Three-Year Old - Simple Pleasures...

You always hear that life is all about the "simple pleasures". Watching my son grow and develop, his vocabulary grow and his sayings definitely are one of life's pleasures.

Here are my recent favorite activities...

Opening/Closing Garage Door: Who knew that pressing the button and opening/closing the garage door could provide such pleasure and joy. I never knew!

Car Windows and the DVD Player: (I smell a theme here). Little man loves putting the car window up and down. Doesn't matter if it is sunny or rainy, he has a blast with it. I think he could play with it for hours. Which brings me to the DVD player and the CD player, he absolutely loves putting movies in and taking them out. I don't know how he does it, but he can sit there and do it over and over again.

Hopping: Why walk if you can hop everywhere? Lil man loves to hop from room to room.

Kissing my belly: He is such a sweetie and kisses his baby sister every day. First on my belly button and then on my mole.

Beep the mommas!: OK, per an earlier post. I stand by my decision to rename this part of my anatomy. They are changing and someone likes to beep them.

Some recent favorite phrases:

Why isn't there a purple traffic light?

Beep "Santa"!

I hear an airplane!


Favorite Foods...

He has become almost an exclusive snacker. I wonder if he will ever eat anything else?

Favorites include:

Popcorn
Yogurt Bites
Hebrew National Hot dogs
Apples (sometimes with Peanut Butter)
Organic Chocolate Milk from Starbucks

This week's favorite toddler phrases

This week we have gotten a kick out of our toddler's growing vocabulary. It is interesting as a parent to see words and phrases you use coming back at you, likely with a different context. It also is fun to see what new and creative phrases that a little one comes up with to express what he sees, hears or feels.

Here are some notable phrases for us this week. What is your toddler saying that you KNOW he picked up from you? What creative phrases does he/she say that are going down into your blogs/journals or notes?

1) HELP! (OK, I don't know where this one came from, but he is saying "HELP!" every time we "encourage" him to do something that he doesn't want to do. Examples include - taking a bath, going potty, going to bed, etc. We went to a restaurant this week and as we were sitting there, what did lil man do? He yelled, "HELP!" at the top of his lungs. I looked around to see if someone was going to come after us. Why do I get the feeling that this is the first of many times this lil man will call us out as he grows up. :)

2) "It's not yours!" (So, lil man loves to say "mine" and again, what almost three year old doesn't? For that matter, I bet adults wish they could say that too!! We use this phrase when the dog takes something that is not his, but this phrase is coming back to haunt us as lil man says it to everyone he meets. We went out for Gelati (really we DO eat at home the majority of the time) and a lil girl around his age was looking through the glass refrigerated case and picking out the flavor of gelati she desired. What did our guy do, he proceeded to yell (his voice carries like his dad - and I swear if we did a science experiment, I think that if you listened carefully, you would hear him speaking if you were within a 10 mile radius). Anyways, lil man proceeded to yell, "That is NOT yours!" He clearly did not want to share the gelati with anyone.

3) "Don't squeeze the penguins!" (Come on. I know, you too use this phrase on a daily basis, right? His new favorite show is the Penguins of Madagascar and in his recent "hall monitor fashion" he now likes to remind us NOT to squeeze the penguins. Try that one out on your friends and family at home. Sure to generate some strange looks. Especially if you are in the grocery store like us and he yells it aloud."

4) "Dat, dat, dat, dat, dat." (Now, another phrase that I am sure must be one of your favorites. Lately when he is running to the slide. He says this. I guess it is because there are still some things he can't seem to express. It is cute and my hubby reminded me of it).

5) "Cars/airplanes/trucks/diggers(you get the idea) are sleeping. They are taking a nap." (When we are in the car or outside he loves to point out all of the vehicles that he sees. Lately when a car is parked or a digger is not being used, he likes to say that they are sleeping and taking a nap. This is just a sweet phrase to us. Only one a parent would love!"

Just your average Saturday

So, what did you do today? It's a Saturday and here is our story...

1. Took a field trip to ... the car wash. Yes, you read correctly. We did not go to the museum, zoo or anything like that. As a family we went to the car wash. Hey, isn't a key to parenting taking the mundane errands you need to run and giving them a fun new twist? In our house it sure is. Lil man LOVES cars and trucks so it was a fun-filled experience. Plus, it is easy to forget the simple pleasures in the little things - like watching your car get soaped up, scrubbed by the giant brushes and then all of the people watching in the lobby.

Favorite quotes from lil man today included:
"Don't bite the dog." Yes, didn't I tell you - he is training to be a future hall monitor. We aspire to great heights here. :) (Not that there is anything wrong with being a hall monitor. I did not mean to offend any professional hall monitors by my post. Nothing should be inferred either one way or the other from my post.) Well, there was a man there with his dog and who wouldn't say, "Don't bite the dog." Lately, lil man has been telling EVERYONE "not" to do different things. It is quite cute and gets fun looks from people of all ages - as he tells anyone he sees (usually perfect strangers).

Even as I write this, I just heard him say, "No screaming." To put that in context, my hubby was telling the dog not to eat the furniture. As lil man gets older, he may appreciate the tone and volume of that one more. My other favorite was at school he scolded a parent and said, "No waving" as they were saying goodbye to their child. I hate to say it, but I either want to shrink in embarrassment or I want to crack up. It all depends who he selects to impart his wisdom upon.

2. Went to the "super park." There is this amazing park in the city's downtown area. If parks and swing sets were rated like restaurants in Zagat's, I think this one would surely make the top of the list. As the sun was finally out, even though the air was crisp, we went and swung for what seemed like an hour. Just seeing lil man's smile made every minute extra special.

3. Meltdown at the bookstore. It wouldn't be a Saturday, or any day that ends in "y", without a meltdown of some sort. We stopped by Barnes & Nobles, which has a fantastic kids section, so I could purchase my first prenatal yoga DVD. I have decided to try and give some level of exercise a try. Funny because when I am not pregnant, I love to workout (and miss my kickboxing and cycle classes). When I am pregnant, I just can't do very much. So, I am hoping that the DVD doesn't stay in a permanent "child's pose" in the box and actually makes it into the DVD player. Verdict is still out. Anyways, the B&N has a train table (much like the one we have at home). But that doesn't matter. Lil man loves it and could play there - alone - (key word) for hours. He was doing great as I grabbed the only DVD they had when another sweet lil child came up to play. That signaled a colossal fit. Because, who wants to share? Def not this lil man. (This is where we think a little bro or sister will do him, and us, good).

4. Naps are a family occasion. Who says naps are only for lil ones? Whomever says it doesn't know what they are missing. Today, tired from our exciting morning or turning the mundane into an adventure, we all took a nap. Mom, Dad, Lil Man and Dog. I love these moments and try to savor them as I know they will only pass too quickly.

5. A security banana? Some kids have a security blanket or special toy. Well, we went to Whole Foods today and lil man picked out his favorite thing, "nannas". He then proceeded to clutch them closely for the entire shopping trip. We barely got them away to be run up at the checkout counter. When we got to the car, he wanted to hold his nannas on the ride home. It was so endearing. I am still kicking myself that I forgot my camera!!

That's the scoop thus far for a Saturday. It is easy for something that is already wired with excitement to be exciting. The challenge and adventure comes when you take something that is ordinary and routine and making it a special day.

What makes your family unique?

I recently awoke at 3:30 am, which is becoming quite common these days - 1) being pregnant, I am making those frequent trips to what I like to call "my second office" and 2) lil man is getting into potty training so much that he wakes and wants to go potty.

On this occasion, I couldn't fall back asleep. A common tale. So, as I lie awake, I thought about our family, our dysfunctions, what made us unique and pondered... If lil man was grown up today, what would he say was unique about his family traditions? Deep thoughts continued making me wonder how he would describe his childhood (to date) and what memories he was forming of family life that he would inevitably pass on or curse and vow to change later in life.

Here is what I came up with. Some things make me want to cringe or make some immediate changes and others make me smile and proud of what makes our family a family. Here are a few of the highlights. I'd love to hear yours!!

1) Family Bed - Togetherness. "You mean, everyone doesn't share the same bed?": If you asked lil man he would tell you that everyone (including Franklin the doxie dog, sleep in one bed). As he has children's asthma, crying it out never worked for us as crying would lead to shortness of breath. I used to be somewhat embarrassed and maybe a little ashamed about this, but I have since learned to embrace it. As I'm a working mom, I love cuddling with him and this becomes such special family time. He loves to cuddle too and I know that as he gets older, and as the new baby arrives, we will be making some changes. So, I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

2) Cooking takes between 30 - 60 sec. "A stove or oven, what are they?": OK, I feel like I am in confession and need to repent. I wish that I was a better cook, but I am all about convenience. (Somehow saying it aloud doesn't seem to make me feel better as I had hoped). :) I do enjoy cooking, but am a novice. After getting home from work, it is just enough to put me over the edge. I would rather spend the time playing with my son versus making a late dinner and then immediately putting him to bed. I really want to do more cooking and as he gets bigger, I hope that I can do this. With that said, I am a convenience cook!

3) Christmas lasts into the Spring.: We just recently, took down our two Christmas trees. This was in part to the basement flooding, but more to either laziness or being busy. Well, really I think it is because I am a big kid at heart. I love the holidays and hate to see them end - especially with a long winter ahead. This is why I talk my hubby into leaving the lights on a little longer. As for the trees, lil man loved saying hello and goodnight to them each day that it warmed my heart. While I know that leaving the decorations up this long may give some an ulcer, I hope that lil man takes away the sentiment. (That or he might describe us as crazy. I guess only time will tell!)

4) "Ornaments, what are they?": This does relate back to No. 3. I really think he would ask this question and likely share stories and his own theories if he were older. I think our trees had a total of maybe three ornaments total on them this year. I know, many of you are probably cursing me or rethinking our friendship, but we just like to keep it simple. We love the lights and other decorations that adorn the house. Also, it makes for clean up much easier. :) (Maybe that is the true reason).

5) Bananas come from Starbucks: OK, now he has outgrown this and has been with us to the grocery store numerous times. However, for the longest time, we would go through the Starbucks drive through and they always had a nice display of bananas. It would immediately send lil man into a repetitive chant, reciting, "Nanas, Nanas, Nanas..." It's funny how adult routines make an imprint on lil ones.

We have many more, but these stood out to me and I thought you might enjoy them too. What are your unique rituals, routines or dysfunctions that your child would share if he/she could?

Biting!! Help - seeking tips!!

Just found out that my lil man, my sweet little man, bit three kids today at school!!! Yes, not just one, but three!!! :( I had really hoped we had missed this phase - without one bite on record.

I still remember when we were checking out daycares, there was a huge sign saying "Biting happens". I didn't know what to think.

So, my guy has become the biter!!! I am filled with a sense of guilt for the other kids and then frustration and shame for us.

Looks like we will be putting discipline in full force starting tonight. If you have any "stop biting" tips, please pass them on!!

Say, what?!

You may recall from a previous post, that I renamed my breasts "mommies". I don't even remember why I did this, but boy am I glad that I did.

My son nursed for a while and even after he was done, he liked to refer to them, talk to them and even (at the most inappropriate times - at daycare) sometime reach for them (almost like it was an ID check to be sure that I was really his mommy). It was much easier to pull him close as he reached for them yelling, "mommies!" versus what would have had me blushing and likely finding a new day care out of sheer embarrassment.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, my husband was out skiing and I was at home with my lil man. We had a great time together. As I am now really showing (feel like I have been showing since I found out I was expecting), I thought it would be fun to have him "kiss the baby", AKA my belly. To me, this protruding belly is impossible to miss - so how could he? When he took no interest, I showed it to him and tried to explain how big mommy's belly was getting because there was a baby in the belly.

Instead of showing any interest, he blurted out (not that I had a big belly, but) ... "BIG Mamas!" I couldn't believe what I had heard. Here the belly had made no impact, but he noticed and commented on my expanding bustline. Now, I am 1,000,000% thrilled that I renamed them "Mamas/Mommies!"

And yes, while my son calls his "mommies" and daddy's "mommies" and even Frank's (the dog's) "mommies" - I would rather correct this when he gets a little older versus take the chance and give him a fun new word right now.

I guess you never really know what little ones will say. :) I can't wait to tell that story to his future finance someday, though, my husband says he will probably be proud of it and I still won't get the last word. :)

What surprising or unexpected things have your little ones said?

Top 10 List - What I miss

If you missed my earlier post, I am proud to share that I am expecting my second baby!! I am nearing the twelve week point and am definitely showing. I always heard that with your second child, your body just remembered what to do - and has it ever!!

Already poured into early maternity clothes and doning a rounder face and figure (curvalicious as my hubby says), I have begun to look forward to all of the things that I can not have (but of course want).

Here is my top 10 list of what I miss and can't wait to have again. :)

10) Caffeine - all sorts!! Especially my typical morning go-to, Starbuck's Chai Tea Latte (specifically a non-fat, extra foamy chai!). Now for the rant... for years I have wished and hoped that Starbucks would come out with flavored Chais or other fun/yummy chai latte drinks. Well, my luck - they have. They have delightful new Apple Chais, Berry Chais and many other wonderful treats. I have cheated and had some sips, but am really missing starting my days with them. However, on the positive side, I am saving money and I guess my body is getting a nice detox!!

9) Diet Cherry Soda - at this point, I would go for any brand! What especially sounds good is a Diet Cherry Coke from Johnny Rockets - you know, the one where they add the cherry syrup. YUM! (I might have to break this rule and just have a small one. YUM!!)

8) Skiing - OK, so this is not for me, but my hubby is going through, "I lost my ski partner", withdrawl.

7) Sushi - I swear, the moment I found I was pregnant, I started craving sushi!! What luck. Though, I think it is more about wanting what I can't have.

6) Exercising in general - I love going to the gym, but have felt very tired and have had to take it easy due to some issues this pregnancy. I had vowed the last time, and 45 lbs later, that I would exercise throughout my pregnancy so I could stay stronger and hopefully shed the pounds faster. Things are not working out that way, so I have decided to embrace pregnancy and am enjoying eating items that I never get to eat. So, bye-bye gym and hello cookies, ice cream, and chips.

5) Flavored Waters - Specifically Aquafina FlavorSplash Grape Flavored Water. I miss this. I was drinking 3-4 of these a day for a while there. I like for my beverages to have a flavor and know that I need to drink more water, so this was my personal compromise. I miss the grape and am just hoping they won't discontinue it.

4) Salads and not eating all the time - I enjoyed eating smaller and healthier meals. I rarely snacked before and was really good about not over eating. The moment I found out I was expecting, I told myself I would workout, eat well, etc. Well, that lasted for about 5 minutes. I have not had the stomach for salads or lighter lunches and have been craving all things junk food. Help!!

3) Kickboxing - yes, might sound funny, but I really miss the exhilaration and great workout feeling you get after a good class. This is one of the only times I actually relax!

2) My old clothes - I remember with my first, that I was actually excited to wear maternity clothes. My belly was my badge and I loved showing it off. While I am still VERY, VERY proud of my badge, I miss my old, cute, smaller clothes. Also being in the in-between pregnancy stage (too small for most of my maternity clothes and too big for my pre-pregnancy clothes) is difficult.

1) Red Wine, Port, Cocktails - we went on a wine tour in Santa Barbara before the holidays. We purchased some great red wine as well as port. I did not get a chance to enjoy it, but am already planning for which bottle I want to enjoy when fall comes around.