My Siobhan-Nina

The last few weeks have been difficult for me and Siobhan. It seems that everyday either I couldn't do anything right for her or vice-versa. We've been at odds with each other. She's high strung and active and way too independent for her own good. But she's 5. When I think of her age and all that she's capable and all that she does right, I realize that the problems between the two of us are more my issues than hers. I'm the one that gets impatient. I'm the one who doesn't plan my days right so that we have enough time to get out the door and not have to rush her tying her shoes thus making me frustrated. I'm the one who speaks to her like a 12 year old expecting her to understand rather than speaking to her like a 5 year old and hoping that she might understand.

So where am I going with all this self-depreciation? I decided that I need to spend more time appreciating my daughter than getting frustrated with her. I love her more than life and I need to started showing that more to myself and the world. But please don't misunderstand me.....Siobhan isn't wanting for attention, she's not wanting for opportunities for learning and growth, and I give her hugs left and right, she totally knows that I love her. We just tend to get a little 'off' which I thinks happens to a lot of parents.

So here's some blog love for my first born....read on for some fun stories and anecdotes that will surely make your day!

*A few months back (well last fall) she came up to me one day so excited because she figured out how to tie her shoes! So exciting!!!!



* Last week was particularly hard and we were having a hard time connecting. I couldn't get her to do anything I wanted/needed her to do and I was at the end of my rope. But then she cleared the table after dinner without being asked and without expecting a reward. I almost cried! I had one of those moments where I was so proud of her yet so disappointed in myself for being so hard on her that week.

*Siobhan is such a great friend to her brothers and sister. She looks out for them all the time and I pity the fool who ever messes with her siblings when they all get older. Siobhan will take them down!



*I think that I've mentioned on the blog before how Siobhan changed Ethan's diaper with asking (or being asked) and actually did it quite perfectly. I was impressed that she had figured it all out just by observation.

*The other day I was upstairs folding laundry and I could hear Ethan stirring. Then all of the sudden he sounded a lot closer. I looked over the edge of the loft area where I was and I saw him laying on the floor of the living room (he had been asleep on our bed). Turns out, Siobhan heard him squirming so she grabbed a blanket and spread it out on the living room floor and brought Ethan (eek) out of my bedroom to play on the floor. She made a point to let me know that she carried him so safe, didn't drop him and put her hand behind his neck so his head wouldn't wobble. She was very proud!



*She knows all the dinosaurs on 'Dinosaur Train'

*She ran into Relief Society today telling me that she had a loose tooth. At first I didn't believe her because she tells me she has a loose tooth everyday. But I felt it wiggle and, sure enough, it's loose! We're all anxiously awaiting the tooth's departure from her gums!

*A conversation between me and her during overtime of the BYU-Florida basketball.
Me: Siobhan, we gotta cheer loud for BYU!
Siobhan: Mom, I'm going to say this one time...I don't like the BYU and I don't want them to win!
Me:But I thought you like BYU!?!?
Siobhan: (rolls eyes) Mom, I don't like the BYU!
Me: But Daddy went to college there, you have to like them.
Siobhan: Mom, I'm going to tell you this one more time, I don't like the BYU and I don't want them to win!
(the hand motions and facial expressions really make the story what it is, so you'll just have to trust me that it was awesome!)



*The girl could eat her weight in Carbonarra and parmessan cheese...she had three helpings tonight at dinner.

*Siobhan loves learning and loves school. She can do a whole bunch of math and is learning how to read really fast.


I love this little girl more than I could ever say!!!