Carter is such a sweet little guy. He is more of a cuddle kid, even though he is busy running around at times. As busy as he gets, playing with dinosaurs and cars with Logan or sitting at the book shelf reading his board books, he still takes the time - many times a day - to come over and give hugs. He wraps his little arms around our legs and gives us the most precious baby hugs. I love it!
When I get him in his car seat, he immediately reaches for his blanket that I keep in the car (both kids have blankets during the winter). He holds it up, says "et" or "ish" for blanket, smiles and then cuddles with it by his face and says "awww". IT IS SO CUTE! I can hardly stand it.
Oh, what a sweet, sweet baby he is!
Showing posts with label toddler life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toddler life. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The best month of December and Christmas EVER
So there's been a lot of celebrating over here with the biggest holiday season upon us. First, there was Bill's company Christmas Party. Unlike other people who may dread these parties, we absolutely love and look forward to the company party every year. Bill works with a great group of people and it makes the night even more fun. We've been to three Christmas parties for the company and every year it gets bigger and better. The food is delicious, the open bar is fantastic (and I would never want to see that bill!) and there are always tears of gratitude from many people during speeches and award ceremonies.
The boys were at home with a sitter and Bill's boss/co-worker's two kids. They had a pizza pajama party and enjoyed every minute. While we ate, drank and mingled, they jumped off couches and ran around the house screaming to their delight. We got a ride home from the limo/party bus service the Company provided so everyone could get home safely.
Then there was Logan's preschool Christmas program. As I mentioned, he was the kid in the class who didn't want to sing. Granted, he wasn't the biggest Grinch in the class, one of his other classmates had his arms crossed with a very angry scowl on his face. But, nevertheless, Logan looked like he was too cool for school. He must get it from his Father. During the "Jingle Bells" song, Logan's friend turns to him and tells him to sing. To which Logan Logan shakes his head and adamantly says "NO". It's hilarious.
After that, we had our Annual MOMS Club Holiday Potluck. It started out as a rough night. Bill had been out of town for the week on business and just as I was unloading the groceries from the car, the LDS missionaries came up the driveway and tried convincing me to come back to church for 15 minutes (again). Not wanting to be a jerk to them, I nicely told them why I wasn't only to get blank stares of disbelief and empty apologies. This whole event caused me to be late in getting dinner ready, which caused me to be late to the party. I was the only one who had the keys to get in. So getting there, by myself with the kids, was a complete nightmare. But, once we did, it was the best party our chapter has had yet. We had a White Elephant Exchange, a large potluck and lots of laughs and conversation. There were 25 families, about 100 people including kids and husbands and a lot of fun.
That night Bill came home from his business trip to New York. He came back with a ton of pictures to share (from the new camera we bought because I need one here at home for restaurant reviews while he's gone), presents for the boys and a Christmas present for me. A huge diamond necklace that made my jaw drop. I've wanted a necklace for a while and it just wasn't possible in the past. Bill has been doing very well at work this year so we've been by the jewelry store a few times to look. While in New York, he did some negotiating in the Diamond District and came home with a necklace that I never expected to have. I LOVE IT! And I'm thankful he couldn't wait to give it to me so I could start wearing it early.
Next, we took the kids to see Santa downtown (there are two in town - one in the mall and one downtown. The downtown Santa is more authentic and better). Logan was so excited, Carter, not so much. While we waited for our turn, Logan kept dancing around, poking his head through the curtain (it's in a cute wooden cabin) and asking when we would be able to sit on Santa's lap. Finally it was our turn, and this guy was a pro. He knew right away that Carter wasn't going for it, just by the look on his face. He had instructions for me - how to sit with Carter and where while Logan sat on the other side listing his Christmas wants - dinosaurs, race cars, flutes and guitars. It was a well organized process (almost too organized, but I guess you have to be when dealing with thousands of kids every day) and we got the excited squeals of an almost 4 year old in return.
A few days later I got an email from Bill saying that we should go look for a new car that night. We have been a one-car-family for years, even before kids. It's worked for us and our trusty Outback has been a great car with minimal problems. With Bill traveling and our family growing, it has been more of a necessity to have a second car. We had been discussing buying another in the spring. But, we only had a few payments left on our old car and were ready to get another now.
We went and test drove a Nissan that we didn't like and decided that we are a Subaru family through and through. We drove straight to another dealership, found a car that we love and bought it the next day. I LOVE IT! It snowed quite a bit the day after we got the new Subaru and it did great - smooth, easy to control, no sliding and very warm (seat warmers!). Bill is now driving the old Outback and the kids and I get to take the new one. So, I guess I got a new car for Christmas too!
Then - Christmas Eve. Wow. First we woke up and hung out for a while, drinking coffee and making Christmas Tree Cookies. After Carter woke up from his nap, we all went sledding. This was the first time Logan had ever been and he was thrilled - and fearless. Both he and Bill went down the hill many times with Logan having the biggest smile on his face. He would tuck himself into a little ball every time he would go down, increasing his speed and flying off the small ramp that someone had build on the hill. Carter was not a fan of being out in the cold, despite being bundled up in a snow suit. He was too small to go down the fast hill, so I would pull him around the flat parts of the park, with him crying most of the time. I eventually got him back in the car, warm and listening to Christmas music while Logan and Bill went dare devil sledding.
We came back to eat dinner - a beef tenderloin that was good (but a bit too rare for our liking). It was hard to get the kids to eat because they were so excited to open presents. After much prodding, we finally gave in and let them go at it. There was wrapping paper everywhere as Logan searched under the tree for presents with his name on them. Carter mostly wanted to play with bows and the presents that Logan opened. They had an absolute blast this year and we all made out like bandits.
Christmas morning has been spent lounging around in our pajamas, eating sausage-hash brown casserole, watching Christmas movies and playing with toys. It's been a great year and the best Christmas EVER!
The boys were at home with a sitter and Bill's boss/co-worker's two kids. They had a pizza pajama party and enjoyed every minute. While we ate, drank and mingled, they jumped off couches and ran around the house screaming to their delight. We got a ride home from the limo/party bus service the Company provided so everyone could get home safely.
Then there was Logan's preschool Christmas program. As I mentioned, he was the kid in the class who didn't want to sing. Granted, he wasn't the biggest Grinch in the class, one of his other classmates had his arms crossed with a very angry scowl on his face. But, nevertheless, Logan looked like he was too cool for school. He must get it from his Father. During the "Jingle Bells" song, Logan's friend turns to him and tells him to sing. To which Logan Logan shakes his head and adamantly says "NO". It's hilarious.
After that, we had our Annual MOMS Club Holiday Potluck. It started out as a rough night. Bill had been out of town for the week on business and just as I was unloading the groceries from the car, the LDS missionaries came up the driveway and tried convincing me to come back to church for 15 minutes (again). Not wanting to be a jerk to them, I nicely told them why I wasn't only to get blank stares of disbelief and empty apologies. This whole event caused me to be late in getting dinner ready, which caused me to be late to the party. I was the only one who had the keys to get in. So getting there, by myself with the kids, was a complete nightmare. But, once we did, it was the best party our chapter has had yet. We had a White Elephant Exchange, a large potluck and lots of laughs and conversation. There were 25 families, about 100 people including kids and husbands and a lot of fun.
That night Bill came home from his business trip to New York. He came back with a ton of pictures to share (from the new camera we bought because I need one here at home for restaurant reviews while he's gone), presents for the boys and a Christmas present for me. A huge diamond necklace that made my jaw drop. I've wanted a necklace for a while and it just wasn't possible in the past. Bill has been doing very well at work this year so we've been by the jewelry store a few times to look. While in New York, he did some negotiating in the Diamond District and came home with a necklace that I never expected to have. I LOVE IT! And I'm thankful he couldn't wait to give it to me so I could start wearing it early.
Next, we took the kids to see Santa downtown (there are two in town - one in the mall and one downtown. The downtown Santa is more authentic and better). Logan was so excited, Carter, not so much. While we waited for our turn, Logan kept dancing around, poking his head through the curtain (it's in a cute wooden cabin) and asking when we would be able to sit on Santa's lap. Finally it was our turn, and this guy was a pro. He knew right away that Carter wasn't going for it, just by the look on his face. He had instructions for me - how to sit with Carter and where while Logan sat on the other side listing his Christmas wants - dinosaurs, race cars, flutes and guitars. It was a well organized process (almost too organized, but I guess you have to be when dealing with thousands of kids every day) and we got the excited squeals of an almost 4 year old in return.
A few days later I got an email from Bill saying that we should go look for a new car that night. We have been a one-car-family for years, even before kids. It's worked for us and our trusty Outback has been a great car with minimal problems. With Bill traveling and our family growing, it has been more of a necessity to have a second car. We had been discussing buying another in the spring. But, we only had a few payments left on our old car and were ready to get another now.
We went and test drove a Nissan that we didn't like and decided that we are a Subaru family through and through. We drove straight to another dealership, found a car that we love and bought it the next day. I LOVE IT! It snowed quite a bit the day after we got the new Subaru and it did great - smooth, easy to control, no sliding and very warm (seat warmers!). Bill is now driving the old Outback and the kids and I get to take the new one. So, I guess I got a new car for Christmas too!
Then - Christmas Eve. Wow. First we woke up and hung out for a while, drinking coffee and making Christmas Tree Cookies. After Carter woke up from his nap, we all went sledding. This was the first time Logan had ever been and he was thrilled - and fearless. Both he and Bill went down the hill many times with Logan having the biggest smile on his face. He would tuck himself into a little ball every time he would go down, increasing his speed and flying off the small ramp that someone had build on the hill. Carter was not a fan of being out in the cold, despite being bundled up in a snow suit. He was too small to go down the fast hill, so I would pull him around the flat parts of the park, with him crying most of the time. I eventually got him back in the car, warm and listening to Christmas music while Logan and Bill went dare devil sledding.
We came back to eat dinner - a beef tenderloin that was good (but a bit too rare for our liking). It was hard to get the kids to eat because they were so excited to open presents. After much prodding, we finally gave in and let them go at it. There was wrapping paper everywhere as Logan searched under the tree for presents with his name on them. Carter mostly wanted to play with bows and the presents that Logan opened. They had an absolute blast this year and we all made out like bandits.
Christmas morning has been spent lounging around in our pajamas, eating sausage-hash brown casserole, watching Christmas movies and playing with toys. It's been a great year and the best Christmas EVER!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Carter's first hair cut
We're finally all healthy again! Well, Logan and I never got sick. Carter's rebound was real - he only has a 24 hour virus. Bill took an entire week to recover. We wonder if he really did have H1N1. Who knows though, because they aren't testing adults here unless there are complications.
So, since we were germ-free - it was time for the boys to get their hair cut. We are getting our family portraits taken this week, and some of us needed a little cleaning up. This would be Carter's first hair cut!
I took Carter to the same kids' salon that Logan got his first hair cut at. Carter is just a tad older than when Logan got his first cut, but he didn't fare as well. The minute I put him in the race car, he cried. We switched chairs so that he could sit on my lap. He squirmed and climbed up me, despite trying to be comforted. The stylist did a great job of getting it done with him all over the place.
Afterward, Carter looked like a little boy and not a baby anymore. Sigh.....
So, since we were germ-free - it was time for the boys to get their hair cut. We are getting our family portraits taken this week, and some of us needed a little cleaning up. This would be Carter's first hair cut!
I took Carter to the same kids' salon that Logan got his first hair cut at. Carter is just a tad older than when Logan got his first cut, but he didn't fare as well. The minute I put him in the race car, he cried. We switched chairs so that he could sit on my lap. He squirmed and climbed up me, despite trying to be comforted. The stylist did a great job of getting it done with him all over the place.
Afterward, Carter looked like a little boy and not a baby anymore. Sigh.....
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
3 dozen cupcakes later
On Sunday we had close to 30 people (including kids) in our house for Carter's first birthday party. I baked three dozen cupcakes, Bill made his cheesy chili dip and there were other snacky-type foods for us to munch on. Logan was really excited to play with his friends, Carter had a blast eating and playing with his friends and it was nice to hang out on our new front room furniture (which Bill doesn't think we'll use, but I do). It was also really nice to look around and see how many people have been apart of Carter's life since he's been born. We're really lucky to have so many friends.
And, in the chaos of it all, I totally forgot to get the camera and take pictures. Bad mom moment!
The difference between Autumn birthday parties and winter birthday parties is dramatic. For Carter, we'll always be able to have a ton of people over and just hang out or enjoy the kids running around in the back yard. With Logan's parties, we'll always either have to limit the amount of people we can cram in our house or find a space big enough to invite everyone. The things you don't think about when family planning...
Carter also had his 1 year check-up last week. He measured 29 inches long (20%), weighed 18 pounds 11 ounces (3%) and his head was 17 3/4 inches (15%). He's a small little guy, but growing just fine and we're not concerned about his low weight percentage (the kids eats everything anyway). He aced the developmental milestone questionnaire, being able to do everything (which is unusual) and he's as healthy as can be. We're at the point now in check-up's where our Pediatrician will ask if we're doing vaccinations that visit, I say no and that's that. It's not even a conversation anymore, just a question. It's nice not having to worry about it any more or continue to think about it.
Carter is walking (and I'm going to get some video soon), taking about 5-8 steps at a time. Watching him toddle around the house is hysterical. He is so freakin cute!! He knows how to climb up and down the stairs so now he can go down into the playroom with Logan. They go down together and do puzzles, read books or go crazy. It's adorable to see how well they get along and now much they like to play together. Plus, it gives me some free time to breath.
I've had to take the kids to the drop-in childcare center about once or twice a week and Carter is doing much better in dealing with the separation. He cries at first, but get's over it quickly. They've been super awesome with him and helping him feel comfortable. Good thing too because I have sessions to train and the kids will need to go there and then the times where I have writing assignments getting backed up, they'll need to hang out there for a few hours. I don't know what I would do without that place.
So, our crazy busy life continues!
And, in the chaos of it all, I totally forgot to get the camera and take pictures. Bad mom moment!
The difference between Autumn birthday parties and winter birthday parties is dramatic. For Carter, we'll always be able to have a ton of people over and just hang out or enjoy the kids running around in the back yard. With Logan's parties, we'll always either have to limit the amount of people we can cram in our house or find a space big enough to invite everyone. The things you don't think about when family planning...
Carter also had his 1 year check-up last week. He measured 29 inches long (20%), weighed 18 pounds 11 ounces (3%) and his head was 17 3/4 inches (15%). He's a small little guy, but growing just fine and we're not concerned about his low weight percentage (the kids eats everything anyway). He aced the developmental milestone questionnaire, being able to do everything (which is unusual) and he's as healthy as can be. We're at the point now in check-up's where our Pediatrician will ask if we're doing vaccinations that visit, I say no and that's that. It's not even a conversation anymore, just a question. It's nice not having to worry about it any more or continue to think about it.
Carter is walking (and I'm going to get some video soon), taking about 5-8 steps at a time. Watching him toddle around the house is hysterical. He is so freakin cute!! He knows how to climb up and down the stairs so now he can go down into the playroom with Logan. They go down together and do puzzles, read books or go crazy. It's adorable to see how well they get along and now much they like to play together. Plus, it gives me some free time to breath.
I've had to take the kids to the drop-in childcare center about once or twice a week and Carter is doing much better in dealing with the separation. He cries at first, but get's over it quickly. They've been super awesome with him and helping him feel comfortable. Good thing too because I have sessions to train and the kids will need to go there and then the times where I have writing assignments getting backed up, they'll need to hang out there for a few hours. I don't know what I would do without that place.
So, our crazy busy life continues!
Monday, September 21, 2009
A year of Carter
Carter's 1st birthday was on the 12th, a couple of weekends ago. It was a low key, fun day. Bill made a big breakfast, we sat in the living room helping Carter open his presents, had a nice family dinner and then cupcakes afterward. It was simple and sweet.
Now that our family's health is improving; Bill's foot is better, my asthma is getting under control and Logan's ear infection is clearing up - we're going to celebrate Carter's birthday with all of our friends this weekend with a big birthday bash. We have a list of close to 30 people an the RSVP's still aren't all in yet. It's going to be one big celebration!
This year with two boys has been both challenging and amazing. Juggling our schedule and multitasking has had me up in arms many times. However, the love that Logan and Carter have for each other is one of the sweetest bonds I've ever seen. It makes me smile many times throughout the day. I'm sad that Carter is growing so quickly, his first year has been full of cuddles, smiles and pure baby love. I love to kiss him all over, knowing that he won't let me do it for much longer. I will desperately miss this stage of babyhood - which was so much different the second time (probably because I knew what I was doing).
Baby Bean,
You have added such a sweetness to all of our lives and we love you so very much. Your charming personality, your coy smiles and the sparkle in your eyes enables you to make friends wherever you go. Your rowdiness and love for all things Boy makes you the perfect Best Friend with Logan. My heart is so full of love that it overflows into tears of joy.
With more love than I have words for,
Mommy
Now that our family's health is improving; Bill's foot is better, my asthma is getting under control and Logan's ear infection is clearing up - we're going to celebrate Carter's birthday with all of our friends this weekend with a big birthday bash. We have a list of close to 30 people an the RSVP's still aren't all in yet. It's going to be one big celebration!
This year with two boys has been both challenging and amazing. Juggling our schedule and multitasking has had me up in arms many times. However, the love that Logan and Carter have for each other is one of the sweetest bonds I've ever seen. It makes me smile many times throughout the day. I'm sad that Carter is growing so quickly, his first year has been full of cuddles, smiles and pure baby love. I love to kiss him all over, knowing that he won't let me do it for much longer. I will desperately miss this stage of babyhood - which was so much different the second time (probably because I knew what I was doing).
Baby Bean,
You have added such a sweetness to all of our lives and we love you so very much. Your charming personality, your coy smiles and the sparkle in your eyes enables you to make friends wherever you go. Your rowdiness and love for all things Boy makes you the perfect Best Friend with Logan. My heart is so full of love that it overflows into tears of joy.
With more love than I have words for,
Mommy
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Mr. Independent
It's always been important to me as a mother to teach Logan how to be independent. I've wanted him to be able to rely on himself at a very early age, even if it's only starting with the simplest of tasks. Now being pregnant with Carter, I am so glad we've been raising Logan this way because it makes our life so much easier.
Logan is doing exceptionally well with "chores", like putting his dishes in the sink when he's finished, cleaning up his toys (sort of), putting his shoes on & getting into his car seat on his own. He's even getting better about going to bed & taking a nap without the major hysterics that we've been through before. He's so proud of himself, always exclaiming "by myself!", after accomplishing something on his own. He's growing up so fast.
In the next month I'm going to figure out what else he could do on his own. Maybe getting his own snacks & drinks from the refrigerator & working with him more on getting himself dressed (we'll see how this goes). By him being So Big, it will certainly make the transition to a two kid family a little bit easier. Plus, it makes Logan feel so good about himself. Now if he would only potty train, we would be set!
It's always been important to me as a mother to teach Logan how to be independent. I've wanted him to be able to rely on himself at a very early age, even if it's only starting with the simplest of tasks. Now being pregnant with Carter, I am so glad we've been raising Logan this way because it makes our life so much easier.
Logan is doing exceptionally well with "chores", like putting his dishes in the sink when he's finished, cleaning up his toys (sort of), putting his shoes on & getting into his car seat on his own. He's even getting better about going to bed & taking a nap without the major hysterics that we've been through before. He's so proud of himself, always exclaiming "by myself!", after accomplishing something on his own. He's growing up so fast.
In the next month I'm going to figure out what else he could do on his own. Maybe getting his own snacks & drinks from the refrigerator & working with him more on getting himself dressed (we'll see how this goes). By him being So Big, it will certainly make the transition to a two kid family a little bit easier. Plus, it makes Logan feel so good about himself. Now if he would only potty train, we would be set!
Friday, July 18, 2008
What kind of bug did you find?!
This morning we were getting ready to head out of the door to go to a baby shower for one of the moms in our playgroup & I stopped in my tracks just as I was about to grab the present. There was a HUGE bug on Logan's sippy cup. I'm not a fan of bugs (lucky me, raising two boys!) & this particular one grossed me out so much that I got goose bumps from it. One perk to having a boy that likes bugs is that he is eager to help remove them from the house. We were running out of time & were late for the shower, so we left the bug where it was & decided to take care of it after we got home.
We came home & couldn't find it.
This was not a small bug & not something that could just "disappear". It was all I could do to get Logan to nap after him repeating "Can't find it! Where!?". When we picked Bill up from work, I told Logan to tell Daddy what kind of bug we found in the house this morning so he could help him find it. Logan still has a little bit of trouble with pronunciation (like any two year old) & after hearing him say what kind of bug was in the house, we couldn't stop laughing & I just about drove off the road. "This is something I HAVE to get on video!", I giggled.
After dinner, I found the bug, Bill caught it & both he & Logan took it outside. Bill preferred that he be a good example to Logan by showing him that we can let bugs run free rather than squishing them with our shoes (this was after Bill killed a yellow jacket with his shoe & Logan proceeded to take the shoe & go after every bee he could find). The whole time the battery for the camera was charging.
Logan got to bed & Bill left to go play some disc golf while it was still light out. Logan wasn't going to bed & the battery was charged, so I got some quick video of him talking about what kind of bug we had in the house today. If you need a translation as to what's so funny about what he's saying, let me know & I'll get it in the comments.
This morning we were getting ready to head out of the door to go to a baby shower for one of the moms in our playgroup & I stopped in my tracks just as I was about to grab the present. There was a HUGE bug on Logan's sippy cup. I'm not a fan of bugs (lucky me, raising two boys!) & this particular one grossed me out so much that I got goose bumps from it. One perk to having a boy that likes bugs is that he is eager to help remove them from the house. We were running out of time & were late for the shower, so we left the bug where it was & decided to take care of it after we got home.
We came home & couldn't find it.
This was not a small bug & not something that could just "disappear". It was all I could do to get Logan to nap after him repeating "Can't find it! Where!?". When we picked Bill up from work, I told Logan to tell Daddy what kind of bug we found in the house this morning so he could help him find it. Logan still has a little bit of trouble with pronunciation (like any two year old) & after hearing him say what kind of bug was in the house, we couldn't stop laughing & I just about drove off the road. "This is something I HAVE to get on video!", I giggled.
After dinner, I found the bug, Bill caught it & both he & Logan took it outside. Bill preferred that he be a good example to Logan by showing him that we can let bugs run free rather than squishing them with our shoes (this was after Bill killed a yellow jacket with his shoe & Logan proceeded to take the shoe & go after every bee he could find). The whole time the battery for the camera was charging.
Logan got to bed & Bill left to go play some disc golf while it was still light out. Logan wasn't going to bed & the battery was charged, so I got some quick video of him talking about what kind of bug we had in the house today. If you need a translation as to what's so funny about what he's saying, let me know & I'll get it in the comments.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Not. Again.
Yesterday morning Logan was out in the back yard while I was getting everything ready for us to go to the gym to train photographer friend (I've pretty much stopped lifting now & just walk for 45 minutes - more on that later this week). I could see him through the living room window as I packed up the backpack. Suddenly, I got "The Mommy Feeling", where I knew something wasn't right & he was getting into trouble.
I walked out in the back & ask him what he's doing. He points to his nose.
"NOT AGAIN!", I freak out. "WHAT DID YOU PUT IN YOUR NOSE THIS TIME!!!!??? YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT ANYTHING IN YOUR NOSE!!!!!". I tilt his head back & take a look.
"OH MY GOD! YOU HAVE A ROCK IN YOUR NOSE!"
I had no idea how I was going to get it out. There was no scraping this thing out with a bamboo skewer, no sucking it out with the nasal aspirator, no doing the "nose maneuver" because I was afraid that it would tear the inside of his nose. I thought I was going to have to call photographer friend to cancel our workout so I could take Logan in for an emergency visit to get a freakin' rock extracted from his nose.
I took Logan upstairs into his bathroom, yelling at him the whole time about putting things in his nose. I got the nasal aspirator just to clear out the snot so I could get a better view. While yelling at him, he was crying & began to cry hard enough that he started coughing & gagging. The force of one of his coughs made the rock explode out of his nose & it landed in my lap.
I don't feel the least bit sorry for making him cry so hard.
Yesterday morning Logan was out in the back yard while I was getting everything ready for us to go to the gym to train photographer friend (I've pretty much stopped lifting now & just walk for 45 minutes - more on that later this week). I could see him through the living room window as I packed up the backpack. Suddenly, I got "The Mommy Feeling", where I knew something wasn't right & he was getting into trouble.
I walked out in the back & ask him what he's doing. He points to his nose.
"NOT AGAIN!", I freak out. "WHAT DID YOU PUT IN YOUR NOSE THIS TIME!!!!??? YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT ANYTHING IN YOUR NOSE!!!!!". I tilt his head back & take a look.
"OH MY GOD! YOU HAVE A ROCK IN YOUR NOSE!"
I had no idea how I was going to get it out. There was no scraping this thing out with a bamboo skewer, no sucking it out with the nasal aspirator, no doing the "nose maneuver" because I was afraid that it would tear the inside of his nose. I thought I was going to have to call photographer friend to cancel our workout so I could take Logan in for an emergency visit to get a freakin' rock extracted from his nose.
I took Logan upstairs into his bathroom, yelling at him the whole time about putting things in his nose. I got the nasal aspirator just to clear out the snot so I could get a better view. While yelling at him, he was crying & began to cry hard enough that he started coughing & gagging. The force of one of his coughs made the rock explode out of his nose & it landed in my lap.
I don't feel the least bit sorry for making him cry so hard.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A nice compliment
The other day I mentioned Logan's massive temper tantrum while we were at the farm. He was throwing sand after being told not to. I put him on time out & he wouldn't sit & listen, screaming & crying hysterically. Finally, after telling him if he didn't straighten up we would be leaving early - we did. We were there with a few other moms from the club, including one mom's in-laws. Logan got to show his "special" side to everyone, but we still went through the discipline drill as if we were at home.
We went to playgroup at the park yesterday morning. The mom who brought her in-laws to the farm was there & we were talking as the kids played. "My mother-in-law was really impressed with you yesterday", she told me. "Impressed with what? That I didn't beat the living snot out of Logan right there on the spot?", I said half jokingly. "No", she laughed. "Impressed that you followed through with everything you said. From time-out to leaving early. Most moms don't stick to their guns like that".
I thought that was a nice compliment. In the midst of public tantrums like this, mothers, especially me, feel like the eyes of the world are on them with glares wreaking of judgment. It's not a fun position to be in & all you want is for your kid to just stop & behave like a civilized person. To know that in reality, there are people watching & impressed with the discipline techniques - from a mother-in-law no less, really makes me feel a little bit less frazzled.
Too bad my own mother-in-law would rather make fun of my parenting skills rather than complimenting them*.
*More detail on what happened here later*
The other day I mentioned Logan's massive temper tantrum while we were at the farm. He was throwing sand after being told not to. I put him on time out & he wouldn't sit & listen, screaming & crying hysterically. Finally, after telling him if he didn't straighten up we would be leaving early - we did. We were there with a few other moms from the club, including one mom's in-laws. Logan got to show his "special" side to everyone, but we still went through the discipline drill as if we were at home.
We went to playgroup at the park yesterday morning. The mom who brought her in-laws to the farm was there & we were talking as the kids played. "My mother-in-law was really impressed with you yesterday", she told me. "Impressed with what? That I didn't beat the living snot out of Logan right there on the spot?", I said half jokingly. "No", she laughed. "Impressed that you followed through with everything you said. From time-out to leaving early. Most moms don't stick to their guns like that".
I thought that was a nice compliment. In the midst of public tantrums like this, mothers, especially me, feel like the eyes of the world are on them with glares wreaking of judgment. It's not a fun position to be in & all you want is for your kid to just stop & behave like a civilized person. To know that in reality, there are people watching & impressed with the discipline techniques - from a mother-in-law no less, really makes me feel a little bit less frazzled.
Too bad my own mother-in-law would rather make fun of my parenting skills rather than complimenting them*.
*More detail on what happened here later*
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
This sucks
Potty training is going nowhere. Just when I think we're making some kind of headway, we take two steps back & we're right back to where we were before. First it started with Logan asking to use the potty a million times a day. He didn't poop or pee, but sat there. That got old, but we kept taking him. Then he peed on the potty twice in one day. We thought "This is it! He's doing it!". He hasn't peed on the potty since then.
We've been putting him in underwear on the weekends, starting slowly from there. Last weekend we would ask if he had to use the potty & every time he would say no. He was starting to put up a fight about sitting on it every now & then, "No potty! No potty!". So we didn't force it. No potty, no underwear & that's that. There were times he peed & pooped in his pants & where he once before was bothered by it, continued to run around in the back yard playing.
This weekend I thought we were getting back on track. We bought him gummy dinosaurs for going pee & suckers for pooping on the potty. He stayed dry all day yesterday, but didn't go on the potty (going in his diaper at nap time & bed time). I thought that was a little bit of progress. Then this morning, same thing - for a while.
I kept asking him if he needed to go potty, he would say no & I would drop it. About every 45 minutes or so I would taking him to the bathroom to sit only to have him freak out "NO POTTY!" & climb right back off the seat. I didn't push it much farther. Then not too much longer after that, he came waddling in with heavy pants. He pooped & peed.
AGH.
So I got him cleaned up & put on a diaper. I told him that Cars underwear was for big boys & when he was willing to cooperate & tell us when he had to go, then he could wear his underwear again.
Back at square one. Actually, we're in the negative because he's starting the power struggle. Potty training isn't going to work if he fights it like this & I'm not in any mood to argue with him about going potty. So, I think we'll hold off for a couple more months & see what happens.
Potty training is going nowhere. Just when I think we're making some kind of headway, we take two steps back & we're right back to where we were before. First it started with Logan asking to use the potty a million times a day. He didn't poop or pee, but sat there. That got old, but we kept taking him. Then he peed on the potty twice in one day. We thought "This is it! He's doing it!". He hasn't peed on the potty since then.
We've been putting him in underwear on the weekends, starting slowly from there. Last weekend we would ask if he had to use the potty & every time he would say no. He was starting to put up a fight about sitting on it every now & then, "No potty! No potty!". So we didn't force it. No potty, no underwear & that's that. There were times he peed & pooped in his pants & where he once before was bothered by it, continued to run around in the back yard playing.
This weekend I thought we were getting back on track. We bought him gummy dinosaurs for going pee & suckers for pooping on the potty. He stayed dry all day yesterday, but didn't go on the potty (going in his diaper at nap time & bed time). I thought that was a little bit of progress. Then this morning, same thing - for a while.
I kept asking him if he needed to go potty, he would say no & I would drop it. About every 45 minutes or so I would taking him to the bathroom to sit only to have him freak out "NO POTTY!" & climb right back off the seat. I didn't push it much farther. Then not too much longer after that, he came waddling in with heavy pants. He pooped & peed.
AGH.
So I got him cleaned up & put on a diaper. I told him that Cars underwear was for big boys & when he was willing to cooperate & tell us when he had to go, then he could wear his underwear again.
Back at square one. Actually, we're in the negative because he's starting the power struggle. Potty training isn't going to work if he fights it like this & I'm not in any mood to argue with him about going potty. So, I think we'll hold off for a couple more months & see what happens.
Friday, June 20, 2008
28 months old, another haircut & I don't even have the words...
This afternoon I took Logan to get his haircut because it was just getting too shaggy & out of control. I promised him a sucker if he was really good & stayed awake in the car. He made sure to be on his best behavior.
While waiting for 15-20 minutes (because we were walk-ins), he played with the train set & watched a Sesame Street video that was on. He was so cute waiting patiently for his turn to get his haircut & most importantly, the sucker. When the stylist was ready for us, Logan sat nicely in the little yellow car, watched the Sponge Bob movie he had picked out & was incredibly cooperative. I was more than impressed with him. The stylist was too.
She did a great job on his hair & he looks like a million bucks! He was happy when he got to pick out his sucker at the end & was still very good all the way home & during lunch time. I emailed Bill to tell him about our time at the kids' salon & he asked me to send him a picture. This is what happened when I asked Logan if he wanted to take some pictures to send to Daddy:
This is such a great picture & I WISH part of my head wasn't cut off
Saying "cheese" with a big cheesy grin
Hanging out & looking like a big kid
He decided he wanted to lay on his belly, I didn't tell him to pose like this. The only thing I told him to do was stay still
Acting silly
One of the cutest pictures ever! I never get shots like this!
This afternoon I took Logan to get his haircut because it was just getting too shaggy & out of control. I promised him a sucker if he was really good & stayed awake in the car. He made sure to be on his best behavior.
While waiting for 15-20 minutes (because we were walk-ins), he played with the train set & watched a Sesame Street video that was on. He was so cute waiting patiently for his turn to get his haircut & most importantly, the sucker. When the stylist was ready for us, Logan sat nicely in the little yellow car, watched the Sponge Bob movie he had picked out & was incredibly cooperative. I was more than impressed with him. The stylist was too.
She did a great job on his hair & he looks like a million bucks! He was happy when he got to pick out his sucker at the end & was still very good all the way home & during lunch time. I emailed Bill to tell him about our time at the kids' salon & he asked me to send him a picture. This is what happened when I asked Logan if he wanted to take some pictures to send to Daddy:
This is such a great picture & I WISH part of my head wasn't cut off
Saying "cheese" with a big cheesy grin
Hanging out & looking like a big kid
He decided he wanted to lay on his belly, I didn't tell him to pose like this. The only thing I told him to do was stay still
Acting silly
One of the cutest pictures ever! I never get shots like this!It was just a great day overall & it was all because Logan was such a cute, well-behaved kid today. He played nicely at a board meeting we had to go to & listened to me when I told him he had to sit next to me to eat his snacks rather than spread them all over the house where the little kids could get to them (& choke). He willingly held my hand in parking lots, actually telling ME that there were cars & we needed to hold hands. He stood in line at the store where I had to return a dress & he was very good about staying in line or sitting on a bench - not running amok around the customer service area. He was perfect when getting his hair cut & he was nice about going down to take his nap. Days like this rarely happen! And it's days like this that make me so proud of Logan & the great kid he's growing up to be.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Not the treatment plan I had in mind
Logan has had a terrible cough for the last week. It's been thick & rattles when he breaths in deep. It sounds horrible when he wakes up & he has a hard time catching his breath when he coughs after a tantrum. I'm afraid he's developing asthma.
My poor baby. He has egg, garlic, yellow food coloring (not tested, but obvious to me) allergies, environmental allergies, vaccination reactions & eczema. He has a family history of food allergies, eczema & asthma (on both sides, including both Bill & myself). It was just a matter of time before he developed more hypersensitivities & weakened immune system responses.
I've been pretty stingy with the medication for him, usually only giving him Benadryl for his hives when they get bad (that still pop up fairly regularly). The Doctors have been telling me to give him Claritin for a while & I held off on it until I really felt like Logan needed daily medication - which is now. He's been taking Claritin for a week & a half & it hasn't helped at all. We're now going to switch to Zyrtec & see how that goes.
I took Logan to the pediatrician this morning to have him checked out & see where we go from here if he is developing asthma. The Doctor prescribed Flonaz in addition to Zyrtec (& Benadryl for hives) & said that if things aren't better in two weeks, we would re-evaluate & start talking about Albuterol (a heavy steroid).
This goes against the grain of my health care beliefs. I cannot accept that my two year old is going to be on three if not four daily medications to suppress his immune response. We are not a pill popping family & this treatment plan feels so very wrong to me. He's being over medicated & drugs aren't always the answer. While this is the treatment plan for now, I'm looking into other options & opinions. I'm getting back to my chiropractic roots to see if I can fit it in our budget (because let's face it, we're not going to be able to get blood from a stone). I'm meeting with a Doctor next Monday. I know this is going to be a better plan than drugging up my child.
Logan has had a terrible cough for the last week. It's been thick & rattles when he breaths in deep. It sounds horrible when he wakes up & he has a hard time catching his breath when he coughs after a tantrum. I'm afraid he's developing asthma.
My poor baby. He has egg, garlic, yellow food coloring (not tested, but obvious to me) allergies, environmental allergies, vaccination reactions & eczema. He has a family history of food allergies, eczema & asthma (on both sides, including both Bill & myself). It was just a matter of time before he developed more hypersensitivities & weakened immune system responses.
I've been pretty stingy with the medication for him, usually only giving him Benadryl for his hives when they get bad (that still pop up fairly regularly). The Doctors have been telling me to give him Claritin for a while & I held off on it until I really felt like Logan needed daily medication - which is now. He's been taking Claritin for a week & a half & it hasn't helped at all. We're now going to switch to Zyrtec & see how that goes.
I took Logan to the pediatrician this morning to have him checked out & see where we go from here if he is developing asthma. The Doctor prescribed Flonaz in addition to Zyrtec (& Benadryl for hives) & said that if things aren't better in two weeks, we would re-evaluate & start talking about Albuterol (a heavy steroid).
This goes against the grain of my health care beliefs. I cannot accept that my two year old is going to be on three if not four daily medications to suppress his immune response. We are not a pill popping family & this treatment plan feels so very wrong to me. He's being over medicated & drugs aren't always the answer. While this is the treatment plan for now, I'm looking into other options & opinions. I'm getting back to my chiropractic roots to see if I can fit it in our budget (because let's face it, we're not going to be able to get blood from a stone). I'm meeting with a Doctor next Monday. I know this is going to be a better plan than drugging up my child.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The many hats of Mom
Moms do many things, wearing many hats. House cleaner, baker & cook, librarian, teacher, chauffeur, the list goes on. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that one of the many parts of my role as "Mom" would I ever be an expert in object extraction or a pseudo-nasal surgeon.
Saturday night Logan was eating his dinner & I was sitting at the table with him. Since his many "nose incidents" he is no longer left to eat without a watchful eye on him at all times. Before, he would sit at the table & eat while I would be in the same room, unloading the dishwasher, talking on the phone, reading a magazine, whatever. But now? Somebody sits with him & watches every single bite that goes into his mouth. This night we decided that after Logan was finished with his dinner & going to bed that we would indulge in some of the best burritos in town (Logan never eats them, so we don't bother getting him one anymore).
I sat with Logan the whole time & when he finished, he was still hungry & asking for more. I made him a second helping of vegetables & told Bill that since Logan was pretty much finished with dinner, I was going to go ahead & pick up dinner. Bill sat with him at the table (I assume) & I left.
On my way home, Bill calls to tell me that Logan had stuck a pea up his nose once again & didn't know how to get it out. Feeling irritated, but confident that I could get it out, I told him that I would do the "nose maneuver" when I got back in two minutes as I was just down the street. I come in to see Logan naked after his bath standing on the stairs telling me that he has "pea in nose". I scold him in an exasperated tone, knowing that this was going to happen again, but irritated that he hasn't learned his lesson & the lecture from the Doctor when she pulled a band-aid from his nose was pointless.
I get him in his room & start puffing in his mouth to get the pea to pop out. Logan is freaking out & screaming. I have no sympathy at all. "Well, maybe you should stop putting things up your nose & we wouldn't have to do this!", I tell him. I even tried digging it out with a bamboo skewer (much like I did with the toothpick & the eraser head), to no avail. After a few more attempts it becomes clear that this pea is stuck & we'll have to go to the Doctor in the morning (SUNDAY MORNING - FATHER'S DAY) for an emergency visit to get it out. I am more than upset with Logan, I am furious. His insurance just rolled over to one plan (he was insured on two) so now we have a 20% co-pay rather than free visits. An emergency trip to get a stupid pea removed from his nose AGAIN would cost us a chunk of change. After yelling at him about it all & getting him to bed, I come downstairs in tears because now we're going to have to pay more for his visits like this & he should have caught on about how bad this "habit" is already.
The next morning I get up with Logan so Bill can sleep in for Father's Day. I get his diaper changed & figure I would try to get the pea out again. I would much rather try again when fully rested & less hormonal than have to take him to the Doctor that morning. So, I get the nasal aspirator & the bamboo skewer again*. After ten minutes of sucking it out as far as it would go & then trying to pierce it or hook the skin of the pea with the skewer, I finally got it out in two parts. Relieved, I still scold Logan & tell him that if he ever, EVER puts anything up there again, he will not watch cartoons, play with toys or go to playgroup for a whole week. He will lose everything he has (like a two year old understands this concept, but whatever).
I am so fed up with this stage & I know no other kids like Logan who are equally as obsessed about sticking things up their nose. It's to the point of ridiculous now. I am, however, now a skilled expert in removing various objects from my toddlers' nose. I wonder if I could ever put this on my resume.
*Disclaimer for parents who are digging things out from their kids' noses: I don't recommend using sharp tools like tooth picks or bamboo skewers to get whatever it is out. It's better to let the Doctor's do it for you because you could either make the situation worse by shoving the object farther up the nose (resulting in a surgical removal) or you could injure or damage your kids' sensitive nasal cavity. Unless you have had a year of practice like I have, take them to a real professional.
Moms do many things, wearing many hats. House cleaner, baker & cook, librarian, teacher, chauffeur, the list goes on. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that one of the many parts of my role as "Mom" would I ever be an expert in object extraction or a pseudo-nasal surgeon.
Saturday night Logan was eating his dinner & I was sitting at the table with him. Since his many "nose incidents" he is no longer left to eat without a watchful eye on him at all times. Before, he would sit at the table & eat while I would be in the same room, unloading the dishwasher, talking on the phone, reading a magazine, whatever. But now? Somebody sits with him & watches every single bite that goes into his mouth. This night we decided that after Logan was finished with his dinner & going to bed that we would indulge in some of the best burritos in town (Logan never eats them, so we don't bother getting him one anymore).
I sat with Logan the whole time & when he finished, he was still hungry & asking for more. I made him a second helping of vegetables & told Bill that since Logan was pretty much finished with dinner, I was going to go ahead & pick up dinner. Bill sat with him at the table (I assume) & I left.
On my way home, Bill calls to tell me that Logan had stuck a pea up his nose once again & didn't know how to get it out. Feeling irritated, but confident that I could get it out, I told him that I would do the "nose maneuver" when I got back in two minutes as I was just down the street. I come in to see Logan naked after his bath standing on the stairs telling me that he has "pea in nose". I scold him in an exasperated tone, knowing that this was going to happen again, but irritated that he hasn't learned his lesson & the lecture from the Doctor when she pulled a band-aid from his nose was pointless.
I get him in his room & start puffing in his mouth to get the pea to pop out. Logan is freaking out & screaming. I have no sympathy at all. "Well, maybe you should stop putting things up your nose & we wouldn't have to do this!", I tell him. I even tried digging it out with a bamboo skewer (much like I did with the toothpick & the eraser head), to no avail. After a few more attempts it becomes clear that this pea is stuck & we'll have to go to the Doctor in the morning (SUNDAY MORNING - FATHER'S DAY) for an emergency visit to get it out. I am more than upset with Logan, I am furious. His insurance just rolled over to one plan (he was insured on two) so now we have a 20% co-pay rather than free visits. An emergency trip to get a stupid pea removed from his nose AGAIN would cost us a chunk of change. After yelling at him about it all & getting him to bed, I come downstairs in tears because now we're going to have to pay more for his visits like this & he should have caught on about how bad this "habit" is already.
The next morning I get up with Logan so Bill can sleep in for Father's Day. I get his diaper changed & figure I would try to get the pea out again. I would much rather try again when fully rested & less hormonal than have to take him to the Doctor that morning. So, I get the nasal aspirator & the bamboo skewer again*. After ten minutes of sucking it out as far as it would go & then trying to pierce it or hook the skin of the pea with the skewer, I finally got it out in two parts. Relieved, I still scold Logan & tell him that if he ever, EVER puts anything up there again, he will not watch cartoons, play with toys or go to playgroup for a whole week. He will lose everything he has (like a two year old understands this concept, but whatever).
I am so fed up with this stage & I know no other kids like Logan who are equally as obsessed about sticking things up their nose. It's to the point of ridiculous now. I am, however, now a skilled expert in removing various objects from my toddlers' nose. I wonder if I could ever put this on my resume.
*Disclaimer for parents who are digging things out from their kids' noses: I don't recommend using sharp tools like tooth picks or bamboo skewers to get whatever it is out. It's better to let the Doctor's do it for you because you could either make the situation worse by shoving the object farther up the nose (resulting in a surgical removal) or you could injure or damage your kids' sensitive nasal cavity. Unless you have had a year of practice like I have, take them to a real professional.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Oh My GOD - two ways
This morning was the first day our new house cleaner started. Remember a little while ago when I interviewed someone to trade with & I was pretty certain it would work out? Well, it didn't. Her husband ended up convincing her that she didn't need a personal trainer & that she could do it on her own (this is a great rant for another day). So, I continued my search. About a week later someone else wanted to interview. She works professionally for a new company here in town who does background checks & they gave her a really good reference. She's a little odd (like ADD eccentric), but I hired her without hesitation.
I trained her here at home in the playroom (I'm not going to build a studio) & afterward she stayed to clean everything from top to bottom. I had to leave her here alone while I dropped Bill off at work & trained photographer friend at the gym. I was only going to be gone an hour, so I felt OK about leaving her for the first time. However, when I was getting Logan ready for the morning, I noticed that he had something stuck up his nose AGAIN & knew he would have to get it extracted at the Doctors office.
On the way to Bill's work, I called the pediatrician whom I have on speed dial specifically for this very reason. I got him scheduled for after the gym workout. I thought it would only take a few minutes (like it did when he had to get the corn kernel extracted). But it didn't. This time was a little more complicated.
At first glance, it looked like he had a pasta spiral stuck up there. It was far enough in that I couldn't reach it, but close enough to see. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. This stuff up the nose business is old hat for us. The shock has worn off. When we were escorted into the exam room, we were soon moved to an operating-type room. There were tools of all sorts to pull things from toddler's noses. Unlike the kernel incident, there was no knitting-needle-like tool in sight. It was all tweezers, syringes & suction machines. After the Doctor took a look at it & thought it might be a pea (again) she decided to use the suction machine.
First she put some numbing medication in his nostril because his nose was swollen from being irritated (clearly, this had been in there for a few days). She tried to suck it out, but it was wedged in there pretty good. Logan never cried, never flinched. Just sneezed a couple of times. They tilted his head back & used the long tweezers to pull out...
Now, Logan has had all sorts of things suck up his nose. First, it started with a pea & leaning the "nose maneuver". Then it was the dried corn kernel that had to be extracted by the Doctor. A couple more peas went up that I was able to pop out, then the eraser head that I pulled out with a tooth pick. But this. This beats them all.
A Sponge Bob band-aid.
I am not kidding. The second it came out, I put my hands on my face McCully Culkin style practically yelling, "OH MY GOD! IT'S A BAND-AID!" The Doctor was equally as shocked & disgusted. I'm sure this was a first for her.
She actually thought it would be a prudent decision to check his ears since he's been packing them with sand (they checked out clear) & she gave him a lecture about putting things up his nose. The first time he's been sternly lectured by someone else other than me. He nodded yes, gesturing that he understood, but I highly doubt this will be the last thing that gets pulled out of his nose. He's also now lost his Sponge Bob band-aid bribe for naps & bedtime. I'm going to have to find something bigger than his nostril.
An hour later we finally drove home to check on the house cleaner. She was still working hard (very hard). I packed some snacks & we headed off to playgroup while she finished, leaving her to escort herself out when everything was clean.
After playgroup, we drove home, parked the car in the garage, opened the back door & again, I put my hands on my face McCully Culkin style, "OH. MY. GOD! My house is sparking clean!" The sliding glass door to the backyard was spotless without a sticky hand print or muddy paw print in sight. The floors were shiny, the bathrooms smelled wonderful. I almost fell over with happiness. A HUGE burden had been lifted from my shoulders as cleaning this house has weighed heavily on me (& Bill). With her help every week, it will be so much easier to keep the cleanliness at a level that I prefer, but am unable to maintain.
Today has been shocking on both ends of the spectrum. That's for sure.
This morning was the first day our new house cleaner started. Remember a little while ago when I interviewed someone to trade with & I was pretty certain it would work out? Well, it didn't. Her husband ended up convincing her that she didn't need a personal trainer & that she could do it on her own (this is a great rant for another day). So, I continued my search. About a week later someone else wanted to interview. She works professionally for a new company here in town who does background checks & they gave her a really good reference. She's a little odd (like ADD eccentric), but I hired her without hesitation.
I trained her here at home in the playroom (I'm not going to build a studio) & afterward she stayed to clean everything from top to bottom. I had to leave her here alone while I dropped Bill off at work & trained photographer friend at the gym. I was only going to be gone an hour, so I felt OK about leaving her for the first time. However, when I was getting Logan ready for the morning, I noticed that he had something stuck up his nose AGAIN & knew he would have to get it extracted at the Doctors office.
On the way to Bill's work, I called the pediatrician whom I have on speed dial specifically for this very reason. I got him scheduled for after the gym workout. I thought it would only take a few minutes (like it did when he had to get the corn kernel extracted). But it didn't. This time was a little more complicated.
At first glance, it looked like he had a pasta spiral stuck up there. It was far enough in that I couldn't reach it, but close enough to see. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. This stuff up the nose business is old hat for us. The shock has worn off. When we were escorted into the exam room, we were soon moved to an operating-type room. There were tools of all sorts to pull things from toddler's noses. Unlike the kernel incident, there was no knitting-needle-like tool in sight. It was all tweezers, syringes & suction machines. After the Doctor took a look at it & thought it might be a pea (again) she decided to use the suction machine.
First she put some numbing medication in his nostril because his nose was swollen from being irritated (clearly, this had been in there for a few days). She tried to suck it out, but it was wedged in there pretty good. Logan never cried, never flinched. Just sneezed a couple of times. They tilted his head back & used the long tweezers to pull out...
Now, Logan has had all sorts of things suck up his nose. First, it started with a pea & leaning the "nose maneuver". Then it was the dried corn kernel that had to be extracted by the Doctor. A couple more peas went up that I was able to pop out, then the eraser head that I pulled out with a tooth pick. But this. This beats them all.
A Sponge Bob band-aid.
I am not kidding. The second it came out, I put my hands on my face McCully Culkin style practically yelling, "OH MY GOD! IT'S A BAND-AID!" The Doctor was equally as shocked & disgusted. I'm sure this was a first for her.
She actually thought it would be a prudent decision to check his ears since he's been packing them with sand (they checked out clear) & she gave him a lecture about putting things up his nose. The first time he's been sternly lectured by someone else other than me. He nodded yes, gesturing that he understood, but I highly doubt this will be the last thing that gets pulled out of his nose. He's also now lost his Sponge Bob band-aid bribe for naps & bedtime. I'm going to have to find something bigger than his nostril.
An hour later we finally drove home to check on the house cleaner. She was still working hard (very hard). I packed some snacks & we headed off to playgroup while she finished, leaving her to escort herself out when everything was clean.
After playgroup, we drove home, parked the car in the garage, opened the back door & again, I put my hands on my face McCully Culkin style, "OH. MY. GOD! My house is sparking clean!" The sliding glass door to the backyard was spotless without a sticky hand print or muddy paw print in sight. The floors were shiny, the bathrooms smelled wonderful. I almost fell over with happiness. A HUGE burden had been lifted from my shoulders as cleaning this house has weighed heavily on me (& Bill). With her help every week, it will be so much easier to keep the cleanliness at a level that I prefer, but am unable to maintain.
Today has been shocking on both ends of the spectrum. That's for sure.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
As if
As if it isn't hard enough finding a swimming suit when you're not pregnant, maternity suits are HORRIBLE to look for. This afternoon with Logan in tow, we went all over town looking for a swimming suit for me because it's finally nice enough to start hanging out by the pool. I was hoping I would find one today so we could go swimming before Logan's nap, but that wasn't happening.
I tried a few different stores, one had absolutely nothing for pregnant women & their plus size suits would have never fit me (I don't know why I thought that might be an option), the other had 3 different styles for maternity wear & I tried on larger sizes of a regular cut tankini (not long enough). By the end of the afternoon I was disappointed & thoroughly discouraged. I'm going to have to drive to the next town over to look & see what they have. UGH.
The silver lining of today was that Logan was a PERFECT shopping companion. His behavior has been fantastic over the last couple of days with very little screaming & temper tantrums. It's been awesome! So, while there was a little whining here & there - we did have to leave one store (but we were leaving anyway) & this was the most mild of tantrums - he just wanted to sit on time out to take a break, it was very tolerable & under control. His manners were spot on, saying please & thank you. I almost wondered if he had been abducted by aliens during the night. He enjoyed shopping with me & picking out his new car for being good & I certainly enjoyed being with a super cute, nice, well-behaved little guy.
As if it isn't hard enough finding a swimming suit when you're not pregnant, maternity suits are HORRIBLE to look for. This afternoon with Logan in tow, we went all over town looking for a swimming suit for me because it's finally nice enough to start hanging out by the pool. I was hoping I would find one today so we could go swimming before Logan's nap, but that wasn't happening.
I tried a few different stores, one had absolutely nothing for pregnant women & their plus size suits would have never fit me (I don't know why I thought that might be an option), the other had 3 different styles for maternity wear & I tried on larger sizes of a regular cut tankini (not long enough). By the end of the afternoon I was disappointed & thoroughly discouraged. I'm going to have to drive to the next town over to look & see what they have. UGH.
The silver lining of today was that Logan was a PERFECT shopping companion. His behavior has been fantastic over the last couple of days with very little screaming & temper tantrums. It's been awesome! So, while there was a little whining here & there - we did have to leave one store (but we were leaving anyway) & this was the most mild of tantrums - he just wanted to sit on time out to take a break, it was very tolerable & under control. His manners were spot on, saying please & thank you. I almost wondered if he had been abducted by aliens during the night. He enjoyed shopping with me & picking out his new car for being good & I certainly enjoyed being with a super cute, nice, well-behaved little guy.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Turn that frown upside down
This afternoon after Logan woke up from his nap he ran outside to play, chase Buddha (who has lost a considerable amount of weight & no longer fits the "land walrus" nick-name), eat snacks & scream as loud as he could. We've been having a lot of stormy weather lately & not too long after he had gone out, thunder started rolling.
"Scared! Scared!", Logan came whimpering inside. I don't know where he got this, if it's innate to be scared of thunder or if it was something he learned in school, but it seemed like a learned reaction more so than a genuine fear. I reassured him that it would be OK, telling him it was just thunder & lightning. Boy, when he heard "lightning", everything changed - thanks to his Cars obsession, especially anything "Lightning McQueen" related.
So, we've been sitting on the couch watching some cartoons (because it's now too crappy to play outside) & every time lighting strikes & thunder rolls, he smiles a big smile & looks outside. This was an easy fear to conquer.
This afternoon after Logan woke up from his nap he ran outside to play, chase Buddha (who has lost a considerable amount of weight & no longer fits the "land walrus" nick-name), eat snacks & scream as loud as he could. We've been having a lot of stormy weather lately & not too long after he had gone out, thunder started rolling.
"Scared! Scared!", Logan came whimpering inside. I don't know where he got this, if it's innate to be scared of thunder or if it was something he learned in school, but it seemed like a learned reaction more so than a genuine fear. I reassured him that it would be OK, telling him it was just thunder & lightning. Boy, when he heard "lightning", everything changed - thanks to his Cars obsession, especially anything "Lightning McQueen" related.
So, we've been sitting on the couch watching some cartoons (because it's now too crappy to play outside) & every time lighting strikes & thunder rolls, he smiles a big smile & looks outside. This was an easy fear to conquer.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
It's just odd
You know what's strange? Hearing your kid refer to you by your first name. It's just odd. Bill was cooking dinner while I was upstairs cleaning Logan's bathroom. He had a question about the rice or something like that & was yelling my name up the stairs. Logan was right beside him yelling "Krisin! Krisin!" We laughed about it for a while, but Logan kept repeating it for the rest of the night. He was having a serious conversation on Bill's cell phone (with the key pad locked) about something - Cars underwear was mentioned - & he kept acting like he was talking to me, referring to me by my first name. After a while, it started to feel wrong. Bill piped up saying, "he is not going to refer to me as 'Bill' - ever".
This isn't all bad though because it is important for him to know our names other than "Mommy" & "Daddy". God forbid he ever needs help from someone, a police office, fireman, etc, & they ask him what our names are. I don't think mommy & daddy are going to cut it in that situation.
I'll have to get this on video in the next few days. He's been referring to himself as "Logan" occasionally & even tried to say "Bill" even though it sounds kind of weird. He's really been talking up a storm lately & I absolutely HAVE to get this recorded for many laughs when Logan is older.
You know what's strange? Hearing your kid refer to you by your first name. It's just odd. Bill was cooking dinner while I was upstairs cleaning Logan's bathroom. He had a question about the rice or something like that & was yelling my name up the stairs. Logan was right beside him yelling "Krisin! Krisin!" We laughed about it for a while, but Logan kept repeating it for the rest of the night. He was having a serious conversation on Bill's cell phone (with the key pad locked) about something - Cars underwear was mentioned - & he kept acting like he was talking to me, referring to me by my first name. After a while, it started to feel wrong. Bill piped up saying, "he is not going to refer to me as 'Bill' - ever".
This isn't all bad though because it is important for him to know our names other than "Mommy" & "Daddy". God forbid he ever needs help from someone, a police office, fireman, etc, & they ask him what our names are. I don't think mommy & daddy are going to cut it in that situation.
I'll have to get this on video in the next few days. He's been referring to himself as "Logan" occasionally & even tried to say "Bill" even though it sounds kind of weird. He's really been talking up a storm lately & I absolutely HAVE to get this recorded for many laughs when Logan is older.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Day 1
Well, this is going swimmingly. Swimmingly in pee, that is. While Logan is excited to use the potty & actually sits there for a short while (reading magazines, just like Dad!) he has yet to actually pee in the potty. I would ask him if he needed to use the potty about every 30 minutes & he would sit on there. After nothing happening, I would get him off & he would go play. A few minutes later, we would come waddling back in, whimpering about his wet pants & pee in his shoes.
We ran out of underwear & resorted to naked time.
That didn't help too much either. He still peed puddles on the floor. Granted, the good news was that he either peed himself while outside or while standing on the hardwood floors, thankfully saving our carpets & furniture, but he never told me that he had to go when he really had to go. He would just tell me at random times.
So, I'm not sure how this is working out.
It is only the first day & we decided that since the weather was crappy & we had no clean underwear for him (we really need to go buy a huge pack of Cars underwear rather than just two pair), it was back to diapers until us parents were better prepared. I'm going to make a trip to the store tomorrow for a bulk set of underwear & start looking for the "potty training in a day" & other potty training books recommended by some of the playgroup moms. We don't have any real plans for tomorrow, so we'll try again.
Another good sign is that while Logan really doesn't like wet pants (or pee on his leg), he is still enthusiastic about using the potty & keeps trying. He's been asking me about it all day today (still nothing going on other than asking). As long as it's something that he's asking me for rather than me telling him he has to do, I think we'll have a good shot at this. I just hope he's physically ready for it.
Well, this is going swimmingly. Swimmingly in pee, that is. While Logan is excited to use the potty & actually sits there for a short while (reading magazines, just like Dad!) he has yet to actually pee in the potty. I would ask him if he needed to use the potty about every 30 minutes & he would sit on there. After nothing happening, I would get him off & he would go play. A few minutes later, we would come waddling back in, whimpering about his wet pants & pee in his shoes.
We ran out of underwear & resorted to naked time.
That didn't help too much either. He still peed puddles on the floor. Granted, the good news was that he either peed himself while outside or while standing on the hardwood floors, thankfully saving our carpets & furniture, but he never told me that he had to go when he really had to go. He would just tell me at random times.
So, I'm not sure how this is working out.
It is only the first day & we decided that since the weather was crappy & we had no clean underwear for him (we really need to go buy a huge pack of Cars underwear rather than just two pair), it was back to diapers until us parents were better prepared. I'm going to make a trip to the store tomorrow for a bulk set of underwear & start looking for the "potty training in a day" & other potty training books recommended by some of the playgroup moms. We don't have any real plans for tomorrow, so we'll try again.
Another good sign is that while Logan really doesn't like wet pants (or pee on his leg), he is still enthusiastic about using the potty & keeps trying. He's been asking me about it all day today (still nothing going on other than asking). As long as it's something that he's asking me for rather than me telling him he has to do, I think we'll have a good shot at this. I just hope he's physically ready for it.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Today's the day!
We are officially starting potty training. Last weekend we bought Logan some Cars underwear & a couple of padded potty seats (we decided we didn't like the small potty seats for cleaning reasons & they didn't seem to fit Logan anyway). I didn't push the issue, but he wanted to try out the potty a few times. He had fun sitting on there even though nothing "productive" happened. All week long he would tell me he needed to go potty, so we would go & get him on here. Again, nothing happened, but I was happy with the fact that he was telling us he wanted to use it.
Well, we have a long weekend & a two week break from school. On top of that, Logan's been asking to use the potty on a regular basis. It's pretty clear that he's ready. This morning I told him he was wearing his Cars underwear & not a diaper, so he needed to tell me when he had to go potty. He was excited & ran outside to play. Just as I was about to go out & ask him if he needed to go potty, he comes waddling in, "Pee! Pee! Pee in pants!" I sat him on the potty while I changed his shorts & underwear, wiping him down & cleaning his shoes (sandals, really). Again, I told him that he was wearing underwear & needed to go pee in the potty. He seemed pretty bothered that he wet his pants, so hopefully this is a good sign.
At first, I wasn't holding my breath that this would work out too well. But now, with his continued interest, I think it just might. It's easier since he's the one telling me he has to go & we're not involved in some kind of power struggle (which I thought potty training would bring out). As great as it would be to not have to change anymore diapers until Carter is born, I'm not in any rush. I think this helps a whole lot too.
So, here we go! Or, um - he here goes!
We are officially starting potty training. Last weekend we bought Logan some Cars underwear & a couple of padded potty seats (we decided we didn't like the small potty seats for cleaning reasons & they didn't seem to fit Logan anyway). I didn't push the issue, but he wanted to try out the potty a few times. He had fun sitting on there even though nothing "productive" happened. All week long he would tell me he needed to go potty, so we would go & get him on here. Again, nothing happened, but I was happy with the fact that he was telling us he wanted to use it.
Well, we have a long weekend & a two week break from school. On top of that, Logan's been asking to use the potty on a regular basis. It's pretty clear that he's ready. This morning I told him he was wearing his Cars underwear & not a diaper, so he needed to tell me when he had to go potty. He was excited & ran outside to play. Just as I was about to go out & ask him if he needed to go potty, he comes waddling in, "Pee! Pee! Pee in pants!" I sat him on the potty while I changed his shorts & underwear, wiping him down & cleaning his shoes (sandals, really). Again, I told him that he was wearing underwear & needed to go pee in the potty. He seemed pretty bothered that he wet his pants, so hopefully this is a good sign.
At first, I wasn't holding my breath that this would work out too well. But now, with his continued interest, I think it just might. It's easier since he's the one telling me he has to go & we're not involved in some kind of power struggle (which I thought potty training would bring out). As great as it would be to not have to change anymore diapers until Carter is born, I'm not in any rush. I think this helps a whole lot too.
So, here we go! Or, um - he here goes!
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