Well, we survived Christmas! We were supposed to go visit Andy's parents, but the truck broke down shortly after we left. So, that was mostly bad news, but at least happened close to home. After 4 hours of packing, getting things ready, loading up the dogs, getting Brent just at the right time to take a nap, setting the cats up with supplies....we couldn't even think of doing it again in a few days, even if the truck was okay. We were so exhausted that we just came home and crashed.
But it was still a good Christmas. We made the rounds with a little stomach virus. First Brent, then me, then Andy...but it was nothing too terrible. And we were all blessed with gifts and time with loved ones. I still would like for Brent to see his other grandparents soon. He is at such a great age, and I want them to be a part of it.
Since he's been walking, things have just been crazy! He's everywhere, all the time. I don't think he ever ever stops and just relaxes. All evening he just paces the house until he physically can't stand up anymore. He carries toys, he runs down the hallway, he goes and visits Andy, he comes to see what I'm doing, he tries to climb in the tub, he unrolls the toilet paper, he stacks and restacks and restacks again the cans in the kitchen shelves. There is no end, and no beginning. When he gets thirsty, he goes in search of his cup. When he gets tired, he starts to fuss. When he wants read to, he brings me a book. When he wants his shoes, he brings them to me and throws them in my face. And you would think....with all this energy expended...that the LEAST he could do is sleep through the night.
(This is where I take a minute and laugh like a sleep deprived maniac)
Oh no...in fact...we're waking up MORE OFTEN! I didn't think it was possible, but I really shouldn't be surprised. And just when I thought I could handle anything, he starts yelling Mama, mama, mama, mama, mamamamamamamammm and on and on...with his little chubby arms stretched into the sky just waiting to be held...tears of anguish soaking his shirt because all he needs in the whole world is a hug. Yeah...I'm supposed to sleep through that??? So, when I can't stand it another second, I go and lay him back down and offer him some juice (which he throws back at me) and tell him it's time for night-night. And he sobs, knowing that means I'm leaving again. But at least he knows I haven't deserted him, and eventually after a couple times he will exhaust himself out and sleep. At least for a few hours anyway. Go ahead and judge me...I know I've created a monster. But you don't have to hear those cries. They break my heart...every time.
But I'm learning. The more he grows and the more we can communicate, the easier it gets for both of us. We've got a great year ahead of us. I can't wait to get started :)
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday so far. Happy New Year!!
12.30.2005
12.12.2005
Lil walkin' man
I know it's been a long time since I've written, though I've found time to post some pictures, at least.
Things have been great lately! Brent is officially 100% walking, and it's the most adorable thing he's done, if I had to pick one. He falls a lot, but mostly because he is trying to RUN already, though he's only been walking for about a week or so. Sometimes he'll try following me down the hallway, and I'll put my arms out. He'll get all excited and hurry to get to me. Then I lift him up and act like he's just won the olympics! His little face lights up like he's just the happiest kid in the world. And sometimes, I really think he might be.
Sure, we have our spats these days. The car rides are still a major hassle. I spend half the time trying to ignore his tantrums, and the other half saying "NO!" really sternly hoping to somehow communicate how completely annoying he's being. It doesn't really work though, so I go back to ignoring him, or turn the radio up and hope he screams himself to sleep. Sometimes he puts his arms out toward me so pitifully, as if I am the worlds cruelest mother for strapping him to that seat and refusing to pick him up. I guess until I can explain to him that I'm currently driving down the highway at 70 mph, we're stuck with this little routine.
But besides a few ripples, I couldn't ask for anything sweeter. And he's getting so smart, too! I was sitting in the living room yesterday while he was running around, and I asked him where Daddy was. He pointed down the hallway and said "Da-da". My boy! Or sometimes he'll saunter down the hall to find him. Or sometimes he just gets bored and wander off in search of better company. Who can blame him, really?
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. And I'll try to write more often.
Things have been great lately! Brent is officially 100% walking, and it's the most adorable thing he's done, if I had to pick one. He falls a lot, but mostly because he is trying to RUN already, though he's only been walking for about a week or so. Sometimes he'll try following me down the hallway, and I'll put my arms out. He'll get all excited and hurry to get to me. Then I lift him up and act like he's just won the olympics! His little face lights up like he's just the happiest kid in the world. And sometimes, I really think he might be.
Sure, we have our spats these days. The car rides are still a major hassle. I spend half the time trying to ignore his tantrums, and the other half saying "NO!" really sternly hoping to somehow communicate how completely annoying he's being. It doesn't really work though, so I go back to ignoring him, or turn the radio up and hope he screams himself to sleep. Sometimes he puts his arms out toward me so pitifully, as if I am the worlds cruelest mother for strapping him to that seat and refusing to pick him up. I guess until I can explain to him that I'm currently driving down the highway at 70 mph, we're stuck with this little routine.
But besides a few ripples, I couldn't ask for anything sweeter. And he's getting so smart, too! I was sitting in the living room yesterday while he was running around, and I asked him where Daddy was. He pointed down the hallway and said "Da-da". My boy! Or sometimes he'll saunter down the hall to find him. Or sometimes he just gets bored and wander off in search of better company. Who can blame him, really?
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. And I'll try to write more often.
12.05.2005
Oh...and one more thing
PLEASE ignore the bad haircut right before Christmas. I'm sure Brent's mom did her best, even if she did use the wrong setting on the clippers. It'll grow back. Right? It won't take too long, I hope. But on the bright side, he won't have to endure any haircuts for quite some time.
11.28.2005
11.22.2005
Almost Thanksgiving
I haven't had much to update on the last few weeks. Basically his ear infection got really bad and he's just been a little out of sorts. He's sleeping a lot on the weekend, and even when he isn't we haven't done anything too exciting. He's started walking pretty good now, when he takes the time to do it.
He's also figuring out some pretty fun things (for him, mind you...NOT for me). Like how to turn the floor fans on (never off, just on), how to push the laundry baskets into the kitchen, how to hand Daddy kindling whenever he's starting a fire (they both have fun with that one...I just keep seeing the word "splinters" scrolling in the front of my brain), how to turn off the television, how to throw food from the high chair and hit the wall 4 feet away, how to climb on top of things, etc. Never a dull moment anymore. I feel like my back will never straighten again after all the re-directing I have to do with him. I feel so bad telling him "no" all the time, but it just seems he likes the things that can inflict the most amount of harm. Danger is a magnet to him.
I think he's getting back to 'normal' now (can you use that term with a toddler?). And he is getting more fun by the day still. He's a crazy kid, for sure. Pure perpetual motion. It's easy to tell when he's not feeling well, because he's not moving as fast. Sometimes not at all, but that's a rarity. He must have worn himself out at day care yesterday. When I opened the door he was sprawled out in the middle of the floor, just staring into the horizon. He managed a smile when he saw me, but I didn't get the knockdown greeting I usually receive, where he crawls over at lightening speed.
Time sure is flying. Before you know it, he'll be enjoying his second Christmas. Has it really been that long?
He's also figuring out some pretty fun things (for him, mind you...NOT for me). Like how to turn the floor fans on (never off, just on), how to push the laundry baskets into the kitchen, how to hand Daddy kindling whenever he's starting a fire (they both have fun with that one...I just keep seeing the word "splinters" scrolling in the front of my brain), how to turn off the television, how to throw food from the high chair and hit the wall 4 feet away, how to climb on top of things, etc. Never a dull moment anymore. I feel like my back will never straighten again after all the re-directing I have to do with him. I feel so bad telling him "no" all the time, but it just seems he likes the things that can inflict the most amount of harm. Danger is a magnet to him.
I think he's getting back to 'normal' now (can you use that term with a toddler?). And he is getting more fun by the day still. He's a crazy kid, for sure. Pure perpetual motion. It's easy to tell when he's not feeling well, because he's not moving as fast. Sometimes not at all, but that's a rarity. He must have worn himself out at day care yesterday. When I opened the door he was sprawled out in the middle of the floor, just staring into the horizon. He managed a smile when he saw me, but I didn't get the knockdown greeting I usually receive, where he crawls over at lightening speed.
Time sure is flying. Before you know it, he'll be enjoying his second Christmas. Has it really been that long?
11.08.2005
8 days later
I didn't realize I forgot to write again last week. I was pretty busy at work. I also have some pictures I will try to upload later on.
The weekend went really well! I put him in the stroller and we took a walk down to the pond and collected some leaves, which he loved. He would just laugh every time I threw a pine cone in the water! Both days were just perfect for weather, and he spent a lot of time outside. Sometimes I put him in the playpen while Andy and I got some work done, and other times I would take a break so I could let him crawl around in the grass and leaves making a mess. Filthy = Fun, didn't you know?
He can now walk down the hallway if he is holding onto the walls a bit. I think he's turning the corner and deciding that walking is more fun than crawling. Mostly because of all kinds of new bad things he can get to in those added inches.
He is getting pretty crafty these days. He knows how to operate the buttons on the tv now, so you never know what the volume or channels are going to be doing at any given moment. And the big knob on the receiver was MIA until recently. Evidently it was much more at home under the couch cushion. And it's nothing to find cans of beans or chicken soup in with the toys, and equally find toys stacked neatly on the kitchen shelves (What shall I make for dinner tonight....Oh! how about some lovely purple blocks with stuffed bear on the side!). Looking for the half-gallon of apple juice? Check under the dining room table. Or maybe the remote control? Could be in the dryer with the clean clothes, or in the playpen, or possibly back in the bathtub. And just when you think you've mastered finding things, he discovers new and improved nooks and crannies. It's a never ending process.
I have to say, though, he's getting to be more fun by the day! Whether it's playing chase, or having him crawl up on my lap and dump toys down my shirt, or rolling down Andy's outstretched legs, all this interaction is much better than just watching him throw toys and cry for no reason (well, no reason that you can figure out).
And now that he's done with his medicine for the pink eye, I'm taking another stand on the bottle. I didn't mind getting up once during the night because he was thirsty. When it morphed into twice, and occasionally three times, I stayed patient and blamed the teething and the eye and ear infections. But when he woke up FOUR times on Saturday night, Momma hit the end of her rope - with a bang. And when I found out that they found a sippy cup that he does well on in daycare, I went and got a couple on the way home. Last night I persevered, and so far it's paying off. He didn't drink much, but after the first time he woke up and was only offered this new cup, he seemed to get the message. He was pretty mad. Blood curling, fists shaking mad. But he went back to sleep, and didn't make a peep until morning. Now THAT's my kind of night. This morning, he still held out. But he did it politely, and without throwing a fit.
So now I just have to hold strong, which I'm sure any parent that is reading this blog has been thinking for months. And you would be right, I should have stuck it out ages ago. But I tell you, I just don't get letting a kid scream in the middle of the night. At other times, when he's just throwing a tantrum because I won't give him the penny back he found on the floor, or he's not in the mood to be changed, or mean mom won't let him dive headfirst off the couch - those I can handle with no problem. But being in the dark (even with a nightlight) separated from the people you depend on, I'm sure that can be scary at times. I was afraid of the dark for so many years, and it's no fun. Yes I want him to be independant, but I'm not sure that includes crying yourself to sleep after having a nightmare or hearing a scary noise outside. But I did baby it a little too much, and now I have to undo it. He's old enough now. He knows I'm just down the hall, and if he's REALLY just thirsty, then he will take it out of the cup. So I think I just had to hit rock bottom before I realized I really did need to move things along a little faster.
When I look back, I won't have any regret. Sleeping is great, but so is snuggling and rocking that guy for a few minutes :)
The weekend went really well! I put him in the stroller and we took a walk down to the pond and collected some leaves, which he loved. He would just laugh every time I threw a pine cone in the water! Both days were just perfect for weather, and he spent a lot of time outside. Sometimes I put him in the playpen while Andy and I got some work done, and other times I would take a break so I could let him crawl around in the grass and leaves making a mess. Filthy = Fun, didn't you know?
He can now walk down the hallway if he is holding onto the walls a bit. I think he's turning the corner and deciding that walking is more fun than crawling. Mostly because of all kinds of new bad things he can get to in those added inches.
He is getting pretty crafty these days. He knows how to operate the buttons on the tv now, so you never know what the volume or channels are going to be doing at any given moment. And the big knob on the receiver was MIA until recently. Evidently it was much more at home under the couch cushion. And it's nothing to find cans of beans or chicken soup in with the toys, and equally find toys stacked neatly on the kitchen shelves (What shall I make for dinner tonight....Oh! how about some lovely purple blocks with stuffed bear on the side!). Looking for the half-gallon of apple juice? Check under the dining room table. Or maybe the remote control? Could be in the dryer with the clean clothes, or in the playpen, or possibly back in the bathtub. And just when you think you've mastered finding things, he discovers new and improved nooks and crannies. It's a never ending process.
I have to say, though, he's getting to be more fun by the day! Whether it's playing chase, or having him crawl up on my lap and dump toys down my shirt, or rolling down Andy's outstretched legs, all this interaction is much better than just watching him throw toys and cry for no reason (well, no reason that you can figure out).
And now that he's done with his medicine for the pink eye, I'm taking another stand on the bottle. I didn't mind getting up once during the night because he was thirsty. When it morphed into twice, and occasionally three times, I stayed patient and blamed the teething and the eye and ear infections. But when he woke up FOUR times on Saturday night, Momma hit the end of her rope - with a bang. And when I found out that they found a sippy cup that he does well on in daycare, I went and got a couple on the way home. Last night I persevered, and so far it's paying off. He didn't drink much, but after the first time he woke up and was only offered this new cup, he seemed to get the message. He was pretty mad. Blood curling, fists shaking mad. But he went back to sleep, and didn't make a peep until morning. Now THAT's my kind of night. This morning, he still held out. But he did it politely, and without throwing a fit.
So now I just have to hold strong, which I'm sure any parent that is reading this blog has been thinking for months. And you would be right, I should have stuck it out ages ago. But I tell you, I just don't get letting a kid scream in the middle of the night. At other times, when he's just throwing a tantrum because I won't give him the penny back he found on the floor, or he's not in the mood to be changed, or mean mom won't let him dive headfirst off the couch - those I can handle with no problem. But being in the dark (even with a nightlight) separated from the people you depend on, I'm sure that can be scary at times. I was afraid of the dark for so many years, and it's no fun. Yes I want him to be independant, but I'm not sure that includes crying yourself to sleep after having a nightmare or hearing a scary noise outside. But I did baby it a little too much, and now I have to undo it. He's old enough now. He knows I'm just down the hall, and if he's REALLY just thirsty, then he will take it out of the cup. So I think I just had to hit rock bottom before I realized I really did need to move things along a little faster.
When I look back, I won't have any regret. Sleeping is great, but so is snuggling and rocking that guy for a few minutes :)
10.31.2005
Gameday Uniform
So, Brent's official Halloween costume is a.....(drum roll please) .... Steeler's Fan! I know, I know...lame 'costume'. But next year I'll do better. Anyhow, I couldn't resist since the Steelers are playing a divisional Monday night game tonight.
And, I just got a call from daycare that his eyes are runny and green, so I'd better call the doctor and see if I can get him in. So I'll update on that next time I write.
10.27.2005
Saying goodbye to warm weather...
I know it's been a week since I've updated this. It's been a long week. We've all got some version of a cold, Andy's asthma is acting up again, and we've spent every spare minute cutting/splitting/hauling/stacking and burning firewood. In addition to getting/installing/adjusting/readjusting and using our new woodstove. And I won't mention that someone (we won't mention names) has been getting up a LOT during the night the last few days. Add to that the fading of summer and warm temperatures, and I've just been tired and unmotivated in general.
This time of year always makes me think of change. Although I know it is necessary, and usually a sign of growth and progress, it tends to be bittersweet at times. And then I look into the face of my boy who is growing so fast and learning so much, and I am overwhelmingly proud and sad at the same time. He can take 2 or 3 steps on his own now, and his interest in walking has picked up again, I think. Once in awhile he babbles something that sounds like a word, but I rarely have time to stop and decipher it.
I was changing his diaper the other day, and I kept saying "ICK!..this is so gross!". And he started saying ICK and laughing. So that was kinda cute. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a first word though. Even if it does, I may hold out for a better one to put in the scrapbook. And he has my warnings down pat. "Ah, ah, ah...don't touch that" (he'll open his mouth and raise his eyebrows and copy the ah, ah, ah part - even before I say it sometimes if he knows he's doing something that will produce that response) or "No, no, no - come back over here". He's pretty good with the no, no, no on that one. He sounds like a record that's skipping, he'll just keep on repeating it while he's getting into some sort of trouble. Sometimes he'll even point at me while he chants it. Or motion for me to come to him, instead. Man...the backtalk already! At least he does it with a smile (or mischevious grin, depending on your angle).
So here we are, on the verge of real communication, and locomotion of the upright variety. I should be thrilled! And I am - he's turning out to be such a wonderful person. But everytime I turn around he's leaving some other milestone behind him - all those pesky baby traits. You know, the ones I've cursed and prayed to end at one time or another. Now I take the time to cherish each one...knowing that they are slipping through my fingers like sand. It's a good thing they are leaving me a handsome, talented, smart boy in their place...otherwise it may not be bearable.
This time of year always makes me think of change. Although I know it is necessary, and usually a sign of growth and progress, it tends to be bittersweet at times. And then I look into the face of my boy who is growing so fast and learning so much, and I am overwhelmingly proud and sad at the same time. He can take 2 or 3 steps on his own now, and his interest in walking has picked up again, I think. Once in awhile he babbles something that sounds like a word, but I rarely have time to stop and decipher it.
I was changing his diaper the other day, and I kept saying "ICK!..this is so gross!". And he started saying ICK and laughing. So that was kinda cute. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a first word though. Even if it does, I may hold out for a better one to put in the scrapbook. And he has my warnings down pat. "Ah, ah, ah...don't touch that" (he'll open his mouth and raise his eyebrows and copy the ah, ah, ah part - even before I say it sometimes if he knows he's doing something that will produce that response) or "No, no, no - come back over here". He's pretty good with the no, no, no on that one. He sounds like a record that's skipping, he'll just keep on repeating it while he's getting into some sort of trouble. Sometimes he'll even point at me while he chants it. Or motion for me to come to him, instead. Man...the backtalk already! At least he does it with a smile (or mischevious grin, depending on your angle).
So here we are, on the verge of real communication, and locomotion of the upright variety. I should be thrilled! And I am - he's turning out to be such a wonderful person. But everytime I turn around he's leaving some other milestone behind him - all those pesky baby traits. You know, the ones I've cursed and prayed to end at one time or another. Now I take the time to cherish each one...knowing that they are slipping through my fingers like sand. It's a good thing they are leaving me a handsome, talented, smart boy in their place...otherwise it may not be bearable.
10.19.2005
Photo time!
The pictures of Brent with his grandparents are from a few weeks ago. I forgot I had them! He wasn't feeling too well that day, to explain the long face. And the last one shows that cute scrunched up nose look that he's always doing.
10.18.2005
Left, Right, Left
Well, he's working on walking at last! Over the weekend he took a couple unaided steps (not in a row, though...he still only makes one before he falls forward). But he's at least trying, which is more than what he's done in awhile with it.
Also, he seems to be getting ready to sprout the two top teeth now. So he should look pretty much like a beaver by the end of the week. Two on top, two on the bottom. Then I guess we'll work on trying to brush them. Yeah...he won't even let me in his mouth to look at anything, much less rub stuff on his gums, etc. So that should be a nice challenge. The only way I see what's going on is if he's scrunching up his nose in that weird grin of his. I live for that smile, though, so I'm not complaining.
Bottle-wise, he has won the battle for now. He did this when he was teething the last time - wanting a bottle OFTEN, and waking up in the night again. So I hate to take it completely away when he is so devastated by it right now. I will win the war eventually, but for now I concede. He only has one in the morning, and in the evening, though - so it's not like I have to wash and label tons of them every day for day care. That in itself is a major victory for me. And he's only getting up once at night, instead of 4 or 5 times like the last teeth. So hey...we're improving. Right???
And so far my woodstove training is going okay. We're not using it yet, so I have some time to get used to watching him a lot closer, without the risk of him getting burned. But that day is coming soon, and I hope we're ready. He just doesn't really understand boundaries yet. This will be the first "NO EXCEPTIONS" rule I will be trying to enforce. Man...I hope this parenting thing gets easier with time. What? Did you say something? I thought it sounded like you said something like it gets even harder, but I can't hear so well with my fingers in my ears.
Also, he seems to be getting ready to sprout the two top teeth now. So he should look pretty much like a beaver by the end of the week. Two on top, two on the bottom. Then I guess we'll work on trying to brush them. Yeah...he won't even let me in his mouth to look at anything, much less rub stuff on his gums, etc. So that should be a nice challenge. The only way I see what's going on is if he's scrunching up his nose in that weird grin of his. I live for that smile, though, so I'm not complaining.
Bottle-wise, he has won the battle for now. He did this when he was teething the last time - wanting a bottle OFTEN, and waking up in the night again. So I hate to take it completely away when he is so devastated by it right now. I will win the war eventually, but for now I concede. He only has one in the morning, and in the evening, though - so it's not like I have to wash and label tons of them every day for day care. That in itself is a major victory for me. And he's only getting up once at night, instead of 4 or 5 times like the last teeth. So hey...we're improving. Right???
And so far my woodstove training is going okay. We're not using it yet, so I have some time to get used to watching him a lot closer, without the risk of him getting burned. But that day is coming soon, and I hope we're ready. He just doesn't really understand boundaries yet. This will be the first "NO EXCEPTIONS" rule I will be trying to enforce. Man...I hope this parenting thing gets easier with time. What? Did you say something? I thought it sounded like you said something like it gets even harder, but I can't hear so well with my fingers in my ears.
10.13.2005
What's that smell?!?!
Well, I'll sum up yesterday:
4:45 am - House/car/deck sprayed by skunk
5:00 am - Me and Brent throwing up (please refer to 4:45 am as to reason)
7:00 am - killing time at Walmart before daycare because I got out of house quickly
7:15 am - Brent throws up in Walmart on me/himself/cart/floor
7:20 am - me and half naked baby buy new clothes at Walmart (can't go back to house - see first entry again)
8 - 10 am - me calling animal control/game warden/pest control companies and surfing internet to find out how to get rid of skunk smells and/or skunks.
10:00 am - get call from daycare that he has been throwing up more (I thought it was the smell - but seems he was sick, too) and that he fell and hit his head on table and had a big lump on his head.
10:15 am - I go home to try to air out and clean out house so that I can bring Brent home. I won't even go into all the details of this part of the day.
12:00 pm - finally head back to pick him up. House is better. Car still stinks BAD
1 - 5 pm - Spent either laying on couch with Brent, napping on bed and rubbing his back, or carrying him around the house with him dozing on my shoulder.
I was all set to keep him home today, but he was running around like crazy again. So I think he's past the worst of it. He's keeping food down again and climbing the walls already. Plus they are doing water painting today in day care, I think...so he should have fun with that. He had such a bad day yesterday, I just couldn't deprive him of getting out and having some fun. Plus the house is still a little stinky, if not with the not-quite-so-pungent skunk smell, then with the deodorizers and air fresheners. Probably not the best thing for him to be around all day. His room is okay, but the kitchen and living room are still not great, and that's where he likes to be.
In other news, besides yesterday, he has been doing pretty good in the toddler room all week. I've been doing okay, too. He still seems so little in there, but slowly he's starting to get around and play instead of just watching the others run around like little crazy people. Though, this morning his old teacher popped her head out to see him as we went by. He reached out his hands for her and she held him for a minute. I was doing okay until she said she rocked him to sleep his last day there. For some reason seeing them miss each other just got me all teared up. It was all I could do to get him to his room and leave without having a meltdown. I think between that and all his cuddles yesterday, it's finally hitting me how precious little "baby" time I have left. Right before I laid him down for bed last night, I just stood there and let him sleep in my arms for a few minutes. It's so rare that he ever cuddles like that. And I knew in the morning, it would be business as usual.
So as bad as I thought my day was yesterday...I wouldn't trade it for the world. It was (almost) worth the skunk smell to take an afternoon off and spend it napping with my fast-growing little boy.
4:45 am - House/car/deck sprayed by skunk
5:00 am - Me and Brent throwing up (please refer to 4:45 am as to reason)
7:00 am - killing time at Walmart before daycare because I got out of house quickly
7:15 am - Brent throws up in Walmart on me/himself/cart/floor
7:20 am - me and half naked baby buy new clothes at Walmart (can't go back to house - see first entry again)
8 - 10 am - me calling animal control/game warden/pest control companies and surfing internet to find out how to get rid of skunk smells and/or skunks.
10:00 am - get call from daycare that he has been throwing up more (I thought it was the smell - but seems he was sick, too) and that he fell and hit his head on table and had a big lump on his head.
10:15 am - I go home to try to air out and clean out house so that I can bring Brent home. I won't even go into all the details of this part of the day.
12:00 pm - finally head back to pick him up. House is better. Car still stinks BAD
1 - 5 pm - Spent either laying on couch with Brent, napping on bed and rubbing his back, or carrying him around the house with him dozing on my shoulder.
I was all set to keep him home today, but he was running around like crazy again. So I think he's past the worst of it. He's keeping food down again and climbing the walls already. Plus they are doing water painting today in day care, I think...so he should have fun with that. He had such a bad day yesterday, I just couldn't deprive him of getting out and having some fun. Plus the house is still a little stinky, if not with the not-quite-so-pungent skunk smell, then with the deodorizers and air fresheners. Probably not the best thing for him to be around all day. His room is okay, but the kitchen and living room are still not great, and that's where he likes to be.
In other news, besides yesterday, he has been doing pretty good in the toddler room all week. I've been doing okay, too. He still seems so little in there, but slowly he's starting to get around and play instead of just watching the others run around like little crazy people. Though, this morning his old teacher popped her head out to see him as we went by. He reached out his hands for her and she held him for a minute. I was doing okay until she said she rocked him to sleep his last day there. For some reason seeing them miss each other just got me all teared up. It was all I could do to get him to his room and leave without having a meltdown. I think between that and all his cuddles yesterday, it's finally hitting me how precious little "baby" time I have left. Right before I laid him down for bed last night, I just stood there and let him sleep in my arms for a few minutes. It's so rare that he ever cuddles like that. And I knew in the morning, it would be business as usual.
So as bad as I thought my day was yesterday...I wouldn't trade it for the world. It was (almost) worth the skunk smell to take an afternoon off and spend it napping with my fast-growing little boy.
10.10.2005
Bye Bye Bottle! (Well, almost...)
Well, this weekend went MUCH better than I thought it would. I decided to eliminate all bottles, except the first morning one and the last bedtime one. In between, there would be nothing but sippy cups. He did really great! He didn't drink a whole lot during the day, but he's getting the hang of it.
And it was a good thing I did. This morning they told me that today would be his first full day in the toddler room - he is officially moved over. No more cribs, no more bottles, and hopefully soon no more crawling. And because there has been an influx of babies recently, they had to move his girlfriend over too. She starts tomorrow. So they will continue to be partners in crime (that is their official nickname there!).
I can't believe how many cute things he does these days. And it doesn't even make for good reading if I were to go into details. It's just his expressions and mannerisms, they are so unique and catching and entertaining. And he melts my heart the way he follows me around, and lifts his arms up when he wants held. I just couldn't ask for a better kid :)
10.05.2005
Pictures, as promised!
Probably the last true "baby" picture.
Watching Dora the Explorer
And...looking adorable, of course!
Doctor's visit
Yesterday was his one-year doctor's visit. His stats: 24.8 lbs, which is still in the 75th percentile, and 30 inches long. Long and short of the visit - he's healthy and perfect (which I knew...of course!).
She does want me to wean him off the bottle now ("now" as in "he's still taking a bottle???"). So that's going to be a project. I've been half working on it for a few weeks, but so far it doesn't fit into his schedule to drink out of a sippy-cup. Actually, he does pretty good with a regular cup if I hold it, but for day care purposes, he needs to have something he can do by himself. So after he's done reacting to all those shots and being grumpy for a day or two, we'll start on that. Also, he can drink whole milk now instead of formula ($$$-HOORAY!-$$$). So, things are looking up. For me anyways! For him, it may be a rough few weeks. He doesn't exactly go for the routine changes very well. His exact words are usually something to the effect of taking a toy and throwing it angrily across the room. Or a sippy cup, or remote control, etc. Every day I ask the ladies at day care how he's doing with his cups, and I always get some variation of the reply "well, he'll take a sip or two, but he just really likes to drop it and throw it". Wonderful! I've already had two come home cracked up the side. My sweet boy...I think...
This morning I tried to give him some ibuprofen for his sore needle-pricked legs. He let me get the whole dropper in his mouth, then paused, then smiled, gurgled and spit it right back out at me. He's entertaining, that's for sure. The other day he managed to spit a green bean over 3 feet to land on Andy's lap. I started howling, which I know I shouldn't, but I just couldn't help it! Andy stood up and kinda jokingly yelled "Why did you do that?!?!" So Brent just pointed at him, kicked his head back, scrunched up his nose and belly laughed. I love this kid, I really do!
That's his new thing these days, scrunching up his nose like a bunny when he thinks he's being funny. I wish I could get a picture of it...it is beyond words :)
Well...hopefully the next few days won't be as challenging as I fear they will be. Wait and see!
She does want me to wean him off the bottle now ("now" as in "he's still taking a bottle???"). So that's going to be a project. I've been half working on it for a few weeks, but so far it doesn't fit into his schedule to drink out of a sippy-cup. Actually, he does pretty good with a regular cup if I hold it, but for day care purposes, he needs to have something he can do by himself. So after he's done reacting to all those shots and being grumpy for a day or two, we'll start on that. Also, he can drink whole milk now instead of formula ($$$-HOORAY!-$$$). So, things are looking up. For me anyways! For him, it may be a rough few weeks. He doesn't exactly go for the routine changes very well. His exact words are usually something to the effect of taking a toy and throwing it angrily across the room. Or a sippy cup, or remote control, etc. Every day I ask the ladies at day care how he's doing with his cups, and I always get some variation of the reply "well, he'll take a sip or two, but he just really likes to drop it and throw it". Wonderful! I've already had two come home cracked up the side. My sweet boy...I think...
This morning I tried to give him some ibuprofen for his sore needle-pricked legs. He let me get the whole dropper in his mouth, then paused, then smiled, gurgled and spit it right back out at me. He's entertaining, that's for sure. The other day he managed to spit a green bean over 3 feet to land on Andy's lap. I started howling, which I know I shouldn't, but I just couldn't help it! Andy stood up and kinda jokingly yelled "Why did you do that?!?!" So Brent just pointed at him, kicked his head back, scrunched up his nose and belly laughed. I love this kid, I really do!
That's his new thing these days, scrunching up his nose like a bunny when he thinks he's being funny. I wish I could get a picture of it...it is beyond words :)
Well...hopefully the next few days won't be as challenging as I fear they will be. Wait and see!
10.04.2005
One down, 17 to go
Well, last weekend was Brent's birthday. I can't say that we did too much this year, but he had a big party at his Grandparents Price a few weeks ago, and he'll see his other grandparents soon for some messy cake pictures (I think that's what the 1st birthday party is mostly about!).
I think I don't notice all the milestones he's reaching lately simply because they just kinda grow on you little by little. Every day though I find something new about him to love. Like how he flips through books with me now, or practices putting little toys inside bigger toys. Or how he likes to try to crawl under the futon in search of dust bunnies. He's a busy guy these days, always on the go and on the run. He's learned to go through the dresser drawers and pull clothes out so he can deposit toys instead. And it is a rare day that you can put your shoes on without finding a mega-block or a rubber ball stuffed inside. Or leftover food, don't forget that one... It is impossible to find all the pieces he starts tossing in every direction once he is done eating!
Oh, and the big news this week is that they are starting to transition him to the TODDLER room at day care. Toddler??? Where did my baby go? I know there are good things to look forward to in the next year, but it seems like you have to trade in a lot to get there. For one thing, they don't have cribs in there, the kids sleep on cots. Well...if that's something they think they can accomplish with him, they are welcome to try. But I can't see that boy falling asleep if there is nothing to prevent him from running around the room exploring. I'm sure there are lots of kids like that, though, so they must have some magic method for it (I just hope it doesn't involve chains or straps). I do expect a drop in his nap time, though. And that's not something I think I'm ready to give up yet. We'll see how it goes, I guess.
So, would I give this up to go back to having a tiny baby again? Not on your life! This is so much more rewarding than the mindless changing of diapers (while he held still - oh I forget that luxury) and bottle after bottle, or worse - endless nursing on the hour. Will I cherish those memories? Of course! Would I look forward to another round? The jury's still out on that one. And I'm not even going into the nighttime wakings that MOST babies have given up by this stage in the game. He's going strong at 4 or 5 these days. Long story short, we're working them out of the rotation, but so far it's a rough transition.
And then sometimes, you're half asleep on the floor playing with him and watching football. Your eyes close for a few seconds and you just listen to him playing with his toys. Then just as you're thinking of how peaceful life is, you feel a plastic block slammed into your face. But before you can even think about what happened, you see a tiny face coming at you and planting its first smiling sloppy kiss on your cheek. And then somehow, you wouldn't trade this time for anything at all.
I think I don't notice all the milestones he's reaching lately simply because they just kinda grow on you little by little. Every day though I find something new about him to love. Like how he flips through books with me now, or practices putting little toys inside bigger toys. Or how he likes to try to crawl under the futon in search of dust bunnies. He's a busy guy these days, always on the go and on the run. He's learned to go through the dresser drawers and pull clothes out so he can deposit toys instead. And it is a rare day that you can put your shoes on without finding a mega-block or a rubber ball stuffed inside. Or leftover food, don't forget that one... It is impossible to find all the pieces he starts tossing in every direction once he is done eating!
Oh, and the big news this week is that they are starting to transition him to the TODDLER room at day care. Toddler??? Where did my baby go? I know there are good things to look forward to in the next year, but it seems like you have to trade in a lot to get there. For one thing, they don't have cribs in there, the kids sleep on cots. Well...if that's something they think they can accomplish with him, they are welcome to try. But I can't see that boy falling asleep if there is nothing to prevent him from running around the room exploring. I'm sure there are lots of kids like that, though, so they must have some magic method for it (I just hope it doesn't involve chains or straps). I do expect a drop in his nap time, though. And that's not something I think I'm ready to give up yet. We'll see how it goes, I guess.
So, would I give this up to go back to having a tiny baby again? Not on your life! This is so much more rewarding than the mindless changing of diapers (while he held still - oh I forget that luxury) and bottle after bottle, or worse - endless nursing on the hour. Will I cherish those memories? Of course! Would I look forward to another round? The jury's still out on that one. And I'm not even going into the nighttime wakings that MOST babies have given up by this stage in the game. He's going strong at 4 or 5 these days. Long story short, we're working them out of the rotation, but so far it's a rough transition.
And then sometimes, you're half asleep on the floor playing with him and watching football. Your eyes close for a few seconds and you just listen to him playing with his toys. Then just as you're thinking of how peaceful life is, you feel a plastic block slammed into your face. But before you can even think about what happened, you see a tiny face coming at you and planting its first smiling sloppy kiss on your cheek. And then somehow, you wouldn't trade this time for anything at all.
9.29.2005
Then there were two...
Well now...he's getting teeth like crazy now! Two that I can see, but he doesn't really let me into his mouth, so I can only guess at what else is going on. For the most part he is in pretty good spirits, though he does get moody here and there. I took some pictures this morning, and I will try to post them today sometime.
9.27.2005
And, we're off!
I knew something was up yesterday, but I attributed it to his poor napping. He slept on the way home, which was nice. But when we got there, he was inconsolable. He would crawl a foot or two and then fall face down on the floor and just cry pitifully. I was trying to get something for him to eat, but he wouldn't let me stop holding him, which is very unusual. Then, I sat down and gave him some food, and he LITERALLY started shovelling it into his mouth with both hands. I'm usually lucky to get 5 or 10 bites in him at dinnertime, and even less than that on a bad napping day. But he was going to town! Peas were flying in every direction. He even let me give him bites of food off a spoon in between his devouring.So, he was a little happier after his belly was full. So I sat down on the floor with one of his "O Baby" yogurts (which are quite good), and he helped me eat half of that also. After that he took his last bottle and I went to change him. So the yelling resumed, as it does for the last diaper/clothes change of the day. And what do I see gleaming in the depths of his tiny screaming mouth, but a shiny protrusion on his bottom gums. Ah ha! A reason for the insanity of late, I felt so much better! Especially since he had gotten up FOUR TIMES the night before. I was tempted to start Ferberizing him (aka the "cry it out no matter what" method). But now at least I know what is going on.
Actually, he did better last night, and this morning we were back to the normal sweet boy I missed so much.
Now, didn't I make that sound exciting?! All for a little tooth :)
9.19.2005
Good weekend
I have to say, this weekend went pretty well. We went and visited my sister up in northern VA on Saturday. He did good considering it's about 90 minutes each way. Of course it's easier when my Mom is in the back seat playing with him.
Other than that, we spent most of the weekend at home just chilling out. I fully expect any day now he will just start running around instead of crawling. Even in my dreams he is walking already. He really is getting close. He can stand now for a minute or two at a time, and his balance is getting better. I was thinking this morning that I can't wait until he is ready to go outside and run around. I can picture him all dressed warm in his winter clothes, trying to catch the leaves as they fall, or chasing after the cats (well, he already does that, but so far they can outrun him being as he is still on all fours).
And of course...he wore his jersey this weekend again, and you can see that the Steelers had another great victory. They play the Patriots next week, so I'd better start having him wear it maybe Wednesday or so. I have faith...but it doesn't hurt, right!
This morning I let him play with my sunglasses on the ride to daycare. I flipped the rear view mirror down for a second to see what he was up to, and he was trying to put them on the way he's seen us do it. It was so funny! Then he put them on top of his head the way I do. I just started laughing, and he always gets a kick out of that. He has a real sense of when he's being funny already. If you genuinely laugh at him, he will just kick his head back and join in. He loves to entertain!
Little milestones...every day I see them. It's 90% being proud that your child is growing and learning, and 10% sadness at seeing them leave their old ways behind. Well...some days it's more like 50/50, but if you look at things that way you'd go crazy. It's fascinating to see his personality develop and wonder at the kind of person he will become. It's like you get a few more puzzle pieces every day.
Of course, with all progress there is a little back-stepping. He's back to waking up twice a night again. And when I say "wake up", I mean he immediately stands up, holds the crib bars and screams at the top of his lungs. I have become the expert at doing things in the middle of the night now. I think I log more time in now than I did months ago. Sometimes he just wants to play, other times he is hungry or wet. I guess the experts would scold me for not letting him cry it out yet. I will, sometimes, if it turns out that nothing is to his liking. And then I do the dishes or something and try not to think about the shrieks and wails coming from the other room, and hoping he's not waking Andy, too. I have to wait, you see...or I can't turn the monitor back on in the bedroom. Sometimes he quiets down, and I go curl up in the warm bed again, get comfortable and try to wind down, finally feel like I'm slipping off to sleep...and WHAM! ..he gets a fresh burst of energy and finds it in his heart to yell for another 10 minutes.
I have to admit, for the first few months, I just looked at these night time 'visits' as a few additional minutes I get to spend with him each day. It was my way of coping, I guess. But now we're going on a year, and sometimes it becomes hard to find my 'happy thoughts'. And just when I get to the breaking point, he'll have a few days in a row where he makes it all night, and I forget all about it.
I guess that's what it all boils down to - the good times outweigh the bad. Even on the days when that may be a 1:10 ratio, I'm still to the good. He's kinda special that way. All it takes is a pair of sunglasses, and I'm right back on track...
Other than that, we spent most of the weekend at home just chilling out. I fully expect any day now he will just start running around instead of crawling. Even in my dreams he is walking already. He really is getting close. He can stand now for a minute or two at a time, and his balance is getting better. I was thinking this morning that I can't wait until he is ready to go outside and run around. I can picture him all dressed warm in his winter clothes, trying to catch the leaves as they fall, or chasing after the cats (well, he already does that, but so far they can outrun him being as he is still on all fours).
And of course...he wore his jersey this weekend again, and you can see that the Steelers had another great victory. They play the Patriots next week, so I'd better start having him wear it maybe Wednesday or so. I have faith...but it doesn't hurt, right!
This morning I let him play with my sunglasses on the ride to daycare. I flipped the rear view mirror down for a second to see what he was up to, and he was trying to put them on the way he's seen us do it. It was so funny! Then he put them on top of his head the way I do. I just started laughing, and he always gets a kick out of that. He has a real sense of when he's being funny already. If you genuinely laugh at him, he will just kick his head back and join in. He loves to entertain!
Little milestones...every day I see them. It's 90% being proud that your child is growing and learning, and 10% sadness at seeing them leave their old ways behind. Well...some days it's more like 50/50, but if you look at things that way you'd go crazy. It's fascinating to see his personality develop and wonder at the kind of person he will become. It's like you get a few more puzzle pieces every day.
Of course, with all progress there is a little back-stepping. He's back to waking up twice a night again. And when I say "wake up", I mean he immediately stands up, holds the crib bars and screams at the top of his lungs. I have become the expert at doing things in the middle of the night now. I think I log more time in now than I did months ago. Sometimes he just wants to play, other times he is hungry or wet. I guess the experts would scold me for not letting him cry it out yet. I will, sometimes, if it turns out that nothing is to his liking. And then I do the dishes or something and try not to think about the shrieks and wails coming from the other room, and hoping he's not waking Andy, too. I have to wait, you see...or I can't turn the monitor back on in the bedroom. Sometimes he quiets down, and I go curl up in the warm bed again, get comfortable and try to wind down, finally feel like I'm slipping off to sleep...and WHAM! ..he gets a fresh burst of energy and finds it in his heart to yell for another 10 minutes.
I have to admit, for the first few months, I just looked at these night time 'visits' as a few additional minutes I get to spend with him each day. It was my way of coping, I guess. But now we're going on a year, and sometimes it becomes hard to find my 'happy thoughts'. And just when I get to the breaking point, he'll have a few days in a row where he makes it all night, and I forget all about it.
I guess that's what it all boils down to - the good times outweigh the bad. Even on the days when that may be a 1:10 ratio, I'm still to the good. He's kinda special that way. All it takes is a pair of sunglasses, and I'm right back on track...
9.15.2005
Is it Thursday already!?
This week has gone by so fast! I guess in part to the fact that I got to spend Tuesday playing hooky with the little guy. Without going into gory details (and believe me...I could) he had a little stomach virus and bad diaper rash. So they nicely suggested at daycare that I try to keep him home and get it cleared up. I will try not to point fingers at the fact that they fed him baked beans and spaghetti & meatballs on Monday when I asked them not to let him eat anything but crackers and rice cereal until he felt better. So, needless to say, even though he was feeling better Monday morning, he got worse again in the afternoon. Oh well. I could think of worse things than taking off a day of work to spend with him.
So now he is feeling much better, I think. He's getting very good at standing on his own now without holding on to anything. I can see steps in the near future. And I have to admit - I'm a little scared. This guy is tremendously sneaky and mischevious! I love that about him, but it will call for some creative parenting, I believe.
Already, I'm learning to let him think things are his idea. The last bottle of the day has always been a challenge. For a long time, he refused to take it unless he was in his crib with his blanket. Then I got him weaned off that, and he would sit in his little car seat in front of the tv (whether it was on or not) to take it. Sometimes he would even assist in holding it, but not often. NOW, I am not allowed to hold it at all. I have to hold it in front of him as un-suggestively as possible, and he will push it away about 20 times screaming and kicking until he decides that I have given up. Then he will grab it himself, plop it into his mouth and drink the whole thing. Really...I just don't know what he's thinking. At first, I would just offer, and when he pushed it away, I put him to bed and let him cry it out. Then I would wait 15 or 20 minutes and try again and repeat. After 3 hours of this, I finally had to try some different things. Why, oh why...won't he take the bottle if he's thirsty?? He will cry his hungry cry and I just feel terrible listening to it.
Now I know many people will think - well, if he won't take it, then he just doesn't want it. But that really isn't the case! He wants it so bad that he gets so angry and it's like he can't remember what he wanted in the first place.
What I REALLY think is that he just likes messing with my head. He's smart that way. And I think it's working - I can tell by my writings here lately that I'm probably losing my mind a little bit each day.
I think that's just called Parenting.
So now he is feeling much better, I think. He's getting very good at standing on his own now without holding on to anything. I can see steps in the near future. And I have to admit - I'm a little scared. This guy is tremendously sneaky and mischevious! I love that about him, but it will call for some creative parenting, I believe.
Already, I'm learning to let him think things are his idea. The last bottle of the day has always been a challenge. For a long time, he refused to take it unless he was in his crib with his blanket. Then I got him weaned off that, and he would sit in his little car seat in front of the tv (whether it was on or not) to take it. Sometimes he would even assist in holding it, but not often. NOW, I am not allowed to hold it at all. I have to hold it in front of him as un-suggestively as possible, and he will push it away about 20 times screaming and kicking until he decides that I have given up. Then he will grab it himself, plop it into his mouth and drink the whole thing. Really...I just don't know what he's thinking. At first, I would just offer, and when he pushed it away, I put him to bed and let him cry it out. Then I would wait 15 or 20 minutes and try again and repeat. After 3 hours of this, I finally had to try some different things. Why, oh why...won't he take the bottle if he's thirsty?? He will cry his hungry cry and I just feel terrible listening to it.
Now I know many people will think - well, if he won't take it, then he just doesn't want it. But that really isn't the case! He wants it so bad that he gets so angry and it's like he can't remember what he wanted in the first place.
What I REALLY think is that he just likes messing with my head. He's smart that way. And I think it's working - I can tell by my writings here lately that I'm probably losing my mind a little bit each day.
I think that's just called Parenting.
9.12.2005
Not a coincidence!
I'm POSITIVE that the reason the Steelers kicked SO MUCH butt yesterday is because of that little guy wearing his Roethlisberger jersey. And he already has a perfect passer rating! Coincidence? Of course not!(I do have to send a shout-out to Shalon and apologize for saying bad things about Big Ben - he did do a really good job!)
Okay...well maybe that's a stretch. Partly because he spent almost the entire game in the bathtub (off and on) and not even wearing his jersey much. I gave up on it somewhere in the first quarter. Poor guy must not have liked what he was eating, either that or has some little stomach bug, because he had bad diarrhea. So instead of enjoying the game, which I had looked forward to all week, I spent it changing diapers while he screamed. He was so sore that I just started letting him run around naked, and I just threw him in the tub whenever he made a mess (approximately every 5 minutes). It really was funny to watch a little naked baby running around the house. He kept stopping to pose, like he knew how cute his tushy was. Plus he had the cutest look on his face, like he'd found some wonderful freedom in life. I had to laugh the one time he stood up and peed...with those chubby legs he looked like one of those cherub water fountains you see in the movies.
But I'm sure you guys don't come here to learn that kind of stuff. You know...I remember last football season he used to do this same thing. No matter what, something would always come up during the games. Not normal things that I could work around, but matters that would divert my entire attention. It's only three hours a week! You'd think he'd throw me a bone now and then.
I think it's all part of his dark sense of humor. Like the way he looks at you before heading off in a direction, to judge your response. If it looks like you don't want him to go there, he immediately zooms as fast as he can in that direction. If you look pleased at his choice, he figures that it must not be that interesting and goes in search of better destruction. I have toy boxes in almost every room in the house, and most of them go untouched these days. I even have one in our tiny kitchen, so I can manage to make a meal or do dishes now and then. Even then, it's no easy task. He always bee-lines for the shelves so he can try to drop heavy cans on his feet. So most of my plastic spoons and spatulas are on the floor so that he can have a "new" toy to bang on things. I've just given up, and wash them when I need to use them.
His other new favorite toy is a deck of "Dora the Explorer" cards my Mom got him. He's figured out how to open the deck, so we get to play "52 card pickup", with me being the butt of that joke. Somehow from one sitting position, he can make the cards fly as much as 20 feet away. He dumps them out, then swishes his arms around frantically in them while they shoot away on the hardwood floor. It's great fun for him...for about 30 seconds. Then I have to round them all up so he doesn't try to stand on them and fall. But those things must multiply when I'm not looking, because days later I am still finding them in strange places. I look at the cards, some missing, some crumpled and bent, and the adult in me just screams at an incomplete, unplayable deck of cards. But then I see them through his eyes, and I know that some 'rules' are just meant to be broken. He has plenty of time in life to do things the 'right' way. I want him to be always be able to look at the world from a fresh angle, and not just follow the crowd.
I can see that his little mind is starting to churn this week. He seems very interested in how things go together now. It's all about what fits inside what else. He likes putting things in the bed of his little plastic dump truck and pull them out again. Or grabbing blocks and putting them in cups. He is really concentrating on how things fit together now. It's so neat to watch his neurons firing brightly! He's catching on quick now! His dad and both grandads are good with building things and mechanical thinking, and I can see that in his eyes. He's a very busy, very driven little boy already. And though he's a bit of a handful sometimes, I wouldn't change that for a second. It will carry him far in life!
Okay...well maybe that's a stretch. Partly because he spent almost the entire game in the bathtub (off and on) and not even wearing his jersey much. I gave up on it somewhere in the first quarter. Poor guy must not have liked what he was eating, either that or has some little stomach bug, because he had bad diarrhea. So instead of enjoying the game, which I had looked forward to all week, I spent it changing diapers while he screamed. He was so sore that I just started letting him run around naked, and I just threw him in the tub whenever he made a mess (approximately every 5 minutes). It really was funny to watch a little naked baby running around the house. He kept stopping to pose, like he knew how cute his tushy was. Plus he had the cutest look on his face, like he'd found some wonderful freedom in life. I had to laugh the one time he stood up and peed...with those chubby legs he looked like one of those cherub water fountains you see in the movies.
But I'm sure you guys don't come here to learn that kind of stuff. You know...I remember last football season he used to do this same thing. No matter what, something would always come up during the games. Not normal things that I could work around, but matters that would divert my entire attention. It's only three hours a week! You'd think he'd throw me a bone now and then.
I think it's all part of his dark sense of humor. Like the way he looks at you before heading off in a direction, to judge your response. If it looks like you don't want him to go there, he immediately zooms as fast as he can in that direction. If you look pleased at his choice, he figures that it must not be that interesting and goes in search of better destruction. I have toy boxes in almost every room in the house, and most of them go untouched these days. I even have one in our tiny kitchen, so I can manage to make a meal or do dishes now and then. Even then, it's no easy task. He always bee-lines for the shelves so he can try to drop heavy cans on his feet. So most of my plastic spoons and spatulas are on the floor so that he can have a "new" toy to bang on things. I've just given up, and wash them when I need to use them.
His other new favorite toy is a deck of "Dora the Explorer" cards my Mom got him. He's figured out how to open the deck, so we get to play "52 card pickup", with me being the butt of that joke. Somehow from one sitting position, he can make the cards fly as much as 20 feet away. He dumps them out, then swishes his arms around frantically in them while they shoot away on the hardwood floor. It's great fun for him...for about 30 seconds. Then I have to round them all up so he doesn't try to stand on them and fall. But those things must multiply when I'm not looking, because days later I am still finding them in strange places. I look at the cards, some missing, some crumpled and bent, and the adult in me just screams at an incomplete, unplayable deck of cards. But then I see them through his eyes, and I know that some 'rules' are just meant to be broken. He has plenty of time in life to do things the 'right' way. I want him to be always be able to look at the world from a fresh angle, and not just follow the crowd.
I can see that his little mind is starting to churn this week. He seems very interested in how things go together now. It's all about what fits inside what else. He likes putting things in the bed of his little plastic dump truck and pull them out again. Or grabbing blocks and putting them in cups. He is really concentrating on how things fit together now. It's so neat to watch his neurons firing brightly! He's catching on quick now! His dad and both grandads are good with building things and mechanical thinking, and I can see that in his eyes. He's a very busy, very driven little boy already. And though he's a bit of a handful sometimes, I wouldn't change that for a second. It will carry him far in life!
9.09.2005
9.08.2005
Travellin' Trio
Last weekend was Brent's first big trip to PA, since he's old enough to realize what's going on a little better. I think he had a good time. The travelling itself was a little rough on him, but two days later we're almost back on track. There's a few bugs floating around at daycare, and I think he was fighting one of those the last part of the weekend.
But I'm glad we all got to visit with family. He's at such a wonderful age right now...still cute and cuddly, but energetic and brightly curious about the world. He has some mischevious tendencies, but overall he really is such a good boy.
I'm still fighting a little bit of the flu myself, but hopefully I'll have some new pictures soon. Tonight is the start of football season. I can't wait to try out all his new Steelers outfits!
But I'm glad we all got to visit with family. He's at such a wonderful age right now...still cute and cuddly, but energetic and brightly curious about the world. He has some mischevious tendencies, but overall he really is such a good boy.
I'm still fighting a little bit of the flu myself, but hopefully I'll have some new pictures soon. Tonight is the start of football season. I can't wait to try out all his new Steelers outfits!
8.29.2005
Another weekend...
Brent is doing a LOT of pulling up on things now. Sunday night he took a pretty good punch to the cheek courtesy of the coffee table, and then fell backwards and hit his head. I'm sure if I clocked it, he would have came in under .25 seconds. Then there was a second or two pause before the tears and the screaming. The tears weren't solely his either. I know he probably only cried for a minute or so, but it felt like an eternity. He came up and sat on the couch with us, and as soon as he saw the forbidden remote control, he started perking up. And this time he got to play with it for a minute. It makes a good bandaid, it seems. Then the squirming began again, so down he went, crawling and zooming around the room. Within 5 minutes he was back at the coffee table again, without any reservation. But he did pretty good from there on out.
I think he's going to wear holes in his pants the way he scoots around so quickly. His new thing is to carry some sort of toy in each of his hands, so when he crawls he can make loud clapping sounds with each "step". He certainly loves his loud noises. Of course sometimes that comes in handy. I managed to get his hair cut (yes, it had grown out already!), but with the clippers this time. I'm not sure it was the smartest thing I've attempted, but at least it's not in danger of getting in his eyes anytime soon. I'd say it was a little shorter than I meant to go, but in two weeks it should be looking pretty good. I'll get some pictures soon if I can.
He also got to eat at Taco Bell and KFC this weekend. He loves to sit in the high chairs and eat with us. Well...we eat...he plays with the food, but sometimes a little gets in his mouth. The lady at Taco Bell let us taste test some of the fiesta potatoes and he seemed to like them. They were almost like french fries. Other than that, I can't say Taco Bell has a baby-friendly menu. And at KFC, he tried the chicken poppers and the potatoe wedges, which he seemed to like.
And the best part of the weekend? A total of 4 2-hour naps! I was in heaven! Of course...you really only borrow the time in the end. At 5:30 he was up and raring to go this morning (he usually sleeps until 7). Oh well...he's such a joy in the mornings when he's all refreshed. It's the best alarm clock I can think of.
I think he's going to wear holes in his pants the way he scoots around so quickly. His new thing is to carry some sort of toy in each of his hands, so when he crawls he can make loud clapping sounds with each "step". He certainly loves his loud noises. Of course sometimes that comes in handy. I managed to get his hair cut (yes, it had grown out already!), but with the clippers this time. I'm not sure it was the smartest thing I've attempted, but at least it's not in danger of getting in his eyes anytime soon. I'd say it was a little shorter than I meant to go, but in two weeks it should be looking pretty good. I'll get some pictures soon if I can.
He also got to eat at Taco Bell and KFC this weekend. He loves to sit in the high chairs and eat with us. Well...we eat...he plays with the food, but sometimes a little gets in his mouth. The lady at Taco Bell let us taste test some of the fiesta potatoes and he seemed to like them. They were almost like french fries. Other than that, I can't say Taco Bell has a baby-friendly menu. And at KFC, he tried the chicken poppers and the potatoe wedges, which he seemed to like.
And the best part of the weekend? A total of 4 2-hour naps! I was in heaven! Of course...you really only borrow the time in the end. At 5:30 he was up and raring to go this morning (he usually sleeps until 7). Oh well...he's such a joy in the mornings when he's all refreshed. It's the best alarm clock I can think of.
8.24.2005
Outdoor fun
As usual, you can click on these to see a slightly large photo. I try to keep them small for dialup connections. A few weeks ago I tried letting him play outside and he didn't like the grass. But that's not slowing him down anymore, it seems. He loved it out there!
8.23.2005
Touchdown!
This boy gets excited! Andy was holding his arms up and talking at him, and Brent was trying to copy. It was so adorable! He was acting so crazy!It was a great weekend, though! He was so good, and took good naps...and ate lots of wonderful new foods. So far his favorites are chicken, turkey and fish. He's a meat man so far. I put a variety for him to choose from, and he always goes for the meat first, then macaroni or potatoes. If there's room (and there's usually not) then he might try a bean or pea or carrot. So for now I give him some jar vegetables afterwards and he'll eat some that way. He doesn't dislike the veggies, but he just loves everything else a little more.
And Sunday night he started standing up by himself. He can do it from a sitting position, and not just by climbing up something and letting go. He's such a strong little guy! He's been working very hard on his balance lately, and it's paying off now. What he'll do is get up on his knees, then get from there to one knee and one foot. Then he balances on his hands and just stands up. I don't think he chose the easiest way to do it, but it seems to work. I think in a few weeks he'll be taking a step or two. Then it'll be time to childproof a little higher in the house.
8.19.2005
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