not the awesomest weekend ever

It was so not awesome.  To be expected I suppose, since we have had a string of really great weekends.  Everyone was grumpy.  Tears, yelling, time outs were all around.  Some bright spots were there, going for walks to the duck pond, talking about trees on saturday.  Having pizza and ice cream sunday night.  For the first time in a long time, I had a fleeting thought... I wish I had somewhere to go on monday to be away from these crazy people I live with!  It went fast though, at least the weather was nice...

11 months old

On monday, little man turned 11 months!  I can't believe it.  Really, it feels like he was just this little lump and now he's the beginning of a person!  His new development is now pointing at everything.  He started pointing at 10 months, but now purposefully does it at things we are talking about or that he sees.  It's really cute on walks, where we can talk about trees and flowers.  But the best thing to point at is the myriad of construction equipment in our neighborhood due to new gas pipes.  The backhoe is his personal favorite. As well as seeing the neighborhood dogs, which he loves.  And this morning, he finally waved bye bye to hubs!  He knows how to do it and finally did it on command!  usually he will only do it when someone caught him off guard, but I see progress!  And speaking of progress, the kid is taking some unassisted steps.  One at a time before grabbing or setting himself down slowly, but it's something!  Good work little man!

Tball- week 3

Sunday brought forth the 3rd week of tball.  We had a rough morning so it was a surprise when hubs said that they were going to tball.  But something about the lesson of doing something you are promised to do and not wanting to hear backlash of not going all week had them grumpily in the car.  Things were apparently bad on the field, too.  Big guy dumped dirt into the coach's coffee cup!  Screamed at the coach that he didn't want to play 2nd base.  It only got worse.  However, one bright spot was that big guy hit a home run!  That's right, apparently fueled by anger and frustration (spite maybe), he slammed one so far they interrupted another game.  And he did it batting lefty!  Here's hoping a better week this week.  Which, the weather is looking gorgeous, so little man and I will be able to come see and help, hopefully!

Music class

So, it's getting to the end of my maternity leave, to which I am incredibly sad.  I know, I will have had an entire year off, which is obviously more than the majority of people in the US have, to which I am blessed and so grateful to hubs for allowing me this time off with not only little man, but the bonus time of big guy.  It's been an amazing year, the best I'll ever have.  Anywho, with that in mind, I decided it was time to socialize little man in a more traditional way, though we go to breastfeeding group once a week!

We joined a music class for 0-2 year olds and have been going for the past two months.  It's been a really great experience for him to be sure.  Seeing as I'm antisocial, I rarely talk to anyone but let little man do his thing.  So far this has been his pattern in class.  First half which is music and dancing, he will either sit in my lap or stand but cling onto my shirt, warily giving other people looks.  Then the egg shaped shakers come out and he's ready to roll!  He starts shaking, making fun noises, rocking back and forth and generally having a really fun time.  And then towards the end he gets up the nerve to go touch and baby talk to another baby his size.  It's really quite cute!  I'm hopeful that daycare will be a good experience for him and that this music class will make it a bit easier for him!

My big supermarket helper

This past week's weather has been cold and rainy. Not at all the pleasantness that we've gotten used to.  Thus, I've had to come up with alternate after school plans that don't involve being outside for walks, the playground, or in our yard.  Wednesday, we went to the AAA to have my license renewal photo taken, that was an adventure, as always.  Thursday, I took the boys to the supermarket for some stuff that I had forgotten on tuesday.  It's been a long time since I've had big guy at the supermarket with me, since I usually just go with little man.  I could tell he missed it though, as he was the biggest helper!

We went to the market near big guy's school and promptly got one of those cool baskets that has a pull out handle to make it a cart!  Big guy was very excited to wheel it around.  We shopped for our sundry items, cheese, yogurt, cereal, plastic spoons, hershey's syrup, and of course sprinkles.  All essentials, you see!  Big guy patiently went to each aisle with me and put everything into the rolling basket. Then we went to checkout and he put everything on the conveyor belt.  And then he took both bags and put them back into the rolly basket!  I told him how helpful he was being during check out and the lovely cashier agreed and told him he was doing a great job!  His reward was the box of cereal not on the list- apple jacks!

We made it home and he got to eat that for dinner, quite a treat! I'm thinking he will come with me to supermarket during summer and little man is at school!

2 days 2 words

The past two days have brought two new words to little man's vocabulary. Yesterday he yelled "cookie" at hubs as he walked by the cabinet where I keep his gerber cookies. Very cute and funny. And even funnier because he doesn't really like them. He will eat half and then throw it on the floor. I said this to hubs when he said that I obviously needed to reward little man with a cookie. And what happens? Takes a bite, drops if on the floor. Today brought saying "da-dee" all day. Very cute especially when hubs got to hear it and of course said, that he is obviously the most loved since saying mama was short lived! I'm confident mama will be back soon though!!

Snot factory

Last monday, little man woke up with a cold!  And a ton of snot.  Some might say he was a snot factory.  Friday began a rough cough.  Which was especially sad last week because it was really nice weather.  And on saturday it was 80 degrees and it's really not fun having snot running down your face in that kind of weather!  Poor buddy!  Anywho, today I have seen a lessening of snot, thank goodness!  Though it's still quite a lot.  Allergies?  Cold?  ugh, either way, it's gross and I'm glad it's diminishing!

Tball- week 2

Sunday brought with it the second week of tball.  This week was much better according to hubs, with good spirits and good effort.  Big guy had three hits!  woo-hoo!  And he was at 2nd base/right field.  His fielding was good.  They are still going to continue to work on catching.  Apparently, the coach told him he was good at hitting.  He keeps a nice even swing and actually hits the ball!!

closer to toddler

In six weeks my baby won't be a baby.  He'll be a toddler!  Which on one hand is totally sad for me but on the much bigger hand, woo-hoo!  I love toddlers.  When big guy turned 1 and 2, I loved it.  The most fun age, though I must admit, he just gets better with age.  So, here are the signs, besides his age, that little man is on his way to toddlerdom: He wants to do everything by himself, including choosing his toys, petting the cats, and especially eating his own food.  He gets so frustrated when I spoon food in!  Little man hates getting his diaper changed.  Ugh, lay down, still and let mama wipe him... just the worst.  Cue twisting onto the belly and crawling away as quickly as possible.  Or screaming at top of lungs while twisting away!  Most times I let him just escape for a few minutes of naked time.  But in another toddler move, he's discovered his penis.  So he then starts to pee on stuff or me and laugh hysterically!  Peeing is funny, did you know?  Little man has also started the arching his back when he doesn't like something.  Getting into the car seat, staying seated during a stroller ride, which alternates arching back and injuring his head on some hard part of the stroller or attempting to escape the confines of the stroller.  Geez!  Little man has been babbling up a storm.  Nothing too specific like a word, but definitely a lot of really cute noises all strung together.  Also, he's started giving hugs.  Meaning, he lays his head on your lap or on the cat's bodies.  so sweet.  More things to come as he reaches the end of this first year.

In we go

Up to this point, little man has only been taking things out.  Toys out of buckets, clothes out of laundry baskets (when they are clean and folded, much to my dismay!), and books off of shelves.  When putting things back in is suggested, it is not followed.  However, yesterday my little man started to put "in." I had a laundry basket on floor, luckily it was dirty, and he put a paper towel in, followed by a magazine, and a block.  I clapped and said what a good job of putting in he was doing.  Then he proceeded for the rest of the day to put stuff into cups, into a play mailbox and more into the laundry basket.  A definite step in getting bigger and thank goodness, into cleaning up!

Awesomest weekend ever

"Awesomest weekend ever!" That was what big guy called this past weekend.  And I'm inclined to agree!  We had so much fun and the beautiful weather helped so much, as we got to spend the majority of both days outside.  These children got my love of fresh air.  Anyway, our saturday was decided by a book big guy got from his school book fair, all about ocean life.  Lots of pictures and cool facts.  Did you know that a blue whales' tongue is the size of an elephant?  Anyway, it was going to be in the low 60's but sunny, so I thought the Adventure Aquarium would be perfect because we could go outside to see penguins and check out the Camden Children's Garden, which is right next door.  Before I move on, if you haven't gone to the garden and have kids up to age 10, go now.  You won't regret it!

Anyway, we got to the aquarium as it opened and started with the hippos, which I always start at because most people start at zone A, but we do it backwards.  Less people that way.  We really loved the jellyfish and sharks.  Both boys were zoned in during the shark tunnel.  Very cool.  Next we ventured outside to the penguins and I got some information about the garden.  We then sat down for an early lunch, around 11ish.  I had brought yogurts, fruit, and veggies, but we always supplement with a giant soft pretzel.  Mmmmmm.

Following lunch, we went to the kid's zone and proceeded to touch every coral polyp, fish, starfish, sea cucumber, and horseshoe crab they had.  I also smartly brought a change of shirt for big guy.  He loved every second of it.  Something about touching the animals he's been reading about, it was a beautiful moment.  I went ahead and gave little man a post lunch snack in the nursing room while big guy and hubs went to touch every stingray in the place!

We then proceeded to go to the garden, which was not only inexpensive but just an awesome experience.  It's 4 acres of gardens, fun carnival rides (carousel, bouncy house, train ride), free carnival food (popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones), a butterfly house- which was just amazing, and then lots of other fun stuff, balloon guy (we got a frog), clown with stilts and unicycle, and a shop to buy fresh fruit and veggies.  Ok, all I'm saying is that it was really, really cool.  We didn't even get to see the whole thing because both boys were exhausted.  We drove home and I had a pure moment of mother success- all three of them fell asleep in the car.  Blissful silence and a job well done!

Upon getting home, they all woke up, tragic!  But we all had a snack and played outside before dinner and an early bedtime.  Sunday's weather was even nicer.  Big guy had tball (see T-Ball post) and then we just hung outside all afternoon and evening.  It really was the awesomest weekend ever!

T-Ball

Sunday morning was the first day of tball for big guy.  Hubs and I are really making a concerted effort to get him involved in group sports activities.  Not only for the cuteness of seeing him play sports, but also for those really important reasons... sportsmanship, playing on a team, learning about winning and losing, having fun, trying, exercise, meeting new people, etc.  Big guy did three saturdays of basketball in March and it had mixed results.  While he undeniably like playing the sports with hubs, he is more hesitant with a larger group.

Thus the tball adventure, where hubs can take him every sunday morning and make it fun every other day of the week.  Little man and I were going to go too, but it was like 38 degrees sunday morning at 8:20, when his team was out practicing!  So, they were on their own.  Little man took an epic nap instead.  I wasn't complaining!

Hubs called big guy's team the all star team because out of the 20 teams, theirs was the only one practicing before game time at 9:00.  They worked on hitting, bat safety (hubs was excited for this one), catching, and throwing.  Also, they got their orange tshirts and hats.  Both very fine quality.  Big guy did a good job of joining in and trying, which is really all we ask of him with these sports, oh, and having fun!

The game began at 9:00 and hubs kept me up to date with the play by play.  Big guy got a hit his first time up at bat- a single!  And then eventually made his way around the bases to bring in a run.  The second time he also got a hit, but then got himself out when the first baseman didn't pick up the ball and big guy being the helpful young man he is, brought it over to him!  This story was told in a phone call where hubs was laughing so hard it had to be re-told when they got home.  Fielding was up and down.  Big guy was put in as short stop and did a good job when the ball came at him.  Grounders mostly.  However, his spirits dipped when others were out doing stuff with the ball.  This is really what we are attempting to work on, controlling and keeping emotions more even! Big guy is a sensitive guy.  All in all, big guy told me that he had a lot of fun and I'm hopeful that the weather will be a little warmer soon so I can come see, too!

Hi and Bye

So, little man and I have been working on the Hi and Bye wave for a while.  For him, I do the hand-to-fist movement as the wave, instead of moving his arm back and forth.  Usually, when we say hi and bye to anyone, he smiles and ducks his head into my shoulder.  And then will turn his hand to himself and wave about 10 minutes later!  But over the weekend, we were outside and one of the neighbors, she's 10, came over and said, Hi!  And he lifted his hand and waved!  I was so excited.  Then when she went home, she came and said, Bye!  And he did it again!  Lots of kisses and cheering.  Later, we went to chipotle for dinner and I suggested that little man say hi to everyone.  Not. A. Thing.  So, in the few days since then, I've noticed that if someone says it to him, he'll do it.  But anything like a directive, no dice.  And sometimes for utter cuteness, if you just happen to say hi or bye, he'll start waving.

the mouth of babes part 2

Over the past few days the following things have been in little man's mouth.  Your guess which ones are legal or illegal!

raisins
piece of carpet
grapes
a fly (still alive)
bread with butter
acorn
a sticker
chalk
daffodil
various cheeses- mozzarella, Monterrey jack, muenster

Now, I am sure that big guy also had a phase of putting everything in his mouth.  The difference for him perhaps is that he didn't have a 5 year old brother leaving random crap everywhere nor a distracted mother who is also trying to watch above 5 year old!  Poor thing!!!

Wheels on the bus

Tonight is busy. Mostly because little man is exhausted and cranky. Not wanting to be put down and crying intermittently. So bad that during dinner I was singing the wheels on the bus to keep him calm and shovel food into his mouth! I was finishing up when big guy reminded me I didn't do the "babies say, waaa, waaaa, waaa" part yet. So, I launch into that part of the song and at the break until next verse big guy looks at me and very appropriately says, "that's just what little man sounds like tonight!" So there!!

Easter bunny visit

Easter was yesterday and was a bit exhausting! I think mostly because we had had a really great Saturday of fun just the boys and I as hubs was working. We were outside, made a cake, played, had a fun dinner. It was really wonderful. So of course, everyone was tired and a bit grouchy, me included. The morning started off ok, as big guy awoke to an Easter basket of Hershey kisses, gold coins, a wind up caterpillar, a light up squishy bunny, two new need balls and some Winnie the Pooh stickers but quickly went into grumpiness. We went to our local bagel shop for brunch and had a feast.

We were ok until big guy wanted to buy some candy, but we needed to go to trader joes for some turkey meatballs. Cue breakdown by big guy even though we told him he could get anything he wanted from TJ's. Finally calm, we had a nice shopping experience until big guy wanted to get flowers. And in the infinite certainty that 5 year olds make no sense he then hated the flowers he had chosen! Saying he didn't want them or even to look at them. Grrrr. Anyway, we picked some daffodils from our yard to supplement and that soothed the beast. I took the boys upstairs for nap time, little man ate and fell asleep only to be woken up twice by big guy acting crazy in his room! Whereas Saturday he was calm until little man was out and then he and I snuggled and watched a movie, Sunday he couldn't keep quiet long enough for me to get there.  Grrrr again.

After the second wake up and me losing my cool with big guy, I abandoned nap time and took the boys for a walk. As much to soothe my spirit as to give hubs some quiet time to work downstairs. The walk was restorative to us all. The weather was gorgeous for Easter. We walked without needing coats and just enjoyed talking about all the new plants and leaves and flowers. After the walk, I took little man up for a snack while big guy and hubs went to pick up P, one of my former students who is now a dear friend. She came and we all hung out. Then P and I went to hide Easter eggs outside. Our neighbor down the street came and the she and big guy hunted for a good 15 minutes. We had a lot of eggs! They had a wonderful time and big guy's basket and expert egg finding skills gave him a lot of loot! We went inside while I started on dinner and then while everything was cooking in oven, we went back outside and ended up finding a few more eggs! Once inside, big guy proceeded to open all the plastic eggs, the real ones I put back in the fridge, and little man was so excited to shake the plastic eggs and generally throw and make a mess with them!!

We sat down to dinner and in the background was the movie Interstellar which we had been watching all day- big guy is obsessed with it! After dinner we played and then had some yummy dessert before calling it a day. So although Easter started out a bit rocky, it had a really sweet ending!

Nice weather activities

Spring has finally sprung!! Thank goodness. Pretty much if it's above 40 we are outside. But really nice weather has started. Like in the 60's with sun!! It is really glorious. Little man and I usually go for a walk everyday around the neighborhood. Sometimes we have errands, like post office or rite aid, but mostly we just do a big loop and enjoy nature. And then we will hang outside for a bit pulling up grass and playing in dirt. After we pick big guy up from school, we either go back outside to our yard and continue to get dirty. Sometimes if it's really nice and socks/shoes can be taken off, we will go to the sand playground near big guy's school. That is a real thrill for everyone involved. Then we will go home for a quick dinner and then go for a stroll through the neighborhood again! It is glorious and I love being outside. Turns out my boys to do. They are just so great with the fresh air and nature. And it completely exhausts them, a definite bonus in my book!!!

Eating more...

I've upped the amount of food little man eats during the day. He is always shoving those little paws and anything he happens to have in them into his mouth. And while I know this is not always hunger, as it is also exploring the world and new tooth developments, I noticed that he looks for Cheerios on the floor! So, after hearing another mom at be group say how much her daughter was eating, I put two and two together and thought about upping the amount. Turns out I was right! Little man has taken wonderfully to having more food at each meal. His breakfast is now a big bowl of oatmeal with a fruit blend mixed in and Cheerios. Lunch which we are still figuring out due to changing nap times, is usually an entire banana, some puffs and cheese. Sometimes I'll give him part of a veggie container. And then dinner is now almost a whole yogurt with veggie purée mixed in. Cheesy puffs. Cheese. And whatever we r having for dinner within reason. So for example, last night we had baked ziti with turkey meatballs. Little man had yogurt, shredded mozzarella cheese, and some turkey meatball. Which he gobbled up! I was really surprised because normally he doesn't do well with new food. But he was a fan! Score!!  Anywho, we went to bf group on Thursday and got weighed. Little man was 19lbs 3oz! So almost a whole pound in two weeks! This whole eating more thing is really paying off!!

Over under

Little man has figured out that going under is really fun! For instance- going under my legs, under chairs and through tunnels is really thrilling. Except for getting stuck under chairs, he hasn't figured out crawling backwards! And definitely hitting his head on chairs isn't fun either and usually results in tears. But when it goes just right, under is really the way to go!!