I've been pondering all of the things that could have triggered Ben's current negative state of being. Aside from just a regular boring old developmental leap of some kind, here's what I have come up with...
* Lion King. He and Tom watched Lion King about a week ago and he was really quietly freaked out when Simba's father died... he wouldn't even talk about it. Then, when Tom read him the story out of one of his books another night, he acted all weird again. And now, he won't let us read it at all. (interesting to note that he told Tom he didn't want to read it last time because it reminded him of school... ?!)
* Vacation. Vacation always throws him for awhile... the lack of routine, the being away from his house, his bed, his stuff. I actually totally get that. But it has been three weeks... then again, we also came home to the house looking different than he left it (he HATES the new floor), being sick, and getting a brand new bed all within a week. Makes me dread what life will be like whenever we decide it's time to move. (not for years, thank goodness)
* Simon. Simon is becoming a way more of a threat now. He wants to play with Ben's stuff. He will even steal Ben's sippy cups and drink his juice if we're not paying attention. He gets around... Ben can't play with certain toys where Simon is because of the little pieces. He has to wait around sometimes while I feed/change/put Simon down for a nap. A lot of times, despite my best efforts to avoid the phrase, I still find myself saying "You have to wait a minute until I do blah blah with Simon." or "We can't do that right now, Simon is napping." I think this is definitely part of what is getting to him... especially the part where he has to share ME.
* The only thing school-related I've been able to piece together is that once, recently, he wasn't ready to sit down/stop playing and someone told him he had to. His teacher mentioned that once a couple weeks ago, he came to her all teary from the Big Room and wouldn't really say what was wrong.... when I try to get him to fill in the details of that, I get some version of what I just said.
So yeah... those are my theories... maybe it's one of them, maybe it's all of them... maybe it's just a random phase like Simon who currently will not tolerate being held by anyone (even Tom) if I am in his sightline or within earshot. Yeeehaw. Did I say I wanted three kids? I may overestimated my sanity threshold...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Bullets to Perhaps be Expounded Upon Later...
* Ben woke up at 3:30a.m. calling "Mommy!!!" I went in and he cried and cried about how he wanted me to sleep in his bed with him and how he doesn't like when I leave him because he is lonely. WHERE is this coming from?! Other than school and once in awhile with his grandparents, the kid is in the same ROOM with me almost 24/7. Also, in nearly FOUR years, he has never had an issue with sleeping in his own bed alone. Weirdness.
* My brother was, indeed on Jimmy Kimmel last night. I watched it on the Tivo this morning. Highly amusing. My favorite part was: "I hear you've dropped out of college!" "Yes, yes I have!" "Oh good, good that's good." ;)
* Simon waves to us now. (his favorite time to do it is when you get him from his crib in the morning... never have you seen a happier child than him at 7a.m.) He also stood on his own a couple times yesterday... (which scares me to death now because of the hard floor!!)
Off to figure out how to spend the last day of what has been a painfully long week! Thinking about a trip to the bookstore to drop some formula off for Mandy and spend some special time with Ben... (since he obviously needs it, badly!)
* My brother was, indeed on Jimmy Kimmel last night. I watched it on the Tivo this morning. Highly amusing. My favorite part was: "I hear you've dropped out of college!" "Yes, yes I have!" "Oh good, good that's good." ;)
* Simon waves to us now. (his favorite time to do it is when you get him from his crib in the morning... never have you seen a happier child than him at 7a.m.) He also stood on his own a couple times yesterday... (which scares me to death now because of the hard floor!!)
Off to figure out how to spend the last day of what has been a painfully long week! Thinking about a trip to the bookstore to drop some formula off for Mandy and spend some special time with Ben... (since he obviously needs it, badly!)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Red Mile...
This morning was going so well... I got up extra early, so I could be showered, dressed and completely ready to deal with Ben when he got up. I got Simon fed and dressed too and had Tom take the diaper bag and Ben's Valentine's treats out to the car for me on his way out so I didn't have to think about managing all that.
Ben, of course, then woke up screaming about it being a school day (and about Tom going to work), but after Tom left, he actually calmed down. I spend some extra time snuggling with him and he helped me pick out his outfit for school... he giggled at things Simon was doing. I let him pick granola bars for breakfast, which he was excited about and I made him special pink Valentine's day milk, which made me briefly, the coolest mom ever.
After that, we watched some shows together and played a little... things were going REALLY well and I was beginning to think I'd really look like a silly mom when we got there and he was perfectly fine like nothing was ever wrong in the first place.
Then it came time to leave and I was no longer the coolest mom ever, even though I kept pointing out the pink milk and reminding him how cool he thought I was just 30 minutes prior.
He got upset about putting his coat on but I distracted him with what we could listen to in the car and promised him a special surprise on his carseat when I picked him up from school. (thanks, Jen!) :) He was fine... until about five minutes from school when he realized I wasn't kidding and we WERE actually going there. "I want you to turn around, I want to go a different way, I want every day to be Saturday, I want it to snow, I want you to make school shut down!!" And so on.
He was pretty worked up all the way in... another mom stopped to ask me if she could take Simon for me. I declined because then I'd have two screamers. (so fun having both of them go through their own age-appropriate separation anxiety at the same time!!!) Then she tried to talk to to Ben about the fun Valentine's Day party. Note to moms: DO NOT TRY TO CONSOLE ANOTHER MOM'S KID. IT USUALLY JUST MAKES THINGS WORSE. I realize her intentions were good, but seriously, by the time I got him down the stairs and through the doors, he was gagging and coughing he was so upset. (and also to that well-meaning mom, do you really think I didn't try talking up the fun V'day stuff?!)
And then came what I have now coined the Red Mile... the oh so very long walk across the Big Room and the red rug with the screaming child. It seemed like it took forEVER to get to his classroom... I wasn't worried about what everyone was thinking because I do know this happens every day there... but I just felt so bad for him and was barely keeping it together myself... and I knew what I had to do when we got to the room...
His teachers were prepared too... Mrs. Poe came right out and took over, helping him take his coat off. Then she just picked him up. Then he turned the scream volume up to 11, The "No Mommy PLEEEEEEASE DON'T GOOOOOOOOOOO!" was a particularly nice touch. I handed his V'day stuff off to Miss Katharine and got the heck out of there. Another mom (actually the mom of a rather consistent cryer) mouthed "it'll be okay" from across the room as I practically ran out the door. I couldn't stop to talk or I would have lost it.
I didn't call, instead just went home and puttered around with Simon waiting to see if I'd get a phone call to come get him.
I DID get a phone call... I thought for SURE it was not good, but it was Mrs. Poe on the other end calling to tell me he calmed down about five minutes after I left after yelling at them for a while about "make my mommy come back RIGHT NOW!!!". He was happy and participating in the activities. :) Happy sigh of relief here. Krystyna also emailed to tell me her mom had called her and said Ben had calmed down and was excited to see the class goody bags they were putting together. :)
And so, until Tuesday, all is well with the world...
Oh, and the treat on his carseat is going to be popcorn. He LOVES popcorn. :) Though, on our way out of the house this morning, his godmother stopped by with a bag full of Valentine's day treats, so my popcorn may take a backseat to the two new Star Wars figures. :P
Ben, of course, then woke up screaming about it being a school day (and about Tom going to work), but after Tom left, he actually calmed down. I spend some extra time snuggling with him and he helped me pick out his outfit for school... he giggled at things Simon was doing. I let him pick granola bars for breakfast, which he was excited about and I made him special pink Valentine's day milk, which made me briefly, the coolest mom ever.
After that, we watched some shows together and played a little... things were going REALLY well and I was beginning to think I'd really look like a silly mom when we got there and he was perfectly fine like nothing was ever wrong in the first place.
Then it came time to leave and I was no longer the coolest mom ever, even though I kept pointing out the pink milk and reminding him how cool he thought I was just 30 minutes prior.
He got upset about putting his coat on but I distracted him with what we could listen to in the car and promised him a special surprise on his carseat when I picked him up from school. (thanks, Jen!) :) He was fine... until about five minutes from school when he realized I wasn't kidding and we WERE actually going there. "I want you to turn around, I want to go a different way, I want every day to be Saturday, I want it to snow, I want you to make school shut down!!" And so on.
He was pretty worked up all the way in... another mom stopped to ask me if she could take Simon for me. I declined because then I'd have two screamers. (so fun having both of them go through their own age-appropriate separation anxiety at the same time!!!) Then she tried to talk to to Ben about the fun Valentine's Day party. Note to moms: DO NOT TRY TO CONSOLE ANOTHER MOM'S KID. IT USUALLY JUST MAKES THINGS WORSE. I realize her intentions were good, but seriously, by the time I got him down the stairs and through the doors, he was gagging and coughing he was so upset. (and also to that well-meaning mom, do you really think I didn't try talking up the fun V'day stuff?!)
And then came what I have now coined the Red Mile... the oh so very long walk across the Big Room and the red rug with the screaming child. It seemed like it took forEVER to get to his classroom... I wasn't worried about what everyone was thinking because I do know this happens every day there... but I just felt so bad for him and was barely keeping it together myself... and I knew what I had to do when we got to the room...
His teachers were prepared too... Mrs. Poe came right out and took over, helping him take his coat off. Then she just picked him up. Then he turned the scream volume up to 11, The "No Mommy PLEEEEEEASE DON'T GOOOOOOOOOOO!" was a particularly nice touch. I handed his V'day stuff off to Miss Katharine and got the heck out of there. Another mom (actually the mom of a rather consistent cryer) mouthed "it'll be okay" from across the room as I practically ran out the door. I couldn't stop to talk or I would have lost it.
I didn't call, instead just went home and puttered around with Simon waiting to see if I'd get a phone call to come get him.
I DID get a phone call... I thought for SURE it was not good, but it was Mrs. Poe on the other end calling to tell me he calmed down about five minutes after I left after yelling at them for a while about "make my mommy come back RIGHT NOW!!!". He was happy and participating in the activities. :) Happy sigh of relief here. Krystyna also emailed to tell me her mom had called her and said Ben had calmed down and was excited to see the class goody bags they were putting together. :)
And so, until Tuesday, all is well with the world...
Oh, and the treat on his carseat is going to be popcorn. He LOVES popcorn. :) Though, on our way out of the house this morning, his godmother stopped by with a bag full of Valentine's day treats, so my popcorn may take a backseat to the two new Star Wars figures. :P
Happy Heart Day. :)
Not the best pic of either of them, but at 8:30a.m. on a school day, you do what you can. (waiting until AFTER school is too risky because one or the other of them will have messed up their shirts by then... in fact, just after this pic was taken, Simon spit plums all over his) ;)
Ben's shirt says Heart Breaker, btw, which I think is rather apropo these days... ;)
Ben's shirt says Heart Breaker, btw, which I think is rather apropo these days... ;)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Set Your TiVos....
My brother will (for realz this time, I promise) ;) be on the Jimmy Kimmel show tomorrow night, Friday night and three times next week as well! He'll be live via IChat from my parents' basement (giggle), introducing a new reenactment clip each night -- they had him do each of the five top Oscar nominees.
Just Fighting Through the Phase Over Here...
Today, Ben and I had a dentist appointment. It went about as well as the haircut did on Saturday and as school did on Thursday. He's just all around sensitive/skittish right now. Skittish isn't really the word I was looking for, but you get the idea. Everything bothers him. Needless to say, I got my teeth cleaned, he didn't and we're going to try again next month... at which point maybe we'll also get the haircut finished. ;) Interesting to note: he's also getting upset lately that Tom leaves for work.
I did have a really wonderful phone conversation with Ben's teacher last night, who just made me feel a million times better. She's seen it all before and then some, which is so reassuring... and also I can tell when I talk to her that she just accepts all of the kids for who they are, quirks and all. Truthfully, she probably does a better job of this part with Ben than *I* do as his mother. I need to work on that. :( Plus, she really does seem to have an amazing handle on his personality, especially given that he is only there twice a week! Anyway, she told me she'll observe him closely for the next couple of weeks ... and hopefully, between the two of us, we'll figure it out. In the meantime, I'll just drag him there, drop him off and hope for the best. Wish me luck tomorrow. I guess it's good we're working this out while he's still physically manageable for me. I may have to get an earlier start on all this with Simon a.k.a Bruiser. (as they called him at the dentist's)
I did have a really wonderful phone conversation with Ben's teacher last night, who just made me feel a million times better. She's seen it all before and then some, which is so reassuring... and also I can tell when I talk to her that she just accepts all of the kids for who they are, quirks and all. Truthfully, she probably does a better job of this part with Ben than *I* do as his mother. I need to work on that. :( Plus, she really does seem to have an amazing handle on his personality, especially given that he is only there twice a week! Anyway, she told me she'll observe him closely for the next couple of weeks ... and hopefully, between the two of us, we'll figure it out. In the meantime, I'll just drag him there, drop him off and hope for the best. Wish me luck tomorrow. I guess it's good we're working this out while he's still physically manageable for me. I may have to get an earlier start on all this with Simon a.k.a Bruiser. (as they called him at the dentist's)
No power in our whole
No power in our whole neighborhood! No heat. No tv. No internet. Could be a long day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Mommy Problem .. continued...
Thought this would be a good place to catalog all the tactics we have tried on the school front.
First off, Nanny 9-1-1 would be so proud because I DID drive all the way to the school today. I couldn't for a minute let him think that his screaming and kicking was going to impact the situation one way or the other. So, as tempting as it was to let us all stay in our jammies on this freezing cold snowy day, and as HARD as it was, I got everyone dressed and got him (still screaming and, at this point, hitting and throwing things, saying mean things and basically just being a devil child) into the car. He screamed for about half the ride (which, incidentally, Simon finds highly disturbing, so he cried too) and then calmed down, still insisting that he did not like school and did not want to go and that we were going to turn the car in a different direction. I got to the parking lot, pulled in and acted surprised about school being closed because of the snow.
He got pretty psyched, which kind of made me mad, but what could I do? The school was, indeed, closed! I made it clear that this was NOT going to be regular occurence, that we wouldn't be joining our friends at the gym tomorrow (I don't even know if they are going, and we have a dentist appointment anyway, but he doesn't know any different), and that school WOULD be open on Thursday and he would be going, no matter how much he screamed.
(sigh) I actually may not stay Thursday for the party just because I think that would be as bad for us as school being closed today is!
He has promised there will be no screaming on Thursday. (we'll see) In the meantime, he is getting NO special things today, like getting to push the kid size cart at the grocery store, or looking at the Star Wars figures when we went to Target, or playing his fun new game with me that he got for Christmas me that we both love. I'm annoyed he doesn't seem more upset about all this, he seems pretty ambivalent. What do you DO when your kid doesn't seem to have any currency?!
Other things we have tried thusfar:
- using the clock to give him transition time between bed, getting dressed, breakfast, leaving.
- letting him choose a special thing to take to school with him to show his friends
- reminding him about all the fun thigns he does at school and all the boring things I do (that he always hates doing) while he is there
- giving and taking away privileges for getting ready for/going to school without complaining
- letting him choose his own school clothes the night before (seriously, he can wear his darth vader costume to school now for all I care), talking about the fact that the next day is a school day (which he always seems okay with the night before)
First off, Nanny 9-1-1 would be so proud because I DID drive all the way to the school today. I couldn't for a minute let him think that his screaming and kicking was going to impact the situation one way or the other. So, as tempting as it was to let us all stay in our jammies on this freezing cold snowy day, and as HARD as it was, I got everyone dressed and got him (still screaming and, at this point, hitting and throwing things, saying mean things and basically just being a devil child) into the car. He screamed for about half the ride (which, incidentally, Simon finds highly disturbing, so he cried too) and then calmed down, still insisting that he did not like school and did not want to go and that we were going to turn the car in a different direction. I got to the parking lot, pulled in and acted surprised about school being closed because of the snow.
He got pretty psyched, which kind of made me mad, but what could I do? The school was, indeed, closed! I made it clear that this was NOT going to be regular occurence, that we wouldn't be joining our friends at the gym tomorrow (I don't even know if they are going, and we have a dentist appointment anyway, but he doesn't know any different), and that school WOULD be open on Thursday and he would be going, no matter how much he screamed.
(sigh) I actually may not stay Thursday for the party just because I think that would be as bad for us as school being closed today is!
He has promised there will be no screaming on Thursday. (we'll see) In the meantime, he is getting NO special things today, like getting to push the kid size cart at the grocery store, or looking at the Star Wars figures when we went to Target, or playing his fun new game with me that he got for Christmas me that we both love. I'm annoyed he doesn't seem more upset about all this, he seems pretty ambivalent. What do you DO when your kid doesn't seem to have any currency?!
Other things we have tried thusfar:
- using the clock to give him transition time between bed, getting dressed, breakfast, leaving.
- letting him choose a special thing to take to school with him to show his friends
- reminding him about all the fun thigns he does at school and all the boring things I do (that he always hates doing) while he is there
- giving and taking away privileges for getting ready for/going to school without complaining
- letting him choose his own school clothes the night before (seriously, he can wear his darth vader costume to school now for all I care), talking about the fact that the next day is a school day (which he always seems okay with the night before)
Hrm... Interesting Mommy Problem...
Ben woke up this morning and screamed. I went in to see what the problem was and he announced (with what was truly Oscar-winning drama) "It's SO terrible. Today is a SCHOOL DAY. It's just so TERRIBLE." Then he promptly burst into tears.
(sigh) WHAT. THE. HECK.
I was just getting started on what was going to be a long and painful morning battle from his bedroom to the breakfast table to the car when I checked my email. There was a new mail from the preschool director that she had closed the school today because of the weather. (there is some snow on the ground and apparently a lot of the other schools closed today as well)
So NOW what do I do? I haven't told Ben yet that school is closed because honestly, this is going to send us REELING backwards as far as his perception of how consistent I am that he has to go to school even if he's screaming about it.
I got him dressed and I'm thinking I may go as far as to driving all the way TO the school only to find out when we get there that it's closed. I feel like I need to put that effort in for the good of this "project".
Argh.
I sent off a desperate email to his teacher that I need to talk to her a.s.a.p. because honestly I need her help with what to do and how to do it. What kid starts with school anxiety over halfway through the year?! He has even started asking if I can stay at school and when I say "no" he gets upset and wants to know why not... to add to my problems, I actually DO get to stay at school on Thursday, I think, as it is their Valentine's Day party. What to do, what to do...
(sigh) WHAT. THE. HECK.
I was just getting started on what was going to be a long and painful morning battle from his bedroom to the breakfast table to the car when I checked my email. There was a new mail from the preschool director that she had closed the school today because of the weather. (there is some snow on the ground and apparently a lot of the other schools closed today as well)
So NOW what do I do? I haven't told Ben yet that school is closed because honestly, this is going to send us REELING backwards as far as his perception of how consistent I am that he has to go to school even if he's screaming about it.
I got him dressed and I'm thinking I may go as far as to driving all the way TO the school only to find out when we get there that it's closed. I feel like I need to put that effort in for the good of this "project".
Argh.
I sent off a desperate email to his teacher that I need to talk to her a.s.a.p. because honestly I need her help with what to do and how to do it. What kid starts with school anxiety over halfway through the year?! He has even started asking if I can stay at school and when I say "no" he gets upset and wants to know why not... to add to my problems, I actually DO get to stay at school on Thursday, I think, as it is their Valentine's Day party. What to do, what to do...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Couldn't Resist...
I redid the side-by-side with Simon in the same pants and shoes. It's really pretty amusing because you can plainly see where the size difference is. LOOK at that gut on Little Dude. ;)
Brothers - Nine Months and 3 Years, 11 Months...
(yes, I just swapped this one out, Ben had a nicer smile in this one than the other one) ;)
9-Month Doctor Visit...
The best news... Little Dude is finally healthy. Hooray! He got five shots today, though honestly, I wasn't paying attention to which ones, too much screaming. I waived the flu shot since um yeah, what's the point? a) He's already had the flu for which the shot was obviously not effective anyway and b) Babies need two doses and flu season is over next month. Anyway, so he's all caught up on the immunization front.
She says he's slowing down on the growth chart... weighing in around 22-1/2 pounds (75th percentile for those playing along at home) and 27-1/2 inches (17th percentile).
I wonder if my doctor knows just how much of her blah dee blah I take with a grain of salt? She told me to give him water if he wakes up in the middle of the night now. Umm no. He'll get the formula as long as he wakes up for it and eagerly sucks it down. Most nights, he doesn't even wake for it now, but on the nights he does, he'll get it. She also cautioned me against overfeeding him just because he seems to like everything. Seriously... the child doesn't overeat and I DO have some common sense, so leave me the heck alone.
Truly though, I just just so happy for him to have a "WELL" baby appointment... :) I practically skipped out of the office. (if it weren't for the 22-1/2 pounds in my arms, I may have!)
She says he's slowing down on the growth chart... weighing in around 22-1/2 pounds (75th percentile for those playing along at home) and 27-1/2 inches (17th percentile).
I wonder if my doctor knows just how much of her blah dee blah I take with a grain of salt? She told me to give him water if he wakes up in the middle of the night now. Umm no. He'll get the formula as long as he wakes up for it and eagerly sucks it down. Most nights, he doesn't even wake for it now, but on the nights he does, he'll get it. She also cautioned me against overfeeding him just because he seems to like everything. Seriously... the child doesn't overeat and I DO have some common sense, so leave me the heck alone.
Truly though, I just just so happy for him to have a "WELL" baby appointment... :) I practically skipped out of the office. (if it weren't for the 22-1/2 pounds in my arms, I may have!)
Simon - Nine Months Old...
Little Dude is nine months today. :) (as Erika in my comments said, it's his Inside-out bday... he's been out as long as he was in!)
He continues to be our little sunshine... happy and easygoing... doing a great job of just being nine months old. :)
And this month's side-by-side, which isn't as authentic as I usually like them to be, because Ben was wearing a Christmas outfit. :( I do still have those pants out though, so I might try to retake one of Simon in them later and maybe redo this... (I'm weird like that!)
The long-winded monthly update...
Little Dude is nine months old today.
The biggest news this month is... TEETH! Two of them on the bottom. :)
Also, since the ear tubes went in (or maybe just since time has passed) he is now babbling like crazy. We have heard "bababa" "mamama" "dadada" and sometimes "gaga" He also makes lots of other fun noises and speaks in baby "sentences". :) I'm enjoying all the new sounds! He understands a lot of what we say which is good progress toward eventually talking. :)
Interestingly enough, though he got to crawling, pulling up and cruising pretty quickly, he doesn't seem to have any interest at all in standing on his own or walking! If you try to hold his hands to "walk" him across the room, he buckles his knees and tries to crawl. I find it fascinating and more evidence that kid are hardwired to do things at certain times because I have done absolutely nothing different with him than I did with Ben and his determination to walk is so much different! (read: non-existent!) I certainly don't mind! :)
He has been sleeping 13 hours most nights, which has been very nice! Ben started with the good sleeping at nine months too, so I had been looking forward to this age! ;)
He's starting to understand a lot of what we say and we discovered the other day that he understands, "Put the (insert toy) in the (insert other toy cup type thing)." He gets the biggest kick out of doing what say too... ;)
He's still very spoiled about being held, wants nothing to do with a stroller or a grocery cart and adores being in the hip carrier. It's fine with me, though my back may revolt at some point!
He weighs in at 22.5 pounds and is about 27-1/2 inches tall. (75th and 17th percentile)
He eats everything in sight and likes it ALL. I'm doing my best to give him as much variety as I can and he has had everything from waffles and pancakes, to egg yolk, blueberries, goldfish, pasta and shredded cheese! He's also doing very well with a sippy cup and drinks water and sometimes formula out of it. He'll also swipe whatever Ben has once in awhile, so we really have to watch that!
I just moved him up to he size 4 Luvs since he was busting out of the 3's.
All in all, he's easy still, but hard in his own way. :) He's pretty darn spoiled, especially for a second baby, I think. ;)
He continues to be our little sunshine... happy and easygoing... doing a great job of just being nine months old. :)
And this month's side-by-side, which isn't as authentic as I usually like them to be, because Ben was wearing a Christmas outfit. :( I do still have those pants out though, so I might try to retake one of Simon in them later and maybe redo this... (I'm weird like that!)
The long-winded monthly update...
Little Dude is nine months old today.
The biggest news this month is... TEETH! Two of them on the bottom. :)
Also, since the ear tubes went in (or maybe just since time has passed) he is now babbling like crazy. We have heard "bababa" "mamama" "dadada" and sometimes "gaga" He also makes lots of other fun noises and speaks in baby "sentences". :) I'm enjoying all the new sounds! He understands a lot of what we say which is good progress toward eventually talking. :)
Interestingly enough, though he got to crawling, pulling up and cruising pretty quickly, he doesn't seem to have any interest at all in standing on his own or walking! If you try to hold his hands to "walk" him across the room, he buckles his knees and tries to crawl. I find it fascinating and more evidence that kid are hardwired to do things at certain times because I have done absolutely nothing different with him than I did with Ben and his determination to walk is so much different! (read: non-existent!) I certainly don't mind! :)
He has been sleeping 13 hours most nights, which has been very nice! Ben started with the good sleeping at nine months too, so I had been looking forward to this age! ;)
He's starting to understand a lot of what we say and we discovered the other day that he understands, "Put the (insert toy) in the (insert other toy cup type thing)." He gets the biggest kick out of doing what say too... ;)
He's still very spoiled about being held, wants nothing to do with a stroller or a grocery cart and adores being in the hip carrier. It's fine with me, though my back may revolt at some point!
He weighs in at 22.5 pounds and is about 27-1/2 inches tall. (75th and 17th percentile)
He eats everything in sight and likes it ALL. I'm doing my best to give him as much variety as I can and he has had everything from waffles and pancakes, to egg yolk, blueberries, goldfish, pasta and shredded cheese! He's also doing very well with a sippy cup and drinks water and sometimes formula out of it. He'll also swipe whatever Ben has once in awhile, so we really have to watch that!
I just moved him up to he size 4 Luvs since he was busting out of the 3's.
All in all, he's easy still, but hard in his own way. :) He's pretty darn spoiled, especially for a second baby, I think. ;)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Video Dump...
Finally got around to cleaning off my camera card, which had about a dozen short videos from our trip on it...
Here are my favorites, if you feel like clicking on them. (most are very short, a minute or so)
A clip from the opening ceremonies at the Magic Kingdom. Really and truly, I am a complete nut, because every SINGLE time we make it to MK in time to see this, it makes me tear up. It's quite possibly one of my most favorite Disney "attractions". I don't know why it makes me get all teary... whether it's just the sentimental value Disney has for me, or that it's like all the magic rolled into one big production... but whatever. I'm probably a freak. ;)
Stuck on Small World. Our boat got stuck for a couple minutes toward the end of Small World. The catchy little song can be pure torture...
Ben's favorite thing at Epcot. It's this place where pictures are projected on the floor and when you jump on them, they make the noise of whatever they are. I'm pretty sure this has been his favorite since the very first time we went with him when he was 15 months old. At any rate, it got him so hyped up this time, that another family felt the need to (quite loudly) remove their child for fear ours would hurt him with all the running around. Jerks. This is just a video of him enjoying it... thankfully, we didn't catch the nasty comments on video.
Busted. I was videotaping on a new attraction I'd never been on -- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in the Magic Kingdom. There were no signs, because I checked and double checked before I turned the camera on. At any rate, here's some illicit footage, and the embarassing moment where the Disney guy asked me to turn my camera off.
Ben is Star (Wars) struck. Here he is watching the Stars and Cars parade atMGMHollywood Studios. I almost cried watching him when the Star Wars guys came through... he thought it was SO cool... it was, however, very sad when we were snubbed by Darth Vader.
Cool Drink. Ben's really cool drink he got at the Prime Time cafe. We brought the flashing "ice cube" home, but it has since stopped working. :(
Beach boys. Just my boys and me on the beach in Vero... oh, and some loud guy near me who kept yammering on about losing his toes.
Here are my favorites, if you feel like clicking on them. (most are very short, a minute or so)
A clip from the opening ceremonies at the Magic Kingdom. Really and truly, I am a complete nut, because every SINGLE time we make it to MK in time to see this, it makes me tear up. It's quite possibly one of my most favorite Disney "attractions". I don't know why it makes me get all teary... whether it's just the sentimental value Disney has for me, or that it's like all the magic rolled into one big production... but whatever. I'm probably a freak. ;)
Stuck on Small World. Our boat got stuck for a couple minutes toward the end of Small World. The catchy little song can be pure torture...
Ben's favorite thing at Epcot. It's this place where pictures are projected on the floor and when you jump on them, they make the noise of whatever they are. I'm pretty sure this has been his favorite since the very first time we went with him when he was 15 months old. At any rate, it got him so hyped up this time, that another family felt the need to (quite loudly) remove their child for fear ours would hurt him with all the running around. Jerks. This is just a video of him enjoying it... thankfully, we didn't catch the nasty comments on video.
Busted. I was videotaping on a new attraction I'd never been on -- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in the Magic Kingdom. There were no signs, because I checked and double checked before I turned the camera on. At any rate, here's some illicit footage, and the embarassing moment where the Disney guy asked me to turn my camera off.
Ben is Star (Wars) struck. Here he is watching the Stars and Cars parade at
Cool Drink. Ben's really cool drink he got at the Prime Time cafe. We brought the flashing "ice cube" home, but it has since stopped working. :(
Beach boys. Just my boys and me on the beach in Vero... oh, and some loud guy near me who kept yammering on about losing his toes.
Image Problem...
I love buying and trying weird fruits and veggies when they appear at the grocery store... so when I walked by this yesterday at the Safeway, it piqued my curiosity.
I checked the sign to see what it was and it said "Uniq Fruit" I'd never heard of it, so in the cart it went.
Then I noticed in small print it said "Ugli Fruit" (which I HAVE heard of)
Hee. So someone thought perhaps Ugli fruit just needed a new branding strategy and thus, the "Uniq" fruit was born.
Because, you see, it's not ugly... it' s just "different". ;) And thus, it goes from a fruit with self esteem issues, to a fruit that is proud to look a little strange.
Anyway, it was REALLY good. Tasted like a very sweet grapefruit.
I checked the sign to see what it was and it said "Uniq Fruit" I'd never heard of it, so in the cart it went.
Then I noticed in small print it said "Ugli Fruit" (which I HAVE heard of)
Hee. So someone thought perhaps Ugli fruit just needed a new branding strategy and thus, the "Uniq" fruit was born.
Because, you see, it's not ugly... it' s just "different". ;) And thus, it goes from a fruit with self esteem issues, to a fruit that is proud to look a little strange.
Anyway, it was REALLY good. Tasted like a very sweet grapefruit.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Banging My Head Against the Wall...
Apparently the recent school issues were just the tip of the iceburg, a preview if you will... We seem to have entered yet another difficult phase with Ben. I have come to realize these trying times with kids ebb and flow, but when in the midst of them, I am always sure that we have somehow completely broken him and need Nanny 9-1-1.
He is just a miserable human being these days. Whiny. Complaining. Nothing suits him. He was even complaining about the sunshine today. He went to bed tonight with no dinner just because he didn't want to eat. I'm not one to force feed a child who isn't hungry, but at some point, it became about the principle of the thing and just sitting at the table with us, which he kept insisting "takes too long", which is his new gripe of choice.
I want to curl up in a corner and cry.
I so miss happy, pleasant Ben... the one that I have fun taking places and playing with. :( I don't want all my days to be wrought with all this negativity and ickiness. Gah. He keeps telling me all sorts of things he will eat/not complain about anymore/do without a fight when he is "Four". Here's hoping four is the magical transformation he is promising me it will be.
He is just a miserable human being these days. Whiny. Complaining. Nothing suits him. He was even complaining about the sunshine today. He went to bed tonight with no dinner just because he didn't want to eat. I'm not one to force feed a child who isn't hungry, but at some point, it became about the principle of the thing and just sitting at the table with us, which he kept insisting "takes too long", which is his new gripe of choice.
I want to curl up in a corner and cry.
I so miss happy, pleasant Ben... the one that I have fun taking places and playing with. :( I don't want all my days to be wrought with all this negativity and ickiness. Gah. He keeps telling me all sorts of things he will eat/not complain about anymore/do without a fight when he is "Four". Here's hoping four is the magical transformation he is promising me it will be.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
While Ben was at School...
Little Dude has moved his first nap most days to more in the 11 or noonish range, especially on the days we're running Ben back and forth to school. This means the time Ben is at school is awake time. This has its good points and its bad points... the good is that I get to spend one-on-one time with Simon. (the bad is that I can't get much done) Anyway, today we took some long overdue pics... I was trying to get a good shot of his teeth, but to no avail. :(
Ben.
(sigh)
Ben is a challenging kid. I will admit that. He is picky and sensitive and emotional all bundled into one. I learned early on pretty on that he doesn't tolerate change well, that he thrives on routine and that, most of all, you never EVER try to rush him because he needs a good deal of transition time. So I thought I had broken the Ben code. Yes, we have our moments, but for the most part, I understand him and we get through our days with minimal conflict.
Lately though, he's been more difficult. Specifically, the last three times he's had to go to school, he has fought me on it. Usually it's because he wants to sleep more (he has suddenly become an ANTI-morning person)... but today, he told me "school takes too long" and that he wanted to go other places. He HAS to go to school... I mean, I guess not technically right now, but I know I can't give into this, not even once. So I ended up having to forceably dress him. He kicked and screamed and spent the rest of the hour before we left in his bed. I wrestled him into his coat at 8:45 and we got to the car where I gave him a juice and granola bar since he had refused breakfast earlier. Generally, once we get this far, things are okay... we get to school, he goes in, later, I pick him up, he's happy.
Not today.
He dragged his feet all the way, started crying when we hit the door and by the time we got to his classroom he was in full-on tantrum mode. Everyone was puzzled because he's NEVER done this there... SIL's mom was subbing for his teacher today, so when I left, she was taking care of him, which did this mommy's heart good. But seriously, WHAT IS UP WITH HIM?!? It worries me because it's very out of character.
I'm certain it's not the school. He likes his teachers. He likes his friends. As far as I can tell, he has fun. I know it's a wonderful place and I'm confident nothing has happened there that has been a negative experience. He's HAPPY when he's there... it's just getting him there. (with the exception of today) I half expect him to projectile vomit on me or have a fever when I pick him up because for him to act like that... it's just weird.
I thought about it all the way home and what I can do to nip this in the bud. I have tried prepping him the night before... telling him the next morning is school, letting him pick out an outfit that he agrees he will wear without complaint. My only other thought is to create a routine chart... "Get out of bed, go potty, brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast...etc". I just don't know. I can't have another morning like today... it was SO frustrating and horrible. I don't WANT to have to force him to get dressed or carry him to the car and leave him at school crying. (sigh) I feel like much of this morning's conflict was that things weren't happening on his timetable. (remember what I said about never rushing him? When he was a baby, if I had to rush to be somewhere and he sensed it, it was a guaranteed screamfest) But he FORCED us to be rushed... I got him up in plenty of time and even told him he could watch a show or part of a movie if he got dressed and ate breakfast quickly enough.
For what it's worth, I called halfway home and the woman who answered checked on him for me. Apparently, he had to pee pee and once he did that, he was fine.
Argh.
Ben is a challenging kid. I will admit that. He is picky and sensitive and emotional all bundled into one. I learned early on pretty on that he doesn't tolerate change well, that he thrives on routine and that, most of all, you never EVER try to rush him because he needs a good deal of transition time. So I thought I had broken the Ben code. Yes, we have our moments, but for the most part, I understand him and we get through our days with minimal conflict.
Lately though, he's been more difficult. Specifically, the last three times he's had to go to school, he has fought me on it. Usually it's because he wants to sleep more (he has suddenly become an ANTI-morning person)... but today, he told me "school takes too long" and that he wanted to go other places. He HAS to go to school... I mean, I guess not technically right now, but I know I can't give into this, not even once. So I ended up having to forceably dress him. He kicked and screamed and spent the rest of the hour before we left in his bed. I wrestled him into his coat at 8:45 and we got to the car where I gave him a juice and granola bar since he had refused breakfast earlier. Generally, once we get this far, things are okay... we get to school, he goes in, later, I pick him up, he's happy.
Not today.
He dragged his feet all the way, started crying when we hit the door and by the time we got to his classroom he was in full-on tantrum mode. Everyone was puzzled because he's NEVER done this there... SIL's mom was subbing for his teacher today, so when I left, she was taking care of him, which did this mommy's heart good. But seriously, WHAT IS UP WITH HIM?!? It worries me because it's very out of character.
I'm certain it's not the school. He likes his teachers. He likes his friends. As far as I can tell, he has fun. I know it's a wonderful place and I'm confident nothing has happened there that has been a negative experience. He's HAPPY when he's there... it's just getting him there. (with the exception of today) I half expect him to projectile vomit on me or have a fever when I pick him up because for him to act like that... it's just weird.
I thought about it all the way home and what I can do to nip this in the bud. I have tried prepping him the night before... telling him the next morning is school, letting him pick out an outfit that he agrees he will wear without complaint. My only other thought is to create a routine chart... "Get out of bed, go potty, brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast...etc". I just don't know. I can't have another morning like today... it was SO frustrating and horrible. I don't WANT to have to force him to get dressed or carry him to the car and leave him at school crying. (sigh) I feel like much of this morning's conflict was that things weren't happening on his timetable. (remember what I said about never rushing him? When he was a baby, if I had to rush to be somewhere and he sensed it, it was a guaranteed screamfest) But he FORCED us to be rushed... I got him up in plenty of time and even told him he could watch a show or part of a movie if he got dressed and ate breakfast quickly enough.
For what it's worth, I called halfway home and the woman who answered checked on him for me. Apparently, he had to pee pee and once he did that, he was fine.
Argh.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Random Updates from the Trenches...
* Tom is still in bed. You KNOW this bug is bad since my husband has not only taken two sick days at this point, but has also only left bed to brush his teeth and go to the bathroom.
* I still feel fine.
* Ben has taken up a new obsession -- Mary Poppins. I know, interesting transition! -- from Star Wars to Mary Poppins. We are awaiting the DVD from Netflix, which I just restarted because none of the streaming movie places have MP and our only copy is on VHS. He insists on dressing like a chimney sweep and his uncanny reproductions of Dick Van Dyke's dance moves, which he has been studying by watching YouTube MP numbers have me wondering if I shouldn't sign him up for dance lessons. ;)
* Speaking of lessons... our neighbor invited us along to an open gym time this morning at a nearby gymnastics place. Oh MY golly ned, Ben seriously had the best time EVER. He jumped on the trampolines, he ran around nonstop, he jumped into the foam pit over and over and over and over again. I've been toying with the idea of putting him in a gymnastics class for almost two years now because if there has ever been a kid who could use 45 minutes of tumbling and running, it's him. Anyway, I've never actually done it because we always had Gymboree going on... Gymboree has since picked up and moved to the other side of town, not to mention he has outgrown it so I'm thinking now's a good time. A new session is starting, so I'm looking into getting him into a class. Jen, I know you are going to kill me because I've said I was going to do this forever now, I finally am, and it's at the OTHER gymnastics place!!! :(
* I forgot how much gymnastics places smell like feet.
* Another mother there actually took the time to stop me and tell me how much the boys look alike. I'm getting that a lot lately, which is interesting, because I've been thinking that more and more myself. Simon's look must be changing again... he does share a lot of the same expression as his brother, so I think that's probably a big part of it too...
* I'm tired. Once again I am reminded how lucky I am to have Tom as my parenting teammate. I can't imagine being a single mother and I do not know how they do it... really and truly, hats off to any of you who are single parents.
* I still feel fine.
* Ben has taken up a new obsession -- Mary Poppins. I know, interesting transition! -- from Star Wars to Mary Poppins. We are awaiting the DVD from Netflix, which I just restarted because none of the streaming movie places have MP and our only copy is on VHS. He insists on dressing like a chimney sweep and his uncanny reproductions of Dick Van Dyke's dance moves, which he has been studying by watching YouTube MP numbers have me wondering if I shouldn't sign him up for dance lessons. ;)
* Speaking of lessons... our neighbor invited us along to an open gym time this morning at a nearby gymnastics place. Oh MY golly ned, Ben seriously had the best time EVER. He jumped on the trampolines, he ran around nonstop, he jumped into the foam pit over and over and over and over again. I've been toying with the idea of putting him in a gymnastics class for almost two years now because if there has ever been a kid who could use 45 minutes of tumbling and running, it's him. Anyway, I've never actually done it because we always had Gymboree going on... Gymboree has since picked up and moved to the other side of town, not to mention he has outgrown it so I'm thinking now's a good time. A new session is starting, so I'm looking into getting him into a class. Jen, I know you are going to kill me because I've said I was going to do this forever now, I finally am, and it's at the OTHER gymnastics place!!! :(
* I forgot how much gymnastics places smell like feet.
* Another mother there actually took the time to stop me and tell me how much the boys look alike. I'm getting that a lot lately, which is interesting, because I've been thinking that more and more myself. Simon's look must be changing again... he does share a lot of the same expression as his brother, so I think that's probably a big part of it too...
* I'm tired. Once again I am reminded how lucky I am to have Tom as my parenting teammate. I can't imagine being a single mother and I do not know how they do it... really and truly, hats off to any of you who are single parents.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
School Tales...
Actually, I don't have much to share... but I haven't done a school post in awhile so, here it is. :)
* They did vision testing today. I'm interested to see if Ben has any issues... Tom seems to think he can't see distance well (because he likes to sit very close to the television). I haven't noticed any problems. Personally, I think he just likes to be closer to the Star Wars characters.
* The cute little dress-up station in their big playroom that was converted to Santa's Workshop back at Christmas time, has now been re-themed as a post office. I was admiring all the little details as I left this afternoon and happened to notice, among the addressed envelopes decorating the outside of it, one said "Mit Romney" I was giggling to myself when Katharine (SIL's mom) informed me that she had slipped that one in there. Too funny. Reminded me of a hidden Mickey. ;)
* After I dropped Ben off this morning and was heading for the door, I had the distinct feeling I was being followed. I turned and right on my heels was another mom from Ben's class... she's very nice, but you can tell she's extremely introverted and super serious. (and for me to call someone introverted, you KNOW they are quiet). Anyway, once I acknowledged her, she pounced on me and asked very quietly, "So how'd you do with registration? Do you know do you know?" I replied that I thought we'd probably gotten what we wanted since I was there bright and early... but that I hadn't heard anything." "We haven't heard yet either!" she said, and scurried off. It was a tres weird encounter.
* Katharine walked me through how to sign up for the extra hour (Lunch Bunch) the school offers. I hope Ben's up to it, because that extra hour would be AWESOME. :)
That's pretty much it. I don't have any interesting art or mailbox fodder to share. There are optional teacher conferences coming up, which I'm trying to decide if I want to do and a Valentine's Day party! :)
Ben told me they made Valentines at school already... also that art with Miss Erika got a thumbs up today and that they sang Open, Shut Them. Yep. That's all the details I get. (sigh)
* They did vision testing today. I'm interested to see if Ben has any issues... Tom seems to think he can't see distance well (because he likes to sit very close to the television). I haven't noticed any problems. Personally, I think he just likes to be closer to the Star Wars characters.
* The cute little dress-up station in their big playroom that was converted to Santa's Workshop back at Christmas time, has now been re-themed as a post office. I was admiring all the little details as I left this afternoon and happened to notice, among the addressed envelopes decorating the outside of it, one said "Mit Romney" I was giggling to myself when Katharine (SIL's mom) informed me that she had slipped that one in there. Too funny. Reminded me of a hidden Mickey. ;)
* After I dropped Ben off this morning and was heading for the door, I had the distinct feeling I was being followed. I turned and right on my heels was another mom from Ben's class... she's very nice, but you can tell she's extremely introverted and super serious. (and for me to call someone introverted, you KNOW they are quiet). Anyway, once I acknowledged her, she pounced on me and asked very quietly, "So how'd you do with registration? Do you know do you know?" I replied that I thought we'd probably gotten what we wanted since I was there bright and early... but that I hadn't heard anything." "We haven't heard yet either!" she said, and scurried off. It was a tres weird encounter.
* Katharine walked me through how to sign up for the extra hour (Lunch Bunch) the school offers. I hope Ben's up to it, because that extra hour would be AWESOME. :)
That's pretty much it. I don't have any interesting art or mailbox fodder to share. There are optional teacher conferences coming up, which I'm trying to decide if I want to do and a Valentine's Day party! :)
Ben told me they made Valentines at school already... also that art with Miss Erika got a thumbs up today and that they sang Open, Shut Them. Yep. That's all the details I get. (sigh)
Still Alive...
The husband, he is sick. He came home from work yesterday around 4:30 with a temp and crawled right into bed. I ordered him to please stay there because when he tries to get up when he is this sick, he always passes out and it scares me to death that he's going to hit his head on something on the way down! I brought him tea, I brought him Motrin, I brought him food, I brought him ice water, I took his temp (103! Weee!!) and then got the heck out of Dodge.
I slept in Ben's top bunk last night in what is probably a futile effort to avoid getting this awful plague. For what it's worth, the top bunk is actually not so bad. I just couldn't stay warm because I'm used to my toasty electric blanket. That, and I had two baby monitor receivers I was listening to... one for Simon and one for Tom because seriously, I do not trust him to get out of bed on his own, so whenever he had to say... pee, I got up and went in to make sure he got there okay and stood outside the door to make sure he stayed conscious until he was back in bed.
I'm kicking myself for not getting a flu shot. I ALWAYS get a flu shot, but this year, I just didn't have the time to go track one down. But then again, it seems like it might not have done me any good anyway because BEN had a flu shot and he still got it and his Aunt Debbie (who I'm pretty sure we gave this bug to) did too. Oh, and we do know for sure it's the flu because was actually tested.
I am currently plowing through household chores because, though I hope I am wrong, I am counting on it only being a mere few days before I am bed ridden as well. I feel completely FINE, except I keep losing my voice in the morning. I am washing my hands like a crazy person and keeping Tom quarantined. Maybe it will save me. Maybe it won't... I frankly think it's probably too late. I just hope if I do get sick, it's not until after he's better because seriously... the children will need to be UPS'ed to the grandparents.
I slept in Ben's top bunk last night in what is probably a futile effort to avoid getting this awful plague. For what it's worth, the top bunk is actually not so bad. I just couldn't stay warm because I'm used to my toasty electric blanket. That, and I had two baby monitor receivers I was listening to... one for Simon and one for Tom because seriously, I do not trust him to get out of bed on his own, so whenever he had to say... pee, I got up and went in to make sure he got there okay and stood outside the door to make sure he stayed conscious until he was back in bed.
I'm kicking myself for not getting a flu shot. I ALWAYS get a flu shot, but this year, I just didn't have the time to go track one down. But then again, it seems like it might not have done me any good anyway because BEN had a flu shot and he still got it and his Aunt Debbie (who I'm pretty sure we gave this bug to) did too. Oh, and we do know for sure it's the flu because was actually tested.
I am currently plowing through household chores because, though I hope I am wrong, I am counting on it only being a mere few days before I am bed ridden as well. I feel completely FINE, except I keep losing my voice in the morning. I am washing my hands like a crazy person and keeping Tom quarantined. Maybe it will save me. Maybe it won't... I frankly think it's probably too late. I just hope if I do get sick, it's not until after he's better because seriously... the children will need to be UPS'ed to the grandparents.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Ben's Favorite Superbowl Commercial...
...is by far, the ETrade baby. I've had to watch it on YouTube approximately 27 times in a row now. It IS pretty funny, both versions... but I'm not sure it's 27 times funny. ;)
My Little Daredevil Eater...
Until very recently, I did not know what it was like to have a child who would eat anything... with Ben, I always hold my breath when I serve meals because you just never know when he will decide that something is completely offensive, even something he has always liked. (i.e. chicken nuggets) I hear of these mythical children actually eating things like salad or even oh, a carrot with peanut butter and I think... seriously? How? Where did I go wrong?
But then Simon came along. at nearly nine months, I think he has already consumed more non-pureed/non-hidden veggies than his older brother has in his nearly four years... not to mention, a host of other regular foods. He has tried and liked literally everything I have offered him. Egg yolk, waffle, pancake, carrots, peas, blueberries, shredded parmesan cheese, yogurt, juice, bits of soft apples and pears... things with TEXTURE! Things with flavor! He eyed Tom's leftover chinese the other night longingly. Tom has dreams of taking him out for sushi when he's Ben's age. ;)
Btw, you haven't seen interesting baby poop until you've seen the result of a whole pile of blueberries.
It continues to be very interesting to me how different two children from the same parents can be. I have presented the foods in the exact same way I presented them to Ben and gotten a completely different response. Genes are so weird and strange and cool. I'm hoping little brother will eventually start to influence big brother as far as maybe peer pressuring him into trying new food... that'd be nice. ;)
But then Simon came along. at nearly nine months, I think he has already consumed more non-pureed/non-hidden veggies than his older brother has in his nearly four years... not to mention, a host of other regular foods. He has tried and liked literally everything I have offered him. Egg yolk, waffle, pancake, carrots, peas, blueberries, shredded parmesan cheese, yogurt, juice, bits of soft apples and pears... things with TEXTURE! Things with flavor! He eyed Tom's leftover chinese the other night longingly. Tom has dreams of taking him out for sushi when he's Ben's age. ;)
Btw, you haven't seen interesting baby poop until you've seen the result of a whole pile of blueberries.
It continues to be very interesting to me how different two children from the same parents can be. I have presented the foods in the exact same way I presented them to Ben and gotten a completely different response. Genes are so weird and strange and cool. I'm hoping little brother will eventually start to influence big brother as far as maybe peer pressuring him into trying new food... that'd be nice. ;)
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Weekend Update...
Simon is MUCH better and is back to sleep all night. THANK GOODNESS. Although, he does still have liquipoo, which is mildly concerning. Hrm...
Benjamin LOVES his beds and has slept in the bottom bunk without incident since the first night.
Tom and I had a date day yesterday. His company (of something like 8 people) gives an Employee of the Month award (I know, I find that highly amusing, myself) and Tom got it a month or two ago. The prize is $100 to spend on dinner wherever you want. So we hit a movie. (Juno, which, btw, is quite possibly one of the BEST movies I have ever seen) and then went to dinner at Jessie Wongs. We ate for literally two hours... sushi appetizeres, huge entrees, and of course, dessert. I will not eat for two days... or at least, I shouldn't!
Today we're not doing much. My grandmother is having a condo-warming this afternoon. She had a small fire around Christmas-time that forced her to have the whole place basically remodeled. And then we are dropping by my parents' to watch thegame commercials for a bit until Simon gets tired.
Gotta run. Ben is starting to have a panic attack about getting dressed. ;) I have jeans laid out for him today, just because I thought I might be up to the challenge. Heh.
Benjamin LOVES his beds and has slept in the bottom bunk without incident since the first night.
Tom and I had a date day yesterday. His company (of something like 8 people) gives an Employee of the Month award (I know, I find that highly amusing, myself) and Tom got it a month or two ago. The prize is $100 to spend on dinner wherever you want. So we hit a movie. (Juno, which, btw, is quite possibly one of the BEST movies I have ever seen) and then went to dinner at Jessie Wongs. We ate for literally two hours... sushi appetizeres, huge entrees, and of course, dessert. I will not eat for two days... or at least, I shouldn't!
Today we're not doing much. My grandmother is having a condo-warming this afternoon. She had a small fire around Christmas-time that forced her to have the whole place basically remodeled. And then we are dropping by my parents' to watch the
Gotta run. Ben is starting to have a panic attack about getting dressed. ;) I have jeans laid out for him today, just because I thought I might be up to the challenge. Heh.
Friday, February 01, 2008
This Just in...
We have two teeth. Yep... turns out poor Little Dude got nailed with both bottom ones at pretty much the same time. I did a sweep of the top gums too to see if he was REALLY getting tortured, but so far, all is quiet up there.
Bunk Beds! :)
Ben has been climbing them since the delivery guys left. ;) I am told the top bunk is a starship of some kind.
And what's a cool "new" room without a cozy book nook? :) (because the beds are slightly longer than the toddler bed, I had to flip flop the little chair and the bookshelf to get them to fit right... but i like then better this way! So cozy!) :)
We had to relocate the "BEN" letters. Not sure what I'll do about the "SIMON" letters when he moves in in a couple years...
And what's a cool "new" room without a cozy book nook? :) (because the beds are slightly longer than the toddler bed, I had to flip flop the little chair and the bookshelf to get them to fit right... but i like then better this way! So cozy!) :)
We had to relocate the "BEN" letters. Not sure what I'll do about the "SIMON" letters when he moves in in a couple years...
Another Day, More Snot... and Other Woes.
(and my caps lock isn't working right, so bear with me)
Simon slept a bit better last night... either the steam vaporizer i got yesterday helped, or he is on the mend, finally. Either way, he still woke up crabby this morning at 5:30a.m. I had to hip hammock him until he fell asleep about 30 minutes ago. Now he's back in his tropical, snot friendly room. I keep expecting to go in there and find palm trees growing and a steel drum band playing.
The BGE guys are here right now trying to tell me why our electric bill has been over $450 for two months. Something to do with the heat pump compressor not running at all and the furnace having to do all the work. Gah. Home ownership stinks sometimes.
I just had an extended conversation with them where they were telling me the whole system (furnace, heatpump) is old and should probably be replaced because we'll just need to keep getting it cleaned and fixed.... we are at the point with this house where we are weighing things like will cleaning it a few times (probably around $500 each time) get us through the next four years or so until we can move? Or do we shell out the $5-6K to replace it? I guess Tom and I will have a discussion about this later... so much in this house in need of replacement.... deck, windows (dining room window is leaking AS I type this).... dead tree out front. ;) (sigh)
But on a brighter note, I am now waiting for the furniture guys to come deliver Ben's bunk beds! :) He is SO excited and so am I! I just hope he wakes up soon, otherwise, I'm going to have to carry him out of his room still in his bed so they can put the other beds together!!! ;)
Simon slept a bit better last night... either the steam vaporizer i got yesterday helped, or he is on the mend, finally. Either way, he still woke up crabby this morning at 5:30a.m. I had to hip hammock him until he fell asleep about 30 minutes ago. Now he's back in his tropical, snot friendly room. I keep expecting to go in there and find palm trees growing and a steel drum band playing.
The BGE guys are here right now trying to tell me why our electric bill has been over $450 for two months. Something to do with the heat pump compressor not running at all and the furnace having to do all the work. Gah. Home ownership stinks sometimes.
I just had an extended conversation with them where they were telling me the whole system (furnace, heatpump) is old and should probably be replaced because we'll just need to keep getting it cleaned and fixed.... we are at the point with this house where we are weighing things like will cleaning it a few times (probably around $500 each time) get us through the next four years or so until we can move? Or do we shell out the $5-6K to replace it? I guess Tom and I will have a discussion about this later... so much in this house in need of replacement.... deck, windows (dining room window is leaking AS I type this).... dead tree out front. ;) (sigh)
But on a brighter note, I am now waiting for the furniture guys to come deliver Ben's bunk beds! :) He is SO excited and so am I! I just hope he wakes up soon, otherwise, I'm going to have to carry him out of his room still in his bed so they can put the other beds together!!! ;)