Meltdowns...

This week, Alexander has been on a meltdown kick. The slightest things can set him off. One minute he's all excited to have pancakes & sit in his chair for breakfast. Then you try to snap him in and he flops all around.

Sometimes the meltdowns are small and easy to let pass, but other times he'll just kick, scream, cry for a good 20 minutes. He doesn't want to be held, but he doesn't want you to leave him alone either. So I end up sitting on the floor next to him so he can come over and flop on me if he so desires. Sometimes he needs to get it out of his system on the floor and then he'll come sit on my lap and cuddle for a bit and then cry some more.

We mentioned the meltdowns at the Dr appt yesterday and they both told us that the best thing to do is to let them get it out of their system. Let them cry, scream & fuss just make sure they're in a safe place where they're not going to hurt themselves. And to just sit next to them on their level telling them it's okay until the meltdown has passed. And thankfully, that's exactly what I have been doing.

Today he had two meltdowns all before 9am...Guess the terrible Twos & Threes came to our house early.

18 Month Dr Appointment...

Alexander had his 18 Month Dr appointment today. Meltdown. That's the best word to describe it. It was only Alexander & Drew (Kate left the group/practice and we don't know where Lucas was) so it should have been pretty easy & lowkey.

At first, Alexander & Drew were playing just fine and sometimes with each other. Lee came in to get things started and we were filling her in with updates. Dr. M joined us shortly after. And then things changed. Alexander panicked. He started to cry and it quickly escalated to silent screams of hysteria. Both Dan & I tried to calm him down and although he wanted both of us to hold him, he was not able to calm down. Dan took him out of the room and he calmed down. After a bit, Dan brought him back in but Dr. M was not there so Alexander was fine. But Dr. M was just going out to get his scale & other tools. As soon as Dr. M walked back in the room, Alexander ran over, clung to my body and started to cry again. Poor little guy probably thought he was getting more shots.

And I've noticed that when Alexander is excited (happy, sad, upset, etc) and I'm holding him, he'll pinch me quite hard! I have the bruises to prove it.

Because they weren't getting shots, this was going to be quick especially with just two of them. Dr. M went over to Drew to check him out & weigh him. Drew was pretty good except for a little fuss at the scale part. This whole time Alexander is FREAKING out. We're talking meltdown to the Nth degree.

Dr. M comes over and asks me to hold him as best as I can. He checks his ears, chest, and measures his head. He checks his stomach and abdomen and said everything looks good. Alexander does have a slight cold (sniffles/congestion) but there's nothing in his chest and his ears look fine. Then it's time to weigh him. Yeah... Alexander was having no part of that! We tried and tried and tried. Nothing. The best weight we could get was 23lbs but that's what he was at his 15 Month appt (22 lbs 15 oz) so we're not going by that. Maybe sometime this week, I'll call Lee to see if I can pop in after work when Dr M has a patient so Alexander won't see him and try to weigh him that way.

Overall - an interesting experience but a major meltdown for the books!

Back to School Outfit...

Grandma & Grandpa C sent Alexander a new outfit for "school". It's a cute little track suit that has a Winnie the Pooh on the jacket that lights up. Alexander lost interest in the light but still looked pretty darn cute in the outfit. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa, these are just for you!

Civic Duty...

Last night, Alexander partook in his first of many duties as an American. He went to the polls & voted!

Okay so he didn't vote - but he came with me as I did. He was super quiet and just took the whole thing in. There wasn't a lot of people there but the people working thought he was cute.

Well that goes without saying...

So one vote down ... 16 1/2 years until he can do it himself.

Sad Blog Note...

I am sad to report that there will be no weekly pictures uploaded. The computer is in a transition phase. I hope to get the pictures onto a separate CD so I can upload them Monday night for you.

I apologize profusely for those of you who depend on this to get you through your Monday Blues (Sorry, Mom!) Again, I hope to have these uploaded tonight for your viewing pleasure.

If it makes you feel better, I don't like not having them either...

EDITED TO ADD: Pictures are back up!

Photo Recap Flashback...Week Ending 9/14 #1

Photo Recap (Monday, September 8th - Sunday, September 14th, 2008)

Photo Recap Flashback...Week Ending 9/14 #2

Photo Recap (Monday, September 8th - Sunday, September 14th, 2008)


Alexander likes to walk on his hands now ... don't know where this came from, but he enjoys it!

Weekly Glance...

Weekly Glance (Monday, September 8th - Sunday, September 15th)

• Still getting up early (5-5:30am) every morning but also going to sleep by 7:30pm most nights
• Had a good week at school
• Ate well this week with all of his regulars (PB & Jelly, Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese). Also had some pasta and liked it
• Loves feeding himself and then have you wipe his mouth with your finger so he can eat off your finger (careful he doesn't bite)
• Woke up @ 4am on Wednesday and wanted no part of going back to sleep no matter what we tried
• Did well on Wednesday (took a 2 1/2 hour nap) @ school despite being up so early
• Played outside at school - loves playing in the little house or pushing around the car
• Ms Danielle said that the kids in Alexander's class (Alexander included) were learning how to push each other
• Loves chasing Daddy around the living room or the 1st floor
• When he takes a bath loves to swim on his belly and he's learning how to blow bubbles in the water without actually drinking it
• Went to the Petting Zoo with Daddy, Uncle Matt & Cousin Michael on Saturday
• Went to get pictures taken for 18 Months on Sunday with Mommy, Alyson & Grammie
• Wanted NO part of pictures - he wanted to be held and wouldn't sit still. We took a break and he was able to play with fake apples and that got him a little happier
• Had french fries & tried Mommy's caesar salad and appeared to like it as he tried to eat the whole thing

18 Month Pictures...

Today we (Mommy, Alyson & Grammie) took Alexander to get his 18-Month photos taken. You would never know it by looking at these pictures but he wanted NO PART of sitting there, getting his picture taken, or god forbid posing! He wanted one of us to hold him, and then he would want someone else to hold him.

We tried all the tricks and nothing worked. The fact that we actually got 23 pictures total (we only picked 6 out of those 23) is remarkable because he was one fussy little guy. And the weird thing is that he had a great nap right before.

We took the first few shots of him sitting down and he was okay but then gave up quickly. Plus the photographer didn't seem all that patient. I'll never understand why a person who is not patient would work as a photographer for kids. Plus, she kept trying to pose him even though we said he won't pose and we don't really want the poses in the pictures. Finally he gave up. we agreed we'd take a break, walk around and come back to finish.

After our break, we came back and the original girl was on break (whew) so we got Michelle who was very nice. She was also patient with him and willing to help us out. Finally, Alexander found a basket of fake apples and was interested in those. So we decided to use them as props. He was much happier when he realized he could throw the apples around. We would put them on the ladder and he would throw them and then clap. Made for much better pictures...

I'm very happy with how they turned out especially considering he was being a nudge. Plus, he looks so cute and actually looks like himself (unlike his 12 month photoshoot). Enjoy...

Itsy Bitsy...

As mentioned before Alexander has learned another song at school 'itsy bitsy spider'. He loves to make the hand gestures of the spider crawling up the water spout. Thankfully he has a little itsy bitsy spider book that we read every night before bed.

Most nights he wants me to sing the song and do the hand gestures together. And then when I'm done he'll clap and ask to do it again. It's also a cute song we can sing in the car when he's starting to get fussy.

We've been doing this song alot before bed and he still gets a huge kick out of the hand gestures.

Potty Training...

Alexander may have started potty training without being asked...

Wednesday night, we were giving Alexander his bath like we always do. We were finishing up and letting the water drain out. Alexander was standing there (I was holding onto him) and all of a sudden he started to pee in the bathtub. He seemed a bit confused and then thought he was supposed to do something with his hand as he went to help himself. Thankfully he didn't pee on his hands. But for the first time he didn't do all that bad.

Then Thursday night, we were getting the tub ready. Alexander was standing waiting patiently. Daddy took off the diaper and then all of a sudden I noticed Alexander was standing outside of the tub and was peeing on the floor - while standing. This time he was holding onto the tub.

We got two days in a row of him peeing while standing. This is by NO MEANS a time to start potty training, but something I thought was cute & funny. And it allowed me to clean the tub & floor which is never a bad thing for me.

One Week Down...

One whole week has passed without a pacifier.

We've had some very early mornings that would normally be small blimps if he had his pacifier.

The car rides haven't been that bad (except for the vomit one).

We may be on our way ... time to hide the others.

Housekeeping Note...

Due to some computer issues - I'm only going to be able to post one batch of photos rather than my normal two. I'll try to get more posted during the week when the computer is cooperative.

For right now, these are pictures taken in the beginning part of the week. Thanks for your understanding.

Photo Flashback...Week Ending 9/7

Picture Recap (Monday, September 1st - September 7th, 2008)*

*These pictures are from Monday, Sept 1st (Labor Day) and Sunday, Sept 7th as this was the week the computer started going downhill. Note: Pictures were not taken on Saturday, September 6th as Mommy had the camera and forgot to tell Daddy about the other camera. This was the 4th day in Alexander's life where we did not get a picture of him -April 1st & 6th, 2007 and May 16th & Sept 6th, 2008 are the missing picture days.

Playing in/on/around a box we got from the store and it became an indoor sled!

Here he was putting the suntan lotion on his legs all by himelf...I'd put a small amount on his hands, and he'd rub it on his legs - doing a good job I might add.

Sunday - chillin' at home with Daddy, watching football (he does touchdown now on his own)

Picture Recap...

Picture Recap (Monday, August 31st - Sunday, September 7th, 2008)

Week Glance...

Week Glance (Monday, August 31st - Sunday, September 7th, 2008)

• Had a good week at school - played outside every day. Loves playing in the little house
• Alexander got a new teacher at school, Ms. Caitlin. She's very sweet and seems outgoing which is nice. Ms Caitlin is going to be helping Ms. Mary Jo
• No school/work on Monday for Labor Day
• Matt, Laura & Michael came over for a mini cookout in the afternoon
• Alexander & Michael played 'around' each other but didn't ignore each other - a few more times playing together and they'll be good friends
• After our cookout, we went to get ice cream at Swirls & Scoops. Alexander actually had some and didn't spit it out
• His pacifier broke which meant two things: either use a new one or wean. He didn't realize it but he chose the wean option
• No pacifier has made for an interesting bedtime but he hasn't been that bad, it just takes a bit longer for him to settle himself down
• Tuesday night (1st night of no pacifier) was really hard. Took him 90 minutes to calm down and fall asleep. We took turns rubbing his back and staying with him until he fell asleep finally at 8:40pm
• Got the last of his MMR shot which he was okay in the Dr office but hated the actual shot
• Got himself so worked up that he threw up for the first time in the car (this was the 2nd time he threw up but this one was pretty bad and the 1st time because he was so worked up)
• Alexander & Daddy had some male bonding time while Mommy went to go see about some boys...
• Woke up @ 5:30am on Saturday but went into bed with Daddy and slept til 7am
• Went to visit Matt, Laura & cousin Michael
• No pictures taken on Saturday September 6th (Mommy had the camera and forgot to tell Daddy the smaller one was at home)
• Sunday was a lowkey day at home - although he woke up VERY early @ 4:30am
• Was a bit of a picky eater over the weekend
• Had a Nilla wafer for the first time & enjoyed it
• Loves peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
• Actually knows how to snap with his fingers...99% of the time sound doesn't happen but he knows what to do. Impressive

Daddy & Alexander day...

Mommy had day planned so that meant Daddy & Alexander got to spend the day together.

Alexander woke up @ 5:30am, so Daddy brought him into bed where they both slept til 7am!
Then after some breakfast & playing they went to go visit Uncle Matt & Laura at their new place. Alexander & Michael got to play together again - two weekends in a row!

Alexander then had an early afternoon nap and hung out with Daddy. They played with blocks, chased each other around the house and went to the Mall to get out of the humid, muggy air.

Then as they were finishing dinner, Mommy came home and gave him a bath...what a nice way to spend a Saturday.

Rough Night...

Wednesday night we had Alexander's last MMR shot..I was a bit nervous since last time he was horrified and this time we didn't have a pacifier. Plus, a little boy just after a shot, in rush hour traffic with no pacifier does not a good time make.

He was actually okay at the doctor's office. He was trying to give Dr. M his fishy and waving. But as soon as Dr. M rubbed the alcohol swap, Alexander freaked out. His whole body turned into a giant 2x4 with flailing arms. The shot was super quick and after a brief moment or two of cuddling, Alexander fine. By the time we reached the receptionist desk, he was happy & waving.

The drive home was better than anticipated until we got 20 minutes out. Then he started to cry, scream & turn to hysterics. He was crying harder & harder. As I got off the exit, I thought to myself "wow, we're pretty lucky that he's never made himself sick with his crying". Well I jinxed it because when we were on our road, he was crying so hard that he got sick. Poor little guy threw up all over himself. It was something right out of the Exorcist!

I pulled in the driveway and tried to clean him up as much as I could in the car. We got inside but not easily as he was crying, screaming, & kicking. I got his clothes off and started the tub. I tried to give him water, let him walk, hold him - but nothing made him happy or calm down. He was probably crying for another 20 minutes once we got home. We were sitting on the tub and he was crying yet snuggling into me. As soon as I filled the tub, he calmed down and started to fall asleep. WHAT? After 40 minutes - he just falls asleep? Odd.

I sat on the tub for a bit then moved to the couch where he kept sleeping. Tried to bring him upstairs and he wanted no part of that. As soon as I came back down he fell asleep again. He slept on my lap for about 20 minutes and then woke up as if nothing happened. We played with his blocks, took a bath, read some books and then went to bed as if it was a normal evening.

Odd.

Uh Oh...

The moment has finally come.

We knew it would.

I just didn't know if we'd be ready when it happened.

I know Alexander's not ready - he proved that tonight.

The pacifier went buh-bye.

Yesterday, Alexander pulled out his pacifer and gave it to me but kept picking at it. I noticed that it was icky and that it wouldn't be much longer before it gave way. So I boiled it & cleaned it to try to make it better for him. I got home tonight and Dan pointed out the 'uh oh' factor. His pacifier got a whole in it. He's been sucking on it for so long that it was bound to break eventually. Now he has several other pacifiers - three of them are IDENTICAL to his current one. However, he refuses to use them. He knows that they're not HIS pacificer. They sound different, they smell different, and feel different. He won't even touch one of them.

We decided not to give him his current one because we don't want plastic breaking off and having him choking/swallowing it. So - he has two options. Get used to a new one which is the same kind or go without. We put both of his identical pacifiers in his crib tonight with him, but he kept refusing them.

The poor little guy was tired almost exhausted but he wouldn't fall asleep. He couldn't get comfortable no matter what he tried. I cuddled with him, then I put him in his crib and rubbed his back for about 20 minutes. I left and it was okay. Then 3 minutes later he screamed. He cried for 10 minutes. Finally I couldn't bare it anymore so I went back in to try to calm him down. I was in there for 25 minutes. I was convinced he was about to fall asleep several times. But alas no. Then he stood up and wanted to play. So I laid him down and rubbed his back again. I tried to sneak out but he wanted no part of that.

Dan went in this time. He was in there for 10 minutes and came out with a quiet Alexander. I was in awe. Then about 10 minutes later, Alexander started screaming again. I let him cry for about 5 minutes to see if he would calm himself down. No luck. I went up and rocked him to sleep. He fell asleep at 8:30. That's super late for him! It's now 9:45p and he's still asleep...fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed for the first day in the car without his pacifier!

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, August 25th - Sunday, August 31st, 2008)