Thursday:
At midnight last night, Phillip and I heard Liam coughing in his room, and when we went in, he had thrown up. I never imagined how much it would break my heart to see my kids be sick. It was all in his bedding, so we moved him to the bathroom to hopefully finish and then got him changed and his bed changed. It wasn't till after he was done and he drank some water that it dawned on him what had happened.
"I threw up."
"I threw up in my room."
"I threw up in my bed."
"I threw up on my pillow."
"Mommy will you clean it up?"
I told him I would and that Dad was already working on it. To Phillip, clean up means throw away, so the pillow was put in the trash and since he didn't want to throw away any of his blankets or quilt, he just left those for me. It's a little over whelming to deal with sick kids, so I understand.
Liam managed to miss Dog and Beeboo, so with both of them in arms, he crawled in bed with us to sleep. When he got there he began asking about his pillow. How he wanted it, where it was, etc. I told him we would get him a new pillow, and then I think he thought he was going to have two pillows. It was all a little confusing for him. He asked if I had cleaned his bed, I told him I did, and then he wanted to go to his bed. I went with him in there, say all four verses of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and told him I was sorry he was feeling sick, and that it's okay to throw up even though it's not fun, but if he can, try to make it to the bathroom so that he doesn't have to throw up in his bed.
Well, it wasn't but 5 minutes before he came to the hall way and said, "Mommy want come with me." I asked him if he needed to throw up again, and he said yes. So we went to the bathroom for round two. Poor guy. It wasn't till the third time around that I had the idea of getting my peppermint oil out of my doula bag and putting some on a damp wash rag at the top of his bed to soothe his tummy. It worked, and he went to sleep till morning.
Today he's been pretty whiny and sleepy, and a lot of just lounging around. We've just hung out and taken it easy.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
June 22, 2011
Wednesday:
Last night there was a thunderstorm, which I thought would wake the kids up, but they slept through perfectly fine. The weather also said that there would be a nice temperature drop of a high of only 97 today! WOW! What a relief from the 110+ degree days! Bonny organized the play group to meet up at a playground up the street from us since the weather was expected to be better, and the kids could all play and have a picnic. Sounded great...in theory. By the time I got done with just two grocery stores I was sweating and ready for some AC. The kids were too. Since we've been without rain for so long, I forgot what a good rain does for the next day, high humidity! We came home and had lunch. Phillip worked from home today, and when nap time came, I put Annabelle down and he got out his bike to do some work on it. Liam of course then was not so much in the mood for nap, but what for watching Dad. We let him hang out for a bit, then I assured him that there are going to be plenty of other times where Dad would be working on his bike, and he could also watch then. He seemed satisfied with that and followed be to his room where I tucked him for nap.
Last night there was a thunderstorm, which I thought would wake the kids up, but they slept through perfectly fine. The weather also said that there would be a nice temperature drop of a high of only 97 today! WOW! What a relief from the 110+ degree days! Bonny organized the play group to meet up at a playground up the street from us since the weather was expected to be better, and the kids could all play and have a picnic. Sounded great...in theory. By the time I got done with just two grocery stores I was sweating and ready for some AC. The kids were too. Since we've been without rain for so long, I forgot what a good rain does for the next day, high humidity! We came home and had lunch. Phillip worked from home today, and when nap time came, I put Annabelle down and he got out his bike to do some work on it. Liam of course then was not so much in the mood for nap, but what for watching Dad. We let him hang out for a bit, then I assured him that there are going to be plenty of other times where Dad would be working on his bike, and he could also watch then. He seemed satisfied with that and followed be to his room where I tucked him for nap.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
June 21, 2011
Tuesday:
So marker board...not such a good idea maybe. Liam has now been banned from using it on the couch since he has colored on it twice now. Albeit by accident, I don't want the couch covered in marker. He now has to be on the table, fridge or floor. I don't think that's too much to ask. I thought maybe he could do it on the couch and still be careful, but I think I was a little too presumptuous about his ability to keep the ink with in the limits of the board. He still has fun. I told him he couldn't color while sitting on the couch and told him where he could and he said, "Alright." And moved to the coffee table.
So marker board...not such a good idea maybe. Liam has now been banned from using it on the couch since he has colored on it twice now. Albeit by accident, I don't want the couch covered in marker. He now has to be on the table, fridge or floor. I don't think that's too much to ask. I thought maybe he could do it on the couch and still be careful, but I think I was a little too presumptuous about his ability to keep the ink with in the limits of the board. He still has fun. I told him he couldn't color while sitting on the couch and told him where he could and he said, "Alright." And moved to the coffee table.
June 20, 2011
Monday:
I'm getting really good about getting the house cleaning stuff done in the mornings now. Well, today I was at least. Liam is very helpful with these times in helping me pick up. After we were done with all that, Liam and I made masks together out of paper plates. He brought some to me from the pantry and gave one to me, one to Annabelle and kept one for himself. He wanted to make one of Gigi and Papa, and he watched as I drew eyes, a nose and a mouth on mine and he copied me. He's very creative. Added now to his list of drawings are squares. He's pretty good at them considering he's so young. He likes to take the marker board off the fridge and color on it. It's entertaining for hours, and sometimes all day. He likes to keep a few baby wipes handy to use to wipe off the marker when he is done with a picture, then goes on to draw other ones. It's a great way for him to express his creativity over and over and over.
I'm getting really good about getting the house cleaning stuff done in the mornings now. Well, today I was at least. Liam is very helpful with these times in helping me pick up. After we were done with all that, Liam and I made masks together out of paper plates. He brought some to me from the pantry and gave one to me, one to Annabelle and kept one for himself. He wanted to make one of Gigi and Papa, and he watched as I drew eyes, a nose and a mouth on mine and he copied me. He's very creative. Added now to his list of drawings are squares. He's pretty good at them considering he's so young. He likes to take the marker board off the fridge and color on it. It's entertaining for hours, and sometimes all day. He likes to keep a few baby wipes handy to use to wipe off the marker when he is done with a picture, then goes on to draw other ones. It's a great way for him to express his creativity over and over and over.
June 19, 2011
Sunday:
Today is actual Father's Day. I think it would have been very sweet of me to put something together for Phillip from the kids, but I don't think I ever had time to really get around to that. We had to pick up milk and run a few other errands, so maybe I'll do something this next week for him to have. He did get to go on a bike ride while we went to church and when we got home, he had some one on one time with them where he snapped a few great pictures.
We did go to Academy so Phillip could look at the crocks there, and I took the opportunity to try on some shoes too, as did Liam. He saw me pull off a pair of flip-flops from the shelf and try on, so he grabbed a pair too. The first thing that Phillip noticed was that Liam pulled the hot pink flip-flops from the shelf. I thought that was funny, since the first thing I noticed was that Liam picked the ones that were $2.99! He's thrifty! Yay!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
June 18, 2011
Saturday:
Phillip and I have decided that on Mother's Day and Father's Day, we are going to make it a Mother's Day weekend and Father's Day weekend. I think that's a great idea. So today was the first day of Phillip's Father's Day weekend. It started with breakfast in bed, which Liam thought was really neat since Dad was eating oatmeal just like he does. And then I got the kids dressed in their Father's Day attire, Liam a superman shirt and Annabelle her
"Daddy makes me smile" shirt, and then I had Liam go and give Phillip his gift. Superman pajama pants! Liam thought it was really neat that Phillip had "a lot of those superman symbols" on his pant and he, himself, had "one big one those on his shirt." Since Liam has been into guitars, I suggested Phillip get his out to show Liam. Great idea, as they had some great Dad and Liam time. Of course Liam made the request to play Twinkle Twinkle (his favorite) and with the help of Google, Phillip found ways to play it. One in particular was with Phillip holding the strings on the neck of the guitar to make the notes while Liam could strum a given string to make the actual music. It was the best.
Phillip and I have decided that on Mother's Day and Father's Day, we are going to make it a Mother's Day weekend and Father's Day weekend. I think that's a great idea. So today was the first day of Phillip's Father's Day weekend. It started with breakfast in bed, which Liam thought was really neat since Dad was eating oatmeal just like he does. And then I got the kids dressed in their Father's Day attire, Liam a superman shirt and Annabelle her
"Daddy makes me smile" shirt, and then I had Liam go and give Phillip his gift. Superman pajama pants! Liam thought it was really neat that Phillip had "a lot of those superman symbols" on his pant and he, himself, had "one big one those on his shirt." Since Liam has been into guitars, I suggested Phillip get his out to show Liam. Great idea, as they had some great Dad and Liam time. Of course Liam made the request to play Twinkle Twinkle (his favorite) and with the help of Google, Phillip found ways to play it. One in particular was with Phillip holding the strings on the neck of the guitar to make the notes while Liam could strum a given string to make the actual music. It was the best.
June 17, 2011
Friday:
Today we went to the park at Circle C to meet up with some other mom friends and their kiddos. We three were the first ones there. Liam had taken his pin-wheel that he got at Ari's birthday party. A simple little 5 inch tall plastic toy that has become his new favorite. It was a rather windy day, and as we sat on the edge of the play ground, Liam took it and stuck it in the rocks and just watched it as the wind blew through its blades, causing it to spin round and round. I asked him if he wanted to go swing, "No." Slide? "No." Walk on the balance beam? "No, I want to sit right here." I smiled at him and we sat and watched the other kids run back and forth and play as we waited. I began realizing that Liam is very much his own person and it's better for me as the mom to let him do what he wants. In doing this, I see how much Liam can teach me. I have my own philosophy that kids are us in the raw. Meaning, our kids are what we would be like with out any previous trauma, influence, events, or such that mold us from what we were born as to what we are now. I can really sit and look at Liam and see so much of me and Phillip in him. He has Phillip's contentment of very little interaction, but the ability to really bond and connect with those he is close to. What I admire most about Liam is he has the patience and peace to just...be. And in just being, is content and secure with that. I think that's a lesson we could all take the time to re-learn sometimes.
Today we went to the park at Circle C to meet up with some other mom friends and their kiddos. We three were the first ones there. Liam had taken his pin-wheel that he got at Ari's birthday party. A simple little 5 inch tall plastic toy that has become his new favorite. It was a rather windy day, and as we sat on the edge of the play ground, Liam took it and stuck it in the rocks and just watched it as the wind blew through its blades, causing it to spin round and round. I asked him if he wanted to go swing, "No." Slide? "No." Walk on the balance beam? "No, I want to sit right here." I smiled at him and we sat and watched the other kids run back and forth and play as we waited. I began realizing that Liam is very much his own person and it's better for me as the mom to let him do what he wants. In doing this, I see how much Liam can teach me. I have my own philosophy that kids are us in the raw. Meaning, our kids are what we would be like with out any previous trauma, influence, events, or such that mold us from what we were born as to what we are now. I can really sit and look at Liam and see so much of me and Phillip in him. He has Phillip's contentment of very little interaction, but the ability to really bond and connect with those he is close to. What I admire most about Liam is he has the patience and peace to just...be. And in just being, is content and secure with that. I think that's a lesson we could all take the time to re-learn sometimes.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
June 16, 2011
Thursday:
Today we met Kerby Lane with Bonny and Beth for brunch. Neither of them brought their kids, but both agreed that bringing my kids would be much less of a hassle than bringing theirs and we were all three welcome to come. So we did. Liam ate some apple whole wheat pancake, and then some of my raspberry and then some of my lemon poppy. He's a pancake fan. We rarely make them, so they are a real treat.
When we got home, he wanted to help me fold some towels. He's really good at folding the napkins and wash cloths, since they are simple and square, but today, we didn't have many of those. He went to fold the dish towels, the rectangular ones, and those proved to be a little difficult. I showed him once how to do it; match up the really really long side to the other really really long side, then fold over twice. He would talk himself through it when he did it. And he did a great job at it too. There is nothing like like seeing your kid proud of himself. I will never get tired of that.
Tonight, when I was rocking Annabelle, Liam wanted to come in and rock with us. He crawled up in the rocking chair as I fed her and snuggled up at my side. Between me and Phillip, we usually tag team bedtime, and while one of us feeds Annabelle, the other reads Liam a story. Tonight, we just combined them. The kids snuggled with me (which Phillip caught a picture of) and Phillip brought in The Little Red Hen to read to us all for bedtime. I think this is going to be our new tradition for bedtime.
Today we met Kerby Lane with Bonny and Beth for brunch. Neither of them brought their kids, but both agreed that bringing my kids would be much less of a hassle than bringing theirs and we were all three welcome to come. So we did. Liam ate some apple whole wheat pancake, and then some of my raspberry and then some of my lemon poppy. He's a pancake fan. We rarely make them, so they are a real treat.
When we got home, he wanted to help me fold some towels. He's really good at folding the napkins and wash cloths, since they are simple and square, but today, we didn't have many of those. He went to fold the dish towels, the rectangular ones, and those proved to be a little difficult. I showed him once how to do it; match up the really really long side to the other really really long side, then fold over twice. He would talk himself through it when he did it. And he did a great job at it too. There is nothing like like seeing your kid proud of himself. I will never get tired of that.
Tonight, when I was rocking Annabelle, Liam wanted to come in and rock with us. He crawled up in the rocking chair as I fed her and snuggled up at my side. Between me and Phillip, we usually tag team bedtime, and while one of us feeds Annabelle, the other reads Liam a story. Tonight, we just combined them. The kids snuggled with me (which Phillip caught a picture of) and Phillip brought in The Little Red Hen to read to us all for bedtime. I think this is going to be our new tradition for bedtime.
June 15, 2011
Wednesday:
Phillip and I are in the constant debate on whether or not to cut Liam's hair. I love it. I absolutely do. Phillip doesn't. Not so much. Liam goes back and forth. At the grocery store today, a old lay (it's always the old ladies who love to stop and aww over the kids) stopped me and said, "Do you think they are both going to have curly hair?"
"I don't know", I replied.
"You don't have curly hair. Does you husband?", she asked. I shook my head. She then turned to Liam and asked him, "Where did you get that curly hair then!?" He just stared at her. He's not much for conversation with strangers.
A couple minutes later, Liam said, "I like my hair." I agreed that his hair was pretty awesome.
At dinner time, I came up with a new way to get Liam to eat the various foods he's deemed he "doesn't like". Tonight was brussel sprouts. I don't blame him, I didn't like them when I was a kid either. This was also the first time I've offered them in our house, which may very well be too late for him to like them. The only rule we have is that he does have to try everything. Just a little, tiny, itsy bitsy bite. Just one. He was convinced he didn't like it, so I told him that if he would try a bite of it, he could give a bite to Honey. This worked all the way through all four of his quarter size sprouts. Is it teaching him a bad habit of feeding the dog from his plate? Yes, it is. Is it a price I'm willing to pay to get him to eat his food without a fight? Yes, it very much so is.
Phillip and I are in the constant debate on whether or not to cut Liam's hair. I love it. I absolutely do. Phillip doesn't. Not so much. Liam goes back and forth. At the grocery store today, a old lay (it's always the old ladies who love to stop and aww over the kids) stopped me and said, "Do you think they are both going to have curly hair?"
"I don't know", I replied.
"You don't have curly hair. Does you husband?", she asked. I shook my head. She then turned to Liam and asked him, "Where did you get that curly hair then!?" He just stared at her. He's not much for conversation with strangers.
A couple minutes later, Liam said, "I like my hair." I agreed that his hair was pretty awesome.
At dinner time, I came up with a new way to get Liam to eat the various foods he's deemed he "doesn't like". Tonight was brussel sprouts. I don't blame him, I didn't like them when I was a kid either. This was also the first time I've offered them in our house, which may very well be too late for him to like them. The only rule we have is that he does have to try everything. Just a little, tiny, itsy bitsy bite. Just one. He was convinced he didn't like it, so I told him that if he would try a bite of it, he could give a bite to Honey. This worked all the way through all four of his quarter size sprouts. Is it teaching him a bad habit of feeding the dog from his plate? Yes, it is. Is it a price I'm willing to pay to get him to eat his food without a fight? Yes, it very much so is.
June 14, 2011
Tuesday:
Last night, Phillip and I managed to get in bed before 10:00. Which is a real rare occurrence between the two of us. It's also a rare occurrence for Liam to get in and out of bed between the hours of 10:00 and midnight. For what every reason, it also occurred that these two things had to happen last night. First it was potty. Then water. Then he was scared of his airplane (to which I'm still fighting the urge to paint over at this point). Then it was "I want nap in mom and dad's bed". Luckily we avoided all fit throwings, which made it easier. We did all finally get to sleep.
In the morning, I decided to go to my first attachment parenting meet-up group in Austin. Attachment parenting is a 'method' of parenting that follows eight principles,
1) Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
2) Feed with Love and Respect
3) Respond with Sensitivity
4) Use Nurturing Touch
5) Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
6) Provide Consistent and Loving Care
7) Practice Positive Discipline
8) Strive for Balance in Your Personal and Family Life
In laymen terms, it's just short of a bunch of breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, almost hippy mama's in a group trying to figure out together how to raise children without emotionally scarring them one way or another.
It was fun. I think a lot of the stuff I do is kinda natural to me. Liam had fun. He got to interact with some other kids and eat some really fun snacks. I also got to meet a few other mom friends, which was nice too.
The funniest part of the day was before we left. Annabelle had gone potty on the potty, and based on my log from yesterday, she wasn't due for another potty for about half an hour. Time for me to shower. As I was stepping out of the shower, Liam comes in and says, "Mom, tell Anbel not poop in my room." He wasn't mad, but I think he wanted me to give her some direction. True, pooping in your brother's room isn't acceptable, and I tried to get that across to her, and I think it went over as much me explaining to Liam that she's a baby and potty training and there are some things that take time. I cleaned it up, which wasn't a big deal, I would have had a lot harder time cleaning it off her hiney, and then we got packed up and headed out.
Last night, Phillip and I managed to get in bed before 10:00. Which is a real rare occurrence between the two of us. It's also a rare occurrence for Liam to get in and out of bed between the hours of 10:00 and midnight. For what every reason, it also occurred that these two things had to happen last night. First it was potty. Then water. Then he was scared of his airplane (to which I'm still fighting the urge to paint over at this point). Then it was "I want nap in mom and dad's bed". Luckily we avoided all fit throwings, which made it easier. We did all finally get to sleep.
In the morning, I decided to go to my first attachment parenting meet-up group in Austin. Attachment parenting is a 'method' of parenting that follows eight principles,
1) Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
2) Feed with Love and Respect
3) Respond with Sensitivity
4) Use Nurturing Touch
5) Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
6) Provide Consistent and Loving Care
7) Practice Positive Discipline
8) Strive for Balance in Your Personal and Family Life
In laymen terms, it's just short of a bunch of breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, almost hippy mama's in a group trying to figure out together how to raise children without emotionally scarring them one way or another.
It was fun. I think a lot of the stuff I do is kinda natural to me. Liam had fun. He got to interact with some other kids and eat some really fun snacks. I also got to meet a few other mom friends, which was nice too.
The funniest part of the day was before we left. Annabelle had gone potty on the potty, and based on my log from yesterday, she wasn't due for another potty for about half an hour. Time for me to shower. As I was stepping out of the shower, Liam comes in and says, "Mom, tell Anbel not poop in my room." He wasn't mad, but I think he wanted me to give her some direction. True, pooping in your brother's room isn't acceptable, and I tried to get that across to her, and I think it went over as much me explaining to Liam that she's a baby and potty training and there are some things that take time. I cleaned it up, which wasn't a big deal, I would have had a lot harder time cleaning it off her hiney, and then we got packed up and headed out.
Monday, June 13, 2011
June 13, 2011
Monday:
So, as I've mentioned, Liam and Annabelle play very well together. Very well, that Phillip and I are actually able to cook dinner together and have some adult conversation time during then, without having to worry too much about the kids getting attention. We did agree that Liam may be a good entertainer, but not quite the best potty trainer (as we haven't ever pushed for him to be). When he and Annabelle were playing under the kitchen table, Liam comes running over saying, "Mommy, can you put Anbel on potty?!" I look over and she had peed and was sitting in it, with hands and legs covered. I picked her up and put her on the potty of course, to which Liam said, "That's not okay Anbel!" So, while he is helpful, Phillip and I do need to be more aware that he is not a good monitor for potential pees, but a good tattle-teller.
So, as I've mentioned, Liam and Annabelle play very well together. Very well, that Phillip and I are actually able to cook dinner together and have some adult conversation time during then, without having to worry too much about the kids getting attention. We did agree that Liam may be a good entertainer, but not quite the best potty trainer (as we haven't ever pushed for him to be). When he and Annabelle were playing under the kitchen table, Liam comes running over saying, "Mommy, can you put Anbel on potty?!" I look over and she had peed and was sitting in it, with hands and legs covered. I picked her up and put her on the potty of course, to which Liam said, "That's not okay Anbel!" So, while he is helpful, Phillip and I do need to be more aware that he is not a good monitor for potential pees, but a good tattle-teller.
June 12, 2011
Sunday:
We went to church Sunday morning. Liam decided that all of a sudden he forgot how to put on a shirt. We got to church and as we approached the playground (kids and their temporary guardians were playing and talking) I felt a feeling of apprehension as I steeled myself for a potential meltdown. Normally, Liam is hesitant to join his counterparts on the playground, but he went in and was not as reactive as he typically is. I went into the classroom after the service to gather Liam and he was sitting at a table eating goldfish snacks. He looked up and must have thought that my intent was solely to separate him from his crackers. He shoved the last two in his mouth as I coaxed him from his seat. We came home and ate lunch. Liam loves wheat sprouts, as we discovered. He didn't really want to nap, and was quite resistant, but we managed.
While Ruth was gone, I was able take a great picture of the kids.
When Ruth returned, we began making dinner and it was quite an ordeal. We chose to put Liam in timeout. He did not want to go became very upset. However, all was well by the time we sat down to dinner. I gave Liam a bath last night. He really doesn't like water on his face. I spent more than a few minutes soaking a washrag and squeezing it over his head to slowly extract soap from his hair.
We went to church Sunday morning. Liam decided that all of a sudden he forgot how to put on a shirt. We got to church and as we approached the playground (kids and their temporary guardians were playing and talking) I felt a feeling of apprehension as I steeled myself for a potential meltdown. Normally, Liam is hesitant to join his counterparts on the playground, but he went in and was not as reactive as he typically is. I went into the classroom after the service to gather Liam and he was sitting at a table eating goldfish snacks. He looked up and must have thought that my intent was solely to separate him from his crackers. He shoved the last two in his mouth as I coaxed him from his seat. We came home and ate lunch. Liam loves wheat sprouts, as we discovered. He didn't really want to nap, and was quite resistant, but we managed.
While Ruth was gone, I was able take a great picture of the kids.
When Ruth returned, we began making dinner and it was quite an ordeal. We chose to put Liam in timeout. He did not want to go became very upset. However, all was well by the time we sat down to dinner. I gave Liam a bath last night. He really doesn't like water on his face. I spent more than a few minutes soaking a washrag and squeezing it over his head to slowly extract soap from his hair.
June 11, 2011
Saturday:
I woke up with Liam and ate oatmeal with him. He wanted to watch his movie, but didn't watch much before I went in and brought Annabelle out with us. In the early morning, not much happened. Liam and Annabelle played together. Ruth left around 8:00am. Mid-morning, one of my fellow supervisors called from the office to tell me of an incident that involved one of my associates. As I was on the phone with him, I paced throughout the house (I have a tendency to do so when I talk on the phone at home). Liam and Annabelle followed me around as I talked and began to remind me after a short time that I was at home and not at work. Ruth returned home in the early afternoon. When the kids woke up, I was starting to doze on the couch in the living room. Ruth called me into Annabelle's room where she was playing with the kids. Liam, without any perceptible influence, began to tense up, with his hands outstretched, and make odd guttural noises, characteristic of someone who is trying to expel phlegm. It was hilarious. He repeated it over and over and by the time we retrieved the camera, he was a bit shy about doing it again, but our entertainment encouraged him. He gagged a couple of times. We won't soon forget that episode.
June 10, 2011
Friday:
Today was pretty busy. Besides the usual house cleaning we did in the morning, Marlene came over in the afternoon to visit with us. We hadn't seen her in a while, and Liam was a little shy at first, which I attribute to him just waking from his nap. She stayed for a bit, and then after she left, me and the kids got ready to go to Tony and Trish's for dinner while we waited for Phillip to get home to leave.
We left much later than anticipated, which meant, we knew the kids would have a late bedtime tonight. I don't think Liam remembered them, he definitely didn't feel comfortable at first to be his open usual self he is around people he is secure with. They had a little Dachshund which Phillip and I thought both the kids would love, but turned out to be wrong. This puppy did a lot of jumping, and had fairly sharp claws, enough to scare a little kid when they are pounced on. Phillip loved the dog, and Liam told him, "I don't like that dog. I like our dog." It was cute, and I'm glad he was able to voice that.
I kept a close eye when he interacted with their two boys (ages 5 and 3), simply because they are pretty rough when it comes to kids, and Liam's pretty introverted, and I'm the Mommy and am forever going to be wanting to monitor his every activity those poses any potential of him getting hurt even just emotionally. He did good. The boys would start to play kinda rough, then Liam would say, "Don't do THAT!" And they would stop. I'm glad he was able to speak up for himself, makes that Mommy hawk feeling a little less needed. I'm sure it will always be there though.
Today was pretty busy. Besides the usual house cleaning we did in the morning, Marlene came over in the afternoon to visit with us. We hadn't seen her in a while, and Liam was a little shy at first, which I attribute to him just waking from his nap. She stayed for a bit, and then after she left, me and the kids got ready to go to Tony and Trish's for dinner while we waited for Phillip to get home to leave.
We left much later than anticipated, which meant, we knew the kids would have a late bedtime tonight. I don't think Liam remembered them, he definitely didn't feel comfortable at first to be his open usual self he is around people he is secure with. They had a little Dachshund which Phillip and I thought both the kids would love, but turned out to be wrong. This puppy did a lot of jumping, and had fairly sharp claws, enough to scare a little kid when they are pounced on. Phillip loved the dog, and Liam told him, "I don't like that dog. I like our dog." It was cute, and I'm glad he was able to voice that.
I kept a close eye when he interacted with their two boys (ages 5 and 3), simply because they are pretty rough when it comes to kids, and Liam's pretty introverted, and I'm the Mommy and am forever going to be wanting to monitor his every activity those poses any potential of him getting hurt even just emotionally. He did good. The boys would start to play kinda rough, then Liam would say, "Don't do THAT!" And they would stop. I'm glad he was able to speak up for himself, makes that Mommy hawk feeling a little less needed. I'm sure it will always be there though.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
June 9, 2011
Thursday:
Today is the first day in two weeks for laundry day. The good thing, besides finally having clean clothes for everyone, is that it's hot enough now to hang clothes on the clothes line outside! This is Liam's favorite. I remember last summer doing it, and hanging all of Liam's little onsies and pants and such. How tiny they were. Now I'm hanging Anbel's little clothes. I took all the old clothes pins off the line since they are weathered and rusting and dirty, and put them in a bag for Liam to play with. I'm going to have to figure out some craft project to do together with them. He'll really like that. He follows me out there, saying "I will help!" and hands me clothes from the bushel so I can hang them up. It's a pretty efficient way to get laundry done. Liam also gets some time outside, so that is a plus too.
Today, Liam also wanted some of my tea, which he always does, and I always tell him now, then he says, "It has caffine (cakeen) in it." And I say, "Yes it does." So I told him he could have some milk in a tea cup. He came to sit down next to me with his cup, and after each drink, would lower the cup and go "AAHH". Then takes another drink. He's so full of personality.
In the morning, the kids wandered down the hall following each other. Liam loves this. Last night, while I was cooking dinner, I picked Annabelle up, and he said, "I want Anbel follow me!" So I put her down for her to follow. She does this a lot down the hall, and Liam is usually is really good about closing all the door so she can't go into any of the room and cause mischief. Today, she had already gotten to the bathroom, and I heard them in there banging on the tub, having a grand old time. When I walked in, Liam said, "Anbel standing up!" She sure was, and together they made all kinds of noise and played.
Today is the first day in two weeks for laundry day. The good thing, besides finally having clean clothes for everyone, is that it's hot enough now to hang clothes on the clothes line outside! This is Liam's favorite. I remember last summer doing it, and hanging all of Liam's little onsies and pants and such. How tiny they were. Now I'm hanging Anbel's little clothes. I took all the old clothes pins off the line since they are weathered and rusting and dirty, and put them in a bag for Liam to play with. I'm going to have to figure out some craft project to do together with them. He'll really like that. He follows me out there, saying "I will help!" and hands me clothes from the bushel so I can hang them up. It's a pretty efficient way to get laundry done. Liam also gets some time outside, so that is a plus too.
Today, Liam also wanted some of my tea, which he always does, and I always tell him now, then he says, "It has caffine (cakeen) in it." And I say, "Yes it does." So I told him he could have some milk in a tea cup. He came to sit down next to me with his cup, and after each drink, would lower the cup and go "AAHH". Then takes another drink. He's so full of personality.
In the morning, the kids wandered down the hall following each other. Liam loves this. Last night, while I was cooking dinner, I picked Annabelle up, and he said, "I want Anbel follow me!" So I put her down for her to follow. She does this a lot down the hall, and Liam is usually is really good about closing all the door so she can't go into any of the room and cause mischief. Today, she had already gotten to the bathroom, and I heard them in there banging on the tub, having a grand old time. When I walked in, Liam said, "Anbel standing up!" She sure was, and together they made all kinds of noise and played.
June 8, 2011
Wednesday:
Today I went to a birth, and this morning, at 5:00am, we went to pick up Nanny Frances to come to the house with the kids so I could head to the hospital. This meant waking the kids up, loading them in the car to go get her, and then coming home and getting back to bed. Liam was very excited to see Nanny Frances, since he hadn't seen her in so long, and I was very surprised when she said that he actually went back to sleep after we got home and I left.
Of course, she said they were great, and I asked Liam about what he did with Nanny Frances, and he said they played with Anbel, read books ("ONE book" to be exact), played with his glasses ("I put my glasses (Gaw-gol's) on, and my contacts in my eyes"), and helped Nanny Frances with Anbel. She told me how when Annabelle used the potty after she woke in the morning, Liam was very eager to dump the pee. I told her he likes to do that, and we trying to be very discouraging of it, since it is pee. I don't care what the other hippie parents say about pee being sterile, I still don't think it's wise to have a two-year-old take care of his little sister's potty. Liam doesn't understand this, so we are trying to work out that I will pick up the pee and dump it, and he can open the lid to the toilet while I dump it, and he can flush it. He really likes to be involved.
Today I went to a birth, and this morning, at 5:00am, we went to pick up Nanny Frances to come to the house with the kids so I could head to the hospital. This meant waking the kids up, loading them in the car to go get her, and then coming home and getting back to bed. Liam was very excited to see Nanny Frances, since he hadn't seen her in so long, and I was very surprised when she said that he actually went back to sleep after we got home and I left.
Of course, she said they were great, and I asked Liam about what he did with Nanny Frances, and he said they played with Anbel, read books ("ONE book" to be exact), played with his glasses ("I put my glasses (Gaw-gol's) on, and my contacts in my eyes"), and helped Nanny Frances with Anbel. She told me how when Annabelle used the potty after she woke in the morning, Liam was very eager to dump the pee. I told her he likes to do that, and we trying to be very discouraging of it, since it is pee. I don't care what the other hippie parents say about pee being sterile, I still don't think it's wise to have a two-year-old take care of his little sister's potty. Liam doesn't understand this, so we are trying to work out that I will pick up the pee and dump it, and he can open the lid to the toilet while I dump it, and he can flush it. He really likes to be involved.
June 7, 2011
Tuesday:
It's definitely proving to be an adjustment for Liam. There are a few more fits, a couple whine-fests through out the day, a lot of asking for help with things like getting on the potty, and the continuing request for milk. I has to be hard on little kids to go from one environment and one care giver to another. Especially when the caregiver is a grandma and grandpa, who have (and are supposed to have) a different relationship with them than their parents. I understand, and when I am a Grandma, I am probably going to be a lot like Gigi and Phillip a lot like Poppa. In fact, I'm kinda looking forward to having that relationship with my grandkids, where I don't have to be the 'Mother' with them. I'm not saying I'm going to let my grandkids get away with everything, and I certainly know that Gigi and Poppa don't. I remember when I talked with them one night when we are away and Liam hadn't napped and I heard Gigi in the back ground telling Liam that he is going to bed at 8:00. It's just a different kind of structure, and it's supposed to be, it's a different relationship. I'm really glad the kids have grandparents like them to be a true Gigi and Poppa, and I am more glad that they are the Gigi and Poppa that they are.
It's definitely proving to be an adjustment for Liam. There are a few more fits, a couple whine-fests through out the day, a lot of asking for help with things like getting on the potty, and the continuing request for milk. I has to be hard on little kids to go from one environment and one care giver to another. Especially when the caregiver is a grandma and grandpa, who have (and are supposed to have) a different relationship with them than their parents. I understand, and when I am a Grandma, I am probably going to be a lot like Gigi and Phillip a lot like Poppa. In fact, I'm kinda looking forward to having that relationship with my grandkids, where I don't have to be the 'Mother' with them. I'm not saying I'm going to let my grandkids get away with everything, and I certainly know that Gigi and Poppa don't. I remember when I talked with them one night when we are away and Liam hadn't napped and I heard Gigi in the back ground telling Liam that he is going to bed at 8:00. It's just a different kind of structure, and it's supposed to be, it's a different relationship. I'm really glad the kids have grandparents like them to be a true Gigi and Poppa, and I am more glad that they are the Gigi and Poppa that they are.
June 6, 2011
Monday:
The first day back has been an adjustment for me and Phillip. Last weekend was the longest we had ever been away from the kids, and while we did miss them, we kinda forgot in ways how much work it is to have kids. It's a lot of work, and a lot of fun too. Liam is having to adjust as well. I think in the middle of the night, when he woke up, he forgot that he wasn't at Gigi and Papa's and woke up asking where the vacuum cleaner was, saying he wanted to vacuum. He had Dog clutched in his arm as he wandered into the hallway, so I picked him up and put him in our bed and he went right to sleep. Come morning, I think he started to get everything together.
The first day back has been an adjustment for me and Phillip. Last weekend was the longest we had ever been away from the kids, and while we did miss them, we kinda forgot in ways how much work it is to have kids. It's a lot of work, and a lot of fun too. Liam is having to adjust as well. I think in the middle of the night, when he woke up, he forgot that he wasn't at Gigi and Papa's and woke up asking where the vacuum cleaner was, saying he wanted to vacuum. He had Dog clutched in his arm as he wandered into the hallway, so I picked him up and put him in our bed and he went right to sleep. Come morning, I think he started to get everything together.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
June 5 2011
Sunday:
Today is our last day with Liam and Annabelle. The house will be so empty when they are gone. The best was this morning was when I woked up and Annabelle was sitting up in her bed (she slept in our room) and just talking and smiling at me! How could you start a day any better than that! Then before they left Liam wanted to go outside because Phillip was packing the car. We sat in the golf cart and he pretended to drive. Then he sat on the riding lawn mower and pretended to drive it too. I ask him where he was going and he said Home Depot, imagine that. Then we gave lots of hugs and kisses before thy had to go home. We are so glad that Ruth and Phillip let them stay with us. Our time with them is priceless.
Today is our last day with Liam and Annabelle. The house will be so empty when they are gone. The best was this morning was when I woked up and Annabelle was sitting up in her bed (she slept in our room) and just talking and smiling at me! How could you start a day any better than that! Then before they left Liam wanted to go outside because Phillip was packing the car. We sat in the golf cart and he pretended to drive. Then he sat on the riding lawn mower and pretended to drive it too. I ask him where he was going and he said Home Depot, imagine that. Then we gave lots of hugs and kisses before thy had to go home. We are so glad that Ruth and Phillip let them stay with us. Our time with them is priceless.
June 4, 2011
Saturday:
Day Three. NaNa and Padad were supposed to come out and have lunch with us today. Mudder fell on Friday and hurt her ankle so she could not get out. Mudder is Poppa's grandmother and she is in her nineties. So we packed up Liam,Annabelle, and MiMi and headed to their house for lunch. They also had not seen the little ones in awhile so they enjoyed lots of hugs and kisses and play time. About 2:00 in the afternoon Liam and Annabelle were getting fussy, it was their naptime. Liam climbed up in one of the chairs and fell asleep and Padad wanted to hold Annabelle. He sang to her and she fell asleep! When we got back home Phillip and Ruth were at the house. They had lots of chigger bites and Phillip's allergies were bad.They had a good time but were glad to see the kids. It has been such a joy to have our grandkids here with us.
Day Three. NaNa and Padad were supposed to come out and have lunch with us today. Mudder fell on Friday and hurt her ankle so she could not get out. Mudder is Poppa's grandmother and she is in her nineties. So we packed up Liam,Annabelle, and MiMi and headed to their house for lunch. They also had not seen the little ones in awhile so they enjoyed lots of hugs and kisses and play time. About 2:00 in the afternoon Liam and Annabelle were getting fussy, it was their naptime. Liam climbed up in one of the chairs and fell asleep and Padad wanted to hold Annabelle. He sang to her and she fell asleep! When we got back home Phillip and Ruth were at the house. They had lots of chigger bites and Phillip's allergies were bad.They had a good time but were glad to see the kids. It has been such a joy to have our grandkids here with us.
June 3, 2011
Friday:
Day Two of our time with Liam and Annabelle. Gary picked up MiMi and she came to our house to spend some time with Liam and Annabelle and I had asked her to spend the night with us. It has been awhile since she had seen them and she thought that they had really changed! Friday night Liam and Annabelle were sitting in the floor playing with some toys that I have here at the house for them to play with. There is a Barbie doll that Annabelle was playing with and she pulled the head off! I thought that it was very funny but Liam was very upset and asked me to put the head back on the doll. That reminded me when Phillip was little and wanted to play with an old baby doll that was mine. Well, he was playing with the doll and the head came off! It upset him and he never touched the doll again.
Day Two of our time with Liam and Annabelle. Gary picked up MiMi and she came to our house to spend some time with Liam and Annabelle and I had asked her to spend the night with us. It has been awhile since she had seen them and she thought that they had really changed! Friday night Liam and Annabelle were sitting in the floor playing with some toys that I have here at the house for them to play with. There is a Barbie doll that Annabelle was playing with and she pulled the head off! I thought that it was very funny but Liam was very upset and asked me to put the head back on the doll. That reminded me when Phillip was little and wanted to play with an old baby doll that was mine. Well, he was playing with the doll and the head came off! It upset him and he never touched the doll again.
June 2, 2011
Thursday:
Phillip and Ruth have gone camping for their wedding anniversay. We told them that we would be happy to keep Liam and Annabelle for them. So today is day one. Gary is working at home and taking vacation so he can be with Liam and Annabelle too! I needed to go to Kroger for a few things this morning. I have to admit to being a little nervous taking a 2 and a half year old and an 8 month old out. It has been over 30 years since I have done anything like that. I just did not know if I could handle it or not but we went and managed quite well. Everyone thought that Liam and Annabelle were just so cute. Of course they were not telling me their GiGi something that I did not know. We made it just fine, but I will have to admit I was glad to get home before they got too restless!
Phillip and Ruth have gone camping for their wedding anniversay. We told them that we would be happy to keep Liam and Annabelle for them. So today is day one. Gary is working at home and taking vacation so he can be with Liam and Annabelle too! I needed to go to Kroger for a few things this morning. I have to admit to being a little nervous taking a 2 and a half year old and an 8 month old out. It has been over 30 years since I have done anything like that. I just did not know if I could handle it or not but we went and managed quite well. Everyone thought that Liam and Annabelle were just so cute. Of course they were not telling me their GiGi something that I did not know. We made it just fine, but I will have to admit I was glad to get home before they got too restless!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
June 1, 2011
Wednesday:
The first thing that Liam said this morning was, "We going Gigi Papa's house!" He was oh so excited. The car ride up was pretty entertaining. As we drove out of Austin, the sun was on its way down and was pretty bright out Liam's window. He said, "That sun bothers (bobbers) me. Can you turn sun off Mommy?" I felt bad, and told him I wasn't able to, but put a pillow between the window and his car seat. That helped. Then we did the Dog and Beeboo throwing again. Phillip started getting tired of it, so we tried to be a little more careful as to not hit in with stuffed animal parts. Annabelle also had a great time with it. This made Liam laugh even more. As we got closer, Annabelle started to cry, and Liam kept assuring her, "We almost there Anbel. Don't cry Anbel. It's okay baby." He's such a good big brother.
The first thing that Liam said this morning was, "We going Gigi Papa's house!" He was oh so excited. The car ride up was pretty entertaining. As we drove out of Austin, the sun was on its way down and was pretty bright out Liam's window. He said, "That sun bothers (bobbers) me. Can you turn sun off Mommy?" I felt bad, and told him I wasn't able to, but put a pillow between the window and his car seat. That helped. Then we did the Dog and Beeboo throwing again. Phillip started getting tired of it, so we tried to be a little more careful as to not hit in with stuffed animal parts. Annabelle also had a great time with it. This made Liam laugh even more. As we got closer, Annabelle started to cry, and Liam kept assuring her, "We almost there Anbel. Don't cry Anbel. It's okay baby." He's such a good big brother.
May 31, 2011
Tuesday:
Phillip has taught his son many phrases. He's learned his manners, please and thank you. He's learned various ways to say MAAAAMMMMM, Dadn, Aintbel, etc. The newest is, "I poop like a truck driver!" Not my favorite, but I guess it's something that the guys can bond over.
Phillip has taught his son many phrases. He's learned his manners, please and thank you. He's learned various ways to say MAAAAMMMMM, Dadn, Aintbel, etc. The newest is, "I poop like a truck driver!" Not my favorite, but I guess it's something that the guys can bond over.
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