birthday parties

This fall has been very busy. Most notably, we've been going to birthday parties for the kids at big guy's class. Last year, we only went to one party, after I was "bullied" into going to one last year by big guys teacher. So I've made a point to go to every party so far this year. Being socialable, letting big guy see friends over the weekend, and making sure he's not left out when kids talk on Monday. It's exhausting. The coolest party so far was the first one of the season and at a farm. There was a hayride, pumpkin picking and a hay bale maze. It was really cool!! Subsequent parties have been less cool to downright torture. As a bonus, little man gets to go along and have fun. Mostly he just stares in amusement with the wildness around him.

Of course, this has led to a discussion about big guy's bday party for his classmates. We hemmed and hawed about a great location. With a February bday, we are kind of trapped inside. But we decided on the academy of natural sciences.  We love it there, he can touch bugs and they get a personalized tour around the museum! I'm still debating if I will do decorations, cake and favors or let the museum do it. Gmom Dino and I are figuring that piece out and I'm really excited because she is going to fly down and visit! And she will be here for the family party and kid party! Clean house... Here I come!

hat's off

Grandma J had made for little man a hat for Halloween. It's a pumpkin hat- bright orange with a green swirl on top. It's precious. And fits really well so we've been wearing it around ever since. We get a ton of compliments on it as well. She's really an amazing knitter! So little man hasn't given me any trouble with this hat, until this past week. In the morning when it's really frosty, I leave the hat on in the car. And this week he started ripping it off!! Little man starts arching his back and this the hat slips over his eyes. He gets all enraged and then reaches up and rips it off!! I'm actually impressed it's taken less than a month for him to figure out he doesn't want it on. Then he promptly starts munching on it. The good thing is that he still keeps it on outside. For now!

things I hate

rain
driving in the rain
putting two kids in the car in the rain
cold and rain
putting two kids in the car in the rain
people who come into your lane before making a right hand turn

Oatmeal

Little man got the OK to start oatmeal at his 4 month appointment. However, it wasn't until around Halloween that I got it together to try. I had to buy the baby oatmeal flakes which now come in a plastic box. Probably to make it more expensive. I had to clean the high chair, which my mommy graciously did for me during her visit! And then I needed to get some purified water just in case I needed to make it without breast milk. Finally, I had it all in order.

I set the stage but dawdled. I tried it one afternoon with little success. Little man was tired and not interested.  I tried again this time with a free sample of formula. No go. Then on Wednesday night, I had made a delicious dinner and big guy and I were devouring while little man sat on my lap. He was watching. And started to smack his lips. Hmmm, perhaps I was missing the social aspect of eating. So, with little hope of success, I used some bottled water and ta-da! He gobbled it down. Slurping and swallowing noises were heard! Smiles and laughs! And though he was covered with it, we had success. I was so relieved. Big guy had been such a voracious eater and I got nervous that I would have produced a non eater. But no, he just needed to eat with us!

Thursday, we went to breastfeeding group and got weighed. A gain of 2 oz, so not due to oatmeal. But we shall see next Thursday. Also at bf group, I ran into someone I went to college with. Weird. And our favorite lactation consultant was there, T, who was my go to gal and got me through big guys first year! She was glad to see little man and hear his progress, as well as hear about big guy. She also said I have to do a month of oatmeal once a day before starting a second meal of introducing veggies. Oh boo!

Grandma Dino visit!

Last week grandma Dino came to visit. Yay! Ironically, hubs had a conference in New Hampshire, so they switched places. It was a lovely visit. Big guy was of course in heaven because he loves Dino and only wants to be with her. And he got her big time. She took over bath and bed time while I fed little man. And even though she was meeting with friends during the day, she was always available for drop off and pick up from school. The best day was Friday though. Dino, little man and I had the whole day to ourselves. After dropping big guy at school, I fed little man and then we went to suburban square and walk around and shop. We visited the farmers market, which little man loved. Then we strolled outside and it was chilly but really fun. Little man eventually fell asleep in the Williams Sonoma and we went home. In the afternoon, we went to big guys school for the Halloween parade!

Hubs, grandpa J, grandma C and uncle I met us to watch the procession. Luckily, we got good seats and big guys class was the first to come through, which was good bc it was cold. Following the parade, we went home and hubs made everyone eggs and bacon for dinner. Then we got back into our costumes. Big guy was a doctor! Yes, he actually dressed up. Dino made the costume out of one of hubs' white button down shirts, a name tag she reused and one of her stethoscopes. Big guy looked awesome and was so proud. He even used his play drs kit as his candy bucket. Little man wore his pirate pumpkin onesie and pumpkin hat that grandma J knitted for him.

We bundled up and went to pick up our neighbors who have a 1 year old daughter. Surprisingly, big guy was totally into it. He loved having company I think and showing the little kids how to ring the doorbell and what to say to get the candy. We only stopped because little man was getting a bit cold. Which like a good big brother, he said he was cold and tired too. We found hubs at home giving out candy. Big guy promptly dumped his candy on the floor to take inventory!!

Saturday brought music class and a trip to the Bj's. Big guy stayed with Dino while hubs and I took little man. Both Dino and big guy were exhausted with the time alone. We had a huge pizza dinner in farewell to Dino, as she left early the next morning. We had a really nice Sunday. Hubs worked and the boys and I went to a free art festival with grandma C and crew. Big guy loved all the cool artwork, including a thanksgiving card, sun catcher and a cool mosaic tower. He also appreciated the free soft pretzels, watermelon and grapes. We took pretzels and cookies for the road. Upon coming home, he kept eating and we had a nice relaxing night before everyone turning in early. Day lights savings took it's roll on our family!!!

Enough adventures already

In the past two months, we've had a few adventures. First, my car battery died. Apparently I had left my lights on. Though I hadn't turned them on to begin with. Cue AAA coming with a new battery. Then two weeks ago, our carbon monoxide detector went off after an incredibly long day of music class and visit from grandma J and aunt B. Cue firetruck with lights and sirens. Tonight, as we were driving home from voting, someone pulled up and told me my tire was flat. Cud AAA again coming to put on the spare. Never having had a flat in my driving career, I was at a loss. But the man who came to fix it was awesome. He couldn't fix it because the lugnut key wasn't with the spare. But assured me it would be ok to drive on for half a mile to the dealership tomorrow, who I called and said it needed to be fixed and oh yeah, can you do my 30,000 check up!!  He put some air in and went on his way. At this point, I'm good with no more adventures!!