pictures! finally!

Happy 9 month birthday, Wyatt!!!

This is a day late because after working 8 hours yesterday and coming home to feel dizzy and ultimately take a nap I didn't find time to write it. Today is much better. I'm not working, Bob has only 1 service and the boys seem to be in a good mood!

Wyatt has started really cruising so much. He gets behind that little truck that Oliver got a looong time ago and just goes back and forth across the house until he falls asleep. He's standing by himself more and more, too.

He's eating like a horse. Real food, crackers, cheerios, apples, banana, mango, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, chicken, bread, cookies, pudding, jello, cool whip, pasta...pretty much anything that I can cut up small enough or is soft enough. If I'm eating and he's not he gets so upset until I give him some bites.

He wakes up playing pee-boo with the blankets. It makes him laugh and laugh. It's one of the best ways to wake up!!

Let's see what "What to Expect" says...

Pull up to standing (yes!)
Object if you try to take a toy away (definitely!!)
Say "mama" or "dada" (yes, and knows who is who)
Play peekaboo (yes!)
Exchange back-and-forth gestures with you (yes)
get into a sitting position from stomach (yes)
clap or wave bye bye (not yet)
pincher grasp (yes)
cruise (YES!)
understand "no" (yes!!)
stand alone (yes)
Point to something to get needs met (not yet)
indicate wants in ways other than crying (ummm...maybe?)
play ball (not yet? haven't tried...he'd probably just chew on it though)
drink from a cup independantly (no, but he has figured out to tip the bottle up)
use gibberish (not really, mostly dadada, mimimim, and the like)
say one work other than mim or dada (not really)
respond to a one step command with gesture (yes! come here - with arms out)
walk well (not yet, but so close!!)

So he seems to be right on schedule if not a bit ahead. His doctor's appointment is tomorrow so I'll have weight and length and more info then.

Wyatt has such a sweet demeanor and easygoing personality. He's so much fun to play with and sometimes just to watch him play. He's curious all the time and will get into anything and everything if we let him. He grabs and paws and crawls and climbs to get what he wants. He's very determined once he decides he wants something.

He loves the bath. He splashes and plays, he likes pouring the water out of the cup that's in there. He has a few Little People in there, too but he mostly chews on those.

Oliver is still his favorite person. He lights up with the biggest smiles when Oliver is around. He wants to do everything with Oliver and to do everything Oliver does. He gets pretty frustrated when he can't keep up but he tries so hard. Oliver is usually pretty accomodating when he plays with Wyatt. He'll share his toys with Wyatt and be pretty gentle with him.

I love the little stinker!

I'm hoping to get some pictures posted soon but I'm still having trouble finding time!!

Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day. It's the one day a year when I feel like I can relax a little and let Bob take over. I slept in today (until 8:30) and then was brought donuts and milk for breakfast in bed! I did have to share with the boys but I didn't mind. We played in the bed for a little while before we had to get up and get me ready for work. On the way there we stopped by a Ford dealership to look at some Escapes. I was at work from 11am to 6pm - kinda stinky considering I'm the only mother in my department. When the boys picked me up we headed out to Ruby Tuesday for dinner - yummy! Afterward we had to go right home because it was almost bedtime. I let the boys stay up a little later because it was Mother's Day so that qualifies for a little special treatment. Oliver showed me some pictures he and Wyatt had painted (beautiful! I'm going to try to scan them and then post them here - with labels of what he told me they were, of course!). Oliver had also painted a birdhouse with just a tiny bit of help from Wyatt and a tiny bit of help from Bob. It was so great! He painted a rainbow on the top and put his handprint on the side. Wyatt put his footprint on the other side. I love it so much and can't wait to pick out a spot for Bob to hang it up!!! They also got me a little hedgehog figurine. I do like hedgehogs and Oliver thinks they are funny so it was pretty fitting! I got the boys ready for bed and snuggled Oliver to sleep then snuggled Wyatt to sleep. In a few minutes I'm going to go get snuggled to sleep myself.

There was one thing that I didn't really get to do and that was talk to my mom. I talked to her for a few minutes when she was getting ready to go into a movie (Star Trek) with my sister but I didn't get a chance to call her back. I'll call you tomorrow, Mom!!

I put Oliver to bed in big boy underwear. He's been staying dry all night for so long (and during the day, too) that I think it's time to try it out. We'll see what happens. I'm sure he'll do great!

Tomorrow is Wyatt's 9 month birthday. I'll post about that tomorrow...

a few bonks later...

The last few days have been pretty rough for Wyatt. Wednesday he got pushed (by Oliver) and when he fell back he hit his head on a toy. He got a big bump, a medium sized bruise and a little scrape behind his right ear. Thursday we went to visit my neighbor and Oliver made him bump his poor little head on the corner of the wall. He must have hit it pretty hard because he got a huge lump and bruise above his left eyebrow. We gave him crackers and iced it until the swelling went down but there's still a bruise there. Then yesterday he was playing with the drum and it slipped off the table and he went with it - bumping his poor little chin on the table as he went down. I'm just waiting...hopefully today he won't get any new injuries.

He's also still teething. That top right tooth sure is being stubborn about coming out. He's so cranky at night and at naptimes. Poor little guy. Last night he had such a hard time going to sleep...he didn't even want any milk! Then he woke up halfway through the night and did the same thing. Crying and throwing himself around. He'd fall asleep for a second (literally...a second) and then wake up and cry some more. He refused everything I tried to give him. He finally did drink a little juice/water with some teething meds in it. I guess it worked because he finally drank some milk and went to sleep. I feel so bad for the little guy when he's like that because there isn't really anything I can do about it. I wish that stinkin' tooth would just come on already!!

A new post...when was the last one?

We have been super busy getting ready for summer and vacation. Bob and I went out and got a bunch of new clothes for the boys, although we still have a bit of shopping to do for Oliver. Walmart had some great deals (2.50 for Tshirts and some cute shorts, too!!) but they didn't have any NICE shirts for boys. They had tons of Tshirts...not a single button down collared shirt. It was strange! Anyway, we also got a few other things for vacation lately. A new set of luggage (on sale at Sears almost 70% off!!), a backpack (for hiking), some new water bottles, etc etc...

While we were at the store Wyatt was in the stroller and Oliver was running rampant. I gave Wyatt one of the shirts to entertain him while we shopped. Pretty soon he was lifting that shirt up over his head and pulling it down real quick with a big smile on his face. This is actually the first time he's played Peek-a-Boo with me! (we call it Pee-Boo because that's what Oliver always called it). It was too cute. I called Bob over but he wasn't quick enough and missed it.

Yesterday was Jasper's birthday. He's 5 now!! He got a special dinner, a new bed and a yummy bone filled with lamb flavored goop. He also got to "clean up" the "spilled" ingredients from dinner. He was pretty excited! Today he's getting a bath and groom at his new vet, as well as a vaccine of some sort (Rabies?).

Since it was also Cinco de Mayo Bob was persuaded to make burrito suprise. Don't ask me what it is because he doesn't let me know what's in it...that's the suprise. It might have been the best burrito suprise he's ever made. It was so yummy! Then he sneaked and made cheesecake pudding with cool whip for dessert. Thanks, Bob!!

Monday was our 56th monthaversary. Yes, we do still celebrate every month. We went out to Napoli for dinner and had some nice non-kid time when we got home. Both boys were so tired they went pretty much right to bed. Yay!

Oliver is 4 months away from being 3...what? Oliver is 4 MONTHS away from being 3. I can't believe it. He's so big already! He's very good with Wyatt, other than the times he's too rough or takes away his toys. He can sing most of the alphabet song and recognizes most of the letters. he can count so well but doesn't really know any of the numbers. He can climb any ladder on the playground, slide down the fireman pole, swing by himself, and even climb the rock wall! He loves to hang from the bars and he can do it for so long...he's so strong! He's bad about running off in stores or PARKING LOTS when he's with me, but not so much with Bob. He can get up in his car seat and click the top set of straps. He opens the back door and calls for Jasper when he's outside. He builds tugboats and airplanes out of legos. He imagines fruit trees and snakes and motorcycles and horses and caves and all kinds of things in his bedroom. He likes helping cook...stirring and mixing and adding ingredients - and of course, taste testing! He refuses hugs and smooches sometimes because he's too busy playing. Sometimes when he gets a smooch he wipes it off. I can't believe what a boy he is sometimes...but then other times he gets up in my laps to snuggle and play with my hair or asks me to rock him like a baby. I hope he never stops doing those things. Even though he's big and so much fun to play with he's still my baby.

I can't seem to get Picasa to put pictures on here anymore

I don't know what's up but I have some beautiful pictures to put up here and Picasa is not working. I think I'll have to change my security settings to get them on but I'm not sure how. Maybe I can get Bob to do it this week. I want to get these pictures up so badly!

Parent Discrimination?

Has anyone else noticed a difference between how you get treated in stores/restaurants when you have kids? Before we have kids, or the few times we've been out by ourselves, we get treated really well. We get a good table in the restaurant, the wait staff chats with us, our food is hot and fresh, we get asked if we want dessert. In stores we get talked to by the associates. We get information about the products we're looking at (whether we want it or not!), people are nice...

When we go out with the kids...our VERY WELL BEHAVED KIDS...we get the table at the back of the restaurant where we won't "bother" the other guests, we never get asked for dessert, we get poor service (I assume they think we don't have extra money for dessert or a nice tip if we have two kids), the wait staff avoids our table as much as possible causing my glass to be empty (one of my pet peeves). In stores the associates eyeball us the whole time, watching to see if one of the boys will knock something off the shelf or put fingerprints on the display cases. Having never been a waitress I guess I can't speak on that but as far as retail stores go I've worked in those for 10 years. People with kids buy stuff...LOTS OF STUFF.

I know a lot of kids are so hard to handle but it's the same with anything else. There are people who act right and people who don't. There are kids who act right and kids who don't. It seems like people assume the kids are bad the minute they walk in. NO CHANCE to show how well behaved they can be. My boys are good...so good! It isn't right and it isn't fair.

Oliver sings Puff the Magic Dragon

It's so cute! He knows most of the words.

Today he came over and handed me a pretend flag. I asked him what I should do with it and he replied that I should wave it around. So ok, I waved it around. All of a sudden he says "ROAR"!! I asked, "Ummmm, why are you roaring, Oliver?" - "I'm roaring at your flag!" He says. "Why?" I ask. Oliver says "Pirate ships roar their flags..." HILARIOUS!!

my boys my boys...

There's so much I want to write about I just don't have the energy to do it. I will say this - we had a wonderful Easter. Wyatt started standing on his own for a few seconds at a time on Sunday. Then on Monday he started getting on hands and feet and trying to stand up. wow...wow...WOW! I don't know what to do with that boy!

Oliver is learning so much every day. He's speaking so clearly and in full sentences. He sings songs...whole songs! His current favorite is Puff the Magic Dragon (which is about a DRAGON!!)

Bob is no longer the only tech in Greensboro. Hooray! That means he'll have fewer calls and will be home earlier most days. I'm sooo happy!

Where does the time go

I wish I'd had time to add cute stories and comments to the pictures I just posted. It seems like lately the days are going faster and faster. I was happy to actually get the pictures posted at all since some of them are a few weeks old and the last post I did was from the 16th. It's April tomorrow!!

I guess thinking back about it I've spent a lot of time playing with the boys, but not doing anything that's especially special. It's getting warmer outside so we go out to play in the yard more. Oliver has a little baseball bat and ball and Bob made him a little tee so he can play. He's too cute with it! (see pictures below). He's picking up bigger and more complicated words every day. Stringing together longer and longer sentences and speaking so clearly. He's become very opinionated, too. He has definite ideas about what he likes and doesn't like. His imagination amazes me. He pretends his bed is a car, a wagon, a horse, a donkey and then today (for the first time) a motorcycle. He;ll climb up th side of Wyatt's crib and pick cherries, apples, bananas, oranges...all kinds of stuff. He'll bring me his imaginary grocery bag then tell me what's in it. He runs around webbing people because he's Spiderman...then, of course, he unwebs you and SAVES THE DAY!!! He's an amazing little guy!!

Wyatt is getting so big. He's not only pulling up now but cruising, too! He made his way around the cocktail table today to get some food (no big surprise there). He does love food - anytime I'm eating he always wants to share. For a while he decided to not like anything except fruit but he's back to shoveling down anything that gets near him now. He loves solid food more than baby food now. He eats crackers like mad (see pictures below) but he also really likes steamed carrots, parsnips, broccoli, rice, cheerios, refried beans, he even like the beef stew that gramma made!!He had his first bath in the regular tub a few days ago. What a fun time! He scooted around in there and played with all the bath toys. He's still waking up twice at night to eat. I'm pretty sure he's getting some more teeth because he's drooling a lot again and gumming everything like crazy. He's also very fussy and clingy which drives me crazy! Mostly because normally he's so sweet and even-tempered.

So there's a little update. It doesn't exactly tell the story of all the pictures but it's good enough for now...

little baseball boy

first bath in the big tub

playing nicely together

playing under the big boy bed

now how do I get outta here?

singing on my stool!

I'm ferocious!

Oliver

Mr Fix it
The amazing upside-down boy!

Official taste tester...

The boy can eat a saltine in 3.5 seconds...and it's finger lickin' good!!

Go Wyatt Go!!!

7 months!!!!

I can't believe it! Wyatt is 7 months old today. For his birthday he got....a second tooth! I'm holding him and I'm on the laptop so I will post more, hopefully with pictures, later.

Sometimes two is easier but sometimes...

Oliver keeps taking Wyatt's toys. He takes it away and then shoves it in Wyatt's mouth. Then he takes it away and puts it where Wyatt can't reach it. Then Wyatt cries. Oliver knocks Wyatt down 100 times a day...yes! 100! That's not an exaggeration! He pushes Wyatt's hands off the stuff he's trying to pull up on. He takes the pacifier away when Wyatt's sleeping and that, of course, wakes him up. Right now he's headbutting him...really softly but still...

I guess that makes it sound horrible but there are times that make up for the crazy. Oliver likes to snuggle Wyatt when he's getting ready to go to sleep. He tries to share his food. He helps wipe Wyatt's nose when it's runny and brings me a diaper when he needs to be changed. He likes to give him the paci (even after he takes it away) and "helps" feed him his cereal and his snacks. Sometimes he brings him a toy when he's fussy.

I know Oliver loves Wyatt and Wyatt loves Oliver. Sometimes they really act like brothers...take that either way you want.

Wyatt...

he's pulling up now. he did it in his crib for the first time on Sunday. He's also crawling and getting from his belly to sitting. I can't believe how fast he's growing up! Every day it's something new. He's still only got one tooth but he's working hard on that second one. He wants to do everything Oliver does so he's getting so strong! He also wants food - all the time...my food, Oliver's food, Bob's food...any food that gets within his sight is in danger. He'll try anything! He likes most everything, too, although he still doesn't like peas. He gets graham crackers and Gerber puffs and I gave him cruched up pieces of goldfish today. He doesn't seem to be allergic to anything either. He sleeps really well, starting out in his crib (which is in Oliver's room) but usually ending up in bed with me after about an hour or two. He also still wakes up at least once to eat.

So that's my baby...although I guess I won't be able to call him a baby for much longer

Wyatt's 6 month checkup

Wyatt had his 6 month checkup on Tuesday (the 24th). He did really well! He's tall, but skinny and his head is a little smaller than average. The doctor said, though, that he's acting like a 9 month old. Sitting up really well, grabbing everything and putting it in his mouth. He's army crawling and scooching around really well, too. Oh yeah and his first tooth, the bottom right, is finally poking through!! I noticed it as we were sitting there waiting for the doctor to come in. He ran a fever that night, probably because of the tooth. We postponed his shots because he was already miserable with a cold. Let's see, he can transfer a toy from one hand to the other. He can stand holding on to something. He objects (profusely) when you try to take a toy away. He passed with flying colors and charmed everyone, too.

While we were there we got Oliver his first Chicken Pox shot. He was none too happy about it and started crying as soon as we layed him on the table. It was over pretty quick and then we went and had a special lunch because he "did so well" being a big boy. He ran a fever that night, too...and all day yesterday...and last night...and today. If he still has a fever tomorrow I'm going to call the dr's office and see if that's normal.

We got the bunk beds today! I will take some pictures tomorrow and post them. It looks great and so far Oliver loves it! We'll see how bedtime goes.

What's going on?

I have hardly been online this week. It's been hectic at work - I worked 5 days instead of my usual 4 since the OM was on vacation. Then Wednesday the manager got demoted so there's that. Then Thursday we took a trip down to SC to visit Grampa Steve and go through some stuff he'd had at the old house. That was an interesting trip. I was trying not to just grab stuff because it was there. I think everything I got was something that actually has some kind of memory attached to it. Like the horse we used to play with or the cologne bottles that were always on Dad's bathroom counter. Anyway, there were a few things that we all wanted or 2 of the 3 of us wanted so we'll have to see how that turns out in the end. There were also some things that we had to write down because he wasn't giving them away right now. So it was a good trip, seeing Dad and Rachael and Sarah and Delilah. We had Rush's for lunch (YUM). Oliver fell in the garage and got a big bruise and bump on his forehead but that was really the only bad thing. The boys both travelled well.

Wyatt is so close to crawling. He wants to do it so bad! He finally got the army crawl perfected. He can scoot around just dragging himself on his arms...reach...drag...reach...draaaag...reeeach...draaaag!! I guess whatever works. He's also about to get his tooth for real this time. There has been two bumps on his bottom gums for such a long time but the tooth on his right is about to break through. I can see it! I can't feel it yet but I'm thinking it'll be out before his dr's appointment on Tuesday.

Oliver just woke up and we might be going to a party in a few minutes so I gotta run for now. Will post more at the earliest opportunity!

New since the last post

Wyatt is trying really hard to crawl. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. A few times he's gotten his knee forward but he can't figure out what to do after that and usually falls over.

The tooth that I thought was in was apparently an illusion. He still has only the bumps on the bottom and NO teeth.

Oliver went potty all by himself twice yesterday. He didn't tell me he had to go, he just went in and did his thing. Great jobby, Oliver.

Of course this happened the same day he peed his pants 3 times...and twice already today. I guess I can't relax my vigilance just yet.

Bob is now the only tech in Greensboro. The other guy who did that job quit yesterday. This is going to be so hard for Bob. He's going to have so many more calls now. That also means he won't be home early very often anymore so less time for schoolwork (good thing he already dropped down to one class) and less time together. Poor Bob!

We got new sheets for Oliver's new bed even though we haven't picked up the bed yet. He picked out Spiderman sheets, which is cool, but don't they have generic noncharacter sheets somewhere? Khol's didn't have any kids sheets and Wal Mart only had character ones. Bummer. Oh well, he likes Spiderman a lot and now I don't have to paint on his walls anymore!!

Hey Look! Corners!

My mom always says that when a baby learns to sit up that he's "gotten his corners". Well, Wyatt's got his corners. He's sitting up like a pro for long long periods of time. Grabbing and playing with toys all the while.
I'm not sure why he kept grabbing his pants like this but it was really funny. He was laughing too, but I'm not sure if it was because of the pants thing or not.
Also, thanks to Mrs. E and L for the outfit. He looked super cute in it today!!

A (hopefully) long update

It' s been so long since I've actually posted a real long update. So here goes...

Oliver has been dry for over a week. A few times he's woken up with a wet (pull up type) diaper but during the day he's dry! He's learning the alphabet in order now and we practiced all the way up to "I" today and he got them all. I was pretty impressed because we haven't really done past "E" very much. He mixes up "G" and "H" sometimes but he's getting it. He's starting to be really good at coloring. He is more focused on coloring each thing in the picture instead of just scribbling all over it. He's learning more and more songs, too. He loves to sing and it's so cute when he does. Sometimes he even makes up his own songs. Yesterday he started asking for a sister...I can't believe it! I, of course, told him NO WAY! Now that it's warmer he's playing outside more. He especially likes digging with his little shovel. I think he'd stay out there all day with that thing if we let him.
A few days ago we went on a playdate with Charlotte to a place called Jump n Fun. It has a bunch of those inflatable playground things with slides and things to climb and jump on. He had a great time but most of the time he just ran up and down the room like an airplane. I think he just liked having wide open space to run. He did play nicely with the girls (Charlotte had brought her friend Olivia) when they were in the same vicinity. It seems like all the other kids his age are girls, though. He doesn't have any little boy friends. Anyway, we'll definately go back to that jumpy place!

Wyatt is sitting up, rolling both ways, and teething like crazy. He can sit up really well now, no falling over. He had his first bath in the ducky tub tonight and he loved it. He smiled and laughed the whole time. Not like the old bathtub where he'd cry almost as soon as I put him in. He sat up and splashed and played with the washcloth. He's into everything now that he's more mobile. He'll roll all the way across the playroom to get to Oliver's trains. For some reason he loves those trains. Of course, he can't have them because of the small parts so I have to keep an extra vigilant eye on him now. He's had so many different kinds of food now -rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, green beans, squash, carrots, sweet potato, apples, bananas, peaches, pears, prunes. He loves all of it except peas. He ate peas at first but now he gags on them every time. Oh well, we'll stick with the others, it's not like there isn't plenty to choose from.

Bob is doing well in school. He ended up dropping two of the three classes he was taking because there was less time than he needed to get all the work done. So now he's just taking a jazz class (it counts for two of the credits he needs). That gives him more time to spend with us at home, which makes us all happier. He's actually out in the garage playing with his tools right now.

We went out today and ordered bunk beds for the boys. I know they don't need them right now but Oliver is too big for his crib/toddler bed and Wyatt is way too big for the bassinet. In order to get Wyatt in the crib we had to get Oliver a new bed. We just figured it'd be easier and more cost effective to get the bunk beds now. That way we aren't buying a bed that will only be used for a year or two until Wyatt is bigger. We got a set that also can be set up as two twin beds in case they decide they don't want bunks at a later time, or if they have seperate rooms one day. We also ended up getting a chest of drawers so we need to go ahead and sell the big dresser that's in the room now.

We also got, with our tax refund, a Wii. I'm really liking it! I've gotten so much exercise since we got it. I especially like the tennis. I'm so sore from playing it that I could hardly move my arm at work the other day. It's so much fun, though!! It's even more fun when Bob plays with me. I like when we can do stuff like that together, even if he does beat me most of the time.

I suppose that's all the updates I have for now. If I think of anything else I guess I'll just post it later.

Matching Jammies!

Don't they look just adorable? We got these at Gymboree when we went to get Wyatt some warm clothes that fit. I couldn't resist getting them some matching jammies!!

What do you get if you go potty?

Grampa and Gramma will love this one!!

Wyatt can sit up all by himself!

Here he is sitting on the futon. He's also rolling both ways and, in the last few days, getting up on his hands and knees. Crawling is so close it's scary! That's Oliver in the background...funny kid.

Early reading

Wyatt loves these little books we got for Oliver when he was a baby. His favorite is the Duck one but he likes this puppy one, too.

He sees it, he's going for it!

Fixing the radio...

Oliver got this little radio for Christmas. The back comes off (if you unscrew two screws) and then there are some screws inside to "fix" the radio with. Oliver spends a lot of time screwing and unscrewing those things. Notice, he's using his LEFT hand!

This totally reminds me of Rachael

the first tooth

I noticed today that Wyatt's first tooth (bottom left) has broken through his gums. Just barely, but I felt it in there.

We gave him some of those Gerber puffs to try and he likes them. Bob got the sweet potato flavor. He can't quite figure out how to get them into his mouth by himself but if I pop one in he chews it up really well. He can pick it up just fine but he hasn't figured out to open his hand back up to get the puff into his mouth. Oh well, he'll get it eventually.

He's also sitting up now, which I think I mentioned before (?) but here it is again. I have some pictures and video to share but no time to post it. Hopefully soon!!

Oliver went all week last week with only 4 wet accidents. We went out and got him some new underwear ...some with rockets and some with army theme... and he's been doing really well. He's even starting to tell us when he needs to go. We spent a few days out shopping for hours at a time and he stayed dry! The only time he wears a pull up type diaper now is when he is going to sleep. Great job, Oliver!!

Ok, off to bed, it's going to be a long day tomorrow.