Ok first, and possibly more importantly, why did Blogger change? For some reason I can't log in to my blog FROM my blog view anymore. I used to be able to click my own bookmark, then click once more to write a new post, sign in, change the layout, etc. Obviously Blogger thinks I have nothing better to do than click three times and type a password and maybe even update my bookmark toolbar. Blogger is wrong.
What? You're here because you want to know what's up with the sweetest, most handsome little six-month-old guy in the world? I can help you with that.
Pediatrician appointments have become just SO much fun, now that Isaac can roll off of the table and Mikayla can turn the lights off and open the door. We take crackers, and pray that Isaac's exam will take less than seven minutes, which is approximately how long a container of crackers will hold my daughter's attention. Don't worry, she'll go back to it after she explores all the drawers and licks the doctor's special tools.
Today, Isaac weighed in at 15 lb 8 oz, which is only a half ounce more than he weighed at his last vaccination visit a month ago. Wha' happened? Turns out my plan of nursing five times daily, and following two of those feedings with some cereal or a fruit or veggie is SUBPAR. He needs to eat every two hours, alternating nursing with real food so that he is hungrier for the spoon. Because I have nothing better to do with my day than pipe food into my son and hope he naps during the twenty minutes when he's not swallowing or pooping.
Sorry, I am easily upset by suggested changes to my routine. Apparently.
As I was saying: Isaac weighed 15 lb 8 oz, placing him at the 29th percentile. He was 26 inches long, about average (I don't know how they think wrestling his heel to a random number on the measuring tape constitutes an accurate length measurement but hey I'm not a nurse). His head is average too, about forty something (42?) centimeters. I used to remember way more details of Mikayla's visits, so my fuzzy memory now must indicate exhaustion or that she is my favorite child. Or that I am busy rescuing the doctor's flashy scope-light thing from her clutches the whole time. I did have an allergic reaction to narcotic medication over the past few days, though, so maybe that is part of it too?
Isaac does SO many things, and has fun with it all. He rolls quickly and easily in any direction, often to angle for a better view of his big sister. He holds his head and shoulders way up off the floor, and you can tell he wants to crawl but usually just succeeds at pushing himself backward. I guess he gets better traction with his hands than with his toes, just yet. He practically stands up in his exersaucer, just relying on the balance it gives him, but his legs are strong! Mikayla often busily shows him all the toys on his exersaucer, concerned that he may have forgotten since yesterday, pausing only to give him the occasional hearty thump on the back (playing gives you the burps, obv).
And this little boy has the absolute sweetest smile you ever saw! He opens his mouth in this gigantic grin, and between the dimples and the eye lashes you could just pour him over your pancakes in the morning. Sometimes he flashes his smile for his momma or dadda, but the greatest megawattage is reserved for Mikayla. Oh my heavens. He thinks she is really something! I have heard lots of mommas talk about how their babies adore their older siblings, but seeing it firsthand just blows me away. And Mikayla feels just the same way about him - he is the one person in this world who is always guaranteed a giant-pucker kiss from her. She hugs him, she kisses him, and she burps him, all the while explaining to you just what she is doing. She helps with his diapers, except she still thinks that they belong over his face. At least he is starting to really get a kick out of the big reveal, when she yanks the diaper away and says "Peek!" (or "boo!" depending on the day).
Isaac is such a big boy. He now has his own sippy cup that he is just learning to drink water from, and he sits in his "'eat" (seat, a.k.a. high chair) to "eat", according to Mikayla. He enjoys avocados, bananas, and cereal, and we are about to ramp up his food intake per the doctor's orders. I expect that peas, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes will make an appearance soon. And red meat, which remains a strongly encouraged first food, and which I still think is weird. We'll see how it goes. When Isaac eats, Mikayla requires an empty bowl and spoon so that she can show Isaac how it's done, either by demonstrating fake practice-bites or jamming the empty spoon into his mouth. We are still working on the whole "gentle" concept, and I think we're struggling against some selective attention on that one.
We hope to get some pictures up soon with Isaac's bear, so you can all see how he's growing. I bet he'll be wrestling it and rolling all over the place, so do your best to spot him amidst the blur of action. Anything I missed in this here update? Anything you've been wondering? Let me know!
Happiness in a Can
Some moms use Skittles and M&M's. Here on the Pearce homestead, we apparently potty train using the promise of White Tea & Lily. Maybe next we'll reward eating all her dinner with getting to load the dishwasher.
This afternoon, the kids and I were hanging out in the playroom (this is where we go when momma needs to get some work done on the laptop). Suddenly Mikayla reappeared from the blue bathroom with a can of air freshener, with all the curiosity and excitement of a puppy who got into the shoe closet. Since I am all about sharing fascinating new experiences with my kids (especially ones that cost nothing and require only enough energy to push a button with my finger), I sprayed it a few times for her learning enjoyment.
Mikayla was delighted! She kept asking for "more! more!" Well, our playroom can only take so much aerosolized fragrance before the spray-garden starts to gag the baby. Since air freshener usually comes after potty time (logical, right?), I told Mikayla that she could spray more air freshener after she put something in the potty. It's been awhile since her first potty success, so I figured this would buy some time and at least allow the air to clear a bit.
Wrong, momma....challenge accepted!
My little girl marched right into the bathroom and declared, "Potty! Off!" as she tugged at her shorts. She sat her little bottom on her potty and asked to read a book. We had all of two pages of "Red Fish, Blue Fish" under our belts when I noticed something wet on her legs. Investigating further, I discovered that she must have used the potty nigh immediately after sitting down.
She totally just peed on command.
This corner of our house smells like a lily garden next to a perfume counter, but I think it's pretty cool that Mikayla decided to go, and then she went! Plus, at least for the time being, I get to avoid all the "food as reward?!" angst that goes along with using sweets. (Other people have that, right?)
For myself, I am thankful for this reminder to look at the little things through the eyes of a child. A can that sprays a new smell into the air? How cool is that?! Definitely something to giggle and clap about, if it means delighting with my little girl.
SDG!
This afternoon, the kids and I were hanging out in the playroom (this is where we go when momma needs to get some work done on the laptop). Suddenly Mikayla reappeared from the blue bathroom with a can of air freshener, with all the curiosity and excitement of a puppy who got into the shoe closet. Since I am all about sharing fascinating new experiences with my kids (especially ones that cost nothing and require only enough energy to push a button with my finger), I sprayed it a few times for her learning enjoyment.
Mikayla was delighted! She kept asking for "more! more!" Well, our playroom can only take so much aerosolized fragrance before the spray-garden starts to gag the baby. Since air freshener usually comes after potty time (logical, right?), I told Mikayla that she could spray more air freshener after she put something in the potty. It's been awhile since her first potty success, so I figured this would buy some time and at least allow the air to clear a bit.
Wrong, momma....challenge accepted!
My little girl marched right into the bathroom and declared, "Potty! Off!" as she tugged at her shorts. She sat her little bottom on her potty and asked to read a book. We had all of two pages of "Red Fish, Blue Fish" under our belts when I noticed something wet on her legs. Investigating further, I discovered that she must have used the potty nigh immediately after sitting down.
She totally just peed on command.
This corner of our house smells like a lily garden next to a perfume counter, but I think it's pretty cool that Mikayla decided to go, and then she went! Plus, at least for the time being, I get to avoid all the "food as reward?!" angst that goes along with using sweets. (Other people have that, right?)
For myself, I am thankful for this reminder to look at the little things through the eyes of a child. A can that sprays a new smell into the air? How cool is that?! Definitely something to giggle and clap about, if it means delighting with my little girl.
SDG!
Magic Erasers: Yes, They Are
Mr.
Clean Magic Erasers are a fine example of marketing at its shining
best. Gleaming, in fact. Not at all dissimilar to the walls I spent two
hours scrubbing today with this product. My spirit is soaring, my heart
is rejoicing, at the transformation!
Never mind the fact that I won't be able to move tomorrow morning after the gymnastics involved in scrubbing the walls and baseboards up and down our stairs. It was totally worth skipping lunch and a shower in order to suck the marrow out of naptime for this project. The C and D in OCD stand for Carpe Diem, right?
So you want to see before and after photos, I just know it. To those who share in the OCD: brace yourselves, this will not help your condition. In fact, the following photos may induce compulsive purchase of cleaning products including, but not limited to, bulk packages of Magic Erasers. The following took four Extra Power Magic Erasers, and I will need the other two of my first half-dozen to finish the upstairs hallway. The lighting isn't great; you can see the worst marks, but not the smudges that were over most of the lower walls.
Top of the stairs at the landing:
Bottom of stairs going up from the landing:
Corner hallway going to our room:
Outside our bedroom door:
Pro tip: If these don't impress you, then you might need to clean your computer screen. Watch for marks that don't move as you scroll up and down; those are filth on your screen, not on my walls. Not that I learned the hard way while uploading these.
Next project: All the other walls, door and window frames, doors, and baseboards in the house. I'm guessing the previous residents had a child about two and a half feet tall and perhaps a pet or two. Which I am not judging at all, because I can see this being a regular part of spring (or fall, really) cleaning when Mikayla and Isaac are big enough to play outside all summer!
Never mind the fact that I won't be able to move tomorrow morning after the gymnastics involved in scrubbing the walls and baseboards up and down our stairs. It was totally worth skipping lunch and a shower in order to suck the marrow out of naptime for this project. The C and D in OCD stand for Carpe Diem, right?
So you want to see before and after photos, I just know it. To those who share in the OCD: brace yourselves, this will not help your condition. In fact, the following photos may induce compulsive purchase of cleaning products including, but not limited to, bulk packages of Magic Erasers. The following took four Extra Power Magic Erasers, and I will need the other two of my first half-dozen to finish the upstairs hallway. The lighting isn't great; you can see the worst marks, but not the smudges that were over most of the lower walls.
Top of the stairs at the landing:
Bottom of stairs going up from the landing:
Corner hallway going to our room:
Outside our bedroom door:
Pro tip: If these don't impress you, then you might need to clean your computer screen. Watch for marks that don't move as you scroll up and down; those are filth on your screen, not on my walls. Not that I learned the hard way while uploading these.
Next project: All the other walls, door and window frames, doors, and baseboards in the house. I'm guessing the previous residents had a child about two and a half feet tall and perhaps a pet or two. Which I am not judging at all, because I can see this being a regular part of spring (or fall, really) cleaning when Mikayla and Isaac are big enough to play outside all summer!
It's Pot-tay Tiiiime
I've discovered this condition in which perfectly rational people experience transient dementia states, triggered by typically unremarkable bodily functions. I know this because three hours ago, I squealed in absolute delight as my 19 month old daughter delivered poopoo into the potty instead of her diaper. I repeatedly sang the syllables "pee pee" and "poo poo" as we jumped around, and then we jointly made a mess of a white chip chocolate coconut cookie to celebrate.
Had you told me two years ago that I would have this reaction to my child's first potty experience, I would have kindly recommended a Seroquel for those delusions. I'm sure I would have expected some kind of consistent reward system involving skittles or, preferably, whole-grain crackers, to instill a deep love of pottying in my children. And the hearty congratulatory hug and "atta girl!"
But the monkey shenanigans? And reducing myself to monosyllabic nonsense?
I smack my forehead. But it was worth it to see the joy in her little face as she realized she was doing it and her momma was so proud of her! We giggled as we re-dressed her and shared our cookie. Throughout the morning she said, "potty!" with a big smile and pointed in the general direction of the blue bathroom. Yes, darling, behold your new throne!
I'd be lying if I said my joy was purely due to parental pride, though. In my mind, I am already celebrating the end of one child in diapers. As I wiped her hiney, I tried to remember which bin has room to put away her cloth diapers. I made a mental note to pull out the little training undies I have somewhere. Because going potty one time is practically the same as bladder and bowel mastery, no?
In the mind of this momma, who changes roughly 13 diapers daily (huh....it feels like a lot more...), cutting that figure in half can't come soon enough. And the hope of that day is plenty reason to celebrate like a dingbat.
Had you told me two years ago that I would have this reaction to my child's first potty experience, I would have kindly recommended a Seroquel for those delusions. I'm sure I would have expected some kind of consistent reward system involving skittles or, preferably, whole-grain crackers, to instill a deep love of pottying in my children. And the hearty congratulatory hug and "atta girl!"
But the monkey shenanigans? And reducing myself to monosyllabic nonsense?
I smack my forehead. But it was worth it to see the joy in her little face as she realized she was doing it and her momma was so proud of her! We giggled as we re-dressed her and shared our cookie. Throughout the morning she said, "potty!" with a big smile and pointed in the general direction of the blue bathroom. Yes, darling, behold your new throne!
I'd be lying if I said my joy was purely due to parental pride, though. In my mind, I am already celebrating the end of one child in diapers. As I wiped her hiney, I tried to remember which bin has room to put away her cloth diapers. I made a mental note to pull out the little training undies I have somewhere. Because going potty one time is practically the same as bladder and bowel mastery, no?
In the mind of this momma, who changes roughly 13 diapers daily (huh....it feels like a lot more...), cutting that figure in half can't come soon enough. And the hope of that day is plenty reason to celebrate like a dingbat.
The Chunky Monkey Eats! (So does her little brother)
Technically, Isaac's first cereal meal was last week when we were on vacation with Joel's family. It was very exciting, and he did fantastically with the spoon and ate a few tablespoons of rice cereal. Everybody clapped, tears were shed, etc. etc. However, because I don't have any photographic evidence of that precious event, we recreated his first meal today. And by "we", I mean Mikayla and me. She was ALL about showing Isaac his high chair, putting his bib on him, and then "helping" him with his spoon.
It was all well and good until I discovered raisins in the rice cereal. I guess we can't blame a helpful big sister for wanting to share her favorite foods with her baby brother. But I did start to look more carefully at the spoon before popping it into Isaac's mouth!
This was such a neat little time for all of us, so I grabbed my phone and caught a few pictures. A video is forthcoming, as soon as I upload it. Incidentally, I bought myself a few minutes to write this post by allowing Mikayla to watch the video repeatedly on my phone. I'm even letting her hold the phone. Momma magic!
It was all well and good until I discovered raisins in the rice cereal. I guess we can't blame a helpful big sister for wanting to share her favorite foods with her baby brother. But I did start to look more carefully at the spoon before popping it into Isaac's mouth!
This was such a neat little time for all of us, so I grabbed my phone and caught a few pictures. A video is forthcoming, as soon as I upload it. Incidentally, I bought myself a few minutes to write this post by allowing Mikayla to watch the video repeatedly on my phone. I'm even letting her hold the phone. Momma magic!
So excited to eat with her little brother!
As Mikayla would say, Isaac is ready to "eat!" because he's wearing his "beeb!"
"Bowl, Ikey, more!"
Isaac was just amazingly chill through the whole experience. He is already showing good progress in slurping food off of his spoon and swallowing it easily, even a slightly thicker puree. He didn't cry or show much of any emotion, even when Mikayla poked his empty spoon repeatedly into his mouth. He did, however, giggle at her as she did tricks with her sippy cup and crackers. It was something of a guessing game to determine when he was finished. No spitting up, and he had a great nap after breakfast this morning, so I think he enjoys having a fuller belly!
Now off to rescue my phone from toddler hands, and to put Isaac down for an afternoon nap where he will no doubt spend the first twenty minutes doing acrobatics in his crib. What a roller! And he is SO close to sitting up - he is fairly stable, but slumps forward.
Thinking back to last summer, I can't help but think...isn't this about when I was announcing another pregnancy? Six month old baby, just starting to sit and eat...what are we waiting for? My goodness. I don't think I even realized at the time just how crazy that was. But our cup is so full with these precious little ones who so obviously LOVE each other! Speaking of whom...gotta run!
Thinking back to last summer, I can't help but think...isn't this about when I was announcing another pregnancy? Six month old baby, just starting to sit and eat...what are we waiting for? My goodness. I don't think I even realized at the time just how crazy that was. But our cup is so full with these precious little ones who so obviously LOVE each other! Speaking of whom...gotta run!
It Was Worse Than You're Imagining
So on Saturday, Joel and I woke to the sound of a gigantic crash and breaking glass. Think, massive clap of thunder meets recycle truck within 100 yards of our house. We checked around the house, looked out all our windows, but could find no explanation for the cacophony. We figured somebody must have been doing some early morning dumpster filling out behind their house, or something, and went back to bed, mystified.
Today, I opened our basement door to find all of my canned (in glass jars) applesauce, peaches, and beets on the floor, sprawled down the basement stairs, surrounded by broken glass. Oh, and mold growing over half of the mess.
Duhhhhh, so THAT's that we heard! I bet a light bulb actually appeared over my head as the thought clicked. I've never felt so bright.
And then I closed the door and immediately began the process of repressing the knowledge of what was waiting there to be cleaned up. That kind of undertaking is not to be initiated without full husband backup, and after munchkin bedtime because who wants to spend three hours saying, "No, Mikayla, no touch! Go find your [headband, cup, phone, purse, ball, puzzle....]" while obviously the three feet behind the basement door is way more interesting than all the toys and WonderPets episodes in the world.
In God's providence, we purchased a shop vac shortly after we moved into our home about a month ago. Joel spent a solid three hours of quality time with his man machine, while I washed the remaining unbroken jars and the inside of the basement door. To our landlord, if you're reading this (and have recovered from your heart palpitations sufficiently to be reading this far), please know that the basement stairs and door have not been this clean in at least 50 years. There is nothing, neither mold nor fungus nor insect, that could have survived the scrub-down we gave those suckers.
While it was not at the top of my "Ways to Spend Wednesday Evening" list, this cleaning job was gross and backbreaking enough for us to want full credit. And everyone knows it's not official til you blog about it or post it on Facebook. So there you go. You'll have to take my word for it, though, because we did not, for some crazy reason, choose to capture the moment with Instagram.
Today, I opened our basement door to find all of my canned (in glass jars) applesauce, peaches, and beets on the floor, sprawled down the basement stairs, surrounded by broken glass. Oh, and mold growing over half of the mess.
Duhhhhh, so THAT's that we heard! I bet a light bulb actually appeared over my head as the thought clicked. I've never felt so bright.
And then I closed the door and immediately began the process of repressing the knowledge of what was waiting there to be cleaned up. That kind of undertaking is not to be initiated without full husband backup, and after munchkin bedtime because who wants to spend three hours saying, "No, Mikayla, no touch! Go find your [headband, cup, phone, purse, ball, puzzle....]" while obviously the three feet behind the basement door is way more interesting than all the toys and WonderPets episodes in the world.
In God's providence, we purchased a shop vac shortly after we moved into our home about a month ago. Joel spent a solid three hours of quality time with his man machine, while I washed the remaining unbroken jars and the inside of the basement door. To our landlord, if you're reading this (and have recovered from your heart palpitations sufficiently to be reading this far), please know that the basement stairs and door have not been this clean in at least 50 years. There is nothing, neither mold nor fungus nor insect, that could have survived the scrub-down we gave those suckers.
While it was not at the top of my "Ways to Spend Wednesday Evening" list, this cleaning job was gross and backbreaking enough for us to want full credit. And everyone knows it's not official til you blog about it or post it on Facebook. So there you go. You'll have to take my word for it, though, because we did not, for some crazy reason, choose to capture the moment with Instagram.
Glamour Shots
Today, the kids and I are just hanging out, hoping to get through this fussy Friday without too much grief (I hear on Facebook it is going around today; apparently the Lord is up for some serious momma-sanctifying!). But there have been some really fun moments in the midst of *someone* insisting on crackers for breakfast, and *someone* not taking a morning nap because he stealth-pooped right after I put him down.
For instance, here is Isaac, giving his momma some sugar (ok, I was balancing a baby and snapping a photo, I seem to have missed the actual moment of the actual smile; but he's still hecka cute!).
And guess who decided to do her own hair today? I have been waiting for the day when she would leave hair accessories in, but this isn't quite what I had envisioned.
For instance, here is Isaac, giving his momma some sugar (ok, I was balancing a baby and snapping a photo, I seem to have missed the actual moment of the actual smile; but he's still hecka cute!).
And guess who decided to do her own hair today? I have been waiting for the day when she would leave hair accessories in, but this isn't quite what I had envisioned.
Maybe this will be her prom look someday, along with the dress I'm going to make for her.
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