Tuesday, April 28, 2009

One Day, Two Posts... Don't Get Used to It

Just wanted to tell everyone that tonight we had a minor meltdown at bedtime, but after about 10 minutes of crying, I went back upstairs, and he got into bed without a fight. I'm so excited about that, I just had to share.

Update and Videos

I feel I've been neglectful lately in blogging about the anecdotes of Kieran's day-to-day. Sleep is an ongoing battle but we're managing. Unfortunately it's going to mean that we have a few nights where he cries for awhile before sleep, but at least he knows we're serious about bedtime. My sister-in-law is going to loan me her book about parenting a willful child. My kid, stubborn, oh no! Wherever did he get that trait from? (wait, don't answer that)

Most of the time he's a great kid. He's running around like crazy, loves to move his body. We're starting swim lessons this Saturday. Not sure how he's going to react to it. On the cruise he was not keen on the idea of getting into the pool and getting him into the ocean was hard as well. We'll see. The whole point of this first class really is to acclimate him to the water. I'll try to post Saturday night or Sunday to tell you how it goes.

He's talking up a storm asks repeatedly "what's that?" I try to answer but many times he will ask without pointing at anything. He loves to learn new words and even read Ken's handwriting upside down. Of course, now I have the silly idea that I could maybe teach him to read. He knows all his letters and he knows the sounds for the letters so its just putting it all together.

This is a little video of Kieran singing his ABCs. It was early hence the crazy hair and PJs.


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Popular

Been feeling pretty popular lately. This past weekend while Ken was out backpacking, Kieran and I had oodles to choose from.

Saturday morning we started out at the local playground, then we met up with Stephanie and Harry at Rolly Pollies in Crofton. Kieran had a GREAT time there - loved jumping on the trampoline, he did the zipline and swung from the rings. He even did the balance beam with Stephanie (though I missed it because I was with Harry). He slept for a LONG time (though nap was delayed to 2-4 instead of 1-3). Saturday evening we went out to dinner - just us - and he ate well, tried new food (which he hated, but hey - he tried it).

Sunday we got up and went over to the Nearly New sale in Howard County. There we picked up LOTS of new clothes (well, new to us), a few books and a new bath toy. All for about $20. I think I spent about $1 per item. We met up with Joshua, Beth and their son Justin (friends of ours from college who moved to the MD area). Didn't get much of a chance to talk as I was shopping and trying to keep an eye on Kieran - really hard to do. So, they want to get together soon.

After the sale we met up with Zadie for brunch/lunch at Mimis Cafe. Kieran had fun there, though he kept trying to tell me he'd "be right back" and leave the table. Zadie kept him very entertained and we all had a good time. Again, the nap moved to 2-4 but he slept.

This week I had dinner with friends last night and book club on Wednesday (I still haven't read the book - bad, bad Jana). Saturday we have about 3 things we got invited to go during the day and we have a baby shower that evening.

I don't know if it's just the time of year or what, but dang it, I feel loved. :-)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Sleep Issues

It finally happened. Kieran has begun to really fight us on bedtime. He's also waking up multiple times at night. I did some reading and apparently this is normal. Frustrating, but normal. For example, it's nearly 9:15 pm. Bedtime is at 8. I hear him upstairs right now. If I continue to hear him kicking, I'm going to have to go up there (again) which I'm trying to avoid.

This has become SOP. He's not been going to sleep until after 8:30 most nights and is up by 6:30 most mornings. How the heck did this happen and when will it be over?

OK, I have to go put his butt back to bed (again). If my neighbors don't stop pissing and moaning over whatever sport they're watching I'm going to have to go next door and be obnoxious neighbor and tell them to keep it down. BAH.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Ah, the Weekend

Had a good time this weekend. Kieran is still into the power struggle but seems to recover quicker than he did before. Basically sticking to my guns and not giving in seem to be key.

Saturday Kieran and I hung out at the house. He had gotten up so early he konked at 10:30 and woke up around lunch. So he and I went to a neighborhood coffeehouse and had brunch together. He ate all my eggs, the little stinker. We then went on walk around, hit the Cross Street Market to pick up some fruits and veggies. I haven't been in a long time and the guy that I buy from said something to me about it. Gave me grief, actually. Can't blame him, his prices are great and I'm just lazy about going. It's easier to get it all at the store than to make a separate trip to the market.

Anyway, today Ken had a Daddy/Kieran day of fun and I got to do stuff by myself. Was pretty nice to be able to run errands and do whatver I wanted/needed without having to keep track of Kieran. Got home in time for him to be up from his nap... except he didnt' have one. He snoozed a little bit in the car with Ken but didn't get a real nap (yeah, he was a JOY tonight at bedtime and yes that is sarcasm). Ken did a little work while Kieran and I went to the playground for an hour. That's about all there is to report. Power struggles continue, so does way too much tv on the weekends but we're working on it. Oh well. Such is life. We manage and move on.

Love to all, blog again soon.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Power Struggles

So, Kieran's been doing well at daycare this week. His 'issues' last week were centered around him wanting to do everything himself. We're at that age when he wants to do it all himself but he's not really able to do it yet.

*sigh*

He's also getting his way WAY too often. I realized that tonight when we were getting ready for bed. He likes to choose his PJs. Blue was his choice tonight. He then refused to put them on. No worries, I let it alone for awhile then tried when the time was running out and we needed to get him into bed. He LOST IT when I put the PJs on him. Opening the PJs drawer was the power struggle. I'm bigger so I won. He cried for about 10 minutes. Got him calmed down and to bed. I WIN! Oh, wait, I'm not supposed to feel that way, am I?