Month: February 2013

We should hear in the next couple of weeks from the two preschools where we applied. My fingers have really only been crossed for the Co-op School and not for the Montessori Day School of BK down the street from us. Mostly because I know the MDS has an insanely long waitlist. Our chances are slim to none. The Co-op School we at least have a chance. Their process is based on fitting new kids into where they need filling in their classrooms. So, if they need a 3 year old boy in a certain class, maybe Theo will be who they choose.

I started looking into some alternative options recently. There are several smaller, more low-key options where there aren’t crazy deadlines and through the roof application fees/costs. I figured that’s probably where we’d be most happy anyways. I also started looking in surrounding neighborhoods since we do plan to move soon, and, hey, why not? We do have a car now and hopefully we can just find a place that would be a good fit for Theo.

I toured a really adorable hippy-dippy yoga preschool nearby. So Brooklyn. Of course, I loved it. Way too expensive. Can you believe that if you only attend two half days the cost breaks down to $22/hour?? Goodness. I have another tour at a small, newish Montessori school in Ft. Greene called, Think Montessori. But I think I found our dream preschool. Could it be? I finally spoke to the Director today and they have a 3’s spot perfect for Theo on Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning in the Fall. I think as long as we get our application and fees in quickly, the spot is ours. They are inquiry-based and follow an emergent curriculum, which I love. They spend time outdoors every single day and enjoy the natural surroundings of Prospect Park and visit the zoo and other nearby places often. They seem to really be committed to the same parenting philosophies that I believe in, and try my darndest to get better at everyday. It sure would be nice to have another set of hands nurturing Theo’s self-esteem, socialization, ability and intelligence.

It scares me to death and it makes me so happy (and tingly and tearful) to imagine how excited and happy he will be in a school environment. He’s ready. I just need to get there. And I will.

Two loves of Theo.

Construction happening on our corner has provided us with a bit of entertainment lately. “They fill up with dirt and then dump it in the BIG truck!”. That is what they are up to. Not sure what they are digging the giant hole for but, nonetheless, they are. And Theo is front row to catch a peek. As soon as we saw it he said (with a gasp), “from the book!”. I never thought I’d be so excited to see construction trucks and fire trucks in my whole life.

We wandered over to the library to take out some new books. Theo caught wind of the escalator so I promised some rides once we checked out our books. It was a fun, indoor activity for us, actually. He would go up the escalator and then walk boldly down the big stairs only to go back up the escalator again. I didn’t bother leading him to the other side where the down escalator is located. I figured this would do just fine. He is always, always proud of him doing it all by himself and we stayed until he was ready to go outside and press the button on the handicapped door a few times. Then it was off to run around Grand Army Plaza a bit and then head home. We had a really nice Monday morning. Days like this make me super happy.

Sunday morning I decided it was time to build a fort. Theo seemed to know right away what I meant. We pulled out two big sheets and I figured out a way to support them in the center and have the sheets fully stretched out so there was a nice, big space covering our couch and rug (and most of our living room!). I threw additional pillows and our beanbag chair under there and it was so cozy and fun for Theo! He was elated!

I kept calling it a “fort” but he kept (aptly) calling it a “tent”. It’s truly amazing when your child uses language, be it simple or complex, and you’re not even sure where they learned it. Was it from a book we read? From somebody else? Sesame Street? They are amazing sponges and Theo remembers EVERYTHING he’s done or seen for months and months and months. You can’t get anything passed this guy.

Besides a quick bagel brunch visit to friends who recently had a baby, we spent most of the day in the “tent”. Reading books, eating snacks, listening to music, and watching Toy Story 2. And the sheets did an amazing number on his hair!

We took Theo to the dentist today. I recently found a place nearby that was recommended, and also accepts his insurance. Check and check. I attempted to take him several months ago, around his second birthday, but after calling around several places that didn’t take his insurance, and deciding it wasn’t imperative to take him that moment, I waited.

I gave him some prep talk the past couple of days so he had an idea of what to expect at the dentist. He was pretty excited. I knew that would probably change once he was actually being forced to let people stick strange instruments in and around his mouth. I mean, who likes the dentist? Not this gal. Anyhow, he was bopping around the waiting room, playing with toys, with Sesame Street playing on the big screen. He kept shouting, “I wanna see the dentist!”, and walking up to the desk talking to the ladies, “What’s your name? I’m Theo!”.

He was taken into the xray room first and it was going quite well. He hopped in the chair and when the tech was putting the xray thing on him he was smiling and happy and saying, “get cozy!”, which was no less than charming.

She showed him the big camera and he turned hesitant. She let him put the piece in his mouth and he bit down. I was surprised it went smoothly this far. As soon as she pulled the camera near his face, he freaked. He DID NOT want a picture taken with that big, scary machine! He was crying and asking for Mama. We got him on my lap, an xray apron on me, and attempted again. It wasn’t gonna happen.

We moved into the regular dental chairs. They gave him some stickers, which he of course he didn’t care much about, and we tried to draw his attention to Super Grover on Sesame Street. The woman explained she wouldn’t use any of the electrical tools, figuring he wouldn’t like that. Good call. He hates noises and machines like that. The plan was just to get a good (and quick) teeth brushing in, and a flouride treatment. Daddy had to get in the chair with Theo on his lap. He pretty much hugged him and held him from squirming and we all sang the ABC’s. He actually giggled and liked that part (the ABC’s) but still wasn’t too happy about the teeth brushing. It was quick and he was fine. He then checked everything out some more and played on the chairs. He got balloons and was happy to explore some more. The assistant said that would be good as he would get comfortable with the place for next time.

The good news is that all 20 teeth are safe and sound and healthy. We need to keep up our daily teeth brushing routines and we need to improve at really getting in there and making sure his teeth are brushed well.

(I didn’t get a good shot of him in the fun, colorful dental chairs. Next time!)

This boy! Adorable, adorable, adorable.

Isn’t his hair wild in this photo? Looks like a comb over. Not sure what was going on.

Theo likes to play a little game where I’m laying in our bed and he says, “bye bye Mama”, blows a kiss, and closes the door. This is our typical routine each day when I put him to sleep. This morning we were playing and he went to the living room, came back with monkey and hop (hugging them closely all the while), and handed them to me and said, “here Mama”. I know that was such a sweet display of his love for me and for his little friends. He wanted to tuck me in safe just as I do to him.

A couple other adorable things about Theo I want to savor, and remember. He has this way of saying, “Ooohhh, III ssseee!”. I love when he says it. Also, “please can I have juice please Mommy (brief pause)… or Dada!”. He says this even when Jay isn’t around and he gives me this smirk because he knows he is silly and adorable. I’m pretty sure of it.

His naps and bedtime have been completely back on target, which is been super nice. Although yesterday he skipped his nap and I thought it was do to a large #2 that was in the process of coming out. Sometimes that does affect his ability to nap. So, I blew it off since the babysitter was coming at 3pm and figured he’d have an early bedtime and all would be fine. Wellllll… I text her just before 6pm to check in and, apparently, after both a dinner and a bath meltdown, he crashed in bed while she was reading stories to him at about 5:40pm. Holy moly! I’ve never seen him that crazed. I was terrified he was going to wake up at 4am, ready for the day. Luckily, he slept straight through until 6:15am. And he even played in bed for a half hour before we really needed to get up. The boy was obviously exhausted and, in the end, I’m glad she knew to just put the boy out of his misery.

Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe –

1st course: Multigrain crackers with avocado and hummus
2nd course: Annie’s Mac n’ cheese with broccoli & corn tamales
Dessert: Carvel heart-shaped ice cream cake!

These two cuties are fancy! Thanks Shia and Ayla for the fun Valentine’s Day play date!

Here are some cute Theo-isms to brighten anyone’s day!

When someone asks Theo his name, he now says, “I’m Theo!”.

Last night Jay asked Theo if he wanted some water and he said, “of course! …please Mommy”.

As Jay and I were laying in bed coaxing Theo back to sleep at 11pm last night (long story), Theo was rubbing his legs saying, “skin, I have a lotta skin!”, over and over.

We took Theo to Yo Gabba Gabba Live! on Sunday and ever since he has been attempting to “beat box” like Biz Markie. Very cute.

This morning talking about music class:

Me: What do you like best about class?
Theo: The teacher.
Me: What do you like about the teacher?
Theo: His pick.

Also, I know I mentioned quite some time ago that Theo isn’t very big on the word “yes”. I usually just had to guess whether or not he really wanted something or not. He has finally begun to embrace the word and he says it oh-so-adorably, a lot, I just want to squeeze him. He says it in this very matter-of-fact way. Straight face, clean and crisp, “yes”.

We love him more than words can ever express.

After breakfast this morning, Theo hopped up on the couch and said, “I’m gonna get cozy”, and pulled the blanket up on him and had his arms behind his head on the pillow. This is my little, sweet boy.

As of late…

I don’t think I’ve mentioned that Theo can identify his left from his right. Most of the time. Whenever we are getting his shoes on he says, “mouth”. Really he means, “tongue”. He’s figuring that one out. He insists on doing most things himself (open/closing doors, zipping his jacket, etc.) and he will quickly push you away and/or scream until this happens.

He has been eating really well and we’ve recently discovered his love of green beans and red peppers. So, naturally, I’m adding them to everything! He still eats cereal, oatmeal and blueberries, OR eggs and PB toast for breakfast every morning. Sometimes cereal AND eggs. Usually some combination of fruit, cracker/hummus, PB pretzel, cheddar bunnies, and smoothie are his snacks twice a day and his lunch and dinner is some variety of bean, vegetable, whole wheat pasta, rice, pita pizza, Annie’s mac n’ cheese, or some kind of yummy dish I’ve made like veggie chili, enchilada’s, etc.

The nap and bedtime situation has improved SIGNIFICANTLY. I believe, in part, to either the phase passing, or the stay in bed technique that I found online and decided to follow. It really only took a day, or so, which is why I thought maybe the phase passed and we got back into a good enough routine for him to settle back in. I realized me laying down with him was really a distraction and wasn’t given either of us the sleep (or time alone) we needed. With continuing our nap and bedtime routines, some gentle coaxing and reinforcing it’s sleepy time firmly and consistently, saying mommy loves you, and blowing kisses, he has managed to pretty much stay in bed every time without getting up anymore (save for a few attempts to escape). Sooo, back to about a 1 1/2 – 2 hour nap each day and nighttime sleep from about 7:45/8 – 6:30 – 7:15am. He does seem to be waking a bit earlier, again, but I’m sure that will change once we are much more active again. I’m just happy to have him going to bed feeling secure and ready for sleep. One of our favorite books is “Llama llama, red pajama” and so I’ve started using one of the lines from the book when I leave. “Mama Llama’s always near, even if she’s not right here”. He seems to really like that.

Potty training has backfired a little. I think something happened last week that made him afraid of the toilet. We now have the small seat that you put right on the big one and he was doing fine with it and he had also peed in several public restrooms with no problem whatsoever. All of the sudden, last Friday, he started refusing and holding his pee all day until nap (when he has a diaper on) or until bathtime when he would just pee in the tub (yay!). He kept saying it hurt but he simply refused to go on the potty, home or otherwise. Hmmm… I think there a couple things happening. I think he’s afraid of “falling in” the big toilet so we are getting this fun ducky potty from my friend tomorrow in the hopes that it turns things back around. OR, he has had trouble going #2 lately (and has always been an infrequent pooper since birth) and we had a traumatic incident on the toilet recently where he was in a lot of pain, “sumpin hurts!” 🙁 and he has referred several times to “I’m gonna have a hurt!” 🙁 whenever I mention going to the bathroom. So, we’re at a tough place. I think he is holding it even more now and is sometimes going 3 – 4 full days without going. I’m trying to up some dietary things to help him, coupled with the singing duck potty, so we’ll see what happens. I don’t want any kind of power struggle, or to make him feel bad about not going, so for now we’ve gone back to diapers at his request. Never a dull moment, people.

Otherwise, he is simply flourishing every day. Talking more and more perfectly by the day, enjoying music class, his two half days with his babysitter, and running around outside when we can. He is absolutely delighted when he gets to be with Daddy and that is just the sweetest.

Theo is thoroughly enjoying the abundance of snow that arrived in Brooklyn this weekend. We frolicked in the snow Saturday morning and then walked to brunch with some friends. Theo was in such an amazing mood. After eating his favorite lunch of rice & beans, he danced and bounced around the restaurant pointing out the different sized lights, chatting with the staff, and helping to deliver checks to people. It must’ve been the fun-filled snow playing that has been missing from our routine lately. Yay for snow! (Better than just grey and freezing and windy and gloomy).

Theo had more play time outside with Daddy just before, and after, the sun went down on Saturday evening while I popped over to the grocery store and then made dinner. Jay said he didn’t want to come inside! Theo told me all the fun that they had and that he got to see the stars. Must’ve been pretty cool for the little guy.

Him and I went out for some more play time this morning while we let Daddy sleep in (I sleep a little extra on Saturdays!).

Gearing up again!

It was a beautiful, sunshiny morning and actually quite comfortable out there. We did a bunch of swinging, a bit of sliding, and a lot of jumping on the playground bridge. Theo was singing, “no more monkeys jumping on the bridge!”. To my surprise he sang all of the words on his own.

Oh, and we threw many snowballs!