Dadurday

I don't know if it was all the sickness, Bob traveling, or what...but this week was hard for me.  Friday, I was such a grouch, and had zero patience for my sweet 2.5 year old.  I went to bed Friday night feeling like such a horrible excuse for a mother.

Today (and every weekend, really) Bob was such a big help.  He is always an equal partner in the parenting and the householding.  But today, he was extra helpful.  He knew that I was "done" in the mothering department and that I needed some "me" time. So, after he worked out, he sent me outside for a run and fresh air.  It felt great to be out running again.   And then later, I went out for a mocha and a maple oat scone.  I came back home and then took a 45 minute nap.  I felt so much better after I got up!

Bode and I played with his Cars friends while Daddy worked out. The sunglasses are Gianna's.

Bode loves his "buggy blanket" and decided to play on it this morning.

Suddenly, Gianna is a big fan of Bob.   He came back from a 5 day trip, and Gianna was very, very happy to see him.  Since his return, she's happy to see him every day, giving him a big smile and reaching for him when she sees him.

They spent a lot of time together today.  Again, I think Bob was trying to help me out. But I also think that they both were enjoying each other's company! This afternoon, Bob caught up on his mail and Gianna "helped" him. 

They have the same noses, and probably the same profile!

Right now, I am able to write this post because Bob is with Gianna, helping her to sleep! Thanks, Bob!
Happy Saturday, everyone.
xo

Checking in

I know, I know...you all are like, "Who cares about you and how you're doing? How are the babies? More importantly, where are (the pictures of) the babies?"

Gianna is embarrassed about how she looks, and chose to look away whenever I tried to snap her picture.

This morning, Bode and I harvested our cucumber and a tomato. Not sure if it was ready or not, but we need something to do. We all are going a little stir crazy with the sickness.



I have tried crafts, dance parties, sing-a-longs, and even resorted to tv watching (Cars movie and Sesame Street). Priscilla is the only one that is benefitting from the sickness. I take the babies (and Priscilla) out for a walk twice a day.  I think we all need the fresh air. I know that I for one really need to get out of this house! This sickness has got to end, soon!

Bode wants you to know that despite being sick, he is still  a potty rock star.



Please don't enlarge this picture because I am 99.99% sure Bode has snot all over his face.

He has almost got every Cars movie-themed car out there.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm out of Cars options.  I've tried Cars-themed books and those got a lukewarm reception (except at naptime and bedtime!).  Hot Wheels cars are just not "hot" in Bode's book.

The good news is, tomorrow is Friday. And why is that good news in my book?  Because Daddy is sharing parental duties Saturday and Sunday!
Happy Friday, everyone.
xo

Croup, there it is

Sunday night, I tiptoed into Bode's room to check on him while he was sleeping.  His breathing was very labored. I sat and listened for a long time.  Then, he gave out a loud cough, and then another. My heart seized up. This did not sound good. His breathing was worrisome. The cough sounded loud and hollow, like a seal. I laid there on the bed, in the dark, listening. He woke up; his breathing and coughing was getting worse. I was so scared that I was going to have to take him to the emergency room. 

Then I remembered that Dr. Google is available 24/7.    Those who have gone before me, any guesses? 

Croup!

Everybody sing with me, and bonus points if you do Cabbage Patch while singing:

Croup, there it is. Croup, there it is. Croup, there it is.

Okay, I am taking artistic license with a song and joking right now. But I was very worried then. Bode's symptoms matched exactly for "croup." After consulting with Dr. Google, I sat Bode on a stool in the bathroom and turned on the hot water for steam. Bode's eyes got even bigger than they normally are, and he whispered, "Mommy, are you going to take a shower?"  I (stupidly) said, "No, this is for you."  Bode burst into tears and cried, "No, I not take a shower! I not take a shower, Mommy!"  (He hates the shower)  I tried to explain it was just the steam that we needed but it was too late. He was scared and wanted out of that bathroom stat.

We went to the pediatrician the next day.  I explained that I was parenting solo this week, and asked her what warning signs do I need to look for? What signs will tell me when I need to wake up both children and head to the emergency room?  She told me what to watch for; when to know a visit to the e.r. was needed. And then she suggested that next time Bode's cough was bad, I could put both children in the stroller and take them for a walk, because the cool night air helps croup.  Both children?  You mean, WAKE THE SLEEPING BABY? You mean, WAKE THE SLEEPING BABY and explain that we are going for a walk in the cool night air to help her brother's croup? Are you crazy, doctor?

She obviously hasn't had any babies. Next time, I think I will save my money and stick with Dr. Google. Or, I will put Bode in the stroller and just walk our driveway! NO WAKING THE SLEEPING BABY, you moron.

Today, Bode's croup is better.  Gianna has been sick since last Friday. And now, Bode is sick with the same. They are both running fevers. Their noses are perpetually running. I do laundry once a day because both babies wake up from nap/sleep with snot all over...everything.  It is disgusting. 
My guess is that they have a form of what Bob and I both battled two weeks ago.  Speaking of Bob, did I mention that he has been out of town for the past 5 days?  Yes, he missed the croup fun. Conveniently missed all the croup drama and really, is missing the day in, day out fun that is the sickness. That's okay, because he probably doesn't know how to Cabbage Patch anyway.   This is my dance party. Croup, there it is.

Friday play date

Every Friday morning, Gianna's playgroup has a play date in the park. We meet at Starbucks (yay) and then walk together to the park, which is conveniently located behind the Starbucks. We have only made this play date twice. Gianna usually has a very long nap in the mornings, which prevents us from doing anything until late afternoon. Today, I decided that we needed to skip the nap and make a park our priority. I really like this park because it has the perfect mix of shade and sun. It is also small enough for Bode to play on his own without me feeling like I have to hover right over him.  We hauled his big bag of sand toys and construction trucks to the playground (not super convenient when you're pushing a stroller, trying to corral a 2.5 year old, carry a purse, blanket, and hold your hot mocha!). Once again, the construction trucks proved to be a great play-starter with other kids his age. I love it. I only wish that I had done this sooner for him.

My goal is to get the babies to the park every day (as well as, walk Priscilla once a day).  Yesterday I lamed out with a trip to Target. We always need something. And it is an easy outing for me and the babies. I can put them in the double-seat cart and we can shop for an hour. 

A few of you have asked about Bode's potty training. It is going great.  He is doing really well. Of course, he is completely motivated by the sticker reward chart. Actually, he is motivated to get a toy car!  I keep changing the sticker rule. One week it is 5 stickers for 1 car. Another week it is 7 stickers for 1 car. It depends on how well he is doing. Sometimes 5 stickers is way too easy for him, and  I have to run to Target to replenish my car supply!  This potty training is expensive! I don't know how/when I will be able to get away from the sticker/car reward...or if I will even be able to.  I have created a monster!  But he is a good monster, and I love him more than anything.

My "monster" with one of his cars.

A bit of trivia:  Victoria and David Beckham named their daughter Harper.  That was Bode's chosen name when we thought he was a girl! (we were told that Bode was a girl, at first, so we went immediately to the "girl name" decision) Can you imagine? I can't (now). Gianna's chosen boy name was John.

Happy Friday, everyone!

xo

Because caffeine is a drug

Why is this baby crying? Is it because her father is leaving on a business trip?  No.  It is because during a coffee stop on our way to the airport, Miss Mia decided to help herself to her father's cappuccino.  She picked up the cup with both hands and drank from it like she's been enjoying espresso from birth.  Boy was she mad when Bob took the cup away!

Sorry, Gianna, but your parents are not buying you espresso until you're at least 16.

xo

Jet

Today we went to the Hiller Aviation Museum.   I wanted to go for three reasons.  One, I thought Bode might enjoy seeing some planes.  Two, they were having a special bird show. And three (the main reason), I read that they were having a gourmet food truck event there for lunch.  I've read so much about the gourmet food truck trend, but haven't had an opportunity to try any. It was the perfect opportunity to try some new things. As I like to say, win-win, baby. 

I didn't say anything to Bode about where we were going until we were about 5 minutes away from the museum.   I didn't want to build it up too much. I  didn't know what to expect.  For all I knew, it was a tiny space outside a hangar, with one old bi-plane and one old flight suit. Thankfully, the place delivered.  It was exciting and fun.  Bode was able to walk into a real plane and sit in a real helicopter. There were a ton of planes and helicopters to view.  Bode was especially happy to find an old Ford, that he called "Lizzie" (from the Cars movie). We also stood outside and watched planes taking off, and even saw a helicopter take off, too.   I think this place will be perfect practice for our big flight in September! I will just stick them in the old retired Boeing jet, and have them sit in their seats for an hour, and slowly build up hour by hour until they are ready for a 5 hour flight!

Get ready, kids! Sit there for 5 hours without fussing and make me happy!

"Oh, there's Lizzie."

And what is a visit to a museum without the purchase of an over-priced souvenir?  Someone was so smart to make the entrance and exit to the museum through the gift store. Genius.  Bode got a helicopter, and we got an airplane  "for Daddy."  (You're not fooling anyone, Bode!)  Honestly, I was going to put the airplane back once Bode's attention shifted elsewhere. But then, Gianna grabbed the airplane out of my hand, and stuck the airplane in  her mouth (!!!). I was too embarrassed to put it back.

Bode with his helicopter.

The bird show was great, but not great if you are 2 feet tall and have a short attention span (especially when you can't see anything).  There were a ton of kids and parents sitting for the bird show. Gianna chose that time to decide that she had it with sitting in the stroller.  So she started to fuss. Bode couldn't see anything despite my repeated direction of  "LOOK. LOOK RIGHT THERE. SEE THE HUGE BLUE PARROT?"  So that was kind of frustrating.  But then, it was time to eat. So while everyone was enjoying the bird show, we jetted out to the parking lot for the gourmet food trucks.

The gourmet food trucks arrived and we were literally first in line. Unfortunately, there were only three trucks! I was looking forward to having a ton of options, and having difficulty deciding what to eat. That wasn't the case today.  It wasn't until I got up to order and reviewed the menu that I figured out we were in line to  "The  Lobster Shack" truck.  Fortunately they had a grilled cheese on sourdough for Bode and Gianna.  The rest of the menu was lobster-based.  Lobster rolls and lobster salad. Eh.  No, thanks.  Another truck was the "Italian Gourmet" and  I ordered the caprese sandwich.  My friend Cristiana  and her son Leonardo joined us at the museum.  Being from Italy, she kind of laughed at the "Italian Gourmet" truck.  But then, seeing  no other options, she ordered a panini.  She came back from ordering and announced that they were authentic Italians, the men cooking in the truck were from Southern Italy.  Our sandwiches were good, too. The other truck was dessert based, and I really wanted to try an ice cream sandwich.  But the panini sandwich (and some of Bode's chips) filled me up.   There was a mob of people in line for both trucks by the time we sat down to eat. It did take awhile to get our  food because they do make it when you order it.  I was happy that we were smart enough to snag a table right after we ordered. I think the gourmet food  trucks will return in August. Hopefully, more trucks will participate.






We will be back to this place.  I would like to go again to see more of the museum (hard to view with two babies). I think once Gianna is walking, she will enjoy herself more, too.  Bode had a blast!
xo

Growth

Gianna likes her new baby doll. But she does not like the baby doll in the stroller. She finds that baby in the stroller and it is her personal mission to take that baby out, pronto.  Bode, on the other hand, loves the baby in the stroller.  It is his baby, and her name is...(wait for it)....Gianna.  He says that the baby likes going for walks in the stroller. And then he races around the house like a maniac, the baby tilting out of its seat, the stroller careening on two wheels. Madness.

No...

You're free, baby! Now I can drink my milk in peace.

Hugging the baby.

My baby Gianna just went to the pediatrician for her 12 month well-check. She is 19 lbs, still on the small side, but developing great. She pulls up and stands all the time now.  She communicates a little, through some gestures, and seems to respond to some of my questions. Okay, I'll go ahead and say it: she's much more communicative than Bode! There. I got that out. She has shook her head "no" and "yes" for months now. So if I put the baby doll back into the stroller, she will shake her head "no," and pull the baby doll out. It is pretty funny.  A few minutes ago, I was kissing  her all over, and she was crawling on me and laughing. I was just struck by how lucky I am. I have two healthy, happy babies. But more than that. I was just struck, at that moment, kissing her repeatedly and laughing with her, how wonderful this very moment is, to be able to sit with her, kiss her, study her body, her eyes, drink in her babyness, in a sunny room, and laugh and play, just the two of us. To have this moment, and to remember it. 

My mother is such a sap!



In addition to his excellent mothering skills, Bode is a great farmer.  We have our very first cucumber ripening up, and we counted 17 (green) tomatoes this afternoon.  He is very fixated on this one tomato that he broke off by accident. It is a small green thing the size of a pebble. But it is still on the ground, and every time we check our plants, he says, "Oh, there's that one. That one broke."

Cucumber!

The proud farmer and his tomatoes.

This weekend, we fitted Bode for a helmet. We want him to start wearing a helmet like he wears hats. So I'm trying to play up the "cool" factor of the helmet. He has a red helmet "like Lightening 'Queen." I point out people wearing helmets on bikes, riding scooters, roller-blading, etc. Luckily, a lot of kids wear helmets at the park. When he asked me if I had a helmet, I had to pull out my helmet and put it on to be a good example, right? (dork)

Lightening McQueen wears a helmet, and also eats carrots.

Tomorrow, I hope to take Bode (and Gianna) somewhere special. It is a surprise!  This means that Babycakes is going to have to forgo her usual 4 hour beauty sleep/morning nap so that we can hit the road, Jack. If we have a successful trip, I'll post about it tomorrow!

xo

Gianna's birthday, part deux

I apologize for taking so long to post birthday photos (again).  Several things (sickness, children, a fussy commputer, etc.) have conspired against me. But I will persevere! Even if that means that you, dear readers, are viewing June birthday photos at Christmastime!  Okay, where were we? 

To recap, Gianna had a small birthday party in the park.

For her 1st birthday dinner, she ate pizza for the very first time. She is a fan of pizza.

Her brother snuck cupcakes when he thought nobody was watching.

Well-wishers gathered around to sing Happy Birthday.

One man showed up to bestow birthday wishes, and to load the truck up, I think.

Many birthday presents were opened:

 Along with her very first pony, she has a handy stable boy who helps her when riding.



She loves this green chair.  She loves climbing up on it and then sitting. She is the Queen Bee, and I guess this is her throne.

 

More photos to come!

xo