Bedtime routine

I have to laugh at what has become the ridiculousness of bedtime. Tonight I put on my bravest, most patient face and started James on the bedtime routine at an early 7:15 knowing the potty, tooth brushing, bath, and books could drag out a looooooong time.

7:15- I had to convince James that it was indeed bedtime and we needed to sit on the potty. James began begging for Dada. I knew this was his way of distracting me because he takes his turns with Mama and Dada and lately he's been clinging to me. I'm sure he was thinking, Dada come save me from bedtime!

7:20- On the potty James refused the colors of M&M's that I was offering. "No brown!!! I don't want it!" So I did get blue, yellow, and green to make him happy. And then, "I want browwwwwnnnn!" Enough. We moved on to the tooth brushing.

7:25- James is screaming at this point. He refused to pick up the tooth brush so I tried to gently get the brush in his mouth and take a few quick swipes at his teeth. At this point Dada came to see if we were murdering each other. I actually started to laugh at this point, surprisingly calm. (You have to be! You're smarter than the kid and even though there is no "winning", you need to establish who is the Mama/Dada!) James clung to Dada and we said goodnight.

7:30- Dada did follow us upstairs to entertain James while I filled the bath. Extra bubbles to get James in a good mood. It took a small surprise appearance by some squirting fish toys to get James in the mood for his bath and he finally had some fun.

7:45- The squirting fish join us for a towel rub-down, lotion, and pjs. The squirting fish get their own towel (washcloth) to dry off and it magically transforms into a blanket for them too. The fish are sleeping soundly on James' little table.

7:48- Books at last! We went through SIX books: That's Not My Train, Elmo's Birthday Party, Millie Moo, Gossie, Gossie and Gertie, and then Counting Kisses. I really should limit books to three, but its such a good quality time with James and it goes quick enough. I guess as long as he doesn't manipulate that time into "just one more", I think its okay. And he's so darn cute as he follows along with the books- I think he can almost read them on his own now from memory!

8:00- Goodnight! We love you!

Happy Birthday to Grandma Laura!!

The Many Adventures of Nene

Fingerpainting with Mama.
This one went to Grandma Bucka.


This one went to Tia ChaCha.


This one hangs on our refrigerator.


Lazy morning of watching cartoons.




Today.
Lounging with a little popcorn and blankets. We snuggled a bit on the couch as we watched Dora.


It takes a while to get James to WANT to brush his teeth. A series of silly words, games, and bribes! Pantless because he just went to the potty. Unsuccessful attempt, but he's still sitting willingly.




I should have put a diaper and pants back on before we headed upstairs for the bath. James was helping me fill the bath and then all of a sudden a stream of pee on the floor. He asked for the potty and so he sat (without his potty seat, me holding him up and James gripping my shoulder).

The bath!




"Messy fingers!"


Gigglefest.
















I hated to end the bath because he was having so much fun, but lately the books at bedtime last a looooong time too. I think tonight we only went through four books.

Got the worm!

My early bird definitely got his worm this morning. (I don't even know what I mean by that, so oh well.)

I went to wake James this morning and get him dressed. I had a TERRIFYING three seconds when I saw that he was missing!!!!!! The door was closed, I hadn't heard him get up and go downstairs, so I frantically tore at the blankets and rushed to the closet door. I open the door and there is James.

James was sitting on his monkey chair, in his cute pajamas, reading books. He had turned on the closet light and made himself comfortable.

"I read books! I not sleep."

Thank Baby Jesus!

Winter already?!

It snowed! Overnight our yard and house was covered by a light blanket of snow. James woke up and joined us in bed. I told him to get down and look out the window to see the snow. He looked out and said, "Where the green?"

We broke out his winter coat today and decided it was a good day to start looking around for snowpants and winter boots. (Found them!) James resisted the coat but I think he was glad to have it when the wind hit him! Mama always knows best.

James is still on his finger painting kick. He asks to paint and then gets all excited for "messy fingers"!


James brought home a Witch's hat on Friday. He surprised me by wearing it but he insisted on wearing it backwards.


The back view-


Before lunch James and I played in the "clubhouse". We read a few books and then James wanted to put together his puzzle. I used the opportunity to review his letters- I was happy that he recognizes a few letters like W, X, and S and how nice to enjoy a quiet moment in the sun :)




I think I'm going to have get used to the little quirky things that boys do. I'm sure girls do this too but James has collected a treasure box of "prizes". Here's a peek inside his box-


Lately, James is very attached to particular TV shows. He can follow along and quote most of the scenes in his favorites- Upside Down Show, the "Farm" episode, the theme song from the Fresh Beat Band, etc. In this video I caught James dancing along to the Farm episode. Its actually the second take, I didn't capture the first time on video so I did rewind the show to get this. The first time he danced he was really, really trying to do the Running Man dance. It was hilarious!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

TMI WARNING
POOP INVOLVED!
The other day Jim and I were busy cleaning the kitchen after dinner and James was quietly playing in the living room. We heard him say, "Poop! Poop!" and point to the ground. Sure enough there was a pile of poop on the carpet. We were so confused! I couldn't figure out how he pooped on the floor with his pants very plainly still on his body! I started to tug at his pants, while Jim had the very gross job of picking up the poop and cleaning the carpet, and I saw that his pull-up diaper had snapped open. The poop wasn't contained inside of it and had slid down his leg. UGH! SO GROSS! I had to lay down James and wipe his legs down and his bum.

Yup! This is so true! Poop happens! (Ana gave me this decorative tile a long, long time ago. How wise she is!)

Yay! We get to see Grandma Rosie tomorrow! We are meeting her for lunch and fun. We thought about going to the Children's Museum but decided not to after all. We might be overly cautious but I couldn't stand the thought of all the germs. Its a very interactive place and James would be touching everything and exploring. I really just want to wait until after his next doctor's appointment and flu shots! So, we'll have other fun and maybe even see Tia ChaCha and Tio Donkey! James was BEGGING to go to their house today, over and over in the car "I wanna go to Donkey and ChaCha's house!" So I hope we get to see them too! James will be thrilled :)

Fall weather

I think I've mentioned that James' new curriculum theme at daycare is Halloween. He showed up with this artsy beauty- a black cat mask! He likes that we hang his art on the refrigerator. I try to take pictures of the art before he pulls the art on and off the fridge and crinkles them.



I was feeling better one day, Jim was watching the baseball game, and James was willing to outside so we did! Its odd that its a struggle to get him to go outside because he used to LOVE being outside. It was a beautiful fall day! (My favorite season!!!)

He also used to love golf. I miss golf! He swung his clubs a little but then got distracted.




This is not a spectacular picture and you can barely see that its James, but it struck me that he is NOT a baby anymore! He looks like one of my middle schoolers with his baggy pants :) And can you see that he is wearing a Star Wars shirt? :)


Such an active boy!


I love this series of pictures! He really had fun with hopscotch.












Distracted again. James spied the kids across the street. I reminded him of their names and he immediately wanted to go over there. He said, "Go say hi ta Spencer." So we did. And Erika. Spencer is a bit older than James but he's delayed. I say that kindly but Spencer doesn't talk or play. He just sorts of grunts at James!


Later on James asked to paint. He must have fingerpainted at daycare lately because that's what he decided to do with his watercolor paints. Very messy.






The fun continues. James eats just okay for dinner but by 6:30 he'll ask for a snack. Usually its popcorn, pudding, or ice cream. Fruit occasionally.

This is how you blog!

I just had a good skype with James' Tia Kiki.

Kiki so pretty!!

Buenos dias!

I totally confused the children at my school this morning. I greeted many of them with an enthusiastic "Buenos dias!" I got confused looks all over the place. Sometimes I would follow up with, "Good morning!"

I figured I've done very little for Hispanic Heritage month so the least I could do is speak a little Spanglish this morning!

President Obama

Yay for President Obama!