Busy

Aye yai yai.  Hello, poor, neglected record of what's going on in my kids' lives.  Here, have a video:

In review

We had a roller coaster of a year in 2011.  The highs included time off with Mr. E, E's first birthday, A's fourth birthday, and our trip to Disney, and the most notable low was losing Mom Mom.

Amazingly, when 2011 began, our E looked like this:
 

and at its close,


As for Mr. A, January 2011:


and December 2011:

 

So, my year in review via favorite pictures would include:

January, 9 month old chair picture

February--E's Valentine Picture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March--Boys having fun results in great pictures!

April

April

April

May

May

June

June

 

 

 

July

 

July

 

 

August

August--boys' first day of school

September

 

October

 

November

 

December

 

I resolve to post on this thing more this year!  I resolve to prioritize preserving our memories, even if it's not in some baby book.  I resolve to take more pictures!

Merry Christmas!

December 23, 2011

Words

Hello, poor neglected record of my kids' life.

E is becoming a word powerhouse.  At bedtime, we go over the words he can/will say and he points to his body parts too.

He can point to his and/or my:

• nose
• head
• ear
• eye
• foot
• hand
• belly

He can say:

• hi
• bye bye
• bottle
• Mama, sometimes Mommy
• Dada
• Daddy
• Kitty
• Eye
• Cheese
• Uhoh
• Grammi
• Grampy
• A
• Brother
• Ball
• Bell
• Doggie
• Shoe
• Sock
• Hat
• Whoa
• Big Bird
• Baby
• Me! Me! Me!
• Mine
• Foot
• Hand
• Nose
• Mouth
• Milk
• Nana (Banana)
• Boo!

For awhile last week, M wasn't home for bedtime.  A would help me put E to bed, and listen to story.  One night, I asked him to help me read the story, and so chose Go Dog, Go.  He was able to read almost all of it, whether from memory or not, I don't know, but he impressed me nevertheless.

At school this month, they have been doing "The Season of Kindness."  The kids get a chain on a paper chain for each act seen at home or at school, so A has been especially kind and also has been pointing out his own kind acts as well as those of his brother.  It's so sweet.

Last night, E and I were alone for the night.  He's in a big Daddy stage, so it was rough at first.  We went for a drive, and something made this kid CRACK UP.  After that, we had a great night--we actually laughed and laughed pretty much until he went to bed.  We played a game in the kitchen where I'd get down to his level, say "Boo!" and run away in an exaggerated way.  Kiddo laughed his butt off.  He's also going through a fall down stage; I've been calling him Chevy Chase.  As far as I can tell, it's completely intentional.

A is really excited for Santa and keeps asking us if it's Christmas.  They had a Polar Express Day at school, and got to see Santa, so he came home telling us it was Christmas.  

Before Thanksgiving, we were at the mall and Santa was there with no line.  A wouldn't leave the stroller, but E went right up to him.  We haven't yet gone for our "official" Santa pictures, so hopefully the school experience will help them both have a successful Santa picture this year.

Ironically, A hasn't asked about multiple Santas in multiple places, but it came up when he asked why Mickey wouldn't talk to him way back on our Disney trip at the beginning of August.

This year is flying!

More words

Grammi (Mami)
Wawa (water)
Shoe

He also has a distinct noise for when he's playing with cars/trucks and a different noise when he's playing with trains (his newly discovered favorite toy in the house).

On Friday, E was sick and had to stay home.  Because neither M nor I could miss a day, we asked Grammi to come to our rescue.  After spending the whole day with him, she reported that E is the only kid she's ever met who waits for permission to play with his toys.  She also seemed amazed that he cleans up so well when you ask him to. 

I have to say, he's such a good direction follower--I sure hope THAT sticks.  He's a super helper, too.  If he thinks he's going out, he'll get his coat and his shoes... or maybe he'll bring me my shoes.

Additionally, they spent some time looking at the family pictures hanging in our family room.  He'll point to the picture and identify Mama and Dada by name, and points to A, Grammi, and Grampy when you ask him where they are.

Thank you muchly to Grammi for the sick day rescue!!

Words

Argh, I've fallen so far behind.  Sorry, posterity.
Anyway, E is starting to have a language explosion.  In many cases, his words are understandable only to M, A, and me, but he can now tell us what he wants/needs.  These include:

• BeeBee (can mean his new Big Bird or his G.G.)
• Ball
• Mama
• Dada
• Ditty
• Uh oh
• Baba (bottle)
• Nana (banana)

I love that when we guess what he's trying to tell us, he gets so happy--his "yes, that's right!" is a big smile and a little giggle.

Vintage Monday

November 3, 2010

Vintage Monday

Happy Halloween!

Vintage Monday

It's good to see that we went pumpkin picking very late the first time, since we still haven't made it and Halloween is but a week away.  What a cutie.

Sesame Place

Today, we went to Sesame Place.  I really love going in the late fall, because the weather is still gorgeous to be outside (it was about 70 when we left this afternoon), the place is all decked out for Halloween, there are new shows, the kids (and some adults) walk around in their costumes and can trick or treat too.  It's not nearly as crowded either, though it can seem like it is because there are less places for people to be.

Alex is a pirate this year, and had a great time walking around the park in his costume. 

I think we did the headband more "Karate Kid" than "pirate," but the kid was happy.

He was excited to go on "Ernie's Big Bed," and was asking about it on the ride there--would he be able to go in the big kid's line this time?  Alas, the lines are 4 and under and 5 and up, but there were so few people today, it was a great free for all.

Trick or Treating:

The Peek a Bug ride:

We got to see a show with lots of the characters; A sat on my lap the whole time:

I also want to mention that today, A put E's shoes on for him.  My little helper!

My cutie booty is getting so big!!

18 months

E turned 18 months three days ago.  And I just got around to taking a picture in the chair.  At least it didn't get totally skipped like last month.

Today, we made the trip to Sesame Place.  M learned that E can say "Nana," (banana) or at least he heard it for the first time.  I learned he can say "Elmo," or something that means "Elmo," and at home, he can say "Ball." 

I wanted to get him his own stuffed thing from there, since A has an Elmo from SP as well as a Cookie Monster that's similar.  He chose Big Bird... random, but it's what he wanted.  He's currently sleeping with BB in his arms.

I saw a new tooth today--upper left canine.

He loved wearing his costume around the park... we even got a picture of him in the headpiece, though it lasted less than 2 minutes, and the gloves, which he loved to wear, also didn't last very long.

He was so cute with his tail dragging behind:

And today, he went on almost all the same rides A did, for the very first time.  Both went on "Ernie's Big Bed," seen here (he kept saying "Whoa"), the teacups, the bug ride, climbed on some stuff.  He didn't go on "Elmo's Flying Fish," but only because M went to do something and I wasn't able to accompany both boys.

He's also starting to run.  He looked so darn cute, running in his toddler way, in that costume.  Worth every penny of $4.

Reader in Training

When he wakes up in the morning, E has taken a liking to reading his book.  It has to be one of the touch and feel series books he has, and he calls for it with a point.  No other book will do, of course!

Crazy Hair Day

At school this week, there was a Crazy Hair Day.  Despite his avowed hatred of "spikey hair," A was so excited to do his hair crazy.  He wanted spikes.  Daddy took him to the store, where they bought hair stuff and colored hair spray for the boys.

I did A's hair, spiking it with the hair spray instead of the gel, and ohmyGod it smelled so bad.  I quickly changed my mind about E's participating in Crazy Hair Day, and gave A a blue mohawk.

The color had worn off by the time they finished their naps, but the remnants in his scalp were there when he got home.  He had a ton of fun!

A Day with Grandpa

Last weekend, M and I went to a conference, so the boys had their first alone with Grandpa time since E was born.

When we returned, the report was this:

• Around 11, E fell asleep.  On the floor.  In the room with the pack and play.  There he stayed asleep for about 2 hours.
• E is fearless.  And smart.

He also said that E may cry a lot but he doesn't complain like A did (Bepah always complained about A's "kvetching," because A wasn't used to him and so would whine/whimper for Mommy and Daddy to come home, at least until he started talking.)  

Overall, it went well.  They didn't go to see the horses as planned, but they did make a trip to the playground for awhile.

Lover boy

E is such a lover boy.  He's a cuddle monkey.  To be honest, he's the king of what my mother in law called the "drive by loving."

He'll ask to be held, cuddle for a minute, then take off for a little while, and lather, rinse, repeat.

The other day, they were all home already when I came home from work.  I put down my things and started talking to M, without first greeting the boys.  E came over, whined a little, and then stuck his face in my legs for the 18th month old's version of a hug.  I quickly corrected my error and gave him my full attention.



As far as words, he doesn't say much, but boy does he communicate.  E says MaMa, which can mean different things---sometimes it means MaMa, sometimes it means DaDa, and sometimes it means Brother.  He definitely says "nana," for banana.

When we recently went to a consignment sale, the boys found this slide.  E communicated, through a series of grunts and whines, his desire to climb it.



He loved it; had it not been so expensive, I'd have bought it even though we really don't have a place or space for it.

The other day, A, M, and Bepah went for a bike ride.  E, of course, also wanted to go outside.  I took him outside to play in the yard, and remembered that we had a Cozy Coupe in the basement.  I somehow managed to get it upstairs and outside, while holding the squirmy 25 pound child, and made said squirmy 25 pound child's day.




Speaking of consignment, I bought a package of maracas there for E.  The boys pretty much fight a LOT over them, because A only wants the blue one while E wants whatever is in his hands at the moment.  E typically walks around with a maraca in one hand and a fork in the other.




He's thriving at daycare and is so excited to get there every day.  A kid from his class gets there at the same time as we do, so E always says hi and waves to his friend.  He's doing well with the timing of school--he goes to sleep pretty soon after dinner, around 6:30, and sleeps until I wake up A (usually), around 6:15.  And he keeps on growing---we have to take the time this weekend to adjust the straps on his carseat again!

Whoa.

Here we are, almost to the last day of September.  The list of what hasn't gotten done is enormous, including keeping up around these parts.

So, in September:

• Back to School.  Both boys have done wonderfully at school.  No tears, no worries.  E got bit yesterday and his teacher was super surprised he didn't even cry.  My reply?  "He has a big brother."
• The triathlon!  I did it!  My times weren't great--I really couldn't run the whole thing... I really couldn't run more than a quarter of it.  Some (incredibly awesome, I didn't know they were taking pictures at all) pictures:

 

•  E turned 17 months, and I didn't even get a picture of him in the chair.    At 17 months, E:
• walks
• bounces, sort of jumps
• trots, sort of runs
• says Mama, Dada, psspss (the international sound to call a kitty), whoa, uh oh OFTEN
• Occasionally says something that sounds like more, something that sounds like milk, something that sounds like brother
• Occasionally signs more, milk
• LOVES to give kisses.  He lets us know by making that smacking noise that everyone knows means "I want a kiss."
• Loves to cuddle, but it's likely only going to be for a minute before he's off and running to the next thing
• Loves to read books, but only at bedtime.  Most night, he won't go to sleep if I've skipped that step
• Sometimes needs to be put to bed by Mommy then Daddy--if I just put him down, he'll cry until Daddy does his bedtime routine too.
• Typically starts bedtime at 6:30
• Typically sleeps until 6:15
• Will occasionally look at the tv for a minute if it's on, but generally isn't interested
• Loves pressing buttons, so calculators, timers, and other things with buttons that beep are among his favorite toys
• Is called "Sweetie" by Daddy
• Is a LAUGH-ER.  It seems he's always giggling and generally a very happy kid
• Is a SCREAM-ER.  More often than not, he's imitating his brother or it's a testing out what this voice-thing can do
• Is very difficult to take out to restaurants.  He wants to sit in Daddy's lap most of the time, demands a walk around the restaurant, and will end up doing something that gets him yelled at.
• From Daddy:  Is stubborn, and has a really wicked temper, but when he wants to be, can be the sweetest child on the planet.  His smile lights up a room.

• Tomorrow, A turns 4 years and 2 months, so since I'm writing, at 4 years and 2 months, A is:
• Incredibly sweet and charming.  Yesterday, we had a fight over which door we'd use to leave in the morning.  Fed up with the tantrum, I threatened to take away his tv time, at which point he thrashed in my arms (I was carrying him to the car), wacked my chin with his head, and chipped my tooth.  He stopped his tantrum to ask if I was ok and if I wanted him to kiss it.
• But yet he still throws some wicked tantrums.
• Nevertheless, in general, he's incredible kind and patient with his brother, and shares with him often.  They do fight because, like most brothers I'm sure, one boy will put a toy down "for a minute," and the other will come along and claim it while the first wasn't really finished.
• a TV Addict.  If there's a tv on, he's watching it, even if he can't hear it or understand what's going on.  He'll yell at you if you dare walk in front of the tv while he's watching.
• funny.  He just cracks me up sometimes, like this morning when he called me (jokingly), "You little punk."
• Changing--I've noticed that his face is different somehow this month, more defined perhaps.
• From Daddy:  Always excited to do stuff; he always wants to try something new, and he loves to eat out and try new restaurants.  He's NOT into food [still a big mac and cheese and cheeseburger fan] and trying new foods.    Super energetic--would be running all the time if he could.  Loves to be active, loves to be outdoors.  He loves his books, but isn't big into actually reading [he'll yell at us when we try to get him to read words, that he just wants to listen].  He's a good big brother.

•  My birthday!  It was pretty low key this year, with the whole overwhelmed with back to work and being in the  midst of a CRAZY work week (after school meeting Tuesday, Back to School Night Thursday, plus school pictures for the boys, plus bunches of other stuff going on), but we all went out to dinner on Friday.  The boys gave me a picture of the three of them from Picture People; absolutely adorable, though I haven't yet gotten it digital.

I'm a lucky girl