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.