fun with Daddy

The kids had fun with Daddy last night after he came home from work. Katie is in the back, bouncing around. Jojo is a bit sleepy here and isn't as bouncy. Matty was a little jealous, but he had fun too.

parent-teacher conference

I met with Matty's teacher today. He is doing well with his numbers, though we don't quite know where "eleventeen" fits in when counting to 20. He's doing well socially and apparently quite a social butterfly. It now clicks when parents come up to tell me that all their children could talk about is my son. Incidentally, these are parents of girls.

Also, he's a loud one. The teacher said everyone could be making noise, yet she could still hear Matty perfectly when he talks. I find this highly amusing. He gets his volume from his dad.

fishing derby

It was the fishing derby at Daddy's work this Saturday and this year was the first time we've been able to make it - even though it was a stinkin' 100 degrees with what felt like 200% humidity. Thankfully, the gathering (aside from the actual fishing) was indoors in the cafeteria.

Matty's special request was a flower balloon.

Katie (and Jojo) got a rattle. The clown baloon maker obviously didn't have small children since she insisted on making this for the girls. We took them away a few minutes later.

This little boy was so impatient, he had to go outside and do this fishing thing while we all stayed in the cafeteria to eat. He and Daddy later went out to the pond to do some real fishing. No fish caught though. But now he's going to ask his Papaw to take him fishing. (Fair warning, Papaw!)

Looking around at the lobby. (Katie in front)

Matty and his awesome "soldier" hat, as he likes to call it. I had to get this in the adult section since his had is just too big for a toddler size hat.

lost in translation

This is from Memorial Day. It is time to get inside after our dinner, but Matty is just not ready so he negotiates for more playing time.

my precious little helper

I had an absolutely great Memorial Day. I woke up with my little man wanting to mop the floor for me. Who was I to argue? And it just so happened that the day prior, Daddy and I just discussed how we needed to let Matty do what he wanted to as long as he wasn't hurting anyone. Well, this was the day to put the plan into action.

He mopped to his hearts content until he couldn't any longer.... and then he mopped again.

maybe a hug can bring about world peace

I am ashamed to say it, but I am a yeller. Once I reach a certain frustration level, I yell. I feel awful about it, so I have empowered my son with what I hoped was something that would stop me in my tracks.

I told my son that instead of yelling and being mad at each other, we should just love and hug each other.

Shortly after our conversation, we had an opportunity to test my theory. Matty wasn't listening to whatever I was saying and I was about to pop a vein. He stopped, looked at me, and ran toward me. "Let's hug each other, Mommy!" Not one to reject my son's need for affection, I complied.

With a smile on my face, I went from 60 to zero (well, maybe not zero, more like 15) in 3 seconds flat.

Now the problem is that the power has gone to the boy's head. When we got to warning #2 last night at the store, he used it to wipe the slate clean. Hmmmm.

playing hookie

What is there to do on a Tuesday when you're stuck at home with Pink-Eye?

A shout out to youtube.com 's fire truck videos and sprouteonline.com for giving Mommy a little peace and quiet.
He-lah!!

I'm turning my son's brain into mush.

On the drive home from preschool, here's the conversation.

Me: (trying to stimulate my brain by singing) A-B-C-D-E-F-G, how I wonder where you are, Q-R-S ...

Matty: Mommy, there is no ABC in the sky!

Me: There isn't?

Matty: Nooooooooh!

Me: Are you sure?

Matty: I'm not sure!

Me: You're not?

Matty: I don't think so.

Twins Mobility Check

Katie is still crawling with her torso down. She experiments with lifting her butt off the floor and pushes forward, but she reverts back to the military-type crawl. But she is very very fast! I put her down on the livingroom floor, and turn around to grab a diaper and she's already 3 feet away! She pulls up when we reach for her and when I set her hands on something firm. But she doesn't do it on her own yet. She doesn't step forward on her own when we hold her up by her hands.

Jojo still moves in a circle, but hasn't yet started moving forward. We've coaxed her but she is just not motivated enough to want to do it. But she does scoot when she's sitting down. I don't quite know how she does it, but I could be sitting right in front of her and still don't know how she moves 2 feet from where I set her down. She tried to pull up using the exersaucer one day, but the thing is highly unstable so she never tried again. She pulls up to standing position when we reach for her and she takes steps when we hold on to her. If we hold her by her hands, she takes steps on her own. She gets her legs crossed sometimes though. I had her holding on to the side of the crib one day, and she managed to move sideways. She is experimenting on cruising, but she eventually falls down because she steps over her other leg.

I have pictures to post, but not on the computer I am using at the moment. And I'm too lazy to change computers.

Both Katie and Jojo have a cold and their noses are dripping like a faucet. Katie has taken to refusing the breast for this reason. I had to pump one night and just gave her breastmilk through a bottle.

Matty's skin is suffering form little itchy bumps, no doubt caused by pollen. Thankfully, he's been on allergy medication for a couple of weeks now, so at least he's not itching as bad and not sneezing like he usually does this time of year.

Trip down memory lane

In August 2006, we went to Disney World and had an absolute blast with our then 18-month old little man. I told someone that we spent most of our time in the Animal Kingdom because our son loves animals. This person had disappointment in her voice, "awww, that's not fun!"

On the contrary, it was a ton of fun. Sure, we didn't get to ride on roller coasters. It was quite a surprise how much fun we had watching our son "ooooh" and "aaaah" at everything he saw and experienced.

We evolve. As a single woman, my idea of fun was a lot different than my idea of fun as a married woman. And now that I am a mom of 3 little children, my idea of fun has changed yet again. Does it mean that I have lost myself? Heck no. I am more of "me" now than I ever was before, and not so surprisingly, my husband has confessed the same thing to me.

So, here is our little Matty enjoying all the sea creatures, big and small. And if you listen closely, my husband and I, are just as excited.

Some brotherly-love and Papaw-love

Is that a hug or a head-lock?

Katie seems to be doing just fine, but poor Jojo is on the way down to the floor. AGAIN!

Jojo's one-on-one time with her Papaw.

Cuteness Check

Here are a few pictures taken from 2 weeks ago. I'm slacking, I know.

I told him I was going to take his picture and this is the pose I got. I do believe that's chip stain on his face.

I snapped a photo of Katie and this is the face I got because of the red-eye reduction light. Her eyes got even bigger after the flash. This is also the first time I was able to use a barrette on her!

Little Jojo has a perpetual look of mischievousness, it seems. Cute barrett!

Matty's First Professional Hairtcut

On Saturday morning, Matty exclaimed that his hair wasn't cut by a barber. I asked him if he wanted to get it cut, and he said yes. (He's really long overdue. His sideburns hang lower than his ears.) So off we were to a hair cuttery. He did really well, though I had to assist in getting him to stop looking around. The hair cut wasn't bad, but I think Daddy and I do a better job. Seriously, don't you think he looks a-la-Spock with that bangs?

To show off his new do, I snapped a few photos and happen to catch him in a mood, as in the I-want-to-terrorize-my-sisters mood. Can't you see the terror in the girls' faces?

I think Katie has realized that big brother is up to no good, while Jojo enjoys the commotion.

At this point, Matty is starting to get in his sisters' nerves. Katie gets squeezed harder, while Jojo gets pushed off the chair. Matty is having a ball.

Don't you want to know exactly what is going in this boy's big head?

Victory!

(whatever it was that he's trying to do) Jojo has completely fallen off the chair, and Katie is still trying to get away. Poor girl.

When will Daddy learn?

When I was telling Matty goodbye when I dropped him off at school, it was evident that Daddy hasn't realized that he should watch what he says with Matty.

Matty: I want to close the door for you, Mommy.

Me: OK. Give me a big kiss. (I get a kiss.) Give me a big hug. (He holds his arms straight out for me.)

Matty: Mommy, too tight! You're squeezing the poop out.

Oh yes, this one is from Daddy. I've heard it a few times (at home) and apparently, now so have other people.

Day at the Zoo

At the Zoo entrance. It was windy!

My brother feeding the Giraffe. We tried to get Matty to hold the cup, but he didn't want to. But he did get really close to it though.

Jojo is trying to get Uncle's glasses, and Matty makes funny faces.

We all had a day at the zoo with Gramma and my brother on Wednesday. It was a great day, though I didn't expect it to be so windy that morning. Ooopsy! Thankfully, I had a big beach towel in the car and it served to be the perfect blanket between Katie and Jojo.

The day went great, but Matty didn't nap. There was a major melt down late that afternoon, which I would rather not discuss in hopes that it would eventually be erased from my memory.

Growing Up

The girls had their 9-month well baby check last week. Jojo is 16 lbs 4 oz (10th percentile), 27 inches long (40th percentile) and 50th percentile for head size. Katie is 17 lbs 9 oz (25th percentile), 27 3/4 inches long (50th percentile), and also in the 50th percentile for head size.

I asked the pediatrician if we should worry about them being small and he said no. They are on the small side but is within normal limits.

Yesterday, Matty had his 3-year old well check. He was quite chit-chatty with the doctor, which was pleasantly surprising. Because he didn't get a shot, it was even more pleasant. Matty weighed in at 39 lbs (95th percentile) and 38 inches tall (75th percentile). The doctor said he is quite a stocky boy and not fat at all (considering he's heavier than 95 percent of kids his age). He has his father's broad shoulder!

Matty, in all his 3 years of life has never fallen below 85th percentile for his weight. So you can understand why I think the girls are small, right?

Birthday Boy

This was taken as soon as we get home from school. He had been waiting to open his gifts since he woke in the morning, but since we knew he would want to take his presents to school, we didn't let him.

He had birthday party in the afternoon. I brought cup cakes that I ordered from WalMart. It was decorated the same as regular cakes, except they are cupcakes. It worked well for school because we didn't have to cut it up. It was a Cars theme cake. I also brought vanilla ice cream and cookies. We all sang to him and he blew out his candles and they all ate quietly! After everything was cleaned up, I put Cars tattoo on everyone. I was worried that only the boys would like it but the girls liked it too. I had party bags for everyone that were there, full of everything Cars of course.

When we got home, he was finally given his gifts. He got everything Cars from his Nana and Papaw and I got him a toy vacuum (this one was overdue since I promised it to him one day when I went to the store by myself, but the store was out of stock!). Daddy got him a military helicopter with a motorcyle (we had to get rid of the guns) and his sisters got him Tonka service vehicles. They were all a hit with him!!

But with me being stressed out trying to get everything for the party at school on time, that when I got there, I forgot to take pictures. Bad mommy!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Buddy!

Three years ago today, you made a very loud entrance into the world. You were the most handsome baby we'd ever seen, and it's gotta be said, you were also the biggest. Everyone in the Labor & Delivery floor in the hospital came to see the "big baby".

You were a challenging baby. Mommy had to learn to do everything one-handed because you refused to be put down. You also refused to sleep. It was as if you didn't want to miss any second of anything exciting that may happen.

You continually amazed us as a baby. Every time I thought you may get cranky, you would be in your best behavior, especially in public. You reserved your crankiness in the comfort of our home.

You were always ahead in your motor skills, but it wasn't until 2 1/2 that your verbal skills took off. And oh, how it took off. Everyday, Daddy and I are always amused by the stories you tell.

You are a loving big brother. You welcomed your sisters with open arms. They were YOUR babies. You are a bit rough, and also super protective. But you have to be, with 2 sisters to fend for all your life. I'm sure you and Daddy will have the greatest time scaring suitors away.

Matty, you and I are both strong-willed and so we've butted heads many times, but know that I will always love you. Both Daddy and I are doing our best, but being the first child, we don't always do very well. From day 1, you've always known what you want and don't want and been very vocal about it. And this hasn't changed now that you're getting bigger. You are highly independent. When you were 15 months old, you walked away from me when we were in the park, just to see a man mowing the grounds. You got as far as 30 feet away without even glancing back once. I was worried, but also very proud. I just knew you would grow up to be a very independent, confident, sensitive adult. Daddy and I will do our best to nurture your little soul.

Happy Birthday, Matty.


(Torturing Katie with his big boy hugs)

It's Time for Obedience Training

When dogs have behavioral problems, a great answer is to take them for obedience training. Do you think it works with toddlers?

Matty bit two kids in his class today. He told me about it as soon as I walked in when I picked him up. The teacher was quite amused that he was telling on himself. Oh, but I wasn't amused.

According to the teacher, Matty bit someone out of frustration this morning. But since it was out of character for him (everyone at school loves him for being such the model student), she let it go. But not 15 minutes before I picked him up, he apparently bit another kid. He didn't bite hard, thank goodness. Though I am trying to mentally prepare myself to be ambushed in the parking lot by a couple parents.

So I had a calm talk with him all the way home. Then somewhere between the school and our house, I thought there should be a punishment. I told him TV and video games aren't allowed this evening. Then the crying and the hollering and the "I want my Daddy" started.

He is probably too young for the punishment, and the punishment doesn't quite fit the crime (I'm all for natural consequences) but I couldn't think of anything else at the moment. I mean, what's the natural consequence for biting someone? Help me out, in case it happens again. Though I doubt that it would. I'm pretty good at scaring the bajeezuz out of someone.

Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back, so we're still Ahead

Matty has been sleeping in his bedroom since we moved him there some time in November. We progressed so well and so fast, it amazed us. But then the twins got sick and Matty regressed. I didn't make the connection at the time, but the hubby did. He theorized that since we were paying so much attention to the twins, he was feeling left out and wanted to sleep back in our room.

When the hubby was in the hospital, not only did Matty sleep back in our room, he slept with me on our bed. So to avoid frustration in everyone's part, I set up a sleeping back on the floor in our bedroom and let Matty sleep there.

Wait a minute. Weren't we in this exact same situation many moons ago? Not only did we take steps back, but it seemed we went back as far as the beginning. This wouldn't do. I made a deal wth Matty that he is to sleep in his bedroom in the beginning of the night. Whenever he wakes up, he is allowed to run to our bedroom and sleep on the flor.

It worked out yesterday, but this boy is just way too smart. Not 5 minutes after I said goodnight and gone downstairs, I heard running. I go upstairs to check on Matty and he was lying down on the floor in our bedroom.

I asked him why he was there, and he said, "I woke up, Mommy! Now I sleep in Mommy's floor." I rolled my eyes and said goodnight.

When Daddy came up and saw Matty on the floor, Matty said, "Mommy say to me I can sleep on Mommy's floor!"

Oh well. He DID start out in his bedroom.