Today is Jaxon's first day back at pre-school after being out last week with an upper respiratory infection. The poor kid had the worst cough, but he didn't let it slow him down. He was his usual chipper self and still running around like a madman. We went about our usual activities, just occasionally he'd stop to cough up a lung. I thought he would get bored after a week at home with Mom, but he actually seemed okay with having some one-on-one time with me. I tried to keep him entertained, but I know he enjoys hanging out with his buddies and figured he'd be thrilled to return to school.
Well, let's just say he wasn't "thrilled" when we woke him up this morning. He was quite the grump as we were getting him ready. He didn't want to get out of bed. He was not cooperative about brushing his teeth and getting dressed. He didn't want to eat breakfast. He was just an all-around delightful child! We were completely convinced that we had made a sound decision to have another! He's never really been a morning a person, a trait he inherited from his mother, but I thought he would be a little more pleasant about seeing his friends again.
Happily, Anh reported a dramatic mood change when they arrived at the school. Jax smiled when they pulled up and bounded out of the car, eager to get inside. When they entered his classroom, all of his little buddies immediately ran over to greet him. Jax flipped the switch and became Mr. Personality. I guess he was happy to return afterall!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Does He Really Think We'll Fall for This?
Playing in the yard yesterday reminded me of a story I had not shared from last week. On Thursday, Jax and I ventured out to Toys 'R Us/Babies 'R Us to buy BPA-free bottles for the new baby. For those that don't know, there's some controversy now about whether the chemical used to harden plastic can cause health/hormonal problems. Part of me feels like it's silly to buy all new bottles when they aren't even sure about whether the chemical is dangerous. This chemical has been in bottles for years. I mean, Jax didn't grow a third eye or anything. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that if I didn't buy the new "safe" bottles and the baby ended up sprouting a tail, people would blame me for being cheap.
So we were off to the store to buy some piece of mind. When I told Jax where we were headed, he said, "Toys 'R Us is closed." I guess I should stop telling him that when he asks to go! It's just hard to imagine working a Toys 'R Us stop into the daily routine. Anyway, while there, we kind of got off track and started looking at toys. We ended up in Jax's favorite section of the store, the ride-on aisle. Every time we go to Toys 'R Us, he has to get in every single battery-powered ride-on. To him, it never gets old. For me, it's not quite so fascinating. Over the past few visits, I have noticed that he always starts and ends with the same vehicle, a pretty rugged looking Jeep. It's obviously his favorite.
After letting him play for a bit, I told him it was time to go. He ran over to the Jeep for one last ride. While he was sitting in it, he told me, "Mommy, the baby is going to buy me a Jeep!" Needless to say, I'm was a little caught off guard. Then I remembered a conversation from days earlier when Anh asked Jax what kind of present he would want the baby to bring him. I had told Anh about how some people recommend having "the baby" bring presents home from the hospital for their brothers and sisters. Jax didn't have an answer for Anh when asked, but he certainly does now! Somehow, I think Anh was looking for a gift suggestion on a much smaller scale.
I don't know why, but I glanced at the price tag after Jax's declaration, and wouldn't you know it! Jax's favorite vehicle also happens to be the most expensive vehicle in the store at $450! I don't even know why I looked at the price. Subconsciously, I must have considered the purchase for a brief nano-second. I can't believe I would do this, even subconsciously. You should see our garage. There is no room! Not to mention, $450 is a payment on a real car! I think Jax is going to be a little disappointed when the baby doesn't pull up to the house in his new Jeep. Hopefully, he won't hold a grudge.
So you don't feel too bad for the kid and you know I'm not exaggerating, here are some pictures of his current ride-ons. He deserves no pity. All but one of these toys were gifts, by the way. We really do try not to spoil him. Others, however, seem to have a different agenda. ; )
Sunday, May 4, 2008
To Nap or Not to Nap
That is the question. We have a new battle around our house, and it obviously involves napping. For the past few months, Jax has been intermittently skipping his naps. It hasn't been too bad, just the random day here or there. For whatever reason, he just won't nap.
Well, those days are increasing in number, and now it's becoming a problem. I wouldn't mind ending the era of naps, except for one small, itty-bitty thing. Jax turns into a three-headed fire-breathing, back-talking, tantrum-throwing monster without his nap! Seriously, it's not pretty! My usually sweet, loving, well-behaved child turns into some sort of beast that tests every bit of patience that I have, and those that know me, know I don't have much.
Well, those days are increasing in number, and now it's becoming a problem. I wouldn't mind ending the era of naps, except for one small, itty-bitty thing. Jax turns into a three-headed fire-breathing, back-talking, tantrum-throwing monster without his nap! Seriously, it's not pretty! My usually sweet, loving, well-behaved child turns into some sort of beast that tests every bit of patience that I have, and those that know me, know I don't have much.
So what is one to do? I put him in his bed, but I can't make him stay there. He proves this by hopping out of bed and "quietly" stomping around his room playing with his toys and looking at his books. I can't MAKE him sleep. Believe me, I've tried. I'll try rantionalizing things, and tell myself well if I just make him stay in there long enough, he'll eventually pass out. This does turn out to be true, but then he's napping at 5pm which only creates problems at bedtime.
Plus, with the new baby only weeks/days/minutes away, I think it would be nice (at least for a little bit) if I could count on having 2 napping children. Selfish, I know, but I do like to shower daily and remember how hard it was to find time for that when Jax was a newborn. Of course, that was because he wouldn't sleep then either, at least not longer than 15 minute increments and there were things that I needed to accomplish more than showering.
Thankfully, I've learned to prioritize a bit better since then. I now realize that the dishes/laundry/cleaning will always be there. My sanity will not!
Jax With and WITHOUT a Nap
Jax With and WITHOUT a Nap
Friday, May 2, 2008
Gosh You'd Think That We Never Take Him Anywhere
Today when we pulled up to the neighborhood playground, Jax exclaimed with EXTREME joy, "I'm so excited!" I wonder what he'll say when we finally make it Disney World?
Somebody Tell Anh This Makes No Sense
Anh doesn't nag me about much. He knows better. More often than not, it works the other way around. He does, however, regularly complain that I watch things on tv that he considers inappropriate when Jax is around. Now before your minds start racing about what the heck I'm watching, let me explain. I am a crime show junkie. I watch them all. If you've seen any of these shows, you know that usually the episodes open at a crime scene or with the viewers actually witnessing the crime. Anh thinks the footage is too mature for Jax and makes a big deal about distracting him or covering his eyes so he doesn't see what's happening.
Since Jax is three now and does pick up on a lot more, I do agree that we should be more careful about what he views on tv. It dawned on me that he understood what was going on when he started saying things like, "oh, yucky," when they'd show a bloody scene or "somebody's in trouble," when there was a shooting. So I programmed the tivo to record my shows, and I watch them after Jax goes to bed or while he's napping.
WELL...the other night, it was my turn to take issue with what Anh was letting him watch and look at. Anh was looking through his surgery texts in preparation for a surgery he had the next day, and I sure you can guess who was sitting right next to him. Jax was mesmorized by the surgery pictures. I walked in and told Anh to take the books away from him, but when Anh tried Jax said, "No, I'm studying!"
As if that wasn't bad enough, later that same night, I discover Anh and Jax curled up on the couch looking at the laptop. I figure they're looking at Anh's regular sites, ESPN.com or CNNSI.com, but when I walk by, I realize they're actually watching a surgery video. Jax is just completely amazed. I kind of flip out and ask why in the world Anh is letting him watch something like that when he goes nuts over violent scenes on tv, and Anh tries to rationalize that the surgery video and texts are educational.
Since Jax is three now and does pick up on a lot more, I do agree that we should be more careful about what he views on tv. It dawned on me that he understood what was going on when he started saying things like, "oh, yucky," when they'd show a bloody scene or "somebody's in trouble," when there was a shooting. So I programmed the tivo to record my shows, and I watch them after Jax goes to bed or while he's napping.
WELL...the other night, it was my turn to take issue with what Anh was letting him watch and look at. Anh was looking through his surgery texts in preparation for a surgery he had the next day, and I sure you can guess who was sitting right next to him. Jax was mesmorized by the surgery pictures. I walked in and told Anh to take the books away from him, but when Anh tried Jax said, "No, I'm studying!"
As if that wasn't bad enough, later that same night, I discover Anh and Jax curled up on the couch looking at the laptop. I figure they're looking at Anh's regular sites, ESPN.com or CNNSI.com, but when I walk by, I realize they're actually watching a surgery video. Jax is just completely amazed. I kind of flip out and ask why in the world Anh is letting him watch something like that when he goes nuts over violent scenes on tv, and Anh tries to rationalize that the surgery video and texts are educational.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
36 Weeks
Today I had my 36 week appointment, and yep, I'm still pregnant. Big shock! I kind of figured that was the case when I woke up this morning. Dr. D, my regular OB's partner, doesn't think I'll be this way for much longer though. "Well, I certainly hope not," was my response to that statement. "I do have a c-section scheduled on the 20th, right?" Surely someone will bother to show up since I made an official appointment for the surgery. That's not asking for too much is it?!
Then, he clarified his statement for me. Turns out he doesn't think I'll make it to the scheduled delivery. He advised me to instruct Anh to answer his cell phone when I call, regardless of whether he's in the middle of surgery. Dr. D said he knows this is sound advice based on a personal experience with his wife who was not very happy when she couldn't get in touch with him after going into labor with their second. Anh, I hope you're reading this and taking note! You don't want to know what the consequences will be if you miss that all important call.
I don't know how I feel about news of an early arrival. A part of me believes this is just something they tell all of their full-term patients. Kind of like their way of giving us hope, tricking us into believing that we see light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe they feel obligated to cheer us up because they see the look of absolute disgust on our faces that pregnancy has lasted this long.
Then, there's the planner in me that says, "Oh no! I picked a date, and that's the date. End of story. You better stay put, Baby, and not mess up my plans." I had May 20th picked out as my delivery date since calculating the due date was May 30th. I told you I was a planner, and I admit that the smallest little bit of an obsessive-compulsive disorder may also play a role in my thought processes. But, I've had it in my mind that the big day was the 20th, and I'm not so sure I'll be happy if the baby deviates from that plan.
BUT, the other side of me, the completely uncomfortable and ready to be done with pregnancy side, welcomes the unexpected news that this decision may be out of my hands and the end may be closer than I thought. So I guess I will heed Dr. D's warning and start preparing. I'll pack my hospital bag and the baby's diaper bag. I'll go pre-register at the hospital tomorrow, and I'll force Anh to install the car seat bases in our vehicles. We're both dreading that last one. I like to consider us both relatively intelligent. He is a surgeon after all. One would hope that he's at least "relatively intelligent." But, if you had been watching us try to install the bases when we were preparing for Jax, you would never have known that either of us had even graduated from kindergarten. What a nightmare!
So wish us luck! Should I suddenly disappear from the blog, you'll know what happened. Of course, I'm so addicted to posting now, I wouldn't put it past me to try to squeeze in an announcement on the way out the door. We'll see what happens!
Then, he clarified his statement for me. Turns out he doesn't think I'll make it to the scheduled delivery. He advised me to instruct Anh to answer his cell phone when I call, regardless of whether he's in the middle of surgery. Dr. D said he knows this is sound advice based on a personal experience with his wife who was not very happy when she couldn't get in touch with him after going into labor with their second. Anh, I hope you're reading this and taking note! You don't want to know what the consequences will be if you miss that all important call.
I don't know how I feel about news of an early arrival. A part of me believes this is just something they tell all of their full-term patients. Kind of like their way of giving us hope, tricking us into believing that we see light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe they feel obligated to cheer us up because they see the look of absolute disgust on our faces that pregnancy has lasted this long.
Then, there's the planner in me that says, "Oh no! I picked a date, and that's the date. End of story. You better stay put, Baby, and not mess up my plans." I had May 20th picked out as my delivery date since calculating the due date was May 30th. I told you I was a planner, and I admit that the smallest little bit of an obsessive-compulsive disorder may also play a role in my thought processes. But, I've had it in my mind that the big day was the 20th, and I'm not so sure I'll be happy if the baby deviates from that plan.
BUT, the other side of me, the completely uncomfortable and ready to be done with pregnancy side, welcomes the unexpected news that this decision may be out of my hands and the end may be closer than I thought. So I guess I will heed Dr. D's warning and start preparing. I'll pack my hospital bag and the baby's diaper bag. I'll go pre-register at the hospital tomorrow, and I'll force Anh to install the car seat bases in our vehicles. We're both dreading that last one. I like to consider us both relatively intelligent. He is a surgeon after all. One would hope that he's at least "relatively intelligent." But, if you had been watching us try to install the bases when we were preparing for Jax, you would never have known that either of us had even graduated from kindergarten. What a nightmare!
So wish us luck! Should I suddenly disappear from the blog, you'll know what happened. Of course, I'm so addicted to posting now, I wouldn't put it past me to try to squeeze in an announcement on the way out the door. We'll see what happens!
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