Almost a year ago, we said bye bye to Jack's paci. It was a cold turkey move, necessitated by a tumble on the playground and visit with the dentist. It was not a fun transition, although I don't remember that because it was so awful, I just re-read my post on it. Funny how you put those things out of your mind.
I've been struggling with when to do it for Duke since his 2nd birthday. He only takes it at night and nap - and only naps at home, hasn't had it at daycare since he was 12 months (WIMP me - should have done it all then!) I really didn't want to go through the holidays with any issues with sleep, so that put it into January. Cory was gone all but about 6 days that month and I didn't feel like dealing with it on my own, same for February. We hope to have the boys rooming together by the end of this year, and therefore, I can't really wait until that happens to do it. So I've been waiting for "the opportunity" to present itself. It did today in an odd way.
I took his crib bumper out of his bed about a month ago. I was just sick of dealing with it when I had to change the sheets and the only reason I kept it in there was to keep his paci from falling through the slats in the middle of the night. After a few nights of hearing a quiet "Where's paci go?" at 2 a.m. and retrieving it, those mumurs stopped, yet in the morning, more and more often, I'd find said paci on the floor under the crib or in between the mattress and rails hidden from his searching hands and him waking up without wanting it. At least until it was time to get out of bed, then he'd ask for it, we'd find it, he'd take one long drag like a person on smoke break trying to eke the last bit of nicotine out of a cig and dunk it in the crib for that night.
This morning however, neither of us could find it. Looked on the floor, around the edge of the mattress, under all his stuffed animals, nowhere in sight. Our opportunity had just presented itself.
"Well, the geese must have taken your paci!" I should have read my previous blog post before this plan, since I didn't actually want him thinking geese randomly entered his room in the middle of the night to steal all things precious to him, but in a way it worked. Jack pipes up "Yea Duke! The geese have your paci! Now you're a big boy too!" After a few "MY PACI?!" cries and general wake up crankiness passes, he's actually ok with it. We talk more on the way to school and again on the way home and he's actually agreeing that it's all gone, the geese have it, etc.
Bedtime went better than I thought, though not as great as I'd have liked. Right up until going into the room, he was all fine with it, but once the reality set in, not so happy. We rocked, we sang, we did all the rest of the 5 second routine the kid requires "Go Nite Nite", "Give me a Kiss" kiss kiss "I love you Mommy", "I love you Duke" "Thank you" "Your welcome" and off to the crib, with the exception - and interesting one - he wanted to walk to his crib tonite rather than be carried on my shoulder from the chair. hmmmm. So after a little more crying/whimpering and me rubbing his back a minute, I left the room and went to finish up with Jack.
Then the howling started. Not to the level Jack can be famous for, but strong with intermintent long pauses. It probably helps I don't usually have any need to go into his room at bedtime, and that I'm usually stuck for 20 minutes getting Jack through his routine in his room. For that 20 min I had no idea if he were screaming, hollering or silent.
It was in between. By the time I got out, there was about another 10 minutes of crying laced with long silent stretches that has since turned into complete silence. And since he doesn't have it in the middle of the night most nights when it falls out of the bed...I may have made it paci free at last!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Long Week Almost Over
Unfortunately, our week of looking foward to a night away on Thursday for Mom & Dad, no kids, to Memphis for the George Strait-Reba-LeeAnn Womack concert (front row/backstage FREE) did not materialize. We had our trusty "Aunt" Kay from Odyssey that was all set to take the kids after school to our place, stay the night and take them back for Friday school where we would pick them up, but with Jack starting out on Wednesday with a 101.5 temp, and then finding out from the doctor it wasn't an ear infection but a cold virus...pretty much sealed our fate to cancel.
Quite the bummer, but I prayed that Thursday morning we had a clear sign on what to do, and he woke up at 102, so that was pretty clear. Fever means no school.
His fever finally broke yesterday afternoon, so he is on the mend and now we are just praying Duke doesn't fall prey to the same. (Though he's looking to start another round of antibiotics for yet another sinus infection - at least I have to assume that's what all the green snot for the past 2 weeks is about).
I stayed home on Wednesday with him (Cory got back that evening), then Daddy kept Jack on Thursday and Friday so I could be at work, on the assumption that while he is out of town this coming week it is likely I will be home with Duke.
On our day home, we colored, read books, played quietly by ourself...actually a relatively quiet day. Thursday apparently was 8 hours of TV (can't place blame, he had a lot of work to catch up on and 1 day won't cause the child to be a junkie). But Friday...well they had some man time.
Quite the bummer, but I prayed that Thursday morning we had a clear sign on what to do, and he woke up at 102, so that was pretty clear. Fever means no school.
His fever finally broke yesterday afternoon, so he is on the mend and now we are just praying Duke doesn't fall prey to the same. (Though he's looking to start another round of antibiotics for yet another sinus infection - at least I have to assume that's what all the green snot for the past 2 weeks is about).
I stayed home on Wednesday with him (Cory got back that evening), then Daddy kept Jack on Thursday and Friday so I could be at work, on the assumption that while he is out of town this coming week it is likely I will be home with Duke.
On our day home, we colored, read books, played quietly by ourself...actually a relatively quiet day. Thursday apparently was 8 hours of TV (can't place blame, he had a lot of work to catch up on and 1 day won't cause the child to be a junkie). But Friday...well they had some man time.
Daddy took Jack on an errand to pick up some samples at a local dealer and just happened to find the perfect kid's fishing pole and above is the result. Pretty happy sick day for both of them.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Busy Busy, But Some of You Asked for Info
In case you need proof...from SouthernSavers.com facebook page:
"It appears that we aren't sharing our amazing grocery finds loud enough. Grocery stores are losing market share to Walmart for people wanting to save money! Check out this story: http://ow.ly/1a2h8 then remember over Christmas what we found to be the real truth about shopping at Walmart!! http://ow.ly/1a2kv The real place to save money is in a Grocery store!
"It appears that we aren't sharing our amazing grocery finds loud enough. Grocery stores are losing market share to Walmart for people wanting to save money! Check out this story: http://ow.ly/1a2h8 then remember over Christmas what we found to be the real truth about shopping at Walmart!! http://ow.ly/1a2kv The real place to save money is in a Grocery store!
Friday, February 19, 2010
4 My New Favorite Number
Blogs, what are they for if not to chronicle the life and times of oneself. An electronic diary of sorts.
Today I accomplished a personal best and therefore I will share.
4 miles in 40.16 minutes
That's right, when the distance meter on the treadmill ran over from 3.9 to 4.0, the time countdown (which started at 45 min.) read 4:44.
Today I accomplished a personal best and therefore I will share.
4 miles in 40.16 minutes
That's right, when the distance meter on the treadmill ran over from 3.9 to 4.0, the time countdown (which started at 45 min.) read 4:44.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
No One Makes Them Like Grandma!
Nothing is more exciting than opening the mailbox and having a box come from Tennessee around a holiday. Duke thinks so too.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Light Speed
So, no one shared with me that the "I can do it!" 2's are nothing like the "I do it by myself!" 3's. Hello!! I thought it was all the same thing. A clue in from the Mom Squad would have been nice. I've got one of each right now and both are going at full speed ahead.
It's not so much me missing them needing me. It's more me managing to let each of them do things by themselves simultaneously with neither of them (or me) needing a trip to the emergency room (or psych ward) because I can't keep them from going above and beyond what they are capable of. We haven't quite hit that level yet, but it's just peeking up from the horizon. I can see all the pretty colors, pinks, oranges, golden yellows, then POW, noon day sunlight in July in Alabama.
Duke is simply in the "I do it, I do it!" stage. He can do lots of things, take off his shoes, put them in the basket by the back door, bring me his coat, zip it up once it's on. But there's still that need for a reminder of the next step in the process, the boost into the car, the reminder to sit in the seat, not stand up facing the rear of the car jumping up and down.
Jack however, does NOT want to be reminded at all of what he needs to do next. He wants to anticipate and perform.
Let me tell you - my brain is like spaghetti trying to manage their development needs right now. Because God help me if I tell Jack to do something that he already knows he needs to do or move Duke along a little quicker than he's taking at whatever task is at hand.
Tonite was actually an experiment in what life is likely headed to be in another few months on a regular basis. When we got home, Jack went into the bathroom to potty to remove his pants and underpants that he had tee tee'd in just a bit (that's a whole other subject I would rather not get into here) and then put a new pair on and his jeans, all by himself CORRECTLY. Later, at bathtime, Jack needed an extra "nudge" to get in and start brushing his teeth. That's when I realized his toothbrush was still in the bathroom off his room and not in the one we take bath in. So, to avoid the whining, I suggested he go in that bathroom to get his toothbrush. Simple task...I thought, come back with it and we will go through the rest of the motions we have been doing for the past oh, 9 months or so. Plus bonus, something he was doing by himself.
After a few minutes, I realized that would not be the case.
Nope, he decided to brush his teeth himself in that bathroom, ok, works for me, he even put the correct amount of toothpaste on the brush. I had to pressure him a bit to let me do a second swipe at them, but we worked it out. All the while Duke is flushing the potty over and over again, "I did it! I did it". So after wrangling Duke into the tub, I returned to Jack's bathroom and instructed him to finish up the brushing and come to get in the tub by himself.
Duke at this point is well into bath, close to being out. Jack, not appearing.
I investigate. He's in the chair in his room, reading himself a book. Ok, nothing bad about that other than bedtime is approaching. So I suggest he get a move on and put himself in the tub while I put Duke to bed (which takes all of about 10 seconds, so Mother do not freak out, Jack did not rush into the bathroom, tear his clothes off, jump into the tub and drown in that amount of time). This he actually does, but experienced Mom of tub poopers, I notice he needs a little baby wipe bottom swipe before getting in the tub to avoid any little "floater flakes" while he's in there. I quickly do it, avoiding to appear as if I'm doing anything for him and disappear for the 10 second Duke bedtime routine.
Upon my return, Jack is in the bathtub, his clothes in the hamper and all is well in my world again.
My brain is still spaghetti, but I'm seeing those pinks, oranges and golden yellows on the horizon and hoping I can enjoy them just a bit longer.
It's not so much me missing them needing me. It's more me managing to let each of them do things by themselves simultaneously with neither of them (or me) needing a trip to the emergency room (or psych ward) because I can't keep them from going above and beyond what they are capable of. We haven't quite hit that level yet, but it's just peeking up from the horizon. I can see all the pretty colors, pinks, oranges, golden yellows, then POW, noon day sunlight in July in Alabama.
Duke is simply in the "I do it, I do it!" stage. He can do lots of things, take off his shoes, put them in the basket by the back door, bring me his coat, zip it up once it's on. But there's still that need for a reminder of the next step in the process, the boost into the car, the reminder to sit in the seat, not stand up facing the rear of the car jumping up and down.
Jack however, does NOT want to be reminded at all of what he needs to do next. He wants to anticipate and perform.
Let me tell you - my brain is like spaghetti trying to manage their development needs right now. Because God help me if I tell Jack to do something that he already knows he needs to do or move Duke along a little quicker than he's taking at whatever task is at hand.
Tonite was actually an experiment in what life is likely headed to be in another few months on a regular basis. When we got home, Jack went into the bathroom to potty to remove his pants and underpants that he had tee tee'd in just a bit (that's a whole other subject I would rather not get into here) and then put a new pair on and his jeans, all by himself CORRECTLY. Later, at bathtime, Jack needed an extra "nudge" to get in and start brushing his teeth. That's when I realized his toothbrush was still in the bathroom off his room and not in the one we take bath in. So, to avoid the whining, I suggested he go in that bathroom to get his toothbrush. Simple task...I thought, come back with it and we will go through the rest of the motions we have been doing for the past oh, 9 months or so. Plus bonus, something he was doing by himself.
After a few minutes, I realized that would not be the case.
Nope, he decided to brush his teeth himself in that bathroom, ok, works for me, he even put the correct amount of toothpaste on the brush. I had to pressure him a bit to let me do a second swipe at them, but we worked it out. All the while Duke is flushing the potty over and over again, "I did it! I did it". So after wrangling Duke into the tub, I returned to Jack's bathroom and instructed him to finish up the brushing and come to get in the tub by himself.
Duke at this point is well into bath, close to being out. Jack, not appearing.
I investigate. He's in the chair in his room, reading himself a book. Ok, nothing bad about that other than bedtime is approaching. So I suggest he get a move on and put himself in the tub while I put Duke to bed (which takes all of about 10 seconds, so Mother do not freak out, Jack did not rush into the bathroom, tear his clothes off, jump into the tub and drown in that amount of time). This he actually does, but experienced Mom of tub poopers, I notice he needs a little baby wipe bottom swipe before getting in the tub to avoid any little "floater flakes" while he's in there. I quickly do it, avoiding to appear as if I'm doing anything for him and disappear for the 10 second Duke bedtime routine.
Upon my return, Jack is in the bathtub, his clothes in the hamper and all is well in my world again.
My brain is still spaghetti, but I'm seeing those pinks, oranges and golden yellows on the horizon and hoping I can enjoy them just a bit longer.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Publix Specials Starting Today!
Just thought I’d share with my friends that are trying to do the couponing thing, the deals I found worth getting this week for sure, there may be others, but these were what I caught on a 30 minute break today since I plan to head over on the way home tonite. You can find coupon links for these on the Southern Savers website or where noted below. Remember the penny item is today – it’s Publix Sugar, and you have to have the coupon from the Wednesday paper to get it now, they’ve been pretty strict on that at the Lee Branch Publix. If you wait until this weekend to shop, be sure to check Southern Savers on Friday to see the preview of Sunday’s coupon flyers – that way you will know if you need to wait until after you get the paper on Sunday to buy anything.
Smithfield Bacon B1G1 Free 2.10 each plus .55 coupon this past Sunday or you can print additional copies at http://www.coupons.com/, get it for 1.55
Sabra Hummus 2 for 5.00 plus 1.00 coupon this past Sunday, get 1 for 1.50
Stacy’s Pita Chips 2 for 4.00 plus 1.00 coupon this past Sunday (goes with the yummy Hummus!), get it for 1.00
French’s Yellow Mustard B1G1 Free .95 each plus .50 coupon this past Sunday-doubled by Publix makes it FREE!
Juicy Juice 8pks B1G1 Free 1.50 each plus 1.00 coupon off purchase of 2 at Target.com last week if you printed it makes it 1.00 each 8pk (or I think it was in the paper this past Sunday too)
Chef Boyardee B1G1 Free .77 each plus .35 off purchase of 3, nets it down to .54 a can
Nabisco Crackers B1G1 Free 1.63 each plus 1.00 coupon off 2 on a tearpad at Publix this past week makes it 1.13 each box. And even better there was a 2.00 off 2 coupon that you can print from Southern Savers site if you haven’t already done so and used them (I used mine already) which makes then only .63 a box!
Kraft Shredded Cheese 2 for 4.00 plus 1.00 off purchase of 2 from coupons.com, get them for 1.50 each
Pup-Peroni Dog Snacks B1G1 Free 1.85 each plus 3.00 off purchase of 2 at target.com, get them for .35 each
Good Shopping, and let me know how you did!
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