Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What parenting really is...
Heard escaping from my lips last evening: Sometimes I understand you and don't understand you at the same time, Janet. Is that what parenting really is?
Monday, February 25, 2008
The potty battle
And this time it is what you think.
Busby has not voluntarily gone to the bathroom since...I don't know when. We have to prod, cajole, threaten and cry to get him in there.
Janet demands to sit on the potty every time I change her diaper. And today, actually peed in the stupid thing. Which is a tiny miracle because she had to wait in line behind her non-peeing-in-the-potty brother. When she did pee, she said "Uh, Oh!" like she had made some huge mistake. I, of course, praised her and then tried to teach her about toilet paper. She looked at me like I was nuts. I tried to explain that it was like a baby wipe, but drier. She continued to look at me like I was nuts. Then she demanded to wash her hands.
This is her real motivation. She loves to wash her hands. Then brush her teeth. Then wash her hands again.
Busby has not voluntarily gone to the bathroom since...I don't know when. We have to prod, cajole, threaten and cry to get him in there.
Janet demands to sit on the potty every time I change her diaper. And today, actually peed in the stupid thing. Which is a tiny miracle because she had to wait in line behind her non-peeing-in-the-potty brother. When she did pee, she said "Uh, Oh!" like she had made some huge mistake. I, of course, praised her and then tried to teach her about toilet paper. She looked at me like I was nuts. I tried to explain that it was like a baby wipe, but drier. She continued to look at me like I was nuts. Then she demanded to wash her hands.
This is her real motivation. She loves to wash her hands. Then brush her teeth. Then wash her hands again.
The potty battle
It's not what you think. This isn't a potty-training battle, it's a "If you are going to cry until to make yourself sick then by golly you're going to learn to throw up on the potty" battle.
I was trying to get Janet dressed this morning. She didn't want to get dressed, and started kicking her legs, which resulted in a jab to my 6.5 month pregnant belly. I immediately took hold of both of her legs, held them firmly to the table, looked her in the eyes, and said "Do Not Kick Mommy." Then she started to cry. The kind of cry she has done before which ends in her throwing up. I said No way are you puking on me again. If you're gonna puke, you're gonna do it in the potty. And I hauled her into the bathroom and stood her in front of the toilet. Which fairly well horrified her into stopping crying. I pretty sure she finds the idea of throwing up in the potty fairly revolting. I'm going to keep using this technique until she actually starts puking in the potty, or stops making herself sick by crying.
I was trying to get Janet dressed this morning. She didn't want to get dressed, and started kicking her legs, which resulted in a jab to my 6.5 month pregnant belly. I immediately took hold of both of her legs, held them firmly to the table, looked her in the eyes, and said "Do Not Kick Mommy." Then she started to cry. The kind of cry she has done before which ends in her throwing up. I said No way are you puking on me again. If you're gonna puke, you're gonna do it in the potty. And I hauled her into the bathroom and stood her in front of the toilet. Which fairly well horrified her into stopping crying. I pretty sure she finds the idea of throwing up in the potty fairly revolting. I'm going to keep using this technique until she actually starts puking in the potty, or stops making herself sick by crying.
Never go up against a 3-year-old when peanut butter is on the line...
"You only think I guessed wrong! That's what's so funny! I switched glasses when your back was turned! Ha ha! You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha..."
Only it's a battle of wills instead of a battle of wits.
Today I did it. For the first time ever, I gave my children peanut butter and jelly for lunch. I just could not fix Mac & Cheese again. They also had baked Cheetos and their choice of milk or water. They both chose water.
Young Janet will eat anything. She's a lot like Mikey that way. Janet ate an entire 1/3 of her sandwich (and all of her Cheetos), which, given the fact that she had a morning snack, is good enough for me.
Busby, on the other hand, will emphatically not eat something if it is not his "faybritt." Peanut butter is not his faybritt. Ok, I'm down with that. You don't have to eat it all, but you do have to eat one bite. Just one, small smackerel of a pb&j on white bread. Of course, he ate all of the Cheetos that have not been poisoned with a tiny smear of peanut butter. He finished he water, smacking his lips together after every single sip. But he will not eat the pb&j. I told him that if he didn't take a bite before his nap, it will be waiting there for him when he gets up.
A few minutes ago, Janet came up to me and said "Nap." I said, "Are you ready for a nap." She replied, "Uh huh." So she's laying there in her new big-girl bed, singing herself to sleep. Busby is sitting here asking for his blankie. I told him he has to eat a bite of sandwich first. He's not happy with me.
We'll see how the rest of the plot unfolds...
*****
15 minute later update: Janet is passed out asleep in exactly the same position I left her in. She wasn't kidding when she said, "Nap!"
Busby is now laying down. Ya, I'm a wuss. But that sandwich will still be there when he gets up. I already told him there will be no afternoon snack until he eats that one tiny bite that I even went so far as to cut out for him, and put on a fork after he said he didn't want to use his fingers.
*****
3 hour later update: I just couldn't make him eat it. It was dry and crusty, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Only it's a battle of wills instead of a battle of wits.
Today I did it. For the first time ever, I gave my children peanut butter and jelly for lunch. I just could not fix Mac & Cheese again. They also had baked Cheetos and their choice of milk or water. They both chose water.
Young Janet will eat anything. She's a lot like Mikey that way. Janet ate an entire 1/3 of her sandwich (and all of her Cheetos), which, given the fact that she had a morning snack, is good enough for me.
Busby, on the other hand, will emphatically not eat something if it is not his "faybritt." Peanut butter is not his faybritt. Ok, I'm down with that. You don't have to eat it all, but you do have to eat one bite. Just one, small smackerel of a pb&j on white bread. Of course, he ate all of the Cheetos that have not been poisoned with a tiny smear of peanut butter. He finished he water, smacking his lips together after every single sip. But he will not eat the pb&j. I told him that if he didn't take a bite before his nap, it will be waiting there for him when he gets up.
A few minutes ago, Janet came up to me and said "Nap." I said, "Are you ready for a nap." She replied, "Uh huh." So she's laying there in her new big-girl bed, singing herself to sleep. Busby is sitting here asking for his blankie. I told him he has to eat a bite of sandwich first. He's not happy with me.
We'll see how the rest of the plot unfolds...
*****
15 minute later update: Janet is passed out asleep in exactly the same position I left her in. She wasn't kidding when she said, "Nap!"
Busby is now laying down. Ya, I'm a wuss. But that sandwich will still be there when he gets up. I already told him there will be no afternoon snack until he eats that one tiny bite that I even went so far as to cut out for him, and put on a fork after he said he didn't want to use his fingers.
*****
3 hour later update: I just couldn't make him eat it. It was dry and crusty, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Baby Names
Tonight at dinner Janet lifted up her shirt, pointed to her tummy and declared "STOP THAT!" I can only assume she did that because she's heard and seen me push on my ever growing belly and say "Stop that."
So we had to ask her who was in her tummy. And she said "Sarah........baby!" That's not entirely unexpected, especially since she's taken to calling her baby sister Sarah. That lead us to ask both Janet and Busby what we should name the baby. Busby has settled on Farmer Pickles. Which just makes him laugh and laugh. He thinks it would be hilarious (literally, he says it's hilarious) to give his baby sister a boy's name. We've also come up with Junior Asparagus, Laura the Carrot, and Mr. Lundt.
So we had to ask her who was in her tummy. And she said "Sarah........baby!" That's not entirely unexpected, especially since she's taken to calling her baby sister Sarah. That lead us to ask both Janet and Busby what we should name the baby. Busby has settled on Farmer Pickles. Which just makes him laugh and laugh. He thinks it would be hilarious (literally, he says it's hilarious) to give his baby sister a boy's name. We've also come up with Junior Asparagus, Laura the Carrot, and Mr. Lundt.
It's like playing the lottery
His response to not matching a single number in last night's Powerball drawing: That's stupid. It's like playing the lottery or something.
They're movin' on up....
We knew the day was quickly approaching. With a baby coming, it was decided a while ago (or did I just lay down a decree? I don't remember for sure.) that eventually Janet would move into Busby's room, and that McCloud would get the nursery. Friday evening I said something about there being only 10 or 11 weeks until McCloud's arrival, and the Big Kahuna said "Maybe it's time we move Janet into Busby's room this weekend." And I emphatically agreed.
So we spent all of Saturday morning rearranging Busby's room and cleaning out his closet (we were storing about 812 blankets in there) to get the room ready for Janet. Another twin bed was installed, and by naptime they were both set up. Janet was slow to go to sleep...so slow that Daddy had to go lay down with her for a while. But they both did it.
Bed time last night went rather smoothly considering they were both fairly exhausted following an afternoon trip to Stuff Mart, and everyone stayed in their assigned sleeping spot. This morning, Busby got up at 6:45(!), found me in the kitchen (!) and declared that "Sissy is still sleeping in her bed."
Now to deal with getting Janet's clothes in that room....
So we spent all of Saturday morning rearranging Busby's room and cleaning out his closet (we were storing about 812 blankets in there) to get the room ready for Janet. Another twin bed was installed, and by naptime they were both set up. Janet was slow to go to sleep...so slow that Daddy had to go lay down with her for a while. But they both did it.
Bed time last night went rather smoothly considering they were both fairly exhausted following an afternoon trip to Stuff Mart, and everyone stayed in their assigned sleeping spot. This morning, Busby got up at 6:45(!), found me in the kitchen (!) and declared that "Sissy is still sleeping in her bed."
Now to deal with getting Janet's clothes in that room....
Friday, February 22, 2008
Asparagus
I just love that they will eat asparagus. I find it especially funny that Busby refers to the asparagus spears in terms of VeggieTales characters. "I want to eat Junior and Junior's Dad. And Archibald." Translation: I want 3 spears. Then he inhales them, and picks out 3 more. When I was his age, I loved to eat the asparagus fresh from the asparagus patch, no cooking or anything. As a matter of fact, I didn't like it cooked at all as a child. So I'm thrilled that my kids will eat it steamed or roasted, with or without cheese or butter.
Also, Busby declared that tonight's main dish (country-style pork ribs) had chocolate on it. It was Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue, but he just insisted that it was chocolate. Which actually made it easier to get him to eat it. Janet, too. But she really just liked to dip her fingers in the sauce and lick it off with a look of supreme satisfaction on her face.
Also, Busby declared that tonight's main dish (country-style pork ribs) had chocolate on it. It was Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue, but he just insisted that it was chocolate. Which actually made it easier to get him to eat it. Janet, too. But she really just liked to dip her fingers in the sauce and lick it off with a look of supreme satisfaction on her face.
Not E. Coli.
Ok, my lovely nephew didn't have E. Coli after all. But he did have food poisoning. Which no one else got.
I don't care what you say about your stomach ache. It wasn't from Saturday's dinner.
I don't care what you say about your stomach ache. It wasn't from Saturday's dinner.
Happy Balenstein's Day.
Ok, it was 8 days ago, but I have to tell you all about Busby's mispronunciation of "Valentine's." He kept saying "Happy Balenstien's Day" or "I want to send a balenstein to Grammy!" I was talking to his Grammy on the phone when he commandeered the handset and gleefully declared "I sent you a happy balenstein card, dammy." (Yes, g's sound like d's. He's 3, give him a break.) So freaking adorable I couldn't help but ask him to say it again and again...and again.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Chewing on crayons
The kids have inherited a really nasty habit of mine (only one of many). Both Busby and Janet chew on stuff. Whatever's handy. I just told Janet for the 812 millionth time to STOP CHEWING ON THAT CRAYON! Then she cried. I felt bad.
They are coloring Tigger & Pooh pictures. Busby has a giant coloring book from that Disney program "My Friends Tigger & Pooh," which he has never seen. Janet was immediately incensed that she did not have a "Poop" picture to color, so I had to get one from the nice people at disney.com. She joyously pointed to Tigger and declared "POOP! POOP!" Why am I so tickled that she says that about Tigger? She also uses that phrase to inform me that she needs a diaper change. The Tigger reference is much nicer.
Naps sucked today. Busby first refused to wear pants, then wouldn't stay in bed. I heard a loud crash only to discover that he had been climbing on his mega blocks tub. Much cajoling and threatening and tears and 45 minutes later he was finally asleep. Janet, on the other hand, didn't nap at all. At all. I would occasionally hear bits of talking or yelling for Mommy, but I was able to ignore it for over and hour. Gave me some much needed Bible study time. Then the really yelling began. Then the screaming of "MOMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYY." I figured it was time to get her out of there before she woke up Busby. I made her lay quietly on the sofa while watching a {painfully mind numbing} DVD of Blue's Clues. That video must go back to the library post haste. But she did just lay there and suck her thumb. Why would she do that, but not stop chewing on the crayon?
Ok, it's after 4, I need to start figuring out what to make for dinner, and get the kids to help pick up the Thomas legos and Wedgits.
They are coloring Tigger & Pooh pictures. Busby has a giant coloring book from that Disney program "My Friends Tigger & Pooh," which he has never seen. Janet was immediately incensed that she did not have a "Poop" picture to color, so I had to get one from the nice people at disney.com. She joyously pointed to Tigger and declared "POOP! POOP!" Why am I so tickled that she says that about Tigger? She also uses that phrase to inform me that she needs a diaper change. The Tigger reference is much nicer.
Naps sucked today. Busby first refused to wear pants, then wouldn't stay in bed. I heard a loud crash only to discover that he had been climbing on his mega blocks tub. Much cajoling and threatening and tears and 45 minutes later he was finally asleep. Janet, on the other hand, didn't nap at all. At all. I would occasionally hear bits of talking or yelling for Mommy, but I was able to ignore it for over and hour. Gave me some much needed Bible study time. Then the really yelling began. Then the screaming of "MOMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYY." I figured it was time to get her out of there before she woke up Busby. I made her lay quietly on the sofa while watching a {painfully mind numbing} DVD of Blue's Clues. That video must go back to the library post haste. But she did just lay there and suck her thumb. Why would she do that, but not stop chewing on the crayon?
Ok, it's after 4, I need to start figuring out what to make for dinner, and get the kids to help pick up the Thomas legos and Wedgits.
Monday, February 18, 2008
E. Coli
We went to West Armpit - I mean the tiny town I grew up in - last Saturday to celebrate by brother's kid's 4th birthday. Today the boy's mother called me. "I wanted to ask, is everyone feeling ok?" Um, ya. Why? "Well, [nephew] is probably being admitted to the hospital today for E. Coli poisoning." Um, What? "I'm calling around to everyone to see if it's something I cooked that made him sick. The rest of us are fine." We're all fine, thanks.
So I looked up the symptoms of E. Coli. Trust me on this one, don't. You would know if you have it. Or at least you would know that you need some professional assistance immediately.
Get Better Soon, kiddo.
So I looked up the symptoms of E. Coli. Trust me on this one, don't. You would know if you have it. Or at least you would know that you need some professional assistance immediately.
Get Better Soon, kiddo.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Funny/cool/amazing things my kids did today (in no particular order)
1. Janet sang with me at bedtime. She does it a lot, but I still love it every time.
2. Busby tried to get Janet to do a puzzle with him. "Sissy, come play this puzzle with me." So earnest and adorable.
3. I don't know why this is so endearing, but Janet likes to tell me when she poops. I can't help but want to scoop her up. Until I smell her.
4. Busby took Janet by the hand when it was nap time, just to walk her to her bedroom.
5. While showering with Daddy, Busby declared that "I no like water, Mommy." As I was leaving the bathroom with a very wet Janet, I heard him say, "I no like soap either." Then the yelling ensued as I can only assume that his hair was being washed with shampoo. Which is close enough to soap to make him hollar.
2. Busby tried to get Janet to do a puzzle with him. "Sissy, come play this puzzle with me." So earnest and adorable.
3. I don't know why this is so endearing, but Janet likes to tell me when she poops. I can't help but want to scoop her up. Until I smell her.
4. Busby took Janet by the hand when it was nap time, just to walk her to her bedroom.
5. While showering with Daddy, Busby declared that "I no like water, Mommy." As I was leaving the bathroom with a very wet Janet, I heard him say, "I no like soap either." Then the yelling ensued as I can only assume that his hair was being washed with shampoo. Which is close enough to soap to make him hollar.
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