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    1, 2, 3…

    July 31st, 2010

    G can count. To 10. I don’t know about you, by this blows my socks off.

    Tonight as we were cleaning up toys after his playdate with Special K, I was picking up his stacking cups. I counted, 1, 2. He then added 3. I said 4, then he added 5. We went all the way up to 10 (with him only not pronouncing 8, but knowing 9 comes next). S was watching it all, and while my jaw was dropped, he said “Oh yeah, he can do this. He just won’t do it when you ask him to.” We did this approach to counting 3 times in a row.

    All this means is that I get to stalk him with my video camera now. Who knows when he’ll do it again.

    But the boy can count.


    Comparing kids. Or rather not.

    July 31st, 2010

    I am really struggling with avoiding comparisons between our two sons. I want to look at them and treat them as their own individuals (which they are), but it’s been hard not to compare these past 24 weeks (as a matter of fact I’ve already failed on this one), and I wonder how I’ll stop myself from doing it for the rest of their lives.

    I’ll admit, in many ways, I am going into parenting S2 and blind as I was with G. I had grand visions of things I would do (or wouldn’t do) with G that turned out to be flat opposites. NOW I take for granted the things that worked with G that I’m blindly thinking will also work for S2. Things like swaddling, liking the swing, the whitenoise, preferring nursing over formula … sleeping in the nursery early on. What if it’s the opposite? What if he hates swaddling and insists on sleeping with us? Some of these things, honestly scare the crap out of me. I felt like every time we got used to G’s routine something new came up to tackle. I fear having to re-learn how to be a mommy to a newborn, or a 3 month old, or a one year old all over again.

    Parenting styles aside, I still do feel guilty about comparing. I fear the phrase “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” escaping my lips more than you can imagine. I don’t want G to feel like he has to be a role model, any more than I feel that S2 has to follow in his brother’s footsteps. I want them to make the decisions that are right for them. If they happen to be similar: great. I just don’t want to push them in that direction. At the same time if they want to do things together as they grow older, I don’t want to stop them from it either. I just want them to feel in control. With our parental guidance that is.

    So this has been my latest irrational fear. I hope come November, this will be a distant and silly worry. Or maybe I’ll come to terms that comparison is a given and feel less guilty about it.


    Foto Friday

    July 30th, 2010

    Lazy week-end mornings. Dino jammas, and one super cute bootie.


    23 months

    July 29th, 2010

    This is the last month that my little man will be 1. It’s a sad feeling.

    I spent this morning looking at G’s first year slide show and it made me weepy. He was so little, and it felt like only yesterday. I know there are days that I just can’t wait to get him to bed-time so I can reclaim my sanity, but overall I’ll miss who he is at each stage.

    G and Neko have been bonding this past month. Neko doesn’t seem to mind G as much anyway. We’re still a ways from G and Neko sharing cuddles at bed-time, but at least Neko lets G get within a foot of him without hissing. I’ve got photographic proof too! Neko really likes the backdrop I use for our monthly photos. I don’t know if it’s the smell, or the texture, but as soon as it’s set-up, he runs to sit on it and mark it with his paws. Actually this is kind of useful for me since I get a subject to get my camera settings adjusted before the 5min shoot with G takes place. When Neko sees G delivered to our “set” he used to run away. Now, it’s a stare off between biped and quadriped kid on who gets to stay. As much as G regrets this, normally Neko gets the boot, and G is subjected to us trying to get him to smile.

    So what has led to G and Neko being friendly? Food. Figures! Apparently men are not the only animals you get to through their stomachs. This applies to cats too as it turns out. We started having G feed Neko in the afternoons whenever possible. G likes it, since he gets to dump the bowl of pellets. Neko likes it because he gets to eat. It’s a win-win. If G is really lucky, Neko lets G touch him once as he chows down. Key word: once. Then he gives G the stink eye. But hey, like I said — we’re making progress.

    G’s athletic skills are really coming out these past few weeks. The kid is apparently not only good at kicking balls, but also making baskets (Ms. S has video of him getting a basketball into the toddler hoop 6 times in a row) and also hitting wiffle balls. I’m really excited that maybe, just maybe, G will actually like to exercise (unlike his mother) and stay healthy in his adult life. On the other hand, I’m so not knowledgeable about sports. I have a feeling S and I will be sitting on the bleachers at his games with a play manual in hand just so that we can keep up with what’s going on. Also, I see football games playing in my living room while I cook Thanksgiving dinner. I’m not sure how I feel about that last part.

    Now onto the good stuff…

    Weight: 24lb 6.5oz

    Number of teeth: same as last month: 16.

    Words & Phrases: not much new this month (I think G used up his word quota last month), but he is speaking more in phrases and attempting to carry on a conversation. While much of his phrases sound like “Mamma! Bear. [Griffinese gobbly-gook goes here]. Fall Dow”, there’s more of an exchange between us now. Still on the “newly recorded” list I have:

    * oops
    * yuckie
    * raffe – Giraffe
    * hot
    * heavy
    * cib – crib
    * garbage
    * zeba – zebra
    * rofin – dolphin
    * I’m fasted – I’m fastest (you have to imagine him shouting this as he’s running wearing only a diaper around the house as we try to tackle him for shower-time. Yes, trust me, he IS the fastest)
    * woket – rocket

    Favorite food: same as before. He also has acquired a taste for bean & cheese burritos. Yum. He’s really rejecting meat though, which is a concern. The kid needs the protein, but turns down just about everything with protein (cheese no, unless melted into something, no meat, no tofu, occasionally yogurt)

    Favorite activity: being chased around the second floor of the house before school

    My hopes for next month: molars to either be out, or stop trying to come in. I’m tired of this.

    Potty-trained?: No, but I’m having a hard time rationalizing to myself why I really need to “wait” for him to tell me he is ready. I’m trying to psych myself into putting plastic wrap all over the house, and going diaper free for a few days. I might want to do this after we get into the new classroom at school and he sees the bigger kids using the potty. Oh and also wait for the transition to his new bedroom. I just don’t want to change too much on him. Or maybe I’m rationalizing that too.

    Naughtiest moment of the month: Making a spice soup on my kitchen floor. We really need to figure out how to child-proof the spice cabinet. And by “we” I really mean S 🙂 Spices are expensive… plus I don’t like vacuuming.

    Sweetest moment of the month: Godzilla impersonations in the mornings.

    Temper tantrum meter: Moderate.


    Say “Aaaah!”

    July 29th, 2010

    Guess who saw the dentist yesterday?

    That would be G. He’s been due for an appointment for awhile. He has almost all his primary teeth (with the exception of the 2-year molars), so I figured it was high time someone checked out his pearly whites.

    Advice on when to schedule a dentist appointment is all over the place: I’ve heard “first tooth”, “two years”, “three years”. I even called a pediatric dentist office earlier this year, and they said to wait until he turned 2. Well, here we are.

    First off, overall, Little Man did awesome! He was super serious sitting down on Daddy’s lap in the dental chair, but didn’t cry when the dentist approached or touched him. He didn’t like having to lie down in her lap, nor getting his teeth flossed, but the appointment went SO much better than I expected.

    What he DID enjoy was brushing the teeth of the stuffed animals in the room after his check-up was done. They had a huge pink stuffed bunny, and a big stuffed kangaroo, and he was happy to share his newly acquired toothbrush with those guys. I will say the Mr. Kanga (the roo) was a bit eerie looking (look left) with a mouthfull of teeth, but G seemed to like him.

    The bad news is that we’re definitely looking into some hefty orthodontia for this kid. I was hoping that his overlapping front teeth were just a cute quirk that would go away after his permanent teeth come in, but as it turns out he inherited S’ wee-little jaws. There’s a good chance he’ll need some teeth removed and braces. Dr. A suggested that in addition to his college fund we kick off an orthodontia fun. Joy!

    Next appointment is in 6 months.

    PS: I’m happy to report that THIS healthcare provider’s last name DOESN’T start with an M. Between my OB, G’s pedi, my chiro, I’m getting tired of M’s.


    Artwork Day

    July 28th, 2010

    I’m catching up here.

    02.14.2010

    04.2010

    04.19.2010

    05.07.2010 : My mother’s day gift

    06.2010

    06.2010

    06.2010

    06.2010

    06.2010

    06.18.2010: S’ father’s day gift. He also refers to it as his “I forgot my keys” rock (it took me a bit to get that one)

    07.05.2010

    07.08.2010: Beach in a bottle

    07.14.2010

    07.23.2010


    Oh cr@p!

    July 27th, 2010

    We spent our Sunday visiting A, R, and R. There was good food, a cooling pool, water toys, balls, and fun company. Oh… and blueberries (you might know where this is going, now)

    G hasn’t ever really HAD blueberries before. I mean sure, there have been an occasional few in a fruit salad, or a muffin, and certainly back in his jarred food days, but we’ve never really given him blueberries straight up. G spent his Sunday refusing to eat (we’re at the start of the 2 year molar torment), and spent a lot of his time saying “NO!” to anything I offered him. Little R LOOOVES him some blueberries as it turns out, so A had gotten a bunch for the party. I offered G one. He ate it and then proceeded to demand “Mo!” by the hand-full.

    Well, A and R warned us about the exit of said blueberries, and BOY were they right.
    First off, our “once a day pooper” turned into a poop machine come Monday (note to self, I might want to implement this for myself now that I’m approaching the 3rd trimester), and his diapers were “special”. I mean black! I mean stainy black. I managed to catch occurrence #1, thinking “Oh, hey this isn’t too bad!” And that I had saved Ms. J and Ms. S from the daily dump delivery. Boy was I wrong! He was just warming up.
    We’re still washing the load of diapers, so I have no idea how much stain is left on the diapes. I foresee some sunning in our future though.

    So I’m still pro blueberries, and obviously G enjoyed them too. I just might need to implement a “sposies after blueberries” guideline in the home.

    Fun times!


    Movie Monday

    July 26th, 2010

    This is how we know G is about to turn 2. The kid has well over 100 words in his dictionary, but his favorite right now is “No!”

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5x-JSVgGDc]

    A happy G on week-end mornings. A rarety. Sadly you’re missing out on the Griffin-zilla walk. Think Godzilla, but replace with a toddler (in dino jammies) stomping around in a crib.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucxCSDqjyNQ]


    23 weeks

    July 25th, 2010

    How far along: 23 weeks
    Weight: 135.2 lb
    Sleep: Good
    Gender: Boy
    Movement: Yep. He doesn’t like music with fast beats, but enjoys more mellow tunes. Moby was a hit this week.
    Feeling: Good. I’m going to be meeting with a chiropractor for a bit, so hopefully that will help with the back achies
    What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy. It wasn’t until being at the chiro office lying face down that I realized how good just being able to go face down feels right now
    Weekly Wisdom: I came to the realization this week that I really need enjoy this pregnancy as much as possible, and cherish the little things. This will be my last pregnancy, and all the things I’ve been taking for granted and even noted as nuisances will be missed. So I’m trying to really enjoy the fun stuff, like the baby moves, and focus less on the crummy feelings.
    Milestones: S can feel S2 on the outside now. We’re trying to get G to feel belly movement too, but he’s not patient enough to want to keep his hand on my belly and wait for his brother to do something.
    Food cravings: Still craving watermelon, and still averted to pork.
    Fetal development:
    Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he’s more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby’s increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won’t faze him when he hears them outside the womb.


    Soccer class, it was good while it lasted

    July 23rd, 2010

    G’s daycare has a soccer class  every week on Wednesdays. G’s teachers have been telling us for awhile how much better he is than some of the older kids enrolled in the class, and that we should sign him up. We were told that the program is for kids 2+, and we waited until this last session started to enroll him since 2 is but a month away (eek!). His first class was last week.

    The bummer is that the soccer class is 3:30-4:30, so S and I can’t go watch (or take photos 🙁 ). We’ve had to rely on G’s teachers to tell us how he did. His first day sounded like a blast though. He started off shy since he didn’t know the coaches and most of the kids were new to him. Ms. J went out with him and he did awesome with her around. She held his hands most of the time and he kicked his little heart off. The daycare director even took some photos for us, and Mrs. J wrote us a sweet “report card”.

    This week he brought home his first class souvenir & sports injury: scraped knees. Little foes he know there will be many more of these in his future.

    The only sad news is that despite G having a fun time, and me enjoying hearing how he’s doing, he can’t continue with the class. The head couch sent me an email yesterday acknowledging that we’ve got a little athlete on our hands, but also noting that right now he’s just too young to participate. I’m bummed! He explained the class was really tailored for kids 3-5, and that G’s not able to fully partake in most of the activities. He asked us to reconsider next spring when he got closer to 2.5. It makes sense, and we will for sure. I’m just bummed.

    Honestly, G doesn’t care. If it’s a class, or not, as long as he’s got balls to kick and throw around he’s a happy guy. S and I will do our best to keep that excitement going, and hopefully prevent incidents like this morning where he nailed little T’s mom smack on the forehead with a soccer ball kick. Hey — my kid’s got aim!