Nonsequiter Conversations... Just Part of the Fun of Having a Toddler...

"Ben, what do you want to name your baby brother or sister?"

"Brother!" "Sister!" "You will be a sister. I will be a brother!"

"Hrm... let me rephrase that. What should we name the new baby? You know how your name is Ben? What will we call the baby?"

"I have a Darth Vader and he has a red light saber!"

"You know what? Nevermind..."

Piano Man...

Benjamin's latest musical obsession is the Billy Joel song, Piano Man. He had heard it about three times before somehow he managed to learn ALL the words. Really, he can do the entire thing off the top of his head and it's a little disturbing to hear your 2-1/2-year-old singing things like, "... and the microphone smelled like a beer!" The latest addition to his act is the toy piano that he bangs on. (Tom showed him the Piano Man video on YouTube) He really gets into it!

Without further adieu, I give you the performance from this morning. I turned the song on while I was getting ready and he decided to prop the piano up on the toilet and sing along. At one point, he grabs a hairbrush, which I fully believe he was intending to use as a microphone before he got distracted... oy.

Piano Man

Toys Toys Everywhere...

Today, I began the monumental annual task of incorporating all of Ben's new toys from Christmas into the playroom collection. Our basement family room was a decent size before we had a child. In fact, I thought it was huge. Now? It just feels like the toys are closing in.

Luckily, I don't have a hard time getting rid of things. So I set to work making a box (actual several large lawn bags) for whatever charity calls me next and a box for the attic. For every new toy that comes in, one must go. It's the only way to fit everything/maintain my sanity. The Fisher Price Laugh and Learn house will be going up to the attic for awhile, to make room for the giant firetruck and backhoe. SOMETHING is going to have to go to make room for the train table, which is still up in the living room, but I haven't decided what to do about that just yet. Otherwise, I'm quite proud of myself. All the new toys have homes and the basement doesn't look any more jam packed than it did before.

Now... the laundry room is another story... since that is always the transitional home for the things that are getting given away or put in the attic. I can't get to my washer and dryer without climbing over a Fisher Price obstacle course...

I really REALLY need to know what happens when child #2 enters the scene. I keep asking this question, but everyone keeps laughing me off and I have yet to get a good answer. Do you add double the toys every Christmas? I mean, Baby Too will be three years behind Ben. All of Ben's baby toys are practically brand new and mostly gender neutral... why should I buy MORE new toys?! And as far as preschool toys, seriously, we have everything... from playhuts, to several kinds of block sets, trucks, trains, airplanes... The only reason I can see to every buy anything for B2 is to prevent the "B1 got everything and I get nothing" argument...

If B2 is a girl, then that presents an even bigger conundrum because you have to eventually add a whole new SET of toys to the mix. Whereas if B2 is a boy, then the trucks/trains etc can just be shared... (go ahead and call me a sexist, but know that in addition to the trucks and trains, Ben has a lovely and well-stocked kitchen set complete with apron and chef hat ;)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! My head is spinning...

If you have more than one child, seriously, what do you do about Christmas? How do you keep the toy situation from getting totally out of hand? Keep in mind, my house is small... storage is limited. Even the attic is practically full. And B2's room? 9x9. Ben's room is bigger, but not THAT much bigger...

A Few Christmas Pics...

Christmas was hectic, but wonderful. Ben was pleased that he got (among WAY too many other things, including a train table and a fully operational miniature backhoe), the fire truck and monorail (matchbox version) he asked for.

Here he is before we left for church Christmas Eve... he really liked wearing a tie! ;)


Coming down the stairs Christmas morning...


Firetruck!


Little backhoe operator...


Now, if anyone has any ideas where I can put all this stuff? I'm all ears... ;)

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas! :)

My Favorite Christmas Song...

In the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to share one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.

Okay, so this excludes the Christmas hymns, because, frankly, no recent song can hold a candle to Oh Holy Night or Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel.. or any of the old hymns for that matter. But this particular song comes on the radio several times a day and I never get tired of it.

I never really gave it a second thought until I became a mother myself... and then this year, being pregnant again and looking at the little boy I have, I find the words touch me even more.

You just never know what your little ones will grow up to be or do... and I can imagine that Mary would certainly not have been able to fathom what the future held for HER baby...

(btw, my mom is going to gag because she HATES this song... but mom, you have to admit, it sure beats that song about Christmas Shoes!)
-----------------------------
Mary Did You Know

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered,
will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know,
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding, is the great I AM.

My Son Obviously Got His Father's Immune System...

...because this puke bug? Has knocked me down flat. I was up ALL NIGHT LONG with the stupid thing. I lost track of how many times, but suffice to say, it was a lot. :( I was starting to get worried about dehydration and the baby and all because that can be bad. So I decided to give an orange popsicle one more go at 6:30 this morning. I figured if I didn't keep that down then I needed to call my OB and probably go over to the hospital for IV fluids... but, so far, so good on the popsicle. (crossing fingers and toes) I'm also working on a glass of Coke at the moment. Baby Too is high on caffeine (or maybe just fluid in general!) and is doing backflips in there. For what it's worth, a flipping flopping fetus does NOT help with nausea....

HOW did Ben get away with only puking once?! Obviously, he inherited that crazy weird immune system from his daddy's side of the family. The one that will probably keep Tom from getting this wretched bug at ALL. Hrmph.

Two Cases of Throat Crud OneTwo Cases of Stomach Virus, One Case of Throat Crud and a Partridge in a Pear Tree...

*****update*****
Well, Ben seems to be better. Around 6p.m. he lept off the couch and is now running around downstairs. I, on the other hand, am now puking. What fun! On the bright side, at least we'll be finished with this by the time Christmas festivities begin!

****update****
After we watched Cars, I took Ben upstairs and gave him a bath. He played for awhile and then we came back downstairs and he fell asleep on the couch (in my arms... awww!). He is still sleeping and I've been catching up on some things around the house... but I just sat down and umm... wait a minute, is that nausea I feel? I'm not sure... stay tuned...
-------------------

***update*** So, strangely enough (knock on every piece of wood in the house), he only puked the one time. After that, he asked for crackers. So I started him on some ginger ale and a few saltines. I made him wait an hour and they stayed down, so I gave him some more. An hour later... still fine. I moved him to a little nest on the couch in the living room where he is currently watching Cars and just finished eating an english muffin. He seems content to just lay around, which leads me to believe he still doesn't feel wonderful, but the throwing up seems to be over with... I hope.
------------------

** update ** Nevermind. It's not the throat crud. It's a puke bug. Ben's first. What a fun little milestone!

I went to get myself some ginger ale and brought him some figuring his throat was probably sore and it would feel good... the minute he took a drink, he proceeded to projectile vomit all over me, the bed, and continued doing so while I carted him down the hall to the bathroom. Poor thing didn't know what was going on and was QUITE upset by the whole situation. I'm 100% sure there is more coming, so I've battoned down the hatches with lots of towels and am setting up camp to do lots of laundry today.
---------



I think Ben has contracted the throat crud. He got out of bed at his usual time this morning, said his throat hurt (actually he said, "SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY MOUTH!!!"), asked for water, drank it in .5 seconds, then crawled in bed with me and fell asleep until 8:30. He's awake now, but hasn't moved from my bed, hasn't said anything except when he asked for more water (two more cups full) and his face is all flushed. (sigh)

So I'm NOT Crazy...Or At Least I'm in Good Company...

I can finally admitt that I avoid left turns too... seriously... crazy intersection" No left turn arrow? FORGET IT. I'll make a right and go so far out of my way it's not even funny...

Yeah. I'm a little neurotic. But, again, at least I'm not alone.

Another 2a.m. Kinda Night...

Hi. Yeah. It's me. Awake at 2a.m. again. I have this stupid throat crud and have for almost a week now. It hibernates during the day and comes out to play at night. Tonight, just hours after I told my mom on the phone, "Oh, no, it's not in my chest!" it seems to have migrated and set up house there... perhaps even put up a few posters and a futon.

Cough. Sore throat. Croupy breathing. Sexy raspy voice. Oh la la. Not that I'm doing much talking at 2a.m., except to myself and the cat, who I tripped over leaving the bathroom a minute ago.

I just pilfered some of Ben's Baby Vicks Rub since there is nothing I can take. Or rather, I'm too lazy to google "safe cough medicines during pregnancy" and it's not like I'd go out at 2a.m. to pick it up anyway.

And the really weird thing? Other than a tiny bit of a runny nose? I will feel 100% normal all day tomorrow. What's the deal with that? And when is this crud leaving? My sleep is very important and the crud is messing with it. I don't appreciate that.

Growl.

I Hope She Took it as a Compliment?

Benjamin and I were standing in line at the Safeway Starbucks this morning when a woman in a long black dress coat got in line behind us...

Ben says, "Hey! You look like Darth Vader!"

I looked up and the woman was NOT smiling. So I sort of laughed and said, "Heh. He said you look like Darth Vader... long black coat... yeeeah... his daddy has been letting him watch Star Wars. Sorry."

Personally, I thought the whole thing was pretty amusing. Why she didn't is a mystery to me. ;)

Night Out...

Tom's work party turned out to be a place called Aldo's in Little Italy. Quite yummy, it was. Here's the thing though. Whenever his company does these work dinners, they always have a cocktail hour beforehand. Let me tell you, there is nothing I hate more than just awkwardly standing around while trying to make small talk and eat tiny food in a polite manner.

At least I CAN make small talk though... but I have my husband working against me... he has a genetic defect that makes him unable to just talk about nothing. He's gotten *okay* at compensating for it, but he can only do it for so long and once he runs out of topics... well, yeah, it's bad. I used to hang back with him and just continually sip on whatever drink I had in my hand until my bladder was ready to explode, but now I try to seek out the women, who generally always want to talk about kids/pregnancy/school, all topics I can handle without feeling completely socially inept.

Unfortunately, last night, I ended up stuck in a conversation circle with my husband, his brother, and one of the bosses talking about golf. I was busy trying to slit my wrists with a crab puff counting down the minutes to dinner and strategizing about who we should sit with.

See, we ended up at a particularly good table last year with his coworker Steve and his wife, who was six months pregnant at the time, and the company receptionist, who I love. I talked epidurals and hospitals with Lauren and chatted and joked around with Barb. I had a great time! (and I think Tom enjoyed it too, even though there was minimal discussion of golf and/or finance)

Really, my odds were good. Of the 9 or so employees and their spouses, there were only 3 I REALLY wanted to avoid. Yep. We ended up with two of them. TWO and a half hours at a table with Tom's boss, who is nice enough, but we don't have anything in common with, his daughter, who came in place of his wife who was sick... she was nice, but 19 and in her second year of college. And the couple with *no* personality: Tom's coworker Brian, who is about 23, looks like a frat boy and never says anything. HIs date du jour was "like ohmahgah Kristin who just moved here from Michigan!" who actually was much smarter than her valley girl accent made her seem... at least, I assume she was smart... she works in the pathology lab at Johns Hopkins and used lots of big words about said job.

It's really very sad when I can say I carried a lot of the conversation... I'll be tired for days just from the sheer energy it took for me to do that. And if I never in my life have one more conversation about snowfall and cold weather in Michigan vs. snowfall and cold weather in Baltimore, it'll be too soon, thanks.

On the bright side, dessert included both tiramisu and a cannoli on one plate, so the night ended well. ;)

Out on the Town...

Tom and I are off tonight to his company Christmas party. It's downtown in Little Italy, so I'm really hoping for a nice big fat helping of tiramisu or cannoli at some point. YUM.

Last year, I sported a little black dress and, while self conscious because I hate wearing dresses, I at least looked somewhat "cute".

This year? Black polyester stretchy pants and a christmas red empire waist maternity shirt complete with tie back that accentuates both my wonderfully enlarged chestal region AND the giant basketball belly... I am smokin' HOT, I tell you. ;) Whatever. At least my pants stretch so I can eat lots of pasta and italian desserts. :D

Ben is downstairs hanging out with his favorite babysitter/godmother and I haven't seen him since she got here. They'll have a blast tonight!

Every. Single. Year...

Why is it every year I start my Christmas shopping well ahead of time and yet, every year, I am running around the week before Christmas? It always seems like there is one more thing to get for one more person. I'm still stuffing stockings and I have three more stores to hit. One or two of them least involve me getting a coffee while I'm there. ;) And btw, WHY doesn't Dunkin Donuts take credit/debit? WHY? Is it just my Dunkin Donuts?

In other news, Benjamin has taken to acting out portions of the Star Wars movies. He can quote lines and everything. At the moment, he is carrying around a storm trooper action figure and making light saber sounds. I need to make a deal that if we ever have a girl, *I* get to do the brainwashing. ;)

Another Water Drinker...

Katie is pregnant too! Go tell her congratulations! :)
I sure hope all these Maryland hospitals are bracing for the baby boom that is coming in the spring and summer!

You know, just as an aside, it crossed my mind ever so briefly that she might be pregnant when we met up with her hubby and little girl at Port Discovery a couple weekends ago. L mentioned in passing that Katie was home and just tired from a long weekend. Pregnant is just where your brain goes when someone is of child-bearing age, I know... but let it be known, I thought it! ;)

For Becky...

It's available in pink. blue and white, I just posted the pink one because I could. :) Also, there is are other shirts with the same graphic scattered throughout the store that say: "Baby Bear", "B is for Bear", "Mommy's Little Bear" and "Daddy's Little Bear".

Becky, I emailed Mandy to send you the link because I couldn't find your email address...

It's Friday!

Ben loves Fridays... it's playtime day! They are having a little Christmas party today for the kids too, which is nice. I'm just hoping there will be coffee.

My throat feels a little better this morning, but I'm really tired. I'm guessing that's just from being up a lot of the night. Hopefully, there will be nappage at some point today because I sure could use one too. (I could *most* days, but today, I'm really afraid if I close my eyes, I'll be out and Ben will be roaming the house unsupervised...)

Did I mention I hope there is coffee at playtime? Maybe I should just stop by good ol' Starbucks and get my favorite mocha on the way... :\

3:45a.m....

Awake.

Throat hurts... a LOT. :( Ow-ee... felt fine earlier, so what the HECK?! Feels like I am swallowing knives.

Back to bed, not because I am going to sleep easily, but because there is nothing better to do.

Ben Says "Two Snaps Up!" for Christmastime...

Simultaneous Toddler Cuteness and Toddler Grossossity...

This Christmas season has brought with it a new milestone in toddlerland. Ben sings! Before, he would sometimes finish bits of songs if you started it, but he would never just spontaneously burst into song. Apparently, he finds Christmas songs inspiring. His current repertoire includes: Jingle Bells, Baby It's Cold Outside, and Santa Clause is Coming to Town. He also likes to drum along while he sings. Yes, I have my own personal little drummer boy. (we're working on that one!)

In other news, he has had some kind of "poop" affliction the last couple of days. I don't think he's sick, because it's not constant or more than usual... it's just sudden and stinky and it REALLY ticks him off. How do I know this? Every time he umm... toots... he exclaims very loudly, "SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY BUTT!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY BUTT?!"

Oh yes, good times here in the Baby Human house...

Toddler on Fire...

Has anyone watched the bonus material on the Incredibles with the short called http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKxebO-INmA>Jack Jack Attacks? That's pretty much been my day... and I'm feeling a lot like Karie in the last scene where she looks all disheveled and sleep deprived. Meanwhile, the baby is sitting on the floor bursting into flames and she grabs the fire extinguisher like she's been putting him out for DAYS... then he shoots the eye lasers at her and she whips out a mirror to deflect them.

Yep. That's me. Where's my replacement?

www.timeforanap.com...

I woke up this morning feeling like I was catching a cold (from about 3a.m. on, actually). For the most part, it seems to have disappeared, but I'm exhausted from the lack of sleep and battling a sinus headache. Good times.

Currently waiting to see if Ben is going to nap before I try to take one myself...

Thankfully, today was Gymboree day, so I got an hour or so break while Ben wore himself out. I heart that foam-mat toddler heaven!

Speaking of Gymboree, I just found out they have started a preschool program. I'm VERY excited because I think a year of it just might be the perfect transition to a more typical preschool program when he turns four. Also, if we want to continue with Gymboree after he turns three, he HAS to do the preschool because they discontinued the regular 3-5 year old Gymboree play class in favor of the "Learning Lab".

The thing I'm most excited about is that it's a drop-off program... one day a week for one hour and 45 minutes. And the teacher is his current teacher, who he has been with over a year now and who he absolutely adores. Hence, why I think this just. might. work.

We have time to think about it because to go, they have to be three and "mostly" potty trained. (not really sure what that means exactly. I'm wondering if I can swear he won't poop while he's there, if that would count ;) )

Too tired to type anymore...Zzzzzzzzz...

Reboot...

The toddler woke up on the wrong side of the bed today and was cranky ALL morning. He threw a tantrum in the car on the way to Home Depot because he didn't want to wear his coat/didn't want to wear his seatbelt/some light wasn't on/didn't want to listen to lite 102. (I kid you not, he asked for mix 106.5 instead)

Some days, he is just SO DIFFICULT.

So after we got home and I fed him some lunch, he was sent up to his room for a nap. It took almost an hour, but he's sleeping now. I KNEW that child was tired.

Whew. I'm finishing up my gift wrapping now... almost all the gifts are under the tree. I'm sure I'll hear it from Tom later that Ben's gifts are under there because, you know, Santa brings them and all. But I really had nowhere else to put them and was tired of them being piled in the bottom of my closet. Besides, Ben isn't THAT tuned into the whole Christmas/Santa thing yet. Though, I did recently discover he can read his name, so I covered all of his with other peoples' gifts.

We'll see how these gifts fare for the next 12 days...

Maybe Exposure to Other Children ISN'T Such a Good Thing After All?

(at least, if they haven't been screened and approved by me) ;)

For a long time, I was a little sad that when we would go places where there were other kids, Ben would always be the one to have stuff grabbed away from him, or be pushed out of the way. The kid would never stick up for himself. Instead, he'd look around with this, "What was THAT all about" look on his face and go find something else to play with. Meanwhile, I would be fuming about the injustice of it all if the other parent didn't step in to right the wrong. (kids will be kids, but I'm a strong believer in the parents doing their job to teach them how to be kind!)

Apparently, sometime in the last few months (probably at Mommy and Me, I would guess), he has picked up a few choice words/moves to stake out his territory and defend himself. (and I know exactly which kids he picked all this up from too!!)

Soooo yeah... flash forward to the Barnes and Noble train table this morning... Ben was playing and this one little girl kept snatching trains right out of his hands while the grandmother looked on and did/said nothing. Another little boy (maybe six months younger than Ben) toddled up to the table and squeezed in next to Ben.

I watched in horror as my child swatted at him and said, "GO AWAY!"

?!?!

I immediately jumped in and gave Ben a stern little lecture about being nice and sharing and NEVER EVER telling another kid to go away.

Ben answered, "But he was going to take the Bertie Bus!" I replied that I didn't care, he was still never to hit or yell at people and that if he did it again, we'd go home.

Of course, during all this, the other little boy was crying and had made his way over to his mother who I'm sure was now thinking I have the brattiest kid on earth. I tried to get Ben to say he was sorry, but he wouldn't... I would have pushed the issue but the mom and the little boy left shortly thereafter.

Meanwhile, grabby girl continued to take every train on the table, including the ones in Ben's hands while grandma did nothing.

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?!

Just Random Monday Brain Dumping...

* The house the Christmas party was in last night was flippin' HUGE. The first floor had three living rooms (that I saw): one formal, one like a family room where the Christmas tree was, and a larger great room type thing with a fireplace and giant tv. This got me thinking, do I EVER want to own a house that big? Yes, it was beautiful... but how long did it take to fill all those rooms with furniture? How long did it take to decorate? For the love of pete, how long does it take to CLEAN?! I'll take my townhouse for the time being, thanks.

* I have to admit, I'm not the world's biggest Santa fan. If it were totally up to me, I'd just let it go, read Ben the story of St. Nicholas (about where the story of Santa came from) and leave it at that. I wish I knew why I have a Santa aversion... I always have. I cringed last night when all those kids got so excited at his arrival (Ben is still pretty ambivalent), mostly because they knew he was bringing them more STUFF. Plus, I hate the idea of my kid sitting on some creepy stranger guy's lap year after year.

It's not totally up to me though, so until Ben asks otherwise, I suppose there is a Santa. You really wouldn't know about my Santa aversion unless you pay attention and notice I never say to Ben, "If you're good, maybe Santa will bring you... blah blah..." (everyone else does though, so it really doesn't matter)

I know, I know... next you think I'm going to confess that I kick puppies... I promise I don't.

* I am two presents away from being finished with my shopping!

* There was a woman at the party last night who has shown up in our Gymboree class once or twice. She is 24 weeks pregnant with *twins* and her stomach is the same size as mine. That is just wrong.

* Our tree skirt disappeared. When I went to Joanne's on Saturday to replace it, all that was left were $50 ugly ones and $2.99 cotton batting. Cotton batting it is! It's snow, people! Use your imagination! ;)

* I was supposed to leave things out on the porch Saturday for the MS charity truck. I forgot. I feel like dirt. :( This is the second time I have told a charity I had stuff for them and forgotten to put it out.

* I'm sure have more to brain dump, but the toddler is awake...

Where Am I and How Did I Get Here?

The only picture in existence of Benjamin sitting on Santa's lap. Taken at Tom's parents' neighborhood Christmas party this evening...


I'm pretty sure this only worked because it happened too quickly for him to realize what was going on and just as fast, it was over and Santa moved on to the next kid.

T-Shirt Trends...

So most of you know I have a little Cafepress t-shirt shop that I run for both fun and profit. It has surprised me beyond any expectations I had how well it has done. Most days, I sell about 7-8 shirts... some days, as many as 15-20. It really brings in a nice little monthly check for me, of which I am saving every penny right now to put hardwood floors in our living/dining room since my husband won't do it for me. ;)

But... I have to say, there is one thing has me a little concerned...

My best-selling t-shirt... BY FAR... as in, I sell AT LEAST one of a day, if not more... the one that has put the most money in my hardwood floor fund... is this:


Scary, huh? It has even made it into Cafepress's top 100 baby tees and is linked in several other affiliate shops. THAT many people either think it's funny, or actually have a carseat on their tractors.

Yowza.

I tried to piggyback on the sales of the tractor tee, with this little number that Tom came up with... but so far, no bites. ;) He keeps asking me if I've sold any of his shirt and I keep having to tell him no.


For the record, this one was also Tom's idea but has never had any takers. I actually thought this one was QUITE amusing...

(in case you can't read the text, it says: "I traveled down the birth canal and all I got was this lousy t-shirt"

The Annual Hunting of the Trees...

Today's Christmas tree hunting proved more challenging than previous years -- first taking us to one tree farm... (where Nanee and Pap thought the trees weren't tall enough), to a second tree "farm" where they didn't actually have any trees to cut down... and finally back to the original tree farm where our photo blogging begins...

Trees, trees everywhere... but which one will be the lucky winner?


This one looks good!


"What's Uncle Marc doing down there?"


Later that day, the tree got all dressed up! (during naptime... muahahahahaha!)


Our cozy Christmas scene... complete with train! ;)


Just for fun and because I'm having fun linking things...
Our 2002 tree
Dunno why there is no pic of 2003... probably because I was pregnant and busy taking nursery pics instead...
Our 2004 tree
Our 2005 tree

"New 'Quarium!"

We picked up the new version of the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium today at Target. That was fun. Apparently, everyone gets days off now for Christmas shopping, because our Target was a MADHOUSE at noon today. And where did *I* have to be? In the toy aisle. Hooray! Found the aquarium, along with two long sleeve shirts for Ben and a few stocking stuffers for other people and got the heck out of there.

The new aquarium has been Ben approved, though not yet sleep-tested. I actually like it a LOT better than the old version. The music is much more soothing (and much less depressing) and the battery pack is separate so you don't have to take the whole darn thing off the crib/bed everytime the batteries die. (which is at least once a month)

I... um... also think part of the reason the old version broke is because to get the batteries OUT of it, you literally had to bang the whole contraption on the floor until they FELL out. (unless prying them out with a screwdriver is your idea of a good time) So yay to Fisher Price for improvements.

Now, on to another problem I'm having. What does my husband have against closing doors of any kind? Cabinets, drawers, linen closets, medicine cabinet, bedroom closets, coat closets... do you think it's a phobia of some sort? A religious aversion? A simple preference for things to be open and airy? It's annoying. Discuss...

Sad Day in Toddlerville...

I came home last night (yes! I actually went out! After 7! Film at 11!) to Tom shushing me in the hallway...

"Sh. Ben's still awake..."
(this has never really been shush-worthy before, btw)
"So?"
"Something's wrong with his aquarium."
"Ohhhh... I just put new batteries in it yesterday!"
"Yeah, it's not the batteries. It's making a high pitched squealing sound. Not good."

You have to understand, the aquarium is almost as sacred as binky and froggy when it comes to the bedtime routine around here. It even transitioned with him to the toddler bed. I had visions of him taking the thing to college and annoying his roommates with the bubble and waves sounds it makes, not to mention that sad aquarium song that will be forever burned into my brain.

As Tom was explaining this to me, Ben started crying and we went up to find the aquarium doing its death rattle again. There were actual tears as Ben said, "My aquarium.... sniff sniff sniff... what is wrong with my aquarium?!?!?"

He ended up in bed with us until he fell asleep. But I know he ALWAYS wakes up around 3a.m. and turns it on again. Sure enough, 3a.m.... "My aquarium! What is wrong?!?!?" Back in bed with us.

I'm at a loss as to what to do. Should I take the opportunity to cold turkey him off of it? Or should I go buy a new one?" The problem with the new one is that it doens't play the same music, which I'm pretty sure was what Ben liked about it. I guess I could always use it for the new baby if he hates it... I was going to get a new one anyway since it didn't look like Ben was going to pass his down anytime soon.

He is going to be so sad tonight if the replacement doesn't do the trick... :(

**update** T.G.F.E.! (Thank Goodness for Ebay!) I'll go out and get the new one today to hopefully get us through until the Ebay one gets here. Then use the new one for the baby's room! Brilliant! ;)

Say It Ain't So!?

Is it REALLY getting close to the time I have to start looking into schools?!?!? I had NO idea! Where to start? What to do?

I have a confession. I think I'm a school snob. This is odd, because, though I went to a (very nonprestigious) private Christian school until 7th grade, I graduated from the public high school, and not even the "blue ribbon" one my husband had the chance to go to. I got a great education, as did my husband, who went to public school all 13 years. Looking back though, we both agree that we got the education we got because we were in AP classes, which basically gets you a private school education from public school.

Frankly, the schools around here are overcrowded, even the good ones. The AP program doesn't even kick in until 5th grade, I don't think. Of course, you have to test into it and yeah, we think our kid is smart, but there are no guarantees. Though, honestly, since I have been out of school, I keep hearing that the AP classes are becoming not only less stringent as far as who they admit (the class behind mine had THREE sections of AP kids, and I KNOW they didn't all belong there), but it's less politically correct to have a section of students labeled "gifted", so it's probably not long until they kill it altogether and lump everyone into the same "let's not hurt anyone's feelings" class. GAG.

Long story short, we want to give our kids the advantages private school offers. We have a wonderful opportunity before us because my father is a teacher at one of the best local private schools, so, provided Ben could pass the admissions test, he'd get in, because they reserve a certain number of spots for family of faculty. We'd also get a break on the tuition.

We're keeping an open mind about other schools though... there are a few others I'd like to look into. But I just don't know where to start or when. Apparently it's never too early... SHEESH. I'm not part of that "society"... I won't have any family alumni to put down on the admissions forms... I worry about having to hang out with these other parents who come from generations and generations of money. My dad once taught Rose Kennedy's granddaughter... in fact, the plaques adorning the walls of the school where he teachers are a vertiable who's who of families that built Baltimore.

We're not by any stretch wealthy. We don't live in "that" part of the county. We don't hang with those kinds of people. Heck, I'm even uncomfortable when I have to go to my husband's company dinner at the country club (or whatever other fancy schmancy place they choose to have it this year) I feel pretty safe saying we're the furthest thing from snobby you can be...

It's just that private school is one of those things we see as an investment for our children. It might mean fewer trips to Disney and more than a few more years in our little townhouse, but we think it's worth it. My husband never saw the value in it until he started working in an industry where EVERYONE went to this or that private school. His coworkers are able to open doors just by calling up their school pals who are now their business network. He can't say the same...

Me? I LOOOOOVE uniforms and plan on living vicariously since I never got to wear one. Especially if I have a daughter who I can dress in jumpers and shirts with peter pan collars and little matching hairbows for her ponytail... ;)

Does anyone else have thoughts on the topic? I don't often bring it up because I know my thoughts on school aren't popular with everyone out there... but Dawn's post about Jack (linked above) just got the wheels turning.

No Big Plans Today, EIther!

I know, aren't we exciting lately? I think these Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbreads are on the cookie agenda today. I have to credit my SIL with introducing me to this THIS calorie laiden recipe. My GOSH they are good...

What else...

Yesterday, I spent a few hours of my day googling Thomas track layouts and trying to figure out a way to fit our two little sets together so they actually made a circuit. We kept having tragic train accidents because the track would abruptly end on one side or the other. I finally gave up and just built them separately. ;) Ben was happy.

We have recently discovered that in addition to his cars, trucks and trains, he also loves ALL things Pixar. It started with Cars. Then we tried Finding Nemo... then Toy Story and most recently, The Incredibles. He will watch ALL of them, though I think Toy Story is his favorite (mine too!) followed closely by Cars. So yeeeah... we watched The Incredibles twice yesterday. Ben *really* likes Dash. I think he identifies with him. ;)

Gotta run for now. The boy is up! More later, I'm sure. :)

Cozy Day at Home...

Actually, we have already been out once today. I took Ben to Gymboree, where he spent almost the entire 45 minutes running full speed in a circle. Thank GOODNESS for that place. Now we're home and I have SO much to get done... trying intersperse it with some playtime too, so basically it is very slow going.

Yesterday, I made some Oreo Truffle Balls. They look REALLY good, but I can't have any because there are exactly 3 dozen in the batch, which is exactly what I need for the cookie exchange tomorrow night.

Today, Ben and I might tackle some chocolate chip cookies just for fun... of course that's IF the kitchen gets cleaned, the laundry gets done and the living room gets dusted and vacuumed. So we'll see... he's not really helping, so much.... ;)


Edited to add...
Kitchen clean, living room... eh.. kinda. Ben watching The Incredibles... cookie time?

There Has GOT to Be a Better Way....

It's a problem I have been searching for an answer to every winter since Ben was born... and I hvae yet to find a good solution.

You see, it's cold this week. REALLY cold. Like, winter coat, hat and gloves cold. But it's impossible to buckle Ben into the carseat in that coat, not to mention, unsafe. So I put him in his coat, take him to the car, take the coat off, and buckle him in. When we get where we are going, I take him out, put the coat back on, go whereever... if it's a morning like this morning where I had to run to five stores in the same shopping center (far enough apart that you really can't walk), that means I have to repeat the process for each place we go.

I COULD just put him in his little fleece zipup, but I'm always afraid it isn't warm enough! I see all these other toddlers out in their winter coats, so there really must be something I'm missing... what is it?!

Looking Especially Dapper...

Ben had just woken up from a nap before we left for Tom's dad's bday dinner yesterday. I had to perform a quick bedhead repair and this was the result... too cute!

Fun Saturday! :)

Yesterday, we were supposed to go get our Christmas tree, but that got postponed because it was still muddy outside due to Friday's rain. We ended up going to Port Discovery instead, where we had a bit of a spontaneous meetup with our friends the Periwinkles as well as Law Mommy's husband and the adorable Emily Rose. The kids had a blast, though, because they all found different things interesting, tended to NOT be in the same place, ever. So though we were all at the museum together, we saw each other only for a few minutes at a time. ;)

Ben LOVES the children's museum. He has asked three times today to please go back. I'm sure we'll break down and get a membership after the holidays. (or... if anyone is still looking for a good gift for him, that would be a great one!) It really is a great place and doesn't seem to get as overly crowded as the Science Center or the Aquarium. Or at least, maybe it's more spread out so the exhibits don't get all clogged with people the way those other places do.

We had a great time and I'm sure we'll go back soon! I'm thinking about doing Ben's birthday there this year, actually. He'll love it!