Reed has been very into right vs. left and time the last few weeks. When asked which hand is his right or left he is almost always correct in his response. He also loves to ask what time something is going to be happening and usually follows that up with a question of am or pm? Often when he tells me something happened during his day I will ask "when did that happen?" He usually replies something along the lines of "at 6:00 pm." Lyla has been a big topic in our house this past month as well, and you will see that manifest itself in a few of the things that he has said.
After Lyla was born we asked Reed if he could remember her name and he said "Lyla, but I call her Meatball" (his nickname for her when C was pregnant).
I ran to my room to throw workout clothes on one day and in the ninety seconds that the Monkey was out of my sight he managed to unlock and open the front door. To my horror when I came out of my room the door was ajar and Reed was standing outside. Luckily he was just on the front porch and we have since childproofed the door knob. When I asked Reed what he was thinking when he opened the door and went outside he replied that he was "just checking the weather."
Reed knows that I used to do ballet and I've shown him a few moves that he likes to bring out from time to time. One day he was showing me arabesque and pliƩ and I told him he had done a great job. He then proceeded to tell me that "Pepe told me only girls do ballet. Pepe told me a lot of things."
If he is having an early morning and Jon is still asleep I will let him go in and wake Dad up. One particularly early morning I explained that Dad was sleeping but that we could go in and wake him up in a little bit. He responded with "Dad's asleep like you're not!" Thanks bud - I hadn't noticed!
The Kiddo has learned a few Italian words from Papa so one night when I had made an Italian meal and was walking Reed over to the dinner table I asked if he could think of any Italian words. He responded with "Hold-a-Me" while pinching his fingers together and doing an exaggerated "Italian" shake with them.
We have a babysitter that comes one of the days that I work and she happens to be the girlfriend of one of our co-workers. When I was at work one day he told me that she had texted him because she was dying laughing over Reed requesting "spa water." When she had asked him what spa water was he had responded very exasperated that it was "water with cucumber and lemon."
When he gets overly excited and starts tripping up his words or stuttering trying to find the right word he often times stops and will say "my tongue is going crazy!"
The other morning I was getting ready when I noticed Reed was using a set of make-up brushes that he usually plays with to actually pretend to apply make-up. When I asked what he was doing he told me that he was "doing makeup to be a girl, so I can be a Mom for my babies."
On the way up to the cabin last weekend I was stopped at a stop sign for a little bit waiting for the cross traffic to clear up. Out of nowhere the Monkey shouted "slow down people" at the oncoming traffic.
When Grandma was watching the boys earlier this week she asked Reed if Lyla had been at dinner on Sunday. He said "yes, she is soooooo cute!"
Every book is a children's book if the kid can read! - Mitch Hedberg
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Monday, June 23, 2014
Celebrating Grandma's Birthday with a Trip to the Cabin
My Mom's Birthday often gets lumped in with Father's Day, but this year it fell on the Thursday after so we decided to make an extended weekend and celebrate with her up at my parents' cabin. Jon was able to come up for dinner on Thursday night, but had to work the next two days so he headed home after our rib dinner and double chocolate cake dessert. The boys and I stayed through Sunday morning and had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. Reed had such a hard time falling asleep the first night it was almost 2:00 am before he finally dozed off and despite a good first night Kieran fought with some sleep demons (also known as constipation) the next two nights. This meant that Grandma and I didn't get much shut eye during the nights (Grandpa slept through it all) but our days were so much fun and it was a treat to have someone play with the kids while I prepped a meal, did dishes, or took a shower since Jon is rarely home these days for any of those activities. I also had the luxury of them cooking for me as well.
On Friday we took a tour of Cat Haven, a sanctuary for wild cats including Jaguars, Lions, Tigers, Lynx, and Snow Leopards. Reed was very good during the tour. He of course asked lots of questions but didn't seem phased at all when a Tiger let out a huge roar right in front of him. Kieran was content in the carrier. I had thought he might fall asleep but I think the cats and people were just too exciting. He got a little fussy at the end, but overall did great.
On Saturday we took another field trip, this time to Grant Grove to see the Giant Sequoia trees. I tried out our backpack with Kieran and it was a huge fail. He cried so hard that I ended up going back to the car and putting him in the carrier which he immediately was fine with. Reed didn't seem too impressed by the trees and even told us the trees were small after he walked through the inside of one. He did enjoy the "hike" that we took to see the trees though.
It was great to spend quality time with my parents and the boys. I think Jon enjoyed a little mini vacation at home to boot! I look forward to many more trips like this in our future. Maybe some with Jon and hopefully Dodger can join us soon too - as long as everyone gets a little more shut-eye!!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Father's Day 2014
Jon and I have been hosting a Father's Day dinner for quite a few years now. We combine Nonna and Grandpa's sides of the family and try to squeeze the group in our dining room so we can enjoy each other's company. This year everyone came over mid-afternoon and stayed for an early dinner. Reed was of course our pre-dinner entertainment. He demanded to hold Grandma and Nonna's hands at the same time to lead the group into the living room. Then, inspired by the World Cup game on TV, he organized an indoor soccer game with some interesting rules including Kieran's play mat being the goal, strikes when you miss a goal, some of "these guys" being on the bench and not allowed to play, and Pepe being the "empire." We tried to make dinner as simple as possible and gratefully took Grandma and Nonna up on their offers to bring side dishes this year.
If Reed was the pre-dinner entertainment, Kieran was definitely the main attraction during the meal. He was so excited by his dinner of broccoli, zucchini, potato, and banana. Every time I plopped something on his plate he would screech with delight. He was all smiles and giggles and just overwhelmingly happy. He interacted with anyone that gave him attention and, much to our amazement, even attempted signing "more" a few times.
I love these pictures of Grandpa, Kieran, Pepe, and Lyla. Great Dads, that have become very doting Grandparents!!!
We managed to get a few group shots in, unfortunately it wasn't until after Benny, Diana, and TJ had left.
Soccer anyone? |
Kieran and Aunt Di Di |
The Adult Table |
The Kids table |
Pepe made the mistake of asking Reed to share his food |
I love these pictures of Grandpa, Kieran, Pepe, and Lyla. Great Dads, that have become very doting Grandparents!!!
We managed to get a few group shots in, unfortunately it wasn't until after Benny, Diana, and TJ had left.
Great Papa Dean, Reed, Mom, Kieran, Grandpa, and Great Grandma Didi |
Nonna, Dad, Kieran, Papa, Pepe, Reed, Mom, Lyla, Tio, C, and Gran |
Kieran, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Reed, and Dad |
Monday, June 16, 2014
A Day in the Life of a 7 month old and a 26 month old (and two tired parents)
Well it's been quite a long time since I've done one of these so I bit the bullet and kept track of our day on Friday. While everyday is different and it seems like we are always busy there are definitely some daily norms that are represented in here - a few tantrums and bad sleep habits, to name a few. I would like to mention that right now Kieran is transitioning from three naps to two naps a day. That means one day will be a two nap day and then usually the next is a three nap day. Also, other than at night, I rarely nurse K to sleep (I try to follow the eat-play-sleep-repeat schedule) but between teething and a weird start to our day I ended up nursing him right before his naps on this particular day.
12:10 am I wake up because Jon's phone beeps with a text message. Normally I would go right back to sleep but Jon is awake reading so I ask if the text is from our friend Michael. It is and he shows me a picture of their new baby boy. We talk about the baby for a minute and then I go back to sleep.
1:10 Kieran is crying, I go to his room and change his diaper, nurse him, and lay him back down. He goes right to sleep.
5:20 K is up again. I check his diaper, it's dry, I nurse him and lay him back down. He's been sleeping until around 7:00 am so I go put workout clothes on, figuring he's going to snooze for a bit longer. I check the monitor and see that he's looking for a pacifier, I go back in his room and plug him with one.
5:35 I get on our stationary bike.
5:45 I see on the monitor that Kieran has settled down, but Reed starts rolling around, he is definitely awake but decides to read in bed, and now K is rolling around again.
6:05 I'm done on the bike and go get the kids who I've decided aren't going back to sleep. I figure out why K hasn't gone back to sleep - he's done a huge poop. This leads to a favorite of Reed's - The Double Diaper Change
6:15 We head to the kitchen, I make breakfast while holding K, then put him on a quilt with his new favorite toy (a travel mug with a wooden toy inside), I carry Reed to the table. He gets upset about the fact that I've already taken his milk to the table, I return it to the counter and let him transport it. Breakfast is a cinnamon raisin bagel with mantequilla (butter in Spanish), blueberries, hemp milk, and a vitamin.
6:30 K has a another poop so I change his diaper. Jon is running late for work but he says a quick bye and I get a pic before he leaves.
6:35 I unload the dishwasher and feed Dodger.
6:45 Breakfast is done. I give Reed his inhaler, brush his teeth, and then negotiate walking Dodger with Reed (he wants to play outside first).
6:55 We head out on our walk - I push Reed in the stroller and have Kieran in a carrier. Reed entertains us with made up songs for most of the walk. I manage to get a picture with all four of us at least partially in the frame.
7:25 - We are back from our walk. I leave Kieran in the carrier and let Reed play outside and in the garage, while I walk around. We try to give K a ride in the wagon, but he doesn't really like that idea!
7:50 I try to nurse K since Reed is quiet and K hasn't eaten in awhile, he's not interested so I lay him down for a nap.
8:50 we take our haul inside. Reed suggests a shirt change because his is wet, I don't argue since Dodger shook hair all over him. The Monkey makes a snack out of his leftover breakfast. I check work emails and get a work call that only lasts a couple of minutes.
9:15 I get in the shower and Reed plays in our empty bath tub.
9:25 I'm getting dressed when Reed poops, we go to his room for a diaper change, he stays in his room to play while I finish getting ready, then I start a load of laundry.
9:45 Reed comes into the bathroom and starts playing, I ask if he wants to do something else, but he's happy so I pack the diaper bag, then we read a book.
9:55 Kieran is awake, I nurse him while Reed plays in his room. I change his diaper and put his clothes on. Then I put the boys in their car seats.
10:15 We leave for the grocery store. Highlights of our trip include Reed asking "what's on that guy's eye" very loudly referring to a guy with an eye patch, me losing the debate on which Father's Day card to buy for Grandpa, and Reed asking the Bagger about all of her tattoos, which he refers to as "drawings with markers."
11:15 R declares he's hungry for lunch while Kieran simultaneously gets fussy. I throw together a pita bread, leftover ground beef with marinara sauce, applesauce, and hemp milk. I hold K while walking around the kitchen and talking to Reed. Jon and I text about him getting an allergy shot after work.
11:30 Reed makes a "bed" in his room, Kieran plays on kitchen floor, and I make lunch for myself and my friend Amanda. I head back to clean Reed's room a bit and read a book with the boys.
12:05 Kieran is acting sleepy so I lay him down.
12:15 K has been screaming and as I go back to soothe him Auntie Amanda arrives for lunch. I decide to hold him while I eat and see if he calms down. He is content to chew on a frozen washcloth (he's teething big time). After we get done eating Reed, who has been chatting with us at the table, asks Amanda to read a book before she leaves. She is a sweetheart and obliges.
1:00 Amanda leaves. I read Reed one more book and say goodnight, I take Kieran to his room and nurse him.
1:20 K is asleep and I lay him in his crib. I check the monitor - Reed is reading in bed quietly. I start the dryer, finish my lunch, and do the dishes.
1:30 Reed is asleep. I fold clothes, then rotate and put away some laundry. Then I assemble a Father's Day gift and wrap another one.
2:45 K is getting fussy (again) so I take him outside and we swing for a bit.
3:00 We go back inside and play more on the quilt. I rotate the laundry and then do air tosses with The Munchkin.
3:30 I try putting Kieran on his play mat with a frozen wash cloth to chew on and he seems content. I wash and trim some of our harvested green beans for dinner. K is fussing so I give him a pacifier.
3:50 Reed is awake, but he is really whiny and asking me to hold him.
4:20 Kieran is acting tired so I suggest to Reed that we read him a book. This of course causes a meltdown. Jon texts saying he is heading to Fresno to get an allergy shot and can bring home dinner if I want. I have plans to make salmon, but like having an option if that doesn't come to fruition.
4:30 Reed has continued to scream and yell, keeping Kieran awake. I leave K to try to soothe himself and take Reed to his room and talk while K tries to sleep. Kieran is really worked up so I decide to try and nurse him, he doesn't want to. I try to rock him instead.
4:40 I lay Kieran down screaming and go to the living room to discover Reed has torn apart the couch. We talk about why that was a bad idea then make "spa" water and eat pretzels for a snack.
5:00, Kieran is still awake so I go and get him and also text Jon to please bring home dinner. Then I look up amber teething necklaces while I walk around with him.
5:15 I put Kieran on the kitchen floor with a toy while I cut watermelon and put the green beans in the fridge. The three of us head outside to play on the swing set. I push Kieran while Reed runs around. A little before 6:00 K falls asleep, Reed hurls himself in a dirt pit and then asks if he's going to watch tv tonight (acknowledging that he's done something bad). He follows this up with yelling at me (and waking Kieran) about the swing K is sleeping in being HIS. I walk Reed to the pool and rinse his legs off then take off his dirty shorts. I note it's almost 6:00 and am so happy Jon should be home soon.
6:00 Jon texts me to tell me he's in line for fish tacos. I go into "what the what" mode and call him pointing out that 6:45 is way passed "a little after 6:00" and our normal dinner time of 6:00.
6:30 We are done with baths and medications (nasal spray, allergy medicine, fluoride, eczema ointment, and an inhaler). I start prepping Kieran's dinner of soft cooked broccoli and zucchini chunks. I get him buckled in the booster and sit with him while he feeds himself. Reed munches on a few tortilla chips and demands to know when his tacos will be home. Annoyed I suggest he ask Dad that question and call Jon on speaker phone. Jon answers and simultaneously opens the garage door. Yay, adult interaction at last!
6:40 I dig through the bag and ask where Reed's tacos are. My heart sinks when Jon says I have them in my hand. The restaurant put sauce on them even though Jon asked that they don't. The sauce has two things Reed is allergic to so there is no way he can eat them. Tears ensue. I have to fight back tears of my own when Reed calls out that "he just wants food like everybody else." Luckily I have some sausage and tortillas in the fridge and Reed is excited to eat special tacos instead.
7:10 After I have shoved two tacos down my throat I pick Kieran up and Jon and Reed say goodnight to him. He barely nurses and is super fussy.
7:25 I lay K down - he instantly starts crying.
7:35 Jon can't handle anymore crying so he goes and rocks Kieran. I turn on Magic School Bus for Reed then I get Reed's clothes that I'd left out by the pool, feed Dodger, and do the dishes.
7:45 K is asleep finally.
8:00 We tuck Reed in and say goodnight.
8:05 Reed comes running out declaring he wants more books, Jon goes back and talks to him, telling him it's sleep time and that the book he has in bed is more than enough.
8:15 Jon gets a work call and goes to the computer. K starts crying out and rolls around, Reed is awake but trying to sleep. I eat yogurt and read a book while glancing at the kids on the monitor.
8:30 Jon is done, K is back asleep, but Reed is still rolling around.
8:50 Reed is finally asleep
9:15 Kieran starts screaming. I go in to his room not wanting him to wake Reed, who has just fallen asleep, and also guessing (correctly) that he's hungry since he hardly nursed at bedtime.
9:25 K is fed and asleep, we head to bed too. Jon gets two more work calls.
11:55 Reed opens his door, and calls for Mom. He is standing in an unexplainable puddle of pee. After I change him he requests a drink of milk and some new books in his bed. I oblige and we all get back to sleep relatively quickly.
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