Five Things Friday 07.30.10 - Tell Me How You Really Feel

1. While I was giving Noah a bath last night, Dean walked in to ask me a question.  Noah looked at him and said, "Daddy."  Then, he looked at me and say, "Bye, bye.  Bye, bye Momma."  Guess I just can't compete with super fun Daddy bathtime.

2.  After bath, Noah put on his pajama shirt with minimal help from Daddy, got up on his step stool, looked in the mirror, and said, "Perfect."  He got down off the step stool, gave Dean a big hug.  He hopped back up, looked in the mirror, and said, "The end."

3. At speech this week, I overheard Noah playing farm with his therapist.  Mrs. Caroline says to Noah, "Baaaa.  Baaa," obviously playing with the sheep toy.  Noah says to Mrs. Caroline, "Nooo... not baaaa, baaaa.  Maaaa, maaaa."  I guess our sheeps at home sound a little different.  Better luck next time, Mrs. Caroline.

4. While playing in the backyard, Noah hands me a piece of chalk, "Want draw."  I ask him, "What do you want Momma to draw?"  Noah replies, "Want hopscotch."  So, I draw a hopscotch game. One to ten. Noah hops on each number, counting as he goes. When, he gets to the end, he walks over and hands me the chalk, "Want 12."  So, I draw an 11 and 12.  And, then a 13, 14, and 15.  There's no shame in making the rules up as you go. 

5.  On our recent trip to the beach, my sister's boys decided to gift Noah with a super cool Panama City Beach airbrushed t-shirt.  It was front in center in his closet, and as I was pulling out his clothes for the day, he spied it.  "Want stingray," he says.  So, since we were already running late for the day, I figured why not just go for it.  Seriously, does nothing say, "I love the 80s," like an airbrushed tee.  Thanks Nanny Aunt Mo and the boys!

Shipwreck Island

On one of our vacation days, we decided to visit the nearby waterpark.  After some kicking, screaming, sweating, almost naked park surveying, Noah finally agreed to put on his bathing suit and join in some FUN waterpark activities. 

Wave Pool.  Noah loved the wave pool.  The water kept pushing him over, and he would just bounce right up and head back in for more. 

When the waves would stop, he would look at us and say, "want beach."  He would have stayed here all day, I think, but of course, Daddy and I insisted on him trying other activities. 

Lazy River.  Our first trip on the lazy river included an inner tube, but the second time around, Daddy and I decided to give Noah a try at walking.  He loved bouncing up and down through the huge lazy river, and the current kept him headed in the right direction.

I was trying to get a shot of him near the 3ft sign.  And, although he is a bit taller than 3 feet, I think I caught this shot on one of his up bounces. 

Water Slide.  The kiddie area had a pretty big, enclosed, curvy slide, and before letting him go on it, I asked the lifeguard if it went fast.  She said that it actually went pretty slow, and that he would have to push himself through it. 

Well, let's just say, it took him a while to get to the bottom. Daddy and I thought we were going to have to climb up and rescue him.  What a fun day at the waterpark!

Nooo... Not Swimsuit

So, this week while on vacation, Noah was not too happy about changing into his swimsuit.  I just knew how much Noah would enjoy swimming once he actually got dressed out and in the water. 

But, any time I'd ask him... his response was, "Noooo. Not swimsuit."

Lucky for me, Daddy was around with a huge dose of patience to talk Noah in.

Well, Momma was right, and Daddy got it done with no tears. 

Noah's cousins were so happy to have him join in their pool time fun!

Zack's always ready to love him some Noah.

Noah and Katie B.

Momma and Noah.  One, two, three... bubbles.

One

I read an interview with Bono once.  He was talking about U2's song One, and how he didn't know why so many couples used it as a wedding song since he wrote the song about a terrible breakup.  But, there is this one line in the song that says, "We're one, but we're not the same.  We get to carry each other." 

I totally get that.  And, for me that is what marriage is all about. 

Two people becoming one.  From totally different families.  Completely different backgrounds.  Different opinions and views.  And every day we get to be together.  It's a choice.  To help and support each other.  And, every time we make the choice we become a stronger one.

Happy Anniversary to my husband Dean. 

I watched you this past week with Noah.  You are so patient and kind and loving.  And, I wonder if eight years ago, I even considered what kind of father you'd make.  You are awesome, and Noah is so lucky to have you on his team.  We do things differently, and maybe that isn't such a bad thing.  I love our one, and I can't wait to get to carry on with you.  I love you!

PS - I am pretty sure Noah loves you too.

Our Beach Vacation (Or the Week I Unglued My IPhone From My Hand)

Our family needed a vacation in the worst way. The two weeks leading up to us boarding a flight to Florida were long and stressful. Dean was on call 24 days straight. Noah decided to try tantrums out as a way to communicate his needs. And, between a screaming child and a missing husband, I was just trying to hold it all together.

A vacation was just what the doctor ordered. Noah was so good on the flight to Florida. At the last minute, I decided to try out a picture schedule, and I really think it made all the difference. I printed pictures of the plane and the beach house and everyone we were going to see there. It let him know what to expect, and it is definitely something I'll be using again in the future.

So, hmmm... who did Noah see?  All his cousins for one thing.

What a great looking bunch of kiddoes!

Aside from the sand, the sun, the sunscreen and his bathing suit, Noah loved our vacation. Daddy didn't seem to mind that Noah was lukewarm on the beach. He was feeling a little oil wary.  For the record, we did not spy any oil, but we did spy a ton of oil workers.  Noah tolerated the beach for the first couple days.

Noah searched for seashells.

And did some running (away).

Luckily, Daddy and Uncle D were close by.  Speaking of Uncle D...

Thanks for letting us have the big room.  I probably should have taken this picture before we made a mess of the place, but the room was great.

Which was a good thing because Noah spent a lot of time up there.  He also slept in the closet, but in our defense it was almost as big as his room in our Miami apartment.  He liked it in there... honestly!

Noah spent so much time upstairs that finally his cousins had to start hanging out there too.

We had an awesome beach vacation with the family.  And, I think everyone is back home relaxed and rested.  I know I am ready to be a better Mom.  Motherly duty number one... put the kibosh on these tantrums.  Just a little forewarning my sweet baby boy.

Five Things Friday 07.09.10 - Common Phrases

Noah language is continuing to improve and although he still does a ton of scripting, more and more functional language is developing. Here are a few phrases that he is using recently.

1. I dropped my color/marker/pencil. Can you get it? He uses this phrase all the time. It is usually when he does actually drop something, but he also uses it when he wants something. For example, the other night we went to HEB for groceries. Noah was pitched a huge fit was not really super excited about going to the store. Well, HEB hands out balloons to all the kids when you walk in the store. Noah was too busy telling me how he felt to get his balloon. It wasn't until we were almost done with our shopping trip that Noah looked at me and said, "I dropped my red balloon." I had to laugh. He didn't drop it... he never had it.

2. Want chocolate milk/apple juice/orange juice. (pause) In a sippy cup. It looks like my great idea to get Noah to drink out of a regular cup is backfiring on me. He makes sure that if he's going to accept a drink from me, it better come in a sippy cup.

3. Bye alligator. I always sing Noah the song, "See Ya Later Alligator." I'll say, "see ya later, alligator." And, he'll say, "bye alligator." And, I'll say, "after while crocodile." And, he'll say, "bye crocodile... see ya later." Very cute!

4. Want ride in car. Noah and I spend a good amount of time running the roads to and from therapy. On our busy days, we probably spend a good 2 hours in the car. Since summer is upon us, we've had more days with down
time where we don't go out as much. This afternoon Noah looked at me and asked, "want ride in car." Sure thing buddy. I tried to make him get out at Target, and he said, "noooo... not Target. Want ride in car." I guess it is fun to be a passenger sometimes, but Momma is the one doing all the driving.

5. Super Why and the power to read. Now this is in no way functional language, but on one of our many trips to Target, I picked up this little Super Why toy for him to play with in the store. It's a little wand with a button that says five phrases from the show. It ended up coming home with us. The next afternoon Dean and Noah were playing in his room. Noah came across the wand and started pressing the button. He started reciting the phrases in order before they would come out of the wand. He had it memorized after only playing with it cumulatively about an hour over a span of a day and a half. Definitely need to be careful about electronic talking toys.

Happy Birthday Dad

T-minus 1 day, 7 hours, and 50 minutes until we are all together for vacation, and I know that you are excited as I am. But, before we get to all that… today is your birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad!

 

Thank you for all the love and support you’ve give me over the years. Thank you for instilling in me a good since of right and wrong and then trusting me to always do the right thing. Thank you for threatening me with the “board of education,” although I am proud to say, you never had to use it on me. Thanks for teaching me to love music… you introduced me to ABBA, Ray Charles and the Beatles, and I like to think I keep you young with Usher, Nelly and Beyonce. Thank you for all the new cars you bought me even though I got in more accidents than Monique and Darren put together. Thank you for all the times you’ve come to visit me even though you have this completely irrational fear of traffic. Thank you for your complete support on our move to Texas. The “I’ll miss you, but you need to be with your family” attitude really helped me feel good about our decision. Thanks for being a good listener and always knowing just what to say to make me feel better. Thank you for teaching me what family is all about and giving me a model for what I want my future to hold. I am so proud to call you my dad, and I love you very much!

 

You have bestowed so many great words of wisdom on me that in honor of your birthday, I (with the help of Mo, D, Blake and Dean) have compiled a list of 66 of our favorite Dad-isms. Enjoy!

1. Every days a holiday, every meals a feast.
2. Don’t worry about the mule going blind, just load the wagon.
3. Mighty good if you like it.
4. I like the sound, I dig the beat, I give it a 98.
5. Never dance with a drink in your hand.
6. If you want to get drunk, do it at home. (Learned this one the hard way in 1996.)
7. Don’t quit.
8. There is no crying in baseball or tennis. (This one didn’t stick too well.)
9. Beware of the Mobile Tunnel.
10. Your job is not who you are, it is just what you do.
11. The Good Lord never gives you more than you can handle.
12. Always buy Chevrolet… or Cadillac.
13. He’s crazy he is. He eats bugs he does.
14. Don‘t put too many eggs in your potato salad. It‘s potato salad, not egg salad.
15. Don’t eat the dead ones.
16. No hats in the house.
17. Yeah what? Yeah dog? Yes, sir!
18. You know what they say in the Book of Job?
19. If someone sh*% on you once, don’t let them sh^$ on you again.
20. Makeup and paint make her what she ain’t.
21. You’re much prettier when you smile.
22. Being number one is not a sometime thing, it’s an all time thing… oh wait, that’s Vince Lombardi.
23. I see said the blind man to the deaf man who was listening to the radio.
24. Don’t hit girls.
25. Are you born in a barn? Close the door.
26. If you’re going to cough like that, you’re going to have to go sit somewhere else.
27. You can’t wear tennis skirts to the mall.
28. It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.
29. Gumbo is a good meal any day of the week even if it is a 100 degrees outside.
30. Cement is better than grass.
31. If it pinches, we boil it.
32. Dad always wins at tennis.
33. Go ask your Mom.
34. If you don’t know someone’s name, Podna always works.
35. Podna, Podna, Podna, Podna… when you are doing something wrong. (Contributed by D. Not sure I’ve done anything wrong to elicit this one.)
36. Cream always comes to the top.
37. Telly Savalas always says to split aces and eights. (Contributed by Dean.)
38. You pay peanuts, you’re gonna get monkeys.
39. Always play the percentages.
40. Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!
41. 8 times 8 is 64.
42. Cheaters never win.
43. Dad always pays so when he gets old you can’t put him in a nursing home.
44. If you’re gonna play music, turn up the v.
45. Always take care of your family.
46. Always take care of your Podnas.
47. Credit cards are for emergencies only. (This one didn’t stick too well either.)
48. Buy two of everything.
49. Don’t be stupid.
50. Not all men can fix things.
51. Always pose for pictures.
52. Don’t bite your nails.
53. Always say your prayers.
54. It’s not easy being a princess.
55. Keep your hair out of your face or cut it off.
56. Dancing, dancing, dancing… I’m a dancing machine.
57. Beware of full moons… that’s when the crazies come out.
58. Life is not fair.
59. Always use a firm handshake.
60. You’re never too old for birthday parties.
61. Always look like you know what you’re doing.
62. Top Gun and Pretty Woman are the best movies ever.
63. Nobody’s perfect.
64. Live well.
65. Laugh often.
66. Love much.

And, now for the pictures… because what’s a birthday post without them.

1980-something.  Not sure where you thought you were going in this picture, I've never known you to need waders for anything. 

1980-something.  So handsome in your old uniform.  I am pretty sure you encouraged me to pose and wear that bandana on my head.

Photo booth on summer vacation.  1987-ish.  This picture had thumb tack marks all along the top.  It used to take center stage on my bulletin board. 

1994-ish.  I seriously think you still have these pjs. 

My Wedding Day 2002

PaPa and Noah 2008

Underwater Camera

During one of his daily missions for buried treasure hidden in our house, Noah came across a disposable underwater camera.  I decided to take it with us to the neighborhood pool.  Noah is doing so well with his swimming.  He loves the water.  Although, he can pretty much touch bottom on his tippy toes in the shallow end of most of the pools we frequent, he is really good about getting his head above water to get some air too.  He still insists on treading water furiously underwater instead of floating on his back, but his swim teacher told me the other day that she is really happy with his progress.  Her thoughts are that he just really likes to be underwater.  And, it makes perfect sense to me.  All that water surrounding all his little limbs.  Tons of proprioceptive information. 

I know... proprioceptive is a big word.  And, if you don't have a kiddo in OT twice a week you may not know the definition.  So, basically proprioception is your brain telling your body where it is in space.  Being underwater gives Noah that constant feedback over his entire body.  Noah's proprioceptive issues are the same reasons he is in constant motion, same reason he always has something in his hand, same reason he loves swimming.

Oh, yeah... swimming.

So, Noah found this disposable underwater camera lying around the house.  And, I brought it with us to the neighborhood pool. 

What did we ever do before the age of digital cameras?  How were we able to catch that perfect picture?  Don't worry they get better.

One, two, three... blow bubbles.

See that smile.  He loves being underwater!

Loves it!

Want Pink Crayon

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