Another Go-Round with Spinners

For an early birthday celebration we were in LA to visit Tata and Abuela, and the big Mouse (a.k.a Mickey Mouse).

Well that means another trek through the Altamont Pass - where they have the windmill farms. Or what Drew likes to call them "Spinner". Here's a better audio quality shot of his excited reaction....



Sorry about the jump cuts - I just threw it together, forget the fancy editing.

Naptime Battle

So as I hinted at yesterday, there wasn't much sleeping going on for Drew's first nap attempt on Monday with his crib mattress on the ground. After about 30 minutes this is what we were listening to in between the whining and crying.



After about an hour-and-a-half nap time battle, we gave up. It was a no-nap kind of day.

However I confess that after two nights in his own bed (he's at Camp Grammy & GrampC now) he did remarkably well. We started really working on a bedtime routine of a story or two, and then music CD, and lights out. We've had to lay there for a while while he falls asleep, but he stays in there all night!

The first night (Monday/Tuesday), he woke up around 4am for an hour, and Daddy had to lay down with him. He fell back to sleep at around 5:45, and slept until 8:45... I think a new record. (Daddy did move back into our bed around 6am). Then Tuesday/Wednesday, he slept until 5:30 am, and never went back to sleep. I wouldn't either if I wet through my jammies and onto the bed.

2 Year Well Check & Hands Update

Drew was busy showing his muscles at Monday's 2 year well check. Sorry for the grainy picture - it's from my cell phone.

Anyway, here are his stats:
Weight: 23 lbs 11 oz (6th %ile)
Length: 33 5/8" (28th %ile)
Head Circumference: 19 3/4" ( 83rd %ile)

The doctor was very impressed with his verbal skills, and was amazed when she asked about the butterflies on the wall and he was counting them.

Things that we could work on - getting him to eat healthy foods or anything besides chicken nuggets and fries, and sleeping in his own bed. We created a monster over the past few months when he's been sick - he sleeps in our bed most of the time.

So we have a few tips - switching to 2% milk and only giving it to him three times a day. Feeding him whatever we're eating, limiting the snacks, and while it'll be a few month process we should be able to get him to start eating fruits and veggies, and other meats.

Another step, moving his crib mattress to the floor. Since we're convinced he despises his crib (and pack n play at day care). So perhaps he'll sleep better while we look for a "big boy bed". We're actively watching Craigs List for Trundle beds.

Let's just say the first attempt at a nap on the floor didn't go very well.... I'll have a video of that tomorrow.

The doctor did look at his hands, and while they're discolored right now where the new skin is forming, she said we can expect that to remain for a few months. But we shouldn't see any scarring - even on his right hand which she was able to tell immediately was more severely burned.

All in all a fairly good visit. Drew ended up with the final Hepatitis A shot, and they don't want to see him back until his 3 year appointment. We will go back for a flu shot next month and then one month later for round 2. Other than that - we're hoping to avoid the doctor for a year... possible? There's always wishful thinking!

Food Strike Over?

Could the nearly year long food strike finally be nearing an end? On Thursday Drew amazed us by first requesting pizza for dinner - which was already in the plans. And then secondly by eating more than just the "peckeronis".

That's right, he decided to finally eat pizza! He hasn't touched a slice of pie in probably 6-8 months! Let alone anything with cheese. We're thrilled and of course cheered him on - I think all the books/articles say to make it a non-event, but we couldn't help ourselves.

This particular evening he polished off an entire slice. Oh, and he's requested pizza every night for dinner since. We caved on his birthday and made another pizza. How can you turn down a 2 year old on his birthday - if he's going to eat it, alrighty then!

Now if we can make some headway on noodles....

It's a Wiggly Party

Drew's Northern California Birthday Party was this past Saturday. It was supposed to be at the neighborhood park, but what was Hurricane Linda, caused thunderstorms that morning - forcing us to make a last minute decision to move it to our house.

Despite the unusual weather for September, it turned out to be a great party. Drew took a while to get used to everyone playing with his toys and so he was a little feisty early on, but managed to warm up once he ate some lunch.

This year's theme - The Wiggles a.k.a. Johnny. The big attraction this year... the birthday cake - which YES I made myself (OK the cake was a box mix), but the decorating and frosting was all me.


All the kids were excited for the singing and dessert! Just before this picture was taken, the boys were screaming and jumping up and down - of course Drew followed their lead.


Drew was mighty excited about everyone singing Happy Birthday to him, and then it was over the top when everyone clapped when he blew his candles out. That's exciting stuff!

It was a great afternoon despite the minor set-back early on due to the rain, but Drew had a wonderful time so that's all that matters. We want to thank everyone who came to the party, and those who were thinking of us!

It was such a big day for the birthday boy - look at what time he crashed. Notice the pizza from dinner is still on his face. At least he chewed his last bite before falling into the couch for a snooze.




















Now to find a home for all of the new fun toys, games, books and clothes!

Mommy's Birthday Letter to Drew

Drew,

What an exciting year it's been! I've watched you grow from a baby into a full-blown toddler right before my very eyes.

We've had our share of bumps and bruises, ups and downs, all while discovering the land of tantrums. I'm happy to report we're all in one piece - just a few time outs, doctor's visits, and hospital visits later.

It's amazing to see how much a little mimic you've become, trying to be just like your Daddy - say things he does, or imitate his mannerisms. You've learned your ABC's, your numbers, colors, shapes and so much more in the past 12 months. We LOVE to watch you learn, and love your enthusiasm for all things educational. I really hope you can continue to follow this your entire life!

You make my heart melt everyday when I pick you up from day care to see your big smile and excited dance as we "go home". If I'm talking to Ms. Stephanie about your day, you will even pull my face over to you so you know I'm listening to you say "I go home, see Daddy".

You just have an infectious smile, and those big brown eyes... you make it tough to discipline you sometimes. It's as if you can see right through me when you're being naughty and you know I'm trying not to laugh at you.

Keeping up with the tradition I started last year, here's what you've taught me over the past year:

• despite a painful injury, making your hands virtually unusable you are remarkably resilient.
• ER visits are not always necessary with a 105-degree fever
• How many childhood illnesses are really out there
• Sleep deprivation can lead to a bad habit of letting you sleep in our bed
• It is possible not to panic during a year long food strike
• Tylenol and Motrin don't work for those darn 2 year molars
  
• Those 2 year molars take forever to come in
• You can bang your head into any hard surface during a tantrum, and still come out conscious
• Taking in things like Disneyland, Santa Cruz rides through your eyes is so much more fun than doing that stuff myself as a kid
• I'm going to miss the days taking you on a flight was free
  
• You enjoy being a big boy - gone are the days of strollers, high chairs and anything resembling being a baby
• The world is really a beautiful place - especially when you are forced to stop and see/smell all the flowers, and pick up every rock on a short walk to the mailbox
• You can say "Mommy, Mommy" - over and over for 10 minutes straight, and have absolutely nothing to say
• You are quite a helper, and love to assist with putting dishes away, loading the dishwasher, washer and dryer. Oh, and you like to "help" fold clothes by throwing them off whatever surface I'm working on
  

Every age with you has been a true joy, but now that you're interacting with me more, and giving me that new cheesy grin of yours - it is truly exciting. I love your big hugs and delicate kisses. I love the smile you give me in the morning, your crazy sense of humor, and the silly dances you do.

Don't ever give up that wonderful side of you. Continue to grow and learn new things. Keep that sense of adventure and wonder, but never forget that we're here for you too.

I can't wait to see what new adventures the next year brings us! (But can we avoid a trip to the ER please?)


I love you baby boy, more than you'll ever know,
Mommy

Road Trip Detour

While leaving LA on Monday, we made a quick pit stop at my friend's house. Jenn is a friend from High School conveniently lives right off of I-5, and saw through Facebook that we were leaving in the morning to make the LONG drive home (typically about 6-7 hours).

So she invited us over to let Drew get a few wiggles out, and so we could finally meet each other's kids. If you stalk her from my blog, she just had twins a little over a month ago. Yes, she has a 2 year old (a few months older than Drew) and twins! I admire her sanity through the chaos - she had it together!

Despite working on getting into a routine with the new additions, redoing a bathroom, and having house guests she was kind enough to let us hop over for about an hour or so. The boys had a good time playing next to each other (not so much with each other), that is until right before we were leaving the boys decided to toss a balloon back and forth.

Sorry for all the blurry pictures - I didn't put the camera on the right setting - oops.

Here's a blurry shot of the two of us right before we left (I think Dylan was in the pouch - do I have that right Jenn? I knew I should've written this sooner.)

So is anyone else as jealous as I am that Jenn looks so good after having twins!? Dude girl! Thanks again for the spontaneous visit - hope it works out again sometime.