90 Second Update

It’s been awhile… but with Go*gle and Fac*b*ok changing their formats I’ve been all sorts of discombobulated.

• Lala started pre-school, which she loves. This brings a whole new level of organization I need to achieve every day. Uniforms, paperwork, supplies, fundraising. Providing snacks brings a whole new level to preparation on my part as the school hours are almost exactly my working hours.
• The cuddler is not potty trained. Nor does he seem to be in any hurry to latch on this idea. As such, I’m basically giving up until, I dunno…, he’s 5? Obviously, he’s not going to be forced, cajoled, bribed or loved into doing it, so screw it. It’s not like he’s in high school or something equally shaming.
• I finally got my tax refund!!! And then I paid bills and put the rest into savings. I know! I am that exciting! Actually, I just don’t have time to shop for anything I really want and I don’t really need anything.
• I’m doing National Boards for teaching, as well as everything else at work. This is the the biggest reason I haven’t been online much. I just don’t have time for and keep up with the laundry.
• Sooooo not keeping up with the laundry.
• Not only did I mow the lawn yesterday, while the kids were awake and in the yard, but I actually fertilized in preparation for winter. Before the rain started people! Before!!!!! (In the next few weeks it will start raining here. It won’t stop until sometime around the end of April.) This means that I might actually have a chance that I won’t have a two foot high lawn when it finally dries out enough to mow again. Yay me!
• Lala’s dysphagia has officially been deemed mostly cured. We had, what I hope will be, our last swallow evaluation last week. While there was a slight issue, for the most part, they said to drink normally and watch for infections.
• This week the cuddler has a developmental evaluation with our local school district. His speech isn’t as clear as it should be… maybe. I’m probably not a good judge, and he usually speaks so low to strangers that it’s hard for him to be evaluated by his regular doctor. I’m hoping they’ll be able to get more out of him in a 40 minute evaluation and he’ll be deemed not eligible because he’s not really showing a problem and it’s just shyness or something. On the other hand, if he is eligible for services, he’ll be thrilled because it means he’ll go to “big boy school.” To say that he is jealous of his sister going to “big girl school” is like saying the Pacific is a bit wet.
• Lala got to visit with her oldest bio sister in August. It made them both pretty happy.
• After two years of living in the same small region, we finally “ran into” the cuddler’s bio mom at the grocery store. Actually, I’m surprised it didn’t happen earlier. It’s just not that big of an area. His bio mom has always been very appropriate whenever we’ve seen each other and this time was no different. It did make for a very confusing conversation afterwards. Both kids are still too young to really understand who everyone really is and what role they had in their lives… or what role they now have. Lala does not understand why the cuddler’s BM  isn’t her BM, etc. and I’m really at a loss as to how to explain in a way that gives them some understanding. Ideas?

Starting to Spring

Yesterday was gorgeous! Well, as gorgeous as it gets around here in March, anyhow. And given that it was Saturday, we had to to do something – sitting around all day is not something that two year old boys do really well.

We decided to head out to the local bulb farm. In the spring, the fields can look something like a postcard from Holland. This early, however, it mostly rows of Daffodil bulbs. By next week, it should be a riot of yellow. We also saw many horses and cows along the drive. When you are two and three the farm animals are important.

We picked up several bunches of Daffodils to brighten our table and some Primroses for the front porch.

The cuddler has entered the “helper” stage, so he helped me plant out on the front porch when we came home. He decided which colors should go together and learned about about how to remove a plant from it’s pot without hurting it. He’s got quite an eye for grouping flowers. It looked quite pretty.

Survived

I would have taken photos, if the cuddler had let go of my neck for a second, but he never did.

He was all excited until I was putting our clothing into the locker. Then, he decided that he didn’t want to go swimming. So, professional parent that I am, I tricked him. I told he we wouldn’t go swimming, I just wanted to talk to a friend. That got us to the water’s edge. (it’s a walk-in pool)

Luckily, there was a bin of toys next the edge. That got him into the water for about five seconds up to his ankles. He really does like to play with water!

After about three minutes, I was able to convince him to take the mammoth swimming. He got wet up to his shoulders, although it was iffy at times. He did the back floating for a whole minute (in the fetal position), but all in all, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The circle singing time – Lala’s favorite – was a total bust. Hated it.

We’ll see what happens next time. We will skip next week because of a doctor’s appointment (on a Saturday! I’m loving this specialist already), so next time may be a repeat.

Best part? I like this class time because it’s too early for anyone I know to see me in my suit. This morning I walked in to see my boss sitting in the bleachers. His son is in the class, and apparently I will now forever been in the videos of his swim lessons… in my bathing suit. Yay.

Things that make you go Awwwww…

This morning, I asked the cuddler where Mommy’s kiss was. He quickly pointed to his mouth and laughed.

Growing Up

Last night, I watched the Cuddler playing with his cars. He's been doing that more and more. Actually playing with a toy, creating some sort of game or story-line in his head and going for it. I can remember thinking this summer that I had no idea what to buy him for his birthday because he just wouldn't play with it any ways. He was happier with a couple of sticks, than any toy designed. He's also been spending time playing with Lala and her pretend food. They cook it, eat it, line it up on the floor, hide it from each other and cook it again. He's still working on what to do with play-do (likes it, but no clue what do with it besides mash it up) and we cannot keep a crayon around for more than 2 minutes without it being eaten or snapped into multiple pieces, but it'll come, I'm sure.

It's also a little sad to watch this stage, because I missed it with Lala. She returned to her BM still not really playing with toys and came back fully into pretend play. I didn't get to see her day to changes like that... now she's into the "when did you learn that?!?" stage. All of sudden she started singing jingle bell rock by herself or wrote the letter "L". She hears or we practice something, but it doesn't seem to click, until one day it just does. It's not gradual changes, it's jumps and bounces. There's a lot more thinking going on inside her brain, rather than physically trying it out.

It's so amazing to see them growing into this amazing little people. I just wish I could hold on to the cuddly baby stage a little longer.

School Starts

tomorrow! I expect that I will be posting little (or rather short posts) during this first month. Getting into a new schedule always takes a bit and this year I’ll be teaching a new (to me) class as well having a new principal, with lots of new directives. I’m already exhausted.

I finally met with my lawyer last week to finally go over the finalization. They are now saying finalization in November (but no new fingerprints… not sure I believe it). I’m just hoping that it will be done before 2011, as I had not planned on renewing my foster license.

Camping

We survived our camping trip. Ok, it was more fun than that. And, although it seemed like a very long weekend, it wasn’t a very long experience. I think the thing that made it seem long was the fact that Lala and the cuddler cannot go to sleep in the same room or if I am in the room. It’s just way too distracting. Eventually, I had to put them in their car seats and sit on the ground out of sight and wait for them to finally crash at around 10pm. And they were up before 7am every morning.

On the plus side, there was not so much eating rocks, dirt and pine cones this year. The kids were also much more interested in the wildlife this year too. Lala announced “Mommy! A chipmunk” every time she heard one chattering in a tree. Sadly, she was not so good at actually spotting them. They are pretty quick. We also saw lots of cows – the camp ground is surrounded by open range land, so the drive can reveal a cow/calf around any corner – even a calf drinking from it’s mommy (lots of questions). Grasshoppers were also a bit hit. We don’t have them at home (too wet), so this was the first time the kids really got into watching them hop.

Every year we go on this camping trip and it’s becoming a touchstone for us. I remember the year when Lala wasn’t walking and she went into the lake for the first time. Last year, we again spent much of our time inside the eating hall because the cuddler was in his “I’ll eat anything” stage, and couldn’t be watched closely enough to keep him from poisoning himself. Yes, he’s that good. Still is.

This year, they played in the lake, went for long walks, played in the dirt and enjoyed looking for animals. Who knows what will happen next year? Will they be ready for s’mores? (I just realized that the cuddler will be three next year… now, I’m scared. Three is way worse than two.)

In adoption news, well, there is none. Today we have another meeting with the social worker who has a nebulous job description, so maybe I will get more info at that time?

Summer Time

Summer has finally arrived. It's finally warmed up to normal temperatures... I know most of the country is wilting in 100+degree heat, but we didn't get above 70 until mid July.

We spent a week at my parents house, and the kids learned all about heat. It was very HOT! But they also thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They wadded in the crick for the first time (cold! but welcome in the heat) and would have spent all weekend in the children's art area in the park if they could have. Plus Grandma made yummy blackberry-lemonade. They guzzled it down like nothing I've seen before. Make one cup and less than a minute later, they'd be asking for another!

Last week, I attended a conference all week long (long days!), so my brother came down to take the kids to daycare and watch them until I got home. Although he was a good enough sport not to mention anything, apparently they gave him quite a run for his money when he was trying to drop them off in the mornings. At one point, Lala refused to get out of car and one of the workers came out to ask if he needed help. As typical for him, he just calmly replied, "no thanks. She'll get out eventually." He is amazingly calm.

With all the upheaval, the kids have been a little out of sorts. Or at least the cuddler has. Actually, I haven't decided if his behavior changes are due to the lack of routine or if he's just fully into his twos. He's become incredibly independent to the tantrum throwing extreme if anyone tries to interfere. He's also learned how to crawl out of his crib, so he's no longer napping. I can't keep him down. This morning at about 3am, I was awaked to "Hi Mommy!" next to my head. And I though this getting up the middle of the night stuff was over when he turned one.

Confession

This morning I had to finally admit to myself… I am not a good cook. I’m not quite down to ranking with the worst cooks in America, but there are definitely days I feel close.

Case in point, I cannot produce a competent pancake. You would think that this a rather simplistic item… but mine are always bland or burned. My casseroles are bland. My breads are heavy and doughy. I cannot make good mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes! How does that even happen? It’s just potatoes!

The only things I can really do well are baked chicken (put chicken in pan. bake.) and gravy. I do make a good gravy, but that’s really it.

In addition the my June habit of clutter-busting, I’m going to start cooking stuff. Yup, that’s my plan. Cook stuff. Hopefully, the kids won’t starve. Lately there’s been a few dinners where the only thing eaten were Kix and canned green beans. Suggestions to try out?

I’m starting out in one of my favorite cookbooks. “Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930’s” by Janet Van Amber Paske. There are several volumes, but the first one remains my favorite. Some the recipes aren’t ones I’ll be using any time like a boiled hog’s head or Wisconsin Gravy (which I can make!), or fried Squirrels. But others are pretty frugal and tasty.

Tonight we’re having Turkey Loaf. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I'm a Mom

We did it! This morning, we got loaded up and headed out the Y. The cuddler went into the kidlet's rooms and Lala and I went swimming. It's all part of the big plan to start one the activity treadmill. I felt like such a mom! Sadly, the town I live in is pretty much stuck in 1972, so there are few activites for littles and almost none offtered on the weekends or evenings. If you can't make it Tuesday at 10am, you are S.O.L. I have to make it up as we go along and we're almost always solo because those activities are where you meet other moms... which we can't go to.

Lala begins swim lessons next month (the only thing offered on weekends in her age group). She is not good with change (and who can blame her?), so we're spending Saturday mornings swimming during "family swim"  to get used to the "big bathtub". It took about 15 minutes to get to the point of standing in ankle deep water. Luckily, there is a walk in area and a very shallow area for littles. Twenty minutes we were "swooshin" around the little river-like play canal. We tried to play motorboat, but the concept was a little confusing. Maybe next week.

The cuddler had a fantastic time in the kidlet area and Lala was a bit jealous. Next week I may try to squeeze in a work out and let her play for a bit. It may be pushing the time limit for the cuddler though.

PS - Lala used the big potty to pee! The first time outside of the house! We're on a roll!

Someone needs a visit to the eye doctor!

We all went up to a local children's museum on Monday. When I say a good time was had by all... I mean that two kids were busy every second for over three hours. The only time they were off exploring and building something was when we at lunch. It was a nice break in the activity before anyone got overloaded.

While we were having lunch, another mother was feeding her baby nearby. We started chatting about nothing in particular. Then she made a comment about the cuddler's hair color, which isn't a usual color. Then she remarked as to how both kids look so much alike except for their coloring. Luckily, I wasn't drinking anything, because I'm sure I would have choked. We all look so little alike that I have actually worried about having to prove that the kids really belong with me. I guess I don't have to worry so much, eh?

No!

Over this week, I've noticed that the cuddler has really discovered the word no. Although, it's more "noooooo".  It's now his favorite response to almost any question.

"Do you want a cuppie?" "Noooo", while simultaneously walking in to the kitchen and opening up the dishwasher in search for a cuppie.

"Do you want to play on your firetruck?" Noooo."

"Do you want to play with legos?" Noooo."

It doesn't really matter what he wants or doesn't want, he's just in love with his newfound power of communication.

Lala has definitely moved into independence. She wants to do everything herself. Buckle her own seat belt, put on her own socks and clothes, change her own diaper.... good times, good times.

It's a little stunning to realize that the baby days are over. This week I put all the bottles away. I suppose I should throw them away, but it seems so wasteful. Although, who is going to want them? They've pretty much gone through two kids and they're plastic. The cuddler has somewhat attempted to crawl out of his crib, so I'm sure that toddler bed isn't too far behind... and then I'll have two kids, rather than two babies. Wow.

Amazing Baby

Some of the things the cuddler has learned to do over the holidays...

• open the dishwasher to fetch a bottle, when I attempt to give him a "cuppy". I think it's time to wean.
• climb various pieces of furniture to grab containers of snacks.
• finally discovered the joy of a "blankie". Up to now, he's never cared.
• at lunch will say "sandwich", take a bite then say "mmmm!"
• take off his own clothes
• operate a cell phone. Luckily, he has not figured out how to use a smart phone.
• will bring his boo-boos to me to kiss-and-make-better.

He just gets smarter and more grown up every day.

Vomitous

I'm one of those lucky moms... illnesses never show up around here until after 5 pm on Friday.

Yesterday it started with diarrhea yesterday, although not bad. Then, after a lunch of toast and applesauce, the cuddler awoke from his nap covered in vomit. Oh, yes... let the fun begin. I went to bed praying that this would just be a 24 hour bug. The cuddler was vomit free this morning until he has milk. And it started all over again. He's gone through about 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pjs and three sheets. Plus half of a jumbo sized lysol wipe container and I think I might just be on a Lysol high. Oh, and at least one melt down because Lala got to eat snack and he didn't.

Watching the first snowfall

I hate cleaning up vomit. It's so.... gelatinous. And smelly. Other than the vomit, he's acting like his normal self. Into everything, demanding that someone play with him, opening the gate, climbing the furniture.

Quick Update

• Lala’s dog bite is healing. Explained the situation to her CW and so far, the dog is not going to be in “doggie jail”. I already have a “safety plan” in place, but it’s not one that the dog loves, so I am looking for a new home for her. Had lots of conversations with people about it and if a better home can be found, it would probably be the best. Or, it may be a really long winter.
• Most of my holiday shopping is done. Unfortunately, the cuddler seems to have gotten the raw end of the deal… his poor little stocking is nearly empty. However, I’m not going to buy anything more until the gifts from the state arrive as I have no idea what will show up. Also have no idea when anything will show up.
• I decided to return one of Lala’s gifts I ordered. First, it’s on sale somewhere else for about half the price and second, I’m not so sure I want it any more. I’m wondering if I should create a pretend kitchen with a wooden crate and shelving. That way, it could be recycled into something useful and it supposed to ‘pretend’. How realistic does ‘pretend’ need to be?
• Cards were ordered and are on their way here. Hopefully, they will arrive by Thanksgiving so that I can get them done on Friday and sent out.
• Turkey is currently thawing in fridge in preparation for Thanksgiving. If you’re wondering about the process, it’s here.
• The cuddler will be here over the holidays. No reunification plan has been set.

Photo Done

The holiday photos were taken today… I’m really hoping that one turned out good. I was sent the one that “looks the best” and half of my face is squished into the cuddler. Lala is actually looking at the camera, though. I’m looking forward to seeing the other photos… maybe another one came out.

Thirty years from now, my children will ask why there are so few photos of them as young children and I will have to explain that they refused to sit or stand still for any photo to turn out attractive.

Relaxing Weekend Upcoming

11 Days

Is it just me, or do things just seem to going by faster and faster? And I'm getting more and more tired... I think it has to do with the lack of sunlight. We're leaving at dark-thirty every morning and I only see the sun through my classroom windows. Of course, it doesn't help living the rainiest region in the US. I have to say that I am still disgruntled about the moving back of daylight savings time switch over to November. Seriously, only rich Texans with more golf clubs that brain cells needed more "daylight savings".

Halloween happened. I wish I could say that it was the stuff Disney channel movies are made of, but this is real life. Lala wore her costume for approximately five minutes. Once she saw the Cuddler's cheetah outfit, she immediately wanted to be a monkey with a tail. Sadly, we did not have any monkey costumes lying about. The princess dress was doomed from then on. The Cuddler's costume did not make it through daycare. It came home ripped, without a working zipper and covered in chocolate. To be honest, he's grown a bit in the last month and is now fully into 18 month clothes. Anyways, costumes were not really happening. Add that to Lala's incredible shyness with strangers... and Halloween does not translate into one of the top holidays. They did enjoy getting pumpkins, playing in the hay at the pumpkin patch and patiently watched while I carved the pumpkins. Lighting up the pumpkins was pretty cool too! And we all enjoyed the "cookie walk" at the Trunk or Treat at church. Plus they had thousands of Halloween stickers and crayons to make your own treat bags - an activity that Lala happily worked on for nearly 20 minutes, while I chased the cuddler all over the gym. - and the fishing booth resulted in the attainment of two (not one, but two!) bead necklaces.

Ok, on a scale of one to ten - ten being "meanest mom ever!", how bad is it that I gave all the candy the kids got from trick-or-treating the CW's office to the trick-or-treaters who came to our door? They each got a couple of pieces, but they forgot all about the candy by the time we got home (no eating in the car)... so I just never reminded them. 3? 6? 10?

New Room

Over Labor Day weekend, my family installed a new laminate floor in the spare/storage room. It was completely cleaned out and made ready for a new occupant... the cuddler. It was easier to move the crib than the bed that Lala is in. Plus, if the cuddler goes home, it will be easier to turn that room into a playroom. Does anyone remember when children did not need a "playroom"? Well, I don't know how they did it - because I feel like I'm drowning in a tidal wave of toys! Lala only got a few new ones for her birthday and it's still overwhelming. Anyways, the room was completed and it is awesome to have the space. Now the kids can actually run around without crashing into anything else.

That weekend also meant trying to figure out what to do with the kids. The only safe space for them was a blocked off living room where they tripped over each other and got into hair-pulling fights. Not fun. Instead we went to the zoo, for the entire day. And when we got home, no new floor. Crap. Next day, church for three hours. No new floor. Double crap! Labor Day itself - thankyoujeasus! the children's museum is open! New floor done. I wonder if I can claim the $100 I spent keeping the kids occupied as part of total cost of the floor for tax purposes?

The next day, school started. I fell asleep about 10 minutes after getting the kids in bed every night. On Thursday we were running out of fresh food and I was dreaming of grocery shopping. I knew how exhausting the start of school is for me... but somehow I always think I'll do better.

Saturday we went to the parade for the local festival. Lala was very scared of the motorcycle drill team and I had to teacher how to cover her ears when there is a loud noise, but the kids really liked it. At least, the cuddler sat in his stroller the whole time without screaming to get out... which is a good sign. Luckily, he has experienced candy at my house because the frickin' clowns kept trying to give the cuddler tootsie rolls. Who gives a baby tootsie rolls? Lala won't take anything from a stranger, so all the candy ended up in the diaper bag for mommy to give away at school. Perhaps I should start thinking about plans for Halloween... Lala won't talk in front of strangers, so I'm think that saying "trick or treat" 10 to 15 times might be a bit difficult.

The Cuddler

He's still here... even if he's been slightly overshadowed by Lala on the blog. He's a firecracker, that one.

His favorite toy is plastic shape-sorter box. No, he can't put the shapes in, but he does like to carry it around shaking the shapes inside. So far in the past two weeks, he's fallen while dragging it around and hit his chin on it creating a rather nasty looking bruise and another one just above his belly button. Today, he shirt was removed at day care (super hot!) and when I picked him up, we discovered a block shaped bruise on his back. He is such a boy! I'm documenting all the falls, but my poor calendar is getting full.

I can picture him in another five years with permantely scabbed knees, surrounded by random mechanical parts as he tries to put his bike back together. He will, of course, still have that little elvish grin that melts even the hardest heart.