No More Gicky Mouse

Poor William.  He probably doesn't mean to be so obsessive, but lord child, he does get that trait honestly.... ha!  When he likes something, he LOVES it.  It's all he can talk about, all he wants to think about, the only thing he wants to do.  And for the past couple weeks his obsession has been Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  We've downloaded 30 episodes to the DVR, he of course has his favorites, and requests "Daisy" over and over again.  I practically know her "special dance" at this point!  

And we've been perfectly happy to indulge this obsession.  Especially with Patrick sick, it just made everything, mornings & evenings easier.  But then, when we stopped eating dinner in the living room out of sheer exhaustion, we noticed that the tantrums when he had to stop watching Gickey Mouse were getting worse and worse.  Blatant ugliness.  Big big tears.  Throwing himself on the floor.  Bad news bears.  He wouldn't listen.  Epic sized tantrums.  We are not happy to indulge that behavior.  After refusing to come to the dinner table and throwing a fit on Saturday, we took away tv for all of Sunday.  

 There was minor fussing about that - but he's 2 - of course he was going to whine but it didn't last long at all.  And he was an absolute joy.  (Plus, he went to B&B's for most of the day - so it was even easier)  He got tv back on Monday.  Epic tantrums when we turned it off to go to school.  SO OVER THIS at this point.  Big parenting decision - we were making the committment to NO tv whatsoever for the rest of the week.  And I'm not kidding - our sweet darling kind little boy has reappeared.  Like magic.  He hasn't even missed the tv.  He's been reading every book on his shelf, building block towers, roaring around the house, playing with Patrick, and being sweet.  Oh so sweet.  He sat in my lap this evening and we probably read 10 different books.  And every time he got a new one we had to snuggle in under the covers.  I've missed this sweet boy!!  So - the tv is gone indefinitely.  I don't mind not having the noise either.

And for the record, I don't believe for one second that there is a parent out there who doesn't let their kid watch tv.  So, think what you want, but I will call you off your high horse any day.  Just saying.

Patrick is growing up way way way too fast.  In the span of two weeks, he began inch worm crawling, pulling himself up to his feet, and then crawling like a big boy.  And then! we pick him up this afternoon and he's got a sippy cup of ice water.  I want to pout my lip a little more.  He's supposed to be my baby and he's learning all of these big boy things way too quickly.  At this rate he's going to be walking for Cinco de Mayo...  

He'll probably have a tooth soon.  I'm not thrilled about this either, surprise surprise... haha.  But he has been gnawing on everything in sight, had a low fever the other day, went nuts for ice water, and when he munched on my chin yesterday - it hurt a little bit.  I suppose he'll have to get teeth one day - I was just hoping that maybe it would hold off until closer to a year.  I'm a little scared of what teeth will mean for breastfeeding...

Patrick got his first taste of the swing recently and he loves it every bit as much as William did.  I bet he could swing for hours and the smiles that come with means that I would let him!!  Oh so adorable.  William hasn't warmed up to the big boy swing yet though and unfortunately for him there's only one baby swing per swing set - so he's going to have to learn.  I bet he comes to terms with that the same times he decides the potty is a good thing. ha!

Loves!

What a week!!

I had every intention of churning out an Easter holiday post Monday or Tuesday, but we have had a week, and obviously, that didn't happen.  So this might be a little more than you bargained for or less.  I might fall asleep in the middle of typing, who knows....

Last Saturday, we went downtown (Uptown) for an Easter Egg Hunt.  It was nice. Perfect weather, not too crowded, everyone seemed courteous.  We waited by the edge of William's age group for the start horn.  I'm not sure where he learned this but as soon as it sounded he was off.  And that kid has speed and strategy when it comes to egg hunting.  Basically all the eggs were just thrown out in the grass, in the plain view, not really "hunting".  We thought William would jump the edge and grab what he ran into first.  Oh no.  This kid sprinted to the middle of the field, beating all the other kids, and then began scooping up eggs like his life depended on it!  Neither one of us could figured out how he became such a pro - unless it's genetic - I was a pro-egg hunter in my day... haha!!

Patrick and I had a good time on the edge sitting in the grass and picking up the three eggs that I cornered from reach of other toddlers.  We tried to get some family pictures - but they were both way too interested in their eggs - and William isn't a big fan of pictures right now anyhow.  I fed Patrick, hungry boy, and then we walked through the Market looking at all the fun stuff.  William was looking for the chickens like last year - but they were nowhere to be found.  Maybe another time.  We let him run off some energy and then it was home for lunch and naptime.  Easy cheesey.

Sunday was Easter.  Both boys were adorable in their monogrammed outfits - I heart orange gingham - and were incredibly well-behaved in the nursery.  Buddy's sermon was awesome.  It was a very nice service all around.  After church, we stopped by the house to pick up the 17 things we had forgotten to grab and the deviled eggs, and then headed to B&B's.  Easter dinner was small this year, just the immediate family, and it was nice for a change.  Quiet.  Relaxing.  William hunted eggs again, we ate HAM!!, cake, and hung around with the fam.  I think we probably all took a nap when we got home but I don't really remember.... it's been so long.

Then, Monday came along.  I woke up with pink eye.  Again.  (I had it at Christmas time too)  I really don't understand how I am always the one who gets it - not the boys - just me.  Luckily, I had brought my computer home Friday to do some work, so I texted the boss and stayed home.  It worked out because I had to take Patrick to his follow up ear appt at 10:30 anyhow.  And just like I suspected, he still had two infected ears.  Wonderful.  So, the new doctor puts him on suped up antibiotic.  Great - high hopes for this one.  She mentions that it will probably upset his tummy a little bit but will surely clear up his ears.

Um, yeah.  Upset his tummy a little bit?  Try A LOT.  Poor Patrick was throwing up every time we gave him the medicine, and occasionally in between, along with serious diarrhea constantly.  It was pitiful.  We had to give him the medicine with a full stomach - but then all of that would get thrown up.  We were taking in three pairs of emergency clothes every single day between the poopy diapers and the spit up/vomiting.  Kinda ridiculous.

By the time Wednesday afternoon came around, he was just puny.  And by 10:00pm, after throwing up twice, we realized that he also hadn't had a wet diaper since we brought him home.  No good.  I call my sister, the almost doctor, and she confirmed that we should go to the ER.  yay.  So, I put on slightly more appropriate clothing than my pjs (ha) and off we go at 10:30.  I will spare you the timeline - but WE DIDN'T SEE A DOCTOR UNTIL 3:30!!!!!!  He was antsy and exhausted, I was antsy and exhausted.  It was great. The ER doctor then confirmed what I already knew - he was dehydrated (and still at 3:30 hadn't had a wet diaper) - so they finally got a room to give him fluid and antibiotics.  (oh - he was down to only one ear looking bad at this point)

The first ER nurse busted through two IVs.  God help me.  I lost it after they left the room.  Poor Patrick was so unhappy (justifiably) and I just held him close and cried right along with him.  I have never cried when they got shots - I suppose because there was always a purpose behind the sticks - but this time there was no reason.  I felt like I had let him down by not insisting that they bring down a Peds nurse immediately... play "shoulda" all day I guess - but I felt awful for him.  The Peds nurses had a difficult time with it as well - but they got it in - and we got to be left alone for awhile.  I crawled into bed with him while the IV did its magic and we slept until 5:30 (in and out) until the IV was done.

We finally got to leave at 6am.  7.5 hours after walking in the front door.  I don't know why, but I really thought we might get out of there in 4 hours.  Oh well.  I texted my boss that we just left the ER and that I would be staying home with Patrick - sans computer - a legitimate sick day and I'm sure he thinks I'm not working at all this week....  As soon as we get home, William was waking up and Sam was in the shower.  So I got W dressed and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - the only show he cares about now - and P and went to bed.  We didn't get out of bed until 12:45.  It was glorious.  He woke up once to eat that whole time and it barely disrupted sleepy time at all.  Sam came home after lunch to help since I thought I would be a walking zombie, but it wasn't too too bad.

I called his pediatrician to set up a follow-up for Friday and the nurse had the gall to grill me about taking him off the augmentin.  "Who told you to do that?!"  um - no one had to tell me - that medicine landed us in the ER - think about lady?!  Anyhow.  We make it through Thursday.  P and I go to bed.  At about 10:30 - William starts calling for Daddy Daddy.  I call Sam to tell him - because he can't hear anything from the back - and as soon as he gets in the room I start recognizing the conversation.  William has thrown up.  You've got to be kidding me.  Sam cleans up William, I strip the bed, we remake the bed and get William back down.  I can't stay home Friday with him because of an event at work so Sam gets the pleasure this time.  It's a wonder our bosses even believe the words coming out of our mouths at this point.

Friday I take Patrick to the doctor, in the middle of things blowing up at work, but since there's no one else that can be his mom.....  He gets a second dose of Rocephin and, oh - forgot to mention the incredibly painful diaper rash that the antibiotics gave him... - so we got better instructions for how to cure that one.  Basically, I get to make diaper cream out of three ingredients.  But it's gentler on his tush, and at this point, that's all that matters because there is nothing worse than hearing him cry in pain.  I rush back to work, Patrick in tow so I could make it time to judge the chili contest - I know - hard life.  Patrick gets "stolen" and flirts with all my coworkers - we now have a lengthy list of babysitters! ha!!  I send him back to school to snuggle with his teachers, while I go to help and have fun with our division field day/spring fling.  I kinda wanted to keep him with me, but he was going to get so loved on at school so that was a much better decision.  Ms T & Ms Tonja had even called on Thursday to check on him because Sam had told them P wouldn't be there...  So sweet.  I seriously can't believe how lucky we are to have them.

So - that was our week.  I'm kinda surprised that we managed to survive.  Atleast Sam didn't get sick with anything.  Well, except the seasonal allergies which affect him a lot more than me, so he has been living on Claritin...  Anyhow.

I will try and get another post out soon because they are both growing like weeds and doing the funniest things.  Like the "gicky Mouse" obsession.... lord help us

 

Loves!

Happy Easter!!

We are beyond blessed.  

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers: 7

I was totally caught off guard by little an turning 7 months old this month - time is certainly flying.

*Weighs approximately 18 lbs - maybe an ounce or two more.

*Had his first ear infection at the beginning of the month, refused to take the medicine - spit most of it out apparently, and wound up with a doozie of a double ear infection.  Never fussed once, got a fever, or acted upset about his ears.  He just started waking up ALL THE TIME at night.  Poor little guy.

Even without an ear infection - I don't think he would sleep through the night.

*Started solid food.  Well, started eating pureed food.  He loves it.  At first he wasn't sure what to do with it, but he picked up on the yumminess  quickly, and now it's nearly his favorite activity.  haha!! He especially loves anything with fruit.  Green veggies - not so much.

*Can do a pretty awesome inch worm crawl and is even starting to try and get up on his feet from his knees.  I'm not ready for my baby to be walking yet - he needs to slow down!!!

*Is fascinated by watching his brother and enjoys watching Chuggington and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with him.

*He can and will play in the pack and play all by himself for a long time.  Like thirty minutes alone sometimes. It's amazing.  William barely made it to five minutes alone at this age.  Bless my sweet darling Patrick.

*Since William is still refusing to call him anything other than "Tatrick", we are ceding the point and are giving him the nickname "Tat".  I think it's adorable.  I know I know... I am morally opposed to nicknames.  A stipulation in naming the boys was that I liked their name without it having to be shortened to something else.  I wanted their name to be what I was going to call them.  Best laid plans.  Sam doesn't like it when I call him Tat Tat though.  He says it's Tat Rumer.  I think he is already planning on sports jerseys...haha!!

*Has gotten very efficient in nursing but he only likes to eat when it is quiet.  He doesn't like me to talk, can't have the tv on, and especially William must be nowhere close or Tat :) will get distracted.  He also fights the nursing cover 90% of the time.  That's fun.  I'm not particularly bothered by it and try to wear appropriate, easy to nurse clothing if I know we will  be out and about.... Sam, however, is mortified.  Oh well.  Not his boobs and it's how Patrick eats.  I make no apologies and Sam has agreed to try not to make a big deal.  I will avoid my soapbox right now - but just so you know - I have one.  Ha!

*He loves to be naked.  He lights up on the changing table.  And then subsequently tries to roll over and propel himself off of it.  Not sure he understand that one fully.  So cute though . Especially when he's munching on his feed naked.  I love it.

*He is very ticklish.  Nearly all over but especially the bottoms of his feet.  He also will laugh so hard if you razz his belly.  Nothing better for your soul than a baby laughing.

*He still has no teeth.  And I am still ok with this.  His open mouth kisses would hurt a little bit more if he had teeth and I love to be kissed by him.

*We briefly though sleep training would be a good idea.  I made it thirty minutes before I decided it wasn't.  I may be breaking every rule Sam ever thought we had and I may be creating a sleeping monster, but I just can't do anything that would make him cry and wail.  I just can't.  Every kid is different.

*I think we are at the beginnings of separation anxiety.  His feelings get hurt when you leave the room or he catches a glimpse of you.  Sam says that he will frantically turn and search for me if I am not in the room.  He does not have these feelings when it comes to being left with his teacher, and for that I am thankful.  Ms Tonja will always be his Valentine as far as I am concerned - they are absolutely wonderful people - we are so lucky.

*He is very quickly moving out of 6-9 month clothes.  Though, he's not quite big enough for everything in the 9-12 month tote.  Hopefully he will slow down soon though, specifically, settling into the overflowing box of 12-18 month clothes.  Though, I'm certainly not hoping that he grows that big any time soon.  I can't believe he is my last baby.

*He is starting to get a tiny bit of hair.  we think it is indeed going to be red.  Atleast in certain lights....

*Tat is a big time flirt.  He'll smile and show off for a pretty girl and then buy his head in my shoulder playing coy.  Then he'll repeat.  Perfectly adorable.  His personality is coming through more and more.

*I think he's learning how to wave.  Sometimes he will start to raise his hand to say Bye - doesn't move his hand or fingers - but I think he's about to understand.

*He doesn't often get a bottle at home, seriously - maybe once in the past month Sam tried to, but apparently now he can hold his bottle.  I had to work this past Sunday for a couple hours while Sam took the boys to B7B's - and Tat didn't really eat but he played with his bottle and held it himself.  Magic!!!  William never did that.  NEVER EVER.

*He sleeps completely unswaddled now.  He also doesn't necessarily nurse to sleep.  We've changed the feeding routine since he eats real food now, and we nurse before he gets solids, so he's usually ready for bed but not at all hungry when it's bedtime.  Sam walks him a little bit (with Sleepy Sheep playing rain noise instead of the heartbeat now) and down he goes.  And Sam is seriously the baby whisperer when it comes to sleep.  I end up calling him in the middle of the night because I can't get him back down at 2am - Sam sweeps in and in a matter of minutes (or maybe it just seems that way because I fall asleep) Patrick is sleeping soundly

Loves!!