Saturday, January 31, 2009

Day 30...sick dumpling!

I didn't get this written yesterday because I was dealing with a sick little dumpling! Poor Alex just wasn't feeling well. He fell asleep while we were out shopping - that NEVER happens! And in an even rarer twist of fate, he didn't want to eat the free cookie he got at Publix either. That's when I really knew he wasn't feeling well. We got home and took his temperature - it was 100.9*. Since it was already after 5, we called the doctor's office and left a message for a nurse to call us back. She did, and said to just keep him pumped full of fluids and keep an eye on him. Sure enough, he woke up this morning back to normal. So I learned that when he's feeling that bad, you can see it in his eyes...it was so sad!



And another cute story...I was sitting on the couch in the morning, while Alex was chilling under my desk. I heard him start whispering something about "poo poo" so I went to investigate. Sure enough, he'd pooped under the desk! I got some paper towels and cleaner and started cleaning it up. I asked him where poo poo goes, and he raced back to the bedroom to grab a diaper out of the trash bag (it was the one he'd taken off earlier and thrown away!) He brought it back and handed it to me. Alas, poo poo goes in the potty, but at least he understood the general idea :)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Day 29...indoor playgrounds rule!

For our playdate today, we went to a friend's house. Her house is amazing! Not only is it a gorgeous house, but it's the best house for kids! There's a slide going from the staircase landing to the basement, an in-ground trampoline outside, and a pool. Being January, we didn't play in the pool, but we did enjoy some of everything else! It was so much fun...even though the slide went really fast and I scraped my back really good at the base of it the first time I went down...but I totally wish I had such a fun house :)

The kids bouncing on the trampoline

And, I know it's blurry, but it shows the slide! Here's me taking Lindley and Alex down...Lindley got the hang of it real quick and took many trips down. Alex was a little chicken and only went twice.



Oh, and I learned that Alex and Lindley can't play together quietly...here's a video of them screaming at each other. One would be bouncing on the zebra...they'd both yell a bit, then the one not on the zebra would lay on the floor, hoping to entice the other one off to lay down with them. And of course, as soon as the second one was off the zebra, the first would zoom up and leap on the zebra. They're rather goofy little monkies!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Day 28...scrap 'n' nap

Today I learned that when a toddler is tired enough, he'll crash anywhere! Alex was sitting on my lap, then fell asleep. I was able to lay him down and keep scrapping away...so I also learned that it's possible to scrap with a toddler passed out on your lap! He slept a good 15-20 minutes and I got a page done :) Now if only I were able to fall asleep anywhere!



I also learned that Alex listens really well! He and Anakin snuck into Toni's bedroom and were watching TV (Alex was teaching Anakin how to turn it on). I succeeded in getting Alex out of the room, but Anakin wanted to stay. So I sent Alex back to get him - he kept smacking Anakin's hand away from the TV and saying, "no TV! no TV!" He's such a good listener when he wants to be!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Day 27...brownies in the tub

Today, I learned that brownies dissolve in water. After dinner, Alex decided that he HAD to take his brownie with him into the tub. He set it gently on the edge, so I figured maybe he'd just leave it there for safe keeping. Nope. I came back in to find lots of little brownie bits floating in the tub, and a very happy brownie-faced boy. He shoved the rest of the brownie in his mouth, giggling the whole time! Oh, and he had his sippy cup of milk tucked under his arm. I swear he doesn't get it from me...







I also learned that boxes for stuff can provide more entertainment than what they contain(ed). The little goober was strutting around wearing his caterpillar box as a helmet! then he sat in it for a bit, then wore it some more. I wish I could find that much entertainment in every day things!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Day 26...Super chores

Yep...even superheroes have to do chores! Alex wore his Batman pajamas that are far too big...he looked so funny "doing dishes" in his superoutfit!





Superheroes also have to work with what they can find...Alex loves using the vertical blinds pull cord as a phone!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Day 25....Gangsta life

A while back, Alex got a pair of pants that had boxers sewn in...you know, so it looks like his pants are sagging. I kept them in his closet, purely so I could take a picture of it, knowing it would be hilarious. Alas, I learned that it's just not possible to be gangsta when your diaper is poking out over the top of your "boxers" and pants. But it was very cute nonetheless!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Day 24...Indian Food.

Today, I learned just what Indian food really does to a little baby...we went to a friend's house for a curry pot luck last night, and Alex ate it up! As a baby, he loved Indian food but we just hadn't had it in a while. We used to go to the Curry Pot in Aiken every few weeks with my dad - Alex was their youngest patron ever :) He had his first taste of chicken curry shortly after he started eating solids...probably around 6 months or so. He looooves hot and spicy foods, as well as pretty much anything foreign. Actually, come to think of it, he loves just about anything that's edible. And even if it's not really edible, that's okay too. So long story short, he gobbled down curry like it was going out of style. And we had to deal with the aftermath today. Wow. That's all there is to say about that. Wow. But man, the food was so good, it was totally worth it.

And no, I did not take any pictures. You're welcome.

And in a completely unrelated story, I learned just how messy pizza can really be....



Oh, and here's Alex practicing AMAZING self control (and actually listening!) while Trent opened his presents at his birthday party this afternoon. Everything Trent did got a "woooooowww!" in that cute way Alex has :) He was more pleased with Trent's presents than he was with his own last weekend!



We also had ice cream sundaes. Blake kept putting more whipped cream and toppings on his, so Alex tried to as well. He just couldn't figure out how the darned container worked! But it wasn't for lack of trying...he shook that puppy until it wouldn't shake any more!

Day 23...determination.

Today (fine, you caught me...another day late!), I learned just how determined Alex is! We went to Target to exchange a few duplicate birthday presents and Alex had picked out a little choo set. By the time we made it to the counter, he had the box to shreds, trying to get them out! But you know how those toys are packed in there....they're virtually impossible to get out! But it wasn't for lack of trying...



Another example was while I was cooking dinner. Alex really wanted to stir the chicken, so I finally took the spoon away. I came back into the kitchen to find the little monster had dug through a drawer and found a ladle and was stirring away! I took the ladle away too, and he tried going back to the drawer for more! This time, he grabbed a potato masher, but fortunately, I was able to intercept him before he got it into the food :)

Friday, January 23, 2009

Day 22...A sick day...

As I felt completely miserable yesterday, I turned my computer off after lunch and didn't turn it back on again til this morning...so no pictures! But here's a lesson anyway...

When you are feeling sick, your child will go out of his or her way to make you feel even worse! For example, sitting on your chest and bouncing up and down. Or sticking fingers into ears, nose, mouth, etc.

Yep, it's pretty much awesome. But I am feeling better today, so maybe it did help!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Day 21

Another lesson in just how closely Alex watches...he was playing in the bathroom and found a pad. He tore away the wrapper, and proceeded to stick it on himself! He was very proud of his new "diaper" :)



Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Day 20...party number 2!

What a day...we woke up to snow, then it was Alex's birthday party, and then we saw Obama and Biden sworn in! Just wonderful all around :)

Today, I got another lesson in just how smart Alex is! He looked outside, saw the snow, and started shrieking, "no-wahn! no-wahn!" (That's snowman in Alexese) We put jackets on over our pajamas and went outside to play in the dusting we called snow. He had so much fun!





After the party, he was playing with some play doh, and took two balls, stacked them on top of each other, and exclaimed, "no-wahn!" He was so proud of himself :)




Monday, January 19, 2009

Day 19...the day after!

I learned the lesson I never thought would exist...yes, there comes a time when a young will actually refuse a cookie! I gave Alex the box of animal crackers and he helped himself to two cookies. He then walked into the living room, carefully placed his toys on the table, and shoved the box at me and didn't want to have anything further to do with it! He did at least eat those two cookies...

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Day 18...Alex's birthday!

I learned that it is possible to have a birthday party for a toddler without completely losing your mind and going crazy! Alex's birthday party last year just turned into one big stress fest. Eric and I were mad at each other a large majority of the day, everyone was knee-deep in babies, and the weather was ugly.

This year, we only had one of the three - the yucky weather :) We started the day by cleaning the house and getting ready. Eric was a big help with the cleaning and organizing, and we only had one minor tiff! Everyone showed up, we hung out, then did a little door hanger craft, had some cake, then hung out some more. It helped that only four children other than Alex were there, plus they're all a year older than they were last year...more independent, more mobile, and just more better in general!

We sang "Happy Birthday" to Alex, but he blew the candles out before we could even start! So we tried a second time...this time, Eric held him down until we were done singing :)



Oh, and I learned just how difficult it is to create a train cake....but it came out really nice!



Saturday, January 17, 2009

Day 17!

Today, I learned that even little boys love coffee! I left Alex in the kitchen while I went to put away stuff in the bathroom. I came back to find an empty coffee pot, a fuuuuulll mug, and a happy little boy contentedly sipping away! He'd take a swig, go "mmmmm", then "pour" some more.

I also learned that the main benefit to being the cook is that you get to taste what you're baking! Alex has figured this out from an early age....he "helped" me bake his cake today!



Uh oh...Day 16

Yep, I got distracted before bed and didn't update last night! So I suppose I learned that it's rather easy to get distracted and forget to update before going to bed!

I also learned that even little boys like to look pretty...Alex found a hair band in my drawer in the bathroom and slid it on! Every time it slipped a little, he adjusted it and smiled :) He also spent quite some time staring into the mirror and flirting with himself!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Day 15...half way through January already!

We spent the day at Yvonne and Lindley's house...Alex and Lindley were VERY busy all day! Those two are always up to something...they taught me that time outs aren't very effective if they're served in a comfy chair, with snacks, and in front of the TV. Alex had no problem chilling in his time out spot for quite some time after he'd served his time!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Day 14...

I learned today that it is possible to do things with a box of Cheezits that is half as big as you are tucked under your arm...Alex toted this box around for quite some time, and even helped clean up the living room without putting it down! And more incredibly, not a single one spilled out...





I also learned that there IS a sadder face than Alex's when he doesn't get something he wants....I'm really amazed, this face was not accompanied by whining, crying, and screaming...it was just plain old boring cute pouting!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Day 13!

I learned a very practical lesson today! A toddler's hat stays on better if you slide the hood of his jacket over it...so essentially, a double hat. You'd think I would have figured this out sooner, but I guess we don't really have a lot of hat weather here! The hat didn't have straps or anything on it, which is one of the reasons we needed something to help keep it on! I was just impressed Alex didn't try to rip it off! He looked so cute in his double hat!

Here he is in the gorilla house at the zoo :)

Monday, January 12, 2009

Day 12

Well, it was one of those days around here, so I didn't take any pictures! I do, however, have some from late late last night...so it's pretty much like today :) I learned that if he's motivated enough, he'll fuss and cry and scream and push on the gate until it falls down, then he'll come storming down the hallway, screaming as loud as he can! It's rather frustrating...hopefully he'll get over this phase soon!

Ales was in bed and I heard him fussing. Rather than fetching him, we let him fuss hoping he'd go back to sleep. Sure enough, he did! I went to check on him when I went to bed, and found him asleep on top of his blanket...on the floor next to his bed! So it looks like he got up with the intention of going to the door and fussing, but fell asleep before he could get that far. It was too cute.



I did, however, learn that hand soap makes baby hair stiff and sticky. It does smell good though! Alex was doing something with the soap, but wasn't smearing it on the counters today...maybe he was washing his hands? They were awful sticky! He just didn't get so far as to actually get water involved....

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Day 11...double digits plus one!

Aaah, yes, another lesson. I learned today that a booster seat really isn't any better than a high chair! We gave it a shot...and got more or less the same results. Only he didn't try to stand on the booster seat. But I'm sure he'll try next time. Goodness. Why won't the kid just sit still through dinner?

Oh, and for the first time, his food came before ours. Yeah, not a good idea. As predicted, he was done and ready to go before we even got our food. I appreciate the thoughtfulness our waitress put into it, but it was still annoying!

I also learned just how much he adores calamari. The kid couldn't get enough of it! The little baby squidlets had to be dunked in the sauce, but the rings were fine on their own. As soon as he chowed one down, he started squeaking for the next one. I didn't get a picture, since I was trying to eat as much as I could before he ate them all!

Anyway...here's the cute picture of Alex enjoying his booster seat! This was before the mayhem started.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Day 10...1/36.5th through the year already!

Today was sort of a repeat of yesterday's lesson...Alex just continues to blow me away with the grown up things he does! We went out for Mexican tonight and Alex decided he'd rather sit on the booth than in his high chair. He found a napkin and intently started unfolding it, then spread it across his lap! He also loves to take napkins and wipe his mouth off.



After that, he grabbed a fork and knife to help eat his quesadilla. He had one in each hand and was sawing away, trying to cut his food up. Too bad he was holding the wrong side of the knife...but before anyone says anything, it was a dull dull butter knife...we verified before letting him play with it :)



Oh, and this morning, he spilled a bunch of water. Eric grabbed him a little towel so he could mop up the mess. He swiped the floor a few times, then started swabbing the side of the couch (there was water splashed up there as well). Once he decided that the towel was too wet, he ran to the hallway and grabbed a couple more towels...they were the Christmas towels set aside to go back up into the attic! But he had the right idea :)

Friday, January 9, 2009

Day 9...time is flying!

I learned a very big lesson today...I learned just how much Alex play attention and how much he really learns! I was sitting on the couch and he was piddling around in my scrap area. I looked back, and he had snagged a paper off my desk and slid it into the paper cutter and was going to town! He must have really paid attention - he even knew to slide the paper under the little guard and was meticulously pushing it under, then gently sliding the blade. He was so proud of himself! I gave him some junk mail to shred and moved the cutter to his little table. He had a blast!



He also was "helping" me cook dinner...he'd grab the wooden spoon when I set it down and would stir the food. He'd even tap it on the side of the pan to get all the excess food off. He really does pay attention!

Oh, and just a little brag...he threw a fit when I tried to put a diaper on him, so I took him out for errands in underwear (under pants, of course). He didn't pee in his pants the whole time we were out! He even stayed dry during his nap (he fell asleep in the car on the way home and I didn't want to wake him to put a diaper on...I figured worst case, we'd have to wash his sheets). When he woke up, he wanted to take a bath, and sure enough, peed it all out then :) He's growing up so fast!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Day 8...another week begins!

Today, I learned a very difficult lesson. I learned that Alex refuses to go to bed until he has a chance to say good night to his daddy! So on the nights he's working that late, it's a nightmare getting him to bed!

I also learned that if Alex and Lindley disappear and are quiet for any amount of time, they're probably up to no good. We had our playdate at Jeanette's today, and she has a small play room with a futon and mattress. Alex and Lindley had wandered up the stairs and were jumping on the bed, leaping onto the futon, then back onto the bed. They were being so silly!





Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Day 7...1 week strong!

As I type this, I'm reflecting on today's lesson....not that it's a new one by any means. If you are tired and cranky, your child will be tired and cranky too. And he will refuse to go to sleep. So you will both be tired and cranky and twice as miserable. Ugh.

On a happier note...I also learned that if there is something rather gross and nasty, a toddler will put his mouth on it. After each bath, Alex lifts the bath mat and hands it to me or Eric. Today, he lifted it, stuck it on his face, and started yelling and licking on it. Nice, Alex, real nice.




And a couple of pictures of Alex's first tattoos :)



Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Day 6!

Today, I learned that if there's music, a toddler will dance, regardless of the circumstances. We were watching Noggin this morning and one of the songs came on...so Alex started dancing. And sent his chips flying all over the place! But he was having fun, so who was I to stand in the way of that? Besides, Phoebe was more than willing to clean up the chip crumbles :)





We also took down our Christmas decorations today, with Alex's help, of course, and we bought the decorations and party favors for Alex's birthday party!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Day 5...back on track :)

I only took one non-scrapbook layout picture today, so I guess there wasn't much narrowing down to worry about today!

Ever and Amanda came over, and Alex and Ever were going to town alternately playing nicely and irritating each other. At one point, Alex fell off the couch. Ever may or may not have contributed to that event, but it really doesn't matter! Of course, Alex started crying. Ever helped him up, then wrapped his little arms around him and gave him a sweet kiss on top of his head. Amanda and I both just melted, it was such a sweet moment!

So today's lesson is that kids are much more caring and nurturing than you may give them credit for! In between their little fits of ugly, they just want to make everything better for those around them...even if they're the cause of the upset in the first place!

Day 4...fail already!

As I was laying in bed last night, I remembered that I'd forgotten to put up my daily post! But I was too lazy to get out of bed to put it up last night, so here it is this morning :)

Yesterday's lesson was that even though a sweet little boy may behave during a haircut, that doesn't mean he's enjoying it! Yvonne came over to cut Eric and Alex's hair, and he did so good! He had a cookie, but just held on to it for a while. I'm sure it was the combination of being at home with minimal distractions and it being someone he knows doing the cutting that made this the easiest and best cut yet!

Before....

During...

and after! I only took one picture, and it's not very good, lol, but it shows how lovely his hair looks! It always amazes me how much older he looks after a hair cut!