Monday, February 27, 2006
Orange you glad you know this?
Oh my God! Someone put pureed sweet potatoes in my baby's diaper! Solids are so much fun. I forgot what a shock it is when the output looks exactly as it did when you spooned in. I can't wait for the peas!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
I can still write!
Well, crap, it's been a long time since I've blogged. It's been so long that I've practically forgotten how to do it! Guess I have a lot to update on.
Luke's sleep report: since my last entry, we had a couple of 7+ hour nights, followed by a couple of shitty get-up-three-plus-time-a-nighters. Since Luke's 4-month check-up, it's been mostly 6 - 7.5 hour stretches.
It'll be a miracle if I'm not bald within a week. The amount of hair I'm constantly losing is staggering. It's so gross to have gobs of long hair hanging on your clothes, tickling your arms and hanging out under your clothing. It's all over the kids, the bathroom, it's just everywhere. I know this is so gross, but I found a long Melanie-hair on Cam's personal part when I was changing his diaper last night. It was, like, wrapped around it! How awful is that? I hope this ends quickly. I really didn't lose much hair after Cameron was born. At least I don't remember it being anything like this. It had better not all fall out, since I'm getting highlights next Wednesday. It'll be my first time. I'm kind of excited/anxious/nervous. I hope it turns out well!
Enough about me, let's talk about Luke! He had his 4-month checkup February 14th. All is perfect with the little man. He's doing everything he needs to be doing. He'll likely be on the later end of the spectrum for rolling over, but no surprise there since Luke is a giant. 19 pounds, 12.5 ounces! 26 inches. I guess we just make big boys. We got the go-ahead to start solids. Dr. C thought that doing so would bulk up his poops and cause fewer blowouts. And it has! He's had rice cereal, butternut squash and applesauce so far and is loving it. We haven't had a blowout in since this past Sunday. Totally awesome. Check him out:
We had Luke's 4-month pictures taken a couple weeks ago and it went really well! We pick up the hard copies today. I hope they look as good on paper as these proofs do. We totally didn't get the one with me kissing Luke. Everyone loves that one, but seriously - I look awful in it. I retouched like 3 zits in Paint Shop Pro. I wasn't expecting to be in a picture, so my hair was a mess and I was wearing no makeup. Look at the dark circle around my eye. Anyway, I hope future photo sittings go as well as this one did.
We registered Cameron for preschool! He starts in September...he'll be going Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 - 1:30. He's incredibly excited. I know he'll have a great time playing and learning with the other kids. I mean, according to me, he's already one smart cookie...with some schoolin', the kid will be a downright genius! ;)
A couple of little Cam things:
He's still digging the word "dammit" - a lot. He uses it most everyday. Sometimes, it's used appropriately (as in "I want a bath now, dammit"). Sometimes, it's just random (he'll be playing and chant "dammit, dammit, dammit"). We've been ignoring it, but I had to start telling him that dammit is a mean word and to use other words. Not working so far. Sometimes, parenting is hard, dammit.
You see this?
These are the apple juice boxes that Cam drinks. He swears there is an apple and a bird on the box. Huh? Anyone else see that?
OK, so I finished reading Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris quite a bit ago. Not very impressed. I mean, it wasn't a total waste of my time, but it failed to intrigue me for the most part. I guess it was just average to me. I gave it three stars. Now I'm reading Me Talk Pretty One Day, also by Sedaris. I'm actually almost finished with it, as well. I'm happy to report that I have cracked up numerous times thus far. It's taking me way longer to read books these days. I try to read every night, but usually fall asleep without even opening the book.
And now, just an observation. My dad swore up and down that Walgreens batteries were just as good as the name brand ones. Mom continues to believes this. That SO is not true! We got some Walgreens batteries as Christmas gifts, and I've had to change the mouse batteries twice in like 3 weeks! OK, I shouldn't complain, since they were free and all, but really. I can't jump on the Walgreeens battery bandwagon. OK, my anti-PSA is now over.
I've only been writing this entry for 3 days now, so I think I will wrap it up and finally post it! Thanks for reading!
Luke's sleep report: since my last entry, we had a couple of 7+ hour nights, followed by a couple of shitty get-up-three-plus-time-a-nighters. Since Luke's 4-month check-up, it's been mostly 6 - 7.5 hour stretches.
It'll be a miracle if I'm not bald within a week. The amount of hair I'm constantly losing is staggering. It's so gross to have gobs of long hair hanging on your clothes, tickling your arms and hanging out under your clothing. It's all over the kids, the bathroom, it's just everywhere. I know this is so gross, but I found a long Melanie-hair on Cam's personal part when I was changing his diaper last night. It was, like, wrapped around it! How awful is that? I hope this ends quickly. I really didn't lose much hair after Cameron was born. At least I don't remember it being anything like this. It had better not all fall out, since I'm getting highlights next Wednesday. It'll be my first time. I'm kind of excited/anxious/nervous. I hope it turns out well!
Enough about me, let's talk about Luke! He had his 4-month checkup February 14th. All is perfect with the little man. He's doing everything he needs to be doing. He'll likely be on the later end of the spectrum for rolling over, but no surprise there since Luke is a giant. 19 pounds, 12.5 ounces! 26 inches. I guess we just make big boys. We got the go-ahead to start solids. Dr. C thought that doing so would bulk up his poops and cause fewer blowouts. And it has! He's had rice cereal, butternut squash and applesauce so far and is loving it. We haven't had a blowout in since this past Sunday. Totally awesome. Check him out:
We had Luke's 4-month pictures taken a couple weeks ago and it went really well! We pick up the hard copies today. I hope they look as good on paper as these proofs do. We totally didn't get the one with me kissing Luke. Everyone loves that one, but seriously - I look awful in it. I retouched like 3 zits in Paint Shop Pro. I wasn't expecting to be in a picture, so my hair was a mess and I was wearing no makeup. Look at the dark circle around my eye. Anyway, I hope future photo sittings go as well as this one did.
We registered Cameron for preschool! He starts in September...he'll be going Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 - 1:30. He's incredibly excited. I know he'll have a great time playing and learning with the other kids. I mean, according to me, he's already one smart cookie...with some schoolin', the kid will be a downright genius! ;)
A couple of little Cam things:
He's still digging the word "dammit" - a lot. He uses it most everyday. Sometimes, it's used appropriately (as in "I want a bath now, dammit"). Sometimes, it's just random (he'll be playing and chant "dammit, dammit, dammit"). We've been ignoring it, but I had to start telling him that dammit is a mean word and to use other words. Not working so far. Sometimes, parenting is hard, dammit.
You see this?
These are the apple juice boxes that Cam drinks. He swears there is an apple and a bird on the box. Huh? Anyone else see that?
OK, so I finished reading Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris quite a bit ago. Not very impressed. I mean, it wasn't a total waste of my time, but it failed to intrigue me for the most part. I guess it was just average to me. I gave it three stars. Now I'm reading Me Talk Pretty One Day, also by Sedaris. I'm actually almost finished with it, as well. I'm happy to report that I have cracked up numerous times thus far. It's taking me way longer to read books these days. I try to read every night, but usually fall asleep without even opening the book.
And now, just an observation. My dad swore up and down that Walgreens batteries were just as good as the name brand ones. Mom continues to believes this. That SO is not true! We got some Walgreens batteries as Christmas gifts, and I've had to change the mouse batteries twice in like 3 weeks! OK, I shouldn't complain, since they were free and all, but really. I can't jump on the Walgreeens battery bandwagon. OK, my anti-PSA is now over.
I've only been writing this entry for 3 days now, so I think I will wrap it up and finally post it! Thanks for reading!
Thursday, February 9, 2006
Random is good.
Sleepy-sleep: ok, I didn't get a repeat 10-hour performance out of Lukey last night, but he did give me 7 hours, which I am almost as equally thankful for. 7 hours, eat, 3 hours.
Whew. I got all the V-day cards out. I ran out of photo paper, due to multiple paper jams and the fact that the printer smeared ink on a few cards, so some of you will get cards on matte card stock instead. We just sent the cards to folks with kids (and the grandparents and Shamy, of course). BTW, I've decided to start calling Shawn and Amy "Shamy." We already call Staci and Jason "Stason," so it's only fair.
Some randomness for you...
Did I tell you that the neighbors across the street have a monster truck with "Cuz the chicks dig it" across the windshield? Isn't that cool and clever? Wanna see it?
OK, so maybe it's not a true monster truck...I wouldn't know; I'm no monster truck expert....but it's hiked up pretty high, huh? It's almost as tall as the damn house! It's cool to be a redneck, no?
Cam is so awesome. He can't snap his fingers...instead he wiggles them and makes clicking sounds with his tongue!
More Cam...he is obsessed with oatmeal. I mean, the kid loves it. He asks for it every day.
All right. Randomness over.
Whew. I got all the V-day cards out. I ran out of photo paper, due to multiple paper jams and the fact that the printer smeared ink on a few cards, so some of you will get cards on matte card stock instead. We just sent the cards to folks with kids (and the grandparents and Shamy, of course). BTW, I've decided to start calling Shawn and Amy "Shamy." We already call Staci and Jason "Stason," so it's only fair.
Some randomness for you...
Did I tell you that the neighbors across the street have a monster truck with "Cuz the chicks dig it" across the windshield? Isn't that cool and clever? Wanna see it?
OK, so maybe it's not a true monster truck...I wouldn't know; I'm no monster truck expert....but it's hiked up pretty high, huh? It's almost as tall as the damn house! It's cool to be a redneck, no?
Cam is so awesome. He can't snap his fingers...instead he wiggles them and makes clicking sounds with his tongue!
More Cam...he is obsessed with oatmeal. I mean, the kid loves it. He asks for it every day.
All right. Randomness over.
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Ten hours, yeah baby!
Ahhhh, sweet restfulness! Lucas Joseph slept for 10 hours last night. In a row! Maybe this is the start of his regular pattern? I sure hope so. Cross your fingers. And toes.
Tony painted Cameron's room over the weekend. It's totally not what I had envisioned. I wanted to go for a deep, dark blue, since the new theme for his room will be space/planets. Dark, like the sky at dusk. Tony thought that would be way too dark, and I started to see his concern, so we chose a brighter blue. I mean, it looks nice...and Cam loves it...but it's just not what I was going for. Oh well! Cam likes his "neat new room." I have space pictures to frame and hang, a moon poster to buy and frame, and we're going to get a solar system mobile to hang from his ceiling. I think it'll look pretty sweet!
Not much else going on, really. We're going to JC Penney Friday for Luke's 4-month photos. I have the perfect outfit for him. I wasn't sure about it when I ordered it, but it's so cute on him and fits him just perfectly. I really hope the session goes smoothly. I really think it will, but I'm having not-so-fun memories of Cameron's 4-month session. He was really a grump that day!
I still have Valentine's Day cards to get in the mail. Actually, I still need to print them! All of the envelopes are done, though. I think if I get them to the post office before like 6pm, they'll get processed tonight. I'm not worried about the locals getting them in time - just the West Coasters.
Oh yeah, in book news, I finished The Nanny Diaries. It was good. Not amazing, but a really good book to get me back on the wagon. I'm going to give it "four stars, minus" - if that makes any sense. I found the first half of the book to be much stronger than the second, which was kind of disappointing. But it was a good read and I really like the narrator's voice. Now I'm on to Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. Actually, I'm almost finished - it's a short one. I'm so happy to be reading again. I mean, reading for me. Not reading about baby/toddler development...just reading for my own enjoyment.
K, then, need to get printing!
Tony painted Cameron's room over the weekend. It's totally not what I had envisioned. I wanted to go for a deep, dark blue, since the new theme for his room will be space/planets. Dark, like the sky at dusk. Tony thought that would be way too dark, and I started to see his concern, so we chose a brighter blue. I mean, it looks nice...and Cam loves it...but it's just not what I was going for. Oh well! Cam likes his "neat new room." I have space pictures to frame and hang, a moon poster to buy and frame, and we're going to get a solar system mobile to hang from his ceiling. I think it'll look pretty sweet!
Not much else going on, really. We're going to JC Penney Friday for Luke's 4-month photos. I have the perfect outfit for him. I wasn't sure about it when I ordered it, but it's so cute on him and fits him just perfectly. I really hope the session goes smoothly. I really think it will, but I'm having not-so-fun memories of Cameron's 4-month session. He was really a grump that day!
I still have Valentine's Day cards to get in the mail. Actually, I still need to print them! All of the envelopes are done, though. I think if I get them to the post office before like 6pm, they'll get processed tonight. I'm not worried about the locals getting them in time - just the West Coasters.
Oh yeah, in book news, I finished The Nanny Diaries. It was good. Not amazing, but a really good book to get me back on the wagon. I'm going to give it "four stars, minus" - if that makes any sense. I found the first half of the book to be much stronger than the second, which was kind of disappointing. But it was a good read and I really like the narrator's voice. Now I'm on to Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. Actually, I'm almost finished - it's a short one. I'm so happy to be reading again. I mean, reading for me. Not reading about baby/toddler development...just reading for my own enjoyment.
K, then, need to get printing!
Friday, February 3, 2006
Go, Thursday.
Sleep update: I'm not sure. Last night is kind of a blur. I *think* Luke slept for 4 hours, up to eat, then 2, up to eat and then he woke up for the day at 8am. But I could be getting mixed up with other nights. I'm pretty certain he was up twice, because I used the restroom once and then remember thinking the second time, "I should really go again," but being too tired and just going back to bed. I'm just not sure of the blocks of time he slept. Hey, at least it wasn't 3 times!
Yesterday, Tony took a half day off from work. He went to the Social Security office to resubmit Luke's application for a Social Security card. Either the hospital neglected to do so when Luke was born or the card got lost in the mail...they won't tell us if one was ever issued because of homeland security. OK, so, we should have his card in 10 days. Then we can do our taxes. I'm so glad Tony went. If I had to drag the kids there and wait, it would have been not fun. Tony said the workers were rude and nasty to everyone, but they were particularly rude and nasty to the people of Mexican heritage. Nice. Leave it to the government to be a model for racism at it finest.
We went to Babies R Us and got Cam a new "big boy" car seat, that will harness and contain him to 65 lbs. We know Luke will be out of his infant seat soon. His head's almost an inch from the top of the seat now. He'll go into Cam's old seat. Oh yeah, and we bought a few other things, too. Yeah, we overdid it. Then we walked around the mall and found a neat play area with a cool big slide. Cam played there for 45 minutes. I think it's safe to say he had a blast. And I think it's safe to say, from his flushed face and sweaty, curly hair, that he got some good energy out! He was starving by the time we got to Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Dinner went well - until Luke had a blowout! But Cameron ate really really well and was totally well-behaved.
Yesterday was a successful day!
Yesterday, Tony took a half day off from work. He went to the Social Security office to resubmit Luke's application for a Social Security card. Either the hospital neglected to do so when Luke was born or the card got lost in the mail...they won't tell us if one was ever issued because of homeland security. OK, so, we should have his card in 10 days. Then we can do our taxes. I'm so glad Tony went. If I had to drag the kids there and wait, it would have been not fun. Tony said the workers were rude and nasty to everyone, but they were particularly rude and nasty to the people of Mexican heritage. Nice. Leave it to the government to be a model for racism at it finest.
We went to Babies R Us and got Cam a new "big boy" car seat, that will harness and contain him to 65 lbs. We know Luke will be out of his infant seat soon. His head's almost an inch from the top of the seat now. He'll go into Cam's old seat. Oh yeah, and we bought a few other things, too. Yeah, we overdid it. Then we walked around the mall and found a neat play area with a cool big slide. Cam played there for 45 minutes. I think it's safe to say he had a blast. And I think it's safe to say, from his flushed face and sweaty, curly hair, that he got some good energy out! He was starving by the time we got to Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Dinner went well - until Luke had a blowout! But Cameron ate really really well and was totally well-behaved.
Yesterday was a successful day!
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Stories
The dreaded sleep summary: Down around 9pm, slept for 2.5 hours, up to eat, slept for 2 hours, up to eat, slept for 2 hours, up to eat, still sleeping. Maybe it's a growth spurt? Hopefully?
Here's a good one. OK, Luke has a strong personality. He's been a bit of a cranky guy since day one. Well, more like day three, but you know what I'm saying. His crankiness is not as bad as it once way - he is way more aware of the cool sights and sounds all around him and he's got lots of talking and smiling to do, so that distracts him from being fussy. Still, though, he has periods where he is just a crank. For no real reason. Jan's theory as to why he is "so crabby"???
Because he was born early.
OK. Excuse me while I roll my eyes. First, he wasn't "born early." My c-section was ten days before my due date, but he was full term! I mean, the kid was 8 pounds. Second, it's not like he's colicky or anything. He's just not a laid-back, happy-go-lucky baby like Cam was. I guess if kids aren't happy, quiet little mini-adults all of the time, then something must be wrong.
All right, here's a really really good one! Mom was over last night for Taco Night. Cameron doesn't dig tacos (surprise) so I asked him if he'd like peanut butter (aka "peanie butter") on an English muffin or chicken nuggets for dinner. He was way too busy playing with Grandma Jackie to answer my several inquiries, so I just made the decision for him and fixed vegetarian chicken nuggets. During dinner, he wouldn't touch them, although he did eat quite a few peas. So he's sitting there and says "peanie butter." And, I guess since no one responded to his "request," he says, in a calm, matter-of-fact manner, "peanie butter now, dammit." I looked up at Mom and Tony, wondering if I heard right. They were ready to crack up, when he repeats, "peanie butter now, dammit." It was so hilarious that I almost fell off my chair. Mom had tears in her eyes!
Wonder where he picked that one up? hmmm...
Here's a good one. OK, Luke has a strong personality. He's been a bit of a cranky guy since day one. Well, more like day three, but you know what I'm saying. His crankiness is not as bad as it once way - he is way more aware of the cool sights and sounds all around him and he's got lots of talking and smiling to do, so that distracts him from being fussy. Still, though, he has periods where he is just a crank. For no real reason. Jan's theory as to why he is "so crabby"???
Because he was born early.
OK. Excuse me while I roll my eyes. First, he wasn't "born early." My c-section was ten days before my due date, but he was full term! I mean, the kid was 8 pounds. Second, it's not like he's colicky or anything. He's just not a laid-back, happy-go-lucky baby like Cam was. I guess if kids aren't happy, quiet little mini-adults all of the time, then something must be wrong.
All right, here's a really really good one! Mom was over last night for Taco Night. Cameron doesn't dig tacos (surprise) so I asked him if he'd like peanut butter (aka "peanie butter") on an English muffin or chicken nuggets for dinner. He was way too busy playing with Grandma Jackie to answer my several inquiries, so I just made the decision for him and fixed vegetarian chicken nuggets. During dinner, he wouldn't touch them, although he did eat quite a few peas. So he's sitting there and says "peanie butter." And, I guess since no one responded to his "request," he says, in a calm, matter-of-fact manner, "peanie butter now, dammit." I looked up at Mom and Tony, wondering if I heard right. They were ready to crack up, when he repeats, "peanie butter now, dammit." It was so hilarious that I almost fell off my chair. Mom had tears in her eyes!
Wonder where he picked that one up? hmmm...
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
2-year-old for sale
Sleep update: ugh, awful night. Down at 9pm, slept for 4 hours (I went to bed early, so I was asleep for almost 3.5 of those 4 hours, thankfully). Up to eat, then slept for 3.5 hours. Up to eat, then slept for 25 minutes. Yes, 25 minutes. Up to eat and dirty 3 diapers over an hour. He finally went back down around 6:30am, but Cam was up at 6:45 saying "mommy, daddy, where are you?" I convinced Cam to lie in bed with me for 30 minutes and then the day started! I'm so tired! Lukey is still asleep. I guess he's worn out from the frequent wakings and poopings.
Mom is coming over for dinner tonight, so I really should be cleaning. It's taco night, which Cam likes to say over and over. He sounds so excited about it, but he wouldn't touch a taco if you paid him.
So, last night, we decided that nothing we had in the house to eat sounded good, so we decided to go to Frisch's to use our gift cards from Xmas (Big Boy, for those familiar). As expected, food and service were crappy, but Luke slept, so we had a quiet dinner! And Cam ate lots of pancakes! He hasn't really eaten pancakes before (well, maybe a few bites over a year ago). He said, "good waffles" and pretty much devoured them.
And. This is interesting. On the way there, we were stopped at a red light. There was a cab in front of us. And a guy next to us on the sidewalk at a bus stop. The guy held out his arm and hailed the cab! He walked over to the window and then got in the back. I've never seen anyone hail a cab before. What is this, New York City? I mean, Fort Mitchell is the suburbs in a big way! Just thought that was interesting and neat.
C-note has got the terrible two thing down really well now. Last night, while Tony was getting his PJs on for bed, Cam bit his shoulder. That's the second time Cam's bitten him. Time out ensued. Then, he hit in the head and said, laughing, "hit Ton's head!" Finally, Cam and I were looking at his star chart right before he headed to bed (we count the number of stars he has, talk about staying in bed, etc). I got down at his level and told him he needs to think about keeping his hands and teeth to himself, as well as staying in bed. He then proceeded to head butt me in the mouth. So the lovely little fellow got another time out before bed. The good news? He stayed in bed and earned a star. Probably was exhausted from all the crying.
K, off to load and run the dishwasher. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Mom is coming over for dinner tonight, so I really should be cleaning. It's taco night, which Cam likes to say over and over. He sounds so excited about it, but he wouldn't touch a taco if you paid him.
So, last night, we decided that nothing we had in the house to eat sounded good, so we decided to go to Frisch's to use our gift cards from Xmas (Big Boy, for those familiar). As expected, food and service were crappy, but Luke slept, so we had a quiet dinner! And Cam ate lots of pancakes! He hasn't really eaten pancakes before (well, maybe a few bites over a year ago). He said, "good waffles" and pretty much devoured them.
And. This is interesting. On the way there, we were stopped at a red light. There was a cab in front of us. And a guy next to us on the sidewalk at a bus stop. The guy held out his arm and hailed the cab! He walked over to the window and then got in the back. I've never seen anyone hail a cab before. What is this, New York City? I mean, Fort Mitchell is the suburbs in a big way! Just thought that was interesting and neat.
C-note has got the terrible two thing down really well now. Last night, while Tony was getting his PJs on for bed, Cam bit his shoulder. That's the second time Cam's bitten him. Time out ensued. Then, he hit in the head and said, laughing, "hit Ton's head!" Finally, Cam and I were looking at his star chart right before he headed to bed (we count the number of stars he has, talk about staying in bed, etc). I got down at his level and told him he needs to think about keeping his hands and teeth to himself, as well as staying in bed. He then proceeded to head butt me in the mouth. So the lovely little fellow got another time out before bed. The good news? He stayed in bed and earned a star. Probably was exhausted from all the crying.
K, off to load and run the dishwasher. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
I LOVE YOU!