Everyday Thankful

Impracticality

I came home from Khol's the other night with the most random of purchases. I bought these boots for Wyatt which he ADORES and once I tried them on him at the store refused to take them off. For myself, I got these lovely brown pumps for $12. Read it and weep ladies, $12. Both of these purchases are entirely idiotic for two reasons; Wyatt cannot walk in his boots and I cannot walk in these heels. However, I couldn't seem to help myself. I guess I have a shoe fetish.

Wyatt fell in love with his boots as soon as he saw the Lightning McQueen on the box. Lightning is the main character in Cars, for those who don't know, and for which Wyatt lives and breathes. I have humiliatingly been reduced to sleeping with a Lightning fleece blanket on my bed while Wyatt is clad head to toe in Car's pajamas. In order to get him to try on the boots, that I was doomed to buy, I told him that they would help him run really fast in the snow. The result was he now thinks he needs to run in his boots ALL THE TIME. The funny part it that Wyatt's running is really moving at the same speed as walking but moving your legs extra fast. I am pretty positive that they are not waterproof and barely insulated which for snow boots is pathetic. We are going to try them out for Christmas tree cutting on Sunday. Lets hope his feet stay dry or that there is no snow.

For someone who barely ever wears heels, I have an awful lot of them in my closet. Its my secret frivolous purchase. I go boot shopping almost every winter. I specifically stear clear of DSW because I know I will spend too much money, regret it later but refuse to return anything. Despite my shoe options, I usually only wear my well-loved Converse. Well, it looks like Wyatt shares my shoe obsession because as soon as he saw my new brown heels on the table he wanted to try them on. He clopped around the house like that for a good 15 minutes. Below, is a little clip of Wyatt testing out his running boots outside the other day.

Right Before He Peed on the Table

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I have been reading a lot of my older posts lately. Surveying my life (and Wyatt's) over the two years. A lot of the stuff I simply had forgotten it happened. Then I read a post and am brought right back. Its like when I'm in bed and I swear I will remember whatever I am thinking that very moment. Then the sun hits my eyes and I have no idea what it was regarding. I just remember that I have forgotten something. This blog gives it all back. But my point (yes, I swear I have one) is that I am shocked at how my anxiety level has dropped the older Wyatt gets. When he was just born, every other post is about some kind of anxiety. It really does get easier (until he is thirteen and then one of us will definitely not survive puberty).

I have have not bothered to buy books. I swore by "What to Expect: the First Year" until he was about 8 months at which point I decided they were toxic. They have an entire section at the back that is focused on first aid. Relatively handy but terrifying. If I mistakenly opened to the page "What to do if your child looses an appendage?" it was guaranteed nightmares for a week. Chances are he is not going to cut off his finger but now the graphics are burned into my memory and everything is a potential severing device. I refuse to use google to diagnose anything. Cause sure enough if your child still sleeps with you, he has cancer of the belly button that is keeping the cord still attached. Seriously, everything on google leads to cancer. Try it. Reminds me of that 10 degrees of separation game that always ends with Kevin Bacon. Lately, I have been relying more on instinct parenting. If he seems like he is thriving chances are he is. It seems to be working and I sleep much better.

Although, I am slightly lost about the little things. Like when should I ditch the bottles and transfer to milk in sippy cups? He will not drink cold milk. Refuses. So, I think bottles will stay for a little while longer. Or when can I throw out the binky? He didn't use it a lot for a while; strictly for naps only. But now that he can ask for it, it seems to be in his mouth more often. I really don't want him to be that 5 year old with a binky. I am relying on our pediatrician to give me most of this information but our next appointment is at two. The big things are accounted for, like walking, talking, eating, starting potty training, reading books every night. I guess the little things will fall into place. Hell, he's an extraordinarily happy kid. What else matters really?

On the organic front, I'm not all organic so I can't really expect Wyatt to be. Yes, I buy organic whole milk, apple juice, juice boxes, snacks, and as much produce as my limited grocery store offers. In all honesty, organic is more expensive and I can't afford to make meals for the entire family organically. And I am not going to make Wyatt a completely separate meal. Especially if we are out to dinner, he wants to eat what I am eating and if thats pizza, well, he gets pizza. (Did I break some huge Mom rule? Pizza and ice cream before two!! Blasphemy!!) I really do try my best but I am not going to stress out over it either. He is a really healthy kid and in my mind (which is totally not based on fact) its due to breast feeding for 8 months, organic food, and possibly genetics. In that order. Did you know I got my PhD online last night?

My Tension Release

21 Months

My Wyatt,

You are speaking and joining words together to make 2-3 word sentences. This has resulted in a very demanding 21 month old. For example, this morning I happened to mention helicopters as one flew over our house. You immediately grabbed my index finger with your hand and started pulling me towards the door. "Oppatopper, oppatopper! Come on! Come on! Check out. Ryeberry." Which vaguely translates to "Mom, Come on! Lets check out the helicopter movie at the library." You are obsessed with this movie that we have permanently rented. I refuse to spend money on movies this mind numbing. I keep hoping that you are going to forget about it but you have the memory of an elephant. Seriously, we watch it once and when the credits begin to roll, you grab the remote saying "play again, play again." Needless to say, we met up with Kari and Lars Christian and took a walk to the library this morning. I (try to) write this as you are watching your beloved oppatopper movie while simultaneously playing with your cars.

Your eating habits have also taken a downturn with your perfected ability to say no. Don't get me wrong you are a champion eater. I know this is a real problem for some parents and I am glad that I am not one of them. You eat edamame with a passion. Absolutely love your little beanies, as we call them. You

love peas, steak, roasted chicken, blueberries and raspberries. You have your occasional hunger strike where you refuse to eat anything but most of the time your amazing. You also demand what you want. Usually after I have made something else. I will have just made you an organic blueberry toaster waffle and you will run to the refrigerator, pull out eggs and cheese, demanding "eggies". Sometimes I will make the mistake of asking you what you want to eat.

"Grilled cheese?"

"No"

"Dippy, dip with dinosaur chicken?" aka chicken nuggets with ketcup

"No"

"Fish sticks?"

"No. Sharks! Sharks! Sharks! Peese, sharks, peese." Which are shark shaped gummy fruit snacks. How can I say no when you throws a "peese" in there? I'm a sucker, every time I'm a sucker.

I have a new favorite time of day. It used to be putting you to bed, cuddled together, reading books. Then it was the morning before we get up and you wave to the window saying "Hi, sun". But now its bath time. I have always loved bath time but especially when its cold out. I break out the space heater and make our little bathroom a sauna. It feels like the only time I can get warm when its cold out. I think your more comfortable too. You are always so happy at bath time. You tell entire stories, going on and on, even though I rarely can keep up. When you're ready to get out, you push the lever to let the water out, and I grab a towel. I lay the towel on my lap and you stand raising your arms to get picked up. You kneel on my thighs and burry your head into my shoulder. Usually getting me soaking wet in the process. I wrap you and warm you as you hum into my chest. I love smelling your clean goodness. I look forward to that every night.

I have been pretty out of it the last few months, just distant I guess. Gammy says that I have lost my spark. And the commercials say that depression effects everyone. Its not really obvious to the outside world but to the people who really know me, its palpable. But I am starting to feel better, slowly, but starting. I am getting more motivation, laughing more, attempting to regain my social life, and playing with you a whole lot more instead of just watching you play. We went to Friendly's the other day. Just you and I, sitting side by side in a long booth, watching out the window for trucks and school buses. We shared a sundae and you got the whipped cream on your nose. I was so proud to be there with you. Just the two of us, living in the moment, and enjoying life. I am trying to have those moments every day because I know someday you won't laugh when I wipe the whipped cream off your nose and eat it. Thank you for bearing with me while I was in a dark and twisty place. I'm back now. I'm back for you.

I love you everyday.

Mom

Being Pa

Happy Birthday Pa!!

May The Force Be with You

Although unconventional for a toddler, I thought Yoda was the most brilliant costume on the market. He is exactly Yoda sized! I have been talking about it for a good 3 months. I decided on Princess Leila for myself. And attempted to make a black cape for Pup so he could be Darth Vader. The cape worked all right but I didn't think far enough in advance to allow for a hole for his leash. So, once the leash was on, he got all kinds of confused. Seriously, am I the only one that thinks this is entirely a stroke of genius!?!

He was just so cute. I couldn't stop staring at him. I started preping him for Halloween a few weeks in advance saying he was going to wear his "silly hat". Of course, that didn't work very well and he refused to put it on. I changed my tactic and explained that his outfit made him a monster. The magic word. He wore that hat all day.

Visiting the Great Grandparents before they jetted back to Florida.

An action shot. I love that his hair peeked out of the front a little. He devoured his first Kit Kat and then I paid the price with him staying up till 10:30. He is never having chocolate again.

Happy Halloween!