Fall 2010 - November

This month started with a celebration of my parents' birthdays, dad on Nov 1, and mom on Nov 2.  We visited mom, then had an early dinner at my Uncle's home.  My sister and I attempted to cook dishes that everyone requested.  My sister surprised me when she admitted that she didn't know how to cook Adobo.  It got me thinking about how recipes are passed down to each generation.  I've somewhat set myself on a project of documenting mom's recipes to the best of my knowledge, so that she continues to be with us when the family gathers for any occasion. 

Matt's dad and step mother came to visit week prior to Thanksgiving.  Grandpa and Grandma took Ian to The Children's Museum while I stayed home with Spencer and napped.  *sigh*  

A few days later, Friday, 11/19, Matt's brother, Dan, and his wife, Michelle, arrived.  Matt and I went to pick them up from the airport.  Dan is an Air Traffic Controller in Cleveland, so he arranged for all four of us to take a tour of the control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  WOW!  That is all I can say.  As travelers, it seems everything is disorganized, but when I got to see what "pushing tin" was all about, they have it down to a science.  

That evening we dad dinner at Hobnob.  It was crazy good!  Mulled wine, fish 'n chips, endive boats, gourmet mac 'n cheese.  Ian said is was "deee-licious."

Speaking of "delicious," Ian's vocabulary astonishes me lately, particularly with his use of the the letter "D."

• Regarding anything that requires more strength then he has: "Mommy, it's difficult."

• Regarding meals: "Mmmm. It's yummy and delicious."

• Regarding eggs in the fridge: "These are delicate, mommy."

Looked up their value in Scrabble. Results: Delicate (13pts), Delicious (15pts), Difficult (21pts). LOL... Next, we will work on Trivia. 

Saturday, 11/20, morning we all ventured to the GA Aquarium.  Although I've taken Ian to the aquarium several times, this time he was really seeing it for the first time.  Following his afternoon nap, we celebrated Ian's 3rd birthday a week early.  It was hysterical to hear Ian exclaim, "PRESENTS!"  He tore through all the wrapping paper as if there was no tomorrow.  He only gave the actual gift a mere glance, then it was onto the next goody.  It wasn't until he found a gift to his satisfaction, matchbox cars, did he stop to open and play.  Had he found the cars first, I doubt not that the other gifts would have remained unwrapped and quickly forgotten.  That night we watched the Ohio Buckeyes and enjoyed some of my mother's tasty dishes.  I'm not an rabid football fan, so it worked out well that I cooked during the game.  LOL...  Besides, I got my spotlight when dinner was served. ;-)

Sunday, 11/21, Spencer was baptized at The Cathedral of Christ the King.  We had a lot more folks attend Spencer's baptism than we did for Ian.  Both mine and Matt's mothers were unable to attend so their presence were missed.  My sister and Matt's brother are Spencer's Godparents.   After the ceremony, we all headed to Fritti and enjoyed gourment pizzas.  Surprisingly enough, even my nephew, whose diet usually consists of a choke sandwich (peanut butter spread thick on white bread) enjoyed the calamari.  Who knew?!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our home this year.  My Uncle Nicolas went down the Jesup to spend the holiday with his sister and her family.  I extended the invite to Garnet's family knowing that I would not get a response.  Keiko, a long time family friend, gave us a turkey.  Turns out they were on sale and she couldn't let that pass her by.  The irony was out of the four turkeys she purchased, she didn't cook one as she had plans to be out of town.  Roxann had brought a gingerbread house kit to occupy the kids while we cooked dinner.  Lots of fun.  The weather was beautiful, so the kids go to do their project outside.  Roxann had warned me that the finished gingerbread house was to remain at the Hills' dwellings as decor.  Each time I passed the house in the kitchen I noticed something was missing.  I knew it wasn't Ian as the house was out of his reach.  So, I deduced it was Matt.  I took pictures of it's destruction.  It is a good add for AllState Insurance.  Since Ian birthday was in the next three days, we celebrated early, again, this time with my sister's family.

Sunday, 11/28, Ian's 3rd Birthday.  I would never say that Ian is 100% potty trained.  What child is?  An accident here or there, is not 100% potty trained.  However, I am pleased to say that Ian has not been in diapers (day or night) since mid October.  What a great birthday present to me, and to our budget.  So, for six weeks we have only had to purchase diapers in one size.  Plus, we have the added bonus of a breastfed baby, so no formula thus far.  Though I'm thinking that will change when Spencer reaches his half birthday next month.

You may have noticed the new layout of blog, ie tabs for Home, About, Growth, Activities, etc across the bottom of main picture.  Still playing, continue to play, with all the features of this blog.

Are YOU in Good Hands?

The destruction of the Gingerbread house is the work of Matt, not Ian.

Fall 2010 - October

Big month.
Spencer turned over from his stomach to his back. He continues to meet his baby milestones, ie clasping his hands, vocalizing, smiling, etc.

I dare not say that Ian is "potty trained."  Seriously, I don't know any "fully" potty trained kid who doesn't have the occasional accident.  However, I will say that Ian has not been in diapers (day or night) since mid-October.  We never had an issue w/ Ian getting out of bed when he decided to move to the big boy bed.  However, I noticed that he would claim to the urge to pee or poopy after we had done our bedtime routine.  Then I realized this was a new stall tactic not to go to bed.  So, I decided to turn up the pressure on Ian to potty train.  I covered the living room floor w/ plastic tarp, placed the potty on the tarp, and we watched PBS.  This was going to be our routine for training.

Day 1- no accidents.  Wow. 
Day 2-  2 accidents (wearing underwear on wood floor and standing at the fridge)
Day 3- 2 accidents.  in front on TV, and tripping in the bathroom pee everywhere, Spencer hit head on kitchen faucet, Ian tipped Spencer over in bumbo on the floor
Day 4- this day was a wash due to play date and shopping. I didn't have confidence in myself to be able to potty train while running errands, so I had Ian wear a diaper.
Day 5- breakfast w/ daddy.  Ian was dry during the meal, then peed on toilet at the restaurant.  Yippee!  I took a nap, and (unfortunately) neglected to tell Matt to check with Ian every 15 minutes. When I woke up Ian played in the backyard bare bottomed.  No accidents during my supervision.  Beginning of no diaper at night.
Day 6 - No accidents.  Majority of day spent playing bare bottomed in the backyard. 
Day 7 - one accident in underwear.  Realized that I potty trained Ian to be  bare bottomed.  Had to start all over by training him in underwear.  Ian has been in underwear ever since.

The family went to Southern Belle Farm.  This farm is less than 5 miles from my Uncles' home.  We enjoy going there for berry picking.  This fall they installed an enormous bounce pillow (pictures to follow).  So much to do, so little time.  We should have done all the activities prior to bouncing on the pillow as I could not get Ian off of it.

I ventured to take the boys and Watson to the church for the annual Blessing of the Animals.  Solo.  Let your imaginations run a muck.  However, God was with me in the form of Starbucks Pumpkin Latte.  *meditation*

Ian continues to learn and grow, and I continue to trying to keep up w/ him and challenge him.  He's been learning the ropes of running a home (Domestic Operations) and we've been exploring a lot of sciences (Earth, Food, H2O, etc).  

Halloween.  We borrowed costumes from a friend.  Ian was Blues Clues and Spencer was a Giraffe.  We didn't trick or treat, though.  I know, I know.  Bad mommy.  In my defense, Halloween is scary for little kids, and at this age kids do not distinguish between real and pretend.  Everything and anything is magical, ie look Mr Sunlight woke up, God is painting the sky, it's raining leaves, etc.  So, I would rather not have the issue of nightmares just yet.

I decided to nap w/ Ian one afternoon.  As I lay next to him w/ my eyes closed, I can hear him recite a monologue of dialogue between Ian and myself regarding time out.  He would ask, "Do you want a time out?" Then answer himself back, "No."  He would follow that up with, "Why were you in time out? Are you suppose to hit Watson?"  Again, he would answer himself back, "No."  He continued on, "Okay, give me a hug."  It was so precious listening to him role play our discussion.

Spencer's 3 month wellness check:
Height: 24 3/4 inches
Weight: 11 lbs; 15 oz
Head Circ: 15 3/4 inches

It seems that as Spencer's sleep has begun to consolidate, our feedings have been happening less.  The pediatrician suspects my milk has diminished.  According to her, Spencer should have gained 3 lbs since his 2 month wellness check.  He's only gained one pound in two months.  So, back to pumping in addition to nursing.

Enjoy the pictures.  Good news... a link to add videos has returned.  So, videos will be uploaded again soon.