Games we play

I wanted to get this post up before all the christmas posts started. Rece's latest favorite game to play is copycat. But, it is only with faces he makes. He likes to make all these silly faces and expects people to copy them. He thinks it is the greatest.
And he has figured out how to turn most of his toys on and off. That can be slightly headache-inducing sometimes, but it is better that he knows how to turn them on. That means he whines less for me to help him!
His party is really coming along. All gifts purchased and wrapped! YAY! Now we just have to figure out the menu and buy some of the plates/silverware. Almost there.
Ok, this is about gift giving and I would like opinions if anyone has them. I think it is the parents privilage to buy children the big gifts that come with childhood like the first tricycle, first bike, swingset, power wheels, etc. And I think that if someone else would like to get him a big gift the parents should be asked. Not only because it is a big gift and maybe the parents wanted to do that, but also if it takes up a lot of room what if the parents are not ready for it. Or maybe the parents know that the child is not really ready for a gift like it. Now it is different if the parents specifically asked someone to buy it. No one has done this that I know of yet, but Tony and I were talking about it and he understood how I felt but he didn't necessarily feel the same way. Am I being selfish or unreasonable? I just think that is the responsibility and privilage of the parents. I enjoy doing things like that for him. I also think that it partly comes from the fact that we have some friends and acquantances that rely heavily on their parents and I just feel like we had him and we should take responsibility for him and because of that we should have first dibs on what we get him. Ok this is longer than planned but I would like some opinions.

Random

Yes, climbing in our house has officially begun. He loves climbing up here and touching the pictures. Part of me says let him do it, he is just exploring, the other part of me says get him down from there before he breaks something.
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Here he was telling me that the song in the book was "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". Head is the only one he knows, but he can pick it out of the book.
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And the wonderful cup throwing has come back! Apparantly not throwing it was the phase. This is going to drive us out of our minds!

GO BUCKEYES! BEAT MICHIGAN!

PLEASE HELP

For the last 2 weeks Rece has been waking up at 5:30 every morning. We have no idea what to do. We don't let him get up then, but we have tried letting him cry it out. Some days his crying is so severe that it just doesn't work, but then sometimes it does. We try going in there to soothe him. One of us goes in and calms him and puts him back in his crib and he at least calms down, but then sometimes he spends the next hour just talking. Why is he doing this? And how do I get him back on track? His naps are still usually good, but there have been some issues with those as well. This all started when he got his cold, but the cold is mostly over and we did go to the doctor to make sure it was just a cold. If anyone has read anything on this or dealt with it please I am open to just about any suggestion. He is teething, but he has never done this with teething before and it is so consistent that I would be surprised if it is teething. I am pretty sure he is sleep deprived and needs more sleep, but I can't seem to get him back on track. I am becoming very sleep deprived especially being pregnant. We need help.

Please remember that this means I will be up at 4:30 next Sunday morning thanks to the time change.

So, the newest thing that he is doing is NOT eating! I am really hoping this has to do with his cold. Cause it is driving us crazy. He used to get snacks in between meals, like crackers or fruit. Well the last week or so, he was pretty much just eating snacks and requesting them. So I decided until he was eating good again, we were going to cut out snacks, because maybe those were making him full. Well today he had 1/2 a pancake for breakfast. Then for lunch he wouldn't even take a bite of the macaroni and cheese but did eat a little bit of applesauce. But he will sit there with a full plate of mac n cheese in front of him and do the eat sign and say snack! I feel bad if this is just part of his cold and nothing tastes good but crackers, but for some reason I have a feeling that isn't it. Should I give in and let him eat crackers all day until the cold is gone? Or should I stick with just meals. After all, crackers are not bad for him. Anyone who has gone through a food boycot have any ideas??

He has finally learned that playing on the equipment at the park is fun! He still doesn't really understand space awareness, so I have to stick pretty close by. But, it is better than just chasing him around in the grass. I can do that at home. He also loves slides now. He still can't figure out how to sit and scoot to the edge. So, I have to be holding his hand or he will just step off of it. And I usually catch him at the bottom. But he wanted to go down one of those small tube slides and I couldn't help him at top and catch him at the same time, so I went and helped him up top and got him situated. He just flew down the slide and flew all the way off, right on the ground flat on his back. No crying, just whining. It was pretty funny.
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I just love this hat. It is too bad he doesn't leave them on very long, so we aren't going to be able to use this one very much since it doesn't have a tie.
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This is him doing something that he is not supposed to be doing! Shocker huh?
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This is what I found when I got home today. Two sleeping boys!
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Ok, now referencing that third picture up there. Does anyone else out there have a child that just does not respond to any discipline? Now remember I am not spanking. But, it is getting so frustrating lately. If he is getting into something he knows he is not supposed to, half of the time he will look at us as if to say 'what are you gonna do?' And the second we say 'No touch' he touches it. So we have tried ignoring, but if we ignore long enough he will touch it until we actually physically remove him from the object. Yelling? That is funny and he thinks so too. I can be a pretty loud person and even yelling as loudly as possible gets a smile or giggle. Most kids at least get a little bit upset when someone yells at them. I hate yelling at him, but being patient for 10 hours in a row while saying no touch please gets really tiring. Time-outs? Well, when we do them on his time-out stool he thinks it is a great game and every time I put him on the stool and walk away he thinks he should get up laugh and chase me. And this continues for the entire minute. So we do time-outs in his pack-n-play. Half the time he gets upset and doesn't like it but the other half he just sits and talks to himself. Other than that I have nothing for a 21 month old. And the things he is getting into it isn't like I can just move them. The vents, the computer and the phone. Those are the primary offenses. I can't move any of those or block them. And then there is the TV. We tried the TV guard and he has learned how to pull it out from under the TV. So any advice that doesn't include spanking and that doesn't consist of "he will grow out of it". I know he will eventually, but in the meantime I don't like spending half of my day yelling at my little boy. It makes me feel like such a lousy parent.

Lesson Learned!

Never let Rece sleep in just a shirt and diaper!

Why you ask??? WARNING: TOO MUCH INFORMATION AHEAD!!

Well, because there is a chance that you will walk in to find poop everywhere!!! All over the crib, all over his arms and face!!! And it wasn't even like he pooped and then took his diaper off. No, he has recently found his private area and any time the diaper is off his hand is down there. So he took the diaper off to play with himself and then pooped with his diaper off. How do we know this? Well, first his butt was the cleanest part of him. Second, the diaper had not a drop of poop on it! Oh, how gross! We will never let him sleep like that again. Well, at least until he is potty trained.
So, I took him and we both got into the shower and Tony cleaned off the crib. I am not sure which job is worse. But it was gross no matter how you looked at it.

Sleep

Why is it that my child only sleeps in when I am up and ready for the day or we have somewhere to go????? Yet, when I really need an extra hour of sleep he is up bright and early!!!!! Like today, I was up ready to get the day going and well I just heard him at 8:15 and he is still in there barely talking or making noise, so you better believe he is staying in there a little longer!
And yes I know the answer to why is because it is Rece! And of course I wouldn't take him any other way!

Teething + Growth Spurt =

VERY CRABBY BABY!!!!!!!!
I am pretty sure that is what is going on. I know he is teething. One of the molars is half way through and another of them is very swollen and maybe a tooth up front too! And the child has been eating everything in sight. He never used to eat a snack during the day or it would mess up his meals, well the last couple of days he has been requesting a snack twice a day. And he has been eating his meals great! His communication has just boomed. It still isn't verbal, but he signs like crazy and it has been so helpful. On occasion now he has even told me when he needs his diaper changed! And the same with walking. At home he pretty much walks everywhere, but there are occasions when he sees something he really wants and gets down and crawls because he knows it is faster. And we are working on walking while holding my hand in public. He still has a tendency to crawl but as soon as I stand him up he is usually good.
And those of you that actually know Rece know just how persistent and stubborn he is right? Well he has added an obsession to the list: the vents in the floors. He is still obsessed with the stereo also, but now he goes and takes a vent out of the floor. I can tell him no 5000 times a day and he just smiles and goes back to the vent. This is driving me and Tony crazy. We have already lost a bath toy to the vent. Now, don't go calling child protective services on me, but I ALMOST hope that he hurts himself just slightly. It isn't anything that could hurt him severely but just a little cut. Or something that scares him. He has walked away with it a couple times before I could get to him and I could just see it dropping on his foot, I don't know that I want that but it may happen anyways. Someday he will learn right. Oh, and the grossest part of all of this is that he will take it out of the floor and then put one of the edges in his mouth!!! That is disgusting!
Well, we will be heading on a little getaway next week for a whole week!!! We are all very excited! We will get to spend a whole week visiting with Annie and Brandon and Averie and Beth and Matt and my sister and her kids!!!

Rece has been a little under the weather and he loves just hanging out with me on the couch especially when he is tired or sick! I love that. And he is getting pretty good about getting off the couch without divebombing!



















He was just laughing up a storm here. It almost looks like he is standing, but don't worry he isn't! He is just up on his knees.



















Rockin' out with the boom box!



















This is his new way of crawling! You think this is one step closer to walking? He only does this outside but it is pretty funny.














HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BETH AND MATT!

Ok this is totally unrelated to any of the above. I don't usually use this blog as a place to put my views or for anything me related. Well, this is Rece related I guess.
Why does everyone think that their way to parent is the perfect and only way to parent??? This has been driving me nuts lately. I know everyone thinks that they are making the right decisions for their children, so do I, but people act like they are 100% certain of what they are doing. Why?? There is no proven method, not to mention every parent and child is different. I don't know any other child like mine. And I don't know why other people think that they might know better than I do about raising my child. Why are there constant debates?? Do what is right for you. Obviously everyone is going to have their own views about certain issues, but why can't you have your own views but also accept that that isn't the only view? I used to be like this before I had kids...I know, like someone without kids has room to judge. But ever since having Rece I have been very open minded to other peoples ways. Maybe it is because I have changed my mind a few times or maybe it is because I see my friends' kids and see that they are so different from Rece and each other. Who knows, but I am glad that I don't feel the need to judge. Again, I am not saying that I am totally judge free, because I do sometimes say oh, I would never do that, but I never say Why would you do that to your child? Some issues that I speak of...
Breastfeeding..and if you do, do you do if for more than a year? Yes
Co-sleeping? No
Crying it out? Yes, I used this method for Rece and I will for my other children. And he is still a very happy, healthy, well-adjusted child. He still is a mama's boy and loves his hugs and kisses. I do not believe I damaged him in any way.
Pacifiers? In general I would rather not use them, but I did for 5 months with Rece. This shows that it depends on the child.
Natural birth vs. medicated? Natural-waterbirth hopefully next time.
hypnobirthing...we used this and some people thought we were nuts.
cloth diapering vs. disposables? Now cloth and love them. I said I would never use cloth. Never say never.
Solids at 3 months? Solids at 6 months? 6 months
Constantly teaching or sitting back and observing? More of an observer
TV or no TV? We are kind of on the line with this. I have the TV on while Rece is in the room for part of the day, but I don't ever put shows on for him and I probably won't for a while.
Spanking? Definitely not for us.
Vaccinate or not? Vaccinate
The debates could go on and on. And just because I do or do not believe in certain things for myself doesn't mean they don't work for other people. These are the things that worked for us. And I think everyone should stop doing what "they" say and go with your gut. That has been the only way that we have worked. Every time we go with what "they" say it backfires. I guess we don't have the perfect child. Who knew??? Feel free to bring up your own debates that you have had to deal with. And please feel free to disagree with me, out loud or to yourself! :) And you can state your opinion or defend why the method works for you without putting others down!

Trying threes, Terrible twos, ???? ones....

My Studious little man!!



















This is how dinner started! He ate pretty well, but...















...This is how it ended! This is how a lot of our meals either end or start or both.












He hasn't been doing terrible for meals, just a lot of throwing of food. He thinks he needs to feed Shrek! I have heard that refusing meals is very common at this age. But, I think we have figured something out. Today for lunch he did great, he had ham, cheese, apples, sweet potatoes, and corn dogs(cut into VERY VERY small pieces). Well, I just cut everything up and basically filled his tray. HE ATE ALMOST EVERYTHING!!!!! Only about 5 pieces total went to the dog. I think that maybe by putting quite a bit on his tray it is too much to throw so he just leaves it there if he doesn't want it. He ate ham successfully for the first time. He tried cheese 4 times on his own, no pushing on my part. 3 times it came right back out of his mouth, but that is ok, he TRIED it. He ate real pieces of apple for the first time also. He loves apples, which is wonderful! He likes taking a bite off of my apples better than me cutting them up for him though. I also think he just likes feeding himself more than getting spoon fed now...it's about time! So, I think we will be sticking to fingerfoods more than not!

Eating and Sleeping

Ok, so the biggest issues and concerns I have had with Rece are eating and sleeping. That is no big surprise. His sleeping has really been going great almost every time. And his eating isn't horrible. But, I am still a little paranoid about him choking. So, things like hot dogs especially I chop into miniscule pieces. Also, there are some things that he is just not allowed to have and probably won't be for quite a while, such as chips, pop, peanuts(anything with peanuts in it). I also am very big on him getting veggies and fruits and not too many sweets. There are other things too but just off the top of my head those are a few. Not everyone feels this way, but sometimes people don't think about asking before offering your child something. And with his sleeping I am kind of particular about his naps and such. If he doesn't get one of his naps it screws the whole next day up. There are times that things happen and he doesn't get one and that is life, I understand that. But, now here is my dilemma, when Tony and I go out and leave him with a babysitter how do we express these things without sounding too nitpicky(or is it ok to be nitpicky with him)? Like for an example(sorry mom) when Grandma was over here a few nights ago, she brought ice cream. It was Moose Tracks(YUM) and she was about to give it to Rece. I was reminded that there is peanut butter in there and so I stopped it immediately. But, what would have happened had I not been there? I would have freaked had I found out. I am sure that he would have been fine, but I just don't want him having certain things yet. And I think sometimes when you leave your baby with someone, they think everything should be done their way or if they don't have kids, then they go on what they have heard, or if it is with an older generation, whose kids are grown, they forget what it is like to have a baby and wanting to do things perfectly and your own way and think that they know better. Do you get over this fear? How do you bring up these subjects with babysitters or grandparents? And, how do you know that they will abide by your rules once you leave? I have worried about this kind of stuff from day one and I know most people say oh you will relax once you have another one. But, am I so wrong to want to do things my way? Especially since I am the one home with him all day.

We've got a beaver on our hands!

We just found out that Rece is biting on his crib and chipping the paint! Does anyone know where we can get those plastic guards for cribs?











HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY AVERIE!!!!

There is a reason...

That we haven't posted in a while! Our computer had a virus!!!! That is terrible. Luckily my brother was able to save the most important thing on this computer....pictures of Rece!!!!!! I didn't think however of a few other things, like the baby album I kept on the computer. Oh well at least I have a regular baby book of him. There were just a lot of things about his first holidays that I didn't write down elsewhere! My brother had to totally erase everything and start over basically. I guess things happen. I will post pictures when I get them back on my computer.

AAAAHHHHH

He grinds his teeth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alright, it is National DeLurking week...so everyone who is checking out my website come out of hiding and leave a comment! And just so you have something to comment on...I need some thoughts or advice if you have any:
Rece is really having a hard time transitioning to table food. He likes his baby food so much that he resists trying table food. He will eat a few things well, but mostly he turns his head at everything. He is having issues with texture too...on his hands and in his mouth. And the only thing I can get him to eat on his own is fruit/veggie puffs! I need help...I am ready to stop buying baby food soon!

Note from Mommy: We have come to the understanding that unfortunately for everyone involved teething is awful!! Rece now has 2 teeth...you can just barely see them in this picture. I guess every tooth is going to come with about a week of pure misery! This misery includes waking up in the 5:00 hour and taking very short and inconsistent naps and being whiny and cranky and fussy all day long...and that is just me! No, not really but that is how I feel when Rece is like that...but then he has a day like today, when he is pure laughs and smiles and great naps and it erases the last week(except I need 24 hours of sleep now;) Oh well I guess this is just all part of the joys of motherhood and I will eventually forget about it and do it all over again! His two teeth have come about 5 weeks apart so at this rate it is going to take him 2 years to get all his teeth, but I guess that is Rece for you...takes his time with everything...I guess I should have been prepared for that after is slow entrance into the world! I hope everyone is having a great holiday season and we will hopefully see and talk to everyone in the next couple of weeks. 

Update from Mommy: Last week was a rough week for Rece and me. I think we both cried multiple times! He wouldn't eat as well and he was regressing in some areas. He was also just fussier! I was assured by many people that it was a phase and thank goodness they were right!! He must have been saving his energy last week to prepare for this week, because he has come back strong. He is now really starting to walk with help and cruise his toys and furniture...which is a big step for him. He also has gone back to eating the fruit puffs instead of throwing them! Also he has come so close to pulling himself up many times straight from his butt!! He gets to his knees and has gotten one foot under him but can't quite get that second foot! It will come very soon. And just tonight he actually made some attempt at the start of crawling. He moved his hands and his feet about one time each and not together! His new comfort is to put his hand in my mouth (not very tasty after spinach) whenever I am holding him. He is getting so big and really starting to talk in baby jargon. It is really funny, he mostly "talks" to his toys. I am so excited about the upcoming holidays and seeing his reaction to everything especially the christmas tree~yikes, pray that he doesn't decide to walk or crawl that day! Another quirky thing that he does is that he shakes everything he holds and then switches hands and does it with the other hand...it doesn't matter if it is a hat, leaves, a rattle or paper...he shakes EVERYTHING! We are trying a new nap and bedtime routine in hopes that he sleeps just a little longer...right now he is getting about 1 hour on average less than the lowest end of the average scale of sleep for his age(naps and night combined-14 hours) and he always wakes up cranky from his 40 min. second nap~yay fun for mommy! So, we are working on it...the last two nights he did not make one fuss when we put him in his crib!!! BIG IMPROVEMENT! If that can be done than I am almost sure that slightly better naps can be!
Just some cute pictures of Rece!-and one of Shrek too ; )

SLEEP!!

NAPS
Note from Mommy: Yesterday and last night was the best sleeping Rece has done in a long time!!! Yesterday morning he took a 1 hour and 40 min. nap, then an hour nap, then a 40 min. nap. Last night he slept for almost 10 1/2 hours, all of which were uninterupted!!! If you know his history with naps you know that is huge!!!