MayJune05 Babies - We're All Turning 2!

[allyray231]

Happy belated birthday to Brody and Hazel!

[ahavnes]

Happy belated b-day to Brody and Hazel!

I can't believe Abbey is going to be 2 tomorrow! Ahhh, 2 years ago today I was laying on our couch wallowing in misery b/c my due date had come and gone...with no baby. That night my water broke!! It seems like a jillion years ago.

psusna- Jack looks like such a big boy in the b&w picture. Oh my!

Disney- I went to Ocean City a million years ago as a kid. I remember it being like any other seaside touristy town. FWIW, I had fun there as a kid. :)

Sasha- Sorry about the rain out at the water park, but LOL about Greg and the slide. That is SUCH a dad maneuver. ;)

[tgr68]

Happy Birthday, Abbey!!!!

[psusna]

Happy Birthday Abbey!!

[jmvan74]

Happy Belated Birthday to Brody and Hazel!

Happy Birthday to Abbey!

Psusna: Fantastic pics!

[cynder]

Happy Birthday to Brody and Hazel and Abbey!

[Sasha]

Happy Birthday, Abbey!!!

Disney - We always went to Ocean City (aforementioned Senior Week was also spent there ;) ). It's got a great boardwalk with lots of rides for kids and a pretty decent beach. Granted it's been over 10 years since I've been there, but I have great memories from going there all the time.

Potty learning - Funny story - Sarah's teacher suggested I really work on it this weekend, taking her to the potty every two hours. When she goes at school, they make a big fuss over it. So all weekend, rather than actually going on the potty, she would pretend she was peeing by imitating the sound of it, then cheer for herself and want a hi-five. :o Umm, so we're not quite there yet.

[allyray231]

Happy Birthday, Abbey!!!!

[DisneyGirl]

Happy Birthday Abbey!!

[rancherswife]

Happy Birthday Abbey!!!

[kimthebride]

Snack ideas
Can you all tell me what you feed for snacks? With his molars coming in he's so picky these days, i want to try some new stuff to see if I can intrigue him...TIA!

[ahavnes]

Thanks girls. I still cannot believe that this:
http://pics.livejournal.com/miamimouse/pic/000141yr/s320x240

Has turned into this (little exhibitionist!!!)
http://pics.livejournal.com/miamimouse/pic/00015xh9/s320x240


Where does the time go?

Sasha- That story is hilarious!! Wish I could hear the "sound effects!"

[Dreshny]

Happy birthday Abbey!

[alienhost]

Happy Birthday Abbey!

Happy Belated Birthday to Brody and Hazel!

ETA:

psusna those pictures are too sweet. I love how innocent he looks in the one with his dog. So cute!

ahavnes isn't it wild to look at pics when they were younger. Abbey is a doll!

2 year molars they DO SUCK!

Being a cranky bear DD has been a crankpot for 2 -3 days now. She is refusing to nap right now eventhough she is so tired. I'm hoping she gives in and rests for a bit. Yesterday she cried on and off for an hour - wanting to go for a nap, screaming when we went upstairs, wanting to eat, screaming when I offered her the food etc. etc. I'm PULLING MY HAIR OUT! She must be teething those molars but I don't see any progress...I hope they pop soon before I have to go to the looney bin!

snacks We don't do anything really unique:
Anything graham cracker related (teddy grahams, sticks, Honey Maid Bees)
Goldfish (all varieties)
Pirate Booty
Veggie sticks (potato snacks that are "flavored" with veggies)
pretzels
crackers
"Kiddie trail mix" - I mix goldfish, cereal, small crackers, raisins and dried cranberries in a ziplock for her
dried fruit - raisins, apricots, cranberries, apples etc.
fresh fruit - you name it
Earth's Best Cereal Bars/granola bars
cereals like Chex, cheerios, Kix - eaten dry

Since she's teething, I'm thinking of bringing out the blender for some fruit smoothies (mix in some yogurt and frozen fruit and a splash of milk maybe?)

2 year anniversary of my due date this was on Sunday the 27th - of course she decided to arrive a month early so that date has little meaning for me. We celebrated her "zero" birthday on that day two years ago with a little cake.

[njnewyearsbride]

thanks everyone!
hazel had a great time at her party this weekend!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/njnyb/189058290505_0_BG.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/njnyb/355748290505_0_BG.jpg

[ahavnes]

njnewyearsbride- Ok, this really is uncanny. I remember last year that Abbey and Hazel had the same dress for their b-day parties. It turns out that Hazel's b-day dress this year is the same dress Abs wore for Easter! Great taste! :) Cute pics too.

[tgray99]

Being a cranky bear DD has been a crankpot for 2 -3 days now. She is refusing to nap right now eventhough she is so tired. I'm hoping she gives in and rests for a bit. Yesterday she cried on and off for an hour - wanting to go for a nap, screaming when we went upstairs, wanting to eat, screaming when I offered her the food etc. etc. I'm PULLING MY HAIR OUT! She must be teething those molars but I don't see any progress...I hope they pop soon before I have to go to the looney bin!
Sounds like my day yesterday. Oy. I was ready to box Aidan up and ship her to her grandparents. I told them to be on the look out for a package with lots of holes marked COD. ;) She did the exact same things as your DD did, alienhost. Aidan's also been putting her hands in her mouth a lot so I'm thinking teething has a lot to do with it.

Exhibitionists: Y'all have one too, right? All this weekend, Aidan thought it was just the greatest thing to strip naked (diaper or pull-up too) and run around the house. Ok until she pees on the floor. Yay.

I put her down for a nap yesterday and then came back out to the living room to get some housework done. Not too much later, I hear a bang and her crying hard. I thought she fell out of bed. Nope, I get in there and she's completely naked and covered in KY jelly (I had it in the top drawer of her changing table to lube up her rectal thermometer...she used to not be able to reach that drawer). She was so slick that she couldn't stand up and fell down. I tried to pick her up to go give her a bath and nearly dropped her. Nothing like a cranky, naked, lubed up 2-year old screaming her bloody lungs out to make my day! I should've looked to see if there was an oil slick in the tub after I bathed her. Now I have to keep all that sort of thing completely out of her reach...she loves "lotions" and wants to rub them all over her. Yay.

Happy Birthday to all the munchkins I've missed over the last week or so.

[alienhost]

tgray I'm sorry A has the crankies too. Is it a full moon or something? But I had to LOL at your KY story ;)

preschooler?!? I received my 25 month Baby Center update and it said "Your Preschooler" so they aren't toddlers anymore? I had a hard enough time going from baby to toddler now this???? :eek:

njnewyearsbride adorable pictures. Wow she was pretty civilized using a fork for her cake and all!

[jmvan74]

Nope, I get in there and she's completely naked and covered in KY jelly (I had it in the top drawer of her changing table to lube up her rectal thermometer...she used to not be able to reach that drawer). She was so slick that she couldn't stand up and fell down. I tried to pick her up to go give her a bath and nearly dropped her. Nothing like a cranky, naked, lubed up 2-year old screaming her bloody lungs out to make my day!



ROTFL!! I have used KY for the thermometer on occasion as well. Luckily, Collin hasn't found it! Too funny.

Snacks: Just about everything alienhost posted, plus..
string cheese
triscuits
cheese cubes
apple sauce
pretzyles
snack paks (cheese/bread sticks) those little dipper packs.
organic fruit strips
chewy granola bars

[Dreshny]

Snacks:
cheese sticks
olives
cut-up fruit (pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries) in a little container with a toothpick
Dr. Praeger's spinach pancakes, cut up
veggie burgers, cut up
almond butter and jam sandwiches, cut up
cream cheese and jam sandwiches, cut up
fruit leather
popcorn
rice cakes

[happy1nuv]

another snack idea... canned beans - add a bit of oil and whatever spices you like (i like garlic powder, salt, oregano ) and bake for 20 min at 350 ... a little messy, but pretty yummy :)

[tgr68]

Potty Learning Question~When you put DC on the potty, how long do you have them sit there? I ask because the last couple of days, DD will ask to go potty several times in a short span of time. She tries to go and doesn't. Then has an accident after 4-6 trips to the bathroom. :confused:

Snacks~DD usually only eats a snack in the afternoon. We give her a package of the Gerber Graduates Fruit Juice Treats (http://www.gerber.com/content/usa/assets/toddlersite/food/images/fruit_juice_treats.gif) at that time. If she asks for a snack at any other time, we have Goldfish on hand for that.

Alicia~I was trying to figure out who the new baby was until I finished scrolling down! LOL! Abbey is so cute!

njnewyearsbride~Hazel is so cute!! We almost got that same dress for DD for Easter!

tgray~LOL at the KY!! I'm sorry Aidan has been so crabby.

Alien~preschooler?!? I received my 25 month Baby Center update and it said "Your Preschooler" so they aren't toddlers anymore? I had a hard enough time going from baby to toddler now this???? :eek: :eek: is right!!!

Not much going on here. I'm still trying to get us all back on a decent schedule from the weekend. DH and I have been staying up way too late and keeping DD up way too late as well. I've finally gotten her worked back down to a 9pm bedtime. Now if I could just get myself upstairs by midnight and the light off before 1am. :rolleyes:

[Dreshny]

snacks: What about hard-boiled eggs? Asher will occasionally eat one if he sees his friend having one (of course!)

[diedra1027]

Snacks - We like the Gerber Juice Treats at our house too. One day Avery was looking to have a snack and asked DH for something he didn't want her to have, so he pulled out a pack of the Juice Treats instead and said "How 'bout these?" She has referred to Juice Treats as How 'bout these ever since :).
Ritz Bitz Sandwich crackers (I like the PB ones best)
Organic Cereal Bars
String Cheese
Goldfish crackers
Dried Fruit

[allyray231]

snacks we do
string cheese or chedder cheese
earths best crackers
goldfish
pirate booty
fruit

[Sasha]

Snacks - Lots of them in our house!
Goldfish
Fruit - all kinds
Applesauce (Mott's has something called Healthy Harvest, they are no sugar added and come in lots of flavors, very good!)
Raisons
Craisons
Cheese sticks
Cheese cubes
Yogurt
EB crackers
EB cereal bars
Snyder's PB or cheese filled pretzels (incredibly addictive!)
Veggie and Pirate Booty
Nilla Wafers
Graham Crackers
Teddy Grahams
Animal crackers

Cranky kid - There must be a full moon or something. They way Sarah has been acting over the course of the past two days makes me highly reconsider ever having another child! This morning was battle royale to get her dressed, try to put her on the potty, eat breakfast...you name it. Please let this pass quickly!

Her cardiologist appointment was yesterday and the murmer is just a murmer and nothing more. :)

[psusna]

Sasha: So glad that Sarah's appointment went well yesterday!! I feel you on the morning struggles -- DS wanted to put his school clothes on over his PJs this morning and pitched a fit about that. Then he pitched a fit when I left him with his favorite teacher. I'll need to call and check on him today. OH, he did put puppy in time out this weekend and told us he did it b/c he bit :) He really, really, really gets it!! Whew.

*waving hi* to everyone else :)

[Aunt Liv]

Awesome tips on the snacks!!

Here are ours:
- Fruit - whole, cut up in chunks
- goldfish
- raisins
- apple sauce (favorite dessert, too)
- cheese

cranky kids - Maia woke up on the wrong side of the crib today. Holy moly...we're about to go to the park to get her over her bad mood. I hope it works.

Have a great day, all!

[happy1nuv]

sasha ~v whew...:)

snacks ~ we also love raisins and gogi berries (get them at whole foods) - they're great and very portable. We also do fruit pops (blenderize whatever fruit is about to go bad and freeze in popsicle molds -- messy, but oh so yummy esp since the weather has turned warm. AND, anything on a stick Nic LOVES)

[ahavnes]

Sasha- Glad the murmur is nothing to worry about. Yet another thing Sarah and Abs have in common! :)

Snacks- Everything you ladies listed goes well with us, depending on the day. ;) I also give her full-fat yogurt with stage 2 fruit mixed in. Less sugar and cheaper than Yo Baby.

[rancherswife]

OMG!!! Why does my kid think it's FUNNY when I put him in his room for time out and when he does something naughty, he starts laughing saying "roon mommy, roon!" (room) Lord help me!!!

[ahavnes]

rancherswife- I'm telling you girl, you gotta go hard core and stick him in the powder room with no entertainment! ;)

[alienhost]

Sasha I'm glad the murmur is nothing to worry about, I must have missed your original post about it.

crankies well let's hope today/this afternoon is better for everyone!

when do you shower? so DD consistently wakes around 7 and DH leaves at 7 for work. I used to pop in the shower after him and before she got up but unless I want to get up before DH at 6 (ain't happening!) I can't shower first thing. I've moved to showering at night or during her nap. For those who shower when your kid is awake how do you do it? I just don't trust DD to roam around the upstairs herself. I could keep her in our room but she climbs on our bed and jumps on it and that is an accident waiting to happen.

[cynder]

Snacks- Well, lately DS wants the ONE snack that we just ran out of. Yeah, good times.

alienhost- I have no idea because when I stay at home the timing of this totally confounds me. I actually have no problem letting DS wander around the upstairs since everything is fairly kid friendly - he just won't wander. He stands right out the shower whining for me. Riight now whoever is doing drop off showers first and the we switch. I think if I was SAHMing, I would make DH feed breakfast while I showered before he left for the day.

I have a cranky kid plus no eating. Yuck!

[allyray231]

alien DH showers when DS is up sometimes-he just showers with the door open so he can hear him. Sometimes if they don't go out in the AM, he waits till his nap which is around noon

[diedra1027]

Showering - The TV comes in handy for us :o. She doesn't really have the attention span to sit and watch the entire time I'm showering so I leave the door open and she'll wander in/out. Of course, sometimes I hop out of the shower to find every single wipe pulled out of the package and left in a big pile on the floor...

[kimthebride]

Showering
Dh leaves, I feed DS, nurse DD. Once DD is fed & happy (usually by around 9am) I will turn on Sesame Street (God Bless the DVR), put the video monitor on Thomas, and go downstairs to shower. I'll let DD fall asleep in the swing in the bathroom with me while I watch Thomas on the monitor as I shower.

Mind you, our livingroom is babyproofed & gated so he can't really escape. This helps a LOT.

[tgray99]

Snacks: Popsicles (C-Coos, as Aidan calls them) made with good ol' fashioned red Kool-Aid that she mixed in the pitcher all by herself. I got the popsicle molds as a shower game gift. She eats these in just a pull-up or swim diaper while we're outside...talk about messy!
Yogurt (Manya) She likes plain (bleah) or strawberry
Applesauce
Bananas

She's not really much of a snacker.

Showering: Before school was out, I showered at night after I put Aidan to bed. Now that school is out, I take Aidan to daycare in a t-shirt and shorts and then come home and shower. Occasionally on the weekends if I need a shower while she's awake, I bring her in with me and she sits in the tub and plays with her toys while I shower.

[kimthebride]

Thanks for alllll your great snack ideas, ladies!

BTW: does yogurt freeze? Anyone ever try just pouring some into popsicle molds to make pops that way? T loves the Edy's real fruit ice pops, but we have wall to wall carpeting in here :o !!

[DisneyGirl]

Of course, sometimes I hop out of the shower to find every single wipe pulled out of the package and left in a big pile on the floor...

LOL LOL..I can not tell you how many times that has happen to me as well.

showering I either lock them in the bathroom with me or I shut my bedroom door and leave the bathroom door open and they wonder around my room.

[rancherswife]

alicia: GOSH DAMN!!! Thank you for jogging my memory...My head is so far up my ass these day that I could NOT for the life of me remember what you said to do, or even WHO said to do it!lol Thanks friend, I'm all over it! :)

shower: Before Reece, I'd shower in the morning, while Landon played, locked in our bedroom with me, so he didn't have free run of the house! Since having Reece, I can no longer "trust" Landon to be alone with his baby brother ;), so I now shower at night, once they're both in bed.

kim: I freeze Landon's gogurts sometimes and he LOVES them.

Landon is BIG into the otter-pops right now, outside of course! ;) It's a fun little treat for him to have outside after nap.

[Aunt Liv]

showering - I try to get up earlier than everyone to shower. This is my alone time. If (when) I oversleep, then I'll put Sesame Street or Barney on for her and she'll watch or play while I shower. A lot of the time, though, she'll wander around the house and go play in her playroom. She's only gotten in trouble once while doing that and decided to tattoo her entire arm a gorgeous purple color (with washable markers). Since then, all markers have been put away. It took me three consecutive baths to clean her up that time. :rolleyes:

[ahavnes]

Showering- Before work, I put Abbey with some breakfast in our room and turn Sesame Street on. She usually watches half of it and then plays with all of the shoes in my closet, trying them all on. :) On the weekends (when I shower later) I put her in the tub, which is adjacent to our shower. We can see each other and she has a great time playing with the "bubblesh."

[psusna]

Showering: If DH is in town, I shower in the morning while he gets DS ready for school. If DH is out of town, I shower at night so I can take care of DS in the morning.

[alienhost]

the potty DD FINALLY peed in the potty. The past 3 days I've been sitting her on the toilet with a potty ring on it before her bath. She thought it was fun to hold the handles. Tonight she actually peed, she thought it was a riot. Our first breakthrough. Let's see if it continues....

potty/stepstool question for those that use the regular toilet with a potty ring/similar thing on it, do you have your DC rest their feet on a step stool? Her feet seem so far from the ground, especially with the ring bumping her up an inch or so. What kind/where did you get the stool? TIA!

[tgray99]

Potty/Stepstool Question: Aidan doesn't have a potty ring (I want to get one) but in my special ed classes they've told us that people need to rest their feet on something in order to "properly evacuate the bowels". It provides leverage to help push.

[Traciann]

ahavnes how much stage 2 fruit do you add to the yogurt? my problem is that mary kate doesn't like several of the flavors oy yobaby (i can't stand the smell of the blueberry one!)...but i don't like to buy her the kids yogurt because they just dpn't tast that good to me. smart idea...i'd love to try it!

[Sasha]

Showering - During the week, I get up before she does and shower then. And on the weekends, if DH isn't around for whatever reason, I will either put on Sesame Street in our room for her to watch and set her up with some toys, or shower when she naps. I no longer leave her on our bed unattended to watch TV though, because more than likely, she'll take a flying leap off the bed.

potty/stepstool - We have one but I haven't kept it under the seat when she is on the potty. Sounds like I should! :o

So you know that cranky child I wrote about yesterday? Well apparently her crankiness has spilled over to school and she hit and kicked her teacher yesterday, when the teacher was trying to get her to sit down. We gave her a stern talking to last night about how it's not nice to hit and kick, that it hurts people. She never hits at home....I won't say she has never kicked, there was a period when she kicked us during diaper changes, but it has been awhile since that happened. Anyway, I talkes to her teacher this morning, and she also mentioned Sarah is now getting up and walking away from the lunch table. She's never done that before. I asked if any other kids do that and she said yes. Sarah loves to imitate and copy other kids. If she sees a kid run, she'll run. If a child is jumping, she'll jump. So I know that is the case here, but I don't know how to combat it. :(

[allyray231]

Aiden got his first real time out yesterday for hitting Sasha he thinks it is funny and kept hitting daddy last night and would not stop. I had to sit him on the floor twice before he stopped. At least he sat there ;)

[Chylynn]

Sasha, to make you feel a little better, Rebecca got a time out yesterday for kicking me over and over again while laughing and jumping on the arm of the sofa without holding onto anything. Where do these kids get their balance? My heart stopped when I saw her doing that!

showering -Since DD was about 18 months old, I pretty much let her roam the house while I shower. She usually plays with her toys, watches TV, or comes into the bathroom with me. Sometimes when I am using the hairdryer, she will play in our bathtub with her tea pot set, pouring water over and over again into her little tea cups.

[allyray231]

HA HA lots of first time outs going on huh ;)

[Chylynn]

Guess our nice, well behaved children are learning how to tests their parents, hugh?! Serenity, now!

[psusna]

Sasha: I'm so sorry! Why are our kids being booties at daycare all of a sudden?!? I tell you what, the one thing that really seems to have gotten through to J was when the director pulled him off of the playground to talk to him after he bit the 2nd time. Ever since then he has been talking about how it's bad, you sit in the corner for 2 minutes, you use your mouth to eat, he role plays with puppy, etc. Maybe that would help? Some more authoritative person talking to her might get her attention. Just a thought.

We had a bad drop off this morning so I'll need to check on him at lunch. I honestly think he's getting bored in the room. Luckily, he only has 2 more weeks until he moves up. He is advanced beyond half of the kids in the class and I think he's losing interest in most of the activities. However, he does know there are 7 days in a week and can name Wed-Sunday (not sure what he has against Monday and Tuesday? ;) ) so he's still learning.

Chylynn: LOL at Serenity Now!!!

BTW, I forgot to say thanks for all of the sweet compliments about J's pictures. I'm shocked she got as many good ones as he did since he was in a "mood"!

[tgray99]

Fits: Aidan's new thing is if she's in her room and mad at me, to pull all of her books out of their shelves and throw them on the floor. If I don't go in there when I hear it, she pulls everything out of her toy box and then her changing table. It makes an enormous mess. I know she's doing it because I'll go in there, give her attention to make her stop and that's what she wants. So, I've been trying to ignore it but it's a huge mess to clean up everyday so what do I do? Help!

[rancherswife]

Oh these naughty little beasts!!! Landon is a hitter and will throw a kick in there occassionally, it's wonderful. He gets time-outs almost daily for it, clearly something's not clicking with him, since he continues to do so. I read online somewhere that, it is completely normal and some ways to deal with it. There all ways we've discussed here...Oh toddlers, they definately give us a run for our money on most days! ;)

[Sasha]

Ok, at least I'm not the only one....misery loves company,right? ;)

[jmvan74]

Happy Birthday Asher!

Hitting: Yes, we give daily time-outs when collin hits me b/c I didn't do what he wanted immediately. He screams as he hits me. Good times.

[tgray99]

They know when they're being toots too, that's the worst part! Aidan will run to her bed laughing when I've caught her tearing up her room. Turkey.

[rancherswife]

Happy Birthday Asher!!!

Ok, at least I'm not the only one....misery loves company,right?


So true! I breath a sigh of relief after reading a lot of the posts in this thread! ;)

[allyray231]

Happy Birthday Asher!

[DisneyGirl]

Happy Birthday Asher

Fits I have been dealing with them from day 1! I am so over them its not even funny..I don't know if I can deal with fits and her whinny butt for one more day. I am about to bust at the seams if this does not change soon.

[ahavnes]

Happy B-day Asher!!

Fits- Abbey has only hit me once, and that was when I spanked her at the vet's office. She spanked me back and laughed! I seriously almost lost it. I think that's the night that I went home and drank 1/2 a bottle of wine by myself. ;) Seriously.

Traciann- I generally do half of a Stage 2 with about an equal amount of yogurt and mix together. It does get kind of runny though, so I strip Abs down. ;) She generally ends up eating the whole container of Stage 2 b/c she always asks for more.

Chylynn- "Serenity now" is a big phrase around our house too! :)

[rancherswife]

Alicia: You'll appreciate this, since you're the "founder" of the powder room time-out! ;) So, Landon did something naughty earlier (can't even remember what it was now!) and I marched is little butt to the powder room, and closed the door, holding on to the door so he couldn't get out (he can unlock doors like it's nobody's business), it's quiet for a minute then I hear giggling and the...knock, knock knock on the door, I ignore, then he says "mommy....ding dong, mommy" "hello!" then more knocking, i'm standing there cracking up at this kid...ughhhh!!!!! He drives me crazy! :)

And, I feel like we live on a nudest colony or something, everytime I turn around, he's butt naked! why???? I just don't understand!

[Chylynn]

Happy Birthday, Asher!

[ahavnes]

rancherswife- Ok, I am totally LMAO at your child! Hmmm, must put on my "mean mommy" hat and think of something more torturous for him...be back later. ;)

[rancherswife]

rancherswife- Ok, I am totally LMAO at your child! Hmmm, must put on my "mean mommy" hat and think of something more torturous for him...be back later.


LOL! Please do, I'll be waiting! :)

[LIZNKEITH]

Happy Birthday, Asher!!

LMAO, ranchers!! I wouldn't be able to control my laughter either.

Chy,
Ah yes, I've screamed thos two sweet words on more than one occassion.

[diedra1027]

Happy Birthday, Asher!!

They know when they're being toots too, that's the worst part! Aidan will run to her bed laughing when I've caught her tearing up her room. Turkey.I think that is the WORST part about this age...the evil taunting of a toddler ;). That evil grin they get while they completely ignore you...the laughing when you finally crack...

[tgray99]

And, I feel like we live on a nudest colony or something, everytime I turn around, he's butt naked! why???? I just don't understand!
We're at the same colony. It's especially fun when she does it after I put her to bed and I go in to check on her later and find her pj pants, diaper, a pile of poop and a puddle of pee all right next to the bed and her little white butt shining up at me. Crazy kid.

[Chylynn]

OMG, Tgray, you have me laughing my ass off at work! Aidan sounds like she is oh so much fun to have around!!! LOL!

[allyray231]

Oh god you guys are too funny!

[rancherswife]

We're at the same colony. It's especially fun when she does it after I put her to bed and I go in to check on her later and find her pj pants, diaper, a pile of poop and a puddle of pee all right next to the bed and her little white butt shining up at me. Crazy kid.

I am so happy to read this....I guess my kid is normal. He's pooped once on his window seat today and peed in front of the toilet! :) Good times!

[jrdhbunny]

Happy Birthday Asher!

Sasha- Great news!

rancherswife- HA! to the KY story! James gets into the Vaseline and rubs it all in his hair. And James does the "knock knock" thing on the door too.

snacks- Hmmmmm...we're still on the not-trying-anything kick here so his snacks are limited.
Cereal (including Fruit Loops, Shredded Wheat, Life, Kix)
Raisins
Yogurt (sometimes the drinkable kind)
Earth's Best oatmeal cookies
Gummy fruits (on very rare occasions)
Dried apple bits
Puffs

Misbehaving- I used to pretend to cry when James hit or kicked me, but that stopped working a long time ago. The doc told us to use time outs, but only when he's physically violent. I find that he goes through stages- he'll hit me a bunch, then get the time outs, then he won't hit me for a while. I can see the gears turning when he gets really mad and I can tell that he does actually make a concious decision not to hit. But then after a period of good behavior with no TOs, I guess he forgets the consequences and starts hitting again.
I breath a sigh of relief after reading a lot of the posts in this thread!
Oh me too!!! I think I'm lucky for the most part with DS- he really is a good kid- but I have a serious patience deficiency and sometimes he pushes me so hard. It doesn't help that my MIL sometimes implies that James is out of control and that we don't discipline him enough so I worry that he's getting spoiled.

showering- On weekdays it's during his nap and on weekends it's in the morning while DH watches him.

[Dreshny]

Oh, I am so relieved to hear that other kids are hitting, too! Asher started recently, and I was afraid to post about it, lest everyone think I was raising a bully! :o Odd how we feel responsible for every not-so-good phase, but I guess in reality we are responsible, even if it's just developmental (which it is.)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! We kicked off today by going to the fountain terrace at the Natural History Museum so Asher could play in the water, and we'll probably go out for Cuban food (let's hope Asher behaves!) and cupcakes later.

Here is the cake I made for his family party on Saturday:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/517877645_992a9b2977.jpg

All dressed up:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/517883157_2cf1566cbe.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/517888527_f568112df3.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/517850648_ecfa3d0cf5.jpg

[LIZNKEITH]

LOL, Tara!!

Am I the only one who hasn't had her kid take off their diaper and paint/model/sculpt with their unmentionables?

[/ducks out before angry mob of Moms fling poo]

[LIZNKEITH]

Great pictures, Roseanne!! Asher looks adorable as always and I love the cake you did. Very talented! have you taken any classes before?

[allyray231]

Liz Aiden has never done it! So add me to the no poop fling group :)

[psusna]

Happy Birthday Asher!! Wonderful pics Roseanne. Asher is such a little man, and I love his shoes.

Liz: I won't jinx myself, I won't jinx myself, I won't jinx myself. Does that answer your bodily fluid question? ;)

Tgray: I think that your story just gave me the ammo I need to get DH to put hardwood down in DS' big boy room....... Your little firecracker is just too much!!

JRDH: I can see the wheels turning in Jackson too related to biting. I know he understands it's wrong and just watching him think it through is really amazing. I'm curious to see how he did at daycare today because he was a bear this morning.....

[Sasha]

Happy Birthday Asher!! Roseanne, the pictures are beautiful, Asher is adorable.

You can add us to the "no poop flinging" group, LOL. Well, as of now anyways!

[rancherswife]

dresh: Asher looks so grown up. What a handsome little man you have!!! Love the cake, you are so talented! :) Hope he enjoys his day, sounds like fun!

wheels turning: Oh hell yeah, I can see the wheels turning in Landon's head, I almost always know what's going to happen next too. He's so predictable! lol

[tgray99]

What's your address, I'll mail her to ya! ;)

Nah, she's a lot of fun, she has a really funny sense of humor...just like our moms.

[rancherswife]

tgray: you can see the mischief in that little things eyes, esp. in your avatar! I love it! She's so stinkin' cute. :)

[Chylynn]

I love the pictures, Roseanne. Great pictures of Asher and your family. :)

Liz -Nope, no poo flinging diapers over here. I do have DD trained to put her pee diapers in her diaper champ when she does take them off.

Chores -Have any of you started giving your children chores yet? We started a few months ago and DD helps DH do the garbage on Friday night (she carries the office and bedroom wastepans to the larger can in the kitchen, watches DH empty it and carries it back) and also is in charge of putting her clothes in the hamper. We have not done an "allowance" for her yet, but I was just curious if any of you have started this.

[kimthebride]

Happy #2 Asher!

Poop Sculpting
T likes to discreetly....slooooowly....inch his diaper down down down until his penis is peeking out :rolleyes: . Then he runs from me laughing hysterically.
He does take his diaper off at times, but so far so poop sculpting here (he did poop once at the ILs on the floor behind the couch...but that didn't bother me ;) LOL!).
He just takes it off and is real quiet, but when I do notice he points to his penis, laughs like a madman and runs off. :rolleyes: What is it with boys and thier ding-a-lings?

Chores
He helps DH get the mail at night. He "shows" daddy where to go, where the key goes, etc.

Rides
Have you all brought your kids somewhere to ride rides yet? At the mall here they have a few that you put quarters in, and Thomas was BESIDE himself with joy riding in them: a racecar, schoolbus, helicoptor and atop an elephant.
There's a couple festivals going on this summer that we're going to try to get to, like a hot air balloon one (he loves stuff in the sky) and the world's fair. Should be fun!

[jmvan74]

Poop flinging: None here, but this morning Collin kept pulling at his pj's near his butt saying "stuck". I asked what is stuck and he said "poop". As I pulled down his footy pjs there was poop all the way down his leg in to the foot of the jammie. I didn't even try to save them. Threw the whole thing out and wiped him down. Great Way to start the day!:D

[tgray99]

jmvan74: Ew...not fun.

Rides: I save my quarters, Aidan likes to play on the rides without spending the money to make them move.

Dreshny: Asher's birthday cake is sooo cute! The rhythm was right too (not sure about the notes, I don't have an instrument handy to check them out)...who's the musician? He's so cute in his little John-John suit.

Kim: You crack me up. Your story reminded me of a comedy routine I saw Dana Carvey do about his son who liked being naked and would flick his penis for fun. Bing! So funny.

Chores: Oh yeah, she holds the dustpan when I sweep, helps unload the dishwasher (non-sharp and unbreakble things), puts things in the trashcan and will take things to our rooms. She also helps me put wet clothes in the dryer. She loves to be a "helper girl."

[Chylynn]

jmvan74 -I am crying I am laughing so hard over here at your description of your morning! LOL, not a fun way to start your morning out!

Chores -So glad to hear there are other Moms that are giving their children chores. My Mom said I was mean and she should just be a kid...I say it is teaching her responsibility and a little work is not going to hurt anyone. Plus, she loves being my little helper.

rides -oh, ya! Her favorite place is Chuck E Cheese!

[tgr68]

Wow!! We're a chatty bunch today!

Sasha~Glad everything went well with Sarah's appt.

Shower~I try to get one before I get DD up. If I sleep late though, it's just a no-go for that day.

Potty/Stepstool~Really check over that the potty rings you are buying is sturdy. We picked one up that appeared to be sturdy and even had grippers underneath it. DD was kind of messing around (as she usually does on the toilet despite my requests to stop) and leaned too far over, flipping off the toilet seat and on the the floor head first. :eek: Luckily, she was more embarrassed than hurt, but it still gave me a scare.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASHER!!! Adorable cake and photos, Dreshny!

Fits~They really come and go here. I think we are in a down time at the moment *knock on wood* because she hasn't screamed or tried to hit me in a few days.

Ranchers~Why can I see my own DC doing that??

tgray~LOL!!!

Naughty Kids~DD found her baby Vick's the other day and smeared it all over herself then asked Mommy and Daddy to "smell her lotion". :rolleyes: Then later that evening she got quiet, and when DH went to check on her, she was in the middle of the kitchen floor with my "stash drawer" open and half a dozen Hersey's kiss wrappers on the floor and chocolate all over her face.

Chores~Yes and no. We've had her putting her own clothes down the laundry chute for over a year now. When it's time for me to vacuum, I have her help pick up. Nothing else yet.

Kim~LOL!!!!

Rides~DH tried it with her once, and that was enough. She won't go near Kermit now except to give him a high-5! :p She loves Chuck E. Cheese, but because of the jungle gym type stuff they have, not the rides.

Reposting: Potty Learning Question~When you put DC on the potty, how long do you have them sit there? I ask because the last couple of days, DD will ask to go potty several times in a short span of time. She tries to go and doesn't. Then has an accident after 4-6 trips to the bathroom.
Any takers on answering this?

Okay, I've got to get running. I have a scrapbooking thing tonight, and it's the first one I've put on with this particular group. Gotta make a good impression! ;)

[HedgeGirl]

tgr/Potty Learning: We usually let DS be the guide on how long he sits. He often will sit for quite a while...sometimes I think just content sitting there and reading books and other times I'm very convinced that he knows he needs to go, it just takes some time to get there. I'll usually ask if he's done or has more. Of course, when we are trying to get out the door, it can be frustrating since he certainly takes his sweet time (he does that with meals too).

Chores: DS definitely helps out a ton around the house, but we don't call it chores or have any expectation that he do it on a regular basis. He loves to help though and we have more of a problem when we tell him not to help. Often his help takes more time than if he wasn't helping (i.e., he takes off with the laundry basket to push it around the house when helping with laundry, splashes in the sink more than really helping wash dishes, fetching things usually takes multiple reminders from me when I could have gotten it myself quicker) but he really enjoys doing it.

Rides: LOL tgray, we do the same thing. I'm not sure DS realizes the rides actually do something...I figure we'll get there soon enough. I do think we'll probably go to an amusement park or two this summer (there is one about 30 min from her geared toward families with young kids and I've heard great things...kids often enjoy rides there as young as 1). I remember watching my cousin go on her first carnival rides when she was around 2 or 3 and she loved it.

diapers: DS doesn't take off his diaper or underpants on his own much (it would be handy for PT if he would). Knowing DS, he'd try to help and pick up the poop to put it in the potty if he had an accident of that sort.

Shower: I'll either grab one in the morning before DH takes off for work (he watches DS) or I'll wait until his nap. We've (usually DH) will often shower with DS (gets 'em both clean). I've also used most of the tactics others mentioned at one time or another (toys, roaming in the room, TV)

Hitting: Not too bad yet, but he's been testing this one more lately. He was pushing a friend of his away the other day at the park when he wanted more space so we've talked about using words.

Happy Birthday Asher!

[psusna]

tgr: I'm not a drop of help when it comes to PTing. I'm sorry :(

Chores: YES!! He is great about "clean up, clean up", helps unload the dishwasher like Tgray described, puts things in the trash, puts his PJs away every morning, etc. I'm thinking of starting a sticker chart for him related to being a helper or getting something like this good habits (http://www.geniusbabies.com/eegohajobchn.html)chart I saw on eeboo.

Kim: Oh gosh -- too funny! DS likes to run his hand up his butt and go "eeewwwww". Yea, that warms a mom's heart. He apparently is also the master diaper checker in his room at school. What a talent to be perfecting :rolleyes:

I know I had more that I wanted to say but I'm too tired to remember right now. We are having our house painted next week and I'm freaking out about the colors!!

[Dreshny]

Dreshny: Asher's birthday cake is sooo cute! The rhythm was right too (not sure about the notes, I don't have an instrument handy to check them out)...who's the musician?

The notes are right, too. I sing and read music, but Asher's the musician. He is seriously obsessed with musical instruments. If you play music for him, he listens and names each instrument he hears.

Very talented! have you taken any classes before?

In 8th grade with my mom. Does that count? :D

[cynder]

Just this morning for the first time DS stuck his hand underneath his booster tray and pulled out....poop. GACK! Luckily it was not my morning to feed him. Heee heee! For the first time ever, we had a blow out and DH was so confused, for a split second it thought it was the oatmeal he was feeding him. Nope!

Chores We do "clean up pick up" and helps water plants.

Rides Yep though I am so ghetto that I don't always have a quarter at hand.

Hitting Stern warning and then a time out. Hitting and biting are strict, all business, time outs to convey the seriousness of the wrong doing. We also make him say sorry to whatever he hit, usually the dog. I don't think he understands sorry but it soooo cute to hear.

Do any of you guys role model for DCs. I am a big believer in acting "nice and sweet" for DS to model. So DH and I ham it up and "share" and "use words" and breath deep loudly, etc. DS eyes us suspiciously half the time but it's kind of working. It's exhausting at times and I feel like a righteous fool though.

[jrdhbunny]

cynder- We do that all the time, especially with sharing. It works most of the time- although not with the eating thing.

dreshny- What great pictures and a fabulous cake!

tgr68- No help with PT here. We pretty much only put DS on the potty when he's nekkid before his bath and he'll pee pretty quickly.

kim- Ha!

jmvan- Oh no!

Poop- DS has pooped on the floor before his bath a couple times (once in the kitchen and once in the living room). And when he gets mad about being changed, he'll grab for the dirty diaper to throw it.

chores- DS loves to help around the house, but like Hedge Girl said, it's a mixed blessing because he's usually either in my way or takes forever to do what I ask. Most of the time I try to look at it in a positive way- at least he wants to help- but sometimes it drives me batty. psusna- the sticker chart is a great idea-I've seen them for potty training and I remember them from my childhood. I think James would get a kick out of it.

rides- DS used to be scared of them, but now he likes me to make them "go". Of course, I never ever have quarters on me, or dollar bills for the change machine. :o As for carnivals, we took him to one and he had a blast on some of the smaller rides.

[rancherswife]

rides: We took Landon to Disneyland last May, when he was 11 mos. old. He rode all the kiddie rides at the park and loved every second of it. I'm sure he'd still love it now! We plan on going back to Disneyland this fall...so we'll see.

[tgray99]

The notes are right, too. I sing and read music, but Asher's the musician. He is seriously obsessed with musical instruments. If you play music for him, he listens and names each instrument he hears.

WOW! There were people in my "Music & the Symphony" class in college that couldn't do that. Very impressive. Are you going to have him take any instrument lessons? If so, at what age are you going to start? I want Aidan to take piano (we have one and Ryan plays) but probably won't start her on it until 4 or 5. I'm also sort of interested in the Suzuki Method for violin. Any thoughts?

[diedra1027]

Poop Scupture - About a month ago there was a poop smell in my living room and I could not, for the life of me, figure out where it was coming from. Avery had been naked in there and I had already cleaned up the mess she made (pee AND poop), but I couldn't see where I missed anything. Finally on my 100th pass through the room I happened to look over at the book shelf and there it was. She'd artfully arranged a few pieces right there on the second shelf...so lovely...

Chores - Nothing formal, but she helps pick up her messes and she loves to 'help' wash the dishes.

roll model - Yes, DH and I do this all the time. Like Sam, she casts a suspicious look our way sometimes. We also find, like jrdh mentioned, that it doesn't work at all for eating issues.

[LIZNKEITH]

Who Flung Poo?
Okay good...I was starting to worry she might be missing that developmental milestone. ;)

Chores,
We have her help us pick up her toys. If she gets her hands on a broom, she tries to sweep exclaiming the whole time "Ew, yuck!"

Diedra,
ROTFLMAO!! That is hilarious!!

Kim,
What a little exhibitionist!

[allyray231]

I wish I could get Aiden to clean up. He does clean up some things but the blocks-oh god he just wants them ALL over the place!!

DH has a job interview today so any good thoughts are appreciated!!

[psusna]

Ally: Crossing all crossables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diedra: LOL!! That's just crazy!

[Sasha]

I am so LOL at all these poop stories!

Chores - Sarah loves to clean up, and she usually sings the Barney "Clean Up" song while she does it. She also loves to play with the Swiffer, so I will always take advantage of the fact she thinks its a toy and put a new one on for her to use. ;)

Role Model - We do it with sharing and eating, but I don't think it has much of an effect on her, unfortunately.

Rides - We took Sarah to a big county fair when she was about 22 months old and she was not happy on any of the rides. She literally had a major freak-out on the dumbo ride and DH had to practically pin her down to keep her from launching off the side. This summer we are taking her to Sesame Place when we visit my mom, and I really hope to have a much better experience.

Ally - Sending good luck vibes!

Kind of an odd question here, but does anyone give their kid oatmeal for breakfast? If so, do you use the instant flavored packages? Plain variety and add your own spices/flavors to it?

[kimthebride]

oatmeal
I am thinking of trying it....he has never been into cereal (unless its Zoe O's as a dry snack), but lately he wants some from my bowl. but when I give it to him in a bowl, he throws it around.

Diaper Sizes
Any one else have a kid busting out of Pampers Cruisers Size 6?
I just found they make Size 7 now (41lbs+) - YAY! I had no idea what I'd do since we're nowhere near potty training yet.

[Dreshny]

WOW! There were people in my "Music & the Symphony" class in college that couldn't do that. Very impressive. Are you going to have him take any instrument lessons? If so, at what age are you going to start? I want Aidan to take piano (we have one and Ryan plays) but probably won't start her on it until 4 or 5. I'm also sort of interested in the Suzuki Method for violin. Any thoughts?

Heck, I can't even do that. ;) He's taking a Music Together class now, which he loves. We figure when he's about 4 we'll see if he wants to take piano or violin. I took Suzuki piano briefly as a kid, and I liked it, but I remember feeling a little frustrated because I wanted to learn to read music, too. But I was a little older (7), so maybe Suzuki is perfect for 4-year-olds. I don't know enough about it really, just yet.

[psusna]

Oatmeal: We tried the adult oatmeal with him and he HATED it. We will still on occasion give him baby oatmeal when he asks for it and he inhales it. We mix fruit in it for him.

Role Model: We do try, especially when it comes to raising our voice, sharing, eating, etc. I figure that the more he sees it that eventually it will click.

Size 7: Are you serious?!? Oh happy day! I had no clue what we were going to do. Did you find them in a grocery store on online?

[Dreshny]

Size 7???? Asher's still wearing size 4....

[LIZNKEITH]

Oatmeal,
Aside from the mush they were served as infants...I made homemade oatmeal one morning a few months ago, complete with real maple syrup. I thought it would be a special treat that she'd love but she instead hated it. She doesn't really like small particals of things (think shredded coconut, etc) so she kept sucking all the mapely goodness off it and spitting out the oats. :rolleyes:

Diapers
LOL...Caroline is still holding steady in a size 4.

[DisneyGirl]

Diapers Size 7..I saw them at babies r us and they just came out about a month ago. Nikki is in size 5's.

Ally sending good luck vibes.

chores besides trying to get her to help me clean up her toys there are no other chores. I most likely will not give my kids chores even when they get older..outside of the basic things like picking up their clothes off the floor and keeping their rooms clean.

[cynder]

oatmeal I figured out a few months ago that DS loves instant oatmeal even though I had been pushing the baby Beech Nut on him. I get organic instant packages, usually blueberry or banana or brown sugar. I limit his sugar so much that a bit in his oatmeal when he sometimes eats 2 packets aint gonna hurt him. I try not and add to much so that I can use it when traveling with little muss. I also make it whole milk and add wheat germ and make it thick enough so he can eat it by himself.

[tgray99]

Diapers: Aidan wears a size 5 diaper (has for a while) but we're switching over to Pull-Ups and Easy-Ups since she likes sitting on the potty so much.

Oatmeal: Aidan loves it. Makes a huge mess with it, though, but she makes a huge mess with everything she eats.

Dreshny: They don't teach you how to read music with the Suzuki method? Hmm...I don't think I like that. I definitely want Aidan to be able to read music and be able to sit at the piano and at least be able to sightread something.

[ahavnes]

Diapers- Abbey is still in a 4 and will be for a while I think. She's tall, but only weighs 29 lbs. as per her well-check appt. yesterday.

Ally- Best wishes!!

Poo- One time Abbey has done this, and it was during the Super Bowl. She just pulled out a little surprise and stared at it. Luckily, Scott and I acted fast. I think she was as shocked as we were!

Oatmeal- Nah, I am too lazy. She would make a huge mess and I don't have time for that before work and school. :)

Chores- Abbey has gotten really good at picking up her toys. Thank heavens! :)

[kimthebride]

Size 7: Are you serious?!? Oh happy day! I had no clue what we were going to do. Did you find them in a grocery store on online?
They are on www.Amazon.com and I saw them at Target. YAY!

[Sasha]

Thanks for the oatmeal postings. I ask because Sarah loves to eat DH's Quaker Oats instant kind, but it has so much sugar in it. So I tried taking plain oatmeal and adding some brown sugar, cinnamon, milk and raisons to it, but she refuses to eat it, she'll only eat daddy's "umm" as she calls it. I was just curious to see if there were any other ideas floating out there. :)

Diapers - We do either 4 or 5's. Although her teacher told me this morning that in 3 weeks or so, she'd like to see Sarah in pull-ups at school! :eek: I don't get it, the kid hates the potty at home, I would never in a million years think she was ready for pull-ups. :confused:

[alienhost]

ohhh so behind. and I only have a little nap time left and tons of chores to do so here's a quick fly by...

Happy Belated Birthday Asher! I love the pics and that cake is adorable!

poop thankfully she hasn't scooped it out yet, but I still try to keep a onesie on (for that purpose) if possible.

diapers she wears a 3 during the day and a 4 at night.

chores every night she puts her own clothes in the hamper (DH calls it "hamper time" - like the MC Hammer song, "hammer time" - fortunately he does not sing it often! She helps with the dishwasher on occassion and helps put the laundry in the dryer.

Ally sending you good vibes!

[Dreshny]

Dreshny: They don't teach you how to read music with the Suzuki method? Hmm...I don't think I like that. I definitely want Aidan to be able to read music and be able to sit at the piano and at least be able to sightread something.

They don't at the very basic level I took as a kid. Suzuki is an ear-training system, and the notes were called by number, so C was 1, D was 2, etc. I don't know what happens when you get more advanced because I didn't take it for that long.

Poop: No poop sculpture here. Asher rarely poops in his diaper anymore anyway, but I think he's a little scared of poop. At one time, he said it was "dangerous." I had to explain that it was smelly, but not really dangerous. :D

[jrdhbunny]

ally- Sending "get the job" vibes to your DH!

oatmeal- DS likes it; I mix in cinnamon and stage 3 baby food fruits or applesauce. Another thing you could try is baby muesli (it's made by a Swiss company, I'm blanking on the name but they also make adult muesli)- James eats that every morning. It's naturally flavored with banana and apple, no added sugar. I do add the pureed fruit to it, but he's eaten it plain before.

diapers- James is in size 6, although technically he should still be in size 4 I think! DH is wacky about diapers- he's always had him 2 sizes ahead. :confused: But they work fine. I don't think we'll make it to size 7- I think we'll go to pull-ups next.

Speaking of poop- Guess who pooped on the potty for the first time this morning? :D I was changing DS and he asked to go potty. So I let him and he shut the door. About two minutes later, he called me and when I went in, he was pointing at the present in his toilet. Yay! He was so darned proud of himself, it was adorable.

[rancherswife]

Size 7???? Asher's still wearing size 4....

LOL! Landon is still comfortably in 4's, I don't see him moving out of those anytime soon. I'm actually hoping to have his butt potty trained before we have to move to 5's! We'll see...

[HedgeGirl]

Diapers: We were still able to fit into 3's like 2 months ago but I've been mostly buying pull ups. DS has always been able to wear diapers until the max limit posted on the package (one of the few kids, I know...)

Oatmeal: We've just tried instant plain oatmeal with a little brown sugar and raisins this past week and it has been a hit.

[psusna]

Happy Birthday Thomas!!

[Dreshny]

Happy birthday Thomas!!

[jmvan74]

Happy Birthday Thomas!

[DisneyGirl]

Happy Birthday Thomas!

[Chylynn]

Happy birthday, Thomas!

[kelseyledare]

Happy 2nd Birthday, Thomas!

[LIZNKEITH]

Happy Birthday, Thomas!!

[rancherswife]

Happy Birthday Thomas!!!

[tgray99]

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

[tgr68]

Happy Birthday, Thomas!!! :D

[rancherswife]

Recovering from the big b-day bash, yesterday. It was a huge success! I think fun was had by all! We are all beat. Landon fell asleep this morning at 10:45 a.m. and slept until 2:15 p.m., came out onto the patio where Brett was putting together some of his toys and has been playing like mad the rest of the day.

A couple of his fav. gifts (he's yet to receive the big gift from mommy and daddy (tomorrow) were the little tikes sand and water table, and the little tikes (freakin' adorable) picnic table w/ umbrella. Lots of fun water toys and "outshy" toys. Should keep him very busy!

Taking him to the park and to lunch and icecream w/ his buddy Jack tomorrow for his "real" b-day. I'll post pics. of the party when I get them uploaded!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

[tgr68]

Thanks for the feedback on the potty question. It sounds like we're doing what the majority of the PTers are here.

Behavior Modeling~We try to model outstanding behavior for her in our day to day lives, but we don't exaggerate it - unless DH is in a silly mood, then he does.

Ally~I hope the interview went well.

Clean Up~We've been trying to remember to have her pick up more often. (She will when we ask her, but I always remember AFTER we've put her to bed.) Tonight, when we were leaving GMIL's house, DD insisted on picking up her "circus truck" before she would leave.

Oatmeal~We use the instant variety packages.

Diaper Sizes~She's been in a Pampers Easy Ups size 4 until today. She's still well under the weight limit for size 5, but the 4's were just getting tough to pull up on her. In the knock-off Pull-Ups, she wears a 2T-3T.

Off to bed for me. It's pretty late here, and I have not been sleeping well thanks to these tummy problems I've had the last few days.

[Jessiesmama]

Happy 2nd Birthday Thomas!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dreshny]

Happy birthday Landon!

[Sasha]

Happy Birthday, Thomas!
Happy Birthday, Landon!

[allyray231]

Happy Birthday, Thomas!
Happy Birthday, Landon!

[allyray231]

outside freakout So my kid FREAKS when we have to bring him in. FREAKS-no matter what. He throws himself down, screams. Both in public and at home. Anyone have any suggestions to get him to not freak? I don't know if I can handle a whole summer of this

[ahavnes]

Happy B-day Thomas and Landon!

rancherswife- Glad the party was a success. I knew we should have gotten Abbey the water table! :p

ally- We have the same freakout problem here. I've started telling Abbey that it's time to come inside, and that if she canot accept that, she can go to the temper tantrum room (aka the powder room ;)) and have a tantrum in there until she can come out and be a sweet girl. So far it has been working pretty well. Tantrums are still something we struggle with on a daily basis. If we're in public, I'm pretty much screwed since there's no "tantrum room." :o

[DisneyGirl]

Happy Birthday Landon

[psusna]

Happy Birthday, Landon!

[tgray99]

Happy Birthday, Landon!

In other news...my girl digs the bling. ;)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tgray99/24mo090.jpg

[jmvan74]

outside freakout So my kid FREAKS when we have to bring him in. FREAKS-no matter what. He throws himself down, screams. Both in public and at home. Anyone have any suggestions to get him to not freak? I don't know if I can handle a whole summer of this

We have this issue, too. Lately, I've just been trying to remind him of something inside he likes. For example: Let's go play w/ your trains or cars or whatever he's in to that day. If all else fails, I carry my screamin kid in to the house. LOL! If I'm in public, I might offer him a cookie or something.. :o I know that's bad, but you gotta do what ya gotta do.

Happy Birthday Landon!

[allyray231]

We have this issue, too. Lately, I've just been trying to remind him of something inside he likes. For example: Let's go play w/ your trains or cars or whatever he's in to that day. If all else fails, I carry my screamin kid in to the house. LOL! If I'm in public, I might offer him a cookie or something.. :o I know that's bad, but you gotta do what ya gotta do.


Yeah it was ice cream for us yesterday ;) We used to be able to get him inside by asking him if he wants to go on the deck and blow bubbles. That USED to work :) Ah well thanks for the advice ladies! Guess we will just have to deal LOL!

[happy1nuv]

happy (belated) birthday to asher, landon and thomas!!!

We had Nic's 2nd birthday party on Saturday - all went very well! Especially since he didn't nap at all...

speaking of naps ~ i'm having the hardest time getting him to nap lately. When do kids give up their naps? (i know he's not ready because if he doesn't nap he's a TOTAL CRANK by 4:00 ... but, i'm seriously wondering if we shouldn't just make bedtime 6:00 and skip the whole nap thing!

oatmeal - nic used to eat the same oatmeal i did - then he stopped liking it. Now, I use regular oats (not instant) like cereal (just add milk and let sit a few -- no heating) and he'll eat that, but only from my bowl... (i add milk and some fruit, usually blueberries)

Kim ~ when/where is the balloon festival? nic would LOVE it!

poop ~ just the other day he came running up to grandma, poop on his hand. i LOVE that he did that to gram...she took care of it! :) (please don't let that have jinxed me)

chores ~ nic swiffers the tile. (we have the swiffer vac and sweep) ... I just move the chairs/stuff out of his way and he does the rest... i sort of lead him...like, get here get there along the way but he does it all on his own for the most part. We do it every day and my floors are still a mess, but i want him to know that he is a valuable, contributing member of the family and that his help helps! :) He also does the silverware from the dishwasher. I need to work on getting him to help put away his toys... (i forget to have him help before he goes to bed)

freakouts ~ YES... i refuse to go outside with him until I'm ready to go out til dh gets home from work... cause i can't just pick him up and bring him in when outside with joey too... then, at least the excitement of daddy being home and going in with daddy lessens the sting of going inside.

diapers ~ we're in size 6's here but we should really be in 5's. We're having issues though... Here's the problem. the 6's are huge on him, but we're leaking through bIG TIME. He does drink A LOT and pretty quickly... so in the morning when we get up, he drinks about 3 sippy cups full of milk/water. He gets changed at LEAst once an hour or he'll be wet. We limit his drinking after 4-ish (I HATE to do this, but... really). He has a free roaming sippy that I keep filled with water til then ... i probably only refill it 2-3 times throughout the day. He gets another sippy of milk after naptime. He does LOVE melon - but I've started only giving him that with lunch too... and, he gets changed once an hour if he gets any of that also. Here's the problem. He totally fills up his diaper and leaks though it EVERY NIGHT. We've started changing him in his sleep when we go to bed, and he's still wetting through by morning over half the time! WTH??? Anyone else having so many wet issues? I'm going to hunt down size 7's to see if that will help, but really!?! This has been going on for about a month or so... it never was this bad before and we haven't changed anything else i dont think...

[December27JJB]

Oh Gosh. I could've written your post Ally! We stock up on Sugar-Free popsicles, she LOVES them and we ask her if she wants a popsicle then she'll come in. Works every time for us.

TGray OMG That is so cute! Parker LOVES to play with my jewelry as well!

Happy Belated Birthday May babies and Happy Birthday June babies. I've been getting all emotional lately because my baby turns 2 next week! :( I can't look at baby pictures of her or I'll go through crying spells. :rolleyes:

[Chylynn]

Happy Birthday, Landon!

Outside to Inside Freakout -Oh, yeah, big time! We started telling R 15 minutes prior to going inside that we are to go in to do XYZ, then 5 minutes later the same thing, repeat, and then finally, it is time to go in. She is getting better because we think she is starting to realize that we go outside everyday and she will be able to play there tomorrow. When we are in public, she is usually good after playing at the park for an hour or so, so she does not give us problems much. But, I have bribed her in the past...

[Chylynn]

Just read your post...

Leaky diapers -We still use diaper doublers for DD at nighttime or else we would have a wet diaper in the morning. She drinks a lot during the day because she is usually outside running around like a nut. Have you tried diaper doublers?

[diedra1027]

Happy Birthday Thomas and Landon!!

Freakouts about activity change - Avery doesn't do this too much yet, but I've had pretty good success telling her that we are leaving about 5-10 minutes before we're going even though she doesn't understand the concept of time :). After that, I periodically keep reminding her "we are going home in x minutes" or "just a few more minutes". Whatever she's doing right before we're going to leave I'll say "After x, we are going home". Sometimes she'll start to 'complain' when we leave, but she figures out pretty quickly that it doesn't result in getting back to the park or whatever so it peters out pretty quickly.

Naps - I try to get Avery down around noon. She'll usually sleep anywhere from 1-3 hours. We have kind-of adjusted her nighttime sleep schedule due to it staying lighter later. We really need to invest in some light blocking shades! We used to put her down between 7-7:30, but it's been more like 8-8:30 lately. She still gets up at 6:30 though :).

[usafwife]

Accident ~ We had a wreck (hit a deer) this weekend. For the most part we are injury free. DH has burns/scrapes from when the air bag deployed, I hit my head on something so it has a knot and is bruised, and my arm is in a brace. I guess I didn't get the burns from the air bag since my seat was just a bit further back from DH's and I had it reclined just a bit. The kids were both asleep when it happened. They think the SUV is totaled so are waiting to hear from the insurance company. We are thankful that we weren't hurt worse, that there wasn't another car involved, or didn't lose control after hitting the deer. Things definitely could have been worse since we were on the highway and going about 70 when it happened.

DD has become attached to DH. She won't let him out of her sight. After we got home she wouldn't him be in another room and wanted to be held.

Happy Belated Birthdays to those I missed.
Happy Birthday, Thomas!
Happy Birthday, Landon!

Outside Freakout ~ Most definitely yes. I'd love to go outside during the day but I just can't do it by myself with a almost 2 year old and a 4 month old. We are going to get a playground set within a year and I think we are going to put up a fence around that area (and then we can always take it down later if we don't need the fence later once the kids are older) and maybe that will help. I don't go outside to let her play unless someone else is with us (DH, my mom, etc). She goes straight for the animals once she's outside.

Tara ~ What a cute pic!

happy1 ~ Maybe try the overnight diapers for nightime. I think they are thicker and will absorb/hold more.

Diapers ~ I believe the last diaper size we bought was size 4s (maybe size 5). We use the 2T-3T pullups. If we are going on a trip then I try to put her in a diaper for the trip and then change her when we get there.

Birthdays ~ We finally decided on a theme. We are going to with a horse theme. Now I just need to get things so we have for her party (about a month from now). I am pretty sure that the horsey theme will be a major hit with DD. I am thinking about using pictures of our horses for the invites.

[tgr68]

Happy Birthday, Landon!!

Ally~DD loves the outside too. The only way we can get her in without freaking is to time our outside play to hit right before lunch. That way she is coming inside to eat lunch rather than coming inside because Mommy or Daddy needs to get stuff done.

tgray~LOL! Cute.

Meri~OMGosh! I'm so glad you are all okay. :eek: Pics of your own horses would be a great (and very personal) invite!

[kimthebride]

Thanks everyone for the wishes for my birthday boy! :D I can't believe he's two. TWO! Just seems crazy.
We had a crazy weekend: one party every day Friday, Saturday & Sunday...and none were for him, LOL! We're all fried so stayed in today to recoup. This weekend is his party, just a little ditty in our apartment. But we're looking forward to it.

usawife
OMG I amglad you are all ok!
I think a horse theme will be perfect for you all.

Naps
T does 12-3 every day. Thank God.

happy1
I will look up the balloon festival info and get back to you ASAP!

Freakouts
Its not so much a ferakout, but if he's not in the mood he's go limp in the legs and refuse to walk. And will jsut sit/lay there all whiney & dramatic until you carry him. He's a morning person, so he usually only does this if he's tired in the afternoons but we take him somewhere....so annoying.

tgray
now I have Madonna in my head ..."Some boys kiss me some boys hug me I think they're ok...if they don't give me proper credit I just walk a way-yay.." ;)

Happy bday Landon!

[Jessiesmama]

Happy Birthday Landon!!!

[psusna]

usafwife: I'm so glad that everyone is ok. How scary!

[tgray99]

Ok, I'm outing myself as an 80s music idiot but I had to Google those lyrics...I thought maybe they were from "Dress You Up in My Love". I mostly listened to music from the 50s-70s when I was a kid.

Thanks y'all...she loves all things girly, except hair accessories...still fights me on bows and such.

USAFWife: That's scary! I'm glad everyone is ok.

Happy Birthday, Landon!

[alienhost]

Happy Belated Birthday Thomas!
Happy Birthday Landon!

usafwife wow, I'm glad you guys are OK, it sounded terrifying.

[rancherswife]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes girls! Landon had a great birthday. :)

We spent today at a park (where his first b-day was) and then lunch and icecream. Thought for sure he'd be worn out and take an extra long nap, but he ended up waking up when we pulled in the garage and was up the rest of the day. So, he went all day on a 20 min. power nap! He actually did fine though. We went over to my parents and he played in the water and we had dinner and cake with them tonight. He totally digs this whole b-day thing. He's gonna be sad tomorrow when there are no festivities in his honor!lol

I'm beat! It's been a busy weekend and start of the week. He's got his 2 year WBV tomorrow morning, not sure how many shots he's gonna have. His shot record is looking pretty full as it is now!

tgray: That is the CUTEST pic.! Such a girly girl! :) I love it!

[allyray231]

Meri OMG thank god you are ok!!

[ahavnes]

rancherswife- Abbey didn't get any shots at her 2 year WBV. :) (Although you probably have already gone by now. lol)

Meri- Glad you all are ok.

Tara- Very cute!

[rancherswife]

alicia: thanks girl, i hope the same goes for Landon! We'll see in a couple hours.

Totally forgot to mention this.....

Of course, Landon's b-day would not have been complete without some sort of shananigans...Towards the end of his party, he and some of his little friends were playing on the grass with the beach ball sprinkler (which by the way was $9.99 at Target and the kids loved it!) all of a sudden Brett notices Landon hunched down with his trunks and lil swimmer pulled down, crapping on the damn lawn! Beautiful!!! Then we couldn't get him to put his trunks back on, he insisted on staying naked, so it turned into a nudey party for a the kids. I was happy to see that the other little ones his age were very much into being "free," as well! ;) Can't believe I forgot to mention that little stunt to you all!

[LIZNKEITH]

Tara,
I love it! She looks so blingalicious!

Meri,
Thank goodness you were all okay with the exception of a few minor injuries. At that speed, it could have been so much worse.

Ranchers
Happy Birthday, Landon!! OMG, I literally snorted at my desk reading that. He's such a boys boy!

[tgray99]

Sounds like Aidan who is doing her part for the environment by not peeing in her pull-up but on the floor. :rolleyes: Thank goodness for wood floors.

[DisneyGirl]

Rancher OMG! too freakin funny!

[happy1nuv]

usafwife: OMG...I'm so glad that everyone is ok. How scary!

[jmvan74]

Meri: So glad everyone is okay. Darn deer!

[psusna]

Ranchers: LOL! Man, don't get him together with Tgray's Aidan!Good for you for rolling with the punches ;)

[tgray99]

Ranchers: LOL! Man, don't get him together with Tgray's Aidan!Good for you for rolling with the punches ;)
Aww...I think they'd be hilarious together. We could video their antics and get them on Ellen and they'd get all sorts of fun things from her. ;)

[psusna]

Ah great point! Perhaps they ARE a perfect match!!

[rancherswife]

I think Landon and Aidan would give us LOTS of laughs if they were in the same room!!! :)

2 year wbv stats:
weight: 28lbs.
height: 34 1/2 inches
1 Shot

I still cannot believe we have two year olds! How is that possible??? :(

[KGif]

USAWIfe
SO glad you are okay. My stomach dropped out just reading your story. HOW scary!!!

I have not beek keeping up in here for long. I pop in from time to time but never get time to post. I'm always thinking of you ladies and always happy to see updates on Jack's birthday month friends!

Jack's birthday was the 16th but we didn't have his party until the 26th due to scheduling conflicts with family. Our party was construction themed as Jack LOVES all things construction these days. I swear I heard him in the middle of the night last night breifly. Once I was fully awake I listened real close and he was saying "DUMP truck! Where the dump truck go". Then silence. Talking in his sleep perhaps? I tell you the boy is obsessed!! :) Anyway the party was a hit. The weather could not have been better. Not too hot and NO rain. Just the perfect Spring day. We recently bought a little mini moon bounce for Jack and we set that up in the back yard. The kids LOVED it. It's the Little Tikes one with the slide - I highly reccomend it. It's roomy and quite durable. Everyone really had a nice time. I must say I did a great job on the decorations too. I had construction cone cups that I found online. I also served chips in a plastic dump truck and then had salsa in the shovel part of a plastic excavator. I didn't take a picture of the food table tho. Oh well. Oh and Jack now officially owns EVERY toy construction truck ever made. He loves 'em tho so that is fine with me. I sooooo need to get my basement finished tho. I want my clutter free family room back!

2 year well child visit was today.
Weight: 33 lbs
Height: 35 1/2 inches
NO shots!

Jack was SO good at the appointment. He really likes the doctor he saw today - definitely his favorite. He's my favorite too. He's older and just has a way of making the kids feel very comfy with him. When we were discussing potty training Jack looks at the doc and shouts "My Daddy goes pee pee on da potty!!!!". The doctor was quite impressed. :)

[tgray99]

In the bathroom last week Aidan saw one of my pads that was wrapped up in orangey-yellow plastic and said "Cheese?" I told her no, that it was "Mommy's Diaper." Fast forward to Sunday when we're in Wal-Mart picking up a few things (one of which was pads) and she grabs the package of pads and announces "Mama's Diapers!" I wanted to sink into the linoleum. I always heard that a child will never misquote you. So true!

Baby Stuff: I'm thinking about selling Aidan's nursery bedding on Ebay. I know that for a future baby I'll want something new, particularly if its a boy I want baseball...do y'all think that's a good idea or should I hang onto it? I'm not selling any of the equipment though, that's all still in good shape and useable for future kids.

[DisneyGirl]

baby stuff I would go ahead and sell the bedding on E-bay. Even if you had another girl chances are you would buy a new bedding set. I just bought my new nursey set the other day. I could use the other two I have , but NAH I wanted something new plus I figured why not keep the trend going...I had to rebuy everything for this baby from the swing all the way to undershirts...LOL

[ahavnes]

Sad, my poor Abbey is bigger than some of the boys! :o At least she won't get picked on while on the playground. ;)

2 year WBV Stats

Weight- 29 lbs (55%)
Height- 35.5 inches (75%...does that sound right? I think she is taller than about 95% of girls her age. :confused: )

[tgr68]

Birthday Stuff~I got the invites out today. We are having mostly family over but invited a couple of other families DD requested.

Ranchers~LOL!! You really do have the best stories! :p

Baby Stuff~We are keeping all of our stuff since we got a pretty gender neutral set.

[psusna]

ahavnes: 75% seems a little low. J was 39" and off of the charts. Maybe they meant 95% and just wrote it down wrong?

Baby Stuff: I'm keeping the quilt to his set and the wall hangings. I may repurpose the dust ruffle and valance for his BBR. Most other things I have given to friends or will put in consignment this summer. We are 1 and done so it's time to move out the baby "stuff".

Speaking of BBR....has anyone purchased from Land of Nod? I found the bedding that I loooove for him there, but want to know about quality, etc. Let me know if you have any experience with this retailer. TIA!!

[Sasha]

Alicia - Sarah was measured at 36" and it was the 90%....so it seems like that is a bit low to me. Hehe, she and Abbey can bully the boys together!

Meri - So glad you are ok. I have had two almost dear car accidents, it is so scary.

Tgray - LMAO!!

Baby Stuff - I haven't even thought about what we'll do with it. Probably consign it or give it to someone, although I may keep the comforter to hang on the wall of her room. I'll definitely want to get new bedding for a second baby though.

[DisneyGirl]

2 yrs stats

29 LBS
33.25 inches

[ahavnes]

Baby Stuff- Abbey's room is done in the tropical line from PBK, so it can last her well into her elementary school years (if she so chooses, which I am sure she won't!). ;) We'll get new stuff when we have another baby, even if it's another girl.

[LIZNKEITH]

Baby Stuff
With the exception of her bumper, we're still using the set and plan to until we convert her bed to a full-sized bed (which I don't foresee doing for another year or two). We have the Alyssa set from PBK which is pretty simple and should last her until we need a regular sized mattress:
http://www.ssb8.net/users//33110/pbk_1180549109.jpg

[rancherswife]

baby stuff: We got all new stuff for Reece, dif. room dif. theme, dif. stuff. Hell, I even got a new swing (landon just had a travel swing), infant seat. All the other stuff (i.e. jumperoo, bouncies, pnp, co-sleeper, etc.) is all the same stuff we used with Landon.

[allyray231]

Well DH got the job. The money isn't great but it is a job. He has already cried twice about leaving Aiden :( Who knew he would love being a SAHD so much!

Good thing is he has a great inhome daycare that he is going to and he seems to be doing well there already (he has been going 2 days a week for the last few weeks)

My baby was lucky! He got to stay home with a great nanny and then his daddy for 2 years of his life (sniff sniff)

[happy1nuv]

congrats ally!

[wendstress]

Pull-ups - can some one clue me in? I saw a few pages back that many of you are using these. I have a pack and used just one.... James wet through it pretty fast and it ended up leaking all over the booster seat at a restaurant we were eating at. Those of you that are using them - are your kids pretty close to potty trained???

2 Year Stats - Forgot to share - His appointment was about 6 weeks ago....

Weight - 32 lbs (85%)
Height - 34 inches (33%)

Short and fat! LOL....he doesn't look at all plump - he looks well proportioned to me! Funny thing is that Alex was 85% weight (13#3.2oz) and 36% height (22.5") at his 2 month visit!

Gotta run - too much to do today!

[cynder]

Pshaw! Check out these stats:

Weight - 23.5 lbs (3%)
Height - 32.5 inches (5%)

Totally taking after me, skinny and short. I don't think obesity is ever going to be a problem.

What is a problem...not eating. DS is on his first true blue food strike. Awesome.

usawife Hope all is well now.

[jmvan74]

baby stuff: We are using all of Collin's stuff for Brady. Including bedding. We did have to buy a new bouncer b/c I broke collin's. :o I can't wait to get past the "gear" stage so I can get rid of all of this crap that is cluttering my living space.

[MayJune05Moms]

2 year WBV stats updated to here!

-alienhost

[kimthebride]

Thomas had his 2 year WBV:
29.5 lbs
34.5" tall (but his legs were bent, so this is wrong :rolleyes: )
Tom expressed concerns about T's lack of saying lots of words (he goes nuts each time he sees Asher talking in complete sentences, lol, insisting something is wrong with T). The Ped isn't worried, since he is saying a couple things, understands everything, hears well (dances & claps to music), and stopped saying a couple things just before hitting 2 apparently a sign he's now making decisions to not talk, not that he can't talk). When we go back in 6 months for the second part of the vacc, if he's not saying more words by then he'll be concerned. otherwise, he said if we want to we can jsut read more, talk more to him, do flash-card type things, and expose him to less tv. He said TV is a teaching tool, but doesn't encourage kids to talk back to it. So he likely undertands a ton of words and other things from watching Sesame Street, but he's just not saying it out loud.

Uh oh, crying baby BBL

[diedra1027]

He said TV is a teaching tool, but doesn't encourage kids to talk back to it. HEE...I've been meaning to post a rant against all the shows encouraging Avery to 'say it LOUDER' (Dora and Diego...I am looking at YOU!!). Avery talks and talks and talks while watching TV and she shouts a lot (and I mean A LOT) just in the normal course of the day. So, these shows encouraging louder means I end up with a bellowing toddler in the room...often with a sleeping or about to be sleeping infant. Poor Ian has to put up with so much racket going on around him all the time!

[HedgeGirl]

Pull Ups/wendstress: We use these, and yes, I'd say we are pretty close to being potty trained (or at least working on it). DS doesn't tend to drink as much as some of his friends which I'm sure helps as well.

Baby Bedding: We got bedding that is fairly neutral (Kidsline Zanzibar - safari animals) with the idea we could use it again. However, we are keeping the theme for Brady's BBR and the paint in the room that will be the future nursery doesn't go with it (and I don't want to repaint). I already repurposed the dust ruffle (made it into a dust ruffle for B's BBB) and I've thought about using one of the sheets and parts of the bumper to make a quilt for the bed since I haven't found one that I like.

[ahavnes]

Food Strike Question- What is the name of that book with the recipes for sneaking healthy food into your child's diet? Thinking we definitely need that over here.

Food Strike Quetion 2- I am facing a dilema as to what to do about Abbey's (lack of) eating. She just pretty much refuses any form of protein. On one hand, I want to make sure she eats a decent dinner and doesn't go to bed hungry, but I don't want to set the precedent that mommy is a short order cook who will make anything she wants on a whim. How do you all handle this?

TIA! :)

Cynder- We are on a food strike here too. :o I cannot remember the last time Abbey ate meat, chicken or fish. My sympathies.

[diedra1027]

Food Strike Question- What is the name of that book with the recipes for sneaking healthy food into your child's diet? Thinking we definitely need that over here. The Sneaky Chef (http://www.amazon.com/Sneaky-Chef-Strategies-Healthy-Favorite/dp/0762430753/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8414872-6064849?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181168947&sr=8-1). I haven't had much luck with the two 'original' recipes that I've tried, but the author has some awesome tips for adding purees to ready-made things like adding sweet potato puree to spaghetti sauce and you can use baby food if you are in a hurry.

Food Strikes - I don't have any tips. Avery rarely ever asks for anything to eat. If she doesn't eat what I make, she doesn't usually ask for something else instead either. I constantly worry about whether she's getting enough or getting the right things, but we try not to fight her when she refuses. We keep offering until she gets annoyed with us and then let it go :).

[Aunt Liv]

Food - Maia's been doing pretty well with the food lately, so I probably just jinxed it by saying that :o . I have found that with her, the only way she'll eat meat is if it's still on the bone...so, we've had a LOT of baby back ribs, chicken wings, t-bones, etc. lately to get her to eat meat. If it's cut up in pieces, she's not interested, but if she has to eat Flinstone-style, she's all over it. The messier, the better.:rolleyes:

[rancherswife]

I'm so annoyed! Landon got a hep a shot yesterday (the only shot he got at this appt.!) and he's freakin' running a fever and laying in bed, since he woke up from his nap! ughhh! He's never had a fever from shots before, so I'm seriously hoping and praying that it is the shots and nothing else. No other symptoms though, so I'm hopeful!

food strike: Landon varies from day to day. Some days he's an animal when it comes to food, others I can barely get a morsel down him!

so, we've had a LOT of baby back ribs, chicken wings, t-bones, etc. lately to get her to eat meat. If it's cut up in pieces, she's not interested, but if she has to eat Flinstone-style, she's all over it. The messier, the better.

Oh Landon is a HUGE fan of ribs! Loves em'...and yes, the messier the better!

[tgray99]

Food: Aidan's been doing much better about eating dinner lately...for a while she wouldn't eat anything at home after day care. Tonight she ate half a grilled cheese sandwich and some homemade corn chowder that I made yesterday.

Baby Stuff: Ok, I'm selling her Chamois Lambie stuff. Even though it's gender neutral, there's so much cute baby stuff out there that I know I'll want when we have #2 that it's useless to keep this stuff around. Thanks for the advice, y'all!

Dora and Diego: Hate, HATE these shows. They irritate the crap out of me. Luckily, Aidan loves Sesame Street, Play With Me Sesame, and other Sesame Street DVDs.

[jmvan74]

Food: I make Collin a "healthy" dinner and if he doesn't eat it, he has to wait until breakfast to eat again. He usually drinks his milk and his fruit and skips the rest. :rolleyes: I just try to give snacks that are on the healthy side, so I know he's getting something during the day. Oh and I've started giving him V-8 Fusion as part of his morning snack. :)

[cynder]

Crap. Lost my post.

DS had his first "no eating anything" in daycare today. Do we get a sticker for that? I took him to Moe's and was able to stuff him with a chicken and black bean quesadilla over the course of an hour. He was actual quite pleasant but clearly just not interested in eating this week. He seems fine and is sleeping fine and not hint of teeth anywhere so I just need to wait it out. He is really into straw and cups so we've been using that as an incentive to eat.

GARRRARARARARA!!!!!

I have The Sneaky Chef but have had no time to make the purees. I've been sneaking baby food of veggie purees where I can and have been putting wheat germ in everything. I have stopped making multiple things. I make one meal and if that's refused, he can have a choice of fruit and if that's refused dinner is over. So breakfast is turning out to be the time for any decent eating.

[jrdhbunny]

Argh- I've missed so many birthdays...AGAIN! Sorry and please accept my heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to all the little ones that I missed.

usafwife- YIKES! How scary! Thank goodness you are all ok!

ally- Yay! Congrats to DH! My DH didn't cry at not being a SAHD anymore, but he was pretty conflicted about going back to work. And he misses James like crazy. The nice thing is that he does sometimes acknowledge that he knows what I go through (although he'll always say that he had it tougher :rolleyes: ).

rancherswife- Hope it's just a reaction to the shot.

Baby stuff- We've kept pretty much everything, but if I had a chance (like a yard sale) I would sell. Everything except the really special clothes.

Food- Same old, same old here. I'm trying to offer him more foods, but since he gets turned off to eating ANYTHING if I do that, I'll often just go right to what I know he will eat (read: baby food). Now even the baby foods that he'll eat are limited- you can forget anything chunkier than a puree. Yet he'll chow on shredded wheat. :confused:

TV Shows- James isn't as addicted to the TV now that the weather is nice enough to play outside. The funny thing is that he's so used to DVR or On Demand or DVDs that if he wants to watch something that isn't on live tv at that moment and we don't have it in the afore-mentioned mediums, he FLIPS out. Very aggravating. He doesn't talk back to the TV, but he references shows later and will act out scenes at various points during the day.

[psusna]

Just wanted to quickly share three sites that I've found with TONS of activities for kids of all ages to help get through the summer months whether you are a SAHM a WOHM or just looking to make it through the day. You may know of some of these already...

kiddley.com (http://www.kiddley.com) (DS and I will be making the muffin tin crayons for him to give as birthday gifts this summer)

uptoten.com (http://www.uptoten.com) (resources for games, coloring, reading ideas, etc. all in the FREE section!)

Little Elephants (http://www.littleelephants.typepad.com/little_elephants) (this is a blog with crafty ideas for kids of all ages)

Check 'em out and let me know if you find any good ideas buried in these sites, and I'll post the results of any projects that we do at our house!

TV: I could have written JRDH's post. The kid doesn't understand fully the concept/purpose of the DVR. Ugh.

Food: I could have written JMVAN's post on this one. He gets dinner and if he doesn't eat, that's it. Sounds mean, I know, but he typically eats great at school so I'm not too concerned if he isn't pumped up for dinner.

Ally: Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ranchers: Hope Landon is doing better today.

[allyray231]

Dora and Diego HATE THEM. Yeah Aiden love them

[Sasha]

Food - There is definitely a decrease in her appetite. As long as we give her something she likes, then she usually eats some of it. But should I dare give her something she doesn't know, forget about it. We cannot get her to try new things. Doesn't matter if it comes from our plate or we eat it first, she has a fit. So we are stuck in the land of mac & cheese, pasta, chicken nuggets, etc. I did buy some swedish meatballs from Whole Foods the other day that she will eat if they are whole, but when I cut them up for her, she refused them....WTH?

TV/Dora/Diego - Sigh, she loves Dora. I don't mind it so much, there are worse shows IMO (think Teletubbies, banned in our house!). But Sesame Street, particularly Elmo, is by far her favorite. We also have a bunch of SS eppies on Tivo and I'll sometimes FF to Elmo's World, so we have the same problem sometimes when watching it live.

What kind of shampoo do you use these days? I know it seems like an odd question, LOL, but DH is convinced that the reason Sarah's hair is growing so slowly is because we just use J&J's head-to-toe body wash on her. While I highly doubt that's the reason (all you have to do is look at pics of me at that age to get your answer :p, but she does have a mop of curls in the back! ), I thought I'd throw the question out there anyway.

[psusna]

Dora/Diego: I don't even think he knows who they are! We are still stuck on the freakin Wiggles but he seems to be slowly moving out of that phase (fingers crossed). The only other show he watches is Play with me Sesame.

Shampoo: We use JnJ no more tears, the lavender scent.

[tgray99]

Shampoo: I alternate between J&J Calming Lavender Baby Shampoo & J&J Extra Conditioning (her hair is curly and fine so it tangles easily). Her hair grows really fast (like mine). I don't think the shampoo has much to do with it...some people just have slower growing hair.

Cutting Bangs: Speaking of hair, I'm thinking of trying to trim Aidan's bangs myself.