Just yesterday I was telling Andy's family how Ivan is not that much of a physically adventurous child, meaning, he's very cautious and completely not interested in climbing. Did I jinx myself by thinking that and saying it out loud too many times?
Today apparently, while my dad looked away, Ivan climbed up on a chair and then on the dining room table to get blueberries.
Also today, my mom found him climbed up and sitting in his big Phil & Ted stroller. (He's been practicing the climbing into teh stroller since last week, both the little Chicco stroller and the big stroller. I figured it was because he was very intrigued by how the clasps work on both the strollers and on his high chair.)
So I guess so much for not climbing.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Current Food Choices: Crackers, Peas, Blueberries, and Milk
Ivan's been a really finicky eater this week again. I hope it's just a teething consequence. In addition to milk, all he wants to eat are blueberries, crackers, string cheese and peas.
He eats blueberries all day long (and a few months ago, I couldn't get one near his mouth). He also shares them with me.
Crackers are also a big hit. He's even learned the word.
String cheese, the low-fat kind I buy for myself and Mariposa, is also a bit hit. I think it's the fact that he wants to eat it himself, holding the package. (He's done the same with a banana today.)
He also likes my sauteed peas. He doesn't want to eat any other veggies (or any other sauteed veggies, such as carrots), but he's big on peas. He'll eat them if I feed them to him, he tries to spoon them himself, or, when everything else fails, he'll eat them with his fingers.
It's interesting because he really prefers foods that have a lot of taste, not bland baby foods. For example, yesterday he insisted on eating (blue corn) chips and salsa. I suspect it was partially because his Dadda was eating it so he wanted to eat the same. (This behavior is the only thing that explains why he likes to drink our homemade, unsweetened, bitter iced tea.) But Andy was also eating other foods last night, of which Ivan wanted none.
No longer his favorites:
He seems to have backed of yo-yo yogurt. Until recently he'd eat 2-3 yogurts a day, and that would be all he'd want to eat. (He'd go into the refrigerator to get the yogurt himself) This week, he's barely eaten a yogurt a day.
He no longer want to eat baby gerger cereal with apple sauce. I guess he's no longer a baby. This used to be his favorite food not so long ago.
He eats blueberries all day long (and a few months ago, I couldn't get one near his mouth). He also shares them with me.
Crackers are also a big hit. He's even learned the word.
String cheese, the low-fat kind I buy for myself and Mariposa, is also a bit hit. I think it's the fact that he wants to eat it himself, holding the package. (He's done the same with a banana today.)
He also likes my sauteed peas. He doesn't want to eat any other veggies (or any other sauteed veggies, such as carrots), but he's big on peas. He'll eat them if I feed them to him, he tries to spoon them himself, or, when everything else fails, he'll eat them with his fingers.
It's interesting because he really prefers foods that have a lot of taste, not bland baby foods. For example, yesterday he insisted on eating (blue corn) chips and salsa. I suspect it was partially because his Dadda was eating it so he wanted to eat the same. (This behavior is the only thing that explains why he likes to drink our homemade, unsweetened, bitter iced tea.) But Andy was also eating other foods last night, of which Ivan wanted none.
No longer his favorites:
He seems to have backed of yo-yo yogurt. Until recently he'd eat 2-3 yogurts a day, and that would be all he'd want to eat. (He'd go into the refrigerator to get the yogurt himself) This week, he's barely eaten a yogurt a day.
He no longer want to eat baby gerger cereal with apple sauce. I guess he's no longer a baby. This used to be his favorite food not so long ago.
Teething May Be Over; But Back on the Bottle
This round of teething may be over. The height of it seemed to be on Wednesday, when Ivan kept his hands in his mouth, seemed constantly in pain, and had serious trouble falling and staying a sleep. He'd wake up every 30 minutes or so and cry until he'd find his bottle.
I gave him so much cold milk to drink that night, since that was the only thing that soothed him, that in the morning his diaper was beyond soaked as were his pyjama pants and a onesie.
Yesterday he went to bed more easily and stayed asleep. The same thing this evening. It's 11:30 p.m. and not a peep from him since we put him to bed.
I think seven teeth came in. At least seven teeth that I could spy (four on the bottom and three on the top, including his first top molar.)
He's also been grinding his teeth today -- it was both visible and audible. Very funny. He's quite serious about it too.
The problem now is that all the gaines achieved in getting rid of the bottle have been reversed (how economist speak of me), and we're back to the bottle full time. Today, he kept wanting to do nothing else by drink milk. He's been walking with the bottle dangling from his mouth all afternoon. Maybe it's still the teeth, or maybe it's the bottle addiction back with a vengeance.
(He's learned to go to the refrigerator and point to the milk carton to give him milk. It's actually really cute. He's been doing this with other food items as well:
standing in front of the cupboard, yelling "kek" to get a cookie
going into the fridge to get blueberries "bulbul"
going to the fruitbowl to get a banana, or "nana" in Ivan-speak
I gave him so much cold milk to drink that night, since that was the only thing that soothed him, that in the morning his diaper was beyond soaked as were his pyjama pants and a onesie.
Yesterday he went to bed more easily and stayed asleep. The same thing this evening. It's 11:30 p.m. and not a peep from him since we put him to bed.
I think seven teeth came in. At least seven teeth that I could spy (four on the bottom and three on the top, including his first top molar.)
He's also been grinding his teeth today -- it was both visible and audible. Very funny. He's quite serious about it too.
The problem now is that all the gaines achieved in getting rid of the bottle have been reversed (how economist speak of me), and we're back to the bottle full time. Today, he kept wanting to do nothing else by drink milk. He's been walking with the bottle dangling from his mouth all afternoon. Maybe it's still the teeth, or maybe it's the bottle addiction back with a vengeance.
(He's learned to go to the refrigerator and point to the milk carton to give him milk. It's actually really cute. He's been doing this with other food items as well:
standing in front of the cupboard, yelling "kek" to get a cookie
going into the fridge to get blueberries "bulbul"
going to the fruitbowl to get a banana, or "nana" in Ivan-speak
Another pretend-SAHM week (i.e. vacation week) comes to an end
This past week I've been on vacation because my parents, i.e. the babysitters, again, are away. Not that I mind. I have to admit to myself that I am quite grateful for having a job with so much leave time, a really non-essential work position which allows me to take time off, and most importantly a boss who's fine with it (or so it appears to me).
Since returning to work a bit more over a year ago, it's worked out that I've taken a week off every quarter or so; actually, this year, I took time off in April (two weeks), June (one week) and now (one week). Yes, quite cushy, I admit.
Considering that I always joke that our rather worn, 60 plus year-old house, which could definitely be completely renovated, feels much more like our second summer country home, especially during the summer months when there is a lot of indoor/outdoor porch living, these times off have really felt like a vacation, although I really didn't set a foot outside my house. (This house illusion works well and allows me not to dwell on the fact that it would be much nicer to live a new house where everything works perfectly, where appliances and plumbing and electricity are state of the art, where there isn't 60 years worth of other people's dust and countless layers of paint on the walls, where the floorboards don't creak, and where there isn't dampness and mold in our basement.)
These weeks off have been my pretend SAHM times, which I've greatly enjoyed. Spending time with Ivan on my own during the week has a different pace and feel to it than our weekend family time. It's really helped me connect to him and see his grow and developed and be the one who's introduced him to new foods, practiced eating with him (using utensils), teach him other new stuff, etc.....otherwise, most of these things would've happened without me.
On many occasions I've even considered the fact that I think I may enjoy becoming a stay-at-home-mom, or maybe this is just my itching to do something else in life (the something else still being rather undefined after a decade long search for it), which is probably my longing for not having to need to work but be free of the 9-5 grind. (although I do like my job, my communications profession and my work environment, both the issues and the people).
Also much to my surprise, I'm really have a great time during the day with Ivan--I actually know what to do with Ivan. (This was the concern that I had, and other countless child-less women do, before I had him--what does one do with a baby all day long? doesn't it get boring?) I must say that overall I've had a blast.
Now could I really do this full time? Probably not. Ideally I'd like to be able to work 3-4 days a week. But since that's not an option, it's not even worth dwelling on it.
Since returning to work a bit more over a year ago, it's worked out that I've taken a week off every quarter or so; actually, this year, I took time off in April (two weeks), June (one week) and now (one week). Yes, quite cushy, I admit.
Considering that I always joke that our rather worn, 60 plus year-old house, which could definitely be completely renovated, feels much more like our second summer country home, especially during the summer months when there is a lot of indoor/outdoor porch living, these times off have really felt like a vacation, although I really didn't set a foot outside my house. (This house illusion works well and allows me not to dwell on the fact that it would be much nicer to live a new house where everything works perfectly, where appliances and plumbing and electricity are state of the art, where there isn't 60 years worth of other people's dust and countless layers of paint on the walls, where the floorboards don't creak, and where there isn't dampness and mold in our basement.)
These weeks off have been my pretend SAHM times, which I've greatly enjoyed. Spending time with Ivan on my own during the week has a different pace and feel to it than our weekend family time. It's really helped me connect to him and see his grow and developed and be the one who's introduced him to new foods, practiced eating with him (using utensils), teach him other new stuff, etc.....otherwise, most of these things would've happened without me.
On many occasions I've even considered the fact that I think I may enjoy becoming a stay-at-home-mom, or maybe this is just my itching to do something else in life (the something else still being rather undefined after a decade long search for it), which is probably my longing for not having to need to work but be free of the 9-5 grind. (although I do like my job, my communications profession and my work environment, both the issues and the people).
Also much to my surprise, I'm really have a great time during the day with Ivan--I actually know what to do with Ivan. (This was the concern that I had, and other countless child-less women do, before I had him--what does one do with a baby all day long? doesn't it get boring?) I must say that overall I've had a blast.
Now could I really do this full time? Probably not. Ideally I'd like to be able to work 3-4 days a week. But since that's not an option, it's not even worth dwelling on it.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Teething Continues
The last two days have been pretty uneventful, except for teething.
I spied yesterday, while Ivan was on a swing and I could look inside the top of his mouth while he was laughing, that he has at least three teeth breaking through on his upper gum -- one molar and the third set of front teeth -- in addition to the teeth on the lower gum.
Today, he's been very cranky and sniffly. This evening/night he keeps waking up, actually not waking up, just crying in his sleep every so often. The only thing that works is milk (or ice water right now) in his bottle. As soon as he finds his bottle, he's OK.
We've given him a bit of Tylenon; hopefully, it's helping.
(This is the first time he's been noticeable irritated and in pain because of his teeth.)
I spied yesterday, while Ivan was on a swing and I could look inside the top of his mouth while he was laughing, that he has at least three teeth breaking through on his upper gum -- one molar and the third set of front teeth -- in addition to the teeth on the lower gum.
Today, he's been very cranky and sniffly. This evening/night he keeps waking up, actually not waking up, just crying in his sleep every so often. The only thing that works is milk (or ice water right now) in his bottle. As soon as he finds his bottle, he's OK.
We've given him a bit of Tylenon; hopefully, it's helping.
(This is the first time he's been noticeable irritated and in pain because of his teeth.)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
To Playroom or Not?
Ever since Saturday's play date, I've been complating the inadequacy of my house, and its lack of a play room. (I contemplate the inadequacy and the 60+ years of dinginess of the house on regular basis, and dream of living in either new or completely gutted and renovated older house.)
But this is different.
First, compared to other people's toy arsenal, Ivan has a scant selection of toys. They mostly fit into that Ikea rattan box (not counting the stuffed animals.) But then again, he hasn't really seemed that interested in toys. Give him the vacuum cleaner, mouse, a cord of any sort or a broom and he'll entertain himself for hours.
Second, it seems that everyone sets up a playroom for the child. We don't have that. His toys are in the living room, where we spend most of the day. A few are in his bedroom, and the books are in the spare bedroom where were chill before going to bed at night. (The whole book reading thing is another issue, that I've been wanting to address but keep postponing.)
Karin's playroom was in the basement. Her basement, like the rest of the house, looked esquisite (and was esquisitively clean, despite a dog and four cats, which I'm in awe of.) It was a bright, invitiving yellow room with all these toys, books, etc....laid out. A perfect play area.
So now I've been thinking should I convert my basement to a playroom area. But the thing is I don't like spending time in a basement. (Maybe it's just our basement, which always seems cold and not that inviting, unless we're watching TV.)
Do we need a playroom? I feel like we should have one, because all the ubiquitous Jones's seem to have one (along with the standard assortment of acceptable toys found in all ovearchieving, middle-class homes in this area).
Are we going to jinx Ivan, if we don't have one? Is he going to feel like there is something lacking in his house?
Andy doesn't think we should have a playroom. The truth is neither do I. I like Ivan and all his toys to be where we are, in the living room, or any other rooms we may be in.
I even ran this by Sanjoy and Rita considering they have a huge house and a plethora of toys. They keep all Maya's stuff in the open-space area, family room right off the kitchen where they spend most of their day.
Rita's comment echoed my thoughts: if you create a playroom, them you confine the child to that one area, like he's not supposed to be anywhere else.
I completely agree. So no playroom for us! (Not like we'd have space to have one, in any case.)
But this is different.
First, compared to other people's toy arsenal, Ivan has a scant selection of toys. They mostly fit into that Ikea rattan box (not counting the stuffed animals.) But then again, he hasn't really seemed that interested in toys. Give him the vacuum cleaner, mouse, a cord of any sort or a broom and he'll entertain himself for hours.
Second, it seems that everyone sets up a playroom for the child. We don't have that. His toys are in the living room, where we spend most of the day. A few are in his bedroom, and the books are in the spare bedroom where were chill before going to bed at night. (The whole book reading thing is another issue, that I've been wanting to address but keep postponing.)
Karin's playroom was in the basement. Her basement, like the rest of the house, looked esquisite (and was esquisitively clean, despite a dog and four cats, which I'm in awe of.) It was a bright, invitiving yellow room with all these toys, books, etc....laid out. A perfect play area.
So now I've been thinking should I convert my basement to a playroom area. But the thing is I don't like spending time in a basement. (Maybe it's just our basement, which always seems cold and not that inviting, unless we're watching TV.)
Do we need a playroom? I feel like we should have one, because all the ubiquitous Jones's seem to have one (along with the standard assortment of acceptable toys found in all ovearchieving, middle-class homes in this area).
Are we going to jinx Ivan, if we don't have one? Is he going to feel like there is something lacking in his house?
Andy doesn't think we should have a playroom. The truth is neither do I. I like Ivan and all his toys to be where we are, in the living room, or any other rooms we may be in.
I even ran this by Sanjoy and Rita considering they have a huge house and a plethora of toys. They keep all Maya's stuff in the open-space area, family room right off the kitchen where they spend most of their day.
Rita's comment echoed my thoughts: if you create a playroom, them you confine the child to that one area, like he's not supposed to be anywhere else.
I completely agree. So no playroom for us! (Not like we'd have space to have one, in any case.)
Not a Climber
When Ivan was playing with Maya yesterday, I was struck how physical she was. She kept climbing all over their furniture. I realized that Ivan has never really attempted that. Not one is stopping him, but he's never really attempted to climb and walk on our sofas.
It's only been in the last few days that he's even trying to climb back on the bed once he slides off it (which he's been doing for many, many months now.)
But not even seeing Maya climb the furniture prompted him to imitate her, which he did for other activities.
Compared to other kids, he seems to be more cautious and not physical in that way. He's all about running, though. From the second he wakes up in the morning to the minute he goes to bed, he's constantly running up and down the hallway and rooms.
He seems more interested in mastering fine-motor skills -- like playing with cords, putting things inside boxes, or trying to plug cords into things -- than gross motor skills, like climbing.
It's really funny how kids are so different. Ivan seems to have no interest in climbing on the furniture.
It's only been in the last few days that he's even trying to climb back on the bed once he slides off it (which he's been doing for many, many months now.)
But not even seeing Maya climb the furniture prompted him to imitate her, which he did for other activities.
Compared to other kids, he seems to be more cautious and not physical in that way. He's all about running, though. From the second he wakes up in the morning to the minute he goes to bed, he's constantly running up and down the hallway and rooms.
He seems more interested in mastering fine-motor skills -- like playing with cords, putting things inside boxes, or trying to plug cords into things -- than gross motor skills, like climbing.
It's really funny how kids are so different. Ivan seems to have no interest in climbing on the furniture.
Attempting to be a Non-Overprotective Mom
Inspired by the stay-at-home British dad whom I occasionally see on the playground (whenever I'm on vacation) who comes with two kids, a two-plus year old boy and an infant girl, and who, to my utter horror, let's the girl basically roam around unattended in a onesie without close supervision that I give Ivan, I decided not to hold Ivan on the chain bridge today.
What happened? While in the past I was always horrified at the freedom he gives the girl and I'm really surprised that she hasn't hurt herself yet. Or maybe she has, I would have no way of knowing. (Also, not to mention the fact that he brings her in a dirty, full-breakfast on the chest, onesie, and that the girl is also full of mosquito bites. I guess that's the difference between mom-care and dad-care: Atttention to detail, cleanliness and appropriate-ness.) today, we struck up a conversation while pushing the babies on the swings.
I learned the girl is 13 months-old. I commented that "wow, she seems so advanced for that age, at least compared to Ivan." (The girl is practically Ivan's size and is a only a bit more wobbly on her feet, but then again, is more comfortable and daring in mastering various terrains that Ivan is still not so sure about. The fact that's she's Ivan's size doesn't bug me, well not a lot, because both parents are very tall, unlike us. But then again, even really short people, like Sanjoy and Rita, seem to give birth to babies that could eat Ivan for lunch.)
Back to the story: the father responded, that it's probably because she's trying to immitate her brother, but also probably because, as his wife noted, that he lets her do a lot of things that a mom probably wouldn't.
This comment inspired me. When Ivan was done with the swing and I took him out,he headed to the chain bridge.
He's been on that bridge for the last few weeks and has mastered it, getting more comfortable on it. Actually over the weekend, he and I actually stood on the bridge -- I wasn't holding him -- while I was making the bridge sway side to side.
So today, as he was trying to step onto the bridge and was looking at something on a side, I stood right behind him, but didn't grab his hand. Of course, he did something, lost his balance and fell of the bridge into the dirt-tall grass-crap on the side. It happened to fast for me to catch him.
A split second later, the way he was lying in the grass, face down, head in a weird position and arms oddly placed by his sides, I really thought he had broken something -- like his neck or at least an arm.
He cried a bit, while I picked him up. Once he was in my arms I realized he seemed all OK, unhurt, unbruised and all. He cried for a minute or two, then calmed down and was off again running to something else. The whole incident forgotten.
For me, however, it was a slight lesson. I'm not a cool, easy going, unprotective mom, and when I try to act so, bad things happened. I should just stick to my tried self: the very cautious mom.
:-)
What happened? While in the past I was always horrified at the freedom he gives the girl and I'm really surprised that she hasn't hurt herself yet. Or maybe she has, I would have no way of knowing. (Also, not to mention the fact that he brings her in a dirty, full-breakfast on the chest, onesie, and that the girl is also full of mosquito bites. I guess that's the difference between mom-care and dad-care: Atttention to detail, cleanliness and appropriate-ness.) today, we struck up a conversation while pushing the babies on the swings.
I learned the girl is 13 months-old. I commented that "wow, she seems so advanced for that age, at least compared to Ivan." (The girl is practically Ivan's size and is a only a bit more wobbly on her feet, but then again, is more comfortable and daring in mastering various terrains that Ivan is still not so sure about. The fact that's she's Ivan's size doesn't bug me, well not a lot, because both parents are very tall, unlike us. But then again, even really short people, like Sanjoy and Rita, seem to give birth to babies that could eat Ivan for lunch.)
Back to the story: the father responded, that it's probably because she's trying to immitate her brother, but also probably because, as his wife noted, that he lets her do a lot of things that a mom probably wouldn't.
This comment inspired me. When Ivan was done with the swing and I took him out,he headed to the chain bridge.
He's been on that bridge for the last few weeks and has mastered it, getting more comfortable on it. Actually over the weekend, he and I actually stood on the bridge -- I wasn't holding him -- while I was making the bridge sway side to side.
So today, as he was trying to step onto the bridge and was looking at something on a side, I stood right behind him, but didn't grab his hand. Of course, he did something, lost his balance and fell of the bridge into the dirt-tall grass-crap on the side. It happened to fast for me to catch him.
A split second later, the way he was lying in the grass, face down, head in a weird position and arms oddly placed by his sides, I really thought he had broken something -- like his neck or at least an arm.
He cried a bit, while I picked him up. Once he was in my arms I realized he seemed all OK, unhurt, unbruised and all. He cried for a minute or two, then calmed down and was off again running to something else. The whole incident forgotten.
For me, however, it was a slight lesson. I'm not a cool, easy going, unprotective mom, and when I try to act so, bad things happened. I should just stick to my tried self: the very cautious mom.
:-)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Play Date, Successful; Baby Yoga, What a Disaster.....
Ivan and I had a very busy weekend:
Yesterday (Saturday), we went on a play date with Daria and Karin. Since it was raining, we met at Karin's house. It was really nice. In addition to their children (Bella and Seger), Karin invited another mom, Becky, and her son Mateo.
It was really nice. I had a great time, finally getting to know some moms in the neighborhood (did I write about meeting them on the playground? If not, I should record that as well). Ivan also had a great time getting to play with other kids. I've noticed he needs to learn to stand his groundaround other kids. Since he's not around kids often, he doesn't really know what to do when other kids are more forward and, I don't want to say aggressive or forceful, but, I guess, proactive, would be a good word. He doesn't really know what to do if other kids are in his "personal space" or are going after things he's playing with. I guess he'll learn.
Then he lost interested in playing with other kids and toys, because he noticed the cats. Karin has two cats that were lounging around, doing cat-things. He was mesmerized by them. He went up to them, saying "mews, mews," and was touching them and petting them. He was really enthralled by them.
I was surprised that he knew they were "mews, mews." I don't think he's even been around a cat before so how did he know what they were? Was it from books?
Yesterday afternoon, we went to the playground, but no one was there so we swung by ourselves. We had fun. He wanted to swing on the big swing in my lap. I guess Andy did that with him last weekend. It was fun.
Today:
First, Ivan, Mariposa, my mom and I went for an early morning stroll. Then Ivan and I went to Takoma to meet Lisa at a local playground before heading to Baby Yoga class. The playground was fun. There were other kids there (both Lisa and I got the sense that the group of parents who were there knew each other and were all buddied up. They looked very Takoma-ish.) Both Ivan and Ramon had fun on the playground. It had different equipment than the playground near me. Ivan particularly liked the stairs and the slide.
Then we went to yoga. This proved to be a bit of a disaster. I've been trying to come to this class for months. I really wanted to try it out to see what it was all about. But Ivan had other ideas.
We got there. There were about 6-8 other kids. They've all been taking that class for a while so they knew what to expect and how to behave. But both Ivan and Ramon were into doing their own thing. It was kind of funny.
After maybe 10 minutes of playing along with class and following exercises (toes to the nose, extend your arm, make I love you sign, etc....) Ivan decided he had enough and got up to walk around the room and explore. He was particularly fascinated by the door and its door knob, windows, blinds and heating vents. Then he kept going to this column in the middle of the room that was covered in mirrors. One of the edges, also a plastic mirror edge, was beginning to come apart, so Ivan kept pulling on it.....
Then after some time, he decided that he was hungry. He kept looking at Lisa's sippy cup (the same nubby sippy cup we have and which he's never liked). Eventually he went into my bag to rummage through stuff. He found the dried apple package. Since we couldn't eat in the classroom, we ended up going into the hallway to eat the appples and then the cookies. We spent the remainer of the class -- probably 20 minutes -- in the hallway eating snacks. And that's how I wasted $12 on that class.
The teacher said that other kids have been coming for a while, so that's why they're better. That I should come back. But both Lisa and I decided that while it is us, the moms, who like the concept and idea of yoga for tots, that our toddlers would benefit more from a more physical activity.
Next time I'll try Gymboree.
Then Ivan and I went home. At this point he had been awake without a nap for some six hours, so as soon as I put him in the car, he fell asleep. I don't think I even managed to sit in the car myself and turn it on, before he fell asleep. He slept for almost 3 hours.
In the afternoon, we went to Sanjoy and Rita's. I was really pleasantly surprised how nicely he and Maya played. Well, they didn't really play but just parallel played nicely. They did engage with one another in a very nice way.
Maya is so sweet. She seems also sweet tempered and "mila" like Ivan.
When we came home, it was almost 7 p.m. , we took a bath and went to bed!
Yesterday (Saturday), we went on a play date with Daria and Karin. Since it was raining, we met at Karin's house. It was really nice. In addition to their children (Bella and Seger), Karin invited another mom, Becky, and her son Mateo.
It was really nice. I had a great time, finally getting to know some moms in the neighborhood (did I write about meeting them on the playground? If not, I should record that as well). Ivan also had a great time getting to play with other kids. I've noticed he needs to learn to stand his groundaround other kids. Since he's not around kids often, he doesn't really know what to do when other kids are more forward and, I don't want to say aggressive or forceful, but, I guess, proactive, would be a good word. He doesn't really know what to do if other kids are in his "personal space" or are going after things he's playing with. I guess he'll learn.
Then he lost interested in playing with other kids and toys, because he noticed the cats. Karin has two cats that were lounging around, doing cat-things. He was mesmerized by them. He went up to them, saying "mews, mews," and was touching them and petting them. He was really enthralled by them.
I was surprised that he knew they were "mews, mews." I don't think he's even been around a cat before so how did he know what they were? Was it from books?
Yesterday afternoon, we went to the playground, but no one was there so we swung by ourselves. We had fun. He wanted to swing on the big swing in my lap. I guess Andy did that with him last weekend. It was fun.
Today:
First, Ivan, Mariposa, my mom and I went for an early morning stroll. Then Ivan and I went to Takoma to meet Lisa at a local playground before heading to Baby Yoga class. The playground was fun. There were other kids there (both Lisa and I got the sense that the group of parents who were there knew each other and were all buddied up. They looked very Takoma-ish.) Both Ivan and Ramon had fun on the playground. It had different equipment than the playground near me. Ivan particularly liked the stairs and the slide.
Then we went to yoga. This proved to be a bit of a disaster. I've been trying to come to this class for months. I really wanted to try it out to see what it was all about. But Ivan had other ideas.
We got there. There were about 6-8 other kids. They've all been taking that class for a while so they knew what to expect and how to behave. But both Ivan and Ramon were into doing their own thing. It was kind of funny.
After maybe 10 minutes of playing along with class and following exercises (toes to the nose, extend your arm, make I love you sign, etc....) Ivan decided he had enough and got up to walk around the room and explore. He was particularly fascinated by the door and its door knob, windows, blinds and heating vents. Then he kept going to this column in the middle of the room that was covered in mirrors. One of the edges, also a plastic mirror edge, was beginning to come apart, so Ivan kept pulling on it.....
Then after some time, he decided that he was hungry. He kept looking at Lisa's sippy cup (the same nubby sippy cup we have and which he's never liked). Eventually he went into my bag to rummage through stuff. He found the dried apple package. Since we couldn't eat in the classroom, we ended up going into the hallway to eat the appples and then the cookies. We spent the remainer of the class -- probably 20 minutes -- in the hallway eating snacks. And that's how I wasted $12 on that class.
The teacher said that other kids have been coming for a while, so that's why they're better. That I should come back. But both Lisa and I decided that while it is us, the moms, who like the concept and idea of yoga for tots, that our toddlers would benefit more from a more physical activity.
Next time I'll try Gymboree.
Then Ivan and I went home. At this point he had been awake without a nap for some six hours, so as soon as I put him in the car, he fell asleep. I don't think I even managed to sit in the car myself and turn it on, before he fell asleep. He slept for almost 3 hours.
In the afternoon, we went to Sanjoy and Rita's. I was really pleasantly surprised how nicely he and Maya played. Well, they didn't really play but just parallel played nicely. They did engage with one another in a very nice way.
Maya is so sweet. She seems also sweet tempered and "mila" like Ivan.
When we came home, it was almost 7 p.m. , we took a bath and went to bed!
Teething; sippy cup v. bottle continues
It seems that all of Ivan's remaining teeth are coming in all at once. On the bottom, all teeth between the front ones and the first molars are breaking through. On top, the third set of teeth on each side are coming in. He may have more teeth on his upper gums but I wouldn't know. He never lets us look into his mouth. I spied these new these because I was standing below him while he was laughing so I could look into his mouth.
But unlike other kids who are really bothered by teeth protrusion (super snotty noses, inability to sleep, irritability, serious drool, fever, etc.....), Ivan has had a really easy time. He gets just slightly drool-y, which is good for me, considering that snotty, drooly children were something I feared I'll end up with and something I'm not so sure how to handle because I've always found that too gross. It terms of disgusting kids issues, it ranks high up there with sticky fingers, seriously messy eating and vomit -- Ivan has yet to really vomit, thankfully. (Well, he did gag a bit and vomitted at a birthday party recently, but that was really just gaging and chocking on a big bite of food he took. It was not real continuous sick vomitting. Knock of wood!).
Also, teething doesn't seem to hurt him too much. In this round of teething, I've noticed that he seems to be putting his hands in his mouth, which he hasn't done in a long time. He also had a bit of a problem falling asleep tonight and two nights ago. I attribute all of this to teething.
For that same reason, I've back off the sippy cup for the last two days (not like my parents or Andy have ever enforced my sippy cup directives, meaning that they've been giving Ivan milk in a bottle all along. Ivan spent last week's Thursday and Friday at my parents house and then I was away for the weekend so Andy took care of him by himself, I know for a fact that the sippy cup was not used during the five days that I was away from Ivan.)
Back to the sippy cup and teething. Since he finds the nipple soothing and likes to chew on it, I figured I'd let him have the nipple while he's teething, if he finds it comforting. I'll resume the sippy cup training in a few days or weeks, once the teeth come in.
But unlike other kids who are really bothered by teeth protrusion (super snotty noses, inability to sleep, irritability, serious drool, fever, etc.....), Ivan has had a really easy time. He gets just slightly drool-y, which is good for me, considering that snotty, drooly children were something I feared I'll end up with and something I'm not so sure how to handle because I've always found that too gross. It terms of disgusting kids issues, it ranks high up there with sticky fingers, seriously messy eating and vomit -- Ivan has yet to really vomit, thankfully. (Well, he did gag a bit and vomitted at a birthday party recently, but that was really just gaging and chocking on a big bite of food he took. It was not real continuous sick vomitting. Knock of wood!).
Also, teething doesn't seem to hurt him too much. In this round of teething, I've noticed that he seems to be putting his hands in his mouth, which he hasn't done in a long time. He also had a bit of a problem falling asleep tonight and two nights ago. I attribute all of this to teething.
For that same reason, I've back off the sippy cup for the last two days (not like my parents or Andy have ever enforced my sippy cup directives, meaning that they've been giving Ivan milk in a bottle all along. Ivan spent last week's Thursday and Friday at my parents house and then I was away for the weekend so Andy took care of him by himself, I know for a fact that the sippy cup was not used during the five days that I was away from Ivan.)
Back to the sippy cup and teething. Since he finds the nipple soothing and likes to chew on it, I figured I'd let him have the nipple while he's teething, if he finds it comforting. I'll resume the sippy cup training in a few days or weeks, once the teeth come in.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Daycare Selection
A couple of weeks ago, I finally went on a daycare finding hunt. I called up the places I was interested in to make appointments to visit the facilities and, unlike in April when I did the same thing but didn't follow through, I actually went to visit them.
- A YMCA was the first place I visited. I didn't realize that it was basically almost walking distance to my house (a major pro). It seems nice, if a bit shabby. It was a bigger place, several classrooms accommodating kids of all ages. The person who showed me around was the secretary not the director, so although she kept asking if I had any questions, I couldn't think of any. She seemed a bit intimidating, so I really couldn't think of anything to ask. Also, since this was the first place I visited, I had no frame of reference.
- A few days later I made appointments at five different centers:
Two of them (one in Takoma and one on Georgia Ave.) I barely slowed down to check them out. The Takoma place was basically a house converted into a small daycare, but the whole property was in a heavily wooded area that it just seemed very damp and dark, without any sunlight. (Who knows it might have been nice inside, but I didn't bother to check.). The place on Georgia Ave. was in such a terrible location, on a very busy portion of Georgia in a very ugly building, that didn't seem to have a playground. I initially had suspicions about that place, because when I initially called up the places I rated them according to their phone manner. I rated this place poorly. The woman on the phone seemed irritated and tired. Unlike all other places which stated that I should come to visit to see their facilities and learn about their schedule, the woman just rattled off weekly payment rates and hours of operation.
One place I couldn't find. It seemed like it should've been a big place, i.e. easily spottable. I was actually initially most excited about this place because I got good recommendations about the company that runs it (Kinder Care), it seemed like it would be convenient for Andy to get to work (it was in Beltsville) and the woman on the phone seemed really nice and enthusiastic. But I couldn't find it. However, this ended up being fine because I decided that it's location, well the general vicinity of the location, would've been a bit too far out of our way.
The fourth place I went to visit, which was actually the first place I saw that day, was really small. (It was adjacent to a local elementary school, but I forget it's name. It was a school off Dennis Avenue.) The director, a really young woman, seemed really nice and knowledgeable and interested in her work, but the entire place was basically one big room, divided into different areas to accommodate different age ranges. The woman kept talking about "classrooms" for different age ranges, and I kept looking for different rooms. Then I realized that she was actually referring to this one big room (which was some 500 sq ft big) and the fact that the room was partitioned into three separate areas, which she called classrooms. And I kept thinking, "no way, this is way too chaotic and how do these kids get any downtime."
The fifth place was the daycare at the St. Paul Methodist Church on Grubb Road. This one was the winner. While I waited to talk to the director, I spent time with one of the teachers who was cleaning up her classroom. The teacher, a woman in her early twenties, was the poster child for a daycare/preschool teacher. She was so enthusiastic, bubbly and peppy that she would be rather annoying in any other setting than this preschool setting. She was perfect. I also liked the director. An older woman from Guyana, I believe. (At one point, I asked her where she was from and she said from South America, from xxx country, which is near Venezuela and Brazil. Since I thought she said Panama and was trying to figure out how is Panama in South America, I must have had a perplexed and blank look on my face. When she added Venezuela and Brazil to explain it better, it threw me even more for a loop trying to place Panama next to Brazil. But coming from a small country myself, I can relate to the woman, always need to explain and justify the location of your country of original and still dealing with people's blank stares and utter ignorance of what you're talking about.)
The director explained about the school and the fact that she places a lot of emphasis on early literacy (i.e. reading) sat well with me. Also the facilities seemed nice and spacious. I also liked the big grassy and sunny yard/playground. The yard actually had no shade, which I would prefer a bit, considering that Ivan's so fair that he's almost transclucent, but I'll take sunny over damp any day.
The daycare also has a slot for December, which is perfect. Ivan would start three days a week at first, and then once he turns two in February, he'd go full time (although I thought to myself, maybe we could keep him at three days even at that point.)
After I left, I realized that she never took me around to show me the classrooms, like other centers had done. Granted I didn't ask; I forgot. I may ask to go back and visit the classrooms with Andy. However, my lenghty chat with the bubbly teacher and the fact that Jade's Isabella goes to that daycare makes me feel confident enough that it's a good place.
The following week I also visited the daycare at the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, which is also highly regarded. The coordinator for toddlers (Grizelda) showed me around. It was a bigger place. It had a similar feel to the Y. Well organized and run, but slightly run down (I think that's probably the case for all daycare centers.) I liked it and would've considered it but they may maybe have a slot in March; otherwise it would be next September. In other words, regardless what I thought of the center, it's not really an option.
- A YMCA was the first place I visited. I didn't realize that it was basically almost walking distance to my house (a major pro). It seems nice, if a bit shabby. It was a bigger place, several classrooms accommodating kids of all ages. The person who showed me around was the secretary not the director, so although she kept asking if I had any questions, I couldn't think of any. She seemed a bit intimidating, so I really couldn't think of anything to ask. Also, since this was the first place I visited, I had no frame of reference.
- A few days later I made appointments at five different centers:
Two of them (one in Takoma and one on Georgia Ave.) I barely slowed down to check them out. The Takoma place was basically a house converted into a small daycare, but the whole property was in a heavily wooded area that it just seemed very damp and dark, without any sunlight. (Who knows it might have been nice inside, but I didn't bother to check.). The place on Georgia Ave. was in such a terrible location, on a very busy portion of Georgia in a very ugly building, that didn't seem to have a playground. I initially had suspicions about that place, because when I initially called up the places I rated them according to their phone manner. I rated this place poorly. The woman on the phone seemed irritated and tired. Unlike all other places which stated that I should come to visit to see their facilities and learn about their schedule, the woman just rattled off weekly payment rates and hours of operation.
One place I couldn't find. It seemed like it should've been a big place, i.e. easily spottable. I was actually initially most excited about this place because I got good recommendations about the company that runs it (Kinder Care), it seemed like it would be convenient for Andy to get to work (it was in Beltsville) and the woman on the phone seemed really nice and enthusiastic. But I couldn't find it. However, this ended up being fine because I decided that it's location, well the general vicinity of the location, would've been a bit too far out of our way.
The fourth place I went to visit, which was actually the first place I saw that day, was really small. (It was adjacent to a local elementary school, but I forget it's name. It was a school off Dennis Avenue.) The director, a really young woman, seemed really nice and knowledgeable and interested in her work, but the entire place was basically one big room, divided into different areas to accommodate different age ranges. The woman kept talking about "classrooms" for different age ranges, and I kept looking for different rooms. Then I realized that she was actually referring to this one big room (which was some 500 sq ft big) and the fact that the room was partitioned into three separate areas, which she called classrooms. And I kept thinking, "no way, this is way too chaotic and how do these kids get any downtime."
The fifth place was the daycare at the St. Paul Methodist Church on Grubb Road. This one was the winner. While I waited to talk to the director, I spent time with one of the teachers who was cleaning up her classroom. The teacher, a woman in her early twenties, was the poster child for a daycare/preschool teacher. She was so enthusiastic, bubbly and peppy that she would be rather annoying in any other setting than this preschool setting. She was perfect. I also liked the director. An older woman from Guyana, I believe. (At one point, I asked her where she was from and she said from South America, from xxx country, which is near Venezuela and Brazil. Since I thought she said Panama and was trying to figure out how is Panama in South America, I must have had a perplexed and blank look on my face. When she added Venezuela and Brazil to explain it better, it threw me even more for a loop trying to place Panama next to Brazil. But coming from a small country myself, I can relate to the woman, always need to explain and justify the location of your country of original and still dealing with people's blank stares and utter ignorance of what you're talking about.)
The director explained about the school and the fact that she places a lot of emphasis on early literacy (i.e. reading) sat well with me. Also the facilities seemed nice and spacious. I also liked the big grassy and sunny yard/playground. The yard actually had no shade, which I would prefer a bit, considering that Ivan's so fair that he's almost transclucent, but I'll take sunny over damp any day.
The daycare also has a slot for December, which is perfect. Ivan would start three days a week at first, and then once he turns two in February, he'd go full time (although I thought to myself, maybe we could keep him at three days even at that point.)
After I left, I realized that she never took me around to show me the classrooms, like other centers had done. Granted I didn't ask; I forgot. I may ask to go back and visit the classrooms with Andy. However, my lenghty chat with the bubbly teacher and the fact that Jade's Isabella goes to that daycare makes me feel confident enough that it's a good place.
The following week I also visited the daycare at the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, which is also highly regarded. The coordinator for toddlers (Grizelda) showed me around. It was a bigger place. It had a similar feel to the Y. Well organized and run, but slightly run down (I think that's probably the case for all daycare centers.) I liked it and would've considered it but they may maybe have a slot in March; otherwise it would be next September. In other words, regardless what I thought of the center, it's not really an option.
Blueberries
Since early last week (or even maybe two weeks ago), Ivan's been on a blueberry kick. I find this funny considering that a few weeks prior to that he would not touch blueberries. There was no way I could get them near his mouth.
And how, for the last two weeks, that's all he eats. "Bbul, bul," he calls them. (The ball seems to be "bbul.") It's obviously hard to try to spell out, the sounds he makes.
In any case, Ivan's been living off the blueberries -- he literally eats them all day long, for every meal and snack. (Kind of the way he used to eat Cheerios. I'm sure he'd still eat Cheerios like that, but we haven't bought a new box and the have been drastically reduced the amount of Cheerios we've been giving him lately. He doesn't seem to miss them as much.) Even his poop is purlish-blue, just like the blueberries.
Since I'm afraid he'll choke on a big blueberry, I sometimes make him bit it in two. (I'm sure other members of my family don't do that.)
And as far as other food preferences are concerned, baby yo yo continues to be a big hit and some days he eats 2 to 3 yogurts a day.
He's also like "sandwiches." I toast and then cut up a slice of bread into two thinner pieces and then put some raspberry jam and cream cheese in it. He loves it.
These sandwiches are my little trick. Andy and my parents have other tricks, of course.
Ivan has also taken a liking to cookies. "Kek," as he calls them. It's the Spanish version of the petite beurre cookies. They're quite tasty and addictive. He often stands in front of the cupboard asking for "kek" (hm, I wonder who taught him that--my dad, of course). Last week, he threw a temper tantrum about kek. I was giving him a kek but he didn't want it. Finally, I figured out that he wanted me to put him on the countertop so he can get the kek himself. He didn't want me gettng it for him.
Then I taught him that he needs to guard his cookie from Mariposa (who immediately positions herself in the middle of any food-related action.) So, now he either turns his back to Mariposa if she's approaching him, or hides behind me, so that Mariposa can't get his cookie.
And how, for the last two weeks, that's all he eats. "Bbul, bul," he calls them. (The ball seems to be "bbul.") It's obviously hard to try to spell out, the sounds he makes.
In any case, Ivan's been living off the blueberries -- he literally eats them all day long, for every meal and snack. (Kind of the way he used to eat Cheerios. I'm sure he'd still eat Cheerios like that, but we haven't bought a new box and the have been drastically reduced the amount of Cheerios we've been giving him lately. He doesn't seem to miss them as much.) Even his poop is purlish-blue, just like the blueberries.
Since I'm afraid he'll choke on a big blueberry, I sometimes make him bit it in two. (I'm sure other members of my family don't do that.)
And as far as other food preferences are concerned, baby yo yo continues to be a big hit and some days he eats 2 to 3 yogurts a day.
He's also like "sandwiches." I toast and then cut up a slice of bread into two thinner pieces and then put some raspberry jam and cream cheese in it. He loves it.
These sandwiches are my little trick. Andy and my parents have other tricks, of course.
Ivan has also taken a liking to cookies. "Kek," as he calls them. It's the Spanish version of the petite beurre cookies. They're quite tasty and addictive. He often stands in front of the cupboard asking for "kek" (hm, I wonder who taught him that--my dad, of course). Last week, he threw a temper tantrum about kek. I was giving him a kek but he didn't want it. Finally, I figured out that he wanted me to put him on the countertop so he can get the kek himself. He didn't want me gettng it for him.
Then I taught him that he needs to guard his cookie from Mariposa (who immediately positions herself in the middle of any food-related action.) So, now he either turns his back to Mariposa if she's approaching him, or hides behind me, so that Mariposa can't get his cookie.
Ivan Grew
It's Tuesday night. I hadn't seen Ivan since Thursday morning until last night (Monday night). In the span of those few days, he seems to have significantly grown.
I was observing him today. Over the few days that I was gone, he seems to have grown into a big baby again. He looks babyish, not boyish. I guess now the next growth spurt will be in the boyish direction. That seems to be the way he grows.
Anyway, in his onesie today, he seemed huge. A big baby in one onesie. His legs have lengthened. He seems significantly larger than last Thursday morning. He almost looks a bit comical in the onesie.
He's also been eating a lot. He's been eating pretty well since the fourth of July week that he spent with Andy's parents. (The week prior to that, when I was home with him, he wouldn't eat anything.)
He's so pudgy and "squeeze-able" with his sturdy limbs and double chin.
I'm curious what the doctor will say at his 18 month appointment, which is a bit less than a month away. (Probably that he's still in the 25th percentile.)
I was observing him today. Over the few days that I was gone, he seems to have grown into a big baby again. He looks babyish, not boyish. I guess now the next growth spurt will be in the boyish direction. That seems to be the way he grows.
Anyway, in his onesie today, he seemed huge. A big baby in one onesie. His legs have lengthened. He seems significantly larger than last Thursday morning. He almost looks a bit comical in the onesie.
He's also been eating a lot. He's been eating pretty well since the fourth of July week that he spent with Andy's parents. (The week prior to that, when I was home with him, he wouldn't eat anything.)
He's so pudgy and "squeeze-able" with his sturdy limbs and double chin.
I'm curious what the doctor will say at his 18 month appointment, which is a bit less than a month away. (Probably that he's still in the 25th percentile.)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Clothing Preference
For the last few weeks after his bath time, Ivan has been going into his drawer pulling his shirts out to drag them across the room, take them with him, sit on them, etc.... I realized he always pulls the same shirts out. THen two days ago, after I put a onesie on him (his pjs), he pulled the two shirts out -- the dark-blue long-sleeved one with white stripes, and a red short-sleeved polo shirt with also white stripes -- and tried to put the blue one on.
I asked, "do you want me to put the shirt on you." "Ah," he said. So I put the shirt on him. Then he handed me the red shirt. So I put that one on him as well on top of the blue shirt and the onesie. He was so happy.
It cracked me up that he obviously has a clothing preference and likes some shirts more than the others. It's just funny to think that an 17-month-old cares has such preferences.
Before putting him down to bed, I took off the polo shirt, because I thought he'd be too hot and uncomfortable sleeping. But I left on him the long-sleeved blue shirt. He slept all night long.
Then, first thing in the morning, he found the red shirt and brought it over to me to put it on him.
Andy and I cracked up.
I asked, "do you want me to put the shirt on you." "Ah," he said. So I put the shirt on him. Then he handed me the red shirt. So I put that one on him as well on top of the blue shirt and the onesie. He was so happy.
It cracked me up that he obviously has a clothing preference and likes some shirts more than the others. It's just funny to think that an 17-month-old cares has such preferences.
Before putting him down to bed, I took off the polo shirt, because I thought he'd be too hot and uncomfortable sleeping. But I left on him the long-sleeved blue shirt. He slept all night long.
Then, first thing in the morning, he found the red shirt and brought it over to me to put it on him.
Andy and I cracked up.
Bottle v. Sippy Cup
We are making headway toward the sippy cup.
The last few days (really, this past week), Ivan has stop protesting the sippy cup when I laid him to bed for the night. Last weekend, he even went to sleep a two nights without any props. (Then he spent a few days at my parents'.) But now the last two nights, I put him to bed with the sippy cup without any protests.
I've even tried giving him the sippy cup in the morning when he wakes up for his early morning milk (about 5 a.m.). The few times I tried that, he took it, but then was fully awake after he drank the milk. The bottle nurses him back to sleep a bit more in the morning, it would seem, which is very important at 5 a.m.
However, I've decided that for now, if he wakes up during the night, which happens occasionally, to give him the bottle not the sippy cup, simply to cut down on crying and ensure everyone gets back to sleep fast.
On Wednesday, before he went to my parents' house for two days, even my dad (the biggest sippy cup offender and resister), witnessed Ivan nonchalantly taking a sippy cup in the car to drink his milk (my dad put the cup in the cup container, and Ivan reached for it). I was shocked myself, as that way the first time he had actually done that; however, I didn't share that observation with my dad.
I'm glad for this because on Tuesday, I was rather livid because while I was cleaning up Ivan's room and preparing him for bed, I realized that for an afternoon nap my dad not only gave him the bottle to drink from, but also put oj in it not milk. I was really upset because I think we were going backwards and creating more problematic habits. Drinking juice and water from a sippy cup has never been a problem, only milk. I feared my dad started introducing another, completely unnecessary habit of drinking juice from the bottle. But apparently, after I calmed down in my phone shit-fit, it appeared it was only a one time occurence. But that's why I was even more happy when the following day my dad saw Ivan drink milk from a sippy cup without any problems.
So sippy cup adoption is slowly underway.....
The last few days (really, this past week), Ivan has stop protesting the sippy cup when I laid him to bed for the night. Last weekend, he even went to sleep a two nights without any props. (Then he spent a few days at my parents'.) But now the last two nights, I put him to bed with the sippy cup without any protests.
I've even tried giving him the sippy cup in the morning when he wakes up for his early morning milk (about 5 a.m.). The few times I tried that, he took it, but then was fully awake after he drank the milk. The bottle nurses him back to sleep a bit more in the morning, it would seem, which is very important at 5 a.m.
However, I've decided that for now, if he wakes up during the night, which happens occasionally, to give him the bottle not the sippy cup, simply to cut down on crying and ensure everyone gets back to sleep fast.
On Wednesday, before he went to my parents' house for two days, even my dad (the biggest sippy cup offender and resister), witnessed Ivan nonchalantly taking a sippy cup in the car to drink his milk (my dad put the cup in the cup container, and Ivan reached for it). I was shocked myself, as that way the first time he had actually done that; however, I didn't share that observation with my dad.
I'm glad for this because on Tuesday, I was rather livid because while I was cleaning up Ivan's room and preparing him for bed, I realized that for an afternoon nap my dad not only gave him the bottle to drink from, but also put oj in it not milk. I was really upset because I think we were going backwards and creating more problematic habits. Drinking juice and water from a sippy cup has never been a problem, only milk. I feared my dad started introducing another, completely unnecessary habit of drinking juice from the bottle. But apparently, after I calmed down in my phone shit-fit, it appeared it was only a one time occurence. But that's why I was even more happy when the following day my dad saw Ivan drink milk from a sippy cup without any problems.
So sippy cup adoption is slowly underway.....
Brookside Gardens and Other Gardens
Since it was Sunday and we were up early, at the crack of dawn really, just like all other days, and since Mr. Meh wouldn't go down for his 7 am nap, we decided to go out, before the oppressive summer heat sets in. (And not to mention, trying to keep Mr. Meh out of sun, considering that the child is so pale, compared to me at least, that he's almost translucent. And yes, while I do put sunscreen on him, I'm never 100% sure I got all the stop and that it will last.)
We went to Brookside Gardens. The gardens were beautiful--magical and enchanting. We should go more often.
Mr. Meh loved running up and down the trails and touching flowers. Of course, he was enamoured of all the fountains, sticking his hands in, etc.
We stayed for about one hour before it got too hot and humid.
Then we went to Parkside Deli. It was 'licious as Andy tells Ivan.
We definitely need to go back. Too bad Mariposa can't come.
A few weeks back, we also swung by the National Arboretum, which is a bit futher away, but also beautiful. Same thing. Ivan loved running up and down the paths, and was fascinated with the fountains. He kept running back to them. Andy had to do his best to make sure Ivan doesn't fall in. And the bonus for the arboretum is that MP can come as well.
We should go back there in the fall for a longer excursion (longer than 1 hour), when it won't be so oppresively hot and humid.
We went to Brookside Gardens. The gardens were beautiful--magical and enchanting. We should go more often.
Mr. Meh loved running up and down the trails and touching flowers. Of course, he was enamoured of all the fountains, sticking his hands in, etc.
We stayed for about one hour before it got too hot and humid.
Then we went to Parkside Deli. It was 'licious as Andy tells Ivan.
We definitely need to go back. Too bad Mariposa can't come.
A few weeks back, we also swung by the National Arboretum, which is a bit futher away, but also beautiful. Same thing. Ivan loved running up and down the paths, and was fascinated with the fountains. He kept running back to them. Andy had to do his best to make sure Ivan doesn't fall in. And the bonus for the arboretum is that MP can come as well.
We should go back there in the fall for a longer excursion (longer than 1 hour), when it won't be so oppresively hot and humid.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Past weekend's activities - zoo, airport, etc....
Friday:
Andy was on vacation and I took a day off. We thought to make it special so we took Ivan to the zoo. It was something we had been planning and looking forward to for a while.
We got to the zoo around 10 a.m. The day was already hot and humid. We parked in the zoo parking lot, chaching, chaching went $15 for parking, but it was money really well spent.
First on our tour was the Barnyard Animals -- a small barn-like recreation at the zoo. First we saw three alpacas. Ivan was really curious about them. They were big, furry and they moved. He leaned forward in his stroller and was all eyes for them. Then Andy's phone rang. A work phone call, which he had to take. Since we was taking a long time and since Ivan seemed interested in alpaca, I called work as well to close one pending issue I was supposed to finish that day. Yes, we are such work losers and the sad thing is our jobs don't even matter that much.
Then we proceeded to see some cows and sheep (or maybe there were goats). We went into a barn to check out two baby sheep (or goats).
It cracked me up to see that all these domestic animals had names: some were foreign, like a donkey named Guiseppe, some were old fashioned, like the goat (or sheep) named Ethel, some were just goofy, like you'd expect for an animal.
And that's where it happened. While we were in the barn looking at two baby sheep/goats (for whom I expressed more interested and wanting-to-cuddle-them ohs and ahs than Ivan), the fleet of mommies with strollers marched in and basically ambushed us.
We couldn't get out. It was a frigthening scene. All these mommies and their stoller offspring. I can't really pinpoint what was so scary about them, but something was. Turns out both Andy and I had the same reaction. "Run for the cover. Escape from the mommy-stroller hell."
We proceeded with the zoo expedition. Ivan soon lost interest in the animals. He was more intrigued by the people at the zoo. And it really wasn't people, so much as hordes of stroller mommies or kids belonging to various camp groups. He wanted to walk and then push his stroller and then be carried. He then insisted on reaching into my bag to find -- guess what -- his yo, yo yogurt! (What's so addictive about them?)
After the yogurt snack, we went to the reptile house. Andy's idea. He was go-ho about it. Ivan couldn't care less. It was hard to see all the non-moving snakes and lizzards tucked away in their little picture displays. I had a hard time differentiating the animal from the surrounding foliage. I'm sure none of the animals registered with Ivan. They were not fuzzy, big and moving.
We should've turned around and returned to the car, but instead we continued hiking up hill to find the elephants and the pandas. We found the elephants, including the baby elephant, who's now really a teenager. The pandas were hidden. We finally spied one sleeping in a grotto. It would've been a comical site had we been able to see it from all the people piled up in front of us.
After leaving the zoo, we drove up to downtown Silver Spring for lunch at Lebanese Taaverna. Much to my surprise, Ivan was scarfing down our food: rice, french fries, falafal and even salad!
We then attemped to get ice cream at Coldstone Creamery, but after waiting for more than 20 mintues, during which Ivan started crying, and behind helped by two kids who seemed impossibly slow and incompetent, we basically got pissed off, left the ice creams and just left. (One previous time we went there, I recall us having equally slow and annoying experience. And my threshold for such situations is very, very low.)
Then we proceeded to the airport to pick up my dad. I had suggested that Ivan and Andy should go home so Ivan could nap, but I guess I didn't suggest loudly enough. As we were approaching Dulles, my dad called that they had landed and that he should be out soon. So we decided not to park but just circle around. Then we went up to the Marriot to wait at the parking lot. To make a long story short, we waited for two hours before leaving. They couldn't open the airplane cargo to get people's bags. So everyone was stuck in immigration. Ivan, who hadn't slept the whole day, by this time was very cranky. On the way home, we got stuck in the horrible rush hour traffic. Both Andy and I were suddenly grateful that our work commutes don't require us to get on the beltway. Ivan eventually fell asleep in the car for a few minutes but woke up as we got home.
The day ended on a positive note. He ate some dinner, got bathed and went do sleep relatively easily.
Andy was on vacation and I took a day off. We thought to make it special so we took Ivan to the zoo. It was something we had been planning and looking forward to for a while.
We got to the zoo around 10 a.m. The day was already hot and humid. We parked in the zoo parking lot, chaching, chaching went $15 for parking, but it was money really well spent.
First on our tour was the Barnyard Animals -- a small barn-like recreation at the zoo. First we saw three alpacas. Ivan was really curious about them. They were big, furry and they moved. He leaned forward in his stroller and was all eyes for them. Then Andy's phone rang. A work phone call, which he had to take. Since we was taking a long time and since Ivan seemed interested in alpaca, I called work as well to close one pending issue I was supposed to finish that day. Yes, we are such work losers and the sad thing is our jobs don't even matter that much.
Then we proceeded to see some cows and sheep (or maybe there were goats). We went into a barn to check out two baby sheep (or goats).
It cracked me up to see that all these domestic animals had names: some were foreign, like a donkey named Guiseppe, some were old fashioned, like the goat (or sheep) named Ethel, some were just goofy, like you'd expect for an animal.
And that's where it happened. While we were in the barn looking at two baby sheep/goats (for whom I expressed more interested and wanting-to-cuddle-them ohs and ahs than Ivan), the fleet of mommies with strollers marched in and basically ambushed us.
We couldn't get out. It was a frigthening scene. All these mommies and their stoller offspring. I can't really pinpoint what was so scary about them, but something was. Turns out both Andy and I had the same reaction. "Run for the cover. Escape from the mommy-stroller hell."
We proceeded with the zoo expedition. Ivan soon lost interest in the animals. He was more intrigued by the people at the zoo. And it really wasn't people, so much as hordes of stroller mommies or kids belonging to various camp groups. He wanted to walk and then push his stroller and then be carried. He then insisted on reaching into my bag to find -- guess what -- his yo, yo yogurt! (What's so addictive about them?)
After the yogurt snack, we went to the reptile house. Andy's idea. He was go-ho about it. Ivan couldn't care less. It was hard to see all the non-moving snakes and lizzards tucked away in their little picture displays. I had a hard time differentiating the animal from the surrounding foliage. I'm sure none of the animals registered with Ivan. They were not fuzzy, big and moving.
We should've turned around and returned to the car, but instead we continued hiking up hill to find the elephants and the pandas. We found the elephants, including the baby elephant, who's now really a teenager. The pandas were hidden. We finally spied one sleeping in a grotto. It would've been a comical site had we been able to see it from all the people piled up in front of us.
After leaving the zoo, we drove up to downtown Silver Spring for lunch at Lebanese Taaverna. Much to my surprise, Ivan was scarfing down our food: rice, french fries, falafal and even salad!
We then attemped to get ice cream at Coldstone Creamery, but after waiting for more than 20 mintues, during which Ivan started crying, and behind helped by two kids who seemed impossibly slow and incompetent, we basically got pissed off, left the ice creams and just left. (One previous time we went there, I recall us having equally slow and annoying experience. And my threshold for such situations is very, very low.)
Then we proceeded to the airport to pick up my dad. I had suggested that Ivan and Andy should go home so Ivan could nap, but I guess I didn't suggest loudly enough. As we were approaching Dulles, my dad called that they had landed and that he should be out soon. So we decided not to park but just circle around. Then we went up to the Marriot to wait at the parking lot. To make a long story short, we waited for two hours before leaving. They couldn't open the airplane cargo to get people's bags. So everyone was stuck in immigration. Ivan, who hadn't slept the whole day, by this time was very cranky. On the way home, we got stuck in the horrible rush hour traffic. Both Andy and I were suddenly grateful that our work commutes don't require us to get on the beltway. Ivan eventually fell asleep in the car for a few minutes but woke up as we got home.
The day ended on a positive note. He ate some dinner, got bathed and went do sleep relatively easily.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Sippy cup dilemma - cont'd
Last night I put Ivan to bed with just a sippy cup. He fell asleep within 20 minutes, after some not-so-serious whining, and slept until 4:00 a.m. when he got his morning bottle. (Note to myself: the morning bottle will be another battle in the sippy cup v. bottle war)
He drank barely any of his milk in the sippy cup, which means, or meant for that night at least, that he's capable of falling asleep without nursing his bottled milk.
This evening, however, is another story. Andy put him to bed with a bottle, which he promptly drank. But for some reason, since he went to bed at 7 a.m. until now, and it's after midnight, he keeps waking up and crying. The bottle, with water or milk, doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I'm not sure what the problem is. Something must be bothering him because he usually sleeps through the night.
He drank barely any of his milk in the sippy cup, which means, or meant for that night at least, that he's capable of falling asleep without nursing his bottled milk.
This evening, however, is another story. Andy put him to bed with a bottle, which he promptly drank. But for some reason, since he went to bed at 7 a.m. until now, and it's after midnight, he keeps waking up and crying. The bottle, with water or milk, doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I'm not sure what the problem is. Something must be bothering him because he usually sleeps through the night.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Imperfect Choice
Because we still haven't been able to break the milk-bottle-to-bed habit, I've tried a new technique a few days ago.
Why now? For the last few weeks I've tried halphazarldy to break the habit, but I really had not will to push through with it but instead caved in every time he'd start crying.
But last week, I realized that there are cracks in his bottle nipples. I guess he chewes, nibbles on the nipple, creating a whole. I threw out two nipples last week. We're down to one. (But even that one has a little crack in it I realized last night.)
Three nights ago, I smarted up: I gave him a bed time choice. An imperfect choice, but still a choice.
The same two clear Avent bottle (which he associates with milk, since that's all he drinks from them).
One bottle had the nipple on top but it contained water.
The other bottle contained milk but the top was the sippy cup spout.
He quickly picked up on my rouse. And he wasn't happy. But he had no choice. I left him fussying/crying in his room and left.
Which one was he going to choose? The milk or the nipple? Which one was more important to him. Once he fell asleep, I snuck a peak. It seemed that he had drunk some milk, but that bottle was kind of next to him. He was hugging the water bottle, the one with the nipple.
So that's what it came down to -- comfort. He wanted to suckle on the bottle. The beverage selection seemed secondary.
(Although he is a little milk-oholic. When he start fussing during the day, the arrival of the milk bottle soothes everything. He's totally addicted to it.)
I thought, "fine, let him have his bottle."
I tried the same experiment the following night, but he wouldn't go for it. Finally, I caved in and gave him a milk bottle with a nipple.
Yesterday
Last night Andy put him to bed. He was seemed quiet and ready to fall asleep, but I screwed it up because I went to check on him. Of course, he wasn't asleep, so he saw me and that was the end of that. I did notice however that he had milk in a sippy cup. It seemed as if he would've been fine, had I not interfered. But instead he wanted to get up and played.
We played a bit, then I put him back into the crib and I went to change. And then I was held hostage in my closet. Well, it was more like a self-imposed hostage situation. He didn't want to settle down, but kept standing up in his crib, opening the door of his room wide open, waiting for me. So I hid in the closet, in hope that he'd give up, quiet down and fall asleep. But of course, I didn't wait long enough. (I waited about 1/2 hour. I was smart enough to grab Style magazine I bought on a whim a few days earlier, hungry for some style, glamour and other eye candy I can't afford, indulge, nor have the will to follow rignth now). As I was trying to sneak back down the hallway, he saw me and the whole whinening started again. So I picked him up and we played some more. In the end, I caved in and gave him a bottle with milk. I first tried bottle with water, but he wouldn't take it. Milk, however, quiteted him down.
But then I started freaking out about the cracked nipple. "What if he chews it off and swallows it?" So I kept checking on him. Even thought I tried to be quite stealth about it, I'm no ninja and our house is old and creaky, so I kept startling him and waking him up over and over again. This of course, just produced more crying and I assume more bottle suckling (i.e. increasing the odds that he'd bite off the nipple). But it didn't happen. Luckily he fell asleep.
Today:
I don't know how Andy handled the milk situation during the day, but going to bed was relatively easy. Once he was done playing (but that's a different story because the last few days, he's pushed up his bed time and now won't be put down before 7:45-8 p.m., which is rather late for him), I have him the milk in a sippy cup top. He protested a bit, whined a while, but within 20 minutes he was asleep.
I don't want to declare it a victory in the bottle war, but definitely a success!
Why now? For the last few weeks I've tried halphazarldy to break the habit, but I really had not will to push through with it but instead caved in every time he'd start crying.
But last week, I realized that there are cracks in his bottle nipples. I guess he chewes, nibbles on the nipple, creating a whole. I threw out two nipples last week. We're down to one. (But even that one has a little crack in it I realized last night.)
Three nights ago, I smarted up: I gave him a bed time choice. An imperfect choice, but still a choice.
The same two clear Avent bottle (which he associates with milk, since that's all he drinks from them).
One bottle had the nipple on top but it contained water.
The other bottle contained milk but the top was the sippy cup spout.
He quickly picked up on my rouse. And he wasn't happy. But he had no choice. I left him fussying/crying in his room and left.
Which one was he going to choose? The milk or the nipple? Which one was more important to him. Once he fell asleep, I snuck a peak. It seemed that he had drunk some milk, but that bottle was kind of next to him. He was hugging the water bottle, the one with the nipple.
So that's what it came down to -- comfort. He wanted to suckle on the bottle. The beverage selection seemed secondary.
(Although he is a little milk-oholic. When he start fussing during the day, the arrival of the milk bottle soothes everything. He's totally addicted to it.)
I thought, "fine, let him have his bottle."
I tried the same experiment the following night, but he wouldn't go for it. Finally, I caved in and gave him a milk bottle with a nipple.
Yesterday
Last night Andy put him to bed. He was seemed quiet and ready to fall asleep, but I screwed it up because I went to check on him. Of course, he wasn't asleep, so he saw me and that was the end of that. I did notice however that he had milk in a sippy cup. It seemed as if he would've been fine, had I not interfered. But instead he wanted to get up and played.
We played a bit, then I put him back into the crib and I went to change. And then I was held hostage in my closet. Well, it was more like a self-imposed hostage situation. He didn't want to settle down, but kept standing up in his crib, opening the door of his room wide open, waiting for me. So I hid in the closet, in hope that he'd give up, quiet down and fall asleep. But of course, I didn't wait long enough. (I waited about 1/2 hour. I was smart enough to grab Style magazine I bought on a whim a few days earlier, hungry for some style, glamour and other eye candy I can't afford, indulge, nor have the will to follow rignth now). As I was trying to sneak back down the hallway, he saw me and the whole whinening started again. So I picked him up and we played some more. In the end, I caved in and gave him a bottle with milk. I first tried bottle with water, but he wouldn't take it. Milk, however, quiteted him down.
But then I started freaking out about the cracked nipple. "What if he chews it off and swallows it?" So I kept checking on him. Even thought I tried to be quite stealth about it, I'm no ninja and our house is old and creaky, so I kept startling him and waking him up over and over again. This of course, just produced more crying and I assume more bottle suckling (i.e. increasing the odds that he'd bite off the nipple). But it didn't happen. Luckily he fell asleep.
Today:
I don't know how Andy handled the milk situation during the day, but going to bed was relatively easy. Once he was done playing (but that's a different story because the last few days, he's pushed up his bed time and now won't be put down before 7:45-8 p.m., which is rather late for him), I have him the milk in a sippy cup top. He protested a bit, whined a while, but within 20 minutes he was asleep.
I don't want to declare it a victory in the bottle war, but definitely a success!
Pupak and other cute things
From all the incoherent babble that Ivan utter all day long, we finally figured out that he knows the word for belly button, in Croatian. It's "pupak." Two days ago while playing in his tub, he, totally unprompted, looked at us, pointed to his belly button, smiled and said "tatak" or something like that.
So I had to double check whether he really knows that's pupak. The following day while we were playing (well, he was playing with the vacuum cleaner; I was just observing), I said, "Ivan, gdje je pupak. Kazi me pupak," asking him to show me his belly button. He stopped, then pulled his shirt away from his skin and trying to put his hand in his shirt to reach pupak. And said "tatak" again. A bit later, I rechecked again. He repeated teh same process -- tried to put his hand down his shirt to reach pupak.
So cute.
Another cute thing he does is he goes to Mariposa and lowers his head so she can lick him. He knows that's how she shows affection. What can I say. So endearing!
So I had to double check whether he really knows that's pupak. The following day while we were playing (well, he was playing with the vacuum cleaner; I was just observing), I said, "Ivan, gdje je pupak. Kazi me pupak," asking him to show me his belly button. He stopped, then pulled his shirt away from his skin and trying to put his hand in his shirt to reach pupak. And said "tatak" again. A bit later, I rechecked again. He repeated teh same process -- tried to put his hand down his shirt to reach pupak.
So cute.
Another cute thing he does is he goes to Mariposa and lowers his head so she can lick him. He knows that's how she shows affection. What can I say. So endearing!
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