James is pretty focused when he plays. Actually, it's almost a little too intense some times. He just seems to fixate on one thing and plays and plays and plays.
There are some sure fire ways to get his attention though.
Turn on an episode of Super Why on PBS.
Stand by the door with keys and ask if he wants to "Go, Go, Go!"
Sing his special song we made up for him.
Open the door to our bedroom, which is one of two doors that are kept shut during the day for his safety and our sanity.
And finally....
Open the door to the bathroom in the hallway.
I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never really use the toilet alone unless we are at Target and A has him in a shopping cart.
It's really about 3 things:
1) The door is closed so when it opens he HAS TO GO THERE immediately to see if anything has changed.
2) He has discovered the toilet paper and thinks it's interesting to pull on and make twirl.
3) There is something about the swirling water as the toilet flushes that is just amazing.
That last one is the one that cracks me up.
He will walk in with a toy and go sit on the bath mat on the other side of this huge bathroom and play. But the second the flush happens, he is on his feet and making a beeline to the toilet to look in and see the water go down.
Heaven forbid you attempt a courtesy flush because he will walk up to you and smack your knee. He expects you to stand so he can look in and watch before continuing with your business.
For his first birthday, the great grandparents bought him his first potty seat so we'd be ready for him. I'm thinking that I will be opening it this weekend. He is in no way ready to start, but as long as he is in there, it doesn't hurt to teach him to sit, right?
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Days Don't Seem Long Enough
A typical day begins with the sounds of a happy morning person playing with toys. He wakes between 7:30 and 8 each morning, plays until he has had enough, and then begins pounding on his wall while calling for us.
From that point, work for us both keeps life moving until I log off at 5. James is active, plays a lot by himself, but has days where he needs us. It means that when his nap rolls around we are both ready for 2 hours to focus on things that we can spend more than 10 minutes on before someone wants to "help".
By the way, when did he realize that helping was something that he could do? He wants to be in the cabinets and touching things and pulling out pots and pans. We've given him an old set of plastic tubs and lids, and if I am in there cooking, he is in there cooking from one end of the kitchen to the other with me.
His bedtime is later than we like. Normally 9, but a couple of times almost 10. We manage to stay up until at least 11, occasionally 12, catching up with things, and then falling sleeping.
Only to have someone pounding on the wall calling for us in what seems like the blink of an eye...
From that point, work for us both keeps life moving until I log off at 5. James is active, plays a lot by himself, but has days where he needs us. It means that when his nap rolls around we are both ready for 2 hours to focus on things that we can spend more than 10 minutes on before someone wants to "help".
By the way, when did he realize that helping was something that he could do? He wants to be in the cabinets and touching things and pulling out pots and pans. We've given him an old set of plastic tubs and lids, and if I am in there cooking, he is in there cooking from one end of the kitchen to the other with me.
His bedtime is later than we like. Normally 9, but a couple of times almost 10. We manage to stay up until at least 11, occasionally 12, catching up with things, and then falling sleeping.
Only to have someone pounding on the wall calling for us in what seems like the blink of an eye...
Monday, August 20, 2012
Getting Space
Well, we did it.
James has room to play in his room.
This has been something we talked about for a while. Mainly so that he could play with his bigger and noisier toys all day if he wanted.
We weren't sure how he would like it, but as is the norm for him there was no reason for us to worry. He is perfectly content to play there and then bring things out to us. It's giving him more freedom to grow.
James has room to play in his room.
This has been something we talked about for a while. Mainly so that he could play with his bigger and noisier toys all day if he wanted.
We weren't sure how he would like it, but as is the norm for him there was no reason for us to worry. He is perfectly content to play there and then bring things out to us. It's giving him more freedom to grow.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Our Week via Instagram
I wish I had a good reason for not writing this week.
What it boils down to is that after having 3 days off work last week, plus the weekend, James was not ready for Monday. I've spent all my spare time with him. He is just today getting back to not wanting to sit on my lap or stand next to my chair whining for me to look at him and play.
This week, we took advantage of the pool in our apartment complex for the first time as a family.
So here are a few from this week.
After playing in his floating turtle, he was excited to play on the steps and splash us with water.
There was something that caught his attention as I took the picture. James always looks so serious when he observes things.
They couldn't stop laughing last night. After 3 trips to the pool, James is very relaxed and lounges in his turtle. He also has started kicking in the water, and laughs as he drifts. I don't think he realizes what he is doing, but it's funny to watch.
Finally, I have to share what I bought this week. I've been saving my pennies, and after a successful sale on eBay, I ran to Journey's and purchased my first pair of Converse in years.
What it boils down to is that after having 3 days off work last week, plus the weekend, James was not ready for Monday. I've spent all my spare time with him. He is just today getting back to not wanting to sit on my lap or stand next to my chair whining for me to look at him and play.
This week, we took advantage of the pool in our apartment complex for the first time as a family.
So here are a few from this week.
This is the face I got when standing between him and the pool.
After playing in his floating turtle, he was excited to play on the steps and splash us with water.
They couldn't stop laughing last night. After 3 trips to the pool, James is very relaxed and lounges in his turtle. He also has started kicking in the water, and laughs as he drifts. I don't think he realizes what he is doing, but it's funny to watch.
Finally, I have to share what I bought this week. I've been saving my pennies, and after a successful sale on eBay, I ran to Journey's and purchased my first pair of Converse in years.
Yes, they are purple.
Yes, that is Catwoman on the left shoe.
Yes, that is Batgirl on the right shoe.
Yes, I am as excited as you can possibly imagine over these shoes.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Will My Hormones Ever Be "Normal"?
The summer of 2010, I lost enough weight to beat PCOS.
I use the word "beat" because that's what it felt like. In the end, I think I just tricked my body long enough to ovulate and then conceive. My hormones actually did their job, and my son is truly the best part of that whole thing.
This time around, I've lost more weight than last time. Roughly 15 pounds more so far. I'm still on birth control pills, so my cycle should be predictable and happen right when the white pills take over for that last 7 days in the pack.
Should is the key word in that sentence.
Over the last 2 months my cycle has been the oddest thing. I attributed it to the hell that was the first part of May, and then to James being in the braces and dealing with that. I kept saying that once things went back to normal that I'd be fine.
Haha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
I think I am averaging a short cycle every 2 weeks. The time between them are emotionally draining for me. I fluctuated between weepy and bitchy, and some times both happen at once. My husband has shown that he is really patient with me as I alternate between wanting to be with him and then not wanting to talk to him.
Based on the last month, I think it may be evening out. My next annual is in September, and moving it sooner isn't an option because of scheduling for the doctor.
I honestly thought I was having another version of post partum, but is that even possible 14 months later?
I'm holding my breath until September 6th, and then I guess we will see. In the meantime, I'm starting a list of things that make my mood shift.
It's for the safety of the entire family. Trust me.
I use the word "beat" because that's what it felt like. In the end, I think I just tricked my body long enough to ovulate and then conceive. My hormones actually did their job, and my son is truly the best part of that whole thing.
This time around, I've lost more weight than last time. Roughly 15 pounds more so far. I'm still on birth control pills, so my cycle should be predictable and happen right when the white pills take over for that last 7 days in the pack.
Should is the key word in that sentence.
Over the last 2 months my cycle has been the oddest thing. I attributed it to the hell that was the first part of May, and then to James being in the braces and dealing with that. I kept saying that once things went back to normal that I'd be fine.
Haha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
I think I am averaging a short cycle every 2 weeks. The time between them are emotionally draining for me. I fluctuated between weepy and bitchy, and some times both happen at once. My husband has shown that he is really patient with me as I alternate between wanting to be with him and then not wanting to talk to him.
Based on the last month, I think it may be evening out. My next annual is in September, and moving it sooner isn't an option because of scheduling for the doctor.
I honestly thought I was having another version of post partum, but is that even possible 14 months later?
I'm holding my breath until September 6th, and then I guess we will see. In the meantime, I'm starting a list of things that make my mood shift.
It's for the safety of the entire family. Trust me.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Fascination
James has shown us that he wants to examine things.
Since he still isn't putting things in his mouth, we let him play with leaves and rocks and grass and twigs. He is a typical little boy, wanting to play with everything.
This seems to have fascinated some family members.
He is the youngest of the families on both side, and the next closes to him is 2 years older. She is a beautiful little girl, but likes being the center of the attention. She also had a habit of eating mulch, so couldn't be let out of sight from what I heard.
We took James to visit his great granny last week, and he spent the time walking around with a small shell he found, then a leaf, and eventually a rock. He would change them up, but he played quietly, and everyone just watched him walking around. There was no tantrum, no need to keep him busy, no need to reprimand. He just does his own thing at his own pace and is excited to see how things work when he puts them on different surfaces.
I really think the family has never seen one of the kids be like this. His great grandma and great grandpa tell everyone that he is the easiest baby they've ever watched. They take him to their place and he swings and swims and babbles at them for hours.
We love watching him at home with his things, doing what he wants with his toys, and pulling us to the floor when he wants that from us.
He is so fascinated with everything around him. I don't think he realizes how we've become so fascinated with him and his quiet ways.
Since he still isn't putting things in his mouth, we let him play with leaves and rocks and grass and twigs. He is a typical little boy, wanting to play with everything.
This seems to have fascinated some family members.
He is the youngest of the families on both side, and the next closes to him is 2 years older. She is a beautiful little girl, but likes being the center of the attention. She also had a habit of eating mulch, so couldn't be let out of sight from what I heard.
We took James to visit his great granny last week, and he spent the time walking around with a small shell he found, then a leaf, and eventually a rock. He would change them up, but he played quietly, and everyone just watched him walking around. There was no tantrum, no need to keep him busy, no need to reprimand. He just does his own thing at his own pace and is excited to see how things work when he puts them on different surfaces.
I really think the family has never seen one of the kids be like this. His great grandma and great grandpa tell everyone that he is the easiest baby they've ever watched. They take him to their place and he swings and swims and babbles at them for hours.
We love watching him at home with his things, doing what he wants with his toys, and pulling us to the floor when he wants that from us.
He is so fascinated with everything around him. I don't think he realizes how we've become so fascinated with him and his quiet ways.
Friday, August 3, 2012
And Suddenly We Like Sports!
Prior to life as a couple, I loved going to baseball games and hockey games. I never liked watching them on TV because it just wasn't the same. That and the announcers annoyed me.
Football I could do on TV. I was normally in it for the Super Bowl ads, though. I remember sleeping through many a game, waking to see the ads, and then dozing off again.
My husband really has never done sports. He says that if James decides to play something that he will be there for every game, and help him any way he can. But until then, if I turn on the Super Bowl, he turns on a game on his computer.
Last Friday was the opening of the Olympics in London. This is another thing I love to watch, the music and performers, and then the countries being announced as their athletes take the field. It's amazing to see it all unfold. I missed it in 2008 because I was getting married, so this year I wanted to sit and watch.
And I did.
Saturday morning, after James watched his show, I switched to see what was on.
I don't know what happened. Between volleyball and swimming and gymnastics, I was drawn further and further in to it all. I was yelling when we won or advanced, and complaining when people got in our way. It was more than I'd done in a while for any sport, and the next thing I knew, A was sitting next to me.
Over the last week, we've watched more competitions on TV than I can count. We are playing a trivia game through an app for points, reading about the competitions and results, refreshing web pages like crazy to see what happens next.
Somehow, in 7 days, we've become people who like sports.
Will it last past the Olympics in to other televised competitions?
Probably not.
But that's okay. We need the break in order to come back to this in 2016 when the games are in Rio.
Maybe we should get a bigger television set....
Football I could do on TV. I was normally in it for the Super Bowl ads, though. I remember sleeping through many a game, waking to see the ads, and then dozing off again.
My husband really has never done sports. He says that if James decides to play something that he will be there for every game, and help him any way he can. But until then, if I turn on the Super Bowl, he turns on a game on his computer.
Last Friday was the opening of the Olympics in London. This is another thing I love to watch, the music and performers, and then the countries being announced as their athletes take the field. It's amazing to see it all unfold. I missed it in 2008 because I was getting married, so this year I wanted to sit and watch.
And I did.
Saturday morning, after James watched his show, I switched to see what was on.
I don't know what happened. Between volleyball and swimming and gymnastics, I was drawn further and further in to it all. I was yelling when we won or advanced, and complaining when people got in our way. It was more than I'd done in a while for any sport, and the next thing I knew, A was sitting next to me.
Over the last week, we've watched more competitions on TV than I can count. We are playing a trivia game through an app for points, reading about the competitions and results, refreshing web pages like crazy to see what happens next.
Somehow, in 7 days, we've become people who like sports.
Will it last past the Olympics in to other televised competitions?
Probably not.
But that's okay. We need the break in order to come back to this in 2016 when the games are in Rio.
Maybe we should get a bigger television set....
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Weight Loss 2012 Update
Well, 32 1/2 pounds have come off without any real effort on my part. I officially weigh 257 pounds.
I'm eating healthier, not fighting cravings, and pretty much still a bump on a log most days. James keeps my moving, but that is evened out by the need for a 12 pack of tacos from Taco Bell.
Don't ask me about that last one. I don't know why, but last month we were getting one of those a week (at least) and splitting them. Not just for lunch. We are talking about a weird craving at 9, after James was asleep, and we'd sit on the floor with the box between us watching TV.
No, we don't smoke pot. This had nothing with the munchies. It was just I HAD TO HAVE THEM NOW thing and luckily A just said go for it. He actually drove out and bought them a couple of those times and he hates driving anywhere.
I still think they are better than a Big Mac for me. But probably not.
My weight over the last 6 weeks has fluctuated within a 3 pound range, and I realized that I had hit that point where just eating right wasn't going to cut it. I'd have to burn calories. Move my body.
Exercise.
So this morning, when I opened my eyes at 7, rather than roll over and try to squeeze that extra hour of sleep in, I got up.
Oh, treadmill, I've actually missed you.
I walked 1.25 miles using the Fat Burner program on the treadmill, listening to music, and felt good. I walked back in to the apartment in the best mood, and arrived in time to see James wake up. The endorphins kept me bouncing, so I changed and fed him, all with A looking at me funny.
The plan is to keep this up, and continue to lose those 2-3 pounds a week. If I can manage that over the next 13 weeks, I will be be about 230 pounds.
Why that time frame?
Because I've decided to go to my 20 year high school reunion.
California, here I come!
I'm eating healthier, not fighting cravings, and pretty much still a bump on a log most days. James keeps my moving, but that is evened out by the need for a 12 pack of tacos from Taco Bell.
Don't ask me about that last one. I don't know why, but last month we were getting one of those a week (at least) and splitting them. Not just for lunch. We are talking about a weird craving at 9, after James was asleep, and we'd sit on the floor with the box between us watching TV.
No, we don't smoke pot. This had nothing with the munchies. It was just I HAD TO HAVE THEM NOW thing and luckily A just said go for it. He actually drove out and bought them a couple of those times and he hates driving anywhere.
I still think they are better than a Big Mac for me. But probably not.
My weight over the last 6 weeks has fluctuated within a 3 pound range, and I realized that I had hit that point where just eating right wasn't going to cut it. I'd have to burn calories. Move my body.
Exercise.
So this morning, when I opened my eyes at 7, rather than roll over and try to squeeze that extra hour of sleep in, I got up.
Oh, treadmill, I've actually missed you.
I walked 1.25 miles using the Fat Burner program on the treadmill, listening to music, and felt good. I walked back in to the apartment in the best mood, and arrived in time to see James wake up. The endorphins kept me bouncing, so I changed and fed him, all with A looking at me funny.
The plan is to keep this up, and continue to lose those 2-3 pounds a week. If I can manage that over the next 13 weeks, I will be be about 230 pounds.
Why that time frame?
Because I've decided to go to my 20 year high school reunion.
California, here I come!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
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