The Gym

One of my goals this summer is to get in shape. So I decided a gym was a must. After a failed attempt at one gym (another customer service NIGHTMARE -- oh cruel fate...) I found my way to the oasis that is the YMCA. They are friendly and helpful and wonderful. Today was the first day that I took Elizabeth to the childcare room and went and worked out. I was nervous leaving her there, and actually snuck down once and peeked in on her. She had a blast! The girls said that she spent a lot of time just watching the other kids, and then she starting exploring the room and looking at things and playing a little. When I went to pick her up one the workers was holding her and looking at things out the window with her. They said, "Please bring her back...she's so sweet." That made me feel really good. I know that she's wonderful, and it makes me happy to share that with others.

Sick!

Elizabeth had her first official sickness. Last Friday, I noticed after a short walk that she seemed warm. I took her temp. and it was 100.7! Danny took her to the doctor (one that was referred by her regular doc who was on vacation). She had a virus, one that we could even name -- Roseola. It gave her a fever for 3 days, she didn't eat much, she was cranky and fussy, and then she broke out in a rash at the end of it that cleared up in a day. Not such a big deal. But when your child gets sick, and it's your first one, you freak out. I was so worried about her, taking her temperature all the time and constantly monitoring her condition. We even got up in the middle of the night to check on her. She had a mild stomach bug a couple of week ago, but it wasn't so bad so we just waited for it to pass, which it did! But this was different. I was so worried about her. We gave her tylenol and motrin every 4 hours, and I kept taking her temp. constantly. We even missed a family shrimp boil / swimming party with Danny's family. That was a bummer, but that's the way it goes. Apparantly, this virus is responsible for the first fever in more than 50% of babies. We found that on the internet.

She's better now, and growing so fast. I look at pictures and I can't believe how fast she is changing. She's babbling so much now. She can say several words, like Momma, Daddy, ball, duck, baby, bye, la-la (for her cousin Lauren), and circle, kind of. She mostly just babbles consonant and vowel sounds. She understands TONS. She can wave, and give hugs to people and her dolls. It's so amazing to watch her grow and learn new things every day.

Sonic Stinks!

Well, this blog is an infrequent update on the life of my daughter. I write so seldom that I'm sure no one reads it anymore. But I just had to vent about my trip to Sonic today.

I went out to run a few errands, and decided to pick up a fresh-fruit slushy for the trip. A summer treat that I always enjoy. Long story short...I got to Sonic, ordered my strawberry slushy, and the girl came out and told me that it was $2.75. I was like, "what??" On the menu, all of the drinks were listed with one price at the bottom, ranging from $1.39 - $1.69. Since I ordered a small, I expected to pay about $1.50.

I asked her about the price, and showed her the menu. She huffed and puffed, grabbed the drink, stormed off, and said she would ring it up at that price. She mumbled something about fresh strawberries being more expensive, but ran away before we could discuss it. She came back out and had a lower price, and I looked at the slushy and just prayed that she hadn't spit in it or something gross like that. Elizabeth and I both drank it and we're O.K.....so far.

I showed her the menu again, and suggested that maybe they should list a price for the slushy. THERE WAS NO PRICE LISTED FOR THE SLUSHY. She looked at me like she wanted to shoot me and said, "I"ll put that in the suggestion box." And she was a manager. So unbelievably unprofessional and RUDE. It annoyed me, and I drove away from Sonic disturbed and unhappy.

I don't think that Sonic is the only place where good customer service is lacking. There are a lot of businesses in this community with helpful, friendly employees, but more and more that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. We need a customer service revolution!!!

Summer is Here!

I officially began my summer vacation this week. Except for a few days of substituting, I'm spending the entire summer home with Elizabeth. Last night our 9 year old nephew, Logan, spent the night with us. Elizabeth loves having company, and we had fun playing putt-putt this morning at Nocalula.

Elizabeth had a first this week: throwing up. I went in her room to check on her like I do every night before I go to bed and she was lying next to a giant pile of throw up. So gross!!! We got her up and cleaned her up, and she went back to bed. She got sick again the next morning, but then was fine all day and didn't get sick again, so far. I was worried about her, but she seems fine. Of all of the things that scared me about motherhood, throw up was probably the worst. I just have always had a weak stomach and didn't think I would be able to handle it. With Danny's help, we made it through the first episode.

Elizabeth's language development is really growing. She can say several words, like Momma, Dada, ball, duck, la la, and bye-bye. And she understands a lot! She goes to the gate when I say "let's go upstairs." She goes in the kitchen to the refrigerator when I say "It's time to eat." She goes to the door when I say, "Let's go get the mail." She can bring me different objects that I ask for, like, Pooh, a ball, her bunny, or a book. It's so awesome to see her learning new things every day. She gives hugs now. So if you ask for a hug she will give you one. And she's obsessed with phones, not play ones but real ones. Especially cell phones. She called Jim on the phone this morning while she was playing around with my cell phone. Sorry, Jim!