5 Things Friday 03.18.10 - What We Did on Spring Break

1. Two words. Potty. Training. Let's just say that if the volume of underwear purchased and ready for day one was an indicator of potty training success potential, this would have been cake. Well, day two was better than day one, day three was worse than day two, and day five has been by far the best day. Somewhere between days two and four there were some tears from Momma (not Noah). I am so ready for this to be done and for me to earn my mommy merit badge. Potty training is tough stuff. But, he sure does look cute in his big boy undies.



2. With potty training on our agenda for the week, I cancelled all therapies and extra-curricular activities. It's amazing all the things you can get done when you stay home all day. Five minutes here and ten minutes there can equal an organized junk drawer, a straightened shoe shelf, and a clean laundry room. My mom would be so proud.

3. As a potty training incentive, I ordered all the pieces to Noah's favorite Dr. Seuss book, "I Wish I Had Duck Feet." Duck feet. Deer horns. A long, long tail. A whale spout, and a long nose. He deserved his prize after having such a great morning today. It was a huge hit. Props to the nice Etsy seller who made the super cute duck feet and shipped them in record time. Check out her shop here.



4. This month in preparation for a school field trip to the zoo, his class has been talking about animals. During his shower tonight, Noah was playing with his animals and singing Old MacDonald. He grabbed his giraffe and sang, "And on this farm he had a giraffe. E-I-E-I-O. With a tall, tall here and a tall, tall there." So cute.

5. Despite the stress of potty training, I have loved spending the week at home with my little man. Today, he grabbed my camera off the counter and wanted me to take a picture. That doesn't happen often and although he didn't quit moving, I sure caught his happy cuteness. I love this sweet boy!

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Hello Gorgeous!

The weather this Saturday was gorgeous.  So, Noah and I spent several hours enjoying our backyard.  It was warm enough to break out the garden hose and baby pool.  Luckily, one of Noah's baby pools was still blown up from last summer, so with little effort, we got prepared for some fun. 

There was lots of hose playing and water drinking involved, but I'm happy to report that no Mommas were splashed in the process. 

Noah loved my great idea to slide into the pool from his slide.

"One more time..."  he would say every time he landed on his knees in a splash of water. 

One more time turned into many more times.

And it was a GREAT Saturday afternoon!

Less Than 100 Days

My handy dandy iPhone app popped up today to remind me that I am starting a new week of pregnancy. Week number 26. 98 days left. It's funny how being pregnant the second time around doesn't consume my every thought as much as the first time. Between following Noah's schedule, volunteering at his school and occasional play dates with friends, I sometimes rush through the day without much thought to this burgeoning belly. It's only at night after Noah is finally asleep and Dean and I are lying in bed that baby girl has my full attention. And, she definitely takes advantage of Momma's quiet with big kicks and back flips.

I'm always asking mom's of multiple kids, what's harder... Going from 0-1 child or 1-2? It's probably a 50/50 split in responses. Maybe I'm naive, but 0-1 completely rocked my world, and I have to believe that I am a little more prepared this time around. Time will tell.

I feel the same way about Noah and the transition. He'll adapt. Does he have any idea what's going on? I think how could he... how does any child, neurotypical or not, have any idea about moving another baby in the house. So, does he have any idea what's going on?

He knows the answer to the question, what's in Momma's belly?  A baby sister.

He definitely notices my belly.  Although, it is pretty difficult to miss.  He pokes at it. He squeezes it. I'm constantly having to tell him to "be soft to Momma's belly."

Amazingly enough, I actually thinks he gets that there really is a baby coming into our life. The other day I showed him our little friend, Harrison's birth announcement. He looked at the picture then he looked at me, and said, "Momma, I missed you. I want to cuddle."  Then he leaned over and gave me a huge hug. 

And, just this weekend as we were outside painting, he asked me to write our names while he spelled them. Noah. Momma (Mom), Daddy (Dad), and out of the blue... "write Baby Emma." He's already added her to our family list.  Melt my heart!

Five Things Friday 03.04.11 - IPhone Photos

I took this picture one morning while getting ready for school.  He is sitting in our bedroom on his green chair in front of a breakfast of blueberry muffins and an orange.  I'm pretty sure he's watching Busytown Mysteries.  It's his new favorite. 

I love this shot from Disney.  This was the morning Daddy forgot his cell phone in the car, so Noah and I went into the park without him.  Our first stop was to buy his Mickey ears, and then, we hopped on It's a Small World with zero wait time. 

Noah's friends Sara and Ryan celebrated their fourth birthdays with a circus theme party.  How cute are these cutouts?!?! 

I took this one morning on a recent trip to my parent's house.  I told Noah he needed shoes to go in the backyard.  Lucky for him, he found PaPa's shrimp boots right by the back door.

I took this one during art at Mom's Day at Noah's school.  I finally understand how he comes home with paint in his hair and ears. 

Here Comes Trouble

Today, you should have taken a nap, but you didn't.  You were so tired this afternoon, and, when you are tired, you don't get cranky.  Oh no... you are still the happy little guy you normally are except things just speed up a bit. 

You get very, very, very, very active.  Your legs move faster.  Your hands move faster.  Your mouth moves faster.  So, we spent part of the afternoon running off some energy in the backyard.  Maybe "running off" is not really the most accurate choice of words.  There is no gradual winding down for you. 

It's full speed ahead until I turn lights out, and say "goodnight."  So, the backyard was a way to stop you from getting those active little hands into everything inside the house and leaving every little thing strewn on the floor in your wake.  Your Momma is getting quite a bit of a belly these days and bending down to pick up your mess is a bit challenging.

And then at 6:35 PM, you were asleep.  After eating an orange and two peanut butter jelly sandwiches.  And, after your bath in Momma's tub (aka the oval one) where you used your wash towel to soak the entire bathroom floor. 

See you in the morning, sweet baby boy.  I hope you get some good sleep.  I think tomorrow, we are going to get a haircut. 

Seuss Landing

Have I mentioned Noah is into Dr. Seuss?  Well, we definitely had a day at Universal Studios on our agenda for this trip.  Seuss Landing was our destination, and it did not disappoint.  This was by far Noah's favorite day.  Need evidence?

This is Noah on the ride home that day. 

Our first stop was the Cat in the Hat ride.  We missed the sign about no pregnant woman being allowed, so I hopped on the ride with Noah and Dean.  There was a ton of spinning involved.  Otherwise, I think Noah would have ridden the ride over and over again.  Having said that, by the end of the day he did request it two more times.  I think despite the spinning, he just couldn't resist the lure of the "Cat in the Hat."  Always one to follow any and all prego rules, Daddy ex-ed Momma from all subsequent rides. 

Every hour in the Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous there was storytime.  We first found out about when Noah was lured into the tent by Sam I Am.

Who let him check out his Green Eggs and Ham.

This is also where Noah got to shake hands with Thing 1...

And Thing 2.

And Daddy was taunted by the Grinch for texting.

The characters were so great to Noah, and he loved watching them dance and giving them hugs and of course, having them sign his autograph book. 

Daddy convinced Noah to ride the One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish ride by promising a lollipop.  It was all fun and games until somebody got squirted by a fish.  Noah did not like getting wet and promptly asked Daddy for a napkin.   

It was a great day at Seuss Landing!  Noah and I made a stop in Dr. Seuss' All the Books You Can Read bookstore before we left where he choose his very own book, "I Wish I Had Duck Feet."  I tried to convince him to buy "If I Ran the Circus," but he wanted the duck feet.  And, you know what, he loves it!  We've read it every night since.  I love that my little man knows what he wants.  It made me so proud. 

Can I Have Your Autograph Please?

The morning of our first day in Disney, I went to the hotel lobby for coffee.  On the way, I walked by the Disney gift shop and decided to buy an autograph book and pen.  Best. Idea. Ever.  Noah loved seeing the characters this year and really loved having them sign his book.  They all got big hugs and a bit of tormenting from Noah, but it was all out of love.   

Big hugs for Eeyore at Crystal Palace.

Baloo the Bear during the street parade.

Playing with Pluto at Chef Mickey.  These whiskers are just so tuggable.

Annie and Leo at Hollywood Studios.  I think I see something in there.

Handy Manny at Hollywood Studios.  Can you sign my book?

Cars at Hollywood Studios.  A little intimidating in full size.  Noah is off camera in his stroller.  15 minutes in line... somebody had to take a picture. 

Buzz Lightyear at Magic Kingdom.