A few weeks ago I had asked Kian if he had any loose teeth. They were due for a dentist appointment and he was now five, the same age I began losing my teeth. He said no, no loose ones yet. So, it was a big surprise when Friday night, he bit into an apple and said "hey my tooth is out!". The bottom one, and the one next to it is super wiggly.
We have never really talked about the toothfairy, but he said the toothfairy was going to bring him some football cards. Great, thanks kid, no warning, and it's bedtime. I gave him the excuse that he lost the tooth so late at night that the toothfairy was probably already on her rounds and she might not get the message til morning.
Then, I scrounged up 4 quarters, taped them to a note that said "Dear Kian, congratulations on your first lost tooth. I'm too tiny to carry football cards, so take these quarters and buy your own!" He ignored or didn't notice that it was my handwriting. ;)
I kept looking at him, and I keep doing it a few days later. It was easy to pretend he was still a little kid, a preschooler, something. But, he's not. He's a big boy. Yes, he doesn't always act like a big boy. But, he's growing up. He's getting taller, not a trace of body fat anywhere, his face is not rounded and soft like when he was a toddler, it's more angular and, well, big kid like. Sigh. I'm not ready for this big boy, with missing teeth, questions about how cranes work, what God looks like, and why white people took land away from American Indians. Goodbye tooth, goodbye baby.
Showing posts with label Kian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kian. Show all posts
The Card
I lost my library card. Quite awhile ago, in fact, it's been missing. I use my license when I check out books, no biggie really. And we take out a lot of books each weeks. It dawned on me one day that Kian was now old enough for his very own library card. He was super excited when i told him that next time we went he could get it.
I signed for it. They gave him the card and a pen. He signed his name and voila, was the proud owner of one OWWL Library card. (That's OWWL for Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming and Livingston counties library system.)
He hasn't lost it yet, and he won't let me put it in my purse or in the library bag. He kept it in his car seat "secret" cup holder pocket for a week. It's now inside on of his books on the table.
Today, he checked out books for the second time with it. He's getting so big...so grown up. I was gathering our coats and bag, and Karter of course, after story time. Kian had picked out about 8 books and wanted to use his card. I handed him his card to hold. I looked up and realized he had left the children's room and was at the desk. He had gone to the desk and put down his card and his book and checked out all by himself. So cute, and impressive, since at age five I would have been too shy to do that on my own. It's obvious he definitely feels proud and grown up with his very own card, and he told me he needs to bring his own bag for his own books next time. (And of course when we get home each week, he sprawls out in the doorway with all the books and reads them-all!-while I make lunch.)
He hasn't lost it yet, and he won't let me put it in my purse or in the library bag. He kept it in his car seat "secret" cup holder pocket for a week. It's now inside on of his books on the table. Today, he checked out books for the second time with it. He's getting so big...so grown up. I was gathering our coats and bag, and Karter of course, after story time. Kian had picked out about 8 books and wanted to use his card. I handed him his card to hold. I looked up and realized he had left the children's room and was at the desk. He had gone to the desk and put down his card and his book and checked out all by himself. So cute, and impressive, since at age five I would have been too shy to do that on my own. It's obvious he definitely feels proud and grown up with his very own card, and he told me he needs to bring his own bag for his own books next time. (And of course when we get home each week, he sprawls out in the doorway with all the books and reads them-all!-while I make lunch.)
Conversation with Kian and Karter
While getting into the shower the other day, Karter was with me in the bathroom and says "You a popotamus?" I said, "no, why? I'm not a hippopotamus." He says "you popotamus. you have popotamus butt!" Um, thanks kid! That's why I worked out again this morning, and he obviously believes I still have a hippopotamus butt, as he was yelling "push! one more! is it burn yet?" haha!
Karter is just like Kourtney and cannot stand his socks being on sideways or even slightly twisted. I remember her always taking off her shoes and realigning her tights and socks so the toe seam was just right and straight. He's the same way! "twists! fix it!" ahh.
Kian, was having great manners at dinner and I complimented him on it. He answers, "yes, I am being a man. I'm doing what daddy and men do."
Karter is just like Kourtney and cannot stand his socks being on sideways or even slightly twisted. I remember her always taking off her shoes and realigning her tights and socks so the toe seam was just right and straight. He's the same way! "twists! fix it!" ahh.
Kian, was having great manners at dinner and I complimented him on it. He answers, "yes, I am being a man. I'm doing what daddy and men do."
Me: Karter, who do you want to pray for?
Karter: girls.
Me: Girls? what girls?
Karter: big girls.
Me: Where are big girls?
Karter: in the hole, in there (pointing to his bedroom wall)
Me: you have girls in a hole in your bedroom wall?? (laughing hysterically) every man's dream eh?
Overheard:
Kian: Gingerbread! Use your manners! Pickles, say your sorry to Gingy. (Apparently they weren't being too polite at meal time haha)
And another time, chasing Gingy around the house, Kian says "Gingy! I'm your hero! Gingerbread! I'll be your hero!"
Kian: here Karter, you were nice to me so you can use my leapster. <3
And: Karter, I will read you a book for nap today. double <3
Karter: girls.
Me: Girls? what girls?
Karter: big girls.
Me: Where are big girls?
Karter: in the hole, in there (pointing to his bedroom wall)
Me: you have girls in a hole in your bedroom wall?? (laughing hysterically) every man's dream eh?
Overheard:
Kian: Gingerbread! Use your manners! Pickles, say your sorry to Gingy. (Apparently they weren't being too polite at meal time haha)
And another time, chasing Gingy around the house, Kian says "Gingy! I'm your hero! Gingerbread! I'll be your hero!"
Kian: here Karter, you were nice to me so you can use my leapster. <3
And: Karter, I will read you a book for nap today. double <3
I really like 4
Yeah I know, I haven't touched my blog in ages. Sorry. Life happens, is happening, keeping up with house and yard and kids and animals and just...life. Computer facetime comes much later at night when my creativity isn't flowing.
Anyways. I like 4. I really like 4. Four years old is amazing. I really, really did not like three years old. That was a really rough year. (Interestingly, Karter is making 2 a challenge, when Kian was easy as pie at two; of course.) But, this year 4, it's so much better.
Kian amazes us, and himself, daily. I can see it. His vocabulary, sentence structure, it's so advanced and he truly believes he's 10 at times, and I almost could be convinced at times. His pronunciation has always been great, but the conversations blow me away lately. He asked me to describe dinner, called me 'lovely Mommy' and asked what spices I put on the rice, etc. The conversations we have about God, death, heaven, he gets so much and wants to understand so much. (I don't believe there's any benefit from really hiding a lot of things just because of his age, we just tailor it.) He really 'gets' the way things work, and will work at figuring it out, with toys or legos or electronics, anything.
Not only his behavior and attitudes have improved, his drawing and writing are looking good. I was a bit worried at his crazy left-hand grasp (which is still weird, but we're working on it) but he draws people and animals and mangers and randomly will write "Neenee" on stockings so I think no worries needed. He's getting back to his sweet self. Of course we still have normal challenges of childhood, but it's so much better than three years old.
I love seeing Kian help Karter with tasks, sharing with him, reading to him, teaching him how to do things, yes even the naughty things. The realization that others have feelings, the world is affected, outside his own self... I just am enjoying Kian so much more lately, and I love it. I love that baby stage, but each day a whole new world opens up, as we are playing Go Fish and Rummy and "big kid" stuff that we can enjoy as a family. He's so helpful and wanting to learn to do other 'big kid' stuff, like helping Kevin with tools also. I just love watching him grow and change and mature. He just warms my heart. Glad to know despite the crazy days, and in spite of me, he's growing right...
Anyways. I like 4. I really like 4. Four years old is amazing. I really, really did not like three years old. That was a really rough year. (Interestingly, Karter is making 2 a challenge, when Kian was easy as pie at two; of course.) But, this year 4, it's so much better.
Kian amazes us, and himself, daily. I can see it. His vocabulary, sentence structure, it's so advanced and he truly believes he's 10 at times, and I almost could be convinced at times. His pronunciation has always been great, but the conversations blow me away lately. He asked me to describe dinner, called me 'lovely Mommy' and asked what spices I put on the rice, etc. The conversations we have about God, death, heaven, he gets so much and wants to understand so much. (I don't believe there's any benefit from really hiding a lot of things just because of his age, we just tailor it.) He really 'gets' the way things work, and will work at figuring it out, with toys or legos or electronics, anything.
Not only his behavior and attitudes have improved, his drawing and writing are looking good. I was a bit worried at his crazy left-hand grasp (which is still weird, but we're working on it) but he draws people and animals and mangers and randomly will write "Neenee" on stockings so I think no worries needed. He's getting back to his sweet self. Of course we still have normal challenges of childhood, but it's so much better than three years old.
I love seeing Kian help Karter with tasks, sharing with him, reading to him, teaching him how to do things, yes even the naughty things. The realization that others have feelings, the world is affected, outside his own self... I just am enjoying Kian so much more lately, and I love it. I love that baby stage, but each day a whole new world opens up, as we are playing Go Fish and Rummy and "big kid" stuff that we can enjoy as a family. He's so helpful and wanting to learn to do other 'big kid' stuff, like helping Kevin with tools also. I just love watching him grow and change and mature. He just warms my heart. Glad to know despite the crazy days, and in spite of me, he's growing right...
Fall Happenings
We seem to go through spurts of busyness and quiet times. Kian has been in Great Start preschool since second week of September and really enjoys it. Fridays are the more kindergarten type focus for the older kids, and Mondays and Wednesdays they do more group and art work. He's making some friends and loves his teachers. My only complaint is their excessive use of purell on every child all day long. Ugh. Especially at snack time. They've had a field trip to the apple farm and yesterday was the pumpkin patch trip. I left Karter at home with NeeNee for the pumpkin trip. Less for me to watch and easier for Kian to hang with the big kids.
The weather is a constant change, some days 70 and sunny and other days 45 and blowing rain. We get out when we can, and have been utilizing all our craft supplies as well as the library a lot more. Kian can't wait for snow and Christmas, I can definitely hold off on snow for awhile yet! The boys think it's the greatest thing when I let the put on their rubber boots and go stomp in puddles. So do I, actually.
The weather hasn't changed the chicken's laying habits yet though. Despite the creeping darkness earlier eacfh night, they're still laying regularly. I get 6-8 eggs per day. They each lay almost daily, which I keep reading isn't always the norm. I credit their free range ways. Although lately, they've had to be locked up more, as they keep running in neighbors' yards and fly out of their pen! We keep the well fed from the house-their favorites beign squash and watermelon. They also love pasta, beans and grapes. They ate the pumpkin seeds like little cyclone vacuums! Still very sweet and friendly and easy to pick up. Now they will stop and squat down if you come to pick them up, instead of running away. I tell them to run from the boys, but they don't' listen.
Karter now has quite the vocabulary and little running mouth. The downfall is that he has picked up the word stupid (our downfall when yelling at animals or drivers) and constant ignoring it is the only thing that works. Unfortunately he knows how to use it properly. Ugh. He's quite the athlete already, spiraling footballs and catching them, begging to go to Kian's football camp when Kian does not want to go. He loves puzzles and animals and tractors. Oh the tractors. He sleeps with 1-3 each night. Usually I make him park them under his bed. But, sometimes I find them in his bed with him. I love seeing the differences in their likes/dislikes, as Kian was more into trains at this age, maybe because he didn't have any tractors yet, but he didn't form attachments like Karter has. He's been going on some bad sleeping patterns the last couple weeks and now that he can open doors, makes it harder to keep him in bed!
Kian, ever the great sleeper, has been starting to read. Forget that dumb flashcard stuff, we haven't forced him into anything, or pushed him, other than when he asked, and he does well with the phonics type learning. He is reading and sounding out words in all the Dr. Seuss books and is quite proud of himself. He also began reading the bank drive thru signs and other things around town. There goes spelling things and keeping things hidden from him. It's amazing to see these growths and changes and milestones. It's a bittersweet type of thing, because then he's not a baby anymore, and to realize how things change and open up once you become a reader... Craziness.
Kevin's still busy, eye deep into 5linx and training. He's building quite a team of reps under him, which eventually will pay off for him/us. He'll be happy once it does so he can stop getting up at 4:30am. We'll be happy to have him here more often. Last night, he got home early and after dinner he and the boys went to the garage to build a cat tree/stand. Karter insists on playing football with him all the time. Kian just always wants to help him and be wherever he is. The boys spent the past weekend with my mom while we went to a wedding. It was Karter's first time away from me/us for more than a few hours. He did great and enjoyed it, they both didn't want to leave. It was nice to wake up ourselves instead of by jumping children, and to eat breakfast in quiet and hear ourselves talk. We did miss them though. The weekend before, I had a chance to help out a photographer at a wedding. I had so much fun! I don't know if the pictures I took were even good, but it was a learning experience and fun to play around and do something grown up, with all adults all day, and feel like I was working again. =)
We're rounding the bend into the holiday season, and with that comes a lot more changes. There's been a lot of changes in both sides of the families and therefore, changes to holidays were necessary. We're going to host Thanksgiving here with our immediate families, smaller than past years, but for Kevin and I, it will be less stressful and incorporate the immediate families and be easier for us to handle. His working so much and having to worry about animals and such, gets hectic, let alone the boys all over into everything.
Speaking of animals... Finn hates us. He has been banished indefinitely to Kourtney's house. I brought him back to our house last Thursday morning. He and Karter were happy to see each other, but then Finn just laid around and wouldn't play with Windsor. He behaved well, as long as he knew the remote/shock collar was on. I didn't have to use it at all, just put it on. Friday night he was testing me and not listening to come back in the house so I did buzz him. Saturday, right as we were leaving for the wedding he acted like he had to go out, and I had taken the collar off, no big deal I thought. Except, he looked at me and took off. That was that. WE had to leave and my mom was worrying about the boys and car seats, so when the humane society called the house to say they had Finn, AGAIN, he was stuck there. We asked Kourt to go get him, and they gave her some threats about fines and judges, etc. since it was his third (at least) time being there. He just doesn't seem to want to stay here and we have 6 stinking acres for crying out loud! So, for now he's back with his doggy parents and Kourt and Jeremy. I miss him some. It's definitely quieter and more relaxed with just one lazy dog, but Karter can't climb on Windsor like he can with Finn. I mean, he's a couple miles away so it's not like he's gone forever...but more changes.
I have also put away dozens of apple filling, grape filling, grape jam, salsa, pickles, banana peppers, apple butter, and more in my 'canning cellar'. It was a lot of work at times, but worth it. So much cheaper and tastes much, much better than store bought, factory stuff. The grape jam is delicious, but not that thick, jello-y glob stuff, smooth, soft, yumminess. The boys have helped a lot and enjoy making dried apple rings in the dehydrator. We're now moving onto pumpkin baking, and with fresh pumpkin! Then, it's onto Thanksgiving menu planning!
The weather is a constant change, some days 70 and sunny and other days 45 and blowing rain. We get out when we can, and have been utilizing all our craft supplies as well as the library a lot more. Kian can't wait for snow and Christmas, I can definitely hold off on snow for awhile yet! The boys think it's the greatest thing when I let the put on their rubber boots and go stomp in puddles. So do I, actually.
The weather hasn't changed the chicken's laying habits yet though. Despite the creeping darkness earlier eacfh night, they're still laying regularly. I get 6-8 eggs per day. They each lay almost daily, which I keep reading isn't always the norm. I credit their free range ways. Although lately, they've had to be locked up more, as they keep running in neighbors' yards and fly out of their pen! We keep the well fed from the house-their favorites beign squash and watermelon. They also love pasta, beans and grapes. They ate the pumpkin seeds like little cyclone vacuums! Still very sweet and friendly and easy to pick up. Now they will stop and squat down if you come to pick them up, instead of running away. I tell them to run from the boys, but they don't' listen.
Karter now has quite the vocabulary and little running mouth. The downfall is that he has picked up the word stupid (our downfall when yelling at animals or drivers) and constant ignoring it is the only thing that works. Unfortunately he knows how to use it properly. Ugh. He's quite the athlete already, spiraling footballs and catching them, begging to go to Kian's football camp when Kian does not want to go. He loves puzzles and animals and tractors. Oh the tractors. He sleeps with 1-3 each night. Usually I make him park them under his bed. But, sometimes I find them in his bed with him. I love seeing the differences in their likes/dislikes, as Kian was more into trains at this age, maybe because he didn't have any tractors yet, but he didn't form attachments like Karter has. He's been going on some bad sleeping patterns the last couple weeks and now that he can open doors, makes it harder to keep him in bed!
Kian, ever the great sleeper, has been starting to read. Forget that dumb flashcard stuff, we haven't forced him into anything, or pushed him, other than when he asked, and he does well with the phonics type learning. He is reading and sounding out words in all the Dr. Seuss books and is quite proud of himself. He also began reading the bank drive thru signs and other things around town. There goes spelling things and keeping things hidden from him. It's amazing to see these growths and changes and milestones. It's a bittersweet type of thing, because then he's not a baby anymore, and to realize how things change and open up once you become a reader... Craziness.
Kevin's still busy, eye deep into 5linx and training. He's building quite a team of reps under him, which eventually will pay off for him/us. He'll be happy once it does so he can stop getting up at 4:30am. We'll be happy to have him here more often. Last night, he got home early and after dinner he and the boys went to the garage to build a cat tree/stand. Karter insists on playing football with him all the time. Kian just always wants to help him and be wherever he is. The boys spent the past weekend with my mom while we went to a wedding. It was Karter's first time away from me/us for more than a few hours. He did great and enjoyed it, they both didn't want to leave. It was nice to wake up ourselves instead of by jumping children, and to eat breakfast in quiet and hear ourselves talk. We did miss them though. The weekend before, I had a chance to help out a photographer at a wedding. I had so much fun! I don't know if the pictures I took were even good, but it was a learning experience and fun to play around and do something grown up, with all adults all day, and feel like I was working again. =)
We're rounding the bend into the holiday season, and with that comes a lot more changes. There's been a lot of changes in both sides of the families and therefore, changes to holidays were necessary. We're going to host Thanksgiving here with our immediate families, smaller than past years, but for Kevin and I, it will be less stressful and incorporate the immediate families and be easier for us to handle. His working so much and having to worry about animals and such, gets hectic, let alone the boys all over into everything.
Speaking of animals... Finn hates us. He has been banished indefinitely to Kourtney's house. I brought him back to our house last Thursday morning. He and Karter were happy to see each other, but then Finn just laid around and wouldn't play with Windsor. He behaved well, as long as he knew the remote/shock collar was on. I didn't have to use it at all, just put it on. Friday night he was testing me and not listening to come back in the house so I did buzz him. Saturday, right as we were leaving for the wedding he acted like he had to go out, and I had taken the collar off, no big deal I thought. Except, he looked at me and took off. That was that. WE had to leave and my mom was worrying about the boys and car seats, so when the humane society called the house to say they had Finn, AGAIN, he was stuck there. We asked Kourt to go get him, and they gave her some threats about fines and judges, etc. since it was his third (at least) time being there. He just doesn't seem to want to stay here and we have 6 stinking acres for crying out loud! So, for now he's back with his doggy parents and Kourt and Jeremy. I miss him some. It's definitely quieter and more relaxed with just one lazy dog, but Karter can't climb on Windsor like he can with Finn. I mean, he's a couple miles away so it's not like he's gone forever...but more changes.
I have also put away dozens of apple filling, grape filling, grape jam, salsa, pickles, banana peppers, apple butter, and more in my 'canning cellar'. It was a lot of work at times, but worth it. So much cheaper and tastes much, much better than store bought, factory stuff. The grape jam is delicious, but not that thick, jello-y glob stuff, smooth, soft, yumminess. The boys have helped a lot and enjoy making dried apple rings in the dehydrator. We're now moving onto pumpkin baking, and with fresh pumpkin! Then, it's onto Thanksgiving menu planning!
My son, the teenager
Apparently 4 is the new 14. Kian has shown me that lately.
When he asks me to get something or do something, and I say "okay, I'm coming". He answers me "but, you're not". "But you're not!" Over again until I actually have finished said task.
His other new thing is to say "WRONG ANSWER!" whenever any of us says something he doesn't like, it's completely true, or if we say "I don't know". Oh boy.
And finally, this one takes the cake. Today, we were picking the last of the grape tomatoes and peppers in the garden; he and Karter were playing on the old wagon and being silly. I moved closer to them and said "be careful that doesn't tip over on you". He looks at me, says "it's always a party until you get here Mom". ??!!! I wasn't sure I should give him a scolding or laugh... I laughed. Eesh, I am scared to really get to 14.
When he asks me to get something or do something, and I say "okay, I'm coming". He answers me "but, you're not". "But you're not!" Over again until I actually have finished said task.
His other new thing is to say "WRONG ANSWER!" whenever any of us says something he doesn't like, it's completely true, or if we say "I don't know". Oh boy.
And finally, this one takes the cake. Today, we were picking the last of the grape tomatoes and peppers in the garden; he and Karter were playing on the old wagon and being silly. I moved closer to them and said "be careful that doesn't tip over on you". He looks at me, says "it's always a party until you get here Mom". ??!!! I wasn't sure I should give him a scolding or laugh... I laughed. Eesh, I am scared to really get to 14.
Not my finest parenting moment
Yesterday, Kian was being a stinker when my sister was here. After being told something a few times, I set him on the stairs-the time out spot. He got up a couple times, so I put him back there. After it was done, I was processing with him and said "Kian, do you know why you were in time out?" He says "I don't know." I started to talk then stopped, and asked again, "Kian, why were you in time out?" He's not paying much attention now. I poked my head into the living room and whisper yelled "Kourtney! Why did I put him in timeout?" haha! I just couldn't recall and it was getting pointless now. She reminded me because he threw something I asked him not to, or something similar. I just gave him a quick "listening" pep talk of 2 sentences and let it go. Next time, I'll have to really pay attention or just forgo the timeout. sheesh.
Conversations with Kian--the older brother story
While we were eating Kevin's birthday dinner (pizza of course) I told Kevin about our day. I was telling him how Karter opened the childproof cupboard lock and got a bottle of Excedrin, which he then also undid the childproof lock. I said that Kian never did that sort of thing when he was 2, that he could sit in the bathroom quietly with toys while I showered and never touch the medicine that was in an unlocked drawer next to him, never had to worry. Kian, eating his pizza, suddenly pipes up with quite the story.
"Yeah, when I was a baby I just played with my toys. I didn't get into things. I played with my toys and my older brother sometimes took my toys away. Sometimes he was mean and took my toys and I was sad."
Me: You have an older brother?
Kian: Yeah.
Kevin: What's his name?
Kian: Karshar
(Trying not to laugh out loud by now.)
Me: I never knew you had an older brother.
Kevin: Where is he now?
Kian: Canada.
Kevin: Oh, what's he do there? Does he hunt beavers?
Me: Or, play hockey?
Kian: Yeah he feeds and hunts beavers.
Kevin: So, Karshar lives in Canada? Who does he live with?
Kian: His parents.
Me: Who are his parents?
Kian: Kershala and Gershala.
Laughter cannot be contained now. Kian is still serious.
Kevin: Which one is the dad?
Kian: Gershala. Kershala is the mom.
After dinner we went out to pen up the chickens and he continued his story about his older brother Karshar. I asked how old his brother was. He said, he was really old, old, old, almost died. I said, well, how old is that? 14. Yeah, that's sooooo old. he also informed me that Karshar is sometimes not so nice and teases him sometimes. He couldn't quiet inform me how Karshar is his brother when he has different parents and lives in Canada though. I guess we have an imaginary son/brother. =)
"Yeah, when I was a baby I just played with my toys. I didn't get into things. I played with my toys and my older brother sometimes took my toys away. Sometimes he was mean and took my toys and I was sad."
Me: You have an older brother?
Kian: Yeah.
Kevin: What's his name?
Kian: Karshar
(Trying not to laugh out loud by now.)
Me: I never knew you had an older brother.
Kevin: Where is he now?
Kian: Canada.
Kevin: Oh, what's he do there? Does he hunt beavers?
Me: Or, play hockey?
Kian: Yeah he feeds and hunts beavers.
Kevin: So, Karshar lives in Canada? Who does he live with?
Kian: His parents.
Me: Who are his parents?
Kian: Kershala and Gershala.
Laughter cannot be contained now. Kian is still serious.
Kevin: Which one is the dad?
Kian: Gershala. Kershala is the mom.
After dinner we went out to pen up the chickens and he continued his story about his older brother Karshar. I asked how old his brother was. He said, he was really old, old, old, almost died. I said, well, how old is that? 14. Yeah, that's sooooo old. he also informed me that Karshar is sometimes not so nice and teases him sometimes. He couldn't quiet inform me how Karshar is his brother when he has different parents and lives in Canada though. I guess we have an imaginary son/brother. =)
conversations with Kian and Karter
Playing with Legos today, Kian is having 2 Lego men talk to each other: "Geico saves you money. It's 15 minute driving commercial. You just drive for 15 minutes and it's Geico driving insurance money." ha!
Kian called Karter a "bad name" (stupid) and after a break, I told him to apologize to Karter for bad language. "Karter, I'm sorry for Bad English." haha! Immediately the band popped in my head and I burst out laughing.
After the playground, I went to get Karter out of his seat and he scrunched his nose all up, closed his eyes and whispered "hungry, need eat". Too funny to see in person.
Karter can't say f sounds, so foot is "tut" and food is "tood". He asked for 'tood' so I asked him if he was giving me attitude, joking around with him. He says "I no a-tat-a-tood mommy".
He also calls Finn, "chin". Windsor is "Winza". Kian still pronounces girl as 'gril' and magazine as 'mazageen' and caterpillar as "callapitter". I haven't forced his changing it yet as it is just too cute and one of the last remnants of toddlerhood.
Kian let Finn and Windsor out of their kennel and told me "they randomly got out". Uh huh, sure.
Putting Karter back to bed, he asked if daddy was in bed, I said almost. I said daddy had to go to work in the morning. He looks very thoughtful and finally says "daddy work dump?" HA! He thinks Kevin works at the dump apparently. I said the gym, but he's only been there once as a baby, so has no clue. Tried to explain it, as best I could, but it was pretty funny. We'd probably still have insurance though!
Kian: Mommy, is Windsor going back to NeeNee's house and Finn staying here? Me: No, why? Kian: Because, two dogs are exasperating! They're exaspooperating.
I laughed so hard, but was so impressed he used that word properly. Must be tv is teaching him something ;)
Kian called Karter a "bad name" (stupid) and after a break, I told him to apologize to Karter for bad language. "Karter, I'm sorry for Bad English." haha! Immediately the band popped in my head and I burst out laughing.
After the playground, I went to get Karter out of his seat and he scrunched his nose all up, closed his eyes and whispered "hungry, need eat". Too funny to see in person.
Karter can't say f sounds, so foot is "tut" and food is "tood". He asked for 'tood' so I asked him if he was giving me attitude, joking around with him. He says "I no a-tat-a-tood mommy".
He also calls Finn, "chin". Windsor is "Winza". Kian still pronounces girl as 'gril' and magazine as 'mazageen' and caterpillar as "callapitter". I haven't forced his changing it yet as it is just too cute and one of the last remnants of toddlerhood.
Kian let Finn and Windsor out of their kennel and told me "they randomly got out". Uh huh, sure.
Putting Karter back to bed, he asked if daddy was in bed, I said almost. I said daddy had to go to work in the morning. He looks very thoughtful and finally says "daddy work dump?" HA! He thinks Kevin works at the dump apparently. I said the gym, but he's only been there once as a baby, so has no clue. Tried to explain it, as best I could, but it was pretty funny. We'd probably still have insurance though!
Kian: Mommy, is Windsor going back to NeeNee's house and Finn staying here? Me: No, why? Kian: Because, two dogs are exasperating! They're exaspooperating.
I laughed so hard, but was so impressed he used that word properly. Must be tv is teaching him something ;)
Things I never thought I'd say before I was a mom
"Thank you boys, but Mommy doesn't need toys to play with in the kitchen. Because, I'm cooking, that's why I don't need toys, thanks anyways. and please take the grocery cart full of trucks back to the playroom."
"No, Kiela (kourt's dog) won't "lay" babies or puppies. Because dogs and people don't "lay" their babies, they push them out."
"I really don't think a 'cheese smoothie' is a good idea, Kian."
"If you can sing all the songs to all the insurance companies, you are definitely watching too much tv."
"This is why I like having a dog, now clean the floor Finn."
"Why did you just dump out over 30 decks of cards all over the living room floor? Do you know how long it's going to take me to sort out 52 cards for each of those 32 decks???"
"Stop saying poop and fart, in front of, or at the end of, every word!"
"No, the 'dog jail' won't give Finn to another family...unless we never come get him, but we'll go get him I suppose, if he is there again."
"I don't know why girls want to shave their legs and boys usually don't. I just know I don't want my legs hair right now, so stop trying to take the razor out of my hands!" (electric, don't worry)
"Please sit down, penises don't belong on the table Karter."
"No, you're penis does not have bones in it. Yes, I know the rest of your body has bones all in it, but it's the only part of your body that doesn't, okay?! Well, your ears don't either. No, really ears don't have bones either." I am SO NOT going there!
"No, Kiela (kourt's dog) won't "lay" babies or puppies. Because dogs and people don't "lay" their babies, they push them out."
"I really don't think a 'cheese smoothie' is a good idea, Kian."
"If you can sing all the songs to all the insurance companies, you are definitely watching too much tv."
"This is why I like having a dog, now clean the floor Finn."
"Why did you just dump out over 30 decks of cards all over the living room floor? Do you know how long it's going to take me to sort out 52 cards for each of those 32 decks???"
"Stop saying poop and fart, in front of, or at the end of, every word!"
"No, the 'dog jail' won't give Finn to another family...unless we never come get him, but we'll go get him I suppose, if he is there again."
"I don't know why girls want to shave their legs and boys usually don't. I just know I don't want my legs hair right now, so stop trying to take the razor out of my hands!" (electric, don't worry)
"Please sit down, penises don't belong on the table Karter."
"No, you're penis does not have bones in it. Yes, I know the rest of your body has bones all in it, but it's the only part of your body that doesn't, okay?! Well, your ears don't either. No, really ears don't have bones either." I am SO NOT going there!
Boys stats
We are loving this summer, the sun, the heat. It's great. The boys can't get enough of water and outdoors. They both have some awesome tans, and have for a month already! Karter's hair is getting blonder by the day, love that too. And both boys have the curliest hair in this heat, it's fantastic.
Karter, 21 mos, just a few short months from his second birthday--already! He was supposed to have a weight check this week, but I didn't feel the need to drive all that far just for a quick sit on the scale. I know he's been growing, taller for sure, still thin though. I weighed him and he's 22.5 lbs, up almost 2 pounds from March. They were happy when I called it in and also that he is growing into the next size clothes. We're up to 18 months now, still a lot of 12 months that he wears, but he can finally wear some of the other things!
We're doing much better with the sleeping. Finally, I can put him in bed and close the door and he might cry for one minute but he goes right back into his bed and goes to sleep. Lately, he doesn't even cry, and half the time doesn't even get out of bed. I couldn't handle anymore sitting in his room or rocking him or trying to lay down with him, etc. So, I am glad he's been able to do this finally. He still might get up once a night, or come in our bed, but I can handle that so much more than the not going to sleep part. Even eating lately is improved. I don't' know if it's because I switched to coconut milk, which he loves and asks for a lot (water is still his main choice) but he's also been chowing like crazy lately. There's a different chain of fatty acids in coconut milk that's easily digestible, so whether or not that's the connection, I don't know, but we'll take it. I'm really not concerned with his weight, just that he is growing; if he's thin or smaller, so be it. We're continuing the enzymes and iron (multivitamins when we remember to buy them) and will keep that up til his 2 year appointment and decide from there.
He's talking up a storm lately, but I wish he was doing more 2 word phrases. He says simple sentences like "mommy jump" and "hop up" (my fave) and "doggy barking". He gets his point across "Jeremy, dada, car, dump" (daddy and Jeremy went to the dump) and I know I have to stop remembering that Kian was the verbal king at this age and saying like 5 word sentences. Karter's definitely more physical than Kian was at this age. I know I say that all the time, it's interesting to see the similarities and differences. A lot of differences, more than similarities I think! He counts 1, 2, 3 and knows his colors! But, he pretends he doesn't and will say 'purple' for everything. He picks out his cloth diapers by telling me which color he wants "ahnge" for orange is super cute, a slight Boston dialect.
He definitely keeps up with Kian for the most part. He doesn't get why Kian isn't napping or going to bed when he does and asks "where Kian" all the time. Loves the trampoline, slides, can maneuver any playground equipment he wants to, all by himself, They are playing together a lot more, blocks and cars and it's great to watch.
Kian still gets frustrated with him at times, but usually there's happy times. Kian was sad about preschool ending and I wasn't able to get contact info for the friends he wanted to hang out with. Half of them are going to kindergarten and he believes he is too, so he was bummed about that. I am going to find some things for him to do over the summer, vacation bible school, sports, etc. He seemed to really like school and he's signed up for 3 mornings in the fall. He is my social one, even at the lake today he was making friends and trunk to keep up with these big boys out in the deeper water. He then told me he wanted to invite his new friend from the beach to his birthday party. Ah yes. The teachers told me he did very well in school, just one day of not being able to listen and such, which he had good reasons for he told me, he wanted to let them know about some things he found exciting but they wouldn't let him talk. =( I struggle with this school thing... I don't really want him to go to full-day kindergarten in a year, ahh!!
Today, on the trampoline I told him he had to the count of 10 to finish jumping before we had to go in. He told me "not to 10" then started counting from 1 all the way to 110! I had no idea he could do that. I'm not obsessed with all these educational things so early. We work on some basic "you have 2 carrots and I gave you 2 more" kind of math. A couple of days ago, we were eating lunch and he randomly started counting backwards from 100, by 10's, to 1. Again, never knew he could do that, I counted up by 10's a few times, and we count backwards from 20, but... hmm, maybe it's those tv shows I let him watch while I put Karter to bed... ALso, why he sings every insurance song ever! Tonight was "we are farmers, dun dun dun dun dun" the other night was nationwide...that's Animal Planet, obviously Disney or PBS does not air those commercials.
The facts this kid remembers about things amaze me too. Sorry, I just don't get this 'flashcard generation' and I don't subject my kids to hours of flashcards just to learn something. So, they memorize a thing on a paper, doesn't mean they know anything about it! Touching, doing, discovering, real life, hands on, makes so much more sense to me. I feel like my kids are going to be the only ones who know about things in 3d instead of just flat paper...oops tangent. My point was, that I don't do that, they do things and so that he picks up all these facts (snakes, dinosaurs, plants, birds, swamps, what things eat, how things are made, etc.) is great because I want to let him forge his own path with his learning, not what I think he should know or want him to know just because... His imagination is amazing, the things he can create in his head, or come up with to build with legos, or the steps and logic behind things...fascinates me.
I decided against a 4 year old check up this year. I mean, really there was no point in the 3 year old one. They weigh him, measure him, ask a few random questions, that I as an Early Intervention service coordinator, know about development and watch anyways. So, it's pointless for me, we have no concerns about Kian in development and I do some checklists here and there. Last I weighed him he ws about 37 lbs, which means he gained 3 lbs in the last year. I'll have to measure height of both of them soon.
He is who he is and although a lot of people don't appreciate his spunk and zest for life, because it equals loudness and boisterous activity most of the time. But, he's independent and mature in a lot of ways and yes, still challenging at times, he's Kian. Every year, it seems from his birthday to Christmas is a good half of the year, and then from Christmas to his birthday again (winter, cabin fever, fun stuff) we have behavioral change and challenges. But, we're figuring it out. He's still the sweetest kid in there, and cares a lot about what you say, do and think about him. Love these boys so much and while they keep me on my toes and challenge me daily, I wouldn't trade them for anything. However, they would like a sister or 2 as well. ;)
Karter, 21 mos, just a few short months from his second birthday--already! He was supposed to have a weight check this week, but I didn't feel the need to drive all that far just for a quick sit on the scale. I know he's been growing, taller for sure, still thin though. I weighed him and he's 22.5 lbs, up almost 2 pounds from March. They were happy when I called it in and also that he is growing into the next size clothes. We're up to 18 months now, still a lot of 12 months that he wears, but he can finally wear some of the other things!
We're doing much better with the sleeping. Finally, I can put him in bed and close the door and he might cry for one minute but he goes right back into his bed and goes to sleep. Lately, he doesn't even cry, and half the time doesn't even get out of bed. I couldn't handle anymore sitting in his room or rocking him or trying to lay down with him, etc. So, I am glad he's been able to do this finally. He still might get up once a night, or come in our bed, but I can handle that so much more than the not going to sleep part. Even eating lately is improved. I don't' know if it's because I switched to coconut milk, which he loves and asks for a lot (water is still his main choice) but he's also been chowing like crazy lately. There's a different chain of fatty acids in coconut milk that's easily digestible, so whether or not that's the connection, I don't know, but we'll take it. I'm really not concerned with his weight, just that he is growing; if he's thin or smaller, so be it. We're continuing the enzymes and iron (multivitamins when we remember to buy them) and will keep that up til his 2 year appointment and decide from there.
He's talking up a storm lately, but I wish he was doing more 2 word phrases. He says simple sentences like "mommy jump" and "hop up" (my fave) and "doggy barking". He gets his point across "Jeremy, dada, car, dump" (daddy and Jeremy went to the dump) and I know I have to stop remembering that Kian was the verbal king at this age and saying like 5 word sentences. Karter's definitely more physical than Kian was at this age. I know I say that all the time, it's interesting to see the similarities and differences. A lot of differences, more than similarities I think! He counts 1, 2, 3 and knows his colors! But, he pretends he doesn't and will say 'purple' for everything. He picks out his cloth diapers by telling me which color he wants "ahnge" for orange is super cute, a slight Boston dialect.
He definitely keeps up with Kian for the most part. He doesn't get why Kian isn't napping or going to bed when he does and asks "where Kian" all the time. Loves the trampoline, slides, can maneuver any playground equipment he wants to, all by himself, They are playing together a lot more, blocks and cars and it's great to watch.
Kian still gets frustrated with him at times, but usually there's happy times. Kian was sad about preschool ending and I wasn't able to get contact info for the friends he wanted to hang out with. Half of them are going to kindergarten and he believes he is too, so he was bummed about that. I am going to find some things for him to do over the summer, vacation bible school, sports, etc. He seemed to really like school and he's signed up for 3 mornings in the fall. He is my social one, even at the lake today he was making friends and trunk to keep up with these big boys out in the deeper water. He then told me he wanted to invite his new friend from the beach to his birthday party. Ah yes. The teachers told me he did very well in school, just one day of not being able to listen and such, which he had good reasons for he told me, he wanted to let them know about some things he found exciting but they wouldn't let him talk. =( I struggle with this school thing... I don't really want him to go to full-day kindergarten in a year, ahh!!
Today, on the trampoline I told him he had to the count of 10 to finish jumping before we had to go in. He told me "not to 10" then started counting from 1 all the way to 110! I had no idea he could do that. I'm not obsessed with all these educational things so early. We work on some basic "you have 2 carrots and I gave you 2 more" kind of math. A couple of days ago, we were eating lunch and he randomly started counting backwards from 100, by 10's, to 1. Again, never knew he could do that, I counted up by 10's a few times, and we count backwards from 20, but... hmm, maybe it's those tv shows I let him watch while I put Karter to bed... ALso, why he sings every insurance song ever! Tonight was "we are farmers, dun dun dun dun dun" the other night was nationwide...that's Animal Planet, obviously Disney or PBS does not air those commercials.
The facts this kid remembers about things amaze me too. Sorry, I just don't get this 'flashcard generation' and I don't subject my kids to hours of flashcards just to learn something. So, they memorize a thing on a paper, doesn't mean they know anything about it! Touching, doing, discovering, real life, hands on, makes so much more sense to me. I feel like my kids are going to be the only ones who know about things in 3d instead of just flat paper...oops tangent. My point was, that I don't do that, they do things and so that he picks up all these facts (snakes, dinosaurs, plants, birds, swamps, what things eat, how things are made, etc.) is great because I want to let him forge his own path with his learning, not what I think he should know or want him to know just because... His imagination is amazing, the things he can create in his head, or come up with to build with legos, or the steps and logic behind things...fascinates me.
I decided against a 4 year old check up this year. I mean, really there was no point in the 3 year old one. They weigh him, measure him, ask a few random questions, that I as an Early Intervention service coordinator, know about development and watch anyways. So, it's pointless for me, we have no concerns about Kian in development and I do some checklists here and there. Last I weighed him he ws about 37 lbs, which means he gained 3 lbs in the last year. I'll have to measure height of both of them soon.
He is who he is and although a lot of people don't appreciate his spunk and zest for life, because it equals loudness and boisterous activity most of the time. But, he's independent and mature in a lot of ways and yes, still challenging at times, he's Kian. Every year, it seems from his birthday to Christmas is a good half of the year, and then from Christmas to his birthday again (winter, cabin fever, fun stuff) we have behavioral change and challenges. But, we're figuring it out. He's still the sweetest kid in there, and cares a lot about what you say, do and think about him. Love these boys so much and while they keep me on my toes and challenge me daily, I wouldn't trade them for anything. However, they would like a sister or 2 as well. ;)
April pictures
Thanks to blogger, these are in reverse chronological order, I can't for the life of me figure out how to change it! So, we ended April with visits from friends; friends whom we haven't seen in about 7 years, and with 3.5 kids between us (baby Nicholas will arrive to big sister Chloe this summer!) it was a nice time!
A little Elmo and Sesame Street Live:
I needed to buy bins while shopping with karter and put them in the back of the cart. He decided to climb out of the child seat and into the back, apparently they make great forts and hiding spots.
Finally, nicer weather, so a lot of outside time!
The Sandbox in Fairport. This kid's not afraid of anything, and climbed this big bouncey slide a dozen times alone. Craziness.
Some break dancing...
Mmmm, cupcakes from Robin's baby shower!
More outside...
A little painting...
A little Simpson-inspired, Krusty the clown "me wikey da fwied wice". Sigh.
The lump...made better by cat.
A little Elmo and Sesame Street Live:
I needed to buy bins while shopping with karter and put them in the back of the cart. He decided to climb out of the child seat and into the back, apparently they make great forts and hiding spots.
Finally, nicer weather, so a lot of outside time!
The Sandbox in Fairport. This kid's not afraid of anything, and climbed this big bouncey slide a dozen times alone. Craziness.
Some break dancing...
Mmmm, cupcakes from Robin's baby shower!
More outside...
A little painting...
A little Simpson-inspired, Krusty the clown "me wikey da fwied wice". Sigh.
The lump...made better by cat.
More conversations with Kian
Tonight, as Kian went to bed, Karter woke up and was crying. I rocked him for a few minutes and Kian was singing him lullabies to calm him. It was very sweet, but his lyrics were making me giggle.
"Hush little baby don't cry, mama's gonna buy you a rocking...chair. If that rocking chair breaks, mama's gonna buy you a baby break, and if that baby break gets broken, mama's gonna buy you a crystal ice shell. If that crystal ice shell breaks, mama's gonna...hush, don't cry, don't cry, cry..."
and-
"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Karter baby, don't you cry, you're a good baby, such a good baby, you're the best baby." Love when he's so sweet to his brother.
Kian also really wants a "cow" bunny from Country Max. It's black and white, large spots and it really does look like a cow pattern. Friendly, little critter too. But, we can't just keep adding more pets. Kevin always gives Kian the reasoning "if we got rid of your dog, you could have a bunny" because he gets super annoyed at Finn a lot (although tonight took him out for a walk on his own...hmmm). So, now when Finn runs away or doesn't come right back into the house after being let out to potty, Kian stands at the window, shrugs his shoulders and says "Well, I guess he got rid of hisself so I can have a bunny from Country Max." Funniest thing ever.
Talking about his birthday party (first he wants a pirate party, then a dinosaur party, poor kid just can't make up his mind, good thing he has 2 months left) I asked him who he wanted to invite. He named a couple kids, then I asked 'who else?" He says "Korbin!" Yep, Korbin, my sister's puppy. The closest thing to a cousin he'll ever have on my side for awhile. She later texted me a picture of Korbin with his party hat on. Woof!
"Hush little baby don't cry, mama's gonna buy you a rocking...chair. If that rocking chair breaks, mama's gonna buy you a baby break, and if that baby break gets broken, mama's gonna buy you a crystal ice shell. If that crystal ice shell breaks, mama's gonna...hush, don't cry, don't cry, cry..."
and-
"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Karter baby, don't you cry, you're a good baby, such a good baby, you're the best baby." Love when he's so sweet to his brother.
Kian also really wants a "cow" bunny from Country Max. It's black and white, large spots and it really does look like a cow pattern. Friendly, little critter too. But, we can't just keep adding more pets. Kevin always gives Kian the reasoning "if we got rid of your dog, you could have a bunny" because he gets super annoyed at Finn a lot (although tonight took him out for a walk on his own...hmmm). So, now when Finn runs away or doesn't come right back into the house after being let out to potty, Kian stands at the window, shrugs his shoulders and says "Well, I guess he got rid of hisself so I can have a bunny from Country Max." Funniest thing ever.
Talking about his birthday party (first he wants a pirate party, then a dinosaur party, poor kid just can't make up his mind, good thing he has 2 months left) I asked him who he wanted to invite. He named a couple kids, then I asked 'who else?" He says "Korbin!" Yep, Korbin, my sister's puppy. The closest thing to a cousin he'll ever have on my side for awhile. She later texted me a picture of Korbin with his party hat on. Woof!
conversations with Kian
"I prefer that, actually, I don't like this." -about some food for lunch. He prefers things now.
"It surely will be in this drawer." Surely? Surely you received your mother's love of English and language and literature. I don't recall using these words lately but now I'm inspired to have vocabulary bees. Just kidding...kinda ;)
How I know he's watched too much tv (even tho he's only watched about 3 hours in the last week and a half, we're on a tv strike!) when he makes up a song with the same tune to "Nationwide is on your side" about Karter being near his side...then follows it up with another song about cats to the tune of "like a good neighbor, state farm is there..." yep. Wonderful.
"Oh you're a miracle, oh little chicks, you're such a miracle." And we didn't even see them hatch, just scooped them out of the Country Max bins...yep, a miracle. ;)
Kian: I want to go out for breakfast. I want an egg sandwich with bacon.
Me: I can make you an egg sandwich here with bacon, on toast or a bagel.
Kian: No, I want the square eggs, only Mcdonald's has those. I need to go to McDonald's.
Me: Sigh.
Took my phone after I was texting my sister and after a few minutes I realize Kian's banging away on the keyboard. He'd sent about 3 super long texts of letters and numbers. He told me "I told NeeNee to get rid of my dog in a wheelbarrow, to get rid of him so I can get a bunny from Country Max." Okay then!
Conversation in bed tonight, just after prayers:
Kian: Do snakes eat guinea pigs?
Me: Yes
Kian: Only medium snakes eat guinea pigs, or maybe small ones. Do snakes eat bunnies?
Me: Yes, some can eat cats and dogs too, which is why we won't be getting a snake.
Kian: Only large snakes eat dogs, but not big dogs, only medium dogs.
Me: We're still not getting a snake.
Kian: We need to get a cage, a snake cage.
Me: We're not getting a snake.
Kian: And a light, and we need to get snake food bowls.
Me: We're not getting a snake.
Kian: We need water bowls too, and balls for it to play with.
Me: We're not getting a snake.
Kian: Does Country Max sell all snake supplies?
Me: We are not getting a snake.
Kian: We need-
Me: We. Are. Not. Getting. A. Snake. Now, I am going to put Karter in his bed and there will be no more talking...
Earlier today, after leaving Country Max (they have a snake set up there) "Do snakes poop, Mommy?" I informed him that, yes every living creature does poop. He wanted to know where and I had to explain they don;t have butts but holes on their bellies. The things I never thought I'd be talking about...
But, gosh I love that boy ;)
He's named quite a few of the chicks...luckily he doesn't notice that we only know the names of 3 of them consistently!
One red mix-hybrid is named Suzy Zooter Zip. She's smaller than the rest and has a slight bum issue, so easy to pick out.
The 2 black/white Plymouth's are named Bandit (whom he calls Bad B) and Roadie (this one has a black stripe on his beak, the other does not. Actually they are probably all girls!) These are the friendliest and most curious ones.
From there, it gets a bit fuzzy (ha, chicks, fuzzy!) because the other RIRs and the Golden Comets all look like each other, with some slight differences.
Another Rhode Island Red one is named Aunt Elissa (per her request), another Ruby.
Finally, there's a Max, Nico, Eeko, and some other random ones from time to time. I love that he came up with these names all on his own--except Bandit, I suggested it after he kept saying Bad B.
Suzy spends a lot of time with Kian, on the couch, on a towel, wrapped up, in her own box (so the other ones don't peck her bum) in a cool whip container (clean), he sings her lullabies and she 'watches' shows with him. It's actually pretty darn cute and I love how tender he is with her. (hopefully she doesn't decline and die or something!) This puts my faith in him for being the best big brother to little sisters. =)
"It surely will be in this drawer." Surely? Surely you received your mother's love of English and language and literature. I don't recall using these words lately but now I'm inspired to have vocabulary bees. Just kidding...kinda ;)
How I know he's watched too much tv (even tho he's only watched about 3 hours in the last week and a half, we're on a tv strike!) when he makes up a song with the same tune to "Nationwide is on your side" about Karter being near his side...then follows it up with another song about cats to the tune of "like a good neighbor, state farm is there..." yep. Wonderful.
"Oh you're a miracle, oh little chicks, you're such a miracle." And we didn't even see them hatch, just scooped them out of the Country Max bins...yep, a miracle. ;)
Kian: I want to go out for breakfast. I want an egg sandwich with bacon.
Me: I can make you an egg sandwich here with bacon, on toast or a bagel.
Kian: No, I want the square eggs, only Mcdonald's has those. I need to go to McDonald's.
Me: Sigh.
Took my phone after I was texting my sister and after a few minutes I realize Kian's banging away on the keyboard. He'd sent about 3 super long texts of letters and numbers. He told me "I told NeeNee to get rid of my dog in a wheelbarrow, to get rid of him so I can get a bunny from Country Max." Okay then!
Conversation in bed tonight, just after prayers:
Kian: Do snakes eat guinea pigs?
Me: Yes
Kian: Only medium snakes eat guinea pigs, or maybe small ones. Do snakes eat bunnies?
Me: Yes, some can eat cats and dogs too, which is why we won't be getting a snake.
Kian: Only large snakes eat dogs, but not big dogs, only medium dogs.
Me: We're still not getting a snake.
Kian: We need to get a cage, a snake cage.
Me: We're not getting a snake.
Kian: And a light, and we need to get snake food bowls.
Me: We're not getting a snake.
Kian: We need water bowls too, and balls for it to play with.
Me: We're not getting a snake.
Kian: Does Country Max sell all snake supplies?
Me: We are not getting a snake.
Kian: We need-
Me: We. Are. Not. Getting. A. Snake. Now, I am going to put Karter in his bed and there will be no more talking...
Earlier today, after leaving Country Max (they have a snake set up there) "Do snakes poop, Mommy?" I informed him that, yes every living creature does poop. He wanted to know where and I had to explain they don;t have butts but holes on their bellies. The things I never thought I'd be talking about...
But, gosh I love that boy ;)
He's named quite a few of the chicks...luckily he doesn't notice that we only know the names of 3 of them consistently!
One red mix-hybrid is named Suzy Zooter Zip. She's smaller than the rest and has a slight bum issue, so easy to pick out.
The 2 black/white Plymouth's are named Bandit (whom he calls Bad B) and Roadie (this one has a black stripe on his beak, the other does not. Actually they are probably all girls!) These are the friendliest and most curious ones.
From there, it gets a bit fuzzy (ha, chicks, fuzzy!) because the other RIRs and the Golden Comets all look like each other, with some slight differences.
Another Rhode Island Red one is named Aunt Elissa (per her request), another Ruby.
Finally, there's a Max, Nico, Eeko, and some other random ones from time to time. I love that he came up with these names all on his own--except Bandit, I suggested it after he kept saying Bad B.
Suzy spends a lot of time with Kian, on the couch, on a towel, wrapped up, in her own box (so the other ones don't peck her bum) in a cool whip container (clean), he sings her lullabies and she 'watches' shows with him. It's actually pretty darn cute and I love how tender he is with her. (hopefully she doesn't decline and die or something!) This puts my faith in him for being the best big brother to little sisters. =)
Deodorant, Dinosaurs and Doctors, oh my!
What, you ask, the heck do those three things have to do with each other? Nothing really. Well, except the dino and the deodorant. Confused? I was too.
I was taking a shower and Kian was playing in the bathroom (any other mother notice that the word 'play' should really be changed to 'getting into things and making messes'? good) and he told me his triceratops needed to be rinsed off. I asked why and he told me it was full of soap. I'm wondering where he got soap from. Peeking out, he shows me the dinosaur-covered in white stuff-and in his hand is my deodorant. Yep, took it off the counter and smooshed it all over the dinosaur. Lovely...because that doesn't come off easy. Whatever. It's still sitting in the tub, it can wait. Also, he took my deodorant and drew a few letters on the bathroom carpet with it...sigh.
After the shower we made our way to the preschool tour and the theme there was....ta da! Dinosaurs! I told Kian we were going to look at a preschool and he fought me, saying he didn't want to go to school, he didn't want to look, he wanted to stay home. I told him we were just going to look and see if he liked it. We finally pulled in the parking lot and he says "I like it!". Upon entering, he was all smiles, and when he saw all the dinosaurs (legos, in the sand table, posters, craft) he couldn't contain himself. We looked around for a half hour or so while he played and then I told him we were done. He didn't want to leave of course. I had to do the countdown warning (3 mins, 1 min) and get him out of there with a sticker from the director so there wasn't a meltdown. I told him he might be able to come back soon (they have openings now for 2 days/week! yay!) and that we just came to look today. He continues playing and says "I'm still looking!". haha.
The doctor has nothing to do with either of these things...well there were dinosaurs at the doctor's office, perhaps that is the segue I needed? But, I just needed to throw our update in there. Wednesday I took Karter to see Dr. Weinberg, an integrative pediatrician. Meaning she's a fully trained pediatrician by mainstream medical standards abut also trained in natural therapies, nutrition, supplementation, etc. It was nice to just be able to sit down and start from the beginning with Karter's issues, from in utero when we found out about his concerns on ultrasound all the way until today. I get to tell doctors and people in pieces here and there, so to have it completely from start to present, and get everything in there, and have someone just listen, was nice.
We discussed his allergy testing and possible sensitivities, reflux and medicines, sleep habits and issues, everything really. She commended me for the things I had been doing--adding papaya enzymes, using foods to try to boost his calorie intake with olive oil, using avocado, etc. And some things I had in my head but to hear them, and ordered in some sort of plan. She's ordering a few more blood tests and wants to check for vitamin deficiencies. We're also going to do a comprehensive stool analysis, to look at anything and everything that might "come out" from there...sure, pun intended ;)
So, our new course of action is:
1. Do a strict dairy(milk) and egg free diet for 3 weeks to see if it makes a difference with his eating and/or sleeping. The thought being that he is showing some allergies but sensitivities in the gut don't show up on tests. If no changes, then we can think about adding in some organic whole milk because--
2. He's lacking in fats, and some proteins in his diet. Not for lack of trying. I let this kid eat whatever he wants-pizza, sausage, hot dogs, etc. But, my kids love fruits and veggies. While this doesn't help his current weight status, it will definitely help his long-term health. So, we need to boost fats and proteins more. I shovel this kid with PB all day long, but adding more oils, margarine, meats if he will, and a different milk source.
3. She suggested Hemp milk. I know what you're thinking. No, he won't get high from it ;) But, compared to rice or almond milk, it has a higher protein content and full of omega-3 & 6. The other 3 have only 1 grams per serving. So, we'll try that.
4. Continue working on the behavioral part of sleeping through the night. I've been successful in getting Karter to go about 8-10 hours without wanting to eat/nurse/drink since beginning this process again on Monday. I just keep telling him he has to wait until morning. He still wakes a few times, but usually snuggling in with us keeps him happy until 6 or 7am. I'd love for him to be sleeping all night but, I'll take what I can get right now.
5. The other thing she suggested was for me to change the time I give him the Prevacid. I was giving it first thing in the morning, but she suggested I try giving it to him before bed. This way, if there is reflux it will curb it all night, and not "run out" by bedtime/overnight and have him wake up more. But, ultimately, we want him off it, sooner than later.
6. A few more blood tests for vitamin deficiencies and a few other things, just in case. Also, a comprehensive stool analysis to see if there are any malabsorption issues, what's being digested, what's not, and a host of other things. That will be fun collecting...no, really!
And whatever else I forgot she will be sending in a report to me and the regular pediatrician. Monday we have the 18 month check up, so will be interesting to see how much he's gained, since he's been on the Prevacid for almost 2 months now... And that is a random recap...
I was taking a shower and Kian was playing in the bathroom (any other mother notice that the word 'play' should really be changed to 'getting into things and making messes'? good) and he told me his triceratops needed to be rinsed off. I asked why and he told me it was full of soap. I'm wondering where he got soap from. Peeking out, he shows me the dinosaur-covered in white stuff-and in his hand is my deodorant. Yep, took it off the counter and smooshed it all over the dinosaur. Lovely...because that doesn't come off easy. Whatever. It's still sitting in the tub, it can wait. Also, he took my deodorant and drew a few letters on the bathroom carpet with it...sigh.
After the shower we made our way to the preschool tour and the theme there was....ta da! Dinosaurs! I told Kian we were going to look at a preschool and he fought me, saying he didn't want to go to school, he didn't want to look, he wanted to stay home. I told him we were just going to look and see if he liked it. We finally pulled in the parking lot and he says "I like it!". Upon entering, he was all smiles, and when he saw all the dinosaurs (legos, in the sand table, posters, craft) he couldn't contain himself. We looked around for a half hour or so while he played and then I told him we were done. He didn't want to leave of course. I had to do the countdown warning (3 mins, 1 min) and get him out of there with a sticker from the director so there wasn't a meltdown. I told him he might be able to come back soon (they have openings now for 2 days/week! yay!) and that we just came to look today. He continues playing and says "I'm still looking!". haha.
The doctor has nothing to do with either of these things...well there were dinosaurs at the doctor's office, perhaps that is the segue I needed? But, I just needed to throw our update in there. Wednesday I took Karter to see Dr. Weinberg, an integrative pediatrician. Meaning she's a fully trained pediatrician by mainstream medical standards abut also trained in natural therapies, nutrition, supplementation, etc. It was nice to just be able to sit down and start from the beginning with Karter's issues, from in utero when we found out about his concerns on ultrasound all the way until today. I get to tell doctors and people in pieces here and there, so to have it completely from start to present, and get everything in there, and have someone just listen, was nice.
We discussed his allergy testing and possible sensitivities, reflux and medicines, sleep habits and issues, everything really. She commended me for the things I had been doing--adding papaya enzymes, using foods to try to boost his calorie intake with olive oil, using avocado, etc. And some things I had in my head but to hear them, and ordered in some sort of plan. She's ordering a few more blood tests and wants to check for vitamin deficiencies. We're also going to do a comprehensive stool analysis, to look at anything and everything that might "come out" from there...sure, pun intended ;)
So, our new course of action is:
1. Do a strict dairy(milk) and egg free diet for 3 weeks to see if it makes a difference with his eating and/or sleeping. The thought being that he is showing some allergies but sensitivities in the gut don't show up on tests. If no changes, then we can think about adding in some organic whole milk because--
2. He's lacking in fats, and some proteins in his diet. Not for lack of trying. I let this kid eat whatever he wants-pizza, sausage, hot dogs, etc. But, my kids love fruits and veggies. While this doesn't help his current weight status, it will definitely help his long-term health. So, we need to boost fats and proteins more. I shovel this kid with PB all day long, but adding more oils, margarine, meats if he will, and a different milk source.
3. She suggested Hemp milk. I know what you're thinking. No, he won't get high from it ;) But, compared to rice or almond milk, it has a higher protein content and full of omega-3 & 6. The other 3 have only 1 grams per serving. So, we'll try that.
4. Continue working on the behavioral part of sleeping through the night. I've been successful in getting Karter to go about 8-10 hours without wanting to eat/nurse/drink since beginning this process again on Monday. I just keep telling him he has to wait until morning. He still wakes a few times, but usually snuggling in with us keeps him happy until 6 or 7am. I'd love for him to be sleeping all night but, I'll take what I can get right now.
5. The other thing she suggested was for me to change the time I give him the Prevacid. I was giving it first thing in the morning, but she suggested I try giving it to him before bed. This way, if there is reflux it will curb it all night, and not "run out" by bedtime/overnight and have him wake up more. But, ultimately, we want him off it, sooner than later.
6. A few more blood tests for vitamin deficiencies and a few other things, just in case. Also, a comprehensive stool analysis to see if there are any malabsorption issues, what's being digested, what's not, and a host of other things. That will be fun collecting...no, really!
And whatever else I forgot she will be sending in a report to me and the regular pediatrician. Monday we have the 18 month check up, so will be interesting to see how much he's gained, since he's been on the Prevacid for almost 2 months now... And that is a random recap...
Conversations with Kian (and Karter)
Thanks to Kourt's new pup (keeping with the K traditions---he's Korbin) Kian now calls everything the way you call a puppy. He claps his hands, bends over and says 'come..., come here". Meaning, he calls me- *clap, clap* "mom, come, come here mom". Uh..woof?
The other day, Kian woke up and ran into our bed. He then pretended something was a sword to get mice and proceeded to use "in fact" and "per se", in context. "I am in fact going to get mice...I might not kill them per se". Seriously? Guess he got his mama's love of English vocab already.
Karter likes to "pee pee potty" which translates to "take of my diaper and I'll sit on there for 1.7 seconds then jump up to grab toilet paper, pretend to wipe and throw int in the toilet, then grab more and run across the bathroom with it, then ask to sit on the toilet again." Fun times. He's been pointing and saying "pee" or "poopy" in his diaper around the time he goes, so yay let the good times roll. Perhaps the second child trains faster since there is an older one to keep up with? Here's praying.
When Karter babbles things we don't understand, or a babble after a word, Kian always says "Karter said (Kian/leave me alone/bad doggy/whatever) in Spanish!" Bilingual spontaneously! Awesome!
Kian knowing how to turn on the tv is having it's drawbacks...like when he came into me the other day and told me "you need to go to Laser Spa mommy". I asked him if I was hairy, he said yes. Gee thanks!
His absorption of everything and anything also has it's high points though. He knows the differences between carnivores and herbivores, thanks to Dinosaur Train. He has learned mammals, from I don't know where. Today at lunch he told Karter he was a mammal and that bats were also mammals. Both true. Then he says "We are meat." I ask him what he means. He answers, "we are meat, our bodies are meat." I told him yes, they are, muscle, which I guess can be meat, but we don't eat people. ha.
Karter, also thinking he's funny, said "poopy" then scrunched his face...and farted. Sigh. It begins, times three.
Having an older child, one who only began saying "mine" in the last couple months (yes I got 3.5 years FREE of 'mine, mine, mine') the younger one for the last month has been saying "MINE!" and really, truly knows what it means. Ugh! We were sharing a drink and I used his straw, he pulled it away and..."mine!". Replacing the "me, me, me" he was doing a few months ago. That was much cuter.
The other day, Kian woke up and ran into our bed. He then pretended something was a sword to get mice and proceeded to use "in fact" and "per se", in context. "I am in fact going to get mice...I might not kill them per se". Seriously? Guess he got his mama's love of English vocab already.
Karter likes to "pee pee potty" which translates to "take of my diaper and I'll sit on there for 1.7 seconds then jump up to grab toilet paper, pretend to wipe and throw int in the toilet, then grab more and run across the bathroom with it, then ask to sit on the toilet again." Fun times. He's been pointing and saying "pee" or "poopy" in his diaper around the time he goes, so yay let the good times roll. Perhaps the second child trains faster since there is an older one to keep up with? Here's praying.
When Karter babbles things we don't understand, or a babble after a word, Kian always says "Karter said (Kian/leave me alone/bad doggy/whatever) in Spanish!" Bilingual spontaneously! Awesome!
Kian knowing how to turn on the tv is having it's drawbacks...like when he came into me the other day and told me "you need to go to Laser Spa mommy". I asked him if I was hairy, he said yes. Gee thanks!
His absorption of everything and anything also has it's high points though. He knows the differences between carnivores and herbivores, thanks to Dinosaur Train. He has learned mammals, from I don't know where. Today at lunch he told Karter he was a mammal and that bats were also mammals. Both true. Then he says "We are meat." I ask him what he means. He answers, "we are meat, our bodies are meat." I told him yes, they are, muscle, which I guess can be meat, but we don't eat people. ha.
Karter, also thinking he's funny, said "poopy" then scrunched his face...and farted. Sigh. It begins, times three.
Having an older child, one who only began saying "mine" in the last couple months (yes I got 3.5 years FREE of 'mine, mine, mine') the younger one for the last month has been saying "MINE!" and really, truly knows what it means. Ugh! We were sharing a drink and I used his straw, he pulled it away and..."mine!". Replacing the "me, me, me" he was doing a few months ago. That was much cuter.
Conversations with Kian
We woke up all snuggled together, the boys and I. He rolled over, looked at the clock and said "It's 7-3-0". I told him, yes it was 7:30.
He sits up, and says "I want a number bed."
"Well, they don't make number beds" I say.
"Yes they do, the tv said they do."
I asked him, "you mean a bed shaped like a number?"
"No, it's square, rectangle, a bed, a number bed."
Ahh, I think I got it now. Who hasn't seen the infomercials for the sleep number beds?
"Well, that's the numbers for how hard or soft the mattress is, like for people with bad backs." I tell him.
Reaching around, grabbing his back he says, "I have a bad back, I need a number bed!"
Well, son wait until you're 80 okay?
He sits up, and says "I want a number bed."
"Well, they don't make number beds" I say.
"Yes they do, the tv said they do."
I asked him, "you mean a bed shaped like a number?"
"No, it's square, rectangle, a bed, a number bed."
Ahh, I think I got it now. Who hasn't seen the infomercials for the sleep number beds?
"Well, that's the numbers for how hard or soft the mattress is, like for people with bad backs." I tell him.
Reaching around, grabbing his back he says, "I have a bad back, I need a number bed!"
Well, son wait until you're 80 okay?
Busy, busy, busy
I'm sick. I don't have time to be sick. This evening I was actually able to get off the couch for the first time without thinking I was dying. Karter started it. Last night, he was walking around the kitchen, stopped and just threw up his dinner and milk. Then again. And again. And almost every hour until 3:30 am. That was fun. At first I thought it was his major intake of all things dairy over the weekend (pediasure-which he doesn't drink, cookies and baked goods made with real butter, frosting, cheese, pizza, macaroni and cheese-yeah so much for introducing it slowly. Sorry kid!) But, then I started feeling really yucky about 5 am. I didn't throw up, I tried not to, but really I probably just should have and then my stomach wouldn't have felt like the Civil War cannons pounding around inside it. Ugh.
After 6 hours worth of naps, Karter was feeling considerably better. Some crackers, drinks and more drinks and he could play for half hour here and there. Finally, I am starting to feel better. I'm hungry but afraid to eat. I just can't really afford this time to be sick. I have a cape I want to sew Kian for Christmas. I've resigned to the fact that Karter's won't be made by this Christmas. Easter? Birthday? Something. I've been doing, doing, doing and on the go for the entire month really. Shopping done, wrapping in process, baking like crazy, cleaning, laundry, every day stuff...you name it. And yet, still more to do. I had plans this week, not sickness.
But, as Mary knows, somethings just can't be planned on, can they? (Nice segue, eh?) I love this time of the year, my favorite holiday-right with Easter. I often find myself identifying with Mary, since becoming a mother. To hear the stories of Jesus, the conception, the birth, the life, the death and crucifixion as a person is one thing, but to hear them from a mother's heart, is completely different. It has changed my view, finding deeper meaning and connection at times. The obedience of a servant girl, giving birth in a stable, amazes me. Maybe if she had known the details she might have hesitated? Giving birth with all the luxuries and amenities and technology at my fingertips in what was essentially a hotel room, I can't even begin to imagine. But, she said yes. And a world was saved. (Well the ones that want to be...)
We are pointing first to the Christian beginnings of the holiday for the boys, with the traditional customs following behind. Reminding them the reason for the season, then the fun that follows. It's magical. Each and every ornament brought a sparkle to someone's eye. Each tree we looked at was "the one". Each cookie, each sprinkle, fascinating. And of course, each toy wanted. Even the wrapping paper was awe inspiring. Perfect. Wonder how long this phase lasts? Karter was a tiny baby last year so he was just amazed when he woke up from a nap one afternoon to see trees and ornaments and decorations everywhere. They've both been pretty good about leaving things put, even the dog. Save for the nativity sets, but they are ones they're allowed to play with. Kian collects the 3 baby Jesus', some end up in Lego castles, some in shape sorters. Karter just carries them around everywhere he goes.
Each morning Kian wakes up and says "Mommy, it's Christmas!" Sadly, it's not. So, I am excited for Saturday when he does wake up and yell that and I can say "yes! it is!". And, like every year when I was younger, we will read the Christmas story along with the gift opening. And, I really can't wait!
After 6 hours worth of naps, Karter was feeling considerably better. Some crackers, drinks and more drinks and he could play for half hour here and there. Finally, I am starting to feel better. I'm hungry but afraid to eat. I just can't really afford this time to be sick. I have a cape I want to sew Kian for Christmas. I've resigned to the fact that Karter's won't be made by this Christmas. Easter? Birthday? Something. I've been doing, doing, doing and on the go for the entire month really. Shopping done, wrapping in process, baking like crazy, cleaning, laundry, every day stuff...you name it. And yet, still more to do. I had plans this week, not sickness.
But, as Mary knows, somethings just can't be planned on, can they? (Nice segue, eh?) I love this time of the year, my favorite holiday-right with Easter. I often find myself identifying with Mary, since becoming a mother. To hear the stories of Jesus, the conception, the birth, the life, the death and crucifixion as a person is one thing, but to hear them from a mother's heart, is completely different. It has changed my view, finding deeper meaning and connection at times. The obedience of a servant girl, giving birth in a stable, amazes me. Maybe if she had known the details she might have hesitated? Giving birth with all the luxuries and amenities and technology at my fingertips in what was essentially a hotel room, I can't even begin to imagine. But, she said yes. And a world was saved. (Well the ones that want to be...)
We are pointing first to the Christian beginnings of the holiday for the boys, with the traditional customs following behind. Reminding them the reason for the season, then the fun that follows. It's magical. Each and every ornament brought a sparkle to someone's eye. Each tree we looked at was "the one". Each cookie, each sprinkle, fascinating. And of course, each toy wanted. Even the wrapping paper was awe inspiring. Perfect. Wonder how long this phase lasts? Karter was a tiny baby last year so he was just amazed when he woke up from a nap one afternoon to see trees and ornaments and decorations everywhere. They've both been pretty good about leaving things put, even the dog. Save for the nativity sets, but they are ones they're allowed to play with. Kian collects the 3 baby Jesus', some end up in Lego castles, some in shape sorters. Karter just carries them around everywhere he goes.
Each morning Kian wakes up and says "Mommy, it's Christmas!" Sadly, it's not. So, I am excited for Saturday when he does wake up and yell that and I can say "yes! it is!". And, like every year when I was younger, we will read the Christmas story along with the gift opening. And, I really can't wait!
So...yeah...
Another bunch of random updates, from the house of random.
Karter's pediatrician called me yesterday afternoon to give me the results of all the blood work. He said that everything (cystic fibrosis, thyroid, iron, celiac's disease) all came out negative. The allergies (soy, wheat, peanut, corn, etc.) were fine, at zero. However, Karter came out with a Level 2 egg allergy! We were not expecting that at all! I said that is one of his favorite foods! Ugh. Level 2 means that it's mild, and in baked goods, etc should not bother him, but he said we might want to avoid scrambled eggs directly, or watch closely how it might bother him. Great. You mean after he had it twice on Sunday (some breakfast and finished them for lunch?) Wonderful. Also, this means he isn't allergic to these foods; however it doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't have a sensitivity towards these foods. And if there is a sensitivity to certain foods it still can mean reflux, or cause reflux to worsen if he does have it. So we keep our appointment on January 7th (the earliest we could get in) at Strong for the gastric emptying study. Fun. Also, I am still supposed to bring a nice poopy diaper to the office for testing...easier said than done when I'm down here...blah! So he said he's probably just small, because he's just small...but if it's reflux, we'll give him meds and that will definitely help.
I have been watching his language a bit, and it's probably more comparison to Kian's overzealous language bursts by 15 months, that makes me watch. Kian had at least 30 words (word approximations) at his 15 month appointment. Karter had about 10. Also some words he had said before, he doesn't always say again. Then, this week he's added some new words (tree, uh oh, night night) and his other words have become clearer--cookie is very clear! And I try to remember that all my kids can't be above average in their speech. ;) Karter excels in other areas--he's used a spoon and fork properly since 12 months, he climbs on everything, and jumps off the step stool. He, since around his birthday, refuses to brush his teeth unless we put toothpaste on it, and points to it. His fine motor and even gross motor skills are seemingly better than Kian's at this age, so I tell myself to chill out and just see what happens.
In other news...Kian...delightful, yet challenging... The kid, is just too smart. Like, he knows how to (tries) outsmart us. Kevin has a bad habit of calling the dog an idiot. Well, that means Kian now says that word, well tried to, but got in trouble for it. However, he thinks that if he says "dogiot" or "catiot" it's not the same as idiot and he'll get away with it. Same with stupid becoming "poopid". Wrong bucko! I'm on to ya.
Kevin brought all his old legos here from his mom's house and we were going to put them away until the boys were bigger. Well, Kian wouldn't let that happen. So, he's been playing with them non-stop. Literally, hours each day. I have to make him put them away to do other things. It's great for him and for me when I can get a few minutes to do things without putting the tv on. He is really creative with them. I didn't think he'd be able to do a lot with them, or just build towers. Nope, he's got super long trucks with 20 wheels, castles, pirate ships, airplanes and boats. It's neat to watch and see what he comes up with. They must stay on the table so Karter and the dog don't get them though. Kevin enjoys it as much as Kian does. Karter has got his hands on some and actually does well with them too, not in his mouth and likes to "build" things and play with the guys.
Kian's into spelling everything and telling me what things say. He's also into telling what presents we bought for people. Luckily he doesn't exactly know what they are...told Kevin we got him a scary movie. Okay, you think that ;) Crafts are still high on the list, so we did some dough ornaments this weekend. They came out great, and we painted them and we'll give a few as gifts. However, I feel like they might break, like more than they should feel that way...if that makes sense? Like, I thought I'd be able to mail some, but now I don't trust it. Who wants to get a broken dough ornament in the mail? Exactly. And on Sunday, it will be exactly one year since Kian had his first and only ever, real haircut. !! He wants it longer, I don't really care what he does with it, as long as he keeps it out of his face. It's about to that point where it's not anymore. First Kevin said let it go, now he thinks we should cut it. We shall see. The first time ever last week he got called a girl. Karter has a few times too, mostly because he's bald with a few curls in the back, I guess. If they can't tell my boys in blues and trucks and camo are boys, eh that's their problem.
Onto our daily randomness...cookie baking starts now!
Karter's pediatrician called me yesterday afternoon to give me the results of all the blood work. He said that everything (cystic fibrosis, thyroid, iron, celiac's disease) all came out negative. The allergies (soy, wheat, peanut, corn, etc.) were fine, at zero. However, Karter came out with a Level 2 egg allergy! We were not expecting that at all! I said that is one of his favorite foods! Ugh. Level 2 means that it's mild, and in baked goods, etc should not bother him, but he said we might want to avoid scrambled eggs directly, or watch closely how it might bother him. Great. You mean after he had it twice on Sunday (some breakfast and finished them for lunch?) Wonderful. Also, this means he isn't allergic to these foods; however it doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't have a sensitivity towards these foods. And if there is a sensitivity to certain foods it still can mean reflux, or cause reflux to worsen if he does have it. So we keep our appointment on January 7th (the earliest we could get in) at Strong for the gastric emptying study. Fun. Also, I am still supposed to bring a nice poopy diaper to the office for testing...easier said than done when I'm down here...blah! So he said he's probably just small, because he's just small...but if it's reflux, we'll give him meds and that will definitely help.
I have been watching his language a bit, and it's probably more comparison to Kian's overzealous language bursts by 15 months, that makes me watch. Kian had at least 30 words (word approximations) at his 15 month appointment. Karter had about 10. Also some words he had said before, he doesn't always say again. Then, this week he's added some new words (tree, uh oh, night night) and his other words have become clearer--cookie is very clear! And I try to remember that all my kids can't be above average in their speech. ;) Karter excels in other areas--he's used a spoon and fork properly since 12 months, he climbs on everything, and jumps off the step stool. He, since around his birthday, refuses to brush his teeth unless we put toothpaste on it, and points to it. His fine motor and even gross motor skills are seemingly better than Kian's at this age, so I tell myself to chill out and just see what happens.
In other news...Kian...delightful, yet challenging... The kid, is just too smart. Like, he knows how to (tries) outsmart us. Kevin has a bad habit of calling the dog an idiot. Well, that means Kian now says that word, well tried to, but got in trouble for it. However, he thinks that if he says "dogiot" or "catiot" it's not the same as idiot and he'll get away with it. Same with stupid becoming "poopid". Wrong bucko! I'm on to ya.
Kevin brought all his old legos here from his mom's house and we were going to put them away until the boys were bigger. Well, Kian wouldn't let that happen. So, he's been playing with them non-stop. Literally, hours each day. I have to make him put them away to do other things. It's great for him and for me when I can get a few minutes to do things without putting the tv on. He is really creative with them. I didn't think he'd be able to do a lot with them, or just build towers. Nope, he's got super long trucks with 20 wheels, castles, pirate ships, airplanes and boats. It's neat to watch and see what he comes up with. They must stay on the table so Karter and the dog don't get them though. Kevin enjoys it as much as Kian does. Karter has got his hands on some and actually does well with them too, not in his mouth and likes to "build" things and play with the guys.
Kian's into spelling everything and telling me what things say. He's also into telling what presents we bought for people. Luckily he doesn't exactly know what they are...told Kevin we got him a scary movie. Okay, you think that ;) Crafts are still high on the list, so we did some dough ornaments this weekend. They came out great, and we painted them and we'll give a few as gifts. However, I feel like they might break, like more than they should feel that way...if that makes sense? Like, I thought I'd be able to mail some, but now I don't trust it. Who wants to get a broken dough ornament in the mail? Exactly. And on Sunday, it will be exactly one year since Kian had his first and only ever, real haircut. !! He wants it longer, I don't really care what he does with it, as long as he keeps it out of his face. It's about to that point where it's not anymore. First Kevin said let it go, now he thinks we should cut it. We shall see. The first time ever last week he got called a girl. Karter has a few times too, mostly because he's bald with a few curls in the back, I guess. If they can't tell my boys in blues and trucks and camo are boys, eh that's their problem.
Onto our daily randomness...cookie baking starts now!
quick update from the snow-blasted state
I can't say I miss all the lake effect snow up in Rochester. While they were getting pummeled with it the last few days we haven't had half as much...plus it has been so windy it just blows away into a drift on the one side of the yard. I had to drive up through it all, one particularly bad spot near East Rochester/Pittsford exits of 490, were so snowy I couldn't see well and the roads were terribly covered. One lady spun out a few cars in front of me and ended up smashing her back end into the guard rail. But after that, it was fine.
I ventured up on this snowy, freezing, crummy day for Karter's 15 month check. Uhhh. Got there with time to spare, even though it was slow going. But the usually timely doctor was late getting in our room. It is very hard to entertain a 1 and 3 year old in a 10x10 room for very long, with only 2 toys and 3 books. Yeah. And because he was now running behind, I don't feel I got to talk and discuss as much as I would have liked to, or usually get to.
The stats: Head size-26th perentile, fine. Height: 30.25 inches-25th percentile, fine. Weight: sigh. 19lbs. Not even near the chart. Like, more than 5% under it.
So we discussed my concerns--not eating much, sleeping too much during the day, not sleeping at night well, how it's related to food, possible reflux, my thoughts about delayed gastric emptying (something I've wondered about since he started solids, which is when all these problems surfaced) blood work, tests, etc.
We decided to do some more food allergy testing (blood tests) for egg, corn, soy, wheat (since Kevin is also being tested for Celiac's after his hospital stint and colonoscopy and tummy troubles, probably not it, but you never know). Problem is he might not be allergic to foods, but just intolerant or sensitive, which will not show up on tests. Ugh. And that might mean he can have small amounts but not large amounts, etc. Also in that blood tests, which they took 5, yep that's right, 5! vials will be: thyroid, celiac's, iron, general inflammation in his body, general blood counts, other allergy flags, etc.
He asked if we wanted to try prevacid again for the reflux but I said I'd like to know if that's really what we're dealing with or something else in his digestive system. So we're doing a Scinta scan (spelling?) which is where Karter will swallow some dye stuff, and we will see if it goes up for reflux and how long it takes to go through his system, if it's delayed, too fast, etc. They also want me to bring a dirty diaper for testing for malabsorption issues, etc.
Until then and until results, I continue to play with his diet. I find a high protein diet with low carbs, no/very low dairy, with fruits and vegetables that he likes and won't have ill affects (citrus, etc.) seem to do the best with him and he's happiest those days and sometimes sleeps better. His sleep is such that he prefers to really eat around 8:30, which is usually after he's gone to bed, then eat/nurse a few times in the late night, and then sleep soundly from like 3-9am. I suppose it's probably reflux related as by the early to late morning all acid would be gone from his system and allowing him to sleep. Not fun at all.
Okay I said this was going to be quick....besides Karter who has now added a few words to his vocab-uh oh, cookie, tree, Kee (Kian) and another I don't remember...and has gotten his 2 top molars and working on the bottom (backwards from Kiain and most other kids I think they usually get bottom first)... we put up 2 trees. The nice artificial one my grandparents left--that's our "pretty" one with ribbon and just silver balls and crystal ornaments. Then Sunday we picked the coldest, windiest day of the entire year to get a tree on the windiest, coldest hill on Canandaigua lake with Patrick and Savannah. Karter was fine in my Ergo carrier on my back in a snowsuit. Kian was fine at first but cheeks got pretty frozen and he got pretty tired from running in all that snow. Finn came along and he and Zoey and Duke ran around like maniacs in and out of the trees. He slept the rest of the day I think, tired dog. He loves the snow! Loves running, rolling, eating, jumping, digging in it, it's fun to watch.
The boys are loving the Christmas decorations-especially the "activity sets" as Kian calls the Nativities. We have 3 or 4 and they play with them all the time. Kian collected all the baby Jesus' and then put them in little present boxes under the tree. I think that's a fitting thing for the real reason for the holiday actually...
My shopping is almost done. We can't do a lot this year, as I would like to, but with 2 houses still on our plates, blah! I did mostly online shopping using www.ebates.com (I get cash back for everything I buy through that site! It's sweet!) and all the free shipping, coupon codes, etc. it was just so worth it to not drag 2 little, sticky-fingered, getting all crabby and tied and hungry boys, who will see their presents, or see things they want, or hate getting in and out of the car a billion times. Directly to my door with one click and it's done. I think I only had to go to Target for one thing and BJ's for another. Score. Kian still found my hiding spot and saw some of his. I wonder how long he'll buy the "it's for your cousin" story? Especially since he only has 2 so far! ha!
Well...that's my "quick" update, after a very long, busy day all over 2 counties...I'm off to bed!
I ventured up on this snowy, freezing, crummy day for Karter's 15 month check. Uhhh. Got there with time to spare, even though it was slow going. But the usually timely doctor was late getting in our room. It is very hard to entertain a 1 and 3 year old in a 10x10 room for very long, with only 2 toys and 3 books. Yeah. And because he was now running behind, I don't feel I got to talk and discuss as much as I would have liked to, or usually get to.
The stats: Head size-26th perentile, fine. Height: 30.25 inches-25th percentile, fine. Weight: sigh. 19lbs. Not even near the chart. Like, more than 5% under it.
So we discussed my concerns--not eating much, sleeping too much during the day, not sleeping at night well, how it's related to food, possible reflux, my thoughts about delayed gastric emptying (something I've wondered about since he started solids, which is when all these problems surfaced) blood work, tests, etc.
We decided to do some more food allergy testing (blood tests) for egg, corn, soy, wheat (since Kevin is also being tested for Celiac's after his hospital stint and colonoscopy and tummy troubles, probably not it, but you never know). Problem is he might not be allergic to foods, but just intolerant or sensitive, which will not show up on tests. Ugh. And that might mean he can have small amounts but not large amounts, etc. Also in that blood tests, which they took 5, yep that's right, 5! vials will be: thyroid, celiac's, iron, general inflammation in his body, general blood counts, other allergy flags, etc.
He asked if we wanted to try prevacid again for the reflux but I said I'd like to know if that's really what we're dealing with or something else in his digestive system. So we're doing a Scinta scan (spelling?) which is where Karter will swallow some dye stuff, and we will see if it goes up for reflux and how long it takes to go through his system, if it's delayed, too fast, etc. They also want me to bring a dirty diaper for testing for malabsorption issues, etc.
Until then and until results, I continue to play with his diet. I find a high protein diet with low carbs, no/very low dairy, with fruits and vegetables that he likes and won't have ill affects (citrus, etc.) seem to do the best with him and he's happiest those days and sometimes sleeps better. His sleep is such that he prefers to really eat around 8:30, which is usually after he's gone to bed, then eat/nurse a few times in the late night, and then sleep soundly from like 3-9am. I suppose it's probably reflux related as by the early to late morning all acid would be gone from his system and allowing him to sleep. Not fun at all.
Okay I said this was going to be quick....besides Karter who has now added a few words to his vocab-uh oh, cookie, tree, Kee (Kian) and another I don't remember...and has gotten his 2 top molars and working on the bottom (backwards from Kiain and most other kids I think they usually get bottom first)... we put up 2 trees. The nice artificial one my grandparents left--that's our "pretty" one with ribbon and just silver balls and crystal ornaments. Then Sunday we picked the coldest, windiest day of the entire year to get a tree on the windiest, coldest hill on Canandaigua lake with Patrick and Savannah. Karter was fine in my Ergo carrier on my back in a snowsuit. Kian was fine at first but cheeks got pretty frozen and he got pretty tired from running in all that snow. Finn came along and he and Zoey and Duke ran around like maniacs in and out of the trees. He slept the rest of the day I think, tired dog. He loves the snow! Loves running, rolling, eating, jumping, digging in it, it's fun to watch.
The boys are loving the Christmas decorations-especially the "activity sets" as Kian calls the Nativities. We have 3 or 4 and they play with them all the time. Kian collected all the baby Jesus' and then put them in little present boxes under the tree. I think that's a fitting thing for the real reason for the holiday actually...
My shopping is almost done. We can't do a lot this year, as I would like to, but with 2 houses still on our plates, blah! I did mostly online shopping using www.ebates.com (I get cash back for everything I buy through that site! It's sweet!) and all the free shipping, coupon codes, etc. it was just so worth it to not drag 2 little, sticky-fingered, getting all crabby and tied and hungry boys, who will see their presents, or see things they want, or hate getting in and out of the car a billion times. Directly to my door with one click and it's done. I think I only had to go to Target for one thing and BJ's for another. Score. Kian still found my hiding spot and saw some of his. I wonder how long he'll buy the "it's for your cousin" story? Especially since he only has 2 so far! ha!
Well...that's my "quick" update, after a very long, busy day all over 2 counties...I'm off to bed!
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