If he weren't so stinkin' cute...

I am posting these pictures for myself more than anyone. Just a reminder to me from me of how seriously eat-him-up cute my son is, how generally compliant and easy going he is, and how many days there are when he makes me smile so much my mouth hurts. I love that he enjoys making people laugh, that occasionally he needs to "mah" (march) instead of walk, and that he sings outloud with the radio or even just music in his own little head at random times. I love that he gives me hugs and kisses when he says night-night and that he loves to push a broom around to help me clean. There are so many things I love about this little personality.

Yesterday was not a day when it was easy to remember these things. I had one of those days with KJ that make you wonder if you were intended to be a mom. My patience was worn down to a tiny thread as he pushed every limit there was to push. We had tantrums, meltdowns, blatant disobedience, and best of all got to make our first call to poison control. KJ decided it might be fun to eat diaper ointment. In order to accomplish this he had to find it at the back of his dresser, open the little box it came in and unscrew the lid (it was the dr. smith's kind in the tub). If I was not worried about figuring out how much of it he consumed, I might have been impressed that he accomplished this.

Just as FYI to other moms...zinc oxide has fairly low toxicity and generally does no serious harm to a healthy seventeen-month-old. Good to know.

ABL

Pumpkins

I love fall because it marks the beginning of so many fun holidays which bring so many memories and so many traditions. My favorite Halloween tradition growing up was that we always had grilled cheese and soup before we went trick-or-treating. When I was a freshman in college I went to my little dorm room and made myself grilled cheese and soup (impressive with only a microwave and toaster) then called my family so I could be part of the special night. They weren't home...they went out to eat. I was heart-broken. My mom told me that it really wasn't a tradition it was just a convenience with three young kids. I corrected them and now remind them each year about having soup and grilled cheese on Halloween.

We started a little family tradition last year of taking KJ to the pumpkin patch for pictures. Thanks to an amazing photographer, Tara, we got some wonderful pictures this time.

Just for fun, here is a picture from last year. I am amazed at how much he has grown. Last year the pics were a little easier, prop him up and he stayed put. There was a little less drool this year, though.

What are your favorite fall traditions?

ABL

San Diego

What a fun weekend we had! RRL was attending a national youth workers conference in sunny San Diego and we got to join him. I love hanging out with the people that RRL works with- what a fun staff and they are some of KJs favorite people, too. To add even more joy, my parents were able to join us. My daddy was going on to a convention in LA so it worked out perfectly. KJ sure loved having them around ("Nonna" and "Papa" quickly became his favorite words), our suitcase came back weighing slightly more than when we left , and my heart was full from just getting to hug their necks! AND...If that wasn't enough, one of my other college roomies, Chris, has a husband in youth ministry so they were there too with their two boys! It couldn't have been much better than all of that. Not too much to tell about the trip that the pictures won't cover. So, here's what you really want...

1) The Fam

2) Roomies and their families (or almost families)

3) I love this because of how intently both of them were watching the elephants...and you can see that KJ is FINALLY getting some hair!!!

4) KJ, What does an Elephant say?

5 and 6) Buddies

7) Nonna and Papa J. (thanks for the sweet pearl snap shirt, uncle D)

8) The beach (and a grumpy little dude)

Only slight downer to the trip was that my absent-mindedness (refer to previous post) resulted in two lost items. I left my brand new denim jacket on the plane on the way there. I've been searching for a denim jacket that would fit me and my extra-long torso literally since college. Finally found one at a bargain price (60% off), wore it twice and then left it on the plane. I'm sick about it. On the way back we left KJ's book with Thomas the train magnets on the plane. One of his favorite toys. He doesn't seem to have missed it yet. Ah well.

ABL

Update in numbers

I really enjoy the little column in each edition of the ACU Today that has all the random numbers with interesting little tidbits. Here are some of our family numbers:

3-
The hour of the day that KJ likes to eat lunch (3:00 pm). He has this new routine of sleeping until 8:30 or 9 (no complaints from me), eating a late breakfast, taking a nap around 11:30 or 12 and sleeping for 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours, then waking up for lunch. If I go out for lunch he might eat a little something, but still goes down for a nap when we get home before he eats his lunch. This works for us at our house and actually makes a lot of things easier for me. HOWEVER, I can see how this unconventional lunch time won’t fit with things like school. I’ve read a lot of things about how important it is for kids to be on a “normal” meal routine. But when I’ve tried to feed KJ at “lunch-time” he just doesn’t eat. He is obviously not hungry and if the boy is not hungry he would much rather play than eat. I don’t want to force him to eat EVER, I help him make choices about what he eats, but I don’t make him eat. Maybe this will correct itself when he has to get up earlier. Any other suggestions?

14-
Approximate number of weeks until the arrival of the BL2. I feel like I had things way more together by this point with KJ. For instance, this poor baby boy does not even have a name yet. At the risk of breaking my no-names rule on my blog, some of the candidates for names have been Zachary, Sawyer, Pierce and Paxton. RRL will not commit to any of them. On a side note, I must admit that as BL2's arrival gets closer I’m getting a little nervous about moving into the world of a family of four…thrilled, but nervous.

15-
Estimated number of hours that RRL spent this weekend building a back-yard storage shed for us. Hopefully it will not be long before our 2 car garage can actually hold 2 cars. It really bothers me that we have a garage that we cannot park both of our cars in. No matter how organized we have gotten it or how cluttered (like the current state), it only holds one car thanks to the lawn-mower, tools, bicycles, running stroller and red wagon that also call it home. I am so thankful that R has the capability and willingness to embark on projects like this for our family (with the help of a contractor friend).


177-
Number of minutes that it took me to walk 12 miles this weekend. My ½ marathon training is in full swing with the race only a few weeks away and 12 miles is the most I will do before the 13.1 on race day. I am moving a little slower these days and have quit taking KJ in his stroller for the longer routes, but I do have a few extra pounds to carry now (we’ll skip that number in these updates).

697-
Number of miles between my house and my parents’ house. Sometimes this distance feels overwhelming to me. I’m in one of those periods now, when I just wish I had them close and didn’t have to drive 10 hours for a visit. We will get to see them lots over the next couple of months and I am so thankful for that, but oh to have them close enough for dinner.

1,001-
Number of losing-my-mind moments over the last few weeks. Ok, so really I’ve lost count, but there are so many days when I feel like my brain has just been disconnected. Let’s blame it on the pregnancy. One quick example: Last week I drove to work and was proud that I arrived early enough to score a perfect parking place…only to realize I had to go back home because I forgot my shoes. This would be really funny if it was an isolated incident, but things like this have been constantly happening to me lately. I’m not sure I should be allowed out of the house.


I guess that’s about it for today’s number stats. I’d love your input on the eating thing, name suggestions or tips for remembering to wear shoes to work!

ABL

Fair-headed friends

Here's a picture to make you smile. I love that my friends have boys that are friends with KJ! These three sure had fun playing together, but getting a picture of all three looking at the camera at the same time was impossible. SPG is about to jump ship in this one (with a push from his buddy KJ) and CMK had to be bribed with a Sonic Drink. Doesn't that sound like the makings of life-long friendships? And I do love their moms!!