That word doesn't mean what you think it does.
*kisses*
– Mommy
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Nakey Time, Party Babies™ & More New Tricks
I've been meaning to write a post about Nakey Time and Party Babies™ for far too long. If only there were more hours in a day – the lament of mommies everywhere, I suppose. The new tricks don't help either because Nate and Seth are learning new things every day and getting into and up to more than you can imagine. But I digress...
Nakey Time: If you've ever wanted to see two babies go absolutely bananas, feel free to drop by any night after they've had their supper because that's when the clothes come off. It's the most ideal time of day to get nakey since it's (almost) guaranteed the worst thing I'll have to clean up is a little pee.
Even though we've been doing this for months now, it still cracks me up to see how lively they get playing nakey in a crib. The location alternates, so sometimes the party is at "Seth's place" and other nights it's at "Nate's place". Whoever is hosting gets nakey first – it's the rule. At this point it's 50/50 on whether I'll need to change a sheet* when all is said and done, but it's worth risking what amounts to a small amount of effort to see them having so much fun (also I've become an expert at a fast sheet change). They typically average 15-20 minutes of non-stop nakey energy, which gets a big thumbs up from me because it helps get them nice and worn out for bed.
Or at least it used to, but I'll get to that in a minute.
I wrestled with posting photos, but after I took some anyway I realized these aren't too incriminating. So, for the first time at the OP we proudly present...
NAKEY TIME!!!
Classic nakey:
Nakey with interesting poses:
Party Babies™: Party Babies™ is a newer phrase around these parts. Before the parties started everyone would have Nakey Time, followed by a bottle and then it was straight to bed.
Now we party. Or rather, we PARTY!!!
New Tricks: At our last appointment with the pediatrician she asked if the boys were sitting unassisted yet and I admitted they were not. Sitting unassisted is a big 9 month milestone. I knew this. I see babies younger than Nate and Seth sitting quietly and playing all the time. Around here, however, no one is interested in sitting because they would both rather be moving.
All. The. Time.
Also, sitting still is for suckers. Just ask Nate and Seth – they will tell you. Or show you as they bulldoze their way over you.
Of course, all bets are off when the clothes are off because for the last week Seth loves to sit during Nakey Time! Maybe it's the confined space since they're in a crib, but whatever works. See?
For the record, Seth still does not sit up when the clothes are back on and Nakey Time has not afforded Nate the same super-powers, but I'm not too worried. In fact, I suspect it will be a long time before Nate has any interest in sitting still because...
Nate is standing!!!
Two nights ago as I was putting Seth to bed (post-party of course), Nate was still roaming about the nursery floor. I was just doing up the zipper on Seth's sleep sack when I looked to my right and saw Nate pull himself up on his knees, place his hands on the white toy box and ta-da! All of a sudden he was standing up. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera in my hands last night, but no worries... there will be plenty of opportunities to get a picture. He already pulled himself up on the Haba™ wagon yesterday morning.
It's the end times. As in the end of any hope that I'll be able to sit down for 5 minutes during waking hours. Nate just learned how to crawl two weeks ago. Now he's cruising the nursery.
I'm in big, big trouble.
And I love it.
- L.
Unfortunately I just missed the high-kick Nate was doing with one of his legs while working on his headstand.
And lastly, skinny nakey:
No wonder the pediatrician was raising an eyebrow. Won't somebody get this child a sandwich?
• • • • •
Party Babies™: Party Babies™ is a newer phrase around these parts. Before the parties started everyone would have Nakey Time, followed by a bottle and then it was straight to bed.
Now we party. Or rather, we PARTY!!!
This is the nursery pre-party:
And this is the nursery post-party:
Enough said.
It all started after we had barely recovered from our first cold. Maybe the boys were so glad to be feeling good again it gave them renewed energy. Or maybe it was just a coincidence.
*shrug*
Instead of having their bottles and going straight to bed, they have their bottles (or a portion thereof) and then playtime is back on. Everyone is in a good mood, nobody is tired. Well, no babies are tired. Their mommy is another story, of course.
Unfortunately, this meant bedtime started getting later and later. In the pre-party days, Nate and Seth would drift sweetly off to sleep between 7:30 and 8. After the partying started bedtime was more like 8:15.
8:15 – OK, that's doable.
But then 8:15 became 8:30, and 8:30 became 8:45, and 8:45 became 9:00. I think you can see where I'm going with this. I was living for Daylight Savings Time kicking in last weekend since by then the Party Babies™ had managed to shift their bedtime all the way to 9:30. This was not good by the way. Oh sure, they slept in later in the morning but even so it was getting to be a pretty crazy schedule.
And then it was finally the big day. I turned the clocks back an hour and thought, "this is going to fix everything".
Ha!
It took exactly 3 nights for them to get back to business as usual. Last night I finally managed to get everyone to sleep just after 9PM – it's definitely time for Plan B. Don't worry, I have one. And no, I won't be surprised if it doesn't work. Those are some crafty (and determined) babies after all.
And now for the new tricks...
Well, mostly post-party. I think Seth took some of the party to bed with him.
Enough said.
It all started after we had barely recovered from our first cold. Maybe the boys were so glad to be feeling good again it gave them renewed energy. Or maybe it was just a coincidence.
*shrug*
Instead of having their bottles and going straight to bed, they have their bottles (or a portion thereof) and then playtime is back on. Everyone is in a good mood, nobody is tired. Well, no babies are tired. Their mommy is another story, of course.
Unfortunately, this meant bedtime started getting later and later. In the pre-party days, Nate and Seth would drift sweetly off to sleep between 7:30 and 8. After the partying started bedtime was more like 8:15.
8:15 – OK, that's doable.
But then 8:15 became 8:30, and 8:30 became 8:45, and 8:45 became 9:00. I think you can see where I'm going with this. I was living for Daylight Savings Time kicking in last weekend since by then the Party Babies™ had managed to shift their bedtime all the way to 9:30. This was not good by the way. Oh sure, they slept in later in the morning but even so it was getting to be a pretty crazy schedule.
And then it was finally the big day. I turned the clocks back an hour and thought, "this is going to fix everything".
Ha!
It took exactly 3 nights for them to get back to business as usual. Last night I finally managed to get everyone to sleep just after 9PM – it's definitely time for Plan B. Don't worry, I have one. And no, I won't be surprised if it doesn't work. Those are some crafty (and determined) babies after all.
And now for the new tricks...
• • • • •
New Tricks: At our last appointment with the pediatrician she asked if the boys were sitting unassisted yet and I admitted they were not. Sitting unassisted is a big 9 month milestone. I knew this. I see babies younger than Nate and Seth sitting quietly and playing all the time. Around here, however, no one is interested in sitting because they would both rather be moving.
All. The. Time.
Also, sitting still is for suckers. Just ask Nate and Seth – they will tell you. Or show you as they bulldoze their way over you.
Of course, all bets are off when the clothes are off because for the last week Seth loves to sit during Nakey Time! Maybe it's the confined space since they're in a crib, but whatever works. See?
For the record, Seth still does not sit up when the clothes are back on and Nakey Time has not afforded Nate the same super-powers, but I'm not too worried. In fact, I suspect it will be a long time before Nate has any interest in sitting still because...
Nate is standing!!!
Two nights ago as I was putting Seth to bed (post-party of course), Nate was still roaming about the nursery floor. I was just doing up the zipper on Seth's sleep sack when I looked to my right and saw Nate pull himself up on his knees, place his hands on the white toy box and ta-da! All of a sudden he was standing up. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera in my hands last night, but no worries... there will be plenty of opportunities to get a picture. He already pulled himself up on the Haba™ wagon yesterday morning.
It's the end times. As in the end of any hope that I'll be able to sit down for 5 minutes during waking hours. Nate just learned how to crawl two weeks ago. Now he's cruising the nursery.
I'm in big, big trouble.
And I love it.
- L.
*If your babies also love Nakey Time, but tend to be a little leaky one of these under the sheets is a must have. It's everything it claims to be and then some.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Operation Christmas Child 2010
We are participating this year and sending a shoe-box filled with Christmas awesomeness to a less fortunate child somewhere in the world. Actually, in true Oddest Prime fashion, we are sending two boxes.
We've done our shopping, but still have a bit of fun (like wrapping the boxes) to get to. No worries – we'll be posting pictures when all is said and done. : )
If you would like to participate, it's pretty easy and there are a couple of ways to get involved in Canada. You can pack your own box or pack a box online if you're pressed for time. Visit the Operation Christmas Child page at Samaritan's Purse Canada to find out more.
If you're in the U.S, U.K. or Australia please visit your country's site to find out more as shipping regulations and collection dates vary by country.
- L.
On The Move: Investigating The Bathroom
The bathroom was (mostly) uncharted territory until this morning. I say "mostly" because Nate and Seth have their baths in there, and Seth has occasionally forayed to the doorway on one of his many hallway crawls and peered in without actually crossing the threshold.
I spent last weekend baby-proofing the bathroom so today I didn't mind that everyone made a trip down the hall to explore points beyond the nursery. Of course, since I baby-proofed, there wasn't much to see.
Here they are with those innocent looks that say, "We isn't up to anything, mommy!":
But not for lack of trying.
They looked high.
And they looked low.
They even spent awhile looking at each other.
I spent last weekend baby-proofing the bathroom so today I didn't mind that everyone made a trip down the hall to explore points beyond the nursery. Of course, since I baby-proofed, there wasn't much to see.
Here they are with those innocent looks that say, "We isn't up to anything, mommy!":
But not for lack of trying.
They looked high.
And they looked low.
They even spent awhile looking at each other.
Finally they spotted the one interesting thing in the room. I think this is the exact moment actually that everyone noticed the big chunk missing out of the limestone tile and made a beeline for it:
It was a truly exciting discovery. They must have spent at least 5 minutes checking it out. And possibly making it bigger.
*sigh*
I had hoped to get some better shots of their cute new fleecy jammies while they were roaming, but in the end I ended up wrestling them onto the big chair and snapping a quick pic of each. No time to try to elicit smiles – just click and we're done. That's how we roll around here at 9 months. Sitting still is for suckers.
*sigh*
I had hoped to get some better shots of their cute new fleecy jammies while they were roaming, but in the end I ended up wrestling them onto the big chair and snapping a quick pic of each. No time to try to elicit smiles – just click and we're done. That's how we roll around here at 9 months. Sitting still is for suckers.
- L.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A Happier Post: All Things 9 Months
I mentioned in our last "Updates On Everything" post that the boys are really getting mobile these days – and that you should stay tuned for imminent future posts (like this one). Well, this is another one.
The days of placing Nate and Seth side by side and taking a few cute pics at my leisure really are long gone – even when I have a helper like I did here and here.
And I was on my own yesterday.
Hence a lot of shots like these where Nate was long gone by the time I had the camera in focus, and Seth was making a hasty departure too*:
I was looking for something purple for our previous post to include at this point when I spied these guys:
These cute keepsake bears were lovingly knitted by their Great-Grandma Edna. I had planned to do a whole post about the bears with Nate and Seth posing with them, but I think you can appreciate that after today I had to give up on that idea.
Still though, I thought maybe that purple scarf would distract them sufficiently to at least keep them in the same spot long enough to snap a pic. And it did. The scarf was distracting enough for exactly one photo:
Eventually I just let them loose on the nursery figuring they might randomly end up in a shot together. And they did. This is the one shot I got with both of them in it (where they both happen to be looking at the camera that is):
It didn't last long. Eventually Seth moved into uncharted territory and left Nate behind.
At least he finally had a good time in the baby Spa Bath.
The other part of this post is the results from our 9 month check-up with the pediatrician.
Here are the boys' latest stats:
Nate: 18.5 lbs. (8.35 kg.) | 29.25 in. (74.5 cm.)
Currently, he is in the 90th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight.
Seth: 17 lbs. (7.7 kg.) | 28.75 in. (73 cm.)
Currently, he is in the 75th percentile for height and the 10th percentile for weight.
Although their weight has been consistent with their individual growth curves, their height has really shot up (both were at 50% at their 6 month checkup), which means we're going back in 6 weeks for another weigh-in instead of 3 months from now. Our pediatrician seemed mildly concerned since ratio-wise they are underweight for their height.
I'm not concerned, although we'll go anyway. Considering they eat a whole lot, have grown a whole lot (upward at any rate) and move a whole lot, I'm really not worried about my lean guys. Also they come by it honestly – on both sides.
Before I sign off, one more pic of Nate:
I took this picture last week and while it's not the greatest photo ever, there's something about it that I love. It's very Nate and I wanted to post it before it got lost in the shuffle (as things do when you're chasing two rather mobile babies around all day). Much like his brother, he has a way of looking at the camera that just takes my breath away.
My wee babies are turning into little boys far too quickly.
- L.
* Of course you realize this is going to have a serious impact on their infamous "conversations" if they can't manage to be in the same shot any more often than chance allows. I think it's time to consider the duct tape again. Or super-glue.
The days of placing Nate and Seth side by side and taking a few cute pics at my leisure really are long gone – even when I have a helper like I did here and here.
And I was on my own yesterday.
Hence a lot of shots like these where Nate was long gone by the time I had the camera in focus, and Seth was making a hasty departure too*:
I was looking for something purple for our previous post to include at this point when I spied these guys:
These cute keepsake bears were lovingly knitted by their Great-Grandma Edna. I had planned to do a whole post about the bears with Nate and Seth posing with them, but I think you can appreciate that after today I had to give up on that idea.
Still though, I thought maybe that purple scarf would distract them sufficiently to at least keep them in the same spot long enough to snap a pic. And it did. The scarf was distracting enough for exactly one photo:
Eventually I just let them loose on the nursery figuring they might randomly end up in a shot together. And they did. This is the one shot I got with both of them in it (where they both happen to be looking at the camera that is):
It didn't last long. Eventually Seth moved into uncharted territory and left Nate behind.
At least he finally had a good time in the baby Spa Bath.
• • • • •
The other part of this post is the results from our 9 month check-up with the pediatrician.
Here are the boys' latest stats:
Nate: 18.5 lbs. (8.35 kg.) | 29.25 in. (74.5 cm.)
Currently, he is in the 90th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight.
Seth: 17 lbs. (7.7 kg.) | 28.75 in. (73 cm.)
Currently, he is in the 75th percentile for height and the 10th percentile for weight.
Although their weight has been consistent with their individual growth curves, their height has really shot up (both were at 50% at their 6 month checkup), which means we're going back in 6 weeks for another weigh-in instead of 3 months from now. Our pediatrician seemed mildly concerned since ratio-wise they are underweight for their height.
I'm not concerned, although we'll go anyway. Considering they eat a whole lot, have grown a whole lot (upward at any rate) and move a whole lot, I'm really not worried about my lean guys. Also they come by it honestly – on both sides.
Before I sign off, one more pic of Nate:
I took this picture last week and while it's not the greatest photo ever, there's something about it that I love. It's very Nate and I wanted to post it before it got lost in the shuffle (as things do when you're chasing two rather mobile babies around all day). Much like his brother, he has a way of looking at the camera that just takes my breath away.
My wee babies are turning into little boys far too quickly.
- L.
* Of course you realize this is going to have a serious impact on their infamous "conversations" if they can't manage to be in the same shot any more often than chance allows. I think it's time to consider the duct tape again. Or super-glue.
Friday, November 5, 2010
A Sad Post
Last week there was an urgent call for prayer on one of the parenting boards I'm a member of. Another mommy had received the devastating news that her 3 month old son Charlie had bacterial meningitis and that the doctors treating him considered his prognosis grim. And so we prayed. Candles of hope were lit around the globe. We waited for a miracle.
And so we mourned. And continued to pray for his family's loss and everything they would have to deal with, especially in the coming weeks. We took up a collection to help Charlie's family with expenses.
Charlie's funeral was this morning and his mommy shared the words she planned to say at his service with us all. She told us that her family would not be wearing black today but rather colors to celebrate the gift of his life. The dress she had picked was red and purple.
A request was made today via a post titled "Colors for Charlie":
If you are wearing bright colors to celebrate Charlie's life today, please post photos!And so we did.
Nate isn't really a bright colors kind of guy, but he looked festive in a little purple scarf I nabbed from a teddy bear. Seth, as always, rocked it in red.
Rest in peace, sweet Charlie.
- L.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The After-Party & What Nay-Nay Did-Did*
In case you were wondering what a Scarecrow and a Tin Man get up to after hours, it looks a lot like business as usual around here:
... except even more stinkin' cute!
After our big day at the park taking pictures of sad babies and/or slightly less sad babies where you couldn't see their costumes very well, I decided to just let them roam in the nursery and try to take a few shots.
Without further ado I present... Tin Man:
I think we can all agree...
... that Seth definitely has heart. But just in case there was any doubt...
... here it is front and center (although he usually wears it on his sleeve).
And now... Scarecrow:
... except even more stinkin' cute!
After our big day at the park taking pictures of sad babies and/or slightly less sad babies where you couldn't see their costumes very well, I decided to just let them roam in the nursery and try to take a few shots.
Without further ado I present... Tin Man:
I think we can all agree...
... that Seth definitely has heart. But just in case there was any doubt...
... here it is front and center (although he usually wears it on his sleeve).
And now... Scarecrow:
Appropriately floopy, right? Everything a Scarecrow should be. All is well.
But wait... what's this?
Looks like he's putting some serious effort into it now. Better head over to our YouTube™ channel if you want to see what Nay-Nay Did-Did next.
- L.
*I meant to include updates on talking in this post, but I forgot (chalk it up to weary mommy brain). In case it's not already obvious, Nate's the talker (as in chatterbox). So far his sound repertoire includes:
• ma-ma
• da-da
• ba-ba
- L.
*I meant to include updates on talking in this post, but I forgot (chalk it up to weary mommy brain). In case it's not already obvious, Nate's the talker (as in chatterbox). So far his sound repertoire includes:
• ma-ma
• da-da
• ba-ba
• woo-woo
• yee-yee
• did-did
• things I'm forgetting (see weary mommy brain)
... and also nay-nay. I'm at least 95% sure this is Nate being self-referential.
His favorite phrase though?
"Did-did-did-did-did-did!"
Picture it with a sudden upward pitch starting on the second "did" and then descending back down to the starting point. I get some of the biggest smiles out of him out of the blue if I mimic his own intonation at him. I have no idea what his meaning is, but it's clearly something good. "Guess what Nay-Nay did-did?" has also been a popular phrase around here for quite some time.
He also says "mom" and "mom-mom". :)
Seth is less of a talker, although I've heard him on random occasion make all of those sounds (minus "yee"). Think of him more as the strong, silent type – except when it comes to things that are stinkeroo (obviously).
When he does have something to say, it tends to run along the lines of, "ma-da-ba-woo-did". So imagine how my heart melted the day he furrowed his brow, looked me in the eye and deliberately said, "Mom... Mom". Just like that, with a little pause in between and everything. It's the only word he says with such purpose and sometimes when he feels like using his super-quiet inside voice he'll just mouth it. Like in our after-party YouTube™ video. I'm pretty sure he really is giving Nate directions to his destination. ;)
• yee-yee
• did-did
• things I'm forgetting (see weary mommy brain)
... and also nay-nay. I'm at least 95% sure this is Nate being self-referential.
His favorite phrase though?
"Did-did-did-did-did-did!"
Picture it with a sudden upward pitch starting on the second "did" and then descending back down to the starting point. I get some of the biggest smiles out of him out of the blue if I mimic his own intonation at him. I have no idea what his meaning is, but it's clearly something good. "Guess what Nay-Nay did-did?" has also been a popular phrase around here for quite some time.
He also says "mom" and "mom-mom". :)
Seth is less of a talker, although I've heard him on random occasion make all of those sounds (minus "yee"). Think of him more as the strong, silent type – except when it comes to things that are stinkeroo (obviously).
When he does have something to say, it tends to run along the lines of, "ma-da-ba-woo-did". So imagine how my heart melted the day he furrowed his brow, looked me in the eye and deliberately said, "Mom... Mom". Just like that, with a little pause in between and everything. It's the only word he says with such purpose and sometimes when he feels like using his super-quiet inside voice he'll just mouth it. Like in our after-party YouTube™ video. I'm pretty sure he really is giving Nate directions to his destination. ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)