Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Colin's 3 Year Well-Child Appointment
Colin's doctor appointment went well yesterday (except for the surprise shot at the end). He is 39 inches tall and 32.2 pounds, putting him in the 75th percentile for both height and weight. Here are some shots I took of him a couple days after his birthday when he was feeling much better.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Today the boys and I went to a TPG St. Patrick's Day party. I'd say there were about 100 people there and it was a lot of fun! The kids got to run around and the moms got to chat a bit. Plus, on our way home, I got a sneak-attack shot of Eli smiling. Score 1 for Mom! I hope everyone else is having a fabulous and green day. :)
Colin and his buddy Sam enjoying cookies.
Colin found a fire engine.
Sneak attack photo-op!
Can I pretend Colin cut this out???
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Eli is 11 Months Old
Eli is 11 months and man, that kid is opinionated! He is very decisive about what he does and does not like and he is very vocal about it. It has gone from him just being stubborn about his food to being stubborn about everything. Take, as an example, our 11-month photo shoot. The pictures below were the best I could get. Before I busted out my camera, the child was laughing, smiling, and having a great time. As soon as he spotted my camera and heard me say "smile", he turned away, started grimacing, and eventually started crying. Come on! I thought this wouldn't happen for at least a few more months. Please say that he'll smile for some of his 1-year birthday pictures next month!
In addition to being opinionated and head-strong, Eli has learned to climb and can now climb our staircase without any assistance (needless to say our gates are closed all the time). He also likes to climb onto our fireplace, despite it being covered in cardboard bricks. He is still not walking on his own but is getting much more steady on his feet and can walk while holding on with just one hand. He is becoming more vocal in both his speech and his gestures. He can say "all done" (and usually also claps his hands once in a definitive manner - not sure where he learned that) and says "oh dear" (while putting both hands on his head). He points to whoever is talking to him if he likes what they're saying and shakes his head no quite vigorously if he doesn't like what they're saying. The kid is hilarious, even if he is a trouble-maker. His favorite thing to do is head toward a forbidden object, turn around to make sure someone is looking, and then attack it with a ferocious battle cry. Ahhhrr!
The little chunk is also continuing to grow like a weed and is unofficially 29 1/4 inches long (although I feel like I must be measuring wrong because he's grown a ton in the last 2 months) and 21.6 pounds.
I can't believe my little man is turning 1 in less than a month!
In addition to being opinionated and head-strong, Eli has learned to climb and can now climb our staircase without any assistance (needless to say our gates are closed all the time). He also likes to climb onto our fireplace, despite it being covered in cardboard bricks. He is still not walking on his own but is getting much more steady on his feet and can walk while holding on with just one hand. He is becoming more vocal in both his speech and his gestures. He can say "all done" (and usually also claps his hands once in a definitive manner - not sure where he learned that) and says "oh dear" (while putting both hands on his head). He points to whoever is talking to him if he likes what they're saying and shakes his head no quite vigorously if he doesn't like what they're saying. The kid is hilarious, even if he is a trouble-maker. His favorite thing to do is head toward a forbidden object, turn around to make sure someone is looking, and then attack it with a ferocious battle cry. Ahhhrr!
The little chunk is also continuing to grow like a weed and is unofficially 29 1/4 inches long (although I feel like I must be measuring wrong because he's grown a ton in the last 2 months) and 21.6 pounds.
I can't believe my little man is turning 1 in less than a month!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Happy 3rd Birthday Colin!!
My sweet Colin turned 3 today. I had big plans for us to meet up with some friends and either go back to the Zoo or head over to Sylvania Playland, depending on weather, but the poor boy was sick with a fever. When I asked him what he wanted to do today he said, "watch shows and have a jammie party". How could I say no? Luckily we had a party with his friends on Monday so we were able to do some fun celebrating then. As a break from watching shows today, he opened his gifts this afternoon. The big hit was definitely the Legos. His special request for dinner was pizza from Marcos and instead of cake, he wanted a milkshake from Mr. Freeze. Happy Birthday, baby! I'm sorry you weren't feeling well today.
Here are some facts about Colin at 3:
* Height and weight coming next week after his doctor appointment (but he's almost grown out of his 3T clothes).
* He *loves* firefighters, fire engines, and everything fire-related.
* He loves to play imaginary games and reenact his favorite shows (usually Fireman Sam or Imagination Movers).
* He loves to play with Legos and gets upset if things break/people take his vehicles, buildings, etc. apart.
* He loves to play dress-up, usually with hats.
* He loves to play with his friends and cousins but shies away from most adults and kids he doesn't know.
* He doesn't like loud/chaotic environments.
* He eats a ton but is becoming a little more picky about what he'll eat. His favorite foods include fruit, cheese, pizza, and chicken nuggets.
* He's a pleaser and a lover and gets very concerned when things aren't copacetic. He likes to make sure that people are happy and often double checks with Chris and I to make sure we're happy.
* He's a goof-ball and loves to do silly things to make himself and others laugh.
* He's become quite the talker and is also very demonstrative when telling stories or explaining things to us.
* He's fully potty-trained with just the occasional accident.
* He loves to read with us, loves to learn new things, and is excited to start school (starting this Fall!).
* He often won't smile for the camera but he will usually stick out his tongue (hence all the recent tongue-shots). :)
Here are some facts about Colin at 3:
* Height and weight coming next week after his doctor appointment (but he's almost grown out of his 3T clothes).
* He *loves* firefighters, fire engines, and everything fire-related.
* He loves to play imaginary games and reenact his favorite shows (usually Fireman Sam or Imagination Movers).
* He loves to play with Legos and gets upset if things break/people take his vehicles, buildings, etc. apart.
* He loves to play dress-up, usually with hats.
* He loves to play with his friends and cousins but shies away from most adults and kids he doesn't know.
* He doesn't like loud/chaotic environments.
* He eats a ton but is becoming a little more picky about what he'll eat. His favorite foods include fruit, cheese, pizza, and chicken nuggets.
* He's a pleaser and a lover and gets very concerned when things aren't copacetic. He likes to make sure that people are happy and often double checks with Chris and I to make sure we're happy.
* He's a goof-ball and loves to do silly things to make himself and others laugh.
* He's become quite the talker and is also very demonstrative when telling stories or explaining things to us.
* He's fully potty-trained with just the occasional accident.
* He loves to read with us, loves to learn new things, and is excited to start school (starting this Fall!).
* He often won't smile for the camera but he will usually stick out his tongue (hence all the recent tongue-shots). :)
Here are some pictures from today.
Here are pictures from his party on Monday. We had a triple party with his buddies, Colton and Ethan. They all have birthdays within days of each other and this is the second year in a row we've done a combined party. The kids had fun decorating goody bags, filling them up with favors, playing games, eating pizza and cupcakes, and just hanging out together. The cute basketball shirt and the crown are courtesy of my friend Elle over at Baby Cake Designs. I *love* her work!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
An Impromptu Trip to the Zoo
I was all ready to head to the Y this morning to get a little jogging in (which I felt was much needed after my gluttonous lunch at the Pizza Hut lunch buffet yesterady) when I realized that not only was it a beautiful morning, but that this spring-like weather might be coming to an end soon (rain and cooler weather is in the forecast). Since I'm a very indecisive person, I decided to let my soon-to-be 3-year-old decide. I asked Colin if he would rather play at the kid zone and have a picnic afterward at home or go to the zoo and eat lunch there. I already knew the answer. I quickly changed my clothes, packed lunches, and off we went. On our way there, Colin asked several times if we could see the elephants. Of course we can! In addition to checking those out, we had fun watching the tigers, penguins, ducks, snow leopards, hippos, lions, etc.
The zoo was practically empty, there were lots of animals outside, and it was turning out to be a great morning... until we made our way into Nature's Neighborhood and Colin decided to play on the slide. That's when I came across two of my biggest pet peeves: parents who ignore their children and allow them to run rampant and parents who give idle threats to their children and don't follow through with their discipline. Grrrr! Usually when I find myself in a situation where other kids are being naughty or nasty around my children, I just redirect my kids away from them and explain that we don't act that way (because it's hurtful, disrespectful, etc). But today, one of those little buggers pushed Colin and smashed his finger while trying to climb up the slide and over Colin (after his parents had already told him not to but didn't follow through when he didn't stop). And I'm not talking about another 3 year old. I'm talking school-aged children, at least 8 or 9. Old enough to know better. So, I stepped in and reprimanded the hooligan, his sister, and the other kid who thought being bad looked like fun. It's very much not in my character to discipline others' kids, but I guess being around all those wild animals brought out my instinctual protective-mom side. I realize that I had several other options in this situation including walking away and/or talking to the other parents. But from my perspective, the parents were standing in plan view of the altercation and weren't phased in the least. When I come across people like that, I can't help but feel jaded and assume that they are the type of parent who never want to hurt their kids' feelings and allow their kids to make the rules. I respect that different people have different parenting styles, but I just don't understand the non-parenting parenting style. It really ticks me off when parents throw their hands in the air and take on a "what am I supposed to do about it, he doesn't listen to me" attitude. And maybe these parents today really didn't realize what their kids were doing - trampling over toddlers and preschoolers, pushing them down, and making them cry - but still, shame on them for not paying more attention when taking their children to a public playground. Their kids might not listen to them, but they sure listened to me! And all I said was that their behavior was unacceptable and unsafe and they should not climb up the slide. Which makes it harder not to blame the parents for not stepping in.
I'll get off my soap-box now, but not before one last grrrr!
On a lighter note, here are my kids having fun.
The zoo was practically empty, there were lots of animals outside, and it was turning out to be a great morning... until we made our way into Nature's Neighborhood and Colin decided to play on the slide. That's when I came across two of my biggest pet peeves: parents who ignore their children and allow them to run rampant and parents who give idle threats to their children and don't follow through with their discipline. Grrrr! Usually when I find myself in a situation where other kids are being naughty or nasty around my children, I just redirect my kids away from them and explain that we don't act that way (because it's hurtful, disrespectful, etc). But today, one of those little buggers pushed Colin and smashed his finger while trying to climb up the slide and over Colin (after his parents had already told him not to but didn't follow through when he didn't stop). And I'm not talking about another 3 year old. I'm talking school-aged children, at least 8 or 9. Old enough to know better. So, I stepped in and reprimanded the hooligan, his sister, and the other kid who thought being bad looked like fun. It's very much not in my character to discipline others' kids, but I guess being around all those wild animals brought out my instinctual protective-mom side. I realize that I had several other options in this situation including walking away and/or talking to the other parents. But from my perspective, the parents were standing in plan view of the altercation and weren't phased in the least. When I come across people like that, I can't help but feel jaded and assume that they are the type of parent who never want to hurt their kids' feelings and allow their kids to make the rules. I respect that different people have different parenting styles, but I just don't understand the non-parenting parenting style. It really ticks me off when parents throw their hands in the air and take on a "what am I supposed to do about it, he doesn't listen to me" attitude. And maybe these parents today really didn't realize what their kids were doing - trampling over toddlers and preschoolers, pushing them down, and making them cry - but still, shame on them for not paying more attention when taking their children to a public playground. Their kids might not listen to them, but they sure listened to me! And all I said was that their behavior was unacceptable and unsafe and they should not climb up the slide. Which makes it harder not to blame the parents for not stepping in.
I'll get off my soap-box now, but not before one last grrrr!
On a lighter note, here are my kids having fun.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
TPG and Project Linus
Back in January, I blogged about our participation in the Disney Give a Day, Get a Day program and our blanket donations to Project Linus. I really felt like it was a cool organization and I wanted to do more than just participate in the Disney program. The blankets were so easy and fun to make, I thought I'd host a blanket-making party for my mom friends in the Toledo Parent's Group (TPG). We already have a monthly "Mama's Get Crafty" event so I just piggy-backed on that. We had a great time making blankets and several of the ladies are donating theirs. Thanks for your participation, mamas!
A Picnic in the Backyard
I am *loving* this weather - and so are the boys! Yesterday, on our way home from the Y, I noticed that the weather was practically balmy. I asked Colin if he wanted to eat lunch outside when we got home and he said "Yes! We have a picnic! We eat on grass!" The decision had been made, and can I just say, I love that kid's enthusiasm. I knew Eli would be fine in the highchair while we ate, but I thought I would have to take him inside afterward (please see picture from previous post). It was nice to discover that he was perfectly content hanging out on the blanket while Colin and I played some football. He would try to reach for things that fell off the blanket, but never set foot, hand or knee on the grass. It was pretty comical. Maybe he won't mind the grass as much once he starts walking... In the meantime, blankets it is!
I have been messing around with the settings on my camera and trying to take advantage of all the different functions. Still working out a lot of kinks, but I'm enjoying practicing on the kids. I just wish there was a manual on how to get both of them to look at the camera and smile simultaneously.
I have been messing around with the settings on my camera and trying to take advantage of all the different functions. Still working out a lot of kinks, but I'm enjoying practicing on the kids. I just wish there was a manual on how to get both of them to look at the camera and smile simultaneously.
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