"I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." - Marilyn Monroe
Since we were in Pa over Easter we had to do some prep and dye Easter Eggs. I took the boys down to my grandmother's house to meet my Aunt Maria and her kids, Katie and Kenny. When we got there the house was full with my Uncle Norm, Aunt Lisa, her daughter Lex, and my Uncle Rich and Aunt Linda. I love getting together with everyone! It's hard being so far away when you have such a big family that's all in the same area. I know we're missing out on some good weekend get togethers and BBQs....all that good stuff. Anyway, we had a great time dyeing eggs and hanging out with my family.
My boys are growing up WAY too fast! It's painful!!! :-( Let's start with Ty....This kid is hilarious. His new favorite thing is hiding his food in his highchair or throwing it on the floor. The other night Tom let him know that's not OK. Ty did not handle this well. It took a minute for him to digest what Tom just said, then the tears and pouting followed. Then it went to the fake cry and he just played it up. My little actor. The last 2 days have been pretty big for Ty. We're totally done with formula and baby foods. Yeah! And all of a sudden he's clapping, waving and playing peek-a-boo. I swear he's repeating everything we say too. He mocks us with sounds and it's scary! Hahahah. We're pretty sure he's saying "Jack" too. I love it! My little baby isn't a baby anymore. He's becoming a toddler and I'm not ready.
As for Jack, he's had a huge 2 weeks. We're potty training. He's doing a million times better than I thought he would. We started this whole thing with conveniently running out of diapers and telling him Pampers didn't make a size big enough to fit him anymore. It started a little rough. He didn't want to wear undies or sit on the potty. Then came the candy bin and the prize box. I filled a little bin with Pez, M&Ms, Swedish Fish and Starbursts. He got to choose 1 piece of candy if he just sat. If he went, he got to pick a prize....(thanks to the $1 section at Target!!!) By the end of day 2 he was starting to get it. I was going about it all wrong though and making it worse at first. I thought it would be better to have him sit until he went...this didn't work for anyone. Then we went to 10 minute intervals. If he didn't go we got up and would try again in a little while. This worked! He really got it and he's been doing amazingly!! Even bigger strides were that we've been out and about a few times now where he hasn't worn a pull up, just undies. We only use pull ups over night. When we went to Kid Fest he actually used the public restroom. That was such a proud moment for us! So potty training is coming along really well and we couldn't be more excited that we won't be purchasing diapers for Jack or formula for Ty ever again! YEAH!!! In another reminder that's Jack's growing up...he had a dentist appointment today. He's been there twice before but this was the first time he actually got to sit in the chair and not on my lap and get his teeth cleaned. When the dental hygienist told me this was the plan, I immediately thought it was going to be a disaster. He did so great! Sat there, let her brush his teeth, floss and use the spit suction thing. Then Dr. Miller came by and he was great for him as well. I learned that Jack isn't that little kid that needs his hand held through every thing anymore. Why would I ever doubt him? My boys have reminded me that I am one lucky mom to have such amazing boys, not to mention an amazing husband too.
Since April is the Month of the Military Child, Fort Ord does this huge Kid Fest for all the kids in the community. It was this past Saturday. It's free for everyone. Last year Tom brought Jack and braved the crowds alone since I was working the event. I'm glad I wasn't working it this year!!! It was insane how much work and hours went into this 3 hour party. This year we got to go as a family and enjoy it. It was a lot of fun. It wasn't as crowded as last year which was WONDERFUL!!! There were pony rides, a petting zoo, 2 bouncy houses (one was an obstacle course), a fire truck and snow cones. There was a bunch of other stuff too but that's where we focused our attention. The best part of my day was that Jack used a public restroom while we were there. (We've been potty training for a week now and doing great....that'll be my next blog) I was very proud of him!!! That's huge! Anyway....the boys had a great time. The weather was beautiful and we all got some sun. Ty loved his snow cone and I think the obstacle course/bouncy house was Jack's highlight. The pony rides probably came in at a close second though. The whole entire time we moseyed around on his pony, Daisy, he yelled..."Get a long little doggie and Yee Haw!" Hahaha!
(Let's pretend I posted this yesterday.....it's been crazy in our house this week Jack's potty training.....enough said.)
Ty's well baby appointment was yesterday morning. It was his 9mo check up. We're a little late considering he'll be 11 mo in a few days. Since we were in PA when he should have had his appointment we're only getting to it now. Ty's measuring in the 60th percentile for height and weight. He's 22 pounds and 30 inches long. His head however was in the 75th percentile. Go figure. hahaha. He's doing really well! He has 2 teeth now on the bottom. He's eating everything and never really seems to be full. We've also stopped with all baby foods and just give him what we're having. He's also on milk now except for a bottle when he wakes up in the morning and a bottle at night, but they're going away when the current canister runs out. He's a really great eater. He LOVES broccoli and cauliflower, chicken and anything that's a fruit. (The produce is one of the few things I love about CA....we're already on our 2nd watermelon) He's cruising everywhere. No walking yet, just the random dare devil lone step every now and then when we catch it. He's a total bull in a china shop. When he crawls or is playing with Jack his just puts his head down and plows into whatever is in his way. It's hilarious, but the kid may seriously need a helmet! :-) I'm starting to see him "play" with Jack more and more which I love seeing. Ty watches Jack's every move, mocks him then just cracks up! He also started clapping on his own. It's funny because it's a soft golf type clap. He must know the US Open is coming up at Pebble Beach. Crazy kid! We're working on our sign language and giving kisses. He's growing so fast and it's really hard for me to grasp that he's almost a year already.
A long time family friend got to meet the boys while we were in PA. I have known Biff since I was little. His family is just one of those groups of people that make you feel like you're part of their family. I have tons of memories from when I younger hanging out with all of them. All of his brothers and sisters are hilarious and always loads of fun to hang out with. Never a dull moment!!! Anyway, Biff stopped by to see my dad a few times and they boys loved him. Mainly because he's a just a big kid. He cracks me up! One night that he stopped by Ty made him his new best friend and salt lick. Ty absolutely loved him. It was so funny, he would grab Biff's head and suck on his forehead. Who knows why but I couldn't stop laughing. Then Ty just chilled out and sat with Biff for almost an hour. This is the child that nearly dislocated both of my shoulders from trying to hold him for 4 hours on the plane. He was calm as could be with Biff. It's been a long time since I've seen Biff and I'm so glad we got to catch up!
A few weeks into our PA visit the weather did start to warm up. It warmed up enough that the boys and I got to have a few picnics. I love picnics. There's just something so fun about packing a lunch and finding a sunny spot, laying out a blanket and sharing a sandwich with your kiddos. :-)
Ty loves anything that involves eating. hahha. He's totally self feeding now and expects to all the time. If we come at him with a spoon he looks at us like we have 2 heads and then grunts something that I'm sure would translate to...."Listen Lady....put down the spoon, I can do it myself". hahaha. He's taking after his brother, Mr. Independent. Of course with self feeding comes more laundry and a lot of messy moments, but I love him!! Happy picnics to all!!
