A weekend with Aunt Betty

I still can't believe I didn't take a picture of the lobsters, scallop cakes (like crab cakes, but with scallops), macaroni salad, Chilean red wine, and strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream that we ate at Aunt Betty's this weekend.  Seriously.  Many other fun things went on this weekend at Aunt Betty's, but this was truly amazing!  And somehow, I forgot to take a picture.  Grrr....

ANYWAY... This weekend, we went down to Great Island to visit Aunt Betty (Todd's parents also live there -- but they are in Florida).  We had to pick up a few things at Todd's parents house (from their basement, where we store things!), so we spent Saturday and Saturday night at Aunt Betty's.  Natalie just had a blast.  We went to the BRAND NEW indoor heated pool.  It is AWESOME.  Great Island is a 55+ community, but from 2-4 each day, it's "family swim."  Kids who are still in diapers are not allowed in the pool, but of course, Natalie is potty trained now, so she was able to go in the pool. It was kind of a chilly day outside - I don't even think it hit 40 degrees, but it was balmy at the new pool.  We forgot to bring the diaper bag to the pool, which is where Natalie's ear coverings are, so we put this lovely shower cap on Natalie to block any rogue splashes from getting into her ears. 

Todd and Aunt Betty held her above water, and they had her floating on a noodle, which also helped.

Grant couldn't go in the pool because he still wears diapers, but he had fun hanging out with mommy anyway.  We played with some of his toys and watched Natalie swim.

Natalie is a little fish. She just loves being in a pool, and cries when she has to get out. But have no fear! Aunt Betty always has fun things to do at her house. When we got back, Aunt Betty and Natalie played in the basement, drawing with sidewalk chalk on the concrete floor, banging on drums, bouncing balls, and doing puzzles.  Aunt Betty also always showers Natalie with such fun gifts.  Natalie LOVES the books that Aunt Betty gives her -- we got 4, count 'em FOUR books!!!  Meanwhile, Grant got the OK from Dr. Meisheid to go in the Jumperoo and the exersaucer.  Here is the little man in the Jumperoo.

He wasn't all that enthused... but he didn't hate it.  He stayed in there for probably 20 minutes.  He couldn't quite get the idea of jumping, even though it came with a "reward."  The jumperoo plays a song and lights up when you bounce.  But he didn't seem to care about that.  Oh well, maybe in a few more weeks!

Potty Trained!

Well, it's official.  Natalie is potty trained!  This has been a major work in progress.  We started potty training right around her second birthday.  (For those who are counting, yes, it has been a 9 month process!)  We started by introducing her to the potty, having her sit on it, play with it, etc.  Then we moved to pullups, where we majorly stalled for many months.  Pullups for her, were kind of a crutch.  If we mentioned going to the potty we got one of two reactions.  Either she would agree and go happily with you where she would do her pee pee in the potty without incident, or we would get a screaming fit.  Mostly it was the latter.  Grrr.  In November, we picked a weekend where we tried to do big girl underwear ONLY.  We had a 100% failure rate.  What was frustrating was that she knew the feeling, but she would ignore it until she was all wet.  We knew she didn't like the feeling of being wet in her big girl underwear, but it didn't seem to make a big enough impact for her to correct the behavior.

For whatever reason, last weekend, she decided she wanted to be a "big girl" and start doing more pee pee in the potty.  I don't know if she finally feels settled (new house, new baby brother in the last few months), or if she feels challenged that her BFF Gaby is in big girl underwear and using the potty.  Whatever the reason was, we jumped at the opportunity.  She had one accident Sunday afternoon (while watching Dora... I think she wasn't paying attention).  She went Monday and Tuesday at daycare without any accidents.  Wednesday, because Daddy had a 2 hour doctor's appointment, I picked the kids up from daycare and took them to Friendly's for dinner. I asked Natalie no fewer than 4 times if she had to go potty, but she said no each time.  As we were packing up to go home, I noticed she was walking funny -- a sure sign she had an accident.  I changed her pants in the parking lot (LOL!!!) and she hasn't had another accident SINCE!  I'm so proud of her!   We even went out Saturday for about 2.5 hours.  We went to Wellesley College to walk around the campus and then into Wellesley Square for lunch.  She waited until we go to the restaurant and went potty there.  She didn't have any accidents.  We are so happy!!!!  I can't believe my baby girl is becoming such a BIG GIRL!!!!!

Next up this weekend... sleeping in a big girl bed!

My little leprechauns

Natalie decided she wanted to wear shamrock stickers on her face yesterday.  And Grant is, once again, looking like a deer in the headlights.  As my mother-in-law pointed out... it kind of looks like they're up to no good!  ("What?  Who me? I didn't do it!")  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My mom wanted me to point out that Grant is giving everyone the bird in the picture below.  HA HA HA! 

22*

At dinner tonight, Natalie and I had a conversation that went like this:

Me:  When you get older, you can put your dish in the sink.  Right now, you're too little.

Natalie:  Right.  When I get older like you.

Me:  Yep.  Natalie... how old do you think I am?

Natalie: (without hesitation) 22!

Me:  Have I ever told you that you're my favorite child???

Rainy Days and Monday's always get me down

It's raining... and it's been raining for days...

But at LEAST Grant slept until after my alarm went off this morning!!!!  This is a HUGE accomplishment.  My alarm goes off every morning at 5 am.  Yes, it takes me 3 hours to get ready, get the kids ready (with Todd's help of course), get to the train station, and get to work every morning.  For the past several weeks, Grant has woken up EVERY morning at 4:30 to eat. It's like clockwork.  By the time I'm done feeding him, it's around 5, so I can't go back to sleep.  So I've been living off of 5-6 hours of sleep every night for the past few weeks, except for the weekends, when I can manage to get 8 or so. 

Friday night, we decided to do a little CIO.  For those of you not down with the baby acronyms... this means Cry-It-Out.  Naturally, he woke up at 4:30, so Todd went in, gave him his pacifier, swaddled him up, and left.  He started crying, but I gave it 5 minutes before I went in.  I put the pacifier back in, and rub his forehead, and go back to bed.  He was quiet for a few minutes, then he would cry. I waited another 5 minutes... and so on... for about 30-40 minutes.  Finally at about 5:10 am, he stopped crying and fell back asleep until about 6:30.  Then I got up and fed him, and put him back to bed.

Saturday night, he woke up in the 5 am hour (I think... these sleepless nights run together!) and Todd gave him his pacifier, reswaddled him, and he fell right back to sleep!  Hooray!  Then he didn't wake up until about 7.  I fed him, and went back to bed.  I can't remember when Todd got up, but he got both of the kids up and let me sleep in.  I slept until 9:30!!! I really could have slept longer, but I was a bit guilt ridden.  :-)

This morning... my alarm went off at 5 am, and only a few minutes later he woke up to eat.  Which is FINE with me... because it's NOT 4:30!!!!  Amazing how much better I feel with just an extra half hour of solid sleep.  I hope this trend continues!

As for his ear infection, he is taking his antibiotics like a good boy and he seems to be feeling much better.  He's still coughing a bit, but it's not as bad as it was last week.  I'm thankful.  I'm ready for temps in the 60s later this week (with SUN!).  Maybe we can finally get rid of all of these illnesses we've had in our house!

Poor Little Buddy

My poor little buddy has his first ear infection!  For the last week, he's had a cold, and of course, in our family, that usually leads to an ear infection if you are under the age of 3.  Todd took Grant to the doctor this afternoon since his temperature has consistently been around 99.5 every evening for the last few evenings (and even last Wednesday was over 102!). 

Since Natalie got her tubes in September, she has not had ONE ear infection, hallelujah!  Grant however, is too young for the tubes, so he will be getting his first dose of amoxicillan this evening. The ear infection is only in one ear, thankfully.  And hopefully amoxicillan will work for him.  It did nothing for Natalie. 

I hate to run to antibiotics every time their ears hurt, because they say about 80% of ear infections will clear up on their own.  This is most definitely not one of them, considering it's been over a week and he's still feeling bad and has a temperature!  (Although it's not a REAL fever according to the doctor's definition... he's definitely warm). 

Get well soon my little man!!!!

Fun with Daddy and Grant

I snapped some REALLY cute pictures of Grant playing with Daddy on the couch this weekend while Natalie was napping.  It's fun to have one-on-one time with both of the kids, separately.  Grant looks so big in these pictures.  It makes me sad to think soon, he'll be toddling around and he won't be a baby anymore.  Sniff sniff.

Weekend fun

Well, every night we get a few things done around the house that gets us closer to being totally moved in.  Of course, we have to take some time out for fun too! 

This past weekend, we went to Natalie's BFF Gaby's 3rd birthday party at Build-A-Bear in the Natick Collection mall.  The kids were so cute.  They all got to pick out a bear, and have him stuffed.  Then they put hearts inside the bear before it gets sewn up.  Instead of a heart, Natalie picked a shamrock, appropriate for her Irish roots.  Then they have the bear sewn up tight before going to "wash" the bears.  After, they get to pick out an outfit and dress the bears, complete with bows for their ears.  Here is a picture of Natalie with her completed project.

I thought it was funny that each of the kids picked an outfit that really represented their personalities.  Gaby is more of a princess, and she got a very frilly outfit for her bear.  Natalie is a t-shirt and shorts kind of girl... and that is what she picked.  (Something she would have picked to wear at home, no doubt).

Next we snapped a few shots of Natalie- one with Gaby, and one with the whole group.  Notice how much TALLER Gaby is than Natalie.  She's only about 3.5 months older than Natalie, but is way taller.  We just bought Natalie a pair of size 7 shoes, while Gaby wears an 11. 

Aaron is on the left (he is Gaby's big brother).  Then Natalie, Nicole, Matthew, and a kid who's name we couldn't remember, so Todd named him Rourke, which made me hysterically laugh.  I think his name was Ian, or Eli, or something like that.  Of course, birthday girl Gaby is on the floor in front.  Matthew, Gaby, and Natalie all go to Miss Maureen's daycare.  Aaron and Nicole are graduates.  :-)

After we stuffed the bears, we went down to the food court for some cake and juice.  I think I might have one of the only kids in the world who doesn't care for juice.  For those of you who's kids are addicted to juice, we attribute this to not giving her juice for the first time until she was about 18 months old.  The kid LOVES milk.  She won't drink anything else, except water.  In this picture, notice Gaby is posing nicely for the camera, while Natalie has only one thing in mind:  CAKE!

A good time was had by all!  Now we have to start thinking about Natalie's birthday party this summer!  This will be her first party where we actually invite other people.  :-)  Actually, last year, we went to the Stone Zoo with the Morris family, but we didn't have a party per se.  If anyone has any good ideas for a fun party, please let me know! 

Baby in a Bumbo

Check out the comparison photos of Grant and Natalie in the purple bumbo.    

Natalie is in the first picture, and Grant is in the second, with the hat on.  They are both approximately the same age in it.  Natalie was a week shy of 4 months, and Grant was about 4 months and a week old.

How funny are these kids?????

Eventually

Todd and I alternate putting Natalie and Grant to bed each night.  I put Natalie to bed two nights ago, while he gave Grant his bottle and put him to bed.  I love this time with Natalie because she is just so funny.  She tries out her delay tactics on me, but doesn't really fuss when I shut off the light and leave the room.  Two nights ago, after we said our prayers, she asked me, "Why did we move to this house?"  And I said, "Because it was bigger, and we liked the yard and the swingset for you and Grant."  And she said, "I fell off the swing."  Which she almost did.  Over the weekend, Todd was pushing Natalie in the big girl swing (she only rides in the big girl swing now... when did she get so big????).  She leaned backwards and of course, started falling out of the swing.  Todd managed to catch her before she hit the ground, but it scared her nonetheless, so she cried.  So after she told me she fell off the swing, she added, "And I cried."  I said, "You did, because it scared your belly."  And she said, "Yeah, I cried.  Eventually." 

Where does a 2-year-old pick up a word like eventually???  She didn't use it in the right context, but it was almost convincing because she says it so perfectly.  Boy, she is ONE smart cookie.  Love that little girl!!!!!

PS:  I didn't get to the pictures last night because I had to go to the grocery store.  I asked Todd to do it, but he got sidetracked and had to clean some things up on our computer.  I will definitely get to them tonight.  And I apologize for not having a ton of Natalie.  She's going through a camera shy phase right now.  :-)

How are things coming along?

Oh, not very well!  I think the stomach bug has left the house... knock on wood... but Natalie and I are both just now getting our appetites back.  I finally took a ton of pictures and video last night... but of course, haven't had time to get them off the camera. I promise, I will this weekend.  Be prepared for an influx of pics! I may even throw a video on here.

Last night we put Grant in the bumbo.  Boy that kid sure is cute.  He didn't even mind it.  He just hung out there, chomping on his hand. I even gave him a toy to play with, which he did.  He only got frustrated when he didn't know how to move his arm/hand to reach for it after he moved it across the bumbo tray.  I got that on video.  So cute, and so fun to watch them learn, and the frustrations of being a baby.  We take our most basic movements for granted!

G had his 4 month appointment on Monday.  He was 14 lbs, which is in the 30th percentile still.  He's 25 and 3/4 inches long, which is in the 80th percentile. I can't remember what his head circumference was, but it was in the 55th percentile.  A little string bean (still).

Natalie is so funny... she is so smart and is the apple of her brother's eye.  The other day, she was working on something with Todd and she said, "No daddy, that's not correct."  I mean, what 2 year old uses the word correct???  Properly!  Then yesterday, as I was getting off the train, I hear a little voice above me in the bank parking lot (with daddy) yelling, "MOMMY!  MOMMY!  Were you on the train???"  I have to remind you... the kid is obsessed with trains.  She continued: "Was it fun?  Was it fast?  Did you sit near the window? Did you look outside?"  These are all questions I expect a 6-year-old to ask, not a 2-year-old.  I had to explain that it was fun, it is pretty fast, I always sit near the window, and only sometimes look outside because I'm busy reading my book! 

Last night, I put up some curtains in our living room.  I hemmed them myself!  Before you get too excited about that... they are from IKEA and come with a self adhesive glue tape thingy that you iron on to make the hem.  I did have to measure and cut the fabric, but then I just ironed it on!  Then I ironed both of the curtains and voila!  Curtains!  Of course... on one of them, I put the darn hem on the front (wrong) side of the curtain.  Grrr.  Well, Martha Stewart, I am not.  That curtain went behind the couch anyway (at least the hemmed part did) so no one will even see it.  They look pretty darn good.  Todd put together our new fabulous TV stand that he went and picked up yesterday.  It took all evening, but luckily Parks and Rec and the Office were on, so that kept us entertained.  That is ALL we got done yesterday though.  I'm ready to tackle some rooms this weekend, despite the fact that the weather will be AWESOME up here (around 50 and sunny both days).  I'm not doing anything until I get this darn house in order!  It might be the death of me...

The big move!

UGH... what a weekend! Thursday night, before our move on Friday... little miss Natalie threw up in her bed. This was the beginning of a stomach bug that has hit our house. She did it again Friday night, and then had a big poop in her bed on Saturday. Poor little thing didn't feel good at all and hardly ate all weekend. Of course... it was moving weekend. Friday, we sent her to daycare because we didn't know she had a stomach bug. She only threw up once (I thought with stomach bugs you do that a lot more often?) and seemed in a good mood Friday morning. Whoops. The movers took ALL DAY to move our stuff. They literally left at 4:45 pm.

KK, Madison, and Seth came on Saturday around lunchtime to help out with the unpacking and watching of Natalie and Grant. It was really helpful... I think we could have used about 8 more people though! Our house is in total disarray. It breaks my heart when my kids are sick, so I was pretty much worthless on Saturday. I can't focus on anything, except the sick kid! Plus, one of the shelves in my china cabinet FELL as I was putting stemware on it. It crashed down and broke one of the glasses. I wasn't too upset about that (except that I had to clean it up!). I was more upset that it chipped the glass wine chiller I got as a wedding gift from Tiffany's!!!!! (From Mike and Betty Smith). I absolutely LOVE that piece. Somehow, all of my china was spared. I guess Lenox makes really sturdy stuff! (I have Lenox's Federal Platinum set)

I had originally taken Monday off to stay at home and continue unpacking. Of course, Natalie still wasn't feeling 100%, so we couldn't send her to daycare. Todd was off work (but took Grant to daycare) and went over to clean the old house and turn in the keys and the garage door openers. Natalie and I stayed home, but I started not to feel well. Uh oh! I had to go and take Grant to his 4 month appointment and by the time I got back, I had to just go to bed. The stomach bug takes another victim! Even Grant's pediatrician said she had gotten it. She said she took a sick day for the first time since she had been pregnant (her kids are in elementary school, I think). It is really going around up here. Grant was grumpy too... he had just gotten shots! Poor little guy. Poor entire family... Mommy's sick, Natalie is sick, Grant isn't feeling well from shots, and daddy has to deal with it all!

So now, of course, I have to stay home on Tuesday. I'm finally back at work today, but not 100%. Just kind of tired, like I had the flu or something. My stomach is fine though!

Hopefully the week will be better... I have to make a bottle run to Babies R Us tonight, and continue unpacking. The weekend is supposed to be really nice- sunshine and mid to upper 40s. This is a heatwave in these parts! Maybe we can all get outside, if everyone is feeling okay! Natalie has already spent some time on the swing set that is at our new place. She is in heaven with that thing. Todd got up on it and tested the swings and slides himself... so if it didn't break under the weight of Todd, we think it will be fine for the kids!

In the meantime, enjoy this sweet picture of Grant that my mom took when she was here.  He is the sweetest baby of all time!  Hey, everything else can only get better, right???