Potty Training Stuffs

Isaiah's finally started becoming interested in potty training. At least, somewhat. The past TWO nights I've asked him if he wanted to go potty before bathtime. Last night he said "no, no, no" much like every other time I've asked BUT once I put him in the tub he started saying "potty? potty?" so I took him out and sat him on the potty and he promptly started going!!! Big cheers and a shiny new car (hot wheels - we were bribed when we potty trained and I'm not above using that for my kiddo) then he went back in the tub. TONIGHT I asked him if he wanted to go potty and he started sitting down before I even got the lid up! He plopped himself on the seat and started peeing ALL OVER THE BATHROOM!!!! Ack! I got him pointed the right direction then started dancing around and cheering him on. And he got another car. We also called Daddy to tell him the exciting news!

So, yeah. Two nights IN A ROW. It might not stick, but it's a new record for him and I'm totally excited about that. So FREAKING awesome!

Isaiah @ 21 Months

Isaiah is just a jabberbox these days. He's ALWAYS surprising us with new words and is getting better at pronouncing things he's been saying for a while that we just couldn't understand. I don't know HOW long he was saying "door" before I knew what he meant. "Window" is sometimes difficult too. For whatever reason there's a few things he says just SO strangely - the only one I can think of right now is hammer which he always says "ham-MEER". Strange, but it will work itself out. Biggest words right now? Dinosaur, monster, koala (not big, but definitely tricky). Hmmm...I KNOW there's bigger ones that I'm forgetting.

Along with the growing vocabulary is the lengthening of sentences. He's said some LONG ones (like he says some BIG words). The other day we were pushing a truck back and forth and when I'd push it to him, he'd say "Good job, Mommy". COMPLETELY unasked for...though I do tell him good job a lot. He also will say "Excuse me. ______" to whomever is in his way...even the dog!

I don't know if I mentioned he was sick. Monday night he came home from daycare and felt warm. Could NOT get the thermometer too give us the same temperature twice, but I knew he had a fever. Tuesday and Wednesday he stayed home from daycare (and I am SO glad Chemistry lab was cancelled for this week - that's usually on Wednesday and I didn't have to skip it). The fever is gone now but he's gotten a rash so we're thinking he probably has roseola. I mentioned it to my mom and she said chicken pox but I'm hoping that's not the case. None of us ever got roseola but we all had chicken pox so I'm assuming/hoping she's going with what she knows. I just hope she's WRONG!

He's almost completely weaned from the pacifier! He only really uses it at naptime (though he did get to use it whenever when he was sick). I'm so proud of him! We didn't really even set out to try to get him to stop using it, it's just kind of happened. We went to "only in bed" and then didn't give it to him a few nights at bedtime ("to see") and he never asked for it so we didn't get it. Voila! Down to just naptime. Still NOT going to sleep without it then, but I'm okay with that for the time being.

Still no improvements on the potty training front. I don't want him going too long in diapers but I refuse to push him and he sometimes gets SO upset when I mention the potty. Tempted to just put it away for a week or two and bring see if his attitude changes a bit later.

He is still nursing. 21 months, wow!! I didn't think we'd go this long but I really don't regret it after the fever earlier this week. It's the SECOND fever he's ever had (not counting warmness from teething) and the first one that's been so high. I attribute that to the help my milk gives his immune system. I am hoping he self-weans soon, though. I'm really starting to feel awkward about it. Maybe I shouldn't but I DO and that's probably a good sign we need to be wrapping it up.

He's gonna be a monkey for Halloween. It's ADORABLE! I don't know how much trick-or-treating we'll really do because he doesn't need all that candy so it'll be mostly for Jeremy and me :). Regardless, I want to let him get out and have the experience (at the mall plus my mom's) - and show off how freaking cute he his!

I love him so much!

The Pokeweed Incident

Isaiah and I were playing in the backyard this afternoon. Well, Isaiah was playing and I was sitting on the patio. Crazy boy thinks it's great fun to sit in the dirt and rub it on his legs and since he washes up nicely I usually let him just go for it. It was warm enough for shorts again so he was getting his legs and not his pants dirty. Great fun, kid...have at it!

I don't really remember what I was doing but I looked up and Isaiah was NOT playing in the dirt he was chewing on part of one of the random plants we have growing along our fence line! ACK!!!! NOT cool. I called poison control because I really wasn't sure what else to do. They couldn't even give me a website to help me identify the plant! I found a local nursery (45 minutes before they closed) and they told me they had people on staff that could identify plants if I wanted to bring it in. Snapped off a branch and we went on over.

BTW...for all you parents out there apparently milk is okay with any plant ingestion. So I was able to start him drinking that before we even left the house.

Got to the nursery. The guy (thankfully) knew what it was right away. It was Pokeweed. Yeah, a POISONOUS plant. Not badly poisonous, apparently...and he was eating the leftover berry stems which are about the least toxic part of the plant. I freaked out when the guy said it was poisonous...I think I said something like "so is this a rush-to-the-hospital-now thing?" I'm just glad I had the presence of mind to ask and not immediately freak the fuck out.

I talked to the guy at the nursery and called poison control back. Since I'm not sure if he swallowed any (and most likely it wasn't much) we just waited to see. It's mostly a GI irritant so the issue was more about him getting sick and then dehydrated than what the plant would directly do to him (doesn't affect the brain or anything). Symptoms generally start between 3 and 5 hours after exposure.

Also, I guess the most toxic part is the roots so we need to be careful when I go out there and rip that thing out of the ground. They also get more toxic with maturity so if it doesn't die off and regrow every year it could be even worse next year. It's gonna GO. I think my mom has one too and I'll get it as well.

Anyway. We're sitting at almost 6 hours now and he's fine. Thank goodness. I'm pretty proud of myself for not flipping too badly at any point...though I'm sure my eyes got huge when the guy said it was a toxic plant. I'm trying to decide if I'm okay enough to leave him in his bed or if I want to bring him in with me so I know if he starts puking. Even if we're past the window I'm still a little worried. He'll be in my bed by morning so I'm trying to be good with that. No reason to disturb him....right?

I just thank God that he's okay.

Micah @ 18 Months

Stats

21 lbs (3%)

30 3/4" (10%)

Smarty Pants

Why yes, I do believe my son is a genius. (What mother doesn't?) Tonight during bath time I held up a 'D' and an 'I' and Isaiah knew what they were! He's also beginning to recognize his name instead of just saying "A, B, C, D" (which is what he's started doing whenever he sees letters).

Walking the....Cat?

Pooooor Irvy...Isaiah was trying to walk the dog but she kept pulling him down so we put the leash on the cat. He was not a fan.

Dancin Machine

Isaiah was standing on the edge of his potty and I told him to get down. He squatted down (like he does when he's dancing) instead of getting off the potty.

Icky Sicky

Around 11:30 Jeremy came in and told me Isaiah had thrown up. It was gross...all over him and his pillow. We wiped him off and stripped down everything that was gross. He wasn't warm and wasn't acting like he didn't feel good so I went and sat with him in front of the tv, just to see how he did. Glad I didn't just climb in to bed with him...I started drifting off on the couch and Jeremy suddenly pulled Isaiah's plug out and said he looked like he was going to puke again. I watched and sure enough his belly started contracting but then everything settled back down. We tried to get him to drink some ginger ale but he didn't want anything to do with it...also tried pedialyte but that was also a no go.

Then he started throwing up. I stood him up and was trying to catch the vomit (yes, gross but I didn't want the dog to eat it!) So I took Isaiah into my room and we snuggled. He seemed to be doing better but then right as he started to drift of more gagging and vomit all over my pillows. Again with the cleaning. Jeremy tried to help but I was still pissed so I told him to get out and just go back to bed.

Sat on the couch some more. We were out there for about an hour and started to get tired. No more gagging or vomit so we went back to my bed. AS SOON AS I laid Isaiah down he started again. I sat him up and he mostly just got himself. That time we went for a full on bath instead of just wiping him down. (Poor guy was all goosebumpy so I didn't clean his head - and he still kinda smells...Ewwww!) Then new diaper and back to the couch. He watched Spongebob (thank goodness for dvrs!) and I stripped my bed.

Since he seemed to be ok as long as I didn't lay him back down I got him cozied up on the couch with his big bear to prop him up. Gave him some 7Up (which he drank a little bit of) and turned off all the lights, leaving Spongebob on. He zoned out and finally fell asleep around 3. No more puking!! I turned off the tv and passed the frick out with him on the couch.

Around 5 Isaiah sort of woke up and squirmed around until he was laying down. I waited a bit and he didn't start gagging or anything so I put clean sheets on my bed and moved him in there with me. He didn't budge!

Theeeen he was up at 7 am as usual, just as perky as any other day!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....noooooooooooooo....sleep please, please, please, please, please.

Couldn't get the boy to eat anything. Not eggs (which he usually loves) or kiwi (which he will INHALE). He kept asking for milk and "booboo" (nursing) so we went with that even though I was worried the dairy would upset his tummy again.

We me up with my mom and sister about 11:30 for lunch and he started saying he was hungry almost as soon as we sat down. He ate some fruit and maybe a quarter of his grilled cheese and was done. NOTHING like his usual appetite but at least he ate. Then the poor guy had a VERY runny diaper. Thankfully, it's just been the one so far.

Then he was TIRED!!!!!!! Went home, changed the stinky diaper, and he passed out watching Barney. Apparently he knows Barney even though I've NEVER turned it on for him before. (And I'd just like to point out that I only let him fall asleep watching tv today because I needed to trim his nails and it's 1 million times easier to do that when he's asleep - and asleep in my lap is the easiest position for me to do it in.)

Waking Up

Isaiah woke up and started to wander in my bedroom. I called him in to the living room where Jeremy and I were watching tv and he actually looked OFFENDED!

Big Boy Bed!

We got a wild hair goosing us and decided to convert Isaiah's bed today. We've had it a month (Jeremy's parents bought it for us the day e moved in) and already changed it into a toddler bed. The top of the mattress might be a foot off the bed, and I put my body pillow along the edge to try to keep him up on it. I need to put a blanket or two down on the floor in case he does roll off. We're also going to put the baby gate up across the doorway into the living room so he only has access to the bedrooms when he wakes up. I'm probably going to check on him 5 gazillion times tonight, but if it goes well it'll probably be nice to have him just come find us in the morning instead of having him cry. One problem though - he's going to come get me and not Jeremy. I can guarantee that.

Also got a toilet lock today. No more washing hands in the toilet (gag!) That thing is going to be SO complicated in the middle of the night!

Bathroom Mistakes

I went to the bathroom and then walked back in to my room. Isaiah naturally followed me INTO the bathroom but not back to my bedroom. This actually happened twice within an hour...didn't learn my lesson the first time!

The first time I turned around and he was standing by the door to my room holding on to the end of the toilet paper roll...as in, it was STILL ATTACHED and he had dragged it down the hall! I took pictures and will share when I upload them.

The second time I realized something was going on and walked in to the hallway in time to see him pull his hands OUT OF THE TOILET and come walking out of the bathroom. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! I love having antibacterial wipes on hand for such times!

Mommy Thoughts

Sometimes I wonder if Sophie shares her food with Isaiah because he shares so much of his food with her...

Conversations with Isaiah 01.02

For the record: Isaiah is saying BEAR not BEER!

Mommy Thoughts

Apparently dogs are not the only animals that think babies are tasty... Cows will lick them clean too

Isaiah Firsts

It took all day and 4 accidents on the floor/me but Isaiah finally PEED IN THE POTTY!!

Yeah...that totally happened. Actually TWICE within a half hour or so. He didn't ask to go; I just had him in regular underwear all day and I think got used to what it felt like right before he got wet. By the end of the day he'd start holding himself and I'd take him to the potty. I finally was able to keep him occupied long enough (by giving him the shower curtain hooks to play with of all things! They have little sea animals on them) that he actually went to the bathroom! I think it kind of freaked him out. The 1st time he would start going and then stop but I kept clapping like crazy. The 2nd time he started getting upset but I kind of half hugged him and told him it was ok and he stayed for another minute then got up and took off. When I looked in he'd peed and I hadn't even realized it!!

I'm so proud of him! I know it's just a start...but a good one! :D

Isaiah @ 15 months

Stats

26 lbs, 8 oz (93%)

31" (41%)

Conversations with Isaiah 01.01

This morning Lola jumped up on the chair next to where Isaiah was eating his breakfast. He pointed right at her and said "Hey! Cat!" I guess he was afraid she'd swipe some of his Cheerios!

Isaiah Firsts

Isaiah had a BIG night of firsts! He ate at the table like a big boy (which was a good time) and got his hair cut (which was very traumatic!)

Isaiah @ 1 Year

Stats

25 lbs, 5 oz (95%)

31 1/2" (95%)

One year ago today I gave birth to my beautiful, sweet, adorable baby boy.

I can't imagine anything coming close to this...unless I'm lucky enough to have another one some day. (Which I really hope happens...I'd like Isaiah to have a sibling.)

I know I've been down in the dumps lately...I'm guessing it has a lot to do with how gray it's been lately. Very little sun, the snow's melted so that gray film is on everything. It's depressing.

I may get overwhelmed with everything some days, but today is not about what's going wrong, or stressing me, or giving me problems. 

Today is about my precious boy.

I still check to make sure he's breathing every time I wake up at night. He's still nursing (though only 3 times with any regularity)...and I'm hoping will keep it up for at least 3 more months. He's down to only waking up twice a night...the first time Jeremy usually gets him and the second I bring him in bed with me.

I honestly never though I'd be lucky enough to have children....more because it was something I wanted so badly and I didn't think I would be able to have something I longed for so much.

Granted, things could have been a LOT different....and if they had they'd possibly/probably be much easier for me.

I just have to remember I've come SO FAR in just one short year.

I have a car now.

We have a place to live that is safe, and comfortable, and (rented but) our own...no more living with whoever is willing to live with a baby.

Jeremy fell head over heals for his son.

But, MOST importantly....Isaiah is happy, healthy, and growing. Getting in to everything, jabbering in his own language, and learning to walk. He likes to throw balls (or have them bounced off his head) and has this one stuffed kitty we found that he REALLY likes. He's started to snuggle with stuffed animals (it's soooo cute!) and loves to feed himself. He will gobble up green beans, and cheese, and spaghetti (which makes a phenomenal mess!) and bananas. He dances when there's bouncy music playing (like right now with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious).