And yes, Dad, we did replace the electrical outlet with one impervious to a now-standing child. Funny now that we thought we'd have an entertainment center in that corner and not the second crib. Life is good as we know it. Monito is definitely entertaining, too.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Standing Tall
Here's the boy's first time rolling over and pulling himself up in his crib. The pride is evident. He received much kissing and cooing for his efforts.
And yes, Dad, we did replace the electrical outlet with one impervious to a now-standing child. Funny now that we thought we'd have an entertainment center in that corner and not the second crib. Life is good as we know it. Monito is definitely entertaining, too.
And yes, Dad, we did replace the electrical outlet with one impervious to a now-standing child. Funny now that we thought we'd have an entertainment center in that corner and not the second crib. Life is good as we know it. Monito is definitely entertaining, too.
Sunny Saturday
Finally, winter is gone. We usually have a Nor'Easter or killing frost at least once every spring, but for the most part we are in shorts and t-shirts now for the next six months.
This past Saturday we decided to take Cosmo the new puppy for some socializing at the dog park next to the marina in our town. He has graduated to being loose in the invisible fence in our yard and has acclimated remarkably fast. He is out hunting small animals and romping for hours with the other dogs; his spirits are so good and he continues to be a super dog. Not having to walk him on a leash outside anymore? Priceless.
Homestead Mama takes him into the fenced-in dog park to play while I walk around the perimeter with the babies in the stroller. They like to watch Cosmo and H-Mama from afar, and pass him cookies through the fence when he comes close enough. Afterwards, we took him along the lake and let him have his first - possibly ever - swim in a lake. All his breeding descends from water dogs, and he was clearly excited to be splashing around. He'll have to have another dog show him the ropes with swimming - he didn't even attempt it.
Pequita really likes to throw stones in the water - they only go about six inches from her body, but she like the ripples nonetheless.
Monito is still happy in the stroller watching a lot of the time, and it is easier to keep him out of the sun that way. 
We took him out for a walk as we headed back to the car. Pequita wanted to hold his hand and help him like Mommy does, but tends to run these days instead of walking and kept pulling him over. He loved it, and was cracking up as he picked himself up over and over. Watching them crack each other up is really funny and heartwarming.
We got popsicles on the way home to cool off, and the kids are really getting the hang of eating them. The all-fruit mango and melon are their clear favorites. We had a lovely day. Sunday we spent wandering around the local plant nursery picking out the pine trees we plan to buy to buy ourselves some privacy from the road at the corner we live on. We will buy three nice thick wide ones and plant them a little too close to each other so their branches will block the view of the road. We'll also buy another five or six holly bushes to keep working on our hedge. I am expecting the gorgeous open fields we are surrounded by to be fully developed within the next fifteen years or so, and want our yard to have lots of privacy when that happens. Planting now gives us time to get things nice and large and full by then. When we lived in Switzerland when I was kid, all the houses had 6' tall or bigger hedges all around the yard. They were a beautiful way to keep kids safe and in the yard and traffic noise out, and also helped neighbors enjoy each other a bit more. I have always wanted that again - it seems such a civilized way to live. Homestead Mama likes the idea, and so we plant a few more things each year. I'll get before and after pics of that up as well soon.
This past Saturday we decided to take Cosmo the new puppy for some socializing at the dog park next to the marina in our town. He has graduated to being loose in the invisible fence in our yard and has acclimated remarkably fast. He is out hunting small animals and romping for hours with the other dogs; his spirits are so good and he continues to be a super dog. Not having to walk him on a leash outside anymore? Priceless.
Homestead Mama takes him into the fenced-in dog park to play while I walk around the perimeter with the babies in the stroller. They like to watch Cosmo and H-Mama from afar, and pass him cookies through the fence when he comes close enough. Afterwards, we took him along the lake and let him have his first - possibly ever - swim in a lake. All his breeding descends from water dogs, and he was clearly excited to be splashing around. He'll have to have another dog show him the ropes with swimming - he didn't even attempt it.
Pequita really likes to throw stones in the water - they only go about six inches from her body, but she like the ripples nonetheless.
Monito is still happy in the stroller watching a lot of the time, and it is easier to keep him out of the sun that way. 
We took him out for a walk as we headed back to the car. Pequita wanted to hold his hand and help him like Mommy does, but tends to run these days instead of walking and kept pulling him over. He loved it, and was cracking up as he picked himself up over and over. Watching them crack each other up is really funny and heartwarming.
We got popsicles on the way home to cool off, and the kids are really getting the hang of eating them. The all-fruit mango and melon are their clear favorites. We had a lovely day. Sunday we spent wandering around the local plant nursery picking out the pine trees we plan to buy to buy ourselves some privacy from the road at the corner we live on. We will buy three nice thick wide ones and plant them a little too close to each other so their branches will block the view of the road. We'll also buy another five or six holly bushes to keep working on our hedge. I am expecting the gorgeous open fields we are surrounded by to be fully developed within the next fifteen years or so, and want our yard to have lots of privacy when that happens. Planting now gives us time to get things nice and large and full by then. When we lived in Switzerland when I was kid, all the houses had 6' tall or bigger hedges all around the yard. They were a beautiful way to keep kids safe and in the yard and traffic noise out, and also helped neighbors enjoy each other a bit more. I have always wanted that again - it seems such a civilized way to live. Homestead Mama likes the idea, and so we plant a few more things each year. I'll get before and after pics of that up as well soon.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Pequita's 18 month Stats
Solidly healthy except for this cold, and measuring in at the 83rd %ile for both height and weight. Good all around. No more vaccinations until kindergarten - yippee!
Monito Flips
Yeah, sure, he's turned over before, from back to front, front to back. But the little boy hasn't ever realized that he could DO IT ON COMMAND.
Last night, Monito was quite sad when I tossed him back in his crib at 3 am in a fit of irritated exhaustion after the fourth HOUR of the must-keep-nipple-in-mouth-or-I'll-scream-bloody-murder bonanza. Pacifiers are so very nine months, you see, and only live flesh will do now. Anyway, he listened to his mobile and watched stuff spin around for 20 minutes while carrying on a chat with his zebra, then fussed (wah, wah, wah, pause, pause, repeat) for about 30 minutes, then hunkered down for some serious crying. Pequita and Homestead Mama dozed through all this but I was awake and listening for the change in tone that signified irreparable mental trauma from neglect. All of a sudden, Monito thrashed in anger and accidentally rolled over onto his stomach in his crib. Instant quiet. Shock. Then I could hear the smile crack across his face. From this new position on his stomach, he immediately did what his sister has taught him and stood up, held onto the crib bars and bounced. This feat of self control precipitated such an episode of happy chortling and mirth that it was nigh impossible not to leap up and dance him proudly around the room, but I was busy laying the groundwork for the crib training that is rushing at the little nipple-obsessed booger by ignoring him. Then he realized that although he was vertical, he still had no nipple in his mouth and began to cry in earnest. At this point I took pity on Pequita who was stirring and fetched the boy back into my bed.
Man alive, but things are moving fast with him now. He has been pulling to a stand and scooting along furniture with ease for a few weeks, and can beat me to the dogs' water bucket with enough of a head start. He has begun to crawl to the center of a space where there is no support and perform a maneuver that resembles a surfer trying to rise to his feet on his board on the open ocean - hands extended out for balance, a slow rise to one knee and then the wobbly attempt to rise to a stand on both feet. He still inevitably falls kerplunk onto his butt, but he grins the whole time. (Finally, Dad, we really can't leave him unattended on the diaper changing table.) It has been a blissfully long run of him being a potato and not even making efforts to move, but the days of Monito being where we put him down are gone for good. I have a picture of him standing in his crib, but have to wait to post it until I download it off the camera. It is almost 3 am and I can't sleep because of the cough that I have, but I'll be damned if I commit to being awake enough to deal with more technology than simple blogging.
Last night, Monito was quite sad when I tossed him back in his crib at 3 am in a fit of irritated exhaustion after the fourth HOUR of the must-keep-nipple-in-mouth-or-I'll-scream-bloody-murder bonanza. Pacifiers are so very nine months, you see, and only live flesh will do now. Anyway, he listened to his mobile and watched stuff spin around for 20 minutes while carrying on a chat with his zebra, then fussed (wah, wah, wah, pause, pause, repeat) for about 30 minutes, then hunkered down for some serious crying. Pequita and Homestead Mama dozed through all this but I was awake and listening for the change in tone that signified irreparable mental trauma from neglect. All of a sudden, Monito thrashed in anger and accidentally rolled over onto his stomach in his crib. Instant quiet. Shock. Then I could hear the smile crack across his face. From this new position on his stomach, he immediately did what his sister has taught him and stood up, held onto the crib bars and bounced. This feat of self control precipitated such an episode of happy chortling and mirth that it was nigh impossible not to leap up and dance him proudly around the room, but I was busy laying the groundwork for the crib training that is rushing at the little nipple-obsessed booger by ignoring him. Then he realized that although he was vertical, he still had no nipple in his mouth and began to cry in earnest. At this point I took pity on Pequita who was stirring and fetched the boy back into my bed.
Man alive, but things are moving fast with him now. He has been pulling to a stand and scooting along furniture with ease for a few weeks, and can beat me to the dogs' water bucket with enough of a head start. He has begun to crawl to the center of a space where there is no support and perform a maneuver that resembles a surfer trying to rise to his feet on his board on the open ocean - hands extended out for balance, a slow rise to one knee and then the wobbly attempt to rise to a stand on both feet. He still inevitably falls kerplunk onto his butt, but he grins the whole time. (Finally, Dad, we really can't leave him unattended on the diaper changing table.) It has been a blissfully long run of him being a potato and not even making efforts to move, but the days of Monito being where we put him down are gone for good. I have a picture of him standing in his crib, but have to wait to post it until I download it off the camera. It is almost 3 am and I can't sleep because of the cough that I have, but I'll be damned if I commit to being awake enough to deal with more technology than simple blogging.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Mary Mary Quite Contrary
If Mary = Pequita, then yes, contrary it is. She is going through a developmental spurt that prompts her to sag as if boneless to the ground and lie there like Gandhi passively resisting any sort of intervention by me or H-Mama. Two seconds is far too long for her to be expected to struggle with any task; after that she flings things away from her and either wails or growls, depending on the prevailing emotion. The only saving grace is that the spells are short-lived. One of the parenting books I like says to talk to a kid like a caveman during these episodes, keeping any complicated words out of it since they are shut down anyway. Sage advice.
On a lighter note, we have joined a CSA this year. My herb plot is near the kitchen and after two years of lying fallow due to pregnancies and babies it is 2/3 cleared and almost ready for the first crop of lettuce, tomatoes and basil, marjoram, thyme and whatever else strikes me as yummy this year. The oregano comes back each spring, which is always a treat. The CSA will give us a weekly crop of organic veggies that will cost out at cheaper than the grocery store and also supports local farmers. Win-win. Maybe this summer we can get our big plot at least tilled in preparation for planting next year; right now it is just a marked off acre in the field we own next to the house and a dream. A few beds prepared each year should be manageable, no? We'll see.
On a lighter note, we have joined a CSA this year. My herb plot is near the kitchen and after two years of lying fallow due to pregnancies and babies it is 2/3 cleared and almost ready for the first crop of lettuce, tomatoes and basil, marjoram, thyme and whatever else strikes me as yummy this year. The oregano comes back each spring, which is always a treat. The CSA will give us a weekly crop of organic veggies that will cost out at cheaper than the grocery store and also supports local farmers. Win-win. Maybe this summer we can get our big plot at least tilled in preparation for planting next year; right now it is just a marked off acre in the field we own next to the house and a dream. A few beds prepared each year should be manageable, no? We'll see.
Monito's Ten Month Stats
A rip-snortingly hearty child, despite the two days of intestinal flu that preceded his appointment. Blowouts are easier when we aren't dressing him in layers and snowsuits, to be sure.
Monito is 31.5 " long [98th percentile] and 24 lbs [83rd percentile]. He has a lead level of 4.1, which prompted congratulations from the staff. I begged to differ and will retest him in three months instead of waiting a year like most folks. Hopefully once he is no longer crawling his level will go down. He is also a little low on iron, which is surprising. Summer is coming and with it the dark leafy greens that will make us all healthier. Until then, he's getting lots of white bean mush, white beans being the highest iron content of all the beans, according to my little How-Not-To-Kill-Your-Baby-With-Food book.
Today I take Pequita in for her 18-month checkup, and will ask about the deep rattly chest cough she is sporting. A little cough medicine for nighttime would be super, but my guess is that the suggestion will be to keep using the humidifier.
And for those of you wondering, yes indeedy, I did get both the chest cold AND the intstinal bug. Yay for Mommy.
Monito is 31.5 " long [98th percentile] and 24 lbs [83rd percentile]. He has a lead level of 4.1, which prompted congratulations from the staff. I begged to differ and will retest him in three months instead of waiting a year like most folks. Hopefully once he is no longer crawling his level will go down. He is also a little low on iron, which is surprising. Summer is coming and with it the dark leafy greens that will make us all healthier. Until then, he's getting lots of white bean mush, white beans being the highest iron content of all the beans, according to my little How-Not-To-Kill-Your-Baby-With-Food book.
Today I take Pequita in for her 18-month checkup, and will ask about the deep rattly chest cough she is sporting. A little cough medicine for nighttime would be super, but my guess is that the suggestion will be to keep using the humidifier.
And for those of you wondering, yes indeedy, I did get both the chest cold AND the intstinal bug. Yay for Mommy.
Monday, April 14, 2008
A Year Ago
My blog friend and frequent commenter Becca is pregnant with her second kid, and is reveling in the connection the two kids have even though one is still in utero. I totally get it. Here is a picture of Pequita at seven months old resting on my eight month along belly. 
Please note the large lopsided lump on the left side of my belly - that would be Monito trying to play with his sister from the other side. It was really wild to have him respond to her in that way, and it happened increasingly as he grew inside me.
Now, he follows her around like a puppy getting all in her business and wanting whatever she has. She pretends to hate it, but whenever she sits down somewhere she pats the seat next to her and says, "Bubba!". When she is put in her car seat before him, she points to his seat and yells, "Bubba! Bubba!" until he is placed in his seat too. She looks out for him all the time, saving some of her food for him and reserving one nipple always for him. She'll steal some milk from it, but smiles because it has been designated as Bubba's and she's getting extra. This is one of the best parts of having them so close.
Please note the large lopsided lump on the left side of my belly - that would be Monito trying to play with his sister from the other side. It was really wild to have him respond to her in that way, and it happened increasingly as he grew inside me. Now, he follows her around like a puppy getting all in her business and wanting whatever she has. She pretends to hate it, but whenever she sits down somewhere she pats the seat next to her and says, "Bubba!". When she is put in her car seat before him, she points to his seat and yells, "Bubba! Bubba!" until he is placed in his seat too. She looks out for him all the time, saving some of her food for him and reserving one nipple always for him. She'll steal some milk from it, but smiles because it has been designated as Bubba's and she's getting extra. This is one of the best parts of having them so close.
Naptime
Monito falls asleep in the living room to the strains of bluegrass music on the television [and right now, the intermittent pop of the nailgun as Dave works in the kitchen].
Pequita falls asleep upstairs in the master bedroom in her crib clutching this picture.
It is slightly crinkled, but that in itself is amazing, as she's had it for weeks and clearly values it enough not to ruin it.
Pequita falls asleep upstairs in the master bedroom in her crib clutching this picture.
It is slightly crinkled, but that in itself is amazing, as she's had it for weeks and clearly values it enough not to ruin it.We Passed
Well, I think the home inspection went well. We all stood around the kitchen island and chatted about our histories and told the stories of the babies and the probation officer was very nice. No one slept very well, what with Pequita's whooping and Monito's return to constant nursing or begging to nurse [a sound that goes like this at increasing volume: heahnnh heaenhhhnh]. Not so great as a lullaby.
She was surprised and pleased that we used the same donor; I think that anyone who hasn't gone through the process of selecting a sperm donor hasn't really considered that a] you have to pick someone sight unseen, or b] that you could have different kids using different sperm. She liked the house, even in its imperfect state. She lives within a mile of her sister who has 7-month old triplets so was unphased by our own Homestead version of morning routine a.k.a. mayhem.
We received the last letter of support late last night, and were able to hand over a complete packet of personal info. Now all we have to do is wait until we get notice of the court hearing date. She said that the judge usually lumps all the happy events on the court docket onto one day and spaces those days out, so s/he gets a lovely vacation from the usual family court fodder of broken homes, broken families, broken people. Makes sense to me.
I am heaving a HUGE sigh of relief. I am already planning our announcement that we'll send out - this will be a huge and joyous occasion. Homestead Mama and I have talked about using Father's Day as our 'Family Day' celebration, the day we do something wonderful and fun and celebrate how we all came to have each other. I like the idea, but then I'm a sucker for ritualized fun.
She was surprised and pleased that we used the same donor; I think that anyone who hasn't gone through the process of selecting a sperm donor hasn't really considered that a] you have to pick someone sight unseen, or b] that you could have different kids using different sperm. She liked the house, even in its imperfect state. She lives within a mile of her sister who has 7-month old triplets so was unphased by our own Homestead version of morning routine a.k.a. mayhem.
We received the last letter of support late last night, and were able to hand over a complete packet of personal info. Now all we have to do is wait until we get notice of the court hearing date. She said that the judge usually lumps all the happy events on the court docket onto one day and spaces those days out, so s/he gets a lovely vacation from the usual family court fodder of broken homes, broken families, broken people. Makes sense to me.
I am heaving a HUGE sigh of relief. I am already planning our announcement that we'll send out - this will be a huge and joyous occasion. Homestead Mama and I have talked about using Father's Day as our 'Family Day' celebration, the day we do something wonderful and fun and celebrate how we all came to have each other. I like the idea, but then I'm a sucker for ritualized fun.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Homestead is Back to Rights
Our friends left this morning to return to the wilds of Canada (actually, a lovely little town that is decidedly unwild) and Homestead Mama and I are bustling around getting the house ready for our co-parent adoption home visit tomorrow. YIKES, you might say and you'd be right. I've changed the batteries in the smoke detectors, checked all the baby-proofing, the fridge is filled with food for kids, I hung up a carbon monoxide detector - all these things have been checked during the home visits of friends who have gone through this process before us.
We have secured five lovely letters of support from friends. I have been so busy getting all our ducks in a row with the paperwork, cleaning, tidying, yardwork, et cetera that I forgot that the letters of support would be effectively love letters for our family. I have been moved to tears at each and every one. This annoying adoption process has forced Homestead Mama and I to be very conscious about things that many folks don't have to think about. Being given the chance to read what other people that we love and respect think about us, our parenting, and our family has been an amazing experience.
And most fittingly, Pequita seems to have croup. She was awake last night for a while barking like a seal and shnuffling with each and every breath. She got a fair amount of sleep, as did we, but the 2nd or 3rd night of croup is supposed to be the worst, so we are expecting less sleep in the next few nights. It is quite unsettling to hear your child struggle to breathe. We have been running humidifiers all day and will continue to do so through the nights. We'll be up and dressed by the 8am probation officer's visit tomorrow morning, and appropriately enough for parents of young kids, will be bleary eyed and tired. Thankfully, the woman coming to inspect us is a mother herself, and bonus for us, her house is also under construction. These facts ought to help our case, as things aren't as pretty as a Pottery Barn catalog in our home. Yet.
Pictures to follow in the next few days. There was much playing and 'nay-nay' time (naked) for the babies while their friend Canadian Baby visited. They all ran (or crawled) screeching through the house nay-nay and giddy before their tubby every night. Pequita and her friend got on exceedingly well, and were able to really enjoy each other this visit. All us parents are thrilled, as we expect to have family vacations together with some regularity over the next few decades.
We have secured five lovely letters of support from friends. I have been so busy getting all our ducks in a row with the paperwork, cleaning, tidying, yardwork, et cetera that I forgot that the letters of support would be effectively love letters for our family. I have been moved to tears at each and every one. This annoying adoption process has forced Homestead Mama and I to be very conscious about things that many folks don't have to think about. Being given the chance to read what other people that we love and respect think about us, our parenting, and our family has been an amazing experience.
And most fittingly, Pequita seems to have croup. She was awake last night for a while barking like a seal and shnuffling with each and every breath. She got a fair amount of sleep, as did we, but the 2nd or 3rd night of croup is supposed to be the worst, so we are expecting less sleep in the next few nights. It is quite unsettling to hear your child struggle to breathe. We have been running humidifiers all day and will continue to do so through the nights. We'll be up and dressed by the 8am probation officer's visit tomorrow morning, and appropriately enough for parents of young kids, will be bleary eyed and tired. Thankfully, the woman coming to inspect us is a mother herself, and bonus for us, her house is also under construction. These facts ought to help our case, as things aren't as pretty as a Pottery Barn catalog in our home. Yet.
Pictures to follow in the next few days. There was much playing and 'nay-nay' time (naked) for the babies while their friend Canadian Baby visited. They all ran (or crawled) screeching through the house nay-nay and giddy before their tubby every night. Pequita and her friend got on exceedingly well, and were able to really enjoy each other this visit. All us parents are thrilled, as we expect to have family vacations together with some regularity over the next few decades.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Stealing Time
We have house guests who are here for the week, which explains my blogging absence. Beloved Canadian Friends and their daughter who is only a few months older than Pequita. It is going wonderfully despite two babies with colds and one adult with a raging feverish cold. The weather has turned here and I wore shorts for about two hours today without being cold. We spent the temperate and sunny afternoon at a playground by the lake. I took 111 photos in just under an hour - I'll post some when I get a chance.
High points? Having one of my best friends in my house to pal around with and feel her calm and humorous energy throughout the day; it really is easier having two adults on hand. Also, Pequita and Canadian Baby are at perfect stages to enjoy each other's company and are having a really good time taking joint tubbies, playing in the travel crib together, and trying to out-generous each other with toy sharing. And we have four whole days left!
High points? Having one of my best friends in my house to pal around with and feel her calm and humorous energy throughout the day; it really is easier having two adults on hand. Also, Pequita and Canadian Baby are at perfect stages to enjoy each other's company and are having a really good time taking joint tubbies, playing in the travel crib together, and trying to out-generous each other with toy sharing. And we have four whole days left!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Thank You, Gentle Readers
I have gotten much support for the scratching issue, and some much needed commiseration. Thanks. And for anyone wondering, Anon is indeed my mother, and the biter was indeed me. I was, apparently, quite the little ripper.
I have discovered nirvana. I know a few of you will enjoy this as much as me - I can't wait to try it.
http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2008/02/27/bacon-cups/
Homestead Mama is thinking of making the grilled scallop & shrimp salad that she made on vacation last year and serving it in these. Heaven, I say. Speaking of food, we are making one or two loaves of the 'No-Knead Bread' each week, some savory with rosemary or other herbs and others plain.
I adore Homestead Mama, and used to do birthdays with a lot of preparation and fanfare. This year, all we could handle was low-key and it was perfect. Sunday night I made H-Mama her belated birthday dinner, the boneless leg of lamb I had bought the week before. (Not that the Vietnamese takeout I served her on the actual day wasn't delicious, but we still had the lamb in the fridge.) I spent five minutes browning the meat and a handful of onions, tossed them into the slow cooker with potatoes, mushrooms, barley, carrots whole garlic cloves and some mushroom consommé. Five hours later, served with our home made bread lightly toasted and scraped with a raw garlic clove for some zip, it was fit for a birthday meal. And to think that we used to eat like that all the time.
I have discovered nirvana. I know a few of you will enjoy this as much as me - I can't wait to try it.
http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2008/02/27/bacon-cups/
Homestead Mama is thinking of making the grilled scallop & shrimp salad that she made on vacation last year and serving it in these. Heaven, I say. Speaking of food, we are making one or two loaves of the 'No-Knead Bread' each week, some savory with rosemary or other herbs and others plain.
I adore Homestead Mama, and used to do birthdays with a lot of preparation and fanfare. This year, all we could handle was low-key and it was perfect. Sunday night I made H-Mama her belated birthday dinner, the boneless leg of lamb I had bought the week before. (Not that the Vietnamese takeout I served her on the actual day wasn't delicious, but we still had the lamb in the fridge.) I spent five minutes browning the meat and a handful of onions, tossed them into the slow cooker with potatoes, mushrooms, barley, carrots whole garlic cloves and some mushroom consommé. Five hours later, served with our home made bread lightly toasted and scraped with a raw garlic clove for some zip, it was fit for a birthday meal. And to think that we used to eat like that all the time.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Eureka!
We've struck water! In the kitchen, that is. Dave the Carpenter finished the plumbing and hooked the sink & dishwasher back up today. I am basking in the hum of a full load of dishes cleaning themselves as I type this. I got two coats of hand-rubbed beeswax and linseed oil finish on the counters last night, and oh my goodness but they are stunning. Photos soon. I kind of want to just do the before and after pics, so I don't bore you with the minutiae, but it is hard to resist posting the progress reports.
Pequita has had a stomach bug for the past two days, and awoke to a vomiting episode last night at about 11pm. I'm waiting for anyone else to get it, but so far so good. Tomorrow is the day I call our houseguests arriving this weekend and give them an update and an opportunity to bow out, but all seems well, and Pequita was never really ill, just had some exciting diaper blowouts.
I am stymied at how to deal with Pequita's new past-time, scratching Monito's face until he bleeds. I need to find parents of sibs to ask. He follows her all over the house and wants to play with her. He definitely gets in her business. She pushes him over onto his back and claws at his face, leaving scratches and little bloody half moons the size of her finger nails on his face. It is really upsetting for me; the kids seem to get over it in moments. I recently bought the "Sibling Without Rivalry" book, and like what I've had time to read, but haven't read anything that covers this! Anyone out there have experience & suggestions? I'd welcome some help.
Pequita has had a stomach bug for the past two days, and awoke to a vomiting episode last night at about 11pm. I'm waiting for anyone else to get it, but so far so good. Tomorrow is the day I call our houseguests arriving this weekend and give them an update and an opportunity to bow out, but all seems well, and Pequita was never really ill, just had some exciting diaper blowouts.
I am stymied at how to deal with Pequita's new past-time, scratching Monito's face until he bleeds. I need to find parents of sibs to ask. He follows her all over the house and wants to play with her. He definitely gets in her business. She pushes him over onto his back and claws at his face, leaving scratches and little bloody half moons the size of her finger nails on his face. It is really upsetting for me; the kids seem to get over it in moments. I recently bought the "Sibling Without Rivalry" book, and like what I've had time to read, but haven't read anything that covers this! Anyone out there have experience & suggestions? I'd welcome some help.
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