Kyle took a 3 1/2 hour nap today...maybe. I went in to get him because he'd been down so long and he was sitting up in his crib, pretending to give one of his binkies to his beanie baby raccoon, which he's been dragging around since yesterday (Thanks Beran family!).
Kyle's a big fan of puddles; especially with all this rain lately! He finds every puddle between our apartment and the car to splash around in. I've been packing an extra pair of shoes/socks in the diaper bag.
And lastly, Kyle and I were on our own this evening because Kevin had a MRI facility tour. I took us out to dinner and there was an older mom and her son eating dinner at the restaurant too. This woman could've been my grandmother, to give you an idea of her age. Turned out that we left at the same time and were parked beside each other. She, of course, said that Kyle was the sweetest little boy, but then she also chimed in to me that "You are a very good mother". Now, I've gotta tell you, taking Kyle out to eat is a feat with two parents present, much less just one. It was such a blessing to have this older, experienced mom compliment me on being a good mother. I know she doesn't see me with Kyle day in and day out, but it was nice that she said something.
It's different to have someone other than family say something about your parenting skills (they don't have visiting grandchildren rights on the line ;)), so if you see a mom with young kids doing a great job, will you let her know? I promise, it'll make her day!
P.S.-We went to "Open House" at this school last night and I was truly impressed!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Growing up before my eyes...
It's really hard to remember what Kyle does that's new nowadays...I need to set up a whiteboard and jot down things as they happen! Kyle is definitely getting taller; even since Christmas and I can tell he's gained weight when I pick him up. His size 2T pajamas, which were big in Nov/Dec now fit about perfect! I was hoping he'd hang out in size 18 month clothes through the summer, but we'll see. I hear that clothes fit longer after potty training because you lose the diaper bulk, not that we're starting that yet!
In the past 2 weeks or so Kyle has started talking more. He says a lot of words, and will make sounds when we prompt him, as in "Kyle, can you say t-t-t-tree?" and Kyle will reply "t-t-t-t". He has a puzzle with animals on it and he often makes attempts at the words "goat" and "duck". Another new and exciting communication leap for him is shaking his head yes and no to answer questions. It's been wonderful to ask "Do you want milk (head shake no) or juice (head shake yes)?" when he asks for a drink using sign language. Now, I am a little interested to see all those studies that say babies who learn sign language speak sooner and don't rely on their signs to communicate. It seems that Kyle continues to add new signs to his repertoire and relies on them, instead of speaking. The way the baby sign videos and books make it out, Kyle wouldn't have been speaking until he was 2 1/2 or older at this rate! Ah well, I'm still so incredibly thankful for the baby sign and know we will do it with the rest of our kids too.
Another really cool skill Kyle has started doing is blowing bubbles in his bath water! This is one of the first skills they try to teach the babies and toddlers in swim class and it's something they have to master before moving up to the next level. Additionally, Kyle has been practicing drinking from a real cup in the bathtub. We have a rinse cup that he plays with and fills with water, then drinks from it. He still spills quite a bit, but I came across these neat sippy cups today that supposedly help toddlers learn to drink from a cup. They should also help keep his drinks cool in the summer, in addition to being a whopping 10 oz; practically unheard of volume in the world of sippy cups! Kyle drinks a lot of milk, water, and juice (more than the average toddler according to the pediatrician and the number of wet diapers we change), so I've been seeking out sippy cups that hold more than 6 or 7 ounces.
Did you know it snowed here in Tucson today? Yep, we got some great pictures that I'm sure Kevin will be posting soon; he loves weather. I actually had to dig the ice scraper (which I have kept since our days of living in Flagstaff) out of the trunk from behind the spare tire to scrape the car this morning. Thank goodness I kept it, you should have seen the desert natives scraping their cars with their bare hands and credit cards; amateurs ;)!
Ok, I'm going to make it my personal goal to figure out our new video camera and post a video or two this week! I'm really busy through mid-March, so forgive my infrequent posts!
In the past 2 weeks or so Kyle has started talking more. He says a lot of words, and will make sounds when we prompt him, as in "Kyle, can you say t-t-t-tree?" and Kyle will reply "t-t-t-t". He has a puzzle with animals on it and he often makes attempts at the words "goat" and "duck". Another new and exciting communication leap for him is shaking his head yes and no to answer questions. It's been wonderful to ask "Do you want milk (head shake no) or juice (head shake yes)?" when he asks for a drink using sign language. Now, I am a little interested to see all those studies that say babies who learn sign language speak sooner and don't rely on their signs to communicate. It seems that Kyle continues to add new signs to his repertoire and relies on them, instead of speaking. The way the baby sign videos and books make it out, Kyle wouldn't have been speaking until he was 2 1/2 or older at this rate! Ah well, I'm still so incredibly thankful for the baby sign and know we will do it with the rest of our kids too.
Another really cool skill Kyle has started doing is blowing bubbles in his bath water! This is one of the first skills they try to teach the babies and toddlers in swim class and it's something they have to master before moving up to the next level. Additionally, Kyle has been practicing drinking from a real cup in the bathtub. We have a rinse cup that he plays with and fills with water, then drinks from it. He still spills quite a bit, but I came across these neat sippy cups today that supposedly help toddlers learn to drink from a cup. They should also help keep his drinks cool in the summer, in addition to being a whopping 10 oz; practically unheard of volume in the world of sippy cups! Kyle drinks a lot of milk, water, and juice (more than the average toddler according to the pediatrician and the number of wet diapers we change), so I've been seeking out sippy cups that hold more than 6 or 7 ounces.
Did you know it snowed here in Tucson today? Yep, we got some great pictures that I'm sure Kevin will be posting soon; he loves weather. I actually had to dig the ice scraper (which I have kept since our days of living in Flagstaff) out of the trunk from behind the spare tire to scrape the car this morning. Thank goodness I kept it, you should have seen the desert natives scraping their cars with their bare hands and credit cards; amateurs ;)!
Ok, I'm going to make it my personal goal to figure out our new video camera and post a video or two this week! I'm really busy through mid-March, so forgive my infrequent posts!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
I need eyes in the back of my head...
There is a lot I could share on this post, how Kyle refused to sleep the entire flight home from VA, how all we did this week was play and I just unpacked from the holidays this evening, how I've got the worst mom of the weekend award all sealed up!
So, Kyle and I are packed up and at the airport to come home from VA. I tell him "Kyle, we're going home to see daddy today!" and he is really excited. Turns out he was so excited that he decided not to sleep until he saw daddy when we got off the plane in AZ; yep, hopped in Kevin's arms and was fast asleep before we stepped off the escalator on our way down to baggage claim. Let me tell you, that was one very long trip home!
Then there was the rearranging of Kyle's room so we could fit all of his new toys and clothes in there. We both agreed that playing in his bedroom was much more fun than unpacking the suitcase and car seat bag from our trip, so that's what we did all week, played! We slam dunked every single ball he owns in his new basketball hoop, laid on the pillows by his bed (in case he falls off while sleeping) and read lots of books over and over again, filled his dump truck with blocks/stuffed animals/balls/books/DVDs then dumped them out and refilled it again, pushed pacifiers through the hand holds on his seasaw/rocker then flipped it over to find them, we pushed his new toy bins around the house making motor sounds like they were cars, and of course had to take the tricycle out to the parking lot just about everyday to push it around while Kyle wore his helmet. I truly believe I have the best job in the world!
Of course, sometimes I could be a little more vigilant in my line of work. Take for instance Friday morning; I was packing up the diaper bag and letting Kyle play with his infant medication bottles: he likes to take them all out of the ziploc bag and then put them back in. Completely harmless...usually. So I finish packing the bag, look up, and the infant ibuprofen bottle is just coming down from junior's lips, with the lid off! Thank goodness, the night before I'd hardly been able to get a full dose out when he was teething, but still, not a good sign that he can get the lid off and drink it! I replaced all the meds, tasted a drip coming down from his chin, and sure enough it was ibuprofen.
Then there was the little foray in to mommy and daddy's bedroom while I tried to find something, Kyle took a dime and two pennys off of my nightstand. Usually, these find there way to the piggy bank. However, by the time I turned around Kyle was moving his mouth funny and there was only a dime in his hand. I did the finger sweep, but nothing. After calling the doctor and learning those pennies should come out the other end in a couple weeks (assuming he actually ate them), I called Kevin for the second time that day to let him know our son had once again briefly been in harm's way, but should survive just fine, again.
Saturday found me at home with Kyle once again, since Kevin had a road ride in Casa Grande. While talking on the phone with Granny, I notice Kyle chewing on huge sewing needles/pins. I quickly hang up and upon further examination discover that the homemade ornaments we received in the mail just two days before were not as baby safe as I first determined. They were made with huge pins and small beads that very easily pull apart. Thankfully, no harm done there.
And today, Sunday, I pinched the little sweethearts chin while trying to do the clip on his helmet so we could go push the tricycle around the parking lot. So I'm nominating myself this weekend, for worst mom in the last 72 hours. Here's to lessons learned and a new appreciation for toddler vigilance.
So, Kyle and I are packed up and at the airport to come home from VA. I tell him "Kyle, we're going home to see daddy today!" and he is really excited. Turns out he was so excited that he decided not to sleep until he saw daddy when we got off the plane in AZ; yep, hopped in Kevin's arms and was fast asleep before we stepped off the escalator on our way down to baggage claim. Let me tell you, that was one very long trip home!
Then there was the rearranging of Kyle's room so we could fit all of his new toys and clothes in there. We both agreed that playing in his bedroom was much more fun than unpacking the suitcase and car seat bag from our trip, so that's what we did all week, played! We slam dunked every single ball he owns in his new basketball hoop, laid on the pillows by his bed (in case he falls off while sleeping) and read lots of books over and over again, filled his dump truck with blocks/stuffed animals/balls/books/DVDs then dumped them out and refilled it again, pushed pacifiers through the hand holds on his seasaw/rocker then flipped it over to find them, we pushed his new toy bins around the house making motor sounds like they were cars, and of course had to take the tricycle out to the parking lot just about everyday to push it around while Kyle wore his helmet. I truly believe I have the best job in the world!
Of course, sometimes I could be a little more vigilant in my line of work. Take for instance Friday morning; I was packing up the diaper bag and letting Kyle play with his infant medication bottles: he likes to take them all out of the ziploc bag and then put them back in. Completely harmless...usually. So I finish packing the bag, look up, and the infant ibuprofen bottle is just coming down from junior's lips, with the lid off! Thank goodness, the night before I'd hardly been able to get a full dose out when he was teething, but still, not a good sign that he can get the lid off and drink it! I replaced all the meds, tasted a drip coming down from his chin, and sure enough it was ibuprofen.
Then there was the little foray in to mommy and daddy's bedroom while I tried to find something, Kyle took a dime and two pennys off of my nightstand. Usually, these find there way to the piggy bank. However, by the time I turned around Kyle was moving his mouth funny and there was only a dime in his hand. I did the finger sweep, but nothing. After calling the doctor and learning those pennies should come out the other end in a couple weeks (assuming he actually ate them), I called Kevin for the second time that day to let him know our son had once again briefly been in harm's way, but should survive just fine, again.
Saturday found me at home with Kyle once again, since Kevin had a road ride in Casa Grande. While talking on the phone with Granny, I notice Kyle chewing on huge sewing needles/pins. I quickly hang up and upon further examination discover that the homemade ornaments we received in the mail just two days before were not as baby safe as I first determined. They were made with huge pins and small beads that very easily pull apart. Thankfully, no harm done there.
And today, Sunday, I pinched the little sweethearts chin while trying to do the clip on his helmet so we could go push the tricycle around the parking lot. So I'm nominating myself this weekend, for worst mom in the last 72 hours. Here's to lessons learned and a new appreciation for toddler vigilance.
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