Unlike that "quarterbacks don't get sick days" commercial with completely faulty logic, stay at home parents actually don't get sick days. Thankfully, my wife does, and she stayed home with us yesterday as I was still getting over a stomach virus.
I was feeling much better today, so we made it to music class. As soon as the teacher got there, my son sat down right next to her and started tapping his hips (we tap our hops to the rhythm of our "Hello" song). He sat on the storytime blanket all by himself again. He even faced the right direction this time!
After a quick stop at home, we grabbed lunch and went to the park to eat. We saw lots of doggies today, but very few of them actually wanted to talk to us. One of the dog walkers told me that it was good to teach him not to be afraid of dogs. That's certainly a good point, but it might not be healthy for him to be as comfortable as he is around them. As I've said many times before, he thinks dogs are hilarious. He's especially fond of when they growl, bark, and snap at him. Yeah, we're probably going to have to do something about that.
Also, I don't have the official stats to back it up, but I'm pretty sure we set some sort of record for walking back and forth over one particular bridge in the park. Whatever makes him happy!
Toward the end of our trip, I let him get pretty far away from me. We were a safe distance from the water, and he was always in sight; I just wanted to see how far he would get before he realized I wasn't with him. That never happened. I finally gave up and ran after him. Then he chased me around a tree.
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This morning I dropped the cap for his milk behind the dishwasher. He's been great about helping to "fetch" little things around the house lately, so I asked him to get it for me. A few seconds later, I had it. He didn't respond much when I asked him to rake the yard.
We've had another little run of fantastic weather, so we jogged to a nearby park and checked out the playground. It didn't take him long to figure out that he was too big for the "2- to 5-year old" equipment. While I wouldn't let him get too far away from me, he had a great time climbing all over the place- especially the (surprise!) bridge. Strangely, he kept gravitating toward a park bench. He doesn't really discriminate; if he can climb it, he will. Eventually we got back to the "little kid" playground, and I happened to catch him on camera climbing up the steps and going down the slide all by himself. He (and I!) was so proud of himself when he got to the bottom of the slide. There's just so much learning going on right now!
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We had band practice at school today, and I stopped in to see Pop Pop on the way. He's been sick recently, so he hasn't been able to hang out with his grandson. In order to get his fix, he came outside and peered into my car like it was an aquarium. My son immediately gave him a big smile and made a little of the pain go away. He's pretty good at that- even when you don't realize you need it.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Days 106, 107, 108, and 109
We started the day with a nice little run. Along the way we met a couple of doggies. My son didn't see them at first, but he found them to be hilarious as soon as I pointed them out. I hope some day he will explain to us exactly what is so funny about dogs. Probably their butts.
Today was Valentine's day, but we had to wait until after school to see Mommy. My son was supposed to get a haircut, so we couldn't go see Mommy at work because a nap was of the utmost importance. We did manage to go to the grocery store and buy some of her favorite candy. We put it in a basket that I made for her many, many years ago when we were still dating and gave it to her when she got home. She understood the significance and liked the candy.
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He sat on the storytime blanket on his own at music class today. He was facing sideways, but it's better than nothing. I saw this developing last week, as he sat near the blanket for the first time. Maybe he'll be the one holding the book next week.
We played with hula hoops, too. His favorite part was throwing them. While that wasn't one of the "official" moves, he was trying to mimic Daddy who was demonstrating how to toss one and have it roll backwards. I'm not sure I really want a hula-hooping son anyway.
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I started to feel very sick around 9 o'clock last night and went to bed soon after. Assuming the worst, I really wasn't looking forward to having to fulfill my sabdadical duties the next day. Thankfully, he and I both slept in a little later than usual, and I felt much better in the morning. He also let me sit around more than usual without having to chase him. He's so good at keeping himself entertained. We get a lot of comments about how well-behaved he is. This has us wondering what the next one will be like. Perfect... right?!??
Today was also a band and drum lessons day, and while I considered canceling both, I had already commissioned Gram and Pop Pop to watch him during my drum lesson. I didn't want to deprive them of that. In addition, my student recently got his first drum set, so I didn't want to miss that. I made it through the whole day and felt fine until the drive home. It was certainly nice (for both of us) to know that Mommy would be more than willing to take over when we got home.
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Mommy came home for lunch today. It's funny how there's never any discussion about who's going to feed the baby when we're both home.
I'm still not feeling great, but certainly better than I had been. In other words- today was another day of doing very little. He helped out today by putting away all the books that he pulled out earlier in the week. He's napping right now and will be getting that elusive haircut later in the day. Pray for us all.
Today was Valentine's day, but we had to wait until after school to see Mommy. My son was supposed to get a haircut, so we couldn't go see Mommy at work because a nap was of the utmost importance. We did manage to go to the grocery store and buy some of her favorite candy. We put it in a basket that I made for her many, many years ago when we were still dating and gave it to her when she got home. She understood the significance and liked the candy.
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He sat on the storytime blanket on his own at music class today. He was facing sideways, but it's better than nothing. I saw this developing last week, as he sat near the blanket for the first time. Maybe he'll be the one holding the book next week.
We played with hula hoops, too. His favorite part was throwing them. While that wasn't one of the "official" moves, he was trying to mimic Daddy who was demonstrating how to toss one and have it roll backwards. I'm not sure I really want a hula-hooping son anyway.
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I started to feel very sick around 9 o'clock last night and went to bed soon after. Assuming the worst, I really wasn't looking forward to having to fulfill my sabdadical duties the next day. Thankfully, he and I both slept in a little later than usual, and I felt much better in the morning. He also let me sit around more than usual without having to chase him. He's so good at keeping himself entertained. We get a lot of comments about how well-behaved he is. This has us wondering what the next one will be like. Perfect... right?!??
Today was also a band and drum lessons day, and while I considered canceling both, I had already commissioned Gram and Pop Pop to watch him during my drum lesson. I didn't want to deprive them of that. In addition, my student recently got his first drum set, so I didn't want to miss that. I made it through the whole day and felt fine until the drive home. It was certainly nice (for both of us) to know that Mommy would be more than willing to take over when we got home.
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Mommy came home for lunch today. It's funny how there's never any discussion about who's going to feed the baby when we're both home.
I'm still not feeling great, but certainly better than I had been. In other words- today was another day of doing very little. He helped out today by putting away all the books that he pulled out earlier in the week. He's napping right now and will be getting that elusive haircut later in the day. Pray for us all.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Days 103, 104, and 105
We've been spending a lot of time working on our LEGO creations lately. It's one of my favorite things to do with him. I tend to make things that are meant to look like animals. He tends to make things that look exactly like a tower of the same size and shape blocks. I'm really impressed that he's able to find all of the variations of the same kind of block in the first place, let alone put them all together and forsake the others. He only has about 40 blocks right now. Excuse me while I update his Amazon wishlist...
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It's fun to watch him get the hang of his shape sorter toys. He'll sit and play with them for extended periods of time now, and he's even figured out that he needs to flip the containers over to make all the pieces fit. Sometimes it looks like he thinks he's exhausted all his options, so he cheats and opens the container and just throws in the remaining pieces.
We saw a baby in a commercial today. He pointed at the screen and said "ba-ba". He's very interested in babies lately- and in a good way. Keep it up, buddy.
We had our first band practice in a long time today. He was good as usual. I was surprised by this because I couldn't get him to take an early nap before we went. He explored both the band room and the auditorium, and he crashed a choral rehearsal along the way. He played along with a few songs and didn't even steal my sticks this time.
Just as I pulled into our driveway, he fell asleep. I wasn't about to deprive him of a nap, even this late in the day. I ran inside and grabbed my iPad to keep myself busy while I sat in the car. I've been watching Battlestar Galactica (and recommend it- even if you don't like sci-fi) on Netflix recently, and this gave me a chance to watch a little bit more. It was hard to keep my eyes on the screen knowing that I could see his sweet little face in my rearview mirror at any time.
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Apparently while he was being good at band practice the other day, he was also doing a good job of acquiring some sort of stomach virus. He was sick all weekend. Let's just say if our house were a cafe, pea soup would have been the special. Gross. Fortunately for me he seemed to be over it today.
Over the weekend he kept flipping his lawnmower. I figured maybe he thought it needed fixing, so I grabbed his "tools" and "safety goggles" (a freebie pair of sunglasses I got at the Steamtown Marathon) and we got to work. He did the same thing today, but this time he grabbed the screwdriver himself and started turning it on the lawnmower's wheels. I'd probably feel more proud about this if I actually knew how to fix a lawnmower.
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It's fun to watch him get the hang of his shape sorter toys. He'll sit and play with them for extended periods of time now, and he's even figured out that he needs to flip the containers over to make all the pieces fit. Sometimes it looks like he thinks he's exhausted all his options, so he cheats and opens the container and just throws in the remaining pieces.
We saw a baby in a commercial today. He pointed at the screen and said "ba-ba". He's very interested in babies lately- and in a good way. Keep it up, buddy.
We had our first band practice in a long time today. He was good as usual. I was surprised by this because I couldn't get him to take an early nap before we went. He explored both the band room and the auditorium, and he crashed a choral rehearsal along the way. He played along with a few songs and didn't even steal my sticks this time.
Just as I pulled into our driveway, he fell asleep. I wasn't about to deprive him of a nap, even this late in the day. I ran inside and grabbed my iPad to keep myself busy while I sat in the car. I've been watching Battlestar Galactica (and recommend it- even if you don't like sci-fi) on Netflix recently, and this gave me a chance to watch a little bit more. It was hard to keep my eyes on the screen knowing that I could see his sweet little face in my rearview mirror at any time.
-----
Apparently while he was being good at band practice the other day, he was also doing a good job of acquiring some sort of stomach virus. He was sick all weekend. Let's just say if our house were a cafe, pea soup would have been the special. Gross. Fortunately for me he seemed to be over it today.
Over the weekend he kept flipping his lawnmower. I figured maybe he thought it needed fixing, so I grabbed his "tools" and "safety goggles" (a freebie pair of sunglasses I got at the Steamtown Marathon) and we got to work. He did the same thing today, but this time he grabbed the screwdriver himself and started turning it on the lawnmower's wheels. I'd probably feel more proud about this if I actually knew how to fix a lawnmower.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Days 99, 100, 101, and 102
The weather continues to be unseasonably and freakishly warm, so we were able to get out and take a nice walk around the block. Along the way, my son saw his first woodpecker. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure how many times I've ever stopped and noticed a woodpecker before. It's funny how pointing things out to my son has made me notice and appreciate little things like that.
We went to the mall after that to get lunch and pick up the jewelry we dropped off a couple weeks ago. Of course we had to stop at the pet store as well, and much to my dismay, my two favorite puppies from before Christmas were still there. One of them was in the play area, and she has gotten so big that they had to take out the divider. I need to stop going there. *sniff*
He spent most of the trip in his stroller, but the mall was pretty empty (and for once we weren't there on the same day as a local school early dismissal day!) so I let him out to walk (run) around. Usually he stops in front of every storefront and stares for a moment before moving on to the next. Today he chose to actually go in one: Hot Topic. I'm gonna go ahead and postulate that it had something to do with the loud music that was playing inside. I'm also going to hope that it has nothing to do with Twilight or spiked leather booty shorts.
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We were able to go for another walk today. This time we walked around the block on the other side of the street. I was actually able to get him to hold my hand for most of the trip across the street until he realized what was happening and pulled away just as we reached the curb.
There's a house along the way that has two steps and a railing (together, not randomly thrown throughout)in its front yard. Every time we walk by it, he is drawn to those steps and pulls himself up. Today he did it before I could even notice. He still doesn't consistently choose using the handrail or crawling to get up and down steps, but he's starting to lean towards the former. He's also really quiet about it.
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When I was a kid, there was a Seafood Shanty restaurant right near our house. It closed about 20 years ago, but I can still recall the taste of my favorite part: oyster crackers. Though I never really sought them out, I was always disappointed whenever I would eat other variations of oyster crackers and they just tasted like regular crackers. These were different: round, sourdough pretzel-like hard, and dry. After (nonconsecutive) years of dissatisfaction, I more or less gave up hope. Then something changed.
Rumors sometimes become reality. I've read articles about it, but I'm still not sure exactly how or why it happened. Regardless, I was thrilled when I found out that the long-dead franchise was being revived just a few miles from where I live now. Much to my wife's displeasure, I couldn't wait, and my son and I were there for lunch less than an hour after its grand opening. I immediately spotted the oyster crackers on someone's table when we got inside. We got a table for one and a one-and-a-half-year-old, and I could hardly contain my excitement.
I ordered my drink and a bowl of New England clam chowder as I anxiously awaited being reunited with the tiny crackers that had been such a big part of my childhood. I waited as my Diet Pepsi and chowder arrived. I waited as my bread was delivered. I wondered if it was all just some illusion- if I had just projected the oyster crackers onto that table in a moment of desperation as we entered the restaurant. Was it all a lie? Was I destined to go through life without ever again being able to taste the dryness I so deeply desired? Would my son never know how in the world an oyster could be a cracker? Just as I had given up all hope, my waitress returned. "Oh, I'm sorry! Did you want any oyster crackers?"
Other than being my main reason for being there, no, I didn't really want any. Anyway, we had a really nice lunch, and my son got lots of attention as usual. A man who I later found out was the owner came over and told me how great it was to see me enjoying lunch with my son. I told him the same story that I'm sure 75% of the people there told him: I came here as a kid and couldn't wait to share it with my kid(s). Oh, in case you're wondering- my son had the macaroni and cheese.
After a fantastic, nostalgic lunch, I thought we should try and work off some calories. We drove to a nearby park and he immediately started running towards the adjacent school. I tried to divert him a few times, but he just kept going. Eventually I picked him up and we went over to what appeared to be the toddler area of the playground. I put him in the swing and he laughed and laughed. I put him at the top of the slide, and he braced himself before scooting his butt to the edge and taking the plunge. I could tell right away that he wanted to go again. And again. And again. So he did.
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Another little boy came over to me and sat in my lap at music class today. My son just kind of stared at him in half-disbelief/ half-contempt as I pondered what it will be like in a few short months when the other little boy in my lap will be his brother. Yikes.
We went to Wal Mart so I could pick up some packing tape to box up what will soon be his brother's room. I didn't put him in a cart because, well, it's Wal Mart. After carrying him around for the first portion of the visit, I put him down right before we headed to check out. In the pots, pans, and containers aisle. Not the best decision I've ever made.
As if anyone would notice.
We went to the mall after that to get lunch and pick up the jewelry we dropped off a couple weeks ago. Of course we had to stop at the pet store as well, and much to my dismay, my two favorite puppies from before Christmas were still there. One of them was in the play area, and she has gotten so big that they had to take out the divider. I need to stop going there. *sniff*
He spent most of the trip in his stroller, but the mall was pretty empty (and for once we weren't there on the same day as a local school early dismissal day!) so I let him out to walk (run) around. Usually he stops in front of every storefront and stares for a moment before moving on to the next. Today he chose to actually go in one: Hot Topic. I'm gonna go ahead and postulate that it had something to do with the loud music that was playing inside. I'm also going to hope that it has nothing to do with Twilight or spiked leather booty shorts.
-----
We were able to go for another walk today. This time we walked around the block on the other side of the street. I was actually able to get him to hold my hand for most of the trip across the street until he realized what was happening and pulled away just as we reached the curb.
There's a house along the way that has two steps and a railing (together, not randomly thrown throughout)in its front yard. Every time we walk by it, he is drawn to those steps and pulls himself up. Today he did it before I could even notice. He still doesn't consistently choose using the handrail or crawling to get up and down steps, but he's starting to lean towards the former. He's also really quiet about it.
-----
When I was a kid, there was a Seafood Shanty restaurant right near our house. It closed about 20 years ago, but I can still recall the taste of my favorite part: oyster crackers. Though I never really sought them out, I was always disappointed whenever I would eat other variations of oyster crackers and they just tasted like regular crackers. These were different: round, sourdough pretzel-like hard, and dry. After (nonconsecutive) years of dissatisfaction, I more or less gave up hope. Then something changed.
Rumors sometimes become reality. I've read articles about it, but I'm still not sure exactly how or why it happened. Regardless, I was thrilled when I found out that the long-dead franchise was being revived just a few miles from where I live now. Much to my wife's displeasure, I couldn't wait, and my son and I were there for lunch less than an hour after its grand opening. I immediately spotted the oyster crackers on someone's table when we got inside. We got a table for one and a one-and-a-half-year-old, and I could hardly contain my excitement.
I ordered my drink and a bowl of New England clam chowder as I anxiously awaited being reunited with the tiny crackers that had been such a big part of my childhood. I waited as my Diet Pepsi and chowder arrived. I waited as my bread was delivered. I wondered if it was all just some illusion- if I had just projected the oyster crackers onto that table in a moment of desperation as we entered the restaurant. Was it all a lie? Was I destined to go through life without ever again being able to taste the dryness I so deeply desired? Would my son never know how in the world an oyster could be a cracker? Just as I had given up all hope, my waitress returned. "Oh, I'm sorry! Did you want any oyster crackers?"
Other than being my main reason for being there, no, I didn't really want any. Anyway, we had a really nice lunch, and my son got lots of attention as usual. A man who I later found out was the owner came over and told me how great it was to see me enjoying lunch with my son. I told him the same story that I'm sure 75% of the people there told him: I came here as a kid and couldn't wait to share it with my kid(s). Oh, in case you're wondering- my son had the macaroni and cheese.
After a fantastic, nostalgic lunch, I thought we should try and work off some calories. We drove to a nearby park and he immediately started running towards the adjacent school. I tried to divert him a few times, but he just kept going. Eventually I picked him up and we went over to what appeared to be the toddler area of the playground. I put him in the swing and he laughed and laughed. I put him at the top of the slide, and he braced himself before scooting his butt to the edge and taking the plunge. I could tell right away that he wanted to go again. And again. And again. So he did.
-----
Another little boy came over to me and sat in my lap at music class today. My son just kind of stared at him in half-disbelief/ half-contempt as I pondered what it will be like in a few short months when the other little boy in my lap will be his brother. Yikes.
We went to Wal Mart so I could pick up some packing tape to box up what will soon be his brother's room. I didn't put him in a cart because, well, it's Wal Mart. After carrying him around for the first portion of the visit, I put him down right before we headed to check out. In the pots, pans, and containers aisle. Not the best decision I've ever made.
As if anyone would notice.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Days 96, 97, and 98
Save for being a father itself, few things about having children have brought me more joy than having Legos in the house again. Now that my son is actually figuring them out, it's even better. We spent about an hour this morning just building and demolishing random combinations of blocks. Sometimes he gets them confused with other plastic toys, but for the most part he is able to keep them together in their container before and after playtime. I'm so proud of him when he eventually doesn't even need me to help him, but I look forward to him turning back around with his "Daddy, fix it!" face.
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Sometimes lunch itself is an adventure. His favorite variations on lunch include pulling his bib tight up on his neck like a noose and squirming out of his chair and placing one conquering foot on his tray.
Lately he's taken to taking a spoonful of his food and immediately whipping his head to the side like he's in a shampoo commercial. While the surrounding area has come out relatively clean so far, I know it's only a matter of time until our curtains gain some gorgeous apple and prune polka dots. Also, baby food bananas smell like death. No offense, death.
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We have another move at music class! He finally started tapping his thighs at the right time (and almost in time). Today was also the first time that he has actually wanted to hold my hand for an extended period of time. This isn't just specific to me; he rarely wants to hold anyone's hand unless he needs help balancing or getting down steps. Both Mommy and I take it personally, but what can you do? Can't fault the little guy for wanting to be independent.
When it came time to sing a song about car keys (seriously), the teacher brought out a container of bells and a container of keys. My son spent the majority of the song sitting in the middle of the circle sorting the remaining keys and bells in and out of the containers. I'm just going to assume he got that from me.
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Sometimes lunch itself is an adventure. His favorite variations on lunch include pulling his bib tight up on his neck like a noose and squirming out of his chair and placing one conquering foot on his tray.
Lately he's taken to taking a spoonful of his food and immediately whipping his head to the side like he's in a shampoo commercial. While the surrounding area has come out relatively clean so far, I know it's only a matter of time until our curtains gain some gorgeous apple and prune polka dots. Also, baby food bananas smell like death. No offense, death.
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We have another move at music class! He finally started tapping his thighs at the right time (and almost in time). Today was also the first time that he has actually wanted to hold my hand for an extended period of time. This isn't just specific to me; he rarely wants to hold anyone's hand unless he needs help balancing or getting down steps. Both Mommy and I take it personally, but what can you do? Can't fault the little guy for wanting to be independent.
When it came time to sing a song about car keys (seriously), the teacher brought out a container of bells and a container of keys. My son spent the majority of the song sitting in the middle of the circle sorting the remaining keys and bells in and out of the containers. I'm just going to assume he got that from me.
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