An Odd Request

How do you reward (bribe) your kids to eat their meal? Offer a cookie at the end of dinner if they eat their vegetables? Promise they can watch a favorite show? Ice cream?

This is what my kid wants. In order to get him to finish his main dish we tell him he can have some more ....

Preschool

Three days after I enrolled Brandt in preschool for the 2009-2010 year, there happens to be an article in the paper about the school he will be going to. My sister-in-law sent her boys there and she had very high recommendations, so I figured I would enroll Brandt once he turned 2.

I'm so excited for him to start school. It will give him a chance to learn more social skills and be in a more academic setting. And it will allow me 2 hours twice a week to get stuff done by myself! Both are equally important in my opinion.

Here's the article: AZ Daily Star

Here's a link to the preschool website: Tanque Verde Lutheran

Help Save Babies!

I started reading Heather's blog a few months ago and I wanted to pass along her quest to earn donations for the March of Dimes walk she will be participating in during April. Her daughter, Maddie, was born 11 weeks premature and her blog chronicles the roller coaster of health scares & hospital visits that have been their reality for the past year. Take a few minutes to read about Maddie and about her most recent setback. And if you have even a few dollars to contribute here is Heather's donation page: March for Maddie

Let's Play Tag

I was tagged by Colleen to play a game. The game is to post the 7th picture in your 7th folder and describe it.

This picture was taken in July 2008 from our backyard. Joe liked how the clouds looked during the sunset so I took a picture. It kind of looks like a heart. Never mind the power lines, lol.

Now I tag: Mom, Rachel, Lindsey

Not Cut Out For Modeling

Brandt refuses to have his pictures taken by professionals (I use that term loosely since I'm referring to Sears & Picture People). We tried around Christmas to have Sears do the pictures and he started crying as soon as we sat down with him in front of the camera. We tried for another 10 minutes before finally giving up because by that time his eyes were all red and puffy and his nose was leaking snot. We went to plan B for our Christmas pictures: I sat him on his fire truck in front of our Christmas tree, enlisted the help of the convenient entertainment, took like 30 pictures, and then cropped the fire truck out of the shot. Thank God for digital cameras.

Today I decided to try again so we could have his 2 year old pictures taken. This time we went back to Picture People because Joe seemed to think that Sears' portrait studio was like a dungeon because it was downstairs in this little corner. We were hoping Picture People would be better because we had all of his previous pictures done there and they turned out pretty well. Not to mention every time we walk by Picture People Brandt has to wander inside and play with the chairs, so I figured he would be comfortable in there.

Not so much. He was fine for the first 5 minutes that we waited in the lobby, but then I had to change his shirt and that did NOT go over well. He ran away ... I chased him ... I caught him (tackled him) and tried to lift his shirt over his head only to have him fall on the floor screaming. After I got the shirt on I sat him on a tall chair that he couldn't climb down from, and that seemed to calm him down temporarily.

The photographer then said she was ready for us and as soon as we got into the room Brandt flipped out. Kind of like what transpired at his 2 year check when the doctor walked into the room. Full on crying with tears streaming and intermittent sobbing. It didn't stop. We tried several things (bribes) to calm him down: blocks, a football, juice. Nothing worked, so after 10 minutes of chaos I opted to not have his picture taken due to 100% lack of cooperation. Sadly, I don't think the people at Baby Gap would put up with this. Not that they've ever called ...

I also am very glad I bought more cat food today because Brandt dumped the last of the old cat food into the cat's water dish.

Two Years Ago Today ...

... I became your mom, whether I was ready or not. And I wasn't entirely ready because no one ever is. The first few months were a blur, with nighttime feedings and many instances self doubt and second guessing and panic. Taking care of you was the hardest thing I have ever had to learn and it's still an ever evolving process. I miss your newborn-ness. Your tiny fingers and toes and your little body that wriggled so slightly. I miss your baby sounds. You used to chirp when you ate and I remember wanting to record the sound because you would eventually out grow it. You did, and I hope we have it recorded somewhere.

Then you grew and got stronger and bigger and one day pulled yourself up. You started crawling and then walking and before I knew it you were turning one. I think I was so grateful to have survived our first year together that I didn't appreciate the nostalgia of the day you were born as much I as appreciate it today. Our days are mostly filled with fun and silliness and laughing, even though we both have our cranky moments. I am in awe of how much you've grown into your own little person, and how beautiful and inspiring it is to experience everyday life through your eyes. You truly are the Best Thing Ever.

Your 2nd Birthday!

Anniversary

Yesterday Joe & I celebrated our 3rd anniversary by going out to dinner. I don't think we have gone out to dinner by ourselves since ... I think August or September? Anyway, it was very nice and we had a good time. Although we are used to inhaling our food because we usually have to run interference with Brandt during dinner ... at one point Joe commented that we could eat more slowly.

We went to Pinnacle Peak because my parents had given us a gift card that could be used either there or El Corral. And while El Corral is definitely my favorite, it's also a 45 minute drive and we were trying to get home before 7pm to put Brandt to bed. We both enjoyed some filet and sauteed mushrooms (yummm!). During dinner we kept reminiscing about the past 3 years and how much things have changed. On our 1st anniversary I was 38 weeks pregnant and gave birth to Brandt 5 days later. But we did manage to go out to a really nice dinner at Sullivan's, because we knew it would be quite a long while before that happened again. Our 2nd anniversary was all about getting ready for Brandt's 1st birthday party and we couldn't remember going anywhere that year. We both agreed that we were glad we got to go out for this anniversary. It was a nice break.

When we got home Brandt looked a little sad that we hadn't been there during his normal playtime, so we pushed back his bath time by about 20 minutes so we could run around with him. I know, great plan to get the kid wound up right before bed.

Super Bowl Drama

If you live in Tucson, and if you have Comcast then your version of the last 3 minutes of the Super Bowl was quite eventful ... from what I hear.

I can't even imagine having that broadcast on regular TV, especially if you were watching with friends and family ... and children! Holy crap!!

Read more here, although pay attention to the warning before you click on any links.

Learning Manners

Brandt has gotten into the habit of shouting one word demands for things that he wants: milk ("beck!"), bananas ("B's!"), Mickey! ... so Joe and I have tried to explain that he needs to ask nicely and say, "please." He has been saying please for a while now, but only if we prompt him. Starting last week he finally figured it out.

B: "BECK!"

Me: "You would like some milk? What do you say?"

B: "Beck ... nicely ... ?"

Since then he's been saying "nicely" instead of "please" when he asks for things, which is super cute and it makes me smile every time. I don't think I'll correct him yet, because saying "nicely" is still kind of polite.