The end

Summer is coming to a close. School is about to start and I'm truly sad. I have had a wonderful summer, much better than last year. And I thought last year was pretty fabulous! Today, after two nights of bad sleep and rain/being trapped indoors all day yesterday, I thought it would be fun for big guy and I to hit up the really cool Smith Playground again. It was going to be nice out- sunny in the mid 80's.

We got there just as it was opening... or so I thought. A huge sign hanging at the entrance says closed on mondays. Bullsh*t- the website said open all week from 10-4. Extremely pissed off, I made the choice to head to the zoo- since it was only 5 mins away and I didn't want to keep big guy in the car any longer, seeing as he was getting whiny and squirmy back there.

I didn't really want to go to the zoo. Our last visit was so pleasant that I had wanted that one to stick in my mind. I knew this wouldn't be as enjoyable. We went to the children's zoo and pet some goats and fed the ducks. We ate any early lunch, which big guy surprisingly was good for. We ran around the treehouse for half an hour- it was my attempt for him to get out his energy that he would have expelled at the park. And we saw the tiger up close again.

Around 12:30 I decided it had been enough. Big guy was in his stroller munching on some pirate's booty- a family fav. We got to the car and I had to change his diaper. I knew this would cause problems for me, seeing as getting big guy into his car seat is trouble enough these days, without changing a diaper first. Big guy was standing on his seat trying to push the diaper off- hmmm, need to get that tiny potty started! So, I handed him part of a banana- which he also surprisingly took and started eating. I had the car running but two doors were open, so it was cool in the car, but also breezy. Big guy was content, so I busted out my yogurt that I didn't have a chance to eat yet.

And big guy and I had a mini picnic. It turned out to be the nicest part of our morning. We were talking about bananas and monkeys. Enjoying each other's company. I trickily got him into his seat and belted up, all the while giving him the second half of the banana (it's fun watching him eat bananas now b/c I don't have to cut them but can just give him half at a time). I looked at him and yes got a little misty when I said, "I love you. I have had a great summer. I can't wait for next summer." He gave me a big banana-y grin in response. It has been a great summer :)

Yeah and Nah

Big guy has figured out the meaning of the word NO! Scary yes, but oh so cute. He hasn't started saying the actual word, but instead will shake his head no and say, "nah!" It's so adorable. Even when he's sealing his lips shut at something I'm trying to persuade him to eat. I just find it so cute that I have to laugh, which probably encourages the behavior. But it also gives me a clue that he knows what I'm asking. Even if I get the "nah" more often than the "yeah," which is his yes.

The yeah only comes out sporadically. Most often if it's been a while if I've asked about something. But it's so cool when he says it- like if I ask if he's going to play with his trucks when he's walking over to them, "Yeah." His language development is moving at such a great speed, it makes me wonder- Are mini-sentences next?

Guest Post: I hate this week

What a week. It was not a good week (and I'm not including work here, and that wasn't that great either). So, I started off of the week with no hot water in the shower. I went, hmm, I wonder why it went out. I checked the pipe to the shower and it looked fine (I'm not sure what fine is, but it didn't look like it was bursting). Then, I think, it rained a lot on Sunday, why don't I go downstairs into our basement and see if the power went out, or something...

SOMETHING was definitely the understatement. Our basement was under two feet of water. The sump pump not functioning whatsoever. Damn you basement! I panic, scream, dance around the house and wife looks at me and says go to the Depot and get something to fix it. I swing by the Depot's tool rental center and rent a water pump. I make it back home, slush my way through our electrical charged water hoping I don't die and pump the water out. Then, I went to work. I get back home, basement is filled again and I pump again. Eventually, basement is clear. Appliances (washer, dryer, heater, de-humidifier destroyed, or so I think). I wait until everything dries and then, miraculously, it works. Life is good.

Later that evening, we go to the pool, swim around with big guy and wife. Eat hot dogs. Laugh. Sing. Life is back on track. We get back home and shit, where did my wedding ring go. Oh, I lost it at the pool. Go back to the pool, not there. Go home, depressed. Cat comes to snuggle with me. She purrs softly, then runs moves to the floor and then she has a seizure. A full out seizure, her tail puffs up, her back legs are fixed in an outstretched position and her front pawls are running in place; she is completely gone. She eventually calms down, we call my vet-in-law and she tells us to watch her for 48 hours to see if she is ok. She is. Phew.

The next morning, I pump the basement again and we take big guy for a long walk. He falls, busts his lip open bleeds and cries all over the place and rips apart his arm. Poor guy. Fast forward to today and a bee stings me to finish off my week. Thanks bee, I needed the reminder about how great this week has been.

Highlight of the week, big guy gives me kisses before I leave for work now. I'm ready to take it all on again next week if he keeps this up!

18 month appt

Yesterday big guy turned 18 months old and he had his 18 month appt. I can't believe he's so old! Or that it was 18 months ago that I was thrown into this parenting thing. We met with our Dr- Dr. W- she's just so awesome. Every time she sees him and he smiles at her, she tells me that it just made her day. Who wouldn't love to hear that about their kid?

Big guy is growing great! He was 34.5 inches and 28 lbs 11 oz. Sound big to you? Well, when we looked at the growth charts- he's the size of an average 2 and 1/4 year old!!!! He's huge! I couldn't be more proud- nor could Dr. W, she was super impressed. When I was talking about everything he's been doing, she said he acts like a two year old- in a good way! And she reassured me that all his toddler antics are normal.

I even asked about how to NOT end up on Supernanny- she said consistency was the key. Ok, I can be consistent. Which I think I am pretty good at anyway with big guy. And I asked about going to the dentist- apparently we need to go. Other than that- he's doing perfectly! Just what a mommy likes to hear!

land and sea loving creatures

Big guy expressing himself

Extreme joy in shark tunnel!

Calmly feeding the turtle statue some mulch

Hubs and big guy touching some jellyfish!

This past weekend, big guy was in surprisingly good spirits, considering that for the three previous days- he was screaming and crying at me every time he was awake! We decided to go to the zoo on saturday afternoon- the weather was nice and it wasn't too hot. It turned out to be a really great visit. Every animal that we wanted to see was out and about. We saw all the monkeys we wanted. Including a cute newborn gibbon- so tiny! And we saw another gibbon showing off his swinging and climbing skills. wow- they can move so fast. And when we were standing next to the tiger window- the tiger walked right by us!

We then realized we needed to get some food in big guy and after wrestling him into his stroller- he calmly rode in the stroller for a half hour eating cut up hot dog while we saw the animals from Africa and the bears. it was great! Now I know why parents give their kids hot dogs. It's a guarantee that they will eat them. Hmmm, all the tricks I am learning.

Sunday we were going to Uncle E and Aunt K's house to meet with some relatives from florida. So, we stopped off at the Aquarium on our way there in the morning. It was raining like crazy! Luckily, hubs had thought to bring an umbrella. After doing a minor freak out about the price, we were one of the first families there (we got there right when it opened). We immediately went to the farthest area first and checked out all the freaky fish. Big guy got to touch a jellyfish- which he really enjoyed. He then wanted to pick it up, which was a no-no, as the docent told us! He also got to pet a sleeping shark, pretty cool! I made hubs touch a sea cucumber- ew! Big guy wasn't completely in good spirits or that interested in looking at the fish.

I really thought he was going to love it b/c he loves our fish at home. Oh well! What he loved the most was the shark tunnel! Looking at the shark belly's as they went by and basically running through the tunnel like a wild man. And he also liked the turtle statue outside with the seals/penguins. Maybe we'll try again next year! Overall, he seems to have gotten over his grouchy-ness from the end of last week. For this I am very grateful, b/c it was getting old fast. Look out- hubs is going to guest post about our past 48 hours soon :)

School is starting

The new school year is upon us. Big guy and I went to his school to visit his new classroom. I was a little worried bc whenever I take big guy into his school he would freak out. But I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in and said hi to the director and he smiled! I chatted with C the director and got all the paperwork I needed to fill out. We then took a walk to his new room.

On the way we ran into his old teacher (who I absolutely loved) and big guy was so excited to see her. He was bouncing in my arms and squealing with delight. He actually wanted to be put down so he could check out the over kids who were going for a buggy ride. Hmm- maybe I was projecting his freaking out. He seemed fine!

We made it to his new class- Ms. A is his new teacher. She's totally fabulous. Big guy carefully walked over to see all the cool toys they had and played quietly while I spoke with his teachers and watched the kids doing heir activity. And all was going well until some two year old whapped bug guy on the head with a truck. Big guy of course started sobbing. Poor thing. I barely managed not to shove the kid onto the floor. After soothing big guy and moving him away from the big kid- one of his former classmates poked him in the eye! Oy!

Well- it was going well until his injuries. We left soon after bc he wouldn't stop sobbing. I was assured the big two year old was moving to he big toddler class next week. Whew. I'm not too freaked out but I still worry- of course! The room was small- big guy is used to having open spaces. There wasn't any art on the walls- will he get to paint/color freehand. How long will it take him to get back into he flub and tumble world of toddlers at school? I know he will be fineand have a good time. It's just that we've been having a really good time too!

what a not so great day

There must be some cosmic law when you have a child. When you have one totally fantastic day where the child is happy, injury free, eating and sleeping like a champ, that in turn the next day will be the complete opposite and thus completely painful and terrible. Yes, this was my day. Awful. I hate being yelled at all day by big guy. It makes me grouchy. It burns my bacon- as hubs would say.