picnic

On Sunday Isaac wanted to go on a picnic with Aunt C.  It sounded like a good idea to me, so I had him pack a lunch.

He packed two containers of popcorn, three carrots (he might have done more but I stopped him), three grapes, Cheerios, Crispex, Crasins, 4 hearts and lemon water.

He then had too much fun playing on the playground to eat much. :)

Monday: 9 weeks/2 months

Joshua is 2 months old!

Let's see...talking - he babbles once in a while, but not really that often.

Sleeping - sometimes he does a good job, getting up three times to feed between midnight and seven and then going right back to sleep.  Sometimes he doesn't do such a good job.  His naps are inconsistant; some days he takes good naps, some days he will only nap in my arms

Attitude - it's pretty easy to get smiles out of him.  Usually I'd say he's a pretty happy baby, although last week was pretty rough.  I'm wondering if he had a growth spurt or it had to do with me being sick.

Favorites - my arms with a pacifier.  It almost always calms him down.  He also likes the play thingy that I put in his crib (that he doesn't sleep in).  He will sometimes be content to look at it for ten minutes before getting cranky.  He likes to get his diaper changed.  The swing isn't too bad.

Dislikes - Sitting.  Both arms in the swaddle when he doesn't want them in.  Being done eating (even though he is the one to decide it is time to be done).  Dad when he wants Mom (sad but true).

Sunday: surprise!

Brat, as in bratwurst, is spelled b r a t, not b r o t, which is how I always have spelled it. Ben blew my mind when he told me today. I like my way better, but I guess no one is consulting me on the spelling.

Saturday: feeling better

Today I think I can finally say I'm feeling better. I went to bed last night fully expecting to call the doctor first thing in the morning, but the fever broke (again) during the night.

To shake things up a bit Isaac and I put Ben to bed a little before Isaac's bedtime. Isaac asked Ben if he had to go to the bathroom. Then he prayed... "Dear God. Today. Amen." ( we usually start with thank you for today.). When we mentioned it didn't have much content he just said, " short prayer." Guess you can't argue with that. Isaac then turned off the lights and closed the door.

Friday: still sick

urg.

The fever returned yesterday night, but I woke up in sheets that were soaked.  I was hoping that was that.

I felt pretty good all day.  Then, around dinner time, I thought I could skip the Ibprofin.  Wrong.  Fever's back.  How dumb.

Joshua's been especially grumpy today, being very insistent that he needs to nurse more frequently.  I don't know if my milk supply is low or if something else is wrong.  Or if he's just being a normal baby.  There was a fifteen minute stretch today when both boys were inconsolable and I didn't know why.  Isaac doesn't do that to me!  For that matter, Joshua rarely does it either.  Isaac wanted Cheerios, but I couldn't understand him and he wouldn't point.  (I told him no.)

Thursday: still sick

Today was the worst day by far.  I thought I was better at 4am when I fed Joshua, but at 5am I woke up so cold.  So cold that I decided that taking a hot shower was my best option.  In the middle of the night.

The Tylenol that I took at 6am finally kicked in around 7.  I had a doctor's appointment at 9:30.  I still had a low grade fever. The doctor wasn't really sure why I have a fever; the mastitis symptom had all cleared up.  But she put me on an antibiotic.

The Tylenol never quite made it the whole six hours it needed to...so about 40 minutes before I could take the next dose I'd be shivering in bed.  The medicine kicked in pretty well in the afternoon and everyone took good naps.  It did not kick in so well around dinner time and I ended up calling the doctor.  I'm now taking Ibprofin too.  I'm still hot and clammy but don't technically have a fever.

I'm not sure I've ever been taking so many medications at once...six all told.  I should probably write down when I'm should take the next dose so that I don't mess it up.

still sick

Everyone slept until 8:30 today!  I couldn't believe it; Isaac never sleeps that long.  It took me a while last night to feel better, but by the time we officially woke up (versus the several unofficial wake ups) I was feeling pretty good.

Then we went to the playground.  The weather was perfect.  Warm but not too warm.

About 10 minutes after we got home I had a terrible feeling that my fever was back.  I got some things arranged and then took my temp...yup, 102.4.  Blah.  So Isaac got some extra screen time this afternoon and then Dad came over for a few hours to help out.  And I have a doctor's appointment in the morning.  On the up side, it is nice having a two year old that is willing to help you out.  He even tried to open the medicine bottle for me and wanted to give me the water bottle with the cap off so that I didn't have to do it.

Tuesday: three things that make me happy

1. The things that come out of Isaac's mouth (or out of my mouth in response to him).
1a. Isaac, don't pet the cat with your hammer.
1b. "Mom, if I push this button the car will turn into an airplane!"  "Oh yeah, is it an airplane now?"  "Yes.  We're going to eat grapes and peanut butter and jelly."
1c.  Flurry is calmly sitting on the table.  Isaac has quickly run around the table 20 times.  "I'm trying to get the kitty cat!"  He kept running for another several minutes.

2. I have a plugged duct/mastitis again.  They're slightly different things, but people seem to use them interchangeably so it makes it a bit hard to tell you what I have.  I'm in the middle of the chills part of the fever, but Tylenol takes away almost the whole thing.  I'm also happy for hot showers.  Hot showers during a fever are second to none.

3. Joshua's smiles.  Pat wonderfully came over to babysit while I got groceries and new pants.  (Two pairs of pants wasn't cutting it.  Also, I got groceries in about half the time that I do if Isaac is with me.)  When I got back he gave Pat a whole bunch and then me a whole bunch.

Monday: eight weeks

Joshua is eight weeks old!

I can definitely tell he's getting bigger.

And he smiles rather easily...although they're still hard to catch on camera.

Isaac picked out matching socks for them today.

We also went to visit Brian and Amy over lunch...it was wonderful to see them again!  Isaac had a great time playing with the new toys and fell asleep in the car on the way home.

I think we're also about to start giving Joshua a new bedtime.  Up until now he's stayed up with us, falling asleep in our arms and then going into the fake car seat.  It's been nice.  But lately he won't sleep in it and only wants to be in my arms.  He doesn't want to be in Ben's arms.  Just mine.  While I appreciate the thought, it is also annoying to have my "me time" taken away so completely.  So tonight I gave him a bath, fed him, and put him to bed.  And we haven't heard a peep.  (This is actually pretty normal when putting him to bed.  I hope it keeps up.  The problems come later during the night.)

Joshua was up several times last night.  Isaac was up once too...he wanted to know if he could go outside at 4am.  But everyone slept in until 7:45, so there was at least some sleep.  Nap time went much better today too.

Isaac and I were having a rough time today though.  I feel like I spoke sharply to him way too much.  Sometimes it was appropriate (no, you don't throw your plastic wagon down the stairs) and sometimes it wasn't (I could have let him play while cleaning up a bit more).  Anyway, the result was that some duplos and his barn went in time out for the day.  Later he was talking to us..."I have a really big problem."  I said, "You should look in a book!"  and then Ben told him the super-dooper computer letters were "L-I-S-T-E-N and that next time you should listen to Mom."  We have obviously been watching too many kids' shows.

Saturday: duplos

Isaac loved playing with Ben today.

Friday: lazy day?

Today was kind of a lazy day...or at least as lazy as one can be with two small children, which I guess is not very lazy.  Joshua slept a lot (and they were good naps, not the dumb 20 minute ones).

Isaac helped out by putting laundry into the washer.  I think I should find more chores/games that involve the step ladder; he loves it.  Maybe throwing balls into buckets from the top?  It seems like that should keep him occupied.

Thursday

Last night was a bit rough again.  Joshua has been waking up a lot more this week and Isaac has been sick and therefore waking up once or twice.  So...yeah.  Joshua did sleep well during the day so I got two medium naps in at least.

Isaac has been interested in offices lately.  Whenever we see one on TV he'll say "office?"  So today we visited Ben's office and had lunch with him.  It was a nice time.

And Isaac and Joshua entertained each other today!  (For about five minutes.) They've done it before, but I'm usually around supervising.  This time Isaac started playing with Joshua's toys and he watched.  I tried to get a picture but came over at just the wrong time.

And Isaac helped me give Joshua a bath.  I've been meaning to do so for several days now, but just don't care anymore before Joshua's bedtime.  I asked Isaac if he wanted to help and he was so excited.  He got the tub out.  Then he ran to his bathtub and got some of his foam letters for Joshua.  Because you obviously can't have a bath without some letters.

Wednesday: no title

*********************************************
Today I sang the Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Isaac asked me to sing it again, so I said, "Sure.  Will you sing with me?"  I proceeded to sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and Isaac sang the ABCs.  I guess I should have been more specific.

Tuesday

Joshua started using a rattle today.  He held on to it longer than I expected.

Isaac and I took some quilting pictures.  He is slowly figuring out that he should hold the camera far away from the object of interest.  But I'm pretty sure that he took a picture of his feet as his aim is still off.

Monday: seven weeks

I expect to see most of the day today.  Joshua ate around 2am and then was awake every 15-30 minutes from 3-5am.  At 5am I finally got up with him...he was happy and alert.  He fell asleep and I waited until 6am to put him back down, but he was awake by 6:20.  So we started our day.  But I did make him wear the monster outfit.

He wasn't very happy about it.  I figured that at least the monster was smiling at me, even if Joshua refused.

Joshua is also seven weeks old.

Cheryl took Isaac for the afternoon and Ben had a surprise few hours off, so I was able to take a nap in the afternoon.  It was a close one though...I kept thinking Joshua was fully asleep and he'd wake up.

Sunday: confusion

This morning, around 2:15am or there bouts, a baby cried loudly.  Since I get up to hold crying babies, before I realized what I was doing I was out of bed holding a baby.  Then I thought, "Oh no!  It's an Isaac impostor!  We have three kids!  How did that happen?  Ben isn't going to be happy about this."  Then I thought, "Wait, it's Joshua.  Ok.  Now what do I do?"  I was cold, so I put him on the bed and put on my robe.  I then looked at the clock and thought, "Oh.  Maybe I should feed him."

In other news, since it's so cold I dressed Joshua in clothes similar to Isaac at about the same age.  I see more differences than I expected in the photos but still think they look alike.  (Joshua is on the left, Isaac on the right.)

Isaac also fell asleep during dinner tonight.  He had run a ton with Aunt C this afternoon and decided that he didn't want a nap.  He's still sleeping.  Now the big question is...do I try to put a diaper on him?  Sometimes he does fine at night and sometimes he wakes up wet.  Could I put a diaper on over his underwear?  It might depend on his sleeping position.  Update: he was already wet. :(  I was able to take off all his clothes and put on a diaper without him really waking up though.

Friday: hide and seek

We played hide and seek again today.  It worked a lot better this time.  Isaac understands what to do - sort of.  He always hides in places that I've already hidden (usually right after I've hidden in them) or in plain sight.  But we're getting the idea down. I need to hide really quickly...he counts as fast as possible and sometimes skips numbers.

But he's always so excited to find me, or when I find him.  So excited.  What a surprise to find me!

Thursday: through the day

Today went better than yesterday, except for a short stint in the middle...

1) Breakfast
Isaac: I'm all done!
Amanda: do you want more toast?
Isaac looks at me like I'm dumb
Isaac; TTRREATT!
Amanda: no

2) We finally emptied our pop can box after three years.  It helps that Isaac is tall enough to help and enjoys putting them in.

3) It was so cold today!  We wore long sleeves, but probably should have worn coats.  Isaac insisted on wearing flip-flops.  I was too tired to care, but told him he couldn't whine if he was cold.

4) I got super grumpy at nap time when Joshua woke up 20 minutes after Isaac went to sleep and I realized at I might get 2.5 hours uninterrupted sleep once a day, if I'm a bit lucky.  (Last night Isaac woke me up crying because he couldn't find his water bottle, which was two inches from his hand.  I think it woke Joshua up too, which in some ways was nice.  I guess.)  I usually get one 30-45 minute nap, which isn't enough.  So I was complaining to God and trying to be thankful for other things, but it wasn't working and it was making me grumpier.  I needed a nap...but oh wait.  But then Joshua went back to sleep and I got a 75 minute nap.  I woke up feeling much better. Hooray!

5) Isaac took a good nap today too.  Afterwards we played baby marbles

6) Ben was taking a hard drive out of a computer.  Isaac really wanted to watch.

Tuesday: brotherly and motherly love

We got the toy pole out for Joshua today.  Isaac tried really hard to help Joshua use it.

Isaac also joined Joshua for some tummy time and gave him a hug.

And, unrelated to Joshua, I told Isaac we'd have to clean up the marbles tonight because a younger friend is coming over tomorrow and isn't old enough to play with them.  He was fine with that, but kept thinking about it and mentioned it once or twice more.  Then, while I was feeding Joshua he cleaned it all up!  By himself, without prompting.  I was proud of him.

Isaac likes to take pictures...so I get some interesting perspectives, but at least I'm getting some with Joshua.

Monday: six weeks

Joshua is six weeks old today!

I can tell he's getting bigger.

And I still get lots of smiles.

And a preview of what this future genius might learn...when he's only twice as long as the book.

But even geniuses need to sleep.  Maybe osmosis will work.

We spent some time outside.  The bouncy seat worked for the first time.  It's so nice and portable.

Isaac used watercolors for the first time.  He enjoyed them, but I'm not sure he loved them.  He liked black the best.

And today's quote: "When I run fast my fingernails turn blue and white."

Sunday: annoying

Do you know what's annoying?  Toys that make a sound when they turn off.  I'm usually glad that Isaac has moved on to something else and then his attention is diverted back to the noisy toy.

Saturday: children in media

I love how Isaac blows kisses.



Joshua didn't sleep well at all last night; it was probably his worst sleep ever.  But I made him be bright eyed and bushy tailed for a bit in the morning.

This onsie is almost too small. :(  I actually changed it half way through the day because I wondered if he was upset due to a too tight shirt...it would make me cranky.

We were getting dinner ready and Isaac came up to me with this strawberry and said it was his favorite.  I think he wanted to eat it right away, but I cut it up and put it on his plate instead.  The next five strawberries were also his favorite and he always picked the one on the top.  I'm not sure he understands what the word means.

Speaking of words, here are some of my favorites: underwear (which I only understand because it is always said in context), octopus, and caramel kiss.  Caramel kiss isn't always said in context, and sometimes he has to add the kissing noise for me to understand what he wants.



Isaac also told us tonight that the "wormy" tickles him but that the Tickle Monster doesn't tickle him.  Ah, the logic of a two year old.

Friday: this and that

We went to the playground again today. Isaac had an excellent time running around.  Joshua even was awake to enjoy himself a bit.

When we got home I put out the trash. It was a bit early due to the holiday weekend, but the garage door was open and I like getting it out when Ben isn't home. Well, garbage truck came today. I wasn't done putting trash in the can, and so am a bit peeved.  But very glad that I got it out in time.

We also got some mail from the homeowners association and there seems to be a coup going on.  Or I'm getting unnecessary mail.  Or both.  I won't go into details, but it's weird.  I also don't really care that much, but it has caught my attention since I don't even know who is in the right and who is doing the coup-ing and that it's just a homeowner's association.

Finally, Isaac seems to be developing his own sense of humor.  He came into Joshua's room one day with his pants on his head, clearly expecting it to be funny.  He also has started to say "I love you Dag"  (i.e., Dad) on purpose at night when I'm giving him a bedtime hug and finds it hilarious.

Thursday: limes

For dinner we were having coconut lime chicken.  It turned out pretty good!  Isaac refused to eat it.  I finally got him to eat a little bit by suggesting he dip his chicken on his lime wedge.  He does love to dip!  I felt like I had a parenting win.

Wednesday: water bottles

I woke up rather grumpy.  I finally put Isaac in front of the TV and took a 15 minute nap.  It was a smart move and I woke up feeling much better.

In other pictures, here is our current water bottle family.  It looks much different than 2.5 years ago, although some are still the same.  They don't all fit in the fridge at once, unless we're really low on food.

I also had the white background out and tried to get some pictures of Joshua.  He didn't want his picture taken.  (But he did finally give some smiles to Ben tonight!)

Tuesday: conversations

While at the playground this morning, Lion and Little Lion appeared.  They are basically Big Tickle Monster and Little Tickle Monster, but they roar.  After nap time Isaac was talking about Little Lion and how he needed to wear a shirt so that he wasn't brr.  (I'm not sure why brr is so often substituted for cold.  He drinks brr water too.)
**********
Isaac: Dad, don't eat me!
Ben: Why not?
Isaac: I'm old.
Isaac: Like Grandma.
Ben: oh, yeah?  How old is Grandma?
Isaac: two.
Ben: How old are you?
Isaac: two.
**********
Isaac: Dear God, thank you for dropping things from up high.
Ben: Anything else you want to thank God for?
Isaac: water bottles up high.

We thought the prayer was going downhill at that point.  The first part might have reference the marbles that he played today, so that was fine.  But water bottles up high??  No clue what was going on there.  Speaking of marbles, he wanted to play them today but I told him no because his bedroom still wasn't clean.  (It had gotten very messy over the weekend.)  So he started to clean it and did a really good job...the puzzles were put together and even in the right spot in his bookshelf.  I started to help a few minutes later and we got it very clean.  Only to get it messy with marble works immediately afterwards.  But that's fine with me.  It's at least a controlled mess.

Monday: 5 weeks and loud trucks

Joshua is five weeks old today!

I've seen a few smiles before that seemed real, but today seemed to be the day he really figured it out. I got a ton of smiles! Ben, sadly, only got worried looks.

He also did some tummy time. Isaac's trains did tummy time too.

Every Labor Day there is a truck parade from the nearby city to our city. If you go to the end it is busy and there is food and balloons and such. Or you can park along the route in a random parking lot and just watch from the side of the road.

We met up with some friends. Isaac was so excited that he fell and scrapped up his knees. It was the first time he got band aids. They seemed to help a lot. :)

I warned Isaac that loud trucks were coming, but he didn't really grasp how loud they'd be. We quickly ended up watching from inside the car, but that worked very well. (Another good reason to park along the route.). (Note from Tuesday: Isaac's been asking to watch the loud trucks all morning, so it didn't scare him too much.). I really liked listening to the different sounds/tones the truck horns made.