Had a bit of a scary night here last night. Drew has had a bit of a cough for a few days now, but last night, while James and I were watching tv we heard him coughing and calling for us. I went up to see what was going on and found him crying, trying to call for us and barely able to breath. His cough sounded more like a seal bark than a cough.
In a panic, I brought him downstairs....he seemed as if he was going to puke each time he coughed. We took him to the kitchen, where James took him from me (cause I was a bit of a wreck) and calmed him down. Once he stopped crying, and was able to breath again, he fell asleep and we took him back up to his room (James decided that he would sleep with him, just in case).
Once Drew was in bed, James took off to the superstore to purchase a humidifier, which seemed to help alot. Drew hardly coughed after the "episode" at all......it's on again tonight. I honestly didn't think it would make that much of a difference.
It was pretty scary, as Drew was drooling quite a lot and seemed to be in quite a lot of pain. He seems ok today though, and was no worse for the wear this morning.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Soo-soo fairy
So, after all that talk about my 3 and a half year old still having a soother, we decided to just "rip the band-aid off" and take it away. Here's how it went down....
A few months ago, we visited the dentist for the first time. The dentist did his part by telling Drew that soon he'd have to get rid of the soother, because it was hurting his teeth. Playing on that theme, I told Drew about the "soo-soo fairy". This fairy is a magical fairy who works along with the dentist to make sure that parents are following the dentist's directions. The soo-soo fairy showed up at our house the other day, while Drew was sleeping and was very upset with us. We weren't following the dentists orders, Drew still had his soother! The soo-soo fairy promptly took the soother away. When Drew woke up, the soo-soo was gone, and we had to tell him about the soo-soo fairy showing up (who we had been warning him about for months).
Worked like a charm. Mind you, if the soo-soo fairy ever shows up at our house again, she's getting a punch to the face from my 3 year old.....or so he tells me...EVERY DAY.....he is not happy with her!
It's been pretty smooth. The first night without the soother, he fell asleep on the car ride home from nanas, but woke up at 4am screaming for it.....he stayed in his room, on his bed with James, but would not fall back asleep. Since then, he's fallen asleep without it, and stayed asleep all night. Knock on wood, it's gone better than expected!
We also made a big deal about him being a big boy, and took him to Toys R Us to pick out a "big boy" toy, that only boys who didn't use soothers could play with. He chose to be "just like daddy and papa" and picked out a chain saw. Very cute.
A few months ago, we visited the dentist for the first time. The dentist did his part by telling Drew that soon he'd have to get rid of the soother, because it was hurting his teeth. Playing on that theme, I told Drew about the "soo-soo fairy". This fairy is a magical fairy who works along with the dentist to make sure that parents are following the dentist's directions. The soo-soo fairy showed up at our house the other day, while Drew was sleeping and was very upset with us. We weren't following the dentists orders, Drew still had his soother! The soo-soo fairy promptly took the soother away. When Drew woke up, the soo-soo was gone, and we had to tell him about the soo-soo fairy showing up (who we had been warning him about for months).
Worked like a charm. Mind you, if the soo-soo fairy ever shows up at our house again, she's getting a punch to the face from my 3 year old.....or so he tells me...EVERY DAY.....he is not happy with her!
It's been pretty smooth. The first night without the soother, he fell asleep on the car ride home from nanas, but woke up at 4am screaming for it.....he stayed in his room, on his bed with James, but would not fall back asleep. Since then, he's fallen asleep without it, and stayed asleep all night. Knock on wood, it's gone better than expected!
We also made a big deal about him being a big boy, and took him to Toys R Us to pick out a "big boy" toy, that only boys who didn't use soothers could play with. He chose to be "just like daddy and papa" and picked out a chain saw. Very cute.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I just tried to register for a website, and after 10 minutes I gave up. I could not figure out what the "secret" word was that I was supposed to copy. It's so frustrating to try and figure out what that damn word is. Why do they make it so hard? The letters are hardly recognizable, and impossible for an idiot like me to figure out. Maybe that's the point, to keep idiots out of the website. If that's the case, well done website designers, well done.
Jerks.
Jerks.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Judgement
Why is it that as soon as you get pregnant, it seems to open up the doors for other women (and sometimes men) to "judge" you on your decisions? I was talking with my friend the other day who is pregnant with her first child. She had recently experienced some "judgement" from her friends/co-workers regarding some choices she is thinking of making for her baby.
In my opinion, there is not "one" way to raise a child. There are many options out there, cloth diapers vs non-cloth diapers, breast-feeding vs bottle feeding, co-sleeping vs crib sleeping, homemade baby food vs store bought baby food....the list goes on and on.
Drew was not potty trained until after his 3rd birthday. This was something that apparently bothered ALOT of people in our "circle" of people in our life. In my defence, Drew was not ready. I tried the summer before he was 2, and he would have nothing to do with it, I didn't want to make it a negative experience, so I gave it up....he wasn't "ready" until the following summer, but Hunter was due in July, and I didn't want to overwhelm him, so I waited. When we finally put him in underpants, it took 3 days and he was trained. The fact that it went so smoothly tells me that he was ready. The fact that I got some much flack from people who saw him once in a blue moon still drives me nuts. I'm not sure why people took it so personally, or why I was made out to be such a bad mom because he wasn't trained. They weren't changing his diapers, not sure why it bothered them so much.
Don't get me started on the soother issue.....
It's my belief that parenting is tough, really tough. It's a lot tougher than I thought it ever would be......people who don't have children should not pass judgement because they have NO CLUE what it's like. People who have children should know better. No one is the perfect parent, but if we all stick together, maybe we can make it a little easier......or at least band together and tell all the "judgers" to "F"- off!!!!!
In my opinion, there is not "one" way to raise a child. There are many options out there, cloth diapers vs non-cloth diapers, breast-feeding vs bottle feeding, co-sleeping vs crib sleeping, homemade baby food vs store bought baby food....the list goes on and on.
Drew was not potty trained until after his 3rd birthday. This was something that apparently bothered ALOT of people in our "circle" of people in our life. In my defence, Drew was not ready. I tried the summer before he was 2, and he would have nothing to do with it, I didn't want to make it a negative experience, so I gave it up....he wasn't "ready" until the following summer, but Hunter was due in July, and I didn't want to overwhelm him, so I waited. When we finally put him in underpants, it took 3 days and he was trained. The fact that it went so smoothly tells me that he was ready. The fact that I got some much flack from people who saw him once in a blue moon still drives me nuts. I'm not sure why people took it so personally, or why I was made out to be such a bad mom because he wasn't trained. They weren't changing his diapers, not sure why it bothered them so much.
Don't get me started on the soother issue.....
It's my belief that parenting is tough, really tough. It's a lot tougher than I thought it ever would be......people who don't have children should not pass judgement because they have NO CLUE what it's like. People who have children should know better. No one is the perfect parent, but if we all stick together, maybe we can make it a little easier......or at least band together and tell all the "judgers" to "F"- off!!!!!
Great Wolf Lodge
I was very impressed as soon as we walked in. They have animatronic animals in the front lobby that talk and dance, and lots of details that really make you feel like you are in the wilderness (kinda felt like we were back at Disney actually). James went right to the front desk to check us in. As it turned out, our room wasn't ready yet. James asked about the other, more expensive rooms, and they upgraded us - FOR FREE!!!!!! We love free things, so we were very excited about this.
Went and checked out our room (bunk beds, Drew immediately climbed to the top. He was thrilled.) We headed to the waterpark after our exploration of the room was over. James' dad stayed outside and played with is Ipod, while James' mom came in and watched Drew and Hunter play in the water. Actually, she held Hunter while James and I took Drew down a family-tube waterslide.
James then had to take his parents to the bus station, so Drew, Hunter and I continued the water fun in the bathtub. Once James came back, we all headed to the buffet for dinner. I LOVED the buffet. It was really good, had a bit of everything, and also had ice cream.......perfect. After dinner, James and Drew headed back to the waterpark while Hunter and I finished up with dinner and then headed back to the room for some down time.
8pm was storytime in the main lobby, so we all headed for that. Drew really enjoyed it, and participated fully. After storytime, it was arcade time, then bed.
Slipped under our door first thing in the morning was our bill for easy check-out. On the back of the bill, we found an offer to stay an extra night for 50% off. We were having so much fun, we jumped at it. Called my parents to make sure they could feed Snickers and our cows and headed to the buffet for breakfast. Wily the wolf met us for some pictures at breakfast.....both boys were really taken with him. There was another storytime in the lobby after breakfast, and then it was back to the waterpark.
Drew was wiped after all of the excitement, so he (and I) had a much needed nap. James took Hunter to the grocery store, so we could have some quiet. Dinner was McDonalds, and then back to the arcade and waterpark. Our friends, who live in St. Catharines joined us in the waterpark for the evening and then won Drew a bunch of tickets in the arcade.......god help me, Drew is obsessed with arcade games already!
The next morning, we packed up, and headed for our last time at the arcade. This meant that Drew had to spend all of the tokens we had left, and then pick his prize. He ended up choosing a watch that shines a light on the wall.....very exciting for a 3 year old, I guess.
The waterpark was the next stop. After a few hours there, James wasn't feeling well. He relaxed on a chair for a bit, and then puked in the garbage can. Poor guy. We got changed and left shortly after that. While he was puking, Drew says, "Mommy, why did daddy drink so much of that wine????" Everyone around us assumed that James was just hungover and were rolling their eyes....it was totally not a hangover.....I was a bit embarrassed that Drew came up with that......little bean.
The drive home wasn't so easy. Had to pull over so James could puke on the highway. Good times.
I dropped him off at home, and then I went up to my parents for the evening. James felt much better the next day, but the evening/night was rough on him.....thank goodness none of us caught what he had (knock on wood).
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Swimming lessons and birthday dinners
Drew and Hunter started their swimming lessons today. Hunter is in Parent and Tot 1 and Drew is in Preschool A. James swam with Hunter and I with Drew. Preschool A does not require a parent to go in (as I learned after I was in the pool), but they allow it if the child wants a parent with them. I think Drew would have been ok on his own, but now that I have gone in with him once, I suppose he will expect it every time now. I'm cool with that, despite the fact that I had to get into a bathing suit (ugh), I had fun. Drew seemed to have a good time too. Hunter, from what I saw, seemed to love the water. Everytime I looked over at him, he was smiling....guess we have two water babies on our hands.
After swimming (my parents came to watch) we joined my parents at Tim Hortons for a snack and then it was off to the Glen for an afternoon of fun. James and my dad headed back to the Milton farm. James to feed the cows, my dad to pick up hay. When they arrived, they found Speckles dead in the barn. We're not sure what happened. She had been a bit thin all winter....very sad....she was a favorite.
At my parents, Drew found some bead necklaces that he decided were jewelry fit for a "ball". He had my mother wear some (he wore a few too) and they were off to the "ball", where there was dancing and "romantic" breakfasts (chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. He apparently wanted to put on a dress too, but my mom didn't think James would appreciate that. They spent all afternoon playing this game.....Drew telling me to not "bother" them while they were playing...."no mommies allowed".
Once James and my dad arrived home, we all headed to Mississauga for a bit of shopping and the dinner at Tuckers family restaurant to celebrate my mom's birthday. Both boys were fantastic throughout dinner, and James and I both ate our weight in food......after dinner, Drew wanted to go back to the "ball" at my parents house, so we headed back there for a few hours before coming back home to bed.
Happy birthday, Mama.....we love you!
After swimming (my parents came to watch) we joined my parents at Tim Hortons for a snack and then it was off to the Glen for an afternoon of fun. James and my dad headed back to the Milton farm. James to feed the cows, my dad to pick up hay. When they arrived, they found Speckles dead in the barn. We're not sure what happened. She had been a bit thin all winter....very sad....she was a favorite.
At my parents, Drew found some bead necklaces that he decided were jewelry fit for a "ball". He had my mother wear some (he wore a few too) and they were off to the "ball", where there was dancing and "romantic" breakfasts (chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. He apparently wanted to put on a dress too, but my mom didn't think James would appreciate that. They spent all afternoon playing this game.....Drew telling me to not "bother" them while they were playing...."no mommies allowed".
Once James and my dad arrived home, we all headed to Mississauga for a bit of shopping and the dinner at Tuckers family restaurant to celebrate my mom's birthday. Both boys were fantastic throughout dinner, and James and I both ate our weight in food......after dinner, Drew wanted to go back to the "ball" at my parents house, so we headed back there for a few hours before coming back home to bed.
Happy birthday, Mama.....we love you!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Soothers
Ok, so here's where I come clean. Drew still uses a soother. He is 3, and still needs it to sleep with. We give him "soo-soo" and blankie and he generally goes off to sleep without any problems. This is why we haven't taken it away yet. He sleeps. Hunter, does not. I do not want 2 children who do not sleep. I am very much aware that he is too old to have a soother, and that I need to take it away soon, or I will have millions of dollars of dental work to pay for in the future. Is it wrong that I would rather just pay for the dental work???
We keep putting off the "time" that we're going to take it away...first it was after Christmas, then after New Years, then after our trip to Florida, now I'm thinking it'll be after we go to Great Wolf Lodge next week.......the truth is, I'm not sure how to take it away without freaking him out entirely. Part of me thinks we should just do it quickly, like taking off a band-aid.....suffer a few nights of freak outs and then hopefully he'll be over it. The other side of me says that if we do it gradually, it'll be less traumatic.
Sigh......
We keep putting off the "time" that we're going to take it away...first it was after Christmas, then after New Years, then after our trip to Florida, now I'm thinking it'll be after we go to Great Wolf Lodge next week.......the truth is, I'm not sure how to take it away without freaking him out entirely. Part of me thinks we should just do it quickly, like taking off a band-aid.....suffer a few nights of freak outs and then hopefully he'll be over it. The other side of me says that if we do it gradually, it'll be less traumatic.
Sigh......
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