J decided not to have his nap today. So we watched some Treehouse. "Go Diego, Go" was on Treehouse this afternoon. It's the boy's version of "Dora the Explorer". Both shows are very popular with children J's age, but as adults, H and I find them to be extremely annoying to watch.
Diego: My Rescue Pack can transform into whatever we need!
H: Can it transform into a decent TV show?
And on the subject of interesting things that were said in our house today:
J: Don't put dinosaurs down the furnace.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Age appropriate activities
H: Did you have fun at daycare today?
J: Yeah. I had fun.
H: What did you do?
J: I did yoga.
H: Oh. You still have to teach Mommy and me to do yoga.
J: No.
H: Yes. Because Mommy and Daddy don't know how to do yoga.
J: No. You're too old.
J: Yeah. I had fun.
H: What did you do?
J: I did yoga.
H: Oh. You still have to teach Mommy and me to do yoga.
J: No.
H: Yes. Because Mommy and Daddy don't know how to do yoga.
J: No. You're too old.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Baby's Kicking
J is happy about the new baby. He enjoys reading stories to Baby. He talks to Baby. He gives Baby kisses. He sings lullabies, like "Rock-a-Bye Baby" and "Baby Mine" (and sometimes "Mighty Machines"), to Baby. "Mighty Machines" is sung in a rough gravely voice, and J sounds like he's growling at Baby. But it's all very cute.
J is thrilled about the fact that he will be getting a baby brother or sister. He tells people about his baby brother or sister. He has us read books about children who are getting new baby brothers or sisters.
J believes the baby is "in Mommy's navel". He's pretty precise about it.
Earlier, the baby was kicking me. I thought J might like to feel his baby brother or sister kicking. So I called him over.
T: J, Baby is kicking me.
J: {running over and sternly shouting at my navel} Baby-brother-or-sister! Don't kick Mommy!!
J is thrilled about the fact that he will be getting a baby brother or sister. He tells people about his baby brother or sister. He has us read books about children who are getting new baby brothers or sisters.
J believes the baby is "in Mommy's navel". He's pretty precise about it.
Earlier, the baby was kicking me. I thought J might like to feel his baby brother or sister kicking. So I called him over.
T: J, Baby is kicking me.
J: {running over and sternly shouting at my navel} Baby-brother-or-sister! Don't kick Mommy!!
Happiness Is
Last night, H was trying to give J his appetite stimulant. J used to take it quite willingly, but he's changed his mind about it recently. He fights. He puts his hands over his mouth. He runs away and tries to hide. He spits it all out and requires a second attempt.
Last night, I asked J if he wanted to lie in Mommy's lap while Daddy gave him the medicine. J agreed.
J crawled up on the couch beside me, climbed into my lap, and laid down in my arms. H came over with the little syringe, and he and I caressed J's sweet little face for a moment before giving him his little dose.
J: I'm soooooo happy!
And then he happily swallowed all of his medicine on the first try.
I love the things J says and does now. I love it when he runs up and hugs me, gives me kisses, wants to sit in my lap, wants me to sit beside him at the table for dinner. I love when he climbs up on the big stools so that he can eat his dinner at the kitchen island, and when he stuffs his teddy bears into the electric fireplace for safekeeping. I love how he climbs up on top of his slide house and pretends that he's riding a horse or a dinosaur, and when he grabs the top bar and swings. I love when he insists that we take pictures of his antics.
One thing that J says now, which I really enjoy is:
J: I like you!
It's such a happy, sincere expression. And it's just so sweet.
J has his moody times still, of course. They are frequent. But his happy times are doing more and more to compensate for his bouts of bad temper. And he's so much fun when he's happy and playful.
I love being J's mommy. I look forward to the day when I can get up off the couch again and play with him properly. He adds so much to our lives. And, to quote J: "I'm soooooo happy!"
Last night, I asked J if he wanted to lie in Mommy's lap while Daddy gave him the medicine. J agreed.
J crawled up on the couch beside me, climbed into my lap, and laid down in my arms. H came over with the little syringe, and he and I caressed J's sweet little face for a moment before giving him his little dose.
J: I'm soooooo happy!
And then he happily swallowed all of his medicine on the first try.
I love the things J says and does now. I love it when he runs up and hugs me, gives me kisses, wants to sit in my lap, wants me to sit beside him at the table for dinner. I love when he climbs up on the big stools so that he can eat his dinner at the kitchen island, and when he stuffs his teddy bears into the electric fireplace for safekeeping. I love how he climbs up on top of his slide house and pretends that he's riding a horse or a dinosaur, and when he grabs the top bar and swings. I love when he insists that we take pictures of his antics.
One thing that J says now, which I really enjoy is:
J: I like you!
It's such a happy, sincere expression. And it's just so sweet.
J has his moody times still, of course. They are frequent. But his happy times are doing more and more to compensate for his bouts of bad temper. And he's so much fun when he's happy and playful.
I love being J's mommy. I look forward to the day when I can get up off the couch again and play with him properly. He adds so much to our lives. And, to quote J: "I'm soooooo happy!"
Monday, February 11, 2008
At the dinner table
J's appetite stimulant works really well. Of course, I question why the manufacturers feel a need to put alcohol in a pediatric medication. But they do. I've been assured that it is a small amount of alcohol and the medication is perfectly safe for a 2-year old. And it does have dosing instructions for a child J's age, so we have been accepting of it. But still!!
Anyway, it works well. He eats a lot better now than he used to. We did try taking him off of the appetite stimulant for a short time, just to see how he'd do. He didn't do well. I guess we need to keep him taking it for awhile yet.
J needs encouragement to eat. It's not a constant mention, but he does need the occasional "Have a bite"; "Just two more bites"; "That's a good boy"; "Yay, J!" - that sort of thing. He also has been known to be bribed with dessert or movies. And he has a special straw that a friend gave him at Halloween. It's a purple bendy straw with four little orange jackolanterns on it, and it seems to encourage him to drink more milk and juice. His weight appears to be on the rise, and he's getting taller. He's still not a big kid, but he's starting to catch up a bit now, and we're feeling quite relieved.
J likes to imitate now. Things we say, things we do. He loves my calculator and the computer. J will try to sit at the computer on his own, and he'll tell us "I need to study". Or he'll gather up all his little treasures, head to the door, and say "I have to go to work now".
Tonight J had maccaroni and cheese for dinner. This is one of J's favorite dishes, and consists of boiled maccaroni with melted Cheese Whiz stirred in. He loves it. He had apple pie for dessert.
While he was enjoying his dessert, I wandered into the kitchen to refill my water glass.
J: (holding up a piece of pie) Have a bite.
(T takes a small bite of J's pie.)
J: That's a good Mommy.
Anyway, it works well. He eats a lot better now than he used to. We did try taking him off of the appetite stimulant for a short time, just to see how he'd do. He didn't do well. I guess we need to keep him taking it for awhile yet.
J needs encouragement to eat. It's not a constant mention, but he does need the occasional "Have a bite"; "Just two more bites"; "That's a good boy"; "Yay, J!" - that sort of thing. He also has been known to be bribed with dessert or movies. And he has a special straw that a friend gave him at Halloween. It's a purple bendy straw with four little orange jackolanterns on it, and it seems to encourage him to drink more milk and juice. His weight appears to be on the rise, and he's getting taller. He's still not a big kid, but he's starting to catch up a bit now, and we're feeling quite relieved.
J likes to imitate now. Things we say, things we do. He loves my calculator and the computer. J will try to sit at the computer on his own, and he'll tell us "I need to study". Or he'll gather up all his little treasures, head to the door, and say "I have to go to work now".
Tonight J had maccaroni and cheese for dinner. This is one of J's favorite dishes, and consists of boiled maccaroni with melted Cheese Whiz stirred in. He loves it. He had apple pie for dessert.
While he was enjoying his dessert, I wandered into the kitchen to refill my water glass.
J: (holding up a piece of pie) Have a bite.
(T takes a small bite of J's pie.)
J: That's a good Mommy.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Horsies for Africa
Today, we were watching TV in our living room. A World Vision ad came on. World Vision is an organization that we certainly support. We feel very fortunate and blessed, and we think it's important to give to those who find themselves in greater need. A chance to help others is something that should never be overlooked.
When the World Vision ad came on, J was affected. There were little children on the TV who looked very unhappy. J doesn't like it when people are unhappy. He wants to make them feel better.
J: Are they sad?
H: Yes, J. They're sad.
J: Those little boys? They're sad?
H: Yes. They're sad.
J: Why are they sad?
H: Well, you know J, you have lots of stuff. You have a house, and clothes, and toys, and food to eat any time you want it. But those little boys don't have those things. They have no toys. Often, they have no food. Some of them don't even have a house where they can live and be safe, or parents to look after them. You're a very lucky little boy. Those little boys don't have what you have. Isn't that sad?
J: Oh. That's why they're sad?
H: Yes, J. That's why they're sad. Some of them would love to have the things that you have.
J: (lying his favorite hobby horse down just in front of the TV) Here you go, boys. Here you go.
I love my son so much!
When the World Vision ad came on, J was affected. There were little children on the TV who looked very unhappy. J doesn't like it when people are unhappy. He wants to make them feel better.
J: Are they sad?
H: Yes, J. They're sad.
J: Those little boys? They're sad?
H: Yes. They're sad.
J: Why are they sad?
H: Well, you know J, you have lots of stuff. You have a house, and clothes, and toys, and food to eat any time you want it. But those little boys don't have those things. They have no toys. Often, they have no food. Some of them don't even have a house where they can live and be safe, or parents to look after them. You're a very lucky little boy. Those little boys don't have what you have. Isn't that sad?
J: Oh. That's why they're sad?
H: Yes, J. That's why they're sad. Some of them would love to have the things that you have.
J: (lying his favorite hobby horse down just in front of the TV) Here you go, boys. Here you go.
I love my son so much!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Because the pregnancy needed more drama
As most of my readers will know, I've been on bedrest since early November for bleeding in the pregnancy. I've had severe nausea and vomiting, which has resulted in weight loss and dehydration. I've continued to spot throughout the pregnancy. There seem to be some placental issues that are causing this. Just like when I was pregnant with J, I have to stay still. It's tougher this time, because it's for a longer period. It's also tougher because I have J and have a harder time staying still. But I do my best.
I keep having to go to the hospital. Every episode of bleeding or spotting, and off we go. We spend a good portion of time at the hospital these days.
I have now developed kidney stones, just to add to the situation. Kidney stones and kidney infections can bring on early labour. I was already at high risk for that before. Age, past pregnancy, and complications to date had already made a preterm baby fairly likely. So I've now received steroid shots to mature Baby's lungs, just in case.
Kidney stones hurt. And they can take a long time to pass. We can't really do a lot about it until after Baby is born. So I'm just drinking a lot of water and trying to flush them out of the system on my own. I spent last weekend in the hospital, getting rehydrated and trying to flush them. They let me go home once the pain had passed. But it returned in a different spot after I'd gotten home. There's not much that I can take for pain relief, because I'm pregnant. And it really hurts.
But at least it doesn't hurt in my back any longer. And it's no longer causing vomiting, so that's good. It's just causing some infection and a lot of pain.
I really wish these stones would pass so I could get on with the day-to-day chore of lying still, without so much pain.
Oh, the pain!!
I keep having to go to the hospital. Every episode of bleeding or spotting, and off we go. We spend a good portion of time at the hospital these days.
I have now developed kidney stones, just to add to the situation. Kidney stones and kidney infections can bring on early labour. I was already at high risk for that before. Age, past pregnancy, and complications to date had already made a preterm baby fairly likely. So I've now received steroid shots to mature Baby's lungs, just in case.
Kidney stones hurt. And they can take a long time to pass. We can't really do a lot about it until after Baby is born. So I'm just drinking a lot of water and trying to flush them out of the system on my own. I spent last weekend in the hospital, getting rehydrated and trying to flush them. They let me go home once the pain had passed. But it returned in a different spot after I'd gotten home. There's not much that I can take for pain relief, because I'm pregnant. And it really hurts.
But at least it doesn't hurt in my back any longer. And it's no longer causing vomiting, so that's good. It's just causing some infection and a lot of pain.
I really wish these stones would pass so I could get on with the day-to-day chore of lying still, without so much pain.
Oh, the pain!!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Bouncin' and Misbehavin'
J has been extremely hyper lately. We don't know quite why. But he's totally bouncing off the walls.
J's favorite word is "NO"! So much so that he came home from daycare one day last week with a note to this effect. He is most uncooperative. Time outs are frequently occurring in our household these days.
Today, J came home with a note to advise us that he was hitting his friends and throwing toys. Around here, hitting is promptly remedied with time outs. Throwing toys results in the toys being taken away and locked in the closet for a long time ... like weeks or months. But daycare can't implement the same punishments that we can at home, so they try other things.
Apparently, J hit one of his friends. He was reprimanded by his teachers. J responded by apologizing to the little boy, and giving him a hug and a kiss. Sounds sweet, doesn't it? And it would have been sweet. Except that J then continued to hit the little boy so that he could follow up with hugs and kisses. My little 2-year old appears not to understand that he can hug and kiss his little friends for no apparent reason, and thinks this is some kind of game.
I don't want J to bully his friends!!!!!
J was super-grumpy tonight. He was sent to bed early, since he clearly needed the sleep. And we attempted to explain to him at some length that he is not to hit or throw toys. Of course, he's only 2 years old, and I just don't know that he understands these concepts yet. All we can do is try.
On another note, J now has a nightlight. He still doesn't enjoy bed time, but he is not panicked about being in the dark any longer. So ... score!
J's favorite word is "NO"! So much so that he came home from daycare one day last week with a note to this effect. He is most uncooperative. Time outs are frequently occurring in our household these days.
Today, J came home with a note to advise us that he was hitting his friends and throwing toys. Around here, hitting is promptly remedied with time outs. Throwing toys results in the toys being taken away and locked in the closet for a long time ... like weeks or months. But daycare can't implement the same punishments that we can at home, so they try other things.
Apparently, J hit one of his friends. He was reprimanded by his teachers. J responded by apologizing to the little boy, and giving him a hug and a kiss. Sounds sweet, doesn't it? And it would have been sweet. Except that J then continued to hit the little boy so that he could follow up with hugs and kisses. My little 2-year old appears not to understand that he can hug and kiss his little friends for no apparent reason, and thinks this is some kind of game.
I don't want J to bully his friends!!!!!
J was super-grumpy tonight. He was sent to bed early, since he clearly needed the sleep. And we attempted to explain to him at some length that he is not to hit or throw toys. Of course, he's only 2 years old, and I just don't know that he understands these concepts yet. All we can do is try.
On another note, J now has a nightlight. He still doesn't enjoy bed time, but he is not panicked about being in the dark any longer. So ... score!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Pants
J spilt something on his pants while he was at daycare today. His teachers tried to change him into his spare pants.
His spare pants are favorites of ours. They're faded brown jeans with a small red bear iron-on on one leg. They have pockets in the knees where J can put all his little treasures - rocks, marbles, and the like. Very cute. Very practical. Very boyish.
Of course, J refused to wear them. He told the teachers that they were "girls' pants", and he wouldn't put them on. So he ended up dressed very warmly, in his ski pants, for the rest of the day.
H and J are now on their way to L&P's for "Fat Tuesday". While they are there, H will try to convince J to wear his regular pants.
His spare pants are favorites of ours. They're faded brown jeans with a small red bear iron-on on one leg. They have pockets in the knees where J can put all his little treasures - rocks, marbles, and the like. Very cute. Very practical. Very boyish.
Of course, J refused to wear them. He told the teachers that they were "girls' pants", and he wouldn't put them on. So he ended up dressed very warmly, in his ski pants, for the rest of the day.
H and J are now on their way to L&P's for "Fat Tuesday". While they are there, H will try to convince J to wear his regular pants.
A J never sleeps
J has decided that he wants cuddles before bed. He's suddenly developed a fear of the dark, and he doesn't like being left alone for bedtime.
J doesn't enjoy bedtime. He argues about it. He delays it. He demands cuddles and a sippy-cup of milk. J hasn't had a sippy-cup in many months, but we've had to dig this old relic up once more for his new night-time ritual. Usually, he wakes up several times a night and wants cuddles.
Last night was particularly dreadful.
I'd spent the weekend at the hospital. Everything is pretty well fine, but I've added kidney stone to the list of pregnancy problems, and I needed to spend some time at the RAH. It was not a great weekend. But they released me Sunday afternoon and let me come home. I'm trying to stay hydrated and rested, and hoping to manage this at home. But if the nights are like last night, ... well ...
J awoke.
"I wanna cuddle for a little bit"
"Upp-ie!"
"I wanna cuddle!"
"I WANNNNNNAAAA CUUUUDDLLLE FOR A LITTTTTLE BIIIIITTTTT!!!!"
Minutes pass ...
[Sing-song]
"Soccer ball, soccer ball
Soccer ball, soccer ball
Soccer ball, soccer ball"
Minutes pass ...
"Froggie is stinky. Poopie Froggie? It's ok, Froggie. I'll change your bum."
Narration of the diaper change being performed on J's stuffed Froggie ensues ... followed by a diaper change on Cow ... and one on Big Bad Wolf, who was presumably so poopie that he needed toilet paper ...
Minutes pass ...
"Mommy, can you turn on Treehouse?"
"Shrek the Third?"
"Treehouse?"
Minutes pass ... Mommy gets up for her ritual 3:00 a.m. hurl ...
"Mommy's vomiting in the big potty. She's vomiting in the big potty"
Followed by narration ...
"She vomits ... again ... and again ... and again ... and again ..."
Minutes pass ... J falls out of bed ... We put him back in bed ...
"Can you cover me up, Mommy?"
Mommy obliges. Minutes pass ...
"Can you cover me up, Mommy?"
Daddy responds ...
"No! Mommy!! Can you cover me up, Mommy? I WANT MOMMY!!!"
An argument erupts over whether or not Daddy is as good a cover-upper as Mommy ...
Eventually, J went back to sleep. I am tired. But I must stay up and drink lots and lots of water. There are still kidney stones to flush out of my system. Fun for the whole family!
J doesn't enjoy bedtime. He argues about it. He delays it. He demands cuddles and a sippy-cup of milk. J hasn't had a sippy-cup in many months, but we've had to dig this old relic up once more for his new night-time ritual. Usually, he wakes up several times a night and wants cuddles.
Last night was particularly dreadful.
I'd spent the weekend at the hospital. Everything is pretty well fine, but I've added kidney stone to the list of pregnancy problems, and I needed to spend some time at the RAH. It was not a great weekend. But they released me Sunday afternoon and let me come home. I'm trying to stay hydrated and rested, and hoping to manage this at home. But if the nights are like last night, ... well ...
J awoke.
"I wanna cuddle for a little bit"
"Upp-ie!"
"I wanna cuddle!"
"I WANNNNNNAAAA CUUUUDDLLLE FOR A LITTTTTLE BIIIIITTTTT!!!!"
Minutes pass ...
[Sing-song]
"Soccer ball, soccer ball
Soccer ball, soccer ball
Soccer ball, soccer ball"
Minutes pass ...
"Froggie is stinky. Poopie Froggie? It's ok, Froggie. I'll change your bum."
Narration of the diaper change being performed on J's stuffed Froggie ensues ... followed by a diaper change on Cow ... and one on Big Bad Wolf, who was presumably so poopie that he needed toilet paper ...
Minutes pass ...
"Mommy, can you turn on Treehouse?"
"Shrek the Third?"
"Treehouse?"
Minutes pass ... Mommy gets up for her ritual 3:00 a.m. hurl ...
"Mommy's vomiting in the big potty. She's vomiting in the big potty"
Followed by narration ...
"She vomits ... again ... and again ... and again ... and again ..."
Minutes pass ... J falls out of bed ... We put him back in bed ...
"Can you cover me up, Mommy?"
Mommy obliges. Minutes pass ...
"Can you cover me up, Mommy?"
Daddy responds ...
"No! Mommy!! Can you cover me up, Mommy? I WANT MOMMY!!!"
An argument erupts over whether or not Daddy is as good a cover-upper as Mommy ...
Eventually, J went back to sleep. I am tired. But I must stay up and drink lots and lots of water. There are still kidney stones to flush out of my system. Fun for the whole family!
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