Here's a recap of your day:
You got up around 9:50, which is slightly later than usual. Daddy typically gets you out of bed, though we do take turns at this. As usual, you woke up happy, ready to play.
We had some breakfast, got dressed, then headed to the fitness center. Mommy got to swim for the first time in a long time, and daddy walked almost 3 1/3 miles! Pretty sure you had a good time as well, but unlike last time, you were ready to go with us today when we came to pick you up :)
Came back home, had some lunch, then daddy went to work. You sat on the couch and watched some TV, drank some milk, then put some coins in your bank while mommy cleaned the living room. You don't like it when I run the carpet cleaning machine, but you'll put up with it if you are distracted. As you watched Team Umizoomi, you seemed tired, so after you ran around a bit, I attempted to put you down for a nap around your usual 2pm time (after changing your poopy diaper). This did not work, much to mommy's dismay, so I had to retrieve you and let you play some more and I cleaned a bit more. You misbehaved only once, tossing some magazines and papers off of the end table, to which I had to say a stern "NO", pat your butt, then plant you seated on the couch for a moment. You cried for a minute, then got distracted by the TV.
Around 4:15, I tried again to put you down for a nap. Usually, if the first time fails, the second succeeds, but not this time. Daddy came home about 15 minutes later and you still hand't gone to sleep, so we retrieved you once again. After playing with you a bit and sharing some barbecue chips with you (that you love so much that you were trying to drink the crumbs from the dish!), daddy went to Aldi's to get a few groceries and we played a bit. You love to circle around the Laz-y-boy chair that daddy got me just before you were born that I used as a rocker when you were newborn and nursing (used to be in your room, now in the living room). You hide behind it and I say, "Where's Avery?", while you cleverly peek around one side or the other from the back. I pretend I can't see you at first and sometimes you giggle, thinking you have bested me :) Then I turn so I can meet your eyes with mine and we make funny faces at one another. You giggle a lot and repeat this process at least a few times. This time, you were running around after doing so, would point to the blankie that you put in my lap and exclaim 'lankieee' (yes, you are still obsessed with these), then run off behind the chair again. I got a call from my mom (your Nana Linda) and as we chatted, you played with your pretend cash register. You like to hum the notes it makes when you hit the 'off' key, and also talk to it when it says phrases to you when you hit certain other keys. Meanwhile, I said, "oh geez!" a couple of times to the story my mom was telling, and wouldn't you know, you started trying to repeat that, which came out as 'oh cheeeeessse' lol! Dad came home, then soon it was time for me to go out to teach a lesson.
When I returned from the first one, dad told me you'd been very playful and fun, and only napped for maybe a couple of minutes. I cleaned up the kitchen a bit, then went out to teach another lesson. When I returned from this one, dad reported that you had been on quite the eating binge since I left. 2 Gogurts, some watermelon, some chips, a bit of a smores bar, and some water. I began making dinner, which was to be homemade mac n cheese. And of course you had some of this--you loooove it about as much as we do, maybe more so lol. After dinner, we played with you a lot to get you worn out, which we thought would be sooner than your usual 11pm bedtime, but oddly was not. We put you in the crib for sleeping around 11 and you didn't fight, think you were out right away. Pretty sure this is the first day you've ever missed a nap almost entirely...please don't start skipping naps, mommy is not ready for that yet!! I love you :)
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Cresting 2!
Hello, it's your always busy mom, checking in once again, while I have the chance. In just 3 weeks, you will turn 2! Here are some highlights of what you like to do now:
* You love baths to the point that you get mad when we take you out. You love to play with your toys in there and be silly. You still dislike having your hair washed/rinsed, so we have to be careful about doing that.
* You are talking a lot--just words and repeated sounds, but you have a vocabulary. For the time being, you are focused on English, since that is what you hear most (and having a summer full of exchange students, I didn't speak it much to you, but I'm correcting that now!!). Words you say include: corn (which sounds like a New Yorker saying it), shoes (sho-woo-woos), lights (aight!), cat (instead of 'ow, you now say just 'at), TV, hello, bye bye (eye eye), teeth (eeet), uh oh, no, chip, and tree. You still imitate the alarm system saying 'back door', too, which cracks us up. We think you are saying 'I want' and pointing at stuff when it comes out 'ah baaaah'. The other day, when dad was changing your diaper, he said, "Oh, man!" and ever since, you have been imitating this, complete with intonation (it's adorable and hilarious). When Spongebob comes on, you always go "oooooooooooo" just before that part of the intro song does it (which I giggle about every time you do it). You also like to come press the 'caps lock' key on my keyboard (since it has a nice little light blue light), so I started saying it every time, which now you repeat or say yourself (comes out 'ap ock'). And this morning, you chose at random to repeat dad saying 'backpack' when he was getting stuff out of his. You understand a lot more than you can say, so we know it will be no time before you start chattering in full sentences and telling us all kinds of things :)
Speaking of which, we took you to the new rec center today, where you had a great time playing in the Kids Zone while we worked out. They got you to crawl through a tunnel toy, which is something you are always a little unsure about. You were having so much fun that you didn't seem to care about leaving lol!
You eat quite a bit, with corn on the cob, watermelon, and Wheat Thins seeming to top your list of favorites (seriously, we had to wrap up the box in paper so you couldn't see it, or you'd probably insist on mowing your way through the whole thing!) We are currently working on switching you from bottles to cups and sippies, though you are darn picky about the latter (we have several that you refuse to even touch).
You are very, very playful, which we enjoy so much. Most days you are pretty happy, though you do get quite mad when you don't get your way (yep, you are a budding two year old, pretty normal!) If dad sits at the edge of the couch, on the floor, you will get up on the couch and then try to come down the front of him almost like he is a slide. When you play with the pinwheel, you still take a big breath and blow, even though you use your hand to spin it.
Those are just a sampling of all the things I could tell you about you right now--they are the ones that stick out in my mind and wanted to be sure I noted them all before another couple of months slip away from me.
* You love baths to the point that you get mad when we take you out. You love to play with your toys in there and be silly. You still dislike having your hair washed/rinsed, so we have to be careful about doing that.
* You are talking a lot--just words and repeated sounds, but you have a vocabulary. For the time being, you are focused on English, since that is what you hear most (and having a summer full of exchange students, I didn't speak it much to you, but I'm correcting that now!!). Words you say include: corn (which sounds like a New Yorker saying it), shoes (sho-woo-woos), lights (aight!), cat (instead of 'ow, you now say just 'at), TV, hello, bye bye (eye eye), teeth (eeet), uh oh, no, chip, and tree. You still imitate the alarm system saying 'back door', too, which cracks us up. We think you are saying 'I want' and pointing at stuff when it comes out 'ah baaaah'. The other day, when dad was changing your diaper, he said, "Oh, man!" and ever since, you have been imitating this, complete with intonation (it's adorable and hilarious). When Spongebob comes on, you always go "oooooooooooo" just before that part of the intro song does it (which I giggle about every time you do it). You also like to come press the 'caps lock' key on my keyboard (since it has a nice little light blue light), so I started saying it every time, which now you repeat or say yourself (comes out 'ap ock'). And this morning, you chose at random to repeat dad saying 'backpack' when he was getting stuff out of his. You understand a lot more than you can say, so we know it will be no time before you start chattering in full sentences and telling us all kinds of things :)
Speaking of which, we took you to the new rec center today, where you had a great time playing in the Kids Zone while we worked out. They got you to crawl through a tunnel toy, which is something you are always a little unsure about. You were having so much fun that you didn't seem to care about leaving lol!
You eat quite a bit, with corn on the cob, watermelon, and Wheat Thins seeming to top your list of favorites (seriously, we had to wrap up the box in paper so you couldn't see it, or you'd probably insist on mowing your way through the whole thing!) We are currently working on switching you from bottles to cups and sippies, though you are darn picky about the latter (we have several that you refuse to even touch).
You are very, very playful, which we enjoy so much. Most days you are pretty happy, though you do get quite mad when you don't get your way (yep, you are a budding two year old, pretty normal!) If dad sits at the edge of the couch, on the floor, you will get up on the couch and then try to come down the front of him almost like he is a slide. When you play with the pinwheel, you still take a big breath and blow, even though you use your hand to spin it.
Those are just a sampling of all the things I could tell you about you right now--they are the ones that stick out in my mind and wanted to be sure I noted them all before another couple of months slip away from me.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Your new 'sister'
Hello again, it's your slacker mom. Ok, honestly, it's not a matter of being a slacker, it's more that I'm way too busy with other stuff. Anyhow, even if it's just a quick update, I'm back to do at least that much :)
The newest thing here is that your new 'sister' is now here--by this I mean the high school girl we have welcomed as part of Share America, Eloïse. She is 16, super nice, and you seem to really like her. She's only been here since Saturday, but she's easily already part of the family.
You've been babbling a bunch lately, with many syllables strung together, which makes it seem like you are going to say actual words any day now. We are hoping for as much :)
You've also had some crabby days because we think you are working on your 2 year molars (you put your fingers in your mouth towards the back a lot and chew on them). But most of the time, you're still happy and lots of fun. I was very proud of you today for being so good while the sleep lab people came to hook mommy up with all the electrodes. Even though you were curious and intrigued, you did not insist on touching things (whew!).
Yesterday was the welcome pool party for the students, which you and dad attended with Eloïse, but I had to work, so I was absent. My presence was made for me by sending cookies that Eloïse and I had made that afternoon (drop sugar cookies) :) Anyhow, you loved playing in the kiddie pool--until you plopped down in it. After that, dad said you kept wanting to run to the gate, which he stopped you from doing a few times, yet you insisted, then tripped and fell, causing a big scrape on your forehead. You are ok, though :)
That's all for now, more as soon as I can. Love ya, maman.
The newest thing here is that your new 'sister' is now here--by this I mean the high school girl we have welcomed as part of Share America, Eloïse. She is 16, super nice, and you seem to really like her. She's only been here since Saturday, but she's easily already part of the family.
You've been babbling a bunch lately, with many syllables strung together, which makes it seem like you are going to say actual words any day now. We are hoping for as much :)
You've also had some crabby days because we think you are working on your 2 year molars (you put your fingers in your mouth towards the back a lot and chew on them). But most of the time, you're still happy and lots of fun. I was very proud of you today for being so good while the sleep lab people came to hook mommy up with all the electrodes. Even though you were curious and intrigued, you did not insist on touching things (whew!).
Yesterday was the welcome pool party for the students, which you and dad attended with Eloïse, but I had to work, so I was absent. My presence was made for me by sending cookies that Eloïse and I had made that afternoon (drop sugar cookies) :) Anyhow, you loved playing in the kiddie pool--until you plopped down in it. After that, dad said you kept wanting to run to the gate, which he stopped you from doing a few times, yet you insisted, then tripped and fell, causing a big scrape on your forehead. You are ok, though :)
That's all for now, more as soon as I can. Love ya, maman.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Happy 2nd Easter
Yes, it's Easter, plus the end of March, so mommy fails again at her mission to write more often in the blog. Hope you will forgive me when you finally do get to read and understand this one day!
Anyway, we didn't do any real Easter activities because mommy participated in a sleep study that ended Friday morning, thus still recovering from that, was in no shape to travel, plus you have no idea that it's even a holiday, so we just decided to have a nice Sunday together. We went to IKEA to shop for some shelving for the bathroom--instead of getting any of that, we bought you a star shaped light to hang on your wall. Daddy put it together when we got home, then let you play with the on/off clicker rather than worrying about hanging it on the wall yet. We also went out for lunch at BD's Mongolian Grill, which we have not done in a long, long time. Was very good--you ate a bunch of rice, wanted to drink mommy's lemonade (and did), crawled up into the window sill, and barked like a dog when I took you to the restroom to change your diaper (I think because you noticed how it echoed slightly). You also amazed us when, for the first time since we've been trying to introduce it, made the sign for "more" when asking for mommy's lemonade. After we returned home, both you and mommy had a nap! Then we had a frozen pizza for dinner and did a quick trip to Meijer for a few things--found you some clearance shoes for when you get one size bigger, yay :) Read you the Easter and bunny books that we and Nana Linda got you.
Apart from that, the latest things with you are:
* You still don't say words--but you do try to meow at the cats. It comes out as "owwww?". You chase the cats around a lot and try to grab their fur unless we remind you to be gentle by saying 'soft'. As already mentioned, you also bark at dogs.
* Since you don't talk, you point at stuff you want and try to make us figure it out. If you want something done for you, you often take our hands and move them to what you want done (such as when you are playing with my cell phone (on the baby phone app you love so much), if you exit the app, you will take my hand, turn it to have palm open, place phone in it and look at me, make sounds until I "fix it").
* Yesterday during bath time, you discovered how to make bubbles in the blue bowl with your mouth--you loved this and giggled a lot.
* You still love the dishwasher and toilet--we got the toilet lock, which you keep trying to figure out (but is too complex for you to do even if you understand how), and now your focus is on flushing it. You get very mad because we won't let you stand there and keep flushing it repeatedly like you want to do.
* You wear size 24 month clothes and weigh 30 pounds.
* You self-feed fairly well, but need help sometimes (and don't always willingly accept).
I'm sure there is more, but mommy is still a bit tired and can't remember everything right now. Happy 2nd Easter and love you lots as always :)
Anyway, we didn't do any real Easter activities because mommy participated in a sleep study that ended Friday morning, thus still recovering from that, was in no shape to travel, plus you have no idea that it's even a holiday, so we just decided to have a nice Sunday together. We went to IKEA to shop for some shelving for the bathroom--instead of getting any of that, we bought you a star shaped light to hang on your wall. Daddy put it together when we got home, then let you play with the on/off clicker rather than worrying about hanging it on the wall yet. We also went out for lunch at BD's Mongolian Grill, which we have not done in a long, long time. Was very good--you ate a bunch of rice, wanted to drink mommy's lemonade (and did), crawled up into the window sill, and barked like a dog when I took you to the restroom to change your diaper (I think because you noticed how it echoed slightly). You also amazed us when, for the first time since we've been trying to introduce it, made the sign for "more" when asking for mommy's lemonade. After we returned home, both you and mommy had a nap! Then we had a frozen pizza for dinner and did a quick trip to Meijer for a few things--found you some clearance shoes for when you get one size bigger, yay :) Read you the Easter and bunny books that we and Nana Linda got you.
Apart from that, the latest things with you are:
* You still don't say words--but you do try to meow at the cats. It comes out as "owwww?". You chase the cats around a lot and try to grab their fur unless we remind you to be gentle by saying 'soft'. As already mentioned, you also bark at dogs.
* Since you don't talk, you point at stuff you want and try to make us figure it out. If you want something done for you, you often take our hands and move them to what you want done (such as when you are playing with my cell phone (on the baby phone app you love so much), if you exit the app, you will take my hand, turn it to have palm open, place phone in it and look at me, make sounds until I "fix it").
* Yesterday during bath time, you discovered how to make bubbles in the blue bowl with your mouth--you loved this and giggled a lot.
* You still love the dishwasher and toilet--we got the toilet lock, which you keep trying to figure out (but is too complex for you to do even if you understand how), and now your focus is on flushing it. You get very mad because we won't let you stand there and keep flushing it repeatedly like you want to do.
* You wear size 24 month clothes and weigh 30 pounds.
* You self-feed fairly well, but need help sometimes (and don't always willingly accept).
I'm sure there is more, but mommy is still a bit tired and can't remember everything right now. Happy 2nd Easter and love you lots as always :)
Thursday, February 14, 2013
already february
Wow, the time has flown by since the start of the year! As per usual, daddy and I have both been busy with school and work--especially daddy, who has such a heavy workload for this 8 week session that we asked uncle Kevin to come help us out by staying with us for the session. Thank God he has been here--such a lifesaver! It will be hard after he leaves...for now, we'll keep enjoying his company--you love playing with him and his dog, Sable :)
You now have 14 teeth--your lower incisors just came in recently. Think you are starting to work on the top two now. You have been walking since just after the year started--think your first official steps were on the 10th of January. Now you walk all over the place, you love to explore, of course. You are currently obsessed with trying to figure out how to work doors. you know how to open the screen door in the kitchen, so we have to keep it locked now. Soon enough (thankfully not just yet), I'm sure you will figure out the doorknob turning, then we'll have to take care of those...
You still love the dishwasher as if it were the most amazing thing in the house. If you hear the door open to it, you come crawling at hyper speed (because you are still faster at that than walking), and when the door gets latched shut, you cry as if we've ruined your whole world (this does not last too long, though, also thankfully). You also like the toilet, much to our dismay, so we have to get a toilet lock soon, because you've gotten the idea to try putting not only your hands in there, but also other objects.
Today we went to Petco to get Uncle Kevin some food for his doggie, and the store was rather empty, so you got to walk around all over the place, which you loved. Tried to get you to look at the fish, but you just wanted to walk more.
Well, time for mommy to head to bed. Good night, little guy, love you.
You now have 14 teeth--your lower incisors just came in recently. Think you are starting to work on the top two now. You have been walking since just after the year started--think your first official steps were on the 10th of January. Now you walk all over the place, you love to explore, of course. You are currently obsessed with trying to figure out how to work doors. you know how to open the screen door in the kitchen, so we have to keep it locked now. Soon enough (thankfully not just yet), I'm sure you will figure out the doorknob turning, then we'll have to take care of those...
You still love the dishwasher as if it were the most amazing thing in the house. If you hear the door open to it, you come crawling at hyper speed (because you are still faster at that than walking), and when the door gets latched shut, you cry as if we've ruined your whole world (this does not last too long, though, also thankfully). You also like the toilet, much to our dismay, so we have to get a toilet lock soon, because you've gotten the idea to try putting not only your hands in there, but also other objects.
Today we went to Petco to get Uncle Kevin some food for his doggie, and the store was rather empty, so you got to walk around all over the place, which you loved. Tried to get you to look at the fish, but you just wanted to walk more.
Well, time for mommy to head to bed. Good night, little guy, love you.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy 2013!
As per usual, I have to start by apologizing for not blogging like I should. Let's just say that December was crazy busy, and Christmas travel was long and arduous, thus even when I did have time, I didn't have much energy to do so. Another problem is your fascination with us using the computers; you will not leave us alone and get really angry when we refuse to allow you to pound on our keyboards. Lately, you have been prone to throwing fits when you do not get your way, despite that it does little more than make us tell you that isn't going to work and you must accept "no" sometimes, especially when it is something like not putting your hand into the pretty blue flames on the stove.
At any rate, you had a great Christmas, lots of wonderful presents that you play with quite often. Your favorite seems to be the snowman stacker dad got you, with the shapes puzzle nana Linda got you as a close second.
You have been standing up on your own A LOT lately; we thought you might walk before the end of 2012, but alas, no, you have decided to wait for 2013 on that one. We look forward to all the new things you will do and learn this coming year! Love you lots (and resolve to write more for you in 2013), maman.
At any rate, you had a great Christmas, lots of wonderful presents that you play with quite often. Your favorite seems to be the snowman stacker dad got you, with the shapes puzzle nana Linda got you as a close second.
You have been standing up on your own A LOT lately; we thought you might walk before the end of 2012, but alas, no, you have decided to wait for 2013 on that one. We look forward to all the new things you will do and learn this coming year! Love you lots (and resolve to write more for you in 2013), maman.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A Difficult Night
Hey, little man. Dad here. Let me tell you a little story of how tonight has gone for us.
I turned on some Christmas cartoons for you, put some of your toys conveniently nearby, and I sat down with my keyboard and mouse to get some work done. Apparently my work looked like more fun than your toys and cartoons (trust me, it wasn't), and you immediately came over to play along. You grabbed my keyboard by the corner with the PC shutdown button, shutting my computer down and my productivity right along with it.
As I was gently moving you away from the keyboard, I smelled the familiar aroma of a poopy diaper. So I carried you to your room to freshen you up. This diaper change went well. No major problems whatsoever...unlike one that came later.
Dinner with you was fun as usual. We ate and played and made funny noises and faces at each other like we always do. The rice apparently made you really thirsty though, because you finished off your juice and then went through a full, tall bottle of water. Quickly.
When I got home from work around 4:00, you were still napping. Mom left to go to work, I had some leftovers for lunch, and you woke up around the time I was done. I gave you a snack of Cinnamon Cheerios and bacon, and then we made our way to the living room.
I turned on some Christmas cartoons for you, put some of your toys conveniently nearby, and I sat down with my keyboard and mouse to get some work done. Apparently my work looked like more fun than your toys and cartoons (trust me, it wasn't), and you immediately came over to play along. You grabbed my keyboard by the corner with the PC shutdown button, shutting my computer down and my productivity right along with it.
While my computer was rebooting, you headed for the Christmas tree and started tugging on the lights. I scolded, "Avery, no." You looked at me, hesitated a moment, and went for them again. Again, I said, "Avery, no." So you gave up on the lights and started pulling ornaments off instead. Fragile ornaments. Expensive ornaments. Ornaments with sharp, dangerous hooks. "Avery, no!" I shouted and pulled you away from the tree. I sat you down gently back in front of the TV with your bottle of juice and bowl of Cheerios. This seemed acceptable for the moment, but as soon as I sat back down with my keyboard, you were back to pound on the keys again.
As I was gently moving you away from the keyboard, I smelled the familiar aroma of a poopy diaper. So I carried you to your room to freshen you up. This diaper change went well. No major problems whatsoever...unlike one that came later.
When we returned to the living room, I knew I wasn't going to get anything done until you went to bed or Mom got home, whichever came first. So I just held you on my lap and we relaxed and watched cartoons together for awhile until I started getting hungry for dinner. Knowing that I couldn't leave you unsupervised around my computer and the Christmas tree, I took you to the kitchen with me. Besides, I figured you'd want to share some rice with me. (You really, really love rice in just about any form or flavor.)
Dinner with you was fun as usual. We ate and played and made funny noises and faces at each other like we always do. The rice apparently made you really thirsty though, because you finished off your juice and then went through a full, tall bottle of water. Quickly.
When we had finished eating, I took you from your high chair to discover that your pants were soaked with pee. So we went straight upstairs to do another diaper change and get you some clean pants. Clean baby, new diaper, fresh pants -- all was good. You seemed to really want to stay in your room to play with your books, so I let you, since there's nothing dangerous in your room and I would easily be able to keep an eye on your door from the bottom of the stairs.
I went back downstairs to try again to work, and then remembered that I needed to wash my hands after that gross experience, so I went to the kitchen sink for what must have been less than 10 seconds. When I returned, you had somehow made it down two stairs. You were sitting comfortably on the second stair from the top, smiling and patting your hand on the railing. I have no idea how you did that, especially so quickly.
As I started up the stairs to get you, you turned and crawled up to the top, then stood up by supporting yourself with the railing. When I reached you, there was the poopy diaper scent again. Yes, not even five minutes from the last diaper change, you needed another.
This is where the real fun began. You didn't want another diaper change and you fought it. As soon as I had you wiped off, you went crawling away, your naked butt wiggling as you went. I grabbed you by the waist to keep you from fleeing, but this just angered you. I covered your butt with the diaper and started to attach the fasteners when you broke away, ripping the fastener off of the diaper as you bolted for the door.
Normally I close your door at diaper time because you like to escape before the job is finished, but this time I didn't. You were out the door and heading down the hall to the bathroom. I grabbed a new diaper, powdered it quickly, and then pursued you.
I was too late. You had stopped just inside the bathroom door, on your hands and knees, and made a huge pee puddle right there on the floor. "Aw, Avery!" I whined, but you just crawled over to the tub, stood up, and then did it again. You made sounds as if you were very pleased with yourself as you watched your pee stream splatter against the side of the tub and soak into the bath mat below. While you were distracted, I threw the new diaper around you and fastened it, then grabbed a hand towel to dry you off, and then soaked up the floor puddle.
Exhausted now, I just held you on my lap again as we sat on the couch and watched TV until Mom came home. By then, it was nearly your bedtime. Thank goodness!
Even after all of this, I still love you more than anything in the universe. Weird, huh?
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