Bubble Bum

Family, by lauren, October 17, 2008, 2 Replies

First, a sleep update.

We survived another night… and though it was certainly an up-and-downer, it was nowhere near the drama of the past week. I decided to try to skip Milo’s second nap yesterday in the hope that he was up all night because he was sleeping too much during the day (still only a total of 2 1/2 hours during the day on a good nap day). Maybe that was part of the problem, because Milo did sleep better last night. I refused to pick him up, and instead used a couple friends’ advice (thanks Crystal and Mary) to just rub his back and tell him to go back to sleep when he cried. He did go back to sleep, and only woke up three times last night as opposed to the six times the night before. But enough complaining.

Here’s the little boy in all his action and glory, discovering the world and all its wonders:

Bubble-chasing in the front yard 

Heading for the street 

Look Mom! I learned how to take off my shirt like a hillbilly! 

Chucky face 

I am really enjoying this age with Milo. I know I say that at every age, but this is really, really fun! The sleep issue aside (as it has always been an issue with this little guy), I love, love, love this age. Milo can understand so much, and is now trying to imitate what we say and do. He says his own version of “woof-woof,” hoots like an owl, makes a fire engine noise while carrying around a puzzle piece of a fire engine, and does so many commands I can barely keep up with him. I am continually amazed (as I’m sure all first-time parents are) each time he demonstrates his comprehension. Yesterday, I told him it was almost time to go. He looked at me intently, then went into the other room. He came toddling back in, carrying his shoes, and handed them to me. So cool! He brushes and combs his hair, brushes his teeth, and throws stuff in the trash. At the playground yesterday his chosen activity was to walk around picking up small pieces of trash (despite my efforts to stop him, he kept finding little pieces of paper and things) and walk over to the trash can, lift his little hand as high up as he could to place them in the trashcan. What an eco-conscious little guy.
Milo also knows the titles of a lot of books, and will find them on command. He even imitates feelings faces like sad, angry, happy, and… stinky. I know that’s not a feeling. But he does stinky. Speaking of stinky… gotta go. 

The Sleep Destroyer

Family, by lauren, October 16, 2008, 7 Replies

I guess the title of this blog would more accurately be “Sleep Preventer,” or “One Who Fails to Sleep” or even “Sleep Hater.” But “Sleep Destroyer” just seems so fitting. Destruction is really what seems to be taking place lately.

Over the past two weeks (or probably more, if I could only think straight), Milo has been slipping back into horrible sleep habits. He awakens six, sometimes seven times at night. And yes, I am counting, as I’m sure all of you would be doing out of a combination of frustration and an attempt to figure out some sort of pattern in order to STOP the insanity! I have no idea what to do.

If anyone has experienced this with their baby, toddler, anyone… suggestions would be welcome (that is, any suggestion to make it stop, not to tell me to accept this as normal and welcome my toddler into bed with me).

Here’s the scoop, if you’re interested. Milo has a bit of trouble falling asleep, but that’s not the real problem. At times, we can go into his bedroom and tell him in a stern voice, “Milo, go to sleep.” And it works. But most of the time, he wakes up screaming an hour after he goes to bed. Then, all hell breaks loose. Milo might sleep until 11 or 12, then awaken screaming again. But generally, the real trouble starts at about 3am, when he awakens hourly, sometimes every half hour crying. If left to his own devices, he screams and works himself into a frenzy for about an hour. At this point, I always intervene. Is this the problem? That I am going in there and picking him up after an hour of sweaty, crazy screaming? Andrew seems to think so. But I hate all this crying, and I can’t sleep. Not that I’m getting any sleep anyway.

So last night, I didn’t pick him up. I just kept going in there, turning on a little music for him, and gently pushing him down in his crib so he’s lying down again. I told him to go to sleep. This worked. All six times.

But how do I get him to stop waking up so often in the first place? What does he want? Doesn’t he need sleep? Is the real solution to ignore him all night long and just hope that after a few nights he will stop waking up? I hate the idea of this, but I’m ready to try anything for a good night’s sleep. I’m starting to feel like a crazy person.

Mull-(et) rat

Family, by lauren, October 13, 2008, 3 Replies

Today was a beautiful day for the zoo. Unfortunately, not all things at the zoo are beautiful. Take, for instance, Milo’s favorite creature, the molerat. I am not squeamish. When I was a kid, I thought dissecting stuff was cool. But I kid you not, this animal is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.
And the picture doesn’t show the grotesque way this thing moves through a transparent rat tunnel. Or should I say, pulsates through. But Milo likes ’em.

The photo that inspired the title of this blog

Milo and best buddy Ben had a blast in the “small mammal house” checking out the molerats and the small monkeys and squirrel-like creatures. It was hilarious watching these two tear through the hall, going from one cage to another. This is the first time they have gotten together since Milo learned to walk. Milo has some catching up to do with his physically-superior friend, who can already catch a ball at 16 months old… but he had a good time trying to chase Ben around in the picnic area.
Something is in there, I swear
Meerkats “playing” (or killing one of their own)
Looking for squirrels

We had a great time, despite not being able to find a few choice animals. But the best part? The zoo is FREE, and we even found street parking for free. So we can try to find a giraffe next week, if we want. Ah, I love DC.

He Vacuums!

Family, by lauren, October 12, 2008, 1 Reply

One of the perks of having a toddler:

Free maid.

Ah, the perks of parenthood. You bring out the vacuum, and ta-da! Instant house-cleaner. You bring out the paper towels, and bam! You have a little wiper-up-er. If only the consistency were as reliable as the initial vigor… then we’d be onto something. But really, this video was taken this morning when I proceeded to clean the house up a bit before family visited for the day. Milo, fascinated with the vacuum (a good sign of how rarely he actually sees one in use), figured out how to turn it on and off while I was attempting to vacuum the downstairs. Do you have any idea how frustrating this situation could be? I’ll recap. I turn the vacuum on and start to vacuum the floor, only to hear it switched off. I turn around and see Milo grinning and pushing the on/off switch. So I tell him to turn it back on. Which he does. And then off again. Then on. Then off. You get the picture. So not a lot of cleaning gets done when my little friend is around. Until… I taught him how about the other end! Score one for Mom.

We had another great weekend, though the Orchard will have to wait until next weekend (please go with us, Garriy and Cat… PLEASE! WE MISS YOU!).

This weekend, Gina-mom, Michael-dad, and Katie & Austin flew out to visit us from Ohio, which was a long-awaited and welcome surprise. Milo has grown a lot since he has seen these family members, and was much more fun for Katie and Austin to play with this time around (especially considering the last time Austin spent any time with Milo we were stuck in a traffic jam literally for hours with Milo screaming).

Sharing a creepy crawly with Gina-momBubbles!

And out of order, but still noteworthy:

Picking up chicks in DuPont Circle

Bums in the park
Naked bum in the living room
The “Reina face”… think he’s a Knight?

Stay tuned for Milo’s first trip to the zoo!

Fun with a "Capitol" F

Family, by lauren, October 5, 2008, 4 Replies

A beautiful weekend in our nation’s capitol brought everyone out of their houses and into the fresh air. We have been getting a lot of rainstorms lately, so the sunshine was welcome, as was the perfect 70-degree weather. To enjoy it to the fullest, Andrew and I took Milo to the National Mall, where we set up a blanket and played some “soccer.”

Checking out the Capitol Building
… And running from it 

Getting an airplane ride from Mom 

I love those snuggles 

Milo has been getting pretty funny as he grows into a little toddler. He constantly has a smile on his face, and just recently started scrunching up his nose when he smiles. Along with the jack-o-lantern teeth, this is a very funny look for him. He also loves to “help,” whether it’s wiping off his high chair, picking up his toys (well, one or two before toddler brain distraction kicks in), or hammering something (don’t worry, he has his own little safe hammer) with Dad.
Andrew forbade me to post this picture… but I swear, the coordinated outfits were not planned… just bonus future embarrassment

Stay tuned for the pumpkin patch next week!