Play Times w/ Finley, Nanny & Papa Visit & VT. Trip

21 Months & 1 Week

This will be the last blog for about 2-3 weeks because we leave for Nova Scotia on Friday night/Saturday morning.  Can’t wait! 

Last Friday Shannon & I had gone back to the thrift store in Tilton and got some more $1 deals – Shannon got so much stuff it was ridiculous!  I did manage to get purchase a few things for Baby Brother – the first things I have actually bought!  And no, there is absolutely no progression on a name for the baby AT ALL.  Every name I like, Heath hates and vice versa.  I’m not really sure how and when this will get resolved.  But it is very frustrating.  After the thrift store, we went grocery shopping and then Shannon & Fin came over in the afternoon for some play time.  Finley & Ty became focused on Ty’s maraca and had been “taking turns” shaking it.  Well, Tyson went nuts and was shaking it so hard that he nailed himself right in the face HARD.  It was pretty sad and cute all at the same time.  He fought crying with everything that he had and he was struggling to keep it together.  He ended up with the quivering, pouty lip and ran into my arms.  But he didn’t cry and a few seconds later he was fine.  But I find it interesting that he ended up whining and carrying on about 10 minutes later, when he was frustrated and couldn’t get my recliner to go down!  I had to laugh at him – when he actually has physical pain, he doesn’t cry, but, boy does he cry when it is something emotional!  (=  We had Friday night supper together when Heath & Sean got home – we had skallops, baked potatoes, salad, and bread.  I was on cloud 9 because Tyson went nuts for the skallops.  I actually didn’t have to make a secondary meal for Ty that night!!!!

Fin has started wearing little hair ties - which Ty is very concerned about.  He has to rip them out of her hair!  But then Aunt Shannon puts one in his hair!

On Sabbath I worked and the boys stayed local and went to Sabbath School and church in Laconia without me!  I was so proud of them for going!  But they weren’t alone.  I know that they only went because they met Shannon & Sean there.  I was very thankful for that.  Ty took a good 2 hour nap in the afternoon and the Frosts came over for “breakfast for lunch” and then they went to Winnisquam swimming.  I’m sad to miss these times, but Ty loves being with Daddy so much – that it is nice that they get to have alone time.  And I love my job – I really do, and I get to help contribute financially, so I think it is a win-win.

Ty loves his Daddy

On Sunday I worked again and the Edwards came over to help Heath with Ty & such.  Heath was desperately trying to finish a big job on his truck, so that we could get it inspected before July ran out.  They met for breakfast and did the work in the afternoon while Sonia played with Tyson.  I ran to the pharmacies after work and did great.  I got free deodorant, free gum, a free all-natural energy drink, and free toothpaste.  Then I got 2 boxes of cereal and 2 things of Revlon nail polish for $0.99 each.  I also scored expensive contact solution (usually $9) for $1.99!!!!  I rushed to get all that done and still make it home to visit with the Edwards and had pizza with them.  Ty ended up eating pizza again, thank goodness.  I don’t know what happened last time he refused to eat it.  Oh yeah, Sunday was our 11 year anniversary.  Since I had to work 12 hours, we decided that we would celebrate another day.  But Sunday was the official day! 

On Monday I picked up from the weekend and then Shannon & Fin came over at around noontime.  Shannon had to work 3p-11p, so I watched Fin until Sean came home.  It’s interesting.  It had been awhile since I had baby-sat Finley last.  It was easier and harder all at the same time.  It is definitely easier because she is much less cranky and she really self-entertains now with all of our toys.  But it is harder too, because she is now completely mobile – crawling everywhere and is obsessed with climbing on things.  So she tries to kill herself on something every 2 seconds.  But the kids have fun and they are really entertaining to watch.  But they definitely have sharing issues.  One funny/dangerous thing that happened was that Ty got into his car and Finley decided that she would push Tyson around!  Well, that was cute for a minute until Tyson figured out that he could use his feet to push the car backwards, almost running over Finley.  I was taking a picture of them and I had to literally throw the camera down to save Finley!  They had a blast playing with the tupperware, much to Sean’s chagrin, he has always said that his daughter would never do such a thing!  There was dancing going on too.  Tyson has really stepped it up with the dancing – really shaking his hips now.  He went crazy for Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”  On Monday afternoon, Mom, Dad, Papa & Nanny came over to see the kids.  Papa & Nanny are visiting because my grandfather is having some health issues and is here for a second opinion at my dad’s hospital.  They are going to end up staying for a few weeks and coming up to Nova Scotia with us!  So we are happy about that!  What is hard is that they had to put their dog, Tuffy, to sleep on Sabbath.  He was having issues with congestive heart failure and was having trouble breathing.  It was definitely the most humane thing to do, but as anyone that has lost a pet knows… there is a lot of pain there.  So keep them in your prayers. 

Just before the near-run over!

Tupperware fun

He loves these little ones!

Ty's masterpiece

On the move!

Dancing!

Finley was grinning, watching Ty dance!

On Tuesday, I had to take ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) from 9a-4p, so I had 2 baby-sitters to help me out!  Sonia came and did the morning shift until 1:30 PM and then Shannon took over, since Sonia had a doctor’s appointment at Dartmouth.  The class went well and then I got home to the report that Ty had eaten a great lunch (he never does for me) – he had eaten 2 whole pieces of pizza for Shannon!  I couldn’t believe it!  He did well, but I can’t remember any other specific stories.  Sonia came back and had offered to watch Ty and stay the night, so Heath & I could go out for anniversary.  We decided to go to the movies (which we never get to do) and then out for a late dinner.  I thought that we would get back at about 10:30 PM, but we actually didn’t make it back until midnight!  I completely messed up.  I had checked the movie listings for our local theatre and “The Watch” was playing.  That was the only thing we both wanted to see.  We want to see Batman, but I just don’t think I can watch that right now, with what just happened.  When we got to the theatre, I started freaking out because I didn’t see “The Watch” up in letters on the theatre sign.  Wouldn’t you know, “The Watch” didn’t come out until this past Friday and it was on their website because you could pre-order tickets.  I was so ticked off because it was listed like every other movie and you just had to look closely at the dates… which I didn’t.  I had just found “Tuesday” and that it was going to start at 7:30 PM.  There was nothing else that we wanted to see, so we checked other theatres, but it was just about 7:30 and all the other movies had already started.  We ended up driving to Manchester, going to Carrabas (which was excellent) and going to a cheap theatre, which plays older movies.  Well, that doesn’t bother us at all, since we never go and we hadn’t seen any other those movies anyways!  The tickets were only $3.50 and we saw “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” at 9:40 PM!!  It was really cute, but Heath kept falling asleep.  I guess we are too old for the late night movies!

Tyson very excited about the movie he just found!

On Wednesday I had to do my usual shift, but I felt terrible leaving Ty 2 days in a row during the week!  I hated it!  But he had a good day with Noni… I don’t remember exactly what they did, but they always have fun.  On Wednesday night, I had my friend in the ultrasound department verify that I am having a boy.  She made me really nervous.  He was in a bad position and she kept saying, “this really looks like a girl.”  I’m like, “Are you kidding me?”  We kept trying and trying and trying… when we thought we saw “it” – “it” was definitely the umbilical cord because there was so much blood flow going through it.  Finally, we found “it”, after making the baby move around… but it took so long, that I feel like there is a little bit of doubt in my mind.  She is on vacation this next week and then I am gone for 2 weeks, but I told her that we need to look again as soon as I get back!  Just for my peace of mind! 

It's hard to see - but this is the little guy crossing his legs!  He really didn't want to have his goods seen!

Thursday was a busy day.  Ty & I got up fairly early (7 AM) and got packed up to go to Vermont.  Jonathan, Marcela & the girls were visiting the Walls, so we went to see them.  Ty & I rode with Shannon & Fin (we flipped a coin for that one) and Mom, Nanny & Papa were in Mom’s car.  Finley & Ty were horrible the entire drive up there.  They pretty much cried the whole time.  Then they just happened to fall asleep in the last 15 minutes!!!!  We had been trying to get them to take a nap the whole time and they just wouldn’t!  Very weird.  So I stayed in the car for awhile, waiting for the kids to wake up.  Of course Finley woke up way before Ty, but she didn’t wake him up!  Aunt Sherrie had a great feast for us for lunch when we got there and then the kids all played together.  It was so cute!  Little Luccia is so adorable, she just is a very happy baby.  It was great to see them.  They won’t be coming to Nova Scotia, so we had to get our time with them when we could!  We stayed a few hours and then headed back home.  The kids were a little better on the way back, but Tyson did not sleep a wink again!!!  What is that about?  It makes me a bit nervous for our big 12 hour car trip to Nova Scotia this weekend!  Finley was good and took 2 cat naps.  When we got home, we went right to Chili’s with the Frosts.  Ty ate his meal pretty good and even had some french fries of mine (usually he hates french fries).  Ty did have to be taken outside with Daddy, though because he was acting up.  Ty was lucky it was Daddy and not Mama that took him out.  Daddy is a wicked softie!

 

Born 12 days apart!

Sisters and their grandkids (almost all of them)

Have a great few weeks!  

Lake Day, Booster, Scratch, Slap vs Clap & Chasing

21 Months

Last Friday Ty and I had a beach day with some girls from work at my friend’s lake house, just like we did last year.  I didn’t get many pictures because I was so busy chasing Ty around in the water and keeping him off the dock.  It was sad – all the kids were jumping off the dock into the water.  The smaller kids were jumping into their mom’s arms, with the moms holding onto their arms.  But I just can’t do that with Ty right now with his clavicle.  The poor bugger was left out and all he wanted to do was go on the dock and try to get away from me – so he could jump off.  So I had to say that we were done with the dock altogether, which he did not love.  He can not get enough of the water, though – which is great.  I need to find him a floatation shirt or whatever they are called.  I think he’s too young for floaties, but his canoeing/boating lifejacket is way too bulky for the beach.  A lot of the kids were playing with their sand toys and Ty did a bit, but he still hates to get sand on his hands.  It is pretty funny.  We all had a great time – I hope we do it again before the summer ends.  The lake is gorgeous and is like bath water.  Of course Ty missed his nap during all this fun time, so he fell asleep within 5 minutes of the car ride home.  It was only 30 minutes from my house, but I drove to the grocery store and sat in the car for about another 30 minutes until he woke up – so at least he could get an hour nap in.  We were on our own for Friday night supper because Shannon had to work the weekend and they headed up to Conway.  I made apricot meatballs for supper, but forgot a key ingredient – walnuts!!!  How do you have a vegetarian meatball without nuts?  Amazingly, it was not half-bad.  I don’t think I have ever done this before, but I am blaming pregnancy brain.  Of course Ty refused to try any of the meal.

One of my friends called Ty, "The GQ Man"

After the lake, Ty enjoyed a popsicle 

On Sabbath we had a rare Sabbath at home and went to Laconia church.  We went to Sabbath School, but there wasn’t a teacher, so we had a play group instead.  It was very interesting.  There were 2 other mothers there with their sons.  We are all pregnant and all three of us are having boys!  Talk about boy heavy in that church!  Kelly reminded me that I forgot to mention the fact last week that she found out that she is having a boy too!!!!  I am super, super excited about this!  Since we are only 10 days apart, I was really hoping we would have the same sex and we are!  They have already decided on a name - Caleb Steven!!  Showoffs.  We will never agree on a name.  Well, anyways, we survived church with a rambunctious Ty (barely) and went home for lunch.  Ty refused to eat any pasta or pizza for lunch, and then was trying to blow bubbles in his pea soup and completely covered me.  I was not enthused.  Ty took a good 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon and then we went to Winnisquam for swimming and a picnic supper.  Ty finally got his hands dirty a bit playing in the sand with Daddy.  I think it helped that they stayed in the wet, packed sand.  After sundown, we went to Dairy Queen and called it a night.

Swimming with Dad

Finally playing in the sand!

On Sunday Heath was gone all day helping his cousin, Joel, move into the house he just bought.  Ty & I were on our own and he was actually pretty cranky most of the day.  I think he realized that it was a Sunday and that Heath was supposed to be home, but that he was getting jipped.  He threw such a tantrum in his highchair during breakfast that I left the room.  I told him, “Mama is not coming back until you have calmed down.”  Of course it took less than a minute and he was completely calm.  I’m going to have to keep trying that technique because it worked like a charm.  After his nap & lunch, we went to the pharmacies and got free Milky Ways and free toothpaste.  I had a first in my pharmacy trips!  My total at Rite Aid was actually $0.00!  Very exciting!  After the pharmacies we went to Kohl’s and Ty had a bunch of meltdowns.  It was so annoying.  I couldn’t just leave either.  I had $10 of Kohl’s cash that was expiring that day and I had to find something to buy.  I finally figured out a couple of things to get and we high-tailed it out of there.  But not before a couple of people said to Tyson, “Was that you making all that noise?”  Too bad they noticed.  After Ty’s bedtime and Heath got home, we watched the movie “The Grey.”  Pretty good but the ending left something to be desired. 

Ty happy after his meltdown

On Monday I did a full cleaning of the house and, of course, it took me all day.  In fact I was still washing floors at midnight.  It’s just too dangerous to wash the floor when Ty is up – he’ll either slip and hurt himself or he will get all wet because he won’t stay off the floors while they are drying.  When Heath had gotten home, we went to Concord to look at a pop-up camper, which I loved, but Heath was not sold on.  We went to the Mexican restaurant after that and Ty tried a booster seat for the first time, since we were sitting in a booth.  He did pretty well, but I wish it had a seat belt on it.  Booster seats don’t usually have straps, right?  He was up and down constantly, but it was actually better than him carrying on in the highchair because at least he can move somewhat in a booth.

This is what Ty does when I am cleaning

On Tuesday I woke up with the 5^th migraine of this pregnancy.  I usually have about 2 migraines a year, but as I have said before, “this child is trying to kill me.”  I get an aura – flashing lights in my vision and I can’t see clearly for awhile and then the migraine hits.  I took Tylenol, the only thing that I can, and tried to rest it off, while watching Ty as he played upstairs.  After a few hours, it went away and Shannon, Mom, the kids & I went to the children’s thrift store that we love in Laconia and the Salvation Army.  Thrift stores are hard with Ty right now – the smaller ones that don’t have carriages.  He runs around non-stop and it’s impossible to actually look for clothes.  Thank goodness I have Mom to help me!  After the stores, Ty & I headed to Valvoline and got an inspection, tire rotation, and oil change for the Outback.  Ty was very good in the waiting room – I brought one of his balls and he kicked it all around the waiting room.  Thank goodness we were alone.  I made a wonderful meal of creamed chicken & peas on rice that again, Tyson would not even try.  I can’t tell you my frustration with this.

These are the kind of things Ty does while I am trying to rest... playing in the bed

Playing in the dog crate

On Wednesday I worked and Ty had a great day with Noni.  She told me that he has become obsessed with this scratch on the kitchen floor that he had made with one of his toys.  He must have showed it to her about 10 times and seemed very concerned about it!  OCD, what can you say?  Another cute thing that happened was that Noni, Ty, Poppy, Shannon & Fin went to Concord to the mall.  They got some ice-cream on the way back and Shannon gave Ty a couple of bites of hers.  He started to get a major sugar high and was dancing like mad in his car seat to the radio on the way home!

Sitting in this little chair - you can actually see the scratch on the floor if you look really hard and it almost looks like he is looking right at the scratch!

On Thursday I woke up with a 6^th migraine and ended up having a 7^th in the afternoon.  These headaches are killing me.  Tyson did a cute thing during breakfast.  Well, it was and it wasn’t (cute that is).  Ty was acting up again and being inappropriate.  I had already had to slap his hand once when he was throwing food, after I told him not to.  So he was being bad again, and I asked him, “Do you want another hand slapping?”  His response was to enthusiastically clap!!!!  I couldn’t help but bust out laughing.  I said, “Ty, I said, ‘slapping not clappin’!!”  There is a definite difference on that one!  Something that he has started to do is pretty cute but is very tiring and annoying too.  If I say anything to him, like “it’s time to go change your diaper” or “we have to brush your teeth”… he runs from me and wants me to chase him.  Every time I need to do anything with him!  He giggles the whole time he is running, which is cute – but it gets tiring too!  Thursday afternoon, Ty & I ran some errands going to pick up some truck parts for Heath and went to Walmart.  We also tried this kid’s thrift store in Tilton that we had never been to and we cleaned out!  They were having a $1 sale on all yellow tags and I got so much stuff!  I told Shannon about it and said that we would have to go back the next day to get more!  Thursday night we went to the Thai restaurant with the Frosts, Adam & Dad (Mom was in Maine visiting a friend from high school).  The kids did pretty well, but Ty still would not eat any of the food.  Someday he will.  Someday.  Have a great week!

Shower Time, "Apple", "Cracker", Slurping, Stooling, Beach Boy Time, York's Wild Kingdom & Cousin Visit

20 Months & 3 Weeks

I just found out that this is my 100th posting on "Ty Time!"  Shouldn't there be balloons and music or something?? (=

Last Friday Ty and I spent most of the day unpacking after being gone to the Edwards for 2 days.  I felt like I had been unpacking and then repacking for weeks.  I need to be home for awhile!  Seriously.  Tyson did something so funny on Friday morning.  I was in our bedroom and he walked into the bathroom.  A few seconds later I heard the sound of running water and screaming.  I ran into the bathroom and found Tyson standing in the shower, fully clothed in his pajamas, with the shower soaking him to the bone!  Thank goodness he only turned it on as far as the cold water – but probably because it shocked him so badly!  The poor boy was soaked and scared to death!  I wrapped him up and dried him off and he was grinning at me within a few seconds.  I couldn’t help but laugh!  What a rascal!  Well, besides unpacking we went to the grocery store, since we didn’t have a thing in the house.  When Heath got home, we went with the Frosts (and Sean’s brother, Keith) to Lake Winnisquam for swimming and supper, since it was another 90 degree day.  Tyson and Finley were both so excited to go swimming!  They both love the water!  Too bad I forgot my camera again and don’t have any pictures to show you.

Playing around in the morning before the shower incident

I had rubbed a balloon and stuck it on his head... he tried to do it with a football too!

Doesn't he look like he's been caught doing something bad?

On Sabbath I worked and Heath & Ty went to Conway church and then over to the Edwards for a BBQ.  Ty had a good day but Heath told me that he was very attached to him all day.  It continued when they got home at about 10 PM.  Tyson had just woken up when the car stopped and was half-asleep.  He grinned the biggest grin to me when he saw me, coming through the door… but he didn’t want to come to me.  He didn’t want to leave his daddy’s arms.  I tried not to take it personally, but his Daddy obsession is a bit much sometimes.

On Sunday I worked again and Sonia came over, so Heath could get some work done on the bathroom!  Hallelujah!  He finished the tiling for the shower, now he just has to tile the floor – which will be much easier.  Tyson said 2 new words with Sonia on Sunday!  He was very proud to show them off to me when I got home.  “Apple” and “cracker.”  He is saying “apple” all the time now – constantly.  It definitely does not have real meaning yet, but at least he is saying some words!  He didn’t have any problems coming to me on Sunday night.  Gave me big hugs and smiles.  We got pizza take-out and Ty had a whole big slice.

Nothing like cherries all over your face!

Monday I had to do laundry a day early.  I had done laundry early on the Friday before going to campmeeting, so we were really running out of clothes.  We also hit up the pharmacies and scored 5 Garnier products (shampoo, conditioner, gels) that are usually $4.99 each for $0.93 each.  I also got 3 of my favorite Almay eyeliners that are $8 normally for $3 each.  Ty did a couple cute things on Monday, but mostly they were some problem things that he did (big surprise).  The cute thing was that I was at the door calling for Reeses to come inside and was clapping my hands – and who comes up beside me and was clapping his hands away… but Ty!  Very cute.  One of the problem things was that all of a sudden, Tyson decided to start slurping when he eats/drinks.  And, of course, because the slurping makes a noise – he thinks it’s the coolest thing ever.  The slurping leads to food and milk going everywhere.  Fun times.  The really scary thing he did was while I was bringing a load of laundry upstairs.  When I came downstairs, I found Ty sitting on one of our bar stools.  He has now graduated from sitting on our kitchen chairs to climbing onto the bar stools, which are like 4 feet off the ground!!!!  My heart stopped.  I couldn’t believe it.  He was swinging his legs and pounding his hands on the counter – he thought that he was the king of the world.  So scary.  The other problem thing that he did was continued his picky eating.  I made a great homemade mac ‘n’ cheese and Ty refused to even try it.  It really makes my blood boil.  What am I going to do with him?

What a rascal!!!!

On Tuesday, Shannon and Mom wanted to go to the beach but I told them they had to go without me.  I just needed a day to vege and do absolutely nothing.  We had been going non-stop and packing and unpacking… doing errands and laundry… I needed to just stop.  I have been feeling really tired and run down lately.  I thought that I was supposed to have more energy in the 2^nd trimester?  I mean, I am back to my 1:30 AM bedtime, but I just can’t keep it up right now.  So Shannon and I just chilled out and Noni stopped by for a visit, but couldn’t take us not doing anything… so she had to go.  There is one thing that we did on Tuesday.  Danced to The Beach Boys!  Shannon put it on the Ipod and Tyson starts dancing like crazy, especially to Surfin’ USA!  It is so cute! 

Dancing to The Beach Boys

Mom brought over some things that Janel gave us - and Ty was very taken with the bicycle helmet!

He was also very excited about one of our baby name books!

On Wednesday I worked and Noni had been double-booked for duty, since Shannon had to work too.  Sonia said she didn’t mind watching Ty, so she did.  They went to York’s Wild Kingdom and Ty had a great time.  Sonia said that he was excited to see all the animals, but especially the ducks!  He does love the ducks.  Forget lions, tigers, and bears… just give the boy some ducks!  Sonia also said that he stalked this 23 month-old little girl that he seemed to have a crush on!  She said that he kept trying to hug her!  I guess he doesn’t know how to play hard to get yet. 

On Thursday, Shannon and Mom came over again and Leigh & Bode came for a visit too!  Leigh’s friend was getting married in Keene that night, so she came to hang out first.  We had a fun relaxing time.  The cousins had fun playing together.  Bode and Finley had a mean game of tug of war over Leigh’s keys that was quite amusing to watch.  Bode was letting Finley just take them from him and then he started to fight back!  So we had a nice visit and then Mom had to go home and Leigh went to the wedding.  Shannon watched Ty while I did a couple fast errands and then when Heath got home, we all went to the OG.  Sean & Keith were up in Lebanon helping out a friend, so Shannon & Finley were on their own.  We had a nice meal and then got Ty a haircut after supper.  His hair was getting so long – but it is much better now!  Have a great week!

    

The Tug of War