We're pinning the costume so Mama knows where to take the material in. After, Logan decided he'd keep the mask on, while watching TV (in only his underwear) on the couch. :)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
May The Force Be With You
An awesome coworker of mine lent me his son's Darth Vader costume. It's a bit big but otherwise perfect!
Proud Mama
Stepped out of the office for a bit to watch Logan at soccer practice. This coach is SO. MUCH. BETTER. than our previous one; the kids are laughing and having tons of fun. Imagine that! :)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
17 months old
WHAT. THE. HELL.
I didn't even realize Callum had passed another month last week, until I looked up at the calendar this evening.
Where does the time go?
I honestly don't know where to start or how to sum up Callum's last month. He's 17 months old going on 3, is what he is. Forget toddler-dom, sometimes I think he skipped that stage and instead blossomed into a little kid overnight. Certainly, having a big brother willing to show you the ropes of kid-dom, helps. ;-)
While Logan has always been a bit cautious at anything he learns or approaches for the first time, Callum pushes all of thatbullshit aside and throws his entire being - head, body and soul - into it. My parents and I were just discussing this the other night.
Whereas Logan would climb up and down stairs no problem - reaching the top, turning around and then sitting on his butt to scoot down, Callum thinks he can do just as his brother can.
He climbs up the stairs. Ok fine, no problem.
Then he reaches the top, turns around and steps, sticking one foot out - NO FEAR - to descend. However, the coordination isn't quite there yet, so his knees and hips fail to BEND with the necessary downward action, and instead his head just pulls his entire body forward as he tumbles straight down a flight of stairs.
And then picks himself up, looks around, and climbs back up the stairs again.
You'd think that after a few falls (down the stairs is just one example. It could also be off the bed or the couch or a chair) that he'd learn. Oh no. My precious little baby has got a thick skull and an extremely short memory. So, those lessons ain't stickin' just yet.
He has fully transitioned over to his bigger classroom (toddler class) and with that, has passed a few bigger kid milestones. He now eats lunch in a toddler chair at a table with the other kids, continues practicing with his own utensils and has now started drinking out of a dixie cup (instead of a sippy cup). He has (for the most part) moved to one nap a day, although most of the time he'll still take two when he's home with us.
He's also MUCH more physical - he's mastered jumping and breaks out into full-on runs down the hallway or, unfortunately, straight for the street. We have to be on our toes much more with this little guy and constantly remind him why running into the street is very dangerous and not allowed. :/
Along with the coordination of running and jumping has come the coordination of pushing - namely, pushing his big brother whenever he wants to play or rough house back. It's been a delicate balance that we are still trying to learn, on when to yell at the boys to cut it out (Callum, you can't hit your brother. Logan, you're squeezing your brother too tight.) versus when to just let them work it out on their own.
Callum has become quite a bit more vocal this last month - still mostly babbling, but forming (and actively practicing) many more words by the day. He's finally at the point where I can understand when he's asking for "help", or when he wants "more" of something, like his "juice". He's also learning "please" (yay!) and "mine" (ugh). With Logan, I couldn't WAIT until he was able to hold a conversation. And, I do look forward to that with Callum. But, knowing what I have in store for me, these next few years, I'm simply enjoying the innocent nonsensical babbles that come out of his mouth today. ;-)
I didn't even realize Callum had passed another month last week, until I looked up at the calendar this evening.
Where does the time go?
I honestly don't know where to start or how to sum up Callum's last month. He's 17 months old going on 3, is what he is. Forget toddler-dom, sometimes I think he skipped that stage and instead blossomed into a little kid overnight. Certainly, having a big brother willing to show you the ropes of kid-dom, helps. ;-)
While Logan has always been a bit cautious at anything he learns or approaches for the first time, Callum pushes all of that
Whereas Logan would climb up and down stairs no problem - reaching the top, turning around and then sitting on his butt to scoot down, Callum thinks he can do just as his brother can.
He climbs up the stairs. Ok fine, no problem.
Then he reaches the top, turns around and steps, sticking one foot out - NO FEAR - to descend. However, the coordination isn't quite there yet, so his knees and hips fail to BEND with the necessary downward action, and instead his head just pulls his entire body forward as he tumbles straight down a flight of stairs.
And then picks himself up, looks around, and climbs back up the stairs again.
You'd think that after a few falls (down the stairs is just one example. It could also be off the bed or the couch or a chair) that he'd learn. Oh no. My precious little baby has got a thick skull and an extremely short memory. So, those lessons ain't stickin' just yet.
He has fully transitioned over to his bigger classroom (toddler class) and with that, has passed a few bigger kid milestones. He now eats lunch in a toddler chair at a table with the other kids, continues practicing with his own utensils and has now started drinking out of a dixie cup (instead of a sippy cup). He has (for the most part) moved to one nap a day, although most of the time he'll still take two when he's home with us.
He's also MUCH more physical - he's mastered jumping and breaks out into full-on runs down the hallway or, unfortunately, straight for the street. We have to be on our toes much more with this little guy and constantly remind him why running into the street is very dangerous and not allowed. :/
Along with the coordination of running and jumping has come the coordination of pushing - namely, pushing his big brother whenever he wants to play or rough house back. It's been a delicate balance that we are still trying to learn, on when to yell at the boys to cut it out (Callum, you can't hit your brother. Logan, you're squeezing your brother too tight.) versus when to just let them work it out on their own.
Callum has become quite a bit more vocal this last month - still mostly babbling, but forming (and actively practicing) many more words by the day. He's finally at the point where I can understand when he's asking for "help", or when he wants "more" of something, like his "juice". He's also learning "please" (yay!) and "mine" (ugh). With Logan, I couldn't WAIT until he was able to hold a conversation. And, I do look forward to that with Callum. But, knowing what I have in store for me, these next few years, I'm simply enjoying the innocent nonsensical babbles that come out of his mouth today. ;-)
Monday, September 26, 2011
A new tradition
Whoopsie! I meant to post these IMMEDIATELY but oh hey, look at me, I didn't. What's new!?
Four-ish weeks ago, I traveled to Redmond to get my work on and while flying home, waved hello and good-bye to Jon, as he took off for Amsterdam. My poor little Callum had come down with a pretty bad fever that day, which meant I stayed home the next day caring for him and trying to manage that fever. It got much worse, before it ever got better, and I found out several days later that he had probably caught and was fighting a case of roseola (because he doesn't catch enough weird diseases as it is!).
All while Jon was sipping on Dutch white beers.
*ahem*
But anyhoo, I wasn't as worried about the fact that Callum had just conquered roseola as I was concerned about how long he'd be contagious. Since, our good friends Eric and Jill were coming to visit a few days later with Amelia and their little baby boy Trent. A few rushed calls to the doctor that day and I was relieved to find out all was well, Callum (and the Cables) were out of the woods and in the clear.
The Cables arrived Thursday afternoon and stayed through the weekend. I took Friday off from work so that we could visit, catch up and let the four kids turn the house upside down and inside out. We wore them out at Happy Hollow Park where the kids had an absolute blast.
Jon finally got home Saturday afternoon, which happened to also be his birthday, so we had a sitter come by and watch the three older kids while the four adults (plus Trent) went out to a lovely Ethiopian dinner (Eric and Jill had never had Ethiopian food before!) and then came home to enjoy some yummy dessert. :)
As always, our visit was MUCH too short, and because I was juggling two kiddos on my own for most of the visit, I didn't capture as many fun pics as I would have liked. However, I did manage to snag a handful of the four kids all together in our front yard, minutes before Eric and Jill loaded the kids up to hit the road for their long drive back home.
We talked about how we'll have to start taking pictures of the kids each year in this very same spot when they visit and, looking back over the pics now, I have to agree. I'd very much like us to develop that type of tradition.
Because who doesn't want a series of pictures with your older son pretending his hand is a gun, shooting out at you, rather than smiling sweetly at the camera like he's supposed to?
Eric, Jill, loved having you guys as always! Can't wait to see you again soon. :)
Four-ish weeks ago, I traveled to Redmond to get my work on and while flying home, waved hello and good-bye to Jon, as he took off for Amsterdam. My poor little Callum had come down with a pretty bad fever that day, which meant I stayed home the next day caring for him and trying to manage that fever. It got much worse, before it ever got better, and I found out several days later that he had probably caught and was fighting a case of roseola (because he doesn't catch enough weird diseases as it is!).
All while Jon was sipping on Dutch white beers.
*ahem*
But anyhoo, I wasn't as worried about the fact that Callum had just conquered roseola as I was concerned about how long he'd be contagious. Since, our good friends Eric and Jill were coming to visit a few days later with Amelia and their little baby boy Trent. A few rushed calls to the doctor that day and I was relieved to find out all was well, Callum (and the Cables) were out of the woods and in the clear.
The Cables arrived Thursday afternoon and stayed through the weekend. I took Friday off from work so that we could visit, catch up and let the four kids turn the house upside down and inside out. We wore them out at Happy Hollow Park where the kids had an absolute blast.
Jon finally got home Saturday afternoon, which happened to also be his birthday, so we had a sitter come by and watch the three older kids while the four adults (plus Trent) went out to a lovely Ethiopian dinner (Eric and Jill had never had Ethiopian food before!) and then came home to enjoy some yummy dessert. :)
As always, our visit was MUCH too short, and because I was juggling two kiddos on my own for most of the visit, I didn't capture as many fun pics as I would have liked. However, I did manage to snag a handful of the four kids all together in our front yard, minutes before Eric and Jill loaded the kids up to hit the road for their long drive back home.
We talked about how we'll have to start taking pictures of the kids each year in this very same spot when they visit and, looking back over the pics now, I have to agree. I'd very much like us to develop that type of tradition.
Because who doesn't want a series of pictures with your older son pretending his hand is a gun, shooting out at you, rather than smiling sweetly at the camera like he's supposed to?
Eric, Jill, loved having you guys as always! Can't wait to see you again soon. :)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Mr. Iz
Currently purring loudly while laying on my belly (and, I just realized, getting older - he's 10 years old this fall - wow!)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Waiting for Xrays
Waiting at a radiology center to xray Callum's abdomen. He's still battling some pretty painful constipation and bowel movements, so we're going to see if he has any blockage.
While here, he has discovered the automatic doors that open when he stands in front of them. It's become quite a game for him, to see how far he can dash out (into the building's lobby) before Mommy catches him.
While here, he has discovered the automatic doors that open when he stands in front of them. It's become quite a game for him, to see how far he can dash out (into the building's lobby) before Mommy catches him.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
2nd Loganism of the day
Just before bedtime, Logan noticed Jon was holding a Nerds box and asked him if he could have some. Jon said no, it was too late and time for bed.
Logan said, "But I want some sugar?!"
Logan said, "But I want some sugar?!"
Loganism of the day
They [the new Legos we bought the boys ] are too small for Callum, right?
No, they aren't. They are for both of you to share.
Well, I guess we could give it a try.
No, they aren't. They are for both of you to share.
Well, I guess we could give it a try.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Scary dinosaur attacking me
Seriously, after he slammed his head into my nose I thought for a moment: this kid may be rougher than growing up with my brothers! ;-)
All by himself
I forgot to post this a few days ago. Miss Christina was very proud of Logan's penmanship! Not bad, not bad at all! ;-)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Pizza, cake and balloons with 24 of his "closest" friends
A perfect birthday bash combination for the bigger kid in our house. Happy birthday once more Daddy!
Monday, September 12, 2011
It's the lightsaber's fault
Logan has been VERY insistent on wanting to be Batman this year. However, that was all thrown out the window the minute he saw some other well known character costumes. I think I'll wait a bit longer before actually plunking down cash on something. ;-)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Daddy's back!
Happy birthday to Daddy! We just had a delicious (kid free) dinner celebrating Jon and Eric's birthdays (Eric's birthday is on Monday). Now we're back home and ready to break into the birthday desserts! ;-)
Friday, September 9, 2011
Happy Hollow Park
The Cables family are visiting us this weekend. I took today off so the boys could play and hang out with them for the day. We decided to spend a couple of hours at the Happy Hollow Park, which all the kids love.
Here, Logan was too scared to go across the rope bridge by himself and wanted me to hold his hand. I couldn't, since I was carrying Callum, but another little boy heard Logan and offered to hold his hand instead. Isn't that sweet?! :)
Here, Logan was too scared to go across the rope bridge by himself and wanted me to hold his hand. I couldn't, since I was carrying Callum, but another little boy heard Logan and offered to hold his hand instead. Isn't that sweet?! :)
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Mom quote(s) of the week
How many times do I have to tell you...
and
How many times do I have to ask you...
(It's been one of those weeks!)
and
How many times do I have to ask you...
(It's been one of those weeks!)
In case you were wondering if it got any better for me...
Nope, not really. I slept in that little spot under his leg. ;-)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Bed time is all messed up
Callum had a late nap this afternoon and I kept thinking he'd wake up any minute so I didn't bother him, especially since he hasn't been sleeping so well but really needs the sleep so that he can get better!
And, the later it got, the more I thought he must have just decided to go to bed for the night.
Well, I was wrong. :(
He just woke up around 8:45pm, ready to party, as Logan and I are starting to wind down for the night. Ugh.
I have no idea when Callum will be ready to go back to bed, but it's going to be much later than I need it to be, I know that is for sure. *sigh*
And, the later it got, the more I thought he must have just decided to go to bed for the night.
Well, I was wrong. :(
He just woke up around 8:45pm, ready to party, as Logan and I are starting to wind down for the night. Ugh.
I have no idea when Callum will be ready to go back to bed, but it's going to be much later than I need it to be, I know that is for sure. *sigh*
Labor Day
Meant to post this earlier today. We've pretty much been holed up all weekend because Callum has been so sick. So the only activity the boys are getting is in our front yard.
Today we celebrated Labor Day with a little croquet and golf. Both totally American sports right?! ;-)
Today we celebrated Labor Day with a little croquet and golf. Both totally American sports right?! ;-)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Phineas and Ferb
Enjoying a bit of Logan's favorite TV show before bedtime. Callum was doing much better this evening - I'm sure the FOUR hour nap helped! ;-)
Spoke too soon
Callum has decided today he will scream and screech as loud as he possibly can. He doesn't want to be held. He doesn't want to lay in his bed. He doesn't want to sit. He doesn't want to eat. He doesn't want to drink.
He wants to lie on the floor and scream, letting the entire neighborhood know how miserable he really feels.
Unfortunately, his fever spiked again last night (roughly 104-105 again!). :( He was in pretty bad shape and finally passed out on my chest while I rotated cool wet cloths on his back again, too tired to put up much of a fight. He woke up this morning with a 104 temp (again!). I waited a bit, giving him juice and for the Tylenol to kick in, but no luck. So, much to his dismay, back to the cold bath we went. Which he again, hated me for.
He napped a bit right after brunch (my dad came over and we all walked to a nearby cafe to get out for a bit) but woke up madder 'n hell and stayed that way until I put him back down for another nap.
I'm pretty worn out and am wishing really hard that this is the last of it. Of course, by then, Logan will be sick. Isn't it how it goes? ;-)
He wants to lie on the floor and scream, letting the entire neighborhood know how miserable he really feels.
Unfortunately, his fever spiked again last night (roughly 104-105 again!). :( He was in pretty bad shape and finally passed out on my chest while I rotated cool wet cloths on his back again, too tired to put up much of a fight. He woke up this morning with a 104 temp (again!). I waited a bit, giving him juice and for the Tylenol to kick in, but no luck. So, much to his dismay, back to the cold bath we went. Which he again, hated me for.
He napped a bit right after brunch (my dad came over and we all walked to a nearby cafe to get out for a bit) but woke up madder 'n hell and stayed that way until I put him back down for another nap.
I'm pretty worn out and am wishing really hard that this is the last of it. Of course, by then, Logan will be sick. Isn't it how it goes? ;-)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Feeling better
Callum actually got much worse last night before getting better, his fever reaching 105.5! I gave him a cold bath which was horrible - he shrieked and screamed the entire time. :( But it DID bring his fever down to about 104. I was able to successfully get it down to about 101 by bedtime (amazing the difference, while still a fever, he was actually jumping and dancing once it got down that low, likely because he felt so much better than just an hour before). My dad stopped by with Gatorade and moral support as well, which was actually really nice for the rest of the evening.
Callum's temp did soar back up to 104-105 in the middle of the night however. So I spent another 30 minutes or so rocking him and changing out cold wet cloths on his belly and back, to get the temp down again (which he also hated).
He (and I) were exhausted, so once it got down to about 102, he fell back asleep. His temp was still about 102-103 in the morning but I've been monitoring him constantly throughout the day, doing my best to keep him cool and ensuring he takes in plenty of fluids. After his mid-day nap he was noticeably better, and his temp was at a low 100 degrees!
His temp hasn't spiked again since, so I'm hopeful we've been through the worst of it. :) We'll see how the rest of the evening and night fare.
Wish us luck ! :)
Callum's temp did soar back up to 104-105 in the middle of the night however. So I spent another 30 minutes or so rocking him and changing out cold wet cloths on his belly and back, to get the temp down again (which he also hated).
He (and I) were exhausted, so once it got down to about 102, he fell back asleep. His temp was still about 102-103 in the morning but I've been monitoring him constantly throughout the day, doing my best to keep him cool and ensuring he takes in plenty of fluids. After his mid-day nap he was noticeably better, and his temp was at a low 100 degrees!
His temp hasn't spiked again since, so I'm hopeful we've been through the worst of it. :) We'll see how the rest of the evening and night fare.
Wish us luck ! :)
Snakes and Lizards
Logan has been asking us to take him to the zoo for a few weeks. I'm not sure where this came from, but can only imagine someone at school recently visited the zoo and now that's what he wants to do. So, I was all set to load us up and visit the zoo one (unusually free) weekend, when I also learned about a special "Snakes and Lizards" exhibit, running through Labor Day, over at the California Academy of Sciences museum.
I asked Jon which he'd prefer to visit and he thought the "Snakes and Lizards" exhibit sounded cooler. Logan agreed. So, off we went to visit the Academy of Sciences museum instead.
I caught a few pictures of our day, but not as many as I would have liked. As it turns out, you're not allowed to take pictures of the animals - but I totally missed the sign that said that. Oh well :) We got a few snapshots here and there anyway.
On the way out, we visited the museum store. Logan was in 7th heaven with all of the neat little gadgets and toys to touch and play with. He wanted EVERYTHING. Literally, he came up to me and said:
Mommy, I want the soft yellow snake [a plush stuffed animal of "Lemondrop" the albino boa, pic below] for my bed. I want the blue [rubber] snake for my train table. And I want this [a pair of binoculars] to see with.
We told him he could pick out ONE toy, and only one. He chose the cheap little blue rubber snake and was absolutely delighted. :-P
While our summer has been extremely busy with travel and birthday parties galore, I'm really glad we took the day to just hang out as a family and do something special for the boys. We should definitely be doing these trips more often!
I asked Jon which he'd prefer to visit and he thought the "Snakes and Lizards" exhibit sounded cooler. Logan agreed. So, off we went to visit the Academy of Sciences museum instead.
We had a great time. The nice thing about the museum is that there is more to do and see than just a few animals - they also have a rainforest, aquarium, dinosaur skeletons, science exhibits, etc. We didn't see everything, but we saw quite a bit in the few hours that we were there. Logan wanted to stay much longer, but Callum was starting to get extremely cranky and since neither boy had taken his nap yet, we thought it'd be best for all to head back home.
I caught a few pictures of our day, but not as many as I would have liked. As it turns out, you're not allowed to take pictures of the animals - but I totally missed the sign that said that. Oh well :) We got a few snapshots here and there anyway.
On the way out, we visited the museum store. Logan was in 7th heaven with all of the neat little gadgets and toys to touch and play with. He wanted EVERYTHING. Literally, he came up to me and said:
Mommy, I want the soft yellow snake [a plush stuffed animal of "Lemondrop" the albino boa, pic below] for my bed. I want the blue [rubber] snake for my train table. And I want this [a pair of binoculars] to see with.
We told him he could pick out ONE toy, and only one. He chose the cheap little blue rubber snake and was absolutely delighted. :-P
While our summer has been extremely busy with travel and birthday parties galore, I'm really glad we took the day to just hang out as a family and do something special for the boys. We should definitely be doing these trips more often!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Endless nightmare of doctor visits
I took Callum in to see Dr. Safir this afternoon. Not for his 102 fever/cold, but because he is STILL screaming and crying in pain every time he poops and it kills me. :(
So, Dr. Safir referred us to a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist. Since the guy was right upstairs, I decided to try my luck and walk in. They had room for us in 30 minutes so I said what the heck and Callum and I waited.
It was a looooong 30 minutes. :( But, we finally saw the doctor. Because Callum was so miserable from waiting (and fighting a fever) the doc didn't want to do a scope or anything. Instead he took a culture and sent me across the street to drop it off at the lab and wait for results (and further instructions) next week.
So, another 30 minutes of excruciating waiting (to DROP OFF a swab!) we finally finished our rounds and headed home. Whew!
We also have a few instructions to help Callum out once he's fought off this cold but, one thing at a time for now. ;-)
So, Dr. Safir referred us to a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist. Since the guy was right upstairs, I decided to try my luck and walk in. They had room for us in 30 minutes so I said what the heck and Callum and I waited.
It was a looooong 30 minutes. :( But, we finally saw the doctor. Because Callum was so miserable from waiting (and fighting a fever) the doc didn't want to do a scope or anything. Instead he took a culture and sent me across the street to drop it off at the lab and wait for results (and further instructions) next week.
So, another 30 minutes of excruciating waiting (to DROP OFF a swab!) we finally finished our rounds and headed home. Whew!
We also have a few instructions to help Callum out once he's fought off this cold but, one thing at a time for now. ;-)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Reason #5378 Why he won't do well as a stay at home Dad.
Or rather, not that he wouldn't do well, but why I won't let him. :)
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