Gardner and I are trying to enjoy our day in today. I'm keeping him in due to a cold that's settling into his chest, creating a tell-tale rattling sound from deep within. After a call to the pediatrician, I have him on a regimen of medicines that should clear it up, that combined with a 24/7 humidifier, Vick's Baby Rub, and lots of liquids (oh, and chicken noodle soup). As much as it pains me to miss church again, I know that I am doing the right thing. I am just glad I have a little man who loves to be at home as much as I do sometimes. We've been listening to praise music this morning, singing, and reading books. It still feels sort of like a Sunday.
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Everything Gardner sees and points at for a description has gone from his universal, "Deee!" to something that sounds like either "cheeto" or "tito." We just go with the flow...we know what he means. I know in that just a short couple of months, these sounds will develop more and more into real words, and our minds will be blown with his changing. Gardner has no idea how his world's about to be rocked. My sister was a little younger than he is when we moved across the country while Dad was being transferred by the Army. She didn't handle it so well. (Come to think of it, neither did I at 8 years old. I walked in after school to see Emily's room empty except for her stripped down crib and mattress. "WHERE'S MY SISTER?" I screamed, sure they'd packed her on the truck with the other boxes.) I sure hope Gardner does okay. At least we're not moving across the country; we're only moving five miles away. I have alre
Still fighting.... ....a cold, that is. Gardner and I both have this stinking cold, and it's hindering our social lives! Well, maybe it's not that dramatic. I did keep him home from church today, however. Last week when we left, I was handed a leaflet explaining the symptoms which should not be present in kids coming to our church nursery.....a green runny nose was one of them, meaning he's obviously still contagious. I am SO glad these rules are in effect, though....don't get me wrong. I did exactly what I hope other moms would do for Gardner's sake....I kept him home and away from other children today, as much as it pained me to miss the 2nd Sunday in our new building (and had Gardner known he was missing it, too, he would have been devastated). Hopefully we can be back on our regular routine next weekend. Gardner has been exhibiting a sudden energy burst about bedtime that's a blast to witness. From the moment we announce that it's bathtime until th
Gardner's new trick: Climbing onto chairs, and then proceeding to climb up onto tables and desks. It's something we won't tolerate (a newly enacted family rule), namely because it's disrespectful, and we don't want him doing it at our house much less the house of someone else. SO, we've started using the loud voice "no's" and promptly assisting him back into a sitting position. After two warnings, he goes on the floor and the chair (i.e., stool) is removed. Yes, this does cause tears to be shed, but we are remaining hopeful that our diligence will pay off and he will get the picture. 17-months is a tough age; not quite old enough for time outs, and we are reserving spankings for those things which are purely dangerous and threats to harm. This limbo period is a trying one, but this is where a unified front is called into action more than ever before. I am grateful for parents who disciplined me diligently, too, because I know that my life wou
Gardner had his very first free cookie from our neighborhood Publix's delicatessen this morning. It was mid-morning, and I thought, "Why not." He was missing his normal mid-morning snack due to our errand-running, and I could always postpone lunch a little. "Chocolate chip or sugar?" the sweet little old lady asked me. Gardner didn't answer. I smiled at him and said to the lady, "Chocolate chip." As she reached into the bin, I said, "Errr....sugar!!" Chocolate chip would melt in his hands, and it would get way too messy. She grabbed a sugar cookie instead, and I watched as she sweetly handed him a round cookie studded with Valentine nonpareils. He smiled widely and stared at his treat with fervor. Two aisles down, I looked back at him as I placed something into our cart. All I could do was smile, albeit nervously, when I saw that he was halfway into his cookie, and red and pink streaks of slobber were trailing down his irrestible
Gardner went to the open house at church last night to see his new classroom (which he's already played in all week as I volunteered here and there). He played for a while, then darted out of the room into the next one. He steered cleverly into the rooms with the most activity and most children. He walks right up fearlessly and begins to play and talk with them. Most kids don't know how to take Gardner. I am thrilled that he's so outgoing; it make me happy (since I'm not). I felt like a new parent going to my child's school's orientation for the first time. My mind suddenly fast-forwarded three or four years ahead to when Garder starts elementary school. No! I didn't want to think about that yet! But still, I can take comfort in the fact that he'll know what to do when we get there....he even pulled out the little plastic chairs from the tables and sat down expertly, hands outstretched on the tabletop, eyes bright, ready to learn. He literally c
Cuspids So, I peeked into Gardner's mouth again yesterday, only to see his first cuspids erupting. Ouch. If I'm not mistaken, these are pointy, sharp teeth. All I know is that they appear painful. Right now, the only one I can physically see is on his bottom left. The handy chart I found shows that he's right on target age-wise for getting these teeth. Amazing. Bring on the Orajel....again. Not much else has changed this week. The nap strike wasn't a strike, I guess....he's sleeping soundly right now, right as scheduled. I guess it was just a freak incident. (Whew!) His new favorite thing to do is color with crayons. He isn't allowed to have the entire box of Crayola 100th Anniversary 100 Crayons, so I just pick out three or four and let him go to town. It doesn't matter if it's a blank page, a greeting card I need him to "sign," a printed coloring page from Family Fun , or just a spare page out of the TV Guide...he loves to scribb
NAP STRIKE So, Gardner slept in this morning. Not just a little bit, but almost 2 hours! He usually starts stirring at 7:15am (when the sun rises and the birds chirp), but today, by 8:45am, I was worried and started peeking in on him. His chest rose and fell, and he was truly sleeping like a baby. He did, and all the way until 9:00. Late breakfast, late lunch, late nap start time. Right now, he's currently still trying to settle down in his room. I've already been in there three times, beckoned by frustrated cries, opening the door to the usual scene: His blankets, pillow, and TadBit thrown to the ground in rebellion from sleep. This time, I entered with ammunition, a simple cup of water. He grabbed it and put it into his mouth, grasping it like it was treasure. Water has become sort of a pacifier to him at times. A few minutes of quiet resumed, but now he's whimpering again. Hmmmhhhmph. I know what Babywise says, but I just can't bring myself to wake a slee
Gardner had an episode of inconsolable crying this weekend. After checking every possible area for a "boo-boo," and making sure he wasn't pulling at his ears, I happened to look down into his mouth as he wailed. On his lower left jaw, there was a molar peeking its sharp head through, and his gums were actually bleeding. OUCH. No wonder he was crying so vehemently. I would be, too! I immediately rushed to the aid of Tylenol and Orajel. In less than a half hour, he was chipper and gleeful again, and I was thanking God for such a speedy diagnosis. I am so glad we don't remember everything about childhood. I can't imagine remembering the pain of teething! His incisors will be through soon enough, and I've heard those are even more challenging. We'll see. In other news, Gardner is setting out to send his first ever valentines. I am not teaching him how to flirt, but instead, how to take the initiative and correspond with pen and ink, keeping that ancient
Some fun photos.... First...remember making these as a kid? I got inspired to make a "heart person" with Gardner, and we set to work. He was a willing participant as I traced his hands and feet with chalk onto the colored paper. Fun! I just love Valentine's Day. Gardner wants to see this "creature" up close and personal. "Hey....I think he has my feet."
Gardner's still hanging on to this lingering cold. Mine's about gone, but alas, Ken has succombed to its grips as well. Gardner's sounds like it wants to settle into his chest, but then again, I always think that, and it always clears right up in a day or two. I am giving him his Dimetapp faithfully so that his little nose will drain and his ears won't become infected. When he's not feeling well, the whole house is affected. He wants more cuddle time, which I just adore. Yet he's also more liable to become irate at little things, and that can be trying sometimes. Yet I realize full well that I am the same exact way when I'm ill, making sharp comments and being all-around grumpy. Not that I'm proud of that. I guess it's just a disposition. None of us handle feeling bad very well; we're all big babies!! :) We're currently trying to decide what Valentine's Day crafts to undertake. He's getting to the "I love to color&qu