Slip Slidin'

Wyatt hates the slide.  Its just a thing.  He will go down little ones but runs to the top of large slides and then goes back down the way he came.  There is no cajoling, no bribing, no riding down together.  Kid just won't do it.  So, I stopped trying.  Figured it was a phase and he'll slide when he's ready.  Then we were at the park (we go almost every other day), he went down on his belly.  No Big Deal.  Just did it.  He still will only go on his belly.  But its a start, right?

Side note: I was so excited I almost peed myself. Literally, I was running, jumping around taking pictures, cheering.  I don't think I could have been happier if he solved world hunger.  That's my boy.  On the big slide.

Time-Out

Wyatt and I have been having some problems.  I have mentioned this before.  About his refusal to listen.  His sometimes dreadful sharing skills.  His willingness to push my last button.  His talking back.  And of course his repeated use of that God Awful word: no.  In response, I have added the time-out chair.  Which worked for about 2 minutes.  He simply doesn't care.  It's not incentive enough for him to quit his bad behaviour.  He will give himself time-outs when he is being extra crabby.  On my next attempt, I decided to take away toys.  I would give him 2 warnings and on the 3 he gets something taken away and put on the top of the fridge.  He can get them back if he has an extra good day.  I still do that sometimes but it is only really effective when I can take something away immediately.  It doesn't work if we are out.  By the time we make it home, he is usually better behaved and has forgotten all about the incident.

Then we hit an impasse.  Drew, Wyatt and I were out to dinner.  For whatever reason, Wyatt was not having it.  He is always amazing so I guess he is allowed a bad day occasionally.  He asked to go to the bathroom about 3 times simply because he was bored.  Then he was running up and down the handicap ramp.  He refused to listen when our food came out.  Didn't eat one bite.  I tried all my tricks.  Nothing worked.  Finally, I asked him to sit down or we were going to leave.  He smirked at me and started walking backwards.  I looked at Drew, told him I was sorry but I had to grab Wyatt and run.  That Wyatt was testing me and I needed to act.  Could he please grab the check and meet us in the car?  As soon as I reached Wyatt he started screaming.  He was upset, I was upset.  As I was struggling to put him in his car seat and my face was inches from his, he reared back and slapped me.  Right. Across. My. Face.  I lost it.  It was the last straw.  Hitting is absolutely unacceptable.  Where did he even learn something like that?  I was screaming.  Wyatt was hysterical.  By the time Drew got into the car, no one was talking.  I couldn't even breathe, I was so upset.

After calling Jen, Kari, and chatting with Mom, I came up with another plan.  Obviously the time-out chair did not work, neither was taking away toys.  What about trying something I haven't done?  Why not reward positive behaviour instead of punishing bad?  (Totally Jen's idea. Give credit where credit's due.  She doesn't even have kids yet...brilliant)  Of course, Wyatt will always respond better to the things he is doing right.  So, I came up with this system. If he has a good day (see: sharing well, listening to his momma, cleaning up, etc) he gets a gold star for the day.  When he reaches 10 gold stars he gets a gift or an adventure, pretty much whatever he chooses.  Its his day.  Gammy bought this school bus chart and I put it by his bed.  Every night we go over why it was a gold star day or why it wasn't.  If he starts acting up all I have to say is "I'm not sure its going to be a gold star day, or, that's not really gold star behavior." And he usually stops.

This has been for about 3 months now.  I am not terribly consistant, which is a problem.  There are nights when we get home late or he's really tired that we don't put stars on.  But for the first month, it was religion.  And his behaviour changed.  He has been amazing.  There was one day that he was really upset and he turned to me with hand raised ready to hit me.  I grabed his wrist, got down on my knees, and said "Think about what you are doing right now.  Are you sure you want to do that?"  And he stopped.  That was the last time he tried to hit me.

For his first 10 stars, he asked to go to Toys R Us.  He tried riding every training wheeled bike in the store.  I was convinced that he was going to ask for another bike.  I said he had $50.  He ended up picking out this tow truck for $20.  That's what he wanted.  His second 10 stars, we went to Chuck E Cheese.  Mom told him that when he gets to 100 stars, we'll go to LegoLand.  At the rate he is going we will be there by Christmas.

Holy Hiatus, Batman!

Hello.  Anyone out there.  Have I lost all interest since I have taken a big ole' sabbatical. I really wish I could say it was for some really good, fabulous reason.  But it's really not.  I've just gotten lazy.

Anyway, first topic of business:

Saturday pictures are going to be postponed for a while.  Because I went and got my camera (well, Rebecca's really but I was using it...see: worst sister EVER) Stolen.  Yes, thats right.  The beautiful digital SLR that I love and cherish has been stolen.  So, I am stuck with a little point and shoot that is not much fun to use or my camera on my blackberry that takes pretty awful pictures.  I really haven't been taking that many pictures as a result of this disaster.

When we were coming home from Colorado I was faced with a dilemma. I had a decent sized pack that I was carrying (with my laptop, toys, books, snacks, markers, essentials) plus our coats and Wyatt and his small backpack with cars to look after while navigating 2 airports.  I really wanted to add my camera to that list but with its extra weight and size I thought it would break the camels back and surely I would lose something; probably Wyatt, as I was juggling all our things.  I sat in our room, packing, staring at my laptop in one hand and the camera in my other.  I decided to keep the laptop with us and stow the camera in our checked bag.  I put it into the case, wrapped it in Wyatt's winter jacket, tied the sleeves around the case and buried it in the middle of our suitcase.  I also threw my point in shoot camera in the bag as well.

We get to the airport, check our bag, get on our flight.  Our bag goes to Newark.  We go to JFK.  Great. By the time we land in NY, we have been traveling for 8+ hours.  Its 11pm.  Wyatt has reached his toddler patience level after being AMAZING on the flights.  I am ready to be home and fed...cause, did I mention, we almost missed our connection because we were late landing.  And missed getting lunch and US Airways evidently doesn't sell dinner.  Great.  I didn't even really care that our bag didn't show up.  I was just happy to be in the home stretch with a potential Diner in our future.  When I go to report our missing bag there are about 15 people on line.  There was NO WAY it was going to be ok.  So, we left.  I decided I would deal with the bag tomorrow.

I had to pick the bag up at JFK 2 days later. Since I didn't file a claim immediately they couldn't send it to me.  Wyatt was ok with the extra trip cause we made a pit stop at Auntie B's.  When I got my bag with the little lock still in place, I just grabbed it and left.  It wasn't until I got home that I realized the SLR camera was missing.  Everything else in tact.  Everything else accounted for.  I was livid.  I AM Livid.  When a lady from US Airways baggage told me that she was sorry for my lost items, I lost it.  I was screaming 'You stole my camera.  It wasn't lost.  It was stolen!'  Clearly, they have not owned up to the incident.  But believe me.  I will get them to give me something.  Damn it.  I paid $25 in baggage fees for them to steal my camera.

When I told Bec, I asked if she wanted the good news or bad news.  The bad news: I lost her camera.  The good news: it gives me a damn good excuse to buy a new fancy one with my tax return!

38/39 Months

Bud,

I think Colorado is a pretty good reason for combining two months of letters.  Although, I'll admit I am feeling rather guilty about it.  I have been so diligent and things have seemed to fall a little apart lately.  This whole no nap thing is working out really well.  However, by the time I get you to bed at 8, I usually just want to sit, watch TV, and be lazy.  And funny enough, it is hard to remember all that we have done in two months.  My memory is going.  I am seeing the genius of post-it notes all over again.

In addition to the Colorado adventure, we spent several other days running around the city on other photo shoots.  First was a Toys R Us packaging shoot in Jersey.  You had to sit and play with this little fire truck.  Easy Cheesy.  They took about 22 pictures and the photographer said 8 were tagged as good. I was impressed.  But hell, I'm always impressed with you.  Then we trekked into the city to play on playgrounds and have dinner with Auntie B.  The second shoot was for this fancy Italian clothing company called Il Gufo.  That one went less then fabulous.  We had an 8am call in the city but they weren't really ready for you until 11.  It was a lot of waiting around.  Although you did have a great time hanging out on the street with some of the other kids.  Sharing all your trucks very nicely.  They opened the garage doors to the studio that led out to a cobblestone street in the meatpacking district.  You played tag, lost a library book, and had some snacks.  Then promptly fell asleep on Drew's lap when they were ready for you.  I think they got one or two good pictures with A LOT of toy bribing.  We left and went directly to Toys R Us for your just reward.  I think we might take a break with the clothing shoots for a while now.  You really could care less about changing clothes 12 times and taking pictures.



Can you see the film crew?



We finally got around to having your 3-year-old well visit.  I kept on making appointments and you would be sick.  And (who knew) you can't combine well visits and sick visits.  You are 35lbs and 3'4" tall.  Still clocking in the 95th percentile for height.  75th for weight.  I had been worried about your eating habits which are picky, at best.  I can't remember the last time you willingly ate a vegetable.  You are living off of cream cheese and baked clams lately (not together, Thank God.).  I'll give you breadsticks with cream cheese and find you digging your finger in the cream cheese like its frosting.  But it seems like you are doing just fine.  What I am really worried about is that damn binky.  I have been trying to get you to loose it for months now.  When you made your room switch, I laid off for a while.  (Which is still going FABULOUSLY!!!)  My new rule is your binky belongs in your bed.  But then sometimes you'll get mad and storm off upstairs and get it.  I'll find you playing contently, on the floor of your room, with the damn binky.  I even tried the binky fairy.  But you told me that she is not going to take your binky's away because thats not nice because their yours.  Clearly.  I know you will stop eventually and I have to be patient but a 3 year old with a binky habit is just not ok with me.

I had a huge scare with you the other day.  I was on our street chatting with another mom while you ran around with all the kids.  Typically nice weather behavior.  You have run up and down without my assistance a million times.  The kids range from 2 to 10 years old and kind of take care of each other.  Anyway, I watched you walk down the side street with Gianna and turn out of my sightline.  I assumed that you were headed into their backyard.  5 minutes later, Gianna returns.  Without You.  "Where's Wyatt?" I asked.  Gianna shrugged.  I start running down the street with Liam, 5, and Athena, 7, calling your name. We head down the side street all the way to its end at the beach.  No you.  Visions of you running on the road, floating on the water are rushing through my head.  Athena went one way, Liam and I the other.  We found you around the corner, playing in the sand.  "I wanted to go to the beach." you told me as I reprimanded you for leaving without me.  I was hyperventilating and dragging you back home.  Once I sat down and assessed the situation, I realized I had probably never told you Not to go down the beach by yourself.  I have always been by your side.  You are becoming more independent, which is good.  But it has happened again, which is not.  I found you on the front porch. "Getting something." Mini-Houdini. I am considering investing in a leash.

Dad and I took you to the park to try out your new bike.  Sadly, I think you might have inherited my abysmal coordination skills.  You really love riding but can't seem to steer and pedal at the same time.  Either you are focused on steering and your feet don't move or your feet are going a mile a minute and the bike is in a bush.  You will get it with more practice.  You also have a tendency to jump off the bike while it is moving claiming that it has "run out of gas" and you need to fill it up.  No matter how many times I have tried to explain that YOU are the GAS, you are convinced that your big two wheeler (plus training wheels) needs gas.  I really want you to get it because we have been riding in my bike a lot lately and I am not sure you are going to last much longer in that little seat.  It will be tons of fun to ride together.  Remember, Fancy Nancy, says 'Less then a mile, bike in style.'

We have been having some hard times lately, which might be another post all together. I think we are testing each other.  You are seeing how definitive my boundaries lie and I am testing the limits of my patience.  I just feel like we are on opposite sides of the spectrum.  Going to the same place but taking two very different directions.  You have seen a lot of the time-out chair.  Sometimes you even give yourself time-outs.  Despite our arguments, I try to remind you after every fight and at every night how much I love you.  I try to hug you a little more, kiss you when you will let me.  Be as attentive to you as I possibly can.  Try to show you I love you in between bargaining to leave the store without a toy, or begging you to go to the bathroom, or creatively distracting while wrangling you into your clothes.  We were in the car and out of the blue, utterly unprovoked, you said "I love you Momma."  Maybe it is sinking in that no matter the rough times, I will always love you.  That the love part is permeant and everything else is just a phase.

I love you everyday,

Your Momma

Fast Forward 20 Years

Ah, Wilderness!

Our fabulous adventure has come to an end and my God, it was an amazing opportunity.  We had such a blast with a little mild drama mixed in, just a typical family vacation!

So, Dunton is very hard to get to.  We flew into Denver then waited for a flight to Durango, which was delayed, then had a 2 hour drive to Dunton.  We got in around 2 am with the 2 hour time difference.  It was a little concerning when the driver turned onto a red dirt road and told us it was another 10 miles of switchback turns with no guardrails.  However, when we woke up the next morning and had a look around, it was worth it.  This place is gorgeous.  Way up in the mountains with log cabins dotted around.  The views are incredible and the food is to die for.

The first day of shooting were these fake saw horses that the kids got to sit on.  All the boys wore boots and spurs, the girls in cowboy hats.  Wyatt ran up with a carrot trying to feed this fake horse with a lampshade head.  Considering he got about 5 hours of sleep the night before, he did great.  But he most definitely had more fun running around with the kids then shooting pictures.  The next day was robots.  I told him to go fix the robot.  He grabbed a tool out of the spare parts bucket and got to work.  However, every time the photographer gave him direction he insisted that he was fixing the robot and refused to move from his spot.  He is 3 going on 80.  A little old man stuck in his ways.  And he is just so stubborn.  (Which is probably genetic.  I am not sure who is more stubborn, Terry or I.)  I was slightly embarrassed about his lack of cooperation but at the same time, I wasn't going to make him do something that he didn't want to.  This is suppose to be fun, for myself and him, and I will always strive for that no matter who I am upsetting.  So, I didn't force it which I think got the photographer (and company) a little upset with me.

The natural hot springs very relaxing despite some coaxing and hesitation.  Wyatt just couldn't seem to get past the red water and stone siding.  Plus the 106 degree heat.  I thought it was really exotic.  At the outdoor spring there was, what seemed to me, a run off/over flow stream.  So, while I soaked in the hot spring, Wyatt played contented in the hot stream.  We took a small hike to the frozen waterfall through the snow listening for wildlife.  Our cabin was a little hike from the Saloon area.  We hoofed it several times.  The first time, Wyatt insisted on piggybacking and when we got to the cabin I literally thought I was going to die.  I could barely catch my breath.  It was only later that I found out we were at 9,000 ft and it does funny things to your body.  And here I thought I was entirely out of shape.

A stock photo of our room.  The coyote was right there.

While Wyatt was napping one day and I was reading in bed, I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye.  A coyote came down from the hills crossed the small frozen trout pond and started digging right outside our french doors. I jumped up, took a ton of pictures, then ran around our cabin trying to find someone to tell.  Of course, almost everyone was napping or with doors closed.  The coyote stayed for about 30 minutes.  When we got home Wyatt told the story over and over.  Funny cause he was sleeping.  A total indication that I talk way to much.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous.  This was the first time I have done anything like this, to this extend, with Wyatt by myself.  He has reached a somewhat challenging age.  He is amazing 90% of the time.  But there are times when he throws fits, or repeatedly tells me 'No', or refuses to listen, or it feels like I have said his name 12 times in the past 10 minutes.  Its totally normal toddler behavior but my patience levels are less then stellar.  6 days, no breaks, 4 planes, long car rides, altitude sickness, new food, best behavior.  Its a little intimidating.  I wasn't sure if I was going to make it without a fight.  Well, of course, we were going to Make it.  I just thought that maybe with one of Wyatt's meltdowns, I might have my own.  Just for good measure.  Stamp my feet a little.  But I didn't.  He didn't.  We didn't.  We survived and had a great time.  I am giving myself a well deserved pat on the back.

Don't Get Too Comfortable, Bud

Hiatus

Hi All,

So I have some quite exciting news and a completely viable reason for Wyatt's monthly letter being postponed.  Wyatt, with his adorably cute face and personality, booked a photo shoot in....
.....wait for it....

COLORADO!!!!!!

I am struggling to pack at the moment with about a 24 hour notice and heading out for a flight at 5pm until the 16th.  It is like a mini-vacation and I am totally stoked!  We are staying at a little place called Dunton Hot Springs that looks incredible.  Mountains, snow, campfires, bears....here we come!!!

Wish us luck!  Lots of pictures and stories surely to come.

All my love,
Kate and Wyatt

Big Boy Bed

Drum roll please..... Wyatt has been officially moved into his big boy bed in his big boy room for a solid two weeks already!!  Most of you know that I have been trying to make this transition for a while but honestly didn't really know how to do it.  My room (our room until recently) is on the first floor.  Wyatt's new room (formerly Rebecca's room) is on the second floor.  It is kind of weird having him on a different floor.  He's so far away.  What if I don't hear him and he sleep stumbles down the stairs?  What if he keeps Mom and Dad up all night?  What if the entire thing is a nightmare and just delays the process even further?

So, I didn't push it.  We talked about him moving to the room upstairs.  We picked out a comforter together and I got it for him for Christmas.  We talked about painting the room.  We bought curtains.  I am painting these cute canvases for him that he picks out the colors for.  I bought these adorable truck wall stickers that we decorated his room with.  Then one night he grabbed his blanket and binky and headed upstairs to sleep in his "big boy room".  I rolled with it, even though the room wasn't entirely ready.  I wasn't entirely ready.  He has been up there ever since.  And has even had several nights, from 9pm to 8am completely by himself.  No calling for me.  No leaving his bed.  Only the rustling of sheets as he rolls over.

There have been minor setbacks.  Very, very minor.  First, he does call for me.  Usually around 3am.  At which point, I am exhausted and usually end up falling back asleep in his bed.  I don't really think this is a big deal because at least he is STAYING in his room.  He does not wander around in the middle of the night.  And when I don't fall asleep and go back downstairs, he's fine.  Just needs to get tucked back in, a few kisses, and he's back sleeping.  Second, he doesn't really nap anymore except if he's not feeling well or if he is really wiped out.  On the few occasions that he does nap, he's asked to sleep in my bed.  Again, not really a huge problem because I don't foresee him napping for much longer.  Third, there has been lots of bed hopping.  Sometimes I sleep in the third bedroom upstairs to be closer to Wy, most of the time I'm downstairs.  When Rebecca comes home there are less beds.  I am thinking about getting a futon in Wyatt's room just for some added bed space and maybe some added cool couch factor for his friends.  God knows he loves showing off his new room.

It has been amazing.  He has been amazing.  I am shocked.  I expected it to be so hard.  After reading all these child sleep books, I expected to be sleeping on the floor for months while he got adjusted. I guess he was just ready.  He loves it up there.  He has so easily made the switch.  I, however, am not doing as well.  I wake up a lot wondering where I am or where Wyatt is.  I have had a really hard time adjusting to sleeping by myself.  I can't seem to get comfortable.  And I definitely cannot sleep through the night.  In fact, a lot of times, it takes all my will power not to run up the stairs and go cuddle with the boy.  Ah, how the tables have turned!

Worker Man

Compromising Positions

Just a typical day at 105.  Playing with toys, on the toilet, for hours.  The best seat in the house.

Yes, this is what happens to my clean laundry.  Dog has problems.  For real.

Ham, Big Fat Ham.

37 Months

Bud,

That month FLEW by!  I seriously don't know what happened.  I'm all amped up on spring coming.  Every spare second I have been trying to get us outside.  You got this fabulous new scooter for your birthday from William, Em, and Chris.  You are in love but not very skilled.  It took us about 45 minutes to get to the bench, a usually 2 minute walk.  But you insisted on bringing the scooter.  You are not very confidant, refusing to but both feet on, and refusing to allow me to pull you.  Maybe mastering the scooter will prepare you for bike riding. (OMG.....I am so excited!!!)

Your birthday party was a great success.  However, the prolonged partying (you had your actual birthday, then a party at Dads, then at school, then a party at home 2 weeks later) got you thinking that everyday was your birthday.  Every morning, for a few weeks, you would insist that today was your birthday.  There was no talking you out of it.  You started demanding a different cake each day.  Meanwhile, planning on a fireman theme party for weeks, I had bought a tons of fire truck themed plates, decorations, etc, etc.  So then you wanted a dump truck cake, then a cherry picker cake, then back to a fire truck cake, then a tow truck.  It gave me anxiety.  Finally, I convinced you that a fire truck cake was the best and you even helped place the gum drop lights.  I was (Hell, I still am) seriously proud of this cake.  (What you can't see is after being out of the fridge for a few hours, it started melting.  Literally half of the cab fell off right before blowing out candles. Oi)  You are already asking for a cherry picker party for next year.  I think I might need a practice round for that cake.

I hate to say it but you have been exercising your terrible two's on me lately.  I thought we were out of this phase but it turns out you are still testing your limits.  I have to admit.  I am a sucker.  I am a sucker for your "big tears."  And for your "please, please" in ascending octaves.  And you have learned to capitalize on my inability to say no.  I was so proud that we made it though the twos without having to drag you out of a store, kicking and screaming.  Then, twice in the past month, I've had to haul you, over my shoulder, having a tantrum to the car.  However, I'm not sure if it was because I was ACTUALLY saying no which I haven't done with regularity before or if you were having an Honest to God Tantrum.  I'm just worried that if I can't get you to respect my "no" now what happens at 6 or 13. And, my love, honestly, we do not need another toy in this house.  Enough is enough.  We are drowning in toys.

You have these two great friends at school, Chase and Peter.  You talk about them constantly.  When we get home you ask if I can call Chase's mom to go play at his house.  Or you will walk into the den with your coat and declare that you are going to Peter's house.  It really is the cutest thing.  The other day we got the 3 of you together (plus momma's), got pizza and went to the playground.  You loved every minute.  Running after your friends, exploring together, laughing and being silly.  The best part is, I really like the other mom's.  They're cool and really on my parenting level.  I wasn't sure I was going to meet people like me at St. John's.  And I am hoping that these are friends you might spend a lifetime with.

Wyatt, I absolutely adore you.  Even when you're having a tantrum.  Even when you are saying no repeatedly.  Even when you are running in the opposite direction.  Even when I am not feeling very patient and you are pushing my last button.  You still manage to amaze me everyday.  Still manage to take my breath away with your clever sayings.  And beyond all expectation still manage to be the most wonderful and fulfilling part of my life.

I love you everyday,
Mom

The Hulk as Seen by Wyatt

"Wyatt, what do you want to dress up as?"

"A construction man super hero"

And so it shall be, my son.

Birthday Cupcakes