Dream-Come-True: July 2012

Adrian is reading his first book! It is called 'The Park" and has two word phrases 6 pages,, focuses on sight word 'the' and has pictures for the other words...such as 'the trees.' He spells out words, he rhymes words, he loves to be read to! He has his alphabet down, knows the sounds of the words, can spell words that he sees, and can sound some things out, as well as is grasping the concept of words, by showing memory of sight words. He practices writing his letters a couple of times a week on worksheets. I have a work Tablet that he has downloaded some apps on for sight words, story books, and memory games. We go to the library weekly and he has his own library card, and is taking part in the library summer reading program! YAY for my smart little boy. Hopefully school will come easy for him. We are already talking about college! Currently he would like to mow lawns and for mommy to pay him. We discussed that as a good job for a teenager and that other's could pay him too otherwise I'll need a better job or a raise of substantial worth.

In other news: we aka Barry has mounted the tv above the mantle and moved out the loveseat and oversized chair to make way for two rocking recliners that Barry happened upon one day that an older couple were getting rid of. Barry also cleaned out the garage of a bunch of junk and trimmed the tree in the front, taking a big load to the landfill last weekend! He also has resorted to part time vegan dieting and is limiting his red meat intake to stay healthier and feel well. He has also resorted to trying to ride his bike more, daily if possible for exercise.

I am 3 lbs away from my ideal weight and hopefully another couple of walks will cure me of them. Getting strep this summer was a good weight loss idea...but never again do I wish that.

Adrian and I had a dentist appointment today! He did great! It's so enlightening to hear him talking to other adults when I'm not visibly present. He reminds me of how old he's getting. I've been craving every minute I get with him because he's growing up fast.

Adrian began a nail biting/skin biting habit at the end of the school year and it's gotten worse over the summer. He bit his toenails off one day even. He was quite proud. I've explained the germs factor, I've explained the reason for nails, I've taped his fingers, bandaided his fingers, had him wear gloves, had him sit on his hands and say 'I will keep my fingers out ofmy mouth', reminded him verbally and non-verbally, and even resorted to peer pressure and peer accountability. Every time I turn around his fingers are in his mouth. I think he's picked it up partly in 1. wanting to be noticed as Kaili is a baby and does baby things like chewing on everything and is allowed 2. nervousness/shyness 3. Seeing peers do it. What to do??? I know I give it attention and that can be part of it's continuing...but Barry and I both chewed our nails as children. Is it genetic? I really want it to stop. Maybe it's a phase. Maybe I'm the reason it's gotten worse...or maybe I didn't try to stop it soon enough. AAAHHH...he chewed off an entire toe nail on one toe, AND he has started biting his skin to the point that it bleeds. Hopefully he stops by the time school starts, or we'll all be sick from everything he brings home from school. I tried ignoring it in the beginning, maybe I'll try ignoring it again.

I am so tired these days. Can't seem to sleep enough or get good sleep at night. Kaili actually slept through the night in his bed last night and only woke twice...but that was only one night so far. He always starts off in his bed, now that he's so mobile, around 730-830pm. Then he wakes around 1030/1230 and I nurse him and put him back in bed. Then he wakes again what seems like 2-3 more times a night after I've gone to bed. I occasionally put him back in bed but he usually ends up back with me by morning. I've at least been managing my work hours pretty well so I feel good about that. I'm also planning on taking off when my parents come to town!!!

Kaili will be 10 months on July 23rd. Kaili pulls to standing on everything, crawls really well, and climbs stairs! He loves being held and near his mommy or daddy or grandpa, he loves his brother and squeals when he sees him. He babbles. He yells 'yayayaya' and 'mamama' and 'dada' and all sorts of other sounds. He screams and loves drumming, whistles, and to eat and chew on everything. He has 6 teeth-2 bottom and 4 tops! He loves to eat-eats the best at lunch or dinner, and only a small breakfast. Probably because he nurses all night. He also feels heavier this week! He is a good listener and doesn't go down the stairs even if I'm downstairs-he sits and waits at the top if I remind him 'uhuh'. He squawks till I come get him! Kaili loves paper-to eat of course, dirt and rocks and bark as well. Dog food bowls are pretty tasty and plastic bags are the best! Really have to watch this one! He ate an entire lemon wheel slice including the peel with dinner. He has no food allergies so far and loves berries and potatoes! I don't make as much home made food but do give him pieces of whatever we're eating. I did make a batch of beet, beet greens, and potatoes for the freezer stock yesterday though. He still doesn't hold his bottle on his own but is learning to use a sippy cup. A new fun game he has learned is to throw things on the floor and watch the animals eat it or mom pick it up! 'Peek a boo' and clapping 'pat a cake' are pretty funny and he's super tickle-ish! He plays 'hide and go seek' and 'I'm gonna getcha'! He signs 'all done' and 'milk'!! Such a smart baby! We love him. We think we'll keep him!

Summer's going by fast! We've been swimming quite a bit and I have some water babies! Adrian will swim even if he's purple and shivering! Kaili will bear crawl it to the water if he's set down anywhere near water! No fear! I was going to put Adrian in swimming lessons but am having trouble finding any openings. Maybe we'll just swim a lot and he'll figure it out.