Not sure if Thomas is teething, still getting over his ear infection or just being an almost 2-year-old.  Whatever the case, the boy is really crabby this week and it’s driving his Daddy nuts.  I try to be extra patient when I’m with them, knowing he’ll probably be more of a pill for Daddy when I’m at work.  It’s like just when Charlotte matured a bit and stopped with some of her daily meltdowns, Thomas stepped right in as her star replacement.  He cried at a restaurant we went to late morning for an early lunch.  He didn’t want to stay in the high chair, wouldn’t eat the chips we got right away for him and burst into tears over everything from the crayons on the table to his bib.  So we almost left, then his grilled cheese came and he calmed down.  Food has the same effect on his mommy, actually.  Dave and I were talking about how the timing is never right with little ones.  You want to stay active to keep them entertained, but if they get up too early they’re ready for a nap mid-morning…. yet if they get that nap you’ll be dealing with cranky little ones all afternoon.  So some times it’s better to keep them up, take them to the water park or wherever and guarantee the eventual nap will be a longer and more effective one.  Then they end up going to bed too late and they still get up at 5am.  And it all begins again.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

I had no idea how much I would see myself through my children.  Pre-kids you have no way of anticipating this.  It just happens.  Charlotte will say something, nothing in particular, and it’s like I’m watching my former 4-year-old self.  She’s pictured above on the tricycle I rode in the 70′s.  Nana/Papa kept it all these years.  Watching her ride it or seeing her interact with my parents is, at times, surreal.  Like watching a home movie where they found a child actor to play a younger you.  The fact my dad regularly slips and calls her Sara (my sister’s name) adds to it.  It’s like he, too, is transported back decades ago when we were little.  That’s the cool thing for grandparents.  They get to watch their kids go through that whole out-of-body experience of seeing the next generation duplicating the vocal tones, mannerisms and actions of their parents.  It’s bizarre how life repeats itself.  I asked Dave’s dad if he was as high energy as Thomas at that age.  “How is he now?” was his reply.  Good point.  Dave rarely sits still.  One need not look far past the apple to find the tree it fell from.  That’s for sure.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

Dr. Laura is not one I look to for marriage or family advice.  However when I happen to come across her show on satellite radio, I usually hear her say something that hits home and makes perfect sense.  This past week, she read an email from a wife and mother who said she thinks of her husband as her boyfriend.  I liked that and realized it mirrors how I view my relationship with Dave.  Sure we’re locked-in for life, so to speak, as a married couple but that doesn’t mean we’ve abandoned our dating approach.  For example, we both care immensely what the other thinks about our clothes and appearance.  And we constantly ask the other if he or she likes this shirt or these jeans.  When Dave told me he didn’t care for how I looked in capris, I pretty much banned them from my wardrobe.  It’s not about control, yet going out of your way to please the other person because the relationship is so reciprocal.  I get out of it just as much, if not more, as I put in.  I always thank Dave for emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash, doing such a good job with the lawn, etc.  I know these are things we’re required to do as homeowners, but I don’t want him to ever forget how much I appreciate the effort he puts forth that makes my daily life so much easier.  No doubt marriage is hard work, but when you know your partner is matching your output nearly every step of the way it can often seem effortless.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

Still in Chicago, 2/3 done with training to be a Weight Watchers leader.  Would you believe the woman in our group of 30 who traveled the farthest is from Yakima, Washington?  That’s Dave’s hometown and where I was a news anchor for 7 years.  (She moved there the year after I left.)  As for Dave, he’s getting a lot of alone time.  Hung at a sports bar to watch the Cubs/Mariners game, did some serious walking and window shopping at 2 malls today.  Meantime in Peoria, Nana took Thomas to the doctor with a fever.  Throat culture came back negative, but a suspected inner-ear infection led to an antibiotic.  Of course Dave and I feel badly we’re not there to comfort him!  I’m trying to stay focused.  Tomorrow is a big day.  I have to conduct a “real” meeting–no notes, evaluator present.  My topic is Snack Savvy… yet I had stomach cramps yesterday from eating too many high-fiber snacks in the back of the conference room.  Hey, it’s a learning process here.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

It’s amazing what some people (me) will do to lower those numbers on the scale.  This morning I even surprised myself.  I weighed in for my monthly employment requirement with Weight Watchers.  That’s right.  This is the first I’ve mentioned it, as a Lifetime member I am now in the process of training to be a leader.  And my 3-day course in Chicago starts tomorrow.  Of course I’m bringing Dave.  We’re swapping kids and cars with my parents in a town north of Peoria.  As the kids play in Nana/Papa’s pool with their cousins and Dave relaxes in the hotel room, I plan to soak up all the knowledge I can to help keep myself and others on a healthier path.  It’s exciting, really.  Back to this morning.  I need to go no more than 2 pounds over my goal weight, then prove it with an official weigh-in once a month.  Since I reached my lowest weight in April, 5 to 10 pounds are back on.  I got comfortable and over-confident and one or two cheat days turned into a long weekend of pigging out.  So I need to regroup and regain control.  This training could not have come at a better time.  I took off my earrings, belt and Spanx–that’s right, my Spanx–to make the cut on the scale.  I’ve heard of others removing wigs and dentures.  If I had those to take off, I would.  Believe me.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

I’ve seen enough talk shows and read enough Cosmos to know that control issues regularly come up in relationships.  Since my 20s, I have made a concerted effort not to be one of those women who constantly tells her man what to do.  Thankfully Dave and I are pretty predictable in terms of our everyday behaviors, so rarely do we throw the other a curve ball.  As for our kids, they are two of the biggest control freaks I know.  Charlotte wants to pick out my jewelry, inform me whether she cares for every outfit and pair of shoes I put on and determine which parent should open the car door for her.  It’s maddening!  As for her brother, he may even be worse.  He bosses us around like a mini-mogul and insisted last night that I rock him to sleep along with Spider Man, Blue’s Clues, Curious George and a stuffed gorilla in my lap.  I must be nuts to let my two control me like this, I some times think.  Then I realize the craziness is worth it if it makes the car ride go smoother or gets them to fall asleep more quickly.  A parenting expert would likely disagree.  You’re in charge, Mom!  But, again, for me it’s more about letting them think they’re calling the shots so when they really push me to the brink I have more energy to put the smack down on them.  Am I making any sense?

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

Your feedback has given me a lot to consider.  Most of you think boys should learn sitting down.  But, honestly, how do you keep the pee from shooting straight out when those little plastic shields seem ineffective?  I assume so as I’ve yet to watch Thomas pee on one.  I like the idea of him facing backward on the toilet.  Yet I recall him getting upset when I’ve tried to sit him up there before.  The treat incentive is a great idea, too.  It worked for me.  Now I’m in love with those pastel party mints because I got one every time I went on the big potty as a child.  And I’m pleasantly surprised to hear about some 3 1/2-year-olds not quite there with being totally trained.  After hearing other moms talk about it, I was starting to feel behind the curve just starting to train Thomas at almost 2.  Then I remind myself not to compare him to his peers.  Then I remind myself that’s impossible.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

I told myself we’d have all summer to potty train Thomas.  Well it seems summer is practically half over and little attempt has been made.  So this morning while reading an Elmo book about potty training to him, I told Charlotte to go get his Big Boy Elmo’s to put on.  She brought them down, we got them on and naturally made a big deal about it.  Then Charlotte brought his potty chair out of the main floor bathroom and we stressed if he has to go pee-pee, do it on there.  He showed off his undies to us, Daddy out the front door and Nana/Papa on Skype… then he and Sissy went upstairs and he peed in them.  Oh, well.  It’s a start.  I guess.  Sad thing is I don’t even remember how we potty trained Charlotte.  Actually, I think it was her preschool teachers who made it happen.  So now Dave and I need to come up with a strategy.  Any ideas?  One other thing, should little boys even learn to pee sitting down?  I’m new to this equipment.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

I have come to the realization, finally, that I am not a good spectator.  Recalling previous trips to college and pro sporting events, they always involved me missing some great play or being unaware of the score.  No surprise, it’s because I can’t shut up.  Instead of focusing on the action on the field or the court, I’m too busy badgering the people I’m with or the strangers around me.  I admit it can be annoying.  This morning at Charlotte’s first T-ball practice, I discovered midway through my legs and body were shifted away from the players toward the bleachers.  Because one of the moms I know from her preschool was behind me.  This lady will probably never want to sit with me again.  Our kids are on the same team, so we’ll see.  Thankfully Dave was watching Thomas the entire time.  He knows how I am.  During the few minutes he was focused on Sissy running bases, I took a cell phone call from my sister.  I was keeping an eye on Thomas, but I was still talking.  It’s a problem.  So to all the parents, grandparents, extended family and random neighbors I will come in to contact with in the coming years at countless ball games and school functions… if you, like me, are a big-time gabber please pull up your lawn chair or take that open spot alongside on the bleachers and we can chat it up.  Dave can fill me in on the game later.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23

I looked at Dave and Thomas across the huge, 3-foot wading area at the waterpark today.  Here’s a guy who 10 years ago never thought he would leave Washington or have more children.  Now he lives in Iowa with two kids under 5.  I some times ask him if he’s happy with his life, just to be sure.  He reassures me marrying me and having children is his happy ending.  (I am paraphrasing here, he doesn’t talk like that.)  When I left him with the monkeys–as I call our kids– to head to work, I felt pretty fortunate the man who asked me to marry him 6 years ago is cool with playing Mr. Mom all summer.  The waterpark crowd is a who’s who of teachers, like him, and stay-at-home moms.  I’m a little jealous when I have to bail after an hour to go home and switch to career mode. 

But with Dave’s years of teaching physical education and coaching, he is so much better at entertaining Charlotte and Thomas outdoors.  And outside is where they all want to be.  He can throw them up and catch them in the water, oversee a t-ball game with the neighbor kids and push them on the swings while simultaneously weeding the backyard plants.  Watching my own family in action wears me out.  It’s actually good that I’m the one working year-round because if you were going to pick which parent would be better suited to spend more time at home, I know whom you would choose.  And I’m okay with it.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 23