Lone mamabear

Wednesday morning, the hubs leaves for a conference and it's just the big guy and I until friday afternoon. I'm a lone mamabear in the world. I commend all single mothers- I'm so super impressed. And while I can manage working, keeping a house, and taking care of big guy all by myself, I wouldn't want to.

Wednesday night was a disaster. Big guy was tired and grouchy. We spent most of the night yelling at each other. Wednesday had been a tough day at work, so having a rought night at home made me worry about thursday. But as is turns out, thursday was glorious. Big guy and I had a nice relaxing morning. He didn't cry that much when I dropped him off at school. When I picked him up, he was all smiles. We raced home, grabbed some milk, changed, and then headed out to our favorite pizza place. I figured that getting out of the house was the key to both of us staying sane.

And I was right! we had a yummy meal- big guy ate a whole piece of white pizza (minus the crust) all by himself. We went home, took a stroll through the neighborhood. then bath and bed. Beautiful! Friday morning was just as calm- grandma C came over to watch big guy. It's so funny when he knows I'm leaving- like if I take a shower, he'll sob b/c it means I'm leaving. He has this new pouty lower lip that he sticks out. it's just so cute- I kiss it to make it go away. Just seven more work days until we have two months together. C'mon summer!

Shoes

It's amazing how fast big guy's vocabulary grows each week. This week alone he has started saying three new words. Shoes. Cheese. Moooo. Ok, I'm not sure if Mooo is an actual word so much as a sound- but he recognizes that it is the sound that a cow makes, which is pretty impressive!

Big guy says Cheese whenever he sees it, eats it, and breaks into the cheese drawer in the fridge. Which is pretty often. At some point he's going to figure out how to open the fridge- then I'm in trouble, along with my energy bill!

Shoes he's been obsessed with for a couple of months- I guess since I started making him wear them. It's so cute because he loves to pick them up, carry them to the person who needs them, and ew- tries to eat them. Now when he sees them- he yells out SHOES! and then grabs them. He carries his cool, new green shoes everywhere. And he does this funny little jig when I ask if he wants to put them on. THat would be a YES mamabear!

long and pointy

Jedi Sword Tricks

Both toothbrushes- ready for action!

Big guy has three new favorite things to play with- crayons, sticks, and toothbrushes. All long and pointy, and super fun. Crayons are probably the ones he's not totally convinced of yet. I want to get him some really fat crayons that will be easy to hold, but have yet to see any. I did get him a box of medium thickness that work on a mini-whiteboard. He's definitely into the crayons when I hold the whiteboard up for him. Mostly he likes to throw the crayons out of the little snack box I keep them in. And one day he drew all over the sliding glass door- oops!

Next in line for like-ability would be sticks. (you thought I was going to say toothbrush- I know it!) when we walk to the duckpond- we find lots of sticks that we carry with us, hit against the ground, and essentially practice our jedi sword tricks!

And our most favorite new thing is the toothbrush. This kid loves to brush his teeth. And he has two toothbrushes- a baby one and one that I was going to use, but that he usurped! Big guy will point at the cabinet that we keep it in and kind of grunt at it. Then he demands his baby toothpaste be put on both toothbrushes. He also loves his fluoride and will point to it also. It smells like a beef bouillon cube, so I guess it must taste better- b/c big guy slurps it up!

New and exciting food

Big guy has been on a culinary extravaganza! Ok, I wouldn't exactly call the food he's been eating very fancy, but it sure is delicious. On Memorial Day, big guy had his first hot dog!!! I know, I know- choking hazard and who knows what is in there. But we had Hebrew National, thus all beef. And I cut it lengthwise and then into fourths and then little bites. It would be an understatement to say he liked it. The kid gobbled it up and then wanted more. mmmm, and I found turkey dogs this past weekend. so good.

We've started this new thing where hubs cooks sunday morning breakfast and sunday night he grills. I'm definitely a fan of not having to cook dinner. And on sunday morning, we've been having eggs w/ cheese and turkey bacon. Which might be big guy's new favorite yum yum. He doesn't eat it, so much as he shoves it in his mouth, sucks off all the flavor, and then spits it out. I know I shouldn't laugh, but it's really funny.

Finally, big guy has started to finally express his extreme love of cheese by saying the word, "CHEESE." He loves going into the fridge, opening the cheese drawer, and yelling cheese. So cute and very exciting that his vocab is continuing to expand.

New sandals and trains

Last saturday we decided to take a family trip to the KOP mall. It was memorial day, so I was banking on everyone being down the shore and it being really well air conditioned. I turned out right on both accounts. Grandma J and Aunt B came with us to the stride rite- love that store!
The guy at the store wanted to put big guy in these dorky brown sandals. I casually said we should try them on and then picked out these awesome black/neon green waterproof sandals. Bad-butt! (which is the hubs and my new word for bad-a**) trying to cut down on the cursing.

Big guy wasn't too impressed with the brown ones- he sat on the floor. But the green ones were a different story- he ran right out of the store with joy. Not only do they look good, but they are lighter and slimmer- big guy is walking/running so much better. He hardly falls now. And because they have slits, he can wear them without socks and in water. The perfect shoe!

After purchasing, we went to the Ruby's diner- 50's food- burgers, shakes, but healthy stuff too. Best part- cool motorized trains that run on tracks above our heads. big guy was in heaven watching them go by. Every time they went by, he said, "WHOA!" So precious. And bonus, they have a great kids menu- not just hamburgers, pasta, and chicken fingers. BIg guy got a grilled chicken breast cut into strips with fruit salad.

Riding

Big guy has a lot of toys, though very few that we have bought him. One big present we got him for his bday is his awesome Caterpillar yellow dump truck with awesome noises (honking, dumping, and starting the engine). And not only do you push it around, the back part also opens up and then big guy can ride it!

On monday, big guy opened up the truck and climbed aboard. he then proceeded to push back and forth on the floor. That's right, he was riding! All of a sudden, a whole new world opened up for him. He wanted to hop on his bouncy blue horse. He wanted to ride his bday giraffe from aunt amy. He has started to play horsey on hubs's back. And then of course he tries to stand on all of these flat, elevated surfaces. What's up danger baby?

Our new favorite spot

Big guy has a new favorite place to hang out. He has enjoyed playing with a ton of kitchen tools- spatulas, colanders, spoons, the dishwasher! But by far our new favorite spot is the kitchen cabinet. First, big guy likes to clean it out. Everything must go- tupperware is especially fun to toss across the floor. Then big guy likes to climb in and get comfy. Also, after getting in he can properly get the stuff in the back. Then he likes to close the doors, giggle, and then pop them open to look up at me as I cook. Too funny!