RJ's B-Day

RJ celebrated his #&th birthday over the weekend...and what a celebration it was. You all know how much I enjoy planning events such as this - and we had some family coming into town for another event anyway, so...I took this excuse to plan a shin-dig and ran with it.

The theme was "cars" - and not the Disney movie. Guests included MawMaw, my brother and his family and my niece ES (her first time to come to our house and our first time to see her in a L O N G time) and her boyfriend B. These people were all going to be in town anyway, so don't feel slighted if you weren't invited...no one was really "invited", they just showed up! We hope that ES will feel as though she can just show up anytime she so desires.

Ok, back to the party - I went all out with the theme...the table:

The craft table - where people made their own license plate:

The menu was hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chip, veggies, dip, baked beans, cake, ice cream, candy, candy, candy, and candy. LJ was in little boy heaven. The games included: A "road rally" to find the cake, Red Light/Green Light, Marshmallow races, "RJ Says", Pin the Balloon on the Firetruck, and Musical Chairs. Every time a person/team won a game, they got a prize and RJ got a Matchbox car...which, of course, LJ has inherited. Many guests were so generous as to bring gifts, so RJ has worn a new t-shirt, bought a weed-eater, and run his remote-control cars all over the house (with LJ laughing and chasing after them). It was BIG fun and we had a great time.

(LJ is having trouble limiting his candy intake, so we are having to intervene in a big way.)

PJ Update

This entry is dedicated solely to PJ - who, as #2, has very little dedicated solely to him.

Tuesday marked PJ's 5th month, if we are going strictly by date...April 25 - Sept 25. But, if we are marking time by weeks - Wednesday marked PJ's 22nd week. If we consider a month to be 4 weeks, as it generally is, then PJ is 5 months, 2 weeks. I suppose it doesn't matter all that much...unless you are a parent who is waiting until PJ is 6 months old to start solid food. (I know I *can* feed him solids whenever *I* want, but all research indicates that it is not necessary, potentially causes/intensifies allergies, won't make them sleep any longer, etc.) With LJ (I promise not to mention him too much in this post dedicated solely to PJ), I counted down the time until I could give him solid food because feeding an infant solid food was such a novelty. With PJ, I counted down the time until I could give him solid food because he seems to want it so desperately. He intently watches every morsel of food go into people's mouths, he grabs at anything he can on my plate and tries to shove it in his mouth, he'll claw his way across the floor if LJ has something PJ deems to be food and at a level which he can feasibly army crawl his way toward...this kid just seems to be ready to eat. So, we did it - we gave him his first solid food - Sweet Potato. He opened his mouth and swallowed it down as though he's been doing this for months. In fact, RJ was feeding him sweet potatoes while he (RJ) was eating chocolate cake. RJ turned his attention toward LJ for a split second and PJ went after that cake. We have it on video - it is hilarious - you must ask to see it when you are at our house. So, PJ is on his way to a diet that includes more solids. Sweet potato passed the 3 day allergic reaction test, now he's on day three of rice cereal, and then we'll try squash.

PJ is going to crawl any day now. I know it seems early and we can't believe it ourselves, but he's going to do it. He's been flipping from back to front for a good long while now. Once on his front, he's pretty good at manipulating himself around and he shows zero desire to flip from front to back. He can do it, but I don't think he sees any point in it...I mean, no one ever got anywhere (ie - toward any food) by lying on their back! In the past couple of days, PJ has pushed himself up on his hands and feet - aka bear crawl position - and then he lowers himself to his knees and rocks back and forth. I suppose he could maintain this for quite a while without any forward movement, but I think he is ready to get around and he seems to be a very physically determined child.

PJ now has a crib in his room. We had to go buy one as LJ still loves sleeping in his - and we are in no hurry to have him out of it. It was a hand-me down from my sister, so we have only had to purchase one crib over the course of two children. This crib is a "convertible", so we'll have to figure out what to do when LJ is in a bed...do we convert this crib to a toddler bed and put PJ is LJ's crib or what? But, we'll make that decision when we have to! PJ's "theme" is jungle animals - very cute sheet, bumper, and blanket. The greens coordinate well with my super awesome green rocker/recliner in his room. The whole set-up looks really cozy and I wish I could curl up in there and sleep. We're hopeful that it will be a soothing sanctuary for PJ and that he'll love his crib as much as LJ loves his!

As LJ Says...

There are several noteworthy things that LJ has said of late. I submit the following for your reading pleasure:

After dinner last night, RJ said, "It is time to clean up" - meaning, it is time to clean up the dinner dishes. To this, LJ replied, "Why? Who is coming over?"

See how he is already trained in the art of our cleaning habits...we just have people over often enough to keep our house from getting really out of hand as that is the only motivation strong enough to encourage us to use our "free" time cleaning.

In the car a couple of evenings ago, LJ took a toy away from PJ. I told LJ that was not nice and to give the toy back to PJ. To this, LJ said, "I want you to go away PR. Go back to the doctor where you belong."

I struggled very hard not to laugh out loud while RJ explained that we are all a family and we belong together - not with the doctor. Very funny stuff.

And, just now - as I'm typing this, LJ came over, patted my wet, freshly-washed hair and said, "your hair looks pretty nice Mama"

- and we'll just leave it at that for now.

Impulse Control?

Where to begin? I'm going to try to create a picture for you - but I doubt you will truly grasp what I'm going to tell you...since many of you haven't seen LJ's room.

1:00 - nap time. All goes normally. When LJ goes down for a nap, he usually plays for a bit (sometimes up to an hour) in his crib, but he eventually falls asleep.

Around 1:45, PJ wakes from his nap and I start feeding him.

2:00 - I hear a thump and then LJ crying. I put PJ in his bouncy seat - (he was none too happy about being cut-off mid-meal) and go to LJ's room.

I open the door and the first thing I see it a puddle on the floor and a tipped over bottle of rubbing alcohol. This had previously been on the chest of drawers next to LJ's crib. This is a tall chest of drawers and everything has been put out of his reach...thanks to the "band-aid" incident a few weeks ago. My eye goes from the puddle to see that LJ is standing in his crib with the front of his shirt pulled over and behind his head, but his arms are still in it. He has taken off his pants and his diaper, so he is void of clothes...except on his arms. The clock radio, lamp, piggy bank, and various pictures and frames (notice I list them separately - they were separated...and one, ripped in half) in his crib. And, remember LJ is crying...he is upset because his pacifier is on the floor - As if I'm going to come in, see this sight, pick up his pacifier, hand it to him and walk away.

I scolded him pretty harshly as I cleaned up the mess and re-clothed him...telling him that the lamp is dangerous, I'm really sad that he ripped the picture, etc. and he cried and cried all the while telling me that he doesn't know why he did it. Finally, he yawned as he said he was sorry. I took all fun things out of his crib (toy and book) and told him he'd be wise to just go to sleep.

PJ finished eating while I called RJ to tell him about "his son". We laughed about it and concluded that LJ just couldn't help himself. He likely got one thing off the chest of drawers and then kept going...I guess he must have hoisted himself up onto it a bit - that's the only way he could have reached everything. I guess we should be thankful that he didn't hurt himself or drink the rubbing alcohol - (there, I said the required things, so don't chastise us :-) )

I had to go wake LJ up from this nap - I think he figured he'd better wait until I came to get him. I asked him to tell me what we talked about before his nap and he pointed to the chest and said, "those things do not belong in my crib" - then I asked about his diaper and he said, "it does not belong in my crib either." (we told him last week that he cannot take his diaper off in his crib, so I was glad he repeated it - we'll give the potty training update later) I was satisfied, but I bet RJ will have a few words to say when he gets home.

WHAAA!

This is me crying - something has possessed PJ and it is not something good. We've had major sleeping issues for the past 5 days and I'm so sleep deprived I fear there will be ramifications in other areas of my life. I'm sure RJ feels the same way, but he's generally more optimistic (we won't go into the pros/cons of such an approach in this post) than I am. PJ, not being our first child, has the benefit of our wisdom, but - PJ, not being our first child, does not respond to our wisdom in the same manner as our first child did. This is monumentally frustrating.

Let's see, where to begin? Wednesday night was a horror show as PJ woke (no joke) every hour. See, up until now - he'd been going from 8:00ish to 4:00ish without waking, so this was our routine. When he wakes up every hour - this deviates from the routine in a rather significant manner. RJ is "on duty" until 3:00, but I think (my brain is foggy) that we relented and I fed him around 2:00. So, all was well until 3:30 when I took him out to the couch and we slept (fitfully) until 6:00 when I relented and fed him again. Thursday was not much better, but I managed to get PJ to take an hour-long nap while I slept next to him on our bed. Thursday night was a tad better, but still - he was up several times and I think I fed him 2x that night. At this point, I'm hoping he's just going through a growth spurt and if he gets enough to eat, he'll pipe down. This suspicion seems to be confirmed as Jfer had a rather sleepy time with him on Friday (Jfer, correct me if I have Wednesday and Friday confused because I'm seriously brain dead). This follows the growth spurt formula. A day or two of inconsolable fussiness and wanting to eat all the time followed by a day or two of "unwakable" sleep. Terrrific! Problem solved. And, Friday night was rather normal - original normal, not most recent normal.

Saturday, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom Mom (great grandma), and great aunt and uncle came for a visit and that all went well and was a nice time. LJ managed to get a shortened nap time in, but PJ's nap time was shortened as well and we were already working on a sleep deficit...not good for Saturday night...back to horror show. Sunday was a busy day of finishing up laundry and going to the grocery store all before 3:30 when Jfer arrives for 3 hours of sitting while RJ and I go to work (this is an every Sunday thing and, while it sounds no fun (well, it isn't that pleasant), it is a great help to the regular work week). PJ had napped in a normal way on Sunday, but I think he needs a late afternoon nap and sometimes he doesn't get it/allow himself to go down for it. So, he was ready for bed when bedtime came...until 11:30 when he'd have no part of laying down. I believe I fed him and he was ok, after MANY attempts to put him down, until 4:00, when I fed him again.

Look, he's basically crying every hour or two at night...for the past several nights. Sometimes, he passes some gas and then settles down...sometimes, he's just not happy and we can't tell why. Maybe he has an ear infection? Growth spurt? WHAT???? Remember how PJ was "the happiest baby"? WELL??????

Latest Stats...

PJ visited the dr. today...

At 4 months of age:
Weight - 18 pounds, 12 ounces
Length - 27 1/4 inches

What does this mean? Intersting you should ask!
His weight percentile is >97th
His length percentile is >97th

However, his "weight for length" percentile is 50th - 75th

So...he weighs more than 97% of 4 month olds and he is longer than 97% of 4 month olds, but when you consider his weight for how long he is - he isn't as "big" as you might suspect from his stats...or something like that.

Rolling...

PJ is officially a rolling-fool. While LJ first rolled from front to back, PJ first rolled from back to front. Anytime we put him down on his back, in short order, he flips to his tummy....where he is much more happy than LJ ever was.

Additionally, RJ and I have decided that PJ is a survivor - he is a very determined little boy. He is the type of baby you could plop down in the forest and he'd scootch to things and pull them into his mouth. So, provided he didn't ingest something poisonous and/or didn't choke - he'd live through the isolation. Not that we would plop a baby down in the forest and just leave or anything.

This is What Happens When...

You leave a box of band-aids within reach of a certain toddler who is supposed to be napping...

PJ's Baptism

Last Saturday, August 11th, PJ we celebrated PJ's baptism...and what a celebration it was. We enjoyed the company of many family members and a few friends as a grand total of 32 people were in attendance! His Godmother, KK and his Godfather, MJ did a wonderful job in helping us introduce PJ as the newest member of the Christian community.

Lunch at a local bar-b-que restaurant allowed for conversation and continued celebration...and, much to LJ's satisfaction there was cake - 3 kinds! Oh, and many people were kind enough to bring him presents. I think we are going to have to get a house...just for LJ - so we can store all of the gifts that people bring. He loves every one of them!

This past week, I've been back at work and the Js are finally having to confront the real schedule. It has been great to be able to be off of work for so long, but the time has come to go back...for good. So far, so good with the transition, but he real test will be in about a week when school starts and we add Jfer's new babysitting schedule to the mix. I think it'll work out perfectly and LJ will certainly be happy to have Jfer here (as she plays with him more than I do...maybe more than daddy does(?))!

This is Delicious!

LJ is cracking us up on a daily basis - the things he says and where he gets them (well, some of them we can tell where he get them) are beyond us, but they are funny to hear a 2-almost-3-year-old say.

At dinner the other night, he took a bite, closed his eyes and said, "ummm, this is delicious".

When we tell him what we are going to do (like, "put on yours shoes, go to the bank, and go get your cookie"), he sometimes says, "oh my - that will be so much fun".

Sometimes, things get more than one "so" - like if we tell him someone is coming to visit, that might get a "that will be so, so, so much fun".

He has one picture book of food and he always calls the butter - peanut butter. The other day, he said, "peanut butter, no actually - it is just butter" - hilarious...although that is what we've said to him...we've discovered that we say "actually" quite a bit...a lot, actually.

Aside from these funnies, LJ has an amazing sense of direction. I first noticed this LAST summer when we moved office buildings. I remember telling LJ that we were going to see daddy at work, which I'm sure was going to be so, so, so much fun. When we passed our original building, LJ screamed, "NOOOOOOO" and pointed at our old building. I tried to explain to him that daddy and mommy where in a new building, but he didn't really calm down until we saw daddy. Since then, he never ceases to amaze me with his keen observations. We almost always tell him where we are going and he'll tell us if we go a different way. When we turn on a street, he'll say - "this is how we go to get doughnuts" or "we are almost to the bank" or something like that. We stayed in a certain chain of hotel once this summer...when he saw that hotel here (I didn't even know we had one), he said "oh, there's our's new place" - and sure enough, it was the same chain. RJ explained that it wasn't ours, it was "a match" (which he is very into matching things and noticing matches) and he said "oh, is a match". I'm fairly certain I was not this observant at his age.

PJ rolled over (front to back) once over the weekend. He hasn't done it since, but in all honesty, we aren't that diligent with tummy time. I'm making more of an effort this week though. I wouldn't have thought this possible, but I think PJ is *more* laid back and *more* happy than LJ was...this kid smiles ALL THE TIME. In fact, he'll cry to get our attention, but as soon as we walk into his line of sight - he starts smiling and kicking his feet. He is a little Houdini though - we've had to invent Swaddle System 3 for him...more on that later, perhaps.

The New Rules

We instituted the "no eating before 2:30 am" rule and PJ has been quite cooperative. He's only woken before 2:30 2x in the past week and RJ has gotten him to go back to sleep easily. After eating sometime after 2:30, he's gone back to sleep until 6:xx - so, we're happy. LJ didn't sleep all the way through the night until he was 8 months old, so I have no delusions that PJ will be different.

LJ has been "back talking" lately. Saying, "no" when I tell him to do something or just arguing with me in general. I really think he is too young to understand fully what he is doing, but he sits in the naughty chair sometimes anyway. When I ask him why he's in the naughty chair, he says, "because I say no" - so...he does know not to say "no", but I'm not sure he gets when it is OK to say no (do you want a cookie? no. vs. pick up your puzzle. no.) and when it isn't. It is all a work in progress I suppose.

I so enjoyed discovering what 80s toy you are, that I'd now like to know if you are a Yankee or a Rebel...

Time to Obsess (and) Take a Quiz

You have the rare treat of 2 topics in 1 blog entry!

First, I guess I have finally hit the "time to obsess" so far as PJ's sleep habits are concerned. I say this as I have What to Expect the First Year, Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems, and Baby wise sitting in front of me. Let me start off by saying, things are really not all that bad. While PJ is not sleeping as well as LJ was at this point, I seem to have plenty of energy and I'm not walking around like a zombie. I'm not even tired enough to take a nap most days. However, even when I don't feel tired, if I lay down - I'm out in fewer than 5 minutes.

Here is a typical day for PJ:

Wake up and nurse between 6:00 and 7:00
Awake time for 45 minutes or so
Nap for about an hour
Nurse around 9:00 or 10:00
Awake time for about 45 minutes
Nap for 1-2 hours
Nurse around 11:30 or 12:30
Awake time for about an hour
Nap for 3-4 hours
Nurse around 4:00 or 5:00
Awake until next feeding - maybe a catnap
Nurse around 6:30 or 7:30
Awake time
Nurse and down for the night around 8:30
Nurse anytime between 12:30 and 3:30 and back to sleep

Sounds ok, right? Well, what I didn't tell you is that after his middle of the night nursing, he sleeps for an hour or so and then he wakes up. He'll invariably burp and have gas, so the only way I can continue to get any sleep is to go lay on the couch with him. He'll sleep, wake up with gas, sleep, wake up with gas, sleep...until it is 6:00ish when I'll go ahead and feed him and start the day. We are making progress - he no longer has a dirty diaper in the middle of the night! But, LJ was going all night by this point. I'm thinking that LONG afternoon nap might be the problem - since he's sleeping so long at that nap, he's missing a feeding. So, perhaps he hasn't banked enough calories to go all night long?! Of course, I'm probably not going to do anything about it because 1) I relish the 1:00 - 4:00 afternoon nap time...both PJ and LJ are napping at this time and 2) the situation isn't unpleasant enough for me to sustain any action I take.

Now, onto the fun part...What 80's Toy are You??? Take this quiz and post your results! I'll tell you what *I* got later.

Whew! July is BUSY!

July has been a very busy month so far, but I think it is all about to slow down. I finished up work the 1st week of July and now I'm off until mid-August. So, what have the Js been doing?

July 4th - we did stay up late enough to see the fireworks. It was raining and they started early, so RJ was still parking the car as LJ, PJ, and I were huddled under an overhang. Then, I heard the tell-tale whistle followed by a boom. LJ, PJ, and I ventured into the rain so we could see the burst of color in the sky. It wasn't raining too hard, but it was difficult to hold PJ AND hold LJ's ears because he didn't like the sound. We weren't that close, so the sound wasn't that bad. I wanted to tell him that this was nothing compared to the sound I endured as a child. The fireworks were the capstone of the local baseball farm team (mostly the Cubs) game - they were shot from behind the centerfield wall, so I couldn't have been sitting more than 500 yards away...and they were LOUD! But, I don't think LJ is old enough to appreciate how "bad" I had it compared to his complaints. As a side note, he's been getting into his car seat and telling me "it is too hot". Whatever. The car is parked under a carport and his seat is made of cloth. Try sitting on the vinyl seat of a car that has been sitting in 100 degree summer sun - then we can talk about "too hot".

The weekend following the 4th, we went to a play date with the mommies and kids from my message board and hung around that town for the whole weekend. We got to see some of "mommy's and daddy's friends" and had a great time. We stayed in a hotel and LJ got to swim in the pool and sleep in a "new" crib (the hotel's crib) - these things make him very happy.

And yesterday, we returned from visiting Mawmaw's house. It was a special treat as LJ got to play with his cousin J and go on a boat ride. This year, he liked the boat ride. Last year, he wasn't too thrilled.

Other than traveling, we've been enjoying going to the library and checking out books. Next week, we are going to attempt to go to the "kid's movie camp" at a local movie theater. They show movies for kids at 9:30 am and charge $1.00. There are only 2 movies I've decided LJ can see (after reading movie reviews and determining how much rude talk and insolent behavior is shown...) - this week is Curious George - I doubt LJ will sit still for 2 hours.

Trip to "Zoo Town"

This blog entry is dedicated to Auntie K...

The J's took their first overnight trip since PJ joined the clan...and it worked so well that we have 2 more planned. June 21st we loaded up all of the "stuff" that you have to take "just in case" when you have an infant. For example, we had to have the bouncy seat - just in case. You'll be glad to know we did not take the swing. We decided to leave a little after the start of nap-time in hopes that the kids would sleep in the car - ha ha ha. Once we were within about 20 minutes of our destination, they fell asleep, so not much of a nap that day. We checked into our hotel and decided it was worth the tip it would take to have the bellhop carry our luggage for us...yep, it was THAT kind of hotel (but I know how to get some discounts). Our room was a "suite" - actually, it was an all suite hotel - so there was a small living room and a bedroom (separate from the living room). This is what we needed - LJ slept in the living room, RJ and I slept in the bedroom and PJ slept in his car seat in the "bathroom" - it was the dressing area outside of the bathroom and was rather large, for those of you who care about these things.

We set everything up and decided to try for an early dinner at a favorite Italian restaurant - which was right by our hotel. Dinner went perfectly, LJ was in a good mood and PJ slept through it all. After dinner, we decided to take LJ for a swim in the hotel pool. Well, RJ and LJ swam while PJ and I sat on a lawn chair. LJ thought this was great fun (except when RJ made him go under water) and he decided we need a pool in our backyard (I agree). LJ kept calling the town "zoo town" and the hotel room "our's new place" and he liked our's new place very much. We all slept well that night - including PJ who only woke one time to eat.

The next morning, we ate breakfast and headed to the zoo. It was hot and it was humid and many of the animals were not around. It was kind of disappointing. We did see a rhino, a tiger, a giraffe, and some other animals, but LJ wasn't that interested. He really seemed most interested in pushing the stroller in which he had been riding until....we got to the "children's zoo" and then he was most interested in playing on the playground. This, of course, we can do at home, but I've learned not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Anything that can wear a child out physically, is a welcome thing. So, he played on the playground for a good bit and then we went to ride the carousel. LJ wasn't too interested in sitting on his "horse" (which was really a monkey) by himself, but RJ convinced him and once the ride started - he liked it a lot.

The morning at the zoo ended with the purchase of a "zoo plate", a zebra magnet, and a pressed penny and a ride on the "train" around the park that surrounds the zoo. This was probably the most fun - even though I started to get a headache from the gas motor fumes coming from the train's "engine". PJ napped in his sling the entire time as I fanned his face and tried to get some air circulating around him. There came a time when I started to wonder if he was suffering from hyperthermia, but he seems no worse for the trip to the zoo. We went back to the hotel to pack up our's new room and take one last dip in the pool before heading home. We got home around 3:00 (LJ fell asleep in the car around 2:30) and we put LJ in his crib and left PJ in his car seat to sleep.

Whenever we serve LJ some food on his zoo plate, he says, "oh, you gave me my zoo plate" and when we ask him what his favorite animal was, he says, "the zebra" - sometimes he says, "cheese", but we're not sure what that is about.

PJ's 2 Month Check-up

The stats are in...

At 2 Months (8 1/2 weeks):
Weight - 15 pounds 1.5 ounces
Length - 25 inches

For comparison purposes - at 2 months, LJ was 13 pounds 7.5 ounces ands 23.5 inches...and we all know how big he is at 2 years 7 months, so heaven help us. One day, these boys are going to be teenagers and they'll be eating us out of house and home (I think that's the saying). As it is, LJ doesn't really at all that much, but he's a milk-drinking fool.

PJ has started (3 nights in a row) to go from 8:30ish to 3:00ish at night before requesting more nourishment (knocking on wood here) and then waking again around 6:00. I can stave him off until 7 or 8 before eating (by laying with him on the couch or putting him in his swing), but since I started work today - I fed him and put him back to sleep after that. He wakes at 6:00 as he often makes a dirty diaper and for some reason, he wants company as he does this. Perhaps he knows that, if he has company, he'll get a fresh diaper and who wouldn't prefer to sleep in a fresh diaper?!

Tune in later this week for a recap of our first overnight trip - which included a trip to the zoo!

The Battle for the Crown (medal - actually)

A bakery/restaurant known for cookies had their Annual Cookie Eating Contest and we decided that LJ should compete. We wanted him to enter last year, but the timing of the contest did not fit our busy social calendar. We feared that last year was LJ's year to win as this year, he savors his savories more - and this is not a good strategy for an eating contest. I spent many days explaining that, if he ate one cookie, he'd get another and then another - so he should eat them really quickly. When we'd ask him how many cookies he could eat, he'd hold up his hand and say, "2", but we thought this might be OK for his "2 and under" bracket.

LJ's flight chowed down at 4:00, so we woke him from his nap and then headed out with the J'fy family in tow. LJ chose chocolate chip as his cookie of choice and milk for his drink. There were 6 competitors total, but only 1 of them looked like she might provide competition (as she, like LJ was clearly more toddler than baby) - all of this contingent on the whims of LJ's eating mood. It could go either way - he could really get into it, or he could altogether refuse to eat even one bite. I, being a legal guardian, sat next to him at the table and chose 3 cookies when the man with the tray came around. Then, the announcer said, "one bite out of a cookie equals a whole cookie". Hmmm...how to interpret this? The man with the tray asked if I was sure I didn't want anymore - so I took 2 more. Then I asked the counter assigned to us..."should I encourage him to eat a whole cookie - or just to take a bite and move on to the next?" She shrugged and said, "I don't know" - she did not offer to find out. I asked the man with the cookie tray if he was going to be close by so we could reload and he said he would. I was still unsure how to proceed. I didn't want to be "wasteful" or come across like a pushy stage mom, but I didn't want to be a chump either.

The announcer said, "go" and the competitors had 6 minutes to eat as many cookies as they could. I started by encouraging LJ to pick up a cookie and take a bite...which he did. Then I encouraged him to pick up another cookie and take a bite...which he did. He had soon taken 1 bite out of each of the 7 cookies on his tray and our counter had counted them all - and the other toddler-girl was up to 8. So, with the cheers from the J'fys and my competitive streak kicking in - I called for more cookies and got more involved. I was now handing a cookie to LJ, telling him to take a bite and put it down - over and over. He started to slow down a bit around 13, so I told him to drink some milk - which he did...he kind of started laughing, but quickly regained his focus as a true cookie eating champ would. The announcer kept announcing totals, but I couldn't tell who's totals they were, so each announcement pushed me into overdrive - handing LJ cookie after cookie. When all was said and done - the counter had counted 22 cookies from which LJ had taken a bite. Toddler-girl - 20. LJ was victorious!!! He is the Cookie King! For his efforts, he won a medal which proclaims that he is the Cookie King and with this medal, he can get 1 free cookie a day for a YEAR! Wow!

His victory was heavily celebrated with pictures, pats on the back, atta-boys, handshakes, and footage on the evening news. We got to bring the "one-bite missing" cookies home and it turns out he really took one bite out of 27 cookies. It also turns out that there is a Cookie Queen, so toddler-girl also won a medal. Knowing this, LJ could have coasted as he was the only boy competing...so, Cookie King was his the whole time. But, we all know he is the Cookie Champion.

RJ, Jfer, Bekah, and I decided to enter the "who can eat 4 cookies the quickest" contest since no one else had entered. By the time the contest started others had entered, so we were not assured the win we thought we had in the bag. Alas, none of us won, but when the winner shoved the last morsels in his mouth, Jfer and I had 1/2 a cookie left and RJ and Bekah each had a whole cookie left. These were large cookies and we all felt rather uncomfortable afterwards.

We have video of all of the above, so should you find yourself at our house - I suggest you ask to watch - it is all rather amusing. If you come to our house soon, you can have a cookie with 1 bite missing as you enjoy the footage.

Sleep, PJ, Sleep

On all accounts, PJ is another "easy baby". He isn't fussy for no apparent reason - so long as we stick to our routine, he isn't too fussy at all. He is smiling now - and cooing. This is fun and we often have nice "conversations" that must be pleasant as he smiles throughout. I think he is a "mama's boy" as I seem to be able to comfort him more quickly than anyone else. I suppose this is only fair as LJ was definitely (and still is) a "daddy's boy".

As you know, I have kept a nursing journal (which is nothing more than the date, the time of nursing, and how long said infant nursed on each side) for both LJ and PJ. This provides much information for me to analyze and I do analyze it frequently. At this point in LJ's life (and you can see this yourself if you look through the Dec 2004 archives of this blog), he was sleeping 5-7 hours straight at night. PJ sleeps 3 - 5. We are eagerly awaiting the 6, 7, or 8 hour stretches, but they don't seem to be coming.

Swaddle - check.
White noise - check.
Pacifier - not good at taking it.

I mean, not good at it at all. He'll suck on my finger and love it, but the pacifier - he keeps opening his mouth wide as if he's trying to show me that he's ready for a good latch. If I did present a milk-producing pacifier...he'd refuse it once the milk started flowing, so he isn't hungry...he's just showing me that I don't have to worry about nipple confusion because he wont' let himself be confused. We've even tried different types of pacifier...not working. This is probably for the best as I can only imagine the issues we'd have with LJ if he ever saw PJ with a pacifier.

All-in-all, PJ is a good sleeper, so we can't complain - I'm just saying...LJ was sleeping longer by this age.

The Eat-Tree 3000

Here is LJ's first invention - "The Eat-Tree 3000"






As you can see, he has attached the paddle from my mixer to his fork. He says the paddle looks like a tree. He sometimes watches a cartoon called "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!" and there is a character (Widget) who invents things...the name always ends with "3000".


This kid is going to be our meal ticket (to continue the theme) one day!

LJ and the Number 2

When LJ wants to tell you he has or wants 1 of something, he holds his finger up like this:

When LJ wants to tell you he has or wants 2 of something, he holds his fingers up like this:

and we laugh everytime!

LJ-isms

LJ talks - A LOT - and he says some pretty funny things sometimes. One of my favorites has to do with potty training. LJ is flat-out not interested...not only is he not interested, he just plain won't do it and we are not compelled to force him into it right now. On top of that, everything we read says that you don't want potty training to be a battle of wills. Add to that, everyone who has recently potty trained a child has told me not to sweat it - when they are ready - it'll happen really quickly. We are, however, trying some tactics. We've put a glass jar of M&Ms on the bathroom counter and told LJ that he can get candy by 1) sitting on his potty without his diaper (1 piece), 2) going pee-pee in the potty (2 pieces) or 3) going poo-poo in the potty (3 pieces). We figured LJ would at least want to sit on the potty ALL THE TIME. Nope...not interested. In fact, LJ tells us, "I not want candy". Whenever we change his diaper, we tell him, "if you'd have gone pee pee in the potty, you could have had 2 pieces of candy" - or whatever the situation dictates. Whenever we ask him why he doesn't want to go to the potty - he says, "be-cause, it makes me sad". ???? I have no idea what this means and he can't explain it, so I'm pretty sure it is just something he's heard me say (when he misbehaves sometimes, I tell him it makes me sad - depends on what he's done).

Whenever LJ does something that I don't want him to do and I ask him why he did it - his response is, "be-cause, I said no". ???? Once again, this is something he's heard me say, I'm sure...sounds like me anyway. I write "be-cause" because LJ separates it out like this and it sounds hilarious!

In other news, RJ and I were very busy this past week - with a professional conference we have been planning. 75 people came from all over the state and some from other states. This is 35 more people than came 2 years ago when we hosted this conference. It was successful, but tiring and we are glad it is over. Now, I can actually be on maternity leave - I have been working from home quite a bit as the conference required my attention. Luckily, Jfer was able to babysit both boys with no problems (although, I think she is sure she isn't interested in being the mother of 2 for a while) as LJ was supposed to go stay with Aunt M and Uncle B, but they had to cancel. He was disappointed, but got over it quickly as Jfer managed to play with him quite a bit and keep PJ content.

PJ is doing just great. He has a touch of baby acne right now, but is still as cute as ever. We are debating the pacifier again. He gets rather grunty in the late afternoon and night - and once he passes his gas, burps or other things of this nature, he'll settle a little. I let him suck on my finger sometimes and this seems to help him. So, we're trying to decide if we want to give him a pacifier. We'd like to restrict it to night/bedtime only as we think we'd have issues with LJ if he sees PJ with a pacifier...we'll let you know what we decide.

2 Week Stats

PJ had an appointment with the dr. this morning. He was a very good boy and didn't even get too upset with the heal prick for the PKU test. His stats: 11 lbs. 4.5 oz. and 22 inches long. So, he's eating well and growing just fine. We knew this as he's had the proper number of wet/dirty diapers a day - but, I can tell you that you stop counting these things and just "ballpark it" with the 2nd child. (Chrissy, I'm still keeping my nursing log, so I'm not totally relaxed with #2)

While we went to the dr., LJ went to the neighbor's for a play date. There is a 4-year-old girl who lives behind us and LJ loves to go play with her. I don't know that they "play" together too much, but she has a Dora doll house and this pleases LJ immensely. He still has to spend time in the naughty chair on a daily basis, but he seems to be adjusting to PJ just fine. I think his naughty chair time is a combination of his age + our cracking down on behavior and less a product of PJ.

LJ still naps from about 1:00 until 3:30 or so every day. PJ usually sleeps a bit (sometimes a long bit) during this time as well...so I'm able to get a few things done. Yesterday, I even fell asleep for a while myself.

All-in-all, we are doing great!

1 Week

Tomorrow will mark 1 week since PJ joined our family - for the most part it has been pretty darn good! He is a fairly easy baby so far - he nurses well (although he and I are working diligently on his latch...he doesn't want to open his mouth very wide and this is causing some problems), he isn't too fussy (except late in the afternoon, as was LJ at this age), after the second night home from the hospital, he started going back to sleep easily after nursing at night (knocking on wood). All-in-all, we're managing fine. RJ and I are on rotation at night. He is up with PJ, if he's fussy, until 3:00 am (I still have to get up to feed him though - but RJ sits with me and we hang out and watch TV) - and then I'm on duty if PJ is fussy from then on. This has worked well so far. We've all gotten out of the house a few times and it hasn't been overwhelming - I haven't tried it by myself yet. I have to say, if I had known then what I know now - having just LJ to take care of when he was an infant wouldn't have caused me so much anxiety!

LJ seems to like PJ quite a bit. When PJ cries, LJ says, "its ok, its ok" and he tries to share his toys with PJ. Sometimes, he'll lay a book on PJ's lap so that he can look at it. I think they'll enjoy playing together...one day! LJ likes to have PJ hold his hand and so far there haven't been any malicious actions toward the new addition. LJ's behavior - well...he's been in "boot camp" the last two days. He has to "mind mommy and daddy" or he goes to the naughty chair - on the first offense. He was going crazy - I'm sure PJ is an adjustment for him, but everyone who has come to visit has giving LJ a gift - and this has gone to his head! One day of boot camp made a noticeable difference, so we're hoping this is short-lived.

I'm doing well - as well as can be expected for someone who had a 10 pound baby! This time around, I'm not experiencing the 'baby blues' so much - I get emotional about 1x a day and it is usually when I'm having to put LJ in the naughty chair. I know he is likely misbehaving to get attention and that makes me feel badly for him, but I also know that, in the long run, he'll enjoy having a brother. I've been very happy that RJ has been home from work all week - he's been working from home a bit and he'll be going in for a couple of hours a day starting Thursday...but, I've really enjoyed having him home.

We are grateful to have such great family and friends...people have been so kind to wish us congratulations and tell us how adorable PJ is ;-) It was so nice that my nieces SJ and JJ came to stay with LJ while we were in the hospital - it is hard to imagine that they are so grown-up as to come to my aid when needed! SJ - LJ has loved his chocolate cake - you did a great job with it!

The Story of PJ's Birth

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - Happy Birthday PRJ!

I woke up around 7:00 am and got LJ out of bed and watching Curious George on tv. I wasn't feeling well - I'd had a sinus headache for the past 2 days and it was starting to get old. I was also having some contractions, but I'd been having them for an hour or two here and there the past couple of days. I just didn't feel good and I started to cry (this happens when I get sinus headaches - it is actually good because it gets the pressure out of my sinuses) - RJ suggested I stay home from work, but I thought I'd rather go and have the distraction. But, I piddled around waiting for the contractions to ease up and they never did. We timed them and they were 7-12 minutes apart, but they did not ease up (in fact, they got worse) with walking. Around 8:30, I called the Dr. to see if I could reschedule my 2:00 appointment that day for earlier. I got in at 9:00. So, we put the hospital bag in the car (just in case) and took LJ to the neighbor's house.

Dr. examined me - said I was 4 cm, but the head was right there, so she'd call the hospital - go there. I got checked in - had the best nurse EVER. The dr. said she'd come break my water at lunch time, if it hadn't broken on its own. I decided that I'd wait for the epidural until then, but instructed the nurse that, when she saw the dr. with the hook in her hand, the anesthesiologist better be on his way! At lunch time, I was at 5cm - dr. broke my water and I got my epidural after suffering through only 3 contractions after my water broke. 2 hours later, the dr. called and told the nurse to check me and hook up the Pitocin. The nurse checked me - I was fully dilated and ready to push. So - NO PITOCIN - YES!!!!! The nurse had me push once and then said - to stop, the dr. needed to be told to come now - I was 2 -3 pushes away. The dr. took 25 minutes to get there, so I just laid there ready to have this baby, but waiting for the dr. We were talking, and every time I'd laugh, the nurse would say - "don't laugh - it is making the head come out more" - she, of course, loved that I had such a good attitude throughout the delivery. ;-) The Dr. arrived; I pushed 2x and out came PJ. The 2nd push, the dr. told me to stop as the shoulder was coming out really quickly, but I tore anyway - you were expecting this with a 10lb baby, right?! The tear isn't too bad though. The dr. and nurse both said that PJ was a BIG baby, but - I guess we're so used to seeing LJ that an infant looks small to us. They were right - 10 lbs even. 21 1/4 inches. Brown hair - lots, but not as much as LJ had.

I think the delivery went as perfect as it could have for me...I went into labor on my own, I had no Pitocin, I got an epidural for what I think would have been the pain I have no interest in experiencing, it went rather quickly, and PJ is a healthy baby BOY (which I secretly wanted - now that LJ has a brother, I can be happy with a girl or boy next). I'm feeling fine - sore and tender, but fine.

We'll send a picture soon!

Still Waiting...

Over the weekend, it seemed that going to the hospital was imminent, but as we got to Sunday night, it seemed like just another end to the weekend/beginning of the work week.

We went to do yet one more batch of laundry at the Laundromat...still waiting for that part to come in. Estimates show it'll likely be here no later than Wednesday. This is good as the "fun" of going to the Laundromat has worn off.

I'm having contractions, but nothing regular and very few "painful" enough to fit the "real labor" category I've heard about. I can tell you this - getting to 3cm without Pitocin is 100% preferable over getting there "naturally". That Pitocin is wicked stuff and I'm glad not to be on it right now. Come Friday, with no active labor, they'll hook me up, but I'll also get my epidural, so I won't mind it so much (I suppose).

What is with all the girl predictions?!!?

The Dr. Says...

I am dilated to 3cm, but she couldn't feel the head down there (although she says the baby is head down), so...we scheduled an induction for next Friday should things not happen on their own between now and then. I'm to see her in the office on Wednesday, should things not happen on their own between now and then.

My joy of getting to 3cm is somewhat muted. The Dr. days I can have my epidural...just as soon as they get my IV in and get my lab work back (apparently, they won't take my chart's word for it that my blood type is what it is...they type it again to be certain - READ: they don't want to incur any liability by trusting a chart)...uhm - if things progress quickly, this could be a lot of time passing before I get my epidural. I'm not happy about the prospect of 1) not showing up to the hospital until I'm having contractions which are 5 minutes apart, 2) them having to do some stuff before I get my epidural and, therefore 3) getting to even more uncomfortable and painful parts of labor before that dude shows up with the sweet elixir of pain relief. But, what can I do about it? I suppose I could go the hospital now and REFUSE to leave, but somehow, I bet they've dealt with that kind of woman before.

LJ is doing well - he talks about the baby all the time, so I hope he really is ready to be a big brother. We are having a cake (with Dora decorations - thanks Aunt K) and LJ and the baby will exchange presents when we get home from the hospital...surely that will buy a few moments of love!

Ok - guesses as to weight (I'll tell you that the Dr. says, "this baby is not small"), length, gender...

Updates - (and Easter, Part 2)

Easter, Part 2

Easter weekend was rather cold (as it was for most dedicated readers of this blog) and we had sleet on Saturday. But, we trudged outside on Sunday and LJ did a great job of finding the 6 plastic eggs the "Easter Bunny" hid for him. Church wasn't too much more crowded than a normal Sunday (at least not in the cry room) and, despite answering, "No" when asked if he loves Jesus - LJ had a great day. He understands that Jesus loves him, so we're working on his loving Jesus.

Updates

Due date - April 21, so 5 days. We do have the cradle set up (this is new to #2, we did not have a cradle for LJ) and the non-gender-specific baby clothes washed. I have not packed my hospital bag - I will...soon. We made it through the weekend and RJ being away at a wedding (best man duties). We even made it through a last minute change of plans that left me at home - alone - with LJ for several hours both days RJ was gone. Thankfully, Aunt K and Uncle R were in town and provided me with the support I needed for "just in case" I have to go to the hospital.

I have been having some contractions, but nothing regular and nothing unbearable. I go to the dr. on Friday and we'll see how I'm progressing. My dream is to get to 3 cm just living life, to make it up to and past the due date, to go in to be "induced" to hasten the progress, but since I'm already 3 cm - to immediately get my epidural. Ah - what a dream!

Oh, but - the washing machine is broken. The repair has required RJ to take it totally apart to diagnose the problem. He has ordered the part and we are waiting for it to come in...then RJ has to put it all back together again. So, with LJ - I wanted to go past my due date to attend a concert...with this one, I want to go past my due date so we can make sure the washing machine is operable before bring another "dirty clothes maker" home. My how things change! Today, Jfer was over as RJ and I both had a meeting to attend a meeting. We went ahead and took our clothes to a Laundromat that has a restaurant connected...with a light board that shows when your washer/dryer is finished. We washed, dried, folded our clothes and ate lunch within an hour and 1/2...pretty good deal!

Easter 2007 - Part 1

Last weekend, we decided to be brave and attend the city's Easter Egg Hunt. It rained on Friday night, so we thought that might dampen the crowd, but I'd hate to have seen how many people would have shown up had they not decided the soggy ground was too much. It was crowded. We got there in time for the egg hunt - which was divided into "classes" and LJ's class was 3 and younger. This hunt amounted to a huge bunch of eggs in the middle of a small field with all kids 3 and younger (and their parents) surrounding he pile. A horn blew - from a fire engine, think - and the mass started to gobble up the pile of eggs. After about 5 seconds of trying to work their way to an egg, RJ decided to abandon the idea and we headed over to tour the fire truck...no one was over there since everyone was worker their way toward each other while picking up the big pile of eggs. LJ loved the fire truck - he got to get in it and sit in the seat and climb all over the place. He also got a red fire hat and he has enjoyed wearing that - and taking it places with him. He had no interest in the ambulance and refused to set foot in it. After touring the fire truck, we got cotton candy - which LJ enjoyed very much...at 10:30 am...and it was off to have his picture taken with the Easter bunny. I told LJ that every picture of me with the Easter bunny or Santa or any such figure, shows a little girl crying, but we could give it a shot. We are now the proud owners of a picture of a little boy, not only crying, but lunging to get out of the Easter bunny's lap. For some reason - hormones, I'm sure, this caused me to tear up as well. Nothing like crying, not being able to stop, and not really knowing why you are crying.

After the Easter celebration, we headed over to the open house of a local animal clinic - and when I say animal clinic, I mean ALL types of animals, small, large, exotic, etc. This place was PACKED, but LJ enjoyed petting different breeds of dogs, a goat, a chicken, and a kangaroo. He proudly exclaimed, "I pet a goat" for many days to come.

By this point, I was exhausted from all of the walking around (which really wasn't all that much for normal human standards, but for 37 weeks pregnant and puffy - it was a lot) - my feet hurt and I wanted to go home and collapse on the couch...which I did. Our neighbors had invited us over for dinner that night, so we went. It was fun, but difficult to chase LJ around an unfamiliar environment while we were trying to eat. At his own home, he knows the limits - somewhere else, not strapped in, he is going to test. He talks about their girl all the time, yet - when they are around each other, they don't really play together...she's 4. But, she does have a baby sister who is 4 months - now LJ thinks all babies live next door. He is in for a shock.

On Tuesday, we took LJ to Big Brother Day Camp at the hospital. It is a one-hour tour which shows him where I'll be when I deliver - they let the kids play with the bed...up, down, etc. They also get to look at the babies in the nursery. It winds up with a video (rather silly, if you ask me - the "funny guy" is just silly) which "teaches" you how you can help with the baby. They showed this video in the staff lunch room, so there are tables with salt, pepper, Tabasco, etc. all around. The other kids sat on the floor and stared at the video...LJ - he wanted to sit at the table...and try to get the salt, pepper, Tabasco, etc. Plus, there are kids around - why watch TV? So, he'd crawl up to a kid and say, "hi". They wouldn't respond, so he'd say, "hi" again. I don't know why a child wouldn't say "hi" back? LJ did get a back pack with some stuff in it and he looked so cute wearing his back pack and walking around the hospital.

I'm growing more uncomfortable every day, but health-wise I'm fine...still puffy, but everything else looks good, so there are no worries.

Swelling Same - Blood Pressure OK

I admit it - last week I had a panic attack on Wednesday. I just felt like my heart was thumping really hard in my chest, so I wanted to take my blood pressure, but I had no way to do so. This caused me to semi-panic. Plus, I was pretty tired, so that didn't help with the anxiety. RJ came home at lunch time (I was supposed to go "guest lecture" in someone's class and didn't feel up to it, but it is known that RJ and I are both versed in said topic, so no one minds who they get when they book one of us - so I asked RJ to go instead. Standing and talking for 2 hours seemed like more than I could handle - LJ sounded easier to me that day) - and I told him I was worried. Eventually, he went out and bought a blood pressure monitor. That day, my top number was mostly in the 140s, but my bottom number was in the 80s or lower. So, what the heck do you do with that? Seriously, which number matters more? If I go by the top number, I'm hypertensive. If I go by the bottom number, I'm normal. After resting all during LJ's nap, the top number was in the 120s and the bottom number normal. Thursday, my swelling seemed to be down somewhat and my BP was a tiny bit high, but not too high for me to worry.

Then came Thursday night...

I woke up for my 4th trip to the bathroom at around 3:00 am. I couldn't fall back asleep and I just didn't "feel right". I felt like there was a lot of pressure in my head and the baby was flutter kicking - which this one doesn't seem to do...this one is a "roller". So, I get up and decide to go check my BP - it is 148/87 - ok, I've been resting for 5 or so hours...I can't really get more rest than this and my BP is elevated. What the heck? I get a drink (of water) and wait about 10 minutes and take it again...127/65. Ok, at this point, I've decided there is no use. I don't know what to do with this information anyway - so why have it? and I go back to bed.

I saw the dr. the next morning. She said that taking my BP is fine, but only worry (and call her) if the bottom number is above 90 3x in a row. Ok, now I know what to do. In waiting for her to come into the exam room, I had the need to go to the bathroom (I had already left my urine sample) and on that trip I peeked to see if my sample was still in the "wall safe". It was, with the dip stick already done. So, I matched the green - protein test and the blue - glucose test to the colors on the bottle of chemicals and already knew that I had neither in my urine when she told me. See, I could be a doctor! Or, I could at least do that urine test. All of this to say, she didn't seem any more concerned than she was earlier in the week, nor did she seem any less concerned. She just seemed concerned that I was panicking.

You know, I think I'm more worried about this pregnancy than I was with LJ. You would think it would be the other way around. But, with LJ, I had no idea what to expect, so for all I knew, everything was normal. This time around, if it isn't like it was with LJ, I think something is wrong. Think how I'll be at the hospital!

So, for now - I'm just trying to rest and WOW am I tired today. I don't know why it is like this some days, but today is a day that I have little energy. I don't know if LJ senses this and that is why he is being rambunctious or if he is being normal and it just seems rambunctious to me? RJ is on his way home from an overnight bachelor party. He is the best man, so he had to plan it and go. We've known this for a long time and I'd mentally prepared to be at home - 37 weeks pregnant...with a 2 year old and on semi-bed rest, but you can't mentally prepare for such a physical impossibility!

Many of you have sent e-mails to me - expressing your empathy, sympathy, directives to rest, etc. I appreciate them all and I do plan to reply...but my leisure time on the computer is compromised as I must rest while LJ is napping - and LJ's nap time is my leisure computer time. So, I'm not ignoring you - I just have to rest!

Dr. Threatened Bed Rest...

Medical information follows, so don't read if you don't want to know!

Well, it wasn't really too threatening, but...

In the last few days, my ankles - and then hands - and then, yesterday, face have been (what I consider) alarmingly swollen. So, I decided to go ahead and see the Dr. even though I have an appointment on Friday. I wanted to be assured that my blood pressure is not high and that there is no protein in my urine (these are symptoms of preeclampsia). My blood pressure is a bit high for me - I'm usually 110-120/70-80. Yesterday, I was 130/90. The Dr. said she wouldn't worry about it until the bottom number is 100 - that would be too high for me. No protein in my urine - yea! But, I've gained much more weight in 2 weeks than is "possible" and she agrees that I am pretty swollen...which for sure indicates fluid retention.

Through some discussion, in which I convinced her that going to work in the morning is much less physically stressful than being home with a 2 year old, we came to compromise. I can still go to work in the AM - unless my blood pressure rises. When I'm home in the afternoon and LJ is napping - I have to lay down the whole time - on my left side (this allows the kidneys to process fluid more efficiently - so they say). I had to promise to call if I get a headache, see flashes of light or get dizzy. If my condition doesn't worsen, she'll go with this "schedule", but if it worsens - she says we have to get a sitter and I have to stop working.

OK, so - this is kind of the worst thing that's happened while pregnant...I'm not sure how serious it really is. Since my blood pressure is ok and I don't have protein in my urine - I'm thinking it is "ok", but I need to take it easy.

Yesterday, this worked fine - LJ napped for 3 hours, but played in his crib before and after sleeping for about another hour...so, this netted me 4 hours of laying on my left side. He's a good sleeper...thank goodness! My swelling did go down. But, with a trip to the library and the pharmacy, I was swelled up again. At the pharmacy, by blood pressure was 112/72 - who knows how accurate that is, but it can't be THAT inaccurate, right?! My pulse was 76...this is high for me - my pulse is usually 50 - 60, but I was having to keep LJ from putting things from the shelf into the trash can, so I imagine this might raise my pulse.

This morning - puffy feet, puffy hands, puffy eyes.

Daylight Savings Time (and more)

We've officially lost the hour - the hour "they've" decided to take from us earlier than usual this year. Sure, it is great that LJ slept until 8:00 this morning, but since it was really 7:00 - it is no big deal. One good thing is that LJ seems to know when it is "light enough" to call for us, so maybe he'll sleep until 7:30 or so...for this week. Then he'll adjust and it'll be back to normal I'm sure. It is nice that DST ushers in Spring Break this year...it makes the change much less pronounced.

Speaking of Spring Break - we have a few projects lined up. First, we need to complete "the move". I believe that will begin to happen today. (Yesterday, RJ worked on a car) This part of the move will be a big mess as we have to take everything out of our closets, RJ has to build some shelves and decide on the way to maximize space in the closets, then we have to put things back in the "appropriate" closet. LJ will love the activity and it is likely that there will be articles of clothing we will never see again as LJ will "put them away" somewhere.

We were going to put a fence up between us and our neighbors (that is sure to make a statement) - who are college students...the 4th group to live there since we moved in. The fence is designed to be 1) a visual block so we won't see their slovenliness, 2) a noise block and 3) a trash block as they aren't real good at not putting trash in their yard?! But, this project will not happen this week as it will take 14 days for the fence materials to come in - once they are ordered...and they are not ordered. Along this same line - we are going to fashion a sort of "storm window" which we hope will help with the noise...not only of the neighbors, but of the trains that come through all the time.

There are other projects, but I won't bore you with all of those details.

I am not sleeping well, cannot get comfortable most of the hours of the day and night, am tired and puffy, and have heartburn all the time, but - hey this is par for the course at this point, so everything seems to be normal.

LJ loves his new shorts and t-shirts which I bought at the re-sale shop. I think we are finished with the heater this season as we've had our AC on for about 2 weeks now. It is pretty warm outside, so I decided I'd better get LJ his "summer" wardrobe while I still can. We went to the "new" park yesterday. The "old" park was very crowded, so we went to the park at the school near our house...very fun and LJ ran himself to tired-ness...which is a good thing for a 2 year old!

Mission Complete

We did it. We moved rooms over the weekend. RJ and I are now in the room connected to LJ's and our room has become the guest room/part play room. We put some of LJ's toys in there and he has been playing with them. Now, that room awaits LJ's crib and rocking chair, but that won't happen for a couple of weeks. First, RJ has to do some closet remodeling and we have to move our closets over. Plus, we are all still getting used to going into the correct room for the correct reason. I haven't accidentally gone to our old room after one of my many middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom, so that is good! We can hear every little sound LJ makes though - he currently has a bit of a cough and he wakes up anywhere from 5:30 - 6:30 in the morning...and coughs, sings, and otherwise entertains himself until 7:00 - when he's allowed to get up. Of course, he can't tell time, but he really doesn't call for me until close to 7:00 - and, if he's awake - I don't make him call for me to come...I go in at 7:00 to get him. I guess we've trained his internal clock well?!

#2 is causing me lots of heartburn lately. When LJ was born with so much hair, many people asked me if I'd had a lot of heartburn with him. I did not know this, but it is apparently an "old wives' tale" - heartburn during pregnancy = baby with lots of hair. I don't recall having A LOT of heartburn...certainly not as much as I've had this time around. So, if there is any truth to this, this one will have shoulder length hair at birth. Hmm...in trying to find an interesting link to this myth, I've discovered that studies have been done that show it just might be true...I guess I'd better practice my braiding.

People are starting to voice their opinion regarding gender - so, if you care to weigh-in - be my guest!

8 Weeks Until...

...the newest baby J is supposed to arrive. I think this time will go quickly as the whole pregnancy has gone quickly. Sure, every day seems to last forever as my body is in pain, I waddle everywhere I walk, and this one seems to be a gymnast. I don't recall LJ moving this often or with this much fervor while on the inside. When it is 10:00 pm and I'm trying to sleep - this one is doing Mary Lou Retton's floor routine from the 1984 Olympics. This frightens me - what is this child doing awake at 10:00 pm?! I'm thinking this is a girl and she's already causing me a lot of trouble - can you tell, I'm frightened of girls? They seem so high-maintenance!

Plans:
We have a few things to buy - and they are more expensive than not. For example, we need a crib. LJ still sleeps in his crib (which is a loaner from my sister...actually, it may be a keeper because I don't think she is having anymore children). We have zero plans to transition him to a bed...he likes his crib, he doesn't try to climb out, and the last thing we need is a 2-year-old who is able to get out of bed whenever the mood strikes. We are going to move LJ to our room and we are going to move to the "guest" room - which adjoins LJ's current room. I think the first thing we'll do is move us to the guest room. LJ think of our current room as "mama and dada's room", so we'll disassociate that first. Then, we'll move LJ into our old room. Once this is all accomplished (which I want to have him moved into his new room a good 4-6 weeks before the baby arrives - so he doesn't feel like he got moved because of the baby...which *is* why is got moved, but I'm sure it causes some adult psychosis to be the oldest and feel like you were pushed around due to a younger sibling...as the youngest, I have no experience with this, but judging from others...I'm thinking this might explain a few things...just kidding), we will be able to purchase the new crib and get that all squared away.

Now, if only doing were as easy as planning...

The Great Negotiator

LJ has really sharpened his negotiating skills - I'd say this has all transpired over the past 2 months. It all started when he decided he didn't particularly care to ride in a cart at any of the stores we frequent. At first, it was the typical, "nooooo, no cart", but he'd eventually relent (with the help of some redirection, "here, play with mama's keys") and all would be fine. I suppose it is our fault for giving him a taste of freedom as we started letting him hold a hand and walk from the car to the carts. With #2 on the way, I decided it is important to get LJ to the point where I can depend on him to walk while holding my hand…without trying to escape.

LJ quickly transitioned from accepting his fate to starting the negotiations much earlier in the process. In the car - on the way to the store - we started hearing, "no cart, hold mama's hand" or "no cart, hold dada's hand". When all of us are going to a store for one or two items, we grant his request, but I've held firm to "at the grocery store, you have to ride in the cart"...I've even gone so far as to tell him, "the grocery store MAKES us use a cart". He rebels a bit at first, but once I give him some grocery item and ask him to put it in the cart, it is all fine. It is funny because his protests aren't in the form of crying - he actually says things (I can't understand them) in a very inflective tone.

In the past week, these negotiations have taken a slightly different turn. We no longer hear, "no cart, hold hands" - instead, as we reach our destination, LJ folds his hands and says, "I pray mama" or "I pray dada". See…now he can't hold hands because he is praying. He's a smart one, isn't he? Of course, I try very hard not to laugh. I’ve told him that many people pray holding hands, but he didn't really go for that one. Dada trumps it all and tells him, "well, since you are busy praying and you have to hold hands to walk, I'll just have to carry you." I imagine that LJ will quickly figure out that praying doesn't get him what he really wants in this situation, but I'll have to let you know what his next attempt is...

Airplane!

RJ works on a lady's car on a somewhat regular basis and, as with all mechanic work, this lady pays him, but she almost always brings something for LJ. This is a very nice thing to do. LJ is probably getting conditioned to believe that everytime he sees this particular car in our driveway - he is going to get a gift.

Indeed, LJ received a new toy over the weekend - and he LOVES this thing. I present the Take-a-Part Airplane:

Igore the "click to enlarge" words - it won't enlarge if you click it as I took this picture off of the internet.

LJ's plane is red with blue wings, but other than that - what you see is just like his. The drill takes 2 batteries and then it works just like a real drill. There are 3 different bits and using 2 of them (I have no idea why they included the 3rd) you can take the plane totally apart. LJ is really good at taking the plane apart, but he needs you to hold the parts together as he screws it back together.

He wants to "play airplane" all the time.

What is truly wonderful is that when he wakes up in the morning, it is like he's discovered the plane all over again. He starts playing with his toys and then he sees his airplane and I hear him shout "AIRPLANE" at the top of his lungs. He'll come to find me and say, "Airplane - Mama - Airplane". What a joy that must be!

Too Close?

Do you think LJ sits too close to the TV?

Just when you think your child is old enough to leave unattended for a few minutes while you do something in another part of the house...You come back through the living room to find this. I told you, he loves Diego!

Not to worry, he doesn't usually sit this close...and his vision seems fine thus far. I think he was helping Diego do something -as Diego does ask for help frequently.

New Tradition

It seems we have inadvertently started a new tradition in the J house. 2007 ushered in the "we celebrate every birthday with cake" tradition. It all started on January 4th as that is Uncle Bri's birthday. We told LJ, "today is Uncle Bri's birthday" to which he responded, "CAKE". Of course, we thought this was very cute and decided that we would have chocolate cake (from Jack-in-the-box) in honor of Uncle Bri's birthday. We never finish a whole cake in this house, so we thought it more prudent (because I don't need cake sitting around for days before we throw it away) to buy a piece of cake instead of make a whole cake.

January 6th rolls around and we told LJ, "today is Aunt Mary's birthday" to which he responded....yep, you guessed it "CAKE". We tried to tell him that Aunt Mary will eat cake, but we won't eat cake. He keep repeating - throughout the day - "Aunt Mary's birthday - CAKE". Aunt Mary is a fan of cheesecake and, in my pregnant state - that sounded pretty good. I figured LJ won't really like cheesecake, so maybe this will get him off of this whole kick. After dinner, we went to the store and bought a small frozen cheesecake. It seems that LJ does indeed enjoy cheesecake just as much as any other cake, so we have not dissuaded him from the idea that we must celebrate everyone's birthday with cake.

As I look at my calendar, I see the next birthday to come is his Godmother KK's. KK, what kind of cake will we need to eat in your honor?

How Often to Clean the Fridge?

I remember that my mom used to clean out the fridge about once every six months...and I was involved in this process as it was a "chore". When I say "clean out", I mean - take out all the food, throw out some stuff, take out the shelves and drawers, wash them down, and wash out the inside. Very thorough. I also remember thinking this was a royal waste of time because it was never very dirty. Conclusion: 2x a year = too often.

This house is the longest I've lived anywhere since I lived at home. While in college and single, I'd live in a place 2 years - maximum, so this "cleaning the fridge" thing hasn't been a thought in my mind since the days of living at home...it would naturally get cleaned every year or so as I would prepare to move and wanted to be sure to get my deposit back.

This past weekend, I discovered that every 5 years is not often enough. Let me tell you, it was disgusting. There are the spills about which you know - and you clean those up as you see they have occurred. But, there are also spills about which you have no idea. How does something spill and the only evidence you have is under the drawer at the bottom of the fridge? This spill goes undetected for...well, perhaps 5 years. Luckily, it is all food and it isn't too tough to clean up, but still. So, as a part of our weekend of organization, I thoroughly cleaned the fridge and it looks wonderful. I love opening it and seeing everything so neat and clean. At this point, there are no bottles and/or jars that contain inedible yuckies and all the shelves and drawers are spic and span. I really had no idea how disgusting the fridge had become. If you have been to our house and thought, "wow, that is one horribly dirty fridge" - thank you for not saying anything to me about it.

Part of the fun of cleaning the fridge is that I got this groovy thing called the Can Around (canaround) for Christmas. You put it in your fridge and it helps you keep the jars and cans organized around the back and edges of the shelves. I'm thinking about getting some for the pantry (I know, I know - those of you who have seen our pantry can't believe how much food is in there) to help organize the shelves.

In other news from our organization weekend - while LJ was visiting Bri and Me...

We did get the guest closet cleaned out and organized. We took several boxes of clothes to Goodwill - where we were turned away. I was shocked, but they had received lots of stuff recently. I refused to take these boxes home again, so we tried a couple of other places, but they were closed. Finally, the Goodwill store in the adjoining town accepted our donation (it is a new store). Then we took 3 boxes of books (from my English lit. grad school days) to Half-Price Books where they gave us more money than I expected to get. Little did they know - I just wanted to get rid of them, so as long as they didn't tell me I had to take them back home - I would have accepted anything. I might have even paid them something. The stuff we kept was organized more neatly into boxes and RJ built some shelves in the closet on which to put the boxes. Now, you can actually find stuff in there! And, we rearranged some things from the guest room into LJ's room and vice-versa. Now the back part of the house is uncluttered and looks pretty nice. It makes me happy.

We did not get to the garage, but that may not be such a big deal. You'll have to wait for a future post to find out why.