Category: Family Life

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Cliff Notes

A short story from Mommy Swap*.

All the kids were gathered around the table for snack time. As several of the kids (mostly 4 and 5) had recently learned the Lord’s Prayer, they each insisted on praying it, one after another. At the end, my son Jonathan (22 months) also insisted on praying. He said (as he often does at home), “Our Father, art in heaven, hallowed be thy name… Amen!” He then looked up at the Mommy standing next to him and explained, “Short one!”

* Mommy Swap is a group of 6 moms (Tricia included) who take turns watching each other’s children each Wednesday morning.

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A Week of Firsts

IMG_0279-2.jpgThere have been several momentous events (well, momentous to us) in the last week so I thought it would be nice to spend a bit of time recounting each of our children’s latest achievements. Isn’t that something parents should do?? 🙂

Nicolas:
Our 4 month old enjoyed his first taste of cereal and so far seems to enjoy having “supper” with the rest of the family. He gulps down his Baby Rice very well for someone so young and we hope it may help him to get some needed extra calories. Nicolas smiles not only during his feedings, but through most of life in general. We say often around here that he is the happiest baby we’ve ever had the pleasure to know. His warm little smile is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. How thankful we are for this delightful little fellow and how blessed we feel to have the privilege of being his parents.

Jonathan:
Has just turned 22 months and for a while now has enjoyed “playing” at using the potty. He often makes the request to “Go potty” so I have indulged him and allowed him to sit even though he doesn’t ever really do anything. I figure it can’t hurt, it’s practice for the real thing, and at any rate, at least it is good exposure. Heh-heh!! One night this past week before his bath he asked to go and so, as usual I let him. However, this time we were rewarded with some liquid in the potty. How proud of himself he was. “I did it!!” he yelled over and over. I presented him with an M&M for his troubles. He has since used the potty twice more and though it could be many months I suppose before he is actually potty-trained, it is clear that he has made a connection now and we are all very excited and proud of him. And, no, we won’t post a pic of him on the potty!

Abigail:
Who has been wanting to see the dentist ever since the Barney episode about “tooth care” (Who says Barney isn’t a worthwhile diversion?) went to see “Dr. Bob”, a pedodontist on Friday. His real name is Robert Morgan for any of you in the DFW area who might be interested, and he comes highly recommended by several friends as well as our pediatrician, who takes his own kids to him. How grateful we are for wonderful doctors who specialize in children’s medicine. Dr. Bob had us into his office for an interview, gave me a business card with his home number on it (for emergencies) and obviously enjoys his work caring for children and their dental interests!
Dr. Bob seems to have a delightful bedside manner with kids. He spent time talking in his office with Abigail, and then she headed off for her dental adventure. To begin with, Abigail was given the choice of watching a movie, getting a balloon animal made, or playing with toys. Her first dental visit included getting her teeth brushed with chocolate toothpaste (hey, they didn’t have that flavor when I was a kid!), having pictures taken of her nose, cheeks and mouth (so she says), and taking home an alligator balloon animal.

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Tricia versus the spider

IMG_0252-2.jpgThere I was in a meeting with a couple VPs and several directors when Tricia called me on my mobile. I took the call and was about to whisper that I couldn’t talk when I notice she was hyperventilating. Turns out she was getting laundry out of the nursery when she came across a rather large version of the little brown spiders we get all the time. And instead of scampering away, apparently it was ready and willing to tangle with her (Tricia has asked that I clarify by stating that the spider reared up and waved its front two legs at her).

In the end, Tricia pulled back from the brink of panic and vanquished her worthy foe. With Raid. From a distance. When I got home, however, I discovered she was ready for most any contingency. Scattered around the room were a broom, a shoe, a flashlight, and several other plowshares serving as swords…

Anyone know what kind it is? Here is my best guess, though this is a better photo.

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A Day Out With Thomas

Today we enjoyed a rare and special treat: “A Day Out With Thomas”, an event where children and their grown-ups are able to enter the world of Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends. Hosted by various US Railroads around the country, they represent an opportunity for kids to take a ride on board a train pulled by Thomas. There are many other activities such as storytimes, live music, train exhibits, etc. Here are some photos from our day.

A & J were quite enthralled with the lifesize Thomas Engine and Abigail especially wanted to give him a hug after our ride. Jonathan, who has balked at train rides in the past (he’s very tentative about things that won’t hurt him, yet over-daring in more dangerous situations) was quite brave and also seemed to enjoy the train ride. Though they got pretty tired midway through our day, a trip to McD’s for lunch and “playplace time” seemed to recharge their engines (pun intended). They returned for more model train play, face tatoos and another visit with Thomas himself.

I strongly resisted the incredible urge to “shop”. You cannot imagine how much merchandise of every type they offer with a Thomas logo, some of it very enticing!! I passed over the little plates/forks/spoons and the “Day Out With Thomas” tees in favor of a CD of Thomas Tunes. Since I’d been looking for Thomas music for over a year, and since we all really enjoy listening to music at home, we figured that was a worthy buy. We enjoyed the delightful songs on the way home (during which the kids fell asleep!). I recommend the CD “Thomas’ Songs and Roundhouse Rhythms”; it is well-done music, simple but fun for kids without being overly loud or annoying. And the kids who perform the musical numbers have cute little British accents.

On a personal note of thanks, we are very appreciative of Mommy Horne’s kind contribution to our day. Jay and I were able to enjoy our Thomas outing with Abigail and Jonathan while Nicolas enjoyed “A Day in with Grammy” (as she aptly put it!). Thank you again, Grammy!! (by the way, is that spelled with a “y” or an “ie”???)

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Nicolas Comes Out of the Closet

Well, after 3 1/2 months of sleeping in his pack ‘n’ play, Nicolas finally made the move to his “Big Baby Nursery” last night. He did fine and slept a total of 11 hours (what a kind little boy!).

Though it sounds awful at first hearing, when Nicolas first arrived, we set up his p’n’p in our master bedroom closet. The closet is fairly roomy, with an air vent, and it allowed him to be close by for middle-of-the-night feedings, a definite perk for me.

However, Nicolas chose to begin sleeping through the night at 3 weeks of age, so after that milestone, there were not too many occasions when I needed to feed him in the wee hours of the morning. Logically, we could have moved him on to the nursery a month or so ago, but I think we have found it fun to have him close by. (Not everyone can say their baby sleeps in the closet.)

Then there was the issue of a third “baby” monitor (Abigail and Jonathan are already each on a separate one) which we’ve just now reacquired after sending ours back to the company for repairs. How many people do you know who have three separate intercoms in their bedroom at night? Hopefully if one of the kids does wake up, Jay and I will not feel disoriented and mistakenly stumble into the wrong child’s room!

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A Whale of a Good Time

Yesterday Jay and I had the pleasure of treating Abigail to her first movie in the theater. The three of us took in much popcorn, drink and Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie.

To tell the truth, I have been watching for the release of this film for almost an entire year, because I knew it would be appropriate fare for our 3 year old. We went to a showing in a theater that had been rented out by Abigail’s preschool. The church sold tickets at cost to students and church members, so it was a great deal and a great crowd. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a movie with such a high child to adult ratio, but these kids were delightfully well behaved.

Abigail, who is rather sensitive by nature, says she greatly enjoyed the film, and was only a little scared by the storm. “It was a really big storm” she says. Given she only asked to go home twice during the movie (once during said storm and the other when Jonah finally arrived in dreadful Ninevah) I think she really did find the whole experience quite fun. And she says she’d like to go again some time, even though the “TV was really big”.

Personally, my own enjoyment was a bit hindered by the fact that we sat so close that we were forced to look way up in order to view the screen properly. For some reason the angle messed with my equilibrium enough to cause me to feel terribly nauseous for the remainder of the day. I know…I’m a wimp. Not really. I just have issues with motion sickness!

However, I found the kiddie flick to be wonderfully fun, full of splashy musical numbers and the veggies we have grown to love. My favorite character was a newcomer to the Veggieworld, a little caterpillar/worm named Khalil, who was Jonah’s “travelling buddy”, and reminded me of the token Disney sidekicks we see in movies like Mulan where Eddie Murphy performs the voice of the little dragon who accompanies Mulan on her many adventures.

To see a couple of previews, go to the official moviesite. And then, find a friend or family member, take a couple hours and go enjoy some family-friendly film entertainment!!