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 :)
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