Pictures Up

I added a couple of January and all of the February pictures into the albums on the right hand side of the page.....enjoy!

Pump It Up

After B received two shots at the Dr's office this morning, he and I headed off to Pump It Up, an indoor bounce house play area. I thought I'd just be walking in and letting B take full reign of the play while I socialized with the other mamas. Oh no. This play SHOULD be called "Get-In-Shape- While-Entertaining-Your-Toddler World." Holy guacamole! The little tots had to be carried through the play houses that all happened to be based on climbing structures. Think carrying your thirty pound bag of dog food up a series of ladders. Yes. That was my morning. B, unlike the other tots his age, LOVED Pump It Up. He wanted to go up the inflatable thirty-foot-high slides OVER AND OVER AND OVER again! He would climb up the ladder-type-thing about halfway...as long as I was RIGHT behind him so that when he got tired he could turn around and say "Up!"

Also, as my luck would have it, I got several burns from the slide. Out of the entire playgroup full of kids and moms, only I got burned. What's up with that? All I can say is that I'll have to be feeling pretty energetic before we go back to Pump It UP. But it's all about the kid...really.

It's a head thing

Warning: Do NOT let your toddler play with spring-form pans! (For those that don't know what these are, they are round baking pans that separate into a flat bottom and a ~3" ring.) B and I were practicing "circles," so he was playing with the big circle (big spring-form pan) and the small circle (small version.) He decided to put the small pan over his head and push it until it hung like a giant, metal collar around his neck.

What goes ON easily does not quite come OFF easily. It took me quite a while and a manipulation of the pan's form in order to remove it from his head. I spent most of the time laughing at the image of walking into the E.R. after a failed attempt to "disrobe" him. Fortunately, it didn't come to that, but this definitely falls into the "bad mommy" category of tales. At least I'm learning on an easygoing little guy!

Please Help

(I will add anecdotes to this post later; however, time permits me only to post a quick note for now.)

At the end of April, Benjamin and I will be walking in the March of Dimes Walk in The Woodlands, TX. Our playgroup will be walking together, and B will enjoy himself from the comfort of his stroller. The March of Dimes assists babies that are born premature, and we have heard several first-hand accounts of the dedication of this organization. While we are not people to solicit family and friends, we feel as though this is an important opportunity for us to participate and help any way that we can.

Prior to experiencing pregnancy with Benjamin I just assumed that my baby would be born well and timely. It was only afterwords that I was able to appreciate the unbelievable miracle that a healthy birth offers. If it is within your means and values to participate in raising money for our team, you may go to the following website to pledge. Our goal is to raise a total of five-hundred dollars in the next sixty days.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/jenna1008

We very sincerely appreciate anything you have to offer, even if it's just your prayers and best wishes.

A Day

As I've said before, I like calm Mondays. They are a nice ease into our routine. Today was no different, just another day of exploration around the 'hood.

Today's lunch was the first meal that B has eaten off of a "big boy" plate. (Okay, so it was plastic, but still a plate.) I took pictures, but if you'd like to see them you'll have to hassle Ryan to upload them. That's his division. B only tried to dump the plate into his lap or onto the floor a couple of times. Really, this is progress.

After B's nap, I decided to try out the newly "baby-proofed" bathroom by taking a bath. This was B's first time roaming freely through the room while I bathed. Let's just say his ingenuity makes baby-proofing a challenge. He found a way to reach into the latched drawers. He figured out how to open the linen closet. He busted out of the bathroom's French doors and into the the bedroom. Then, he tried to drop the scale into my bath water. I KNEW it couldn't be as easy as installing a few latches, freeing the space of the Pack 'N Play, and enjoying a relaxing soak. I have a certain feeling that many more items will be tossed into my tub by the time B finally grows out of the must-be-supervised-at-all-times stage. Oh well.

We quickly got dressed and headed out for a walk. B was very excited to sit in his stroller, so I KNEW we were in for a nice break. Admittedly, it had been a while since we had strolled, so it took my about half a mile to notice that the stroller just didn't feel like it used to feel. Was it because B had grown? Was my physical fitness in such a quick and frightening demise? Ahhh, nope. We were merely strolling through the neighborhood with a flat tire. That was pretty embarrassing. Our adventure cut short, we limped back to the house and decided that a graham cracker would be the perfect solution to the stress.

So THIS is toddlerhood?

B has become decidedly more attached to me lately. He gets upset when I leave, and he walks around the house calling for me. I wasn't sure we would have the attachment issues that plague so many (all?) other toddlers. Why would we? B has always been confident and secure. Well, despite his independent nature, he sure needs his mama. Frankly, it warms my heart a bit...well...after I get over the guilt of having to leave him occasionally.

On Friday we needed to pop into Target for some toddler plates and Kleenex. Since there was so little on my list (and since I sure do enjoy filling a cart when I stroll with one,) I made the risky little decision to allow B to walk beside and to carry a hand-held basket. First clue: B insisted on carrying the basket. Initially, I thought this was cute. He was so focused on helping. He did, however, have some difficulty with its weight, so he ended up dragging it through most of the store. I tried to help him, but he wouldn't have anything to do with me.

When we arrived at the baby/toddler gear section, I tried to quickly scour the shelves for what I needed while B, well, did the same. I turned around to find him loading the basket with the most expensive toddler plates and a toy ball. Not so bad. I let it slide. After a quick look at the clothing (because I'm on a mission to collect B's spring wardrobe,) I realized that we better keep moving along before B became fixated on another unnecessary, pricey item.

We were doing pretty well until we hit the Crayola isle. I wanted to compare the price of a certain type of Crayon to the price I had just paid for them at Toys R Us (with a giftcard.) While I was doing some quick calculations, B started loading up his basket with TUBS OF CLAY! I knew things were about to get rough. I removed the tubs, and screaming commenced. B was hell bent on taking home some clay. I had to gather him and the basket and make a run for it.

Next up, the cleaning section. Novice that I am, I wanted to check out prices on the paper towels instead of making a beeline for the Kleenex. In order to accomplish this, I had to lead my now pacified child down the isle full of kitchen cleaners. B fell in love with a bottle of Soft Scrub. Let's just say that love affair didn't end well.

By the time we got to checkout stand, B had recovered and returned to that helpful little man that I adore. He did his best to carry the bags to the car for me. So chivalrous. He had a long day, so I forgive him this one. Having said that, I'll be sure to ALWAYS have my shopping cart sanitizers in the future, and we will definitely roll as one unit.

HOT DOG!

Today we got Benjamin to say "hot dog" for the first time. It was his first two word (or as Jennifer corrected, two-syllable word).

Just in time for opening weekend of Aggie Baseball!

The words "peanuts" and "Cracker Jacks" are next on the list.

Lessons in life: chili and forks

First of all, B went through four forks tonight at dinner. They all ended up on the floor, and I'm pretty sure they were used more like batons than proper utensils.

Second, B decided that it would be a good idea to smear chili in his eyes. I TRIED to make the chili mild, but, apparently, I have no concept of what "mild" means to the masses. Enter B. Although I tried to dilute its impact, B found away around my guilt relief by smearing it in his eyes. Sorry, baby.

Third, it is NOT a good idea to feed a toddler chili and cornbread for dinner. I'll be cleaning crumbs and oily smudges for the next week. Yep, and I'm not even a neat freak. I'll just think of it as taking one for the team...

Gang signs are innate! And a victim.

Tonight at dinner Ryan and I continued to sit in amazement every time B threw his gang sign. Recall that this is the infamous pose he uses to express "yummer!" during a meal. It would be cool if I could say I taught him sign language. It would even be cool if we could just determine where he learned this pose. We are stumped, so we must conclude that gang signs are innate physical expressions. (Trust me, this looks exactly like a gang sign!)

In other news, today was our first day at the Wednesday session of Gymboree. (Our other level four classes have been make-up sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays.) While we were mostly surrounded by other Gymboree friends that moved up with us and a few playgroup friends we hadn't seen in a while, we also found ourselves among a very violent (angry?) twenty-two-month-old. This child who sported a very odd name that I cannot recall should be moved up into the next level. He does not fit in with the other tots. More importantly, he should not be around my child, or I might drop-kick him. Here's why...

While Benjamin was playing at the activity table prior to the start of class, this aforementioned bully walked up to B and hit him right on the head. His mother quickly, if not weakly, scolded him. I was sure this was the end of the issue. Not five minutes later, when his mother was God-knows-where, he turned around and hit B on the head AGAIN! I rushed over, told him that we don't hit, and whisked B away from the danger. Maybe it was more of an effort to whisk MYSELF away from the imminent legal danger imposed by my inclination to beat that child. When class began, we tried to stay away from Trouble. Unfortunately, Trouble found us. The third time he hit B, his mother was, again, inattentive. The fourth and final time Trouble accosted my baby, she scolded him.

I was conflicted. I am not confrontational, at least not when it becomes a personal issue. Neither will I allow my child to be beaten by a peer. While I tended to like Mom-o-Trouble, my gut feeling was that she had been abused in some capacity. She seemed meek and weathered. What to do, what to do... Someday I'll find my voice. Haha! (Actually, I'm pretty vocal, so perhaps it was just the shock of it all. Perhaps it was my will not to say what was actually on my mind.)

Next Wednesday I'm putting my foot down! You stay tuned!

"Oh No!" and "More."

Yep, folks, these are B's new words for the day. I never have any idea WHY he says "oh no" when he does, but it sure is cute! "More" is a helpful one. I'm pretty glad that he finally uses the right word for wanting "more." He's so lax that speaking hasn't really been a huge priority, so I get excited with each new word.

Today's baby activity was Spanish Story Time. B really enjoys the opening song, "Hola Amigo." He also enjoyed the beanbags with the Spanish names of colors printed on them. B actually became a bit possessive of them today...not the highlight. All in all, he was happy to change scenery and activity for a while.

Our final activity for the day was venturing out to Petco during five-o-clock traffic. I couldn't imagine HOW I was going to carry a thirty-pound bag of dog food and a toddler. I really wasn't feeling like spending ten minutes sanitizing a shopping cart to drive around this luggage either. Much to my amazement, next to the grown-up sized shopping carts were a collection of toddler sized carts! After I finally got over the fact that the toddler carts ALL had stagnant front wheels (keeping us headed everywhere but straight ahead,) I became deeply amused by my little tot diligently steering his own cart through the store. He never stopped to investigate merchandise. The man was on a mission! He had purpose! (Just like the vet tells me that my dog needs. I think she has a purpose: to clean herself frequently enough that she swallows her hair balls before I find them on my floor.) Anyhow, I loaded the heavy bag of food right into B's cart, and he pressed onwards. He did make a bit of a getaway when I was paying for the goods, but he just hadn't had enough cart-pushing for the day. I was proud.

Oh, yes, and the low point of the day was when the dogs viciously attacked each other trying to get to B's lunch crumbs. It took about five full minutes to pry them apart. There was blood. They became outside dogs...well, for a few hours anyways. B was panicked but quickly relieved. Witnessing the potential aggression of the dogs did not thwart him from trying to beat them with various toys later in the day. Glad to see he's resilient.

Lots of tales, so little time!

Let's just start here...

Benjamin has developed a new fascination courtesy of his independent streak: putting on shoes. My shoes, Ryan's shoes, B's shoes. B loves them all. Actually, I think he just enjoys his new capacity to help dress himself. Since Ryan and I are notorious for leaving pairs of shoes all over the house, it seems as though every time we turn around B is sporting a new look.

Thursday was B's first day in Gymboree's Play and Learn level four. Just as I expected, he blended right in with the older crowd. All the moms commented on how tall he was. Yes, he is, thank you. He was in a very enthusiastic mood, so he involved himself in lots of climbing, clapping, and dancing. He even tried to repeat some of the words that the instructor said such as "roll." Very cute. Bring on the language skills! I'm ready! The most memorable moment of the class was when the kiddos were asked to straddle the "air log." (It's a long, inflatable cylinder about two feet high.) As all ten (give or take a few) kids were tossed up for a ride, the teacher started singing the song that includes the verse "And they all rolled over, and one fell off." Since this was our first time in this level, I wasn't aware that the aforementioned verse was the cue for the teacher to push all of the toddlers off of the log. B hit the ground unexpectedly while all the other babies were caught by their mammas. Fortunately for me, B thought that was hilarious. We even did it again!

Hmmm

Ryan wrote that "clarification" post because he had to change the diaper as I was at the doctor's office. I guess he forgot about how I came home and had to remove and change all the bedding, and how I found the very dirty pants nicely folded on the ottoman in B's room. Oh yes, and when I asked Ryan if he gave B a bath in the aftermath, Ryan said, "No, but I rubbed hand sanitizer all over him. Isn't that what it's there for?" No. Seriously? Did we REALLY have that conversation?

On another note, B has a new gig that we like to call "The Shimmy." When he's feeling playful (or obstinate...who knows the difference anymore) and we call him to follow us, he will shuffle his feet so as to take only minuscule steps in the right direction. He appears to find it humorous that he can be technically compliant while asserting his right to rebel. That's fun.

Clarification

"On another note, yesterday I loaded B up with fruits and veggies. (Don't worry, he ate some dairy, meat, and grains too, but the emphasis was on whole foods from the produce section.) I decided that this child is going to eat a healthy variety no matter what it takes. Regrets came in the form of a small explosion discovered too early in the morning. Yuck. There is a lesson to be learned here, folks...and vegetarianism isn't it."

Let it be known that only one of us knows how "Yuck" that actually was. It was "Y-U-C-K"!

Pancakes and a belly button.

This morning I made B some oatmeal pancakes which he, surprisingly, loved. As he was sitting in his chair eating them slower than grass grows, he took a break to discover his belly button. He kept lifting his shirt and poking at himself. It was really quite funny as he seemed to expect to ignite some sort of effect. When I had no more patience for the eat-a-thon, I attempted to remove B's remaining pancake. I asked him if he was finished. He ALWAYS, without fail, tells me, "no." I then asked him if he wanted more. He seemed to repeat the word "more" in assent. This scene continued for another 10 minutes.

On another note, yesterday I loaded B up with fruits and veggies. (Don't worry, he ate some dairy, meat, and grains too, but the emphasis was on whole foods from the produce section.) I decided that this child is going to eat a healthy variety no matter what it takes. Regrets came in the form of a small explosion discovered too early in the morning. Yuck. There is a lesson to be learned here, folks...and vegetarianism isn't it.

My lil' farmer

Here is the link to my favorite photo from last week's session. I think it's super cute, but I'm a bit perplexed that the lighting makes his hair look red. I really don't see the red on a day-to-day basis.

http://koppiwrite.zenfolio.com/minimesmbfeb/ed98ff5b

Prints came with our session, so they have already been ordered for the grandparents.

John Deere

Today we had a tractor-themed photo session. Our playgroup got a great rate that included several sheets of prints for each participant. We thought, what the heck? I have to be honest. I was a bit skeptical about this dressing up like a farmer business. I couldn't imagine it being cute. I clad B in his red plaid button-up shirt and some jeans, but when we arrived at the studio they wanted me to put in him in overalls and flannel. Hmmm. It's been quite a while since I've seen him in overalls, and it was never my favorite look. Much to my surprise, the kid was killer cute in his farmer getup! Very proud!

When we walked onto the photo set, lo and behold, there was a toddler-sized John Deere tractor. There was fake grass, a camo bandana, and tractor-themed toys. The photographer had toddler tunes playing in the background, so as soon as B sat down on the Deere he started dancing and clapping. I thought we were off to a grand start until B refused to smile. He's too serious about his dancing to diminish its effects with a grin. Hey, you have to EARN that smile.

All in all, I was completely shocked by how much I adored the shoot! We can't wait to get the proofs!

Our Days

Yesterday was our final day in the Gymboree level three classes. Next week we'll begin the next level. I'm a bit curious about what the differences might be. I'll be excited to watch B interact with toddlers a bit older. More on that later.

Today we had to scratch our exciting baby play plans so that we could get my car serviced. The story here is that B was a perfect gentleman in the waiting room of the Kwik Kar. He read several magazines, then he sat comfortably in the leather chair eating goldfish and sipping his water. Although we were there for about ninety minutes, he never fussed or got impatient. Thank goodness because there were other folks waiting for their vehicles too!