We had an excellent Halloween. Trick or treating with the J and A was oh so fun. James was Capt Hook (though he kind of looked like a Patriot, the more I looked at him), and Aaron was a dragon. :)

 

James bored of T or Ting after about six houses, but was perfectly content to walk with the rest of the group eating his Tootsie Pop. What a sport. Aaron fell asleep around the same time. But up until then, they were both happy as can be. Afterward we were invited to the Wallace's house for a family-friendly party. Ghost and pumpkin shaped grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids; skeleton shaped meatloaf and yummy clam chowder and other goodies for the adults. And of course an awesome Duck stomping on USC. WOOOOO!

 

I board a plane tomorrow for Boston (three days) and Seattle (two days). I'm going to miss the boys like crazy! But know they'll be in good hands. I'm thankful that I only have to travel like this once or twice a year for work. Thursday, get here fast!

A quick post so I don't forget: James officially kicked his "cernal" kick today. He can say "cereal" like a big boy. So sad. I will miss him asking, "Mommy, can I please have some strawberry cernal, please?"

 

What's next? Will he stop calling Crystal Light "berry juice?" Will he suddenly call his purple "cozy" a comforter? I sure hope not! I love these little James-isms. Don't grow up too fast, little buddy!!

Oh my, Aaron's big boy cry has come in. This kid can wail! He has woken up a few times the last few nights, and I'm determined not to get him used to more than one bottle a night (in fact, I want to cut the one out too!). But in my effort to let him cry it out, he has become more and more insistent and vocal. For fear of him waking up James and having two upset kids on my hands, I've been going into Aaron's room to help soothe him back to sleep. Part of the problem is he can now move in his crib and when I go in there, he's usually turned sideways with his legs sticking out between the crib bars. Oh mobility. So I change him, get him turned around, and he's still howling that he wants a bottle. No go, kiddo. Neither James nor Aaron have been pacifier babies so it was really lucky that I even had one in the house. I dug around in Aaron's toy bin and found one (yeah probably not the most sanitary but it was 4:30 a.m. - a mom does what she has to). In it went and he liked it! But soon his left arm was flappin' up and down (this is a new development), and if he wasn't smacking himself in the eye (ouch!), he was knocking the pacifier out of his mouth. And once it was out, he'd cry again. I'd put it back in and he'd be instantly soothed, but again the arm would flail spastically. We repeated this pacifier dance for about 10 minutes until I was confident that if it fell out again, he'd not freak out. I sure do wish he'd just find his thumb.

 

On the James front, he's a champ on the potty training front. He is willing and able to do it himself these days. On #2 he's still a bit resistant but once he gets up there and out it comes, he's so very proud of himself. (Total TMI moment, sorry!). He has his occasional #1 accident but they are fewer and farther between.

 

I need to get better at immediately writing down the things James says. I can never remember them by the time I get to this blog. But he's quite the character (as I know you all know) and keeps me laughing or scratching my head most days. :)

 

He and the kids at preschool (Aaron too) go to the pumpkin patch (Baggenstow's) this Friday. I wish so badly that work wasn't so busy so I could take the morning off to go with them. They are also having their fall class photos taken there. Should be super cute. I hope to take him to the pumpkin patch again this weekend so I can experience the fun with him. I'm sure he won't mind, and we all need 6 or 7 pumpkins, right? ;-)

 

 

 

Aaron officially rolled today! He went from his back to his tummy (on his left side) this morning at daycare. Tammy called me at 11:25 and said he'd just done it, and he was evidently quite shocked by it. :) When he suddenly found himself on his tummy, he let out a little whine. While I was on the phone with her, he was going for it again but couldn't quite get over. I'm sure he'll be eager to show me his new found skill tonight at home. When someone at work asked me if I feel bad missing this "first", I told her no, and meant it. Of course I'd love to be there for all the firsts, but know that I can't be and have come to accept that. I love to work, and have to work. It won't be the only time Aaron (and James too) do these things. I'll get to see him roll soon!

 

My big baby is growing so fast!

Aaron is so mellow that even his demanding cry is a meager attempt to get my attention. He woke up around 5am this morning, and trying to stick with doctor's orders, I let him cry it out, hoping he'd put himself back to sleep. But 30 minutes later, he was still crying weakly like a little lost lamb. He's so funny. James has always had a BIG personality, and been demanding. His cries in the night used to send shock-waves through me. Aaron's just make me feel bad about leaving him there because it's such a pathetic cry. (Thankfully though, it's also not enough to wake up James). Eventually I realized he wasn't going to go back to sleep without a feed (and I wouldn't go back to sleep if he was still awake - ah being a mom), so I got up and gave him 4 oz (he usually takes 6). He was satisfied for a bit, but then started to cry again. Sigh. I should have just given into him in the first place. So I changed his diaper, made him another 2 oz, and after that he was happy and sleepy. Too bad for him, he only got to sleep in another 40 minutes before we had to leave the house. :)

I'm continually reminded how lucky I am - when I look at both my healthy, happy boys, They light up my world every day. I don't think I've smiled or laughed so much in my life as I have in these last nine months.

 

Aaron is doing very well. He had his 4 month well-baby check on Friday. I went in thinking he's probably 18-19 lbs and sure enough he's just shy of 18. The doctor is very pleased. He is alert, followed the doctor's every move around the room. "Chatted" with him a little bit in the office. He was a champ for the shots. He of course cried and stuck out his bottom lip like he does, but it was short-lived. His doctor told me I'm fine to cut out the one feed in the night. Aaron has been sleeping 8pm - 4:30am and then waking up for a bottle. Since he's doing well sleeping so long, doctor said to let him learn to go back to sleep at this point w/o a feed. I'm not sure if it's Aaron's good-naturedness and obliging nature, or the fact that now that I've started to turn the heat on in his room at night (and it's toasty warm!), but the baby is sleeping clear through the night - not even moving to kick his blankets off like he normally would! I am in heaven. Everything with him has been scary easy. I am trying not to take it for granted because the minute you get used to something, it usually changes! :)

 

Here are his stats:

17 lbs, 14 oz (92%)

25.75 inches (74%)

 

He's becoming quite the flirt these days too. His sweet, quiet personality are coming out. He is usually pretty stoic but he'll catch your eye and then give a half smile. It's very sweet. It takes a lot to get him to giggle, but when he does, he goes on forever. He always smiles when he sees James. James loves to greet Aaron in the morning and run in his room and flip on the light. This is a shock to Aaron, of course, and he usually flinches a little. But he grins as soon as he sees us. James is quick to givce Aaron a hug and kiss after I've put him down in his carseat. Such good brothers.

 

Our morning and evening routines are going well now that I've returned to work. I try to get up first and get into my running clothes, contacts in, pop some toast in. Then I get James up, on the potty (potty training is going SO well!), and then dressed. While he's eating breakfast, I get Aaron up and dressed. By the time A and I are ready, James is done with cereal and we clean up and head out the door. I'm pretty impressed with the efficiency of it all. :) I have been able to get in a 30-35 minute run 3-4 days a week, after I drop the kids off at daycare. It's a god-send. If I wasn't able to do it in the a.m., I'm not sure when I'd get to exercise. I'm just 6 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight - hooray! But I have a goal of 15 more lbs. But I"d be satisfied with anything between 5-10 lbs.

 

Nighttime is usually pretty mellow too. Aaron falls asleep on the car ride home from daycare and stays asleep long enough for me to make a quick dinner, and for us to eat it. Granted I practically inhale my food so I can eat it while it's warm before he wakes up. I give Aaron a bottle while James finishes, and then it's usually time for a movie. Robots has been the movie of the month. :) I need to convince James to watch something else! I should feel guilty about letting him watch a movie at night, but we're both pretty tired from the day's activities that we both just want to relax. Aaron gets a bath, and then I bring James in for his. Aaron watches from his bouncy chair. At 8pm sharp, both kids are ready for bed. Aaron first, and then James. Aaron is awesome - I can lay him down wide awake and he doesn't fuss at all, and puts himself to sleep. Doesn't get any better than that!!! I remember having to rock and hold James until he was in a deep sleep. It would sometimes take hours. It still takes James a long time to put himself to sleep. I can usually hear him humming or sucking his thumb really hard for 45 min-1 hour after I've put him to bed.

 

James has been crawling into bed with me in the night again. I need to break him of the habit again but honestly, he's so soft and warm in his footie PJs, and such a good cuddler (albiet a bed hogger! I get about 5 inches of bed on the edge!). Most nights I'm too tired to worry about transferring him back to his own bed. But I know I need to do this soon before it becomes too ingrained.

 

This is getting LONG. I hadn't updated in so long, and this has been kind of a stream of consciousness post. :) I need to do better about every few day posts again.

 

I may have spoken too soon. I haven't seen Aaron suck his thumb except that day last week. Must have been a fluke. :) But he has been giggling a lot lately, which is probably the sweetest sound in the world. Yesterday afternoon Tammy called me just to hold the phone up to Aaron as he was giggling. Such a boost to my afternoon!! Last night, I had him seated facing me on my lap and was making "raspberries" and clicking my tongue and he thought this was just hilarious. It also startled him a bit too, which was funny. He'd jerk back each time I started doing either of these things and then he'd realize what I was doing and start giggling.

 

James is doing very well this week. We had some accidents on Monday but that's to be expected because we were in transit a lot that day and also took in a movie (Ice Age 3 again - it was playing at the cheap theatre by our house). He loved it again, but unfortunately was so engrossed in the movie that he forgot to tell me he had to pee. Thankfully it wasn't a lot. Bedtime seems to be getting easier these days. He doesn't fuss nearly as much about going to bed. He still "stalls" by calling me into cover him up again (after he's thrown the blankets off), or ask for water. His newest thing is "maybe later." I'll ask him if he wants to use the potty, or if I can have a hug, and his response is always, "maybe later." Haha! Boys can't be bothered with silly things like going potty or having a snuggle. ;-)

 

Saturday is our first of many jaunts to Eugene for UO Duck football games. I sure hope the Ducks have figured things out from last game. Or it's going to be a LONG season. I am sharing my tickets with Patrick's dad and brother this year. It will be fun to spend time with each of them while his mom watches the boys at Steph's house. Before long, we'll all get to christen Steph & Chris' new house with plenty of green & yellow-clad fans!! Can't wait!

It's about time! Aaron found his thumb today at daycare (the left one, same as James) and was going to town on it! Tammy said he was just so happy to be sucking his thumb and was making the cute slurp, slurp noises. He had a bit of a rough time yesterday - he was fussy and his gums seemed to be hurting him, so Tammy gave him some Baby Oragel. He must be starting to teeth. James got his first tooth at four months so it wouldn't surprise me if Aaron followed suit on that too. But he was back to his normal self last night, and evidently is having a perfect day today. Very happy, and maybe more so now that he's found his thumb. Hee hee.

 

James got his first bee sting today. Poor guy. Tammy called to make sure he wasn't allergic. Of course I didn't know since it's his first sting, but chances he is are slim. Neither Patrick nor I are allergic. Tammy told James that bees don't like little kids, they like flowers. James' response: "This bee liked me!" He cried for just a minute and thankfully the sting spot didn't swell or otherwise indicate any allergic reaction.

 

Work day three is going well. I managed another run this morning. I think I've found a good rhythm for getting all of our bags packed/ready the night before so that our morning send-off is smooth and quick. Of course, I'm also running around like a crazy loon doing this as quickly as possible so I can maximize my evenings with the boys. They are both going to bed at about 8:15 so that gives me about 2.5 hours with them to put together puzzles, read stories, color, bath & potty time, and of course snuggle.

It's come to this: I have returned to the workforce. I had an amazing 15 weeks of family leave with Aaron. He is a special little boy and is such a joy. I couldn't be any luckier! With his easy-going nature, he is transitioning well to daycare. And James is beyond thrilled that baby brother is going to daycare with him, and gets to stay all day! James will ask me, "Mom, are you gonna pick me up tonight? And Aaron too? YAY!" So cute. Tammy is in love with her new charge. They had a great first day. Aaron was smiling and cooing to Tammy as we were leaving to head home. I am thrilled to have her as our daycare provider for the boys.

 

My return to work is going well so far. My manager is on a much-deserved vacation for two weeks so I'm jumping right into things. Thankfully it's not super busy but there is enough to get caught back up on that day one, and this morning of day two, are flying by. There are also a lot of friends around the office to see  and visit with, too. :) I managed to get in a 30 minute run this morning before work - felt great! I hope to do this 3-4 days a week - fingers crossed!

 

James' potty training is just about mastered. He had a terrific day yesterday - no accidents, dry after naptime, and happy to hop on the potty when prompted. He woke up dry again this morning. Woohoo! So pleased that it's been a relatively easy feat to master.  

The last two days of potty training have been super! James is really catching on and is excited about his new-found skill. :) He has woken up dry from his naps yesterday and today, and was dry this morning when he got up. WAHOO! He's eager to sit on the potty each time I prompt him and went #2 for the first time today. He didn't want to, but I knew it was about that time of day. Despite some faux tears and whining, I let him hang out in there until I finally heard him call for me to see. :) He was so proud and happy. Good job, James!!!!!! A potty cupcake was awarded for this major milestone. For the most part he's stopped asking for marshmellows as his reward after each pee. I'm glad he isn't needing the bribe! He's now at Patrick's for the weekend and I'm confident the good progress will continue. :-)

Although potty training got off to a rocky start this week, I've decided to persevere. I got a lot of advice and what struck me most was the need to continue with the training since I've already started. It would confuse James too much to go back to diapers, and since he is such a strong-willed and smart kid, he'd probably figure out how to manipulate the system to go back to diapers. Despite the initial hiccups and hesitations, James is on board now!

 

We began in earnest yesterday (Monday and Tuesday were just too busy to really have much luck) and it was a great first day! I put James in undies first thing and he held it during the early morning until we got home from my eye doctor appointment. I put him on the potty when we got home and left im to do his thing. When I came back in, the bathroom floor was wet - ooops, things weren't pointed south like they should have been. But I was still SO happy and proud. He earned himself a "potty cupcake" (a regular chocolate cupcake that I said would be his reward the first few times). Later we went to my work to throw a baby shower for a friend and he did very well until the end when he couldn't hold it any longer. He had an accident and didn't like his pants being wet (which is good, I was hoping this discomfort could be a motivator). We changed him and when we got home, he went on the potty again. Another cupcake was awarded. Since then, he's gone another three times and woke up dry this morning. That's HUGE! All told, he had three and a half cupcakes yesterday. We've moved onto marshmellows or Runts candies as the reward. Can't contribute to the national obesity problem!! Good thing he likes these just as well. :)

 

I'm feeling really good that we may have potty training mostly mastered by Monday when he returns to daycare and I go back to work. Fingers crossed! I'm so proud of him!

The countdown has officially begun - six days until I return to work. BOO! But it must be done. But first, I'm making this last week one to remember. James has been going to daycare fulltime this summer so that I could have undivided time with Aaron, just like I did when James was a newborn. But this week his daycare is closed (Tammy is taking a much-deserved vacation) and I have both boys home with me.

 

The fun started on Friday evening when I picked James up from school. He was SO excited to see Aaron and I after having spent the majority of the last two weeks at his dad's house. I had missed him SO much. He requested pancakes for dinner and I of course obliged. We spent the evening cuddling and playing teeball in the yard. He was hilarious - I would wind up before each hit (and say "spinnie, spinnie, spinnie") and after that he insisted on doing it too, and reminding me to do it if I forgot. Saturday he woke me up at 5:45 - WAY too early, but nevertheless, I happily got up because he was in such a good mood and I was still so happy for him to be home. We ate cernal (his cute mispronunciation of cereal) and read stories until Aaron woke up at 9:00 (what a bum - haha). We hit Metzger park and had it all to ourselves. I had planned for us to go see Up at the Avalon Theater that morning but James started acting up just before we were going to leave: a clear sign he needs a nap. He asked to go lay in his room and before I knew it, he was out cold. Aaron and I followed suit and also took naps (which was good because I was tired from the early morning!). We spent the afternoon dancing and singing around the living room (even though James loves to tell me not to dance and sing - haha) and playing teeball and catch. That evening we were invited to Rachael & Andy's for a bbq. The kids had a great time swimming and running naked around the yard while we adults enjoyed much-needed Coronas (well, Andy, Jesse and I did. Rachael is still breastfeeding and KT is the sole preggo these days). ;)

 

Sunday James and I spent the afternoon with Uncle Derek while Aaron spent time with Patrick. We wandered around Kalama and walked to the very top of the town, which has an amazing view of the Columbia. The four mile roundtrip hill jaunt took us about 90 minutes and we got a heck of a workout trading off pushing 37 lb James in the stroller. James was his usual jovial and spunky self and gave Uncle and I plenty to laugh about, making the time go by fast.

 

Sunday I also decided it was time to give potty training a heave-ho! I took James to Target to pick out big boy undies (Cars and Wolverine were the picks). He wasn't thrilled about them, and still isn't, but I'm doing what I can to be encouraging without being overbearing. I put a pair on him when we got home and he immediately wanted them off. I tried again this morning and he kept them on. However, about 20 minutes later when I couldn't find him, I called him and heard his voice from under his train table. When I asked what he was doing under there, he said, "go away mommy. I'm peeing." Sigh. The train table is in his playroom, which is where he's always gone to do his business. I didn't get upset but pulled him out and took him to sit on the potty. Nothing happened so I changed him and put him in another pair of undies. 20 minutes later, he had another accident. It's hard to know if I should persevere or give it a rest for now. The discomfort of having an accident doesn't seem to be translating. My thought was that we could get a good start on potty training while he's home from daycare this week, and before I go back to work. But maybe that's too big of an undertaking for my last week.

 

Today we had a terrific day in Lincoln City. My dad came with us and it was so nice of him to join us (and drive!). The weather couldn't have been better - 65 degrees, clear blue skies. The beach was crowded but not bad. James loved, loved, loved playing in the sand, jumping over the waves and playing in the "D" River (a very small river that has a few small ponds) that runs beside the beach we were at. Aaron slept most of the day in the baby bjorn and as usual he was so easy to have along. We had Tillamook ice cream on the way home. James ate his whole scoop and waffle cone (and these were not small!). It was a great day.

 

Aaron gifted me with two full night's sleep this week, in a row. It was amazing! I was drunk on sleep when I woke up each morning. I know I shouldn't brag but I can't help it. He has since returned to waking up once a night again (usually around 4am), but that's still not bad at all. He went through a bit of a growth spurt because he's not as rolly-polly as usual (still plenty of rolls but not as pronounced). He's smiley most of the time now, and oh so ticklish. His palms and bottoms of his feet are the most ticklish. And somehow I can't seem to leave those adorable piggies alone. :-)

 

I have one more week until I go back to work. It's been so wonderful to be home with Aaron the past 14 weeks. It was the perfect amount of time. I enjoyed being off the whole summer and walking nearly every day with Rachael, Shannon and KT. It's been our own little Pregnant Moms Walking Club. :-) I am perfectly content to be a home body if not properly motivated to get out. Meeting up with these good friends not only got me moving each day but ensured I got some adult interaction too! I'm still not where I want to be pant-size-wise but getting closer and I credit these good friends for the extra motivation! I will miss these walks (particularly KT's BIG hill) when I go back to work, but with luck we can still meet up at lunch a few days a week.

 

This past weekend, I hosted the 2nd Annual Friends Weekend for long-time/college friends Greg, Steph and Jen. We ate way too much delicious food, drank tasty adult beverages, told hilarious and embarrassing stories, and danced our hearts out. It was a fabulous weekend! Next year though, we're going to have to enforce a "leave your cell phone at the door" rule. :-)

Ah running, how I've missed you? It feels SO good to get back out and run, even if my pace is not yet where I want it to be, and if I'm winded long before I'd like to admit. But just being out there again pounding the pavement to some good tunes makes me incredibly happy. It's been since last summer that I've really run in earnest, and that's way too long of a hiatus.

 

Most mornings I try to fit in a short run w/ Aaron before we meet up with Rachael, KT and/or Shannon for a walk. KT's neighborhood is super hilly (I'm talking monster hills) so it makes for a great walking workout, particularly pushing a stroller. The other morning I offered to push the double stroller with Merin and Addie in it up the BIG hill. With Rachael just three weeks post-partem and KT in her seventh month, I was the obvious choice for the duty. And oh boy did it give me a workout. But I loved it. To me, there's not much point working out if you're not going to go full-board every time. Sometimes I'll only feel like doing 15 minutes but once I get into it, it's usually 45 minutes to an hour later when I finally call it quits. I hope to instill a love of exercise in my boys as they are growing up, and can't wait to have them riding their bikes alongside me - or better yet, running too - as I'm running. :-)

Seriously, I'm kidding. I love both my sons equally but I sure do love how easy Aaron is turning out to be. He's a champ at hanging tight while I'm busy with James, and is so mellow you'd think he had been drugged (again, kidding!). Not to say he isn't a ton of fun and energetic in his own way. I'm particularly thrilled about his bedtime routine. Lately he's been going to sleep around 8:45ish and not waking up until 3:30am or so. Then he wakes up for good around 6:45, which is perfect and about the time when I'm done getting James ready. And I can lay him in his crib awake and he puts himself to sleep. Seriously this baby is amazing and so good to me! (knocking on all pieces of wood in close proximity). He's currently fast asleep in his carseat following a small outing to downtown. Can he just stay this way forever?! :-)

James is an excited, happy and loving little person. He rarely has down moments. So it comes as no surprise that he's a terrific big brother to Aaron, and loves his little brother very much. Not a day goes by that he doesn't ask me about Aaron - "Mom, where's Aaron?" (In his room sleeping); "Mom, I think Aaron is hungry. Do you want to make him a bottle?"; "Mom, is Aaron coming with us?" (of course!). He gets very excited when he sees Aaron in the afteroon when we pick him up at daycare/preschool. He squeals in delight, "Aaron!! Aaron!! Mom, you brought Aaron!" and then runs over to give Aaron a hug. Likewise Aaron is always happy and excited to see James. He smiles often these days, but particularly when he sees James. I will often prop Aaron up on my lap so he can "talk" to James. He is starting to coo and loves to try to talk to big brother. James of course loves this: "Mom, look he's talking to me!" The other day I had Aaron on the floor for tummy time and James wanted to join him. I snapped a few shots of the cuteness that ensued.

 

 

As evidenced by his terrific weight gain, Aaron is growing by leaps and bounds, but he's also full of smiles these days. He smiles at me from inside his crib when I greet him in the morning. I love that he is so happy to see me. Throughout the day he loves to look me square in the eye and give me a cute, crooked smile. He is finding his voice too and coos happily to me and the little bears that dance over his swing.

 

This afternoon, he and I spent the afternoon at a local Starbucks. Not so much to beat the heat; thankfully we have A/C, but I just really wanted to get out of the house. I brought The Time Traveler's Wife to read (for a second time :) but instead of reading, I propped Aaron up on my lap, facing me, and he and I had a grand ol' time chatting and smiling at each other. I swear he was saying "hi" back to me. At least with his twinkling eyes. After a while I started to gently massage and stroke his face and head, and this made him smile non-stop. His bright, sapphire blue eyes are irresistable, particularly when he smiles. :-)

Dear James,

Wow, I can hardly believe that it was three short years ago you joined us and changed all our lives in so many amazing ways. You are one of the two loves of my life. We had such a fun day celebrating your birthday yesterday. And it's not over yet - we have your party on Saturday morning at Westlake Park with the whole family and friends.

 

You woke up yesterday morning your usual happy-go-lucky self and immediately rushed to the kitchen ready for breakfast. When you saw the streamers, balloons and presents, you exclaimed, "It's my birthday! It's my party!" I couldn't have hoped for a better reaction to my preparations for your day. You loved your gifts but I think you loved the balloons I had blown up the best. You grabbed all three and raced around the living room with them. Oh, the simple things are always the best! When I asked you how old you were, you said emphatically, "I'm Two!" When I reminded you that you turned three today, you didn't like this one bit and reiterated that you are two. :)

 

We went to the Oregon Zoo with Grandpa M, Aaron, Rachael, Andy, Merin and Fin. It was such a fun morning/afternoon, and the weather was perfect. You and Merin had fun chasing after each other in the elephant overlook area. After a few good hours at the Zoo, we headed home for lunch and then cupcakes and ice cream. You were so excited to blow out your candle, and finally agreed that being three was pretty cool. :)

 

I look forward to keeping the celebration going through to Saturday. The streamers are still up and there's still ice cream in the freezer. I like celebrating you, and I know you do, too. :) I love you, sweetsie.

Love, momma

 

Aaron's first girlfriend has made her entrance into the world!! Rachael delivered baby girl Finlan "Fin" Aurelia Wallace on Friday morning, 7/17/09. She is beautiful! Aaron is smitten already. We are so happy for Rachael, Andy and Merin. More photos in the album below.