Today was a good day, much like the others (this is 4 days in a row for the blog, dear A-man!) mommy posted about recently. Mommy had to work this morning, then came home to you and daddy in the early afternoon, daddy exasperated from searching the house for 45 minutes and not finding your winter coat that mommy had hung near the dryer the other day to dry (from the playing in the snow). Once that was taken care of, you two went off for a short neighborhood walk while I had some lunch. You ended up at the neighbor across the circle (Maria from Columbia), where I found you on her porch "helping" clean the snow off the railing, and daddy helping shovel the driveway a bit.
Later on, at bedtime, you were playing in your room as usual, and this time, despite the fact that it was sitting there for the last two days on your floor in plain sight, you discovered a wrapped present that we chose not to give you at Christmas (didn't want Nana Linda's carpets to suffer lol). This time, you tore it open happily and as soon as you had just one corner revealed, you exclaimed "Doh-doh!", which is what you call Play-Doh. This gift was the "Fun Factory" for Play-Doh, which is basically a simple press contraption with a few different shapes in which you can churn out the dough. We laid down a mat and let you have at it for bit, showing you how it worked, and you enjoying it so much you did not want to stop. Pretty sure you will be wanting to play with it first thing in the morning :)
Though you did seem to go to sleep for a bit, you got up around 1am and started chattering to yourself quite a bit. You eventually tossed the blankies out of the crib and started yelling about this, so mommy had to come in, rescue them from the floor, return them to you and tell you to get back to sleep (thank goodness you complied; hoping this blankie thing does not become a habit...)
Love and hugs, mommy
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
long bath
Three days in a row...hope I can keep this up once vacation time is done...
Today wasn't a super exciting day by any means, and I'm sure many days won't be, yet I will still write a little entry even so. This afternoon, after I got back from working out, you decided you needed a shower/bath, too. You still hate having your hair washed because the water gets in your eyes, but you calm down from it a lot faster than you used to (thankfully :)). You like having the water from the shower sprayed into your mouth (you swallow it and declare "mmmm water" lol) and you usually play with a set of nesting cups that are numbered 1 through 8 on the bottom. I watched you for a while, then dad took over (you were in there for quite a while!). During his turn, dad reported that you had the cups lined up on the tub edge and were naming them by number and color, getting most of them right even though they were not in order and you couldn't see the numbers. So smart!
Today wasn't a super exciting day by any means, and I'm sure many days won't be, yet I will still write a little entry even so. This afternoon, after I got back from working out, you decided you needed a shower/bath, too. You still hate having your hair washed because the water gets in your eyes, but you calm down from it a lot faster than you used to (thankfully :)). You like having the water from the shower sprayed into your mouth (you swallow it and declare "mmmm water" lol) and you usually play with a set of nesting cups that are numbered 1 through 8 on the bottom. I watched you for a while, then dad took over (you were in there for quite a while!). During his turn, dad reported that you had the cups lined up on the tub edge and were naming them by number and color, getting most of them right even though they were not in order and you couldn't see the numbers. So smart!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Snow day
Ok, two days in a row, let's see if I can keep this trend going! :) I plan to write each day, even if it is only a little bit. As you may recall from the last post, we've gotten a bunch of snow to start this new year (a great beginning if you ask me (but not dad lol)). We decided that we needed to clear out the driveway so that we could get out and go to the grocery store, etc, so we went out to snowblow the driveway, all of us together. Thought you would like to play in the snow, thus we all got very dressed (in layers) and went for it. You weren't totally sure at first, but eventually you had a bit of fun throwing it in the air and just trying to walk through it (we have about 8 inches). After, we came back in, you had a nice warm bath, and then took a nap. You have been in a good mood all day :) Currently you are playing in the floor with dad, just before we'll put you in bed.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy 2014!
Alright, new year, and once again, mommy resolves to write more often and consistently :)
Thing is, you keep us so busy!! I could not possibly write all the details of everything that has changed and developed since last time I blogged, so we'll just have to settle for some current stuff.
Obviously, you just had your third Christmas. It was quite a time! Because week 8 of classes was just before that, you spent the week before Christmas at Grandma Judy's. Though you had a great time during the days, you really gave her a terrible time at bedtime each night, sometimes keeping her up to 3am! Mommy and daddy came on Saturday (you had been there since Sunday), braving some icky weather to get there. Thankfully there was just enough of a break in the precipitation to let us get there (we slid around one corner just before grandma's, that was all). We thought perhaps being there would make you sleep better, but this was not the case.
The day after we arrived (Sunday), we had early Christmas with grandma Judy, complete with a nice turkey dinner. You enjoyed opening presents, much more than last year. Jonathan was there, so you two played together a little. Sleeping the second night went better, but still on the rough side. We wondered if it might be because of your teeth (think your 2 yr molars are still trying to poke through).
The next day, we departed and headed to Nana Linda's. There, you still fought the sleep, but not quite as bad, thanks to BabyFirst channel lol. We had a great ham dinner on Christmas, lots of playing with uncle Kevin (you not only remembered his name, but also that you played on the kitchen floor last time you were there and wanted to repeat that), and of course some present opening. It took you forever to open the few presents that you had because you were in a fussy mood and kept getting distracted by everything else going on. Of particular interest to you was dad's gift from nana, a wheeled cooler. We turned it upside down and you played with the wheels more than anything else the whole day lol.
On Friday (second day after Christmas), we left there and headed towards Iowa. En route, we stopped by "Auntie" Suzanne's parents' place in Waynesville for a quick visit with everyone there. You entertained them quite well with your fascination of turning on lights and fans and going up and down the stairs. You also enjoyed the many cats and dogs there, probably scared them a little, too lol. After that, we made it to Aunt Diane's place in the evening. Cousin Rick was kind enough to hook up an antenna to the TV in the room where we were to stay, which made for a much easier time getting you to sleep. We discovered you like watching 'Bewitched'. You only fussed a little when we turned out the lights, mommy figured out that using the "L" formation like at nana's worked better for getting you to sleep, so that also helped. Since that went much better than expected, we decided to stay one more night and return on Sunday.
When we got back home, you were elated. You ran all around the house, very excited. When it came time for bed, you impressed us quite a bit with your memory: a day or two before we left, while playing in your room, you had been telling mommy that the star piece to your Team Umizoomi toy was in the corner by your dresser. I had looked there, as had you, but we didn't find it. Here it was, two weeks later, and you started saying and pointing there again. This time, daddy looked and found it in the file box (you stuffed it in the hand hold opening). Unbelievable! You were very content to sleep in your room again, no fight or fuss whatsoever.
Last night, daddy and mommy went out for a date night to celebrate both our anniversary and New Year's eve. While we went out, Lyn watched you, which you enjoyed very much (you love her dogs and fans lol). We got back from dinner about 15 minutes before midnight, then hung around so we could count down to the new year all together :) You tried to count down with the timer on TV, but the numbers were too fast so you mainly just shouted out whatever numbers you thought of. We then returned home and got you in bed, once again without trouble, whew :D
Today we are just staying at home because it is snowing quite a bit! It started last night, so we had to be extra careful while out then. We'll probably go out and play in it together at some point today or tomorrow. Happy new year, little guy!
Thing is, you keep us so busy!! I could not possibly write all the details of everything that has changed and developed since last time I blogged, so we'll just have to settle for some current stuff.
Obviously, you just had your third Christmas. It was quite a time! Because week 8 of classes was just before that, you spent the week before Christmas at Grandma Judy's. Though you had a great time during the days, you really gave her a terrible time at bedtime each night, sometimes keeping her up to 3am! Mommy and daddy came on Saturday (you had been there since Sunday), braving some icky weather to get there. Thankfully there was just enough of a break in the precipitation to let us get there (we slid around one corner just before grandma's, that was all). We thought perhaps being there would make you sleep better, but this was not the case.
The day after we arrived (Sunday), we had early Christmas with grandma Judy, complete with a nice turkey dinner. You enjoyed opening presents, much more than last year. Jonathan was there, so you two played together a little. Sleeping the second night went better, but still on the rough side. We wondered if it might be because of your teeth (think your 2 yr molars are still trying to poke through).
The next day, we departed and headed to Nana Linda's. There, you still fought the sleep, but not quite as bad, thanks to BabyFirst channel lol. We had a great ham dinner on Christmas, lots of playing with uncle Kevin (you not only remembered his name, but also that you played on the kitchen floor last time you were there and wanted to repeat that), and of course some present opening. It took you forever to open the few presents that you had because you were in a fussy mood and kept getting distracted by everything else going on. Of particular interest to you was dad's gift from nana, a wheeled cooler. We turned it upside down and you played with the wheels more than anything else the whole day lol.
On Friday (second day after Christmas), we left there and headed towards Iowa. En route, we stopped by "Auntie" Suzanne's parents' place in Waynesville for a quick visit with everyone there. You entertained them quite well with your fascination of turning on lights and fans and going up and down the stairs. You also enjoyed the many cats and dogs there, probably scared them a little, too lol. After that, we made it to Aunt Diane's place in the evening. Cousin Rick was kind enough to hook up an antenna to the TV in the room where we were to stay, which made for a much easier time getting you to sleep. We discovered you like watching 'Bewitched'. You only fussed a little when we turned out the lights, mommy figured out that using the "L" formation like at nana's worked better for getting you to sleep, so that also helped. Since that went much better than expected, we decided to stay one more night and return on Sunday.
When we got back home, you were elated. You ran all around the house, very excited. When it came time for bed, you impressed us quite a bit with your memory: a day or two before we left, while playing in your room, you had been telling mommy that the star piece to your Team Umizoomi toy was in the corner by your dresser. I had looked there, as had you, but we didn't find it. Here it was, two weeks later, and you started saying and pointing there again. This time, daddy looked and found it in the file box (you stuffed it in the hand hold opening). Unbelievable! You were very content to sleep in your room again, no fight or fuss whatsoever.
Last night, daddy and mommy went out for a date night to celebrate both our anniversary and New Year's eve. While we went out, Lyn watched you, which you enjoyed very much (you love her dogs and fans lol). We got back from dinner about 15 minutes before midnight, then hung around so we could count down to the new year all together :) You tried to count down with the timer on TV, but the numbers were too fast so you mainly just shouted out whatever numbers you thought of. We then returned home and got you in bed, once again without trouble, whew :D
Today we are just staying at home because it is snowing quite a bit! It started last night, so we had to be extra careful while out then. We'll probably go out and play in it together at some point today or tomorrow. Happy new year, little guy!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
On the eve of turning two
Just like most days lately, you woke up happy and ready to identify everything around you. I put you on the potty and you went--this makes two days in a row! That's as far as we've gone with it, though, as it seems you don't really know exactly what is going on there yet. Then it was have a quick breakfast and pop over to the gym. You have so much fun at the Kids' Zone that half the time, like today, when we come to pick you up at the end of our workouts, you aren't ready to go (you even cried one time last week lol!)
In the afternoon, while I was doing some laundry, you were watching Bubble Guppies and the recorded episode ended. You kept saying, "Uh-oh, TV!" to let me know the episode had ended lol. You are able to say sooooo many things now, it would be hard to recount them all. You now know not just red, but also green, pink, purple and white--though you still like to say red the most. Your first French word is 'main'; this is in fact the only word you know for hand. You like pointing at each of us and declaring 'mom' or 'dad', and when I come home from lessons in the evening, you know it is me before I come to the living room and announce such. You've started putting together ideas, like 'red car', 'machine all done', and 'I want in' (you say this for the ball pit).
While I went out for lessons, dad told me that you got to play a bit with the neighbor kids, then decided you needed to go for a very long walk and point out lots of dogs along the way. Some of them were barking and when they stopped, you said, "Dogs all done!" Lol! Wish I could have been there for that one.
We did more laundry (you love helping with it) and played a bunch before it was your bedtime. I think it was a great last day of you being 1. Tomorrow we welcome you to being TWO!!!
In the afternoon, while I was doing some laundry, you were watching Bubble Guppies and the recorded episode ended. You kept saying, "Uh-oh, TV!" to let me know the episode had ended lol. You are able to say sooooo many things now, it would be hard to recount them all. You now know not just red, but also green, pink, purple and white--though you still like to say red the most. Your first French word is 'main'; this is in fact the only word you know for hand. You like pointing at each of us and declaring 'mom' or 'dad', and when I come home from lessons in the evening, you know it is me before I come to the living room and announce such. You've started putting together ideas, like 'red car', 'machine all done', and 'I want in' (you say this for the ball pit).
While I went out for lessons, dad told me that you got to play a bit with the neighbor kids, then decided you needed to go for a very long walk and point out lots of dogs along the way. Some of them were barking and when they stopped, you said, "Dogs all done!" Lol! Wish I could have been there for that one.
We did more laundry (you love helping with it) and played a bunch before it was your bedtime. I think it was a great last day of you being 1. Tomorrow we welcome you to being TWO!!!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Good Days and Bad Days
Avery, buddy, it's Dad. You know, I'm thankful that the overwhelming majority of our days together are happy and wonderful. But every once in a while, you can be a real headache. Here's a quick summary of our day so far.
First thing this morning, I sat you on your potty chair. You sat there for a long time, but never released anything. After a while, you wanted to stand up, so I helped you up. You took two steps forward... and then peed on the bath mat.
I cleaned the floor, laid down a clean bath mat, took off the rest of your clothes, and stepped into the shower with you. You shook your head, cried, squirmed and kicked, so I put you down in the tub with your toys, expecting that you’d happily play in the water as I showered like you usually do. But no, not this time. You cried and tried frantically to climb over the edge of the tub to escape. So I put a fresh diaper and T-shirt on you and took you to the living room where you could be distracted by TV, toys, and breakfast while I showered.
 |
| I'd have been happier if this was the worst thing you did today. |
You grabbed my hand, led me to the kitchen, and pointed at your mug on the island. You love drinking from this mug, so I took the hint and gave you some Kool-Aid in it. You took the mug and went back to the living room to watch cartoons while I took a minute to make myself a quick breakfast.
I heard your typical cry/growl of frustration, so I went to see what was wrong. You had angrily thrown the mug onto the couch where about 20% of its contents had leaked onto your blankets and the sheet covering the couch. I quickly picked it up, dried the spot the best I could, and took the mug back into the kitchen.
I finished my breakfast and then you led me by the hand back to the fridge and pointed at the milk. So I poured some into your blue teddy bear cup and handed it to you. You whined loudly, pushed it away, and ran into the living room crying.
I calmed you by handing you a Rice Krispies treat, which you happily sat down and ate. Then I smelled a horrific poop smell coming from you. I gave you time to finish your snack (and hopefully finish pooping), and then we went to your room for a diaper change. First, I tried to lay you down gently on one of your old receiving blankets. Of course, this infuriated you as always. I handed you a couple of toys to distract you while I did the dirty work, but this only worked long enough for me to get your diaper off and begin to wipe you down. You angrily threw the toys then flipped over, smearing your stinky poop on my hand. Your foot landed right in the dirty diaper, leaving a poop streak on the carpet as you sat up. Since I had made the mistake of letting go of you to wipe the poop off my hand, you were able to sit up on your knees, squishing poop all over your calf muscles.
So I again laid you down, keeping hold of your ankle this time so you wouldn't repeat that mess. You were furious and struggled hard to turn over, but I was able to work quickly enough to clean your entire body from the waist down, which was necessary by this point.
I thought all that fussing might have worn you out. You looked exhausted and were rubbing your eyes, so I thought maybe nap time was in order. I tried to read you a story, but you just kept getting mad and slapping the book out of my hands. So I tried to put you in bed, but every time I took a step toward your bed with you, you’d shriek, kick, and hit me. So I decided to let you play for just a little longer until you were more calm and tired.
We went downstairs to the ball pit I made for you. You were very happy to be back in there, but only as long as I was sitting there with you to pick up the balls as you threw them out. If I dared to go four feet away to my desk, you stood up and fussed until I came back.
Finally, after picking up the balls for you (probably hundreds of times), you were ready to get out. I lured you into your bedroom by doing the silly “Somebody Needs a Nap” dance that you love so much. You laughed, followed me, and did the dance with me. You were yawning and rubbing your eyes, so I knew it was nap time for sure. I picked you up, rocked you in my arms a bit to make you laugh, then put you in bed. You laughter instantly turned to screaming and crying as soon as I leaned over the crib rail. But I wasn't going to let you fool me this time; I knew you were tired and needed sleep. So I turned on your lullaby music and slipped out. You screamed and sobbed for over 20 minutes before finally settling down to sleep, but now all is quiet.
I’m maintaining my optimism that the second half of our day will go much better after you wake from your nap.
Man, some days are rough with you, kiddo, but I love you anyway.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Dad's Guide to Translating Avery-Speak
For those who don't spend as much time with Avery as I do (which is pretty much everyone), here's a guide to translating the various sounds that are constantly coming out of his mouth these days.
Now, some of his words are easy for anyone to understand. He easily pronounces hello, corn, eat, car, tree, moon, Dad, and Mom. Other things, however, may require some clarification.
Now, some of his words are easy for anyone to understand. He easily pronounces hello, corn, eat, car, tree, moon, Dad, and Mom. Other things, however, may require some clarification.
| When Avery Says... | He Means... |
|---|---|
| "dack door" | "Back door" |
| "ah-bwaa" | "I want" |
| "tank too" | "Thank you" |
| "wass-aat" | "What's that?" |
| "ah-shee" | "Aw, geez!" |
| "gigoo" | "Tickle" |
| "tee-yee" | "TV" |
| "wed" | "Red." According to Avery, all colors are red. |
| "at" | "Cat" |
| "daw-don" | "All done" or "all gone" |
| "tsip" | "Chip" |
| "shoowoowoo" | "Shoe," but it also seems to mean socks as well. |
| "dara-izz" | "There it is!" |
| "danky" | "Blanket" |
| "awwann" | "Aw, man!" |
| "burr-foy" | "Butterfly" |
| "aish" | "Lights" |
| "bubboo" | "Bubbles" |
| "toar" | "Star" |
| "teeyah" | We have no idea. He points to seemingly random things and says this. |
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