Jungle Cats

Ordinarily fierce, the lion can be tamed with considerable ease. With very little coaxing, it even permitted this leopard to ride on its back.


Of course, it subsequently attacked. Poor little leopard never saw it coming.

J's first lunar eclipse

J loves the moon.

Some of J's favorite books have historically featured the moon quite prominently. "Goodnight Moon", "The Goodnight Gecko". He will often quote "Noelle the Bulldog" at sunset ... "The sun said good-bye and the moon said hello in the starry night sky".

J always looks for the moon up in the sky, and gets very excited when he sees it. If the sun and moon are both out together, he always points it out. And when my parents were in Hawaii about a year and a half ago, they actually took a picture of the moon so that J could see that it was backwards in that part of the world. Of course, that really lost something in the translation ... flip the picture over, and there's no difference. But they tried.

J loves the moon.

Tonight, J saw his very first lunar eclipse. H took him out at around 7:30 tonight, so that he could see the earth's shadow crossing over the moon. And then they went back out closer to 8:00, so that J could see the moon, all red, covered by the earth's shadow. We told our little future astronomer all about what was happening to the moon. He just sat there, cuddled up in H's arms, staring up at the moon and smiling happily.

J was quite enthralled. He didn't want to come back inside. Much convincing was required.

I understand there will not be another lunar eclipse for 3 years. I really like the stars and moon too, so I briefly got up off the couch and took a quick look. The sky was wonderfully clear, and the eclipse was quite spectacular. I understand J's reaction perfectly.

If his interest in all things celestial persists, we may need to get him a telescope when he's bigger. That would be pretty nice, I think.

Once Upon A Time

J has an activity book. It was given to him by Memaw when he was a baby. He still quite likes it. It's filled with animal pictures and different pull-tabs, and it plays music and makes a variety of noises.

J got home from daycare today. He ate a nice dinner of lasagna ... bribed with promises of chocolate. After his dessert was done, he ran into the living room, activity book in hand:

J: It's bedtime. For you. (Points at Mommy) And you. (Points at Daddy) But not for me! Time for story. (Opens activity book) Once upon a time, there was an elephant and a panda and stars. The end. (Closes book) Now go to sleep.

H: Can we snuggle for a little bit?

J: Yes. (Climbs up on couch and lies down next to H) Oh wait! Time to get a sippy cup of milk! (Climbs down and runs into the kitchen)

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Yesterday, H and J went to Ikea to try to catch a doorcatcher special. I am impressed that they managed to get it, and they returned home with the much sought-after table and chair set for J. Now he has his very own place where he can sit and colour, paint, play with play-doh, etc. It's a very nice table and comes with 4 chairs. J helped H to assemble it. Took much longer that way, but I think H enjoyed spending quality time with his son.

Yesterday evening, K&K came by with D. L&P braved the cat dander and came over with I&G for a visit. Dinner was provided by our good friends, and much fun was had by all. J, D, I, & G all played together, and J's new table was put to good use. Life is good. I'm glad we have good support from our friends and family.

We had intended to show K&K and L&P the progress in our basement. But by the end of the evening, we had forgotten. We'll have to show them another time.

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Basement development is coming along nicely. But it is astounding how much things cost! I was sure we budgeted high when we set our basement budget, but it appears that we actually budgeted low on most things. Every time a bill arrives, I hyperventilate a little bit. I'm sure we'll be okay. I just hate spending money. I'm not used to it, and it makes me panic and shudder.

The framing is almost completely done now. Most of the plumbing work is done, as is most of the electrical. The shower is installed (shower head, tap, and doors are still to come). The first batch of drywall has been delivered. Flooring is already paid for and just needs to be picked up. The fireplace goes in on March 11.

There's still a little bit of framing to do (a closet and some work around ducting). The sink, cabinet, toilet, vent fan, and mirror still need to be installed in the bathroom. And then we have the remaining electric, drywall work, a suspended ceiling, a built-in bookshelf, the trim and finishing work, instalation of flooring, painting. I think that's about it. I hope so, anyway. With me unexpectedly on disability, our finances have taken a slight downward turn, and it's harder to cope.

All temporary. I'm aware. But it's still not a lot of fun to deal with.

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On the subject of my ongoing disability, we had an ultrasound and obstetrician's appointment today. Things are good with Baby. I must continue on bed rest, of course. I'm 26 weeks along now. Baby would not cooperate for ultrasound pictures ... he was busy sucking on his toes and covering his face with his hands. No cute pictures of Baby's face this go-round. But that's ok.

The goal is just to make it as close to term as possible. Thus far, things are looking good, as long as I continue with the bed rest. We do what we have to do. As things stand right now, I may be able to write my exam on March 10. I hope so ... deferring it is a bit of a headache. And I don't really want to prepare for an exam in the next sitting, when I'll have a newborn baby. Not convenient.

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The course I'm currently taking isn't going too bad. Thankfully it's distance ed - I wouldn't be able to go to class in my current condition. Even as it is, I'm behind on readings. But I got 99% on my midterm assignment. Woot! And I've done well enough on the quizzes too. I need something in the realm of a 53% on my final exam in order to pass the course. Aside from the business case assignment, which I hope to complete this summer, this is my last foundation level course. Still a long way to go, though.

I wonder how we'll manage once we add baby #2 into the mix. I'm sure we'll find a way to make this work. Someday, when I get my designation, there will be much rejoicing.

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Anyway, that's enough typing. Nighty-night. It's bedtime. J says so.

Go Away Diego, Go

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.

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.

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!!

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!"

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.

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!

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!!