Celebration

To the best parents, Happy 33rd Anniversary.

Advice

Yesterday I made delicious vanilla chocolate chip pancakes, got myself a peppermint mocha from Starbucks and made very yummy homemade chicken and barley soup. It was all an attempt to make me feel better about myself.

Here is the story:

Monday I had a great day. Samuel was in Mother's Day Out and I got a lot of stuff done for myself and around the house. I went to pick Samuel up a little bit early because I had gotten so much stuff done and I was excited to see him. When I walked up to the classroom door to get him, a mom was picking up her daughter. I obviously have seen the mom before. She is very pregnant and I knew she was having her baby pretty soon and her daughter is the cutest in the class. Plus I noticed before that Samuel always goes to this little girl and plays with her and hugs her. Well, when I walked up the mom gave me a really mean look and I was pretty confused. When I asked the teachers how Samuel did that day, they said that there was an incident. They said that Samuel bit that little girl (Olivia). The mom with the little girl were leaving right when they told me, but I immediately turned around and looked at her and he bit her on the left cheek. It was still really red. I apologized to the mom and asked if there was anything I could do. She responded very snippy that I couldn't do anything because she was having a baby on Thursday and she is really concerned about her daughter now since supposedly Samuel bit her around 11:30 in the morning and her face was still pretty red.

The teachers in the classroom said that he didn't break the skin. They said that Samuel is always trying to kiss and hug Olivia and no other kids in the class. They thought that he was trying to kiss her again but he bit her.

I am totally horrified. Samuel used to try to kiss everyone, but I would say in the last few months that completely slowed down and even stopped. We usually hang out with his friend Taylor and I don't even remember the last time he tried to kiss her. The teachers think that he was trying to kiss her and she tried to pull away and he didn't really know what he was doing when he bit her. Regardless of the circumstances, it is terrible that he bit another kid and totally out of his character. He is never aggressive or at least when I am around he isn't aggressive with other kids.

So, they had to write up his behavior and they said they would continue to watch him. He knew he did something wrong because he was really quite when we left. He never lets me hold him when we were walking to the car, but he didn't even attempt for me to put him down. He was really quite on the ride home and I was in an instant depression.

I called the pediatrician as soon as I got home to get advice on what to do. They said that I just need to keep watching him. They told me that I really couldn't discuss him biting or punish him in anyway now that he was home because he would have no idea what I was talking about. Since he has never bitten anyone before and because by the description of circumstances it wasn't because he was angry, they said it might just be an isolated incident.

I just can't believe that he did that. I felt terrible and because of the reaction of the other mother I really feel like a terrible mom. Like I did something wrong. I read all of my parenting books at home and we really have done and continue to do everything that they suggest doing for kids Samuel's age. I know he is testing his limits and we are being very strict about him following our rules. He responds to us telling him no and redirecting him. I just don't know what he is like when I am not around.

Anyway, I am feeling little bit better today. Has anyone had any issues with their kids biting? I need advice. I know he has only done it one time and I wasn't even around to discipline him, but I don't want it to happen again.

Long weekend and Halloween (Long Post)

We had a really long great weekend. So Samuel and I got to Tulsa on Wednesday. I am so happy with left on Wednesday because Thursday both Tulsa and St. Louis got so much rain. I would have been miserable driving by myself with Samuel and George for 6 hours. On our way up to Tulsa, Samuel and I stopped at Subway for lunch. He loves cheddar Sun Chips, but he will no long be getting those until he is much older. We were eating lunch enjoying our sandwiches and a few chips. Samuel took a small chip and started eating it and then he started gaging. His grabbed on to me and his face started turning red and he was grasping for air. I started banging on his back and it wasn't working, so I threw him over my legs and banged really hard on his back and then he started crying and the chip came out. I basically had a heart attack. When I looked up the restaurant (which was full) was all looking at us and I guess we was a nurse or doctor (she had a stethoscope around her neck) was right behind me. She asked if I was okay and I was fine at that point. Thank goodness there was a medical professional around just in case.

So I thought we needed to pack up and leave, but even though Samuel almost chocked to death, he wouldn't let me throw away his food. He proceeded to eat the rest of his sandwich and wanted to eat some of mine too. By the time we got back on the road, I was exhausted.

We finally got to Tulsa and relaxed on Wednesday night. On Thursday we didn't do too much because of the torrential downpour of rain.

On Friday, my dad took off work and he and Samuel carved a pumpkin. Samuel had no idea what was going on at first and was so scared to put his hand in the pumpkin, but once he did, we couldn't get his hands out of it. Once we got all the stuff out of the pumpkin, Samuel put it back in so he could take it out again. Over all he did a great job and loved it. Now he won't stop saying pumpkin.

On Saturday, my Dad and I did the 5K Tulsa Run (my mom did the 15K). I had initially wanted to do the 15K, but I am so happy I didn't. I was tired after the 5K, plus there was a really big hill at the end which wore me out.

After the Tulsa Run we went to Boohaha which is an event on Cherry Street in Tulsa where all the businesses give out candy to kids in the early to late afternoon and then they have a big Halloween parade. We missed the candy part, but we hit up the parade. Once Samuel woke up from his nap he really enjoyed watching all the crazy people during the parade.

Halloween night was a blast. Samuel loved his costume and did not want to take it off. Plus he loved holding his basket. He carried it around the whole neighborhood. After the first house, he knew exactly what to do to get candy. He was doing a pretty good job of saying trick or treat. It was really cute and I can't wait for next year already. It is going to be even more fun.

Yesterday we headed home, which was sad because we had a great time in Tulsa.

Oh one last thing. We are pretty sure Samuel said his first curse word this weekend. Samuel had been eating in the kitchen and my mom gave him his cup. I asked her if it was his juice or milk. She said it was his juice. I said "Well, you should have given him the milk." Samuel looked at her with a look like, yeah what were you thinking. Then he looked at his cup with juice and threw it on the floor and said "Fuck".

Now, we all think we heard him say exactly that. He used it in the proper context and everything. I know that I now need to really start watching my language.

Here are a lot of pictures below:

He preferred to eat the pumpkin at first:
What is inside?

Checking to make sure it is okay for him to put his hand in:

Finished product:

Getting ready for the Tulsa Run:

Running...
Shaving with his Papa:

He feel asleep on the way to the parade:
Up and enjoying and the parade:

Getting ready to go Trick or Treat:

Heading out the door:

Walking to the first house:

Heading home:

Sick and more sick

This past week and weekend were not the most fun. Samuel ended up getting sicker after I took him to the doctor on Thursday. Luckily when we went he was prescribed flu medication, just as a precaution, but also because I am pregnant and his doctor didn't want him to get me sick if he developed the flu. The worst part of Samuel being sick is that he coughed a lot. He coughed so much on Friday and Saturday that he couldn't even nap. Those were not fun days. Dave was fighting off a cold as well and then on Saturday I started to feel like I was getting sick. All of us are feeling better, but not 100%. I don't think any of us are contagious. I think we all are fighting off a little cold.

This weather sucks big time. I cant' stand all this rain. It has been about 3 weeks of wet, dark and cold weather and I am hating it. I have been so cranky. We were at Whole Foods this weekend and I needed to get more prenatal vitamins. In the isle they had all these teas for pregnant or breastfeeding moms. There was one that was Calm Mommy Tea. Dave spotted it first and insisted that we get it so he won't want to kill me anymore. The tea is actually really good. I am drinking it, enjoying it and calming down. Everyone is happy.

I haven't talked about Samuel peeing in the potty lately, but this last week and weekend he has been going crazy. It is so strange, but he usually pees on the potty every Tuesday. But last week he peed twice on Thursday and I am pretty sure he tried every day this weekend. He even went last night. His MO is to take all of his clothes off and yell "Mama" and then we run upstairs and sit on the potty. I have no idea why he thinks he has to take all of his clothes off to pee, but whatever. Last night we tried to record him going because he as you know I always start screaming and doing a potty dance after he goes. Well now he looks in the potty, starts screaming and doing his own little potty dance. It is really hilarious. The problem is, when I pull out the video camera he wants to look at what I am recording and doesn't cooperate. We will keep trying though.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. They say I am 25 weeks now. I think I am 24 weeks and a few days. I have gained 17 pounds. I am measuring exactly on schedule and everything looks and sounds great. The baby was going nuts yesterday because I ate an apple on my way to the doctor. They could barely get its heart rate because it was kicking and going crazy. Finally they got it and it was 160 bpm. They said this wasn't a good indication of its resting heartbeat because it was so active, but I am totally confused now if I am having a boy or a girl. I have been convinced it is a boy, but girls heartbeats are typically higher. Samuel never had a heartbeat over 150. Who knows. I have another appointment in 3 weeks, so we will see what the heartbeat is at that time. I am going to take some pictures of my growing belly soon.

I am going to drink some tea and relax a bit before Samuel gets up.

Rain Rain Go Away

It is supposed to rain and storm all day today. I have really enjoyed the last few days, so I am not looking forward to a day of rain. Yuck.

So, I am taking Samuel to the doctor this morning. He has been pulling on his ears and he has a runny nose. He has been refusing to eat which he never does. Since the horrible Sunday night, he has been sleeping like a champ again. I am going to have to wake him up in a few, so we can get to the doctor by 9. Dave and I watch this 20/20 or Dateline, I can't remember what news show it was, but they had this huge story on Swine Flu and flu symptoms and there was a boy that was in the ICU. He was fine one day and then in the ICU the next. It totally freaked me out. Even though I really don't think Samuel is sick, I want to get his ears checked out. Also since he has been going to Mother's Day out and is in contact with lots of kids, I am sure this flu season things will get passed around. I don't want to take any chances.

I have been in a complete funk since Monday. I am just down for some reason. Well, I know some of the reasons. I am getting freaking huge. I am shocked at how much I have grown in the last two weeks. The baby is starting to move a lot more (well, a little in the morning and a lot at night). I barely feel the baby during the day. I know the baby has gotten bigger and stronger and my body is just getting huge. When it is cold like this, I just want to sit around all day and drink coffee, but I can't.

I guess I better go wake up Samuel.

A night to forget

We didn't have the greatest night of sleep last night. I don't know what Samuel's deal was, but he screamed for a good two hours. They said he really wouldn't take a nap yesterday at Mother's Day out. He was really talkative and loud, so they had to distract him while the other kids slept. They finally got him to go to sleep at 1 and he slept until 2. He was in a pretty good mood yesterday afternoon and then was not happy to go to sleep last night.

I am not really sure when he started to scream last night, but I went in to his room and rocked him. He was sound asleep and then as soon as I put him back down he started screaming again. After two or three attempts to rock him back to sleep, which didn't work, I decided to lay down with him in the spare bed. I was so tired, I couldn't just keep sitting in the rocking chair. Plus it wasn't very comfortable with him laying on my belly. Anyway, we lay down in bed and he has to be as close to me as possible. I thought he had fallen asleep and I think I finally fell asleep too, but then I woke up to Samuel putting his fingers up my nose again. I don't know what his deal is, but he always puts his fingers in my nose and ears when we lay down together. I was not in the mood at all to deal with his lack of sleep, so I put him back in his bed.

He started screaming again. I was done. I went into our room and told Dave it was his turn. After a few minutes more of screaming, Dave went into Samuel's room and rocked him. It took several minutes for Samuel to stop screaming when Dave was in there. I think he knows when the reinforcements, i.e Dad comes in the room he isn't going to get away with staying awake. He finally went to bed, I think around 1:30 or 2. It was terrible.

I am so tired today. I am cranky and irritated. If anyone is in the mood to get yelled at, give me a call. I will be happy to unleash my crankiness on you.

On a happy note, I cleaned out the entire refrigerator this morning. It looks pretty good. I need to wipe down a few more shelves, but it looks pretty nice. I am not sure what we are going to do today, but I just hope I don't kill Samuel.

Great day

I am having a great day today. Samuel woke up this morning at 10 am. Can you believe it?! I can't. He has never slept in so late. I was worried that I would get him out of bed and he would be 5 feet tall. When he sleeps in he normally grows a ton. He is about 1/2 an inch from 3 feet. I can't believe how tall he is.

I actually was trying to find things to do this morning while he was sleeping. I have never had so much alone time. The problem was that I was never sure when he was going to wake up, so I just kept doing little projects.

Once he got up, we went to the gym (I to work out and Samuel to play in childcare). I showered at the gym, we ran errands and stopped for a late lunch. Samuel LOVES smoothies and there is a really yummy place right by the gym, so we went there. He drank so much of his strawberry banana smoothie, so fast that I was sure he was going to get a brain freeze (he didn't get one).

When we got home we ate some other food and now it is 2 and he is back in bed for an afternoon nap. I think I am going to make some hot tea and enjoy my afternoon. What a way to end the week!

Have a great weekend everyone!