Weight Watchers

I joined Weight Watchers Wednesday night. Nico’s doing it too (by default). Operation put weight on the kid has had a negative impact on he and I. So now we have to balance Ronin’s weight gain with our weight loss. Wish us luck.

More details later!

Nico's back and Big Boy Bed Update

Nico’s back from the fishing trip. He left Arkansas around 4:30 a.m. and arrived home at 7:00 p.m. That made for a really, really long day driving. Sounds like he had a really nice time.

He also finished his second welded metal sculpture from his class. It’s also really cool. I don’t think I have pictures of either sculpture, I’ll put them on my picture “to do” list.

Big Boy Bed update: He has just finished his first full week in his BBB. I’m thinking of waiting until this weekend to start the night weaning. I just want to make sure he’s had plenty of time in his new bed before I take his “nu nu” away.

We still haven’t totally finished the kitchen. We’ve got flooring and toe kicks to do. We also have to finish painting the accent wall. Next we need to do some finishing touches on the front windows that we installed last fall. It’s been too cold to paint them and now it’s warming up nicely. We also have to get our garden in and I am itching to get some real landscaping done this year. I can’t believe we’ve been in this house for a year and a half. There’s so much to do!!!

Ronin’s words:

Yesterday he said, “bean” clear as day!
Today he learned, “lemonade” and boy does he love it.

18 Months

Today my baby is 18 months old. He's basically learning a new word or two a day. Today he told me (in his own sweet language) that he wanted his shoes off and a drink of water, he wanted to read "Going on a Bear Hunt" and then the "Elmo" book. He's not putting two words together yet, but I know he's getting close.

Communication is so awesome!!!

"Big Boy Bed"

I swear time is starting to race. What happens to my weeks?

Sunday night was Roni’s first night in his “big boy bed”. He is taking his naps and everything in his new bed. Of course, I’m sleeping with him, but it’s progress.

Monday we went to a MOM’S club meeting and showed off some of our baby carriers. He had a good time, but needs to learn some slide etiquette.

Today we went to a play date and then spent the afternoon outside.

I had my UU Fellowship group tonight. I was the facilitator and I led the discussion on Hinduism. I spent several nights preparing my info and I think it went really well. We had enough material that I’m going to lead again on the same topic in a couple of weeks. But even more amazing than that is when I got home the “boys” were both asleep in the “big boy bed”. Roni still hasn’t woken up. I might get to start sleeping in my own bed after all.

Tomorrow Nico leaves for the annual father-son fishing trip (and trek to Arkansas). This year he opted to drive. I wish him luck. Roxanne (the Scirocco) is nearing 25 years old, but he’s taking really good care of her. I wouldn’t risk that long of a trip, but I can’t work on cars.

Not sure what the rest of the week will bring. Maybe a trip to an Earth Day festival this weekend? We’ll see.

Lots of pictures and other fun stuff!!!

Yesterday was Wednesday and we had a nice day. We spent the morning at the library and walking around downtown Royal Oak. In the afternoon we went to the park. Last night I had my haircut. Once again I’m not 100% happy, but it’s okay. Good thing is that it’s just hair and it’ll grow.

Here’s my new ‘do.

Today we went to opening day of Greenfield Village. We get in free with our Henry Ford pass. We had a wonderful time riding the steam engine train and horse drawn carriage. My little friend did not enjoy the carousel. We got too much sun and not enough nap, but it was worth it. FYI it was 84 degrees here in Michigan today. Whoopee!!!

Tonight we had our first ever “date night”. We went out to dinner and left the little man with a friend. He had a delightful time and apparently did not cry or miss us at all. Here we all are reunited again.

Couldn't forget to pass on an Easter picture. Here's the boy in his new crown.

Here's one of him in a backpack the neighbors gave us. Doesn't he look like he's about to go off to school?


Here's my craft for the "bird swap". It's a bird watching kit. I'm making the little books and placing a wooden bird and notebook in each one. The children can trace the wooden bird and color it in for identification. I think they are turning out super cute. I'll have a couple of other fabric versions since I need 5. 1600/P1020693.JPG">

Tuesday night, already?

Last weekend is pretty much a blur. Friday night we had pizza at our house with some friends. On Saturday, I went to a Mom 2 Mom sale and the whole clan went to fabulous brunch at our friends’ house. Saturday afternoon Nico replaced my brakes and rotors and changed the oil in my car. On Sunday, he did a similar treatment to his car.

Monday we went to the park - twice.

Today Roni and I went to a La Leche meeting and then out to lunch. After nap, we worked on his room. We are still trying to get the room ready for the “big boy” and his new “big boy bed”.

We are in the planning stages of a neighborhood garage sale. My first ever garage sale!

I’m also getting ready to conduct my first ever UU small fellowship group (as leader). My topic is Hinduism and I’m relying on info from my religions class at PSU. I’m a little nervous, but very excited and I LOVE discussing world religions.

Finally, I’m feeling like a big household purge (probably inspired by the garage sale). So no more plastic, please. I’m over plastic toys. I know some of them are educational. But they all make sounds and some of them light up… I just can’t take any more.

Tomorrow is still up in the air. I’m not sure what Roni and I will do with our day, but I have a haircut appointment scheduled for the evening. I think that Thursday night will be a first ever “date night”.

Take care!

What we did today and Moving Roni to his own room.

So far today has been excellent despite the dramatic drop in temperature.

Today I bought my baby his own bed and we will begin the transition to sleeping in his own room.
Today I had fabulous Indian Buffet with fabulous friends.
Today I transferred a sleeping toddler to bed WITHOUT waking him, which is a major mama victory.

Now for more details on the sleeping issue…

Today I bought a twin bed (mattress, springs and frame). This weekend we will begin setting up his room for sleeping. Sheets just like ours, blackening curtains, cd player for his "rain" cd, etc. Yes, I bought new stuff for him. But I can not justify buying the kid used sheets or a used mattress, yucko! The curtains I may have been able to find used, but these are really nice and are not only room darkening, but also provide insulation. I bought two panels and will cut them up to make four panels total for his two windows. They are bright green.

As for the plan to get him used to it… The first week or so I plan to sleep with him all night and continue the night nursing.

The second week (or so, who knows how long this will take) I plan to night wean him while sleeping with him in his bed.

Finally, I plan to nurse him down in his bed and move back into my marital bed once he's asleep. Night wakings will be me going in to comfort him, but no nursing.

Hopefully this will be gentle enough for me (and him too) and yet get me back to sleeping with my husband. Who officially moved into the guest bedroom several nights ago. That’s no good!

Wish me luck and offer me any advice you have for transitions to own room. However I do not plan to “throw him in his crib and let him cry it out.” So any other advice would be helpful. Additionally, his crib is no longer safe for him because on the lowest setting it only comes up to about his belly button and he can climb. I’ve read "The No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers" and have gotten most of my ideas from this book. FYI It's very supportive of co-sleeping.

Weight and Craft Swap goodies from yesterday!

Roni weighed in at 21 lbs and half an ounce. I was pretty happy with that. He was 20 lbs and 4 ounces at last month's weigh in. We go back in about three weeks for his 18 month well baby visit and another weigh in.

Here are the craft swap goodies from yesterday - pictures from Deb!

The crafts we recieved...
Birdfeeder
Bee
Beanbags, scented with essential oils:
A ribbon wand from friend Deb:

My craft was a playscape. It's a mat of a garden scene with movable stepping stones and wooden carrots. I made an extra one to keep.

Painting is almost done

The blue (more of a teal on the wall) is done. Now for "hep green" as an accent.

I hosted a craft swap and play date at the house today. I'm hoping to steal some of Deb's pictures, since I did't get any.

Tomorrow we have a Roni weigh-in. Hopefully he's gained. More later. In the meantime he's a picture of the three of us on painting day (not the best angle).

Kitchen pictures... before the paint

We are painting this weekend... so here are the most recent pictures I promised.



"After" pictures to come with the fancy new paint colors!

Where does the week go?

Nico’s enjoying his new job and putting in overtime already. The weather was freakin’ great this week. Today we all wore short sleeves and I’ve got a little bit of a sunburn.

Last Saturday we had the Easter Egg Hunt. That was fun for Roni and the two of us.

On Monday we went on our monthly trek to Value World (thrift store) with our 50% off coupon. We scored a couple good deals.

On Tuesday we went to our NAMI play date. This is our “hippy mama” group. We enjoyed dying eggs and the mess stayed at their house. Here's the kiddo's egg. Yay!

On Wednesday we spent all day outside. We went to the park in the morning, ate lunch outside, and then went back to the park after the nap.

Thursday we went to an Easter Egg Hunt at the home of one of our Beaumont Group Mom’s house. Roni picked up two little eggs and then went after a couple balls in the backyard. He didn’t have much of a nap, but once daddy got home we went back to the park.

Today, Nico had off work. He put my new wheels on my car. I got a whole set of fancy new wheels! But he put the old tires on the new wheels. They look really nice and sound much better than my snow tires/wheels. Then we did tons of yard work. I even moved some plants around and Roni played in the hose. Tonight we went over to friends’ house for pizza and beer. It felt just like summer! Here's a picture of Ronin and friends in the sandbox.