Saturday, January 24, 2009
Party Time!
Today was the day Nikos has been waiting for... Teagen's birthday party! He had a great time playing with his buddies from daycare, eating cake, and crawling around in the bouncy house (he didn't want to get out!). Anyway, he had a ton of fun, and is now conked out in his crib. He's all partied out!
Party time!
With Teagen (left) and Noah
Playing at the sand table with Noah
Bouncy house!!
Teagen says, "Any day now..."
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Nikos: Rock Star
As it turns out, Nikos is very popular with the little girls at his daycare... Two quick stories:
1. After I dropped him off at daycare yesterday, I stopped on Bonnie's front porch to sift through all the free Hallmark Christmas stuff she got from another parent and was giving away (woohoo! Free stuff!). A dad showed up with his little red-haired girl, whose name I can never remember. At any rate, the little girl (probably around 3 or 4 years old) ran into the house without giving him a kiss or hug goodbye. When he called after her to try and lure her back, her response was classic: "But I have to say hi to NIKOS!! I have to say hi!!!" I love it!!! This is the same little girl who, once upon a time, clung to Bonnie's leg as I was dropping Nikos off. She kept tugging on Bonnie's shirt and asking "Can I say hi to Nikos now? Can I???" hahaha!!
2. Today, after I got home and picked him up from Bonnie's, we made a quick run to the supermarket to get a few things. As we were headed toward the meat counter, I suddenly heard a little voice SHRIEKING, "MOMMY! That's NIKOS!!! THAT'S NIKOS!!!!!" And no, it wasn't the little red-haired girl... This was a little blondie, about the same age, and her mom looked mortified that she was making such a scene in the store and pointing at my son (I've met the dad before, but never the mom). Personally, I thought it was hilarious! Nikos, obviously recognizing her, smiled and pointed back.
That's right, my son has groupies. I guess this is the perk of going to a daycare where most of the kiddos are slightly older girls?!? hahaha!! :)
1. After I dropped him off at daycare yesterday, I stopped on Bonnie's front porch to sift through all the free Hallmark Christmas stuff she got from another parent and was giving away (woohoo! Free stuff!). A dad showed up with his little red-haired girl, whose name I can never remember. At any rate, the little girl (probably around 3 or 4 years old) ran into the house without giving him a kiss or hug goodbye. When he called after her to try and lure her back, her response was classic: "But I have to say hi to NIKOS!! I have to say hi!!!" I love it!!! This is the same little girl who, once upon a time, clung to Bonnie's leg as I was dropping Nikos off. She kept tugging on Bonnie's shirt and asking "Can I say hi to Nikos now? Can I???" hahaha!!
2. Today, after I got home and picked him up from Bonnie's, we made a quick run to the supermarket to get a few things. As we were headed toward the meat counter, I suddenly heard a little voice SHRIEKING, "MOMMY! That's NIKOS!!! THAT'S NIKOS!!!!!" And no, it wasn't the little red-haired girl... This was a little blondie, about the same age, and her mom looked mortified that she was making such a scene in the store and pointing at my son (I've met the dad before, but never the mom). Personally, I thought it was hilarious! Nikos, obviously recognizing her, smiled and pointed back.
That's right, my son has groupies. I guess this is the perk of going to a daycare where most of the kiddos are slightly older girls?!? hahaha!! :)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Busy, Busy Day
Today was a "pupil-free" day for us, which meant that we had meetings and whatnot but didn't actually have to teach. The upside, of course, was that our principal let us out in time to run to our classrooms and watch the inauguration! Yes! So a bunch of us ran to my room, only to find that a) the cable TV was out school-wide (thank you, construction workers), and b) we couldn't watch it on any of the major news websites because of bandwidth issues (they were all jammed). Great.
Luckily, one of my coworkers lives just a few blocks from school, so we decided to hightail it over to her house, where she was recording it already (thank you, digital cable!). When we started out, it was just the three of us fifth grade teachers. By the time we got to her house, there were over 20 teachers trekking along behind us!! It was great, though. We rewound to the beginning, and all watched it together. It was such a powerful experience, and it was even better to share it with a bunch of people who I genuinely like. I'd have to say it was pretty memorable!
Anyway, after we listened to Elizabeth Alexander recite her poem, we figured we should probably head back to work. And work we did! My brain hurts from today. As a team, we met to discuss all the end-of-year activities that I normally run. I had to delegate a whole bunch of things and explain a lot (I ended up typing a ton of notes for them, too). And then I got started on putting together a binder for my substitute when I'm out on maternity leave. It won't be as hard as last time, but boy is there a lot to cover! I am revising the Word document I created last time so that it fits with how I do things this year, and already there are so many changes. And so many things that need to be added, because of all the aforementioned end-of-year activities. It's insane! I'm glad I started early, because it made me realize just how much there is to do. And with Nikos around now, I don't have nearly as much time to stay after school and work on things as I once did!
But yes, it was a busy day indeed. We went for a quick lunch at Taco Bell (where else?), but I never stopped working when I was in my classroom. And I didn't accomplish even half of what I had planned to do today. Yikes!!
Luckily, one of my coworkers lives just a few blocks from school, so we decided to hightail it over to her house, where she was recording it already (thank you, digital cable!). When we started out, it was just the three of us fifth grade teachers. By the time we got to her house, there were over 20 teachers trekking along behind us!! It was great, though. We rewound to the beginning, and all watched it together. It was such a powerful experience, and it was even better to share it with a bunch of people who I genuinely like. I'd have to say it was pretty memorable!
Anyway, after we listened to Elizabeth Alexander recite her poem, we figured we should probably head back to work. And work we did! My brain hurts from today. As a team, we met to discuss all the end-of-year activities that I normally run. I had to delegate a whole bunch of things and explain a lot (I ended up typing a ton of notes for them, too). And then I got started on putting together a binder for my substitute when I'm out on maternity leave. It won't be as hard as last time, but boy is there a lot to cover! I am revising the Word document I created last time so that it fits with how I do things this year, and already there are so many changes. And so many things that need to be added, because of all the aforementioned end-of-year activities. It's insane! I'm glad I started early, because it made me realize just how much there is to do. And with Nikos around now, I don't have nearly as much time to stay after school and work on things as I once did!
But yes, it was a busy day indeed. We went for a quick lunch at Taco Bell (where else?), but I never stopped working when I was in my classroom. And I didn't accomplish even half of what I had planned to do today. Yikes!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Haircut
Well, I cut Nikos' hair today, since it was getting out of control. He hated every second of it, but it didn't turn out too badly, I suppose... It could have been a lot worse, considering I am no stylist! I am still mourning the loss of his curls, but I know they'll be back in a flash. His hair grows so quickly! Anyway, here he is, Mr. Happy himself:
I think he loves it, don't you? :P
I think he loves it, don't you? :P
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Day in Photos...
The weather has been beautiful here lately, so we decided to play outside today! We packed up the wagon and walked to our neighborhood park, where we managed to stumble upon not one, but TWO dog obedience classes. Nikos, who is OBSESSED with dogs, was in heaven! He kept shrieking "Doggie!! Doggie!!!" over and over, and even tried to crawl halfway across the park to where all the doggies were. He had a great time! He went on the swings for a long time, ate his crackers, and was just generally a happy camper.
After the (uphill) walk back to the house, we thought it might be fun to fill up the wading pool and let him go for a dip. Though the air was nice and warm, the water was still pretty cold... He loved standing in the water and splashing around, but had no interest in sitting down or getting his belly wet. Once he was done playing in there, he toweled off and played for a bit on his play structure. All in all, a very fun morning/early afternoon!
Tonight, we're going to go out to dinner as a family, just the three of us. This is actually a first! We've gone to lunch with him before, but never dinner. I'm excited-- it should be fun! :)
After the (uphill) walk back to the house, we thought it might be fun to fill up the wading pool and let him go for a dip. Though the air was nice and warm, the water was still pretty cold... He loved standing in the water and splashing around, but had no interest in sitting down or getting his belly wet. Once he was done playing in there, he toweled off and played for a bit on his play structure. All in all, a very fun morning/early afternoon!
Tonight, we're going to go out to dinner as a family, just the three of us. This is actually a first! We've gone to lunch with him before, but never dinner. I'm excited-- it should be fun! :)
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Queen of Bargains Strikes Again!
I don't know what it is lately... First, I found the impossible-to-find crib sheet on CraigsList for a whopping $10. Then I found the great crib mattress for under $12. And then the nice girl from my web forum sent me the Ergo infant insert for free! And now, well... "now" takes the cake!
I posted the other day about how we had decided on a double stroller. After reading all the reviews and test-driving various models, the decision was an easy one. Sadly, the stroller I loved retailed for about $270. Not cool! I then found out about an offer where this very stroller was selling for $149 on Amazon. By the time I convinced Gus we needed it, it was sold out, and I was mad. BUT... it turned out to be a pricing error, and all the people who ordered it had their orders canceled promptly. So I didn't really miss it, anyway.
Fast forward to yesterday... I paid a visit to my newest BFF, CraigsList. And wouldn't you know-- someone was selling my dream stroller, hardly used, for $120! They said they didn't use it more than ten times-- it was one of numerous strollers they had for their triplets, and they ended up using another one instead. So Gus drove to check it out after work today, and ended up buying it! So we got a nearly-mint-condition stroller for $120, when they most certainly paid at least $250 for it. I'd call that a good deal! And ain't she a beaut? :)
Anyway... I seriously cannot believe all the amazing bargains that I've been finding. It's like the universe knows that we aren't getting as much help as we did last time (in terms of big-ticket gifts). I am determined to make sure our baby girl has just as much nice stuff as her big brother-- even if that means getting a little creative! :)
(which reminds me... I used some old gift cards to buy her the Daisy Garden quilt from Pottery Barn Kids, and then used another gift card from a student to buy the supplies for the name plaque I made her this weekend. I love "free" stuff!!)
Oooh!! And I nearly forgot! I decided to buy a new cover for our infant carseat, mainly because I got sick of looking at the old one and found a good deal on this replacement set. Well, wouldn't you know-- it's the exact same pattern as the stroller! Pure coincidence-- no joke!
I posted the other day about how we had decided on a double stroller. After reading all the reviews and test-driving various models, the decision was an easy one. Sadly, the stroller I loved retailed for about $270. Not cool! I then found out about an offer where this very stroller was selling for $149 on Amazon. By the time I convinced Gus we needed it, it was sold out, and I was mad. BUT... it turned out to be a pricing error, and all the people who ordered it had their orders canceled promptly. So I didn't really miss it, anyway.
Fast forward to yesterday... I paid a visit to my newest BFF, CraigsList. And wouldn't you know-- someone was selling my dream stroller, hardly used, for $120! They said they didn't use it more than ten times-- it was one of numerous strollers they had for their triplets, and they ended up using another one instead. So Gus drove to check it out after work today, and ended up buying it! So we got a nearly-mint-condition stroller for $120, when they most certainly paid at least $250 for it. I'd call that a good deal! And ain't she a beaut? :)
Anyway... I seriously cannot believe all the amazing bargains that I've been finding. It's like the universe knows that we aren't getting as much help as we did last time (in terms of big-ticket gifts). I am determined to make sure our baby girl has just as much nice stuff as her big brother-- even if that means getting a little creative! :)
(which reminds me... I used some old gift cards to buy her the Daisy Garden quilt from Pottery Barn Kids, and then used another gift card from a student to buy the supplies for the name plaque I made her this weekend. I love "free" stuff!!)
Oooh!! And I nearly forgot! I decided to buy a new cover for our infant carseat, mainly because I got sick of looking at the old one and found a good deal on this replacement set. Well, wouldn't you know-- it's the exact same pattern as the stroller! Pure coincidence-- no joke!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Solo Time
What? A weekend all to myself??? That's impossible, right? These things do not happen with a husband and a small child around. And yet, that is exactly what happened this weekend!
Gus took Nikos up to Orange County so that they could visit with his (Gus') cousin and grandmother, who are visiting from Chicago and Greece, respectively. I have had so much work piling up (papers that need grading, etc.) that I opted to stay home and get things done. And what a productive time I've had!
It's amazing how "free time" takes on a whole new meaning nowadays. In the days of yore, I would drag a chair out onto the back lawn and read in the sunshine until I fell asleep or got too hot. And the weather was definitely nice enough to do that-- mid 80s and not a cloud in the sky! Instead, I went shopping for necessities, cleaned the entire house (including scrubbing every square inch of our bathroom, which needed it), did three loads of laundry and put it all away, removed the vertical blinds from baby girl's room, spackled/sanded/painted the window frame, bought and installed a room-darkening shade to replace the blinds, installed a curtain rod and curtains over the shade, worked on my art project for her wall, did the grocery shopping, AND did all my school-related work that was piling up. And I even had time to start on the fourth book in the "Twilight" series, so I did relax a little bit.
Also, on one of my various shopping trips, I decided to stop and test-drive different double strollers. And we have a winner, folks! I think we'll be getting this one, though I'm hoping to get a deal on a used one on CraigsList (I'm waiting for a seller to email me back... she's selling her gently used one for $130). After going back and forth about it, I just don't think we'll be able to avoid getting a double stroller. Nikos is just barely walking, and I'm sure he will still want to sit in the stroller once his sister arrives. This particular one was easy to steer, had plenty of room, and was really easy to fold/unfold (this was the selling point). It will take up the entire trunk of the car, but oh well!
I also bought a new cover for our infant car seat, since I never really liked the one we had. The new one is black and silver, so it will "go" with everything nicely. I should have just bought that pattern to begin with, but I didn't know it existed! Oh well. C'est la vie.
Anyway... I am exhausted. I am pretty sure I overexerted myself this weekend, which is why I am now sitting on my rear in front of the computer. But Gus and Nikos should be back any minute, and then it's back to my other full-time job: Mommy! It's a great job, just a tiring one (especially when pregnant). :)
Gus took Nikos up to Orange County so that they could visit with his (Gus') cousin and grandmother, who are visiting from Chicago and Greece, respectively. I have had so much work piling up (papers that need grading, etc.) that I opted to stay home and get things done. And what a productive time I've had!
It's amazing how "free time" takes on a whole new meaning nowadays. In the days of yore, I would drag a chair out onto the back lawn and read in the sunshine until I fell asleep or got too hot. And the weather was definitely nice enough to do that-- mid 80s and not a cloud in the sky! Instead, I went shopping for necessities, cleaned the entire house (including scrubbing every square inch of our bathroom, which needed it), did three loads of laundry and put it all away, removed the vertical blinds from baby girl's room, spackled/sanded/painted the window frame, bought and installed a room-darkening shade to replace the blinds, installed a curtain rod and curtains over the shade, worked on my art project for her wall, did the grocery shopping, AND did all my school-related work that was piling up. And I even had time to start on the fourth book in the "Twilight" series, so I did relax a little bit.
Also, on one of my various shopping trips, I decided to stop and test-drive different double strollers. And we have a winner, folks! I think we'll be getting this one, though I'm hoping to get a deal on a used one on CraigsList (I'm waiting for a seller to email me back... she's selling her gently used one for $130). After going back and forth about it, I just don't think we'll be able to avoid getting a double stroller. Nikos is just barely walking, and I'm sure he will still want to sit in the stroller once his sister arrives. This particular one was easy to steer, had plenty of room, and was really easy to fold/unfold (this was the selling point). It will take up the entire trunk of the car, but oh well!
I also bought a new cover for our infant car seat, since I never really liked the one we had. The new one is black and silver, so it will "go" with everything nicely. I should have just bought that pattern to begin with, but I didn't know it existed! Oh well. C'est la vie.
Anyway... I am exhausted. I am pretty sure I overexerted myself this weekend, which is why I am now sitting on my rear in front of the computer. But Gus and Nikos should be back any minute, and then it's back to my other full-time job: Mommy! It's a great job, just a tiring one (especially when pregnant). :)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Friend
The great Vocabulary Explosion of 2009 continues! In addition to saying "waffle" (waffuh) and "pizza" (pita), Nikos has recently added a very important (and frequently used) word to his vocabulary: "Tee-tee!!"
What the heck is "tee-tee?" Well, that's what Nikos calls Teagen, the little boy who lives next door and goes to daycare with him. Bonnie calls Teagen (her grandson) "T" for short, and apparently Nikos has picked up on it. He calls out "Tee-tee! Tee-tee!" when Teagen wakes up from his nap, and even starts saying it when we walk over to daycare in the morning. And if we happen to walk by the refrigerator, he goes berserk over the invitation to Teagen's second birthday party (which has T's picture on it). The invitation is now all bent and crumpled because Nikos insists on holding it and pointing to "Tee-tee." And it's just the cutest thing ever!
The best part is that Teagen says Nikos' name, too, and Bonnie says he will sometimes point toward our house on the weekends and say "Nikos?" Like he wants to know where his little friend is! In a few months, once Nikos has perfected his walking, these kiddos will be able to play together outside on the weekends. How fun will that be?? :)
P.S. I got my Ergo Infant Insert in the mail today, and the lady who sent it is insisting I don't send her any money-- she says she got it as a gift and never used it, and is just glad that someone will get some use out of it. How nice is she??? I'm still going to send her a little something, but I can't believe my good luck. OH, and stay tuned... I found a really super-duper good deal on a great double stroller ($150 for a $300 stroller!)... I just need to talk Gus into agreeing with me! :)
What the heck is "tee-tee?" Well, that's what Nikos calls Teagen, the little boy who lives next door and goes to daycare with him. Bonnie calls Teagen (her grandson) "T" for short, and apparently Nikos has picked up on it. He calls out "Tee-tee! Tee-tee!" when Teagen wakes up from his nap, and even starts saying it when we walk over to daycare in the morning. And if we happen to walk by the refrigerator, he goes berserk over the invitation to Teagen's second birthday party (which has T's picture on it). The invitation is now all bent and crumpled because Nikos insists on holding it and pointing to "Tee-tee." And it's just the cutest thing ever!
The best part is that Teagen says Nikos' name, too, and Bonnie says he will sometimes point toward our house on the weekends and say "Nikos?" Like he wants to know where his little friend is! In a few months, once Nikos has perfected his walking, these kiddos will be able to play together outside on the weekends. How fun will that be?? :)
P.S. I got my Ergo Infant Insert in the mail today, and the lady who sent it is insisting I don't send her any money-- she says she got it as a gift and never used it, and is just glad that someone will get some use out of it. How nice is she??? I'm still going to send her a little something, but I can't believe my good luck. OH, and stay tuned... I found a really super-duper good deal on a great double stroller ($150 for a $300 stroller!)... I just need to talk Gus into agreeing with me! :)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Another day, another appointment
You know, sometimes I feel like I might as well just live at the doctor's office! In addition to going for all of Nikos' well-baby (and sick baby) appointments, I have to go for all my prenatals, too. And that adds up to quite a bit of time! The receptionist in Ob/Gyn and I are on a first-name basis now. And I'm barely halfway through this pregnancy yet!
Anyhow... I was originally supposed to have an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner on December 23rd, but she had to cancel because she was sick. Debbie (my new receptionist friend) tried to get me in as soon as possible, but today was the first available day. And I ended up seeing a substitute doctor, since my doctor was away on business. At any rate, this other doctor was very nice, and we sat down and went through mu ultrasound results, line for line. He told me that everything was "disgustingly perfect," haha! :) And, according to the ultrasound, my due date has been moved to May 6th. Now, I happen to know that's not correct, but it basically means that the baby is measuring ahead. We listened for the heartbeat, and it was strong and steady. She's been bouncing all around in there all afternoon, so she must have heard all the good news! Hooray for good appointments!
We had to do some rearranging, since my next appointment was originally scheduled for two weeks from now (but I'm only supposed to go every four weeks). So my next appointment will be on February 4th, and that will include the lovely 1-hour glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes. Fun! It wasn't bad last time, but I'm still worried that I could end up having GD because my mom did. But I guess I'll know in a month, right?
In other news... Nikos continues to be the cutest baby ever, and has even added a new word to his repertoire today: pizza! Thanks, Gus, for teaching him THAT one, haha! I guess Gus was eating pizza and trying to bribe Nikos to do something by giving him a few bites, and now the kid is a pizza fanatic. Great! Oh, and he's a dance machine, too, but I have yet to get a decent video of him boogeying down. It's hilarious!!
Anyhow... I was originally supposed to have an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner on December 23rd, but she had to cancel because she was sick. Debbie (my new receptionist friend) tried to get me in as soon as possible, but today was the first available day. And I ended up seeing a substitute doctor, since my doctor was away on business. At any rate, this other doctor was very nice, and we sat down and went through mu ultrasound results, line for line. He told me that everything was "disgustingly perfect," haha! :) And, according to the ultrasound, my due date has been moved to May 6th. Now, I happen to know that's not correct, but it basically means that the baby is measuring ahead. We listened for the heartbeat, and it was strong and steady. She's been bouncing all around in there all afternoon, so she must have heard all the good news! Hooray for good appointments!
We had to do some rearranging, since my next appointment was originally scheduled for two weeks from now (but I'm only supposed to go every four weeks). So my next appointment will be on February 4th, and that will include the lovely 1-hour glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes. Fun! It wasn't bad last time, but I'm still worried that I could end up having GD because my mom did. But I guess I'll know in a month, right?
In other news... Nikos continues to be the cutest baby ever, and has even added a new word to his repertoire today: pizza! Thanks, Gus, for teaching him THAT one, haha! I guess Gus was eating pizza and trying to bribe Nikos to do something by giving him a few bites, and now the kid is a pizza fanatic. Great! Oh, and he's a dance machine, too, but I have yet to get a decent video of him boogeying down. It's hilarious!!
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Lucky Streak Continues!
As some of you may know, I regularly visit an online discussion forum dedicated to moms whose kids are all right around Nikos' age. Quite a few of them are pregnant with baby #2, also, so we have a lot in common. I love the site and all the support it has provided me, and actually feel like I've gotten to "know" some other moms on there who are really cool. It's the best-kept secret on the internet, I swear!
Anyhow... I was on the site a few weeks back, reading through the most recent posts, and someone mentioned that they were looking for the infant insert that goes with their Ergo baby carrier (the best carrier EVER! I raved about it here.). Another mom replied to her request, saying that she had the infant insert and would gladly GIVE it to her because she had no use for it. She just asked for shipping costs, which was totally reasonable. Well, after I saw that, I realized that I wanted to try the infant insert, too, so I posted another reply. Basically, I said "Ooh! If anyone else has one they'd like to sell, please let me know!"
Well... As it turns out, the mom who posted in the first place has the black/tan Ergo and didn't want the (basically free) teal insert because it didn't match. Foolish, if you ask me! But guess who has the black/teal Ergo??? Awww yeah!! So the mom who was willing to give it away sent me a note saying I could have it, if I wanted. YES!!! She said she used it once or twice and couldn't get used to it, so it's practically in brand-new condition. This thing retails for anywhere from $25-$38!!! I didn't want to pay that amount, in case I didn't like it, but to pay just the shipping costs? Awesome! Even better is that she lives in Los Angeles-- so the shipping costs should be really reasonable AND it should get here quickly.
I just can't believe these great deals that keep falling into my lap. Thank you, universe! :)
Anyhow... I was on the site a few weeks back, reading through the most recent posts, and someone mentioned that they were looking for the infant insert that goes with their Ergo baby carrier (the best carrier EVER! I raved about it here.). Another mom replied to her request, saying that she had the infant insert and would gladly GIVE it to her because she had no use for it. She just asked for shipping costs, which was totally reasonable. Well, after I saw that, I realized that I wanted to try the infant insert, too, so I posted another reply. Basically, I said "Ooh! If anyone else has one they'd like to sell, please let me know!"
Well... As it turns out, the mom who posted in the first place has the black/tan Ergo and didn't want the (basically free) teal insert because it didn't match. Foolish, if you ask me! But guess who has the black/teal Ergo??? Awww yeah!! So the mom who was willing to give it away sent me a note saying I could have it, if I wanted. YES!!! She said she used it once or twice and couldn't get used to it, so it's practically in brand-new condition. This thing retails for anywhere from $25-$38!!! I didn't want to pay that amount, in case I didn't like it, but to pay just the shipping costs? Awesome! Even better is that she lives in Los Angeles-- so the shipping costs should be really reasonable AND it should get here quickly.
I just can't believe these great deals that keep falling into my lap. Thank you, universe! :)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy News!
Mary is engaged! Sherry and Dave (well, mostly Sherry) had their baby girl yesterday morning! And another friend (who shall remain anonymous for the time being) is going to be a daddy later this year!
WOOHOO!! :) I love happy news!
WOOHOO!! :) I love happy news!
Video Extravangaza!
It's been a while since I've posted videos and, well, I'm here to make up for that! The big problem is that a certain child (who shall not be named) is very easily distracted by the video camera... and tends to stop doing whatever cute thing he was doing when the camera is turned on. Today, however, I had some success! Enjoy!
Here he is taking a few steps (while drinking his bottle). He's multitasking!
And here he is playing outside, pushing his wagon around:
Finally, a giggly baby! He loves it when I attack him and make lion noises, hehe! (I think that's how he learned to do it himself... RAAAWRRR!!!!) Also, check out all those teeth!
Here he is taking a few steps (while drinking his bottle). He's multitasking!
And here he is playing outside, pushing his wagon around:
Finally, a giggly baby! He loves it when I attack him and make lion noises, hehe! (I think that's how he learned to do it himself... RAAAWRRR!!!!) Also, check out all those teeth!
Ahhh, Snoogle...
Have I ever mentioned my Snoogle before?? It's only the BEST pillow EVER invented! I convinced Gus that I needed one when I was pregnant with Nikos and sleeping became really uncomfortable. Well, the past few days, I've started to experience some minor back pain and oh-so-fun round ligament pain (in the lower part of my belly), so I figured it must be SNOOGLE TIME! And sure enough, I slept like a baby last night (pun intended) and woke up feeling great this morning. I swear, that pillow is a lifesaver! It's like sleeping in a little nest! Last time, I tried just using a combination of body pillows/regular pillows, but nothing even comes close. Best. Pillow. Ever.
In other news... Nikos refuses to walk if he has shoes on his feet. He stands rooted to the ground, and would rather fall over than try to take a step! (is it bad that I think this is hilarious?) I bought him some flexible-soled shoes (baby Nikes-- they are SO cute!), but I don't think they're quite flexible enough. My original plan was to buy him some soft all-leather shoes, but there's a slight problem: most stores don't carry that style of shoe in a big enough size! This is a serious drawback to having a child who walks later AND has big feet (size 6!). I'm currently bidding online for a pair that will (hopefully) fit, but we shall see. In the meantime, we'll just keep practicing barefoot. I really wish he would walk in the shoes, because I know how much he loves going outside!
And now I will just take a moment to brag about my kiddo, who says more and more new things every day. As it turns out, he's better with the verbal stuff than the physical stuff! Here's a list of the things he says right now and what they mean:
uh-oh = uh-oh
doggy = doggy
cacka = cracker
nana = banana
duh! = done!
neh = no (funny, because it means "yes" in Greek!)
Dardee = Charlie
Corky = Corky
Daddy, Papa = Daddy (though he also uses this as his "default" word for everything!)
Mama = Mom
Yaya = Yia-yia
Pappou = Pappou
Mamaw = Grandma
Papaw = Grandpa
raaaawr = lion (roar!)
ba = ball
baba = bottle
pbpbpb (car noise) = car, truck, motorcycle (anything with wheels-- including wheelchairs, haha!)
bah bah bah = chicken (bock, bock, bock!)
baaaaa = sheep
tee = tree
nigh-nigh = night-night (bedtime)
chee = cheese
And I know there are more, but these are the "for sures" I can think of right now. And I have to say-- that ain't bad! The kid has 20+ words, and he's not even 15 months old yet! So I'd say that makes up for the late walking. :) Way to go, Nikos!
On the baby girl front, I finally went through all of Nikos' old clothes and pulled out everything that I think would also work for a girl (or just be plain comfy or useful, regardless of looks). As it turns out, this kid has quite a bit of clothes now! As soon as Gus is done with his closet renovation (this weekend or next), I'm going to start putting things into their proper places. Right now, everything is just in bags on the floor of her room. I can't wait to "unpack," so to speak!
I've also started working on an art project for her wall. Nikos has his name on his wall in colors that coordinate with his room, so I'm doing something similar for her. I bought a cute wooden plaque and little wooden letters that are more "curly" and less "blocky" than the ones I used in Nikos' room. I've painted them all white already, and next I will paint the letters so that they go with the bedding we've picked out (pink/yellow/aqua/pale green daisies). And after they are finished, I'll attach them to the plaque, and then attack the plaque to the wall using ribbon. It's going to be so cute, I just know it!! I have a vision! But alas, I can't show any of it, because that would mean revealing the name. Maybe I'll just show one letter when it's all done and painted?? We'll see! :)
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Price Was Right!
Let's play a game! I am going to tell you all the stuff I bought at Target this afternoon, and you guess how much I paid. Ready? Let's go!
What would you pay for all of this? Well, the mattress alone normally retails for $70... But GET THIS! It was on clearance for $11.99!!!! I kid you not! It was the only one of its kind, so I snagged it right away. The mattress pad was also on sale for nearly 50% off. So, all in all, I spent $49.35!!!!!!! But wait, it gets better! We got a $50 Target gift card from my Uncle Kerry and his family for Christmas! So I didn't have to spend a dime! SCORE!!!
Anyhow, I am very excited about my finds today. Nikos must have picked up on my good mood, because he was cheerful and delightfully babbly all through the store. He'd see various animals and make their sounds (he's into animal sounds right now). It was so cute! What a great day! :) :)
- A name-brand crib mattress (highly rated in the popular book, Baby Bargains)
- A crib mattress pad (waterproof)
- A Boppy pillow slipcover
- A three-pack of adorable baby girl onesies (name brand)
- A giant thing of conditioner and
- Two gallons of milk
What would you pay for all of this? Well, the mattress alone normally retails for $70... But GET THIS! It was on clearance for $11.99!!!! I kid you not! It was the only one of its kind, so I snagged it right away. The mattress pad was also on sale for nearly 50% off. So, all in all, I spent $49.35!!!!!!! But wait, it gets better! We got a $50 Target gift card from my Uncle Kerry and his family for Christmas! So I didn't have to spend a dime! SCORE!!!
Anyhow, I am very excited about my finds today. Nikos must have picked up on my good mood, because he was cheerful and delightfully babbly all through the store. He'd see various animals and make their sounds (he's into animal sounds right now). It was so cute! What a great day! :) :)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Baby New Year himself would like to say something:
Alright, alright... Maybe "Happy New Year" or "2009" might have been more fitting, but he's kinda small and that's all we could fit! :) Actually, this is the scene I saw when I walked in on Gus giving Nikos his bath tonight. Nikos LOVES those little letters, and normally sticks them all over the tub, but I guess tonight was daddy's turn to play? At any rate, I couldn't resist grabbing the camera!
We had a nice New Year's Eve this year. We opted to spend the evening working on the new baby's bedroom, and progress has been made! The walls are now in great shape, after some spackling, sanding, and painting. Gus got the crown moulding up without any problems, and caulked it all (along with the baseboards, which have needed it for a while). I just need to go in with my magical paintbrush to touch up a few places, and voila! The "bones" of the room will be in great shape! Gus even spent the day working on the built-in dresser that will go in the bottom of her closet. I'm thinking it will be finished in the next few days. Oh, and to top it all off, he was finally able to feel the baby moving this morning! Hooray!
Because this pregnancy is just flying by, I've started to panic a little bit about how Nikos is going to react when we bring home another little baby. He's so young, and he totally doesn't understand what's going on! On a shopping excursion yesterday, I decided to buy him a baby doll. Yes, you read that right: I bought our son a doll. Take that, gender stereotypes (Ka-POW!)! And I think it's cute, too!
Anyway... He's not all that interested in it yet, but I'm hoping we can teach him to be gentle to the baby, etc., so he's not too totally thrown off when the real baby gets here. But only time will tell, right? *Fingers crossed!*
Ok... off to touch up the paint with my aforementioned magic paintbrush. I'll post pictures (including "before" and "during" shots) when the room is all done! :)
Alright, alright... Maybe "Happy New Year" or "2009" might have been more fitting, but he's kinda small and that's all we could fit! :) Actually, this is the scene I saw when I walked in on Gus giving Nikos his bath tonight. Nikos LOVES those little letters, and normally sticks them all over the tub, but I guess tonight was daddy's turn to play? At any rate, I couldn't resist grabbing the camera!
We had a nice New Year's Eve this year. We opted to spend the evening working on the new baby's bedroom, and progress has been made! The walls are now in great shape, after some spackling, sanding, and painting. Gus got the crown moulding up without any problems, and caulked it all (along with the baseboards, which have needed it for a while). I just need to go in with my magical paintbrush to touch up a few places, and voila! The "bones" of the room will be in great shape! Gus even spent the day working on the built-in dresser that will go in the bottom of her closet. I'm thinking it will be finished in the next few days. Oh, and to top it all off, he was finally able to feel the baby moving this morning! Hooray!
Because this pregnancy is just flying by, I've started to panic a little bit about how Nikos is going to react when we bring home another little baby. He's so young, and he totally doesn't understand what's going on! On a shopping excursion yesterday, I decided to buy him a baby doll. Yes, you read that right: I bought our son a doll. Take that, gender stereotypes (Ka-POW!)! And I think it's cute, too!
Anyway... He's not all that interested in it yet, but I'm hoping we can teach him to be gentle to the baby, etc., so he's not too totally thrown off when the real baby gets here. But only time will tell, right? *Fingers crossed!*
Ok... off to touch up the paint with my aforementioned magic paintbrush. I'll post pictures (including "before" and "during" shots) when the room is all done! :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Pet Peeve
I'm feeling bugged at the moment by a few comments that someone recently made to me, and I feel it is high time to share my #1 parenting-related pet peeve: People who constantly compare kids! I'm sure I have been guilty of this once or twice, but it's become one of those things that other people do and it really gets on my nerves. (And no, it's not anyone who reads this blog... So don't think that it's you!)
It all starts with the "Is Nikos doing (x, y, z) yet?" comments. The questions are usually harmless conversation starters, but they quickly lead to comparisons. For example, walking. Nikos is just now taking his first steps at 14 months. As I've mentioned before, Gus didn't walk until 15 months-- and he is certainly no dummy. But for months and months now, I have been barraged with "Is he walking yet?" only to be followed with something like, "Oh, I just thought he'd be walking by now, my kid walked at 6 months-- he's always been such a quick learner" or something crazy like that. It drives me insane! My son will walk when he's ready, and just because he is doing it later than some is not a sign that he is mentally slower than they are. Sheesh! Frankly, if you look at the world from Nikos' perspective, what incentive does he really have to walk, anyway? He is surrounded by people who love him and want to carry him everywhere. Plus, he's a very efficient little crawling machine. Why mess with a good thing, you know?
The thing that really set me off recently, though, was a comment that an acquaintance made to me. Without going into too much detail, she basically said that her daughter (same age as Nikos) was so curious and inquisitive and into breaking everything at their house-- and she implied that Nikos was sort of a wimp for not being that way. Gotta love those gender stereotypes. Nikos is definitely a curious, but gentle, kid. This is the little boy who very carefully inspected every ornament on our Christmas tree-- and only broke one (a complete accident-- he bumped it out of my hand as I was putting it back on the tree after Charlie messed it up). This same kid will very gently pet Charlie as he sleeps on the couch. I think he is a wonderfully sweet little boy, and I'm glad he's not as wild as some other kids. But to insinuate that he's a wimp, just because he's different from your own kid? Nice.
I guess it just boils down to the fact that yes, every child really is different. And there is such a huge range of "normal" for all those developmental milestones, that it doesn't even make sense to compare (or to draw conclusions from those comparisons). It is such a wasted effort, and just makes people upset/worried. I think everyone should just focus on loving and nurturing their own kids, instead of looking around at what everyone else is doing, you know?
Vent over.
It all starts with the "Is Nikos doing (x, y, z) yet?" comments. The questions are usually harmless conversation starters, but they quickly lead to comparisons. For example, walking. Nikos is just now taking his first steps at 14 months. As I've mentioned before, Gus didn't walk until 15 months-- and he is certainly no dummy. But for months and months now, I have been barraged with "Is he walking yet?" only to be followed with something like, "Oh, I just thought he'd be walking by now, my kid walked at 6 months-- he's always been such a quick learner" or something crazy like that. It drives me insane! My son will walk when he's ready, and just because he is doing it later than some is not a sign that he is mentally slower than they are. Sheesh! Frankly, if you look at the world from Nikos' perspective, what incentive does he really have to walk, anyway? He is surrounded by people who love him and want to carry him everywhere. Plus, he's a very efficient little crawling machine. Why mess with a good thing, you know?
The thing that really set me off recently, though, was a comment that an acquaintance made to me. Without going into too much detail, she basically said that her daughter (same age as Nikos) was so curious and inquisitive and into breaking everything at their house-- and she implied that Nikos was sort of a wimp for not being that way. Gotta love those gender stereotypes. Nikos is definitely a curious, but gentle, kid. This is the little boy who very carefully inspected every ornament on our Christmas tree-- and only broke one (a complete accident-- he bumped it out of my hand as I was putting it back on the tree after Charlie messed it up). This same kid will very gently pet Charlie as he sleeps on the couch. I think he is a wonderfully sweet little boy, and I'm glad he's not as wild as some other kids. But to insinuate that he's a wimp, just because he's different from your own kid? Nice.
I guess it just boils down to the fact that yes, every child really is different. And there is such a huge range of "normal" for all those developmental milestones, that it doesn't even make sense to compare (or to draw conclusions from those comparisons). It is such a wasted effort, and just makes people upset/worried. I think everyone should just focus on loving and nurturing their own kids, instead of looking around at what everyone else is doing, you know?
Vent over.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
First Steps!
That's right, folks... Our non-walker (up 'til now) took his first steps on Christmas Eve!! He let go of the coffee table and took about 4 steps over to where I was sitting on the floor! And then, on Christmas Day, he was on a roll, regularly taking 4-5 steps to walk between Grandma and Grandpa. And then, of course, he did it again yesterday afternoon, taking just a few steps toward Pappou's outstretched arms. Gus walked at 15 months (Nikos is 14 months), so we figured he'd be doing it pretty soon... but it looks like it may be even sooner than we thought! Full mobility, here we come! :)
All in all, Christmas was fabulous (click here to see a million pictures!)... We spent Christmas Eve and morning at our own house, then drove to my parents' house for the afternoon and evening. Christmas night, we bundled up our sleeping baby and drove to Gus' parents' house, where we spent the 26th. Nikos made out like a bandit, of course, and was the center of attention. He wasn't really into opening the presents, but he did like to examine the bows and then play with the toys. His favorite gift that we bought him was the Little People school bus, which he instantly wanted to play with (ignoring all the other presents waiting to be opened). I will never fully understand his obsession with all things Little People, but he really does love them. Silly guy!
In other news... I am now the proud owner of that crib sheet I've been going on and on about! I met the woman at Starbucks this morning, and we made the trade. She was really friendly, and we talked for a bit (she has to be right around my age, and has two little girls that are 21 months apart). Thanks you, CraigsList! I also got the crib skirt in the mail, so we're well on our way! This little girl even has clothes already, thanks to my parents and my grandma (and myself, hehe!)! I've even got her "coming-home-from-the-hospital" outfit all picked out and ordered (see picture). I'm so excited to have a baby girl!
P.S. Nikos would like to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE GRANT!" hehe!
All in all, Christmas was fabulous (click here to see a million pictures!)... We spent Christmas Eve and morning at our own house, then drove to my parents' house for the afternoon and evening. Christmas night, we bundled up our sleeping baby and drove to Gus' parents' house, where we spent the 26th. Nikos made out like a bandit, of course, and was the center of attention. He wasn't really into opening the presents, but he did like to examine the bows and then play with the toys. His favorite gift that we bought him was the Little People school bus, which he instantly wanted to play with (ignoring all the other presents waiting to be opened). I will never fully understand his obsession with all things Little People, but he really does love them. Silly guy!
In other news... I am now the proud owner of that crib sheet I've been going on and on about! I met the woman at Starbucks this morning, and we made the trade. She was really friendly, and we talked for a bit (she has to be right around my age, and has two little girls that are 21 months apart). Thanks you, CraigsList! I also got the crib skirt in the mail, so we're well on our way! This little girl even has clothes already, thanks to my parents and my grandma (and myself, hehe!)! I've even got her "coming-home-from-the-hospital" outfit all picked out and ordered (see picture). I'm so excited to have a baby girl!
P.S. Nikos would like to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE GRANT!" hehe!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
But wait-- it gets better!
Yes, I am still focused on the crib sheet, but oh well! :) The lady wrote back to me today and told me she bought the sheet on sale for $13, but would sell it to me for $10 since she used it for a week. I still can't believe my good luck! As it turns out, she also has a few other gently used items that I might be interested in (a pink chamois changing table cover and matching Boppy pillow slipcover... they retail for $44 together). Anyway, I'm meeting her at a local coffee shop on Saturday morning. I am so excited! CraigsList actually works!
In other news... Our little Romeo is discovering the art of giving lip kisses, and it is beyond cute! Yesterday afternoon, I was lying on my side on the living room floor while Nikos played. Next thing I knew, he crawled over and planted one right on my lips! A few minutes later, he did it again! He thought it was very funny. Today, he thinks it's funny to kiss his toys, and then make me kiss them, too (his little Corduroy teddy bear has gotten lots of love). Such a little loverboy! I'm just going to enjoy this time where he doesn't find the idea of kissing his mommy to be completely repulsive (I know that'll come soon enough). I love this kid!!
Oh, and P.S.-- he's also discovered bellybuttons. Ladies and gentlemen, hang on to your shirts! Because he likes to lift them up and examine bellies, hahaha!!
In other news... Our little Romeo is discovering the art of giving lip kisses, and it is beyond cute! Yesterday afternoon, I was lying on my side on the living room floor while Nikos played. Next thing I knew, he crawled over and planted one right on my lips! A few minutes later, he did it again! He thought it was very funny. Today, he thinks it's funny to kiss his toys, and then make me kiss them, too (his little Corduroy teddy bear has gotten lots of love). Such a little loverboy! I'm just going to enjoy this time where he doesn't find the idea of kissing his mommy to be completely repulsive (I know that'll come soon enough). I love this kid!!
Oh, and P.S.-- he's also discovered bellybuttons. Ladies and gentlemen, hang on to your shirts! Because he likes to lift them up and examine bellies, hahaha!!
The Elusive Crib Sheet
So now that the big furniture is gone from the new baby's room and I've begun the process of cleaning it out, I've started thinking a lot more about the fun part: decorating! Previously, I mentioned that we (okay, I) had chosen bedding for her room. Honestly, I have had that bedding chosen for ages-- since I found out I was pregnant with Nikos (obviously I didn't know he was a boy at the time). I really just love that bedding! And I've searched high and low, but nothing else really does it for me. I can visualize that particular bedding set in our baby girl's little yellow room-- and nothing else!
But as it turns out, it's not as easy as just ordering the bedding and being done with it. It turns out that several parts of the set have been discontinued. Actually, it's really odd. In the picture of the bedding, the dust ruffle and the sheet are actually called "Garden Party," while the quilt, bumper, and valance are called "Daisy Garden." The Daisy Garden stuff is still readily available, but the Garden Party stuff is not. How dumb is that?!? I was able to still get the dust ruffle online, but the sheet is completely sold out everywhere! I called the store, and they said that there was not a single Garden Party sheet left in any of their retail stores or outlets. Nooooo!!!
Naturally, my next course of action was to scour online auction sites and classifieds. No luck... although I did find one auction that had ended already-- and the $16 sheet had sold for $60!!!! No thanks! On a whim, I decided to post in the "items wanted" section of CraigsList. I mean, what are the odds that a) anyone will even read that, and b) that they will have the sheet I want.
I logged onto my junk email account tonight-- the one I use for mailing lists, etc.-- and I had this email waiting for me:
Hi,
I was just in craigslist and saw you wanted this crib sheet. I wanted to let you know I have 1 crib sheet. It's very gently used. I bought it with the Olivia butterfly collection and ended up using the chamois sheet. So literally I opened it, washed it, and set up the, my baby slept on it for 1 week and then I bought the chamois sheets that I love.
She goes on to mention that she lives in our town, a whopping five minutes away. Is this too good to be true????? What are the odds??? I emailed her back right away, telling her I would gladly pay her whatever she paid (retail), assuming it's the correct sheet (I did post a picture of it, so she could compare). I am beyond psyched right now. Yes, I know-- it's a SHEET, for heaven's sake. But it's THE sheet I have been hunting for! Hooray!!!!! :)
But as it turns out, it's not as easy as just ordering the bedding and being done with it. It turns out that several parts of the set have been discontinued. Actually, it's really odd. In the picture of the bedding, the dust ruffle and the sheet are actually called "Garden Party," while the quilt, bumper, and valance are called "Daisy Garden." The Daisy Garden stuff is still readily available, but the Garden Party stuff is not. How dumb is that?!? I was able to still get the dust ruffle online, but the sheet is completely sold out everywhere! I called the store, and they said that there was not a single Garden Party sheet left in any of their retail stores or outlets. Nooooo!!!
Naturally, my next course of action was to scour online auction sites and classifieds. No luck... although I did find one auction that had ended already-- and the $16 sheet had sold for $60!!!! No thanks! On a whim, I decided to post in the "items wanted" section of CraigsList. I mean, what are the odds that a) anyone will even read that, and b) that they will have the sheet I want.
I logged onto my junk email account tonight-- the one I use for mailing lists, etc.-- and I had this email waiting for me:
Hi,
I was just in craigslist and saw you wanted this crib sheet. I wanted to let you know I have 1 crib sheet. It's very gently used. I bought it with the Olivia butterfly collection and ended up using the chamois sheet. So literally I opened it, washed it, and set up the, my baby slept on it for 1 week and then I bought the chamois sheets that I love.
She goes on to mention that she lives in our town, a whopping five minutes away. Is this too good to be true????? What are the odds??? I emailed her back right away, telling her I would gladly pay her whatever she paid (retail), assuming it's the correct sheet (I did post a picture of it, so she could compare). I am beyond psyched right now. Yes, I know-- it's a SHEET, for heaven's sake. But it's THE sheet I have been hunting for! Hooray!!!!! :)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Halfway There!
Twenty weeks!?!? I feel like I just found out I was pregnant yesterday, and here I am, halfway through. Actually, MORE than halfway through, since I will most likely have a scheduled C-section the week before my due date. Can you believe it? I think that when I was pregnant with Nikos, I was so constantly focused on my pregnancy that the time went by really slowly. But here I am, completely distracted by teaching my fifth-graders and being mom to an active toddler (my two full-time jobs). The time has FLOWN by! And I have a feeling May will be here before we know it... Yikes!
In honor of the occasion, I have decided to take my first belly shot of this pregnancy. I have been meaning to take them all along, like I did with Nikos, but I simply haven't had the time. Anyway, here I am with our half-cooked baby girl (who is currently kicking up a storm in there-- she's definitely awake!)! :)
(and if you feel like comparing, links to all my belly pics with Nikos are over there in the right-hand column)
And, spurred on by the sudden realization that the weeks are slipping by faster than I thought, I made good progress in emptying out her room this weekend! I moved my computer, Gus' laptop, and one computer desk out to our dining room and set it all up. It's actually pretty unobtrusive-looking, though this is not the ultimate plan. We're going to give the other computer desk to Florian, who basically has nothing to furnish his new apartment with. And once we get Gus' music files off of his old desktop computer, we'll yank the hard drive out and donate the rest. I also began the tedious process of emptying out the closet which, despite its small size, is overflowing with various things (file cabinet, tons of office supplies/paper, gift wrapping materials, ironing board, and lots of miscellaneous stuff that just doesn't have a home). It's been sort of our catch-all closet, and now we're losing it. It's slow-going because it requires so much reorganization of OTHER parts of the house in order to provide new homes for the various things. But it's progress nonetheless! I am thinking that the room will be totally emptied out by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!!
In honor of the occasion, I have decided to take my first belly shot of this pregnancy. I have been meaning to take them all along, like I did with Nikos, but I simply haven't had the time. Anyway, here I am with our half-cooked baby girl (who is currently kicking up a storm in there-- she's definitely awake!)! :)
And, spurred on by the sudden realization that the weeks are slipping by faster than I thought, I made good progress in emptying out her room this weekend! I moved my computer, Gus' laptop, and one computer desk out to our dining room and set it all up. It's actually pretty unobtrusive-looking, though this is not the ultimate plan. We're going to give the other computer desk to Florian, who basically has nothing to furnish his new apartment with. And once we get Gus' music files off of his old desktop computer, we'll yank the hard drive out and donate the rest. I also began the tedious process of emptying out the closet which, despite its small size, is overflowing with various things (file cabinet, tons of office supplies/paper, gift wrapping materials, ironing board, and lots of miscellaneous stuff that just doesn't have a home). It's been sort of our catch-all closet, and now we're losing it. It's slow-going because it requires so much reorganization of OTHER parts of the house in order to provide new homes for the various things. But it's progress nonetheless! I am thinking that the room will be totally emptied out by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
What little girls are made of
Well, if you ask me, the whole "sugar and spice and everything nice" thing is pretty accurate, given the number of frosted sugar cookies and chocolates that I have consumed in the past 24 hours! This kiddo is going to be made out of sugar! It doesn't help, either, that more than half of the gifts my students gave me yesterday were edible (sadly, they know I am a certifiable chocoholic). sigh. I am fairly certain that I am doomed to gain more weight with this pregnancy than I did with Nikos. Of course, I am a lot more active (chasing Nikos around), so maybe it
will all balance out in the end???
Anyway... I still can't believe our good luck: a baby girl! I've been daydreaming about it all week, since we found out. She pretty much has a name already, but don't bother asking-- we're not telling! :) Since Nikos' name was pretty much a done deal from the moment we knew he was a boy, and everyone knew it, we think it would be more fun to keep this one a surprise. So that's the plan, at least for now!
In the meantime, I've already picked out bedding for her room, and preparations are underway to start whipping it into shape! Her room is currently our office/guestroom, home to two desks, two desktop computers, and a twin bed. The twin bed will be going to its new home on Monday, so that'll be out of the way! Florian, the French guy who lived with us before Nikos was born, was finally able to get his own apartment, so he'll gladly take the bed he already slept on for several months. The computers are going to be a far trickier matter. I'm thinking that laptops are probably the way to go, with wireless networking. We already have one laptop, which we hardly use (it needs more RAM), but I'm thinking that it could become Gus' "at home" computer. As for myself, I would need something much more powerful to do all the stuff I do (photo/video editing, etc.). My brother told me last week that he happens to have a spare wireless router sitting around, which he said he'd give to us. So really, we'd just need a new laptop for me. I'd still keep one monitor, mouse, and keyboard to hook the laptop up to when editing pictures, but I think that makes a lot more sense than trying to find a new home in our already-crowded house for the two bulky desktops.
Once the computer situation is resolved and the bed is gone, the room should be pretty easy! We won't need to paint, aside from a few touch-ups, because we like the color (buttery yellow) that's in there already. And the crown moulding pieces are already cut to length and just sitting in the garage, waiting to be painted and installed. Furniture will be easy... Nikos' crib and changing table will move into his sister's room (in a few months) and he will get a toddler bed and some low bookcases. The hardest part will be fixing up her closet, which isn't much more than a coat closet right now (yes, it's that small). Gus is going to make a custom closet, with drawers down below, hanging space in the middle, and lots of shelves up above. I'll take down the yucky vertical blinds in the room and replace them with a blackout shade and some cute curtains. And the rest is just decoration! That's the fun part! :)
Anyway... here is the bedding we'll be getting for our baby girl. I think it will look great with the yellow walls and white furniture we already have. Hooray!! :) :)
In other news: We are all sick!! :( I am so plugged up that I can't hear out of my left ear (and this is day #3 of that loveliness), Nikos is cutting two molars, has a cold, AND has an ear infection, and Gus is still hanging on to a cold that has nagged him for a few weeks now. What a pathetic sight we must be!
will all balance out in the end???
Anyway... I still can't believe our good luck: a baby girl! I've been daydreaming about it all week, since we found out. She pretty much has a name already, but don't bother asking-- we're not telling! :) Since Nikos' name was pretty much a done deal from the moment we knew he was a boy, and everyone knew it, we think it would be more fun to keep this one a surprise. So that's the plan, at least for now!
In the meantime, I've already picked out bedding for her room, and preparations are underway to start whipping it into shape! Her room is currently our office/guestroom, home to two desks, two desktop computers, and a twin bed. The twin bed will be going to its new home on Monday, so that'll be out of the way! Florian, the French guy who lived with us before Nikos was born, was finally able to get his own apartment, so he'll gladly take the bed he already slept on for several months. The computers are going to be a far trickier matter. I'm thinking that laptops are probably the way to go, with wireless networking. We already have one laptop, which we hardly use (it needs more RAM), but I'm thinking that it could become Gus' "at home" computer. As for myself, I would need something much more powerful to do all the stuff I do (photo/video editing, etc.). My brother told me last week that he happens to have a spare wireless router sitting around, which he said he'd give to us. So really, we'd just need a new laptop for me. I'd still keep one monitor, mouse, and keyboard to hook the laptop up to when editing pictures, but I think that makes a lot more sense than trying to find a new home in our already-crowded house for the two bulky desktops.
Once the computer situation is resolved and the bed is gone, the room should be pretty easy! We won't need to paint, aside from a few touch-ups, because we like the color (buttery yellow) that's in there already. And the crown moulding pieces are already cut to length and just sitting in the garage, waiting to be painted and installed. Furniture will be easy... Nikos' crib and changing table will move into his sister's room (in a few months) and he will get a toddler bed and some low bookcases. The hardest part will be fixing up her closet, which isn't much more than a coat closet right now (yes, it's that small). Gus is going to make a custom closet, with drawers down below, hanging space in the middle, and lots of shelves up above. I'll take down the yucky vertical blinds in the room and replace them with a blackout shade and some cute curtains. And the rest is just decoration! That's the fun part! :)
Anyway... here is the bedding we'll be getting for our baby girl. I think it will look great with the yellow walls and white furniture we already have. Hooray!! :) :)
In other news: We are all sick!! :( I am so plugged up that I can't hear out of my left ear (and this is day #3 of that loveliness), Nikos is cutting two molars, has a cold, AND has an ear infection, and Gus is still hanging on to a cold that has nagged him for a few weeks now. What a pathetic sight we must be!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Drumroll Please!
Well we had our big ultrasound appointment today, and it went smoothly! This baby was VERY wiggly, very fast, and didn't want to cooperate... but after 45 minutes of looking, the techs were able to see and get pictures of everything they needed. And we very definitely know the sex (which I'll get to in a sec!). In the meantime, look at this little cutie!
Such a cute baby GIRL, don't you think????? :) :) :) She is very definitely a girl, and we are over-the-moon happy right now. It just seems so perfect! A little girl! Nikos is going to have a little sister! I really don't think I could ask for anything more. Life Is Good.
Such a cute baby GIRL, don't you think????? :) :) :) She is very definitely a girl, and we are over-the-moon happy right now. It just seems so perfect! A little girl! Nikos is going to have a little sister! I really don't think I could ask for anything more. Life Is Good.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Rainbow at Night
Well, I am definitely pregnant! Not that I ever doubted it, but I have been feeling the baby move so much more lately. It hardly ever happens during the day-- it's just at night, when I can feel it moving around a bit and pressing outward. I'm starting to really comprehend that it's a different baby in there this time, not Nikos! The movement I'm feeling is very different from last time. Nikos would kick and punch and make sudden, jerky movements... so far, this baby writhes around in a much more fluid fashion. But little "Rainbow" is definitely making his or her presence known now! Without fail, he or she begins wriggling around at about 2am every night. And despite the fact that it wakes me up (I'm a light sleeper), I enjoy having this little solo time with baby #2 when the rest of the world is sleeping. :)
But, to be honest, I am getting very tired of referring to this baby as "he or she" or "it." So how about we start calling it a little boy or a little girl already?? One more day to go... We should find out the sex tomorrow at my big ultrasound appointment. I can't WAIT!!!!
P.S. According to my weekly emails, the baby is currently about 6 inches long from head to rump, and weighs just over half a pound.
But, to be honest, I am getting very tired of referring to this baby as "he or she" or "it." So how about we start calling it a little boy or a little girl already?? One more day to go... We should find out the sex tomorrow at my big ultrasound appointment. I can't WAIT!!!!
P.S. According to my weekly emails, the baby is currently about 6 inches long from head to rump, and weighs just over half a pound.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Generalizing
I don't think I will ever understand the inner workings of the human mind, especially that which belongs to Nikos. He constantly amazes me-- and lately has been no exception!
For instance... I can understand seeing a dog, being told that this thing is called a "dog," and learning it. But then how is it that he can recognize different things as dogs??? I started to think about this as we were leaving daycare the other day, when he pointed to Bonnie's cast-iron Scottish Terrier doorstop and said "doggy!" Now I know he's seen dogs before, but never a Scottie-- how did he know to call it a dog? Then we passed a black lab, and again he said "doggy!" He points to the picture of a cartoon dog on his pajamas and knows that that's a dog, too! Same with a stuffed bulldog, the picture of a Sharpei on his highchair, and, of course, his stuffed Golden Retriever toy. Somehow, he has created a definition in his mind of what a dog is, and it must be a good one. Because he's always right about dogs (that's the crazy part!!).
Then, this afternoon, we were playing on the floor in his bedroom. Mostly he was handing me his books and scattering them all over the place. I started reading one of the books aloud to him. We came to a picture of a Myna bird, which he pointed at and said "cack-cack?" in a questioning tone. "Cack-cack" is what he calls ducks! He saw the picture of the bird, with its semi-large, slightly duck-like beak, and wasn't sure if it was a duck or not! I could seriously see the wheels spinning in his head as I told him it was a bird, not a duck (even if a duck IS a bird). I'm sure he was taking in that information and refining his definition of "duck," right there on the spot. And that is incredible, if you ask me!
On a totally different note... Here's a picture I took this afternoon! Now that he's standing on his own for longer and longer periods (sometimes a minute or two), I wanted to attempt a Christmas tree photo. So here is Nikos with the "chee":
For instance... I can understand seeing a dog, being told that this thing is called a "dog," and learning it. But then how is it that he can recognize different things as dogs??? I started to think about this as we were leaving daycare the other day, when he pointed to Bonnie's cast-iron Scottish Terrier doorstop and said "doggy!" Now I know he's seen dogs before, but never a Scottie-- how did he know to call it a dog? Then we passed a black lab, and again he said "doggy!" He points to the picture of a cartoon dog on his pajamas and knows that that's a dog, too! Same with a stuffed bulldog, the picture of a Sharpei on his highchair, and, of course, his stuffed Golden Retriever toy. Somehow, he has created a definition in his mind of what a dog is, and it must be a good one. Because he's always right about dogs (that's the crazy part!!).
Then, this afternoon, we were playing on the floor in his bedroom. Mostly he was handing me his books and scattering them all over the place. I started reading one of the books aloud to him. We came to a picture of a Myna bird, which he pointed at and said "cack-cack?" in a questioning tone. "Cack-cack" is what he calls ducks! He saw the picture of the bird, with its semi-large, slightly duck-like beak, and wasn't sure if it was a duck or not! I could seriously see the wheels spinning in his head as I told him it was a bird, not a duck (even if a duck IS a bird). I'm sure he was taking in that information and refining his definition of "duck," right there on the spot. And that is incredible, if you ask me!
On a totally different note... Here's a picture I took this afternoon! Now that he's standing on his own for longer and longer periods (sometimes a minute or two), I wanted to attempt a Christmas tree photo. So here is Nikos with the "chee":
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
"Ook, dey Dardee!"
Maybe I am reading more into this than I should, but my child is a genius! haha! :) A few times lately, he has surprised me by stringing several words together! It started a few days ago, when he was noticeably upset about something, and I had no idea what it was. I knew his diaper was probably wet, so I picked him up to go change him. That clearly wasn't what he wanted, because he got even MORE agitated. Finally, he looked right at me, pointed at the Christmas tree, and said, "Mama, CHEE!!!!" I took him over to see the tree (which is in an area he can't get to) and, lo and behold, he was a happy little camper again!
Then, last night, he was standing by the tree (all by himself, I might add). Charlie happened to be under the tree on the opposite side. Nikos suddenly noticed him, crouched down, pointed at him, and said something that sounded an awful lot like "Look, there's Charlie!" ("Ook, dey Dardee!") I couldn't believe it! He's also started saying "Ah duh" ("All done") when he's done eating or drinking something (he used to just say "duh!"). He says it with such force, too, and he pushes everything away! I just can't get over the fact that he is really starting to communicate with us!!
One other thing I've noticed is that he is getting better at copying what we say. If I point to the Santa Claus on our entry hall table and say "Santa," he'll almost instantly say, "da-ta." It is so cool! I am shocked at how much this little sponge is soaking up!
Then, last night, he was standing by the tree (all by himself, I might add). Charlie happened to be under the tree on the opposite side. Nikos suddenly noticed him, crouched down, pointed at him, and said something that sounded an awful lot like "Look, there's Charlie!" ("Ook, dey Dardee!") I couldn't believe it! He's also started saying "Ah duh" ("All done") when he's done eating or drinking something (he used to just say "duh!"). He says it with such force, too, and he pushes everything away! I just can't get over the fact that he is really starting to communicate with us!!
One other thing I've noticed is that he is getting better at copying what we say. If I point to the Santa Claus on our entry hall table and say "Santa," he'll almost instantly say, "da-ta." It is so cool! I am shocked at how much this little sponge is soaking up!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Guilt
This is going to seem a little strange, but I feel guilty for not writing about baby #2 as often as I write about Nikos. In fact, I sometimes even forget that I am pregnant, despite my ever-increasing belly! Gus and I are both first-borns, but I think I've started to understand some of the issues that younger siblings have. And I don't want to be "that parent" who plays favorites, or who never buys anything new for the younger child because baby #1 already has everything. You know? I am definitely rambling here, but it's something that bothers me lately.
In a way, this is sort of a testament to how easy my pregnancy has been so far (*knock on wood!*). I certainly wouldn't be able to forget about it if I were having difficulties! Instead, it's been smooth sailing. I had very, very mild "afternoon sickness" for only a short while, and it hardly affected my appetite at all. I haven't had any instances of spotting or cramping-- nothing that would make me panic and call the doctor (unlike last time). In fact, I just have a gut feeling that this baby is very strong and resilient... both excellent qualities! So instead of focusing on what's happening in my belly, I've been kept distracted by the constant changes Nikos has been going through, right before my eyes. It doesn't mean that I care about baby #2 any less... it just means that I have less to worry about than last time, and more to worry about with Nikos (who gets into EVERYTHING). I trust that he or she is cooking along in there, right on schedule, and I just go about my daily life!
That being said, though, I cannot WAIT to see his or her little face in 10 more days. I think that will help make things more "real." And I can't wait to decorate the other bedroom. I hope these next 10 days pass quickly!
In a way, this is sort of a testament to how easy my pregnancy has been so far (*knock on wood!*). I certainly wouldn't be able to forget about it if I were having difficulties! Instead, it's been smooth sailing. I had very, very mild "afternoon sickness" for only a short while, and it hardly affected my appetite at all. I haven't had any instances of spotting or cramping-- nothing that would make me panic and call the doctor (unlike last time). In fact, I just have a gut feeling that this baby is very strong and resilient... both excellent qualities! So instead of focusing on what's happening in my belly, I've been kept distracted by the constant changes Nikos has been going through, right before my eyes. It doesn't mean that I care about baby #2 any less... it just means that I have less to worry about than last time, and more to worry about with Nikos (who gets into EVERYTHING). I trust that he or she is cooking along in there, right on schedule, and I just go about my daily life!
That being said, though, I cannot WAIT to see his or her little face in 10 more days. I think that will help make things more "real." And I can't wait to decorate the other bedroom. I hope these next 10 days pass quickly!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Chee!!!
Nikos has added a new word to his vocabulary: "Chee!" (tree!) That's right, he has become obsessed with the Christmas tree! Whenever he catches sight of it, he points directly at it and says "chee" repeatedly until he gets to see it up close. He is endlessly fascinated by the ornaments, the lights, and, well, just about everything involving the "chee." Last night, I was holding his hands as he stood on the floor in front of it, examining the ornaments on the lower branches. He felt pretty stable, so I let go... and he stood there, completely on his own, for about 30 seconds! He was so absorbed that he forgot to freak out, haha! (normally, he sort of panics when he realizes that he's not holding on to anything-- which causes him to collapse). He did it over and over again in front of the tree. This tree may be the thing that gets him to start thinking about walking... hooray! :)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Ch-ch-ch-changes!
It seems like Nikos has really hit a developmental spurt in the past few weeks! There are probably too many new "tricks" to describe, and I will surely forget some of them, but here is my attempt! For one, he finally started clapping not long ago. He claps for a few seconds, then throws his hands high in the air (think: "touchdown!"). He thinks it's hilarious to watch every adult in sight copy him (I don't blame him... what power he has over the big people!). He's also started tickling peoples' feet. He'll crawl over to where I'm sitting, look right in my eyes (while trying to contain giggles), and then ever-so-gently touch my foot. When I kick my foot and laugh, he thinks it is absolutely hysterical! And the sometimes, while he's playing on the floor, he'll put his head down and pretend to go to sleep for a minute... only to burst into giggles. His sense of humor cracks me up! He also knows that his Little People belong in their cars, and he will usually put them in there (properly!) before pushing the cars around on the floor (and making accompanying noises). He is beyond adorable!
And then there's the talking. Many of his words are still difficult to understand, but we are realizing that he DOES have more words than we previously thought. His clearest ones are still "mama," "daddy," and "uh-oh," but we think he's got a bunch more. He definitely says "doggy" (his obsession), "baba" (bottle), "duh" (done), "no" (complete with shaking his head), "kaka" (cracker), and he has a funny little fake phone conversation that includes two words that sound sort of like "hi" and "bye-bye." He also says something whenever he sees Charlie, but I'm not quite sure if it's his version of saying "Charlie" or "kitty." In addition to all that, he understands quite a bit! If you ask him what a duck says, he will sometimes say "cack, cack, cack." And, according to him, a doggy says "ar, ar, ar!" And if you ask him about doggies while he's eating a meal, he'll turn and point to the little picture of a dog that's printed on his headrest! I just can't believe how much is going on inside that little head of his! He learns something new every single day!
As for the physical stuff, he is taking his sweet time. He can stand alone for a second or two, tops, but could go a lot longer if he wasn't so wiggly (he is SUPER wiggly and energetic). Pulling up and cruising is second nature to him, though, so I'm sure that walking can't be too far down the line. Gus told me that he didn't start walking until he was 15 months, so maybe Nikos takes after his daddy! It's fine, anyway... Everyone keeps telling us to enjoy this time, because once he starts walking, he'll learn to RUN... and then we'll be running, too! :)
And then, of course, there is sweet baby #2 cooking away in my belly. There have been a few times at night recently when I have really been able to feel him/her. I know that the baby is still pretty small, and maybe it's due to where he/she is positioned in there, but I swore I could feel a little arm or leg last night. It was poking out, and it was tiny, but it was definitely not a normal part of my belly. And then it moved. I haven't been able to show Gus yet, but it's so cool! This is a lot earlier than I ever felt Nikos move. I also had a dream last night that this baby was a boy, which was sort of odd. Everyone thinks it's a girl this time, including me, so we will see who's right (me vs. my subconscious). We should know in 17 more days!! :) I can't wait-- either way!!!
P.S. Last night, Nikos turned on the stereo, switched it over to CD mode, and hit play-- all by himself! Gus was watching him when it happened, and couldn't believe it. He turned on the Christmas music for us, hehe!!!
And then there's the talking. Many of his words are still difficult to understand, but we are realizing that he DOES have more words than we previously thought. His clearest ones are still "mama," "daddy," and "uh-oh," but we think he's got a bunch more. He definitely says "doggy" (his obsession), "baba" (bottle), "duh" (done), "no" (complete with shaking his head), "kaka" (cracker), and he has a funny little fake phone conversation that includes two words that sound sort of like "hi" and "bye-bye." He also says something whenever he sees Charlie, but I'm not quite sure if it's his version of saying "Charlie" or "kitty." In addition to all that, he understands quite a bit! If you ask him what a duck says, he will sometimes say "cack, cack, cack." And, according to him, a doggy says "ar, ar, ar!" And if you ask him about doggies while he's eating a meal, he'll turn and point to the little picture of a dog that's printed on his headrest! I just can't believe how much is going on inside that little head of his! He learns something new every single day!
As for the physical stuff, he is taking his sweet time. He can stand alone for a second or two, tops, but could go a lot longer if he wasn't so wiggly (he is SUPER wiggly and energetic). Pulling up and cruising is second nature to him, though, so I'm sure that walking can't be too far down the line. Gus told me that he didn't start walking until he was 15 months, so maybe Nikos takes after his daddy! It's fine, anyway... Everyone keeps telling us to enjoy this time, because once he starts walking, he'll learn to RUN... and then we'll be running, too! :)
And then, of course, there is sweet baby #2 cooking away in my belly. There have been a few times at night recently when I have really been able to feel him/her. I know that the baby is still pretty small, and maybe it's due to where he/she is positioned in there, but I swore I could feel a little arm or leg last night. It was poking out, and it was tiny, but it was definitely not a normal part of my belly. And then it moved. I haven't been able to show Gus yet, but it's so cool! This is a lot earlier than I ever felt Nikos move. I also had a dream last night that this baby was a boy, which was sort of odd. Everyone thinks it's a girl this time, including me, so we will see who's right (me vs. my subconscious). We should know in 17 more days!! :) I can't wait-- either way!!!
P.S. Last night, Nikos turned on the stereo, switched it over to CD mode, and hit play-- all by himself! Gus was watching him when it happened, and couldn't believe it. He turned on the Christmas music for us, hehe!!!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Turkey Day
We are home! After driving to/from Napa earlier this week, and then driving to/from North Hollywood yesterday, I'd say I'm pretty much sick of being in the car. Now it's time to stay home, get out the Christmas decorations, and help Gus with his various home improvement projects (he's got quite the To Do list for the weekend). Hooray for being home!!
We did have a lovely Thanksgiving, though. We spent the afternoon at the home of Nikos' godparents (our wedding sponsors) up in North Hollywood. So it was their family, Gus' family, two other families, a few "Thanksgiving orphans" and us-- seventeen people in all. Last time we had Thanksgiving with them, the drive took us somewhere between four and five hours (it should be about two hours). So we were prepared this time, and decided to make the drive in two chunks: from San Diego to Orange County (Gus' parents' house) during Nikos' morning nap, and from Orange County to North Hollywood during the afternoon nap. Shockingly, we ran into very little traffic, and the overall drive time was about two-and-a-half hours! What's the deal with that??
As a result, Nikos' afternoon nap ended up being shortened quite a bit, and he was in a semi-cranky mood for a bit (the big crowd didn't help). Eventually, he warmed up, though, and was highly entertaining! He showed everyone how he can say "doggy," and made some funny sounds with his lips (cracking himself up). He also ate a TON of food... Turkey, mashed potatoes (a lot!), ham, tiropitas (cheese turnovers), apple pie, ice cream... you name it! He was quite a little piglet! When bedtime came, we put him down in the pack-n-play in one of the bedrooms, and he conked out right away. We socialized for a bit, then transferred him to the car and made the long drive home. We ended up getting home around 11pm, and I think I fell asleep as soon as I hit the sheets!
Anyway, it was a nice day, but I am glad the driving is done. It sure is a big change from last year, when Nikos was just a little one-month-old blob! :)
We did have a lovely Thanksgiving, though. We spent the afternoon at the home of Nikos' godparents (our wedding sponsors) up in North Hollywood. So it was their family, Gus' family, two other families, a few "Thanksgiving orphans" and us-- seventeen people in all. Last time we had Thanksgiving with them, the drive took us somewhere between four and five hours (it should be about two hours). So we were prepared this time, and decided to make the drive in two chunks: from San Diego to Orange County (Gus' parents' house) during Nikos' morning nap, and from Orange County to North Hollywood during the afternoon nap. Shockingly, we ran into very little traffic, and the overall drive time was about two-and-a-half hours! What's the deal with that??
As a result, Nikos' afternoon nap ended up being shortened quite a bit, and he was in a semi-cranky mood for a bit (the big crowd didn't help). Eventually, he warmed up, though, and was highly entertaining! He showed everyone how he can say "doggy," and made some funny sounds with his lips (cracking himself up). He also ate a TON of food... Turkey, mashed potatoes (a lot!), ham, tiropitas (cheese turnovers), apple pie, ice cream... you name it! He was quite a little piglet! When bedtime came, we put him down in the pack-n-play in one of the bedrooms, and he conked out right away. We socialized for a bit, then transferred him to the car and made the long drive home. We ended up getting home around 11pm, and I think I fell asleep as soon as I hit the sheets!
Anyway, it was a nice day, but I am glad the driving is done. It sure is a big change from last year, when Nikos was just a little one-month-old blob! :)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Fun Day...
First, I just want to say that I will no longer be writing monthly letters to Nikos... He's 13 months today, but I figured I'll just write them whenever I feel like it, as opposed to keeping a schedule. Now that he's over a year old, I think I can do that!
That being said, our little guy spent his 13-month "birthday" doing something different: he visited Santa Claus at the mall!!! I would LOVE to post the picture here, but alas, I cannot. And that is because it is going to be our Christmas card this year, and I wouldn't want to ruin it for you! :) Let's just say that he didn't exactly find Santa all that appealing. The picture is HILARIOUS!!! Oh well, maybe next year he'll be a little more interested, hehe!
This afternoon, I had a quick doctor's appointment to check on "Rainbow." The nurse practitioner found the heartbeat quickly, and it was nice and strong! Such a great sound to finally hear! She also told me the results of all my bloodwork from my first appointment, and everything looked fantastic. After we were done, I walked down to the lab to get more blood drawn for the AFP test. Yes, that's right, the AFP test. You might remember the last time that happened?? I got a positive result, which ended up leading to having an amniocentesis done to see whether or not Nikos had Down Syndrome. Fortunately, he was completely healthy and perfect. I am dreading the results of this test, but at least I know what to expect this time around. I won't be as frightened if I get another positive result. But still... here's hoping for a "negative" in a few weeks!!!
And so that was our day... Interesting, to say the least! The plan for tomorrow is to attempt to bake an apple pie to bring to Thanksgiving on Thursday. I might even put up the tree and/or bake cookies! Wish me luck! :)
That being said, our little guy spent his 13-month "birthday" doing something different: he visited Santa Claus at the mall!!! I would LOVE to post the picture here, but alas, I cannot. And that is because it is going to be our Christmas card this year, and I wouldn't want to ruin it for you! :) Let's just say that he didn't exactly find Santa all that appealing. The picture is HILARIOUS!!! Oh well, maybe next year he'll be a little more interested, hehe!
This afternoon, I had a quick doctor's appointment to check on "Rainbow." The nurse practitioner found the heartbeat quickly, and it was nice and strong! Such a great sound to finally hear! She also told me the results of all my bloodwork from my first appointment, and everything looked fantastic. After we were done, I walked down to the lab to get more blood drawn for the AFP test. Yes, that's right, the AFP test. You might remember the last time that happened?? I got a positive result, which ended up leading to having an amniocentesis done to see whether or not Nikos had Down Syndrome. Fortunately, he was completely healthy and perfect. I am dreading the results of this test, but at least I know what to expect this time around. I won't be as frightened if I get another positive result. But still... here's hoping for a "negative" in a few weeks!!!
And so that was our day... Interesting, to say the least! The plan for tomorrow is to attempt to bake an apple pie to bring to Thanksgiving on Thursday. I might even put up the tree and/or bake cookies! Wish me luck! :)
Wedding Weekend!
So as it turns out, this past Saturday was a popular one for weddings! Not only did my high school friend Ikuyo get married in Japan, but two of our very best college friends, Mike and Steph, got hitched up in Napa! Gus and I were both in the bridal party for Mike and Steph's wedding, so that's the one we attended, but I can't wait to see pictures from Ikuyo's wedding, too! Hooray for weddings!!!
Anyway, we had a fantastic time. It was so much fun to see Mike and Steph again, and to meet their other friends John and Jelena. The six of us were all staying at the same hotel, so we were actually able to hang out despite all the wedding activities, which was really nice. Nikos stayed with my parents this time, and was in a great mood the entire time we were gone (of course!). We left early Friday morning, and then returned home last night after a stayover in Pismo Beach on our way down the coast. All in all, it was really a fun weekend-- one of the best times we've had in a while! Here are a few (okay, a LOT of) pictures from this weekend's festivities (taken with my cheap, crummy camera because it was smaller and fit into Gus' pocket)...
And a few from our day/night in Pismo Beach... cold, but very pretty!
Anyway, we had a fantastic time. It was so much fun to see Mike and Steph again, and to meet their other friends John and Jelena. The six of us were all staying at the same hotel, so we were actually able to hang out despite all the wedding activities, which was really nice. Nikos stayed with my parents this time, and was in a great mood the entire time we were gone (of course!). We left early Friday morning, and then returned home last night after a stayover in Pismo Beach on our way down the coast. All in all, it was really a fun weekend-- one of the best times we've had in a while! Here are a few (okay, a LOT of) pictures from this weekend's festivities (taken with my cheap, crummy camera because it was smaller and fit into Gus' pocket)...
And a few from our day/night in Pismo Beach... cold, but very pretty!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Clapping, Cuddles, and Communication
Our little guy seems to be going through a developmental "growth spurt" lately, and it's been so much fun! For one, he finally started clapping. He'd been pointing and waving for months, but would never clap (even if I put his hands together and showed him). All of a sudden, he started doing it! He thinks it's HILARIOUS, too, and gets the biggest smile and giggles while he's doing it. I've been trying to get a video, but no luck so far. I think I might just die from the cuteness!
In the past few weeks, Nikos has also started giving "hugs"-- or his version of them, anyway. I'll be sitting on the floor in the living room, watching him play, and he'll come crawling over to me at full speed, pull up on me, spread his arms out wide and rest his head on my belly or wherever. And before you know it, he's off playing again. It's like he just needs to check in with me and give me some love before he goes to play some more. It is just the sweetest thing!
Finally, I'm realizing that he understands much more than I thought. Last night, he drank about half of his bottle and then abandoned it for some toys. I said, "Hey, drink your bottle!" He turned around, crawled back over to his bottle, and chugged it. Is he a good boy or what??? :) We won't mention the spectacular tantrum he threw about an hour later. Oh no, we won't mention that at all. But while we're on the topic... Gus and I are attempting to ignore the tantrum and redirect him to his toys, and it seems to work most of the time. The tantrums are getting shorter and less frequent... Let's hope the trend continues before I lose my mind!
And, lest my second child reads this in the future and thinks I have forgotten about them... I think I am feeling the baby move!! A couple of times now, in the evening, I have felt those familiar movements in my belly. It should become more obvious in the next month or so, but it's so cool! I don't think it ever gets any less amazing... I can't believe that there's another little person in there!!
In the past few weeks, Nikos has also started giving "hugs"-- or his version of them, anyway. I'll be sitting on the floor in the living room, watching him play, and he'll come crawling over to me at full speed, pull up on me, spread his arms out wide and rest his head on my belly or wherever. And before you know it, he's off playing again. It's like he just needs to check in with me and give me some love before he goes to play some more. It is just the sweetest thing!
Finally, I'm realizing that he understands much more than I thought. Last night, he drank about half of his bottle and then abandoned it for some toys. I said, "Hey, drink your bottle!" He turned around, crawled back over to his bottle, and chugged it. Is he a good boy or what??? :) We won't mention the spectacular tantrum he threw about an hour later. Oh no, we won't mention that at all. But while we're on the topic... Gus and I are attempting to ignore the tantrum and redirect him to his toys, and it seems to work most of the time. The tantrums are getting shorter and less frequent... Let's hope the trend continues before I lose my mind!
And, lest my second child reads this in the future and thinks I have forgotten about them... I think I am feeling the baby move!! A couple of times now, in the evening, I have felt those familiar movements in my belly. It should become more obvious in the next month or so, but it's so cool! I don't think it ever gets any less amazing... I can't believe that there's another little person in there!!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ups and Downs
First, a picture of very-happy Nikos, upon discovering Charlie's napping spot (Charlie was not so thrilled):
I may be biased, but doesn't he have the BEST smile??? I need that right now!
So today started off on a low note, which was a bummer. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for 8:30am, according to the little reminder card they gave me last time. Gus and I got to the office and, lo and behold, they couldn't find my appointment in the computer! The receptionist must not have actually entered it into the system! I was so sad, because this was supposed to be the appointment where we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Anyhow, they were going to try to fit me in, anyway, but then the lead nurse took a look at my chart. She asked me if I was planning on doing the AFP test (the test that lead to all the drama last time around... yet we've decided that the pros outweigh the cons). When I said yes, she told me that I wasn't far enough along in my pregnancy to do that yet, and that I'd need to come back in two weeks, anyway. So... They made me an appointment for the 25th. No appointment today, no happy heartbeat. I very nearly cried, because I was so disappointed. I just hope the next two weeks fly by!
On a happier note, though, Gus has been Mr. Handyman this weekend! With some help from my dad (the home improvement guru), he tore out all the old kitchen tile, replaced it with new tile, and installed our new kitchen sink and faucet! It looks incredible! Here is an "in-progress" picture... Once everything is cleaned up in there, I'll post the finished product. It really does look great!
I may be biased, but doesn't he have the BEST smile??? I need that right now!
So today started off on a low note, which was a bummer. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for 8:30am, according to the little reminder card they gave me last time. Gus and I got to the office and, lo and behold, they couldn't find my appointment in the computer! The receptionist must not have actually entered it into the system! I was so sad, because this was supposed to be the appointment where we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Anyhow, they were going to try to fit me in, anyway, but then the lead nurse took a look at my chart. She asked me if I was planning on doing the AFP test (the test that lead to all the drama last time around... yet we've decided that the pros outweigh the cons). When I said yes, she told me that I wasn't far enough along in my pregnancy to do that yet, and that I'd need to come back in two weeks, anyway. So... They made me an appointment for the 25th. No appointment today, no happy heartbeat. I very nearly cried, because I was so disappointed. I just hope the next two weeks fly by!
On a happier note, though, Gus has been Mr. Handyman this weekend! With some help from my dad (the home improvement guru), he tore out all the old kitchen tile, replaced it with new tile, and installed our new kitchen sink and faucet! It looks incredible! Here is an "in-progress" picture... Once everything is cleaned up in there, I'll post the finished product. It really does look great!
Friday, November 7, 2008
"Rainbow"
I can't believe that I forgot to post about this! Yikes! Pregnancy brain strikes again!
Anyway... Last week, I made the big announcement at work! In the lounge, I posted the picture of Nikos wearing his "Big Brother" shirt and wrote the news on the white board. Knowing that this sort of news spreads like wildfire around my small school, I knew I'd need to tell my students pretty much first thing in the morning. After they got unpacked and settled, I told them that I had a Picture of the Day to share. This is pretty common for me-- I almost always show them cute Nikos pictures. So when his picture popped up on the screen, I got the usual "awwwww"s from the kids. I didn't say anything. After a short pause, I could hear a few students reading his shirt out loud ("big... brother...??"). Next thing I knew, one little boy said, "Wait-- are you PREGNANT?!?!?!" The way he said it, with an accusatory tone, was hilarious (his mom just had baby #4 six weeks ago)! Once I confirmed that yes, I was indeed pregnant, they just went bonkers. Screaming, yelling, ticker-tape parade insane. It was a pretty great reaction, actually. They are so excited! (oh, and this was last Wednesday... it was a short day and the day that we celebrated Halloween at our school... So they were pretty hyper to begin with)
Anyhow... fast forward to this week. The same kiddo who figured out that I was pregnant asked me what I was going to name this baby. I said something to the effect of, "I don't know. Whatever I feel like!" He responded, "So... you could, like, name your baby something like Rainbow? Or Tree?" I told him that yes, I was planning to name my child Rainbow. Well, wouldn't you know that it stuck! All week long, my students have been calling my baby "Rainbow." In all seriousness! They'll start questions with phrases like "When Rainbow gets here..." It cracks me up! It's so much more fun than saying "it" or "the baby." Little Rainbow! :)
Anyway... Last week, I made the big announcement at work! In the lounge, I posted the picture of Nikos wearing his "Big Brother" shirt and wrote the news on the white board. Knowing that this sort of news spreads like wildfire around my small school, I knew I'd need to tell my students pretty much first thing in the morning. After they got unpacked and settled, I told them that I had a Picture of the Day to share. This is pretty common for me-- I almost always show them cute Nikos pictures. So when his picture popped up on the screen, I got the usual "awwwww"s from the kids. I didn't say anything. After a short pause, I could hear a few students reading his shirt out loud ("big... brother...??"). Next thing I knew, one little boy said, "Wait-- are you PREGNANT?!?!?!" The way he said it, with an accusatory tone, was hilarious (his mom just had baby #4 six weeks ago)! Once I confirmed that yes, I was indeed pregnant, they just went bonkers. Screaming, yelling, ticker-tape parade insane. It was a pretty great reaction, actually. They are so excited! (oh, and this was last Wednesday... it was a short day and the day that we celebrated Halloween at our school... So they were pretty hyper to begin with)
Anyhow... fast forward to this week. The same kiddo who figured out that I was pregnant asked me what I was going to name this baby. I said something to the effect of, "I don't know. Whatever I feel like!" He responded, "So... you could, like, name your baby something like Rainbow? Or Tree?" I told him that yes, I was planning to name my child Rainbow. Well, wouldn't you know that it stuck! All week long, my students have been calling my baby "Rainbow." In all seriousness! They'll start questions with phrases like "When Rainbow gets here..." It cracks me up! It's so much more fun than saying "it" or "the baby." Little Rainbow! :)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
First Weekend Away...
Well, Gus and I just got back from our first-ever weekend away from Nikos. Gus' buddy from college got married up in Monterey, so of course we had to go! Nikos stayed with his yia-yia and pappou, and had a great time. They even took him trick-or-treating with his girlfriend, Simone (who was a ladybug)! Simone's daddy, Mike, supposedly took quite a few pictures of them, so we'll hopefully get to see them soon. And in the meantime, we can eat all the candy that our son collected for us (mwahahaha!!!). :)
Anyhow, we had a great weekend. The drive was incredibly long, seeing as how Monterey is way out on a peninsula and away from the bigger highways. It took us just over an hour and a half to get to Gus' parents' house in Orange County on Friday morning, and then another six-and-a-half hours to get from there to Monterey. It was a little faster driving home today (less traffic), but still looooooong.
Other than the drive, though, the weekend was great! The weather was drizzly and gray, but that seems pretty fitting for the area. The rehearsal dinner was on Halloween, and basically everyone who was invited to the wedding was there (biggest rehearsal dinner EVER! It was basically a pre-wedding wedding.). Gus got to touch base with a lot of his college buddies. The next day, we had time to kill, so we went and walked around Cannery Row. We met up with three of his friends, walked around a bit, and then had lunch together. We saw several sea otters, and even an escaped sea lion (who was supposed to be in a fenced-off area... he was a rebel!). After going back to the hotel and getting ready, we made our way to Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club. It was off of the scenic 17 Mile Drive, so just imagine how fancy-pants it was! The wedding was beautiful, and the food was great. All of the UCLA people were pretty much seated at the same table, so it was fun! The scariest part of the evening was attempting to find our way home, when the 17-Mile Drive was just about pitch black and covered with dense fog. There were some hairy moments, but we eventually found our way to the gate!
Anyhow... Here are some pictures from this weekend! I might come back and label them later, but for now I'll just say "Congrats, Scott and Robyn!" :)
Anyhow, we had a great weekend. The drive was incredibly long, seeing as how Monterey is way out on a peninsula and away from the bigger highways. It took us just over an hour and a half to get to Gus' parents' house in Orange County on Friday morning, and then another six-and-a-half hours to get from there to Monterey. It was a little faster driving home today (less traffic), but still looooooong.
Other than the drive, though, the weekend was great! The weather was drizzly and gray, but that seems pretty fitting for the area. The rehearsal dinner was on Halloween, and basically everyone who was invited to the wedding was there (biggest rehearsal dinner EVER! It was basically a pre-wedding wedding.). Gus got to touch base with a lot of his college buddies. The next day, we had time to kill, so we went and walked around Cannery Row. We met up with three of his friends, walked around a bit, and then had lunch together. We saw several sea otters, and even an escaped sea lion (who was supposed to be in a fenced-off area... he was a rebel!). After going back to the hotel and getting ready, we made our way to Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club. It was off of the scenic 17 Mile Drive, so just imagine how fancy-pants it was! The wedding was beautiful, and the food was great. All of the UCLA people were pretty much seated at the same table, so it was fun! The scariest part of the evening was attempting to find our way home, when the 17-Mile Drive was just about pitch black and covered with dense fog. There were some hairy moments, but we eventually found our way to the gate!
Anyhow... Here are some pictures from this weekend! I might come back and label them later, but for now I'll just say "Congrats, Scott and Robyn!" :)
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