1/22/2012
I am finally willing to let go of your naps. You've always napped well, it was just getting you to actually settle down and lay in your bed that has always been kind of a struggle. I kind of noticed lately that you'll sleep in, so you won't be tired at nap time. And if I force you to take a nap, then you're not tired at bed time. So, I (we) decided to take it one day at a time. If you sleep in a little and aren't overly active then I'm not even going to try to get you to take a nap. So far you've actually been pretty good. The problem in the past has been that if you don't take a nap then you become a little demon around 5:30, and by then it's too late to take a nap and too early for bed. But so far you've stayed pretty mellow and you've fallen asleep much faster at bed time. Plus, it gives you and I some one-on-one time during the day when Alex is sleeping. And to be honest, while I really liked the time to myself while you and Alex were sleeping, it's actually less stressful not having to deal with your nap time. You're growing up :)
You currently have 6 stickers on your diesel 10 sticker chart. So, dad took you on Friday to buy the train. The deal was that we would buy the train when you got 5 stickers, and once you got 10 stickers you could actually play with it. 4 more to go! You have been doing really well, I am really proud of you.
Last week, Josh (from school) and his mom invited us over to their house for a play date. You were so excited and you played so well with him at his house. It was really great. That is until it was time to go and you had a melt down. You did not want to leave! I guess that's better than having a melt down when we arrived. We'll just try to do better next time.
1/29/2012
Tonight, you and Alex were sharing a snack of a hot dog and some applesauce. So Alex was sitting in his high chair with his tray and you pulled your chair up to face him. You got Alex a spoon and you were showing him how to use it. When you guys were finished eating you cleared all of the dishes. It was nice big-brotherly love!
1/31/2012
We have been trying to help Alex learn how to talk. "Christopher" is a long word so we were trying to teach Alex to say "CJ". We asked you if it was ok if Alex called you "CJ" and you said "no, he can call me Christopher 'cause that's who I am".
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
December 2011
12/16/2011
Today was your Christmas program at school. You really haven't said much about it so I'm not really sure what to expect. You've been singing a little bit at home and you mentioned something about being a cow. We were sitting in the front 2 rows at the school gym (which I knew was a mistake but all the grandparents beat us there and picked the seats). We watched the little kids come out first and do their thing. Alex came and sat with us immediately. Your class walked out in a line and you, in your cute cow costume, were not about to go stand in the manger with the rest of your friends, you came straight to dad and sat on his lap through the rest of the program. I knew we should have sat where you couldn't see us :), maybe you would have lasted a little longer. You were cute no matter what.
12/20/2011
You have too many toys, I don't think anyone (except maybe you) would argue that point. And I know that you are going to get even more toys for Christmas. You were complaining about something so I told you that you needed to choose 2 toys that we could give to a child that doesn't have any toys. You immediately said that you weren't going to share. So I gave you the option to choose 2 toys or Dad and I would choose 2 toys. You hopped right up and grabbed a "little people" monkey. Ok, it was a very small toy, but at least it was a start. Then you grabbed another toy of similar size, only this time it was one of Alex's toys. Tricky, tricky. Nope, you had to pick something else and it had to be bigger. So, you grabbed the Finn McMissile car. Again, this toy is Alex's. So, you ended up with the talking Lightning McQueen car. I asked if you were sure and you said yes. We still have way too many toys, but at least it's a start.
12/21/2011
You have really been struggling with drop off at school. Before we even get there you start whining and saying that you don't want to go and you start having a melt down. Believe it or not but I have a hard time with drop off too. It's hard for me to leave you but I know you're in good hands and I know you have a lot of fun while at school. It's just that initial separation that causes us both anxiety. Anyway, today is your last day of school before Christmas break. You were whining before we even left the house. So, dad and I came up with a plan, if we can do drop off 10 times without you crying then you can get Diesel 10. You were excited about that so it got you off the couch and we were off. We walked in the door of school and you yelled over to Ms. Allison: "Ms. Allison, you know what? If I stay at school for 10 minutes then I can get Diesel 10!" hmmm..... you're probably a lot smarter than we give you credit for.
12/26/2011
It was really fun with you yesterday seeing how excited you were about Christmas. Although you got a ton of cool new toys, I think your favorite toy is the dinosaur train that Santa put in Alex's stocking. I do think you were excited that Santa brought you what you had asked him for: Rheneas and Skarloey (from Thomas and Friends). Now we need to work on getting rid of some toys, we really do have too many.
Today was your Christmas program at school. You really haven't said much about it so I'm not really sure what to expect. You've been singing a little bit at home and you mentioned something about being a cow. We were sitting in the front 2 rows at the school gym (which I knew was a mistake but all the grandparents beat us there and picked the seats). We watched the little kids come out first and do their thing. Alex came and sat with us immediately. Your class walked out in a line and you, in your cute cow costume, were not about to go stand in the manger with the rest of your friends, you came straight to dad and sat on his lap through the rest of the program. I knew we should have sat where you couldn't see us :), maybe you would have lasted a little longer. You were cute no matter what.
12/20/2011
You have too many toys, I don't think anyone (except maybe you) would argue that point. And I know that you are going to get even more toys for Christmas. You were complaining about something so I told you that you needed to choose 2 toys that we could give to a child that doesn't have any toys. You immediately said that you weren't going to share. So I gave you the option to choose 2 toys or Dad and I would choose 2 toys. You hopped right up and grabbed a "little people" monkey. Ok, it was a very small toy, but at least it was a start. Then you grabbed another toy of similar size, only this time it was one of Alex's toys. Tricky, tricky. Nope, you had to pick something else and it had to be bigger. So, you grabbed the Finn McMissile car. Again, this toy is Alex's. So, you ended up with the talking Lightning McQueen car. I asked if you were sure and you said yes. We still have way too many toys, but at least it's a start.
12/21/2011
You have really been struggling with drop off at school. Before we even get there you start whining and saying that you don't want to go and you start having a melt down. Believe it or not but I have a hard time with drop off too. It's hard for me to leave you but I know you're in good hands and I know you have a lot of fun while at school. It's just that initial separation that causes us both anxiety. Anyway, today is your last day of school before Christmas break. You were whining before we even left the house. So, dad and I came up with a plan, if we can do drop off 10 times without you crying then you can get Diesel 10. You were excited about that so it got you off the couch and we were off. We walked in the door of school and you yelled over to Ms. Allison: "Ms. Allison, you know what? If I stay at school for 10 minutes then I can get Diesel 10!" hmmm..... you're probably a lot smarter than we give you credit for.
12/26/2011
It was really fun with you yesterday seeing how excited you were about Christmas. Although you got a ton of cool new toys, I think your favorite toy is the dinosaur train that Santa put in Alex's stocking. I do think you were excited that Santa brought you what you had asked him for: Rheneas and Skarloey (from Thomas and Friends). Now we need to work on getting rid of some toys, we really do have too many.
Monday, October 31, 2011
October 2011
10/1/2011
Christopher-
I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd written. I had to write tonight because a little while ago you were sitting at the little desk with the laptop. I went over to get you so you could go take a bath and I realized that you weren't actually playing a computer game, you were pulling the letter keys off of the keyboard. You had gotten 9 of them off. Dad is currently trying to get them back together. Needless to say, you are grounded from the laptop for a few days. I told dad that someday we'll think this is funny. I couldn't find the camera or I would have taken a picture.
Since it has been so long, how about an update? You officially started pre-school in Ms. Allison's class at Nano Nagle at the end of August. You're going on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Dad takes you on Mondays and I take you and Alex on Wednesdays and Fridays. This year started out a little rough because we were going through the separation anxiety routine in the mornings. I asked you teacher about it and she said that quicker is better. I think it's actually working. You and I always drop off Alex first and then walk over to your building. You knock on the door and when Ms. Allison lets us in we go and wash your hands, then we walk over and hang up your jacket and backpack (which is always empty) then we kiss goodbye and I leave. You always say you don't want me to leave and you get a tiny bit weepy, but you head over to whatever Ms. Allison is doing and then you're fine the rest of the day. I love watching you grow and learn. You've been singing the song: "My God is so big, so strong and so might..." It is so cute and always makes me smile, even when you're driving me crazy :)
Still no pooping on the potty, but we'll get there someday I guess.
You are doing better about going to bed at night and even napping. At least I'm not stressing out about it anymore.
I love you!
Christopher-
I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd written. I had to write tonight because a little while ago you were sitting at the little desk with the laptop. I went over to get you so you could go take a bath and I realized that you weren't actually playing a computer game, you were pulling the letter keys off of the keyboard. You had gotten 9 of them off. Dad is currently trying to get them back together. Needless to say, you are grounded from the laptop for a few days. I told dad that someday we'll think this is funny. I couldn't find the camera or I would have taken a picture.
Since it has been so long, how about an update? You officially started pre-school in Ms. Allison's class at Nano Nagle at the end of August. You're going on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Dad takes you on Mondays and I take you and Alex on Wednesdays and Fridays. This year started out a little rough because we were going through the separation anxiety routine in the mornings. I asked you teacher about it and she said that quicker is better. I think it's actually working. You and I always drop off Alex first and then walk over to your building. You knock on the door and when Ms. Allison lets us in we go and wash your hands, then we walk over and hang up your jacket and backpack (which is always empty) then we kiss goodbye and I leave. You always say you don't want me to leave and you get a tiny bit weepy, but you head over to whatever Ms. Allison is doing and then you're fine the rest of the day. I love watching you grow and learn. You've been singing the song: "My God is so big, so strong and so might..." It is so cute and always makes me smile, even when you're driving me crazy :)
Still no pooping on the potty, but we'll get there someday I guess.
You are doing better about going to bed at night and even napping. At least I'm not stressing out about it anymore.
I love you!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
August 2011
8/20/2011
Christopher-
Your claim to fame has been that you "got a Henry". We told you if you went to bed by yourself 5 times then you could get Henry the steam engine. While dad and I were gone on our vacation you went to bed 5 times by yourself for Grandma Stephie. So, of course we bought you Henry but you haven't really been going to bed by yourself since then. But you are getting better. I don't sit by your bed anymore. Dad has been tucking you in and then one of us usually ends up sitting outside your door. But it's progress!
You have been addicted to "Shrek" since we got back from our trip. I guess it was on TV and Grandma Stephie let you watch it and now you want to watch it everyday.
Christopher-
Your claim to fame has been that you "got a Henry". We told you if you went to bed by yourself 5 times then you could get Henry the steam engine. While dad and I were gone on our vacation you went to bed 5 times by yourself for Grandma Stephie. So, of course we bought you Henry but you haven't really been going to bed by yourself since then. But you are getting better. I don't sit by your bed anymore. Dad has been tucking you in and then one of us usually ends up sitting outside your door. But it's progress!
You have been addicted to "Shrek" since we got back from our trip. I guess it was on TV and Grandma Stephie let you watch it and now you want to watch it everyday.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
July 2011
7/7/2011
Christopher-
Happy Birthday! You are 3 years old today, I can't believe it. You are growing up so fast! I wanted to make cupcakes for you to take to school today but after totally screwing up 2 batches at 11pm last night I ended up going to the grocery store at 6:15am this morning and picking up some brownies for you to take. While I was really disappointed I know that you really don't care, at least at this age.
We had a birthday party last night with Jeep, Granny, Aunt Toodie, Uncle Jim, Aunt Jenny, Emma, Auntie Rie, Uncle Booker, Aunt Kristi, Uncle Jeff, Toby and Miles. It was fun and laid back and I think that everyone had a good time.
Some of your gifts:
- Tag reader and I Spy book : mom and dad
- James Engine: Jeep
- Giraffe tag book: Jim, Jenny and Emma
- Lightning McQueen pillow and baseball clothes: Auntie Rie and Uncle Booker
- Lightning McQueen car and clothes: Aunt Toodie
- Mekanimal book and $: Granny
- Rescue book, Tractor book, moon sand: Aoyagi's
Today you went to school and after I picked you up, Granny and Aunt Toodie came over for a little bit and sang happy birthday to you and Alex. Jeep came over for a few minutes and you showed her how James fits on your train track. Then dad and I took you and Alex to the park so you could play on the playground. After a while you happened to notice that there were some girls playing on the grassy hill, rolling down it. You decided to run up the hill and join right in. It was pretty funny.
I tried to get you to go to sleep by yourself, but you just cried for the 2 minutes that I left the room. Maybe we'll just try again tomorrow. You'll get it someday, I know you will.
You've been doing a great job with your undies except that you refuse to poop on the potty. So, when you need to poop, you say "mommy, am I wearing undies?" I say yes and you run into your room, take off your shorts and undies, put on a pull up by yourself and put on your shorts then you usually run into my bedroom, slam the door and come out a minute later and say "mom, I pooped". We keep telling you that when you run out of pull ups you're going to have to start pooping on the potty. I guess we'll see how that goes :)
7/11/2011
3yr well exam with Dr. Broadbent
Height: 38 7/8" 80%
Weight: 32.5 lbs 52%
- dr. suggested that we try a simple reward to try to get you to stay in your room at night and hopefully that will help you go to sleep on your own.
- we told dr. that you go to bed about 10p and wake up between 7a-8a and you take a 2 hour nap. he said that seems fine.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June 2011
6/5/2011
Christopher-
After months of working with you on potty training, this past week out of the blue you decided you were interested in wearing your undies. You've actually done pretty well and have had fewer and fewer accidents as the days go by. I'm not sure if I am going to let you wear your undies to school on Tuesday, though. I guess we'll see how tomorrow goes. Dad and I are really proud of you!
6/16/2011
Christopher-
I think we let you wear your undies to school last week and you did awesome. But for some reason you haven't really been interested in wearing your undies much this week. You've also had a harder time in the morning when dad has dropped you off at school. We're just not sure why. But you're going to spend the weekend at Grandma Stephie's house so maybe that will be the "reboot" that you need. We love you and want you to be happy!
Christopher-
After months of working with you on potty training, this past week out of the blue you decided you were interested in wearing your undies. You've actually done pretty well and have had fewer and fewer accidents as the days go by. I'm not sure if I am going to let you wear your undies to school on Tuesday, though. I guess we'll see how tomorrow goes. Dad and I are really proud of you!
6/16/2011
Christopher-
I think we let you wear your undies to school last week and you did awesome. But for some reason you haven't really been interested in wearing your undies much this week. You've also had a harder time in the morning when dad has dropped you off at school. We're just not sure why. But you're going to spend the weekend at Grandma Stephie's house so maybe that will be the "reboot" that you need. We love you and want you to be happy!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
5/22/2011
5/22/2011
CJ- It's been so long since I've written in here. I love you so much but I've been losing my patience really fast with you for some reason. I've been reading books to try to figure out what to do and I guess you're at the age where you're testing your boundaries and I shouldn't take it personally and the best thing for me to do is stay calm. I've definitely noticed that you respond better when I stay calm, but it's extremely difficult for me to do.
You've started staying at school longer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Now you stay and have lunch and take a npa and I've been picking you up at 3pm instead of 11:30am. I think you really like your friends and your teachers and enjoy your time there and it's helping me to try to get settled here at the house. Alex is on the waiting list and as soon as there is an opening then he'll be going to school with you. That will allow me to do some accounting work from home for Uncle Gary. Hopefully it will give me some work/life balance.
Please know that I want the very best for you and Alex but it's really difficult trying to figure out what that is and how to get it.
You seem pretty happy here in the new house. Your room is smaller but we have a big basement and big backyard for you guys to play in. If I could just get you to stop picking on Alex than I think we'll be ok. You are constantly pushing him over and taking toys away from him. Hopefully that will stop when he's a little bigger and can defend himself.
CJ- It's been so long since I've written in here. I love you so much but I've been losing my patience really fast with you for some reason. I've been reading books to try to figure out what to do and I guess you're at the age where you're testing your boundaries and I shouldn't take it personally and the best thing for me to do is stay calm. I've definitely noticed that you respond better when I stay calm, but it's extremely difficult for me to do.
You've started staying at school longer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Now you stay and have lunch and take a npa and I've been picking you up at 3pm instead of 11:30am. I think you really like your friends and your teachers and enjoy your time there and it's helping me to try to get settled here at the house. Alex is on the waiting list and as soon as there is an opening then he'll be going to school with you. That will allow me to do some accounting work from home for Uncle Gary. Hopefully it will give me some work/life balance.
Please know that I want the very best for you and Alex but it's really difficult trying to figure out what that is and how to get it.
You seem pretty happy here in the new house. Your room is smaller but we have a big basement and big backyard for you guys to play in. If I could just get you to stop picking on Alex than I think we'll be ok. You are constantly pushing him over and taking toys away from him. Hopefully that will stop when he's a little bigger and can defend himself.
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