We frequently refer to Alex as “rotten” or “rotten boy” because … well … I think I’ve mentioned before he’s a rotten little imp. He knows it, too. Well, apparently Ethan knows it now as well.
Last night I was in the kitchen making a cake for a co-workers birthday. Ethan told me he wanted to help (which is often the case) but I told him I really needed him to stay in the front room and play with his brother so I could get it done faster since it was almost bedtime. No more coaxing needed – I gave him a really enjoyable alternative as he loves playing with his brother so he said “OK!” in a very excited tone. I put the gate up between kitchen and living room and let them play.
I’m mixing the cake (really all I do is open the box, add what is says and put it in the pan so it’s not a very time consuming task) and hear from the front room the following…E: “Come here rotten boy.” A: giggle…E: “Come here rotten boy” … the sound of scurrying followed by A: giggle….one last “Come here rotten boy” followed by fits of giggles from both boys. Ethan finally caught the rotten boy. He was chasing Alex around and they were playing with a blanket and hiding in the blanket. Some of the “come here rotten boy” comments were Alex getting away from him under the blanket. Some of it was Alex getting free entirely. The fits of mutual laughter were generally when Ethan caught Alex but Alex turned and “caught” Ethan by falling over on him or something so they’d both get tangled up. I know this because this process continued for about 15 minutes so I had time to watch the action when I got the cake in the oven before they were aware.
The giggling continued until they got a little too close to the end table and one of them bonked his head and in doing so, head butted the other…laughter stopped by wasn’t really replaced by crying. It just made them look around and they noticed me so decided it was time for a new game…see who can reach Mama the fastest. I think it would have been a tie but I sidetracked Ethan by asking him to get me his sippy cup so I could get his drink ready for bed since it was that time.
Such fun they have when they play together – just them, not with toys as no sharing is necessary this way. Oh the fun of having a brother…
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Keeneland & Carving
Keeneland
It was a gorgeous day to go to Keeneland so we decided to treat ourselves. We're on the way there and Ethan tells us what horse he likes best..."the green one." When asked what horse was Mama's horse, "the purple one"...Daddy's horse? "the green one like me."...ok then, now we know what horses to bet. Honest to God, betting the 5 horse, which was marked by the green blanket under the saddle, and the 10 horse, which had the purple blanket, in every race (we were there for races 4-9), we won money in every race except one and we actually came out a few dollars ahead I think. Or I should say, Ethan did. In the last race, we even had the win, place & show horses. If we'd bet them to win, we'd have been a bit more ahead but we're not greedy. Ethan, for future reference, will be choosing the color of the day before each adventure to Keeneland. It was great.
So the parents had fun cause we won the races. Ethan doesn't really know much about that but he still had a ball....there were tractors on the race track and he got to pet a horse. What more could a 3 year old boy ask for? Alex, you may ask. What about Alex? Oh yeah, he had a big time....he got to walk around and try to run away and play with the rope (the rope behind the handicapped seating in the reserved section) and flirt with all kinds of people (a favorite passtime of his) and he got to eat....all day...he thanked us for this by puking down my leg, an indication he was a bit too full cause he did it while laughing and continued right on. Oh well - they were blue jeans and I had wipes - no biggie. He also puked on his Daddy while Mama took Ethan to the bathroom...since Daddy doesn't handle puke very well, this was fun for Mama, too. I'm evil, I know.
Carving Pumpkins
Home from the races - time to eat dinner and carve the pumpkins the boys & I got a Walmart last night. I had to leave them and the carving tools in the car last night to try for the "out of sight, out of mind" aspect for Ethan. From the time we picked up the carving tools last night at the beginning of our shopping trip (a mistake I won't make again), all he wanted was to open them and dive in.
So dinner is done and Mama has straightened the kitchen (I definitely didn't clean it - it's been a long day and Ethan can't wait another day to do the pumpkins so straightening to make space to carve, is about all we've got time for). I tell Ethan to tell Daddy it's time to carve the pumpins. Mr. Excited tells Daddy, "I'm gonna get my knifses and make faces on the punkins...I just gotta get my knifses...come on Daddy, we gotta get my knifses." So now we're in the kitchen flipping through the book to see what we should carve. Daddy is going to help Ethan and Mama will do Alex's pumpkin. Ethan decides his pumpkin should be the ghost that says "boo" and Alex's pumpkin should say trick or treat. No matter how hard Mama pushed for the skull (which looked much easier), he was adament that Alex's pumpkin should be the trick or treat pumpkin. So now to the carving...
Alex is sitting in his high chair with a couple of nilla wafers watching the action. Ethan is content to hold the "scraper" tools while Mama & Daddy first punch holes to be able to do the connect the dots carving technique then do the actual carving because "the knifses are sharp? I might hurt myself?" Yes, they are dangerous. "Daddy, those are dangous. Caresul, you don't hurt youself." (spelling errors on purpose for pronunciation effect). Ethan is quite litterally running from one side of the table to the other monitoring our process. Alex is less enthralled and, as it's now 8:00 (bedtime), less and less willing to sit patiently.
Finally the carving portion is done and it's time to scrape the inside of the pumpkins. This is the part Ethan has been waiting for, right? Steve tells him to stick his hand up in there and grab that stuff out and put it in the bowl. The look on his face was priceless....he looked at Steve like "you're kidding right?" and Steve said, go ahead, put your hand in there. E: "no, it's yukky" S: "you want Daddy to do it?" E: "uh huh." Mama is still carving at this point. Steve says ok and starts to do it. Ethan wants to get on the table (a no-no) and so Steve continues to try to tell him to get the guts out in an effort to keep him off the table. There is now a huge pile of gunk in the container on the table. Steve tries to show Ethan that inside the pumpkin is harmless by telling him to stick his hands in that bowl and feel it. Ethan tries to use the scraper and dig around. Steve tells him no, do it with his hand cause he can't feel it with the scraper. Ethan gets this look I can only describe as a prissy little girl on the playground at school who has just been showed a really disgusting spider or lizard or possibly has just had a worm put down her shirt and does that full body shake....it was so funny we were almost in tears...he said (almost in tears himself), "it's dirty, Daddy, it's yukky"....this from the boy who has never met a mud puddle, dirt pile or anything remotely dirty outside that he didn't like and try to jump into with his whole body. Knowing this, Steve put some of the guts of the pumpkin on Ethan's arm - you'd have thought he wiped puke on Ethan....he almost melted down...but when assured it would come off with soap, he calmed down. Priceless.
Alex, at this point, has given us all the patience he had in his tiny little body and is done with the "I'm almost done" promises. He's now whining a tone that says, "I don't care if you are almost done, it is past my bedtime, I've been good all day, get up, get me a bottle and please, if you love me, put me in bed." We didn't respond as he was hoping - Daddy did say "I'm almost there, Aggy, Daddy's going to get you a bottle." However, Alex saw no movement on our part so the "please" left his tone entirely and the whine did, too, replaced by a demand in the form of outright crying. Ok, we got it...Daddy was done anyway so he got up and started making the bottle. The fact that Alex didn't have it yet, though, made the cry not stop. I think he thought if he stopped, we wouldn't think he was serious. I had finished carving around the time Ethan made the face that had us all in tears and had begun scraping. Daddy is almost done with the bottle (had to find one first) and Mama is done scraping but I had to wash my hands first - Alex got louder because I had the audacity to get up and walk past him without picking him up. I washed my hands and redeemed myself by picking him up from the highchair just as Daddy finished the bottle. He gave me the look of "finally, it's about time and don't do this again" as I put the bottle in his mouth and rocked him a bit.
I continued to rock Alex who was sleepily drinking his bottle as Steve found candles but....where's the aim 'n flame? It's upstairs on the shelf in the boys' room from when candle aroma therapy became necessary after an especially explosive poopy reaction to a new medication Alex was taking. So I take Alex up, deposit him and his bottle in the crib and get the lighter. Back downstairs, we head outside with Ethan, both pumpkins and 2 candles. We took some really cute pictures of Ethan sitting on the step between the 2 pumpkins saying "cheese pizza" (Happy Halloween is apparently unexceptable to him). Pictures done, it's bedtime.
We really had a fantastic day. No one really got in trouble - considering Ethan had no nap, he listened very well. Don't read that as he listened all day; he didn't - but considering the lack of nap, he did really well. The pumpkins turned out great (as usual, pictures to be posted later) and tomorrow we'll try to get some with both boys. Though I didn't actually try, I'm pretty sure Alex would have said "absolutely not" had I tried to get him involved in that tonight. All in all, a great day was had by all.
It was a gorgeous day to go to Keeneland so we decided to treat ourselves. We're on the way there and Ethan tells us what horse he likes best..."the green one." When asked what horse was Mama's horse, "the purple one"...Daddy's horse? "the green one like me."...ok then, now we know what horses to bet. Honest to God, betting the 5 horse, which was marked by the green blanket under the saddle, and the 10 horse, which had the purple blanket, in every race (we were there for races 4-9), we won money in every race except one and we actually came out a few dollars ahead I think. Or I should say, Ethan did. In the last race, we even had the win, place & show horses. If we'd bet them to win, we'd have been a bit more ahead but we're not greedy. Ethan, for future reference, will be choosing the color of the day before each adventure to Keeneland. It was great.
So the parents had fun cause we won the races. Ethan doesn't really know much about that but he still had a ball....there were tractors on the race track and he got to pet a horse. What more could a 3 year old boy ask for? Alex, you may ask. What about Alex? Oh yeah, he had a big time....he got to walk around and try to run away and play with the rope (the rope behind the handicapped seating in the reserved section) and flirt with all kinds of people (a favorite passtime of his) and he got to eat....all day...he thanked us for this by puking down my leg, an indication he was a bit too full cause he did it while laughing and continued right on. Oh well - they were blue jeans and I had wipes - no biggie. He also puked on his Daddy while Mama took Ethan to the bathroom...since Daddy doesn't handle puke very well, this was fun for Mama, too. I'm evil, I know.
Carving Pumpkins
Home from the races - time to eat dinner and carve the pumpkins the boys & I got a Walmart last night. I had to leave them and the carving tools in the car last night to try for the "out of sight, out of mind" aspect for Ethan. From the time we picked up the carving tools last night at the beginning of our shopping trip (a mistake I won't make again), all he wanted was to open them and dive in.
So dinner is done and Mama has straightened the kitchen (I definitely didn't clean it - it's been a long day and Ethan can't wait another day to do the pumpkins so straightening to make space to carve, is about all we've got time for). I tell Ethan to tell Daddy it's time to carve the pumpins. Mr. Excited tells Daddy, "I'm gonna get my knifses and make faces on the punkins...I just gotta get my knifses...come on Daddy, we gotta get my knifses." So now we're in the kitchen flipping through the book to see what we should carve. Daddy is going to help Ethan and Mama will do Alex's pumpkin. Ethan decides his pumpkin should be the ghost that says "boo" and Alex's pumpkin should say trick or treat. No matter how hard Mama pushed for the skull (which looked much easier), he was adament that Alex's pumpkin should be the trick or treat pumpkin. So now to the carving...
Alex is sitting in his high chair with a couple of nilla wafers watching the action. Ethan is content to hold the "scraper" tools while Mama & Daddy first punch holes to be able to do the connect the dots carving technique then do the actual carving because "the knifses are sharp? I might hurt myself?" Yes, they are dangerous. "Daddy, those are dangous. Caresul, you don't hurt youself." (spelling errors on purpose for pronunciation effect). Ethan is quite litterally running from one side of the table to the other monitoring our process. Alex is less enthralled and, as it's now 8:00 (bedtime), less and less willing to sit patiently.
Finally the carving portion is done and it's time to scrape the inside of the pumpkins. This is the part Ethan has been waiting for, right? Steve tells him to stick his hand up in there and grab that stuff out and put it in the bowl. The look on his face was priceless....he looked at Steve like "you're kidding right?" and Steve said, go ahead, put your hand in there. E: "no, it's yukky" S: "you want Daddy to do it?" E: "uh huh." Mama is still carving at this point. Steve says ok and starts to do it. Ethan wants to get on the table (a no-no) and so Steve continues to try to tell him to get the guts out in an effort to keep him off the table. There is now a huge pile of gunk in the container on the table. Steve tries to show Ethan that inside the pumpkin is harmless by telling him to stick his hands in that bowl and feel it. Ethan tries to use the scraper and dig around. Steve tells him no, do it with his hand cause he can't feel it with the scraper. Ethan gets this look I can only describe as a prissy little girl on the playground at school who has just been showed a really disgusting spider or lizard or possibly has just had a worm put down her shirt and does that full body shake....it was so funny we were almost in tears...he said (almost in tears himself), "it's dirty, Daddy, it's yukky"....this from the boy who has never met a mud puddle, dirt pile or anything remotely dirty outside that he didn't like and try to jump into with his whole body. Knowing this, Steve put some of the guts of the pumpkin on Ethan's arm - you'd have thought he wiped puke on Ethan....he almost melted down...but when assured it would come off with soap, he calmed down. Priceless.
Alex, at this point, has given us all the patience he had in his tiny little body and is done with the "I'm almost done" promises. He's now whining a tone that says, "I don't care if you are almost done, it is past my bedtime, I've been good all day, get up, get me a bottle and please, if you love me, put me in bed." We didn't respond as he was hoping - Daddy did say "I'm almost there, Aggy, Daddy's going to get you a bottle." However, Alex saw no movement on our part so the "please" left his tone entirely and the whine did, too, replaced by a demand in the form of outright crying. Ok, we got it...Daddy was done anyway so he got up and started making the bottle. The fact that Alex didn't have it yet, though, made the cry not stop. I think he thought if he stopped, we wouldn't think he was serious. I had finished carving around the time Ethan made the face that had us all in tears and had begun scraping. Daddy is almost done with the bottle (had to find one first) and Mama is done scraping but I had to wash my hands first - Alex got louder because I had the audacity to get up and walk past him without picking him up. I washed my hands and redeemed myself by picking him up from the highchair just as Daddy finished the bottle. He gave me the look of "finally, it's about time and don't do this again" as I put the bottle in his mouth and rocked him a bit.
I continued to rock Alex who was sleepily drinking his bottle as Steve found candles but....where's the aim 'n flame? It's upstairs on the shelf in the boys' room from when candle aroma therapy became necessary after an especially explosive poopy reaction to a new medication Alex was taking. So I take Alex up, deposit him and his bottle in the crib and get the lighter. Back downstairs, we head outside with Ethan, both pumpkins and 2 candles. We took some really cute pictures of Ethan sitting on the step between the 2 pumpkins saying "cheese pizza" (Happy Halloween is apparently unexceptable to him). Pictures done, it's bedtime.
We really had a fantastic day. No one really got in trouble - considering Ethan had no nap, he listened very well. Don't read that as he listened all day; he didn't - but considering the lack of nap, he did really well. The pumpkins turned out great (as usual, pictures to be posted later) and tomorrow we'll try to get some with both boys. Though I didn't actually try, I'm pretty sure Alex would have said "absolutely not" had I tried to get him involved in that tonight. All in all, a great day was had by all.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Mastering the Basics
Alex is not just walking a little bit, he's just about mastered it. To hear Steve talk, when Alex & Ethan are playing and he gets excited, Alex will even run across the floor. He still wobbles a little but for the most part, he has mastered it and I think he's a couple weeks ahead of schedule as Ethan wasn't to this stage until our first wedding anniversary which was 3 weeks shy of Ethan's 1st birthday (and we're currently about 5 weeks out from Alex's 1 year mark). Then again, Ethan wasn't really trying to catch anyone. Alex is constantly trying to catch his brother and do exactly what he's doing.
Alex often wakes up before Ethan in the mornings so I'll get him up and bring him to our bed. On a weekday, I make him another bottle and give him to Steve who, on a good day, gets him back to sleep until Ethan wakes up on his own. On weekends, he tends not to want to go back to sleep (maybe cause Mama is still home so he knows it's the "play" day). However, it's not me or Steve that he wants to talk to and play with. Nope - that was when he was still a baby...now that he's toddling around, he spends those wee morning hours looking for his brother. We'll lay him down and try to coax him into sleeping and he'll pop back up and gurgle around and keep checking the door. He's totally looking for his brother. When Ethan does wander in (it's almost like Alex telepathically calls him to the room cause he's not all that loud), Alex instantly starts laughing and smiling. Ethan crawls in and Alex is all over him. For the rest of the day, Alex wants to do everything with his brother.
I am always cold so I have an extra comforter downstairs that is referred to as "Mama's blanket." Not sure if it's because it has my scent on it or because he likes the feel of it, but Alex loves to play in and around this comforter. A couple of nights ago, Alex and Ethan were taking turns rolling around in it and covering each other up and playing peak-a-boo. It was the cutest thing. They play really well together like that.
Tonight when Steve was getting ready for work, Ethan came up to take a shower, too, and then take a bubble bath. So I had what I thought would be quality time with Alex. I say "thought" because he had other plans...he would let me hold and cuddle and kiss him for about 30 seconds at a time then he'd be down and toddling across the floor to find something more interesting. So I started reading the mail. We had cookies for dessert tonight and Ethan had dropped a piece of his chocolate chip cookie which I'd set on the toy box for him to eat when he came back down. I failed to notice that's exactly where Alex found it - Alex, who isn't allowed to have chocolate just yet. He didn't seem to mind that he wasn't supposed to have it. He came and sort of plopped on me with the paci in one had, chewing with chocolate all over his mouth. I looked and sure enough, the cookie was gone...I told him how rotten he was and he just popped the paci back in grinning. As "punishment" for eating the chocolate chip cookie, he let me cuddle and kiss and have my quality time for about 3 minutes...then back to the floor.
It was almost 6:30 which is Alex's normal 30 minute nap time - one last boost of energy to get him through till bedtime. So now he's down on the floor and he looked like he was looking for something. He was; he was trying to find just the right angle to pull the blanket and get it off me completely so he could curl up in it. I had been on the couch and what I didn't realize is that he had already positioned a little pillow right beside the couch (it hadn't been there when I laid down but somehow missed him dragging it over there - probably around the same time he'd gotten the cookie). When he managed to get the blanket off, he then pulled it just into the right spot (it's a big blanket and when all piled up, a little heavy for him), he laid his head down on the pillow, popped the paci back in his mouth and then turned to look at me - dimples shining - and when I said "rotten to the core," he grinned behind the paci and hid his face in the blanket. Such an imp....He didn't actually get his little power nap cause Daddy came down and he got all excited trying to give the goodbye kisses and then he & I headed upstairs to monitor big brother in the bathtub.
So now we welcome our weekend on a good note, walking all over the living room being all imp-like before snuggling in with Mama to fall asleep while big brother enjoys a rare bubble bath by himself (more room to play with all the toys that way and no sharing necessary). Of course this was at 7:00 that he fell asleep and when he awakened at 7:45 (in his crib where Mama sneakily deposited him without his knowing) it was basically bedtime so he got a bottle and night night kisses for bed....this likely means he'll be up around 6 in the morning. His brother went down at 8:30 - though he fought it, wanting to sleep with Mama even playing the "I'm sick" card (and I'll apologize if he turns out to be really sick) - he should sleep till his normal 7:30-8:30 wake up window...maybe I'll get lucky and Daddy will take the early shift if the imp does wake up at 6:00 so I can sleep in....maybe
Alex often wakes up before Ethan in the mornings so I'll get him up and bring him to our bed. On a weekday, I make him another bottle and give him to Steve who, on a good day, gets him back to sleep until Ethan wakes up on his own. On weekends, he tends not to want to go back to sleep (maybe cause Mama is still home so he knows it's the "play" day). However, it's not me or Steve that he wants to talk to and play with. Nope - that was when he was still a baby...now that he's toddling around, he spends those wee morning hours looking for his brother. We'll lay him down and try to coax him into sleeping and he'll pop back up and gurgle around and keep checking the door. He's totally looking for his brother. When Ethan does wander in (it's almost like Alex telepathically calls him to the room cause he's not all that loud), Alex instantly starts laughing and smiling. Ethan crawls in and Alex is all over him. For the rest of the day, Alex wants to do everything with his brother.
I am always cold so I have an extra comforter downstairs that is referred to as "Mama's blanket." Not sure if it's because it has my scent on it or because he likes the feel of it, but Alex loves to play in and around this comforter. A couple of nights ago, Alex and Ethan were taking turns rolling around in it and covering each other up and playing peak-a-boo. It was the cutest thing. They play really well together like that.
Tonight when Steve was getting ready for work, Ethan came up to take a shower, too, and then take a bubble bath. So I had what I thought would be quality time with Alex. I say "thought" because he had other plans...he would let me hold and cuddle and kiss him for about 30 seconds at a time then he'd be down and toddling across the floor to find something more interesting. So I started reading the mail. We had cookies for dessert tonight and Ethan had dropped a piece of his chocolate chip cookie which I'd set on the toy box for him to eat when he came back down. I failed to notice that's exactly where Alex found it - Alex, who isn't allowed to have chocolate just yet. He didn't seem to mind that he wasn't supposed to have it. He came and sort of plopped on me with the paci in one had, chewing with chocolate all over his mouth. I looked and sure enough, the cookie was gone...I told him how rotten he was and he just popped the paci back in grinning. As "punishment" for eating the chocolate chip cookie, he let me cuddle and kiss and have my quality time for about 3 minutes...then back to the floor.
It was almost 6:30 which is Alex's normal 30 minute nap time - one last boost of energy to get him through till bedtime. So now he's down on the floor and he looked like he was looking for something. He was; he was trying to find just the right angle to pull the blanket and get it off me completely so he could curl up in it. I had been on the couch and what I didn't realize is that he had already positioned a little pillow right beside the couch (it hadn't been there when I laid down but somehow missed him dragging it over there - probably around the same time he'd gotten the cookie). When he managed to get the blanket off, he then pulled it just into the right spot (it's a big blanket and when all piled up, a little heavy for him), he laid his head down on the pillow, popped the paci back in his mouth and then turned to look at me - dimples shining - and when I said "rotten to the core," he grinned behind the paci and hid his face in the blanket. Such an imp....He didn't actually get his little power nap cause Daddy came down and he got all excited trying to give the goodbye kisses and then he & I headed upstairs to monitor big brother in the bathtub.
So now we welcome our weekend on a good note, walking all over the living room being all imp-like before snuggling in with Mama to fall asleep while big brother enjoys a rare bubble bath by himself (more room to play with all the toys that way and no sharing necessary). Of course this was at 7:00 that he fell asleep and when he awakened at 7:45 (in his crib where Mama sneakily deposited him without his knowing) it was basically bedtime so he got a bottle and night night kisses for bed....this likely means he'll be up around 6 in the morning. His brother went down at 8:30 - though he fought it, wanting to sleep with Mama even playing the "I'm sick" card (and I'll apologize if he turns out to be really sick) - he should sleep till his normal 7:30-8:30 wake up window...maybe I'll get lucky and Daddy will take the early shift if the imp does wake up at 6:00 so I can sleep in....maybe
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Ethan's best friend....Ronald McDonald
Since Ethan enjoyed Ronald so much the first time and keeps talking about him everytime we pass the golden arches, I had promised to take him to McDonald's around the corner yesterday cause Ronald was supposed to be there. I was exhausted as it was a really long day at work yesterday, but I promised, so I did (not that he remembered cause he knew we were going but doesn't know what the days are so I could have just not mentioned it but I did anyway). So this McDonald's went all out....this place was insane and VERY crowded.
Ethan couldn't wait to see Ronald again. He did wait until I could get Alex in a high chair to make it a bit easier and then he snuck through the people to get up there to see Ronald again. Then he saw an empty chair in front of me and came back and climbed up so he could see over everyone.....then it changed....Grimace showed up. I, myself, don't think I've ever seen Grimace before. I mentioned before that we weren't sure how Ethan would take to Ronald because he usually doesn't do meetings with "characters" well. Turns out Ronald is awesome cause he's an actual person who just looks weird....Grimace on the other hand was this big giant thing in a big costume and not at all "person-like."....he was petrified....he started climbing out of the chair and I thought it was to get a closer look. Nope. It was to get more people between he and Grimace...he came around behind me and that wasn't far enough; he got in the corner (right behind where we were) and pulled Alex's high chair in front of him so Alex was like a shield....by this time, Grimace had gotten to the front of the room. So now what?
I tried asking if we could go get something to eat until Grimace left. NOOOOO ... didn't want to be near Grimace but didn't want to leave Ronald either. So the manager started taking pictures of each kid with Grimace & Ronald. I tried to get Alex out to do this - Ethan almost had a meltdown, as if I were handing his brother over to a monster (which in retrospect, I guess Grimace kind of is). So now I'm trying to get the manager's attention because Ethan won't move until he can talk to Ronald and get a picture. I tell her the issue; she asks if we could just come back another time when Grimace isn't there. I explain, I've tried that and can't get him out of the room. She understands completely....most of the crowd has now had pictures and have dispersed a bit to get food and tables...she gets Ronald's attention and let's him know there's another "friend" in the back of the room. Ronald looks up and says, "Oh that's my friend! We've met before last week." (what a GREAT! Ronald) I tell Ronald, yes, but that he's afraid of Grimace. Ronald looks at Ethan (who is grinning ear to ear now) and asks, "really? you don't like Grimace?" Ethan shakes his head and the fearful eyes return. Ronald has an idea. He says very loudly to Grimace: "OK Grimace. I'm going to go over here for a minute with my friend and you're going to stay right here out of trouble, ok?" Grimace shakes his head yes....all is well with my world.
Ronald comes over and says, "I remember you, you've got a motorcycle - a Harley" (Ethan had on the Harley coat at the last visit and both boys had the Harley do-rags). Then he says, but help me remember the names Mom. I said, this is Ethan & Alex. And Ronald on purpose reversed the names. I say, no silly and put the order right. Ronald looks at Ethan and says, "what's your name?" Ethan - now smiling again - says "it's Ethan". R: "and you've got a motorcylce, right? a Harley?" E: "yep" All smiles now - couldn't be happier and buddying right up to Ronald. I get Alex out of the shield, I mean highchair, and stand him up next to the now crouching Ronald in front of Ethan. Ronald is amazed: "wow, he can stand now, huh?" E: "Yep, he takes steps, too"....I'm standing trying to ensure Alex doesn't hit this hard floor so didn't get to take the picture on my camera but will go back and get the copy the restaurant has.
Picture over, Ronald tells Ethan that Grimace is just funny, isn't he. Ethan looks over at Grimace (on the other side of the small room) and starts giggling, hand over his mouth almost sheepishly and says yes, still giggling. Too cute. Ronald then says we should eat (thank you, Ronald) and he's going to draw some prizes. We go get food and then find a table where Ethan can pretend to eat while watching every move Ronald makes....Ronald moves to a different area and Ethan catches sight of Grimace and proceeds to watch him like a hawk from the safety of his spot between Alex and the bench where Grimace can't get to him. Dinner is now over (we've been at McDonald's for roughly an hour and 15 minutes), Ethan has played with other kids a bit and it's time to go. Ethan goes over to Ronald and tugs at his pocket saying "Ronald, Ronald" but Ronald doesn't hear cause it's very loud, Ethan's tug isn't very forceful (and he's probably used to kids tugging on him) and he's talking....so Ethan goes around front of Ronald and stands there staring up at him saying "Ronald"....Ronald looks at him "well, hi there Ethan" and Ethan says "bye Ronald, I have to go" and gives him a hug. Totally cute. I love that kid. We then are leaving - it's still insane in there and Ethan wants another picture. I had to break his heart and tell him we just can't and that I promised I get the one we took earlier from the manager another day.
Things I learned on this adventure:
1. Do not under any circumstances take both children to McDonald's to see Ronald without 2 adults. Without help from the manager and some other employees, I couldn't have maneuvered both of them in that crowd in that small area
2. It's time to start getting Alex his own chicken nugget happy meal. He ate 4 of my 10 nuggets, almost all of Ethan's fries and some of mine as well. He'd have continued to eat if I'd let him...another reason it was time to go. We really do feed him but he can't seem to get enough things in his mouth. I kept checking the floor and his seat and nothing was there, it was all going in his mouth. He almost go Ethan's cheeseburger a time or 2 as well.
3. Before attempting to go to any other Ronald showings, call ahead to confirm if any other characters will attend as they don't go over quite as well.
4. Ronald McDonald is awesome - he really did remember the boys - maybe not their names, but he remembered without prompting the Harley jacket and do-rag (he asked Ethan where his Harley hat was). This made Ethan feel like the most important kid in the world.
Ethan couldn't wait to see Ronald again. He did wait until I could get Alex in a high chair to make it a bit easier and then he snuck through the people to get up there to see Ronald again. Then he saw an empty chair in front of me and came back and climbed up so he could see over everyone.....then it changed....Grimace showed up. I, myself, don't think I've ever seen Grimace before. I mentioned before that we weren't sure how Ethan would take to Ronald because he usually doesn't do meetings with "characters" well. Turns out Ronald is awesome cause he's an actual person who just looks weird....Grimace on the other hand was this big giant thing in a big costume and not at all "person-like."....he was petrified....he started climbing out of the chair and I thought it was to get a closer look. Nope. It was to get more people between he and Grimace...he came around behind me and that wasn't far enough; he got in the corner (right behind where we were) and pulled Alex's high chair in front of him so Alex was like a shield....by this time, Grimace had gotten to the front of the room. So now what?
I tried asking if we could go get something to eat until Grimace left. NOOOOO ... didn't want to be near Grimace but didn't want to leave Ronald either. So the manager started taking pictures of each kid with Grimace & Ronald. I tried to get Alex out to do this - Ethan almost had a meltdown, as if I were handing his brother over to a monster (which in retrospect, I guess Grimace kind of is). So now I'm trying to get the manager's attention because Ethan won't move until he can talk to Ronald and get a picture. I tell her the issue; she asks if we could just come back another time when Grimace isn't there. I explain, I've tried that and can't get him out of the room. She understands completely....most of the crowd has now had pictures and have dispersed a bit to get food and tables...she gets Ronald's attention and let's him know there's another "friend" in the back of the room. Ronald looks up and says, "Oh that's my friend! We've met before last week." (what a GREAT! Ronald) I tell Ronald, yes, but that he's afraid of Grimace. Ronald looks at Ethan (who is grinning ear to ear now) and asks, "really? you don't like Grimace?" Ethan shakes his head and the fearful eyes return. Ronald has an idea. He says very loudly to Grimace: "OK Grimace. I'm going to go over here for a minute with my friend and you're going to stay right here out of trouble, ok?" Grimace shakes his head yes....all is well with my world.
Ronald comes over and says, "I remember you, you've got a motorcycle - a Harley" (Ethan had on the Harley coat at the last visit and both boys had the Harley do-rags). Then he says, but help me remember the names Mom. I said, this is Ethan & Alex. And Ronald on purpose reversed the names. I say, no silly and put the order right. Ronald looks at Ethan and says, "what's your name?" Ethan - now smiling again - says "it's Ethan". R: "and you've got a motorcylce, right? a Harley?" E: "yep" All smiles now - couldn't be happier and buddying right up to Ronald. I get Alex out of the shield, I mean highchair, and stand him up next to the now crouching Ronald in front of Ethan. Ronald is amazed: "wow, he can stand now, huh?" E: "Yep, he takes steps, too"....I'm standing trying to ensure Alex doesn't hit this hard floor so didn't get to take the picture on my camera but will go back and get the copy the restaurant has.
Picture over, Ronald tells Ethan that Grimace is just funny, isn't he. Ethan looks over at Grimace (on the other side of the small room) and starts giggling, hand over his mouth almost sheepishly and says yes, still giggling. Too cute. Ronald then says we should eat (thank you, Ronald) and he's going to draw some prizes. We go get food and then find a table where Ethan can pretend to eat while watching every move Ronald makes....Ronald moves to a different area and Ethan catches sight of Grimace and proceeds to watch him like a hawk from the safety of his spot between Alex and the bench where Grimace can't get to him. Dinner is now over (we've been at McDonald's for roughly an hour and 15 minutes), Ethan has played with other kids a bit and it's time to go. Ethan goes over to Ronald and tugs at his pocket saying "Ronald, Ronald" but Ronald doesn't hear cause it's very loud, Ethan's tug isn't very forceful (and he's probably used to kids tugging on him) and he's talking....so Ethan goes around front of Ronald and stands there staring up at him saying "Ronald"....Ronald looks at him "well, hi there Ethan" and Ethan says "bye Ronald, I have to go" and gives him a hug. Totally cute. I love that kid. We then are leaving - it's still insane in there and Ethan wants another picture. I had to break his heart and tell him we just can't and that I promised I get the one we took earlier from the manager another day.
Things I learned on this adventure:
1. Do not under any circumstances take both children to McDonald's to see Ronald without 2 adults. Without help from the manager and some other employees, I couldn't have maneuvered both of them in that crowd in that small area
2. It's time to start getting Alex his own chicken nugget happy meal. He ate 4 of my 10 nuggets, almost all of Ethan's fries and some of mine as well. He'd have continued to eat if I'd let him...another reason it was time to go. We really do feed him but he can't seem to get enough things in his mouth. I kept checking the floor and his seat and nothing was there, it was all going in his mouth. He almost go Ethan's cheeseburger a time or 2 as well.
3. Before attempting to go to any other Ronald showings, call ahead to confirm if any other characters will attend as they don't go over quite as well.
4. Ronald McDonald is awesome - he really did remember the boys - maybe not their names, but he remembered without prompting the Harley jacket and do-rag (he asked Ethan where his Harley hat was). This made Ethan feel like the most important kid in the world.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Pumpkin Patch
It was a gorgeous weekend and perfect weather to visit the pumkin patch. We decided this year to try a different one I'd heard of from a friend so started out around 4:30 this evening headed to Baldwin Farms in Richmond. This place was perfect for little kids and all of it is free - you only pay if you buy a pumkin or something else and those prices are pretty much the same as any other patch I've visited.
Ethan had a ball - they had huge round hay bales made into spiders (which Ethan now thinks are really cool) and even a giant caterpillar of hay. There was a haybale along the driveway with legs sticking out and Ethan said "he got stuck, Mom?" Too cute. Wegot there and Ethan wanted to take off instantly - there were ducks running around afterall. He checked out the ducks, then noticed the pen with goats. The lady let Ethan and a couple of other kids in the pen to pet the goats with her - Ethan even fed them. Then out to check out the pumpkins. Not sure where they grew the pumpkins cause all we could see were pumpkins EVERYWHERE - not piled in one little area but spread out all over this really pretty farmThey had a couple of hay bales in the field made into characters as well - another spider, red plastic on one that we assumed was a tomato, orange on another - the giant pumpkin. We took pictures on the spider then put the boys in their costumes and got some great pictures on the giant pumpkin and in among the scattered pumpkins as well. Even a shot of Alex walking in his little lion costume through the pumpkins. Ethan still gets so excited when he see Alex walking - "he's taking more steps...Owix is taking more steps" in the most excited voice you've ever heard. Ethan didn't want to take off his dinosaur costume until we reminded him that he might get it dirty back up where the goats were. Then he decided he would take it back off. 
Back up where the goats were is where the caterpillar was as well as some cut outs to put your faces in - Ethan had fun with all of those as well. There was even a haybale maze perfect for Ethan. He guided me through it and then decided he's go again, backwards (he wasn't bothering anyone else as we went in the evening and it was pretty slow). We really had a great time - even though Alex does have a horrible mother who let him fall off one of the haybale spiders when we were trying to get a picture. Ethan broke his fall for the most part and there was no blood involved and Mama was able to sooth him so overall he was fine and since he sang to us all the way home (litterally from the time we got in the car until we got home, he hummed a little tune only he knew the words for), I'm sure it didn't leave any permanent damage. He's my child - it's not the first time he fell, nor will it be the last.
I'll add some pictures to this tomorrow because words can't describe the cuteness of those boys or the fun they had which their faces clearly demonstrate. In the pictures when you notice Ethan (or me) talking in the shot, it was usually to say "Happy Halloween" while the picture was taken. All in all a truly fantastic fall weekend.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday's Sweet Moments
I think the cutest thing I've ever heard Ethan say is "he's takin' more steps, Mom [or Daddy]. Owix is takin' more steps." Well, I thought that was the cutest until tonight. See he's been saying this in a very excited voice for a couple of days. Tonight he did it again and when I said, "I know, Honey. Good job Alex - you're doing so good." Ethan said the absolutely SWEETEST thing - he patted Alex's head while saying "I'm so proud of you Owix. You did a good job." It was such a sweet "brotherly love" moment. Ethan really is a great big brother and very supportive.
About an hour later, the boys and I went to get groceries so I can make a nice big pot of vegetable beef soup and some banana bread tomorrow (with Ethan's help, of course). We pass a McDonald's on the way home and Ethan wants to know if Ronald is there. I told him not today but he'd be at the one around the corner from our house on Monday. Ethan thought that would be ok but just had one question: "Is Ronald going to bring his Mom so I can meet his Mommy? I really just need to meet Ronald's Mommy." When I explained that I don't think Ronald brings his mom to work with him so she probably wouldn't be there. He then tells me in the most matter of fact way "I've been good Mom so I think we should go to Ronald McDonald's house to see his Mom." Not only is he a bright kid, but he doesn't forget anything - that'll teach us to answer "where's Ronald's mom" with "she's at Ronald McDonald's house" rather than simply saying "I don't know."
Lastly - bedtime is 8:00; though Alex would gladly go most nights at 7:30, I don't usually let him because when I do, he gets up at 5:00 and that just doesn't work for me. Well, I'd actually like to sleep in tomorrow so didn't worry about having the boys to bed late because of grocery shopping - and we left to go grocery shopping at 7:30 when Alex was already exhausted. He didn't cry or fuss at all the whole time we were shopping. He sat right in the cart (with his paci) and grinned and hugged on me while Ethan sat in the back and helped me put everything in just the right spot in the cart with him. When we left, Alex didn't fuss being put in the car seat and was asleep before I even got in the car after putting Ethan in and then the groceries. So when we got home, I expected him to wake up and start crying as I carried him in (which is what usually happens). Nope - he resituated his head on my shoulder all the way to his bed and I put him down then did Ethan's prayers and tucked him in with kissed and turned to leave. That's when I saw Alex had stood up in the crib and was patiently waiting for me to come give him his kisses before he went back to sleep. I started towards him and he popped out the paci and grinned at me and after his kisses, he popped the paci back in and let me lay him right back down. It was really sweet - he didn't get his good night kisses when I put him in the car seat at Walmart (oh he got kisses, but those aren't goodnight kisses) so he made sure he got them before snuggling in for the whole night.
They really make my heart melt...I forgot to mention that as I gave Ethan his kisses after prayers, he said "you forgot to tuck me" and I had to explain that I hadn't forgotten, I just hadn't done it yet because I was in the process of reaching for the blanket when he "reminded" me anyway.
About an hour later, the boys and I went to get groceries so I can make a nice big pot of vegetable beef soup and some banana bread tomorrow (with Ethan's help, of course). We pass a McDonald's on the way home and Ethan wants to know if Ronald is there. I told him not today but he'd be at the one around the corner from our house on Monday. Ethan thought that would be ok but just had one question: "Is Ronald going to bring his Mom so I can meet his Mommy? I really just need to meet Ronald's Mommy." When I explained that I don't think Ronald brings his mom to work with him so she probably wouldn't be there. He then tells me in the most matter of fact way "I've been good Mom so I think we should go to Ronald McDonald's house to see his Mom." Not only is he a bright kid, but he doesn't forget anything - that'll teach us to answer "where's Ronald's mom" with "she's at Ronald McDonald's house" rather than simply saying "I don't know."
Lastly - bedtime is 8:00; though Alex would gladly go most nights at 7:30, I don't usually let him because when I do, he gets up at 5:00 and that just doesn't work for me. Well, I'd actually like to sleep in tomorrow so didn't worry about having the boys to bed late because of grocery shopping - and we left to go grocery shopping at 7:30 when Alex was already exhausted. He didn't cry or fuss at all the whole time we were shopping. He sat right in the cart (with his paci) and grinned and hugged on me while Ethan sat in the back and helped me put everything in just the right spot in the cart with him. When we left, Alex didn't fuss being put in the car seat and was asleep before I even got in the car after putting Ethan in and then the groceries. So when we got home, I expected him to wake up and start crying as I carried him in (which is what usually happens). Nope - he resituated his head on my shoulder all the way to his bed and I put him down then did Ethan's prayers and tucked him in with kissed and turned to leave. That's when I saw Alex had stood up in the crib and was patiently waiting for me to come give him his kisses before he went back to sleep. I started towards him and he popped out the paci and grinned at me and after his kisses, he popped the paci back in and let me lay him right back down. It was really sweet - he didn't get his good night kisses when I put him in the car seat at Walmart (oh he got kisses, but those aren't goodnight kisses) so he made sure he got them before snuggling in for the whole night.
They really make my heart melt...I forgot to mention that as I gave Ethan his kisses after prayers, he said "you forgot to tuck me" and I had to explain that I hadn't forgotten, I just hadn't done it yet because I was in the process of reaching for the blanket when he "reminded" me anyway.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Force Field
Alex is quite a trooper. He gets sick – he smiles and laughs as long as Mama or Daddy are close by. Even spitting blood with Acid Reflux (it came to that before he was diagnosed most of you probably know) couldn’t keep the smile off his face…the little twerp thought it was funny when I freaked out about it. We progressed past that and every “well child” visit he’s had, it seems, has ended in the discovery of another ear infection. We couldn’t tell it by him cause he acts like he’s just fine, if a little more clingy than usual. So now we’re waiting him out to see if the fluid in his ears at the follow up from his last ear infection clears up without a new infection forming (diagnosed at 9 month check then follow-up ear check at 10 months during 2nd flu shot visit showed infection cleared up but new fluid in his ears). I say waiting him out but really the doc prescribed a new antibiotic that’s supposed to help prevent the infection while it dries up but it’s so infrequently ordered that no one (including UK) has it and it’s on backorder longer than the month we need it. So we wait….meanwhile, I’m pretty sure he’ll be going back to the doc in a few days as I’m pretty sure he’s got an infection – not from tips from his attitude, mind you, but from the green snot that is getting more frequent. He’s happy as a clam though…not a care in the world.
This brings me to his “force field” – that item he has that we’ve noticed makes it so that even if he falls down and probably does get hurt, he looks at us and then goes right on. The paci – we aren’t normally paci people. We used it initially but Ethan was done by about 3 months – only wanted it for the “popping” sound he could make pulling it out of his mouth (ok, maybe that was 4 months). Alex wanted it a bit longer which we think may have been his “self medicating” method – when he sucks, he gets slobber which soothed the reflux (yeah, I know – reading too much into it). Then he gave it up – cold turkey – didn’t want it – had no use for it. Until about 2 weeks ago when his brother found one and gave it to him. Alex looked at him and looked at the paci and kind of shrugged that look of “well, if my big brother gives it to me, I’ll take it” and took it. He now puts any paci in his mouth that he sees (which is a great improvement from picking anything else up and putting it in his mouth which was the case before the paci re-emerged). So he can walk a few steps then fall and hit his head on a hard toy or chair leg or anything – create a huge red spot on his head and look around to make sure we saw it and then go right on….IF the paci is in his mouth. The same thing happens without the paci and there’s no looking to see who saw, it’s instant tears. Somehow the paci in his mouth creates a force field making it impossible for him to be hurt – like some super hero that can only fly with his cape, Alex can only be hurt if he doesn’t have the paci. He doesn’t even necessarily HAVE to have it but if it’s there, he’ll take it.
So since these recurring ear infections may mean tubes are in his near future (almost a certainty if he currently has ear infection #5), I’m ok with him having that force field...of course if he really does get hurt (he is a rough & tumble boy after all), it's also nice to know that his small "blankie" with the satin backing can almost cure anything....the paci AND the blankie - well that's better protection than any superhero ever had.
This brings me to his “force field” – that item he has that we’ve noticed makes it so that even if he falls down and probably does get hurt, he looks at us and then goes right on. The paci – we aren’t normally paci people. We used it initially but Ethan was done by about 3 months – only wanted it for the “popping” sound he could make pulling it out of his mouth (ok, maybe that was 4 months). Alex wanted it a bit longer which we think may have been his “self medicating” method – when he sucks, he gets slobber which soothed the reflux (yeah, I know – reading too much into it). Then he gave it up – cold turkey – didn’t want it – had no use for it. Until about 2 weeks ago when his brother found one and gave it to him. Alex looked at him and looked at the paci and kind of shrugged that look of “well, if my big brother gives it to me, I’ll take it” and took it. He now puts any paci in his mouth that he sees (which is a great improvement from picking anything else up and putting it in his mouth which was the case before the paci re-emerged). So he can walk a few steps then fall and hit his head on a hard toy or chair leg or anything – create a huge red spot on his head and look around to make sure we saw it and then go right on….IF the paci is in his mouth. The same thing happens without the paci and there’s no looking to see who saw, it’s instant tears. Somehow the paci in his mouth creates a force field making it impossible for him to be hurt – like some super hero that can only fly with his cape, Alex can only be hurt if he doesn’t have the paci. He doesn’t even necessarily HAVE to have it but if it’s there, he’ll take it.
So since these recurring ear infections may mean tubes are in his near future (almost a certainty if he currently has ear infection #5), I’m ok with him having that force field...of course if he really does get hurt (he is a rough & tumble boy after all), it's also nice to know that his small "blankie" with the satin backing can almost cure anything....the paci AND the blankie - well that's better protection than any superhero ever had.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
McDonald's
Fast forward to today...I was late leaving work this evening so picked up the boys at about 6:00 and rather than go home, cook and have us eating dinner at 7:00 (& fighting through it cause if we try that late, he's too tired to realize he really is hungry and likes what's on his plate), I opted for the easy choice...McDonald's - yes there are healthier options and if you'd like to bring them to me or sit with Ethan to get him to eat them, have at it...I wasn't in the mood...So we're sitting in the world's longest drive-thru line because Alex was sleeping (in the 3 minutes it took to get from daycare to McD's) and the unstoppable questions of the 3 year old begin....E: "Is Ronald here?" No, he's not here. It says he'll be here next Monday though. E: "He's at his house?" Yes, he's at his house. E: "With his Mom?" Yes, with his mom. E: "Where is his Mom?" I don't know, honey. E: "I want to see Ronald's Mom. Can I see her?" I don't know where she is babe. E: "She's at Ronald's house?" Probably. E: "Let's go to Ronald's house so I can see her.".....ok so how do you argue with reasoning like that....you change the subject....What do you want to eat - chicken nuggets or a hamburger? E: "A hamburger. You get a hamburger too Mom?" No honey, I'll get chicken so Aggy can have some of mine. E: "I'll get a hamburger and you get one for Daddy and Aggy will eat your chicken." No honey, Daddy is eating at work. E: "He's at work?" Yes, Daddy's at work. E: "He's eating his hamburger at work?" No honey, I think he has something else to eat. E: "So you'll get my cheeseburger with pickles" (statement, not question) OK honey, I did, I got pickles on your cheeseburger. E: "OK, pickles and mustard." Well I didn't get mustard honey, just pickles. E: "Well I need mustard." (note: we haven't gotten to the pay window yet - I mentioned the long line, right?) Well honey, I just got pickles. E: "Owix's sleeping." Yes honey, he is - don't wake him up. (apparently, he'd just noticed) E: "OK, well I need Ketchup with my cheeseburger." (I'm now paying so didn't respond right away) ... "Mom? I need ketchup?" Honey I only got pickles. E: "OK, will I get a dragon?" (current toy is some sort of dragon transformer type thing or a guy that goes with them or this ball that transforms...a better mom may know what they are called, that's not me - I know Disney & Sesame Street & PBS and these things don't qualify) We'll see honey. If they don't have a dragon will a ball be ok? It'll be ok, don't you think? E: "Yeah. That's ok. A transformer ball." OK good. E: GO MOM! (note: car in front of me not moving yet) Honey, I have to wait for the car in front to move first. E: "Oh...did I get a dragon?" I don't know yet honey. E: "Oh, now we can go?" (the car was moving) Now we can go (get food from server) E: "My dragon?" Let's see....no honey, sorry it's a ball. E: "Oh - they didn't have a dragon so I got a transformer ball" (again, a statement and note: apparently, Mama doesn't call it the right thing - it's not "just" a ball....it's a transformer ball). You'll have to eat your dinner first. We'll eat when we get home. E: "Ok. I got a cheeseburger with pickles and mustard." No honey, Mama didn't get mustard. E: "Oh, just ketchup?" No honey - just pickles (yes, this is a repeat - such is the life of a mom with a 3 year old or probably a 4 year old or just about any age I'm guessing). You can eat it with just pickles. E: "yeah. but I need mustard." Well honey, we have both ketchup and mustard at home so if you need it, we can add it there. E: "Oh, Ketchup has a home?".....at this point I'm 1/2 mile from home and about to turn a few times and as, I have to pee already, I'm thinking laughing at this point could pose a problem so I had to be honest....Honey, Mama really needs you to be quiet for a couple minutes cause I really can't drive well right now with you talking. E: "Oh. OK Mom.....so, we're almost home now." ......so much for "OK Mom"
Last note: While typing this and explaining to Steve, he tells me...oh yeah, he wants mustard now. I said, yeah, well that would have been good to know before. So he says from now on, instead of pickles only - it's just no onions on little man's burgers. Good to know....
Bath Time
Steve posted a comment on my last post and it's pretty cute so I thought I'd just post it so you can all see in case you miss the comment itself.
From Steve:
She has forgotten to tell te story of self bathing these days. She has began to teach Ethan how to give himself a shower, it is taking a little bit of coaching but as usual he is catching on quickly. He needs a little bit of help to wash his hair but then he rinses it out good. Next I gave him a wash cloth with their soap and told him to wash himself up and I had to tell him what part of the body to wash, he washed his arms all by himself then I told him to wash his armpits he looks at me and ask "what are my armpits?" I showed him and he commensed to wash both of his armpits. then I said wash your pp and so he did and then he washed his legs and feet all by himself. Lastly I said wash your butt and he did then he stood under the "rain" since hes not one to really like a shower but playing in the rain works for him to rinse all off.
From Steve:
She has forgotten to tell te story of self bathing these days. She has began to teach Ethan how to give himself a shower, it is taking a little bit of coaching but as usual he is catching on quickly. He needs a little bit of help to wash his hair but then he rinses it out good. Next I gave him a wash cloth with their soap and told him to wash himself up and I had to tell him what part of the body to wash, he washed his arms all by himself then I told him to wash his armpits he looks at me and ask "what are my armpits?" I showed him and he commensed to wash both of his armpits. then I said wash your pp and so he did and then he washed his legs and feet all by himself. Lastly I said wash your butt and he did then he stood under the "rain" since hes not one to really like a shower but playing in the rain works for him to rinse all off.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Grace & Prayers
We're trying to develop good family habits. Now that we have a nice family dinner table (thanks to a beautiful hand-me-down from Aunt Katie), we try to have everyone eat meals together in the kitchen (rather than in front of the TV - the old norm for us) - when the work schedules permit, we even get to do this for dinner. We also want to say Grace before we eat. We did this twice, holding hands, before Ethan started saying as he sits down "say Grace, we got to say Grace." OK, so we're off to a good start on that habit. So then it comes to the decision - what do you say as Grace that a 3 year old (and younger) can understand and say. So rather than the "Bless us, oh Lord...." or "God is Great..." we mostly use a shortened version we came up with ourselves as Ethan doesn't quite have the attention span to do something long nor can he easily remember it. We start by holding hands (in Alex's case, we hold his high chair tray if we can't reach his hands) and then Ethan looks expectantly at us. He wants to start but needs the first word before he can get it together...here's what we typically say: God, thank you for this food and for keeping us safe today. Amen. So I'll start (looking at Ethan)
Me: "God" Ethan: "God"
Me (or me & Steve): "Thank you for this food" Ethan: "thank you for food"
Me (or & Steve): "and for keeping us safe"
All together: "Today. Amen"
Ethan basically does repeat after me version until the end where he leaves off "and for keeping us safe" and chimes in on "Today, Amen" - really cute.
Now let's review the bedtime routine. As most nights (all but 2 nights a week really) Steve (aka Daddy) is at work at bedtime (which I have somewhat firmly dictated as 8:00pm), this is pretty much my routine. I make Alex a bottle and get Ethan a cup of milk or juice then give Ethan both his and Alex's drinks and he carries them upstairs while I get Alex and carry him or let him crawl up the stairs (depending on how tired he is). I turn on the light and put Alex in his crib with his bottle and he lays right down and takes it - when we first started this process, that part worked until the bottle was empty and then the screaming began. Thankfully, we're over that stage. Then I turn to Ethan - do you need to pee? "No"..."go pee anyway" (all parents know he really had to go and 2 seconds after I leave, he'd come back out and have to go)....Now we're back in his room and he's back in bed having peed cause yes, he did have to. He lays down and we say prayers, similar to dinner - he looks at me expectantly for that first word.
Me: Now I lay me...........................Ethan: Now I lay me
Together: Down to sleep. I pray the Lord (pronouced Yord) my soul to keep. Angels watch me through the night, till I wake with morning light. God Bless Ethan and baby Alex (which used to be pronounced Aggy and is now pronounced Owix), and Mama & Daddy & Amma (Grandma) & Paga (Grandpa) & Nana & all my aunts and uncles and all my cousins and baby pete (the bunny rabbit) and everyone I love, Amen.
Now if he wants to stay up or stretch this, he'll start naming other people, too which usually goes something like this:
Ethan: and Aunt Megan, and Uncle Dermy (Jeremy) and Kenzie &....
Me: and who else
Ethan: and Dackson & Dylan &
Me: & everyone else you love
Ethan: & everyone else I love
Me: Kisses (he gives me kisses - which is sometimes followed by blowing kisses to all those named if he's really not tired enough yet, which thankfully wasn't the case tonight as Mama was tired enough)
Now Ethan has added something new - I'm not sure where he picked it up but if I forget, he's quick to remind me (even if it means coming out of his room to say): You forgot sweet dreams Mom! After kisses on the lips, I have to give forehead kisses and say "sweet dreams" so he can say "sweet dreams, Mom". If I forget to say "thank you baby, I love you, good night" - he repeats himself thinking I didn't hear: I said Sweet Dreams, too, Mom. As I leave and turn off the lights, he's saying "love you too Mom" ... Gotta love that little boy - even if a lot of it is a ploy to stay up even 30 more seconds, it's still so cute I can't stand it.
There has been a time or 2 when he's in trouble and is sent to bed, no tucking in. He will cry a bit and then when he thinks enough time has passed that Mama won't be mad anymore, he comes out saying "we forgot to say pwayers"....so he'll come in here and say them and reluctantly go back to bed. So it seems we're off to a good start on nighttime prayers as well.
Me: "God" Ethan: "God"
Me (or me & Steve): "Thank you for this food" Ethan: "thank you for food"
Me (or & Steve): "and for keeping us safe"
All together: "Today. Amen"
Ethan basically does repeat after me version until the end where he leaves off "and for keeping us safe" and chimes in on "Today, Amen" - really cute.
Now let's review the bedtime routine. As most nights (all but 2 nights a week really) Steve (aka Daddy) is at work at bedtime (which I have somewhat firmly dictated as 8:00pm), this is pretty much my routine. I make Alex a bottle and get Ethan a cup of milk or juice then give Ethan both his and Alex's drinks and he carries them upstairs while I get Alex and carry him or let him crawl up the stairs (depending on how tired he is). I turn on the light and put Alex in his crib with his bottle and he lays right down and takes it - when we first started this process, that part worked until the bottle was empty and then the screaming began. Thankfully, we're over that stage. Then I turn to Ethan - do you need to pee? "No"..."go pee anyway" (all parents know he really had to go and 2 seconds after I leave, he'd come back out and have to go)....Now we're back in his room and he's back in bed having peed cause yes, he did have to. He lays down and we say prayers, similar to dinner - he looks at me expectantly for that first word.
Me: Now I lay me...........................Ethan: Now I lay me
Together: Down to sleep. I pray the Lord (pronouced Yord) my soul to keep. Angels watch me through the night, till I wake with morning light. God Bless Ethan and baby Alex (which used to be pronounced Aggy and is now pronounced Owix), and Mama & Daddy & Amma (Grandma) & Paga (Grandpa) & Nana & all my aunts and uncles and all my cousins and baby pete (the bunny rabbit) and everyone I love, Amen.
Now if he wants to stay up or stretch this, he'll start naming other people, too which usually goes something like this:
Ethan: and Aunt Megan, and Uncle Dermy (Jeremy) and Kenzie &....
Me: and who else
Ethan: and Dackson & Dylan &
Me: & everyone else you love
Ethan: & everyone else I love
Me: Kisses (he gives me kisses - which is sometimes followed by blowing kisses to all those named if he's really not tired enough yet, which thankfully wasn't the case tonight as Mama was tired enough)
Now Ethan has added something new - I'm not sure where he picked it up but if I forget, he's quick to remind me (even if it means coming out of his room to say): You forgot sweet dreams Mom! After kisses on the lips, I have to give forehead kisses and say "sweet dreams" so he can say "sweet dreams, Mom". If I forget to say "thank you baby, I love you, good night" - he repeats himself thinking I didn't hear: I said Sweet Dreams, too, Mom. As I leave and turn off the lights, he's saying "love you too Mom" ... Gotta love that little boy - even if a lot of it is a ploy to stay up even 30 more seconds, it's still so cute I can't stand it.
There has been a time or 2 when he's in trouble and is sent to bed, no tucking in. He will cry a bit and then when he thinks enough time has passed that Mama won't be mad anymore, he comes out saying "we forgot to say pwayers"....so he'll come in here and say them and reluctantly go back to bed. So it seems we're off to a good start on nighttime prayers as well.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Walking...
Alex is definitely getting this walking thing down. He's taken 2 or 3 steps at a time before but mostly it's one step and then the others are just what happens when he's trying to land on his butt instead of his face. Tonight, he took a step, started to stagger and then caught himself and carefully took 2 more steps, again caught himself and then one more and then just gave up and sat down. All this was while carrying his bottle and trying to drink it so not only is he really trying to get this walking thing down, but he's multi-tasking, too. That's my boy.... (I promise I will post some pictures of this soon and if I can remember to try to get video, I'll do that also.)
My other boy - his thing is to say "I'm ok, Mom." I'm sure most of you do this but when your child falls down you either tell them "you're ok" or if they might have really hurt themselves, you ask "are you ok." Ethan has caught on to this. If he trips or tries to do something and something falls (not necessarily on him - it can fall anywhere in his vecinity), he is very quick to say "I'm ok, Mom"..."I'm ok, Dad" - not Mama or Mommy or even Daddy - Mom & Dad. If he actually is hurt, that's when he calls me Mama or Mommy. Otherwise, it's pretty much, "Can I have some milk, Mom?" "where are you going, Mom?" "whatcha doin', Mom?" "you going to work, Mom?" If he was calling me "Mom" cause someone told him to, that would probably tick me off cause I really wanted to be "Mama" - but somehow since he's developed this all by himself, not only do I not mind, but it's really, really cute. Sounds very "big boy" of him and that makes it even cuter cause he's soooo not a big boy yet.
My other boy - his thing is to say "I'm ok, Mom." I'm sure most of you do this but when your child falls down you either tell them "you're ok" or if they might have really hurt themselves, you ask "are you ok." Ethan has caught on to this. If he trips or tries to do something and something falls (not necessarily on him - it can fall anywhere in his vecinity), he is very quick to say "I'm ok, Mom"..."I'm ok, Dad" - not Mama or Mommy or even Daddy - Mom & Dad. If he actually is hurt, that's when he calls me Mama or Mommy. Otherwise, it's pretty much, "Can I have some milk, Mom?" "where are you going, Mom?" "whatcha doin', Mom?" "you going to work, Mom?" If he was calling me "Mom" cause someone told him to, that would probably tick me off cause I really wanted to be "Mama" - but somehow since he's developed this all by himself, not only do I not mind, but it's really, really cute. Sounds very "big boy" of him and that makes it even cuter cause he's soooo not a big boy yet.
Definitely Monday
Great way to start the day (sarcastically speaking of course)...changed a poopie diaper and started to pass Alex off to his Daddy after giving him kisses...he puked on me.
OK, so now while I was going to be a little late anyway, I'm going to be even later. Then go outside to the Camry to find my badge so I can take the Corolla and leave Steve with the "good car" since he's off and could take the boys to play at the mall or something (we try to cart them around town in the "good car" which really just means the bigger car anymore cause they are both fairly decent cars). Can't find the badge - it's in there, just not sure where. So I get in the Corolla and start trying to call Steve on the Bluetooth as I drive to work to ask him to please find it and bring it to me at lunch.
I called about 6 times (both home phone and cell) on the way to work and then proceeded to call multiple times after getting to work - no luck. No answer. I know he's there - he didn't have time to leave between when I drove off and called him first. However, he wasn't feeling well. So I, of course, have drummed up all kinds of bad scenarios in my head (I'll stop to say everything is fine before you freak out at my thoughts). Steve wasn't feeling well either, so maybe he fell in the kitchen and hit his head - both boys crying for 3 hours....better yet, he tripped on the pile of laundry just over the gate inside the kitchen, hit his head on the floor, passed out, blood everywhere - Ethan (who does now know how to open the gate) can't get the gate opened cause he's crying and can't do it and his crying makes Alex start sobbing (Alex doesn't like anyone to cry alone but otherwise rarely cries)...then Ethan gets into the kitchen but can't wake up Daddy so is sobbing harder and probably making himself sick doing so....about this time, it's been 3.5 hours of calling and I'm now trying to get someone to cover my phones at work while I go home to find out what's really happening that he hasn't answered any of the 30 calls I've made (minimum). Yes, calling the police had actually occured to me but I thought I'd get there before they would. I'm on the phone with a co-worker when a call beeps in - it's Steve cell #. OH THANK GOD!!! I didn't even say hello, I just started in with - don't ever do that again - even if you are mad at me, you call before now in the mornings - what is going on. Turns out, we had "camped" in the front room this weekend (meaning Ethan still wants to camp out but it's too cold outside with he & his brother both fighting getting sick already so we blew up the air bed in the front room and slept there watching movies Saturday night - this satisfies the need for a 3 year old anyway) and had deflated the airbed but hadn't put it away yesterday. So Steve deflated it the rest of the way using the loud electric pump so hadn't heard my first calls while doing that. Then he promptly started rocking Alex back to sleep and took a nap with him on the couch (since Steve wasn't feeling well either) while Ethan watched cartoons. Alex wouldn't have slept 3.5 hours had I been home but somehow, Steve can get him to do that. In fact, Alex only woke up after Steve finally called me. Ethan had told him the home phone was ringing (it was bothering his cartoons I guess) so Steve listened and heard his cell going off upstairs. He sent Ethan up to get it and called me back. The home phone downstairs is apparently dead and so not ringing and he couldn't hear the cell or upstairs phone.
OK - so all is well and my panic was for naught but it's now 2 hours later and I'm just now calming down. Sheesh - way to start the week.
OK, so now while I was going to be a little late anyway, I'm going to be even later. Then go outside to the Camry to find my badge so I can take the Corolla and leave Steve with the "good car" since he's off and could take the boys to play at the mall or something (we try to cart them around town in the "good car" which really just means the bigger car anymore cause they are both fairly decent cars). Can't find the badge - it's in there, just not sure where. So I get in the Corolla and start trying to call Steve on the Bluetooth as I drive to work to ask him to please find it and bring it to me at lunch.
I called about 6 times (both home phone and cell) on the way to work and then proceeded to call multiple times after getting to work - no luck. No answer. I know he's there - he didn't have time to leave between when I drove off and called him first. However, he wasn't feeling well. So I, of course, have drummed up all kinds of bad scenarios in my head (I'll stop to say everything is fine before you freak out at my thoughts). Steve wasn't feeling well either, so maybe he fell in the kitchen and hit his head - both boys crying for 3 hours....better yet, he tripped on the pile of laundry just over the gate inside the kitchen, hit his head on the floor, passed out, blood everywhere - Ethan (who does now know how to open the gate) can't get the gate opened cause he's crying and can't do it and his crying makes Alex start sobbing (Alex doesn't like anyone to cry alone but otherwise rarely cries)...then Ethan gets into the kitchen but can't wake up Daddy so is sobbing harder and probably making himself sick doing so....about this time, it's been 3.5 hours of calling and I'm now trying to get someone to cover my phones at work while I go home to find out what's really happening that he hasn't answered any of the 30 calls I've made (minimum). Yes, calling the police had actually occured to me but I thought I'd get there before they would. I'm on the phone with a co-worker when a call beeps in - it's Steve cell #. OH THANK GOD!!! I didn't even say hello, I just started in with - don't ever do that again - even if you are mad at me, you call before now in the mornings - what is going on. Turns out, we had "camped" in the front room this weekend (meaning Ethan still wants to camp out but it's too cold outside with he & his brother both fighting getting sick already so we blew up the air bed in the front room and slept there watching movies Saturday night - this satisfies the need for a 3 year old anyway) and had deflated the airbed but hadn't put it away yesterday. So Steve deflated it the rest of the way using the loud electric pump so hadn't heard my first calls while doing that. Then he promptly started rocking Alex back to sleep and took a nap with him on the couch (since Steve wasn't feeling well either) while Ethan watched cartoons. Alex wouldn't have slept 3.5 hours had I been home but somehow, Steve can get him to do that. In fact, Alex only woke up after Steve finally called me. Ethan had told him the home phone was ringing (it was bothering his cartoons I guess) so Steve listened and heard his cell going off upstairs. He sent Ethan up to get it and called me back. The home phone downstairs is apparently dead and so not ringing and he couldn't hear the cell or upstairs phone.
OK - so all is well and my panic was for naught but it's now 2 hours later and I'm just now calming down. Sheesh - way to start the week.
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