Story Time...or Not

Last week, I decided to take the boys to story time at the library. They have "Wigglers" time every Wednesday. I have always wanted to go, but during the school year, I am working, and last summer, Leland was too wiggly even for Wigglers time. So I decided this might be the summer to start going.

I checked online before I left to make sure I had the time right, and we were off. I decided to go to the one in town instead of the one closer to my house (about 5 minutes away) just because I thought Leland might enjoy it more.

We got there just a few minutes before story time was supposed to start. Leland enjoyed seeing the fish, and I ran into some of my former students.

We visited for a few minutes and I realized story time still hadn't started. Huh. I went to ask one of the ladies at the desk and overheard them tell another parent that everyone would be meeting in a different room at 11:30. Crap. 11:30? The website said 10:30!

I decided to take Leland outside to play. Behind the library is a small play area with a wooden train (which you might remember from my maternity shoot), a sandbox, and a children's garden. I figured we could play there for a bit and see if he was up for story time when the time came, and if not we could just go home. If nothing else, at least he got to play.

We played for almost an hour, and then someone asked if we were there for the picnic. Apparently, the conversation I overheard was about the picnic being at 11:30, not about Wigglers. So what the heck happened to Wigglers? I just checked the website again, and it looks like this branch is not doing Wigglers this summer, so I guess we'll have to visit some other locations this summer to enjoy story time.

Oh well. At least we still got to play. Thank goodness for the play area!

Water Play Weekend

On Friday, my sister invited us to her house to play with her new water slide/kiddie pool. We were at the park when she texted and when I asked Leland if he wanted to go play at Aunt Colleen's, he ran for the car. I took that as a yes. 

Leland had lots of fun playing with his cousins, Rafe and Silas. It took him a little while to play in the water - he was too excited about all of their cool trucks and other toys. But eventually, he played with the water. However, he didn't really go in it. He mostly splashed around outside of it. 

Yes, Silas is nakey. That boy sure enjoys feeling free.

He also enjoyed jumping on their trampoline. 

And riding Rafe's bike. 

And then my sister made us lunch and Leland stuffed his face with strawberries (fresh from my sis' garden).

It was such a fun day! And since the weather was finally warm enough, I decided to set up our pool on Saturday. 

Again, Leland splashed around the outside first. I can't really blame him - that water was COLD! 

But eventually the heat got to him and he played IN the water. 

He also enjoyed watering the plants and pouring water on my feet. Of course, he thought it would be hilarious to pour it on my lap too. BRRRR!

Alden played on the deck with us for a bit, but it was really hot and sunny and I didn't have his hat, so he hung out with Dave inside for quite a while. 

Poor babe wasn't thrilled to have to watch from inside. He pressed his face right up against the glass.

I am so glad that summer has finally arrived! Looking forward to much more sunshine, water play, and play dates over the next two months. Yay for summer!

2.5 years

Leland James, you are two and a half years old! I can't even believe I just wrote that. The last two and a half years have gone so fast. In some ways, I still think of you as my wee little baby, but you are growing up very fast.

You are at such a fun age. You talk all the time, in complete sentences, and it's almost all easily understood. You are very social; you're always saying hi to people and you open up to new people easily. You make jokes that are actually funny, and you simply spread joy and smiles everywhere you go.

While this age is fun, it is also challenging at times. You are not shy about communicating exactly what you want, and this lands you in a bit of trouble at times. You don't always understand why you can't have exactly what you want, exactly when you want it, and so you tend to throw a pretty decent tantrum. Thankfully, they are pretty short-lived; you often move on to a new activity within a few minutes. You're also in a bit of a hitting stage. Sometimes you hit because you are angry, but sometimes you hit for no reason, almost like a way to say hi to someone. You don't hit very hard, but it's hitting nonetheless and we're working on that You're starting to realize that it's not okay. You also like to shriek really loud from time to time. This has landed you in time outs as well. You don't do it very much anymore, but there were a few weeks recently that it was all you wanted to do.

You're very into monsters lately. Daddy said once that there were monsters in the basement (I was a tad upset with him about that one), and now you talk about them all the time. You're not afraid of them, thank goodness, but you ask quite often if there are monsters in a room, in the basement, etc.

Since you started liking monsters, you now like to watch the movie Monsters, Inc. I tried to get you to watch Monsters University, but you like the original movie and say you want to see Boo (the little girl). You don't seem too interested in Chuggington anymore. I knew that would come to an end sooner or later. You will watch it if it's on, but you don't ask for it anymore. You still like to play with your Chuggington toys though.

At 2.5 years old you love:

• tractors, trucks, construction vehicles, and helicopters
• tools
• playing outside
• walking over to Grandma and Grandpa's house, whether you're invited or not
• driving your cozy coupe car and truck in the driveway
• the movie Monsters, Inc. 
• just about all fruits, most vegetables, and you eat really well in general
• sweets
• Mommy, Daddy, Alden, Grandparents, Julie, and daycare friends

You generally don't like:

• ground beef (but you like ground turkey, go figure)
• getting your diaper changed
• pooping - you get all freaked out when you know it's coming

You sit on the potty pretty often, and you do go sometimes, but you're not consistent with it yet. I'm not too determined to get you potty trained. I know you'll do it when you're ready.

You are always on the go. It is difficult to get you to sit still for anything unless it's your idea. Trying to get a picture of you is pretty much impossible. You're too busy enjoying life to stop for even one second. 

You weigh about 30 pounds and are about 36 inches tall (your 2.5 year well check is in a few days so I'll know for sure then). You wear 3T shirts and 2T shorts. In pants, you're in between 2T and 3T - 2T are too short, and 3T are too big in the waist. You wear size 8 shoe and size 5 diaper.

About a month or so ago, we extended your bed time to 7:30, because you didn't seem very tired at 7:00 anymore. So now you sleep from 7:30pm-6:30(ish)am, and then you take an afternoon nap from about 1:00-3:30 (sometimes longer).

Leland James, you bring so much joy to my life. Even in the midst of your most difficult moments, I adore you and am so proud to be your mama. I pray that you always know how very much you are loved.

Love, Mama

More Sip and Dab

About a month ago, I went to my first Sip and Dab event and had a blast painting with some of my favorite ladies. Then this past Monday, I had the opportunity to go to another one! One of my dear friends, who happens to work at my school, hosted her own Sip and Dab party.

We gathered at her place, a total of 15 GTA folks (and my mom), armed with appetizers, to sip on some sangria made by the hostess and paint some poppies.

You'll notice that 14 of us painted some pretty poppies, and our dear friend, Sue, painted a lovely chicken. Ha ha! There's always at least one in a group, right? It is a pretty good chicken; I was impressed.

This painting was a little more complicated than the first one, and I didn't actually like it when we started. But by the end I liked it more. Maybe because of the hard work it took to get it to that "finished" point.

Pretty sure I ruined it with my initials. The paintbrush wasn't cooperating.

Once I got home, I saw some things that I would like to add/change, like a little more outlining on some of the flowers, but overall I'm happy with it. Dave was even impressed by it and said we should hang it in our kitchen/dining room. I won't go that far. I'll be happy to hang it up, but maybe in the basement, since there is nothing at all on the walls down there. Plus, it matches the walls and furniture a little better than upstairs.

The funny thing about this Sip and Dab stuff is that, even though the artist is completely walking us through the painting so we can get it just right, it has given the slightest confidence that perhaps I could paint on my own. I think I'm going to try to paint something for Alden's room. It will have to be very simple, but I would like to give it a try. I like to be creative and artsy, and sometimes my projects don't turn out the way I like, but sometimes I surprise myself. If I completely fail, then so be it, but it's worth a shot.

Road Rage is Hereditary

There are few things in this world that frustrate me more than idiot drivers. Our town, being a tourist town, is full of them in the summer. People don't know where they're going, and they stare at the water as they drive along the bay, causing them to drive super slow and perhaps ram into other drivers.

But the terrible driving isn't reserved for just tourists. Oh no. We have plenty of awful drivers who live here. They bring out the worst in me. I have been known to shout all the swear words when they bring out the rage in me, but I have tamed it since having children.

A few weeks ago, a pick-up truck pulled out in front of me as I was on my home from work, with my children in the car. I had slam my brakes and change lanes to avoid an accident. And the driver could clearly see me; he was just being careless. If I were alone, I probably wouldn't have been quite so upset, but my children were in the car. My sweet babies. My whole world.

I laid on the horn and, instead of letting the swear words fly, I called the driver a dingbat. Thank goodness I went with that one, because Leland repeated it several times on the way home. "Mama, beep beep, DINGBAT!" And since then, whenever Leland hears a horn honk or sees/hears a loud car that is driving fast, he yells "DINGBAT!" I die laughing every time.

Another time, on the way home from school, we were waiting to turn left out of a store parking lot (I carpool with a friend, so we meet at Menards and then ride together). It was right around 5:00, so traffic was getting busy. Cars were coming from both directions for what seemed like forever. All of a sudden, I hear Leland say from the backseat, "Get out da way, cars! I want go home! Cars, get OUT DA WAY!" This is one of his favorite phrases when we're waiting in traffic now.

Ha ha ha. My sweet babe seems to have inherited my crabby personality whilst driving. Hopefully he learns to be a good driver who is considerate of others who share the road.

That Awkward Moment

Last week, I had my six month check up at the dentist. I wasn't really looking forward to it. Not because I have a fear/dislike of the dentist, but because I was tired and just wanted to take a nap. Or get my hair done. Or do something with my kids. But I went.

As I mentioned, I was tired (My kid doesn't sleep, remember?). I was yawning when the hygienist called me back from the waiting room. She kind of chuckled at my yawning and I said something like, "Sorry, I'm really tired today for some reason." And she said, "Well, I can imagine!"

I thought it was a bit of an odd comment, but maybe she was just referring to me being a mama of two little ones. I shrugged it off.

Then I sat in the chair, yawning again. I couldn't help it! And she asked me how many children I had, and I said two. And then she said...

Wait for it...

"So this is number three? How's it going?"

Uhhh...what? I was so confused (maybe because of my fatigue), and I just gave her a confused look. And then I realized what she was saying. She was asking me how my pregnancy was going. How my freaking PREGNANCY was going! And I'm NOT PREGNANT.

She mumbled something about how she must have seen it on my chart from last time, and quickly changed the subject. On the outside, I just laughed it off. But on the inside, I was all, "Crap! Really? I still look pregnant?"

I'll admit, it wasn't the best comment I'd heard all day. I mean, I know I have some work to do. I am at my pre-pregnancy weight, but not my pre-pregnancy size. I still have some (or...a lot) of belly flab and my clothes don't fit quite right. I haven't made much of an effort to fix it. Okay, I haven't made any effort to fix it. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and I rarely participate in any form of exercise. Nursing is seriously the greatest gift in the world to allow me to lose the weight without even trying. But it doesn't help in toning. Not that I was ever that toned to begin with, but you get the picture.

So yeah, the comment hurt my ego a bit at first. I didn't think I looked pregnant - a little flabby, but not pregnant-looking. But then I figured she probably did see it in my chart, and since the last few times she has seen me, I have been pregnant (or recently gave birth), it's an easy mistake for her to make.

After a few minutes, I wasn't quite so upset about it, and I actually felt embarrassed for her.

But it was definitely the kick in the pants I needed to try and work on this body of mine. I don't have any expectations to wear a bikini or be super skinny - that's just not me. But I would like to get back into running, perhaps eat less sugar (I don'twant to eat less sugar, but I should eat less sugar), and just feel better about myself.

I've started running again, just a few times, and not very far or very fast, but it's a start. And I have been eating less sugar. So I'm off to a decent start. Let's just hope I don't have any more of these awkward moments in the future.

Grandma Josie Update

A few months ago, I posted about my Grandma Josie and her declining health and abilities.

Since then, a lot has changed. She fell several times and was sent to a nursing home facility for physical therapy. After three weeks there, she moved in with my mom. My mom took a leave of absence from work to care for her. Things were going well at first. My grandma was well taken care of and everyone was happy about where she was. It seemed pretty perfect.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long. My grandma has Parkinson's Disease and as she gets older, she is experiencing dementia more and more. She has had lots of issues with confusion, but it started to get really bad. It got to the point where the majority of the time, she didn't know where she was or who my mom was. She was getting angry and frustrated and just wasn't the woman we all know.

So the decision was made that she needed to go to a nursing home, but it had to be the Grand Traverse Pavilions. The Pavilions is really the only acceptable nursing home in my mind. I used to work in the daycare there, and I just know how amazing it is and how well the residents are treated. (They have a child daycare center onsite, which is awesome. They have different activities, like arts and crafts, games, ice cream socials, etc. with children and residents weekly.)

Thankfully, a room opened up at the Pavilions a few weeks ago, and my grandma moved there.

Alden and I visited Grandma one Sunday. Grandma loved holding him, and they both enjoyed checking out the bird atrium.

It is the best place for her: physical therapy onsite, medical staff, fun activities, etc. But it is really sad that she needs to be there. In my heart, she is still the grandma who I spent weeks at a time with in the summer. She's still the grandma who taught me to swim and took me to see Free Willy in theaters. The one who is responsible for my love of Mary Poppins, and who I went to New York City with to see it on Broadway. It is so hard to see her declining like this. To see her lose her independence and her abilities.

I am hoping to visit her at least once a week this summer. It's hard with the boys; a nursing home is not exactly toddler-friendly. Or at least not Leland-friendly. But I know our time is limited and I want to see her as much as possible. Because even if she can't take me swimming or to a movie or go to NYC, she is still my favorite person. I just adore her.

DIY Magic Butt Cream

Leland has never had much of a diaper rash. Once in a while, he gets a little red, and I apply some Vaseline and that's that. A few times, I have had to apply some actual diaper cream, but it clears up quickly.

Alden has a bit more sensitive skin, and I've had to use actual diaper cream more often, but it's never lasted more than a couple of days. Until last week when I went to change his diaper and his penis/scrotum area was SUPER rashy. I had never seen it this red. If it weren't his genitals, I might share a picture, but I have to draw the line somewhere.

I tried diaper cream first. Nothing.

Then I tried Vaseline. Then Aquaphor. Nothing.

Then I tried coconut oil. Then lotion. Still nothing.

I knew there had to be some secret remedy out there, so I went to social media. Someone on my instagram suggested Magic Butt Cream. Considering how Magic Nipple Cream has saved my life on more than one occasion, I called our pediatrician to see if I could get a prescription.

But they said they don't call in that kind of prescription on the weekends - only absolutely necessary scripts, like antibiotics (LAME!). And they also said that many insurance companies won't pay for it because it's mostly over-the-counter meds.

So I checked with Google and found a recipe for homemade Magic Butt Cream. Then I went to the pharmacy to see if it was correct. Actually, I first asked if I could just use my Magic Nipple Cream on it (guessing it's a yeast infection, and the cream has an anti-fungal medicine in it), but since the nipple cream also has a steroid, the pharmacist said not to use it. And he gave me a list of what I needed.

To make your own Magic Butt Cream, you need:

• Clotrimazole (athlete's foot cream) or Miconazole (women's yeast infection cream) - both have anti-fungal medicine so both will work. If you have a prescription, the pharmacy will use Nystatin.
• Diaper cream with 40% zinc oxide (Desitin maximum strength)
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin)

Mix them all together (equal parts of each), and apply liberally. Store in airtight container.

I noticed a difference after one application. And Alden didn't seem to be grabbing himself during diaper changes quite so much after the first application. Now, you can use just an anti-fungal to clear up the rash from what I've heard/read, but the other ingredients help form a barrier against moisture, as well as relieve discomfort. In the recipes I found online, people have also mixed Maalox in, because it helps with the pain (gives a cooling sensation). The pharmacist didn't suggest this, and it sounded weird to me, so I didn't include it. But I think if Alden seemed really uncomfortable, I might try it. Anything for my kid.

Yay for butt cream! I am so glad I found something that works, but I hope I never have to use it again.

Tractors Galore

Earlier this week, Leland was the recipient of this...

Lots of tractors, big and small, with accessories, wall clock, plush toy, plate, bowl, fork, spoon, tractor carrying case, and night light.

One of my students is moving to another state (insert ugly crying face from me). In preparation for the move, his mom is purging lots of things, and asked me if I would be interested in his tractors for Leland. At first, I just gave Leland the two big tractors and we drove them around the house all morning. He was on cloud nine with just that.

Then, after his nap, I showed him the rest. Oh my gosh, his reaction was priceless. He played with them all afternoon/evening and kept saying "Look at all my tractors!"

When Dave got home, Leland showed him all of his new toys and Dave taught him some of their specific names (grater, gator, etc.).

This plush toy makes noise. You can imagine the fun Leland has been having with this.

The carrying case...

...FILLED with tractors

Leland has had a lucky few weeks with several toys gifted to him. Like his wagon, his tricycle, and his truck. Let's hope he doesn't get too used to this, because I can't imagine it will always be like this. But we sure do appreciate the generosity of others lately!

Bug Bites

About two weeks ago, I was getting Leland dressed in the morning and noticed that one ankle was swollen. When I looked closer and felt his leg, I realized that the entire leg below the knee was swollen. It was really hard all the way around, and was visibly bigger than his other leg. I saw a couple of mosquito bites and knew this was a reaction to them, but I wasn't sure if this was a "normal" reaction or something I should be concerned about. So I called our doctor and they wanted to check him out.

After they saw him, they said it was a local reaction to individual bites, but there were three or four bites, so it made his whole leg swell. They said giving him Claritin would help. It went down a few days later.

Then yesterday, as we were walking in to daycare, I noticed his other ankle was swollen and I saw a bite on the back. I told Julie to just keep an eye on it, and I would take a look at it when I picked him up. Well, after his nap, it was more red and swollen, and the actual site of the bite looked more irritated. 

Not sure if you can see (crappy phone picture), but there's a big red spot on his foot and swelling from the bite.

Again, crappy phone pic, but the bite looked pretty bad. There was some discharge and small blisters around it.

So I called our pediatrician and just asked the nurse how I could tell if it was infected. She mentioned that any discharge should be checked out, and she seemed concerned about the small blisters I had seen, so she suggested we come in.

After looking at it, the doctor told me it was just a large local reaction. Basically, Leland is sensitive to mosquito bites, and one bite can cause a lot of swelling. While the blisters and discharge aren't "normal," they're pretty harmless. The doctor suggested Benadryl this time, along with an ice pack to help with swelling. He told me what to look for in terms of infection and sent us on our way.

So basically, I've spent $60 (plus the cost of the Claritin) at the doctor's office in the last two weeks because of mosquito bites. That could have been a new pair of shoes or several outfits for the boys. Damn mosquitoes!

Toddler Talk

Some funny conversations with Leland lately...

Monday was the first official day of summer vacation. As Dave was leaving for work, he said, "Okay, I guess I'll go to work while you guys all enjoy your vacation." He says this kind of thing every time he has to work and I don't, and he says it in his best "pity-me-I'm-Eeyore" voice. Well, as he continued to whine about having to go to work, Leland interrupted him and said, "Bye, Dada! Have a good day!" Cracked me up.

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A few nights ago at dinner, Leland said to Dave, "You be good, Dada." Well, this started an interesting conversation where we told each other to be good, and called each other different names. It went something like this.

Dave: You be good, Mama.
Leland: You be good, Baby.
Me: You be good, Grandma.
Leland: You be good, Grandpa.
Me: You be good, Julie.
Leland: You be good, Ian. (Ian is Julie's son.)
Me: You be good, Sal (his friend from daycare).
Leland: You be good, Sophie (another friend from daycare).
Me: You be good, Kevin (the bearded dragon at Julie's). I thought I had him with this one.
Leland: You be good, Russell (Julie's daughter's pet rat).

Leland thought this was hysterical. I love how no matter who I named, he came back with another name that was related to mine.

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Over the weekend, when we went grocery shopping, Dave got Leland a doughnut. I gave one piece of it Monday morning after breakfast.

Leland: I want two, Mama.
Me: No, you don't need two.
Leland: I want nine!

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Leland has confused us a lot lately with the way he says things. Like, if I ask him, "Do you want water or milk?" He'll say, "No, I want water." It seems like he's saying he wants water, but what he means is that he doesn't want water. He just puts the no in the wrong spot. It always throws me off a little, but eventually I figure it out.

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Leland is finally figuring out what time outs are all about. He will (most of the time) actually sit in time out when told to, and he understands that when he goes there, it's because he's made some poor choices. Well, one of his favorite ways to get a time out lately is shrieking super loud. We ask him politely to stop, and if he doesn't, he gets a time out (or if we're in the car, he gets his toy(s) taken away). Last weekend, we were at the doctor's office and Leland started shrieking when the doctor was trying to talk to me. I gave him a stern "No, thank you," and he looked me square in the face and said, "I want time out."

I really tried hard not to smile or laugh at that, but it was pretty hilarious. He has said this a few times since then. A couple of nights ago, it was time for bed, and he didn't want to go, so he said, "I want time out." Sorry, bud. Doesn't work that way.

Eight Months

Dear Alden,

Today is June 17, and  you are eight months old! In some ways, it feels like these eight months have gone by so fast (and, really, they have), and I just can't believe we're here already, but in some ways it feels like you've always been here.

You have grown and changed SO much in the last month, sweet baby. You started crawling about a week and a half ago. Of course, you started out slowly, but you can be pretty speedy now if you want something. You also pull yourself up to a standing position. The crawling I knew would happen soon, but I wasn't quite ready for the standing. I'm hoping you crawl for a while still - I'm not ready for you to walk yet. You're still my wee baby!

You continue to be a mama's boy. You have a lot of fun with Daddy, but there are times when Daddy just will not do. Daddy tries to help me with you so that I can get some things done or spend some time with friends, but you know what you want, and you're not shy about letting us know. You are such a sweet little love. You love to put your chubby little arms around my neck and hold me close, and this is my absolute favorite.

You are still not a good sleeper, but you are getting better. We start our bedtime routine at about 7:00. Sometimes you're asleep by 7:30, and sometimes you're still wide awake at 9:00. Your sleep is very unpredictable. Sometimes we get three hour stretches and you'll sleep alone, and other times we get shorter stretches, which means I lay with you the whole time (you sleep better when I'm right there). You nurse throughout the night still - sometimes just two or three times, and sometimes many, many times. But no matter how you sleep, you are always in a great mood. You continue to be the happiest baby ever.

In the last month, I have stopped caring so much about whether or not you sleep long periods. I know that eventually you will, and right now you just need your mama. However, now that you're crawling, I'm worried about you sleeping in our bed. I wake up when you do, but there have been times when I get up in the morning to shower and when I come back, you're just sitting up in the bed (Daddy doesn't wake as easily as I do). I'm afraid that you might crawl right off the bed, so this summer, we are going to work on you sleeping in your own bed. You have napped in there the last couple of days, but the naps don't last long.

A few weeks ago, we took a little road trip with Aunt Laura and Grandma Patti to a baby shower. You did so great on the two hour car ride, except for about 20 minutes toward the end in each direction. You didn't nap much (maybe two 15 minute naps), but you were still so happy. This is the complete opposite of your brother who loves and NEEDS his 2-3 hour naps.

You had another ear infection this month. The only way I could tell was that you had a hard time nursing/taking your bottles. You were still so happy all the time!

At that doctor's appointment, you weighed just shy of 20 lbs (you now weigh what Leland weighed at ONE YEAR...you're a bit of a chunky monkey), and you were 29-30" tall.

You mostly wear 9 month onesies. Your shorts are mostly 12 month size, and I just bought you some rompers that are 12 month size and those seem to fit you okay (with a little room to grow). Funny, though, you can still fit into some of your 6 month onesies. You wear size 3 diapers, but the next time I buy them, I'm getting size 4. 

You love your baby food! You now eat three meals a day. Usually you have fruit with your oatmeal in the morning, and then a veggie and fruit for both lunch and dinner. You love sweet potatoes, mangos, pears, and carrots. You tolerate avocados. You don't like green beans, but you will eat a little bit of them. You take two bottles during the day and nurse the rest of the time.

Likes: Mama, toy cars/trucks, eating, cuddling, crawling, chewing on everything, being tickled.

Dislikes: when Mama has to leave the room or when I can't pick you up the instant you want me to, sleeping on your own, your own bed.

We are on summer vacation as of last Friday, and I am so excited to spend the summer with you and your brother. We will have so much fun! You will go to Julie's two days a week while I work at the coffee shop, which I think will help you (and me) stay in the daycare routine. But other than that, you and your bro are ALL MINE for the summer. Yay!

Oh, my precious baby boy, I can't begin to describe how much joy you bring to my life (and Daddy's and Brother's). You are the sweetest of blessings and I simply adore you. I am so lucky to be your mama.

I love you to the moon and back, pumpkin.

Love, Mama