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    The BIG kitchen you say?

    August 31st, 2010

    G got a play-kitchen for his birthday (amongst a TON of other loot. Seriously, kid is set-up for the rest of his life with toys). He LOVES this thing. Honestly, he’s spent every waking moment at home, since Saturday, at the side of the kitchen. He makes me tea, washes all of his kitchen equipment (by trying to jam it all in his little sink), and uses his utensils as projectiles (note to self: a kiddie play fork flying across the room, still hurts).

    One side effect of this new toy? G wants to expand his culinary skills to bigger and more advanced pastures.

    Yesterday evening he figured out how to turn on our oven. We have already knobbed up our burners, but our oven requires a minimum of 2 button presses in a specific combination to turn on. Buttons that are on opposite ends of the panel, mind you. I felt “safe” that he wasn’t going to figure it out. And he hadn’t. Until last night. Joy!

    Luckily, Kitchenaid is on top of toddler curiosity, and has put a lock on the panel. We just discovered it last night. Now G is locked out of the oven baking for a while. Unfortunately, I think, so is anyone else who comes to our house and needs to cook (sorry Mom!). I genuinely think that safety gear locks out adults more than kids, but hey… at least no fires or gas alarms will go off in my home in the near future. I hope.


    Today, you are 2!

    August 29th, 2010

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFdHZ9TWHvc]

    Dear G,

    Today you are 2! Last year I had wished that your second year wouldn’t go by as fast as the first. I guess my wish came true… except that it went by faster 🙁 I am scared to think that each progressive year will go by faster and faster.

    I live in some sense of denial that you have gotten as big as you have. You do things every week that amaze me: things that I’m shocked (and impressed) you can do, because I didn’t think you were ready to. I love these surprises, and I love who you are. As of right now you are:

    – Determined. You are a very focused little guy who knows what he wants and is persistent until he gets it. It makes redirection very hard, and I will admit, you’ve worn your daddy and I down more than once.

    – Stubborn. Kinda goes in hand with the above. You’re not afraid to tell us when something isn’t going your way, and you have a very specific vision of what you want your world to look like.

    – Funny. You’ve got a great sense of humor and spend much of your day making those around you laugh, and you laugh in return.

    – Fast. Dear lord, how are those little legs able to take you around so quickly?

    – Not much of a huger (or a kisser for that matter). While your face lights up when those you love are around you, you are one Hug Scrooge! But in a way a hug from you is really, really special, because you do it so rarely. And a kiss? Wow! One must do something really special to warrant a kiss.

    – Smart. Especially “street” smart. You figured out how to turn off light switches by yourself, even when they stand 2 feet above you (as one example). You like to quietly watch how things work, so that you can do it yourself, and you’re not afraid to figure out new tools to help yourself to a task.

    – Fearless, but calculating. When you are introduced to a new environment, even with kids your age, you like to stand on the outside for a few minutes, while you take it all in at first. You’re not a jump-in immediately kind of guy. You like to understand your environment first, but then watch out. Once you get going, it’s hard to get you to stop.

    – Quite the athlete. If an activity comes with balls, especially, you’re all over it. You kick a ball something mean, throw super far, can bat, and love basketball to boot. You LOVE making up your own ball games too. I think we have a base-bowling (which is occasionally paired with soccer-bowling), base-golf, amongst others.

    – An art lover. You LOVE art time, and at school you get really upset when your turn is up. I love many of the pieces you bring home (although some of them really make me scratch my head… like that gooey blob in a zip-lock bag from the other week). You make your Gamma very proud!

    I won’t lie, this year we’ve had our moments too. You’ve become a master temper tantrum-er. Going out for dinner with you now is becoming more and more of a challenge, so daddy and I are likely going to be staying in a lot more with you. Could be a good thing, as our waists could use some trimming.

    Sadly, no birthday party for you today. While we had a whole party planned for you with trains, and ponies, and a bounce-house, the Ear Infection bug decided to be a party crasher, and paid you a visit yesterday, just at enough time to make us cancel our plans. You had a fever of 103.4, and were generally a clingy, sad boy when not doped-up on Motrin. All this adds up to no party with friends for you today. I’m sorry, but I promise we’ll make it up to you.

    Happy Birthday, kiddo!


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    28 weeks

    August 29th, 2010

    How far along: 28w
    Weight: 142.2lb
    Sleep: A bit better actually! I lowered the number on my bed (Sleep Number beds are SO kick-ass!) and it’s made a difference. Kind of makes sense — I’m XXlbs heavier and my mass distribution just isn’t the same anymore.
    Gender: We’ve got wiener.
    Movement: Yep, Mr. Wiggles is jamming out in there.
    Feeling: Good. Tired.
    What I miss: My energy. And my patience. If found, please return.
    Milestones: First case of heart-burn this week-end.
    Food cravings: More watermelon… and tea… and sweets.
    Fetal development:
    By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He’s also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.


    Stinkin’ adorableness

    August 27th, 2010

    There are two things G does that stink of cute and just make me smile when he does them:

    1. The way he says “Thank You!” He gives you a big cheesey grin, and says “Tek-you!” It makes bed-time interesting. Why? Because he’ll get up after I put him down, and ask for his Scout.. and then Turtle, and then Chickie, until he has a party in his bed with him. Why am I a sucker for this? Because after every friend, he does the cheesy Thank you, and it melts my heart, and I fall for it. Every.single.time!

    2. How he lists our family. He says “Mamma, Dadda, Fiffin, Tome”. For starters it’s really, REALLY cool that he’s already including S2 in our family list… even though he’s not even here yet. Second, it’s hilarious how he pronounces “storm” to begin with.

    So yeah, those are two cute moments to share with you guys this week.


    Foto Friday

    August 27th, 2010


    The boy with the mustache

    August 26th, 2010

    Today is G’s last “official” day in the toddler room at daycare. Tomorrow is a staff day, and as of Monday G will be heading to the preschool group.

    Since I had suggested to Ms. J that the only way the kids move up is after growing facial hair, I thought it would only be fair (and a good way to lighten the mood) is if G showed his maturity and readiness by… you guessed it… growing a mustache. So after his diaper and clothes, I helped accelerate G’s facial hair follicle growth with some eye-liner.

    I gotta tell you, painting a mustache on a toddler is no easy task. His whiskers are far from even, and there was a tantrum involved. But, he looked awesome on the end and I think Ms. J got a kick out of it.

    Without further adieu here is my little Gomez Adams:


    3rd trimester gifts

    August 25th, 2010

    The third trimester did not hesitate to bring some friends: constipation and constant fatigue. It’s 9am and I am MORE than ready to crash… and I haven’t even been up 3 hours. This promises to be a fine day.

    For the record, this is a party I didn’t ask for.


    Be Storm predictors. Win $30

    August 23rd, 2010

    Yep, you might remember this game. It’s the “guess the baby stats” game. It’s easy, it’s quick, and hey you can win yourself $30 (in an Amazon gift certificate).

    My mom won last time, and to make things fair, even if she guesses best at everything again, she won’t win the prize (Sorry Mom!)

    You can take the survey now:

    [polldaddy survey=”7C20D3C85D8AE909″ type=”button” title=”Take Our Survey!” style=”inline” text_color=”ffffff”]

    or if that doesn’t work, follow this link.

    Here are some hints to help you cheat:

    – S2 is due Nov 21st. He’s been measuring a 3-6 days ahead since conception. G came 3 days early, and he measured a few (1-2?) days behind.

    – I gained 40.4lbs when pregnant with G.

    – At birth G was 6lb 6oz and was 19″ tall? long? (what do you call that measurement?)

    – G had some hair, fine and dark when he was born.

    The rules (yep, there are some):

    1. one entry per person

    2. once you respond, you can’t change your vote (sorry!)

    3. you have until Nov 1st to vote.

    4. if there is a 2-way tie, both people will each get $30. If there is more than a 2 way tie, the two people to enter in their votes earliest each get a certificate (that way for all you scheming folk that wait ’till the very end to figure out how much weight I’ll gain won’t have as much of an advantage)

    Ready? Set. GO!


    This is how we undress

    August 23rd, 2010

    While I’m thrilled that G is learning how to undress himself on his own, I wish he didn’t figure this out while we were at a restaurant out for dinner :-/


    Honest G

    August 22nd, 2010

    You know what I like about G’s current age? He doesn’t know how to lie… yet. I know this too will come soon enough, but for the time being I find it useful (and amusing) that when I ask him a question about him being naughty, he doesn’t fib about it.

    Example 1: G wants a water bottle. (This is after it was taken away from him for spilling water all over his tray)

    Me: Are you going to drink it? Or spill it?

    G: Spill it!

    Me: Ok, I’m sorry. Not right now. How about you take this napkin and help me wipe down the table instead. Clean, clean!

    Example 2: G and L are throwing food on the floor after lunch. After everything in front of them has found a new home, floor-side…

    G: Mo’

    Ms. J: Are you guys going to eat it?

    G: No!

    Ms. J: Ok, no thank you!

    In a way, this is all pretty helpful. If I know his intentions, at least I know if I’m willing to deal with the reprocusions of his actions.

    Unfortunately, his honesty is cutting into his fun… but I’ll take it as long as I got it!