A Little Of This, A Little Of That

*Part 2 of the peanut allergy post:  I took Dylan to the store and let him pick some snacks he would be happy with.  He was a little too excited about it.  "I want these!  And these!  And how about these?!"  I had to reign him in a bit.  Then, on Friday, even though the snacks were in a bag, sitting on the kitchen counter, I forgot to take them.  When I picked him up from school, and asked what he had for snack, his lip started to quiver and his eyes got teary.  "I had to eat Cheez-It's, and the other kids got a cookie cake again!  You said you would take the special snacks we picked out, but you didn't!"  (Excuse me while I straighten my "Mommy Of The Year" award).  I am happy to report that I remembered to take them in today, so hopefully the snack dilemma is solved.

*Part 2 of The Ugly Shirt post:  I told Jim yesterday that I had a blog post for him to read.  I sat down next to him while he read it.  When he got to the part that said that I threw his shirt away, he stopped and said, "YOU DID?!"  I said, "Keep reading".   Then, he read the next line that said "Yes, I DID".  Ha!
Then, he asked, "Is it still in the garbage?", looking hopeful.  I answered, "No, I waited until the garbage went out.  Why do you think I waited until today to show you this post?"  (Evil laughter).

*We have started touring schools for next year (he'll go to kindergarten).  You know how much I love to tour schools, right?

*Dylan turns five this week!  There was only one thing he could tell me that he wanted for his birthday - a Sudoku handheld game, that cost $14 at Target!  I am really enjoying these days when his needs are simple.  Material needs, that is.  Emotional needs (time and attention) is a completely different story!

*I think I've mentioned that Dylan is obsessed with sports lately.  His newest obsession is hockey.  Um, yea... a sport that involves him swinging around a large stick.  Could you all please keep your fingers crossed that I don't lose a tooth?

*Remember back in October I took Dylan to the farm on a 68 degree day AND it snowed the same week?  Well, the second week in November, I took him to the zoo on a 68 degree day AND it snowed in the same week.  Pittsburgh is a confusing place to live.

Fall Day At The Zoo

I have so much to do this month.  Between planning Dylan's birthday party, getting information for schools for next year, and planning a Disney trip (for March!), blogging has taken a back seat.

This weekend, we haven't done much.  We had a birthday party that we ended up missing, due to the fact that Dylan woke up complaining of ear pain.  We ended up at MedExpress and found out he has an ear infection.  I have a sore throat, which I'm hoping doesn't develop into anything more.

So, I'll just play catch up.  My mom and I took Dylan to the zoo, back on October 6th.  It was a perfect fall day - not too hot, not too cold.  Dylan met a little girl, who was a little older, and her and her grandma spent a good portion of time walking around with us.  It's always interesting to watch the different dynamics.  Dylan was much calmer with this little girl than with some of the boys he plays with.  It was a fun, relaxing fall day.

Jim's 45th Birthday

Friday was Jim's 45th birthday.  This guy sure doesn't look 45, does he?  I always did like the older and more mature guys.

He took the day off, but didn't actually TELL me that until the day before his birthday, so I had no time to make any plans.  (I should have given him memory pills for his birthday).

Dylan had preschool until 12:00, so Jim slept in while I took him and ran errands.  Then, he came with me to pick him up, which thrilled Dylan.  A few days before, he informed Jim and I that his favorite kid wasn't there.  When I asked who that was, he answered, "I don't know her name".  Jim told him, "Well, just go up to her and ask what her name is and tell her your name!"

So, Jim and I walked into school, and Dylan ran over to the girl, shouting, "HERE SHE IS!  THIS IS MY FAVORITE KID!!... What's your name?".  His favorite kid just stood there looking a bit alarmed.  I couldn't believe THAT was the girl he liked.  A few days before, when I dropped him off, she was walking around looking rather depressed and gloomy.  When I picked him up that day, she was having a cow because she didn't get a turn to do something.  Why do guys always like the high maintenance ones?

We went to Panera Bread for lunch, and then went to Seven Springs.  I mean, Mi-Mi and Bubba got to ride the Alpine Slide with him.   We wanted our turn.  When we got there, we found out it was closed.  Dylan handled that little fact better than the 45 year old.

We played games in the arcade, and played at the playground (in the 87 degree heat!), then had a snack, before heading home.  Bubba came to babysit Dylan, so Jim and I could go out for dinner.  So, we had a nice meal at Outback Steakhouse, then rented a movie.   It was a great day.

(I appreciated the kid-free meal even more yesterday, when we had to leave the restaurant after I consumed only 2 bites of my meal.  Dylan had been constipated all day, and had gone to the bathroom (at the zoo) several times to sit and sit and sit, and touch every disgusting surface, and then touch his face, and produce nothing.  So, when he said he had to go, five minutes after returning from another potty trip with Jim, I wasn't going to take him.  I wanted to eat my meal while it was hot.  But, he was insistent, and it was my turn.  So, I took him in the ridiculously tiny stall, and cringed with each germy thing he touched.  Then, he started rubbing his nose, so I squatted to wipe his nose.  At that exact moment, the dam finally broke, and not only did he poop, but he peed right.between.my.legs.)  

The Tenth Week Of Summer

The last day of my current nanny job was Tuesday.  I have this week off, so I'm taking Monday and Tuesday to get things done around the house while Dylan goes to his grandparents.  I'm so excited to actually accomplish a few things.

Speaking of accomplishing things, I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to go anywhere in this city right now without hitting construction.  If I had a picture of the mess I was in Wednesday I would show you... then I would hit one of the many construction workers who were standing around over the head with a "Road Work Ahead" sign.  It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to my in-laws to drop Dylan off (which should have taken 30 minutes).  Dylan is fine in the car... until the car comes to a complete stop.  Then there is whining, whining, WHINING!  I was a complete ball of stress, and that was BEFORE my gynecologist appointment.  WHEE!

Thursday night we met Jim at the zoo for "Members Night".  The zoo was just open to members from 6:30-9, and they had $1 food specials and free carousel rides.  I thought it was a great idea of mine, since it would be cooler to walk around at night.  I forgot about the 7:30 crazies.  Exactly one hour before bedtime Dylan has a last burst of crazy energy.  So, while I certainly wouldn't call it "relaxing", we still enjoyed it.

Friday we visited my grandfather, and I babysat for the new family I'm going to be working for.

Saturday, I met a friend for lunch.  Then, Jim and I took Dylan to Twin Lakes Park, where he had his first row boat ride.  I had the bright idea to get him ice cream, "so he'll have something to entertain him on the boat".  Not one of my better ideas.  It was so hot, that it was melting at an alarming rate -all over Dylan,  the boat, and his life vest.  We firmly established the fact that if Jim and I were ever to go on The Amazing Race, and a row boat challenge was involved we would most definitely lose.  I tried to row for a while, and let's just say, we would still be out there going in circles at this very moment if Jim hadn't taken over.  It was fun, though, and we can cross one thing off Dylan's Bucket List.

("Here, Mommy, I'll help you").

(Our Hero)

After that, we went to my parent's church for a carnival.  Dylan bounced in the bouncy house, played a bunch of games, played on the playground, and got a balloon animal.

(Isn't this a cute idea?  A pig race!  The orange pig?  That is losing?  That would be mine).

(This is "Mr. Fat" - the Bee)

A Giant Leap

A child grows little by little, sometimes in teeny tiny steps that we don't even notice, other times in giant leaps forward that take our breath away. Sometimes we keep giant leaps at bay for as long as we can, hoping to freeze our children in a certain time. Alas, the leaps come anyway.

The Friday before Easter was one of those leaps forward. Friday morning I sold Dylan's stroller. So what? Writing it down... I sold Dylan's stroller... it looks so matter of fact, so insignificant. But to me, it was HUGE. I might have even been a bit panic stricken.

I had made plans to meet a friend and her son at the zoo that day. What was I thinking? Was Dylan ready for this? Was I ready for this? It's not like I took the stroller everywhere we went. We had gone to Target, restaurants, bookstores, and even the mall without it. I hardly used it anymore. But, it was there, just in case I needed it.

We hadn't been to the zoo since last summer, before Dylan turned three. Back then, when I let him out of the stroller, he would often take off running, or wander away when I wasn't looking. What if he did that again? I wouldn't be able to put him back in the stroller and I certainly wouldn't be able to carry his 39lb body out of the zoo!

Each time I started to panic, I heard Jim's voice in my head, saying "He can't ride in a stroller forever. He's not a baby anymore". Then, it hit me. Maybe this hesitation to sell the stroller is more than a fear of losing my child at the zoo. Maybe, in some small way, it is a fear of losing him... period. I'm losing him as a baby. I'm losing him as a toddler. That period in his life, and in mine, is already over. Maybe, just maybe, I was holding on to more than the stroller.

I didn't need to worry. He did an awesome job, walking around the entire zoo, holding my hand. When he wasn't holding my hand, he would periodically look around and make sure I was nearby. "Oh, Mommy! There you are!", he would say, smiling at me.

When we stopped at the zoo playground to let the boys run around, Dylan ran straight for the maze of tunnels that he got stuck in the last time. "That's my boy!", I thought. He made it through the maze successfully, and has been telling everyone about it since then.

As the four of us walked out of the zoo, I looked down at him, his little hand in mine, and my breath caught in my throat. Before I know it, I'll have to find the strength to let go of that hand. I'll have to find the strength to let go in countless other ways as he grows up. I just hope he'll occasionally check in, saying, "Oh Mom! There you are!" I'll smile and say, "That's my boy!"

Zoo Class

This morning, I took Dylan to a zoo class - "Itsy Bitsy Bugs". The class was at 9:30am, and I just remembered around 8:00am that it was today.

Here's a breakdown of the morning...

8:00 - "Holy crap! Today is the zoo class!!!"

8:10 - Convince Dylan to go upstairs, after explaining we are going to the zoo.

8:40 - After getting Dylan and myself dressed, pop in a "video", so I can pack the bag, make a quick phone call, and find the paper I need to take.

9:00 -Leave the house and drive, (a little too quickly, "Mommy! We're going FAST!"), to the zoo.

9:24 - Check in, get Dylan strapped in the stroller, and book it to the elevators.

9:25 - See the huge line and get him out of the stroller. Hold his hand, the bag, my purse, and the stroller as we go up the escalator instead.

9:27 - Put him back in the stroller and book it up the hill to where the class is. Think, "I might die from this heat". (It is 90 degrees and humid today).

9:32 - Arrive (only 2 minutes late, but sweaty and out of breath).

(The class was OK. He got to touch a millipede, and a cockroach. Look at a tarantula, caterpillars, and a stick bug. I thought the crafts were kind of lame, and the teacher needed to talk more on a 2 year old level. Me and the lady I was talking to were the only ones who didn't squeal or make faces when the teacher brought out the bugs. That being said, though, if I went to a reptile class, and a snake was involved, I might pee my pants. Dylan was losing interest by the end, and kept talking about seeing the polar bears.)

10:15 - Put him back in the stroller and go straight to the polar bears, passing the sharks and otters along the way.

10:30 - Stand in the tunnel watching the polar bear swim above us. So cool!

10:45 - Start walking (Dylan now out of the stroller), and suddenly he takes off down the path like lightning - ZOOM! Run like a maniac after him, screaming, "STOP!". Pull him out of a restricted area and put him back in the stroller.

11:15 - Go to Kids Kingdom, thinking he needs to get some energy worked off.

11:25 - Explain to him that he can only go on the blue slide, NOT the big ones because they are for the older kids. (The zoo's rule - not mine).

11:30 Go up the rope climb with Dylan because he won't go himself. Think, "I might die in this heat".

11:35 - Grab Dylan before he gets on the biggest slide and gets yelled at by the zoo worker. He then falls to the floor and goes limp, whining, "I want to go on this one!"

11:36 - Carry a crying, squirming Dylan down three flights of stairs, thinking, "I might pass out. What does heat exhaustion feel like?" Scream at Dylan "WE'RE DONE!", and leave Kid's Kingdom.

11:40 - Get lunch. Drink a bottle of water in about 3 gulps. Left the zoo thinking, "Going to the zoo on a 90 degree day is for fools". That, and "Next time I come to the zoo, I'm bringing backup".

12:05 - Leave the zoo, a hot sweaty mess.

We have one more class next week. Can't wait.

A Proud Mom

Dear Dylan,

This weekend, Mi-Mi and Bubba watched you while your daddy and I went to Seven Springs to celebrate our seventh anniversary. We had a great time doing some things that we don't usually get to do when you're around, like talking over a long, scrumptious dinner, shopping, and sleeping in. We also got to do some things that we haven't done since you were born, like playing a game of mini-golf, bowling a game, playing some video games, and relaxing in a jacuzzi. Mostly, we just enjoyed talking and spending quality time together.

But, do you want to know what one of the most memorable moments was? When we were at the mall, looking at the merry-go-round, and your daddy said, "Are you missing Dylan?...I am". You are so much fun to be around, we can hardly stand to be away from you!

Speaking of fun, Mi-Mi and Bubba took you to the museum while we were gone. They told me that when you got in the car to go home, you announced, "I had fun"! They were sure I told you to say that, but I didn't. When you and I go somewhere, though, I always say "I had fun with you today! Did you have fun?" I love that you've picked up on that, Dylan! It is a great thing to show people appreciation, and let them know that you enjoy spending time with them.

Yesterday, for Mother's Day, we had more fun - at the zoo! Mi- Mi and Bubba, Mi-Maw and Pap-Pap, and your daddy and I, all enjoyed watching your reactions to the animals. The zoo was SO crowded, and you didn't get your regular nap, but you were such a good boy! You didn't complain about anything. (I've taken classes of preschoolers, who started complaining ten minutes into the zoo that they were tired, or hot, or hungry).

But, the most amazing part of the day was when we left. We were stuck in a traffic jam of cars, all trying to get out of the zoo at the same time. We sat in the car, barely moving, for an hour and a half! You didn't cry, or fuss, or whine! While listening to kids screaming in nearby cars, couples fighting, and your daddy and Pap-Pap discussing the logistics of the situation, you and I sang songs, played "I Spy", talked, giggled, and laughed. I enjoyed an hour and a half stuck in a traffic jam, because of you.

You have the amazing ability to make anything fun, and I LOVE that about you! On Mother's Day, and everyday, I am happy and proud to be your mom.

I Love You,
Mommy

Madness! Madness, I Say!!

On Sunday, Jim and I took Dylan to the zoo. Let me start by saying that I love the Pittsburgh Zoo. One family that I worked for had a pass to the zoo, and I took the girls there so many times that I knew the animals' names. "Hey Jomo! How's it hanging?"

It's a beautiful zoo, and it is laid out well, (except maybe they could have put that hill by the bears at the beginning, because by that point, the adults, err I mean kids don't have the energy to go up a friekin' hill). I took Dylan to the zoo many times last year, but I was looking forward to seeing how he would react now that he is older.

Jim and I figured that since it was Memorial Day weekend, that most people would be out of town and the zoo would be mostly empty. Apparently, due to the astronomical gas prices, the only place the ENTIRE CITY OF PITTSBURGH could afford to go was to the zoo. Yes, I swear the ENTIRE CITY OF PITTSBURGH was there. I have never seen so many people at that zoo, and I have been there when it was pretty crowded.

In order for Dylan to actually see any animals, we had to take him out of the stroller, and put him on Jim's shoulders, before the two of them pushed their way through the mass of humanity. That left me to navigate my way through the maze of strollers . As I bumped, and was bumped into, I started to notice a pattern. The further we went into the zoo, the more and more miserable the adults' faces became, including my own! It was hot, and I was sweaty, and people kept TOUCHING ME!! (Have I mentioned I'm a bit claustrophobic?)

This is how it was going...in my head...
"Are you kidding me? You have to stand right there? You can't move about 2 inches to the right so I can get this dang stroller out of this crowd of people? EWWW! YOU! Behind me! Could you stop breathing on the back of my neck?! You're grossing me out! (Bump) Okay, that's the third person to run into me and not apologize. Get me outta here! I can't breathe! GAG! That hairy guy just wiped his sweaty arm against mine! I'm going to be sick. Where are Jim and Dylan? I lost them again. Is this my stroller I'm pushing?"

Yep, pretty much like that. At one point we came to a Y, and Jim asked, "Which way?" I answered, "Well, to the left is Kid's Kingdom, and to the right is home". Want to guess which way Jim wanted to go?

*I have an interesting little addition to this charming story. The day that we decided to go to the zoo, along with the ENTIRE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, the zoo was robbed. That's right - robbed. Some guy robbed a zoo employee in broad daylight, right around closing time. We probably smiled at him as we passed him on our way out. The news report said he got away with between 30-40 Thousand dollars!! From a Zoo robbery! Who knew zoo's brought in that kind of cash? Well, I guess when the ENTIRE CITY OF PITTSBURGH turns out, big money is made.

I don't know about you, but when I think about family-friendly activities, armed robbery is always involved. Now, I'm not telling all of you out of towners this to scare you, and prevent you from ever coming to our wonderful zoo. Then, again, if you don't come maybe the next time I go, I'll be able to get close enough to actually see some of the animals.