My Little Man is Growing Up!

Little J is growing up before my very eyes. He is working hard on being independent. He has been trying to develop his signature, and has the 'J' down. He seems to be trying to figure out where we are, when we are driving he'll ask me, "Is this where the store is?" He has an opinion on everything from what shorts he would like to wear for the day, "COMFY ONES, Mommy!" to what he's having for each meal.

[caption id="attachment_665" align="aligncenter" width="368"] "Waffles ARE real food!" when I told him we had to eat "real food" for dinner...[/caption]

Since we're limiting his tv intake, he is becoming very discerning about what he watches. I am thankful for this, as I cannot stand certain Nick Jr. shows... Diego and Dora, I'm looking at you! He is making decisions, weighing whether he would like to watch a tv show or play with the iPad for a short time. He is anticipating his mother's actions. When we leave the house, he asks, "Is this going to take long? Are you bringing us snacks?" He's more responsible than me sometimes!

When he gets his haircut, puts his little backpack on, and slips on his shoes- I just want to freeze time. He looks to grown up! But he still melts my heart when he tells me, "Mommy, today you need to come home before the sun goes down. OK?" OK, little man, I wouldn't want to miss our snuggle time...

[caption id="attachment_666" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Happy times...[/caption]

Mommy and Me Swim Class

J has been in swim class since he was less than two years old. I felt strongly that he should know how to be safe in or near a pool. Drowning is one of my top mommy fears http://wp.me/p1AbH5-7y. Now that he is also enjoying the social interaction with children his age, I thought it would be great for Mayhem to give it a try. The problem is that Mayhem is too young to do solo swim class, so I have to swim with him.

Sunday morning was our first attempt. My husband filmed the entire ordeal. I just might have to download some clips to share (even though it is footage of me in a bathing suit). Mayhem was happy during the first part of our class. We bounced around in a circle with all the happy babies and parents, singing and splashing. And then the instructor told us to put the kids on their backs. Mayhem did NOT want to do this. He fought me like we were in a wrestling match. He flipped himself over, and started a death roll. OK, I know what we need to work on!

[caption id="attachment_653" align="aligncenter" width="328"] This is what we were SUPPOSED to be doing...
Image source: http://www.dolfinswimschool.com/blog/[/caption]

Next, we moved onto grabbing the side of the pool and having the babies pull themselves out of the water. Great manuever, I thought, very 'water safety' focused. Mayhem wanted none of that. He did not want to get out of the pool! He squealed like a kittle piglet as I tried desperately to follow the instructions, "Elbow, elbow, tummy, legs!" Oh, if only it was that easy...

Waiting in line for our turn was another major issue. There were maybe 8 kids in the class, and each child 'swam' to the teacher and back to their parent. Mayhem wanted to just swim around the pool. It was like he thought he could do it by himself. He was kicking, and waving his arms around- and trying to push me away. "I got it, Mom!" Waiting our turn was a constant struggle.

Next, we stood on the stairs and had the kids reach for pool toys. This required them to put their faces into the water, and theoretically hold their breath. Mayhem's version- dunk your face in and freak mom out, grab the toy, have a look of shock on your face... and then do it again and again until you're nearly choking and mom has to pick you up and wrestle you away from the toys.

 It felt like the longest 30 minutes of my life. Have you tried Mommy and Me Swim Class? Was it nearly as painful as my experience?!

Citrus Lane Box - June 2012

My June Citrus Lane box just arrived! It made a rattle noise, so the boys were very excited to open it. I was excited to see that the theme of the box was 'the little artist'. The rattle noise was maracas, which are apparently the best toy ever. I may have to hide them, so I don't get a headache though.



The items this month include:

1. Wee Can Too Veggie Art Kit. This 'veggie baby art kit' is edible finger paint and crayons. I love this concept, since toddlers have a tendency to put finger paint right into their mouth. The kit is made of organic ingredients and real fruits and vegetables! There are also crayons. I will be very interested to see what Mayhem thinks of this kit. www.weecantooart.com

2. Sampler CD. I will add this CD to my car collection. Putumayo 2012 Playground Sampler includes 6 songs from around the world. www.putumayo.com

3. Pop & Lolli Decal. My only problem with this adorable owl is deciding where to put him. J said he looks like 'Z' from Nick Jr. and loves his hat. www.popandlolli.com





4. Hohner Kids Musical Instruments. This is the maracas. Bright green, with yellow details they make you happy just looking at them. And both boys love the noise they make! www.hohnerkids.com

5. BabyGanics Toy & Table Cleaner. I've wanted this product, so I'm glad it was included! Especially this week, with germs everywhere. In fact, I can use it on the maracas right now... www.babyganics.com

6. Minted Offer. Lastly, the box included a $35 credit towards items at Minted.com. This website features absolutely adorable birth announcements, party invitations, and stationary. I have never used it, but I'm going to check it out! www.minted.com

As a Mom...

Becoming a mother brings certain responsibilities. There will be times when everyone looks at you. And the more children you have, the more eyes you have staring at you for answers. I wish I knew these things before I became a mom. I wanted to share some of the things that you are expected to know:

1. What's for dinner? You must know this before breakfast is done, so start thinking. No one will like it anyways.

2. Location of 'lovey'. If your child has a lovey, you must know where it is ALL AT TIMES. There was one Thanksgiving, where J left his lovey at a family member's home. They were gracious enough to overnight it back to us, once it was discovered. There was also a close call in Target, when we dropped it out of the shopping cart and didn't realize it until we got home! href="http://laderamom.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/20120613-193821.jpg">

3. Why is the baby crying? When your child cries, everyone is looking at you. Fix it now. No pressure.

4. How to do things with half as many hands as you used to. I can do the laundry, do the dishes, set the table, and serve dinner with a child on my hip.

5. Are we there yet? You must be able to entertain the children in the car, no matter how long the drive. And you should probably take traffic into account. And the possibility that you may need extra diapers, and snacks, and toys.

6. Inventory of your home. Do you have enough sunscreen? What about Cheerios? Diapers? Toilet paper? Wipes? No one will know, except you!

7. Where are your car keys, your wallet, and your cell phone? You aren't going anywhere without them!

8. How to prioritize. What's more important- getting the house straightened up, or getting a nap in. I can tell you that sleep is ALWAYS a priority for me!

Are there things you didn't know would be expected of you, as a mother? Please share!


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Little J is Starting School!

I signed Little J up for preschool! He will be attending summer session for two weeks, then Vacation Bible School for a week in mid-August, and then 'real' preschool September 10th! On our way to the school, J asked me if he should bring his dinosaurs to show the other kids. We met the school administrator on Friday morning and Little J didn't want to leave! He asked me if we could stay because the kids looked like they were having 'so much fun'! I explained that we couldn't stay, but he would be coming to play with the kids very soon.

While I filled out forms and talked, Little J sat at a table and colored. Mayhem pushed a chair against the table, climbed on it, laughed, and threw a toy to the ground. At least this woman had a preview of the child who will likely pass through her doors in a year or so! After we were finished talking, Little J pushed his chair in and cleaned up the toys on the table. I was proud of him already!

When we went to the neighborhood pool this weekend, J was desperate for the kids to play with him. I can tell he's ready for school. He's ready to expand his horizons. I told him to say, "Hi, I'm J. What's your name?" and to ask "How old are you?" Hopefully, he will make the conversation work! And if he is ready, then I am ready. I know it will be really exciting for him to be able to play with other children his age. I am a nerd and I always liked school. It seems that J will follow in my footsteps- and I can't wait to share the fun with him!

Enjoy this post, from Honest Toddler!

My Scary Saturday

On Saturday at 2 am, Baby Mayhem had his second febrile seizure. This time, we knew what was happening- but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. I heard him moaning in his crib. It wasn't the usual cry, and when I walked in his room I immediately knew something was wrong. He didn't sit up to greet me, and pick up his blankie like he normally does. Instead, he was bright red, shaking, and stiff. It was heart wrenching. I picked him up carefully, and tried to hold him. That's when I realized he was drooling and flaming hot. I ran into our bedroom, handed him to Daddy and ran downstairs for the Baby Tylenol and thermometer.

I was afraid to give him Tylenol until he stopped seizing, because I didn't want him to choke on it. The doctor told us to put him in the middle of the bed, turn him on his side, and 'let it happen'. If it lasted more than 15 minutes, we could be concerned and call someone. Easy to say, easy to hear, hard to do. It was absolutely awful. When he came around, he only wanted me. He was scorching hot, so I wanted to keep him away from my body heat. But he wouldn't have it. We ended up with a cool damp towel draped over him (he didn't like it, but couldn't really fight it) and I just held him. Once he responded to my voice, I felt better. But I could tell that he was miserable. The poor child. What scares me is that his first one was only two months ago! I hope he doesn't have these frequently, I can't handle it! Saturday night wasn't much better, I was afraid to really fall asleep. But he seems to be back to normal now... although he's still snuggly...

Infant/Toddler Survival Guide

 

After another especially challenging weekend, I wanted to share some thoughts on what to have in your house at all times when you have a young child. Some of these items may seem obvious, others you wouldn't think of until you need them at 2 am on a Saturday... 

[caption id="attachment_598" align="alignleft" width="150"] www.sephora.com[/caption]

1. TWEEZERS. On Friday evening, as we were settling down for the night, Little J stood up and winced.  I immediately took him to the bathroom, put him up on the counter and saw a splinter. After trying to calmly remove it, and being punched, kicked and screamed at.... I called for help. As I pinned down my toddler (I'm not proud), my husband removed the splinter. Have a good set of tweezers on hand, and know where they are- just in case! Tweezerman is the brand that we have, and the sharp tip really helped grab the splinter. They come in a variety of colors, if you prefer.

2. A good thermometer.Until your child has had a fever, you may not

[caption id="attachment_593" align="alignright" width="180"] www.target.com[/caption]

think of needing one of these. If you have, you can be sure that you have the wrong one. I had a thermometer, but when I spoke to the doctor about Mayhem he told me I needed to have a rectal thermometer. Really?! Because the child is already miserable, I don't want to do that to him. There are a variety of types: ear, digital, rectal, oral, and my favorite- pacifier thermometer. Use what works best for you, but when you give the doctor the temperature make sure you tell them what kind you have used.

3. Baby Tylenol/Children's Tylenol. Having this on hand for fevers is a must, in my humble opinion. If you don't, know where a 24 hour pharmacy is so you can get it at a moment's notice.

4. Extra set of sheets/bedding. I can't tell you how many times I've had to change sheets in the middle of the night. Starting when they are newborns, children have a variety of ways to force you to do this- diaper blowouts, spit up, sweat, drool, etc. Also, having the ability to change the crib sheets while not awake is a helpful skill.

[caption id="attachment_601" align="alignleft" width="130"] www.starbucks.com[/caption]

5. Coffee. While it would be great to have a coffee shop in your house, you need to know where the closest one is and how early it opens. I'm completely serious. Unless you are one of those people who I don't understand, that can live without coffee. I'm pretty sure that the only reason I survived this weekend was espresso.

Is there anything I've missed? What do you have in your 'survival kit'?