Lily had her 2 year old check-up this morning (finally). I asked if I should be giving her any nutritional supplements, since she eats NOTHING. The doctor went into this long explanation of how they watch the growth curve, and a significant drop would make her recommend supplements. But that at 2 years old, most kids' percentiles drop because they move from the infant growth chart to the "big kid" chart...which makes them look smaller. After all this, she proceeds to tell me that Lily actually jumped in percentiles, despite the chart switch. So she could have just said, "no." But I like a doctor that explains stuff, so I shouldn't make fun. But then I wouldn't be me. So I will. And just did.
Weight: 28 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 36 1/2 in. (97th percentile)
Oh, and I'm really not enjoying dragging all 3 kids to appointments. It is old...already...and we are only on the 2nd of many this winter. Today, it was pouring when we went in, so I parked, jumped out and put Michael in the Bjorn, then zipped him up under Jeff's rain coat, ran to the other side of the car and helped Andrew out the back, then unstrapped Lily and zipped up her raincoat, then ran inside...half dragging Lily because, "NO RAIN! NO MOMMY, NO RAIN". Then get inside and hang up coats on hooks while Lily plays happily with the bead toy, then get hustled back a room only to wait for 30 minutes with NO TOYS. Oh, except for when Lily needed to get weighed, so I had to drag her onto the scale (with Mikey still attached) while Andrew got in the way trying to figure out how the scale worked and asking the nurse a million questions about her chart. After an hour in the office, Michael was crying because he was over tired, Lily was crying and flailing because of her shot and Andrew was whining that he didn't want to go home. But the BONUS of the day was when I corralled the kids back into the waiting room to put back on coats...I noticed it was...wait for it...snowing. -sigh- If the 2 year old was freaked by rain, imagine dealing with the first snow of the season just after having been shot with a needle.
Indeed, I bow in homage to those mothers of 4 or more children. I am unworthy. 3 will be the end of me, I swear it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Bud Light and Levitation
Proof that Andrew is watching too much football with his father on Sundays...and Saturdays. Jeff was making lunch today, and Andrew and Lily were playing with the pretend kitchen. And then Jeff heard this come from Andrew's mouth:
"Hey Lily! Do you want a Bud Light?"
Jeff immediately asks Andrew to repeat himself. "I asked if she wanted a Bud Light. You know, like on the commercials."
Another story of the day:
Sunday is swim lesson day. Lily goes first, and then she has to wait 45 minutes while Andrew has his lesson. It was Jeff's turn to entertain her, so as I was drying her off and dressing her, I tried to plant an idea in her head. The conversation went like this:
G- Lily, do you want to go show Daddy the letters upstairs? (these are the letters of a sign on the admissions desk that she loves to read off)
L- Yes! Yetters!
G- Are you going to take the elevator? Do you want to push the elevator button?
L- NO! NO E-ATOR
G- Oh. So you are going to walk up the stairs?
L- NO! NO MOMMY! NO STAIRS!
Jeff- (sarcastically) I guess we're going to levitate somehow.
L- NO! NO LE-I-TATE!
Just proof that a 2 year old will disagree with everything...even things she can't understand.
"Hey Lily! Do you want a Bud Light?"
Jeff immediately asks Andrew to repeat himself. "I asked if she wanted a Bud Light. You know, like on the commercials."
Another story of the day:
Sunday is swim lesson day. Lily goes first, and then she has to wait 45 minutes while Andrew has his lesson. It was Jeff's turn to entertain her, so as I was drying her off and dressing her, I tried to plant an idea in her head. The conversation went like this:
G- Lily, do you want to go show Daddy the letters upstairs? (these are the letters of a sign on the admissions desk that she loves to read off)
L- Yes! Yetters!
G- Are you going to take the elevator? Do you want to push the elevator button?
L- NO! NO E-ATOR
G- Oh. So you are going to walk up the stairs?
L- NO! NO MOMMY! NO STAIRS!
Jeff- (sarcastically) I guess we're going to levitate somehow.
L- NO! NO LE-I-TATE!
Just proof that a 2 year old will disagree with everything...even things she can't understand.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A library card
Today was a very exciting day. Andrew got his first library card! This may seem really lame to many of you, but I have had a long love affair with the library. For as long as I can remember, I have loved walking down aisles of shelves full of books. Just the smell of books makes me happy. And it is free! Oh! The joy of the library! It is a cheap girl's dream! I watched Oprah last week and she was talking about the Kindle (electronic book) and I was totally hooked. It looks awesome. Oprah lost me when she started talking about how much money you would save on books by buying this thing, though. Why spend $400 of the machine and then more money on each book? I can read for FREE at the library. Sure, sometimes I have to wait a week or two for new releases. But it is FREE.
You get the idea. I drag all 3 of my kids to the library each week...because I find it peaceful and wonderful and I just love the library. And we don't even have a very nice library...you people in Ohio are SPOILED. Today I took just Andrew because I am OUT. OF. BOOKS. and it is driving me crazy. And we decided it was time. And as pathetic and lame as it sounds, I was brimming with pride as I watched him write his name on the little white space on his library card. And it makes me so happy that HE was so thrilled. He picked out 3 books and was so excited to hand his card to the librarian to check them out all by himself. He even ran inside once we got home to show Jeff.
Want more proof that I am lame? I was almost giddy with excitement today when I found ground turkey for $1.50 a pound. Giddy. I bought a ton (it is stew/chili/soup/meatloaf season!).
Oh, yes, and I was almost kissing Michael to suffocation because he actually swallowed 2 bites of cereal this morning.
Lily? She hasn't really excited or thrilled me this week. It's been a LONG week. To just sum it up in one conversation with her, here's an excerpt from this morning.
"EAT! ELSE TO EAT!"
"Okay, Lily, waffles are ready. Let's get in your chair to eat the waffles!"
"AFFLES! DIP!"
"Yes, I'll get the syrup to dip in. Come here, Lily, let's get in your chair."
"NO! PLAY LETTERS!"
"Okay, well I'm going to eat."
As I sit down, she comes yelling over to me, "EAT! CHAIR! AFFLES!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!" I try to pick her up to put her in her chair and she flails and fights me.
"Lily. Do you want to eat? Yes or no?"
"YESNO. YESNO. YESNO."
-sigh- 50 weeks to go until she's 3.
You get the idea. I drag all 3 of my kids to the library each week...because I find it peaceful and wonderful and I just love the library. And we don't even have a very nice library...you people in Ohio are SPOILED. Today I took just Andrew because I am OUT. OF. BOOKS. and it is driving me crazy. And we decided it was time. And as pathetic and lame as it sounds, I was brimming with pride as I watched him write his name on the little white space on his library card. And it makes me so happy that HE was so thrilled. He picked out 3 books and was so excited to hand his card to the librarian to check them out all by himself. He even ran inside once we got home to show Jeff.
Want more proof that I am lame? I was almost giddy with excitement today when I found ground turkey for $1.50 a pound. Giddy. I bought a ton (it is stew/chili/soup/meatloaf season!).
Oh, yes, and I was almost kissing Michael to suffocation because he actually swallowed 2 bites of cereal this morning.
Lily? She hasn't really excited or thrilled me this week. It's been a LONG week. To just sum it up in one conversation with her, here's an excerpt from this morning.
"EAT! ELSE TO EAT!"
"Okay, Lily, waffles are ready. Let's get in your chair to eat the waffles!"
"AFFLES! DIP!"
"Yes, I'll get the syrup to dip in. Come here, Lily, let's get in your chair."
"NO! PLAY LETTERS!"
"Okay, well I'm going to eat."
As I sit down, she comes yelling over to me, "EAT! CHAIR! AFFLES!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!" I try to pick her up to put her in her chair and she flails and fights me.
"Lily. Do you want to eat? Yes or no?"
"YESNO. YESNO. YESNO."
-sigh- 50 weeks to go until she's 3.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Pause
I'm quickly putting in a post while Jeff has his computer hooked up here at home. Our computer has crashed 3 times in the last week...I think Jeff has finally admitted that it is time to buy a new motherboard (or something...). I don't know when he will actually find the time to do that this week, so posting is going to be non-existent.
We are enjoying the company of Jeff's sister, Sara, visiting from Texas. My MIL and Jeff's grandma have driven out as well to overlap her visit. My kids are delirious from all the attention.
Quick, kid stories...
Lily is a total drama queen...nothing new there. But lately she will run and then stop and put her hands on her knees, kind of bent over. And she will pant, like she's really tired. She also likes to cover her mouth when she laughs. And she covers her mouth and pretend coughs and then says, "Cuse me."
Andrew and I have a new game, where we make up a story together. I'll start and then stop in a critical point and pass it to him to continue. Then he does the same. Except he really just likes me to make up the story. So it goes something like this,
G- Once upon a time there was a brave knight who was scared of...pass it to you.
A- the...pass it to you.
G- No, Andrew, you're supposed to make up something he's scared of.
A- I don't want to.
Fun game, eh?
Also, Michael is now taking a regular afternoon nap in his crib. It only lasts about 40 minutes...but you gotta start somewhere. Morning naps are RIGHT OUT. Which I can hardly blame him, since he only gets the opportunity to take a morning nap in his crib about twice a week. Since he now will take an afternoon nap, I am officially not doing ANYTHING that takes us out of the house during that time. I am fully fostering this new practice. So beware, Aunt Kate and Cousin Colin. When you come next week...we are glued to this house ;)
Hopefully we'll be back on-line by the end of the week!
We are enjoying the company of Jeff's sister, Sara, visiting from Texas. My MIL and Jeff's grandma have driven out as well to overlap her visit. My kids are delirious from all the attention.
Quick, kid stories...
Lily is a total drama queen...nothing new there. But lately she will run and then stop and put her hands on her knees, kind of bent over. And she will pant, like she's really tired. She also likes to cover her mouth when she laughs. And she covers her mouth and pretend coughs and then says, "Cuse me."
Andrew and I have a new game, where we make up a story together. I'll start and then stop in a critical point and pass it to him to continue. Then he does the same. Except he really just likes me to make up the story. So it goes something like this,
G- Once upon a time there was a brave knight who was scared of...pass it to you.
A- the...pass it to you.
G- No, Andrew, you're supposed to make up something he's scared of.
A- I don't want to.
Fun game, eh?
Also, Michael is now taking a regular afternoon nap in his crib. It only lasts about 40 minutes...but you gotta start somewhere. Morning naps are RIGHT OUT. Which I can hardly blame him, since he only gets the opportunity to take a morning nap in his crib about twice a week. Since he now will take an afternoon nap, I am officially not doing ANYTHING that takes us out of the house during that time. I am fully fostering this new practice. So beware, Aunt Kate and Cousin Colin. When you come next week...we are glued to this house ;)
Hopefully we'll be back on-line by the end of the week!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Michael's doc. appt.
17lb 7oz (50th percentile)
27 1/2 in. (75-90th percentile)
What is with the 75-90th percentile thing. That seems kind of like a large range to me. In comparing to the other kiddos, Mike is a little bigger than Lily at 9 months and smaller than Andrew at 6 months (Andrew was 20 pounds at 6 months...little porker). He is long and lean. ;) Doctor didn't seemed concerned that he won't swallow his cereal or fruit and veggies. He certainly has no problem swallowing my milk, so she thinks he just isn't interested in anything else. And he's growing just fine on breast milk only, so there ya go. She did a little ouchie procedure on Mike's little -ahem- private area...poor guy. And he got 3 shots...yea for them combining 3 vaccines into one shot, so he got less pin-pricks! No one is too concerned he isn't rolling over yet...yay. And he is sitting up alone for about 10 seconds or more, so she was pleased about that. All in all, a very healthy, happy kid...thank heavens for that blessing!
On another note, I'm expecting a personalized parking space at the doc's office. I will be there in 2 weeks for Lily's 2 year appt., then 2 weeks after that for flu shots, then 3 weeks after that for Andrew's 5 yr appt, then 4 weeks after that for Michael's 9 month. And those are just well visits...let's hope no one gets sick enough to need to go to the doctor in between all those. It looks like a lot of suckers in my kids future. Suckers=bribery for being good for Mommy at appointments.
27 1/2 in. (75-90th percentile)
What is with the 75-90th percentile thing. That seems kind of like a large range to me. In comparing to the other kiddos, Mike is a little bigger than Lily at 9 months and smaller than Andrew at 6 months (Andrew was 20 pounds at 6 months...little porker). He is long and lean. ;) Doctor didn't seemed concerned that he won't swallow his cereal or fruit and veggies. He certainly has no problem swallowing my milk, so she thinks he just isn't interested in anything else. And he's growing just fine on breast milk only, so there ya go. She did a little ouchie procedure on Mike's little -ahem- private area...poor guy. And he got 3 shots...yea for them combining 3 vaccines into one shot, so he got less pin-pricks! No one is too concerned he isn't rolling over yet...yay. And he is sitting up alone for about 10 seconds or more, so she was pleased about that. All in all, a very healthy, happy kid...thank heavens for that blessing!
On another note, I'm expecting a personalized parking space at the doc's office. I will be there in 2 weeks for Lily's 2 year appt., then 2 weeks after that for flu shots, then 3 weeks after that for Andrew's 5 yr appt, then 4 weeks after that for Michael's 9 month. And those are just well visits...let's hope no one gets sick enough to need to go to the doctor in between all those. It looks like a lot of suckers in my kids future. Suckers=bribery for being good for Mommy at appointments.
Monday, October 13, 2008
1 hour, 15 minutes
Holy crap.
Michael just slept...in his crib...for 75 minutes.
Saturday he took a 30 minute nap in his crib. Sunday a 30 minute nap. Today...75 minutes.
Before Saturday, I think he'd taken a total of 2 naps in his crib in 6 months time. Neither were more than 30 minutes.
Please, PLEASE let this be a new trend. It feels unbelievably freeing to have no baby around for a short while.
Yay, Michael!
(In other developmental news...Lily apparently is learning the sounds of letters. She was spelling out the letters in Jeff's "Louisville" t-shirt this weekend and she started saying, 'I. I says ih. S. S says sssssss.' Jeff and I just about wet our pants we were so surprised. Score one for fridge letters! Also, Andrew is starting to read. Officially. We have the beginning readers, kind of. I don't know what the heck I'm doing. How am I certified to teach elementary school...I have no idea about the younger end of the spectrum. He seems to be wanting to do it in spurts, so hopefully I'll be able to just follow his lead...I don't know...)
Michael just slept...in his crib...for 75 minutes.
Saturday he took a 30 minute nap in his crib. Sunday a 30 minute nap. Today...75 minutes.
Before Saturday, I think he'd taken a total of 2 naps in his crib in 6 months time. Neither were more than 30 minutes.
Please, PLEASE let this be a new trend. It feels unbelievably freeing to have no baby around for a short while.
Yay, Michael!
(In other developmental news...Lily apparently is learning the sounds of letters. She was spelling out the letters in Jeff's "Louisville" t-shirt this weekend and she started saying, 'I. I says ih. S. S says sssssss.' Jeff and I just about wet our pants we were so surprised. Score one for fridge letters! Also, Andrew is starting to read. Officially. We have the beginning readers, kind of. I don't know what the heck I'm doing. How am I certified to teach elementary school...I have no idea about the younger end of the spectrum. He seems to be wanting to do it in spurts, so hopefully I'll be able to just follow his lead...I don't know...)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Help with transitions
Mother Nature really tries to help get mothers ready for major transitions with our children. The longer I am a mother, the more convinced I am of this.
The second trimester of pregnancy is fun for most people. You look pregnant, not fat. You can feel the baby move and you generally feel good. But for the last month (or more) you are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because your stomach is so cramped. Baby comes. You are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because the baby is so damn needy there is no time for a long leisurely gluttonous meal. Mother Nature has prepared you in some small way for this transition.
Nursing a baby at 5 months old is heaven. Everybody knows what they are doing, there is no pain, and the baby can get it over and done with quickly...no more marathon 45 minutes nursing sessions. There is much cuddling and bonding and much satisfaction that you are supplying the baby with everything he or she needs. You can't imagine ever stopping, because it is just so friggin' fabulous. Then the solid foods and the mobility and the teeth comes and the baby is pulling off suddenly and exposing your breast to all of humanity and stretching your nipple off as he tries to nurse and look around and -ach- trying out those teeth on your most tender body part. And by the time a year comes around, DAMN, you are ready to stop nursing. Or if you are me, that happens around 9 months. Mother nature has prepared you.
But, see it never stops. The wonderful elementary age makes you love your child so much that you somehow don't kill your pre-teens. I'm sure the crazy teenage years make you all too ready to boot your darling baby out the door to college. For the last year, Andrew has been so much fun. I like talking with him and playing games with him, etc etc. But he is getting more restless and bored with our games. He craves the attention and companionship of other kids his age. He gets easily frustrated and angry when I try to teach him anything. He refuses to leave the house without a fight, and then acts bored and needy when we're at home. Is my child turning into someone I don't want to be with? I prefer to think it is Mother Nature once again, preparing me for the start of Andrew's full-time school career. By the time Kindergarten comes, I'll eagerly and happily wave him off to someone else, so they can entertain him and educate him for 6 hours a day. Wait, there's only half day Kindergarten here? That means only 2 1/2 hours of school. That's just like now. I have to wait another 2 years until the full day school?
Wait! Mother Nature! You've started the preparation WAY too early. How am I to survive/let Andrew survive that long? I'm prepared now!
The second trimester of pregnancy is fun for most people. You look pregnant, not fat. You can feel the baby move and you generally feel good. But for the last month (or more) you are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because your stomach is so cramped. Baby comes. You are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because the baby is so damn needy there is no time for a long leisurely gluttonous meal. Mother Nature has prepared you in some small way for this transition.
Nursing a baby at 5 months old is heaven. Everybody knows what they are doing, there is no pain, and the baby can get it over and done with quickly...no more marathon 45 minutes nursing sessions. There is much cuddling and bonding and much satisfaction that you are supplying the baby with everything he or she needs. You can't imagine ever stopping, because it is just so friggin' fabulous. Then the solid foods and the mobility and the teeth comes and the baby is pulling off suddenly and exposing your breast to all of humanity and stretching your nipple off as he tries to nurse and look around and -ach- trying out those teeth on your most tender body part. And by the time a year comes around, DAMN, you are ready to stop nursing. Or if you are me, that happens around 9 months. Mother nature has prepared you.
But, see it never stops. The wonderful elementary age makes you love your child so much that you somehow don't kill your pre-teens. I'm sure the crazy teenage years make you all too ready to boot your darling baby out the door to college. For the last year, Andrew has been so much fun. I like talking with him and playing games with him, etc etc. But he is getting more restless and bored with our games. He craves the attention and companionship of other kids his age. He gets easily frustrated and angry when I try to teach him anything. He refuses to leave the house without a fight, and then acts bored and needy when we're at home. Is my child turning into someone I don't want to be with? I prefer to think it is Mother Nature once again, preparing me for the start of Andrew's full-time school career. By the time Kindergarten comes, I'll eagerly and happily wave him off to someone else, so they can entertain him and educate him for 6 hours a day. Wait, there's only half day Kindergarten here? That means only 2 1/2 hours of school. That's just like now. I have to wait another 2 years until the full day school?
Wait! Mother Nature! You've started the preparation WAY too early. How am I to survive/let Andrew survive that long? I'm prepared now!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
6 months
Our computer is dead...again. But I have to post (on Jeff's work computer) because my baby is 6 months old.
Half a year.
And, just like the other children, I find myself thinking that I can't believe that it has already been 6 months and I can't believe it has only been 6 months. Feeling amazed that it has already been half a year at the same time I can't believe that I've only known this person for half a year. Doesn't make any sense, but there it is.
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am constantly amazed at my love for this child. It sounds horrible, and I know that I've pondered about it on here before, but, again, there it is. I look at him and kiss his sweet soft cheeks and smell his curly sparse hair and watch that face break into a big dimply grin and I am amazed at how I was ever scared of this. He gurgles and snuggles and blurps up on me after a big satisfying meal of breast milk and chews on my knuckles and I honestly can't imagine why I thought my life would be over when he was born. I watch Andrew tickle his tummy and talk in sweet baby tones and I watch Lily say, "so coot" and "Muck-le talkin' to me" and pat his head and delight in his big slobbery kisses and I can't understand how I ever thought I was ruining their lives by bringing another child into this family.
There are definitely hard moments. And I won't lie and say that I don't sometimes think how much easier it would be if... But there is no way no how that this baby, my Michael, doesn't belong here. Life is more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be. Our family feels more complete than I ever imagined it could be. Michael is more than I ever could have imagined him to be.
I love you Michael. Perhaps I feel the need to reiterate this again and again because I feel so guilty about all those posts from last year. Perhaps I just can't believe how lucky I am, that sometimes you get what you don't want only to find it is everything you needed.
Half a year.
And, just like the other children, I find myself thinking that I can't believe that it has already been 6 months and I can't believe it has only been 6 months. Feeling amazed that it has already been half a year at the same time I can't believe that I've only known this person for half a year. Doesn't make any sense, but there it is.
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am constantly amazed at my love for this child. It sounds horrible, and I know that I've pondered about it on here before, but, again, there it is. I look at him and kiss his sweet soft cheeks and smell his curly sparse hair and watch that face break into a big dimply grin and I am amazed at how I was ever scared of this. He gurgles and snuggles and blurps up on me after a big satisfying meal of breast milk and chews on my knuckles and I honestly can't imagine why I thought my life would be over when he was born. I watch Andrew tickle his tummy and talk in sweet baby tones and I watch Lily say, "so coot" and "Muck-le talkin' to me" and pat his head and delight in his big slobbery kisses and I can't understand how I ever thought I was ruining their lives by bringing another child into this family.
There are definitely hard moments. And I won't lie and say that I don't sometimes think how much easier it would be if... But there is no way no how that this baby, my Michael, doesn't belong here. Life is more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be. Our family feels more complete than I ever imagined it could be. Michael is more than I ever could have imagined him to be.
I love you Michael. Perhaps I feel the need to reiterate this again and again because I feel so guilty about all those posts from last year. Perhaps I just can't believe how lucky I am, that sometimes you get what you don't want only to find it is everything you needed.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Sweet charming birthday post...
...will hopefully come soon.
Right now I have to go upstairs and get my birthday girl. I can hear her over the monitor, saying,
"Mommy. -pause- MOMMY!!! -pause- Happy Birt-day? Mommy? Happy Birt-day to you, happy birt-day to you..." and on into the birthday song.
God, I love this girl.
Right now I have to go upstairs and get my birthday girl. I can hear her over the monitor, saying,
"Mommy. -pause- MOMMY!!! -pause- Happy Birt-day? Mommy? Happy Birt-day to you, happy birt-day to you..." and on into the birthday song.
God, I love this girl.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
A birthday party
We celebrated Lily's birthday today...even though it's not until tomorrow...because both sets of grandparents came in from Ohio and are leaving tomorrow. It's rough being so unloved. I mean, seriously, drive and fly hundreds of miles to spend just a few days with a 2 year old? And then watch her open a few presents? And eat cake?
My parents and In-laws don't have blogs, but I think the title of theirs would read "So Totally Worth It."
I wish I could adequately describe Lily on this blog. There is no picture that has captured her yet. She is unfortunately not photogenic. Or perhaps Lily's charm isn't in her looks at all. Because you just can't "get" Lily until you've had the live show. She has crazy cute facial expressions, she has inflection in her words that just make you crack up, and she can just be the sweetest/most psychotic kid. She makes everyone she meets fall in love with her. I may be biased.
So Lily's birthday was today (even though its really tomorrow). We woke up and got ready for swim lessons. The whole family loaded up in 2 cars to go to the athletic center to watch Lily (and Andrew) have their lessons. There is a teeny tiny observation room...which we filled like a can of sardines. I'm pretty sure the lifeguards were looking around for a famous person, because it was obvious that someone had let the paparazzi in for the day. Ridiculous. Lily had a blast, as she always does during swim lessons. She got out and got dressed while Andrew started his lesson. After a snack, she went home with me, Mike, and the grandmas. While we waited for the boys to come home, Lily colored quietly in a coloring book while I got everything ready for her to go to Sesame Place with Grandma and Grandpa and Andrew. Soon, the four of them left for a day of fun with Elmo and the whole Sesame gang. I don't think anything could be better than that for Lily. While she was gone, Jeff put together her gigantic Little Tykes kitchen, I wrapped her present from Michael and Andrew, and Memere and Pepere unloaded all the grandparent gifts. We decorated her cake (and then went out to lunch...so easy to go out with just one kid!).
The Sesame Gang came back and we attempted to put Lily down for a nap. Jeff brought home some pizza. She took a very short one and blew out her diaper. I brought her downstairs and told her happy birthday. She proceeded to tell everyone else "Happy Birt-day!". She mentioned that she was hungry but angrily refused pizza. So we decided it was time to start presents. The second gift was a set of pretend doughnuts (Doh-dohs). She was eager for me to open the box, saying over and over, "Eat doh-dohs." I explained that they were pretend, but she didn't believe it until she grabbed one and clinked her teeth into the hard plastic. She was disappointed, but she didn't lose it...yet. As she opened present #3, I started taking the rest of the doughnuts out of the box. She saw me and yelled, "NO!!!! MY DOH DOHS!!!" and threw a huge fit. She was apparently starving, and only doh-dohs would do!
Luckily, we had one stale doughnut left from the day before (when Memere and Pepere brought them). We split it between Andrew and Lily, and she quieted down. The rest of us ate delicious hot pizza...but not Lily...nothing but stale doughnut for her! She opened the rest of her gifts...although she was a little confused. When I told her to thank someone for a gift, she thought that meant it belonged to them, so she would deliver it and say, "Thank you. Happy birthday!" In fact whenever someone wished her a happy birthday it went something like this:
"Happy Birthday, Lily."
"Happy Birt-day, Memere."
"No, Lily, it's YOUR birthday today. Happy birthday, Lily."
"NO NO NO NO. HAPPY BIRT-DAY MEMERE. MEMERE BIRT-DAY."
"Okay, okay...thank you Lily."
She loved her cake (homemade by momma), and especially the plastic Elmo cake toppers I bought. After the cake she played with those and the doughnuts. Forget the gigantic play kitchen that talks. Cake toppers.
Anyway, it was a lovely birthday for a 2 year old. I'm so glad that we just have family parties for this age. I can't even imagine trying to structure a party around her psychotic-ness.
Tomorrow...she's 2!!!
My parents and In-laws don't have blogs, but I think the title of theirs would read "So Totally Worth It."
I wish I could adequately describe Lily on this blog. There is no picture that has captured her yet. She is unfortunately not photogenic. Or perhaps Lily's charm isn't in her looks at all. Because you just can't "get" Lily until you've had the live show. She has crazy cute facial expressions, she has inflection in her words that just make you crack up, and she can just be the sweetest/most psychotic kid. She makes everyone she meets fall in love with her. I may be biased.
So Lily's birthday was today (even though its really tomorrow). We woke up and got ready for swim lessons. The whole family loaded up in 2 cars to go to the athletic center to watch Lily (and Andrew) have their lessons. There is a teeny tiny observation room...which we filled like a can of sardines. I'm pretty sure the lifeguards were looking around for a famous person, because it was obvious that someone had let the paparazzi in for the day. Ridiculous. Lily had a blast, as she always does during swim lessons. She got out and got dressed while Andrew started his lesson. After a snack, she went home with me, Mike, and the grandmas. While we waited for the boys to come home, Lily colored quietly in a coloring book while I got everything ready for her to go to Sesame Place with Grandma and Grandpa and Andrew. Soon, the four of them left for a day of fun with Elmo and the whole Sesame gang. I don't think anything could be better than that for Lily. While she was gone, Jeff put together her gigantic Little Tykes kitchen, I wrapped her present from Michael and Andrew, and Memere and Pepere unloaded all the grandparent gifts. We decorated her cake (and then went out to lunch...so easy to go out with just one kid!).
The Sesame Gang came back and we attempted to put Lily down for a nap. Jeff brought home some pizza. She took a very short one and blew out her diaper. I brought her downstairs and told her happy birthday. She proceeded to tell everyone else "Happy Birt-day!". She mentioned that she was hungry but angrily refused pizza. So we decided it was time to start presents. The second gift was a set of pretend doughnuts (Doh-dohs). She was eager for me to open the box, saying over and over, "Eat doh-dohs." I explained that they were pretend, but she didn't believe it until she grabbed one and clinked her teeth into the hard plastic. She was disappointed, but she didn't lose it...yet. As she opened present #3, I started taking the rest of the doughnuts out of the box. She saw me and yelled, "NO!!!! MY DOH DOHS!!!" and threw a huge fit. She was apparently starving, and only doh-dohs would do!
Luckily, we had one stale doughnut left from the day before (when Memere and Pepere brought them). We split it between Andrew and Lily, and she quieted down. The rest of us ate delicious hot pizza...but not Lily...nothing but stale doughnut for her! She opened the rest of her gifts...although she was a little confused. When I told her to thank someone for a gift, she thought that meant it belonged to them, so she would deliver it and say, "Thank you. Happy birthday!" In fact whenever someone wished her a happy birthday it went something like this:
"Happy Birthday, Lily."
"Happy Birt-day, Memere."
"No, Lily, it's YOUR birthday today. Happy birthday, Lily."
"NO NO NO NO. HAPPY BIRT-DAY MEMERE. MEMERE BIRT-DAY."
"Okay, okay...thank you Lily."
She loved her cake (homemade by momma), and especially the plastic Elmo cake toppers I bought. After the cake she played with those and the doughnuts. Forget the gigantic play kitchen that talks. Cake toppers.
Anyway, it was a lovely birthday for a 2 year old. I'm so glad that we just have family parties for this age. I can't even imagine trying to structure a party around her psychotic-ness.
Tomorrow...she's 2!!!
Friday, October 03, 2008
A good mommy moment
I don't think I'm a bad mom. I manage to feed and clothe my children on most days. I occasionally bathe them. We read books. And play neighbor. (shoot me, please shoot me). But usually I don't feel like a great mom. I feel like I put them in front of the tv too much, or shoo them away too much. Sometimes I feel like I should really be on the floor with them just enjoying that crap out of them because this is such a fleeting time in their lives. Or at least my house should be cleaner if I'm not spending time with them.
Yesterday I had 2 good Mommy moments. That's when you do something and immediately think, "Wow. That was awesome. Good Mommy." I know. 2 in one day. I should just take early retirement and move to Florida now, because it ain't going to get better than this.
Mommy moment #1: I walked into the family room and found Lily elbow deep into my glass of ice water. I took it away from her, gently chiding her that we Do. Not. Play. In. People's. Drinks. (we are barely teetering on the edge of civilized society over here). She was, understandably, PISSED OFF. She was stomping and screaming and pulling out her hair and just generally in the throes of a huge tantrum. Rather than ignoring the tantrum (which I usually do), I got down on her level and looked in her eyes and said, "Are you mad? Are you mad at Mommy for taking your ice? Can you say, 'I am mad'?" And Lily nodded and paused her screaming and said, "I mad". I repeated my annoying sentence, and she really calmed down and said again, with more feeling, "I mad." And then I told her I had a book about being mad, and we dug out the Little Critter book, I Was So Mad, and we read it. By then end she was totally calm and using the new words, "I mad." It was a delightful way to end a tantrum and to teach her how to use words instead of screaming. Good Mommy.
Mommy moment #2: Andrew has really been bugging me to teach him how to read. Apparently there is a little girl in his preschool class that reads aloud to the class, and it has really inspired him. Of course, he thinks I just have to reach in the back of his mouth and turn on the "reading" switch. So knowing my easily frustrated boy, I've been trying to mentally prepare him that it will take a lot of work to learn to read. We got some sight words books to start with. We tried to read the first book ("I see cats. I see dogs." with big pictures of cats and then dogs...you get the idea). He immediately won't sound out the word see and throws a huge hissy fit. We put the books away. A few minutes later I asked him to show me how to do a "v" sit. He leans back on his arms and easily lifts his legs into the air. I cannot do this. I have no abdominal muscles. None. It's amazing that I can lift myself out of bed in the morning. So I get act a little frustrated. And I said, "It really bugs me that you can do this so easily but I can't even do it a little. This must be what you feel like when you try to read. I can do it so easily but its really hard for you." And Andrew said, "But the V-sit is so easy, you just do this." And he throws those legs up in the air. And I replied, "But reading is just so easy..." and I picked up a book and started to read. I literally saw the light bulb go off in his head. He then said, "How can you get better at the V-sit? Will you ever be able to do it?" So I explained again how everything takes practice and it just takes a while to build up to it. And he brought me his stack of reading books and asked to try again. And we got all the way to book 6 with him being very willing to sound stuff out. Good mommy.
In other updates...
Andrew has made his decision for the election. After took him to the polls with us for the primaries, he's been very interested. Especially because Jeff and I are registered with different parties. ("teams" as we've explained to Andrew). He's been putting a lot of thought into which candidate he likes better. We had to explain that Senator McCain and John McCain are the same person. We have yet to explain the House of Reps to him...we figure learning about Senate and presidency is enough for a 4 year old. Anyway, I know you're dying to know. Andrew is voting for John McCain. Because, "John is my middle name. So I'm voting for John McCain." I knew I should have pushed harder for Andrew Barack to be his name...
Michael is still not sleeping. I hate this.
Lily is seriously so cute I think I die a little each day dressing her. I love boy clothes...but I am really enjoying dressing Lily.
I have started to exercise. Because I'm having irregular heart murmurs at night. They scare me. But since I don't have a doctor (or time to go to the doctor), I'm going to exercise instead. I figure it will either solve the problem or kill me. Each option sounds appealing depending on the type of day I'm having.
Yesterday I had 2 good Mommy moments. That's when you do something and immediately think, "Wow. That was awesome. Good Mommy." I know. 2 in one day. I should just take early retirement and move to Florida now, because it ain't going to get better than this.
Mommy moment #1: I walked into the family room and found Lily elbow deep into my glass of ice water. I took it away from her, gently chiding her that we Do. Not. Play. In. People's. Drinks. (we are barely teetering on the edge of civilized society over here). She was, understandably, PISSED OFF. She was stomping and screaming and pulling out her hair and just generally in the throes of a huge tantrum. Rather than ignoring the tantrum (which I usually do), I got down on her level and looked in her eyes and said, "Are you mad? Are you mad at Mommy for taking your ice? Can you say, 'I am mad'?" And Lily nodded and paused her screaming and said, "I mad". I repeated my annoying sentence, and she really calmed down and said again, with more feeling, "I mad." And then I told her I had a book about being mad, and we dug out the Little Critter book, I Was So Mad, and we read it. By then end she was totally calm and using the new words, "I mad." It was a delightful way to end a tantrum and to teach her how to use words instead of screaming. Good Mommy.
Mommy moment #2: Andrew has really been bugging me to teach him how to read. Apparently there is a little girl in his preschool class that reads aloud to the class, and it has really inspired him. Of course, he thinks I just have to reach in the back of his mouth and turn on the "reading" switch. So knowing my easily frustrated boy, I've been trying to mentally prepare him that it will take a lot of work to learn to read. We got some sight words books to start with. We tried to read the first book ("I see cats. I see dogs." with big pictures of cats and then dogs...you get the idea). He immediately won't sound out the word see and throws a huge hissy fit. We put the books away. A few minutes later I asked him to show me how to do a "v" sit. He leans back on his arms and easily lifts his legs into the air. I cannot do this. I have no abdominal muscles. None. It's amazing that I can lift myself out of bed in the morning. So I get act a little frustrated. And I said, "It really bugs me that you can do this so easily but I can't even do it a little. This must be what you feel like when you try to read. I can do it so easily but its really hard for you." And Andrew said, "But the V-sit is so easy, you just do this." And he throws those legs up in the air. And I replied, "But reading is just so easy..." and I picked up a book and started to read. I literally saw the light bulb go off in his head. He then said, "How can you get better at the V-sit? Will you ever be able to do it?" So I explained again how everything takes practice and it just takes a while to build up to it. And he brought me his stack of reading books and asked to try again. And we got all the way to book 6 with him being very willing to sound stuff out. Good mommy.
In other updates...
Andrew has made his decision for the election. After took him to the polls with us for the primaries, he's been very interested. Especially because Jeff and I are registered with different parties. ("teams" as we've explained to Andrew). He's been putting a lot of thought into which candidate he likes better. We had to explain that Senator McCain and John McCain are the same person. We have yet to explain the House of Reps to him...we figure learning about Senate and presidency is enough for a 4 year old. Anyway, I know you're dying to know. Andrew is voting for John McCain. Because, "John is my middle name. So I'm voting for John McCain." I knew I should have pushed harder for Andrew Barack to be his name...
Michael is still not sleeping. I hate this.
Lily is seriously so cute I think I die a little each day dressing her. I love boy clothes...but I am really enjoying dressing Lily.
I have started to exercise. Because I'm having irregular heart murmurs at night. They scare me. But since I don't have a doctor (or time to go to the doctor), I'm going to exercise instead. I figure it will either solve the problem or kill me. Each option sounds appealing depending on the type of day I'm having.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Halloween dreams shattered
For the record...I'm not a big Halloween person. That was always left to my sister, Kate. Actually there seems to be theme to our personalities in relation to holidays. She always enjoyed the creative, decorating, festive parts of holidays (dying eggs, wearing costumes, hunting for baskets, creating elaborate scenes outside our house) while I always enjoyed the candy. And nothing else. ;)
But how can you resist little kids in costumes? When I worked in schools, I always dreaded dressing up for Halloween...just not my thing. I was always a witch (and that last year I was a very very pregnant witch). But I really enjoyed watching the parade of classes walk through my library. Just cute. I had visions of my own children wearing cleverly constructed costumes that transformed them into amazing visions. Cleverly constructed by the Halloween fairy, of course.
Then came my own children. Andrew has picked up my enthusiasm when it comes to the decorating, etc. part of holidays. He doesn't care what he is for Halloween. He would be a football player every year...he may end up being that again this year. I had planned to take him to Target and let him pick something. My priority for Lily was a costume that had no headpiece...my previous 2 year old experiences have taught me that much. And I knew Michael would be cute in whatever...so no worries. I've been thinking about this since July, when Halloween season started. There I was, innocently shopping for suntan lotion for vacation (OUT OF SEASON SALE...in July), when I was bombarded by the...what?...Halloween aisle. Whatever...you guys live in America too, you experienced similar things, I'm sure.
Last week, my friend dropped off a costume for Michael. Her son wore it, and I'm the only person with a little boy baby that she knows. It is a dalmatian, complete with a little tail, floppy black ears, and a red collar. Andrew immediately said he could be a fireman and Michael could be his firedog. My imagination began working overtime, in spite of my -meh- attitude about Halloween. Oh, how cute this would be. I'd make Lily a firewoman, and then we could deck out our wagon like a fire truck, and take pictures of the 3 little ones...our very own fire crew...
This Halloween bliss lasted for exactly one week. Last night, I tried the doggie costume on Michael. He was beyond cute. In true Michael fashion, he was giggling and beaming out from under the doggie head/hood. Andrew was laughing at him, and then he said:, "Yea, Mom, I decided I don't want to be a fireman anymore. I want to be something scary like a ninja."
-sigh-
2 seconds later...as if on cue...Lily wanders into the family room carrying a Cookie Monster head. My MIL had bought a costume from a garage sale way back in Andrew's toddler years, and we've been holding on to it. She exclaimed, "Cookie Monta!", we tried on the headpiece, and she LOVED it.
-sigh-
My firehouse has quickly gone to the dogs. So much for coordinating costumes. I guess that's just for magazine families that have very compliant children.
But how can you resist little kids in costumes? When I worked in schools, I always dreaded dressing up for Halloween...just not my thing. I was always a witch (and that last year I was a very very pregnant witch). But I really enjoyed watching the parade of classes walk through my library. Just cute. I had visions of my own children wearing cleverly constructed costumes that transformed them into amazing visions. Cleverly constructed by the Halloween fairy, of course.
Then came my own children. Andrew has picked up my enthusiasm when it comes to the decorating, etc. part of holidays. He doesn't care what he is for Halloween. He would be a football player every year...he may end up being that again this year. I had planned to take him to Target and let him pick something. My priority for Lily was a costume that had no headpiece...my previous 2 year old experiences have taught me that much. And I knew Michael would be cute in whatever...so no worries. I've been thinking about this since July, when Halloween season started. There I was, innocently shopping for suntan lotion for vacation (OUT OF SEASON SALE...in July), when I was bombarded by the...what?...Halloween aisle. Whatever...you guys live in America too, you experienced similar things, I'm sure.
Last week, my friend dropped off a costume for Michael. Her son wore it, and I'm the only person with a little boy baby that she knows. It is a dalmatian, complete with a little tail, floppy black ears, and a red collar. Andrew immediately said he could be a fireman and Michael could be his firedog. My imagination began working overtime, in spite of my -meh- attitude about Halloween. Oh, how cute this would be. I'd make Lily a firewoman, and then we could deck out our wagon like a fire truck, and take pictures of the 3 little ones...our very own fire crew...
This Halloween bliss lasted for exactly one week. Last night, I tried the doggie costume on Michael. He was beyond cute. In true Michael fashion, he was giggling and beaming out from under the doggie head/hood. Andrew was laughing at him, and then he said:, "Yea, Mom, I decided I don't want to be a fireman anymore. I want to be something scary like a ninja."
-sigh-
2 seconds later...as if on cue...Lily wanders into the family room carrying a Cookie Monster head. My MIL had bought a costume from a garage sale way back in Andrew's toddler years, and we've been holding on to it. She exclaimed, "Cookie Monta!", we tried on the headpiece, and she LOVED it.
-sigh-
My firehouse has quickly gone to the dogs. So much for coordinating costumes. I guess that's just for magazine families that have very compliant children.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Yay! October!
Lord, how I love October. All the nice refreshing fall air without the stress of the holidays impending. The only downside is the bees go CRAZY, but every season must have its downers, right?
Next week is Lily's birthday. We finally went shopping last weekend for her present. Actually, we ordered her present on-line, but Andrew needed to go shopping for her. We're just getting her one thing. Is that horrible? It's a big thing (a new Little Tykes kitchen), and I just remember Andrew being so overwhelmed at his 2nd birthday. I know she's going to take one look at the kitchen and not want to do anything else. PLUS, the grandparents will get her gifts. PLUS, her brothers each got her a gift. PLUS, our house is already overflowing with crappola toys. At least I can buy Lily more girlie toys (although the kitchen isn't really that...but whatever). Poor Michael is literally going to get a card and a pat on the back for his birthdays.
Um, do you have some time for bragging? Lily is astonishing me with her language. I no longer read books about child development...okay, I never actually did. I'm pretty sure what she is doing is quite normal for her age, because I hear other kids her age doing similar things. But don't burst my bubble, okay? There's no need for me to realize that she is just average...elementary school will make me see that. So for now I am still ASTONISHED. I really thought that it wouldn't be exciting the second time around. Like, "Gee, wow, you know your ABC's. Well, whoopdie-doo. Your brother is learning to read. How about THEM apples?" But I find that I watch Lily with equal enthusiasm as I did Andrew. She has been singing her ABC's for a couple of weeks now. Very very cute in her little voice. Impressive that she knows a whole song...but let's be honest. She was just memorizing a song that we have repeated a billion times. Then she went one step further to astonish me. Last Sunday, we were wandering around the athletic center waiting for Andrew to finish swim lessons. Lily eagerly approached the customer service desk and began pointing at the sign. She first pointed and said, "O". Which she has recognized for a while. Then she pointed at the C. I asked her what is was and she was correct. Actually, out of the whole two words, "customer service" she only missed the U. I was completely shocked. And it's like that sign opened up a floodgate. She does it ALL THE TIME now. The cutest is how she says "Dubba-you". Apparently she really does know her letters.
Michael is taking a break from his nice sleeping pattern. For 3 weeks he was sleeping from 6 pm to 6 am. The first few days I crept around trying to replicate our bedtime routine so precisely in the hopes he would again sleep well. Then I got more relaxed. I started staying up later because I knew a good night's sleep was in store. I planned evening outings with friends, because, again, I knew I could stay up a bit later. Then I made a fatal error last Thursday. I had a friend over to cross-stitch after dinner (I know, rockin' and cool...go ahead and judge me, see if I care). I was bold enough to actually speak the words, "Oh, yes, Michael sleeps great now. Usually 12 hours." And Thursday night he was up every 3 hours. On the button. Friday night was the same. Saturday. Sunday. I am weeping over here. I was so enjoying feeling human again. MICHAEL! You're in big trouble, Mister. Grrrrr.
Um, what else not funny or interesting can I tell you? Ach, I don't know. Will. be. more. inspired. tomorrow. (If Mikey sleeps...)
Next week is Lily's birthday. We finally went shopping last weekend for her present. Actually, we ordered her present on-line, but Andrew needed to go shopping for her. We're just getting her one thing. Is that horrible? It's a big thing (a new Little Tykes kitchen), and I just remember Andrew being so overwhelmed at his 2nd birthday. I know she's going to take one look at the kitchen and not want to do anything else. PLUS, the grandparents will get her gifts. PLUS, her brothers each got her a gift. PLUS, our house is already overflowing with crappola toys. At least I can buy Lily more girlie toys (although the kitchen isn't really that...but whatever). Poor Michael is literally going to get a card and a pat on the back for his birthdays.
Um, do you have some time for bragging? Lily is astonishing me with her language. I no longer read books about child development...okay, I never actually did. I'm pretty sure what she is doing is quite normal for her age, because I hear other kids her age doing similar things. But don't burst my bubble, okay? There's no need for me to realize that she is just average...elementary school will make me see that. So for now I am still ASTONISHED. I really thought that it wouldn't be exciting the second time around. Like, "Gee, wow, you know your ABC's. Well, whoopdie-doo. Your brother is learning to read. How about THEM apples?" But I find that I watch Lily with equal enthusiasm as I did Andrew. She has been singing her ABC's for a couple of weeks now. Very very cute in her little voice. Impressive that she knows a whole song...but let's be honest. She was just memorizing a song that we have repeated a billion times. Then she went one step further to astonish me. Last Sunday, we were wandering around the athletic center waiting for Andrew to finish swim lessons. Lily eagerly approached the customer service desk and began pointing at the sign. She first pointed and said, "O". Which she has recognized for a while. Then she pointed at the C. I asked her what is was and she was correct. Actually, out of the whole two words, "customer service" she only missed the U. I was completely shocked. And it's like that sign opened up a floodgate. She does it ALL THE TIME now. The cutest is how she says "Dubba-you". Apparently she really does know her letters.
Michael is taking a break from his nice sleeping pattern. For 3 weeks he was sleeping from 6 pm to 6 am. The first few days I crept around trying to replicate our bedtime routine so precisely in the hopes he would again sleep well. Then I got more relaxed. I started staying up later because I knew a good night's sleep was in store. I planned evening outings with friends, because, again, I knew I could stay up a bit later. Then I made a fatal error last Thursday. I had a friend over to cross-stitch after dinner (I know, rockin' and cool...go ahead and judge me, see if I care). I was bold enough to actually speak the words, "Oh, yes, Michael sleeps great now. Usually 12 hours." And Thursday night he was up every 3 hours. On the button. Friday night was the same. Saturday. Sunday. I am weeping over here. I was so enjoying feeling human again. MICHAEL! You're in big trouble, Mister. Grrrrr.
Um, what else not funny or interesting can I tell you? Ach, I don't know. Will. be. more. inspired. tomorrow. (If Mikey sleeps...)
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