Bathtime

You know the saying, "No good deed goes unpunished"? Well, that sort of sums up my morning.

Clark, my nephew, is coming over tonight to play with TJ and Sam while his mom and dad host their House Church at their home. I am taking Nolan and going with Amanda to sample foods for her wedding reception. This leaves Bill home alone with TJ, Sam, and Clark. The boys play well together, and Bill wasn't the least bit concerned about it, but I still decided to do him a favor and give the boys their baths this morning, so he wouldn't have to do it tonight.

That small gesture turned into a disaster. My plan was to put TJ and Sam in the tub and let them have their play time while I gave Nolan his bath in his little tub. Then I'd finish washing up the older two and then would be free to get my own shower in. Well, I got the older two in the tub and they were playing happily while I stripped Nolan. Just as I emerged from his room (carrying a small naked baby), TJ starts shrieking that Sam pooped in the tub (which has never happened before). I hurried into the bathroom and discovered two small items in the water that didn't belong there. TJ is crouching (wet and naked) on the edge of the tub. Sam is standing in the tub sobbing hysterically. I laid Nolan down on the rug (he was smiling and kicking his naked legs), so I could scoop the 'items' out, drain the bath water, quickly wipe the tub out with a disinfecting wipe, then put fresh water in. During this process, TJ slips off the tub ledge and lands with a crash next to Nolan. Nolan isn't hurt, just terrified. So terrified, in fact, that he peed all over my leg, my pajamas, my slipper, and the bath rug (which I just washed last week). ARGH! I quickly finished filling the tub back up and coaxed TJ back into the water. Sam would have nothing to do with it. He refused to sit in the water. Why HE was so upset, I don't know...he started this whole mess! I tried to comfort him, but realized he was just going to have to stay upset. I needed to get Nolan bathed and dressed.

Sam didn't stop screaming until I finished bathing & dressing him. I wonder if he'll ever poop in the tub again. He seems to have been emotionally scarred by the experience. As for me, I'm sure I'll laugh about it someday, but for now, I'm just tired!

Family Portraits

I've been promising to post these for awhile, and I finally remembered to have Brianna scan them in for me. You'd think with all the random computer parts Bill has, there'd be a scanner in there somewhere, but we've never owned one.

Patti did a great job, as usual, and I'd be happy to pass along her contact info if anyone needs it. The biggest problems were an uncooperative TJ, Nolan got tired and fell asleep, and the sun was so bright on the Grand River, you couldn't tell what it was. We weren't able to use any of the shots with the river in the background.

The 3 boys (notice both TJ and Sam insisted on touching Nolan. He got sick of that mighty fast):

Family:

Funny, funny kids

TJ had some words of wisdom he shared with Bill today. He said, "Daddy, I know why you and Mama had kids. You got married, and then saw that you had a lot of plates and juice, and decided you needed kids. So you had 3 babies: TJ and Sam and Nolan". Bill laughed at that piece of logic.

TJ is discovering how to find the 'extras' on his DVDs. He has really latched onto a music video that is on the most recent release of "101 Dalmations". It's Selina Gomez (she's on some Disney TV show) singing a rocked-up version of "Cruella DeVil". Personally, I think it's cheesy, but TJ loves it. He drags out my old exercise trampoline and jumps to beat while he sings along. It's strange, but very funny to watch.

Sam is developing a taste for some unusual foods. A couple weeks ago he was bugging me while I made dinner. I gave him some sunflower seeds, figuring he'd be grossed out and would go away. Nope. He loves them. He then decided that if sunflower seeds were good, peanuts would be good. The only problem with that is "Peanut" is a nickname I've often called him over the years (not that it describes his appearance!). Yesterday, he walked in the kitchen and I said, "Hi Peanut!" And he said, "Yes, wan' peanuts, pwease!". Oh, boy. Looks like he needs a new nickname.

Sam processes his thoughts out loud. Last week, my mom was watching him and overheard him talking softly to himself. "Sam poops." (pause) "TJ poops." (pause) "Nolan poops." This went on as he named every family member he could think of (yes, even me). My mom didn't dare laugh, but he seemed quite amazed to realize we all have the same body function!

Nolan was having a little tantrum when I was holding him this afternoon, and he wound up hanging his head upside down on my lap. He decided he liked that, and stayed that way for awhile.

On a serious note, Sam's had a few tummy aches this week. I can't figure out what's bothering him. He had a bad one around 11:00 last night. I wound up giving him ibuprofen to help the cramps go away. I think I'll start giving him the papaya extracts at dinner again. They taste like papaya (so he's willing to eat them), but help with digestion. I took them when I was pregnant with Nolan and discovered they prevent heart burn.

Facebook

So I finally caved and created a Facebook account. I don't know how often I'll update it, as my parenting forum is much more important to me, as is this blog.

It was funny...I immediately saw people I hadn't seen in years. So far, I only asked Emily (who invited me to look at her Facebook page ages ago) and Brianna (my very strange sister) to be my friends. I figure family won't reject me. :-)

If you have a Facebook account, find me and make me your friend!!

Facial hair

Can someone explain to me why men change their facial hair? Bill shaved off his goatee Sunday morning. TJ was horrified and I was so shocked I forgot what I was saying (I was in the middle of a sentence when he walked out of the bathroom).

Now, he is growing a beard. Why, you ask? I really don't know.

I think tomorrow I will dye my hair blue, and Sunday I'll go for the bald look.

Men are weird.

Nolan's check-up

Nolan had his six-month check-up yesterday. He now weighs 13 pounds 7 oz (3rd percentile) and is 25.5 inches (10th percentile). His head is 44 cm which is the 50th percentile! Definitely explains why it's hard for him to practice sitting up!

I'll have to take a picture of Nolan sitting. If you balance him just right, he can do it, but his head slowly tips forward until his face is touching the floor. It's quite comical. He doesn't really appreciate it, though!

Here's a picture of him in his mei tei at the farm on Saturday:

Post Family Farm

On Saturday, we made our annual trip to Post Farm. It's tradition for us to go with Bill's sister, Mandy, her husband Dan, and their kiddos.



There is a lot for kids to do at the farm. There's a playground, a zip line, a straw maze, corn maze, pumpkin train, pony rides, hay rides, crafts, etc. One price covers everything except the pony rides and crafts. They also have fabulous freshly baked donuts for sale.



TJ was game to try almost anything. I was shocked when he did the zip line. He was definitely the smallest kid to try it. Initially, he was afraid to drop off at the end, but he managed. He's so short, either Bill or I had to boost him up to reach the handles!



Sam REALLY enjoyed feeding the goats. He was practically sticking his whole hand in their mouth, he was so eager to feed them. I'm surprised he didn't get bit. I had to scrub his hands off in the bathroom when he finished that.



Owen, my nephew, loved the straw maze. Only, his shoes kept popping off. He'd dig through the straw and hand them to Mandy for help.



Audrey was absolutely fascinated with the hay ride out to the pumpkin patch. She was so happy!



Nolan slept through most of it. He did wake up in time for a group picture, and he watched me enjoy a donut.


By the time we left, TJ was exhausted (he needs naps on the weekends to make up for his busy school days), so we had lots of whining and arguing. The rest of the trip was very enjoyable.

Nolan tries cereal

I had Nolan try cereal for the first time on Sunday night. He's 6 1/2 months old--I gotta start sometime, right?

Well, he wasn't exactly crazy about it. I don't think he swallowed anything the first night. I tried again last night, and he may have swallowed a minuscule amount. He puts most of his energy into spitting it back at me.

Will he still be on a liquid diet when he's 30? I guess he'd be cheaper to feed than his big brothers!

Anniversary trip

Bill and I went down to Northern Indiana this past weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Yes, it was actually in late June, but Nolan was too little for me to leave. So, we decided to go in early fall. It was beautiful in Amish country. We stayed at a bed & breakfast we have been to before (The Victorian Guest House), which we love. We stay in the smallest room, the Sewing Room, because it has the nicest balcony, the biggest bathroom, and a decent closet.

We shopped in Shipshewana, but didn't actually buy anything there, other than a fabulous apple dumpling. We found all of our bargains at Burkolder's Dutch Village in Nappanee. It's a flea market/craft show/antique store. We bought a bunch of Hallmark cards for 25 cents each, a small fan for $1, Bill bought two records, and I found a book my sister needed, and two garden flags. Bill likes the antiques, I like the crafts, and we prowl the flea market together.

Here's some pictures from Amish Country. We love to look at their farms and their unique, sprawling farmhouses:This picture is in Shipshewana, and we were laughing over the modified wagon. Gone is that uncomfortable wagon seat. In its place are two comfy leather car seats!

Saturday night we went all out and had dinner at Tippecanoe Restaurant, which is the old Studebaker mansion. The food was great, but honestly the best part was wandering the mansion after dinner. We were given the okay to wander through any of the main four floors (there are seven altogether, but the attic, basement, and sub-basement are off-limits). I didn't have my camera in the restaurant, but I wish I had. Here's a couple shots of the outside:

Big thanks to Steve and Cindy for taking TJ this past weekend, and to my parents for taking Sam and Nolan. And to my work, which covered the lodging (it was my Christmas gift) and paid for a big portion of Saturday night's dinner. I have great bosses!!!!!

Awwww!

We have been struggling with colds non-stop since the second week of school. Right now, TJ is recovering from a cold, and both Nolan and I have slight colds.

On the way to church last night, Nolan sneezed twice. Sam looks over at him and quietly says, "Bless you, Nolan." What a sweetheart!

And Now....A Word from the Weird...

So, Bill sends me an e-mail on Tuesday that he has re-started his blog. Only now it has a new name. The first post is weird. So is Bill. Check it out if you don't believe me:
http://shrelvnov.blogspot.com/

Yes, he really uses words like that. He thinks it's hysterical to get Sam to say words like, "Doover". TJ used to play along, but now eyes his Dad with pity and a bit of disdain. ha ha ha

He also really keeps naming our houses. Why, I have no idea. I didn't even realize I lived in Norland. The Norland in "Sense and Sensibility" is slightly larger.

Just as a disclaimer, don't blame me for anything he says. I can't be held responsible for that man!

Halfway to his birthday!

Nolan turned six months old on the 1st. It's taken me a few days, but here are a few pictures from then:

In many ways, the past six months have flown by. He's getting so big! But in other ways, it seems like he's been part of our family forever. His traumatic arrival and NICU days seem very long ago. He's a wonderful baby and the perfect third child. If he had been our first, I would have wanted five or six.

His check-up isn't for a few weeks, so no new measurements until then.

Seen and Heard for Sunday

Just before lunch, TJ was busily painting with a small watercolor set he earned for saying his memory verse. Sam was nearby, pestering him. TJ had had enough, and said in his sternest voice, "Sam! Stop that! One...two...three..."

Sam's response? "Four....five...six..."

Mr. Smartypants.

Doesn't that hurt?

TJ was sick this week. It started on Wednesday, when my mom reported he was 'acting weird' in the morning and skipped breakfast, but was fine by the time he needed to leave for school. But then he fell asleep watching Thomas videos. When he woke up, he still wanted to go to church, and had a great time at F.W. Friends (the program for preschool and elementary kids).

By Thursday, he wasn't eating at all. By that evening, I was suspecting an ear infection. He insisted it was fine, that there was just 'lots of wax in it'. But then a fever started.

So yesterday I called the doctor. He got to see the newest doctor in the practice. My mom took him, as I worked a half day. TJ was very nervous (remembering those shots he got in August!), but the doctor was very kind. She determined that not only did he have an ear infection, his ear drum had ruptured. Argh! That happened a year and a half ago too! TJ must have a really high pain tolerance, because he never really talked about ear pain. He just started acting very strangely.

So now he's on an antibiotic for ten days, and we have drops to put in his ear twice a day. He has to go back in two weeks to make sure the ear drum is healing correctly. He did finally admit he can't hear out of that ear. My poor, stubborn little guy.

Oh, in case you are wondering, he did still go to school in the afternoon. His fever was not over 100 at that point, and the doctor said if he felt up to it, he could go. And of course, TJ wanted to go! His class went on their first field trip! They walked to the Coopersville fire station, where they learned about fire safety. TJ didn't quite 'get it'. He came home and told me that if the smoke detector went off, he would wake up, and bring his hippo and his blankets outside with him, because he loves them. I tried to explain that what mattered most was that he was safe...we can always buy new stuff, we can't buy a new TJ.