Is it Christmas time yet?

Every day for the past couple weeks I have had to come up with creative answers to this question. Then finally the town put out their Christmas decorations and poof "Yes, Evie it is Christmas time!" "Whoo Hoo!" Was the response I received. She is so excited and can't wait to put up our tree. Which I usually do Thanksgiving weekend, but we are out of town for the weekend so it will have to wait until next weekend.

However, her excitement is contagious. No one can wait to put up the tree, and even worse no one can wait for Christmas to be here. They are excited to see Santa soon, we will see how that turns out! Evie knows she has to tell Santa what she wants to get a present so I know she will sit on his lap for a second! I can't wait since I didn't get a picture of the kids with Santa last year! I plan on taking them to Bass Pro shop they have tons of free stuff for kids to do, including a free picture with Santa! It is awesome if you live near one I highly recommend it! We got the kids great Christmas outfits and plan on getting family pictures done this year too!

From the mouths of babes!

Evie is coloring and I don't want to color to! I know shame on mommy, but I would rather be online right now. So I told her "I love watching you color. You color so beautiful!"

Her response was, "Yes, I am!"

I couldn't help but laugh! What a little goober! Her personality never fails to crack me up. After working a few hours this afternoon I came home to a bunch of messes. I told her I wasn't happy, and she replied (very seriously) "I so sorry mama!" While she shook her head from side to side. I couldn't help but laugh! I tried to hide my smile, but I don't think I was successful. She knows just what to say and how to say it! I'm in trouble!

Swimming and Tumbling

I enrolled Christopher in seaweed/ tumbleweeds, a swim and tumbling combo class. He swims for a half hour with me, and then goes into the gym for a half hour to play. The class is really full I think a total of 18 kids. This is the first time he has ever been around so many kids. We took the swim portion of the class last year, but there weren't as many kids then.

The only bad thing is that both Christopher's swimming and Evie's preschool start at the same time. So we drop off Evie and head two blocks away to the YMCA. I have to be secretive because Evie loves to swim and would be jealous. I am going to see about getting her into classes for the next session. They said if she can follow directions and swim ok she can be in the 3 year old swim class. That class is without a parent. She usually doesn't let me touch her in the pool anyways! I just swim next to her so I'm there if she needs me. It will be hardest on me, watching her grow up way too soon!

When we first get into the pool Christopher clings tightly to me. Which is quite painful. Then after a bit he lets loose. I'm not allowed to let go of him yet, but we've only had 2 classes so far. The second class he wanted to face away from me more so he is getting more confident. The teacher always takes each child towards the end for a few minutes, and when she returns them to their parent she tells them to close their mouth and she puts them slightly under water. I wasn't to sure about this at first, but he didn't seem to mind to much. He doesn't like her taking him from me though!

After swimming we hurry up and get dressed to go to upstairs to the gym. The first time we walked into the gym Christopher's face lit up like Christmas morning. It was so cute. He was super excited. He did really well to. It's his first experience waiting in line, and it will take LOTS of classes before he gets it. He does not like the concept at all, but what 1 1/2 year old does?

He has been doing really well, and been nice to the other kids overall. He gets a little overwhelmed towards the end and gets kind of rough, but not to much. I think having so much open space to let loose helps him channel that energy elsewhere. He hugged a couple girls, and played with a couple little boys. Which usually consists of him sitting near them.

I am so glad I get to do this with him. He enjoys it so much, and I think it will help him alot.

Sensory Integration Disorder

I have to say that I am just I don't even know how to describe it. I am beside myself. Today was Christopher's first steps Evaluation. They are an early intervention program by the state to help developmental issues. I insisted the doctor set this up because I was concerned with his speech issues. He can say a word one minute then not the next. I actually thought they would come and say he is normal, and I am just neurotic. However, that was not the case.

Don't take this the wrong way. I love my son with all my heart. He is just difficult. He is extremely impatient, demanding, high strung, and difficult to communicate with (he's hard to understand). He has a lot of behavior issues. He hits, bites, kicks, and all kinds of things. He is wild, as if he has no fear, and experiences little pain. I had no idea the extent of his issues. I thought he was just a wild boy. I figured that maybe we played to rough with him. I thought that some how we had to of encouraged this type of behavior. I never imagined that he just couldn't control himself.

He is deficient by at least 25% in 3 areas. I believe it was gross and fine motor skills as well as social skills. His cognitive skills are normal. They said that he has sensory integration disorder, and until the sensory issues are solved the other issues won't really progress. He isn't mean, not that I thought he was! I knew he was a kind loving boy, but couldn't figure out why he behaved the way he does.

I always felt like a bad mother with Christopher. He has always seemed so distant and foreign to me. I just don't get him, and that breaks my heart. It is very hard to admit, and tell people that your son seems like a stranger to you. I've thought many times if I could go back to when he was a baby, and do things over again I would do a better job. Despite the fact that I have no idea what I did wrong. I've asked my husband one many occasions how did I raise one kid good, Evie, and Christopher all wrong. (Evie isn't perfect she's just not as difficult as Christopher). I kind of felt that I did him a disservice by having him so close to his sister. I thought maybe I wasn't able to give him enough attention.

I just blamed myself, and tried all the discipline things I could think of, time outs and tons of positive praise. I am so relieved to know that I did nothing wrong. I am so glad that I followed my instincts and insisted he be evaluated. Despite the doctor's thinking that all was fine. Now I can focus on helping him, and learning about what is going on so I can understand him better. I am so excited to really get to know my son finally and have the relationship with him that we've missed out on.

Once I get past all the shock of this new information I will begin researching sensory integration disorder, and get Christopher started in theray. I am completely overwhelmed right now, and almost in tears. This has made me realize some issues that I didn't see before. I've had to face some tough truths over the last hour.

Preschool Nightmare!

This isn't so bad, but nobody wants to be the mom of the "mean kid". When I picked up Evie today the teacher said that Evie pushes kids. I told her I know that she pushes her brother all the time at home. I didn't think she'd push other kids. I think it is because Christopher is so clumsy he falls on her all the time. I made a rule chart at home listing all the things the kids are not allowed to do at all. Including pushing, biting, hitting, etc.... They are getting a time out for breaking the rules, and if they continue despite time outs they go to bed. Usually we don't get that far. She said they would work on it at school as well. I was crushed.

I told Evie that if she pushed kids they wouldn't be her friends. I hope that will be enough. I feel horrible. For her and others. I don't want kids to not play with her for any reason. Granted she's only two, but what mom wants to have the "meanie"!

Preschool update!

Evie had so much fun her first day of school. When we picked her up she was all smiles. The teacher gave me her papers, and we left. She got a note from the teacher letting me know she did well. The teacher said that Evie is very outgoing and talkative. That's my girl, but uh oh were gonna have troubles with that later??? She had two pictures that she colored that day. When I asked her about her day she only said she colored! I would have liked more info, but oh well. With some prying I found out she played and sang too! She said she liked her new friends as well.

I knew she would have fun, and do well. However, I was worried since she had been sick. She also refused to eat at all before school. She was so excited to go to school that she didn't want to do anything, but "GO"! Then after school she was to tired to eat as well. When so woke up she made up for what she missed that morning!

We didn't even get out to the car before she asked for her softy, binkie, and chocolate. It was so funny. Thank goodness I had thought ahead and brought it. She was so tired. We went home and she was asleep by 12:05. School got out at 11:30! She would have slept for a long time, but Topher missed her and kept waking her up. So she didn't get a good nap.

First day of Preschool!

Ok starting school can be hard for kids we all know that but nobody told me how hard it is for the mommy!!! I cried after dropping off Evie today, esp since she didn't even say goodbye! I was so bummed I thought I'd at least get a hug and kiss goodbye! Nope she ran and sat with all the kids forgetting me! Well at least I know she'll be ok and have fun!

It's just my baby isn't so much of a baby anymore. Even though she is still only 2 she is growing so fast. Everything is "No I do it, not you do it!" I know that's good, but it still makes me sad at the same time.

One of the best moments of my life...squashed!

One of the best moments of my life was when my daughter squeezed my head to hug me and said, "You my best friend mommy!"

It was a great moment! That of coarse couldn't last forever because today she looked at a total stranger and said, "You my best friend lady!" Thank you very much lady for stealing my thunder!

I know she loves me and not the lady, but still. Ouch!!!!

closet mess

The kids just had a bath and were running around naked. Evie has been picking out her own clothes lately, so I told her go get your clothes. Of coarse Christopher followed, but when no one returned I went looking for them. I didn't see anyone in their room, but heard some noise. Christopher was in Evie's closet! No evie. I told him, "Get out of there!" Then I smelled the smell.

He had pooped in her closet, and was climbing out. Thankfully most of the poop was in one spot, and the pee only went on a couple of shirts!! It could have been much worse than it was, but still poop in the closet come on! I cleaned him up, and began to clean up the mess. He must have been constipated because there was tons of poo. I didn't put a diaper on him because I wanted to hurry up and clean up the mess. Big mistake. When I returned from flushing the poo there was more on the floor! What the heck! Where could all this be coming from! I cleaned him, and put a diaper on. A little too late, since all he had inside him was already out.

So I guess the moral is that if your kids hasn't pooped keep a diaper on!

Speech eval

Monday a group is coming out to evaluate Christopher to make sure he isn't behind on his speech. The doctor thinks he is fine, and is basically doing this to humor me. I was worried at first because I could hardly understand most of what he was saying. However, all of a sudden over the past couple days he has had a language explosion! I'm not kidding. He is saying 2 and 3 word sentences!!! He has some troubles, that are probably normal, but I'm still gonna keep the evaluation appointment. I think the problem is that I compare him with his sister, who is exceptionally vocal beyond her years! It is hard not to compare the two. She was my first and the one who taught me all I know! I think it is better to be safe than sorry. If he does have a problem maybe it can be fixed before he is in school. Kids can be so hard on other kids. If he doesn't have a problem at least we will know. As a parent you can only do your best.

Smart Girl

Evie is growing so fast. Every day she surprises me with the things she says and does. She picks up everything like a little sponge. She never ceases to amaze me with the stuff she learns. She counts to 7 by herself. It was so cute the other day Christopher spilled his juice. I was frantically trying to clean it up, red Hawaiian punch! Evie started counting the spills, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7! I was so proud. She did that with out any help or encouragement from me!

Yes, You can do it!

As you may already be aware of my angel is now in her terrible twos, and she is seriously testing my patience. She wants to do everything on her own. I finally found something that she can do on her own and share with everyone. She loves to cook and help in the kitchen, but that can be dangerous. And lets face it toddlers want to do things that they just are not capable of doing.

She can make instant pudding though! I get open the package, but she pours it in a bowl. I pour the milk in the cups, and she pours it in the bowl. I give her a spoon and she stirs it. She makes a little mess, but not to bad. She has so much fun. The other day she made some and put it into little bowls and we took it to grandma and grandpa. She was so proud she made them a surprise all by herself. If you don't want a mess you can put it in a shaker and let them shake it!

It is easy and keeps them busy long enough for me to do the dishes. Then we all get to enjoy a good snack afterwards. Never mind the extra dishes we are creating! The look on her face and pride in knowing that she made something for us to eat is priceless!

I do it!

The three worst and best words in the English language. Good because finally you don't have to do everything for your child, but bad because now that you don't have to do everything for your child you realize that she is no longer your baby she's growing up way to fast! At the same time it is also so annoying because they want to do it on their own, but many times they just can't yet!

Evie is constantly telling me, "I do it, Mommy!" She can take off her shoes and put them on! I just can't wait for her to use the potty by herself. I have the worst time remembering to tell her to sit on the potty!

Evie the meanie

Lately Evie has been smacking me. Only me, and I don't know why. She is a little rough with her brother, but he is rough with her to. She halls of and smacks me periodically throughout the day. Sometimes she is really excited when we are playing and I know she doesn't mean it. However, sometimes she smacks me when she is mad. If she doesn't want me to do something or if she doesn't like what is going on. She has it me about 5 times in the past few days. Other times I stop her before she makes contact. I always put her in time out and tell her that it is not ok to hit. I never hit her so I don't know why she thinks it is ok to hit. I think she is jealous of her brother he has been getting more attention lately because his canines and molars are coming in. That is my only guess at why she is doing this. I try to give them equal attention.

Almost perfect day!

Today was almost perfect. I didn't get tons of stuff done, but that doesn't really make a day good or bad. The kids were up at 7:30am, which immediately scared me to death! I did not know how I would make it through the day! We usually start at 8:30 or even 9. I thought I wanted more sleep, but quickly woke up.

The kids played pretty good most of the day. We mostly followed my schedule perfectly. Breakfast at 8, but the kids didn't eat much. So by 10 they wanted a snack! Actually we saw a commercial for Gerber Yogurt melts, and Evie ran to the kitchen asking for a snack. She loves those! However, we didn't have any. I did have crunchies, and that is what they had. They ate about 3 servings each, 14 pieces X 3. Yes, I count them out! I am crazy, but I like to try to keep track of the kids nutrition. I don't do it with every thing.

Christopher took a nap from 11:22 to 1:30. Evie cried when I took her to bed. We laid down and watched Madagascar 2, but she fell asleep fast, and slept until 2:15! Mommy fell asleep to, but I woke up when my sister called we were all supposed to go shopping together. She is the one who just had a baby a month ago. When she went to leave the house her car wouldn't start. I felt so bad, but there was nothing I could do! She lives 20 min away, and I didn't have a car.

Both kids fell asleep before lunch so they ate lunch after they woke up. Christopher ate Gerber pasta pick up. Evie had apple and honey ham (lunch meat). I had to give Christopher some to. The meat I roll up really tight so it is like finger food. They eat it up that way! Any other way they won't touch it!

When daddy came home around 4:30 he was starving so we decided to go out to eat. We bought the kids back packs, but Evie's zipper broke so we took that back and went to a Mexican restaurant to eat. (I gotta take the new back pack back to, bad zipper again! Thanks Walmart! Do you know how hard it is to get the thing off her, let alone exchange it?

We went out to eat. The food was good, but the service not so much. It is just difficult when you have small kids, and servers don't pay attention to small things. Like refills! We saw our server 3 times, and were there for over an hour! I will complain more about this later!

After that the kids had a monthly play group at the library. They sing song, read books, make craft, and have snacks. I will talk more about this later as well. The best thing is that the kids get to play with others the same age or close! I love that! The worst thing is it is at 6:30pm to 7:30. Which means a later bed time. I aim for 8.

Christopher is asleep now, but Evie is playing around since mommy is on the computer! She already takes advantage and tries to get away with stuff. Plus, she is the master of distraction. She can change the subject in a conversation before you even know what hit ya! I'm in for a world of trouble! Well I gotta get her to bed, but I had a good day and am pleased! Tired, but going to bed happy!

Shoes!

Christopher is to big for his Thomas sneakers. He probably has been for a while because the seems at the toes are coming apart. So I bought him some cheap crock like shoes ($4), but now he has sores on one of his feet. I feel so bad, like I should have just paid more for better shoes. My daughter's sandals cost ($18). I am not kidding. Daddy bought them because she wanted them! They are Dora and light up! But no sores! So I guess maybe some times paying more is better????

Feeding the kids!

I have the hardest time finding foods the kids will eat. Really it is my daughter, Evie, is the pickiest eater ever! She might eat something today, but definitely won't tomorrow. Yesterday I made smoothies. 10oz juicy juice, apple banana, 2 containers Gerber 2nd foods Banana, and about 10 ice cubes (2 hand fulls). Then I blended it together, which scared Christopher to death! I felt so bad. Evie loved it. Today won't touch it! She pushed everything away and says, "No, Don't want it!" It is horrible.

I love the Graduates "Pasta Pick-ups" Christopher will always eat those! They are perfectly sized to, I take one everywhere! They also will usually eat the roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy meal to. That is the only one that Evie will eat! I feel so funny at the store because when they are on sale I buy 10 or 20 of them at a time. So when it is time to eat and she refuses everything else I can get her to eat something.

I am always searching for easy kid friendly foods. If anyone has any ideas. Let me know. My daughter is the only kid I know that won't eat PB&J or mac & cheese!

What I like best!

I know that the last year hasn't been easy. Having kids so close in age is far from easy. Some days I don't know how I made it this far. Then I look at their smiling faces and I remember why and how I did it. They make every difficulty and sacrifice well worth it.

The best thing is how close they are. Despite being so young they are already great friends. They are happy to see each other every day when one wakes up in the morning and from naps. They love to play with each other. They worry about each other when one of them is crying. They figure things out together (more often as they get older) without help from mommy and daddy. They truly have a unique and wonderful relationship that will last a lifetime. Something that most people never get to have. They really are the best of friends.

Not that all day it is buddy buddy around here. However, they can be fighting one minute and laughing the next. I only interrupt when it is not fair or when someone can get hurt.

Polite Princess

Evie woke me up this morning. "Excuse me, Mommy. I Wet!"
How cute!
I knew immediately she had peed through her diaper. Lately, this happens a lot. Especially if she has a lot to drink at night. We use the cheapest brand of diapers found at walmart. For the life of me I can't remember what they are called. They don't hold up so well overnight, but otherwise they are great. Her diaper was soaked, her pants, shirt, and sheet. Her softy got a little wet, but when I told her that she threw a fit. So for now it is off limits. I will have to sneak it later so I can wash it.

I was just over come by how polite she was. I had to tell the world!

Couch Crummies!

Evie was standing on the couch this morning when one of the cushions slipped, revealing the nasty mess of what can only be called "crummies". She looked down and the face she made was priceless. I wish I had been video taping! She exclaimed, "Oh, Gross Mommy! Clean it up!"

What could I do? I cleaned it up! In fact I cleaned the entire couch! Thanks drill sergeant Evie! Sometimes you just need a little motivation to get you moving! I have been cleaning all day now, only stopping right now to post while the tots eat lunch!