Social Call

My friend Kate and her husband, Greg, invited us and another couple over to their house for an afternoon cookout. Kate and Greg are the parents of Colin - @ 19 months old. Gabrielle and Troy do not have children - and after watching Wesley and Colin this evening, they may not want them! Just kidding! Both the boys were very good, but it is amazing how quickly two little boys can messy up a perfectly clean house. Colin was very good about sharing his toys as long as Wesley didn't get too close to the blankie, which is totally understandable.

The boys bonded over juice, cheerios and a dip in the pool. They were so cute sitting in the pool in their matching swim diapers! Colin has dark hair and Wesley is so fair - they were like a study in contrasts. They both loved being in water and who can blame them with as hot as it's been here! Colin kept dumping the water out of the pool with his cup and soaking the deck - and Gabrielle's feet! Wesley just sat there and chewed on the pool toys.

Wesley also got to see his first real live bunny! Kate and Greg are the proud parents of two of the nicest bunnies I have ever encountered. One of them hid the entire time we were there (smart rabbit!I'd hide if I was a small furry creature and there were two toddlers in my house) but Cleo came out for a visit. Wesley even got to pet her!

It was so neat to watch the boys together. It's not that they necessarily played together, but it really got me wondering what Wesley will be like at that age. Colin is talking and just all over the place. Wesley seemed so quiet in comparison. I started wondering if it was an age difference or a personality difference or a little bit of both. Colin was fascinated with Gabrielle and especially Troy, while Wesley wouldn't go near them. I wish we saw Kate, Greg and Colin more. When Kate and I were working together we thought the boys would really be growing up together, but now that we work different places, it's too easy to let time slip by and not get together. I'm so glad they took the initiative and planned this. I guess the next "playdate" is on us!

Fear Factor

I discovered a new challenge for those game shows like Fear Factor and Dog Eat Dog. Unwrap two packages of caramels with an 11 month old standing in front of you. This may not sound challenging, but remember, you may not let the child eat any of the caramels (with or without) the wrappers for fear of choking. This means that you will have to pull several wrapped pieces of candy out of his mouth before the mouth closes. You also may not let the child play with the tiny wrapper (choking again), grab the full bag of caramels off your lap, reach into the bowl of unwrapped candy or get into anything else they are not normally allowed to get into. I'm telling you, it's a Herculean task!

Some Days are Easier Than Others

..and this was not one of those days. Wesley woke up at 5:40 for a bottle. He went back to sleep until 7:30, but I tossed and turned with some really weird dreams. We watched a little bit of Noggin and then it was time for breakfast. At least, I thought it was time for breakfast. Wesley had other ideas.

I really wanted him to eat so I kept coaxing his cereal and fruit into his mouth. BIG MISTAKE!!!! Mt. St. Wesley erupted, flooding the high chair with everything I had worked so hard to get him to eat. So the high chair was covered, Wesley was covered, and since he wanted to hug me, I was covered. I took him into the bathroom to get his jammies off and then had to swab the bathroom floor. By this time Wesley had crawled over to the sippy cup of milk I had left sitting on the floor. It was a new style of sippy and I quickly discovered it was not leak-proof. So I changed clothes real quick and mopped up the kitchen floor. I returned to the high chair to start cleaning it and discovered Wesley strewing newspapers all over the floor. Things only got worse once I had all the messes cleaned up. Wesley got sick on his breakfast of babyfood, but he really wanted to eat the kitty food. I scolded and he cried, so I called Daddy and cried.

Duane really is my hero. He left work and came home long enough for me to take a long, hot shower without the little guy banging on the shower door. I made part of a bagel with jelly for Wesley and Duane fed it to him with some juice, then got Wesley ready for the day. He didn't leave until I was feeling human again.

The good news is that the rest of the day has been much easier.

Psycho Shower

Wesley has recently decided that he hates his once beloved exersaucer. Now that he's on the go, he doesn't exactly love to be confined. Unfortunately, this makes shower time a bit more difficult for Mommy. I've started taking him into the bathroom with me along with a few toys and books. I close the lid on the toilet and remove the trash can so he can't get into to anything while I get clean. It's worked pretty well so far. Well, so far until today.

There I was washing my hair, looking at Wesley through the shower door when I began to hear the most awful screeching, ear piercing scream I have ever heard in my life. I mean this scream put the one in Psycho to shame. I flung open the shower door to find Wesley sitting about 1 inch from the door. He didn't seem hurt, so I figured he was just upset because he could see me, but couldn't get to me. If only it was that sweet. I quickly figured out that what was causing his distress was the fact that Mommy was playing in the water and he was not!

Weighing the risk of flooding our tiny bathroom with the risk of my ear drums being shattered if Wesley decided to screech again, I decided to finish my shower with the shower door open. Worked like a charm! Wesley sat on the floor and splashed in the water at the bottom of the stall. Hardly the ideal bathing situation, but I got clean and he was happy. Good enough for me!

Past Our Bedtime

Last Friday a co-worker of Duane's asked what we were doing that night. Duane told him that I was working until 9:00 because of a special program at the library. "What about after she gets home? Ciara and I were thinking about hitting a 10:00 drive in movie. The kids could just sleep in their car seats."

Duane's response? "Dude. You guys are 20-something parents. We're 30-something parents. We'll be in bed then." So sad. So true!

Cat Nap

Mommy's New Do

YAY!!! I am free of long hair for awhile. I love love love the new look! I left my hairdresser's practically skipping. Now that's a sign of a good haircut!

Looking Good in the Neighborhood

Wesley is the biggest flirt I have ever seen! It just seems to come naturally to him. Grandma H., Wesley and I went to lunch at the new Applebees near Grandma. Wesley had every waitress in the place coming fawn over him. They rumpled his hair, they cooed at him, they commented on his eyes and his smiles. Of course, have 5 different women adoring him wasn't good enough for Wesley. He singled one waitress out for the full blown Wesley treatment. Every time she walked past he'd smile at her and crane his neck to follow her. If she was at one end of the restaurant, so were his eyes. She was putty in his little hands. The "coup de gras" was when we took Wesley out of his highchair so he could dance to the music. She didn't stand a chance! Guess we'll be heading back to Applebees so Wesley can see his new girlfriend.

Learning Curve

Here's what Wesley learned today

1. How to open the trash can at Grandma H.'s (and close it on his fingers)
2. How to open the basement door at Grandma H.'s
3. If Grandma H. is lying on the floor he can step onto her tushie and climb onto the couch.
4. Where the steps to the 2nd floor are at Grandma H.'s (thank goodness he hasn't figured this out at our house yet!)

Here's what Wesley failed to learn

1. Grandma H.'s cats are not as patient as our cats
2. Popsicles should be held by the stick, not the popsicle part (but either way they are still tasty!)

Put One Foot in Front of the Other

At what point do you get to officially say your child is walking? Is there a certain number of steps they need to take? Is it when they consistently pick walking over crawling? Wesley is doing more and more walking these days. He walked from Duane to me, covered half of the living room at Grandma H.'s house, and walked from a chair to his bookshelf to pick out some books - then he stood there and looked at them! He still crawls quite a bit, especially if he is in a hurry, but the walking moments are coming more and more frequently. So moms out there, is he now a walker?

Piranha

Today was another day with temperatures in the 90s and it doesn't look like we are going to get much (if any) relief this week. Sounds like a good excuse to fill up the baby pool to me! Wesley spent about half an hour splashing and relaxing in his pool today. I couldn't resist sticking my feet in to cool off. Something about the movement of my toes beneath the water must have brought out Wesley's animal instincts, because he stuck his face in the water and bit my toe!! He's teething again, and I know that is why he did it, but anytime I put my foot in the water it would get chomped a few moments later! Guess we'll have to pipe the theme to Jaws into our backyard.

B.F.F.

Today I got to spend all day with my best friend Cheryl. She's visiting from California and flies home tomorrow so this was only day to really hang out. It's hard to believe that we used to drive around and check out guys and do our homework together. Sixteen years later our day of hanging out consisted of taking our kids to lunch and to the park. Still great, but really different. I still can't believe she lives all the way across the country now.

Taryn and Zack (her kids) are so big! Taryn is as tall as me and has somehow become all legs. And she's only 10! Wesley totally fell in love with Taryn. They played together at the park and she just took such good care of him. She got him a highchair at the restaurant and carried the diaper bag. Back at the house he chased her around the dining room table and she brought him toys. I think the sweetest part was when they were sitting in a chair together and he climbed up her to give her a big sloppy baby kiss! Pure devotion. If she didn't live in California we'd have a babysitter! I remember when Taryn was born. She was all cheeks and smiles. It's a little surreal to see her playing with my baby now.

While Wesley and Taryn played and cuddled, I had some quality time with my "first son" Zack. I was a little scared he wouldn't remember me at first, but that was so not the case. I think he might of been a little jealous of Wesley cause the boy was all over me! Climbing, cuddling, kissing. I think I got a sneak peak into what my life will be like when Wesley turns 5. Maybe I'd better get knee surgery now so I'll be able to keep up! Wesley really watched Zack too - checking out what the big boys do. OH! Zack was so sweet. He told me he wanted to stay with me forever!

Cheryl and the kids brought me a box of chocolate. Cheryl told me to think of them when I eat a piece and then Zack told me not to eat them all. He thought that if I ate all the candy I'd forget them. As if! Cheryl and I may be total and complete opposites, but I'm convinced that is why our friendship has lasted so many years. We each see a bit of what we wish we were like in the other. I was there when each of her kids were just a few hours old. We've shared holidays, been through marriages and divorces together. We know each others secrets and what size we really wear. If that isn't friendship, I don't know what is. I'm going to miss her all over again now. But she seems really happy now. Cheryl has always talking about moving someplace warm and near the ocean. She did it and I can tell it agrees with all of them. Duane said she looked happier than he's seen her in a long time. I agree. I just hope we don't have to wait another year to see each other again.

Mommy Medicine

Wesley woke up today with a bit of a fever and feeling quite cranky. Translation? Mommy stayed home from work with a baby who refused to be put down most of the morning. He even tried to crawl into the shower with me and smacked the door and cried for the two minutes I was in there. He wouldn't eat his breakfast either - just fussed. So we had a cuddly day. We looked at books and napped and cuddled a lot. He didn't even want Duane when he came home. Guess every now and then he just needs a good dose of mommy.

Countdown

I finally did it! I made an appointment today to have my hair cut off! I have wanted to do this for months, but Duane really likes longer hair so I've left it alone. However, after Wesley pulled himself to a standing position using my hair I decided enough was enough. In just about a week I'll be free!

Eat, Swim and Be Merry

..or in Wesley's case - swim, eat and be merry. Wesley had another bang up day today. I took some comp time this afternoon and we went swimming with Grandma and Grandpa P. It was Wesley's first time in a big pool and he loved it! No hesitation at all! He loved being in his floaty. He loved "swimming" on his tummy (he'd hum while we swam him around). He loved splashing. The only thing he didn't love was when it was time to get out! I think Grandpa had almost as good a time as Wesley. The only reason it was almost is because after about 15 minutes in the water he realized he still had his phone in his pocket. Cell phones do not make good flotation devices. Did you know you can dry your cell phone in the oven at 125 degrees. Has a "ring" of truth to it, huh? Seriously, it worked great!

A dip in the pool just about wore Wesley out. A nice warm towel and being dried off on Grandma's lap was a perfect way to end our excursion. Poor little guy was so tuckered out he fell fast asleep on the walk back to the condo. It didn't last long though. The air conditioning perked him right up and he was tearing around the house with his bike.

I was a little worried about his lack of nap this afternoon because we had dinner plans with Heath and Alia (the couple who got married over the weekend.) Apparently I had nothing to worry about. We went to the Japanese Steakhouse and Wesley was ..well, he was the best behaved I have ever seen him be in a restaurant. It wasn't even that he was that interested in the cooking going on at the table, he was just good!

Of course, anytime there is food involved he behaves himself pretty well. That little boy can really put the chow away! He ate dinner before we left, but he still had puffs at the table. He sampled our soup (and really seemed to like it), and really dug the zucchini. He kept reaching for my arm and pulling it towards him so I'd feed him faster. He ate bits of steamed rice off my chopsticks and thought the chicken and beef was almost as good as turkey baby food. Hey! That's a big compliment coming from Wesley. Turkey baby food is his most favorite thing to eat. He'll even play with the jar! Wesley ended his meal by eating some of my pineapple sherbet and some of Duane's vanilla ice cream. What an appetite!

Needless to say, Wesley crashed hard when it was time for bed. He's had quite a busy three days. I hope it leads to sweet dreams.

Wedding Weekend

Duane's cousin and best friend Heath got married this weekend. Duane was the best man, so you know that our weekend was pretty much filled with wedding festivities. Friday night was the rehearsal. Since it started at 6:00 and I had to work until then, Wesley and I arrived at the church after things were already under way. Wesley wasn't too sure about going into an unfamiliar church with unfamiliar people there. Wesley was OK until he spotted his daddy standing up front with the other guys, then he suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen his daddy in nearly 12 hours and that was long enough! He cried and fussed until Duane was finally able to hold him.

The rehearsal dinner was a nice, laid back event at the church where the reception would be held. Duane's cousin Linda (sister to the groom) made the food and it was soooooo good. Wesley really enjoyed the lasagna and fruit tart. The other thing Wesley enjoyed was playing with the big boys. Heath has two sons - Ace (7) and Damian (3 1/2) and they were very intrigued by Wesley. They chased him around the room, crawled on the floor with him, tried to get him to walk, and played with his toys. Wesley was especially fond of Ace's spikey hair! It was cute to watch these three boys just having fun!

unfortunately, Wesley was a little too wound up by the rehearsal, because sleep was not really part of his agenda that night - a bit of a problem since the groom was sleeping at our house. Wesley woke up at 1:00 and stayed up until nearly 3:00. You would have thought that he'd sleep in after his middle of the night party, but he was up bright and early! We managed to keep him quiet enough that Heath got some sleep, but that was a small miracle.

Duane and Heath got ready for the wedding here, and after they left I got myself and the little dude all gussied up. I told Wesley in the car that if he was quiet for the ceremony, he could make as much noise as he wanted at the reception. Apparently he thought this was quite the deal. We sat in the very last row of the church in case Wesley had a cranky attack, but he did not make a peep! I had several people tell me they had no idea he was there. He pretty much made up for it at the reception. He wasn't obnoxious or anything, but he was more vocal. Duane had to sit at the head table and Wesley is going through a clingy phase, so not even Grandma W. could help me out with him. We managed though. Wesley enjoyed some reception food and really enjoyed the cake.

After the reception, Wesley spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa H. My best friend from high school moved to California last year and she is back for a visit this week. A whole bunch of use went to Shadowbox last night and had a fantastic time. Unfortunately, Cheryl had to cut her night a little short because her son was sick. I'm just hoping we get more time to spend together this week. I have missed her so much!

Happy Fourth of July

I was worn out last night and didn't get a chance to post on the actual fourth, but I figured posting first thing this morning would still count.

The rain that threatened most of the evening on the 3rd rolled in on the 4th. We woke up to the sound of raindrops on the roof, which immediately cancelled the half made plans we had to take Wesley to a parade. Instead, we had a lazy morning at home. You would think that since Wesley stayed up and hour and a half past his bedtime on Monday, he would have slept in. NOPE! Wesley was up and raring to go at 7:00. He and I went downstairs and tried to let Daddy sleep in, but by 9:30 we were feeling pretty restless.

Daddy and I decided that breakfast at Bob Evans was a great way to celebrate the 4th of July! Well, we actually decided that it sounded good and we had no breakfast food in the house. Wesley did remarkably well at the restaurant. He practiced feeding himself with an empty spoon and helped me eat my hash browns and biscuits. It was one of the easiest times we've had eating out with the little guy.

Once our tummies were full we headed home to gear up for Aunt Melissa's annual 4th of July party. Wesley and Duane took a nap while I iced the cake we made, then I caught a nap too. My nap probably would have lasted longer, but Wesley has turned into a Mommy's boy the last few days and he started pulling my hair and tapping my arms with his toys. I can take a hint, so I got up too.

We had a great time at Aunt Melissa's! Wesley helped me eat some chunks of cheese and little bitty pieces of hot dog, and of course the strawberry pie and cake we had for dessert. We all played in the yard after eating - but no one played as hard as Mark Robert. That boy was dripping with sweat. Wesley was acting shy though and wouldn't really go to anyone besides me and Duane. It's a good thing he gave Grandma W. a kiss before she left, because he had actively avoided her all afternoon! I think poor Grandma was starting to feel a little hurt. Luckily Wesley kisses fix almost anything! Uncle Mark really wanted to set off some fireworks, but the weather didn't want to cooperate. He got a few little ones in before the rain started up again. Wesley was pretty impressed with the ones he saw. He just stuck his fingers in his mouth and stared and smiled.

Wesley slept the entire way home and Duane was able to put him straight to bed. The day passed so quickly! It's hard to believe another 4th of July has come and gone. The next big event for us will be Wesley's first birthday!

Red, White and Boom!

Tonight was the big fireworks show downtown. Since we live downtown, our house tends to be a gather spot/parking lot for friends and family. Really bad weather threatened for most of the evening, but it eventually cleared up and we hosted a semi-small cookout. Our godson was here and our friends stopped by with their daughter who is 11 days older than Wesley. Caitlyn kept kissing him and trying to put him in a baby headlock. Way too cute!

The 2 1/2 hour nap that Wesley took for Grandma P. must have paid off because at 9:45 he was still awake and seemed to have a fair amount of energy. We packed him up in the stroller and walked about a block and half away to watch the fireworks. One of the biggest fireworks shows in the Midwest within a mile of our house, and Wesley managed to stay awake for about 5 minutes of it. He was pretty impressed with those 5 minutes, and the noise didn't seem to bother him, but the show just couldn't keep him awake. We headed back to the house as soon as he fell asleep and watched the finale on TV. I wonder if he's dreaming about the fireworks.

That "Toys R Us" Ad Has Got to Be Somewhere!

Forget all the cool toys Wesley has. Forget the books, the stuffed animals and the balls. Wesley's two favorite toys today have been the newspaper and the toilet. Typical man, right? :-) Wesley loves to use his walker to get into the bathroom and bang away on the toilet lid. Not really a problem as long as we remember to close it. Before we left for church today Wesley dropped one of his plastic rings in there. Good thing he doesn't know how to flush yet!

He has busied himself scattering the newspaper across the floor this evening. I don't usually mind it, but Duane has spent almost the entire day cleaning while I kept track of the boy. It's not that our house was a sty, but it definitely looked like two parents who work full time and one baby live here. I can't believe how quickly one little boy can make a mess. Wish I had that kind of energy.

Just a Little Off the Top

Wesley had his first haircut at a "salon" today. Until now, Aunt Susan or Grandma H.'s stylist has trimmed up the little guys hair. Unfortunately, I took scissors to his head a couple of weeks ago and created a style that begged to covered by a hat. Nothing a quick trip to Cookie Cutters couldn't fix. I won't lie and say that Wesley loved his haircut. He started out OK, but was crying by the end. However, he didn't make a total scene like the little boy next to us. This boy had the most beautiful thick curly hair and his parents were having it shaved!! The poor boy was screaming like nothing I've ever heard before! I do have to give kudos to the stylists though. None of them seemed tired, impatient, or like they wished all the crying kids would go home. They were kind and our stylist was soooo good with Wesley. I may have scoffed at those places before, but we'll be going back.