I'm in love.

Spent some time today with M's extended family, and Bepah bought lunch at a kosher deli. In the spread he got was a jar of three types of pickles--Kirby (ew), "semi sour," and "sour." I was in love with the vinegary, garlicky sour pickle. It was wonderful.

Sick

I've been fighting off something for almost a week now (sore throat, constant sneezing, etc) but it seems to have hit me full force today. Having spent much of the morning sleeping, the only remedy we could find that seemed ok was Tylenol Cold (nighttime), which I'm not even positive is ok. So, this stuff just knocked me out, and here it is, 11:00, and I've achieved nothing on my list.

So, this is how I get to spend our time off/weekend. I can never figure out whether it's better to be sick during the week (which can be so awful, not getting the chance to sleep in and really recover, being exposed to even more germs) or to be sick on a weekend/day off (extra sleep, no real stress/pressure, but then, it's your OWN time).

At least I feel less sinus pressure and less headachy. I also think that once the sleep medicine wears off, maybe I'll be able to get something done.

Please vote for A!

Every day, please vote!
THANKS!

Hi,

I just entered my child in the "Parenting - Baby and Child Model Search contest" and we need your vote to help us win!

You can view my entry and vote for me here!

Thanks and wish me luck!

Please vote for A!

Hi,

I just entered my child in the "Parenting - Baby and Child Model Search contest" and we need your vote to help us win!

You can view my entry and vote for me here!

Thanks and wish me luck!

Commonly used words

Wordle.net is responsible for this nifty little thing. It's funny how it's changed when I made it last, in January 2009!

Stuff

A is very much influenced by what he sees and does at school. Today, he picked up a marker and starting making shooting noises. M said he saw this happen on the playground; a boy who is a little bit older did it, was scolded by the teacher, but it seems as though A has learned it too.

Then there's the famous "Don't talk to me," which A said to me one morning with a growl. He then said, "Don't say that word!" (I have no idea what the word was!)

As for #2, movement is getting stronger, and this week, can be felt on the OUTSIDE (occasionally).

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Imagination, stories, and other tales

A has come to love the movie Cars so much (he tells us it's his favorite), it has worked its way into his imaginative play. If you aren't familiar with the movie, this is Lightning McQueen:



And this is the truck who takes him where he needs to go, Mack:



A has a Matchbox race car that is blue and red that he calls Lightning McQueen.

And, he is hauled around by "Mack," last year's Hess truck:




Not sure why, but I started singing "Yellow Submarine" to A this morning while changing his diaper. He then asked to hear the Submarine Song, and has been asking for it all day.

We then read Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen. There's a section in which they chant, "Milk in the Batter, Milk in the Batter!" and so A was looking through the book chanting "Milk in the Batter, Milk in the Batter! Yellow Submarine!!"

Another story

The other day, A said to me, "...all night long!" So, I started singing Lionel Richie.




He responded with, "Mommy, sing! Sing Lightning McQueen song!"
Ok. So, I sing this, which is the "Lightning McQueen Song"...


At the chorus, I realized the lyric is, "If you're going my way, I wanna drive it all night long."

Ah, my son and his obsession.
Strangely enough, we've reached a point where he no longer wants to wear his Cars hat. After wearing his yellow hat or his Cars hat every day for weeks, he no longer wants to wear it even when I offer... like yesterday, which was a TERRIBLE hair day. Alas.

Funny guy

A few funny stories this week.

Up first, my 2 year old locked me out of the house yesterday. I was in the garage, putting my school stuff in the car. He came out with me, then went back in. Despite my saying, "Don't close the door, A," he did. I then heard him lock the deadbolt, which I didn't even think he could reach. Turns out he can. It also turns out the rest of the house was locked, and my keys were in the house. We also have no key to unlock that door. SOMEHOW, I got him to unlock the deadbolt, and wasn't even late to work.

Also yesterday, my son decided to wake when I was about halfway through my shower... and after Daddy had left for the day. He came into the bathroom, cried when I told him Daddy had left for work, and left the room. I called to him to come back in and play with his (bath) toys, to no avail. I quickly finished up my shower and went to find him... I discovered A on the stairs. With a banana in his hand. Apparently, coming back UP. He had gone downstairs, pulled his stool over to the banana spot, pulled a banana off the bunch, and then came back upstairs.

I had another funny story, but at this time can't remember it.

The Aquarium!

We went to the aquarium in Camden today with Grampy and Grammi. After taking 333 pictures, here are the best of what I got...





And, since that posted so small, click here to see the slideshow larger.

Pumpkin Picking Pictures

Our pumpkin picking pictures. I didn't take out the bad ones, it was hard enough adding all of these to photobucket.

A bit delayed

A little late, but here's the ultra sound picture at 12 weeks on October 8, 2009!

We were just on our way home from voting when A started to say, "Go Mets!" then turned it into this:

SME

My friend from college took several pictures of A. You can see her story about how much of a ham he was on her blog, but here's the picture she shared! Go here for her blog!

Imagination.

It seems our son has discovered imaginative play. Today, he was reenacting the Cars movie, using his Hess truck (Mac) and red race car (Lightning McQueen). He even wanted to take "Mac" with us for our errands. He was playing with something this afternoon and said, "Bye bye, Thomas!"

Yesterday, we did not go trick or treating at all. Instead, we played in the rain and mud at the University of Delaware's homecoming game. The team lost. The band rocked. The alumni band was REALLY BIG!! A had a great time, and was the PERFECT CHILD ALL DAY (once we left the house, that is). He took about a 30 minute nap on the car ride home, and ultimately fell asleep during post game sometime. He was a little charmer, and did a great job yelling "Go Hens!" and "Blooooooooo Hens!" He had a great time pointing out that "they're running!" too.


In the parking lot after the game, the drum line came over to where we were and A got to see them drum. He was in awe, fascinated, and terrified, all at the same time.


A's first tailgate experience!




Having a blast in the drizzle and with the railing... more of these to follow.




The Band.


Some did not make it to postgame.



Running on a great big football field! (This is back to before the game)



Anticipation.... (Actually, I think he's talking with Aunt Jen here). Due to the way we were seated, A refused to allow our customary family photo.



A Puddle! Oh, boy!!



Ham!



From the field; In my Life!



Another puddle, OH BOY!




No longer at all shy with Mr. Puddle.






Maybe I do, maybe I don't, need to say that my son was wet from the bottoms of his feet to at least his knees. He, of course, had not a care in the world and would have happily left his socks, shoes, and jeans on. We nonetheless stripped him down to his diaper and took him promptly to Kmart for some quick new clothes.

In all, a fun day at the game was had by all!

Pumpkin Picking

Yesterday, A and I went to a farm in Hillsborough to pick pumpkins. We took a tractor ride, ran around in a hay maze, and even saw someone in a hot air balloon... as well as picked out pumpkins!

As far as pictures... they're available, but blogger is giving me issues... another time.

Funny morning

This morning, A came out of his room, and is typical, threw a tantrum on the hall floor. Needing to get myself ready, I let him go to town and continued doing my thing. I heard silence, and so went into the hall to find him admiring the old space heater we have in the hall. He asked me something about it--can't remember what--and went about his merry way. I came back a few minutes later to find he had switched that space heater with the one in his room... silly.

He then came into the bedroom, and asked to put his blanket on the bed. I helped him do that, and then he asked to go up on the bed. He had already asked for his "football game," so I put A, along with the football, on the bed. He then curled up, football cuddled, with his head on the kiki and the thumb in the mouth, to be bop to the classic rock station on the clock radio.

Meanwhile, I just came home from the world's longest doctor's appointment (3:45 appointment, walked out the door at 5:20, saw the doctor for all of 10 minutes). Things look good, not that they really look at anything at these appointments, but heard the heartbeat! It is good, and 147 bpm!

Picture People, take 2...

We went to Picture People again yesterday, this time with A alone. This time, we brought a LOT a LOT a LOT of props. What a difference... and wait till you see the best (and yet worst) prop I found.

We had a really tough time picking this time, but did manage to bring it down to 3!

Here ya go!

As an aside, I'd LOVE to tell you we posed A with that stool, but we didn't. He saw it, he grabbed and dragged it, and he even posed himself with his foot on the stool.

Morning fun.

This morning, A decided he wanted waffles for breakfast. I don't usually feed him breakfast, so this was a surprise. He ate them as I watched CNN, and Mitten joined in the fun.

At some point, A started saying, "Go ahead, Mitten," although I forget what he wanted her to go ahead. I couldn't get him to say it again, of course, once I got the phone pointed and ready, but I figured it was cute and I haven't posted anything interesting in awhile.

What's new

Not a whole lot is new around here... A continues to wake up sometime before 6. It seems that M's telling him a few nights ago to "Get back to sleep!" worked as far as the middle of the night wakings, but he hears M getting ready and gets up and at em. Yesterday, this resulted in a VERY sleepy boy waking as Daddy came out of the shower (that's right... before 5:30am), watching Cars, screaming when Mommy tried to turn OFF Cars, and a difficult time parting from Kiki and his thumb at school.

As far as new CAN DOs, he can now identify letters. He has letter sheets, and has started pointing out letters of his choice as well as what we ask him to identify too. The sheets also have numbers, which sometimes trip him up, but overall we're pretty impressed anyway!

He seems to come out with a new phrase every day, the latest is asking which of our cars is broken.

As for the OTHER one,

Welcome to the second trimester! This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb. Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him -- a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb. In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches -- about the size of a lemon -- and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

Pictures

We went to Picture People the other day, and took Best Bud with us. Here's the results of a not very successful photo shoot:
Link

Funny

My guy is funny these days. Some mornings are VERY difficult, as he screams and thrashes as I try to dress him or put on his coat. However, the other morning, he was simply a joy, and had me cracking up.

First, I'm changing his diaper when he said "Cream on it." Thinking he meant milk or something, I asked what do you mean, to which he replied, "Cream on my butt."

Then, he was in my bathroom with me as I put on my makeup, and grabbed the blusher brush... he used it to brush his hair. "No, Alex, it goes like this:..." and I put on my blush, complete with a little "dee dee dee" as I brushed. I put down my brush, and he did the same on his face, complete with a little "dee dee dee" as he brushed.

A's first hockey game

We, along with Bepah and Colleen, took A to his first hockey game last night. We saw the Flyers WIN (YEAH!) over the Devils.


Cell phone self portrait.





Someone somewhere gave A a balloon hat. He looked funny in it, but wasn't very enthusiastic.


A did so so well at the game, despite the bedtime start time! He was so enthusiastic about the game, all the lights, the action, etc, etc etc.

He kept yelling, "Run!" and "Go Mets!"

I have to say, it's way more fun to be a Flyers fan at a Devils game than a Devils fan at a Devils game. M and Bepah walked around in their jerseys and no one said a word to them, but everywhere I went, people cheered at me and my jersey. Even a Newark cop said, "You're raising him a Flyers fan, right??"

After every period, we took A for a walk to stretch and get a change of scene. At one point, we walked around the arena and some guy walking the other way put his hand on A's head. Weird, right?

We were super lucky in that the two seats next to us were empty for most of the game, so A got his own seat. That made him really happy and made it much easier for us.

All in all, a great night. It's reassuring to know A enjoyed it so much that we can bring him back again...even for a 7pm start time!

A real ham

This boy. He frustrates the hell out of us, but he can really really make us smile. It's all in the eyes, you see. This afternoon, while out running errands, M was putting A into the car. I can't remember details, but I feel like they were having a pretend screaming match. A looked over at me and just gave me this look that CRACKED me up. When we're eating, he'll look at me and just start nodding his head, then shaking it, always keeping eye contact with this mischievous expression.

I discovered this little gem on a website I get in my email. It allows you to compare your sun sign with that of your child. The perfect match was my "second sign," having been born on the cusp. A and me, perfect together:

Your Leo child loves performing for you because you make such an affectionate, encouraging, and generally rapt audience. Your little one's flair for drama is apparent from an early age, and she adores being the center of attention. You're a wonderful parent to her in part because you so enjoy her bright, happy energy. Plus, she's naturally popular (which she must have inherited from you!), so playdates, birthday parties, and other get-togethers are fun for both of you.

You can foster your child's natural creativity by taking her to plays, films, art galleries, and museums, and instilling in her your own love of art and performance. Most of all, give her all your affection and encouragement, because although your little Leo seems as courageous as a lion, her pride is easily dented if she doesn't feel she's getting the adoration she craves.

Yikes

Wow, it's been a long time. This year has been very crazy, and really, I have nothing new to report right this second.

A has been doing really well at school, although I'm very surprised to find him still asleep most mornings when I go in to get him up. He has no problem waking up at 6am on SATURDAY, however. His latest weekend thing has been to make the bed rail squeak. With his hand, and then with his feet.

He is OBSESSED with baseball lately. Of course, football has been on tv a lot lately, but he sees that green field and says "baseball game." He asks us to sing the "Baseball song," and sings along to JACK....BACK.... GAME!!!

On that note, he has developed way more of an opinion on his clothing. Most days, he asks for his baseball shirt, which is a shame considering he only has one. He has been opinionated about his shoes for quite some time, but has become very interested in picking out his shirts lately.

He is so funny about the car. He is very aware that Daddy's car is broken, and needs to be fixed. He points to the loaner as Daddy's new car, but he always prefers to ride in Mommy's car.

I had a very good, although very low key birthday. My boys gave me some wonderful gifts, and we went out to dinner. I then got to follow up my birthday with one of the longest days of the school year, Back to School Night. The weather has been stunning, which of course makes being back to school difficult... oh the days of stay at home mom-ness....

As for school itself, it seems to be a good year so far. Lots of things going on around here, although, nothing to really report so much.

As for potty training, it seems to have stalled. The hubbub (is that a word?) of back to daycare and what goes along with it, and he really isn't interested in going to the potty anymore. I guess they're not doing much with it there, and we don't really have the time with him to do much with it on our end.

This boy loves to run and he loves to jump. It's a struggle these days to stop him from jumping in parking lots, and getting him to hold hands has been too. Generally, he does it when it matters, which is what's important, I suppose!!!

More coming VERY soon!

First and second week of school!

A's first week of school went great! We somehow missed transition week, so he spent the week in his old room with his old friends and old teacher. He did fantastic. I was so optimistic that the school transition would be a breeze!

Alas, our first day of the second week brought about a different boy. On the first day, he cried when I left him. The rest of the week, he cried every morning, and most afternoons at pickup too. The only day that went well was Friday. Due to car troubles, Daddy left for work a little later than normal so A got to spend a little time with him. I think that might have made the difference.

Otherwise, things are going well here, with back to school being a smooth transition for all of us.

Potty

Here's where it starts to get gross again.

A followed me into the potty, and said Poopy. I said, Do you have to go poopy? Yes, he said, diaper off!

Sure enough, he went on the potty! The insert then stuck to his rear end, with the yucky heat we've had today, making a lovely mess on THE fLoor.

But, he did it AND told me HE had TO! YAY!!

Poopy Diaper

M: A, who do you want to change your diaper... Mommy or Daddy?
A: Grampy?
M: Grampy is not a choice... who should change your diaper... Mommy or Daddy?
A: Grampy change my diaper.
M: No, NOT GRAMPY!
A: Grammi?
M: N...
A: Grampy? Livy?

My A...

I got this idea from Megan.


AKA: Boot, sweetpea, sweetness
Loves: DADDY.


Kitties. Livy (my parents' cocker spaniel). Choo choos. Animals of all kinds. The boat.
Helping. Swimming. The ocean.

Reading.





Favorite Foods: Lemons; if one of us gets iced tea or water with a lemon, he asks for it or maybe just grabs it, then eats it, rind and all.

Bananas. Ice cream. Berries (especially strawberries). Applesauce.

Favorite TV Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, although he won't turn down an offer to watch Elmo, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, or Yo Gabba Gabba.

Favorite place: Outside. A loves to be outside. He loves to help water the plants, and if Daddy is mowing the lawn, he wants to use his bubble mower. He has also really come around to the beach this year. After a few trips in the water with Daddy, he just LOVES to go swimming in the ocean.

Other info: A can be a really timid little boy, but other times, he loves to be adventurous. It's hard for me to explain, but he will NOT try things he doesn't WANT to try. For example, he loves to play in the water, but he HATES to get splashed. We went to the spraygrounds, and he had fun, but would cry (and as he got more tired, scream) when he got splashed--especially in the face.

A absolutely adores animals. Went went to the Popcorn Park Zoo last week, and he was so fascinated by everything there.

He is starting to get a little bit rough with Mitten, but knows he's SUPPOSED to use nice hands with her.

When he gets sleepy, he loves to cuddle with us. In fact, that's what he'll say, "Mommy, cuddle."

Favorite phrases these days include "My turn" (although, more often than not, we're not sure what it's his turn FOR), "Where'd Grampy go?", "Mitten sleeping," "I reach it," and calling Daddy by his first and last name.

Bed.

This weekend, at Grammi and Grampy's house, A spent his nights and naps in the trundle bed. He slept very close to the floor, and had no problems.

Tonight, we are taking the leap and he is sleeping in his big boy bed in his big boy room!

I tried to get a picture of my LITTLE two year old in the GREAT BIG TWIN BED, but my camera was all wonky. Maybe tomorrow.

Ham

My son is a ham. At our Picture People sitting yesterday, we did a picture of M, A, and me. The photographer asked A to lie on his belly, and he did it super fast and started posing.
We got some really nice pictures, and gave PP a LOT of money, which I suppose is to be expected when you have 5 people who want pictures and some want frames...

Here's yesterdays' sitting.

And, after much delay, here's A's 2 year old sitting.

Recent pictures

Boys playing with Choo Choo.






Playing catch.




I said "Keep your eye on the ball," so he did.






Playing with LJ.
















Boys playing with their laptops.

hot Dog!

A loves Mickey Mouse, and today decided to dance during the Hot Dog dance.

Vintage Monday

Two years ago today, we brought A home from the hospital.

I now get why things come back in style

Going through a bunch of my old stuff from Mom and Dad's attic, I came across a bunch of Cabbage Patch Kids and Pound Puppies. Guess who was interested? He now walks around with his baby, and even asked for him at bedtime.

So, Dad, your mad Christmastime dash in 1984 was not for naught... it's getting two generations worth of use!!

Pictures coming soon. I think the doll's name is Patrick??

Birthday pictures

Here are some pictures from today... I figured out how to get it in order, but now can't figure out how to size it so you can see... ugh!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy 2nd birthday to my special man!