working together with crayon
I love how big guy is so shocked about a train appearing in this picture.
working in chalk.
Deep in discussion about their next piece!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
easel
Another totally fabulous part of gmom dino's visit is that she and big guy bonded over their mutual love of the art easel she got him for xmas. He would do a few strokes, and then dino would finish the picture. drawing mostly trains, which were very good. reminding me why I always got good grades on projects as a kid, since dino did the art work. she is very crafty. but the best part was seeing them work together. having conversations about what they were drawing, what colors to use. He would constantly want to sit on her lap and I'm sure she loved it as much as he did. below are some classic shots of them working:
Gmom Dino visits!
gmom dino came to visit last weekend and we loved every second of it. I'm proud to say that big guy remembered her, called her gramma, and gave her all the love he could to make her feel extra guilty about moving so far away. Kidding, but he was very snuggly and loving the whole weekend. Proving that he really missed her as much as we did.
Friday was a chill afternoon, followed by a disastrous dinner at panera, in which big guy refused to eat or sit still. But this all made sense (if you read "trip to ER" post) since he was really not feeling well. But following our trip to the ER, we spent all of saturday just relaxing and getting back to normal. big guy refused to nap, of course, but I did get one in the afternoon. Only to be awoken by hubs and big guy to change a poopy diaper. Gmom Dino had gone to lunch with a friend, but was back when I got up. so, we took big guy in the stroller for a walk. We were going to go to the duck pond, but got sidetracked by the bookstore (where we got a new curious george book) and the toy store (where we got a little fire truck with extendable ladder). because in our house, when you are sick you get something to make you feel better.
We made it back home around 4:30 and were preparing to order some food for pick up when big guy climbed into dino's lap. He lifted up his shirt for some belly rubs, which dino obligingly gave and he was out within minutes. We spent the evening with a kid asleep on our laps (eating dinner, watching food network, and talking.) I have to say, it was heavenly! I nebbed the little man around 8:00, then we took him upstairs around 9:00 and all passed out until 6am! we definitely all needed the sleep.
Sunday we were in better spirits, so we headed down to Linvilla orchards to get some pumpkins. We stayed for about two hours. The worst part of the trip was getting trapped in a maze. It was extra pathetic because it was in the kid's playground zone and we were almost in tears about how to get out. but the best part was all the fun we had on the train and picking pumpkins! big guy loves pumpkins, he says, "puh-kins" And he really only likes the little pumpkins, gourds, and acorn squashes. Which he was thrilled to be able to call them acorns, since we pick them up on our walks.
After coming home and napping, we carved pumpkins outside before dinner. big guy and I made a traditional face. His managerial stylings came in handy when scooping out the insides. gmom dino made a thomas the train. which looks totally fabulous. and is recognizable enough that he yells "choo choo" when we visit it every afternoon. Overall, a great weekend!! we miss you :)
Friday was a chill afternoon, followed by a disastrous dinner at panera, in which big guy refused to eat or sit still. But this all made sense (if you read "trip to ER" post) since he was really not feeling well. But following our trip to the ER, we spent all of saturday just relaxing and getting back to normal. big guy refused to nap, of course, but I did get one in the afternoon. Only to be awoken by hubs and big guy to change a poopy diaper. Gmom Dino had gone to lunch with a friend, but was back when I got up. so, we took big guy in the stroller for a walk. We were going to go to the duck pond, but got sidetracked by the bookstore (where we got a new curious george book) and the toy store (where we got a little fire truck with extendable ladder). because in our house, when you are sick you get something to make you feel better.
We made it back home around 4:30 and were preparing to order some food for pick up when big guy climbed into dino's lap. He lifted up his shirt for some belly rubs, which dino obligingly gave and he was out within minutes. We spent the evening with a kid asleep on our laps (eating dinner, watching food network, and talking.) I have to say, it was heavenly! I nebbed the little man around 8:00, then we took him upstairs around 9:00 and all passed out until 6am! we definitely all needed the sleep.
Sunday we were in better spirits, so we headed down to Linvilla orchards to get some pumpkins. We stayed for about two hours. The worst part of the trip was getting trapped in a maze. It was extra pathetic because it was in the kid's playground zone and we were almost in tears about how to get out. but the best part was all the fun we had on the train and picking pumpkins! big guy loves pumpkins, he says, "puh-kins" And he really only likes the little pumpkins, gourds, and acorn squashes. Which he was thrilled to be able to call them acorns, since we pick them up on our walks.
After coming home and napping, we carved pumpkins outside before dinner. big guy and I made a traditional face. His managerial stylings came in handy when scooping out the insides. gmom dino made a thomas the train. which looks totally fabulous. and is recognizable enough that he yells "choo choo" when we visit it every afternoon. Overall, a great weekend!! we miss you :)
shoe adventures
my quest for a new pair of sneakers for the fall has taken us to two different shoe stores. Three trips have been made, the successful one was today. The first two trips were to the Olly shoes, which is where I got the summer shoes. they were ok, but he quickly outgrew them. And the staff wasn't so helpful. At the end of summer, we went back to Olly. full on meltdown- I kid you not, he wouldn't even go into the store. The second trip was two weeks ago. Not only was there a full on meltdown, but the woman who was helping us, I swear was high on something. She seemed utterly baffled by helping us find shoes. Like we were somehow supposed to know more about the shoes than she was! At one point, big guy knocked a giant (like the size of me) stuffed bear off of a shelf. She came over and said in this weird dreamy/high voice, "OH, what happened to the bear?" Um, it's sitting on the floor in front of you. And even more confusingly, she started asking us what happened to it and then was even more confused about how she would get it back on the shelf! Hubs put it back up and then cue the meltdown!
I think we are done with the Olly shoes, at least for a while. Today we went back to the Stride Rite, which is where we've gotten big guy's other sneakers. I think we were only spared a meltdown because they have a gumball machine and that was the deal we made with big guy. Try on shoes=gumball. which of course I ate because he's too little to have gum. anyway, we got a really cool pair of yellow sneakers. Big guy definitely has to get back into the habit of wearing real sneakers, since he's been in croc loafers all summer! And he of course hates them and wants to rip them off whenever we put them on. Like he is being oppressed by them or something. but seeing how he feels oppressed by all footwear (socks included), we just have to keep putting them on and battling. eventually he'll be fine.
I think we are done with the Olly shoes, at least for a while. Today we went back to the Stride Rite, which is where we've gotten big guy's other sneakers. I think we were only spared a meltdown because they have a gumball machine and that was the deal we made with big guy. Try on shoes=gumball. which of course I ate because he's too little to have gum. anyway, we got a really cool pair of yellow sneakers. Big guy definitely has to get back into the habit of wearing real sneakers, since he's been in croc loafers all summer! And he of course hates them and wants to rip them off whenever we put them on. Like he is being oppressed by them or something. but seeing how he feels oppressed by all footwear (socks included), we just have to keep putting them on and battling. eventually he'll be fine.
lancaster trip
Finally! Our trip to lancaster was AWESOME!! following our arrival on friday, we started saturday bright and early with a stroll around the duck pond. we played on the jungle gym for a while and then hopped on rocks across the little stream. We ate a delicious smorgasboard breakfast and headed out to the apple orchard! we spent three hours at the orchard!! big guy ate five apples during this time. But it was entirely fun. Only one minor meltdown b/c big guy had to poop, but he eventually did it in the middle of the pumpkin patch. But he immediately felt better and then continued on his way. We picked 58 lbs of jonagold apples (which are my #2 favorite apple next to Honeycrisp).
Following bringing the apples back to pay for them, big guy ran around the hay bale maze. Then we were feeling inspired so we hopped on the hayride to the pumpkin patch. And picked a giant pumpkin! We had already bought two smaller pumpkins, but this was a good one for carving. then we took the hayride back. Following this, we stopped by a local dairy farm to get fresh (pastuerized) yogurt and chocolate milk. Oh, and hubs got licked by a two day old cow. so cute! Naps followed for all three of us. Upon waking, we swam for an hour in the indoor pools- big guy loved it! Might need to join a Y this winter. We would had stayed longer but we needed to change and eat some dinner.
Since it was Grandma J's 60th birthday, she got to pick. But her first two choices were a two hour wait. so, we ended up at her third choice, but it might very well be the greatest place on earth. it's a hotel that is made to look like a cruise ship! it was awesome. since we didn't have a reservation, we had to eat in the bar area, but the whole place is so fabulously decorated, it was great. and the food was delicious!! An old juke box in the corner kept big guy entertained as we munched on mac and cheese (fancy, homemade stuff) and chicken quesadillas. Following dinner we went to the gift shop and got a brochure, holy hell, I want to live there. I think we might stay there the next time, as our favorite place is closing down :(
Sunday began early again with a walk around the duck pond. we decided to try a different restaurant for breakfast at the adjoining hotel, but it was an epic fail. for some reason breakfast with grandma J always end badly. big guy refused to eat, ran away screaming. I was so frustrated, I actually yelled at hubs in public. Not the first time, but it was bad. Only a walk in the frosty air cooled me off. We decided to go to the strasburg rail station and hoped we could get tickets. We were in luck! we were able to score first class tickets, but had to wait in the cold rain for about 20 mins to get a good seat. However, once on the train, the rain let up and we had a fantastic time. big guy loved it, as usual. it really is a magical experience for him. Since the weather was good when the ride was over, we rode the cagney train (little steam engine) and the hand crank train twice. I picked up a new thomas the train bathmat, but all big guy wanted from the gift shop was a mini john deer tractor. Go figure!
Following bringing the apples back to pay for them, big guy ran around the hay bale maze. Then we were feeling inspired so we hopped on the hayride to the pumpkin patch. And picked a giant pumpkin! We had already bought two smaller pumpkins, but this was a good one for carving. then we took the hayride back. Following this, we stopped by a local dairy farm to get fresh (pastuerized) yogurt and chocolate milk. Oh, and hubs got licked by a two day old cow. so cute! Naps followed for all three of us. Upon waking, we swam for an hour in the indoor pools- big guy loved it! Might need to join a Y this winter. We would had stayed longer but we needed to change and eat some dinner.
Since it was Grandma J's 60th birthday, she got to pick. But her first two choices were a two hour wait. so, we ended up at her third choice, but it might very well be the greatest place on earth. it's a hotel that is made to look like a cruise ship! it was awesome. since we didn't have a reservation, we had to eat in the bar area, but the whole place is so fabulously decorated, it was great. and the food was delicious!! An old juke box in the corner kept big guy entertained as we munched on mac and cheese (fancy, homemade stuff) and chicken quesadillas. Following dinner we went to the gift shop and got a brochure, holy hell, I want to live there. I think we might stay there the next time, as our favorite place is closing down :(
on the train
picking pumpkins
hay ride
Enough already
this week was stressful and busy, both at home and at work. we are all tired this weekend. In fact, as I relay yesterday's horror, big guy is asleep on the couch next to me. Yesterday, I got a call from big guy's school that someone had bit his face. yep. you heard me. he was sitting next to his a classmate and he bent over to see his puzzle and the kid bit him on the cheek. I was pretty upset, because he seems to get bit all the time and it had broken the skin. I called the dr's office and was awaiting a call back when his teacher from last year who I'm still close with texted me to see if they had called me.
I said they had and then casually asked how she was doing, since I've been talking to no one recently. When she said she actually wanted to talk to me, because things hadn't been going well, I thought she was talking about herself. but I never expected what she texted me next. She let me know that for the past few weeks, big guy hasn't been in his room all day. like, they've been moving him around to other people's rooms. yeah and not telling me. I was so upset. I'm texting her furiously, like what the hell! one day he was moved to her room - with the one year olds!!! but mostly he gets moved to the room next door, with the 3 and 4 year olds.
so, I asked her why? She spoke to the teacher next door and she said his teacher looks frustrated with him! It all made sense. I get the sense that his teacher doesn't get him. hard to explain I guess, except that it's a gut feeling. like how she's always so upset about his talking or not wanting to use the potty. Um, things that he has to do at his own pace and that I have very little control over! anyway, I was pissed and then started to relay this to my dearest friend (who I conveniently work with) and start sobbing. I called hubs, who was of course pissed beyond belief, but was soothed by walking through the walmart for a half hour.
By the time I went to get big guy, I had already called two of the three schools we were on the waiting list for. One we are next in line for and the other was going to call me back. I walked in, got my baby and asked for a parent/teacher conference with his teacher. really, I can't rat out my teacher friend, but clearly this isn't working! To blow off some more steam, big guy and I went to the duck pond and while walking got a call from the other school who said he could start next week!! joy and elation. I've had enough of this school. Time to try something new. Of course I"m stressed about a new place, but one of his friends who we swam with this summer goes there, in fact they'd be in the same room, so I'm feeling better about that. And his mom is awesome and loves it there. So, just trying to stay calm and get this paperwork filled out. We are coming by monday to drop it off and check out the room. I'm excited and cautiously optimistic!
I said they had and then casually asked how she was doing, since I've been talking to no one recently. When she said she actually wanted to talk to me, because things hadn't been going well, I thought she was talking about herself. but I never expected what she texted me next. She let me know that for the past few weeks, big guy hasn't been in his room all day. like, they've been moving him around to other people's rooms. yeah and not telling me. I was so upset. I'm texting her furiously, like what the hell! one day he was moved to her room - with the one year olds!!! but mostly he gets moved to the room next door, with the 3 and 4 year olds.
so, I asked her why? She spoke to the teacher next door and she said his teacher looks frustrated with him! It all made sense. I get the sense that his teacher doesn't get him. hard to explain I guess, except that it's a gut feeling. like how she's always so upset about his talking or not wanting to use the potty. Um, things that he has to do at his own pace and that I have very little control over! anyway, I was pissed and then started to relay this to my dearest friend (who I conveniently work with) and start sobbing. I called hubs, who was of course pissed beyond belief, but was soothed by walking through the walmart for a half hour.
By the time I went to get big guy, I had already called two of the three schools we were on the waiting list for. One we are next in line for and the other was going to call me back. I walked in, got my baby and asked for a parent/teacher conference with his teacher. really, I can't rat out my teacher friend, but clearly this isn't working! To blow off some more steam, big guy and I went to the duck pond and while walking got a call from the other school who said he could start next week!! joy and elation. I've had enough of this school. Time to try something new. Of course I"m stressed about a new place, but one of his friends who we swam with this summer goes there, in fact they'd be in the same room, so I'm feeling better about that. And his mom is awesome and loves it there. So, just trying to stay calm and get this paperwork filled out. We are coming by monday to drop it off and check out the room. I'm excited and cautiously optimistic!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
mommy
big guy has changed all of a sudden from calling me mama to calling me mommy. and I love it!! I guess b/c I still call gmom dino mommy, as in the same way when she still speaks about her mother. and he never says mommy once, it's always a string of a few mommies. so fantastic!
Monday, October 15, 2012
trip to the ER
Friday morning at 3am, big guy woke up coughing. Hmmm, he was getting sick. Great... just in time for gmom Dino to visit. By 4:30pm that afternoon there was snot and wheezing. Upon another nebulizer treatment at 7:30 and bed, I was sure we were in for a rough night. Big guy got up around 11pm coughing. another round of neb and his diaphragm was bouncing up and down like a basketball. I had him lying down next to me in bed and I could feel the bed moving. Not good. He passed out for a solid two hours, but them was up wheezing. another neb around 2:45 and he was struggling big time. We called the after hours nurse and she said to take him to the ER if his normal rescue medicine wasn't working.
So, at 4am we quietly went downstairs to where gmom dino was sleeping at let her know we were going to the ER. If we were back in two hours, everything was fine. If we were gone for six hours, it was really serious. We got there and it was us and all the other parents with toddlers who were sick. A very nice dr and some very nice nurses took care of us. after waking up everyone in the ER when we were shoving medicine down big guy's throat- I kid you not, we have four nurses holding him down- he then puked it up. And instead hubs made the executive decision to give him a shot of steroids. ah, it might have woke him up, but we got home exactly at the two hour mark.
Big guy was awake all day continuing his neb of albuterol and steroids. And he was munching happily on snacks and watching a good amount of tv. Then around 5pm we were getting ready for dinner and big guy laid on gmom dino's lap and she started rubbing his belly. within one minute, he was out!! he slept on us until about 9pm and I nebbed him again and brought him to bed with us. big guy was OUT until 6am the next morning, as were we!! very impressive and he was in excellent spirits. I'm happy to report that he is doing great!!!
So, at 4am we quietly went downstairs to where gmom dino was sleeping at let her know we were going to the ER. If we were back in two hours, everything was fine. If we were gone for six hours, it was really serious. We got there and it was us and all the other parents with toddlers who were sick. A very nice dr and some very nice nurses took care of us. after waking up everyone in the ER when we were shoving medicine down big guy's throat- I kid you not, we have four nurses holding him down- he then puked it up. And instead hubs made the executive decision to give him a shot of steroids. ah, it might have woke him up, but we got home exactly at the two hour mark.
Big guy was awake all day continuing his neb of albuterol and steroids. And he was munching happily on snacks and watching a good amount of tv. Then around 5pm we were getting ready for dinner and big guy laid on gmom dino's lap and she started rubbing his belly. within one minute, he was out!! he slept on us until about 9pm and I nebbed him again and brought him to bed with us. big guy was OUT until 6am the next morning, as were we!! very impressive and he was in excellent spirits. I'm happy to report that he is doing great!!!
daily constitutional
big guy has been a tough cookie about pooping for almost a whole year. and subsequently I have become crazy person about getting him to poop. My newest weapon that works about 70% of the time is our daily constitutional. In which we don't walk with the stroller, but instead big guy is walking holding my hand. Negatives include less exercise for me b/c we go for less distance and less cup holders. but on the positive, I can say to big guy, we aren't going home until you have pooped. which seems really cruel, but he makes it so dramatic! It allows us to explore the neighborhood, pick up leaves, crunch curly leaves, and talk about everything that we see outside. I really enjoy it and when he does eventually poop- it's a bonus to our nice time outside! And since big guy already does a lot of old man stuff (love of raisins and granola) I figure this is right in line!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
leaving for lancaster
friday afternoon, we were heading up to lancaster to visit grandma J- she was turning 60 on saturday! We were staying at our favorite hotel, Willow Valley Inn, which is sadly going out of business. Anyway, we were supposed to leave right at 3pm, so we could get there early evening. I left work early and got home around 1:30. since I had some time, I tidied up. Nothing better than coming home to a clean home. I unloaded then reloaded the dishwasher. wiped down the counters. cleaned off the kitchen table. emptied the trash. cleaned the downstairs sink. ran a load of laundry. finished packing. and loaded the car. whew! I am very productive when I have the house to myself. hubs left work a bit late, so my plan of grabbing big guy and just driving from school was destroyed. Instead I picked up big guy and got his diaper changed. shoved a granola bar in his hand and then by this point hubs was home and we hit the road. We didn't hit any traffic, but managed to get to lancaster by 5. We ate a quick dinner at subway and then hit up the dollar store for some run around/leg stretching time and to buy some junk. and surprise bday balloons for grandma J. We hung out with grandma J and aunt B for about an hour and then headed to the hotel. but saturday is when the vacation really began!!
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