Bedtime Review

Has anyone else ever run into this issue?

Bedtime routine used to be my thing when Taylor was a baby and then Jay took it over. Somehow it is now my routine again. Although in fairness I'm not sure how that happened. I feel tricked, but I don't know why. I suspect that I offered to help one night and now it's my routine again. In any event, I've been putting Taylor to bed for months now. We have a fairly straight forward routine with little room for variation. In exactly this order: we unwind, brush our teeth, get on PJ's, collect the bedtime buddies that will be joining her in bed, kiss Daddy and baby Evan, get tucked in, have water, roll over for back rubs, scream about having to go to bed and then eventually pass out into blissful slumber.

Seriously, every night for months and months my toddler screams just before she falls asleep. It was only ever for a few minutes. Literally, I think I just assumed that this was her way of getting the stress of the day out of her system. In reality the screaming was as much a part of our routine as anything else. Never saw it that way before, but it is...or was. The wailing has been getting a bit prolonged. And by prolonged I mean it's lasting upwards of 30 minutes and on some unfortunate nights up to an hour. Yes, we are now a far cry away from the 5 minutes it used to be.

The other night was particularly trying. She was laying down just screaming and screaming and we were rapidly approaching an hour of this. I had my head on her pillow, she had her head next to mine...I probably would have fallen asleep, but for the noise. Jay walks in and says....

Jay: "Taylor, you need to be quiet. Baby Evan is asleep and I don't want you waking him up"

Taylor: In the most completely composed voice ever. "But I'm just whining dad"

**Hold on** She knows she's whining. She can stop at any time and be composed when asked! WTF. Why didn't I know this? Seriously. Seriously kid.

Jay: "Lay down and go to sleep"

Taylor: "Okay"

I walked out of that room and a few minutes later my husband emerges victorious. The child is asleep. I think my head is still spinning from this realization.

Glasses

This is how to tell when your toddler has been spending time with her grandparents. She recently asked to see what I was holding in my hand. At the time, I think it was an insurance card. Something with small print is the relevant part. I hand it to her. She holds the card at arms length and squints at it thoughtfully. Next, she brings it really close to her face and again squints at it. Then she hands it back to me and says "I need my glasses".

Peacocks

Historically my daughter has been overly cautious in the presence of animals and at times fearful. At a distance she's interested in them, but as soon as they are remotely close, all bets are off. Mind you the term "close" is loosley used and relative. This hasn't stopped us from exposing her to a variety of new animals at farms and zoos. We are just careful how we do it. The warm weather weekend weather brought a renewed enthusiasm for the outdoors to our house. Over the weekend, I asked Taylor if she wanted to go to a park with a farm and the response she gave was one of impatient excitement. Hmm. I thought this would be great. Maybe she's forgotten that she doesn't like animals. Maybe this would be the moment when she would enjoy farms. Maybe I was mistaken? Off we go to our local park complete with a small farm on it. As usual, she runs around the jungle gyms and the open fields....and as usual she's not totally thrilled with the animals. From a "safe" distance she laughs and names the animals: "that's a sheep, that's a neigh-neigh (horse), etc". I'm watching her father carry her around the little farm and observing the scowl on her face, thinking "there's always next year". I space out while feeding the baby, look up and see them standing really close to the bird pens. Oh no, there is a huge peacock in there that likes to squawk and scare kids. I expect at any moment for this to happen and see my kid disolve into tears and never again want to come to the farm. Nope, she's laughing. How can this be? I convince myself that it's because Daddy is holding her. Later, as we are getting ready to leave the park she asks me to carry her closer (but not really all that close) to the horses. "mommy, I don't like the neigh-neighs". Okay. Then we go look at the sheep. "mommy, I don't like the sheep". Okay. "I want to go see the birds". So we wander over to the bird pens. I take her over to the one housing the smallest birds and she starts crying "mommy I don't like those birds, I want those birds" she says as she's pointing at the peacocks. Sooo, we wander over to the peacocks and her face breaks into a huge smile. She's laughing, pointing at the peacocks "see, see". I'm slightly stunned. I'm glaring at the big male peacock and willing this creature to behave. "I like those birds mommy, see, see, the birds" she continues to say. I do see them baby. Okay, I'll bite. So Taylor, why do you like the peacocks? Her answer threw me and might actually be a key to her. "they like me" Wait you like the peacocks because they like you? "Yeah, they like me. I like the peacoks". Really?! Okay then. I'm not sure how she got the idea that the peacocks like her, but I'll take it.

Big Sister's Watching

One of my fabulous friends was over recently for a quick visit and to see the kiddos. Evan was sleeping. Which was nothing short of a miracle these days. Even at two months he's showing signs of simply not needing or wanting much in the way of naps. Yikes. But alas, his nap didn't last long. All to soon we hear his complaints being issued over the monitor. That's when my friend leaps into action. "I got him" she says as she runs down the hall. (Yes, she is one of my favorite people in the universe) Taylor gets a late start, but heads off down the hall too. Apparently Taylor felt the need to supervise. Evan gets scooped up, lovingly consoled and my friend emerges from the room with him cuddled in her arms. But they don't get to far down the hall. Nope. Big sis is in the hallway with important information for our friend. Taylor reminds her to be: "Careful! He's Little!" she says. Taylor was of course then shown that Evan was content and being carefully handled, which seemed to please her tremendously. It was adorable though how she was trying to look out for him.

The Future of Tech Support

Recently I was having technical difficulties while trying to turn on a DVD. In other words, technically, I was having difficulties. As usual, the problem wasn't with the technology. The problem was more with the user of said technology...me. I had finally resorted to randomly pushing buttons on the remote, in the hopes that something would miraculously happen and solve my problem. In a weird way something miraculous did happen. My two year old, who had been observing this whole process... looks at me, then the remote and finally the TV. "try hitting the menu button mommy". Okay I'm game. So I hit the menu button...nothing. Then she says ever so thoughtfully "have you tried turning it off and on again?" So I do it. And problem solved, we can now all happily watch our DVD. Can I just mention how proud her father was of her when he heard about this.

Troublesome Twos

Taylor has always seemed to be an easy going kid. Yes we have the occasional meltdowns, stubbornness, and possessiveness that seem to characterize the age. But really all things considering it's been largely predictable and tolerable for all involved. That is, until this morning. This morning was by far the most challenging morning I have ever had with her. The morning was one giant meltdown. Worst part I couldn't even hope to predict what would start it. Examples: I put her milk in the wrong color sippy cup. The Tv wasn't working fast enough. The dog exists. I had to pee. She had to pee. Her room was to dark...immediately followed by there's to much light in her room. She wants a car of her own. Daddy's at work. Etc. Basically constant cause for end of the world hysteria type behavior.

Then my normally peaceful and loving child took a running kick at the dog. The dog, who will be ready for sainthood someda,y attempted to leave the room. But no, she was followed by a toddler who for no reason I could understand just started kicking this poor animal. Thank god the dog didn't retaliate. I sent the dog outside after I detached a small child's fists from her fur. Okay that was seriously abnormal for her. Next Taylor took whatever stress she was feeling out on little bro. Again, something she's never done before. On a few occasions today she would randomly pop up and clock him in the head with something while he was eating. The endless morning of disaster climaxed with her biting me in the face. I was actually hugging the child when this happened. I thought she was going to kiss my cheek. I sported an imprint of her teeth for about 45 minutes. Who's child is this?? I know she hasn't been sleeping extremely well and has had a stuffy nose. But holy cow.....I was not at all prepared for hurricane Taylor this morning. I beyond shocked and at a total lack for what to do to help her.

I did however attempt to end the day on a good note. I guess everyone in my house is utterly sleep deprived and apparently stressed. I took the kiddos out for a long walk on a beautiful paved bike path near our house this afternoon. The weather was gorgeous. Taylor generally loves these walks so I figured all would go well. Evan was awake in his stroller and looked like he was trying to make sense of it all (it was his first time out for a walk with Taylor and I). Taylor enjoyed the simple pleasures of throwing sticks in a river, running, helping push her brothers stroller, and sitting on a bench stopping everyone to say "HI. I'm two. See mommy, I told that lady I'm two". My day seemed to be ending on an up note. We get back to our car: Taylor climbs into her seat, Evan got strapped in his and we drive home. Only when I go to get Taylor of the car at home did I realize that I forgot to actually buckle her in to the car seat. I will forever be eternally grateful that she made it home safe and totally horrified at how my profound lack of sleep endangered my child.

Milestones

Evan turns two months old today! My lil' man is a happy ball of cuteness. He's really starting to interact now....mostly with the most heart warming toothless smiles! And the best part, he's a snuggles. The hard part seems to be helping him find a comfortable position. Once there, he'll curl up with you for hours. Not much else in this universe compares to calm that comes from curling up with a baby.

Miss Taylor had her first dentist appointment today. The visit started off well, or in other words she made a friend in the waiting room. The room was filled with really cool toys for her to play with, complete with a three year old playmate. My daughter, who is not shy, walks up to the little boy and starts talking his ear off as she plays. I'm not sure he knew what to make of her. At one point Taylor crouches down to look at his face, then extends her index finger....points at him and says "you have brown eyes. i like your eyes". The little boy warmed up quick and they played until it was Taylor's turn in the hot seat.

She unfortunately screamed through the super quick exam. All they did was count teeth. At 2 1/2 she basically has all her teeth. The last of the two year old molars is practically in. Immediately after the exam she got a pink sticker plastered to her shirt, picked out a shiny new tooth brush (she picked the one with a giraffe on it), and got to pick a new toy. Yes, the exam room had a little shelf just her height full of wonderful toys. They had everything from jewelery, packs of stickers, cars, balls, etc. The act of selecting this new toy took as long as her exam did, possibly longer. In true Taylor style she stared intently at this shelf of goodies, silent and almost unmoving. Finally she announced her decision: "Purple ball". Well that was it. We walked off with a new purple bouncy ball......which later "disappeared" due to the fact that Taylor couldn't seem to keep this choking hazard away from her mouth.

Cyber Child

Everyone in our house has a laptop, including Taylor. She and I used to share....sort of. As one can imagine, "sharing" a delicate piece of equipment with a two year old is not completely without issue. So Taylor got her own bright orange learning laptop, complete with a child-friendly mouse (my favorite part of it). It plays games, teaches numbers & letters, has puzzles, etc. Recently, I spy her intently concentrating on this laptop. Looking from screen to keyboard and back up again. "wow, she's really getting into this thing..." or so I thought. My curiosity got the better of me and I interrupted the moment by asking "Tayls what are you doing?" I was expecting an answer like "I'm just doing this" or "my alphabet". But no. She looks up and says "I'm just checking my email mom". Wonder what she'll be doing next......maybe she'll be managing her ebay. LOL.

The Incredible Hulk Child

Ever leave your two year old alone for a minute or two and think...eh, there's nothing they can get into? Taylor and I went into the basement recently while I was on a mission to do laundry. Taylor usually happily entertains herself in the spare basement room while I'm on these missions. It's a space we created for her to play, mostly with markers and various other art projects. Aside from Taylor's art supplies the room also has my old desk in it, which still houses all my office type stuff. On this particular occasion Taylor decides to explore my desk for goodies. So I'm on off attempting to make a dent in the seemingly never ending stream of laundry and Taylor is discovering the joys of ink pads and stampers. Anyone see where this is going yet?

After only moments of being out of sight, which amounted to enough time for me to load the washer and dryer, I return to find my daughter sitting next to an art pad and proudly announcing: "see I made a monkey, mommy see". She had in fact made a monkey with a newly acquired rubber stamper and ink pad. Sadly, I was probably not as enthusiastic about the monkey as she may have liked. I was more concerned with giant blue eyes staring at me from a now green face, the green arms & hands wildly pointing to the monkey, and that fact that she had stripped from the waist down and you guessed it....everything was green. My child literally looked like the daughter of the incredible hulk.

After attempting to muster enthusiasm for the monkey stamp and totally failing to run for my camera.....I marched her upstairs for a bath, where I let her soak until clean (okay, there was a lot of scrubbing involved too). All of this was not before Taylor had one last hurrah, by escaping from the bathroom while the tub was filling with water and leaving streaks of green ink around the house in her wake. Needless to say.....the offending ink pad has been disposed of. :0)

The Funky Monkey

Okay, so has anyone taken the time to teach a toddler a new word and had it come out really really wrong? Yeah, that happened to me the other day. The Funky Monkey is a trendy little coffee and sandwich cafe in our town. I love it. So, Taylor has gotten used to hearing the name, going to the cafe and occasionally ordering out from it. Consequently she likes to talk about the place and it doesn't come out sounding quite like it should. Nope. Without fail it comes out with crystal clarity sounding like "F*&^ing Monkey". The laughter and funny faces this illicits has totally encouraged her to continue talking about her new fav place to get grilled cheese sandwiches. Can't wait to send her to preschool next year and have her telling her classmates all about where she and mommy eat lunch.....

Ring Around the Rosey

I think Taylor is particularly excited about Evan eventually growing big enough for her to actually play with. In the meantime, she seems content in attempting to find games in which both of them can participate. Recently, I hear Taylor singing the "Ring around the Rosey" song to her baby brother. Sweet right? When I checked on them, I discovered that the game was much more then just a Taylor singing to Evan. She was standing next to his glider and spinning his chair to the tune of the song. Evan didn't really look like he had a clue as to what was going on. At the very least he wasn't crying. Taylor looked overjoyed at having found a way to play with Evan. She would break into hysterical laughter every time she got to "fall down". Jump up and yell "again", and then start the process over. So I guess I did what every good parent would do....run for the video camera. Then after capturing this moment on video, then and only then did I step in to help them find an equally creative and similar game to play. Anyone have ideas on games for toddlers and infants to play together?

Fixing Baby Evan

Jay and Taylor were eating diner the other night while baby Evan snuggled in his crib and happily sucked on a pacifier. Periodically the pacifier would fall out and wails of discontent would be heard in the kitchen. When this would happen, Jay would dutifully get up, walk down the hall and replace the fallen pacifier. On one occasion when baby Evan started to complain, Taylor holds her hand up and tells her father: "I got it". She then ran down the hall and disappeared into her brother's room. A moment later the crying ceases and she emerges from the room victoriously declaring: "I fixed baby Evan". Jay of course praises her, but none-the-less goes to check on Evan...curious as to exactly how the two year old "fixed" her brother. Apparently she had been able to stick her arm through the slats of his crib, grab the pacifier and stick it back in his mouth. :0)

Taylor and Evan

Taylor loves being a big sister! It's a role she seems to take quite seriously sometimes. She loves keeping him warm by piling him with blankets, adorns him with kisses, and plays with him on his activity mats. With his arrival has come an array of learning experiences, absolutely adorable moments, and heartwarming entertainment. Although the arrival of a sibling is never completely without incident, I must say that Taylor has championed this challenge surprisingly well.

Taylor has been learning the many differences between herself and baby Evan. Initially, she mastered the verbiage of "he's to little to walk" "he's to little to talk", etc. Now she attempting to learn about the relative strength she has by virtue of her age when compared to Evan. (a work in progress).

She discovered one difference between them recently by the simple act of sharing her cheerios with Evan. I deviated from my usual script of "that's so nice of you to offer to share with him" "babies don't eat cheerios, they drink milk, blah blah". Instead, I told her that baby Evan can't possibly eat cheerios because he doesn't have teeth. She stared at me in complete and utter disbelief. Then without much warning she stuffed her hand in his mouth to see for herself. For the remainder of the day, every time Evan yawned, smiled or cried, Taylor would run in, bound and determined to inspect his mouth. Then without fail, she'd report her findings to me "no teeth mom....see, no teeth"

Another difference was discovered while she was helping with a diaper change. Ah yes, anyone else see where this is going? Taylor loves to watch Evan get his diaper changed. Mostly because she wants to see the "really really big poop" as she calls it. Yeah, I don't get it either. But today she noticed that Evan looked a little different then her under the diaper. So she points to him and with a quizzical expression asks "Evan's gina?" Hmm. So yes, I found myself having the "girls have vagina's and boys have penis's discussion with my toddler". She seemed satisfied with my response. The next time we did a diaper, up pops Taylor alongside the changing table with "I want to see his little peanut mommy".

Morning Memories

I would love to know exactly what goes on in Taylor's head. I feel like I get glimpses from time to time. Recently I have been extremely intrigued by the first words/thoughts she has in the morning. On a side note, anyone else love waking up next to a sleeping toddler? I do. I love quiet mornings when I can lazily watch both of my kids peacefully sleeping. Granted that doesn't happen all that often. Anyways....so Taylor wakes up the other morning rolls over and says "this is my leg" as she points to her leg. Yes,sweetie it most certainly is. But how was that her first thought of the day? Other times she'll wake up and immediately start singing a silly song. There are several songs she chooses from. Sometimes she'll wake up and announce she's hungry, that seems normal. Or she'll tell me specifically which DVD she wants to watch. Yesterday she rolled over and told me that I had brown eyes. Occasionally her first act will be to crawl over and check on her baby brother. On another occasion Taylor's first act of the day was to wander into our bedroom, spy her father getting dressed and announce "look at that butt and those legs" In all fairness she was really just listing the body parts she could see. But the way it came out made our sides hurt from laughing.

My favorite morning glimpse into the workings of Taylor's head came a few weeks ago. Taylor rolls over in the early morning hours and spies her father, who is wearing PJ pants but no shirt and loudly tells him "Daddy, your naked....go put clothes on". Jay, for as long as I've known him, has never worn a shirt to bed. This is not new for info for Taylor either. So why was this morning different from any others? No clue. But she was fixated on it and would not take no for an answer. Little stinker kept bugging him until he got out of bed and got a shirt. Then happy as can be, she rolls over and goes back to sleep....leaving us very confused and as always, entertained.

It Begins

Well, here it is. I've been wanting to do this for ages, mostly as a way of sharing my adventures as a parent. The kids truely grow with alarming speed! Daily there are new words, charming situations, tricks, trouble, etc. It's hard to remember is all. The days, especially being totally sleep deprived from the recent arrival of Evan, blend together. I'm sure any parent can totally recall the days of just trying to remember if they put on deoderant or brushed their teeth. Yeah, we are so there. I hope anyone who reads this truely enjoys the tales as much as I have loved living them. :0)