March 30, 2011

Wednesday:

We went to Sunflower (formerly Newflower) Market today for a bake sale for ICAN. I had both kids in tow and it was so much fun. One of the other mamas that helped out brought her 2 year old, Aydin, as well. They had lots of fun together. They have this one cart at Sunflower that has the big red car on front, that I never take in the store, because I consider myself wise and notice that the moms who do, have no quiter of a child, and on top of that, are having to lug this massive contraption around every isle, produce kiosk and more. I just don't do it. I'm one of those mean moms. Anyway, this cart, the beloved red car cart, equipped with wheel, horn and many buckles inside was rarely used. So, the kids played in it. They would never sit in it together...too bad, because it would have made a great picture, but as Liam was getting out and Aydin in, I grabbed the camera and that's the closest they ever got. But they still laughed, gabbed, and played together else where.

March 29, 2011

Tuesday:

All day today, we cleaned house. Lot's to do. I don't know when the last time it was that I mopped the kitchen floor, so that really needed to be done. Liam loves when I do all the house cleaning in one day. I, on the other hand, don't care for it at all. He likes to help me dust the coffee table and the rest of the living room, all the while saying "You doing great job." I assure him that he is indeed. When it came to mopping, he decide today he was going to give it a go. The mop does make a hissing sound, which I thought he'd be afraid of, but strangely, he wasn't. He moved it back and forth, covering the same square foot over and over, but the look on his face of pure enchantment was plenty for me to allow him to keep going. Once he got tired, I took over and finished the floor.

I was also very surprised to do during lunch when I gave him some green beans. He loves every kind of bean...except green. Don't know why. Is it because they are green? No, because he loves edema me. I don't know. I wish he did, because I can buy them year round, frozen is best, so I will could always have stock on them, but he won't eat them, even with salt. Don't know why. But, in speaking of beans, I told him that beans start with a 'buh' sound, and asked him what letter that was, and he said "B says buh!" I was quite pleasantly surprised there as well, and that made up for the avoidance of the green beans.

March 28, 2011

Monday:

We were in for a lot of driving today. I had to drive up to Georgetown to visit with a Midwife, who recently opened up a Birthing Center there, then we went to a prenatal visit with a mom that I am Doulaing for, and then headed home. I knew Liam especially was going to get kinda cranky. I had bought some glass, gel, airplane clingly things at the dollar spot at Target earlier this week, and decided that may just do the trick for him. Before we left, I pasted them on his window, and Liam face lit up. When we got in the car, I heard him giggle and say, "I like those." I was pleased, and on the way out of town he kept asking, "What is that?". I knew what he was talking about, so I'd ask him the same thing back to which he'd reply "That airplane..." I could hear the smile in his voice.

They worked for a while till we left the prenatal visit in North Austin and had to stop for gas on the way home in South Austin. He had fallen asleep on the way, and only had about a 20-30 minute nap and was quite the grouch. I was hoping he'd wait to sleep till we got home, but sadly not. When we got home, I did manage to get him to lay down again to rest while Annabelle napped and I took notes on the previous visits.

It's amazing to me how such little things can brighten to the brightest bright, or darken it to the darkest dark. The airplanes were quite the lightening effect, but then, when Dad got home, Liam woke, and between the change of persons, having to pee, and mom not being able to give him much loving. That was quite dark. He's quite the sensitive to change in environments. I don't blame him, I'm the same way when I wake up, I need an easy transition too.

March 27, 2011

Sunday:

Gigi and Papa left today, just before nap time hit. Liam was sad to see them go, but enjoyed and even giggled as he watched them leave to their car and drive away. I think he's starting to understand that people come, and people go, but we will surely see them again. After they left, I went back to Annabelle's room to rock her and Liam followed close behind. He laid down on the bed that we hadn't yet folded back to a couch in her room, and got very still and quite. He gibber gabbered a little after a while, then covered up and began to look very sleepy. I asked him if he wanted me to bring him Dog and Beeboo and he said yes. I did, and it wasn't long till he was fast asleep in Gigi and Papa's bed. It was so cute. He asked about them a couple times after he woke up, and we told him they went home to to their house to check on the kitties because Syndey, Shelby and Tiggins missed their Mommy and Daddy, and in a couple weeks, we'd see them all.

March 26, 2011

Saturday:

Gigi and Papa are here today, and after the fun day we had yesterday at Zilker, we decided to go again today. It was a blast! We got there about forty minutes before then train left, so Liam spent some time playing. At first, he rode the swing with Gigi, then he went to the musical area and played on the xylophones and other percussion instruments. He later wanted to go ride on the fire truck. This was really cute as Gigi got up there with him. There was also another little girl there who I think got kinda attached to them. We headed out to go get our tickets and seats for the train and she started to follow us. Her mommy wasn't very happy about this since they were about to leave I think, and then the little girl got even unhappier than her mommy when she heard the news that she wasn't going to ride the train. We all felt very bad for her. When we got to the train, we boarded and Liam got to hold the tickets and hand them to the conductor when he came around to pick them up. He was the cutest little boy on the train too. Today, he waved at all the people and dogs that we passed, he listen and waved at the man playing the guitar and harmonica, and really enjoyed every bit of it. As we neared the end, I think he was getting sleepy, and he gave up the waving and stuck to just sight seeing and squirrel searching. He loved it. I think this is something we are going to have to do more often. Hopefully next time, Dad can join us.

March 25, 2011

Friday:

This morning, we headed to Zilker park to meet a couple mommy friends. Bonny and Violet were there as well as a friend of mine from Dallas named Jenny, with her Mother and her daughter named Katie. We had lots of fun. Liam was really scoping out the park, since it had been a while since he had been there. He mainly watched all the kids play and found some sticks and played in the play ground gravel. He's very into things of nature. Later, we rode the Zilker Zephyr. This was the first time I had ever rode the train, and didn't know what Liam would think of it. Surprisingly, after absorbing what was going on, he loved it! He smiled, and grinned and really looked at all the stuff going an around him.

After the park, we headed to Shady Cove for lunch. We met went with Bonny and Violet and met another mommy friend there, Laura and Everett, who is also 2 years old. Liam is definitely a more shy kid than they are. He's pretty mellow. While they jumped and played, he was happy just watching them, letting out an occasional giggle as he munched on his PBJ and fruit.

We got home, napped and it wasn't long after nap that Gigi and Papa showed up! Liam was very excited. When I reminded him of their upcoming arrival after he woke, he went to the window by the door and waited and watched for them to pull up. He soon got bored with that, but once they came...it was better than Christmas day.

March 24, 2011

Thursday:

Violet was over this morning while her Mommy was out. Liam and her had lots of fun together. Violet wanted to get the paints out, but having Annabelle, who has been a little crankier today than usual, I didn't think it'd be such a great idea. So, Violet, being witty as she is, said 'we can pretend paint!' Great idea! So, we got the bag full of brushes out and Liam and her presented painting everything. Most themselves. They painted their hair, chins, necks, knees, legs, toes, hands, fingers, etc. Then they had some time outside playing with chalk, then the sandbox and at one point, I caught them holding hands. I asked them "Are y'all holding hands?" to which Liam replied, "Yeah" in his very sweet, cute, two-year-old voice. While I rocked Annabelle in her room, Violet came in and rocked some of Liam's stuffed animals in the infant swing. She had a couple head bonks, but quickly recovered. Liam came in, and joined in the fun bringing of course his Dog and Beeboo in tow.

March 23, 2011

Wednesday:

As I was vacuuming today, I didn't want Annabelle to be left alone in the living room, so I told Liam, who was at the time vacuuming with his lawnmower right under my feet, to go sit with her a few minutes so she doesn't get lonely. He said okay, and when I was done and went back out to the living room, sure enough, he was sitting right next to her talking to her. I told him he was so cute, and he said "Ann-Bell lonely." I said, "Yeah, she probably was, that was so sweet of you to go sit by her." "Yeah, you like Ann-Bell." He said, followed by giving her a big hug. It was so cute, and I couldn't help but smile. Then he said, "Ann-Bell has a back." Don't know where that came from, but I guess that's part of a two-year-old mind.

Today he also tried sharing his snap peas with her, which I don't think she really cared for. I think he was just trying to get out of eating them. But, I'm going to consider it an act of love.

March 22, 2011

Tuesday:

Tonight, Phillip told me that Liam had a blast blowing bubbles. Not just blowing bubbles, but blowing them at Annabelle. Not just at Annabelle, but in Annabelle's face. He really likes to play with her more and more. Especially now that she interacts more with him. I don't think she minded. She laughed a lot after the initial flinch. He also likes to put Annabelle's binkie in her mouth. I'm not sure if he likes to do this because he feels accomplished or like a helper, but maybe more so on the lines of getting her to stop crying. Either way, we are good with it.

March 21, 2011

Monday:

Today we met our new part-time nanny/help. She's going to be the one we will usually call if we need childcare when I am called to a birth. Her name is Frances, he's a lady from our church that used to work in the day care at the church with 3's and under. She so very sweet and really loves the kids. Liam was a little unsure at first, and then after a while, opened up. I think it's the fact that not only did Frances find two aacorns and give them to him, but also blew bubbles with him out of the big orange bubble container that Liam is not allowed to use. It's three times the size of the smaller one and, yes, I do ban him from playing with it, in fear of a major mess. Yes it is soap, I get that, that's why I fill a smaller container half full for him to hold and play with. I meet him half way on it. Then they read stories together and the we took her home. I think he liked her. I asked him if he wanted to take her home now, and he said 'No'. We plan on having her over once a week for a few hours so she can get to know the kids more and them her. I think this will be very nice.

March 20, 2011

Sunday:

Today we went to church, and then spent the rest of the day just hanging out at home. In the evening, we got a call from Gigi and Papa saying that they were going to come in this weekend. I really wanted to let Liam know, and I think that may have been a mistake. I don't think he understands 'this weekend', 'Saturday', or 'no, not today'. He continually asked about them through the night, and I feel bad. I should have waited till Friday to tell him. I guess at some point he's going to learn about days of the week, just not sure 2.5 is a good time for that.

At the end of the night as I snapped pictures of Annabelle eating squash, Liam wanted his picture taken and then followed by 'you want see that picture'. It's so cute when he says that. He does after every time I take a picture and also during videos. When I tell him I'm taking a video and not a picture, he goes 'you want see that video (veevo)'

March 19, 2011

Saturday:

Liam, Annabelle and I took a stroll down to Goodwill today to look around. When we got to the front of the store, Liam saw a bike that he really liked. It was only $7.99, and just about his size, so I couldn't pass it up. It came with training wheels too. So we got that, a lamp for the living room and a dress for me and took it all home, which we had to have Phillip meet us half way to carry it all. Liam couldn't wait to ride it. He finally talked us into letting him keep it in the living room, then finally talked Phillip into pumping up the tires and 'fixing' it so he could 'ride' it. He even went and got his helmet and everything. The tires need new tubes, and Phillip managed to lower the seat, and still, his toes barely touch the peddles. I had to push the peddles as he sat on it to give enough force for them to turn. Hopefully, he can get the hang of it before he really falls in love and I'm pushing and pulling him around the whole neighborhood.

March 18, 2011

Friday:

Today Marlene came over for a visit. It was nice to have the adult interaction. I was glad because Liam was starting to need something else besides just mom entertainment. I did a lot of cleaning today, and Liam was such a huge help with that, but he's two, so there is only so much he can do, and for only so little of time before he decides it isn't fun. But I'll take any help I can get!

We then went to the chiropractor for our visit. Liam get's checked out as well when I go. He still has yet to lay down on the table, but he does carry his dog with him, and Dog takes his turn after I am done. The Chiropractor checks Dog out, then Liam knows it's his turn. He's gotten to where he will get on the table, but not lay down. It's no big deal, he can get examined and adjusted with just standing up. He smiles when he sees Dr. Kurt. I'm glad they are good with kids, each of the chiros have 3 kids of their own, Dr. Kurt has a four-year-old, so he get's little kids and all their quirks.

March 17, 2011

Thursday:

Tonight was pretty busy. We hadn't been outside almost all day and Liam was getting very restless. At one point he even pushed Annabelle over. I don't know if he was trying to roll her over like he normally does, but I explained to him that she has to be lying down to roll her over, and he can't roll her over when she is sitting up. So, he and I went on a walk to Randall's. On the way back, he spotted a dime on the ground and picked it up. He called it a 'little tiny coin' and said he wanted to put it in his bank when he got home. I told him that coin was called a dime, and was worth 10 whole cents and it was quite a find! As soon as we got home, before I had the chance to tell him to show dad, he had already gone off to his room and put it in his bank. For his birthday, I may get him a roll of pennies. I think he will have a great time with that.

At dinner, he and Annabelle started playing hand games. She would hit the table, and he would too. Then they started patting each other's hands as they went down on the table. I think he is starting to see how he can play with her.

March 16, 2011

Wednesday:

We are dog sitting both dogs that Grandpa and Grandma Linda keep. One is a 50lb white dog of a breed unknown named Ripley, and the other is a 15lb Sheltie named Blaze. Liam is in Dog Heaven! Outside he plays and plays with them. He has started to throw logs instead of sticks and Honey chases them and Ripley just kinda stands around like they are both crazy, I have to somewhat agree with her, but I know they are having fun. Come naptime, Blaze jumped in Liam's bed with him. He thought this was the coolest thing in the world. I think he really wanted Blaze to sleep with him, but after a while, I think Blaze got tired and curious and left Liam. Liam was sad at first, but then went soundly to sleep.

March 15, 2011

Tuesday:

Today I had to go to a birth and we called a sitter to come and watch the kids for the evening while Phillip worked. Phillip said for the first few hours, Liam would follow him around the house and not stay with the sitter, who was named Brittany. Phillip had to run out to get dinner and luckily, during this time, Brittany got Liam to sit down and paint with her while Phillip was away. Later that night, come bed time, Liam refused to let Brittany read a story, and went to Dad holding Oh the Places You'll Go! in his arms, with a tear jerking look on his face. Phillip gave in and read a story and the rest of bedtime went smoothly.

March 14, 2011

Monday:

We had dinner tonight at Romeo's as a farewell to Rayne before she's off to boot camp for the Navy. We sat in an area where there were huge windows and Liam watched as all the cars and trucks and cyclists and dogs went by. I could tell he was starting to get fidgety and so I suggested he get out of his highchair and look at the flowers on the other side of the window. He enjoyed this. There was a little ledge at the bottom that he like to sit on and since we were kind of in an enclosed space, he could walk around freely without disturbing others or making the wait staff nervous. I don't know if they are used to 2 year olds being there, but they did have a kids' menu, so it must have just been the waiter. I say this based on the massive cup of water he brought Liam, and also Annabelle. Liam had fun though, and he got lots of love from Rayne. On the way home he said, "We see Rayne again." I said, "Yes. We will see Rayne again."

March 13, 2011

Sunday:

Last night I was called to a birth and left just before bedtime and got home just as Liam had woken up. Phillip said no one slept well. I think Liam knew I was gone, was very curious of when I would be home and when he woke in the night and didn't see me there became curious and concerned. The first thing he said when he saw me was, "Mom home." It was cute. I feel like there is going to be some adjustment time and after a while he will know that I do leave, but do come back. For now, when I grab my keys he says, "Mommy not go." Even if I'm just putting them up, it does break a little piece of my heart that he misses me. This week, I have got to make sure to have some good Liam mommy time.

March 12, 2011

Saturday:

Today we headed to the Circle C park that has big soccer fields and a great playground for kids Liam's age and then a separate one for older kiddos. Liam rode in the stroller while we walked the hike and bike trail, and Annabelle rode in the wrap. At one point we passed over a dried up creek bed that had tons of rocks. Liam is fascinated with rocks, so wanted to get out. I was able to snap a picture of him before he got nervous due to the unevenness of the rocks. He then got to run around with Phillip as they flew kites. They would get the kite up in the air, and then it'd come down, Phillip would run towards it, Liam excitedly chasing him, only to meet up with him as Phillip was on his way back to the kite after positioning it. It was sweet to watch. We played for a while, then headed home to start dinner. Liam was pretty played out by the end of the night.

March 11, 2011

Friday:

Turns out, Rayne is leaving for the Navy on Tuesday, so she came over today to spend some time with us. Liam was still in his jammies, but I don't think anyone minded. Rayne also brought him an early Easter present of a stuffed duck, that between her and Liam, decided that it's name was Chuck Duck. He's very soft and plush and a great cuddler. I wonder if he will be joining the Liam bedtime entourage. We hung out, had lunch, and then it was nap time.

After he woke up, he said good-bye, just in time for Violet to come over to make playdoh and play outside in the sand box. It was only for a few hours, but it was well worth the orange playdoh that is now Liam's favorite to play with.

March 10, 2011

Thursday:

Dad took the day off today, which was nice, because it really lengthened the weekend for all of us. I think Liam was very excited about having him home again. We did a lot of yard work today in the yard when the kids were down for a nap. Liam woke up and saw us out side and I could see him on the other side of back door, already having his shoes on, mouthing the words, "You want go outside!" I smiled, opened the door and said he was absolutely welcome to join us. I think he was still kinda waking up and didn't understand what Dad was doing with a bid shovel or mom hauling rocks back and forth. After about half an hour, he wanted to join in. Dad went inside with Annabelle, and Liam stayed out with me. I told him he was to be careful because the rocks are really heavy. He found a small one and said, "That rock little." I agreed and told him he could put it in the pile. As I found smaller ones I put them in a pile so he could feel included and help move them. I told him he could go inside with Dad and I'd stay out and he didn't have to help me. He said, "You want help move rocks." He's such a good little helper and I think he enjoyed spending the one on one time with Mom.

March 9, 2011

Wednesday:

While dad was on a bike ride today, the kids and I went to the playground to meet up with Bonny and Violet. We were there by ourselves for a bit so we found many things to do to keep us occupied while we waited. Liam has figured out how to climb on a rocking horse there and loves to ride on it. I make galloping noises and tunes and he thinks it's the funniest things. It's great that he's so easily amused at this age, it makes me have a feeling of accomplishment kind of. Then, when that got old, we climbed up and down the play scape, he didn't want to slide or swing, two things he has yet to embark on. Then, he wanted to walk around the field and play in the puddle of water that was there from the rain earlier this week. It was there that Bonny and Violet met us and we played for a bit before heading home due to a Liam needing a potty break. He didn't want to go at first, and I could tell that he was quite torn on having to leave to go potty, or stay and play with his friends. I assured him that we would be back another day.

March 8, 2011

Tuesday:

When I returned home from work, I decided to go on a bike ride around the neighborhood. I took Liam out into the garage with my while I made some minor adjustments. He asked about the various tools I was using, repeating over and over, "what is that?" I got him into the trailer and we rode 2 miles (around the neighborhood several times). When we returned home, Liam wanted to ride more, but it was close to dinner time and getting late. I think he had more fun when we were on dirt trails, but he still enjoyed it.

March 7, 2011

Monday:

When I arrived home and sat down to relax, Liam laid down next to me. Apart from this weekend, this was the first day for a week that I have arrived home before his bedtime. He thoroughly enjoyed dinner tonight and commented on the various hot sauces that I seasoned my food with. Later, Ruth went out to get a few groceries and called me on her way home. As I was talking with her, Liam whispered to me that he wanted milk. I guess he didn't want Ruth to hear. Also, while Ruth was gone and I was preparing a bottle for Annabelle, I returned to the couch where Liam was sitting and noticed a wet spot on the couch about the size of a half-dollar. I asked him if he had spit on the couch, to which he replied, 'yeah.' It was very frustrating because I am unsure why that happened (I didn't actually see him do it). When Ruth returned home he was ready to read a story and we did so; bedtime was relatively smooth tonight and has been over the last few nights.

March 6, 2011

Sunday:

Today was church and then Grandpa and Grandma Linda came over to watch the kids while I went to an orientation for a Doula group here in Austin. I think Liam had a lot of fun. Grandpa always puts everything on his head and calls them 'hats'. Liam thinks this is hilarious and for days out will mimic this behavior. I find it sweet. Every time someone knocks on the door, even when Liam does, Liam says "Who's knocking on that door?" I say "I don't know, who is knocking on that door?". "Grandpa knocking on that door!". We laugh.

Tonight was also the first night as well that he went to bed, with no crying and no getting out of bed. We have put up a baby gate in front of his door so when he gets up, he can't wander the halls. At first we thought this was cruel to be honest, but then realized it's really quite more humane than him still being in a crib, which most kids his age are. So we felt better. He then noticed that he could stand there and gibber gabber and us ignore it (not if he was crying of course), that he'd eventually get tired and tuck himself back in bed. I hoping this keeps up. He seems to wake in a better mood when he goes to bed peacefully. I know I do.

March 5, 2011

Saturday:

Busy day today. Liam went with me to ICAN and then we went to lunch at Central Market to have a planning meeting for ICAN. He said he wanted to go on the play ground, so I followed him over there and asked one of the other moms that I knew oldest daughter to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn't get hurt. She took him by the hand and lead him around the playground. After a few minutes I see her walking up with him, hand in hand, and Liam with a big frown in his face. He looked like he was about to burst into tears. Kaya said, "He said he wanted his mommy." I smiled and took him to sit in my lap and gave him some mommy cuddles. He then said he wanted me to join him, but we were all anxious to get done with the meeting and head home. He was getting pretty tired too, and didn't end up napping till after 3:00. I woke him at 5:00 in fear that he wouldn't sleep at bed time. He was a little cranky, but I told him later this week, we would be sure to have lots of playground time.

March 4, 2011

Friday:

Tonight is the last night of Phillip's on call shift, so it's the last night for a while that he won't be home for bedtime. I'm quite happy about that, and I'm sure Liam is too. He usually has 'Dada read story' before bed and I don't think I've been filling that role as well as Phillip does. They are big shoes.

So to speed today up, we went to story time at the library, which of course we ended up being late to and caught the ending song, which was cute, but then we got to go look at books. There we met Bonny and Violet. It's a really neat place for kids. They have the kid books sectioned off behind sound proof glass-smart librarians there-with little tunnels the kids can walk through. Inside are shelves and shelves of books or all sort and many giant stuffed animals for them to play with. Liam's favorite was a giraffe that was at least four feet tall. He wanted to ride on it, but I suggested he ride on the stuffed 1 foot high dog instead. He enjoyed that. We got a library card, and a few books, Clifford the Big Red Dog that we read tonight, a couple Dr. Suess books, and a couple book that the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar wrote, since they didn't have that book. When bedtime came, it was a nice break from the typical books we read. Dad will be very happy too come his time to take back over bedtime story.

March 3, 2011

Thursday:

After nap today the kids and I went to the hike and bike trail around Town Lake to meet up with Rayne. It was a 3 1/2 mile trek and lots of fun. Before we left Liam was in the crankiest of moods, and I think we were all glad to be out in the open in the fresh air with many distractions. Liam rode in the stroller while Rayne pushed him. He saw turtles, swans, ducks, lots of bike, and lots of people running. Towards the end of the trail, Liam wanted to get out and run, so we let him. I was surprised that he ran for as long as he did. It wasn't long at all, but much more than I expected. He then went to walking and then when we came to crossing the street, he was back in the stroller eating his snack of peas.

March 2, 2011

Wednesday:

Today was grocery store day. It's citrus season and Liam loves to see all the different tangelos, clementines, grapefruits, oranges and more. Today he saw kumquats and said, "Those little tiny baby oranges." I giggled, as did another lady next to us, and I assured him "They are kumquats, and yes, they very much indeed look like little tiny baby oranges."

Then, the funniest thing happened at HEB, and I'm glad it happened when Liam was this young so he isn't traumatized by it. He was wearing some khaki shorts that were a little big for him and we were crossing the parking lot from the car to the store. A car was waiting on us, so I told Liam to hurry. We start to run and just as he said "You don't want run" and I look back his shorts fell to his knees and his Cookie Monster Hiney was out for the whole parking lot to see. "Your pants fall down!" I felt bad, but then he smiled and made me feel a little better, we both giggled and pulled them up and got in the cart to do our shopping. Needless to say, those shorts are back in the drawer till he gets a little bigger.

March 1, 2011

Tuesday:

Violet came over today after nap time. She and Liam got to watch popcorn pop on the stove in a glass dish, which I think was quite exciting for them, and me actually. Then we went outside to play in the sand box. They took turns hiding each other's hands, and sea shells, and sticking sticks up in piles of sand and singing Happy Birthday! Very imaginative. Then we saw a spider. At first Violet was a little worried, but I told her it was a nice spider and then both of them became very interested in it. Lot of sand digging, racking, shoveling, and more went on this afternoon. Liam always enjoys having friends over.