Forts

2/20/2014
Mike brought home some boxes from work. They absolutely loved them! They played longer with these boxes than they have with any other new toy. Go figure! Mike even put a doggy door on their boxes.  They would pile blankets and jump inside.  They stack their little toys chairs in there too. They thought they were so cool that they wanted to sleep in them for nap and bedtime.  Quinn already sleeps on the floor just because he thinks it's cool! I thought why not?  Sure!

Mike thought that they would just play in them and not sleep.  Paxton was so cozy and comfortable that he fell right to sleep.  Paxton proved him wrong.

Quinn on the hand was a different story.  It took him forever to fall asleep.  Notice how he sleeps naked?  (He does have underwear on.) 

He's pretending to sleep here.  He thought it was neat that I wanted to take pictures of him and his fort box.

Quinn and Paxton got some leg warmers.  Since they prance around in their underwear or a shirt and underwear, they thought this was a genius idea to help keep them warm.  They're probably repeating what I said about them.  Mike says I'm girlifying them with their leggings.  They're little boys and we are just at home.  If they have fun with them what's the big deal?  Well, Quinn didn't take his off for 5 days.  I can't remember why he finally gave in into taking them off.

 

On a different note; Quinn has learned all of his alphabet.  He now needs to learn their sounds.  He's learning to write his name and to count higher than 20.  This shouldn't be too hard of a goal.  He basically has it down already.  He just needs to learn to put his name in the correct order.  He'll just write the letters in random order or all over the page.  It's hard for him to hold the pen correctly still but he's been practicing it that way anyhow.

 

Quinn is such a little sponge.  He loves learning.  A lot of the time, it's his idea.  He'll ask for me to read stories, to learn his letters, to practice his name, etc. 

 

One of his new things is that he likes to make piles.  There are piles of something, usually blankets or clothes, everywhere I go.  I'm not sure what the obsession is but he sure loves it!

 

Paxton has transitioned well into Quinn's room.  He sleeps in there.  He doesn't complain or make a fuss.  He occasionally gets out of bed but I march him right back.  A lot times he doesn't get up but if he does it's just one or two times before he'll stay.  He doesn't like it when Mike puts him down.  He has to see me first.  If Mike is doing their routine I'll go give him hugs and kisses so he knows I'm still there.  It doesn't work very well for me to go to bed early.  Paxton just freaks out.  I don't know if it's his age or a stage he's going through.

 

The thing that we need to work on now is taking his binky away.  He absolutely loves it and is so addicted to it.  I guess it's mainly at night or when he's tired.  I thought he's done so well on my other objectives or goals that he's been through a lot of changes as it is.  The binky thing can wait for now.  Although, I think I'll try to take it away before the baby comes since I'd rather deal with it before rather than later.

 

It's weird for me to look at these pictures of their long hair.  Since then they have received hair cuts and look different.  They're always so cute and handsome no matter what length their hair is.  It's just new and different.

Ha Ha!

Quinn was setting out cereal pieces for Paxton on the floor to get him to follow him. Quinn wanted Paxton to play with him. It reminds me of Monster's Inc. where Kitty (I think that's his name) is setting them out for Boo to get her to go to sleep.  I think this is clever of Quinn especially because it worked.  I had to document one of the few times these boys were actually getting along. ;)

Quinn and his dance party

 

Quinn had just finished watching Calliou.  Calliou went to preschool that day and had a dance party.  He decided that he needed to have one too.  At first he got me and Paxton dancing and then asked for me to take some pictures of him.  By the time I took the pictures his dance moves were extinct and he was mainly just running around.  I thought it was still cute.

 

I tried downloading a video but it said there was an error. 

 I think he's trying to do a flip here.

More funny things...

Quinn has been talking a lot about houses lately.  This is how a typical conversation goes...

Quinn: I want to build a house.
Me: What's wrong with our house?
Quinn: It's cold and old.  We need a new one.  I don't like this house.
Me: Oh, how are you going to build this house?
Quinn: With a hammer (while making the gesture of hammering) and a flashlight.
Me: What is the flashlight for?
Quinn: So, I can work while it's dark.
Me: Where are we going to build this house?
Quinn: On our front lawn.

Quinn doesn't forget either.  He keeps asking and asking and asking and asking....  Finally, I asked if he wanted to build a box.  He settled for that.  He did a good job hammering too.  I was quite impressed.

Quinn and Paxton were taking a bath a week and a half ago or so.  Mike came in and asked Quinn, "What does Mommy sound like when she gets mad?"  In his best mommy voice he says, "Go to your room!"  Then Mike asks about how Daddy sounds when he gets mad.  "RAWR RAWR RAWR RAWR" while shaking his finger.  Then Paxton; "Wah Wah Wah" and Quinn "ER, I'm mad or I don't like this."  Maybe you had to be there but this was quite funny at the time.  He did he tried to mimick each person's voice the best he could. 

The other day, I can't remember why he said it or what was going on, he came in and said Well, Well, What do we have here?  When he's angry he says rawr, rawr, rawr and he says ok ok when he was asked to do something and doesn't want to.

I don't know where he gets this stuff but I think it's hilarious.

Chalk

I want to remember all the many hours I have spent outside drawing with chalk in our driveway.  This is the perfect time of year to do this.  In the summer the pavement is just too hot to draw on.  

 

I love all of the things that interest Quinn.  I have drawn dinosaurs, trains, people, dogs, and many more things.  Quinn's favorite is getting his outline drawn or outlining mine.  We both have come indoors completely covered in color and dirty.  I don't mind...I got to spend some precious moments with my little man. 

 

Paxton is enjoying drawing too.  He's horrible with chalk.  All he wants to do is eat it.  He's not allowed near the chalk and that makes him upset.  I am looking forward to when Paxton can be more interactive with it.

This is a train that Quinn drew. 

I think that he's trying to decide what to draw next.

Want Some?

Ugh!

This has been a horrible winter and the longest ever! I am so tired and so exhausted.  Paxton has been sick for months.  I'm tired of dealing with it.  I feel like relief is around the corner and he just gets sick again...and again...and again.  When is the end coming?  Then, Quinn gets sick too...and me..and Mike.

I think it feels so long because it's been a constant year of something being wrong.  Paxton started out being colicky.  He has had the worst time teething.  Quinn never had this much difficulty so this is our first real experience with teething.  Paxton's teeth like to take their time coming in.  Quinn's came in all at once and he didn't get his first tooth until 10 months...compared to Paxton's coming at 5 months. Then, Paxton has gotten ear infection after ear infection.  Each time we go in the current ear infection is always worse than the last.  Our next step is for Paxton to get tubes.  We are hoping that the weather will start to take a turn for the better and we won't need to.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.  Paxton gets cold after cold.  Now, he has croup and has had it for weeks.  He also has symptoms for RSV.  The doctor didn't put him on breathing treatments right away but we went back in and both boys are on breathing treatments now.  Thanks goodness!

I know I need to think positively and I try to.  I think for the most part I have had a great attitude through the whole thing.  It's not like it's Paxton's fault for feeling miserable.  I feel for him.  I wish I could take it all away and do something that would actually help him.  I feel so helpless.  Medicine doesn't do much.  Paxton doesn't know what he wants.  He wants to be held but no he doesn't.  He wants to sleep but can't.  He does the only thing that he can...cry.  He cries and cries and cries.

I'm so tired.  All I want to do is sleep.  I need it so bad.  I'm desperate for it.  That's the one thing I can't have.  This is worse than having a newborn.  At least they nap...even though they wake every couple to few hours.  The worst is when I do actually get the opportunity to nap I can't sleep because I'm so exhausted.  When I get sleep deprived I go crazy.  My emotions are all out of whack.  I can't control how I feel...it takes a lot of effort.  I'm short tempered.  I feel like this is never going to end.  I think this is the most sleep deprived I've been.

That's when I really start praying.  I plead and beg for help.  I'm sobbing through my prayer.  Then, I proceed to comfort Paxton the best I can.

Things that comfort Paxton: pacing with him in the stroller, going for a drive (most of the time I'm not in any shape to drive), watching a baby show on Netflix, reading a story, chewing on a stuffed animal, having his blanket near his face, nursing, being rocked, eating, drinking, walking, playing with toys, having his head rubbed, playing with his hair, singing (sometimes), playing peekaboo, etc.  Not all of this work at the same time.  I usually have to go through the list and just guess.

I'm not complaining here.  I just need to put it down.  For some reason, writing about it helps.  It's like my way of releasing energy. 

I will admit that this had been super hard for me.  I feel like there is no one there to help me.  Everyone has their own trials to deal with and most everyone else has sick kids too.  I try to endure the best I can.  There are some days I wake and I'm so foggy from the lack of sleep.  It's so hard to function.  I can't think.  Kids are demanding my attention.  One morning I went to get some breakfast and through the whole meal I just sobbed.  I prayed that someone would come to check on me.  I kept looking out the window and no one came.  I called my visiting teachers but they didn't answer.  The neighbors weren't home.  My mom had to work.  Mike's parents are in the process of moving.  Mike had to work.  I just laid my head down on the table and tried to compose myself the best I could.

You know how they say to count your blessings and it helps?  Well, that's what I did.  It worked.  I still felt the same but saw things in a different light.  I knew things could be a lot worse.  I was appreciative for my trials being what they were and not going through something tragic.

Quinn noticed I was sad and he kept petting my head and giving me hugs to try to cheer me up.  It worked.  Quinn is the best boy ever.  He is so thoughtful and wants to help.  Quinn has been so good during this whole thing too.  He listens and tries his best to please me.  I try to interact with him when I can.  I feel bad..I feel like I'm neglecting him.

Mike has been so helpful.  Even though he has to work he gets up with them as much as he can but not too much so he can still function the next day at work.  He usually takes the first shift.  Paxton wakes about 11 and usually won't go back down until 2.  Once he falls asleep at 2 I get up with him after that.  This isn't every night but a lot of the time.  There are some nights he doesn't go to sleep until 5 or 6 AM.

I'm not trying to be negative.  This is what my life has been.  We are getting through it.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I want my life back.  Mike and I have both commented that we both feel so trapped.  We aren't able to do things due to the boys being sick.  When it does come we'll be so much more appreciative.

Making cookies

We decided to make sugar cookies today. Boy, what a mess!

His apron didn't last too long.

He'd only lick the frosting off of his cookie and spit the actual cookie out.

He's actually trying to pose for this picture.  He loves his picture being taken.

Kitty needs breakfast too!

Havin' a good time

Quinn loves to listen to music on my phone. He especially loves wearing this head set. It gives him something more to play with. He'll plug the head set in and then take it out. He gets frustrated when he can't plug it back in. As you can see from the video, he loves to jam to the music. He knows how to get into my music library and to change songs.

This is what Quinn does when I'm getting ready for the day.  It's a whole lot easier that trying to hold him or entertain him.  He gets into a lot of trouble if he's not doing this.  Just look at that sexy body.

Livin' the HiGh LiFe

Mike and I have been in our house since April of 2008.  That first Christmas in the house, Mike's parents and he, went together to buy me a garage door opener.  I was so excited.  Our garage door is so heavy and is a pain to open.  This is especially true in winter.  I've parked in the garage for convenience and to spare my body from less exposure to the blistering winter weather.  That's is super hard to do when I have to get out and close the door before pulling out of my driveway.  Anyways, obviously this is something I'd love to have.  Mike knew it so he got it for me.

Then he did something unexpected.  He took it back to the store.  Yes, this is true.  Now, why would he get me a present and just take it back to the store?  He assumed that we would sell the house the next year and didn't want to put any more money into it than necessary. 

Well, we are in the 2011 and we still are here.  Big surprise, right? (Not really!) So, I told Mike that this winter is the winter I get a garage door opener because I don't want to hassle with it.  I'd prefer to park in the garage with Quinn.

Mike made a bargain with me.  If I helped him today at the "house" (Gene is building a house for his parents and Mike helps him on his day off with it), he would install it for me afterward.  I took him up on it. 

I was so giddy to use it.  Mike made fun of me.  He says I was like a teenager just getting my drivers license.  You have to realize that we never had one of these growing up.  My parents didn't park in the garage.  They used it for storage. 

I got to try it out today. I parked in the garage...and didn't have to get out of my car to close it. It was so convenient. It was splendid. It was all that I had hoped for and more.

This is the coolest thing ever invented (as of right now).  I love it.

Freight Train Terrors

A few days ago Mike and I were talking how we could handle Quinn being at this stage forever.  He has become so fun and responsive.  I love all the new things he's learning.  I love seeing his personality develop and change.  Now things have changed.

He's still Quinn and still all of the above.  I think his personality came with a little bit more than we bargained for.  He definitely has a mind of his own.  The problem is that he can't communicate with us how most people do so he finds his own way to do it.  He gets so angry and completely loses his temper.  He sure has me exhausted at the end of the day.  I find myself needing time away from the little dude.  He becomes so intense.  I frankly don't know what to do.

So, what is it that he does exactly?  When something seems to rub him the wrong way (which has been every few seconds lately) he's been throwing tantrums.  It could include him screaming, throwing things, crying, biting, stomping his legs, gritting his teeth, squeezing an object to death, hitting, etc.  I wonder what happened to my sweet little boy?

I had just read a blog where she blogged about this exact topic.  I have to say I totally agree with her.  When I read her blog, I didn't think Quinn was close to this stage.  I, too, thought I saw it coming.  It hit us like a ton of bricks. It came out of nowhere and came like a freight train.  The terrible two's start about 18 months.  When I talk to other moms about Quinn and the stage he's in, they all nod like they know exactly what I'm going through.  It's funny because I had no idea and had to find out on my own.  It boggles my mind, with all the kids I've been around, that I didn't learn of this secret long before.  At least I know I'm not the only one.

So, any suggestions on how to stop this kind of behavior?   I don't know what to try or what would work.  The things that come straight to my mind don't seem like they would work.  I don't know if he would understand it or not.  I know he understands more than I realize so maybe I should try them anyways. 

On a different note...

Quinn refers to anything that has four legs as "kitty".  He has a stuffed animal cat with pink nipples and since he received that as a Christmas gift he has loved "kitties". We were on a walk today and he had to stop and say hi to the feline.  Since he loves them so much I let him.  They're not my favorite especially since they make me sneeze like mad.  I had to get a picture with him and this cat.  This cat was nice and super patient with him.  Since he was on a hill, Quinn fell on top of him and the cat didn't even care.  For that reason, the cat earned some points with me.

Look at this beaut. Yup, that's right!  We got a new table.

It's counter height.   I love it but I don't think it's very practical with small kids around.  The chairs are quite high.  I'm afraid that one of them will fall and really hurt themselves.  So, with raising a family we're going to make it lower.  It will look exactly the same; just a different height.   I think Quinn will miss his little hide-out.  Oh, well!  

I think it makes our house look nicer.  It's not that big of a table but for how small our house is; it look huge.  I couldn't believe the size of it.  I saw it before but inside of Blackers it doesn't even compare.  I like the fact that we can have people over for dinner and have room for food on the table.  We usually have to bring our little mobile island over (which Mike just re-finished to look like our cabinets.  It looks like it belongs in our house.  He did a good job).  It does have leaves too!                           

Another nice thing about having lower chairs is that it will be easier to add chairs for when more than expected is over.  Right now, we would have to order more chairs and store them until someone is over to use them.  We don't have room for them in our kitchen.   

Well that's it for now...                                                                             

Play Dough

Quinn had his first experience with play dough.  I made the kind that called for kool-aid.  Did you know you could make it this way? I didn't...but it's so cool.  It smells way good since I used the cherry flavored packets.  It made Quinn want to eat it even more than normal (he always wants to eat everything anyways.)

While I was making it, I let Quinn cook (see background mess in the picture.)  I gave him some uncooked noodles, rice, crackers, and gold fish to measure and stir in his bowl.  He thought that he needed every utensil in the kitchen. 

Anyways, he was excited to play with something different and loved this new experience.  Let's hope it helps entertain us as the weather changes.

My little helper boy

For about a month now I've been giving Quinn "chores" to do.  This hasn't been hard since he's so eager to help anyways.  Instead of finding his own ways to help, like putting things in the toilet or taking everything out of the dishwasher when I had just loaded it, I'd rather give him things to keep him busy.  So far he's helped me with a number of things.  He has started taking his own diaper to the trash and he puts the trash cans back where they belong after I've changed them.  He's tried vacuuming, mopping, sweeping, cooking, and dusting.  He becomes so proud of himself for helping.  I think it's cute how hard he tries.  Let's hope that this eagerness continues through his teenage years through adulthood.

1st snow fall

Quinn didn't know what to think of the snow.  He was a good sport since he kept getting frustrated about not being able to use his hands.  He kept falling over with all of the clothes I made him wear.  Regardless, I think he enjoyed being outside.  It sure beat being cooped up inside all day.  He seemed to be getting a little stir crazy...already!  This is just the start of the nasty winter weather.

Quinn dancing

Quinn has taken a fascination with music. When it comes on he can't help but to move. He usually goes more crazy than this. I've tried many times to get him on camera. I either just miss him or he takes more interest in the camera and stops dancing. In addition to him bouncing up and down and tapping his leg; he turns in a circle and bops his head. This clip is the best I could get of him dancing.



FYI: Usually we listen to one of Quinn's kids' CD. He happened to turn on the radio and this is what was on.

Quinn hates Shephard's Pie

I had some leftover ingredients perfect for making Shepherd's pie. Shepherd's pie doesn't take long to make so I was all for an easy night of making dinner. I gave Quinn his portion and went through the routine of preparing his food. He took a big bite and immediately spit it out. He wouldn't take another bite and started to play with his food. Before he made a mess, I decided to let him down. I put his tray and his bowl of food on the table to clean his hands and wipe his face. Right when his little feet hit the floor; he grabbed his bowl and spoon, walked over to the garbage, and started scooping his Shepherd's pie into the garbage. Mike and I just started laughing.

Smart boy! This way he'd make sure to not ever eat that stuff again. He notices that where I put the food he usually doesn't finish. He knows once it goes in it doesn't come back out. We were thoroughly impressed.

Quinn learns to blow his nose

Quinn cleans with Dad

Quinn can walk!

Quinn finally learns how to walk. He's been so close for so long. Like I said before, he just lacked the confidence. Each day he would take a few more and then a few more. Finally, one day he just took off. I can't believe his speed either.

He's so cute. We've been clapping for him and shouting "Hooray" when he takes steps. Now, before he takes his steps, he begins to clap for himself. It's a way for him to prepare us and to let us know to clap for him too. He definitely is proud of himself. He for sure knows we are proud of him as well!

When he walks, it's like he's a drunken soldier. Everyone said I'd hate it because he'll start getting into everything. Well, the truth is; he was mobile enough that he already was. I absolutely love that he is walking. I'm so proud of my little man even though he's now 14 months old.

He likes to hold onto a golf club as he circles around the house. It reminds me of a blind man's stick...but he's drunk while using it. He made Mike and I laugh a lot this night. We got him at the tail end when he was getting tired so he isn't quite as funny. You'll get the point.