Sassafrass

This scence took place this morning as I was dropping my boys off at school:

Me: Well monkey is a happy boy this morning...(to Bug) are your a happy boy this morning?

Bug: I'd be alot happier if you weren't asking me all these questions.

I just stood there with my mouth gaping open...this sass from a 4.5 year old. When I eventually caught my snap and picked my chin up off the ground I began to struggle with losing it in anger or laughing it off in admiration.

I chose the latter thinking to myself...good one...impressive.

Not a good sign of what is to come...is it? I also told myself if I blow up he will have even more ammo to use against me when he wants to see if he can spin me up.

Yeah...I know the game...and I consider myself a formidable player. Watch it son.

Can This Really Be Happening???

What a difference a week, a day, an hour, a minute makes. This time last week I had spent a pleasant day at the air show with friends and ended that day with a few hours in the emergency room. Yep, I knew being the mother of boys I would have my share of trips to the emergency room but knowing and accepting that fact never prepares one for actually experiencing such an event.

Like I mentioned before we spent the morning at the air show with friends and thanks to RUNGE!! It was a beautiful day, on the warm side; to the point where every speck of shade found an occupant trying to escape the suns wrath. We were no different; there just never seems to be enough tanks sitting around when you need one to provide shade. We didn’t make it to the Thunderbirds and I was fine with that. The kids were hot, the boy was well…being his enjoyable self with complaints that the sun was shining, the wind was blowing, his baby brother was looking at him. It was time to go. We stopped for yummy ice cream on the way home and Jodie got the car unpacked in record time. I was gathering up the kids to head home, the boy and Landon were playing upstairs and I had to go drag him out of the train where he was hiding. We were walking down the stairs (do you see where this is going), the boy has a very bad habit of running to get in front of me, on his attempt get in front of me he tripped and tumbled down the stairs landing smack dab on the corner of the molding that was at the base of the stairs.

It was all slow motion for me. I saw the initial cut beneath his cheek, I was hoping it was superficial...then the blood started gushing out. Holy crap. Jodie came running over after hearing the ruckus and I told her to get a compress. By the time she got back I scooped up my 5o lbs son, she had the baby in the car and we were off to the emergency room lighening fast. Can this really happening? I held it together until we got to the emergency clinic then I lost it as I was giving my information to the lady at the window.

The doctor came in and cleaned the boy's wound and gave him a topical so they could deaden his cheek with the real stuff that included a needle. The boy was pleading his case the entire time to not have a shot. I so wanted to reassure him he wouldn’t get one, I tried to distract him with conversation to no avail. We waited for a long time and the boy and I talked and he even napped. He looked so sad and my heart just hurt for him. I so wished I was the one laying there or somehow the pain could transfer to me. I cried as I looked at him even though I kept telling myself I had to be strong. Yeah…I wasn’t.

Nic came to get the baby and Jodie came in to stay with us. We called the hubby and he was on his way. Fortunately for the boy as a pillar of strength but unfortunately for the hubby he walked in while they were giving the boy shots to deaden the area on his cheek they were fixin to sew up. It took four…count em…FOUR of us to hold down the FOUR year old. He is freakin strong. FOUR. He was wringing with sweat when it was all said and done. It broke my heart. Six stitches later and the hubby was carrying him out to the car to head on home, I had to go get the baby from Jodie’s house, I knew he would be starving…oh the glass bottle I had broke earlier when we were unloading the car. Yeah…this is happening.

I had some time to decompress at Jodie’s, feeding the baby and talking with Nic and Jod before I headed home. I am so greatful for my friends. I don't know what I would have done without them...EVER. As I began to come down from the adrenaline my body ached. I took a shower and the water from the shower hurt. My baby was hurt, I hurt.

I kept the boy home from school on Monday and we had a nice day together. Not as relaxed as I had hoped but we did meet Dad for lunch after we stopped by the pediatrician to make sure everything looked good. We go back on Monday to get the stitches out.

Tuesday I woke up feeling like crap…crappy crap crap. I either have a cold or a bad sinus infection. I decided to stay home to get well. I slept ALL DAY LONG.

Wednesday, I am at work and just before noon I get a phone call from the boy’s school and they ask me to come pick him up, he was out of control. The director asks me to come into her office and in walks the boy’s teacher. Can this really be happening? Did they just tell me to remove my son from their school? W-T-F!

I’m barely hanging on by a string over here and now this. I call the hubby and let him know what has transpired, I call our therapist for "what next" and I call work to let them know I won’t be in the rest of the week. I am spent.

Thursday we talk to KRK, the previous school the boy was attending and make arrangements for him to re-enroll and the hubby and I check out another private school in the area on Friday. The private school is awesome and it is something to consider for Kindergarten but they are full in the four year old class and bottom line, the boy is not ready.

The hubby and I decide the best thing the boy needs is a stable environment while we work on the therapy and the diet and focus on him in order to get him ready for kindergarten. I stop by KRK and talk to the owner to let him know of our plans and he is very supportive. Thank God.

The hubby thinks we are being tested…if so I hope it is for something better and not worse.

On the WOE front…I haven’t been on my game but with all the stress and the NOT eating I still managed to lose. Check the number on the right. Can this really be happening? You betcha!

Back to it…

This week was my first week “officially” back at work and it actually feels good. I do miss the monkey and planning my days with him and having the house straightened and the laundry done but whatever…it will get done eventually. I have fell right back into pace and being out is just a tiny glint in my already crazy and hectic work “to do” list.

I could not have asked for a better week “trying out” our new schedule. I get as much done the night before as I can, wash and prep bottles, get my food for the next day ready, lay clothes out. I get up at 5 -5:30 to be at work by 8:30. How crazy is that? I must say though the boys have been great.

I figured out a way to get the boy to get himself dressed without constantly nagging…the TV doesn’t go on until he is dressed. Just like that…no arguments, no begging, and no frustrated mom walking out the door, it’s pleasant.

The monkey has been sleeping until I get him up in the AM, except for one morning he got up just as I got up therefore he had to stay up as I got ready for work. He was fine except for the last 15 minutes it took me to make breakfast for me and the boy and get everything…including the kitchen sink in the car. I kept telling him…which I’m sure he understood completey…if he just would have slept later he wouldn’t be so upset now. Two seconds after we were in the car he was out. Buckethead.

The monkey loves daycare…that I can tell anyway cause he hasn’t come out and said “I love daycare”. He hasn’t cried once when I have left him, except for the first day but mom was crying too. They tell me he loves to be talked to that he just smiles and smiles, I love his smile. It totally draws you in with his innocence and genuine nature. They say lately he has been finding his voice and telling stories. I’ve noticed this too and that story about the rabbi, the priest and the blonde…freakin hilarious.

The boy had a better week at school this week. I would even categorize it as a good week. He had one really bad day, an excellent day and good days the rest of the week. Keep your fingers crossed I didn’t jinx today by admitting he’s been doing well. I am hoping we have turned a corner since I am back to work and we are really trying to work with him and pay attention to his needs. Not the needs that are I need another car, another chocolate milk, another story, another five minutes…those are the annoying needs he thinks he ‘needs’. I mean the spending quality time, teaching him the right choices and not letting him get away with the wrong ones. I’m seeing progress, although there are setbacks sometimes which overshadow all the progress but more often than not I’m beginning to see the amazing brilliant boy fight through this…whatever…and shine brightly.

No rest for the weary…the hubby. Sigh…they lost a lot of time and momentum with the business after the hurricane. They are still not up and running at full capacity. I know there is perspective and yes, at least he has enough of a business to get back up and running and I feel deeply sad for those that don’t. With that said…the hubby…he’s been working hard…harder…the hardest. I am proud to see how hard he has worked and rallied around the biz to do what he has to do to get things up and running. No electricity…ha…bought a generator. Chocolate doesn’t do well in heat…ha…got a refrigerated truck. No internet for an internet based company…ha…work at Starbucks and process almost 100 orders in a day with artwork to boot; dyes ordered and customers satisfied. BAM! I have and continue to witness a man that will persevere through anything. Have I mentioned he never once forgot about making sure his wife and two kids were safe and comfortable? A man like none other I’ve known and I’m so very happy to call MY husband. Yep…he’s all mine. Take that chicken soup girl! I love you sweetie and I’m so very proud of you. I want to be just like you when I grow up…you cradle robber you.

We are taking our family pictures this weekend. Green jeans….lol meaning we will be wearing green (sage) shirts with jeans. We all have dark features and look exceptional in green, although it is going to be tough finding stuff for the baby. But here’s hoping. I have some really cute ideas for poses…I’m really excited.

A couple of other things on tap for the weekend…one that may involve a pecan pie…made by me! YUMOLICIOUS.

Mid WOE report!! Staying on track this week…I’ll give a full report on Monday.

Everyone have an outstanding weekend.

**Edit**How could I have forgotten to mention the monkey slept THROUGH the night last night! I turned over and looked at the clock and it said 4:30. I shut my eyes and processed what I just saw and they flew open...4:30! Oh my gosh...something is wrong. What if something is wrong. SIDS...oh many I can't go up there. I can't imagine what is waiting for me. I was almost in tears. I layed there for thirty minutes and contemplated when I was going to muster up enough courage to check on the monkey. I was halfway hoping he would cry out waking himself up. That never happened.

Around 5 I get up and make my way upstairs. Still wrestling with my feelings as to what I was going to find. I open the door, peer over the crib and there my beautiful son is peacefully sleeping. I touch his cheek to rouse him awake and pick him up and nuzzle his head under my chin and breathe in his scent. All was good in the world.

I did the same thing with my firstborn. I think as a mom you get in a routine with getting up during the night and unbeknownst to you at the time there is comfort in those midnight hours when it is just the two of you. The first time that isn't there most moms cannot help but think the worst.

My monkey is safe and beautiful and loving and amazing. Our family is so blessed!

Smiles!

WOE Week 4 part 3

Yes, I’m starting week four yet again. I started off ok but didn’t stay on track due to mostly the same reasons as the previous post. I am happy to report that I am officially at work and it has been great…WOE wise anyway. I am able to eat my 4 meals without interruption as opposed to being on the road commuting from Clear Lake to Humble to Clear Lake and back to Humble and ending up finally in Clear Lake…yes my life last week. Thankfully we got our power back on Saturday and I couldn’t pack my crap fast enough.

I have to again thank Jodie and Bryan for taking us in…it was a blessing to have a cool roof over our head and they took care of us as any BFF would. After over two weeks of being a nomad I was ready to get home and get things in order.

Now I have to get caught up on my blogging, for myself and the kiddos, I’m behind on their newsletters. Add that to my ever growing to do list.

The hubby’s business is coming along. They worked their asses off last week to get things back up and running. They moved to a new facility while theirs is under contraction; meanwhile, they are having attempting to try and process orders without power…they are an internet company…so not having power is not a good thing. You found them at any given Starbucks around the city trying to work. Crazy stuff man…crazy. Thankfully they too got power back late last week.

Funny story…Last week I was in the car with my oldest (4) and I was listening to talk radio. No, I’m not in my 60’s and I swear I hated it when my Dad used to listed to that crap but for whatever reason I’m drawn to it….yeah…just go with it, don’t try and analyze it.

We were listening to talk radio and whoever was talking about Barack Obama and the boy asked “Who is Barack Obama?” and I asked him who he thought he was and he said loud and proud…”A rock star”. I almost puked all over the windshield. I said you’ve been listening to the liberal media too much and hanging around your father. I then proceeded to explain…to my four year old…that Mr. Obama was the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States and made sure he repeated it over and over. I threw in McCain as well for good measure.

Childrens Museum

Saturday the family visited the Houston Childrens Museum and who knew all the exceptionally fun stuff they had there. We decided as a family to plan family outings…other than errands for a change. First outing…the HCM and it was lovely. The boy had a blast. We got there as soon as the doors opened so we were able to enjoy about thirty minutes of a thin crowd then it began to fill up and fast. The boy had sensory overload and kept running from one thing to another.

I see a pattern developing with him and I must say I am guilty of it to and have to make a conscious effort to enjoy the present, I’m always looking for what is next and it is hard for me to stop and smell the roses per se. I see this in the boy and I hope I can find guidance to manage that trait because I don’t necessarily think it is healthy and could lead to an unfulfilling life. Like I said I know this about myself and have to make an effort to keep it under control.

Back to the museum…I had the monkey strapped to me in the Bjorn and we bounced around the place trying to keep up with the boy, I’m thinking it will get real interesting when two are going in all different directions. The hubby and I are working on our tag teaming skills so hopefully will have it figured out in a year or so before the monkey learns to walk.

The hubby and I just finished watching “Crank”, it’s one of those overly violent, indulging popcorn films and I like it. Jason Statham is my new favorite actor. You can see him in the new movie “Death Race” and he was also in “Snatch”. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is I like so much about him but he definitely has presence as a leading man in all of the films I’ve seen. Check out “Bank Job”, the hubby and I saw that last weekend, that was a good one to watch and based on a true story.

I think the monkey is FINALLY on a schedule at night. For the past two nights he has only gotten up once and the first shift of sleep is now four hours I’m so not complaining. I hope to be back in my bed by the months end.

Finishing up the first week of WOE tomorrow is my last day of the deplete cycle thank goodness. Starting Tuesday my meals should be more “normal” of sort and I believe I should be back on track with breastfeeding meaning I can tell there has been a slight decrease in production and my energy level so I’m eating a bit more in portion size and drinking a ton, no…literally a ton of water every day to compensate. I have 500 calories at least I have to make up!

I’ve been weighing everyday and I know I shouldn’t…I’m fixin to throw the scale out the f’n window. Regardless of the numbers I can tell I’m shrinking and that so jazzes me. I’ve promised myself to stay off the scale and wait until Tuesday to weigh and measure…wish me luck.

Look at me posting on a Sunday!! Changes…they are a comin…stay tuned.

I’m out.

My name is Seth and I approve this message…

The hubby and I were sitting in the living room and the talking about the veggies I was going to puree and the boy piped up and told me I have to put the veggies in green bags. I ask him how he knows about green bags and he told me in a matter of fact tone that you put the veggies in the green bags so they won’t go bad and you don’t throw your money away. The hubby and I shook our heads and I laughed so hard I was in tears. That’s it…you watch way too much TV. For those that aren’t in the know the boy watches Nickelodeon pretty much every Saturday and Sunday morning and they play that commercial I would say about twenty times each day.

8 Days and Counting

I love the half days, did I mention that? I’m getting so much done and with most of my work stuff handed over my days are not too pressing, I come in, get some stuff done then it’s time to leave to be productive at home and get a bit of rest, which I’m not getting much of lately, not for more than a few hours anyway. As of next week...welll...someone elese will be making sure I don’t get more than a few hours of sleep at a time. No worries…it will be what it is. And I will have another man in my life to love!!

This weekend was another productive weekend. I HAVE A DINING room. Now that I think about it...I thought we purchased one with the house and I thought we had even bought a new table and décor a couple of years ago but it seems it went missing…for awhile. Lo and behold…we found it this weekend. We took it back from the mess and clutter and what nots and proceeded to spread the mess and clutter and what nots around. I don't know about you but I consider that progress. A couple of eBay auctions, a trip to Goodwill and the mess and clutter and the what nots will be someone elses problem. I am so happy we found the missing dining room, even though it is a room that I have never once eaten in or a table that I have never once sat at but by god we have a dining room.

It would also seem the hubby and I have finally decided on a play yard for the boy’s birthday. We found one that we think would be perfect and about 500 bones cheaper. BONUS. We are just waiting on agreement on the final config (by each other) and measurements to be sure it fits.

Yet another resolution, the popping sound from our A/C; SOLVED. It scares the bejesus out of me every morning around 2a or so. The hubby scheduled the A/C peeps to come take a look-see and when the hubby told the ever so customer friendly, educated person on the other end of the phone what our problem was the person asked if we changed the filters. The hubby let the person know we had, without fail, changed the filters, even recently and the noise was still there. The A/C person replies “I reckon I don’t know what the problem is then, normally the filter is your issue in a situation like that.” The hubby then had to turn to me for a translation as he doesn’t speak ‘redneck’ as fluently as he remembered ; whereas I responded…the filter done did broke and he there don’t know how to fix it otherwise.

With that bevy of knowledge we decided to do some ‘troubleshooting’ with the filter. Basically we took it out. PROBLEM SOLVED. For whatever reason that vent does not like the filter we use, either it is too loose or heck…I don’t know. All I know is last night…at 2am and 3am and 4am…no freaking popping noise, just the melodic sound of the hubby snoring.

The boy and I spent a lot of time together this weekend, mostly at the pool. We laughed and played, of course the playing was not enough by the boy’s standards. I’ve read a couple of places that when a child turns four something magical happens and the tantrums stop, the whining stops and they begin maturing into normal human beings. I think we may be there. The last month and a half has been great, quite enjoyable. For instance we went to dinner, AT a RESTAURANT Saturday night and we had a nice family experience. The hubby and I had a conversation or two and the boy chimed in every once awhile with his two cents. No one was being threatened, or being nagged to GET DOWN OFF THAT TABLE and I MEAN NOW. It was all quite enjoyable. The best part…Cold Stone for desert. Eight days from now, the dynamic all changes. Are we a glutton for punishment? I like to think of it as a growing opportunity as a result of the challenging time that is ahead for all of us.

BTW, I will be blogging about my extensive research on the difference between Cold Stone and Marble Slab I personally conducted during this pregnancy. Stay tuned.
Now I’m off to home to gain paper shredding experience so I will be able to add it to my resume.

OH! Jod brought me my running shoes from our gym locker, I haven't seen them in over 9 months and I believe I teared up a bit right after I hugged them. Glad to see a couple of old friends again. I'll be seein ya real soon!

Everybody’s Free to Wear Suncreen

The boy and I made the first of many pilgrimages this summer to the neighborhood pool this past weekend. We went early and it was a beautiful day. There were only two other families there and it was nice and peaceful, because the boy is able to go off on his own with the help of my watchful eye I had a lot of time to reflect on ‘the boy’. I sat on the the edge of the pool and watched my boy and his lean body play on the slide, squirt water at some unsuspecting passerby and pretty much splash around in the water without a care in the world talking to himself. So young and innocent and mine.

A bit later we went in the ‘big pool’ and I had to hold him because he doesn’t know yet how to swim (which we are rectifying in July). He clutched on to me for dear life and I had to practically pry him off of me. I was trying to get him to lie on his back and float but he would have none of that. He kept telling me “don’t let go mommy.” And I would reply “I’ll never let you go son.” Of course me being the hormonal, emotional train wreck I am these days I almost broke down right then and there.

There is something so powerful in those words for whatever reason my thoughts turned to the sadness in that statement…that yes son…one day I will have to let you go and you will have to make your way in this big bad world of ours and I only hope and pray your dad and I have given you the tools you need to be happy and successful in life. Then he splashed me in the face and the impending tears turned to exchanges of laughter and joy that I placed in that proverbial bottle with the memories I want to last forever.

Here is something to for all to reflect on…a blast from the past... Will post Baz Luhrmann – Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) later tonight.

I am in Leadership and Management training today. So far it is bareable...mostly because I'm sharing the pain with a couple of peeps I know. So far nothing I didn't learn in college but since that was...holy cow...10 years ago it is a good refresher.

Over the course of this week I've received several compliments that I don't look like I'm fixin to give birth in a little under six weeks and that I'm 'glowing' (whatever that means)perhaps the glare from the oil slick across my forward and cheeks is blinding their judgement.

Not much else exciting is going on. Trying to get through the day. Oh...the boy, you know the almost four year old boy that I make reference to almost everyday that I write on this blog...he woke up this morning and told me he could not go to school because he has a cold. (Really it was just a scratchy throat that was easily remedied with a glass of water) Seriously...YOU ARE FOUR! Who gave them their book of tricks? Did he find mine? This is so a glimpse of the future. Must...get...prepared.

Back to training...peace!

Week 32

I went to the doc today. Everything is movin along. Baby is measuring perfect and the heartbeat was 154. A LOT faster than last time but I attribute that to the Chi Vanilla Latte I pounded before my appointment. It was a rough morning and if I could have started it with a shot of tequila I so would have.

The doc made a comment about fast heartbeats and boys and she said her boy showed the same characteristics as the monkey and ended up being over 9lbs and two weeks early. This would concern most people but since I’m having a C section I’m like bring it on! Then she proceeded to say bigger babies sleep better. I’m like…seriously!! She responded casually…no…I made it up. I just look at her in disbelief...so you’re lying to me…now!! The pregnant one that has gained 32 pounds to date, that is having horrible back pain, the one sitting up here on the table that just had her feet in stirrups and your hand up her ho ha! She gave me a hug and said I just wanted to you to feel better. Uhm…thanks?

The boy had THREE meltdowns this morning THREE. I guess we were due but boy…when are you going to figure out mom does NOT do mornings. First we got dressed then it was time to turn the TV off, heaven forbid I turn the TV off in the middle of cartoons. I should be locked up due to the lack of consideration. So that was ten minutes I will never get back. Then…it was show and tell day honoring the letter G. Really, does G really need recognition? How about B, I have B stuff out the wazoo, today it HAD to be G. Is there NOTHING in our house that fits in a cubby that starts with a letter G? Ten more minutes of my life I will never get back and a wailing four year old driving to preschool and why am I not a stay at home mom? As I’m driving like a bat to get the boy to school so I can go to my doctor that is 45 minutes away (40 on a good day) I calm down and explain to my dear boy that ten minutes of a temper tantrum plus ten minutes trying to look for a G toy make for an upset mommy that becomes late for her doc appointment and he should try to be more considerate in the future. As a show of good faith and understanding he proceeds to have a meltdown outside of this classroom and doesn’t want me to leave. YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! We just had the talk; you said you understood; we agreed; give me something.

Then and there I take a deep breath and kneel down to my son, wipe away his tears and give him a big hug. I tell him mommy is irritable this morning and it has been a tough morning for all of us and how about we start over. I say to him…”good morning” and he gives me this look like “WTF…I’m at school, we are dressed I’ve had three meltdowns…good morning??? Are you off your meds?” But I digress, I take him to get some breakfast in the café and he is rewarded with a pop tart. Back in his classroom I pull out his chair, give him another hug and kiss and all is right in the world, after the three shots of tequila I keep stashed under my seats for mornings such as this.

Breathe Deeply

Oh yeah my back was in spasms all day yesterday. I went to the chiropractor…the BEST chiropractor in the whole wide world and he attempted to fix me. I only visit when I need fixin, that’s part of my problem. He adjusted me but unfortunately this time I didn’t get the quick fix I so enjoyed last time. I was pretty much down for the count when I got home. Every time I tried to walk my left side would grab. You could find me at any given area in the house by the sound of air being sucked through my teeth from the pain. Evidently the boy was having chronic back pains too; mom couldn’t have ALL the attention, selfish.

LOVE HIM!

The boy: “Mom…you look beautiful.”

One of those unplanned moments I will remember always.

Stripe 2

The boy had Taekwando last night and he totally rocked it. He is one of the smallest guys in his glass…perhaps by an inch or two, most are 5+ years old and he is the loudest. YES SIR!

Tiger testing is next week and they are trying to get everyone ready to move to the next belt, you have to have your three stripes in your current belt color in order to test to move on to the next belt. I don’t have high expectations the boy will master the third level on Monday, but I don’t count him out either. I watched a boy test for his third stripe and I’m like…holy punches and kicks batman. It was great to watch. Go lil man.

I have to note…when the older kids were getting their stripes (they go in belt color order) the boy was not happy. When his named was called his face just lit up. Oh man did he get my competitive nature. Now I have to explain you don’t get a stripe EVERY time you come to class now. Although if he wanted it bad enough…he prolly would try.

What’s on tap for the weekend? Workin on console late tonight; which I haven’t done in prolly 4 years now. Tomorrow we have a neighborhood BBQ. I’ll make a brief appearance then head out for a girls night at Nic’s house. She has an art studio and it is a wine and jewelry night. I won’t be partaking in the wine part…unfortunately but I sure am going to enjoy the girl time.

That’s about it…I’ll squeeze in planting some lilies that have needed to planted for sometime and perhaps some more organizing in preparation for the monkey. Gots to get my Disney stuff on ebay!!

Happy Friday to all and to all a good weekend!

Real Genius

The family met with the counselor yesterday afternoon and received a tremendous amount of coaching and encouragement. Our son is not a bad seed, we’re not bad parents, and we’re not screwing him up. Whoo…that’s all I needed.

Seriously, the boy was in true form yesterday afternoon. We walked into the doctor’s office and he sat in his own chair, he didn’t obviously feel he needed to be protected by his parents, and began answering questions the doctor asked him. He answered all of them very articulate and to the point. Then the doctor turned to us and asked who the intellectual was in our family. I immediately turned to the hubby and said it sure didn’t come from my side.

In a nutshell what was confirmed is that our son has advanced critical skills but is lacking socially. CHECK. He doesn’t like circle time because he doesn’t want to conform, he wants to lead. CHECK. The biting, spitting and hitting is a form of acting out because he is bored and not stimulated which frustrates him. CHECK. Taking TV away and sending him to his room is not affective at his age because he is unable to think abstractly and understand he did something 5 hours ago and mom and dad are mad and disappointed. The only thing that he sees is that we are disappointed and he wants to fix it and will say and do anything to rectify the situation at that moment. CHECK.

Solution: Look for a Montessori school. They tend to have smaller classes and focus on the child’s needs and skills. Also it was suggested that we get the boy into something to do with the arts; music, dance, or piano lessons in order to allow him to explore his creative side.

We gained some insight and we will try it out. The hard part is the Montessori school. There is one somewhat close to our house but the hubby and I need to decide when the right time would be for the move if we do decided to go that route. I’m thinking the fall since the baby is coming this summer and that is going to be enough of an adjustment for the boy.

I think the hubby and I need to sit and talk with Seth’s teacher and principle so we are all on the same page and perhaps can agree on some adjustments to make all of our lives a bit easier.

All in all I’m glad we took the boy in and received some helpful advice on how to handle behavior and adjustment situations; sounds like he is going to keep us on our toes for the next 18 years.

Updates: Me and the Boys…

The boy: Got into trouble AGAIN yesterday, spitting on a classmate. Seriously…I have no idea where he gets this crap. Wednesday cannot come soon enough. We are at our wits end. Defiance, sure, attention seeking, ok, no respect for the teacher, yeah I get it but DUDE…even those those are all things I understand could go on in a three year old I constantly ask myself, in our obsession with doing everything right did we do something to screw this kid up? I guess we will begin finding stuff out tomorrow.

The monkey: Already in position and uncomfortably moving around. Loves to play kickball with my ribs and I thought he was going to fall out entirely last night. Dude…

The hubby: Down 8 lbs but of course it looks like 15. Men suck when it comes to losing weight...they make it look easy. He has been working hard and I am very proud of him. Fixin fresh veggies, healthy dinners and lunches and cutting his portions down. Last night I asked him if I could buy two tickets to the gun show...hubba...hubba.

Weight: I’m up to 185 with 9 weeks to go, scary, the most I’ve ever weighed. I know I’m prego and I should just roll with it. Whatev, I still gotta loose all that crap AFTER the baby is born. So, I went to the store for lunch and got stuff for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, all organic, whole wheat and low sugar, pink lady apples, reduced sugar oatmeal and healthy nutty snacks. I can still eat but I’ve decided to make better choices.

Me: I said earlier I went to the doc today found out they FORGOT to give me the yucky sweet stuff on my last visit for my Glu.cose testing. I of course ate because I wasn’t instructed not to, so my prize…I get to come back on Friday. Whoo hoo!! I’m a bit frustrated because I have no vacation and I was reminded yesterday that negative vacation should only be used for emergency (I’ve been negative going on 8 of the 9 years I’ve worked here). I’m attempting to manage my time better but life has had other plans. I’ll roll with it and do what I can.

Oh…heard something on the radio this morning that was rather profound. “Stop DOING and start LIVING.” I know I’ve heard it before but for some reason it stuck this time. The statement came from a man that was saying he was old enough to be a grandpa and all of the things he wished he had done as a younger man such as pay attention to nature, take more trips, work less and worry less, enjoy more. Good words to live by in order to achieve a fulfilled life, IMO.

Cleaned out the medicine cabinet yesterday after work, the only reason I mention it is because 1. I can’t believe the amount of EXPIRED crap we had in there (about ¾ of the crap). 2. Need a band-aid…we’ve got Dora, Cars, Shrek, Scooby-Doo, Spiderman, Clear, Brown…small, medium and large…you got a favorite I’m sure we own it. 3. I rock at organizing. I wouldn’t say I have full blown OCD but maybe I suffer ~25%. I am way “Sleep.ing with the En.emy” when it comes to labels on cans and bottles. MUST FACE FORWARD, the beatings are only given if I have to remind the hubby more than once a week, it just makes since. I bought shelf stands for the cabinets and various sizes of take away tupperw.are and labeled them, magnificent work if I must say.

Lucky Stripe

The boy got his first stripe for self defense last Thursday. Of course I’m the proud, competitive mom and noticed there is a boy that is older and started about a week or two before the boy and HE doesn’t have his first stripe. Don’t let me paint a picture of being that overbearing mom that only sees her son as an overachiever and he has to WIN at everything cause that’s not me…on the outside. I would only admit this to my hubby and my blog. BUT…you go son.

Week 29…Jeepers only 9 more weeks to go.

Friday the hubby and I took off work. We did a ton of stuff, our donations were picked up, I was able to take back the toy room and get it under control and as organized as it could be. The rest of the day was bevy of errands. It was nice to have the day and even though we were not able to spend ‘quality’ time together we made the most of it.

Saturday seems just a blurry. The boy and I went to his school for a couple of hours for the Spring carnival. It was nice, thankfully we went early because I heard it got crazy in the afternoon. As crazy as a day care carnival could get; I picture socs and the greasers challenging each other to a mean game of dodge ball. First rule of playground dodge ball…there are no rules. Heavy stuff…

After naps we headed down south to our friend Nicole’s BBQ housewarming. It was very nice; she even thought ahead and got a moon walk for the kids to keep them occupied. There were babies and food a plenty. It even got chilly out so we broke out the fire pit. We headed out around 10 but I heard they raved until 4. Yeah…I’m too old for that crap.

Sunday the boy woke up with a horrible cough and he and I had a jammie day. I was nice but I was a bit irritable as well…don’t really have a good reason why…oh yeah…I’m pregnant and that is a good enough reason. He and I slept a lot and tried to keep it low keep so he wouldn’t get full blown sick. This morning he seemed to have recovered nicely.

The behavior chart worked for a couple of days then he lost it on Friday. This weekend was ok…better than last but not stellar. Holding out until Wednesday, come on…have a good day today.

Doc appointment tomorrow.