put her in her own bed. Crying won't hurt her but it breaks my heart to do that to my child who I wanted and prayed for for so long. Ok, I am going to get off of here. Thanks for "listening" to me.

Here's the recipe:
What to do with Stew meat when it's too hot for stew:
Boil the meat until all the pink is gone
drain water
pour into baking dish
add 1 yellow squash (chopped)
one bell pepper (I used orange/gold chopped)
2 red potatoes chopped (WITH skins)
1/2 bottle of steak marinade (NOT A1 but actual Heinz marinade)
1/2 stick melted butter or margarine
season with steak seasoning
cook at 250 for an hour or 2

~MELODY ELAINE