Thanksgiving dinner

So after the marathon, we parked the kids in front of the longest kids movie we had, gave Colin the remote and took a nap! At dinner time, we got everyone dressed and out the door just in time for our thanksgiving dinner reservations at Atkins Park. You know that I'm not cooking, even if I didn't run 26.2 miles!

Atkins Park was great. Colin asked if they had a playground. Nope, it's just the name, not a real park. He liked it anyway. We ordered chicken fingers and tomato soup for the kids which they ate, yeah!

Colin took the picture of us, which is much better than the one I took of Colin and Nathan. In my defense, Bob and I sit still a lot better than the boys.

Birthday extravaganza!

Colin's birthday was a four-day long celebration. Lucky guy! On the actual day of Colin's birthday, Friday, November 21, we invited both classes to Candler Park after school. It was cold so not many people showed up, but the ones that did brave the cold got hot chocolate and pizza!

On Saturday, Uncle Ian and Aunt Roxanne came over to celebrate both Ian's and Colin's birthday (Ian's birthday is November 16). That's when Colin opened his presents from Mom and Dad and Nathan. He got a scooter from Mom and Dad, and a paper airplane making book from Nathan.




The big birthday party was on Sunday at Atomic Tangerine where Colin had a globe cake that tasted like orange juice (special request by Colin!). Everyone did a special art project and made a space creature.



Colin's birthday walk at school was on Monday. That's where Colin walks around the elipse five times to represent five years, and one parent (that would be me) talks about significant events that happened during each year. I spent a lot of time preparing and had too much information, so the presentation was dramatically cut. I don't want all that work to go to waste, so I am creating a photo book of Colin's first five years. You know I just don't have enough to do, so this won't be any problem, right?

Grandpa Davey

As I mentioned in the previous post, we were in Indiana for my Grandpa's funeral. My Grandpa Davey was in the hospital for a couple of months and Tuesday, October 28 was his final day. It was a very emotional time for all of us. The house was the biggest issue because several years ago, Grandpa was swindled out of the deed to his house. Personally, I think the lowest of the low lifes are the ones who take from children and the elderly. There are so many questions about what's going to happen to the house, and how long we have until it goes into foreclosure. The guy took a mortgage out on the house after he got the deed, and is not likely to keep up with the payments. Then there is the biggest issue, absolutely no one wants this piece of scum to move into the house now that my grandpa is gone.

Anyway, it's a big mess, but one good thing has come out of our loss ... it looks like my sister and I are on the way to rebuilding our relationship. It hasn't been pretty for a while between us, but that may be changing. I'm very optimistic and hopeful. Funny how our losses sometimes bring out change. It reminds me of my Grandma Davey's funeral. After that one, Bob and I had a big discussion about families and made the decision to start one of our own. The result is Colin and Nathan!

So Rest In Peace Grandpa, I love you. I hope you know that you and Grandma have made the world a better place by being here. Even in your passing, great things have happened to make life better for those of us remaining.

Nathan's first day of school

Everyone was so excited for Nathan's first day of school! We all walked that day and went to the N. Highland entrance of the school, instead of the playground entrance that Maureen's class uses. Nathan was going up the stairs with Colin before we knew it. Bob and I followed them up to the class room and saw Nathan head into Anne's class while Colin continued through the kitchen area to Maureen's class. Then I saw Nathan show his bag to his teacher and tell her it was clothes for his cubby. What an incredibly smooth transition!

Two days later I did receive a phone call from Nathan's teacher. She said that Nathan was doing very well but wanted to let me know about that morning. Apparently, a little while after the start of the day, Nathan looked up and asked where Colin was. Then got really upset. We figure that Nathan missed his big brother so now they make sure that Colin says good-bye to Nathan and tells him that he will see him on the playground. What sweet boys I have!

Colin's first sleep-over

A couple of weeks ago, Colin had a sleep-over with Edward, a little boy from his class. It was a lot of fun for everyone! Colin has learned the joy of "knock-knock" jokes and passed on this knowledge to Edward. So all night long, we heard "knock-knock" jokes, four-year style. Let me give an example, (this is the first "knock-knock" joke that Colin created):

Knock-knock?

Who's there?

Mr. Orange.

Mr. Orange who?

Mr. Orange Ding-Dong!

And then they would laugh and laugh. I guess you have to be a four-year old to really get it, because I told the joke at bootcamp and everyone just looked at me!

And of course, Colin and Edward were up really late. I really didn't mind because they were just laying there, talking calmly, no horsing around or anything. There was a little issue with Dat Dog, Colin's lovely. Dat Dog makes music which bothered Edward, so I turned the music off. But Edward was convinced that Colin would turn Dat Dog back on. We resolved everything by putting a white noise generator in the room.

But Bob really was the one to get them to sleep when he went in and suggested that they count to 100. "But I can only count to 29," says one of them. "What's after 29?", "30!" There you go! It was very entertaining listening to them in the monitor, "89, 40, 41 .... 49, 60, 61, ..." It was like a perpetual counting system. And eventually it got really quiet.

This coming Friday, Colin is invited to Edward's house for a sleep-over there. I hope they have as good of a time there as they did here.

Nathan, Colin and Edward in the art room before bed.


Working hard.

Nathan & preschool

Last Tuesday, Nathan had his follow-up interview at Colin's school to see if he was ready to start. At Montessori schools (which is where Colin goes), the start is based on readiness and not necessarily age. Potty training (or "independent in the toilet" as the school likes to word it) is only part of the readiness evaluation.

Nathan is fully potty trained ... I mean, "independent in the toilet", so we were hopeful that he would get the green light to start soon. Both Colin and Nathan are really looking forward to Nathan going to Colin's school. I'm looking forward to quiet mornings! They will be in different classes, but they can play together on the playground.

So I got the call today from Nathan's teacher, and she asked if we would like him to start September 29!

The dentist

Yesterday I went to the dentist to get some cavities filled (hopefully Colin and Nathan inherit their Dad's teeth and not mine!), and I realized that I meant to blog about Colin's trip to the dentist. At this point Colin has been twice, and has been the perfect patient.

Before Colin's first appointment, I brought him to one of my check-ups and had him sit on my lap watching the dental assistant while I got my teeth cleaned. He was so good and just watched the whole time.

I can't remember very much about his first check-up, especially many of the small details. I do know that Dr. G gave him a glowing report, a coupon for ice cream at Chick-fil-a from across the parking lot and a gold dollar coin.

This time, Colin was very apprehensive about going and wasn't very excited about it at all. I told him that it was his choice whether he had fun at the dentist. That he could pretend that the dentist's chair was a rocket ship and have a good time, or he could choose to not enjoy it. But the choice was his.

At the dentist office, I sat in the chair first and had the dental assistance look at a tooth of mine that felt a little funny, like a popcorn kernel was stuck in it. It was the truth, but it was also a good example for Colin to see me in the chair too. I think I'll do that when it's Nathan's turn. After it was all over, I told Colin how proud I was of him at the dentist, and he said he was proud of me too.

Then it was Colin's turn to sit in the chair. I sat at his feet and tried to stay out of the way of the cleaning. Colin was so cooperative for all of it.

In the end he got another good check-up, no cavities, a coupon for ice cream at Chick-fil-a and a two dollar bill. Our bank is in the same parking lot so I suggested that Colin put the money in his savings account. He really liked that idea, so we went to the bank.

Colin also was anxious to go home to play with Nathan and wasn't interested in getting ice cream at Chick-fil-a. I know, my kids are kinda weird that way and not into ice cream sometimes. I don't mind. I used the coupon after getting my cavities filled.

Potty training

It's started, potty training Nathan. As anticipated, Nathan is a very eager student and wants to do everything himself. Colin is very helpful and has been doing a lot to potty train Nathan as well. This morning when Colin woke up, he woke up Nathan and then made him get on the toilet. At this point, Nathan is doing very well with the pooping in the potty too and knows not to go to the bathroom when he doesn't have a diaper on. We haven't gone full blown training, just whenever we are around the house a lot. I think that Nathan understands the concept and it's just a matter of taking the next step for us and making the commitment.

One, two, buckle my shoe ...

Just before school ended, Colin demonstrated his new skill ... he can tie a shoe!! He can do it pretty good, I might add. And "my way"!

What do I mean about "my way"? Well, I think it was many many years ago, I noticed that Bob ties his shoes completely different than the way that I tie my shoes. He makes two loops with the laces and then simply ties them together. On the other hand, I make one loop and then wrap the other lace around and pull it through. There was something about a rabbit going around the hole then up, but I forget. So anyway, when I noticed the different styles, I was determined that our kids would tie their shoes my way, which meant that I was responsible for teaching them this very important skill. I had no idea that the school would beat me to it.

Now the problem is, Colin doesn't have any shoes that lace and tie. For one, he prefers to wears his crocs most of the time. We do have a pair of tennis shoes for him, but they are Velcro. Usually I am opposed to Velcro and purchased lacing tennis shoes in the past. But this time I was thinking about one of the Montessori classes for parents where they stressed that you should get clothing that the child can do by themselves. In tennis shoe terms, that meant Velcro.

However, Nathan has a little used pair of tennis shoes (Colin's old tennis shoes) that are not Velcro -- purchased pre-Montessori. So Colin had to demonstrate his shoe tying technique with Nathan's shoes. Time to buy some new shoes for Colin that lace up so he can practice on his own shoes.

No more pacifiers

Bob did it! I'm so happy. While Bob was in Omaha last weekend for their "boys trip", he managed to wean Nathan off of the pacifier. I guess Nathan didn't even ask for it. So Bob never gave it to him! So when they returned home, I put Nathan to bed that first night, Nathan pointed to where we kept the pacifiers and asked for it (by saying "tee tee" or whatever it is that he says), and I calmly told him no and that he was a big boy and didn't need pacifiers anymore. Also that if he didn't need it in Omaha, that he didn't need it here as well. Thankfully Nathan didn't put up too much of a fight and went to bed without the pacifier! I don't think he has asked for it since either.

Now all that's left is potty training. Bob and I are thinking sometime this summer.

Goodbye crib

It's official, the baby factory is closed. I just sold the crib on craigslist and am a little sad about it. It was a gorgeous crib. My mom found it at a garage sale in Omaha and trucked it all the way down to Georgia to us. At the time I was a little put off that I didn't get to pick out the crib but after putting it together ... it's a beautiful, four-poster, canopy crib with dark wood, I managed to forgive her. And I did get to pick out the bedding, a soft, neutral, multi-textured cream/ecru color that would go with boy or girl. I used the bed skirt for the canopy and got another simple bedskirt to go on the bottom.

So a little walk down memory lane. Colin used the crib first. However, he was four months old before we put him in it. I broke my ankle when he was two months old and still in the bassinet. It took me two months to heal enough to do the stairs up to the baby's room, so Colin stayed in the bassinet a little longer than he should have! Colin loved the crib. The transition to the big boy bed from the crib was a little rocky and took some time. And Colin never climbed out of the crib.

Nathan on the other hand, started climbing out of the crib after this past Christmas. First Nathan climbed out of the pack-n-play in Omaha, then when we returned to Atlanta he climbed out of the crib twice. That was enough to convince us that he preferred to sleep in the big boy bed, and we stopped putting him in the crib.

So the crib sat in Nathan's room for the last three months before I finally decided to list it on craiglist. I sold it with all the bedding and mattress too. The person that bought it lives in Florida, and her daughter in Atlanta is having a baby. So the crib is going to be used at Grandma's house.

As a side note, when the woman came to buy the crib, she brought a big trailer, so the crib could be transported intact and not have to be taken apart. This meant getting it down stairs with just her and me. It's a good thing that I've been going to bootcamp, because we got that crib down the stairs all by ourselves! I took the down hill end (and heavy end) and really used those new muscles of mine to do it.

Nathan didn't even notice. Well, he noticed something was different in his room because now he has all this space. Colin and Nathan love all the space to run around. But I don't think they realized what was missing.

So goodbye crib, I'm glad it's going to a good home and being used. It's just too pretty to be put into storage until it could be used again in our family.

Nathan's bedtime routine

When Nathan was a baby, it took a lot longer to get him to sleep through the night than Colin. But after we established the routine, it was so easy. Five minutes to go through the steps and then leave the room. Then sometime last year, it all deteriorated for me. Everyone else could get Nathan to go to bed, but not me. I struggled so much when Bob went out of town, spending hours going back into his room, calming him down. I think one of the turning points of my downfall was him learning the sign for eat. Nathan would just make the sign for eat, and I took him downstairs for a snack. Bob never did that. I was the one that was easily manipulated. I was so strong with Colin and not letting him manipulate me ... too much. But with Nathan, it was different.

So time to regroup and start all over, which means CIO or "cry it out". A couple nights of letting Nathan just cry and cry and cry (and oh boy can he cry), I think I let him cry almost an hour one or two nights. It just didn't sound like he was ever going to calm himself down. But once he realized that he couldn't push my buttons, it's been smooth sailing for me. I change his diaper while he drinks his milk, brush his teeth, he sits in the bed while I read some books -- sometimes a lot of books (I still have a weak spot for Nathan!). Then I tell him he needs to cover up, so he lays down on his bear, I cover him up and presto! Done!

Now if we could only get him to give up the pacifier at night, which for some reason he calls his "tee tee"?? I have no idea. Must be something he picked up from the first nanny. She called him Nate Nate.

No more curls

This past weekend, Colin and Nathan got their hair cut. I decided to get Nathan's cut a little shorter than usual, which resulted in cutting off most of his curls. I know, I'm a bad mom. You should have seen Nathan's expression while the stylist was cutting his hair. He looked so sad. Like one of those puppy dogs with the big sad eyes. It was like he was saying, "what are you doing to my hair?!" I kinda like it though (the haircut, not making Nathan sad).

Doctors appointment

I took Nathan and Colin to the doctor for their 2-year and 4-year check-ups. Kinda nice how their birthdays are close enough that I can combine the appointment. You would think that I planned it that way, but not really.

Our pediatrician, Dr. K examined Colin first to show Nathan how it's done. It worked pretty good, and Nathan was very cooperative. However, during the appointment I realized that Nathan will not be the little nudiest that Colin was. At doctor's appointments, the doctor likes you to take off the child's clothes. So after Nathan's clothes were removed, Nathan spent the whole time whimpering about putting them back on, "pants, pants, pants" pointing to his bare legs. Actually, Nathan doesn't like anyone to be naked. If Bob goes into his room at night without a shirt on, "shirt, shirt, shirt", pointing at Dad's bare chest. None the less, Dr. K was able to get his exam done in various stages of dress and undress. It was very impressive.

I, on the other hand, did a major bad mommy thing. I thought for sure that Colin was not going to get any shots this time ... and I told him that! The nurse over heard me telling him and quickly wrote a note which said that he will get 5 shots. What could I do? I felt so incredibly bad. So note to self -- never never ever tell your child that he is not getting any shots, even if you are positive that he won't, even if the appointment is not for him. Because some how some way, the doctor will figure out a way to do the shots thing. Some government ruling on vaccinations will change, or you'll get the information wrong, or a needle will go on a rampage and get your child. You never know, it could happen. Okay, maybe not the needle rampage thing.

Now I have another year until the next annual check-up. I'm going to schedule both Colin and Nathan's appointment at the same time again.

No more cribs for Nathan

We have been thinking about transferring Nathan to the big boy bed, and actually moved Colin's old toddler bed into Nathan's room recently. We bought bunk beds for Colin with the plan that eventually Colin and Nathan will room together. So far the bunk beds are not put together, so Colin is sleeping on the big mattress on the floor.

So before the trip to Omaha, Nathan slept in the big boy bed once when he was very very tired. The first day we were in Omaha, we put Nathan down for his nap in the pack-n-play. We went outside to play in the snow with Colin and didn't think anything about it (see previous blog!). Next thing we know, Nathan comes crawling upstairs to see everyone! Guess he can climb out of the pack-n-play!! So the rest of the trip Nathan slept and took all of his naps in the big boy bed. Grandma Mary has short little beds that Nathan can climb up, so that worked really well.

I remember the transition for Colin took a little longer. He would sleep at night in the big boy bed, but napped for a couple weeks (maybe just a week -- who remembers for sure) in the crib. Last night was the first night that we were back, and Bob put Nathan in the crib at one point. A little while later, I hear crying and then there is Nathan opening the door to his room. I guess he climbed out of the crib too! So there will be no more cribs for Nathan. Not if he is climbing out of it.

Luckily, Nathan is very responsive to what we tell him. Last night, after he climbed out of the crib, Bob gave him his puzzle and set up the big boy bed with all his stuff (bear, Nemo, the blue pillow and pacifier), and told Nathan when he was done with his puzzle to go do bed. A while later when all was quiet, we peeked in and Nathan was tucked into his bed under the covers and everything, sleeping like a baby!

Moon book

Colin has a book that we used to read to him all the time when he was about 2 years old. Bob and I pretty much had it memorized. We always called it the "Moon Book", I'm not sure what the real name is because Colin ripped the cover off one night. The book was a gift from his Gramma Mary and has a moon that lights up when you push it (which explains some of the verses below). So here are the words to Colin's favorite book when he was little:

Night is coming
and I know that soon,
I'll go to sleep
in my cozy room.

I brush my teeth
before going to bed,
Then pull my pj's
over my head.

Out come the stare
that shine so bright,
So with a hug and kiss
I say goodnight.

There is no more
time to play,
But a bedtime story
will end the day.

My favorite is
about the Moon,
And the light it gives off
in my room.

My friend the Moon
will help me see,
And light my room,
staying close to me.

Whenever I wake in the night,
I push the Moon's face
to bring back its light.

I know that I
am safe and sound,
And my friend the Moon
will be around.

Then if I wander
in the night,
I can bring along
my own Moon light.

My Moon dims
and turns off its light,
And sleeps next to me
throughout the night.

Goodnight!

Potty training?

Nathan went pee in the potty last night!! He is only 21 months old and already showing an interest in the potty. He does see Colin using the toilet all the time and won't leave Colin alone in the bathroom! So last night, after Colin went to the bathroom, Nathan said "ppah" and tried to take his shirt off. I don't know what the thing is with the shirt. I guess it just represents getting changed. So I put him on the little potty, and there was pee when he got up. Not a lot, but he gets the idea!

Even this morning, Nathan was saying "ppah" and lifting his shirt up, then he became what we call a "stinky boy". If I wasn't so tired and had a little more initiative, I think I could've got Nathan to go number two in the potty.

However, I don't think that this means we can start thinking about buying less diapers. It's just really nice that he is taking an interest in it so early. Maybe Nathan will surprise me ... that would be great!

Putting Nathan to bed

So Bob went on a 2-week trip to Asia, and I'm at home with the kids. The last time he went on an international trip, I had my mom fly down to Atlanta so I wouldn't kill the kids! That was only for one week. This time I am more confident with my abilities -- I hope! We also found a part-time nanny that is helping out a lot too!

So Bob left last Tuesday morning and the nanny came Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week during the day while I went into the office. The most major issue that I've had during that time was putting Nathan to bed, although this started even before Bob left. Every night Nathan would cry for almost an hour. I couldn't do anything to get him to lay down. This was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night. Thursday night, the nanny put Nathan to bed because I had a Festival meeting and everything went fine, of course! The nanny mentioned that she couldn't find his night light so she left the light on. We have a dimmer light, so that's not a big deal, but it got me thinking, we usually turn the light off when we leave. Could be that Nathan has gotton to a point in his development that he is now aware of the light being turned off and does not like it. So Friday night, after spending the day with him because I did not go into the office for the first time in three days, I got a night light for Nathan and left the light on a little bit, and he went to bed for me with little trouble. He did start crying about 45 minutes after putting him to bed, but it only took me 10 minutes or so to get him settled down. Yahoo! I was so excited. Then tonight, it was even easier!

We will see how things go Tuesday night when the nanny comes back. However, next week she is only doing two days, not three days, which I think will be better.

Colin eats something green

Okay, call me a bad mom, but Colin does not eat anything green anymore. Sure when he was a baby, he started out on vegetables and actually preferred veggie baby food to the fruits. That was baby food though. Then when he switched to table food (which was at about 16 months or so!), he would go through phases. There was the bean stage where he lived off of beans -- mostly Moe's black beans. Then the cheese stage where is was smoked gouda all the time. He has always been a yogurt addict. Although when Nathan was born, he decided that Yobaby Yogurt (a brand of yogurt that he preferred) was for babies, so he didn't eat that anymore. He still eats yogurt, just not Yobaby yogurt.

So now Colin does mostly carbs, very little fruit (an occasional apple), no veggies, and much to Bob's delight, has started meats. Colin loves steak. He will eat wings too. But not a cheeseburger.

Anyway, last night we went to Doc Chey's, our favorite noodle place. The kids both do really well eating at Chinese, I think it's the chop sticks that makes it fun for them. And Doc Chey's has this special way of making chop sticks with "training wheels". They take the sticks and rubber band them together with a piece of rolled up paper so it acts like a spring and makes the sticks real easy to use.

Bob ordered edamame for an appetizer, which is steamed soy beans. Once upon a time Colin ate this and called them 'squeeze beans'. So we start eating the 'squeeze beans' and Colin wants to try them. He ate so many, it was great! Gives me hope about our finicky little eater.

STOMP

Last year I went to the show STOMP at the Fox Theatre with my friend Leslie, and it was amazing! So when I heard that it was coming back to the Fox, I wanted to take Bob and Colin. I thought that Colin would really enjoy all the percussion even though it would be really late for him. It was a risk. The show started at 8pm and would probably go until 10pm, and Colin really likes his sleep.

So the show was last night (Bob's birthday), I fully intended to get Colin to nap but with Bob's birthday and wrapping presents and getting the house ready for Bob coming home from a work trip to Colorado, the nap just didn't happen. My bad.

When the show started, Colin's eyes got so big! He said to me, "I like these guys". I'm thinking all right, we are going to make it! The shows energy and excitement will keep him awake.

Unfortunately, about 15 minutes later he started in with "I wanna go home." Darn! So I tried to get him to go to sleep on my shoulder with the show going on but he said it was too loud. I really wanted Bob to see the show, so Colin and I went out into the lobby and found a secluded bench where Colin laid down and went to sleep.

After a while, I put Colin on my shoulder and went back to see what I could of the show. I ended up at the back watching the last 30 minutes, and I didn't miss the trash can sequence where three guys stand on top of these big 50 gallon trash cans and walk around to the beat of the music, it's my favorite part! And I got to watch this while Colin was asleep on my shoulder -- talk about a sound sleeper!

All in all, maybe I should have waited a couple more years before introducing Colin to his first show. But at least Bob got to see all of it, I got to see half of it and Colin liked what he saw.