Just typing that makes me sad.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Half Empty
Just typing that makes me sad.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Call Me Ted
A few nights ago, an episode of 'Olivia' was playing on the television. Olivia had been distrubed when a new girl came to class whose name was also Olivia. Our red loving Olivia decided that she would change her name to Pam rather than be Olivia One as her teacher suggested. Alex must have been paying close attention because, in short order, he told us that his name was 'Ted' now. Any efforts to say his name was Alex was met with firm reproach. 'No, I'm Ted'.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Showing Love
A few nights ago, Alex wished me "Goodnight Mommy" for the first time. Last night, Thanksgiving, he ran up to both Dan and me and gave us unsolicited kisses. He came up to my desk chair, pulled gently on my hair to move it to the side and pull my head down and then kissed me on my right cheek. Yay!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Good Friends
Saying hello to the gerbil tonight, Alex said "Gerbil, you're my friend".
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
He Loves Me!
"'I love you", Alex said to me during his bed quiet time. We also shared a lounge around moment while we both laid on his bed and read 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear'.
No nap today. He wouldn't nap as early as I would like. The 3:30 PM naps aren't working well. At least the one bottle of milk contributed to his having an appetite for dinner.
No nap today. He wouldn't nap as early as I would like. The 3:30 PM naps aren't working well. At least the one bottle of milk contributed to his having an appetite for dinner.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Here We Are Now...Entertain Us
At dinner tonight, Alex asked me to sing one of his favorite songs, 'Apologize' by One Republic. I didn't get through to a repeat of the chorus before he hurried me to the last line of the repeated first verse. Gesticulating downwards he sang 'oooofff da ground.'
He also told me that dinner was 'Yummy, Mama!' (Chicken fajitas with black beans, corn and some ripped up flour tortilla for him. Also eating broccoli. Yay!)
He also told me that dinner was 'Yummy, Mama!' (Chicken fajitas with black beans, corn and some ripped up flour tortilla for him. Also eating broccoli. Yay!)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Chocolate Eyes
After having remarked out of nowhere that Mommy has green eyes, Alex was looking at himself in the mirror. He pointed up to his eyes with both hands and said 'Brown eyes'. I said, 'Yes you do! You have brown eyes.' He gazed for a moment and said 'I have chocolate eyes.'
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Told Ya About Those Naps, Kid
Thursday, November 15, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I've Got a Name
On Friday, Alex said his full name. We were reviewing the name 'Delgado' and when I asked Alex what his name was, he said very quietly 'I'm Alex Delgado'. He didn't like learning that Mama had a name though. When I told him that my name was Lynne he said 'No, that's Mama Delgado'. But two days later, when I asked him what my name was, he whispered 'Lynne Delgado' - and then didn't wish to say it again.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
No, Really. You NEED those naps.
Fits thrown so far:
- Getting dressed in the morning
- Eating breakfast at the table (wanted it at the couch)
After about an hour or so, he finally walked over to the dining room table to have his breakfast of O's.
Good morning, y'all!
- Getting dressed in the morning
- Eating breakfast at the table (wanted it at the couch)
After about an hour or so, he finally walked over to the dining room table to have his breakfast of O's.
Good morning, y'all!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Mama's Got a Dishwasher
Monday, November 2, 2009
If You Don't Know...Ask!
Looking at his puzzle pieces and coming across the tow truck. 'I have a question.' Then he holds it up to me and says 'The pick-up truck. The pick-up truck.'
I guess he was asking what it's really called, so I told him.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Turn it Up!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Hi Grandma!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Fire Truck and the Bamboo
About a week or so ago, I bought Alex a fire engine toy because he didn't really have a good one to go with his train set and car play set on the train table mat. He picked out a ladder engine that he just LOVED. That was until he realized it made a siren sound, something I hadn't known when I bought it because the battery had had a thin cardboard divider to stop it from conducting. I'd removed it without knowing what it was. Once the engine's siren went off, Alex was terrified. His face bore a look of utter horror and betrayal because something he'd adored so strongly had become a source of sheer terror. He'd scream for us to make it 'Go 'way!'. He wouldn't have it in his sight. I told him that we'd fix it so it wouldn't talk any longer. We'd take the battery out. He'd only respond with howls and cries of 'Noooo! Go 'way. Fire truck GO 'WAY!'. Alex insisted that I keep it up on a certain kitchen counter where he could see it and would freak if I moved it. He'd look for it every day, but never ask to play with it.
Dan eventually snuck the toy out of Alex's sight and removed the battery. When Alex woke the next morning and saw that it wasn't we we'd left it, he asked where it was. I looked on another shelf and spotted it, figuring that Dan had removed the battery. So, I took it down and Alex immediately yelled. "Noooo. Go 'way! Fire Engine there! There! That way!" He was frantically pointing to the kitchen counter where he'd wanted me to replace it. I assured him that it didn't talk anymore and it took a while to convince him. So, I went to another part of the dining room and played with the truck myself. After only a few seconds of seeing me roll it around, he squealed with laughter and ran over to get the truck. It was love again. He called it "Fire Truck. Doesn't talk."
During and after the Scary Fire Truck period, I'd ask him if he'd like to see a real fire engine and meet real firefighters at the fire station. He'd say immediately "No! Go 'way!" He wouldn't even let me discuss it. I'd brought him by our closest station and let him look into the closed garage door to see the truck. It seemed to lighten his fear a little.
So, today, September 10, I told him that we could see the real fire truck. I'd talked it up through the art gallery and the gym and the Munchkins, so he built up some courage. We were in the next town over, which has a professional fire department and can afford a lot more trucks in their station. I walked to the station and stepped into the open garage where a ladder engine was parked. He wanted to know ALL about it. We talked about the fire engine until Alex pointed out to the sidewalk and said "That way!", indicating that he wanted to go. I asked him if he'd like to come back with Daddy and then we could meet real firefighters. He finally said an enthusiastic "YEAH! Daddy fireman. Daddy fireman."
Well, no, kiddo. Daddy is a computer programmer. But maybe the firefighters will let him wear a helmet too.
Just a short walk around the block where the station is located brings you to a back driveway that cuts through the whole block. Trees and bushes grow along the sides of this driveway, very poorly kept. Apparently nobody really claims this patch of land enough to keep the greenery maintained. It had been only a few weeks ago that I'd cut through this driveway to take a shortcut to my hair salon. It was only then, after years of having walked that way plenty of times, that I noticed that among the wild plants to the sides were bamboo stalks. Tall, mature bamboo growing wild here in New York.
When we turned the corner, I asked Alex if he'd like to see some bamboo. We turned down the drive and I pulled the stroller up next to the wild greenery. Without my even pointing the particular plants out, he cried "Bamboo!!" and "It's bamboo!". I asked him what he remembered about bamboo and reminded him of how the pandas eat it and how it normally grows in China, where Kai-Lan and her friends are from.
Eventually, we turned home and I told him it was time for milky-milk in his story corner. I got him home and prepared his milk drink while he prepared his story corner relaxation spot. In this spot, I've placed a bean bag chair and two very large, squishy teddy bears as additional snuggly cushions, but Alex likes to move the bears before he lies down. He held onto the smaller panda bear in the corner and I told him that I would get his snuggle-buddy Biscuit, a stuffed yellow lab puppy, for his rest. While I was grabbing Biscuit, I heard Alex talking to the panda bear.
"You eat bamboo. I saw bamboo. Here, Panda Bear, have some bamboo. Is it good? D'ya like it? Hungry? Yeah! It's bamboo!"
I left Alex to his milk, his books and his pretend meal of bamboo (the bars of the play yard sections) for Panda Bear.
Dan eventually snuck the toy out of Alex's sight and removed the battery. When Alex woke the next morning and saw that it wasn't we we'd left it, he asked where it was. I looked on another shelf and spotted it, figuring that Dan had removed the battery. So, I took it down and Alex immediately yelled. "Noooo. Go 'way! Fire Engine there! There! That way!" He was frantically pointing to the kitchen counter where he'd wanted me to replace it. I assured him that it didn't talk anymore and it took a while to convince him. So, I went to another part of the dining room and played with the truck myself. After only a few seconds of seeing me roll it around, he squealed with laughter and ran over to get the truck. It was love again. He called it "Fire Truck. Doesn't talk."
During and after the Scary Fire Truck period, I'd ask him if he'd like to see a real fire engine and meet real firefighters at the fire station. He'd say immediately "No! Go 'way!" He wouldn't even let me discuss it. I'd brought him by our closest station and let him look into the closed garage door to see the truck. It seemed to lighten his fear a little.
So, today, September 10, I told him that we could see the real fire truck. I'd talked it up through the art gallery and the gym and the Munchkins, so he built up some courage. We were in the next town over, which has a professional fire department and can afford a lot more trucks in their station. I walked to the station and stepped into the open garage where a ladder engine was parked. He wanted to know ALL about it. We talked about the fire engine until Alex pointed out to the sidewalk and said "That way!", indicating that he wanted to go. I asked him if he'd like to come back with Daddy and then we could meet real firefighters. He finally said an enthusiastic "YEAH! Daddy fireman. Daddy fireman."
Well, no, kiddo. Daddy is a computer programmer. But maybe the firefighters will let him wear a helmet too.
Just a short walk around the block where the station is located brings you to a back driveway that cuts through the whole block. Trees and bushes grow along the sides of this driveway, very poorly kept. Apparently nobody really claims this patch of land enough to keep the greenery maintained. It had been only a few weeks ago that I'd cut through this driveway to take a shortcut to my hair salon. It was only then, after years of having walked that way plenty of times, that I noticed that among the wild plants to the sides were bamboo stalks. Tall, mature bamboo growing wild here in New York.
When we turned the corner, I asked Alex if he'd like to see some bamboo. We turned down the drive and I pulled the stroller up next to the wild greenery. Without my even pointing the particular plants out, he cried "Bamboo!!" and "It's bamboo!". I asked him what he remembered about bamboo and reminded him of how the pandas eat it and how it normally grows in China, where Kai-Lan and her friends are from.
Eventually, we turned home and I told him it was time for milky-milk in his story corner. I got him home and prepared his milk drink while he prepared his story corner relaxation spot. In this spot, I've placed a bean bag chair and two very large, squishy teddy bears as additional snuggly cushions, but Alex likes to move the bears before he lies down. He held onto the smaller panda bear in the corner and I told him that I would get his snuggle-buddy Biscuit, a stuffed yellow lab puppy, for his rest. While I was grabbing Biscuit, I heard Alex talking to the panda bear.
"You eat bamboo. I saw bamboo. Here, Panda Bear, have some bamboo. Is it good? D'ya like it? Hungry? Yeah! It's bamboo!"
I left Alex to his milk, his books and his pretend meal of bamboo (the bars of the play yard sections) for Panda Bear.
September 10, 2009
The Day Out
40 minutes (!) in the art gallery choosing a frame for Alex's new wall art because the owner would quote only ridiculously high prices for the suggested frames. When I'd said that I would have to take the stretched canvases as is, he suddenly found frames within my stated budget range. It's still too high for wall art in a kid's room, but I was 2/3 of the way there, so I just went with it. At least I can reuse the frames for different art in later years. Then it was a quick stop in a kid's Tae Kwon Do dojo and gym for an inquiry about classes for a 2.5 year old. The Mommy and Me Kick-It! classes begin Sept 18 and were only slightly higher than I felt comfortable paying for 13 weeks. I picked up the literature and talked to Alex more about 'school'.
See, Alex's "school" had called me yesterday asking if I was going to be attending Baruch this semester, as Alex would be attending the Early Childhood Learning Center on campus. I had to say that I had delayed taking classes until January and she informed me that there would still be spots available for Alex, which was great news. So, at story time that afternoon, I told Alex that "his school" had called that day. I wanted to know how he felt about attending school. (I've brought this convo up before). He said "Preschool?" [I'd said "school}]. I said that it was "preschool". He said "With the boys and girls?" I said that it would have other boys and girls to play and learn with. He answered with an emphatic "YEAH!"
So, we stopped in the gym today about classes. I told him that it would be a school for sports, where he could climb and run and kick a ball and play. He said "With the boys and girls?" I guess he's ready for peer society. He seems really excited about the idea of being with other children. But he wasn't TOO ready. He asked if this school would be with a teacher or Mommy. I said "Both". He nodded his head enthusiastically and repeated "Teacher AND Mommy. Yay. Mommy. Teacher. AND Mommy."
See, Alex's "school" had called me yesterday asking if I was going to be attending Baruch this semester, as Alex would be attending the Early Childhood Learning Center on campus. I had to say that I had delayed taking classes until January and she informed me that there would still be spots available for Alex, which was great news. So, at story time that afternoon, I told Alex that "his school" had called that day. I wanted to know how he felt about attending school. (I've brought this convo up before). He said "Preschool?" [I'd said "school}]. I said that it was "preschool". He said "With the boys and girls?" I said that it would have other boys and girls to play and learn with. He answered with an emphatic "YEAH!"
So, we stopped in the gym today about classes. I told him that it would be a school for sports, where he could climb and run and kick a ball and play. He said "With the boys and girls?" I guess he's ready for peer society. He seems really excited about the idea of being with other children. But he wasn't TOO ready. He asked if this school would be with a teacher or Mommy. I said "Both". He nodded his head enthusiastically and repeated "Teacher AND Mommy. Yay. Mommy. Teacher. AND Mommy."
September 10, 2009
Noooo! Walk Around!
Today, I told Alex that we had to go out for a long walk and that we had to take The Green Carriage (a new Jeep lightweight stroller that he doesn't care much for). That brought on a fit. He said he wanted to 'Walk around', which means allowing him to do the walking, which would mean I would not get to the art gallery as I'd planned. It's too far for me to rely on his walking it. I was willing to let the art gallery go today just so I could get out and walk. When he would not relent on the carriage, I brought out his puppy harness and lead, he threw another fit. 'Noooo! Puppy go 'way! Walk around!'. So I informed him that it was either the carriage or the puppy leash. That brought on tears. So I got down onto the floor and told him I wanted to talk to him. He wouldn't come over to me, but he listened as he kept himself wrapped up in the curtains. I told him that the reason why he needs either the leash or the carriage was because it was dangerous for him to walk around outside without them. Mommy had to keep him safe, I argued, and she does that with the carriage or the leash. I went on to explain some of the dangers of his being outside without them and he looked like he was giving it some serious thought. I paused to let him think about it and waited for him to say something. Eventually he said 'I scared of ice cream truck.', in a tone that sounded like a reasoning process, if it's even possible at his age. I said 'That's right and with the leash or the carriage, Mommy can take you away from the ice cream truck if you get scared.'
Within a minute or two, he was back to listening to his options. The leash meant a walk around the neighborhood. The carriage meant a long walk to the art gallery and then to Dunkin Donuts for Munchkins, which he loves. He chose the Munchkins and still threw a fit when I put him in the carriage, but he was more readily reminded of our talk when I'd said "Remember. We talked about this. It's dangerous without the leash or carriage." He relented on his back arching and said simply "Dangerous. I scared of ice cream truck."
So he WAS reasoning! Wow. September 10, 2009
Within a minute or two, he was back to listening to his options. The leash meant a walk around the neighborhood. The carriage meant a long walk to the art gallery and then to Dunkin Donuts for Munchkins, which he loves. He chose the Munchkins and still threw a fit when I put him in the carriage, but he was more readily reminded of our talk when I'd said "Remember. We talked about this. It's dangerous without the leash or carriage." He relented on his back arching and said simply "Dangerous. I scared of ice cream truck."
So he WAS reasoning! Wow. September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
You Mean It Goes on the Ground???
We had our soccer game cut short today. It seems that Alex was all about "playing soccer" until he discovered that it involved placing his beloved ball down on the grass and kicking it. He was back to being a tree hugger within seconds.
September 1, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Footie Fan
Alex informed me that he would like to play soccer tomorrow. He was less into looking for bunnies and bugs or picking leaves and flowers. I thought I had at least a few more years before this...this...SPORTS THING started
August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Noggin Ponderables
Barring the obvious that many of these characters shouldn't be able to talk, wear clothing or use tools without opposable thumbs and all...
Where do Toot and Puddle get the money to travel as much as they do?
Where are Max and Ruby's guardians all day?
Why is Toodee hanging around with aliens and a robot? She's a cat and can't breathe in outer space.
Why does Kai-Lan hang out with a koala bear? It's not an Asian animal.
What, exactly, IS Uniqua's species? Is she a turtle with antlers? Some sort of spotted insect? What?
Yes, these are the weighty questions of my days lately.
August 27, 2009
Where do Toot and Puddle get the money to travel as much as they do?
Where are Max and Ruby's guardians all day?
Why is Toodee hanging around with aliens and a robot? She's a cat and can't breathe in outer space.
Why does Kai-Lan hang out with a koala bear? It's not an Asian animal.
What, exactly, IS Uniqua's species? Is she a turtle with antlers? Some sort of spotted insect? What?
Yes, these are the weighty questions of my days lately.
August 27, 2009
Three Little Birds
Just recently, Alex had the Bob Marley song 'Three Little Birds' brought to his attention through a music video on Noggin. He was mesmerized by it, mostly because of the music. After it was over, I got my iPod and played the song for him to let him know that we have the song anytime he'd like to hear it. He asked for a few times, but mostly if the same music video reminded him of it.
This morning, he saw a bunch of sparrows on our lawn and he said 'Look Mama. Little birds on tha doorsep.' (Lyric from the song). So, I sang the song for him. Later in the day, in the park, he ran to a heavily shaded area where he could hear a ton of birds and started singing 'Don' worry....Ev'ry things gon' be awright' up to the birds and then came running up to me to have me put my arm out while he ducked underneath it, hugging my leg. He said 'Mama Bat and Baby bat!'
He was re-enacting the music video while he sang the song. There's a part in it in which a mother bat shields a baby bat from the rain with her wing."
This morning, he saw a bunch of sparrows on our lawn and he said 'Look Mama. Little birds on tha doorsep.' (Lyric from the song). So, I sang the song for him. Later in the day, in the park, he ran to a heavily shaded area where he could hear a ton of birds and started singing 'Don' worry....Ev'ry things gon' be awright' up to the birds and then came running up to me to have me put my arm out while he ducked underneath it, hugging my leg. He said 'Mama Bat and Baby bat!'
He was re-enacting the music video while he sang the song. There's a part in it in which a mother bat shields a baby bat from the rain with her wing."
August 27, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Keep Tryin! Keep Tryin!
This evening after dinner, I followed Alex into his room to get him undressed for the shower and saw that his room was a toy disaster area. I told him that we would have to clean it up before Quiet Time and Story Time happened. When I got back into the room after the shower I noticed that he had also taken apart his train tracks. This set up is a PITA to put together because it's a descending circle built on towers of decreasing size. It took me at least an hour to figure it out the first time.
After asking him repeatedly if he wanted the circle gone and getting no answer, I decided to put it back together and discuss it with him the next day. I was mumbling and griping to myself while I tried to figure this thing out again, muttering things like 'Oh man, where does this go now?' and similar grumbles. Alex grabbed some of the tracks and came up to the table to put them back together with me and said 'Mama, don't give up. Keep trying.'
Then he broke into a song with those lyrics '...Don't give up. Keep tryy-ing. Don't give up...'
I told him that he was absolutely right. I should keep trying.
After asking him repeatedly if he wanted the circle gone and getting no answer, I decided to put it back together and discuss it with him the next day. I was mumbling and griping to myself while I tried to figure this thing out again, muttering things like 'Oh man, where does this go now?' and similar grumbles. Alex grabbed some of the tracks and came up to the table to put them back together with me and said 'Mama, don't give up. Keep trying.'
Then he broke into a song with those lyrics '...Don't give up. Keep tryy-ing. Don't give up...'
I told him that he was absolutely right. I should keep trying.
August 20, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Motivational Speaker
This evening after dinner, I followed Alex into his room to get him undressed for the shower and saw that his room was a toy disaster area. I told him that we would have to clean it up before Quiet Time and Story Time happened. When I got back into the room after the shower I noticed that he had also taken apart his train tracks. This set up is a PITA to put together because it's a descending circle built on towers of decreasing size. It took me at least an hour to figure it out the first time.
After asking him repeatedly if he wanted the circle gone and getting no answer, I decided to put it back together and discuss it with him the next day. I was mumbling and griping to myself while I tried to figure this thing out again, muttering things like 'Oh man, where does this go now?' and similar grumbles. Alex grabbed some of the tracks and came up to the table to put them back together with me and said 'Mama, don't give up. Keep trying.'
Then he broke into a song with those lyrics '...Don't give up. Keep tryy-ing. Don't give up...'
I told him that he was absolutely right. I should keep trying.
After asking him repeatedly if he wanted the circle gone and getting no answer, I decided to put it back together and discuss it with him the next day. I was mumbling and griping to myself while I tried to figure this thing out again, muttering things like 'Oh man, where does this go now?' and similar grumbles. Alex grabbed some of the tracks and came up to the table to put them back together with me and said 'Mama, don't give up. Keep trying.'
Then he broke into a song with those lyrics '...Don't give up. Keep tryy-ing. Don't give up...'
I told him that he was absolutely right. I should keep trying.
August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Alex the Artist
Alex painted for the first time today. He was so excited about it, he did two paintings and sat there for 90 minutes doing it.
August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Barbeque Fun
I got some recent pics of Alex, taken at a friend's BBQ that I didn't attend. (sniff!) Dan and his friend Chris took the photos.
Joining "the guys" in a game of ball.
Another ship shaped climbing gym! Dan says he was in his glory.
Joining "the guys" in a game of ball.
Another ship shaped climbing gym! Dan says he was in his glory.
August 10, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Chatty Guy
Alex's vocabulary continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Some of the things he liked to say in July of 2009 are:
- "All aboard!" - pretending he's on a boat or train
- "Watch the closing doors" - from Metro North and the subway
- "Thunder! Listen!" - It rained a lot in May and June
- "My ______" - he got the concept of "mine"
- "Hey guys!" - said to Mama and Daddy. He got this from Elliot from "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"
- "'ditioner cold!" - about the a/c unit in his room
- "Are you OK?" - he hears this one a lot from Mama. Alex tends to fall a lot these days.
- "Do you like it?" - he hears this one a lot from Mama too. She likes to expose Alex to lots of new things.
- "____ like you!" - meaning, "[This thing] just like you." Alex loves to see when he's doing the same things and having the same things as Mama and Daddy.
- "Shaka body!" - singing along with Technotronic's "Move It"
- "The Robot Song - what he calls Lipps Inc.'s "Funkytown". He really likes dance music.
- Singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Moon, Moon, Moon" (Laurie Berkner song), "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and "Old McDonald"
- "Thanks!", "'Scuse me!" and "You're Welcome" - he's getting quite polite
- "Ice Cold!" - the way he likes his water on a hot day
- "All aboard!" - pretending he's on a boat or train
- "Watch the closing doors" - from Metro North and the subway
- "Thunder! Listen!" - It rained a lot in May and June
- "My ______" - he got the concept of "mine"
- "Hey guys!" - said to Mama and Daddy. He got this from Elliot from "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"
- "'ditioner cold!" - about the a/c unit in his room
- "Are you OK?" - he hears this one a lot from Mama. Alex tends to fall a lot these days.
- "Do you like it?" - he hears this one a lot from Mama too. She likes to expose Alex to lots of new things.
- "____ like you!" - meaning, "[This thing] just like you." Alex loves to see when he's doing the same things and having the same things as Mama and Daddy.
- "Shaka body!" - singing along with Technotronic's "Move It"
- "The Robot Song - what he calls Lipps Inc.'s "Funkytown". He really likes dance music.
- Singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Moon, Moon, Moon" (Laurie Berkner song), "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and "Old McDonald"
- "Thanks!", "'Scuse me!" and "You're Welcome" - he's getting quite polite
- "Ice Cold!" - the way he likes his water on a hot day
July 31, 2009
Nap Strike!
I'm right now in the middle of having to adjust my expectations again because Alex just left a two week period in which he suddenly napped again. This entire week, however, has been just like the previous ten months. So...I'm back to calling it 'Crib Time' from 1 - 3 PM and going about my business no matter what.
July 31, 2009
Disco Baby
Alex is now groovin' and movin' to his new fave 'The Robot Song' a/k/a 'Funkytown' by Lipps Inc. Dan is groaning over the return of Alex's love of Disco.
Hey, at least he lets some House/Techno get in there too. Alex also frequently requests 'Shaka Body' a/k/a 'Move This' by Technotronic. I also just downloaded me some "Bertner" on iTunes last night. I figured I should get on the ball in making Alex's playlist since we're letting him listen to the iTouch in his room.
Perhaps I should include "Bunnytown"* in it.
*Lyrics:
"Won't you take me to...
Bunnytown!?!
Won't you take me to...
BUN-nee town.
Won't you take me to..
Bun-e-ee-to-owwwn.
Won't you take me to...
BUN-UN-NEE-TOWN!"
Hey, at least he lets some House/Techno get in there too. Alex also frequently requests 'Shaka Body' a/k/a 'Move This' by Technotronic. I also just downloaded me some "Bertner" on iTunes last night. I figured I should get on the ball in making Alex's playlist since we're letting him listen to the iTouch in his room.
Perhaps I should include "Bunnytown"* in it.
*Lyrics:
"Won't you take me to...
Bunnytown!?!
Won't you take me to...
BUN-nee town.
Won't you take me to..
Bun-e-ee-to-owwwn.
Won't you take me to...
BUN-UN-NEE-TOWN!"
July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Veggie Tricks - Bleu Cheese Dressing
Alex used to be a bad eater and bad sleeper. He's been just a bad sleeper for a long time now, so I lost my head in even contemplating limiting his food. I won't be worrying if he goes up to an adult serving of meat again as he's been doing in the past week. I'll just count my blessings.
I did find a way around veggie blues, though. The secret was to serve them raw and with 'dip' (salad dressing). I use only about 1-2 tsps of the stuff, but it goes a long way in getting him to eat all of his carrots, broccoli, snow peas and whatever diced fruit I toss in there too.
I did find a way around veggie blues, though. The secret was to serve them raw and with 'dip' (salad dressing). I use only about 1-2 tsps of the stuff, but it goes a long way in getting him to eat all of his carrots, broccoli, snow peas and whatever diced fruit I toss in there too.
July 29, 2009
7:40 PM
Alex's New Room
[From Alex's journal]
Mommy told Alex that she and Daddy are almost finished with Alex's new room. Mommy just needs to finish the art for the walls. Alex seems to feel it is finished. He wants to have fun! He loves playing with his new train set all the time!
Today was the first time Alex and Mommy did art in Alex's new room. Mommy wants to hang it on the walls too!
Mommy told Alex that she and Daddy are almost finished with Alex's new room. Mommy just needs to finish the art for the walls. Alex seems to feel it is finished. He wants to have fun! He loves playing with his new train set all the time!
Today was the first time Alex and Mommy did art in Alex's new room. Mommy wants to hang it on the walls too!
July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Cruise to Nowhere
I spent nearly all day out today. I had an appointment in Manhattan this morning. I had barely enough time to cool off before I packed our picnic dinner for our staycation plans tonight. A cruise to nowhere!
Alex loves, loves, LOVES boat rides. He asks for them nearly daily with the question 'Boat ride today?' and then he tries to plead his case by making boat engine noises and twirling his hands saying 'Look Mama! Spinning. Boat spinning!' (Imitating a ferry's turnaround at the dock.) So we treated him to a 'dinner' cruise around Long Island Sound from Greenwich Harbor to Stamford Harbor. He was thrilled! His favorite part was watching the captain steer the ferry (the cab had a giant wooden ship's wheel).
And, since it was so late by the time we got back, I spent the evening scrapping it. I needed this kind of quiet 'me' time, as if the 2 hour cooling cruise wasn't wonderful enough.
Alex loves, loves, LOVES boat rides. He asks for them nearly daily with the question 'Boat ride today?' and then he tries to plead his case by making boat engine noises and twirling his hands saying 'Look Mama! Spinning. Boat spinning!' (Imitating a ferry's turnaround at the dock.) So we treated him to a 'dinner' cruise around Long Island Sound from Greenwich Harbor to Stamford Harbor. He was thrilled! His favorite part was watching the captain steer the ferry (the cab had a giant wooden ship's wheel).
And, since it was so late by the time we got back, I spent the evening scrapping it. I needed this kind of quiet 'me' time, as if the 2 hour cooling cruise wasn't wonderful enough.
July 22, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
I Help! I Helping!
Yesterday, I boldly stepped into hanging the new metallic magnet boards I got for Alex's room. Aligning four metal boards in a straight line was quite a task and I was proud of myself for accomplishing it almost perfectly but I wasn't the only one proud of myself yesterday.
When Alex saw me hammering in the wall anchors, he ran and got his hammer from a wooden ball/puzzle toy, all prepared to help. And help, he did.
He proudly announced to Dan "I help! I helping!"
When Alex saw me hammering in the wall anchors, he ran and got his hammer from a wooden ball/puzzle toy, all prepared to help. And help, he did.
July 19, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Alex's World in July 2009
[From Alex's journal]
Alex likes: boats; trains; Yo, Gabba Gabba!; chicken; french fries; swimming; beaches; boat rides; learning different ways of using things; trucks, cars; walking around; singing the alphabet song; glue sticks and pretend play.
Alex likes: boats; trains; Yo, Gabba Gabba!; chicken; french fries; swimming; beaches; boat rides; learning different ways of using things; trucks, cars; walking around; singing the alphabet song; glue sticks and pretend play.
July 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
For the first time in 3 months
...I put Alex down for 'Crib Time' (I'd stopped calling it 'Nap Time' a while ago), over much objection like usual and he actually NAPPED within ten minutes.
I haven't been able to take him out in the mornings for the past five days, because we've been swamped with obligations. I didn't get to feed him lunch at noon today, because he just wasn't hungry. He did get Quiet Time before the nap, but mostly alone with his books and trains, because I was frantically picking stuff up, because we won't be here this afternoon and into evening.
Wow.
I'm cherishing this moment. I'm sure it will be another three months before I see it again.
Just...wow.
That's three months with no "real" nap at all. (Was a half hour deal in there somewhere, I don't recall when.) But, really, this is a ten month thing. He started his nap striking last September, when he was only 17 months old. Then it would last about 3 weeks and 2-3 days in the fourth week would see a nap, then he'd strike again for 2-3 weeks, with a nap appearing in the next week, only to stop again. Then he'd strike for about 4-6 weeks, and nap once or twice in the following week. These three months were the longest strike yet.
If I allowed him to nap at 4:30 PM, there would be naps all the time - but that didn't happen unless I was really on edge. Several of the occasionally appearing naps did occur at 4-4:30 ish and I could not let them last very long.
July 13, 2009
I haven't been able to take him out in the mornings for the past five days, because we've been swamped with obligations. I didn't get to feed him lunch at noon today, because he just wasn't hungry. He did get Quiet Time before the nap, but mostly alone with his books and trains, because I was frantically picking stuff up, because we won't be here this afternoon and into evening.
Wow.
I'm cherishing this moment. I'm sure it will be another three months before I see it again.
Just...wow.
That's three months with no "real" nap at all. (Was a half hour deal in there somewhere, I don't recall when.) But, really, this is a ten month thing. He started his nap striking last September, when he was only 17 months old. Then it would last about 3 weeks and 2-3 days in the fourth week would see a nap, then he'd strike again for 2-3 weeks, with a nap appearing in the next week, only to stop again. Then he'd strike for about 4-6 weeks, and nap once or twice in the following week. These three months were the longest strike yet.
If I allowed him to nap at 4:30 PM, there would be naps all the time - but that didn't happen unless I was really on edge. Several of the occasionally appearing naps did occur at 4-4:30 ish and I could not let them last very long.
July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
L'il Quotes
With the Big Move in full swing, Alex has been a quotable little helper. Or, at least, has his opinions on the work dedication:
- Yesterday, I had to spend the whole day shopping online for the last touches needed for Alex's new bedroom. Unfortunately, the laptop's wireless connection slows down my internet access, so going to SO many pages was really making this project drag along as the page memory got clogged up. It was taking me longer and longer and even dragged into the post nap time. At around 4 PM, I heard something dragging from Alex's room. He came out dragging his beach tent holder, with the strap around his shoulder and the rest of the tube dragging behind him. He declared "I'm going to beach! Let's go Mommy!" and proceeded to walk towards the front door with it.
He rarely calls me "Mommy", preferring "Mama". When he resorts to Mommy these days, it's an indication that he means business.
- On Thursday, I was cleaning the air conditioner in his new bedroom, which had been sorely neglected through the last season. I had to really tackle the filter and clean the front grill with Q-tips. Alex watched me and then began to grab Q-tips, dragging the ends through the lowest levels of the grill that he could reach. I said "Oh wow! You're helping Mommy! That's a big Yay!". He said "Yeah! Clean up, clean up. Then beach!" Um....that wasn't in the cards for that day.
- I often try to get Alex to tell Dan about his day. He never does. Throughout all of yesterday, Alex continued to ask me when we would go for a walk, a train ride, a boat ride, swimming, etc. I had to keep reminding him that I had said we couldn't go out that day because Mommy had to get a lot of things done before the weekend. So, on THAT day, when Dan came home, Alex decided to tell Dan about his day. "No promises today, Daddy. Boat ride Sunday." (Whenever I make a promise to him about going somewhere, I keep it, so he expects that "promise" means something. I had told him that we would take a boat ride when we went to Ikea again on Sunday.)
- Yesterday, while watching a show during dinner. (Bad, yes, I know). Alex insisted that Pinky Doo was on TV, when I knew it was a different show. He kept saying Pinky Doo there! Hi Pinky Doo!". So, I got up to look at the television to see what character he thinks is Pinky Doo and saw no character drawn like that. Alex burst out laughing, "Ha! Ha! Silly Mommy! No Pinky Doo! It's Kai-Lan! (the character actually on TV)."
So he's playing jokes on me now. When I asked him about it, he kept laughing saying "Joke! Mommy funny! Ha! Ha! joke!"
- Yesterday, I had to spend the whole day shopping online for the last touches needed for Alex's new bedroom. Unfortunately, the laptop's wireless connection slows down my internet access, so going to SO many pages was really making this project drag along as the page memory got clogged up. It was taking me longer and longer and even dragged into the post nap time. At around 4 PM, I heard something dragging from Alex's room. He came out dragging his beach tent holder, with the strap around his shoulder and the rest of the tube dragging behind him. He declared "I'm going to beach! Let's go Mommy!" and proceeded to walk towards the front door with it.
He rarely calls me "Mommy", preferring "Mama". When he resorts to Mommy these days, it's an indication that he means business.
- On Thursday, I was cleaning the air conditioner in his new bedroom, which had been sorely neglected through the last season. I had to really tackle the filter and clean the front grill with Q-tips. Alex watched me and then began to grab Q-tips, dragging the ends through the lowest levels of the grill that he could reach. I said "Oh wow! You're helping Mommy! That's a big Yay!". He said "Yeah! Clean up, clean up. Then beach!" Um....that wasn't in the cards for that day.
- I often try to get Alex to tell Dan about his day. He never does. Throughout all of yesterday, Alex continued to ask me when we would go for a walk, a train ride, a boat ride, swimming, etc. I had to keep reminding him that I had said we couldn't go out that day because Mommy had to get a lot of things done before the weekend. So, on THAT day, when Dan came home, Alex decided to tell Dan about his day. "No promises today, Daddy. Boat ride Sunday." (Whenever I make a promise to him about going somewhere, I keep it, so he expects that "promise" means something. I had told him that we would take a boat ride when we went to Ikea again on Sunday.)
- Yesterday, while watching a show during dinner. (Bad, yes, I know). Alex insisted that Pinky Doo was on TV, when I knew it was a different show. He kept saying Pinky Doo there! Hi Pinky Doo!". So, I got up to look at the television to see what character he thinks is Pinky Doo and saw no character drawn like that. Alex burst out laughing, "Ha! Ha! Silly Mommy! No Pinky Doo! It's Kai-Lan! (the character actually on TV)."
So he's playing jokes on me now. When I asked him about it, he kept laughing saying "Joke! Mommy funny! Ha! Ha! joke!"
July 11, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Next Stop, IKEA
In working towards Alex's new room, I took a trip to the IKEA in Red Hook today. It offered the opportunity for Alex to see a whole bunch of things and take a boat ride. Even though he had to stay in his carriage for nearly all of it, he seemed to really enjoy it.
I never noticed just how crowded "Charging Bull" gets with tourists. I used to walk by Charging Bull everyday and it always seemed empty and ignored.
In other news, the depression seems to have moved rush hour. I got on the uptown subway at 7:40 PM and it was packed as if it was 5:40. Scary.
The Ikea in Red Hook, Brooklyn is located right on the shore line with its own dock. Ikea sponsors a water taxi to its dock from Pier 11 in Manhattan, free for Ikea shoppers. I knew that would be more exciting for Alex than the long ride to New Haven. I would just have to bear out the subways with a large carriage, sticking to wheelchair accessible stations.
 |
| Alex experiences the subway. (Bowling Green station) |
A tugboat and an ocean liner (QM II) - both of which excited Alex. The ocean liner pulled out while we were in Ikea and we could see it from the windows. It made him sad.
 |
| Ikea's Dock |
One of the views from the Ikea restaurant. It's so sad that this area of Brooklyn has remained abandoned for so long. When I was little, this area was a really scary place that you just did not enter if you had a choice against it.
 |
| Alex enjoying french fries and Swedish meatballs |
 |
| Alex in lower Manhattan (on the way back home) |
 |
| A tired Alex on the way home |
July 7, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A Boy Needs his Prepositional Phrases
[Transcribed from Alex's Journal]
Mommy and Daddy have been so busy. They've been working on getting Alex into a bigger room that will have art and trains and music! Alex prefers being in the bedroom with Mommy and Daddy, though.
Alex said a two phrase sentence today. He told Daddy. "That's a hole. That's a hole in the wall." Wow! Getting jiggy with phrases and everything!
Alex also likes to announce "Listen!" while he points to his ear whenever he hears an interesting sound. It seems he's listening a great deal.
Mommy and Daddy have been so busy. They've been working on getting Alex into a bigger room that will have art and trains and music! Alex prefers being in the bedroom with Mommy and Daddy, though.
Alex said a two phrase sentence today. He told Daddy. "That's a hole. That's a hole in the wall." Wow! Getting jiggy with phrases and everything!
Alex also likes to announce "Listen!" while he points to his ear whenever he hears an interesting sound. It seems he's listening a great deal.
July 5, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Bye-Bye Park! Say Wha??
Wednesday night, Alex surprised us by saying "Bye, bye playroom. Bedroom now" at about 7:30 PM. Yesterday he stunned me by saying "Bye bye park. Home now". Then he demanded milk and his 'Blink Blink mu-tic' (Baby Einstein classical music videos). I had been so surrendered to the idea that no nap comes anyway no matter what I do that I had delayed leaving the park before he said that. We didn't leave until 12:30, which didn't leave enough time to finish lunch by 1. He didn't get into his crib until 1:30 and I had to wake him at 3. I was less concerned over the fact that it was only an hour and a half than I was stunned that he actually napped at all AND he asked for it!
July 3, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Come Back, Squirrel!
[Transcribed from video]
Alex got another chance to spend a day with Daddy today. Mommy was hard at work at home, moving lots of stuff around for Alex's great, new room.
They took a trip to one of Alex's favorit-est places, Florence Street Park and stayed at the playground for a while. Daddy talked Alex into riding the swings and he loved it - for all of a few minutes. Then, Alex realized that he can't run around and explore while riding the swings. It was a lot more fun to explore the big kid swings, until one swung and smacked him. Then he was back to the bouncy animals he loved as a baby. Then back to the jungle gym. Then a bout of chasing a plastic bag as it blew in the breeze.
There was the usual visit to the tennis courts and to the storm drain, which stole his hay! (After he'd dropped in it, he called for help to get his hay back.) There was even a wagon of babies to stop and greet.
But the most fun came from chasing a squirrel to a tree in front of the tennis courts. "Come back, squirrel", he cried with glee.
He has such fun with Daddy.
Alex got another chance to spend a day with Daddy today. Mommy was hard at work at home, moving lots of stuff around for Alex's great, new room.
They took a trip to one of Alex's favorit-est places, Florence Street Park and stayed at the playground for a while. Daddy talked Alex into riding the swings and he loved it - for all of a few minutes. Then, Alex realized that he can't run around and explore while riding the swings. It was a lot more fun to explore the big kid swings, until one swung and smacked him. Then he was back to the bouncy animals he loved as a baby. Then back to the jungle gym. Then a bout of chasing a plastic bag as it blew in the breeze.
There was the usual visit to the tennis courts and to the storm drain, which stole his hay! (After he'd dropped in it, he called for help to get his hay back.) There was even a wagon of babies to stop and greet.
But the most fun came from chasing a squirrel to a tree in front of the tennis courts. "Come back, squirrel", he cried with glee.
He has such fun with Daddy.
June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Pirate Ship - Arrrr!
[Transcribed from video]
Daddy Adventure Day continued in the Marina Park! They had walked all the way there from Harrison!
Alex loved steering the pirate ship and playing in the sandbox. No matter how tired he might be, there's always time to be a pirate!
Arrr!
Daddy Adventure Day continued in the Marina Park! They had walked all the way there from Harrison!
Alex loved steering the pirate ship and playing in the sandbox. No matter how tired he might be, there's always time to be a pirate!
Arrr!
June 27, 2009
Haircut, Yawn. Playground, Yay!
[Transcribed from video]
Daddy took Alex to get a haircut today. Unlike other haircut times, Alex actually had some fun this time around. He absolutely loved sitting in the car shaped seat and spinning around. He did just fine while the barber combed and cut his hair. He's getting to be a big boy now!
Then Alex and Daddy headed off to the toddler playground near the Harrison train station. He showed Daddy all around the park, pointing out that the jungle gym is shaped like a train (in case Daddy didn't notice) and that sometimes the riding bouncy cars can get hot in the sun. He told Daddy about the fire engine bouncy car too. Alex climbed up to the jungle gym, but he wouldn't yet go down the slide by himself. He just had lots of fun experiencing climbing and walking on it without anyone holding his hand. He was so proud and excited. He checked out every part of the gym, from the bars to the floor with holes in it. He loved pointing out that it was red all over.
When Daddy tried to talk him into sliding down the slide, though, Alex responded with "Nope!".
Daddy did get Alex to ride on the bouncy plane, though. Alex loved when Daddy made fighter plane noises, especially when Alex found that he could make it rock by himself. It was a really hot day, so Daddy let Alex get some water at the lion water fountain (even though Daddy had water with him). Alex was able to push the button and get the lion to give water. "Thanks lion!", Alex declared, but he had a really hard time getting it to give water while he drank. Needs some practice, I think.
Alex was pooped after a while, but no trip to the Toddler Park is complete without a visit to the gazebo. Alex loves to walk around underneath the shade of it. "Yay!" he shouted "We did it!". He had climbed the steps to the gazebo all by himself. (Mommy usually brings the stroller there.)
Still, there were the swings to try before they left. Daddy talked Alex onto them, but he loved it once there.
There was more to see on Daddy Adventure day. It was turning out to be a really fun one!
Daddy took Alex to get a haircut today. Unlike other haircut times, Alex actually had some fun this time around. He absolutely loved sitting in the car shaped seat and spinning around. He did just fine while the barber combed and cut his hair. He's getting to be a big boy now!
Then Alex and Daddy headed off to the toddler playground near the Harrison train station. He showed Daddy all around the park, pointing out that the jungle gym is shaped like a train (in case Daddy didn't notice) and that sometimes the riding bouncy cars can get hot in the sun. He told Daddy about the fire engine bouncy car too. Alex climbed up to the jungle gym, but he wouldn't yet go down the slide by himself. He just had lots of fun experiencing climbing and walking on it without anyone holding his hand. He was so proud and excited. He checked out every part of the gym, from the bars to the floor with holes in it. He loved pointing out that it was red all over.
When Daddy tried to talk him into sliding down the slide, though, Alex responded with "Nope!".
Daddy did get Alex to ride on the bouncy plane, though. Alex loved when Daddy made fighter plane noises, especially when Alex found that he could make it rock by himself. It was a really hot day, so Daddy let Alex get some water at the lion water fountain (even though Daddy had water with him). Alex was able to push the button and get the lion to give water. "Thanks lion!", Alex declared, but he had a really hard time getting it to give water while he drank. Needs some practice, I think.
Alex was pooped after a while, but no trip to the Toddler Park is complete without a visit to the gazebo. Alex loves to walk around underneath the shade of it. "Yay!" he shouted "We did it!". He had climbed the steps to the gazebo all by himself. (Mommy usually brings the stroller there.)
Still, there were the swings to try before they left. Daddy talked Alex onto them, but he loved it once there.
There was more to see on Daddy Adventure day. It was turning out to be a really fun one!
June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
We have a favorite musician!
Alex will often demand her!
"Bertner! Bertner!" "Bertner on? Bertner on teleginjun?"
(Laurie Berkner)
"Bertner! Bertner!" "Bertner on? Bertner on teleginjun?"
(Laurie Berkner)
June 26, 2009
3:11 PM
Proud to be an American
[Transcribed from video]
He waved it around and Daddy explained that the flag was from our country, Alex's country. "Country! Our country!" Alex declared.
He's all prepared for the fourth, it seems.
June 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Daddy Adventures
[Transcribed from video]
Today was a special treat. Alex got to do an adventure with Daddy! Yay!
Daddy took him to the Stamford mall where he ran around the children's play area. He was no longer afraid to climb through the tunnel parts like he used to be. Alex loved being able to run around free with other children and climb on the pretty, soft sculptures. He dashed to the butterfly that once so mystified him.
Then he wanted to climb through the corn-on-the-cob tunnel several times. Yup! He's over his fear of tunnels now. At one point, Alex was so thrilled to be able to run around and scream, he ran up to Daddy and hugged a great big "Thanks". (We know that's what big hugs out of nowhere mean now.)
Today was a special treat. Alex got to do an adventure with Daddy! Yay!
Daddy took him to the Stamford mall where he ran around the children's play area. He was no longer afraid to climb through the tunnel parts like he used to be. Alex loved being able to run around free with other children and climb on the pretty, soft sculptures. He dashed to the butterfly that once so mystified him.
Then he wanted to climb through the corn-on-the-cob tunnel several times. Yup! He's over his fear of tunnels now. At one point, Alex was so thrilled to be able to run around and scream, he ran up to Daddy and hugged a great big "Thanks". (We know that's what big hugs out of nowhere mean now.)
June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
[Transcribed from video]
Alex and I spent the morning creating a Father's Day card for Daddy. We used crayons and his new stickers of pirates and aliens and dinosaurs! Inside, we drew an outline of Alex's hand.
When we gave it to Daddy, I tried to get Alex to say "Happy Father's Day" to Daddy while on camera. He did off camera, but said "No" to an on-camera greeting. He was laughing his shy smile and teasing us until he finally said in a breathy whisper "Happy Father's Day".
Alex and I spent the morning creating a Father's Day card for Daddy. We used crayons and his new stickers of pirates and aliens and dinosaurs! Inside, we drew an outline of Alex's hand.
When we gave it to Daddy, I tried to get Alex to say "Happy Father's Day" to Daddy while on camera. He did off camera, but said "No" to an on-camera greeting. He was laughing his shy smile and teasing us until he finally said in a breathy whisper "Happy Father's Day".
June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Pirate's Island Take Two
[Transcribed from photos as a follow-up]
No rain and thunder to chase us away this time! Yay!
We ended up our great pirate day with a dinner at Captain Salty Dog's. And Daddy joined us!
June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Shoe Tantrums?
Ooooh yes!
Alex will insist on shoes that fit with his plans. If he wants to go to the playground that day, he'll insist on his 'Thomas Shoes' (sneakers). But if it's in his head to go to the beach that day, only his 'beach shoes' will suffice. It could be pouring rain - like it is today - but Alex wants to go to the beach, so he'll demand his beach shoes.
On the rare occasion that he agrees to stay and play indoors, signified by his Blink Blink shirt, he'll demand his 'Blink Blink shoes' too. The Blink Blink shoe demand will also indicate that he wants to go shopping - and will say 'Shopping today!!'
Alex will insist on shoes that fit with his plans. If he wants to go to the playground that day, he'll insist on his 'Thomas Shoes' (sneakers). But if it's in his head to go to the beach that day, only his 'beach shoes' will suffice. It could be pouring rain - like it is today - but Alex wants to go to the beach, so he'll demand his beach shoes.
On the rare occasion that he agrees to stay and play indoors, signified by his Blink Blink shirt, he'll demand his 'Blink Blink shoes' too. The Blink Blink shoe demand will also indicate that he wants to go shopping - and will say 'Shopping today!!'
June 18, 2009
10:22 AM
Monday, June 15, 2009
First Day at Pirate's Island
[Transcribed from video]
Great Captain's Island in Greenwich opened for the summer today. It was a chilly day, but I wanted to make sure that we got first crack at the best seashells on the shore there. I packed us up and headed out to Greenwich. Alex surprised me at the dock. He asked for water in his open mouth cup, the small blue Precious Moments cup. He did great in drinking cold water from it.
On a path from the beach, Alex spotted a bunch of long stalked grasses with flowers. They reminded him of the long grasses in the cultured circle in Grandma's garden in Florida. When we were last there, he and Grandma had lots of fun pulling out dead grasses and weeds from the circle. He looked these grasses over and said "Grandma!" and started to pull at them. Well, these grasses weren't the dead overgrowth that Grandma had been pulling out. They didn't come out so easily.
"It's stuck!" Alex declared while he unsuccessfully tried to pull at the grasses.
Then the thunder started. I asked Alex if he heard the thunder and told him that we had to go home. First he said "Thunder." and I told him that it was thunder and we had to go home. He wasn't too happy about that. "Noooo. Crab! Crab!" he cried, referring to the part of the shore we call "Crab Beach" for the crab shells we so often find there. I convinced him that we had to go to a beach anyway to get the boat and we would see more crab shells there. Our path took us past some water fountains and garbage cans in a picnic area. The crabs were soon forgotten, but he wasn't any happier about leaving the garbage cans and recycling bins behind and, especially, not that water fountain.
We'll be back another day soon.
June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Big Move
[Transcribed from video]
Alex's great, new room is coming. The first step has been taken. We moved his crib into what will soon be our ex-bedroom. He was mystified, for all of a minute or two. Then came the realization that he was in - gasp! - Mama's Bedroom.
First on the list to explore were Mama's make-up brushes. "Baby brush!", he announced about a smaller one. "Mommy brush!" he declared about a larger one. When we tried to solicit his opinion on his crib being in the room, he did his Happy Stomp and said hello to our bed. We redirected his attention to the crib. He said "Dinosaurs!", indicating that he understood that his crib was in the room. Then he Happy Stomped over to Mommy's dresser again.
"Make up!" he declared. Oh how exciting to be in the same room with Mommy's Mystical Make-Up.
Alex's great, new room is coming. The first step has been taken. We moved his crib into what will soon be our ex-bedroom. He was mystified, for all of a minute or two. Then came the realization that he was in - gasp! - Mama's Bedroom.
First on the list to explore were Mama's make-up brushes. "Baby brush!", he announced about a smaller one. "Mommy brush!" he declared about a larger one. When we tried to solicit his opinion on his crib being in the room, he did his Happy Stomp and said hello to our bed. We redirected his attention to the crib. He said "Dinosaurs!", indicating that he understood that his crib was in the room. Then he Happy Stomped over to Mommy's dresser again.
"Make up!" he declared. Oh how exciting to be in the same room with Mommy's Mystical Make-Up.
June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
What's Gonna Work?
I've begun to move Alex's stuff out of the living room in order to make space for my new living room set up. I disassembled his play yard and started moving the pieces to an unobstrusive spot. Alex was eager to help, so he tried to pick up a piece of wall and bring it to me. When he started to do it, he started singing a song from 'Wonder Pets': 'Whas gon' work? Teeeeam work! Whas gon' work? Teeeeeam work!'
June 13, 2009
Starstruck
[Transcribed from video]
During a walk to Mamaroneck Avenue, we saw a most exciting visitor at the corner of Barry Avenue and Boston Post Road. Big, red, furry and animated - yes! It was none other than Elmo! Elmo was at some promotion of Citibank's it appears.
We stopped so that Alex could see his favorite muppet. Alex was really excited when we were on the other side of Boston Post Road. He even cried out "Elmo! Elmo!". When we got close to Elmo, it was another story. Elmo shook Alex's hand and waved. He even gave Alex a nice smiley face ring and some fun bracelets. Alex was just too star-struck to say anything.
Only after we left, did Alex manage to eke out a "Bye, Elmo."
It's so cute when he gets quiet around his heroes.
During a walk to Mamaroneck Avenue, we saw a most exciting visitor at the corner of Barry Avenue and Boston Post Road. Big, red, furry and animated - yes! It was none other than Elmo! Elmo was at some promotion of Citibank's it appears.
We stopped so that Alex could see his favorite muppet. Alex was really excited when we were on the other side of Boston Post Road. He even cried out "Elmo! Elmo!". When we got close to Elmo, it was another story. Elmo shook Alex's hand and waved. He even gave Alex a nice smiley face ring and some fun bracelets. Alex was just too star-struck to say anything.
Only after we left, did Alex manage to eke out a "Bye, Elmo."
It's so cute when he gets quiet around his heroes.
June 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Scary Things
I wallow in my guilt over finding it just too ADORABLE when Alex gets freaked out. I can't help it!
There are several toys like that around here that Alex once loved when he first saw them, now he can't even be in the same room with them. They include a dump truck and fire engine he was given for Christmas. We've been through this with him before, so we know to reintroduce the toy after a few months. But with those two, it's still 'No! Go 'Way! Go 'WAY! Bye-bye fahr enjun! Bye-Bye duntruck!'
There are a couple of things I know to not reintroduce at this time, because they scared him enough to scream and cry. They include a giggle sticky-man kind of toy that makes silly google noises when you shake him, an entire DVD of Thomas the Tank Engine because of one episode that involves an opera singer screaming over mice in a train car and opening the ferret cage anywhere near Alex. (The ferret loves Alex and vice versa, but Dan once yanked his arm back quickly to avoid getting scratched by the ferret and Alex freaked. Now he hates seeing it open.)
There are several toys like that around here that Alex once loved when he first saw them, now he can't even be in the same room with them. They include a dump truck and fire engine he was given for Christmas. We've been through this with him before, so we know to reintroduce the toy after a few months. But with those two, it's still 'No! Go 'Way! Go 'WAY! Bye-bye fahr enjun! Bye-Bye duntruck!'
There are a couple of things I know to not reintroduce at this time, because they scared him enough to scream and cry. They include a giggle sticky-man kind of toy that makes silly google noises when you shake him, an entire DVD of Thomas the Tank Engine because of one episode that involves an opera singer screaming over mice in a train car and opening the ferret cage anywhere near Alex. (The ferret loves Alex and vice versa, but Dan once yanked his arm back quickly to avoid getting scratched by the ferret and Alex freaked. Now he hates seeing it open.)
June 9, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Memories
[Transcribed from video]
We've begun our big bedroom switch, which involves getting rid of a lot of baby stuff that Alex can no longer use. He was very interested in the dangling toy that used to hang over his bouncy activity table. He asked me what it was and what the items were that hung from it. He was not very interested in parting with it after that.
As long as I can sneak it out later, we'll be fine. For now, he can remember being a baby for a little while longer.
We've begun our big bedroom switch, which involves getting rid of a lot of baby stuff that Alex can no longer use. He was very interested in the dangling toy that used to hang over his bouncy activity table. He asked me what it was and what the items were that hung from it. He was not very interested in parting with it after that.
As long as I can sneak it out later, we'll be fine. For now, he can remember being a baby for a little while longer.
June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Craaaazy Baby! Crazy Ferret!
[Transcribed from video]
We moved Loki into the living room today. Alex just went nuts! Each time Loki came to the front of the cage and moved around, Alex would scream and run in circles. Loki loved it too. He was getting someone play with him and pay attention to him. "Loki, yaaaaaay!"
At one point, after Alex had been calling "Lo-keeee!", he stated that Loki was sleeping. We said we doubted that Loki would be getting much sleep right now. Loki was using the potty, though. Maybe he'll be setting a good example.
When Loki tried to nibble on Alex's finger, Alex said "No!" Luckily Loki understood. I crawled over to where Alex was standing to watch Loki and Alex told me "Up Mama! Up!". When I asked him why he said "Handle! Handle!" while he was grabbing the bars of the cage. Clearly he wanted me to open the door to the cage. For Loki's sake, that won't be happening.
But Alex was in such a great mood about having Loki in the room that I got a hug and kiss out of the deal. Then he found the Dirt Devil and tried to plug it in, which he couldn't because the outlets are stopped. "Vacuum cleaner!" he said. (He usually called it a "mower") Don't worry, Loki. He likes that thing about as much as you do. Actually, even less.
I love my crazy baby.
We moved Loki into the living room today. Alex just went nuts! Each time Loki came to the front of the cage and moved around, Alex would scream and run in circles. Loki loved it too. He was getting someone play with him and pay attention to him. "Loki, yaaaaaay!"
At one point, after Alex had been calling "Lo-keeee!", he stated that Loki was sleeping. We said we doubted that Loki would be getting much sleep right now. Loki was using the potty, though. Maybe he'll be setting a good example.
When Loki tried to nibble on Alex's finger, Alex said "No!" Luckily Loki understood. I crawled over to where Alex was standing to watch Loki and Alex told me "Up Mama! Up!". When I asked him why he said "Handle! Handle!" while he was grabbing the bars of the cage. Clearly he wanted me to open the door to the cage. For Loki's sake, that won't be happening.
But Alex was in such a great mood about having Loki in the room that I got a hug and kiss out of the deal. Then he found the Dirt Devil and tried to plug it in, which he couldn't because the outlets are stopped. "Vacuum cleaner!" he said. (He usually called it a "mower") Don't worry, Loki. He likes that thing about as much as you do. Actually, even less.
I love my crazy baby.
June 5, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Happy June, Everyone!
[From our Special Book]
It's June and summer is almost here!
Here are a few things that make up Alex's Fun World at this time:
- Construction vehicles
- Being outside
- Raisins
- Playing with Loki
- Tang
- Mickey Mouse shows
- His new barn toy (bought at the Children's Carnival toy sale)
[from Alex's Journal]
Mommy says I'm learning so fast! She wants to write my funny sayings down. I say things like "Sign man ride" - which Mommy still doesn't understand and that makes me laugh.* I also say things like "sissapha" for "cement mixer" and I can sing the Backyardigans song.
* Mommy eventually figured out that this meant a commercial van with a logo or writing on the side.
It's June and summer is almost here!
Here are a few things that make up Alex's Fun World at this time:
- Construction vehicles
- Being outside
- Raisins
- Playing with Loki
- Tang
- Mickey Mouse shows
- His new barn toy (bought at the Children's Carnival toy sale)
[from Alex's Journal]
Mommy says I'm learning so fast! She wants to write my funny sayings down. I say things like "Sign man ride" - which Mommy still doesn't understand and that makes me laugh.* I also say things like "sissapha" for "cement mixer" and I can sing the Backyardigans song.
* Mommy eventually figured out that this meant a commercial van with a logo or writing on the side.
June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
A Barbeque Adventure
[Transcribed from video]
Daddy took Alex to a barbeque at Uncle Man's (Chris) house today. What an adventure!
Chris's cat wasn't too happy to see Alex coming, especially since Alex was all about finding "Kitty" and Kitty didn't want to be found. Chris said that she likes to be chased, but not found. She seemed happiest when Alex was on the outside of the screen door and she was inside. Alex then offered to help Chris out with his gardening by picking up a shovel and trying to scoop up the leaves from the porch. Then Alex thought it was hilarious that Kitty was watching him from inside the screen door.
Soon, it was time to explore what Alex would come to call "The Jungle". Not that Chris' backyard isn't well cultivated. It is. But Alex wasn't used to seeing so many different plants in one place in which he was also allowed to walk around. There was even a cool iron bench surrounded by ivy that he could climb on and no one stopped him from stepping on the plants! What fun!
Daddy and Alex had tons of fun playing swords and chase in The Jungle. Alex can't wait to go back!
Daddy took Alex to a barbeque at Uncle Man's (Chris) house today. What an adventure!
Chris's cat wasn't too happy to see Alex coming, especially since Alex was all about finding "Kitty" and Kitty didn't want to be found. Chris said that she likes to be chased, but not found. She seemed happiest when Alex was on the outside of the screen door and she was inside. Alex then offered to help Chris out with his gardening by picking up a shovel and trying to scoop up the leaves from the porch. Then Alex thought it was hilarious that Kitty was watching him from inside the screen door.
Soon, it was time to explore what Alex would come to call "The Jungle". Not that Chris' backyard isn't well cultivated. It is. But Alex wasn't used to seeing so many different plants in one place in which he was also allowed to walk around. There was even a cool iron bench surrounded by ivy that he could climb on and no one stopped him from stepping on the plants! What fun!
Daddy and Alex had tons of fun playing swords and chase in The Jungle. Alex can't wait to go back!
May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Learning Letters
[Transcribed from video]
Alex has a Blue's Room DVD that contains an episode about the alphabet. This evening while I was making dinner, Alex tried to follow along with Blue by arranging the magnetic letters on his new easel.
Then he pulled his little yellow wagon around the dining room table a few times and called for "Cheese Toast!" for dinner. Daddy got him to follow along with the video again and sing the Alphabet Song a few times.
Oh well. Yay, letters!
Alex has a Blue's Room DVD that contains an episode about the alphabet. This evening while I was making dinner, Alex tried to follow along with Blue by arranging the magnetic letters on his new easel.
Then he pulled his little yellow wagon around the dining room table a few times and called for "Cheese Toast!" for dinner. Daddy got him to follow along with the video again and sing the Alphabet Song a few times.
Oh well. Yay, letters!
May 24, 2009
Go 'WAY Scary Toys!
[Transcribed from video]
Alex has several toys of which he's afraid. I've been trying to reintroduce them to him, bringing them out periodically just to see if he would play with them. Today was not the day.
I took out a cute fire truck that he got for his first Christmas. It makes cute sounds and bounces up and down. He's banished it to the closet ever since. While I was trying to reintroduce it this afternoon, he announced "Go-way! Bye-Bye!" He wouldn't even let me play with it to show him that it's not that scary anymore.
Back to the closet with you, fire truck!
Alex has several toys of which he's afraid. I've been trying to reintroduce them to him, bringing them out periodically just to see if he would play with them. Today was not the day.
I took out a cute fire truck that he got for his first Christmas. It makes cute sounds and bounces up and down. He's banished it to the closet ever since. While I was trying to reintroduce it this afternoon, he announced "Go-way! Bye-Bye!" He wouldn't even let me play with it to show him that it's not that scary anymore.
Back to the closet with you, fire truck!
May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ee-I, Ee-I, Ohhhhh!
[Transcribed from video]
Today, I brought Alex to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. I stopped off at the supermarket to buy our picnic lunch and then headed off to the train station. Alex loves riding trains and buses - which we took in Stamford. He wasn't prepared for what we'd be doing, though. He got to run around a real live farm!
I parked the stroller near an animal pen close to the entrance and hooked him up to the puppy leash. He took off like a bandit! "Goats!" he cried when he saw that there were animals behind the fences. "Come on!" he cried to me as he ran to see what was next. He wanted me to open the barn (the classroom building there), but it was closed. "Barn open!" he insisted - but it wasn't. I had to make sure he saw where the goats were.
We came up to more goats, two of whom were smartly staying in the shade of their shelter. Alex called to the goats, but they wouldn't budge. "Goat is stuck", he told me. I told him that the goat was fine. He was just smarter than we were and was choosing to stay out of the hot sun.
Some ducks were sunning themselves on the bank of a nearby stream. Alex was delighted to chase after them - quacking all the way. Then they went into the stream and I had to stop him from following them. It was back to the stuck goats then. He amazed me by picking up loose straw from outside the gates and pushing it into the pen saying "Here goats!" How did he know that goats like hay and grass? Two baby goats were all too glad for Alex's presence, even when he pet them. Then he walked off without so much as a "By your leave." I asked him if he was going to say goodbye to the goats and he snooted "No!"
He soon discovered his favorite part - the chicken coop loaded with new chicks. He didn't want to leave those chickens for anything! Except for, of course, the new baby sheep. The lambs were bleating for their mommies and Alex was thrilled! Each time they bleated, he burst into laughter. "Funny!" he said and then he bleated back to them, hoping they'd respond. Then a sheep bleated at him and he said "Daddy sheep." I was pretty sure it was a Mommy Sheep, I told him.
The sheep continued to entertain him past the point of checking out a horse. This gigantic equine came a little too close for Mommy's comfort, though. It easily leaned over its fence and sniffeed around the front of Alex's stroller. Seems this horse is used to the idea that strollers usually contain sweet stuff. That sure got Alex's attention. Now he thought the horse was the funniest character on the farm. Between the sheep's bleating and the horse's begging, Alex was delighted. He wanted to get the horse to try to take a treat from him. When it didn't comply, (knowing there was no treat), Alex was done. "Bye-bye horse!" he told the animal.
He wanted to entertain the lambs again.
We stopped to say goodbye to the lambs and sheep. Alex tried to get them to bleat by playing his stroller toy music and honking it's horn. He had more success when he bleated at them.
Alex told me that he wanted to see the chickens before we left, but by the time we got back to the coop, he told me "No more."
Wow! I finally found the point at which Alex will finally say he wants to go home! Poor, tired baby. Bye-bye farm!
Of course, that didn't stop him from asking when we could go to the farm again.
Today, I brought Alex to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. I stopped off at the supermarket to buy our picnic lunch and then headed off to the train station. Alex loves riding trains and buses - which we took in Stamford. He wasn't prepared for what we'd be doing, though. He got to run around a real live farm!
I parked the stroller near an animal pen close to the entrance and hooked him up to the puppy leash. He took off like a bandit! "Goats!" he cried when he saw that there were animals behind the fences. "Come on!" he cried to me as he ran to see what was next. He wanted me to open the barn (the classroom building there), but it was closed. "Barn open!" he insisted - but it wasn't. I had to make sure he saw where the goats were.
We came up to more goats, two of whom were smartly staying in the shade of their shelter. Alex called to the goats, but they wouldn't budge. "Goat is stuck", he told me. I told him that the goat was fine. He was just smarter than we were and was choosing to stay out of the hot sun.
Some ducks were sunning themselves on the bank of a nearby stream. Alex was delighted to chase after them - quacking all the way. Then they went into the stream and I had to stop him from following them. It was back to the stuck goats then. He amazed me by picking up loose straw from outside the gates and pushing it into the pen saying "Here goats!" How did he know that goats like hay and grass? Two baby goats were all too glad for Alex's presence, even when he pet them. Then he walked off without so much as a "By your leave." I asked him if he was going to say goodbye to the goats and he snooted "No!"
He soon discovered his favorite part - the chicken coop loaded with new chicks. He didn't want to leave those chickens for anything! Except for, of course, the new baby sheep. The lambs were bleating for their mommies and Alex was thrilled! Each time they bleated, he burst into laughter. "Funny!" he said and then he bleated back to them, hoping they'd respond. Then a sheep bleated at him and he said "Daddy sheep." I was pretty sure it was a Mommy Sheep, I told him.
The sheep continued to entertain him past the point of checking out a horse. This gigantic equine came a little too close for Mommy's comfort, though. It easily leaned over its fence and sniffeed around the front of Alex's stroller. Seems this horse is used to the idea that strollers usually contain sweet stuff. That sure got Alex's attention. Now he thought the horse was the funniest character on the farm. Between the sheep's bleating and the horse's begging, Alex was delighted. He wanted to get the horse to try to take a treat from him. When it didn't comply, (knowing there was no treat), Alex was done. "Bye-bye horse!" he told the animal.
He wanted to entertain the lambs again.
We stopped to say goodbye to the lambs and sheep. Alex tried to get them to bleat by playing his stroller toy music and honking it's horn. He had more success when he bleated at them.
Alex told me that he wanted to see the chickens before we left, but by the time we got back to the coop, he told me "No more."
Wow! I finally found the point at which Alex will finally say he wants to go home! Poor, tired baby. Bye-bye farm!
Of course, that didn't stop him from asking when we could go to the farm again.
May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Long Walk - Quack!
This morning, I tried a morning outing in order to tire Alex out pre-nap. I overshot what his energy level could handle. I wound up taking him to the pond park at Mamaroneck Station, but we walked the entire way. A walk that usually takes me about 15 minutes wound up taking over an hour because of all of Alex's stops. Nine out of ten of those stops were usually an attempt to walk into someone's house, garden or up their driveway. By the time we were two blocks away from the park, Alex was stumbling when he tried to walk. It was only just after noon at the time. He's never tired at noon any longer!
Being only two blocks away, I decided to keep going towards the pond, but the station parking lot was too big an attraction. As we passed parked cars, Alex tried to to enter the larger parking lot along its side and I'd have to yank him back. Then he'd resist by falling on the ground, which resulted in my picking him up and walking past the next car, which led him to try to wiggle out of my arms saying "Down! Down" and I'd put him down and we'd start all over with the next two cars.
When we finally got to the bridge over the pond, we stopped and it took him a while to even notice the pond below. Some more nudging away from an open divider wall and into the park to see some goslings in the grass. He couldn't even see them. (He didn't know what to look for). A few pictures and a few struggled steps towards the pond - all the while pulling him back from the bridge - and a man in the park asked me if I had the time. It was 25 minutes past noon.
It had taken nearly 25 minutes to walk two blocks and get past the parking lot. Ooops! I guess I underestimated just how long this would take. I realized that we couldn't stay in the park for very long if I wanted Alex home for a 1 PM nap. I also realized that there was no way in hell I'd make it home by 1 PM if I let Alex walk it all. I'd have to carry Alex the way home if I wanted to make it back by shortly after 1. Oh dear.
I guess no nap is happening after all.
Being only two blocks away, I decided to keep going towards the pond, but the station parking lot was too big an attraction. As we passed parked cars, Alex tried to to enter the larger parking lot along its side and I'd have to yank him back. Then he'd resist by falling on the ground, which resulted in my picking him up and walking past the next car, which led him to try to wiggle out of my arms saying "Down! Down" and I'd put him down and we'd start all over with the next two cars.
When we finally got to the bridge over the pond, we stopped and it took him a while to even notice the pond below. Some more nudging away from an open divider wall and into the park to see some goslings in the grass. He couldn't even see them. (He didn't know what to look for). A few pictures and a few struggled steps towards the pond - all the while pulling him back from the bridge - and a man in the park asked me if I had the time. It was 25 minutes past noon.
It had taken nearly 25 minutes to walk two blocks and get past the parking lot. Ooops! I guess I underestimated just how long this would take. I realized that we couldn't stay in the park for very long if I wanted Alex home for a 1 PM nap. I also realized that there was no way in hell I'd make it home by 1 PM if I let Alex walk it all. I'd have to carry Alex the way home if I wanted to make it back by shortly after 1. Oh dear.
I guess no nap is happening after all.
May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
No Work Today Mama!
Alex is in full-blown nap striking behavior lately. I've tried working around it, but it's just not working. Right now I've tried to fold laundry, but he yanks it out of my hand and throws it back into the basket saying 'All done. Bye-bye.'. I've tried picking up his toys and sweeping under his playmats, but he just grabs every toy I touch yelling 'No!' if I try to put it away."
I think I get the message.
I think I get the message.
May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Mommy Moon
Alex did wind up napping today, but for just about 45-60 minutes, because I can't let him sleep later than 3:30 to make sure he'll go to bed at a decent hour. In the process of entertaining him after nap, I tossed away worries of getting any cleaning done and just dove into the moment.
He found a cabinet containing some items I hadn't used in some time, along with some positive affirmation books I'd been reminded of recently. Instead of taking the dangerous items away from him right away, I sat down on the floor and went over them with him. He was so intrigued by so much in this cabinet, which contained several different decks of tarot cards, some hardcover notebooks, a stone case of runes, candlesticks and incense - both stick and oil jar form. I showed him how to smell each of the oil and stick incense scents - and he only liked the Jasmine and the Peppermint. He didn't much care for the pictures on the tarot cards. He loved the runes and he called their small stone container a 'pirate ship chest' which he pronounces 'pye-ra-ship jest'.
He absolutely loved the notebook with the cover that portrays a faced moon surrounded by stars. He kept saying 'Moon is happy' and to the inside pages containing a faced sun and a faced moon, he said 'Daddy Sun' 'Mommy Moon'. Then he went on about the moon. "Mommy moon. Moon is happy. Mommy moon." Is he saying that he thinks I'm happy most of the time? I hope so.
He latched onto a pair of candlesticks I bought in Bed, Bath & Beyond some 15-16 years ago. They have dangling charms of a sun and a disc and some crystals and he called them "Bells". He kept on strumming the charms with his finger making bell sounds. He wouldn't let go of them all day.
After his discovery of all my new-Agey things, he wanted to draw in our special picture book - a blank notebook in which he draws on the right side of an open page set and I draw on the left. I drew a faced moon and star and he was elated. "That's a moon! Moon is happy! Star! Star is happy!"
He found a cabinet containing some items I hadn't used in some time, along with some positive affirmation books I'd been reminded of recently. Instead of taking the dangerous items away from him right away, I sat down on the floor and went over them with him. He was so intrigued by so much in this cabinet, which contained several different decks of tarot cards, some hardcover notebooks, a stone case of runes, candlesticks and incense - both stick and oil jar form. I showed him how to smell each of the oil and stick incense scents - and he only liked the Jasmine and the Peppermint. He didn't much care for the pictures on the tarot cards. He loved the runes and he called their small stone container a 'pirate ship chest' which he pronounces 'pye-ra-ship jest'.
He absolutely loved the notebook with the cover that portrays a faced moon surrounded by stars. He kept saying 'Moon is happy' and to the inside pages containing a faced sun and a faced moon, he said 'Daddy Sun' 'Mommy Moon'. Then he went on about the moon. "Mommy moon. Moon is happy. Mommy moon." Is he saying that he thinks I'm happy most of the time? I hope so.
He latched onto a pair of candlesticks I bought in Bed, Bath & Beyond some 15-16 years ago. They have dangling charms of a sun and a disc and some crystals and he called them "Bells". He kept on strumming the charms with his finger making bell sounds. He wouldn't let go of them all day.
After his discovery of all my new-Agey things, he wanted to draw in our special picture book - a blank notebook in which he draws on the right side of an open page set and I draw on the left. I drew a faced moon and star and he was elated. "That's a moon! Moon is happy! Star! Star is happy!"
May 19, 2009
No Sleep for Ferrets
Alex had some laughs with a Bunnytown song about healthy eating. It was a rap song that called out "Milk and Cheese!" coming from cows. Alex was bopping and rhyming right along.
Then he was done with Puzzle Time and went to wake up Loki. Bye-bye Bunnytown!
Then he was done with Puzzle Time and went to wake up Loki. Bye-bye Bunnytown!
May 19, 2009
Goooo Wonder Pets, Yaayy!
After we played with some new age treasures for a while, I knew I had to run out to the supermarket, having forgotten coffee and tin foil on Sunday. But I didn't want to. We just kept playing with these new things until I couldn't put it off any longer. I stopped at the drug store to see if I could find a decorative box I need and we passed by a group of Beanie Babies. He was thrilled to see Beanie Babies of the Backyardigans and of the Wonder Pets. He was exclaiming "Backyardigans" over and over and I had planned to get him a new Beanie Babie yet, so I told him he could pick one. I expected he'd want Pablo or Tyrone - the two more interesting male characters. I knew also that he loved Uniqua because he has a Pirate Uniqua bath toy.
He stunned me when he yelled out "Tasha! Tasha!" - the very girly yellow hippo. I didn't even remember the character's name. I let him hold her and he hugged her tight saying her name over and over again and laughing. I was deciding on whether I should go with this one until he saw Ming Ming of the Wonder Pets. That was it for Tasha. I pulled out all three and asked him to decide which one he wanted. He held all three and then scooped them into his arms and hugged them tightly, rocking them back and forth as if they were babies.
Sap that I am, I got him all three. He spent the entire time in the supermarket and the walk home and even afterwards hugging them for dear life. He wanted to see the Wonder Pets right now with his new dolls, but I couldn't comply.
We got into the living room and he continued to hug them all - while suddenly calling out "TASHA!" I guess he'd just remembered her. Thankfully, Tasha would be coming on Noggin soon.
This will be a late evening, which I expected anyway. But a large part of it will now be my fault. Instead of fretting about my violated expectations over his nap and what I was "supposed to do" today, I redirected and had fun. Dinner will be late, but - whatever.
Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets we're on our way!
He stunned me when he yelled out "Tasha! Tasha!" - the very girly yellow hippo. I didn't even remember the character's name. I let him hold her and he hugged her tight saying her name over and over again and laughing. I was deciding on whether I should go with this one until he saw Ming Ming of the Wonder Pets. That was it for Tasha. I pulled out all three and asked him to decide which one he wanted. He held all three and then scooped them into his arms and hugged them tightly, rocking them back and forth as if they were babies.
Sap that I am, I got him all three. He spent the entire time in the supermarket and the walk home and even afterwards hugging them for dear life. He wanted to see the Wonder Pets right now with his new dolls, but I couldn't comply.
We got into the living room and he continued to hug them all - while suddenly calling out "TASHA!" I guess he'd just remembered her. Thankfully, Tasha would be coming on Noggin soon.
This will be a late evening, which I expected anyway. But a large part of it will now be my fault. Instead of fretting about my violated expectations over his nap and what I was "supposed to do" today, I redirected and had fun. Dinner will be late, but - whatever.
Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets we're on our way!
May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ready to Go Out!
[Transcribed from video]
Alex has connected putting shoes on with going outside. That would be any shoes - even Mommy's. This afternoon, he stomped around the living room in Mommy's sneakers and announced that he had "shoes!" and "out!" with "Diego!"
All set for his own adventure with Diego, I guess.
Alex has connected putting shoes on with going outside. That would be any shoes - even Mommy's. This afternoon, he stomped around the living room in Mommy's sneakers and announced that he had "shoes!" and "out!" with "Diego!"
All set for his own adventure with Diego, I guess.
May 17, 2009
4:22 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Pony Express - No
[Transcribed from video]
Today, we went to the Methodist Church Children's Carnival in Rye. Alex didn't quite know what to make of it. He wasn't thrilled with the ponies, thinking they were just hilarious. Riding the pony was another story. He said he wanted to. As soon as it got too bouncy, though, he was all about the "Down! Down!"
A favorite part was the toy sale. He got a Lightning McQueen, a siss-a-sah mixer (cement mixer) and a duntruck (dump truck). He wouldn't let go of them all day. So the rest of the rides just didn't hold interest. He did enjoy the idea of dumping a small ball in a basketball hoop. Really, he liked the idea of the small soccer ball he got to play with. Our trip home was fun for him. He got his own ticket and everything! (At least he had the ride tickets from the carnival and he called them tickets for the train.)
The cement mixer and the dump truck. They were the highlights. Them and the cookies.
I'd say the carnival was a win.
Today, we went to the Methodist Church Children's Carnival in Rye. Alex didn't quite know what to make of it. He wasn't thrilled with the ponies, thinking they were just hilarious. Riding the pony was another story. He said he wanted to. As soon as it got too bouncy, though, he was all about the "Down! Down!"
A favorite part was the toy sale. He got a Lightning McQueen, a siss-a-sah mixer (cement mixer) and a duntruck (dump truck). He wouldn't let go of them all day. So the rest of the rides just didn't hold interest. He did enjoy the idea of dumping a small ball in a basketball hoop. Really, he liked the idea of the small soccer ball he got to play with. Our trip home was fun for him. He got his own ticket and everything! (At least he had the ride tickets from the carnival and he called them tickets for the train.)
The cement mixer and the dump truck. They were the highlights. Them and the cookies.
I'd say the carnival was a win.
May 16, 2009
Little Griper
Lately, Alex has been mocking me when he's frustrated with a lack of doing what he wants. Well, it's really more like a list of mutterings about what I've said in the past. 'Bubbles...no. Bubbles....later. Bubbles...soon! Outside....later! Playground....later!'
('Bubbles' means play soap bubbles with a wand or machine.)
That will come out if I've taken something he shouldn't have away from him, as if he's listing all of my annoying impositions.
He's also given to signaling the end of the conversation (as far as he's concerned) with 'OK'. 'NO! Ok.' As if his 'No' was the final word on the subject.
He also banishes things he doesn't like with 'Go 'Way! Bye-Bye! Go 'Way!'
And his newest plea 'Puzzle Time!' He likes to play the Ty.com's web page games. His Beanie Baby registered there is 'Wolfie' ('Sledder' the Alsatian). So, he'll ask 'Puzzle Time? Feed Wolfie!' when he wants to play the game. Then he plays for about 10 minutes and moves on to seeing our real live ferret with 'Loki, sleepin'. Wake up Loki!!'
Thankfully, Loki doesn't mind being woken up and loves the company.
('Bubbles' means play soap bubbles with a wand or machine.)
That will come out if I've taken something he shouldn't have away from him, as if he's listing all of my annoying impositions.
He's also given to signaling the end of the conversation (as far as he's concerned) with 'OK'. 'NO! Ok.' As if his 'No' was the final word on the subject.
He also banishes things he doesn't like with 'Go 'Way! Bye-Bye! Go 'Way!'
And his newest plea 'Puzzle Time!' He likes to play the Ty.com's web page games. His Beanie Baby registered there is 'Wolfie' ('Sledder' the Alsatian). So, he'll ask 'Puzzle Time? Feed Wolfie!' when he wants to play the game. Then he plays for about 10 minutes and moves on to seeing our real live ferret with 'Loki, sleepin'. Wake up Loki!!'
Thankfully, Loki doesn't mind being woken up and loves the company.
May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Pot Meet Kettle
When we see a child acting out, Alex will often give the yelling/fit-throwing child the scary eyeball and I'll be there silently scared about when (not if) it's going to happen to me. In the supermarket the other day, he even commented about a little boy who was crying and screaming about wanting a large bag of potato chips of his own. Alex kept repeating 'Baby is yelling! No yelling. Sshhh.' I moved us to another aisle so that the parents would be less likely to hear him and mumbled to him 'Oh you think you'll never act like that. Just wait.'
May 15, 2009
11:13 AM
Alexisms - Words
These are some of Alex's mispronounciations of late. I captured them while we did a new picture in our Special Book with his new construction stickers.
"It's Da Roller!" - the asphalt roller
"Siss-sa-SAH!" - Cement Mixer
And of the large bucket loader
"It's Big Truck!"
Mommy just drew a springy picture with bugs.
"It's Da Roller!" - the asphalt roller
"Siss-sa-SAH!" - Cement Mixer
And of the large bucket loader
"It's Big Truck!"
Mommy just drew a springy picture with bugs.
May 15, 2009
Gardener
I had wanted to buy Alex some plants to 'take care of' (or call 'his' anyway ). At the supermarket the other day, I spotted potted plants on my way out in a Buy-One-Get-One-Free sale. I thought it was perfect opportunity to get Alex 'his' plants. One of the plants he chose was a rose bush. I laughed to myself thinking that at least he'd see the new buds bloom, but figured that, at best, I can keep a rose bush alive for about 3 months. Another potted plant that came my way this week was the Bonsai Dan gave me for Mother's Day. Another one I'd figure I'd not really be able to keep alive.
May 15,2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Yay! It's Puzzle Time!
[Transcribed from video]
Mommy and Alex played some Puzzle Time today. Mama tried to get Alex to play "Make a Wish" in which he has to choose any of 1, 2 or 3 in order to win beans to his account. Mama had to make the guesses for him while Alex got excited about winning - when Mama told him that he won.
Mama thinks that Alex just likes all of the bleep and bloop sounds that the games make. That and the Town House crackers that come with Puzzle Time. He also likes Harriet Honeypot at the General Store who encourages you along as you try to guess how many beans are in the jar. When we didn't win those beans, Alex was done. It was time to get down and see Loki.
PS. He calls it "Puzzle Time" because of the Nick, Jr. interstitials that play a game with viewers. Moose A. Moose calls it "Puzzle Time!"
Mommy and Alex played some Puzzle Time today. Mama tried to get Alex to play "Make a Wish" in which he has to choose any of 1, 2 or 3 in order to win beans to his account. Mama had to make the guesses for him while Alex got excited about winning - when Mama told him that he won.
Mama thinks that Alex just likes all of the bleep and bloop sounds that the games make. That and the Town House crackers that come with Puzzle Time. He also likes Harriet Honeypot at the General Store who encourages you along as you try to guess how many beans are in the jar. When we didn't win those beans, Alex was done. It was time to get down and see Loki.
PS. He calls it "Puzzle Time" because of the Nick, Jr. interstitials that play a game with viewers. Moose A. Moose calls it "Puzzle Time!"
May 8, 2009
Yip Yips!
Just not happening. I've been trying to access my online course this morning, but as soon as Alex sees me at the laptop, he wants to play 'Puzzle Time' (what he calls the Ty.com beanie babies game website) or he wants to see the 'Yip Yips' (video of the Sesame Street martians I found on YouTube.)
We played trucks and trains a lot today. We danced and sang a lot to a new Toddler Tunes music station I found. We had cereal for breakfast and cheese toast for a late lunch. At lunch, he took two slices of banana and had them "Hug". When I asked about the banana pieces hugging, he identified the larger piece as "Mama Banana" and the smaller one as "Baby Banana" and then said "Mama and Baby hug!". Then he ate both pieces. Dinner was a collection of left over chicken and pork shish kabobs topped off with Dulce de Leche ice cream. Alex was more into having his ice cream than eating it, but eventually he dove right in.
And, of course, Puzzle Time!
I can't wait until our play time is uninterrupted.
We played trucks and trains a lot today. We danced and sang a lot to a new Toddler Tunes music station I found. We had cereal for breakfast and cheese toast for a late lunch. At lunch, he took two slices of banana and had them "Hug". When I asked about the banana pieces hugging, he identified the larger piece as "Mama Banana" and the smaller one as "Baby Banana" and then said "Mama and Baby hug!". Then he ate both pieces. Dinner was a collection of left over chicken and pork shish kabobs topped off with Dulce de Leche ice cream. Alex was more into having his ice cream than eating it, but eventually he dove right in.
And, of course, Puzzle Time!
I can't wait until our play time is uninterrupted.
May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Serious Shopper
[Transcribed from video]
Daddy was delighted by Alex's magazine browsing. Alex loves to look through catalogues and magazines so that he can identify the pictures. He saw a "cat-tus" in this magazine. He continued to enjoy the magazines while he had his corn with dinner. He wasn't too thrilled to see a "red pepper" in his bowl. He never believes Mama when she tells him that he really liked bell peppers once.
Then Daddy entertained Alex by making the "Sssssss" sound for "Sssssilly sssssnake". That was worth lots of laughs! So was the tickle session afterwards in which Daddy played one of Alex's long time favorite games. He grabbed Alex's face with his open hand. We found that Alex can give "Hi 5" too!
Then Alex wanted some orange. Play time over!
Daddy was delighted by Alex's magazine browsing. Alex loves to look through catalogues and magazines so that he can identify the pictures. He saw a "cat-tus" in this magazine. He continued to enjoy the magazines while he had his corn with dinner. He wasn't too thrilled to see a "red pepper" in his bowl. He never believes Mama when she tells him that he really liked bell peppers once.
Then Daddy entertained Alex by making the "Sssssss" sound for "Sssssilly sssssnake". That was worth lots of laughs! So was the tickle session afterwards in which Daddy played one of Alex's long time favorite games. He grabbed Alex's face with his open hand. We found that Alex can give "Hi 5" too!
Then Alex wanted some orange. Play time over!
May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Kiwi Love
No studying yet, but Kiwi love has found it's place here.
Alex has a beautiful ABC book that I found on one of our vacations last fall. He's loved it ever since we found it. Since then, he's dedicated himself to learning the names of every picture in the book. The 'K' page contains a picture of a Kangaroo, a Key and a Kiwi (fruit). I suppose the authors were trying to challenge children with the two words being so similar. Alex was once perplexed by this page, never having seen an image of a kiwi before. The distiction between 'Key' and 'Kiwi' was one of his favorite challenges in the book.
Yesterday, he conquered 'Kiwi' on his own. He proudly declared the name of the fruit and pointed to it repeatedly. 'Kiwi! Look! Kiwi! But that's a Key!' So this morning, I dashed out to the supermarket to get some milk and fresh fruit, including Alex's reward for having conquered this puzzle. I bought him two kiwis. I showed him the picture in the book and he declared "Kiwi!" and I pulled out a real kiwi. He was thrilled, grabbed the fruit and ran around the living room saying "Kiwi. I got a kiwi."
He wouldn't give it back, so I peeled and cut up the other one for breakfast. He wouldn't eat any pieces, because they were green and not brown like the fruit he held in his hand. Instead, he held tight onto the whole kiwi and bit into it here and there, enjoying the taste of the juice.
The rest of the morning was a challenge in getting this poor mangled kiwi - growing softer with each bite and squeeze - away from an ever stickier Alex.
But no studying yet. Oh well.
Alex has a beautiful ABC book that I found on one of our vacations last fall. He's loved it ever since we found it. Since then, he's dedicated himself to learning the names of every picture in the book. The 'K' page contains a picture of a Kangaroo, a Key and a Kiwi (fruit). I suppose the authors were trying to challenge children with the two words being so similar. Alex was once perplexed by this page, never having seen an image of a kiwi before. The distiction between 'Key' and 'Kiwi' was one of his favorite challenges in the book.
Yesterday, he conquered 'Kiwi' on his own. He proudly declared the name of the fruit and pointed to it repeatedly. 'Kiwi! Look! Kiwi! But that's a Key!' So this morning, I dashed out to the supermarket to get some milk and fresh fruit, including Alex's reward for having conquered this puzzle. I bought him two kiwis. I showed him the picture in the book and he declared "Kiwi!" and I pulled out a real kiwi. He was thrilled, grabbed the fruit and ran around the living room saying "Kiwi. I got a kiwi."
He wouldn't give it back, so I peeled and cut up the other one for breakfast. He wouldn't eat any pieces, because they were green and not brown like the fruit he held in his hand. Instead, he held tight onto the whole kiwi and bit into it here and there, enjoying the taste of the juice.
The rest of the morning was a challenge in getting this poor mangled kiwi - growing softer with each bite and squeeze - away from an ever stickier Alex.
But no studying yet. Oh well.
May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Alexisms
I'm laughing at these. I LOVE 'Kiddisms'.
Some of Alex's that just puzzle me:
- Seeing me with a cup of coffee in the morning: 'Hmmmm, good coffee'. I have no idea where he came up with that since it's not something I'm likely to say and it's not likely he's seen a coffee commercial with those words.
- 'Daaaaaan-j'rous!' (Dangerous), now said whenever he comes across something I'm likely to take away from him. What's blowing my mind is that he's getting it right even on items he's never come across before.
- 'No milk for you Biscuit. No milk for doggies.' - Said to his lovey puppy whenever he has his 'Quiet Time' sippy of milk. He gets that from us having offered the cup to Biscuit in the past.
-'Buh'ee town Qui' Time? Miss Spider Qui' Time?' - Negotiating questions about which show I'll let him watch for 'Quiet Time', the time that precedes his nap or bedtime. (Bunnytown is a No. Miss Spider is a yes.)
Some of Alex's that just puzzle me:
- Seeing me with a cup of coffee in the morning: 'Hmmmm, good coffee'. I have no idea where he came up with that since it's not something I'm likely to say and it's not likely he's seen a coffee commercial with those words.
- 'Daaaaaan-j'rous!' (Dangerous), now said whenever he comes across something I'm likely to take away from him. What's blowing my mind is that he's getting it right even on items he's never come across before.
- 'No milk for you Biscuit. No milk for doggies.' - Said to his lovey puppy whenever he has his 'Quiet Time' sippy of milk. He gets that from us having offered the cup to Biscuit in the past.
-'Buh'ee town Qui' Time? Miss Spider Qui' Time?' - Negotiating questions about which show I'll let him watch for 'Quiet Time', the time that precedes his nap or bedtime. (Bunnytown is a No. Miss Spider is a yes.)
May 4, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Harbor Island Park
[Transcribed from video]
Alex and Daddy had a fun day out today. Most of their time was spent at Harbor Island Park, one of Alex's favorite places. There's a WWII era Howitzer erected just outside the entrance to the beach that Alex loves to climb on. (Though that makes me uneasy - whatever). This day, Alex was thrilled to be able to climb on it somewhat freely. He was telling Daddy that the gun was "stuck". Well, yes, Alex, we hope it is.
There was a fun stop at the playground there which included some time in the pirate ship sandbox, where Alex climbed to the top platform all by himself! There was some time on the swings too!
Then, after they got home, it was time for one of Alex's most fun things to do - Puzzle Time! They fed Wolfie and Alex used the mouse to have Wolfie walk around his room and everything. "Doggie funny!" Alex cheered and laughed. Then they colored a picture on the computer. Alex made the dog red and the doghouse blue. Well, Mama helped, which led Alex to call the picture "Mama's Doggie". Then Alex and Daddy watched some funny videos on Ty.com. Alex laughed and laughed!
What a cool day with Daddy.
Alex and Daddy had a fun day out today. Most of their time was spent at Harbor Island Park, one of Alex's favorite places. There's a WWII era Howitzer erected just outside the entrance to the beach that Alex loves to climb on. (Though that makes me uneasy - whatever). This day, Alex was thrilled to be able to climb on it somewhat freely. He was telling Daddy that the gun was "stuck". Well, yes, Alex, we hope it is.
There was a fun stop at the playground there which included some time in the pirate ship sandbox, where Alex climbed to the top platform all by himself! There was some time on the swings too!
Then, after they got home, it was time for one of Alex's most fun things to do - Puzzle Time! They fed Wolfie and Alex used the mouse to have Wolfie walk around his room and everything. "Doggie funny!" Alex cheered and laughed. Then they colored a picture on the computer. Alex made the dog red and the doghouse blue. Well, Mama helped, which led Alex to call the picture "Mama's Doggie". Then Alex and Daddy watched some funny videos on Ty.com. Alex laughed and laughed!
What a cool day with Daddy.
May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Remember???
A few days ago, Alex wanted to go to the beach, which we did after his nap. I told him that we couldn't go yesterday, because I had too much homework to do, but that we would go to the beach 'tomorrow'. He argued with me yesterday saying 'Beach TODAY!' which shocked me, because I had no clue he could understand the concepts of 'today' and 'tomorrow'.
So, today, it looked like big rain all day. I took him out to the park this morning instead, pointing out the clouds and the wetness, explaining that we couldn't go to the beach. At around 5 PM, he picked up his beach toys and said 'Beach now?' I said that we couldn't. Tomorrow, we might. So, he said.
'Beach tomorrow? No! Beach TODAY....Remember?'
'Remember'????!!
OK, so, I apologized. Explained about the rain again. I told him that we can't be at the beach when it rains. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow, etc.
He's debating with me, reminding me of my promises now. Isn't that kind of verbal judo more of a girl thing at this age?"
So, today, it looked like big rain all day. I took him out to the park this morning instead, pointing out the clouds and the wetness, explaining that we couldn't go to the beach. At around 5 PM, he picked up his beach toys and said 'Beach now?' I said that we couldn't. Tomorrow, we might. So, he said.
'Beach tomorrow? No! Beach TODAY....Remember?'
'Remember'????!!
OK, so, I apologized. Explained about the rain again. I told him that we can't be at the beach when it rains. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow, etc.
He's debating with me, reminding me of my promises now. Isn't that kind of verbal judo more of a girl thing at this age?"
May 1, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Finicky Eater
These days, I've come to believe that Alex lives on air. The following are some of the selections I'll offer him at each meal every day. What he'll eat, however, comes to approximately only one balanced meal per day. Yet, he gains weight and stays in the 50-60% mark for weight at his height. So, the ped says not to worry.
Yeah, I'll try.
Breakfast: Any of: Oatmeal, dry cheerios, waffles or pancakes with any of: half banana, half apple, quarter orange. Drink: water
Lunch: Any of: grilled chicken, cheese toast, Gerber meat sticks, home made pizza with any of snow peas, carrots, raw broccoli and any of half banana, half apple.
Drink: water
Snack: Any of: wheat crackers (no salt), dry Cheerios, Zweiback toast with any of whatever vegetable or fruit he'll eat. Drink: water, unless he's refused to eat since breakfast, then it's watered down Tang or watered down vegetable juice.
Dinner: Any of: chicken, ground beef, pork, Gerber meat sticks with any of snow peas, carrots, raw broccoli, raw cauliflower; any of macaroni, rice, tortillas and any of red seedless grapes, blueberries, banana, pear. Drink: water.
Most of the time, I have to make several offers - making something different from the choices above when he refuses to eat what's there. Vegetables listed are most commonly offered all together and I just add more of whichever one he actually ate. Thankfully, he will eat whatever fruit he asked for at that meal. If he didn't say 'yes' to my running through each fruit available, it means he won't eat any of them."
Yeah, I'll try.
Breakfast: Any of: Oatmeal, dry cheerios, waffles or pancakes with any of: half banana, half apple, quarter orange. Drink: water
Lunch: Any of: grilled chicken, cheese toast, Gerber meat sticks, home made pizza with any of snow peas, carrots, raw broccoli and any of half banana, half apple.
Drink: water
Snack: Any of: wheat crackers (no salt), dry Cheerios, Zweiback toast with any of whatever vegetable or fruit he'll eat. Drink: water, unless he's refused to eat since breakfast, then it's watered down Tang or watered down vegetable juice.
Dinner: Any of: chicken, ground beef, pork, Gerber meat sticks with any of snow peas, carrots, raw broccoli, raw cauliflower; any of macaroni, rice, tortillas and any of red seedless grapes, blueberries, banana, pear. Drink: water.
Most of the time, I have to make several offers - making something different from the choices above when he refuses to eat what's there. Vegetables listed are most commonly offered all together and I just add more of whichever one he actually ate. Thankfully, he will eat whatever fruit he asked for at that meal. If he didn't say 'yes' to my running through each fruit available, it means he won't eat any of them."
April 30, 2009
A Beach Day!
[Transcribed from video and Yuku]
Alex and I took a walk to the beach. My plan was to tire him out at the beach and out at dinner with Daddy. Since the nap striking behavior has made for such late bedtimes, I was sure that an evening of running around followed by a late dinner would do the trick.
First he ran along the beach, finding everything. He yelled with glee and his new freedom. He told the birds to "Stay away!" and told the boats anchored in the marina to "Stop!" He wanted a "Sailboat ride" from one of them. The branches on the shore were lots of crackly fun. Then he got to be a monster, stomping down the beach. "Boom! Boom!" he declared with each step.
It got chilly, but I hadn't brought any jackets for us. I had to stop in a store on Mamaroneck Avenue and buy us some sweatshirts. Oversized for Alex, so it lasts a while - since it was a tad pricey. Red, because Alex loves red. "Mamaroneck", it reads, because that's where Alex lives. (Although, Mommy's reads "Larchmont" and is gray). We were still too early to meet Daddy so we went back to the marina to look at the boats. It was so pretty with the pink dogwood blossoms out. Alex called to the boats anchored in the marina. "Sailboat ride!" "Speedboat ride!" I promised him that we'd go on boat rides in the summer. "Summer!" he cheered. He assured me, laughing, that "Speedboat ride OK". Good to know.
"Boats are gone", he said as one went by. He was disappointed until he heard the clock tower ring out that it was 7 o'clock. "Sen clock!" Alex said.
Soon, it was time to meet Daddy and off to Jolly Joe's we went for dinner. (The Barnacle on Boston Post Road). Alex loved the crayons he got at the table. He loved the restaurant. He loved the jukebox. He loved the muz-tic. He loved singing "Jingle Bell Rock". He loved getting his very own "red dip" (ketchup). He kinda loved the French Fries. He loved the idea of having chicken fingers. He wasn't loving the chicken fingers though. Too tired to eat.
Mommy's plan worked a little too well.
Alex and I took a walk to the beach. My plan was to tire him out at the beach and out at dinner with Daddy. Since the nap striking behavior has made for such late bedtimes, I was sure that an evening of running around followed by a late dinner would do the trick.
First he ran along the beach, finding everything. He yelled with glee and his new freedom. He told the birds to "Stay away!" and told the boats anchored in the marina to "Stop!" He wanted a "Sailboat ride" from one of them. The branches on the shore were lots of crackly fun. Then he got to be a monster, stomping down the beach. "Boom! Boom!" he declared with each step.
It got chilly, but I hadn't brought any jackets for us. I had to stop in a store on Mamaroneck Avenue and buy us some sweatshirts. Oversized for Alex, so it lasts a while - since it was a tad pricey. Red, because Alex loves red. "Mamaroneck", it reads, because that's where Alex lives. (Although, Mommy's reads "Larchmont" and is gray). We were still too early to meet Daddy so we went back to the marina to look at the boats. It was so pretty with the pink dogwood blossoms out. Alex called to the boats anchored in the marina. "Sailboat ride!" "Speedboat ride!" I promised him that we'd go on boat rides in the summer. "Summer!" he cheered. He assured me, laughing, that "Speedboat ride OK". Good to know.
"Boats are gone", he said as one went by. He was disappointed until he heard the clock tower ring out that it was 7 o'clock. "Sen clock!" Alex said.
Soon, it was time to meet Daddy and off to Jolly Joe's we went for dinner. (The Barnacle on Boston Post Road). Alex loved the crayons he got at the table. He loved the restaurant. He loved the jukebox. He loved the muz-tic. He loved singing "Jingle Bell Rock". He loved getting his very own "red dip" (ketchup). He kinda loved the French Fries. He loved the idea of having chicken fingers. He wasn't loving the chicken fingers though. Too tired to eat.
Mommy's plan worked a little too well.
April 29, 2009
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)