Amelia turned 8 months old yesterday. To celebrate, she woke up only once last night. I promise not to get used to it.
Kieran has not been doing well at school. He's had many days on red (parent note) and yesterday his aftercare program basically asked us to try to not bring him in today (though given the short notice, they understood that it was not an option). Ken & I agree that what he wants is to not be in aftercare but to have some time with me and/or Ken one-on-one so to take him out of the afterschool program is rewarding him for bad behavior. But it's definitely bad when you're asked to have your kid take a day to 'think about things'.
Last night was even worse. I made Kieran write lines (I will not be bad. I will listen.), no TV, lost a toy, no dessert and no vitamins (gummy kind so they are a treat). And I made a dinner I knew was not tops on his list. During dinner he was playing and I asked him to stop (repeatedly) this goes on most dinnertimes and is very frustrating. Ken told him that if he could not stop playing he could just take his butt upstairs. To which Kieran replied "You've got a big butt." (later he confessed he thought Ken said that he could take his big butt upstairs) At which point he was sent directly to bed. Do not pass go, do not get any bedtime stories. One hour early. It's the harshest we've been on him. I hope that he got the message. I'm tired of being parent to the child who is constantly in trouble.
The flip side of this is that all the teachers agree that he can be a sweet, loving child. That he is forthright and honest about his errors, but he is also defiant when he has made up his mind. I am really hoping for a good report on today.
In other news, Amelia has begun to pull up on things at school. Which means we really need to lower her crib this weekend. And I have to buy a step so I can reach her once it's lowered. Yes, I really am that short.
Love to all, blog again soon.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Bedtime and Other Tales of Woe
I'm ready for Amelia to have a better bedtime routine. Kieran had this whole sleeping thing down at 8 weeks old. She's nearly 8 months and we're still struggling. Blech.
She goes down without fuss. It's staying down that seems to be an issue. 8 PM is bedtime. She's usually in her crib no later than 8:30, back up around 10:30. And at 1:30 and sometimes again at 3:30. Every now and again she'll throw me a curve ball and sleep from 8:30 until 3:30 or from 10:30 until 5 or 6 AM. I just want some consistency (and more sleep).
Poor Kieran is desperate for a little one-on-one time with me and Ken. Ken fell down our stairs at the beginning of the month and likely broke some ribs. He was laid up for about 2 weeks and then had to make up work for the next two weeks, which meant Kieran was stuck with me and Amelia and no "just him" time, unless you count him going to his room by himself.
I think this has led to his very bad days at school lately (on red, orange and yellow a lot). Hoping we can turn this trend around now that we recognize what may be the cause of it.
Not much else to say but that I recognize I haven't blogged in awhile. I got swamped at work, Ken was sick so I didn't have time at home either. Will try to be better, that's all I can promise.
She goes down without fuss. It's staying down that seems to be an issue. 8 PM is bedtime. She's usually in her crib no later than 8:30, back up around 10:30. And at 1:30 and sometimes again at 3:30. Every now and again she'll throw me a curve ball and sleep from 8:30 until 3:30 or from 10:30 until 5 or 6 AM. I just want some consistency (and more sleep).
Poor Kieran is desperate for a little one-on-one time with me and Ken. Ken fell down our stairs at the beginning of the month and likely broke some ribs. He was laid up for about 2 weeks and then had to make up work for the next two weeks, which meant Kieran was stuck with me and Amelia and no "just him" time, unless you count him going to his room by himself.
I think this has led to his very bad days at school lately (on red, orange and yellow a lot). Hoping we can turn this trend around now that we recognize what may be the cause of it.
Not much else to say but that I recognize I haven't blogged in awhile. I got swamped at work, Ken was sick so I didn't have time at home either. Will try to be better, that's all I can promise.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
What's New
Amelia is crawling (well, still combat crawling) and starting to get into a lot. Kieran still dotes on her but every now and again I see an inkling of the future when Kieran states "Stop touching me, Amelia!" or "EWWWW! Baby slobber!" I knew the ever-loving big brother couldn't last forever. *sigh*
We did end up getting a new cat. The original idea was that Reggie might be lonely now that Ochi is gone so we were going to adopt a cat from a friend. Anyway, that fell through we asked our new vet where they would suggest we go to adopt a cat. They sent us to a little old lady who had just brought in a stray and was looking for a new home.
Welcome Callie - the little calico cat. She and Reggie have been feeling each other out, though they're not best buds yet, I expect they will be within a month or so. Kieran is desperately trying to get her to accept his love (including hugs), but she's a bit leery. She's adjusting to her new home very well (using the litterbox - Hooray!) and does come upstairs at night to sleep on my feet. Shhh. Don't tell Kieran.
Amelia is not doing great in the sleeping through the night thing. Some nights she is up so many times I actually lose count. Other times she is up only once or twice. I'm hoping this is a phase but if it persists later this month we may have to do some crying-it-out (probably both of us). We'll see. She doesn't do self-soothing very well (which is bad) but can settle down with minimal help but it has to be the exact right timing.
So far she loves all food and we have not had any allergic reactions (knock wood). She's into the 2nd stage foods and once she can sit up a bit better I hope to start her on some real solids - things she can feed herself. We get this forlorn look from her each time we eat in front of her.
That's about it. Work has been crazy for me and Ken. I barely see him as by the time we're done with the kids each night we have about a half hour left in us to decompress before we clean up/pack lunches/head to bed. Maybe we'll get that babysitter soon and get the heck out of the house.
OK, Got to get back to it. Love to all, blog again soon. Happy Groundhog Day.
We did end up getting a new cat. The original idea was that Reggie might be lonely now that Ochi is gone so we were going to adopt a cat from a friend. Anyway, that fell through we asked our new vet where they would suggest we go to adopt a cat. They sent us to a little old lady who had just brought in a stray and was looking for a new home.
Welcome Callie - the little calico cat. She and Reggie have been feeling each other out, though they're not best buds yet, I expect they will be within a month or so. Kieran is desperately trying to get her to accept his love (including hugs), but she's a bit leery. She's adjusting to her new home very well (using the litterbox - Hooray!) and does come upstairs at night to sleep on my feet. Shhh. Don't tell Kieran.
Amelia is not doing great in the sleeping through the night thing. Some nights she is up so many times I actually lose count. Other times she is up only once or twice. I'm hoping this is a phase but if it persists later this month we may have to do some crying-it-out (probably both of us). We'll see. She doesn't do self-soothing very well (which is bad) but can settle down with minimal help but it has to be the exact right timing.
So far she loves all food and we have not had any allergic reactions (knock wood). She's into the 2nd stage foods and once she can sit up a bit better I hope to start her on some real solids - things she can feed herself. We get this forlorn look from her each time we eat in front of her.
That's about it. Work has been crazy for me and Ken. I barely see him as by the time we're done with the kids each night we have about a half hour left in us to decompress before we clean up/pack lunches/head to bed. Maybe we'll get that babysitter soon and get the heck out of the house.
OK, Got to get back to it. Love to all, blog again soon. Happy Groundhog Day.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Combat Crawl
It's been a bit rough for us these past few weeks. We all got colds, we lost Ochi, we've been crazy busy. In a way, it's been good. It's nice to know we're liked enough to get invited places, but I could use a break. Of course, the last time I said that I ended up bringing a cold home. Nevermind, I'll take the craziness.
What's been new? Kieran is getting curious about his body and starting to talk about things that are "girl things" versus "boy things". Like colors. He used to say that pink and purple were his favorite colors. He wanted to decorate his room in sparkly pink and purple anything. We resisted this because we knew what was coming. We diverted him to let him put sparkly things on Amelia's walls that were pink and purple (I just didn't want to make more work for us having to take down anything we put up). Sure enough, he's declared these colors "girl colors". I asked him if he still liked the colors. He said yes, but reiterated the 'girl colors' comment. Kids.
For his body questions, we got him a book from the library that talks about the body and how it's changing. That certain parts are private and what they do. He's also very into building muscles. Ken once explained that he rips his muscles to build them up. Now every night Kieran tells me he's ripping up his muscles to grow big and strong.
Amelia has begun eating solid food (and by solid, I refer to the pureed baby food). So far she's liked everything, fruit is, of course, preferred. She has also begun the 'combat crawl'. She moves along the floor using her arms and legs but instead of picking her belly up, she leaves it down. Slithering more like a snake. It's very funny. It also means we have to vacuum more often. And sweep. And clean. Which we haven't.*sigh*
She's still not sleeping through the night. She gets up about once and goes right back down, so I'm not complaining. Next week we'll do a weight check update and Kieran will have his yearly exam. At that appointment I'll find out if we can move Kieran to a booster seat (I think the answer will be yes). That'll be pretty cool.
This weekend we are holding our first 'big boy birthday' party. Most of Kieran's previous parties have been at daycare, at a relative's house or a bowling alley with family. We're going to Chuck E Cheese on Sunday and have 11 kids and 15 adults. I'm prepping my ears for the noise.
Finally, Ken opened the door and now we have to go through it. The day that Ochi passed away, a friend of ours was reaching out trying to find a new home for her cat. It seems her newborn has allergies and the current home the cats were not getting along. Ken told Kieran we'd get a new cat. Well, now the cats are getting along and we have to go searching for another cat. Because Kieran is very set on having two. Hopefully Reggie will forgive us.
OK, better get back to it. Love to all, blog again soon.
What's been new? Kieran is getting curious about his body and starting to talk about things that are "girl things" versus "boy things". Like colors. He used to say that pink and purple were his favorite colors. He wanted to decorate his room in sparkly pink and purple anything. We resisted this because we knew what was coming. We diverted him to let him put sparkly things on Amelia's walls that were pink and purple (I just didn't want to make more work for us having to take down anything we put up). Sure enough, he's declared these colors "girl colors". I asked him if he still liked the colors. He said yes, but reiterated the 'girl colors' comment. Kids.
For his body questions, we got him a book from the library that talks about the body and how it's changing. That certain parts are private and what they do. He's also very into building muscles. Ken once explained that he rips his muscles to build them up. Now every night Kieran tells me he's ripping up his muscles to grow big and strong.
Amelia has begun eating solid food (and by solid, I refer to the pureed baby food). So far she's liked everything, fruit is, of course, preferred. She has also begun the 'combat crawl'. She moves along the floor using her arms and legs but instead of picking her belly up, she leaves it down. Slithering more like a snake. It's very funny. It also means we have to vacuum more often. And sweep. And clean. Which we haven't.*sigh*
She's still not sleeping through the night. She gets up about once and goes right back down, so I'm not complaining. Next week we'll do a weight check update and Kieran will have his yearly exam. At that appointment I'll find out if we can move Kieran to a booster seat (I think the answer will be yes). That'll be pretty cool.
This weekend we are holding our first 'big boy birthday' party. Most of Kieran's previous parties have been at daycare, at a relative's house or a bowling alley with family. We're going to Chuck E Cheese on Sunday and have 11 kids and 15 adults. I'm prepping my ears for the noise.
Finally, Ken opened the door and now we have to go through it. The day that Ochi passed away, a friend of ours was reaching out trying to find a new home for her cat. It seems her newborn has allergies and the current home the cats were not getting along. Ken told Kieran we'd get a new cat. Well, now the cats are getting along and we have to go searching for another cat. Because Kieran is very set on having two. Hopefully Reggie will forgive us.
OK, better get back to it. Love to all, blog again soon.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Farewell Ochi
For those that don't know, Ken had a plan after we got together (all those eons ago). First, we would get some plants. If we could keep the plants alive, we would get a cat. I have a black thumb and was never able to keep a plant alive for more than a few months. But, I'm a big cat person, so I didn't think it would be horrible to get a cat even though we flunked the plant test.
If we could keep the cat alive, we would get a dog. Well, we started out with just one cat, Milo. Milo ate a penny and somehow after paying for his surgery and hospital stay, we were crazy enough to adopt a second cat, Neci. The two were friends until we got a third cat, Tucker. Tucker thought he was a dog, and was very disappointed in his two housemates.
After we had kept the cats several years and bought a house, we got the dog. The plan was if we could keep the dog alive, we would talk kids.
Ochi joined us in September of 2000. He was a great dog and Tucker (the doglike cat) was very excited to have him around. Until he got bigger, then Tucker was no longer a fan. Ochi made me believe that not all dogs are slobbering, barky, annoying animals. He was always there to snuggle (especially if there were fireworks or a big thunderstorm), provide extra warmth on your feet (even if you didn't really want him to), and adapted very well to not only moving into the city but being a family dog (at age 6).
He doted on Kieran as a baby - did the whole protective dog thing. LOVED it when Kieran started to eat solid food (I don't know how I'm going to keep a floor clean without a dog around), and was doing it all over again with Amelia.
It's sad to know that Amelia will not remember Ochi. That Kieran's memories of him may fade. That we will no longer have his gentle warmth each night.
He could be a pain in the butt, but he was OUR pain in the butt. And we loved him.
If we could keep the cat alive, we would get a dog. Well, we started out with just one cat, Milo. Milo ate a penny and somehow after paying for his surgery and hospital stay, we were crazy enough to adopt a second cat, Neci. The two were friends until we got a third cat, Tucker. Tucker thought he was a dog, and was very disappointed in his two housemates.
After we had kept the cats several years and bought a house, we got the dog. The plan was if we could keep the dog alive, we would talk kids.
Ochi joined us in September of 2000. He was a great dog and Tucker (the doglike cat) was very excited to have him around. Until he got bigger, then Tucker was no longer a fan. Ochi made me believe that not all dogs are slobbering, barky, annoying animals. He was always there to snuggle (especially if there were fireworks or a big thunderstorm), provide extra warmth on your feet (even if you didn't really want him to), and adapted very well to not only moving into the city but being a family dog (at age 6).
He doted on Kieran as a baby - did the whole protective dog thing. LOVED it when Kieran started to eat solid food (I don't know how I'm going to keep a floor clean without a dog around), and was doing it all over again with Amelia.
It's sad to know that Amelia will not remember Ochi. That Kieran's memories of him may fade. That we will no longer have his gentle warmth each night.
He could be a pain in the butt, but he was OUR pain in the butt. And we loved him.
Saturday, January 07, 2012
The Attack of the Cold
So, I've sucked a lot at keeping up the blog since Amelia has been born. Sorry about that, but hey, I've got a baby at home! I took a trip in mid-December and came home with a cold. Which I promptly gave to Mia. Who gave it to Ken. Who, thankfully, waited until I got better before he succumbed.
Christmas and New Years passed in a blur of being sick and taking care of sickies. Kieran got Skylanders and that has become (along with legos) his new obsession. Mia got some new toys but she's still learning how to grab, so she'll play with them later.
Not much else to tell, since we're just slogging to the surface of feeling better. Unfortunately, Ochi is now sick. Very sick. We're not sure what will happen and it's really upsetting. He's been a great dog and we've not given him the attention he's deserved. I'm hoping he'll pull past this but the vet told Ken to prep for the worst. Not a good sign.
Anyway, just wanted to blog and say we're still here and I promise to get a bit better about posting more frequently in the coming year.
Christmas and New Years passed in a blur of being sick and taking care of sickies. Kieran got Skylanders and that has become (along with legos) his new obsession. Mia got some new toys but she's still learning how to grab, so she'll play with them later.
Not much else to tell, since we're just slogging to the surface of feeling better. Unfortunately, Ochi is now sick. Very sick. We're not sure what will happen and it's really upsetting. He's been a great dog and we've not given him the attention he's deserved. I'm hoping he'll pull past this but the vet told Ken to prep for the worst. Not a good sign.
Anyway, just wanted to blog and say we're still here and I promise to get a bit better about posting more frequently in the coming year.
Monday, December 12, 2011
5 Months... Wow
Still cannot figure out how it got to be now already. Amelia is 5 months old, ready to move (I swear she's going to crawl this week) and Kieran is 4 going on 14. Hold on this post will be long - just a forewarning.
We've been crazy busy (hence the no bloggity blog from me, sorry I suck) but it's been a good kind of busy. For example, this past weekend, Kieran had a playdate with a friend from his new school and he got to have breakfast with Santa. Oh, yeah, and that trip to the emergency room on Friday night. We really could have done without that.
I'll start with the emergency room. Ken had a trial all week, but was out in time to pick up Kieran (thank goodness because traffic was horrific last week). Friday, right at 5, I get a call from Fitness Fun and Games. Kieran has hit his head and has "a gash" on his forehead. Come and pick him up. Now. You may want to take him to a doctor.
Well, crap. I'm at the office, have to pick up the girl. Not sure if Ken has left court yet I leave him the message I just got and I'm off. As soon as I'm in the car with Amelia, my phone is ringing. It's Ken (whew) he's on his way. He's asking me all kinds of questions I don't know the answer to. "Is it bad? Do we need to go to the doctors?" No idea. We're both a little panicked (though the last time they called he had a goose egg and was fine) and trying to get home to get him ASAP. Ken beats me there by about 10 minutes.
"We're going to the hospital" he said. I guess it's bad. So, I'm at home with Amelia, worried but taking care of the little girl. For once, she goes down early. Crazy early. 7:30 pm and she's out. Now I have nothing to do but worry and wait. And wait.... and wait. I'm getting updates via Facebook (so is my family who calls and texts to be sure everything is OK), four hours later they come home.
Kieran will tell you he got "people glue" which I love. No stitches (though it was a debate). So far the glue has held.
Saturday, after going to bed at midnight, Kieran wakes up at 6:30. Ugh. Ken was already up with Amelia and I wasn't far behind. Ken & Kieran go have breakfast with Santa at Kieran's school. The money goes to the PTO, so worthy cause and all that. Kieran had a great time and loves all the new ornaments for our tree. After that, Ken heads off to work and Kieran is supposed to stay home and rest. He plays Angry Birds. For HOURS. I bribe him into napping at 3 with a promise he can play more angry birds later. Whew.
Sunday Kieran had his first playdate with a kid from his class. This is his "best friend" and when I told him I'd set up the playdate, he warned me (in all seriousness) "OK, but we may get silly." I told him that was just fine. We met at Dunkin Donuts and walked to the Science Center where the kids had a blast. They played for 2 hours and I needed a nap just watching them.
Amelia continues to be cute. Which is good because she continues to wake up in the middle of the night as well. She's extremely talkative, loves music and to move around. She's still not eating food yet (though I got the go-ahead from the doctor for her to try it) we've tried a few times and she's just not loving it. We'll keep at it because I do think that once she starts on solids she'll be a better sleeper. Here's to hoping anyway.
We've been crazy busy (hence the no bloggity blog from me, sorry I suck) but it's been a good kind of busy. For example, this past weekend, Kieran had a playdate with a friend from his new school and he got to have breakfast with Santa. Oh, yeah, and that trip to the emergency room on Friday night. We really could have done without that.
I'll start with the emergency room. Ken had a trial all week, but was out in time to pick up Kieran (thank goodness because traffic was horrific last week). Friday, right at 5, I get a call from Fitness Fun and Games. Kieran has hit his head and has "a gash" on his forehead. Come and pick him up. Now. You may want to take him to a doctor.
Well, crap. I'm at the office, have to pick up the girl. Not sure if Ken has left court yet I leave him the message I just got and I'm off. As soon as I'm in the car with Amelia, my phone is ringing. It's Ken (whew) he's on his way. He's asking me all kinds of questions I don't know the answer to. "Is it bad? Do we need to go to the doctors?" No idea. We're both a little panicked (though the last time they called he had a goose egg and was fine) and trying to get home to get him ASAP. Ken beats me there by about 10 minutes.
"We're going to the hospital" he said. I guess it's bad. So, I'm at home with Amelia, worried but taking care of the little girl. For once, she goes down early. Crazy early. 7:30 pm and she's out. Now I have nothing to do but worry and wait. And wait.... and wait. I'm getting updates via Facebook (so is my family who calls and texts to be sure everything is OK), four hours later they come home.
Kieran will tell you he got "people glue" which I love. No stitches (though it was a debate). So far the glue has held.
Saturday, after going to bed at midnight, Kieran wakes up at 6:30. Ugh. Ken was already up with Amelia and I wasn't far behind. Ken & Kieran go have breakfast with Santa at Kieran's school. The money goes to the PTO, so worthy cause and all that. Kieran had a great time and loves all the new ornaments for our tree. After that, Ken heads off to work and Kieran is supposed to stay home and rest. He plays Angry Birds. For HOURS. I bribe him into napping at 3 with a promise he can play more angry birds later. Whew.
Sunday Kieran had his first playdate with a kid from his class. This is his "best friend" and when I told him I'd set up the playdate, he warned me (in all seriousness) "OK, but we may get silly." I told him that was just fine. We met at Dunkin Donuts and walked to the Science Center where the kids had a blast. They played for 2 hours and I needed a nap just watching them.
Amelia continues to be cute. Which is good because she continues to wake up in the middle of the night as well. She's extremely talkative, loves music and to move around. She's still not eating food yet (though I got the go-ahead from the doctor for her to try it) we've tried a few times and she's just not loving it. We'll keep at it because I do think that once she starts on solids she'll be a better sleeper. Here's to hoping anyway.
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