I *love* tomato sauce!

Buster's breakfast of choice this morning? Canned corn and egg nog. What a weirdo.

Don't be mad mommy

We had our first experience with markers on the wall. Thankfully they were washable markers and more thankfully I had a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on hand (I swear a mom of a toddler thought of those). After I cleaned it up, I had the following conversation with Buster.

Me: I am mad at you.

Buster: Why?

Me: I am mad at you because you colored on the wall.

Buster: Don't be mad mommy. Don't be mad.

Me: I'm mad because you are naughty.

Buster: Don't be mad mommy. I not naughty, I Jimmy.

Parenting Rules

These are the "rules" I often break. I never said I was a good mom, I just said I was a mom.

• I let Buster jump on the bed
• He often watches much more than just 30 minutes of TV a day
• He has had pie for breakfast and lunch
• I knowingly let him color on himself with marker because I thought it was funny
• I have sworn in front of him
• I don't always get him dressed during the day
• He often wears his clothes to bed
• I let him eat in the living room

What rules do/did you break?

Art Class

Last time at art class we decorated pumpkins. Buster decorated his all by himself. As we were creating I was talking to Buster and told him how I didn't like eyeballs because they scared me. Naturally, he decorated his pumpkin in nothing but eyeballs then...

Hiking

Last weekend it was gorgeous outside. Like 70 degrees gorgeous. We thought it might be fun to go to the zoo. We figured it would be busy since it was so nice outside but that we could handle it. Little did we know that it was Family Free Fun Day so about 75% of the population of Milwaukee also decided to go to the zoo. Considering that neither Big Jimmy nor I particularly enjoy crowds, we bailed. Thankfully Buster was asleep so he bought our story about how the zoo was sleeping (I will be very sad when he doesn't just blindly believe everything I say, but for now I take full advantage of it). We decided to go to Grant Park to walk through the woods for a spell instead. Below are pictures of our adventure. The last picture is Buster's portrait of Jimmy and I.

Finally, an update!

Man, two things - first I didn't realize that people actually read this blog. Second, I can't believe it's been 2 months since my last update! Yikes! What have I been doing in that time? Trying to find a new job and trying my hand at being a stay at home mom, both of which are like full time jobs in and of themselves. But...since my sister has threatned to disown me, I will now attempt to rekindle the blog.

So what have we been doing these past two months? In bullet point (because I like lists)

• Buster knows "right" from "left". I can tell him to turn right and he knows exactly where to go
• I have lost 30 pounds since I've been home. Apparently I was stress eating...a lot.
• Buster can count to 13. After thirteen he skips to 17 and 18 and then just repeats (17, 18, 17, 18, 17, 18)
• The Xbox is broken which means we have no Netflix which means Buster is trying to adjust to life without Dora.
• I signed Buster up for an art class and he loves it. I will post another blog about his Halloween art project.
• Big Jimmy often asks what we do during the day. Here's a breakdown. We play in bed for a while, we dance, we make funny noises at each other (yesterday it was the gutteral German sound ), we go to the park, we chase each other around, we watch TV, we nap.
• The other day Buster drew a picture of his "sister". I'm not quite sure where he got that idea
• It is only November and Buster is already obsessed with Santa
• I have once again taken up knitting.
• Buster often helps me cook dinner - it's his job to add the spices.
• Buster knows his name ("I Jimmy")
• Buster orders his own dinner on the rare occasions we go out
• Buster does not like stuffed grape leaves, everything else is pretty much fair game
• I've learned that speaking toddler is like speaking a second language

Allow me to vent for a moment

I love my son. More than I value my own life, I value his.

However,

I am tired of being hit in the ankles with cars/strollers/anything he pushes around.
I am tired to being physically pushed to where he wants me to go.
I am tired of being tugged on and pulled.
I am tired of having him climb all over me.

I would just like five minutes of personal space. Is that too much to ask?

Ready for winter...almost

Don't get in an accident

A non-Buster post -

Jim has been working insane hours so we're both stressed. He's stressed from working until 4 in the morning and I'm stressed from having no Buster breaks. Yesterday I decided we needed a treat so I was going to go to Culver's and get some custard for us.

Jim - "You're going out like that? Don't you want to change?"

Me - "I'm just going through the drive through, it'll be fine" (I have no make up on, my hair is in pig tails and my shirt is spaghetti stained from Buster's "help" cooking dinner).

Jim - "Okay, just don't get in an accident because I'm not going to claim you at the hospital"

Too quiet

Yesterday I was upstairs cleaning and decorating Buster's bedroom (pictures to come of my project). He was downstairs playing his guitar.

Side story - He would play his guitar and sing a song simultaneously. Then when the song was done, he would clap for himself. It was too cute to listen to.

So, all of a sudden I notice it's pretty quiet downstairs. Too quiet. And I can't remember the last time I heard noise. My mom alert went off. I yell "James?" All I get is a loud reply "No!" This usually means that he's doing something he shouldn't be and he doesn't want me to come see what it is. He's not too sneaky. A more appropriate answer might be "Yes mother? I was just reading quietly to myself. Elmo is sure a character isn't he?" But, he's not too devious yet. Just naughty.

I start to walk downstairs to see what he's gotten himself into. About halfway down the stairs I am hit with the smell of peanut butter. This is what I see when I get to the living room -

Apparently, he got the jar of peanut butter out, 0pened it, grabbed a spoon and went to town. That's Jim's shirt in the background that Buster was using to clean up his mess. At least he's conscientious...

What's wrong with this picture?

Lunch today for Buster - black beans and rice with milk

Lunch today for me - Chef Boyardee

Is it me or does something not seem right here? Somehow Buster and I got our food likes mixed up.

By the way, we found a new favorite of his. Salmon! Who would've guessed?

Is there anything better than summer vacation?

Today Buster and I played at the park for two hours.

Life is good.

Sam!

In case you weren't aware, Sam is Buster's best friend. When I was pregnant Sam said to me "We're going to be best fweinds" And they are.

A few weeks ago, Sam came over and hung out with Buster. Since then all I've heard Buster talk about is his Sam.

Here they are playing Rock Band together.

After Rock Band, they fingerpainted. I don't know why I thought this would be a good idea...

I like trucks

Said to me this morning as we were getting dressed.

First sentence!!

Our little boy is all grown up *sniff

First bike!

Buster has never asked for anything except for a bike. Anytime we go into a store he has to look at the bikes. By my count the quickest we've gotten out of the bike aisle is 20 minutes. The kid loves bikes almost as much as he loves food. So for his birthday (even though it's still a week away) we got him a bike. We had to give it to him immediately because, well, he was with us when we bought it and wouldn't let us forget about the bike the entire way home. He even sang a song about the bike. The coolest part? It's a Thomas the Train bike! And he has a matching Thomas helmet and knee pads!

Helping Dad put it together

Helmet and kneepads? Check!

Getting on...

Riding! (Well almost, his legs didn't quite reach the pedals so we had to get pedal blocks the next day)

Happy Birthday Dude!

Number 1, I order you to take a number 2

POOP! Probably not exciting to most of you, but Buster pooped on the toilet today! I can almost feel the freedom from diapers...

Chill on the Hill

One of the parks near our house has an awesome concert series during the summer called Chill on the Hill. I've always wanted to go and last week we finally did! We met our dear friend Hollie and jammed out to some country music, ate some ice cream, and ran around. It was a great time and I can't wait to go again. For his part, Buster *loves* music so this was a perfect event for him. And...he got to run around and people watch (more of his favorite activities). There was one family sitting close to us with a bag of potato chips and Buster would get incrementally closer to them. I think he was hoping to sneak a chip or two :)

Pictures!!

Is he a happy guy or what?

Yay Hollie!

The Jimmys are listening to some tunes.

Whew! This is hard work!

Why toddlers need parents

If it were up to Buster, he'd just have ketchup for dinner.

Video!!

We mistakenly? amazingly? introduced Buster to the world of Baby Einstein a few weeks back. I don't quite remember what prompted this as before then we didn't really use the TV as a babysitter. But...apparently we were both busy or he was crabby and so...in went the video. Since then, all we hear is "Video!" While I'm happy that he's speaking a three syllable word, it still gives me pause. Is this a good thing that he sits catatonic listening to Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart while watching animals on a screen? I tell myself that at least it's educational and he still prefers to play (outside) over watching the video. The other night he woke up at about 10pm. I went in to ask what he wanted and he sleepily replied "video". Uh-oh.

However, days like today make me glad there are videos. I am sick. Beyond sick. And Jim has to work today. All day. I'm pretty sure I have the swine flu, but it could just be the common cold. I can be pretty melodramatic when I'm sick. My head is pounding, I can barely swallow, my glands are swollen and my neck is stiff. All of which point to a couple of things - malaria, meningitis, swine flu....or the common cold. So...I'm so glad for the Baby Einstein people. I may write them a letter professing my undying love for them.

Enjoy this picture of the last time Jim was sick. We hadn't learned about the magic of videos

yet...

Taking the plunge into parenthood

How do most parents know when they have truly crossed over into parenthood?

Well, I can't speak for everyone but I know my moment came when I peeled my finger accidentally (while peeling potatoes) and could only find a spiderman bandaid in my house...

My life. A photojournalistic essay by Buster

Gratitude

Each night I write in my gratitude journal. I write down 3 things I am thankful for that day. Here is today's gratitude journal for me and Buster
Mine:
1) I am thankful for my husband and my son who bring me joy every day
2) I am thankful that it is 50ish and sunny outside
3) I am thankful that I live in my neighborhood

Buster's
1) I am thankful for cats
2) I am thankful for mommy and daddy
3) I am thankful for raisins

Painting at Kindercare

I'm not sure how daycare pulls off painting without mass chaos. The closest thing it reminds me of is that Dog Whisperer show.

First Sentence!!

"Bye Bye Da Da"

Okay, it's not Shakespeare, but it's a start!

More words

Buster's vocabulary is growing exponentially. Over the weekend he magically started saying more words!

• Fish (means he either wants to eat some Goldfish crackers or he wants to feed our pet fish)
• Cheez-It
• More
• Box
• Watch (as in, "watch me do this")

Hooray! I'd estimate his vocabulary to be at about 45-50 words now. We still don't have two word phrases, but I'm content with this for now.

Reading

One of the things I have refused to give up since having a kid is reading. I have a deep rooted passion for reading. My favorite toys as a kid were always my books and my parents always fostered my love for reading. (To be sure, they recently dropped off my childhood books that I had when I was Buster's age and there are 4-5 huge boxes stuffed with books.) I like to read anything and everything. Sometimes I'm smart and read classics like An American Tragedy or nonfiction like 1776. Sometimes I just want a good escape and read the Twilight series. So my question for you is - what books would you recommend I read next? This can be anything, I do not discrimate and I will read whatever is recommended and let you know what I think of it. Conversely - what books do you recommend Buster reads?

Oh crap

Has it really been over a month since my last post? Cripes, I've got to get on that. Things have been chaotic to say the least in our household. My evenings are the only time I have free to do much of anything and it's impossible to be on the computer with Buster around. He simply.must.play.on.the.computer.if.you.are. So needless to say, by the time he gets to bed and I get my chores done, I'm spent. But, since my mom yelled at me (even at 31 I listen when she yells), I promised to blog more.

Last night's lullaby

Hope and change...
Hope and change...
Yes we can!
Hell yes we did!!

Sorry, I'm a sucker for these things

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Tried my hardest to stay on a budget (I still failed horribly, but at least I tried!)

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did not make any New Year's resolutions last year, however this year my resolution is to take the stairs at work instead of the elevator.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My dear dear friend Becky had an amazing baby boy.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I am saddened to say that a very very close person to me died as well as Jimmy's grandmother in Florida. I am thankful and blessed to have had them both in my life for however long or short it may have been.

5. What countries did you visit?

none.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Money, lots and lots of money. Or at least more free time to spend with my family.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 1st will be forever etched upon my memory. My life forever changed and my heart will always have a gaping hole in it because of the loss of Lori. That one day served to set up my entire year filled with both laughter and tears. She was and is in my every thought.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving was pretty admirable. Also, teaching Buster how to talk (sort of) and be independent (sort of).

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting Beaker to stop using the sofa as a litter box.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing outside of the usual colds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
For all the shopping I do, I can't remember the best thing I bought. Time for a spending reflection...

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Big Jimmy's, without whom I would never survive neither myself nor Buster.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
People who didn’t approve of Barack Obama because “he’s black” or “he’s a Muslim.” Idiots.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Eating out.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The first time Buster walked and talked. Oh yeah, and the election.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
ABC because it is currently Buster's favorite song.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Much happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Much fatter.
c) richer or poorer? About even.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I would have laughed more and enjoyed Buster more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Crying, stressing.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
It was the best Christmas in I don’t know how many years. Spent quality time with my family for a few days, and inhaled every second of it.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes - I fell in love with a Nintendo DS (and remained in love with both my son and my husband)

22. What was your favorite TV program?
LOST, Top Chef.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I like and dislike exactly the same people as last year.

24. What was the best book you read?
I'd have to say the book by Dr. Ferber which helped us to get Buster to sleep through the night. Bliss!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Maine.

26. What did you want and get?
a Nintendo DS, and sleep.

27. What did you want and not get?
too many things to mention.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Juno, although The Dark Knight was beyond amazing.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30 this year. I had a quiet dinner and movie with my husband (we saw Juno) then we went to my favorite bar where we were met by friends and my sister.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
To have Lori back and healthy.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever does not have stains on it, I'm cool with.

32. What kept you sane?
Lexapro. And Buster.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barack Obama is pretty damn fancy.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay marriage rights. Also the desperate need to get a Democrat in office.

35. Who do you miss?
Lori.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Ferris.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Make sure that everyone you know is aware of how much you care for them. You might not get to say it tomorrow.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Whoooooooaaaaaaa, hangin’ tough.” - New Kids on the Block