Bad Mommy Moment (or, Something Happened on the Way to Gymnastics Class)

It's funny how plans change in just a moment. On Mondays for the past 2 weeks we have been taking Jackson to a preschool gymnastics class ,which he loves. We had a (rare) head start getting out the door, so we made a quick stop at Walgreen's to buy formula and more Puffs (Tucker can be a little Puffs addict). I parked right in front of the store to make the unloading/loading carseat process easier.

Now, I have a system for getting the boys out of the car. I let Jackson out of his seat, and he stands behind Tucker's car seat while I get Tucker out. I then back out holding Tucker, and continue to hold Tucker while I help Jackson out of the car. I don't know if this is the best system, but it's OUR system and it's worked thus far. Well, that went all well and good today, except as I was getting out with Tucker, my pants leg caught on the floorboard (the Element has a thing that sticks out); I lost my balance and I fell (and poor Tucker, having no control over the situation, fell with me). I lost control of Tucker about halfway down - I landed on my butt (well-padded, so no injury for me), and Tucker landed partially on me (good), but his head hit the pavement (bad).

Tucker almost immediately cries. I get Jackson out of the car and we all head into the store. I just wanted someone to look at the back of Tucker's head - the mommies out there may agree that it's hard to look at a child's injury while you're comforting that child. So, we head in, and in that short amount of time, Tucker has calmed down and is flirting with the salesgals in Walgreen's. The salesgals up front send us back to pharmacist, who calls the store manager, who says they have to call 911 to send the EMT since it happened on their property (i.e. they understandably want to avoid a lawsuit).

In the meantime I try to call the pediatrician, but the EMTs arrive VERY quickly(the fire deparment is almost next door to store, with just the park in between the two). They check Tucker out and seemed pretty confident that he did not sustain a concussion but ask if I want the ambulance (no) and suggest we go to the pediatrician.

So we head for the doctor's office, who gets a phone call from me in transit saying "we're heading down there". As I know my husband will want to know what happened, and particularly since the EMTs know my husband, I make sure that the next call is to him. The doctor checks my youngest son out - my poor little Tucker who has been held for almost two hours solid (my wrist still hurts) by the time we leave the doctor; we wants to get down so badly but also wants to be held - she declares that he is totally OK.

We got home and Tucker crawled and played; he ate his dinner and even some of Jackson's soft french fries (Jackson got a Wacky Pack for behaving well at the doctor). And I feel like we totally lucked out.

Need to explain the previous post...

This week has been draining. Tucker has come down with his first cold, but luckily it's been without complications. No fever, so all we need to do is run the humidifier at night and dose him with Triaminic (today was the first day since early Tuesday morning that we have not given him the stuff).

Anyway, so the last post ended the day in which Tucker came down sick (just coughing at that point). Jackson was an absolute little terror (I love him, but he's approaching 3 and it's the truth). Just before A came home, our day capped with me on the phone with the pediatrician's nurse, trying to get the dosage for the Triaminic, when Jackson pulled a poop out of his diaper and showed it to me.

Nice.

On the Move...

We're in trouble now. Tucker's probably just a very few days from crawling. He's up on all fours and doing the "bounce move". He can move forward quite a few feet, but he's not truly crawling yet - it's more upper-armstrength than anything.

I am so proud of him for reaching this stage. I know he loves being able to get around more - he's so squirmy, so very active. However, now we really need to get Jackson more into the "keeping the 3+ toys away from Tucker and put away" thing. Those Matchbox cars are like a magnet for Tucker - and yes, Tucker already loves cars and trucks and everything with wheels.
He turns 6 months on February 1. We also go to the doctor that day, so I am looking forward to seeing just how much the big man has grown.

Sibling Rivalry at its Finest: My mom was here to watch the boys the other day, and Jackson told my mom to take Tucker home with her.

I love it. I kiss it. I love it again.

I got a new digital camera - a Canon Digital Rebel XT - for my birthday from A, and it's so freakin' awesome. As Jackson would say: "I love it. I kiss it. I love it again."

I am still working my way around getting used to the camera - it's my first SLR - but I made these two shots yesterday and today. The one of the boys is so cool, I think I am going to put that one on the wall!

Father and Son - Photo Deleted

Jackson and Tucker - Photo Deleted

Jackson thought it was hilarious and so awesome that Tucker would sit in his lap (well, between his legs). Tucker did keep sliding down - I think he wanted to keep his eye on Jackson - but this camera is so much faster, I was able to get a couple of well-posed shots out of the 10 (more or less) that I took. Jackson did VERY well, I must say - more genuine grins than cheesy grins this time!

And this, folks, is why we had another...

Watching these two interact as brothers brings a smile to my face every time.

(Except the rare occasions when Jackson forgets Tucker is a baby, and throws something hard and plastic his way).

Jackson loves making the little guy laugh, and usually succeeds. He laughs at Tucker a lot too.

We're working on rice cereal with Tucker - and boy can that fellow eat, so we're moving to peas soon - and Jackson thinks Tucker eating cereal is hilarious since he makes such a mess.

Just today Jackson pulled his chair right in front of Tucker in the high chair, and informed me that "We're talking, Mommy".

We're working on sharing, but right now that works to our advantage since Tucker doesn't need to chew on Jackson's toys anyway. Matchbox cars were not made for baby's mouths. Jackson is fast going to have to learn to keep his toys put away, since the day that Tucker decides to crawl is fast approaching. He can put his legs under his body, and he's strong, so it's really just a matter of figuring things out.

Oh, am I in for it when they're both mobile...

Christmas Wrapup

I've been a terrible blogger lately. But here's the lowdown on the past couple of weeks or so since I've blogged last.

Christmas was great. Jackson was way excited about the Christmas tree, which we actually made sure to put up a couple of weeks before the big day. He spent a lot of time admiring the ornaments and removing a few from the tree. Luckily I kept the non-breakable "sacrificial" ornaments at his level. Also over the past couple of weeks, Jackson has decided that he will not be called "Jack", but he is "Jackson". I have been calling him "Jack" for almost three years now, so it's a bit of an adjustment. But it's his name, and I'm respecting his feelings on the matter.

We discovered the source of Tucker's constant chewing. Two teeth arrived just in time for Christmas, while we were at their Granna and Pa's house (my inlaws). Jackson got a tractor for Christmas from them, as well as other goodies. Unfortunately he won't get on it yet. "It's scary." But he's fascinated with it and I am sure by spring, when we have some good weather, he'll want to be on this all the time:

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Christmas morning and day was toy overload. We could hardly get them (Jackson primarily) to eat or sleep for all the new toys. In our attempts to expand his interests beyond all-things-auto, Jackson got a castle Christmas morning:

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Of course, the next day cars had managed to defeat the knights to take ownership of the castle.

Jackson was more than happy to help Tucker unwrap and play with his gifts.

Happy 2007 everyone!

Chillin' at my Folks

I should be going to bed, but thought I'd take this opportunity for a quick post.

First a quick kiddo update - Tucker went to the doctor for his 4 mo. checkup, weighing in a 16.1 lbs! He's now 75th percentile in both height and weight, so good and proportional. He's doing great.

A's at a conference in Virginia all this week, so the kiddos and I are at my folks' house since they only live an hour away, and live closer to my office than I do too. One week without another adult around would just be too much. Anyway, Tucker and Jack are having a great time being spoiled, but not without incident. They've both been "Mr. Late Night Party" for several nights now, and finally both of them went to bed decently tonight (our 4th night here). Additionally, we had to remove the baby gate yesterday, as Jack pushed against it too hard and fell down two steps, scaring the h-e-double hockey sticks out of me and him (I've since read online that those gates are really only guaranteed until about 24 mos.).

We talked about it this morning, Jack and I, as I wanted to be sure he was aware that the gate is down, and that he needs to be more careful around the stairs.

Me: Jack, remember yesterday? How you fell on the stairs?
Jack (ticked off look of concentration).
Me: Papaw took the gate down. So be careful around the stairs, OK?
Jack: I cryin'.
Me: Baby, I know you cried. It scared me too.

My Little Chatterbox

Not too long ago I blogged a bit about Jack's speech delay. Just months ago, while he was right where he should be, even ahead, regarding receptive language, he was VERY behind in regards to expressive language and had a language delay of almost a year (at around 19 mos. old he was tested and had no words at all; at 2 he only had four words total).

Well, since Jack receives speech therapy through the state, he was due a review to see if he still even qualified for speech therapy. Jack talks about 90 miles a minute these days, so I assumed he was not going to need therapy any longer, but requested that his therapist do another evaluation to be sure (plus I just wanted to know where we stand).

I am VERY proud to report that, regarding expressive language, Jack rated at almost 3.5 years - he's 2 yrs., 7 mos. - almost a year ahead of his actual age. We were floored and thrilled. So Jack is doing incredibly well, needless to say.

Tucker's doing great. He turns 4 mos. old this Friday. He's also a little chatterbox - he makes a lot of noise, that one - and he's just about to sit up on his own. We think he's been working on some teeth too over the last month, which would not be surprising if he follows Jack's pattern - Jack's first teeth appeared at around 4.5 mos.

We had a great Thanksgiving, even though some of our loved ones could not make it due to a stomach virus (what a day to get one, poor things). Food was eaten, football was watched, Lego Star Wars was played. I think Tucker enjoyed his first Turkey Day:

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We're now officially into Christmas - we put up the tree just last night and Jack LOVES IT. We're working on learning some Christmas tunes - Jack loves singing. Jack and Tucker's Granna got them Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the boys have been enjoying that.

And I apologize for the lack of bloggery lately - between running after the boys, working and trying to exercise (that's new starting this week - I need to fit in my clothes better and am generally just not happy about the state of things regarding my shape) - it's just too busy around here to make time!

Daddy Fix It

OK, I'm going to preface this with a little journey into the past.

Christmas 1980. We're all at my Aunt & Uncle's home for Christmas. My cousin Rachel - who, might I add, I practically worshipped as a child - got a nice, new, BEE-YOO-TI-FUL Barbie dollhouse for Christmas. I'm two, so what do I do? Stick my head in it. Through the front door. Guess I needed a better look.

I don't know if they buttered my head or just turned it the right way, but somehow both the dollhouse and I managed to get out of that without any permanent damage.

Why this trip into the past, you're wondering?

Saturday, while I was away at work, Jack managed to climb into Tucker's crib - a big no-no, and he knows it. While up there, he pokes his leg out through the slats, and he's stuck. Screaming bloody murder, from what I was told.

A didn't have a saw, so he just had to get a hammer and beat the crib until it busted to free Jack's leg. He's unscathed. Unfortunately the crib, although glued, has a nice, long crack in it. We're hoping it holds until Tucker's ready for the toddler bed. It seems secure.

So what lesson doesJack learn from this experience? Well, first A told me that he tried to climb in the crib AGAIN. Then:

Jack sticking his leg through the (wider) slats on our glider...
Heather, my sister-in-law (paraphrased): Jack, what if your leg gets stuck again?
Jack: Daddy fix it.

He's a Charmer, Ain't He?

Tucker at 2 months....

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Watch him work that grin! He is a big smiler - loves being talked and sung to, and loves sitting up.

After a rough day today (translation: Jack went two days in a row without taking a nap, and was extra crabby and independent as a result, meaning loads of fun for me), I decided I need to pay some more attention to myself. This probably sounds very selfish, but I have neglected hobbies that I think I should take more time for. For example, I bought Adobe Elements from Amazon back in May to further my photography (not that I'm any sort of professional) and have yet to open the box. That is just sad.

So I am uploading the software tonight, just after posting this blog. I owe it to myself. I think I'll be less stressed as a result, therefore making me a better mom to the boys, and a better wife to A.

I'm also getting back into piano. I played for several years, and in addition to that played keyboard, flute, and mallets all during high school. I then quit cold turkey upon entering college. I am really missing it these days, so A and I have decided to purchase this nice piece of equipment:

The beauty is that, not only will I enjoy playing this thing - making memories with the boys of playing music for them and with them - but also, I want both boys to at least try to learn playing the piano, something you just can't do with a keyboard, which is what I have now. I tried this out at Sam Ash the other day and it sounds awesome; plus it's smaller than a real piano and easier to maintain (no tuning; should we ever decide to move one day we would not have to hire movers just for one piece). So I'm selling my old keyboard; a Concertmate 900, for $50. Any takers?

Quick Kiddo Update

Tucker had his 2 mo. checkup today, weighing in at 14.1 lbs. (90-95th percentile) and 23 1/2 in. (75th). He's going to be outta that infant seat before we know it... His doc said he holds his head up like a 6 mo. old, and he pulled out the charm and flashed a big grin for her.

Jack's vocabulary is growing. His latest phrases include "Go Away". This evening it was "Go away, Mommy". I'm not really sure what it's all about, but I'm sure there's some two-year-old independence going on there. Last Tuesday we had out first incident of pushing another child down - luckily the mom was very understanding (I think something along the lines of "Boys will be boys" was said) - luckily he did not repeat it again, so hopefully Jack won't grow up to be the bully. I don't want a weakling either, but somewhere in between would be quite nice...

I know someone's about to wake up, so I'll keep this quick...

Just a quick post to let everyone know that all is well in our household. Tucker's 4 week checkup was just over a week ago, and kiddo weighed in at 11 lbs., 9 oz. Child is a chunk! Especially when compared to skinny little Jack. But he's healthy and thriving and we couldn't be happier. We're having a hard time getting him to sleep once he's laid down, so there's lots of napping in swings going on these days. And due to the issues of getting two children to nap at the same time each day so I can work, I'm going back to working nights, which can be so hard. As far as working, it works out because I'm truly more of a night person, but when I work that makes me stay up later at night because I am wired from working, and that just makes it so much harder to wake up bright and early each morning to care for the boys. However, as Tucker grows this will all change and work itself out.

And Tucker's crying for a bottle now, so I'm cutting this post short...

Still around...

Blogging is hard with two boys! Scratch that - life is a serious adjustment when you go from one kiddo to two. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome - I love these boys more than I ever thought possible - but it's a serious adjustment. Personal time is VERY hard to find these days - life is very full.

I was telling my friend the other day that you forget about how life is with a newborn. Much like childbirth, you just kind of wipe that out of your head. I think God did that so we'd keep on reproducing... You forget so quickly about those 1am diaper changes, about getting hosed during said diaper change, about surviving on so little sleep.... But with a second child (or third, fourth, etc...) you have a better feeling about it - a knowledge that he will grow so very quickly, that the newborn phase will pass by in a blink, and next thing you know, he'll be walking and talking.

Jack has been adjusting famously - better than I thought he might. He loves when Tucker is in the bouncy seat - Jack will turn on the bouncy seat and its keyboard and just watch... There's been very little reverting - wanting to watch the Baby Einstein DVDs again (all the time), and some more "yelling", which sounds like Tucker's crying - Jack's a smart cookie, and I am sure he has realized that Tucker's needs are met almost instantaneously.

Speaking of Jack, speech therapy started about a month ago, but by that time Jack had 50 words! He now has about 150 words, and strings them together quite well - ex. "I get ball", "Mommy do it" (his favorite sentence to say these days). So the speech therapist is primarily concentrating on pronunciation.

Anyway, I'm probably pushing it by posting so much - the boys are napping, but Tucker is quite the voracious eater and I'm sure he will be up any moment - but here are some photos:

Ever seen jaundice? That's what it looks like. Cleared up within a couple of days, but boy did we have a little pumpkin there for a while...

My Boys....

Tucker arrived at 2:02pm on August 1. He and his Daddy share a birthday, which is pretty special. He weighed 8 lbs., 8.6 oz. at birth - he's sucking formula and pumped milk like it's going out of style though, so he will definitely be growing fast! He has dark brown hair and brown eyes.

After some hesitation (he first saw me holding Tucker and said "Bye Baby") Jack is adjusting well to life as a big brother. It's going to be a lot of fun watching these two grow up together!!

This baby's getting evicted...

Unless he chooses to come on his own in the next 26.5 hours, this baby's getting his eviction notice LATE Monday night - midnight, to be exact. Looks like we'll have two boys that entered this world via a healthy dose of Pitocin to speed the process along. So hello induction!

I'll post pictures of the new addition sometime soon...

No Baby Yet

Thought I'd pop in so people don't think we've had this baby yet! He's not due until Tuesday, so he could still come on his own...however, my OB scheduled an induction for July 31 (midnight, so baby would arrive August 1, A's birthday). She would have scheduled the induction sooner, but our hospital is pretty booked up for inductions! There are other hospitals in the area, but this one is known for labor & delivery - kind of their specialty - and since we went there before, we're going for it again. Anyway, now we're just playing the waiting game. And we're not very patient people, but I guess we have to be.

We got some good news on the leg last Tuesday - I'm off crutches. The doc actually said that I would "ween myself off crutches over the next 2-3 days" but I was off those puppies within 15 minutes! FREEDOM! I'm still in the boot for about another week, and then after that I can kiss the boot goodbye!

How do I love thee, Matchbox?

We've been trying to get Jack to at least SIT on the potty, off and on, very low pressure, for the past few months.

I was trying to think of ways to bribe him to try to pee in the potty when A came up with the most brilliant of ideas.

Matchbox Cars.

After trying for the past few days, Jack finally peed in the potty tonight, to enormous applause from his Mommy and Daddy. And he got his car.

We're so proud.

In Baby 2 news - we had an ultrasound last Friday and this kid's going to be bigger - an estimated weight of 8 lbs. (Jack was born at 7 lbs.) and a head in the 99th percentile (eek!) which makes me a little nervous about delivery. Hopefully we'll get to meet this fellow soon!

Baby Update

I've been a huge slacker on posting. It seems like all I do on the computer is work, work, work, check email, read some blogs, and that's it... Anyway, baby is due in 2 weeks. So far, nothing to report. At the doctor last Friday she could not tell if his head is down, so this Friday we have our 4th ultrasound - that's right, 4 ultrasounds with this pregnancy. Thank goodness for insurance, I guess. Right now is just a waiting game to see when he will arrive. A thinks that Deuce will make his grand entrance on July 12 - Wednesday - so we'll see if he's right. I have no clue. Jack was born a week late (induced) so I'm not sure if this will go the same way, or if I will go into actual labor. We finally got the nursery painted, and my bag (mostly) packed for the hospital, so I feel ready for the littlest man's arrival!