Whales are in - Nemo is out

We have graduated from Finding Nemo to Free Willy. I think we have watched Free Willy more times than we watched Nemo! Christopher is even taking my killer whale slippers to bed with him for nap and bedtime. Uncle Markie bought him a set of sea creatures and many of those make into bed as well. Maybe this means he will be a marine biologist!

Full of it!

On the way to pick Nicholas up from school today, Christopher sat in the back seat and laughed the entire way. What was he laughing at? I have absolutely no idea. All I could hear was "ha, ha, ha" and then "ha, ha, ha" over and over. I looked around but I didn't see anything funny. While we were in JCPenney today, I was looking for a Christmas present for Uncle Markie, I won't reveal what it was in case he reads this, but let's just say Christopher insisted on picking it out. I could not get what I wanted, especially after he figured out how to undo the buckle. It was very interesting I must say.

The Birthday Party

Christopher had a wonderful birthday party if I do say so myself. There were 14 kids and they all enjoyed decorating and eating cookies as well as making ornaments. There was lots of running around as well. We had pizza and cake and then the party was over. He loved his presents, every single one was perfect! I think his favorite was the shark from the Starks, he even carried it to church this morning! The mess was not even that bad, plus I have great friends who helped to clean it up! Just a few more days and he'll officially be two!

Birthday Party Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Christopher's birthday party! He doesn't turn two until next week on Friday but that weekend he will be with his dad. So, tomorrow is party day! I am going to have two stations, one for decorating cookies and one for making Christmas ornaments. Then we'll have pizza and cake and home everyone will go. It should be interesting!

The Candy Cane King

Today Christopher and I helped Kristyn finish decorating her tree. Christopher's version of "helping to decorate" involved talking off every single candy cane he could reach. That came to a total of probably 20. He then carried them all around, opening a few, eating a few, breaking a few, dropping a few on the brand new hard wood floors. Then I started putting ornaments on the top of the tree from a step ladder while Kristyn directed me. Christopher put his candy canes between my feet and climbed on up with me. I finally talked him into "giving me a turn and sharing" so he climbed back down. The he started asking Kristyn where to hang the candy canes. "Oh, right here?" "Yes, right there." "OK!" So he would hang it on the branch he was in front of. The next time he asked her she replied, "A little to the left maybe." "OK!" And he went to the right and then hung it! It was the cutest thing ever! (Minus sweeping up the millions of candy cane crumbs at the end!)

Nemo again

Today he watched finding Nemo, again naked, while eating a basket full of lollipops. I am sensing a theme here . . .

Christopher is almost 2 years old and all this time he has not had any interest in watching TV. So, I introduced him to Finding Nemo about two weeks ago. Ever since then, we have watched the movie 1,000 times. I really do not think I am exaggerating, I really think we may have reached 1,000 today. He absolutely loves it! Today he watched it naked with my killer whale slippers on. I guess he wanted to feel like he was part of the movie!

Will He Ever Sleep Again???

Now that Christopher has graduated from his crib to the big boy bed, I don't think we are ever going to sleep again. After a week of all three of us being up all night, I have installed an eyehook lock on Christopher's door to keep him inside. After 30 minutes of non-stop screaming and crying, I settled him down and left again. After another 30 minutes of the crying, I put Nicholas to bed and then sat down next to Christopher's bed until he fell asleep. Why was I able to be tougher with Nicholas? Was I tougher, or am I just imagining it? When will I ever get to sleep again?

Growing Up

My little guy is not so little any more. He spent his first night in his big boy bed last night. He only woke up once, at about 2:30, and I laid down with him. We both fell asleep and I didn't go back to my bed until about 4:30. Nap time wasn't much fun this afternoon, it took me 30 minutes to get him to lay down and I fell asleep again. We will get the hang of it, hopefully I won't start crying since my baby is almost 2 and sleeps in a regular bed . . .

On a funny side note, Christopher has started to realize when he passes gas. Everytime it happens he points down, laughs, and says, "I burp!" and then laughs again!

Guinea Pig Sitting

We are watching our friend's guinea pig this weekend and in a way it's a good thing the boys are at their dad's house. When Christopher discovered that the guinea pig, Snowy, was here, he wouldn't move away from her cage. Every time she tried to peak her head out her house, he would scream and point to her. I think she might have had a small heart attack at one point. She stopped coming out of her house when Christopher started yelling at Nicholas for going near her. I guess he thinks he is the only one who can look at her! The poor thing hasn't gotten out of her house since Friday. She pokes her head out, grabs food, and scrambles back in. I hope she isn't too traumatized.

The Nudist

I don't know why but my children like to be naked. Christopher does not want to wear clothes. His playgroup came over today - Penelope, Clair, Cooper, Joshua, and Luke - and Christopher played with them for two hours while he was completely naked. I think he wore his pullup for maybe 15 minutes the whole time they were here. He just does not want to wear clothes or his pullup. He doesn't want to pee on the potty either, which does not make things easier for me! I cleaned up to messes today! Nicholas and Christopher are so similar and yet so different. Nicholas spent one summer in the pool naked and streaked at a Christmas party. I guess they just like to be free . . .

Tornado Christopher

This little boy is wearing me out! I know all kids go through this stage but I must say that I am getting tired of picking up after him and chasing after him! I don't know why, but I had more energy when Nicholas went through this. Christopher is like a tornado in every single room. I can't wait until my mom gets here this weekend. Then she can clean up after him for a few days!

Not Again

Poor Christopher has an ear infection. I didn't think he would be able to get one with the tubes in his ears. I think his ear infections have something to do with teething. He is getting the last four teeth in and his nose has been runny for weeks. Maybe after he turns two he won't get as sick . . .

Not an Apple Fan

Last night I took the kids to the McDonald's drive through. In an attempt, I don't know why I bother, to keep the car cleaner, I didn't give them the food until we came home. The kids sat down and I handed out the nuggets, fries, and apple slices, an attempt to make McDonald's healthier, again why do I bother. Christopher always watches exactly what I am doing, how I open bags, how I open child safetly locks, he watches so he can try it when I am not looking. So, I go into the kitchen to throw things away and when I turn back around here is what I see: Christopher sitting on the table, the bag the apples came from in his hands, and he is putting every single apple slice back into the bag. He then puts the bag of apples into the happy meal box and climbs back into his seat. Apparently, he doesn't like apples with his chicken nuggets and fries.

First Day of Art

Christopher started his Art class yesterday. He didn't really enjoy it as much as I thought he would. He wanted to be out playing on the gym equipment not drawing or painting. I don't think he was really happy either when he realized that the pile of shaving cream he was suppose to use to create his art was not actually whip cream. He didn't believe it at first, so he decided to taste it three more times before I could finally get all of it cleaned up. I am truly surprised he didn't throw up. Why on earth would they use shaving cream when we all know kids this age put everything in their mouths?? I guess I'll just see how next week goes. The teacher did tell me at the end of class that it takes two or three classes for the kids to get use to. I wanted to ask her - Get use to what? You trying to poison them?

Gymboree Play

Christopher and I went to his first Gymboree play class today. He just loved it. He thought he owned the place. He was pushing the kids out of his way, taking things from them, and ignoring the teacher when she tried to get everyone together for an activity. He was the exact opposite of his brother who was shy and would not leave my side for the whole 45 minutes. He didn't want to leave when it was over. He is going to be running that place in just a matter of time. . .

The Trip to CT

Christopher's third trip to CT was a success. Thankfully unlike the last time, remember the stomach bug of 2008, carried by none other then my little guy. He fell in love with his Auntie Wendy and even called for her from his pack and play in the mornings. He barely allowed Melonie or Heather to go near him but warmed up by the end. He loved his Uncle Mike and was even good for him while he babysat. I think his favorite thing there by far was Chloe's blanket. He wanted that blanket despite the hair and slobber from the dog. He was determined to get that blanket into bed with him. He would lay down on it any chance he had. He absolutely loves any blanket that has been crocheted by his great-grammie. We could all tell that it didn't matter what had happened to the blanket or that a dog had been using it practically her whole life. If it was made by great-grammie, then that blanket was his. He was even obsessed with the blanket she made that was on the couch in the family room. Maybe it smells like great-grammie, a smell that can't be washed out, a smell that comforts him no matter which blanket he's holding. We do miss all of them and wish we could see them more.

Eww, Gross

Eww Gross is Christopher's new favorite thing to say, thanks to Nana. Today I was the one saying it, though, not Christopher. He woke up from his nap and had made a little stinker. So as I am trying to change it, he decides to throw a fit and roller over causing the mess to get everywhere. That's when Eww, Gross became appropriate. Not only was it all over him and the changing table, but also me. Someone is starting to act like his big brother - I hope it's not permanent! Next he'll only want to wear truck shirts and bring trucks everywhere we go . . . I really don't know if I can take it!

Another First

There are two things that I loved when Nicholas learned to do them. One was hug and the other was say I love you. Christopher has learned to hug and let me tell you, he is the best hugger ever. He wraps his little arms around my neck so tight and wraps his little legs around my waist. He just squeezes and holds on, it is the best. I think I notice it so much because Nicholas was a quick hugger, he wanted to get it over with quickly so he could back to playing. I don't think Christopher cares as much about playing as he does being with me. I can't wait until the first time he tells me he loves me. I can wait until he has first girlfriend and doesn't love his mom quite so much anymore!

Coppertone Baby

Christopher tanned right up and looks like the little Coppertone baby, his little bumbus white as can be! He loved sitting in the sand and playing. We would make little castles and he would crush them over and over. He also enjoyed chasing the birds all over the beach. Some people we were there with decided to feed the birds, as everyone knows this is not something I condone, so now Christopher tries to feed the birds everything he has in his hand. He was just as happy as he could be.

Mr. Nakedpants

Christopher has discovered that being naked is better than having a diaper on! He runs all around naked just loving it. He does not want a diaper or pants or a shirt. His favorite thing to do is sit on the dog and hug her while he's naked. I don't know what that means but it sure is cute!

Time Out

It's hard to believe but Christopher is ready for the time out chair. His hitting, throwing, and biting are getting to be a bit too much for Nicholas and I. So Christopher has visited the chair three times now. He makes this sad, hurt face that just breaks my heart. I hate putting him in the chair but it has helped so I am going to have to keep it up. Nicholas thinks its the best thing ever. He makes up stories about getting hit just to see if Christopher has to go to time out. He likes to stand and watch with a little smirk on his face.

Skinny Dipper

I took Christopher swimming yesterday and it seems he has inherited the same skinny dipping gene that Nicholas did. He did not want any part of a bathing suit. He gave in to the swimming diaper but it wasn't long before he had that ripped off. He just loves running around naked and being in the pool naked. I wonder if someone will magically appear to clean up the mess if he poops in the pool just like at the YMCA.

New Words

Christopher has started to say some new words lately - meow, cat, and dog. We like to read a book that has furry patches in it so he can touch the animals. He listens very closely to what I am saying and tries to repeat it. He also likes to use his toes to touch the fur. He has to use the toes on one foot first, then the other foot, then his fingers. He cracks me up!

A Long Weekend

Poor Christopher has had it rough lately. On Thursday he fell in the driveway, hit his head, and scraped his face. On Friday, he fell on the patio, hurt his foot and needed x-rays. He is fine, just bruised. On Sunday, he bumped his head while jumping on Nicholas' bed. Plus he has a stye on his eye which is worse this morning. My poor baby is always sick or hurt. Thank goodness he is so happy or things would really miserable around here!

The Pitcher

I think Christopher is destined to be a baseball player when he grows up. He throws things better than anyone I have ever met. Whether it is a ball or a chicken nugget, it goes flying through the air super fast and lands far away. I am trying to figure out how to channel this skill into something more positive than just throwing food to the dog or the remote at Nicholas' head. It's not working just yet, but practice makes perfect. He has quite an arm for a 16 month old!

Alli

Alli came running down the stairs today when she heard us come home. You are thinking that this happens everyday and you are right. Only today, Christopher flung his arms open and said "Alli" and then hugged her as tight as he could. It was the cutest moment ever.

The Best Hugs

Christopher threw his arms around my neck on Thursday and gave me the biggest hug for the first time! He just kept hugging and hugging and laughing! It was the best hug ever! Now he keeps running to me and throwing his arms around me all the time. I just love it when he learns new things!

Haircut

Christopher had a haircut yesterday. The woman was able to fix it up from the terrible haircut he was given by a certain person who did a horrible job. He held perfectly still until the very last trim. The poor woman clipped his ear and it started to bleed. I was very calm and Christopher did not even notice that it happened. I kept trying to down play it before Nicholas noticed. He gets very upset when his baby brother is hurt. You would think it happened to him. So the woman comes over with bandages and towels and wipes. Everyone must have thought his whole ear was taken off. She starts making a huge deal out of it and Nicholas starts to lose it. He has to see it, starts tearing up, it was horrible. I thought he was going to fall on the floor and faint at any second once he saw the blood. I finally get the woman to ring us up so we can leave and then some man is telling me how to put pressure on it. I must have said he's fine a hundred million times. Can't people take a hint? Do they not see the brother who is pale, shaking, and ready to faint???? Do they want Christopher to start crying, is not good enough that he's calm? A ridiculously too long of a time later we finally escaped. Nicholas checked the ear every chance he had when we came home. Finally, it has been forgotten by everyone but me. I think I am scarred for life!

Kisses

Nana came to visit for a few days this past week. Christopher spent lots of time with her and he loves her kisses. He would go running into her arms to get those hugs and kisses. If I was holding him, he would lean back so she could kiss his neck and then snuggle into me to get away from her. He would do it over and over! He just loves his Nana!

The Sweetest Thing

While Bash was here today he said that cutest thing to me -

Bash - "Miss Trisha, I love Christopher."
Me - "Christopher loves you, too, Bash."
Bash - "Christopher really misses me while I am gone, doesn't he?"
Me - "Yes, Bash, he does really miss you."
Bash - "I really miss him, too. He loves to come over and play at my house."
Me - "He sure does. He thinks your house is fun."
Bash - "I know he does."

Talking

Christopher is learning to talk so quickly. He is repeating everything Nicholas and I say, it's so cute! When I say something to Alli, he says it. When Nicholas tells Christopher no, he yells it right back! Even the teacher at Gymboree yesterday understood what he was saying. I love that he is learning so quickly I am just not sure what it is going to be like with two of them talking all the time!

The Snack Drawer

Christopher has discovered the snack drawer. There are two of them, filled with all kinds of delicious snacks. I think those drawers are the reason most people come over here. We are famous for our snacks. Now Christopher knows where to find them and he wants to eat all day long. His favorites are the fruit snacks - not the baby ones but the Spongebob and Lego fruitsnacks that Nicholas picks out. He also enjoys cookies, I try to switch the cookies with graham crackers or animal crackers, but even at one he knows the difference!

The Flu Typhoon

Christopher ended up with a stomach bug during our great snow vacation. The poor baby threw up for three days. His little germs spread from him to everyone - Uncle Markie, me, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Mike, Melonie, Heather, Mike, Grammie, Grampie, Uncle Andy, Aunt Marian, Aunt Missy, and Uncle John. No one was spared. I am sure a few people who were on the plane near Markie also caught it. He was sick the whole way home. Where do these germs come from and when will they come out with the stomach bug vaccine???

The Florida Baby

Mr. Christopher is not quite so sure about how he feels about the snow. As I was bundling him up with hat, gloves, boots, snowpants, snowjacket, he was crying. I finally got him outside and he stood there staring at us. When Nicholas dumped a bunch of snow on his head I thought it was all over. After an adjustment period, he seemed to like it but kept a strange look on his face. Maybe he'll be use to it during the next round this afternoon. Maybe if Uncle Markie takes him down the hill on the sled . . .

Another Nicholas?

Well, Christopher has become a screamer to get his way. I don't know if it's just instinct with my boys or if he learned it from Nicholas. There is so much screaming and yelling going on when someone doesn't get his way I can hardly stand it! Hopefully this is just from the frustration of learning to talk. I don't think I can take another Nicholas! Christopher is supposed to be the calm and easygoing one of the two!

Too Much Birthday

We went to Sebastien's 5th birthday party today. We all had a great time at Pump It Up. Christopher enjoyed almost two pieces of chocolate cake, tons of cheetos, juice, and a lollipop. This evening he threw up twice. I guess I need to monitor the cake intake a little bit better next time. Poor baby, at least he's peacefully sleeping now.

Back to Gymboree

We have been enrolled in Gymboree for quite some time but have only shown up there about a hand full of times. Poor Christopher absolutely loves it yet I never take him. So my goal is to be a better mother and get him there once a week. There is no reason to miss it and no excuse for such terrible behavior on part. There are six days week of classes and we should be able to make it to one! So there it is - my promise to Christopher.

A Clean Bill of Health

Christopher went for his post-op check up today. His ears are great, his hearing is perfect and all is right in his little world. He does have a little dried blood blocking the tube in the left ear but with a little peroxide over the next week, that too will be a thing of the past. He received a get well card from Uncle Andy and Aunt Marian and he carried it around opening it and closing it for a day. His walking has really improved, too. I thought his falling and leaning to the right was just learning to walk. Turns out, his walking was affected by the problems with his ears so now he is just running all around! He only falls down when Nicholas or Alli bump into him!

Hugs and Kisses

Christopher is just so lovable! He runs over to Nicholas and I all the time and flings himself at us so we will hug and kiss him. I even saw him do it to Hannah at playgroup last week. He just loves hugs and kisses. He even snuggles against Alli and gives her love!

Surgery

Christopher survived his ordeal rather nicely I must say. He had the tubes put in his ears, his adnoid taken out, and they checked his vocal chords. The first two days were not the piece of cake the doctors promised but I was not surprised by that. My little guy was such a trouper. Nana being here helped, too! Between the two of us he could be held and loved as much as he wanted. I think he is walking better, he doesn't seem to be as lopsided or clumsy as he was. He is also talking away. The words are becoming clearer and clearer. I am glad it's over though!

The Coffee Table Dancer

Christopher's loves to climb up on top of the coffee table and dance! He gets right up there and starts moving all around and shaking his head up and down. He just loves music and dancing! The best is when he climbs up there with only his diaper on and starts dancing. It makes wonder what his future career might be!

The Latest Trick

Christopher has decided that he loves brushing his teeth. When Nicholas and I brush, so does he. When we put our toothbrushes away, he keeps carrying his around! He brushes in the car, while playing with his toys, and even holds it while sleeping! Maybe this means he'll let me floss his teeth unlike his brother!