Lost in the world

I have to admit, I'm not up to current events. Ever since I've had Little Man A, I've been lost in the world. Not up to date on current events, don't even know what weather pattern is heading our way (not that it's really that reliable lately). I used to watch Headline News on CNN throughout the day. Now that Little Man A is fascinated with the television, I'll only DVR some shows for him to watch later and we'll have SIRIUS satellite radio Kids Stuff on in the background. We get the paper every Sunday, but rarely do I sit and read every section... besides the comics (actually we get the ads and the comics on Saturday which we make reading them a family event). I try to be up to date, but the only thing I'm current on is children's fashion... and let's be honest that follows the lines of the adult world.

So, when this Sunday's paper came and on the front page was, of course, about the primaries and how Obama is leading Clinton, I decided I needed to read up on what was going on. If not the world, then atleast for the upcoming elections. I mean, I should be able to decide for myself who the "best" candidate may be for the next president.

But when you're skimming through the other sections, searching for other articles that seem interesting to read, and you come across this:



You kind of wonder.....

So, I peaked.....

Now, obviously some of you may know, I'm an animal lover, but these comparisons are hilarious! Take a look at this one:

Gwen Stefani

Simon Cowell
and my favorite...

a crying child.

Turns out these are from the infamous photographer, Jill Greenberg. Her signature is making her portraits seem as though they've been splashed with glitter and are posing for Victoria Secrets body shimmer line. She uses highlights, whitens the whites, and enhances the basic color of the photographed subject. Her current clients include Phillip Morris, Procter and Gamble, Target, and Paramount Pictures to name a few. In this case, monkeys.

The article goes on the tell that most of these primates that were used have their own portfolios including greeting cards, commercials, and even movies. Apparently, even renowned scientist Jane Goodall doesn't mind the portraits and commented in the London's Daily Mail about these "remarkable" monkey portraits.

"Study the faces of the great apes in these portraits and you will see just how closely related we are," Goodall wrote. "Look into the eyes of these glorious beings, read their wrinkles, examine their expressions. You will find wisdom, innocence, humour, even moodiness. They are more human than you ever thought."

Are you sure we're talking about the same portraits?? Maybe she didn't see Simon's portrait next to it. Oh well, I'll try again this Sunday. Wish me luck.

Sears has a secret

Found this in the September 2007 Parents magazine and thought I would share it:
Sorry, Sears, but we just had to tell everyone about your highly unpublicized, only-available-in-stores, and very generous program: KidVantage Wearout Warranty. It applies to all the clothes (except socks and underwear) you buy for your child.

The Lowdown:
If the item wears out before your kid outgrows it, Sears will either repair it or replace it with the identical item in the same size or, if it's unavailable, a similar item of equal value in the same size.

The warranty covers all children's sizes and up to big kids' size 6 in shoes.

Just take the worn-out pants or the torn t-shirt to your nearest Sears store - and make sure you have proof of purchase.

No matter where you shop for your children, always ask about the return/exchange policy - you never know what you might dig up!

God help me. Please.

Lately, Little Man A has been throwing temper tantrums lately like I never thought a child could. Of course, they can throw temper tantrums - what was I thinking?? I've tried various different ways to handle the situation when he does break down because he's thrown his drumstick down the stairs for the third time in a row (why would you throw it if you want it back so badly??) or he really wants to read one of his pop-up books that he's already ripped a few places or for whatever other reason decides to throw him off for the day. Most of the times, when I try to divert him from whatever is upsetting him, he'll take what new "distraction" I've given him and throw it across the room.... with lightning speed. I've tried every attempt and it seems like nothing is working.

a) I've tried ignoring them, especially when I'm trying to cook dinner, but that just makes him hang all over me even more.

b) I've tried making light of the situation - "Oops, you threw your toy. Let's pick it up and find something else to play with." or when he gets really frustrated while attempting to do something new, like stack rings I'll say, "I know that's really tough to do, but you're trying to so well. Let's try playing with something else."

c) I've tried the angry approach by getting down on his level and in a very stern, not yelling voice, "We do not throw our toys. Now let's go pick them up."

d) I've even tried the gentle, quiet approach from his level as well, "Little Man, we do not throw our toys."

For Christmas my mother, God love her, bought this Leap Frog Farm Animals Magnet toy. It really is an inventive idea and the animals sounds are really cute, especially if you "put a cow in the front and a pig behind, put them together and what do you find? A cow-pig?? That's silly! Hehehe." Sorry. Anyways, not such a cute idea when the pieces are lightweight plastic and you have a tile kitchen floor. Just to let you know, this is what it sounds like:




So, if any of you other moms out there have other suggestions as to HOW to deal with the temper tantrums, I am all ears! I didn't think that the infamous "terrible twos" would hit this early (they say the "terrible two" actually start around 15 months). I guess my child just likes to be one step ahead of the game at all times. And right now, he's winning!

Suggestions?? Please!!

Happy 50th!

Yeah, I've reached 50 posts! Can you believe it? I sure can't. Actually I thought for sure I would have reached the 50 mark long ago, but I'm happy to make it this far regardless. So in honor of my 50 posts, here are 50 things that you don't know about me:

1. I love my husband
2. but I probably don't show it enough.
3. I own a horse
4. or atleast I used to.
5. I bought her from my college.
6. I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology
7. although sometimes I feel like I don't/didn't use it enough.
8. But I'm still paying for it.
9. My husband thinks I should return my diploma
10. because they screwed me on some of my Perkins loans.
11. We recently bought our first house
12. although it is not even close to being our dream house.
13. We're hoping to make some money off from it but I don't know with the way the market is right now.
14. When I was in middle school, I fainted while watching a tourniquet movie....
15. twice.
16. The second time the teacher tried to drag me down two flights of stairs while I was blacking out!
17. I've also passed out while trying to remove a piece of grass from a baby rabbit's gaping wound that my Dad hit was a roto-tiller in our garden - he didn't live (the rabbit, not my Dad).
18. Then, again in college when I slammed my finger shut in a stall door.
19. And then again in Pittsburgh when I was bitten on the thumb by a cat I was trying to restrain.
20. It's called syncope or fainting spells usually accompanied with pain.
21. I've been attacked by cats, one I was working with and one of my own.
22. I've also been pooped on by baby Sumatran tigers while working at the San Antonio Zoo.
23. I was a secondary trainer to the Black Rhinoceros at the San Antonio Zoo.
24. I thought scrapbooking was a lame, expensive hobby....
25. Now I just think that it's expensive.
26. I never wanted children.
27. I was planning on just having cats, dogs, gerbils, horses, and birds for "children".
28. Then, my husband went to Iraq.
29. Now, I'm actually considering having a second one.... MAYBE.
30. While in college, I raised mice to feed to my friends snakes.
31. And to do my college science project... "The effects of cedar on the respiratory system of mice"
32. I also had gerbils for a very long time...
33. but I didn't mean to breed them.
34. I used to own a Gouldian Finch,
35. but one of our cats knocked over the cage the day we moved to Virginia.
36. I'd still like to own another bird,
37. probably a cocketiel, but not right now.
38. I have my ears pierced twice,
39. but I always leave the same small pair in the second holes.
40. I have an angelfish tattooed on my left shoulder.
41. I also blacked out while getting that!
42. Thankfully, I knew the artist and told her to keep going...
43. or else I wouldn't get it finished.
44. I was 21 when I got it
45. and don't plan to let my son get one until that time as well.
46. I would love to be stationed in Germany next,
47. but I'm worried about the cold winters,
48. and being too far away from my parents.
49. Whom I love dearly and thank God everyday for them
50. and hope that my husband and I can celebrate 32 years together just them.

Well, I know that was a long list and that some of that, some of you out there may actually know. I tried. It's really hard to come up with 50 things, so I hope when 100 comes around I can think of facts a little more interesting. Here's to another 50 posts!

And if you love the new look, please stop by Wenderina's Anxious Moments to thank her for purchasing the gift. But the real thanks goes out to Jessica at Cuppycake Designs. The design is fabulous and it was a pleasure to work with her!
Tootles!

Stay tuned!

Hope everyone is ready for a new look! Because it's coming on Monday and I am super excited (wish I could come up with inventive words like Shari at Crazy Man Jones but I know it's a true skill).

Anyways, and to honor my 50th post I'm also including a list of "50 Things you Don't Know about Me". So stay tuned!





P.S. I know technically this is my 50th post, but I had to add my support to my mother's robot group the other day.

An evening at Olive Garden

Yes, we decided to venture out to dinner with Little Man A. Since going to Houston for Thanksgiving, he hasn't been out to dinner at a restaurant and I want that to be something that he is used to.... every once in awhile anyways. We can't stay home forever.

So we decided to go to Toys'R Us to, of course, go look at the toys (something to do to get out of the house). And then afterwards have dinner at Olive Garden. I know other people out there have wonderful children (ie, AmyBow has lovey little LP) but I think I have a pretty great child too! He even ate some broccoli and mushrooms. How many 13 month old children do you know eat their vegetables?? Not many.

We made sure to check the menu online to decide what we wanted before we got there. And of course, Olive Garden serves their wonderful breadsticks and salad before your dinner arrives (Yummo!) He was even entertained with crayons! And not by eating them either. Every time he put one in his mouth (which was every other minute since he is teething again), I would tell him "Not in your mouth, on the paper." and he would start scribbling (I mean drawing a masterpiece) again.

We were sat at the back of the restaurant (do you think they did that on purpose??) and near the entrance to the kitchen. I think he was more entertained by everyone walking in and out of there. And of course all the women flirty with him. Yeah, he's going to get into trouble when he gets older.

Here are a few shots.

Do you want to help??

My mother is a teacher in the San Diego area who has been given an opportunity to help her kids with a life changing experience. They are trying to raise money to build a robot for the US FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition. They need your help! They have entered a contest to raise money through PARADE Magazine and Network for Good.

If you would like to help, please continue to read, visit the link below and donate atleast $10. They are also competing for the most donations, so if you would like to donate more than $10 then do it in $10 increments. If they succeed, they could go on to the national competition in Atlanta, GA. Visit her blog at Hey Jude to read more. Thanks!


"Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

Do you want to be a part of a life-changing program that inspires young people to pursue opportunities in science and technology?

Lend a hand to help our students follow their dream. Sweetwater Union High School District has three high schools (Eastlake High, Hilltop High, and Alternative Education) building robots to compete in the San Diego Regional, March 6-8, 2008. To get to the competition, it is essential to raise money to pay for the robotic kit, transportation and various other expenses.

We have entered a contest to raise money through PARADE Magazine and Network for Good. They will give $50,000 to the top 10 charity groups who bring in the most $10+ donations. (To read more about the contest: http://www.parade.com/givingchallenge)

Click on or copy and paste the site below. You will be linked to our “badge” and can donate to rally around our students!

http://www.networkforgood.org/Pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=109490

When completing the form, use the following information:

Designation: Robotics

Remember we are looking for numbers of donations, not amounts! If you want to donate more than $10, please donate in multiples of $10 from everyone in your households. The more names we get, the more chances we will have to win!!

This contest ends January 31, 2008, so PLEASE donate now! 1200 donations of $10 each will put us in very competitive status! After you donate, forward this email to everyone! Time and numbers are of the essence!

THANK YOU!

Hilltop High School Team #2193

EastLake High School Team #

Alternative Education Team #2599"



About FIRST:

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester NH, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With the support of many of the world’s most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge for high school students, the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old, and the junior FIRST LEGO League for 6-9 year-olds. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

What a great present!

Sunday, I received a great present from my aunt "Wenderina". You may have seen her blog spot, "Anxious Moments". If not, go check it out. She is one of the best writers that I know and someone who I am glad that I am related to.

Anyway, she contacted Jessica at Cuppycakes Designs and purchased a redesign for my blog! Jessica recently redesigned Crazy Man Jones blog spot as well.

And just in time for my 50th posting!

So stay tuned everyone. My 50th post will be All New and Redesigned!

Another layout completed!

Hubby has had a long weekend - four whole days off! Not that this means I've gotten allot or that we have gotten allot done this weekend. But I have had two full days of being able to sleep in! Now if I actually slept in is another question.

Anyways, here is the next layout in Little Man A's first year scrapbook. I know so far I haven't included any journaling which I'm kind of disappointed in myself for doing. I mean what's the point of making a scrapbook if you don't include some journaling to tell a story. Especially the story of the first year of your first son, right? Well thank goodness I'm good at scrapbooking (or atleast I like to think so). I've decided to actually hide my journaling so that it doesn't take away from the layout design as well as the pictures. Because let's face, we mothers could go on and on about our children, and I am definitely not an exception. The other thing I did during the first year's events was to record daily events on a calendar. This will make it really easy for me to be able to journal which will be behind his month anniversary picture in each layout.

So, hope you enjoy "3 months" layout. Hopefully, I will have this done by this summer (got to have some time frame in mind!)

Loving Enough to Step Back

A few months ago, I joined a local MOPS group (Mother of Preschoolers). Although I don't have a preschooler just yet, this is a way for me to get out and talk to other mothers. One of the main reason why I joined was because my old next door neighbor is part of the group. I thought it was a great way to be able to see her atleast once a month (although this is way NOT enough!). Since joining, I've received several e-newsletters which include various things about how to be a better mother (both physically, emotionally, and because they are centered around churches, religiously).

This was a short story that was included in the e-newsletter and I almost cried when I read it. Not because I can relate to what this mother is saying (or maybe so), but because I can see me having to remind myself to step back. I already find myself trying to help too much with Little Man A. Either it be turning a piece of a puzzle for him so he can make it go in the specific space, or helping him stack his blocks. Although he may get frustrated really early on in the game, I have to step back and let him do it himself.

Thought I would share it for all you mothers out there as well.
Have a happy Monday!


by Vicki Jones, Area Coordinator
"My son, who is the baby of the family, is very quiet and emotional. He has taken the “don’t talk to strangers” thing way over the top by not speaking to anyone, ever! He also cries at the slightest change in his life which can sometimes make for a long day.

Today he woke up crying because he didn’t want to ride the school bus. My first reaction as a mom was that someone had to be picking on this quiet boy. After many questions I found out that the bus driver had assigned each child a seat for the year and my son was assigned a seat up front, while the only little friend that he has sits in the back of the bus.

Now, I could have written a note to the driver or stopped her and asked if he could sit in a different place, but then I realized if I didn’t make him do this himself he would never learn to speak to others. He needs to learn to do things on his own, after all Mom won’t always be there to fix things for him.

I explained to him that God gives us choices in life. He has to make the choice to sit in the same seat every day and be miserable or to speak up and ask the driver to have his assigned seat moved. I knew it would scare my son to actually have to talk to an adult, but it was a choice he had to make.

I cried as I watched my son get on the bus today, not because I was afraid for him but because I loved him enough to let him go and do this on his own. I cried because I watched him stop and ask the driver if he could have his seat changed.

Sometimes you have to love enough to let them go."

Prayer From a Mother's Heart
Dear God, give me wisdom as a mother to know when to help and when to let go.

Let it Snow!

For some reason, I love the snow. I love it more when I'm inside snuggled under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa reading a good book (don't you agree Wenderina??). Well, this time around I can't stay in bed... I have Little Man A to entertain. So when I saw that it was snowing, no wind, and the snowflakes were huge! I couldn't resist but to take him outside. This is the first time that he's actually played in the snow or atleast touched it. I was able to get some other really good shots with my 35mm (I'm old fashioned- I still like a majority of my photos on paper) of him grabbing the snow off of a low lying branch as well. These were my favorite shots with my digital. Enjoy!

This Blog's Reading Level

So I came across this website and thought I would try it out. Here are the results:



Well, it's better than an elementary school level, right?

Try it out yourself. Just click on the image and plug in your blog website address.

25 Reasons to Appreciate Your Mother

I received this one from a friend of mine, thought I would share with everyone.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTI ONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING ..
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If y o u don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on, don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

The Animal Rescue Site needs our help!

Hi, all you animal lovers! This is pretty simple. Please tell all your friends to tell their friends about this today!

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.

It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purple box "fund food for animals" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Here's their web site! Pass it along to people you know.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com


Don't know if this is really true, but when I clicked on the purple box, it said "You have given the value of .6 bowls of food to rescued animals." Let's help them!

Enjoying the little things

I'm sure some of you think that all I do is focus on the bad things that happen. Although the start of this year has been a little stressful already, that's not entirely true. Here are a few of the little things that I really enjoy while spending my day with Little Man A.

The way he has started to run around the room when I chase after him when he managed to grab the remote. The little hop in his step really makes me smile.

The way I sneak up behind him and start to whisper noises in his ear and he leans his forehead against my cheek.

The way we sit together watching tv and he sometimes leans in toward me (probably more because of the couch, but I'll take it).

The way he doesn't mind being semi-cradled again since he's the one holding the bottle. He hasn't quite gotten used to tipping up the bottle to be able to get the last of the milk. Unfortunately, I think this milestone set back is my fault because when he tried to hold the bottle before he always stuck his fingers in his mouth and I would tell him "No fingers". We're working on getting him switched over to the sippy cup. I'm thinking I might just have to do it cold turkey and deal with the tantrums.

The way he reaches out his hand when we go out for a walk and pass by a low hanging branch. He especially likes the pine needles because they remind him of the porcupine "spiny tails" in his "Tails" book.

I love the way he stops what he's doing in the middle of playing, stares me down, and comes in to give me a kiss. Thankfully, they aren't full, open mouthed, wet kisses anymore.

I love the way he looks outside his bedroom window and gazes at the birds, squirrels, and especially trucks going by. I envy the way he sees the world sometimes.
The way he smiles at me and reaches his arms up for me to take him out of bed in the morning or after his nap.

The way he's recently started patting me on the back after I pick him up. This usually happens when he's getting tired or just bonked his head on the bottom of the dining room table.

The way he laughs at the different noises that we come up with. For instance, he was playing with our cat's tail the other day. When he would slide his hand down her tail, she would whip it back to her body. My husband made a noise like a whip and he started laughing so hard he got the hiccups. I love when he does that too!

There are allot more little things that he does that I really do enjoy. I know this next year is going to be very taxing for me, especially with such a short temper myself (and he gets it from hubby too by the way). So, I need to stop, step back, count to three (maybe ten), and remind myself of all the good things rather than focus on the negative. These little moments won't be around much longer. But hopefully, they will be replaced with new ones.

Baby Steps

I had to share this picture.....I didn't think much of leaving his shoes by the front door until I walked by them after he went to sleep tonight. All lined up with the rest of ours.


Little Man A has been walking every where. Yesterday, we took him outside to walk around our cul-de-sac. And today, he only got his morning and bedtime bottles. The rest of the day he drank whole milk out of his sippy cup with a straw. My little baby is slowly turning into a little boy.



P.S. check out my new embellishment at the bottom of the page! Thanks Lilypie!

A night in the life of a boring Mommy

Last night, I tried to spice things up a bit for Little Man A. We couldn't go for a walk - it was raining and cold, we had already watched 3 tv shows (I try to limit it to 60 minutes per day - even that I think is too much when I total it), and I was bored. As he was sleeping, I tried thumbing through "The Toddler's Busy Book" I got for Christmas.

It has ideas for "rainy days" (perfect! that's today!), Kids in the kitchen (too young), Water play (more for outside), Outdoor adventure (hello? it's 30 degrees and raining!), music and movement and a few others. Some of these ideas I have to seriously question the people who made them up.

Ice cube bags: Mix water and food coloring (enough for two ice cubes of each color) and pour into ice cube try. When frozen, place a yellow and a red ice cube into one Ziploc bag, a red and a blue into a second, and a yellow and blue into a third bag. Younger children will enjoy moving ice cubes around in the bags, while older children will enjoy watching what happens when the two colors melt together.

Seriously?? My child would take one look at it, throw it across the room and proceed to a different toy. And I'm sure an older child would sit still long enough to watch them melt? Come on.

Anyways, I happen to come across one that involved balloons. I have balloons, I thought! Let's just blow them up and bounce them around the room. Little Man A loved looking at all the balloons from his birthday. This is a no brainer. I'm excited.

I carefully blew up three balloons (I've had them for awhile and didn't know if they would be any good). And waited for the perfect moment to show them to Little Man A.
At first, he was really excited. He even started to kick them around. And he loved to watch Mommy bounce them back and forth like a punching ball. Five minutes later....

Running around with my slippers or chewing on Mickey's foot were more exciting for him.

He was off to play with some of his old toys. Which by the way, he's already getting bored with as well.

Or try to steal the camera from Mommy is always more fun.

So much for a brilliant idea by Mommy. Let's pray for the sake of this child that his daddy doesn't get deployed again because this child would end up in therapy from pure boredom. I think if hubby does get deployed again sometime soon, I'll have to go back to work and let outside help give him enrichment for the day, because I'm starting to get bored myself. I'm sure once the weather starts to get nice again, we'll have fun outside. The other day before the cold front came through, we sat outside in the driveway watching the pinwheels in our front yard and walked up and down the driveway for 30 minutes.

So, wish me luck for tomorrow.

Seriously??

I wasn't quite sure how to title this one, so I went with that. No it's nothing too exciting. Just the normal, "You've got to be kidding stuff" that happens with us mothers on a daily basis.

I made an appointment last week for Little Man A's flu shot booster. I was not looking forward to it today. Apparently, he sensed it and woke up at 5:45am. And to top if off, I went in there to hear him sniffing a nose full of snot. He and I have been dealing with a cold. I've been leaving the humidifier on for him during the night. The last two days I haven't seen any runny nose, so I thought it was gone. Not.

So I give him the pacifier and tell him to go back to sleep. Apparently, I've - actually we have - created a monster with this little routine. But anything to get him to sleep until atleast 7am or somewhere in that vicinity is our goal. Ok, more my goal. I can't function previous to 7am. But regardless of what time we put him to bed, he's been waking up lately between 5:45 Am and 6:30 AM. So I may have to deal with an earlier start to the day.

He goes back to sleep for 15 minutes (or maybe he just lays there) and wakes up crying again. I go back in again, lay him down, shove the pacifier back in his mouth and jump in the shower. By the time I'm out of the shower and dressed he's already crying again. So we go and start the day. I give him Tylenol with his morning milk and atleast feed him his oatmeal before we head out the door.

We get to the doctor's office, check in, let him nibble on some Cheerios and wait. And wait. And wait. Hello?? This is just suppose to be a shot. A quick hello - good-bye appointment. 25 minutes later, I walk up to the counter and ask if there is a problem since we have been waiting for 25 minutes. She checks and says I'll make sure they get on it. The nurse comes out, call's A's name, and she says "You're early."

Me: What? My appointment was for 7:30 AM.

Nurse: No, you're suppose to wait alteast one month before his booster.

Me: What? The nurse and the doctor last time we were here said 3 weeks. Why didn't the person when I made the appointment say anything? Why have we waited 25 minutes for someone to tell us we don't need to be here?

Nurse: I'm sorry.

So now we head back home with a sleepy child who isn't feeling well with a runny nose and a full dose of Tylenol in his system for no reason. Great! And to top it off, I get to deal with my child alone ALL DAY LONG since hubby has to go to his cult meeting tonight. Guh!

On a lighter note, I have toothy pictures! I have been dying not being able to get a picture of A's mouth since his first tooth popped through. I just wanted to open his mouth and snap a picture, but obviously he wouldn't think that it was fun.
So, here it is... a nice close up of his bottom front teeth. When he really smiles, you can see all four teeth.

I was really hoping it wasn't going to rain today so we could go for a walk, but I guess I'll be breaking out some of the new Busy Toddler books I got for Christmas. Maybe we'll color. Maybe not. He'll just want to chew on the crayons and then get upset when I say no. Oh well. Wish me luck.

Tootles.

Twas the Month after Christmas

"T'was the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.


The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I' d prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared.


The divinity and fudge, the bread and the cheese
And the way I' d never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man"!


So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick


I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot stick and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I 'm lonesome, and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for?


Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!"


Ain't that the truth! Happy January everyone!

An evening at Borders

Since Little Man A has really taken off with this walking thing, I decided we needed to take him someplace to just walk around... besides outside (more because it's still cold outside ... except for today). The other day, when he wouldn't take his second nap because God forbid he slept past 10:30am, we decided to take him to Borders. I wanted to get some Baby food books anyways, and Little Man A loves books, so we loaded up in the car.

Here's a pic of hubby walking with A as soon as he got into the store:



They headed back to the kids section, with Gramma in tow while I looked for my books on how to make more baby food... that he'll actually eat. Between finding new things to play with, seeing all the other children reading books, and just being someplace new where he can walk around semi-freely, I think he really enjoyed himself.



Gramma reading him a book while he's sitting at a table - with Gramma's support of course.

I don't know if it was a coincidence or if he's just that good at reading titles on the sides of the books, but he picked out a Backyardigans book and handed it to me. That's something new that he's doing that's too cute. Especially when I finish the book and he hands it back to me to read again.

Needless to say, we'll be going back to Borders (too bad there's no Barnes and Nobles around - I like them better) again in the future!

Tootles!

Great Start.... NOT!

Even though we had a blast for New Years Eve with family, we didn't start the new year off quite right with Little Man A. We think he's teething again, this time his first incisors - at the same time. I really hate giving him Tylenol, especially when I truly don't know if he's in pain or just plain cranky. But it is a relief to see a change in temperament within the hour after I give him the Tylenol... mainly because I know I just helped him and I don't have to feel guilty about possibly dosing my child for no reason.

He's also been waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep on his own. The first night, I went into his room and rubbed his back like I've done in the past, but instead he rolled over and reached his arms up to me. I reluctantly picked him up, because I really don't want to make a habit out of this, but who can resist their child reaching up to you. I was able to sway back and forth with him while rubbing his back for just a minute and then put him down and he went back to sleep. The second night, grandma rescued him and it took a little longer and she ended up giving him his pacifier to get him back to sleep. Thankfully, last night/this morning he didn't wake up, but was awake at 5:45 AM ... mainly because he soaked through his diaper again.

On top of all that, he's been back to his old routine of throwing out his beloved Jeffrey, pacifier, and stuffed giraffe if he doesn't want to take a nap. Yesterday, in disbelieve to every one in the house I'm sure, I let him cry/complain for 45 minutes. It wasn't until my husband came to me and asked, "How much longer are you going to let this go on? I'm pretty sure nap time is over." Well if that wasn't a slap in the face/mood change for me, but I'm sure he didn't mean it that way.

To put more icing on the cake, today he threw over just his pacifier and Jeffrey and paced back and forth in his crib for 45 minutes - wailing. Not crying, but wailing! My mom seems to think it's also because of the amount of people that have been in the house over the past few weeks - too much stimulation, I guess.

Whatever the problem, all I want is my good baby back. I'm starting to think that I'm not too sure about this next year. That maybe all this is a sign from above telling me I should just stop with 1 child (which I'm sure my belly stretch marks will thank me). But like my aunt said, he has to be "bad" once in awhile so I can really appreciate the good times when I have them... and that I do! But all I can think about right now is going upstairs and raiding the cookies/pie/cakes/oatmeal cookie bars that were made over the past week and eating them all. If it wasn't so damn cold and windy outside, I'd sit outside and read and get some fresh air. Instead, I'm going to go scrapbook. This is my new years resolution... not only will I get allot done with his first year scrapbook, I can use it as a stress reducer as well. Hope it works!

Here's a peak at his first two months layouts:




Tootles!