When toddlers attack

We decided to go out to purchase a magazine last night at our local big bookstore. We had an hour before bedtime and no plans so it seemed like perfect timing. Unfortunately, the magazine we were looking for (the one with the stucco repair dad) was not there, so Hoagie and I headed off to the children's section. Oh the delights of the children's section! Hoagie could hardly contain himself. It was pretty empty and he was enthralled with the large train set that was set up in the corner. Another couple headed over with their two boys (one about 4 and the other around 2, plus one on the way) and the younger of the two had a major meltdown. Like monumental shrieking that would have sent me right back out the door to put my kid to bed. Alas, these parents decided the kid should play at the train table with his brother and Logan. As you are probably aware, a one year old has almost no sense of things belonging to someone else. Very, very little. So he tried to take the older brother's trains and I herded him away several times. The parents of the other kids were nice enough and we traded quips on what it will be like to add their expected child into the mix. Then Logan made a most dire mistake. He grabbed the younger boy's train. The shrieking! The yelling! In no time at all the boy had Logan around the neck and was strangling him. Well, not seriously, but enough to scare the pants off of our boy and send him into hysterics. I intervened along with the other parents and we left the train table. The strangler's parents apologized profusely and no one was worse for the wear. Personally, I would have left the store then if my kid had done that to someone else, but (you may detect a theme here) they decided to stay. We left as it was Hoagie's bedtime and many more apologies were offered. So that was our first experience with a physical altercation between our kid and another. Don assures me that I didn't freak out, even though I felt like my eyeballs were going to pop out of my head when I saw that little boy's hands around my son's neck. I think I said something like "Oh no, we don't do that!" so how bad could I have sounded? I always second guess myself when I am talking to or correcting other people's children. I wonder how T deals with it at daycare? I have much to learn today when I pick up the kid.

Oh my

A coworker just had her fourth child. Fourth! She is a well-oiled mother machine, and sailed through her pregnancy with apparently little drama despite dealing with some issues that would have sent me over the edge. Today she brought her two week old into work.

Oh my.

I am in desperate need of snuggling a newborn! Desperate I tell you! My uterus swelled with desire and my hormones swooned. Luckily my head is still on relatively straight, but dang that urge is powerful.

Logan was walking around last night with his hands in his pants pockets. Seriously, it was the cutest thing ever. Don said he was channeling his Pop-pop Boyko and all he needed was a little change to jingle.

'Cause I feel guilty

Pics!

Wow

It's been a long time.

But we're back! And doing well! With words!

New to our ears--balloon and daddy. No mama anywhere in sight. *sigh* We are quite impressed with balloon's two syllables, and he also calls Sunshine zsa zsa. We hear that one A LOT.

Logan is walking like crazy, so much that I had to buy him shoes. He loves them so much that he asked to wear them this morning. We tried them out at the local playground where he had a great time. We met some neighborhood kids (including triplets) who loved playing ice cream and flower stand. Both are much to complex to describe here, but let's just say we had fun with bark and leaves. I even met two moms! This is quite a breakthrough for me.

The renovation came and went, and phase 1 is complete. A window was moved and it looks fantastic. I have during pictures that I will post. My dad found some nasty wood paneling and some baaaaad faux brick wallpaper under the sheet rock. Thank g-d they covered that crap up. Next will be installing french doors. Woo hoo! Should be done by winter 2015.

Don's last night class is this Tuesday and I am wildly excited. Don 7 nights a week will be a welcome change. Now that The Office and Gilmore Girls is over I don't have Tues/Thurs obligations and I am ready for bedtime help. That, and I don't eat dinner on those nights because I am too lazy to make myself anything. Did I really just type that out? I did. Sad confession.

So there are about 8 million other things to catch up on, but here a video to smooth things over...

Hi, baby

We have words! Well only two words, hi and baby. He also makes a kissing noise and just today started puckering up for kisses (a big improvement over the open mouth tongue out technique he has usually).

We went out for pizza today and he said "hi" to a group of grumpy men who wouldn't acknowledge him and to a young woman who was kind enough to say "hi" back. Baby isn't consistent, but Ms. T is always telling the other kids to be careful of him because he is the baby. So, he has picked it up. He is also walking EVERYWHERE, which made the pizza dinner very, um, busy. We won't be going out again anytime soon.

He also just popped two new teeth. The teething is consistent and constant. Poor kid. Luckily the sleeping hasn't suffered too much (*knocking on wood*).

Our kitchen is undergoing major renovations next week so I will post before, during, and after pictures. My dad will be doing the work, so at least we can trust the contractor...

Before, after, and mobility

Don has been doing lots of work in the "yard" out front. I must admit that I was a naysayer, I really didn't think he had a plan for the plants. I knew he was excited to do stuff, so I thought he was going forward with the planting a bit hastily (is that a word?). I was wrong, he did a great job.

Front before...



Front after...







I only helped a little, so I can take no credit for the transformation. Except I did suggest using the red mulch to differentiate the space up top. So yay me for that one.

In Hoagie news, he started walking on Thursday. The evidence is below.

Hoo Hoo

We were reading Mr. Brown Can Moo tonight and when we got to the page with the owl (He can sound like an owl... Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo), Logan let out his own little hoo hoo. It was so darn cute, and, quite frankly, the first verbal communication we have seen that indicated he could put words to comprehension. It made his mama happy.

A couple of other things:

Yogurt=vomit
Alphabet bus=happiness
outdoors=heaven
teething=insanely slow

He is so close to walking, but won't stand if we let go. I refuse to predict when it will happen anymore since he clearly doesn't like the pressure.

Pictures tomorrow, as it has been forever since I posted any. You may have forgotten what he looks like by now...

And, Hoagie wishes his great grampa a very very happy birthday! We all wish we could be there to celebrate with you. Hugs and kisses from the west coast!

Weaned

Logan has self-weaned. He nursed for the last time at the doctor's office on Monday. It had always been a tough, hard earned relationship, but it got so much better the last few months. He was never the type of kid who asked to nurse, ever. I feel lucky, proud, and frankly amazed that we got to this point, but also sad that it is over. Last week I was forcing the night nursing (I know, I'm crazy) then realized I was doing it for me and not for him. *sigh* Being a mom is so hard sometimes.

Also sad is how quickly my boobs returned to their former (minuscule) size. Blah.

A small recap:

• Nurse at NICU with little tube attached to a syringe and nipple shield
• Visit lactation consultants and ditch the finger feeding
• Wash those stupid shields with limited hot water due to pipe issue at condo
• Lived through nursing a squirmy reflux baby
• Ditched the shield and nursing goes smoothly (ah, short-lived bliss)
• Nursing becomes possible only when I am not talking and we are bounding on the exercise ball
• Nursing possible only when no one is talking, white noise on, bouncing on the ball, and Logan is sleepy
• Keep this routine up for 6 months
• Stop pumping
• Start using impressive (if I do say so myself) frozen stash of breastmilk with regularity
• Nursing dwindles and so does stash
• Logan nurses for the last time and stash depleted almost simultaneously
• Don unplugs deep freezer and I cry

Backyard

We have one! And we worked on it this weekend. I trimmed branches and Don put bamboo up around the gnarly fences. We bought a new patio set and put it together (and oiled it) without a single argument. Amazing!

Hoagie very much enjoyed himself in the yard, managing to find small things to put in his mouth everywhere. Sunshine also had a great time, she is in heaven.

On the inside, we got the bedroom, bathrooms, kitchen, and spare bedroom cleaned up. We are t-i-r-e-d.

Happy belated birthday to my mom, we wish we could have been there to celebrate with you!

Moved

It's over. It went smoothly. We are living in chaos. But we are at the new house!!!!!!!!!! It seems so surreal and I am still trying to grasp the change, but we actually bought a house. We also bought baby gates and they are causing another bout of chaos, but I think both the move and the barriers will prove positive in the end.

Logan has been doing just fine, but he did have a moment of "um, can you please put me in my REAL room?" last night. Poor kid. He also has 3 lovely bruises on his head from various incidents. How can he get so many injuries on carpet? We went for a walk to the local grocery store yesterday (less than 4 blocks away!) and he very much enjoyed the trip. I am amazed at his charisma, I think we are in trouble. He is such a happy kid and (of course) so cute. People are always stopping us to make comments about what a sweet boy he is. I am very thankful to the universe for sending me this little man, and as much as I would like to take credit for his stunning personality, I fear I have very little influence over it. Another teacher who sends her son to Ms. T was saying that the Hoagie is the happiest baby she has ever met. This teacher told Don that she HAS to meet me because I must be the most laid back person ever. HAHAHAHA! Wouldn't she be disappointed?

L has a new face that is pretty funny. I will try to get a picture of it today. We can all bask in his cuteness together.

Sold

Holy cow. The condo is sold. As in no longer owned by us. Escrow has closed and money is about to be transferred *fingers crossed sooooooo hard for this one.* We are renters for the first time in 6+ years, but only for two short days. Please send positive thoughts our way for these two crazy days. Aye! Moving is stressful, but the payoff, oh it will be good. Woot!

In other "send positive thoughts" news, please direct your attention over to Babycakes, where a new little life is about to emerge. We here at Logie the Hoagie are truly exited for the Babycakes gals and hope everything goes perfectly with LB's arrival. Love from the west coast girls!

And because I know I will be disappointing the masses if I don't give a small Logan update, he is standing more on his own, and is doing great with the packing. Especially the part where he gets to play in all the empty cupboards and drawers with his measuring cup. Which, by the way, is his favorite thing right now. Who knew measuring cups would be so beloved?

Aaaaaand, one last but certainly not least thing, Happy Birthday Great Grammy Brown! We hope your day was wonderful and we wish we could have been there to celebrate with you. Much love!

Bathroom humor

Oh it was a wild weekend of packing and small repair work here in San Diego. Luckily we got lots accomplished and Logan was only slightly ignored. He did very much enjoy the exersaucer down in the garage, as he had never been down there before (you know, to spend any time). Once Sunday night rolled around, we were all a bit slap happy. Which led to the following two events--which are both, unfortunately, funny at Don's expense.

First, Logan needed a bath and Don decided to join him. I got Hoagie ready and brought him into the bathroom with just his diaper on (to avoid any accidents you know). I took said diaper off right in front of the tub and Don lifted him in. As I was wrapping up the diaper I noticed it looked, um, darkish, and I said to Don, "you know, you really didn't do a very good job wiping himmm ............... OH NO! POOP! There is POOP in the TUB!" Yes, we put a poopy kid into the tub with Daddy. I had to scoop the offending patty(s) out with my bare hands, and Don ended up with it smeared on his leg. Logan was none the wiser. He was just enjoying the show ("Poop? Really? I hadn't noticed.... hee hee hee!"). I was laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath. I mean, you know as a parent that things like this are going to happen, but I was unprepared for the hilarity. I love a good potty joke. Once things calmed down everyone was rinsed off, the tub refilled, and a good time was had by all.

Later on Don decided to cut his hair (!) ,which he mostly does by himself with the clippers. I usually come in just at the end to do some clean up. Last night, when I was called in for my part, I noticed his hair was shorter than usual. He looked at me and said "I am using a #1 guide instead of #2." And I think, ok, whatever you want. Then he turns his head. There is a wide patch on the side of his head that is shaved CLOSE. Evidently, he was doing his side burns and forgot that he didn't have a guide on and just kept going up into his hair. But he didn't want it that short because, well, it is really short. So we tried to disguise it, but the chances are pretty good some tyke at school today will notice Mr. M's weird hair and ask what happened. Luckily hair grows in fast, so this will be a memory in no time.

I really hope these aren't "you had to be there" type stories. They were sooooo funny at the time and I am glad there is now a record of them for Logie to look back upon. I am sure he will be so grateful.

They say they come in pairs

After massive teething action while the grandparents were visiting, another tooth is popping. Guess that's why feeding him was an absolute CHORE yesterday. Hhmmm....

In other news we are living among boxes and continue to pack for the big move. I know Sunshine will fare the worst for this adventure, and she is starting to show the stress already. For example she dug a hole in our area rug last night. Luckily it isn't too noticeable, and the coffee table will cover it, but I foresee a series of unhappy acting out incidents. Poor baby.

Stolen Meme

Taken from Tex and Blondie

A is for age: 1
B is for beverage of choice: Breastmilk
C is for career right now: looking cute and melting hearts
D is for your dog’s name: no dog, but I love Gabby's puppy Sasha
E is for essential item you use everyday: H.ylands T.eething T.ablets
F is for favorite TV shows at the moment: My videos on uTube
H is for home town: Sunny San Diego, but soon...La Mesa!
I is for instruments you’ve played/play: tongue, measuring cup
J is for favorite juice: Prune? The only kind I've had
K is for whose butt you’d like to kick: Where's my butt? How do I kick?
L is for last person to call you: My grammy and grampa on the web cam
M is for marriage: Too young
N is for your full name: LPMB
O is for overnight hospital stays: Not since the NICU
P is for people you were with today: My mom, dad, Ms. T, and my buddy R
Q is for quote: Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894 (smart, aren't I?)
R is for biggest regret/mistake: Eating that kitty litter nugget off the floor
S is for status: Single!
T is for time you woke up today: ??? (the transcriber left before I woke up)
U is for the underwear your wearing right now: Huggies
V is for vegetables you love: squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, carrots, peas
W is for worst habit: Reaching for the toilet brush (over and over and over)
X is for x-rays you’ve had: None
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Breastmilk, so far
Z is for zodiac sign: Pisces!

No, stabbing

First, here is proof Logan is learning how to express himself. Yes is also in the works...



Second, I stabbed him today with my thumbnail. I just missed his eye. Scary close. Ouch! And to add insult to injury he also had vaccines today and pinched his finger in our dresser. Wow. I am so getting that mom of the year plaque now. I can't even bear to take a picture of the injury--it looks really bad. Hopefully tomorrow it will be better, cause you know, I did this to him just in time for my parents to see it. They arrive on Wednesday.

One + one

One year and one day. Looking cute, here are some recent pics...









Birthday party is this afternoon and a post will follow. I promise.

Comparison

Then



Now

One

I love one. One is so happy, loud, busy, curious, and sweet. One is nursing better than ever before and is eating like a champ. One is fascinated with shoes and anything Mom and Dad are holding. One likes to drink out of cups even though very little water actually goes in the mouth. One loves the outdoors and cheerios. One wakes up and smiles at us when we enter the room. One entertains himself in the crib with his toys. One has an obsession with the dishwasher that I can't explain. One is also very into the vacuum, and I can only hope it stays this way. One still loves Sunshine more than anything else in this world. One thinks Mom has a wonderful voice, especially when singing Old MacDonald. One will go by too fast. One's sloppy kisses will give way to neat pecks on the mouth and silly giggles will eventually become eye rolls. But right now, one is the best ever and today we will celebrate.

Happy One Logan.

Breakthrough

A little tiny bit of a tooth broke through. Pictures to come when he lets me look at it.

A little from column A, a little from column B

First, Evite does not recognize the word evite in its spell check. Doesn't that seem odd?

Second, not to jinx things as it can all fall apart at any time, buuuuuuuut, the condo is in escrow! That's right, I said ESCROW!!!!!!!!!! Hooray! 30 days till close. Gulp! We are all wildly excited and hopeful (cautiously optimistic) here at casa Masse-Brown.

Third, Nana will be pleased to hear that Logan is doing "Soooooooo big!" like a champ! We didn't do it for a while so it was like teaching him from scratch, but he got it! And now he loves it. I will take a video soon. We are now working on identifying where his nose is. It is slow going...

Fourth, the last boss I had at JNI (I had soooo many bosses there) passed away yesterday. Not long ago he was a healthy man in his mid 50s. He went in about a year and a half ago for a routine colon operation and ended up with contamination from the procedure. He endured 7 months of surgeries and rehab, and seemed to be on the road to recovery. Unfortunately he had some serious issues around Christmas time and went downhill fast. I hadn't spoken with him since I went to a reunion thing a while back, so I never saw what he looked like after his medical battles. I am glad I have a vital image of him in my mind. My heart goes out to his family, who has certainly been through more than I can ever imagine.