Monday, May 25, 2009

He beat me to it.

For months now, I have been thinking that I was going to start getting about weaning D once he turned a year old. Visions of cute shirts, nights away, and being able to take pills without worrying about passing them to D through my milk danced through my head. But then, as his birthday got closer, I started second guessing that decision. For the most part nursing was really rewarding.  We were down to just four nursing sessions a day--once when he woke up, right before his morning and afternoon nap, and then again, at bedtime.  More importantly, they were so sweet and pleasant--and the only real alone time I got to spend with my little one. While, in the past, D used to start to drift off when he was down eating, more recently, at the end of a meal he would pop off and look up at me with the biggest smile on his face as if he was saying "Thanks Mama!".   We also had quite a few giggling sessions during this time. Sometimes I would think of something funny that had happened earlier and smile, other times, D's wandering hand would make me laugh as it grabbed at my mouth, hair, eye, whatever.  In both cases my laughter would cause D to start to laughing  and try to eat at the same time, which was such a funny sight that I would start cracking up. My attempts to refrain from laughing only made everything seem funnier, which led to more laughter until both of us were cracking up.  

So, on Friday when D started to bite me instead of eating, I was irritated but not overly concerned. He had bitten me before in the experimental ways that babies often do. But on Saturday when he refused to nurse in the morning and then the afternoon, I got more and more upset.   I have to admit his adamant Mr Cranky Pants refusals at the mere suggestion of nursing hurt my feelings.  What had changed so quickly?  Why did he not want to spend that special time with me anymore?  Of course, there are abundant theories from the experts about what may cause a nursing strike.  Apparently most babies wean more gradually, but as Dave pointed out, D hasn't done anything slowly to date.   Because he is a already a year old, I am conflicted about to do--accept it or try to fight it?  Perhaps I should just consider myself lucky that I won't have to go through the difficulty of weaning an unwilling participant.   It seems my other options are to keep shoving my boob in his face or try holding off on giving him other food until he is willing to nurse again.  The more I ponder it though, I am coming to the conclusion that this is yet another case where I don't really get to call the shots.   Just because I am his mama doesn't mean I get to make all the decisions.   I can suggest, cajole, and provide some rather limited options, but ultimately I suppose, D  is in charge of what he eats and how he does it.   And really, whenever nursing is over I will have bittersweet feelings whether it was this weekend or in a few months.  

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Mizz tells time

Mizz just looked at the clock and told me it four minutes to seven.   He can do this with both digital and analog clocks.  I guess it pays to have a semi obsession.  

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Day in Review--According to Mizz

When Dave was tucking Mizz in to bed tonight, he asked him what was the coolest thing he did today.  Mizz got a haircut complete with balloon, sticker, and lollipop, went for a wagon ride, played excitedly with his new water table, read new library books, ate a yummy grilled dinner.  The highlight?  Sliding down the box that the water table came in.  I've give it to him--it was a creative use of the box, he crushed it just enough to make a slide for him and D.  He also enjoyed popping in and out of it.  Boxes are fun.  At one point, I even indulged him and climbed into.  D thought that was hysterical and then proceeded to thump so loudly on the top, I am surprised I can still hear. It was a really fun day.  I love summer. 

More Pics!











Rhodie Madness
















We went to my favorite local garden--Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The blooms were spectacular!

I love summer.

Our house just expanded by about five hundred square feet now that we are spending all our time outside.  The yard looks so beautiful with so many new interesting additions.  And we have added a number of new kid "features" that are guaranteed to keep Mizz and D occupied for a hours and hours.  Mizz has now been promoted to assistant gardener and has his very own patch to tend--complete with some red flowers he picked out and planted.  Perhaps he'll learn something about plant tending and, at the very least, he can make mud pies to his heart's content.  I also somewhat guiltily bought a water table for the boys.  More plastic, more money blown.  I am mollifying my guilt by planning lots of activities that can stretch the use of the table and am confident that it will get years of use and then passed on.   

Last night after the kids went to bed Dave and I set up a table al fresco, cracked open some crappy Mexican beer, and played trivia pursuit under the stars.  Dave trounced me but it was so fun I didn't care too much.  I am going to soak up as much sun as possible this season.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

New Cookware!



In addition to getting a great deal on them, D loves them! Fear not, there are no plans on roasting the baby. I am going to make some scrumptious mac and cheese for my wee ones today. The pots are so beautiful it has taken me awhile to get over my fear of messing them up.

D's Birthday Party Pics

The weather could not have been more perfect for D's inaugural birthday bash. The kids occupied themselves with bubbles, balls, and the sandbox. The grown ups indulged in margaritas, cervezas, and wicked chips and dip. D showed off his walking skills and general adorableness. I think he must have known the party was all about him.




The cake recipes were fairly involved and we finished them right before the first guests arrived. Thanks Grandpa and Tutu for your help! They were delicious! In addition to the super rich and dense chocolate cake, we also served lemon cupcakes filled with lemon butter and frosting to die for. Max was thrilled as he had been clamoring for cake since he woke up, "I WANT CAKE!....LET'S EAT THE CAKE!...IS IT TIME FOR THE CAKE?" Actually he was very excited about D's birthday and has been talking about it a lot.

D did not know what to make of the cake and almost managed to fling the plate off the tray. He did eat a few morsels, played with it a bunch, and then devoured some of the lemon cake. That's my boy!

At the end of the party we smashed a pinata. Mizz has some work to do on his swing. Dave's swing is just fine, he managed to launch the pinata right off the string, straight towards me. Mizz apparently still had room for the CANDY!

Thursday, May 07, 2009

D Money Eve

In seven hours, D turns one year old.  Which means a year ago I was one huge, nervous, and excited pregnant mama.  One year later, I am almost back to my non pregnant shape and less nervous, but the excitement remains.  D is changing at such a fast past--I forgot how fast the first year goes!  Especially with D who has an older brother to keep up with...he learned to crawl in three weeks, and now is on track to do the same with walking.  He has the silliest sense of humor and a mellow temperant, except when he is determined to do something, in which case any intervention will be met with a quick and furious temper.  His mini "tantrums" are hilarious now but I wonder what next year will bring.  As it stands now, D has earned his nickname "Scrappy" in the baby room because of his tendency to climb over other babies, steal their pacifiers, and pull their hair--while being the tiniest one in the room.   

A big part the aforementioned nervousness a year ago was about how D's existence would affect Mizz.  People had all kinds of advice about how to introduce the idea of another sibling to Mizz and include him in the major changes to come.  And while many of the ideas were helpful, I have no doubt that a lot of the "behavior" we saw this year in Mizz was due in part to D's prized role as the baby.  Yet, Mizz has been so gentle and thoughtful toward D and is constantly entertaining him.  My heart melts every time Mizz gets excited and claps for something that D has learned to do.  I hope that they will be life long friends.  I remember my own relationship with my brother and how much fun we had together and am thrilled that they have each other.