We rang in the New Year quietly this year with a meal of traditional chinese New Year lettuce wraps for dinner, followed by an evening out to see James Bond in the theatre. We were home at 11:00 p.m. and asleep well before midnight (are we losers or what?).
Amma flew home yesterday after a week-long visit. I miss her already! Not only did hubby and I go on three real dates (including to our favourite restaurant) while she was here, every time we came home the house had been tidied and the kitchen cleaned. She helped with the cooking and the shopping. And, after a particularly rough night with baby boy that included a full pajama and sheet change, she sent me up for a long afternoon nap while she kept the little guy entertained.
Whenever she comes to visit it reinforces how important it is to get out once in awhile. My New Year's resolution is to hire a babysitter every couple of weeks so that hubby and I can have a date night.
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A few highlights of our holidays thus far:
- On Christmas night we took turns making toasts. When someone asked the little guy what he would like to toast he said he wanted to toast "to all of the drinks." Who wouldn't drink to that!
-Since becoming parents we've started new Christmas traditions. The big one being that we do not travel at this busy time of year. The airports are too busy, the roads are too icy and the stress too great. For the second year in a row, Amma spent Christmas with us -- a new tradition that the little guy will come to cherish, I'm sure.
We now put up a tree each year, to his delight. And this year, for the first time, we introduced a stocking (which Santa filled with five or six small gifts). Under the tree there was one big gift from Santa - a giant garbage truck with all the bells and whistles (including recycling!). There were also a couple of smaller presents, mostly books and puzzles. And of course he received lots of toys from members of our extended family. Although I was really tempted to go overboard with toy buying this year, I am really glad I restrained myself. He loved everything he received and Christmas was just the right size.
- The little guy and daddy built the coolest rocket ship ever out of a wrapping paper tube (photo to come). It has fire coming out the end, racing stripes, and astronauts seated inside. He's played with that rocket ship more than any of him Christmas presents combined. Priceless!
As an aside:
When we asked him what he wanted to do the other day he said he wanted to see rockets. So we took him to the museum where they have a huge outer space travel display, including a little rocket ship you can climb and play in. He was in heaven!
- The underwear is slowly but surely replacing the diaper, although we have had our fair share of setbacks. Sometimes we can get him to do number 2 on the toilet but other times he is so overcome with anxiety that we have to give him a diaper. I'm not sure what the best strategy is, other than to keep up the positive reinforcement. I don't want to push him too hard because I know that can backfire leaving us at square one again. Any suggestions?????
Friday, January 02, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down
If only a spoonful of sugar was all that it took. Giving the little guy antibiotics three times a day is nothing short of hell. It usually takes us a good 30 to 40 minutes for each dose to get the liquid down his throat. Often, all or most of it is spat out or dumped. We have to continue this routine for TEN days (shoot me now!).
We've threatened to take him back to the doctor. We've tried mixing the meds in with food and drink. We've bribed him with treats. We've temporarily taken away his toys and his teetee. We've tried negotiating, reasoning, begging and pleading. His unfaltering pig-headedness makes him immune to all of these ploys. Sometimes he leaves us no choice but to hold him down, plug his nose, and squirt the meds into him mouth.
Today the situation improved slightly. We discovered that he will sort of tolerate the antibiotics if they are mixed in with orange juice. I let him do activities on Starfall while we administer the medication. He can't advance to a new screen or start a new activity until he takes a big swig. This method seems to be working and it is only taking us 10 or 15 minutes per dose.
I'm really hoping that the antibiotics work because I don't think we could survive a second round.
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We've had some amazing toilet training success in the last week. He's barely had any wet diapers. Our strategy is to put him in underwear all of the time. If he wants a diaper when we go out he has to wear a pull-up on top of his underwear (to make him notice any accident).
In the last couple of days he's done three or four poops on the toilet. He's also been initiating going to the potty or toilet without being prompted.
When we are out in public he is still reluctant to use the toilet. Even so, we've been carting around his portable toilet seat so that it's there if he needs it. I'm hoping that he won't fall back to his old ways once he's back at daycare....
Positive reinforcement is really paying off. Heck, he's even starting to use it himself. Yesterday when we went to the farm one of the horses took a giant pee in the stable. The little guy watched in amazement. When the horse was done he said to the horse enthusiastically, "Good job!"
We've threatened to take him back to the doctor. We've tried mixing the meds in with food and drink. We've bribed him with treats. We've temporarily taken away his toys and his teetee. We've tried negotiating, reasoning, begging and pleading. His unfaltering pig-headedness makes him immune to all of these ploys. Sometimes he leaves us no choice but to hold him down, plug his nose, and squirt the meds into him mouth.
Today the situation improved slightly. We discovered that he will sort of tolerate the antibiotics if they are mixed in with orange juice. I let him do activities on Starfall while we administer the medication. He can't advance to a new screen or start a new activity until he takes a big swig. This method seems to be working and it is only taking us 10 or 15 minutes per dose.
I'm really hoping that the antibiotics work because I don't think we could survive a second round.
********************
We've had some amazing toilet training success in the last week. He's barely had any wet diapers. Our strategy is to put him in underwear all of the time. If he wants a diaper when we go out he has to wear a pull-up on top of his underwear (to make him notice any accident).
In the last couple of days he's done three or four poops on the toilet. He's also been initiating going to the potty or toilet without being prompted.
When we are out in public he is still reluctant to use the toilet. Even so, we've been carting around his portable toilet seat so that it's there if he needs it. I'm hoping that he won't fall back to his old ways once he's back at daycare....
Positive reinforcement is really paying off. Heck, he's even starting to use it himself. Yesterday when we went to the farm one of the horses took a giant pee in the stable. The little guy watched in amazement. When the horse was done he said to the horse enthusiastically, "Good job!"
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Unfortunately our holiday season is off to a rough start. The little guy had a cold that started off harmlessly enough, but then turned rather ugly. For the past two days he's had a low-grade fever and has been pretty lethargic. This morning I noticed blood in his ear and immediately suspected an ear infection.
We took him to the urgent care walk-in first thing this morning and to our surprise there was barely anyone in the waiting room. Then, the triage nurse took one look at his grayish complexion and let us cut right to the front of the line (thank you!). It turns out the little guy has a ruptured eardrum. We were amazed that he didn't tell us his ear was sore because it is very painful right before it ruptures (sorry if I'm making anyone queasy). He did tell us a few times that his head was sore but he was pointing at his forehead. The doctor said that this is very common with toddlers because they have a difficult time explaining what kind of pain they are experiencing. The little guy is now on some heavy duty antibiotics for the next ten days and the doctor says that he should start feeling much better soon (hopefully in time for Christmas morning???).
Our plan was to have a quiet roast beef dinner tonight to celebrate Christmas Eve. But we've decided that we are going to postpone it until Boxing Day. Amma arrives at 11:00 tonight, so we thought it would be nice to include her in the feast. Also, given the little guy's medical condition, what we really need is a hassle free night. We'll save our strength for tomorrow's festivities. After we open gifts, we are going to make a nice brunch. And then, in the evening, we are going to KM and KSH's house for dinner.
Merry Christmas everyone!
We took him to the urgent care walk-in first thing this morning and to our surprise there was barely anyone in the waiting room. Then, the triage nurse took one look at his grayish complexion and let us cut right to the front of the line (thank you!). It turns out the little guy has a ruptured eardrum. We were amazed that he didn't tell us his ear was sore because it is very painful right before it ruptures (sorry if I'm making anyone queasy). He did tell us a few times that his head was sore but he was pointing at his forehead. The doctor said that this is very common with toddlers because they have a difficult time explaining what kind of pain they are experiencing. The little guy is now on some heavy duty antibiotics for the next ten days and the doctor says that he should start feeling much better soon (hopefully in time for Christmas morning???).
Our plan was to have a quiet roast beef dinner tonight to celebrate Christmas Eve. But we've decided that we are going to postpone it until Boxing Day. Amma arrives at 11:00 tonight, so we thought it would be nice to include her in the feast. Also, given the little guy's medical condition, what we really need is a hassle free night. We'll save our strength for tomorrow's festivities. After we open gifts, we are going to make a nice brunch. And then, in the evening, we are going to KM and KSH's house for dinner.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Chappy happy!
This morning the little guy was singing at the top of his lungs, "Frosty the snowman was a chappy, happy soul!"
I kind of like his version.
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We bought a Charlie Brown tree today for $20. Baby boy was, of course, thrilled. Hopefully the tree won't topple over because of how heavily weighted down the bottom half is with decorations (in some spots three layers deep!).
I kind of like his version.
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We bought a Charlie Brown tree today for $20. Baby boy was, of course, thrilled. Hopefully the tree won't topple over because of how heavily weighted down the bottom half is with decorations (in some spots three layers deep!).
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Funny tidbits
The other day Baby Boy was reminiscing about his recent visit to the doctor's office.
"Did we go to the doctor for a ketchup?" he asked. :-)
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Every weekday morning Baby Boy watches me make lunches for the workday. He's kind of fascinated with the idea of packing a lunch and likes to pretend that he needs one too. Often times I'll find oranges and apples tucked away in his knapsack. And sometimes when I'm preparing lunches I turn my back for a second and a bag of vegetables has mysteriously gone missing.
The other day he yelled, "Bye, I'm going to work. I brought my lunch!" He was trotting away with a carton of cherry tomatoes with a slice of bread smushed inside.
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This morning he was busy playing in the sink with "his guys." His guys are what he calls his sharks, dolphin and whale bathtub toys. At one point he ran into the living room to tell me that he was doing some cooking and asked if I wanted to come see. "Sure," I said. When I got to the sink he showed me his hardboiled eggs (he'd filled a little pot with water and was floating to white egg cups inside) and his cedar plank salmon (a dish sponge on a cutting board). He proceeded to smear the salmon with sauce (bubbles and water).
Underneath his on which he was standing was his teetee (blankie arranges in a little ball) with a stuffed frog sitting on top. He told me that he frog with sitting in the pond and to be careful not to step in the water.
What an imagination!
"Did we go to the doctor for a ketchup?" he asked. :-)
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Every weekday morning Baby Boy watches me make lunches for the workday. He's kind of fascinated with the idea of packing a lunch and likes to pretend that he needs one too. Often times I'll find oranges and apples tucked away in his knapsack. And sometimes when I'm preparing lunches I turn my back for a second and a bag of vegetables has mysteriously gone missing.
The other day he yelled, "Bye, I'm going to work. I brought my lunch!" He was trotting away with a carton of cherry tomatoes with a slice of bread smushed inside.
*********************
This morning he was busy playing in the sink with "his guys." His guys are what he calls his sharks, dolphin and whale bathtub toys. At one point he ran into the living room to tell me that he was doing some cooking and asked if I wanted to come see. "Sure," I said. When I got to the sink he showed me his hardboiled eggs (he'd filled a little pot with water and was floating to white egg cups inside) and his cedar plank salmon (a dish sponge on a cutting board). He proceeded to smear the salmon with sauce (bubbles and water).
Underneath his on which he was standing was his teetee (blankie arranges in a little ball) with a stuffed frog sitting on top. He told me that he frog with sitting in the pond and to be careful not to step in the water.
What an imagination!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Snow day!
Today we had so much snow that I had no choice but to pick up the little guy in the toboggan. He loved it! I did not. My arms are still burning from pulling him up those steep hills. Tomorrow there is supposed to be another huge mess of snow, so I guess I'll be getting my exercise!
When the weather started getting colder in the last week, we started insisting that the little guy wear his snowsuit. He didn't like this idea on bit until daddy told him it was like an astronaut suit. Apparently being an astronaut is cool! Every time he puts it on he brags that his astronaut suit is blue and that other astronauts get to wear white. Hey, whatever works!
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What is it with all of the illnesses? I just got over three nasty colds in a row, with maybe two days of respite in between. Frankly it's embarrassing. Everyone at work must think I'm really sickly (I guess I am sickly now that I have a toddler in nursery school).
Just when I thought the worst was over, I got a stomach bug. It's not serious enough for me to stay home from work, but bad enough to make me feel like crap pretty much all day.
Oh the joys of winter!
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Some quick highlights:
- The little guy is really getting into 30 piece puzzles. He's able to put them together all by himself with little or no guidance.
- We got him some new skates and a helmet on the weekend. Can't wait to try them out!
- I accidentally let him fall asleep watching teletoon about a week ago. Ever since, he begs me every night to watch the "bunny show" (Bugs Bunny)
- He's become quite the chef. Our pots and pans are always full of apples, oranges, lemons and other assorted fruit that he nabs from the fruit basket.
- We bought some sprinkles to make "rainbow" pancakes a few weeks ago. Now he thinks that sprinkles should go on everything, including his morning oatmeal. I think I should start pouring them on the foods we can't get him to eat. It might just work!
When the weather started getting colder in the last week, we started insisting that the little guy wear his snowsuit. He didn't like this idea on bit until daddy told him it was like an astronaut suit. Apparently being an astronaut is cool! Every time he puts it on he brags that his astronaut suit is blue and that other astronauts get to wear white. Hey, whatever works!
***********************************
What is it with all of the illnesses? I just got over three nasty colds in a row, with maybe two days of respite in between. Frankly it's embarrassing. Everyone at work must think I'm really sickly (I guess I am sickly now that I have a toddler in nursery school).
Just when I thought the worst was over, I got a stomach bug. It's not serious enough for me to stay home from work, but bad enough to make me feel like crap pretty much all day.
Oh the joys of winter!
**********************************
Some quick highlights:
- The little guy is really getting into 30 piece puzzles. He's able to put them together all by himself with little or no guidance.
- We got him some new skates and a helmet on the weekend. Can't wait to try them out!
- I accidentally let him fall asleep watching teletoon about a week ago. Ever since, he begs me every night to watch the "bunny show" (Bugs Bunny)
- He's become quite the chef. Our pots and pans are always full of apples, oranges, lemons and other assorted fruit that he nabs from the fruit basket.
- We bought some sprinkles to make "rainbow" pancakes a few weeks ago. Now he thinks that sprinkles should go on everything, including his morning oatmeal. I think I should start pouring them on the foods we can't get him to eat. It might just work!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Another first!
Tonight we decided to take the little guy to the movie theatre for the first time to see Madagascar 2. We predicted one of the following two scenarios:
1. He'd be totally freaked out and we would have to leave after 5 minutes
2. He'd totally LOVE the movie and want to stay at the theatre all night
Thankfully he went with scenario 2. It didn't even bother him that his chair kept on trying to swallow him up! Throughout the movie he had a giant grin on his face. At one point he turned to daddy and said, "After this one, can we watch another movie?"
The whole "you have to be quiet in the theatre" message was lost on him. We had to hush him several times during the movie when he cried out, "What's he doing mom?" or "Look, there's a flamingo!" or "Is that a television?" or "Can I have some more chocolate?" Luckily there were only a handful of other people in the theatre and they were sitting really far away from us.
I'm looking forward to more nights out at the movies. Even if they are all rated "G."
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In other news....
Today was baby boy's annual visit to the doctor. He's in the 25th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height. Long and lean, just like all of the other kids in the family. Fully clothed, he only weighed 30 lbs. The doctor said that there was no reason for concern and to keep giving him Homo milk.
After a lot of research and discussion we decided to opt out of the flu shot. Neither of us fall into the high risk category, and frankly there isn't a lot of scientific evidence out there to show that the flu shot is effective in protecting people against the flu. The doctor took the opportunity to remind me (or guilt me) by saying that young children die every year from the flu. I guess he's just doing his job...And as parents we're just doing our job too by not exposing our son to unnecessary injections.
1. He'd be totally freaked out and we would have to leave after 5 minutes
2. He'd totally LOVE the movie and want to stay at the theatre all night
Thankfully he went with scenario 2. It didn't even bother him that his chair kept on trying to swallow him up! Throughout the movie he had a giant grin on his face. At one point he turned to daddy and said, "After this one, can we watch another movie?"
The whole "you have to be quiet in the theatre" message was lost on him. We had to hush him several times during the movie when he cried out, "What's he doing mom?" or "Look, there's a flamingo!" or "Is that a television?" or "Can I have some more chocolate?" Luckily there were only a handful of other people in the theatre and they were sitting really far away from us.
I'm looking forward to more nights out at the movies. Even if they are all rated "G."
***************************
In other news....
Today was baby boy's annual visit to the doctor. He's in the 25th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height. Long and lean, just like all of the other kids in the family. Fully clothed, he only weighed 30 lbs. The doctor said that there was no reason for concern and to keep giving him Homo milk.
After a lot of research and discussion we decided to opt out of the flu shot. Neither of us fall into the high risk category, and frankly there isn't a lot of scientific evidence out there to show that the flu shot is effective in protecting people against the flu. The doctor took the opportunity to remind me (or guilt me) by saying that young children die every year from the flu. I guess he's just doing his job...And as parents we're just doing our job too by not exposing our son to unnecessary injections.
Monday, December 01, 2008
We've survived the terrible twos!
It's official. Baby boy is three years old! To mark his big day we had his first ever birthday party with friends yesterday. We kept the event nice and small -- just a few kids, some pizza and cake. There were no organized games or loot bags. The idea was to just let the kids run around and play.
In the morning, baby boy was absolutely beside himself with excitement. When the first guests arrived at the door he was actually shaking in anticipation. And of course they all came in the door carrying gifts! And there were not one, but TWO cakes in the kitchen including a chocolate one with rainbow sprinkles on it! Oh, and there were candles on the cakes! Plus his brand new backhoe that daddy gave him was sitting on the coffee table waiting to be shown off! (am I doing a good job of capturing the excitement that was in the air?)
Other than a few turf wars over toys and a broken juice glass, the party was a smashing success (a noisy, exhausting success). Afterwards we all slept for two hours.
In the evening we went to KM and KSH's house for dinner and helped decorate their Christmas tree. Baby boy was in heaven because he got to hang all of the non-breakable ornaments on the tree. I wish I had taken a picture. It was so cute! All of the bottom branches that he could reach are three layers deep in decorations. He was so pleased with himself and his decorating job!
In the morning, baby boy was absolutely beside himself with excitement. When the first guests arrived at the door he was actually shaking in anticipation. And of course they all came in the door carrying gifts! And there were not one, but TWO cakes in the kitchen including a chocolate one with rainbow sprinkles on it! Oh, and there were candles on the cakes! Plus his brand new backhoe that daddy gave him was sitting on the coffee table waiting to be shown off! (am I doing a good job of capturing the excitement that was in the air?)
Other than a few turf wars over toys and a broken juice glass, the party was a smashing success (a noisy, exhausting success). Afterwards we all slept for two hours.
In the evening we went to KM and KSH's house for dinner and helped decorate their Christmas tree. Baby boy was in heaven because he got to hang all of the non-breakable ornaments on the tree. I wish I had taken a picture. It was so cute! All of the bottom branches that he could reach are three layers deep in decorations. He was so pleased with himself and his decorating job!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A born vegetarian
Getting the little guy to eat meat has been a struggle since he was a baby (with the exception of steak on the bone). Daddy was trying to get him to provide some details
about what he had for lunch. When no details were offered up, he teasingly asked, "Did you have a monkey for lunch?"
"No," baby boy replied with a little grin on his face.
"How about a squirrel?"
(big grin) "No."
"I know, you had a horse for lunch."
"No Daddy. Animals are for looking at, not for eating."
Spoken like a true vegetarian!
about what he had for lunch. When no details were offered up, he teasingly asked, "Did you have a monkey for lunch?"
"No," baby boy replied with a little grin on his face.
"How about a squirrel?"
(big grin) "No."
"I know, you had a horse for lunch."
"No Daddy. Animals are for looking at, not for eating."
Spoken like a true vegetarian!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
First snow
Tonight we were walking down the street and it began to snow (sorry for using that 4 letter "s" word). Baby boy was mesmerized. "Look," he cried, pointing at the sky. "Look at all of the corn flakes."
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It was his worst nightmare. Today, teetee (his blanket) went missing from daycare. His caregiver tore up her whole house looking for it. She sent her husband outside to search the yard. When one of the other moms arrived early today to pick up her daughter, she also joined the hunt and actually drove up and down the streets that they had taken on an earlier walk to see if teetee was lying on the ground somewhere. They all searched and searched but teetee was nowhere to be found.
All the while that this was going on, the little guy sat quietly and bravely on the couch with a look of concern painted across his face. Just as the search was about to be called off, he had an "aha moment."
"The truck!" he yelled and ran across the room. And sure enough, there was teetee, stuffed into the back of a toy semi-trailer, safe and sound.
I think it's incredible the lengths to which others went today for the sake of a blanket. Thank you everyone! And especially thank you to AG who kindly offered her blankie to baby boy during the crisis. What a little sweetheart!
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A lot of people have sent me emails about my last post. Thank you so much for your support! You'll be glad to know that the worst is over. Bedtime went smoothly last night and tonight. The doorknob cover seems to have done the trick. We leave the door open a crack on request, but let him know that it will be shut if there are any escape attempts!
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It was his worst nightmare. Today, teetee (his blanket) went missing from daycare. His caregiver tore up her whole house looking for it. She sent her husband outside to search the yard. When one of the other moms arrived early today to pick up her daughter, she also joined the hunt and actually drove up and down the streets that they had taken on an earlier walk to see if teetee was lying on the ground somewhere. They all searched and searched but teetee was nowhere to be found.
All the while that this was going on, the little guy sat quietly and bravely on the couch with a look of concern painted across his face. Just as the search was about to be called off, he had an "aha moment."
"The truck!" he yelled and ran across the room. And sure enough, there was teetee, stuffed into the back of a toy semi-trailer, safe and sound.
I think it's incredible the lengths to which others went today for the sake of a blanket. Thank you everyone! And especially thank you to AG who kindly offered her blankie to baby boy during the crisis. What a little sweetheart!
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A lot of people have sent me emails about my last post. Thank you so much for your support! You'll be glad to know that the worst is over. Bedtime went smoothly last night and tonight. The doorknob cover seems to have done the trick. We leave the door open a crack on request, but let him know that it will be shut if there are any escape attempts!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
My week from hell
Or maybe I should say my last three or four weeks from hell. Baby boy has been bossy, whiny, and pigheaded. And he refuses to listen to me. When he acts up and I try to talk to him, he laughs at me, swats at me, runs away, created even more havoc etc....Some days I feel like I'm the biggest failure of a mother in the world. Last night, for example. I was hosting my book club, so I put on a movie for the little guy thinking that if he wasn't asleep, at least he would be entertained enough to stay in bed. Wrong!
He repeatedly escaped from the bedroom and sneaked downstairs. In the process he caught his second wind and went completely wild (I'm talking swinging from the trees jungle wild) in front of my friends. Eventually his constant party crashing resulted in the book club ending early so that I could go tame my tiger. I was so embarrassed. Even after my guests left I couldn't get him settled. It was like he had just downed a 2 litre bottle of coca cola or something. I tried laying in the bed with him. Within seconds I became a human trampoline. So I left the room. Not 15 seconds later, the door was open again and baby boy was streaking back and forth down the hallway yelling and throwing stuff. My mounting frustration just added fuel to his fire. He knew he was "winning" and became even more obnoxious. So I decided enough was enough. I told him if he left the room again, I was going to lock the door. He didn't listen so I slapped on one of the baby proofing door nob covers. On my way out of the room I said, "Mommy told you if you opened the door again I was going to lock it. I guess you weren't listening."
After much wailing and a couple of visits from daddy, he finally fell asleep at around 10:45 (normally he's sleeping by 7:30) But I stayed away. I knew that if I went back in the room this was going to become a nightly struggle.
Tonight baby boy said, "Mommy, you leave the door open. I don't like the door locked." I said, "Okay, I'll leave the door open a crack. But if you leave the room I'm going to lock it again." Ten seconds later he opened the door and proceeded to climb down the stairs, while spitting over the side of the railing. So I put him back to bed and said, "Mommy is going to lock the door now. I told you not to leave the room and you didn't listen. (insert repeat of last night's wailing)
It's now after 10:00 and I can still hear him bumping around upstairs (but at least he's not wailing anymore).
Calgon, take me away!
He repeatedly escaped from the bedroom and sneaked downstairs. In the process he caught his second wind and went completely wild (I'm talking swinging from the trees jungle wild) in front of my friends. Eventually his constant party crashing resulted in the book club ending early so that I could go tame my tiger. I was so embarrassed. Even after my guests left I couldn't get him settled. It was like he had just downed a 2 litre bottle of coca cola or something. I tried laying in the bed with him. Within seconds I became a human trampoline. So I left the room. Not 15 seconds later, the door was open again and baby boy was streaking back and forth down the hallway yelling and throwing stuff. My mounting frustration just added fuel to his fire. He knew he was "winning" and became even more obnoxious. So I decided enough was enough. I told him if he left the room again, I was going to lock the door. He didn't listen so I slapped on one of the baby proofing door nob covers. On my way out of the room I said, "Mommy told you if you opened the door again I was going to lock it. I guess you weren't listening."
After much wailing and a couple of visits from daddy, he finally fell asleep at around 10:45 (normally he's sleeping by 7:30) But I stayed away. I knew that if I went back in the room this was going to become a nightly struggle.
Tonight baby boy said, "Mommy, you leave the door open. I don't like the door locked." I said, "Okay, I'll leave the door open a crack. But if you leave the room I'm going to lock it again." Ten seconds later he opened the door and proceeded to climb down the stairs, while spitting over the side of the railing. So I put him back to bed and said, "Mommy is going to lock the door now. I told you not to leave the room and you didn't listen. (insert repeat of last night's wailing)
It's now after 10:00 and I can still hear him bumping around upstairs (but at least he's not wailing anymore).
Calgon, take me away!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Just say yes
Apparently the word "no" isn't supposed to be in a mom's vocabulary. I hear this a lot: "Don't say no, Mommy. You can't say no. You have to say yes."
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The little guy is learning how to undress himself. Today he removed all of his clothes and announced proudly, "Look! I took off all my parts!"
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Our little potty enthusiast got a little overly enthusiastic the other day. He was showing off how he could carry his full potty to the bathroom to Grandma. Unfortunately he fumbled...Enough said.
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The little guy is learning how to undress himself. Today he removed all of his clothes and announced proudly, "Look! I took off all my parts!"
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Our little potty enthusiast got a little overly enthusiastic the other day. He was showing off how he could carry his full potty to the bathroom to Grandma. Unfortunately he fumbled...Enough said.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
All souped up
Today it was so foggy outside you could barely see 10 feet in front of you. Foolishly I decided to drive the little guy to daycare. On the way I exclaimed, "It's like driving through pea soup!"
A minute later he said, "Mom, are we driving through noodle soup?"
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He's getting really excited that Grandma is coming to visit this weekend. After daycare today I took him to the grocery store to stock up on some grandma essentials (apricots and coffee).
When I told the little guy that Grandma really likes apricots, he replied, "Can we go get Grandma and eat the apricots?"
"But Grandma lives in another city," I said.
"Why don't we go to the airport and bring Grandma the apricots?"
Great idea, but we may be waiting for a long time for her flight to arrive!
***********************
I feel like I'm a kid again. Somehow I got "voluntold" to make posters for the nursery school fundraising event (Trivia Night, November 22 for my friends who might be reading this. It's an adults only event with booze so I think you should come!). What was I saying???.....of yah, so I had to make posters. Freehand. Using markers. How I of all people (I was a straight C art student) got sucked into this I'll never know.
The posters are nothing to write home about, but I sure had fun making them. I even got out the scissors and the glue to make some little star bursts....Hopefully everyone will like them (or pretend to).
Did I mention that there is going to be a raffle with tons of cool prizes? What are you waiting for? Tell me you want to come and I'll sign you up!
A minute later he said, "Mom, are we driving through noodle soup?"
********************
He's getting really excited that Grandma is coming to visit this weekend. After daycare today I took him to the grocery store to stock up on some grandma essentials (apricots and coffee).
When I told the little guy that Grandma really likes apricots, he replied, "Can we go get Grandma and eat the apricots?"
"But Grandma lives in another city," I said.
"Why don't we go to the airport and bring Grandma the apricots?"
Great idea, but we may be waiting for a long time for her flight to arrive!
***********************
I feel like I'm a kid again. Somehow I got "voluntold" to make posters for the nursery school fundraising event (Trivia Night, November 22 for my friends who might be reading this. It's an adults only event with booze so I think you should come!). What was I saying???.....of yah, so I had to make posters. Freehand. Using markers. How I of all people (I was a straight C art student) got sucked into this I'll never know.
The posters are nothing to write home about, but I sure had fun making them. I even got out the scissors and the glue to make some little star bursts....Hopefully everyone will like them (or pretend to).
Did I mention that there is going to be a raffle with tons of cool prizes? What are you waiting for? Tell me you want to come and I'll sign you up!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The smell of moonlight
I was putting on hand cream tonight and the little guy said, "Mom, you smell like moonlight." I'm not sure what moonlight smells like, but I'll take it as a compliment.
**************************
Baby boy hollered down to us from bed tonight. Daddy went up to find out what was the matter. Here is a transcipt of their conversation:
Dad: What's going on?
Baby boy: I have a beaver (translation: fever) in my tummy.
Dad: You have a fever in your tummy?
Baby boy: Yah, my tummy kind of hurts.
Dad: Oh...
Baby boy: Becuase I'm not feeling very well.
Dad: You're not?
Baby boy: No, because I'm feeling kind of sad.
Dad: Why?
Baby boy: Because I want to watch a movie.
Dad: A movie?
Baby boy: Yah, I want to watch Dora.
The conversation then turned into an argument about Dora vs sleeping. Daddy eventually won and left the room.
***********************************
Daddy brought home a great big pumpkin for us to carve for Halloween. The little guy was beside himself with excitement.
"Are we going to carve the dunkin?" he asked.
Our "dunkin" turned out great and looks really spooky when lit up.
Afterwards we roasted the dunkin seeds and had a very tasty snack.
**************************
Baby boy hollered down to us from bed tonight. Daddy went up to find out what was the matter. Here is a transcipt of their conversation:
Dad: What's going on?
Baby boy: I have a beaver (translation: fever) in my tummy.
Dad: You have a fever in your tummy?
Baby boy: Yah, my tummy kind of hurts.
Dad: Oh...
Baby boy: Becuase I'm not feeling very well.
Dad: You're not?
Baby boy: No, because I'm feeling kind of sad.
Dad: Why?
Baby boy: Because I want to watch a movie.
Dad: A movie?
Baby boy: Yah, I want to watch Dora.
The conversation then turned into an argument about Dora vs sleeping. Daddy eventually won and left the room.
***********************************
Daddy brought home a great big pumpkin for us to carve for Halloween. The little guy was beside himself with excitement.
"Are we going to carve the dunkin?" he asked.
Our "dunkin" turned out great and looks really spooky when lit up.
Afterwards we roasted the dunkin seeds and had a very tasty snack.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Nuts to that!
Trying to reason with a toddler can sometimes be frustrating. Very, very frustrating. Sometimes I say things when I'm frustrated that come back to bite me in the butt. Things like, "You're driving me nuts!"
This morning the little guy threw the line back at me when I wouldn't cave in to a whiny request. Or, at least he tried to throw it back at me. He threw down his hand and yelled, "You're feeding me nuts!"
*********************
We thought that the little guy would enjoy watching the classic children's movie, Mary Poppins. Right before we played it for him, he asked, "Are we going to watch Lolly Poppins?"
This morning the little guy threw the line back at me when I wouldn't cave in to a whiny request. Or, at least he tried to throw it back at me. He threw down his hand and yelled, "You're feeding me nuts!"
*********************
We thought that the little guy would enjoy watching the classic children's movie, Mary Poppins. Right before we played it for him, he asked, "Are we going to watch Lolly Poppins?"
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The security blanket
"Teetee" is the little guy's beloved security blanket. It follows him wherever he goes. To him, it is a member of the family.
Lately we've been trying (not very successfully) to break his dependence on teetee. When we go out, teetee stays in the knapsack for the most part. He is comforted just knowing that it is near by, just in case. Most of the time he does just fine without it.
At nursery school, teetee stays in the knapsack in the coat room. When Daddy drops him off in the morning, he always reassures him that teetee is in the bag, safe and sound. Yesterday, as daddy was getting set to leave the classroom, baby boy ran over and stopped him.
"You leave the zipper open just a bit, Daddy?"
I guess a security blanket that's too securely out of reach can't really do its job.
**********************
I smile about this every single night. After the little guy gets out of the bathtub he streaks across the bedroom, opens the door and yells down the stairs, "You come upstairs please mommy?" or "You come upstairs please daddy?"
When we get the call, it means we're on goodnight hug and kiss duty.
**********************
While goofing around one day, daddy called the little guy a "Poohba." The little guy replied, "I'm not a poohba, I'm a goof-a-man."
:-)
Lately we've been trying (not very successfully) to break his dependence on teetee. When we go out, teetee stays in the knapsack for the most part. He is comforted just knowing that it is near by, just in case. Most of the time he does just fine without it.
At nursery school, teetee stays in the knapsack in the coat room. When Daddy drops him off in the morning, he always reassures him that teetee is in the bag, safe and sound. Yesterday, as daddy was getting set to leave the classroom, baby boy ran over and stopped him.
"You leave the zipper open just a bit, Daddy?"
I guess a security blanket that's too securely out of reach can't really do its job.
**********************
I smile about this every single night. After the little guy gets out of the bathtub he streaks across the bedroom, opens the door and yells down the stairs, "You come upstairs please mommy?" or "You come upstairs please daddy?"
When we get the call, it means we're on goodnight hug and kiss duty.
**********************
While goofing around one day, daddy called the little guy a "Poohba." The little guy replied, "I'm not a poohba, I'm a goof-a-man."
:-)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ten second update
Things have been pretty busy lately around here lately so here is a very quick update:
- Baby boy did two poohs on the potty this weekend. Voluntarily, with no prompting whatsoever!
- He's starting using expressions, like "That's not the only one in the world," and "I'm going to keep my eyes open." He also starts lots of his sentences with, "Actually, I would like to...."
- We went up to KM and KSH's cottage on the weekend and had a great day. The little guy did a lot of rock throwing into the lake and collecting branches for the campfire. While we were there he also befriended KM's parents and managed to keep them very busy with all of his goings on. Hubby and I could sat back and did absolutely nothing all day. Boy is it ever nice to do nothing sometimes!
- His preferred drink these days are either chocolate milk or orange juice "tinis." We shake up the milk or juice with ice cubes in our martini shaker. Then we serve the chilled beverage in a fancy glass with a piece of lime and a decorative stir stick.
- Baby boy did two poohs on the potty this weekend. Voluntarily, with no prompting whatsoever!
- He's starting using expressions, like "That's not the only one in the world," and "I'm going to keep my eyes open." He also starts lots of his sentences with, "Actually, I would like to...."
- We went up to KM and KSH's cottage on the weekend and had a great day. The little guy did a lot of rock throwing into the lake and collecting branches for the campfire. While we were there he also befriended KM's parents and managed to keep them very busy with all of his goings on. Hubby and I could sat back and did absolutely nothing all day. Boy is it ever nice to do nothing sometimes!
- His preferred drink these days are either chocolate milk or orange juice "tinis." We shake up the milk or juice with ice cubes in our martini shaker. Then we serve the chilled beverage in a fancy glass with a piece of lime and a decorative stir stick.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Being a toddler can be tough
Like for instance, today when we were walking to the butterfly exhibit. On the long trek from the parking lot to the building he came to a dead stop.
"I want picked up Daddy," he said.
We explained to him that he was getting too big to get carried. He shot us the saddest look I've ever seen. With a quivering lip and big sad eyes he said, "No, I'm not too big!!!" The look was enough to break anyone's heart.
Lately we've been having a lot of these sorts of conversations. One the one hand, he's proud of all of his big boy accomplishments (i.e. pulling himself up onto the play structure by himself, peeing into the toilet, taking off his own shoes, pulling his pants up and down, drinking juice out of a martini glass etc...).
On the other hand, being a baby has its advantages too (i.e. total lack of responsibility). Often he'll pretend he's a baby and ask to be carried, rocked and wrapped up in a blanket. And then he'll proclaim, "I'm not a big boy, I'm a baby."
I guess when it comes down to it, he'll always be my baby.
"I want picked up Daddy," he said.
We explained to him that he was getting too big to get carried. He shot us the saddest look I've ever seen. With a quivering lip and big sad eyes he said, "No, I'm not too big!!!" The look was enough to break anyone's heart.
Lately we've been having a lot of these sorts of conversations. One the one hand, he's proud of all of his big boy accomplishments (i.e. pulling himself up onto the play structure by himself, peeing into the toilet, taking off his own shoes, pulling his pants up and down, drinking juice out of a martini glass etc...).
On the other hand, being a baby has its advantages too (i.e. total lack of responsibility). Often he'll pretend he's a baby and ask to be carried, rocked and wrapped up in a blanket. And then he'll proclaim, "I'm not a big boy, I'm a baby."
I guess when it comes down to it, he'll always be my baby.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
I am a repository for gross stuff
In the last couple of weeks, baby boy has had a non-stop runny nose. And each time that he sloppily blows his nose, I somehow end up being the recipient of his moist kleenex. The same goes for half eaten food hunks and slimy banana peels. Sometimes he places his cast-offs directly into my hands. Sometimes they are thrown into my lap, as though being tossed into a waste bin. I'm constantly trying to redirect him to the garbage can.
I'm also a human rag sometimes. Apparently baby boy thinks I enjoy it when he smears sticky peanut butter hands all over my jeans. Or when he wipes snot all over my sleeve just as I'm about to leave for the office. Or when he takes his greasy fingers to the lenses of my glasses.
Some days I feel like I have a sign on my face that says, "Gross stuff goes here."
I'm also a human rag sometimes. Apparently baby boy thinks I enjoy it when he smears sticky peanut butter hands all over my jeans. Or when he wipes snot all over my sleeve just as I'm about to leave for the office. Or when he takes his greasy fingers to the lenses of my glasses.
Some days I feel like I have a sign on my face that says, "Gross stuff goes here."
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Positive reinforcement
Using positive reinforcement is helping a lot with the potty training. Baby boy absolutely glows when we say, "good job" or "I'm so proud of you" after he's made a successful trip to the potty.
The words of encouragement seemed to have rubbed off on him. The other day I took him into a public bathroom with me. I just about died of embarrassment when he exclaimed loudly, "Good job, mummy. You did a big pee pee!"
The words of encouragement seemed to have rubbed off on him. The other day I took him into a public bathroom with me. I just about died of embarrassment when he exclaimed loudly, "Good job, mummy. You did a big pee pee!"
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