Cute as a button

Did I mention that THAT CHILD is also cute as a button? I can't help but giggle through some of his dramatic spells of frustration and foot stomping theatrics.

Its also a chance to apply the Social Emotional Intelligence parenting skills I was taught at the Seeds of Compassion conference.

I see a glint of calm wash over his face as I label his emotions, cause, and discourse. He listens, roars, exhales, and collapses into my arms for an atoning hug.

being sick means no clothes

"Mommy if you put clothes on me I will cry and then poop on them."

Crayola Markers are Non-toxic Tester

What do you mean you're not supposed to eat markers?

Whatever, you're silly mommy, these are tasty!

Pulling weeds, growing like a weed

Sunshine filled mornings call us to the outdoors. Shovel in each of our hands we dig up weeds, mix mud, and wiggle with the worms. The flowers are blooming ...next door that is. At our house, the weeds are spreading in the grass. As I show Bailey the ways of pulling up weeds I wonder if the garden I intend to plant someday will survive the curiosities of a toddler I just taught to pull up plants.
Solution? The watering can. The worry? Over watering and the fascination with the faucet by the house creating future floods and grass too tall to mow with my "Green" push mower.

Not only are the weeds growing faster than we can tackle, but someone else has growing tall enough to swipe things off the counter tops. Today I was preparing our lunch, filling his plate with cheese and veggies when it disappeared. Then a spoon disappeared. Then a bowl of olives disappeared. I looked down to discover Bailey with an empty bowl in hand, a sly grin on his face, and surrounded by squished olives on the floor.

Rain Puddles are for everyone

I wish I had my camera, perhaps it'll become a sketch instead.

Bailey and I had fun Sunday evening jumping in the rain puddles. He jumped in, stomped his feet, and laughed at his mom for splashing along side him.

Soaked shoes and clothes were well worth the smiles.

Artist's muse

A while back Bailey and I participated in an artist event called In Chalk. Each artist was given a piece of the picture to draw. Bailey helped draw while sampling the taste of each color.
You can see us after the one minute mark.

Hugs and waves

Bailey has rediscovered his wave "goodbye" again! It makes saying goodbye even more heartbreaking. ha ha!

He also started giving hugs. Bailey gives out lots of smiles (especially to the girls) and big hugs for anyone at preschool.

Cat's in the crib

Bailey has a new snuggle buddy.

I heart the sandbox

Bailey loves the sandbox at preschool. In the beginning he sampled the sand, now he just digs holes, fills buckets, and dumps pails.

Boys like to help around the house

Crying over mud??

Mud is yummy, mommy!

Nature Rocks

Bailey LOVES the outdoors. He can't get enough of the outdoors, neither can I. I can't wait to work on my garden. I wonder if I can build my garden boxes on my own?

I might have to build a box for Bailey too. Every kid has a sandbox, yet a friend of ours has a rock box. It's filled with tiny rocks instead of sand. It's great fun for tractors and diggers!

Speaking of rocks, lately, Bailey has been into tasting rocks. We've visited friends that have river rocks in their yard, he will sit down and sample a pile of rocks. Or he'll carry one in each hand, walk two feet, and trade them in for another pair. Sampling included.

So, yes, I know what you are saying, "Don't make him a rock box". "Eh", I say, "he won't be sampling rocks forever."

recovery

Bailey is recovering well and into mischief once again. Slowly gaining back his appetite as I lose mine. He's still in monkey phase where he insists on taking up residence on my hip as I try to cook, clean, or even put on my own socks.

Face up to wake up

...that saying rings through my mind as I'm lurched awake by the sound of my child in the crib (thankfully next to me) choking on his own vomit. I spring from the bed roll him on his side against his will but in the best interest of his poor little lungs.
when he finally fully wakes up he clings to me while I clean out his crib.

I lay several layers of towels down on my bed (of course he misses them the first time around). Each time I drift off to sleep I am woken by a baby flinging himself on his back and vomiting. WHY does he keep doing that?

By three o'clock, 10 dirty towels, and a two loads of laundry we find a sleep button and set it for three hours. Did I mention that we are laying sideways on my very small bed, my pillow hanging off the edge and Bailey's face so close to mine I can smell the scent of we need a shower and I need some Airborne?

By afternoon and a little help from my mom, Bailey is keeping most of his Pedialyte, milk, and crackers down. The doctor prescribes him anti-nausea medication and he's off to his dad's so I can sleep tonight. (Thank you!)

I hope the little guy sleeps good tonight, he has to be exhausted.