Bruiser

What's the big deal, Mom?

Looking better today.  He fell off the concrete steps in the back and had three large lumps yesterday.  He cried in my arms for about 30 seconds and then wriggled his way down to get back to business.  And wouldn't you know not five minutes after I took this photo he fell down again and gave himself a fat lip?  There was blood involved, but I think all of his teeth are there.

Best Part of Each Day

Skyping with Dada!

It also usually means my 13 hour Mama duty is almost over with dinner, bath, and bed on the horizon.

It's Watermelon!

I saw this in a magazine in the supermarket as I was checking out. Just knew I had to make it. I baked and the boys iced the cake to celebrate Gammie's birthday at the lake.


Directions:

1. Using one box of mix, bake two 9inch round cakes. At the lake we only have one round pan, 10.5 inches so that's what we made.
2. Cut round cakes in half and stack with a layer of frosting in between. If using 9 inch rounds, stack three high. Cut remaining half into thirds to have three small pieces of watermelon.
3. Frost entire cake with white frosting.
4. Add red and green frosting where appropriate! Use a darker green to add some texture lines to the rind.
5. Add raisnettes cut in half for seeds.

Pelican Lake

Lots of developments at Pelican Lake this year.

We got a new pontoon driver.

And a driver in training.

There's a new fish cleaner. And Charlie was releived to hear the fish cleaning job skipped a generation.

Gammie turned 29 and celebrated with a watermelon cake.

The older boys refined their sailing skills.

Freddie discovered the dock makes a great runway.  Mama got her exercise following him up and down the dock all day long.

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth

The hammock was a hit, as was hanging out with cousins.

Freddie learned to "raise the roof" and seems to have been initiated as a Pudge brother.

And there was a whole lot of the usual hanging around the lake...

As always, life is great at Pelican Lake.  But it would have been a whole lot better had The Daddy been with us.  Thankfully, there's always next year.

17 months

Motor Skills:

• You are eating more and more with utensils.  And doing a rather good job.  You're using your left hand most often with the fork, but you'll still reach for food with the right.   
• Brushing your teeth morning and night...if we can find your toothbrush.  Usually you brush and then Mama has a turn brushing.
• You are trying to put clothes on by yourself these days.  You're working lots on zippers.  Right now most stuff just gets wrapped around your shoulders and you strut around a few steps before it falls off.  Except mama's undies.  You always seem to manage to grab those from the laundry pile and get them on your head.
• Throwing a ball around entertains you for quite a long time.  I love when you throw your hands up in the air and give a "Touchdown!"
• You're doing a pretty good job drinking out of a regular cup (or a water bottle), unassisted. 
• You're climbing.  The step stool is one of your favorites and you work hard to get up on chairs and the couch by yourself. 
• You noticed Gammie kneeling on one knee this week and you've been practicing that move ever since.

Vocabulary:

• Milk
• "Ding"  and sometimes it's "Ding, Ding."  This is usually in reference to the bell on your bike but I've been hearing it in other situations as well.
• More
• Again
• Good dog!  Muppey dog usually gets one of these from you, probably because he's the only one that will lie still long enough for you to pat and compliment him.
• When you see an owl in some of your books you'll give a "whooowhooo."  I was very surprised when your transferred this sound from one context to another when you saw an owl in a new book.
• I hear "duck!" a lot and you've started quacking. 
• Good Job!  This goes along with a round of applause for yourself.  You apply it to all the right situations...climbing into a chair on your own, putting something away when asked, flushing the toilet after I dump your diaper.
• "Nose!" Pointing to my nose.

Diet:

• You are eating soooo much more these days.  I wonder if it is the novelty of utensils.  I also wonder if your finally having a break from teething is helping.  You're still not bulking up, but I do think you're eating healthier portions.
• I tend to follow you around with food when you're playing outside.  You'll usually finish a slice of cheese if I do this.  We still sit down for three meals and a snack at the table each day.
• Nothing new and unusual that you're eating, but you get lots of cheese, bananas, raisins, goldfish, and yogurt.  You finally ate some fresh blueberries this week.
• Milk is on one day and off the next.  I think you average 20 oz a day.

Appearance:

• Your hair is getting blonder and blonder in all of this sun.  It's a bit shaggy and I think you'll be getting your first cut in a few weeks when we visit NOLA.
• Smiley, flashing your crooked teeth quite a bit.
• I think you weigh nearly 20 lbs and are 29.5 inches tall, from my rough measurements.  This puts you back on the charts in the 1st and 3rd percentiles respectively.  You're growing, little guy, and are becoming quite a load for Mama to carry around.

Likes:

• Water.  There is something about water that really gets you excited.  You go crazy pointing and squealing when we see sprinklers going off on our walks.  And I loved seeing your eyes the first morning at the lake when you first looked out of the window.  
• You are starting to show preferences for things.  You are very deliberate in your choice of books at bedtime and if I select one not in your pile you say "no" and push it out if the way.  You will do the same when I sing to you.
• The lobster tank at the supermarket is also very interesting.  I am not sure if it is the water or the lobster, but we stop for a long look at each visit.  Perhaps we need a *small* fishbowl.
• You love reading books.  When things get quiet and I don't see you I will listen for a minute and can usually hear your tiny voice.  And then I find you sitting reading to yourself.  You do this a few times a day and bring me books to read to you often as well.
• You're fascinated by your penis and you've discovered the art of urinating.  You'll stand up in the tub and watch yourself pee and then plop back down.  Is this a potty training signal?
• Lately things have been going in the ears.  Blueberries, popcorn, blocks.  You'll even tilt your head to the side to get things to stay there.  Wondering if this has something to do with Mama's earrings.

Dislikes:

• Diaper changes can be challenging.  I have to come up with some very animated song or pin you down.  However, if I tell you that we're going to change your diaper you usually (80% of the time) go right to the pad in my room where I change you and lie down.  It is funny to see you try to figure out how to position yourself to lie on your back and end up with your feet in the right direction.  You sometimes give it 3 attempts to get  it just right.  You're usually more patient if you ready yourself for a new diaper rather than being carried back there.

Personality:

• You love giving kisses and have started to kiss on some of your toys.  You had been giving some of your dolls hugs with a big "Awwww" but a few weeks ago I saw you pick up your stuffed tiger and give him several kisses on the face.  You did the same with the snoopy in the tub and the plate GG gave you with a tiger on it.
• You are becoming so independent, wanting to do things by yourself.  You won't allow me to help feed you some days and you also want to shampoo your own hair.
• You entertain yourself pretty well.  You putter around fiddling with all sorts of things and explore everything.

Sleep:

• You're sleeping from 7pm-6am and beyond!  I really love those mornings when I wake up at 6.30 and you're still sleeping.
• You're consistently napping for 2+ hours each day.
• Our bedtime routine is a bath, pjs, pick books, read, turn out the lights (you turn them off and on several times), set you in the crib, and then I sing songs to you.  Sometimes you veto "Twinkle, Twinkle."  After a few songs you are blowing me kisses from your crib.  That's my cue to tell you I love you and good night.

Cousins

Rhys (11 yrs), Freddie (17 months), Aidan (9yrs), Eoin (7 yrs)

Freddie is one of the boys this week, and loving every minute of it.

At the lake

Movie Date

Not the best date to take to the movie.  He doesn't share his popcorn. He talks loud.  He dances in the aisles.  And worst of all, he crawls into neighboring stalls in the ladies room!  He's awfully cute though.

Today was a good day

• I was awake before Freddie. He slept from 7.00pm until 6.45 am.
• There was no whining on our 6 mile walk. Why hadn't I thought of bringing books before today?
• I made it to the grocery store without the GPS. It only took 4 trips for me to remember this 1.5 mile route.
• I shared a bagel with Freddie at Einstein's.
• Freddie was a good eater. He probably got his 1000 calories for the day eating 1/2 walnut strudel, pita and hummus, and applesauce.
• I managed to stay under my calorie limit for the day and i even had a piece of ice cream cake. Yahoo!
• I didn't ram into anyone in the market with the mega-double wide car cart.
• We spent 15 minutes looking at the lobster at the supermarket as though it were an aquarium. There was banging on the glass, pointing, squealing, and getting strangers to do the same.
• I got to watch the entire Oprah show without Freddie finding the remote and turning the volume all the way up.
• We danced in the living room to the Black Eyed Peas on Oprah.
• I got 5 new pairs of granny panties.
• I found it endearing rather than exasperating that Freddie kept running off with my new granny panties on his head while I was trying to fold laundry.
• Every time I told Freddie it was time to change his diaper he walked to the room and got on the pad. There was not one wrestling match involved in diaper changes today. I don't think there was even any crying or whining.
• After one month, lots of complaints filed and managers spoken to, one piece of forwarded mail arrived today.
  

Southern Boy

Thank goodness llbean had some fleece on clearance.  

My poor little guy is swimming in the 12-18 month size.

Here's my boy, wearing fleece footed pajamas in the middle of J-u-l-y.

While I find the temperatures to be lovely, even in the 90s, here in Denver the locals are whining about the heat.  Please, people.  Lemme give you a shot of humidity and show you what hot really is.

But as the sun goes down, us southern folk get chilly and do our share of whining.  I'm kicking myself for not bringing my flannel pjs, but seriously, who would have thought that I'd want them in July while sleeping under a fleece blanket?

My oh my, we've got it coming this winter, don't we?

Lovin'

Can't get enough popcorn in his mouth at once

 

 

 

 

• Popcorn in one hand, melted junior mints in the other, and reaching for the soda
• Husband bearing gifts
• Toy Story 3
• Giving himself a round of applause and a "good job"
• Ice cream cake
• Soup and salad lunch at Panera
• Naps for three
• Pickle scrunched noses
• A day without changing diapers
• Sitting in the passenger seat
• Highs in the 70s
• Company on our walk

Being Thirty Six

Thirty six years old. Seems like such a long time, and yet it feels like only the beginning.

A Visitor

So sorry to be MIA lately, but Charlie has arrived for a visit.  I've been cooking and baking and primping, you know.  Well, not really, but I did shave my legs.

Velcro to Snaps

One of my summer projects is to convert my Bum Genius pocket diapers from velcro to snap.

Before and after (after on the left with the addition of blue snaps!)

The diapers are in excellent condition with the exception of the velcro. The elastic around the waist and legs is holding up perfectly. I knew the velcro wouldn't last forever, but hoped that the patches to stick the tabs to during washing would extend the life of the velcro, which probably did, but the tabs have just picked up so much lint and really have lost their stick. The velcro actually has enough stick to most likely last until Freddie potty trains, but I have high hopes of using these diapers on Part Deux or at the very least passing them along to someone who can use them.

Reduced tab sticky. Can you see my hair stuck in there? It's everywhere!

I found a few people online who do the conversion for about $4 a diaper. I'd be looking at about $100. So I got the snaps and pliers for $30 and will do the work myself.

I found a few sites online with different methods...one row of snaps, two rows of snaps, 4 snaps on the tab, one snap on the tab, 16 snaps, 20 snaps. I went ahead with a double row of 8 and will do that on a few and try the diapers to see how it works before doing all of them.

I found a YouTube video to be very helpful. It was actually done by the eBay merchant who I got the snaps and pliers from.

If you're in the market for cloth diapers definitely go with snap closures. Check out FuzziBunz. They're a creation of a Louisiana based company. Support the hometown peeps, y'all. I opted for the BumGenuis over the FuzziBunz because I wanted an "one size diaper", which FuzziBunz didn't make at the time. Going with the one size made sense for us because it was a one time investment (except for the little snap business) and I didn't have to seek out diapers ever again. FuzziBunz now offers a one size product, but I understand many people who cloth diaper prefer to get specifically sized diapers because it allows for a better and trimmer fit.

Looking forward to testing out the snaps and using these diapers for quite a while longer (Not with Freddie though!).

Cracking

I hate to do it, but perhaps some whining will help me feel better...

• Freddie averages 6 poops a day lately. 1 before breakfast, 1 after breakfast, 1 after our walk, 1 after lunch, 1 after dinner, 1 before bath. Yuck. Who are these kids that don't poop for days? I got two slices of cheese down him today. Let's hope this gives me a diaper changing reprieve.
• We're trying to transition back into cloth diapers. This always takes a toll on his bottom. Having 6 yucky diapers a day ain't helping either.
• I am dealing with the US Post Office. Our requests that our mail be forwarded are "not in the system." I don't think much detail is needed here. You all know what I'm up against.
• I dyed my hair. I dyed my hair by myself. I dyed my hair by myself using some box of Clairol. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
• Gammie's house has lots and lots of cabinets with lots and lots of interesting stuff in them. Just about all of the cabinet contents are now on top of the counter. Wondering what the cleaning lady will think when she sees it.
• Freddie has discovered the bar and the bar glasses. Every time I turn around he looks like he's doing a shot.
• I miss my Charlie. Morning snuggles just aren't the same with just Freddie and me.

I'll stop there. And to be fair, there is a bright side:

• I haven't broken a sweat since crossing the Colorado state line even though we're experiencing temperatures in the 90s.
• I say "March!" and Freddie follows me around the house with his knees popping high in the air and arms waving at his side.
• Freddie is back to going to bed on his own, in his own room.
• I haven't cooked anything. That means hardly any dishes!
• Freddie and the dogs enjoy being out in the yard all day. Freddie's filthy at the end of the day. He plays hard.
• The beer in the refrigerator isn't disappearing when I'm not looking.

Love me, love me

After lunch is playtime in the yard...without a shirt!

Hi, Muppey Dog.

How are you today? You want some love?

Ok, your turn to give me some love.

Offering his head for a kiss.

Lovin'

• Utensils
• Swinging
• Playing in the yard
• Chips for supper
• Bedtime routines
• Words with Friends
• Hot and dry
• Pandora on my iphone
• Watermelon every day
• Buttered corn on the cob
• Planned visits

16 months

Gammie's chair

Motor Skills:

• You are working on stairs.  i wonder if your little muscles are soar from all the working you do.  You are taking chances when it is just one step and going for it.  Your legs aren't quite long enough to push up the stairs without help unless you're on your knees.
• You are really into climbing.  You try to pull yourself into my lap and when you need some extra umph you've been grabbing on to me with your teeth.  OUCH!  You always seem so surprised when I yelp.
• You blow kisses.  You'll put your hand to your mouth and make kiss noises but you haven't quite got the blow part yet. You even blew your shadow a kiss the other day.
• You'll indicate that you want your daddy to come over with your index finger, imitating how he calls you over, but you put your tiny finger right up by your nose.  So cute!
• You'll walk backwards to get yourself into a tight spot or corner.  You do this a lot to wiggle in between my legs and sit down.

Vocabulary:

• You've been saying "ba." (ball)  You sure like to throw balls and especially give Muppey his ball.
• You've been waving goodbye, but now you're saying it.  Just this week when you decided you were finished playing in the living room you waved and said "bye".
• You did learn how to growl from Papi.  He gives a growl when you reach for the wine bottles.  The other day you looked at him, reached for the bottles, and gave a growl before he could.

Spaghetti Sauce!

All done

Diet:

• You've expanded your diet!  This week we've added:

• Cashews
• Pistachios
• Watermelon
• Cheese pizza, cold!
• You've been  enjoying meatsauce on top of a piece of toast.  Sloppy joe?
• On our walks I've been giving you a "trail mix" in your snack cup.  It has grahm cracker goldfish, goldfish, raisins, cashews, and pistachios.
• You're still drinking about 20 oz of whole milk per day.  Sometimes you prefer water and that's fine.  You seem to be quite attached to your sip cup at night in your crib with water in it.  I can here you sipping in the middle of the night.  This may prove to be problematic when potty training comes!
• You want to drink whatever I have in a cup.  It's more about the cup.  Straws are fun, but straight from the cup is better.  I need to have two glasses at the table so I can keep one floatie free.  I know I am going to have to eventually give you the dang cup and let you drink by yourself.  Oh what a mess.  The other day at the playground I let you have my water bottle.  You did ok on the first sip, but the second sip was a bit much and water ended up coming out of your nose.  You shrugged it off and went for another swig.

Appearance:

• You are up to 16 teeth.  I hope this is it for a while. 
• You've been in disposable diapers since the move so your pants are much to big (12-18 months).  I have to roll the tops and even then some of them end up around your ankles.  When a patch of diaper rash clears we'll be back to cloth.

Likes:

• You really love teh dogs right not.  It tickles you to chase BooDog and you will sit next to Muppey and pat his head very gently.
• You are also very fond of the dog food bowls and water bowl.  You discovered that banging them gets a different tone because one has water in it.  You were mighty tickled by that.
• Planes!  As soon as you hear one you point to the sky and then begin searching for it.  You'll point until I acknowledge it as well.  "Yes, I see.  An airplane."
• You like to sit down but your legs must be dangling like the rest of us.  You like sitting on stoops and chairs and laps, but always on the edge.

Plane!

Personality:

• You've become pretty independent, and wander off without even worrying about where I am.  I think I could maybe leave you at a daycare or with friends and you wouldn't mind.
• Still so very lovey.  You will offer your head when you want a kiss on top.  The other morning you offered Daddy your head and made the kiss noise so there was no guessing what you wanted.
• Obedient.  It amazes me that I can say "go get your milk" and you go over to your bike and grab your cup from the basket.  I now know that you understand and my expectation has been set, my dear.

Dislikes:

• Still not liking diaper changes.  Me neither.  You seem to have no less than 4 poops a day.  Who are these babies that go days without pooping?
• You aren't fond of getting dressed either although it is not like it used to be.  you'll tolerate it if it's quick.

Wiggled in between Mama's legs for a rest

Sleep:

• You are sleeping 7-6, if the dogs don't wake you in the morning.
• You nap 2 or 3 hours usually from 12-3.
• You are in the travel crib right now.  You're slowly adjusting.  You're finally in a room separate from me.  You did get into the habit of having someone in the room while you fell asleep though so we're breaking that habit this week.  We have our bedtime routine, reading and singing.  you'll give me lots of those open mouthed kisses while I am singing to you.  You even wave goodbye or blow kisses when I put you down.  And then when I walk out you fall apart.  Sigh.