First of all, I must assure everyone that Sam recovered from yesterday's trauma quite nicely. I painted a horrible picture (it was horrible) and didn't include a happy ending. Many people have voiced their concern for his well-being. Sam is more than fine - I would venture a guess that he'd like to go to the playland again today.
Sam is obsessed with phones. In a pinch, he walks around with a remote pressed to the side of his face, chatting away.
I didn't realize how phone-savvy he was until this morning. Sam was talking to Eric on my cell phone while I supervised, making sure he didn't hang up on him or throw the phone in the toilet. The phone is loud enough for me to hear Eric talking.
I got a call on the house phone and ran to answer it. I talked for a minute or two, and then went back to Sam. He was still holding the phone to his ear, and I heard Eric say, "Sam, did you just call me back?" Sam said, "I did!"
Sure enough, as soon as my back was turned Sam closed the phone, ending the call. That is nothing new. He has hung up on most of the people I know. My surprise lies in the fact that he then opened the phone and managed to call Eric back.
I am more than a little afraid of him.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Playland of Horror
With all of the snow and cold, Sam has spent a lot of time stuck inside. He was really climbing the walls on Tuesday, so on Wednesday I decided to take him to McDonald's playland. I figured it is free and he could run around to his heart's content.
When we first arrived, Sam spent quite a bit of time in a small room designed for toddlers. It was right off the beginning of the elaborate tube tunnels that climbed to about 15 feet in the air. When Sam started getting bored, I kicked off my shoes and led him into the tunnels.
We climbed up into one twist and immediately found an opening for a slide. We went down together, hair standing on end. Another boy's father (let's call him Boy 1's Dad) saw me come down and laughed.
It was all so innocent and fun, I decided to go in with him to go down the tall slide. I don't know at what point I remembered that I am painfully claustrophobic. I think it was when each turn in the tubes led to a dead end. I started panicking. I was sweating and hardly able to breathe. Anyone who has had a panic attack or that horrible, closed-in feeling knows what I'm talking about. I had a brief vision of an employee taking the tunnels apart to pull me out when I found us at an end. We had totally missed the slide, but came out where we had to contort ourselves down a caged-in ladder. Again, Boy 1's Dad saw me and laughed.
A few minutes later, Sam was playing in the toddler room with two boys (Boy 1 and Boy 2). The boys were about 4 years old. After a few minutes, the older boys decided to go up into the tunnels. Sam followed them. I watched him go apprehensively. I wanted to stop him, but I try to let him have his own little experiences, believing it is good for him (and I hadn't been much help when I went with him).
For a few minutes, all I could hear was the boys climbing around above my head. Then there was some commotion at the top of the tall slide, which was a very tight spiral. Boy 1 came down, followed by Boy 2. I waited a minute, and then asked the boys, "Um...is the baby still up there?'' That, along with the wail that came from the top of the slide, got Boy 1 and Boy 2's parents' attention. I took off my shoes, planning to go in. Boy 1's Dad, familiar with my previous luck, offered to go in to get Sam.
He took off his shoes and went in. Boy 1 and Boy 2, eager to be heroes, yelled, "Let's save the baby!" and went in after him. By this time, Sam was yelling for me without stopping and I was yelling words of encouragement to him. It seemed like forever, and then I heard Boy 1's Dad saying, "Sam! Come on, Sam! Let's go see mom!"
There was a scuffle, and then Boy 1 came down in a sitting position. Boy 2 followed, head first, and they collided in a giggling pile of arms and legs. I could hear Boy 1's Dad trying to get Sam down the slide. He was obviously trying to go slowly down the slide, pointlessly trying to hold the sides of the slide, while Sam yelled and fought him. Then Sam appeared, feet first, still looking up the tunnel. Boy 1's Dad lost his grip and slid down on top of all of them.
Boy 1's Dad was contorting himself, trying to hold himself up so he wasn't laying on Sam, while Sam, unaware he was so close to freedom, was panicking and trying to climb back up the slide. I had to practically lay on top of Boy 1's Dad while I wrenched Sam out of the slide by one arm.
Sam was inconsolable. He wandered around the room, yelling at tables, crying out the windows, obviously traumatized by his feeling of captivity. I eventually wrestled his shoes and coat on him and got the heck out of there.
What is it they say about good intentions? I wonder if that road is a spiral slide.
When we first arrived, Sam spent quite a bit of time in a small room designed for toddlers. It was right off the beginning of the elaborate tube tunnels that climbed to about 15 feet in the air. When Sam started getting bored, I kicked off my shoes and led him into the tunnels.
We climbed up into one twist and immediately found an opening for a slide. We went down together, hair standing on end. Another boy's father (let's call him Boy 1's Dad) saw me come down and laughed.
It was all so innocent and fun, I decided to go in with him to go down the tall slide. I don't know at what point I remembered that I am painfully claustrophobic. I think it was when each turn in the tubes led to a dead end. I started panicking. I was sweating and hardly able to breathe. Anyone who has had a panic attack or that horrible, closed-in feeling knows what I'm talking about. I had a brief vision of an employee taking the tunnels apart to pull me out when I found us at an end. We had totally missed the slide, but came out where we had to contort ourselves down a caged-in ladder. Again, Boy 1's Dad saw me and laughed.
A few minutes later, Sam was playing in the toddler room with two boys (Boy 1 and Boy 2). The boys were about 4 years old. After a few minutes, the older boys decided to go up into the tunnels. Sam followed them. I watched him go apprehensively. I wanted to stop him, but I try to let him have his own little experiences, believing it is good for him (and I hadn't been much help when I went with him).
For a few minutes, all I could hear was the boys climbing around above my head. Then there was some commotion at the top of the tall slide, which was a very tight spiral. Boy 1 came down, followed by Boy 2. I waited a minute, and then asked the boys, "Um...is the baby still up there?'' That, along with the wail that came from the top of the slide, got Boy 1 and Boy 2's parents' attention. I took off my shoes, planning to go in. Boy 1's Dad, familiar with my previous luck, offered to go in to get Sam.
He took off his shoes and went in. Boy 1 and Boy 2, eager to be heroes, yelled, "Let's save the baby!" and went in after him. By this time, Sam was yelling for me without stopping and I was yelling words of encouragement to him. It seemed like forever, and then I heard Boy 1's Dad saying, "Sam! Come on, Sam! Let's go see mom!"
There was a scuffle, and then Boy 1 came down in a sitting position. Boy 2 followed, head first, and they collided in a giggling pile of arms and legs. I could hear Boy 1's Dad trying to get Sam down the slide. He was obviously trying to go slowly down the slide, pointlessly trying to hold the sides of the slide, while Sam yelled and fought him. Then Sam appeared, feet first, still looking up the tunnel. Boy 1's Dad lost his grip and slid down on top of all of them.
Boy 1's Dad was contorting himself, trying to hold himself up so he wasn't laying on Sam, while Sam, unaware he was so close to freedom, was panicking and trying to climb back up the slide. I had to practically lay on top of Boy 1's Dad while I wrenched Sam out of the slide by one arm.
Sam was inconsolable. He wandered around the room, yelling at tables, crying out the windows, obviously traumatized by his feeling of captivity. I eventually wrestled his shoes and coat on him and got the heck out of there.
What is it they say about good intentions? I wonder if that road is a spiral slide.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Wheels on the Bus Are Upsetting
Sam is really into music right now. His favorite songs are the ones that have hand movements. The little stinker won't sing them, but I often walk in on him doing a song, beginning to end, in just the motions.
He LOVES The Wheels on the Bus. If it were up to him, we'd never stop doing it. As soon as we are done, he looks up at me and says, "Again?" and hold his hands up, ready to go.
I was so excited when I found a Wheels on the Bus book. It has all of the lyrics inside, and the buttons on the side that make the corresponding noises. Doors? Check. Wipers? Check. Horn? Check.
I gave the book to him this morning. It was meant to be a Christmas present, but I decided to spread out his presents so he isn't so overwhelmed. He was so happy when I handed it to him! He sat down on my lap and merrily pushed all of the buttons. He got all the way down to the baby crying, heard it, and stopped. He pushed it again, and looked up at me, worried. He pushed it again and then put the book down and hugged me.
I got up and walked away, assuming he was fine. He squatted over the book, pushing the baby button, getting more and more upset. Finally he started whimpering and had to come over to me for another hug. I guess the baby sounds too real for him - ? Hearing the baby on his book cry makes him sad.
I eventually hid the book. Apparently Sam is too sensitive to hear babies cry right now!
He LOVES The Wheels on the Bus. If it were up to him, we'd never stop doing it. As soon as we are done, he looks up at me and says, "Again?" and hold his hands up, ready to go.
I was so excited when I found a Wheels on the Bus book. It has all of the lyrics inside, and the buttons on the side that make the corresponding noises. Doors? Check. Wipers? Check. Horn? Check.
I gave the book to him this morning. It was meant to be a Christmas present, but I decided to spread out his presents so he isn't so overwhelmed. He was so happy when I handed it to him! He sat down on my lap and merrily pushed all of the buttons. He got all the way down to the baby crying, heard it, and stopped. He pushed it again, and looked up at me, worried. He pushed it again and then put the book down and hugged me.
I got up and walked away, assuming he was fine. He squatted over the book, pushing the baby button, getting more and more upset. Finally he started whimpering and had to come over to me for another hug. I guess the baby sounds too real for him - ? Hearing the baby on his book cry makes him sad.
I eventually hid the book. Apparently Sam is too sensitive to hear babies cry right now!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Beckett Russell Paulson Is Here!
Any of one you who personally knows me has to also know my friend Tali. We have been friends since college, and I adore and respect that girl to the point of being stalker-ish.
On December 7 (the day that will live in infamy, now in more ways than one), Tali gave birth to her first child, Beckett Russell. So many people have been waiting (years!) for that little guy! I could almost hear the cheers across the country as people learned he was here.
Tali and her husband, Chad, are just over the moon about him. I can't wait to hold him!
Here he is - beautiful! Thanks to Tali's sister Marissa, who took these pictures that I subsequently stole from her site.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Sam Is A Weird Kisser
The snow has me feeling sluggish, and I am unable to come up with a better title.
Starting when Sam was very little, I kissed him on the forehead when we were snuggling or giving each other a hug. He therefore assumed that his forehead was for kissing. Anyone asking Sam for a kiss has to be ready, because the top of his 98th-percentile-head is coming for your mouth.
I finally decided that I was going to just make him use his lips. I've been grabbing the sides of his head, squishing his cheeks, and struggling with him until I kiss somewhere in the area of his mouth. (Typed out, that sounds just horrible. Honestly, he hasn't seemed bothered by it.)
Today we had a kissing breakthrough (!) followed by yet another bizarre behavior. We were getting a little crazy, with Sam starting about 10 feet from me and then running and tackling me to the floor. After each tackle, we'd laugh like maniacs and he'd offer me his forehead. I just kept saying "No, no, no," into his hair and then he turned his face up to me and gave me a real kiss! My heart melted - but just for a moment - because he immediately offered his hand for me to kiss. As if I were kissing his ring. And that's how the game went - run, tackle, laugh, kiss on the mouth, and kiss His Excellency's knuckles. Repeat.
I have said it before - the kid is deranged.
Starting when Sam was very little, I kissed him on the forehead when we were snuggling or giving each other a hug. He therefore assumed that his forehead was for kissing. Anyone asking Sam for a kiss has to be ready, because the top of his 98th-percentile-head is coming for your mouth.
I finally decided that I was going to just make him use his lips. I've been grabbing the sides of his head, squishing his cheeks, and struggling with him until I kiss somewhere in the area of his mouth. (Typed out, that sounds just horrible. Honestly, he hasn't seemed bothered by it.)
Today we had a kissing breakthrough (!) followed by yet another bizarre behavior. We were getting a little crazy, with Sam starting about 10 feet from me and then running and tackling me to the floor. After each tackle, we'd laugh like maniacs and he'd offer me his forehead. I just kept saying "No, no, no," into his hair and then he turned his face up to me and gave me a real kiss! My heart melted - but just for a moment - because he immediately offered his hand for me to kiss. As if I were kissing his ring. And that's how the game went - run, tackle, laugh, kiss on the mouth, and kiss His Excellency's knuckles. Repeat.
I have said it before - the kid is deranged.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Holiday Preparation
Last year, Sam was 10 months old at Christmas time. He was mildly entertained by the decorations, and enjoyed his presents, but for the most part he seemed unimpressed by the gaiety. This year he is 22 months old and can't believe all of the fun!
His favorite part has to be the Christmas tree. When it is lit, he gazes at it and says, "Ohhhh...tree!" He loves poking the prickly branches and tries his hardest not to touch the ornaments. I have been amazed by his self-control. I gave him a set of Sesame Street ornaments and told him he could take them off and put them back on as much as he wanted. He showed me where to put them, on the bottom branch of the tree, and smiled. Then he pulled them all off and lined them up in front of the TV. Now a couple of them are in the pocket of his coat and I know I saw Elmo rolling around in the backseat of the car.
Holiday decorations have made shopping a whole new adventure. He loves going to Menard's to see the giant blow-up lawn decorations. This morning we went to Wal-Mart and spent almost 20 minutes walking around their Christmas displays. He pointed at the trees and said, "Tree!" He pointed at the snowmen and said, "Ball!" (Technically, he's right.)
When we left the store, I gave him my change to put into the Salvation Army bucket. The man ringing the bell was so kind, and held the bucket right up to Sam. His little fingers pushed every last cent in, and then he smiled and wildly waved bye-bye to the bell ringer.
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
His favorite part has to be the Christmas tree. When it is lit, he gazes at it and says, "Ohhhh...tree!" He loves poking the prickly branches and tries his hardest not to touch the ornaments. I have been amazed by his self-control. I gave him a set of Sesame Street ornaments and told him he could take them off and put them back on as much as he wanted. He showed me where to put them, on the bottom branch of the tree, and smiled. Then he pulled them all off and lined them up in front of the TV. Now a couple of them are in the pocket of his coat and I know I saw Elmo rolling around in the backseat of the car.
Holiday decorations have made shopping a whole new adventure. He loves going to Menard's to see the giant blow-up lawn decorations. This morning we went to Wal-Mart and spent almost 20 minutes walking around their Christmas displays. He pointed at the trees and said, "Tree!" He pointed at the snowmen and said, "Ball!" (Technically, he's right.)
When we left the store, I gave him my change to put into the Salvation Army bucket. The man ringing the bell was so kind, and held the bucket right up to Sam. His little fingers pushed every last cent in, and then he smiled and wildly waved bye-bye to the bell ringer.
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Bedtime for Sam
I have worked very hard to establish a bedtime routine for Sam. I guide him through books, bath, pajamas and teeth, and he happily climbs into bed. I give him a kiss and within a few minutes he falls asleep on his own.
Routine is important, but I am not completely militant about it. If we are out late, I won't force an almost-sleeping kid into the tub. If Sam is feeling a bit off I'll sit by him for a while before he falls asleep. I assume his needs will just keep changing as he enters each phase of his life.
About a week ago, I waited too long to start bedtime. Sam was out of his mind, crying and carrying on like a crazy person. He needed a bath that night, so I let him bring his cars into the tub. He then clung to them as I dried him off, put him in pajamas, and brushed his teeth. He had never slept with a toy before, so I tried to take the cars from him as he got into bed. He screamed like I have never heard him scream before. I really didn't care if he slept with cars or not, so I put one in each of his little hands. Within 60 seconds, he was asleep.
Every night since, he has tried out a new toy. He slept with Big Bird and Cookie Monster, a truck, and a doll. Two nights ago, he took the little bear Grandpa Mark and Grandma Tina gave him when he was born. It plays music when its tail is pulled. I sat in the living room and listened to Sam pull the tail over and over, each time with less enthusiasm. Eventually it stopped all together and I could hear the bear hit the floor as Sam fell asleep.
Last night was a bad night. Sam had a short nap yesterday, which I did not account for when planning bedtime. He was miserable and sobbing as I started the tub. I had just finished reading to him from a book he had chosen from his bookshelf. It was a hardcover Disney book, one of a set of 18 my sister handed down from her kids to Sam. He had never looked at them before, but last night he acted like his life depended on being near those books. Trying to appease him, I carried his book into the bathroom, telling him it could come with. He stayed by his shelf, wailing, until I went out and found him trying to carry the other 17 books into the bathroom, too.
I choose my battles, and a kid wanting books is something I have no problem going along with. So I carried the little library into the bathroom. Other than Sam throwing #13 into the tub, hoping it would join him, bathtime passed without incident. He clutched #2 and #4 as I dried him and brushed his teeth. I set the entire stack next to him after he got into bed, and he fell asleep with his arm slung over #8.
Sweet dreams, Sam!
Routine is important, but I am not completely militant about it. If we are out late, I won't force an almost-sleeping kid into the tub. If Sam is feeling a bit off I'll sit by him for a while before he falls asleep. I assume his needs will just keep changing as he enters each phase of his life.
About a week ago, I waited too long to start bedtime. Sam was out of his mind, crying and carrying on like a crazy person. He needed a bath that night, so I let him bring his cars into the tub. He then clung to them as I dried him off, put him in pajamas, and brushed his teeth. He had never slept with a toy before, so I tried to take the cars from him as he got into bed. He screamed like I have never heard him scream before. I really didn't care if he slept with cars or not, so I put one in each of his little hands. Within 60 seconds, he was asleep.
Every night since, he has tried out a new toy. He slept with Big Bird and Cookie Monster, a truck, and a doll. Two nights ago, he took the little bear Grandpa Mark and Grandma Tina gave him when he was born. It plays music when its tail is pulled. I sat in the living room and listened to Sam pull the tail over and over, each time with less enthusiasm. Eventually it stopped all together and I could hear the bear hit the floor as Sam fell asleep.
Last night was a bad night. Sam had a short nap yesterday, which I did not account for when planning bedtime. He was miserable and sobbing as I started the tub. I had just finished reading to him from a book he had chosen from his bookshelf. It was a hardcover Disney book, one of a set of 18 my sister handed down from her kids to Sam. He had never looked at them before, but last night he acted like his life depended on being near those books. Trying to appease him, I carried his book into the bathroom, telling him it could come with. He stayed by his shelf, wailing, until I went out and found him trying to carry the other 17 books into the bathroom, too.
I choose my battles, and a kid wanting books is something I have no problem going along with. So I carried the little library into the bathroom. Other than Sam throwing #13 into the tub, hoping it would join him, bathtime passed without incident. He clutched #2 and #4 as I dried him and brushed his teeth. I set the entire stack next to him after he got into bed, and he fell asleep with his arm slung over #8.
Sweet dreams, Sam!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Itsy Bitsy Sam
I have not been posting as much as I would like to, but life has been VERY busy lately. With the holidays coming, it is just going to get crazier!
Sam continues to be a ridiculous amount of fun. He is still in love with anything with wheels. He sits in his carseat and yells at me every time he sees a car (crrr), bus (buh), or truck (truh). I find myself without Sam, with another adult, and excitedly pointing out every truck we pass.
Sam has also taken over his entire toothbrushing routine. He pushes his little stool (thanks Grandma Barb!) up to the sink and climbs up. I am in charge of turning on the water and opening the toothpaste, but other than that he is in control. He brushes his teeth and rinses the toothbrush about twenty times. Then he puts the toothbrush and toothpaste in the drawer, along with anything else that might be on the counter, and shuts it neatly. He sets his towel on the counter and makes sure his stool is pressed flush against the wall before he leaves the bathroom. (Ugh...again, thanks, Grandma Barb. The kid didn't get it from me.)
Much to my surprise, the other night I learned that Sam can do all of the hand movements to The Itsy Bitsy Spider. I have no idea where he learned it, other than him watching me do it all. the. time. He suddenly decided to join the fun and we now have to do it ten times before he is satisfied. If I could just figure out how to post a video here...
I will try my hardest to get back on track with my regular posts!
Sam continues to be a ridiculous amount of fun. He is still in love with anything with wheels. He sits in his carseat and yells at me every time he sees a car (crrr), bus (buh), or truck (truh). I find myself without Sam, with another adult, and excitedly pointing out every truck we pass.
Sam has also taken over his entire toothbrushing routine. He pushes his little stool (thanks Grandma Barb!) up to the sink and climbs up. I am in charge of turning on the water and opening the toothpaste, but other than that he is in control. He brushes his teeth and rinses the toothbrush about twenty times. Then he puts the toothbrush and toothpaste in the drawer, along with anything else that might be on the counter, and shuts it neatly. He sets his towel on the counter and makes sure his stool is pressed flush against the wall before he leaves the bathroom. (Ugh...again, thanks, Grandma Barb. The kid didn't get it from me.)
Much to my surprise, the other night I learned that Sam can do all of the hand movements to The Itsy Bitsy Spider. I have no idea where he learned it, other than him watching me do it all. the. time. He suddenly decided to join the fun and we now have to do it ten times before he is satisfied. If I could just figure out how to post a video here...
I will try my hardest to get back on track with my regular posts!
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