Tim really hates changing his shirts. We've had to make a game out of this twice (and sometimes more) daily activity. When his arms are through the sleeves but his head is not out yet, I say "Where's Tim?" or "I can't find Tim. Where did Tim go?" and when his head pops out he says "Here I am!"
The other day we had to change his clothes after a horrible diaper malfunction and Adam was putting his shirt on and Tim said "I can't find me!"
We had a nice laugh.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Updates
I am loving this Maine summer. It's been so warm and so sunny. What a huge change from last year! We've done lots of outdoor things and have had such a great time. We've spent lots of time in the pool. I have two little fish :-)
This summer, Adam started working as an assistant manager. I love the three days on and three days off. Most of the time it allows me to see more of him than I had in the past. It was an adjustment for the boys since it meant they'd have to attend daycare while we both worked the end part of the week. (Adam's days rotate so he's with them sometimes on the days I work). They've both done so well there. I love the ladies who take care of them. They are so gentle and so sweet. I couldn't ask for a better place to leave my babies.
I've attempted to potty-train Tim. He loves wearing underwear and will sit on the potty, but that's about as far as we've gotten. I think I'm putting it on hold since he managed to conquer a bad habit. He stopped sucking his thumb! He had started talking to us with his thumb in his mouth and we were firm with him making sure he took it out to speak. Then, we started telling him that if he had his thumb in his mouth he'd have to nap. He didn't like that one bit. In less than one week he'd given up the habit. I think it helped too that Ryan kept saying thumb sucking was for babies! Tim does not want to be a baby anymore. He will tell you he is now a big boy.
Ryan recently spent an entire morning at the doctor's office for serious issues with constipation. Every thing we'd tried at home to combat it wasn't working. He had his thyroid tested, but that isn't the cause. He's had an x-ray to see what it looks like inside and to make sure there's no blockage. He's been set up with an appointment to see a GI doc, but they say that may take a few months. The reason for that visit will be to determine if Ryan has a food allergy that's causing the constipation. The most likely culprit is a dairy allergy, which we've suspected he's had since birth. In the meantime, he's on Miralax to help out. We took our first dose this morning and I'm crossing my fingers that it will work.
Ryan also had blood work done for some enlarged lymph nodes in his groin area. He's had these tested before and they turned out to be fine, but that was almost three years ago, so it's time for a re-check since they are still hanging around. He'll see a hematologist in a few weeks. The blood work showed he doesn't have cancer, but we're making sure that we won't have to worry about these lumps later in life.
Ryan did so good at the doctor. I am so proud of him. He didn't cry for his shots or the blood work (he even watched them take it!) and thought the x-ray was cool.
This update wouldn't be complete without an update on me. This fall I'll start the Master Teller program, which will lead to some raises, but hopefully a promotion by the time the boys are in school. I really do love my job and am excited to start the program. I just hope all these years after college, and with two kids, I can pull off all the studying!
This summer, Adam started working as an assistant manager. I love the three days on and three days off. Most of the time it allows me to see more of him than I had in the past. It was an adjustment for the boys since it meant they'd have to attend daycare while we both worked the end part of the week. (Adam's days rotate so he's with them sometimes on the days I work). They've both done so well there. I love the ladies who take care of them. They are so gentle and so sweet. I couldn't ask for a better place to leave my babies.
I've attempted to potty-train Tim. He loves wearing underwear and will sit on the potty, but that's about as far as we've gotten. I think I'm putting it on hold since he managed to conquer a bad habit. He stopped sucking his thumb! He had started talking to us with his thumb in his mouth and we were firm with him making sure he took it out to speak. Then, we started telling him that if he had his thumb in his mouth he'd have to nap. He didn't like that one bit. In less than one week he'd given up the habit. I think it helped too that Ryan kept saying thumb sucking was for babies! Tim does not want to be a baby anymore. He will tell you he is now a big boy.
Ryan recently spent an entire morning at the doctor's office for serious issues with constipation. Every thing we'd tried at home to combat it wasn't working. He had his thyroid tested, but that isn't the cause. He's had an x-ray to see what it looks like inside and to make sure there's no blockage. He's been set up with an appointment to see a GI doc, but they say that may take a few months. The reason for that visit will be to determine if Ryan has a food allergy that's causing the constipation. The most likely culprit is a dairy allergy, which we've suspected he's had since birth. In the meantime, he's on Miralax to help out. We took our first dose this morning and I'm crossing my fingers that it will work.
Ryan also had blood work done for some enlarged lymph nodes in his groin area. He's had these tested before and they turned out to be fine, but that was almost three years ago, so it's time for a re-check since they are still hanging around. He'll see a hematologist in a few weeks. The blood work showed he doesn't have cancer, but we're making sure that we won't have to worry about these lumps later in life.
Ryan did so good at the doctor. I am so proud of him. He didn't cry for his shots or the blood work (he even watched them take it!) and thought the x-ray was cool.
This update wouldn't be complete without an update on me. This fall I'll start the Master Teller program, which will lead to some raises, but hopefully a promotion by the time the boys are in school. I really do love my job and am excited to start the program. I just hope all these years after college, and with two kids, I can pull off all the studying!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Summer reading
Last year I signed Ryan up for the summer reading program at the library. Next week, I'll sign both of the boys up for the program. After certain milestones they get small prizes like bookmarks and tickets for ice cream and books.
I also stumbled on this website and plan to use the preschool list as a starter for choices for Ryan to read. I also plan to do my summer reading from the books suggested for grades 11 and 12. I doubt I'll get through the entire list, but I'd like to try. Since Adam been working his three days on and three days off, I've had a little more free time in the afternoons to sneak away and read and I love it!
I just finished reading The Magician by Michael Scott. I can't wait to get my hands on The Sorceress, which is the next in the series. I've been on the waiting list at the library for each book in the series and have really enjoyed reading them.
I also stumbled on this website and plan to use the preschool list as a starter for choices for Ryan to read. I also plan to do my summer reading from the books suggested for grades 11 and 12. I doubt I'll get through the entire list, but I'd like to try. Since Adam been working his three days on and three days off, I've had a little more free time in the afternoons to sneak away and read and I love it!
I just finished reading The Magician by Michael Scott. I can't wait to get my hands on The Sorceress, which is the next in the series. I've been on the waiting list at the library for each book in the series and have really enjoyed reading them.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Preschool
Ryan and I started really doing preschool things at home this week. We've always done arts and crafts and reading and cooking, but nothing as focused as what we've been doing this week. Here are some photos from our adventures in preschool.
Here's Tim sorting paper clips... he tries to do preschool too.
My favorite part of the week involved this puzzle. The clown is holding an x-ray and after doing the puzzle Ryan asked if he could have an X-ray for his birthday. ;-)
Ryan sorting items in a muffin tin. He loved this and played it over and over again.
Here's Ryan working on a St. Patrick's Day sequence.
Ryan making his X xylophone.
Here's Tim sorting paper clips... he tries to do preschool too.
My favorite part of the week involved this puzzle. The clown is holding an x-ray and after doing the puzzle Ryan asked if he could have an X-ray for his birthday. ;-)
Ryan sorting items in a muffin tin. He loved this and played it over and over again.
Here's Ryan working on a St. Patrick's Day sequence. 
Ryan making his X xylophone.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
TV
Yesterday, as I was getting Ryan dressed to go outside, our TV came crashing down.
Turns out, Tim had been climbing on our entertainment center. Tim loves to climb. He climbs everything he can and gets into a lot of trouble for doing so.
I was right in the same room when it happened. My back was turned for mere seconds when the tv came crashing down. Tim started crying and I didn't know if I should cry or scream. The flat screen tv that we just purchased last year on clearance was destroyed but my little boy was perfectly fine.
We'll need a new TV. I hadn't planned on spending the money, but the remaining TV is old and doesn't work with the new cable. It can play dvds and vidoes though.
Ryan started preschool this week at home, so we'd been using less of the tv anyway, but with the rainy weather, we haven't been able to be outside much. Yesterday, they played for an hour outside. Today, it's cloudy with a chance of showers. At this point of the winter, their toys no longer hold their interest like they did at Christmas time.
So, we're getting ready to work on things for a picnic and to play in the basement today. I hope I survive.
Turns out, Tim had been climbing on our entertainment center. Tim loves to climb. He climbs everything he can and gets into a lot of trouble for doing so.
I was right in the same room when it happened. My back was turned for mere seconds when the tv came crashing down. Tim started crying and I didn't know if I should cry or scream. The flat screen tv that we just purchased last year on clearance was destroyed but my little boy was perfectly fine.
We'll need a new TV. I hadn't planned on spending the money, but the remaining TV is old and doesn't work with the new cable. It can play dvds and vidoes though.
Ryan started preschool this week at home, so we'd been using less of the tv anyway, but with the rainy weather, we haven't been able to be outside much. Yesterday, they played for an hour outside. Today, it's cloudy with a chance of showers. At this point of the winter, their toys no longer hold their interest like they did at Christmas time.
So, we're getting ready to work on things for a picnic and to play in the basement today. I hope I survive.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Something new to me
I've been looking around for things to do with Tim and Ryan that are educational. We are getting ready to embark on our very own alphabet book and I was looking for other items that would help with that. I stumbled on Confessions of a Homeschooler and really like what I see. Through her website I also stumbled on Tot School. I thought I'd share these two because they have awesome activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers and even older children. I can't imagine that I will do everything that they do, but I will use some of the ideas in my quest to get Ryan ready for Kindergarten. So I thought I'd share what I'd found with you guys in case you were looking for something fun but educational to do with your kids.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Child Safety Leash
If you'd have asked me a year ago what I thought of those child safety leashes I would have told you to free the leash kids. I hated them. I thought that every child should be taught to hold hands instead of being put on a leash. I thought they were silly.
I thought these things and then came Timothy.
Timothy is my child who will NOT sit in a shopping cart. He will stand up and find his way out. It doesn't matter how tight you put the little belt that they have in them. He will find a way to wiggle free and almost kill himself getting out of the cart. Tim will not hold your hand and stay close by. He just runs full speed to where ever it is he is going. He just goes.
Shopping with this kid is something I so hate. I've started going grocery shopping alone or just with Ryan. When we do shop with Tim and he wiggles out and we allow him to get down and hold our hands he will do all he can to get out of our grip. He will probably attempt to dislocate his shoulder or break his arm just to get free. We will say that he HAS to hold our hand or he gets picked up.
We follow through with this rule and it results in super screaming, head butting and just an all out miserable experience for all of us at the store. If' I'm alone it results in me leaving the store without the items I came for because I just can't handle my wild child.
So, I started looking at leashes. I haven't purchased one yet because I feel there must be another solution to this problem.
Any one have any experiences or ideas?
I thought these things and then came Timothy.
Timothy is my child who will NOT sit in a shopping cart. He will stand up and find his way out. It doesn't matter how tight you put the little belt that they have in them. He will find a way to wiggle free and almost kill himself getting out of the cart. Tim will not hold your hand and stay close by. He just runs full speed to where ever it is he is going. He just goes.
Shopping with this kid is something I so hate. I've started going grocery shopping alone or just with Ryan. When we do shop with Tim and he wiggles out and we allow him to get down and hold our hands he will do all he can to get out of our grip. He will probably attempt to dislocate his shoulder or break his arm just to get free. We will say that he HAS to hold our hand or he gets picked up.
We follow through with this rule and it results in super screaming, head butting and just an all out miserable experience for all of us at the store. If' I'm alone it results in me leaving the store without the items I came for because I just can't handle my wild child.
So, I started looking at leashes. I haven't purchased one yet because I feel there must be another solution to this problem.
Any one have any experiences or ideas?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Books
These are two of Ryan's favorite books right now. I also enjoy reading them to him, so I thought I would share with you guys. There have been, in the past, a few books that he LOVED and I HATED, so this is a nice change for me.
Where Teddy Bears Come from By Mark Burgess and Russell Ayto is a really cute story of the little wolf who wants a teddy bear. Little wolf can't sleep at night so he asks his mom where teddy bears come from. She tells him to go ask the wise owl and so little wolf sets out on a journey in which he meets the three little pigs, Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks, just to name a few. He does find out where teddy bears come from (well, SOME teddy bears). I like that it mixes characters from other fairy tales and that there is a cute, happy ending.
I may have reviewed this book before, but the Uglified Ducky by Willy Clafin is a twist on the ugly duckling story. It's got all the same elements, but the uglified ducky is really a moose (this may be why I REALLY like it... I love moose!). I think Ryan likes the silly words that sound like real ones, but are just made up kiddo speech.
What good books are your kids reading?
Where Teddy Bears Come from By Mark Burgess and Russell Ayto is a really cute story of the little wolf who wants a teddy bear. Little wolf can't sleep at night so he asks his mom where teddy bears come from. She tells him to go ask the wise owl and so little wolf sets out on a journey in which he meets the three little pigs, Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks, just to name a few. He does find out where teddy bears come from (well, SOME teddy bears). I like that it mixes characters from other fairy tales and that there is a cute, happy ending.
I may have reviewed this book before, but the Uglified Ducky by Willy Clafin is a twist on the ugly duckling story. It's got all the same elements, but the uglified ducky is really a moose (this may be why I REALLY like it... I love moose!). I think Ryan likes the silly words that sound like real ones, but are just made up kiddo speech.What good books are your kids reading?
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Dreaming of warm weather
This is what I can't wait for. I am so ready for spring and then summer. The boys are ready to be outside in their pool and so am I. I've run out of ideas of things to do inside. I am just ready.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Tim counts
This morning I said, "Tim count for me!"
He said, "One, two, six, eight, mommy!"
Then I said, "can you count in Spanish like Dora?"
He said, "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro!"
When I asked if he could say his ABCs he said, "All done mom."
He said, "One, two, six, eight, mommy!"
Then I said, "can you count in Spanish like Dora?"
He said, "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro!"
When I asked if he could say his ABCs he said, "All done mom."
Thursday, February 04, 2010
I am thanful for...
1. Finishing our taxes.
2. A wonderful job that I really enjoy going to each week.
3. An awesome friend who watches our kids every Friday.
4. In-laws who always feed us when we visit.
5. A wonderful husband and two cute kiddos.
6. A nana and papa who spoil our boys with cool gifts.
2. A wonderful job that I really enjoy going to each week.
3. An awesome friend who watches our kids every Friday.
4. In-laws who always feed us when we visit.
5. A wonderful husband and two cute kiddos.
6. A nana and papa who spoil our boys with cool gifts.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Fun in the big ball tent
Mem and pep got Tim this tent and tunnel set for Christmas. Tim calls it the big ball tent and we play in it every day. It's almost like Chuck E. Cheese at home.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year!
We celebrated the day doing exchanges at the mall, which wasn't so busy because Maine is expecting a huge snow storm this weekend. Yay for us! I loved the sales because I exchanged one sweater and got two to replace it. It just doesn't get much more awesome than that for me these days :)
We stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York and we both agree that this year can be either twenty-ten or two-thousand-ten, but not two-ten... sorry Bill O'Reilly.
Now to brace for the snow. Let's see if it's really going to be as bad as they say or if the weathermen haven't got it together this year either.
Happy New Year to all!
We stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York and we both agree that this year can be either twenty-ten or two-thousand-ten, but not two-ten... sorry Bill O'Reilly.
Now to brace for the snow. Let's see if it's really going to be as bad as they say or if the weathermen haven't got it together this year either.
Happy New Year to all!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas from our house to yours!"May all who have walked in darkness today welcome the light: Jesus Christ, Emmanuel!"
~Rev. Richard Veras
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Ryan's letter
This is Ryan's letter to Santa. I wrote it for him yesterday. He said the words and I wrote them on the paper. Then we signed his name together and he drew a picture of a cookie for Santa. There are a few things I really love about this letter because they really are so "Ryan." First, he asks Santa to "hurry up." He just can't wait for Christmas. Secondly, he signed it Ryan Alexander Mr. McGee. This is what he calls himself. These are some of the things about Ryan I don't want to forget.
Monday, December 07, 2009
It's not the heat...
Adam and I enjoyed a sleigh ride in Freeport yesterday. We had a small date mixed with lots of Christmas shopping in which we purchased two items. It was cold. The night before we'd had our first snowfall of the season in Maine and everything was beautiful.
While we waited to get on the sleigh, we took a quick walk to the British store each purchased a Cadbury Crunchie. Yum! Then we got on the sleigh and took the little ride around town. From the website's description we'd exected to see more than the loading docks to the stores in Freeport, so Adam made lots of fun about this. But it was festive and it was really good to be together without the kids.
Poor Adam wasn't wearing a hat. His hat seems to have gone missing since we've moved. When we got back to the car we were pretty frozen and I leaned over and said to him (with the movie Cool Runnings in mind), "It's not the heat, it's the humidity that will kill you." He started laughing and then I asked if there was some idiotic saying that people who live in cold places like Maine say about the cold weather. We came up with nothing.
Does anyone know some really stupid remark that people make to others when it's cold out? Just curious.
While we waited to get on the sleigh, we took a quick walk to the British store each purchased a Cadbury Crunchie. Yum! Then we got on the sleigh and took the little ride around town. From the website's description we'd exected to see more than the loading docks to the stores in Freeport, so Adam made lots of fun about this. But it was festive and it was really good to be together without the kids.
Poor Adam wasn't wearing a hat. His hat seems to have gone missing since we've moved. When we got back to the car we were pretty frozen and I leaned over and said to him (with the movie Cool Runnings in mind), "It's not the heat, it's the humidity that will kill you." He started laughing and then I asked if there was some idiotic saying that people who live in cold places like Maine say about the cold weather. We came up with nothing.
Does anyone know some really stupid remark that people make to others when it's cold out? Just curious.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Hope
The first week of Advent is coming to a close and we get closer to celebrating the birth of Christ. Every year I pick up a devotional at church. I LOVE the Advent readings and am amazed that each year I get something so new out of them.
This week, it was the words in a prayer that left my thinking about the coming of Christ and how so many people have the reason for this season completely wrong.
Here is the prayer (taken from The Magnificant 2009)
"Even in the darkness that lies between despair and hope, we dare to pray:
O God our Savior, you are the hope of all the earth.
O God, when hope flickers and faints, rekindle within us the fire of your Spirit: that we may burn with desire for your promised salvation.
O God, when despair overtakes the human spirit, fan in us the one desire to pray: that we may find in your fidelity the source of all true hope.
O God, when the darkness threatens those who have forgotten your goodness in the past, stir once again the memory of grace: that, remembering, we may dare to hope once more."
And the scripture reading that went with that prayers was Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."
This week, it was the words in a prayer that left my thinking about the coming of Christ and how so many people have the reason for this season completely wrong.
Here is the prayer (taken from The Magnificant 2009)
"Even in the darkness that lies between despair and hope, we dare to pray:
O God our Savior, you are the hope of all the earth.
O God, when hope flickers and faints, rekindle within us the fire of your Spirit: that we may burn with desire for your promised salvation.
O God, when despair overtakes the human spirit, fan in us the one desire to pray: that we may find in your fidelity the source of all true hope.
O God, when the darkness threatens those who have forgotten your goodness in the past, stir once again the memory of grace: that, remembering, we may dare to hope once more."
And the scripture reading that went with that prayers was Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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