Pop!

I brought a balloon home for Wesley tonight. We had a great time batting it around the living room for about 5 minutes. That's all the longer the balloon lasted before we heard "POP!" Wesley was a little surprised, but he didn't cry. Instead, he asked me to fix the balloon. Try explaining to a 2 year old that balloons cannot be fixed. I finally just picked the two pieces up and tossed them in the trash. Wesley had to ask one more time if I could fix the balloon. "Honey, balloons can't be fixed. I put it in the trash." Wesley turned those big blue eyes on me and sighed, "Oh Mommy. You drive me nuts!"

Dr. Frankenstein

Wesley has been really into his tool set lately. I think a lot of it has to do with Daddy working on Wesley's "big boy room" and letting little dude help. Of course, now Wesley thinks everything needs fixed - even Mommy!

Wesley brought his tool box into the bathroom while I was putting my makeup on and doing my hair the other morning. He insisted that my head needed hammered and my hair needed to be fixed with the saw and, of course, I needed some screws put into my head. Hum......I wonder if that was a hint?

Rock Band

Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan hosted a little gathering of the W. family and Grandma and Grandpa P. yesterday. Uncle Kirk introduced Wesley and Duane to the joys of Rock Band. More specifically, Uncle Kirk introduced Wesley to the drum kit with rock band. It was huge hit! And surprisingly enough, the kid's got decent rhythm.

Wesley is definitely addicted to it. He's watching me as I write this post and now keeps saying "I want to play those drums with Uncle Kirk again!"

2.0 wasn't totally left out either. Uncle Kirk was showing us his new TV and surround sound, by playing part of the movie "Revenge of the Sith." It was a bit loud and during the lightsaber battle, 2.0 starting kicking and moving like mad. I guess that means he's either a big Star Wars fan, or he can't stand it!

Mommy Can't Keep a Job

I'm sure most of you already know this news, but I feel like I can actually post about it now. I am switching jobs again! It's kind of funny, after having essentially the same job for almost nine years, I'm about to start my second job in three months! I've enjoyed being the Technical Services Manager at my library, but when my dream job opened up I had to apply for it. Starting May 1st I will be the Youth Services Materials Selector for my library system (my desk is moving all of 15 feet). Basically, I'll be ordering everything for the children's and teen departments at all three buildings. I'm so excited!!!!! I know that this is truly the job for me - I've wanted it since it was created a little over 2 years ago!

I was starting to stress out about having to do both jobs until we got someone hired and trained as TS Manager. Turns out that one of the amazing people that already works in Tech. Services is going to be my replacement! Yes, there will still be a training period, but she already knows so much about the department and it's work flow that I know she'll get the rest in a snap! She's going to be great in the position (probably better than I'd ever be).

It's so great to work for an organization that really wants it's employees to succeed AND be happy! I know that I'm going to love my new job!

A.T.M. at the A.T.M

We had Another Toddler Moment (ATM) at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) today. We dashed into a store that had a walk up ATM for our bank this morning before going to Grandma and Grandpa P.'s. I got my card out and told Wesley that we'd just be a minute and Mommy had to get some money. As soon as my transaction was over, Wesley started looking in the slot the money comes out from. "I want some money too!" he said! Oh, if only it was that easy!

Outside Kind of Kid

Wesley LOVES to be outside! We took the sidewalk chalk outside and colored while Duane finished removing a small tree in our yard. Wesley had a fantastic time outside!

Wesley discovered the joy of potato bugs in the picture above. The picture below is the funny face he gave me when I asked him to smile.

And finally, the video clip of Wesley's new dance.

Saturday with the Boys

Another Saturday with the boys has come and (just about) gone. Overall it was pretty good day. We had our second swim class this morning and once again, Wesley couldn't wait to get into the pool. It was Mommy's turn to swim with the little dude today and I'm not sure who had more fun - him or me! He definitely didn't want to leave! By the way, I want brownie points for getting into a two piece bathing suit at 25 weeks pregnant!

After swim class we went to Target for some odds and ends - including a pool noodle for Wesley. He LOVED the one he played with in the baby pool today, so we got one for this summer at Grandma and Grandpa P.'s.

Daddy and Grandpa H. spent a good part of the afternoon working on putting a ceiling fan in what will so be Wesley's new room. They have installed no fewer than three fans together in the past, but this one is being particularly stubborn and it's not installed after two days of working on it! They are hoping to finish up tomorrow. Good thing Wesley is around to lend a helping hand. Really, all he wants to do is help them!

And for anyone freaked out about this picture of Wesley standing on the ladder (Grandma, I'm talking about you), Duane was only about a foot away, just out of the frame.

Wesley took a 3 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon, so we figured he'd be in a good enough mood to go out to dinner with Kate, Greg and Colin. We went to the loudest restaurant we could think of in hopes that the boys would behave. It worked out pretty well. After we ate, we went to the H. house for a little bit. The boys played fine for a while, but it's really hard to share when you are 2 and 3, so we didn't stay too long. Next time the H. family is going to brave their cat allergies and we're going to try a playdate at our house. It was still a nice night though, and I found two new games I'd like to get Wesley!

Beaster Update

In case anyone was worried by my last post, Wesley, Duane and I are all still here and alive and well. The Beaster is gone for the most part, but he still shows his ugly head for a minute or two every day. I don't know if it's part of being two or the whole "you're going to have a baby brother thing" but Wesley's attitude can change at the drop of the hat.

Take last night for example. Wesley wanted to go upstairs and get in the bathtub. He and I headed upstairs to wait for Daddy and bathtime (giving Wesley a bath is not the easiest thing in the world for me right now.) Anyhow, I was talking to Wesley, when all of a sudden he wrinkled up his nose, pointed at me and said in a very mean toddler voice, "You don't talk to me Mommy!" So Mommy sent him to his room to sit by himself for a couple of minutes. Two minutes later we had a very contrite little boy who was hugging his mommy and saying he was sorry.

He must have been sorry too, because all he wanted at bathtime was for Mommy to play with him. The problem is that he wanted me to play hide and seek. See, before I was pregnant, we'd play a game where I'd lay down on the floor by the bathtub and pop up to surprise him. However, with as much baby belly as I have on me these days, hide and seek just isn't happening. Daddy helped us improvise with a towel, which was fun, but not the same.

I feel so bad for Wesley a lot of nights. We have dinner, then Daddy goes upstairs to work on Wesley's new room (which is starting to look really really good) and Wesley is stuck with a tired, fat mommy who doesn't have the energy to crawl around and really play. I'm sure he misses the hour or two in the evenings when he was the complete focus of his parents. I'm trying, but most days I feel like I'm falling short. For the most part Wesley doesn't complain, but I'm not entirely convinced that the Beaster outbreaks aren't related.

Presto Chango

How can a child who was so sweet and loving this morning turn into an absolute beaster by dinnertime?

Wesley was adorable when I dropped him off at Grandma and Grandpa H.'s this morning. When I told him I was leaving to go to work he called out, "Be careful Mom. Be careful on the steps!" Then he gave me a big hug and when I asked,"May I have a kiss?" he said, "Yes, you may" and planted a big one right on my lips.

Now fast forward to me picking that same child up after work. He ran, he kicked at Grandma while she changed his diaper. He poked at me, wrinkled his nose and yelled "Nah!" And when we did finally manage to get in the car, he was even worse! He threw his bear on the floor and screamed at me at the top of his lungs to pick it up. If I said anything to him he screamed it back to me. Thank goodness he finally fell asleep (about 2 minutes from the house). Even though I know I'll have to wake him up at 7:00, I'm very tempted to let him sleep from now until he wakes up in the morning. He has a much better chance of not getting spanked or having to sit by himself (time out) if he's snoring!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I was trying to coax Wesley to eat more of his dinner tonight by telling him I was going to eat various bits and pieces of it. After Wesley popped a strawberry in his mouth, I said," I was going to eat that strawberry. Why did you eat it?" Wesley grinned and responded, "Oh, Mommy. I'm a stinker!"

In the Swim of Things

Wesley loved his swim class as much as I thought he would. Check out the grin as he waits for class to begin.

My bathing suit is back ordered, so I didn't get to go in the water this week. It just about killed me! I grinned the entire time and 2.0 even woke up to give a few good kicks while Daddy and Wesley swam.

When the class was over, and Duane and Wesley were changing, Wesley told Duane, "I had big fun at swim class." In fact, the little dude came running out of the changing room yelling,"Swim class! Swim class! Swim class!" Guess it's going to be $30 well spent!

Why Am I Awake?

Here it is, 6:30 on a Saturday morning and I am wide awake.Wesley started yowling an hour ago, so we let him in our bed where he promptly started snoring REALLY loudly. Then baby boy woke up and started kicking me and saying he was hungry - and he's not even born yet! Oh well, it's not like I don't have stuff to do. We're hosting a birthday party for Grandma and Grandpa H. tomorrow night and I need to get my grocery list together. Some of my co-workers will be here at 8:00. I volunteered the W. shuttle service to drop them off at a marathon starting near our house. Wesley has his first swim lesson shortly after that. I might as well get some stuff done, right?

Bicycle Built for Two

Grandpa P. broke out the new bike seat and helmet this week. Wesley LOVES to ride on the bike. He sings, asks to go faster and tells grandpa about all the (imaginary) animals he sees while they ride. The only problem (or maybe it's an upside) is that the ride almost always puts him to sleep.

You Know You're a Parent of a 2 Year Old When...

1. You are packing for an overnight conference and realize you don't have any toothpaste to pack. Rather than run to the store, you decide to take a tube of your toddler's Dora the Explorer toothpaste.
2. 
   You see an ad in the paper that Go Diego Go Live is coming to town and you get really excited.
3. 
   You have sat your child on the potty and when the cat comes in and meows, you tell said child that "The kitty says he wants to see you go on the potty."
4. 
   You have Max & Ruby, Wow Wow Wubzy, Oswald and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on your DVR.

Bad Attitude Boy

Wesley was in rare form this morning. He grumped about everything and was even hitting his own leg to show his displeasure with the world. I decided that his alter-ego is that of Bad Attitude Boy. What are Bad Attitude Boy's superpowers? Whining, hitting, whining, wrinkling his nose, and whining. I was so pleased with the new name, that I called him that many times as we were getting ready to leave for the day. I must have done it one too many times though because he said, "No Mom. Duderama," which is his normal morning nickname.

B.A.B. has one other superpower I forgot to mention. He has super preschooler fashion sense. I dressed in a black skirt and green striped shirt today. Wesley took one look at my outfit, wrinkled up his nose and said "Nah-uh!" while shaking his head no. To make sure he got his point across, he started tugging on my shirt saying, "No Mommy!" And just to drive the message home, he opened my closet and went through my shirts. Wesley finally produced a long sleeved pink sweater he deemed acceptable, but since A) it was going to be in the 70's today and B) I don't take fashion advice from a two year old, I stayed in the original outfit. Of course, I'd be lying if I said B.A.B's comment didn't plant a bit of insecurity about my clothes. I guess that's one more superpower I didn't know he had.

FINALLY - Spring!

Today was the kind of gorgeous spring day I have been craving for weeks! I broke out some of the new maternity clothes (cute denim capris and a ruffled black tee shirt) and my sunglasses to enjoy the day.

After church, Wesley and I made molasses cookies for my department. They have been working last mad women to get materials for the new library ready for next week, so I figured the least I could do was make some cookies. Wesley was a big help and placed the balls of dough on the cookie sheet. He seemed to have a great time helping, but I suspect that has something to do with the fact that I told him he couldn't have any cookies if he didn't help me make them.

Once cookies were done, we went to the park with Grandma H. I learned something about Wesley at the park. I learned he's a big ol' chicken! Oops! I mean I learned that he is a cautious child who does not like to try something new. He refused to try the twisty slide or the tunnel slide. After a whole bunch of coaxing, Wesley finally agreed to go down the twisty slide on Mommy's lap (not a pretty sight considering the lap is shrinking every day). After we did that a few times, I got him to go down the slide sitting between my legs. Then we moved up to him going down the slide in front of me. We did finally make it him going down the slide on his own - but he steadfastly refused the tunnel slide. Maybe next time.

Up the stairs........

...and down the slide!

A few minutes on the swing will cure what ails you!

Wesley and Grandma feeding the ducks.

And lest I forget to mention the hard working Daddy, Duane spent a great deal of the weekend stripping wallpaper in Wesley's new bedroom. It sounds like he'll be ready to spackle tomorrow. This man knows how to get things done!

Jr. Culinary Mishap

Wesley spent part of last night "baking" me a pie in his kitchen. After a few minutes of hard work, Wesley came into the living room where I was sitting. Poor little guy had his shoulders slumped over and his head down. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I burned your pie."

Wesley's Getting a Little.......

We had another ultrasound today to try and determine the gender of 2.0. Wesley went with us and was very excited to see his baby brother or sister on the screen. He was much better behaved than I ever expected and really charmed my doctor. In fact, when the doctor handed over the print outs of the ultrasound, Wesley studied each one very carefully.

So what are we having? Well, everyone on the planet except me said we were having a girl. All I can say is, Mommy knows best! We're having another boy! I'm really excited by the news. The thought of a little girl kind of scared me. I know what to do with a boy!