Welcome to the family....number 7 and 8!

The last few days or so Punky has been crabbier than usual. Going though the checklist of "What's Wrong?" possibilities we found the answer; pure whiteness on his bottom gum next to his first 2 teeth. Knowing number 7 and 8 are popping in we (mom and dad) became a bit more sympathetic and sad for him. We cuddled him up a bit more than we normally do. We let him have his way a little more. We let him have an extra bottle instead of forcing him to eat since it hurt him.

HOWEVER, 2 new teeth does not mean he can keep us up all night long playing. Sleep is sleep- hands down and we all need it to function somewhat normally.

It was one tough night! Punky and his new teeth didn't want to sleep. He slept from 9pm to 11:30pm. Dad rocked him from 11:30pm to almost 1am (ridiculous). Finally we put him in his crib to finish crying it out. 2 hours later he was still at it. Finally at 3:30am I turned on the monitor to hear silence and relief on my part. We all were finally asleep...but not for long. Brandon's 2 new friends decided to cause some more pain at 4:30am for another hour. I was shocked that Brandon wasn't conking out from exhaustion with all his screaming and crying he was deeply involved in.

A quick bottle later he was back to sleep (by 5am) until 8am this morning.

One night of little and totally broken sleep has us all a little on edge and crabbie today. Understandably so!

Welcome to the family toofers 7 and 8!

Horse Races

Tonight Brandon and I joined Auntie Key, Becky and Beth at the track. It was Brandon's first time. I mohawked him up and put on a funky "Ladies Man" T-shirt. He was the talk of the track. He liked to watch the horses when they ran by and even giggled at them the first time. He then just wanted to run and run and run. There were many other children doing the same thing. One being a young girl around Brandon's age. Her dad pointed at Brandon and said to her, "You have to stay away from him. He is going to be trouble when he gets older." Of course auntie and I thought it was cute since everyone thought he was definetly a ladies man. He was just a ham and got lots of great laughs.

Welcome, you've entered the TODDLER years

It hit me hard today driving home from Eden Prairie Center (EPC). Brandon (with a new nickname-Punky) and I went to EPC to eat some lunch in a nummy food court and play in their child's indoor play area. Punky was such a grown man today! He ate all his chicken nuggest and fries and milk. He sat nicely and didn't screecc or throw his food during lunch. When he wanted milk he signed milk (he just learned it 2 days ago but he loves using sign language for milk). After lunch time we headed down to the lower level to play. Concern was growing in my blood as I realized school is officially out and all I heard was children. Sometimes the play area is packed tight with all sizes of kids but mostly those who are a bit too tall to be in the area. Being in no rush I decided to let Brandon walk instead of cruise in the Graco. I put him down and away he went. He is a boy after my own heart as he ran and screeched his way right into Zales jewelry store. I was in shock! He passed the shoes sitting outside the lease line of Journey (he loves shoes) and bolted for some very beautiful rings. He must have wanted to pick something out for mommy. Bending down to ask which one he wants to get for mommy he pointed to the perfect turqoise and diamond ring- the one I eyed when I was following Punky into the store. The store gal was very friendly and we swamped stories as her son is turning one tomorrow! He was so bashful with her and she was so complimentary. Drooling mouths and many fingerprinted glass cases later we continued on our way. Punky loved to walk/run his way to the elevator. He listened to every direction I gave him. I think it helps if you don't hound kids over and over on the same things. We had plenty of time so why rush to the elevators? He actually had more fun watching them go up and down and seeing the people inside. We let the big, glass elevator go up and down many times before we took our turn. Successfully making it to the play area we needed to find 'our spot'. We normally have dad with us but today we really wouldn't have a 'spot' as I would be dilly-dallying around a toddler! It was as packed as a sardine can with all ages of children and their parents/nannies sitting on the sidelines waiting and yelling. I was glad to see one dad playing with his son who was about the same age as Brandon. Since Brandon is home all day with mom and dad we always wonder how he will do amongst a group of children. Before my purse was down he was off and running. And not just to play but to meet a new friend. He met many today and he has a preference for little girls- his age and up to 5 years old or so. One girl taught him how to climb one of the pieces.

Brandon has been here many times before. He has ventured off, stayed in one area, stayed only on the benches with us, stayed on a flower the entire time. He knows this area and has played at his abilities that he could at the time. It has been about a month or so since our last visit and today was a new adventure for him at our ever favorite tot lot. Besides immediately meeting new friends and venturing off he strived in doing so much for himself. As a mom you want to do everything for your kids and I make a very conscious effort to stay away. I showed him a tunnel to crawl through once and a flower to climb. After that he climbed that flower and many ladybugs by himself. He would go in and out and in and out and in and out of that tunnel over and over. The other moms were quite amused. He found the fish to climb on and the jet ski and he knew how to climb onto it by himself and ride it. He even made the noise. After a slip and fall from the jet ski he was off (with no tears-and I didn't go running to him) to a new venture. One that was out of my sight. I sneakily followed to find him climbing the stairs to the large 'jungle' piece where there are many slides coming from. Once at the top he laid on his belly and pushed himself backwards until he hit a wall then he would turn a bit and keep pushing until he quickly found a slide and down he went. He got up thinking he could climb the slide to fall right back down. That was one fast learning moment when something clicked in his brain that he had to go up the stairs again. Not even noticing mommy near by (I kept away and quiet to see how he would do.) he rushed to the stairs and did the belly pushing slide move again to another, bigger slide. Out of my sight again I waited. I knew he was safe and I wanted to see if he knew mommy was out of sight and see what his next move was. He came running around the corner to do the stairs again. He didn't need my help anymore climbing, sliding, running, etc.
I was so proud of him for learning so quickly about how things work and how to do things and being so brave to conquer the environment and new things on his own.
When it was time to go I held up his shoes and socks and he caming running over and knew what we had to do. Grabbing the stroller Punky learned of a new device that goes up and down and people ride it. He was curious and interested. So be it....we are breaking the 'No Strollers on the Escalators' rule. I slowly showed him what we were going to do and explained everything (even if he doesn't understand it all- you should always explain it). I pushed the stoller ahead of us and together we stepped on to the escalator. Brandon did it perfectly one step at a time. I was so proud of him for holding my hand the entire time and stepping quickly on and off the escalator. I know my dad is probably rolling his eyes at me right now and saying something like, "Melissa, he is a kid. Whoop-de-do" but when you realize your little 8 pound baby that you delivered now understands how to walk, talk, run, figure things out, learn new things, climb new things, and so on...it really hits you how proud of him you are. It hit me today! I can't call him my 'baby' anymore. I can't do anything 'baby' with him...heck, he does showers and sits at the table now with mom and dad-at 13 months that isn't bad. It has gone too fast.
Driving home from EPC I kept thinking of how yesterday he was so frusterated that he couldn't work a toy or figure out a book but today he could figure out how to get on and off an escalator. It is amazing how every day there is something new from him and to see how he is learning and processing everything so quickly and in his own unique way.
I think we have officially entered the toddler years! I feel very welcomed! And Punky does too!

Middle of the weekend

It is the middle of a fun and busy weekend. We have been doing a garage sale the past 3 days...make that2 days. We attempted to do the sale today and it was FREEZING cold and windy so we shut it down. Thursday and Friday were great. Rob took such good care of Brandon on the lawn. He loved being outside the entire day. He isn't a fan of grass though and makes the best faces. He loves to crawl on the rocks and try and eat sticks. Our great neighbor, Pam has been also sitting with us. She has a bunch of stuff in the sale too and she loves sitting with us too. She makes the day go faster and is so sweet.

Thursday was a crazy busy day. We did well. After the sale I was so tired and my back hurt bad. My mom and Tim were so kind to take us to dinner so we wouldn't have to cook. So nice of them. It really helped. After dinner I walked in the door, jumped in the shower and hit the bed. I was so tired.

Friday was better for my back. We shut the sale down and got ready for a fun night. Brandon did a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's (my mom and Tim's). It was so helpful of them to offer to take care of him for a while. Rob and I hadn't been on a date night in forever. We had some dinner and then saw I Love You Man. We had a fun time and it was nice to be able to think of my husband first and foremost before wondering about Brandon. He did really well at gma and gpas. He stayed almost all day Saturday too.

Saturday it is SO cold so we shut the sale down. Brandon was still at Gma and Gpas. Rob and I went to Cowboy Jacks for some lunch- super fun and good. Great party place too for all the party folk out there. After we ate we grabbed some candy and headed to another movie, Knowing. It was HORRIBLE. I can't believe I even spent 3 bucks on it. After the movie we went to pick up little love. He has the BEST smile when he realizes mom and dad are back. But he hung on to Grandma and didn't really want to go.

CUTE STORY: Rob and I dropped Brandon off at Gma and Gpas on Saturday early evening around 5pm. After we left and got a ways down the road I noticed Rob was very quiet. When I looked over he seemed teary eyed. I asked what was wrong and he started crying that he really missed bear and didn't know what he would do without him. We talked about it for a while and then decided to focus on each other. Rob has been with Brandon non-stop for a few weeks now since my back is getting worse. He does everything for Brandon so for him to get a break can hit him like a ton of bricks. He needed a few moments to be sad and then we moved on with our date.

My mom (Gma Dina) was so excited about watching Brandon. She gave Brandon some new foods. I am so proud of her for trying new things. She can worry a bit too much at time. She was so creative and gave him chicken salad and rice-a-roni. He loved both of them. We will be trying them at home. Thanks Grandma!

Okay, I am now super sleepy so I am off to bed. Bear is sound asleep- he goes to sleep so well- sweet boy.

G Nite

Playing at my B-Day Party

Quick Cute Story

I was using the bathroom the other day and must not have totally 'clicked' the door. Brandon came crawling through rather quickly. By the time I hit the flush button and got to the sink to wash my hands he had made the way over to the toilet and lifted it up. With my hands still wet I was begging him to put the seat down (I was telling him but in my mind I was BEGGING). NOPE- in go the hands. I rush a whole 2 feet away and pull him out with wet hands. I wash his hands and mine all over again. I set him in the hallway closing the bathroom door (or thinking I did). I went through the bathroom to the other door to get my cell phone off my night stand. I started talking to my boss while making my way back to the bathroom and out the door....only to find Brandon made his cute little way into the bathroom but this time to the toilet paper roll and unraveled the entire thing. When I mean entire I mean ENTIRE...I put that roll on that morning. Right when I was walking in he realized the toilet paper should go somewhere...but where? Oh, yea- there is this toilet thing. He was shoving toilet paper into the toilet! I scream and swear at my boss and tell her I will call her back. As for Brandon......he smiles and then laughs!

A night of discipline

Tonight was tough for Brandon Bear.

He had a fun time in the bath and I didn't even care when he splashed. I actually joined him in the splashing fun and got all wet myself. He did want to stand up often and we had some chats about keeping his butt in the water.

After bath time we played "Hide the wenis" We try to make putting the diaper back on fun when a little boy gets out of the tub and starts running around nakey. Once the diaper was on and the 'wenis' was hidden (thank goodness) we did jammies and tried to play quietly in the living room and watch the Twins.

Brandon wanted to play with the tv. This is one thing we are very strict on and do NOT let him do. He first wants to turn the tv on and off and then bang on the screen. He gets one quiet, eye level warning. He rarely obeys and does it again. When he does that we visit the 'time out wall'. This is the spot at the end of the upstairs hallway. He sits there for one minute. I usually sit with him making no eye contact and usually holding him so he doesn't run. This is teaching him that he needs to stay in time out and that mom means business- this isn't fun and play time but time to think about his actions, calm down, re-group and continue with the evening. Tonight he got 3 of these and he screamed through 2 of them. We use the end of the hallway because we don't want to do his room or crib because that is where he sleeps and it is a peaceful place. We don't want to do a time out on our lap in the living room since that is where the action is and he needs to be removed from the action. And we are working on making mommy and daddy's room a special room to be in so we don't want to do it there either.

Once his time is up I look right at him on eye level and tell him the same thing every time, "Brandon, your time out is up. The reason why you were in time out is because you did not listen to mommy and daddy and you hit the television. We don't hit the television. The next time you hit the television you will be in time out again. I love you very much." Then I give him lots of hugs and kisses so he knows we love him and care about him and then we go play. Tonight it took him some time to get back in to the 'play' thing again. He wanted to sit in the middle of the hall and cry. After attempting to engage him and it not working I just went in the living room and started to play and he eventually joined in.

After the third time of time outs and television hitting I was getting exhausetd (this was all in less than 10 minutes). There was a second of thought thinking if I just slap his hands lightly won't he get the picture! NOPE! He won't and most likely he will just keep hitting the tv and other things and people. Rob and I were spanked growing up but we have agreed to not spank our kids. So far- so good. It is hard to be consistant and dedicated to discipline. The hard part for me is it being 8pm and night in lots of back pain and having to move up and down from floor to recliner to standing. It makes me sound lazy but evening time is very painful and moving exhausts everything.

As for discipline- we will continue to work on it. I felt bad that he was crying and it seemed like the world was ending but I didn't give up. I won't give up. We are committed to raising well behaved kids and we are dedicated to the journey no matter how hard or easy it may be. We do re-direct him often. After time out we start a different play item and when he gets his first warning we redirect him as well.

Many folks have thought I am nuts for starting to discipline him at only one year old. To that I reply....he is much smarter than you or I know. He knows yes and no...he knows how to ask for things without speaking...he knows he isn't supposed to bang the tv and that when he does he will get a reaction out of it. We have to start somewhere and right now discipling him for one thing (The tv) is exactly what we should be doing.

It actually reminds me a bit of when I was managing the Alzheimers unit and I would tell everyone- our residents are smater than we give them credit for. They do know what is going on from time to time. I do believe that.