I've started to make a dent in this house de-cluttering. I read much of the FlyLady website almost a year ago, so I'm kind of following her suggestions, but since RJ is gone today, I'm using this as a way to really get ahead. I de-cluttered our #1 hot spot - the dining room table. Put a fresh table cloth on and put RJ's random stuff in a box. I have the back porch - aka - kids' play area in an organized state of chaos and when PJ wakes up from his nap, we are going to Target to buy yet MORE storage containers. I already know we (LJ and I) are going to have to devote 15 minutes every night to this room alone...if I don't oversee the process - everything gets all out of whack.
We went to visit baby E yesterday. This is an hour long car ride there and back. PJ slept on the way there and LJ was, as usual, great in the car. That kid can sit there and look out the window and be perfectly happy. E is a cute cute cute little boy and when I picked him up, my arms floated up in the air - he is so light. Of course, at 8 weeks old, he weighs less than PJ did at birth. PJ was very interested in trying to kiss (?) or take a bite out of (?) E's face - we'll go with kiss!
RJ comes home today - he was helping my brother and one of my brothers-in-law rebuild the boat dock at MawMaw's house. 3 nights and days alone with the kids - well, I'm ready to have some "help" again! I cannot fathom how single moms do it. I suppose you do what you have to do, but whew - I'm so glad I'm not in that situation. I have enjoyed watching movies RJ would not want to watch - last night was The Devil Wears Prada - still not as good as the book, but better than the Nanny Diaries.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
More Random Catch-up
PJ's Sleep Training:
He wakes up a couple of times a night and cries - it is rare is does so for 3 minutes solid, so he just toughs it out by himself. Since RJ is on duty unless it is 1:00 or 6:00 (the times he's allowed to eat), I just roll over and put the pillow over my ear...we are all sleeping much better.
PJ's Eating:
Pretty much all table food - with random baby food at breakfast (fruit) and dinner (meat/veggies). If there is regular food around - he's not interested in the baby food.
LJ's Potty Training:
I consider it major success that LJ has been willing to wear underwear first thing most morning and has been willing to sit on the potty. No fuss, no complaints - it has all been just fine.
Here is the problem...we get through all the underwear we own - 6 pairs. He pees very often...every 15 - 20 minutes. Not a lot, but enough. So, on the first day, I set my timer for 20 minutes, but we'd sit on the potty and nothing, but then about 5 minutes after getting off the potty - I notice he's got wet pants. Sometimes he tells me, sometimes I just notice. So...? He doesn't seem to mind being in wet underwear. He's not even trying to get to the bathroom...he just pees, like he always has. And, he obviously doesn't "hold" his urine for any amount of time. I read that others ask them to sit on the potty every hour or two - um...that is 4-5 urinations for us.
So - this is a slow process, but I suppose it'll all work out eventually. For those "old school" people out there - the current literature considers using the potty to be a developmental milestone like walking - they'll do it when they are ready and when they are ready, it'll be easy. Boys are typically ready around 3 and 1/2. Frankly, it is easier for him to be in diapers - but you didn't hear me say that.
LJ's Health:
LJ threw up yesterday morning - for the first time in his life...so, I shouldn't complain. Plus, he did it while I was at work, so RJ had to deal with it all - so, I REALLY shouldn't complain. I knew he wasn't feeling well because he asked to take a nap well before nap time - even though his blanket was in the dryer...poor kid. This morning, he's still not feeling well and has spent the morning on the couch. He hasn't thrown up again this morning - he apparently did last night, in bed, a little, but RJ took care of that this morning...LJ didn't seem to notice. This illness is likely going to put a kink in our Saturday plans...
Exciting Family News:
LJ and PJ have a new cousin!!! Aunt MJ and Uncle BJ *finally* made it through the whole adoption process and are now the proud parents of a very cute 6 week old baby EJ - who at 6 weeks is smaller than PJ was when he was born, but sleeps WAY better than PJ does now. I'm trying not to be jealous about that part! We were going to go see them tomorrow, but might postpone that a day or two depending on how LJ's health progresses. Don't want to take any chances...
Interesting (?) Family News:
We are all eating much more healthily as I have just completed Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. I decided to do it! I'm still nursing, so I've been hesitant to do any "diet", but - in researching SBD, it makes soooo much sense to me AND it has me eating a way more healthy diet than I have been. Day 1 I even went out to lunch - Chili's. So, I did some Internet research first and found that the Guiltless Salmon is Phase 1 friendly. Salmon, black beans, and broccoli...I didn't feel deprived in the least. I found the South Beach Diet Cookbook at the library and checked it out. I really like how portions are not limited - just the sugar/enriched flour - which makes so much sense to me. I've told so many people about the concept, so I can tell you if you are interested. Or, you can just search on the Internet and you'll find information about it...I checked out books at the library. We are eating lean meats, cheese, etc...*I'm* limiting my carbs, but the rest of the family is not, but they are eating whole grains - brown rice, whole-wheat bread/pasta, etc. RJ is pretty on board because the science behind it makes sense...he still drinks Coke though! I've been very successful so far and I'm happy with the nutritional changes we are making.
He wakes up a couple of times a night and cries - it is rare is does so for 3 minutes solid, so he just toughs it out by himself. Since RJ is on duty unless it is 1:00 or 6:00 (the times he's allowed to eat), I just roll over and put the pillow over my ear...we are all sleeping much better.
PJ's Eating:
Pretty much all table food - with random baby food at breakfast (fruit) and dinner (meat/veggies). If there is regular food around - he's not interested in the baby food.
LJ's Potty Training:
I consider it major success that LJ has been willing to wear underwear first thing most morning and has been willing to sit on the potty. No fuss, no complaints - it has all been just fine.
Here is the problem...we get through all the underwear we own - 6 pairs. He pees very often...every 15 - 20 minutes. Not a lot, but enough. So, on the first day, I set my timer for 20 minutes, but we'd sit on the potty and nothing, but then about 5 minutes after getting off the potty - I notice he's got wet pants. Sometimes he tells me, sometimes I just notice. So...? He doesn't seem to mind being in wet underwear. He's not even trying to get to the bathroom...he just pees, like he always has. And, he obviously doesn't "hold" his urine for any amount of time. I read that others ask them to sit on the potty every hour or two - um...that is 4-5 urinations for us.
So - this is a slow process, but I suppose it'll all work out eventually. For those "old school" people out there - the current literature considers using the potty to be a developmental milestone like walking - they'll do it when they are ready and when they are ready, it'll be easy. Boys are typically ready around 3 and 1/2. Frankly, it is easier for him to be in diapers - but you didn't hear me say that.
LJ's Health:
LJ threw up yesterday morning - for the first time in his life...so, I shouldn't complain. Plus, he did it while I was at work, so RJ had to deal with it all - so, I REALLY shouldn't complain. I knew he wasn't feeling well because he asked to take a nap well before nap time - even though his blanket was in the dryer...poor kid. This morning, he's still not feeling well and has spent the morning on the couch. He hasn't thrown up again this morning - he apparently did last night, in bed, a little, but RJ took care of that this morning...LJ didn't seem to notice. This illness is likely going to put a kink in our Saturday plans...
Exciting Family News:
LJ and PJ have a new cousin!!! Aunt MJ and Uncle BJ *finally* made it through the whole adoption process and are now the proud parents of a very cute 6 week old baby EJ - who at 6 weeks is smaller than PJ was when he was born, but sleeps WAY better than PJ does now. I'm trying not to be jealous about that part! We were going to go see them tomorrow, but might postpone that a day or two depending on how LJ's health progresses. Don't want to take any chances...
Interesting (?) Family News:
We are all eating much more healthily as I have just completed Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. I decided to do it! I'm still nursing, so I've been hesitant to do any "diet", but - in researching SBD, it makes soooo much sense to me AND it has me eating a way more healthy diet than I have been. Day 1 I even went out to lunch - Chili's. So, I did some Internet research first and found that the Guiltless Salmon is Phase 1 friendly. Salmon, black beans, and broccoli...I didn't feel deprived in the least. I found the South Beach Diet Cookbook at the library and checked it out. I really like how portions are not limited - just the sugar/enriched flour - which makes so much sense to me. I've told so many people about the concept, so I can tell you if you are interested. Or, you can just search on the Internet and you'll find information about it...I checked out books at the library. We are eating lean meats, cheese, etc...*I'm* limiting my carbs, but the rest of the family is not, but they are eating whole grains - brown rice, whole-wheat bread/pasta, etc. RJ is pretty on board because the science behind it makes sense...he still drinks Coke though! I've been very successful so far and I'm happy with the nutritional changes we are making.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Sleep Training for PJ
First - Happy New Year! We did stay up (RJ had to convince me - I wanted to go to bed) to ring in the New Year on the East Coast...and then we went to bed. On New Year's Day we drove to S&R's house with Jfer in tow and had a really nice visit. We enjoyed seeing their house and the delicious meals S cooked for us. We were so happy to see M&B and I think S&R survived LJ at their house...he decided to feed their frog - all of the food in the container. This resulted in syphoning and cleaning the tank - once again, we are sorry. This little 3 year old is tough to reign in. Seriously 3 is CRAZY.
We have been "sleep-training" PJ for 3 nights now - here is the little journal I've been keeping (thus far)"
Night 1 - Jan 3, 2008
PJ has survived (or should I say, we have survived) his first night of "sleep training" - it wasn't that bad. We did our normal routine, but added a story in his room before we put him down - awake - for bed. Previously, he was bounced to sleep in the bouncy seat. He feel asleep on his own - no crying. Then, when he cried in the night we did a 3 minutes of crying, 1 minute of back patting - then, 5 minutes of crying, 1 minute of back patting - then 10 minutes of crying, 1 minute of back patting...and 10 minutes every time after that. He never got past 3 minutes of crying. He cried once for 3 minutes, RJ went in, patted his back - left and PJ never cried for another 3 minutes. Later in the night, he cried for fewer than 3 minutes, so we never went in. Um...I'm not holding my breath that tonight will be as good, but the first night was sooo not bad I'm kicking myself for not starting sooner. Except that RJ's parents have spent 2 -3 nights with us mosts weeks for the past few weeks and I hesitate to subject anyone to what could be a long night of crying. I just put PJ down for his morning nap - no bouncing and no nursing to sleep and he fussed for a few minutes, but now it is quiet in there.
Night 2 - Jan 4, 2008
He cried out about 3 times, but never for long enough for RJ to go in there...um - this is either a fluke or WHY DID WE NOT DO THIS SOONER?! Do you have any idea how much my quality of life will improve if I can have some down time at night AND still get a good solid 6 - 7 hours of sleep. I'd prefer 8, but 6 straight hours is so foreign to me that I *know* that alone will be monumental.
Night 3 - Jan 5, 2008
Great! - he cried out 1x (when it was not ok to eat) and put himself back to sleep quickly. He went 6 1/2 hours without eating and then 3 1/2 hours, so I'm ready to take him down to eating 1x a night and then, eventually (within a few days) 0. LJ just did all of these things on his own, so it is foreign to me to have to "teach" PJto do them.
We have been "sleep-training" PJ for 3 nights now - here is the little journal I've been keeping (thus far)"
Night 1 - Jan 3, 2008
PJ has survived (or should I say, we have survived) his first night of "sleep training" - it wasn't that bad. We did our normal routine, but added a story in his room before we put him down - awake - for bed. Previously, he was bounced to sleep in the bouncy seat. He feel asleep on his own - no crying. Then, when he cried in the night we did a 3 minutes of crying, 1 minute of back patting - then, 5 minutes of crying, 1 minute of back patting - then 10 minutes of crying, 1 minute of back patting...and 10 minutes every time after that. He never got past 3 minutes of crying. He cried once for 3 minutes, RJ went in, patted his back - left and PJ never cried for another 3 minutes. Later in the night, he cried for fewer than 3 minutes, so we never went in. Um...I'm not holding my breath that tonight will be as good, but the first night was sooo not bad I'm kicking myself for not starting sooner. Except that RJ's parents have spent 2 -3 nights with us mosts weeks for the past few weeks and I hesitate to subject anyone to what could be a long night of crying. I just put PJ down for his morning nap - no bouncing and no nursing to sleep and he fussed for a few minutes, but now it is quiet in there.
Night 2 - Jan 4, 2008
He cried out about 3 times, but never for long enough for RJ to go in there...um - this is either a fluke or WHY DID WE NOT DO THIS SOONER?! Do you have any idea how much my quality of life will improve if I can have some down time at night AND still get a good solid 6 - 7 hours of sleep. I'd prefer 8, but 6 straight hours is so foreign to me that I *know* that alone will be monumental.
Night 3 - Jan 5, 2008
Great! - he cried out 1x (when it was not ok to eat) and put himself back to sleep quickly. He went 6 1/2 hours without eating and then 3 1/2 hours, so I'm ready to take him down to eating 1x a night and then, eventually (within a few days) 0. LJ just did all of these things on his own, so it is foreign to me to have to "teach" PJto do them.
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