first sentence

on friday, hubs and big guy were home together. And contrary to the texts with pics I got throughout the day, I still picture the two of them running around the house with underwear and undershirts yelling incoherently with joy. I'm sure it happens at some point. The day went very well- full throttle fun. And something new happened (do we believe it?)

Big guy has been talking a lot lately. Stringing together all of his favorite words- choo choo, bye bye, car (said with a boston accent), uh-oh! he'll say them in any combination. It's so precious. He's even been talking in his sleep. he'll roll over and say "choo choo." So I've been thinking that this whole saying sentences thing might be starting soon. Hubs texts me that it has happened. The first sentence was: I want to go! And then big guy pointed outside.

and of course this happens under hubs's watch- which means I won't get to hear it for a while. Just like when big guy learned to roll over. geez. Oh well, at least we are starting this complex world of sentencing!

A fish out of water

my favorite book as a child is called "a fish out of water." a story about a boy who buys a fish, feeds it too much, it of course grows out of control, getting bigger and bigger, until he has to call the fish store guy (mr. carp) to make him small again- so good! the fish's name is Otto- so of course any fish I have had has been named Otto. When I was preggo with big guy, grandma Dino bought a new copy, since my original is really old, falling apart, and I took it with me to college.

Hubs started reading it a few weeks ago when we were going to bed. big guy loves it! He thinks it's really funny when the fish starts to get big. and he appropriately says, "uh-oh" when the fish crashes through the bathroom door! And he smiles when the fish is restored to it's normal size. it's so cool to see him love a book I loved as a kid. Now we need to buy the cat in the hat, to see if he likes the hubs's favorite book as much!

First cold of the season

Friday night was not a good night. Big guy and I didn't sleep well- and by that I mean, big guy didn't sleep well, so I didn't sleep. We both woke up on saturday morning with running noses. And we essentially spent the whole weekend asleep or awake & grouchy. Not much fun if you are the hubs- who was on super dad-duty b/c I was so exhausted. We are still getting over it (it's thursday) but are doing much better.

Today is Rosh Hashanah -the Jewish New Year. A new beginning, repenting for all the bad stuff one does during the year. Reflection. big guy and I have off together. We took a walk, played, went to the supermarket- where he did awesome! And then he passed out in the car before lunch. Guess he's used to going to naptime hungry since he never eats at school. Oh dear. I'm thinking about what I need to work on- patience, controlling my temper ( my fuse is short these days), and finding more ways to get big guy stimulated with differing train activities. It's a big list- good thing the year is long!

Be gentle

last week, every time I looked at big guy's sheet from school- it said how big guy had to be reminded to use "nice touch." which to me sounds creepy- but I was getting the message- big guy was not being gentle in his class. after the third day, hubs and I spoke about it. I told hubs he better tell the teacher that the word we use at home is gentle- it's how we practice being nice to the cat. And big guy is awesome with her- touches her gently, gives her kisses. And he's just as nice with other animals we meet in the world.

Hubs called me later the next morning. Apparently, big guy has been grabbing kids by the neck and throwing them on the ground. oh no! but wait, it's actually big guy trying to hug the other kids, but b/c he's so much bigger and stronger than everyone else- he knocks them over. whew! so, we aren't heathens, but we do need to practice being gentle. big guy is definitely a full throttle kind of guy- even we love is involved!

a little tummy something

Big guy has been having a little tummy something this week. It all started over the weekend when big guy was chugging the apple cider. Not such a good idea- as it got big guy's system moving! And everyday this week when I've picked big guy up his teacher has told me how he's been having diarrhea. Which is obviously not good and not what I'm seeing at home either. I mean, it's definitely loose, but not diarrhea. I think our definitions are different.

Yesterday (wednesday) I get a call around noon that I have to come get big guy- he's had two bad poops. Great. I race over and his butt is RED. poor thing didn't want to lay down, didn't want to be held. I let him run naked for a little bit and then put him down for a nap. He was out pretty quickly, only a couple minutes of tears. Grandma D came over and played with him when he got up. Bath time was sad- he sobbed the whole time. Something was definitely going on.

When I called the Dr's office, the nurse said it could be from the cider or she said he got a little tummy thing. Which unfortunately just has to run it's course. Lots of yummy binding food- cheerios, bananas, yogurt, pastas. All of what he's been eating this week anyway. This morning I called the director on my way to work. I let her know what the nurse said and asked that big guy be changed every two hours with aquaphor. And then I asked her to check the poopy diaper to see if she considered it "diarrhea." Turns out, big guy had a great day! Only one super messy poop. Otherwise- all was well. And big guy got his "fall cleansing" out of the way!

Thomas the Train

Big guy and I the morning of the train ride

Waiting in the corn field for the school bus

Big guy checking out the scenery

Big guy enjoying the train ride

And the big deal part of our trip out to lancaster was riding the Thomas the train! It was crazy, I've never seen anything like it. We were going to the Strasburg railroad again, but this time we couldn't park in the parking lot- instead, we parked two miles away. In a corn field. And took a bus back to the railroad. And while this might in normal circumstances be a pain in the butt- I have to say, the bus ride might have been big guy's favorite part!

big guy was thrilled to finally get to ride in a big yellow school bus across a bumpy corn field and without a seatbelt on with a ton of people- he actually cried when we got off the bus. And of course we were late, so we ran to get our train and it was leaving. After arguing with a few people, I finally got to the man in charge who asked us to wait with the other losers who missed the 11:45 train. Luckily, the wait wasn't too long. We got an awesome seat on the train.

Hubs picked out a double seat (two that face each other) and no one came to sit with us. We got a nice window view and it was a good 15 mins on the train. Big guy was hooting and hollering with joy! Yelling- choo-choo! The conductor came by and yelled, "all aboard!" it was just awesome. Getting off was actually better than the bus. We ate some lunch and yummy kettle corn- which big guy is obsessed with! Then another bus ride to the car and we head for home. I was hoping the Thomas train would sate big guy's appetite for trains, but I think it might have just added to the obsession! Next year, I think big guy will be good to take the normal train and maybe we can eat in the dining car!!

A visit to F&M

Big guy enjoying the mulch

big guy and I playing in a garden

Big guy, PE, and I at the track

Sunday morning (pre-thomas the train) we went to visit a special person, PE. She's this totally fabulous young woman who goes to F&M. PE is one of those awesome people that you want to awesome things to happen to and to be in college and wake up early on a sunday to give us a tour- she's priceless! We got to her campus around 8:45. We walked the beautiful grounds- rolling hills, lots of trees, plenty of squirrels! Big guy was of course in heaven! Grass to pull up, mulch galore, and plenty of room to run.

We had breakfast in the cafeteria (oh, it brought me back) and made our own waffles. Big guy stole PE's bowl of chex. Then we wandered for a little while longer before ending back at the football stadium. A really great visit!!