Such a talanted little boy!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Andrew Art
Andrew does not need markers, crayons or paint. He has a more natural approach to art!! Check out the butterfly he made on Daddy's shirt!
Such a talanted little boy!
Such a talanted little boy!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Papa will LOVE this!! My own Survivorman....
or Man vs. Wild. I think it is time for a break from both of these for Caleb for awhile!! He had a field trip yesterday to see Boxcar Children play and the Jim Henson Muppet Museum. Caleb was really excited because he likes reading the Boxcar books.
They had a picnic for lunch. Apparantly, there was a lake outside where they had lunch. Caleb decided he wanted to go fishing, but did not have a fishing pole. So, he used his "outdoor skills", got a stick and whacked a catfish over the head. Then he used the stick to pick up the fish and carry it to his teacher - who of course freaked out and told him to "march that right back to the lake!"
He loves those shows, but I don't think he was dying of starvation - I guess he just wanted to see if the skills really work so if he is ever in the situation to use them - he would know if it was worth the time trying them.
They had a picnic for lunch. Apparantly, there was a lake outside where they had lunch. Caleb decided he wanted to go fishing, but did not have a fishing pole. So, he used his "outdoor skills", got a stick and whacked a catfish over the head. Then he used the stick to pick up the fish and carry it to his teacher - who of course freaked out and told him to "march that right back to the lake!"
He loves those shows, but I don't think he was dying of starvation - I guess he just wanted to see if the skills really work so if he is ever in the situation to use them - he would know if it was worth the time trying them.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Halloween
Here are some pictures from Halloween. I will put some videos on hopefully tomorrow. Andrew did awesome. He has been in and out of his costume all day and has not had a good nap, but he never really cried all day.
We went to Kidzfest (our church puts on a city wide party with bouncy houses and games, etc.) first and let the kids play. While we were there all of the boys entered the costume party. BRYCE WON with his trash can!!
He was so funny because all day he has been worried about wearing the trashcan, afraid that everyone would laugh at him. I told him that they were supposed to laugh at him - it is Halloween! He was still a little concerned, but when I mentioned a costume contest and how much everyone LOVES it - he decided that he would wear it! He has been wearing it off and on all day and getting a ton ATTENTION!! I was shocked that he was concerned about it.
I am off to bed - more tomorrow!!
We went to Kidzfest (our church puts on a city wide party with bouncy houses and games, etc.) first and let the kids play. While we were there all of the boys entered the costume party. BRYCE WON with his trash can!!
He was so funny because all day he has been worried about wearing the trashcan, afraid that everyone would laugh at him. I told him that they were supposed to laugh at him - it is Halloween! He was still a little concerned, but when I mentioned a costume contest and how much everyone LOVES it - he decided that he would wear it! He has been wearing it off and on all day and getting a ton ATTENTION!! I was shocked that he was concerned about it.
I am off to bed - more tomorrow!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
WE HAVE STREET LIGHTS!!!
FINALLY!! The downside - it shines right into Andrew's window - and hits right above his bed! We will probably have to do a little rearranging, which I was thinking about anyway because he and Bryce are on the same wall - not good when Bryce is throwing a fit against the wall Andrew is sleeping on!! It lights up his room, but I am not worried about that - he sleeps in the daylight!
Here is a picture I took standing by his crib:
Here is a picture I took standing by his crib:
Funny Pictures
After I got the older boys in bed, Andrew was still really wound up!!! I decided to take some pictures of him. He has started making this face ALL the time!! It cracks me up everytime I see it (and everyone else that sees it)!!
he escaped during a diaper change!!
CAUGHT!
he escaped during a diaper change!!
CAUGHT!
Andrew's Dr Appointment
Andrew went back to the GI dr today. His upper gi came back fine. The report said they were initially concerned about his anatomy, but did the GI test several times and decided it was normal. I told her I did not feel like the Prevacid was doing it's job because he was still throwing up a lot. That would be because the Prevacid is not to keep him from throwing up, it is so that what he throws up does not burn his espohagus! I told her my concern on the price and asked if there was anything else he could take. She said nothing else she would recommend. She did, however, give us lots of samples!
He still is not gaining the way she wants to see, so we are trying a couple of new things. We are concentrating his formula more. Instead of three scoops for a six ounce bottle, we are doing four. This takes his calories from about 120 calories per bottle to over 200. We are also supposed to start feeding him solids 4 times a day and add butter, margarine or oil (fat content) to everything he eats. This is fine because he LOVES to eat food.
She said as far as the throwing up goes, the only thing we can do at this point to stop that is surgery. I quickly told her I would rather buy new carpet! She said she did not want to do surgery either. She is hoping that he will start gaining weight doing this stuff and then between that and the fact that he is UP and mobile more, he will outgrow the reflux. She said IF they are going to outgrow it, it is usually by the time they are 1. If this stuff does not start working, she will want to scope, check for allergies, etc. She does not want to rush into any of that because he does not ACT like he has any of those problems.
It was funny when she came in. She came in and introduced herself. At first I was confused since we have seen her so often, but she says "I'm sorry, your doctor could not see you today so you are stuck with me!" She was dressed up as a gypsy (as was her nurse). Andrew (and Bryce and Lilah) loved it! Andrew loved all of the shiney stuff hanging off her and they all loved the noise her clothes made! After we were done with the visit and while I dressed Andrew, she went and got Bryce and Lilah a small bag (like a medicine sample bag) and took them trick or treating. They had several "stations" set up through the office and the dr took them to each one and made sure they got lots of candy!
He still is not gaining the way she wants to see, so we are trying a couple of new things. We are concentrating his formula more. Instead of three scoops for a six ounce bottle, we are doing four. This takes his calories from about 120 calories per bottle to over 200. We are also supposed to start feeding him solids 4 times a day and add butter, margarine or oil (fat content) to everything he eats. This is fine because he LOVES to eat food.
She said as far as the throwing up goes, the only thing we can do at this point to stop that is surgery. I quickly told her I would rather buy new carpet! She said she did not want to do surgery either. She is hoping that he will start gaining weight doing this stuff and then between that and the fact that he is UP and mobile more, he will outgrow the reflux. She said IF they are going to outgrow it, it is usually by the time they are 1. If this stuff does not start working, she will want to scope, check for allergies, etc. She does not want to rush into any of that because he does not ACT like he has any of those problems.
It was funny when she came in. She came in and introduced herself. At first I was confused since we have seen her so often, but she says "I'm sorry, your doctor could not see you today so you are stuck with me!" She was dressed up as a gypsy (as was her nurse). Andrew (and Bryce and Lilah) loved it! Andrew loved all of the shiney stuff hanging off her and they all loved the noise her clothes made! After we were done with the visit and while I dressed Andrew, she went and got Bryce and Lilah a small bag (like a medicine sample bag) and took them trick or treating. They had several "stations" set up through the office and the dr took them to each one and made sure they got lots of candy!
Monday, October 29, 2007
On a ROLL!!
I was searching for the camera earlier and could not find it anywhere.
Just found it....
in the pantry!
Just found it....
in the pantry!
Finding the Humor inToddlers
That is what you HAVE to do!! This afternoon, while trying to get Lilah ready to go home, we were looking for her sock. She had taken it off, but when I saw it I was in the middle of feeding Andrew so did not fix it.
We spent an hour looking for her sock. Tore the house apart! Looked EVERYWHERE!! I finally gave up (Andrew MADE me because he was screaming the whole time and made himself sick on the floor). I went to take her shoe and sock off the other foot and put it in her bag.
The missing sock was....
ON HER OTHER FOOT!!! Over the sock she had on!
What can you do, but laugh!!!
We spent an hour looking for her sock. Tore the house apart! Looked EVERYWHERE!! I finally gave up (Andrew MADE me because he was screaming the whole time and made himself sick on the floor). I went to take her shoe and sock off the other foot and put it in her bag.
The missing sock was....
ON HER OTHER FOOT!!! Over the sock she had on!
What can you do, but laugh!!!
EXCUSE ME!!?? (Bumbo recall)
I was at Target this morning and decided to ask about the Bumbo seat recall. From what I had read, it sounded like you could just call and ask for a warning sticker to put on it. The lady at Target, however, said that you could bring it back and get your money back on it.
I decided that since Andrew can't use it anymore anyway, I was going to take it back. So I came home and got it and a while later took it back up there.
I got so mad!! I took it up there and they called a manager over to do the recall. The two of them (customer service manager and cashier) proceeded to lecture me about how if I was a responsible parent, I would not feel as though I had to return it because I would not be leaving my child unattended in it. If it is on recall, I should not have to justify my decision to return the product AT ALL, regardless of what it is or why I no longer want it.
After the csm was done criticizing my parenting skills, although she had never met me before, and she walked away, the cashier continued criticizing me. "I NEVER returned anything that was recalled when my kids were small. Not even stuff with lead paint. They get into far worse stuff than that!"
Then she gave me a gift card - which for recalls you are supposed to get cash! I just took it and left before I said something I regretted!
UM, EXCUSE ME BUT WHO IS THE IRRESPONSIBLE PARENT?
I decided that since Andrew can't use it anymore anyway, I was going to take it back. So I came home and got it and a while later took it back up there.
I got so mad!! I took it up there and they called a manager over to do the recall. The two of them (customer service manager and cashier) proceeded to lecture me about how if I was a responsible parent, I would not feel as though I had to return it because I would not be leaving my child unattended in it. If it is on recall, I should not have to justify my decision to return the product AT ALL, regardless of what it is or why I no longer want it.
After the csm was done criticizing my parenting skills, although she had never met me before, and she walked away, the cashier continued criticizing me. "I NEVER returned anything that was recalled when my kids were small. Not even stuff with lead paint. They get into far worse stuff than that!"
Then she gave me a gift card - which for recalls you are supposed to get cash! I just took it and left before I said something I regretted!
UM, EXCUSE ME BUT WHO IS THE IRRESPONSIBLE PARENT?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Just Some Funnies From This Weekend
Oh, so many stories...let's see if I can remember them all and credit the correct comment with the correct child.
While we were standing in the West End waiting on the bus/train/whatever we were supposed to be on, there was a group of people standing a little ways from us. They were far enough away that that we could not hear them talking amongst themselves. One of the "girls" (she was wearing jeans, a girlie shirt/jacket and some big, white, plastic star earrings) started yelling at someone, but she had a very deep "he" voice.
Caleb (loudly) says "That is a boy? I thought it was a girl!" I snapped him with the back of my hand and told him to be quiet. He started saying something else and I put my hand on his mouth and told him not to speak again before he got us shot! I told him we would discuss it later.
After the show we were walking to get the train back. There was a train sitting there already and the comment was made that we needed to hurry or we would miss the train. Bryce yells NOOOOO and starts hightailing it to the train. It wasn't our train, but it was funny that Bryce remembered having to walk to the AA center and DID NOT want to do that again!
On the way home from Texas the boys were out for the first half of the trip. We stopped half way to refuel the car and ourselves. Conversation got interesting after that! I don't even remember how we got on the conversation of haunted houses, but we did. Bryce was interchanging words and kept talking about hunters living in haunted houses and haunteds living in hunters houses, etc... I can't imagine why I can't remember the conversation - I am still confused!!
Then Paul and I saw a dead deer on the side of the road. Bryce was complaining that he was still hungry. I asked him if he wanted some roadkill to eat. He asked what roadkill was. I explained that sometimes animals are in the road and drivers don't see them and hit them and they die. I ask him again if he wanted some roadkill to eat expecting him to be really grossed out. Instead he says "umm, what kind of animal is it?"
I guess if I had said the right animal, he would have agreed to eat it!!
Never a dull moment in a house full of boys....but PLENTY of gross, nasty ones!!!
Roadkill
While we were standing in the West End waiting on the bus/train/whatever we were supposed to be on, there was a group of people standing a little ways from us. They were far enough away that that we could not hear them talking amongst themselves. One of the "girls" (she was wearing jeans, a girlie shirt/jacket and some big, white, plastic star earrings) started yelling at someone, but she had a very deep "he" voice.
Caleb (loudly) says "That is a boy? I thought it was a girl!" I snapped him with the back of my hand and told him to be quiet. He started saying something else and I put my hand on his mouth and told him not to speak again before he got us shot! I told him we would discuss it later.
After the show we were walking to get the train back. There was a train sitting there already and the comment was made that we needed to hurry or we would miss the train. Bryce yells NOOOOO and starts hightailing it to the train. It wasn't our train, but it was funny that Bryce remembered having to walk to the AA center and DID NOT want to do that again!
On the way home from Texas the boys were out for the first half of the trip. We stopped half way to refuel the car and ourselves. Conversation got interesting after that! I don't even remember how we got on the conversation of haunted houses, but we did. Bryce was interchanging words and kept talking about hunters living in haunted houses and haunteds living in hunters houses, etc... I can't imagine why I can't remember the conversation - I am still confused!!
Then Paul and I saw a dead deer on the side of the road. Bryce was complaining that he was still hungry. I asked him if he wanted some roadkill to eat. He asked what roadkill was. I explained that sometimes animals are in the road and drivers don't see them and hit them and they die. I ask him again if he wanted some roadkill to eat expecting him to be really grossed out. Instead he says "umm, what kind of animal is it?"
I guess if I had said the right animal, he would have agreed to eat it!!
Never a dull moment in a house full of boys....but PLENTY of gross, nasty ones!!!
Roadkill
Walking with Dinosaurs
We went to see Walking with Dinosaurs this weekend in Dallas. The boys LOVED it! I have never seen any of the boys sit so still or quiet for any length of time, much less the length of the show. Even Andrew watched it and seemed to enjoy it. We had third row seats to the show, so it was REALLY loud! We did not know we were that close until we got to our seats. The boys were pretty excited. I am so glad they enjoyed themselves. They deserve it with Daddy being out of town so much. It is hard to squeeze fun time in our very short weekends!
Here are some pictures and short videos of the show. The videos were taken on our digital camera, so they are short and not too long! The sound is also not that great! It was loud for that little camera!!
We took the DART train from by Nana's house to the West End in Dallas. We got off thinking we were supposed to catch a bus! WRONG! We were supposed to stay on the train. We waited for another train to come by, but it never came. We ended up walking (I was wearing high-heeled boots while carrying Andrew) a very lengthy (felt like it anyway) walk from West End to American Airlines Center!! We missed the first 20 minutes or so of the show.
Isaac got scared when TREX came out. Lindsay says he sank down in his sink and kinda disappeared. That is all he has talked about though - the BIG TREX!
They wore their Walking with Dinosaurs tshirts today. Every person we have stopped and talked to, from friends to the cashier at various places, they have ALL heard about the show!
Here are some pictures and short videos of the show. The videos were taken on our digital camera, so they are short and not too long! The sound is also not that great! It was loud for that little camera!!
We took the DART train from by Nana's house to the West End in Dallas. We got off thinking we were supposed to catch a bus! WRONG! We were supposed to stay on the train. We waited for another train to come by, but it never came. We ended up walking (I was wearing high-heeled boots while carrying Andrew) a very lengthy (felt like it anyway) walk from West End to American Airlines Center!! We missed the first 20 minutes or so of the show.
Isaac got scared when TREX came out. Lindsay says he sank down in his sink and kinda disappeared. That is all he has talked about though - the BIG TREX!
They wore their Walking with Dinosaurs tshirts today. Every person we have stopped and talked to, from friends to the cashier at various places, they have ALL heard about the show!
Isaac's Cowboy Day
Here are the pictures of Cowboy Day. I think we took some video too, I will try to add tomorrow. It was REALLY cold for Cowboy Day, and of course, it was all outside! The kids enjoyed it though!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Essentials
The boys decided this evening they needed to pack their bags for the trip to TX. I decided to check and see what they packed...
Caleb's bag
Isaac's bag
Bryce's bag
I have to point out that BRYCE is the ONLY ONE who packed underwear. No one else packed ANY clothes at all!
Caleb's bag
Isaac's bag
Bryce's bagI have to point out that BRYCE is the ONLY ONE who packed underwear. No one else packed ANY clothes at all!
First Nine Weeks
The first nine weeks of school is ending. If I have remembered correctly I have spent $80 for school related things. Parties, pictures, PTSO, fieldtrips, book fairs, etc. This does not include school supplies. This is just EXTRAS!!
This is just RIDICULOUS!!
This is just RIDICULOUS!!
Andrew Singing
Andrew has to sing when he is nursing or taking a bottle. He does it the entire time he eats though!
Pixie Goes to School
This is Pixie. Pixie is a Clydesdale horse that decided to see what it was like to go to school. It was a cold, drizzly day. The first thing she did when she got there was see how "school grass" taste. It was good! Pixie ate and ate and ate! When she looked up, there were lots of little people staring at her in amazement!
The cowgirl introduced Pixie to everyone.
Then all of these LOUD kids came up to pet her! Isaac is above (teacher is in the way), and Bryce is down below.
I was at the "wrong" end of the horse!! I could not go to the other side because I could not get the stroller past all the kids without going off-roading in the mud! Here is a video of the cowgirl telling about Pixie. Pretty interesting. Sorry - it is not the best video - I had a 2 year old strapped to my wrist, a four year old running around trying to push his brother (and the stroller) off the curb and a five year old trying to show all of his friends his "little baby brother" (who was sleeping)- I think Andrew was as exciting as the horse to them!
The cowgirl introduced Pixie to everyone.
Then all of these LOUD kids came up to pet her! Isaac is above (teacher is in the way), and Bryce is down below.
I was at the "wrong" end of the horse!! I could not go to the other side because I could not get the stroller past all the kids without going off-roading in the mud! Here is a video of the cowgirl telling about Pixie. Pretty interesting. Sorry - it is not the best video - I had a 2 year old strapped to my wrist, a four year old running around trying to push his brother (and the stroller) off the curb and a five year old trying to show all of his friends his "little baby brother" (who was sleeping)- I think Andrew was as exciting as the horse to them!
Unsafe Bumbo Seats
As I recently posted and put on a video of, Andrew is able to get out of his Bumbo seat. I figured it was Houdini doing what Houdini does. But, Mom sent me a message this morning saying that the Bumbo was on GMA this morning and they were saying it was not safe. I missed it on GMA and could not find it on their site, but I did find this: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=7on_your_side&id=5716629
It is a local ABC channel doing a story on it. It discusses kids getting out of the Bumbo seat and getting hurt. Bumbo, of course says that you are not supposed to have it on raised surfaces and the child should not be left alone in it - then stuff like that would not happen.
Now, I may have a Houdini that can get out of ANYTHING at this point. My question is, is it realistic for a company like this to expect a parent to put their child in a seat and then stare at the child the entire time he/she is sitting there? These things are usually bought so that the parent can have a free hand to do things. A parent can be IN the same room with the child, so he is not UNATTENDED, but not be staring at the baby. Andrew can get out pretty quick! I don't put him in it anymore without the tray (which is sold seperately and a lot of people don't buy) and even then I use it on the floor and with me right there.
This product was tested with a weight, as the video shows. Great - it can hold up to the specified amount of weight, but it was not tested to see if children can get out. Would that not be an important thing to test, especially when it is marketed for children up to 14 months. What 14 month old sits still?
I loved this seat before Andrew was moving around so much. He would just sit in it and I could do whatever I needed. But even before this report, I had found that it was not great for his abilities!
It is not just Bumbo that does this. Many people won't spend $40 on something they know there child will only use a short period of time. By marketing to a larger age group, they sell more products. I don't completely blame the industry - my kid can wiggle out of anything - not all kids can at this age, but I think there should be a little more honesty about it. But don't market something with pictures of the seat on tables and countertops and then blame the parents for doing the same thing. Regardless of where the photos came from (he says they came from "proud parents") it is the companies responsibility to not market their product with pictures of the product being misused. I do blame Bumbo for this. Don't preach that your leaflet has warnings saying not to do something that you are promoting!
Luckily, none of my kids have been injured. But after watching Andrew, I can see how injuries happen. These Bumbo seats are used at daycares, nurseries (our church nursery has a couple of them). Places like this have different people going in and out all the time, many of which know nothing about the unsafeties of the seat!
Thanks Mom for the info.
It is a local ABC channel doing a story on it. It discusses kids getting out of the Bumbo seat and getting hurt. Bumbo, of course says that you are not supposed to have it on raised surfaces and the child should not be left alone in it - then stuff like that would not happen.
Now, I may have a Houdini that can get out of ANYTHING at this point. My question is, is it realistic for a company like this to expect a parent to put their child in a seat and then stare at the child the entire time he/she is sitting there? These things are usually bought so that the parent can have a free hand to do things. A parent can be IN the same room with the child, so he is not UNATTENDED, but not be staring at the baby. Andrew can get out pretty quick! I don't put him in it anymore without the tray (which is sold seperately and a lot of people don't buy) and even then I use it on the floor and with me right there.
This product was tested with a weight, as the video shows. Great - it can hold up to the specified amount of weight, but it was not tested to see if children can get out. Would that not be an important thing to test, especially when it is marketed for children up to 14 months. What 14 month old sits still?
I loved this seat before Andrew was moving around so much. He would just sit in it and I could do whatever I needed. But even before this report, I had found that it was not great for his abilities!
It is not just Bumbo that does this. Many people won't spend $40 on something they know there child will only use a short period of time. By marketing to a larger age group, they sell more products. I don't completely blame the industry - my kid can wiggle out of anything - not all kids can at this age, but I think there should be a little more honesty about it. But don't market something with pictures of the seat on tables and countertops and then blame the parents for doing the same thing. Regardless of where the photos came from (he says they came from "proud parents") it is the companies responsibility to not market their product with pictures of the product being misused. I do blame Bumbo for this. Don't preach that your leaflet has warnings saying not to do something that you are promoting!
Luckily, none of my kids have been injured. But after watching Andrew, I can see how injuries happen. These Bumbo seats are used at daycares, nurseries (our church nursery has a couple of them). Places like this have different people going in and out all the time, many of which know nothing about the unsafeties of the seat!
Thanks Mom for the info.
Andrew's New Game
Last weekend Andrew was siting in my lap and I was patting my leg to get his attention. He started repeating me. It looks kind of funny now, though, because he just randomly starts waving his arm up and down in the air. I know what he is doing - but others don't!!
Now he has also started doing the same with one of his legs. It is pretty funny to watch.
He will spend long chunks of time just staring at his hands open and close. He HUMS!!! Especially when he is nursing or taking a bottle! Cute, unless it is 5 am and you are trying to snooze!! He is pretty loud!
One of the funniest things I think he has started doing is...kneading! You know how a cat kneads when he is purring or happy. Andrew does that while nursing. IT HURTS!! I have little claw marks on me! Makes me remember to keep those nails clipped (which I have to do at least twice a week).
Now he has also started doing the same with one of his legs. It is pretty funny to watch.
He will spend long chunks of time just staring at his hands open and close. He HUMS!!! Especially when he is nursing or taking a bottle! Cute, unless it is 5 am and you are trying to snooze!! He is pretty loud!
One of the funniest things I think he has started doing is...kneading! You know how a cat kneads when he is purring or happy. Andrew does that while nursing. IT HURTS!! I have little claw marks on me! Makes me remember to keep those nails clipped (which I have to do at least twice a week).
Isaac's First Kinder. Report Card
Isaac brought home his report card last night. In kindergarten here they don't give grades - they give P (proficient) or N (needs work). Isaac got P straight across the board EXCEPT for "completes work on time and neatly" - he got an N for that. At the conference I had with his teacher a few weeks back, she said that he had really improved there, though.
GOOD WORK ISAAC!!
GOOD WORK ISAAC!!
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