Robert the Moose

Where in Robert turns 4

2011-10-18T09:02:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe, but we've just celebrated Robert's 4th birthday. We had two parties, the "family party" and the "friends party." I think next year we'll try to consolidate, because it really is all too much for everyone.

Blowing out candles at the family party-- with a little help from Grandpa. The candles are considerably bigger than the cupcake.

The theme for the friends party was "Pirates." We had a good time decorating!

Despite the serious look, he DID have a good time!

Four is proving to have its own set of challenges and blessings. We are, thank goodness, past potty training, pacifier-less, and now sleeping in the big boy bed-- all in the last month! And he is so much more independent-- dresses himself, gets his own snacks, etc. It is really nice. But also a bit sad. It is also obvious that he is going to have quite a temper and a will of his own. There are 9 little boys at daycare and they all are as wild as bugs... I pity their teachers! Not sure why anyone but me would still be keeping track of this, but he's 42 inches and 38 pounds... which puts him in about the 75th percentile for weight and the 95th for height... pretty much where he always is. Clearly, "Moose" is going to continue to be appropriate!

Overheard

2011-08-17T08:52:00.000-04:00

Robert (after having a song sang to him at bedtime): Was that my first song?

Me: Yes. What would you like for your second song?

Robert: That wasn't my first song. It was my introductory song.

If you've never heard the word "introductory" come out of a 3 year olds mouth, it is really something to see. It was bigger than he was.

Anybody out there?

2011-07-16T15:59:00.000-04:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I've posted. Gesh. Life got super busy when I went back to work full time and things like taking pictures, finding the cord to download them, and then writing blog posts and uploading them got prioritized somewhere under scrubbing poop out of underwear and finding missing puzzle pieces. Anyway, as that we have totally given up on potty training, and now don't have to scrub underwear anymore, I'll try to get back a bit to blogging.

Robert is "free n quarters" now, or 3 3/4 for those of you who speak regular English. I was reading in "Happiest Toddler on the Block" recently that tantrums peak at about 3 1/2 and hope that Robert reads that sometime soon, because we are still having some doozies when he gets tired. He's been home all week with a sinus infection (+ virus?) so I was totally blessed to have Mom and Carol come not only once, but twice! So I got some work done AND 4 free meals prepared AND tons of laundry and ironing done. Hmmm... maybe Robert should be sick more often? (Not that that would even be possible....)

Ok, I know what you all want, and here you go...

Robert on Ralph Bell's bird walk... He was a bit young, but Ralph is 96, so we decided not to chance it, ya'know?

There's Ralph, in the middle, leading the bird walk. He held up much better than my cranky 3 year old.

Robert and his girlfriend Lili, on a hike at Frick Park this Spring. They pretty much are that adorable together.

Rob took Robert to the PA Farm Show this year. Think that will be a permanent date for them-- not sure who loved it more?

Robert feeling VERY brave standing that close to cows.

First trip to the Dentist. He was a CHAMP!

Anyway, sorry for the delay in posting, and I'll try to be better for the rest of the summer anyway.

So what if it's almost Christmas?

2010-11-29T11:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, so they are selling Christmas trees accross the street and I don't have Halloween pictures up yet. I'm not sure if I should continue the blog, now that everyone is on Facebook, or not? Thoughts? Anyway, here is our Firefighter at Halloween:

He had a great time trick or treating with Lili next door. This was the first year the kids made it up all the way through Trick or Treating and had a blast playing out in the driveway. It was a bit cold, but they didn't seem to mind.

Robert is very, very chatty these days and is starting to understand grammar. He corrects himself sometimes and is mostly saying "you and I" instead of "you and me"-- very cute. We had a rough transition to the Preschool Room at school, but he seems to be settling in and they are doing lots of pre-reading work. He knows all his letters and is starting to associate the sounds that some of them make with the letters.

Friday we take him to see Santa-- maybe I'll get some pictures up from that before Valentine's Day.

Why you little...

2010-09-15T13:41:00.000-04:00

Last night, Robert related this little gem:

"When Daddy puts me to bed, he sings LOUD songs and then I laugh. When Mama puts me to bed she sing quiet songs, and then I laugh at her."

He's a charmer, that one.

In which Mama turns 35 and take some pictures

2010-08-21T20:26:00.000-04:00

Robert and I were goofing around Wednesday and took some pictures. I should hold onto them and post again later on this week, but, let's be honest, I won't get around to it, so here we go:

Visit!

2010-08-21T20:15:00.001-04:00

So this last weekend my cousins Catherine and Rachel, with Rachel's two boys in tow, stopped by the Farm on their way to Indiana. Robert had a great time playing with Ellis, and loved having a "big boy" to play with. They especially had fun on our ghetto version of a waterslide, which involves duct taping a running garden hose to the top of the Little Tikes slide that is set in the baby pool. Classy. But, apparently, fun.

Not that it was all fun and games. We made sure to get some work out of the boys. Here they are helping Rob put away the hoops from the raspberries...

Finally, it was interesting to watch Robert interact with baby Maddox, who is 6 months old. He was very good with Maddox, and didn't even mind when Mama held the baby... too much.

He's kissing Maddox, not biting him. I promise.

Daddy Who?

2010-07-26T21:31:00.001-04:00

So Robert has this giant rubber duck (that used to be MY rubber duck, BTW) that is the Mama duck of the approximatley 523 rubber ducks that live at our house. Incidentally, there is no apparent Daddy duck (which will come later in this story), but somehow this unwed mother duck continues to reproduce with apparently different Daddy ducks from such places as "Jamaica," "Nashville," and "Firefighter." Anyway, (and I am hoping for some kind of personal responsibility program for wayward Mama ducks from the Party of No any day now before there is no where left to sit in this house) Robert informed me tonight as we were getting ready for bed (well, Robert was getting ready for bed... actually, I was getting Robert ready for bed... with 4 jobs and only 2 days of daycare a week, Mondays aren't a day I get to go to bed, but back to the story) that Mama Duck had a baby.

Robert: Mama Duck has a baby.
Me (trying to sound remotely interested): Does she?
Robert: Yes. He's two-and-a half.
Me: Really? What's his name?
Robert: His name is.... Kyle. (Delightedly pleased-at-himself-for-being-so-subtle look on his face.)
Me: Is that so? What's his Mama's name?
Robert: Wizbet Felder.
Me: And what's his Daddy's name?
Robert: Tuba.

Beach!

2010-06-10T03:30:00.000-04:00

More pics to come soon, but I forgot my camera's cord, so these are some pics from Mom's camera.

It's on like Donkey Kong

2010-06-03T23:13:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow morning Robert and I head off to the beach with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Carol (in one Buick--pray for us). Rob, Spot, and Tucker will follow along on Saturday. So expect a plethera of posts (of course, everyone who reads them will be at the beach with us) this week. With cute, sandy pic goodness. I can't wait!

Best. Quote. Ever.

2010-05-29T22:57:00.002-04:00

On the phone tonight, as I was saying good bye to Robert, he said (and I am NOT making this up), "I love you. See you soon. Everybody poops."

Just so I don't forget

2010-05-08T22:01:00.000-04:00

I keep meaning to write down some of the cute things that Robert says in his baby book because I know I will forget them when he moves on to the next cute thing. I also mean to post more here, so two birds+ one stone= this blog post. If you are just looking for pictures, then scroll down.

Two of our favorites right now are "I no wanna be sack-mo-tatoes" when he gets thrown bodily over someone's shoulder (we've decided that "Sack-mo-tatoes" should be Robert's Native American name), which is so cute we often make him the sack of potatoes just to hear him protest, and "May I peas be a goose" which is what "May I please be excused" sounded like the first few times he said it and we've laughed so hard at it that now he'll probably never say it correctly. Another of his current greatest hits is, "No, I wanna make GOOD choices" which invariably comes 10 seconds after a very BAD choice for which a consequence is afoot. He also apparently thinks that Rob and I are total narcissists, because he sings the Barney theme song (yes, Barney. Ugh.) as "You love you, You love me." I don't have the heart to correct him-- at least, until I get him on video at least once.

A boy and (someone else's) dog

2010-05-02T19:36:00.000-04:00

Robert had the double treat today of Uncle Jonathan AND his favorite giant dog, Mabel. Much cuteness ensued.

Golf!

2010-04-17T21:13:00.000-04:00

Maybe there's more to a name than Shakespeare gives credit, but Robert has been obsessed with golf since he was less than a year old. Which is why it was so great that he got to go to the country club with his Meema and Grumpy the last time we were in Lancaster. (Rob and I had forgotten to pack our country club duds and were therefore forced to stay home and drink beer. I'm considering some kind of civil rights suit just as soon as I stop liking an afternoon of free babysitting and beer.) Robert had a good time, though something spooked him about the golf carts. He keeps saying, even a month later, at random times, "there were people on the carts." Not sure what that was all about, but, hey, what's a little trauma compared to the afternoon of free babysitting and beer? That's what I was thinking. So thanks to the Felters for both the trip, and the pics.

And I'm back

2010-04-13T09:15:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know, I know. And I have nothing in the way of excuses. Except that not that much has been happening here. Or maybe a lot has. I don't really know anymore. Robert is just chatting up a storm now, and starting to make up stories. Which is pretty cute. I'd tell you one, but I can't remember any of them. Needless to say, we're in another bad sleep stretch. My only hope is that eventually it will have to be his girl (or boy) friend who is up with him in the middle of the night. Does Match.com take toddlers?

We've been enjoying the good weather by spending a lot of time at the farm. Robert has a regular play ground there now with a sandbox, swingset, and slide. Poor Carol's yard may never be the same, but Robert adores it. Here's a picture of a very spoiled grandson in his new frog raincoat, standing in his sandbox-- all courtesy of his Grandma Beth.

And, of course, some obligatory Easter Pics...

Happy Birthday, Grandma

2010-02-27T20:41:00.002-05:00

Snowpocolipse 2010

2010-02-09T18:38:00.004-05:00

We've had a busy but home-bound week with the 26" inches of snow we have accumulated (8" more on the way!) and a bad cold-turned-ear-infection-turned-sinus-infection-turned-pneumonia. Suffice it to say that Robert and I have spent pretty much every waking hour together for the last 2 weeks and I have a new-found respect for stay-at-home moms. Or, it has increased my assertion that they all need to be put in asylums, I can't decide. I know I would willingly go to the asylum myself if they promised, on pain of death, that I would NOT have to watch Little Einsteins there. Anyway. Robert's response to the 3' piles of snow that line our driveway was "Holy Cow!" and he has pronounced walking on the snow to be "crunchy." Where do they learn these things?!?!

OK, you can stay for a little bit longer...

2010-02-03T18:46:00.002-05:00

We're down in it here with a nasty chest cold and ear infection, replete with antibiotics and breathing treatments, all worthy of a much longer and funnier rant than I am capable of putting together after 5 days of very interrupted sleep. But tonight as I was fixing dinner Robert asked me for milk. And when I said, "Do you want chocolate milk?" (because I'm bribing him with ANYTHING to get him to drink right now) he looked up at me and said, "Yes, please, ma'am. And I love you, Mama."

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

And I carried you for 40 weeks...

2010-01-17T21:03:00.004-05:00

The following took place between 7:48 and 7:49 am:

Me: Hey Robert, do you want to go eat some coffee cake that Mama made?"

Robert: Yes!

Me: What kind of coffee cake do you think it is?

Robert: Burnt.

Niiiiiiice.

We're so lucky

2010-01-15T14:03:00.003-05:00

It's hard to post about all the cute things that Robert is doing right now when I think about all the 2-year olds ( and everyone else) in Haiti. It is so heartbreaking to think about. Robert would like to urge you all at go to www.redcross.org or www.mercycorp.com and donate. We did and it was easy.

That's it, I'm goin' to Grandma's

2010-01-08T18:13:00.002-05:00

The stomach flu edition

2010-01-03T09:10:00.002-05:00

We've all been down with the stomach flu so here's the short version of the last couple of weeks:

Christmas was good, though Robert was very impatient with the whole unwrapping-presents thing, and spent a good bit of the time under the dining room table playing with tissue paper. People foolishly bought him nice presents when they could have just wrapped up boxes with tissue paper.
Robert is talking up a storm. "Come over here and sit down, Mama." "I put a banana in my pocket." "That's so silly, Mama." (This in response to me trying to put his socks on his hands, which, was, in fact, too silly. But so is putting a banana in your pocket, little man.)
His sleeping schedule has been really screwed up since the whole stomach flu. Last night he didn't go to bed until 11, and it's 9 am and he's still asleep. And, of course, I should go wake him up, but 90210 is on...
We've had 4 weeks of sinus infections, ear infections, the stomach flu. I'm ready for a little bit of healthy, happy Robert time.

Let it snow!

2009-12-20T15:47:00.006-05:00

We've had our first significant snowfall of Robert's life (isn't that amazing? It's his 3rd winter!) and he is, in typical Robert fashion, not quite sure about it. One the one hand it is very interesting, and different, and MIGHT be fun. On the other hand, it is cold and wet and sticks to his gloves. And that's not so good. But we went out for a walk yesterday and I got these pictures.

All bundled up in our snow coat and pants... but no boots. Need boots.

Ok, I'm kind of cold and wet and ready to go home.

Gratuitous shot of our lightpole.. thought it was pretty.

Those of you who don't see Robert on a regular basis haven't gotten to share in the joy that is our most recent haircut. Robert does not like to get his hair cut and despite Rob's and the barber's efforts, his new "hair do" is a "hair don't." I think Mama will be cutting his hair in the future, between therapy visits to resolve his trauma at being held down and having sharp, pointy, noisy things applied to his head.

Yes, this IS what it really looks like. And that's after I've started to repair the damage.

Santa=Bad

2009-12-13T20:33:00.002-05:00

We've had a number of run ins with the Red And White One, and Robert isn't a fan. He doesn't mind looking at Santa from a distance ("Das Santa!") but when asked if he wants to go see Santa he emphatically assures you he doesn't. He did enjoy going to see the penguin (if not Santa) at the Aviary.

Well, okay then

2009-11-24T14:15:00.003-05:00

Robert's teacher sent this from school today. She said, "Did you make a train Robert?" And he said, "No, it's a chicken train."

Cute, no?

I hot dog you, too.

2009-10-26T21:14:00.002-04:00

In the vein of my cousin Bridget, let me relate to you, Gentle Reader, a scene from this evening. I teased Robert before dinner that if he'd tell me he loved me that I'd make him a hot dog for dinner. Being his typically 2-year-old self, he giggled and refused to say it. Later, after dinner, he ran up to me, threw his arms around my leg and sincerely declared, "I hot dog you, Mama. I hot dog you."

This little piggy...

2009-10-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

...has swine flu. Or something like it. The pediatrician helpfully said (of the EPIDEMIC of 103 degree fevers, sore throats, headache and cough calls they have been inundated with to the point it takes 3 hours to get a call-back), "well, it certainly is flu-LIKE," I suppose in a misguided attempt to a.) keep parents from panicking and b.) keep parents from finding more competent pediatrician since the vaccine has been out for 3 weeks and my pediatricians STILL. DON'T. HAVE. IT.

So far, Robert is holding his own, slightly more cranky (ok, a lot more cranky) than usual, but as long as the Motrin is at therapeutic levels he's ok. I'm experimenting with alternating the Tylenol with the Motrin to try to get us over the hump, so we'll hope that helps. And that today is the last day of the fever... I've heard from some other parents that it's only going about 3 days.

Off to slop the little hog...

Happy 2nd Birthday

2009-10-09T20:07:00.001-04:00

...little one. I can't tell you how happy I am you came to live with us. Hugs and kisses forever.

Our CA trip Part One

2009-10-04T22:48:00.003-04:00

I finally got my camera back and the picture off loaded, so here is a recap of our CA trip. We left on Tuesday to take the late flight out to LA. We're lucky to even have a direct flight after US Air once again screwed Pittsburgh over and pulled our

direct flights to CA. Fortunately, United picked up the routes. We had an easy time at the PA airport and our gate happened to be right next to the very nice play area at the airport. Robert had a lot of fun looking at the planes and yelling "Airplane" every 10 seconds (like his cousin Emmett, apparently).

We got on the plane with lots of help with Uncle Jacob and got Robert strappe

d into his seat. We could have had him travel "on lap" but that would have been insane. Robert wasn't a big fan of takeoff, but after I closed the window blind he was fine.

We landed in LA an hour early which was good because the rental cars weren't at the airport and getting to the rental car place took a bit of time. Robert was very tired at that point and not sure about the whole trip at that point, but we got to the hotel and got to bed by about 1 am our time. After a fairly short night of sleep, we headed on down to San Clemente to see Uncle Joe.

We had a nice day with Uncle Joe and Maryanne but had to head back to L A early because Robert had an upset tummy and had gone through the 6 diapers I had brought. :) But we had probably wreaked enough havoc on the reti

red folks for one day as it was. We went swimming that afternoon, went to dinner at California Pizza kitchen, and had a nice evening with my friend Matt.

Thursday we went to Manhattan Beach to introduce Robert (and Jacob) to the Pacific. Robert LOVES the beach and had to be bodily dragged back to the car to catch the flight to San Francisco.

More on the NorCal part of the trip soon!

California Adventure

2009-09-29T21:00:00.003-04:00

We are back and somewhat recovered from our 5 day California adventure. Mom has my camera, so I don't have pictures to post yet, but here is one from my cell phone, taken at the pool at the hotel in LA.

I think my favorite part might be Uncle Jacob, hatted, jeaned, and booted, reading by the pool in the 102 degree heat.

More pics, including Robert with his almost-95-year-old Great Uncle Joe soon.

Crackpots and These Women

2009-09-15T15:29:00.002-04:00

Robert and his ladyfriends at this year's Edgewood Day Parade.

well now, that's a first...

2009-08-18T22:11:00.002-04:00

So, Robert has been talking more and more and it comes out in really funny ways sometimes. The last week or so, as we've been reading our two books before bed at night, when I finish a book he says "one more book?" in an effort to delay going to bed (which is also new-- he used to LOVE going to bed.) Tonight as I finished singing him a song he looked up at me and said "One more song?" Now, no one on the face of the earth has ever asked me to KEEP singing-- this kid is either tone deaf or really desperate not to go to bed.

But it was so cute that he did get "one more song."

Our first trip to Idlewild

2009-08-14T19:55:00.007-04:00

Robert and I went to Idlewild today. I hadn't been there in, well, I think Andrew, Kevin, and Sam were 8, 6, and 4, so that was what, 14 years ago? I am happy to report that nothing has changed in the intervening time except that I got older. Anyway, we had a great time after I figured out that putting my 22-month-old child on the rides by himself was only going to end in tears and emergency stoppage and rescuing. We rode a couple rides together, and I figure it won't take more than a couple years in therapy to work out the neuroses I created today.

First ride, right before it all went terribly wrong.

We rode the little train around the park and he LOVED that. And we got a couple good pics, which I loved.

Best picture of me taken in a long time... too bad Robert looked so cranky, but he had just literally had the you-know-what scared out of him.

But 5 minutes on the train makes it all better.

We had lunch and then went to the waterpark. Now, there is a reason why Idlewild has been voted the second best park for kids in the world; the waterpark was huge and fantastic, and had a great little kids's area. Robert wasn't sure about it at first, but he warmed up to it fast.

See you next year, Idlewild. We will definitely be back!

Robert's first beheading...

2009-08-13T19:26:00.004-04:00

I walked in to the house tonight after shucking (now there's a word you have to type carefully) corn and Rob said to me, "I never knew how inappropriate Tom and Jerry was for kids." So he starts telling me how he was letting Robert watch Tom and Jerry until Jerry (or was it Tom?) started chasing with a meat cleaver the really cute duck and mouse that Robert had been watching . He turned it off right as Jerry (or was it Tom?) was successful at beheading Robert's new little friends. Robert was not best pleased. "More duck n' mouse! More duck n' mouse!" Duck and Mouse were all we heard all evening until the corn on the cob arrived at the table. Then it was "more corn, more corn" but somehow I don't have the same soft spot in my heart for the corn as I did for the little animated duck and mouse...

Insert title here

2009-08-10T20:58:00.005-04:00

It has finally come to a bulleted post.

Robert is singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Ring Around the Rosie" now, complete with hand gestures and falling down at the end. It is very cute, except that he insists on singing them in the grocery store and on me singing too. The other shoppers just LOVE this.
We gave him shrimp tonight for dinner and he didn't immediately go into anaphylactic shock. I think this means we are officially clear of any of the food allergies, though I know they can develop later. I made them give him peanut butter for the first time at school, since they have an epi pen and a defibrillator there. I am such a wuss.
He is growing out of his sandals (that were SO big in May) and I am too cheap to buy him new ones. I guess we'll hope for an early fall!
He insists on saying "hi" to everyone he sees, and continues to repeat it more and more loudly until they respond to him. This gets very old at the store.

OK, now for a pictures:

Blowing bubbles with Grandma at the farm

At the zoo...

Sleeping with his three favorite things, "baba," "Doogas," and "gof cub"

Bad Mommy. No posts.

2009-07-26T21:16:00.004-04:00

Oh well. So here we are, at the end of July. Robert is (almost) 22 months old. How hard is that to believe? Anyway, pretty soon I have to switch to years instead of months for counting. And then I won't have a baby anymore. :-( Or :-), depending on how you look at it.

So, in the vein of not having a baby, Robert is now singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (and people OTHER than me can identify it as such, and "Ashes, ashes we all fall DOWN" (but not "Ring around the rosie..." He also is counting, or, sorta. Mostly he's saying "Two, Three, Five", but I think that just means he has a future in corporate accounting. I will try to get these on video, but he won't do it on command yet, so wish me luck.

So, enough of my ramblings. Here's what you've been waiting for:

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T21:15:00.002-04:00

At 9:00 pm, I think-- I THINK-- the baby is asleep. I think the light of the longest day was keeping him awake, as well as being wound up from a day with both sets of grandparents and lots of running around at the farm. Anyway, here are are a few more beach pictures... a month later, I guess.

Life's a Beach

2009-05-28T21:56:00.006-04:00

Digging in the sand with Daddy

So. Darn. Cute.

"Mama, I'm tired and want my dinner."

We're packing up and heading out tomorrow, but I have pictures to last for weeks. We're exhausted after 6 nights in the same room, and I think there will be nothing so lovely at home as Robert's crib. But he has had such a good time with his Daddy's family and with the pool, beach, ocean and biking. He started out the week crying hysterically if anyone but Rob had him in the pool or the ocean-- today he swam with me in the pool and (miracle of miracles) his Uncle James in the ocean. I'm really happy he's so comfortable in the water since I'm planning on the pool at the gym and our neighborhood club to be a HUGE (as Paris would say) part of our summer.

Fun fun!

2009-05-25T14:09:00.001-04:00

New Camera!

2009-05-23T19:55:00.005-04:00

I'm sure you all have been desperately hoping for a new blog post, and I hate to disappoint my legion of fans. So here we are. But today you will have to be happy with doggie pictures, because Blogger is being a big pain. So, here are some pictures of our long-suffering dog:

Isn't he cute?

In leu of a new post (still working out the camera issues)

2009-05-20T09:41:00.005-04:00

As you all know, we had a hard time getting pregnant. Someone once said that having a baby is a cure for childlessness, but infertility is forever. Maybe that is why I find this video so hilarious-- and true.

Happy Mothers' Day

2009-05-10T20:06:00.002-04:00

I got a new camera for Mothers' Day, so it may be a few days before I get some pics up. But they might actually be in focus!

Hope all the mommies had a great day.

Be be be be beed... that's all folks.

2009-04-27T14:31:00.003-04:00

For those of you playing along at home, I actually graduated (or was graduated, depending on you level of English-analness) Saturday. And while I usually reserve this blog space for Robert-related stories, I feel the need to post this picture:

Of course, this leads me in somewhat of a quandary, and the identity crisis is already beginning. "So," people say, "what's next?" "Do you have a job?" "What are you looking for?" I know a few of my many, many (ok, four) readers have recently been in/are in this same situation, so I will throw it out there. What am I doing next? I kinda wanted to take the summer off, be home with Robert, organize the closets and spend time at the pool. Problem is, it has been one day-- ok, 7 hours-- and I'm bored, identity-less, and wondering what the hell am I doing? I have to go in tomorrow and clean out my office and what am I going to do with that stuff? How can I not have an office? How can I not have somewhere to be? No co-workers? And, in this economy, where would I even go about getting an office, if I wanted one?!?! One that only wanted me 20 hours a week, with flexible hours and enough moolah to make paying for daycare worthwhile? Arrrrgh!

I realize how whiney this sounds with so many people desperate for work to put food on the table, or desperate to get home in time to at least SEE the baby before he goes to bed. And if I have learned one thing in the last 18 months, it is that there is no right way to do things, and every decision comes with an opportunity cost. But, if I may indulge in a little self-analysis right now (and hey, it IS my blog), I have a hard time with transitions. So any advice, sympathy, or words of encouragement written on the back of a crisp, new Benjamin Franklin and sent my way would be very appreciated!

And just to cover my bases, here is a preview of 17 years from now. Hopefully I will have figured my work life out by then...

(When they say "one size fits all" on the cap, the really do mean it!)

Two words

2009-04-24T17:28:00.002-04:00

We've been anxiously awaiting the language explosion that the books keep talking about, and I think it might be upon us. Today, at Robert's gymnastics class, he was playing in the ball pit. (Exactly how that is gymnastics I don't know, but it's just supposed to be fun.) He held up a green ball and said "Green ball." And then proceeded to name all the other colors (including orange!) in the ball pit. Guess it is time to start watching our language! Oh, er, rats!

All's quiet on the Pittsburgh front

2009-04-23T20:59:00.002-04:00

It has been a very hectic week here as I've tried to finish up all the last minute details for graduation, so I haven't been very bloggy. Robert is doing much, much better and the antibiotics seem to be doing their job. I was quite irritated today to learn (and I've done some research on the web to confirm this) that the Omnicef that he's taking for the sinus infection/cellulitis will also treat the pink eye that I have been giving him drops 3 times a day for a week for. I suppose the pediatrician just thought it would be fun for me to unnecessarily torture my 18 month old with drops-- or she skipped pharmacology in med school. I'm not sure which scenario makes me more unhappy.

Ugh

2009-04-17T18:09:00.002-04:00

Robert woke up this morning with his left eye swollen shut. After a hasty phone call with the pediatrician (ok, I freaked out) we got him scheduled in for an appointment this morning. He has prefrontal cellulitis, brought on by (another) sinus infection, which can turn into something serious. So we're back on antibiotics (there should be a frequent flyer card) and hoping for improvements soon. Poor little dude looks like the elephant man right now (which might be an insult to the elephant man) but he's being a stand up baby about the whole thing.

Wrapping up Easter

2009-04-14T21:54:00.006-04:00

Rob's dad just sent the Easter pictures and they make me so sorry I missed Easter morning. Robert got to "find" the Easter basket. Somehow, I don't think it was too challenging, but give Rob's parents time because those people are the most maniacal Easter basket hiders of all time. One time Rob's was up the chimney, another it was in the trash. The last time they hid a basket for us (which was, er, 2 years ago), it was hung on an hanger under an old Halloween costume in one of the 7 closets in their house. These people are gifted-- or evil. But anyway, they let Robert off easy this year and he quickly discovered the basket.

Even though Mama doesn't think that 18 month olds need to eat candy, but I have a feeling that what happened in Lancaster stayed in Lancaster. Except for the photographic evidence.

On the upside, I don't think that he looks like he's enjoying it very much. Which means more candy for us! Score!

A placeholder post while we wait for the Easter Bunny to come

2009-04-11T19:31:00.004-04:00

Rob and Robert are in Lancaster at Rob's folks for Easter. I'm home with this fever-thing still, so I don't have any Easter pics yet to put up. But, we've been better about taking pictures recently, so I thought I'd just throw out a couple random pics until the boys (and the camera) come home... Also, I need to show off his new haircut, courtesy of Salon de Mama. Nick Arrojo may not be quaking in his boots, but it was free and, I am most proud to say, completely tear-free. Which is more than the local barber can say on either count.

I went home about a month ago to give Rob a couple of days at home by himself (which we have discovered to be the ultimate luxury). Robert had a very good time making Grandpa read him silly books over and over (and over)...

Last weekend, Rob's parents came for a comando-style new front door install. It was an in-and-out trip, but probably would have gone much faster if Robert hadn't been such a "help."
And just because I think it is fun to see how much he's changed, here's a picture from a year ago, when I had a 6 month old, not an 18 month old! I wish I could go back and kiss those little cheeks for just a minute... but we are finding life with a toddler to be much more manageable (and interesting) than life with an infant.

The first of the ridiculously cute Easter posts

2009-04-06T12:30:00.005-04:00

Easter is in the air and I never fully appreciated before how many opportunities for adorableness the holiday presented. On Saturday our town had its annual easter egg hunt where the kiddies all go to the park and "hunt" for easter eggs. I use the term hunt loosely, since the very flat field has been carpet-bombed with about six million plastic easter eggs, and even a goldfish could find a few to float around in its bowl. No word from Al Gore on the carbon footprint of this event, but we saved our eggs and will take them back for next year. Anyway, Rob took Robert (since I'm still battling this fever-whatever-thing) and they had a good time.

An unexpected bonus from the egg hunt was that the eggs were filled with toys and candy. Now the toys were highly unsuitable for the under 3 crowd, so they got pitched, but I had no problem eating the candy. Hey, I brush my teeth without complaining or biting, so I get candy. One of these days, he's going to figure that out.

Today, at Parent's Morning Out (aren't we progressive?!?) Robert colored his first easter egg. Now, I have long said that this church has the best possible children's programming offered anywhere, by the best, most loving people. Today, I would like to either add "saint-like" or "crazy" to that description. Seriously, who colors eggs with 10 infants and toddlers? But Robert was very, very proud of his little egg, and honestly, I think it's pretty cute too!

A few people have made it a point to ask, so let me just say that yes, I did successfully defend my dissertation (thank you for caring). I am hoping to be able to get the changes made and the paperwork pushed through in time for April graduation, but at this point that is going to depend on what course the fever takes. We're coming up on 3 weeks of being sick, and if it doesn't end soon I am going to probably not get a chance to finish in time. So, while I usually just talk about Robert here, I'd ask for healing thoughts to be sent my way, if you have a moment to spare. And Rob could probably use some extra time and patience thrown his way, since he's had to pick up a lot of the slack around here. This last month has made me feel incredible sympathy for single parents, who surely have the hardest job in the world.

It's just Monday, so stay tuned for the continuation of Easter cuteness!

Ride 'em Duckboy

2009-03-23T14:18:00.003-04:00

Robert got a wonderful surprise in the mail this week from his godmother Tara. I'm sorry she didn't get to actually see him on this (it came the day after she left to go to SXSW) but here is a little video of him enjoying his new gift:

Thank you Aunt Tara. Come see us again soon!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T20:18:00.004-04:00

Robert got an amazing St. Patrick's Day gift today from his godmother Tara. I'll have to put pictures up as soon as I get them, but this was a picture from a similar scene earlier this week, with a different box:

Happy Friday the 13th!

2009-03-13T11:05:00.003-04:00

Here at Moose Manner we are the proud owners of a brand new 17-month-old Moose. Yea! The days just go faster and faster. Robert continues to be a very happy, easy going child (recessive genes, apparently) and really a delight to be around. He's sleeping great-- 13 hours at night, 2 during the day-- and eating like a little piggy. This week I made a 3 egg, two piece of cheese omelet, thinking we would share it, and he at the whole thing. And then a cup of applesauce!

Wish I had some funny things he said to report, but he's still not talking very much. He's starting to repeat words, but mostly only says people's names (he's started saying "Grandma" and "Grandpa," though, to be fair, not necessarily in connection with said grandparents) and animal sounds. I will try to get a video of him making the chicken noise because he does the little arm movements too.

We've been going to a gym class (Diaper Gym) for about a year, and he really loves it. Here are a couple pics from a recent (ok, judging by the hearts, a not-so-recent) session...

Gym class has been really good for him, though if I had to do it all over again I might not have started him quite so early. He is just now really getting into climbing up ladders, walking across beams, etc. He doesn't like to swing on the trapezes, but does like to flip on the bar. Of course, I don't have pictures of any of that stuff, because I can't hold onto him and the camera at the same time!

Well, it hasn't been quite a month...

2009-03-05T19:29:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lack of communication. My dissertation goes to the full committee tomorrow in preparation for the defense March 20, so I've been a little busy. And I've misplaced our camera, so I don't even have any good pics to put up.

Robert is doing well and transitioned to the toddler room at daycare about 3 weeks ago. It's been a little bit of a rough go since he is the youngest in the class, but he's learning to eat when food is available and hold out for nap a little bit longer. He's starting to repeat words, and is very into making animal sounds. Except for "oink," which he just can't seem to figure out, so he "baaas" for the pig too. Which really makes no sense unless you know that the pig is directly after the sheep page in the Touch and Feel Farm Animal book. And even then I'm not so sure...

Yea, Pics!

2009-02-10T21:46:00.008-05:00

Ok, so I finally downloaded the pictures off my camera for the last 6 weeks. So below will be some picsation sensation. Anyway, we're all doing ok here, and Robert's snot level has gone from Katrina back down to Tropical Depression 5231. Which is a happy thing.

Tonight I put together the first of thousands of holiday crafty things for various school functions. We have Robert's gymnastics class in the morning and the kids are supposed to dress in red and bring little valentines. While I personally think that 16 month olds don't really need to be buying into the whole Valentine's Day thing, I'm going to look like Mama McScrooge if I don't bring something, so I put together these little buckets:

They have Annie's Cheddar Bunnies (think Goldfish crackers, but organic) in little Valentine's Day buckets I picked up at Big Lots for $1.50/4. The little cards say (prepare to gag) "Somebunny is wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day." I really couldn't come up with anything better, since the kids are too young for candy.

Here are a couple cute pics from the last couple of weeks....

I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing... see how cute I am?

I DO NOT LIKE FINGERPAINTING!!!!!

Having fun at the Toy Lending Library...

Rockin' out with the drums at the Toy Lending Library.

Ugh... has it been that long?

2009-02-06T23:14:00.004-05:00

Since I posted? Sigh. Well, what can you expect from a mama who is 6 weeks away from defending her dissertation?

Robert is sick (again) and got sent home from daycare yesterday for, well, let's just say that the word "explosive" was used and leave it at that. You other parents will know what I mean. Fortunately, Grandma Madison (wow-- that's weird-- Grandma Madison was MY grandma Ro, who has been dead for nearly a decade) was on hand, and so the day wasn't completely shot to hell. And Robert LOVES him some grandma-- Mama is NOTHING compared to Grandma (who doesn't let him get away with as much as he thinks she does). Anyway, we're in survival mode here, and hopefully some semi-regular blogging will return after Mama becomes Dr. Mama (fingers crossed).

I'm sure others will see developmental leaps, but I feel like we're in a holding pattern. He is babbling, and has "words" (consonant b,d, or m +vowel o or a) for things, but not much anyone else would recognize as a word. He has definitely caught up on the walking and now will run and kick a ball and pull a toy behind him. He also has grown a phenomenal amount so that at (still) 15 months he is well into all his 24 month clothes. I guess I'm just impatient for him to talk, though in 6 months I'm sure I'll be wishing he would just shut up for a minute. Signing is back and forth-- he'll pop out a new sign and then the next day look at me like he has no idea how to do it. But despite his constant cough/runny nose, he is so laid-back and sweet that I have to wonder if he is actually mine-- I often find myself whining more than he does about how bad I feel. What a little trooper... I hope, as many friends have suggested, that we're going to see the turning point soon with all these upper respiratory infections, for his sake at least.

I'll try to post some pics soon... it's been hard to get good ones lately and I think I may need to drop some of the scarce coinage on a new camera. Anyway, much love out to the blogosphere, and I hope everyone else is weathering February well.

More Christmas!

2009-01-10T08:38:00.005-05:00

We're recovering from the holiday-off-scheduleness and Robert and I are both on the mend from bad colds that turned into ear infections and a sinus infection for Robert (again!) and pneumonia for me. I think everyone is glad to be back to school and work-- "vacations" aren't much of a vacation with or for a toddler!

Anyway, here are some pics from our Christmas morning at the Farm:

Robert in a rare shot with Grandpa "helping" him open a present

With Great-Aunt Carol, trying to get her cane (one of his FAVORITE toys)!

And a picture from this morning, which shows why we shouldn't have bothered buying Robert Christmas presents at all!

Merry ChristMoose!

2008-12-25T07:35:00.004-05:00

Pretty quiet

2008-12-12T20:36:00.002-05:00

Not a whole lot to post about recently... Robert is still working on standing and walking, but he doesn't seem to be in a big hurry to take off. We did have a funny moment today when I was sitting at the Green County Garden Club's cookie walk today with a woman who is the mother of 4, grandmother of 8 and great-grandmother of 9 who said that she had never seen a child eat like Robert. I guess it was nice to have my suspicions confirmed...

Lots to say

2008-12-07T19:04:00.002-05:00

Robert will be 14 months on Tuesday, and I've found that when kids turn one year everyone wants to know if a. ) they are walking and/or b.) if they are talking. Well we've had a big week here on both fronts. Just this week Robert has learned to stand on his own, and even took a few tentative steps. He is definitely on the slow side on walking, but Rob was 15 months before he walked alone, so I wasn't worried. Plus, when you are in the 98th percentile for height and 75th for weight, that is just a lot of mass to move around. But I think the peer pressure at school has got to him, and he's trying to catch up with the big kids. He also really started verbalizing this week. Here's a partial list of Robert's words, with the grown up translation:

Da (socks)

Do (Dog)

Do (Down)

Do (Duck)

Da (Dad)

Nnnnn (Sound doggie makes)

Nana (banana)

Oh ah ah ah (Sound monkey makes)

Dada (Dad, or Doggie, or Down NOW!)

Bu (Book)

Mama (Mama, I want, help, It's dark, come get me...)

No No (I'm going to touch something I shouldn't)

Uh oh (I just threw something on the floor and want you to pick it up)

Fortunately, the signing rounds out his needs. He signs "eat," "drink," (I just figured out what that was-- he points his finger at his mouth, instead of making the ASL cup sign) "all done," "more," "banana," "brush teeth," "wash hands," and "dog" reliably, and sometimes "apple" and "water" (which looks a lot like his "drink"). We're going to continue with the signing because he really seems to like it, and it turns out that I do too. There is a huge school for the deaf in our neighborhood, and it would be great if Robert could make use of that resource as he gets older.

A day in the life...

2008-12-06T19:47:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it seems like the days, weeks, and even months fly by without me even noticing. How can so much time pass without me seeming to get anything done? I think we all know who is to blame, but gosh, it seems incredible that the days fly by so fast. Especially since sometimes the minutes just drag on and on (how long until nap time?!?)

So, (and I realize this is scraping the bottom of the blogging barrel) here is a typical Saturday in Toddler land.

3:30 AM-- Drag self from nice warm snuggly flannel sheets to go put Robert's binki back in and rock him back to sleep.

4:30 AM-- Ditto. Glare at Rob who seems to just sleep through the crying. Shut bedroom door to so as not to hear Robert cry anymore unless he is super-upset.

7:15 AM-- Wake up. Realize it is 7:15 and no crying. Try to decide if I should get up and get some stuff done, or sleep some more.

7:16 AM-- Hear Robert start to make waking up noises. Decide that I REALLY wanted to go back to sleep.

7:17 AM Pray Robert will go back to sleep.

7:29 AM Get up, go downstairs and graciously allow Rob to fix me breakfast.

7:50 AM Suggest to Rob that since he went to so much trouble to fix me breakfast that he should go change Robert's diaper and get him dressed while I eat my breakfast.

7:51 AM Can't believe that worked.

8:00 AM Feed Robert breakfast, get him dressed (Rob did the diaper, but not the outfit), play downstairs with him.

10:00 AM Send Rob and Robert out to Costco to do some household shopping while I decorate for Christmas. Turn up Jay-z's Black Album since I don't have to explain to Robert why he has 99 Problems But a Bitch Ain't One.

12:00 PM Feed Robert leftover corn and turkey for lunch.

12:30 PM Naptime. Change his diaper and realize I'm out of cloth diapers. Put him in a 'sposie. Robert is really tired and goes down immediately. I hum "It's the most wonderful time of the day" to the tune of that Christmas song. More decorating.

1:40 PM I decide I should take a nap.

1:45 PM I decide I can't sleep. Stuff clean diapers so we have them for after nap.

3:00 PM. Robert wakes up. I install newly-cleaned diaper and rejoice that his one 'sposie of the day coincided with the dirty diaper of the day.

3:15 PM Next-door neighbor and her 13 month daughter come over to play. Robert hits Lily over the head with a puzzle piece, Lily dumps Robert head-first out of his rocking chair. In other words, a normal day.

4:00 PM. Neighbor heads home. I look at the clock and realize that there are still 3. hours. till. bed. Try to tempt Robert with toys instead of banging blocks into window. Fail, and send Robert to time out.

5:30 PM Forget the research about kids not seeing TV until they are 2. Find Little Einsteins on ON DEMAND. Get more interested in it that Robert is.

6:00 PM Feed Robert dinner. Spinach ravioli with salmon in dill sauce and peaches.

6:30 PM Bath

6:45 PM Diaper, PJs, 2 stories (The Going to Bed Book and When Mama Comes Home Tonight)

6:50 PM Find Paci, Douglas, Put Robert in bed. Leave room, make it down 3 steps before the crying starts.

7:00 PM Go back up stairs, sing song, pat tummy. Leave again, and listen to crying 1/2 way down the stairs.

7:02 PM All's quiet...

7:20 PM Eat a grown up dinner with no food thrown, cut up into microscopic pieces, or stuck up anyone's nose.

8:10 PM Start watching WVU's last home game. Too tired to do anything else....

So, that folks, is why nothing is done around here. Pretty sad, I know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

Pictures will have to wait until we get home to unload the camera, but suffice it to say that we are all now as stuffed as the turkey. Robert ate so much food that he resembled Tempelton. Maybe that's why it's 9:30 and he still not asleep?!?

Anyway, hope everyone else had equally as good food, and far superior sleep. This year we are thankful for so much, including YOU!

A fun evening

2008-11-25T11:07:00.000-05:00

Monday was a big day. We went to the farm to see Grandma and Grandpa Madison and Great Aunt Carol. Despite not taking a nap, Robert did very well and had a lot of fun playing with Tucker (Grandma and Grandpa's dog). He also got to play with wooden blocks for the first time, though Mama and Aunt Carol had more fun building towers and knocking them down than Robert did. I wish I had gotten a picture of Robert putting himself into the box that the blocks were in-- it was pretty funny. Needless to say, he didn't fit.

Then, last night, Aunt Ann and Uncle Jonathan came to visit, along with Jonathan's dad, Al. Al is a great favorite, and we don't get to see him nearly enough. Needless to say, Robert took to him right away. We had fun playing with him and getting some cute pics, and he did very well staying up through dinner and then went to bed in about 2 seconds. Which was nice, since he decided to go to bed right before dessert, and I wanted that cheesecake!

This I'm pretty sure about...

2008-11-19T19:08:00.000-05:00

My next-door neighbor (who has a daughter Robert's age) and I were discussing things we tell pregnant people now that they should or shouldn't have/do for the baby. So I started thinking that maybe I should share the things I have learned this year. I do so in the full recognition that I didn't believe anything that people with kids told me before I had Robert, but this kind of knowledge is so hard won that I (and every other mom) feel compelled to share. So, here is the first in what may be a regular list of things I'm pretty sure about...

Crib skirts are totally not worth buying. In fact, the whole bedding set they try to sell you is an enormous waste of money. You can't use the crib bumpers (no, really, put them down. they are death-traps.), you can't use the blankets (see above) and the skirt is totally worthless once you lower the crib mattress. So buy to knit organic cotton sheets at BRU, and spend that $200 on something else. Like...
The annoying plastic toys that sing songs are going to be your kid's favorite toys. Yes, you swore you wouldn't have them, that they are cheap and tacky and you wouldn't look at them sitting in your living room. That you weren't going to have a bunch of toys that require batteries. Until you realize that your kid will sit in the car for 2 hours if he has his little LeapFrog Animal Alphabet Discovery Ball. And then it goes to the top of the list of things you would save in a fire.
Rechargeable batteries are the best thing you can give new parents. For the first 6 months we had 2 recharging stations going at any one time.
Nipple confusion is something that men who don't want to get up in the middle of the night to feed babies made up so that new moms have to breastfeed 24/7. Give the baby a bottle every now and then so he'll be able to go back and forth. Oh, and a little formula won't kill the kid either. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I'm sure there a bunch of other stuff, but hopefully we'll get some new pictures of Robert downloaded so you don't have to listen to me pontificate about parenthood.

What a difference a year makes...

2008-11-16T15:37:00.000-05:00

This is Robert, a year ago today:And two pics from the last couple of weeks. I can't believe how the time flies:

(Sort of) Missing My Moose

2008-11-16T15:28:00.000-05:00

So, Rob and Robert have been out of town since Thursday. This is the first time I have had more than 48 hours (and that only once) to myself since Robert was born. For someone who is used to being alone with some regularity, this has been a huge and not entirely welcome change. So, I have to give props to Rob and his folks for spending this weekend with the baby so I have had a little time to myself. My dissertation, the house, and my sanity all thank you.

I was a little nervous and guilty about how this weekend would go-- would I miss the baby? Would I *NOT* miss the baby? Would 4 days be enough? Too much? I guess I needn't have worried. I've got done most of what I wanted to do, and am really looking forward to the boys getting home.

Just another baby blog...

2008-11-10T20:24:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I have succumbed to the pressure, but here goes my first attempt at a blog. The idea that anything in my life would be of any interest to the greater world (even to friends and family) is sorta inconceivable, but, hey, all the kids are doing it. And, if nothing else, it is a way to share baby pictures!

For those of you playing along at home, Robert just turned 13 months. The relationship between toddlerhood and adolescence has been suggested many other places, and let me add my hearty agreement. My sweet, placid, good-natured baby-- well, who am I kidding, he's still there, but he gets temporarily kidnapped by a tantrum-y, moody, unpredictable toy-thrower who bites. Hard. He continues to be huge-- 98th percentile for height, 75th for weight, which makes him taller than he is fat, I guess. (Thank God for his daddy's genes!)

Ok, as a reward for listening to me blather on, here are some new pics...