Love & Thanksgiving

Let me tell you a little something about my mom. She loves her family and all the big get togethers that go on during the holidays. She also loves to decorate, and her house is usually ready for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.

And, let me tell you a little something about my dad. He has an irrational anxiety about traveling in traffic. He also loves his family and being surrounded by them at big holiday dinners.

And, this year they left the crew behind, headed to Texas on the busiest travel day of the year, cooked enough food to feed those left behind, and spent a quiet Thanksgiving with Dean, Noah, and I.

They did leave bright and early this morning, but I have a fridge full of food, a house overflowing with Christmas spirit, and memories of a very happy and relaxing Thanksgiving.  Thanks Mom and Dad for spending the holiday with us. I love you very much!

Happy Turkey Day!

A Trip to the Fire Station

Noah was invited to a birthday party on Saturday. It was for a little boy in his class. It was at the city fire station. Most of the kids there were kids that Noah goes to school with. The birthday boy immediately ran up to him and said "hi Noah." What a cute party it was. The fire chief was there and gave the kids a tour of the engine room. Noah was really excited, but didn't want to get inside the fire truck.  He spent most of the time jumping around and watching all the action.

        

He did put his hand around the trigger of one of the fire hoses when the chief held it out to him. He, of course, didn't want to wear his fire hat, but he did hang onto it for quite a while. He loved when one of the trucks sounded it's siren and sped out of the engine shed. No emergency... just showing off on their way out to lunch. Before heading back to the break room for birthday lunch and cake, the kids got to sit on one of the fire engines for a picture. Lucky for the camera wielding mom's, the bumper was a little too high for the kids to climb down from easily.

Noah and his friends

Ummm... Momma, this is kind of high.  Do you think you could get me down?

Hello...Momma, over here.

I mean, seriously, are they going to leave us up here all day?

Grace Before Meal

This one's for you Grammy!

Five Things Friday Plus One 11.20.09 - Progress

There are so many changes in Noah these days that I can't keep up.

1. Choices. One of the therapy tools I have long been putting into daily life is picking between two objects. Do you want this one or this one? Encouraging him to choose by words, gestures, eye gaze... something. I could tell he was gradually getting there, and today, he totally got it. It was just before naptime, and I held up two sippy cups. "Yellow or green?" I ask. Pointing emphatically to the green one, "green," he said. I decided to push him a little further, and I opened the fridge grabbed the milk carton and juice box, and said, "juice or milk?" Again, emphatic pointing, "juice." He doesn't usually take juice for naps, always milk (no judgement, please,) but who am I to argue with a talking boy. I am wondering if that is why he didn't take a nap today.

2. Settling Down. Noah is an active little boy. He runs a lot. He jumps a lot. We have started him in therapy with a new occupational therapist. She told me a story about a patient of hers who liked to spin. So, she put him on a swing, and he spun like mad. After that, the patient was totally over the spinning. His sensory need had been met. So, back to Noah. At OT, he jumps on the trampoline. He jumps into the ball pit. He climbs up a big long ramp and jumps on cushy pads. At home, we bought him a mini-trampoline. We put couch cushions on the floor and jump, jump, jump. And, maybe with all the jumping of late, his needs are being met or maybe he's just growing up. Either way, the jumping and running has definitely slowed down. It's amazing the interaction I can have with him now that he is not running away. On a school related note, the teachers are sometimes able to leave the classroom door open without him taking off down the hall. So great!

3. Sitting Down. So, the new calm Noah loves to sit. His favorite spot is at the counter on our new appropriate height barstools. Today, he sat at the counter first thing in the morning for a breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt. Later on, we sat at the counter, lit candles and practiced singing "Happy Birthday." Noah smiles and makes excellent eye contact and sings "dear Mommy" every time. Mommy sounds like "moddy," and I love him even more every time he sings it. In the afternoon, Noah sat at the counter while I chopped onions and seasoned ground meat for a pot of chili. Tonight, he ate a PB&J for dinner sitting right at that counter. Throughout the day, he sat still about 5 or 6 times in 15-30 minute increments. Great time for us to share attention and play. Way to go Mister No. I am so proud of you.

4. Receptive Language. The most exciting change in Noah is he finally understands me. His receptive language has seriously increased. He waits when I tell him too. He runs to the kitchen when I say it's mealtime. He climbs into his car seat when I say he is going to school. He stops jumping on the bed when I tell him too. He holds onto the railing on the stairs when I say, "be careful." All day long he listens and he really hears me and does it ever make parenting so much easier.

5. Rule Follower. He comes by it naturally. He likes rules, and he follows them. He may not like to follow them, but he does. I am sure I've mentioned that Noah has a thing for sticks. He hasn't met a straw, tinker toy, long skinny object he doesn't like. Well, we have a new rule that sticks are not allowed at school or therapy or in bed at night. And, with his new grasp on understanding 90% of what Momma is saying, I don't have to tell him twice. He holds out his arm, opens his palm, and the stick falls to the ground. And, wouldn't it be nice if the story ended there. Once he drops the stick, he totally falls out. He doesn't try to pick up the stick because Momma said he couldn't have it, but the 15 minute kicking and rolling on the floor tantrum sure lets me know that he isn't happy about it. I'm hoping this is just a phase, and I can survive all this striving for consistency.

6. Crib for Life. Last night, Dean had a meeting and I went out with some ladies from my mom's group. I scheduled a sitter for Noah. She was a sweet girl I found through an agency called Seeking Sitters. She put Noah to bed for the night. When I got home, I forgot to move the monitor to my bedroom, and without the sound of Noah to wake me up around 7-ish, I overslept. I rolled out of bed around 7:50AM and went over to get Noah. He was sitting up in his crib, clapping his hands and singing a song he must have heard at school. The amazing part was that his crib side rail was down. I left it down before I went out, and I forgot to tell the sitter to raise it. Noah being the rule follower that he is, stayed put, despite the fact he is an excellent climber and could have easily stepped over the lowered rail. I am fully prepared to keep that little guy in his crib until age 5.

Disney on Ice

When I told Dean that Disney on Ice was coming to town, he said we could go, but he wanted good seats. How's this Daddy?

Noah had such a great time. I was a little worried because when we pulled up at the stadium t-minus 20 minutes to show time this was the scene in the backseat.

Noah totally rallied after his abbreviated nap. I am not sure that he knew what was in store for him, but he definitely was excited walking up to the stadium, sip in hand.

Noah loved whenever Mickey and Minnie would come out on the ice. But, I think his absolute favorite moment was when they changed the backdrop to "It's A Small World," and all the skaters come out singing. Noah's face just lit up. He kept singing "It's A Small World" as we left the stadium. It made me want to come home and book our tickets for another Disney vacation.

Here is Noah dancing along to the finale.

What a fun outing for our little family. Hmmm... I think Sesame Street Live is coming in February. Looks like I better get on Ticketmaster.

Five Things Friday 11.13.09 - Party Prep

I hosted a party last night.  Stella and Dot.  It’s like Mary Kay, but for jewelry.  I invited both my mom’s groups, the mothers of the kids in Noah’s preschool class, some friends in the area, and my new neighbors.  Two or three came from each of the groups which made, I thought, a pretty good turnout for the party... especially for someone who just moved to town.  The preparations were fun, and I must say that I may have a knack for this party planning stuff.

1. Marinated Cheese.  My good friend Jodie always serves this, and it is my all time favorite party app.  I mean, really, what’s not to love about cheese soaked in olive oil and other yummies.  I was forced to learn how to make it myself since we no longer live in the same city.  Sniff.  Here is the recipe.

2. Veggie Tray. Instead of doing the legwork for my own veggie tray, I just picked one up at HEB.  And, how delightful that olives were added to the veggies.  Not something usually seen on a veggie tray, but what a delicious surprise.  I served them with bleu cheese dressing as dip.  Here is the recipe taken from The Pioneer Woman. 

3. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  Nothing says Thanksgiving more than a pumpkin in a dessert.  This recipe is so easy.  And, really who doesn't love a mini-cupcake.  Here is the recipe.

4. Wine.  I like wine.  I drink wine, but I don’t know a whole lot about wine.  So, I relied on some friends and the nice little man at Specs to recommend some price friendly vino.  I served Ed’s Smooth Red and Pillar Box Red.  Pillar Box Red was the hands down favorite. Ed’s Smooth Red was a little too sweet of a red for my taste, but I am thinking that it may be something my mom would like.  Maybe you should pick it up on your next shopping trip, Dad.

5.  Chips and Salsa.  One of the things I really missed about living in Texas was the salsa selection.  I never did find a good salsa in Miami.  Back in Texas, wow… the choices are endless.  I picked up my old favorite, Hell on the Red, and used it to mix up a yummy guacamole.  Here is the recipe. 

What a fun night of chatting and shopping, drinking and eating.  I enjoyed the party prep, and I definitely enjoyed the night.  By the way, did you notice I started a new blog.  Enjoy!

To Give Thanks Is Very Nice

To give Thanks is very nice!

Thank You, Thank You!

Once a day or maybe twice,

To give Thanks is very nice!

Tonight as I was getting Noah's school stuff together for morning, I pulled this little piece of artwork from his folder.  Although, I am pretty sure Noah did not actualy put this together himself, it will stay in the keep pile.  I definitely want to remember this story.  I think I mentioned in a previous post that I observed Noah at school saying the prayer before snack.  Well, this is the prayer.  At the part where it says, "once a day or maybe twice."  Noah sticks out his little index finger and wags it.  It is one of the cutest things ever, only second to when at the beginning of the pray, he sits down at the table and places both arms straight in front of him and his little hands meet in a prayer position.  It is so amazing to me how much of a creature of habit Noah is.  With all the running around and jumping from task to task, he is always observing and taking things in.  Mealtime was such a problem area in the beginning of the school year, and now he totally has it down.  One of the administrators told me last Thursday that when the teachers say it is time for snack, Noah is the first one sitting.  I'm not saying he completely sits still and doesn't try to wander, but really, what two-year old does.  He is doing so well at school, and I am so thankful for all the teachers and administrators who are taking a little extra effort with him. 

Buckle Up

I decided to give parking in the garage a try this week. It is a bit of a tight squeeze, but I've managed to not hit any part of the house yet, so I consider it a success so far. Second to the actual pulling in and out is getting Noah in and out of the car. Once parked inside it is quite a bit easier than getting him in his seat to leave. Even if he is being cooperative, which most of the time he is not, it is pretty challenging. Yesterday, I decided that instead of fighting with him, I would back out first. So, I put Noah in the backseat, told him to hold on and slowly and carefully, I backed out onto the driveway. I was concentrating so hard on not hitting the garage frame, that I didn't notice Noah scurrying to climb into his car seat. By the time I put the car in park, he was sitting correctly in his seat ready to be buckled. Seriously. That's all it takes to get him into his car seat willingly. I could just see the wheels in his little head turning... "Whoa Momma. I am not sure I'm supposed to be standing back here while the car is moving. I'll be getting in my seat now." So funny. I'm happy to have this trick in my arsenal now.

Happy Happy Halloween

I wasn't sure what to expect for Noah's first time trick or treating.  For the last couple of weeks at school, they have been talking about Halloween.  Noah was singing songs like "Five Little Pumpkins" and my favorite... "Halloween is coming.  Boo. Boo. Boo.  Halloween is coming.  I'm gonna scare you.  Boo."

So, after he woke up from his nap, we put on his costume and took a drive down the street to check out the neighborhood festival.  With too many kids and costumes roaming around, we decided to enjoy some quiet time at the park down the street.

When the sun went down, we were ready to try our hand at some trick or treating.  Noah did so well.  He loved walking up to the doors and knocking.  He wasn't that interested in taking the candy, and it took two houses before he realized he wasn't supposed to go inside.  After that he definitely got the hang of it.  He would walk to the door, knock, watch me accept and put the candy in his bag, and walk back to his little car.

Noah also really enjoyed when the trick or treaters would come to the door.  Noah and I sat by the open window watching for kids.  When the doorbell would ring, he hop up and run to the door.  I'd hand out the candy, and as soon as the kids were ready to leave, Noah was ready to close the door... sometimes even on the next group of kids coming up the walk.  He was happy to open it again, but only as soon as he heard the bell or the knock.  Way to make them work for it.

He was very excited about all the loot we got, and I figured that since it was Halloween, what's a little chocolate and sugar before bedtime.

I wasn't fully prepared for my child hopped up on three bags of Oreos, one bag of Skittles, and a Kit Kat, and as he paused in the living room after his hundreth lap around the house, I looked at Dean who said, "you know what comes after a sugar rush?

A sugar crash!  Happy, happy Halloween!