Merry Christmas!!! And other things...

Hope everyone had a wonderful day. We went to a friend's aunt's house for Christmas dinner. It was a loud, chaotic, totally great time. All the cousins in the family (and there were a lot) put together a Christmas program for us after dinner. It was quite enjoyable, especially when we were all clapping after a scene and Wyatt says, out of nowhere, "What in the heck is this crap? There is no reason!"

Huh? Who let Walter Matthau in here?

Seriously though, it was quite funny, and he obviously didn't know what he was saying, but just was repeating something he had heard and thought it was hilarious. GREAT.

And the other day. We were at a friend of Eric's who lives a couple hours away. I had never met this friend before, and the friend had never met Wyatt.

He decided to tease Wyatt. To which Wyatt replied, "No, that's not right. You are an idiot." I kid you not. "Um hi, nice to meet you, thanks for having us over to stay at your home, I'm sorry my two year old just called you an idiot to your face." Whoops. See, Eric? All those elbows in the ribs while driving when you called someone just that were for a REASON. REALLY.

101 Uses for a Toddler, #87

When you really need a dressing room and no one is around to let you in, have your toddler crawl under the door and open it from the inside.

Not that I'm advocating it, or anything...;)

Conversation I Just Had...

Wyatt is in the habit of suddenly having to go potty (more specifically, poop, because it takes longer) right after we have put him to bed for the night. Most of the time he doesn't have to at all, it is just a huge stall tactic, and I had a hunch tonight would be no different. (I always let him try, because what if I am wrong?) So, I told him I hoped he wasn't just trying to delay bedtime and that he really did have to go.

A couple minutes later, I walked back into the bathroom and asked him if he was pooping. His answer?

"I am...trying...really hard. Really really hard." Meaning, I'm trying to so I don't get in trouble for making up this story. HAHAHAHA!!!

Uno, Dos, Tres...

I got a little workbook for teaching preschoolers Spanish, and Wyatt and I have been going through it a little bit for the past couple days. It is helpful for me too, since uh...I never really paid attention in high school...oops! He is really interested and is picking things up amazingly fast. We have only spent maybe 20 minutes total in the past two days, and he can already count to five in Spanish. It's crazy!

Stinker!

Yesterday we went out on a little boat. Somewhere on it, Wyatt discovered an obviously old piece of chocolate, and kept trying to put it in his mouth. I told him no, and then he started climbing the stairs to get on deck. The man who owned the boat said, "Where ya goin', Wyatt?" And Wyatt said, "I'm goin' out here so Mommy can't tell me 'No'".

Stinker. ;)

Those Potty-Mouthed Toddlers!

Wyatt was playing with his trains today and chattering when I suddenly felt the need to have him repeat himself.

Me: "What did you just say?"

Wyatt: "Oh, crap."

"Where did you hear that?" As I stifled a laugh.

"From my friends at school."

Good to know. ;)

In the Middle

It's funny how my baby can look like such a baby:



and then such a big boy, all within minutes. *


** Murky waters.


* These photos were all taken yesterday.

** Wyatt thought it would be a good idea to throw a couple bars of soap into the water.

Hide and Seek!

Tonight we taught Wyatt how to play hide and go seek. He would stand in one place and count to ten, and then come barreling down the hallway looking for either Mommy or Daddy, laughing hysterically when he found us.

"I wanna do it again!" we kept hearing. It was so much fun. I love how he's getting older and turning into a little boy. ;)

The Big 3-0!

Yes, that's me. I'm really that old. As of Tuesday, the 27th. It was a great birthday.

We couldn't find a babysitter for Eric to take me out to dinner last Saturday night, so we took Wyatt with us. When we got to the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was a guy who looked JUST LIKE my brother. And he was smiling. At me. Next to him, was my brother's girlfriend...wait! So it had to be my brother...WHAT??? And next to HER was my MOM! This wouldn't be such a shock if not for the fact that they all live approximately 2600 miles away, on the opposite coast. They had all flown out to surprise me for my birthday! I was so floored...it was the best surprise ever.

My brother and his girlfriend left on Monday to drive up the coast and explore, and my mom stayed with us until Wednesday. Wyatt absolutely LOVED all the Grandmommy time.

Here's a couple shots of Wyatt bonding with Uncle Mark over bedtime stories. :)

Our Family

This morning we woke up to, "Daddy, I put your markers away!" Eric shot out of bed, panicked with the prospect that Wyatt had used markers with no supervision. Been there, done that.

When we asked him where he used them, he showed us this picture. In his own words, (from right to left), "It's Wyatt, Daddy, Mommy, and Buster."

Little Artist

Yesterday we were hanging out with some friends and Wyatt was doodling on a white board, mostly lines and circles, and letters like "W", "T" and "H". Then he drew this.



He said it was a boy with hair. Picasso-esque, eh? ;)

Now OFFICIALLY Potty-Training...

We finally used the last diaper this morning. Our washer hasn't been working for months so we have been buying them on a regular basis. I am so over that, and our wallet is too. Eric and I made a joint decision to bite the bullet and not buy any more. Cold turkey, just like that. We have been giving Wyatt plenty of naked time today and he has had a couple accidents (all in his underwear, hence the naked time), but has done pretty well and even pooped on the potty.

I'm a little nervous about tonight. It will be a long and wet night I assume, but its about time. I feel like he is ready. He's been peeing on the potty whenever HE wants for the last six months, so he is more than capable, just needs a little incentive. Wish us luck...hopefully it will be a relatively quick and painless process for all involved! ;)

Say WHAT??

Bathtime, 7:45pm.

Wyatt was being silly and said something funny and then laughed.

I said, "Did you just say, 'No way, Jose?'" (It sounded JUST like that!)

"No silly," said Wyatt. "That's not a word I would use."



WHAT??? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Seriously???

To all my neighbors....

Apologies for the INSANE screaming and hollering coming from the house twenty minutes ago. I swear I did not lay a hand on my kid, even though the hysterical shrieking and shouts of, "Don't spank me, no spankings!!!" would belie that. I know you have all heard a tantrum or two coming from this house many times, but this time the windows were open, and I heard you all outside. Also?? This was no ordinary Wyatt tantrum. This was EPIC. Like exorcist-requiring epic and lasting for half hour. Over some Legos that wouldn't go together properly. Someone is beyond over tired.

Ordinarily I could care less who overhears a tantrum, but THIS?? If I had heard it? Yeah, I might consider making a phone call or I would definitely be knocking on a door to make sure everything was ok. But seriously, the last thing I need right now is CPS knocking on my door...I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for that later when Wyatt is a teenager and realizes how much he hates me and how easy it is to work the system.

I HATE this.

Here Ya Go...

Ok, so I've been busy. And I'm lazy. So for now, this is all you get. :)

Wyatt traced his name with help (the one of the top), and by himself (the one on the bottom). Be amazed. :)

Small World Shout Out to Rebecca of Girls Gone Child

Wyatt had preschool on Wednesday of this week, so after I dropped him off I went to the bookstore for coffee and magazines. I was walking over to the newstand when I noticed someone that looked very familiar. Almost exactly like Rebecca Woolf from Girl's Gone Child, (a blog I have been following faithfully since Wyatt was born), and her son, Archer. (Also author of "Rockabye,from Wild to Child", a book I have yet to read, but is definitely on my list.) Hmmm. There aren't many mommybloggers I have felt a sort of kinship with, but Rebecca is one of those that I have always pictured myself hanging out with in real life. Her writing style is incredibly honest and true to life, and she says the stuff I wish I was brave enough to.

After a couple minutes of deliberation, I finally sucked it up and nonchalantly approached her and mentioned that I read her blog and we started chatting. About our kids, our tattoos (I noticed she has a very similar star pattern on her wrist), our hot old houses, and the fact that she was down from LA visiting her mom in Encinitas and had actually gone to the exact same preschool Wyatt now attends. She was every bit as cool and down to earth as I had imagined, and maybe sometime we can actually "plan" to run into each other again, and have a coffee/ play date the next time she is in town. Wanted to post a shout out, and much love to an awesome mama. If you haven't already, go check her out here. Seriously, I LOVE her. DO IT.

Sadly, I did not get to meet the delicious and delightful Ms. Fable, and her fabulously drool-worthy thighs. Sigh. There is always next time, I hope. ;)

Preschool and Lamps

Today at preschool Wyatt drew a happy face...eyes, nose, and a mouth. Well, to be honest, it surely looked like there were more than TWO eyes, but it is the first representative drawing I have ever seen from him. His teacher was excited to tell me all about it when I came to pick him up.

There is a really cool lighting store right next to the preschool, and last week we walked around...well, I carried Wyatt around it, so he wouldn't touch anything. He had been asking to go in for weeks. I told him we couldn't touch anything because it was "breakable". Although I might have, I don't remember using that word with him before or after that day.

Today after preschool we walked around it again, when Wyatt said he wanted to touch one of the lamps. After I told him we couldn't touch the lamps, he said, "Because they're breakable. Are they breakable, Mommy?" I couldn't believe he remembered that word!

Bathtime

Wyatt being himself in the bath. ;)

I *might* be doing SOMETHING right...

Today as we were leaving the laundromat (silly washer having issues AGAIN, right after we bought a new part), Wyatt dropped his sippy cup and it started rolling away. Which started a meltdown of grandiose proportions. A little boy (maybe 6 or 7) saw it and handed it back to him. Which immediately stopped the tantrum, and Wyatt said, "Oh, thank you!" ;)

I'm pretty sure he is a smarty-pants.

Wyatt that is. He has been able to identify numbers, colors, shapes, and most letters of the alphabet since, oh, around 18 months or so...around the same time he started arguing with us about, oh, EVERYTHING.

No wait, I take that back. That was BIRTH. Or maybe before. If a 32 hour labor is any indication, he was all, "HELLO...I'm nice and cozy and just fine in here, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. So SCREW YOU crazy contractions, and come back about a quarter to never, cause that's about when I'll be making my entrance into the world. Just so you know."

The verbal part of disagreeing started with arguments such as, "Wear pants." As an answer to why he couldn't eat his peas. I didn't say the arguments were logical mind you.

They have progressed to statements like, "No, I can't eat this pasta. I don't like it. I like the car pasta. It is my favorite. Mommy, I told you many times, I will not eat it." Cheeky little monkey. And similar long-winded arguments to just about anything he's not cool with. Which, depending on the day or the minute, could be just about EVERYTHING. Did I mention he was moody and extremely sensitive? Yeah, just a smidge. Or maniacally, crazily silly. It all depends to which side the intensity switch is positioned.

He just built a crazy cool train track setup, complete with the tracks curving around underneath another bridge of tracks. I'm pretty impressed actually. Mostly about the fact that it took the 2 minutes I was down the hall in the bathroom...

Wyatt regularly counts above 50, and supposedly (according to Eric) has counted up past 100 by himself. And he doesn't just have the numbers memorized, he can count any amount of items accurately. It is a trip, and regularly freaks people out. ;)

His latest thing is to constantly ask me (while we are driving), "What's that car, Mommy?" "What's that truck?" And the color and KIND of truck are not sufficient. Nope, he doesn't care that its a blue pickup truck. Nope. He wants to know the kind. Ford. "Ford what, Mommy?" "Um, I don't know...a Ford F150." I'm totally serious. We are so going to have one of those kids that asks "why" about everything, but no answer is ever detailed enough. Haha. Thanks, Eric. ;)

Just Dance.

When I heard "Look, Mommy, I'm dancin'!" I just had to pull over and capture it on video. Enjoy. ;)

Happy 8 Years!!!

A little late with this post, but we celebrated our 8th anniversary on August 11th. Has it really been that long?

Eric came home with a card and THREE dozen gorgeous red and white roses. ;) Later on we dropped Wyatt off at a friend's house for a couple of hours and went out for the BEST. SUSHI. EVER. Given that this was one of the first times we have had Wyatt watched by someone other than my mom since that first unsuccessful attempt for our anniversary two years ago, he was fabulous. It helped that our friends have a five year old and a two year old that he had fun playing with.

Hmmm....maybe we should think about doing this again before another two years passes, eh?

The kid must really hate chicken...

Tonight was the first night Wyatt was sent to bed without stories, rocking, and songs. It was really his choice, I suppose. He finally decided to eat a second piece of chicken at dinner like we had asked. Then proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes chewing it amidst our numerous requests to just swallow it already. The cheeky smiles and little faces were quite hilarious, and I really had to try hard not to laugh in front of him. (I think in hindsight it would have made a GREAT youtube video, but then he would have known we were amused by it...right?) I know he was being defiant on purpose, but really, it was one of those times where I wanted to congratulate him on his perseverance and stubborness. Yep, I was actually PROUD. ;)

It became quite apparent that he was using it as a stall tactic to stay up later, so I gave him the option of going to bed without stories and songs, or swallowing the chicken. After more waiting around, I sent him to bed (without brushing his teeth...I know, the horror!), and he willingly went, with the tiny piece of chewed up chicken still in his mouth. I didn't want him to think I was still mad at him, so a few minutes later I went in and gave him a hug and a kiss, and told him goodnight. And I still smelled the chicken in his mouth. Not wanting him to fall asleep with food in his mouth (or find it later, wiped all over his sheets, a more likely outcome), I let him spit it into my hand.

I just wish he would have decided to swallow it. I really missed reading and singing to/with him at night, it is my favorite part of the day. Sigh. Stubborn guy. ;)

ETA: He is chattering up a storm right now. I just went by his room and he is singing the songs we usually sing to himself. :)

This makes my heart melt...

Even though there are a thousand million cagillion tiny Lego pieces all over the living room right now. Because Eric said he has been waiting for this day since before we met. (Yep, they have been in the garage our ENTIRE marriage...) <3

Pre-school! And BOATS!!!

Monday was Wyatt's first day at "pre-school". He is going one day a week for two hours only. Eric and I both drove him, and I was dreading dropping him off, as this is always a disaster. But we had checked out the preschool before and really liked how the teacher handled Wyatt, and most importantly, Wyatt ended up having fun!

So the transition wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. Sure, he cried and clung to me for dear life, but the teacher held him for a while and successfully distracted him into having fun. I know this because when we came back from a lovely breakfast out together, he was sitting in circle time for songs, and he had painted a cool picture. He also helped the other kids "feed" a dinosaur (a plastic play structure dino in the back of the school), and went down the slide several times on his own. And I would be lying if I didn't admit that probably the best part of all was the two whole hours it afforded Eric and I ALONE to have a date. Mondays are now the best day of the week. :)

After we picked him up, we drove down to San Diego to see the boats in the harbor. Wyatt fell asleep on the way down and woke up as we were driving around Seaport Village. We got tickets to see a bunch of naval ships and two submarines, something we had never done before. It was definitely up both the boy's alley. ;) Here are a couple pics from the day:

4th of July Fun

Wyatt and I went to a bar-b-que on the 4th of July, and then we all went to see some fireworks with our friends. Once again, Wyatt loved them, and this year he couldn't stop talking about them...

"There was red, and blue, and purple, and it goes 'Pop, pop, pop!"

Here are some pictures of Wyatt and his friends from the bar-b-que.

This is why we use washable markers.

Firsts: Train Trip and Photos Taken

Today was a "class" trip on the Sprinter Train, from Crouch Street Station in Oceanside, to the Escondido Transit Center. Wyatt thoroughly enjoyed the 50 minute ride, although I didn't get many pictures.



From there was a quick ten minute walk to the Children's Museum in the Center for the Arts.


We later had lunch at an East Coast style deli (yum!) and made it back to the train station on time for our ride back. On the way, we showed Wyatt how to take some pictures and the following photos are the work of our budding photographer:

(What? Like you've never accidentally taken a picture of your face?)


(I think there was some help in steadying this shot.)


(But this one was definitely all Wyatt! Pretty good, huh?)

Mr. Attitude

Oh yes, he has arrived. I couldn't be more over it.



In other news, Wyatt has been peeing on the potty much more lately, even being dry after naps. He can take his own diaper off, and now he has decided it is easier to sit, which keeps the floor a lot happier I'm sure. ;) During the day he usually tells us if he needs to pee, and if he happens to accidentally go in his diaper, he usually asks for a new one right away. I think we are just about ready for training pants.

Thanks Grandmommy!!!

Wyatt was so excited to receive the 3-pack of Little Einstein's videos in the mail today. Before we had even opened up the package, he ran right up to the man watering the trees, shouting "Present, present!" So, thank you. I already let him watch 1.5 hours of Bob today, and I didn't quite feel guilty enough. ;) How could I not let him watch a new Little Einstein's when he was THAT excited?? I can hear his brain turning to mush as he sits next to me on the couch right now...hahaha ;)

(Also of note: Wyatt wore his sunglasses willingly for the first time today. Rock on.)

ETA: Tonight before bed, Wyatt WILLINGLY sat on his potty and pooped in it. Without being put there first (like the one other time). Nice. It was a day of firsts here, apparently.

Boys and their Electronic Toys...

Success!

So the trip up to Laguna Beach to spend time with Wyatt's Uncle Brian and Aunt Stefanie was great, despite the only 20 minute nap on the way up. It was wonderful to see them, and Wyatt was really loving all the extra attention, as you can tell from the following photos...such a fun time!!! ;)

Least Favorite Things...

10 minute naps in the car that ruin afternoon naps. On a day when you decided to wake up at 5:00am and won't be in bed until at least 10:00pm. On a day we are going to visit your aunt and uncle who are out for a wedding. A day that was planned out months ago.

Because its been FAR TOO LONG since you reminded them of just how good their lives without kids are. Sigh.

Favorite Things #1 - Naps...

Yay for naps!!! And two year olds FINALLY taking naps in their new toddler beds! Hurray!

That is all.

Fun at Legoland

This morning we went to Legoland with a friend who had a free pass. It was the first time we had ever been, and even though we only got to see a tiny fraction of the park, I think the kids really had a good time. We saw lots of animals made out of Legos (some of them moving), and took a ride on a train, boat, and safari car. The kids also played in one of the play areas. Here are some pictures:






I was hoping all the walking around would help Wyatt take a good nap, but no such thing happened today. It seems that much like last night, the little man is TOO excited over his newly converted toddler bed. Who wants to sleep when you can talk for HOURS?

During the attempted "nap" we heard the doorknob rattling repeatedly. On of us would say, "Wyatt..." and hear the scampering of little feet and the plop back into bed. He never actually came out of the room, but I don't think he spent much time in the bed either. One can only hope that as the novelty wears off, exhaustion will set in...I know it has for me. ;)

Time for a Toddler Bed?

Maybe.

This morning I heard a huge thud, followed by crying. I went in, and Wyatt was on the floor outside the crib. I asked him what happened as I rocked him.

"Fall on floor. Climb crib. Head hurt."

He had a goose egg on his forehead.

This is the first time I have ever found him outside the crib. I think it might be time to convert his crib so this doesn't happen again...

...and I can hardly wait for the struggle it will be to convince him to *stay* in bed, or at least his room...;)

Rediscovered Videos Part II - First Steps

Love

Wyatt just ran into Daddy's "office" and said, "I love you."

Totally un-prompted. First time ever. Sweetest thing.

Wyatt at 7 months old, 23 lbs...;)

I was sorting through some pictures on my computer the other day, and came across this adorable video of Wyatt when he was 7 months old. Just look at those cheeks!!!

ETA: This was taken during the fires of '07, when we were waiting to hear whether or not we would be evacuated - I haven't yet figured out how to edit out the video of the fire in the middle. ;)

Threesday

Me: "What comes after Sunday?"*

Wyatt: "Monday!"

Me: "What comes after Monday?"

Wyatt: "Tuesday!"

Me: "What comes after Tuesday?"

Wyatt: "Threesday!"


SO spontaneously funny.

* Honestly, I was blown away that he knew ANY of them. I think I told him the days of the week, maybe TWICE?? And that was more than a week ago. Crazy memory, that one.

Are you really gonna post these pictures of our son?

Me: Uh...no...

Yeah, I knew you needed that nap...

Just so you Know...

Laughing hysterically and jumping up and down in your crib for three hours does not count as a nap. Especially the second day in a row.

I apparently need more sleep then both of the boys in my house combined. Go figure.

Playing in the Backyard...

The following takes place in the span of about two minutes.

"Come here, Butter (Buster), it's feedin' time. You eat sand on ground. Come here. It's feedin' time."

"Bee went 'Bzzzzz!' on cheek, close to eye."

"Get some sand for Butter. I'm dumpin' sand in bucket. Dumpin' out for Butter. Come here, Butter."

"Heeeheeheheee, Butter funny!"

"Looks like Butter poop. But it not Butter poop. It poop from tree." (little tree nuts that fall on the ground)

"Butter at home. I'm not at home. I'm still sweepin'" (sleeping)

"Dump bucket in sand box, and now hold bucket, ready go inside."

This child is a nonstop running commentary.

This Evening's Train Track Creation

Courtesy of Wyatt: