Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Potty sitting continues
Much to my surprise, Aria continues to want to sit on the potty. Nothing coming out yet, but if this keeps up, we might get a lucky break. She seems rather obsessed with the concept of flushing though she is not strong enough to do it. Such a weirdo! So, now I'm starting to worry that if I encourage this it will cause potty training issues later. It just seems so early, but she seems so interested. What to do!
More on fairytales
Xander has become increasingly demanding in his bedtime stories. We usually read at least one kindle story and then he asks me for a fairytale. However, not just ANY fairytale will do. There's always a laundry list of requirements that must be in the fairytale. One night, he told me so many requirements that he basically told me the whole story. The requirements are so long, I'm a bit beyond my creative abilities sometimes.
Here's an example of the lists of things I'm supposed to incorporate into a fairytale:
Numbers
Letters
Fruit
Minecraft
Keys
Treasure boxes
Magic
Animals that turn into people
At the end of my fairytale, he had been asking "is that as long as you could make it?" However, he has switched to telling me "that is only half of the story, you have to tell me the rest tomorrow."
He's SO demanding, but in truth, I love it. After a long day of being the boss, I don't mind being bossed around and using a little more creative side of my brain. Some days, I come up with some pretty good stories, and others I just have to steal from Hans Christian Andersen, Joss Whedon, or JK Rowling.
Here's an example of the lists of things I'm supposed to incorporate into a fairytale:
Numbers
Letters
Fruit
Minecraft
Keys
Treasure boxes
Magic
Animals that turn into people
At the end of my fairytale, he had been asking "is that as long as you could make it?" However, he has switched to telling me "that is only half of the story, you have to tell me the rest tomorrow."
He's SO demanding, but in truth, I love it. After a long day of being the boss, I don't mind being bossed around and using a little more creative side of my brain. Some days, I come up with some pretty good stories, and others I just have to steal from Hans Christian Andersen, Joss Whedon, or JK Rowling.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Games
It's hot! So, Aria and Xander have to find cool, inside ways to have fun. A few of their silly games:
1) The Circle - Our home has a nice circle including the kitchen, living room, and dining. The kids play chase around this circle. Sometimes Mommy joins in.
2) The Whoah - Daddy invited the Whoah game. He plays a motorcycle jumping video game and the kids yell Whaoh when the motorcycle jumps in the air. Aria LOVES this one.
3) The Blanket - Blankets are really the ultimate toy. Those on mommy and daddy's bed serve as a pirate ship, space ship, and tent. Most of the time, it's to host one of Xander's parties.
4) The Dough - Yes, Play dough makes a regular appearance at our dining table, along with crayons and paper.
5) The Dictator - Xander calls in the "listening game". Everyone listens and does exactly what Xander says. No one likes to play this except Xander.
6) The Jump - Xander's bed is not very old but is already super screechy. I suppose this is probably because it is used as a trampoline on a daily basis.
Gosh, I hope it cools off soon so we can head back to the park.
1) The Circle - Our home has a nice circle including the kitchen, living room, and dining. The kids play chase around this circle. Sometimes Mommy joins in.
2) The Whoah - Daddy invited the Whoah game. He plays a motorcycle jumping video game and the kids yell Whaoh when the motorcycle jumps in the air. Aria LOVES this one.
3) The Blanket - Blankets are really the ultimate toy. Those on mommy and daddy's bed serve as a pirate ship, space ship, and tent. Most of the time, it's to host one of Xander's parties.
4) The Dough - Yes, Play dough makes a regular appearance at our dining table, along with crayons and paper.
5) The Dictator - Xander calls in the "listening game". Everyone listens and does exactly what Xander says. No one likes to play this except Xander.
6) The Jump - Xander's bed is not very old but is already super screechy. I suppose this is probably because it is used as a trampoline on a daily basis.
Gosh, I hope it cools off soon so we can head back to the park.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sorting
The older that I get, the less I like stuff. In fact, very recently I was contemplating switching to only 7 outfits to reduce clutter and laundry. I am not always successful in getting rid of clutter though so my home's contents are a constant nuisance to me.
Today, I worked on Xander's training in this regard. He was quite helping in sorting things into piles. We had a pile for trash, a pile of clothes to wash and give away, and a pile of toys to give away to other people. I was so proud that he excitedly volunteered items into the pile to donate.
To be honest, he's been quite generous in the past as well. He easily gave up many of his toys to give to Aria. Sometimes, I have to double check. Are you REALLY sure you don't want to play with this anymore? Of course, he hasn't give up 1 stuffed animal yet. He's got A LOT of animals. So, that is something to work on.
All and all, I think this is a healthy attitude that he has on possessions. I read somewhere (cannot remember the source) that materialism and high regard for possessions are associated with insecurity. So, I choose to believe that today's activities are a sign that Xander feels secure and happy. That makes me happy, too....not to mention the lack of clutter in his closet!
Today, I worked on Xander's training in this regard. He was quite helping in sorting things into piles. We had a pile for trash, a pile of clothes to wash and give away, and a pile of toys to give away to other people. I was so proud that he excitedly volunteered items into the pile to donate.
To be honest, he's been quite generous in the past as well. He easily gave up many of his toys to give to Aria. Sometimes, I have to double check. Are you REALLY sure you don't want to play with this anymore? Of course, he hasn't give up 1 stuffed animal yet. He's got A LOT of animals. So, that is something to work on.
All and all, I think this is a healthy attitude that he has on possessions. I read somewhere (cannot remember the source) that materialism and high regard for possessions are associated with insecurity. So, I choose to believe that today's activities are a sign that Xander feels secure and happy. That makes me happy, too....not to mention the lack of clutter in his closet!
Pop
Xander is always fascinated when the same song comes on the radio in both Mommy AND Daddy's car. "You both have that song!" Yes, it's amazing that Gotye could be heard in more than one car. Recently, he asked me to turn up the volume on "Call Me Maybe". Of course, that got the Carly Rae Jepsen song stuck in my head for the rest of the day. I hummed it, which lead to Dolphin breaking out this parody.
Aria LOVES Sesame street characters though we've never watched an episode. There are lots of Elmo books and toys around the house. So, after the Cookie Monster parody, we had to watch this Elmo one.
Aria LOVES Sesame street characters though we've never watched an episode. There are lots of Elmo books and toys around the house. So, after the Cookie Monster parody, we had to watch this Elmo one.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Aria sat on the potty
I KID YOU NOT. I couldn't believe it but she wanted to sit on the potty. I put her up on the big potty with a little seat ring after she asked (non-verbally of course). Then next day she sat on the potty at school.
I think this behavior is inspired this "Elmo can use the potty" book we've been reading lately. It has buttons that play Elmo sound clips. She is particularly found of the flush noise.
I don't really expect this is sign of potty training readiness, but I can hope this will turn into some kind of early interest.
I think this behavior is inspired this "Elmo can use the potty" book we've been reading lately. It has buttons that play Elmo sound clips. She is particularly found of the flush noise.
I don't really expect this is sign of potty training readiness, but I can hope this will turn into some kind of early interest.
Officially a toddler
Aria is definitely exhibiting the toddler personality these days. She's got a bit of a virus or cold of some kind. The illness symptoms are not too bad, but oh, she is SO cranky. She had her 1st temper tantrum, lying on the floor kicking and screaming. I wish I could press fast forward to when she is well.
First night away
For the first night since her birth, I was away from Aria for a night. Daddy and Grandma Jo, who was in for a visit, took great care of her while I was a way for a very quick trip to Seattle (36 hour trip). It was kind of nice to have a break from the kids, but I missed them both so much. I didn't really have time to shop in my whirl wind trip, but of course, I had to pick something up for them. So, the airport gift shop it was!
When I came home Xander was so sweet. "Did you get these things for us because you LOVE us? We [now he's speaking for Aria these days] really love our gifts." They both gave the biggest hugs. I'm glad to be back to my babies. I'm also glad to be back in my warm bed with Dolphin instead of trying to sleep on an uncomfortable red-eye flight.
One more event from the trip is worth sharing here. I witnessed a sad event on my flight out. I didn't really see it, but I heard it. In the row in front of me, there was a repeated baby cries, smacking, and a women sternly saying "stop it". Each time there was a scream following a smack sound. I thought "that CAN'T be what I think it is". Unfortunately, what unfolded hence forth confirmed that it was. Immediately, there were two women arguing, but I only caught bits and pieces. "It's not illegal" "Mind your own business". Eventually a steward was called over. Basically, a mother was hitting her lap child on the plane. Two people next to her saw it and were arguing with her to stop. The steward tried to get the two women to separate seats, but they would not. With one women saying, "I don't want to move. I want her to stop hitting her child." The child was a little boy who looked very close to Aria's age. It was so awful. The good news is that for the duration of the light, the mother did stop hitting her son. That poor, poor little boy.
When I came home Xander was so sweet. "Did you get these things for us because you LOVE us? We [now he's speaking for Aria these days] really love our gifts." They both gave the biggest hugs. I'm glad to be back to my babies. I'm also glad to be back in my warm bed with Dolphin instead of trying to sleep on an uncomfortable red-eye flight.
One more event from the trip is worth sharing here. I witnessed a sad event on my flight out. I didn't really see it, but I heard it. In the row in front of me, there was a repeated baby cries, smacking, and a women sternly saying "stop it". Each time there was a scream following a smack sound. I thought "that CAN'T be what I think it is". Unfortunately, what unfolded hence forth confirmed that it was. Immediately, there were two women arguing, but I only caught bits and pieces. "It's not illegal" "Mind your own business". Eventually a steward was called over. Basically, a mother was hitting her lap child on the plane. Two people next to her saw it and were arguing with her to stop. The steward tried to get the two women to separate seats, but they would not. With one women saying, "I don't want to move. I want her to stop hitting her child." The child was a little boy who looked very close to Aria's age. It was so awful. The good news is that for the duration of the light, the mother did stop hitting her son. That poor, poor little boy.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tennessee Trip
On the 4th of July, we hopped on a plane to Nashville. Amazingly enough, we were able to get a direct flight. We survived the plane trip without annoying too many of our fellow passengers.
On the 4th, we were able to visit with my parents, my great grandma, my brother and his family. Aria stayed inside with Grandpa while we saw the pyrotecnics for the holiday. My brother's boys are all teenagers who were very good at blowing things up. Xander enjoyed sparklers but kept his distance from the big booms.
On Thursday, Great Grandma recommended a play fountain in downtown Cookeville. It was SO hot. We brought the Texas heat with us. Aria was a little afraid of the loud noise of the water so she didn't get wet. Xander got very wet though. Then, he laid out on his towel for a few minutes to get dried off.
In the evening, we choose to stay in doors since it was just SO hot. Great Grandma read some stories to Xander.
Aria and Xander really loved sharing the mechanical recliner. Xander suggested that we get one for our house.
Nothing beats the heat like some indoor play-dough time.
Back at our hotel, Aria and Xander had a picnic of late night snacks.
On Friday and Saturday, more family showed up. My aunt, uncle, and my cousin's family. My cousin as a 4month old, 2 year old, and 5 year old. Xander immediately hit it off with 5 year old Audrey. They initially disagreed on whether to play Princess or Space so I suggested Space Princess. Great Grandma rented a bounce house for all the munchkins and it was put to very good use.
On Sunday, we had a little bit of time before our flight so we went to the Nashville Zoo. Aria and Xander shared a double-wide stroller.
Aria was SO excited to see all of the animals. Each time she saw a new one, she would say "WOW". She really liked petting some goats and a PYTHON. Xander was a little afraid of the python, but after all the other kids petted it, he touched it for a whole second.
On the 4th, we were able to visit with my parents, my great grandma, my brother and his family. Aria stayed inside with Grandpa while we saw the pyrotecnics for the holiday. My brother's boys are all teenagers who were very good at blowing things up. Xander enjoyed sparklers but kept his distance from the big booms.
On Thursday, Great Grandma recommended a play fountain in downtown Cookeville. It was SO hot. We brought the Texas heat with us. Aria was a little afraid of the loud noise of the water so she didn't get wet. Xander got very wet though. Then, he laid out on his towel for a few minutes to get dried off.
In the evening, we choose to stay in doors since it was just SO hot. Great Grandma read some stories to Xander.
Nothing beats the heat like some indoor play-dough time.
Aria was really interested in this metal flamingo.
Back at our hotel, Aria and Xander had a picnic of late night snacks.
On Friday and Saturday, more family showed up. My aunt, uncle, and my cousin's family. My cousin as a 4month old, 2 year old, and 5 year old. Xander immediately hit it off with 5 year old Audrey. They initially disagreed on whether to play Princess or Space so I suggested Space Princess. Great Grandma rented a bounce house for all the munchkins and it was put to very good use.
Aria was SO excited to see all of the animals. Each time she saw a new one, she would say "WOW". She really liked petting some goats and a PYTHON. Xander was a little afraid of the python, but after all the other kids petted it, he touched it for a whole second.
The Nashville Zoo was a really nice zoo. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a flight to catch and we were all melting from the heat.
All and all, we had a great time with family. The trip home was pleasant as the kids both fell asleep on take off. Aria, most especially, was really happy to get home to her normal routine. Although, we were surprised to find that our AC was broken in our house and it was 89 degrees inside our house. Summer! Fortunately, we've since had the AC fixed and we can cool off for a bit.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Uh-oh
A certain little girl is getting far to good at saying "no". Aria is very much asserting her preferences these days with words, "yah" and "no". Now that she's figured out how to say "no", I sense she is starting to be slightly less cooperative. No longer does she willingly go a long for a diaper change or off to bed, "no, no, no".
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